Iranian Journal of Field Crops Research
Year:2013 | Volume:11 | Issue:1|Papers Count:24

Northern Khorasan province is located in north-east Iran. According to Demarton coefficient, it is a semiarid region. Arid and semi-arid or subhumid zones are characterized by temperature variations, low and erratic rainfall, periodic droughts and different associations of vegetative cover and soils. This article looks at current dry lands and general guidelines for finding the best area for dry land farming. Primary map of current dry lands were provided by using TM visual images from 2002 and subject maps (plant distribution maps, topography maps…). The maps were corrected by GPS and according to the dry lands. Other information such as rainfalls, isotherms, height profiles, slopes, soil depth, soil erosion and soil salinity were evaluated. The layers were classified due to Methods of Sizes et al (1991) then the dry land area were defined three layers of optimum, average and poor performance. The map showed that the farm areas is 513886.7 ha equal to 18.2% of the total dry lands in Northern Khorasan. The results showed that the studied area were used for dry land farming with suitable slope 164525.7 ha (22.05%), suitable soil, depth and texture 14295.91 ha (27.83%), optimum height layer (less than 1700 m) 411339.91 ha, with average temperature 454281.99 ha (88.2%) and no salinity limitation 350573.79 ha (68.25). Successful dry land farming is not possible in 86.1% of dry lands in north Khorasan with sharp slope, low soil depth, unsuitable soil texture and soil erosion.

In order to evaluate the effects of different levels of water and plant density on yield, yield components, morphological and physiological characteristics of a new corn Hybrid (KSC 500), an experiment was carried out in 2006 in Karaj area. The experimental design was split plot based on randomized complete blocks design with three replications. Main plots were three irrigation levels: 75%, 100% and 125% ET and sub plots were three plants densities: 75000, 85000 and 95000 plant per hectare. Water requirement was calculate based on soil water limitation to the level of field capacity. The results showed that increasing the levels of irrigation from 75% to 125% ET, has a significant effect on yield, plant height, the first ear height above ground, leaf number, leaf width and length, biomass weight, ear length and diameter, number of grain in row, number of row in ear, leaf destruction, 1000 grain weight, 15 ear sample weight, ear wood diameter, grain length, biological yield and harvest index, but its effects on ear wood weight, tassel length and leaf dry weight was not significant. Effect of different densities on yield, plant height, the first ear height above ground, leaf number, leaf length, ear length and diameter, number of grain row, ear wood weight and diameter was significant. According to the results 125% ET treatment and 85000 plant per hectare had the best yield (12 ton.ha-1) and 100% treatment in 75000 plant per hectare had the best WUE (1.22 kg/m3).

Lentil (Lens culinaris. Medik) is one of the major cool season pulse crops which could suffer damage under severe cold. Some physiological parameters such as electrolyte leakage (EL) have been used to assess the response of crops to cold conditions. in order to evaluate the possibility of using the EL index for assessing the freezing tolerance of lentil genotypes, a factorial experiment carried out with seven lentil genotypes (MLC7, MLC60, MLC185, MLC225, MLC357, Ghazvin and Robat) and nine freezing temperatures (0, -3, -6, -9, -12, -15, -18, -21 and -24oC) on the base of completely randomized design with three replications on the fall 2008. Results showed that, in all genotypes, EL was increased with decreasing the temperature, and there was significantly difference (P).

Studies on floristic composition of weeds in an agricultural zone could help to reach a better weed control management strategies. The goal of this article was the study of the floristic composition of Lentil weeds grown filds in Khorramabad, during 2007-2008. Sampling was done on 9 point of each field according to W method in 21farm. In each plat Per plate of all weed species were counted separately. Accordingly, species abundance, species density and uniformity of each farm in regions were determined. Among the 64 species observed in the lentil fields, most Frequentlly observed species was Gallium aparine and Vicia vilosa with 92 percent. of Gallium aparine 13 plants/m2 had the higest density among the weeds. Mean density of Turgenia Latifolia, and Lathyrus sativa were 4.5, 3.3 and 3.1 plant/ m2, respectively. Mean density of weeds in Lentil fields was 54 plant/ m2.

Intercropping may be helpful manner to increase interception and utilization. The aim of this study was to compare radiation use efficiency and radiation interception in intercropping with sole cropping. An experiment was conducted at the Agricultural Research Station, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad in the growing season of the year 2008. The experimental treatments were: 1- sole crop of bean 2- sole crop of sweet basil 3- strip intercropping of bean and sweet basil (four row bean and two row sweet basil) 4- strip intercropping of bean and sweet basil (two row sweet basil and four row bean) 5- row intercropping of bean and sweet basil. For this purpose a Complete Randomized Block design with 3 replications was used. For analysis crop radiation capture and utilization, three indices are often used: the fraction of radiation intercepted (F), harvest index (HI) and radiation use efficiency (RUE). Results showed that the intercrop F was higher than the sole crop F and there was no difference HI among treatments. RUE of sweet basil in intercrop treatments was increased compared to sole crop and highest RUE of sweet basil obtained in row intercropping (3.2g/Mj), RUE of bean decreased in intercrop treatments and highest RUE of bean obtained in sole crop bean (2.03g/Mg). Light extinction coefficient of bean was obtained 0.55 and sweet basil 0.47. The highest Leaf area index (LAI) in bean was obtained in sole crop (4.3) and the highest LAI in sweet basil was in strip inter cropping with 4 row sweet basil.

In order to investigate the effects of plant growth promoting bacteria on growth characteristic of wheat, an experiment was conducted at the Research Greenhouse, Faculty of Agriculture, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran, in year 2009. A completely randomized design based on factorial arrangement (3×6) with three replications was used. The first factor consisted of three cultivars of wheat (Chamran, Sayonez and Gaskogen) and the second one was biofertilizer types (phosphate suloblizing bacteria, biophosphore, nitroxin, nitragin, mixed and control). Results showed that the effects of biofertilizers were significant on leaf area, root volume, shoot and root length criteria. Moreover, the difference between cultivars on emergence rate, leaf area, leaf number per plant, leaf dry weight, total dry weight and leaf to root dry weight ratio, were significant. The highest and the lowest emergence rate were observed at Gascogen (0.8 seed per 12 hour) and Chamran (0.56 seed per 12 hour) cultivars, respectively. The interaction effects of wheat cultivars and biofertilizers were significant on all studied characteristics (emergence rate, leaf area, specific leaf area, leaf number per plant, leaf dry weight, root dry weight, total dry weight, leaf to root dry weight ratio, shoot length, root length, root to shoot length ratio, mean leaf length and root volume) unless emergence percentage. Overall, our result indicated that biofertilizers had a useful and effective function on improvement of growth characteristics of wheat.

Understanding of relations and interactions between ecosystem’s components and plants is one of the main conditions for sustainable production of medicinal plants. To study the effect of simultaneous application of organic and biological fertilizers on yield and yield components of zucchini squash, a split plot arrangement of factors based on randomized complete block design with tree replications was used during 2009-10 growing season. The mainplot factor was the type of organic fertilizers, including 1-cow manure, 2-sheep manure, 3-chicken manure, 4-vermicompost and 5-control. The subplot factor was the biofertilizer (namely Nitragin, containing Azotobacter sp., Azospirillum sp. and Pseudomonas sp.), utilization. The results showed the positive but non significant effect of organic and biological fertilizers on yield and yield components of zucchini squash. Amongst the organic fertilizers, cow and chicken manure, have superiority compared the others. The highest seed oil and protein percent resulted in chicken manure, although there was not significant different between treatments due to seed oil percent. The positive effect of organic and biological fertilizers on seed yield was higher than fruit yield. Positive correlations found between fruit and seed yield, and between one fruit weight and one fruit seed weight (R2=0.72** and 0.56**, respectively). At a glance, cow manure solely application was better than its application with nitragin. Nitragin application has no significant effect on some traits, when utilized with sheep manure and vermicompost. The possibilities of antagonistic effect among organic and biological fertilizers needs to be more studied.

This study carried out in a factorial layout on completely randomaized block design with three replications, to evaluate the above- and below- ground competition between sesame (Sesamum indicum) and pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexus), and their impacts on sesame yield and yield component. The experimental treatments were all combination of crop-weed competition (shoot competition, root competition and root-shoot competition) and sesame plant densitys (1, 2 and 4 plant per pot). Plants were sown in plastic pots (24 cm diameter and 28 cm height) in year 2010, at feild of Ferdowsi University of Mashhad. For study the shoot competition of sesame-pigweed, the roots were separated by plastic when the pots were filled with soil before sowing the seeds. Three weeks after emerging, shoots of plants were separated vertical barrier (30 x 70 cm) for studing root competition. Results showed that competition treatments had a significant effect on seed weight per plant and yield components except 1000 seed weight. Among competition produced higher yield and yield components compared to othere treatments. However, sesame and pigweed biological weight in root-shoot competition was 2.6 and 13.7 respectively, that was higher than other competition treatments and was significant. Capsule number in main and sub branches, capsule number in plant, seed number in capsule and seed number in plant in complete competition treatment was 15, 2.58, 17.5, 43.7 and 693.89 respectively, that was higher than other treatments and differences among them was significant. Sesame density also had a significant effect on seed weight per plant and yield components. When low density were used (one plant), yield and yield components was more, therefore in one plant per pot density biological weight of sesame was 3.82 gr, and in higher densities the mentioned traits decreased significantly.

To study the effect of salinity on germination and threshold of barley germplasms two experiments carried out as a factorial arrangement based on completely randomized designin greenhouse and laboratory condition. In the first experiment 23 barley germplasms (17 wild and 6 improved barely cultivars) were investigated for germination index with four treatments of salinity (0, 100, 200 and 300 Mm NaCl) in three replications and in the second experiment the threshold salinity of 7 germplasms that selected from the first experiment were analyzed in five treatments (1.3, 5, 10, 15 and 20 ds.m-1) with four replications. At the end of the first experiment, following factors were measured: germination percent, root length, shoot length, root fresh weight, root dry weight, shoot fresh weight, shoot dry weight, Na+ root content, K+ root content, Na+ shoot content, K+shoot content also threshold salinity, shoot length, dry and fresh weight, Na+and K+content was measured in the second experiment. The result showed that increased salt concentrations caused decrease final germination percentage (P≤0.05). Some of germplasms showed high tolerance to salinity. The relative yield of dry weight indicated that H.vulgare, var. Afzal with 25.24 ds.m-1andH.murinum (Ilam) with 16.65 ds.m-1 which had the maximum and minimum EC50 value respectively between these germplasms. In this experiment the native cultivar had a highest tolerance with compared to the other cultivars that is likely contain genes for resistance to salt stress.

Ajowan is one of the endemic plants in Khorasan province, and there is a little information on its tolerance to cold stress. In order to study freezing tolerance of ajowan, an experiment was conducted in faculty of agriculture, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, based on factorial-completely randomized design with three replications and three ecotypes of ajowan (Neishabour, Birjand and Torbat-e-Heidarieh) were imposed on eight freezing temperatures (0 (control), -1.5, -3, -4.5, -6,-7.5, -9 and -10.5 °C). Plants were grown in natural environment till 4-5 leaf stage, then for freezing treatments transferred to thermo-gradient freezer. The cell membrane stability was evaluated by electrolyte leakage index (EL) and temperature for killing 50% of samples according to the electrolyte leakage (LT50el) was determined. Furthermore, survival percentage, leaf number and dry weight, temperature for killing 50% of samples according to survival (LT50su) and reduced dry matter temperature 50 (RDMT50) were determined after three weeks recovery in the glasshouse. Response of ajowan ecotypes for electrolyte leakage was different and birjand ecotype had the lowest %EL, whereas the slope of %EL in mentioned ecotype was lower than two other ecotypes. However there were no significant differences among ajowan ecotypes on LT50su. Decreasing temperature to -7.5 oC reduced survival percentage of Neishabour and Torbat-e-Heidarieh ecotypes to lower than 20 percent, whiles in this temperature Birjand’s survival percentage was about 60 percent. It seems that Birjand ecotype with the lowest electrolyte leakage, the highest survival and dry matter and the lowest LT50su was more tolerant than two other ecotypes.

In order to study the effect of planting pattern and herbicide application on corn (Zea mays L.) grain yield and weeds control, an experiment was carried out in 2007 at Varamin Research Station of Plant Protection Research Institute. The experimental design was a randomized complete block in a split plot arrangement with 4 replications. Experimental factors consisted of planting patterns at 4 levels were including one row planting on each ridge with recommended density, two rows planting on each ridge with recommended density, %25 and %50 more than recommended density in main plot and herbicide at 5 levels were including Atrazin 0.8 ai kg ha-1 plus EPTC 3.28 ai kg ha-1, Atrazin 0.8 ai kg ha-1 a plus EPTC 4.10 ai kg ha-1, Atrazin 0.8 ai kg ha-1 plus EPTC 4.92 ai kg ha-1, Atrazin 0.8 ai kg ha-1 plus Allachlor 2.4 ai kg ha-1, EPTC 4.92 ai kg ha-1 in subplot. Weed-free and weedy controls were added to treatments. Results indicated that altering planting pattern to two rows planting with 25 and 50% more than recommended density significantly increased grain yield. Altering palnting pattern to two rows planting also reduced weeds density and dry weight, and two rows planting on each ridge with %25 more than recommended density showed the lowest weeds density and dry weight. In different planting pattern Atrazin 0.8 ai kg ha-1 plus EPTC 4.92 ai kg ha-1 and Atrazin 0.8 ai kg ha-1 plus EPTC 4.10 ai kg ha-1 treatments had the lowest weeds density and dry weight, respectively. Grain yield of herbicide treatments except weedy control had no significant difference in comparison with weed-free control. Therefore by using reduced rates of herbicides can decrease herbicide application. Therefore, two rows planting on each ridge with %25 more than recommended density (92,500 plants ha-1) and Atrazin 0/8 ai kg ha-1 plus EPTC 4.10 ai kg ha-1 are recommended for weed management in corn field.

Future climate changes are expected to increase risks of drought, which already represent the most common stress factor for stable barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) production in Iran. Up to now, extensive research projects have been done to study effects of drought stress on the antioxidant enzyme activity. While there is a few works of such studies on the field condition. In order to study of water deficit effects on the antioxidant enzymes activities as a secondary stress, we evaluate the effects of mild and severe drought stress on activities of antioxidative enzymes including superoxide dismutases, ascorbate peroxidase, catalase and peroxidase, among four barley genotypes, differing in the capacity to maintain the grain yield under drought condition during beginning on anthesis, kernel watery ripe and late milk stages under field condition. Results showed that drought increased the activity of antioxidant enzymes in all genotypes. At beginning of anthesis, POX activity of Q22 was higher than it in other genotypes (P).

In order to study of barely and wheat cultivars tolerance to metribuzin, a factorial experiment was conducted as a completely randomized design, with three replications in Greenhouse of Agricultural Research at Ferdowsi University of Mashhad. Treatments included wheat cultivars (Backcross roshan, Cross Arvand, Bahar, Sepahan, Gascosion, Sayonez, Bam garmsiry, Garmsiri, Ghods, Pishtaz, Chamran and Shoori 6), barely cultivars (Macouyi, Karoon and Bahman) and metribuzin application rates ( 0, 175, 350, 700, 1050, 1400 and 2100 gr. ai.ha-1). Metribuzine was applied at 3-4 leaf stage and 3 weeks after herbicide spraying, plants survival and their biomass were determined. Results showed that metribuzin application had a significant effect (p≤0.01) on barley and wheat dry weight. Based on results, mertibuzin application did not affect on barley cultivars up to 30 g.a.i.ha-1 but in wheat varieties lead to significant reduction in their biomass and survival. Increasing of metribuzin rates reduced wheat and barley cultivars biomass (p≤0.01). Barely varieties were less sensitive than wheat cultivars to metribuzine. The highest and the lowest ED50 in wheat cultivars were observed in cross arvand (940) and shoori (25) varieties, respectively. In barley cultivars the highest and lowest ED50 were observed in Macouyi (614) and Karoon (396), respectively.

In order to effects of sulfur and manure on grain yield, yield components, and some physiological traits of corn hybrid KSC 704 in calcareous soils of Kermanshah province, a factorial experiment was carried out based on a randomized complete block design with three replications. Sulfur fertilizer in four levels 0, 250, 500 and 750 kg ha-1 and manure in four levels 0, 4, 8 and 12 t ha-1 were applied. Results showed that the effects of sulfur fertilizer, manure and their interaction effects was significant at the 1% probability level for grain yield, stem diameter, number of rows per ear, number of grain per row, leaf area index at 7-9 leaf and tasselling stages and, soil pH. The effects of sulfur fertilizer and manure was significant at 1% probability level only for rate and duration of grain filing, thousand seed weight and ear number per plant. Maximum corn grain yield to A3B3, A3B2, A3B1 treatment combinations by12673, 12597 and 12147kg ha-1,respectively. The lowest in soil acidity was belong to A3B3 treatment combination with7.51. In general application of 750 kg ha-1 sulfur fertilizer and 8 or 12 t ha-1 manure cause the maximum means for yield and components grain yield of corn. Therefore it can be possible to decrease the negative effects of calcareous soils along with application of 750 kg ha-1 sulfur fertilizer and 12 t ha-1 manure.

A randomized complete block design with four replications and a split plot arrangement was conducted in 2010, in order to study the effect of limited irrigation on yield and yield component of sweet corn. Water levels were (100%, 80%, and 60% replacement of plant water requirement) which served as main plots. Subplot was a factorial arrangement of three different sweet corn varieties (Merit, Obsession and KSC403) with two planting methods (raised bed and furrow planting). The evaluated traits were ear length, ear diameter, kernels number per row, seed rows per ear, kernel depth, seed thousands weight, kernel yield, shoot biomass, harvest index and Anthesis- silking interval. Results show that limited irrigation significantly decreased all measured characteristics but harvest index. Effect of varieties was significant on evaluated traits too. Kernel weight and seed depth were significantly affected by interaction between variety and planting method. The highest yield was found for 100% replacement of water requirement irrigation level whit 15.2 tones per hectare kernel weight and the lowest belongs to 60% replacement of water requirement by 8.6 tones per hectare kernel weight. Merit and KSC 403 produces the highest (15.9 ton/ha) and lowest (8.8 ton/ha) seed yield, respectively. Harvest index of different varieties were not affected by irrigation regime. Results show that, in whole, limited irrigation, decreased seed yield in all varieties by affecting diverse yield component.

In order to investigation the effect of different fertilization treatments on nutrient and essential oil contents in dragonhead drug (Dracocephalum moldavica L.), an experiment was conducted in the station of agricultural research in Urmia on 2008. Treatments (nitroxin, barvar phosphate biofertilizer, biosulfur, nitroxin+ barvar phosphate biofertilizer, barvar phosphate biofertilizer + biosulfur, nitroxin+ biosulfur, nitroxin+ barvar phosphate biofertilizer + biosulfur, chemical fertilizer, control) were arranged based on randomized complete block design with 4 replications. Results indicated that uptake of Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium, Iron, Copper, Manganese and essential oil content were affected by studied treatments significantly but uptake of zinc by plant was not affected. Means comparison showed the highest values of Nitrogen (3.55%), Potassium (3.47%) and Iron (4.56 ppm) in Nitroxin treatment, Phosphorus (0.26%) and Copper (0.33 ppm) in barvar phosphate biofertilizer + biosulfur treatment, Manganese (0.48 ppm) in chemical origin of nitrogen+phosphorus+ potassium treatment and essential oil content (0.48%) in nitroxin+ barvar phosphate biofertilizer + biosulfur treatment.

To evaluate the effect of different levels of nitrogen fertilizer and municipal compost on the essential yeild of savory pot experiment in 2009 was carried out in the Darab region. Different doses of compost was in four levels, including: zero C0:, 10C1:, 20C2: and 30C3: tons per hectare and nitrogen fertilizer include: zero N0:, 30N1:, 60 N2: and 90N3: kg of pure nitrogen from urea per hectare. Analysis of variance showed that the consumption of different amounts of nitrogen, compost and interaction between them on dry matter yield and height, percentage and yield of essential oil of savory, is statistically significant. Comparison of mean showed that treatment 90 kg N/ha along with 30 tons of municipal compost consumption per hectare (N3C3) with an average 50.8 g dry weight in pot greatest and treatments without N and compost (N0C0) and non-N with 10 and 20 tons of compost ha (N0C1 and N0C2) were mean 23.69, 23.42 and 24.63 g dry weight, the lowest plant dry weight were allocated to pot. N fertilizer and compost on the number of lateral branches per plant and nitrogen application on mean stem diameter was significant. N3 with an average 24.75 lateral branches and C3 with a mean 22.19 lateral branches, were the highest number of lateral branches per plant. N2C3 with mean of 2.13 percent of most essential oil produced. The most essential yield of the combination treatment N3C3, respectively. Generally produce more essential oil percent and to have more dry matter level N2C3 be seems appropriate.

In order to study effect of irrigation with wastewater and foliar application of complete fertilizer on forage yield and seed yield and yield components of foxtail millet (Setaria italica). A split plot experiment based on randomized complete block design with three replications was conducted at the Agriculture Institute of Zabol University in year 2009. Treatments included three levels of irrigation: Irrigation with well water at all stages of grows (control), Irrigation with wastewater and tap water alternately, Irrigation with wastewater for all growing stages, as the main plot and sprayed with three levels of complete fertilizer (NATBA-LIB): Non spraying (control), sprayed with 600 and 1200 gram of complete fertilizer in each hectare, as were the subplots. Results showed that irrigation with wastewater and complete fertilizer sprayed had significant effect on all traits except leaf to stem ratio. Furthermore, among the irrigation treatments, irrigation with wastewater in total growing period, and wastewater and tap water alternately lead to significant increase in grain yield, forage yield and yield components. Among the sprayed treatments, sprayed with 1200 gram of complete fertilizer had highest forage yield and grain.