SEED AND PLANT PRODUCTION JOURNAL
Year:2010 | Volume:26-2 | Issue:1|Papers Count:7

To study the variation in developmental stages and its relationship with grain yield and its components, this research was conducted in three successive cropping seasons (2000 - 2003) in experimental field stations of Seed and plant Improvement Institute, Karaj, Iran. Twenty bread wheat cultivars adapted to four different agro-climatic zones (Cold and Tempearte Cold; Temperate; Southern Warm Dry; and Northern Warm and Humid) were studied-using randomized complete block design with three replications under field conditions in Karaj, Iran. Results revealed that bread wheat cultivars were significantly different in term of bilological yield, grain yield and yield components. These variations could be aattributed with genetic differences and adaptation to different agro-climatic zones as well as variation in their phonology particularly duration of different developmental stages. Cultivars adapted to cold and tempearte cold and temperate zones produced greater biological yield (17798 and 17662 Kg ha-1, respectively), and grain yield (7236 and 7229 kg ha-1, respectively). There was a not considerable difference among different groups of cultivars for HI (39.3-42.5%). Results of correlation analysis between grain yield and its components with different phonological developmental stages also indicated that relationship between spikes No. m-2 and was positively correlated with the duration from sowing to Terminal Spikelet stage, however, it was negatively associated with duration of rapid stem elongation (Terminal Spikelet to Anthesis) stage. The relationship between 1000 grain weight (TGW) and the duration of vegetative (Sowing to Double ridge) and pre-anthesis reproductive (Sowing to Anthesis) stages was also negative. It is concluded that studies of phonological development variations and its relationship with grain yield and yield components over years and locations can be used to explain, to great extent, the adaption of different bread wheat cultivars to different agro-climatic conditions as well as variation in their grain yield.

Effect of sowing date (SD), temperature and photoperiod on different phenological stages of spring canola (Brassica napus L.) genotypes were evaluated at Agricultural Research Station of Gonbad during 2002–2004 growing seasons. The experimental design was a split plot arrangement in RCBD with four replications. Four sowing dates; Nov. 06th, Nov. 21st, Dec. 06th and Dec. 21st were assigned to main plots, and four genotypes; Hyola401, S3, Quantum and Option500 were randomized in sub-plots. The number of days from emergence to the commencement of flowering (DEF), and from commencement of flowering to physiological maturity (DFM) decreased significantly with delay in SD. Canola phenology was affected by different weather conditions in two growing seasons. In both seasons, there were strong linear relationships between SD and the number of days from sowing to emergence (DSE), SD and DEF, and SD and DFM. There were negative linear relationships between mean air temperature at different developmental stages and duration of those periods, explaining 86, 89 and 92% of the variation for DSE, DEF and DFM developmental periods, respectively. Therefore, the variation in air temperature in different SD in two growing seasons well determined the duration of DSE and DFM, but the duration of DEF was affected by both temperature and photoperiod during that period. The relationships of SD, temperature and photoperiod with phenology of canola genotypes can be used for developing growth and developmental models.

To study effect of planting date and planting density on yield, yield components and rust disease severity in Ramhormoz selected garlic an experiment was conducted at Behbahan Agriculture Research Station in two years (2002-2004). A split split plot arrangement in RBCD with four replications was used. Main plots consisted of four planting dates from Sep. 05 to Nov. 04 with 15 days intervals. Sub-plots consisted of three row spacing 20, 30 and 40 cm and sub-sub plot consisted of three plant spacing 7, 10 and 13 cm. Bulb were harvested in late April. Results showed that planting date of Sep. 0 5 produced the highest yield (19.52 tha-1). By increasing the distance between rows and plants, bulb yield decearesd but the mean weight of bulb and clove increased. Therefore, the highest bulb yield and the lowest mean weight of bulb and clove were produced by 714 plants m-2 (spacing of 20×7 cm). Effects of planting date and planting density on mean clove number and clove dry matter were not significant. The lowest disease severity was observed in planting date of Sep. 05 and planting density of 714 plants m-2. It is concluded that Ramhomoz selected garlic can be planted in Sep. 05 with 714 plants m-2 in Behbehan region.

Suitable pruning method for grape cv. Shirazi and its response to two levels of pruning severity and bud number per bearing unit (3, 6, and 9 buds) was investigated in three years-using a factorial experiment in randomized complete block design. Analysis of variance showed that effect of pruning severity on yield, bunch weight and the number of bunch/vine was not significant, but its effect on acid content, pH, TSS%, bud productivity, berry weight and the number of berry/bunch was significant. Effect of buds number per cane on yield, bunch weight, the number of bunch/vine, acid content, pH, TSS%, bud productivity and berry weight was significant, but its effect on the number of berry/bunch was not significant. Effect of Pruning severity × bud number per bearing unit on yield, bunch weight, the number of bunch/vine, acid content and pH was significant, but its effect on TSS%, bud productivity, berry weight and the number of berry/bunch was not significant. It is concluded that cane pruning with at least 9 buds/cane and a mixed pruning method with a 6 bud cane and a two bud-spur as renewal per bearing unit is recommended to trellis and traditional training systems, respectively.

To study effects of adoption rate of application of recommended technologies in irrigated wheat production systems, this study was carried out in Neishabour region in 2005. One hundred and fifty three farmers were randomly sampled. Required data were collected using questionnaire. Depertin function was employed to estimate the impact of socio-economic factors on wheat grain yield. Breakeven analysis was performed for determination of minimum price of wheat grain. Results revealed that average seed, phosphate, potassium and urea application rates were 225, 167.3, 72.5 and 221.4 kg/ha, respectively. Average application rate for herbicides and pesticides were 1.7 and 1.4 Lit./ha, respectively. Average irrigation water used in the region was 5325m3/ha. Average grain and straw yields were 3451 and 2887 kg/ha, respectively. Irrigation interval and frequency were 16 days and two irrigations, respectively. However, recommended irrigation interval for the region was 10-12 days. Net profit of wheat production in machine and hand harvested systems were 952000 and 633000 rials/ha respectively. Minimum price of wheat in machine and harvested systems were 462000 and 554000 rials/ha, respectively. Coefficient of determination for variables used in the model for estimation of the effect of different inputs on wheat grain yield in Neishabour region was 0.552. Wheat producers used land, seed, labor, phosphate and irrigation water, efficiently, because the estimated elasticity of production for them varied from zero to unit. Marginal value of production for land, seed, labor, phosphate and irrigated water was estimated as 38.2, 6.5, 0.42, 3.1 and 126.6 rials/ha, respectively.

To improve rooting of micro cutting produced in shoot proliferation stage of an Iranian native olive cultivar, Zard, with the aim of developing a commercial micro-propagation protocol, by using Agrobacterium rhizogenes and Trichoderma harzianum this research was carried out. Effect of A. rhizogenes was evaluated on rooting percentage, amount of callus formation at the base of micro cutting and plantlet growth quality index, 2 and 4 weeks after culture. Results showed that inoculation of micro shoots with bacterium in association with 1.0 mg/I IBA in the culture medium had significant effect on rooting percentage and reducing the amount of callus formation. The highest rooting (70%) was obtained in inoculated treatment 4 weeks after culture while only 30% rooting was observed in control treatment. Regarding callus formation, the lowest amount (46.6%) was produced in bacterial inoculated as compared to 100% in the control treatment. Root induction at the base of micro-shoots without or with less callus formation is an advantage during transferring to in vivo conditions and acclimatization. It was revealed that inoculation with A. rhizogenes greatly increased rooting reduced callus formation considerably as compared to control. In acclimatization stage, infected roots of plantlet with T. harzianum showed increases in number of roots produced on each plant (11.8) and root length (215.3 mm) as compared with control (2.7 and 60 mm respectively). Therefore, due to the stimulating effects, this fungus can be used for root initiation and development at the early stages of growth and acclimatization of olive micro-propagated plantlets.

To study effects of methanol on yield and some quality characteristics of sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) cv. Rasoul a field experiment was conducted under drought and non-drought stress conditions in Research Field Station/ Islamic Azad University, Karaj, Iran, in 2008 growing season. A factorial arrangement using RCBD with three replications was employed. Factor A included five levels of methanol: 0 (control), 7, 14, 21, 28 and 35% (v/v) methanol (Two grams of glaycine was added to each level). Factor B included two levels of irrigation: drought stress (irrigation after 70% depletion of available soli water) and non- drought stress (irrigation after 40% depletion of available soil water). Methanol solutions were sprayed three times on foliar parts of sugar beet with two weeks intervals. Results showed that methanol had significant effect on root yield, leaf yield, sugar content, sugar yied, white sugar content, white sugar yield and nitrogen concentration. Irrigation levels had also significant effect on root yield, leaf yield, sugar content, white sugar content, white sugar yield and sodium concentration.