Iranian Journal of Field Crop Science
Year:2009 | Volume:40 | Issue:4|Papers Count:23

Effects of nitrogen fertilizer levels on Agronomic Efficiency (Ea), Physiological Efficiency (Ep), and Recovery Efficiency (Er), in rice (Oryza sativa L.) Cv. Khazar was investigated in a RCBD of three replications in a sandy soil in Guilan province, Iran in 2003. This study compared the effects of six N rates, namely: control (no N fertilizer), 40 (Basal), 40+40 (Basal + Midtillering), 40+20+20 (Basal + Midtillering + Panicle initiation), 60+60 (Basal + Midtillering) and 60+30+30 (Basal + Midtillering + Panicle initiation) Kg/ha in the form of urea. Nitrogen contents in shoot and in rice grain were determined at the end of plant growth and physiological maturity. Results indicated that grain yield in triple split application treatments sixth and fourth (4832, 4668 kg/ha) were significantly higher than those in the rest of the treatments. The highest N uptake was observed in sixth treatment (146.9 kg/ha), which was significantly higher than in the others. The highest Ea, Ep and Er were observed in the fourth treatment (20.1, 30.1 and 66.9% respectively). Ea and Er were significantly higher in the fourth treatment than in the others, but Ep significantly differed only in the second treatment. There were no significant differences observed among treatments in Nitrogen Harvest Index (NHI), the highest NHI being related to the forth treatment (0.44). Grain yield was not significant in the fourth treatment in comparison with that in the sixth one, but the higher Ea, Ep and Er may lead to an economization of N fertilizer application and as well to its less leaching in the sandy soil. The fourth treatment was finally decided as the best treatment for rice, Cv. Khazar throughout the whole experiment.

To study the inheritance of drought tolerance in traits in bread wheat, 7 cultivars of bread wheat with their F1progeny produced through a half diallel mating design, were planted in a randomized complete block design with 3 replications in normal and drought condition in Seed and Plant Improvement Institute Karaj, in year 2004. Analysis of variance showed significant difference for all the traits in normal and drought conditions at 1% probability level except for 2 traits (grain filling period and grain filling speed) in drought conditions. Diallel analysis revealed that general combining abilities were significant for all the traits in normal and drought conditions at 1% level of probability except for the number of spikes in plant in drought condition. The specific combining abilities were significant for all the traits at 1% level of probability except days to maturity in the two environments. Additive and non - additive effects were effective in controlling all traits and increase in the most of the traits was controlled with dominant alleles. Two traits (number of fertile spike lets, extrusion peduncle length) and grain yielding spikes exhibited the most broad sense in normal and drought conditions respectively.

Five improved along with three local rice varieties were crossed in a linex tester method in 2001. FifteenF1 hybrids and eight parental genotypes were planted in a randomized complete block design with 3 replications at Rice Research Institute of Iran, Rasht, in 2002. The main objective of the research was to estimate the general and specific combining ability and gene action for 10 agrnomic and qualitative traits. Analysis of variance based on line tester method showed that the mean squares of treatments, parents and crosses for all traits (except grain yield for crosses) were significant at 5% and 1% probability levels. General combining ability (GCA) was positive and significant for grain yield in Gharib and Kadus varieties. There was also positively significant GCA for grain length and shape in Kadus, Hassani, Nemat and in line 830. Therefore, these traits can be positively transferred to progenies. Kadus and Hassani varieties exhibited negative and significant GCA for plant height and 50% of flowering. These genotypes can transfer early maturiy and dwarfism to progenies. The cross Gharib/IR50 had positive and significant specific combining ability (SCA) for grain yield. There were also the same SCA for tiller number in crosses Hashemi/IR28, GhariblKadus and Hassani/Line 830. Estimation of genetic variance components indicated that the grain shape was controlled through additive gene effects. It showed that this trait can be transferred into progenies. The other such traits as tiller number, grain length, number of filled grain per panicle and plant height were controlled by dominance gene effects. Therefore, these traits can be effectively employed to produce hybrid varieties.

Despite the importance of forage quality to animal performance, the quality of barley as a feed and forage crop has not been taken into consideration as a selection criterion in its breeding programs. In order to map the genomic regions affecting barley forage quality, two experiments were conducted while employing 72 doubled haploid lines and their two parents ('Steptoe' and 'Morex'), at the research farms of the Faculty of Crop and Animal Sciences, University College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Tehran and as well at the Agriculture and Natural Resources Research Station, Sistan, in 2007. The experiments were arranged in a randomized complete block design with two replications. Each plot consisted of four rows, 3m in length and spaced 25cm apart. The main effect of genotype was highly significant for all the studied traits. Transgressive segregation in either direction (positive and negative) was observed for all the studied traits. Twenty-eight QTLs controlling different studied traits were identified. Phenotypic variance explained by these QTLs varied from 4.18 to 38.92%. The highest LOD scores were obtained for the acid detergent fiber on chromosome 2H. QTLs for forage quality indices were detected on chromosomes 1H, 2H, 5H and 6H. Most mapped QTLs appear to benefit from stability between locations. Therefore, gain through marker-assisted selection (MAS) in this population would be efficient.

Drought, ultraviolet radiation and atmospheric CO2 are some three environmental factors that seriously affect future food security. The objective followed in the present research was to study the effect of two levels of carbon dioxide (400 and 900 ppm), ultraviolet radiation (UVA, Band C with intensities of 18, 25 and 40 microW.cm-2 respectively) and water deficit (%100 and %60 of field capacity) on yield and some metabolic leaf compounds in bread wheat (cv. Pishtaz). Results showed that ultraviolet radiation enhancement increased anthocyanin, flavonoids and carotenoids content of bread wheat leaf while reducing grain yield. But leaf anthocyanin and flavonoids decreased when CO2 increased. Water deficit also decreased flavonoids and carotenoids of bread wheat leaf. Ultraviolet radiation and carbon dioxide enrichment decreased leaf carbohydrate while water deficit exerting no effect on it. Leaf flavonoids increased under high ultraviolet radiation and water deficit but decreased through carbon dioxide enhancement. In total, high ultraviolet radiation decreased leaf chlorophyll content (a and a+b). But it did not follow the same trend at different levels of water deficit and carbon dioxide concentrations. Leaf soluble proteins decreased when ultraviolet radiation, carbon dioxide concentration and water deficit increased. Finally the results indicated that leaf soluble carbohydrates, proteins and generally nutrient value of cereals inclding bread wheat will decrease in the future with microclimatic and environmental variations and as well with rise in greenhouse gases and ultraviolet radiations. In could be predicted that in the future, wheat production will be diminished as a result of low plant vigor under adverse microclimatic changes.

The effects of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) varieties, and planting date on weed interference were investigated in a 2-year (2002-3, and 2003-4 growing seasons) field experiment in Agricultural Research Station of Kouhdasht in Lorestan Province. The experimental design was a factorially arranged randomized complete block one with 4 replications. The experiment was comprised of 3 factors of: weed interference at 2 levels (weed tree, and weed infested throughout the entire growing season), planting date at 3 levels (autumn, winter, and spring) and chickpea varieties at 3 levels (ILC482, Greet, and Hasham). Weed control caused 199%, and 92% grain yield increase (relative to weedy plots) in 2002-3 growing season (drought condition), and 2003-4 growing season (relatively suitable rainfall), respectively, which expresses the severity of weed interference in drought stress conditions. Mean chickpea grain yields were 682, 1067, and 117 kgha-1 for autumn, winter and spring sowing dates, respectively. The average grain yield for chickpea varieties of ILC482, Greet and Hashem were 724, 692, and 451 kgha-1 respectively. In the weed competing conditions, the maximum grain yield of 539 kgha-1 was obtained for ILC482, showing the high competitiveness of this variety. Maximum chickpea grain yield (1464 kgha-1) was obtained for Greet variety in winter sowing date, and in the absence of interfering weeds.

To study the effect of some varying treatments including such environmental factors as temperature, moisture, and light as well as plant growth regulators on breaking dormancy of Datura stramonium L. seeds, several experiments were conducted. Seeds of Datura stramonium L. possess full dormancy immediately following harvest. Storing the seeds for 3 months (15 Dec. 2005 to 15 March 2006) at room temperature (23±2°C), in refrigeration (5±2°C) and in natural environmental conditions in soil, resulted in an increase in germination up to 48, 56 and 68.5% respectively. Mechanical scarification of the seeds was followed by an increase in germination. The percentage of germination following mechanical scarification for seed one week past their harvest from maternal plants, was nearly 28.5 %, however, for seeds which were stored for 70 days at 5±2°C germination was 75.5%. Plant growth regulators Gibberelin and Kinitin had a significant effect on germination (p<0.05). The highest percentage of germination (28%) was obtained from seeds treated with Gibberelin (400 ppm). Based on the obtained results, it becomes evident that immature embryo, physiological as well as physical factors considerably affect Datura stramonium L. dormancy.

To evaluate the agronomic characteristics in three Brassica species (rape, Indian mustard, and turnip) and to determine the best stress tolerance indices, 16 brassica cultivars were studied under controlled conditions in -0.6 Mpa of stress and as well under field (either stressed or irrigated) conditions at the Dryland Agricultural Research Station, Kermanshah during 2004-05. The results showed significant differences among and within Brassica species for the studied traits. Under controlled conditions, maximum germination (Gmax) as well as Germination Rate Index (GRI) were recorded for rape species. Based on the above characteristics, rape cultivars Parade, and Comet were superior to the others. Under field conditions, the fewest number of days to flowering and maturity were observed in turnip species, the highest plant height in mustard species, the maximum no. of pods per plant in the two mustard and turnip species, and finally the maximum no. of seeds per pod, pod length, and seed weight were recorded in rape species. Rape and mustard cultivars contained the highest and the lowest seed oil contents, respectively. The highest oil and seed yield belonged to rape and mustard cultivars. The correlation coefficients between no. of pods per plant and other yield components were negatively significant that indicating genotypes of high pod number such as mustard and turnip cultivars possess short pod lengths, low no. of seeds per pod as well as low seed weights. Yield of Brassica cultivars was not correlated with any single yield component. Seed oil content and oil yield under stressed irrigation conditions were positively correlated with the stress. The highest geometric mean (GMP), stress tolerance (STI), Mean Productivity (MP), and harmonic mean (Harm) belonged to rape and mustard species. The least tolerance (TOL) and stress susceptibility (SSI) indices as well as the highest Drought Response Index (DRI) belonged to turnip species. The indices GMP, STI, MP, and Harm were positively correlated with oil yield in both experimental conditions, therefore those were determined as the most suitable indices for evaluation of Brassica cultivars. Based on the above indices, rape cultivars Parade, Opera, Arnica and mustard cultivars J98/102/51/5, Landrace, and Lethbridge were recognized as superior to the other cultivars.  

A total of 165 wheat landraces with their originated from Northwest regions ofIran were studied at Research Station of Agricultural Faculty, Univ. of Tabriz, using two experimental designs in two spring and fall growing seasons. During these experiments, growth habits of 104 wheat landraces were assessed and their representative seeds harvested in similar conditions. These landraces were analysed through A-PAGE for gliadin proteins, and as well were analysed for the proteins of 44 improved wheat cultivars grown in Iran. Some small scale bread-making quality properties including protein content, Zeleny sedimentation, water absorption rate, bread loaf volume, SDS sedimentation and Grain hardness were tested. All gliadin bands were polymorphic (in either one of the landraces or cultivars). Average number of gliadin bands were 28±34 for winter landraces, showing a significant difference as compared to winter cultivars (21±0.89). However, average number of gliadins in spring wheats were not significantly different (25±1.21for landraces and 26±1.33 for cultivars). Means of quality indices were higher in improved cultivars as compared with those in landraces, but only grain hardners and water absorption rates showed significant differences (p<5%). These means were also high in spring wheats specially regarding protein content, Zeleny sedimentation and loaf volume. Statistical analyses revealed significantly positive correlations between own quality properties and between each of them and 7 to 11 gliadin bands and also significantly negative correlations with other gliadins. Further analyses based on informative bands for each quality property indicated the possible use of Gene Bank of SPII winter landraces of 10425, 11071, 11203 and 12074 and spring landraces 10422, 11012, 11204 and 11422 in breeding programs for quality improvement of wheat cultivars.

Selection of superior varieties of wide adaptability over diverse farming environments is of high importance, prior to any varietal recommendation. In order to study yield stability of alfalfa, 17 ecotypes were evaluated during 2004-2005 and 2005- 2006 growing seasons at 10 research stations. Each trial was carried out according to a completely randomized block design of 3 replications with fresh and dry yield traits being recorded. Simple analysis of variance for each environment (combination of locationxyear) along with combined ANOVA was carried out. The results of simple ANOVA showed that there are significant differences among the studied ecotypes. The results of combined ANOVA showed that yearxlocation as well as ecotypexlocationx year interactions were significant at 1% probability level for both fresh and dry yield traits. In order to introduce stable ecotypes, several non-parametric measures including mean of rank, standard deviation of rank, Fox et al. index, nonparametric methods proposed by Tennarasue as well as nonparametric methods proposed by Huehn were employed for both fresh and dry yield. Overall, based on dry yield and according to standard deviation of rank and Fox et al. index, ecotype 1 was found as the stable ecotype. In addition, the ecotypes 8 and 6 were the most stable ecotypes among the others according to Huehn and Tenarasue nonparametric measures. According to the results of all nonparametric methods and as based on fresh yield, ecotypes 10 and 11 were the most stable ecotypes. As a whole, and on the basis of different results of nonparametric methods and according to the dry mean yield, ecotype 8 was finally introduced as the most stable ecotype.

This experiment was carried out at Agricultural Research Station of Gorgan during summer 2006 to study the effects of corn and green gram intercropping on forage yield, and weed biomass. The experimental design was RCBD with twelve treatments and four replications. A local green gram and corn single cross 550 were the crops employed. The experimental treatments consisted of sole corn and sole green gram along with a series of alternative and additive intercropping systems of the two crops. The results revealed that differences among all treatments for fresh and dry weight of forage per hectare, leaf dry weight of plant unit, leaf dry weight! plant unit weight, LER and weeds biomass per hectare were significant (a= 0.01). The most fresh and dry weight of forage (50.08 and 15.4 tons per hectare) was obtained from sole corn accompanied with weed control. Maximum leaf dry weight of plant unit (44.13 gr) and LER (1.51) was obtained from corn + 50% green gram treatment. Maximum leaf dry weight! plant unit weight (43.54 percent) and weed biomass (1109 Kg per hectare) was obtained from sole green gram treatment of no weed control. Minimum fresh and dry weight of forage (11.19 and 3.37 tons per hectare) and leaf dry weight of plant unit (22.04 gr) belonged to sole green gram with no weed control. The lowest leaf dry weight / plant unit weight (16.43 gr) was obtained from no weed control sole corn. Minimum weed biomass (125.3 Kg per hectare) among all the no weeding operation treatments belonged to corn + 50% green gram in the additive intercropping system.

An experiment was conducted in Bandar Kyashahr Research Field in 2002 to evaluate the effects of plant density and planting pattern on weed populations and yield of peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.). The experiment was of a randomized complete block design with three replications. A factorial trial with two factors of planting pattern (square and rectangular arrangements) and plant density (3, 5.3, 8.3 and 14.8 plants per m2) was employed. The results showed that planting pattern and plant density affect pod yield and that square planting pattern and 8.3 plant/m2 yielded more pod than the rectangular planting pattern and the other plant densities. During the first weeding period, planting pattern and plant density had no effect on weed dry weight and the number of weeds. In contrast, in the second weeding period, planting pattern and plant density had a cosiderable and significant effect on weed dry weight and the number of weeds. During the third and the fourth weeding periods, although planting pattern had no effect on weed dry weight and the number of weeds, plant density did have. The second and the third weeding periods of planting patern exhibited a significant effect on the number of pegs and branches. Moreover, these numbers in square planting pattern being higher than that in the rectangular arangement. The most important weeds of the experiment included: Amaranthus retofelexus L., Solanum nigrum L., Chenopodium album L., and Protolaca oleracea L. The 14.8 and 8.3 plants/m2 and square pattern of arrangement were finally decided as more effective in weed control than the other treatments.

Mapping quantitative trait loci (QTLs) not only provides important useful information on the number and location of the loci that control quantitative traits, but also can be used in marker assisted selection programs. For QTL mapping of days to flowering, plant height, height of lowest primary branch, length of main inflorescence, silique per main infloresence and silique density, 135 doubled haploid lines derived from the cross between a Korean spring line "Yudal" and a French winter line "Darmor" were evaluated using a simple lattice design with two replications at the Research Station of Agriculture and Natural Resources Campus of University of Tehran in 2007-2008. The genetic map of the doubled haploid population was constructed using 459 molecular markers including isozymes, RFLPs, RAPDs, SSRs and SNPs. Using the composite interval mapping method 4, 5, 3, 2, 3 and 4 QTLs were detected for days to flowering, plant height, height of lowest primary branch, length of main infloresence, silique per main infloresence and silique density, respectively. Most of the QTLs were located on DY13 and DY6. These two linkage groups seem to be of great importance in controlling the studied traits.

To estimate combining ability and the model of gene action for some quantitative characters, 5 different rice genotypes were used for producing half diallel hybrids. To consider 7 quantitative traits, hybrids and their corresponding parents were evaluated based on a randomized complete block design with three replications at the Rice Research Station of Amol, Iran in 2007. Mean squares regarding genotypes were statistically significant at I% level of probability for all the studied traits. Significant general and specific combining abilities for all traits implied that additive and nonadditive effects were effective in controlling these traits. Also, non significant ratio ms (GCA)/MS (SCA) for all characters except for 1000 grain weight expressed the greater importance of non-additive genetic effects rather than the additive ones for controlling the studied traits. Overall, parents Dasht, Neda and Binam were superior in general combining ability and hybrids Mashad Domsiah´Binam and BinamxIR6287-1-10 were the best for specific combining ability regarding yield and its components.

This experiment was carried out to study the effects of corn and green gram intercropping on yield and some quality characteristics of forage at Agricultural Research Station of Gorgan during summer 2006 & 2007. The experimental design was a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with twelve treatments and four replications. A local green gram and corn single cross 550 were the crops used in the experiment. The experimental treatments consisted of sole corn and sole green gram either with or without weed control, corn + 10%, 20%, 30%, 40% and 50% green gram in additive series of intercropping system, and 25, 50 and 75% green gram in place of corn in replacement series. The results showed that differences between the two years concerning Dry Matter Digestible (DMD), Crude Protein (CP), Ash (a = 0.01) and water soluble fiber (WSC) (a = 0.05) were significant. In year 2007, forage dry weight, DMD, WSC, and Ash were greater and CP, Acid Detergent Fiber (ADF) and protein yield were lower than in 2006. Differences among all characteristics of intercropping (forage dry weight, DMD, CP, WSC, ADF, ash and protein yield) were significant (a = 0.01). Interactions of year intercropping regarding forage dry weight (a = 0.05) and protein yield (a= 0.01) were significant. The most forage dry weight (14.88 ton), DMD (78.14 percent), and WSC (32.41 percent) were obtained from weed controlled sole corn. Maximum protein (18.63 percent) and ash (8.8 percent) were obtained from sole green gram accompanied by weed control. Maximum ADF (26.88 percent) belonged to sole green gram of no weed control. Maximum protein yield (1.42 ton) belonged to corn + 50% green gram. Minimum forage dry weight (4.32 ton), DMD (66.36 percent), WSC (17 percent) and protein yield (0.8 ton) belonged to sole cropping of green gram without any weed control. Maximum protein (18.63 percent) was obtained from sole corn accompanied by weed control. Minimum ADF (17.81 percent) and Ash (4.27 percent) belonged to weed controlled to sole corn crop. The most appropriate treatment was finally decided as corn + 50% green gram.

To evaluate the effects of planting date and plant density on morphological characteristics, including essential oil content of ajowan (Trachyspermum ammi) a study was conducted during the years 2003 and 2004 at the experimental farm, Faculty of Agriculture, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad. Treatments were laid out in a factorial form based on a Complete Randomized Block Design of three replications. Planting was carried out in four planting dates (7 March, 28 March, 18 April and 9 May). Levels of plant density were 10, 30, 50 and 70 plants m-2 adjusted by thinning plants on rows. Results indicated that seedling emergence was affected by planting date. Delay in sowing until 9 May caused complete failure in germination. Planting date significantly affected on canopy and main stem height, number of crown, stem, primary and secondary branches, number of umbellate per umbel, 1000-seed weight as well as seed yield. The highest canopy height and the greatest number of stem branches, umbellate per umbel and seed yield were obtained in 28 March planting date and the greatest number of crown branches along with the highest 1000-seed weight was obtained in the 7 March planting date treatment. Planting density affected most of the plant characteristics. Canopy and main stem height increased with increasing in plant density. But stem diameter, number of crown, stem, primary and secondary branches, umbels per plant, and seeds per umbellate, seed weight per plant, total dry matter and harvest index declined. In spite of the fact that plant density had no significant effect on number of umbellates per umbel and 1000-seed weight, mean values indicated a decreasing trend. Seed yield increased with increasing in plant density up to 50 plants m-2, but decreased when plant density was increased up to more than 50 plants m-2. Planting date did not affect essential oil percentage but significantly affected the essential oil yield. Essential oil yield decreased 34.58% by delay in planting to 18 April. Essential oil percentage and yield increased with increasing in plant density.

To study the effects of planting density and urea (46% N) application rate on yield and some morphological traits of winter colza (cv. Zarfam, an inbred variety from Regent x Cobra) a factorial experiment in the framework of a complete block design with 4 replications was conducted in Seed and Plant Improvement Institute, Karaj-Iran in 2002. The treatments were comprised of four levels of planting density and N application rates viz. 150,190, 230 and 270 plants m-2 and zero, 100, 200 and 300 kg urea ha-1. Analysis of variance revealed that different levels of density and N fertilizer significantly affected dry matter accumulation (biomass) at the three stages of plant growth (rosette, stem elongation, and 50% flowering). Increasing planting density and N application rate also significantly affected total biological yield, seed yield, Harvest Index (HI), pod bearing stem length, pod number in main and sub-branches, total pod number plan-1 as well as 1000 seed weight. Increasing N fertilizer exerted progressive effects on all traits, but planting density decreased pod bearing stem length, pod number in main and sub-branches and total pod number plan-1. The highest biomass, HI and 1000 seed weight were obtained from 190 plant m-2 treatment. Increase in planting density as well as in N application rate increased plant height, but did not significantly affect the oil seed percentage. Finally, the planting density of 190 plants m-2 (equal to seed rate of 8 kg ha-1) along with application of 200 kg of urea ha-1 formatted the optimum combination for which the highest seed yield (3122 kg ha-1) had been observed.

Seven rice varieties (Hassani, Deilmani, Sepidrod, Shahpasand, Saleh, Neda, and IRFAON215) along with their complete diallel progenies were grown in a randomized complete block design of three replications in the growing seasons of 2006 and 2007 and were evaluated for the quantitative traits of: number of days to flowering, flag leaf length, width and area, plant height, panicle length, extrusion length of panicle from sheath as well as grain yield. Analysis of variance indicated genetic differences among genotypes. General Combining Ability (GCA), Specific Combining Ability (SCA), reciprocal and non-maternal effects were significant for all the traits. Among genotype´year interactions, GCA´year were significant for flag leaf width, plant height, panicle length, extrusion length of panicle from sheath as well as for grain yield while SCA´year were significant for number of days to flowering, flag leaf width and area, panicle length, extrusion length of panicle from sheath and as well for grain yield. Dominance effect was predominant for flag leaf width and area and for panicle length, whereas additive effects were more prominent than the dominant ones for days to flowering, flag leaf length, plant height, extrusion length of panicle from sheath and as well for grain yield per plant. Therefore, selection for these traits can be useful in rice breeding programs.

Expansion of oilseeds cultivation plays an important role in provision of the required edible oils for a country's population. Iran is one of the origins safflower as a drought and salt tolerant crop, and therefore, it can be counted on as a suitable alternative crop for cultivation in marginal areas. The aims followed in the present research were on evaluation and selection of late season drought tolerant genotypes of spring types of safflower for cultivation in marginal areas under limited irrigation and to study the drought effects on yield and its components. The study was carried out at the East Azarbaijan Research Center of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Iran (46°and 2” E, 37°and 58” N) during 2005. A factorial experiment consisting of 2 irrigation levels (non stress and drought stress during seed filling stage), and 5 safflower genotypes (Local Arak 2811, Local Esfahan, PI, KH23-57 and IL111) and based on complete randomized complete block design of 3 replications was employed. The results indicated that RWC, paniculum height, no of seeds per paniculum, 1000 seed weight, and harvest index as well as seed and oil yields significantly decreased while leaf temperature (T1) significantly increased as a result of water deficit. The rates of these traits differed among genotypes under water stress vs non stress conditions. A significant correlation was observed between seed yield and RWC, T1, plant height, paniculum height, panicula per plant, seeds per paniculum as well as 1000 seed weight. It sounds like RWC and T1 can be used in selection of late season drought tolerant spring types of safflower. In addition, the traits no of seeds per paniculum and 1000 seed weight (in comparison with other components of yield), were more seriously affected by drought stress. Local Esfahan and Local Arak 2811 bearing higher seed yields were less affected in seed yield reduction as imposed by drought. These two genotypes are therefore decided as more suitable for cultivation in areas with late season stress, due to water deficit.

To enhance germplasms of bread wheat, a gene, encoding the smallest y-type High Molecular Weight Glutenin Subunit (HMW GS) gene (12.4t) from the D-genome using synthetic hexaploid approach was introgressed into bread wheat. Tetraploid wheat (T. turgidum cv. Langdon) was crossed with T.tauschii accession, AUS24092. Immature embryos were rescued and placed onto Bs regeneration media. Hybrid F1 plants (ABD) were treated with colchicine. Synthetic hexaploid L/24092 was isolated and used in further crossing programs. Bread wheat cvs Baxter and Sunvale were crossed with synthetic hexaploid L/24092. Doubled haploid lines were produced using Fl seeds and phenotyped for the presence of the HMW GS Dy12.4t protein, using SDSPAGE of polymeric proteins. The doubled haploid lines were divided into 17 groups with different combinations of HMW GS, with and without the HMW GS (Dy12.4t) protein for functional studies. This research is a valuable step in evaluation and determination of quality characteristics of wheat flour considering storage proteins.