Plant Productions
Year:2017 | Volume:40 | Issue:1 |Papers Count:12

Background and Objectives: Oil crops could be considered as a valuable resource for providing the plant oil for cooking. Canola is one of the main oil crops the third oil crop after soybean and oil palm. The macro and micro nutrients have an important role in plant nutrition. The biological fertilizer could be effective in sustaining agriculture program. Material remobilization is an important process in transporting the nutrition from leaf and stem to grains. The nitrogen fertilizer increases wheat grain yield, Nitrogen and phosphorus uptake, grain protein, zinc and iron. Application of nitrogen fertilizer improves the canola biological yield and stem dry weight at flowering stage. The main goal of this research was the comparison of the micro and macronutrients and biological fertilizer on some qualitative characteristics and remobilization of Rapeseed (Brassica napus L.).Material and Methods: In order to evaluate the effect of biological fertilizers and micronutrients on some qualititive traits and remobilization of rapeseed (Brassica napus (L.) var. Hyola 401), an experiment was conducted in the Research Station of Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Iran in 2012-13. The experimental design was factorial based on randomized complete blocks design with three replications. The treatments were microelements in six levels (control, zinc sulfate (2 and 4 cc.lit-1), iron chelate (2 and 4 cc.lit-1) and combined zinc and iron fertilizers (2 cc.lit-1)) and the second factor was application of biofertilizers in 3 levels (seed inoculation with Thiobacillus with Sulfur Bentonite, Nitrocara + Thiobacillus Sulfur Bentonite and control). The canola (cv.Hyola401) was seeded on 13 Nov.2013 and harvested on 21 Apr.2014. Each plot size was 7.2 m2 consisting of 5 rows of canola plants. Foliar application of zinc sulphate and iron was done at 2 %4 /1000 concentration in stem elongation and flowering stages.Results: Due to the interaction of biological fertilizer and micronutrient elements, the highest plant individual yield (10.62 g/m2) and the lowest remobilization efficiency (13.85%) were achieved from Nitrocara + Thiobacillus bacteria with combined zinc and iron (2 cc.lit-1). The highest oil percent (48.47%) was also revealed at Thiobacillus bacteria with combined zinc and iron (2 cc.lit-1), While the lowest oil percent (31%) was obtained at control treatment.Discussions: Finally, the results of this study revealed that the canola seeds inoculated with bio-fertilizers and with foliar application of micro-nutrients reduced consumption of chemical fertilizers such as nitrogen fertilizers can be useful in improving the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of oil varieties of canola. Also, the highest individual plant yield was obtained by application of Thiobacillus + Nitrocara and Zinc+iron application. The results suggested that the microelements not onlt increased the grain zinc and iron content (36-41%), but also improved economical yield and grain oil contents.

Background and Objectives: The yield and quality of tobaco plants depends upon several factors, such as nutritions and good cultivation practice which plays a significant role in leave pruduction and the qualitative characteristics such as nicotin content. The main purpose of fertilization is to consider quantity and quality in tobacco production. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of chemical and organic fertilizers on some of growth and quality indices of tobacco in field conditions.Material and Methods: In order to study the effects of organic and chemical fertilizers on physiological, growth indices and quality of tobacco (Burley Cv.) an experiment was counducted at Shahrekord University in 2013 as a randomized complete block design with three replications. Treatments included compost based on the tobacco demand, vermicompost based on the tobacco demands, chemical fertilizer based on the tobacco demands, 50 percent compost + 50 percent chemical fertilizer, 50 percent vermicompost + 50 percent chemical fertilizer and control. Sowing in nursery was done in March 2013 and transplanted to field in May 2013. After plowing and disking and leveling by rotary, tobacco seedling was transplanted in the main field. In the current study the space between rows was 80 cm and between plants on rows was 50 cm. The area of every plot was 5´4 m2. Traits of leaf area index (LAI), net assimilation rate (NAR), crop growth rate (CGR), cutters dry weight, nicotine content and ash leaves were evaluated. The data were analyzed by using version 9.1 SAS. Least Significant Difference test was used to compare the means at 1% of significance. Also, the figures were drawn by Excel 2010 software.Results: The results indicated that the organic and chemical fertilizers increased leaf area index (LAI), net assimilation rate (NAR), crop growth rate (CGR) and cutters dry weight. Among the treatments, chemical fertilizer had higher values of LAI, CGR and NAR. Maximum cutters dry weight (2833 kg ha-1) were obtained from chemical fertilizer (three fold increased compared to control treatment). After chemical fertilizer treatment, maximum values of LAI, CGR, NAR and cutters dry weight were obtained from the compost treatment. Vermicompost treatment had the highest nicotine content and the lowest ash leaves. The results of this study indicated chemical fertilizer and then compost treatments had the greatest effect on growth parameters and cutters dry weight, however, the qualitative characteristics of plants treated with vermicompost were better than other treatments.Discussions: The difference in the growth indices and cutters dry weight between organic and chemical fertilizer treatments could be due to differences in the amount of mineral nitrogen available for plant. This increase in the chemical fertilizer treatments can be due to the positive effect of nitrogen on the dry matter changes and increasing the plant's leaf area. Thus, for better quality, vermicompost and for more dry matter production, chemical fertilizer or compost are recommended.

Background and Objectives: Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus Thunb) belongs to the genus Cucurbita and the family Cucurbitaceae. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the level of genetic variation among Iranian watermelon accessions originating from different regions of the country by morphological traits.Materials and Methods: Sixteen accessions together with two commercial watermelon cultivars were planted in completely randomized block design with three replications in Agricultural Research Center of Urmia in 2013. Fifteen traits including leaf length, leaf width, plant length, number of fruit per plant, fruit length, fruit width, fruit weight, fruit mass, fruit skin, 100 seed weight, seed length, seed width, pH, TSS and yield were assessed on the studied accessions. During fruit ripening, four fruits from each plot were randomly selected and the traits were measured according to International Board for Plant Genetic Resources Institute descriptor. The TSS was assessed by using refractometer and the pH by using pH meter.Results Analysis of variance showed that there is a meaningful difference between genotypes for all studied traits except for pH, stem length and number of fruits per plant. According to the results, fruit yield ranged from 24626 kg h-1 in Charleston Gray genotype to 13444 kg h-1 in Hamedan 817 accession. The percentage of TSS varied from 9.27% in Crimson sweet genotype to 5.1% in Khorasan 806 accession and fruit pH varied from 5.63 in Hamedan 817 accession to 4.78 in Charleston Gray genotype. Phenotypic coefficient of variation was higher than genotypic coefficient of variation for all studied traits, indicating the significant effects of environmental effects. The highest positive correlation (0.968) was observed between pulp weight and fruit weight and the highest negative one (-0.815) was observed between TSS and seed length. The highest heritability was seen for 100 seed weight and the lowest one for pH. Cluster analysis with Ward method, classified the studied accessions in to three different groups. The maximum distance was observed between genotypes of groups 1 and 3.Discussions: The results revealed a rather high level of genetic polymorphism and wide genetic variation between accessions, which offer valuable information for conservation and management of genetic resources and utilizing them in watermelon breeding programs. The genetic distance between accessions is a valuable parameter to conserve and use a given germplasm in breeding activities. It was proved that crosses between unrelated and genetically distant parents will show more power hybrid than crosses between genotypes closely related.

Background and Objectives: In order to increase yield in apple orchards, multiplication of rootstocks is essential, and it depends on the availability of a simple and easy proliferation method of rootstocks. The study investigated the effect of disinfection, culture condition and plant growth regulators on the rate of contamination, number of lateral branches, stem length, number of leaves, callus creation and the rate of branch creation of rootstocks MM106, MM111 and B9.Materials and Methods: A factorial experiment was carried out as a completely randomized design with three replications. Surface sterilization of explants with different concentrations of mercuric chloride and sodium hypochlorite (mercuric chloride 0.1% for 3 minutes and ethanol 70% for 30 seconds; mercuric chloride 0.1% for 5 minutes and ethanol 70% for 30 seconds; NaOCl 0.75% for 15 minutes and ethanol 70% for 30 seconds) was done and then explants were cultivated in modified MS, WPM and DKW mediums. The evaluated characters were infection percent of explant, number of lateral branches, stem length, percentage of callus induction and number of leaves. Data were analyzed using SAS software. The analysis of variance on the test data was performed at 5% level and comparison to the middle of the Duncan test.Results: Results showed that using a mercuric chloride (0.1%) and ethanol (70%) respectively for 3 Minutes and 30 Seconds achieved the least contamination. Results showed significant differences between plant hormone and rootstocks for traits. In this test, the modified MS medium with 0.1 mg/L BA hormones with the largest percentage growth had more successful establishment. Average comparisons showed that rootstock MM106 in terms of all traits had a significant difference with other rootstocks. The highest stem length, number of leaves and callus creation were shown in rootstock MM106. In order to investigate the effect of hormone levels on branch creation, different levels of BAP (6-Benzylaminopurine) and IBA (Indole-3-butyric acid) were used. The best medium was the culture containing 0.1 milligrams per liter IBA plus 2 milligrams per liter BAP.Discussions: In general, the present results showed that genotypes respond differently to in vitro conditions. The rootstock B9 by the above method showed better response to branch creation trait than other genotypes.

Background and Objectives: Wheat cultivars that have suppression potential of weeds besides high yield can be a weed management method in sustainable agriculture.Materials and Methods: In order to study the competition ability of some wheat cultivar with wild oats in three planting dates, a field experiment as factorial in complete randomize blocks with three replications was carried out at the Agricultural Research Station of Shahid Chamran University in 2013-2014. In this experiment, the factors included planting dates (16th November, 1st December and 16th December), wheat cultivars (Star, Chamran and Virinak) and competition with wild oats (with wild oat, without these weeds).Results: The result showed, in the competition status, Star cultivar had a higher grain yield than other cultivars in the first planting date (16th November) whereas, it had no significance different with Star and Chamran in the second planting date (1st December). When the cultivars were planted as monoculture, the highest grain yield belong to Star in the first planting date followed by the second planting data. In this condition, Virinak and Chamran in the first planting date had the lowest grain yields. Effect of the planting date on grain yield was the same trend as grain/spike; however, the high correlation with grain/spike (81%) and with thousand grains weight (59%) confirmed it. Three cultivars obtained the highest of competition index in 1st December. Although the competition and planting date resulted in decrease of grain yield, according to this investigation, the best planting date was determined 16th November and 1st December for Star cultivar. When the planting was delayed (16th December), virinak was a better choice.Discussions: According to the different growth, competitive and morphological characteristics of wheat cultivars, their responses varied in different planting dates in competition against wild oats. The grain yield of Chamran, Star and Virinak cultivars decreased 27, 25 and 23 respectively by competition with wild oats. In this respect, the dry matter of planted wild oats on 1st December than the former and latter planting dates was further damaged by every three wheat cultivars (Star, Chamran and Virinak) besides higher grain yield of wheat cultivars whereas the climatic conditions of this year with previous years differed, suggesting wheat planting with short delay as an agronomy method was assayed in the different years with regard to temperature and hydrothermal effect on wild oats germination and growth in comparison with wheat.

Background and Objectives: Maize (Zea mays L.) belongs to the family of Poaceae and it is the third important cereal crop of the World after wheat and rice. Salinity is one of the major environmental factors limiting plant growth and productivity. Maize is sensitive to salinity. Ba is one of the cytokinins known to significantly improve the growth of crop plants grown under salinity. IBA is also known to play a significant role in plant tolerance to salt stress. However, little information appears to be available on the relationship between salinity tolerance and auxin or cytokinins levels in plants. In this respect, the objective of this study was to study the effects of sprying of cytokinin and auxin hormones on yield and yield components of grain maize in saline conditions.Materials and Methods: To study the effects of cytokinin (0, 75 and 100 mg.l-1) and auxin (0, 15, 20 mg.l-1) hormones on yield and its components of grain maize (Zea mays L.) under saline conditions, an experiment was conducted during 2013 in the research station of Bushehr Agricultural and Natural Resources Research Center in a factorial design based on randomized complete design with three replications. Cytokinin (Benzyl Adenine, Merck) and Auxin (Indole-3-Butiric Acid, Merck) were sprayed on the entire plant in the evening. Data was analyzed using the SAS (Ver.9.1) and significance of the differences between the means was conducted using LSD test.Results: Results of Analysis of Variance showed that the highest grain yield was obtained by application of cytokinin and auxin with concentrations of 100 and 20 mg.l-1, respectively. The characteristics of plant height, stem diameter, ear length, row number per Ear and biological yield increased by sprying 100 mg.l-1 cytokine. In the treatment of without spraying auxin, the highest kernel number per row was obtained by spraying cytokinin at 75 mg.l-1 while in the treatment spraying auxin at 15 and 20 mg.l-1 the highest kernel number per row was obtained by sprying 100 mg.l-1 cytokinin. In three levels of cytokinin, application of auxin increased 1000 kernel weight. The highest harvest index was obtained by application of auxin at 20 mg.l-1.Discussions It has been found that both auxin and cytokinin may have a role in mediating cell division in the endosperm during the grain-filling stage. Therefore, these hormones might regulate the grain capacity (sink size) for the accumulation of carbohydrates. It was found that IAA actively participated in the mobilization and accumulation of carbohydrates in seeds. Auxin and cytokinins hormones are also thought to be involved in regulating sink strength either by mediating the division and enlargement of endosperm cells or by controlling the import of assimilates to the sink. Results of this study demonstrated that sprying cytokinin at 100 mg.l-1 and auxin at 20 mg.l-1 reduced the effects of salinity on yield and increased the grain yield.

Background and Objectives: In classical plant breeding, restorers are identified by the cross test, of existing varieties with cytoplasmic male sterilty (CMS) lines and evaluating F1 progenies in terms of fertility of pollen and spikelete. Lines showing more than 80 percent fertility of pollen and spikelete are considered as restorer lines. This study aimed at applying marker assisted selection (MAS) using linked SSR markers to restoring fertility (Rf) genes for identification of restorer and maintainer lines in hybrid seed production in rice.Materials and Methods: In this study, 15 rice varieties wer planted at the research farm of Sari University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources and marker assisted selection (MAS) was used for identification of two Rf genes located on chromosomes 1 and 10 of rice using SSR markers RM171, RM258 and RM3148. The PCR reaction was performed at 94 °C for 5 min; then for 35 cycles of 94 °C for 1 min; 55 °C for 1 min; 72 °C for 2 min followed by 72 °C for 5 min. PCR products were resolved by electrophoresis in agarose gel stained with ethidium bromide and then photographed.Results: Results of molecular analyses using microsatellite markers RM171, RM258 and RM3148 linked with Rf genes showed that rice varieties namely Hashemi and Deylamani had both Rf genes in their genomes and were considered as putative restorers and were suggested to be test crossed with male sterile lines to assess their F1 generations. Rice varieties namely Shiroudi, Tabesh, Fajr and Shafagh were identified as maintainers. Thus backcross breeding method is suitable for transferring sterile cytoplasm to them for development of new CMS lines.Discussions: Identifying restorer lines by means of molecular marker technology is more cost effective and reliable than phenotypic assays especially in hybrid rice production. Restorer and maintainer lines identified in this study could be used for promotion of hybrid rice technology in the country.

Background and Objectives: Citrus is one of the most important and useful fruits in the world. They are usually propagated by grafting on suitable rootstocks such as Troyer citrange. In plants especially fruit trees, synthetic induction of polyploidy makes fruit rootstocks more robust, dwarf, with thicker leaves, stems and higher scion yield. The aim of this study was to investigate the best polyploidy induction treatment by colchicine on dwarfing Troyer citrange rootstock and to evaluate its morphological effects.Materials and Methods: The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse in Kerman. Four concentrations of colchicines (0.5, 1 and 1.5%) and control (0%) were used in two phases. In the first phase, 96 seeds were soaked in different concentrations of cholchcines for 30 h and planted in pots. In the second phase, when seeds reached the four leaves stage, meristems were treated by cholchicines. The experiment was arranged in completely randomized design (CRD) with four replications.Results: The results showed that guard cells size, length, width of stomata and secretary vesicles size of colchicine-treated seedlings significantly increased compared to the control. However, lower density of leaves stomata and secretary vesicles in treated plants were observed. Some morphological changes such as leaves thickness, color increase and seedlings dwarfism were detected in treated plants. Moreover, some minor abnormalities on leaves such as asymmetry, lack of lateral leaflets, serrated leaflets existence were evident. The most effective treatment for polyploidy induction was 1% colchicine.Discussions: Synthetic induction of polyploidy by cholchicine is commonly practiced by fruit breeders because it is inexpensive and effective. High concentrations of colchicine are toxici for seeds may be due to prevention of mitosis in the cells. Moreover, larger stomata size can improve efficiency of photosynthesis. Although the treated seeds or seedlings with 1 and 1.5% colchicines had lower height and stomata density, they are more robust and stronger than control which can be very valuable in rootstock breeding.

Background and Objectives: Garden cress is believed to have very useful nutritive impacts on human and the quantity of minerals, protein, necessary amino and fat acids. Application of organic and mineral materials in culture media plays an effective role in increasing yield and effective materials of the plants.Therefore, in the present study, the effect of agricultural by product and wastages such as spent mushroom compost, Rotten manure and rice bran was evaluated in different ratios with soil on seed emergence and vegetative and qualitative properties of Garden cress.Materials and Methods: In order to study the effect of different culture media on the seed emergence and vegetative and qualitative properties of Garden cress (Lepidium sativum), various media including field soil, rice bran, Rotten manure and spent mushroom compost (SMC) were used in eight different compound and ratios. The experiment was performed in a completely randomized design with three replications.Results: The results showed that the highest length and width of leaves and plant height was observed in the treatments of field soil alone, 1.3 field soil+1.3 rice bran+1.3 spent mushroom compost, 1.2 field soil+1.2 spent mushroom compost, and the lowest amount was related to the treatment of 1.3 field soil+1.3 Rotten manure+1.3 rice bran. Also, the highest and the lowest percentages of seed emergence were observed in the treatment of 1.3 field soil+1.3 rice bran+1.3 spent mushroom compost, and 1.2 field soil+1.2 Rotten manure, respectively. The highest of Cu and the lowest of Ca and Mn were obtained in 1.3 field soil+1.3 Rotten manure+1.3 spent mushroom compost. The lowest of Cu and Zn were observed in field soil+Rotten manure+rice bran+spent mushroom compost.Discussions: The results indicated that the different culture media had various effects on the nutrients content. According to the results of this experiment, using spent mushroom compost in soil for different purposes will cause short and long term changes in soil properties. The existing high levels of organic matter and nutrients can have positive effects on the physical and chemical properties of soil and cultivated plants and can replace many conventional beds.

Background and Objectives: Fennel is one the most important medicinal and aromatic plants which is widely used in food, medicine and cosmetic industries worldwide. This study was carried out in order to investigate the effects of different nitrogen nutritional systems including chemical, organic and biologic ones at different plant densities on yield, yield components and seed essential oil content and yield of fennel in south western Iran climatic conditions.Materials and Methods To do this research, a field experiment was carried out in 2013-2014 agricultural season at Islamic Azad University of Shoushtar agricultural college in split plot design with 18 treatments in 4 replications based on completely randomized blocks design. Different nitrogen system treatments consisting of N1: Uniformly spreading urea fertilizer in the plot, half at planting time and other at stem elongation, N2: Uniformly spreading half of urea fertilizer in the plot at planting time and spraying the other half at stem elongation on fennel foliage, N3: cow manure, N4: Inoculation of fennel seeds with Azotobacter and Azospirillum, N5: Applying half of required nitrogen fertilizer from cow manure and other half from urea, N6: Applying half of required nitrogen fertilizer from cow manure+inoculation of fennel seeds with Azotobacter and Azospirillum were applied to the main plots. Three fennel densities consisting of FD1: 60 plant/m2, FD2: 80 plant/m2 and FD3: 100 plant/m2 were applied to subplots.Results: Based on the results, utilization of the first integrated treatment which consisted of cow manure and urea as chemical fertilizer at 50: 50 percent, along with using 100 plant per m2 as a proper crop density achieved production of 94.575 g/m2 seed yield containing 3.375 percent of essential oil. Other findings showed that Azotobacter + Azospirillum had no positive effect on plant seed yield and essential oil.Discussions: The findings of our study showed that replacing 50 percent of required nitrogen with cow manure in fennel could lead to a favorable quantitative and qualitative seed production as well as the treatments which use 100 percent of nitrogen as chemical fertilizers. It seems that nitrogen application with manure probably through increasing organic matter mineralization and mineral absorption, improved the effectiveness of manure. Therefore application of such a combination not only could lead to a desirable fennel quantity and quality, but also is more consistent with environment. Other findings of the present study showed that seed inoculation with bio-fertilizers (Azotobacter+Azospirillum) had no positive effects on plant seed yield and essential oil. For such a result, it could be said that climate and soil conditions and also plant species and varieties are important in bio-fertilizers usefulness and also in determining suitable bacteria species for application.