Year:2008 | Volume:21 | Issue:2 (79 IN AGRONOMY AND HORTICULTURE)|Papers Count:28

To evaluate the genetic changes in local and exotic barley cultivars in Iran, 10 cultivars that were grown widely between 1956-1998, were used in a complete block design with three replication in three locations (Badjgah and Kushkak in Fars, and Birjand in Southern Khorasan) during 2001-2002 growing season. Biological yield, grain yield, harvest index, spike number per m2, number of seeds per spike, 1000- grain weight, days to flowering and physiological maturity, and lodging were recorded. Genetic changes in cultivars relative to Shirin (the oldest cultivar as check), for all characters were calculated. Results indicated that main stem height was negatively and significantly correlated with the year of release. Lodging was decreased in modern cultivars. Based on linear regression analysis, the average of annual increase of grain yield in this period was 23.75 kg ha-1. Harvest index was a significant trait during this period and increase in grain yield was due to increase in harvest index. In general, number of grain/m2 was positive and significant associated with increased yield. Modern cultivars had longer grain-filling duration. The correlation coefficients between biological yield and 1000-grain weight with year of release were not significant.

Effect of plant density and time of nitrogen fertilizer application on some agronomic characteristics of rape seed were studied in a split plot as base of RCB design with four replications in 2003-2004 at college of Agricultural, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz. In this study, main plots were consisted of 3 levels of plant density include 60, 80 and 100 plants per m2 and sub-plots were 3 times of nitrogen fertilizer application include application of nitrogen in 3 times: 1/3 at sowing date, 1/3 when stem elongation starts and 1/3 at the beginning of flowering, application of nitrogen in 2 stage: 1/3 at sowing date and 2/3 when stem elongation starts and application of nitrogen in 2 times: 1/2 at sowing date and 1/2 at stem elongation. The results showed that plant density affected the harvest index (HI), seed yield, oil yield and number of pods per m2 significantly. There were not significant difference in number of seeds per pod and 1000 seed weight. Time of nitrogen application have significant effect on seed yield and number of pod per m2. The Highest grain yield and oil yield (4404.4 and 1825.0 kg/ha respectively) were obtained with 100 plants per m2 and application of nitrogen at 3 times.

This experiment was carried out to should different covers in production of good mulberry sapling with Treatments which were clear and black plastic covers (A & B), rice husk in three thickness 4, 6 and 8cm (C, D & E), and tow uncovered treatments with Terfelan herbicide and without herbicide (control) (F & G) wood packing in thickness 8cm (H), and with foar replications in randomized complete block design during serial three years. The percentage of cutting grasping, good sapling (sapling with the height more than 1m) and the rate of weed growing in cutting nursery of mulberry were investigated in this research. The results showed that effect of treatment and also interaction between year and treatment on dry weight of weeds in first and second weeding out, percentage of cutting grasping and percentage of good sapling was significant at ٪1. Also about effect of year on all of variables except dry weight of weeds in first weeding out significant effects was observed at 1٪. Clear and black plastic treatments with the highest percentage of cutting grasping and the production of good sapling (sapling with the height more than 1m) and acceptable control of weeds can be considered as the best treatment and control treatment with the highest weed growing and the least percentage of cutting grasping was considered as unsuitable treatment. Although rice husk in more thickness, wood packing and also the use of herbicide could decrease of weed growing to some extend but they prevented from growing of cutting growing too.

The important portion of cooking oil in Iran is accrued by import and only small part of it is domestic production. The main products for oil extraction are cottonseed, soybean, sunflower and safflower, but at recent years, rapeseed has been an important role between oil seeds. Iran is one of the biggest cooking oil importers in the world. Therefore, the Jihad-e-Agriculture ministry is going to increase oil seeds production in 10-year plans (2005-2014). The main purposes of this study have been to analyze comparative advantages and the protection policies in Spring soybean production in Iran. It is to mention that the data used for analysis is based on questionnaires filled by the Jihad-e-Agriculture ministry during 1998-2004 for production cost data. Policy Analysis Matrix (PAM) is an effective tool for measure the impact of government policies on the private and social profitability of economic activities that was applied in the research. The results indicate Spring soybean has comparative advantages in the provinces, which are main regions for production of these products. In general, government policies did not have supportive aspects. To follow the goals of the 10-year plans, it is necessary to have: a) effective protection of soybean production in the country, b) systematic programming for the main agricultural products, because with separate plan for each product, it is impossible to follow all of the different goals in one area.

In order to assessment of the yield, yield components and some agronomic traits of rapeseed Spring genotypes in weather condition of Sistan region during (2002-2003) (2003-2004) years. One experiment carried out on base of randomized complete block design with 4 replications in Agricultuer Research station of Zahak. Each plot was include 4 lines with 5 m longht and 30 cm spaces. The genotypes were planted with Wintershtiger plotman. During growth stages data were collected on days to 50% flowering, plant height, number of siliqua per plant, number of seeds per siliqua, 1000 seed weight (g), and yield kg/ ha. Compound of analysis variances showed year effect on flowering period, growth period and genotypes effect on number siliqua in plant, number seed per siliqua, height, seed yield and oil percent was significant in %1 level. The highest grain yield (4484, 4370 and 4153 kg/ha) obtained from Syn-3, Hyola 401 and Hyola420 hybrids and lowest grain yield (2742, 3126 and 3221kg/ha) obtained from option 500, Crackerjack and Heros respectively. From aspect of oil percent and oil yield, Option 500 and Hyola 401 with 48.2 percent and 1969 kg/ ha had the most amount respectively. The result simple correlation of traits showed that oil yield and number siliqua in plant with coefficients (r=0.93** and r=0.73**) most correlation had with seed yield respectively. With study of genotypes and some characteries in this experiment was recommended Hyola 401 and Hyola 420 Hybrids than open pollination genotypes for weather of Sistan region.

The equal compartment-agar method was used to evaluate allelopathic potential of wheat (Triticum aestivum) cultivars on seedling growth of oat (Avena ludoviciana) and hairy vetch (Vicia villosa). The experiment was carried out during 2005 in Weed Research Department, Iranian Crop Protection Research Institute, in factorial form on completely randomized design with three replications. There were two factors: Wheat cultivars in four levels (Shiraz and Niknejad as more competitive cultivars; Tabasi and Roshan as less competitive cultivars) and density of wheat seedlings in four levels including 0 (control), 8, 16 and 24. The results showed that oat was more affected by allelochemicals produced by wheat seedlings, compared with hairy vetch. On the other hand, the weeds radicle, in comparison to hypocotyl, showed more sensitivity to wheat allelochemicals. Niknejad cultivar caused the most inhibition in oat growth. Howevwe, wheat cultivars had no significant effect on hairy vetch seedling growth. In general, the concentration of allelochemicals released to the medium increased with increasing in wheat seedling density and this increase depended on wheat cultivar.

The effects of two isolates of Pasteuria penetrans were evaluated on root knot nematodes, Meloidogyne javanica and M. incognita-R2 on two month seedlings of Badamiriz pistachio cultivar. Two experiments were carried out with two concentrations of endospores of PA and PNG isolates (104 & 6.4×105 endospores/g soil) and cadusafos (50 Mg/1500 g soil) in a Randomized Complete Block Design in green house condition were planted in pot and treatments were applied at seedling stage (4-6 leaf). 80 days after planting the seedlings were removed from soil and all stages of nematodes were extracted and counted in roots and soils. The results showed that the PA isolate with 104 endospores/g soil was the best treatment in decreasing 88.8٪ of the final population of M. incognita-R2 in comparison with control, also PNG isolate with 6.4×105 endospores/g soil was the best treatment after nematicide in decreasing 71.2% of the final population of M. javanica when compared with control.

A total of 30 accessions of multi-cut Persian clover (Trifolium resupinatum) from three types (early, middle and late ripening) were planted in three Randomly Complete Block designs with 3 replications in the experimental field of SPII in Karaj. The mean of days to flowering, in the first and the second years, and days to ripening in the second year, and results of t-test for paired samples in 3 groups confirmed the classification of the germplasms. Entrance of days to flowering traits to regression equations for forage and seed yield also confirmed using of this trait to grouping Persian clover germplasms. Finally, distribution of accessions on biplot of discrimination analysis completely separated early, middle and late ripening of Persian clovers. F-test analysis was not significant for days to ripening in the early ripening group whereas it was significant in other groups. This test was also performed for others traits/ Non-significant differences in F-test means that all materials of each type had the same potential. Therefore, the selection can be performed based on other traits. All of the germplasms were grouped based on Duncan test for each trait. Combined analysis of variance was performed for all of two years recorded traits. Two years results showed that 50TN0185 and 50TN0161 were earliest and last ripening accessions, respectively. Because of high potential of agronomic traits in these materials, these germplasm can be used for different purposes of Persian clover breeding.

This study was conducted in Agriculture and Natural Resources Research Center of Hamadan in two years (2002-2003).This research was survied in order to screening of some cultivars of potato with higher yield and quality. the trial laid out in Complete Block Design with four Replication. On base of maturity, cultivars was divided in two groups; A-early and early medium maturity cultivars: namely;1-Marfona 2-Sante 3-Feresco 4-Premier 5-Inova 6-Arinda 7-Fiana 8-Samante 9-Kardinal 10-Binella 11-romina 12-Ajax. B-late and late medium maturity cultivars namely; 1-Agria 2-Markiz 3-Diamant 4-Kuras 5-Concord 6-Mondil 7-Folda 8-Satina 9-Bellini 10-Timate 11-columbus 12-Juliance 13-Flavia 14-Brijet 15-Fontan 16-Santana 17-EOS 18-Ajiba. Every plot had four lines with 75×25cm distance between rows and plants. We have measured 12 characters during this two experiment in two years. The traits were recorded composed:1-Day after planting two fifty percent germination 2-Overlaping time 3-Flowering time 4-Flower longevity 5-Height of plant in flowering time 6-Number of main stem 7-Tuberization time 8-Senescence time 9-Total yield 10-Potato seed size production 11-Dry weight percentage 12-Longevity of tuer dormancy. The results of combined analysis of multiple variance was run and results showed that all cultivars in two groups had significant different at 1٪ oe level. In early group,Marfona, Sante, Feresco and Arinda had highest total yield in comparison with other cultivars. In late ripening groups, Bellini, Colombus, Juliance, Satina and Timate produced higher total yield than other cultivars. Comparison of correlation coefficients showed that there were significant positive correlation between number of main stem and total yield in both groups. In totally, with respect to quality of produced potato, storability and total yield, Feresco, Agria, Colombus, Timate, Satina and Juliance were better on qualification traits in comparison with other cultivars. Consequentely, these cultivars can be introduced for farm cultivation in Hamadan province.

In order to study the effect of Iranian zeolite (clinoptilolite) in manure on the yield, elements concentration of leaf and grain, amount of chlorophyll and leaf area index of sunflower under different irrigation regimes, an experimental was conducted in research farm of Tarbiat Modares University, college of agriculture, Tehran, Iran in 2006-2007. The experimental design was a spilt plot with four replications in form complete randomized block. The treatments composed of irrigation regimes at two levels: irrigation after using 35% available water (W1) and irrigation after using 70% available water (W2) as main plots and different treatments of manure at five levels: 130 kg N ha-1 by urea (chemical fertilizer) (F1), 80 kg N ha-1 by urea and 50 kg N ha-1 by manure (F2), 80 kg N ha-1 by urea and 50 kg N ha-1 by manure in combination with 5% weight of manure, natural zeolite (F3); 80 kg N ha-1 by urea and 50 kg N ha-1 by manure in combination with 10% weight of manure, natural zeolite (F4); 80 kg N ha-1 by urea and 50 kg N ha-1 by manure in combination with 15% weight of manure, natural zeolite (F5) as subplots. The result showed that the effect of irrigation regimes on grain and biological yield, chlorophyll of leaf in seed filling stage and leaf area index in flowering stage were significant, but elements concentration in leaf and grain were not affected by irrigation regimes. The result also showed that grain and biological yield, nitrogen concentration of leaf and grain, chlorophyll of leaf and leaf area index in flowering stage were affected significantly by fertilizers. From (F5) highest grain yield, biological yield and nitrogen concentration of grain and from (F1) highest nitrogen concentration and chlorophyll of leaf in flowering stage were obtained. Interaction of two factors had significant effect on biological yield, chlorophyll of leaf in seed filling stage, leaf area index in flowering stage and water use efficiency (WUE). Finally, regarding to result of this experiment and significant effect of application of Iranian natural zeolite for decreasing of using chemical fertilizers and avoiding of unsuitable effects of these chemical materials on environment, treatment 80 kg N ha-1 by urea and 50 kg N ha-1 by manure in combination with 15% weight of manure, natural zeolite (F5) under the first irrigation regime (WI F5), can be suggested as the best treatment.

A factorial-experiment with randomized complete block design, was conducted to investigate the effect of planting methods and different mass density on yield of saffron. The experiment was carried out in a farm located in Homondabesard- Damavand in Tehran province from July 2000 till July 2004. The corms of saffron were brought from Birjand, one of the main saffron producing areas in southern Khorasan. Two planting methods were, mass (group) planting (A1) and row planting (A2) with three corm density, 5 (B1), 10 (B2) and 15 (B3) corms in each 30 cm of planting rows were used. We had six treatment with 5 replicates or blocks in 30plots. Each plot was 2.8×8=22.4 sq-meters. The corms were planted about 20 cm deep. The results showed that in the first two years of experiment, the mass planting had higher yield than row planting method. However, in last two years the results were changed so that row planting method (A2) had significantly higher yield than mass planting. it is worth mentioning, that from second year and after, treatment with 10 and 1 corms in the row, has become more close to group farming and in the 4th year row planting with 15 and 10 corms had the highest yield. The last word for people who were doubtful wether saffron plants are suitable for area around Damavand or not is that saffron yield in Damavand has been exactly twice as national yield.

In order to investigate the effects of integrating chemical and mechanical weed management in corn, an experiment was conducted in agriculture and natural resources college of Darab, Fars province, in 2004 and 2005 years. The experiment was conducted based on randomized completely block design with 11 treatments and 3 replications. The treatments were the application of atrazine plus alachlor at 1+2.5 and 0.5+1.25 kg ai ha-1 used as broadcast and band application alone and in combination with rotary or sweep cultivators and mechanical weeding alone. In 2004, at 6 and 17 weeks after planting (WAP), maximum biomass reduction of redroot pigweed was observed for atrazine plus alachlor at 0.5+1.25 kg ha-1 with double sweep cultivator. At 6 WAP maximum biomass reduction of purslane was obtained for atrazine plus alachlor at 0.5+1.25 kg ha-1 with double sweep cultivator by 83٪. At 17 WAP uniform broadcasting of atrazine plus alachlor at 1+2.5 kg ha-1 reduced purslane biomass to 89٪. In 2005, at 17 WAP, minimum biomass reduction of redroot pigweed was obtained with band application of atrazine plus alachlor at 0.5+1.25 kg ha-1. At 6 WAP in uniform broadcasting of atrazine plus alachlor at 1+2.5 kg ha-1 reduced purslane biomass to 100٪. In 2004 and 2005 at 6 and 17 WAP, atrazine plus alachlor at 0.5+1.25 kg ha-1 with double sweep cultivator reduced johnsongrass biomass 83 to 91٪. Results of both years showed that all treatments increased corn grain yield as compared with the weedy check. Maximum corn grain yield was obtained with atrazine plus alachlor at 0.5+1.25 kg ha-1 with double rotary cultivator. The results emphasize benefits of integrating weed management as compared to chemical and mechanical weed control systems alone.

Nowadays most of the pathogenic microbs are resistant to many kind of antibiotics and make complication in treatment of infections diseases. The objective of this research was to isolate microorganisms which produce antimicrobial substances, from soils in Iran. In this study various soil samples were collected (Amol forest, Kahrizak, Hassan Abad Khalese desert) and were cultured on nutrient agar and saboroud dextrose agar and the patent isolates were purified. Four gram positive and gram negative bacteria were used to investigate the antimicrobial activities against them. The results showed that the only streptomycess exhibited antibacterial activities. In the next step the effects of some ecological parameters (temperature, pH, carbon and nitrogen sources) were studied on the antimicrobial activity. The results obtained showed that the optimized conditions for the antimicrobial activities were as follow: Temperature 33–36oC, pH=6.9-7.2, carbon sources (glucose and lactose 10g/l) amonium sulphate (10 g/l) and amino acids (Methionin and tryptophane as the nitrogen source 1 g/l). They can increase and accelerate the antibacterial activity. We also found that the gram positive bacteria were more sensitive than the gram negative bacteria.

Aegilops tauschii Coss.is a diploid (2n=2x=14, DD) goatgrass species which has contributed the D genome in common wheat. Considerable morphological variation exists in native populations of A. tauschii. Studies of native populations in Aegilops sp. indicate that these species are desirable genetic sources for wheat breeding. The genetic erosion in wheat cultivars has inspired the study of wild relatives. Genetic variations in 28 populations of Aegilops tauschii belonged to different provinces (provided by National Plant Gene Bank of Iran), were evaluated in the experimental field of National Plant Gene Bank of Iran, Karaj, during 2004-2005 and then morphological traits were measured.In this experiment, coefficients of correlation ,simple statistics, i.e. mean, standard deviation, maximum,minimum, and coefficient of variations for quanitative traits, shanon index for qualitaitive traits, principle component analysis based on 25 morphological traits and cluster analysis based on principle components were evaluated.The results indicated from existance of high variation in this populations.For number of seed per spikelet, a high variation and for days to maturity, a low variation were found as quanitative traits.Using of shanon index in qualitative traits, the highest diversity and a low of diversity belonging to brittleness of rachis and texture of seed respectively. A. significant correlation was observed between days to flowering and days to maturity, among length of spike, length of glum and number of spikelet per spike, and among stem color, stem Fuzz and growth habit. The principle component analysis indicated that eight components explains 82.6% of total variation. The cluster analysis divided the populations to three clusters revealed no consistent with their geographical distributions.

The fruit abscission flowering in almond is a physiological phonomena which may due to the shortage of carbohydrate and nutrients in the new growth reproductive organs. Sucrose as an organic compound and nitrogen as a mineral has an important role in growth and development of the fruits, hence applying of these nutrients may reduce fruit abscission at early growth season. An experiment was conducted to find the effect of sucrose and urea on fruit set in almond in both Sahand and Gordian research station during 2004-2005. The experiment was arranged in a complete randomized design with three replications. Four level of sucrose (0, 2, 4, and 6%) and three level of urea (0, 1, and 2%) is factorially combined as the treatments. Some physiological and growth parameters including fruit set, yield, Fm/Fv and sucrose concentration were measured. The results showed that the maximum yield and fruit set were achieved when 6٪ of sucrose combined with 2% of urea was applied. The rate of fruit set in Sahand station was higher than that in Gordian station. All treated plants had a grater fruit set and yield in the second year of the experiment, as compared to the control. The concentration of sucrose in the leaf tissue was increased in the sucrose applied plant in the second year. The rate of Fm/Fv was also increased when 2% of urea was applied. Urea application led to the reduced sucrose concentration in the stems and leaves. The concentration of N was increased as a result of urea application to the plant. This led to make a conclusion that the applying of urea and sucrose may be able to provide nutrient for the fruits at the critical period, consequently reducing fruit abscission.

An experiment was conducted at Zahak Agriculture Research Station using factorial design with 3 replications to determine the effects of Zn, Fe and Mn application on wheat yield, component yield, their concentrations and uptake in grains. In this experiment Zn with 4 levels (soil application 0, 40 and 80 kg ha-1 and foliar application of 0.5% ZnSo4 solution), FeSo4 with 2 levels (0 and 1%) as foliar application and Mn with 2 levels (0 and 0.5%) also as foliar application were used. Result showed that the effects of interaction of Zn and Mn were significant on number of grain in spike. Highest number of grain was with application of 80 kg Zn and Mn foliar. Effects of interaction of Zn and Fe were significant on weight of 1000 grain. The most weight of 1000 grain was with application of 80 kg Zn and Fe foliar. Application of 80 kg ZnSO4 alone and 80 kg ZnSO4 with foliar application Mn significantly increased grain yield in 2003. Results of two years showed that Zn foliar application increased Zn concentration, Zn uptake and Fe concentration in grain 99%, 106% and 8%, respectively. Foliar application of Fe increased concentration of Fe to 21%, Fe uptake 20% and Zn concentration 13% in grain. The Mn foliar application increased Mn concentration 7% and Mn uptake 9% in grain.

Rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) is an important oil seed crop in the world. The application of genetic engineering to B. napus will lead to the generation of plant varieties possessing more agriculturally and economically viable genetic traits. The manipulation of bacterial EPSPS gene in order to reduce its affinity to glyphosate is one of the most effective methods for production of glyphosate tolerant plants. Glyphosate is a non-selective and broad-spectrum herbicide that inhibits 5-enolpyruvylshikimate 3-phoshpate synthase (EPSPS), a key enzyme in the aromatic amino acid biosynthesis in microorganisms and plants. In this research, we study on alanine183 of E. coli (k12) EPSPS enzyme. This amino acid is an important residue for attachment of glyphosate herbicide to EPSPS enzyme. We used site directed mutagenesis method to inducing a point mutation in E. coli EPSPS gene to convert alanine 183 to threonine. The manipulated EPSPS gene was cloned in pUC18 as a universal cloning and pBI121 as a plant expression vectors. The results of molecular analyses and sequencing showed that the genes has been changed and cloned in correct orientation in both plasmids. Recombinant pBI121 containing altered EPSPS gene were transferred to rapeseed (B. napus L.), PF-7045-91 cv, via Agrobacterium tumefaciens mediated transformation method. The target tissue for transformation was the cut end of cotyledonery petioles. At the first step the transformed explants were screened in kanamycin containing media. Results showed that plant regeneration and transformation frequency was 74% and 28٪ respectively. Molecular analyses and glyphosate tolerance test, confirm the gene presence and it.s effective function in transgenic plant.

In order to evaluation of pollination and choice of suitable pollinizer for some olive cultivars, an experiment accomplished in two years from 2002 at Tarom olive research station. Statistical design was randomized complete block design with 8 treatments and 3 replications. In this study, Roghany and Zard cultivars exclusively were used as pollinizer and Arbequina, Kalamata, Konservolia, Koroneiki and Mastoidis cultivars had pollinated bilateraly (reciprocal). In per crossing 150-300 perfect flowers per shoot emasculated, then pollens of pollinizer cultivars collecting in bag and closed on shoot. In cross pollination, 100-200 inflorescence counting and etiquettes. Inflorescence of self-pollination treatment settled in bag too. Initial fruit set counted and recorded two weeks after full bloom and final fruit set 8 weeks after full bloom too. Zard cultivar had the highest pollen viability 85%. But Koroneiki with 25.9% had the lowest pollen viability. With a view to index of compatibility, cross-pollination had better result for production of all cultivars although result of two years shown that Roghany had comparatively compatibility with Arbequina, Zard and Arbequina with Mastoidis too.

Achieving self-sufficiency in maize production is one of the objectives of the present government in agricultural sector. Increasing productivity in agricultural sector is one of the major objectives of the 20-year vision plan and development plans. Also, using productivity index is one of the important tools in evaluation of the activities in agricultural sector, in achieving self-sufficiency. So, in this research, in order to assessing the increasing plan of maize production, Total Factor Productivity (TFP) of this product was estimated with the use of Tornqvist-theil index in three main producing province (Fars, Khuzestan and Kermanshah) in Iran during 1998-2002. The results showed that the TFP of Maize in the country despite its rising has been below 1 (exept for year 1999) within this intended period. Its annual increasing rate was positive during this period and it indicates an improvement in total productivity. The TFP of maize has decreased in two cities (Fars & Khozestan) during this period, its increasing rate has turned to be negative, and the reason for this decline was the fact that Input-Index increasing rate has been higher in comparison to output-Index increasing rate. Despite the execution of increase-in-maize-production project which has caused more production of Maize, the total productivity has declined because the costs-increase rate was higher than the production-increase rate. Despite its fluctuations, the TFP of maize has gone up in kermanshah during the period of this study and met a positive increasing rate. The results of this investigation revealed that the government can not achieve a self-sufficiency in this regard in Iran, and even if this occurs in Maize production, it would be fleeting. In order to meet such a dynamic self-sufficiency, programming is necessary and country’s authorities should take wide and drastic actions to cope with the decrease in production costs of Maize.

Date palm is an important fruit in Iran. According to FAO report in 2006, Iran with 238862 hectares date palm, and 996770 metric tones production is ranked 1nd and 2nd in the world, vespectrvely in the world. Flowering and fruit set stages are of most critical date palm development periods that play an important role in crop production. Different studies have shown that some plants are very sensitive to water stress at those two stages. In order to investigate the effects of water stress and irrigation regime, this study was carried out in a randomized complete blocks design with five treatments of irrigation: namely 50, 100, 150, 200 and 200 mm (with irrigation depth equal to 50٪ net irrigation requirement) after evaporation from class A pan in four replications during flowering and fruit set stages. The water requirement was calculated based on FAO pan method. The results showed that effect of irrigation treatments on fruit set, fruit drop, fruit and stone weight, fruit diameter and yield were significant. The highest yield was obtained with irrigation after 50 mm evaporation from the pan.

Date (Phoenix dactylifera L.) fruit could be consumed in 3 stages of maturation; Khalal, Rutab, and Tamar. In Rutab stage fruits are soft, succulent with high quality but due to soft texture, high moisture and sugar content, they are easy target for microbial attack which makes their storage and handling difficult and expensive. In this study, to find out the optimum condition for reduction of moisture and increase fruit quality, the effect of 24, 48 and 72 hours of dehydration in 40 and 50°C on fruit quality characteristics such as flesh firmness, water content, water activity, surface color (L*, a* and b*), flesh darkening, titrable acidity, juice pH and total soluble solids (TSS) was studied. The results were shown that dehydration treatment darkened flesh color, increased flesh firmness, decreased water activity and fruit weight. Dehydration during 72h in 50oC cause severe dried fruit (with 18.3% moisture content), significantly increased fruit firmness (8.28 N) and reduced other fruit quality parameters. But in dehydration during 48 h in 40°C and 24 h in 50°C fruit moisture content reduced to 27٪ and flesh firmness increased to 6 N, where microorganism unable to grow on the fruit and fruit texture changed to more pliable and firm.

In order to determine the best water level and method of dripper tape replacement on potato culture an experiment was conducted in Jiroft area with hot dry regime. The experimental design was as factorial Randomized Complete Block Design with two Factors: three water levels (70, 100 and 130% evaporation from A class pan) and two tape replacement method (every culture row a tape and every other row a tape) with six treatment in four Replications on potato CV. Concord. Results showed that the effect of water levels on yield and water use efficiency is significant. Water levels to %100 evaporation from pan resulted to yield increase significantly. The effect of tape replacement method on yield and water use efficiency, small tuber percent and tuber uniformity is significant and the highest yield, water use efficiency and uniformity percent was related to every culture raw a tape treatment. Totally irrigation as 100٪ evaporation from pan and one irrigation tape for every row with yield of 40.74 t/ha, water consumption 3586.65 m3/ha and WUE 11.45 kg/m3 is recommendable.