Year:2007 | Volume:20 | Issue:3 (76 IN AGRONOMY AND HORTICULTURE)|Papers Count:31

Essential oil of Damasc rose. has a high economical value. Identification of favorite genotypes for asexual propagation by tissue culture method was the main purpose in this research. Quality and quantity as well as high percentage of essential oil, long flowering period and high flower yield were the main traits in selected genotypes. In order to this aim auxillary buds from mature stock plants were collected in different season and cultured in MS basal medium with different plant growth regulator. The explants were treated with chloride mercuric (0.1%) for five minutes in order to obtain clean sample. All explants were established in Summer and Autumn. The greatest shoot prolifereation and shoot length varied due to different genotype performance. In M6 genotype the highest shoot prolifereation and shoot length were found in (2mgl-1 BAP and 2mgl-1 Kin) and in G1 and G2 genotypes in (2.5mgl-1 BAP) respectively. Modified MS medium by adding different concentration of NAA in order to stimulate root regeneration were used. Low percentage of G1 and G2 genotypes produced shoots were rooted on modified MS media supplemented with 0.1 and 0.2 mgl-1 NAA.

This research was conducted in a randomized block design with 3 treatments and 5 replications to investigate the effects of girdling on quality and quantity of lime fruits. This work conducted on seven years old trees of lime in research garden of Collage of Agriculture and Natural Resource of Darab in the Spring and Summer of 2005. In Darab lime fruits are unfavorable because of small size, thick peel and late maturity. Treatments were included two time of girdling: First at full bloom (9 April) and second after the physiological fruit drop (15 June). Girdling was conducted by making a single cut through the bark with 5mm width around the main trunk. Results showed that girdling after the physiological fruit drop (APFD) significantly increased the volume, diameter, pulp and peel weight and Juice percentages of fruits. But these treatments did not improve the tolal acid (TA), TSS/ TA ratio, yeild and number of fruits per tree. Results also showed that girdling at full bloom although increased the volume, weight, diameter and weight of peel and pulp of fruits but this increase was not significantly with control. However girdiling reduced TSS of fruit Juice and this reduction only for Second treatment was significant with control.

Study of weed phenology, especially perennials, is important and has many applications in weed management. Swallow wort (Cynanchum acutum L.) is a perennial and troublesome weed that has been observed in Iran, especially in orchards, for a few years. The phenology of this weed has not studied in Iran yet. Therefore, to examine phonological stages and their duration, this experiment was conducted in Weed Research Department experimental plots based on growth degree-days, during 1382-1383. The results indicated that the emergence of shoot from root occurred until 10083 growth degree-days, and 5 phonological stages were identified. These stages were shoot emergence from root, secondary shoot producing, bud stage, flowering stage and pod stage. This study showed that swallow wort root growth started in early May and during this period, 80% of the growth was completed. In general, swallow-wort is a long-period growth and development weed. It seemed that using the time calendar from present study would be more precise approach in order to managing of this invasive and troublesome weed.

Tetranychus urticae reported as a major pest of bean in Lordeghan (Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province) and other bean growing area in Iran and world. Spider mites cause noticeable damage on quality and quantity of bean. In these study effects of 12 pesticides (acaricides/insecticides) on T. urticae, a major pest of bean in Lordegan, was evaluated under field conditions. Two ovicides (Tetrandifon EC 18.5%, Clofentezine, SC 50%), one acaricide which controlled immature stages of the mite (Etoxazole SC10%) and nine acaricides/insecticides which were effective on both immature and adult stages of the mite (Amitraz EC 20%, Propargite EC 57% and 570 EW, Fenpropathrin EC 10% and FL 10%, Fenazaquin SC 20%, Hexythiazox EC 10%, Fenpyroximate SC 5% and Bromopropylate EC 25% were evaluated during 2002-2003. Split plot experiment was used for the field trail. Spraying time was selected as the main factor with two levels of mite infestation (20% and 40% of leaves infestation). Sampling was done one day before, 3, 7 and 14 days after pesticides application. Fourthy five leaves of each treatment (15 leaves of each replication) were sampled. Number of alive mites was counted in two squares centimeter on abaxial leaf surface of bean using Stereo binocular microscope. Statistical analysis was done on mortality percent obtained by Henderson-Tilton formula showed that, there was significant difference between two levels of infestations. Mortality percent at 20% was found significantly higher than the other level of infestation. Effects of pesticides applied significantly were found different at sampling intervals. Etoxazole and Hexythiazox caused higher mite mortality than the others fourteen days after application. Where as effects of Fenazaquin, Bromopropylate, Amitraz, Clofentezine, Tetrandifon, Propargite old and new, Fenpropathrin old and new formulas, Fenpyroximate on T. urticae observed after them respectively. Using proper doses of pesticides and proper time of application in bean fields infested by spider mite, will considerably reduce amount and cost of pesticides application and keep agro -ecosystem away from further pollution.

High planting density of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) decreases the production expenses by increasing yield and earliness. To determine the effects of dense cropping system on some important traits in cotton, a factorial experiment on the base of a randomized complete block design was conducted for 2 years in Mazandaran region. The factors were number of plants in a hill (1, 3, 5, 7) and spacing between hills (20, 40, 60 cm). Results from combined analysis indicated that 3 pl/hill or 11.4 pl/m2/ compare with the other treatments had the highest fiber yield. Increasing of the spacing between hills and interaction between treatments did not have any significant effect on the fiber yield. Fiber yield in 3 pl/hill was %16.8 more than 1 pl/hill. Hills with more than one plant had lower height and number of monopodial branches than hills with one plant. The highest yield obtained from 109 cm height. Earliness was not affected by the factors. There were not any significant differences between fiber quality traits including of length, micronare, strength and elongation. In this study fiber quality had a high stability in the range of the plant populations.

In order to evaluate the reaction of corn cultivars to common smut (Ustilago maydis) and Fusarium ear rot (Fusarium moniliforme), two expriements were conducted in a complete randomized block design, with 7 treatments (cultivars) in four replications, in Darab. For artificial inoculation, fungal inoculum consisting of a mixture of spores was applied to ear 2 to 5 and 7 to 10 days after silk stage by injection of 3 ml of inoculum (106 spore/ml) into ear, for first and second test, respectively. At harvesting time, the disease incidence (D.I.) and disease severity (D.S.) based on disease progress in each ear, were evaluated. The results showed that 704 and BC404 cultivars were resistant and susceptible to both disease, respectively.

In order to study the effects of cadmium on some growth and physiological parameters on lentil seedlings, seeds were sterilized and incubated in 9 cm petri dishes at 25oc. Then, two days old similar seedlings, were selected and transferred into petries containing 0, 20. 40, 80 and 160 mM cadmium chlorid solutions. All measurements were carried out after 4 days.The results showed that, with increasing Cd concentration in nutrient solution, root longitudinal growth decreased. While the shoot length increased at 20 mM cadmium and then decreased. The dry weights of roots and shoots and the number of secondary roots also decreased. The proline of roots and shoots , soluble sugar and protein contents increased with increasing Cd concentration, which could be resulted from mechanisms of plant tolerance against Cd imposed stress.

The present research has been carried out for elevating the participation level of researcher, agent and farmer in the technology generation and transfer process and identification of factors affecting the level of participation in this process. Research methods are survey and descriptional–correlative. The target population in this study was includes, 350 wheat farmers, 105 agent, 60 researchers in Fars and Kermanshah provinces. Wheat farmer were selected by using stratified randomization method. The deta collection method was by questioner and interview. Validity of the instrument was established using a panel of experts consisting of agricultural specialist and expert. A reliability analysis was conducted, cronbach alpha value being reported to be 0.72, 0.71, 0.72.The main results included: participation of farmers and agent in the technology generation and transfer process is very low. The researchers too, have very low participation in the technology transfer process. Therefore it is suggested that prepare the environment for further participation in this process through pattern improvement, higher tendency toward cooperation, and reassessing the tasks of agent.

To evaluate the competitive ability of two dry bean cultivars: “KRD-29” and “Rab-50”, using critical period of weed interference experiment; an experiment was conducted in 2002 at Brojerd agricultural research station. The experiment conducted in a randomized complete block design with 4 replications and 12 treatments was used. Treatments were arranged in two groups with 14 days intervals. First group included weed infested treatments (WI) from crop emergence to 14, 28, 42, 56, 70 days after emergence with control treatment (whole season interference) and second treatments included weed free (WF) treatments until to same days in first group. Results showed that higher leaf area index (LAI) and height of “Rab-50” cultivar than “KRD-29” cultivar resulted in lower adverse effects of weed species and yield loss in this cultivar.

Plant development can be defined as a programmed qualitative change in plant form, which leads plant to maturity, and researchers call it as phasic development or phenology. Recognizing the timing of occurring each development stage is necessary for managing system in order to yield increment. The timing of occurring development stages depend on climate, genotype specifications and sowing date then determination of these times in different regions is difficult and it is only possible through the using of crop simulation models which can predict the timing of occurrence each development stage by integrating effective factors. The model was constructed based on linear equation of plant temperature response. In order to model evaluation two experiments were carried out in agricultural and natural resources research center of Khuzistan in 2003-2004 and 2004-2005 cropping years. Wheat development stages were determined based on Kirby and Appleyard’s scale by stereoscopic microscope and required GDD for each development stage as well. The constructed model was calibrated and run for simulation. Comparison of simulated and observed data showed that the model can strongly predict wheat development stages.

For detection relationship between traits of red bean in National Plant Gene Bank of Iran, 250 accessions were evaluated in an augment design. In this investigation some of quantitative and qualitative characters were evaluated. The results showed that seed yield per plant has the highest correlation with seed weight (r=0.78), pod per plant (r=0.44) and seed per pod (r=0.21) and stepwise regression showed that these traits covered (%97.7) of total variance. All traits inter to regression model studied by path analysis. Results showed that each traits or in the other hand yield component with (r=0.879), (r=0.442) and (r=0.118) respectively, have the greatest direct and positive effect on seed yield per plant. Therefore, these characters can be used for increase the yield. Likewise, 7 principal components approximately explained 69.4% of total variance, and cluster analysis divided these accessions to 6 clusters that can be used for select best parents in hybridization programs.

In order to determine the effects of different concentrations of indolebutyric acid (IBA) and naphtaleneacetic acid (NAA) and mixetures of those on rooting of hardwood stem cuttings of almond ´ peach hybrid, clone G.F.677, this experiment was conducted in college of agriculture and natural resources of Darab , related to Shiraz university, at 2005; Hardwood stem cuttings were prepared from mother plants from Estahban Researeh station. This experiment was arranged in a randomized block design with nine treatment and four replications. Hormone treatments is in cluded 4 levels: 0,1500,2000 and 2500 ppm of indolebutyric acid and 4 levels:0,1000,1500 and 2000 ppm of naphtaleneacetic acid and 2 levels: 1000 + 1000 and 1500 + 1500 ppm of mixture of two hormones, with quick – dip method. Results showed that the highest rooting percent of cuttings was obtained with 1500 ppm of IBA and 1500+1500 ppm of mixture. However effects of all treatments on the number of root were significantly different with control. Results also showed that the effect of treatments on number of shoot per cutting, length of shoot and fresh weight of root wasn’t significant at the %5 level with control. The highest of fresh weight and length of shoot was obtained with 2000 ppm of IBA.

Copper barrier a new method, with barrier and mortality efficacies, has been evaluated against C. lencoranea on orange, mahali variety in comparison to other registered molluscicides (Metaldehyde and Carbaryl baits) and weeding control + plaguing treatment. The complete randomized block design was set up, with four replications and each replicate consist of three orange trees in each parts. This study conducted in east and west parts of Mazandaran province during 2004. Treatments were initiated in middle of October with Max. Snails activity. Mortality of C. lencoranea has been obtained through Henderson-Tilton method with sampling interval of one day before and 2, 4, 7, 14 and 21 days after the treatments. Mortality recorded by counting alive snails on 4 shoots infested by snails according selection and marking. Analysis of variance done on mean of mortality recorded in each sampling interval and with help of SAS method grouping as well as sustainable effected of those treatments were compared. The results of snail mortalities in all treatments in citrus orchards were found significant at level of 5% (p<0.05). Effects of different treatments found maximum in 7th day of the sampling and mortality rate increased with extent of interval period. Combined analysis done on data of both places and laboratory indicated that, copper barrier caused higher mortality effect on snail with longer persistence in comparison of other treatments investigated and placed in group a. Mean of snail control in Sari region (54.32%) was observed higher than Tonekabon (50.01%) region. In total, we can suggest that, copper barrier can consider in control of C. lencoranea in tall varieties of citrus in Mazandaran province and other infested citrus region by this snail pest too.

In order to study the stability of promising cultigens of barley, 20 lines and varieties from earlier yield trials were studied in an RCBD with four replications were evaluated in uniformity trials during 2001-2003. The simple and combined analysis of variance were done for grain yield and the effect of year location genotype, genotype year, genotype location, year location and the three way interaction of year by location by genotypes were calculated.The combined analysis revealed that the effect of genotypes, year, location interaction, the interaction of year, location, genotypes and genotypes by year were significant at 0.01 and 0.05 probability levels. Treatment 10 produced 4.691 t/ha respectively and they were ranked first compared to the genotype and more adaptable that the other varieties. In stability analysis, they showed superiority over others. Based on the results, genotype 10 might be introduced and nominated as the most stable variety of barley with the highest yield.

Psalmocharias alhageos is a type of soil organism that spends considerable part of its life in soil. Psalmocharias alhageos nymphs feed from host plant roots and move in soil. Their movements in soil will lead to formation of different channels and voids. In this research, the effects of some morphological, physical and chemical characteristics of soil on the activities of Psalmocharias alhageos were studied. The results showed that their activities are considerably related to soil properties. The depth of roots in soil, roots intensity, soil limitative factors, soil texture and also soil bulk density were shown to be the most important factors that influence the activities of Psalmocharias alhageos in soil. Their activities were the most in shallow soils, soils with larger amounts of roots in surface area, loam textures and horizons with lower soil density. The results also showed that Psalmocharias alhageos activities in soil were not related to limited changes in some soil chemical properties. Regarding to high economical loss due to their activities in the studied region, it seems that some physical and morphological changes in soil or selection of proper location regard to soil properties, could be useful to control the activities of Psalmocharias alhageos and decrease the economic damage in the region.

Intensive and multiple cropping, cultivations of crop varieties with heavy nutrient requirement and unbalanced use of chemical fertilizers especially nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers caused reduction of yields and appearing of micronutrient deficiency in crops. While balanced fertilization and micronutrients application will increase yield and quality of crops and will insure people health in society. In order to study the effects of zinc and iron on wheat and to find out the critical levels of these elements in soils, an experiment was conducted in 30 difference fields in Varamin plain. One field per 800 hectares was selected; soil samples were selected and analyzed. Experimental fields were selected based on soil test results. In each sites, the experiment was conducted with RCBD design and four treatments and three replications. Treatments included as follow: 1-Control without use of micronutrients 2-Use of Zn as Znso4 (40 kg.ha-1) 3-Use of Fe as Fe-chelat (10 kg.ha-1) 4-Use of Fe and Zn. Data showed that grain yield is dependent to available-Fe and available-Zn in soil. So use of Fe and Zn had not any effects in soils which had available-Fe and ava-Zn more than 4.7 and 0.8 mg.kg-1 respectively. Maximum increasing of grain yield by Fe application was 1100 kg.ha-1in soils which contain 2 mg.kg-1 available Fe and by Zn application, grain yield increase received to 1200 kg.ha-1 in soils which contain 0.5 mg.kg-1 available Zn. There was a positive correlation between grain yield and available soil Fe or available soil Zn. These correlations were fitted to logarithmic models with a significant R2.The average grain yield increase by using of Fe and Zn were 317 and 330 kg.ha-1 respectively. Yield increased 868 kg.ha-1by using of Fe and Zn. So the critical levels of Fe and Zn in soils were determined 4.7 and 0.8 mg.kg-1 respectivly. By this way,%54 and %46 of soils under wheat cultivation had deficient to Fe and Zn respectively. So use of Zn and Fe fertilizers highly recommended for yield increasing in these soils.

Effect of copper chloride various concentrations at rosette stage of two Brassica napus cultivars (PF and Hayola) on cholorphyll content, accumulation of soluble and insoluble carbohydrates, and some growth parameters such as root and stem dry weight, root and stem length, and leaf area was studied under greenhouse conditions in Karaj during 2004. The experiment was established in a factorial experiment based on a completely randomized design with 4 replications and 4 treatments (0, 100, 300, and 500 mM CuCl2). In general, in response to copper treatments, the decrease in chlorophyll and growth parameters were greater in Hayola organs than that of PF. On the other hand, the accumulation of soluble and insoluble carbohydrates was greater in PF than that of Hyola. It is therefore concluded that PF had more ability in copper stress tolerance, compared with Hayola.

In order to study the life cycle as well as the population trends of various developmental stages of the pest, investigations were conducted in a wheat field as well as laboratory of Agricultural Research Center of East Azarbidjan during years 1997 and 1998. The field studies were conducted by caging paired male and femal adults on wheat plants (variety Alvand).The laboratory works were done using potted plants (same variety) on which apair of adults male and female were released, then the plants were placed in plastic cylinders. The mean number of eggs per female in field and laboratory conditions calculated as 49.2 ± 12.13 and 56.6 ± 6.26 respectively. The mean oviposition period was 26.8±3.92 and 18.4±1.51 days respectively. The mean length of life cycle of pest in field and laboratory conditions was 49 and 40±2.5 days. The mean incubation period under laboratory condition (26-27oC & 45±5% humidity) estimated as 5 days and mean duratioon of larval stages determined according to table.

In order to study the possibility of integrating of chemical and non-chemical for management of Johnsongrass (Sorghum halepense), three green house and field experiments were conducted in plant protection research institute in 1384 and 1385. The first was a pot experiment and the treatments were length of rhizome fragments (5, 10 and 15 cm), depth of buried in soil (5, 10 and 15 cm) and 3 herbicides application (Nicosulfuron, Foramsulfuron and Rimsulfuron in 1.5 and 2 lit/ha and 30 g/ha respectively). The second experiment was also a green house study but conducted in ground and the treatments were length of rhizome fragments (5, 10 and 15cm) and shoot mowing (1, 2 and 3 time). In field experiment 12 herbicides treatments (Nicosulfuron (1, 1.5 and 2 lit/ha), Foramsulfuron(1.5, 2 and 2.5 lit/ha), Rimsulfuron( 20, 30 and 40 g/ha), Atrazin+ Alachlor (5+1 kg/ha), Eradican (6 kg/ha) and control(weed free)) were compared in a randomize complete block design with 4 replications. The results indicated shoot weaker and lower dry matter with greater buried dept and smaller fragments. Between herbicides, Nicosulfuron had a good effect on johnsongrass. The efficacy of Nicosulfuron increased with increasing in shoot mowing.

Determination of forage quality of available species is one of the fundamental factors for the management of rangelands. ADF, CF, CP and DMD are some of the important factors in evaluation of forage quality. The present research was conducted to evaluate the forage quality of three important grasses of Aeluropus lagopoides, Aeluropus littoralis, and Puccinellia distance at saline and alkaline habitats of Incheh-bouron area in Golestan province. The study area has -10 m elevation and 181.5 mm annual rainfall. During the study, samples were collected from three species with five replications from excluded area. The quality indices of acid detergent fiber (ADF), crude fiber (CF), and crude protein (CP), and metabolic energy (ME), dry matter digestibility (DMD) were measured at two stages of vegetation growth and seed ripening. Then, these indices were compared at two stages for every species by applying unpaired t-test and for three species by F- test. Forage quality of three species was higher in vegetation growth than seed ripening stage, because of high value of CP, DMD, ME and also low degree of ADF and CF in vegetative growth. In both phonological stages, for all factors Aeluropus lagopoides was better than the Aeluropus littoralis (p<0.05). In vegetative growth, Puccinellia distance had the same quality as Aeluropus lagopoides, but in seed ripening stage had the same quality as Aeluropus littoralis (p>0.05). In general, Aeluropus lagopoides had better quality than the two other species.

The effect of different agricultural and industrial residues (tomato, potato, barley, sugar–cane, sawdust and soil) mixed with cow manure at four levels of 25, 50, 75 and 100 percent was studied. The growth and reproduction rates, biomass production and average daily gain (ADG) of Eisenia fetida on a variety of organic wastes were estimated. A 6x4 factorial experiment and completely randomized design with a control treatment, three replications was used. The suitable cultures were determined using principal component analysis (PCA). There was a highly significant (p<0.0001) in the growth and reproduction rates, biomass production and ADG between agricultural residues groups. The highest growth rate and maximum weight of worm was attained in the mixing of sawdust at % 25 levels (69.48±13.20 final gr/initial gr). The maximum biomass of worm was obtained in substrates of sawdust and cow manure 372.84 and 338.14 gr respectively, whereas the treatment of potato and barley had the minimums biomass (134.94 and 45.08 gr respectively).The highest reproduction rate and the number of worm was obtained in the tomato mixture at %75 level (74.00±8.75 final nu./initial nu.). The lowest growth and reproduction rates was in the barely residues (6.64±1.09 and 3.85±0.89 respectively), whereas the maximum of ADG was in this treatment (25.63 mg/w/d), on the contrary the large population density of earthworms in the tomato substrates resulted in reduction of ADG (5.52 mg/w/d). In general, the results of this experiment indicated that tomato, sawdust, sugar–cane, cow manure and soil mixtures produced the best environment for growth and reproduction of earthworms.

Irrigation efficiency as a standard engineering measure has been traditionally used to assess water use management. Alocative efficiency as applied in production economics theory provides an alternative measure of irrigation performance. Both concepts are used in this study to investigate water efficiency levels for irrigated crops in the shahrekord region of Iran under modern irrigation methods on potato farms. While irrigation efficiency focuses on the technical aspect of water management, alocative efficiency is more directed to the economic aspects and has bearing on the economic sustainability of the system. In a few cases, however, alocative efficiency show the possibility of overuse of irrigation water which could be the result of small-sized farms using water more extensively. Dummy or binary variable use to show change in technology in agriculture. Result indicate that technical efficiency was improved on large farm size and increased from0.697 to 0.94 on the farm that use pressurize irrigation system.

Anthurium is belonging to the family araceae and native to central and south American. Conventional propagation relies upon division, cutting methods. In vitro propagation of Anthurium has special importance for rapid clonally propagation and disease elimination. In this research micropropagation of Anthurium andreanum was investigated through shoot regeneration method. The study was done during 2003-2005 in the National Research Center of Ornamental Plants–Mahallat. Leaf plate explants of Tera cultivar were used. The leaves were cut into 1´1 cm sections. Segments of leaf were sterilized with 3% NaClO for 30 minutes. Explants were cultured on MS media with 2,4–D (0- 0.24 mg/l) and BA(0.5 -1.5 mg/l), 30 g/l sucrose and 8 g/l agar for callus induction. Cultures were maintained in dark at 25oc. The experiment was conducted as a completely randomized design (CRD) with factorial arrangement and 6 replications. Callus were cultured on MS media supplemented with 0-1 mg/l BA for shoot induction in light condition. Best result for callus induction was obtained from medium containing 0.16 mg/l 2, 4-D and 1 mg/l BA. Also the media without hormones showed the best result for number of shoot. Plantlets were transferred into pot and grown in the greenhouse.

Although selecting a manager is a strategic matter for all organizations, it is substantial in research units, because research management is recognized as a specific and occasionally unique affair. Studies in Iran illustrated that Weakness in research management causes reduced effectiveness and inappropriate performance of research institutes. Reviews show that there used to be no criteria to select managers of research units in the ministries and independent government organizations until 2001. This issue was studied in employees of 50 research units of Jihad– e Sazandegi. The first group contained the directors and researchers represented by 1139 people with the educational levels of M.A. and higher, and the second consisted of 5001 people including those personnel with B.A. and lower excluding illiterates and wage labors. Using the probabilities of selection proportionate to size, there were resulted 288 and 356 samples out of the first and second groups respectively. In order to ensure the questionnaire reliability, Cronbach’s alpha was estimated as 90 percent. It was illustrated that no one were asked about selecting and appointing managers of research units in the Ministry. But the most influential people in selecting were senior mangers and selecting criteria respectively pointed out as scientific and managerial qualification, believing in and commitment to Islamic values and close relation with superior managers. More than half of the sample turned down the existing manner of selecting research managers appreciates the Ph.D. degree and, at least two years experience in research management, research management or management training course prior to the appointment for research managers. Sample researchers prefer the characteristic of high qualifications against weak commitment to Islamic values for research managers, whereas other personnel favored high commitment to Islamic values and low qualifications.