Year:2005 | Volume:18 | Issue:3 (68 IN AGRONOMY AND HORTICULTURE)|Papers Count:11

This study was conducted at farmers' fields in different regions ofIran during 2000 and 2002.The results showed that twenty-six species of injurious insects belonging to 6 orders and 13 families along with thirteen species of natural enemies were presented in succession at different phenological stages of canola. One species of insects known as Psylliodes hyoscyami L.(Col. Chryso.melidae)was reported for the first time from Iran. Major insect pests are as follows: Brevicoryne brassicae L. Phyllotreta corrugata Riche, Psylliodespersicus All., Meligethes aeneus Fab. And Athalia rosae L. Additionally, thirteen species of insect natural enemies were found to be associated with some insect pests of canola.

Some of nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium are very important for crops when one of them decreases or soil losses it, natural growth of plant will be disorganized. According to importance of this problem we should try to concentrate our researches on this part. With this reason, a region was considered in Zanjan-Khodabandeh that different agricultural systems are practiced in it. In order to recognize alternations, these elements in different agricultural lands and rangelands were tested with completely randomized block design. Sampling was taken in depths of 0-30, 30-60 centimeter. Analyze of variance of soil samples indicated that excepted for potassium in under layer, on the other subjects, there were a significant different with 99 percentage and 95 percentage probability among treatments mean with Duncan method, totally introduced the irrigation system of agricultural is the most suitable treatment.

Rice is the major cultivated crop in Gilan province. The surface area under rice cultivation in this province is about 230 thousand hectares out of which nearly one hundred thousand hectares are located in eastern Gilan province in Astaneh, Lahidjan, Langrud, Rudsar, and Amlash cities. Rice cultivation in these areas is done in mountainous, plains, marshland, and coastal regions. There are many variations of soils on different landforms, which have different potentials for irrigated rice cultivation. Land evaluation by Fertility Capability Classification (FCC) and parametric methods were carried out in Langerud area. FCC system was made for soils with aquic or anthraquic soil moisture regimes to relate soil classification with soil productivity parameters for flooded rice production. The results indicate that climatic limiting factors for the local rice varieties are: Mean daily temperature during vegetative growth stage and the ratio of sunshine hours and day length (n/N). The soil limiting factors in coastal regions are the very coarse texture and low CEC while in marshy regions, is very poorly drained conditions are the major limitation. Parametric and FCC methods can distinctively indicate restricted and non-restricted area for irrigated rice field. So FCC, that is a technical system for grouping soils according to the kinds of their problems for agronomic management, can be simply used by agriculture extortionists, experts, and farmers.

Almonds (Prumus amygdalus) fruit drops is a serious problem of almond growers in the country. Nutrient elements particularly nitrogen, zinc, and boron are effective in preventing this problem. A randomized complete block experiment with 18 treatments and 3 replications was carried out on a total of 108 eight year old trees of Azar variety during two growing seasons from 2002-2004 in Shabestar region. First factor consisted of nitrogen application urea solution at two concentrations of 0 and 0.5%, second factor boric acid at 3 concentrations of 0, 0.2 and 0.4 percent. The highest rate of primary fruit set (24 percent) was obtained with the highest concentrations of boron and zinc. The highest rate of second fruit set (15 percent) was obtained with the second and the third highest concentrations of boric acid. The greatest weight of single nut (2.4 g) was obtained with the combined foliar applications of a solution of urea at 0.5% concentration and a solution boric acid at 0.4% concentration. The highest percentage of nut (14 percent) was obtained at the third boron level. The longest almond fruit (4.4 cm) was obtained at the third boron level. The widest almond fruit (3.1 cm) was obtained at the second and the third boron levels. The highest percentage of oil (53%) was obtained with the third boron level without any nitrogen treatment. The greatest percentage of hard shells (22%) was obtained with the combined application of second level of nitrogen along with the second or third levels of boric acid. The highest protein content (23%) was obtained with combined application of 2 rd level of urea third level of boric acid. No significant effects of interaction of year into location on measured paramagnet were seen with any of the treatments.

In order to determine the effects of the morphological and physiological characteristics of different wheat genotypes against wild oats (Avena ludoviciana), field trails were carried out at weed research station of plant pests and diseases research institute near the Karaj city during the 2000-2001 and 2001-2002 growing season. The experiments were conducted as a randomized completed block design with four replications and with factorial arrangement of treatments. Treatments included six wheat genotypes at two weedy levels (weedy and weed free). The wheat genotypes used in this study were three more-competitive (MC) genotypes 6618, M-75-5, M-75-13 and three less-competitive genotypes Alamoot, Ghafghaz and M-75-5 based on preliminary experiment results. The experiments results indicated that lines 6618 and M-75-5 were as MC and LC, respectively using competitive index (Cl), wild oats biomass and grain yield in pure and mixed stand. Results indicated that wheat MC genotypes can be distinguished from LC ones with height canopy, total fertile stem, leaf area index (LAI), cumulative total dry matter (CTDM), crop growth rate (CGR), relative growth rate (RGR). These criteria can be used in plant breeding program for screening MC genotypes from LC ones against wild oats.

Indigenous and scientific knowledge integration is a strategic process for development in developing and undeveloped countries. It is especially true about agricultural sector. This study conducted with regard to this strategy. Problematic situation is grape moth pest in the grape gardens of Koukhodan and Sarmour villages of Dena County in Kohgilouyeh and Boyer Ahmad province in southwest Iran. Research topic and region were identified based on existent data, interview with specialists and researcher observations. Stratified random sampling was used to select samples with 30 persons for each village and action research method was used. With regard to action as one of the greatest steps of this method, an extension education course regarded for action taking. Ortiz's model (1999) was used to Integrate Indigenous and Scientific knowledge’s. Results show that among 25 Indigenous knowledge topics, 16 of them need - to be considered for training. Comparison between pre- test and post- test training results showed that learning has been significant about 11 of these topics. These results also show that learning about steps of life except "optimum conditions of life" were significant too. This study recommend action research as a proper method to indigenous knowledge investigation and the model developed in this study, is a proper model to Indigenous and Scientific knowledge integration and educational need assessment for extension education classes. So, this model is recommended too.

Reducing environmental and economic costs of crop protection is a major concern. In this context, a revived interest in studying allelopathic factors has been noted. In this study, leaf tissue extract from Artemisia siebery, A. auchary and A. scoparia were evaluated for their effects on seed germination and seedling growth of Avena ludoviciana. Dried leaf tissue was extracted by methylene chloride. The experiment was arranged in a completely randomized layout with three replication. The treatments were three species of Artemisia, and nine levels of leaf extracts (0, 6250, 10000, 12500, 20000,40000,80000, 125000 and 162500 ppm). Results showed Avena seed germination, root and shoot length were reduced by Artemisia species extracts. A. auchary had more effect on Avena seed germination. A. scoparia not had effect on Avena seed germination and estimated reduction of Avena seed germination by 80000 ppm extract was 48 and 44.7 % for A. auchary and A. siebery, respectively. The maximum inhibitory effects on root and shoot length was observed by A. auchary. The estimated rates of A. auchary extract required for a 50%reduction in Avena root and shoot length were 6640 and 9970 ppm, respectively.

A field experiment was conducted in 1998 at the Agricultural Research Station, Isfahan Agricultural Research Center, to study developmental stages of eight spin (L.R.V.51.51 , K.E.72 , K.J.72., K.A.72 , K.D.72 , K.F.72 , K.C.72 , Zarghan- 279) and two spinless ( K.B.72, Varamin -295) safflower genotypes. The safflower genotypes were evaluated, using a randomized complete block design in four replications. Number of days and cumulative growing degree days (GDD) from planting to emergence, stem elongation, branch elongation, head visible, 50% flowering and physiological maturity were significantly affected by genotypes. Rosset, branch elongation, head visible and kernel filling periods were also significantly affected by genotypes. Ten genotypes clustering, based on 22 developmental stage traits showed, basic difference between spin and spineless genotypes. Spineless genotypes reached most developmental stages later than spin genotypes, which might be related to evolution background. Among spin genotypes correlation coefficients between seed yield and developmental stage traits, such as branching period and related cumulative growing degree days were significant. Considering of all genotypes none of these correlation coefficients were significant. According to the results branching period is the most effective period on yield and yield components.

Land surface temperature (LST) is a significant parameter for ground energy and water balance, and it is necessary for many applications, like: Agrometeorology, climate, and environmental studies. Various methods have been presented for the retrieval of land surface temperature from satellite images; among them split-window algorithms that use two adjacent infrared channels shown more successes. The objective of this study is to compare various split window algorithms for retrieving surface temperature from AVHRR images in Oroomieh lake basin in Iran. These algorithms presented by Price (1984), Becker and Li (1990), Prata and Plat (1991), Coli et al. (1994) and Ulivieri et al. (1990). We have used subsurface temperature at 5 cm measured in the meteorological stations to compare the split window algorithm LST estimates. The mean bias deviation (MAD), root mean square error (RMSE) and coefficient of determination (R2) were used to assign the best algorithm for retrieving LST in Oroomieh lake basin. The results showed that the Price algorithm (MAE= -1.82 °K, RMSE= 2.354 °K and R2 = 0.62) has the best accuracy and the other algorithms overestimate LST.

The increasing competition for limited resources associated with the demand of policymakers, programmer and also utilisers for accountability forced the research institutes to show the quality and relevance of research results as well as asked over improvement. So, evaluation and progressive performance of research institutes are main concerns in developing countries. Although the traditional methods of evaluation have been criticized, much benefit achieved from. However, providing accurate and powerful models and methods are necessary. In this study various approaches, models and procedures were examined. It seems that in suitable conditions the participatory organization assessment introduced by ISNAR included a better ability and capacity comparing with others. Ozgediz evaluation model named CGIAR due to its comprehensive and measurable dimensions provides valid and accurate results. Therefore, the awareness and evaluation of 395 key informants, including high and middle managers and senior experts of the ministry exposed to Rural Research Center (RRC) was studied. Evaluation was carried out based on a four dimensions model including; research results, quality and relevance, vision and strategic direction and management efficiency. General evaluation index of RRC shows a medium level that increases by education degree. Considering the high correlation between the views of respondents and that of their colleagues and superiors, the evaluation results can be generalized to a bigger population. There is a significant relation between the level of contact with RRC and positive evaluations.