Year:2007 | Volume:19 | Issue:4 (73 IN AGRONOMY AND HORTICULTURE)|Papers Count:32

Growth and development of plants in different ecosystems and natural habitat is effected by different environmental factors like altitude. Therefore, the effect of altitude on essential oil and chemotypes’ variability of Thymus kotschyanus Boiss growing wild in southern aspect of Alborz Mountains was investigated. The sampling site altitude were ranged from 1800-2800 meter which was subdivided to six strata of every 200 meter, In each stratum the fresh samples of annual growth were randomly harvested stage (flower, leave, stem) during full flowering with 3 replication July to August 2003. The percent essential oil and the six major chemotypes as Thymol, Carvacrol, Linalool,  a-Terpinene were measured by GC and GC/MS system. The percent essential oil of the samples collected from 1800-2800 meter was 2.56, 2.27, 2.05, 1.92, 1.39 and 1.31 respectively. The highest and lowest percent recorded were 1800 and 2800 respectively. From essential oil components Linalool ranged 45 and 1.9 percent from 2800 to 1800 respectively. There was a positive correlation between essential oils content and lower altitude while same correlation was obtained between few other chemotypes and higher altitude. Thymol has been usually reported to be the widest spread chemotypes in the genus of thymus sp. however, in this study linalool and α-Terpinene were the highest amount in species thymus kotschyanus (45 and 39.5 percent respectively). A high positive correlation was found between Ca+Mg, Na and OC% in the soil with altitude. In conclusion, the highest percent of essential oils in thymus kotschyanus boiss found at lower altitude while the highest content of chemotypes was associated with higher altitude of 2800 meter.

Genomic DNA extraction with a high quantity and quality is a basic requerment in molecular biology. DNA extraction from plant tissue because of presence of polysaccharids, tanens, phenolic compounds and proteins faced with some problems that negatively affect the DNA quality. DNA extraction methods should be identified to reduce these compounds. In order to select the best genomic DNA extraction method from cyclamen tissues, four DNA extraction methodsluded (1) Murry and Thampson (1980), (2) Doyle and Doyle (1990), (3) Dellaporta et al (1983) and (4) Lodhi et al (1994) were compared. Young and well expanded mature leaves were used for DNA extraction. Quantity and quality of extracted genomic DNA were compared by applying the spectophotometric, agarose gel electrophoresis, treatment with restriction endonuclease (EcoRI) and polymerase chain rection (PCR). Ultimately, considering the quantity and quality of DNA and the results of PCR, the method of Murry and Thampson (1980) was recomended for high pure DNA extraction in this ornamental plant. Highest amount of DNA 395 ng/µl (79 µg/g) was obtained from 1.0 g young tissue with good quality.

Rice is a strategic agricultural product in Iran. There are many important distortions in supply, demand and import of rice. The main purpose of this study has been to analyze the distortions in rice market. To measure the distortions, the adjusted protection rate (APR) has been applied. The APR measures the total policy, which combines "direct" effect of sectoral price and trade policies and the "indirect" effect of economy-wide policies, which affect the exchange rate. The results show that distortions have positive effects on domestic supply of rice, because the distortions create greater difference between domestic price and border price that is attractive for producers. The estimated demand function indicated that the distortions have negative effects on per capita consumption of rice, although subsidized rice distribution reduces the impact of the distortions on per capita consumption of rice. The distortions also have negative effects on the import of rice.

In order to study on the effect of times and places of girdling on quality and yield of grape and raisin, an experiment was conducted on non-grafted vines of Vitis vinifera cv. sefid bidaneh (6-year old) in Takestan region. Grapevines were treated by shoot, cane, trunk and arm girdling alone or a combination of them at flowering, berry growth (FB+3 week) and veraison (berry softening or color break) phonological stages. 13 treatment combinations of vine girdling were tested in vineyard on clay-loam soil at Takestan Grapevine Research Station. The effect of trunk, cane, arms or combination of these treatments were varied on increasing of yield/vine, cluster weight, cluster length, average weight of 100 berry and also after girdling TSS, TA, TSS/TA and pH content were different, significantly. All of treatments had effect on TSS, TA and TSS/TA and also on yields/plant. The combination of trunk or cane girdling at berry growth and veraison stages increased yield and quality of fruits than other treatments, significantly (p>0.01). Results showed trunk and cane and arm girdling at berry growth stage caused inceasing berry weight and size, cluster weight and total yield.

In order to evaluation of different sowing and harvesting dates effect on yield and quality of monogerm sugar beet seeds, an experiment was conducted in the form of split plot based on completely randomized block design with four replications in Ardabil Agriculture Reaserch Station in 2003. Four sowing dates(10 and 25 of March, 9 and 24 of April) were located in main plots and harvesting dates including 15, 30, 45 and 60 days after 50% flowering were located in sub-plots.The experiment results showed that germination percent, normal seedlings percent, seed effective filling period and seed filling rate were affected significantly(p<0.05) by sowing date. In this study, all of the traits were affected significantly by the harvesting date. According to the results, seed effective filling period decreased significantly with delayed sowing and early harvesting. Saleable seed yield and shattering rate was increased above 2th harvest (30 days after flowering).There was significant positive relationship (r=0.623**) between saleable seed yield and seed filling period. The highest germination rate and normal seedlings were obtained similarly at first sowing date with 55.833 and 80.277 percentage, respectively, and the lowest of them were obtained in second and third sowing dates. Electrical conductivity of sugar beet seed extraction and germination rate was diminished and increased significantly, as harvesting date was delayed, respectivly. Germination percent, germination rate and normal seedlings showed positive and significant correlation with maximum seed weight.

In this study, response of 10 maize genotypes consisted of inbred lines, single and three-way crosses with inbred line A188 as control to callus induction and plant regeneration was evaluated at Tarbiat Modarres University in 2004. Immature embryos were excised from donor plants 10-14 days after selfing and were cultured on N6 medium. The non-embryogenic, rizhogenic and watery calli were removed and the embryogenic calli (type 1 and type 2 ) were subcultured on regeneration medium. Then the normal plantlets were transferred to sterilized soil. The results showed significant differences among corn genotypes for producing embryogenic callus. The highest frequency of embryogenic callus produced by S61, A188, SC709, with 92%, 88% and 82%, respectively. Analysis of variance for regeneration on 3 genotypes (S61, A188 and SC709) showed significant differences between genotypes. Hybrid SC709 with 36.12% and inbred line S61 with 14.25% had the highest and lowest percent of plant regeneration, respectively.

In order to study of relation among morphological characters of wheat accessions of Sistan and Baluchistan province 103 accessions collected from this province planted in one line with 2.5 m longth and all evaluation accomplished on base of 5 selected random samples . results of desceriptive analysis showed the most phenotypic variation coefficient belong to yield .correlation of coefficients defined between yield and number day from planting to panicle appearance , panicle longth , 100 seed weight , number tiller , height stem width , number spiklet in spike and number seed in spike had the positive and significant correlation .regression analysis by method stepwise showed 100 seed weight , number seed in spike and number tiller have the most effective in yield.factor analysis showed only six factor defined almost near to 80 percent variance among characters.cluster analysis by method within sum of squares all accessions established seven groups.

In order to find the optimum effect of fertilizer ratio N, P, K, cytokine and soil texture on bulb quality and quantity characteristics of tulip, experiments were conducted in spilt plot design in which 4 nutritional treatments (1)Control, solution No.1 with N,P,K (6, 1/6 and 2/6 meq/l), (2) solution No.2 with N,P,K (6, 4/05 and 2/6 meq/l), (3) solution No.3 with N,P,K (6, 4/05, 4/6 meq/l), and (4) solution No.4 with N,P,K (6/25, 1/6 and 4.6 meq/l) as main plot and sub plots two levels of cytokinin (Kinetin 0 -500 ppm) and two kinds of soil textures (loam and sandy loam) were used. At the end of vegetative growth when the leaves were dried, bulb diameter, wet dried weight, rate of proteins, N, P and K of bulbs were measured and the data were statistically analyzed. The results indicated a significant contribution to either treatment but optimal response was achieved by nutritional solution N.3 (6, 3.95, 4.6 meq/l) with the application of kinetin 500 ppm and where sandy loam soil was used.

A floristic study in western parts of Birjand was done. Birjand is in south-east of Iran. Its geographical position is 57° 45´ E to 50° 60´ and 10° 31´ N to 33° 15´.The method of plant study in this area was classical method of plant taxonomic studies. Collected plants were recognized by using of indispensable references. These plants are preserved in the herbarium of Birjand university. In these study 37 families, 128 genera and 160 species were identified. The largest family is Asteraceae with 16 genera and 21 species and the largest genera are Salsola and Acanthophyllum with 4 species. Among these plants about 40% are medicinal, 47/8% pastural, 8/3% poisonous and 4% with industrial uses. The life form of plant species was determined by using of Raunkier's method and they are including 11/45% phanerophytes, 20% chamaephytes, 27% hemicryptophytes, 5/7% cryptophytes and 33% therophytes.

The changes in rheological properties of dough made from relatively and strong wheat flour dough due to the addition of different amounts of inactive dry yeast to base flour were measared in a extensograph. Based on investigations mediume to relatively weak flours are suitable for biscuit production and similar products. Whereas, according to investigations, these industeries receives stronger flours with higher gluten quality. In many cases, biscuit and baked products use chemical reducing agents to modifying the rheological properties of dough. The gluten networks which are produced during dough mixing, is affection on the strengh extensibility of dough. Reducing agents changed dough strengh and stability with effectiong on disulfide bonds of gluten. In this research, dry yeast was inactivated then was added to wheat flour dough and changes in rheological properties of dough were staudied in the Extensograph. The results were processed ANOVA in randomized block designed in 3 replication. DMRT was used for comparision of the means (a=5%). Results of the present research showed that, inactive dry yeast is reduced resistance to tension and used energy for dough tension and is increased dough extensibility.

An experiment was conducted to study of possibility of Summer planting potato cultivars and evaluation of breaking dormancy methods in Kabjavan Village of Isfahan in summer 2003. The experimental design was a complete randomized block with a factorial experiment arrangement and three replications. The first factor was two breaking dormancy methods included: 1-Chilling 2-Chilling+GA3. The second factor was five cultivars (Sante, Diamant, Concord, Santana and Marfona). The results showed that the total yield was higher in diamant and Sante(with 22.9 and 22.3t/ha respectively) than the other varieties. Sante with 12.5t/ha and Diamant with 9.5t/ha , produced the highest big and medium tuber size respectively. Also the emergence percentage and uniformity of foliage cover in these varieties were better than the others. Marfona produced the least total, big and medium tuber yield with 13.9, 7.8 and 3.8t/ha respectively. The total and big tuber yield in chilling breaking dormancy (with 21.6 and 12.5t/ha respectively) were significantly higher than in chilling + GA3 treatment (with 17.1 and 7.9t/ha respectively) .On the contrary of other varieties Marfona produced higher total and big tuber yield in chilling + GA3 treatment.

Lambsquarter (Chenopodium album) is one of the important weeds in corn (Zea mays) fields. Field study was conducted at the Research Farm of Agricultural Faculty of Tehran University in 2002 to evaluate the effects of lambsquarter densities on grain yield of corn and yield component. The experiment was conducted in factorial arrangement based on Randomized Completed Block Design (RCBD) with three replications to determinate, yield and component yield of corn. Treatments include seven levels of lambsquarter densities (0, 5, 10,15,20,25 and 30 plant/m2) and two level of planting pattern (conventional row and double row). Results showed that corn grain yield and biomass, Harvest Index, number of seed in row, cob diameter and corn height influenced by lamb's quarter densities but didn’t affect by planting pattern. Thousand seed weight of corn didn't affected by any treatments. Effect of planting pattern on grain yield and number of seed row in ear was significant (a =0.95). Grain yield in double row pattern (8.87 ton/ha) was more than conventional pattern (8 ton/ha). Also, number of seed row in ear in double row pattern (14.03) was more than conventional pattern (13.42). Interaction between planting pattern and lambs quarter density was significant in number of row in ear and cob diameter. The correlation between yield and yield component was significant. The highest correlation with corn yield was biological yield(r=0.93**) and lowest correlation with corn yield was 1000 seeds(r=0.2).

Tetranychus spp. is one of the important pests of greenhouses and Phytseiulus persimilis is the most important spider mite predators in the world. Due to constant atmospheric condition in the greenhouses, web spider mite is able to survive and remain active through out the year with noticeable damages on greenhouse plants. Spider mite is also able to get faster resistance to applied pesticides than any other greenhouse pests. Limitation in proper acaricides application with their hazard effect on cucumber production, gave piority to biological control of mite pest in greenhouses. In this concern, biology of P. persimilis on Tetranych urticae studied under laboratory condition (20 ± 5 oC and 55 ± 10% R.H.) and predator efficiency evaluated by purification form other insect pests. Mass rearing of predatory mit done on infested bean plants cultivated in stand and plot condition in woody and iron structures. Effects of different pesticides (insecides, acaricides, fungicides) on predator population are also under taken through observations in Varamine region. Labortory results indicated that, daily and total predation on spider mite was this 12.5±5, 96±27 preys with an average daily 3.75±1 and total fecundity of 40±5 eggs during 13.1±1 days of ovipositional period. Two types of bean varieties (Red bean and Lordeghan Chiti) used for cultivation and mass rearing prey and predatory mite respectively. An effect of predator was evaluated in ratio of 1 to 10 prey mite for both woody and iron greenhouse structures. Mean prey mites and precent of mite infesting cucumber leaves investigated through presence/absence sampling method. Results showed that, mean of mite and % infested cucumber leaves before predator releasing was 135.1 ±23 mites, 25% and 35.76±14 mites, 11% in woody and iron structures respectively. Supporting predator effects done by repeating releasing at interval period of 7 days. Predatory mite was able to reduce mean of mite and % infested cucumber leaves into 1.73±1.25 mites, 8% and 5.77± 2.5 mites, 13% with three and four times predatory mite release in within 50-55 days of sampling period in woody and iron GH structures respectively. Pesticides side effects (acaricides/insecticides/fungicides) were also done on and wood structure on predatory population through direct and fumigation application methods and all were hazardious to predatory population. Persent finding suggested that, relasing predatory mite at initial cucumber spider mite infestation, could effectively control mite pest and to protect further acaricides application on cucumber in greenhouses.

Soil compaction is a serious problem in agricultural fields and has negative effects on suitable physical conditions. Depending on the soil physical condition and special geometrical shape of these implements, soil can move upwards and forwards up to a specified depth and then soil moves to sideways at lower depth. This depth is called critical depth. The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of these shallow tines at three tines spacing (50, 75 and 100cm) and operating at 25 cm depth, on draft and soil physical condition in a clay loam soil in the Badjgah region of Shiraz in comparison with a conventional subsoiler operating at 50 cm depth. Analysis of the results indicated that use of shallow tines in front of the main shank had positive effects on draft and soil physical conditions. Using these tines at 50 and 75 cm spacing reduced implement draft and increased soil disturbance significantly as compared with the subsoiler shank alone. It was also concluded that when the tines were spaced at 50 cm and 75 cm, the soil cone index had significant reduction in 30 – 40 cm depth and increased critical depth.

Variation in morphological characters of S. cereal (rye) populations of Iran was studied based on field grown samples. For each specimen 34 quantitative and qualitative characters were measured. All quantitative characters showed high variability among the populations, nevertheless due to unvaring diversity among the studied populations they cannot be used as a distinct characters. The qualitative characters werenot also diagnostic characters. The validity of different source of characters for delimitation of taxons has been studied and discussed.

In order to evaluate the interaction effects of wild oat on wheat in different date of sowing and densities, a field experiment was conducted in Khozestan-Shushtar in two years 2003 and 2004, The experiment was carried out as split-plot in a randomized complete block design with four replications. The main factor included oat date sowing at 9 levels, four levels(16,22,26 November and 1 December) before time wheat sowing, one level(6 December) same time wheat sowing and four levels(11,16,22 and 26 December) after time wheat sowing and sub factor included wild oat densities at 6 levels(0,20,40,60,80 and 100 plant/m2 ). Time of wheat planting was 6 December. The result showed that, wheat height declined as wild oat plant density increased and wild oat sowing faster than wheat. Amount of canopy input radiance increased as wild oat plant density decrease and wild oat sowing by delay of wheat. Increase densities and oat sowing before wheat led to decline LAI and yield. The maximum amount of wheat height and canopy input radiance loss was nearly 35% in 100 wild oat plant/m2,and nearly 38% in 16 November wild oat sowing date. The maximum amount of wheat yield loss,was nearly 82% in same density and sowing date.

The main aim of this study is investigation of relationship between some important species canopy cover percentage and some soil factors and determines the main soil factors effective on vegetation. To investigative this relationship refers, on physiognomic method determined 4 vegetation types. The effective soil factors were investigated. The multivariate analysis was used to determine relationship between vegetation cover and soil factors, the ordination of vegetation and soil factors were done by the Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Canonical Component Analysis (CCA) using PC-ORD software. The results show 4 vegetation types. Multivariate analysis show that Achillea vermicularis ،Eryngium, Bromus tomentellus have positive relation with sand and negative relation with silt and caly, also Cephalaria microcephala, Chaerophyllum macrospermum have positive relation with silt and caly and negative relation with sand. Acantolimon sp, Prangos ferulacea, Achillea vermicularis and Ferula Haussknechtii have positive relation with silt and sp and negative relation with pH.

In order to study the effects of different irrigation intervals and plant density on qualitative characteristic of black cumin (Nigella sativa), a field experiment was conducted at Research Station of Faculty of Agriculture, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, in growing season 2002. Three irrigation intervals (one, two intervals had significant effects on all studied characteristics. Increasing irrigation intervals reduced percentage and yield of oil and essences of black cumin grains. Plant density did not have significant effects on percentage of oil and essences of black cumin grains. There were significant difference between different plant densities in terms of oil and essences yield of black cumin grains. Between all treatments, one week irrigation interval with 250 plant/mand three weeks) and five plant densities (150, 200, 250, 300 and 350 plant/m2) were compared in a split plot based on Complete Randomized block Design with four replications. Results showed that irrigation 2 had the highest oil and essences yield (411 and 14.1 kg/ha, respectively).

Sunflower has been cultivated many years in Kerman for seeds; in recent years new varieties has been recommended and cultivated in this region; but many farmers believe local varieties have the least risk for planting dates and market. This experiment was conducted to study and compare new cultivars with local varieties in different planting dates, by using split plot design with randomized complete blocks, and 3 replications. 6 sunflower cultivars: Azar-gol (hybrid), Zaria, Armavirosky, Record and 2 local varieties Jupar (¹1) and Bardsir (¹2), were planted in the research station of Agric, College; Univ. of Shahid Bahonar, Kerman on April 20th, May 5th, May 20th; and June 5th in 2003 growing season. The effects of planting date on seed yield, oil, protein, seed diameter, harvest index, 1000 seed weight and dry forage yield were determined. Seed yield ranged from 1443 to 2375 Kg/ha. The May 5th and 20th planting dates, resulted highest seed yield. Oil contents ranged from 36.4% to 43.4% to % the three earliest dates resulted in highest oil contents. Oil yields ranged from 572 to 1991 Kg/ha for planting dates; highest oil yield were from May 5th and May 20th. Dry forage yields were determined; Jupar 3 was/12.1 ton/ha; and Azar-gol was 11.6 ton/ha. Local varieties (1) and (2) had highes head diametens, 1000 seed weight and seeds/head. Infertile seeds were not significant in Azar-gol and (1) and (2); but were significant between these cultivars and others. This study showed that May 5th and May 20th are optimum planting dates in Kerman for highest yield and least risk; considering the good performance of 1 and 2; local cultivars; cultivating these recent cultivars will result high yields and are compatible with new varieties in all agronomic aspects.

Apple is one of the horticultural products which are part of the Iranian non-oil exports and its exports always have fluctuation during last years. This study carried out for study of export comparative advantage of Iranian apple and its changes during last three decades (1970-2002). Furthermore at this research, it was investigated comparative advantages of Iranian apple in competition with other main countries from aspect of apple’s production and trade. In this research, required data obtained from some time series of production and export information as well as measuring indications of export comparative advantages i.e. RCA and RSCA. The obtained results indicated that although Iranian apple has egxport comparative advantage in accordance with the introduced criteria, but it has fluctuational and decreasment trend. Negative correlation between appale’s RCA at Iran and Italy, it showed that Italy is our serious competitor. Italy could obtaimed our share at apple’s world markets using modern techniologies. In export supply function, export prices have positive role and also wholesale price index and national gross production have negative role at its exports. Furthermore export elasticity index calculated 2.19 which this matter indicate inconstancy of Iran apple exports.

Increasing of Water Use Efficiency (WUE) is a fundamental remedy to food production under conditions of water scarcity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential for water saving and yield improvements with use of ET-HS model and subsurface drip irrigation. For this purpose, four irrigation treatments were installed in a silty loam soil at an experimental farm near Isfahan city of Iran in 2000 and 2001. The treatments were included Surface drip irrigation (DI), Sub surface drip irrigation in 15 cm depth (SDI15), Sub surface drip irrigation in 30 cm depth (SDI30), Furrow irrigation (FI).These treatments were repeated for potato in two genus of Marfona and Navita (which they aordinary genus potato in Isfahan region), tomato and eggplant. In this research, a randomized complete block design of three replications was employed for each crop. Also, in all of these treatments, crops water requirement and time irrigation scheduling were determined by ET-HS model. For this purpose, maximum and minimum temperature were measured daily and filled in the model. Based on the results of this research, SDI15 has the most efficient use of water in the production and it is substantially different from other treatments, which were about 7.84, 3.84, 13.15 and 11.64 kg/m3 in Marfona, Navita, tomato and eggplant respectively. Also, results show that the highest yield was obtained from SDI15 in Marfona, Navita and eggplant and from DI and SDI15 in tomato. A part of this increasing yield in SDI15 was related to better soil moisture in the root zone, less water runoff and less surface evaporation. Additionally, the results showed high reduction surface evaporation was obtained in SDI treatments. Finally, it can be concluded that the subsurface drip irrigation, with drippers installed at a depth of 15cm, and implementation of ET-HS model for estimating irrigation scheduling, is the best condition for Moefona, Navita, tomato and eggplant.

The evaluation of educational centers is cosidered a necessity for the intention of ameliorating the performance of the centers in Jihad-Agriculture. The major objectives of this research project are: 1- Determining the main areas of educational measurement in Jihad-Agriculture centers based on the internal and international experiences as well as theorical foundation. 2- Presenting a suggested model to evaluate educational centers in Jihad-Agriculture. 3- Determining the proportion degree of the suggested model from the point of view of the managers, assistants, and experts of the educational centers in the Ministry of Jihad-Agriculture. The statistical population of the present research project includes all the managers of the educational centers (65 people), the assistants of the education centers (130 people), and the experts (734 people). Furthermore, a total number of four hunder and seventy five peopl were selected through cluster sampling. In order to collect the needed data, regarding the foundations as well as the studies inside the country and throughout the world, a qestionnair was designed. Having ensured the validity and reliability (0/97) of the questionnair, it was sent the educational centers. Three hundred and forty three (343) questionnairs were extracted. The obtained data were analyzed on the basis of such descriptive and inferential statistical indexes as one-sample T-tests, Factorial analysis, and Kronbuch Alpha. The SPSS package was used. All six areas of the suggested model were confirmed. The first and most important factor in the suggested model is the reconstruction and improvement of the working human forces in the agricultural section. The following areas have been confirmed and significant respectively: Changing educational planning methods in the agricultural section in order to modernize the educational processes; the development of women’s participation in utilizing and performing specialized and skill training; improving the role of education in establishing nutrition safety in the society and ameliorating the production and consumption of food; the increase in the productivity of agricultural section through promoting learner’s knowledge and skills‚ and finally the development of job culture in order to motivate the youth to find a job in the agricultural section. Using Kronbuch Alpha test, the suggested model was confirmed with the final coefficient of 0/92, and the total average of 8/34 out of 10. The high agreement of 0/87 was also confirmed. The first and most important factor in the suggested model is the reconstruction, and improvement of the working human force in the agriculture section. The reson is that the forementioned factor has a more factorial meaningful weight (0/26) with each of the variables.

Anthurium andreanum var. Tropical from araceae family is one of the most beautiful flowers of the world. This plant was increased by seeds and planting of adventitious bud in the past but today these methods are not useful any more. In this research in vitro culture of leaf explant has been studied. Infection of leaves surface controlled by pre-treatment of Benomyl 4000ppm, for 20 minutes and treatment of alcohol 70% and sodium hypochlorite 1% for 15 seconds and 20 minutes respectively. Different parts of leaves have been chosen and were planted on the Pierik medium containing BA and Kin in presence of 2,4-D with various concentration. The most amount of callus produced in medium containing Kin (4 mg/l) and 2,4-D (1mg/l) in darkness. The highest number of plantlet over the callus resulted in Pierik medium with concentration of Kin (2 mg/l) and IAA (0.25 mg/l) in light condition.

One of the most important challenges of food production for the increasing population of the country is water and water resource management. Since Hamedan province is located in arid zone, application of irrigation technologies that increase the water use efficiency is very important. In the past few years, government has allocated considerable budgets and efforts to the diffusion of irrigation technology. In recent years with so many changes in presentation of different technologies and methods of irrigation to market, choosing a suitable irrigation system is difficult. In selecting a special technology must be considered all of the factors interfered in efficiency of such technology. Thus the operation of sprinkler irrigation systems should be studied so that the best system can be selected. The purpose of this study was investigating the irrigation systems efficieny and introducing the best systems. Survey research method was used with a multistage stratified random sampling technique. A total of 157 farmers were interviewed in Hamedan province. Data were then collected through interviews for the agricultural year 2002.In this study analysis of sprinkler irrigation system was done by using compromise programing. Assessment of different irrigation systems in 23 standard formats shows that stationary sprinkler and trickle - irrigation systems in Bahar and Nahavand regions and stationary sprinkler and side-move systems in Razan, Kabotar Ahang and Hamedan regions and stationary sprinkler system in Malayer ,Asad Abad and Toyserkan regions are best choices for irrigation.

For assessment of drought stress effects on agro- morphological characteristics of 16 wheat cultivars and for introducing of drought tolerant and susceptible ones, two trials were established using randomized complete block design (RCBD) with two replications. In stress trial for germination of seeds, the farm was irrigated just one time, but in the check trial, irrigations the farm was done with the normal regime. Within and end of growth season we measured some agronomic and morphological characters such as yield and it’s component, height, day to flowering, peduncle length, and etc. Responses of cultivars under stress and non-stress conditions were different, for example drought stress reduced yield (50.37%), stalk Yield (49.45%) and biological yield (49.84%). In spite of this general yield reducing, we found some cultivars, such as Azar2, Sabalan, Kavir and Chamran that have relatively high yield. With using of correlation analysis, we studied relevance of all traits in stress and non-stress conditions. Because of supplying materials for remobilization and increasing photosynthesis surface, we conclude that some characters such as more height and length of peduncle are useful in plant drought tolerance. We used several selection indices (SIs), such as, Stress Tolerance Index (STI), Harmonic Mean (Harm), Geometric Mean Productivity (GMP), to studying drought tolerance of cultivars. We found that all of these indices were the best, because there are the greatest correlations between this SIs and grain yield under stress and non-stress conditions. Among studied cultivars, Azar2 and 87-Zhong291 were the tolerant and susceptible cultivars, respectively. We can use these cultivars for mating and formation of segregated population. With cluster analysis of genotypes using UPGMA procedure based on Euclidean distance, 16 studied genotypes were grouped in 11 distance clusters.

In order to determine the effects of maize (Zea mays L.) and cucucmber(Cucumis sativus L.) intercropping on weeds control an experiment was conducted on 2004 in Research farm of Faculty of agriculture university of Shiraz. The experimental design was split plot, using randomized complete block design with three replications. The factors were including main factors: weedy (w) and non-weedy (W) and six subfactors: sole crop of maize(M), sole cucumber(C), 100%maize+ 100%cucumber(MC),50%maize +50%cucumber (mc), 100%maize+50%cucumber(Mc) and 100%cucumber+50%maize(mC). Replacement and addative design were employed for intercropping treatments.The results showed that the intercropping treatments had significant effects on maize grain yield, biological yield and cucumber fruit yield. However no significant effect observed on harvest index. Weeding cause an increase in maize grain yield and biological yield and cucumber fruit yield. The highest and lowest of PAR interception recomended for MC and Mc respectively.The LER for most intercropping treatments was higher than unit that show, intercropping had advantage over sole crop. The results indicated that intercropping could be advantageous in terms of weed controls. The MC and mC were more effective than others.