Journal of Agricultural Science and Sustainable Production
Year:2015 | Volume:25 | Issue:1|Papers Count:10

In order to determine the effect of planting date and plant density on Marigold (Calendula officinalis L.) varieties, a split-factorial experiment with three replications was carried out at Agricultural Station of Arak in 2007 growing season. The experimental factors included two planting dates (22 April and 2 May), four planting densities (26, 32, 41 and 57 plant per square meter) and two varieties (Sparse and Compact petal). Results indicated that the treatments had significant effects on dry flower yield, petal dry weight, seed yield, biological yield, seed harvest index, oil percentages and Calendic acid percentages. Early planting, high density and compact petal variety enhanced the mentioned traits except harvest index. The highest harvest index was achieved in 26 plants per square meter by compact petal variety and second planting date. The late planting date decreased the Marigold yield components. Seed planting in 2 May compared with 22 April decreased 18.22 % of flower dry weight. The compact petal variety had higher yield compared to sparse petal variety. Compact petal variety improved the biological yield and seed yield 9% and 10% respectively, in comparison with sparse petal variety. Based on three way interaction of treatments results, the highest percentages of oil (17%) and Calendic acid (51%) achieved by 2 April planting date in 57 plants per square meter density with compact petal variety.

In order to evaluate the effects of seed priming, plant density and row spacing on seed yield and quality of corn and weed control, this study was conducted during the 1389-90 growing season at the Research Farm of Agricultural and Natural Resources College of Razi University, Kermanshah as factorial based on randomized complete block design with three replications. Three factors included row spacing with two levels (75 cm (conventional) and 50 cm), plant density with three levels (66666 plants.ha-1 (conventional density), 83333 plants.ha-1 (1.25-fold) and 99999 plants.ha-1 (1.5-fold)) and seed priming with three levels (control or without priming, hydropriming and priming with HB-101 solution). Results indicated that weed biomass was significantly influenced by row spacing and plant density, so that, the highest weed biomass was observed in conventional row spacing and plant density and its lowest occurred in the planting density and row spacing of 99999 plants.ha-1 and 50 cm, respectively. Planting density and row spacing had also significant effects on corn 100-seed weight. The highest 100-seed weight was obtained in the planting density of 66666 plants.ha-1 and was reduced with increasing the planting density. The highest seed yield was obtained in the planting density of 83333 plants.ha-1 along with the row spacing of 50 cm and its lowest occurred in the planting density of 99999 plants.ha-1 along with the row spacing of 75 cm. The lowest seed oil percentage was observed in the highest planting density and its highest occurred in the conventional planting density, although, there was no significant difference between the conventional and 1.25-fold planting density for this trait. The reduced row spacing led to the increased seed oil percentage. Among the seed priming treatments, the highest seed oil percentage occurred when corn seeds were primed with HB-101 solution. In general, seed priming and a 1.25-fold increase in plant density compared to conventional level significantly increased corn yield. Increasing plant density and decreasing row spacing also led to the reduced weed biomass.

This experiment was performed to evaluate the carbon (C) balance and global warming potential (GWP) as affected by tillage methods, maize residual management and nitrogen levels. For this purpose, a field experiment was conducted as row split-plot arrangement based on randomized complete block design with three replications in Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran in 2011 and 2012. The experimental treatments were tillage systems (conventional and reduced tillage) and residual management (remaining and leaving of maize residual) assigned to main plots and different levels of urea fertilizer (0, 150, 300 and 450 kg.ha-1) was randomized as subplot in tillage treatment. The results showed that carbon sequestration was affected by residual treatment in both years and residual management × N fertilizer interaction in second year. Addition of residual in soil was caused to increasing 48% and 69% of C sequestration in first and second years, respectively. Across the treatments, residual management had the highest effect on C balance. So, C balance was positive in remaining maize residual and that was negative in leaving condition. GWP was higher under conventional tillage, residue remaining and higher N fertilizer levels in comparison with reduced tillage, residue leaving and lower N fertilizer application.

In order to study the effects of green manures and various levels of nitrogen fertilizer on yield and quality of corn (Zea mays L.) and weed growth, an experiment was conducted in the Research Farm of Agricultural and Natural Resources Faculty, Razi University as split plot based on a randomized complete block design with three replications in the 90-91 growing season. The main factor was green manure and its incorporation time including rye incorporated in March, rye incorporated in April, common vetch incorporated in March, common vetch incorporated in April, mixed (rye + commom vetch) incorporated in March, mixed incorporated in April and control (without green manure). The sub factor was nitrogen fertilizer as urea with three levels including 0 (no fertilizer), 200 kg.ha-1 (the 50% of the recommended amount) and 400 kg.ha-1 (the 100% the recommended amount). Results indicated that green manure and nitrogen treatments had significant impacts on yield and yield components, grain protein content and weed biomass. The highest grain yield belonged to the April-incorporated vetch by 12124.7 kg.ha-1 and the lowest one was obtained in control (without green manure) by 9185.6 kg.ha-1. Among the nitrogen fertilizer levels, the 100% of the recommended amount with 11253.8 kg.ha-1 and no fertilizer treatment with 9041.3 kg.ha-1 showed the highest and the lowest yields, respectively. Green manure and nitrogen fertilizer also influenced weed growth in corn field as the lowest weed biomass was produced by mixed treatment incorporated in April without nitrogen fertilizer.

In order to investigate the effects of Azotobacter and mycorrhizal fungi on oil, yield and yield component of safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) in different irrigation, a factorial experiment was conducted based on randomized complete block design with three replications, Irrigation at four levels (Field capacity at 20%, 40%, 60% and 100%) and biologic fertilizers at four levels included Non-inoculated (control), inoculated with mycorrhizal fungi and Azotobacter, inoculated with mycorrhizal fungi and inoculation with Azotobacter. The experiment carried out in greenhouse of Mohaghegh Ardabili University, Agicultural Faculty. Results showed that with reduction irrigation levels, head diameter, number of seeds per head, number of heads per plant, chlorophyll, seed weight and seed yield were reduced. Azotobacter and mycorrhizal fungi at all levels of irrigation have positive effects on chlorophyll, seed yield and yield components and oil percentage and greatly reduced the negative effect of drought stress. The combined application of Azotobacter and mycorrhizal fungi have the highest grain yield per plant, number of heads per plant and number of seeds per head. Biological treatments increased the number of heads per plant, number of seeds per head and seed weight at all levels of drought stress. According to our results it can be stated that in water shortages condition, application of Azotobacter and mycorrhizal fungi greatly improved the growth and seed yield of safflower.

In recent years due to the detrimental effects of high application of chemical fertilizers, the production and usage of nitrogen (N) and phosphate (P) biofertilizers have been increased in Iran. Thus, the aim of this study was simultaneously comparing bean plant response to inoculation with common biofertilizers produced in Iran. In order to investigate the effects of four biofertilizers such as Nitroxin, Supernitroplus, Biosuperphosphate (biofertilizers which produced by MehrAsia Biotechnology Company) Barvar2 (products of Green Biotechnology) on shoot fresh and dry weight, fresh and dry weight of root, total fresh and dry weight, and other quality parameters such as nutrient concentrations of N, P, potassium (K) and iron (Fe) in bean (native variety of Azarbayjan), a greenhouse pot experiment in a completely randomized design was conducted in Faculty of Agriculture, University of Tabriz in the summer of 2011.Treatments included control (without inoculation), Nitroxin, Supernitroplus, Biosuperphosphate and Barvar2 were applied in four replications. Seed inoculation with the biofertilizers was done according to the manufacturer's recommendations. Pots were irrigated with distilled water at 0.8 FC. The results showed that inoculation of bean with biofertilizers had significant effect on fresh weight of shoot, total fresh weight, dry weight of root, shoot N concentration, shoot K uptake, root P uptake and moreover root Fe concentration and content. Nitroxin significantly increased N concentration of shoot (80.76%) and the highest mean of biomass was belonged to Barvar2 (24.5%) while, Nitroxin and Supernitroplus from the point of mean value of root dry weight, the amount of K in shoot and the amount of P and Fe uptake by roots were the same as control (without inoculation treatment). According to the results among biofertilizers best N nutrition of bean was with Nitroxin while lowest root Fe concentration was observed in this treatment. Highest fresh yield was gained with Barvar2.

In order to investigate the effect of some biofertilizers and nitrogen on intercropping advantage of maize and common bean, an experiment was carried out as factorial based on RCB design with 14 treatments and three replications at the Research Farm of Agricultural, University of Tabriz, Iran. The first factor was cropping system at seven levels including monocropping of three common bean cultivars, monocropping of maize and intercropping of maize with three common bean cultivars, and the second factor was fertilizer at two levels including biofertilizer (Nitrajin +Barvar 2) and nitrogen fertilizer. The monocropping of maize had the lowest leaf area index and light interception percentage and intercropping of maize with bean CV. Gholi and Sayyad had the highest leaf area index and light interception. The effect of fertilizer type was not significant on leaf area index and light interception percentage. The highest amount of bean grain yield was obtained from monocropping Gholi (4603 kg/ha). Also the highest amount of maize grain yield was obtained from monocropping maize (9318 kg/ha). Also at all treatments the land equivalent ratio (LER) and total relative value (RVT) were obtained more than 1 and from this comment intercropping of maize - Gholi and maize - Sayyad were the highest and lowest, respectively. Generally based on the results the intercropping of maize - bean CV. Gholi with using biological fertilizer indicated the highest advantage for these two species.

The quantity and quality of performance of intercropping of forage sorghum with soybean and green bean were studied through factorial experiment (randomized complete block design) with 4 replications at Agricultural Research Center of Iraqe, Gorgan. The first factor planting pattern included: sorghum, green bean, soybean, one row sorghum + one row green bean, one row sorghum and one row soybean, two rows sorghum and one row green bean, two rows sorghum and one row soybean, one row sorghum and two rows green bean, one row sorghum and two rows soybean, and the second factor planting density included, optimum density (250000 Sorghum plant/ha+40000 legume plant/ha) and plant density more than 20% (300000 sorghum plant+480000 legume plant/ha). The results showed a significant difference in patterns of all traits in legumes and sorghum cultivation and number of leaves and stem diameter of Sorghum, in 1 line Sorghum and 2 line soybean patterns was higher than other treatments. In treatment of soybean with high planting density (31200 kg/ha) and one row sorghum and two rows Soybean (30392 kg/ha) the yield of forage were highest. The treatment of two rows Sorghum and one row green bean had a highest land equivalency ratio (LER=1.6).

Optimal use of lands heavily relies on careful assessment of agro-ecological resources. Evaluation of potential lands for various cultivated crops is the first strategic priority to increase production and optimized use of resources. This present study was aimed to identify effective climatologic, topographic and soil-related factors on rainfed wheat cropping in Qaresoo basin of Golestan province and determination of suitable areas to produce this crops usings Geographical Information System (GIS) and Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). At first, ecological requirements of rainfed wheat was identified from scientific literatures and then were classified to provide thematic maps. In this study, minimum, average and maximum temperatures, precipitation, slope, aspect, elevation and EC were considered. The Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) was used to find weight of each factor. Finally, the maps were provided and overlaid in GIS media and afterward the zoning of areas for rainfed wheat cultivation was done. Results showed that wheat grown lands would be located in four suitability classes. About 5170 hectares (6%) of the agricultural areas and 3% of the total area of the Qaresoo basin were located in high suitable class for rainfed wheat cultivation. Suitable precipitation, lower slope and projecting to south slopes and also the desirable electrical conductivity were the reasons make these regions suitable. Also, results showed that about 909 hectares (1.5%) of Qaresoo basin lands that now are cultivating by rainfed wheat, have not required potency to produce this crop.

This study aimed to assess the sustainability of current agricultural component of the selected counties of East Azarbaijan province, including Tabriz, Ahar and Maragheh done. Indicators of social, economic and environmental assessment decisions were considered as indicators. Data and information required in this study using technical comments Jihad Agriculture Organization experts through questionnaires and statistical yearbooks were collected in the year 1391. Value-weighted index and the index of the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) were performed. The relative importance of each of the sub options (agricultural areas) also was determined using TOPSIS technique. The results showed that the highest standards of environmental and social criteria selected regions are minimal impact on agricultural sustainability. Moreover, the results indicate that the Ahar is most desirable area in terms of three agriculture sustainable index. Environmental indicators in the Ahar and Tabriz counties has the greatest diversity of crops are and crop diversity is low and the county of Maragheh.