Journal of Agricultural Science and Sustainable Production
Year:2020 | Volume:29 | Issue:4 |Papers Count:24

In order to study the effect of mycorrhiza fertilizer application on the growth and yield of linseed in intercropping with fenugreek, a field experiment was conducted at research farm of Yasouj University, agricultural college in 2017. Experimental arrangement was factorial based on randomized complete block design with three replications and 15 treatments. The experimental factors were application of biofertilizer in three levels as non-bio fertilizer application (control), application of mycorrhiza fungus Funneliformis mosseae and Rhizophagus irregularis species and cropping system in five levels, linseed sole cropping, fenugreek sole cropping and intercropping of linseed-fenugreek with ratios 1: 1, 1: 2 and 2: 1. The results showed that the yield of linseed and fenugreek increased under the influence of mycorrhiza bio fertilizer. Also in between the cropping systems the highest grain yield of both linseed (233 g. m-2) and fenugreek plants (221. 6 g. m-2) achieved from sole cropping systems. The highest seed oil percent (41. 27%) of linseed was found in 1: 1 ratio of linseed-Fenugreek intercropping with the application of Rhizophagus irregularis mycorrhiza fungus. Land equal ratio (LER) in all experimental intercropping system was higher than one that indicating the beneficial effects of linseed intercropping with Fenugreek compared to sole cropping of each. Based on the results, the cultivation ratio of one row of fenugreek: one row of linseed with Funneliformis mosseae mycorrhiza fungus application can be introduced.

Intercropping has been mentioned as a useful tool for improving the utilization of existing environmental resources in comparison with sole cropping systems. Hence, this research was conducted as a factorial based on randomized complete block design with three replications at the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Tehran during 2015 cropping year. The treatments included cropping patterns (rapeseed sole crop and intercropping of rapeseed with chickpea) and nitrogen rates in four levels (0, 40, 80 and 120 kg nitrogen. ha-1). Chickpea was cropped as sole crop without nitrogen consumption and with consumption of 40 kg N. ha-1. Traits of yield and yield components, leaf chlorophyll index, photosynthesis rate for chickpea and rapeseed, as well as rapeseed equivalent yield (REY) and intercropping indices were measured and evaluated. The effect of nitrogen and planting pattern on rapeseed traits were significant, but nitrogen×planting pattern interaction was not significant for rapeseed traits. Between N rates treatments, the maximum values for yield components, biological yield, chlorophyll index, photosynthesis rate, grain yield (304 g. m-2) and oil yield (129 g. m-2) were obtained with 120 kg nitrogen. ha-1. However, 120 and 80 kg N treatments were not significantly different for rapeseed traits. Also, rapeseed sole cropping had the highest values of above mentioned traits except for chlorophyll index. Chickpea sole cropping with consumption of 40 kg N without significant difference with non-nitrogen application had the highest seed and protein yields (192 and 71 g. m-2, respectively). Rapeseed and chickpea yields decreased in intercropping systems, but different indices showed more usefulness of intercropping compared to sole cropping. In all intercropping treatments, LER was >1. Also, REY was higher in intercropping than sole cropping. Rapeseed-chickpea intercropping with consumption of 80-120 kg N. ha-1 had the highest LER and it was useful.

In order to investigate the application of Piriformospora indica (Pi) and Trichoderma harzianum (Th) fungi on morphological characteristics, yield and essential oil of Peppermint at different amount of phosphorus fertilizer and irrigation, a split factorial experiment at Research Farm of Sari University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources was conducted. Irrigation treatments as 40 and 80 mm evaporation from the evaporation pan and combination of phosphorus fertilizer (0, 50 and 100% of the plant requirement based on soil analysis) and the application of the fungus (non-application, Pi, Th and Pi + Th) were main and subplots, respectively. Analysis of variance showed that all of the simple effects of three factors were significant on the studied traits (except drought stress on root length, phosphorus and fungi on essential oil percentage). Also, the interaction effects of stress and fertilizer on root length and other interactions only had a significant effect on plant height. Mean comparisons showed that the highest dry weight at levels of drought stress, phosphorous fertilizer and fungus application was observed in 40 mm evaporation, 100 kg ha-1 and combined application of two fungi (1867, 1980 and 1824 kg. ha-1, respectively). The essential oil percentage at 80 mm evaporation was 2. 13%, which increased by 33% compared to 40 mm evaporation treatment. Also, the highest yield of essential oil was observed in 80 mm evaporation, 100 kg. ha-1 phosphorus fertilizer and combined application of two fungi (34. 1, 37. 1 and 34. 2 g. m-2, respectively). The value of increasing essential oil yield at considered levels compared with this check treat was 14, 33 and 16%, respectively. Phosphorus fertilizer and single and combined application of two fungi reduced the negative effects of drought stress on plant height of peppermint.

Nutritional status of medicinal plants is important due to their direct involvement in human dietary. Also, water deficit stress may adversely affect nutrient uptake and biomass production of these plants. There are evidences indicating that endophytic fungus Piriformospora indica improves nutrients uptake and mitigates water deficit stress in plants. In this study, a pot culture experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design with factorial arrangement with two factors including two levels of P. indica (inoculated and non-inoculated) and soil moisture with three levels of 0. 8-0. 9 FC (W0), 0. 6-0. 7 FC (W1) and 0. 4-0. 5 FC (W2) with four replications. The results showed that the interaction effect of water deficit × fungus on all morphological characteristics except plant height was significant (P <0. 05). In severe water deficit stress (W2), fungal inoculation leads to increase in dry weight of shoot (22. 4%) and root (8. 4%), chlorophyll index (4. 9%), chlorophyll fluorescence (5. 5%), shoot (61. 3%) and root (65. 6%) P concentration, shoot (22. 6%) and root (24. 6%) K concentration, root colonization (100%) and seed yield (47. 1%) compared to the un-inocultaed controls. Although the highest values of above mentioned traits were recorded at the highest moisture level (W0) in the presence of P. indica.

In order to evaluate the effect of different bio-fertilizer on agronomical traits and photosynthesis pigments of linseed under irrigation cut-off condition a farm experiment carried out as split plot base on randomized complete block design with three replication at research field of Yasouj university in 2017. Irrigation regimes at three levels, full irrigation, irrigation cut-off at beginning of flowering until beginning of podding, irrigation cut-off at beginning of podding to end of maturity and bio-fertilizer application at four levels as mycorrhiza arbuscular fungi, Phosphate Barvar2, mycorrhiza arbuscular fungi+Phosphate Barvar2 and non-application of bio-fertilizer were considered as the main and the sub plots, respectively. Results showed that the lowest grain and oil yield (93. 7 and 32. 9 g. m-2) and the lowest capsule numbers per plant, seed numbers per capsule and 1000 seed weight and also the highest seed protein percent were achieved from irrigation cut-off at beginning of podding to end of maturity. Application of mycorrhiza arbuscular fungi + Phosphate Barvar2 comparison with non-application of bio-fertilizer increased capsule numbers per plant, grain and oil yield, and protein percent by 25. 5, 26. 5, 33. 1 and 17. 4 percent respectively. Use of mycorrhiza arbuscular fungi + Phosphate Barvar2 under irrigation cut-off at beginning of podding to end of maturity increased leaf carotenoid content significantly in seed filling stage sampling. Also in full irrigation condition at beginning pooding stage sampling, Use of mycorrhiza arbuscular fungi + Phosphate Barvar2 increased leaf chlorophyll content significantly.

In order to evaluate the effect of organic fertilizers, ascorbic acid and humic acid on dry matter yield, seed yield and essential oil production of dragonhead an experiment was conducted as a factorial based on completely randomized design with three replications at research farm of Faculty of Agriculture, University of Tabriz in 2017. Treatments were included as first factor, application of organic fertilizers (control, application of farmyard (30 t. ha-1) and application of vermicompost (15 t. ha-1) and the second factor was the spray of ascorbic acid and humic acid (control, ascorbic acid, humic acid and ascorbic acid + humic acid). Results showed that the highest amounts of morphological traits, plant dry weight, dry matter yield, grain yield and essential oil yield were obtained with vermicompost and combined application of ascorbic acid + humic acid treatments. The highest dry matter yield (2271 kg. ha-1), grain yield (645. 9 kg. ha-1) and essential oil yield (12. 3 kg. ha-1) were obtained with application of a combination of ascorbic acid + humic acid, which showed 36. 5%, 18. 1% and 72. 8% increases as comparison to control, respectively. The highest 1000 grain weight was obtained with the application of humic acid and vermicompost (1. 66g), combined application of humic acid + ascorbic acid and vermicompost (1. 59 g) and combined application of humic acid + ascorbic acid and control (1. 54 g), with 30. 2%, 24. 7% and 20. 6% increases as comparison with non-application of organic fertilizers and without spray, respectively. The highest essential oil percentage (0. 61%) was obtained with spray of humic acid + ascorbic acid and vermicompost application, which indicated 45. 2% increases compared to control. Considering to positive response of the quantitative and qualitative performance of dragonhead to the use of the organic fertilizers, humic acid and ascorbic acid, it can be expected that application of farmyard and vermicomposte, humic acid and ascorbic acid increase the performance and essential oil of dragonhead.

In order to study the foliar application effects on yield and yield components and essential oil of Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill) an experiment was conducted as factorial based on completely randomized design with three replications and twenty five treatment at the research farm of agricultural education center, Urmia, Iran during growing season of 2015-2016 and 2016-2017. First factor included five landrace of Fennel Gaziantep, Hamadan, Urmia, Yazd and Shiraz and the second factor included five foliar applications as Nanonitrogen, magnetic water, urea, chicken manure and control. The result indicated that the highest height, umbel and number of lateral branches and umbel, were related to Y1A5B2 (first year, Shiraz landrace with magnetic water treatment), Y1A1B2 (first year, Gaziantep landrace with magnetic water treatment), Y2A4B2 (second year, Yazd landrace with magnetic water treatment) and Y1A1B2 (first year, Gaziantep landrace with magnetic water treatment), respectively. The highest essential oil, 1000-seed weight and number of umbellate per umbel were recorded in A3B5 (Urmia landrace with control treatment), A1B1 (Gaziantep landrace with magnetic water treatment) and a3b3 (Urmia landrace with urea treatment) respectively. The highest seed yield (1144 Kg. ha-1) and the lowest one (923 Kg. ha-1), respectively, were related to Gaziantep and Yazd landrace. The founding information's in the present study were elucidated that Nano-nitrogen in comparison of other treatment has highest effect on seed yield, weight of 1000 seed, umbrellas, essential oil percent and yield. Gaziantep landrace produced highest seed yield, 1000-seed weight and lateral branches and Urmia landrace has highest essential oil percent, essential yield and umbrellas. The highest height and umbel was recorded in Yazd landrace. Due to the importance of the essential oil, the Urmia mass along with the spraying of magnetic water and nanonitrogen for the Urmia region is suggested.

The critical period of weed control in cumin (Cuminum cyminum) were determined by field study in 2011 in Sabzevar. Experiment was conducted in randomized complete block design with 3 replications. Treatments were weeding at 15, 30, 45and 60 days after emergence during the growing season (weed free), and 15, 30, 45and 60 days without weeding (weed infested) in the growing season and includes free of weed and weed infested in the entire growing season. Beginning and end of the critical period of weed damage were determined by Gompertz and Logistic equations. The results showed that weed dry weight was significantly increased with increasing duration of infection and reduce weed-free period. Full-season weeds interference reduced plant height (11. 29%), number of lateral branches (39. 14%), number of umbels (46. 87%), number of seeds per umbrella (43. 12%), seed yield (48. 99%), biological yield (48. 99%) and essential oil yield (26. 94%) compared full season weed-free plots, respectively. Based on 5 and 10% acceptable seed yield losses, the critical period of weed control was 9-76 and 12-63 days after planting at rain-fed condition.

In order to evaluate the integrated weed management of Moldavian balm (Dracocephalum moldavica L. ) an experiment was conducted based on randomized complete block design with three replications in Agricultural Research Farm of University of Tabriz, in 2016. The experimental treatments were different herbicide rates including 100 and 50% of recommended dose of trifluralin and pendimethalin (2. 5 and 4. 5 L. ha-1, respectively) alone and integrated with straw mulch (5 t ha-1). The application of herbicides combined with straw mulch had higher efficacy than herbicide treatments without mulch in weeds control. The effect of trifluralin in weed biomass reduction was greater than that of pendimethalin. The highest weed biomass reduction (83. 8%) was observed in trifluralin 100% + straw mulch. All growth and yield traits of Moldavian balm were significantly affected by weed management treatment except essential oil percentage. The highest flowering head yield of Moldavian balm (948 kg ha-1) was observed in trifluralin 100% + straw mulch treatment. Also the highest essential oil yield of Moldavian balm was achieved in trifluralin 100% + straw mulch (6. 3 kg ha-1) and the lowest one was achieved in pendimethalin 100% (2. 06 kg ha-1). Generally application of trifluralin 100% + straw mulch had suitable weed control and increased the growth traits and essential oil yield of Moldavian balm. The management treatment of trifluralin 50% + straw mulch had the same weed control efficacy and essential oil yield as trifluralin 100% and could be suitable replacement for this treatment along with reduction of herbicide application and integrated weed management of Moldavian balm.

In order to study of the effects of nitrogen and zinc sulfate fertilizer on yield and yield components of forage sorghum (var. Pegah), a factorial experiment was conducted based on randomized complete block design with three replications on farm of agricultural jihad Qasr Shirin, Kermanshah Province. The treatments were included four levels of nitrogen fertilizer (0, 125, 250 and 375 kg. ha-1) by urea and three levels of zinc sulfate (0, 40 and 80 kg. ha-1). The results showed that the effect of nitrogen fertilizer and zinc sulfate was significant on the content of photosynthetic pigments, Cu concentration, plant height and dry forage yield. The effect of nitrogen fertilizer was significant on the concentration of Fe and Mg, nitrogen content of plant, the number of tiller and fresh forage yield. According to the results this study, it be suggested that nitrogen and zinc sulfate fertilizer be applied as 375 and 80 kg. ha-1, respectively.

Dragon’ s Head is a plant with old gentry and also new with variety usages that can play an important role in sustainable agriculture at arid and rain-fed regions, particularly in rotation. In order to study some of quantitative and qualitative traits in 49 Dragon’ s Head ecotypes, a field experiment was carried out as randomized complete block design with 3 replications in 2016 and 2017, at research farm of agricultural faculty of Tabriz University, Iran. The results indicated that there is no significant difference among years based on studied traits. There was significant difference among ecotypes expressing diversity among them. Mean comparing revealed that, the highest grain yield was related to ecotypes No. 37 (Alvar vilage, Bostan Abad). Ecotype 8 (local landrace, Kolvanagh 7) had high oil percentage, while ecotype 37 (Alvar vilage, Bostan Abad) had the highest oil yield. The highest protein percent was belonged to ecotype 46 (Kurdistan 2). Based on protein yield, ecotype 48 (Zanjan) had the highest mean. Cluster analysis placed 49 Dragon’ s Head ecotypes in 5 groups. Acording to this research findings, the ecotypes No. 8, 37, 46 and 48 had the highest mean in comparison with 49 ecotypes. These superior ecotypes regard to oil production, medicinal usages and domestic feed can be cultivated in water limited and rainfed regions at East Azarbaijan, particularly Tabriz and in other similar climate regions.

In this research 22 rapeseed mutant lines and their parents were evaluated with three cultivars under four different environmental conditions in a randomized complete block design with three replication in 2015-2016. The results of experiment showed significant differences between genotypes in case of number of days to flowering, number of days to the end of flowering, the length of flowering, number of days to maturity and oil yield. The evaluated traits also showed significant differences under different environmental conditions. The average of seed yield of genotypes in Karaj, Mashhad, Kermanshah and Esfahan locations were measured 3025, 4096, 5111 and 2906 kg. ha-1, respectively. Genotypes Z-800-3, Z-900-8 and T-900-5 with 245, 244 and 245 days till maturity belonged to early maturity genotypes. Also, lines Z-900-8 with 4342 kg. ha-1had highest seed yield between Zarfam mutant lines in four places. Between Talayeh mutant lines, the highest seed yield was determined in T-800-6 with 4102 kg. ha-1, respectively. Also in the Express cultivar, the highest seed yield revealed in mutant line Exp-800-1 with 4083 kg. ha-1seed yield. The results of combined analysis of variance and seed yield ranking showed that Z-900-8 genotype with average 4342 kg grain per hectare and lowest ranking mean(5. 7) as well as lowest ranking variance (7. 5) determined as adaptable cultivar with high stability is suitable for cultivating in cold regions.

Pistachio is one of the most important horticultural products that plays an important role in exports and foreign exchange earnings of the country. In recent years, some nutritional and management problems have reduced the yield of this product. The current research was conducted to evaluate the foliar application effect of an amino acid Compound and seaweed extract on quantitative and qualitative yield of pistachio. The experiment was factorial experiment in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The treatments included an amino acid components (Aminosuren) and seaweed extract (Ascophyllum nodosum) both them at three levels (0, 1 and 2 mg. L-1). The results showed that all the studied traits, were significantly affected by Aminosuren treatment at a probability level of 1% except of open-shell percentage and width of pistachio cluster. The effect of seaweed extract on cluster weight, number of pistachios in cluster, cluster length, leaf chlorophyll and carotenoids were significant at a probability level of 1%. the interaction between amino acids and seaweed extracts showed that the highest cluster weight (68. 33 g), number of pistachios in the cluster (28. 33), cluster length (22. 8 cm), Chlorophyll content (3. 95 mg. kg-1) and carotenoids (0. 759 mg. kg-1) were obtained from the treatment with 2mg/L of aminosuren and 2mg. l-1 of seaweed. According to the results, the combined application of amino acids and seaweed extract could play an important role in improving quantitative and qualitative traits of pistachio.

Flower stem length is highly important in cut roses. One of the Richard’ s function application is estimating growth behavior of plants. Four cultivars of cut roses have been selected in a commercial greenhouse then were subjected to stem length measurement upon producing a new node. Data was first fitted to the nearest form of curve, i. e., quadratic model. Coefficient of determination was calculated between 0. 95 and 0. 98 for this model. Thereafter, data transformation was done by dividing each value by the maximum value in the measured data. Richard’ s function was then fitted to the data which gave rise to R2 value of more than 0. 99 for most cultivars. To estimate model parameters for all curves of cultivars in two seasons we used nonlinear least square regression. The cultivar ‘ Black Magic’ showed the highest rate of curve slope in inflection point, however the curve slope for spring season was appeared to be more than the summer slope. First derivative of the Richard’ s function was used to calculate the relative stem growth rate. Results indicated higher rate of relative growth rate for spring stems rather than summer stems. Spring stems showed their highest relative growth rate in eighth and ninth node while this happened for summer stems in nodes of five and six. Estimation of stem final length was done by 10 cm difference from the measured value in fourth node onwards and about 5 cm difference in nodes followed by node 8.

In order to investigate the effect of different irrigation regimes at the pre-harvest stage on yield and fruit quality of two Iranian melon accessions, a split plot experiment was conducted based on randomized complete block design with three replications during 2017 at Research Farm, Faculty of Agriculture, and University of Zanjan. Experimental treatments consisted of two melon accessions (Khatooni and Ivanaki) and three irrigation regimes (irrigation cut-off, 60% and 100 %ETc). Irrigation treatments were applied 15 days before harvesting. The results showed that irrigation regimes had significant effects on water use efficiency (WUE), fruit yield and quality. The highest plant yield (11. 1 kg), fresh fruit percent (57. 8%), and vitamin C content were obtained under 100% ETc treatment. The highest value of total soluble solid (TSS) was obtained in “ Ivanaki” from the umbilicus part of the mesocarp (11. 49%) under irrigation cut-off treatment and the lowest TSS (8. 17%) was observed in the pedicel part of the mesocarp of “ Khatooni” under 100% ETc irrigation. The highest value of WUE (51. 16 kg. m-3) was achieved in “ Ivanaki” under irrigation cutoff treatment. The amount of TSS decreased from umbilicus part to pedicel part of the mesocarp. Accessions had different yield and fruit quality and “ Ivanaki” had higher yield, TSS and quality. According to the results, cut off irrigation treatment at the pre-harvest stage with 2. 95% yield reduction improved fruit TSS and saved irrigation water.

The agricultural sector is considered as one of the most important sectors of the economy for food security. Resources in the agricultural sector are limited. Therefore, the emphasis is on the efficient use of these resources. Sustainable agriculture is aimed at achieving maximum technical efficiency due to lack of agricultural resources. In this study, technical efficiency of wheat production in Urmia County was estimated using DEA (Data Envelopment Analysis) and Randomized Frontier Function (SFA) methods. Data and information was obtained by collecting questionnaires from 105 wheat producers in the county of Urmia in 2018. The results show that average technical efficiency with DEA and SFA method was 75% and 51%, respectively; therefore, without using more inputs and increasing costs, the amount of produced product Increased by 25 and 49 percent. Improving the technical efficiency of producers to achieve sustainable agriculture will be one of the optimal ways to increase production.

This study had an aim to designing a model for agricultural water sustainable management (AWSM) by using DPSIR approach, Hamadan, Iran. The study has used a mixed methodology in terms of data gathering. The study's population were all agricultural water experts, faculty members, as well as researchers enrolled in Agricultural Research Center from Hamedan province. Samples for qualitative data gathering were 35 people which were selected through a purposeful sampling. In quantitative phase 97 samples were selected randomly according to Morgan's table. A structural equation modeling (SEM) methodology by PLS software was used to determine the relationships between the independent variables (Driver, Pressure, Status, Impact, Response) and dependent variable (AWSM). Results showed that the level of agricultural water resource management was in an unsustainable status in Hamedan province. The results showed that 36 percent of the dependent variable (AWSM) variance could be determined by the variables (Driver, Pressure, Status, Impact, Responses). Among these independent variables, the response factor was shown as the highest and the most important with a 0. 299 coefficient. According the result, the following strategies and measures can be presented: modifying the cropping pattern, balancing the aquifers, reducing agricultural waste, reducing the time for plant's remaining on the farms, developing greenhouse crops, conservation agriculture and applying continuous training.

Cocopeat: perlite mix is a common substrate in gerbera commercial production. With regard to the uncontrolled import of cocopeat from Southeast Asia, replacing this substrate with domestic production substrates could be an effective step to reduce dependence on imports of primary inputs for production. In this study, the effects of different types of substrates on the vegetative and reproductive stages of Gerbera were evaluated in a randomized complete block design with 8 treatments in 6 replications. Growth parameters including number of produced leaves, fresh and dry weight of shoot, chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, total chlorophyll, carotenoids, fresh and dry weight of roots, leaf chlorosis percentage, leaf necrosis percentage, flower number, flower diameter, stalk height, number of days to flowering, middle diameter of stalk, end diameter of stalk and vase life were investigated. The results showed that plantlets grown in mushroom compost: perlite and then sandy substrate had the highest leaf number, shoot and root dry weight, indicating high potential for entering the reproductive phase. The lowest number of days to flowering and the highest number of flowers were obtained in these two culture media. Plants that were treated with sawdust: perlite and perlite did not show desirable vegetative and reproductive growth and due to high substrate EC in leaf mold: perlite, the percentage of leaf chlorosis and necrosis was significant.

Sustainable agriculture pursues three main objectives of environmental health, economic profitability and social and economic equality and in the long run, improves the quality of the environment and natural resources. In order for agriculture to move towards sustainable development, its concepts and details in the agricultural sector must be understood in a practical and real sense, which can be achieved through desirable studies and the recognition of potentialities and constraints in different regions. Identifying strategies in the agricultural sector is necessary to counter threats and address weaknesses, on the other hand, to strengthen the system and make use of opportunities. In this paper, the aim is to determine the capabilities and limitations of the agricultural sector of East Azarbaijan province in order to be sustainable using the SWOT model. The research method is a descriptive-survey research in terms of objective, applied and based on nature. The statistical population of this research is experts who have sufficient knowledge and experience in agricultural fields. In order to select the statistical sample, a non-probabilistic and targeted sampling method was used. The results showed that among the strengths of "the existence of good agricultural development capacity in the province for stability" with a weight of 3. 95 and "diversity of vegetation in the region" with a weight of 3. 67, the most important strengths and weaknesses The weaknesses of "lack of adequate supervision over the allocation and utilization of excess water resources" with a weight of 4. 17 and a "shortage of conversion and supplementary industries in the region" with a weight of 4. 07 are the most important weaknesses for the development of the sector. Agriculture in the East Azarbaijan Province. Also, the priorities of "Agricultural priority in terms of food security in the national program" weighing 4 and "the possibility of taking advantage of technical and national and international technical assistance" with a weight of 3. 97. The most probable time and place among the threats is "increasing the probability of occurrence of drought" with a weight of 4. 90 and "Reduction of active population in agriculture in rural areas" with a weight of 4. 2 million. The most important threats for the development of agricultural sector in East Azarbaijan province in the direction of sustainability. The results of the internal and external factors evaluation matrices indicated that, considering the final score obtained for the internal and external factors of agricultural development strategies in East Azarbaijan, is a WO strategy.

Considering the importance of food security for the country growing population and the need for sustainability of agro-ecosystems, this study aimed to prioritizing the effective ecological, social and economic criteria for the sustainability of agro-ecosystems in the West Azerbaijan Province. Ecological, social and economic criteria were investigated 6, 7 and 5 sub-criteria. Data and information required in this study were collected using a group of professors, researchers and agricultural expert opinions and questionnaires in 2018. The criteria and sub-criteria were ranked by using of Delphi Fuzzy technique. The results showed that water resources limitation (W= 0. 22) and lake of scientific knowledge (W= 0. 25) were the most important sub-criteria respectively in ecological and social criteria. Among the ecological, economic and social criteria, economic criterion had the most effect on reducing the sustainability of agricultural production in the province and high production cost and low income of farmers were the most important (W= 0. 27). Therefore, the problem of sustainable production in this province is the water resources limitation and consequently, low income of farmers and lake of scientific knowledge, so it seems appropriate to provide suitable cultivation patterns, use of modern irrigation systems, fallow for water storage, considering research budgets, increasing the educational and training classes for farmers can be useful.