JOURNAL OF CROP ECOPHYSIOLOGY (AGRICULTURE SCIENCE)
Year:2014 | Volume:8 | Issue:3 (31)|Papers Count:11

To study the effect of application methods of Fulzym biofertilizer (containing Bacillus subtilis) on yield, yield components and some morpho-physiological characteristics of four cultivars wheat, an experiment was conducted in field of Astan Quds Razavi in 2010- 2011. The experiment performed was in split plot based on randomized complete block design with three replications. Four wheat cultivars (Falat, Pishtaz, Bahar and Toos) were assigned to main plots and four biofertilizer application methods (as seed inoculation, using in irrigation water, seed inoculation and irrigation and control) to sub plots. Results indicated that Falat had the lowest plant height (61.5 cm) than other varieties. Plant height of Toos and Pishtaz were about 14.5 percent higher than Falat. Application methods of Fulzym increased chlorophyll content and plant height. Highest chlorophyll contents were obtained when seeds inoculated by Fulzyme and used through irrigation. At the end of growing season, it was found that chlorophyll content of Falat and Toos flag leaves were higher than Pishtaz and Bahar. It was also revealed that Bahar when Fulzyme was used showed a better response to treatments than other varieties as for as biological and seed yields were concerned. Highest seed yield produced by irrigation and combination of seed inoculation and irrigation (9063 and 8609 kg.ha-1) and lowest seed yield (5858 kg.ha-1) to Falat in the control treatment.

To study the effect of biofertilizers (mycorrhiza, nitroxin and supernitroplus) and chemical fertilizers (nitrogenous and phosphorus) on yield, components of yield and mycorrhizal colonization percent on commen dill (Anethum graveolens L.) two separate two-year experiment were conducted using a factorial experiment design based on completely randomized design with three replications under greenhouse conditions at the Faculty of Agriculture, Islamic Azad University, Tabriz Branch, Iran, during 2010 and 2011. Treatments consisted of mycorrhizal application in three levels, (without using mycorrhiza as control, application of species of two mycorrhiza Glomus intraradices and G. mosseae, nitrogen-fixing biofertilizers in three levels (without application as control, application of nitroxin and supernitroplus) and chemical fertilizers of nitrogen and phosphorus in three levels including (zero, 50% and 100% of recommended dose according to soil analysis). The results showed that combined and simultaneous application of experimental treatments were effective on number of lateral branch, number of umbel per plant, seed yield and percent of root colonization with mycorrhiza. The combined application of biofertilizers under reduced application of nitrogen and phosphorous chemical fertilizers (zero and 50% recommended dose) affected these positively. Also, separate applications of nitrogen fixing biofertilizers, especially supernitroplus and combined application of mycorrhiza with reduced amounts of chemical fertilizers increased the number of seeds per plant against the control treatment.

To identify drought tolerant genotypes, by using different indices and presenting the best indices, four separate trials at the Agricultural Research Stations of Miyandoab, Mashhad, Hamedan, and Ardabil, were conducted with 18 wheat lines and two checks in a randomized complete block design with three replications during 2006-2007, under fullirrigation and exposing the lines to drought stress at grain filling stage. Result showed that lines 2 (C-80-4) and 8 (Bkt/90-Zhong 87), also named as Mihan variety, having the maximum values of MP, GMP, STI, HARM, RDI and the least values of TOL and SSI indices, identified to be as high grain yielders in both full irrigation and water deficit at grain filling stage. The significant and positive correlations of YP and YS with MP, GMP, STI, and HARM, indicated that they are the proper indices to select high yielding wheat genotypes under stress and non-stress conditions. According to principle component analysis, two components justified 99.83% of all variations. First vector showed 70.85% of variations, yield potential component and drought tolerance indices (MP, GMP, STI, HARM and RDI) and the second rector justified 28.98% of total variations which would be named as “drought susceptible components (TOL and SSI indices). According to results of cluster analysis, MP, GMP, STI, HARM indices are found to be in one group, and TOL and SSI indices in the other group.

To evaluate the effect of cover crops, split application of nitrogen and control weeds on forage corn and weed biomass a factorial experiment based on randomized complete block design with three replications and three factors was conducted at the Agricultural Research Station of Ardabil (Iran) during 2012 crop year. The first factor was cover crops (consisting of winter rye, hairy vetch, berseem clover, with and without weeding) as controls. The second factor was two levels of split application of 225 kg.ha-1 urea at two growth stages forage corn: the first level (N1=1/2 at planting and 1/2 at 8-10 leaf stage), second level (N2=1/3 at planting, 1/3 at 8-10 leaf and 1/3 one week before tasselling stage). The third factor consisted of two levels of weed control: weeding at 8 leaves and weeding one week before tasselling. Results showed that winter rye, hairy vetch and berseem clover cover crops decreased total weed dry weights up to 87, 82 and 65% respectively as compared to control (without weeding). Cover crops and nitrogen application time had a significant effect on yield of fresh forage corn and cover crops. Based on the advantages of effective weed control and higher forage production of hairy vetch it can be recommended as proper cover crop.

To study the effects of urea fertilizer and bio-fertilizers on grain yield and important agronomic traits in maize (Zea mays L. Sc704), a split plot experiment based on randomized complete block design with three replications was conducted in Payame Noor University of Khash Research Field during 2011-2012 cropping season. Four different levels of urea consisting of zero, 25% (equal to 87.5 kg.ha-1), 50% (equal to 175 kg.ha-1) and 100% (equal to 350 kg.ha-1) based on the results of soil analysis were assigned to main plot and bio-fertilzers, including Azotobacter, Azospirillum and non- inoculation, to sub plot. Results indicated that nitrogen fertilizer affected the traits under study significantly. The highest and lowest plant height, the number of seed per ear row, the number of grain per row, ears.m-2, 1000 kernel weight, seed yield, bilogocal yield and seed protein content were obtained by using 100% nitrogen fertilizer and control (zero level of urea) respectively. Using bio-feretlizers also had a significant effect on traits under study. Bio-fertilizer had positive effect on seed yield and yield components. Thus, there was a seed yield increase of 8.4% and 8.2% by using Azotobacter and Azospirillum compared to the non- inoculated seeds, respectively.

To evaluate competition between lambsquarters (Chenopodium album) and fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) on some traits effective on growth and yield a factorial experiment was conducted during 2010-2011 in Agricultural Research Station of Islamic Azad University, Tabriz Branch, Iran, based on randomized complete blocks design with 3 replications.Treatments were weed density (0, 2, 4, 6 and 8 plants per meter row) and its relative emergence times (simultaneously, 10, 20 and 30 days after crop emergence). Dormancy in lambsquarters seeds was broken using gibberlic acid. Essential oil of seeds was extracted by celevenger type apparatus. Results indicated that emergence of 4 weed plants per meter row had no significant effect on fennel growth period. When weed density increased more than 4 plants per meter row, leaf chlorophyle content index increased 26%. Effect of higher weed densities on the time of leaf senescence appearance and plant height was more than lower weed densities. Reduction of weed density and delaying its time of relative emergence decreased weed biomass. While, seed and essence yield increased, significantly. In those weed densities higher than 4 plants per meter row essence yield reduced 25 mL ha-1 per weed.It seems that the weed control in fennel field is necessary.

This study was performed to investigate potential production of mid-late maturing promising mini-tuber clones and cultivars under aeroponic system during 2011-2013 in both laboratory and greenhouse of Ardabil Sabalan Behparvar Company. Five clones and cultivars (three promising clones 397009-3, 397082-10 and 397081-1, and two cultivars, Khavaran and Agria) were evaluated in completely randomized designs with three replications. During growing period and after harvesting the crop some important traits like plant height, main stem number per plant, mini-tuber number and weight per square meter, mean mini-tuber weight per square meter and storability of mini-tubers were measured. Analysis of variance showed that mini-tuber number and weight per square meter, mean mini-tuber weight per square meter, plant height and main stem number per plant among clones and cultivars were significantly different. The mid-late maturity promising clones of 397081-1 and 397009-3 produced higher mini-tuber number per square meter (2766 and 2141 mini-tubers, respectively), mini-tuber weight per square meter (11400 and 16500 g, respectively) than the remaining types. Mid-late maturity promising clone of 397081-1 also produced higher mean mini-tuber weight per square meter (5.59 g) and plant height (174 cm) as compared with the others. The differences per square meter in the number of mini-tuber of mid-late maturing promising clones of 397081-1 and 397009-3 with Agria cultivar were about 1166 and 541, respectively. Mean mini-tuber weight per square meter in aeroponic system was 6.16 grams.

To evaluate response of bread wheat recombinant inbred lines to water deficit, a split plot experiment arranged in randomized complete block design (CRBD) was conducted using eight recombinant inbred lines and their parental cultivars (Roshan and Super Head) with three replications under three irrigation levels (80, 120 and 160 mm evaporation from class A pan) at the Agriculture Research Station of Islamic Azad University, Tabriz Branch during 2009. The results of analysis of variance data collected revealed significant difference among lines and irrigation levels for grain yield. While line × irrigation level interaction was non significant for grain yield. Based on SSI and TOL, drought tolerance indices lines number 1, 7, 41 and Roshan cultivar under 120 mm evaporation, and lines number 7 and 19 under 160 mm evaporation were the tolerant lines. Under both stress conditions according to STI, MP and GMP indices, lines number 37, 38 and Roshan cultivar were recognized as the tolerant lines to water deficiet. Cluster analyses based on grain yield and drought tolerance indices recognized the lines number 1, 30, 32, 37, 38, 41 and Roshan cultivar under 120 mm and lines number 30, 37 and 38 and Roshan under 160 mm evaporation as the most drought tolerants and higher producers.

Heavy metal contaminations of agricultural fields, due to use of industrial waste water and excessive application of phosphate fertilizers, has become a major problem. Biological stability in soil for long-term, causes these metals accumulate in food chain and thus potentially affect human health. To investigate the effects of copper and lead on growth parameters, lipid per oxidation, peroline content in two cultivars of mung bean, a factorial experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design. Copper used in three concentrations (0, 150, 300 and 400 mg/kg) and Pb in four concentration (0, 200, 400, 600 mg/kg). After four weeks, plants grown in contaminated soil were collected and shoot height, root length, fresh weight and dry weight of shoot and root; proline content and lipid per oxidation in leaves were measured. The results showed that copper and lead had negative and toxic effect on the mung bean growth features. Generally with increasing concentrations of cu and Pb in soil, growth parameters were decreased. Between the two cultivars (Gohar and Sistan), Sistan was affected more than Gohar. Proline content and lipid peroxidation in treated mung bean were increased. Also Sistan cultivar showed more proline content and lipid per oxidation than Gohar.

To evaluate clover ecotypes by using drought tolerance indices, 17 annual clover ecotypes were tested in a split-plot experiment by using randomized complete block design with three replications, under two irrigated and rain-fed conditions in the Saatlo Research Station in Urmia, Iran. In this study, based on the dry matter yield in stressed (Ys) and nonstressed (Yp) conditions, quantitative values of drought tolerance indices of mean productivity index (MP), tolerance index (TOL), geometric mean productivity index (GMP), harmonic mean index (HM), stress susceptibility index (SSI), and stress tolerance index (STI) were calculated. There was a significant difference among the ecotypes as to their yields under irrigated and rain-fed conditions, which indicated the existence of genetic diversity and the possibility of selection for drought tolerance and using them in breeding programs for further genetic. The correlations among drought indices and Yp and Ys showed that MP, GMP, HM, and STI were highly correlated with Yp and Ys. Cluster analysis categorized tolerant ecotypes No.11, 2, 13, 8 and 10 in the same group and the others in the sensitive one. Based on the values of indices and higher dry matter yield, in both stress and non-stress conditions, ecotype No.11 (T.resupinatum L.) was recognized to be as the most tolerant ecotype against drought.

The ability of plants to reduce the negative effects of leaf removal or simulated herbivory on their growth is defined as their tolerance. Tragopogon graminifolius is a herbaceous perennial weed distributed around the world. To investigate the effect of leaf removals like 100% leaf removal, no damage (control), 50 % leaf removal at ten- leaf stage, 50 % leaf removal at twenty- leaf stage and 100 % leaf removal at twenty- leaf stage on its survival and final biomass of this plant, a greenhouse study was conducted during 2011 in completely randomized design. The results showed that the number of active leaves, number of flowers and seeds, number of branches and final height of T. graminifolius were significantly lower in “100% leaf removal at twenty-leaf stage” (P<0.0001) less than the other treatments. These results indicate that herbivory or reduction of the photosynthesing leaves, reduce plant's ability to survive and produce reproductive organs. Furthermore, the intensity and timing of the mid-term leaf removal resulted in negative effects on seed yield and the reproductive growth of this weed more than ”100% leaf removal at twenty- leaf stage” treatment by 66.7% compared to control. Shoot and root biomass in “100 % leaf removal at twenty-leaf stage” treatment was 52.58% and 52.06% less than the control one, respectively (P<0.0001). Also, our results show that population of this perennial weed, despite its tolerance of damage, is not able to compensate its tissue losses. This finding, because of the stability of this plant in disturbed habitats, is of ecological significance.