Applied Agricultural Research
Year:2015 | Volume:28 | Issue:106|Papers Count:25

For assessment of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium and magnesium uptake inMatricaria chamomilla L. under different irrigation regimes a factorial experiment carried out based on randomized complete block design with four levels of irrigation regimes (100, 85, 70 and 55 % of field capacity) with five replications at the experimental greenhouse of Faculty of Agriculture of Urmia University. Results showed that irrigation regimes did not have any significant effect on the percentage of leaf nitrogen and potassium.However, the percentage of leaf phosphorus, calcium and magnesium were significantly affected by irrigation regimes. The maximum percentage of leaf phosphorus (0.60 %) was obtained at 100% field capacity, consequently decreased by increasing water stress, but non-significant difference between was observed in 70 and 55 % field capacity. The minimum percentage of leaf calcium (1.06 %) was obtained at 100% field capacity, although there was no significant difference between other irrigation regimes. The maximum percentage of leaf magnesium (0.73 %) was obtained at 70% field capacity, and any changes in water supply led to reduction its percentage. The minimum percentage of leaf magnesium was recorded at 55% field capacity.

Nitrogen is an effective material for improving the crop production and cow manure is an important resource for soil fertilization and improving physical condition of soil. However there are many factors that limit the application of ordinary composted manure. These problems are low density of manure, different nutrient requirement of the crop and rapidly nitrification. The effective solution of these problems is densification technology with molding manure compost into pellet and adjusting the nutrient content of material with adding nitrogen fertilizer. In this research the pelleting machine is used to make dry composted manure into pellets (diameter 10mm and length 50mm) with adding chemical fertilizer and binder material (bentonit) physical properties of pellets determined within moisture content range 11% and 24% (w.b.) and sorption property of pellets were researched. This study therefore focused on evaluation of effect of pelleting process on decreasing of nitrification. Results obtained showed that hardness and durability of pellets increased with decrease in moisture content and increase in applied force. Also, effects of mentioned factors on true density, bulk density and porosity were observed. The effects of slow-release from mixed pellets in basil crop yield were also observed. Pellet fertilizer is a type of slow-release N-fertilizer that slow-release N-fertilizer has long-term effects including reduced leaching losses and enhanced N uptake, as well as .positive effects on both health and soil nutrient levels

The treated seeds (control, KNO3 and hydropriming) of safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) cultivar Koseh were evaluated at germination for tolerance to salinity (NaCl) and drought induced by PEG-6000 at the different water potentials of 0, -0.3 and -0.6 MPa.Electerical conductivity (EC) value of the NaCl solutions were 0, 6.5 and 12.7 ds.m-1. Germination index, shoot/root ratio, germination uniformity, days to 50% germination (D50) and abnormal seedlings percentage were measured. Hydropriming treatment showed an increase in germination index, shoot/root ratio and germination uniformity, while decrease days to 50% germination. Hydropriming increased germination percentage and shoot/root ratio under salinity and water stress. Treatment with KNO3 reduced abnormal seedlings percentage under salinity stress. KNO3 improved germination uniformity and germination index the low water potentials.As salinity increased, germination index and shoot/root ration were decreased, while germination uniformity, days to 50% germination and abnormal seedlings percentage were increased. As drought levels increased, shoot/root ration was decreased, while germination uniformity, days to 50% germination and abnormal seedlings percentage was increased. The results showed that hydropriming increased germination percentage. This treatment enhanced germination ratio under both stresses (salinity and drought) and non-stress conditions.While, hydropriming is simple, cheap and does not need expensive chemicals and sophisticated equipments. Therefore, could be used to improved seed performance of safflower under saline and drought stress.

The study of energy balance in agriculture is one of the ways to evaluation of sustainable agriculture. In this study, energy flow in local and improved rice farms was evaluated in Gilan province during 2005 & 2006. The analysis done to use the input–output technique.Results indicated that N fertilizer had most share in energy consumption (without irrigation energy). Total energy input in improved and local rice cultivars were 25214.41 and 22329.47 MJ.ha-1, respectively and output energy value of improved and local cultivars was 83790 and 61005 MJ.ha-1, respectively. The results showed that although net return in improved rice cultivars was higher than local rice cultivars, The highest benefit cost ratio value observed for local cultivars (1.01).

In order to study on relationships among yield and some agronomic traits, 141 pure lines soybean as well as three commercial varieties (controls) (Williams, Sahar, DPX) were arranged at simple lattice model (12×12) with two replications in Gorgan agricultural research station in 2009. Analysis of variance demonstrated a significant difference among pure lines at 1% and 5% probability levels for all traits. The results showed positive significant correlation among yield with percentage of protein, day to flowering, number of branches, pods per plant, plant height, and weight of seed per plant (g). Also the results indicated negative significant correlation among yield and oil percentage. Stepwise regression showed day to flowering, plant height, seeds per pod/plant, number of nod/plant and protein percentage could explain variations in yield. Path analysis showed that number of pod/ plant and plant height had highest direct effect on grain yield of soybean, and because their direct effects had agreement with ctotal effects thus for yield increase effective select lines taller plant with number pod. Using cluster analysis with UPGMA method and the squared Euclidean distance as a measure of the similarity, the cultivars were groped in to five groups. According to results, the number of pods/plant and plant height were criterion .index to improvement of soybean yield in breeding programs.

Drought is one of the most important abiotic stress and major limiting environmental factors for plant development and plant production. A plant defense reaction against water deficient is a complex endeavor. This experiment was conducted to investigate effects of mycorrhiza symbiosis on nitrogen and phosphorus absorption, nitrate reductase activity of root and protein content in seed, prolin content of root and carbohydrate of leaf and stem in Sesbania aculeta under drought stress. This study was carried out in Randomized Completely Block Design (RCBD) with three replications in green house conditions. Treatments were three levels of drought stress (location) and two levels of mycorrhiza, M0 (without fungi) and M1 (with fungi). Results showed that Protein content of seed and nitrate reductase activity in root of mycorrhizal symbiosis in comparison with non-mycorrhizal symbiosis plants were increased significantly in arrangement about 11% and 4%. Also there were no significant differences between phosphorous and nitrogen content in root of mycorrhizal plants in comparison with non-mycorrhizal plants. During growth, flowering and filling seed, mycorrhizal symbiosis showed significantly difference in prolin content of root. Also in flowering stage, soluble carbohydrate of leaf and stem in mycorrhizal symbiosis plant were significantly higher than control (p<0.05).

In order to evaluate the effects of Mo spraying on quantitative and qualitative characteristics of wheat grain yield under water stress condition, an experiment was conducted in varamin agricultural research center in 2010-11. The experimental design was split plot in randomized complete block design with three replications.Main plots were three irrigation treatments: normal irrigation (S0), no irrigation at start of grain filling stage (S1) and no irrigation at start of flowering stage (S2), and sub plots were Mo spraying with three levels including spraying with pure water (M0), Mo spraying with 0.5% concentration (M1) and Mo spraying with 1% concentration (M2). The results showed that, grain yield and many of yield components significantly affected by drought stress, in reproductive growth stage. Grain yield significantly decreased in both S1 and S2 treatments by 14.6% and 26.7% respectively. Protein percentage significantly increased from 10.9% at S0 treatment to 11.8% and 13.4% for S1 and S2 treatments respectively. S2 treatment had a significant effect on maximum amount of LAI and CGR. Leaf defoliation in S2 treatment started so earlier than normal treatment.Mo spraying had significant effect on grain yield and many yield components and also had a significant lowering effect on water stress damages. The grain yield was significantly increased from 5699 to 6065 kg/hac in M2 treatment. There was no significant difference between two spraying concentrations (0.5% and 1%) for number of kernel per spike, number of fertile tiller, TKW, grain yield, biological yield, protein yield and protein percentage. Also, the effect of Mo spraying was not significant for biological yield. Protein percentage significantly increased from 11.4% in M0 treatment to 12.40% and 12.34% in M1 and M2 treatments respectively. The highest protein yield was obtained from S0M1and S0M2 with 735.8 and 724.8 kg/ha respectively. The manner of changes for LAI and CGR during wheat growth period had significantly affected by Mo spraying. The Maximum amount of LAI and CGR recorded in S0M1 treatment.

Awareness of conservation situation in plant genetic resources has a key role in applied plant research.Medicago is the main forage legume crop in Iran. A total of 1957 accessions belong to 19Medicago species were collected from all over the country. It increased total conserved materials to 1033 and 1299 accessions in alfalfa (M. sativa L.) and wild relatives of alfalfa (M. spp), respectively. It also increased number of conserved species in theMedicago collection to 22 species. The species with large number included of M. sativa L., M. rigidula (L.). All., and M. minima (L.) Bartal. with 701, 230, and 159 accession, respectively. Geographical altitude in collection site differed from -21 m in Noushahr forM. polymorpha L. to 2838 m in Kerman province for M. rigidula (L.) All. and M. coronata (L.) Bartal. The paper has been discussed the conservation situation ofMedicago species in the country. It was identified a main center of genetic diversity for alfalfa in mountainous area of North Eastern of the country, besides former identified centers. Whereas for noncultivated species were identified two main center of genetic diversity in West and South- Western of the country. CollectedMedicago materials in addition to former ones provided a huge potential ofMedicago germplasm in order to use in Medicago breeding programs and other research.

To investigate the relationship between grain yield and its components in spring rapeseed crop farming, this study was conducted as split plot arranged in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with two factors and three replications and two years on spring canola varieties in Maragheh Rainfed Agricultural Research Station. The treatments were four levels of single irrigation amounts (Zero, 30, 60 and 90mm irrigation water use) at growth stages (stem elongation, flowering and seed filling stage). There were positive significant correlations due to grain yield with all agronomic characters. Under single irrigation, path analysis and determination of direct and indirect effects showed that, number of pods per square meter, straw yield and seed number per pod has a direct positive effect and thousand seed weight has a negative direct effect on grain yield. Optimum level of single irrigation for rapeseed was 60mm irrigation at flowering stage that lead to producing 1071kg grain per hectare due to control of soil moisture stress at flowering stage. This treatment affected on grain yield (83% compared to rainfed condition) by increasing growth and produce new pods.

To investigate the yield and correlation between agronomic traits and yield, seven rice cultivars (Fajr, Sahel, Cadoos, Shafagh, Nemat, Neda and Domsiah) were studied using RCBD design with 4 replications at Sangdivar village, Kalat Nader (2010-2011). Based on ANOVA, significant differences were observed among the studied genotypes. Also it was observed that the number of fertile tiller, plant height, number of seeds per panicle and weight of 1000 grains had significant and positive phenotypic and genotypic correlation with grain yield, while other traits had no significant phenotypic and genotypic correlation with yield. According to compare mean and correlations matrix, and due to higher number of fertile tiller, plant height, number of seeds per panicle and weight of 1000 grains, Fajr and Nemat cultivars had better yield than those in other cultivars. As well, path analysis verified positive and direct effects of 1000 grains weight and plant height on yield. So selection of superior genotype concerning yield can be indirectly performed through mentioned traits.

To evaluate the effects of drought stress and nitrogen fertilizer on yield, yield components and water and nitrogen use efficiency ofcorn, (hybrid Sc 704) an experiment was conducted as a split plot design based on randomized complete block with three replication in Agricultural Research Station in West Islamabad. Main factor included three levels of irrigation requirement (%100, %80 and %60 of irrigation requirement) and nitrogen fertilizer factor 170 kg of pure nitrogen per hectare, %30 more and %30 less than this amount positioned in the sub-plots. The results showed that drought stress caused reducing yield and its components. So that severe drought stress as compared to normal irrigation decreased the grain yield to 45.62 percent. Increasing nitrogen fertilizer up to 170/ha by influencing on leaf area index, biological yield and yield components, caused increasing the grain’s yield. But nitrogen consumption greater than amount of plant need didn’t have a positive effect on yield. On the other hand in this situation grain yield versus using the proper amount of nitrogen 11.3 percent decreased. In addition, under the condition of optimum consuming of fertilizer versus more than it not only increased nitrogen use efficiency but also maximum water use efficiency was obtained. Related to effects of irrigation and nitrogen interaction increasing soil moisture and nitrogen simultaneously increased the grain’s yield; but using a great deal of nitrogen fertilizer under the condition of water stress due to decreased absorption and increased waste nitrogen, decreased the grain’s yield; so the maximum amount of grain’s yield (19.23 ton/ha) was achieved by treatment of affording full irrigation requirement and applying 221 kg of nitrogen and the lowest amount (9.17ton/ha) was obtained by treatment of severe drought stress and same amount of fertilizer.

This study was conducted to evaluate the allelopathic potential of barley extracts against Echinocloa colonum at Islamic Azad University, Shoushtar Branch, Iran at germination and vegetative growth stage. Both of experiments were laid out according to Complete Block Randomize design with four replications and treatments were 0, 25, 50 and 75 % barley extract concentration. Barley extracts application exhibited gradual rise in inhibitory effects on seedling weight, antioxidant enzymes activities and α-amylase activity but elevated the malondialdehyde concentration inEchinocloa colonum seedling. The lowest α-amylase activity was noted at higher levels of extract application (2.09 nmol seed-1 min-2). Likewise, seedling weight, antioxidant enzyme activities and sucrose synthesis activity were declined with barley extract application but malondialdehyde concentration increased. Minimom sucrose synthesis reduction (1.2 nmol prot-1 min-2) and maximum malondialdehyde reduction (0.74 nmol gr wight) was noted at 70% level of barley extract application. In conclusion, barley extract had strong allelopathic potential againstEchinocloa colonum and decreased α-amylase and sucrose synthesis activity but increased cell membrane damage.

In order to study of temperature treatment on growth of rice crop, a green house experiment was carried out at deputy of rice research institute of Iran. Treatment’s included varieties in 5 levels (Tarom, Fajr, Shirudi, Dilam and Line 843) as main factors and 2 levels of temperature treatment. (16 & 32oc) along with 4 levels of growth stages (mid-tillering utile maximum tillering, stem elongation, bootingflowering and grain filling) were considered as two sub factors. Only two seedlings were planted in each pot and all of them were kept in normal temperature then they were kept in 16°c for 15 days then they were transferred to 32oc place. After each stage, morphological characters of plant height, tiller number, leaf area, leaf, stem and total dry weight per hill were measured. Yield and yield components of hill was measured in physiological maturity stage. The decrease of temperature from 32 to 16°c causes the decrease of morphological characters of plant height, tiller number, leaf area, leaf, stem and total dry weight up to 6, 17, 56, 39 and 38 percent, respectively. In different growth stage in relation to temperature stress in the middle tillering stage until the appearance of young panicle lowest yield was obtained because of decrease in morphological characters and panicle number and length. The most sensitive variety in relation to temperature stress is the 843 line with the most percentage of decreasing of yield (% 20.64) and the most tolerance in relation to temperature stress is the variety of Shirudi with the least percentage of decreasing of yield (% 11.01). The most amount of yield was obtained in the variety of Dilam with temperature stress in grain filling stage (30.68 g in hill) and the lowest amount in the variety was Tarom in the mid-tillering utile the appearance of young panicle stage (16.57 g in hill) because of decreasing the panicle number in hill and less number of grain in panicle. The mount of final yield decreasing in 16°c in relation to 32°c was 19.6 percent.

Effects of accompanied ammonium and calcium (from CaCl2 and CaSO4 sources) with potassium fertilizer on wheat yield were investigated with six treatments in a field trial in Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources farm No.1. With a non limiting N supply, potassium is the most limiting plant growth factor in the site of the experiment. Electric diffuse double layer is expected to be truncated with a high specific surface soil in this area minimizing the soil solution-diffuse double layer interface for potassium diffusion.The results showed accompanying ammonium and calcium with a high concentration of electrolytes increased potassium movement.The high quantity of potassium applied with the base fertilizer was still insufficient for optimum yield production as is inferred from increased yield when extra potassium was applied by CaCl2+KCl, CaSO4+KCl and Urea+KCl treatments. Contrary to CaCl2 calcium sources, potassium uptake and yield were increased by K-accompanied calcium from CaSO4. Calcium synergistic effects on plant potassium uptake were stronger with sulfate anions as compared with chloride. Data show when potassium is applied with low quantities of accompanied ammonium, improvements in yield and potassium uptake are even greater than calcium when applied in high quantities.

In order to comparison of different mechanical control methods of weed of rice field, a field experiment was carried out in Babol city- during 2011. The experiment in the basis of randomized complete block design with four treatments in three replications including powered weeder, conoweeder weeder, hand weeding and no weeding were used. Number of weeds was counted before and after weeding. There was significant effect among treatments on grain yield, weeding efficiency, number and dry weight of weeds after weed control. There was not any significant different between powered and conoweeder weeder regarding weeding efficiency, while there was significant different with hand weeding treatment. Number and dry weight of weeds for hand weeding was least. Average field capacity for powered weeder was 0.025 ha/h. Regarding economical considerations, powered weeder and hand weeding had the highest (5.86 percent) and least (1.68 percent) efficiency respectively. Therefore, treatments were ranked from powered weeder, conoweeder weeder and powered weeder, respectively.

Drought stress is one of the important factors limiting crop production. Increasing the water use efficiency is a strategy for enhancing the crop production. In order to study effects of superabsorbent on wheat’s growth in dryland, an experiment was conducted in research farm of agriculture Faculty of Zanjan University in 2010-2011. This experiment was conducted based on a random complete blocks design included four treatments of (0, 15, 30 and 45 kg Clophony superabsorbent per hectare with four replications. In this experiment Azar2 cultivar was used. The result of experiment showed that application of superabsorbentincreased absorbing water by the plant and ofrelative water content which is causing the source strength by increased leaf area index and Chlorophyll index. Also, super absorbents’ application cased to increasing in theyield components including the number of fertile spike, the number of grain in spike and the grain weight which has finally led to the increase of grain yield. The grain yield increased in a linear trend with the raise of superabsorbent’s application and the maximum grain yield (2718 Kg/ha) was obtained using 45kg in hectare of Clophony super absorbent. The results was showed that this treatment increase grain yield 156.5 percentage. In general could saythat the application of super absorbent material in dryland condition could increase the grain yield by decreasing the drought stress affects and increasing the source and sink strength.

In order to study the effect of vermicompost produced from cow manure impregnated to copper oxide and zinc oxide nanoparticles on someproperties of wax bean crop (Vigna unguiculata), an experiment factorial were done based on a randomized complete block design in three replications. The experiment factors were as follows: nanoparticles (0, 0.4, 0.8 and 1.2 g/kg weight of substrate), vermicompost (2.5, 5 and 7.5 g/kg weight of substrate) and kind of nanoparticles(copper oxide and zinc oxide). After preparation of substrates, to any one of them was added adult worm Eisenia fetida and after a week were added nanoparticles to substrate as a solution. After three months, vermicompost prepared according to the weight of cultivation substrate was cultivated with mix soil and grain of wax bean as a wet planting. Results showed with increasing in both nanoparticles decreased spad leaves chlorophyll, number grain in pod, number of pod in bush, weight of pod, pod length, weight of hundred grains, grain yield, biological yield, harvest index, stem length and grain protein and increased concentration copper and zinc in grain. In similar level nanoparticles (except first level), spad leaves chlorophyll, number of pods, weight of hundred grains, grain yield, stem length and pod length in zinc oxide nanoparticles were more than copper oxide nanoparticles. In similar level nanoparticles and vermicompost accumulation of zinc in grain was more than copper. With comsumption of copper oxide nanoparticles, grain yield decreased 66 percent and With comsumption of zinc oxide nanoparticles, grain yield decreased 35 percent.

Participatory plant breeding initiated in Iran since 2005 and the present investigation was a part of this program. This investigation conducted in farmer’s field with their participation in cropping season 2010-2011 in Mazhin village of Eyvan region, in Ilam province, west Iran.16 bread wheat were planted as RCBD in four replication. Genotypes were evaluated for Grain yield, remobilization of reserved assimulates to grain, Spike photosynthesis rate, plant height, Days to heading and maturity. For assimilate remobilization rate, the superior genotypes were; Azar2, 13, Rijaw and 8. For spike photosynthesis rate, the superior genotypes were; Azar2, Rijaw, 13, 7& 8. For early growth vigor, Rijaw, 5, Sardari were better than the others. For all of the traits related to drougth, 7 was on of the best genotypes and enhanced good score from farmers, therefore can use in breeding programs in future. For farmer s score Rijaw was the superior genotype. For Grain yield, number 6 was better than checks 24, 41 and 61 percent, respectively. Number 12 enhanced better score from farmers in compare to checks.

In order to investigate the influence of volunteer barely density on yield and yield components of wheat in different nitrogen application rates, an experiment was conducted in 2010-2011 at Islamic Azad University, Sabzevar Branch. Factors were arranged as a split plot experiment in randomized complete block design with three replications. Main factor was nitrogen levels (Recommended-25%, Recommended and recomendede+25%, equal to 150, 200 and 250 Kg.ha-1 Nitrogen as urea form, respectively) and volunteer barely density (0, 25, 50, 75 and 100 plant.m-2) was considered as sub plot. Increasing of volunteer barely had negative asymptotic effect on economic and biological yield. Yield components were decreased with increasing of volunteer barely density. Volunteer barely had more competition ability at low and high nitrogen levels than recommended level. The highest tiller number, 1000 seed weight, economic yield and biological yield were achieved at recommended nitrogen level and weed free conditions. Increase or decrease the amount of nitrogen level was more beneficial for barely than wheat. Increasing of volunteer barely density decreased yield and yield components of wheat at more or less recommended level of nitrogen.

To compare the effects of coconut, sesame and almond oil for increasing the efficacy of Haloxyfop-R-methyl ester herbicide and also reducing the usage dose of herbicide to control little seed canary grass, a greenhouse experiment was performed as factorial based on completely randomized design with 12 replications in Research greenhouse of Ferdowsi University of Mashhad in 2011.The treatments consisted of herbicide doses at six levels (0, 6.75, 13.5, 27, 54 and 108 g a. i. ha-1) and adjuvant at four levels (without adjuvant, coconut, sesame and almond oil as a vegetable oil at 0.5 percentages by volume. Based on results of the regression analysis and comparison of the mean, all vegetable oils increased Haloxyfop-R-methyl ester herbicide efficacy. The amount of ED50 and relative potency (R) decreased and increased respectively. Data analysis showed that coconut oil increased Haloxyfop-R-methyl ester herbicide efficient more than other vegetables oils. ED50 of coconut oil, sesame seeds, almonds and Haloxyfop-R-methyl ester alone was 29.98, 35.62, 45.93 and 57.80 g a. i. h-1 respectively. Average dry weight for Haloxyfop-R-methyl ester, peanut, sesame, coconut oil was 1.65, 1.48, 1.41 and 1.12 grams per pot, respectively. It is probably resulted high ratio of saturated to unsaturated fatty acids is reason greater efficiency of coconut oil than other vegetable oils.

For study of genetic diversity among canola genotypes, an experiment was carried out based on randomized complete block design with three replications in KhorramAbad, Iran. Fifteen genotypes were studied in each block and each plot consists of 5 rows 5 m length and 30 cm distance among rows. Different traits were evaluated including morphological, phonological, yield and yield components.Analysis of variance showed significant differences for days to 50% of flowering, plant height, days to maturity, siliques per plant, seeds per silique, 1000 seed weight, grain yield, oil percent and oil yield. Means comparisons among genotypes showed significant differences for all traits, indicating existence of genetic diversity among genotypes. SLM-046 genotype with average values of 4177 and 1817 kg h-1 grain and oil yield, respectively had higher performance among genotypes. Correlation coefficient of grain yield with 1000 seed weight, seed per silique, silique per plant, silique length, oil percent and oil yield was positive and significant. Phenotypic coefficient of variation was higher than genotypic coefficient for all traits, indicating the significant affects of environment conditions. Estimate of heritabilities were high for all traits except plant height. Result of path analysis showed that silique length, silique per plant and oil percent had significant effect on grain yield. Cluster analysis classified all genotypes to three groups and Sahra and Sunday showed highest genetic distance.

To study the effect of plant density on morphological traits, dry fodder yield and yield components of four forage sorghum cultivarsin second cropping, an experiment was conducted at experimental farm of Islamic Azad University of Damghan in 2012-13. A factorial randomized complete block design with three replications were used. The treatments were three plant density (88, 133 and 266 thousand plant per hectare) and four forage sorghum cultivars [Speed feed (early maturity), Sugergraze (medium maturity), Nectar (mid-late maturity) and Jambo (late maturity)]. The results showed that the effect of plant density on number of leaf per plant, leaf area index, number of tiller per plant, stem diameter, leaf, stem and panicle dry weight /per plant and/per m2, and dry fodder yield were significant. Dry fodder yeild was increased by 41.14 percent with increasing of plant density from 88 to 266 thousand plant per hectare. The result of this study showd that Sugergraze cultivar with plant density of 266 thousand plants per hectare is appropraite as second cropping in damghan region.

To evaluate of phosphorus fertilizer and planting density effect on flower production and other characteristics of medicinal plant borage (Borago officinalis. L), a split plot experiment in randomized complete block design with three replications was conducted at Agricultural Research Station of Mehriz in 2008-2009. Treatments included four levels of phosphorus (0, 50, 100, 150 kg/ha as main factor and three planting distance 20, 40 and 60centimeter as the sub factor were considered.Each experimental unit consisted of 6 line cultivated over 8 m.In this experiment, the traits: number of days to flowering, plant height, average number of flowers per plant, flower yield per unit area and total biomass were studied. The results showed that different levels of phosphorus fertilizer and planting density were effective on the above characteristics. Effect of rows distance and phosphorus fertilizer on flower yield was significant at the 1% level. The flowers yield per unit area increased with decreasing distance between the rows, so that the row spacing of 20 cm with 778.4 kg/ha had the highest yield. The highest flower yield (with 682.9 kg / ha) was belong to the highest levels of phosphorus (150 kg/he) fertilizer.

The Chamomile of Anthemis haussknechtii species is one of the medicinal plants which is related to the compositae family which grows as wild type in some parts of the country. Essential oils of chamomile flowers used extensively in pharmaceuticals, food, cosmetics and health. Ecological conditions have a major role in the growth, yield and quality of medicinal plants. The purpose of this study was evaluation of morphological and phonological, and qualitative traits such as: length and width of vegetative crown, plant height, flower number per plant, fresh and dry weight, time of flowering, time of harvest, essential oil percentage, essential oil yield, growth degree days during flowering and harvesting in ecological condition of Karaj twon. The experiment was conducted in a Randomized Completely Blocks Design (RCBD) with three replicates in Alborz research station. Analysis variance showed that there was significant difference between population for all traits forAnthemis haussknechtii species (p£0.01) except for essential oil yield which was significance at p£0.05. This study showed that Kohdasht and Kermanshah populations of Anthemis haussknechtii species, considered as superior population and also they flowered sooner than other populations. Result of simple correlation analysis showed that that there was significant positive correlation between essential oil yield with fresh and dry weight of foliage biomass, flower number per bush and length and width of vegetative crown and this result indicated that amount of top heading branch yield would be increased by increasing of above mentioned traits. Result of Stepwise Regression Analysis for essential oil yield as variable trait showed that yield of foliage biomass and percent of essential oil have more effective on essential oil yield.