JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE AND SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTION
Year:2004 | Volume:14 | Issue:2|Papers Count:12

For the morphometric and histologic investigations of mammary gland of the Azarbayjanian buffalo, 80 specimens were collected from healthy lactating and non-lactating buffaloes which were slaughtered in Urmieh abattoir. In this study 50 specimens (25 lactating & 25 non-lactating were selected for morphometric and 30 specimens (15 lactating & 15 non-lactating) for histological studies. The mean lengths of teats of anterior quarters in lactating and non- lactating buffaloes were 4.54±0.10cm and 3.60±0.18cm, respectively. The mean teat lengths of caudal quarters in lactating and non-lactating glands were 4.56±0.10cmand 3.70±0.11cm, respectively. The mean teat diameter in anterior quarters of lactating and non-lactating glands were 2.60±0.09cmand 2.40±0.09cm, respectively, whereas the same variable in the caudal quarter of lactating and non-lactating glands were 2.60±0.04cma.nd 2.5±0.06cmrespectively. The mean thickness of anterior quarters in lactating and non-lactating glands were 3.70±0.04cmand 2.4±0.12cm, respectively, whereas the same variable in the caudal quarters of the lactating and non-lactating glands were 9.00±0.20cm and 4.40±16cm, respectively. The mean length of lactating and non-lactating glands were 34.6±27cmand 28.43±87cm, respectively. The mean width of lactating and non-lactating glands were 38.00±0.67cmand 25.90±0.99cm, respectively. According to the statistical analysis there were significant (p<0.05) differences among lactating and non-lactating glands for all variables except diameters of the teats. The histological study revealed that, the amounts of interlobular connective and adipose tissues increase from dorsal to ventral side of udders, whereas, the volume of parenchyma tissue decrease from dorsal to the ventral side. The muscles on the teat wall were composed of obliquely and longitudinally arranged bands. Long ridges of the skin epithelium were deeply penetrated. into the lamina propriae of teats. In the base of the teat, there were thick walled arteries Le. muscular type, along with small arteries and plenty of arterioles, venules, and capillaries near to the lactiferous sinuses. In the same level, hair follicles, sebaceous glands and the apocrine type of sweat glands were seen in the skin of the teats, but such structures were not seen in the lower two third of the teat structure

This experiment was conducted to study the effect of genotype, explants and culture media on callus induction and growth in media with and without growth regulators. Nine pure lines of rapeseed, Orakel, ACSN1, PF504588, PF704591, Boanty, Lisandra, Shiralee, Maluka and Global grown in five MS media supplemented with different combination of hormones as control(O BAP, 0 2,4-D),A(1 BAP, 0.5 2.4-D),B(2BAP, 1 2,4-D),C(3 BAP, 1.5 2,4-D) and D(1 BAP, 2 2,4-D) and four type of explants as hypocotyl, cotyledon, seed and root were used. Ten explants of hypocotyl (0.9-1 cm), and cotyledon with 2mm petiole, five explants of root (0.9-1cm) and 10 seeds were used in each experimental unit. The experiment was factorial based on completely randomized design with four replications. After one month, percent of callus initiation, callus diameter, callus fresh weight, callus dry weight and water content of callus were determined. Because of differences between control media and the media having growth regulators, analysis of data from two media was done separately with SAS program. Comparison of means in growth regulator media showed that, in all traits, effect of genotype, media and explant were significant (p=1%) except for percent of callus formation in different media. First order interaction and second order interaction were significant in all traits except dry weight of callus. Between all genotypes, Boanty and Global showed the highest callus growth and Maluka and Orakel the lowest in growth regulator media. On the whole, medium A was the best media and seed was the best explant in this medium. Statistical analysis in the media without growth regulator showed that the effect of genotype, explant and interaction between them was significant. Maluka and Orakel had the highest callus formation in the media without growth regulator, indicating that endogenous hormones were.higher in these lines, and these hormones probably inhibit the callus formation in the media.

In this study, different methods for rapid production of apothecia and ascospores that play important role in pathogenicity tests and species identification, were evaluated. In order to obtain the most and biggest sclerotia, four different methods were examined. Among them, the method used by Kohn and Sunsford gave the best results. Sclerotia from sunflower, rapeseed, cheiranthus and lettuce in this method were kept in refrigerator (4°C) for three months. To produce apothecia by the method of Paterson and Gerogan, sclerotic were transferred to petri plates containing 1% WA and pots containing sterilized vermiculate and were kept at 10°C and 15°C with 16/8.hour,light/dark cycle, respectively. After 4-6 weeks in vermiculate and 5-7 weeks in WA; complete apothecia were frequently produced in great numbers. On the basis of these results and considering that under natural conditions more than 8 months is needed for apothecium production, this method is proposed for obtaining enough ascosporic inoculum for laboratory and greenhous studies.

Karyotype and C- banding pattern in 12 populations of Aegilops tauschii from different geogiaphicallocations of north and north-west ofIran were studied. Aceto-iron-hematoxilin and Giemsa C- banding "techniques were used for chromosome staining and banding patterns analysis, respectively. Chromosome. characteristics were measured using Micromeasure software. The results this study revealed that the D genome of this species consisted of 7 pairs of metacentric chromosomes, one of them was SAT chromosome (5D). Each of the haploid chromosomes, having a distinctive banding pattern, was easily recognizable. The populations showed minor differences in karyological characteristics. Banding patterns of the populations were similar not only to each other but alSo to those of the standard karyotype of this species. Although, a large miinber of monomorph bands were observed in comparison with those of standard karyotype, "indicating close geographical- relationship of these populations, some polymorphic bands in chromosome arms were observed between the populations. The varieties of this species also did not show considerable differences in karyological characteristics and C-banding patterns.

A split plot factorial experiment based on randomized complete block design, with three replications was conducted to study the effects of four irrigation regimes (I1, h2, h3 and I4: irrigating plants after 40, 60, 80 and 100mm evaporation from class A pan, respectively) and four plant densities (D1=30, D2=40, D3=50 and D4=60 Plants/m2) on vegetative and reproductive characteristics and seed yield of three soybean cultivars (V1= Habit, V2= Williams and V3=Hill) for two years (200 I and 2002). Irrigation treatments were assigned to the main plots, and plant densities and cultivars to the sub-plots. The results showed that the highest and lowest seed yields were produced by h and 4 treatments, respectively. It was also revealed that the highest seed yield was produced by V2 with plant density of D3, and lowest by V3 with D1 plant density. Highest growth of vegetative and reproductive characteristics was also due to I2 irrigation regime. Lower plant densities decreased seed yields of single plants, while it increased the yield per unit area. Vegetative and reproductive growth of most of the single plants characteristics decreased by higher plant populations per unit area. Varietal responses to different plant populations were different in such a way that V1, V2 and V3 produced highest seed yields with 60 plants/m2 (D4), 50 plants/m2 (D3) and 40 plants/m2 (D2) respectively.

Six Iranian silkworm hybrids (31x32, 103x104, 107x108, 109x110, 111x116, 113x118) and three silkworm hybrids from Japan, China and Thailand were tested. Two varieties of improved Japanese Ken Mochi (KM) and Guilan native mulberry were used for larva feeding. The cocoon weight, shell cocoon weight and percentage of cocoon shell of the samples were recorded individually and the obtained data were analyzed. The effects of genetic group, type of leaf and sex were statistically significant (P<0.05). The hybrids 113x118 and 31x32 with 0.577g and 0.422g had the highest and the lowest larval weight of fourth instars, respectively and hybrids 111x116 and 31x32 with 1.33g and 0.937g had the highest and the lowest larval weight of fifth instars, respectively. Thai hybrids with 1.665g and 107x108 with 1.361g had the highest and the lowest cocoon weight, respectively.Whereas these two groups had the highest (0.381g) and the lowest (0.287g) an10unt of shell cocoon weight, respectively. The Japanese hybrids had 23.3%, whereas 107xl 08 and 109x110 hybrids with 21.3% had the highest and the lowest percentage of cocoon shell, respectively. Those larva which had been fed with improved mulberry leaves produced cocoons weight of 1.577g, shell weight of 0.360g and percentage of shell cocoon of 23.3%; whereas the data for those larva which had been fed with native mulberry leaves were 1.501g, 0.328g, and 22%.The average cocoon weight, shell cocoon weight and percentage of cocoon shell for females were 1.700g, 0.350g and23.3%, while these figures for male cocoons were 1.378g, 0.338g, and 24.7%, respectively. Hybrids 31x32 had the highest cocoon yield (67.14%) and the lowest percentage of mortality (32.86%). Whereas Japanese hybrids had the lowest cocoon yield (36.87%) and highest percentage of mortality (63.13%). The highest and lowest percentage of best cocoon belonged to 113xl18 (70.76%) and 107x 108(44.81%) groups. With regard to the better performance of some Iranian silkworm hybrids in the Iranian experimental condition, imports of silkworm egg from overseas will not necessarily yield to an increase in production. In the case where it is necessary to import silkworm egg, it should be investigated the type of foreign hybrids which are best adapted Iranian climates. Different performance of Iranian hybrids under different feeding conditions, indicates the need for the evaluation of the hybrids in various rearing situations in order to identify the proper hybrids for each region.

An experiment was carried out during 2000-2001 growing season to determine the adaptability and productivity of 25 new rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) cultivars under cold condition of Urmieh region. A randomized complete block experiment with four replications at Nakhjavani Agr. Res. Station of Kahriz - Urmieh (37o, 53 N and 45o, 10E) was used. The results obtained from the experiment showed significant differences at 1% level with respect to the seed and oil yield of cultivars, Fall cultivars, DP. 94. 8, Rigent Cobra hybrid, Cocktail, Consul and SLM046 (control) with optimum agronomic characteristics such as establishment of suitable rosette before cold season, tolerance to cold and specially better seed, oil and protein yield in comparison to other cultivars, can be cultivated as a suitable alternative for old and low yielding cultivars in of Urumia region. In this research positive and significant correlations of harvest index, pod diameter and 1000 seeds weight with seed yield and negative and significant correlations of cold survival ability and seed oil content with seed yield, were observed.

The effects of density and quality of the seeds of wheat cultivars were studied in two field experiments at Ahwaz Agricultural Research Station (Ramin). In these experiments, the height, density and dry weight of weeds were affected by the density and quality of the wheat seeds. The growth and yield of wheat were also measured in order to evaluate the indirect influence of seed quality on the growth of weeds. The results indicated that the maximum number of weeds (105.6 weeds/m2) could be observed in the treatment with low seed density (200 seeds/m2). The minimum number of weeds (42.5 weeds/m2) was measured when the density of wheat seeds was increased. Moreover, the leaf area index, number of tillers, numbers of spikes and yield components of wheat increased with an increase in the density of wheat seeds. A similar effect to that observed for seed density also holds good for the effect of wheat seed quality. Results indicated that the growth of weeds could be controlled by the quality and density of wheat seeds and could consequently improve the efficiency of chemical control programs.

The GUS gene was used to assess CaMV 35S promoter activity and to optimize an efficient transformation system for canola (Brassica napus). Second generation of transformed canola plants containing kanamycin resistant (KanR) and GUS gene linked to the CaMV 35S promoter were used to histochemically analysis the 35S promoter functions. The GUS inheritance was tested using PCR technique and kanamycin resistant gene. The majority of the seedlings (more than 70%) were kanamycin resistant. Plant segregation pattern for kanamycin resistance revealed that some of the transformants contained more than one T-DNA. Tissue samples from different parts of transgenic plants including callus, shoots and flowers were tested by histochemical analysis. The GUS gene. controlled by 35S promoter was expressed continuously in different parts of the transgenic plants as well as during different developmental stages (before organogenesis, after regeneration and during reproduction). The GUS gene expression studies showed that CaMV 35S promoter is a strong promoter which can express the transformed gene in different tissues at different developmental stages in canola.

Excess nitrate in foodstuff is dangerous for human health, and is necessary to control its content in plant products. In this study, the effects of amounts and sources of nitrogen fertilizers and harvesting time on the yield and nitrate accumulation in Koral cultivar of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) were studied. This research was carried out using split-plot design with 16 treatments in three replicates in the 1999/2000 crop season at Kahriz Agricultural Research Center in West Azarbaijan, Iran. The main plots consisted. of harvesting time (morning and evening), subplots included two levels of N sources (ammonium nitrate and urea) and four levels of application rates of 0, 120, 180, 240 kg.N ha-1. The results showed that there was a significant relationship between application rate and yield at of 5%level and maximum yield was obtained using 180 kg pure N ha-1. The effect of harvesting time on nitrate content was also significant (5% level). The nitrate content of afternoon harvest was lower that of than the morning harvest. Tomato nitrate content was also correlated (%1 level) with the rate of application. The interaction between the amounts and the sources of nitrogen fertilizers was also significant. According to the results, maximum yield with the minimum nitrate accumulation was observed at 180 kgNh-1 either as urea or ammonium nitrate, Tomato yield or nitrate content were not affected by N-source.