JOURNAL OF CROP BREEDING
Year:2021 | Volume:12 | Issue:36|Papers Count:21

Salinity is one of the most important abiotic environmental stresses and is one of the most important factors in reducing the growth and yield of crops including wheat. Wheat is one of the most important crops in Iran and Wheat peloid levels are an important source of excellent genes, and it is highly desirable to study these species for use in breeding activities. Diploid wheat has 27 different species, among them T. boeticum is the most widespread type of wild wheat being distributed in the cold semi-western regions of the country. This study was conducted in 2009 at Graduate University of Advanced Technology on two different genotypes of T. boeticum wheat, which belongs to Kurdistan and Lorestan of Iran. The seeds of these wheat were cultured in the winter of 2018 as a factorial experiment in a completely randomized design with 3 replications and statistically analyzed at two levels of salinity stress of 0 and 125 mM. The results of analysis of variance of traits including photosynthetic pigments, soluble sugars, proteins, phenols, proline, ionic leakage, relative humidity, hydrogen peroxide, root length, some antioxidant enzymes and measurement of sodium and potassium showed that There is a significant difference between the genotype levels and salinity stress levels as well as the interactions between the two treatments in terms of the studied traits.

Nowadays salt tolerance of crops is becoming more and more important, owing to the constant increase of salinity in arid and semi arid regions. This research was carried out in order to test of different salinity levels effects on yield of barley (Hordeum Volgar L. ) genotypes, in split plot experiment on the base of Randomized Completely Block Design with 3 replications. Salinity treatment involved 5 levels: S1 (control)=EC 4. 5 ds/m, S2=EC 7. 5 ds/m, S3=EC 10. 5 ds/m, S4=EC 13. 5 ds/m and S5=EC 16. 5 ds/m as main plot and subplots were 9 genotype involved promising lines and varieties. The effect of salinity treatments studied by sampling on yield and tolerance indices, such as geometric mean productivity (GMP), stress susceptibility index (SSI), mean productivity (MP), stress tolerance index (STI), tolerance index (TOL) and yield reduction ratio (Yr). Result showed significant decrease in yield by increasing in salinity levels. The best performance belonged to ValFajr and MBS8715 genotypes, and MP, GMP and STI were determined as major and suitable indices for selecting cultivars with high yield under different levels of salinity stress and non-stress conditions.

Grain quality in rice is one of the main determinants of marketability and product sales. The aim of this study was to investigate the quality of different rice genotypes in different environments and to identify the genotypes with desirable quality. In this trial, qualitative characteristics of 16 rice genotypes, six introduced lines, 8 parental genotypes and 2 genotypes as control in Amol and Sari regions were investigated. In this study, grain yield and some quality traits of rice included: conversion efficient, total rice percentage, fraction of rice, seed length before cooking, grain size before cooking, grain length after cooking, grain elongation ratio after cooking, amylase content, gel consistency and the gelatinization temperature was evaluated. Simple ANOVA results showed a significant difference between genotypes for all traits in both environments. Combined analysis of variance was performed after ensuring the homogeneity of error variances. The results showed a significant effect of genotypes, indicating a genetic difference between different genotypes, genotype in environment interaction was significant as well. The results of the mean comparison showed that most of the studied genotypes had moderate amylose content, low gelatinization temperature and gel consistency range of 40-70. Most of the qualitative traits showed negative correlation with non-meaningful performance. In conclusion, the results of this experiment showed that line 2 (Sepidrood/IR58025A) has a higher quality than the other lines, because it has a moderate amylose (22%), moderate gelatinization temperature (score 3), and high gel consistency (71/5 mm) under two environments. However, yield of these three lines in contrast to the rest of the investigated lines based on two environments had a lowest mean (3925 kha ). Therefore, when the yield was increasing, the quality has been decrease.

Soybean has a lot of food and industerial uses. There is a growing demand for various soybean production, due to its nutritional value, wich included high protein and variety of vitamins and minerals. In order to evaluate and compare the yield of pure soybean lines in terms of important agronomic traits and grain yield, 20 top pure lines and two cultivars Sari and Caspian as control, were studied in a randomized complete block design with three replications, in four regions including Gorgan, Sari, Moghan and Dezful during two crop years 2017-18. It should be noted that the lines in this project were breeded and pured, through the hybridization between cultivars and selection in generations separated by pedigree and single-pod methods during the breeding programs. The results of the combined analysis showed that the response of genotypes varied during the two years and in different locations in terms of the grain yield. furthermore, the interaction between location and genotype on plant height and number of pods per plant was statistically significant. Mean comparison showed that G17 and Sari genotypes with average yield of 3215 and 3032 kg/ha had the highest grain yield in three regions of Sari, Gorgan and Moghan and were among the top cultivars in this study. G20 genotype with an average yield of 3093 kg/ha in two regions of Gorgan and Moghan, G14 with the yield of 3073 kg/ha in two regions of Gorgan and Dezful, also Caspian and G4 respectively with an average yieald of 2991 and 2944 Kg/ha in the two regions of Sari and Moghan were the superior cultivars with regard to the grain yield.

Sesame is one of the oldest and most important oilseeds in Iran and the world due to its nutritional value. In the present study, 25 sesame landraces collected from different regions of the country were evaluated in terms of phenological, morphological and physiological traits in Urmia climate. The ANOVA results showed that there was a statistically significant difference between the landraces in terms of all traits at 1 % probability level. The results of descriptive statistics also confirmed this. Leaf index, number of branches per plant and number of capsules per plant had the highest phenotypic and genotypic diversity coefficient, while day to flowering and capsuling along with oil percentage had the lowest value for these coefficients. Seed yield as the most important trait had a moderate general heritability. The studied sesame landraces were divided into three groups by cluster analysis. The landraces in the first group were in good condition in terms of yield and yield components traits, and if the goal is to select high-yield genotypes, selection from this group will be more effective. In contrast, the third group, which included only one landrace, showed lower values in terms of yield and yield components and had longer-term phenological stages. In principal component analysis, the first component showed positive correlation with yield and yield components except of two hundred grains weight. The results of the present study can be used in sesame future breeding programs.

To obtain a higher percentage of callogenesis and consequently the maximum number of plantlets, plant tissue culture conditions must be optimized prior to any transformation protocol. To this end, a factorial experiment using completely randomized design (CRD) with four replications was carried out to assess the effect of cultivar (Marfona and Agria), type of explants(leaf and internode), Kanamycin concentration (50 mg/l and 100 mg/l) and medium (A, B, C, D1, D2) on callogenesis. Explants were transformed with pBIN19 construct harboring nptII. Analysis of variance of percentage of callogenesis trait showed that effect of tissue culture medium, type of explants, cultivar, type of explants × cultivar, type of explants × medium × kanamycin concentration and type of explants × cultivar × tissue culture medium were significant (P≤ 0. 05). Results of this study suggested that D2 tissue culture medium containing 2 mg/l zeatin produced a higher amount of callus (92. 5 percent). The lowest percentage of callus formation was observed in medium C with internode explants. When zeatin was the only growth hormone regulator, a higher percentage of callogenesis was observed. Moreover, leaf explants exhibited superiority over internode and marfona cultivar over agria counterparts, respectively. Results of these experiments showed that callus tissues from internode explants responded better to shoot regeneration in comparison to leaf driven calli. In conclusion, results of this study suggest, marfona leaf explants in the pretense of zeatin can be used for callus induction.

Indigenous diploid cotton is cultivated in many areas of country due to the saline soil and water. To study adaptability and seedcotton yield stability of three promising native cotton lines selected from interspecific hybrids of G. herbaceum & G. arboreum including three lines along with two diploid controls were planted in a randomized complete block design in four locations (Kashmar, Nishabour, Sabzevar and Feyz-Abad for two years 2017-2018. Number of opened and closed bolls in plant, crown diameter, seedcotton yield, boll weight, Number of vegetative and fertile stems, plant height, fiber percentage and earliness were measured. Combined analysis of variance for two years and four locations were performed. Finlay and Wilkinson linear regression coefficient and, Lin and Binns parameters, were used for determination of stable cultivars. Interaction of year × location × genotype on seedcotton yield was significant. Genotype KD-92-11 with 58. 02%, KD-92-19 with 57. 92% and KD-92-17 with 56. 94% had the highest early maturity. The line KD-92-17 with 1030 Kg/h, had the highest seedcotton. Also, KD-92-17 with 20. 1 and 19. 1 produced the highest fertile branch and open boll among diploid lines, respectively. Results of stability analysis with Lin and Binns method showed that KD-9219 had the lowest inside location variance for seedcotton yield. The KD-92-19 had the highest yield stability and can be recommended for locations that have saline irrigation water and soil.

In order to investigation of genotype-environment interaction is essential for selecting compatible and stable genotypes in plant breeding. For this order analysis of genotype × environment interaction and identify barley stable genotypes for warm and humid regions, this study conducted in a randomized complete block design with 4 replications and 16 genotypes with two check cultivars in Gachsaran, Moghan, Khorramabad and Gonbad regions for three years (2018-2020). Results of combined analysis of variance for grain yield showed that the effects of genotype and genotype × environment interaction were significant. In order to evaluate yield stability, parametric methods including variance and regression-based methods were used. Results showed that the genotypes 1, 3, 6 and 8 using variance-based methods and the genotypes 1, 6, 12, 13 and 15 using regression-based methods were stable genotypes. Because of different result that obtained from stability analysis methods, the SIIG index was used for grouping of genotypes based on all stability parameters. The check variety of Khorram and Mahoor and genotype 13 and 6 had the highest value of SIIG index and were the most stable genotypes. Genotypes 3, 4, 5 and 9 were the most unstable genotypes. The check varieties and genotype 13 with the high yield had the high agronomic stability and are suitable for high yield areas. Despite of high stability, genotype 6 had the lowest yield and its stability is biological type and thus is suitable for low yield areas.

The existence of genotype– environment interaction requires that the performance of genotypes be tested in a wide range of environmental conditions so that the resulting information can increase the efficiency of their selection and introduction. For this purpose, this study using 11 selected lines from uniform national experiments, along with control figures of Saral and Anna and two advanced lines in the form of complete randomized block design with four replications and in four cold regions of the country (Maragheh, Urmia, Kurdistan And Hamedan) was carried out in three years (2016-19). The results of combined analysis showed that the effects of year, location and genotype, as well as the interaction effects on grain yield were statistically significant. The polygonal view of GGE biplot showed that the G6 genotype had the highest yield in Kurdistan location, On the other hand, G13 genotype had the highest yield in Hamedan, Maragheh and Urmia locatins and was in the second place in Kurdistan locatin which shows that this genotype has high yield stability in all stations. The ranking of genotypes based on average grain yield and stability in studied environments showed that G4 and G15 genotypes were less stable than other genotypes. Also, the G4, G10, G12 and G6 genotypes had average and relatively unstable yield. Also, the G15 genotype had low yield and low stability, and the G13 genotype had high yield and stability. In the end, it was found that genotype 13, with higher yield potential and greater stability, performed better than the two cultivars Anna and Saral as a check, and was introduced as a genotype close to ideal, and could be recommended for farming programs and adaptive research experiments.

Rice bacterial blight caused by Xanthamonos oryzae pv. oryzae is one of the most destructive bacterial diseases of rice in some areas of rice cultivation in the world, especially in the tropics of Asia. The low efficiency of disease management methods, especially chemical methods, has led to more research on recognizing resistant cultivars and understanding resistance mechanisms through the study of biochemical interactions and recognition of resistant genes. This study aimed to evaluate the resistance of 24 commercial Iranian rice cultivars against bacterial blight and to study some mechanisms of resistance at biochemical levels and the pattern of PAL gene expression by the qRT-PCR method. The results of the greenhouse assessment showed that different cultivars varied in the development of leaf spot length as the most important trait for disease evaluation. The Khazar and Nemat commercial cultivars at the highest level of resistance and the Tarom (mahalli) and Dilamani cultivars showed the highest sensitivity based on the evaluation index (quantitative resistance) of this disease. Biochemical evaluation of Catalase, guaiacol peroxidase, superoxide dismutase enzymes and total phenol in the resistant and sensitive cultivar shows the high activity of these enzymes in the resistant cultivar compared to the sensitive cultivar in the early hours after inoculation. The difference between resistant and sensitive cultivars was significant at the level of one percent. The PAL gene expression rate was also significantly higher in the resistant Caspian cultivar in the early hours (12h) after inoculation than the sensitive cultivar. Overall, it seems that the induction of the PAL gene and the subsequent increase in the accumulation of oxidative and antioxidant enzymes in the resistance of Khazar cultivar to the sensitive cultivar of Tarom, it is part of the defense mechanism of rice against Xoo bacteria.

Understanding the reaction form and biochemical response of wheat cultivars about the salinity stress can help to better understand the defense mechanisms and identify the indicators and biomarkers of tolerance screening for salinity stress in this strategic plant and other field crop. For this purpose, biochemical traits related to salinity tolerance of wheat cultivars were evaluated as a factorial experiment based on a completely randomized design with tree replications. Experimental factors included wheat cultivars (Sarc 6 as tolerant cultivar and Chinese spring as susceptible cultivar) and sampling time series (control, 6, 12, 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours) after salinity stress. Salinity stress with a concentration of 250 mM of sodium chloride was applied to uniform 10-day seedlings in the two-leaf stage and sampling of shoot and root was performed. The studied traits included the ratio of potassium to sodium (K ), malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POX), and polyphenol oxidase (PPO). The results of analysis of variance showed that the effects of the cultivar (excluding peroxidase), the effects of time and the interaction of cultivar and time in all the studied traits, were significant. In one hand, the interaction results of cultivar and time indicated that the trend of changes in the studies traits were different, depending on the type of cultivar, the studied plant part and the sampling time. On the other hand, they also specified that the salinity stress was generally reduced the K+ Na-, increased the MDA and surged the activity of antioxidant defense enzymes in shoot and root of the studied cultivars as compared to control conditions (zero time). The results of group comparisons not only confirmed the efficiency and dominance of the Sarc 6 tolerant cultivar antioxidant defense system against the sensitive cultivar of Chinese springs, but it also emphasized the benefits of K+ /Na +, SOD, and CAT biomarkers for wheat screening.

Studying the genetic structure of crops, including wheat, has always been one of the research priorities to increase the efficiency of breeding methods. In order to genetic analysis of some agronomic traits of bread wheat using generation mean analysis (GMA), all produced generations along with relevant parents of the two populations (Marvdasht × Rasoul and Marvdasht × Shahpasand) were evaluated in a randomized complete block design with three replicates under normal and terminal drought stress conditions in Razi University during 20152016 cropping season. Weighted analysis of variance showed the significant differences among generations for the most of the traits in two conditions. The results of GMA revealed that although the mode of inheritance differed in the crosses for the most of the traits, but additive, dominance gene effects and different types of epistasis had the roles in the heritability of the most traits. Among these gene effects, the role of dominance gene effect was higher and therefore, selection should be delayed to later generations. However, the role of fixable gene effects in the heritability of the traits such as stem diameter, awn length and number of spikelets per spike (both crosses), plant height and peduncle length (Marvdasht × Shahpasand), was almost equal or more than dominance gene effect indicating the usefulness of selection in early generations for these traits. The broad-sense heritability for kernel yield was estimated as nearly moderate for both crosses under both conditions, but the narrow-sense heritability was low under both conditions. Results of analysis of variance obtained from regression method showed that fixable-gene effects had higher relative contribution of generation sum of squares for most of the traits than non fixable-gene effects at both crosses under both conditions. The model of genetic control for the most of the traits was similar under both conditions for both crosses and it has not been widely affected by drought stress.

In order to study of agronomic, physiological characteristics, drought tolerance and to identify Agro-physiological traits associated with drought tolerance, 19 durum wheat genotypes consisting of 17 advanced breeding lines and two control cultivars (Saji and Zahab) were evaluated in a randomized complete blocks design with three replicated under both stress (rainfed condition) and non-stress (supplementary irrigation) durum 2017-18 cropping season at Sararood rainfed agricultural research station, Kermanshah, Iran. The genotypes were assessed for grain yield, agro-physiological traits, and some yield-based drought tolerance indices such as stress tolerance index (STI), geometric mean productivity (GMP), mean productivity (MP), tolerance index (TOL), stress susceptible index (SSI) and yield stability index (YSI). Based on the results of ANOVA and mean comparison, significant differences were observed among the genotypes for the statued traits. The genotypes URRACA، BERKMEN//68. 111/WARD و ALTAR 84/STINT//… had the highest grain yield under both stress and non-stress conditions. Based on the genotype x trait biplot analyses, the correlations of studied traits with grain yield was not consistent across both water stress conditions, showing the effect of drought stress on grain yield and the contribution of the traits to yield productivity in durum wheat genotypes. Under stress condition the grain yield was positively associated with spike length, the number of grains per spike (NGPS), grain filling period, biological yield (BY), and days to heading, while under non-stress condition the grain yield positively correlated with NGPS, BY and harvest index. Assessment of genotypes based on drought tolerance indices indicated that the STI, GMP, and MP strongly associated with grain yield under both stress and non-stress conditions; thus, selection of genotypes based on these indices will increased grain yield in both conditions. Based on the results, genotype No. 12 (URRACA) with the highest drought tolerance found to be highest yielding genotype in both conditions. This genotype showed 39. 8% superiority than the best control (Zahab cultivar) under rainfed condition; and showed 15% superiority under supplemental irrigation condition than the best check (Saji cultivar). This genotype was characterized as genotypes with high grain yield, moderate in earliness, high grain filling period, lower stomatal conductance and canopy temperature, and high values of chlorophyll fluorescence, spike length, and biological yield. These agronomic and physiological characteristics increased drought tolerance in this genotype, which may be explored in the durum wheat breeding program.

Breeding new crop cultivars with efficient root systems carries great potential to enhance resource use efficiency, plant adaptation to unstable climates and improve yields. Current study was conducted to investigate the relationship between root characteristics with yield and yield components in 24 lines and cultivar of bread wheat using complete randomized block design with three replications in rainfed conditions of research farm of the University of Zanjan in 2017-18 and 2018-19 growing seasons. The results of combined analysis of variance showed the difference between year and high diversity between genotypes measured for most traits. According to the results of the study of genetic parameters, the highest heritability was related to the number of grains per spike (70. 328%) and the heritability of the most root traits was low. There was a negative correlation between yields with the most root traits but root diameter. The results of sequential path analysis showed that in the first stage of chain 1000-grain weight, number of spikes per square meter and number of seeds per spike affected grain yield, and in the second stage, root dry weight and diameter greater than 25 deep and root volume to a depth of 25 cm cm deep and root dry weight to a depth of 25 with effects on 1000-grain weight, root volume greater than 25 cm cm with effects on spike number per square meter and root volume to a depth of 25 cm with effects on seed number per spike, they Indirectly affected grain yield. The results of factor analysis led to the identification of four factors that explained 82. 45% of the differences between the data. Based on the results of cluster analysis, the studied genotypes were divided into three groups. The cultivars and lines in the second group had the highest yield with the highest root volume, diameter, dry weight, surface and length to a depth of 25 cm.

Using resistant cultivars is an effective method in management Zymoseptoria tritici Blotch and Fusarium Head Blight of wheat. This study was conducted to identify new sources of resistance to these diseases among a large number of Iranian cultivars and new wheat genotypes. The genotypes were cultivated in an augment design in the research farm of Aliabad Katoul Agricultural School. Artificial contamination of the genotypes were done using spreading infected leaves and inoculating with a pathogenic fungal spore suspension. Response of the genotypes to disease-causing were noted. Cluster analysis categorized genotypes into seven groups. Third and fourth groups were allocated as resistant and sensitive, respectively. Genotypes No 3 (Hirmand), 6, 10, 12, 13 (Golestan), 38 (Aftab), 40 (ghabous), 44 (Pishtaz), 51, 52 (shoosh), 59 (Pastor), 64, 68, 73 (Sepahan), 87, 92, 95, 97, 99, 110, 116, 127 (Line 7) and local check cultivar (Ehsan) were classified at group three (resistant). This group had the lowest area under the disease progress curve and showed high resistance to disease. Resistant genotypes identified in this study can be used in breeding programs for pyramiding resistance genes or using backcrossing method.

In this research, 12 selective advanced genotypes of lentil with Kimia and Gachsaran checks were grown for three growing years (2010-2013) in four locations including Gachsaran, Gonbad, Khoramabad and Moghan using randomized complete block design with three replicates in each location. The heatmap plot indicated the variation of seed yield of genotypes in different environments. Mosaic plot showed that the portion of sum squares of genotype (G) and sum squares of genotype by environment interaction (GEI) in total sum of squares (TSS) were 17. 53% and 82. 47%, respectively. The likelihood ratio test (LRT) indicated that the effect of GEI was significant on seed yield and therefore for evaluation of stability of genotypes, singular value decomposition (SVD) was performed on the matrix of best linear unbiased prediction (BLUPs) of GEI. The screet test showed that the first five principal components had a significant contribution in the GEI matrix derived from BLUP, as the first and second principal components explained only 32. 28% and 26. 95% of the GEI variation, respectively. The bilot of first principle component (PC1) of the environment versus nominal yield showed that genotypes 8, 4, 3, 14 and 7, due to the lowest scores of the PC1, had a small share in the GEI and were more stable. Biplot of seed yield versus WAASB (weighted average of absolute scores) placed genotypes in four regions, so that the genotypes 4, 6, 8, 9, 10 and 12 in the fourth region were very productive and stabile due to the large value of response variable (high seed yield) and high stability (low values of WAASB). Identification of genotypes with WAASBY (weighted average of the stability (WAASB) and mean performance (Y)) showed genotypes 4, 6, 8 and 9 as high yielding and stable, and therefore can be candidate for cultivar introduction.

A greenhouse factorial experiment was conducted in completely randomized design (CRD) with three replications to investigate the effect of soil Zn deficiency stress on the expression of three genes involved in the synthesis of metal chelating agents (NAS1, NAS2 and NAS3) in bread wheat. Hamoun and Hirmand (Zn-efficient and inefficient cultivars, respectively) cultivars were planted under Zn deficiency (0 mg Zn / kg soil) and adequacy (5 mg Zn / kg soil) conditions and relative expression of the genes was measured in root and leaf of the cultivars at two growth stages: stem elongation (vegetative stage) and 30% of flowering (reproductive stage) using Real time PCR technique. The results revealed the highest expression of NAS1 (7-fold) and NAS2 (5fold) in Zn deficiency conditions in the root of Zn-efficient cultivar (Hamoun) at reproductive stage and in the leaf of the same cultivar at vegetative stage, respectively. The highest expression of NAS3 (7-fold) was observed in the root of Hamoun cultivar at reproductive stage. The expression of this gene was also enhanced in the leaf of both cultivars at reproductive stage under Zn deficiency conditions. In conclusion, the results of the present study demonstrated that the expression of NAS1, NAS2 and NAS3 genes in Zn-efficient cultivar under Zn deficiency stress was enhanced more than Zn-inefficient cultivar which probably facilitate Zn uptake and translocation in Zn-efficient cultivars through increasing the synthesis of Zn-chelating agents such as nicotianamine and mugineic acid in the root and leaf of the plants.

In order to evaluate the yield, agronomic characteristics and response of sesame promising lines to wilting disease using multivariate methods, an experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design with three replications in 2019. The genetic plant materials evaluated in this study included the superior 20 selected lines along with Oltan as the control cultivar. During the growing season, different traits such as germination percentage, days to flowering, days to maturity, plant height, branching height, first capsule height, number of capsules per plant, capsule length, stem diameter, number of seeds per capsule, number of branches, leaf chlorophyll content, 1000-seed weight and seed yield per hectare were measured. The response of genotypes to fusarium wilt disease was also scored. The results showed that line 20 with 1604 kg/ha had the highest seed yield among the compared genotypes. Evaluation of lines showed that lines 1, 4, 19 and 20 were the most tolerant genotypes to fusarium wilt disease. The most positive and significant correlation was observed between seed yield and number of capsules per plant, leaf chlorophyll content, number of seeds per capsule, plant height, 1000-seed weight, capsule length and germination percentage, but with the number of days to flowering, days to maturity and first capsule height, it was negatively significant. The results of stepwise regression and path analysis of seed yield as a dependent variable and other agronomic traits as independent variables showed that the three traits including number of capsules per plant, number of seed per capsule and stem diameter had the most positive and significant direct effect on yield, respectively. The most indirect effect on seed yield was by the number of seeds per capsule through the number of capsules per plant. Cluster analysis grouped the genotypes into three distinct groups. The first group, including lines 1, 4, 13 and 20, were among the desirable genotypes in most agronomic traits and were well-distinguished from other genotypes by cluster analysis. In general, the results of this study showed that lines 20, 4 and 1 with the highest seed yield per hectare and superior in terms of important agronomic characteristics and tolerant to plant wilting disease, compared to the control cultivar Oltan, were recommended as promising lines in Moghan region.

Moldavian balm (Dracocephalum moldavica L. ) is a medicinal plant belongs to the Lamiaceae family, which is used as stomachic, sedative and healing of wound. Drought stress is one of the most important factors limiting the growth and production of crops and affects on plants at different levels. In order to study the effect of drought stress on some agronomical traits of 14 ecotypes of Dracocephalum moldavica L. and their classification, two experiments (under normal and drought stress conditions, 120 mm evaporation from evaporation pan) was carried out using randomized complete block design with four replications. The traits of shoot fresh and dry weight, plant height, number of auxiliary shoots, leaf length and width, stem diameter, length of biggest internode, essential oil content and yield were measured in this research. The results of combined analysis of variance revealed that drought stress had significant effect on all the studied traits except leaf width and length of biggest internode. Drought stress led to a significant decrease in shoot fresh and dry weight, plant height, number of auxiliary shoots, leaf length and stem diameter and a significant increase in essential oil content and yield. Also there were significant differences (p<0. 01) among ecotypes in all the studied traits and stress × ecotype was significant for fresh and dry weight and length of biggest internode. Faridan, Garmsar, Khomeinishahr and Urmia ecotypes had better performance based on the most studied traits. Studied ecotypes under normal and drought stress conditions were classified in three groups using cluster analysis based on Ward method and using Eucilidian distance. Faridan, Garmsar, Khomeinishahr and Urmia ecotypes are suggested as drought tolerant ecotypes based on cluster analysis using all studied traits.

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of sulfur on morphological traits of promising L17 line of canola at Mazandaran Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center-Baye Kola Research Station based on randomized complete block design with three replications in 1397-1398. In this research, the different traits such as plant height, number of pods in main shoot, total number of pods, number of seed in pod, combinatory height, pod height, oil content, protein content, oil yield and protein yield were measured. The obtained results from analysis of variance showed that the effect of all sulfur treatments on the traits studied were significant at level of 1%. The resultant outcomes of mean comparison exhibited that the sulfur treatments of 200 and 300 kg/ha had the highest effect on the above mentioned traits. In addition, the correlation results indicated that seed yield had the most and positive correlation with 1000 weight seed (0. 831), total pod (0. 672) and number of pod in main shoot (0. 649), respectively. Thus, it is possible to use these traits as selection criteria for further crops improvement of promising L17 line of canola.