JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (JAST)
Year:2020 | Volume:22 | Issue:1|Papers Count:22

Water is the most important input used in agriculture. Due to the scarce water resources and dry and semi-arid climatic conditions of Iran, water demand management has special importance in the whole economy, including the agricultural sector, because this sector has the largest share in water consumption. The purpose of this study was to estimate the water demand function and to analyze the cross and symmetrical relationships between water and other inputs. For this purpose, the Ordinary, Allen, and Morishima's substitution elasticity were calculated, and the substitution and complementary relationship between water and other inputs were determined. These elasticities determine the amount and sign of cross relationship of water. In order to achieve the objectives of research, the translog cost function, along with the input share equations were estimated using iterative seemingly unrelated regressions. The information was related to crops and period (2007-2015) in Qazvin. The results showed that water was a low-elasticity input and its value was-0. 75. Also, the cross elasticity with pesticide, labor, machinery and land was calculated as 0. 71, 0. 99, 0. 93, and 0. 89, respectively, which implied the substitution relationship. Investigating symmetry of elasticities also implies the asymmetry of Ordinary and Morishima elasticities and symmetry of Allen's elasticity with other inputs. In this regard, the cross elasticity of inputs of pesticide, labor, machinery, land and water were calculated as 0. 28, 0. 86, 0. 91, and 0. 90, respectively, indicating the asymmetry of this elasticity. Differences between levels of cross elasticities depend on the cost share of the two inputs and the sign of estimated coefficient.

The self-sufficiency policy for wheat production in Iran has increased external costs for the country besides causing the destruction of water and land resources. Nevertheless, due to various political, economic, and socio-economic reasons, self-sufficiency in wheat production in Iran is a binding policy. According to statistics, an average of about 67 percent of wheat production across the different regions of Iran is irrigated wheat. Thus, in this study, the effect of a guaranteed price policy on the distribution of irrigated wheat land-use in Iran during the period 2001– 2016 was evaluated with an emphasis on the role of the regional differences using the pooled mean group approach. The results indicated that, in the long run, the increase in the irrigated wheat land use in the country would be sensitive toward the increase in the guaranteed price of wheat and the yield per hectare. However, with the rise in the price of barley, in the long run, the irrigated wheat land use would decrease further. In addition, in the short run, the increase in the irrigated wheat land use in most of the western provinces is sensitive to the increase in the yield per hectare, and in most of the central provinces, it is sensitive to the changes in the barley prices. Finally, in order to have adequate land for irrigated wheat in the country, both in the short and long run, it is proposed that the farmers' expectations regarding the guaranteed price policy and improvement in the yield per hectare of this product be satisfied.

The purpose of this study was to analyze effects of using Farmer Field School (FFS) on the economic, social, production, and knowledge status of greenhouse owners in Tehran Province and surrounding, Iran. The research method was a comparative causal study. The statistical population was composed of 80 greenhouse owners who had participated in FFS program as treatment group and 716 owners who had not participated in this program, as the control group. Sample size for non-participant group was determined to be 152 people using the Cochran formula. They were chosen by simple random sampling method. The results of comparative tests indicate that the two groups significantly differ in crop marketability, job creation, production risk, cooperation, participation in social organizations and entities, use of macro and micro fertilizers, application of organic fertilizers, application of pesticides, and technical knowledge of safe crop production. However, there were no significant differences in annual income, marketing, and crop yield. The structural analysis also indicates that the FFS program has had some positive effects on participants in economic, social, production, and knowledge aspects.

Climate change has arisen due to "enhanced greenhouse effect", as a result of human activities and lifestyle. Mitigation of greenhouse gases is dependent on climate change risk perception. Therefore, the present study aimed to provide a conceptual model to determine risk perception and explore whether knowledge about causes and consequences of climate change influence individuals’ environmental attitudes, beliefs in the happening of climate change, and risk perception. The study was designed as a cross-sectional survey. The study sample consisted of 320 undergraduate students who were selected through random sampling. Structural Equation modeling showed that the relationship between knowledge of causes and consequences and risk perception was mediated by environmental attitude and beliefs. Respondents with higher knowledge about the causes and consequences of climate change are significantly more likely to consider climate change as a risk. Knowledge of causes and consequences has a direct effect on the belief that climate change is happening and on environmental attitude, and indirect effect on risk perception. Environmental attitude and belief have a significantly positive effect on risk perception. The suggested model could account for about half of the variance (49%) in risk perception. The results showed that the suggested framework is an effective tool for the prediction of risk perception.

Occupational injuries have several psychological, economic, social, and institutional consequences. Agriculture is a high-risk industry, but occupational injuries are mainly rooted in the behavior of farmers. The present study was conducted using the qualitative approach and the grounded theory method. The study population included members of the Faculty of Agricultural Science and Occupational Health of the School of Medical Science, agricultural experts, occupational health experts, and farmers who were selected through snowball sampling in Kermanshah province in western Iran. The data was collected through interviews. The findings showed that cognitive, personal management, cultural, organizational and economic factors affect agricultural occupational health behavior. In the research model, healthy growers, healthy products, and healthy society were the consequences of the use of appropriate strategies for agricultural occupational health behavior. Designing a native model of healthy behavior to promote occupational health is a step towards reducing injuries among farmers.

The reason for this study was the lack of a coherent work on the role of quantitative characteristics of hydrology and topography in determining the spatial distribution pattern of nomad camps in Iran. In this investigation, Kermanshah Province, in west of Iran, was studied. Quantitative hydrology and Topography indices of the province including Heterogeneity Index (TRI), Topographic Wetness Index (TWI), Altitude, slope, slope direction, stream distance, ridge distance, spring distance, formation type, Topographic Position Index (TPI), Surface Relief Ratio (SRR), and Compound Topographic Index (CTI) were calculated. To determine the results, Pearson correlation and linear regression (for parametric data) and LOWESS regression (for non-parametric data) were used between hydrology and topography data and the camps’ area. Then, the type of spatial distribution pattern and spatial pattern type radius of the camps were determined for each one of the above-mentioned factors using Moran’ s Autocorrelation Index and Ripleys’ K Function, respectively. There was a significant relationship between the TPI index (the steep slope landform) and the camps’ area. In sum, the first priority in determining the regular pattern of nomads in the Kermanshah Province considers two heterogeneity and slope indices, and the second priority is among the rest of hydrology and topography indices. The nomads’ almost identical choices in selecting location of their camps are dependent on access to non-jagged lands, flat lands, the places with more than 600 m distance from the ridges and less than 500 m from the streams and 2 km distance from the springs, special ranges of TWI, CTI and SRR indices, the altitude range of 1, 400 to 2, 000 m above sea level, and establishment in the Landform 3 range of the TPI index and limestone formation.

Participatory approaches have been advocated as ways of increasing knowledge through technology transfer to farmers. Model sites as a participatory approach consist of a Main Unit (MU), owned by the extension local assistant or facilitator, and about 25 subordinate units belonging to the surrounding farmers. These sites disseminate technical knowledge through the MU among the subordinate units. This approach seeks to create synergies among researchers, extension agents, field experts, and farmers to improve the quality and quantity of agricultural products. This investigation, carried out in the production units of Extension Local Assistants (ELA) along with the participation of farmers through the dissemination of knowledge, benefits from the results of a survey through researchermade checklists. The sample population consisted of 724 farmers in Khuzestan Province, Iran, selected through census method, 34 of whom were extension local assistants and the rest (as large as 690) included ordinary farmers. The results showed that the farmers participating in the sites had gained significantly higher quantity and quality of field crops, horticulture, and vegetables production. Degrees of reduction in water consumption, chemical fertilizers, and pesticides application were observed in MU sites and subordinate units. Moreover, in each site, some new technologies were transferred to subordinate farmers. The sites could be considered as demonstration farms for nonmember farmers. This study brings new insights into the impact of synergy between all stakeholders in the form of new agricultural extension approach to improve quantity and quality of field crops, horticulture, and vegetables production, using the capacity of local communities.

The pomegranate Punicagranatum fruit pericarp, contain polyphenolic compounds including alpha and beta punicalagins and ellagic acid, which exhibit remarkable antioxidant activities. The aim of this study was to purify and quantify the phenolic components from different varieties of Pomegranate Pericarp Extracts (PPEs) and determine their antioxidant properties. Methanolic and aqueous extracts of four pomegranate cultivars (Shahvar, Siahsorfeh, Torshsabz and Abdorahimkhany, from Shiraz, Iran) were prepared and total phenolic content of PPEs was determined. PPE components were further purified by XAD-16 column chromatography followed by LH-20 gel filtration. The eluted components were subjected to HPLC analysis to differentiate and quantify polyphenolic compounds. Antioxidant activity was measured using DPPH assay. The result revealed significant difference in total phenolic contents and phenolic components in four cultivars. Total phenolic content in methanolic PPE was significantly (P< 0. 05) higher than aqueous extracts. Shahvar cultivar had the highest total phenols (11. 72± 0. 01 mg mL-1 in water, 17. 7± 0. 12 mg mL-1 in methanol) and exhibited the most antioxidant property among cultivars. Analysis of components of Shahvar PPE by HPLC showed that proportions of different phenolic components were alpha punicalagin (28. 34± 2. 12%), beta punicalagin (39. 75± 2. 14%) and ellagic acid (3. 49± 0. 93%). Antioxidant activity of alpha punicalagin, beta punicalagin, punicalagin (sum of alpha+beta) and ellagic acid was 50. 8, 60. 5, 56, and 27%, respectively. Taken together, these results indicate that PPE of Shahvar cultivar is an excellent source of natural antioxidants and can potentially replace the current synthetic antioxidants in food and pharmaceutical industries.

The aim of this study was to detect the effect of drum-drying parameters on certain physical and chemical properties of apple puree powder. Optimum drying conditions were determined using the Response Surface Methodology (RSM). The qualities of apple puree powder products were investigated in terms of water activity, pH, color, phenolics, antioxidant activity and sensory properties. Apple puree (13 Bx° ) and maltodextrin (10 DE) were used as the raw material and carrier agent, respectively. Steam pressure, rotational speed and the puree/maltodextrin ratio were chosen as variable parameters. The effects of three of the parameters mentioned were found to be statistically significant: water activity, pH, and the a* and b* parameters of the powders (P< 0. 05). In this study, the results showed that the optimum drying parameters and the highest desirability could be obtained for a treatment using a 60/40 apple puree/malodextrin ratio at 3. 5 bar steam pressure and a 1 rpm drum rotation speed.

Date Press Cake (DPC) is a by-product of date fruit juicing, which has remained mostly underutilized in food products. The main objective of this research was to investigate the viability of adding DPC in cake formulation. Thus, different levels (0, 10, 20, 30, and 40%) and particle sizes (210 μ m= DPC210 and 500 μ m= DPC500) of DPC were used in cake formulation. The results showed that DPC had higher fiber, ash, and fat content than cake flour. Increasing the level and reducing the particle size of DPC increased batter consistency, firmness, stickiness, cohesiveness and viscosity. Inclusion of DPC increased cake density, reduced pH and crust moisture content, but these were not affected by DPC particle size. The samples became harder and less cohesive as the level of DPC increased. DPC210 resulted in softer and less cohesive cakes compared to the DPC500. Addition of DPC improved the antioxidant content of the cakes, particularly when DPC210 was added. Overall, the sample produced with 10% DPC210 had acceptable sensory characteristics.

Poultry should be stored in appropriate conditions to prevent its fast spoilage. Using antimicrobial coatings is considered as one of the methods to preserve this product. In this study, Chitosan and Chitosan-Nisin coatings were examined under refrigerated conditions at a temperature of 4° C. The samples were packed in uncoated as the control, Chitosan coating, and Chitosan-Nisin coating groups. The chicken fillets were tested for microbial (total bacterial count, Salmonella count, and staphylococcus aureus coagulase) and physicochemical (pH, color, and texture) features on the first, third, fifth, and seventh days of storage. Based on the results, the Chitosan coating increased the shelf life of fresh chicken under refrigerated conditions by three-days, which demonstrated an inhibitory effect on the overall bacterial growth until the third day. Finally, Chitosan coating demonstrated an antibacterial effect on the Salmonella and positive staphylococcus aureus coagulase until the fifth day. The samples with Chitosan-Nisin were found to be more effective than the Chitosan coated samples. nIi tdd a nI, i the Chitosan-Nisin coated samples prevented the growth of total bacteria including Salmonella, and positive staphylococcus aureus coagulase. Further, it increased the shelf life of fresh chicken under refrigerated conditions at the temperature of 4 ° C for seven days.

Ghee, a nutritional dairy product in Iranian culture, can be easily produced on a small scale. This study was undertaken to analyze fatty acids and volatile compounds of collected ghee samples from different ghee production sites of Iran (Ilam, Kermanshah and Hamedan) using HeadSpace Solid Phase MicroExtraction (HS-SPME) technique. According to the results, palmitic and oleic acids were the dominant fatty acids in all the samples investigated. Further, it might be concluded that compounds such as dodecane, acetone, butyric acid, hexanoic acid, 2-pentanone, 2-heptanone, and 2-undecanone, which are present and might have accumulated as the results of oxidative, hydrolytic, or microbial activities, contribute to the flavor of ghee. Lactones, which are produced at high temperatures, were not collected in any sample except the Hamedan sample (< 1%). Low thermal processing in the ghee production prevented the formation of off-flavor volatile compounds. The qualitative and quantitative parameters determined in this study might be useful in assessing the quality of the ghee and may help the industry to improve its commercial production.

This study investigated partial replacement of nitrite by Pomegranate Peel (PPE) and Pistachio Green Hull Extracts (PGHE) in cooked sausages and their effects on oxidative, microbial, and physicochemical properties of the samples. To this end, 250, 500, 750, 1, 000, and 1, 250 ppm of the two extracts and 100, 80, 60, 40, and 0 ppm of nitrite were added to the sausages and the peroxide and TBARS values, microbial tests, sensory evaluation, and color factors were measured during 30 days storage at 4º C. Antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of both treatments were as well as the control, or sometimes better than it. PGHE treatments had better color factors compared to PPE treatments. Sensory scores of PPE3 and PGHE3 (containing 60 ppm nitrite and 750 ppm of extracts) were not significantly different compared to the control. Thus, reduction of nitrite up to 50% and replacement of it by PPE or PGHE do not cause great changes in quality parameters of sausage and improve its functional properties.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of sumac (Rhus coriaria L. ) administration on the growth performance, immune response, and haematological parameters of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Rainbow trout juveniles with an initial weight of 38± 2. 65 g were allocated into 12 tanks at a density of 15 fish per tank. Fish were fed four experimental diets containing 0% (as control diet), 0. 5%, 2%, and 5% sumac-supplementation for 56 days. After the feeding trial, fish were challenged with Yersinia ruckeri, and survival rate was calculated for 15 days. Sumac diet significantly increased resistance to the pathogen and led to the control of infection in rainbow trout without changing weight. The leukocyte (WBC) and erythrocyte (RBC), lymphocyte, monocyte, and neutrophil value was significantly higher in fish that were fed a sumacsupplemented diet when compared with the control. Serum lysozyme, and alternative complement pathway haemolytic activity (ACH50) as well as the hepatic expression of TNF-α and IL-1b were recorded to be the highest in fish fed 2% and 5% sumacsupplement. Meanwhile, mRNA expression levels of IL-10 significantly decreased in fish fed 5% sumac supplementation for 56 days. These results suggest that sumac administration, especially 2% and 5%, may effectively enhance the immune system, resistance to the pathogen, and hematopoiesis in rainbow trout.

Cabbage aphid, Brevicoryne brassicae (L. ) (Hom.: Aphididae) is an important pest of crucifers and is controlled by different insecticides, especially dimethoate. The toxicity of dimethoate in six populations of the pest from different parts of Iran was assayed using Leaf-dip method. The bioassay results indicated significant difference in susceptibility to dimethoate among the six populations that were investigated. The highest level of resistance to dimethoate was obtained for Mehrshahr (Meh) population (RR= 91. 25). Diethyl maleate (DEM), , piperonylbutoxide (PBO), and triphenyl phosphate (TPP) suppressed the level of resistance to dimethoate, indicating the resistance to this insecticide was caused by glutathione S-transferases (GSTs), mixed function oxidases, and esterases, respectively. Cytochrome P450 monooxygenases and GSTs activity increased, respectively, 2. 7 and 9. 6-fold in resistant population compared with the susceptible one. When α-naphthyl acetate was used as substrate, up to 4-fold increase in esterase activity was observed in resistant population. Moreover, 6. 2-fold elevation in esterase activity was shown in resistant strain when β-naphthyl acetate was the substrate. Overall, the mechanisms of insecticide resistance in cabbage aphid populations from six regions of Iran were related to GSTs, esterase, and cytochrome P450 monooxygenases activities.

The bird cherry-oat aphid, Rhopalosiphum padi (L. ) (Hemiptera: Aphididae), is a serious pest of Poaceae plants, especially wheat and corn, in the world and in Iran. In this study, the demographic parameters of R. padi were determined at seven constant temperatures (8. 5, 15, 20, 25, 27. 5, 29 and 31± 0. 5 ° C), 65± 5% RH, and 14: 10 (L: D) photoperiods on Zea mays L., KSC704 cultivar. The total lifespan, from birth to death, decreased with increasing the temperature from 8. 5 to 29 ° C, but the nymphal stage duration increased a little at 29 ° C. The highest value of life expectancy (ex) was observed at 8. 5 ° C and at 31 ° C, the nymphs died before reaching the adult phase. The percentage of survival for nymphal stages was highest at 15 and 25 ° C, and the net reproductive rate (R0=23. 671 female/generation) had the highest value at 15 ° C. The intrinsic rate of increase (rm) and the finite rates of increase (λ ) increased at the temperature interval of 8. 5 to 25 ° C. At this range, the doubling time (DT) and the mean generation time (T) decreased as the temperature increased. According to the highest value of rm (0. 22 day-1) and λ (1. 134day-1) and also the lower value of T (9. 095 d) and DT (2. 16 d), the temperature of 25 ° C was determined as the optimal temperature and the data showed that the proper temperature range for growth and reproduction of this aphid was between 15-25 ° C. The effect of temperature on reproduction, especially the intrinsic rate of increase (rm), of R. padi would be useful for predicting its long-term population fluctuation over several generations and establishing integrated pest management (IPM) strategies against this pest.

Beneficial association of rhizobial strains with leguminous plants may result in the enhancement of nodulation in the root and overall plant performance. In this study, the efficacy of inoculation was tested with pre-isolated Rhizobium phaseoli R9 and Mesorhizobium ciceri R6 as a single and in combined treatments on common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L. ) in a field experiment at soil salinity level of 5. 6 dS m-1 over two growing seasons. The bacterial inoculations increased the plant height, root and shoot biomass, grain yield, number of nodules per plant, nodule dry weight, and root length of common bean, with a significant difference. Compared to single inoculation, coinoculation of the rhizobial strains was more effective in all plant parameters and increased the seed yield by 35. 1 and 37. 9%, respectively, over the two consecutive seasons compared to the uninoculated control. Chemical analysis showed a significantly (P< 0. 05) higher protein and oil content in the seeds of the co-inoculated plants than those of the control. The result of the experiment showed a strong correlation (r2= 0. 87) between the increased nodule dry weight and seed yield of common bean. It might be concluded that co-inoculation with rhizobial strains could be the most effective biofertilization strategy for achieving greater nodulation and yield of common bean under saline conditions of Uzbekistan.

Seed priming can restore age-induced loss of seed viability or longevity; however, these invigoration responses may vary with priming agents and seed aging duration. The present study investigated the effect of two potassium salts (K-salts) individually and in combination (1: 1) on different lots of muskmelon genotype, MS-1 seeds stored for four consecutive years, from 2013 to 2016 under ambient conditions. The combination of Ksalts significantly enhanced the percent germination of seeds stored for two years (from 2015 to 2016). Further, it also improved root morpho-traits of 10-day-old seedlings. The storage duration had significant effect on the seed surface bacterial and fungal populations. A significantly higher cfu mL-1 microbial counts were recorded for 2013 harvested seeds on three different agar-based media compared to 2014 to 2016 stored seeds. Further, the Scanning EM and FT-IR study revealed the surface microbiological status and functional groups variations, respectively. Thus, aging-related seed coat microflora is responsible for deterioration of the seed coat. Osmo-conditioning cannot restore viability of seeds stored under ambient conditions for more than two years.

Appearance, taste, and bioactive compounds of `Lane Late´ orange fruits on three substandard or semi-dwarfing rootstocks [Forner-Alcaide no. 5, Forner-Alcaide no. 13 and Forner-Alcaide no. 41] were evaluated in Spain against three more traditional rootstocks [Carrizo citrange, Citrus macrophylla and `Cleopatra´ mandarin]. Different harvesting times were identified per rootstock. The most suitable harvesting time for `Lane Late´ orange fruits on `Cleopatra´ mandarin, Forner-Alcaide no. 13 or Forner-Alcaide no. 5 was March, between one and two months later than Citrus macrophylla, Carrizo citrange or Forner-Alcaide no. 41, more relevant date for this late-season navel orange. Despite harvesting `Lane Late´ orange fruits on the most suitable date for each rootstock, significant differences in overall fruit quality were observed among them. Thus, Citrus macrophylla induced the largest size but also the lowest organoleptic quality, Carrizo citrange induced the lowest bioactive compounds content, while Forner-Alcaide no. 5, Forner-Alcaide no. 13 and `Cleopatra´ mandarin induced the highest internal quality. Lane Late orange fruits on Forner-Alcaide no. 41 showed an intermediate behavior.

Nowadays, in environmental planning and management, the approach to protect visually diverse landscapes has been an important component in planning decisions. Visual quality analysis is a method to determine the visual quality and visual preferences of the landscape, by correlating its physical characteristics with perceptual parameters, whereby it is possible to demonstrate the visual potential of a field by converting qualitative definitions into quantitative data. The visual quality of the landscape is widely considered as an important resource worth preserving. Despite making a great effort to determine the factors that guide aesthetic preferences, the consensus in the judgments of people is neglected in most of such surveys. This study examines various types of landscape characters in Altı nsaç and Inkoy Regions (Gevaş /Van) with spatial heterogeneity, because of the region’ s topographic structure and location. The characteristic structure of the region consists of mountains, lakes, forests, natural vegetation landscapes, and wildlife as natural landscapes. Also, road, rural settlement, agricultural landscapes, and historical structures are considered as cultural landscapes. In order to determine the participants’ visual preferences of various landscape types with perceptual parameters, this study focused on consensuses through the Apriori algorithm, which is a data mining tool. Giving reference to define perceptual parameters, a survey with 202 participants was conducted using 9 different landscape character types selected. With questions about the appreciation of the beauty of the landscape scene, the consensuses on the landscape and its relationship with perceptual parameters, such as mysteriousness, typicality, vitality, safety, impressiveness, silence, perspective, degradation, and worth being protected, were examined. It was proven that the higher the visual quality of the landscape, the higher was the observers’ consensus rate. Some suggestions and objectives are presented, based on the data derived from this study.

Plant cells have enough capacity to produce many of secondary metabolites, similar to the whole plants. Elicitation is one of the most significant methods to increase the synthesis of secondary metabolites in the medicinal plants. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of three different hormones on alkaloids production in suspension culture of Papaver bracteatum Lindl., in order to identify the relationship between the alkaloid biosynthesis and gene expression. Inducible factors initiate BenzylIsoquinoline Alkaloids (BIAs) biosynthesis in Opium poppy. The current study investigated the accumulation of alkaloids content and Tyrosine/DopadeCarboxilase (TYDC), Berberine Bridge Enzyme (BBE), Salutardinol Acetyl Transferase (SAT), and Codeinone Reductase (COR) gene transcripts in suspension culture of P. bracteatum. Indole-3-Acetic Acid (IAA), Indole Butyric Acid (IBA) and Gibberellic Acid (GA) were used as hormonal elicitors in the suspension cultures with three different doses and two timings along with the control. This research showed the induction of morphine alkaloid in the suspension culture of P. bracteatum. Elicitation by 20 mg L-1 concentration of IAA after 48 h indicated significant increase in morphine amount. Comparison among genes revealed that the expression levels of COR dramatically increased while TYDC, BBE and SAT had no significant difference compared to the control. After elicitation by IAA, IBA, and GA, the highest levels of morphine were measured as 243. 2, 207. 2, and 178. 1 mg g-1, respectively. The results demonstrated that timing had a significant effect on the hormonal elicitation: 48 h treatment could induce more morphine alkaloids compared to 24 hours treatments.

Retrotransposons (RTNs) are a major source of genomic changes in plant genomes and, therefore, are extensively used as ideal molecular markers for genetic variability, DNA fingerprinting, and genetic mapping studies in plant species. In the present study, two RTNbased marker systems, inter-retrotransposon amplified polymorphisms (IRAPs), and the retrotransposon-microsatellite amplified polymorphisms (REMAPs) were used to assess genetic variability and structure in a collection of 94 durum wheat genotypes. In general, 63 and 141 loci were amplified using 6 IRAP and 15 REMAP primers, respectively. Percentage of polymorphic loci (PPL) in the studied collection for IRAP and REMAP markers were 47. 15% and 47. 81%, respectively. The average of expected heterozygosity (He), number of effective alleles (Ne), and Shannon's information index (I), separately estimated based on IRAP and REMAP data, were not considerably different. A model-based Bayesian method and cluster analysis using Neighbor joining (NJ) algorithm depicted five clusters. A moderate level of inter-group genetic variability was detected among the clusters (11%) obtained from STRUCTUR software (PhiPT =0. 111; P=0. 001) with the vast majority of variation (89%) still uncaptured within groups. Most of the accessions and landraces from Iran aggregated together in clusters I and III with the cultivars from Turkey. Also, Iranian and foreign durum wheat landraces were assigned to different clusters or subpopulations in both clustering methods. In conclusion, the results showed that the genetic diversity of Iranian durum wheat is low and it is necessary to extend the genetic base of durum wheat germplasm in Iran.