Iranian Journal of Crop Sciences
Year:2013 | Volume:15 | Issue:3 (59)|Papers Count:7

To investigate the effect of deficit irrigation on dry forage yield, protein and fiber content of maize (KSC 704), a field experiment was conducted using complete randomized block design with four treatments and three replications in 2007 and 2008 at research farm of faculty of agricultural science of University of Guilan in Rasht, Iran. The experimental treatments included; 50% (I3) full irrigation as the control, 75% (I2) and 100% (I1) of Total Available Water (TAW) depletion, and non-irrigated (I0) or rainfed conditions. Results of combined analysis of variance showed that irrigation regime significantly affected the dry forage yield, total protein content and irrigation water productivity index (P<0.01) and stem dry weight proportion (P<0.05). Mean comparison showed that dry forage yield, ear dry weight proportion (%) and total protein content increased by decreasing irrigation, however, I3 and I2 were not significantly different. The mean dry forage yield and total protein content of I3, I2, 100%I1 and I0 treatments were 15984.4, 14948.9, 12165.3 and 10418.4 kg.ha-1 and 5.0%, 4.7%, 5.3% and 6.0%, respectively. The water productivity index also differed in different irrigation regimes, and the highest water productivity index (9.4 kg.m-3) was observed I1 and the lowest (3.7 kg.m-3) in I3.Considering the results of this experiment, it can be concluded that application of 75% (I2) of total available water depletion will be adequate for producing dry forage of maize with desirable quality in Rasht region in Iran.

The aim of this experiment was to evaluate the integrated fertilizer management of forage chicorycv.Grassland Puna as affected by harvest time and cutting frequency in spring sowing conditions in Mashhad, Iran.A field experiment was conducted with three replications, at research farm of Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran, in 2006 and 2007. In 2006, application of different fertilizers (10 ton manure ha-1, 20 ton manure ha-1, 30 ton manure ha-1, chemical NPK fertilizer (125, 75 and 100 kg of urea, triple super phosphate and potassium sulfate ha-1, respectively), 10 ton manure ha-1+chemical NPK fertilizer, 20 ton manure ha-1+chemical NPK fertilizer and control (no manure or chemical fertilizer)) were assigned to main plots and three harvest time (06 August, 19 August, 02 September) randomized in sub plots. In 2007, above mentioned fertilizer treatments, three harvest time (20 April, 08 May and 20 May) and two cutting in 50-60% flowering stage (after harvest and due to plant re-growth) considered as main plots, sub-plots and sub-sub plots, respectively. Experimental data was analyzed as split plot design in the first year (there was no frequent cutting) and collected data were analyzed as split-split plot design in time in the second year. Results revealed that, in the first and second years, highest dry matter (forage) yield was observed in the third harvest. In the first and second years, dry matter yield on third harvest (2707.1 and 4399.5 kg.ha-1, respectively) increased by 81 and 19 %, as compared to the first harvest (1496.8 and 3702.9 kgha-1, respectively), respectively. Based on results dry matter yield in the first cutting (5886.7 kgha-1) was significantly higher as compared to second cutting (2365.1 kg.ha-1). It can be concluded that in the semi-arid region of Iran, organic manure or integrated management of chemical and organic fertilizers can effectively contribute to increasing nutrient uptake and forage yield of chicorycv. Grassland Puna.

To investigate the effect of organic, biological and chemical fertilizers on flower and corm yield of saffron, a field experiment was conducted in 2010-2011 and 2011- 2012 at faculty of agriculture, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran, using complete randomized block design with seven treatments and three replications. The experimental treatments included: 1) Glomus mosseae, 2) Glomus intraradices, 3) manure 60 t.ha-1+G. mosseae, 4) manure 60 t.ha-1+G. intraradices, 5) Dalfard chemical fertilizer, 6) Bioaminopalis biofertilizer and 7) no application of fertilizer as control. Analysis of variance showed that fertilizer treatments had significant effect on number and yield of corm. Results also revealed that application of 60 t.ha-1 manure+G. intraradices and Dalfard chemical fertilizer had the highest effect on increasing total corm yield (by 35 and 46%, respectively). In the second year, 60 t.ha-1 manure+G. intraradices and Dalfard chemical fertilizer had significantly greater effect on flower.m-2 (by 70 and 45%, respectively) as compared to control treatment.However, in the first and the second years, effects of G. mosseae and G. intraradices were not significant on increasing dry flower and corm yields of saffron. It can be concluded that low efficiency of biofertilizers is influenced by low organic matter in the soil.

This experiment was conducted at research field of Shahid Chamran University in 2010 -2011 growing season as split plot arrangement in randomized complete block design with four replications. Two bread wheat cultivars (Chamran and Star) were assigned to main plots and plant nutrients including; foliar application of Putrescine, boron, molybdenum in booting and tillering+booting stages (from the source of Nitrate Balancer), phosphorus and potassium in booting and booting+tillering stages (from the source of Basfoliar active), nutrients foliar application chelated by Glycin amino acid in the tillering stage (from the source of Biomin). B, Fe, and Mo micronutrients in the tillering stage (from the source of Flower power), and control conditions (without any foliar application of nutrients) were randomized in sub-plots. Results showed that foliar application of Nitrate Balancer increased grain yield in Star and Chamran cultivars (88.8% and 91.1%, respectively), and also increased yield components, starch, and protein content compared to control. The highest grain yield belonged to Nitrate Balancer in the tillering+booting stages in Chamran and Star cultivars (11890 and 11520 kg.ha-1, respectively). The lowest grain yield measured was in the control conditions for Chamran and Star cultivars (6290 and 6030 kg.ha-1, respectively). The longest effective grain filling period (EFP) was observed in the foliar application of Nitrate Balancer in the tillering+booting stages of Chamran and Star cultivars (45.7 and 53.8 days, respectively). The shortest EGFP was in the control treatment of cultivars (30.1 and 27.6 days, in Chamran and Star, respectively). The highest leaf area duration (LAD) was obtained in the foliar application of Nitrate Balancer in tillering+booting stages compared to control.. In all foliar application treatments, the grain yield had positive and significant correlation with grains.pikelet-1, spikelet.spike-1, harvest index, grain weight, and spike.m-2. It can be concluded that Putrescine and nutrients application enhanced leaf area duration of flag leaf, effective grain filling period and finally increased grain yield.

To examine the effect of water stress on grain yield and remobilization of dry matter in winter bread wheat genotypes, two field experiments were conducted in Agricultural Research Station of Miandoabin West Azerbaijan in 2007-2008 and 2008-2009 cropping seasons. Treatments were arranged as split plot based in complete randomized block design with four replications. Irrigation levels (irrigation after I1=70, I2=100, I3=130 and I4=160 mm evaporation from Class-A pan) were assigned to main plots, and 10 winter bread wheat genotypes (Zarrin, Alvand, Shahryar, Sardari, C-80-4, C-81-10, C-81-4, C-83-3, Zareh and Pishgamwere randomized in subplots. The highest grain yield was obtained forcv. Zarrin (6950 kg.ha-1) in well-watered and for Pishgam (4422 kg.ha-1) in severe water deficit conditions. Results showed that there were significant differences between genotypes in remobilization of stem dry matter. Severe water deficit increased the remobilization of stem pre-anthesis reserved assimilates by 23%. Pishgam cultivar had the highest remobilization (41%) under severe water deficit conditions. The positive significant correlation between grain yield and grain weight, harvest index and remobilization of dry matter, indicated that these traits can be used for identifying drought tolerant high yielding genotypes in winter wheat breeding programs.

To evaluate the capability of different spring bread wheat genotypes for storage and remobilization of stem water soluble carbohydrates (WSC) and their response to heat stress conditions during grain filling period, a field experiment was carried out as factorial arrangement in randomized complete block design with three replications in 2010-2011 growing season under Ahwaz conditions in Iran. The experimental factors consisted of 10 medium maturity spring bread wheat genotypes (Chamran, Atrak, Aflak, Dez, Falat, Darab-2, Kavir, Pishtaz, S-78-11, S-83-3) and two sowing dates; optimum (12 November) and the late sowing date (21 December). Results showed that spring bread wheat genotypes were significantly different in stem specific weight, WSC concentration and content, stem WSC remobilization and its efficiency. In heat stress conditions in the late sowing date, the amount of WSC remobilization from stem to grain and its efficiency increased by 29% and 33%, respectively. In both sowing dates, maximum stem specific weight had significant association with maximum WSC concentration and the amount of remobilized WSC, and it was considered as a suitable criteria for selecting genotypes with maximum storage and remobilization capability of stem reserves. In the late sowing date, grains.pike-1 was positively correlated with WSC remobilization. This implies the effect of sink strength on increasing water soluble remobilization. However, there was no simple relationship between grain yield and stem reserves remobilization under heat stress conditions during grain filling period. Some genotypes supported grain growth either by maintaining green leaf area and current photosynthesis or by increasing remobilization of more stem reserves, under heat stress conditions.