Journal of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources
Year:2005 | Volume:11 | Issue:4|Papers Count:19

Cumin in Khorasan is one of the important plants using in medicine and export to the other countries. Due to this importance, this study was conducted to evaluate the effect of different planting methods in dry and wet planting on cumin for two years in Mashhad. Split block design in randomized complete block design was used for this study. Horizontal factors were: a) wet planting b) dry planting. Vertical factors were a) drill planting with Barzgar Hamedan seeder b) planting with alfalfa seeder (grass seeder) c) conventional planting (seed broadcasting by hand+ land leveler). The measured parameters were: number of umbrella in plant, number of seed in umbrella, number of seed in plant, 1000 seed weight and yield (Kg/ha). It was concluded that interaction effect of planting methods and wet and dry planting had significant difference on number of seed in plant in 5% probability area. In addition planting methods had significant effect on yield in first year. In second year, planting methods had significant difference on number of seeds in plant and yield .All means amounts were compared using Duncan' s multiple range test, it showed that, cumin yield by alfalfa seeder, by drill planting and conventional planting (broadcast seeding) in wet planting was obtained 505.3, 523 and 448.3 Kg/ha in first year and 632, 6349 and 558.67 Kg/ha in second years. Results indicated that drill planting with Barzgar Hamedan seeder had the most promising performance and produced the highest yield.  

In order to study the combining ability and gene action for qualitative traits in cotton, six selected genotypes of G.hirsutum and G.barbadense species were crossed in unidirectional diallel design. 15 hybrids with six parents (totally 21 genotypes) were studied in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replication at Karkandeh cotton research station (Kordkouy). Some qualitative traits (lint yield, lint percentage, 2.5% lint length, lint homogeneity, micronair index, fiber strength and lint elongation) were investigated. The results showed significant difference among genotypes (except for fiber strength). Mean square of GCA was significant for all traits (except for lint homogeneity) and mean square of SCA was significant for lint percentage, 2.5% fiber length, fiber strength and fiber elongation. Combining ability study and genetic analysis showed that additive gene action is effective on micronair index and lint homogeneity percent, both additive and non-additive gene actions are effective on other traits. Average degree of dominance at each locus and graphical analysis indicated partial dominance for lint yield, 2.5% fiber length and micronair index and also over dominance effect for lint percentage and fiber strength. On the base of results, the interspecific hybridization is a suitable technique for new hybrid creation, particularly to combine the lint yield of G.hirsutum with the lint qualities of G.barbadense.  

Information on genetic control of agronomic characteristics, inbreeding depression and heterosis effects is needed to improve efficiency of breeding programs. Safflower genotype lines selected from different local populations along with their F1and F2generations were evaluated in this study. Results of generations mean analysis showed that additive and dominance effects play a major role in control of seed yield per plant. Considering the dominance parameter in genetic model, it was concluded that in some crosses responsible alleles for increasing yield per plant were dominant and in other cosses were recessive. Heterosis relative to high parent for seed yield per plant varied from 2.8 to 121.0% in different crosses. Also, one generation of inbreeding decreased (maximum to 18.9%) and increased (maximum to 19.5%) seed yield per plant in deferent crosses. The additive-doinance genetic model explained most of variation among generations for oil content in most crosses, especially IUTKH211×IUTE1449 and IUTH13×IUTE1449. Therefore, selection could improve oil content in variation from -12.6 to 14.9%. Inbreeding decreased (maximum to 7.5%) and increased (maximum to 17.7%) oil content in different crosses. The additive dominance genetic model failed to explain observed variation for days to 50% flowering, 100-seedweight and plant height in most of crosses. This was an indication that epistatic effects might play a considerable role in controlling these traits. Maximum amount of heterosis relative to hight parent for 100-seedweight, days to flowering and plant height were 14.8, 1.9 and 3.1%, respectively. However, inbreeding had no considerable effects on these traits.  

Salinity is one of the main constrains for wheat production in south of Khorasan province. In this region, wild oat (Avena ludoviciana) is one of the noxious weeds which compete with wheat crop. In order to study on the effects of salinity and wild oat density on yield and yield components of wheat (Var. Roushan) a field experiment was conducted during the 2000and 2001 growing season in the Agricultural Research Station of Birjand University. Experimental design was split plot with three replications. Treatments were: Salinity of irrigation water with four levels (1.5, 4.2, 5.5, and 10.5dS/m in the first year and 1.5, 5.5, 7.5 and 10.5 dS/m in the second year) and five wild oat density (0, 20, 40, 80 and 160 plants/m2). "Roushan" variety was used in this experiment. Results showed that grain weight, grain yield and relative grain yield decreased significantly by salinity. However, number of spike/m2, number of grain in spike and harvest index were not significantly affected by salinity. Grain weight in the second year, grain yield and relative grain yield decreased significantly by wild oat density. Nevertheless, number of spike/m2, number of grain /spike, grain weight in the first year and harvest index were not affected significantly by wild oat density. Generally, results of this experiment showed that ability of wild oat competition can reduce under high salinity condition.  

The genetic basis of relative salinity tolerance was assessed at germination stage of rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) cultivars at 0, 100, and 200 mM NaCI salinity, using a 6 parent F2-diallel. The parents were chosen from a larger sample of 20 varieties to reflect the range of tolerance. Analysis of variance for each salinity level showed high significant genotypic differences for coefficient of velocity of germination (CVG) and germination index (GI) at control and for CVG, GI and germination rate index (GRI) at 100 mML-1 NaCl salinity level. At 200 mML-1NaCI, no significant differences obtained among genotypes. At 100 mML-1NaCI, both additive and non-additive effects were significant with the prevalence of dominance gene action over additive effects. Tolerance was controlled by recessive genes in all traits examined. The estimated broad sense heritabilities were high, while narrow sense heritability estimates were low, indicating relatively high dominance gene effects. Analysis of combining abilities showed that both GCA and SCA effects were important in genetic control of germination parameters at control treatment and SCA effects at 100 mM NaCI salinity. Since tolerance was governed by recessive genes, the tolerant parent was one of the poorest specific combiners. Heterotic combinations in some crosses and the existence of significant dominance effects suggested the potential of hybrid rapeseed breeding for soils with salinity problem.  

This experiment was conducted to investigate the drought tolerance in 11 genotypes of soybean at vegetative growth stage. The plants cultivated in form of completely randomized blocks design as a factorial with two factors of drought stress and genotype. The factor of genotype had 11 levels and the factor of drought stress has 4 levels including control, -3, -7 and -11 bar soil water potential. The experiment was done in greenhouse of Gorgan University. The water requirement of plants for each irrigation was calculated with daily scaling of pots and soil moisture curve drawing. The results indicated shoot height, leaf area, dry matter of roots and total plant were significantly reduced under drought stress. The transpiration rate decreased under drought stress, consequently reduction of leaf area (and above ground plant) was more severe than root dry matter. Maintenance of root growth may result in the higher water uptake and better adaptation to drought stress. Prolin concentration increased in paints tissues under drought stress. The higher prolin concentration was observed in the more drought tolerant genotypes. However, no significant dependency was found between prolin concentration and other parameters. There was a positive correlation between identified parameters except prolin concentration. Our data indicated that genotypes of sahar, Hill, Dair and Gorgan-3 had the highest drought tolerance. In spiter of low value of all identified parameters in Habit genotype, this genotype was affected less than other genotypes to drought stress and indicated the least of sensitivity index. The most sensitive genotypes were Williams, LBK and BP.    

Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) is one of the leading vegetables grown extensively both in controlled environment and open field. Iron chlorosis is one of the limiting factors in tomato production in calcareous soils. This experiment was therefore conducted in the field of the experiment station of college of agriculture Shiraz University to study the effect of FeS04 and citric acid on Urbana cultivar. The design of the experiment was a 4×4 factorial in a complete randomized block design with 3 replications. Treatments include: 4 levels of Fe (0, 100, 200 and 300) mg/l and citric acid (0, 500, 1000 and1500) mg/l, sprayed twice (25 and 50 days) after transplanting. Yield, acidity, TSS, vitamin C, chlorophyll,-and pH and leaf area were measured and analyzed statistically. Yield, mean weight of fruit, TSS and acidity of the juice were not affected by the treatments. FeS04 and citric acid treatments increased chlorophyll content of leaf and leaf area, and the highest chlorophyll and leaf area were observed with 300mg/1Fe. FeS04 spray did not reduce the pH of the leaf extract, whereas the citric acid did reduce it. Lowest pH obtained with 300mg/1Fe plus 1500 mg/l citric acid. It can be concluded that citric acid spray may increase leaf chlorophyll, via activation of Fe present in the leaf.  

Batch dryer is one of the most common dryers in Rafsanjan. The temperature and thickness changes have great effects on drying time and pistachio quality. In this study using the randomize complete block design, influence of temperature in two levels (60 and 75°C) and thickness of product layer in two levels (10 and 20cm) on drying time were studied for two varieties of Iranian pistachios as Kalehghouchi and Fandoghi. Using consumer votes, appearance and color changes were studied for two varieties. Also using Hest, changes in flavor of two varieties were evaluated. In addition, drying process was studied for different product layers (each 5cm) in 20cm thickness and results evaluated by using of randomized complete block design. Experiments and statistical analysis showed that the temperature and product thickness have significant effects on drying time in two varieties. Pistachio appearance (color and shape) has no change in the experiments. Different temperatures have significant effects on dried pistachio flavor. The results indicated that at two temperature levels, pattern of moisture content variation in layers was significantly different. Hence use of agitators in dryers with pistachio thickness above 10 cm is advisable. With the consideration of suitable moisture for storage and pistachio quality, enough time recommended to dry each variety.  

In this research, physicochemical and sensory properties of ice cream by substitution of Milk Solids Non Fat (MSNF) with different levels of Whey Protein Concentrate (WPC) in ice cream mix formulation were evaluated. Two kinds of WPC produced by two different methods, precipitation by carboxymethylcellulose (CMC-WPC) and concentration by ultrafiltration (UF-WPC), at three substitution levels of 0, 25 and 50, two kinds of stabilizer (salep and palsgard) and also two aging times (4 and 6 hours) were considered as research variables. All mixes were formulated to make an ice cream containing fat 5%, MSNF 10%, sugar 18% and stabilizer 0.4%. Vanilla and rose water were added to all of the formulations to improve their taste and aroma. Physicochemical properties of different samples of ice cream treated as above including overrun, melting resistance, viscosity, density and pH were measured and the results were analyzed as a factorial experiment in completely randomized design. Sensory properties of samples (taste, flavor, texture and total acceptance) were judged by 10 panelists in five points hedonic test scale and the results were compared with control ice cream (without MSNF substitution). Data analysis showed that the kind of WPC had no effect on pH, density and sensory properties of ice cream samples, but viscosity, overrun and melting resistance were significantly affected. Samples containing CMC-WPC had higher viscosity and melting resistance and lower overrun than samples containing UF-WPC. All of the physical and sensory properties (except aroma score) were significantly affected by different levels of WPC substitute. In comparison with control formulation, overrun, melting resistance, pH and all of the sensory properties points (except aroma score) were decreased and viscosity and density were increased as the level of WPC replacement was increased. Decrease in sensory properties scores was not significant at 25% replacement level, but it became significant at 50% replacement level.  

Four hundred and eighty, day-old male and female broiler chickens (Arian breed) were obtained from a local commercial hatchery. Chicks were fed with eight different diets either with a standard or low methionone, five or zero percentage of fat and 0.1 or zero percentage of sodium sulfate content. Fat containing diets significantly (P<0.05) increased body weight gain and viability, in contrast it did not significantly affect cumulative feed conversion ratio. Sulfate containing diets, significantly (P<0.05) reduced feed conversion ratio and viability while did not significantly affect body weight gain. Cumulative body weight gain significantly (P<0.05) decreased, where total carcass protein and viability significantly (P<0.05) increased in chickens fed low methionine diet. Plasma sodium and triglyceride levels did not differ among treatments. The results of this experiment indicate that 18% of recommended methionine can be replaced with 0.1% of sodium sulfate. Finally, the recommended replaced methionine by the sulfate in combination with fat resulted higher body weight gain, better feed conversion ratio with no adverse effect on broiler performance.    

Soil has hard particles that can scratch and wear steel. This type of wear is called abrasive wear. Abrasive wear is the main factor Limiting the life and performance of shares and other tillage tool components. Shares wear fast and this has a considerable effect on performance of the plow. In this research, abrasive wear near the edge of shares in a semimounted four-bottom moldboard plow was studied. The soil was sandy clay with 13-17% moisture content. It was found that, near the edge of shares, the amount of wear with respect to distance from the tip of share was a polynomial function of second or third degree with determination coefficient of 0.94 or 0.98, respectively. Over 55% and 75% of wear occurred at 1/6 and 1/3 lengths of the blades respectively and only 16% of wear occurred at second half of the blades. Shares were worn unevenly but this unevenness was nearly the same in all shares. It is recommended that for decreasing the amount and the unevenness of wear, focus on increasing the wear resistance at regions that are worn faster. These regions are 1/6 to 1/3 lengths of each share from the tip.  

In order to study the effects of field conditions on pan coefficient (KP), three classes a pans were installed at a grass field according to FAO standards, and in an alfalfa field at 50 and 80cm elevation. Weekly evapotranspiration from grass (ET0) were also computed using water balance equation. Evaporation from the three pans (Epg, Ep50 and Ep80) were measured every day. Comparing weekly average values of pan coefficients from alfalfa field (Kpg) and Kp values computed by FAO method indicated that this method under-predicts the pan coefficients by about 12%.Comparing Kp50 and Kp80values indicated significant variation between them, whereas the variation between Kpg and Kp50 values was not significant. Because of the similarity of Kp50 to Kpg values during most of the weekly periods and their average, one may use class A pan records installed at an alfalfa field to computer ET0by applying Kp50 values as determined in this investigation. In this study crop coefficients (Kc) of alfalfa were determined by using evapotranspiration amounts. Several empirical equations were also used for calculation of evapotraspiration to compare with the results obtained by the water balance and evaporation pan methods.  

The actinomycetes are common soil gram positive bacteria and are best known for their ability to produce unusual metabolites which have antibiotic and cytotoxic properties. Also it is documented that actinomycetes can be isolated from marine habitats. The purpose of this work has been to screen the actinomycetes with cytotoxic activity, ftom corals and sponges from lark Island in Persian Gulf. In this research work cytotoxic activity of actinomycetes has been studied by use of Brine Shrimp lethal test on Artemia franciscana then the results has been compared with those obtained from Artemia urmiana and the results shows that marine actinomycetes culture's have% 14/75 cytotoxic activity. The result of statistical study has shown the correlation of the two species as follows: (r=0/98 and P<0/01). Therefore this result indicates that Artemia urmiana could be used instead of Artemia franciscana.  

222 prespawning adult Acipencer percius including 178 female and 44 male were sampled in the Shahid MARJANY's sturgeon breeding and propagation center for studying the reproductive conditions of the Acipencer persicus in the Southeast of the Caspian Sea during march 2000 – may 2001. In this study age, length and weight frequency of male and female, classification index, percentage of fertilization, effect of temperature on fertilization, the time of female sex ripening, positive feedback of broodstock to injection of pituitary in samples were studied. Female fishes with 19-20 years, 21.1-24 kg body weight and 151-160 cm fork length had the maximum frequency. The range of classification index in brood stock was between 4.3-9.5 that studied in four groups and comparison of groups showed the significant difference in percent of fertilization. The changes of percent fertilization in these groups were surveyed and maximum of fertilization observed in the 7.1-8 groups. The highest fertilization observed in 16.1-18 ºc. Increasing the temperature declined the time of female ripening of sexual maturity and positive feedback to pituitary injection. Brood stock ages divided to four group and morphophysiological parameter changes and propagation factors were investigated in these groups. This groups separated by DANCAN test and fork length, body weight, gonad weight, absolute fecundity, percent of fertilization, condition factor, parameters in (1=0.05 showed significant differences. The results of this study showed that with increasing age and reduction of percent of fertilization of brood stock are not suitable for artificial propagation, therefore suggested these broodstock should be used for caviar processing. The condition factors in young age brooders were more than old brooders, too.  

This study was carried out to determine age and growth of Caspian Roach (RutiLus rutiLus caspicus) in Gomishan wetland during November 1998 to May 2000. 240 female specimens and 306 male specimens were aged by scale count method. The growth was estimated based on Ford-walford method. The result showed that 8+ was the oldest age group for both sexes. The most abundant ages were 3-5 years. The maximum growth was observed between 1+ and 2+. The growth slowed down after 2+.  

A study was conducted to determine variation in morphologic characters of resident populations of the roach in Adji-Gol and Alma-Gol wetlands as well as migratory populations to Gomishan wetland. The morphologic characters including morphometric and meri!.1icmeasurements were carried out and analyses were done by one way ANOVA and multivariate analysis. One way ANOVA showed significant differences in morphometric and meristic characters among the roach populations. There were differences among the populations in indices of mersistic characters including number of variables, relative frequency of variables and diversity index. In addition, the taxonomic distance index revealed that Adji-Gol and Alma-Gol populations were quite distinct from Gomishan populations. Factor analysis also showed that populations of Adji-Gol and Alma-Gol had completely separate morphologic characters. Scatter plot based on extracted factors as well as clustering revealed that there is an apparent distinction between populations. By discriminant analysis, it was found that 73.4% of specimens could be classified into five different populations. In conclusion, variability was found to be higher in the morphologic characters than the meristic characters among the populations. Inter and intra population variations were higher in the Gomishan wetland specimens. Therefore, the results provided sufficient information of population separation of the roach, which could be used for management, conservation as well as exploitation.  

The diet survey of zibakenar-Kiashar boujagh lagoon Esox Lucius was carried out in four seasons of 1381. Aftar catch of pikes, they were transferred to laboratory and after biometery and age determination, gastro intestinal tract was bring out and ate foods were recognized. In Catched Esox Lucius, average total length was 33cm (minimum 17.7cm and maximum 74cm), average weight was 307.3 gr (minimum 38 gr and maximum 1100 gr), average relative length gut was 0.8 (0.05<0.58), average Index of fullness of 171.6 (0.2-1189.1), average fulltons condition factor of 780.5 (74-7835.2). Obtained results from 122 Esox Lucius express that this fish fed from13 kinds of live foods. In these foods, the highest frequency percentage was related to Odonata (14%), Syngnatus abster (13.8%) and Neogobius kessleri gorlap (13.4%) and lowest frequency percentage was related to Esox lucius and Gambusia holbrooki (each with 4.3%). Esox Lucius were in the age groups of 0-9 (Esox lucius wasnot catch from 7+and 8+age groups). According to statistical studies, there were differences between age, season and sex groups in order to diversity and fed frequency. According to obtained results we can say that bojaqh Esox Lucius is a carnivores, piscivores and even canniblastic.