Journal of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources
Year:2006 | Volume:12 | Issue:Supplement (Special Issue Agronomy)|Papers Count:24

A factorial experiment was conducted using a randomized complete design with three replications in the Greenhouse of Islamic Azad University of Fasa during summer 2000 for study of the effective factors on corn 704 inbred in seed vigor. The factors were water deficit, defoliation and nitrogen application. Water deficit and defoliation consisted of control, early water deficit and late water deficit, and control, early defoliation and late defoliation after flowering respectively, and nitrogen values consisted three levels of control, 9.2gN/m2and 18.4gN/m2. Results showed that by exception of seed viability, other seed vigor indices have significant effect. Control germ ination rate was 10.56% higher than germination rate average of early and late defoliation. Late defoliation electrical conductivity was 21.83 µS.cm-1.g-1 greater than early defoliation. Nitrogen application increased germination percentage in all tests. Maximum germination percentage in all tests, germination rate and seed electrical conductivity obtained from interactive effect of control water deficit with application of 18.4gN/m2, and minimum germination percentage, germination rate and seed electrical conductivity obtained from interactive effect of early water deficit with not nitrogen application.  

In order to determine the effects of planting dates and density on the yield of the single cross 704 in Haji-Abad region, an experiment was carried out for two years (1999-2000) in split plot design with three replications in Haji-Abad Agricultural Research Station. The main plots included four planting dates (6thJuly, 16 July, 27 July and 6thAugust) and subplots included two row space (60 and 75 centimeters) and sub subplots included three distance shrubs on row (15, 18 and 21 centimeters). The collected data were analyzed statistically based on variance analysis on yield for each year and combined variance analysis for two years. Effect of year was significant at 1% level. Effect of planting date was significant at 1% level and highest yield was obtained in the third planting date (21 July). Effect of row spaces was significant at 1% level and average yield in 60 cm row space was more than of 75 cm. Effect of shrub distance on row also was significant at 1% level and the highest grain yield (11.182 T ha-1) was obtained from shrub distance 18 centimeters.  

A study was conducted to evaluate the effects of organic, inorganic and integrated fertilizer systems on the yield and agronomic N-efficiency traits of different sunflower cultivars in 1977 and 1998 at the Miandoab Research Station; the experiment was based on a split plot design with RCBD arrangement in 3 replications. The main plot was composed of various levels of chemical fertilizers (40, 80, 120, 160 and 200 kg N/ha), organic fertilizers (6, 12, 18,24,30) t/ha farm yard manure(F.Y.M.), integrated fertilizers (40 kgN+24 t F.Y.M., 80 kg N+18 t F.Y.M, 120 kg N+12 t F.Y.M. and 160 kg N+6 t F.Y.M/ha), and control (no fertilizer), subplot was composed of 4 sunflower cultivars, (AS-508, Hysun-33, Armavirski and Record). Results showed that in both years of experiment, the integrated fertilizer system treatments and 200kg N/ha treatment showed a significant higher seed and nitrogen yield than the other treatments and control. The inorganic fertilizer treatments showed the highest increment in nitrogen content. Among organic fertilizer treatments, the 30 t F.Y.M treatment had the highest N content. The integrated fertilizer treatments 120 kg N+12 t F.Y.M M/ha had the highest nitrogen contents, than the other treatments of this system. The inorganic fertilizer system treatments had the highest agronomic N-efficiency (A.N.E.). In both yearly experiments the highest A.N.E was related to treatment of 40 kg N. The organic fertilizer treatments had the least A.N.E and among the integrated fertilizer of system treatments the A.N.E was the highest in the treatment 160 kg N+6 t F.Y.M. Based on the results, application of mixed inorganic and organic, fertilizers would not only reduce the chemical fertilizer consumption per unit area but also would increase the yield which would lead to achieve sustainable agriculture. Among the cultivars studied, Hysun-33 and AS-508, had the highest seed and nitrogen yield. Results showed that Hysun-33 and AS-508 cultivars are suitable and could be recommended for this region.  

The growing interest in simulation of water movements in soils is in response to the need for development of solutions for various agriculture and environment management problems, such as irrigation. In order to be able to adopt models for simulation, it is important that the capabilities of these models and credibility of their results are tested. In this study results from LEACHM simulation model are compared with the measured soil water data. This experiment was conducted at the farm of Khorasan Agricultural Research Center during growing season of 2001. The experiment was laid out in a completely randomized block design, adopting split plot method. Main factor consists of three water levels; I1: without water stress, I2: continuous water stress and I3: early water stress. Subplots consist of 3 different nitrogen levels 80, 160 and 240kg/ha viz. A sensitivity analysis was performed to identify the input parameters of LEACHM, which most influence on the water content variations. Sensitivity analysis results showed that bulk density has an important effect on soil water content. Simulated soil water contents water in close agreement to measured values. Mean Bias Error (MBE), Relative Error (RE) and Coefficient of Variation (CV) water changed irrespectively between 1:09 to 2.81, 6.46 to 13.02 and 11.58 to 16.16 percent. Generally, the model overestimated measured water contents. According to the results, this model can be used for predicting the irrigation time and quality of water stress, by estimating and measurement some characteristics of soil, plant and climate.  

The study of phosphorous (P) and zinc (Zn) application on quantity and quality of yield production in three wheat cultivars: Chamran, Hirmand and Crossfalat were conducted at Agricultural Institute Center of Zabol University in 1999. The experiment was set up as factorial split plot randomized complete block design with three replicates. Three levels of P (0, 75 and 125 kg/ha super Phosphat triple) and Zn (0, 25 and 50 kg/ha Zinc sulphat) were used as fertilizer treatment. The result showed that interaction between P, Zn and cultivars at 1% level had significant effect on grain yield, biological yield and number of spike. Wheat cultivars; Chamran and Hirmand produced 4.7 and 3.5 t/ha grain at P125kg and Zn50kg, respectively. But Crossfalat has showed high grain yield (4.7t/ha) at P125kg and Zn25kg treatment. Charnran had, the highest biological yield, but Crossfalat was significantly higher in number of spikelet per spike than other cultivars. In this experiment, high level of P (125 kg/ha) increased many plant traits such as grain yield, number of grian per spike, biological yield and number of spike per squer meter. Application of 50 kg/ha Zn sulphat increased grain yield and biological yield. But application of P and Zn reduced significantly 1000 seed weight. The accumulation of P and Zn in grain was effectively under control of wheat cultivars. The concentration of P and Zn in grain was effected by fertilizers; Crossfalat at treatment P125kg and Zn50kg accumulated 2.7 gr/kg P in grain and Hirmand showed high concentration of Zn in grain (42 mg/kg) at P75kg and Zn50kg treatment. Also, Crossfalat showed high percentage of protein (%14.8) in grain than other cultivars at P and Zn interaction. Application of 75 and 125 kg/ha of P increased protein and P concentration in grain, respectively. In addition all levels of Zinc fertilizer raise the content of protein and concentration of Zn in grain. However, the antagonistic effect was shown between P and Zn.  

One of current methods for runoff management is water spreading. This method is used at low gradients across the land with relatively deep soils with moderate texture. Water spreading not only decreases flood damages and losses, but also greatly increases water infiltration and vegetation growth on range areas. For evaluation of the performance of three years of water spreading on yield and ground cover at Fath-Abad in Darab, two plots were selected as control and spreading areas were selected. The yield was measured in these two areas by using the clipping and weighing method. Ground cover was measured using the wheel point method. Comparing the ground cover in the two areas showed a significant difference. These differences are related to the variations of herbs, grasses and cryptogams cover. Litter and rock cover did not show significant differences between the two treatments. Comparing yields in the two treatments illustrated significant differences in herb and grass production, but it did not show in shrubs production. Low production of seedlings in the early years of project caused non-significant difference of production and coverage for shrubs.  

Field experiments were conducted to determine whether soybean grown in 36-cm rows and a 2* population could improve weed control relative to 60-cm rows and 1* population under reduced herbicide options. Experiment was conducted in split plot design with four replications at Karaj and Lorestan. Main plots were 1) 36-cm rows and 2* population and 2) 60-cm rows and 1* population. Five treatments of herbicides were as supplots included 1) a standard treatment of Basagran + Nabues (100%), 2) Basagran + Nabues (25% of the standard rates), 3) a standard treatment of Treflan + Sencor (100%), 4) Treflan + Sencor (25% of the standard rates),  5) without herbicide (control). Weed control was better with Basagran + Nabues than Treflan + Sencor. Weeds control was less in the 25%- herbicide treatments than in the standard treatments when soybean was grown in 60-cm with 1* population. The 25%-herbicide treatments when soybean was grown in 36-cm rows with a 2* population provided weed control and grain yield similar or further than 60-cm rows and 1* population with 100% herbicide. Weed control was poor and yield was reduced when no herbicides were applied regardless of row spacing or population.  

In order to study the effects of sowing date, irrigation and fertilizer levels on vegetative characters: yield, yield components and bract necrosis of sunflower (Golshid variety) an experiment was conducted at agricultural research station of Gonbad in 2001. The experiment was a factorial split plot Arranged in a RCBD with 3 replications. Two irrigation regime (without irrigation and irrigation at three stages head visible, flowering and grain filling) and two sowing date (Mar. 1st and 30th) were as main plots in a factorial arrangement and four fertilizer levels (without fertilizer, applying of 100 kg Cacl2/ha in soil and spraying of Cacl2 and complete fertilizer (at the dose of %5 before head visible and flowering stages) were subplots. Plant height, head diameter and the number of days from emergence to physiological maturity decreased significantly with a delay in sowing date. Sowing date did not have any significant effect on 1000-grain weight, whereas incidence of bract necrosis increased with a delay in sowing date. Irrigation increased head diameter, plant height, the number of days from emergence to physiological maturity and 1000-grain weight, but it decreased incidence of bract necrosis. Fertilizer did not have any significant effect on plant height, head diameter, the number 0 days from emergence to physiological maturity, 1000-grainweight, grain yield and incidence of bract necrosis. The effect of irrigation and sowing date significant on grain yield at 1% level. The grain yield of irrigation treatment (1862 kg/ha) was more than that of without irrigation treatment (968kg/ha). The grain yield of first and second sowing date was 1669 and 1161 kg/ha, respectively.  

An experiment was carried out to evaluate the effects of planting depth and rhizome sizes on above ground growth of liquorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra L.) at research glasshouse of Mashhad University in 2001. Factorial experiment including planting depth (10, 20 and 40cm) and rhizome sizes (1,2 and 3 buds or 4,7 and 109) with two replications in randomized complete block design was employed. By increasing the planting depth and rhizome size, leaf area and leaf dry weight were increased. By increasing the planting depth, stem dry weight was reduced but by increasing the rhizome size, stem dry weight was increased. The plants placed in 20 cm depth resulted the highest above ground weight which was a little greater than plants leaving in 40 cm depth. Three-bud rhizomes produced the highest above ground dry weight compared to other rhizome sizes. It is concluded that 3-bud rhizomes placed in 20 cm depth would favor liquorice growth.  

In a field experiment, drought resistance and its relation with some of growth parameters in bread wheat genotypes of differential breeding background were investigated. A split plot arrangement of treatments (moisture regimes as main-plots and genotypes as sub-plots) based on complete block design with four replications was employed. Water stress was imposed from late jointing. Significant differences were detected between genotypes for grain yield and HI. Azadi and Qods followed by Roushan showed the highest grain yield and HI under both irrigation regimes, while the lowest ones were observed in landraces. Based on drought resistance indices, Qods, Azadi and Roushan were considered as resistant, and most of landraces as sensitive to water stress. The superiority of yield and HI of improved varieties to landraces was revealed due to statistically comparison of the three bread wheat genotypes with different breeding  backgrounds. Water stress reduced leaf area and crop growth rate. In this respect genotype differences were statistically significant. Significant interaction effects of genotypes and irrigation regimes on leaf area were detected. There were not detected any relationship between this trait and drought resistance. Similar results were observed for CGR.  

In order to investigate the adaptation of different cultivars and hybrids of sunflower to Zabol climate, an experiment was carried out in 1380-81on Research Farm of ZaboL. In this experiment 11 genotypes of sunflower including 9 hybrids and 2 cultivars were compared by RCBD with 4 replications. Genotype differences was significant at 1% level of planting time to flowering, time from planting to maturity, 1000-seedweight, and seed yield. Genotype differences were significant at 5% of time from flowering to maturity, plant height, number of leaves per plant, and number of seeds per capitol. The most period of growing from planting to flowering with 87.5 days, from flowering to maturity with 39.25 days, and from planting to maturity with 127.75 days was belonged to Record cultivar, and at least period of growing from planting to flowering with 71.25 days, and from planting to maturity withlO8 days was belonged to the hybrid of CMS31x R-94. Also, at least period of growing from flowering to maturity with 35.75 days was belonged to the hybrid of CMS24xR-81/1. Record cultivar had maximum plant height, number of leaves per plant, capitol diameter, and number of seeds per capitol, and Chemianca cultivar had maximum of 1000-seed weight-and seed yield. The minimum plant height, number of leaves per plant, capitol diameter, and number of seeds per capitol, 1000-seed weight, and seed yield per hectare were belonged to hybrids of CMS31xR-94, CMS31xR- 94, CMS24xR-81/l, CMS24xR-14, CMS60/52xR-92 and CMS 24xR-81/1.    

In this experiment, the effect of two levels of salinity (0 mM and 200 mM NaCl and CaC12in 5 to 1 molar ratio) on early growth stages and dry matter partitioning of five cultivars of sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L. cvs Madison, 7233-PI2, 7233-PI07 PC-7233 and Cl) was studied. Although there was no significant difference in some growth reduction, respectively in comparison with their controls after 35 days of treatment. However, the growth of Cl cultivar was recovered better than Madison during 15 days of the saline treatment. In all cultivars, particularly in 7233-PI2 relative growth rate (RGR) and net assimilation rate (NAR) were significantly reduced by salinity within the first 32 days of salt treatment. The highest and lowest reduction in shoot water content was observed in Madison and Cl cultivars, respectively, in comparison with control within the first 35 days of salt treatment. Higher water loss in Madison may act by concentrating solute in cell sap, there by reducing the need for synthesis of metabolically expensive organic as well as reducing the need for Na+ uptake for osmotic adjustment. The root dry matter of sugar beet reduced by 81.96%, whiles the dry matter of lamina and petiole plus decreased by 61 and 66% respectively. The pattern of dry matter partitioning to different of plant was changed by salt stress and the allocated dry matter to the root was reduced by 10%.    

The study was conducted in Mashhad (NE of Iran) during 1996 to determine the critical weed control period in Sorghum. Treatments included weed free and weed infested period to 3,5,7,9 leaf stages and total growth season (weed free and weed infested check). Treatments were replicated four times in complete randomized block design. Results showed that a critical weed control period in Sorghum between 20-31 days after sorghum emergence (about 3 to 5 leaf stage) with 5% allowance reduction for yield. By increasing allowance reduction for yield to 8%, the critical period was changed to a critical weed control time (24 days after emergence or about 5th leaf stage). Weed free period up to 5th leaf stage decreased weed dry matter and population to 90% and 70% respectively. Nightshade (Solanum nigrum), Redroot pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexus), Common lambsquarter (Chenopodium album) and Field bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis) were the dominant weed of this experiment.  

To assess the intra- and inter-specific competition between soybean (Glycine max L.) and sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) by reciprocal yield model, an experiment was conducted at the Research Station of Faculty of Agriculture, University of Tabriz in 2000. The trial was performed as factorial based on Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. The three factors including two soybean cultivars (Harkur and Williams), three levels of soybean densities (30, 50 and 70 plant /m2 )three levels of sorghum densities (5,10 and 15 plant / m2) and soybean and sorghum monocultures at different densities. Interspecific competition coefficient of sorghum on soybean was greater than that for soybean on sorghum. Intraspecific competition coefficient for soybean was smaller than sorghum. Williams's soybean cultivar showed higher competitive effects on sorghum compared to Harkur cultivar. The intraspecific competitive effects of sorghum were greater than that of soybean on sorghum. The relative competitive effects for biological yield of soybean in Harkur and Williams cultivars were 0.117 and 0.223, respectively. Meanwhile, Williams proven to be a stronger competitor for sorghum, the relative yield of Harkur soybean cultivar suffered a greater decrease from an increase in sorghum density, when compared to other soybean cultivar.  

In order to study the effect of planting pattern and plant density on light extinction coefficient, light interception and grain yield of SC402 Sweet Corn, an experiment was conducted in 2001-2002 at Ramin Agricultural Research and Education Center, Shahid Chamran University, located 36 km north of Ahwaz city. The design of the experiment was a factorial in a randomized complete block design with 4 replications. The planting pattern were consisted of 3 levels, equidistant (Pt), rectangular (P2) and zigzag (P3)and planting density were 4 level, 65000 (Dt), 75000 (D2),85000 (D3)and 95000 (D4) plants/ ha. Results showed that planting pattern had no effect on leaf area index (LAI) but plant density increased this index. With highest plant density LAI reached to a maximum of 3.34. Light extination coefficient reduced in equidistance and zigzag compared to rectangular pattern due to less distance between rows. High plant densities (85000 and 95000 plants/ha) relatively had lower light extinction coefficient particularly in early reproductive growth. By increasing plant density to 95000 plants/ha light interception reached to a maximum of 81/8%. In equidistant pattern grain yield was higher than other treatments and this was mainly due to the better performance of yield components in this planting pattern. Higher yield (4667.6 kg/ha) was also obtained with higher plant population. In higher plant density equidistant was superior to other planting patterns.  

A field experiment was conducted at Quosar Orchard in Qazvin during 1998-2000. Plant mulches rye (Secale cereale L.), wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), and hairy vetch (Vicia villosa Roth.), glyphosate (SL 41%), cultivation and control were the expriment treatments. Rye had the highest leaf area index and dry weight. Tansy mustard (Descurainia Sophia L.) in the first year and henbit (Lamium amplexicaula L.) and madwort (Asperugo procumbens L.) in the second year were the winter annual weeds. Winter weeds were controlled by rye, wheat, and vetch by 81.2, 77.2, 17.3% in the first year and 96.7, 96.9 and 89.3% in the second year, respectively. Milk weed (Cynanchum acutum L.), field bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis L.) and prostate knotweed (Polygonum aviculare L.) were summer weeds in both years. Rye, wheat, and vetch after cutting, and glyphosate controlled 48, 74, 51.5, 50.5% of weeds in the first year and 73, 65, 58 and 81% in the second year compared to control, respectively. In the second year rye, wheat, vetch and glyphosate controlled 67, 55, 45 and 72% of milk weed, 73, 67, 60 and 85% of field bindweed and 100, 100, 100 and 56% of prostate knotweed, respectively. Control had the lowest yield.  

It is necessary to alter temperature gradually when we have an intention for screening of plants to freezing tolerance so that it allows us to make active acclimation mechanisms and reveal impression of efficient genes. In order to asses manners of applying these temperature alternations on chickpea in vitro, in this study seeds of two genotypes 'ILC533' and 'ILC482' and a variety of Qazvin were grown in the relatively steril condition and 1 cm explants from second and third nods of those plants were prepared and grown on an agar medium in vitro. Acclimation treatments were done 10 days and/or 20 days at 4°C. After acclimation, those cultures as well as control (no acclimation) were frozen at -4, -8, -12, -16 and -20°C for 1h and on the basis of present injury, probit analysis was accomplished to identify LT50 for each treatment. Evaluation of freezing tolerance by LT50showed that the cold acclimation increased freezing tolerance and 20 days cold acclimation had better effect on cold hardiness and viability. Freezing tolerance of 'ILC533' induced by cold acclimation was more than other cultivars. Also acclimation for 20 days allowed satisfactory discrimination between the hardy cultivars 'ILC482' and 'Qazvin' and less cold hardy 'ILC533'. The results suggest that acclimation treatment for 20 days at 4°C can be used for in vitro screening of chickpea to decline freezing injury. So it seems to prepare the possibility of autumn culture by screening of tolerant chickpea.

In order to genetic analysis of some morphophysiological traits of sunflower under water deficit and normal conditions, this research was conducted in the form of line×tester design at Seed and Plant Research Improvement Institute of Karaj, Iran in 2002. Thirty-six entries including 3 lines with cytoplasmic male strilities, 8 restorers and 24 their hybrids and one open-pollinated variety (Armaviruski) were grown in simple lattice design with two replications under two experiment conditions. Experiment was irrigated on the basis of evaporation from 60 mm class A pan where as in stress experiments were irrigated on the basis of evaporation from 180 mm class A pan. The plants stage at which stress was applied was 6-8 leaves stage. In this research, different morphophysiological traits were measured. Analysis of variance of measured traits in two environmental conditions showed significant differences among genotypes in all traits. To study combining ability, line×tester analysis was used using procedures developed by Kempthorne, Singh and Choudari. On the basis of line significant variances for traits such as oil seed content, plant height, stem dry matter and head dry matter in two experiments, additive variance was estimated significant. Also tester variances for oil seed content, stem dry matter and head dry matter were not significant in two environmental conditions and variances of line×tester were significant for stem dry matter and head dry matter in drought conditions. Lines contribution in the most cases for traits such as oil seed content, stem dry matter weight and head dry matter weight was more in two experiments.  

To utilize doubled haploid (DH) lines for plant breeding purposes, it is desirable that a random sample of parental gametes is obtained because it is possible to predict progenies. In current study 256 DH lines derived from intervener hybridization have been undertaken between wheat and maize using F1 hybrids of wheat cultivars. Trident and Molineux have been used as parental cultivars of wheat FI hybrids in 1997 at Waite Campus. Gliadin and Glutenin were extracted from each DH lines according to a method developed by Sing et al. (1991) and to separate glutenin subunit bands, a Hoefer gel electrophoretic apparatus has also been used. The current study of glutenin subunits related loci gave no case of distorted segregation patterns showing departure from expected Mendelian ratios. This case shows that DH progeny of present work can be used in breeding programs for improving bread quality characteristics of wheat and doing selection for the benefiting of high quality cultivars.  

Quantitative and electrophoretic patterns of leaf soluble proteins of canola (Brassica napus L.) winter (cv. Symbol) and spring (cv. Hyola 401) cultivars were assessed in response to a vernalization temperature (4°C). Seeds were grown in a growth chamber at 15/10ºC (day/night), with 140 W m-2 light density and 16/8 h photoperiod. Control plants were grown continuously in these conditions until day 56. On day 30 (4th fully expanded leafy stage), cold treated seedlings were transferred to 4°C, followed by transfer to original conditions. Seedlings were sampled every 48 h for leaf fresh weight measurements. Soluble proteins were extracted from the leaves, and their amounts were measured, using spectrophotometery. Proteins data were analysed as 3-factorial experiment on the basis of completely random design (CRD): cultivar (2 levels), temperature (2 levels), and sampling time (14 levels) in 3 replications. Then, 45 µg of proteins was loaded on SDS-PAGE gel with 15% density. ANOVA results showed that all main effects and their interactions were highly significant. Temperature alterations showed no substantial effects on proteins amount in the cold-treated leaves of spring canola but, considerable accumulation of proteins was recognized in those of winter canola. This accumulation was detected from 8 day at 4°.Ccontinuing until 2 day of transfer from cold to the 15°C-conditions (day 54) in the winter cultivar. In the latter cultivar, the 2-week cold-treated seedlings (day 44) produced a new 47.7 kDa cold-induced polypeptide in their leaves compared with the controls: such response was identified 2 d later in the cold-treated seedlings of spring cultivar. This pattern was lasted until 18 d at 4°C (day 48) in the leaves of both cultivars but, after the return to 15°C, it disappeared in the spring earlier than the winter canola. Moreover, changes in the intensity of some protein patterns were distinguished in both cultivars at 4°C compared with those in the controls.  

From a total of 646,000 ha of lands under chickpea (Cicer arietinum 1.) production in Iran, Lorestan state accounts for nearly 21 percent. In this western province, chickpea is traditionally spring-planted under dryland condition with no applications of micronutrients. A 3-replicate split-plot RCBD field experiment was conducted under dryland condition of Ali goodarz-Azna region during spring, in 2002. Four chickpea genotypes consisting of Hashem, Jam, ILC482 and Greet local mass were planted as main-plots. Four levels (0, 30, 43 and 56 kgha-1) of ferrous sulfate (Fe) along with four levels (0, 17, 20 and 25 kgha-1) of copper sulfate (Cu) were applied as subplots prior to seeding. Manual seeding was carried out with 33 plants/m2 at April 8-9th, 2002 at a 6 cm depth. Among genotypes studied in this experiment, Hashem proved later in maturity, taller in height and lower in terms of all grain yield components, grain yield and harvest index and Greet appeared earlier in maturity and higher in terms of 100-grainw eight and to some extent grain yield, compared to the rest of genotypes. With an increase in Fe level, both branching and grain yield components indicated a non-significant increase, leading to significant increases in average dry matter, grain yield and harvest index of the genotypes. Cu did not leave any significant impact on growth, yield components and grain yield of chickpea genotypes studied in this experiment. Despite a generally low grain yield obtained with the present genotypes under dry land condition of Ali goodarz-Azna, it could be concluded that with seeding at an appropriate early date and application of at least 30 kgha-1 of Fe more grain yield might be produced from spring chickpea under dry land condition of this region.