To evaluate the growth characteristics of some pomegranate (Punica granatum) genotypes on selected rootstocks under saline conditions, a factorial experiment was carried out based on randomized complete block design, at the Chah Afzal Station of the National Salinity Research Center of Iran, in 2017-2022. The factors included rootstocks at four levels (1- Chah Afzal (CA), 2- Vahshi Babolsar (VB), 3- Narak Lasjerd Semnan (NL), and 4- Poost Siyah Ardakan, PS) and scions at three levels (1- Malas Yazdi (MY), 2- Rabab Niriz (RN) and 3- Chah Afzal). This research was done on sixty 4-year-old trees, with 240 observations (4 branches on each tree) with irrigation water salinity of 9±0.5 dS/m. The results showed that type of rootstock affected on the graft success percentage and the salinity tolerance of the grafted genotypes. The highest and lowest graft success percentages was observed in MY cultivar grafted on CA rootstock (96.77%) and CA genotype grafted on PS Ardakan rootstock (20.77%), respectively. The maximum height and diameter of the scions were observed in MY cultivar grafted on VB rootstock (131 cm and 16 mm, respectively). The highest relative water content was observed in RN cultivar grafted on CA (80.09%). This grafted compound had the lowest relative ions leakage (60%). The highest potassium content was observed in the leaves of CA genotype grafted on VB (1.4%) was RN grafted on VB (1.3%). Also, the lowest sodium content in each three grafted genotypes was observed on VB. In general, the genotypes grafted on VB and CA showed more tolerance to salinity. Genotypes grafted on PS Ardakan had not sufficient tolerance in saline conditions, so, the grafted combinations of RN/PS Ardakan and CA/PS Ardakan dried completely in the second year (2022). Overall, the grafted combinations of RN/V B and MY/VB were recognized as superior, followed by combinations of CA/ VB, MY/CA and RN/CA.

In order to determine salinity tolerance threshold and yield decrease per unit increase of soil salinity in selected pomegranate genotypes, a factorial experiment was carried out based on completely randomized design (CRD), with two factors: genotypes in 12 types (Shisheh Kap Ferdus, Malas Yazdi, Malas Saveh, Rabab Neyriz, Golnar Saveh, Golnar Sarvestan, Golnar Shahdad, Narak Lasjerd Semnan, Vahshi Babolsar, Post Siyah Ardakan, Chah Afzal and Voshik Torsh Saravan) and soil salinity at five levels (1. 5, 3. 8, 6. 2, 9. 3 and 12. 6 dSm-1). According to the results, the lowest salinity tolerance threshold was observed in Voshik Torsh Saravan (3. 02 dS/m), Malas Saveh (3. 25 dS/m) and Golnar Saveh (3. 40 dS/m) genotypes, and the highest salinity tolerance threshold was observed in Golnar Shahdad (4. 90 dS/m), Chah Afzal (4. 70 dS/m), Post Siyah Ardakan (4. 38 dS/m), and Malas Yazdi (4. 17 dS/m) genotypes. The highest yield reduction slope was observed in Golnar Saveh (7. 89%), Golnar Sarvestan (7. 39%), Voshik Torsh Saravan (6. 69%), and Malas Saveh (6. 33%) genotypes, respectively. In contrast, the lowest yield reduction slope was observed in Chah Afzal (2. 83%), Post Siyah Ardakan (2. 88%) and Narak Lasjerd Semnan (2. 89%) genotypes, respectively. Overall, the results showed the levels of salinity that reduced the yield by 50% in Chah Afzal, Post Siyah Ardakan and Narak Lasjerd Semnan genotypes were about twice greater than salinity that reduced the yield by 50% in Golnar Saveh, Golnar Sarvestan, Voshik Torsh Saravan and Malas Saveh genotypes. EC50 in Chah Afzal, Post Siyah Ardakan, and Narak Lasjerd Semnan genotypes were observed at 22. 37, 21. 74 and 21. 10 dS/m. At salinity level of 8. 4 dS/m, yield reductions in Chah Afzal, Post Siyah Ardakan and Narak Lasjerd Semnan genotypes were only 10. 47%, 11. 58%, and 13. 30%, respectively, which were lower than the 50% value previously reported. Therefore, these three genotypes were selected for further studies and planting as rootstocks in Chah Afzal Station of National Salinity Research Center.

Evaporitic (diapiric) bodies of the Garmsar-Lasjerd area have been investigated. Halokinesis is the trigger of diapirism but, early Pliocene orogenic phase, has been distinguished as an external trigger to diapiric development. On the other hand, salt structures of investigation area that have been emergent by fault generally, classified to four types: Salt stocks, Salt welts, Salt walls, Salt tongues.

IntroductionWidespread lands in arid, semi-arid, or dry sub-humid areas of the world have been influenced by the consequences of the land degradation resulting from natural factors and human activities like agriculture, changes in the land use. A large part of Iran is located in arid and semi-arid regions. The degradation of soil can be greatly impacted by agricultural activities, incorrect management, and improper land management. The most suitable solution to reduce the negative effects of land use change on the desert is to choose the best type of land management with the least degradation. The fragile nature of these ecosystems and the large area of arid and semi-arid areas of the country require proper and accurate management. Soil is an important and valuable terrestrial source of OC storage, which plays a significant role in the global C cycle by storing about 1500 billion tons of C. The total C in microbial biomass is 1.4% of the total SOC. demonstrating the significant contribution of this sector to the global C cycle. Land use change can be one of the most important factors of land degradation that affects the quality and quantity of soil organic C, and soil characteristics. The present study was done to investigate the role of different land uses including rangeland as control, abandoned land, Triticum aestivum L. cultivation, Hordeum vulgare L. cultivated lands and Medicago sativa L. cultivation, on some soil microbial indices such as basal soil respiration, substrate induced respiration, microbial biomass carbon, microbial biomass nitrogen, microbial quotient, metabolic coefficient and carbon access index, in Lasjerd , Semnan province in two depths  of 0 to 10 cm and 10 to 30 cm. Material and MethodsThe initial step was to select various treatments that included rangeland as control treatment, abandoned land, Triticum aestivum cultivation, Hordeum vulgare cultivated lands and Medicago sativa cultivation. In the second step, soil sampling was performed at two depths of 0-10 and 10-30 cm in five replications. In this regard, one soil profile in the center and four other profiles were dug in the form of a cross, considering the marginal effect. The samples needed for soil biological tests were carried and stored in the refrigerator containing dry ice and biological tests were performed later. The considered factors were measured by valid scientific guidelines and methods. Data related to soil microbial properties were analyzed by a factorial test in the form of a completely random design with five repetitions. All statistical computing was done using SPSS 19 software and the mean comparison tests were performed by Duncan test. Results and DiscussionThe results of the present study indicated that there is significant impact of the treatments on the properties studied at the two depths, at the first soil layer equals to the depth of 0 to 10 cm, basal soil respiration, substrate induced respiration, microbial biomass carbon, microbial biomass nitrogen, microbial quotient, and metabolic coefficient have been affected by different land uses, as the highest level of basal soil respiration in the abandoned land equals to 0.424 mgCO2g-1dm24h-1 and the lowest in Triticum aestivum cultivation 0.006 mgCO2g-1dm24h-1, as well as the second depth- 10 to 30 cm- basal soil respiration, microbial quotient, metabolic coefficient are affected by different types of land uses. The highest amount of metabolic coefficient was observed in abandoned lands as 0.068 mgCO2-Cg-1MBCday-1 and the lowest was found in Medicago sativa cultivation lands equals to 0.013 mgCO2-Cg-1MBCday-1. Soil microbial indices are sensitive to land use changes. The first top 10 cm of the soil studied, has been most affected by these indices.Due to the failure of soil pedons, the change in land use from rangeland to agricultural lands increases the speed of litter decomposition and decreases the storage of soil nutrients, the microbial population, composition and activity of the soil as an indicator of soil quality, health and fertility. But techniques of no-tillage or minimal-tillage, as well as the principles of sustainable agriculture (such as returning the residues to the soil, proper use of chemical fertilizers, using biological fertilizers, and biological control of pests) cause the destructive process of the biological indices to be adjusted and get balanced in a shorter time period with environment. Considering the changes in the biological indicators of the soil, which have caused the destruction of the cultivated lands in the studied area, it is suggested to rehabilitate the bare lands with native rangeland species of the region, such as Artemisia sieberi Besser, Zygophyllum eurypterum Boiss. & Buhse, and Astragalus tribuloides Delile. Range management plans are the only way to allocate rangelands in the region, and a detailed survey of rangelands in the region is necessary. To prevent land use change, it is important to address the multi-purpose uses of rangelands and the determination of economic units to support the lives of beneficiary households.

After half a contury and much more experiences about theoretical and experiential Patterns in developing countries, industrialization has been prospered from special position as dominant approach in recent decade. In this relation, The connection between industrialization and rural development has made clear by preparing income and employment opportunites. In order to, the industrialization of rural regions in the form of prepare industrial areas (districts) has the Purpose of reaching to rural sustainable development in recent decade and is taken into consideration by rural development programmers. To assess the results and concequences of creating industrial districts in rural regions, it is done a case study in semnan province in Lasgerd. industrial district on 54 employeds. The concludes shows that creation of job opportunties for rustics (villagers) have not been successfully, because 66.7 Percent of employeds are city inhabitants. Also, research foundings that impetus of migration in employeds have not been any decrese

Purpose: Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) is a very interesting fruit tree for arid and semiarid areas in any part of the world. Like other fruit trees, the selection of tolerant rootstocks and scion is a very good strategy to reduce the adverse effects of salinity on pomegranate. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of salinity stress on the growth characteristics of some selected pomegranate genotypes and introduce the most tolerant genotype(s) to salinity for use as a basis in future research. Research method: Selected pomegranate genotypes were evaluated using a factorial experiment based on a completely randomized design (CRD) with four replications in 2019-2020. Treatments were included 12 genotypes of Golanr-e-Shahdad (G-Shahdad), Golanr-e-Sarvestan(G-Sarvestan), Golnar-Saveh(G-Saveh), Poostsiah-e-Ardekan(Poostsiah), ‘Malas-e-Yazdi’(‘M-Yazdi’), ‘Malas-e-Saveh’(‘M-Saveh’), ‘Shishecap-e-Ferdos’ (‘Shishecap’), ‘Rabab-e-Neiriz’ (‘Rabab’), ‘Vahshi-e-Babolsar’(‘V-Babolsar’), ‘Narak-e-Lasjerd-Semnan’(‘Narak’), Chahafzal and ‘Voshik-e-Torsh-e-Saravan’(‘Voshik’) and the salinity of the irrigation water in five levels (1, 3, 5, 7 and 9 dS.m-1). Findings: According to the results, the type of genotype and the level of salinity were affected on morphological and physiological traits as well as the concentration of nutrient elements. In all genotypes, the growth indices, relative water content (RWC), chlorophyll index, and total chlorophyll reduced as a result of increasing the salinity level. But the percentage of necrotic leaves, percentage of fallen leaves, ion leakage, concentration of Na+, the concentration of Cl- and Na+/K+ ratio increased. At salinity level of 7dS.m-1, necrotic leaves (3.11% &23.98%), fallen leaves (1.05% & 5.70%), ion leakage (5.87% & 22.10%), Na+(0.31% & 1.29%), concentration of Cl-(0.13%& 1.10%), concentration of K+(0.64% & -0.07%) and Na+/K+ ratio (0.09 & 2.28 units) increased in Chahafzal and Voshik genotypes, respectively. Research limitations: No limitations to report. Originality/Value: ‘Chahafzal’ and ‘Poostsiah’ genotypes were recognized as the most tolerant to salinity according to the results. In contrast, Voshik and M-Saveh genotypes were more sensitive to salinity. The tolerant genotypes will be used in plans as rootstocks to graft the selected genotypes on them.

To evaluate the effect of calcium nitrate on some growth characteristics of selected pomegranate (Punica granatum) genotypes, a factorial experiment was carried out based on randomized complete block design (BCRD) with 3 replications at Chahafzal Station of the National Salinity Research Center of Iran, in 2019-2020. Two factors were studied: genotypes at 6 levels (Post-Siyah Ardakan, Rabab Neyriz, Chah Afzal, Narak Lasjerd Semnad, Vahshi Babolsar, and Malas Yazdi) and calcium nitrate at 3 levels (0 (control), 50 and 100 kg/ha), using irrigation water salinity of 9±, 0. 5 dS/m. The results showed that type of genotype and levels of calcium nitrate affected morphological and physiological characteristics and concentration of nutrient elements in leaves. The highest and lowest necrotic leaves (12% and 2%), leaf surface ratio (1845 and 879 mm 2 /g dry weight), relative water content (80. 83% and 52. 40%), total chlorophyll (11. 4 and 6. 45 mg/g fresh weight), potassium content (0. 378% and 0. 322%) and lowest and highest sodium content (1. 88% and 2. 75%), relative ions leakage (14. 85% and 30. 02%) and sodium to potassium ratio (0. 118 and 0. 197) was observed in Chah Afzal with 100 kg/ha of calcium nitrate and Rebab Niriz without calcium nitrate application, respectively. Overall, ChahAfzal was recognized as the most tolerant genotypes to saline condition. This genotype showed more suitable growth than the other genotypes by maintaining its growth characteristics and increasing potassium uptake compared to sodium. Also, the results showed that application of 100 kg/ha of calcium nitrate at the beginning of the growing season significantly improved the growth characteristics and reduced the harmful effects of sodium in all studied genotypes.

To evaluate the effect of calcium nitrate on some growth characteristics of selected pomegranate (Punica granatum) genotypes, a factorial experiment was carried out based on randomized complete block design (BCRD) with 3 replications at Chahafzal Station of the National Salinity Research Center of Iran, in 2019-2020. Two factors were studied: genotypes at 6 levels (Post-Siyah Ardakan, Rabab Neyriz, Chah Afzal, Narak Lasjerd Semnad, Vahshi Babolsar, and Malas Yazdi) and calcium nitrate at 3 levels (0 (control), 50 and 100 kg/ha), using irrigation water salinity of 9±0. 5 dS/m. The results showed that type of genotype and levels of calcium nitrate affected morphological and physiological characteristics and concentration of nutrient elements in leaves. The highest and lowest necrotic leaves (12% and 2%), leaf surface ratio (1845 and 879 mm2/g dry weight), relative water content (80. 83% and 52. 40%), total chlorophyll (11. 4 and 6. 45 mg/g fresh weight), potassium content (0. 378% and 0. 322%) and lowest and highest sodium content (1. 88% and 2. 75%), relative ions leakage (14. 85% and 30. 02%) and sodium to potassium ratio (0. 118 and 0. 197) was observed in Chah Afzal with 100 kg/ha of calcium nitrate and Rebab Niriz without calcium nitrate application, respectively. Overall, Chah-Afzal was recognized as the most tolerant genotypes to saline condition. This genotype showed more suitable growth than the other genotypes by maintaining its growth characteristics and increasing potassium uptake compared to sodium. Also, the results showed that application of 100 kg/ha of calcium nitrate at the beginning of the growing season significantly improved the growth characteristics and reduced the harmful effects of sodium in all studied genotypes.

Erwinia amylovora, the causal agent of fire blight disease in rosaceous plants, contains type III secreted effector proteins including DspA/E, HrpN and HrpW, which are secreted into host plants during the pathogenicity stages. In order to investigate the role of these effector proteins in the interaction with the host plants, susceptible (Bartlett), tolerant (Harrow Sweet) and resistant (Dargazi) pear cultivars were inoculated with wild-type and mutant strains of E. amylovora (hrpW-, hrpN- and dspA/E-) under in vitro conditions. Based on the results, HrpW protein may be involved in pathogenicity in Dargazi cultivar. Different levels of pathogenicity were observed by dspA/E- mutant in cultivars. The results showed the key role of HrpN in the defense mechanisms of Dargazi cultivar, and its pathogenic role in Harrow Sweet and Bartlett cultivars. An increase in ferritin levels was observed in all cultivars inoculated with the wild type strain, but resistant and tolerant cultivars showed higher ferritin levels and a decrease in Fe2+ was observed only in these cultivars. The obtained data show that the HrpW protein does not affect iron homeostasis. Inoculation of Harrow Sweet and Dargazi cultivars with all strains increased ferritin, which was associated with a decrease in Fe2+. Based on the results, it is not possible to associate any of the effector proteins with changes in ferritin and Fe2+. In general, the ability of resistant pear cultivars to increase ferritin levels and regulation of iron can be one of the reasons for their resistance to fire blight. According to the results, different mechanisms are employed by pear cultivars to respond to the causative agent of fire blight.