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In order to evaluate drought tolerance indices of lentil cultivars in the Ardabil region, a factorial experiment based on randomized complete block design with three replications was arranged at the Agricultural Research Station of Islamic Azad University, Ardabil branch, Ardabil, Iran, in 2010. The factors included two conditions of planting levels (irrigation and non-irrigation) and five lentil cultivars (ILL 1180, ILL 1324, ILL 1251, ILL1237, and native cultivars). Irrigation included complete irrigation from planting until maturity and non-irrigation from seed emergence until harvesting. The results showed that the length of vegetative and reproductive periods, total number of pod and seed per plant, 100-seed weight, seed yield and harvest index were of higher rates under irrigation than the stress (nonirrigation). Also, it was found that ILL 1180 and ILL 1324 cultivars possessed the highest and lowest values for all traits, respectively. Yield loss of the ILL 1180 under stress, was about 308.22 kg/ha (23.31%) than the normal conditions. This value for the ILL 1324 was approximately 448.53 kg/ha (35.51%). Also, ILL 1180 showed the lowest tolerance against stress (TOL) and stress susceptibility index (SSI) and the highest mean productivity (MP), geometric mean productivity (GMP) and stress tolerance index (STI) indices. ILL 1324 possessed the highest TOL, SSI and STI and ILL1237 showed the lowest MP and GMP indices. So, ILL1180 and ILL1251 were the superior cultivars under both conditions in terms of high yield and tolerance against drought stress. ILL1237 was distinguished as the most susceptible cultivar as well.Key words: Lentil, yield, normal and stress conditions, drought tolerance index.

In order to examine the effects of sowing date of wheat cultivars and lines on fusarium head blight (Scab) (FHB), a study was carried out as a split-plot experiment based on a randomized complete block design with 3 replications. FHB is a serious problem in wheat fields of Northern provinces as well as Moghan, Iran. It seems that wheat spikes are sensitive to FHB in a short part of their growth period which can serve as an ideal opportunity for controlling FHB through changing sowing date and the resulting change in spike-bearing time. In this study, five wheat cultivars including Tajan, Falat and promising lines of N-80-6, N-80-19, N-78-14, N-80-7 and N-81-18 were studied at 4 sowing dates of November 6, 11 and 26 and December 11 in growing season of 2007 to 2008. The main plots including sowing date and the sub-plots included different cultivars. Days to spike-bearing, days to physiological maturity, infection plants percentage at each sowing date, grain yield, 1000-grain weight, spike length, number of spikelets and number of grains per spike were measured on quintuple randomized sampling. The modified method of Irta and Gilchrist and disease index were used for assessment of FHB. The results showed significant differences in days of spike-bearing and days of physiological maturity between sowing dates at 0.01 probability level. The cultivars exhibited significant differences in their spike length, grain weight per spike and 1000-grain weight at 0.01 probability level. In addition, cv. Falat suffered from the highest damage with FHB disease index of 70% at sowing date of November 6, so that it was selected as the most sensitive cultivar to FHB with mean disease index of 40%. Furthermore, cv. Tajan and lines N-80-18, N-80-7, N-78-14 and N-81-18 can be grown in region as semi-tolerant cultivars at sowing dates of November 6, 11 and 26. Also, the studies showed that tolerant cultivars can be planting from November 11 until November 26, so that this period is best sowing period for avoiding wheat FHB in Moghan, Iran. Moreover, N-81-18 was found to be the best line among studied cultivars and lines with disease index of 2.5% and yield of 73202 kgha-1. Key words: Wheat, sowing date, fusarium, cultivar, line.

Drought stress, which has a great impact on agricultural and forestry production and often causes yield reduction, is one of the most important agricultural research topics, therefore, in order to assess drought tolerance in lentil cultivars Ardabil region, a factorial experiment based on randomized complete block design with three replications in the 2010 Farm Agricultural Research Station University, Ardebil, was performed. Factors used included two levels of planting conditions (irrigation and non-irrigation) and five lentil cultivars. Results showed that, yield loss of the ILL 1180 under stress was about 23.31% more than normal conditions. This value for the ILL 1324 ranged approximately 35.51%. Also, ILL 1180 showed the lowest tolerance against stress and stress susceptibility index and the highest mean productivity, geometric mean productivity and stress tolerance index indices. ILL 1324 possessed the highest TOL (tolerance index), SSI (stress susceptibility index) and STI (stress tolerance index) and ILL 1237 showed the lowest MP (mean productivity) and GMP (geometric mean productivity) indices, and as such, ILL 1180 and ILL 1251 were the superior cultivars under both conditions in terms of high yield and tolerance against drought stress. ILL 1237 was distinguished as the most susceptible cultivar as well. Key words: Drought stress, cultivar, yield, lentil.

In order to study of impacts of irrigation and non-irrigation conditions on somemorphological traits of corn (Zea mays L.) cultivars, a factorial experiment based on randomized complete block design with three replications was arranged at Ardabil, Iran, in 2010. Factors included eight maize cultivars (BC 678, BC 418, SC 700, BC 582, SC 301, BC 652, BC 566 and SC 704) and two conditions of planting (irrigation and non-irrigation).Results showed that leaf number, plant height, ear diameter without skin, ear weight per plant and grain yield in irrigated were higher than non-irrigated conditions. SC 700 and BC 566 have the highest and lowest traits respectively among the eight maize cultivars. The result shows that the grain yield in irrigated and non-irrigated conditions, the SC 700varieties in non-irrigation farming about 20.17% (Whit 10688 kg/ha yield) and Bb C 566 cultivar about 22.09%(Whit 4330 kg/ha yield) have loss of yield than irrigated condition.Thus, SC 700 cultivar was the superior cultivars under both conditions in terms of high yield and it was distinguished as the most susceptible cultivar as well. Key words: Corn cultivar, yield, plant high and ear diameter.

In order to investigate the plant density and nitrogen level on nitrogen use efficiency components (agronomical, physiological, apparent recovery and nitrogen use efficiency), the amount of nitrogen uptake by plant, yield and yield components of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) Agria cultivars' tuber, a factorial experiment based on randomized complete block design was conducted in Ardabil, Iran, in 2006 with three replications. Factors were adjusted for the nitrogen level (0, 80, 160 and 200 kg ha(-1) net nitrogen) and plant density (5.5, 7.5 and 11 plant m(-2)). Results showed that with increasing the nitrogen levels and plant densities agronomical nitrogen use efficiency, physiological nitrogen efficiency and nitrogen use efficiency were decreased and apparent recovery nitrogen efficiency was increased. The most nitrogen uptake in plant was observed at the 200 kg ha(-1) net nitrogen. The most yield and number of tuber per unit area were gained at the 80 and 160 kg ha(-1) net nitrogen. Increasing the plant density resulted in increasing in the tuber yield per unit area and the rate of nitrogen up to the 160 kg ha(-1) net nitrogen. So, application of the 80 kg ha(-1) net nitrogen and plant density of 11 plant m(-2) is recommended to get highest yield with the most nitrogen use efficiency.