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Background and Objective: This research was conducted to determine the effect of sulfur and cattle manure on yield and amino acids of two Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) varieties. Materials and Methods: The experiment was done by a factorial experiment in randomized block design with 3 replications in 2016 and 2017 at Kerman Agricultural and Natural Resources Research Center. The treatments consisted of powdered sulfur at four levels (0, 2, 4 and 8 ton.ha-1), Cow manure at two levels (0 and 20 ton.ha-1) and Jiroft-13 and Jiroft local varieties. Results: The results showed that the number of capsules per plant in the second year was higher than the first year and the number of seeds per capsule in the second year was lower. Also, the leaf phosphorus content in the second year was higher than the first year. The number of branches, number of capsules per plant, 1000-grain weight, grain yield and Methionine in 20 ton.ha-1treatment of cow manure was higher than the control. The effect of sulfur treatment on yield, yield components, seed oil, Leaf phosphorus, Methionine and Cysteine were significant and according to the significance of the interaction between cow manure and sulfur, the highest grain yield (1353.28 Kg.ha-1) was obtained from of 20 Ton.ha-1 treatment of cow manure and 8 ton.ha-1of sulfur. The Jiroft-13 variety had higher oil seed, grain and biological yield than Jiroft local variety.Conclusion: According to the experiment conditions, more desirable results can be obtained using 20 ton.ha-1 manure, with lower rates of sulfur.

Introduction Intercropping is one of the main strategies to obtain more stability in agro-ecosystems. The possibility of yield improvement in intercropping systems depends on various factors such as plant combination, cultivar type, plant density, planting pattern, and contribution of each species. Introducing new crops or forgotten plants to agro-ecosystems are other methods for sustainable crop production. Quinoa as a potential new crop to be introduced to Iran’s farming systems, is well-adapted to different environmental conditions. This plant has high nutritional values and produces acceptable yield to areas affected by environmental stresses like drought and salinity stresses. Millet, as a forgotten crop in Iran’s agro-ecosystems, is a drought-tolerant grain, with appropriate growth and yield in arid and semi-arid regions. This C4 plant has vertical leaf distribution, rapid and short growth period which make it tolerant to adverse environmental conditions compared to other cereals. The aim of this study was to evaluate the possibility of quinoa and millet intercropping under arid and semi-arid climate of Birjand, Iran.Materials and Methods A factorial experiment based on a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications was conducted in research field of University of Birjand, Iran, in 2018. The experimental factors were planting density at three levels (20, 40, and 60 plants m-2 for both quinoa and millet) and planting ratio at five levels (pure stand of millet (100 %), three rows of millet and one row of quinoa (75%-25%), the equal ratio of millet and quinoa (50%-50%), one row of millet and three rows of quinoa (25%-75%) and monoculture of quinoa (100%). Experimental plots area was 24 m2 (6 m×4 m), with eight planting rows per each. The distances between planting rows in all treatments were 50 cm, while the distances along the single rows were 10, 5, and 3.3 cm for 20, 40, and 60 planting densities, respectively. The grain and biological yields of both plants were determined, finally, various indices including land equivalent ratio (LER), relative yield (RY), competitive ratio index and aggressively index were calculated. Data analyses were done using SAS 9.2 and means were compared by FLSD test at 5% probability level.Results and DiscussionThe simple and interaction effects of planting density and ratio had a significant effect on grain and biological yield of quinoa and grain yield of millet (P < 0.01). In addition, planting ratio had a significant effect on the biological yield of millet (P < 0.01). Based on data obtained from monoculture system, the optimum plant density to obtain the highest grain yield of millet (4100 kg.ha-1) and quinoa (2340 kg.ha-1), were 60 and 40 plants per m2, respectively. Considering the different ratios of planting, the participation and positive effect of both millet and quinoa plants in an increasing the land equality ratio has been equal. By increasing the density, the advantage of mixed cultivation has been reduced. The best intercropping systems in terms of LER (1.32) were the density of 40 plants per m2 (for both crops), and planting ratio of 25% millet and 75% quinoa, which had 26.98% actual grain yield incensement. In addition, the results of interaction effect showed that this treatment increased the biological yield of quinoa (6935 kg ha-1) by 9.26%, based on anticipated yield. In this density, it seems that the result of optimal use of existing inputs and reduction of internal and external competition in order to achieve maximum yield has been achieved. The results of the relative yield indicated that the millet is better utilized from environmental resources and conditions due to its predominance and competitiveness. In general, the results of evaluating mixed culture indicators based on the principles of assistance and competition were complementary and confirming each other.ConclusionsThe results showed that millet and quinoa had significant effects on each other when intercropped at different planting densities and ratios due to difference of morphological and physiological characteristics. So according to the goals of intercropping recommended the intercropping systems of millet and quinoa for Birjand region.

To evaluate the additive effect of intercropping of potato and quinoa, and weed management on yield and quantitive traits of potato, this study was conducted in a split plot experiment based on randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four replications at Jiroft and Kahnooj regions. Weed management treatments (control, without controlling weeds), paraquat herbicide (3 liter per hectare) and manual weeding, were considered as the main plot, and additive intercropping patterns (potato: quinoa in density levels of 5:15, 5:20 and 5:30 plants.m-2) and potato sole cropping (5 plants.m-2) were assigned to sub-plots. Based on the results, intercropping cultivation had significant effects on reducing weed densities and increasing plant height, leaves number per plant, leaf area index, tuber number per plant, tuber yield and marketable tuber yield. Increased densities of quinoa in intercropping cultivation caused an enhancing trend in potato plant height (4.2-9.1 %), leaves number per plant (7.9-16.6 %) and leaf area index (5.6-12.7 %) as compared to potato sole cropping treatment (control). Manual weeding, also decreased in weed density (16.1 %), and increased leaves number per plant (3.7 %), tuber number per plant (9.4 %), tuber yield (6.3 %) and marketable tuber yield (9.8 %) in comparison to that of paraquat herbicide treatment. The highest mean tuber number (7.5 number.plant-1) was observed in the 5:20 intercroping treatment, which resulted in 7.1% increase in the tuber number as compared with the control treatment. Highest tuber yield (4.54 kg.m-2) and marketable tuber yield (4.01 kg.m-2) were also obtained with the 5:20 intercroping treatment under manual weeding at Kahnooj region, and resulted in 69.4 and 20 % increases in tuber yield and marketable tuber yield respectively, as compared with the potato sole cropping without weeding (control treatment) in this region. Generaly, the best results were obtained in potato and quinoa intercropping with density of 5:20 plants.m-2 under manual weeding at Kahnooj region

To investigate the effect of different green manures from Gramineae and Brassicaceae families on yield, some agronomic traits of forage maize, overgrowth with weeds and soil organic matter, an experiment was conducted based on a randomized complete block design with three replications for three consecutive years (2017-2020) at the Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Centre of Southern Khorasan. Experimental treatments included control (without application of green manure) and application of green manures from the cultivation of barley, triticale, canola, arugula with their optimum and twice optimum densities. The results showed that barley and triticale at twice optimum density with 865.7 and 802.9 g m-2, respectively, had a higher green manure dry mass at the time of returning to the soil. Just before maize cultivation, soil organic matter with an average of 0.73 % was higher in barley green manure at twice optimum density compared to other treatments. Based on the results, the highest maize forage yield with 45.7 and 44.9 t ha-1 were achieved after treatment with barley green manure in twice optimum and optimum density (22.8 and 20.7 percent more than control treatment) and after that triticale in both densities, and canola and arugula at twice optimum density had the highest yield.

Introduction Plants in arid and semi-arid regions are constantly exposed to environmental stresses such as salinity. The sensitivity of different plants to salinity stress at different growth stages is quite different. In many plants, perhaps the most sensitive stage of the plant growth cycle to salinity, is germination and emergence stages. Germination and emergence of seeds are the first important stages in plant establishment which is affected by most environmental stresses. In South Khorasan, which has saline soil and water, conventional millet cultivation is common, and it’s most important weeds are lambsquarters, tumble pigweed and purslane. Since the irrigation of millet fields in this region of the country is performed with saline water, this experiment was conducted out to investigate the emergence response of millet and lambsquarters, tumble pigweed and purslane weeds, under sodium chloride salinity in Hoagland solution. Materials and methods In order to evaluate the effect of salinity stress on quality and emergence rate of common millet, lambsquarters, tumble pigweed and purslane, four separate experiments were conducted out in a randomized complete block design with three replications in 2017 in the research greenhouse of agricultural faculty at Birjand University. Experimental treatments consisted of 10 salinity levels including Hoagland solution with 2 dS/m as control, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18 and 20 dS/m (created sodium chloride in Hoagland solution). Hoagland formula was used for preparation of nutrient solution and sodium chloride was used for preparation of different salinity levels. After filling each pot with 1.5 liters of acid washed sand, 25 seeds from each species were placed at 1 cm depth from soil surface. Seedling emergence were counted daily. In order to investigate the response of each species to salinity stress, the emergence percentage in each species was analyzed in a randomized complete block design without considering treatments with zero emergence percentage. Data analysis was performed using SAS software. GLM procedure was used for analysis of variance and comparison of mean performed with protected LSD at 5% probability level. Results and discussion The results showed that common millet, purslane, tumble pigweed and lambsquarters seeds had the ability to germinate up to 20, 16, 12 and 12 dS/m, respectively. The start of emergence for common millet seeds up to 10 dS/m and tumble pigweed up to 8 dS/m was 3 days after sowing. Meanwhile, the seeds of lambsquarters emergence up to 6 dS/m on the fourth day, and purslane in 2 dS/m on the second day after sowing. Millet plants were emergence up to 18 dS/m salinity in the first five days after sowing. The results also showed that for common millet and tumble pigweed, no significant difference were observed for single seedling dry weight at 2 and 4 dS/m. Increasing salinity from 2 to 4 dS/m led to a significant decrease in purslane seedling dry weight but with increasing salinity stress from 4 to 8 dS/m, the reduction in seedling dry weight was not significant. In this study, with increasing salinity stress from 2 to 8 dS/m, dry weight of common millet, purslane, lambsquarter and tumble pigweed decreased by 55, 73.8, 80.7 and 79.5%, respectively. In this study, after ensuring that the seeds did not emerge, to determine the viability of non-emerged seeds, the pots were irrigated with distilled water. Under this condition, non-emerged millet seeds in the pots were not able to germinate at any levels of salinity stress. Purslane had no germination under salinity stress of 18 and 20 dS/m, but there were 34% and 62% emergence percentage respectively, when the salinity were terminated. Under mild stress, the percentage of germinated purslane seeds was 18% after recovery, which decreased with increasing salinity up to 12 dS/m and then increased. Conclusion In general, the results showed that salinity stress caused a change in the emergence behavior of millet and purslane, tumble pigweed and lambsquarters weeds. Common millet had the ability to germinate at all levels of salinity stress, but tumble pigweed and lambsquarters had the potential to emerge up to 12 dS/m and for the purslane up to 16 dS/m. Also, with increasing salinity stress from 8 to 16 dS/m, dry weight of seedling of common millet, purslane, tumble pigweed and lambsquarters decreased by 66, 82, 100 and 100 percent, respectively. At the end, the results showed that occurrence of salinity stress and its removal, the purslane seeds had a greater ability to keep their viability, whereas the common millet seeds completely lost their viability.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of fertilizer type and irrigation scheduling on biomass partitioning in saffron. Research Method: The experimental factors were saffron fertilization (no-fertilizer, cow manure and NPK chemical fertilizer) and irrigation regimes (FI=7200 and DI=3600 m3 ha-1) which were tested during 2015-16 growing season, using a factorial layout. Findings: The weights of roots and leaves had an increasing trend up to 72 and 114 days after first autumnal irrigation (DAFAI), respectively, and then were decreased. Corm production started from 51 DAFAI and its maximum was obtained at DI and chemical or organic fertilizer application. In all combined treatments corm production (maximum rate between 114 and 157 DAFAI) was prior to corm filling (started from 135 DAFAI) and both mentioned indices were higher in DI. The weight of replacement corms per clone in plants that were treated by cow manure and received 7200 m3 ha-1 water, was higher (~10%) than all other treatments. Corm growth rate increased from 50 DAFAI and the maximum value (0.32 and 0.34 g day-1 plant-1 in 56 and 78 DAFAI, respectively) obtained at combined treatment of FI × cow manure. Research limitations: Access to similar scientific references on the topic of research was a limitation. Originality/value: This study was the first research which specifically deals with the allocation of photo-assimilates in saffron and based on its findings, application of 3600 m3 ha-1 water plus cow manure is an appropriate strategy in saffron cultivation during first growing season.

The combined effect of water and nutrient availability is one of the most important factors in corm growth and flowering of saffron. In addition, it seems that applying water in amounts more than conventional amounts in semi-arid areas can be more useful in saffron cultivation. Accordingly, the effects of irrigation regimes [two and four weeks intervals equal to application of 3600 (conventional irrigation treatment) and 7200 m3.ha-1 (extensive-irrigation treatment) during saffron growth], as well as organic (30 ton.ha-1 cow manure based on soil and manure analysis results) and chemical fertilizers (220, 150 and 100 kg.ha-1 urea, super-phosphate and potassium sulfate, respectively) with a control treatment (no-fertilizer) are studied on some physiological growth indices, corm production and flowering of saffron in this experiment. The experiment was conducted as factorial based on a randomized completely block design with three replications in Sarayan county, Iran, during 2014-2016. Vegetative growth indices were studied during the first growth cycle, while flowering indices were measured during the second growth season. Total biomass has an increasing trend during saffron growth cycle in all treatments. This index was higher in cow manure treatment in both levels of water availability, during the last two growth months. Crop growth rate (CGR) was slow (below 3.9 g.m-2.day-1), rapid (3.9-12 g.m-2.day-1) and intermediate (5.5 g.m-2.day-1) in the early (the first 90 days of growth), middle (90-150 days after growth) and late (150-180 days of growth) growth periods. The highest CGR (12 g.m-2.day-1) was obtained in cow manure treatment and 145 days after the first autumnal irrigation. In all treatments, leaf weight ratio (leaf to total plant weight ratio) has a decreasing trend from two months after the first irrigation until the end of the growth cycle and it is slightly higher in fertilization treatments. Cow manure application increased the corm production and total corms weight per plant by 15 and 13%, respectively, compared with the control treatment. The highest mean weight of replacement corms (6.4 g) was shown in combined treatment of cow manure and two weeks' irrigation intervals. The highest values of flower number (98 flower per m2), flower yield (24.3 g.m-2), style yield (0.56 g.m-2) and dry petal yield (3.7 g.m-2) were obtained in plants that had been treated with cow manure and received water in intervals of 4 weeks. In cow manure fertilizer and control treatments, the highest flower and stigma yield were obtained in irrigation intervals of 4 weeks, while in chemical fertilizer treatment, the highest flower and stigma yield were obtained in 2 week irrigation intervals. Therefore, it seems that application of cow manure combined with consumption of 3600 m3.ha-1 is suitable during the first growth cycle of saffron during which corm density and transpiration area are low.

Introduction Water and soil salinity are the most fundamental agricultural problems in arid and semi-arid area. There are some microorganisms in soil that helps plants in nutrients absorption in many ways. Mycorrhizal fungi are capable of establishing symbiosis with the roots of most plants. This symbiosis has several advantages for the host plants, including increased tolerance to environmental stresses and diseases. Pseudomonas is one of the main Mineral phosphate-solubilizing bacteria, due to the wide range of stimulating plant growth traits are improved plant growth. Isabgol (Plantago ovata Forsk.) is a plant from (Plantaginaceae) family. Currently, production of this plant is one of the 15 species medicinal plant that have economic priority. To find out the effect of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, Mineral phosphate-solubilizing bacteria in salinity condition on yield and yield components Isabgol (Plantago ovata Forsk.), this experiment designed and implemented. Materials and Methods The field experiment was conducted at the research farm of national salinity research center in Hosein Abad, Yazd in 2015. A split-factorial experiment based on randomized complete block with three replications. Three levels of salinity 2.5 (control), 5 and 10 dS.m-1 was as the main plot and mycorrhizal fungi and PSB were as sub plots. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi include two levels (Glomus intraradices and control) and PSB also includes two levels (Pseudomonas fluorescens bacteria control). After field preparation planting with 100 plants per square meter and 30 cm rows, was taken. Weed control was with hand weeding and herbicide was not used. Salinity stress started at 3-4 leaf stage with water mixture of different salinity level wells. To ensure the same level of irrigation in salinity factor, irrigation was done in a controlled manner. To determine the yield components, five plants of each plot were harvested and plots harvested at end to determine yield traits. Statistical analysis was performed with SAS software. Comparison of mean also was conducted by protected LSD test at five percent probability level. Results and discussion Analysis of variance showed salinity had a significant effect at 5% level on tillers numbers per plant and significant effect at 1% level on spike numbers per plant, seeds numbers per spike, 1000 seed weight, harvest index, biological yield and seed yield. The effect of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and Mineral phosphate-solubilizing bacteria on spike numbers per plant, seeds numbers per spike, 1000 seed weight, biological yield and seed yield was significant at 1% level and the effect of PSB on tiller numbers per plant and harvest index was significant at the 5% level. Also salinity, AMF and PBS interaction was significant at 5% level on biological and seed yield. Comparison of means showed that the highest spike numbers per plant, seeds numbers per spike, 1000 seed weight, harvest index, biological yield, seed yield, were 18.3 number, 43.4 number, 1.5 gr, 27.9 %, 3805 and 1063 kg.h-1 at 2.5 dS.m-1 salinity and the minimum number of these traits were 12.4 number, 31.2 number, 1.35 grams, 22.3%, 2164 and 485 kg.h-1 at 10 dS.m-1 salinity respectively. Also interaction results showed that maximum biological and seed yield was 4539 and 1310 kg.h-1 at 2.5 dS.m-1 salinity, Glomus intraradices and Pseudomonas fluorescens and minimum biological and seed yield was 1817 and 368 kg.h-1 at 10 dS.m-1, non inoculated and no bacteria respectively. Conclusions Totally the results of this study showed that water salinity can have a negative effect on yield of Isabgol, but utilizing of some soil microorganisms can compensate these negative effects. Therefore, utilizing bio-fertilizers can improve water and nutrients availability, moreover increase yield traits and effective in safe medicinal plant production.

Silverberry fruit is an important medicinal fruit that used for reducing pain. The present work was carried out to study the effect of potassium meta-bisulfite (KMS) and air drying temperature on quality of Russian olive fruit. Different KMS levels (0, 1, 2 and 4%) and drying temperatures (45, 60 and 75°C) were used and some traits such as weight loss (WL), rehydration ratio (RH-R), TSS (total soluble solids), TA (total acidity), TSS/TA ratio, ascorbic acid, color parameters (L*, a*, b*, chroma and Hue, TEPL, TEPa and TEPb, ΔE and BI), total phenol (TP), and potassium were measured. WL, RH-R and total color change (ΔE) increased with increment of pre-treatment concentration. All traits except TSS, were significantly affected by drying temperature. TA, ascorbic acid and TP raised by increasing air temperature from 45°C to 60°C. Temperature higher than 60°C increased ΔE. Increment of temperature from 45°C to 75°C led to an increasing trend of browning index, a*, b* and C* (chroma), however, L* (lightness) and hue angle decreased. In general, using higher KMS concentrations as pre-treatment improved weight loss during drying, however, significant color change observed and color retention significantly reduced. Drying temperature higher than 60°C also increased browning index of Russian olive fruit, however, total phenols increased in parallel. Thus, it is suggested that drying temperatures lower than 60°C may be good treatment for drying silverberry fruits.

Introduction: Increasing crop competitive ability is an important part of integrated weed management (IWM). In this regard, identifying weeds reaction to soil fertility status for developing fertilizing methods, as components of IWM programs, is a necessity. Materials and Methods: In order to evaluate the growth characteristics of purple nutsedge under the conditions of interference with onion, a factorial experiment based on randomized complete block design was conducted with three replications at the Research Greenhouse of University of Birjand in 2013. The first factor included three sowing methods of onion (seed sowing, onion set and transplanting) and the second factor included three levels of nitrogen (50, 100 and 150 kg N ha-1, equivalent to 25, 50 and 75 mg N kg-1 soil), urea fertilizer with a purity of 46% was used for this purpose. Results and Discussion: The results of analysis of variance showed that sowing method and nitrogen levels had significant effects on plant height, leaf area, aboveground dry weight as well as tuber number and underground dry weights. Moreover, the interaction between sowing methods and nitrogen levels had a significant effect on plant height, leaf area, aboveground dry weight as well as tuber number and underground dry weights. The results of the comparisons of the mean for the interaction of planting methods and different levels of nitrogen indicated an increased weeds growth in direct seeding method and high levels of nitrogen in weed height trait, so that the greatest nutsedge height during the growing season (92.33 cm) was obtained at direct seeding method and high nitrogen levels . Moreover, the lowest weed height during the growing season was obtained at onion set planting method and 50 kg ha-1 nitrogen. The highest leaf area of purple nutsedge at ten weeks after planting (446.65 cm2), was obtained in direct seeding method and high levels of nitrogen, and the lowest value for this trait (203.38 cm2), was observed in onion set planting method. The greatest shoot dry weight of purple nutsedge during the growing season was observed in direct seeding method and high levels of nitrogen. The maximum amount of this trait at eight and ten weeks after planting was achieved in the level of 100 kg N ha-1 which was about 3.797 and 7.306 gr plant-1, respectively. Also the minimum shoot dry weight of weed was produced in onion set planting method and their amounts were about, 1.161 and 4.229 gr plant-1 at eight and ten weeks after planting, respectively. The greatest tuber number of purple nutsedge during the growing season were observed with seed planting method which were 7 and 15.33 tuber per pot at eight and ten weeks after planting, respectively. Moreover, the minimum tuber number of weed was produced in onion set planting method and were about 1.66 and 5.66 tuber per pot at eight and ten weeks after planting, respectively. The maximum underground dry weight of purple nutsedge during the growing season was obtained at direct seeding method and high levels of nitrogen. The maximum amount of this trait at eight and ten weeks after planting was obtained in the level of 100 kg N ha-1 which were about 2.472 and 5.396 gr plant-1, respectively .The minimum underground dry weight of weed was achieved in onion set planting method which were about, 0.888 and 1.873 gr plant-1 at eight and ten weeks after planting, respectively. Conclusion: Overall ANOVA results showed that the sowing method and level of nitrogen as well as their interaction had a significant effect on all studied traits of purple nutsedge. Evaluation of growth characteristics of purple nutsedge under the conditions of interference with onion showed that the greatest and lowest growth of purple nutsedge were obtained where seed and onion sets planting methods were implemented, respectively. Moreover, the results indicated a positive response of purple nutsedge to high levels of nitrogen. Thus, in order to minimize the damage caused by purple nutsedge, the application of 100 kg N ha-1 nitrogen in onion set method is recommended as the most appropriate treatment for the management of purple nutsedge in infected onions farms. However, this study was conducted under greenhouse conditions and there is no doubt that repeating the test in the field is essential for verifying the results.

This study was conducted in two factorial experiment based on completely randomized design with three replications at research laboratory of faculty of agriculture in University of Birjand in 2013. Factors included saffron organs at 2 levels (leaves and corms) and water extract concentrations at 5 levels (0, 0.5, 1, 1.5 and 2 percent).The allelopathic effects of saffron leaves and corms on seed germination and seedling growth characteristics of flixweed (Descurainia sophia L.) and downy brome (Bromus tectorum L.) were studied in two separate experiments. Results indicated lowest seed germination percentage of downy brome and flixweed were observed at concentration of 2% of corm extract (by 65% and 66% reduce compared to control, respectively). The rate of germination of downy brome decreased (by 71% compared to control) with concentration of 2% of leaf extract but the rate of germination on flixweed was not significantly affected by extract concentrations. Different concentrations of leaf and corm extracts significantly decreased length and weight of plumule and radicals of two weeds. A logistic model provided a successful estimation of relationship between leaf water extract and germination percentage of two weeds. Based on orthogonal comparison tests, the allelopathic inhibition effects of saffron leaves and corms were more on downy brome and flixweed, respectively.

This pot experiment was carried out to investigate the efficiency of plant rhizospheric microorganisms (PRMs) to counteract salinity stress in Plantago ovata. The treatments included soil salinity (2.5 (as control), 5 and 10 dS m−1), arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (Control, Glomus mosseae, Rhizophagus intraradices and Funneliformis mosseae) and phosphate solubilizing bacteria (Control and Pseudomonas fluorescens). The highest amount of growth and yield parameters, relative water content (RWC), potassium (K+) and phosphorus (P) concentration, photosynthetic traits (chlorophyll a and b, carotenoid, maximal efficiency of PSII (fv/fm), variable fluorescence to initial fluorescence (fv/f0) and stomatal conductance (gs)), antioxidant enzymes and the lowest sodium (Na+) concentration, malondialdehyde (MDA) and electrolyte leakage were observed in the plants treated with mixture of Rhizophagus intraradices and Pseudomonas fluorescens under all salinity levels. Although all previously mentioned traits significantly and severely decreased under salinity stress, mucilage percentage, electrolyte leakage and Na+ concentration were increased under salinity levels. In conclusion, the results suggested that inoculation of AMF (particularly Rhizophagus intraradices) in combination with Pseudomonas fluorescens by the accumulation of proline along with decreased electrolyte leakage, maintenance of relative water content in leaves and selective uptake of K+ ions could overcome detrimental effects of salinity stress in isabgol. Abbreviations AMF: arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi; APX: ascorbate peroxidase; CAT: catalase; Chl: chlorophyll; CAR: carotenoids; ECe: electrical conductivity of soil saturation extract; EL: Electrolyte leakage; Fv/Fm: maximal efficiency of PSII; gs: stomatal conductance; Fv/F0: variable fluorescence to initial fluorescence; K+: potassium; MDA: malondialdehyde; Na+: Sodium; PGPR: plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria; P: phosphorus; PRM: plant rhizospheric microorganisms; PSB: phosphate solubilizing bacteria; RWC: relative water content; SOD: superoxide dismutase [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: Every year about 12 million hectares of productive land has become dry and barren due to human activities and climate. Quinoa has a very high genetic diversity and can be cultivated in a wide range of soils, climates and latitudes. It also is a plant responds to drought stress through escape, tolerance and avoidance of drought and has an extraordinary capacity for cultivation in dry and low-water soils because of its capabilities such as low inherent need for water, the maintenance of leaf surface and the ability to resume the speed of photosynthesis after drought stress. Growth is a major component of fitness in all organisms an important mediator of competitive interactions in plant communities and a central determinant of yield in crops. This experiment was conducted with the purpose of investigation the changes in height and leaf greenness index, quinoa final height, length of main and sub inflorescences and seed yield. Materials and Methods: In order to evaluate the trend changes in the height and leaf greenness index of quinoa, four separate experiments were conducted in factorial layout based on randomized complete block design with three replications in two regions (Birjand and Sarbisheh) and two planting dates (March and July) in 2018-2019. The experimental factors included five moisture levels (25, 50, 75, 100 and 125% of crop water requirement) and three quinoa cultivars (Titicaca, Giza1 and Redcarina). Separate analysis of variance was also performed for each sampling time. At the end of the growing season, the plant height, the length of the main and sub inflorescences and seed yield were analyzed as a compound analysis that the effects of time (planting date) and place were considered fixed. Results: The results of variance analysis in four separate experiments showed that in both regions, in March cultivation, Redcarina and in August cultivation, Giza1 reached the maximum value of leaf greenness index later than other cultivars and decreased with a lower slope and they actually had a higher leaf greenness index. Also, the highest plant height in March and August cultivation was observed in Redcarina cultivars (79.56 and 93.02 cm respectively in Birjand and Sarbisheh) and Giza1 (92.93 and 85.98 cm respectively in Birjand and Sarbisheh) respectively. At the beginning of the growing season, the highest value of leaf greenness index was observed in the level of 125% of water requirement, which was not significantly different from other moisture levels. With the passage of time, the value of leaf greenness index increased in lower moisture levels so that its value was higher at 25% water requirement level and had a significant difference with other levels. The highest plant height was at the level of 125% water requirement no significant difference was observed between the levels of 125% and 100% plant's water requirement in both places and time studied. Based on the results of composite analysis at the end of the growing season, the highest and lowest plant height was observed in Redcarina and Titicaca cultivars respectively and the cultivar had no significant effect on the length of main and sub inflorescences. Planting date had no significant effect on plant height. however, the maximum main inflorescence length and the lowest sub inflorescence length were obtained from August cultivation. The maximum plant height and main inflorescence length (86.34 and 19.04 cm respectively) were observed in Sarbisheh, and the maximum sub inflorescence length (14.17 cm) was observed in Birjand. By reducing irrigation from the level of 125% to the levels of 100, 75, 50 and 25% of water requirement, the plant height decreased by 6.50, 15.11, 26.88 and 41.13%, respectively, the main inflorescence length decreased by 7.96, 16.52, 20.90 and 32.83%, respectively and the sub inflorescence length decreased by 9.29, 19.38, 40.76 and 47.51% respectively. Seed yield was also higher in August cultivation, Giza1 cultivar and high humidity levels, and there was a positive and significant correlation with growth traits, especially height. Conclusion: In general, Redcarina at March cultivation date, and Giza1 at July cultivation date, had the best height plant, leave greenness index, length main and sub inflorescences and seed yield compared to other cultivars. Applying moisture stress also caused a significant decrease in these traits and seed yield in all four experiments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drought stress is one of the most important limiting factors in crop production, and it creates major challenges for the growth and development of plants in many parts of the world. Elicitors, as key messenger compounds, play an important modulatory role in plant responses to abiotic stresses, which leads to physiological changes and triggers the expression of stress-responsive genes by the synthesis of signaling molecules. A factorial experiment was conducted with two factors in a greenhouse at the University of Zabol, Iran, during 2021. The water supply applied at three levels including 100%, 75%, and 50% of crop water requirement (as control, mild, and severe water deficit stress, respectively). The foliar sprayings were applied at six levels: control, 70% ethanol, 0.5 and 1 mM SA, and 0.5 and 1 mM MeJA. The effect of elicitors on various physiological, biochemical parameters and expression of superoxide dismutase (SOD), MYB62, and NAM/ATAF1/2/CUC2 (NAC) genes under drought stress conditions was investigated by qRT-PCR. In final the target genes, correlation rate was calculated based on the co-expression and experimental parameters, and their expression network was plotted using Cytoscape software. The results of the physiological analysis revealed that with increasing water deficit stress intensity, the amount of Chl-a, Chl-b, and total chlorophyll content decreased significantly. The utilization of elicitors also increased the carotenoid content. The analysis of anti-oxidant enzyme activity showed that the activity of the guaiacol peroxidase (GPX) increased significantly under severe stress + 1 mM MeJA application. The highest catalase (CAT) activity was also observed under severe stress + 1 mM MeJA. The expression analysis of three genes SOD, MYB62, and NAC showed that with increasing water deficit stress, the expression of all three genes increased. Based on the present results, MeJA and SA had a positive effect on increasing the expression of MYB62, proline, and carbohydrate but greatly reduced the expression of NAC. Among the spraying treatments, 0.5 mM SA showed the highest positive impact on the expression of the studied genes, while the ethanol treatment had the most negative effect. The expression analysis of genes involved in drought tolerance under elicitor applications is necessary to elucidate the relationship between physiological and enzymatic changes (osmotic adjustment, pigments, and anti-oxidant enzymes) and gene expression patterns in quinoa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) is one of the oldest cultivated annual crops in the world belonging to the cannabaceae family and annual wind-pollinated broadleaf. It is originated in central Asia and considered a multi-purpose crop including stalk fiber (apparel, fabric, bags), stalk hard (animal bedding, mulch, biofuel, filter, and so on), seeds (nut, and snacks), oil (salad oil, cosmetic, shampoo, soap, oil paint, industrial oil, and solvent), leave and inflorescence (anti-microbe (hand soap), and agrochemical products (insecticide and herbicide). Weed competition for nutrients, water, and light led to decreased growth and yield of hemp. Mechanical and agronomical techniques are commonly used for weed management in hemp. Since mechanical and agronomical techniques are expensive and time-consuming, finding a new approach to save time and money is essential. Determination of weed critical period may facilitate arriving at this approach. The critical period of weed control (CPWC) refers to a part of the integrated weed management (IWM) program and is defined as a part of the crop growth cycle in which weeds must be removed for avoiding economic yield losses due to weed competition with crops for water, light, and minerals. On the other hand, CPWC is a period in which crops must be growth-free of weeds. Numerous agents' effects on CPWC include crop species and growth characteristics, crop density, crop variety, and crop planting pattern. The main goal of this study was to determine the effect of hemp density on CPWC and hemp yield and yield components' responses to the critical period of weed control. Materials and Methods A field trial was carried out in 2016 at the research field of Birjand University in South Khorasan Province, Birjand, Iran (latitude 32°, 86', 49" N, longitude 59°, 22', 62" E, and altitude 1491 m). Before sowing seeds, the field was fertilized with urea (250 kg ha-1) split at two times (sowing time, 2 mount after emergence), P2O5 (100 kg ha-1), and K2O (100 kg ha-1). The field was plowed with a mouldboard plough (30 cm depth), and then harrowing by a disk used for seedbed preparation twice, and finally, leveling the soil surface by leveler tools. Hemp has never been cultivated in this field. The hemp seeds were sown on May 4, 2016, in a cluster, 5 seeds in each hole with 60 cm between rows and 10 and 20 cm between plants in the row for 8 and 16 plants/m², respectively. Sown depth was 3 to 4 cm. Crop emergence began about 2 weeks after planting. Two weeks after emergence (four weeks after planting), the plants were thinned to reach a determined density. The experiment was arranged in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) in a factorial arrangement with three replications. Each experimental plot was 6 m long, 3 m in width, and included 5 rows. Data were collected in three central rows. Treatments included six weed-infested periods (2 (WI2), 4 (WI4), 6 (WI6), 8 (WI8), and 10 (WI10) weeks after crop emergence (WAE)), in which weeds were allowed to grow to 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 weeks after that control conducted by hand hoeing until harvest time. In weed-infested control (WIC), weeds were allowed to grow in all growing seasons duration. Six weed-free periods (2 (WF2), 4 (WF4), 6 (WF6), 8 (WF8), and 10 (WF10) weeks after crop emergence (WAE)), which weeds were hand hoeing control to 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 WAE and then weeds were allowed to grow until harvest time. In weed-free control (WFC), weeds control in all season growth duration. The experimental treatments during the growing season of hemp are described in Figure 1. Seed hemp yield and yield components were determined at the end of the growing season. Results and Discussion Weed-infested and weed-free periods treatments have significant effects on the seed yield and yield components including flower number and seed number per plant of hemp (Table 1). Moreover, hemp density has a significant effect on the seed yield and yield components including flower number and seed number per plant of hemp (Table 1). Higher crop density led to limited CPWC since under weed-infested fields using higher crop density led to improved crop competition ability (Zimdal, 1993). (Hayat et al., 2003) reported that high crop density led to decreased seed yield of crops by increasing inter-species competition. (Purcell et al., 2002) demonstrated the seed yield of soybean depends on crop density whereas by increasing crop density firstly seed yield was increased but under high crop density seed yield was decreased. Therefore, using proper crop density is known as an important challenge to crop production. Flowers per plant, seed number per plant, and seed yield were affected by crop density. Results of this study demonstrated that under weed-infested fields using 16 plants/m-2 is more suitable than 8 plants/m-2 compared to weed-free in Birjand conditions (Dry climate)(Table 2). Conclusions A greater understanding of weed behavior can help with IWM strategies. The critical period of weed control determination is a key factor for IWM strategies that led to less introduction of herbicides into the environment, saving money and time, and so on. Data obtained from the results of this study revealed that more crop density led to a decrease in the duration of the critical period of weed control in hemp. Introduction Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) is one of the oldest cultivated annual crops in the world belonging to the cannabaceae family and annual wind-pollinated broadleaf. It is originated in central Asia and considered a multi-purpose crop including stalk fiber (apparel, fabric, bags), stalk hard (animal bedding, mulch, biofuel, filter, and so on), seeds (nut, and snacks), oil (salad oil, cosmetic, shampoo, soap, oil paint, industrial oil, and solvent), leave and inflorescence (anti-microbe (hand soap), and agrochemical products (insecticide and herbicide). Weed competition for nutrients, water, and light led to decreased growth and yield of hemp. Mechanical and agronomical techniques are commonly used for weed management in hemp. Since mechanical and agronomical techniques are expensive and time-consuming, finding a new approach to save time and money is essential. Determination of weed critical period may facilitate arriving at this approach. The critical period of weed control (CPWC) refers to a part of the integrated weed management (IWM) program and is defined as a part of the crop growth cycle in which weeds must be removed for avoiding economic yield losses due to weed competition with crops for water, light, and minerals. On the other hand, CPWC is a period in which crops must be growth-free of weeds. Numerous agents' effects on CPWC include crop species and growth characteristics, crop density, crop variety, and crop planting pattern. The main goal of this study was to determine the effect of hemp density on CPWC and hemp yield and yield components' responses to the critical period of weed control. Materials and Methods A field trial was carried out in 2016 at the research field of Birjand University in South Khorasan Province, Birjand, Iran (latitude 32°, 86', 49" N, longitude 59°, 22', 62" E, and altitude 1491 m). Before sowing seeds, the field was fertilized with urea (250 kg ha-1) split at two times (sowing time, 2 mount after emergence), P2O5 (100 kg ha-1), and K2O (100 kg ha-1). The field was plowed with a mouldboard plough (30 cm depth), and then harrowing by a disk used for seedbed preparation twice, and finally, leveling the soil surface by leveler tools. Hemp has never been cultivated in this field. The hemp seeds were sown on May 4, 2016, in a cluster, 5 seeds in each hole with 60 cm between rows and 10 and 20 cm between plants in the row for 8 and 16 plants/m², respectively. Sown depth was 3 to 4 cm. Crop emergence began about 2 weeks after planting. Two weeks after emergence (four weeks after planting), the plants were thinned to reach a determined density. The experiment was arranged in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) in a factorial arrangement with three replications. Each experimental plot was 6 m long, 3 m in width, and included 5 rows. Data were collected in three central rows. Treatments included six weed-infested periods (2 (WI2), 4 (WI4), 6 (WI6), 8 (WI8), and 10 (WI10) weeks after crop emergence (WAE)), in which weeds were allowed to grow to 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 weeks after that control conducted by hand hoeing until harvest time. In weed-infested control (WIC), weeds were allowed to grow in all growing seasons duration. Six weed-free periods (2 (WF2), 4 (WF4), 6 (WF6), 8 (WF8), and 10 (WF10) weeks after crop emergence (WAE)), which weeds were hand hoeing control to 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 WAE and then weeds were allowed to grow until harvest time. In weed-free control (WFC), weeds control in all season growth duration. The experimental treatments during the growing season of hemp are described in Figure 1. Seed hemp yield and yield components were determined at the end of the growing season. Results and Discussion Weed-infested and weed-free periods treatments have significant effects on the seed yield and yield components including flower number and seed number per plant of hemp (Table 1). Moreover, hemp density has a significant effect on the seed yield and yield components including flower number and seed number per plant of hemp (Table 1). Higher crop density led to limited CPWC since under weed-infested fields using higher crop density led to improved crop competition ability (Zimdal, 1993). (Hayat et al.,2003) reported that high crop density led to decreased seed yield of crops by increasing inter-species competition. (Purcell et al.,2002) demonstrated the seed yield of soybean depends on crop density whereas by increasing crop density firstly seed yield was increased but under high crop density seed yield was decreased. Therefore, using proper crop density is known as an important challenge to crop production. Flowers per plant, seed number per plant, and seed yield were affected by crop density. Results of this study demonstrated that under weed-infested fields using 16 plants/m-2 is more suitable than 8 plants/m-2 compared to weed-free in Birjand conditions (Dry climate)(Table 2). Conclusions A greater understanding of weed behavior can help with IWM strategies. The critical period of weed control determination is a key factor for IWM strategies that led to less introduction of herbicides into the environment, saving money and time, and so on. Data obtained from the results of this study revealed that more crop density led to a decrease in the duration of the critical period of weed control in hemp. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Environmental factors, especially temperature, are very important in the proper occurrence of saffron flower initiation stage during summer. In areas affected by heat stress, any factor that reduces the stress intensity seems to be beneficial in improving saffron reproductive growth. Corm storage under desired environmental condition is a potential strategy, when saffron is grown as an annual crop. In perennial saffron plantation, where the corms spend the flowering stage in the soil, other solutions should be considered for the proper occurrence of the flowering stage. One of these solutions is to use plant residues in the field surface to reduce the soil temperature. The presence of plant residues causes shading on the soil surface, increases the amount of sunlight reflection, reduces evaporation from the soil, regulates the moisture content of the soil, and reduces the temperature at the depth of the corm placement. Another possible solution to adjust the soil temperature during the flower initiation phase of the corm is to carry out summer irrigation, but there is not enough certainty about its usefulness. Therefore, the aim of the current experiment was to investigate the effect of storage conditions of corms, as well as the effect of summer irrigation and the application of plant residue mulch on saffron flowering. Materials and Methods: To investigate the effect of corm storage conditions on saffron reproductive growth an experiment was carried out as complete randomized block design with seven treatments and three replicates during 2019 growing season, in Qaen, Iran. Experimental treatments were three types of corm storage inside the soil [corm planting in 5th June (A) with natural soil temperature as control, A + summer irrigation in 5th August and A + mulch application obtained from wheat residues at the rate of 8 ton ha-1)] and three types of corm storage outside the soil [Corm storage at room (ambient temperature) for three months started from 5th June + corm planting in 5th September (B), Corm storage in constant temperature (25 °C and relative humidity of ~40 %) in incubator for three months + B, three months corm storage at variable temperature in incubator (one month in 20, 25 and 20 °C) + B and corm storage in room (up to 5th August) and incubator (up to 5th September) + B. Results and Discussion: Results showed that summer irrigation increased the number, length and weight of cataphylls compared to control. Corm storage outside the soil (room or incubator) reduced the weight and length of cataphylls. Control and summer irrigation treatments had no significant different in terms of flower number, flowering rate and flower yield, but were superior to other treatments in terms of all the mentioned traits, especially compared with the room storage treatment. The highest values of mean flower weight (0.37 g), flower length (7.6 cm) and stigma length (2.83 cm) were obtained in mulch application treatment. Mulch application failed to improve flower and stigma yields, despite decreasing the soil temperature during the flower initiation stage. The highest values of stigma yield were gained at control, summer irrigation and mulch application (8.07, 7.28 and 6.40 kg ha-1, respectively), which were significantly more than those obtained at room storage (3.24 kg ha-1), storage in incubator with variable temperature (3.68 kg ha-1), storage in room and incubator (3.89 kg ha-1) and storage in incubator with constant temperature (4.28 kg ha-1). Conclusion: Overall, the passage of saffron flower initiation stage inside the soil significantly improved the flowering of the plant compared to the passage of this period outside the soil under room or incubator conditions. Conflict of Interest: The authors declare no potential conflict of interest related to the work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Seed vigor in soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) declines under environmental stresses, and seed shows signs of aging. The aging effects may be alleviated, however, by seed priming with certain chemicals, such as salicylic acid (SA). The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of SA priming on activities of certain enzymes and lipid peroxidation in soybean seedlings under accelerated aging (AA) process. A factorial, completely randomized design with three replicates was used. Different aging durations (48 h and 72 h), SA priming solutions (0, 300 and 600 μM) and priming times (before aging, after aging and both before and after aging, i.e., double priming) were the experimental factors. Increasing aging duration significantly increased mean emergence time (MET) but decreased carotenoid content. Nonetheless, SA solution mitigated the adverse effect of seed deterioration on germination-related traits by increasing enzyme activity and reducing malondialdehyde (MDA) content, especially under double priming. A strong negative correlation (r = – 0.99**) was found between MDA content and chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b content. By contrast, the correlation between MDA content and MET (r = 0.95**) was found to be positive. The results suggested that double SA priming was an appropriate practical technique to improve seedling establishment from aged soybean seed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The combined effect of water and nutrient availability is one of the most important factors in corm growth and flowering of saffron. In addition, it seems that applying water in amounts more than conventional amounts in semi-arid areas can be more useful in saffron cultivation. Accordingly, the effects of irrigation regimes [two and four weeks intervals equal to application of 3600 (conventional irrigation treatment) and 7200 m3.ha-1 (extensive-irrigation treatment) during saffron growth], as well as organic (30 ton.ha-1 cow manure based on soil and manure analysis results) and chemical fertilizers (220, 150 and 100 kg.ha-1 urea, super-phosphate and potassium sulfate, respectively) with a control treatment (no-fertilizer) are studied on some physiological growth indices, corm production and flowering of saffron in this experiment. The experiment was conducted as factorial based on a randomized completely block design with three replications in Sarayan county, Iran, during 2014-2016. Vegetative growth indices were studied during the first growth cycle, while flowering indices were measured during the second growth season. Total biomass has an increasing trend during saffron growth cycle in all treatments. This index was higher in cow manure treatment in both levels of water availability, during the last two growth months. Crop growth rate (CGR) was slow (below 3.9 g.m-2.day-1), rapid (3.9-12 g.m-2.day-1) and intermediate (5.5 g.m-2.day-1) in the early (the first 90 days of growth), middle (90-150 days after growth) and late (150-180 days of growth) growth periods. The highest CGR (12 g.m-2.day-1) was obtained in cow manure treatment and 145 days after the first autumnal irrigation. In all treatments, leaf weight ratio (leaf to total plant weight ratio) has a decreasing trend from two months after the first irrigation until the end of the growth cycle and it is slightly higher in fertilization treatments. Cow manure application increased the corm production and total corms weight per plant by 15 and 13%, respectively, compared with the control treatment. The highest mean weight of replacement corms (6.4 g) was shown in combined treatment of cow manure and two weeks' irrigation intervals. The highest values of flower number (98 flower per m2), flower yield (24.3 g.m-2), style yield (0.56 g.m-2) and dry petal yield (3.7 g.m-2) were obtained in plants that had been treated with cow manure and received water in intervals of 4 weeks. In cow manure fertilizer and control treatments, the highest flower and stigma yield were obtained in irrigation intervals of 4 weeks, while in chemical fertilizer treatment, the highest flower and stigma yield were obtained in 2 week irrigation intervals. Therefore, it seems that application of cow manure combined with consumption of 3600 m3.ha-1 is suitable during the first growth cycle of saffron during which corm density and transpiration area are low. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted in two factorial experiment based on completely randomized design with three replications at research laboratory of faculty of agriculture in University of Birjand in 2013. Factors included saffron organs at 2 levels (leaves and corms) and water extract concentrations at 5 levels (0, 0.5, 1, 1.5 and 2 percent).The allelopathic effects of saffron leaves and corms on seed germination and seedling growth characteristics of flixweed (Descurainia sophia L.) and downy brome (Bromus tectorum L.) were studied in two separate experiments. Results indicated lowest seed germination percentage of downy brome and flixweed were observed at concentration of 2% of corm extract (by 65% and 66% reduce compared to control, respectively). The rate of germination of downy brome decreased (by 71% compared to control) with concentration of 2% of leaf extract but the rate of germination on flixweed was not significantly affected by extract concentrations. Different concentrations of leaf and corm extracts significantly decreased length and weight of plumule and radicals of two weeds. A logistic model provided a successful estimation of relationship between leaf water extract and germination percentage of two weeds. Based on orthogonal comparison tests, the allelopathic inhibition effects of saffron leaves and corms were more on downy brome and flixweed, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

People who the author would like to thank for their assistance in the creation of the journal are mentioned.