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IntroductionWater deficit is as one of the most ominous abiotic factors that limits the growth and yield of crops and reduced photosynthesis content (Askary et al., 2017). The common symptoms determined in plants after encountering water deficit include a hindrance to growth, a reduction in the rate of photosynthesis, an acceleration oxidative stress (Aalipour et al., 2020). A balanced nutrient concentration in the soil is known as another essential element for plant growth regulation (Taghizadeh et al. 2019). This can be supplied by the application of chemical fertilizers (nano iron chelate). Nano iron chelate fertilizer can also protect plants against water deficit stresses and improves photosynthesis and assimilates transportation to sinks and eventually amends grain yield and oil content (Moradbeygi et al., 2020). The aim of this study was to investigate the response of Dragon head (Lalelemantia iberica) and Lady's mantle (Lalelemantia royleana) to the application of nano-chelate fertilizer in different irrigation regimes.Materials and methodsThe field trial was conducted at the Research Farm of the Agricultural Faculty of Shahed University, Tehran, during the cropping season of 2018 and 2019. A split-factorial experiment was employed in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. The main plot consisted of three-level of irrigation regime (30% (I30; without stress), 60% (I60; mild stress), and 90% (I90; sever stress) depletion of available water resource). The sub plots were factorial combination nano-iron chelate (without fertilizer and nano-iron chelate) and plant species of Lallemantia (L.iberica and L. royleana).Results and discussionBy increasing water deficit reduced, chlorophyll a and b, CAT and APXs enzyme activity, plant height, root length, seed yield, content of mucilage and oil. The reduction of plant growth parameters and seed yield of both species Lallemantia may be due to extended irrigation intervals which caused decline in Chl concentration, stomata closure, and decreased CO2 uptake for photosynthesis (Paravar et al., 2021). Our results showed that the highest chlorophyll a and b, CAT and APXs enzyme activity, plant height, root length, seed yield, content of mucilage and oil was obtained at 60% available water soil of depletion (moderate drought stress). The application nano-iron chelate in all cases mitigated the negative effects of water deficit stress on chlorophyll a and b, CAT and APXs enzyme activity, plant height, root length, seed yield, content of mucilage and oil. Increasing in growth parameters and seed yield under drought stress of Lallemantia species under application of nano-iron chelate condition in drought stress may be due to the role of iron the chlorophyll structure and plant photosynthesis system (Moradbeygi et al., 2020). Indeed application of nano-iron chelate by photosynthesis improvement and material production in the plant causes the increasing growth and yield. (Iqbal and Umar, 2019). In addition, in this study observed nano-iron chalet application played the important role on the increasing of CAT and APXs enzyme activity under drought stress. It has been reported that micronutrients such as iron has a structural role in some enzyme such as CAT and APXs (Moradbeygi et al., 2020). Higher seed yield and seed oil L.iberica than L.royleana under application nano-iron chelate and different levels of irrigation regimes may be due to the increasing chlorophyll a and b (Paravar et al., 2022). Compared with L.iberica, the greater CAT and APXs enzyme activity in L.royleana is probably due to the mucilage around roots of L.royleana that has caused the reduction of oxidative stress (Paravar et al., 2021).ConclusionTherefore, in general in this research, it can be concluded that under water deficit stress conditions, we can reduce damages from water deficit stress in both species of Lallemantia with careful irrigation management (using an irrigation regime of 60% available water soil of depletion) and application nano-iro chelate.AcknowledgmentsWe kindly acknowledge the Shahed University of Tehran for their support of this research.

Vermicomposting fertilizer is an ecological approach that improves both yield quantity and environmental quality. This study was carried out in the field of agriculture faculty of Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz in 2021 at two stages. In the first stage, the experimental design was a split plot with 4 crop residues (i.e. wheat, rice, sugarcane, and corn) in the main plot and 2 weight ratios (i.e. 30 & 40%) were supplot with 3 replications. In the second stage, the experimental design was a randomized complete block with 3 replications which included 8 different vermicomposting that were produced in the first stage. Results of the first stage showed that wheat 40% residue treatment produced the highest mature worm weight due to the highest mature worm population which resulted in the highest total worm weight. For all crop residue treatments, the total worm number was reduced by the increase in crop residue quantity from 30% to 40%. This reduction was affected by the reduction in the immature worm population. Despite the increase in mature worm numbers, it could not compensate for the effects of reducing the number of immature worms. Increasing the percentage of the residue of each crops from 30% to 40%, the amount of vermicompost fertilizer production was reduced, but on the other hand, the amount of non-fertilizer compounds was added. The highest sesame seed yield (1154/6 kg/h) belonged to a wheat residue with a 30% weight ratio. This superiority is influenced by the superiority of seed weight in capsule, seed number in capsule, and seed 1000 weight characters. In conclusion, the results of this research showed the importance of paying attention to the raw material in the production of vermicompost both in terms of impact on the biological and chemical properties and on the agronomic properties of the crop. A point that is perhaps less noticed now. So, it is recommended that in sustainable agriculture or organic farming it is better to produce vermicompost fertilizer suitable for each crop. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

IntroductionDue to climate change, increasing and maintaining the current level of production in low rainfall conditions in semi-arid regions is an important challenge. On the other hand, agriculture in these areas is often of low productivity due to low water use efficiency. Considering the fact that Iran is one of the challenging arid and semi-arid regions of the world, so it faces the problem of water shortage and precipitation. Therefore, in such circumstances, finding eco-friendly solutions to increase water use efficiency to achieve sustainable agricultural goals seems necessary. In recent years, many efforts have been made in this field, in this regard, limited irrigation and the use of superabsorbent into the soil as two practical strategies for water conservation and optimal use have been considered.Optimizing the effective factors in production and management of water use in the farm could saves limited water resources and protects the soil, moreover, can increase yields. Extensive research has been done on the effect of different levels of irrigation, superabsorbent and fertilizer on different crops, but in the field of simultaneous optimization of these factors using statistical techniques, there is little or no information, so this study aims to optimize consumption of irrigation water, superabsorbent and cattle manure were designed and conducted in low-input sesame cultivation using surface-response methodology and Box-Behnken design.Materials and MethodsThe experiment was conducted as a Box-Behnken design. Experimental factors including a combination of different levels of irrigation water, superabsorbent and cattle manure. The total number of treatments required for this experiment was 15 treatments including 12 factorial combinations and 3 replications of the central point. The Box-Behnken design is essentially applicable and analyzed with one replication, but to fit the level of response equations, it is necessary to repeat the central points that represent the average level of high and low levels of each of the experimental factors. Using the Box-Behnken design, it is possible that most information from the minimum executive operation would be obtained through the distribution of trial points in the treatments. The values of these factors were determined by using software due to low and high levels of irrigation water (1500 and 3000 m3 ha-1), superabsorbent (0 and 160 kg ha-1) and cattle manure (0 and 30 ton ha-1) using software.In the Box-Behnken method, the response variable (y) is estimated by Equation 1.Where y is a dependent variable and according to sesame seed yield, biological yield, leaf area index, leaf dry weight, number of pods per plant, number of seeds per pods, 1000-seeds weight, relative water content and seed oil percentage were calculated separately; Xi is the independent variable, XiXj i the interaction of the independent variable i and the independent variable j, Xi2 the second power of the independent variable i and βi to βii are the coefficients of the equation. After obtaining the simulation results, using calculations and statistical methods, a quadratic polynomial is obtained which expresses the response rate (yield) as a function of input variables. Finally, after optimizing the obtained relationship and eliminating ineffective sentences, using statistical tests and criteria such as F test value, Lack of Fit test, Pvalue and R2 (coefficient of determination), the final relationship for predicting yield and other response variables is calculated for the present study (Equation 2).The obtained relationship is valid only within the limits defined for the input parameters and has no predictive power outside this range. In this equation, y: is a dependent variable already defined for Eq. 4. X1 is the independent variable of irrigation water, X2 is the superabsorbent, and X3 is the independent variable of manure, a1 to a9 are the equation coefficients. Optimal amounts of irrigation water, superabsorbent and manure were determined according to the possibility of maximum seed yield. Finally, the estimated values were compared with the observed data and the validity of the regression models was evaluated using the root mean square error (RMSE).Results and DiscussionIn general, considering the significant effect of linear component of manure from regression model and biological yield as well as linear effect of irrigation and manure on the number of seed per pod, it can be concluded that the use of manure ultimately increased seed yield. Regarding the quality yield of sesame (seed oil percentage), the significance of the linear component of the superabsorbent effect can guarantee the quality yield of sesame. The high significant (p≤0.01) effect of the second order (full quadratic model) component of manure on 1000-seeds weight also indicates the effectiveness of manure on yield components and finally seed yield. Optimization was performed with three scenarios. First, considering all three factors, irrigation, superabsorbent and manure were done. Optimization was done to produce the highest seed yield, in which case the highest seed yield (4541 kg ha-1) was obtained with 3,000 m3 ha-1 of irrigation water, without superabsorbent and with 30 t ha-1 of manure. In the next step, to investigate the role of superabsorbent in water saving, optimization was performed with half irrigation water, 100 kg ha-1 of superabsorbent and with no application of manure, which resulted in the production of 3380 kg ha-1 of seed. In the third case, the results of optimization for irrigation water in the range of 1500 to 2250 m3 ha-1 (limited irrigation), with no use of superabsorbent and the amount of manure from zero to 30 t ha-1, showed that applying 2250 m3 ha-1 of water and 30 t ha-1 of manure could be resulted in a seed yield of 4186 kg ha-1. The highest amount of irrigation water productivity, equal to 2.2 kg seed per m3 of water, was obtained from 2250 m3 of irrigation water. Third scenario compared with the first scenario shows a reduction of 750 m3 in the volume of irrigation water that resulted in only an 8% reduction in seed yield (4186 vs. 4541 kg of seed), therefore, the third scenario potentially could be chosen by the farmers. Depends on the level of availability of water resources, the balance of economic value of water against seed yield, and other environmental and management options, if the application of 30 t ha-1 of manure to achieve the stable seed yield is not economical for the farmer compared with the application of 100 kg ha-1 of superabsorbent, we can recommend the second scenario (1500 m3 of water plus 100 kg of superabsorbent, with no manure) that will result in the seed yield by 3380 kg ha-1. The difference in seed yield in this scenario compared with the third scenario is 806 kg of seed, so the farmer must take into account all economic and managerial conditions to select the appropriate scenario. In general, the results of this study showed that using eco-friendly inputs, it is possible to produce stable sesame in an arid and semi-arid region and achieve a yield beyond of the conventional high-input systems.

This experiment works on the physiological, growth, and yield responses of sesame to the application of potassium nano-fertilizers, chitosan, and fulvic acid under drought stress in Semnan Agricultural and Natural Resources Research Center as a factorial split-plot based on randomized complete block design with three replications in 2019. The experimental treatments include drought as the main plot (normal irrigation, irrigation cut off in 70 and 60 BBCH as moderate, and severe stress, respectively) and potassium nano-fertilizer (0, 1.5, and 2.5 per thousand) and foliar application (control, chitosan, fulvic acid, and 50% of chitosan+ fulvic acid) as sub-plots. Application of potassium nano-fertilizer under normal and stress conditions significantly cuts chlorophyll b and total, leaf area index, number of capsules, 1000-seed weight, and oil percentage. The highest grain yield belongs to the application of 1.5 and 2.5 per thousand nano fertilizers, using fulvic acid alone or in combination with 50% chitosan (2516, 2277.5, 2506.6, and 2313.2 kg/ha, respectively). The highest oil content has been in 1.5 and 2.5 per thousand nano fertilizer application under normal irrigation, which has increased 13.2% and 15.4%, respectively. Foliar application of fulvic acid with nano potassium fertilizer (1.5 per thousand) under severe drought stress show the highest activity of antioxidant enzymes catalase, peroxidase, ascorbate peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase. In general, the results show that the application of 1.5 per thousand nano potassium fertilizer and combined foliar application of chitosan and fulvic acid under severe drought by improving physiological traits, manage to modify the adverse effects of drought, increasing growth, yield, and quality indices of sesame. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and objectives: Peanut is one of the sources of edible oil supply and one of the important crops in Gilan province. This plant is not very resistant to drought and insufficient water supply in the cultivation of this product, is one of the limiting factors for its yield and its successful producing definitely needs water supply. Therefore, if it is possible to increase water use efficiency by using materials such as compost, a positive step can be taken to produce peanuts in conditions without irrigation. Compost can increase plant growth and yield due to its high water holding capacity and gradual release of nutrients. And it seems that its consumption along with nitrogen fertilizer, which has a greater effect on increasing leaf area and plant growth among nutrients, can be effective in promoting peanut production. Therefore, this study was conducted to investigate the effect of municipal waste compost and nitrogen fertilizer on yield and yield components of peanut in both irrigated and non-irrigated conditions. Materials and methods: This experiment was performed as a split split plot based on a randomized complete block design with three replications during 2018 and 2019. The main plot consisted of irrigation in two levels of irrigated (according to local custom) and without irrigation. Compost application treatment (in two levels of non-compost application and consumption of five tons per hectare) was as a sub-plot and nitrogen fertilizer treatment (in four levels of zero, 20, 40 and 60 kg of pure nitrogen per hectare) was as a sub-sub-plot. In both years, at the end of the growing season, pod length, number of pods per plant, number of seeds per pod, weight of 100-seeds, seed oil, seed yield and biological yield were measured. Results: The results indicated that the highest number of pods per plant, pod length, seed oil and seed and biological yields were observed in irrigation treatments and application of 40 and 60 Kg N ha-1. Application of five t ha-1 of compost and 40 and 60 kg of nitrogen per hectare resulted in significant superiority for number of pods per plant and biological yield of peanuts. Applying compost along with 60 Kg N ha-1 caused a significant increase in seed yield. The length of peanut pods was increased by use of compost compared to non-using it, at the rate of 9.65%. With increasing nitrogen consumption, weight of 100-seeds significantly increased and the highest weight of 100-seeds at the rate of 55.46 g was obtained in 60 kg N ha-1 treatment. Under no irrigation and no application of nitrogen fertilizer, seed yield was 21% higher in the second year compared to the first year. In the first year compared to the second year, seed oil was significantly higher by 4.58%. Conclusion: Application of municipal waste compost and nitrogen fertilizer under drought stress conditions reduced the negative effects of stress on the studied traits and in the absence of stress, improved seed yield. It seems that the application of 40 Kg ha-1 of nitrogen fertilizer along with five t ha-1 of municipal waste compost in peanut cultivation can be effective to improve the seed yield of this plant, especially in non-irrigation conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background and Objective: In order to evaluate the effect of application of biological and chemical nitrogen fertilizers on the intercropping of pinto bean and black mustard, this experiment was conducted. Materials and Methods: The first factor was considered at four levels: No fertilizer, bio-fertilizers (azotobarvar 1 and barvar 2), bio-fertilizer + 50% chemical fertilizers urea (125 kg.ha-1) and bio-fertilizers + 100% chemical fertilizers urea (250 kg.ha-1). The cropping pattern was also classified as the second factor in four levels: pure bean, pure black mustard, incremental intercropping with a ratio of 50% black mustard, optimum density of pinto bean mono-cropping, and an incremental intercropping with optimum density of two species in mono-cropping. Results: Ground cover percentage, leaf chlorophyll index and grain yield in pinto bean and black mustard and also the oil yield of black mustard increased by application of bio-fertilizer + 100% urea fertilizer. The lowest seed oil content was obtained from bio-fertilizer + 100% chemical fertilizer treatment. The highest percentage ground cover of pinto bean and black mustard (93.08%) and maximum leaf chlorophyll index of pinto bean (23.61) were obtained in incremental intercropping with optimum density of two species in mono-cropping. The highest grain yield of pinto bean (3269.92 kg.ha-1) and black mustard (2066.65 kg.ha-1) and yield of black mustard oil (865.65 kg.ha-1) were obtained in their pure cultivation. Conclusion: Based on the land equivalent ratio and relative value total indices, it was evident that intercropping of pinto bean and black mustard was more beneficial than mono-cropping.

Cultivation of winter cover crops such as wheat and barley is one of the practical approaches for weeds control in cereal-based rotations. In order to investigate the effect of cover crop species and nitrogen rates on weed control of rapeseed (Brassica napus L.), a field experiment was arranged in split-plot based on a RCBD with three replications during 2013-2014 growing season at Research Field of School of Agriculture, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran. Treatments included nitrogen levels (75 and 150 kg N ha-1) as the main factor and cover crops (no cover crop as control, 25% wheat, 50% wheat, 75% wheat, 25% barley, 50% barley and 75% barley) as sub factor. The results showed that there was significant difference between the presence and absence of cover crop and its interaction with nitrogen level in terms of an array of measured traits. The lowest density, dry weight and height of weeds were obtained from the using barley as a cover crop at the presence of both nitrogen rates, suggesting that barley cover crop is more potent to suppress the weeds compared to wheat cover crop. The highest grain yield (5290 kg ha-1) and oil yield (1760 kg ha-1) of rapeseed were obtained from 50% barley cover crop and the highest rapeseed protein percentage (43%) was obtained from using 25% wheat cover crop at 150 kg N ha-1. Overall, the highest grain and oil yields were achieved from application of 150 kg N ha-1 along with using 50% barley cover crop treatment, though the latter combination did not significantly differ from 75 kg N ha-1 at 50% wheat cover crop

The effect of inoculation of Bradyrhizobium and mycorrhizal fungus on root colonization, yield quantity and quality of soybean (Glycine max) in different levels of potassium, Studied by field experimental in Shahrood University Agricultural Research Station during growing season of 2012. The experiment was a factorial experiment based on randomized complete blocks design (RCBD) with three replications. The factors included mycorrhizal inoculation (non-inoculated and inoculated with Glomus intraradices), nitrogen fixation bacteria inoculation included (non-inoculated and inoculated with Bradyrhizobium japonicum) and potassium fertilizer (0, 100 and 200 kg.ha-1). Results showed that mycorrhizal factor significantly affected all of studied traits except number of seeds per pod, number of pods per plant and grain yield.Mycorrhizal inoculation significantly increased pod dry weight, root colonization percent, protein percent, oil percent and biological yield. Bradyrhizobium inoculation factor significantly affected all of studied traits. The potassium fertilizer factor significantly affected all of studied traits except number of seeds per pod trait. In most cases between 100 kg.ha-1and 200 kg.ha-1of fertilizer was not significant difference. Dual inoculation of mycorrhizal and Bradyrhizobium bacteria interactions significantly affected number of pods per plant, oil percent and root colonization percent. Bradyrhizobium, mycorrhizal fungi and potassium interactions significantly affected all of studied traits except number of seeds per pod.

Wild pistachio (Pistachia atlantica Desf.) is one of the economically important woody species in Zagros region of Iran. Because of its economic importance, this species has an essential role in protecting soil and water resources. The possibility of seed oil extraction adds to the economic advantages of Pistacia atlantica. This study in Lordegan forests aims to determine the amount of seed production, oil percentage and chemical properties (e.g. fatty acid) to quantify the economic value of wild pistachio. Initially, 3 trees were selected in each diameter class ranging from 10 to 50 cm. The seeds of all trees were collected to measure the amount of seed and oil percentage in each diameter class. The Soxhlet analysis showed oil production of 27.16%, whereas rated 19.3% by using the mechanical analysis. Maximum oil production as measured by Soxhlet method was shown to be 32.1% for the diameter class of 45 cm. In addition, minimum production rate of 23.48% was recorded for the diameter class of 40 cm. The maximum seed oil of 24.8% was recorded by using the under pressure method in diameter class of 50 cm, while the same method resulted in the minimum oil amount of 16.85% in diameter class of 40 cm. The analysis of the samples revealed 13 fatty acids, including 7 unsaturated (Oleic, Iso-sic-oleic, Linoleic, Linolenic, Palmitoleic, Gadoleic, Behenic) and four saturated (Palmitic, Stearic, Miristic, Arachidonic) in oil extractedform Pistacia atlantica seeds.

In order to determination of active compounds such as total phenol and carotenoid contents, and to asses amount of fruit seed oil and its fatty acids composition Dog Rose fruits (Rosa Canina L.) were picked from 4 various ecological regions in Zanjan province in Iran (Zanjan, Tarom, Abhar and Mahneshan) when the fruits were completely developed. Mentioned variable were analyzed with spectrometry, soxhlet and gas chromatography methods, respectively. The results showed that the total amount of phenolic and carotenoid contents varied by ecological factors; with the highest and lowest phenolic values containing 95.30±0.52 and 84.23±0.33 mg of Gallic Acid per gram of dried fruit, from Zanjan and Abhar regions, respectively. The fruits picked from Abhar and Zanjan had the lowest values of carotenoids (aproximately208mg per 100 gr of dried fruit) while the fruits from Tarom showed the highest value (2.227±2.93 mg per 100 grams of dried fruit). The amount of oil extracted from the Dog Rose fruit seeds was found as10.6% with the main fatty acids of linoleic, oleic, alpha linolenic, stearic and palmitic acids with different values in various ecological regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]