Mehdi Ghiasy-Oskoee; Majid Aghaalikhani; Fatemeh Sefidkon; Ali Mokhtassi-Bidgoli; Mahdi Ayyari
Abstract
In order to study the effect of N rate and plant density on grain yield and N use efficiency of blessed thistle, a field study was carried out in a randomized complete block design with factorial arrangement of treatments in three replications at Research Field of Tarbiat Modares ...
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In order to study the effect of N rate and plant density on grain yield and N use efficiency of blessed thistle, a field study was carried out in a randomized complete block design with factorial arrangement of treatments in three replications at Research Field of Tarbiat Modares University in 2013 and 2014 growing seasons. Treatments comprised of four pure N rates (0, 50, 100 and 150 kg N ha-1) from urea source and five plant densities (5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 plants m-2). The main effects of nitrogen and plant density were significant for grain yield, NUE, plant height, SPAD value, root to shoot weight ratio and N content of grain. Increasing N rates increased grain yield, SPAD value, plant height and grain N, but agronomic efficiency, N recovery and utilization were decreased by increasing of N rate; Higher densities resulted in decreased grain yield and chlorophyll index, while improved NUE throughout increment of root to shoot weight ratio and plant height. Novel findings of this study could be used for N management.
Aydin Khodaei-Joghan; Majid Agha-Alikhani; Majid Gholamhoseini; Reza Ataei; Ali Sorooshzadeh; Amir Ghalavand
Abstract
The current study was conducted to investigate the effects of different soil fertility treatments on qualitative and quantitative yield of sunflower (Helianthus annus L.) under different irrigation regimes. The experiment was conducted in Tarbiat Modares University research field at 2012 and 2013 growing ...
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The current study was conducted to investigate the effects of different soil fertility treatments on qualitative and quantitative yield of sunflower (Helianthus annus L.) under different irrigation regimes. The experiment was conducted in Tarbiat Modares University research field at 2012 and 2013 growing season. Treatments were arranged as split plots based on a randomized complete block design with three replicates. Irrigation regimes, (irrigation after consuming 30% (I1), irrigation after consuming 50% (I2) and irrigation after consuming 70% (I3) of available soil moisture) were randomly assigned to the main plots and the subplots were eight different fertilizer types (providing 100% of plant nitrogen requirement from urea as chemical fertilizer (F1), combination of chemical fertilizer and cattle manure (F2), zeocompost (F3), vermicompost (F4), zeoponix (F5), combination of zeocompost and vermicompost (F6) combination of zeocompost and zeoponix (F7), combination of vermicompost and zeoponix (F8)). The results indicated that the maximum seed yield was obtained in normal irrigation treatment (irrigation after consuming 30% of available soil moisture). Under water deficit stress conditions (irrigation after consuming 50 and 70% of available soil moisture), organic treatments amended with more zeolite (zeocompost, zeoponix and zeocompost + zeoponix) improved seed yield. Under severe water deficit stress condition (I3), zeolite-amended organic treatments (zeocompost, zeoponix and zeocompost + zeoponix) increased seed oil percentage by 8, 9 and 13 percent in the first year and by 13, 10 and 12 percent in the second year of the experiment in comparison with chemical treatment (F1). In addition, organic treatments improved oil quality through increasing linoleic and oleic acid percentage. Overall, the results suggest that combined application of processed organic fertilizers such as vermicompost, zeocompost and zeoponix not only increases sunflower seed yield and oil quality but also reduces chemical fertilizers need in sunflower production.
Arefe Razzazi; Majid Aghaalikhani; Barat Ghibadian; Behnam Zand; Sayyed Mohammad Safyeddin Ardabili
Abstract
Castor bean (Ricinus communis L.( with a capability to withstand harsh conditions, low nutritional needs, 50 percent of oil content and high- quality, is one of the best crop used to produce biodiesel. The first step toward introduction and widespread cultivation of this crop is to investigate the energy ...
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Castor bean (Ricinus communis L.( with a capability to withstand harsh conditions, low nutritional needs, 50 percent of oil content and high- quality, is one of the best crop used to produce biodiesel. The first step toward introduction and widespread cultivation of this crop is to investigate the energy balance for its cultivation. To do so, energy input (include renewable and nonrenewable) and output were calculated through an examination of all inputs during two consecutive years of cultivation (2012-2014) in Varamin county in Tehran province. Energy indicators were also assessed. Result showed Indirect, non-renewable sources of energy with 59.68 and 80.86 percent of 11245.64 MJ energy consumption, comprise the major part of the consumable energy in castor bean cultivation. Moreover, among inputs fertilizers and pesticides with the share of 55.26 percent of the total consumable energy considered as the highest energy inputs. Fuels with the share of 21.28 percent formed placed at the second rank of consumable energy. Energy use efficiency in seed production was calculated to be 3.81, which is a considerable amount when compared with other crops used to produce biodiesel. Therefore, in order to expand the cost efficient and mechanized system of castor production, breeding of the current local ecotypes is recommended.