Journal of Crops Improvement

The Effect of Different Irrigation Levels on Phenology, Grain Yield and Their Components and Some Physiological Traits of Different Corn (Zea mays L.) Hybrids under Climatic Conditions of Kermanshah

Parisa Karami; farzad mondani; Rozhin Ghobadi

Volume 27, Issue 1 , March 2025, Pages 1-18

https://doi.org/10.22059/jci.2025.368420.2866

Abstract

Objective: Water deficit stress can be considered one of the most important abiotic stresses, and due to its great impact on the performance of various plants, a large part of agricultural planning is related to it. Therefore, the aims of this investigation were to evaluate effects of irrigation levels ... Read More Objective: Water deficit stress can be considered one of the most important abiotic stresses, and due to its great impact on the performance of various plants, a large part of agricultural planning is related to it. Therefore, the aims of this investigation were to evaluate effects of irrigation levels on some eco-physiological traits and grain yield of some current corn hybrids under Kermanshah regions.Methods: A split plot experiment was conducted based on randomized complete block design with three replications in the research farm of the Campus of Agriculture and Natural Resources of the Razi University in 2018. The main factor was irrigation regimes (IR) which included supplying 130, 100, 70% water requirement (IR130%, IR100% and IR70% respectively), and the sub factor comprised maize hybrids (SC704, Simon and BC678). Regardless of the type of treatments, the irrigation was carried out immediately after seed sowing and preferably until the six-leaf development stage, and then the irrigation treatment started. The evaluated traits included development stages, yield and yield components, and water use efficiency. To analyze the data extracted from this study, first the normality test of the data was performed using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov method, then the normalization of non-normal data was performed using the Box-Cox method using the Minitab software (version 16). For variance analysis and comparison of means, the LSD test was used at the 5% level using the SAS software (version 9.4).Results: Results showed in the IR70%, length of developmental stages decreased with the reduction of water content, but reaction of developmental stages was different among hybrids. The highest total dry weight (16.96 ton ha-1) and grain yield (7.43 ton ha-1) were observed in IR130%, with a decrease of 30 and 60% in the amount of irrigation water, total dry weight decreased by 18.0 and 28.1%, and grain yield decreased by 15.5 and 39.8%, respectively. Total dry weight of SC704 and Simon hybrids in response to irrigation levels was relatively similar and higher than the BC678 hybrid. However, grain yield of the Simon hybrid was higher than that of the other hybrids. The highest (0.83 g mm-1) and lowest (0.66 g mm-1) grain yield of water use efficiency was related to Simon and BC678 hybrids, respectively. Simon hybrid had higher grain yield and water use efficiency. Irrigation levels had no significant effect on water use efficiency.Conclusion: Overall, the results showed that the Simon hybrid had higher grain yield and water use efficiency. The irrigation levels did not affect water use efficiency, indicating that the response of this trait to the irrigation levels was the same, which can be very important for the optimal use and saving of water consumption. Therefore, according to the results of this study, cultivation of Simon hybrid under optimal irrigation conditions for the climatic conditions of Kermanshah is recommended.

The Evaluation of the Effect of Integrated Organic Fertilizer Management Systems on the Quality Traits of Corn Forage and Soil Physico-chemical Indicators

Hasan Ali Pooresmaeil; Mahdi Dahmardeh; Ahmad Ghanbari

Volume 27, Issue 1 , March 2025, Pages 19-40

https://doi.org/10.22059/jci.2025.376610.2883

Abstract

Objective: More than 60% of Iran's agricultural land consists of arid and semi-arid soils, which are poor in organic matter and subjected to severe degradation and erosion. Therefore, in order to evaluate the effect of the integrated organic fertilizer management systems on the quality forage of corn, ... Read More Objective: More than 60% of Iran's agricultural land consists of arid and semi-arid soils, which are poor in organic matter and subjected to severe degradation and erosion. Therefore, in order to evaluate the effect of the integrated organic fertilizer management systems on the quality forage of corn, the physicochemical characteristics of the soil and the environment in two stages of growth, an experiment was conducted in the research farm of Zabol University.Methods: An experiment was conducted as factorial based on a randomized complete block design with three replications in the year 2016-17 cropping year. The first factor included 10 organic fertilization levels: (without fertilization, 30% wheat residue, 60% wheat residues, 90% wheat residues, 30% vermicompost, 60% vermicompost, 100% vermicompost, 10% vermicompost + 90% wheat residues, 40% of vermicompost + 60% of wheat residues and 70% vermicompost + 30% of wheat residues) and the second factor of harvesting time were at two levels: (harvest in milky and dough stages). In this study, traits were investigated in three sections including the qualitative characteristics of corn forage (percentage of protein and protein yield, water-soluble carbohydrates), ecological environment characteristics (percentage of volumetric moisture, photosynthetically active radiation, and soil temperature), and physicochemical properties of soil (EC, pH, and soil porosity).Results: The results of analysis of variance showed that the effect of interaction between harvesting stage and integrated organic fertilizer management systems on water-soluble carbohydrates was significant. Also, the simple effect of harvesting stage and integrated organic fertilizer management system on crude protein and protein yield was significant. The highest crude protein (12.09%) and protein yield (629.51 kg ha-1) were obtained in milk line stage, While the highest crude protein (11.55%) and protein yield (769 kg ha-1) were obtained when applying of 70% vermicompost and 30% of wheat residues. Mean comparisons showed that the highest water-soluble carbohydrates (16.22%) were obtained in the dough stage of grain and under the application of 70% vermicompost and 30% of the wheat residues. The lowest soil temperature (33.64 °C) and the highest percentage of photosynthetically active radiation (81.79%) were observed under the application of 70% vermicompost+ 30% wheat residue, in the milk line and dough stage of corn kernels, respectively. Based on the results, the integrated system of 70% vermicompost+ 30% wheat residues caused a significant decrease in acidity (7.97) and soil electrical conductivity (2.18 ds m-1). Application of 100% vermicompost and integrated system of 70% vermicompost+ 30% residues showed the highest percentage of soil porosity (46%).Conclusion: In general, according to the results of this research, the integrated system of 70% vermicompost+ 30% plant residues was significantly superior compared to other fertilizer systems. Therefore, it is better to consider the application ratio of vermicompost double that of plant residues in the integrated system. Also, considering the importance of harvesting stage in the digestibility and palatability of forage, the most suitable time to harvest corn forage is the milk line stage of corn kernels.

Investigating the Effect of Iron Nanochelate on the Quantitative, Qualitative and Physiological Traits of Sweet Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) under Dificit Irrigated Conditions

saman valizadeh; mashalah danshvar; Sajjad Rahimi-Moghaddam; Abas Almoderes

Volume 27, Issue 1 , March 2025, Pages 41-55

https://doi.org/10.22059/jci.2025.367629.2865

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the potential for increasing the yield and quality of sweet sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) by utilizing nanochelates in low irrigation conditions.Method: This experiment was conducted using split plots with three repetitions over two years, 2016-2017 and 2017-2018. The ... Read More Objective: To investigate the potential for increasing the yield and quality of sweet sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) by utilizing nanochelates in low irrigation conditions.Method: This experiment was conducted using split plots with three repetitions over two years, 2016-2017 and 2017-2018. The irrigation regime was compared at two levels: 90% (normal irrigation) and 50% (deficient irrigation) of the field capacity in the main plots. Additionally, foliar spraying of Khazra iron nano chelate fertilizer was applied at five levels of 0, 2, 4, 6 and 8 per thousand in the secondary plots. At the end, the characteristics of leaf relative water content, photosynthesis and transpiration rate, mesophyll conductance, the amount of photosynthetic pigments chlorophyll a and b, carotenoids, biological yield, seed yield and harvest index were evaluated. Photosynthesis rate, transpiration rate and mesophyll conductance were measured using a photosynthesizer (model CI-304 made in America) during the flowering stage on the youngest fully opened leaf between 10 am and 2 pm. Chlorophyll a, b and carotenoid levels were measured through randomly sampling mature leaves and extracting them using acetone.Results: The interaction between irrigation and iron nano-fertilizer (INF) had a significant impact on transpiration rate, mesophilic conductance, chlorophyll b, carotenoid content, and grain yield at a 1% significance level, and on biological yield at a 5% significance level. The application of iron nano chelate helped alleviate the negative effects of water deficit on grain yield traits, biological performance, chlorophyll b and carotenoid pigments, transpiration rate and mesophilic conductance. The combined effects of irrigation and fertilizer on mesophilic conductivity showed that there was no significant difference between irrigation regimes at 50% and 90% of field capacity for any levels of iron fertilizer except at the 4 per thousand level. Similarly, when comparing the interactive effects of water and fertilizer on transpiration rate and chlorophyll b characteristics of the plant, similar results were observed with mesophilic guidance. The use of 4 parts per thousand iron nano-fertilizer increased biological yield under 50% field capacity irrigation compared to the same irrigation without iron nano-fertilizer. Furthermore, grain yield in the 50% field capacity irrigation was 17% higher with iron nano-fertilizer application compared to without it.Conclusions: The foliar application of nano-chelated iron fertilizer, combined with irrigation at 50% of field capacity and a concentration of 4 per thousand of this fertilizer, is considered the most effective treatment for sweet sorghum in regions with deficiently irrigated conditions.

Preparation of Slow-Release Urea Fertilizers via Coating by Natural and Synthetic Waxes

Mahyar Ramezani Tazehabad; Elaheh Motamedi

Volume 27, Issue 1 , March 2025, Pages 57-67

https://doi.org/10.22059/jci.2024.367630.2863

Abstract

Objective: Urea is one of the most widely used fertilizers in agricultural practices; however, its high solubility in water leads to rapid leaching from the soil before plants can effectively absorb it. This issue results in significant fertilizer losses, increased agricultural costs, and various environmental ... Read More Objective: Urea is one of the most widely used fertilizers in agricultural practices; however, its high solubility in water leads to rapid leaching from the soil before plants can effectively absorb it. This issue results in significant fertilizer losses, increased agricultural costs, and various environmental concerns. A promising approach to address this challenge is the application of organic materials to coat urea granules, thereby slowing their dissolution rate in water. In this study, to mitigate fertilizer loss and enhance efficiency, carnauba wax (CW) was selected due to its biocompatibility and abundance. Additionally, urea granules were coated separately with CW combined with paraffin wax and stearic acid, polyethylene wax, and paraffin wax to evaluate the effectiveness of these materials in reducing urea dissolution. Method: The method of dip-coating was employed as the primary technique for applying the coating onto the urea granules. To assess the release of urea over time, a specific quantity of the coated urea granules was carefully placed into 10 ml of distilled water, and the solution was monitored by collecting samples at predetermined time intervals. The concentration of urea released into the water at each interval was quantitatively determined using a UV-VIS spectrophotometer. Additionally, the diameters of the various coatings formed on the urea granules were examined and recorded on the seventh day of the experiment using a stereo microscope equipped with 40X magnification for precise measurements. Results: The release of urea was monitored over a 41-day period, and the results revealed significant differences in the release rates based on the coating material used. Urea granules coated with carnauba wax exhibited the slowest release rate, with only 71.5% of the urea released by the end of the 41-day observation period. In contrast, granules coated with a mixture of carnauba wax and paraffin wax released their entire urea content into the water within just 7 days. Among the coatings tested, carnauba wax demonstrated the highest efficiency with a coating diameter of 0.504 mm, which also represented the smallest thickness compared to the other coating formulations. Conclusions: The study results revealed that carnauba wax serves as an efficient coating material for urea granules, significantly prolonging their release time. This wax offers numerous benefits due to its natural origin, biocompatibility, biodegradability, and non-toxic properties. Its application enhances sustainability while ensuring safety, making it a highly suitable choice for controlled-release purposes in agricultural or similar settings. These findings highlight its potential to revolutionize fertilizer usage, reducing environmental impact and improving cost efficiency.

Investigating the Genetic Diversity of Different Iranian Saffron Accessions Using Multivariate Statistical Methods

Leyla Hoseinzadeh; Alireza Salami; Mohsen Ebrahimi; Ali Izady

Volume 27, Issue 1 , March 2025, Pages 69-89

https://doi.org/10.22059/jci.2025.378342.2890

Abstract

Objective: Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) is a perennial, sterile, and triploid plant. Moreover, dried saffron stigmas have many uses in the food and medicine industry. Saffron plants propagate by corms due to sterility. Therefore, it has limited diversity and a poor plant breeding background, leading to ... Read More Objective: Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) is a perennial, sterile, and triploid plant. Moreover, dried saffron stigmas have many uses in the food and medicine industry. Saffron plants propagate by corms due to sterility. Therefore, it has limited diversity and a poor plant breeding background, leading to genetic erosion. As a result, being under severe risk of genetic erosion is an obstacle to the breeding and production of saffron. The objective of this study was to investigate the diversity among saffron ecotypes, to evaluate the correlation between morphological traits and the amounts of secondary metabolites, and to classify the ecotypes. Methods: A complete randomized block design with two replications in three harvests has been conducted to investigate the biological diversity of 22 saffron accessions collected from different regions of Iran at the Tehran University research farm, Mohamadshahr, Alborz, Iran. The most important morphological traits and amount of secondary metabolites, including crocin, picrocrocin, and safranal, were measured by using high-performance liquid chromatography. Results: Analysis of variance showed significant differences among accessions for studied traits in three consecutive harvests. Qaenat accession had the highest means of obtaining the most morphological characteristics. The factor analysis based on PCA showed that the two first components explained 97 percent of the total variance of traits. The traits of leaf length, stigma fresh weight, stigma length, and safranal in the first component and picrocrocin, crocin, and petal length in the second component had the most positive role in justifying 66.7 percent of the total variance, respectively. Based on cluster analysis, accessions were divided into five clusters. The Qaenat and Firdos 16 accessions had the most genetic similarity, and the Qaenat and Arak accessions had the farthest genetic distance. Moreover, the studied traits are divided into three clusters, so that the amount of crocin and picrocrocin and petal length are in the first category, the amount of safranal, the length of leaf, length of stigma and length of flower, fresh weight of flower and stigma are in the second category, and the final yield, the total number of flowers, and dry weight of stigma are in the third category. Conclusion: Although studied accessions were cultivated and preserved in the same geographical environment, they had significant differences at morphological and phytochemical levels. Therefore, it can be concluded that the origin of the observed diversity is the result of the existence of diversity at the genome, transcriptome, or epigenome levels.

Investigation of Morpho-physiological and Phytochemical Changes in Sage (Salvia officinalis L.) in Response to High Environmental Temperature

hamid Mohammadi; Rana Alipour Fakhry; Mehdi Joudi; Mohammad Esmailpour

Volume 27, Issue 1 , March 2025, Pages 91-107

https://doi.org/10.22059/jci.2024.364042.2840

Abstract

Objective: In order to investigate the response of sage to delayed planting, the present study was performed as a randomized complete block design with three replications in the Meshkin Shahr Faculty of Agriculture research farm in 2020.Methods: The treatments were two planting dates including conventional ... Read More

Effects of Different Nutrition Treatments on Essential oil Content and Composition of Satureja bachtiarica

Fatemeh Sefidkon; Fatemeh Zakerian; maryam jebelli; Fatemeh Askari

Volume 27, Issue 1 , March 2025, Pages 109-123

https://doi.org/10.22059/jci.2024.366545.2858

Abstract

Objective: This research was conducted with the aim of investigating the effect of different nutritional treatments on the yield and compositions of Satureja bachtiarica Bunge essential oil. Satureja bachtiarica Bunge is an endemic aromatic and medicinal plant from the Lamiaceae family. Satureja bachtiarica ... Read More Objective: This research was conducted with the aim of investigating the effect of different nutritional treatments on the yield and compositions of Satureja bachtiarica Bunge essential oil. Satureja bachtiarica Bunge is an endemic aromatic and medicinal plant from the Lamiaceae family. Satureja bachtiarica is found in the west and center of Iran, in the habitat of rocky and stony slopes in some areas.Method: This experiment was performed during four years (2018 to 2021) in the agricultural conditions of the Alborz province. Sixteen nutritional treatments included chemical fertilizer, animal manure, vermicompost, mixtures with different amounts of chemical fertilizer, animal manure and vermicompost, Glomus mosseae, Glomus intraradaices, Azospirillum lipoferrum, Pseudomonas putida, Thiobacillus thioparus, Thiobacillus thioparus+ different amounts of sulfur, Thiobacillus thioparus+ vermicompost, and the control treatment. In treatments containing mycorrhiza, before planting the seedlings in the field, 10 grams of Glomus mushroom were poured into each planting hole. In treatments containing bacteria, to inoculate the seedlings with the desired bacteria, first the seedlings were placed in the inoculum for 20 minutes, then they were transferred to the culture pits and irrigation was done immediately for these treatments. Plants were harvested at the full flowering stage, dried at room temperature and hydro-distilled for obtaining the essential oils. The oils were analyzed by gas chromatography (GC-FID) and gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometer (GC/MS).Results: The results of composite variance analysis showed that the effect of timing (as indicated by the year) and the interaction of year in nutritional treatments on the percentage of essential oil (weight/weight) were significant at the 5% probability level. The highest yield of essential oil (2.30%) in the second year was obtained from the treatment of 50 tons of nitrogen, 25 tons of phosphorus and 25 tons of potassium per hectare+ 60 tons per hectare of animal manure. Additionally,the highest percentage of carvacrol was observed during 4 years with an average of 61.2% in the treatment of 60 tons per hectare of manure.Conclusions: The results showed that the use of nutritional treatments were effective in increasing carvacrol and the efficiency of Satureja bachtiarica essential oil compared to the control.

The Effect of Drought Stress, Growth Regulator and Spraying by Zinc and Magnesium Nanoparticles on Morphological and Biochemical Traits on Periwinkle Herb (Catharanthus roseus (L.) G.DON)

Babak Sepehri; Hami dreza tohidi Moghadam; Farshad Ghooshchi; Meysam Oveysi; Pourang Kasraie

Volume 27, Issue 1 , March 2025, Pages 125-143

https://doi.org/10.22059/jci.2023.349779.2749

Abstract

Objective: Periwinkle herb, with the scientific name (Catharanthus roseus (L.) G.DON), is one of the most important medicinal plants globally. Besides having aesthetic features and ornamental applications, the plants’ leaves and root are rich in very important alkaloids. It is used in the chemotherapy ... Read More Objective: Periwinkle herb, with the scientific name (Catharanthus roseus (L.) G.DON), is one of the most important medicinal plants globally. Besides having aesthetic features and ornamental applications, the plants’ leaves and root are rich in very important alkaloids. It is used in the chemotherapy of various cancers and the treatment of hypotension.Methods: In order to investigate the effect of growth regulator and spraying by zinc and magnesium nanoparticles under the conditions of drought stresses on total alkaloids, anthocyanin, total chlorophyll, the weight of wet and dry branches contain alkaloids, and the number of lateral branches of the periwinkle herb, an experiment was arranged with a factorial layout based on a completely randomized design under greenhouse conditions during years 2020 and 2021 in Tehran, Iran. The first factor was the dryness factor using evaporation pans (at three levels of 40, 60 and 80 mm), the second factor comprised the growth regulators (Shahid, auxin, gibberellin, cytokinin each at a concentration of 50 ppm) and the third factor included the nanoparticles (control, Zn, and Magnesium, each at a concentration of 1 mg, and the combination of zinc and magnesium, each at a concentration of 0.5 mg) were applied.Results: The results showed that in study of the effects of drought stress and spraying of zinc and magnesium nanoparticles on all investigated traits (total alkaloid, anthocyanin, total chlorophyll, fresh and dry weight of alkaloid-containing branches, and the number of lateral branches), there was a statistically significant difference at the level of 1% (P≤0.01). Also, in the investigation of the effects of growth regulators on investigated traits other than total alkaloid, a statistically significant difference was established at the level of 1% (P≤0.01). In the investigation of the mutual effects of drought stress and growth regulators on the fresh weight of alkaloids-containing branches, a statistically significant difference was established at the level of 1% (P≤0.01). The highest dry weight of aerial parts was observed under optimal irrigation conditions and under the influence of the gibberellin hormone (34.96 gr). However, in other cases, no statistically significant effect was observed on the target traits.Conclusion: Drought stress revealed defense mechanisms such as anthocyanin pigments and secondary compounds, and total alkaloids also increased with increasing drought stress. The highest percentage of total alkaloids was obtained under severe drought stress (1.57%). The use of micronutrient fertilizers in nano form increased the accumulation of dry matter and secondary compounds, and the effect of magnesium was greater than the effect of zinc. In the application of hormones, the use of gibberellin hormone had a greater effect on the fresh and dry weight of shoots under optimal irrigation conditions and drought stress.

Effect of Seaweed on the Morphophysiological and Phytochemical Properties of Ornamental Violet (Viola× Wittrockiana) under water deficit

Majid Maleki; Sepideh Kalateh jari; Ali Mohammadi Torkashvand

Volume 27, Issue 1 , March 2025, Pages 145-168

https://doi.org/10.22059/jci.2025.365499.2851

Abstract

Objective: The present research was conducted with the aim of investigating the effects of seaweed (Sargassum vulgare and Spirulina platensis) on the growth, physiological, and biochemical characteristics of violet plant (Viola×wittrockiana).Methods: The effect of drought stress at three ... Read More

Effect of cadmium on concentration of copper, iron, manganese and zinc in shoot of different cultivars of wheat

Volume 17, Issue 1 , April 2015, , Pages 27-41

https://doi.org/10.22059/jci.2015.54786

Abstract

The aim of this research was to evaluate the average concentrations of micronutrients including: Copper (Cu), Iron (Fe), Manganese (Mn) and Zinc (Zn) in the shoots of different cultivars of wheat in stem elongation stage in a soil contaminated with cadmium (Cd). The treatments consisted of three levels ... Read More

A study on physiological attributes and grain yield of sesame cultivars under different soil moisture regimes

Volume 13, Issue 2 , March 2012, , Pages 75-88

Abstract

Sesame could be an appropriate oilseed crop for water limited environments. This research was aimed at studying growth, leaf chlorophyll fluorescence, proline content, yield and yield components of sesame cultivars under different moisture regimes. A 4-replicate split plot RCBD field experiment was conducted ... Read More

Evaluation of Seed Yield and Oil Content of 40 Camelina (Camelina sativa L.) Doubled Haploid Lines

Volume 24, Issue 2 , June 2022, , Pages 497-509

https://doi.org/10.22059/jci.2021.331945.2622

Abstract

In order to evaluate the yield components, seed yield, and oil content of Camelina doubled haploid lines, an experiment has been conducted based on a randomized complete block design with 40 doubled haploid lines (as treatments) and three replications in the research farm of College of Aburaihan- the ... Read More

Effect of some chemical treatments on postharvest quality and vase life of gerbera cut flowers (Gerbera jamesonii cv. Good Timing)

Volume 13, Issue 1 , August 2011, , Pages 21-29

Abstract

The effect of gibberelic acid (GA3) and ethanol on the postharvest quality and vase life of gerbera cut flowers was investigated. Freshly cut flower stems of gerbera cultivar ‘Good timing’, were put in vases containing zero, 50, 100, 150, 200 or 300 mgL-1 GA3 for 48 hr and then held in vases ... Read More

Phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity of some Iranian and commercial apple varieties in West Azarbaijan province

Volume 14, Issue 2 , February 2013, , Pages 43-55

https://doi.org/10.22059/jci.2013.29500

Abstract

In this study, the amount of total phenol, chlorogenic acid, catechin, quercetin, phloridzin, cyanidin and antioxidant activity of apple (Malus domestica) skin and flesh of six Iranian cultivars, including: ‘Golab Kohanz’, ‘Sib Torsh Dirras’, ‘Ghara Yapragh’, ‘Torkman’, ... Read More

The effect of Cobalt, Molybdenum, and Nitrogen on morphophysiological characteristics of Phaseolus vulgaris in soilless culture

Nader Khadem Moghadam Igdelou; Ahmad Golchin; Khadije Farhadi

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript, Available Online from 17 November 2022

https://doi.org/10.22059/jci.2022.292101.2292

Abstract

In order to study the effect of Cobalt, Molybdenum, and Nitrogen on the growth of Phaseolus vulgaris in soilless culture, a pot experiment was conducted in 2015-16 and in July, at 25˚C and light intensity of 40,000 lux as a factorial based on a CRD with 36 treatments and three replications in the greenhouse ... Read More

Seed Coating of Lateral buds of Sugarcane stem and Selecting the Suitable Combination for Producing Single-bud Sugarcane Seeds.

zahra ajribzadeh; salim farzaneh; Mahmoud Shomili; Hamid Reza Balouchi; aziz Ker Mullah Chaab; Raouf Seyed Sharifi

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript, Available Online from 15 April 2023

https://doi.org/10.22059/jci.2023.343312.2713

Abstract

This study was performed to investigate the effect of four types of binders at different levels: carboxymethylcellulose (40, 60 and 80 g/l), arabic gum (50, 100 and 150 g/l), tragacanth (30, 60 and 90 g/l) and starch (45, 60 and 75 g/l) as the first test and four types of nutrients with different levels: ... Read More

Investigating the changes of some agronomic and biochemical characteristics of the garden thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.) with the use of mycorrhizal species and wood vinegar foliar spraying

mehdi taheri asghari; Saiedeh Salavati; Seyed Reza Miralizadeh Fard

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript, Available Online from 16 May 2025

https://doi.org/10.22059/jci.2025.380862.2893

Abstract

The investigate the effects of wood vinegar and mycorrhizal fungi on the some characteristics of Thyme. experiment was conducted with factorial layout based on a randomized complete block design with three replications in the Takestan Branch, during 2021-2022 and 2022-2023. The experimental factors ... Read More The investigate the effects of wood vinegar and mycorrhizal fungi on the some characteristics of Thyme. experiment was conducted with factorial layout based on a randomized complete block design with three replications in the Takestan Branch, during 2021-2022 and 2022-2023. The experimental factors included three species of mycorrhiza (control , seed and soil inoculation with G. mosseae, seed and soil inoculation with G.etunicatum and seed and soil inoculation with G. Intraradices (and levels of wood vinegar (control, foliar spraying 5, 10 and 15 per thousand). The obtained results showed that the interaction effect of wood vinegar and mycorrhizal fungus on root fresh and dry weight was significant. The highest percentage of root colonization with the value of 43.48% was obtained with the use of 10% of wood vinegar, which showed an increase of about 14% compared to the control. The highest percentage of root colonization was obtained with the use of G. etunicatum, which, of course, was placed in the same group as G. mosseae. The highest shoot soluble carbohydrates and total shoot protein were obtained with the use of 10% of wood vinegar, which increased by 32% and 55%, respectively, compared to the control. Also, with the use of G.mosseae, the most shoot soluble carbohydrates and total shoot protein were obtained, which showed an increase of about 15% and 45%, respectively, compared to the control. In percentage of essential oil used the treatment of 10% wood vinegar, it was able to increase this trait twice compared to the control. The obtained results showed that the interaction effect of wood vinegar and mycorrhizal fungus on root fresh and dry weight was significant. The highest percentage of root colonization with the value of 43.48% was obtained with the use of 10% of wood vinegar, which showed an increase of about 14% compared to the control. The highest percentage of root colonization was obtained with the use of G. etunicatum, which, of course, was placed in the same group as G. mosseae. The highest shoot soluble carbohydrates and total shoot protein were obtained with the use of 10% of wood vinegar, which increased by 32% and 55%, respectively, compared to the control. Also, with the use of G.mosseae, the most shoot soluble carbohydrates and total shoot protein were obtained, which showed an increase of about 15% and 45%, respectively, compared to the control. In percentage of essential oil used the treatment of 10% wood vinegar, it was able to increase this trait twice compared to the control.

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Evaluation of different weed management practices on yield and phytochemical properties of fennel

Ramin Khalili; jalal khorshidi; Sirwan Babaei

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript, Available Online from 19 May 2025

https://doi.org/10.22059/jci.2025.383536.2902

Abstract

Objective: The cultivation of fennel is expanding due to its favorable market demand and various applications in the food and pharmaceutical industries. Weeds are one of the most important factors causing damage in fennel fields. As a result, it is essential to identify the most effective method for ... Read More Objective: The cultivation of fennel is expanding due to its favorable market demand and various applications in the food and pharmaceutical industries. Weeds are one of the most important factors causing damage in fennel fields. As a result, it is essential to identify the most effective method for weeds control in fennel cultivation. Methods: In this research, the effects of 11 different weed control methods, including glyphosate, paraquat, afalon, diuron, vinegar, one-time cultivation, two-time cultivation, hand weeding, flame weeding, weed-infested, and weed-free conditions, on weeds growth, as well as the yield-attributed and phytochemical characteristics of fennel such as essential oil content and components, were studied. The experiment was carried out as a randomized complete block design in 2021 at the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Kurdistan. Results: Herbicide treatment had a significant effect on the dry weight of aerial parts, thousand seed weight, fruit yield, essential oil content and yield of fennel, as well as the dry weight of weeds. However, the plant height and the number of umbels per plant of fennel were not significantly affected by the herbicide treatment. The highest fennel fruit yield (3.95 tons/ha) was obtained in the weed-free treatment, followed by hand weeding and diuron treatments, which produced 3.63 and 3.3 tons/ha, respectively. The lowest weed dry weight (3.54 g/m²) was recorded in the weed-free treatment, though it was not significantly different from the hand weeding and flame weeding treatments. The essential oil content of fennel fruits did not differ significantly among the treatments (except the weed-free treatment). The highest essential oil yield (133.3 L/ha) was obtained from the fruits of the hand weeding treatment, while the lowest yield (63.9 L/ha) was found in the fruits of the glyphosate treatment. The dominant compounds in the essential oil were similar in all treatments and were included anethole, fenchone, and d-limonene. The highest amount of anethole (73.53%), fenchone (12.21%), and d-limonene (11.56%) were observed in the glyphosate, weed-infested and vinegar treatments, respectively. Conclusion: If the aim is proper weed control and achieving higher fruit and essential oil yield with minimal environmental damage, hand weeding was the best treatment after the weed-free condition. If, in addition to fennel yield, reducing weed control costs is also considered, the diuron was the best treatment. In terms of essential oil quality, characterized by high amounts of anethole and fenchone, and low level of estragole, the weed-infested treatment was the most favorable.