Introduction: Appropriate nutrient has a significant impact on yield and phytochemical characteristics of medicinal plants. (Lippia citriodora) an herb plant native to South America-belongs to mangrove family. In most studies conducted on medicinal plants in Iran, balanced Fertilization has not been practiced and mostly N and P-fertilizers without being based on soil analysis results have been used and hence the obtained results were not correct. use a balanced Fertilization or fertilizer based on soil analysis can be a scientific solution to increase the essential oil. Objective: To investigate the effects of balanced Fertilization on quantity and quality parameters of lemon verbena in two harvests was done. Materials and methods: In this experiment, six treatments were performed in a completely randomized block design and in three replications as follows: T1 = control (no Fertilization); T2 = Fertilization based on farmers conventional fertilizer use (NP); T3 = balanced Fertilization (fertilizer recommendation on the basis of soil test); T4= T1+ bio-fertilizer; T5 = T2+ bio-fertilizer and T6= T3+ bio-fertilizer. Soil samples were taken from greenhouse soil and physico-chemical characteristics were analyzed according to conventional methods practiced at the Soil and Water Research Institute of Iran. After six months, all operations, including top– dressing Fertilization and irrigation, were regularly carried out and in late July and December of 2012; samples were taken at two-time intervals. The samples were weighed in dry content. Meanwhile, essential oil extractions were measured by Clevenger Instrument and total antioxidant extracted by DPPH method. Subsequently, data were analyzed by SAS software. Results and discussion: The differences were shown significant at 5 percent statistical level. Average yield of dry leave weight and essential oil content in two harvests in control treatment were 664 and 7. 15 k. gha-1, respectively, these values in the best treatment were 1261 and 19. 97 kgha-1, respectively. The treatment of balanced Fertilization + bio-fertilizer compared with other treatments has the highest amount of antioxidant properties in both harvest. Also, the highest concentration of potassium, iron, zinc and manganese in edible organs (Leaves) in both the yields was found in balanced Fertilization + bio-fertilizer. Also results analysis of essential oil showed that percent of citral (neral+geranial) in essential oil of first harvest in control treatment were 40. 51, these value in the, T6 treatment were 52. 25. Therefore, it can be concluded that balanced Fertilization causes significant increase in the yield and the essential oil content of Lippia citriodora medicinal plant. So, it is suggested that in all research studies on the commercial production of medicinal plants, balanced Fertilization should be seriously taken in to consideration. Furthermore, the application of bio-fertilizer should also be promoted for producing a healthy crop of medicinal plants.

Estimation of optimum fertilizer rates is needed because of growing economic and environmental concerns. Optimum fertilizer rates can be determined by fitting statistical models to yield data collected from N fertilizer experiments. The main goal of this research was to compare and evaluate quadratic, square root, Mitscherlich, rectangular hyperbola, linear plus plateau and quadratic plus plateau models for describing the response of sugar beet to N fertilizer. Data used were obtained from a furrow irrigation system experiment with five N fertilizer rates: zero (control), 60, 120, 180, and 240 N kgha-1 with three replications in Ekbatan Research Station, Hamedan, Iran, during 2003 and 2004. Economic optimum N fertilizer rates were obtained based on fertilizer and sugar beet price during 2003 and 2004. Economic, optimum N fertilizer rates varied depending on the fertilizer to crop price ratio and models used. Results of this research showed the quadratic model described the yield responses and economic, optimum N fertilizer rate in sugar beet cultivation better than the other models. Economic, optimum N fertilizer rates due to this model were 235.8 and 248.9 kgha-1 in 2001 and 2002, respectively. Economic optimum N fertilizer rates based on N fertilizer subsidy and non-subsidy prices were 234.7 and 225.1 kgha-1 for 2003 model, and 247.9 and 240.8 kgha-1 for 2004 model, respectively.

We conducted this study in the Agogo Traditional Area of the Ashanti region of Ghana where there are numerous cases of conflicts between crop and animal farmers as a result of insufficient pasture for livestock, especially during the dry seasons. This has drawn the attention of various stakeholders in agriculture to the need for supplement feed through pasture establishment. The study examines farmers’ perception and the financial viability of pasture establishment for small ruminant production. The specific objectives of the study are as follow: to identify the cost and returns for the establishment of an acre of pasture, to assess the financial viability of pasture establishment on ‘cut and sell’ basis, to investigate farmers’ perception of pasture establishment for cattle production, to conduct a SWOT analysis of the establishment of pasture in Agogo. The study purports to analyze in detail, farmers' perceptions about the nature of the proposed 'Fodder Bank' policy and its likely effect on crop and livestock production, and whether the proposed policy could generate adequate monetary returns to induce its adoption at the farm level. The study seeks to provide evidence in support of SDG goals 2 (Zero hunger) and 12 (Responsible consumption and production) of the 2030 agenda for sustainable development. To the authors' best of knowledge, this is envisage to provide valuable information to support policy initiatives intended to tackle the root cause of farmer-herder conflicts. The Asante Akim North Municipal is one of the 27 administrative Districts in the Ashanti Region. Its capital is Konongo- Odumasi. The population for this study comprises livestock and crop farmers in Agogo. Asante Akim North Municipal was purposively selected for the study because it is noted for its agrarian abilities and massive production of food in the Ashanti region. The multi stage sampling was employed in this study. At the first stage, Asante Agogo traditional area was selected purposively due to the fact that majority of the inhabitants engage in agricultural activities (GSS 2010). At the second stage, three communities in Agogo namely, Hwidiem, Ananekrom and Bebuso were selected purposively. At the third stage, quota sampling was used to obtain a specific number of farmers from each of the three communities to sum up to 150 respondents as shown in table. Simple random sampling technique was then used to engage the selected farmers in these communities. A sample size of 150 respondents were obtained using the Slovin’s formulae which is a scientific method of obtaining the sample size for a given population. Structured questionnaires consisting of open and close ended questions were used to gather primary data from respondents through face-to-face interviews. Interviews were conducted using the local dialect mostly to enhance communication and to clear all language barriers but English was used where the respondents could give accurate answers in English Language. Data per the questionnaires from respondents were concerning their perception of pasture establishment and the assessment of the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of pasture establishment. Secondary data was sought from books, journals, dissertations and the internet. useful and relevant information on the appropriate materials and their costs for establishing pasture was also obtained from the Agogo MoFA office, and the KNUST Department of Animal Science. Descriptive statistics such as percentages, tables and means were used to analyze the socio-economic characteristics of respondents. It was revealed in the study that majority of crop farmers have had their crops destroyed by ruminants especially cattle at least once. Additionally, the study showed that pasture establishment is one way through which crop farms destruction by livestock can be prevented as about 99% of farmers responded in the affirmative. The results for the financial viability of the venture under the assumptions used gave relevant results with BCR of 1.18 and NPV of GHC 3,160. The Internal Rate Return of the venture is estimated at 40.1% and a Pay Back period of 2.61 years. Therefore, it will be economically prudent for investors to commit resources towards establishing pasture. The perception index for commercial, economic and financial concerns of pasture establishment was 3.7 which is skewed toward agree. The statement that had the highest positive perception index was about the fact that pasture establishment will increase the quality of meat. This implies that respondents perceive that the commercial, economic and financial results of pasture establishment will be positive. The perception index for the social category was 3.66. The statement with the highest positive assertion by respondents is the fact that pasture establishment will help control the movement of animals. The perception index of 3.66 which is skewed towards agree means that pasture establishment will attract the support from the community and also bring more benefits to the society. In the category of technical concerns of pasture establishment, the overall perception index for this category is 3.15, which means that the respondents perceive they have a fair technical know- how concerning pasture establishment even though the venture requires technical know-how. In the category of institutional concerns, support and involvement in pasture establishment, the statement with the highest perception index is that MoFA will support farmers with the necessary resources in its capacity. With reference to the chi-square test, the study can conclude that there is a significant relationship between the type of farmer and the perception that support can be drawn from farmer-based associations, and the perception that pasture establishment will increase livestock production as well as the general sales of farmers. Lastly, the study revealed that there is a significant relationship between the educational background of the farmer and the perception that it is not difficult to select planting materials for pasture establishment. farmers in Asante Akim Agogo should adopt the establishment of pasture since it is financially viable. The establishment of pasture in Asante Akim Agogo should be encouraged since it has the potency to reduce the farmer - herder conflicts and ensure food security. For successful pasture establishment, technical know-how is essential.

Wheat ground beetle Zabrus tenebrioides (Goeze) (Coleoptera: Carabidae) is an important wheat pest in Iran and some regions of the world. This pest causes damage to wheat by feeding on the root, stalk, and leaves. farmers try to control this pest by the foliar application of different insecticides, but this method causes damage to the environment. To find an effective method to control this pest, the thiamethoxam insecticide (Cruiser®) efficiency was evaluated using seed treatment in this study. An experiment based on a randomized complete block design with four treatments and four replications was conducted in a field in Ramhormoz city, Khuzestan province (Iran). The treatments were 150 and 200 ml of thiamethoxam plus 2350 ml of water for seed treatment, 2,000 ppm of diazinon by field spraying at the wheat tillering stage, and a control. The results indicated that the average plant density in 150 and 200 ml of thiamethoxam (333.58 and 333.28 plant/m2, respectively) was more than those of diazinon (258.28 plant/m2) and the control (182.12 plant/m2). The average ear density in 150 and 200 ml of thiamethoxam (513.78 and 506.12 plant/m2, respectively) was more than those of diazinon (321.22 plant/m2) and the control (260.86 plant/m2). According to the present results, farmers can use 150 ml of thiamethoxam plus 2350 ml of water for 100 kg of seeds to control this pest by seed treatment.

To investigate the response of corn to combined application of chemical fertilizers with rhizobacteria plant growth promoting, an experiment was conducted in 2017 at Research farm of Agricultural and Natural Resources Campus of Tehran University, Karaj, Iran, in a randomized complete block design with four replications. Four nutritional treatments including T1 (Control treatment without applying fertilizer), T2 (Just PGPRs), T3 (use chemical fertilizers based on soil test) and T4 (T3 + PGPRs) were considered. According to the results, the highest total dry weight (3.9 kg/m2), crop growth rate (79.8 g.m-2.day-1), net assimilation rate (15.3 g.m-2.day-1) and grain yield (18.2 ton.ha-1) were observed in T4 treatment and T2 treatment produced the highest  leaf area index (5.3), leaf area duration (205.2) and specific leaf weight (78.5 g.m-2) . Also, the lowest value of all traits was observed in in T1 (control) treatment. The results showed that the presence of rhizobacteria plant growth promotioninduction in the corn nutrition program increased the growth and growth indices of the plant. Combined application of chemical fertilizers with rhizobacteria plant growth promoting resulted in the highest growth and final grain yield of corn.

a heavy subsidy just on N and P-fertilizers has caused farmers to overuse these fertilizers in the country and hence, more than 90% of the fertilizer use constitutes N and P-fertilizers on the irrigated wheat farms. Due to continuous imbalanced Fertilization, especially the overuse of P-fertilizers and the absence of Zn-fertilizers in the farmers’ conventional Fertilization practice, there has been an increase in the concentration of phytic acid (C6H18O24P6) in the wheat grains. Increased level of phytic acid (PA), would lead to a high molar ratio of phytic acid to zinc (PA/Zn) in wheat grains up to around 60. Phytic acid combines with metal cations in the digestive system and converts them to phytate complexes which do not get absorbed in the human body. Presence of higher PA has been mentioned as a reason for discarding the wheat bran. Removing bran from the wheat grains is the fastest and easiest way of discarding PA. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), for absorption of nutrients by digestive system in human body, PA/Zn index must be less than 25. Due to calcareous nature of the studied soils and continuous imbalanced Fertilization, especially the overuse of P-fertilizers, PA/Zn molar ratio is around 60. Since the main part (70%) of mineral nutrients, vitamins and PA are accumulated in the wheat bran, the authorities, instead of scientifically solving the problem- i.e. reducing PA and increasing Zn concentration in wheat grains- have decided to take away bran from the wheat kernel in the process of flour preparation. By removing subsidies in the 5th Development Plan, since the price of bread will increase significantly, so it is necessary to increase the quality of the bread. To achieve high quality bread, concentrations of PA and Zn should decrease and increase, respectively. This is possible only through the enrichment of wheat in the farm by the use of balanced Fertilization, eliminating subsidy on Pfertilizers and allocating subsidy to zinc, bio- and organic fertilizers in order to reduce PA/Zn index. Various studies in the past two decades have shown that if current imbalanced Fertilization is continued, PA/Zn index will be well around 60, necessitating the removal of the bran. But, if balanced Fertilization is adopted as a general practice by the country's farmers, this ratio will decrease and it will not be necessary to remove the bran in flour processing. It is suggested to remove the subsidy from N and P-fertilizers and allocate them to Zn, biological and organic fertilizers, as well as conducting soil and plant analysis to determine required fertilizer levels. Phosphate fertilizers must be given to the farmers only on the basis of soil tests. Imposing heavy penalties on the bakers who illegally use baking soda instead of yeast and implementing optimal fertilizer management practices will result in crop enrichment in wheat farms, which, in addition to achieving sustainable production of healthy crops, will contribute to upgrading Iranian society’s health-rating. By practicing balanced Fertilization, applying zinc sulfate and bio-organic fertilizers, the country's nutrition will improve and the quality and quantity of whole wheat bread will be upgraded significantly, and hence the problem of malnutrition will be solved in the Iranian society.