In order to investigate the possibility of quinoa producing in Garmsar, Iran, a factorial experiment conducted in randomized complete block design with three replications in 2018-2019 growing season at Garmsar Agricultural Research Station. The factors were planting date at three levels (March 6th, April 1st and April 6th) and the three genotypes of quinoa (Q26, Q29 and Titicaca). Results showed that the effect of planting date was significant for all studied traits except the harvest index. Also, all studied traits were significantly different in all genotypes. Titicaca planted on March 6th had the highest yield (2276 kg.ha-1).The grain yield and yield components decreased with the delaying the planting date. Compared to early plantings, Latest date, April 6th, led to reduction of all traits, especially grain yield (about 50%). The results of simple phenotypic correlation between the studied traits showed that grain yield per hectare had the highest correlation with plant yield (0.877) and then with leaf area index (0.832), panicle weight (0.815) and number of branches per plant (0.745) that was significant at the 1% probability level.

To study genetic diversity for yield and yield-related traits in eggplant, 86 local and commercial eggplant cultivars, grown by farmers in Iran, were evaluated for eight yield-related traits using randomized complete block design with three replications under greenhouse conditions in winter 2020. Analysis of variance of data showed that genotypes had significant differences for all measured traits. Fruit yield plant-1, Fruit number plant-1 and Fruit weight of genotypes varied from 60.3 to 5151 grams, 1.23 to 39 and 14.3 to 387.9 grams, respectively. Mean comparison revealed that the cv. Sable had the highest Fruit yield plant-1 followed by genotypes no. 4, 2 and 5, respectively. Genotypes no. 76, 72, 70, 74 and 66 had the lowest Fruit yield plant-1, respectively. Principal components analysis showed that three independent components explained 63% of the total variation. Cluster analysis using Ward method clustered studied eggplant genotypes in four different groups. These results were consistent with Fruit yield performance of eggplant genotypes. Stepwise regression showed that three traits of Fruit number plant-1, Fruit weight and Fruit width had the greatest effect on Fruit yield plant-1. Path analysis showed that Fruit weight and Fruit number plant-1 traits had direct effect on Fruit yield plant-1. The results of this research can be used to develop breeding populations for selection pure lines in eggplant breeding programs. Keywords: Eggplant, Fruit number plant-1, Fruit weight, Fruit yield plant-1, germplasm.IntroductionEggplant (Solanum melongena L.) is the fifth most important vegetable crop in the world. Iran ranks sixth in global eggplant production. Currently, all the commercial hybrid cultivars grown in Iran are imported, and the efforts of Iranian eggplant breeders for development of hybrid cultivars are progressing. The initial step in eggplant breeding involves collecting germplasm and assessing the level of genetic diversity of different traits (Prohens et al., 2005) The objectives of this research were: 1. Assessment of the genetic diversity in eggplant germplasm, 2. Grouping eggplant genotypes and evaluating the relationships between Fruit yield related traits, and 3. Selection of superior genotypes to be used for crossing in eggplant breeding programs. Materials and Methods In this study, 86 different commercial eggplant genotypes were collected from different sources. The seeds of eggplant genotypes were sown in greenhouse using complete randomized block design with three replications under greenhouse conditions at Negin Bazr Danesh Company, Khorasgan Azad University, Isfahan, Iran, in winter 2020. Genotypes Fruit yield plant-1 and yield-related traits were measured evaluated. Normality of the data was tested using Minitab 18.1. Analysis of variance as well as mean comparisons were performed, using LSD, using SAS 9.4. Cluster analysis, principal component analysis, and correlation between traits were performed using Minitab 18.1 for grouping genotypes and studying trait relationships. Path analysis was carried out by Path 2 software. Results and Discussion Fruit yield plant-1, Fruit number plant-1 and Fruit weight of genotypes varied from 60.3 to 5151 grams, 1.23 to 39 and 14.3 to 387.9 grams, respectively. Analysis of variance of data showed that genotypes had significant differences for all measured traits. Mean comparison revealed that the cv. Sable had the highest Fruit yield plant-1 followed by genotypes no. 4, 2 and 5, respectively. Genotypes no. 76, 72, 70, 74 and 66 had the lowest Fruit yield plant-1, respectively.Principal components analysis showed that three independent components explained 63% of the total variation. Cluster analysis using Ward method clustered studied eggplant genotypes in four different groups. These results were consistent with Fruit yield performance of eggplant genotypes. Stepwise regression showed that three traits of Fruit number plant-1, Fruit weight and Fruit width had the greatest effect on Fruit yield plant-1. Path analysis showed that Fruit weight and Fruit number plant-1 traits had direct effect on Fruit yield plant-1. These results were consistent with Fruit yield performance of eggplant genotypes. Stepwise regression showed that three traits of Fruit number plant-1, Fruit weight and Fruit width had the greatest effect on Fruit yield plant-1. Path analysis showed that Fruit weight and Fruit number plant-1 traits had direct effect on Fruit yield plant-1.Kameli et al. (2020) evaluated different eggplant genotypes and grouped them in four groups using cluster analysis. Genotypes in different groups can be used in hybridization programs to incorporate genetic diversity in breeding materials. Uddin et al. (2021) studied 130 local eggplant germplasm to select parents for eggplant breeding program and reported that Fruit yield plant-1 significantly correlated with Fruit diameter, number of Fruits plant-1 and Fruit weight. Genetic diversity in Iranian eggplant landraces has been used for selection of pure lines and new cultivars in the national eggplant breeding program of Iran (Bagheri et al., 2014). Therefore, it is suggested that the eggplant cultivars in the first and second groups, in the present research, can be used to develop breeding populations for selection pure lines and new cultivars in eggplant breeding programs. ReferencesBagheri, M., Keshavarz, S., Zarbakhsh, A.J. and Salmani, K.A. 2014. Selected lines from Iranian eggplant landraces in advanced yield trails. Seed and Plant Journal, 29(1), pp.857-859 (in Persian). DOI: 10.22092/spij.2017.111195Kameli, A.M., Kiani, G. and Kazemitabar, S.K. 2020. The evaluation of phenotypic diversity in eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) genotypes. Journal of Vegetables Sciences, 3(6), pp.31-41. DOI: 10.22034/iuvs.2020.114655.1071Prohens, J., Blanca, J.M. and Nuez, F. 2005. Morphological and molecular variation in a collection of eggplants from a secondary center of diversity: Implications for conservation and breeding. Journal of the American Society for Horticultural Science, 130(1), pp.54-63. DOI: 10.21273/JASHS.130.1.54Uddin, M.S., Billah M., Afroz R., Rahman, S., Jahan, N., Hossain, M.G., Bagum S.A., Uddin, M.S., Khaldun, A.B.M., Azam, M.G., Hossein, N., Akanada, M.A.L., Alhormani, M., Gaber, A. and Hossein, A. 2021. Evaluation of 130 eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) genotypes for future breeding program based on qualitative and quantitative traits, and various genetic parameters. Horticulturae, 7(10), 376. DOI: 10.3390/horticulturae7100376

In order to increase water use efficiency for Fruit and seed yield of three watermelon cultivars, a split plot design based on RCBD was conducted in Varamin research center during two years. Three irrigation period consisting of 6, 10 and 14 days as main factor and three watermelon cultivars: Charlestongrey, Yellow seed Mahboubi and Black seed Mahboubi were considered in sub-plots. The volume of irrigation water was measured with a 3 inches partial flume and adjusted for the same amount in each main plot. the parameters in this study were: Fruit yield, seed yield, 1000 seed weight, dissolved solids in Fruits, average Fruit weight, total dissolved solids (TSS) in Fruits and Fruit skin thickness. the results showed that irrigation periods had a significant affect on Fruit yield and average Fruit weight and did not have any effect on other characters. The highest yield and average Fruit weight obtained in 6 days irrigation period which means that with the irrigation period of 14 days and use of less water it would be possible to produce watermelon seed without any decrease in seed yield. The effect of cultivars was significant on all traits. The highest Fruit and seed yield produced with yellow seeds mahboubi which was significantly superior to the two other cultivars. Cultivars and irrigation periods didn’t show any interaction with each other.

In order to study the effect of planting date and planting pattern on Chararjo melon (Cucumis melo var inodorus) Fruit yield and yield components, an experiment was carried out in an RCBD arranged in a splitfactorial design with four replications. The study was conducted at the Agriculture Research Station of Gonbad for two years (2006-2007). Main plots consisted of four planting dates (April 9, April 21, May 5 and May 22). Sub-plots were combination of row spaces (180, 230 and 280 cm) and within row distances (50 and 70 cm). Plots were furrow irrigated. To obtain Fruit yield, Fruit weight, and Fruit number per plant and per hectare, Fruits of two middle rows were hand-picked. Analysis of variance was performed each year and means were compared using F protected LSD. To analyze the data, S.A.S. was used. The results showed that with a delay in planting, Fruit yield decreased. The Fruit yield decease with a delay in planting might be attributed to acceleration of growth stages and shortened period of assimilate accumulation and lesser vegetative growth caused by higher temperatures. Row space 180 cm had the highest Fruit yield. There was not any significant difference for Fruit yield between two in-row distances, i.e. 50 and 70 cm. Based on two year results, and considering Fruit yield and Fruit weight, the suitable planting date for Charjo melon in the region might be early April. The appropriate planting pattern might be 180 cm by 70 cm.

Identifying the constraining factors of production and yield gap is very important. Therefore; this research was performed to identify the production constraining factors of local rice cultivars. All management practices from nursery preparation to harvesting stages for 100 paddy fields of local rice cultivars were recorded through field studies, in Sari, from 2015-2016. In the CPA, the actual and calculated potential yield were 4495 and 5703 kg/ha, respectively and the gap was 1221 kg/ha. The yield gap caused by number of top-dressing variables was 324 kg/ha, equal to 27% of the total yield gap. The yield gap related to previous year of legumes cultivation was 218 kg ha-1, equal to 18% of the total yield variation. Among the 10 variables entered in the CPA model, the effects of top-dress fertilizer application and its application frequency and foliar application were remarkable, which could compensate a significant part of the yield gap (444 kg/ha, 37% of total) in the farmers’ fields by managing these variables. According to boundary line analysis (BLA) finding, actual yield mean on the basis of optimal limit related to 12 variables under study was 5369 kg/ha, with 881 kg/ha yield gap . Mean relative yield and relative yield gap for 12 variables (transplanting date, seedling age, number of seedlings per hill, planting density, nitrogen and phosphorous per hectare, nitrogen before transplanting, harvesting date, lodging problem, pest problem, diseases problem and weeds problem) were 83.64 and 16.35 kg/ha, respectively. Based on the finding, it can be stated that the model precision is appropriate and can be applied for both estimation of the quantity of yield gap and determining the portion of each restricting yield variables.

In order to evaluate the effect of foliar application of nitrogen, boron and zinc on yield and quality of date Fruit (cv Sayer), an experiment was carried out in randomized complete block design with eight treatments (each treatment include of two trees) and three replications in Arvand Kenar (Khuzestan Province) during 2004- 2006. The treatments were: control (without foliar application), foliar application of urea, foliar application of zinc sulfate, foliar application of boric acid, foliar application urea and boric acid, foliar application of urea and zinc sulfate, foliar application zinc sulfate and boric acid, foliar application of urea, zinc sulfate and boric acid. Concentration of urea, zinc sulfate and boric acid were (5, 3 and 2 g l-1) respectively. The results showed that foliar application had a significant effect on Fruit set, yield, fresh weight, diameter, pH, reducing sugar of date Fruit, and nitrogen density and leaf phosphor compared with control. Also, foliar application of urea and zinc sulfate had the highest effect on Fruit set, yield and quality of date Fruit.

This study was done to investigate and compare Fruit yield, yield components, morphological traits and Fruit quality of greenhouse tomato genotypes in order to use them as selection criteria. Progenies of 49 crosses of greenhouse tomato together with their 13 parents were evaluated using Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. The highest amount of Fruit yield was observed in the progenies of the crosses 20, 25 and 46. On the other hand, the progenies of the crosses 17 and 18, which showed the highest amount of Fruit quality, also had a suitable Fruit yield. The highest number of Fruits was observed in the progenies of the crosses 18, 16 and 19. In order to selecte the most effective traits as the selection criteria, broad and narrow sense heritabilities were estimated under two growing seasons by uniparentalperogeny, biparental-perogeny regression, and parental-perogeny correlation. The amount of broad sense heritability ranged from 45 to 92% in the first season and from 43 to 80% in the second one. Therefore, the traits including the total Fruit yield, Fruit weight, pericarp thickness, Brix, and PH were suggested for selecting the best genotypes, because of the higher level of heritability in these traits. Higher amounts of narrow-sense heritability in number of Fruit per cluster and internode length suggested that these traits are appropriate as selection criteria. But the results showed that selection criteria varied in different environmental conditions.

The production of misshapen Fruits in 'Hayward' kiwiFruit, due to genetic potential, or environmental conditions, is the main factor for reducing exportable and marketable Fruits. To solve this problem and produce uniformity in the Fruits, it is recommended to thin the malformed Fruits immediately after setting. This study was conducted as a randomized complete block design with four replications. The experimental treatments included thinning all of the small, flat, fan-shape and misshapen Fruits at four different times: 15, 30, 45 and 60 days after Fruit set in the whole vine. Fruits were harvested when reached at maturity stage, and characteristics such as Fruit yield per vine, Fruit grading according to size, Fruit firmness, dry matter percentage, soluble solids content, titratable acidity, TSS/TA, pH and ascorbic acid content were measured. The results showed that there was no significant difference between the thinned and control vines for Fruit yield. Fruit thinning times caused a significant increase in the percentage of extra grade Fruits, so that the highest extra Fruit percentage was found when Fruit thinning carried out 15 days after Fruit set (49.01%), which showed an increase of about 25 percent compared to control (24.71%). Furthermore, Fruits thinning reduced flesh firmness, titratable acid and ascorbic acid as compared to control, but increased Fruits dry matter percentage, soluble solids, TSS/TA, pH and Fruit volume. Overall, early Fruit thinning; 15 days after Fruit set, with increasing extra grade Fruits and reducing grade 2 and out-of-grade Fruits caused improve in proportion of marketable and exportable Fruits.