Background and Objectives: The shortage of oilseeds and the high volume of oil imports in Iran and the limitation of water resources for the many oilseeds production, showed the necessity of identifying species and varieties adapted to these stressful conditions and determining the most sensitive stages. Nowadays, safflower, due to drought resistance, is considered as a plant crop in the Iranian crop rotation. Therefore, with respect to importance of water stress and selection of appropriate planting date in crop production, this research was conducted to investigate the effect of delay cropping and irrigation regime on assimilate remobilization, yield components and yield safflower. Materials and Methods: In order to investigate the effect of delay cropping and irrigation regime on assimilate remobilization rate, yield components and yield of safflower, a field experiment was conducted as split factorial in a completely randomized blocks design with three replicates at Agriculture College and Natural Resources of Darab, Shiraz University, during 2018-2019 growing season. Experimental factors consisted of irrigation regimes in three levels included normal irrigation, Cutting of irrigation at flowering and cutting of irrigation at seed filling, three planting dates (6 December, 26 December and 15 January) and two safflower cultivars (Goldasht and local Isfahan). In this research, dry matter remobilization, remobilization contribution and remobilization efficiency, yield components and yield of safflower were determined. Results: Results showed that the measured traits were affected by irrigation regime, planting date and cultivar, significantly. Cutting of irrigation at flowering reduced number of capitule per plant, number of seeds per capitule, 1000-seed weight and grain yield of safflower cultivars by 21. 86%, 23. 87%, 28. 37% and 33. 74%, respectively compared to normal irrigation. The amount of dry matter remobilization, remobilization contribution and remobilization efficiency in cutting of irrigation at flowering increased 30. 44%, 37. 81% and 25. 37%, respectively compared to normal irrigation. Also, delayed third planting date (15 January) reduced dry matter remobilization (44. 17%), remobilization contribution (22. 72%), remobilization efficiency (17. 88%), number of capitule per plant (%). 14. 57, number of seeds per capitule (20. 65%) and grain yield (13. 31%). Conclusion: Cutting of irrigation at flowering and seed filling treatments decreased 52. 32% and 34. 54% of grain yield in Isfahan local cultivar at second planting date (26 December) compared to the normal irrigation treatment, respectively. However, seed yield in this treatment did not differ significantly with the treatment of cutting of irrigation at seed filling in planting date on 6 December in Isfahan and Goldasht cultivars which seems to be due to increased assimilate remobilization and remobilization efficiency in cutting of irrigation at seed filling compared to normal irrigation. Therefore, selection of optimum planting date (26 December) compared to early planting date (6 December) and early mature Goldasht cultivar by 12. 91% higher yield can be an appropriate strategy to improve and increase safflower seed yield under late season water stress in semi-arid regions.

Recognition and understanding the genetic control of traits, combining ability and genetic structure are directly related to the success of breeding programs. For this purpose, a 7 × 7 one-way diallel design was conducted in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The measured traits were included plant height, height to the first capsule, number of days to 50% and 90% of flowering, number of capsules per plant, number of seeds per capsule, number of days to physiological ripening, number of branches, leaves number and length, 1000-seeds weight, capsule weight, length and width, chlorophyll a, b and total chlorophyll, biological andeconomic yields, harvest index, oil and protein percentage. Analysis of variance showed that there was a significant difference between genotypes and diallel analysis showed that the additive variance of all traits and dominant variance of all traits except height to the first fruit-bearing capsule were significant. The oltan cultivar was the best and Ardestan genotype was the worst genotype in terms of general combining ability. Sabzevar×TS-3 and Sirjan×Fars were the best hybrids in most traits. The general heritability was between 0.90 to 0.96 for biologic yield and number of branches, respectively and narrow heritability was between 0.36 to 0.91 for the number of branches and harvest index, respectively. The analysis of variance by Hayman method confirmed the results of Griffing analysis.

As a major staple, wheat is considered as the most important crop in Iran.With the existing population growth rate, self-sufficiency in this crop is becoming more and more important for the nation. According to FAO, per hectare yield of wheat in Iran is lower than the world average. FAO experts have stated farmers poor technical know-how as the main reason to this situation.The present paper analyses the impacts of improved seeds application in wheat yield increase. The result showed that improved seeds lead to higher per hectare yields of wheat both directly and indirectly. Directly, i.e. without any modifications in other inputs on the same farm, the application of improved seeds increased yield by %17. Indirectly, the application of improved seeds in turn induced the use of other modern inputs, resulting in another %18 increase in yields. The aggregate increase in wheat yield out of improved seeds was thus assessed at %35.

To determine the general (GA) and specific (SCA) combining abilities 36 hybrids developed in 9 × 9 diallel crossing design were grown and evaluated in three locations(Karaj, Isfahan and Mashhad) of Iran in 2004 and 2005. Grain yield, number of kernel rows per ear and number of kernels per row were measured and recorded. All crosses were made in 2003, based on Griffing's method 4, mixed model B. diallel hybrids were evaluated in randomized complete block design with three replications in each environment. Genotypic differences, among the hybrids, were significant for all of the traits, therefore, the genetic parameters related to the diallel method were estimated. The GCA and SCA were significant for all of the traits. The degree of dominance ranged from 0.24 for the number of kernel rows per ear to 4.07 for the grain yield. The values for broad-sense heritability were high (0.98 to 0.99) indicating that environmental variance was relatively low compared to genetic variance. As expected, the narrow- sense heritability for grain yield was very low (0.06).This was due to relatively higher non-additive variance compared to additive variance. Among the nine parental lines only two lines KE 75039 (P2) and OH 43/1-42 (P5) had high GCA for grain yield. Only one combination (P4×P9) showed high and significant SCA for grain yield, and four hybrids demonstrated relatively high SCA for grain yield. P4 produced suitable hybrid combinations with P5, P6, P7 and P8. The five best single-cross combinations to produce early maturity maize hybrids were (P2×P9), (P4×P7), (P4×P8), P4×P6) and (P4×P5).Parental lines P2, P5 and P4 can be used to develop synthetic varieties in early maturity maize breeding programs.

Due to having spring and autumn genotypes and adaptation to weather conditions, rapeseed is considered as a point hope to provide edible oil of country. Two separate experiments were set up as split-plot in a RCBD design with three replications in two fall and winter seasons during two years (2014-2015 and 2015-2016) at the research field of Seed and Plant Improvement Institute to investigate the effect of sowing season and date on the quantitative and qualitative yields of rapeseed genotypes in Karaj, Iran. In this study, the main plots were sowing dates (7, 17, and 27 October in fall sowing and 9 and 19 February, and 1 March in winter sowings) and sub-plots consisted of genotypes (RGS003, Dalgan, Zabol10, Hyola401, and Hyola4815). Rapeseed genotypes grain and oil yields were 4330 and 1840 kg ha-1 in fall sowing, respectively, while these traits were decreased 43.3 and 46.6% respectively, when rapeseed genotypes were planted in winter season. The highest grain and oil yields (5033 and 2202 kg ha-1) belonged to 7 October sowing date in fall sowing, while 9 February had the highest grain and oil yields (2996 and 1248 kg ha-1) in winter sowing. In general, the Dalgan genotype is recommended for cultivation due to suitable agronomic traits such as number of silique per plant, number of grain per silique, silique length, 1000-grain weight, as well as high grain and oil yields in cold temperate regions with arid and semi-arid climates such as Karaj, Iran.

Introduction Water stress is one of the main factors in crop growth in arid and semi-arid regions of the world, which limits the grain yield of the safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.). To increase the soil fertility and yield of crops, it is necessary to pay sufficient attention to the use of biomass of organic matter, especially crop residues, and its conversion to biochar. This research aims to evaluate the biochar application produced from cotton and wheat residues under late-season water stress in the south of Fars province (Darab) on photosynthetic pigments, enzyme activity, yield components, and yield of safflower. Materials and Methods In order to investigate the biochar application and water stress on the amount of photosynthetic pigments, enzyme activity, and yield of safflower, a field experiment was laid out as split plots in the form of randomized complete block design with 3 replications in the 2019-2020 growing season. The experimental factors include the irrigation regime as the main factor in two levels (optimal irrigation and cutting off irrigation after the flowering stage), and the secondary factors were fertilizer treatment as subplot including control (without fertilizer), consumption of 3 tons of biochar from wheat residues per hectare, consumption of 3 tons of biochar from cotton residues per hectare, consumption of 150 kg of urea per hectare + 50 kg of triple superphosphate per hectare, consumption of 112.5 kg of urea per hectare + 37.5 kg of triple superphosphate per hectare, consumption of 112.5 kg of urea + 37.5 kg of triple superphosphate + 3 tons wheat biomass per hectare, and 112.5 kg of urea + 37.5 kg of triple superphosphate + 3 tons of cotton biomass per hectare. In this research, chlorophyll a and b, total chlorophyll, catalase, and peroxidase activities, yield components, and yield of safflower were calculated. Results and Discussion The results of the experiment showed that the measured traits were significantly affected by the irrigation regime and fertilizer treatment. Under cutting-off irrigation after the flowering stage, the fertilizer treatment of 112.5 urea + 37.5 phosphate + 3 tons of wheat biochar per hectare increased 55 and 40% chlorophyll a and total chlorophyll compared to the control, respectively. Water stress increased the carotenoid content, catalase, and peroxidase enzymes. The highest amount of catalase and peroxidase enzyme activity was obtained in the control under cutting-off irrigation after the flowering stage, which increased by 48 and 38%, respectively, compared to the control under optimal irrigation. The number of seeds per capitule and the number of fertile capitules per plant in the treatment of 112.5 urea + 37.5 phosphate + 3 tons of cotton biochar under water stress conditions increased by 8.8 and 19.51%, respectively. Also, under water stress, the application of 112.5 urea + 37.5 phosphates + 3 tons of cotton biochar improved and increased the relative content of leaf water, biological capitules yield, and grain yield compared to the control by %53, %22, and %34, compared to control, respectively. Conclusion Results showed that in both of the irrigation regimes, application of 3 tons of cotton or wheat biochar alone can increase the biomass and grain yield compared to control. Overall, the application of 112.5 urea + 37.5 phosphate + 3 tons of cotton biochar under water stress conditions improved the relative water content of the leaves, the number of seeds per capitule, the number of fertile capitule per plant, and finally, biomass and yield of safflower. With respect to water shortage under late season in southern parts of Fars province, and in order to decrease the detrimental effects of water stress, farmers can use the biochar of cotton combined with reduced dosage of urea and triple superphosphate fertilizers.

The present study was performed to evaluate the effect of selenium application on yield, yield components and oil yield of safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L. ) cultivars under water deficit irrigation conditions as factorial split plot based on randomized complete block design with three replications in Mahalat province, Arak, Iran during 2013-2014 crop season. The main factor included complete irrigation during growing season, cutting irrigation at flowering stage and cutting irrigation at head forming stage. Sub factor was considered application of selenium (including 0, 20 and 40 k/ha) and safflower cultivars (Sina and Mahaly Esfahan). The results showed that the plant height, leaf area, yield and yield components and oil yield of safflower cultivars decreased under water stress treatments. Discontinuation of irrigation in the pollination stage led to the greatest reduction in grain yield and oil yield by 31. 6% and 39. 7% compared to full irrigation, respectively. The highest grain yield, biological yield and oil yield with average of 3987, 9514 and 609 k/ha by application of 40 g/ha selenium and complete irrigation obtain, respectively. Application of selenium in discontinuation of irrigation regimes due to decrease negative effect of water stress on yield components, grain yield, biological yield and oil yield. The Mahaly Esfahan cultivar had the highest number capitulum per plant, number grain per capitulum, grain yield, biological yield and oil yield. In general, 40 g/ha application of Mahaly Esfahan safflower cultivar with selenium not only can decrease water stress effect but also increase grain yield and oil yield under optimum conditions.

Introduction Since discovery of food, clothing and shelter, human wanted to improve their physical sufferings, and using experience separated toxic plants from non – toxic ones and medicinal herbs from non – medicine. Medicinal herbs are agricultural products which have a very important role in the health of people in society......

Khuzestan province has good potential for oilseed crops production, such as soybeans. At present, however, there are no suitable soybean cultivars in the country that can tolerate the hot conditions of this province well. Therefore, Gelareh Kalhor Agriculture Company, in coordination with the Ministry of Agriculture Jihad, has imported four soybean cultivars (BRS391, BRS232, BRS511, and BRS284) from Brazil. This study aimed to compare the yield of imported soybean cultivars tolerant to heat stress with common cultivars in the country (Rahmat, Caspian, and SK-93) in Dezful climate conditions. The experiment was performed in 2021 in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Results of the analysis of variance showed that soybean cultivars had significant effects on the number of branches per plant, pod production per plant, seeds per pod, 1000-seed weight, and seed yield. But, there was no statistically significant difference among the cultivars studied for seed oil and protein contents. The results showed that imported soybean cultivars were able to produce about 25% more pods per plant, 21% more seeds per pod, and 8% higher seed weight, and in total, 20% higher seed yield than common cultivars. Conversely, the potential for branching in common soybean cultivars in the country was about 33% higher than that of the imported cultivars from Brazil. Among the cultivars imported, BRS232 and BRS284 with seed yields of 2793 and 2697 kg ha-1, respectively, showed higher production potential than the other two cultivars.