To investigate the effect of vermicompost, N fertilizer and their integration on growth, biological and essential yields oil and its components in two populations (Varamin and Isfahan), an experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design with three replications in the field of Isfahan Medicinal Plants Research Center in 2016. Fertilizer treatments including 100% urea, vermicompost 33.3 and urea 66.6%, vermicompost 66.6 and urea 33.3%, 100% vermicompost and control treatment (without fertilizer) as the first factor and Varamin and Isfahan populations as the second factor were selected. The results showed that the interaction effects of nitrogen fertilizer and populations on all studied traits were significant. In both populations, nitrogen fertilizer improved height, biological and essential oil yields, content of essential oil compounds (d-Carvone and its yield, α-phellandrene and linalool; except p-Cymene and Limonene in Isfahan population). Since in medicinal plants, the quantity (biological yield) and quality (essential oil and d-Carvone; the most important ingredient and the highest amount of essential oil in this experiment), 66.6% vermicompost + 33.3% urea in Varamin population, was the best treatment in the experiment. In addition an in the direction of human health and sustainable agriculture, it is possible to reduce 33% of chemical fertilizers application and pollution; however, in terms of other essential oil contents (α-phellandrene, Linalool and p-Cymene), 100% vermicompost fertilizer treatment was superior in Isfahan population.

Background and purpose: Currently, various methods are employed for sewage sludge disposal, such as drying, burning, and land application. However, each of these methods possesses inherent vulnerabilities. Sewage sludge management is challenging not only due to its high production levels but also because of the elevated concentra tions of heavy metals and pathogens it contains. Extensive research has demonstrated that converting sewage slu dge into organic fertilizers, including liquid fertilizer, offers numerous advantages. These advantages i nclude reduced heavy metal content, compatibility with irrigation systems, enhanced plant absorption rates, and increased growth efficiency. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate the pro perties of sewage sludge and the liquid fertilizer derived from it. Materials and Methods: In this study, biological sludge was p rocessed into liquid fertilizer using a 0. 25 molar solution. The biological sludge and liquid fertilizer were characterized by conducting tests to determine the concentration of heavy metals (Zn, Pb, Cd, Cr, Ni, Fe, and Cu), total nitrogen, total phosphorus, soluble potassium, tot al sodium concentration, electrical conductivity, and pH. Results: The results indicated that the total nitrogen and soluble potassium concentrations decreased as the extraction of organic matter from the sludge increased. Conversely, the phosphorus content, total sodium concentration, el ectrical conductivity, and pH exhibited an upward trend. Conclusion: The findings of this study demonstrate that liquid fertilizer derived from sewage sludge possesses favorable characteristics, making it suitable for use as a soil modifier in the agricultural sector.

Desert growth in Iran is a major problem. A large part of the country is surrounded by vulnerable areas at risk of desertification, so that about 75% of the ecosystems of arid and semi-arid regions of the country, face the effects and consequences of desertification. Effects such as the drying up of inland lakes, sandstorms, dust and intensification of wind erosion are a clear manifestation of the growing rate of desertification in recent years in the country. In arid and semi-arid ecosystems, there is little vegetation due to lack of moisture and other adverse climatic conditions. As a result, soils are more prone to degradation, but in some of these areas, despite the lack of soil moisture, high temperatures and other unfavorable ecological conditions, the distances between plants are often covered by a community of microscopic plants, and this Communities are known as biological soil crusts. Biological soil crusts are the association of soil mineral particles with cyanobacteria, algae, fungi, lichens, or bryophytes and are common coverings in open spaces around vascular plants in arid and semi-arid regions. Biological crusts significantly affect early ecosystem processes and have been described as ecological engineers in arid regions.

To study the possibility of reducing the consumption of nitrogen fertilizer using biological fertilizer on yield and yield components of cowpea. A factorial experiment in a randomized complete block design with three replications was conducted at Darreb Shahr in 2012. The first factor, which was at 3 levels of urea nitrogen, containing 0, 50 and 100 kg nitrogen per hectare, and the second factor was the biological fertilizer Nitroxin at 3 levels containing no inoculation, inoculation rate of 1 ml per 60 kg seeds and spraying a rate of 3 liters per ha. The results showed that protein content of seed inoculated with bio-fertilizer nitroxin was 24.96 percent which is one percent more than non-inoculated seeds. The amount of protein obtained in application of nitrogen was also more than non-application treatment and the difference between them was significant. The interaction of urea fertilizer and bio-fertilizer, resulted in highest and the lowest yield in seeds inoculated with 50 kg of urea fertilizer and no fertilizer application biological fertilizer + no fertilizer urea in 2046 and 1336 kg per hectare, respectively. All levels of nitrogen in the highest and the lowest yield was in a state of inoculation and non-application. Generally the results showed that the use of biological fertilizers can be used as part of the nutrients needed by cowpea, Also, if Nitroxin was supplemented with lower amounts of urea fertilizer seed yield may be increased seed yield may be improved.

Background and objectives: Fennel is an herbaceous, aromatic, and perennial plant from the Umbelliferae family with the scientific name Foeniculum vulgare L. The height of the plant is about one to two meters. Its stems are erect, cylindrical, branched, and green. This plant is one of the world's most well-known medicinal plants and is considered an important agricultural export product of Iran. The medicinal properties of fennel include improving the digestive system, eliminating hormonal disorders, especially in women, and increasing breastfeeding in mothers. Given the increasing demand for this medicinal plant, improving the quantity and quality of its yield through optimizing agricultural methods, including proper nutrition, is of particular importance. The use of nitrogen fertilizer in combination with organic and biological fertilizers, such as sugarcane compost and biofarm, can improve the growth and yield of fennel. Therefore, the present study was designed and implemented to determine the best type of fertilization and, in fact, the appropriate nutrition for fennel plants in the climate conditions of Khuzestan, in the city of Molasani, 36 km north of Ahvaz, between the Karun River and the Ahvaz-Shushtar road. Methodology: This research was conducted in autumn, winter, and spring of 2023-2024 at a farm of Khuzestan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, in the form of split plots in randomized complete blocks with three replications. In the main plots, levels of combining nitrogen fertilizer and sugarcane residue compost include A1: control (no use of nitrogen fertilizer and no use of sugarcane compost), A2: 150 kg/ha pure nitrogen, A3: 112. 5 kg/ha pure nitrogen + 8 tons/ha of sugarcane compost A4: 75 kg/ha pure nitrogen + 16 tons/ha of sugarcane compost, A5: 37. 5 kg/ha pure nitrogen + 24 tons per hectare of sugarcane compost and A6: 32 tons per hectare of pure sugarcane compost were investigated. In the subplots, the seed inoculation treatment with Biofarm biofertilizer, including B0: control (no seed inoculation with Biofarm) and B1: treatment (seed inoculation with Biofarm), was investigated. The measured plant traits included seed yield per field unit, seed yield components, morphological traits, and essential oil percentage and yield per field unit. Results: The results of the statistical analysis of the data showed that the highest height of the plant in treatment A3 (119. 8 cm) and treatment B1 (108. 3 cm), the highest number of branches in the plant at the level of treatment A2 by (38. 85) numbers, the most The number of umbels per plant at the level of treatment A2 (17/7) and in treatment B1 at the rate of (15/5), the highest number of seeds per umbel corresponding to treatment A3B0 (166/80) of seeds per umbel and without the use of biofertilizer was obtained. On the other hand, the maximum weight of 1, 000 seeds in A5B0, A2B1, and A3B0 treatment levels were 3. 5, 3. 4, and 3. 4 grams, respectively, which were not statistically significantly different from each other. In general, the highest seed yield in A4B0 treatment is (998) kg per hectare, the highest percentage of essential oil in A2 treatment is (2. 26) percent, and the highest fennel essential oil yield is related to A2B1 treatment level, (22. 1) kg. It was per hectare. Conclusion: According to the results of this research, the application of 75 kg/ha of pure nitrogen and 16 tons/ha of sugarcane compost to increase the yield of fennel seeds and the use of biological fertilizers along with chemical fertilizers (150 kg/ha) increased the yield of fennel seed essential oil. As a result, if the results are repeated and confirmed in subsequent studies, it can be recommended to the manufacturers of this product.

To investigate the possibility of increasing the quantity and quality rice yield (var. Tarom Hashemi) by application of organic and biologic fertilizers with lower rate of chemical nitrogen fertilizer, a field experiment was carried out in a randomized complete block design with eight treatments and three replications in Amol in 2014-2015. Experimental treatments were: T1: control or no fertilizer application, T2: nitrogen fertilizer application of 46 kg. ha-1, T3: azolla compost application of 10 ton. ha-1, T4: vermicompost application of 10 ton. ha-1, T5: nitrogen fertilizer of 23 kg. ha-1 + azolla compost of 5 ton. ha-1, T6: nitrogen fertilizer of 23 kg. ha-1 + vermicompost of 5 ton. ha-1, T7: azolla compost of 5 ton. ha-1 + vermicompost of 5 ton. ha-1 and T8: nitrogen fertilizer of 12 kg. ha-1 + azolla compost of 5 ton. ha-1 + vermicompost of 5 ton. ha-1. Results showed that the percent of sterile floret per panicle increased (13. 95%) by not using fertilizer. The highest panicle length (25. 47 cm), number of fertile tiller per hill (18. 30) and filled grain number per panicle (136. 1) belonged to treatment no. T8. Treatments of T3 and T4 resulted in highest 1000-grain weight. The highest grain yield (5295 kg. ha-1) was produced by combined application of nitrogen fertilizer, azolla compost and vermicompost. This was due to the increased panicle length and yield components such as number of fertile tiller per hill and filled grain number per panicle. Amylose content decreased under the combined treatments. The optimum range of gelatinization temperature (ranging between 3 to 5) were observed only in treatments containing chemical nitrogen fertilizer. According to the results of this research, the treatment no. T8, due to reduced nitrogen chemical fertilizer application and its lower environmental impacts was considered to be the best treatment for increasing the grain yield of rice. Although, the combined application of nitrogen with any of the biologic or organic fertilizers, especially azolla, had a significant effect on improvement of seed yield.