Iranian Dryland Agronomy Journal

Crops under rainfed cultivation

Evaluation of the effect of pre- and post-emergence herbicides on the yield and weed population of autumn-sown rainfed chickpea

Mozhgan veisi; mehdi minbashi moeini; abdolvahab abdulahi; mahmoud moradi; soheila porheidar ghafarbi

Volume 14, Issue 2 , December 2025, Pages 149-168

Abstract

EXTENDED ABSTRACTIntroduction: One of the major problems in autumn-sown chickpea cultivation is the presence of high weed density, which leads to a severe reduction in the yield of rainfed chickpea. The objective of this experiment was to evaluate new pre-emergence and post-emergence herbicides for controlling ... Read More EXTENDED ABSTRACTIntroduction: One of the major problems in autumn-sown chickpea cultivation is the presence of high weed density, which leads to a severe reduction in the yield of rainfed chickpea. The objective of this experiment was to evaluate new pre-emergence and post-emergence herbicides for controlling broadleaf weeds in rainfed chickpea cultivation. In this study, the efficacy of several herbicides applied as pre-emergence (aclonifen, flumioxazin, oxyfluorfen), post-emergence (aclonifen), early post-emergence (flumioxazin), and in combination (pre- and post-emergence) was investigated.Methodology: This experiment was conducted during the 2022-2023 growing season in the provinces of Kermanshah, Kurdistan, and East Azerbaijan, using a randomized complete block design. The treatments included: pre-emergence application of the herbicides flumioxazin (Clean-sheet, WP 50%) at a rate of 50 g active ingredient (a.i.) per hectare, oxyfluorfen (Goal, 24% EC) at 420 g a.i. ha-1, sulfentrazone (Spartan, WP 50%) at 100 g a.i. ha-1, aclonifen (Noagap, SC 600) at 1200 and 1800 g a.i. ha-1; post-emergence application of aclonifen at 300, 420, and 600 g a.i./ha; a combined treatment of pre-emergence flumioxazin (50 g a.i. ha-1) followed by post-emergence aclonifen (300 g a.i. ha-1); another combined treatment of pre-emergence flumioxazin (50 g a.i. ha-1) followed by post-emergence aclonifen (420 g a.i. ha-1); early post-emergence application of flumioxazin at 50 g a.i.ha-1; and a control treatment (manual weeding). Weed density and dry weight were determined per plot, and the grain yield and biomass of chickpea were measured per unit area.Research findings: The highest percentage of weed control in Kermanshah (93 to 96%), Kurdistan (70 to 85%), and East Azerbaijan (71 to 79%) was achieved by the treatments combining pre-emergence flumioxazin with post-emergence aclonifen. Furthermore, following the manually weeded control, the highest grain yield in Kermanshah, Kurdistan, and East Azerbaijan was recorded for the combined treatment of pre-emergence flumioxazin (50 g a.i. ha-1) followed by post-emergence aclonifen (300 g a.i. ha-1), with yields of 1409, 1293, and 982 kg ha-1, respectively. In general, the combined treatments of pre-emergence flumioxazin and post-emergence aclonifen, due to their broader spectrum of control against broadleaf weeds, provided more effective weed management and higher yields compared to the sole herbicide applications. This combination can be recommended for use in fields experiencing high weed density during the spring season.

Agronomy

Conservation Agriculture in Iran's Drylands: From Research Findings to Sustainability Strategies

Ramin Lotfi; Jafar Jafarzadeh; Mohammad Esmaeil Asadi; iraj eskandari

Volume 14, Issue 2 , December 2025, Pages 169-192

Abstract

Dryland farming face severe threats from climate change, including recurrent droughts and intense soil erosion, jeopardizing production sustainability. The future of Iran's dryland farming depends on adopting a wise management approach in which soil health, as the foundation of sustainable production, ... Read More Dryland farming face severe threats from climate change, including recurrent droughts and intense soil erosion, jeopardizing production sustainability. The future of Iran's dryland farming depends on adopting a wise management approach in which soil health, as the foundation of sustainable production, must be placed at the core of all decision-making processes. Conservation agriculture (CA) is recognized as an effective sustainable management system to address these challenges, built on three core pillars: minimum soil mechanical disturbance, permanent soil cover, and crop rotation. This article reviews findings from four decades of field research by scientific centers, analyzing the environmental impacts and productivity outcomes of conservation agriculture systems across different Iranian climates. The evidence clearly demonstrates that conservation systems enhance soil organic matter and microbial activity, improve moisture retention and nutrient availability, and reduce soil erosion. Integrating leguminous crops (pulses and forages) into cereal-based rotations in drylands reduces the nutritional demand of cereal crops and contributes to production stability. No-till systems enhance sustainability by lowering direct energy input, improving water use efficiency, and managing crop residues. Although the primary goal of conservation agriculture is not yield maximization but rather yield stability and resource conservation, research confirms a significant climatic effect on the stability of rainfed crop production under such systems. Yield stabilization occurs more rapidly in temperate and semi-warm climates compared to cold regions under conservation practices. While initial yield reduction may occur during early years of no-till adoption particularly in cold climates appropriate crop rotation (e.g., chickpea–wheat) and effective management of residue cover and weeds can compensate for these losses in the medium term. Consequently, adopting climate-adapted conservation agriculture systems (tailored tillage and rotation practices) represents an effective strategy for achieving climate-resilient sustainable agriculture. However, scaling up these systems faces multiple barriers, including cereal-dominated cropping systems, shortage of specialized planting equipment, weed management challenges in rotational crops, livelihood dependence on crop residues, and lack of effective supportive policies. This paper emphasizes the need for an integrated national strategy encompassing development of local mechanization, strengthening extension–education systems, designing economic incentives, and reforming cropping patterns to facilitate the transition toward conservation-based sustainable agriculture on Iran’s drylands.

Evaluation of Important Agronomic Traits and seed Oil Content of Advanced Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius) Lines under Rainfed Conditions in Cold and Cold-Temperate Regions

Volume 14, Issue 1 , September 2025, , Pages 43-58

Abstract

Introduction: Introduction: Safflower is currently recognized as a climate-resilient crop due to its ability to perform relatively well across a wide range of regions and diverse climatic conditions. The production and introduction of new safflower varieties suitable for Iran's climatic conditions and ... Read More Introduction: Introduction: Safflower is currently recognized as a climate-resilient crop due to its ability to perform relatively well across a wide range of regions and diverse climatic conditions. The production and introduction of new safflower varieties suitable for Iran's climatic conditions and the changing climate in recent years is essential, with a prerequisite being a thorough examination of the genetic diversity of native and imported ecotypes. This study was conducted to evaluate safflower lines for various important agronomic traits and oil content, aiming to select desirable genotypes for use in breeding programs during the adaptation phase. Methodology: In this experiment, 18 safflower lines (selected in a preliminary trial) along with the introduced cultivars Sina, Omid, and Faraman by Dryland Agricultural Research Institute (DARI) were evaluated in a randomized complete block design with three replications during the 2021-2022 growing season at three locations: the Dryland Agricultural Research Institute (Sararood Station, Kermanshah, Iran), the Agricultural and Natural Resources Research Center of Lorestan, Iran, and the research farm of the Dryland Agricultural Research Institute (Maragheh, East Azerbaijan Province, Iran). Research findings: The results of the combined analysis of variance showed that the effect of location was significant for all measured traits except seed oil content. The genotype-by-location interaction was not significant for phenological traits (days to flowering and days to physiological maturity) and thousand-seed weight, indicating relatively similar behavior of the genotypes for these traits across the experimental locations. The genotypic variation range was high for seed oil content (75.65%) and thousand-seed weight (68.25%), while it was low (less than 10%) for other traits. Based on the results biplot of genotype × trait performance, Line 1 showed high specific adaptability to Kermanshah. The Sina cultivar and Line 7 performed superiorly in Lorestan, while Line 6 was distinguished in Maragheh. Correlation analysis of agronomic traits also revealed a significant positive correlation between plant height and yield, as well as between plant height and the number of sub-branches. Based on the preliminary adaptation results of safflower lines under rainfed conditions in the three regions and their mean rankings, some lines were selected for further breeding programs at the Dryland Agricultural Research Institute of Iran.

Study on the efficiency of herbicides and tillage system on weed control and rainfed chickpea yield in autumn cultivation

Volume 14, Issue 1 , September 2025, , Pages 1-20

Abstract

Introduction: The Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) rotation with wheat is very important because of the ability of chickpea to fix nitrogen and improve soil fertility. Chickpea has a limited ability to compete with weeds due to its relatively slow early growth season. Among the methods of weed control, ... Read More Introduction: The Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) rotation with wheat is very important because of the ability of chickpea to fix nitrogen and improve soil fertility. Chickpea has a limited ability to compete with weeds due to its relatively slow early growth season. Among the methods of weed control, herbicides have an important role in weed management because of their efficiency and cost-effectiveness, and they are widely used today.Methodology: In order to survey the efficacy of several pre-and post-emergence herbicides on weed control in the autumn cultivation of chickpeas, a split-plot experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design with four replications in the Sararoud region during 2021–2022 and 2022-2023. The experiment was carried out in a field that was under wheat cultivation the previous year. The main plots contained two tillage systems (conventional tillage and no-tillage). The sub plots included 12 herbicide treatments (Trifluralin, Trifluralin + Bethanal progress, Isoxaflutole, Isoxaflutole + Bethanal progress, Oxyfluorfen, Oxyfluorfen + Bethanal progress, Imazethapyr, Imazethapyr + Bethanal progress, Fluorochloridone, Fluorochloridone + Bethanal progress, Metribuzin, Metribuzin + Bethanal progress, and two controls (weed-free and weed-infested).Research findings: In the first year, conventional tillage reduced the density and dry weight of weeds, but this reduction was statistically significant for the dry weight of weeds. In this year the lowest weeds dry weight was related to the conventional tillage and in the herbicide treatments of fluorochloridone, isoxaflotel and oxyfluorfen, it was 75, 80 and 81 gr/m2 respectively. In the second year, the lowest density with 6.3 plants/m2 and biomass with 81 gr/m2 of weeds for fluorochloridone were recorded. The highest yield of chickpea grain yield was observed for the control treatment (weed free) and trifloralin + bethanal progress, 846 and 664 kg/ha for the first year and 627 and 496 kg/ha for the second year. The application of Betanal herbicide at the 5 to 10 centimeter stage of chickpea growth, aimed at controlling broad leaf weeds, was not effective, and there was no statistically significant difference between its application and non-application. Herbicides isoxaflotel and trifloralin and conventional tillage system had better efficiency according to the highest percentage of weed control and the maximum yield of chickpea grain yield.

Evaluation of dryland wheat varieties using agronomic and physiological traits under dryland conditions in North Khorasan Province

Volume 14, Issue 1 , September 2025, , Pages 95-112

Abstract

Introduction: Wheat, as one of the strategic agricultural products, plays a significant role in ensuring global food security. The proper selection of tillage systems and wheat varieties is a key factors in optimizing performance and ensuring sustainable production under rainfed (dryland) conditions. ... Read More Introduction: Wheat, as one of the strategic agricultural products, plays a significant role in ensuring global food security. The proper selection of tillage systems and wheat varieties is a key factors in optimizing performance and ensuring sustainable production under rainfed (dryland) conditions. While conventional tillage faces challenges such as soil moisture depletion and structural degradation, conservation tillage, through residue retention and improvements in soil physical and biological conditions, provides better yields, particularly under water stress. On the other hand, the response of different wheat genotypes to varying tillage conditions varies, and identifying varieties that are compatible with conservation tillage systems plays a crucial role in increasing productivity and production sustainability. This study aims to select suitable rainfed wheat lines under tillage methods conditions in the North Khorasan region. Methodology: This experiment was conducted in a strip plot design based on a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four replications during the 2023-24 cropping season at the Dryland Agricultural Research Station in Shirvan. The study included four main plots including tillage treatments: 1) Conventional tillage (involving plowing with a moldboard plow to a depth of 30 cm, followed by disking, leveling with a roller, and sowing with a row planter), 2) Minimum tillage without residue retention (using a chisel plow to a depth of 15 cm, leveling with a roller, and sowing with a row planter), 3) Minimum tillage with 30% residue cover (plowing with a chisel plow to a depth of 15 cm and sowing with a row planter), and 4) Direct seeding (direct sowing of seeds), which were applied as vertical plots. In addition, seven wheat varieties representing common rainfed wheat varieties in North Khorasan Province as subplots (Nafis, Dehghan, Sadra, Kamal, Hashtrood, Baran, and Varan) were evaluated as horizontal plots. In this study, the traits examined included physiological characteristics such as leaf area, SPAD index, as well as yield-related traits and components like plant height, number of seeds per spike, thousand-grain weight, number of spikes per unit area, biological yield, harvest index, and grain yield. Research findings: Analysis of variance showed that the effect of genotype was significant for most traits, except the number of grains per spike, while the effect of tillage was significant for all traits except thousand kernel weight. Although direct seeding increased biological yield and leaf area, it led to a decrease in harvest index and grain yield. The cultivar ‘Baran’ under conventional tillage achieved the highest grain yield (2032 kg/ha), while ‘Dehghan’ and ‘Nafis’ showed the best performance under minimum tillage and direct seeding systems with 1797 and 1694 kg/ha, respectively. Moreover, minimum tillage with residue retention outperformed residue-free treatments across most traits. Overall, under the conditions of this study, selecting cultivars with high genetic potential played a more decisive role in optimizing rainfed wheat yield than tillage management.

Selection of Advanced Spring Oilseed Rape Lines with Desirable Yield and Superior Agronomic Traits Under Dryland Condition

Volume 14, Issue 1 , September 2025, , Pages 131-148

Abstract

Introduction: Oilseed rape, as one of the most important oilseed crops however, drought stress and water scarcity remain major challenges, posing significant risks to the expansion of oilseed rape cultivation and its successful production in the country. Drought-tolerant and high-yielding oilseed rape ... Read More Introduction: Oilseed rape, as one of the most important oilseed crops however, drought stress and water scarcity remain major challenges, posing significant risks to the expansion of oilseed rape cultivation and its successful production in the country. Drought-tolerant and high-yielding oilseed rape varieties are well-suited for water-limited enviroments. Given the limited availability of domestic rapeseed cultivars suitable for dryland conditions, identifying and selecting superior genotypes with tolerance to environmental stresses is essential for cultivation in the warm and temperate dryland regions of the country. Accordingly, this study aimed to identify the most promising spring rapeseed genotypes under dryland conditions using the Selection Index for Ideal Genotype (SIIG). Methodology: In this study, 12 advanced spring oilseed rape lines, along with four cultivars—Dalgan, RGS003, Baharan, and Pishro—were evaluated under dryland conditions over two growing seasons (2023–2025). The experiment was conducted using a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications at the National Agricultural Research Station and Dryland Seed Production of Gonbad-e Kavous. Seeds of each genotype were sown in an experimental plot of 4.8 square meters, each consisting of four 4-meter-long rows with a row spacing of 30 cm. Agronomic traits assessed included the days to flowering (DF), days to flowering ending (DFE), flowering period duration (FPD), days to physiological maturity (DPM), number of sub-branches (NSB), number of pods per plant (NPP), number of seeds per pod (NSPP), plant height (PH), branching height (BH), thousand-kernel weight (TKW), and seed yield (SY). Statistical analyses, included combined analysis of variance for traits, selection of the best genotypes using the SIIG method, and factor analysis of traits. Research findings: Based on SIIG index values, genotypes G6, G3, G2, G11, G10, G13, G1, and G9, showing high SIIG values (0.752, 0.727, 0.721, 0.581, 0.576, 0.518, 0.508, and 0.508, respectively), were classified as superior genotypes. Conversely, genotypes G5, G4, G7, G15, G8, G12, G16, and G14, with lower SIIG values (0.319, 0.326, 0.334, 0.341, 0.358, 0.444, 0.489, and 0.492, respectively), were categorized as weaker genotypes based on the majority of evaluated traits. According to the two-dimensional scatter plot of genotypes based on SIIG index and grain yield, genotypes G2, G6, and G3—having grain yields above the overall mean and high SIIG values—were selected as ideal genotypes in terms of grain yield and other measured agronomic traits. In contrast, genotypes G15, G4, G5, and G7, with very low SIIG values and poor seed yields, were categorized among the weakest genotypes. Factor analysis extracted three factors that collectively accounted for 72% of the total variance in the dataset, with the first, second, and third factors explaining 38.98%, 20.94%, and 12.15% of the variance, respectively. The results indicated a positive correlation between plant height and the number of pods per plant with seed yield. These traits can serve as reliable selection criteria in breeding programs aimed at identifying rapeseed genotypes with economically viable yields under dryland conditions.

Evaluation of sulfur and manure efficiency in mitigating calcareous soils constraint and improving rainfed wheat yield

Volume 14, Issue 1 , September 2025, , Pages 113-130

Abstract

EXTENDED ABSTRACT Introduction: Plant growth and development in calcareous soils and within calcareous soil patches face numerous constraints. Sulfur, as an essential nutrient element, in addition to its nutritional role, exerts positive effects on the properties of calcareous soils through pH reduction. ... Read More EXTENDED ABSTRACT Introduction: Plant growth and development in calcareous soils and within calcareous soil patches face numerous constraints. Sulfur, as an essential nutrient element, in addition to its nutritional role, exerts positive effects on the properties of calcareous soils through pH reduction. Consequently, it is utilized as one of the most important acidifying agents for ameliorating calcareous soils and improving plant nutrition. This research was conducted to investigate the effects of mineral sulfur and sulfur-oxidizing bacteria (Thiobacillus with a population of more than 107 cells per gram) in combination with rotten farmyard manure on the properties of two types of calcareous soils and the performance of rainfed wheat. Methodology: The experiment was conducted as a split-plot arrangement within a randomized complete block design (RCBD) in a dryland field in Hashtroud County during the 2023–2024 growing season. The treatments consisted of two soil types (low-lime soil (22%) and high-lime soil (39%)) as the main factor, and five soil amendments as the sub-factor: sulfur + Thiobacillus (S+TB), sulfur + Thiobacillus + farmyard manure (S+TB+FM), sulfur + farmyard manure (S+FM), farmyard manure alone (FM), and a control (C). Farmyard manure was applied at 4 t ha⁻¹, sulfur at 1 t·ha⁻¹, and Thiobacillus bacteria at 2% of the sulfur weight. Growth parameters, including plant height, 1000-grain weight, biological yield, and grain yield were measured. Additionally, soil chemical properties (pH, electrical conductivity (EC), calcium carbonate content, organic carbon, and available phosphorus and potassium) were analyzed at a depth of 0–25 cm. Research findings: All soil amendment treatments significantly enhanced both grain and biological yields of wheat in both soil types. In the low-lime soil, the combined S+TB+FM treatment (sulfur + Thiobacillus + farmyard manure) proved to be the most effective, demonstrating significant reductions in lime content (from 21% to 17%) and soil pH (from 7.6 to 7.2), along with significant increases in organic carbon (from 0.27% to 0.40%) and available phosphorus (from 3.5 to 4.8 mg kg-1). These modifications resulted in significant improvements in wheat growth parameters, including increased plant height (from 76 to 100 cm), grain yield (from 1854 to 4355 kg ha-1, representing a 135% increase), biological yield (from 5984 to 10393 kg ha-1), and harvest index (from 31% to 42%). While sulfur-containing treatments were effective in both soil types, the effect of farmyard manure was more pronounced in low-lime soil compared to high-lime soil. Based on these findings, the combined S+TB+FM treatment (comprising 1 ton sulfur, 4 tons farmyard manure, and 2% Thiobacillus bacteria) is recommended as the optimal soil amendment strategy for improving wheat yield in low-lime soils.

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Evaluation of the effect of pre- and post-emergence herbicides on the yield and weed population of autumn-sown rainfed chickpea

Abstract

Conservation Agriculture in Iran's Drylands: From Research Findings to Sustainability Strategies

Abstract

Evaluation of Important Agronomic Traits and seed Oil Content of Advanced Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius) Lines under Rainfed Conditions in Cold and Cold-Temperate Regions

Abstract

Study on the efficiency of herbicides and tillage system on weed control and rainfed chickpea yield in autumn cultivation

Abstract

Evaluation of dryland wheat varieties using agronomic and physiological traits under dryland conditions in North Khorasan Province

Abstract

Selection of Advanced Spring Oilseed Rape Lines with Desirable Yield and Superior Agronomic Traits Under Dryland Condition

Abstract

Evaluation of sulfur and manure efficiency in mitigating calcareous soils constraint and improving rainfed wheat yield

Abstract

Indexing and Abstracting