Iranian Dryland Agronomy Journal

Crops under rainfed cultivation

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

Soheila Porheidar Ghafarbi; Ali Rasaei

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.

Crops under rainfed cultivation

The effect of seed priming and foliar spraying of some amino acids on phenological characteristics and yield of chickpea cultivar Adel under different irrigation regimes

ebrahim zarei cheghalahi; Seyed Ali Mohammad Modarres-Sanavy; narges dolatmand shahri

Volume 14, Issue 1 , September 2025

Abstract

Introduction: Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is one of the oldest cultivated legumes in the world. It plays an important role in agriculture in semi-arid regions due to its high adaptability to drought and rainfed conditions. However, drought stress can severely reduce the yield of this plant. Using methods ... Read More Introduction: Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is one of the oldest cultivated legumes in the world. It plays an important role in agriculture in semi-arid regions due to its high adaptability to drought and rainfed conditions. However, drought stress can severely reduce the yield of this plant. Using methods such as seed priming and foliar application of amino acids can reduce the negative effects of drought stress and improve the yield and photosynthetic characteristics of the plant. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of priming and foliar application of commercial amino acids, proline, valine, and alanine, on phenological traits and yield of the chickpea cultivar Adel under different irrigation regimes.Research methodology: In 2017, an experiment was conducted at the research farm of the Faculty of Agriculture, Tarbiat Modares University, to investigate the effect of seed priming and foliar spraying of some amino acids on the phenological characteristics and yield of chickpea cultivar Adel under different irrigation regimes. The experiment was conducted in split plots based on a randomized complete block design with three replications. The factors studied included irrigation regimes at three levels (optimal irrigation, moderate irrigation deficit, and severe irrigation deficit) as the main factor and priming and foliar application of amino acids at six levels (commercial amino acid, proline, valine, alanine, distilled water, and control) as sub-factors.Research findings: By changing irrigation from optimal irrigation to severe irrigation deficit, the number of days to flowering, pod formation and maturity, plant height, total chlorophyll, carotenoids, and grain yield decreased significantly by 4.42, 6.92, 8.70, 24.95, 28, 17.81, and 52.18%, respectively, and flavonoids and anthocyanins increased significantly by 19 and 42.86%, respectively. The use of priming and foliar spraying of amino acids had a significantly increasing effect on all these traits (except flavonoid and anthocyanin). Proline and commercial amino acids had more impact on the traits, increasing grain yield by 26.55 and 26.52%, respectively, compared to the control. The interaction effects of different irrigation levels and amino acids on the mentioned traits were not significant. However, the application of amino acids, independent of the irrigation level, had an effective role in increasing yield by increasing the growth and maturity period. In other words, amino acids application as an agricultural technique can improve plant growth and yield and, when combined with optimum irrigation management, can yield more favorable results.

View Article

Investigating the diversity and selection of bread wheat (Triticum aestivum) genotypes with optimal yield under rainfed conditions in terms of some agricultural traits

Volume 13, Issue 2 , December 2024, , Pages 217-232

Abstract

Introduction: Cereals are considered to be among the most important sources of human energy, among which bread wheat is recognized as an important and strategic crop in the world. Currently, developing drought-tolerant cultivars is counted a major challenge for breeders. Various methods are used to assess ... Read More Introduction: Cereals are considered to be among the most important sources of human energy, among which bread wheat is recognized as an important and strategic crop in the world. Currently, developing drought-tolerant cultivars is counted a major challenge for breeders. Various methods are used to assess diversity in plant species, including multivariate statistical approaches. This study aimed to evaluate genetic diversity and select the most promising lines for improvement programs in rain-fed conditions. Methodology: The experiment was conducted during the 2022–23 agricultural year at the Shirvan Rain-fed Agricultural Research Station- North Khorasan. In this research, 193 lines and seven rain-fed wheat cultivars were evaluated using an alpha lattice design with two replications. Data on phonological and morphological traits were collected during the growing season and after harvest. Statistical analyses were performed using SAS software version 9.4. Correlation analysis, stepwise regression, and principal component analysis (PCA) were conducted using R software (version 4.2.1). The Ideal Genotype Selection Index (SIIG) was calculated in Excel to identify the best-performing lines. Research findings: Analysis of variance revealed significant differences among genotypes for all studied traits (p<0.01). Seed yield showed the strongest positive and significant correlations with biological yield (0.824), harvest index (0.817), plant height (0.393), spike weight (0.236), and thousand-kernel weight (0.221) (p<0.01). ). In contrast, an inverse relationship was observed between phonological traits (e.g., days to maturity, heading, and anthesis) and morphological traits (e.g., harvest index and thousand-kernel weight), suggesting that late-maturing genotypes tended to have lower seed weight and yield. The results of PCA indicated that the first three principal components accounted for 69.1% of the total variation among traits. Based on the SIIG index, genotypes 25, 73, 90, 84 and 190 were identified as the most ideal lines, with SIIG values of 0.91, 0.83, 0.83, 0.81 and 0.80 respectively. The correlation between the SIIG index and the evaluated traits showed that grain yield, biological yield, and harvest index had a high correlation with the SIIG index. Therefore, genotypes 25, 73, 90, 84 and 190 with high SIIG index and high yield potential, can be used in future breeding programs.

Response of promising bread wheat genotypes against yellow rust at the seedling and adult plants stages

Volume 13, Issue 2 , December 2024, , Pages 253-267

Abstract

Introduction: Yellow rust (Puccinia striformis sp. tritici) is known as one of the most destructive diseases of wheat in worldwide as well as Iran and caused a significant reduction in the grain yield. In this regard, host resistance is calculated as the most management strategies for this disease. Moreover, ... Read More Introduction: Yellow rust (Puccinia striformis sp. tritici) is known as one of the most destructive diseases of wheat in worldwide as well as Iran and caused a significant reduction in the grain yield. In this regard, host resistance is calculated as the most management strategies for this disease. Moreover, the identification of resistance sources at the seedling and adult stages of plant growth and development is a necessary task to achieve durable resistance. Hence, the main objective of the present study was to investigation of resistance of a set of promising bread wheat genotypes under controlled greenhouse and filed conditions. Methodology: The plant genetic materials undertaken in this research included 71 promising bread wheat genotypes along with five local varieties as control genotypes. The greenhouse test was done using several isolates taking part from Zarghan, Mashhad, and Karaj regions. The field experiments were performed using the identified yellow rust race at the two locations including Zarghan and Aedabil during two cropping seasons (2020-2022). Several parameters such as infection type (IT), coefficient of infection (CI), and area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC) were calculated for determine the resistance rate of tested genotypes. Research findings: Based on results, 33, 46, 49, and 53% of the total tested genotypes showed resistant against 6E134A+, Yr27, 6E142A+, Yr27, 46E190A+, Yr27, and 6E130A+, Yr27 isolates at the seedling stage, respectively. At the adult plant stage, 24 genotypes showed the resistance reaction (R and R/MR) against yellow rust disease in thee Ardabil region across two years. In the Zarghan region, 26 and 18 genotypes showed the resistance reaction in the first and second year, respectively. According to CI parameter, 33 and 32 genotypes were placed into the resistant group across two years. Moreover, the results of cluster analysis showed that all genotypes were grouped into separate clusters, and the resistant genotypes in Ardabil and Zarghan were recognized from other genotypes. In general, our findings indicated that genotypes numbers 12, 17, 21, 24, 25, 27, 28, 37, and 74 showed a relative resistance against all yellow rust isolates at the both seedling and adult plant stages.

Identification of Fusarium species associated with crown, root rots and wilting of chickpea in moderate regions of Iran

Volume 13, Issue 2 , December 2024, , Pages 268-282

Abstract

Introduction: The chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is grown in more than 50 countries and is the third most important food legume in the world after beans and peas in terms of both cultivated area and total production. Chickpea is affected by a wide range of fungal and viral diseases that can cause economic ... Read More Introduction: The chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is grown in more than 50 countries and is the third most important food legume in the world after beans and peas in terms of both cultivated area and total production. Chickpea is affected by a wide range of fungal and viral diseases that can cause economic losses. Among these diseases, fusarium wilts and root rot, caused by Fusarium oxysporum f.sp ciceris and F. solani, respectively Are the most important soil-brone pathogens affecting chickpea. These assays will provide plant pathologists a valuable tool to refine the control and management of diseases caused by Fusarium spesies in chickpea. The present study aimed to identify the Fusarium species associated with root rots and wilting of chickpea, as well as the pathogenic strains affecting the crop. Methodology: Fusarium species were isolated from roots of chickpea plants showing wilt and yellowing symptoms in different chickpea-growing regions of Kermanshah, Illam and Golstan provinces. Plant samples were cut into small pieces, washed under running water for 20 mins, sterilized with 5% sodium hypochlorite for 3 minutes, rinsed in sterile distilled water, and then placed on filter papers. Afterward, the pieces were transferred to petri dish containing potato dextrose agar media (PDA). All the plates were incubated at 25° C for 5-10 days. To determine pathogenicity, purified isolates of Fusarium species were used. Total DNA was extracted using a modified protocol previously described by Talbot et al. Each fungal species was characterized morphologically and molecularly based on DNA sequence data for ITS-rDNA. The PCR sequencing products of the tested isolates were aligned with Clustal (ver. 2). The MEGA6 program was used for phylogenetic analysis. Aligned sequences were checked for quality and compared with deposited sequences in Gene-Bank, NCBI, using BLAST. Research findings: Based on morphological characteristics and molecular data obtained from ITS-rDNA amplification, F. solani, F. acuminatum, F. equiseti, F. oxysporum f. sp. ciceris and Fusarium spp. were identified in the samples, among which F. oxysporum was the most dominant and common species and had the highest abundance. F. acuminatum and F. equiseti were mostly isolated from adult plants, while F. oxysporum and F. solani were isolated at all stages of growth, from seedling to podding. The phylogenetic tree, based on the comparison of ITS-rDNA sequences, classified the identified Fusarium species into four phylogenetic groups. The results showed that the use of ITS-rDNA sequencing can be used as a suitable complementary method for the identification of different Fusarium species.

Evaluation of quantitative and qualitative characteristics of some cultivars and ecotypes of alfalfa in dryland conditions

Volume 13, Issue 2 , December 2024, , Pages 202-216

Abstract

Introduction: Alfalfa is one of the most important perennial forage plants, which has a certain advantage over other forage plants due to its important nutrients, including protein, minerals, various vitamins, and forage palatability. It is highly adaptable to cold and temperate climates, and also has ... Read More Introduction: Alfalfa is one of the most important perennial forage plants, which has a certain advantage over other forage plants due to its important nutrients, including protein, minerals, various vitamins, and forage palatability. It is highly adaptable to cold and temperate climates, and also has the ability to increase soil fertility due to its nitrogen fixation. Research has shown that there is sufficient diversity in terms of different traits between alfalfa ecotypes in water deficit conditions, and it is possible to introduce suitable alfalfa cultivars for rainfed cultivation in the semi-arid conditions of the country.Methodology: In order to evaluate the yield and quality of 25 alfalfa ecotypes along with two control varieties under rainfed conditions and to introduce the most suitable ecootypes, a research was performed as randomized complete blocks design with three replications in Tikmeh Dash and Maragheh dryland research stations during 2020-2023 cropping years. In addition to evaluating fresh forage yield and dry yield, other agronomic traits including plant height at harvest, regrowth rate after each harvest, and autumn dormancy score were measured in the ecotypes evaluated. After measuring the traits at both stations, a combined analysis of variance was performed based on randomized complete blocks design during three years.Research findings: The results showed that there was a significant difference between the studied ecotypes in terms of measured traits (p˂0.01). The average fresh forage yield of all ecotypes investigated in Tikmeh Dash and Maragheh stations was 4148 and 2469 kg/ha, respectively, and the average yield of dry matter was estimated as 2469 and 1550 kg/ha, respectively. The results showed that the total average yield of fresh forage and dry matter in two stations was 3548 and 2009 kg/ha respectively. Ecotypes No. 2 and 12 showed the highest and lowest fresh forage yields. The highest yield of dry matter belonged to ecotype number 2 (2911 kg/ha) and the order of ecotypes in terms of these two traits was almost the same and after ecotype number 2, ecotypes number 21, 8, 12, 4, 24, 9, 16 and 19. In general, ecotypes number 2, 8, 21, 24 and 4 were identified and selected as the best ecotypes in rainfed conditions.

Selection of superior bread wheat lines based on agronomic, phenological and morpho-physiological traits using the ideal genotype selection index (SIIG) under dryland conditions of Zanjan province

Volume 13, Issue 2 , December 2024, , Pages 295-311

Abstract

Introduction: Drought, as one of the most important environmental stresses, is considered a serious risk in providing world food security. Wheat production in dry areas plays an important role in Iran's economy. Considering the expansion of bread wheat cultivation in dry areas, introducing and developing ... Read More Introduction: Drought, as one of the most important environmental stresses, is considered a serious risk in providing world food security. Wheat production in dry areas plays an important role in Iran's economy. Considering the expansion of bread wheat cultivation in dry areas, introducing and developing new bread wheat varieties with high yield and drought tolerance characteristics is very important. Studying the morphophysiological characteristics of new lines can be one of the suitable methods for this purpose. Using a single trait may not lead to desirable results, so in this study, to better evaluate dryland wheat lines and their phenotypic diversity and determine the best lines in terms of performance and earliness, using the SIIG selection method to integrate some of the important morpho-pheno-physiological traits was used. Methodology: 144 wheat lines were evaluated under dryland conditions at the Dryland Research Station of Zanjan Agricultural Research Center in Khodabandeh city during the years (2020-2021) based on a randomized complete block design with two replications. In this experiment, rainfed wheat cultivars including Sardari, Azar2, Sadra, Homa, Ohadi, Baran, Rasd, Varan and Hashtroud were used as controls. Plant height (PLH), time from planting to spike emergence (DHE), physiological maturity of grains (DMA) along with yellowing of peduncle plants, thousand-grain weight (TGW), grain yield (YLD) after physiological maturity, canopy temperature (Tem), transpiration (T), sub-stomatal carbon dioxide (Ci), stomatal conductance (SC), mesophyll conductance (MC), chlorophyll index (SPAD) and photosynthesis (A) were measured. Research findings: Analysis of variance showed there was a difference between lines and there was also enough diversity among them in terms of traits studied. In terms of grain yield, lines 65 and 22 were respectively the highest (2625 kg) and lowest (984 kg). The average yield of the top group lines in this experiment varied between 1765 and 1911.5. Genotype grouping based on the SIIG index showed that no line was placed in groups 1, 2 and 8, but in groups 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 respectively, 2, 15, 71, 54 and 2 lines were placed. Lines of groups 3, 4 and 5 can be selected as superior genotypes due to having an SIIG index above 0.5. But the best genotypes are due to having faster spike emergence, higher photosynthesis and ultimately higher grain yield in group 3. Based on the SIIG index, 2 genotypes (42 and 104) were placed in the top group (number 3) and also 15 other genotypes were placed in group number 4. The studied control cultivars were not included in any of these two top groups and were placed in the 5th and 6th groups. Genotypes of these top groups generally had higher mean values in traits such as stomatal conductance, mesophyll conductance, photosynthesis and yield, and in terms of the number of days until spike emergence and maturity, lower average values were observed in these genotypes. Therefore, while recommending line selection based on the SIIG method, selected lines with this index are suggested as the best lines for use in breeding programs under dryland conditions.

Iranian Dryland Agronomy Journal

Articles in Press

Current Issue

Volume 14 (2025)

Volume 13 (2024)

Volume 12 (2023)

Volume 11 (2022)

Volume 10 (2021)

Volume 9 (2020)

Volume 8 (2019)

Volume 7 (2018)

Volume 6 (2017)

Volume 5 (2016)

Volume 4 (2015)

Volume 3 (2014)

Volume 2 (2013)

Volume 1 (2012)

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

Abstract

The effect of seed priming and foliar spraying of some amino acids on phenological characteristics and yield of chickpea cultivar Adel under different irrigation regimes

Abstract

Investigating the diversity and selection of bread wheat (Triticum aestivum) genotypes with optimal yield under rainfed conditions in terms of some agricultural traits

Abstract

Response of promising bread wheat genotypes against yellow rust at the seedling and adult plants stages

Abstract

Identification of Fusarium species associated with crown, root rots and wilting of chickpea in moderate regions of Iran

Abstract

Evaluation of quantitative and qualitative characteristics of some cultivars and ecotypes of alfalfa in dryland conditions

Abstract

Selection of superior bread wheat lines based on agronomic, phenological and morpho-physiological traits using the ideal genotype selection index (SIIG) under dryland conditions of Zanjan province

Abstract

Indexing and Abstracting