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This study aimed to identify the optimal red currant cultivars for mechanized harvesting by evaluating the bush's morphological structure and the berries' mechanical parameters. Fourteen red currant cultivars were assessed during the 2021-2022 season, and their berry quality indicators and mechanical parameters, including separation force (Fs) and crushing force (Fc), were measured. The results showed that the cultivar plays an important role on the bush's morphological structure, while the berries' mechanical parameters impact the efficiency of harvesting process. The high correlation between Fs and Fc allowed for predicting the optimal harvesting periods of the cultivars. Among the cultivars, 'Rolan', 'Jonkheer Van Tets', 'Rovada', 'Red Lake', 'Asya', 'Vika', and 'Niva' were considered as technological cultivars and suitable for mechanized harvesting. This study emphasizes the importance of considering genetic and morphological factors when selecting red currant cultivars for mechanized harvesting and provides valuable insights for breeding and developing new cultivars adapted to mechanized harvesting.
 

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Recently the previous Caspian ecosystem is in a catastrophic condition which caused changes in the absolute and relative abundance of the commercially important Caspian kutum (Rutilus frisii kutum) in Iranian waters. The paper presents estimates of yield-per-recruit and spawning biomass-per-recruit under various harvest strategies of F_max, F_0.1, F_30%. It proposes a method for estimating acceptable biological catch (ABC) that accounts for large differences in the quality and quantity of information and available data. The current average Y/R (with F=0.61/y, and t_c=3.2 y) was 218.3 g per recruit, which indicates that the fishery is operating below the maximum Y/R at 236.9 g when t_c = 3.5 y. The Y/R was the highest at F_max and F_0.1, when t_c = 4 y (244.8 g and 214.2 g), respectively. The F_30% value was 0.85/y at t_c of 4 y with the SB/R of 338.3 g. The F_current (0.61/y at current t_c is 3.2 y) is higher than the corresponding reference points, F_0.1 (0.47/y) and F_30% (0.46/y). The ABC of kutum was estimated at 7,850 mt in 2009-2010.

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In order to investigate the Effect of different levels of nitrogen and plant density on yield, and some morphological sunflower cultivars, experimental farm in 2009 in the College of Agriculture University researcher Ardebili A split plot factorial design based on a randomized complete block with three replicates was carried out. Nitrogen treatments included (zero, 75 and 150 kg per ha) assigned to main plots and levels of plant density (8, 10 and 12 plants per square meter) and two varieties were Urofelor and Armavirsky in sub plot. Head and stem diameter, plant height, number of kernel per disk, number of leaves at the final of harvesting and grain yield measured. Sunflower cultivars was significant difference on the stem diameter, plant height and number of kernel per disk but different levels of nitrogen and plant density were significant difference on the for all traits measured. The highest grain yield was obtained, 262 gr /m2 in 150 kg N/ha× Armavirsky. Increasing plant density by increasing the number of heads per unit area, will affect performance. Considering the excellence level of 80 thousand plant density and fertilizer level of 150 kg ha compared to other treatments in terms of grain yield, the amounts of nitrogen and planting density to achieve adequate performance in the test area and similar areas is advisable.

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In a field experiment the effect of five planting densities (100, 175. 250, 325 and 400 plants in"2 ) with or without foliar application of chlormequat chloride (2-till o methyltrimethyl uminonion chloride, CCC) on growth, development and grain yield of winter barley (cv Valfajr) was studied. The results indicated that Increasing plant density hastened the rate of apical development and stem elongation. This pattern continued up to the beginning of rapid stem elongation phase (Zadoks growth stage 32). However, during the rapid stem elongation and ear growth, the pattern was reversed i.e. it had become slightly in favor of the lower densities. Increasing plant density up to 25(1 plants in"2 increased the grain yield, however, from 250 to 400 plants m"2 there was no significant change in grain yield. It appeared that the higher planting densities, i.e. 250 to 400 plants m~- were in a range around the supposed "optimum" density. Foliar application of CCC slowed down the rate of apical development and stein elongation in all plant densities, hut without any significant effect on its spikelet initiation rate. Such retardation of development in CCC-treatecl plants was initially associated with lower dry weight accumulation. However, this trend was reversed before anthesis, as the CCC- treated plants had accumulated more dry matter by anthesis, and gave a higher grain yield. The interactive effect of CCC and plant density is worthy of further exploration.

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Application of Trichoderma species is a harmless method in controlling soil borne plant diseases thus reducing hazardous pesticide use and environmental pollution. Some Trichoderma isolates performing proper inhibitory effect against Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. tuberosi under laboratory and green house conditions were screened against wilt disease of potato caused by this pathogen under field condition in Shahrood Agricultural Research Center, Iran, during 2009-2010. Results of two years field studies indicated that T. virens (T7) followed by T. asperellum (T2) were superior to others in reducing the disease in comparison to infested control. In comparison to Fusarium infested plots, yield was higher in all plots treated with Trichoderma, but highest yields were obtained from plots in which T. virens (T7) and T. asperellum (T2) were involved respectively. It might be stated that isolates of T. virens and T. asperellum are among the effective biocontrol agents against Fusarium wilt disease of potato and can be used as formulated biofungicides in reducing this disease.

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Foliar urea application is one of the nitrogen (N) application methods in cereal grain crops. Yield and yield components may be affected by foliar urea application. To investigate the effect of rate and time of such treatment on yield and yield components of two winter wheat cultivars, a field experiment was conducted at Badjgah, Agricultural Research Farm (29° 36
N, 52° 32
E) of Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran during 1998-99 growing season. The experimental treatments were two winter wheat cultivars (‘Phalat’ and ‘Marvdasht’), five levels of foliar urea application (0, 8, 16, 24 and 32 kg N ha-1) at three times of application (pre-anthesis, anthesis and post-anthesis). The experimental design was a randomized complete block one with treatments arranged as split-plot factorial with three replicates. The results showed that cultivars responded differently to the rate of foliar N feeding so that, over the growth stages, Marvdasht cultivar produced significantly greater grain yield (+19%) by application of 8 kg N ha-1, whereas, the Phalat cultivar had greater grain yield (+27%) when it was supplied by 16 kg N ha-1. Increase in grain yield was mainly due to an increase in number of grains ear-1. The fertile ears m-2 and mean grain weight were not significantly affected by foliar urea feeding, however, the harvest index and biological yield were increased. The pre-anthesis foliar feeding with urea resulted in higher yields as compared with later applications. Also the early foliar urea feeding increased the harvest index from 42.4% to 46.9% at 32 kg N ha-1 in Marvdasht cultivar. The results of the present investigation also suggest that late foliar application could decrease nitrogen use efficiency.

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Xanthomonas campestris pv.musacrearum causes Banana wilt disease (BXW disease) which occurs at different epidemic phases in East and Central Africa (ECA). In the endemic areas, there are many banana fields with over 80% BXW disease incidence. This study aimed at rehabilitating banana fields heavily infected with BXW disease in Uganda, Kenya and DR. Congo. Farmer managed trials were established in BXW disease hotspots in western Kenya and DR. Congo, while in Uganda, similar trials were established at community level i.e. clusters of at least 200 heavily infected banana fields. The control options evaluated included single stem removal, suspension of pruning in affected fields, male bud removal and disinfection of tools with fire or Sodium hypochlorite. Data was collected on the proportion of affected fields (BXW disease prevalence), BXW disease incidence and the number of banana bunches sold at 3-month intervals. BXW disease incidence was reduced by over 80% in 11 months in Kenya and DR. Congo, resulting in yield recovery by up to 70% within one year. In Uganda, the proportion of farmers that effectively controlled BXW disease increased 5% to 60% within a year in some hotspots. Consequently banana sales recovered up to 30% in some hotspots. This study demonstrates that it is possible to effectively control BXW disease within 12 months in previously severely infected fields in various areas of ECA.  

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Spatial patterns of soil fertility parameters, and other extrinsic factors need to be iden-tified to develop farming practices that match agricultural inputs with local crop needs. Little is known about the spatial structure of yield and weed density across fields. In this study, geostatistics was used to describe and map spatial patterns of soil total nitrogen, available phosphorus, available potassium, grain yield and density of Sisymbrium irio L. (tumble mustard), as a common annual weed of wheat fields at Shahre Kord university. The spatial continuity of each variable was examined by variogram function. The variograms showed that the distribution of all variables is not random but spatially-dependent as their estimated variogram values increase with increasing distance. The av-erage range values were 26.5, 23.4, 31.4, 27.7, and 27.2 m for total nitrogen, available phosphorus, available potassium, grain yield and weed density, respectively. Thus, the range beyond which the property is not longer spatially dependent was almost the same for total nitrogen, grain yield and weed density. This implied close spatial interactions among these variables over the field. Applying the variogram models with the kriging al-gorithm, the values for each variable were estimated on a 55 grid. The disrribution of all variables is spatially dependent and continuous over a short distance. Furthermore, the maps illustratc a joint spatial dependence between grain yield and weed density. Spatial patterns of soil properties identified by these geostatistical techniques are of great impor-tance in the fertility management of spatially variable soils. By studying the spatial struc-ture of yield and mapping, it could be used in determining different factors controlling yield over the field. Moreover, a better knowledge of annual or perennial weed density distribution over fields might be helpful in better designing long-term field experiments in weed control programs.

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Rust diseases continue to cause significant losses to wheat production around the world. Among them, yellow rust caused by Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici is an important disease that threatens wheat production in most cool environments. Host resistance, especially race- nonspecific resistance, is the most economical way to manage wheat stripe rust disease. In this study, the effectiveness of different types of resistance was compared in field plots at Ardabil Agricultural Research Station (Iran) during 2011-2013. Yield and yield components along with slow rusting parameters including final rust severity (FRS), apparent infection rate (r), relative area under disease progress curve (rAUDPC) and coefficient of infection (CI) were evaluated for 16 wheat cultivars/lines. In all, five wheat cultivars with race-specific resistance, 10 cultivars with different levels of slow rusting resistance and one susceptible cultivar were included in two treatments; with and without fungicide protection under high disease pressure. Results of combined variance analysis showed significant differences between cultivars/lines, also cultivar/line × year at 1% probability level. Wheat cultivars with slow rusting resistance displayed a range of responses indicating phenotypic diversity. Mean thousand kernels weight (TKW) losses of susceptible, race-specific and slow rusting genotypes were 41, 4.4 and 7.6%, respectively. Mean yield losses of susceptible, race-specific and slow rusting genotypes were 65.6, 7.3 and 15.9%, respectively. In this study cultivars having slow rusting resistance with low values of epidemiological parameters were identified. Also genotypes with low yield component losses, despite moderate disease levels, were characterized. Such genotypes can be used in breeding programs to get improved varieties with high levels of resistance and negligible yield losses. Kernels per spike (KPS) data of two experiments were not enough for comparing losses and need supplementary experiments.

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  In this study, the effect of olive variety (Kroneiki, Iranian native oleaginous and mission) and enzyme concentration on yield, acidity, peroxide value, iodine value, turbidity, integral color index and total polyphenols of extracted oil was investigated. The statistical analysis was carried out using factorial experiment 3×3 in Completely Randomized Design(CRD)with three replicates.Our results showed that the effect of variety on all of examined factors was significant(P>0.01).The effect of enzyme concentration on extraction yield, color, turbidity and total polyphenol showed significant difference(P>0.01). Althought, there was not significant effect(P>0.05)on acidity, peroxide value and iodine value. Color and phenolic content in extracted oil produced by aqueous enzymatic process as compared with those in control showed significant difference(P>0.01)between 13 to 62.2 and 13.9 to 72.6 percent,respectively.Turbidity showed significant(P>0.01)reduction between 29.6 to 67.4 percent.On the basis of our result, the yield of oil extraction by processing aid was significantly(P>0.01)higher(1.3-2.4 percent)than that of control. It was concluded that application of enzymatic pretreatment increases quantity and quality of extracted oil and it is applicable as a processing aid in oil extraction unit operation.  

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This study was conducted to evaluate genetic variation among 70 sunflower recombinant inbred lines (RIL) derived from the crosses PAC2 × RHA266 together with parents based on seed morphological traits by using a rectangular lattice design with two replications. Seed morphological such as kernel length, kernel width, kernel diameter, 100-kernel weight, percentage of hull, percentage of dehulled kernel and seed yield per plant was measured. Analysis of variance revealed significant differences among lines for the studied traits. The highest coefficient of phenotypic variation was observed for seed yield per plant (23.42) and the lowest one was observed for percentage of dehulled kernel (1.37). The highest heritability was observed for 100-kernel weight (0.995) and kernel width (0.990) and the lowest one was observed for the yield per plant (0.521). The highest correlation coefficients were observed between kernel diameter and kernel width (0.908). Principal component analysis reduced the seed characteristics traits to 2 components explaining 81% accumulative variance. By using Ward clustering method based on seed morphological traits the 72 studied sunflower lines were classified into six groups.

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Eight genotypes of rapeseed (Brassica napus L.), including six cultivars and two breed-ing lines, were used to determine the genetic parameters for number of pods per main axis (NPM), number of pods per plant (NPP), length of pod (LOP), number of seeds per pods (NSP), 1000-seed weight , seed yield, and total glucosinolate. Analysis of variance based on Hayman’s method revealed significant general (a) and specific (b) combining ability mean squares for all traits except for 1000-seed weight, which indicated the impor-tance of additive and non-additive genetic effects. For 1000-seed weight, only the general combining ability mean square was statistically significant. Significant ratios of a to b mean squares and high narrow-sense heritability estimates were observed for 1000-seed weight and total glucosinolate, which indicated the importance of additive genetic effects for these traits. Therefore, the efficiency of selection for improving these traits will be high. The significant b1 (mean deviation of F1’s from their mid-parental values) mean squares for all of the studied traits except LOP and 1000-seed weight, exhibited direc-tional dominance and subsequently significant average heterosis. Significant maternal (c) mean squares were observed for all of traits, except LOP. Among yield components, NPM and NPP had a significant correlation with seed yield and can therefore be used as good criteria for improving seed yield. The correlation between seed yield and total glucosi-nolate was not significant, and so reducing this antiquality trait without any considerable changes in seed yield is possible. In general, the parents PF7045/91 and BL1 were good combiners and the crosses BL1×PF7045/91, BL1×BL2 and PF7045/91×Shiralee were good combinations for improving seed yield and total glucosinolate, simultaneously.

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In this study frequency. intensity and durability periods of drought in Ilam province during 1972-1998 were evalvated by classification of standard data of annual and seasonal precipitations. The results of the study show that during the statistical period, the possibility of annual and seasonal droughts different areas of the province was very high ability to event In term of annual drought severity, moderate drought and in term of duration, one year period have the most ferquency. A mong the seasons, drought severty of spring has been more than other seasons. The distribution comparison of seasonal rainfall and the yield rate of dryland wheat in the recent droughts (1998-2000) show that the unsuitable distribution of precipitation during the seasons and also decrease of the annual precipitation have caused the intensive decrease of yeild rate of dryland wheat so that the jeild rete of wheat in 1998-2000 in comparison to wet jearc (1997-1998)has decreased 68.9% and 69.4% and in comparison to period has decreased. 49.2% and 50.2% respectively. Correlation coefficient between distribution of seasonal precipitation (independent variable) and yield of wheat (dependent variable) shows that the most correlation in warm areas of the provine is in autumn and winter, and in cold area of province is in spring and autumn.

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Variance of rainfed crops yield in different years is one of the main problems of world agriculture, specially in arid regions. There are two major groups of factors that might affect the development of agriculture.The First group are factors that are either constant in time or can be controlled with modifing methods and technologies. The second group are unsustainable factors related to microclimate of each region (such as the rate of rainfall, temperature, relative humidity, etc.) which we can not have any control on them; because climate modifing based on optimum need of any crop is possible only in Greenhouse conditions and in small scale, Therefore, recognizing the climatic parameters that influence crop yield is very important. By taking these factors into account, models can be prepared for forcasting the productivity and necessary plans can be made for providing the necessary crops in case of any shortage or saving them in stocks in case that there are more than enough. In this research, the effective climatic parameters in the productivity of rainfed wheat in west Azarbaijan province has been studied, and the relation of crop yield and climatic parameters has been investigated by making different multiple-regression models. Finally, some modells has been presented for forcasting the rainfed wheat productivity in west Azarbaijan province. Result of this study show annaully rainfall total and annaully frost days average parameters have the more important role in the produce of find model.

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The application of various models with different structures and applications for the as-sessment of hydrologic events such as floods and soil erosion is of much interest to both experts and decision-makers owing to a potential saving of time and money. The most re-cent version (1982) of the SEdimentology by DIstributed MOdel Treatment approach (henceforth SEDIMOT II) as a tool for flood and sediment estimation was selected to be evaluated for its applicability to the experimental Amameh watershed in Iran. The main watershed, with an area of 3712 ha, was divided into 12 sub-areas and required inputs were extracted for each of them. Afterwards, 12 storm events with a coincident hyeto-graph, hydrograph and sediment data were selected to run the model. A high degree of agreement of 92% was found between the computed peak discharge and the observed data whereas the applicability of the model in sediment yield estimation was found to be poor.

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  In order to study the effects of different nutrition systems (organic, chemical, integrated) and plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) on on the grain yield, seed oil content and fatty acid composition in Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L. . cv. Alestar) an experiment was conducted using Alestar cultivar at the research farm of college of agriculture, Tarbiat modares university of in 2007. Five levels of nutrition systems including F1(100% organic), F2(75% organic+25% chemical), F3(50% organic+50% chemical), F4(25% organic+75% chemicaL), F5(100% chemical) in main plot and two levels of biofertilizer I1(inoculation) and I0 (control) as subplot were used in a split plot arranged in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Results showed that the integrated fertilizer system had higher grain yield than the other fertilizer systems (F3›F4›F2›F5›F1). Maximum and minimum oil content were obtained with the F3 treatment and F1 respectively. The oil saturated fatty acids(acid palmitic and acid stearic) decreased significantly, while insaturated fatty acids( linoleic acid and oleic acid) increased significantly in response to raising the FYM-rate. The highest linolenic acid and oleic acid were observed in F3 and F1 treatments respectively. The results revealed that PGPR improved plant productivity and quality in sunflower seed. The inoculation of PGPR (I1) increased, grain yield, oil content and unsaturated fatty acids and decreased saturated fatty acids compared with untreated plants I0.

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There are varying patterns for growing different varieties of branched or non-branched sesame. This experiment was conducted during a two-year period (2000-2001) to identify the optimal practice for cultivation of the uni-branched sesame in the Safi-Abad Agricultural Research Center, Khuzestan Province. The statistical design was set up as strip-plot in a randomized complete block with four replications. Rows were adopted at varying spaces of 37.5, 50 and 60 cm while the plants were arranged horizontally at 5,10,15 and 20 cm. In this way, the density of the plot was surveyed over an area ranging from 83000 to 530,000 plant/ha. Combined analysis of two years, results showed a significant effect on the yield component due to an increase in row-spacing from 37.5 to 60 cm. This increase in row-spacing from 37.5 to 60 cm. could also increase the stem diameter from 16.3 to 19.4 mm, the pod number from 59 to 84 per plant, as well as the weight per thousand seeds from 3 to 3.3 grams. Moreover, an increase in plant spacing from 5 to 20 cm caused a decrease in stem height from 180.2 to 169.7 cm, an increase in stem diameter form 15.8 to 19.8 mm, a rise in pod number from 44.6 to 96.5 and in the seed content from 59.3 to 74.4 per pod. The relevance of the seed yield and row spacing obeyed a falling linear regession curve, while the seed yield and plant intervals showed a non-linear behaviour and estimated a maximum yield at 10 cm distance. Finally, the planting density reflected a non-linear fourth power equation. The maxinum seed and oil yield was then estimated at a density of 200,000–250,000 plant per hectare. In view of higher yield at the 37.5 cm row treatment and the 10 cm plant treatment, together with regressive equations, the above pattern (37.510cm) shall be recommended for uni-branched sesame growing in Khuzestan.

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The stability of ten winter safflower cultivars and lines was evaluated in three different environmental conditions in Karaj, Isfahan and Darab in Iran, a randomized complete block design with 4 replications over three years (1995, 1996 and 1997). Simple analysis of variances of grain and oil yields from each experiment showed significant differences among the genotypes. After conducting a homogeneity test for error variances, combined analysis of variance was performed. An F. test of different sources of variation revealed that the effect of genotype  year  location interactions was significant (P<1%). Analysis of the grain and oil yields using the Eberhart and Russel method showed significant dif-ference for the main effects of genotype and genotype  environment (linear) interactions and non-significant difference for deviation from regression. According to the classifica-tion of genotypes based on the mean of grain and oil yields, coefficient of regression and deviation from regression, the new line L.R.V.51.51 with its high grain and oil yields and stability was selected as a desirable genotype.