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In order to study the effect of foliar application of zinc and iron on yield quantity and quality of canola (Brassica napus cv. Talaye) an experiment was conducted in Zarghan region of Fars in 2008- 2009 crop season. Iron and zinc solutions were sprayed twice (first in stem elongation and then in early flowering) treatments, including concentration of zinc sulfate in three levels: (0, 2, 4 gr lit-1) and Iron sulfate in three levels: (0, 2, 4 gr lit-1). This experiment was arranged as factorial using randomized complete block design in four replications. Significant interaction between zinc and iron foliar application was observed for grain yield, seed protein percentage and oil yield. Maximum grain yield (4905.3 kg ha-1), Seed protein percentage (37.7%) and oil yield (2124.5 kg ha-1) was obtained from foliar application of combined zinc and iron at 4 g lit-1. Increasing of zinc from 0 to 4 gr lit-1 significantly increased 1000 seed weight (from 4.24 to 4.69 gr), number of seed per pod (from 19.12 to 22.88), seed oil percentage (from 38.67 to 43.17) and seed zinc concentration (from 33.28 to 22.07 mg kg-1). Increasing iron from 0 to 4 gr lit-1 significantly increased 1000 seed weight (from 4.24 to 4.64 gr) and seed iron concentration (from 64.29 to 79.18 mg kg-1). Finally, with respect to this research, foliar application of zinc and iron sulfate together and twice, at 4 g lit-1 was suggested to get more quantity and quality of canola (Talaye) in Zarghan.

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A field experiments was conducted at Sabzevar Agriculture & Natural Resources A field experiments was conducted to study the effect of zinc sulfate foliar application on yield and yield components of sunflower, Haysun-25 cultivar (Helianthus annuus L.) under drought stress at Sabzevar Agriculture & Natural Resources research center. This experiment was carried out (conducted, deleted) as split plot based on randomized complete block (RCB) design that main and subplot factors were drought stress levels [Non-stress, Moderate and High drought stress (6, 12 and 18 day’s irrigation interval, respectively] and foliar zinc applications (0, 5, 10 and 15‰), respectively. Foliar application of zinc was performed in 6 to 8 leaf stage of sunflower. Plant height, seeds per head, hollowness percentage seeds, 1000 seed weight, grain yield and biological yield were significantly affected by drought stress. Severe drought stress decreased plant height, seeds per head, 1000 seed weight and economic yield and increased percentage of empty seeds. The highest yield and yield components were related to foliar application with 15‰ concentration of zinc sulfate and the lowest one was related to the control. However, yield response to zinc sulfate foliar application was more in non-stress condition, but zinc sulfate with 15‰ led to decrease of negative effects of drought stress. Overall, the highest yield was obtained by spraying with concentration of 15‰ zinc sulfate and non-stress condition.

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In order to comparison of antioxidant enzymes and proline roles in drought tolerance of rapeseed, an experiment was conducted at the research field of Yazd Agricultural and Natural Resources Research Center in 2011-2012. In this study, three commercial rapeseed genotypes (GKH2005, Opera and Okapi) were examined for response to irrigation treatments such as non-stress conditions (control) and withholding irrigation from stem elongation, flowering and silique formation stages in four separate experiments based on randomized complete block (RCB) design. The results indicated that proline accumulation, activity of catalase and proxidase enzyme and lipid peroxidation index (content of malondealdehyde) were higher in drought stress treatments, but these amounts were different in three rapeseed genotypes. Maximum activity of antioxidant enzymes and low content of malondealdehyde was observed in GKH2005 compared with others, in drought stress conditions. Between these genotypes, GKH2005 produced the highest seed yield under non-stress conditions and withholding irrigation from stem elongation, flowering and silique formation stages as 3110, 1450, 1773 and 2510 kg.ha-1, respectively. These results showed that role of antioxidant enzymes on reduction of lipid peroxidation and increasing the drought tolerance is more than proline. Also, an effective antioxidant system along with lower malondealdehyde and high silique number per secondary branch had the greatest role to productivity maintenance of Rapeseed under drought stress conditions

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In order to the evaluate the effect of planting dates on phenological traits, plant height, pods per plant and seed yield of rapeseed spring varieties, a split-split plot experiment based on randomized complete block design with four replications was conducted during 2 years at Agriculture Research Station of Baykola, Mazandaran, Iran. Treatments were planting dates (September 29, October 9, October 19, October 29 and November 8) as main plot and sub-plots were three cultivars ( Hyola401, Option500 and RGS003. All the traits were affected by planting date and variety. The mean values of seed yield of Hyola401, Option500 and RGS003 were 3274, 2898 and 3040 kg ha-1, respectively and Option500 and RGS003 had not statistically significant difference. Non significant interaction effects of planting dates and varieties for seed yield indicated that yield reduction of the varieties in late planting dates had similar trend and Hyola401 and Option500 had the most and the least seed yield, respectively. Seed yield reduction at late planting date was related to insufficient vegetative growth before flowering stage. Significant positive correlation between plant height and number of pods per plant was the main reason that in late planting date reduction of plant height imposed reduction of pods per plant and finally seed yield was decreased.

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The present study was conducted to evaluate the yield and agronomic traits of commercial soybean genotypes and introduce the genotypes that are compatible with higher yield potential for both spring and summer cultivation seasons. This study was carried out in a split plot experiment based on randomized complete blocks with three replications during two cropping years, 2008-2009 and 2009-2010, in the field of agricultural and natural resources research center of Moghan. The main plot was the cultivation date in two levels of summer and spring cultivation and the subplot was 14 cultivars of soybean including Sahar, Linford, Hobbit × Williams, Davis× Williams, 032, DPX, Ronack, JK, BP, 033, Clarck,Williams, Zan and L17. A combined analysis of the grain yield over two years revealed that the effect of cultivation date, genotype and their interaction was significant at 1% probability level. Comparison of the two cultivation dates demonstrated the yield rates of 3642.1 and 2530.3 kg/ha for spring and summer cultivation, respectively. Zan and Linford varieties with yield rates of 4276 and 4105 kg/ha respectively over the spring cultivation and the cultivar of BP and L17 with yield rates of 2974 and 2920 kg/ha respectively over the summer cultivation had the highest yield among all cultivars.

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Optimum leaf area index (LAI) is necessary to decrease in soil surface evaporation, to intercept maximum radiation and to increase in dry matter production and seed yield. In order to study the development of leaf area in canola (B. napus) and its relationship with seed yield, this experiment was conducted at agricultural research station of Gonbad during 2005-7. The experiment was a RCBD arranged in a split-plot in two conditions, i.e. supplemental irrigation and rain-fed. Five sowing dates (SD) (Nov. 6, Dec. 6, Jan. 4, Feb. 5 and Mar. 5) assigned as main plots and two cultivars (Hyola 401 and RGS003) as subplots. In all treatments, the number of leaves on main stem and LAI increased till the beginning of seed filling, and then decreased considerably due to sever shedding of leaves. LAI at the beginning of seed filling stage, varied from 6.1 in Nov. 6 to 3.1 at Mar. 5 SDs in supplemental irrigation conditions, and from 5.2 on Nov. 6 to 2.4 at Mar. 5 SDs in rain-fed conditions. The better early growth of Hyola401 compared to RGS003 cultivar caused that, in each year and conditions, LAI of Hyola401 was significantly more than RGS003 at the beginning of stem elongation and budding. The strong relationships between the number of leaves on main stem and LAI at different growth stages and seed yield, showed the positive effects of these traits on seed yield.

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In order to study the effect of limited-irrigation stress on canola cultivars, an experiment was conducted in 2007-2008 at the Safiabad agricultural research center. The design was a split plot in a completely randomized block basis with three replications. Main plots were consisted of 4 levels of limited-irrigation, irrigation based on 60 mm cumulative evaporation (Control), withholding irrigation in flowering stage, withholding irrigation in pod initiation and irrigation withholding in grain filling period, and subplots were 5 canola cultivars (Hyola308, Hyola330, Hyola401, Hyola420 and RGS003). The mean comparison of interaction showed that the highest (3155.55 kg.ha-1) grain yield appointed to Hyola420 cultivar in optimum irrigation (control treatment), and the lowest (1491.66 kg.ha-1) belonged to RGS003 cultivar at withholding irrigation in pod initiation period. The maximum (161.42) number of pods observed on Hyola330 cultivar at optimum irrigation (irrigation after 60 mm cumulative evaporation), and the minimum (78.1) ones appointed to RGS003 cultivar at withholding irrigation in pod initiation period. Results showed that there was no significant difference among withholding irrigation, cultivars and the interaction effect of them for oil content. By considering the results of this experiment, withholding irrigation at flowering, pod initiation and grain filling periods leads to decrease grain yield by 24.72%, 14.33% and 11%, respectively. Reduction of grain yield due to the withholding irrigation during flowering, podding and grain filling stages was along with a decrease in the number of pods per plant and thousand seed weight. By considering the results of experiment, withholding irrigation in flowering stage has to be avoided.

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In order to evaluate the foliar application of zinc sulfate and salicylic acid effects on morphology and yield of safflower Carthamus tinctorius L. ( cv. sofeh) under drought stress in Yasouj, a factorial experiment based on a randomized complete block design with four replications was conducted Yasouj University in 2012. The factors consist of three levels of drought stress, watering at 3 levels of consumption 10%, 30% and 60% of available water, respectively, as the levels of stress, mild stress and severe stress and foliar application in 5 levels, including control, salicylic acid (0.5, 1 and 1.5 Mm) and zinc sulfate (3 g l-1), respectively. The results showed that drought and foliar application interaction for number of heads, the number of fertile seeds per head, seed weight and yield were significant and other traits were non-significant. Drought stress reduced, but foliar application of zinc and salicylic acid increased the grain yield. The highest grain yield per plant at 30% and 60% moisture content were achieved by 0.5 Mm salicylic acid foliar applications. The highest grain yield in plant at 10% (FC) water availability was shown by zinc sulfate the foliar application. At all drought stress levels, the highest grain weight obtained by zinc sulfate foliar application and the highest fertile head number in 10 and 60 percent of water availability related the foliar applied concentration of 1Mm salicylic acid. The highest number of grains per head in 60% water availability belonged to 1.5Mm salicylic acid foliar applications.

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Sesame is an important and useful oil crop. This study was conducted to evaluate of the effects of nitrogen and biological fertilizer on sesame crop as a factorial experiment based on a randomized complete block design with three replications in the research farm of the university of Zabol. Experimental factors were nitrogen (N) fertilizer at four levels (0, 160, 240 and 320 kg ha-1 N as urea) and nitroxin at two levels (inoculated and non-inoculated). Nitroxin application significantly increased plant height, number of lateral branches, 1000-seed weight, number of seeds per capsule, number of capsules per plant, seed yield, oil yield, and protein content. When 240 kg ha-1 of urea was applied, number of lateral branches, 1000-seed weight, number of seeds per capsule, number of capsules per plant, and protein content increased by 50, 12, 18, 45 and 11%, respectively. The interaction of treatments revealed that inoculation of seeds with nitroxin along with 75% recommended N application increases plant height, seed and oil yield, respectively, by 28, 58 and 56% compared with non-inoculated seed and non N fertilizer application. generalley the results indicated that besides improving of growth condition, seed inoculation with nitroxin can be usefull in reduction of the application of chemical nitrogen fertilizers.

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To evaluate the effects of nitrogen and water stress on allelopathic potential of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) on the seed germination traits of safflower (Carthamus tinctorius), a factorial experiment was carried out in randomized complete design (CRD) with three replications in the greenhouse and laboratory, College of Agriculture, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran in 2012-13. Treatments included irrigation [Normal (I1) and water stress (I2)] and nitrogen [control (no nitrogen), Urea (200 kg N ha-1), Nitroxin (Azotobacter) and Nitrokara (Azospirillum and Azotobacter) inoculation per kg seeds]. Extracts were prepared from sorghum shoot resiude in 5, 10, 15 and 20 (W/V) and were applied to individual Petri dishes distilled water was used as control treatment. Also, foliar applications of extracts were applied in treatments under the greenhouse conditions and sorghum dried residues were also mixed with the soil in amounts of 0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 g after the first irrigation. Analysis of variance showed that interaction effects of sorghum extract type and its concentration had significant effects on all traits except relative water content. Safflower germination percentage reduced with increase in concentration. 5, 10 and 15% concentrations of Nitrokara under normal irrigation had 34, 22 and 12%, effects on allelopathy index of safflower respectively. Whereas concentration of 20% extract, decreased allelopathy index by 71%. The effects antagonist on length and dry weights of roots and shoots was observed when biofertilizer treatments (Nitroxin and Nitrokara) applied. In addition, more synergist effects were obtained when urea extract was appliedt under water stress. The results of foliar application revealed a decrease in CAT and POD activities in leaves of safflower when urea was usedunder water stress conditions. However, the lowest germination rate and primary growth of safflower was abserved when urea applied under water stress conditions.

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In order to evaluate the effect of different nitrogen fertilizer levels on physiological traits, plant height, yield components, and seed yield of rapeseed genotypes a split-plot experiment based on a randomized complete block design with three replications was carried out at the Baykola Agriculture Research Station, Mazaandaran during 2010-11. Four levels of nitrogen, as urea fertilizer, including of 0, 70, 140 and 210 kg ha-1 were considered as main plots and four rapeseed genotypes including of L7, Zafar, RGS003 and Hyola401 were considered as subplots. The result of analysis of variance revealed that the traits, including number of days to flowering, number of days to end of flowering, number of days to maturity, plant height, siliques pods per plant, seeds per silique, seed yield and oil yield were significantly affected by nitrogen levels. Genotype effect was significant effect on all the traits except seeds per silique. Hyloa401 and Zafar respectively with 3831.2 and 3893.7 kg ha-1 of seed yield, and also 1638 and 1591 kg ha-1 of oil yield were classified at the same statistical group. Non significant interaction effects of nitrogen fertilizer application and genotypes were achieved for all of the studied traits, indicated that the trend of variation of these traits due to nitrogen levels were similar in all genotypes. A significant positive correlation of seed yield with the other studied the traits, except days to flowering, indicated that increasing of nitrogen level application made increasing of the traits and finally seed yield.

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Deficiency of soil nutrient elements is one of the most important restricting factors of crop production. Hence, management of nutrition is necessary for optimizing of plant growth, yield increment and sustainability of crop production. In order to evaluate growth stages and some quantitative indices in winter rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) cultivars as affected by micronutrient fertilizers, a field experiment was performed in 2010-2011 cropping seasons as a split plot arranged in randomized complete block design with three replications in Arak, Iran. Eight micronutrient fertilizers (Zero as control, Fe, Zn, Mn, Fe + Zn, Fe + Mn, Zn + Mn, Fe + Zn + Mn) and four rapeseed cultivars (Zarfam, Okapi, Modena and Licord) were randomized in main plots and subplots, respectively. The result showed that, Okapi cultivar had the highest grain yield under no fertilization treatment (4194 kg/ha) and Zn + Mn (4011 kg/ha) treatments, respectively. Licord cultivar produced the highest grain yield (3998 kg/ha) at Mn treatment, but there were no significant differences between fertilizer levels. Okapi variety showed the highest biological yield as affected by Fe + Zn (13666 kg/ha), Zn + Mn (13221 kg/ha) and control (12944 kg/ha) treatments, respectively. In this experiment, the interaction between Licord Mn, Licord (Fe + Zn + Mn) and Okapi (Fe + Zn + Mn) had the highest harvest index (35.46, 34.77 and 32.23 percent), respectively. In addition, the interaction between Licord (Fe + Zn + Mn) showed the highest silique number (369.86) per plant. In general, seed yield and its component in rapeseed varieties showed different responses to micronutrient fertilizers. According to the results of this experiment, cultivation of Okapi and Licord varieties and application of Mn and Mn + Zn fertilizers cased to enhance seed yield of canola in Arak climatic conditions.

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Soybean is one of the most important oil production resources in the world. In order to study of genetic diversity and relationships among quantitative and qualitative traits of 14 soybean cultivars, an experiment was conducted as a randomaized complete block design with four replications in 2013 at the Agriculture Research Farm, Shirvan Higher Education Complex. 12 traits such as seed and components yield, protein and oil content were evaluated. The results showed that there were significant differences among genotypes for all traits except protein content, which indicates the existence of genetic variations between genotypes. Zane, Century and Clombus cultivars had the highest seed yield, although, the lowest yield was achieved in Habit cultivar. Results showed that seed yield was positively and significantly correlated with number of pods per plant, number of seeds per pod, number of seeds per plant,100 seed weight, oil content, protein content and harvest index and there were significant and negative correlation between seed yield with number of days from planting to flowering . The Zane cultivar had the highest oil content of 515.8 kg ha-1. Based on the stepwise regression and path analysis the grain yield of soybean cultivars were explained by the direct and indirect effects 100 seed weight, number of pods per plant, number of seeds per pod and number of seed per plant. Considering to the residual effects and the coefficient of determination (86.7 percent), the large proportion of the variation in seed yield of soybean were determined with these four traits of seed yield. Path analysis showed that the greater and lower direct positive effects on seed yield were related to 100-seed weight and seed number per plant, respectively. In general, Zane , Columbus and Cencurty cultivars due to their high oil and seed yields can be proposed cultiveting in North Khorasan.

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In order to evaluate the effect of different levels of defoliation and grain removal on grain yield and photosynthesis rate of sunflower, a factorial experiment was conducted based on randomized complete block design with three replications during 2012 growing season at College of Agriculture, Shiraz University. Treatments were defoliation at 3 levels (0, 50, and 75%) in heading stage and grain removal (without grain removal (control), removal of one half of the grains in inner or side parts) at pollination stage. It appeared that defoliation resulted in reduction of grain yield, 1000 grain weight and grain number. Apparently increased photosynthetic rates of reminder leaves may be considered a response to the reduction of leaf area however it did not generally sufficient to compensate the reduction of leaf area. The highest reduction of grain yield was recorded in 75% defoliation and removal of one-half of the grains in inner parts of head, compared to control. It can be concluded that grain yield of sunflower is more determined by limited source.

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To study the effects of drought stress and salicylic acid and Chitosan spraying on safflower, an experiment was conducted as a split plot design as base of a randomized complete block design with three replications. The drought stress had 4 levels ascontrol and irrigation after 25, 50 and 75% of soil available water as main plots and sprayin of salicylic acid (0.424 grams per liter), chitosan solution (5 g per liter) and both of them that were considered as sub-plots. drought stress reduced the number of heads per plant, head diameter, stem diameter, number of leaves, seed weight, seed weight and increased the percentage of hollowness of the seed. Application of chitosan and salicylic acid increased the distance of the first branch from the ground, head diameter, stem diameter, number of leaves, flowers, root length and weight and yield components as number of seeds per head, seed weight per head, seed weight and unfilled seed percentage. It seems salicylic acid and chitosan spray can be sugested to develop boost crop cultivation and increase safflower yield in the province of Sistan.

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Studyign of soybean cultivars under abiotic stress conditions to improve their yield is important. This experiment was carried out as a strip plot based on a randomized complete block design with three replications in the Safiabad Argicultural Research Center. Vertical factor consisted of foure levels of irrigation (Irrigation after 50, 90, 130 and 170 mm evaporation from class A pan) and horizontal factor was 6 soybean genotypes (504, Katoul, Safiabadi, BP×Safiabadi, Migmat and Salend). Results showed that the effect of drought stress, genotypes and their interactions were significant on grain yield. The mean comparison of drought stress × genotype interaction showed that the highest grain yield (4522 Kg ha-1) achieved in irrigation after 50 mm evaporation from class A pan in Migmat and the lowest grain yield (1017 Kg ha-1) belonged to Katoul genotype with irrigation after 170 mm evaporation from class A pan. Pod number per plant decreased by 16%, 28% and 51% with increasing irrigation intervals to 90, 130 and 170 mm compared to irrigation after 50 mm evaporation. The treatments did not have any significant effect on the number of grain per pod. It is concluded that, irrigation after 50 mm evaporation from class A pan would be suitable for Migmat and BP×Safiabadi genotypes. Irrigation after 90 mm evaporation from class A pan appropriate for 504, Salend, Katoul and Safiabadi genotypes.

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This research in order to evaluate the effect of different levels of irrigation regime on yield and yield components of soybean in Urmia region at the Urmia agricultural high school Research during 2012 using split plot based on a randomized complete block design with three replications. Drought treatments (optimum irrigation 60 mm, moderate drought stress 110 mm and severe drought stress 160 mm evaporation by evaporation pan Class A) were included in main plots and the Cultivars (Clark, Williams and Onion) were allocated in subplots. The results of variance analysis showed that the effect of drought stress on seed yield, oil and protein content was significant (P<0.01), so that the maximum and minimum oil and protein value obtained by optimum irrigation and severe drought stress conditions, respectively. However, for relative water content and leaf chlorophyll, there was no significant difference. Severe drought stress reduced the grain yield by 63 and 45% compared to the optimum irrigation and moderate stress conditions, respectively. In optimum irrigation and severe drought stress conditions, the highest seed yield, oil yield and protein yield, obtained by Onion genotype. A Clark genotype in comparison with other cultivars had the minimum seed yield, in severe drought stress conditions.

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In order to investigate the effects of boron, zinc and sulfur on quantitative and qualitative characteristics of rapeseed (Hyola 401 cultivar), an experiment was conducted at Rice Research Institute of Iran, Rasht province in 2011. A field experiment with completely randomized block design was performed with eight treatments in three replications. Treatments consisted of control, zinc was added as Zn 15% EDTA at the rate of 1.5 kg ha^&minus;1 were applied to the soil, Boron was added as Borax at the rate of 1.5 kg ha^&minus;1, sulfur treatment added at the rate 100 kg ha^-1 before of sowing, B+Zn, B+S, Zn+S and B+Zn+S. Maximum grain yield (4157.6 kg ha^-1) was obtained from S+B+Zn treatments that increased the seed yield by 48.7% compared to the control. Maximum and minimum oil content obtained from B+Zn+S (42.58%) and control (38.37%). Maximum protein (24.62%) was obtained from zinc fertilizer. The highest leaf boron, zinc and sulfur content were obtained in treatments B+Zn+S of 15.7, 26.38 and 577.4 mg kg^-1 respectively, and minimum nutrients content was obtained in control. Regards to the experiment results, the application of B+S fertilizer increased the seed yield and oil content and is suggested in Rasht reign conditions.

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Utilization of multipurpose plants in cultivation patterns can reduce production risks. Medicinal and oilseed plants such as Niger seed and black cumin are multipurpose plants. In order to evaluate the possibility of extensive cultivation of Niger seed as a new plant and comparison of its oil and minerals with two genotypes of black cumin seed, Iranian and Indian, A randomized complete block with three replications was conducted in Isfahan in 2011. Seeds of black cumin cultivated in autumn as an alternative for cereals and seed of Niger seed cultivated in summer after harvesting of cereals. Cultivation of all of three plants were successful. Seed yield of Niger seed was 880kg/ha. It was much more than world record. It's oil seed content (about 47%), and it's worth (in competition with sunflower) can be considered as valuable parameters. The differences of minerals in Niger seed and black seed genotypes were significant, especially in Fe. The Fe content of Niger seed was 1.2 ppm (2-3 times more than Indian and Iranian black cumin).

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Niger seed (Guizotia abyssinica Cass.) is a multipurpose plant that has imported to Iran as a bird seed and doesn't have any scientific report in Iran. In order to evaluate the agronomic and physiological characters of Niger seed (as an oil seed and medicinal plant) in different seasons and sowing dates, some acts such as authentication of this species was done. Niger seed has been sown in autumn, spring and summer. Also in summer the effect of sowing date in a completely randomized design with 4 replications and 3 treatments (9 June, 21 June and 3 July) was evaluated in Isfahan province in 2010. According to the results, autumn and spring were not suitable season of cultivation of this plant and it can be grown in summer successfully. The effect of various summer sowing date, on most of the measured traits were significant. The best planting date was about the third planting date in Isfahan climatic conditions. The highest value of the number of capitula per plant (59.07), 1000 seed weight (3.39), seed yield per hectare (874.7 kg), number of seeds per plant (1510), seed oil (47.33) were obtained from the third sowing date. While the highest plant height (150.1cm), days to 50% flowering (67), days to 80% maturity (110) was recorded from the first sowing date.