Introducing a sustainable soil fertility system for chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

In order to introduce a sustainable soil fertility system for chickpea, field experiments were carried out in 2007 and 2008 growing seasons. Experiments were arranged in split-split plot arrangements with three replications. Main plots consisted of (G1): establishing a mixed vegetation of vetch and barley, (G2): without green manure. Also, five strategies for obtaining the base fertilizer requirement including (N1): farm manure; (N2): compost; (N3): triple super phosphate; (N4): farm manure + compost and (N5): farm manure + compost + triple super phosphate. Four levels of biofertilizers consisted of (B1): Phosphate solubilizing bacteria; (B2): Trichoderma harzianum; (B3): Phosphate solubilizing bacteria + T. harzianum; and (B4): without biofertilizers were arranged in sub-sub plots. Results showed that green manure increased pod number and number of fertile pods per plant. Integrating biofertilizers (B3) and green manure (G1) produced the highest pod number per plant and grain yield. The highest amounts of yield and yield components were obtained in G1N5 treatment. Comparison of 3-way interactions showed that G1N5B3 was the best treatment. Significant increase of N, P, K, Fe and Mg content in leaves and grains emphasized on superiority of mentioned treatment because each one of these nutrients has an approved role in chlorophyll synthesis and photosynthesis ability of the crop. The N5 treatment in addition to having the highest yield had the best grain quality due to high protein, starch and total sugar contents, low crude fiber and reduced cooking time.Key words: Biofertilizer, chickpea, compost, farm manure, soil fertility system

Non-Chemical Weed Control in Winter Canola (Brassica napus L

Abstract. Cultural practices, management techniques and product quality are important factors which can influence the field heath and food security. Application of low input agriculture strategies, like as organic farming will result to high quality and safe products. In order to reduce herbicide use and enhancing quantity and quality of canola seed (cultivar Hyola308) a field experiment was conducted at Varamin, Iran, on 2007-2008 growing season. Seven experimental treatments consisted of Chemical weed control using Trifluralin (2.5 l.ha -1 ) + sethoxydim (1.0 l.ha -1 ), integrated reduced dose of the same herbicides to between rows cultivation, twice cultivation, integrated pre-irrigation (25 days before sowing) to cultivation at stem elongation stage, black plastic mulch, weed-free and uncontrolled weed were arranged in randomized complete blocks with four replications. Results indicated that canola grain yield, yield components, oil percent were significantly decreased due to weed interference. The highest crop height, leaf area index, grain and oil yield obtained from black plastic mulch treatment. This non-chemical treatment has also significantly reduced weed density and dry matter. However there was no significant difference between plastic mulch and integrated control treatments (pre-irrigation + cultivation). Since mulching practices in trade canola fields is so difficult and relatively expensive, simple integrated (agronomic and mechanical) weed control treatment including irrigation the field 25 days before planting with the aim of removing emerged winter weeds via seedbed preparation practices + cultivation at stem elongation stage could be recommended

ffect of Sowing Date on Yield and Yield Components of Three Grain SorghumCultivars

Abstract\ud In order to study the effect of sowing date on yield and yield components of sorghum cultivars, a field experiment was conducted at experimental field of agriculture factuly, Tarbiat Modares University which is located in 17 km Tehran-Karaj freeway. In this research effect of two factors, sowing date and cultivars of sorghum bicolor, was studied in split-plot based on randomized complete block design with 4 replications. Main plots were sowing date with three levels (8th June, 28th June and 18th July) and sub plots were cultivars with three levels (Payam, Sepideh and Kimia). Investigated traits include biological yield and its component, panicle weight, grain yield, percent and yield of protein, harvest index and grain yield component. Result showed that total biomass and vegetative biomass were not affected by any of factors. panicle dry weight and harvest index was significantly affected by cultivars (p≤0.01) although in grain yield was significant in 95 percent level. Weight of 1000 seeds was also affected by sowing date and cultivar (p≤0.05) and was affected by sowing date × cultivar interaction (p≤0.01). In spite of non significant effect of sowing date on grain yield, the highest grain yield was obtained by Sepideh in 28th June. In the result for higher grain yield in this region and other places with similar conditions, sowing Sepideh cultivar in mid June is recommended.\ud \ud Keywords: Grain sorghum, Sowing date, Leaf and stem biomass, Grain yield, Yield component

Effect of Nitrogen Rate on Quantitative and Qualitative Forage Yield of Maize, Pearl Millet and Sorghum in Double Cropping System

Abstract In order to compare three summer forage grasses including sorghum (Sorghum bicolor cv. Speedfeed), corn (Zea mayz S.C. 704) and pearl millet (Pennisetum americanum cv. Nutrifeed) for green chop forage production in double cropping system, a field experiment was conducted at research field of Tarbiat Modares University on 2006 growing season. Treatments were arranged in a split- plot design based on randomized complete blocks with four replications. In this research three forage crops as main factor and nitrogen rates (100, 200 and 300 kg N. ha-1 from the urea source) as the sub- plot were studied. Results showed the positive response of crops to nitrogen increment, in such a manner that millet with 300 kg N ha-1 produced 85.8 t ha-1 fresh forage (%20.3 more than sorghum and %30.9 more than corn). Regarding to the sustainable agriculture objects, millet and sorghum with 200 kg N ha-1could be suggested. Forage yield advantages of millet and sorghum to corn was %10 and %12 respectively. They produce 72.4 and 73.5 t ha-1 fresh forage under this treatment. Finally regarding to general advantages of sorghum and millet to corn, especially in unsuitable condition like as drought and poor soil fertility, it seems that changing the corn with sorghum or pearl millet could be an appropriate option. Also decision making for recommending one of sorghum and millet need to more information like qualitative attributes in details and determining animal feeding indices (voluntary intake) using in vivo methods. Keywords: Sorghum, Pearl millet, Corn, Nitrogen, Forage, Organic matter, Crud protei

Inflammatory cytokines in bladder cancer

The presence of inflammatory cells and their products in the tumor microenvironment plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of a tumor. Releasing the cytokines from a host in response to infection and inflammation can inhibit tumor growth and progression. However, tumor cells can also respond to the host cytokines with increasing the growth/invasion/metastasis. Bladder cancer (BC) is one of the most common cancers in the world. The microenvironment of a bladder tumor has been indicated to be rich in growth factors/inflammatory cytokines that can induce the tumor growth/progression and also suppress the immune system. On the contrary, modulate of the cancer progression has been shown following upregulation of the cytokines-related pathways that suggested the cytokines as potential therapeutic targets. In this study, we provide a summary of cytokines that are involved in BC formation/regression with both inflammatory and anti-inflammatory properties. A more accurate understanding of tumor microenvironment creates favorable conditions for cytokines targeting to treat BC. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc