Correlation and path-cofficient analysis of seed yield and yield related trait in Iranian confectionery sunflower populations

This study was undertaken in order to determine the association among yield components and their direct and indirect effects on the seed yield of confectionery sunflower. 36 confectionery sunflower populations originated from different regions of Northwest Iran were characterized using 11 agromorphological traits including: Days to 50% flowering, plant height, stem diameter, head diameter, number of leaves, leaf length, leaf width, petiole length, number of seeds per head, 100-seed weight and seed yield. Phenotypic correlations results show that seed yield per plant was positively and significantly associated with 100-seed weight, head diameter, number of seeds per head, stem diameter and plant height. Path coefficient analysis revealed that number of seed per head, 100-seed weight, and head diameter has positive direct effect on seed yield. Therefore, selection based on these characters would be more effective to improving seed yield in confectionery sunflower in breeding programs.Key words: Helianthus annuus L., direct effect, phenotypic correlation, indirect selection

Collection, evaluation and classification of Iranian confectionary sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) populations using multivaraite statistical techniques

Characterization of confectionary sunflower germplasm resources is critical to their efficient collection and management as well as for breeding programs. Thirty six (36) confectionary sunflower populations originating from different regions of Northwest Iran were characterized using 15 agro-morphological traits. Among the studied traits, high coefficients of variation were observed for harvest index (48.36), seed yield (42.07) and petiole length (41.63). Cluster analysis using Ward's method classified the 36 populations into four groups. A large number of genotypes was placed in cluster III (16 genotypes) followed by cluster I (13), cluster IV (4) and cluster II (3). Clusters I, III and VI include genotypes from different sources indicating no association between clustering pattern and eco-geographical distribution of genotypes. The maximum inter-cluster distance of 9.03 was observed between clusters II and VI indicating the possibility of high heterosis if individuals from these two clusters are cross-bred. Principal component analysis resulted in the first four components with Eigen value greater than one accounting for 78% of the total variation. The results of PCA were closely in line with those of cluster analysis. These results can now be used by breeders to develop high yielding sunflower hybrids.Key words: Cluster analysis, confectionary sunflower, genetic variability, principal component analysis

Effect of Mycorrhizal Symbiosis on the Yield and Quality of Rainfed Rye (Secale cereal L.) under Varying End Season Rainfall

Supplementary irrigation along with mycorrhizal symbiosis is one of the effective methods to increase quality and quantity of performance. To evaluate mycorrhizal symbiosis of rainfed Rye (Secale cereal L.) plants, a 2-year factorial experiment was conducted based on randomized complete block design with three replications at West Azarbaijan Agricultural and Natural Resources Research Center during 2014 and 2015. Treatments were rain interrupted (30 May, 13 June and 27 June), mycorrhizal symbiosis (non-inoculated plants and inoculation with Glomus intraradices) and irrigation (rainfed and one time supplementary irrigation).Mycorrhizal symbiosis under supplementary irrigation significantly increased the forage phosphorus, calcium and ash, and grain potassium and protein more than rainfed condition. The mycorrhizal symbiosis enhanced the forage and grain quality. However, the yield enhancement under supplemental irrigation was better than rainfed condition. The highest grain protein concentration (18/43 %) belonged to mycorrhizal plants exposed to rainfall continuing 20 May. The highest grain yield in the second year under supplementary irrigation of about 1412.96 kg/ha, which have precipitation until 17 June. In general, rainfed rye forage and grain quality were improved with one time supplemental irrigation, and mycorrhizal relationship affedcted the grain quality and yield regardless rainfall interruption. In mycorrhizal rye plants, rainfall continuing until 17 June with supplemental irrigation was increased the grain yield (23 %) more than that rainfed condition in early rain interrupted

Evaluación de la reacción de líneas puras de girasol y sus híbridos F1 a las condiciones de sequía mediante diversos índices de tolerancia al estrés

In this study, 21 genotypes of sunflower ( Helianthus annuus L.) derived from a half diallel cross between six inbred lines were evaluated in both water-stressed and well-watered environments. In each environment, the genotypes were evaluated using a randomized complete block design with three replications. From the grain yield data, drought tolerance indices comprising of stability tolerance index (STI), mean productivity (MP), geometric mean productivity (GMP), harmonic mean (HM), stress susceptibility index (SSI), tolerance index (TOL), yield index (YI) and yield stability index (YSI) were calculated for every genotype. The resulting data were analyzed as obtained from a randomized complete block design. Significant differences among genotypes were observed for all drought tolerance indices except for SSI and YSI. High yield value in non-stress and stress environments was exhibited by genotypes ‘LR4 × LR25’ (14.02 g) and ‘LR25 × C100’ (3.84 g) respectively. The maximum value of STI (0.93), MP (8.72), GMP (6.91) and HM (5.48) indices was by genotype ‘LR4 × LR25’. Correlation coefficients revealed that TOL, MP, GMP, STI, HM, and YI indices could effectively be used for screening of drought tolerant genotypes. Using MP, GMP, HM, TOL, YI and STI indices, genotypes UPGMA classification was done and three clusters were established that paralleled the biplot analysis results. According to results in this study, ‘LR4 × LR25’ is the most drought tolerant genotype which was clustered as group A. We suggest that tolerance indices including MP, GMP and HM are suitable for sunflower drought tolerant genotypes selection.En este estudio, 21 genotipos de girasol ( Helianthus annuus L.) derivados de un cruce medio dialélico entre seis líneas puras se evaluaron con y sin estrés hídrico. Para cada ambiente, los genotipos se evaluaron usando un diseño de bloques completos al azar con tres repeticiones. De los datos de rendimiento de grano se calcularon los índices de tolerancia a la sequía para cada genotipo: índice de estabilidad de la tolerancia sexual (ITS), productividad media (MP), productividad media geométrica (GMP), media armónica (HM), índice de susceptibilidad al estrés (SSI), índice de tolerancia (TOL), índice de rendimiento (YI) e índice de estabilidad del rendimiento (YSI). Los datos resultantes se analizaron como obtenidos a partir de un diseño de bloques completos al azar. Se observaron diferencias significativas entre los genotipos en todos los índices de tolerancia a la sequía a excepción de SSI y YSI. Los genotipos ‘LR4 × LR25’ y ‘LR25 × C100’ exhibieron un alto rendimiento en ambos ambientes (14,02 y 3,84 g, respectivamente); ‘LR4 × LR25’ presentó el valor máximo de los índices STI (0,93), MP (8,72), GMP (6,91) y HM (5,48). Los coeficientes de correlación revelaron que los índices TOL, MP, GMP, STI, HM y YI podrían ser utilizados para la selección de genotipos tolerantes a la sequía. Utilizando los índices MP, GMP, HM, TOL, YI y STI, se hizo una  clasificación UPGMA de los genotipos y se establecieron tres grupos análogos a los resultados del análisis biplot. De acuerdo a los resultados de este estudio, ‘LR4 × LR25’, del grupo A, es el genotipo más tolerante a la sequía. Se concluye que los índices de tolerancia MP, GMP y HM son adecuados para la selección de genotipos tolerantes a la sequía en girasol

Effect of Different Nitrogen Levels on Current Rate of Photosynthesis and Dry Matter Remobilization inTwo Cultivars of Rapeseed (Brassica napus L.)

To study the effect of different amounts of nitrogen fertilizer on dry matter remobilization in two cultivars of rapeseed a factorial experiment was conducted in complete randomized block design with three replications in the 2010-2012 years in Rasht, Iran. The experimental factors were two cultivars of rapeseed (Sarigol and Hayola308) and nitrogen fertilizer rate (from urea source) at five levels of 0, 50, 100, 150 and 200 kg ha-1 of N as 1/3 at planting 1/3 at stem elongation 1/3 before flowering. The results indicated that in the second year a higher dry matter remobilization (400 g m-2), current photosynthesis (1750 g m-2) and grain and oil yield (2149.8 and 927.2 kg ha-1 respectively) was achieved. Between nitrogen rates, application of 200 kg N ha-1 led to the highest current photosynthesis, dry matter remobilization, grain and oil yield. Hayola308 cultivar with 150 and 200 kg ha-1 of N indicated the highest oil yield (1518 and 1333 kg ha-1, respectively) and dry matter remobilization (531.5 and 492.4 g m-2 respectively). According to the results of the present experiment, it seems that cultivar Hayola308 with application of 150 kg N ha-1 can increase the current rate of photosynthesis, dry matter remobilization and oil yield of rapeseed, due to increase in the photosynthetic surfaces

Effect of Fe and Zn Micro Nutrients on Yield and Yield Components of Pimpinella anisum L.

The higher levels of essential elements in soil may be caused in optimum yields and crop quality. So it seems to be necessary to examine different levels of nutrients like Fe and Zn on plants and their productivity. To evaluate effects of iron and zinc application on yield and yield components of Pimpinella anisum an experiment was conducted at the research farm of Urmia University in 2009. Treatments, iron application (0, 0.2, 0.4 and 0.6%) and zinc (0, 0.2, 0.4 and 0.6%), were arranged as factorial based on randomized complete block design with 3 replications. Results showed the significant effect of interaction between iron and zinc on the number of seed in per plant,1000 seed weight, biomass yield, seed yield and harvest index (HI). The maximum value of the 1000 seed weight (2.22 g) was obtained from 0% of Fe and 0.2% of Zn, whereas the minimum value of the 1000 seed weight (1.92 g) belonged to 2% of iron and 0% of zinc. The highest number of seed per plant (762), maximum value of biomass yield (2652 kg/ha) and highest of seed yield (1372 kg/ha) were obtained from 0.6 and 0.4 percent of Fe and Zn and the lowest number of seed per plant (272), maximum value of biomass yield (716 kg/ha) and highest of seed yield (470 kg/ha) were obtained from 0 and 0.6 percent of Fe and Zn, respectively. The highest HI (66.18) was obtained at control treatment and the lowest one (46.67) at both 0.4 percent of Fe and Zn. The essential oil percent increase in average values of Fe and Zn spraying. But accumulation of Fe and Zn were the maximum in higher levels of spraying

Effect of Foliar Application of Iron, Zinc and Manganese Micronutrients on Yield and Yield Components and Seed Oil of Pot Marigold ) Calendula officinalis L.)

Although micronutrients effect on growth and yield of different plants has been intensively investigated, but there is limited information on its effect on grain yield and seed oil content of pot marigold) Calendula officinalis L.). In order to investigate the effects of micronutrients (Fe, Zn and Mn) spraying on yield and yield components and seed oil of pot marigold, a field experiment was conducted based on randomized complete block design with three replications at the Research Farm of Payame Noor University of Nagadeh in 2010. Treatments included Fe, Zn, Mn, mixed solutions of these elements (Fe+Zn, Fe+Mn, Zn+Mn, Fe+Zn+Mn) and control (water). Treatments were applied in 2 g/litter twice at stem elongation and early flowering stages. Different traits such as plant height, number of capitol per plant, number seed per capitol, thousand seed weight, biological yield, seed yield, seed oil percentage and oil Yield were recorded. The results showed that foliar application of micronutrients had significant effects on all of these traits. Yield components, seed yield, oil percentage and yield were enhanced by foliar application, compared with control (untreated plants). The maximum number seed per capitol, thousand seed weight and biological yield were relevant to Fe treatment. The highest numbers of capitol per plant and seed yield (643.33 kg.ha-1) were relevant to Zn+Fe treatment and the maximum oil yield (124.20 kg.ha-1) was produced by Zn+ Fe+ Mn treatment. Seed yield and oil yield increased by 31.27% and 44.18% yields more than control, respectively. It can be concluded that, foliar application of micronutrients had positive effects to obtain high yield and oil of pot marigold

Fodder value and physiological aspects of rainfed smooth vetch affected by biofertilizers and supplementary irrigation in an agri-silviculture system

In an agri-silviculture of the plum (Prunus domestica L. Cv. Opal), the forage quality of smooth vetch (Vicia dasycarpa L.) was evaluated. For this purpose, a two-year (2016 and 2017) factorial experiment was conducted based on randomized complete block design with three replications at Urmia University, Iran. The treatments included the combined and individual application of biofertilizers {Azotobacter chroococcum (Az), Thiobacillus spp. (Th)., Rhizophagus intraradices (AMF) and control} under rainfed and once supplementary irrigation. The results showed that irrigated plants contained higher P than rainfed plants. Dual inoculation with “AMF + Az” had higher Ash, K, CP and WSC than plants with fungal or bacterial inoculation alone. In comparison with control, biofertilizers improved the forage and protein yield by 32 and 45.50% under rainfed conditions and by 47 and 60.04% under supplementary irrigation, respectively. The amount of CAT, GR, APX, and SOD were reduced in rainfed plants, but the co-inoculation of mycorrhizal plants with Az and/or Th enhanced enzymatic antioxidants. In conclusion, the combined use of AMF and Az improved smooth vetch forage quantity and quality in irrigated plants as much as rainfed did, and hence it can be desirable for sustainable agriculture