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A field study was conducted to evaluate the agronomic response of eight isolines of cv. Clark on a clay loam soil (at Karaj-Iran, 35048´) to four plant population densities of 11.3, 18.5, 68.5, and 103.4 plants per square metre. Significant yield increase was obtained as a result of higher plant density. Differences among the cv. Clark isolines were significant (p<0.05). Yield components such as numbers of branches, pods, and seeds per plant decreased linearly as population density increased. Adjustments in pods and seeds per plant resulted from altered branches per plant. The isolines which exhibit profuse branching (e.g. E1E2E3, E1e2E3, E1E2 e3) were capable of optimising yield when planted at low densities. The second dynamic factor that aided yield compensation by plant population density was greater total dry matter partitioning, which resulted in a significantly greater harvest index at the lower compared with the higher plant density. The results indicated that total biomass and crop growth rate were the major elements explaining the reduced yield compensation factors at higher plant population density. Plotting the fitted seed yield values against the number of dominant alleles showed the effect of the maturity genes on the response of seed yield to plant density.

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The objective of the present field experiment was to examine how plant density and enhanced source, i.e. thinning treatments, may affect grain yield and its components for a non-prolific maize hybrid, SC704. The environment of the hybrid maize crop was changed at intervals over its life cycle by removing every other plant in rows equispaced at 75 cm apart with a population of 13.34 plants m-2. The plants were grown with no water or nutrient restrictions. Results showed that earlier thinning was associated with greater stem, leaf, shoot and ear dry weight accumulation, ear kernel weight (EKW) and kernel number per ear row (KNER). In this ways the greatest of these characteristics were obtained in thinning at sowing i.e. 6.67 plants m-2 throughout. Delay in thinning until the 12-leaf stage reduced stem dry weight and EKW significantly. Thinning at tasseling also resulted in significantly lower stem dry weight accumulation compared to thinning at sowing. At final harvest, the stem dry weight of plants thinned at tasseling was 20.47% (P<0.05) lower than those thinned at sowing. Similar effects were found upon delay in thinning until tasseling on leaf, shoot, and ear dry weight accumulation. Delay in thinning until the 12-leaf stage or later, also reduced EKW significantly compared to plants thinned at sowing. This reduction was attributable to decreased KNER and 1000-kernel weight. According to these results, KNER and 1000-KW were found to be yield components sensitive to light environment.

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Current assimilation, as a source of carbon for grain filling in cereals, may be limited for normal grain filling under Mediterranean climate. In such conditions reserves accu-mulated before anthesis play an important role in grain growth, but the extent of their contribution depends on prevailing environmental conditions. The experiment described here was carried out to determine the effects of different levels of water stress on dry mat-ter and nitrogen accumulation and their remobilization from the shoot to the grain. The pot experiment was conducted in the glasshouse using two wheat cultivars (Sun 92A and Vasco) differing in yield and protein content. The plants were subjected to water stress at 10 days after anthesis (daa). The following treatments were established: not watered (se-vere stress), medium stress (-2 Mpa water potentional of the Flag leaf), mild stress (-1 Mpa water optional of the Flag leaf), divided root and control. Results indicated that the dry matter and N content of vegetative organs and its concentration were greater at 24 daa than at maturity under all conditions. Water stress during the post anthesis period was unfavorable to a high assimilation rate, so yield was determined to a great extent by the availability of water and the behavior of the cultivars related to shoot reserve remo-bilization during the grain filling period.

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This study investigated intra-specific variation in the growth parameters and dry mat-ter partitioning of sugar beet cultivars at different levels of salinity (0, 50, 150, 250 and 350 mM NaCl + CaCl2 in 5:1 molar ratio) using four cvs, one British (Madison) and three Iranian cvs (7233-P12, 7233-P21 and 7233-P29). The plants were grown in a controlled greenhouse environment for about 18 weeks. Although growth parameters such as leaf area and dry matter accumulation were stimulated or unaffected at a low level of salinity (50 mM), higher salt concentrations significantly decreased all growth traits. At a high level of salinity, cv P29 showed a significantly higher leaf area and total dry matter than others at 16 weeks of salt treatment. Pre-dawn leaf-water potential (ΨL) and shoot water content (SWC) were decreased by salinity. Cvs Madison and P12 had significantly lower ΨL (more negative) and shoot water content at high levels of salt treatment (250 and 350 mM), while P29 and P21 showed higher ΨL (less negative) and shoot water content at the same salt concentrations. Analysis of ion accumulation revealed that Na+ and Cl- contents were greatly increased in leaves under saline conditions. However, salt tolerant P29 had lower Na+ and Cl- concentrations than other cvs at high levels of salinity. The root dry matter of sugar beet cvs at the lowest and the highest salt concentrations reduced by 23.3% and 89.8%, respectively compared to the non-stressed plants, while shoot dry mat-ter decreased by 1.1% and 77% at the same salt concentrations, respectively, after 16 weeks of salt treatment. The pattern of dry matter partitioning to different parts of the plant was changed by salt stress and the dry matter allocated to the storage roots was re-duced by 6% and 18% at the lowest and the highest salt concentrations, respectively, at 16 weeks after salinisation.

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Nowadays, presence of enteric viruses in water and some foods is proved as a cause for infectious diseases. Raw milk can transmit enteric viruses potentially. Lack of distinct protocol for recovery and extraction of these viruses from raw milk made us to evaluate the effect of dry matter amount on quality and amount of viral RNA yield. Therefore according to reverse of routine protocols in separating of milk components, we prepared four milk model solutions in different combinations and ratios based on natural raw milk components. Then, each milk model solution was spiked with five levels of MS2 coliphage (1.3×10⁴, 1.3 ×10², 1.3, 1.3×10^-2, 1.3 ×10^-4 pfu/ml). We isolated the viral RNA from each milk model solution using phenol - guanidine thiocyanat - chloroform method. Also we measured quality and RNA extraction Yield in twelve frequencies by nanodrop spectrophotometer. The results showed that in the equal viral concentration, the most amount of viral RNA was extracted from whole milk model solution (including fat). Whereas casein and whey proteins had the most inhibition in the viral RNA extraction .Also the highest quality of the extracted RNA for molecular detection was related to whole milk model solution. Based on response surface model (polynomial) RNA extraction yield and quality of the extracted RNA were closely correlated to the amount of dry matter of milk model together with coliphage concentration (R=0/96 and R= 0/92 respectively).  

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The body chemical composition in aquatic organisms is related to nutrition, habitat, age and sex. On the other hand, knowing the amount of chemical compositions helps to select the appropriate species for human nutrition and food industry. In this study, the change in chemical composition of common carp in different weights was investigated. For this purpose, 25 two-year-old carp were studied during the second year of rearing from different weight groups from 500 g to 1600 g. Protein, fat, ash and dry matter content of fish meat were measured. The results showed that the mean protein content of carp was 10.209 ± 2.106 %, fat was 9.429 ± 0.937%, ash 1.407 ± 198 % and dry matter 21.13 ± 1.62%, respectively. In addition, the results of this study indicate that there is no significant difference between chemical compositions of carp in different weights (P> 0.05). The results of the present study show that there is no relationship between chemical compositions (protein, fat, ash, dry matter) and the weight of common carp and the weight of fish has no effect on the chemical compositions. Therefore, there is no difference in common carp meat chemical compositions in different weights.

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Concentration of CO₂ in the atmosphere is likely to increase up to 550 µmol mol^-1 by the middle of 21^st century. Such an increase in the atmospheric CO₂ would affect plant growth, and as well the productivity of crop plants. A field experiment was conducted with two potato cultivars namely Kufri Surya and Kufri Chipsona-3 grown inside Open Top Chambers (OTCs) at ambient (385±30 µmol mol^-1) vs. elevated CO₂ (570±50 µmol mol^-1) levels during rabi (winter) season of the year 2009-2010. The photosynthetic rate significantly increased in both cultivars when under high CO₂ concentration, with the enhancement being more in Kufri Chipsona-3 than in Kufri Surya. There were significantly increased accumulations of reducing, non-reducing and total sugars observed in the leaves of both cultivars as due to CO₂ enrichment. Crop Growth Rate (CGR) and Tuber Growth Rate (TGR), in both cultivars, were recorded higher in plants grown under elevated CO₂ as compared with the ambient CO₂ content. High CO₂ increased the partitioning of dry matter towards the tubers at all the harvesting stages. Potato plants grown under elevated CO₂ exhibited increased tuber yield due to the enhanced number of tubers per plant. At the final harvest, total tuber fresh weight was by 36% higher, under high CO₂ treatments, as compared with that in the ambient. The response of K. Chipsona-3 was more pronounced, to elevated CO₂ concentration, as compared with K. Surya. It is concluded that rising atmospheric CO₂ in the future climatic change scenario may be beneficial to such tuber crops like potato to enhance growth as well as tuber number and finally yield.

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Salicylic acid has been found to play an important role in the regulation of plant growth and development in response to environmental stresses. In the present study, the effect of salicylic acid (SA) (0 and 0.1 mM) on growth parameters and some physiological characteristics of two strawberry cultivars ("Kurdistan" and "Queen Elisa") was investigated under drought stress treatments (-0.1 and -1 MPa). Experimental design was factorial based on completely randomized design with three replications. Results showed that drought stress decreased leaf area, leaf dry matter, shoot dry matter, total dry matter, relative water content, stomatal conductance, yield, and fruit weight. Salicylic acid application increased total leaf area and leaf and shoot dry matter in both cultivars. Leaf number, root dry matter, total dry matter, yield and fruit weight were increased by SA application in "Kurdistan" under drought stress. "Kurdistan" cultivar had higher RWC than "Queen Elisa" and SA application increased RWC, proline and soluble carbohydrate in "Kurdistan" compared to "Queen Elisa" under drought stress conditions. RWC, proline and soluble carbohydrate of “Queen Elisa" did not change with SA spray. Total soluble protein was not affected in "Kurdistan" under drought stress, while "Queen Elisa" showed a reduction in total protein. SA application increased catalase and peroxidase activity in both cultivars under drought stress. In conclusion, “Kurdistan” was less susceptible to drought stress than “Queen Elisa” because “Kurdistan” showed less reduction in leaf number and area, crown, and total dry matter compared to “Queen Elisa”. SA application altered some physiological responses of both cultivars under drought stress. The effect of SA was more pronounced in "Kurdistan” than "Queen Elisa".

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Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica L.) is a valuable multifunctional plant species, mainly collected from natural habitats, but, quality of such plant material is rather variable. Cultivation of the plant allows for controlling some environmental factors and enhances the quality of the product. The goal of this research was to determine the influence of different doses of nitrogen fertilization (0, 100, and 200 kg N ha^-1) on yield, dry matter content, crude proteins and mineral content in stinging nettle herbage collected at flowering time. Results of the study showed that nitrogen fertilization had a negative effect on the amount of dry matter, content of phosphorus, potassium, and trace elements. Crude proteins significantly increased with use of larger amounts of nitrogen fertilizer and the highest value was recorded in the last harvest at 200 kg N ha^-1 (180.0 g kg^-1). The amount of iron measured in this research was very variable (0.62-2.96 g kg^-1) and much higher compared to the other studies on stinging nettle and similar leafy vegetables rich in iron. The highest total yield of fresh stinging nettle herbagewas achieved at 200 kg N ha^-1 (15.18 t ha^-1), however, in the absence of nitrogen fertilization, the highest values of mineral composition and dry matter content were recorded.

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This study was conducted to evaluate the performance of forage pea (Pisum sativum spp. arvense L.) genotypes, in terms of fresh forage yield and associated traits, when grown on the Kiziltepe Plain, Mardin, Turkey. Field trials were performed during the 2007-08 and 2009-2010 growing seasons. The experiments were arranged according to randomized block design with three replications. The following trait ranges were reported: Days to 50% flowering: 147.5-162.5 days, Natural plant height and Main Stem Height: 45.58-72.75 cm, Main stem height: 52.52-100.42 cm, Main stem numbers per plant: 1.275-1.658 stems plant^-1, Main stem thickness: 2.913-3.703 mm, Fresh forage yield: 10.43-23.83 t ha^-1 and Dry matter yield: 2.525-5.891 t ha^-1. GGE (i.e., G+GE) biplot analysis showed that the two growing seasons were markedly different,stemming exclusively from differences in rainfall amounts between the two growing seasons. Results of this study showed that the lines 88P00-1-4-9-661 (1) and P101 (6), and cultivar Kirazli (9) were superior in terms of fresh forage yield, dry matter yield, natural plant height and days to 50% flowering traits. At the same time, PC2 scores of these genotypes were found near to zero, so, they were identified as stable genotypes for the investigated traits. In conclusion, in terms of forage yield, these three forage pea genotypes are recommended for the Kiziltepe Plain growing conditions. 

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Micro-propagated potato plantlets (cvs. Agria and Fontane) were grown in growth chambers under controlled conditions to determine the effect of different levels of CO₂ concentrations (400 vs. 800 µmol mol⁻¹) on physiological and biochemical traits and yield of minitubers, at the Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, in 2015. Irrespective of the cultivar, the elevated CO₂ significantly increased Net photosynthesis (Np) and leaf Dark Respiration (R_D) compared to the control at 34 and 57 days after transplanting. Higher Np under the elevated CO₂ resulted in a higher accumulation of leaflet starch and soluble sugar content. The elevated CO₂, compared to the ambient, induced allocation of more dry matter to the underground parts, especially tubers. CO₂ Enrichment did not significantly affect the number of tubers and mean tuber weight, however, the elevated CO₂ increased yield of Agria and Fontane by 17 and 39%, respectively. The yield of Fontane was increased more than Agria when exposed to elevated CO₂, mainly due to greater mean tuber weight than tuber number. The number of large size tubers increased under elevated CO₂. The results showed that the greater mean tuber weight might affect tuber yield more than the number of tubers. Our findings suggest that rising levels of CO₂ in minituber production systems could be beneficial to improve productivity and tuber yield.

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Salinity is one of the most important factors limiting plants growth and production in irrigated agriculture. The natural potential of salt tolerant plants like Kochia could be exploited through legume-containing intercropping systems as an effective strategy in mitigating the increasing salinity crisis.This experiment used split plots based on a randomized complete block design with three replications, in 2016 and 2017, at the Iranian National Salinity Research Center, Yazd, Iran. Water salinity was considered as the main factor (EC= 4, 9, and 14 dS m^-1) and the cropping system was considered as subfactor with seven levels including sole cropping of Kochia (Kochia scoparia), Sesbania (Sesbania aculeate), and Guar (Cyamopsiste tragonoliba) and their possible dual and triple intercropping systems. The highest absorbed light was observed in triple intercropping and the total forage yield in triple intercropping was increased by 5% and 4.1% at 4 and 9 dS m^-1 salinity, respectively, compared to that in Kochia sole cropping, while it decreased by 1.5% at 14 dS m^-1.The Land Equivalent Ratio (LER) values ranged from 0.99 to 1.33. The total crude protein yield in triple intercropping was increased by 55.8 to 66.3% as compared to Kochia sole cropping. The NDF (Neutral Detergent Fiber) and ADF (Acid Detergent Fiber) were decreased by 7 to 22% in various intercropping systems. Considering increased forage quantity and quality, mainly through decreasing NDF and increasing Dry Matter Intake (DMI) levels, cultivation of Kochia within triple intercropping systems can be recommended instead of Kochia sole cropping.

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To investigate the effect of inoculation with Rhizobium legominosarum and Pseudomonas fluorescens on grain yield, leaf area index, and dry matter accumulation and allocation of Vicia faba L., an experiment was conducted as a split-plot in a randomized complete block design with four replications at Agricultural Research Station of Golestan Province, during the cropping seasons of 2015-2017. As the main-factor, Rhizobium was considered at two levels of with and without inoculation, while the sub-factor included Pseudomonas in density levels of 0, 9×10³, 9×10⁵, 9×10⁷, and 9×10⁹ cells or CFU mL^-1 of inoculants. A logistic model by SAS, was used in order to estimate the changes in the leaf area index and the dry matter accumulation. Combined analysis of variance for the two years of study indicated that the climatic conditions influenced the bacteria effects. In the second year (less temperature and rainfall), the traits (maximum leaf area index, maximum dry weight and grain yield) indicated a significant reduction in comparison with the first year. P. fluorescens had a significant positive effect on grain yield in the two years. None of the bacteria had significant effect on maximum leaf area index. Results of the first year showed a positive effect of the inoculation of Rhizobium on maximum dry weight (8%) in comparison with the control. Co-inoculation of Rhizobium with Peseudomonas (9×10⁵ CFU mL^-1) led to the greatest dry matter distribution coefficient for stems in podding stage. In the second year, Peseudomonas (9×10⁹ CFU mL^-1) increased maximum dry weight (23%) in comparison with the control. Also, the density increase of Peseudomonas under co-inoculation with Rhizobium led to a significant reduction of the day to maximum LAI. In conclusion, co-inoculation Rhizobium with Pseudomonas can have a positive effect on the growth indices of faba bean.