Excessive use of chemical herbicides has led to human health and environmental problems. However, environmentally friendly strategies for weed management are changing them competition in favor of crops. In this regard, the effects of different aqueous extract concentrations of root and shoot of black cumin on germination and initial growth of charlock mustard (Sinapis arvensis L.) and common wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) were compared in 2020 in the Agriculture Laboratory of the Faculty of Agriculture, Shahrekord University. The results showed that increasing the concentration of black cumin extracts increased hydrogen peroxide, lipid peroxide, and proline and decreased the germination parameters, mitotic index, cell viability, and vigor index of charlock mustard. Black cumin extract, even with the lowest concentration, restricted the vigor index of charlock mustard with a steeper slope than the wheat (18 and 4.5

The aim of this study was to evaluate the toxicity of black cumin (Nigella sativa) extract on germination and growth of flixweed (Descurainia Sophia) seedlings grown in wheat (Triticum aestivum) fields, isolation and identification of important bioactive compounds of its aqueous extract. Two factorial experiments were conducted in a completely randomized design with three replications. In each experiment, the treatments included two levels of black cumin aqueous extract (root and shoot) and four concentrations of the extract (0, 50, 100 and 150 mL/L). The results showed that the highest plumule length belonged to wheat treated with 50 mL/L of black cumin root extract and the lowest to flixweed treated with 150 mL/L of black cumin shoot extract. With increasing the concentration of black cumin extract, the amount of seedling vigor index decreased significantly. In addition, the inhibitory effect of black cumin shoot extract on seedling dry weight and germination percentage was higher than the root extract. In root and shoot extract of black cumin, flavonoid compounds (12.9% and 16.7%, respectively), phenol (19.4% and 26.7%, respectively), terpenoids (14.5% and 19.2%, respectively) were observed. Inhibition of germination and seedling growth of flixweed was attributed to important inhibitory compounds including polyphenols, flavonoids such as tricarboxylic acids, alkaloid compounds such as magnetofluorine, myristicin, norargemonin and niglamine. In general, it is concluded that black cumin extract with strong toxicity to weeds can help the development of biocides.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of leaching on the reduction of soybean ( Glycin max ), black cumin ( Nigella sativa ), dill ( Anethum graveolens ) and dragonhead ( Dracocephalum moldavica ) residues allelopathy in wheat ( Triticum aestivum ) cropping. The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design with three replications in 2017. The factors consisted of four types of previous plants (soybean, black cumin, dragonhead and dill) and three levels of leaching (without leaching, once leaching and twice leaching). The results showed that the previous plant type and leaching levels had no significant effect on wheat emergence. Leaching reduced the effects of deterioration of soybean, black cumin, dragonhead and dill. The highest rate of emergence was observed with 1.73 seedlings per day for wheat cultivated in soil with dill and dragonhead residues plus once leaching. The greatest root length (24.7 cm) was associated with wheat grown in soils with dragonhead residues plus once leaching. The highest leaf area and chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b content observed in the wheat grown in the soil with soybean residues plus once leaching. It was concluded that in agroecosystems where autumn wheat is in rotation, it is necessary to avoid wheat cultivation in the presence of soybean, black cumin, and dragonhead and dill residues and to reduce the inhibitory effects of these plants, one stage of leaching must be done before the cultivation of wheat.

In the present study, the soil properties of the three agroforestry systems including almond intercropped with barley, wheat, and clover rotated yearly with each other were compared at different distances from almond rows with their treeless control systems in the semiarid Saman area, Iran in 2016. Result showed that after eight years, organic carbon contents of the soil were influenced in the agroforestry systems mainly near the trees. Higher soil carbon stocks (56 t/ha) were observed near the almond trees at the distance of 0.5 m. The highest field capacity (28%) and soil organic carbon (1.82%) were also observed at the same distance, especially for the barley. Although there was no significant difference in the nitrogen amount between the systems, the highest amount of phosphorus was observed in the agroforestry plots with barley and clover at 2.5 m far from the trees. Intercropping with almond also increased the available potassium at both distances from the trees. Finally, it can be said that the agroforestry leads to sequestration of higher amounts of carbon in the soil and offers further moisture and more amounts of phosphorus and potassium for the next crop promising a more sustainable agriculture in the next seasons.

The Effect of Proline and Salicylic Acid on the Physiological Parameters and Yield of Silage Maize under Different Moisture Regimes

To investigate the effect of nitrogen and phosphorus nutrients from organic and chemical fertilizers sources, on their efficiency in purslane, a field experiment based on complete randomized block design was conducted at the Research Farm of Shahrekord University in 2014. Treatments were 13 t.ha-1 broiler litter (T1), 14.4 t.ha-1 broiler litter (T2), 39 t.ha-1 cattle manure (T3), 16.8 t.ha-1 cattle manure + 150 kg.ha-1 urea (T4), four chemical fertilizer levels equivalent to organic manure treatments, 260+86 kg.ha-1 urea +triple super phosphate, respectively (T5), 287+100 kg.ha-1 urea + triple super phosphate, respectively (T6), 260+200 kg.ha-1 urea + triple super phosphate, respectively (T7), 260+100 kg.ha-1 urea + triple super phosphate, respectively (T8) and control (T0). The results showed that T2 treatment produced 8345 kg.ha-1 of dry matter as compared with those of other fertilizer treatments (P

Application of organic manure in organic farming and long-term mineralization may lead to residual effects on the succeeding crop. So, residual effects of combined cattle manure and urea fertilizer of previous crop (black cumin) on growth and yield of pea were examined in a randomized complete block design. Treatments included of cattle manure (CM), urea (U), three ratios of CM+U full dose application (2:1; 1:1; 1:2) and three ratios of CM+U split application (2:1; 1:1; 1:2), and unfertilized control to previous crop (black cumin) in 2012. Pea planted without any fertilizer in 2013. There was no significant difference between control and residual of urea treatment for some parameters including dry matter in flowering stage, plant nitrogen and phosphorus concentration, plant height, yield components, grain yield and biological yield of pea. Biological and grain yields were greater under both residual of cattle manure treatment and integrated treatments compared to residual of urea treatment. The highest grain yield (4000 kg ha-1) was observed in residual of CM:U full dosed application treatment, to the extent that grain yield in this treatment indicated a 1.5-fold increase in comparison with residual of urea treatment. The highest biological yield (8325 kg ha-1) was obtained in residual of CM treatment, though it was not significant different from that of residual of CM:U (1:2) treatments. In general, although residual of urea fertilizer did not leave a notable effect on pea production, but production of this crop relying on residual of cattle manure deems effective to lowering of fertilization cost and ameliorating environmental contaminations.

•Cadmium contamination have been identified major ecological problems in the agricultural fields of Iran.•Different seed priming were tested for germination quality improvement.•Salicylic acid improved germination properties, and thus antioxidant enzymes.•Application of seed priming can improve tolerance of seedlings to heavy metal stress.

In order to investigate the effect of combination of chemical and biological fertilizers on dry matter, uptake and efficiency of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and zinc (Zn) by fenugreek (Trigonella foenumgraecum), an experiment was conducted as randomized complete blocks design with three replications in the Research Greenhouse of Shahrekord University. Eight fertilizer treatments consisted of control (no fertilizer), urea fertilizer (UF), UF+ zinc sulfate (ZS), UF+ Azotobacter (Az), UF+ mycorrhiza (My), UF+ ZS+ Az, UF+ ZS+ My and UF+ ZS+ Az+ My. Results indicated that there was significant difference (P≤ 0.05) among different fertilizer treatments for agronomic efficiency of N, P and Zn. The highest agronomic efficiency of N, P and Zn (60, 96 and 198 g/g, respectively) was achieved in UF+ZS+Az treatment. The highest P-uptake efficiency (18.7 %) was observed in UF+My treatment and it had significant (P≤ 0.05) difference with other treatments, except UF+ZS treatment. The highest Zn physiologic efficiency was obtained in UF+ZS, which had no significant difference with UF+ ZS+ Az and UF+ ZS+ Az+ My. Maximum dry matter (292 g/m) was produced in UF+ ZS+ Az treatment. In general, application of biofertilizers, especially Azotobacter, integrated with urea and zinc sulfate not only is effective in increasing dry matter, but also can increase productivity of fenugreek by increasing chemical fertilizers’ efficiency in greenhouse culture.

In order to investigate the effects of deficit nitrogen application on growth and yield in sole cropping and intercropping of canola and pea, a factorial experiment was conducted as randomized complete block design with three replications at Shahrekord University Research Farm, Sharekord, Iran during 2011- 2012 growing season. Five planting ratios (100% canola 66% canola + 33% pea, 50% canola + 50% pea 33% canola + 66% pea 100% pea) were evaluated as the first factor and three levels of nitrogen (100%, 75% and 50% N requirement of canola and pea) as the second factor. Results showed that intercropping in comparison to sole cropping led to increase in the plant height of pea (23.64%) but it decreased canola plant height (7.32%). Total dry matter of canola and pea increased in intercropping treatments (38.56 and 6.15 %, respectively) compared to sole cropping. In canola sole cropping, seed yield increased (21.9%) with increase in nitrogen application, however in intercropping the greatest seed yield was observed in 75% plant nitrogen requirement. The crop yield in intercropping treatments with application of 50 and 75% plant nitrogen requirement was higher than sole cropping of either crop, but crop yield in pea – canola 66-33% and 50- 50% with 100% plant nitrogen requirement was decreased compared to their sole cropping. In conclusion, intercropping of 33% canola + 66% pea and/or 50% canola + 50% pea, in addition to potentiating an acceptable grain yield for both crops, it can conserve the environment with reducing of nitrogen fertilizer application.

To study the effects of foliar application of zinc, manganese and nitrogen on yield, yield components and grain quality of chickpea (Cicer arientinum L.) two experiments, one in autumn and the other in spring were conducted at Research Farm, Shahrekord University in 2009-2010 growing season each as a randomized complete block design with three replications. The treatments were foliar application of zinc sulfate, manganese sulfate zinc sulfate and manganese sulfate mixture, nitrogen and distilled water (as control). The results showed that planting season had a significant effect on plant height, 100-seed weight and seed yield. All measured traits, except plant height, increased in winter compared to spring growing season. This increase was more than 12% for grain yield. Foliar application of nutrients significantly affected seed yield and seed yield components. Foliar application of nitrogen, presumably, through significant increase in number of pods per plant, number of seeds per plant and 100-seed weight, increased the grain yield by 6.2% compared to control. Foliar application × planting season interactions were significant for plant height and number of pods per plant. Foliar application of nitrogen caused a significant increase in grain yield and protein content. Foliar application of zinc sulphate significantly increased Zn content of grains however it did not affect seed yield. In conclusion, foliar application of nitrogen could be suggested for increasing protein and grain yield in chickpea under similar conditions to that of the present study.

In order to maintain sustainable agriculture and prevent excessive use of chemical fertilizers, supplying part of the plant needs by organic fertilizers is necessary. In this respect, effects of nitrogen (N) source and rate on yield and yield components of forage sorghum was evaluated as a factorial experiment arranged in randomized complete blocks design with three replications at the Research Farm of Shahrekord University in 2010. Treatments consisted of three N sources (urea fertilizer, cow manure and equal combination of urea fertilizer + cow manure) and three N levels )80, 160 and 240 kg/ha N, equivalent to 174, 348 and 522 kg/ha urea and 26.2, 52.5 and 78.7 Mg/ha of cow manure and equal combination of urea fertilizer + cow manure at each nitrogen level, respectively). The results showed that increase of N utilization, with increase in leaf, stem and panicle weights and stem diameter, caused a linear increase of forage yield in urea fertilizer and cow manure treatments and a quadratic increase in the combined fertilizer. The highest leaf, stem and panicle weight (600, 3789 and 823 g/m2) and also fresh forage yield (44 Mg/ha) were observed in 240 kg/ha N treatment in combined treatment. But, there was no significant difference in forage yield between this treatment and the 160 kg/ha N treatment. Overall, the results indicated that the potential of sorghum production can be increased by conjunctive use of animal manure and chemical fertilizers, even in low levels of these fertilizers, or low-input agriculture.

In order to determine the interaction of residual nitrogen (N) and different N rates on seed and oil yield of rapeseed, an experiment was conducted at Shahrekord University, Shahrekord, Iran, in 2008-2009 growing season. The experimental design was split plots arranged in randomized complete block design with three replications. Seven treatments of residual N (217, 435 and 652 kg/ha from urea fertilizer 6.1, 12.2 and 18.3 ton/ha from broiler litter and control: no-fertilizer) as main plots, and different levels of nitrogen (0, 60, 120 and 180 kg/ha N) as subplots were compared. Results showed that the highest number of seeds per pod and 1000-seed weight were obtained with residual N of 12.2 ton/ha as broiler litter of previous cropping. The applied N in rapeseed cropping resulted in a significant increase in number of seeds per pod, but oil content was significantly decreased. A significant interaction was observed between N residues of previous crop and applied N on number of pods per plant, seed yield and oil yield. The highest seed and oil yields were obtained with N residues of 12.2 ton/ha broiler litter and 120 kg/ha N in rapeseed cropping. In general, application of large amount of chemical fertilizer in maize cropping reduces the potential of rapeseed yield. However, application of broiler litter not only provides residual N for rapeseed, but also reduces fertilizer costs.

Quantification of the Nitrogen (N)-supplying capacity of organic manures provides an important insight into more effective N management practices. The aims of this study were to determine the potential N mineralization of cow manure (CM), poultry manure (PM), urea fertilizer (UF) and the combined use of cow manure + urea fertilizer (CM + UF) for silage maize (Zea mays L.) in a calcareous soil under field conditions. Selected soil samples were collected after different N sources application, and mineral N (NO3--N and NH4+-N) was determined for a total of 110 days of field incubation, using the buried bag technique. Poultry manure-treated soils had significantly higher total N mineralization (244 kg ha(-1)) than CM (109 kg ha(-1)), UF (138 kg ha(-1)) and CM + UF (141 kg ha(-1)) treated soils. However, N availability was greater in UF (69%) and PM (61%) treated soils than that of CM + UF (47%) and CM (28%) fertilized soils. Shoot dry matter of maize and N uptake were considerably higher in PM treated soil than in UF, CM and CM + UF soils. Nevertheless, maize N recovery was significantly higher in urea soils (60%) than in PM (42%) and CM + UF (37%) soils followed by CM soil (15%). In conclusion, our data indicated that PM and the CM + UF that released N slowly resulted in high maize silage production, N uptake and N recovery following their application in these calcareous soils with low SOM content and N availability.

Efficient nitrogen (N) fertilizer management is critical for the economic production of maize (Zea mays L.) and the long-term protection of environmental quality. To study the effects of N doses and plant density on the N uptake and efficiency on forage maize cv. SC 704, an experiment was conducted in the Shahrekord region (32 degrees 21' N, 50 degrees 49' E; altitude 2050 m), Iran, at the Agricultural Research Station of Shahrekord University, during the 2007 growing season. The experiment was arranged with four plant densities (92 600, 104 200, 119 000 and 138 900 plants ha(-1)) and four nitrogen doses (200, 240, 280 and 320 kg ha(-1)) in a randomized complete block design with four replications. Increases of the plant density led to a significant N uptake in stalk, grain and whole plant. Also, N use efficiency, N uptake efficiency and N harvest index were significantly higher with increasing plant population. However, plant population showed no significant effect on leaf N uptake and N consumption efficiency. Increasing the N doses resulted in a significant higher leaf, stalk, grain and whole plant N uptake. However, N use, uptake and utilization efficiency were significantly decreased. The N harvest index showed different response to the N doses and there was no significant effect. It may be concluded that the optimum plant density for silage maize production can be beyond 138 900 plants ha(-1) and utilization of a N dose higher than 240 kg ha(-1) should be avoided, in order to minimize N losses.