JWSS - Journal of Water and Soil Science

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Effects of different levels of nitrogen fertilizer and cutting time of forage on grain and forage yield of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) Karoon cultivar was studied during 1995-1996 at Ramin Agricultural Research and Educational Center, University of Shahid Chamran, Ahwas, by using a split plot design in randomized complete block with 4 replications. Main plots were assigned to five levels of N fertilizer (45, 90, 135, 180 and 225 kg N/ha) as urea fertilizer and subplots to three cutting times (no cutting, cutting forage at early stem elongation without removing reproductive meristem and cutting forage in the middle of stem elongation with cut reproductive meristem).

The effects of N rates and cutting time on grain yield were significant. Maximum yield was obtained with 281.6 g/m² when crop plants received 90 kg N/ha and cutting time at early stem elongation and minimum yield was obtained (158.2 g/m²) with 45 kg N/ha and cutting forage in the middle of stem elongation. Interactive effect of levels of N and cutting time on spike number per m², grain number in spike and grain weight were significant. Among yield components, spike number and grain weight showed the highest sensitivity to both. Different levels of N increased forage protein concentration and protein yield significantly, but delay in cutting time decreased protein concentration and increased protein yield. Results indicated that high levels of N could not compensate for the delay in cutting time of forage for grain yield. It was concluded that application of 90 kg N/ha and cutting time in early stem elongation was preferable for grain and forage production as compared to other treatments.

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It is believed that various types of field bean, including pinto, white and red, differ in adaptability to high temperatures and may, thus, differ in response to delay in planting. In order to evaluate this response, an experiment was conducted during 1996 at the Agricultural Research Station, Isfahan University of Technology, using a randomized complete block design with split-plot layout. Main plots consisted of four planting dates (April 28, May 13 and 28 and June 13) and sub-plots included four genotypes of common bean (red bean, c.v. Naz pinto beans, experimental lines 11816 and 16157 and a white bean, experimental line 11805).

 Number of branches per plant, number of pods per branch and per unit area, number of seeds per pod of main stem and branch, number of seeds per main stem, per branch and per unit area, 100-seed weight and seed yield significantly reduced, while harvest index significantly increased by delay in planting and consequent increases in temperature and reduction in time for growth. The lower harvest index obtained with early planting was the result of the lower efficiency of the produced vegetative growth due to the coincidence of seed filling period with high temperatures. Pinto bean line 11816 ranked the highest for number of branches per plant and harvest index among the genotypes evaluated and produced the highest seed yield (3030 kg ha^-1). Although red bean Naz ranked the highest for number of pods and seed per main stem and per unit area, it had the lowest harvest index and 100-seed weight and, consequently, produced the least seed yield (2254 kg ha^-1). The results obtained indicate that delay in planting adversely affects bean seed yield. Pinto bean line 11816 may have higher yield potential among the genotypes studied at all planting dates under conditions similar to the present experiment. No specific relationship was observed between apparent seed characteristics and plant tolerance to heat.

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In order to investigate the best planting time and rice cultivars for the conditions in Khuzestan Province, seven high quality cultivars of rice namely Domsiah, Binam, Ramasanali Tarom, Sang Tarom, Hasansarai, Tarom Mahalli, Daylamani and Anboori were selected and studied in 4 planting dates starting in Mid-May, with intervals of 15 days. The experiment was conducted as a split plot design in randomized complete blocks with 3 replications for 2 years from 1995 in Shavoor Agricultural Research Station. Main plots were planting dates and subplots were allocated to cultivars.

Results of this experiment showed that significant differences existed among planting dates on grain yield only in the second year. Grain yields were different among cultivars in the two years of study. Simple and combined analyses indicated that there were significant interactive effects between planting dates and cultivars. Tiller number was different between planting date and cultivars in the first year. Interactive effect between planting date and cultivars on tiller number was not significant. Maximum grain number in spike obtained early June planting date (76 grains per spike) and lowest grain number in spike obtained early May planting date (28 grains). Among cultivars, Anboori with 152 and Daylamani with 17 grains had maximum and minimum grain numbers in spike, respectively. One-thousand grain weight was maximum in the early June planting date. Among cultivars, Binam and Daylamani had maximum and minimum grain weights, respectively. Highest fertility percentage was obtained in early June planting date compared to other planting dates. Fertility percentage of cultivars depended on temperature at growth stages before and at anthesis, which was early June for all cultivars. Among environmental factors affecting plant growth, temperature was relatively more important than other factors, particularly than the photoperiod. Even under Khuzestan conditions, there is a wide range of temperature levels for rice planting (from early March to early November) however, even this wide temperature range may not be enough to provide favourable conditions for planting all the cultivars.

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The objective of this investigation is to measure pectinesterase activity by a simple method. The assay is done at 25°C. Oranges were obtained at a local supermarket in winter. They were peeled and 5 gr sections of the peeled tissue were homogenized in 10% NaCl and 0.5 M phosphate buffer in a homogenizer. The homogenates were centrifuged at 3500 rpm for 20 min. The supernatants were collected, their pH levels were raised to 7.25 using NaOH and the reaction was monitored at 485 nm in a spectrophotometer. The activity of pectinesterase was expressed as micromoles of methanol released per minute.

The results show that this method is reliable, sensitive, and capable of measuring pectinesterase activity of as low as 0.05 unit. The assay method proposed is a very useful analytical tool for the determination of the activities of pectinesterase.

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Pseudomonas syringae is a phytopathogenic bacterium with a wide host range. The biology of this bacterium consists of two phases. The first phase is the indication of disease on the host plant which generally appears in the form of necrosis on the aerial parts of plant (pathogenicity phase). The second phase is a rapid multiplication of bacteria on the aerial surface of the plant without inflicting any defense response (epiphytic phase). In this study, the impact of pathogenic virulence genes of aggress, dsp, ice, cor and hrp genes in the epiphytic process of Pseudomonas syringae on resistant and sensitive varieties of tomato is examined. The population dynamism of bacterial colonization on the root, stem and leaves was studied.

The results indicated that the hrp genes system (hypersensitive reaction and pathogenicity) in Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato, P. s. pv. syringae and P. s. pv. phaseolicola and the coronatine gene system in P. s. pv. tomato are necessary for colonization on both host and non-host plants. The mutants isolates of hrp and cor compared with wild isolates could colonize at a lower level on all parts of the plant. In contrast, the ice (Ice nucleation), aggress (Agressivity) and dsp (disease specific) gene systems had no significant impact on the epiphytic colonization of P. s. pv. syringae. However, under in vitro conditions no significant difference was observed among the wild type isolates and their mutants in king B medium in the bioscreen machine. It is concluded that the lower multiplication of P. syringae mutants in planta is due to the plant-bacteria interaction.

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Bolting in onion reduces yield and quality of bulbs. To control bolting chemically, a glasshouse experiment was conducted using Texas Early Grano which is widely cultivated in subtropical areas of Karman Province. In this research, Paclobutrazol (0, 1000, 2000 mg/lit), ethephon (500, 1000, 2000, 3000, 4000 mg/lit), cycocel (500, .1000 mg/lit) and mixtures of ethephon and cycocel were sprayed on onion plants prior to vernalization. At harvest time, morphological characters (bolting percentage, shoot length, shoot dry weight, bulb maturity index) and biochemical characters (chlorophyll a, b and total in shoots, reducing sugars and soluble proteins in roots, bulbs and shoots) were recorded. Paclobutrazol reduced bolting, reducing sugars, soluble proteins and shoot length but increased leaf chlorophylls, proteins, sugars and bulb weight with no effect on shoot dry weight. Although ethephon reduced bolting, shoot growth, sugars, proteins and leaf chlorophyll and increased maturity index, sugars and proteins in bulbs, it had no effect on bulb yield. Cycocel increased bolting, sugars, proteins, chlorophylls and dry weight in shoots but had no effect on shoot length, leaf chlorophyll, sugars and protein in roots and bulb weight. Cycocel also reduced sugars and protein in bulbs. Mixtures of cycocel and ethephon reduced bolting, leaf chlorophyll, shoot length and dry weight but had no effect on bulb yield and other characters measured.

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Pectin is used in a number of foods as a gelling agent, thickener, texturizer, emulsifier and stabilizer. Sugar-beet pulp, the residue left from sugar extraction, is a rich source of pectin. It was the purpose of this study to develop a procedure for the extraction of pectin from sugar-beet pulp and to improve the functional properties of this pectin for more potential uses. To extract pectin, pressed beet pulp was dried and powdered. Then, it was extracted under various conditions (pH 1 and 1.5, temperatures of 80^oC and 90^oC and extraction periods of 1, 2, 3 and 4 hr). The highest yield (22.35%) was obtained at 90^oC after 4 hr at pH 1. Chemical composition of the extracted pectin and that of commercial citrus pectin were determined and compared. Also, the beet pulp pectin was used in certain foods and its functional properties were compared with those of the commercial citrus pectin. The effects of ammonium persulfate and high pH levels on the above mentioned properties were investigated. Finally, the effects of the beet pulp pectin and the commercial citrus pectin on the flavor of certain foods were evaluated. The results indicate that the extracted beet pulp pectin can be used in certain foods such as ketchup sauce as a thickener or as an agent increasing the viscosity however, it does not have the ability to form firm gels in food.

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Citrus juice and concentrate are among the major industrial products in Iran. Large quantities of citrus peels with considerable amounts of pectin are also produced. Pectin could be extracted from the peels to be used as a gelling agent in some food products. Unfortunately, all pectin used in the food industry is imported. This study was carried out to find the best conditions of pectin extraction from orange peels. Samples of orange peels were collected from a concentrated orange juice factory. Pectin was extracted by sulfuric, nitric and hydrochloric acids. Certain qualitative and quantitative tests, such as yield of extraction and cost of extraction were determined. Also, food safety aspects as a result of using the above acids were considered. Hydrochloric acid was found to be the most suitable acid. In the second part of the research, the effects of temperature (85 and 90˚C), time (40, 50 and 60 minutes) and pH (1.6, 1.8 and 2.0) on the yield of extraction, purity, gelling ability, percentage of methoxylation and degree of esterification of the extracted pectins were measured. Statistical analysis of the results showed that the best conditions for the extraction of pectin include a pH level of 1.6, a temperature of 90˚C and a period of 50 minutes.

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Planting pattern through changing vegetative growth and utilization of environmental resourses affects yield components and seed yield. These effects were studied in the spring of 2000 at the Agricultural Research Station, Isfahan University of Technology, using a randomized complete block design with a split plot layout and three replications. Main plots consisted of three row distances (30 cm flat, and 45 and 60 cm on bed), and sub-plots included three planting densities (30, 40, and 50 plants m^-2). The experiment was planted on March 13 using local safflower variety of Isfahan, named Koseh. Increase in row distance and plant density enhanced most developmental stages of safflower. Leaf area index was not significantly affected by row distance but increased as planting density increased. Up to the 50% flowering stage, 30 cm row distance produced highest plant dry weight, but had the least dry weight at the end of the growing season, probably due to the strong shedding of leaves. Up to the end of flowering stage, 50 plants m^-2 treatment produced the highest plant dry weight, but ranked lower as compared to 30 plants m^-2 treatment at the physiological maturity, probably due to the shedding of leaves. Row distance had no significant effect on number of branches per plant and per square meter, number of heads per branch, number of seeds per head, 1000-seed weight and harvest index. But number of heads per plant and per square meter as well as seed yield per plant and per square meter significantly decreased as planting distance increased. Plant density had no significant effect on number of branches per plant, number of heads per square meter, number of seeds per head, 1000-seed weight and seed yield. Increase in planting density increased number of branches per square meter, but reduced number of heads per branch and per plant, seed yield per plant and harvest index. The highest seed yield (4769 kg ha^-1) was obtained with 30 cm row distance and 40 plants m^-2 treatment. On average, 397 kg ha^-1 petal was harvested, which has a large economic value. However, petal clipping, over all treatments, reduced seed yield by about 7.4%. Considering the advantages of uniform distribution of plants and adaptation of safflower to flat planting, 30 cm row distance with 40 plants m^-2 might be appropriate for planting safflower under conditions similar to this experiment.

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High attraction is reported for yellow sticky traps to capture pistachio psylla. In pest management, it is important to forecast from the adult population density the density of other developmental stages in order to gain an estimate of the density in damaging stages. In 1998 and 1999, yellow sticky boards with 10150.15 cm were installed in two pistachio orchards in Borkhar district of Isfahan and egg and nymphal densities were simultaneously counted on leaves. Collected data were used to determine regression relationships between two weeks’ average egg density, first and second nymphal instar densities and the sum of egg and first and second instar nymphal densities, one week after the average adult capture in two previous weeks. A low correlation was found between egg count and adult capture, but higher coefficients were obtained between other stages. It was possible to estimate first and second instar nymphal populations from the following equations:

 For high adult densities (X):

Y= 58.6+0.4762X-(7*10^-5)X²                                    R²=0.82                             commercial orchard

 Y= 27.68+0.5092X-(5*10^-5)X²                       R²=0.86                              abandoned orchard

and for low adult densities (X)

Y= 1.7162X-17.454                                     R²=0.97                              commercial orchard

 Y= 1.1117X-4.9841                                    R2=0.90                              abandoned orchard

The application of this method is recommended for the management of pistachio psylla.

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In order to investigate agronomic traits and yield potential of edible-oil flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) as a second crop in Isfahan region, different genotypes were evaluated in separate experiments in early spring (April, 7) and summer (July, 16) planting dates, using a Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. The experiments were conducted in agricultural research farm, Isfahan University of Technology in the year 2000. The results showed that summer planting considerably and significantly reduced number of seedlings per unit area, days to 50% flowering, and seed yield. However, maturity of the plants was delayed because of summer planting. According to overall average obtained for genotypes, seed yield was 1472 and 213 kg/ha in the first and second planting dates, respectively. There was a significant difference between genotypes for number of seedlings per unit area, days to 50% flowering and maturity in both planting dates. However, genotypes were significantly different for seed yield in the first planting date. Summer planting also non-significantly reduced yield/plant, capsules/plant and 100-seed weight and increased seeds/capsule. The differences between genotypes for these traits in both planting dates and for seeds/capsule in the first planting date were significant. The significant interaction between genotypes and planting dates on seeds/capsule and 100-seed weight was because of increasing or decreasing levels of these traits in some genotypes when planting date was delayed. The results of regression analysis, correlation coefficients and path analysis showed that in both planting dates, capsules/plant followed by seeds/capsule and 100-seed weight were the major components of yield/plant. Capsules/plant had the most (approximately 80%) contribution in variation of yield/plant in both planting dates. The number of plants per unit area affected yield/plant via indirect and negative effect of capsules/plant.

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A field experiment was conducted in 2000 at the Agricultural Research Station, Isfahan University of Technology, to model the response of four safflower genotypes to day length and temperature changes under field conditions. Five planting dates (March 12, April 12, May 10, June 8, and July 12) and four safflower genotypes (Arak 2811, local variety Koseh, Nebraska 10 and Varamin 295) were evaluated using a randomized complete block design with split-plot layout in three replications. Date of planting was considered as the main plot and cultivars were randomized in the sub-plots. Number of days from planting (P) to emergence (E), stem elongation (SE) to head visible (HV), and HV to flowering initiation (FI) significantly reduced with delay in planting as the result of increase in temperature during these periods. Number of days from P to SE, duration of flowering (DF) and termination of flowering (TF) to physiological maturity (PM) were significantly affected by planting date and reduced as day length increased. The same was observed in the case of number of days from P to 50% flowering (MF) and to PM. Large co-variation of day length with temperature may explain a portion of day length contribution to the variation in the above periods. Varamin 295 was later than other genotypes with respect to the duration from P to HV, and specially, for rosette duration. In addition and for unknown reasons, the rate of development (RD) of Varamin 295 at all developmental periods could not be explained by day length and/or temperature variables. Among other genotypes, Koseh with 125 days, and Nebrska 10 with 118 days from P to PM were the latest and the earliest genotypes, respectively. The response of Koseh to planting dates, as measured by the duration of various developmental stages, differed from Arak 2811 and Nebraska 10. This was attributed to the probable response of Koseh to day length. RD of Koseh, Arak 2811, and Nebraska 10 during P to MF was explained by a linear regression and RD of Koseh during P to PM by a polynomial regression with day length by mean temperature as an independent variable. RD of Arak 2811 and Nebraska 10 during P to PM was explained by minimum temperature. It seems that partial sensitivity of Koseh to day length has a considerable significance in its adaptation to environmental conditions prevailing in the summer under Isfahan climatic conditions.

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This experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of whey via drinking water on broiler chicken performance. In a completely randomized design, whey at levels of zero, 10, 20, 40, 80, and 100% of drinking water was used for 47 days. 720 day-old broilers (Ross) were divided into 24 groups, 30 chicks per group and each experimental treatment was given to four replicates from 7-54 days of age. The whey was supplied freshly. The chicks had free access to feed and water during the experimental period. All chicks were fed with starter, grower, and finisher diets. Chicks in all pens were weighed and their feed consumption was calculated at 21, 42 and, 54 days of age. At the end of the experiment, two males and two females from each pen were selected, killed and their carcass, abdominal fat, pancreas, liver and ileum were weighed. Ileal contents of each pen were collected and pooled and kept at -20^oC for bacterial count. The litter moisture content of each pen was determined at days 21 and 42. Body weight, daily body weight gain, feed conversion, and litter moisture were significantly (P<0.01) affected by whey levels. These indices decreased as a result of consuming whey by more than 40% feed conversion, however, increased. Percentage of carcass decreased significantly (P<0.01) due to consumption of 80 and 100% whey. Percentages of abdominal fat, liver, and pancrease were not significantly affected by the amount of whey. Percentage of ileum increased and showed significant (P<0.05) difference with control group. The regression equations for body weight and daily body weight gain, feed conversion and litter moisture in all ages, were significant (P<0.05) and polynomial. This indicated that consumption of whey by more than 40% caused reduction in broiler performance. No significant differences were observed in ileal contents of Lactobacillus and Entrobacteria due to different levels of whey, but total bacteria in ileum contents increased significantly (P<0.01) as whey content in drinking water increased.

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In order to determine the effects of using macaroni wastes instead of barley on dry matter intake (DMI), milk yield and composition, and nutrient digestibility, eight lactating Holstein cows (4 primiparous and 4 multiparous) in midlactation were used in a 44 Latin square design. The experimental periods were 21 d with 16 d for adjustment and 5 d for data collection. Treatments included a control diet (1) and diets 2, 3, and 4 containing 15, 30, and 45% macaroni wastes, respectively, which were fed three times a day as total mixed rations. During the last 5 days of each period, feed and fecal samples were taken for determination of DMI and apparent digestibilities and milk samples for fat, protein, lactose, and solids no fat (SNF). During the last day of collection period, urine samples were collected 3 and 5 h postfeeding for pH determination. The results showed no significant differences among experimental traits in either primiparous or multiparous, and across all cows. Milk yield and efficiency of feed conversion were nonsignificantly higher for diets 2, 3, and 4 compared with control cows. Compared to the control diet, DMI, fat, protein and SNF percentages did not significantly decrease in diets 3 and 4. From the results of this expriment, it may be concluded that replacing barley with macaroni wastes up to 45 percent could increase energy intake without any adverse effects on milk production and composition or on metabolic function in midlactating dairy cows.

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In a completely randomized design with a factorial arrangement (3× 5× 3), three fistulated sheep with an average body weight of 47.5 ± 2.5 kg were used to determine the effect of cutting and growing stages (no bloom , early bloom and full bloom) on chemical composition and In situ degradability of alfalfa (Medicago sativa). Nylon bags (50 µm pore size) were filled with 3.5 g of each sample and suspended in the rumen before morning feeding and incubated for seven different times (0, 2, 4, 8, 16, 24 and 48 h). The results showed that alfalfa at no bloom stage had the highest crude protein and the lowest crude fiber content. The third – cut alfalfa had the highest degradability of dry matter and organic matter. Extent of degradability depended on crude fiber and solubility. During growth stage, the protein, soluble material and degradability levels decreased while crude fiber, neutral detergent insoluble crude protein (NDICP), and acid detergent insoluble crude protein (ADICP) increased. The amount of ADICP was an estimate of unavailable crude protein in the rumen. Although the rate of organic matter degradation was maximum in full bloom, no significant difference was observed between the three stages of growth. Effective degradability (ED) of crude protein was significantly different among stages the growth (p<0.05). Effective dry matter degradability (EDDM) with a passage rate of 6%/h was significantly higher in the third cutting of alfalfa. The results of this study showed that first cutting and full bloom alfalfa had the lowest and fifth cutting and no bloom had the highest CP levels. The effect of cutting and growing stages on degradability parameters was variable and did not allow any firm conclusions to be made.

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In this study the effects of four quince harvesting times (at 10 - day intervals), in 2 years on fruit quality during cold storage for 5 months at 0˚C and 85% Relative Humidity were investigated. Fruits were picked from orchards in Flavargan region of Isfahan. Every month, pH, sugar content, acidity, TSS, tissue firmness of fruits were determined. Variance analysis shows that the effect of year on TSS, sugar content, and pectin was siginificant (α =1%) as well as on tissue firmness (α =5%). Harvesting time effect was only significanrt on sugar content while storage time showed a significant effect on TSS, Sugar content and acidity of fruits. Year and harvesting time interaction effect on sugar content and TSS was significant ( α=1%). Year and storage time interaction effect on pH, pectin and tissue firmness was significant while no significant effect on measured parameter was observed for harvesting time and storage time interaction. Simultaneous effect of year, Storage time and harvesting time on pH, pectin and tissue firmness was significant ( α=1%). Meanwhile average analysis by Duncan test showed that different harvesting times had no significant effect on measured parameters except on fruit sugar content. Acidty , pH., and TSS values were changing significantly durig storage. Sugar content of 4th and 5th months of storage was maximum. Pectin content, acidity and tissue firmness showed the maximum level at the first harvesting time while pH was maximum at the 2nd harvesting time. It was concluded that 4th harvesting time (181 days after flowering period) and 5 months of cold storage are the optimum conditions to keep the quality quince.

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Although safflower is known to be a cool-season crop, it is usually planted as a summer crop in Isfahan. Thus, an experiment was conducted in 2000 at the Agricultural Research Station, Isfahan University of Technology, to study the effects of date of planting on growth, yield components, and seed yield of safflower. Five planting dates (March 12, April 12, May 10, June 8, and July 12) and four safflower genotypes (Arak 2811, local variety Koseh, Nebraska 10, and Veramin 295) were evaluated using a randomized complete block design with split-plot layout in three replications. Date of planting was considered as the main plot and cultivars were randomized in sub-plots. Delay in planting from March 12 to may 10 reduced plant dry weight per unit area, number of heads per plant, number of seeds per head, seed yield per unit area, harvest index and petal yield. The above traits increased as planting was further delayed from May 10 to June 8. Highest seed oil and lowest seed protein contents were also obtained for this planting date. Plants of July 12 planting date did not reach physiological maturity. Among the genotypes evaluated and over planting dates, the highest and lowest number of heads per plant, 1000-seed weight, and seed yield were produced byArak 2811 and Veramin 295 (mean of the first and second planting dates), respectively. Highest seed yield (4512 kg ha

^-1) was produced by local variety Koseh in June 8 planting date. It might be concluded that this variety has adapted to the summer planting conditions of Isfahan by natural selection.

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The effect of Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki on different larval instars of Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say) and the role of two plant materials, namely, caffeine and aqueous neem extract, in the enhancement of it’s efficiency was investigated under laboratory conditions. The experiments were conducted at 25±4 ^oC, 65±5 %(RH) and photoperiod of 16:8 (L:D).The larvae were provided from the colony established and maintained on host plant. The different larval instars were distinguished by measuring head capsule width.To evaluate susceptibility of different instar groups of larvae to B.thuringiensis, LC₅₀ values on (1-4) instar groups were determined. LC₅₀ values for 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th instar groups were, 183.86, 377.03 ,1297 and 3096 ppm, respectively. The synergistic effect of caffeine and aqueous neem extract with B.thuringiensis was investigated separately on 3rd larvae instar. A completely randomized design with 6 treatments and 4 replications was used. The results revealed that there was a striking synergistic effect of caffeine and neem on B.thuringiensis.The larval mortality percentage for mixture 618ppm of B.thuringiensis and 4000ppm of caffeine was 80% however, this was 10% and 20% for caffeine B. thuringiensis respectively when these compounds were used alone.The initiation of larval mortalitry in all mixtures was earlier than other treatments.Also the larval mortality for mixture B. thuringiensis with 35000 ppm of aqueous neem extract was 77.5% after 144 hours however, it was 22.5 % and 25 % for B.t. and neem alone, respectively. The mean weight of larvae treated with all synergists was significantly less than the control cohort, (p<0.05).

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This study was conducted to determine the problems of marketing channels of damask roses and to seek appropriate solutions to enhance marketing efficiency. The results of the study revealed that traditional and industrial rose production lacked the quality demanded by the market. The efficiency index was % 92.9 in traditional and %55 in industrial production. In addition, with regard to the marketing parameters for each type of production, the share of the factors was calculated. So we can conclude that the reducing units have the most important roles in this process. According to the study, traditional units with %47.2 had a greater share compared with the industrial units (%44.5). The results have also shown that production retailer wholesalers and middlemen shares were in the lower ranks respectively. Marketing cost coefficient results showed that %70 of the retailer selling price for 1 kg of the product was related to the marketing costs. The costs for industrial units with high and low capacity were %67.7 and %65.4, respectively.

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Mango is one of the most important tropical fruits grown in southeast provinces of Iran (Sistan Baluchestan & Hormozgan). Due to the favorable coastal climate conditions in the region mango is extensively grown in these areas. This experiment was carried out at the tropical fruit research station of Bahokalate in Sistan Baluchestan province between 1997 and 1998, using 8-month-old seedlings raised from local mango trees. The experiment was conducted in a split plot at randomized complete block design, with 3 replications. Grafting was made at 6 fortnight intervals between April 4 and June 19, employing three methods including side grafting, softwood grafting and shield budding. Results showed that the highest percentage of grafting success (67.2%) was obtained with grafting in April 4, and side graftings and softwood graftings generally gave higher success rates after 90 days than shield budding (side graftings 65.8% , softwood grafting 63.7% and shield budding 47.5%). After 180 days, the percentage of the grown scions and the length of those grafted in April 4 were 55% and 57.9 cm, respectively. After this period, the percentage of the grown scions and the length of the scions in the side grafting method were 65.6% and 60.6 cm, respectively, indicating better results for this method over the other two.