JWSS - Journal of Water and Soil Science

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To determine yield stability and to evaluate genotype interaction with environment interaction, 18 genotype of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) and a control group were evaluated in a randomized complete block design with 4 replications in 3 successive years (1997-2000) at 10 research stations. Simple and combined analysis of variance revealed significant genetic differences between yield genotypes for grain yield. The results of combined analysis of variance indicated that genotypic and genotype were significant through interaction with environment. Therefore, different stability parameters including, environmental variance (S²_i), environmental coefficient of variation (C.V_i), mean of variance of interaction (θ_i), interaction variance (θ_i), equivalence ( W²_i), stability variance (σ²_i), linear regression coefficient (b_i, β_i), mean of squares of deviation from regression (S² _di) and years within location MS for a genotype, averaging over all locations (MS_y/l) were determined. Based on all the stability parameters, genotype 18 was known as the most stable one and genotypes 17 and 11 ranked lower. Genotype 5 with the highest yield was known to be the most adaptable one at fertile environments and is recommended for these locations. In addition, genotype 9 with good yield and low yield variance (1.58) and regression coefficient of less than 1 is suggested for unfertile locations.

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Sewage sludge and effluents, as cheap sources of irrigation water and fertilizer, can supply plants with water and nutrients however, contamination of these sources with heavy metals and the possibility of human food chain contamination using these sources should be considered. In this research, the effects of industrial sewage sludge and effluents on concentration of some nurtients, heavy metals and sodium and dry matter yield of wheat (Triticum aestivum), barley (Hordeum vulgare) and corn (Zea mays) were investigated. The experiment was carried out in a greenhouse using a complete randomized design with four replication. The treatments comprised well water, well water + sewage sludge(50 tons/ha), and three industrial effluents from Iran Polyacryl factory including the cooling tower, the over flow and the factory outlet effluents. Chemical analysis showed the following results: The concentration of the elements in the sludge and the effluents were below the critical contaminating levels. The application of the treatments did not supply enough nitrogen for corn the cooling tower effluent could not supply enough nitrogen for wheat and barley all the treatments supplied enough P for wheat. None of the treatments could supply enough P for corn. The cooling tower, over flow and the factory outlet effluents could not supply enough P for barley, the micronutrient and heavy metal concentrations in the plant tissues using the effluents and the sewage sludge were higher than those for well water the dry matter yield of plants’roots and shoots was highest using well water + sludge and in comparison with the well water, effluents could increase the shoot dry matter yield.

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In Iran, the development of cultivated areas becomes gradually impossible due to ever-increasing population growth and urban area development. Therefore, it is very important to use the existing cultivated lands more efficiently. Land suitability evaluation makes the sustainable use of the lands feasible. The objective of this study was qualitative, quantitative and economic assessment of land suitability in Talandahst area for rainfed wheat, barley and chickpea. Talandasht plain with a surface area of 4500 ha is located southwest of Kermanshah city. The climate is semi-arid with cold winter and moderate summer. The successive stages of this research included soil survey in the field, soil analysis, qualitative and quantitative and economic evaluations of land suitability. In qualitative evaluation of land, climatic, topographic and soil suitability classes were determined according to the degree of the matching. Limitation and parametric methods were used in qualitative evaluation. Quantitative and economic evaluations made based on the observed yield and gross benefit, respectively. Based on qualitative evaluation, the studied area is marginally suitable for rainfed farming of wheat, barley and chickpea. This is due to water deficiency occurring during some stages of the growing cycle. The solution for this problem is supplementary irrigation. In addition to climate limitation, there are also topographic and soil restriction for the growth of the studied crops. On the basis of observed yield, the land units are moderately to highly suitable for rainfed wheat and barley production. Among the three named crops, the most and least profitable ones are chickpea and barley, respectively, and wheat ranks between them.

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In order to study the physiological responses of two barley cultivars to salinity stress, a 4-replicate CRD greenhouse experiment was conducted during at the College of Agriculture, Shiraz University, Iran2003-2004. The treatments consisted of two barley cultivars: Afzal and Reyhan and five salinity levels: 0, 4, 8, 12 and 14 dS/m. Seedling emergence, number of tillers and leaves per plant, leaf area and dry matter decreased with increasing salinity levels. The reductions were lower in Afzal (salt tolerant) than Reyhan (salt sensitive). A lower Na⁺ and higher K⁺Na⁺ in Afzal compared to Reyhan were observed under high level of salinity. The results of the present experiment also showed that the tolerance to salinity was associated with a greater stomatal conductivity, as well as transpiration and photosynthesis rate. Sub-stomatal CO2 concentration in both cultivars decreased with an increase in salinity, with the exception of 12dS/m, where it led to an increase in sub-stomatal CO2 concentration. Leaf temperature increased with an increase in salinity level in both cultivars, whereas a more pronounced decrease for number of fertile tillers, ears per plant, kernels per ear, thousand grain weight and harvest index was observed in Reyhan compared to Afzal .Since a higher tolerance to salinity in Afzal was apparently associated with a lower concentration of Na⁺ and a higher K⁺/Na⁺ ratio of the shoots, this trait could probably be used for yield improvement of barley cultivars under saline conditions.

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This study was performed in two barley fields, in Experimental Station, Agricultural College of Ferdowsi University of Mashhad in 2003. Sampling was done by systematic method in which samples were taken from the corners of 7m*7m grids using 0.5m 0.5m size quadrates in three stages (pre herbicide, post herbicide and pre harvesting stages). The results indicted that the density of annual weed seedlings in sugar beet- barley rotation was more than fallow- barley rotation, and the density of perennial weed seedlings in fallow-barley rotation was more than sugar beet- barley rotation. Map of species distribution and density confirmed patchiness distribution of the weeds. The shape and size of patches differed based on the field and weed species, but spatial distribution did not change considerably before and after the application of herbicide. Percentage of free weeds area was 11.5% and 1.5% in fallow-barley rotation and 0.6% and 0% in sugar beet- barley rotation in the first and second sampling stages, respectively. These results indicate beside emphasis on weed infestation. The result also indicates inefficacy of sugarbeet-barley rotation compared to follow-barley rotation. Apparently, the evaluation of management and paying special attention to weed dispersal within the field assist in the implementation of appropriate management strategy, which includes high efficacy, and profit for farmers as well as least damage to crops.

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This study was conducted to determine chemical composition and evaluated apparent metabolisable energy (AME) and true metabolisable energy (TME) values of five Iranian barley cultivars. Basal diet contained corn soybean and in each of the test diets barley was substituted for 30% of corn and soybean fractions. The study was carried out in 3 experiments. In experiment 1, metabolisable energy (ME) values were measured by both total collection and markers (chromic oxide) in excreta of 35-d-old chicks. In experiment 2, ME values of the barley cultivars were determined by ileal digesta procedure. In experiment 3, 36 48-d-old broiler chicks (used in experiment 1 and 2) were used to determine TME and the nitrogen corrected TME (TME_n) of the barley cultivars. Highly significant differences (P<0.05) between bioassay methods were observed on average barley ME values. The average barley AME_n value measured by ileal digesta method was significantly (P<0.05) higher than excreta (total collection and markers in excreta) (2716 Vs. 2318 and 2124 kcal/kg, respectively). Barley ME values were influenced by cultivar (P<0.05) and the hullless cultivar showed greater AME value than the hulled cultivars (2695 vs. 2407.5 kcal/kg AME 2630 vs. 2324.7 kcal/kg AME_n). Cultivar had no significant effect on barley TME value. It was concluded that there is high variation between energy contents of Iranian barley cultivars. In addition, ileal digesta was found not to be an accurate bioassay for determination of barley AME value in broiler chicks.

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  The most desirable approach to improve characteristics such as yield with polygenic inheritance and genotype × environment interaction, is simultaneous selection using selection index based on related traits. This study was conducted Research Farm of Isfahan University of Technology, to compare selection indices for barley yield improvement under nitrogen stress and non stress conditions, using 49 F₁₃ recombinant inbred lines derived from a cross between Azumamugi and Kanto Nakate Gold. A split plot design with randomized complete block layout in three replications was used. In non-stress condition 100 kg nitrogen per hectare as urea was used at early reproductive growth, stem elongation and grain filling stages. In stress condition, 50 kg nitrogen per hectare was only used at early vegetative growth stage. Smith-Hazel and Pesek-Baker indices based on 4 traits (days to heading, harvest index, growth rate and nitrogen harvest index) and also direct and correlated response of these traits were calculated. The result of response to selection and correlated response indicated that the selection based on higher harvest index and nitrogen harvest index under both conditions screens high yielding lines. Harvest index had high weight in both indices under stress and non stress conditions. Under both conditions and for Smith-Hazel and Pesek-Baker indices, growth rate had negative correlation coefficients. Therefore, the selection based on these indices, separates lines with lower growth rate. In this study, Smith-Hazel index had higher efficiency.

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In order to estimate the number and inheritance of controlling genes for grain yield and some of the related traits in barley, Afzal and Radical varieties along with their F₁, F₂ and F₃ generations were planted in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Head weight, head length, number of heads, number of spikelets, awn length, hundred grain weight, grains per head, straw yield per head , harvest index and grain yield in different generations were recorded. Analysis of variance indicated that mean squares of generations were statistically significant for all the traits. Then, generation mean analysis was performed for all the traits. Based on the results, additive and dominance effects played roles in controlling awn length. For the other traits besides the aforesaid effects, epistasis effect was also significant. Also, results indicated that dominance variance had the most important role in controlling the inheritance for traits. The average broad sense heritability for all the traits was estimated between %69 - %89. The number of genes for all traits was estimated to be between one and six.

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The growing season climatic parameters, especially rainfall, play the main role to predict the yield production. Therefore, the main objective of this research was to find out some possible relations among meteorology parameters and drought indexes with the yield using classical statistical methods. To achieve the objective, ten meteorological parameters and twelve drought indexes were evaluated in terms of normality and their mutual influences. Then the correlation analysis between the barley yield and the climatic parameters and drought indexes was performed. The results of this study showed that among the drought indexes, Nguyen Index, Transeau Index, Rainfall Anomaly Index and Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI24) are more effective for prediction of barely yield. It was also found that the multivariate regression is better than the univariate regression models. Finally, all the obtained regression models were ranked based on statistical indexes(R,RMSE and MBE). This study showed that the multivariate regression model including wind speed, sunshine, temperature summation more than 10, precipitation and Nguyen index is the best model for prediction yield production in Miane. Average wind speed and Nguyen index were recognized to be the most effective parameters for yield production in the model.

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Improving the drought tolerance of barley varieties through the integrated efforts of plant biotechnology and conventional breeding is an important objective in barley breeding. One hundred and fifty eight doubled haploid lines of barley were mapped with 50 SSR and 93 AFLP markers. Agronomic traits such as early growth vigor, plant height, peduncle length, extrude of spike from flag leaf, spike length and kernel per spike were evaluated at ICARDA research stations, Tel Hadya and Breda, during 1382-1383. Genetic correlation between grain yield and considered traits suggested that important traits for high yield in both stations were rapid early growth, short plant height, more extrude of spike from flag leaf, and more kernel per spike. But peduncle length exhibited a different roles in both environments. For plant height, eight Atlas on chromosomes 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 were identified in Tel Hadya and Breda. Two of these QTLs were shown co-located with peduncle length QTLs. The QTLs which is linked with Bmag13 marker on chromosome 2, explained 42 percent of phenotypic variation for kernel per spike in Tel Hadya. Identification of these QTLs for agronomic traits is the first step to analyse and dissect more complex characters for barley adaptation to drought stress conditions.

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In order to investigate the diversity and relationship between agronomical traits with seed yield components in barley, twenty advanced barley lines were evaluated in a randomized complete block design with 3 replications at Research Center of Agriculture in Sistan in 2006. Each plot consisted of six rows spaced 20 cm apart and 5 meters long. In this research, 24 Agronomic traits were measured on five randomly selected plants in the central rows of each plot. Analysis of variance showed that there were significant differences among the lines for most of the traits. Line No.7 had the highest (406 grs/m²) and line No.5 had the lowest (309 grs/m²) seed yield. There were high correlation between seed yield and number of panicle/m2. Factor analysis results indicated that 7 independent factors explained 82 percent of the total variation. The first two factors, namely yield components and tillering capacity, explained 41 percent of the total variation. Therefore, it can be concluded that the traits are related to seed yield and tillering capacity, i.e., number of seed per main panicle. 1000 seed weight, number of seed per plant, number of days to physiological maturity and days to heading are the most important characteristics in selecting lines with high seed yield. Number of fertile tiller, total number of tillers and peduncle length were also next set of important traits. Number of days to emergence, nodule number and number of panicle per m² were also important as selection criteria. Seed weight per plant, biological yield, awn length and the traits that were related to flag leaf had lower importance for selection of lines with high seed yield.

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The effects of irrigation, dry farming and drought treatments on the activities of antioxidant enzymes including superoxide dismutase, ascorbate peroxidase, catalase and peroxidase in barley leaves at different generative growth stages under field conditions were investigated. Three senescence parameters including chlorophyll, total soluble protein and rubisco large subunit protein loss, were also studied in order to compare our results to those reported by other researchers. The results showed that leaf relative water content (RWC), chlorophyll and total soluble protein and rubisco large subunit protein content declined with leaf age and the effect of water deficit. The activity of superoxide dismutase declined with the progress of the leaf age on all treatments but ascorbate peroxidase activity declined with leaf age only in irrigated (control) plants. There were no significant differences among developmental stages in catalase activity in control plants, while catalase activity declined in the water dry farming and drought stress conditions. Peroxidase activity increased with the progress of senescence for all of treatments in such conditions. Water deficit stress triggered increases in antioxidant enzymes activities. Results showed that among all studied enzymes, peroxidase has a key role in increasing resistance to oxidative stress on both the senescence stages and drought stress condition in Hordeum vulgare.

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In order to examine the effects of increasing concentrations of beet pulp (lipogenic nutrient) substituted for barley grain (glycogenic nutrient) on productive performance, body condition score loss, and blood metabolites, 18 Holstein cows were used in a randomized complete block design. The cows were blocked based on parity. The cows were 171 ± 16 d in pregnancy, 2.76 ± 1.14 parity, and 289 ± 35 d in milk at the beginning of the experiment. The cows' body condition scores were 4.12 ± 0.35 at the beginning of the trial. The cows were assigned randomly to three dietary treatments containing 1) 23.47% barley (0% beet pulp), 2) 14.87% barley (8.6% beet pulp), or 3) 6.27% barley (17.2% beet pulp). Substituting beet pulp for barley grain didn't affect FCM 3.5%, milk protein, lactose, total solid, and SNF percentage, but milk fat percentage (4.37, 4.91, and 5.18, P < 0.003) and milk energy (0.76, 0.82, and 0.84 Mcal/kg, P < 0.02) increased as beet pulp was replaced with barley, respectively. A tendency was detected for a more negative body condition score change (0.13, -0.09, and -0.12, P < 0.13) and back fat thickness (2.5, -0.4, and -1.6 mm, P < 0.13) with added beet pulp. Plasma glucose (65.83, 58, and 57.16 mg/dl, P < 0.01) and cholesterol (157.33, 122.4, and 120.8 mg/dl, P < 0.03) decreased as beet pulp was substituted for barley grain, respectively. No difference was found in the plasma content of insulin and NEFA between treatments. Considering these results, it appears that with inclusion of beet pulp in fat cows diet during late lactation may slightly reduce body condition score safely and inhibit concomitant low production with diet diluting.

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In order to map the genomic regions affecting barley forage quantity and quality, two experiments were conducted with 72 doubled haploid lines and their two parents (‘Steptoe’ and ‘Morex’), at the Research Farms of the Faculty of Crop and Animal Sciences, University College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Tehran and Agriculture and Natural Resources Research Station of Sistan, in 2007. The experiments were arranged in a randomized complete block design with two replications. Each plot consisted of six rows that were 3m in length and spaced 25cm apart. QTL analysis was conducted by Composite interval mapping (CIM) method separately for each trait in each location. The main effect of genotype was high significant for all the studied traits. Transgressive segregation in both directions (positive and negative) was observed for all the studied traits. There was a negative relationship between forage qualityrelated with quantity-related traits. Thirty-three QTLs controlling different studied traits were identified. Phenotypic variance explained by these QTLs varies from 7.07 to 39.04%. Highest LOD scores were obtained for the leaf to stem ratio on chromosome 2H. QTLs of forage quality (total digestible nutrient, dry organic matter digestibility, leaf to stem ratio, seed to forage ratio and number of tiller per plant) and quantity (plant height, forage wet and dry matter) indexes were found on chromosomes 1H, 2H, 3H, 4H, 5H, 6H and 7H. Most of mapped QTLs appear to be fairly stable between locations and can become candidates for marker-assisted selection.

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Multi-environment trial data are required to obtain stability performance parameters as selection tools for effective cultivar evaluation. The interrelationship among several stability parameters and their associations with mean yield, along with the repeatability of these parameters in consecutive years was the objective of this study. Barley yield data of 18 cultivars, proprietary of Dryland Agricultural Research Institute, evaluated in 12 locations over 2005-2007 in three locations of Iran was used for the combined analysis of variance in three datasets. I: Across locations in a single evaluation year (dataset A), II: Across locations in each of two single evaluation year (dataset B), III: Across all locations in three years (dataset C). For each dataset, cultivar phenotypic variance and other statistics were appropriately partitioned in its components. The interrelationship among the parameters and their associations with mean yield based on Spearman rank correlation was studied in each of the three single evaluation years (dataset A). Rank correlation coefficients were also used as estimates of the repeatability of these stability parameters across two year combinations (dataset B). The parameters 2 σi Shukla and 2 Wi were consistently highly correlated with each other but not with mean yield in all single and pair evaluation years. The parameters bi , 2 Si and CV were consistently highly correlated with each other but not with mean yield in all single and pair evaluation years. Result showed that Shukla variance, Wricke ecovalence, SIPC1 and ASV AMMI stability statistics have high repeatability. Thus it is suggested that more stability statistics especially nonparametric methods be used for determination of repeatability methods.

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Since malting process of barley is greatly affected by the seed endosperm structure, getting information about its anatomical characteristics along with physico-chemical properties would be very important. The aim of this study was to measure length, width, thickness, kernel density, bulk density, porosity, total nitrogen, reducing sugar, diastatic activity, pH and color changes during malting process. Results showed that width, thickness, reducing sugar and diastatic activity of the samples increased over the malting time, whereas kernel density, bulk density and total nitrogen decreased (P<0/05). Scanning electron microscopic examination of barley endosperm revealed a significant relationship between grain total nitrogen and degree of endosperm modification. Because of lower nitrogen content in Sahra malt, more digestion of cell walls and protein matrix of endosperm walls were observed.

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Chlorine and sulfate toxicity in water and soils are the main factors limiting growth and yield of most plants. Tolerance and sensitive indexes related to Cl and SO4 in irrigation water and effect of nitrogen fertilizer on barley were evaluated in a completely randomized design with three replications, under greenhouse conditions. Quantity salinity tolerance and susceptibility indices such as Mean Productivity (MP), Tolerance Index (TOL), Geometric Mean Productivity (GMP), Stress Susceptibility Index (SSI), Reduction Yield Ratio (Yr) and Stress Tolerance Index (STI) on the basis of plant yield with stress (Ys) and without stress (Yp) conditions were determined. Results showed that STI had a positive and highest significant correlation with grain and straw yields, compared to other indexes. Study of Standard Beta contents in grain and straw with STI index showed that the impact of Cl had a greater effect on reduction of salinity tolerance than SO4. Also Cl/SO4 ratios of 1:3 and 1:2 for grain and 1:2 and 1:1 for plant straw brought about highest tolerance to salinity, compared to non stress conditions. The scatter plot also confirmed such findings.

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Application of compost and compost leachate as organic fertilizers can improve plant growth, nutrients uptake and increase phytoavailability of nutrients in soil. A factorial experiment (4×4×2) was conducted in a completely randomized design to evaluate the effect of compost and compost leachate on growth and chemical composition of barley and bioavailability of some nutrients in calcareous clay loam soil and sandy soil under greenhouse conditions. Treatments consisted of four levels of compost (0, 15, 30, and 60 g kg-1), four levels of compost leachate (0, 10, 20, and 40 g kg-1), and two culture mediums (clay loam soil and sandy soil) with three replicates. Results indicated that application of compost and compost leachate significantly increased barley shoot dry matter, the number of tillers, spikes and grain yield in clay loam soil and sandy soil. The maximum barley shoots dry matter and numbers of tillers in both culture mediums were obtained at the highest level of compost or compost leachate, and the maximum number of spikes and grain yield were obtained at the lowest level of compost or compost leachate. Application of compost in clay loam soil and sandy soil increased shoot and root concentrations of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), Iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu). However, addition of compost leachate only increased shoot concentrations of Fe and P. Increasing compost levels increased post harvest concentrations of NO3- N, P, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu and also electrical conductivity and organic matter content of clay loam soil and sandy soil. Addition of compost leachate significantly increased concentrations of Fe, Zn, Cu and also electrical conductivity and organic matter content of both culture mediums. In both culture mediums and both compost and compost leachate treatments, post harvest concentrations of micronutrients were above critical levels. Therefore, addition of these nutrients is not required for the next cultivation. Generally, compost and compost leachate are appropriate organic fertilizers for barley production however, high salinity level in compost leachate, the rate and frequency of leachate application, particularly in sand, needs intensive control and monitoring. Prior to any fertilizer recommendation, the results of this study need to be verified under field conditions, as well.

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By modifying plants at genetical, physiological and ecological levels, entophytic fungi as the most important soil microorganisms have a pronounced growth-promoting activity and also increase plant resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses. This research was undertaken to evaluate the potential of P. indica to increase barley (Hordeumvulgare L.) resistance to lead (pb). Therefore, a greenhouse experiment with two fungus treatments (non-inoculated and P. indica inoculated) and five levels of pb (0, 25, 50, 100 and 500 mg/kg) with three replications was conducted based on a factorial design. Measurement of shoot and root dry weight showed that the growth of P. indica-colonized plants at all levels of pb treatments was higher (P < 0.05) than that of the corresponding controls. Also, chlorophyll concentration of inoculated plants with P. indica was superior to non-inoculated plants. In addition, the results showed that in contrast to the plant shoot, lead concentration in the root of P. indica-colonized plants was higher than the non-inoculated controls.

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There are new technologies such as geographic information systems (GIS) that can be effective in the optimization of irrigation water. Therefore, utilizing these resources in a desirable, effective and efficient manner to ensure sustainable development is one of the most important issues in the today's world. The aim of this study was to determine and evaluate the potential water use efficiency (WUEp) index in the plain scale by using net water requirement data, area under cultivation and yields, and to determine the comparative advantage of wheat and barley plants in Tehran, Alborz, Qom, Qazvin and Zanjan provinces by employing the geographic information system (GIS). The yields of wheat and barley products by weighted average in ArcGIS software were converted to yields in the plains scale. To calculate the potential and actual water use efficiency, we used the OPTIWAT software in order to calculate the net irrigation water and the current irrigation efficiency plains; also, the yields of wheat and barley products in the plains scale were used. Zoning water use efficiency indexes was performed by using the ArcGIS software and Kriging method. Mapping results showed a comparative advantage of crops in the west and northwest of Tehran province, south and southwest of Alborz province, southwest, north- west and center of Qazvin province, center Qom province and also, northern and southern regions of the Zanjan province, in comparison to other areas. Average potential and actual water use efficiency in the whole study area of the provinces for wheat were 1.43 and 0.58 kg m^-3, respectively, while these were 1.62 and 0.65 kg m^-3 for barley, respectively.