JWSS - Journal of Water and Soil Science

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Diallel crosses among 6 Avena sativa L. and A. sterilis L. lines and introductions were used to evaluate the validity of the assumptions for the genetic model. Number of days to pollination, plant height at pollination and at maturity, as well as grain and stem protein percentages were evaluated. According to Griffing's method 1 the reciprocal mean squares for all the traits under study were significant. But based on Hayman's analysis, the maternal effects for all the traits studied were not significant. Therefore, reciprocal means were used to evaluate the validity of the absence of multiple alleles, linkage and epistasis effects using regression of W_r on V_r and analysis of variance for W_r + V_r and W_r - V_r. Based on the results of the 3 methods, the genetic models for plant height at maturity and days to pollination were unbiased. Therefore, Hayman's analysis was used to estimate the genetic parameters for these traits. For plant height at pollination and stem protein percentage, significant and nonsignificant differences of regression slope from one and zero (Ho: β = 1 and Ho: β = 0) were detected, respectively. For these traits the biasedness of the model was removed after elimination of one parent from the diallel table. Grain protein percentage was not analyzed as it necessitated the elimination of 2 parents from the diallel table. In general, regression of W_r on V_r compare to W_r + V_r and W_r - V_r analysis of variances showed to be a more valid inductive method for testing the accuracy of the genetic model assumptions. Also, results of the Hayman and Jinks analysis, both when the assumptions are valid and when not, showed that genetic parameters are affected by the biasedness of the model, and that different estimates will be obtained. The Griffing's method was less affected by the unbiasedness of the model than Hayman and Jinks method. Therefore, it seems that preliminary testing for validity of the assumptions is necessary in Hayman and Jinks genetic model.

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This study was conducted to analyze the correlation among grain yield, yield components, duration of vegetative and grain filling periods in twelve oat (Avena sativa L.) cultivars at the Research Farm of the College of Agriculture, Isfahan University of Technology, from 2001 to 2003. A randomized complete block design with three replications was used. The correlation coefficients among the grain yield/m², fertile tiller/m², grain number/panicle and the duration of grain filling period were positive and significant. Among yield components, the number of panicle/m² and the number of grain/panicle had the largest direct effects on grain yield (0.68 and 0.30, respectively). Furthermore, the duration of the grain filling period had the highest direct effect on the number of grain/panicle and the grain weight (0.82 and 0.80, respectively), which were greater than its correlations with the number of grain per panicle (0.42) and 1000-grain weight (0.35). However, its negative indirect effects through other traits reduced the correlation coefficients. The results of path analysis indicated that the number of panicle/m² and the number of grain/panicle had the largest direct effects on the grain yield. Considering the direct effects of grain filling duration on the number of grain/panicle and the 1000-grain weight, and also the fact that most of the dry matter in oat is produced in this period, it seems plausible to use these traits as a selection criterion in breeding programs for higher yields of cultivars of oat.

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In this study, the an AMMI analysis (additive the main effects and the multiplicative interaction effects) was used to evaluate the yield stability of nine oats genotypes (4 Canadian cultivars and 5 Turkish breeding lines) and Makoi barley (as ckeck) in the 6 environments (3 dates of planting of Oct.12, Oct.31 and Nov.21 and 3 sowing densities of 300, 375 and 450 seeds/m²). The experiment was conducted at the Research Farm of Isfahan University of Technology in 2001. For each environments, a randomized complete block design with the 3 replications was used. According to the results obtained, the main effects of genotypes, environment and genotype X environment interaction effects were statistically significant (p<0.0 1) and 70% of sum of squares was explained by the first two interaction principal components (IPCI). Biplots of genotypic and environmental components of the first and second interaction principal components and the mean yields of the genotypes and environments, pattern analysis of the two significant and also stability statistics of AMMI model (EV2 & SIPC2) revealed that Boyer and Line No. 28 were the most stable genotypes. Boyer had the lowest IPC1 and Pacer and Lines No.2 and 17 were the least stable genotypes with specific adaptation to sowing density of 300 seed/m². Lines No.32 and 28 indicated the specific adaptions to first planting date (Oct.12) Makoi and Pacer had the specific adaptation to second and third planting date and the second sowing density.

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An experiment was conducted to study the effects of substitution of the different levels (0.0, 10, 20, 30 and 40%) of oat grains for the corn with and without enzyme supplementation (β -Glucanase. 0.0 and 1%) on the performance of the broiler chickens. Four hundred and eighty (480) Arian broiler chicks were employed in a randomized complete block design with 10 treatments and 3 replications (16 chickens for each replicate) from 1-56 days of age. The chicks fed with 10 percent of oats in the diets, supplemented with enzyme, had significantly higher BW than other treatments. While with 40 % oat in diet body weight were significantly decreased. The feed conversion increased with increasing of the oats levels and the enzyme supplementation resulted in lower feed conversion. With increasing oats in the diet, the percentage of carcass weight decreased, but the pancreas weight increased significantly. Conversely, the enzyme supplementation resulted an increase in carcass weight and reduction in the pancreas weight. The percentage of the tibial ash, calcium and phosphorus were unsignificaulty decreased with the increasing of the oat but enzyme lementation resulted an increase in tibial ash, calcium and phosphorus. In the areas where the corn production is limited, including 30 percent of the oats supplemented with enzyme in the diet of the broiler chicks can be beneficial.

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Bread is widely consumed as a staple food all over the world. The major ingredient of bread is wheat flour which suffers of a couple of shortcomings, such as essential amino acids. To overcome of this problem, a great deal of attention has been made by fortification of bread with different cereal and legume flours. In this study, wheat flour was replaced with 0, 10, 20, 30 and 40% of oat flour to investigate of its effects on dough texture and sensory attributes at room and lower temperatures for 0, 24, 48, 72 h in improved and unimproved breads. Improved formula containing levels of blanched oats, 1.5% fat and 60 ppm ascorbic acid. Addition of oat flour improved bread shelf life. Breads baked with up to 20% oat flour, were considered to be stable along over the time as indicated by sensory evaluation. Samples substituted with 30% and 40% oat flour had the high intensities of bitterness.

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This study was conducted at the Research Farm of Isfahan University of Technology in 2003 to evaluate drought tolerance potential of 20 oat (Avena sativa L.) genotypes including 14 cultivars released in Canada, two cultivars released in the United States of America and Switzerland and four Turkish breeding lines. A randomized complete block design with three replications was used in each irrigation treatment (i.e., irrigation after 70±3 and 130±3 mm evaporation from class A pan). Results of analysis of variance revealed significant differences among cultivars for all studied traits in both irrigation treatments, with the exception of plant height at heading stage and biological yield in stress condition. Stress condition significantly reduced all the traits. Also, the interaction of genotypes by irrigation treatments was significant for days to heading, grain and biological yields and 1000-grain weight. To evaluate drought tolerance of the studied cultivars, Rosielle and Hamblin tolerance index, mean productivity (MP), Fischer and Maurer stress susceptibility index and Fernandez geometric mean productivity and stress tolerance index were calculated based on yield data in stress and non- stress conditions. According to the obtained results, stress tolerance index seems to be the most effective index to identify tolerant genotypes. Rank correlations of stress tolerance index and grain yields in stress and non-stress conditions were 0.93 and 0.78, respectively. Based on this index, Boyer and Paisley were found to be the most tolerant cultivars.

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This research was conducted at Rsearch Farm of Isfahan University of Technology to evaluate yield stability of 9 Oat (Avena sativa L.) genotypes and Makooi barley, to determine the contribution of each environmental factor to genotype × environment interaction, and to find the most stable yield component in these genotypes. Four Canadian cultivars and 5 Turkish breeding lines were included in this experiment. Three dates of planting (12 Oct. 31 Oct. and 21 Nov.) and three sowing rates (300, 375 and 450 seed m²) were used as 6 environments. In each environment a randomized complete blocks design with 3 replications was used. Grain yield, No. of panicle/m², No. of seed/ panicle, and 1000-grain weight were measured. Result of combined analysis of variance showed highly significant (P < 0.01) difference among genotypes for all the studied traits. Significante differences were observed among environments for all the characteristics except for 1000-grain weight. Grain yield and its components showed highly significant genotype × environment interaction ffects. The ratio of genotype × environment interaction sum of square to total sum of square for grain yield (22.37%) was higher than other traits. Stability analysis based on regression coefficient showed that Boyer cultivar and Line No.28 with nearly b=1 and more than average yields were the most stable genotypes. Pacer cultivar and Makooi Barley had specific adaptations with suitable and unsuitable environments, respcctively. Based on deviation mean square, Boyer cultivar was the most stable one among high yielding genotypes. Tai’s path analysis of genotype × environment interaction showed that V₃ genotypic component (Seed weight) was the most effective component of stability and yield. Boyer with the highest V₃ score was the highest yielding and stable genotype. According to environmtntal component of path analysis, fertilization stage and grain filling period were the most sensitive growth stages to environmental conditions. Therefor, it is not effective to evaluate genotype stability according to V₂ component (seed/panicle). Finally, according to the result of this experiment Boyer with grain yield of 5.8 t/ha and stable response in all environments was selected as a suitable cultivar for breeding programs or introduction for commertial production.

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This research was conducted at Research Farm of Isfahan University of Technology to examine the relations among phonologic, morphologic and physiologic traits and their effects on grain yield of 20 oat (Avena sativa L.) genotypes. A randomized complete block design with three replications was used in each irrigation treatment (i.e. irrigation after 70±3, and 130±3 mm evaporation from class A pan). Grain yield had significant and positive correlations with harvest index and relative water content (RWC) in both irrigation treatments and with plant height at maturity in non-stress condition. Also, grain yield had significant and negative correlation with days to heading. Factor analyses resulted in three factors in each condition, which were named yield factor, phenologic factor and sink factor in both conditions. Based on stepwise regression, harvest index was the first character which entered the grain yield model in both conditions. At the next step, RWC and plant height entered the model, with harvest index explaining 66% and 64% of yield variation in stress and non-stress conditions, respectively. The results of path analysis in both conditions showed that harvest index had the highest positive direct effect on grain yield. The highest indirect negative effects through number of grain per panicle were obtained for the harvest index and panicle m-2 in stress and non-stress conditions, respectively.

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  Evaluation of genetic improvement of grain yield and other traits in cultivars released in different years is useful to determine plant breeding impact on grain yield improvement, to define future selection criteria and to identify the desirable environment and traits for further assessment. This study was conducted to evaluate the genetic improvement for grain yield and other traits of twelve oat (Avena sativa L.) cultivars released in Canada during 1921- 1997, at Research Farm, College of Agriculture, Isfahan University of Technology, during 2001-3 in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The regression of mean grain yield on released year of the cultivars showed that the rate of increase in grain yield during a 76-year period is 32.63 kg h^-1 year^-1 or 0.63% per year. Breeding programmes have inereased harvest index, grain number per panicle and fertile tillers /m². The effort of breeders in this period was to decrease plant height and days to heading. The other traits had small changes and showed no specific trends. In general the results of this study showed continous improvement of grain yield in this period. Genetic improvement of grain yield in evaluated cultivars closely correlated with harvest index. Therefore, most variation in grain yield of oats was due to variation in harvest index. Although much of the improvement in grain yield described here could be attributed to the increased harvest index, the scope for further improvement in this character may be limited. Further yield improvement of oats might be achieved by combining high biological yield with high harvest index.

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A total of 1256 records associated with body weight and Cashmere at different ages (birth and 3 and 9 months) obtained from 754 Cashmere goats were used to estimate the genetic parameters in southern Khorasan province during 2000- 2003. A set of univariate animal models including additive and maternal genetic effects and maternal permanent environmental effects as well as the fixed effects of year and month of birth, sex, birth type and dam age (linear and quadratic covariates) and kid age (linear and quadratic covariates) was fitted. Co/variance components were estimated by restricted maximum likelihood procedure using Powel algorithm in DFREML software. For the body weight at 0, 3 and 9 months, models two, one and three were recognized as the appropriate models. For these models, direct heritability estimates were found to be 0.09, 0.11 and 0.09, respectively. For birth weight and weight at month 9, the magnitude of c² and h²_m were 0.18 and 0.00, respectively. For average daily gains during 0-3 and 3-9 months of age, direct heritability based on the model one was 0.16 and 0.05, respectively. Direct heritability of Cashmere was found to be 0.02. Applying repeatability model, the estimates of heritability and repeatability of Cashmere were 0.16 and 0.53, respectively. Genetic trends for birth weight (0.0175kg/year) and weight at month 9 (0.02065kg/year) were positive and non-significant. A negative non-significant statistical genetic trend (-0.00537kg/year) was found for Cashmere during the period of time.

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A pot experiment was designed to investigate the effects of full, above and below ground interactions of wheat with wild oat on leaf characteristics and root to shoot ratio. This experiment was conducted as a factorial based on randomized complete design with four replications. The treatments included four interference levels (above ground, below ground, above and below ground and check wheat and wild oat) and four wild oat densities (2, 4, 6 and 8 plants/pot).The effects of full and root interference on wheat and wild oat traits was greater than shoot interference. For both species, full and below ground interaction significantly decreased the number of leaves, flag leaf area and chlorophyll content of flag leaf compared to above ground interaction and control. All traits of wild oat were reduced by above ground interaction compared to control. Number of leaves of wheat and wild oat showed greatest susceptibility to interaction treatments. There was no significant different between full and root interference. When wild oat density increased, the number of leaves, flag leaf area and chlorophyll content of flag leaf of wheat decreased. With strongest competition followed by enhanced wild oat density, root to shoot ratio in wheat and wild oat increased, which indicates more susceptibility of shoot than root to interference mean competition. This ratio for wild oat was more than wheat, thus, it is concluded that wild oat has higher rooting ability compared to wheat.

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Physical, chemical, and microscopic properties together with mineralogy are among useful techniques for dating and paleoclimatological interpretation and identification of varnishes. The present research was performed to evaluate the application of stone varnish in dating and landform development investigations in southern dry lands of Giroft area, Kerman Province. The mantled pediment was identified and divided into stable, unstable and moderately stable surfaces due to the type of geological sediments and stone varnish properties. Varnished stones were collected and their physico-chemical properties, petrography and scanning electron microscope characteristics, and clay mineralogy on geomorphic surfaces were studied. Silicon, Al, Fe, and Ca were the dominant elements found in stone varnishes of the area and varnish thickness varied from 100 to 600µm on different stones studied. The results of cation ratio (Ca + K)/Ti showed that the samples from stable surface were older than those on moderately stable and unstable surfaces. Clay coating and infilling were also observed on stones of stable surfaces. Chlorite, illite, palygorskite, smectite, kaolinite and sepiolite clay minerals were found in varnishes studied. Besides, scanning electron microscope images clearly showed layer morphology of rock varnish. The results of the research proved the potential of stone varnish application in relative dating investigations of different geomorphic surfaces in Giroft area.

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