JWSS - Journal of Water and Soil Science

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In a pot experiment, the growth (Dry matter) responses of 18 rapeseed varieties to three levels of NaCl salinity induced by 1.2, 6, and 12 dS.m^-1 were investigated using a factorial experiment with a randomized complete block design in 3 replications. The results indicated that salinity reduced total dry matter, Na concentration, K/Na ratio, ion selectivity of K versus Na, and leaf water potential while it increased K concentration. However, the leaf water potential of the plants had the highest and a significantly negative correlation with total dry matter accumulation. Therefore, it seemed that leaf water content of the plants could explain the tolerance or sensitivity responses to salinity. The rapeseed varieties were accordingly ranked into different groups. The varieties viz, Alice, Fonax, DP.94.8 and Licord were classified as saline tolerant group, and varieties such as Okapi, Akamar and Eurol as saline sensitive group. The remaining eight rapeseed varieties were moderately tolerant. Moreover, the response of rapeseed varieties viz. Consul, VDH8003-98 and Orient were different such that the above explanation could not be applied to them. Therefore, halophytic strategies for these three varieties might be worth further investigation.

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Two hundred Arian broiler chicks were used to investigate the effect of contents of dietary glucosinolates on performance of broiler chicks during starter (0-21 days of age) and grower periods (22-42 days of age) in a completely randomized design. The dietary glucosinolates contents in the starter period were 0 (S₁), 7.5 (S₂), 15 (S₃), 22.5 (S₄), 30 (S₅) µmol/g and in the grower period they were 0 (G₁), 5.7 (G₂), 11.4 (G₃), 17.1 (G₄), 22.8 (G₅) µmol/g. Feed intake during the grower period was affected (P<0.05) by different levels of glucosinolates in the diets and the lowest feed intake was observed in the G₅ treatment. The lowest body weight gains were observed in the S₅ and G₅ treatments during the starter and grower periods, respectively (P<0.05). The feed conversion ratio (FCR) in the S₅ treatment for the starter and the G₅ treatment for the grower period were significantly different (P<0.05) from other treatments. The correlation between the body weight gain and level of dietary glucosinolates or glucosinolate consumption was high during the starter (r = -95.3% and -94.7%, respectively) and relatively high (r = -69.5% and -72.4%, respectively) during the grower period. This experiment showed that the amount of glucosinolates in the diets of broiler chicks for the periods of starter and grower feeding system should not be more than 11.36 and 8.11µmol/g diet, respectively. Also during the starter and grower feeding periods, the highest level of rapeseed meal could be used in the broiler diets are 13 and 8 percent, respectively.

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To investigate the effects of different irrigation levels on yield and oil content of rapeseed, and to determine the irrigation requirement and irrigation scheduling, an experiment with Randomized Complete Block Design consisting of four irrigation treatments replicated 3 times, was conducted in Zarghan Agric. Expt. Station during the years of 2000-2003. The treatments were based on the cumulative evaporation values of 50, 75,100 and 125 mm from class A pan (T₅₀, T₇₅, T₁₀₀ and T₁₂₅). The depth of water for each treatment was determined according to the deficit of field capacity and soil moisture content before irrigation. In the three years of experiment, the cultivars: Okapi, Orient and Likord were cultivated and the annual data related to yield and seed oil contents of each cultivar was analyzed separately. In the first year of experiment, the effect of different treatments on yield of Okapi cultivar was not significant, but the maximum and minimum yields were obtained at the T₇₅ and T₁₀₀ treatments equal to 2678 and 2050 kg ha^-1, respectively. The effect of different treatments on seed oil content was significant at the level of 5 %, and the maximum and minimum seed oil contents were obtained at the T₁₀₀ and T₇₅ treatments equal to 42.50 and 41.66 %, respectively. In the second year of experiment, the effect of different treatments on the yield of Orient cultivar was significant at the level of 5 %, and the maximum and minimum yields were obtained at the T₅₀ and T₁₂₅ treatments equal to 3133 and 2133 kg ha^-1, respectively. The effect of different treatments on seed oil content was significant at the level of 5 %, and the maximum and minimum seed oil contents were obtained at the T₇₅ and T₅₀ treatments equal to 46.38 and 44.82 %, respectively. In the third year of experiment, the effect of different treatments on the yield of Likord cultivar was significant at the level of 5 %, and the maximum and minimum yields were obtained at the T₅₀ and T₁₂₅ treatments equal to 3667 and 2250 kg ha^-1, respectively. The effect of different treatments on seed oil content was significant at the level of 1 %, and the maximum and minimum seed oil contents were obtained at the T₅₀ and T₁₂₅ treatments equal to 47.63 and 44.60 %, respectively. Also, the best irrigation frequency for the three rapeseed cultivars in the Zarghan area was obtained equal to 10 to 12 days.

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Rape seed (Brassica napus L.) containing more than 40 per cent oil is one of the best oilseeds for cultivation in Iran. Sclerotinia stem rot is one of the important diseases of the rape seed, the causal agent being Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. The aim of our study was to assess the effect of the disease on the quantity and quality of the extracted oil and remaining foodstuff in a field experiment. In this research three cultivars including Okapi, SLM046 and Talayeh were examined under field conditions using a factorial design (cultivars and inoculations were two factors under study). The cultivars were inoculated with SK₄ isolate of S. sclerotiorum. The inoculation was done on the plant stems at 30 cm height above the soil using Lewartosca method during mid flowering stage. One thousand- seed weight and glucosinolate, erucic and oleic fatty acids contents of the seeds were determind after the harvest. The results indicated that the infected plants in comparision with the controls had a lower 1000- seed weight and oleic acid content and a higher glucosinolates and erucic acid contents. There were significant differences among the genotypes in respect to all the studied traits except 1000- seed weight. Inverse correlation was observed between 1000- seed weight and erucic acid content or oil glucosinolates contents. It was concluded that the disease can reduce quantity and quality of seed oil and other nutrient contents.

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In this paper, the effect of irrigation water salinity levels on seed germination, dry matter weight of seedlings at eight-leave stage, and the salt tolerance of 8 rapeseed cultivars was investigated. Relative yield reduction in saline and non saline conditions, salt sensitivity index and Van Genuchten-Hoffman methods were used to determine the salt tolerance of the cultivars. Results showed that the effect of different salt levels, cultivars and their interactions on germination and dry matter weight of seedlings was significant at 0.01(the higher the salt level, the lower the germination and dry matter). Also, using the Van Genuchten-Hoffman method, the irrigation water salinity corresponding to 10%, 25%, 50% and 90% reducts in germination and dry matter of seedlings were determined. Statistical analysis showed that a single cultivar gives different responses to salinity during growth stages and it may be tolerant in one stage, but sensitive to salinity in another growth stage. In this research, ACSN1, Falcon, and Shirali in germination stage and ACSN1, Falcon, and Cobra in seedling growth stage were salt tolerant. The three cultivars Oyerka, Global, and Ceres and the next three Shirali, Global, and Oyerka were sensitive to salinity in germination and seedling growth stages, respectively. Finally, the ACSN1 and Falcon cultivars were introduced as salt tolerant, and Oyerka and Global were considered as salt sensitive.

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A total of 25 advanced rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) varieties were evaluated under cold weather conditions using Randomized Complete Block design (RCBD) with four replications in Dr. Nakhjavani Agricultural Research Station, 35 km North-East of Urmia the capital of West Azerbaijan province in 2000-2001. The results showed significant differences among the varieties (P ≥ 0.01) for all the phenological stages including days to germination, days to rosette completion, days to initiation of stem elongation, days to flowering initiation, pod formation stage and days to maturity. The spring varieties Sarigol (PF7045/91), Hyola 42 and SYN1 and autumnal varieties Alice, Eurol, Fornax, VDH 8003-98, Consul, Licord and Zarfam (Regent× Cobra), showed early maturity. On the other hand, Mohican, Olara, Colvert, L-1 and Akamar were late mature varieties. In fact, the most prolific varieties, DP.94.8, Zarfam (Regent ×Cobra) Cocktail, Consul and SLM046 (control variety) had the highest ability survive in the cold conditions and they completed their rosette stage sooner than the other varieties. There was positive and significant correlation between duration of pod formation stage and seed yield. Maturity date of varieties was positively and significantly correlated with harvest index, number of seed per pod, days to germination, days to rosette completion, days to stem elongation, days to flowering, and days to pod formation. Negative and significant correlations were found between days to maturity and duration of flowering and pod formation stages. It can be concluded that delay in initiation or completion of each growth stages could delay maturity of the rapeseed varieties.

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In order to study the effects of salinity on germination, vegetative growth and some physiological characteristics of canola cultivars, two experiments were conducted at Research Station of Agricultural College of University of Kerman in 2004. The experimental design was a Completely Randomized Block with four replications. Treatments comprised all combinations of different levels of three factors including variety (Kobra × Regent, Ceres and Okapi), salt type (NaCl, CaCl₂) and electrical conductivity of saline solution (0, 4, 8, 12 dS/m). Results of variance analysis showed that salinity has a very significant effect on germination percentage, germination homogeneity, germination rate, rootlet and polomul length at the end of the germination stage. Shoot length, dry weight, diameter and number of nodes per shoot were significantly affected also by salinity at vegetative growth. Regarding the two types of salt, none of the measured traits were significantly different. All the mentioned traits decreased with increasing salinity the highest and the lowest values were recorded at control and at 12 dS/m salinity levels. Membrane ion leakage was the only trait which increased significantly. Comparison of means showed germination percentage and germination homogeneity at germination stage and the number of nodes at vegetative growth stage were affected less than other traits by salinity, and they only decreased significantly with increasing salinity to 12dS/m. The effect of cultivar on these traits was also significant (P<0.001). In both growth stages, cultivars response to salinity was different. At germination stage, Ceres and Kobra * Regent cultivars were the most sensitive and tolerant ones in terms of all traits and there was no significant difference between Okapi and Kobra *Regent. At vegetative growth stage, however, Okapi showed less growth than Kobra * Regent and their difference was significant. It seems that evaluation of traits response at germination stage can not be effective to determine salt tolerance of canola cultivars.

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Rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) is one of the oilseed crops in the temperate regions and is adapted to different climate conditions. This crop can have an important role in production of vegetable oil, and providing appropriate soil fertility can increase its seed and oil yield. In order to investigate the effect of N, P, K, Fe, Zn and Mn on seed yield and other agronomic traits of rapeseed, an experiment was carried out at the Research Farm of Isfahan University of Technology in 2006. The experiment was arranged as split plot in a randomized complete block design with three replications in which eleven fertilizer treatments and two cultivars of rapeseed (Ocapi and Zarfam) were considered as the main and sub factors, respectively. The results showed that there was no significant effect of fertilizers on days to maturity, but application of NPK+Fe significantly increased the plant height in both cultivars. The fertilizer treatment had no significant effect on the number of pods per plant and seeds per pod. The interaction effects indicated that application of N, P, K, NP and NK significantly increased 1000-seed weight in Ocapi cultivar however NPK+Fe significantly decreased 1000-seed weight and non significantly increased seeds per pod in Zarfam cultivar. Application of N, NPK and NPK+Fe increased the seed yield by 13, 7 and 43%, respectively. Averaged over two cultivars, N significantly increased seed oil content, but significant interaction between fertilizers treatments and cultivars indicated that application of K and NP significantly reduced the seed oil content in Zarfam cultivar. Fertilizer treatments of N, NPK and NPK+Fe had higher effects on seed oil content and oil yield and means of these traits for fertilizer treatments of control, N, NPK and NPK+Fe were 39.7, 41.7, 39.4 and 39.8%, and 681.1, 816.4, 730.2 and 983.3 kg/ha, respectively which indicate that N and Fe increased the seed and oil yield in both cultivars. However, the application of Zn and Mn had no significant effect on seed yield and seed oil content. In this study, the variation of seed yield and oil yield was mainly due to the variation of number of pods per plant and seed yield, respectively. In conclusion, it seems that in soil and climatic conditions like this experiment, application of N and Fe can be economically important and increase the seed and oil yield in rapeseed.

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To study relationship between grain yield and important agronomic traits of rapeseed in paddy fields as second culture, fourteen varieties of spring rapeseed were grown in a randomized complete block design of experiment with three replications at Rice Research Institute of Iran, Rasht, during 2005-2006. Analysis of variance showed that there were significant differences between varieties for most of traits. Broad sense heritability ranged from 0.29 for pod length to 0.99 for days to maturity. Phenotypic and genotypic coefficients of variation for days to maturity and the number of pods in secondary branches were the lowest and highest, respectively. Moreover, genetic advance with 5% of selection intensity varied from 3.68% (0.25 cm) for pod length in main branch to 31.48% (915.58 Kg.ha^-1) for grain yield. Results from genotypic correlation coefficients demonstrated that there were positive significant correlations between grain yield and the number of secondary branches, the number of pod in main and secondary branches, pod length in secondary branches, pod diameter in main and secondary branches, 1000-grain weight and oil percentage, and negative significant correlations between grain yield and days to 90% of flowering and days to maturity. Path analysis on genotypic correlations for grain yield as a dependent variable and the other traits as independent variables showed that the 1000-grain weight and the number of pods in secondary branches had the highest direct effects and days to 90% of flowering had low and negative direct effect on grain yield. Therefore, indirect selection for increasing 1000-grain weight and the number of pods in secondary branches are recommended for improving grain yield in rapeseed as second culture in paddy fields.

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The effects of tillage methods and residual management on yield and yield components of rapeseed (Brassica napus L. CV. Hyola308) were evaluated after rice harvest. The experiment was carried out during 2004-2005 cropping season in a factorical arrangement of treatments at Rice Research Institute of Iran (RRII) in Rasht, in a Complete Randomized Block Design with three replications. Treatments included tillage in three methods: a) conventional tillage b) minimum tillage, and c) no tillage, and rice residue management in two manners: a) removing residues, and b) not removing residues. Plant traits such as grain yield, oil percentage and yield, plant density, plant height, the lowest pody branch height from soil surface, number of pods per plant, plant and weed dry weight, leaf area index (LAI) and crop growth rate (CGR) were measured. Results indicated that grain yield was affected by the tillage type. Also, the effect of tillage type on plant height, number of pods per plant, the lowest pody branch height from soil surface, and oil yield was significant. The effect of residual management and residual management interaction and tillage were significant on none of the traits except for weed dry weight. Economic analysis indicated that rapeseed planting in a field with rice residual and minimum tillage had a relative advantage of less production cost in spite of nearly 15 percent yield decrease compared to other methods.

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Discrimination function analysis is a method of multivariate analysis that can be used for determination of validity in cluster analysis. In this study, Fisher’s linear discrimination function analysis was used to evaluate the results from different methods of cluster analysis (i.e. different distance criteria, different cluster procedures, standardized and un-standardized data). Furthermore, Hotelling T2, CCC plot and multivariate analysis of variance were used to support the results. To achieve the goals, 8 rapeseed genotypes were planted in a randomized complete block design with three replications in Rice Research Institute of Iran, Rasht, durin 2005-2006, and 14 characteristics were measured. Analysis of variance based on the randomized complete block design showed significant differences between genotypes for all the studied traits. Comparison of means between genotypes indicated that the genotype Hyola401 for grain yield and most of the measured characteristics was better than the other genotypes. Evaluation of phenotypic and genotypic coefficient of variations showed that most of the traits had high variability in the population. Discrimination function analysis showed that the Euclidean distance criterion was better than others and a desirable clustering was obtained by this criterion. Also, all of the data standardization methods produced similar clusters and were better than un-standardized data. Based on evaluation of dendrograms derived from different methods of cluster analysis determined that the UPGMA, complete linkage and Ward’s minimum variance methods were better than the other methods, and grouped the genotypes into three clusters. Fisher’s linear discrimination function analysis showed that UPGMA and Ward's minimum variance methods with clustering validity of 87.5 percent, was more suitable than other cluster analysis methods however, discrimination analysis grouped genotypes into two clusters. Tests of Hotelling T2, CCC plot and multivariate analysis of variance supported the results from the discrimination function analysis. It seems that the UPGMA and Ward's minimum variance procedures based on Euclidean distance criterion of standardized data function better in grouping genotypes, yet, the use of discrimination function analysis is recommended to confirm the results and determine the actual groups.

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Development of oil seed crops is the most important aim in our country to achieve self sufficiency. This study was conducted to assess the suitability of oil brassicas species in rain-fed warm areas of Iran. This research was performed for three years in Agricultural Research stations of Gonbad (Golestan). Twenty varieties and hybrids (B. napus, B. rapa, B. juncea ) were compared in RCBD with three replications under rain fed conditions. Each plot had 4 rows 5-meter long. Combined analysis results indicated that there were significant differences at 1% probability level among years and varieties for No. of days to maturity, No. of pod per plant, oil%, oil and seed yield. The highest seed yield was obtained in the 2nd year (2103.48 kg.ha), followed by the 1th and 3rd year (1771.50 and 1575.13 kg.ha, respectively). Namely, year environment factor had a significant effect on the rape seed product. j-98-102.51-5 (B. juncea), Alexandra and comet (Spring B. napus) showed the highest seed yield (2484, 2326 and 2290 Kg.ha, respectively). Regression analysis via step by step method explained that No. of pod per plant and oil percentage had significant positive effects (508.53 and 96.48 respectively) and No. of days to maturity significant negative effect (-78.63) on the seed yield. Factor analysis extracted four factors. Factor loading of the first three eigen values showed that the first three factors explained 98.794%, sum of variance. Rates of first, second and third factors were 45.575%, 36.816% and 16.403%, respectively. The first factor, second factor and third factor were named productivity factor (seed yield and oil yield), sink factor (No. of pod per plant), fixed capital factor (No. of day to maturity and plant height) respectively. Generally, j-98-102.51-5, Alexandra and comet varieties are advisable for Fall planting under rain fed conditions in Gonbad area because they had the highest seed yield and earliness. Also, we can introduce less No. of days to maturity (earliness) and more No. of pod per plant as select index under rain fed conditions in Gonbad.

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To determine the proper nitrogen fertilizer rates and its application times for achieving high grain and oil yields of rapeseed cultivar, Hyola 401, a research was carried out in paddy fields of Rice Research Institute of Iran in Rasht during two cropping seasons. A factorial experiment was conducted in a completely randomized block design with three replications. The experimental factors were pure nitrogen fertilizer rate at five levels of 0, 60, 120, 180 and 240 Kg ha-1 and fertilizer application times at five levels of all fertilizer at planting 1/3 at planting + 2/3 in stem elongation 1/3 at planting + 1/3 in stem elongation + 1/3 before flowering 1/3 in 3-4 leaf stages + 1/3 in stem elongation +1/3 before flowering 1/4 at planting + 1/4 in 3-4 leaf stages + 1/4 in stem elongation + 1/4 before flowering. The results of statistical analyses showed that from amony nitrogen rates, application of 240 Kg N ha-1 and 180 Kg N ha-1 with average production of 2505 Kg ha-1 and 2596 Kg ha-1 respectively showed the highest grain yield and were in the same group. of Nitrogen application times, application of 1/3 at planting + 1/3 in stem elongation + 1/3 before flowering had the highest grain and oil yields with average of 2155.3 Kg ha-1 and 9865 Kg ha-1, respectively. Maximum oil percentage was observed in control treatment (without N-fertilizer application) and the highest oil yield was obtained for nitrogen rates of 180 and 240 Kg ha-1. Also, the highest growth period was observed for the treatment of 240 Kg nitrogen with 206.3 days. The results showed that nonsignificant difference exists between the nitrogen rates of 180 and 240 Kg ha-1 in grain and oil yields. Therefore, the rate of 180 Kg ha-1 is recomended due to less fertilizer consumption and prevention of destructive effect on the environment

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In order to evaluate the effect of concentration and time of foliar spraying of nitrogen fertilizer as supplemenfary to soil nutrition on grain yield and some important traits of rapeseed (Hyola401), an experiment was conducted in complete randomized block design with 16 treatments and three replications in in 2008-2009, 2009-2010 growing seasons, and in 2003-2005 growing seasons in paddy fields of Rice Research Institute of Iran (Rasht). In this experiment, nitrogen concentration (from urea source) at two levels (5 and 100.00) and application time at seven levels including 1-seedling stage: 6-8 leaves 2: beginning of stem elongation 3: prior to flowering 4: 6-8 leaves + stem elongation 5: 6-8 leaves + prior to flowering 6: stem elongation+ prior to flowering 7: 6-8 leaves + stem elongation+ prior to flowering with two control treatments including zero nitrogen fertilizer and basal fertilization as 1/3 at seed sowing, 1/3 at stem elongation and 1/3 prior to flowering stages of 180 kg pure N ha were considered. Results of combined analysis showed significant differences between the experimental treatments in most traits. Spray application of nitrogen (100.00) in stem elongation+prior to flowering stage produced maximum silique length (6.8 cm), number of secondary branch (7.1) and plant height (141.1 cm). Also, the spray application (100.00) in 6-8 leaves+stem elongation+ prior to flowering stage had maximum biological yield (10684.6 kg.ha-1), grain and oil yields (3686.2 and 1489.3 kg.ha-1, respectively) and the maturity period (202 days). Spray application (100.00) in stem elongation+ prior to flowering stage did not induce significant difference with spray application (100.00) in the three stages. Maximum oil content was observed in control treatment (zero nitrogen fertilizer) with an average of (44 %). According to the results of the present experiment, it seems that spray application of nitrogen (100.00) at final growth stage of rapeseed (stem elongation+ prior to flowering stage) increases grain and oil yields.

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