Foliar Application of Silicon,Sulfur, and Flowering Fruit Set Biostimulant on Canola

This experiment was conducted to study the effects of foliar application of silicon, sulfur, and flowering fruit set biostimulant on canola in the farmer’s condition in Darzian, 12?km from Marivan city in the northwest of Iran. The experimental layout was designed as a split-split plot in a randomized complete-block design, with three replications during two consecutive growing seasons, 2017–18 and 2018–19. The main factor included silicon application at two levels: control (0: non-application) and silicon application at 2?kg ha^?1. Sub-factor was sulfur spraying at three levels (0, 1, and 2?L ha^?1) and sub-sub-factor was Tecamin flower (Agri Tecno Fertilizantes, Valencia, Spain) spraying as a flowering fruit set biostimulant at three levels (0, 1, and 2?L ha^?1). The results of the combined analysis showed that the number of grains per pod and biomass were increased significantly at the 1% level by silicon application. Sulfur application improved 1000-grain weight, grain yield, and biomass. This increase was 7.42% for grain yield. Tecamin also significantly increased all traits, including fertile and infertile pod numbers, grain number per pod, 1000-grain weight, grain yield, and biomass. As the most important economic traits, Tecamin increased grain yield by 14.12% compared to controls. Among the treatments, the effect of Tecamin on increasing grain yield was superior. In this experiment, some traits were significantly affected by interaction effects of treatments.

     

Tillage effects on soil properties and wheat cultivars traits

Information regarding the evaluation of tillage effects on soil properties and rainfed wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars of Iranian fields is not available. Therefore, this research was conducted in Sanandaj (west of Iran) using a randomized complete block design in a split-plot arrangement. Three types of tillage including conventional tillage (moldboard plow to soil depth of 30 cm plus disk harrow twice), minimum tillage (chisel plow to soil depth of 15 cm plus disk harrow once) and no-tillage are assigned to the main plots. Wheat cultivars (Sardari and Azar2) were randomly distributed within the subplots in each tillage system. Results showed that the greatest bulk density and cone index were found in the minimum tillage and no tillage systems. The highest rate of grain yield was obtained in the minimum tillage system. The grain yield of Sardari cultivar (1624.1 kg ha^?1) was significantly greater than that of Azar2 (1572 kg ha^?1). Minimum tillage improved soil physical properties and wheat growth compared with the other tillage systems. No tillage increased microbial biomass carbon and bacteria number in soil compared with the other tillage systems. We conclude that using minimum tillage for Sardari cultivar will be more effective compared with other treatments.     

An integrated fertilization system of canola (Brassica napus L.) production under different crop rotations

Cropping systems in farmland areas of Iran are characterized by continuous cultivation of crops with consumption of chemical fertilizers leading to serious soil erosion and fertility decline. Information regarding the simultaneous evaluation of crop rotation and fertilization on the canola is lacking. Hence, field experiments were conducted during 2007-2010 using split-split plot design. Three crop rotations: chickpea, sunflower, wheat, and canola (R1); green manure, chickpea, green manure, wheat, green manure and canola (R2); canola, wheat, and canola (R3) were used as main plots. Sub plots were consisted of six methods of fertilization including (N1): farmyard manure (FYM); (N2): compost; (N3): chemical fertilizers; (N4): FYM + compost and (N5): FYM + compost + chemical fertilizers; and control (N6). Four levels of biofertilizers consisted of (B1): phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB); (B2): Trichoderma harzianum; (B3): PSB + T. harzianum; and (B4): without biofertilizers were arranged in the sub-sub plots. Results showed that green manure application in canola rotation (R2) increased grain yield and nutrient uptake. Combined application of FYM, compost and chemical fertilizers (N5) elevated the nitrogen uptake rate and grain oil yield. Simultaneous use of PSB and T. harzianum (B3) resulted in the increase of nitrogen and sulfur contents of grain. R2 rotation with regard to its biological and environmental efficiencies accompanied with FYM + compost and B3 (PSB + T. harzianum) is suggested as a low input system to obtain a more sustainable and productive farming in canola.     

Combining the phosphate solubilizing microorganisms with biochar types in order to improve safflower yield and soil enzyme activity

ABSTRACT

Soil amendment with biochar could increase soil microbial activity and biomass. This study contributes to an understanding of the synergistic effects of biochar and phosphate solubilizing microorganisms on safflower yield and soil microbial activity enhancement. In the split plot experiments that repeated in two years, the main factor was biochar types included cow manure, wheat straw, wood biochar and control. The sub factors were phosphate solubilizing microorganisms included the mycorrhizal fungi (Glomus etunicatum and G. mosseae), Bacillus lentus, Pseudomonas fluorescence and control. The highest levels of dehydrogenase, urease activity and microbial biomass carbon were obtained from the cow manure biochar. The maximum activity of acid phosphatase was in the plots inoculated by P. fluorescence in all treatments, whether using or not using biochar. The grain yield of plants inoculated with B. lentus and P. fluorescence was in the same statistical group. The highest grain yield equal to 1527 kg/ha was obtained when using cow manure biochar. According to the results, the application of cow manure biochar and phosphate solubilizing microorganisms, especially mycorrhiza species, can be recommended for improving soil biological traits and safflower yield traits.     

The effect of micronutrient foliar application on yield,seed quality and some biochemical traits of soybean cultivars under drought stress

Abstract

This experiment carried out as split plot factorial based on a randomized complete block design with three replications during two consecutive years (2015–2016). The main plot consisted of drought stress: complete irrigation, irrigation withholding at R1 stage, irrigation withholding at R2 stage and subplots included foliar application of micronutrients: distilled water (control), zinc sulfate, manganese sulfate and zinc sulfate?+?manganese sulfate and cultivar as: Williams and Zan elite. The results showed that proline and linoleic acid were increased significantly, but chlorophyll a and b, seed yield, protein percentage, oleic and linolenic acids were decreased significantly by irrigation withholding. Also, the maximum values of chlorophyll b, protein percentage and linolenic acid were achieved by Williams. The significant increasing effect of zinc was found on the maximum root and stem proline, chlorophyll b, and oleic, linolenic and linoleic unsaturated fatty acids, meanwhile the maximum leaf proline was obtained by manganese sulfate.