Iranian Journal Pulses Research

Abstract Knowledge of the relation between agronomical traits with economical yield is very important in crop improvement and breeding. In order to study of genetic diversity and identifying yield components, 568 Kabuli type germplasm and 390 Desi type chickpea germplasm that were available in pulses collection of Faculty of Agriculture, University of Tehran, was investigated in this research in 2009 in two separate experiments based on Augmented design. The traits were included data to 50% flowering, 100 mature seeds weight, plant height, no. of pods/plant, no. of seeds/pod, no. of branches/plant and seed yield. The results of the phenotypic correlation and stepwise regression showed that in both Kabuli and Desi chickpea types, no. of pods per plant, 100 seed weight and plant height are important and effective traits on yield. Also, results of path analysis showed that in both chickpea types, the number of pods per plant imposed the largest direct effects on yield. According to principal component analysis using seven agronomic traits in both chickpea types, three main components were selected that in total, they explained %61.3 of variation in Kabuli type and %66.5 in Desi chickpea type genotypes, respectively. In both chickpea types, first and second component were introduced as components of yield and yield components and third component was introduced as a phonological component. Genotypes grouping in both Kabuli and Desi chickpea types were conducted based on studying traits with Ward's method and the square Euclidean distance and in both types studying genotypes were grouped in four clusters.

Abstract Identification of morphological, phenological and yield characteristics of genotypes is important in order to collect necessary information for available varieties and as a result selection of one or more specific traits. In this study, 73 Kabuli chickpea genotypes from Pulses Seed Bank of Research Center for Plant Sciences, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, were planted in irrigated conditions at Research Farm of Agricultural Faculty of Ferdowsi University of Mashhad. Some characteristics were measured for each accession based on Chickpea Descriptors, including the days from emerging to flowering, flowering to podding, flowering to maturity, plant height, leaflet length and width, number of leaflet per leaf, leaf length, leaf area, number of node per main stem, number of primary, secondary and tertiary branches, flower length, pod length, number of pod per plant, number of seeds per pod, seed color and shape, 1000 seed weight, and seed yield. The results showed that there was not difference among the genotypes for the days from flowering to maturity, so that the difference between the lowest and the highest number of days from flowering to maturity was 11 days. According to period of flowering to maturity, the majority of genotypes (64.4%) were laid in group 34-37 days and the lowest number of the genotypes (15%) was put in group of lower than 34 days. Based on plant height, there was difference among the genotypes, so that the difference between the lowest height and the highest one was about 50cm and MCC706 with 67cm was the tallest genotype. Seed yield in 32.8% of genotypes was more than 400 g/m2 and MCC216 with 885 g/m2 produced the highest seed yield. Results of Cluster test showed that genotypes fallen in five distinct clusters, that clusters four and one had the highest and lowest seed yield, respectively. In general, there was considerable diversity among Kabuli chickpea genotypes regarding to assessed characteristics, so it may be possible to exploit this variation in breeding programs for improving yield of chickpea.

Abstract In order to study the effects of potassium application on uptake and allocation of nitrogen and seed protein on two lentil cultivars in rain-fed condition a factorial experiment based on randomized complete block design with three replications was conducted at Ardabil Research Center for Agriculture and Natural Resources, in 2008. Three potassium levels (0, 30 and 60 kg.ha-1), three nitrogen levels (0, 25 and 50 kg.ha-1) and two lentil cultivars (local and ILL1180) were applied. Results showed that the highest seed nitrogen content, seed protein content (27.68%) and shoot nitrogen content was obtained by application of 60 kg.ha-1 potassium. In terms of phenological traits, aspects of time to 50% emergency, time to 50% flowering and date of maturity as affected by 50 kg.ha-1 nitrogen was significantly higher than other nitrogen levels. Days to maturity, number of total pods and number of seed per plant also in such a treatment were placed in the superior group with significant difference caused production highest seed yield production (1465.06 kg.ha-1) by using 50 kg.ha-1 N. Such a trend was observed for seed nitrogen content, seed nitrogen uptake, seed protein content, shoot nitrogen content and seed potassium uptake was found in using 50 kg.ha-1 N. In main cultivar effect, local cultivar was superior in seed potassium concentration and seed potassium uptake than ILL1180, but ILL1180 cultivar had the higher seeds per plant and shoot potassium content than local cultivar. Therefore, it seems that high positive effect of nitrogen on most traits was due to application of 60 kg.ha-1 potassium.

Abstract In order to evaluate phenological and morphological responses of cold tolerant chickpea genotypes to Entezary culture in Mashhad conditions, 81 cold tolerant chickpea accessions were cultured during growing year 2006-2007 in Research Farm of Faculty of Agriculture, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad. The experiment was carried out in lattice design with three replications including 9 blocks per replication and 9 plots per block. Results showed that there were significant differences among genotypes in terms of developmental traits including: sowing to emerging, emerging to flowering, flowering to podding and podding to maturity; and morphological traits including: plant height, number of branches per plant and sum of branches length per plant. Survival percentage (ratio of remaining plants at harvest date to the number of sowed seeds) in the 73% of samples was more than 75%. Furthermore, seed yield for 32% of tested genotypes was more than 40 g/m2. Vegetative growth duration, reproductive growth duration and plant height were the most important characteristics in seed yield determination. Based on these results and regarding to the remarkable yield of some studied accessions, it appears that some of the chickpea genotypes in collection of Mashhad with suitable agronomical characteristics, have appropriate potential for Entezary culture.

Abstract Drought stress is the most important factor that reduces yield in crops including chickpea and causes some changes in seed composition. This study was performed in order to evaluate the effects of drought stress and starter nitrogen fertilizer on four cultivars of chickpea. Experiment was performed in a split-factorial using randomized complete block design with three replications. Drought stress treatment stand as main plots in three levels consist of no drought stress (complete irrigation), moderate drought stress (irrigation at planting and early flowering) and severe drought stress (no irrigation). Nitrogen fertilizer in two levels (0 and 25kg N/ha) and cultivar treatment (four cultivars Azad, Bivanij, Hashem and ILC482) allocated in sub plots. The results showed that effects of drought stress treatments were significant on proline content, amount of soluble sugar, membrane stability index (MSI), relative water content (RWC), chlorophyll-a, chlorophyll-b, total chlorophyll and excised-leaf water loss (RWL). Application of nitrogen fertilizer treatment only significantly increased membrane stability index (MSI). Effect of cultivar treatment was significant on proline, soluble sugar, membrane stability index (MSI), chlorophyll-a, total chlorophyll, relative water content (RWC) and excised-leaf water loss (RWL). Results showed that with increase of drought stress level amounts of chlorophyll-a, chlorophyll-b, total chlorophyll, relative water content (RWC) and membrane stability index (MSI) decreased while proline content and soluble sugar increased by three and two-fold compared to control, respectively. This osmoprotectant accumulation probably explains increase in plant tolerance to drought stress.

Abstract Late-season drought is the major constraint reducing the productivity of chickpea. This experiment was carried out to study response of root and shoot characteristics in 12 chickpea genotypes to drought stress. Two-drought stress levels (-3 and -6 Bar) induced by PEG 6000 and control in hydroponic condition at green house was performed. Leaf relative water content (RWC), plant height, number of branches, root length, shoot and root biomass measured two weeks after drought imposition. In addition, drought susceptibility and resistance indices based on biomass calculated and correlation matrix was obtained among the traits studied. Result showed that leaf relative water content (RWC), plant height, branch number and shoot and root biomass significantly reduced by water stress and root length increased in -3 bar compare with control condition. Biplot analysis on drought resistance indices showed that MCC783 and MCC877 genotypes with 2.87 and 1.54 g/plant had the highest and lowest dry matter production, respectively. It seems that selection for drought tolerance of chickpea genotypes in hydroponic condition is not applicable to soil condition.

Abstract In order to investigate the effects of water deficit at different growth stages of chickpea genotypes, determining the best drought tolerance index and genotypes, an experiment carried out in the Saatlu Agricultural Research Station of Uromia in 2008-2009. The experiment was split plot based on the randomized complete blocks design with four replications, in which, four levels of irrigation as the main plots based on water withholding at branching, flowering and podding stages and normal irrigation, and genotypes including Ghazvin, Bivanich, FLIP97-111C, FLIP99-1C, FLIP98-134C, ILC3279 and FLIP98-143C as subplots. Results showed that water deficit decreased number of seeded pods, seeds per pod, seed weight per plant, seed yield and total dry matter, significantly. There were significant differences among varieties in all measured traits. Indices of stress tolerance (STI), mean productivity (MP), geometric mean productivity (GMP) and harmonic mean (HAR) showed that chickpea in branching stage and FLIP99-1C and FLIP98-143C lines were the most tolerant to water deficit. Correlation coefficients between indices and seed yield indicated that for screening chickpea genotypes, STI, MP, GMP and HAR indices were suitable. Principal component analysis showed that with the base of two factors, withholding irrigation at branching stage in Ghazvin cultivar was in desired area of biplot. Withholding irrigation at branching stage, seeds per pod resulted as the most important component in determining of seed yield.

Abstract The effect of water stress were studied on the agronomic traits related to yield of common bean by planting 32 genotypes in normal and water deficit conditions. These genotypes were evaluated in randomized complete block design with three replications in experimental field of Faculty of Agriculture, University of Tehran, Karaj Campus in 2007. Analysis of variance showed that there were significant differences among varieties in all traits, indicating the existence of genetic variation among varieties. Factor analysis were accomplished in both conditions indicated that there were five factors that explained 73 and 72 percent of total variations in normal and stress conditions, respectively. Path analysis for seed yield showed that number of pods per plant had the highest positive effect, 0.697 and 0.699, respectively, on seed yield in normal and stress conditions. Number of days to podding (0.026) and length of pod (-0.004) had indirect effects through number of pods on seed yield. Also, in stress condition, number of seed per pods (0.083) and 100 seed weight (-0.074) had indirect effects through number of pods on seed yield. Therefore, this trait could be used as an indicator for improving of common bean seed yield. Phenotypic clustering of genotypes (UPGMA) showed that all of the genotypes were classified in four separate groups in normal and stress conditions. Evaluation of drought resistance in common bean genotypes showed that stress tolerance index (STI), geometric mean productivity (GMP) and harmonic mean of yield were the best criteria for reorganization of tolerant genotypes as detected as KS-31127, KS-31150, KS-3138, KS-31139, KS-31112 in this experiment.

Abstract In order to study the effect of Pyridate, Bentazon and Imazethapyr herbicides on chickpea growth, nodulation and biological nitrogen fixation, a greenhouse experiment was conducted at Ferdowsi University of Mashhad in 2010. Experimental type was completely randomized design with four replications. Treatments included Pyridate, Bentazon and Imazethapyr herbicides application in 1200, 720 and 75 ga.i./ha-1, respectively. Chickpea seed inoculation with Mesorhizobium ciceri bacteria in two levels (inoculated and non-inoculated) and two levels of soil sterile and non-sterile. Seeds planted in pots with 10 cm diameter. Pyridate was applied as preplant and soil in corporation, but Bentazon and Imazethapyr were applied at third pinnately leaf. At 40 days after herbicides application (flowering stages), plant survival, root and shoot biomass, root/shoot ratio, nodule number, nodule dry weight and chickpea nitrogen fixing parameters were determined. Results showed that seed inoculation with Mesorhizobium increased nodule number and its dry weight, 20 and 25 percent, respectively. Soil sterilization decreased nodule number, nodule dry weight, nitrogen fixing and root/shoot ratio, significantly (P< 0.01). Based on experimental results of all herbicides, application decreased significantly (P< 0.01) in above mentioned parameters. Among herbicides, Bentazon imposed the most negative effect on chickpea parameters, and decreased root and shoot biomass and nodule number and weight as 80%, 73%, 93% and 97%, respectively. However, Pyridate herbicide had the lowest effect on nodule number, nodule dry weight and nitrogen fixation, but it decreased chickpea root and shoot biomass, significantly. Imazethapyr had lower effect on chickpea root and shoot biomass, but it imposed the most negative effect on nodule number and nodule weight.

Abstract Charcoal rot disease, caused by Macrophomina phaseolina has become a restrictive agent for annual crops in Iran. The disease incidence reaches up to 90 percent in some infested areas. High air temperature and drought stress associated with this disease, are the main factors for increasing the disease incidence and severity. In order to isolate the pathogenic agents, pieces of infected root and crown of bean were washed with tap water blotted dry and plated on potato dextrose agar (PDA). Twenty isolates of Macrophomina phaseolina, the cause of charcoal rot, were isolated from different parts of Kohgiluyeh and Boyerahmad province on bean. Phenotypic characteristics of the isolates were compared by growing on PDA at 35°C. Colony appearance, growth rate, production and amount of sclerotia and also the relationship between growth rate at 35°C and size of sclerotia were determined. Isolates were grouped in one phenotype that named fluffy with abundant sclerotia. Pathogenicity test of M. Phaseolina on different cultivars of bean were evaluated under greenhouse conditions. After two months root colonization was assessed by growing on PDA. The data were analyzed using MSTAT software. Disease indices including colonization of root and crown, and infected plants were measured. Comparative percentage of infected plants and root colonization showed that Khomain and Azna cultivars were the most susceptible and the most resistant tested varieties in reaction to M. phaseolina, respectively. The percentage of crown colonization showed that Khomain and Naz cultivars were the most susceptible and Azna cultivar was the most resistant in reaction to it.