Iranian Journal Pulses Research

Abstract In order to evaluate the efficiency of inoculation of chickpea seeds with Mesorhizobium and application of nitrogen and zinc on yield and yield components of rainfed chickpea an experiment was carried out in research station of Shirvan-Chardavel, Ilam. The experiment was conducted in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with six treatments including Mesorhizobium inoculation, nitrogen (40 kg.ha-1 from urea source), zinc (25 kg.ha-1 from zinc sulphate source), nitrogen+zinc, inoculation+zinc application and the control (no inoculation or fertilizer application) with four replications. Differences of grain and biological yield among treatments were significant (p

Abstract In order to study the effect of sowing dates and cultivation methods on yield and other characteristics of two cultivars of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) an experiment based on split plot design was carried out with three replications in 2007 at Khorramdarreh region of Zanjan province. Treatments consisted of three sowing dates (May 21, June 4&19), two cultivation methods (furrow and basin) and two cultivars (spotted bean Talash and red skin bean Naz). Parameters such as seed yield, biological yield, protein percent, seeds per pod, pods per plant, days to maturity, 100 seed weight, plant height, emergence% and harvest index were evaluated. Results of variance analysis showed that all of treatments had significant effects on seed yield and other parameters. Sowing date and cultivars affected seed yield, significantly (p≤0.05). Also cultivation method had significant effect on seed yield (p≤0.01). Best results for seed yield, pods per plant and seeds per pod were obtained in second date of sowing, furrow system and Naz variety. Highest and lowest yield obtained from June 4 (3878 kg/ha) and June 19 (3246kg/ha) dates, respectively. Highest protein content (21.2 %) obtained in June 19 and spotted bean (Talash) cultivar. The highest number of pods per plant obtained in June 4, furrow method and Naz cultivar. Key words: Common bean, Cultivation method, Sowing date, Protein content, Yield

Abstract The lack of herbicides for broadleaf weed control is one of the most important challenges of
chickpea production in Iran. Field experiments were conducted in Lorestan, Kermanshah, East and
West Azerbaijan to evaluate weed control and chickpea response to application of some herbicides in
2006. There were four replications at each site and treatments were arranged in a randomized complete
block design. The experimental treatments in this study were post emergence application of lentagran
(2.5 l/ha), pre emergence application of simazine plus prometrin (0.800 plus 0.830 kg/ha,
respectively), simazine (0.800 kg/ha), prometrine (0.830 kg/ha), pre emergence application of
fomesafen (1 l/ha), post emergence application of fomesafen (1 l/ha plus nonionic surfactant sitogit
1:1000), preplant incorporation (1 l/ha), preemergence (1 l/ha) and post emergence (0.7 l/ha)
application of Imazethapyr, preplant incorporation (2.5 l/ha) and post emergence (2.5 l/ha) application
of pendimetalin, and weed hand-weeded control. Imazethapyr in all manner of application in spite of
acceptable weed control (80% reduction of weeds density) had seriously injury effects on chickpea
plants. post emergence application of lentagran, preemergence application of fomesafen, simazine and
simazine plus prometrin were preferable herbicide treatments with minimum injury on chickpea and
effectively control of weed species. Preemergence application of fomesafen in the meanwhile of
relatively appropriate weed control had not unacceptable phytotoxy effects on chickpea, so by
limitation of chickpea herbicides, preemergence application of this herbicide can be promising.
Fomesafen exhibited the potential to provide a relatively considerable weed control level in chickpea
(88% reduction of weeds biomass). These results indicate that fomesafen is an effective herbicide for
control of several broadleaf weeds with less injurious to chickpea. Imazethapyr treatments caused
unacceptable chickpea injury.
Key words: Fomesafen, Imazethapyr, Prometrine, Simazine

Abstract Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is a dry pulse crop commonly used from old time. The chickpea yield is lower as compared to maximum potentials of the cultivars. The gap could mainly be attributed to the weed competition in addition to other production constraints. Although chickpeas are traditionally grown on residual soil moisture, weeds competition pose major problem in many situations. In order to compare the efficiency of 11 herbicide treatments with weedy check treatment (no weed control) of chickpea an experiment was conducted in Agricultural Research Center of Gorgan, Iran. Treatments were compared based on a randomized complete block design with four replications. The herbicides were included Pyridate as a post emergence herbicide at 2 and 2.5 lit.ha-1, Paraquate as an emerging time herbicide at 1.5 and 2 lit.ha-1, Terbotrine, Cianazine, Linoran, Propyzamide and combination all of them as some pre-emergence herbicides. The data were recorded on weed density (plant.m-2) and dry weight of weeds (gr.m-2). Pigweed was a major weed in the field under consideration. Fumitory, lambsquarter and wild mustard were as secondary importance. None of the herbicdes gave adequate control of weeds. In general, pyridate treatments showed a good control on the number and dry weight of weeds under investigation. In the absence of herbicide and weeding, high competition between weeds and crop resulted in reduction of grain yield of chickpea. Otherwise, post emergence applied Pyridate (2lit.ha-1) seemed to be more economical in Golestan conditions for weed control. Key words: Chickpea, Control, Golestan, Herbicides, Weed, Yield

Abstract In order to determine the appropriate plant density of spotted bean in Yasouj, a field experiment
was conducted in 2008 as a factorial in a randomized complete block design with three replications.
Three spotted bean cultivars (Keshavarzi, Talash and Oshtori) were sown at five plant densities (10,
20, 30, 40 and 50 plant.m-2). Results showed that effect of plant density, cultivar and interaction
between them on grain yield were significant. The maximum and minimum grain yield was obtained
at 50 plant.m-2 (539.10 g.m-2) and 10 plant.m-2 (203.43 g.m-2), respectively. Number of pods per square
meter and grain per pod at plant density of 50 plant.m-2 were higher than the other plant densities.
Talash grain yield was higher than the other cultivars. Number of pods per square meter of Talash
cultivar was higher than the other cultivars. Oshtori cultivar at plant density of 10 plant.m-2 with 161.7
g.m-2 and Talash cultivar at 50 plant.m-2 with 606.6 g.m-2 had maximum and minimum grain yield,
respectively.
Key words: Spotted bean cultivars, Yield components, Biological yield, Harvest index

Abstract The purpose of this study was to describe the association between grain yield and its components.
The experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design with three replicatsions.
Results of analysis showed that similar trends were observed for genotypic and phenotypic
correlations and in most cases, the value for genetic correlation was greater than phenotypic value.
100-seed weight revealed the greatest positive phenotypic correlation and plant height as well as 100-
seed weight showed the greatest genotypic correlation with seed yield per plant. Path analysis using
genotypic correlation coefficients pointed out that 100-seed weight, number of pods per plant, number
of nodes per main stem and number of clusters per plant had the greatest positive direct effects on
grain yield per plant, respectively. These traits included important factors determining seed yield in
concerned genetic materials.
Key words: Correlations, Grain yield, Lentil, Path analysis, Yield component

Abstract Phosphoenolpyruvate Carboxykinase (PEPCK) has been shown to be present in plants and
animals, playing different metabolic roles in different tissues. The basic role of this enzyme is its
contribution in the gluconeogenesis pathway. Evidences have shown that PEPCK may play a role in
metabolism of nitrogenous compounds in developing seeds of legumes. In this research, pepck gene
expression and the occurrence of PEPCK protein and its activity in different genotypes of chickpea
(Cicer arietinume L.) were determined. Two low protein genotypes (MCC291 & MCC373) and two
high protein genotypes (MCC458 & MCC053) out of 20 chickpea genotypes were selected, from
which the total RNA was extracted through different stages of seed development. The expression of
chickpea pepck gene was estimated by semi-quantitative RT-PCR. The results of RT-PCR showed that
two isoforms of this gene were expressed in high protein genotypes, whereas in the low protein
genotypes were not expressed. The differential expression of pepck gene is perhaps related to the
possible role of Phosphoenolpyrovate Carboxykinase in protein content of chickpea seeds.
Key words: Chickpea, Nitrogen metabolism, Phosphoenolpyruvate Carboxykinase, Seed development

Abstract Pod borer is one of the main factors for yield decrease of chickpea. Therefore, breeding of
chickpea for resistance to this pest is important. Modified cry1Ac gene of Bacillus thuringiensis in
pCry1Ac-nptII plasmid containing twin T-DNA for cry1Ac and nptII genes have been used for
transformation of chickpea. At last 38 plants had nptII gene that 36 plants of them had cry1Ac gene
and two plants had only nptII gene. Western blotting analysis showed that 30 plants had Cry1Ac
protein expression. Transformation percentage was 0.37 in this experiment. Only 7 plants produced T1
seeds. Regarding to western blotting and PCR analysis for T0 and T1, plants were devided to some
groups with different expressions. Bioassay with neonate of pod borer showed high mortality in lines
with high Cry1Ac protein expression.
Key words: Bt, Chickpea, cry1Ac, pod borer, transformation

Abstract In this paper data were collected from 120 farmers in North Khorassan province for the two
periods (2005-2007) in order to survey the role of rain-fed lentil risk profile for designing an insurance
model. To evaluate looses of each risk, risk frequency, risk impact criteria’s as well as risk matrix
were used. Results showed that low risk was the largest risk area. During study period, a decrease in
risks diversity was not observed, and only the inputs price risk increased. Average rates of
information, labor, production, price and credit risks were 30, 5.0, 4.5, 3.75 and 3.33%, respectively.
Correlation between risk score and rain-fed lentil yield was positive (0.38). According to the results,
developing a risk profile and use of risk profile in designing a revenue insurance model and coverage
of risks and low-priced credit payments are suggested.
Key words: Pulse, Revenue insurance, Risk, Risk matrix, Scoring

Abstract Some physical properties such as geometrical, gravimetrical, frictional and aerodynamic features of seeds of Desi chickpea and its splits were studied at a moisture content of 8.2 and 9.0% w., respectively from north-western of Iran. Geometrical and gravimetrical properties including the average length, width, thickness, the geometric mean of diameter, sphericity, 1000-seed weight, unit weight, bulk density, true density, porosity and volume of samples were measured. Results showed that amounts of bulk density, true density and porosity calculated for seeds of desi chickpea were higher than those obtained for its splits. Furthermore, frictional properties of samples such as emptying and filling angles of repose and static coefficient of friction with respect to five surfaces (glass, fiberglass, rubber, galvanized iron and polywood) were determined. The least static coefficient of friction for both samples was allocated to glass surface. In the case of seeds of Desi chickpea, polywood had the greatest static coefficient of friction, while for its splits, fiberglass was the highest. Terminal velocity for splits was greater than those measured for seeds of chickpea. Key words: aerodynamic propertie, frictional, geometrical, gravimetrical