Iranian Journal Pulses Research

Abstract In order to study the effect of planting date, row spacing and seed rate on grain yield and protein yield of faba bean (Vicia faba L.), a split factorial experiment based on the complete randomized block design with three replications was conducted at research station of Rice Research Institute of Iran (Rasht) during 2008-2010 for two years. Experimental treatments were planting date in three levels of October 1, 16 and 31 as main plot and row spacing in three levels of 30, 40 and 50 cm and seed rate in two levels of 100 and 150 kg.ha-1 as sub plots. The results of mean comparisons showed the first year was superior to the second year in most traits. Between the planting dates, planting dates of October 1 and 16 had maximum 100-seed weight, number of auxiliary branches, number of pods per plant and grain and protein yields, and were in the same group. Between row spacing levels, 30 and 40 cm and between seed rates, seed rate of 150 kg.ha-1 produced maximum grain and protein yields. Planting date of October 1 had the highest growth period with average of 234 days. Based on the results of this research, planting date of October 1 and 16, row spacing levels of 30 and 40 cm, and seed rate of 150 kg.ha-1 is recommended for planting of faba bean (Vicia faba L.) in fields of Rasht due to high grain and protein yields.

Abstract Long season and high temperature during spring in hot and dry areas has led to tendency for autumn planting. In order to evaluation of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) autumn planting possibility, a field experiment was done at the Agricultural Faculty and Natural Resources of Saravan Research Field in 2010. Experimental design was done as split plots based on randomized complete block design with three replications. The main plots and subplots included three planting dates (11 Oct., 2 Nov., 22 Nov), and five chickpea genotypes (MCC488, MCC208, MCC258, MCC770, MCC361), respectively. The effect of planting date on plant height, pod number per plant, seed number per plant, empty pods, 100-seed weight, biological and seed yield and harvest index was significant. The highest seed yield was achieved in first planting date (11 Oct.). Plant dry matter production and seed yield decreased with delaying of planting date. The effect of genotype on all measured parameters, was also significant (p≤ 0.05) and the genotype MCC361 had the highest seed yield (204 g.m-2). The interaction effect of planting date and genotype was significant and MCC361 had the highest seed yield (with average 255 g.m-2) at first planting date (11 Oct.) and the lowest yield was belong to genotype MCC 770 (17.55 g.m-2) at second planting date (22 Nov.). There were good correlation coefficient between seed yield with number of pod per plant (r= 0.84**), number of seed per plant (r= 0.63**), biological yield (r= 0.55**) and harvest index (r= 0.55**). Although the results showed that the autumn planting of chickpea in Saravan region has been successful, but to obtain more reliable results, continuation of these experiments and more accurate response to the winter chickpea planting is recommended.

Abstract Structure of alpha lattice designs makes removing the effects of incomplete blocks from residual effect of plots, and maximizes precision of comparison between genotypes at the same incomplete block. This investigation was conducted to study the international chickpea germplasm, for finding desirable lines regarding seed yield and other traits. Two trials including CIEN-LA-2010 and CIEN-S-2010 carried out at Saral station of Kurdistan province during 2009-2010 cropping season. CIEN-LA and CIEN-S were sown at normal time, early March and as 9×5 alpha lattice designs with two replications. Considering property of each trial, data recording was done and statistical analyses were performed. According to analysis of variance, there were significant differences between genotypes across two trials. The average standard error of difference between genotypes was used to calculate relative efficiency of alpha lattice design. These results revealed that, alpha lattice had more efficiency over traditional randomized complete block design in both experiments, and ranks of entries were changed in trials. In CIEN-LA and CIEN-S, lines FLIP 05-55C and FLIP 06-159C ranked first for seed yield, respectively. It is necessary to have a more precise look to the best entries of these trials at the next studies.

Abstract This experiment was carried out to evaluate the effect of rhizobium strains and plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) on dry matter partitioning and some growth parameters of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) Arman cultivar. This research was conducted as split plot based on complete random block design at Zanjan university research farm. Irrigation levels (optimum irrigation during season growth and no irrigation during growth period) were set as main plots and fertilizer level (control or no application chemical and biological fertilizer, 50kg/ha Urea, seed inoculation with Mesorhizobium ciceri strain of SWRI-3, seed inoculation with Mesorhizobium ciceri strain SWRI-17, seed inoculation with PGPR, Co-inoculation with rhizobium strains SWRI-3+SWRI-17 and Co-inoculation with all biofertilizers, SWRI-3+SWRI-17+PGPR were sets as subplots. Based on results, SWRI-17 and SWRI-17+SWRI-3+ PGPR caused more allocation of chickpea photoassimilate to pods and less allocation of photoassimilates to stems and leaves under drought stress. Also, because SWRI-17+SWRI-3+PGPR allocated more photoassimilate to leaves under irrigated condition, caused effective solar irradiance absorption, produce maximum seed yield. Finally our data showed that, sees co-inoculation with rhizobium strains and PGPR resulted more seed yield in comparison with control (no fertilizer usage) or Urea fertilizer application under both irrigated and rainfed conditions.

Abstract Paraquat herbicide weed control efficacy in stale seedbed practices was evaluated by split plots arrangement according to a randomized complete block design with three replications in Lorestan province during 2009 and 2010. The common bean seed rate (in three levels: 100, 150 and 200 kg.ha-1) and weed management in seven levels (1. Trifluralin PPI; 2. Paraquat PRE; 3. Bentazon+acifluorfen POST; 4. Trifluralin PPI+ Bentazon+acifluorfen POST; 5. Paraquat PRE +Bentazon+acifluorfen POST; 6. Hand weeding; 7. Weedy check) were allocated to main plots and sub plots, respectively. In the first year, among the herbicide treatments, the lowest weed density was belonged to the paraquat PRE+Bentazon+acifluorfen POST, that reduced weed density by 68% in comparison to weedy check. Trifluralin PPI+ Bentazon+acifluorfen POST, Paraquat PRE +Bentazon+acifluorfen POST, and Bentazon+acifluorfen POST alone were reduced weed biomass 83, 82 and 70%, respectively. Based on the second year experimental results, all management treatments significantly reduced weed density compared to weedy check. Treatments included Trifluralin PPI, by average were reduced weed density 77% compared to weedy check. Integrated application of Paraquat PRE+Bentazon+acifluorfen POST, also reduced weed density by 55%, and had not significant differences with superior treatment.

Abstract Dry beans are rich sources of dietary fiber and phytochemicals such as flavonoids and phenolics that exhibit good functional properties. In current study line, cooking and soaking time effects were investigated on water absorption, splitting and texture properties of different Iranian red kidney beans to determine the best lines and the best soaking time for industrial use. D81083 line showed the highest level of water absorption after 24 h soaking followed by Akhtar and KS31164 lines while Azna, Goli and Naz lines showed the lowest level of water absorption (p

Abstract In order to evaluate the effects of drought stress and planting method on yield and yield components of two chickpea cultivars (Cicer arietinum L.), an experiment was carried out at the research field of Faculty of Agriculture; Shiraz University, using a split factorial randomized complete block design with four replications. The main factor was irrigation stop at different growth stages of chickpea (two weeks after emergence= I1, flowering= I2 and normal irrigation= I3) and sub-factor involved a combination of two varieties of pea (Arman and Azad) and sowing methods (ridges, furrow and flat planting), respectively. Results showed that the highest and lowest pod number per plant, seeds per plant, two seeded pod percent, grain weight, grain yield and biological yield were obtained from I3 and I1 treatments, respectively, and the trend was contrary in the case of hollow pods. Most of pods per plant, seed per plant, two seeded pod percent, seed weight and seed yield were obtained from planting on ridges. Azad cultivar seed yield was more than (Arman 164 vs 117 g.m-2) and could be recommended in the Bajgah region. Although under drought stress condition seed yield was reduced in both cultivars but, it modification by changing the planting method from flat to ridge in the I1 and I2 treatments, and it can be used as a way of reducing seed yield loss by 26 and 32 percent, respectively.

Abstract In order to evaluate of morphological, physiological and biochemical traits, related to drought tolerance, an experiment was carried out in field condition. In this study two commercial cultivars (MCC361, MCC358), three Kabuli and three Deci type of tolerant genotypes (MCC392, MCC537, MCC696, MCC873, MCC870, MCC10,) and three Kabuli and three Deci type of susceptible genotypes (MCC759, MCC588, MCC774, MCC45, MCC39, MCC101) were grown in Ferdowsi University of Mashhad research field. These genotypes were compared in shoot length, dry weight, leaf area, Fv/Fm, leaf water potential, prolin and protein content and catalase activity in the flowering stage. There was a significant positive correlation between prolin and protein content. Catalase activity also had significant positive correlation with dry weight and leaf area. Susceptible genotypes had lower Fv/Fm, leaf water potential, prolin content and catalase activity than tolerant genotypes. Accordingly, Fv/Fm, leaf water potential, prolin content and catalase activity were introduced as suitable markers for identification of drought tolerant genotypes. Commercial cultivar (MCC358) was introduced as a tolerant genotype because of higher Fv/Fm, leaf water potential, prolin content and catalase activity as compared to susceptible genotypes under drought stress.

Abstract Drought is one of the most important factors limiting growth and yield in many parts of the world. In order to evaluate the effects of drought stress on some morphological and physiological traits of two cultivars of bean, two red beans (Derakhshan and Goli) in four drought treatments including 25%, 50%, 75%, control 100% field capacity were studied in a factorial experiment based on complete randomized design with three replications. Results showed that morphological traits inducing plant height, leaf area, root area, total root length and shoot and root dry weight were significantly (p≤0.01) decreased under drought stress. So, results showed that physiological traits such as leaf relative water content (RWC), membrane stability index (MSI), PSΙΙ photochemical efficiency (Fv/Fm), and quantum yield of photosynthesis (Y) were significantly declined under drought stress (p≤0.01). But, stomatal resistance and chlorophyll index (SPAD) significantly increased in bean seedlings under drought stress (p≤0.01). The root to shoot ratio was increased further in Derakhshan cultivar in severe stress than control. RWC, MSI, and Fv/Fm showed a greater reduction in severe stress than control in Goli cultivar. Results showed that probably Derakhshan cultivar was affected fewer by drought stress, by means of applying drought tolerance different mechanisms than that of Goli cultivar. The Derakhshan cultivar in most physiological traits, was not represent significant differences between 75% of field capacity and control.

Abstract Salinity is one of the most important widespread abiotic stresses which causes toxic and nutritional effects as well as loss of water absorption ability by plants. Plants respond to salinity with morphological changes. Due to high susceptibility of chickpea to salt stress, some physiological and morphological responses occur following the stress in this plant. Thus, different concentrations of salt stress (0, 8, 12 dS.m-1) impacts on morphophysiological characteristics were studied in candidate chickpea genotypes; a factorial experiment in a completely randomized design was performed with three replications and four sampling times of one week interval. The results indicated that the most tolerant and susceptible genotype to salinity were MCC760 and MCC806, respectively. By increasing the concentration of sodium chloride at week 4, root dry weight to shoot dry weight ratio increased 0.8 and 2 folds in these genotypes but root dry weight decreased 1.7 and 4 folds. At high stress level (12 dS.m-1), MCC760 genotype had not only the more photosynthetic pigments (including chlorophyll a, b and carotenoids) but also the rate was less in which its chlorophyll stability index (75%) was significantly higher than the others, indicating more than 30% significant differences compared with MCC806. The third week determined as more appropriate time to compare the physiological parameters in which MCC760 and MCC806 genotypes with 1.8 and 3.4 folds had significant difference and lowest relative water content. Overall, the data showed that MCC760 was the most tolerant genotype in response to salinity in this study and also the appropriate time for tolerant assessment were 4th and 3rd weeks after sowing based on Morphological and physiological parameters, respectively.

Abstract Pod borer is one of the main causes for yield loss of chickpea. Therefore, breeding of chickpea for resistance to this pest is important. The use of Cry toxin from Bacillus thuringiensis is an effective strategy for producing of transgenic resistant chickpea to this pest. These toxins are able to become active in the midgut of larvae and disrupt the insect's digestive system. We studied the stability and expression of cry1Ac gene obtained as T2 transgenic chickpea with cry1Ac gene and nptII gene with binary T-DNA in T3 and T4 generations of transgenic plants and observed the transgenic lines with cry1Ac gene and no nptII gene suggesting that separation between cry1Ac and nptII genes was occurred by recombination between two T-DNAs. In T3, PCR results showed that 6 of 25 putative transgenic plants had cry1Ac gene but all of them showed the nptII gene. From six samples with positive PCR in cry1Ac gene, five of them had positive results in RT-PCR reaction, confirming the expression of cry1Ac gene in transgenic lines. PCR results in T4 plants showed that 73 of 94 plants had cry1Ac gene and 81 of 94 samples included the nptII gene. In 10 samples cry1Ac gene separated from nptII gene. According ELISA results, in all samples tested, Cry1Ac protein was expressed in different concentrations. Bioassay tests showed that all pod borer larvae fed by leaves of transgenic plants, were dead, but all survived when the larvae were fed with leaves of non-transgenic plants. So, expected phenotype was observed successfully.

Abstract Fungal diseases, chocolate spot (Botrytis fabae Sard) is the most destructive diseases of faba bean and causes considerable dramatic damage losses on faba bean yield worldwide. The levels of resistance to chocolate spot were evaluated in 35 faba bean cultivars and one susceptible check (ILB365) and local check (Barkat) at the Gorgan Agricultural Research Station during the 2010 and 2011 cropping seasons. The obtained results showed a significant difference (P< 0.01) among genotypes for yield, yield component and related traits to disease resistance. Barkat, FLIP03-35FB and FLIP03-58FB produced the highest plant height, seed yield and 100 seed weight, respectively. In order to determine genotype reaction to chocolate spot, disease symptoms scored in certain intervals until harvest, then AUDPC, rAUDPC and sAUDPC was calculated. A significant variation among the tested genotypes and their reaction to chocolate spot disease was found. Results of variance, comparing the mean and also cluster analysis revealed that ILB 365, FLIP03-57FB, FLIP03-43FB and FLIP03-59FB where susceptible. Whereas, Icarus, FLIP03-29FB, FLIP03-30FB, FLIP03-34FB and FLIP03-52FB introduced as resistance genotypes to chocolate spot judged by the lowest AUDPC.

Abstract Induced resistance to pathogen is one of the ways which plants use against biotic stresses. Pathogenesis-related proteins(PR), including chitinase and β-1,3-glucanase synthesized by the plant in response to pathogenic infection. In this investigation, the expression of two isoforms: acidic and basic of chitinase and β-1,3-glucanasegenes were analyzed at 0, 6, 12, 24, 48 and 72 hours after fungal inoculation of chickpea genotypes (MCC496 as resistant and MCC403 as sensitive) with race 6 of Ascochyta rabiei by semi-quantitative RT-PCR. The results showed that the expression of both acidic isoforms of chitinase and β-1,3-glucanase genes were increased at 24 and 48 hours, respectively after fungal inoculation in genotype MCC496, but the expression level in sensitive genotype increased in early time after inoculation and then decreased. The basic isoform of chitinase was expressed in sensitive genotype more than the resistant genotype. The basic isoform of β-1,3-glucanase was not expressed in these genotypes. Totally, acidic isoforms of these enzymes specifically chitinase would play roles in plant defense against Ascochyta blight

Abstract In order to determine resistance genetically potential of some bean genotypes to Bean Common Mosaic Virus, two separated experiments in randomized complete block design with 25 genotypes and three replications was conducted in IAU Shiraz Branch. The first experiment and the second one were performed in normal and BCMV infected conditions, respectively. Plants were inoculated in cotyledon leaf and first triple leaflet stage in the method of mechanical using carborundum powder. After 21 days, the first inoculation, sampling for PTA-ELISA test was done. According to the results, the genotypes that have I gene and at least one of the bc-3 and bc-12 genes showed less yield decline in BCMV infected conditions than other genotypes (p-value=0.001). The least yield variation was relevant to WA8528-9 genotype (5.67%) which containing of I and bc-3 genes. Among the genotypes, only 11805 had all of three (I, bc-3 and bc-12 ) genes. Yield variation of this genotype was 9.05%. Evidences have shown that 60% of genotypes had I, 44% had bc-3 and 8% had bc-12 genes, respectively. One of the other important results of this research was negative reaction of two genotypes (Local Khomein and Capsoli) to ELISA test. These genotypes were devoid of each three resistant genes, whereas yield variations of them were low in BCMV infected conditions. Existence of new combinations of genes are possible in Local Khomein and Capsoli genotypes, so these genotypes should be considered specially.