Papers by Mohammad Reza Chaichi
DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals), Feb 1, 2015
Seed and Plant Improvment Journal, 2015
The increasing scarcity of water for irrigation is one of the major challenges for forage produce... more The increasing scarcity of water for irrigation is one of the major challenges for forage producers in all arid and semi-arid regions. Surfactants can be used to mitigate this problem by increasing the speed of water penetration in the soil and reducing water loss through evaporation. A pot experiment was conducted to determine the ability of surfactant to hold water in the soil to promote forage corn growth and development under water deficit irrigation regimes. Pots were arranged in a three-replicated factorial design with three irrigation regimes of irrigation after 30%, 60%, and 90% of field capacity water depletion combined with and without application of surfactant. The results showed that application of surfactant increased plant height. The highest plant dry matter was obtained from irrigation after 30% and 60% field capacity depletion along with surfactant application, respectively. Moreover, application of surfactant positively and significantly influenced leaf dry matter,...
Journal of Hydrology: Regional Studies, 2020
Study region: Maize farmland in Varamin, located southwest of Tehran (Iran). Study focus: The aim... more Study region: Maize farmland in Varamin, located southwest of Tehran (Iran). Study focus: The aims of this study were to: (1) monitor throughfall and stemflow during rainstorms beneath maize canopies over two growing seasons (2015, 2016); (2) evaluate the effect of maize canopy structure (leaf area index, plant height) on throughfall, stemflow, and interception; and (3) develop an analytical model of rainfall partitioning by maize from controlled rainfall simulations. New hydrological insights for the region: Rainfall or irrigation interception by crops and residues has often been overlooked in hydrologic modelling in Iran. However, our results confirm that interception by maize canopy can significantly reduce total water input to the surface (19.9 % and 11.2 % of natural and simulated rainfalls, respectively). Although rainfall amounts and rates were similar between simulations and natural rainfall, differences in interception value may still exist between simulated and natural conditions due to the formation, size distribution, and movement of water droplets emitted from simulation systems vs. natural rainfall water droplets. Throughfall and interception significantly correlated with LAI and height of the maize canopy above thresholds of 2.5 (LAI) and 180 cm (height). The analytical model performed well under natural rain conditions. These results may help farmers' irrigation scheduling achieve higher irrigation water use efficiency for maize fields, particularly in arid agricultural lands. 1. Introduction Cereal grains provide humankind with more nourishment than any other food class, accounting for nearly half of humanity's total caloric requirement (Ranum et al., 2014). It is, therefore, no surprise that maize (Zea mays L.) is a staple food crop across many regions of the world (Ranum et al., 2014). It is cultivated from the tropics to temperate regions up to 50°latitude, and across elevations from 0 to 3800 m above sea level under irrigated to arid conditions (Verheye, 2010). This cereal crop, which originated in Mexico, is now grown around the world with a total production of > 1 billion metric tons in 2015 (FAO, 2016). Maize is not only a key crop of the past and present, but is expected to play a significant role in future food supplies as it has wider adaptability under a
Canadian Journal of Agriculture and Crops, 2019
Agronomy Journal, 2018
Drought stress significantly declines crop yield. Efficient soil moisture management and its cons... more Drought stress significantly declines crop yield. Efficient soil moisture management and its consequent effects on metabolic changes which happen in response to drought stress are important in dry regions agriculture. This research was performed to evaluate yield, yield components, and oil accumulation in safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) cultivars seed in response to water deficit conditions. A field experiment was conducted at the Research Farm of the College of Agriculture, Tabriz University during two growing seasons of 2014 and 2015. The treatments were arranged as split plots based on randomized complete block design with three replicates. Irrigation treatments (irrigation after 70, 100, 130, and 160 mm evaporation from class A pan) were assigned to the main plots and spring safflower cultivars (Faraman, Goldasht, Sina, and Soffeh) were allocated to the subplots. Safflower seeds were harvested in 5-d intervals at seven stages during development and maturity period. The result showed that Sina cultivar had the highest seed yield per unit area. Maximum oil percentage of safflower seeds was obtained at 1 to 12 d after plant physiological maturity. Water stress caused seed oil percentage decline across all cultivars. Sina and Faraman cultivars had higher oil percentage across all irrigation treatments. The highest oil and seed yield per unit area under both full and limited irrigation conditions was produced by Sina cultivar. Drought stress decreased seed yield, yield components, and oil content across all safflower cultivars, however, the extent of the damage was limited due to cultivar genetic characteristics and ecological origin.
Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis, 2018
To evaluate the impact of nano-iron oxide and zinc sulfate fertilizers on peppermint in field con... more To evaluate the impact of nano-iron oxide and zinc sulfate fertilizers on peppermint in field conditions, a factorial split experiment with two micronutrient fertilizers [Zinc (Zn) and Iron (Fe)] in RCBD with three replicates was conducted at University of Tehran, during 2014 and 2015. Fe at four levels (0, 0.25, 0.5, and 0.75 g L-1) and Zn at three levels (0, 2.5, and 5 g L-1) were applied. Fe and Zn fertilizer application significantly improved photosynthetic pigments, mineral nutrient content, essential oil concentration, and dry matter yield in peppermint. The highest iron content (1578.00 mg kg −1) was achieved when 5 g L −1 of Zn was applied along with 0.75 g L −1 Fe. According to our results, the application of 2.5 g L −1 of Zn plus 0.5 g L −1 Fe fertilizers could be recommended to achieve the highest plant dry matter and essential oil yield.
Archives of Agronomy and Soil Science, 2016
This paper describes the effect of plant growth-promoting bacteria on sunflower growth and its ph... more This paper describes the effect of plant growth-promoting bacteria on sunflower growth and its phytoremediation efficiency under Cd-contaminated soils. Four levels of bacteria inoculation (non-inoculation, inoculation by Bacillus safensis, Kocuria rosea and co-inoculation by Bacillus safensis+Kocuria rosea) and four Cd concentrations (0, 50, 100 and 150 mg Cd per kg soil) were arranged as factorial experiment based on a completely randomized design (CRD). Results showed that Cd significantly decreased growth by decreasing the shoot and root length and biomass (p < 0.01). In addition, Cd dramatically decreases photosynthetic pigments, Fe transport to shoot and Zn uptake (p < 0.01). Bacterial inoculation increased Fe and Zn uptake by plants, Cd concentration in the aboveground part of plants and Cd uptake by the enhancement of Cd concentration in plant tissue and biomass production. Results showed that the highest shoot Cd uptake was observed in inoculated plants by Bacillus safensis at Cd100 (20.35 mg pot −1). However, in average of Cd treatments, the performance of co-inoculation in Cd uptake (13.04 mg pot −1) was better than singular inoculation (10.68 and 12.58 mg pot −1 for Bacillus safensis and Kocuria rosea, respectively). Results revealed that bacterial inoculation increased the Cd uptake performance in shoot and total biomass by 30% and 25%, respectively.
Journal of Plant Nutrition, 2016
The importance of using low quality water, such as saline waters, for food production has been in... more The importance of using low quality water, such as saline waters, for food production has been increased in the recent decades. An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of diluted sea water (electrical conductivity (EC) of 6 dS m-1) on growth and nutrient uptake of tomato. We examined if surfactant (0, 1, 2, 4 mg L-1) and biological fertilizer (compost tea + arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi propagules) has potential to alleviate the adverse effects of salinity on tomato plant. Salinity stress significantly reduced all plant growth parameters. Under salinity stress, nitrogen (N) and potassium (K) contents in tomato shoot were lower, while phosphorus (P), sodium (Na), and calcium (Ca) contents were higher than non-salinized plants; showing ionic imbalance in this condition. Biological fertilizer, improved root weight in saline condition.
Research on Crops, 2016
The presence of heavy metals is one of the most important environmental stresses. Uranium is the ... more The presence of heavy metals is one of the most important environmental stresses. Uranium is the heaviest trace element in nature. To investigate the effects of uranium on the germination and growth of sunflower and sorghum seeds, laboratory testing was conducted in a completely randomized design with four replications. Various concentrations of uranium were 0, 50, 100, 200, 400 and 800 ppm. The results showed that levels of uranium on all traits had a significant effect (1%). The results of analysis of variance for all traits except germination rate and germination percentage showed that sunflower and sorghum were significant at 1%. Seedling length, shoot length and seedling vigour index had the largest decrease with increasing concentrations of uranium. The comparison means showed that the sunflower was more tolerable on various levels of uranium especially at higher levels. A significant correlation was observed between germination percentage and rate of germination. Also a significant correlation was observed between vigour and seedling.
Archives of Agronomy and Soil Science, 2016
Effects of types of nitrogenous fertilizer (biological, chemical, integrative) and cropping mixes... more Effects of types of nitrogenous fertilizer (biological, chemical, integrative) and cropping mixes on some forage-medicine characteristics in additive intercropping of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor [L.] Moench) with fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.
Industrial Crops and Products, 2015
Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) is an annual leguminous crop, widely cultivated as a med... more Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) is an annual leguminous crop, widely cultivated as a medicinal plant, a high quality forage crop, or a nitrogen (N) fixing cover crop around the world. There is a lack of information about the effect of irrigation and fertilization on growth and yield of this crop, especially in regions with limited water availability. In this study, we evaluated the effects of moderate (I 75 : 25% saving in irrigation water) and severe deficit irrigation (I 50 : 50% saving in irrigation water) regimes on forage, seed, and trigonelin yield of fenugreek in a semi-arid environment (Karaj, Iran). We also examined if application of bio-fertilizers (seed inoculation with Azotobacter chroococcum and Peudomoance fluorescence) could substitute the need for chemical N, phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) fertilizer in whole or in part. The field experiment was conducted in 2012 and 2013 in a split plot arrangement based on a randomized complete block design with three replications. Forage yield, seed yield, and trigonelline concentration were significantly influenced by deficit irrigation. Implementation of I 75 and I 50 resulted in 40 and 65% lower forage yield compared with full irrigation (I 100). Averaged over fertilizer treatments and two years, fenugreek seed yield in I 100 was 839 kg ha −1 which declined by 27 and 42% under I 75 and I 50 treatments, respectively. Accumulation of trigonelline in fenugreek seeds was elevated from 2.9 g kg −1 in I 100 to 3.1 g kg −1 in I 50. Fenugreek forage and seed yield, both were significantly improved when integrated fertilizers (biofertilizer + chemical fertilizer) were applied. Among the biological, chemical and integrated fertilizers, fenugreek forage and seed yield best responded to bio + 50% chemical fertilizer. The advantage of the integrated fertilizer over chemical fertilizer was even more pronounced when deficit irrigation was practiced. Fertilization had no significant effect on trigonelline concentration According to the results of this study, integration of biofertilizer + 50% chemical fertilizer could be successfully used for fenugreek production in this region toward minimizing the consumption of chemical fertilizers and improving fenugreek yield, especially under deficit irrigation regimes.
Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis, 2015
Salinity is considered as a major abiotic stress affecting crop production in arid and semi-arid ... more Salinity is considered as a major abiotic stress affecting crop production in arid and semi-arid regions in the world. Surfactants can improve water-use efficiency in saline soils and improve crop yield. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of salinity stress and surfactant treatments on photosynthetic pigments and nutrition elements of fenugreek in the Crop and Soil Science greenhouse at the Pennsylvania State University (University Park, PA, USA) in 2013. The experiment was conducted using a 5 × 3 factorial randomized complete block design with three replications. Factor A consisted of five salinity levels [0, 4, 6, 8, and 10 ds m–1 sodium chloride (NaCl)] while factor B consisted of three nonionic surfactant levels (0, 1, and 3 ppm). The results indicated a stepwise reduction in photosynthetic pigments of fenugreek as salt stress increased, however, Peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase activity increased in fenugreek leaves as salinity stress increased. Levels of surfactant application had different effects on nutrient uptake. Some nutrient elements such as sodium, phosphorus, copper, manganese, and zinc content increased while others decreased at high salinity conditions. Surfactant application rate of 3 ppm at moderate and high salinity levels and 1 ppm at lower salinity levels had a good performance in enhancing the total photosynthetic and carotenoid activities in fenugreek.
Journal of Agricultural Science and Technology
Agricultural Water Management, 2015
Quantifying crop response to irrigation is important for establishing effective irrigation manage... more Quantifying crop response to irrigation is important for establishing effective irrigation management strategies. The present study was conducted to evaluate the response of berseem clover and basil to limited irrigation in an additive intercropping system using a surfactant. The experimental treatments were carried out in split-split plots based on a completely randomized block design with three replications. The limited irrigation treatments comprised of replenishment of I 100 full irrigation, I 75 = 25% limited and I 50 = 50% limited weekly evaporation and plant water requirements which were assigned to the main plots. The planting systems of sole berseem clover and sole basil culture along with additive inter cropping of berseem clover + 50% basil were assigned to the subplots. Water treatments of control (water alone) and water + surfactant were assigned to the sub-subplots. Results show that severely limited irrigation (I 50) dramatically reduced the forage yield of berseem clover and basil by 19.5% compared with the control (I 100). The severity of the adverse effects of limited irrigation stress decreased by the surfactant application in irrigation by water + surfactant (9.5% decrement compared to full irrigation). The highest irrigation water use efficiency (2.7 kg m −3) was achieved in I 50 treatment with an added surfactant. The highest total dry matter yield (berseem clover + basil dry matter) (9257.9 kg ha −1) was obtained from additive intercropping of berseem clover 100% + basil 50% while irrigated by water + surfactant.
To evaluate we response of berseem clover and basil additive inter cropping to limited irrigation... more To evaluate we response of berseem clover and basil additive inter cropping to limited irrigation and surfactant application an experiment was conducted at College of Agriculture, University of Tehran, Research Farm, during 2012 growing season. The experimental treatments arranged as split-split plots based on a complete randomize block design with three replications. The limited irrigation treatments comprised of replenishment of 100%, 75% and 50% of weekly evaporation and plant water requirements assigned to the main plots. The planting systems of sole berseem clover and basil culture along with additive intercropping of berseem clover +50% basil assigned to subplots. Water treatment of control (water only) and water + surfactant assigned to the sub-subplots. The qualitative forage characteristics of berseem clover was recorded at 10% flowering stage. The result of the experiment showed that as the severity of drought stress increased, the qualitative forage traits viz dry matter ...
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Papers by Mohammad Reza Chaichi