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In order to evaluate the effect of sowing date and planting pattern on yield and qualitative parameters of rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) and chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) in intercropping, a split plot experiment was conducted based on randomized complete block design with four replications, in Hamedan, Iran, during 2014-15. The rapeseed seeds were sown on 21st September. Chickpea was sown on four sowing dates as the main factor (21 September, 10 October, 30 October and 20 November) with 20 days interval. The sub-factor was the planting pattern by replacement series including 100:0, 75:25, 50:50, 25:75 and 0:100 chickpea-rapeseed mixtures, respectively. Based on the results obtained, among chickpea sowing dates, the first and the last dates had the lowest and highest above-ground biomass and grain yield, respectively. During the late sowing date of chickpea (20 November) the field temperature was colder than the earlier dates, and therefore the freezing temperatures did not allow the seeds to germinate. However, no damage happened to seedlings with the earlier sowing dates. The highest yield was observed in sole cropping for both crops. In contrast, the highest values of land equivalent ratio were obtained in intercropping system. The highest value for land equivalent ratio was calculated as 1.23 in intercropping of 50% chickpea + 50% rapeseed.

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This study was conducted to compare the effects of nano and chemical fertilizers on physiological efficiency and essential oil yield of Borago officinalis L. during 2013 and 2014 crop years. The different levels of fertilizers were used as main factors in 11 levels including iron-sulphate and nanoiron, zinc and nano-zinc, urea and nano-urea, potassium sulphate and nano-potassium, micro-complete and micro-complete nanosuper and control. The application methods of fertilizers were considered as secondary factor (soil application, foliar application and combined application). Physiological efficiency of nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium, zinc and iron, dry and fresh weight of aerial parts, number of secondary branches, chlorophyll content, 100 grains and essence yield were evaluated. Our findings showed that chemical fertilizers had no beneficial effects in comparison to nano fertilizers (P > 0.05). In addition, nano-urea and urea fertilizers increased essential oil yield because of increased wet and dry weight of aerial parts and number of secondary branches. In conclusion, nano-fertilizers can be used in order to improve the essence production and also as environmentally friendly fertilizers.

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Sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] is among the most important warm-season forages that is grown in mainly arid and semiarid regions of southeastern Iran. Irrigation water is an energy-intensive input and it is also becoming scarce and costly in this country. Soil application of polymeric materials such as Superab A200 (SAP) can increase soil water storage capacity and increase water use effi ciency (WUE). Th e objective of this study was to investigate the eff ect of diff erent rates of SAP and irrigation regimes on dry matter yield, WUE, and some physiological and yield-related traits of Speedfeed sorghum. Th e experiment was conducted in Zahedan, Iran, during the 2009 and 2010 seasons under limited irrigation regimes (irrigation aft er 40, 60, 80, and 100% crop evapotranspiration = ET c ) and four rates of SAP application (0, 75, 150, and 225 kg ha -1 ). Results indicated signifi cant eff ects of irrigation regimes, SAP levels, and their interaction. Th e analysis for dry matter, WUE, and benefi t/cost ratio showed that applying SAP at 100% ET c had no eff ect on these traits, but in the treatments with water defi cit, it improved all the studied traits of sorghum. With regard to economic analysis, applying 75 kg ha -1 SAP for a decrease in the sorghum's water requirement of as much as 20% is economically justifi ed at moderate water defi cits.

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