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In order to investigate the effect of EM (Effective Microorganisms) application and various nitrogen levels on qualitative and quantitative traits of strawberry cultivar 'Paros'. The layout of the experiment was based on randomized complete block with three replications. The research was conducted in an experimental planting of strawberry cv. 'Paros' at the University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, during 2014-2015. EM was used at four rates (0, 1, 2, and 3%) in two ways (soil and foliar application) and nitrogen was used in three rates (50, 100 and 150 kg*ha-1 soil application). Leaf area, number of flowers per plant, number of fruit per plant, length, volume, fresh and dry weight of fruit, yield per plant, vitamin C content, total soluble solids content and total acidity were measured. There was significant difference between the EM and nitrogen treatments for all the traits except fruit shelf life. Mean comparison revealed that 2% concentration of EM had positive effect on most of the traits. Regarding nitrogen treatments, the best yield was obtained at application of 100 kg*ha-1 .

Genotype-environment interaction (GEI) is very important for breeders. It is considered a complicated issue in breeding programs to obtain stable and high-yielding genotypes to release new genotypes. This study was conducted to achieve a stable high-yielding genotype that is adaptive to climatic conditions of potato-producing regions in Iran. A total of 20 potato breeding lines along with five commercial varieties (Savalan, Agria, Caesar, Luta and Satina) were evaluated in a randomized complete block design with three replicates in the Agricultural Research and Natural Resources Stations of five location (Ardabil, Razavi Khorasan, Karaj, Isfahan and Hamadan) in Iran, for two years (2016 and 2017). Combined ANOVA of yield data for studied genotypes and environments indicates significant differences among potato genotypes, environments, and GE interaction was significant. Thus, the AMMI method and its parameters were used to analyze yield stability. The results indicated that only four interaction principal components were significant (p < 0.01), which accounted for 81.2% of the GEI sum of squares. Based on type 1 parameters (SIPC1, FA1, Za1, Dz1, EV1, and Da1), genotypes G7, G10, G14, G20 and G24 were identified as to be stable. Moreover, according to the results of type 2, 3 and 4 parameters, genotypes G2, G6, G7, G14, G15 and G20, as well as cultivars Agria (G24) and Luta (G23), were found to be stable. Genotypes G6, G7, G14, G15, G20, and G24 were stable according to the ASV parameter, and genotypes G6 and G7 were stable based on the MASV parameter. Amongst the stable genotypes identified by the AMMI parameters, while genotype G6 was high-yielding, G14 and G24 (Agria) were moderate-yielding.

To study the effects of some new facilitators on the vegetative and morphological traits of Thymus kotschyanus, nine treatments were tested in the experimental rangeland field at the University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran. Treatments included control, potassium silicate nanoparticles (PSN) with two levels of 500 and 1000 mg/lit, superabsorbent hydrogel (SH) with two levels of 10 and 30 g/kg, animal manure (AM) with two levels of 100, 200 g/kg, and effective microorganisms (EM) with two levels of 1 and 2%. Data were subjected to one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results of mean comparisons of treatments for Thymus kotschyanus characteristics showed that the highest amount of studied traits were observed in the treated SH 30 g/kg. These traits include plant height (19.44 cm), basal area (4.66 cm), canopy cover (99.11%), number of secondary branches (9.44) and depth of rooting (16.49 cm), aerial parts volume (26.77 cm 3), root volume (17.66 cm 3), aerial parts fresh weight (14.40 g), aerial parts dry weight (7.18 g), root fresh weight (3.98 g), and root dry weight (2.07 g). In general, the impact of treatments on Thymus growth traits were ranked as follows: SH 30 g/kg, PSN 1000 mg/lit, AM 200 g/kg, SH 10 g/kg, PSN 500 mg/lit, AM 100 g/kg, EM 2%, and EM 1%. In addition, the lowest plant traits were found in control. Overall, it is recommended extending the cultivation of this native medicinal plant by considering ecological conditions in each region. In addition, to promote the establishment and facilitate the growth of planted species, it is recommended using the facilitators utilized in the present work.