The combined application of indigenous PGPR (Serratia sp. and Bacillus subtilis) significantly increased wheat yield and quality besides saving 18 kg and 10 kg of Nitrogen and phosphorous on per hectare basis.

Physiological male-sterile plants of wheat were established using high temperature (HT) induction. The physiological changes and expression levels of genes of TaSUT1, TaSUT2, IVR1, IVR5, RAFTIN1 and TaMS26 mainly related to carbohydrate metabolism and sporopollenin in male-sterile processes were studied. The results demonstrate that HT induction of wheat male sterility is probably related to the expression of genes related to carbohydrate metabolism and sporopollenin metabolism.

This study evaluated the effects of seed priming with zinc, boron and manganese alone and in combinations on stand establishment, grain yield and biofortification of bread wheat. Seed priming with micronutrients was generally cost-effective in meeting the crop micronutrient requirements, and in improving crop stand, grain yield and grain micronutrient contents in bread wheat. However, seed priming with zinc + boron was the most effective in this regard.

Soil acidity and low natural fertility are the main problems for grain production in a tropical region, especially under intensive crop rotation. We evaluated the surface applications of lime and phosphogypsum on soil fertility and crop yield. The combination of soil amendments is an important tool to reduce the soil acidification process, improving soil fertility, which reflects an increase in grain yield and contribute to the sustainability of agricultural systems in highly weathered areas.

Potassium (K) affects biomass accumulation, K concentration and root growth. Potassium starvation inhibited blade photosynthesis and carbohydrate translocation. Genotype variations in sink–source balances in rooted single leaves of sweet potato.

The genetic basis of physiological responses to drought and its association with productivity, persistence and summer dormancy is not clear in orchardgrass. Moreover, seasonal growth activity such as summer dormancy and autumn recovery has not been studied in Iranian native germplasm of orchardgrass nor in introduced germplasm from foreign countries. Summer dormancy may amend drought survival of orchardgrass genotypes leading to improved persistence and recovery vigour.

Breeding programs of the key agricultural species of the genus Urochloa (signal grass) are constrained because of asexual seed formation (apomixis). Therefore, a system of in vitro regeneration is required so that available genetic transformation tools can be used to create elite germplasm. We developed an in vitro regeneration system for three economically important species to be used to obtain transgenic plants, showing that the auxins and cytokinin tested can induce plant regeneration from Urochloa leaf-base segments.

Role of water relations in growth of Phragmites karka (a potential biofuel crop) was studied. Better growth in 100 mM NaCl is related to efficient osmotic adjustment and lower bulk elasticity. Whereas, growth decline in 300 mM is linked with low turgor, decreased cell hydraulic capacitance and higher bulk elastic modulus.