Tarbiat Modares UniversityJournal of Agricultural Science and Technology1680-707328520260901A Well-Being Perspective on Drone Adoption by Iranian Potato Farmers99710102765310.48311/jast.2026.27653ENMojtabaShekarbaygiDepartment of Agricultural Extension and Education, Faculty of Agriculture, Razi University, Kermanshah, Islamic Republic of Iran.ShahparGeravandiDepartment of Agricultural Extension and Education, Faculty of Agriculture, Razi University, Kermanshah, Islamic Republic of Iran.FarahnazRostamiDepartment of Agricultural Extension and Education, Faculty of Agriculture, Razi University, Kermanshah, Islamic Republic of Iran.0000-0002-2636-0894Journal Article20180603Traditional technology acceptance models primarily focus on behavioral factors, with limited exploration of well-being perspectives. This study examines the role of technology well-being, based on the PERMA framework, in shaping the intention and adoption of drone technology among potato farmers in western Iran. Using a descriptive-correlational survey design, path analysis of a systematic sample of 234 farmers revealed that intention, engagement, social relationships, meaning, and accomplishments significantly influence drone adoption, with path coefficients of 0.85 for intention and 0.38 for acceptance. Positive emotions, however, showed no significant effect. These findings highlight the critical role of well-being in technology acceptance, offering novel insights for precision agriculture. The results suggest that policymakers should prioritize persuasive strategies to enhance farmers’ intentions, beyond merely promoting technology use. This research lays a foundation for future investigations, emphasizing technology well-being as a key driver of agricultural innovation.https://jast.modares.ac.ir/article_27653_3af72c083ddb534a6fe310bc744b5809.pdfTarbiat Modares UniversityJournal of Agricultural Science and Technology1680-707328520260901Assessing the Effects of Economic Structural Changes and Trade Openness on Ecological Sustainability: The Case of the MENA Region101110292798110.48311/jast.2026.27981ENSaharErfanianBusiness School, Huanggang Normal University, Huanggang, China.0009-0004-8972-4650ElhamMehrparvar HosseiniAgricultural Planning, Economic and Rural Development Research Institute, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran.0000-0001-8663-8416Amir HosseinChizariDepartment of Agricultural Economics, Faculty of Agriculture, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Islamic Republic of Iran.0000-0002-6913-9575HosseinNorooziDepartment of Agricultural Economics, Faculty of Agriculture, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Islamic Republic of Iran.0000-0002-6638-2078MiladAminizadehDepartment of Agricultural Economics, Faculty of Agriculture, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Islamic Republic of Iran.0000-0003-1253-8599Journal Article20250719This study examines whether the structural transformations in the economy and trade exert significant spatial direct and spillover effects on the ecological footprint across MENA countries from 2001 to 2021. For this purpose, we used Moran’s “I test” and applied fixed-effect Spatial Durbin Model (SDM). To ensure the findings, we checked the robustness of our results across alternative spatial models and other matrices. The results showed that there was significant positive spatial dependence in ecological footprints, indicating that a country’s ecological footprint was influenced by those of its neighbors. We find economic structural changes played an important role in reducing the ecological footprints, both directly and through spillover effects. Similarly, trade openness had a significantly negative impact on the ecological footprint; however, the spillover effect was not significant. The results of robustness checks confirmed the environmental impact of structural economic changes, and trade openness were robust and not driven by model-specific assumptions. These findings underscore the need for MENA governments to prioritize economic restructuring and promote the adoption of environmentally friendly technologies through strategic trade policies and reduced trade barriers.https://jast.modares.ac.ir/article_27981_086c98cd8fcd5da4d44864f9b3c7c2fa.pdfTarbiat Modares UniversityJournal of Agricultural Science and Technology1680-707328520260901Estimation of Price and Substitution Elasticities of Cotton Production Inputs: Empirical Evidence from Baghlan Province, Afghanistan103110482797610.48311/jast.2026.27976ENHafizullahRadmand1. Department of Agricultural Economics, Faculty of Agricultural Management, Gorgan University of Agricultural Science and Natural Resources, Gorgan, Islamic Republic of Iran.
2. Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension, Baghlan University, Baghlan, Afghanistan.AliKeramatzadehDepartment of Agricultural Economics, Faculty of Agricultural Management, Gorgan University of Agricultural Science and Natural Resources, Gorgan, Islamic Republic of Iran.RamtinJoolaieDepartment of Agricultural Economics, Faculty of Agricultural Management, Gorgan University of Agricultural Science and Natural Resources, Gorgan, Islamic Republic of Iran.FarshidEshraghiDepartment of Agricultural Economics, Faculty of Agriculture, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Islamic Republic of Iran.0000-0001-7434-4816Journal Article20240422This study aimed to estimate the price and substitution elasticities among the production inputs of cotton in Baghlan Province, Afghanistan. Data were collected through 132 questionnaires, using stratified random sampling from cotton growers in the province. The relationships among production inputs were examined using a translog cost function in conjunction with the Seemingly Unrelated Regression (SUR) approach. The results showed that the price elasticities of demand for land, animal manure, phosphate fertilizer, urea fertilizer, seeds, labor, water, and machinery were -0.036, -0.815, -0.056, -0.050, -0.056, -0.092, -0.074, and -0.198, respectively. All price elasticities of input demand were less than one, indicating inelastic demand, that is, input use is not highly sensitive to price changes. The cross elasticities of demand for inputs were also less than one, confirming inelastic demand across all inputs. The small values of substitution elasticities further indicated that policies targeting a single input would have little impact on the allocation of other inputs. Therefore, it is recommended that policymakers avoid focusing on individual inputs and, instead, consider all inputs as an integrated system when designing agricultural policies.https://jast.modares.ac.ir/article_27976_8a39b5f5618c5f29cd29e10b4c15aadb.pdfTarbiat Modares UniversityJournal of Agricultural Science and Technology1680-707328520260901Greenhouse Farmers' Behavioural Intentions to Reduce Pesticide Use in Antalya-Turkiye104910642408710.48311/jast.2026.24087ENMustafaKanDepartment of Agricultural Economics, Faculty of Agriculture, Kırşehir Ahi Evran University, Kırşehir, Türkiye.0000-0001-9198-5906HasanYilmazDepartment of Agricultural Economics, Faculty of Agriculture, Isparta University of Applied Sciences, Isparta, Türkiye.Hasan GökhanDoganDepartment of Agricultural Economics, Faculty of Agriculture, Selçuk University, Konya, Türkiye.Merve MürüvvetDagDepartment of Agricultural Economics, Faculty of Agriculture, Isparta University of Applied Sciences, Isparta, Türkiye.TidianiDialloDepartment of Agricultural Economics, Faculty of Agriculture, Isparta University of Applied Sciences, Isparta, Türkiye.Journal Article20250916<span lang="TR">This study investigates farmers' intentions to reduce the use of pesticides in greenhouse cultivation in Antalya Province, Turkey. Using an extended version of the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB), we investigated the socio-psychological factors that influence farmers' intentions to adopt more sustainable practices. Interviews with 297 farmers growing tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants revealed that, while farmers generally have a positive attitude towards reducing pesticide use, this attitude does not have a significant impact on their actual intentions. These intentions are chiefly driven by moral norms, subjective norms, and perceived behavioural control. Improving social support, creating an enabling environment, and implementing educational programmes can significantly help farmers to adopt agroecological practices. This study emphasi</span>z<span lang="TR">es the importance of understanding the social and psychological factors that influence farmers’ decisions, which is essential for developing effective strategies for environmentally friendly agriculture.</span><br><br><br>https://jast.modares.ac.ir/article_24087_5859953a451c4084472660061581b8cc.pdfTarbiat Modares UniversityJournal of Agricultural Science and Technology1680-707328520260901Grounded Theory Model for Social Media Integration in Agricultural Extension106510792765510.48311/jast.2026.27655ENMaryamBaharestaniDepartment of Agricultural Extension and Education, Ilam Branch, Islamic Azad University, Ilam, Islamic Republic of Iran.AlirezaPoursaeedDepartment of Agricultural Extension and Education, Ilam Branch, Islamic Azad University, Ilam, Islamic Republic of Iran.0000-0002-8156-4849MarjanVahediDepartment of Agricultural Extension and Education, Ilam Branch, Islamic Azad University, Ilam, Islamic Republic of Iran.Journal Article20250509This study aimed to develop a grounded theoretical model that explains the drivers, barriers, and strategies for enabling social media adoption in agricultural extension. Eleven semi-structured interviews were conducted with subject-matter experts from extension institutions and digital communication units in Iran, and data were analyzed using open, axial, and selective coding procedures. The coding process generated 57 concepts and 23 categories, which were synthesized into a paradigmatic model encompassing causal, contextual, and intervening conditions, as well as strategies and outcomes. Results showed that policy coordination, institutional collaboration, infrastructure investment, and digital capacity-building are essential conditions for effective adoption. Key barriers identified include weak rural internet coverage, limited digital literacy among farmers, insufficient financial resources, and fragmented policy frameworks. The study also revealed that social media supports faster knowledge dissemination, real-time farmer engagement, and adoption of sustainable agricultural practices. The theoretical model contributes to extension scholarship by linking institutional and contextual enablers to practical outcomes, thereby complementing existing technology-adoption frameworks. Practically, the findings emphasize the need for evidence-based policy frameworks, public–private partnerships, and investments in localized content and farmer training. Strategic use of emerging tools such as big data, IoT, and artificial intelligence can further enhance the effectiveness of social media-based extension. The model provides actionable guidance for policymakers and practitioners to strengthen rural innovation and sustainable agricultural development.https://jast.modares.ac.ir/article_27655_36e7410e19523e17b648b49ad9230d75.pdfTarbiat Modares UniversityJournal of Agricultural Science and Technology1680-707328520260901Knowledge-Behavior Gap in Soil Conservation: An Interventional Study with Small-Scale Farmers in Chile108110952410810.48311/jast.2026.24108ENAlexanderNeamanFacultad de Ciencias Agronómicas, Universidad de Tarapacá, Arica, ChileFranciscaPobleteFacultad de Ciencias Agronómicas, Universidad de Tarapacá, Arica, ChileClaudiaNavarro-VillarroelFacultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile0000-0001-6148-0747HéctorBerroetaEscuela de Psicología, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, ChileElliotBurnhamEscuela de Agronomía, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Quillota, ChileMónicaCastroEscuela de Agronomía, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Quillota, Chile0000-0002-0406-4816Dmitry S.ErmakovDepartment of Psychology and Pedagogy, Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia named after Patrice Lumumba (RUDN University), 6 Miklukho-Maklaya St., Moscow 117198, Russia0000-0003-0737-0189MasoudBijaniDepartment of Agricultural Extension and Education, College of Agriculture, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran0000-0003-2659-6386Journal Article20250916The purpose of the study was to analyze the impact of a soil management course on the farmers’ soil science knowledge and their soil conservation behaviors. The research involved 33 small-scale farmers in the Arica and Parinacota Region, Chile. This study employed both qualitative and quantitative methods, with data collected through surveys (pre- and post- course, and a subsequent retention test) and interviews following the retention test. The training course significantly enhanced farmers’ understanding of soil science, as demonstrated by their performance on the post-course survey and retention test. However, no statistically significant improvement was observed in farmers’ soil conservation behavior. Interview results confirmed these quantitative findings, and provided insights into the underlying mechanisms, which are consistent with the theories of the stage model of self-regulated behavioral change. Our study offers current evidence of the knowledge-behavior gap in agricultural decision-making. This study challenges the typical focus of agricultural extension activities on knowledge alone, highlighting how this approach overlooks potential behavioral changes resulting from the intervention.<br><br><br><br><br>https://jast.modares.ac.ir/article_24108_5ccfc67c31fa6a9d5c29bc3a093bf779.pdfTarbiat Modares UniversityJournal of Agricultural Science and Technology1680-707328520260901Role of Characteristics and Competencies in the Business Performance of Functional Beverage SMEs109711122411710.48311/jast.2026.24117ENNuningSetyowati1. Department of Agribusiness, Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Sebelas Maret, Indonesia.
2. Center for Study and Assistance for Cooperatives and Small-Medium Enterprises, Institute for Research and Community Service (LPPM), Universitas Sebelas Maret, Indonesia.KusnandarKusnandarDepartment of Agribusiness, Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Sebelas Maret, Indonesia.MohamadHarisudinDepartment of Agribusiness, Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Sebelas Maret, Indonesia.Erlyna WidaRiptanti1. Department of Agribusiness, Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Sebelas Maret, Indonesia.
2. Center for Study and Assistance for Cooperatives and Small-Medium Enterprises, Institute for Research and Community Service (LPPM), Universitas Sebelas Maret, Indonesia.IstiKhomahDepartment of Agribusiness, Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Sebelas Maret, Indonesia.Rara AuliaQonitaDepartment of Agribusiness, Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Sebelas Maret, Indonesia.Journal Article20250916This study examines the effects of owner characteristics, product competence, and business capital on the business performance of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the functional beverage sector. It also investigates the mediating role of owner competence in the relationship between owner characteristics and business performance. Employing a quantitative approach, data were collected via a structured questionnaire from 105 functional beverage SMEs in Solo Raya, Indonesia. Structural Equation Modeling with Partial Least Squares was used for analysis. The results indicate that business capital and product competence significantly and positively influence business performance. Owner characteristics do not have a direct effect on business performance, but influence it indirectly through full mediation by owner competence. The findings suggest that functional beverage entrepreneurs should enhance their self-competence encompassing knowledge, skills, and business experience, and strengthen business capital to improve performance. Additionally, developing entrepreneurial characteristics is crucial for boosting business outcomes through improved owner competence.<br><br><br>https://jast.modares.ac.ir/article_24117_80c1413fbbd611c47f878251d67a6ac6.pdfTarbiat Modares UniversityJournal of Agricultural Science and Technology1680-707328520260901Properties of Ethyl Cellulose/Polycaprolactone Electrospun Nano-fibers Incorporated with Gallic Acid and Natamycin for Cheese Packaging111311292765410.48311/jast.2026.27654ENSamiraBeikzadehDepartment of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Maragheh University of Medical Sciences, Maragheh, Islamic Republic of Iran.AliEhsaniDepartment of Food Science and Technology, Faculty of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Islamic Republic of Iran.Seyyed Amir MohammadMortazavianDepartment of Food Science and Technology, Faculty of Nutrition Sciences and Food Technology, National Nutrition and Food Technology Research Institute, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran.ZhianSheikhiDepartment of Food Science and Technology, Faculty of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Islamic Republic of Iran.MarjanGhorbaniNutrition Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Islamic Republic of Iran.SoghraSoghra RamezaniFaculty of Textile Engineering, Uremia University of Technology, Uremia, Islamic Republic of Iran.Journal Article20250118In this study, polymers of Ethyl Cellulose (ECL) and Polycaprolactone (PCL) were blended in ratios of 70:30, 80:20, and 90:10 (% w/w), and combined with Natamycin (NAT) at concentrations of 1 and 2% (w/w) and Gallic Acid (GAL) at 10 and 30% (w/w). Nano-fibers were produced via electro-spinning under the following conditions: voltage of 16kV, flow rate of 1 mL/hour, and a tip-to-collector distance of 15 cm. The nano-fibers were characterized for their morphology, FTIR, thermal, mechanical, antioxidant, water contact angle, and antifungal properties. The results indicated that ECL90/PCL10, ECL80/PCL20, and ECL70/PCL30 nano-fibers had average diameters of 1250.86±18, 1174±21.4, and 754.73±23 nm, respectively. The ECL70/PCL30 ratio was selected and combined with NAT and GAL. The average diameter of these nano-fibers ranged from 779.32 to 924.63 nm. The addition of NAT and GAL enhanced the thermal stability, mechanical properties, and antifungal efficacy of the ECL/PCL nano-fibers. Notably, nano-fibers containing 2% NAT combined with either 10 or 30% GAL completely inhibited the growth of molds. Cheese samples packaged with nano-fibers containing NAT and GAL exhibited a significantly lower increase in mold and yeast counts during storage compared to the control samples. Furthermore, sensory evaluation revealed no significant differences in scores among the packaged samples. Therefore, ECL/PCL nano-fibers incorporated with 2% NAT and 10% GAL present an effective alternative to the direct incorporation of NAT in cheese formulations.<br><br><br>https://jast.modares.ac.ir/article_27654_c00e300d85cc5e5f0d11a782da9bf045.pdfTarbiat Modares UniversityJournal of Agricultural Science and Technology1680-707328520260901Genetic Structure and Diversity of the Beet Armyworm Spodoptera exigua (Hübner) (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae) in Iran113111432411310.48311/jast.2026.24113ENSomayehEbrahimiDepartment of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Islamic Republic of Iran.MehdiEsfandiariDepartment of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Islamic Republic of Iran.LidaFekratDepartment of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Islamic Republic of Iran.Journal Article20250916<em>Spodoptera exigua</em> is a significant agricultural pest in Iran. In this research, we analyzed a 700 base pair DNA fragment of <em>COI</em> to assess the genetic diversity of this harmful pest. In total, 54 specimens were sampled across six Iran’s geographic areas, revealing six distinct haplotypes. The overall populations exhibited low genetic diversity (h= 0.463± 0.068, π= 0.00096±0.00017). No distinct geographic pattern was observed in the haplotype distribution, as indicated by phylogenetic and median-joining network analyses. The median-joining network of Iranian haplotypes, combined with sequences from other global regions, demonstrated lack of geographical clustering, with Hap.1 as the most prevalent haplotype spanning Iran, Europe, Asia, and Australia, indicative of extensive gene flow and shared evolutionary history. The <em>Fst</em> values for the Iranian populations ranged from -0.12240 to 0.07189, revealing no significant differentiation among the populations. Analysis of molecular variance showed a larger proportion of the variation within rather than between them. After 1000 random permutations, the level of population differentiation was found to be non-significant. The combination of an unimodal mismatch distribution and the non-significant results of Tajima's <em>D</em> (D= 0.02011, P> 0.05) and Fu's <em>Fs</em> (Fs= 3.33384, P> 0.05) suggested the beet armyworm may have expanded recently (~10,000–50,000 years ago) but has returned to a state resembling neutrality without significant selection pressures acting on it. Insights from this population genetic study can aid in crafting targeted approaches for managing this extensively migratory pest.<br><br><br>https://jast.modares.ac.ir/article_24113_5d2592e8bab5112c7d161e133eade524.pdfTarbiat Modares UniversityJournal of Agricultural Science and Technology1680-707328520260901Grafting Hybrid and Monoecious Cucumbers onto Cucurbit Rootstocks Enhances Growth and Yield under Net House Conditions114511582757810.48311/jast.2026.27578ENChinnusamyThangamaniDepartment of Vegetable Science, Horticulture College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU), Coimbatore 641003, Tamil Nadu, India.JabuSuresh KumarICAR-Central Tuber Crops Research Institute, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India.LakshmananPugalendhiDepartment of Vegetable Science, Horticulture College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU), Coimbatore 641003, Tamil Nadu, India.RajuSaravananDivision of Crop Production, ICAR-Central Tuber Crops Research Institute, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala 695017, India.N. A.TamilselviDepartment of Vegetable Science, Horticulture College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU), Coimbatore 641003, Tamil Nadu, India.Pratapsingh S.KhapteICAR-National Institute of Abiotic Stress Management, Baramati 413115, Maharashtra, India.S.AjithDepartment of Agricultural Statistics, Uttar Banga Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Cooch Behar, West Bengal, India.Journal Article20250102<span lang="EN-GB"><br>This study evaluated suitable cucurbitaceous rootstocks for improving cucumber yield and quality under net house conditions. Two cucumber cultivars, namely, Green Long (GL an OPV:</span><span lang="EN-IN"> Open Pollinated Variety</span><span lang="EN-GB">) and </span><span lang="EN-IN">Namdhari Seeds (NS)</span><span lang="EN-GB"> 408 (a F1 hybrid), were grafted onto five rootstocks: <em style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Cucurbita ficifolia</em>, <em style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Cucurbita moschata</em>, <em style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Cucurbita maxima</em>, <em style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Lagenaria siceraria</em>, and <em style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Luffa cylindrica</em>. Results showed that NS 408 outperformed GL in both grafted and non-grafted conditions. Among the rootstocks, NS 408 grafted onto <em>C. maxima</em> (winter squash) had the highest graft survival (79±1.8%), most extended vine length (700±16 cm), and maximum fruit yield (8.3±0.02 kg per plant, 118.4% increase over non-grafted NS 408). Grafting GL onto winter squash improved yield by 42.11% over non-grafted NS 408 and by 86.21% over GL control. Fruit quality parameters such as total soluble solids, palatability, ascorbic acid, and soluble protein were unaffected or improved, confirming that grafting did not negatively influence market quality. Economic analysis revealed the highest benefit-cost ratio (> 2.5) in NS 408/</span><span lang="EN-IN">Winter Squash (</span><span lang="EN-GB">WS), indicating that grafting is a cost-effective alternative to expensive hybrid seeds. These findings highlight the potential of grafting to optimize cucumber production, reduce reliance on pesticides, and improve profitability in protected cultivation.</span>https://jast.modares.ac.ir/article_27578_66ad4c25533779bfe270868c28b48b8d.pdfTarbiat Modares UniversityJournal of Agricultural Science and Technology1680-707328520260901Effects of Polyamines and Iron on Iron Absorption, Yield, and Enzymatic Activity in Soybean115911702777010.48311/jast.2026.27770ENFatemeh SadatGhamkharDepartment of Agro-technology, YI. C., Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran.Seyed MostafaHoseini MazinaniDepartment of Agro-technology, YI. C., Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran.AlirezaPazokiDepartment of Agro-technology, YI. C., Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran.MohammadYousefiDepartment of Chemistry, Te. Ms., Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran.Journal Article20250219This study evaluated the influence of Polyamines (PAs), applied both individually and in combination with iron, on soybean yield and yield components over the 2021 and 2022 growing seasons. The field experiment was conducted at the research farm of Azad University using a randomized complete block design with three replications. The experimental treatments consisted of foliar applications of 2 mM spermine, spermidine, and putrescine, each with and without 2 mM iron, as well as the combinations of 1 mM of polyamine with 3 mM iron to assess synergistic effects. Additionally, the iron sulfate and a control treatment were included. The results indicated that the treatments significantly affected the growth and yield components (such as plant height, pod number, seed weight, harvest index, seed protein and oil content) and the nutrient contents including Zn, Fe, B, N and Mg. The use of spermidine with iron treatment increased the seed weight by 71% compared to the control. Also, the application of polyamines combined with Fe resulted in a significant increase in the activities of superoxide dismutase (44%), peroxidase (63%), and catalase (43%) enzymes compared to the control. Notably, among the polyamines, spermidine combined with iron had the most significant effects on the studied traits and enzyme activity. These findings suggest that the application of polyamines with iron can significantly improve the soybean yield and yield components.https://jast.modares.ac.ir/article_27770_91139f12ae3f102e07a6c8c7333b685d.pdfTarbiat Modares UniversityJournal of Agricultural Science and Technology1680-707328520260901Evaluation of Weed Diversity and Density in White Cabbage Fields in Sakarya Province of Turkey: A New Record for Orobanche spp.117111842411810.48311/jast.2026.24118ENBahadırŞİNDepartment of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Sakarya University of Applied Sciences, Sakarya, Türkiye.0000-0002-0109-3662Omer UmitOkcuDepartment of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Tekirdağ Namık Kemal University, Tekirdağ, Türkiye.Journal Article20250916<span lang="TR">In 2022–2023, weed surveys were conducted across 73 randomly selected fields in the districts of Adapazarı, Erenler, Kaynarca, and Pamukova, ensuring coverage of at least 1% of the total cabbage cultivation area. These surveys identified 71 weed species. Among the weeds present, <em>Stellaria media</em> (L.) Vill. and <em>Veronica hederifolia</em> L. were the most dominant in both survey periods. In the first period, <em>Capsella bursa-pastoris</em> (L.) Medik. showed the highest density (5.3907), followed by <em>Sonchus oleraceus</em> L., <em>Stellaria media</em> (L.) Vill., and <em>Veronica hederifolia</em> L., all with 100% frequency of occurrence. In the second period, <em>Stellaria media</em> had a density of 39.17, while <em>Veronica hederifolia </em>had 8.50. Regarding frequency of occurrence, <em>Portulaca oleracea</em> L., <em>Convolvulus arvensis</em> L., and <em>Sonchus oleraceus</em> L. were the most frequent species, with 83.7, 75.1, and 75.0 %, respectively. The study concluded that <em>Lamium amplexicaule</em> L. was the most abundant species (in terms of density) in the first period, while <em>Veronica hederifolia</em> L. was the most abundant in the second. However, species dominance varied depending on observation time and whether frequency or density was considered. For the first time in Turkey , <em>Orobanche</em> spp. was identified as a parasitic weed on white cabbage during the second survey period.</span>https://jast.modares.ac.ir/article_24118_bd8e6f05d9555af5d945c647a70995f1.pdfTarbiat Modares UniversityJournal of Agricultural Science and Technology1680-707328520260901Polymorphisms of the Self-Incompatibility Locus of Sweet Cherry (Prunus avium L.) Species from the VNIISPK Bio-Resource Collection118511942410910.48311/jast.2026.24109ENElenaBezlepkinaRussian Research Institute of Fruit Crop Breeding (VNIISPK), 302530 Orel, Russia.AleksandraGuliaevaRussian Research Institute of Fruit Crop Breeding (VNIISPK), 302530 Orel, Russia.Journal Article20250916<span lang="EN-SG">Self-incompatibility is a common evolutionary mechanism of flowering plants. Sweet cherry (<em>Prunus avium</em> L.) has a gametophytic type of self-incompatibility. Most of sweet cherry cultivars are self-incompatible, although self-compatible genotypes also occur. This study presents data of S genotype investigation of 39 sweet cherry cultivars from VNIISPK bio-resource collection. To identify S genotypes, PCR with consensus (PaConsI and PaConsII) and allele-specific (S<sub>1</sub>, S<sub>2</sub>, S<sub>3</sub>, S<sub>4</sub>, S<sub>5</sub>, S<sub>6</sub>, S<sub>7</sub>, S<sub>8, </sub>S<sub>9</sub>, S<sub>10</sub>, S<sub>11, </sub>S<sub>12</sub>, S<sub>13</sub>, S<sub>14</sub> and S<sub>16</sub>) primers was done. The S genotype was fully identified for 33 cultivars. Then, 7 <em>S</em> alleles (S<sub>1</sub>, S<sub>3</sub>, S<sub>4</sub>, S<sub>5</sub>, S<sub>6</sub>, S<sub>9</sub>, and S<sub>13</sub>) were detected in the genomes of the investigated sweet cherries. </span>According to the results of allele-specific amplification, ‘Venera’ (S<sub>1x</sub>/S<sub>4</sub>), ‘Zolotuhinskaya’ (S<sub>4x</sub>/S<sub>6</sub>) and ‘Viskochka’ (S<sub>3</sub>/S<sub>4x</sub>) were suspected to have unique or mutant alleles of the gene.<span lang="EN-SG"> The cultivars with fully determined <em>S</em>-genotypes were distributed into nine incompatibility groups (III, VI, VII, IX, XV, XVII, XIX, XXI, and XLV). </span><br><br><br>https://jast.modares.ac.ir/article_24109_e1d351219a44905eb5f80749d63ce379.pdfTarbiat Modares UniversityJournal of Agricultural Science and Technology1680-707328520260901Study of the Morphological Fruit Quality, Total Polyphenol Content, and Antioxidant Activity in Four Mulberry Species (Morus spp.) in Malatya-Turkey119512062758410.48311/jast.2026.27584ENMuharremErgunDepartment of Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, Bingöl University, Merkez/Bingöl, Turkey.HarunYoncacıDepartment of Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, Bingöl University, Merkez/Bingöl, Türkiye.ZahideSüslüoğluDepartment of Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, Bingöl University, Merkez/Bingöl, Türkiye.Journal Article20250607<span lang="EN-GB">The present study evaluated the morphological and biochemical characteristics of fruits from four widely distributed mulberry species, i.e. <em>M. alba</em>, <em>M. nigra</em>, <em>M. rubra</em>, and <em>M. laevigata,</em> in Turkey, in order to inform species selection and promote the utilization of underexploited genotypes for food and nutraceutical applications. The fruits and juice were analyzed for size, weight, juice yield, Total Soluble Solids (TSS), Titratable Acidity (TA), pH, colour (CIELAB coordinates), Total Polyphenol Content (TPC), and antioxidant activity (DPPH assay). Significant interspecific variation was observed for most traits. <em>M. rubra</em> and <em>M. laevigata</em> produced the largest and heaviest fruits, with <em>M. rubra</em> also presenting the highest juice yield (57.15%). Colour analysis separated pale-coloured <em>M. alba</em> from the anthocyanin-rich, dark-pigmented <em>M. nigra</em> and <em>M. rubra</em>. <em>M. alba</em> and <em>M. nigra</em> presented the highest levels of TSS at 19.93% and 19.64%, respectively. However, <em>M. alba</em> had the lowest levels of TA and TPC. In contrast, <em>M. nigra</em> had the highest TPC (1608.40 mg GAE 100 g<sup>-1 </sup>fw). The antioxidant activity (DPPH) of the three dark-pigmented mulberries (<em>M. nigra</em>, <em>M. rubra</em>, and <em>M. laevigata</em>) was found to be similar to each other but higher than that of the pale-coloured <em>M. alba</em>. These findings highlight the potential of the dark-pigmented mulberry species as valuable sources of bioactive compounds for the development of functional foods. </span><br><br><br>https://jast.modares.ac.ir/article_27584_ff4c48e9995f076b26fb2a90ae28d5aa.pdfTarbiat Modares UniversityJournal of Agricultural Science and Technology1680-707328520260901Temperature-Dependent Development of Exorista larvarum (Diptera: Tachinidae): An Efficient Candidate for Biological Pest Control120712242411610.48311/jast.2026.24116ENAmeneKaramiDepartment of Entomology, Faculty of Agriculture, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran.Ali AsgharTalebiDepartment of Entomology, Faculty of Agriculture, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran.0000-0001-5749-6391YaghoubFathipourDepartment of Entomology, Faculty of Agriculture, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran.0000-0002-7963-5409MohammadMehrabadiDepartment of Entomology, Faculty of Agriculture, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran.Journal Article20250916Climatic conditions are the most important factor in the distribution and abundance of living organisms, with temperature serving as a critical factor influencing the development of insect pests and their natural enemies. Thermal models are a key component of modern integrated pest management (IPM) systems. The Exorista larvarum (Linnaeus, 1758) (Diptera: Tachinidae), a gregarious larval endoparasitoid, serves as a biocontrol agent against several lepidopteran pests affecting both forest and agricultural ecosystems. To optimize the mass rearing of E. larvarum and improve its application in IPM programs, the developmental times of this parasitoid were investigated under seven constant temperatures (15-35 °C) in laboratory conditions. We applied two linear and 26 nonlinear models to describe the temperature-dependent development rate of E. larvarum. The lower temperature threshold (T<sub>0</sub>) and thermal constant (K) were estimated to be 5.09 °C and 389.41 DD using the ordinary linear model and 9.73 °C and 292.74 DD using the Ikemoto model, respectively. Among the nonlinear models, Performance-2, Beta, Janisch/Kontodimas, Analytis-1, and Analytis-3/Kontodimas were the best models to describe the temperature-dependent development rate of the parasitoid. The estimated T<sub>fast</sub> values by Performance-2 and Janisch/Kontodimas models were 33.2 and 31.4 °C, respectively, closely were the closest to T<sub>fast</sub> observed (32.5 °C). Our findings can help to gain new and valuable insights into the biology of E. larvarum and provide essential information that can be incorporated into forecasting models of this parasitoid.https://jast.modares.ac.ir/article_24116_3bf3dc7172bfe2666db8b4798fe7c193.pdfTarbiat Modares UniversityJournal of Agricultural Science and Technology1680-707328520260901Urea-Formaldehyde Nano-encapsulation Enhances Bunium persicum Essential Oil's Toxicity against Brevicoryne brassicae122512392758310.48311/jast.2026.27583ENMasoudHeidaryDepartment of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Lorestan University, Khorramabad, Islamic Republic of Iran.ShahriarJafariDepartment of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Lorestan University, Khorramabad, Islamic Republic of Iran.JavadKarimzadehDepartment of Plant Protection, Isfahan Research and Education Center for Agriculture and Natural Resources, AREEO, Isfahan, Islamic Republic of Iran.MaryamNegahbanDepartment of Pesticide Research, Iranian Research Institute of Plant Protection, AREEO, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran.JahanshirShakaramiDepartment of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Lorestan University, Khorramabad, Islamic Republic of Iran.MehranRezaeiDepartment of Plant Protection and Production, Institute of Agriculture, Iranian Research Organization for Science and Technology (IROST), Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran.0000-0002-5994-6939Journal Article20250731This study investigated the aphicidal activity of both pure and nanoencapsulated <em>Bunium</em> <em>persicum</em> (Boiss.) Fedtsch Essential Oils (EO) against <em>Brevicoryne brassicae L.</em>.<em> </em>The EO obtained through hydrodistillation and analyzed by Gas Chromatography and Mass Spectrophotometry (GC-MS), contained γ-terpinen (36.62%), ρ-cymene (18.41%), carvacrol (13.60%), and cuminaldehyde (13.50%) as its major components. Nanocapsules were synthesized via in situ polymerization of an oil-in-water emulsion and characterized by Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), revealing spherical particles with a median diameter of 10.88 nm and a low Polydispersity Index (PDI) of 0.057. Bioassays demonstrated that the nanoencapsulated formulation exhibited significantly higher toxicity than the pure EO, with lower contact LC<sub>50</sub> and LC<sub>90</sub> values of 365.43 and 1908.46 µL L<sup>-1</sup> water, respectively, compared to the pure EO (1030.40 and 3977.08 µL L<sup>-1</sup> water). Similarly, the fumigant LC<sub>50</sub> and LC<sub>90</sub> values for the nanocapsules (23.15 and 59.49 µL L<sup>-1</sup> air) were significantly lower than those of the pure EO (35.07 and 79.59 µL L<sup>-1</sup> air). The findings suggest the potential of nanoencapsulated <em>B. persicum</em> EO in integrated pest management for controlling cabbage aphid.https://jast.modares.ac.ir/article_27583_8e767a1a905e130ad086869247c3f7f5.pdf