---

The objective of this study was to investigate the physiological responses and biological yield of black cumin (Nigella sativa L.) to nitroxin biofertilizer and chemical nitrogen fertilizer in the form of urea under different irrigation regimes. A split plot experiment was conducted on the basis of randomized complete block design with three replications. The main factor included four irrigation regimes (i.e., weekly from emergence to harvest and withholding from blooming to maturity, flowering to maturity, and the start of seed formation to maturity) and sub-factor included five levels (i.e., no application of fertilizers, 80 kg N ha^-1, 40 kg N ha^-1, combination of 40 kg N ha^-1+nitroxin biofertilizers, and nitroxin biofertilizer). Application of 80 kg N ha^-1 under full irrigation and the combined application of 40 kg N ha^-1 and nitroxin under all withholding irrigations produced the highest glycinebetaine, polyphenol oxidase and catalase enzyme, total chlorophyll, and biological yield. Withholding irrigation from the blooming stage and also the application of 80 kg N ha^-1 resulted in the highest concentration of malondialdehyde. In combined application of 40 kg N ha^-1 and nitroxin, polyphenol oxidase, proline, and soluble protein were at the highest levels. Generally, the combined application of 40 kg N ha^-1 and nitroxin increased the activity of the antioxidant enzymes and the compatible osmolites accumulation under all withholding irrigation treatments and thus decreased the negative effects of drought stress on black cumin, resulting in increased biological yield.

---

Salinity is one of the most important factors limiting plants growth and production in irrigated agriculture. The natural potential of salt tolerant plants like Kochia could be exploited through legume-containing intercropping systems as an effective strategy in mitigating the increasing salinity crisis.This experiment used split plots based on a randomized complete block design with three replications, in 2016 and 2017, at the Iranian National Salinity Research Center, Yazd, Iran. Water salinity was considered as the main factor (EC= 4, 9, and 14 dS m^-1) and the cropping system was considered as subfactor with seven levels including sole cropping of Kochia (Kochia scoparia), Sesbania (Sesbania aculeate), and Guar (Cyamopsiste tragonoliba) and their possible dual and triple intercropping systems. The highest absorbed light was observed in triple intercropping and the total forage yield in triple intercropping was increased by 5% and 4.1% at 4 and 9 dS m^-1 salinity, respectively, compared to that in Kochia sole cropping, while it decreased by 1.5% at 14 dS m^-1.The Land Equivalent Ratio (LER) values ranged from 0.99 to 1.33. The total crude protein yield in triple intercropping was increased by 55.8 to 66.3% as compared to Kochia sole cropping. The NDF (Neutral Detergent Fiber) and ADF (Acid Detergent Fiber) were decreased by 7 to 22% in various intercropping systems. Considering increased forage quantity and quality, mainly through decreasing NDF and increasing Dry Matter Intake (DMI) levels, cultivation of Kochia within triple intercropping systems can be recommended instead of Kochia sole cropping.