Journal of Water and Soil Science

Effect of Black Polyethylene Mulch and Calcium Nitrate Application on Growth, Yield, and Blossom-End Rot of Watermelon, cv. Charleston Gray

A. Kashi

Watermelon (Citrullus Lanatus) cv. Charleston Gray is one of the most important cultivars grown in Iran. It has some good quantitative and qualitative characteristics but unfortunately is sensitive to Blossom End rot. To solve this problem, this experiment was conducted in a factorial manner in randomized complete block design with four replications in Research Station and Laboratories of Department of Horticulture, College of Agriculture, the University of Tehran, during 1997 & 1998. In this experiment, black polyethylene mulch was used and calcium nitrate was foliar sprayed at concentrations of 0, 4, and 6 g/L. Results indicated that mulch could increase yield by 85% over two years due to weed growth suppression and conserving soil moisture for a longer time. Foliage fresh weight, number and average weight of fruits per plant and precocity were also significantly affected by black polyethylene mulch. Furthermore, mulch reduced the number and weight of fruits affected by Blossom End rot by about 13% and 12.5% (average of two years), respectively. Calcium nitrate addition during both years had no significant effect on the measured fruit characteristics nor on Blossom End rot.

Response of Badami-Zarand, Sarakhs and Ghazvini Pistachio Rootstocks to Sodium Chloride and Boron Excess in Irrigation Water

H. Hokmabadi

To determine the effects of salinity and boron excess in irrigation water on relative growth rate (RGR), net assimilation rate on a leaf weight basis (NAR), and leaf weight ratio (LWR) of pistachio, three pistachio rootstocks (Badami -Zarand, Sarakhs and Ghazvini) were used. Rootstocks were grown in soil in eight-liter polyethylene pots. Sodium chloride treatments were 0, 75,150 and 225 mM NaCl and boron treatments were 0, 20 and 40mg liter^-1. Treatments were applied to the one-year old pistachio rootstock seedlings in three-day intervals with irrigation water. Some plants were randomly selected and destructively harvested before (day 0) and after applying treatments (30 and 60 days after treatments started). Growth and physiological characters were then measured as follows: number of leaves, leaf area, plant height and root length, fresh and dry weights of stem, root and leaf, proline accumulation in the leaf, total chlorophyll, and leaf relative water content (RWC). Results indicated that relative growth rate decreased with time for all treatments and in all rootstocks. Salt treatment significantly reduced both RGR and NAR, whereas LWR showed no significant differences. In all rootstocks, NAR, but not LWR, was significantly correlated with RGR, indicating that NAR was an important factor underlying the salinity-induced differences in RGR among the pistachio rootstocks. Salinity did not affect leaf water potential (ψ), chlorophyll content, and Fv:Fm ratio but increased NaCl concentration and time correspondingly increased proline accumulation in leaves. In addition, Ghazvini rootstock accumulated more proline compared to other rootstocks and was more resistant to salinity treatments. Different boron treatments did not show any significant effect on growth rate nor on measured parameters after two months of exposure to treatments.

Fractal Description of the Impact of Long-term Grazing Exclusion on Spatial Variability of Some Soil Chemical Properties

J. Mohammadi

Knowledge of the spatial dependency of soil properties, sensitive to grazing systems, is important from an ecosystem protection point of view. In the current study, geostatistical methods and fractal concepts have been used in order to characterize the impact of long-term grazing exclusion on the spatial variability of some soil chemical parameters including organic matter, total nitrogen, available phosphorous, and available potassium in both ungrazed and grazed sites located in Sabzkuh region, Chaharmahal Bakhtiari Province. The spatial pattern of different variables was studied using variogram. The results indicate that spatial variability of soil parameters depends upon grazing history. The variogram of organic matter in grazed areas shows a linear behavior without reaching the sill variance while organic matter in the ungrazed area established a strong spatial structure. Moreover, available phosphorous in the grazed area had pure nugget variation. Variograms of total nitrogen and available potassium in both grazed and ungrazed areas showed spatial structure approximated by spherical model. However, the range of variograms in exclusion sites was twice that of the grazed area. The results of applying the fractal theory show that soil properties have fractional behavior since increasing the scale of study reveals more details. Moreover, calculated fractal dimension values from variograms of different variables were close to 2.0 although this index was usually greater in the grazed area than in the exclusion sites. The calculated fractal dimensions can be used as a proper indicator of describing the pattern of spatial variability and its complexity.

Distribution of Nitrogen Forms in Cultivated Calcareous Soils of Fars Province and their Relationships with Soil Characteristics

J. Yasrebi

Twenty-five surface samples of calcareous soils of Fars Province were used to study the distribution of different nitrogen (N) forms to determine the relationship between the N forms and soil charcteristics, and to obtain regression equations for prediction of N forms from soil characteristics. The forms determined were: soil total nitrogen NO₃-N by phenol disulfunic acid NO₃-N extractable by 2 M KCl NH₄-N extractable by 2 M KCl, 1 N sulfuric acid, and 0.25 N sodium hydroxide oxidative released N by acid permanganate and alkaline permanganate and NH₄-N extractable by 2 M KCl at 100 ^oC. The highest amount of N was that released by alkaline permanganate which constituted 4.47% of soil total N and the lowest form was exchangeable NH₄⁺ which amounted to only 0.6% of total N. Water soluble and exchangeable forms accounted for less than 2% of total N. Highly significant correlations were found between total N and acid permanganate-N (r=0.931) and total N and alkaline permanganate-N (r=0.850). Highly significant regression equations were obtained for prediction of soil total N, acid permanganate-N, and alkaline permanganate-N from soil organic matter (OM), which is an indication of a close relationship of these N forms with OM.

Effects of Saline lrrigation Water and Zn Application on Soil Cd Solubility and Cd Concentration in Wheat

A. H. Khoshgoftarmanesh

A factorial experiment with two levels of Zn (0 and 1.5 mg Zn kg^-1), five salinity levels of irrigation water (0, 60, 120 and 180 mM NaC1, and 120 mM NaNO₃) in three replications was conducted. Wheat (Triticum aestivum cv. Roshan) was seeded in pots. After plant harvesting, zinc and cadmium concentrations were determined in the shoot. Activities of metal species in the soil solution were predicted using the computer program MINTEQA2. Treating the soil with NaC1-salinized water increased total concentration of cadmium (Cd_T) as well as Cd²⁺, CdC1⁰₂, and CdCl⁺ species whereas, NaNO₃ treatment had no significant effect on Cd_T. Shoot Cd concentrations were positively related to Cd_T and soil solution Cl^- but negatively related to Zn_T. Application of Zn-fertilizer decreased Cd and increased Zn concentrations in shoot, significantly. The results of this experiment showed that Cl^- has an effective role in increasing mobility of soil Cd and its uptake by plant.

Identifying “ Eisenia foetida”, a Native Compost Worm of Some North and Northwest Parts of Iran and Evaluation of its Ability in Vermicompost Production

K. Hashemi Majd

The ability of earthworms in recycling a wide range of organic solid wastes is well established. Only a few earthworm species are suitable for commercial vermicomposting. Two species, Eisenia foetida and Lumbricus rubellus, are common in temperate regions. Samples of earthworms were collected from manure pills and forest litter in North and Northwest of Iran. The samples were maintained in pots under greenhouse conditions. External morphological characteristics of mature worms were used in identifying earthworm species. These characteristics included: total number of body segments, numbers of clitellum and tubercula pubertatis (TP) segments, dorsal and external body color, body size, prestomium and prostomium shape, number of first segment with dorsal pore and patterns of clitellum and TP. All collected samples belonged to the species Eisenia foetida. Under incubation conditions in manure substrate (a moisture of 70% saturation at 24±2^oC), each worm produced 1-2 cocoons daily and each cocoon contained 2-7 worm embryos. The collected earthworm samples showed a good ability in vermicomposting of manure, plant residues, and some organic industrial refuses. The C:N ratio decreased during the vermicomposting process, which indicates the improved stage of decomposition and the vermicompost stability.

Determining Selection Indices in Corn Hybrids (Zea mays L.) to Increase Grain

M. Modarresi

Yield is a quantitative trait and improving grain yield through direct selection is time-consuming. Indirect selection consisting of selection indices is more promising. A field experiment was conducted during 1999-2000 growing season in two experimental locations (Kooshkak and Badjgah) of College of Agriculture, Shiraz University, Shiraz. Thirteen corn hybrids were used in a randomized complete block design with three replications in each location. Thirty-five traits were measured in five developmental stages (stem elongation, tasseling, blister, hard dough and physiological maturity) and combined analysis of variance and covariance were conducted. Finally, 12 traits were selected for constructing selection indices via path analysis. Two optimum selection indices were used in this experiment. In both selection indices, different combinations of traits applied as linear function (multivariate linear model) and coefficients of traits in combinations were calculated. The coefficient of indices were obtained from: b=P^-1Ga, where b is the vector of index coefficients, P^-1 is the inverse of phenotypical variance and covariance matrix, G is the matrix of genotypical variance and covariance and a is the column vector of traits heritability. In the first index, heritability of traits with the same sign was used as economic values. Selection index including grain yield and net assimilation rate in the second stage (NAR₂) was the best. In the second index, the sign of genotypic correlation with yield was given to economic values. Finally, selection index including grain yield and NAR₂ was the best, too. In both selection indices, correlation of selection indices with genotypic value was equal to 1. This was 14% higher than the first index including yield alone. In both selection indices, physiological indices including net assimilation, crop growth, and relative growth rates were the most important traits comprising the best selection indices.

Effects of Temperature and Day Length on Developmental Stages of Safflower Genotypes under Field Conditions

N. Dadashi

A field experiment was conducted in 2000 at the Agricultural Research Station, Isfahan University of Technology, to model the response of four safflower genotypes to day length and temperature changes under field conditions. Five planting dates (March 12, April 12, May 10, June 8, and July 12) and four safflower genotypes (Arak 2811, local variety Koseh, Nebraska 10 and Varamin 295) were evaluated using a randomized complete block design with split-plot layout in three replications. Date of planting was considered as the main plot and cultivars were randomized in the sub-plots. Number of days from planting (P) to emergence (E), stem elongation (SE) to head visible (HV), and HV to flowering initiation (FI) significantly reduced with delay in planting as the result of increase in temperature during these periods. Number of days from P to SE, duration of flowering (DF) and termination of flowering (TF) to physiological maturity (PM) were significantly affected by planting date and reduced as day length increased. The same was observed in the case of number of days from P to 50% flowering (MF) and to PM. Large co-variation of day length with temperature may explain a portion of day length contribution to the variation in the above periods. Varamin 295 was later than other genotypes with respect to the duration from P to HV, and specially, for rosette duration. In addition and for unknown reasons, the rate of development (RD) of Varamin 295 at all developmental periods could not be explained by day length and/or temperature variables. Among other genotypes, Koseh with 125 days, and Nebrska 10 with 118 days from P to PM were the latest and the earliest genotypes, respectively. The response of Koseh to planting dates, as measured by the duration of various developmental stages, differed from Arak 2811 and Nebraska 10. This was attributed to the probable response of Koseh to day length. RD of Koseh, Arak 2811, and Nebraska 10 during P to MF was explained by a linear regression and RD of Koseh during P to PM by a polynomial regression with day length by mean temperature as an independent variable. RD of Arak 2811 and Nebraska 10 during P to PM was explained by minimum temperature. It seems that partial sensitivity of Koseh to day length has a considerable significance in its adaptation to environmental conditions prevailing in the summer under Isfahan climatic conditions.

Physiological Responses of Rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) Varieties to Salinity

A. Enferad

In a pot experiment, the growth (Dry matter) responses of 18 rapeseed varieties to three levels of NaCl salinity induced by 1.2, 6, and 12 dS.m^-1 were investigated using a factorial experiment with a randomized complete block design in 3 replications. The results indicated that salinity reduced total dry matter, Na concentration, K/Na ratio, ion selectivity of K versus Na, and leaf water potential while it increased K concentration. However, the leaf water potential of the plants had the highest and a significantly negative correlation with total dry matter accumulation. Therefore, it seemed that leaf water content of the plants could explain the tolerance or sensitivity responses to salinity. The rapeseed varieties were accordingly ranked into different groups. The varieties viz, Alice, Fonax, DP.94.8 and Licord were classified as saline tolerant group, and varieties such as Okapi, Akamar and Eurol as saline sensitive group. The remaining eight rapeseed varieties were moderately tolerant. Moreover, the response of rapeseed varieties viz. Consul, VDH8003-98 and Orient were different such that the above explanation could not be applied to them. Therefore, halophytic strategies for these three varieties might be worth further investigation.

Evaluation of Resistance to Russian Wheat Aphid, Diuraphis Noxia (Mordvilko) in Durum and Bread Wheats

T. Najafi Mirak

Russian Wheat Aphid (RWA) is a serious pest of wheat, barely and other small grains in cereal-producing regions of the world. The use of resistant cultivars is an effective management strategy to control this pest. In this study, 15 lines and 13 cultivars of durum and bread wheats along with two resistant and susceptible controls were used to evaluate their reaction to RWA under greenhouse conditions, using completely randomized design with four replications. Three seedlings at each plot were considered as an experimental unit. Five aphid nymphs (4-5 ages) were placed on each plant at 1-2 leaf stage. Leaf rolling and leaf chlorosis percentages were measured 21 days after infesting and used to screen the genotypes. Despite the relatively high linear correlation between two resistance components, leaf rolling and leaf chlorosis, estimated as 80%, analysis of variance indicated significant differences among genotypes. Eight durum lines DW9, DW14, DW4, DW2, DW7, DW8, DW12 and DW3 and one bread wheat cultivar (Azadi) were significantly more resistant than the resistant control (Halt). One durum line (DW13) and two bread wheat cultivars (Shiroodi and M-75-7) had higher leaf rolling and leaf chlorosis than the susceptible control (Sholeh). So they were selected as the most susceptible to the biotype of D. noxia. under study. Orthogonal comparison showed that durum lines were more resistant than bread wheat cultivars. These results were confirmed by Cluster Analysis based on leaf rolling and leaf chlorosis.

Growth, Grain Yield and Components of Three Durum Wheat Genotypes with Different Plant Densities in Isfahan

I. Zarrinabadi

Despite its economic importance, not much information exists on growth and productivity of durum wheat in Iran and Isfahan. In order to evaluate growth, grain yield, and attributes in three durum wheat genotypes, Osta/Gata, Dipper-6, and PI40100, with five planting densities of 200, 275, 350, 425 and 500 seeds/m², a four-replicate RCBD field study with a spilt-plot layout was carried out in winter 2000 to spring 2001 at Lavark Research Farm, College of Agriculture, Isfahan University of Technology. Genotypes were the main-plots and planting densities, the sub-plots. Each plot contained six rows, spaced 25cm apart, each 6m in length. While Osta/Gata produced a greater spikes/m², 1000-grain weight and grain yield, PI40100 indicated a greater height, leaf area index (LAI) and biological yield, and Dipper-6 produced a larger number of grains per spike and harvest index, compared to the other two genotypes. Increasing plant density led to an increase in LAI, spikes/m², grain yield, biological yield and harvest index but a decrease in grains/spike and 1000-grain weight. Grain yield was positively correlated with spikes/m², grains/spike and 1000-grain weight, despite negative correlations with LAI and plant height. It may be concluded that with environmental conditions such as those encountered in Isfahan in 2000-2001, Osta/Gata can be planted at approximately 425 seeds/m², if an acceptable grain yield is to be achieved.

The Influence of Broilers’ Growth Rate and Feed Intake on Inflammatory Response

M. Torki

To evaluate the effect of broiler growth rate and feed intake on development of the inflammatory response‚ commercial broiler diets were fed to 275 day–old chicks of the modern 2000 strain and 1957 random-bred strain. Half of the chicks had free access to feed while others were restricted. Twelve birds from each strain and group pens were removed‚ weighed, and housed in individual cages by their original feeding programs on 0‚ 7‚ 14, and 28 days. Three feed-restricted and three ad libitum birds from each strain were injected with 1-3 ml of 100 μg/ml solution of Salmonella typhimurium lipopolysaccharide on days 6‚ 13‚ 27‚ and 41, and 3 birds of each group were not injected‚ serving as controls. All birds were weighed and the liver‚ breast muscle‚ thymus gastro intestinal tract and bursa were removed on the day after injection. The thymocytes of the control birds were subjected to an interleukin–1 responsiveness assay. The 1957 strain birds were more severely affected by an inflammatory challenge going almost completely off feed‚ but the 2000 strain birds experienced a more drastic decline in growth rate after injection. Thymocytes of ad libitum birds were more sensitive to IL-1 than the restricted birds in week 4 (P=0.056). Interleukin-1 stimulated thymocytes of 2000 birds more effectively than the 1957 strain ones. In conclusion‚ the broiler inflammatory response was affected by growth rate and feed intake.

Effect of Whey in Drinking Water on Performance of Broiler Chickens

J. Poureza

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of whey via drinking water on broiler chicken performance. In a completely randomized design, whey at levels of zero, 10, 20, 40, 80, and 100% of drinking water was used for 47 days. 720 day-old broilers (Ross) were divided into 24 groups, 30 chicks per group and each experimental treatment was given to four replicates from 7-54 days of age. The whey was supplied freshly. The chicks had free access to feed and water during the experimental period. All chicks were fed with starter, grower, and finisher diets. Chicks in all pens were weighed and their feed consumption was calculated at 21, 42 and, 54 days of age. At the end of the experiment, two males and two females from each pen were selected, killed and their carcass, abdominal fat, pancreas, liver and ileum were weighed. Ileal contents of each pen were collected and pooled and kept at -20^oC for bacterial count. The litter moisture content of each pen was determined at days 21 and 42. Body weight, daily body weight gain, feed conversion, and litter moisture were significantly (P<0.01) affected by whey levels. These indices decreased as a result of consuming whey by more than 40% feed conversion, however, increased. Percentage of carcass decreased significantly (P<0.01) due to consumption of 80 and 100% whey. Percentages of abdominal fat, liver, and pancrease were not significantly affected by the amount of whey. Percentage of ileum increased and showed significant (P<0.05) difference with control group. The regression equations for body weight and daily body weight gain, feed conversion and litter moisture in all ages, were significant (P<0.05) and polynomial. This indicated that consumption of whey by more than 40% caused reduction in broiler performance. No significant differences were observed in ileal contents of Lactobacillus and Entrobacteria due to different levels of whey, but total bacteria in ileum contents increased significantly (P<0.01) as whey content in drinking water increased.

HPLC Analysis of Dominant Sugars and Organic Acids of Two Apple Cultivars from Semirom Region in Packages During Cold Storage

Sh. Dokhani

The changes of main sugars and organic acids of Red delicious and Golden delicious apples from Semirom region in Isfahan Province were determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The apples were harvested, graded and packed in three kinds of wood, car-board and perforated polyethylene film packages and stored for eight months at 0±0.5^oC and 90 to 95% relative humidity for further analysis. Sucarose, glucose and fructose, as well as citric and L-malic acids were detected and quantified in all packed samples. The obtained data were analyzed with factorial experiment in completely randomized design and mean were compared by Duncan^,s muliple range test. The results showed that fructose was dominant in both cultivars in all packages compared to other sugars. Golden delicious apples contained more sucrose and less glucose than Red delicious. All sugars decreased in packed apple samples during the storage period. The dominant organic acid of both cultivars was L-malic. Citric acid increased to its maximum level in Red or Golden delicious after one or two months of storage, respectively, and then decreased gradually by the end of storage period. In general, apples kept in perforated polyethylene films exhibited the best physiochemical properties during eight months of cold storage.

Effective Parameters on Orange Juice Powder Deposit on Spray Dryer Wall

Gh. Chegini

The difficulties in the storage of fruit juice and the use of juice powder in various food processing industries has made the juice powder attractive to consumers and producers. Making powder from fruit juice is one of the most complex methods of fruit processing.The hygroscopic nature of fruit juice component and its thermoplastic properties has caused the drying time control and the transportation of the product from the drying zone to the next stage to become very difficult. In this investigation with laboratory spray dryer, the effective parameters on orange juice powder deposit on the wall of the spray dryer was studied. The results indicate that the powder can not be made without the use of additives. Using liquid glucose as an additive to orange juice concentration increased the dryer performance and reduced the wall deposit considerably. With the help of liquid glucose additive, spray dryer optimum conditions were obtained with a feed flow rate of 15 ml/min, inlet air temperature of 130^oC and outlet air temperature of 85^oC. The results from the statistical analysis of the experimental data show that the parameters of inlet air temperature and feed flow rate have significant effects on the dryer yield and wall deposit both individually and jointly. By increasing inlet air temperature and feed flow rate, the dryer yield decreased but wall deposit increased. In spite of using suitable additives, the wall deposit was still in the range of 14 to 65 %. The results of experiments indicate that the main cause of wall deposit can be attributed to the wall high temperature. It is, therefore, necessary to keep the wall temperature below the orange powder sticky point temperature to prevent rising temperature in wall deposit. For the orange powder containing 2% moisture, the sticky point temperature is 44^oC. To control the wall temperature, a dryer with double partition wall chamber and a cooling system is proposed.

Genetic Diversity in some of Iranian Rice (Oriza sativa L.) Germplasm Base on Morphological Traits

K. Zaynali Nejad

To study the genetic diversity in 100 genotypes of rice, an experiment was conducted at the research farm of Rice Research Institute of Iran. The experimental design was a 10x10 simple lattice. The genotypes, mostly belonging to Isfahan Province and north of Iran, were evaluated on the basis of morphological traits and yield components. The results of analysis of variance demonstrated that the differences among genotypes were highly significant (p < 0/01) for all traits. High values of phenotypic and genotypic coefficients of variation were obtained for most traits, indicating high variability in the traits under study. Factor analysis revealed three factors which determined 90 percent of yeild variation and were named “grain number”, “plant type and structure” and “grain shape”, respectively. Cluster analysis by “Cubic Clustering Criterion” and “Pseudo Hotelling T² Test” grouped genotypes in four clusters. Analysis of variance showed that the differences among clusters were highly significant for most traits.

A Comparative Study of the Population Parameters of Local Populations of Bemisia tabaci in Iran

M. A. Samia

The population parameters of sweet potato white fly, Bemisia tabaci (Genn.) (Hom.: Aleyrodidae), which is an important pest of cotton fields, were studied during 2001. The infected leaves containing nymphs and pupae were collected from Darab, Qom, Saveh, Gonbad, Gorgan, Varamin, Garmsar, Orsoiieh (Kerman), and Shooshtar cotton fields. Experiments were conducted in a growth chamber under 24±.2^ºC, 55%±3RH and 16:8 (L:D) photoperiod on cotton, a Gossypium hirsutum L. (Varamin 76 variety). The newly emerged populations of each locality were released into a large cage set on cotton plants separately. Population parameters of 40 mated females were calculated for each local population. Intrinsic rates of increase (r) for Darab, Qom, Saveh, Gonbad, Gorgan, Varamin, Garmsar, Orsoiieh and Shooshtar were 0.0401, 0.0719, 0.0750, 0.0602, .0682, 0.0774, 0.0876, 0.0751 and 0.0988, respectively. Doubling times (DT) were 17.26, 9.63, 9.24, 11.51, 10.16, 8.94, 7.91, 9.22 and 7.083 days, respectively, and mean generation times (T_c) were calculated to be 28.72, 28.9, 28.74, 28.3, 28.68, 27.53, 29.12, 28.21 and 26.84 days, respectively. Other population parameters such as finite rate of increase (λ), intrinsic birth rate (b), intrinsic death rate (d), and stable age distribution were also calculated. The results revealed that there were significant differences between population parameters in local populations. The parameter (r) was the least in Darab and the greatest in Shooshtar populations.

Alfalfa Black Aphid, Aphis craccivora Koch (Hom.: Aphididae) Stage Preferences by Lysiphlebus fabarum Marshall (Hym.: Aphidiidae)

H. M. Takalloozadeh

The host-stage preferences of alfalfa black aphid, Aphis craccivora, by parasitoid wasp, Lysiphlebus fabarum, were studied under two trials under growth chamber conditions (55±5 %, R. H., L:D 14:10 H. and Tem. 20 ±2^° C ). In the first trial, all stages of aphid in equal ratios, and in the second trial, variable ratios of 5:15, 15:15 and 15:5 of 3rd and 4th instar nymphs were used for parasitisation. The objective was to identify the most preferred stage of aphid for parasitism by Lysiphlebus fabarum. The results showed that 3^rd instar nymphs of alfalfa black aphid were the most preferred stage with 38.75% of parasitism. Whereas 4^th instar nymphs and adults had 23.75% and 21.25% parasitism, respectively. The first instar nymphs were not parasitized at all. In the second trial with variable ratios of 3^rd and 4^th instars of alfalfa black aphid, parasitism of 3rd instar in ratios 25, 50 and 75 percent of total population were 35.9, 55.74 and 79.6%, respectively, while those for 4^th instar nymphs were 20.36, 44.26 and 64.09%, respectively. So there was a positive preference for 3^rd instar and a negative preference for 4th instar nymphs.

Comparison of Kernel Fissuring and Drying Time of Rough Rice under Experimental Fixed and Fluidized Bed Conditions

R. Amiri Chaijan

Traditional paddy dryer systems in Iran cause considerable losses in rice production due to non-uniform drying. In order to decrease the amount of kernel fissuring and to increase the drying rate, fluidized bed method was applied in this study for rough rice drying at temperatures higher than normal. An experimental dryer was used for drying the samples. The drying experiments were set up to find kernel fissuring percentage and the drying times under three conditions: fixed, minimum, and full fluidized bed conditions at temperatures of 40, 60 and 80^oC. Results showed that the amount of kernel fissuring, at minimum fluidization compared to fixed bed condition, decreased 57%, 68% and 75% at temperatures of 40, 60 and 80^oC, respectively. This reduction at full fluidization compared to fixed bed condition, at the above temperatures, was 40%, 54% and 65%. The minimum fluidization method took the lowest and the fixed bed method took the highest drying time. It was concluded that the minimum fluidization drying method had the lowest fissuring and drying times at all experimental temperatures.

Flora, Life Forms and Chorotypes of Plants in the Kavir Biosphere Reserve

Y. Asri

Kavir Biosphere Reserve covers an area of 686598 hectares situated in the northwest of Dasht-e-Kavir and east of Daryach-e-Namak. The Biosphere Reserve presents a variety of habitats, including cliffs and rocky outcrops, piedmont plains, gravelly, deserts and sand dunes, saline plains and salt marshes, and seasonal rivers and springs. The main aim of this research is to identify the plant species and to introduce of the flora in Kavir biosphere reserve. For this purpose, plant samples were collected from different habitats of the area in three growing seasons between 1994-1999. The life forms of species were determined and the biological spectrum of the area was plotted. The position of the area concerning phytogeographical classification was studied based on geographical data and references. A total number of 359 species and subspecific taxa was identified. These include 3 gymnosperms, 312 dicotyledones and 44 monocotyledones. Altogether, 43 families and 224 genera are known from the area. The following families have the highest number of species: Chenopodiaceae, Asteraceae, Brassicaceae, Poaceae, Boraginaceae, and Fabaceae. Therophytes with 198 species (55.1%) are the most frequent life forms in the area. The distribution of 245 species (68.3%) is restricted to Irano-Turanian region. Of these, 30 species (12.2 %) are endemics of Iran. .