Journal of Water and Soil Science

Study of the Spatial Variability of Soil Salinity in Ramhormoz Area (Khuzestan) Using Geostatistical Theory Il. Cokriging

Jahangard Mohammadi

The analysis of the EC data set indicated that the spatial distribution of EC data of different depths are closely related to one another. It means that they are spatially cross correlated on one another and can be considered to be co-regionalized. It also implies that EC values at a particular depth contain useful information about the other depths which can be used to improve their estimation. In this research, we aimed to investigate the effects of using relevant ancillary information in the estimation procedure. To do this, cokriging was used. To evaluate this algorithm as a potential tool for mapping EC, its performance on the independent test data was evaluated and compared with the results obtained from studies using kriging. The results of the co-regionalization of EC at different depths indicated that cokriging the salinity data, although more rigorous from theoretical point of view, displayed no advantage over independent ordinary kriging at each depth. The results confirmed that cokriging improves little over ordinary kriging if the primary and auxiliary variables are almost equally sampled and all the variograms are identical. Also, ordinary kriging showed to be quite self-consistent since the predicted average salinity profile over the three depths was almost identical to the one predicted by cokriging. Considering the complexity of the cokriging and the LMC modeling, it is clear that there is no gain in using co-regionalization.

Effects of Seedbed Preparation Methods on Vegetative Growth, Seed Yield and Yield Components of Mungbean

Reza Jamshidian

Limited time for crop residue decomposition and complete seedbed preparation in double-cropping necessitates reduced tillage which is associated with its shortcomings. Information about seedbed preparation aspects in double-cropping of wheat and mungbean in Isfahan is lacking. For this reason, the effects of various seedbed preparation methods on growth, seed yield and yield components of mungbean (experimental line 1-61-16) were studied in a wheat-mungbean double-cropping system during 1996 at the Agricultural Research Station, Isfahan University of Technology. Two residue management treatments (burned and nonburned) along with four tillage systems: moldboard plow, disk, khischee and no-till were laid out in a strip plot design within a randomized complete block design with four replications. Improved establishment and plant growth conditions associated with burning residue treatment significantly increased plant density, above ground plant weight, number of nodes per branch, plant height, number of pods per main stem and per square meter, number of seeds per pod on main stem and on branches, number of seeds per main stem, seed yield, biological yield and harvest index. Higher plant density in this treatment resulted in significant reduction in the number of branches and number of pods per branch. Desirable conditions for establishment and growth in disk and moldboard plow treatments significantly increased plant density, above ground plant weight, number of pods per main stem and per square meter, number of seeds per pod on main stem and on branches, number of seeds per main stem, seed yield, biological yield and harvest index. No-till treatment produced the least results in respect to the above traits. The results indicated that burning residues with disk tillage system might be an appropriate seedbed preparation method under conditions similar to this experiment.

Assessment of Durum Wheat (Triticum turgidum var. durum) Cultivars for in vitro Salt Tolerance

Sayed Shahram Mirodjagh

In vitro salt tolerance of 28 cultivars of durum wheat with native and exotic origins was investigated, using MS medium containing sodium chloride. The resulting calli were subjected to 8 salinity levels including 0, 0.3, 0.6, 0.9, 1.2, 1.5 and 1.8 percent NaCl (w/v). Donor plants of explant (immature embryo) were grown in a recirculating hydroponics and pots in a greenhouse as well as in the field. Assessment of calli was conducted after 0, 8 and 16 days after subculture of calli into the NaCl-contained medium. Callus growth rate, relative callus growth rate and percentages of callus necrosis were measured, using a 8 × 28 factorial experiment layout in a completely randomized design with 3 observations per treatment and 3 replications. Results of analysis of variances showed that among the criteria, relative growth rate of callus was the most reliable, while callus growth rate as not being quantitatively measured, was less devoted. Results of this study revealed that 'PI 40100' and 'Dipper-6' were superior genotypes for in vitro salt tolerance. The high relative callus growth rate and less callus necrosis of these cvs. may indicate their superior genetic potential for in vitro salinity tolerance.

Genetic and Phenotypic Parameters of Growth, Feed Consumption and Conversion Ratio of Native Chickens and Their Crosses with an Exotic Breed

Heshmatollah Khosravinia

To estimate heritability, and genetic and phenotypic relationships and also to study the effect of sex and rearing environment on body weight, weight gain, feed consumption and feed conversion coefficient, the data from 1200 pedigreed male and female chickens from three genetic groups including 90 sires were used. The included genetic groups were crosses of native chickens and an exotic breed (group A), native chickens which were selected for two generations on the basis of 8th week body weight (group B) and a control group of native chickens (group C). All the chicks were reared up to four weeks of age on the ground in separated pens according to their sire groups. In order to calculate feed conversion coefficient, 498 chicks were placed in individual cages during four to ten weeks of age. The results showed that the cross group (A) compared to the other two groups had a higher body weight at 2, 3, 6, 8 and 10 weeks of age. Weight gain, feed conversion coefficient and consumption at periods of 4-6, 6-8, 8-10 and 4-10 weeks were also higher in the cross group. Genetic groups B and C, in spite of better performance of group B for most of the traits, did not have any significant differences for the compared traits. Estimated heritabilities on the basis of sire variance component showed that these traits were medium to highly heritable. Estimated heritabilities for feed consumption at different ages ranged from 0.15 to 0.44 which at any age was lower than that estimated for feed conversion coefficient. Genetic and phenotypic correlations between growth traits were positive and, in most of the cases, high. Correlations between nutritional traits at different ages were variable.

Genotypic and Phenotypic Parameters of Egg Production Traits in Native Fowl and Their Crosses with Exotic Breeds

Mohammad Ali Edriss

This experiment was conducted to study egg production traits in a flock of native fowl from Isfahan region and their crosses with three improved exotic breeds. Sexual maturity (SM), weight of the first egg (WFE), number of eggs (EP), egg weight (EW), feed intake (FI), and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were recorded individually during laying period up to 52 weeks of age. There were no significant differences (P < 0.05) in WFE between the four groups, but the difference between the four genetic groups was highly significant (P < 0.01) for SM, EP, EW, FI and FCR. During laying period, pooled coefficients of heritability (sire component) for SM, WFE, EP, EW, FI and FCR were estimated to be 0.24 ± 0.10, 0.03 ± 0.08, 0.41 ± 0.12, 0.48 ± 0.12, 0.13 ± 0.09 and 0.18 ± 0.09, respectively. In combined analysis, part record egg production (SM to 34 weeks of age) was positively correlated (genetically and phenotypically) with EP up to 52 weeks of age (r_g = 0.74 ± 0.11, r_p = 0.71). The values suggested that there is a relatively appropriate relationship in the combined groups analysis. In addition, EP up to 34 weeks of age was negatively correlated with FCR during the same period (r_g= -0.92 ± 0.53, r_p = -0.81).The estimated genetic and phenotypic correlation in this study suggested that selection based on part record egg production can not only be used successfully to improve EP during full record, but may also cause a better laying performance during laying period.

Effect of Different Sources of Fat on Performance of Broiler Chickens

Hassan Nassiri Moghaddam

Effect of different sources of fat on performance of broiler chicks was studied. Three hundred and thirty six chicks were divided into 42 groups of 8 chicks per group. Seven isoenergetic and isonitrogenous diets, mainly based on corn and soybean meal were prepared and fed. These treatments were as follows: corn + soybean meal + (5% tallow, 5% cotton seed crude oil, 5% cotton seed soapstock, 2.5% tallow + 2.5% crude oil, 2.5% tallow + 2.5% soapstock, or 2.5% crude oil + 2.5% soapstock). One control diet without any source of fat was also included. Results showed that average feed intake of diets with different sources of fat up to 56 days old, was not differed from control group. Different sources of fat and their combinations increased weight gain and improved feed conversion. But soapstock had no effect on performance. Added fats increased abdominal fat of chickens. Therefore, if is concluded that on the contrary to soapstock, tallow and crude oil enhanced performance of broiler chickens.

Effects of Two IGRs, Buprofezin and Pyriproxifen, on Icerya Purchasi Maskell (Homoptera: Margarodidae)

Mahmood Alichi

The effectiveness of Buprofezin (40% SC) and Pyriproxifen (10% EC) on the mortality of nymphal stages and fecundity of cottony cushion scale was investigated under glasshouse conditions. The LC₅₀of IGRs was also determined for the first nymphal stage. Two applications were conducted at intervals of 1 day prior to introduction of crawlers and 42 days after infestation. The results indicated that Buprofezin was superior to Pyriproxifen in suppressing the growth and development of crawlers. The mortality of first instars was determined 28 days after the first application. Although the total mortality of second instars due to Pyriproxifen was higher than that by Buprofezin, but the cummulative mortality of 1000 ppm treatment was estimated to be 100% in both experiments after 42 days. The effect of Buprofezin on incomplete molting of nymphs and its ovicidal activity showed a decreasing rate in third instar nymphs survival and fecundity of cottony cushion scale in relation to different concentrations of the IGRs, but it never reached 100%. Meanwhile the 1000 ppm concentration of Pyriproxifen in the same treatments brought about complete mortality to third instar nymphs and inhibited adult and egg formation due to imbalanced juvenile hormone activity. However in 1 ppm concentration of Pyriproxifen, a noticeable increase in fecundity of cottony cushion scale was observed.

Effect of the Kinetin on Development of Immature Detached Spike of Cynodon dactylon Under Salt Stress and Normal Conditions

Sayed Ali Mohammad Mirmohammadi Maibody

The reproductive development stage is a crucial stage in plant life to study the potential of plant yield. Salt tolerance in this stage is desirable to obtain a stable and high yield. A Cynodon dactylon population from America (Cyn3, London Univ. Collection), was suitable to study the detached immature inflorescence in booting stage on liquid medium. The detached inflorescenes were cultured on a liquid medium prepared with or without various supplements of NaCl (0 to 2%) and kinetin concentrations. The sequence of morphological events of spike development in vitro, and the effects of NaCl on spikelet opening, embryo sac growth, fertilization and caryopsis development were studied. The liquid medium supplemented with 10^-7 M kinetin resulted in natural caryopsis development. Supplementing NaCl to the liquid medium had deteriorating effects on the embryo sac development and resulted in the production of abnormal caryopses. The abnormal caryopses were smaller in diameter with a more fragile pericarp. However, a small number of spikelets grown in liquid medium, supplemented with low salt concentration up to 5%, produced normal caryopses and germinated well on soaked filter paper in petri dishes at appropriate conditions.