JWSS - Journal of Water and Soil Science

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The effects of growth of two strains of lactic acid bacteria on microbial flora of ground beef after packaging in air permeable packs were studied under workshop conditions. The strains isolated from dairy products were added to ground beef at a density of 10⁴ CFU/g after identification and antibiosis test against indicator bacteria (Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus). The two strains were Lactobacillus casei subsp. casei 102, and Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis var. diacetylactis 202. Inoculated and control samples were stored for up to five days under aerobic conditions in cold storage facilities with a temperature fluctuation between of –1°C to 5°C). Enumeration of different bacterial groups (total aerobic microorganisms, lactic acid bacteria, Pseudomonas spp., coliforms, Staphylococcus aureus, fungi) and detection of Escherichia coli were carried-out during storage period. The number of lactic acid bacteria in samples inoculated with lactobacillus casei subsp. casei 102 (treatment 1) increased during storage period, whereas total number of aerobic microorganisms, Pseudomonas spp., coliforms, and yeasts reduced. In samples inoculated with Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis var. diacetylactis 202 (treatment 2), the number of yeasts decreased considerablely. As a result, Lactobacillus casei subsp. casei 102 can be used as a suitable antagonist of spoilage and pathogenic bacteria in ground beef under aerobic Conditions in cold storage facilities with a temperature variation between –1°C to 5°C.

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This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of adding acetic acid to drinking water on the performance and ileal microorganisms of broiler chickens. In a completely randomized design with 5 treatments and 5 replicates, 300 day-old commercial mail broiler chicks (ROSS) were divided into 25 groups, 12 chicks per group. Each of the five levels of acetic acid added to drinking water (0.0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, and 0.4%) were given to five replicates for a period of 21 days. All groups were fed a practical corn-soybean based diet. During the experiment, chickens were not fed any antibiotics or coccidiostats. The diet formulation for all groups was the same. At 14 and 28 days of age, one chicken of each replicate was weighed and killed by cervical dislocation. Ileal contents were collected and used for microbial evaluation. At 49 days of age, one bird from each pen was killed to weigh gastrointestinal tract, liver, pancreas and abdominal fat. The number of total aerobes and colliforms per gram of ileal contents were enumerated on the appropriate bacteriological media. There was no significant difference in feed intake, weight gain, feed to gain ratio, live body weight, gastrointestinal tract, abdominal fat, liver and pancreas weights (p>0.05). Also, the differences among treatments for total aerobe and coliform counts were not significant (p>0.05). Under the conditions of this study, addition of acetic acid as an organic acid into drinking water at the levels used could not affect the performance and ileal microbial counts of chickens.

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Four different species of aphids belonging to the Aphididae family in four genera were collected and identified in Rape-seed fields in Sistan region during 2000-2001. Among them, Brevicoryne brassicae (Cabbage aphid) was the dominant species with an abundance of about 89% in area. The population fluctuation of Brevicoryne brassicae was studied simultaneously on fields in Sistan region (Zahak research station and her around fields). The research was conducted on a half hectare of each farm. Thirty leaves from each field at week intervals were randomly picked up and the aphids were collected and identified at the species level. The Brevicoryne brassicae had a peak of activity in early mid March to April at temperature and R.H. ranging between 22-28ºC and 45-65 R.H., respectively. Controlled conditions indicated that the Brevicoryne brassicae has a life cycle of 6-7 days and adult female longevity is 20-31 days (25±2 ºC and 75±5 R.H.). Rearing study also revealed that this species has the ability to reproduce up to 18-98 nymphs under laboratory conditions and an apterous female gives birth to 22-93 nymphs in her life time. Samplings for recognition of predators and parasitoids were also taken at 3-day intervals. Natural enemies in fields during the two years were identified to be 5 coccinellid (Col:Coccinellidae), 4 syrphid(Dip:Syrphidae) and 2 chrysopid species (Neu:Chrysopidae). Also in Hymenoptera, 2 parasitoids (Hym: Aphidiidae & Pteromalidae) were determined.

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Improvement of feed efficiency in dairy farming economically has a great importance. In this study, the genetic parameters of net energy efficiency and its relationships with milk yield, 3.2% fat corrected milk, body weight, gross income and income over feed costs were investigated, by the 2589 monthly records collected from the 723 lactating cows in the 3 herds. The different requirements of energy were estimated, by the National Research Council (NRC) models. A general linear model was employed for determining significant factors affecting each trait. The genetic parameters were estimated by a multivariate analysis with the derivative free approach of restricted maximum likelihood algorithm. The animal models contained the fixed effects of herd-year-season, parity number and stage of lactation, the regression coefficients of each trait on the dietary levels of rumen undegradable protein and metabolizable energy, and the random effects of animal additive genetic, permanent environment and residuals. The heritability of milk yield, 3.2 percent fat corrected milk, body weight, net energy efficiency, gross income and income over feed cost, were estimates 0.31, 0.32, 0.30, 0.34, 0.24 and 0.29 respectively. The results of this study indicated that the direct selection for net energy efficiency might genetically improve the feed efficiency. It also seems that the selection for fat corrected milk may be effective for the indirect improvement of feed efficiency and economic performance of dairy cows.

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A feeding trail was conducted to evaluate the effects of diets contaminated with Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) on the performance and blood enzymes of broiler chickens. In a randomized complete-block design with 4 blocks and 4 treatments, 112 day-old male broiler chicks were divided into 16 groups, 7 chicks per. Treatments consisted of three levels of AFB1 in starter diet (0.4, 0.8, and 1.2 ppm) along with a control group (no AFB1). Feed intake and body weight gain were recorded on a weekly basis. On days 7, 14, 21, and 28, one bird from each replicate was weighed, and killed to collect the blood samples, and to weigh its proventriculus, gizzard, duodenum and pancreas, heart, liver, spleen, bursa of fabricius, and brain. Feeding AFB1 significantly decreased feed intake and body weight gain and increased relative weight of liver (p<0.05). Relative weight of brain decreased on day 7 and then showed a significant increase by day 28 (p<0.05). AFB1 significantly (P<0.05) increased serum activity of aspartate amino transferase (AST) and alanine amino transferase (ALT) and decreased serum activity of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) enzymes. Generally, this study demonstrated that, alongside other negative effects, AFB1 could also have adverse effect on the brain of broilers.

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  Discharge routing as a mathematic process to forecast the changes of greatness, speed and form of flood wave is function of time in one or more points along drainage, canal or reservoir. Hydrologic and hydraulic methods are used to accomplish the flood routing. Although hydrologic method is less accurate than hydraulic methods but it is simpler to use in flood control and designing works with acceptable confidence. This study has been conducted for flood routing in Lighvan River from Lighvam hydrometric station to Hervy hydrometric station in eastern Azerbaijan Province in a distance the 12 Km. The discharge for different return periods (2, 10, 20, 50 and 100 years) was calculated by using upstream stations data. Then routing of every flood discharge was studied with different return periods by Muskingum and Muskingum-Cunge methods. Results showed significant difference between calculated discharges routing by two methods with discharge values to relate that return period in Hervy hydrometric station. The reasons of exist this different, is numerous for example mountain location this area and to exist sub drainage in between two stations and etc.

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In order to determine the response of yield and seed yield components of red bean )Phaseolus vulgaris L. ( genotypes to delay in planting, this study was conducted in Factorial  experiment based on a RCB design with 3 replications in the Jahad-Keshavarzi Research farm of Miyaneh in 2006. Factors included cultivars in three levels(Naz, Gole and Sayad) and planting date in three levels (5 and 20 April, and 5 May). Results of variance analysis showed that the cultivars and planting dates had significant effects on all the characteristics. The interaction between cultivars and planting dates had significant effect on stem height, number of pod per plant, 100 seed weight, biological yield, grain yield and number of seed in pod. The Results of mean comparison indicated that SAYAD cultivar in the first planting date with 4033.3 kgha^-1 and Gole cultivar in the third planting date with 1500.2 kgha^-1 had the highest and lowest grain Yield, respectively. Total yield with all traits, except for the stem height, 100 seed weight and cultivar protein percentage showed a  positive and significant correlation.

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In order to investigate the limited irrigation impact on physical characteristics of seed in nine sunflower hybrids, three 3-replicate field experiments RCBC were conducted under three irrigation regimes (irrigation after 60, 120 and 180 mm cumulative evaporation from class A evaporation pan, respectively) at the research field of Seed and Plant Improvement Institute in Karaj, Iran. The results showed that the Maximum length, width and seed diameter were obtained from irrigation after 60 mm cumulative evaporation from pan, and irrigations after 120 and 180 mm evaporation caused to decrease the length by 11% and 16%, width by 21% and 26% and seed diameter by 22% and 28%, respectively. There fore the seed diameter in comparison with width and seed length was most susceptible to limited irrigations levels. The Maximum length was seen in hybrid of A74×R95, and the maximum width, and seed diameter were observed in hybrids of Allstar. Also, A74×R95 under irrigations after 60 and 120 mm evaporation and Azargol under irrigation after 180 mm evaporation had the highest seed weight.

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Sun drying is a well-known food preservation technique that reduces the moisture contents of agricultural products. Shrinkage, rehydration ability and color of food materials during air drying adversely affect the quality of the dried products. Since all fresh tomatoes can not be consumed at the time of harvest, preservation provides a larger market, allowing consumers to buy the preserved tomato through the year. A natural convection solar dryer consisting of a solar air heater and a drying chamber was manufactured in this research. Tomato slices were dried in the solar dryer and compared with open sun drying. Also, tomato slices were dried in a laboratory oven (operated at temperature 50, 60, 70, 80°C). With increasing the temperature, the time required to arrive certain moisture content is decreased. Also results showed that drying time in the solar dryer is shorter than open sun drying. In other words, drying time was reduced 17 to 45% by the solar drying in comparison to open – sun drying. The experimental shrinkage data showed a linear behavior with moisture content. Also, the experimental data didn't show a strong effect of temperature on the rehydration ability of the product. Thus, the effect of temperature and method of sun drying on the shrinkage phenomenon and the rehydration ability can be neglected. Tomato slices dried at 50°C had better appearance (lightness and red color) than at 80°C.

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To increase grain yield, nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) and nitrogen apparent recovery fraction (NARF) in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), an experiment was carried out in Karaj Soil and Water Research Station farm for two consecutive growing seasons in 2004-05 and 2005-06. The experimental design was RCBD with 6 treatments (T1= Control T2= 150 kg ha-1 of N as urea in 3-split applications T3= 1/3 N as SCU as the base fertilizer + 2-split urea applications T4= 150 kg ha-1 N as SCU as the base fertilizer T5=150 kg ha-1 of N as urea in 2-split applications and T6=1/3 N as complete fertilizer as the base fertilizer +2-split urea applications) in the first year and 7 treatments (T1= Control T2= 180 kg ha-1 of N as urea in 2-split applications T3= 180 kg ha-1 of N as urea in 3-split applications T4= 180 kg ha-1 N in 5-split urea applications T5 = pre-plant urea + 4-split urea applications T6= 1/3 N as SCU as the base fertilizer +4-split urea applications and T6=1/3 N as complete fertilizer as the base fertilizer +4-split urea applications) in the second year with 3 replications. In the second year, N rate was increased from 150 to 180 kg ha-1, adding the existing extra nutrients in complete macro and fertilizers to other treatments and N split-application was increased up to four times. After harvesting, grain yield, NUE and NARF were measured. The results of first year revealed that the yield, NUE and NARF for T2 (5145 kg ha-1, 13.8 kg kg-1, 41.2%, respectively) and T6 (5067 kg ha-1, 13.2 kg kg-1, 38.2.2%, respectively) were increased significantly at 1% level. In the second year, the maximum grain yield (6335 kg ha-1), NUE (16.2 kg kg-1) and NARF (50%) were obtained again from T6 treatment. Higher yield, NUE and NARF in the second year were mainly due to higher N rates and more N split applications. The economic returns for these substitutions, even without considering any fertilizer subsidies, the averages turned out to be 14, 8 and 4 in these treatments, respectively. Overall results revealed that the substitution of complete macro and SCU fertilizers with pre-plant urea is advisable in wheat production areas. Therefore, it is recommended that the experiment be further tested and evaluated in some wheat growing provinces.l results.

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To evaluate the effect of nitrogen slowly released from pellet, composed of manure and urea fertilizer on the Nitrogen efficiency and morphological Characteristics and grain yield of corn hybrid (S.C704), a field experiment was carried out in Aboureihan research farm of Tehran University in 2009. The factorial design of the study comprised a randomized complete block with three replications. The application rates of N at four levels (46, 92, 138 and 184 kg N. ha-1) and two levels by methods of N distribution (pellet and mixed with soil) were applied. In this research, a Screw Extruder setup was designed and manufactured. Statistical analysis indicated that NUE, as well as agronomic efficiency (AE) was reduced while physiological efficiency (PE) increased with increasing N rates. Also, most plant length and stem diagonal and cob diagonal pellet belonged to the treatment. But, the number of leaves per plant did not affect the distribution method of fertilizer.The results showed significant differences among various rates of nitrogen and methods of N distribution considering grain yield and grain protein. The higher rates of N increased grain protein, grain yield and yield components (except for number of rows per ear). Maximum grain yield (11.1 t. ha-1) was obtained with 184 kg N. Ha-1 treatment.

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This study was conducted on subsurface drainage network under operation in Behshahr. DRAINMOD model was used to simulate drainage system using measured data in 2006. The model was evaluated to estimate soil hydraulic conductivity by comparing the measured and predicted values of water table depth and drain discharge for different values of hydraulic conductivity. The results of this method were compared with the results of output drainage water method (as a baseline method). Use of water table depth simulation results in estimating hydraulic conductivity model resulted in considerable error, while the simulation results of drain discharge rate could be used with good accuracy for estimating it. There was a small difference between the output drainage water method and the inverse solution of DRAINMOD model to estimate soil hydraulic conductivity (2.3 and 2.5 cm/h, respectively). Thus, the comparison between the measured and predicted values of drain discharge could be a good criterion to estimate soil hydraulic conductivity using the inverse solution of the DRAINMOD model

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The real estimation of the volume of sediments carried by rivers in water projects is very important. In fact, achieving the most important ways to calculate sediment discharge has been considered as the objective of the most research projects. Among these methods, the machine learning methods such as decision trees model (that are based on the principles of learning) can be presented. Decision tree method is a hierarchical multi step method which is a recursive data collection technique to binary and smaller sub-divisions until the final analysis cannot be divided. Decision trees consider a priori known set of data and derive a decision tree from it. Then, tree can be used as the set of laws to predict unknown features. In this research, the efficiency of this technique for predicting the suspended sediments in Ilam dam basin has been investigated. To evaluate the accuracy of the methods (written by MATLAB software), statistical criteria such as R, BIAS, RMSE, r2 and MAE were computed. The results showed that based on all the statistical criteria, decision tree in comparison with the sediment rating curve had most consistency with the observed data. Meanwhile, the most important factors for creating tree in the model (that had high correlation with sediment data) are the corresponding discharge and daily rainfall.

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In order to evaluate the effect of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi and Pseudomonas fluorescens bacteria on phosphorus fertilizer use efficiency, mycorrhizal dependence and grain yield and dry matter yield of maize under water deficit conditions, a field experiment was conducted as split-split plot arrangement based on randomized complete block design with three replications. The treatments in this experiment were included as follows: irrigation (normal irrigation and water deficit stress based on evaporation from class A pan evaporation) combined different seed inoculations with AM and Pseudomonas fluorescens and treatment of chemical phosphate fertilizer (non- consumption of phosphate fertilizer, consumption of 50 percent of triple superphosphate fertilizer needed, and consumption of rock phosphate, based on the quantity of consumed phosphorus of triple superphosphate source). The results showed that effects of irrigation, seed inoculation with AM and Pseudomonas fluorescens biological phosphate fertilizer and chemical phosphate fertilizer were significant on yield and yield components, dry matter yield, relative agronomic efficiency and root colonization. Mild stress significantly reduced grain yield, relative agronomic efficiency and fertilizer agronomic efficiency compared to optimum irrigation. Results showed that grain and dry matter yield are highly correlated with root colonization under mild stress condition. Maximum mycorrhizal dependence was obtained in mild stress condition. Maximum relative agronomic efficiency, fertilizer agronomic efficiency, yield and yield components was related to seed inoculation with AM and Pseudomonas fluorescens. The use of triple superphosphate fertilizer were increased grain yield in comparison with rock phosphate along with inoculation of phosphate solubilizing microorganisms. However, maximum root colonization and mycorrhizal dependence was achieved in non- consumption treatment of phosphate fertilizer.

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As pressurized irrigation is not possible for all circumstances, the use of modern techniques in surface irrigation is essential. In this paper, BISEDOM, a new mathematical model for evaluation, design and optimization of border irrigation is introduced. The effects of weighting coefficients of indicators are investigated based on the potential to improve and the most appropriate weighting scheme in optimization process is presented. In this model, volume balance equations for hydrodynamic simulation and SA method for optimization steps are used. Due to the nature of the SA, its parameters are determined by the method of sensitivity analysis. In this model, evaluation of different combinations of decision variables (inlet flow, length, width and slope of the strip) and consequently the performance of irrigation efficiencies reagent strip in an objective function is possible. Finally, the results indicate that the proposed method for weighted indicators has significant effects on improving performance of border irrigation. Model validation results in three parts of design, evaluation and optimization in comparison with SIRMOD and asymptote method showed that the results are very close to each other. The results also indicate that the proposed model has a good efficiency in comparison with other existing models especially for optimization purposes.

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Over-parameterization is a well-known and often described problem in hydrological models, especially in distributed models. Therefore, using special methods to reduce the number of parameters via sensitivity analysis is important to achieve efficiency. This paper describes a sensitivity analysis strategy that graphically assigns for each parameter a relative sensitivity index and relationship of the parameter and the outputs of the model. The method is illustrated with an application of SWAT model in the Chehelchai catchment, Golestan province. In this study, total water yield, along with four major parts of water budget including surface runoff, lateral flow, groundwater and evapotranspiration was selected as objective function. SWAT is a river basin model that can be used to predict the impact of land management practices on water, sediment and agricultural chemical yield in watersheds. A relative sensitivity index was used for ranking the sensitivity of parameters. The results showed that soil evaporation compensation facto (ESCO), CN, soil available water capacity (SOL-AWC), deep aquifer percolation fraction (RCHRG-DP) and soil bulk density (SOL-BD) have the most influence on river flow. These parameters are generally stated as the most sensitive parameters of SWAT model in most of the same researches worldwide

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In order to investigate the effects of furrow irrigation and amount of irrigation water on yield and water use efficiency of corn, an experiment was conducted as a split plot based on a randomized complete block design with three replications for a period of two years at Agriculture Center of Mazandaran. Treatments included three levels of 100, 80 and 60 percent water requirement as the main treatments, and three irrigation methods included fixed every-other- furrow, alternative every-other- furrow and every-furrow irrigation as the subsidiary treatments. Statistical analysis of the results of two years' data showed that treatment with 100% water requirement with every-furrow irrigation and treatment with 60% irrigation water requirement with fixed every-other-furrow had the highest and lowest yield, respectively. The highest water use efficiency was in 60 percent irrigation water requirement with a fixed every-other- furrow treatment and the lowest water use efficiency was related to the treatment with 100 percent irrigation water requirement with alternative every-other- furrow. The value of ky was obtained 0.8 for the total growth stage.

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In this study, the effect of the secondary flow strength and vorticity on variations of bed shear stress for different positions of spur dike are compared through a mild 90˚ bend along with a T-shaped spur dike in a rigid bed. To carry out these experiments, three dimensional velocimeters (ADV) have been used for measuring velocity. Moreover, a comparison has been made between velocity vectors and variations of streamlines along the bend; the secondary flow strength and vorticity values are estimated for various positions of spur dike, and their effects on bed shear stress variations have been analyzed. It is concluded that the maximum secondary flow strength is evident in a distance of 0.6 of spur dike’s length at upstream under all these different positions of spur dike. Also the maximum vorticity position corresponds to the position of the maximum secondary flow strength, in front of spur dike’s wing. According to these results, it is predicted that the maximum scour occurs near the position of maximum secondary flow strength and maximum vorticity. Besides, the path of sediments motion coincides with the maximum shear stress points locus.

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