JWSS - Journal of Water and Soil Science

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The effects of different levels of metabolizable energy and energy to protein ratios on the performance of Fars native laying hens were examined during the second laying phase. In a feeding trial, 216 Fars native hens 42 weeks old were randomly allotted to 9 experimental diets using 6 replicated groups of 4 birds per cage. The diets were formulated with 3 levels of ME (2700, 2900 and 3100 kcal/kg diet). At each level of energy, 3 energy to protein ratios (195, 215 and 239) were considered. The diets were fed ad libitum for a period of 20 weeks (42-62 weeks). The results indicated that there were no significant differences in egg production, egg weight, body weight gain and livability at the end of the experiment (65 week of age) (P>0.05). Daily feed intake was significantly lowered in hens fed the first (ME=3100 Kcal/kg, CP=15.87), second (ME=3100 Kcal/kg, CP=14.43), third ration (ME=3100 Kcal/kg, CP=12.99) and fifth (ME=2900k Kcal/kg, CP=13.5%) as compared with the seventh ration (ME=2700 Kcal/kg, CP=13.82). Feed intake and feed conversion ratios (FCR) significantly decreased as the dietary energy level increased (P<0.05). Feed consumption at the highest energy level was significantly lower than that at the lowest energy concentration. FCR was influenced by dietary energy level. Hens on the diet with 3100 Kcal ME /kg had lower FCR compared to 2700 Kcal ME/kg. The feed cost per 1 Kg egg production increased significantly with the elevation of dietary energy and protein levels (P<0.05).The results showed that a diet containing 11.31% CP and 2700 Kcal ME/kg adequately satisfied the maintenance and production requirements of Fars native hens during the second phase of production. Also, this ration was more economical.

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An experiment was carried out to investigate the effects of different levels of energy (2700, 2900 and 3100 kcal/kg) and protein (13, 14.5 and 16 %) on laying performance of Fars native hens during the first phase of production. Two hundred and sixteen 25-week-old native pullets were put into fifty four groups of similar live weight (994 ± 169 gr) of four chickens, which were randomly allocated to nine experimental diets. Each treatment was replicated six times in factorial CRD design (3×3). At each level of energy, three diets were formulated to contain three levels of protein (16, 14.5 and 13%). The diets were fed ad libitum for a period of 20 weeks (week 25-45). The treatments 1 with 3100 kcal/kg ME and 16% protein and 3 with3100 kcal/kg ME and 13% protein had less daily feed consumption than treatment 7 with 2700 kcal/kg ME and 16% protein (90.50 and 87.30 vs 101.20 gr respectively, P<0.05). The effect of energy levels on daily feed and energy consumption and feed conversion ratio was significant (P< 0.05). Feed conversion ratio for energy level of 3100 kcal/kg was significantly different from 2700 kcal/kg (2.85 vs 3.08 respectively). The effect of protein levels on uric acid content of excreta and daily protein consumption was significant (P< 0.05) and protein level of 16% was significantly differed from protein level of 13% (11.40 vs 10.50 gr respectively). The results of this experiment showed that it is preferable to use the energy level of 2700 kcal/kg and protein level of 13% during the first phase of production of Fars native hens.

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  In order to evaluate insecticidal potential of some botanical extracts, a factorial experiment of complete randomized design with three replications on Callosobruchus maculatus was adopted for a pilot experiment in the laboratory. Plant extracts were prepared from 22 plants with three solvents (Methanol, Acetone and N-Hexane) with 30% concentration. Experiments were carried out at 25˚C and 70 ± 5% RH under 16: 8 (D: L) conditions. Each unit of experiment was a petri dish covered with a filter paper and 1.5 ml of each treatment solution was poured in it and 25 insects were released. Mortality was recorded after 36 hours. In this experiment, each plant extract with more than 50% mortality on C. maculaus was selected for further laboratory screening. In this stage of experiment methanolic leaf extract of Teucrium polium (with 55.04 percent mortality), hexane extract of Sonchus oleraceus (with 54.64 percent mortality), acetonic leaf extract of Calotropis procera (with 53.6 percent mortality), methanolic extract of Fumaria parviflora (with 52.7 percent mortality), methanolic extract of Capsicum annuum (with 50.04 percent mortality), and acetonic extract of Thymus vulgaris (with 50 percent mortality) were selected. After carring out the pilot experiment, the effective extracts with five concentrations of 15, 22.4, 33.5, 50.2 and 75% and one control were evaluated on the C. maculaus. This experiment also was designed in the laboratory as a factorial experiment of complete randomized design with three replications and mortality was recorded after 36 hours. In the highest concentration (75%), extract of Fumaria parviflora and extract of Thymus vulgaris (with 88.3% mortality) and extract of Sonchus oleraceus (with 78.3%) had higher and lower percentage of mortality resectively. The LC₅₀ values of effective extracts were calculated for C. maculaus after 36 hours of treatment with plant extracts. The results showed that C. maculatus with LC₅₀ = 126.27 µl/ml has highest sensitivity against extract of Fumaria parviflora and has lower sensitivity against extract of Sonchus oleraceus with LC₅₀ = 370.09 µl/ml in comparison to other extracts. Amongst the tested concentrations of plant extracts, 5 plant extracts with the concentrations that had the higher mortality on C. maculaus, were selected for experiment on Laphigma exigua in greenhouse. This experiment was carried out with complete randomized design with four replications. The acetonic leaf extract of Calotropis procera (with 57.5 %) caused the highest mortality and acetonic extract of Thymus vulgaris (with 27.5 %) caused the lowest mortality on L. exigua in comparison to other extracts.

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  In order to quantitatively evaluate the sediment yield in ungauged basins, it is necessary to use empirical models. The EPM model, as a model which is using in Iran, has sometimes been evaluated. Most evaluations have often been conducted by using river's sediment information and direct measurements of dam reservoir sedimentation have been less used, while the sediment measurement method on reservoir is more carefully. 9 small watersheds from Semnan province (Iran) were selected in this research. There is a small earth dam which have been built on the outlet of each watershed in the past years that them age is 10 years. These dams have not been weirs since they have been building to now. Therefore total of sediment yield volumes of each watershed are entrapped in the dam reservoirs. The volume of sediments deposited in reservoir were calculated by surveying. Sediment's apparent specific weights were measured in each reservoir and the volume of sediments transformed into sediments weight. By EPM model the volume and weight of sediment yield were estimated. Values of sediment yield measured in reservoirs were compared with estimated values by t-test. The results showed that at level 5%, there was not any significant difference between sediment yield values estimated in reservoirs by EPM model in comparison with values of volume and weight which were measured. But determination of performance and relative root mean square error showed that EPM model has low efficiency for estimation of sediment yield in the case study of watersheds.

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Eight hundred and fifty two multiparous Holstein cows in mid-lactation were used in a completely randomized and nested design with two treatments and three replications. Treatments were: 1) Isfahan and 2) Borkhar-Meymeh. Replications were: 1) class of one to five cows 2) class of six to ten cows and 3) class of eleven to twenty cows. Paired t-test was used for the comparison of nutrient consumption and requirement. The obtained results of one-year-old experiment indicated that township and different classes had no effect on consumption of dry matter intake (DMI), net energy lactating (NEL), metabolizable protein (MP), calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), sodium (Na), chlorine (Cl), sulphur (S), selenium (Se), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), iodine (I), vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin E, rumen degradable protein (RDP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF) and non-fiber carbohydrate (NFC). Township had a significant effect on consumption of rumen undegradable protein (RUP) (P<0/05). Township and different classes had no effect on nutrient requirements of dairy cattle. The difference between consumption and requirement for kg DMI, Mcal/d NEL, g Mp, (g absorbable) Ca, P, K, Mg, Na, Cl, S, mg per kg Se, Zn, Cu, I, Iu/d vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin E, g/d RDP, RUP, percentage of dry matter NDF, ADF and NFC were -1/6, -2/5, -630/2, -21/8, -5, 40/6, 0, -3/3, 44/2, -7/4, -3/11, -38/7, -3/26, -4/45, -14834, -234, -342/5, -542/5, -886, 28/5, 17/5 and -10/4, respectively. The difference between consumption and requirement was not significant for P, Mg and Na. This difference had a significant effect on the rest of nutrients (P<0/05). The results of this study indicated that we can feed dairy cattle by using diets containing protein supplements and mineral-vitamin premix and improve milk yield and percentage of milk protein's rural areas of Holstein cows.

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Six hundred young calves, one month to three months old, were used in a completely randomized and nested design with two treatments and three replications. Treatments were: 1) Isfahan and 2) Borkhar-Meymeh. Replications were: 1) class of one to five cows 2) class of six to ten cows and 3) class of eleven to twenty cows. Paired t-test was used for comparison of nutrient consumption and requirement. Results of one-year-old experiment indicated that township and different classes had no effect on consumption of dry matter intake (whole milk and starter), net energy growth (NEg), crude protein (CP), calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), sodium (Na), chlorine (Cl), sulphur (S), cobalt (Co), copper (Cu), iodine (I), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), selenium (Se), Zinc (Zn), vitamin A, vitamin D and vitamin E. Treatments (township) had no significant effect on the nutrient requirements of young calves. The daily difference between consumption and requirement for DMI (whole milk Kg/d), DMI (starter Kg/d), NEg Mcal/Kg, CP g/d, percentage of dry matter Ca, P, Mg, Cl, K, Na, S, mg/kg Co, Cu, I, Fe, Mn, Se, IU/kg vitamins A, D and E were -0/15, -0/092, -0/165, -17/7, -0/09, 0/1, 0/08, 0/53, 0/64, 0, 0/01, -0/1, -7/2, -0/32, -36/9, -14/1, -0/12, 0/5, -4499, -515 and -40/8, respectively. The difference between consumption and requirement had no significant effect on P, Na, S and Zn. This difference had a significant effect on the rest of nutrients (p <0/05). The results of this study indicated that young calves had received low DMI (whole milk and starter), NEg, CP, Ca, Co, Cu, I, Fe, Mn, Se, vit A, vit D and vit E. This shortage can be compensated by increasing DMI (whole milk and starter) protein supplements, vitamin and mineral supplements .

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Kerman province is the largest producer of greenhouse cucumber and tomato in Iran. This paper calculates the interest rate of return (IRR) and return period of investment (RPI) in vegetable, cut flowers and strawberry in greenhouse and compares them with vegetable grown outdoors. To do the study, a random sample of 309 farmers was selected in the province of Kerman in 2005. Results showed that IRR for vegetable, cut flowers and strawberry in greenhouse was about 20, 14 and 23 respectively, and it was 45/8 percentage per year for vegetable outdoors. RPI for vegetable, cut flowers and strawberry in greenhouse was about 8, 29, and 7 years, respectively. Vegetables Production under greenhouse produces more employment opportunities, has better yields, higher price and efficient use of factors, but it has lower IRR, higher production cost, higher pesticide residue and is more capital intensive in comparison with outdoor production. Improvement of greenhouse credits, enlargement of metal greenhouses, research on yield and development of greenhouses at region 5 are the important policy-making implications of this paper.

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Microsatellite DNA markers isolated from wild species khinjuk (Pistacia khinjuk Stocks.) were used to evaluate the genetic diversity available in Iranian pistachio cultivars. Out of the 27 SSR primers tested initially, 25 could amplify the DNA in different pistachio cultivars, of which 19 primer pairs produced clear bands. Based on the amplification profiles of the genotypes by the remaining primer pairs, eight primers produced a monomorphic product and other 11 microsatellites markers were found polymorphic among the genotypes. The number of putative alleles amplified by each polymorphic SSR locus ranged from two to eleven alleles with a total of 48 alleles. An average of alleles and observed heterozygosity per locus was 3.69 and 0.69 respectively, showing that these microsatellites are highly informative for pistachio fingerprinting. The UPGMA cluster plots based on nei index placed the 20 commercial pistachio cultivars into a major group containing three distinguished subgroups however, genotypes, namely, Ghazvini zudras and Sarakhs (wild P. vera), were clearly situated into two distinct clusters, distant from the domesticated genotypes studied here. Both Ghazvini zudras and Sarakhs are known as small-fruited genotypes which are grown in restricted regions. Therefore, the distinctness of these genotypes can be attributed to their geographical isolation and morphological characteristics. It seems that Ghazvini zudras probably originated from Sarakhs variety which posses an important role in development of pistachio cultivars. The present study revealed that the khinjuk pistachio microsatellites are well distributed in the genome of P.vera , and are informative for estimating the extent of genetic diversity and characterization of pistachio cultivars.

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In this study, the effects of enhancing synthetic chelators (HEDTA, EGTA) and low molecular weight organic acids (LMWOA) such as citric acid were compared on cadmium (Cd) solution in soils that were artificially contaminated. Also Cd phytoextraction capability by radish (Raphanus Sativus L.) was studied. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete factorial design where each treatment was replicated three times. Concentration treatments of cadmium using CdCl2 were 0(control), 5, 20, 60 and 100 mg Cd kg-1. After complete growth of plants, 6, 20 and 20 mMkg-1 soil HEDTA, EGTA and Citric Acid were added per pot, keeping a control without any chelator application. In order to determine cadmium concentration ten days after adding chelates, samples were taken from the plants and soil of pots. The results showed that in all treatments the concentration of soluble Cd in soil was higher than the control. Also the results showed that synthetic chelators as compared with LMWOA (Citric Acid) have increased the solution remarkably. Among the other chelates, HEDTA had significant effects on Cd solution. In the current study, Cd concentration in shoot and root of (Raphanus Sativus L.) was increased with enhancement of Cd concentration in soil. Cd concentrations in shoots of radish were higher than those in roots. This could refer to higher bioavailability and solubility of Cd. In the current study, in all the treatments with HEDTA Cd concentrations in shoot and root of (Raphanus Sativus L.) were increased as compared with other chelates..

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Floodwater Spreading (FS) plays an effective role in improving soil fertility, ground water recharge, vegetation cover, and desertification control. The soil fertility might increase as a result of a suitable suspended sediment material transferred to the downstream by flood events. To define a relevant FS method which increases the efficiency of the FS projects, it is necessary to study the quality and quantity of transported sediment material, spatially and temporarily. In this research, this subject was investigated by taking soil samples throughout 13 FS stations for physical and chemical analysis over 5 years. Within each of the 13 selected stations in the three first flooded dikes, soil sampling was carried out using random-systematic method. The total Nitrogen, absorbed Phosphorous and Potassium, and Organic Carbon of each sample were analyzed. Because of the abnormality of data, nonparametric test was adopted to compare means. All stations were classified into three groups using cluster analysis method. Based on the results, the variations of fertility factors are irregular between the dikes and amongst years. This could have been affected by several factors such as the quality and quantity of diverted flood, the characteristic of FS sites, and irregularity of sediment material deposited on the sites. Despite the low quality of soil fertility prior to the construction of these stations, in general, FS has a considerable role in improving the soil fertility. However, desirable objectives may be achieved in long term through occurrence of diverse flood events and suitable maintenance of the stations.

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Physicochemical characteristics of soil, land cover/use and human activities have effects on heavy metals distribution. In this study, we applied Classification and Regression Tree model (CART) to predict the spatial distribution of zinc in surface soil of Hamadan province under Geographic Information System environment. Two approaches were used to build the model. In the first approach, 10% of total data were randomly selected as test data and residual data were used for building model. In the second approach, all data were used to build and evaluate the CART model. Determination coefficient (R2) and Mean Square Error (MSE) were applied to estimate the accuracy of model. Final model included 51 nodes and 26 terminal nodes (leaf). Calcium carbonate, slope, sand, silt and land use/cover were determined by the CART model to predict spatial distribution of Zn as the most important independent variables. The regions of western Hamadan province had the highest concentration of Zn whereas the lowest concentration of Zn occurred in the regions of northern Hamadan province. The results indicate good accuracy of CART model using R2 and MSE indices.

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Cation exchange capacity (CEC) is one of the important indices in soil fertility. Direct measurement of CEC is time consuming and expensive, especially in aridisols containing high amounts of carbonates and gypsum. Alternatively, CEC could be indirectly predicted through pedotransfer functions (PTF). The objective of this study was to predict CEC using class and continuous PTFs.A data set (n = 977) was classified according to the soil textural class and was used to derive the PTFs. Another independent set (n = 173) was used to test the reliability of the PTFs. The root mean of square error (RMSE), mean error (ME) and index of agreement (d) were applied to evaluate the PTFs. Within every textural class, we furthermore evaluated the relative improvement (RI) of the continuous PTFs over the corresponding class PTF. The continuous PTFs were more accurate than class PTFs for finer textural classes while the former showed higher reliability in coarser textural classes. With an increase in relative particle size, prediction bias of class PTFs decreased RMSE was 8.55 and 3.88 in clay and sandy loam textural classes, respectively. Consequently, according to the results obtained in this study, for the prediction of soil CEC, continuous PTFs are suggested to be used for silty loam and finer textural classes while for loam and coarser classes application of class PTFs is preferred.

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This research was conducted to prepare landslide susceptibility zonation (LSZ) map for the Dez-e-Ouliabasin using logistic regression model. For this purpose, at first, the most important factors affecting land sliding including slope, aspect, elevation, precipitation, the distance from road, the distance from fault, the distance from drainage, land use, and lithology were determined. Then, thelandslide inventory mapwas preparedby using field digital checks, GPS and satellite images. In the next step, the landslide susceptibility zonation mapwas preparedby usinglogistic regression method. According to the obtained coefficients for LSZ maps, the most important factor in the study area was elevation layer. The Receiver Operating Curve (ROC) index value was calculated (0.92), which indicates a very high level and suggests thatthe observed mass movements have a strong relationship with the logistic regression model.

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Selection of optimum interpolation technique to estimate water quality parameters in unmeasured points plays an important role in managing the quality and quantity of water resources. The aim of this study is to evaluate the accuracy of interpolation methods using GIS and artificial neural network (ANNs) model. To this end, a series of qualitative parameters of samples from water taken from Dehgolan aquifer located in Kurdistan, Iran including CL, EC and PH were evaluated by any of the models. In this study, qualitative data from 56 observation wells with good dispersion in the whole plain was used. The data of 46 observation wells were used for calibration and the data of other 10 wells were used for verification of models. The results showed ANNs, IDW, and Kriging excellence and accuracy over other models in estimation of quality parameters CL, PH and EC. However the ANNs model is more accurate than other models. In case of lack of time and the need for acceptable accuracy and less risk in the estimation of qualitative parameters, the use of ANNs model is superior to other statistical models used.

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Recent urban development and population growth in Shahrood tend to adopt a strategy for ground water management. This project, which is a descriptive- analytic type study based on field observation and laboratory analysis, aims to delineate proper sites for groundwater artificial recharge using integrated AHP-TOPSIS.  First, the study area was delineated using remote sensing techniques. Then, appropriate criteria including 5 main criteria and 12 sub-criteria were obtained by field observation and literature review. Then, the appropriate sites for groundwater recharge were determined. The process of the used method consists of designing hierarchical structure of the project, preparation of pairwise comparison matrices, weighting criteria and sub criteria values by experts, and ultimately ranking them by TOPSIS method. Results showed that lithology, slope, water table depth, and land use have the main role in sites delineation. A number of control sites were employed for model validation that indicates 87.20 percent accuracy. Overally, 73.6 and 82.12 percent of the total area were grouped as very suitable and suitable classes, respectively.
 

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