JWSS - Journal of Water and Soil Science

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Growth and grain yield of irrigated barley cultivars (Valfajr, Binam and Raihaneh) was investigated at 4 sowing dates (6, 22 Oct. and 14, 20 Nov.) in Karaj region. The effect of sowing date, genotype and their interaction on grain yield were statistically significant. Early and late sowing enhanced cold damage. However, the damage was more in late sowings. It was estimated that the optimum sowing date would be about 50 days (600 GDD) prior to freeze-up and maximum cold damage would occur when sowing was delayed until some 22 days (230 GDD) before freeze-up but any more delay in sowing would cause less damage. Highest grain yield was obtained from Raihaneh at 22 Oct. sowing. Binam showed good yield stability and relatively high yield, especially in unfavorable sowing dates. In the relatively favorable sowing dates (6 and 22 Oct.), grain weight showed positive correlation with linear grain filling rate, storage and translocation of reserves. LAI, LAR, RGR, CGR and LAD of each cultivar were higher in the second sowing date compared to the first one. The “ratio of post anthesis growth to maximum TDM” showed a high correlation with the harvest index. Raihaneh was the highest cultivar in resistance to lodging, harvest index, storage and retranslocation of assimilates, and linear grain filling rate. It is suggested that at favorable sowing dates, Valfajr and Binam had source limitation or disturbed translocation and Raihaneh had sink limitation.

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This experiment was carried out to study the effects of different levels of vitamin C (0, 150, 300 and 450 ppm) and cage density (3, 4 and 5 birds) on performance and egg shell quality of laying hens under high environmental temperature. In a completely randomized design with 3 × 4 factorial arrangement, one hundred and ninety two (192) 25 week white leghorn hens were divided into 48 replicates four hens per replicate. The experimental period lasted 90 days. The criteria measured were: percentage production, egg weight, egg output, feed conversion ratio, shell thickness, shell weight, shell calcium and albumin height. Daily egg production and biweekly egg weight, shell thickness, shell weight and albumin height were recorded. Shell c1acium was measured at the end of the experiment's period. The results indicate that, 150 ppm vitamin C significantly (P < 0.05) increased egg weight and shell calcium. Albumin height was significantly (P < 0.05) increased at 300 ppm vitamin C supplementation. Cage density had no effects on shell weight, thickness and calcium, and albumin height. Egg weight, egg production and egg output were reduced significantly (P < 0.05) due to increased cage density. Feed conversion ratio was also increased significantly (P < 0.05) as cage density was increased. Interactions between vitamin C and cage density on shell and egg weight were significant (P < 0.05).

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A field survey was carried out in Firoozabad Beneh (Pistacia mutica) Forest Station covering about 12000 hectares. Data were collected using combined random and systematic sampling methods to study the effect of altitude, dominant slope direction, sex and age of the host and plant canopy on rust severity caused by Pileolaria terebinthi.

The rust severity decreased with plant age and elevations above 2000 meters. Female trees were more susceptible to the pathogen than males. The slope direction and plant canopy had no effect on disease severity. There was a significant correlation between plant age and elevation with disease severity but not with plant canopy. Regression analyses indicated a linear regression between disease severity variables and dependent variables of age, sex, and elevation.

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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.

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The aim of this research was to study the effect of treatment with oyster mushroom (Pleurotus sajor-caju) on digestibility of Glycyrrhiza glabra L. pulp. Pleurotus sajor-caju was inoculated on sterilized wheat grains. Two weeks after growth at 25 °C it was added to the sterilized Glycyrrhiza glabra L. pulp in nylon bags. After two weeks (at 25 °C), mycelia grew on the pulp and were used for treatment. Digestibility coefficients were measured in 12 Ghezel rams. Dry matter, crude protein (CP) and nitrogen free extract (NFE) increased, but ash content, cell wall (NDF) and lignin (ADL) decreased significantly in fungal-treated as compared with non-treated pulps. Crude fiber (CF) and ADF contents were not significantly affected by the treatment. There was a tendency for crude fat (EE ether extract) to decrease by fungal treatment (p=0.08). Mean dry matter intake and digestibility coefficient of dry matter were higher in sheep which were fed the fungal-treated pulp compared with the control group. Digestibility coefficients of CP, CF, organic matter (OM), EE, NFE, NDF, ADF and ADL were significantly greater in fungal-treated pulp than in control group. Treatment with P. sajor-caju increased the nutritive value and digestibility of Glycyrrhiza glabra L. pulp (P<0.05), but culture of this fungus was not possible on non-sterilized pulp, which hinders its field application.

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Distribution of Phytophthora species associated with stone fruits decline in Fars was investigated. Of 36 isolates of Phytophthora recovered, 23 were identified as P. cactorum (mostly from infected crown) from almond, apricot, and peach and 13 isolates of P. nicorianae from crown and basal stem of almond and apricot from different environmental conditions. The reactions of crown and root of 6- month–old local almond cultivars, i. e., Mamaee, Moheb-Ali, Talkheh e- Najafabad (Isfahan Province), Talkheh Sadeh, and Sang Talkheh Riz from Neiriz (Fars Province), peach cultivar bitter pit and apricot cultivar Hallander from Isfahan to a virulent isolate of P. cactorum were evaluated under greenhouse conditions. The inoculum of the pathogen was obtained by growing on vermiculate – hemp seed extract for 4-6 weeks and positioned around either crown or root system. Plant height, root and total weight of plants, lesion size, plant mortality, and percentage colinization of the pathogen on root and stem base were determined. The results indicated that almond cv. Mamaee was the most susceptible and almond cv. Talkheh-e-Najfabad, peach cv. bitter pit and apricot cv. Hallander were the most resistant rootstocks to P.cactorum. Comparative reactions of root and crown of various rootstocks to P. cactorum showed that although inoculation site (root or crown) in most cultivars was not significant to most characters measured, the interaction of cultivars × site of inoculation became significant for certain characters such as plant height, lesion size, root and total plant weight and mortality, indicating different reactions by root and crown to P. cactorum in some cultivars.

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The dissemination of Phytophthora spp. in the surface irrigation water was studied during 1993-94 in Marvdasht area and certain other parts of Fars province. Monthly the water samples were taken along 100Km of the Kor river 22Km up stream from the Doroudzan Dam to about 80Km down stream to Mardvdasht where Sivand and Kor rivers joined. The other sampling locations includede the Maeen river adjecent to the Dam, and the Sivand river from Dashte-Morghab to Mardasht. Few samples were also obtained from Shapour and Dalaky rivers and also from Yasouj and the Sisakht regions in Khkilueh and Boir Ahmad. The water temperature, pH and EC were measured and samples were assayed on the same day of the collection. The water sample was filtered through the two layers of the cheese cloth and about 1L was placed in a plastic container (30 × 20 Cm) 2-3C deep and 100 fresh citrus leaf disks (6mm dia) were also added and incubated at the room temprature. After 48hr, disks were collected, washed, blotted dry and plated on Phytophthora were collected, washed, blotted dry and plated on Phytophthora selective medium (PARPH). At least 50 disks were used in the 5 plates for each sample. The five to 8 boiled hemp seeds were placed on each growing colony and transferred to the distilled water, after 12hr for sporangium production. The Phytophthora species were idenified by their morphological characteristic and temperature requirement. Phytophthora spp. were present in the most rivers except the Shapour and Dalaky. The predominant species were non-popilate high temperature (above 35C) species mainly P. cryptogea and P. drechsleri. In some cases P. capcisi and the other unidentified species were also detected. Phytophthora spp. were present throughout the year but the lowest population was detected during winter months. The fluctuation of the phytophthora population and the other water microorganisms in the Kor river after shiraz petrochemical complex during the growing season was very high, but sometimes reduced to zero (perhaps due to the water pollution). No Phytophthora colonies were detected in the dam lake or in the most cases in the cement canals.

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The effect of dietary protein level and feed restriction on performance, body temperature and hematological values was evaluated, using Ross 308 broiler chicks under heat stress. For this purpose, three dietary treatments were fed to broilers during 21 to 42 days of age. Two treatments consisted of diets with protein levels recommended by NRC, 1994 and 85% of NRC recommendation and were fed ad-lib during the experiment. The third treatment was a feed restriction group that was fed diet with protein level recommended by NRC, but chicks were deprived of feed for 6 hours during heat stress challenge. Birds had free access to water. Results indicated that lowering protein content or feed restriction had no significant effect on body weight gain (P>0.05). Feed restriction resulted in significantly decreased feed intake, improved feed conversion and energy efficiency ratio, and decreased body temperature after heat stress challenge at 24 and 32 days (P<0.05). Lowering protein of diet and feed restriction resulted in significantly decreased protein intake, improved protein efficiency ratio and increased hematocrit and blood uric acid (P<0.05). Sex had no significant effect on body temperature and hematological values (P>0.05). Heat stress significantly increased body temperature, hematocrit and glucose and uric acid values.

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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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Pistachio (Pistacia vera L.) is an important economic crop, which is mostly planted in saline conditions in Iran. Verticillium wilt disease of pistachio caused by Verticillium dahliae is known as a serious disease for pistachio trees. The causal agent was recovered from shoot and soil samples collected from main pistachio growing areas in Kerman province. The present experiment was carried out to study the effect of salinity on disease using three common P. vera rootstocks including Sarakhs, Badami-e-Zarand and Qazvini and four levels of salinity (0, 1400, 2800 and 4200 mg NaCl per kg soil) in hydroponic culture (1/2 strength Hoagland,s solution). Salt stress was applied before inoculation on ten week old seedlings. The experiment was carried out as factorial in RCD with four replications. Two weeks after salt stress induction, four seedlings were transplanted into pots containing 5 kg sandy-clay virgin soil artificially infested with 40 microsclerotia per gram of soil with equal salinity. In NaCl treatments, Sarakhs showed lower shoot and root dry weight and higher concentration of Na, K and Cl than the other rootstocks. Based on the results, Sarakhs, Qazvini and Badami were found to be susceptible, tolerant and intermediate to NaCl, respectively. In the presence of V. dahliae, salt stress significantly reduced shoot and root dry weight and increased stem and root colonization by the pathogen and Na, K and Cl concentration compared to non-stressed inoculated plants. Sarakhs had higher percentage of colonization of stem and root by V. dahliae and concentration of Na, K and Cl than other cultivars. As a general conclusion, salt stress before inoculation by V. dahliae can increase the severity of Verticillium wilt of pistachio, especially in salt-sensitive rootstocks.

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Although soil organic matter (SOM) constitutes a small portion of soil bulk weight, it has a tremendous effect on physico-chemical and biological properties of soils. It is also one of the most important indicators of soil quality and its production. Soil organic matter determination is required for soil fertility management and soil pollution purposes. Wet oxidation procedure of Walkley-Black is a routine, relatively accurate and popular method for the determination of soil organic matter, but it involves the use of chromate and high cost of analysis. Therefore, loss-on-ignition (LOI) procedure as a simple and cheap method of SOM estimation which also avoids chromic acid waste has got more attention. The aims of this study were (i) to establish the relationships between LOI method and SOM as determined by Walkley-Black method for four major plains of Chaharmahal-va-Bakhtiari province and (ii) to determine the optimal temperature of the LOI. To do this, 205 soil surface samples were randomly collected from 0-25 cm depth of Shahrekord, Farsan, Kohrang and Lordegan plains to determine soil organic matter by Walkley-Black method and LOI procedure at 300, 360, 400, 500 and 550 oC for two hours. To determine the optimum temperature for ignition, 40 soil samples were selected to compare the SOM and CCE before and after ignition for each temperature. Results showed a positive, linear significant relationship existed between LOI and wet oxidation in each plain. Coefficient of determination (R2) of the equations was higher for individual plain than the overall equation. Coefficient of determination and line slope decreased and error (RMSE) increased with increasing ignition temperature. At higher contents of calcium carbonate, the rate of line slope decrease with increasing ignition temperature was more noticeable. This may be due to the destruction of carbonates at higher temperature. A temperature of around 360 oC was identified as optimum as it burned most organic carbon, destroyed less inorganic carbon, caused less clay structural water loss and used less electrical energy.

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The Marls are unstable sedimentary formations that contain chemical materials and destructive particles. Marls Erosion processes are very intensive, so different forms of erosion on the marls as badlands are of specific characteristics in marl lands. Hence, recognition of effective characteristics in marls erodibility is necessary to adopt corrective measures and methods. In this research, for assessing marls erodibility in Hablehroud watershed portable rain simulator was used. Runoff and sediment amounts were measured in each marl unit. Then effective Factors were identified using statistical parameters. Finally, by factor analysis we determined the relationship between marls chemical properties and sediment yield. Therefore, effective parameters of erosion and sediment yield were determined. Results showed sediment yield is decreased in gypsum marl, sandy marl, salt marl and limy marl. In addition, erosion and sediment yield are increased with increasing EC, Na, Cl, SAR and with decreasing TNV, HCO3

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Composting and vermicomposting are two efficient methods to recycle organic wastes. In order to investigate the structural changes in organic matter during the composting and vermicomposting processes, cattle manure and filter-cake of sugar cane were incubated with and without earthworm's presence in a controlled temperature and moisture condition for 16 weeks. Compound samples were taken at 0, 8, and 16 weeks. Carbon, nitrogen and C:N ratio were measured by a CN analyzer apparatus. Solid samples were used for structural analysis using FTIR and solid state CP MAS 13C NMR devices. C:N ratio was decreased with improving decomposition process. The C:N ratio was slightly elevated after 16 weeks of vermicomposting. Structural analysis with both spectroscopic methods showed a decrease of O-alkyl C and increase of aromatic and carboxylic functional groups. The analysis of samples with 13C NMR showed that after 16 weeks, the percentage composition of O-alkyl filter-cake decreased from 41 percent in the first sample to about 33.1 percent. The amount of these compounds in manure samples decreased from 56.7 percent to 43.6 percent. Aromatic compounds in samples of raw filter-cake and manure increased from 12.5 and 13.5 percent to 16.4 and 18.7 percent, respectively. Percentage of carboxyl compounds increased, respectively, from 8.5 and 5.6 percent to 9.7 and 7.2% in the filter-cake and manure sample. Vermicomposts had higher content of aromatic groups compared to composts (In manure samples 18.7 instead of 17.1 percent). After 16 weeks of incubation the aromatic and carboxylic compounds slightly decreased in the vermicomposting process. Analysis of composts and vermicomposts with FTIR and 13C NMR resulted in similar signals with the different frequency intensities. There was a suitable correlation (r=0.897**) among the spectroscopic methods in characterization of composts and vermicomposts

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Improper properties of sewage sludge include odors, trace elements concentration, and presence of pathogens limit its use in agriculture. Composting and using of earthworms in this process is one of the most suitable methods for stabilization and removal of unsuitable properties of sewage sludge. To investigate the effects of kind and mixing proportion of bulking material and sewage sludge decomposition stage on vermicompost quality, an experiment was carried out in a split plot design with three replications. In this experiment, the stage of sewage decomposition (raw sewage, digested sludge in digester, dewatered sludge in lagoons, and final dried sludge in lagoons) was main factor and kind of bulking materials (woodchips, three leaves, and wheat straw) and mixing proportion of bulking materials to swage sludge (0, 15, 30, and 45 %, V/V) were as subordinate factors. Chemical properties of sewage in different decomposition stages and bulking materials were determined. After 5 months of incubation in the controlled moisture and temperature condition, and in the presence of earthworms, the pot's contents were harvested, and nutrients and heavy metal concentration of vermicomposts were measured. Vermicomposts had relatively low pH and EC. Their nutrients content especially N, P, Fe, and Zn were high. These properties showed vermicompost suitability for use as a soil amendment and organic fertilizer. Heavy metals concentrations of vermicomposts, except for Zn, were lower than recommended values by EPA. Despite no significant difference between the kinds of bulking materials, mixing of these materials with sewage sludge decreased pH, N, and Pb content of produced vermicompost. According to the results, 30% (v/v) mixing of bulking material and sewage sludge is recommended

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The reclamation of salt-affected soils which occur on 831×106 ha can be effective in increasing agricultural production. Cultivation of plant species which are resistant to salinity can improve the soil by increasing the solubility of calcite and releasing the calcium in soil solution. This study was conducted as a column experiment with a saline-sodic soil (SAR = 23.8, EC= 12.88 dS m-1, pH= 7.7, CaCO3= 15.15 %). Three plant treatments including Sesbania acuelata, Cyanodon dactylon and Rubia tinctorum, and three chemical treatments including gypsum in two levels (50% and 100% gypsum requirement) and sulfuric acid with a control were arranged. All treatments were replicated 3 times. The soil columns were similarly leached by 41 liters of tap water during 30 days in 8 stages. After leaching, SAR and EC in soil, the amounts of sodium in leachate and total amount of sodium in plants shoot were determined. Results showed that the SAR was decreased compared to control by the plant treatments and the chemical amendments by about 59% and 65%, respectively. Moreover, two plants of Cyanodon dactylon and Rubia tinctorum had maximum amount of leachate sodium, which shows an impressive role of these plants in dissolution and leaching of exchangeable or sediment sodium in comparison with the other treatments. According to salient performance of phytoremediation in improvement of physicochemical properties of soil compared to chemical amendments, phytoremediation can be recommended as a profitable low-cost and effective method for remediation of saline-sodic soils.

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Check dams are considered as main measures for flood and sediment control in watersheds, and their uses have been rapidly increased from 1990 onward in Iran. This research is done in Darjazin watershed in north of semnan city. The check dams have been constructed from 15 years ago in two sub basins of the watershed for flood control in Mahdishar. More than 650 check dams were evaluated for effects on flood. The collected data in the field was fed to ArcGIS software. The effects of these structures on flood reduction were evaluated by HEC-GeoHMS extension and HEC-HMS model. Because of homogeneity of watershed management projects in the basin due to building more check-dams in different watercourses, any flood discharge is related to check dams. Evaluating the effects of check dams on flood by t-test showed significant differences between flood discharge before and after construction of check dams at 5 percent level. So, check dams have been able to reduce flood discharge by 16.7 percent on average.

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Change in land use and tillage practices has great influence on soil physical and chemical properties. The present study has focused on the effects of converting undisturbed soil to agricultural lands. Chemical and physical soil properties, infiltration, cation exchange capacity (CEC), electrical conductivity, pH, bulk density, porosity, sodium, potassium, total Ca + Mg, organic matter percentage, sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) and lime percentage were measured using standard frequently used methods. Fifty soil samples from agriculture land and other 50 soil samples from undisturbed land were collected from 0 – 30 cm depth and different statistical analysis were performed. Agriculture land is Cultivated for more than 20 years. The results showed that change in land use from undisturbed to disturbed soil did not significantly changed soil organic matter content. Also, soil electrical conductivity showed a huge increase whereas pH showed non-significant changes due to land use change. Unlike pH, SAR, organic matter percentage and lime percentage, some other soil parameters showed significant decrease in quality through land use change. Correlation coefficients of the effective factors were calculated to explain the main reason for lowering soil quality. The results showed that sodium in EC bulk density in porosity and CEC sodium and Ca+Mg in SAR EC in soil infiltration and Ca+Mg in organic matter showed the most correlation.

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Phytoremediation models are important to understand the processes governing phytoremediation and the management of contaminated soils. Little effort has been made for evaluating the potential of the phytoremediation of metals based on the mathematical models. Therefore, the purpose of this study was modeling the phytoremediation of the nickel-contaminated soils. For this purpose, a model was recommended for estimating the rate of the phytoremediation of nickel from the soil by means of relative transpiration reduction and concentration of nickel in the plant functions. To evaluate the model, soil was contaminated with different levels of nickel by nickel nitrate. Then, the pots were filled with contaminated soil and Basil (ocimum tenuiflirum L.) seeds were planted. To avoid the dry tension, the pots were weighed and irrigated to the point of field capacity (FC) at short time intervals (48 hours). The plants were harvested in four times. At each harvesting stage, the relative transpiration values and nickel concentration in the soil and plant samples were measured. The performance of the model was evaluated by statistical methods such as Maximum Error, Root Mean Square Error, Coefficient of Determination, Efficiency of Model and Coefficient of Residual Mass. Results demonstrated that in the case of nickel contamination in soil, changes in the relative transpiration of Basil can be measured by the two proposed models and the linear model (R2=0.94) has a better performance compared to the nonlinear one (R2=0.84). Also the model obtained from the combination of linear function and nickel's concentration in soil has a relatively good (R=0.7) fit with the measured values of the remediation rate of nickel in soil.

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Non-linear Muskingum model is an efficient method for flood routing. However, the efficiency of this method is influenced by three applied parameters. Therefore, efficiency assessment of Imperialist Competition Algorithm (ICA) to evaluate optimum parameters of non-linear Muskingum model was addressed in this study. In addition to ICA, Genetic Algorithm (GA) and Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) were also used to find an available criterion to verify ICA. In this regard, ICA was applied for Wilson flood routing then, routing of two flood events of DoAab Samsami River was investigated. In case of Wilson flood, the target function was considered as the sum of squared deviation (SSQ) of observed and calculated dischargem. Routing two other floods, in addition to SSQ, another target function was also considered as the sum of absolute deviations of observed and calculated discharge. For the first floodwater based on SSQ, GA indicated the best performance however, ICA was in the first place, based on SAD. For the second floodwater, based on both target functions, ICA indicated a better operation. According to the obtained results, it can be said that ICA could be recommended as an appropriate method to evaluate the parameters of Muskingum non-linear model.

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Water quality assessment is important in late years coincide white decreas quantity it. The Zayande-Rood's Dam Lake is one of the important water resources that supplies drinking water for human populations in Isfahan, This lake also supplies water resources for agricultural sections of these provinces. Five points were determined as the sampling stations. Samplings were performed from May, 2013 to March, 2014 in seven steps, once every forty five days in for seasons (two times in each season). The water quality parameters (DO, NO₃, NO₂, EC, pH, hardness, TDS, NH₄, BOD5) were measured in all the stations and stages, and then water quality indexes were calculated. According to the results of this study, the water quality of the Zayande-Rood's Dam Lake estimated as good (50-100), with using WQI index. WQI index maximum was in summer (84.63) and minimum was in autumn (66.4). Considering the importance of the Zayande-rood's dam lake as a supplying resource of drinkable water of Isfahan. It seems that further attention in the lake watershed management is needed in order to protect water quality.