Showing 46 results for Karami
Ezatollah Karami, Daryoosh Hayati,
Volume 2, Issue 1 (spring 1998)
Abstract
Sustainability has become a part of the language of almost all development projects. Although, in many instances it has been overused and misused, attaining sustainability in agricultural development is always one of our concerns. This paper aims (1) to clarify and describe the core beliefs and values underlying the two opposing world views of agriculture, i.e., “conventional agricultural paradigm” and “sustainable agricultural paradigm” (2) to describe an instrument developed to measure the basic beliefs and values assumed to constitute the two competing paradigms (3) to measure the adherence of extensionists and researchers of the Ministry of Agriculture towards sustainable agriculture and (4) to compare the adherence to alternative paradigms against conventional agricultural paradigms of Iranian groups with permaculture groups and agricultural chemical dealers of USA. The instrument was used in a nation wide survey. A two-stage random sample was used. In the first stage, 11 provinces were randomly selected and then in each of the selected provinces a simple random sample of extension agents, extension experts and agricultural researchers were selected for the study. The findings indicated that there is no significant difference among agricultural researchers, extension agents and extension experts in their mean endorsement score of sustainable agriculture. Data from a similar study in the USA were used to provide a means of comparison. Two extreme groups were selected, permaculture group with strong sustainable agricultural score and agricultural chemical dealers with lowest mean scores of sustainable agriculture. The mean scores of sustainable agriculture adherence of three Iranian groups were considerably lower than that of the USA permaculture group. However, there was no significant difference between three Iranian groups and USA agricultural chemical dealers which indicates low adherence of Iranian sample to sustainable agriculture. Considering the challenges Iranian farmers face for food production in the next decade and the role of the Ministry of Agriculture personnel, recommendations are put forth for changing knowledge, attitudes and skills of agricultural researchers and extensionists.
Daryoosh Hayati, Ezzatollah Karami,
Volume 3, Issue 2 (summer 1999)
Abstract
Studies on sustainable agricultural have not paid adequate attention to farmers' behaviour regarding sustainability. The objectives of this research were: 1) to determine the relationship between socio-economic and farming factors with “sustainable agricultural knowledge”, 2) to predict “sustainable agricultural knowledge” based on socio-economic and farming factors, and 3) to determine the relationship between sustainable agricultural knowledge and sustainability of farming systems. A survey research was used with a multi-stage cluster sampling technique to collect data for the study. In the first stage, 39 villages were selected in Fars Province. Then 200 wheat producers were randomly selected in these villages for interview. The findings indicated that there was a significant and positive correlation between “sustainable agricultural knowledge” with level of literacy, achievement motivation, amount of total wheat production, technical knowledge about wheat production, economic condition, wheat farming model, amount of supervision by Agricultural Service Centers, and educational services provided by extension agents. Stepwise multiple regression indicated that technical knowledge about wheat production, achievement motivation, type of land revenue system, level of literacy and wheat farming model (independent variables) explained more than 50 percent of variability in “sustainable agricultural knowledge”. There was no significant correlation between “sustainable agricultural knowledge” and “sustainability of farming systems”. Possible reasons for this lack of relationship have been discussed. Based on the findings of this study, recommendations are provided towards achieving a more sustainable agricultural system.
H. Azadi, E. Karami,
Volume 5, Issue 3 (fall 2001)
Abstract
Cooperative have always been considered institutions capable of solving major problems in the process of development in different countries. These institutions has evolved along with theories of development from government dependent organization to independent, people centered with the objective of being equal-opportunity systems for all members in order to be responsive to current goals of development. The aim of the present research was to determine the level of success in mechanized companies in Fars Province (12 Mechanized Companies, 24 Rural Cooperatives and 8 Production Cooperatives) in achieving development goals through a survey research.
The findings indicated that production cooperatives were more successful in promoting farmers' income and participation of members in community activities, increasing equity and farmers' work related welfare while mechanized companies had more achievements in flexibility and participation of members in making decisions regarding farming activities and in terms of payment to farmers. In other words, production cooperatives have been more successful in achieving development goals (increasing income, participation, and work related welfare and decreasing inequity). Mechanized companies rank a position in the middle of the success scale, but rural cooperatives had the lowest success level in achieving development goals.
F. Shahryari, G. Khodakaramian, A. Heydari,
Volume 8, Issue 4 (winter 2005)
Abstract
Representatives of fluorescent pseudomonad strains were assessed for their antagonistic activity against the blackleg of potato pathogen, Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp. atrosepticum. Tested strains belonged mainly to Pseudomonas fluorescens Biovars III, IV and V and they could produce inhibition zone on PDA medium against P. c. subsp. atrosepticum ranging from 1.5-5.5cm. Six selected strains were used in two concentrations 107-109 and 1010-1012 colony forming units to control potato blackleg disease caused by P. c. subsp. atrosepticum under greenhouse conditions. Results showed that all strains applied could reduce the disease ranging from 46 to 71 percent. There was no significant difference among strains and their two concentrations under greenhouse conditions. Most of the strains applied increased potato fresh weight and all of them produced antibiotic and siderophore compounds in vitro.
E. Karami, K. Rezaei- Moghaddam, H. Ebrahimi,
Volume 10, Issue 1 (spring 2006)
Abstract
Increasing the water use efficiency through promotion of sprinkler irrigation system, in order to increase production, has been the aim of the Ministry of Agricultural-Jihad in the past decade. Considerable amount of investment and efforts have been devoted to this end. Therefore, investigation of these efforts and development of models to predict the adoption behavior of farmers are of considerable importance. A survey research was conducted in four provinces (Fars, Bushehr, Kohkiloye-va-Boyerahmad, and Chaharmahal-va-Bakhteyari). A stratified random sample of 422 farmers was interviewed including 124 and 298 adopters and non-adopters, respectively. The findings indicated that the discriminant model developed based on the multiplicity model is a better predictor of farmers’ adoption behavior than diffusion and farm structure model. Application of multiplicity model in extension of sprinkler irrigation can increase the adoption rate and as result the efficiency of extension efforts.
J. Shakarami, E. Bazgir, M. Feizian,
Volume 10, Issue 3 (fall 2006)
Abstract
To search for reproducible and environment-friendly antifungal agents, essential oils of five plant species including Myrtus communis, Mentha aquatica, Vitex agnus-castus, Thymus daenensis and Artemisia aucheri were studied for their inhibition effects on the mycelial growth of plant pathogenic fungi including Fusarium oxysporum, Pythium ultimum, Rhizoctonia solani and Gaeumannomyces graminis. The experiment was conducted using a completely randomized design of factorial experiment including three essential oil concentrations and three replications at 25±2 ºC on PDA. Results revealed that R. solani with 48.83 and P.ultimum with 89.62% mean of mycelial growth inhibition were the most resistant and the most susceptible fungi to the essential oils, respectively. The essential oil of M. aquatica and T. daenensis with 93.70 and 92.74% mean of mycelial growth inhibition showed the most inhibition effect and V. agnus-castus with 33.88% was the least mycelial growth inhibitor. The essential oil of M. aquatica and T. daenensis at 20 µl/petri plate (9 cm. in diameter) completely inhibited the mycelial growth of the tested fungi. Considering the high antifungal effect, and low human and environmental hazard of essential oils, it seems that the essential oils may be used for the control of plant pathogenic fungi, or at least they may be adopted as a model for the synthesis of new antifungal agents.
M. Karami, Y. Rezainejad, M. Afyuni, H. Shariatmadari,
Volume 11, Issue 1 (spring 2007)
Abstract
Sewage sludge application on farmland as fertilizer is commonly practiced in many countries. Sewage sludge is rich in macro- and micro- nutrients. However, high concentration of heavy metals in sludge may cause pollution of soil, groundwater and human food chain because of uptake of toxic metals by crops. The objective of this study was to determine residual and cumulative effects of sewage sludge on concentration of Pb and Cd in soil and wheat. Different levels of 0, 25, 50 and 100 Mg ha-1 of sewage sludge were applied to the soil for four years. To study the cumulative and residual effects of the sewage sludge, applications were repeated on three fourth of each plot in the second year, on one half of plots in the third year and in one fourth of plots in the fourth year. Wheat grown in the plots, after the fourth year, soil samples from the 0-20 cm depth of the different parts of the plots were taken and analyzed. Wheat was also harvested roots, stems and grains were separately analyzed for the heavy metal concentritons. Cumulative sewage sludge application increased OM, CEC, ECe, total and DTPA-extractable concentration of Pb and Cd in soil significantly (P≤ 0.05). Residual sewage sludge in the soil also increased CEC, total and DTPA-extractable concentration of Pb and Cd significantly. Single sludge applications at different rates increased the DTPA-extractable concentrations of heavy metals. In subsequent years with no further sludge application, DTPA–extractable metal concentrations in soil decreased continuously approaching the levels in the control. However, even after four years, DTPA-extractable concentration of Pb and Cd, were still significantly higher in plots which received more than 50 Mg ha-1 sludge than control. DTPA-extractable concentrations of Pb was closely correlated with total concentrations. Sewage sludge increased concentration of Cd in roots and stems and Pb in grains significantly. Cumulative effects on concentrations of Pb in grains, and Cd in stems were more than residual effects. The results of this study show that cumulative and residual effects of sewage sludge application increased concentrations of heavy metals in soil and wheat.
A. Deljou, O. Karami, M. Esna-Ashari,
Volume 11, Issue 1 (spring 2007)
Abstract
In vitro regeneration of four cultivars of carnation namely ‘Nelson’, ‘Impulse’, ‘Sagres’ and ‘Spitit’ through somatic embryogenesis was studied. MS culture medium was supplemented with 30 gl-1 sucrose, 2 mgl-1 2,4-D and 0.2 mgl-1 BA and used for embryogenic callus formation. Somatic embryos were formed when embryogenic callus was transferred to MS medium without growth regulators containing 30 g/l-1 sucrose alone or supplemented with different concentrations of mannitol (15, 30, 60, 90, 120 and 150 gl-1). No somatic embryo was formed on culture media containing mannitol without sucrose. Number of somatic embryos produced from embryogenic calli significantly increased by adding mannitol to the culture media. Normal embryos formed on culture media containing high concentrations of mannitol (60, 90, 120 and 150 gl-1) developed normally. About 95% of somatic embryos transferred to the1/2 MS culture medium containing 30 gl-1 sucrose, germinated into plantlets. Plantlets also continued their growth under greenhouse conditions.
E. Karimi, H. Rouhani, D. Zafari1, Gh. Khodakaramian, M. Taghinasab,
Volume 11, Issue 41 (fall 2007)
Abstract
In order to study the biological control of carnation vascular wilt disease caused by Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. dianthi, 141 bacterial strains were isolated from carnation rhizosphere, and their antagonistic activity was evaluated against fungal pathogen in dual culture method. Among the tested strains, 16 strains showed antagonistic activity seven of them with more activity were selected for further investigation. Based on phenotypic features, strains E31 and E57 were identified as Bacillus cereus E76, E93, E102 and E121 as Bacillus subtilis and E130 as Pseudomonas fluorescens bv. III. All bacterial strains inhibited mycelial growth of F. o. f. sp. dianthi by production of non-volatile and volatile metabolites under laboratory condition. Microscopical analysis showed that all strains caused deformation of pathogen mycelium, and metabolites of these strains reduced conidia production rate and as well as the ability of conidia germination. In the in vivo tests, in sterilized and nonsterilized soils, the effect of bacterial strains was studied on disease severity, percentage of healthy plants and the growth rate of plants using soil inoculating and root-dipping into bacteria-methyl cellulose mixture methods. The E57 and E121 strains, in both methods, and E130 in root-dipping method showed highest effect on decreasing of disease severity and increasing of healthy plants percentage. Strains E57, E121 and E130 significantly increased total dry weight of carnation. Maximum dry weight was obtained by E57 and E130 in soil inoculating and root –dipping methods respectively.
R. Nikdokht, E. Karami, M. Ahmadvand,
Volume 11, Issue 41 (fall 2007)
Abstract
Sustainability of livestock production systems (LPSs) is of prime importance to the needs of human beings. From a sustainability point of view, an LPS is sustainable when it is environmentally nondestructive, economically viable and socially provides appropriate quality of life for producer and the whole community. Iran LPS is primarily based on traditional production systems. Therefore, an important issue for animal production in this country is the question of sustainability of traditional LPSs.The aim of this paper was to investigate and compare the sustainability of traditional LPSs in Firouzabad County. Three dimensions of sustainability were considered. Survey research was used to reach this purpose. Therefore, 300 livestock producers in “Nomadic”, “Semi-nomadic” and “Village- based” system were interviewed. Respondents were selected by a multi-stage cluster random sampling method. Face validity was confirmed by experts and the questionnaires were subjected to reliability testing using data collected in the pilot study. Findings showed that all three LPSs were unsustainable with regard to social, economical, and technico-environmental dimensions. Comparison of LPSs showed that Village-based LPS was from social dimension relatively sustainable and technically and environmentally unsustainable. While nomadic LPS was from social dimension relatively unsustainable and technically and environmentally sustainable.
O. Karami, A. Deljou, A. Mahmoudi Pour,
Volume 12, Issue 43 (spring 2008)
Abstract
In vitro regeneration of two cultivars of carnation, namely, ‘Nelson’ and ‘Impulse’ was studied through direct somatic embryogenesis. Somatic embryos were formed directly on petal explants cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium containing different concentrations (0.2, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 6 mg 1-1) of picloram. Maximum embryogenesis was obtained with 1 and 2 mg/l picloram. Globular shaped embryos were developed into cotyledonary-shaped embryos when they were transferred to the growth regulator-free media containing different concentrations (2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 %) of sucrose. Increasing sucrose concentrations in the culture media enhanced somatic embryos development. Cotyledonary somatic embryos developed plantlets when they were transferred to the half-strength MS culture medium containing 3% sucrose. Plantlets also continued to grow under greenhouse conditions.
M. Keshavarz , E. Karami ,
Volume 12, Issue 43 (spring 2008)
Abstract
Drought is an unavoidable natural disaster in dry and arid regions of the world. Studies indicate that Iran with its geographical and climatic characteristics is poor in water resources. Moreover, it is estimated that in 2025, Iran should increase the water resources by 112% in order to maintain status quo. Therefore, the occurrence of drought is more prevalent in the future. This implies a real challenge for researchers to study how to manage farms during the onset of drought. Inappropriate management strategies result in loss of resources, which in turn leads to more destructive impacts of drought, consequently leading to more droughts in future. The purpose of this survey study was to identify factors influencing drought management among farmers in Fars province, Iran. A multistage stratified random sampling technique was used to select a representative sample of farmers who has experienced drought in recent years. A total of 258 farmers were interviewed using a questionnaire. A panel of experts verified face validity. A pilot study was used to assess the reliability of the measuring instrument. Cluster analysis and Structural Equation Modeling were used for data analysis. Results indicated that farmers with different social, economical, and technical characteristics chose different management strategies when coping with drought conditions. Despite farmers' efforts to manage drought, they face harsh consequences. These consequences include economic losses and degradation of farming environment. It is therefore recommended that policy makers who are involved in drought management programs learn more about farmers' drought mitigation techniques and make further attempts to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of techniques used by farmers.
G. Khodakaramian, J. Swings,
Volume 12, Issue 45 (fall 2008)
Abstract
Protein electrophoretic pattern similarity among 21 strains of Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. citri isolated from Hormozgan and Kerman provinces together with the representatives of reference strains of X.a. pv. citri and X. a. pv. aurantifoli and 246 strains of the other Xanthomonas spp. including : X. a. pv. citri, X. a. pv. glycins, X. a. pv. manihotis, X. c. pv. campestris, X. a. pv. phaseoli, X. cassavae, X. vesicatoria, X. c. pv. euphorbia, X. c. pv. arracaciae, X.c. pv. malvacearum, X. a. pv. clitoriae, X. a. pv. citrumelo, X. a. pv. aurantifolii, X. a. pv. alfalfae, X. cucurbitae, X.c.pv. dieffenbachiae, X. vasicola. pv. holcicola, X. melonis, X. hortorum. pv. pelargonii, X. a. pv. poinsettiicola, X. arboricola pv. pruni, X. c. pv. raphani, X. a. pv. ricini, X. a. pv. vasculorum, X. a. pv. vignicola, X. c. pv. armoraciae, X. c. pv. barbareae and X. c. pv. Carotae was compared and analyzed via Gel Compare version 4.2 software. Results indicated 86% of mean similarity among the strains tested. The highest similarity was 100% for strains isolated from Hormozgan and Kerman provinces and X. a. pv. citri LMG 9176 and X. a. pv. citri LMG 9654. The lowest similarity was 84.90% for these strains and X. c. pv. euphorbia LMG 7402 and X. a. pv. ricini LMG 7444. The 100% of protein pattern similarity among the strains isolated from Hormozgan and Kerman provinces and the reference strains from pathotype A (X. a. pv. citri LMG 9176 and X. a. pv. citri LMG 9654) was supported by host range and pathogenicity patterns of these strains obtained from our previous study.
A. Mahmoodi Pour, M. Esna-Ashari, O. Karami, M. Hesari,
Volume 12, Issue 45 (fall 2008)
Abstract
Resveratrol (5,3,4'- trihyroxystilbene) is a valuable polyphenolic compound which prevents cancer, heart and vascular diseases in human. In this research, the compound was extracted from leaf and fruit tissues of two Iranian grape cultivars (Rajabie Sefide Shiraz and Keshmeshie Ghermez) using a general extraction method with some modification, and analyzed quantitatively by High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). Resveratrol content in leaf and fruit of Rajabie Sefide Shiraz cultivar was higher than Keshmeshie Ghermez and its amount in the fruits of both cultivars was observed to be greater than their leaves. The accumulation of Resveratrol at the early stage of fruit growth (4 weeks after full bloom) was higher than the subsequent stages of fruit growth and development (8 weeks after full bloom and ripened fruit) in both cultivars. This compound gradually decreased from the beginning of fruit set to the complete stage of growth and development and reached the lowest level when the fruits were ripe. Leaves and fruits of both cultivars were treated with methyl jasmonate (1 mM), then the rate of resveratrol was measured after treatments. It was observed that the amount of this compound was significantly increased in treated samples when compared with the control however, the difference diminished later. The fruits of both cultivars responded better to the treatments 4 weeks after full bloom.
M Karami, M Afyuni, Y Rezaee Nejad, A Khosh Goftarmanesh,
Volume 12, Issue 46 (1-2009)
Abstract
Sewage sludge application on farmland as fertilizer is commonly practiced in many countries. Sewage sludge is rich in macro and micronutrients. However, high concentration of heavy metals in sludge may cause pollution of soil, groundwater and human food chain because of toxic metals uptake by crops. The objective of this study was to determine residual and cumulative effects of sewage sludge on concentration of Zn and Cu in soil and wheat. Different levels of 0, 25, 50 and 100 Mg ha-1 of sewage sludge were applied to the soil for four years. To study the cumulative and residual effects of the sewage sludge, applications were repeated on three fourth of each plot in the second year, on one half of plots in the third year and on one fourth of plots in the fourth year. Wheat was grown in the plots. After the fourth year, soil samples from the 0-20 cm depth of the different parts of the plots were taken and analyzed. After harvesting the wheat, roots, stems and grains were separately analyzed for the heavy metal concentrations. Cumulative sewage sludge application significantly (P≤0.05) increased the total and DTPA-extractable concentration of Zn and Cu in soil. Residual sewage sludge in the soil also increased the total and DTPA-extractable concentration of Zn and Cu. Single sludge applications at different rates increased the DTPA-extractable concentrations of heavy metals. In subsequent years with no further sludge application, DTPA–extractable metal concentrations in soil decreased continuously, approaching the levels in the control. However, even after four years, DTPA-extractable concentration of Zn in plots receiving more than 50 Mg ha-1 and Cu in plots receiving more than 25 Mg ha-1 sludge, were still significantly higher than control. DTPA-extractable concentrations of metals were closely correlated with total concentrations. Sewage sludge had a significant effect on concentration of Zn and Cu in stems and grains. Cumulative effects on Zn and Cu uptake by stems were more than residual effects. The results of this study show that cumulative and residual effects of sewage sludge application increased concentrations of micronutrients in soil and wheat.
H Shariatmadari, Y Rezainejad, A Abdi, A Mahmoudabadi, M Karami,
Volume 12, Issue 46 (1-2009)
Abstract
Many researchers have reported positive effects of converter sludge and slag, two by-products in Isfahan iron melting factory. In this work, the optimum rate of application and the availability of some essential elements (for plant growth) in the converter sludge and slag for corn were investigated. The converter sludge contains about 64% Fe ІІ and ІІІ oxides and some other essential elements for plant growth. The slag also contains 17% iron oxides, 52.8% calcium oxide as well as considerable amounts of some other elements. Treatments included a control, Fe-EDTA foliar spray with 5 in 1000 concentration, application of sludge in 4 levels (L1, L2, L3 and L4 equal to 5.83, 13.33, 20.83 and 26.67 ton/ha, respectively) and application of slag in 4 levels (S1, S2, S3 and S4 equal to 3.20, 7.28, 11.36 and 15.44 ton/ha, respectively) which supply 1, 2, 3 and 4 times as much as soil test recommends, based on AB-DTPA extractable Fe in the soil. Corn (Zea mays) single cross 704 was planted for the experiment. Applications of the two compounds increased the soil extractable Fe and Mn, decreased Mg but the treatment did not change the soil-extractable Zn, Cu and Ca. The corn yield also increased due to the applications of the two compounds and the maximum yield was related to L3, L4, S3 and S4 treatments. The foliar application treated the leaf chlorosis and increased the silage, grain and leaf + stalk yields however, this was not as efficient as sludge and slag application. Also applications of the two compounds increased the Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Ca and Mg uptake by corn. The L3 and S3 treatments can be recommended as the proper levels of these compounds as iron fertilizer.
N Barahimi, M Afyuni, M Karami, Y Rezaee Nejad,
Volume 12, Issue 46 (1-2009)
Abstract
Compost and sewage sludge contain high concentration of plant nutrients and, thus, have been used extensively as an inexpensive fertilizer. The objective of this study was to evaluate cumulative and residual effects of compost, sewage sludge and cow manure on nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in soil and wheat. The experiment included compost, sewage sludge and cow manure, each applied at 3 rates (25, 50 and 100 Mg ha-1), a chemical fertilizer (250 kg ha-1 amonium phosphate + urea) and a control plot with 3 replications. The experimental design consisted in completely randomized blocks with treatments arranged in split plots. To study the cumulative and residual effects of the organic amendments, application was repeated on four fifths of each plot in the second year. Wheat was grown in the plots. The results showed that one application (residual effect) of organic amendments had not significant effect on total N in soil and wheat leaves and stem, but it led to significant increase of available phosphorus and potassium in soil and wheat leaves and stem. Cumulative effects of organic amendments significantly (P≤ 0.05) increased the total N (in 50 and 100 Mg ha-1 Cow manure and 100 Mg ha-1 Compost treatments), available P in all organic treatments and K (in all Compost and Cow manure treatments) in soil. Also, cumulative effects of organic amendments significantly (P≤ 0.05) increased the N (in 100 Mg ha-1 sewage sludge), P (in 100 Mg ha-1 compost) and K (in all organic treatments with the exception of 25 Mg ha-1 Compost) concentrations in leaves and stem.
M. Karami Moghaddam, M. Shafai Bajestan, H. Sedghi,
Volume 15, Issue 57 (fall 2011)
Abstract
In diversion flows, a portion of stream flow which enters the intake is diverted from upstream of the intake denoted by a surface and is called dividing stream surface (DSS). The amount of flow and sediment discharge entering the intake as well as design of submerged vanes to control sediment depends on determination of dividing stream width. In this study, the experimental tests were carried out at a 30 degree water intake from a trapezoidal section. Three components of velocity data were obtained for different flow conditions. Then numerical SSIIM2 model was calibrated and verified using tests data. More flow conditions such as the main channel with rectangular section were run using SSIIM2 model to get enough hydraulic data. From analysis of these datas it was found that the dividing stream width in different distances from the bed depends directly upon the diversion flow ratio. It was found that in comparison to the rectangular section, in trapezoidal cross section, the DSS dimensions are modified in such a way that its width is increases at the surface and reduced at the bed for the same flow conditions. Relations for predicting the dividing stream width and diversion flow ratio have been presented in this paper for intake from both rectangular and trapezoidal cross sections.
A. Safadoust , A. Mahboubi, M. R. Mosaddeghi, Gh. Khodakaramian, A. Heydari,
Volume 15, Issue 57 (fall 2011)
Abstract
In this study, the transport of nalidixic acid-resistant Escherichia coli (E. coli NAR) through two soils of sandy loam and clay loam was investigated. Saturated and unsaturated flow conditions were applied at two temperatures of 5 and 20ºC. Leaching was done using large repaired soil columns which had been subjected to physical weathering. A 20-cm diameter disk infiltrometer was set up to establish the steady-state flow conditions. Effluent was sampled at three depths of 15, 30 and 45 cm of soil columns. Saturated flow condition, temperature of 20 ºC and clay loam soil resulted in increasing the bacteria concentration in the leachate. Filtration coefficient and relative adsorption indices in sandy loam soil (average flow conditions, temperature and depth) were greater than those of clay loam soil with the respective values of 33% and 23%. These results may be related to the instability of soil structure and abundance of micropores in the sandy loam columns. In other words, the bacteria were physically blocked and entrapped in the fine pores of sandy loam soil. Effluent bacteria concentration decreased by depth of soil column, indicating the effect of soil on bacterial filtration as a natural filter. Leaching with cold water led to decrement of flow rate and consequently increment of bacterial filtration in the two soils of clay loam and sandy loam (average flow conditions, temperature and depth) with the respective values of 100% and 68%.
L. Khodakarami, A. Soffianian, N. Mirghafari, M. Afyuni, A. Golshahi,
Volume 15, Issue 58 (winter 2012)
Abstract
Among the environmental pollutants, heavy metals according to their irresolvable and physiological effects on living organisms at low concentrations, are of special importance These elements due to low mobility are gradually accumulated in soil Being accumulated in soil, they eventually enter the food chains and threaten human health and other creatures Therefore, studying concentration distribution of heavy metals for soil pollution monitoring and maintaining environmental quality is essential In this study we investigated the effect of agricultural land use and geology on the concentration of heavy metals contamination of soil and spatial distribution map, using collected data, GIS and GeostatisticsUsing systematic stratified random sampling, 135 surface soil samples( 0-20 cm) from an area of 7262 sq km area and we measured total concentration of elements Nickel, Chromium and Cobalt and soil characteristics including pH, organic matter and texture. The mean value of elements concentrations turned out to be Cr: 88.9+22.7 Co: 17.6+3.5 Ni 63.1+17.7 mg per kg and the mean acidity is 7.8 which in the area is an indication …… property. Formetal concentrations interpolation procedures, Geostatistics was used. By the aid of spatial correlation analysis, appropriate interpolation method using functions mean absolute error and bias average error were selected. Interpolation map concentrations of heavy metals Chromium, Cobalt and Nickel with ordinary kriging method and the exponential model were developed Interpolation map analysis of heavy metals by the aid of geological and land use maps show that the distribution of the elements Chromium, Cobalt and Nickel are consistent with the geology classes However, they did not match the agriculture pattern Findings of this study in the area give us appropriate information about the concentration distribution of heavy metals Chromium, Cobalt and Nickel which can be used in monitoring and evaluation processes of heavy metals pollution in agricultural lands area. But on the other hand sampling in the areas far away from human effects, showed that the heavy metals concentration is naturally high.
