JWSS - Journal of Water and Soil Science

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Over the past decades, numerous regime formulations, describing channel width, average flow depth and channel slope, have been proposed for gravel-bed rivers. Using the downstream hydraulic geometry measurements from 280 field channels, nine gravel-bed predictive formulations were compared. They are attributed to Bray, Chang, Hey and Thorne, Kellerhals, Neil, Parker and Simons, and Albertson. The comparison showed that the dominant discharge and the median grain size are not sufficient hydraulic variables to predict the channel geometry (width, depth, and especially channel slope). Seeking more complex formulations with the measured parameters, it was not possible to improve the existing formulations significantly without spurious influences of common variables.

 A second database is thus gathered from 19 laboratory-based boundary-layer measurements published in Kironoto and Graf (13) and Song et al. (19). In fact, the boundary-layer theory will respond to a fundamental question: are the existing available variables in literature not sufficient or the methods of their estimations are not appropriate? Based on the present study, the methods of their estimations should be changed. The second database allows proving the usefulness of the Shields parameter for the prediction of average flow depth and channel slope. Hence, using boundary-layer theory for prediction of Shields parameter and stable channel parameters is recommended.

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Of the many hydraulic structures developed by man, the weir is perhaps the oldest. Weirs are used for the measurement of discharge and regulation of water flow. The most common types of weirs are broad-crested, sharp-crested, circular-crested and cylindrical, and ogee crest weirs. Advantage of the circular-crested and cylindrical weir compared to the other weirs include simplicity of design, stable overflow pattern, larger coefficient of discharge and the associated lower costs. In the present study, potential flow around a circular cylinder are adapted to determine the velocity distribution at the crest section and to develop a model for coefficient of discharge (C_d) for circular-crested weirs. These results were evaluated using present test data for three types of weir models, namely, cylindrical, semicylindrical and semicylindrical with different heights and also Dressler theory. The results of the study showed that the experimental velocity profile agree very well with the theoretical profiles for the range of the study. Also, the prediction of the velocity distribution over the weir crest using Dressler theory is always less than the proposed model and measured data. The predicted values of coefficient of discharge (C_d) based on the proposed model agree well with C_d determined from direct discharge measurements. For the cylindrical model, the coefficient of discharge can be predicted from the proposed model within an error of –7% and for the semicylindrical and semicylindrical with different heights within ± 5%.

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In this study, two data ranges of uniform flow (bulk parameters) and non-uniform flow (local parameters) are employed to investigate resistance to flow and the factors affecting it using velocity distribution of boundary layer theory. The results indicate that the cross-section form factor or adjustment roughness coefficient of logarithmic law can not improve the prediction of flow resistance. On the other hand, it is possible to ameliorate the prediction of resistance to flow by application of the Froude number and the Shields parameter along with the integration constant of the logarithmic velocity distribution. Also, there is no improvement in flow resistance prediction by taking into account power equations. On the other hand, the application of boundary-layer characteristics such as displacement thickness and momentum thickness in velocity profile can remove the risk of spurious correlation. Based on the measured velocity profiles for non-uniform flow in Gamasiab river, a new flow resistance equation is suggested in which the following bulk parameters are considered: flow depth, maximal velocity at the water surface, and friction slope.

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The use of slot through a pier is a new method proposed to control local scour at bridge piers. In this study, control of local scour at bridge pier is studied using 20 pier models under clear water conditions. The models consist of one circular pier without slot, three round-nosed piers without slot, and 16 piers with slot. Two slot lengths were chosen (yl=b and yl=2b, where y1 is the length of slot and b is the width (diameter) of the pier). Furthermore, they were located at two positions (near the bed and near the water surface). The results showed that for a circular pier, the slots with the lengths of b and 2b, located near the water surface, had no influence on the equilibrium scour depth. It was also found that for all piers, maximum reduction in scour depth occurred for piers with a slot length yl=2b and close to the bed. Also, the efficacy of a slot for scour protection in the case of a round-nosed pier was more than a circular pier (with a diameter equal to the width of a round-nosed pier).

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Russian Wheat Aphid (RWA) is a serious pest of wheat, barely and other small grains in cereal-producing regions of the world. The use of resistant cultivars is an effective management strategy to control this pest. In this study, 15 lines and 13 cultivars of durum and bread wheats along with two resistant and susceptible controls were used to evaluate their reaction to RWA under greenhouse conditions, using completely randomized design with four replications. Three seedlings at each plot were considered as an experimental unit. Five aphid nymphs (4-5 ages) were placed on each plant at 1-2 leaf stage. Leaf rolling and leaf chlorosis percentages were measured 21 days after infesting and used to screen the genotypes. Despite the relatively high linear correlation between two resistance components, leaf rolling and leaf chlorosis, estimated as 80%, analysis of variance indicated significant differences among genotypes. Eight durum lines DW9, DW14, DW4, DW2, DW7, DW8, DW12 and DW3 and one bread wheat cultivar (Azadi) were significantly more resistant than the resistant control (Halt). One durum line (DW13) and two bread wheat cultivars (Shiroodi and M-75-7) had higher leaf rolling and leaf chlorosis than the susceptible control (Sholeh). So they were selected as the most susceptible to the biotype of D. noxia. under study. Orthogonal comparison showed that durum lines were more resistant than bread wheat cultivars. These results were confirmed by Cluster Analysis based on leaf rolling and leaf chlorosis.

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A major limitation for higher yield of rice plant is water availability. Water use efficient varieties tolerant to upland conditions could help to relax this limitation. Three separate experiments were conducted to study the effects of water regimes on growth, aerenchyma formation, and nutrient absorption of Iranian rice varieties. In the first experiment, five varieties of rice were grown under three different irrigation levels. The second experiment involved the study of nutrient uptake by Sazandagee and Tarom varieties under four different water regimes, and in the third experiment, the effect of aeration on growth characteristics of Sazandagee rice was assessed in a hydroponics system. Results of the first experiment showed that submerged conditions continuously or after four weeks of initial growth had a significant effect on plant growth. Aerenchyma formation was affected by rice varieties and was less affected by irrigation status. In the second experiment, plant growth characteristics were affected similar to experiment one. Also it was shown that nutrients such as P, Mg, and Fe were absorbed with higher efficiency under submerged conditions. Results of the third experiment revealed that aeration had no significant effect on plant growth characteristics. Based on the results of these three experiments, it can be concluded that better performance of rice plant under continuous or partial flooding is mainly related to higher absorption of some macro - and micronutrients. Therefore, this parameter should be considered in water management programs for rice.

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Suitable stable channel design and optimization of river geometry can reduce cost of projects. The regime theory provides the possibility of empirical and semi-empirical investigations of stable channel design in which erosion and sediment transport are in equilibrium. The objective of this research is an investigation and a comparison of the influence of uniform and non-uniform flows on the prediction of stable channel characteristics. The following empirical and semi-empirical (extremal hypothesis) equations were selected to study the effect of uniform flow: Lacey, Chital, Kondap and Garde, and Chang. Using 24 regime channels in USA, the statistical and graphical approaches were applied to compare and to evaluate the power of prediction of the selected equations. In order to investigate the effect of non-uniform flow structure on the stable channel characteristics, 21 measured velocity profiles in Gamasiab River were applied. Using the boundary-layer theory, shear velocity was computed for each profile. Accordingly, the estimated Shields parameter using the boundary-layer approach is the most effective parameter on the regime channel prediction. Simultaneous application of the non-uniform flow effect and the boundary-layer theory not only remove the risk of spurious correlation but also improve the estimation of stable channel characteristics.

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Endophytic fungi, Neotyphodium spp. symbiotically infect host grasses, Fescue arundinacea Schreb. and F. pratensis Huds. and Mealybug, Phenococcus solani Ferris attacks some forage plants. To evaluate the role of these fungi to control this pest, four genotypes of F. arundinacea and two genotypes of F. pratensis were used. Plant tillers were split into two sections, one section of which was freed from endophyte using a fungicide mixture. The mixture contained 2 grams of active ingredients of Propiconazol and 1 ml of Folicur per liter of water. New tillers from endophyte-infected and endophyte-free plants were transferred into the field. The number of mealybugs was measured after the first visible sign of infestation on roots. To count mealybug, one plant hill of each plot was randomly selected. Hay yield of each plot was measured by clipping the plants 5 cm above ground level. Correlation of hay yield and other growth characteristics with the number of mealybugs on roots as an index for mealybug damage on infested plants was determined. The results indicated that endophyte-free plants were highly infested with mealybug, P. solani compared with endophyte-infected plants that were completely free of P. solani, correlation coefficients showed that there was significant negative correlation between forage yield and mealybug numbers, indicating mealybug damage on infested plants. It seems that endophytic fungi are effective biocontrol factors for some root feeding pest such as mealybug, P. solani.

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In order to evaluate endophyte effect on plant earliness, compatible host-endophyte combinations including four genotypes of tall fescue and two genotypes of meadow fescue were selected and used in this study. One tiller-part of each genotype was treated using a fungicide mixture of Propiconazole and Folicur. New tillers of endophyte-infected and endophyte-free plants were planted in the field according to a complete block design with three replications. The traits including days to head emergence, days to 50% anthesis, days to maturity initiation, number of heads (as a weekly measurement), total seed weight, net seed weight and empty seed weigh were measured. Results showed that endophytes can enhance head emergence, maturity initiation and periodical seed yield. Days to 50% anthesis, and days to maturity initiation were also reduced. Head numbers in some genotypes increased up to 2 times. Increase in net seed yield may show some physiological alterations in plant such as hormonal balance alteration which may provide better seed setting in infected plants. Based on this study, we concluded that endophytic fungi can induce earliness in infected host plants.

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Generation mean analysis (GMA) was used to study the type of gene action and inheritance of grain yield and its components. Generation mean analysis with joint scaling test was performed. This research was conducted at research farm of college of Agriculture at the University of Tehran. The parents and their progenies ( F1, F2, BC1 & BC2) in three mating groups ( Sardari × 7007, Sardari × 7107& 7107 × 5593) were produced and planted using a randomized complete block design with four replications for each mating group. Of four replications in each experiment, two replications for drought and two replications for non-drought condition were used. The eight traits which were evaluated included grain yield, plant height, plant weight, tiller number, spike length, grains per spikes and 100 grain weight. Most of the genetic parameters including mean (m), additive (d), dominant (h), additive × additive [i], additive × dominant [j], and dominant × dominant[l] effects were significant. However, all gene effects were not significant in all traits.The dominant gene effect was the most contributor factor to inheritance of the majority of traits. For the majority of the traits, additive gene effect was significant, but its magnitude was less than dominant gene effect. Also the dominant × dominant[l] epistasis was more important than additive× additive [i] epistasis. The degree of dominance in most of traits indicated the predominance of dominant gene effects.

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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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Fescues (Festuca spp) are widely distributed in the temperate regions and are used for turf, forage and soil conservation. Though seed traits are important measures of the effects of endophytic fungi on their host, little information is available in this respect for Festuca. In this study, endophyte-infected (E⁺) and endophyte-free (E^-) clones of the six fescue genotypes were used to investigate the effects of endophyte on seed production. The relationships between seed traits plus direct and indirect effects of components on seed yield were also studied. Endophyte infection resulted in 38.1% to 249% more seed yields in some genotypes, though some were not affected by this symbiotic relationship. Correlations between traits and also results of stepwise regression were influenced by the presence of the symbiotic fungi. Path analysis showed that endophytic fungi changed direct and indirect effects of components on seed yield. In endophyte containing clones, panicle fertility had the most direct effects and number of panicle per plant and seed per panicle the most indirect effects on seed yield. In E- clones, panicle fertility had the highest indirect effects and other components had direct effects on seed yield. The results suggested that breeding strategies for increasing seed yield in fescue should consider the presence or absence of endophyte in germplasm.

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Thirty soybean cultivars from different maturity groups were evaluated in a randomized complete block design with four replications in Research Station of College of Agriculture at Tehran University in Karaj in 2004. The purpose was to determine genetic relationship of some important agronomic traits related to seed yield. Analysis of variance showed that there were significant differences among varieties for the traits under study, indicating the existence of genetic variation among varieties. Number of pods/plant, number of seeds/plant and 100-seed weight, all of which are considered yield components, had the highest genotypic correlation with seed yield. Using stepwise regression analysis, 85.6 % of seed yield variation was attributed to four traits, including harvest index, biological yield, protein precent and number of seeds /plant. Harvest index was more important for predicting seed yield compared to other traits based on standardized ßs. Results of path analysis showed that the harvest index and protein precentage had the highest and lowest direct and positive effect (p=0.536), (p=0.008), respectively. Therefore, harvest index may be considered as a selection criteria to improve seed yield in breeding programs. Results of factor analysis showed five independent factors accounted for 80.2 % of total variations in data. The first principle determined 28.2 % of total variation and was designated as phenologic factor.

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  Presence of genotype × environment interaction necessitates evaluation of genotypes in a wide range of environments to find desirable genotypes. This study was carried out to determine the stability and adaptability of grain yield of 17 chickpea genotypes, in RCBD with four replications at Kermanshah, Lorestan, Ilam, Gachsaran and Gorgan Research Stations during two seasons (2003-2004). The genotype × environment interaction effect analyzed using the additive main effects and multiplicative interaction (AMMI) statistical model was significant at 1% level of probability. The sum of squares of G × E interaction was partitioned by AMMI model into four significant interaction principal component axes (IPCA). The first four principal component axes (IPCA 1, 2, 3 and 4) cumulatively contributed to 94% of total genotype by environment interaction. A biplot generated using genotypic and environmental scores of the first two AMMI components also showed that genotypes FLIP 97- 79, X95TH1 and FLIP 97- 114 were selected as stable genotypes, among which the genotype FLIP 97- 114 was outstanding for high yield stability.

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During recent years, several genotypes have been selected from Isfahan land race Kouseh. The performance of safflower selected genotypes was studied in the field conditions, at Agriculture Research Station, Isfahan University of Technology during 2003. The experiment was carried out using a split plot arrangement according to a randomized complete block design with three replications. Planting dates (March 11, April 20, May 22 and June 23) were considered as the main plots and subplots consisted of 20 genotypes of safflower including 19 selections from Kouseh and Arak-2811 genotype. Days from planting to emergence and emergence to stem elongation were reduced as planting was delayed until the fourth planting date. Days from stem elongation to head visible was reduced with delay from the first to the third planting date, and then increased. Days from head visible to 50% flowering was reduced with delay from the first date to the third planting date, but increased in the fourth planting date. Days from 50 percent flowering to physiological maturity was increased with delay in planting. Days from planting to emergence, emergence to stem elongation, stem elongation to head visible and 50 percent flowering to physiological maturity were not influenced by genotypes. Genotype DP7 had the highest and genotype C111 and genotype DP25 had the lowest days from head visible to 50% flowering. The interaction between planting date and genotype in regard to days from stem elongation to head visible was also significant. Seed weight per plant was reduced with delay in planting date. Genotype ISF66 had the highest and genotype Arak-2811 had lowest seed weight per plant. The number of days from emergence to head visible in ISF66, DP5, C128 and Arak-2811 was affected by maximum temperature (Tmax), in genotype DP7 by Tmax², in genotypes DP17, DP1 and C41100 by Tmin² and in genotypes DP9, DP25, ISF28, ISF22, and C111 was affected by day length. It seems that development period from emergence to head visible was affected by temperature in the most genotypes. On March 11 planting date, genotypes had the maximum response to temperature and day length and the minimum response was observed in the fourth planting date. The genotype ISF66 had the highest seed yield on March 11 planting date. The result of this study showed that safflower should be planted in late March under condition similar to this experiment for maximum yield production.

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Safflower having oil with high unsaturated fatty acids is a very valuable plant. However the sensitivity of safflower to some pests as safflower fly (Acanthiophilus helianthi), particularly in drought stress conditions has limited its production. In order to evaluate the effect of drought stress on population density and damage of important safflower pests, especially safflower fly, an experiment was conducted in the field using 5 irrigation treatments including 50, 70, 90, 110 and 130 mm evaporation from class A pan in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The local safflower variety used in this study was Isfahan land variety, Kooseh. In each irrigation regime, the half of one plot was locally sprayed by Chlorpyrifos in 2ml per liter of water to be compared with non-sprayed part. During 8 weeks of sampling, population of aphids, Uroleucon carthami, leafhopper, Empoasca decipiens and safflower fly, A. helianthi and also percentage of damaged heads by safflower fly were measured. The results showed that in non-sprayed conditions, the highest safflower fly (2.38 flies per net) and aphid population (165.57 aphids per plant) was observed at 130 mm evaporation regime. Drought stress also decreased (30.23 %) safflower seed yield. Severe drought stress together with non-spaying may increase safflower pests population particularly safflower fly and reduce seed yield. However low level of drought stress (70 mm evaporation from class A pan) may decrease relative number of insects and save irrigation water. Drought stress also decrease the population of leafhopper. In this study, 70 mm evaporation regime was the optimum irrigation treatment regarding lower aphid and fly damage (15.86% damaged heads in non-sprayed condition) and higher safflower seed yield (1687.5 kg/ha in sprayed condition).

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Seventy- two 26-weakk-old white leghorn layers (w-36) were fed commercial diets containing 0, 2 and 4 fish oil and the diets were iso-caloric and iso-nitrogenous. Hens were randomly assigned to 3 treatment diets, with 3 replicates and 8 layers in each. The experiment was conducted over a period of 12 weeks in order to study the effects of feeding fish oil on fatty acid composition of egg yolks. The yolk of eggs was extracted and cholesterol content was determined in each period. Statistical analysis of results was performed using the general linear procedure (GLM) of the SAS and means were compared using Duncan’s multiple range test. As a result, saturated fatty acid (myristic, palemitic and stearic acid), ω-7 (palemitoleat) and ω -9 (oleat) and arashidonat in egg yolk was not significantly (P>0.05) different among treatments, but the linoleat and ω -6 fatty acid were decreased in all FO treatments (P<0.05). The linolenic acid did not vary in treatments but the other ω -3 fatty acids (eicosapentaenoate and docosahexaenoate) were increased in FO treatments and there was a statistically significant difference between treatments (P<0.05). The ω -6/ ω -3 ratio was decreased from 18 in control to 3.8 and 2.31 at 2 and 4% treatments, respectively(P<0.05).

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The accuracy and precision of the input data in decision making is important. Error originates from data collection, data entry, storage, retrieval and analysis of the data which consequently result in model error. One of the errors in spatial analysis is interpolation error. The main objective of this research was the suitability assessment of some interpolation methods for estimation of groundwater level in Farsan-Joneghan and Sefiddasht aquifers, located in Beheshtabad catchment, Chaharmahl-Va-Bakhtiyari province, Iran. Cross-validation technique was employed for the determination of each method's error. The RMSE and MAE indices were used for the error comparison. The results show that the modified Shapard's method with an MAE=6 and RMSE=7 was the most accurate for interpolation of groundwtaer level in the Sefiddasht aquifer. The inverse distance power method with MAE=6 and RMSE=9 was the best interpolation method for Farsan-Jonaghan aquifer. The Kriging with MAE=7 and RMSE=12 is the second best method in these aquifers. The moving average, minimum curvature and polynomial regression procedures produce the maximum error in the aquifers (17

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Soil water repellency can affect several soil properties such as aggregate stability. Soil texture and organic matter are two main internal factors responsible for the variability of soil water repellency. Major sources of organic matter in soil include plant residues, and exudates of plant roots and soil microorganisms. Tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) as an important cool-season perennial forage grass is usually infected by a fungal endophyte (Epichloë coenophiala) which often enhances resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses as well as altering the litter decomposition rate and soil properties. In this study, the effects of endophyte-infected (E+) and endophyte-free (E−) tall fescue residues (in three different levels of 0, 1 and 2%) on soil organic carbon, basal microbial respiration, water-dispersible clay and water repellency index (determined by intrinsic sorptivity method) were investigated in four texturally-different soils in the laboratory. E+ and E− tall fescue residues were completely mixed with moist soil samples and then were incubated at 25 °C. During two months of incubation period, the amended soil samples were subjected to 10 wetting and drying cycles and then, the above-mentioned soil properties were measured. The results indicated that soil organic carbon and water-dispersible clay were greater, while basal soil respiration and repellency index were lower in fine-textured soils. Water repellency index was increased by production of hydrophobic substances (for the rate of 1%) and was reduced by induced greater soil porosity (for the rate of 2%). Presence of endophyte in plant residues had no significant effect on water sorptivity, ethanol sorptivity and water repellency index; nevertheless, E+ residues increased soil organic carbon and decreased water-dispersible clay significantly. Overall, it is concluded that tall fescue residues, especially those with E+, can improve soil physical quality due to improving soil organic carbon storage and water repellency index and decreasing water-dispersible clay (as an index for aggregate instability). These E+ species and the residues have great potential to be used in sustainable soil conservational managements.
 

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