JWSS - Journal of Water and Soil Science

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Effects of the β-adrenergic agonist metaproterenol were studied daily gain, carcass composition and feed consumption of Varamini female lambs were studied. Thirty lambs were randomly assigned to a randomized complete block design with three groups (treatments) and two blocks (live weight). The ration was similar for all groups (ME: 2.6 MCal/kg, CP: 14.9%) and lambs were fed ad libitum. Metaproterenol was injected subcutaneously at 0 (control), 7 (low dose) and 14 (high dose) µg kg^-1 w⁷⁵. Lambs were weighed at 20-day intervals.

Mean daily weight gain and feed conversion ratio improved significantly by metaproterenol (P<0.05), but feed intake was not affected. Hot carcass weight, carcass weight minus fat-tail, dressing percentage and longissimus muscle characteristics were different among the three groups (P<0.01). Physically separated fat from several depots and fat-tail weight significantly reduced in the metaproterenol groups. Carcass fat content decreased but carcass protein content increased in metaproterenol treated lambs.

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Experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of heat and cold treatments on the disinfestation of dry figs from Estahban. Tow types of packing bags (with or without holes), two storage conditions including one at 23^oC and one cold storage condition (10^oC and 2^oC), 9 heat and cold treatment durations (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10, 15, 20 and 25 hrs) and 13 temperature treatments [23, 45, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 45+(-25), 50+(-25) and 60+(-25) ^oC] were used in these experiments. The results showed that Indian meal moth, Plodia interpunctella, which is a major pest in dry fig storage, can be satistfactorily controlled by packing figs in plastic bags with a thickness of 0.24 mm after suitable temperature treatment. Cold storage at 2^oC significantly controlled all developmental stages of moths at storage. Temperature treatments at 60^oC for 7hrs or more, at 65^oC for 6hrs or more, and at -25^oC for 15hrs or more were found to be capable of controling pest most satisfactorily without changing fruit external quality.

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Planting density, through its impact on the level of available environmental factors may have significant impacts on grain yield in safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.). In order to investigate the impacts of plant density on grain yield, yield components and growth characteristics of safflower, a randomized complete block design field experiment with four replicates was conducted in spring-summer, 2000, at Lavark Research Farm (Lat. 32⁰ 32^, N and Long. 51⁰ 23^, E), College of Agriculture, Isfahan University of Technology, Isfahan, Iran. Arak-2811 and Kouseh safflower genotypes were seeded at 16.6, 22.2, 33.3 and 50 plants/m². For establishing these plant densities, plants were seeded in 12, 9, 6 and 4 cm distances, respectively, on ten 8-m-long rows spaced 50 cm apart in each plot. Plant density had no impact on plant growth stages with the exception of button formation. Genotype had significant effects on days to seedling emergence, button formation, and 50% flowering. While both number of days and accumulated growing degree-days for all growth stages decreased with an increase in plant density, Arak-2811 was earlier than Kouseh for most growth stages. Number of branches and heads per plant, number of heads per branch, number of seeds per head and harvest index showed significant decreases with increasing plant density. The decrease in the mentioned grain yield attributes was mainly negated by greater number of plants per m², leading to no significant variation in grain yield between plant densities of the two genotypes. Arak-2811 produced a significantly greater number of heads per branch and 1000-grain weight however, these differences did not lead to any greater grain yield compared to Kousehdue, mainly due to the greater number of branches in the latter. Neither of the leaf area index, leaf area duration, and crop growth rate varied significantly with plant density and between two genotypes, suggesting no difference in dry matter production capabilities of the two genotypes under environmental conditions of the present study.

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An approach for regional low flow frequency analysis is to use multiple regression techniques for obtaining relationships between low flows with specific return periods and catchments characteristics. In this paper, this method has been used. After single-site frequency analysis for 20 stream gauging stations, homogeneity test was performed. Regional relationships between low flows with return periods 2 , 5 , 10, and 20 years and catchments characteristics were derived. For this purpose, catchment area, mean elevation, minimum elevation, shape factor, main channel length, length of main chanel from catchment centroid to outlet, forest area, mean annual rainfall, and mean catchment slope as model inputs were examined and cachment area, mean elevation, and mean catchment slope entered to the models. Finally, the mean relative error of models for different return period, 2, 5, 10, and 20 years, was computed 41.1, 41.3, 45.0, 47.2 percent, respectively that in comparison with other studies, it displays smaller errors.

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In order to determine the effects of fetal growth rate on plasma concentrations of glucose, triglyceride, total protein, and urea in ewes, this experiment was conducted at Animal Research Station of Tehran University Agricultural College. Sixteen pregnant Varamini ewes were allocated to 4 groups (n=4). During the breeding season, ewes of group 1 were mated by Varamini ram, animals in groups 2, 3 and 4 were mated by Moghani, Afshari and Shall rams, respectively. Because of the different genetic capacities of sires, fetal growth rate was expected to be different in various groups. Ewes in all groups were fed the same ration, so it was expected that differences in fetal growth rates would affect the mobilization of maternal fat and protein storage and blood levels of their metabolites. Blood samples were collected from jugular veins of ewes during the last 8 weeks of pregnancy and first week after lambing. Plasma levels of glucose, cholestrol, and triglycerid were not different among 4 groups. Total plasma protein in ewes carrying heavier fetuses was lower than in ewes with lighter fetuses (p<0.05). Conversely, plasma urea concentrations in ewes with heavier fetuses were higher than in ewes with lighter fetuses.

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The application of solar energy for drying cereals and other agricultural commodities has been increasing lately. This is due to the fact that solar energy is free, renewable, inexhaustible and environmentally friendly. This research is a new approach for employing solar energy as the main energy source for drying purposes. The drying test rig was designed, fabricated and evaluated. The grain solar dryer is an active mixed mode type with a semi-continuous discharge system. The rig consists of six solar air collectors, a heating channel, a drying chamber and an air distributing system. Rough rice was selected as cereal grain to be dried in the dryer to evaluate the system of the drying rig. In this research the effect of mass flow rate and time of crop discharge, on the rate of crop drying were evaluated. The experiment was conducted as a factorial experiment on the basis of a completely randomized design with three replications. The first factor was mass flow rate at three levels of 0.011, 0.0066 and 0.0048 kg/m²s and the second factor was the time of crop discharge at two levels of 15 and 30 min. The dryer capacity, the amount of energy consumed (electrical and solar) during drying process, and the efficiency of collectors were also evaluated. According to Duncan's multiples range test, the effects of mass flow rate of drying air, and the interval time of discharge, were highly significant on the moisture content of discharged rough rice. The maximum efficiency of the collectors was 37.13% and the fraction of energy consumed by heating channel during the drying process, compared with solar energy, was 6-8 percent. The maximum capacity of the dryer was about 132 kg of rough rice from 11 AM to 2 PM reducing the initial moisture content from 27% to 13%. On the whole, the evaluation results indicated that the dryer could reduce the moisture content of the crop to the storage safe moisture content during appropriate time with highenergy efficiency.

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A chick bioassay with chemically defined amino acid (AA) diets was conducted to compare four different AA profiles: the NRC 1994, Feedstuff 2002, Rhone Poulenc Animal Nutrition 1993(RPAN) and Illinois Ideal Chick Protein (IICP) AA profiles. This battery study involved male and female chicks during 7 to 21 days of age. Indispensable AA were rationed to lysine according to requirement ratios presented in the four profiles. Digestible lysine set at 1.07 and 0.98 % of diet for male and female respectively. This experiment was carried out in a completely randomized block design using 2 5 factorial arrangement with for replicate per each diets were kept isonitrogenous (2.6 % N ) by varying levels of L-glutamic acid. All diets were checked to have at least 0.3 % proline and 0.6 % glycine. Diets for all profiles contained 3200 kcal ME/kg and a positive control diet were used according to NRC 1994 recommendations. Chicks fed a common corn-soybean meal diet for 160 h and were raised in the floor pen. Then chicks weighted individually and allocated to battery pens so that most uniformity between pens occurs. Four battery pens of five chicks were fed one of four different profiles or positive control diet in both male & female. Weight gain and feed efficiency measured for each pen at day 21. Results indicate an improved weight gain and feed efficiency in male rather than female (p<0.5). Chicks fed positive control diet weighted more (p<0.5). Between semi purified diets chicks fed diets formulated with NRC AA ideal ratios had significantly (P<0.5) better weight gain and gain: feed in both sexes relative to IICP and RPAN, but not to Feedstuff. RPAN had worst weight gain and feed: gain in females. Results of this experiment indicated that new ideal ratio of theronine (relative to lysine) in IICP for starter period may be under-estimated.

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Malmquist index computed by data envelopment analysis approach was used to estimate the total factor productivity (TFP) growth in cotton production in Iran during 1983-2001. By dividing this index in the two components, technological change and technical efficiency change, two major factors of productivity growth in cotton production were analyzed. Data was obtained from production cost system and other statistical sources provided by ministry of Jahad-e-Agriculture. Results indicated that TFP growth in cotton crop was positive (0.8% per annum) for the period of this study .This figure was different in different provinces of Iran. Maximum growth rate was 6.2% in Fars province and was negative in Kerman, Mazanderan and Golestan provinces. In comparison, technical efficiency growth was more than technological change during 1983-2001.

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Under different climatic conditions of Iran, the evaluation of evapotranspiration (ETo) models sensitivity to meteorological parameters, prior to introducing the superior performance model, seems quite necessary. Using a 35-year (1971-2005) climatological observations in Hamedan, this study compares the sensitivity of different commonly used evapotranspiration models to different meteorological parameters within the IPCC recommended variability range of 10 to 20% during the growing season (April-October). The radiation and temperature-based ETo models include: Penman-Monteith -FAO56 [PMF56], Jensen-Haise [JH1,2], Humid Turc [TH], Arid (semi) arid Turc [TA], Makkink [MK], Hansen [HN], and Hargreaves-Samani [HS]. Results indicate that all the above-mentioned ETo models show the highest sensitivity to radiation and temperature parameters. This implies that special care is required when we apply model-generated radiation and albedo parameters in such ETo models. It is predicted that by 2050, as a result of global warming, the cold semi-arid climates of Iran will cause an average evapotranspiration rise of about 8.5% in crop reference during the growing season.

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In mountainous basins, snow water equivalent is usually used to evaluate water resources related to snow. In this research, based on the observed data, the snow depth and its water equivalent was studied through application of non-linear regression, artificial neural network as well as optimization of network's parameters with genetic algorithm. To this end, the estimated values by artificial neural network, neural network-genetic algorithm combined method and regression method were compared with the observed data. The field measurement were carried out in the Samsami basin in February 2006. Correlation coefficient (r) mean square error (MSE) and mean absolute error (MAE) were used to evaluate efficiency of the various models of artificial neural networks and nonlinear regression models. The results showed that artificial neural network and genetic algorithm combined methods were suitable to estimate snow water equivalent. In general, among the methods used, neural network-genetic algorithm combined method presented the best result (r= 0.84, MSE= 0.041 and MAE= 0.051). Of the parameters considered, elevation from sea level is the most important and effective to estimate snow water equivalent.

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Heavy metals including cadmium produced as a result of urban, industrial and agricultural activities lead to the water pollution. Also, considering the growing need for silviculture in Iran, it is necessary to conduct a comprehensive research on fast growing and evergreen species of Eucalyptus and their role in heavy metals' absorption. To achieve this goal, Eucalyptus occidentalis seedlings were grown in pots containing silica and irrigated with a mixture of nutrient solution and cadmium chloride in 5, 10 and 15 m M for 10 months. Root and leaf samples were harvested and the amount of cadmium in stem, root and leaf organs was measured. Also, some morphological and physiological characteristics were determined including soluble sugar and praline. The analysis indicated that the cadmium concentrations of 15 mM treatment in the root, leaf and stem were 585, 142 and 87 mg/kg D.W., respectively. Proline content increased with the increase of Cadmium concentration while the content of pigments decreased. The result of this research shows that eucalypt has the potential of cadmium accumulation without any serious damage to its growth. Therefore, the plant can be used to decrease the environmental pollutions.

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A greenhouse experiment was conducted in factorial experiment arranged as a completely randomized design (CRD) to evaluate the role of tree indigenous arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) species originated from a polluted soil in phytoremediation of zinc polluted soils using maize as a host plant. The experiment consisted of plants inoculated with AMF (G1(Glomus intraradices), G2(Glomus mosseae) and G3(Glomus versiforme)) and G0 as non-inoculated plants and 5 levels of zinc (0, 10, 50, 100 and 500 mg kg -1) in non-sterilized sandy loam soil with three replications. According to the results of greenhouse experiment, the zinc and phosphorus uptake and also the biological yield of maize plants were significantly increased by inoculation with AMF in comparison with non-inoculated plants and also no zinc toxicity symptoms were observed. Uptake, translocation, and phytoextraction efficiency of plants inoculated with G. intraradices was more than the other treatments up to the level of 100 mg kg -1, but at the level of 50 mg kg -1 these amounts were highest in plants inoculated with G. mosseae. The efficicncy of three AMF in zinc uptake was highest at the low level of zinc. In general, under the high soil pollution (500 mg kg-1), G. mosseae was the most effective fungal species in Zn extraction and translocation while G. intraradices had the highest effectiveness for accumulation of Zn in the roots. The overall situation of G. versiforme was mostly between the two other fungal species.

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Fertilizers in agriculture are potential sources of environmental pollution, especially in ground water quality and soil resources. Studying factors effective in water and nutrient transport through soil profile is helpful for nutrient management to minimize adverse impacts on environment and nitrate leaching below the root zone. In this study, the ground water level and nitrate leaching transportation below the root zone were measured in a paddy rice field and the data were simulated with the DRAINMOD-N model. For evaluating DRAINMOD-N software in a paddy rice field under surface drainage in Mazandaran, the ground water level and nitrate transportation were measured during four months (June, July, August and September) in 2008. The DRAINMOD-N model was calibrated by adjusting nitrification and denitrification rate constants to reach the best fit between measured and predicted data. Results indicate that predicted ground water level and nitrate concentration by model were significant at one percent level. The statistical comparison was done by model efficiency (EF) 0.84 for estimation of ground water level and 0.97 for estimation of nitrate concentration, respectively. The DRAINMOD-N model can be used as a tool to manage environmental pollution of nitrate in paddy rice fields.

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Development of precise and simple methods in flood simulation has greatly reduced financial damage and life loss. Various methods and procedures have been implemented based on Saint-Venant's one-dimensional equation governing unsteady flows. To simplify the solution for these flows, analytical and numerical methods have been used. In the present study, a new method that provides the optimal outcome is introduced using non-linear programming. Penalty function has also been used to convert nonlinear programming (NLP) constrained problems into unconstrained optimal issues. To verify the accuracy of decision variables, the study covered 60 cross-sections of Gharasu River and 25-year flood hydrographs. After determining the model correctness, the 50 and 100-year flood hydrograph were routed in 18 Kilometers. The results were statistically compared with hydraulic and Muskingum hydrological methods. To sum up the routed hydrographs introduced by NLP method were very close to the hydrographs produced by dynamic wave method. The R2 of calculated discharge of routed hydrograph by NLP and dynamic wave method were 0.948, 0.990, and 0.989, respectively, with the return period of 25, 50 and 100-year flood being 0.989. It can be concluded that NLP method is more accurate than Muskingum method, especially when predicting the peak discharge of flood hydrograph.

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

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Soil erosion is one of the most important factors affecting soil quantity and quality and is environmental problems in developing countries like Iran. It can have deteriorating effects on ecosystems. This research was carried out in farm lands of the Chehel-Chai watershed, Golestan province to investigate the effect of soil properties on runoff and soil loss. Runoff and soil loss were measured in a completely randomized design in 36 plots with 10×10 m sizes in farm lands. For this reason, this study was conducted using rainfall simulator with 2 mm/min intensity and 15 min duration in 4 replicates. Soil samples were also taken in each plot. Sampling was conducted in October 2009. Results of the Pearson correlation showed that among soil properties, the contents of the lime, silt and fine sand had positive correlations with runoff at 1% confidence level. Also, soil surface resistance at 1% confidence level, the contents of the organic matter and nitrogen at 5% confidence level had negative correlations with soil loss. Finally, the results of multiple linear models showed that the content of lime is effective in estimating runoff and soil surface resistance, and organic matter is effective in estimating soil loss.

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The purpose of this study was to investigate cadmium adsorption through Freundlich and Langmuir equations in sediments of Karun River in three hydrometric stations (5th Ahvaz Bridge, Darkhovin and Khorramshahr) in the low-water and high-water seasons. Fitting of data from experiments on cadmium absorption to Freundlich and Langmuir equation showed they are compatible. According to the conducted experiments, there was a significant difference at 0.01 levels between b coefficient of Langmuir equation with the organic matter percentage and the clay content in both Low and high water seasons, while there was no significant difference between k coefficient of Langmuir equation with the organic matter percentage and the clay content for the two seasons. The results also suggested that there is a significant relationship between Kf of Freundlich equation with the organic matter percentage and clay content, at significant levels of 0.05 and 0.01 for the organic matter percentage and the clay content, respectively. Comparison of the means of low and high water seasons revealed that there is no significant relationship between Langmuir coefficients, whereas in Freundlich equation, a significant difference at 0.01 level was observed between kf coefficients. Generally, the obtained results indicated that cadmium adsorption by sediments in low-water season is higher than high-water season. Also, cadmium adsorption by the 5th Ahvaz Bridge sediments due to the sandy texture was less than those adsorbed by both Darkhovin and Khorramshahr sediments.

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A study was conducted to evaluate the effect of vermicompost and nitrogen (N) on growth, nutrient concentration and uptake of N, phosphorus (P), potassium (K), iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), and copper (Cu) in sunflower shoots as a factorial experiment arranged in completely randomized design (CRD) with three replications under greenhouse conditions. Treatments included three levels of vermicompost (0, 2.5, and 5 % by w/w) and three N levels (0, 90, and 180 mg kg-1) as urea. Application of 2.5% vermicompost significantly increased the average fresh and dry weights, and uptake of K, Fe, Zn, Mn, and Cu of shoots as compared when no vermicompost was applied, but decreased Zn and Cu concentrations. Application of 90 mg N, increased fresh and dry weights, and concentration of N, Zn, and Mn, total uptake of N, P, K, Fe, Zn, Mn, and Cu in sunflower shoots, but decreased P concentration. Application of 180 mg N increased total N uptake than that of 90 mg N kg-1 treatment. Combination of 2.5% vermicompost with 90 mg N, significantly (p<0.05) increased dry matter yield of sunflower as compared to 2.5% vermicompost without N treatment

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Gully erosion and sedimentation have high priority in Fars Province due to the losses from destruction of lands, roads and civil structures. In the present study, in order to evaluate the threshold for the development and initiation of gully topography in Fars province, two regions were selected including Allamarvdasht, Lamerd and Fedagh, Larestan. 30 gullies were selected in each mentioned area. Morphometric parameters were measured and topography threshold was drawn. To evaluate the effect of measured parameters on topography threshold, each gully was clustered based on parameters and cluster analysis. To determine the effect of dominant hydrologycal processes on gully initiation and development, the multivariate analysis was employed using SPSS (version 14) software. Using the power relationship between watershed area and slope of each gully, the dominant hydrological processes in gully initiation and development were determined by means of Excel software and were compared with coefficients of foreign regional studies. The results showed that in the two studied regions, the most effective hydrologycal process was surface runoff. Results also demonstrated that in these regions changing the shape of upstream basin topography to circle and their expansion have increased the threshold of watershed topography of gully erosion. Increasing the sodium absorbtion ratio and removing the ground cover reduce the threshold of gully erosion topography. Increasing the depth of gullies and soil organic matters resulted in greater relative threshold of topography.

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The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of land use on soil quality parameters using multivariate statistical analysis. Soil samples (0-25 and 25-50 cm depths) were taken from three land uses in forest area of Marivan including forest, rangeland, and cultivated land. Soil characteristics of pH, EC, sand, silt, clay and CaCO3 content, water-stable aggregates and their organic carbon content were measured. Principal component, cluster and discriminant analyses were used to evaluate the soil quality. Principal component analysis classified soil properties into five factors. The most important factors were soil aggregates organic carbon content and aggregate stability indices. Schematic distribution of factors and also cluster analysis showed the same pattern. Soil aggregates organic carbon content, water-stable aggregates and aggregate stability indices were the most sensitive factors to land use changes. These soil properties and factors had the same pattern in forest and rangeland, but significantly reduced in the cultivated land use. Land use change from forest to cultivated land resulted in significant decrease of aggregates organic carbon content, water-stable aggregates and also an increase of pH. The results showed the usefulness of multivariate statistical methods for integration of the soil properties and determination of different soil quality indices.