JWSS - Journal of Water and Soil Science

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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.

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A glasshouse study was conducted to measure the effects of salinity and drought stresses on growth and chemical and biochemical composition of 4 onion cultivars. The cultivars were Dessex, Texas Early Grano (Texas), Dehydrator, and PX492. Salinity treatments included control, 45mM NaCl, 45mM NaCl + 5mM CaCl2 and drought treatments were control (maintaining soil moisture at field capacity) and irrigation when 50% of available water was used. Four weeks after the treatments, the plants were harvested and root and shoot dry weights (RDW, SDW), Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺, total protein, reduced sugars, as well as free proline contents were measured in both roots and shoots.

 Results showed that NaCl and drought treatments significantly reduced SDW and RDW. The Texas cultivar and the Dessex cultivar produced the highest and the lowest amounts of SDW, respectively. NaCl significantly increased Na⁺ uptake but reduced K⁺ uptake in shoots and roots and also reduced Ca²⁺ uptake in roots. NaCl+CaCl₂ significantly alleviated the deleterious effects of NaCl such that SDW significantly increased in two cultivars and increased RDW and the K⁺ contents while causing decreased Na⁺ and sugar contents in shoots and roots of all cultivars. All stresses increased total protein contents of shoots in Texas only but decreased or had no effect on others. Root total protein increased under salinity stress, while drought had no effect. Changes in proline and sugars in both shoots and roots did not follow any particular pattern. Out of the biochemical compositions measured, shoot total protein in plants under the stresses showed a positive significant correlation with SDW, which may be used to screen onion cultivars for drought and salinity stresses.

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In order to determine the relationships among the different traits of onion and to study the direct and indirect effects of these traits on bulb and seed yield, an experiment was conducted in 1998 at the research farm of Isfahan University of Technology. Results showed that phenotypic and genotypic correlations were similar and bulb weight showed the highest and lowest coefficients of correlation with bulb diameter and number of days to emergence, respectively. Results of stepwise regression analysis showed that leaf width at 25% of its length from the neck, leaf length, and leaf dry weight were the best estimators for leaf area bulb diameter, bulb length, plant height and number of days to maturity were the most important determining characters for bulb yield variation. Number of fertilized florets was the best determinator of seed yield and bulb weight, while diameter and volume were the best describing characters for the number of meristems on the basal plate. Path-coefficient analysis revealed that bulb diameter showed the highest direct positive effect on bulb yield and the indirect effect of plant height through bulb diameter on it was of prime importance. Number of fertilized florets per plant and number of inflorescence per plant through the number of fertilized florets showed the highest direct and indirect effects on seed weight, respectively.

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Nitrogen is usually the most limiting nutrient for crop production. Manganese deficiency in some calcareous soils of Iran has been reported. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of N and Mn on the growth and chemical composition of spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) under greenhouse conditions. The experiment was conducted in a soil from Chitgar series (Fine-loamy, carbonatic, thermic, Calcixerollic Xerochrepts). Treatments consisted of factorial arrangement of five N rates (0, 50, 100, 200 and 400 mg kg^-1 as NH₄NO₃) and three Mn rates (0, 15 and 30 mg kg^-1 as MnSO₄) in a completely randomized design with four replications. Plants were allowed to grow for 60 days and a hand-held SPAD-502 chlorophyll meter was used to evaluate leaf chlorophyll status at harvest.

 Results showed that N and Mn application increased shoot dry weight, N and Mn concentrations and total uptake, Mn:Fe ratios and chlorophyll readings, significantly. Nitrogen increased concentrations and total uptake of Zn, Cu and total uptake of Fe in plants, but decreased Fe concentration. Addition of Mn decreased Fe and Zn concentrations in spinach but increased total uptake of Fe and Cu. When maximum dry matter was obtained, the chlorophyll meter reading was about 40. A similar study should be carried out under field conditions before the N and Mn fertilizer recommendations for spinach can be made.

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Effects of different levels of nitrogen fertilizer and cutting time of forage on grain and forage yield of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) Karoon cultivar was studied during 1995-1996 at Ramin Agricultural Research and Educational Center, University of Shahid Chamran, Ahwas, by using a split plot design in randomized complete block with 4 replications. Main plots were assigned to five levels of N fertilizer (45, 90, 135, 180 and 225 kg N/ha) as urea fertilizer and subplots to three cutting times (no cutting, cutting forage at early stem elongation without removing reproductive meristem and cutting forage in the middle of stem elongation with cut reproductive meristem).

The effects of N rates and cutting time on grain yield were significant. Maximum yield was obtained with 281.6 g/m² when crop plants received 90 kg N/ha and cutting time at early stem elongation and minimum yield was obtained (158.2 g/m²) with 45 kg N/ha and cutting forage in the middle of stem elongation. Interactive effect of levels of N and cutting time on spike number per m², grain number in spike and grain weight were significant. Among yield components, spike number and grain weight showed the highest sensitivity to both. Different levels of N increased forage protein concentration and protein yield significantly, but delay in cutting time decreased protein concentration and increased protein yield. Results indicated that high levels of N could not compensate for the delay in cutting time of forage for grain yield. It was concluded that application of 90 kg N/ha and cutting time in early stem elongation was preferable for grain and forage production as compared to other treatments.

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This experiment was carried out to study the effect of ionophore drugs (Salinomycin, Lasalocid and their combinations) on the performance of broiler chicks. Also their relationships with methionine (three levels) were evaluated. 1215 one-day-old commercial broiler chicks (Arian) were divided into 81 groups, 15 chicks per group, and tested in a completely randomized design with a 3×3×3 factorial experiment. Three drug types with three levels (0.0, the recommended level and 1.5 times the recommended level) of drugs and three levels (0.0, 0.1% and 0.2%) of supplemental methionine were used.

 The results indicated that the effect of sex on plasma cholesterol and triglyceride, percentage of bone ash and percentage of abdominal fat was significant (P<0.0l). Drug type had no effect on the characteristics under study. Drug level influenced percentage of bone ash, percentage of eviscerated carcass, and percentage of abdominal fat significantly (P<0.0l), (P<0.01) and (P<0.00l), respectively. Also methionine level influenced cholesterol and triglyceride (P<0.0l) significantly. Interaction effect of drug type and drug level on plasma cholesterol and triglyceride was significant (P<0.05). Interaction effect of drug and methionine level on cholesterol and triglyceride was significant (P<0.0l). The results showed that levels of this drug influenced carcass composition and also supplemental methionine had no influence on the modulating effect of these drugs on carcass composition.

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Rice bran is the most important by-product of rice milling. It is a valuable source of edible oil in most rice producing countries. Rice bran oil is used in babyfood, biscuit, poultry, fish and farm animal feeds. The storage of rice bran without 'heat processing will result in hydrolysis and auto-oxidation of lipids, and to its decreased physicochemical, organoleptic and nutritional quality. Rice bran is rich in carbohydrates, free amino acids, lipids and different enzymes. The enzymes have destructive effects on the quality of rice bran components. Heat processing is an effective method to reduce the microbial and enzymatic activity of bran. This study was carried out using a factorial experiment by completely randomized design with three replications to investigate the effect of heat treatment and storage time on rice bran crude oil properties.

The parboiling treatment was effective on the rice kernel strength. The bran produced from parboiled rice milling had lower endosperm components. This type of bran had a lower starch but a higher oil percentage. The results of color of rice bran oil samples determined by Lovibond showed that the oil from parboiled rice bran before and during storage had better color than the other samples. Iodine value of bran oil from parboiled paddy decreased during the storage period. The results from studies on fatty acid composition of oil samples determined by gas chromatography (G.C.) showed that the quantitative trend of fatty acids of the control sample remained the same as that in the rice bran samples with the treatment process.

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Iran, as the biggest producer of dates, has 25 percent of the world date production. More than 400 varieties of dates have been identified in Iran. Dates have a high nutritional value they contain considerable amounts of sugar, vitamins and minerals. For instance, 2830 kilocalories of energy are obtained from one kilogram of dates. Dates are economically suitable replacements for sugar in bee feeds. However, feeding bees with some varieties, which contain certain amounts of mannose and potassium, are harmful. This investigation was carried out in order to identify the most suitable variety of dates useful for bee feed and to determine its nutritional value as human food. In this study, the dominant varieties of date including Bam Mazafati, Behbahan Kabkab, Booshehr Kabkab, Jiroft Mazafati, Kangoroad, Khanizi, Khasi, Saameran, Shahani, Shahdadi and Zahedi, were collected and analysed. The amounts of moisture, fat, protein, ash, and minerals such as sodium, potassium, and calcium were determined. Also, sugar composition of the above varieties consisting of glucose, fructose and sucrose, was measured. Chemical methods (Lane-Eynon and Shaffer-Somogyi) and high performance liquid chromatography were used for sugar determination.

The results showed that, except for moisture and protein contents, there was no significant difference between fat and ash contents of the samples. Shahdadi and Zahedi had the highest and lowest moisture contents, respectively. Behbahan Kabkab and Shahdadi had the highest and lowest protein contents respectively. Jiroft Mazafati and Saameran had significantly the lowest amounts of potassium and mannose, respectively, while Kangoroad had significantly the highest amount of sucrose, which is use full for bees. Therefore, these three varieties were found to be suitable replacements for sugar in bee feeds, but considering their price, Saameran is recommended as the best feed for bees. On the other hand, with respect to the minerals and sugar contents, Behbahan Kabkab was found as the most nutritious date for human food.

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For Iranian fermented cheese processing and ripening, different lactic acid bacteria (LAB) that affect on the physicochemical properties and hence the organoleptic characteristics of the cheese is used. Determination of physicochemical changes of cheese, particularly, organic acids is of importance. In this study five cheese formulas with five different group of cheese starters were processed and ripened in 8% brine during two months at 12±1 °C. HPLC analysis of organic acids were accomplished, using SCR-101H column with U. V. detector at 214 nm and quantified with high purity standards concerning each organic acid recovery. Pyruvic, orotic, citric, propionic, lactic, butyric and acetic acids were analyzed after 1, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 days of processing and storage. Each determined organic acid exhibited a specific profile changes during cheese ripening.

Lactic acid was dominant organic acid in all samples. Total organic acids were increased significantly after 30 days of storage, but decreased up to the end of ripening. The profile changes of organic acids which was similar in all samples with different amounts related to dominant lactic acid with about 80-90% of the total organic acids. The aromatic mesophile group, CH-N-O1(including Lactococci and Leuconostocs) and Lactobacillus casei and also the mixed mesophiles plus thermophile starters group, CH-1 (including Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus salivarius ssp. thermophilus) caused a significant decrease in citric acid and increase in acetic and propionic acid in related cheese samples compared with other cheeses (P < 0.01). But cheese containing only thermophiles or the mixed thermophile and mesophile (code 54) revealed a significant increase in butyric acid. In all samples the changes in pyruvic acid content was irregular. The ripening period of cheese samples were determined by the stepwise regression analysis in relation to their exact amount of organic acids.

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Pseudomonas syringae is a phytopathogenic bacterium with a wide host range. The biology of this bacterium consists of two phases. The first phase is the indication of disease on the host plant which generally appears in the form of necrosis on the aerial parts of plant (pathogenicity phase). The second phase is a rapid multiplication of bacteria on the aerial surface of the plant without inflicting any defense response (epiphytic phase). In this study, the impact of pathogenic virulence genes of aggress, dsp, ice, cor and hrp genes in the epiphytic process of Pseudomonas syringae on resistant and sensitive varieties of tomato is examined. The population dynamism of bacterial colonization on the root, stem and leaves was studied.

The results indicated that the hrp genes system (hypersensitive reaction and pathogenicity) in Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato, P. s. pv. syringae and P. s. pv. phaseolicola and the coronatine gene system in P. s. pv. tomato are necessary for colonization on both host and non-host plants. The mutants isolates of hrp and cor compared with wild isolates could colonize at a lower level on all parts of the plant. In contrast, the ice (Ice nucleation), aggress (Agressivity) and dsp (disease specific) gene systems had no significant impact on the epiphytic colonization of P. s. pv. syringae. However, under in vitro conditions no significant difference was observed among the wild type isolates and their mutants in king B medium in the bioscreen machine. It is concluded that the lower multiplication of P. syringae mutants in planta is due to the plant-bacteria interaction.

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Pathogenicity and virulence of entomogenous fungus, Verticillium lecanii, was studied on the pea aphid, Acyrthosiphon pisum. Vertalec, a commercial product of V. lecanii, was evaluated under controlled conditions. Second instar nymphs were inoculated with conidial suspensions at concentrations ranging from 10⁴ to 10⁸ conidia/ml, and sterile distilled water (containing wetting agent) as control, then caged on cutted alfalfa stems. Each concentration was replicated three times with 30 aphids treated per replicate. Temperature, relative humidity and photoperiod were maintained at 23±1 °C, %97±3, and 16:8 (L:D), respectively. Aphids were monitored daily over 12 days for mortality and nymph production. All newborn nymphs and dead aphids were removed daily.

Vertalec significantly increased aphid mortality (mean mortality because of mycosis increased form %45.55±6.93 at 10⁴ conidia/ml to %95.55±4.45 at 10⁸ conidia/ml). The LC₅₀ value for pathogen was 5.l4×l0⁴ conidia/ml. LT₅₀ values for 10⁵, 10⁶, 10⁷ and 10⁸ conidia/ml were 10, 8, 6.5 and 5 days, respectively. At 10⁴ conidia/ml LT₅₀ value was not determined at experimental period. R_o values significantly decreased with increasing conidial concentration (mean R₀ altered from 28.l5±5.38 in control to 5.15±1.81 at 10⁸ conidia/ml). Results indicated that vertalec can be an effective agent against pea aphids. Further studies are recommended for its evaluation under natural conditions.

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Bolting in onion reduces yield and quality of bulbs. To control bolting chemically, a glasshouse experiment was conducted using Texas Early Grano which is widely cultivated in subtropical areas of Karman Province. In this research, Paclobutrazol (0, 1000, 2000 mg/lit), ethephon (500, 1000, 2000, 3000, 4000 mg/lit), cycocel (500, .1000 mg/lit) and mixtures of ethephon and cycocel were sprayed on onion plants prior to vernalization. At harvest time, morphological characters (bolting percentage, shoot length, shoot dry weight, bulb maturity index) and biochemical characters (chlorophyll a, b and total in shoots, reducing sugars and soluble proteins in roots, bulbs and shoots) were recorded. Paclobutrazol reduced bolting, reducing sugars, soluble proteins and shoot length but increased leaf chlorophylls, proteins, sugars and bulb weight with no effect on shoot dry weight. Although ethephon reduced bolting, shoot growth, sugars, proteins and leaf chlorophyll and increased maturity index, sugars and proteins in bulbs, it had no effect on bulb yield. Cycocel increased bolting, sugars, proteins, chlorophylls and dry weight in shoots but had no effect on shoot length, leaf chlorophyll, sugars and protein in roots and bulb weight. Cycocel also reduced sugars and protein in bulbs. Mixtures of cycocel and ethephon reduced bolting, leaf chlorophyll, shoot length and dry weight but had no effect on bulb yield and other characters measured.

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The emitter discharge is affected by parameters such as pressure, irrigation water temperature, manufacturer’s coefficient of variation, and emitter clogging. In order to study the effects of irrigation water temperature on emitter discharge and to determine the discharge-pressure variations and manufacturer’s coefficient of variations, an experimental trickle irrigation system was designed and studied in the greenhouse, College of Agriculture, Isfahan University of Technology. Since the sensitivity of different emitters to water temperature variations is variable, four different, widely used, types of Iranian emitters including in-line long-path emitter, gun emitter, pressure compensating emitter, and double-chamber tube were used. Each emitter was evaluated under 14 different irrigation water temperature treatments ranging from 11 to 43.5°C.

 The results showed that in general as water temperature increases, the emitter discharge increases linearly in all types, except for the pressure compensating emitter in which the discharge decreases linearly. The emitter uniformity, absolute emission uniformity and Christiansen uniformity coefficient parameters were affected by emitter discharge variations. For each type of emitter under study, the changes in manufacturer’s coefficient of variations due to irrigation water temperature were different. The manufacturer’s coefficients of variations at a water temperature of about 20°C for double-chamber tube, in-line long-path emitter, gun emitter and pressure compensating emitter were equal to 5, 7, 13 and 22 percent, respectively. Moving from gun emitter to the double-chamber tube and finally to the in-line long-path emitter, the sensitivity to irrigation water temperature decreased. Sensitivity to pressure variations decreased in the order of gun emitter, double-chamber tube, in-line long-path emitter, and finally pressure compensating emitter.

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Nitrogen is usually the most limiting nutrient for crop production. Thus, N fertilizer is widely used by farmers. Moreover, Mn deficiency in some calcareous soils of Iran with high pH has been reported. Therefore, the addition of nitrogen and manganese to achieve the optimum yield is necessary. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of N and Mn applications on the availability of some soil nutrients under wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), corn (Zea mays L.), and spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) plants in greenhouse conditions. In a factorial test, five levels of N (0, 50, 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg soil as NH₄NO₃) and three levels of Mn (0, 15 and 30 mg/kg soil as MnSO₄) in a completely randomized design with four replication were applied. Corn, wheat and spinach varieties were sc₇₀₄ Falat and Spinacea spp., respectively. After eight weeks, total N content and DTPA-extractable Mn, Fe, Zn and Cu of soil were measured.

 The results indicated that N and Mn applications increased Mn-extractable of soil in three cultures but didn’t affect the soil total N. Nitrogen application in corn increased available Fe in soil. Mn application decreased extractable Zn and Cu of soil in wheat and soil extractable Cu in corn.

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This manuscript shows the findings of a research that investigated the effects of trainings on the members and the employees of the poultry cooperatives in Tehran Province on the performance of these cooperatives. To analyze the data, 2, correlation coefficient, one way-analysis of variance, and Duncan Test were used. The results of the study showed a positive and statistically significant relationship between training of members and performance of cooperatives. The more the trainings were related to type of occupation or responsibility, the larger were the effects on the cooperative performance. Cooperatives with more specialized top managers, offered more training to their members. Compared to cooperatives with more training, the members had less participation in increasing their investment.

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In order to increase ketocarotenoid astaxanthin production by Haematococcus pluvialis, the effects of salinity, phosphate deprivation and eosin on growth and astaxanhin production were examined. The experiments were carried out in the growth chamber at 20^oC under sterile conditions. The results showed that under salinity, phosphate deprivation and eosin supply, encystment was induced, and at the same time, astaxanthin formation and dry weight increased. Furthermore, by adding histidine to culture medium as a quencher of singlet oxygen, astaxanthin production significantly reduced. Therefore, it can be claimed that accumulation of astaxanthin may be related to antioxidative responses, which increased survival of algal cells under environmental stress conditions.

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A number of halophytic species as Salicornia europea, Halocnemum strobilaceum, Aeluropus lagopoides, and Aeluropus littoralis were found to occupy a significant portion of the total vegetation of the surrounding area at the Zayande-Roud inlet to Gavkhoony wetland. However, their ecological demands and bioenvironmental factors by which vegetation community composition has been affected is not undestood. A compehensive knowledge of the establishment is essential for future improvements in using the above species on salanized regions. In this paper, using the ordination method. The establishment pattern of  these four species in a range of varied habitats is evaluated based on the recongition of the relative  significance of habitat soil chemical properties and vegetion crown cover to the establishment of the four species. For this purpose, 48 plants meansurements were taken along a transect, having more species variation in term of vegetation cover percentage. Furthermore, 48 soil samples were taken from the plot along the same transect in a one-year period in 1999. The soil samples were analysed for PH, EC, available Na, K, Ca and Mg as well as clay, and silt contents. The ground and field vegetation data were analysed using the Principlas Components Analysis (PCA), and Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA) to produce summary vectors (PCA axes) of both the soil chemistry and habitat vegetation structure datasets. The summary of ordination method quantified the degree to which soil variables and species cover were related to variability in ground vegetation composition. variation in community composition (type and percentage) was significantly related to gradient of the aforementioned soil factors. Generally, the vegatation community composition in this experiment could be considered as a key component to expand the growth and development patterns of these species to similar salinised regions. 

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The main objective of the present study is to investigate the production and marketing of fresh figs in Garmsar Region. Semnan Province has the largest area under fresh figs in Iran. About 84 percent of this area is in Garmsar region, hence, it was selected as the study area. Data were collected by random sampling method through interviews with a sample of 70 fresh fig producers in Garmsar region in summer 1999. The production functions of fresh figs were estimated using translog form for the study region. Technical efficiencies for fresh fig producers were estimated using translog stochastic frontier production function. Results of the current study revealed that farmers are not using some of the inputs optimally. Study of technical efficiency of fresh fig producers did not show the possibility of increasing production by increasing farmers’ technical efficiencies. The average of retail, wholesale and marketing margins of one kilogram of fresh figs were estimated to be 900, 550 and 1450 Rials, respectively. Also, marketing efficiency was calculated as 151%.

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Alternate bearing is a key factor in limiting citrus production. Chemical controls have proved to be the most effective solution to this problem. Two different experiments were conducted to study the effects of different growth regulators (GA₃, NAA, Ethephon) and urea on alternate bearing control in Kinnow mandarin (Citrus reticulata). In the first experiment, GA₃ at concentrations of 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100 mgl^-1 were applied 3 times during late autumn and early winter 1993 on off trees. Flowers reduced as a result of GA₃ application in the following spring but increased in the second spring. Best results obtained with 50 and 75 mgl^-1. In the 2^nd experiment thinning agents: NAA (0, 100, 200 and 300 mgl^-1), ethephon (0, 100, 200, 300 mgl^-1) and urea (0, 4, 8 and 12%) were sprayed to the trees on on-year, when the fruitlets were about 0.75-1 cm in diameter. The results indicated that urea had no effect however, both NAA and ethephon were effective on thinning of fruits and control of fruiting. Ethephon at 200 and 300 mgl^-1, and NAA at 400 mgl^-1 gave the best results.

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During 1998-99, a field experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of residual Processed Municipal Waste Leachate (PMWL) on growth and yield of wheat (variety Roshan). The treatments consisted of residual amounts of 0, 150, 300 and 600 t/ha of PMWL and a residual N, P, K, and Zn fertilizer treatment in a randomized block design with 3 replications. In 1998, rice seedlings were transferred to 34 m plots. After harvesting the rice, wheat was seeded in the same plots without any new treatment. Processed municipal waste leachate and fertilizers were applied during the rice growth. Residual effects of PMWL increased the amounts of available macro- (N, P and K) and micronutrients (Fe, Cu, Zn and Mn) in soil which, in turn, promoted the grain and straw yield of wheat compared to the control. Straw and grain yield increased from 1.67 and 3.50 t/ha in control to 3.93 and 12.80 t/ha in 600 t/ha of PMWL, respectively. The residual effects of PMWL had no significant effect on heavy metals concentrations in plant. The effects of residual PMWL in the soil were proportional to the amount of leachate applied. However, more investigations are recommended to fully understand heavy metals effects on soil, plant, and environment.