JWSS - Journal of Water and Soil Science

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The calcification of soils and the effects of topography on this process were studied in semi-arid regions of Kermanshah. From a toposequence, based on the previous soil surveys of the region, five profiles were selected, and field studies and laboratory analyses were carried out on soils. Alluvial - colluvial fans, piedmont alluvial plains, and old plateaux were three main physiographies on the selected toposequence. Soil moisture and temperature regimes were Xeric and Thermic, respectively. The results indicate that redistribution of carbonates and soil formation processes may be categorized in four specific stages to be described in the text. Accumulation of calcium carbonates in soil profiles showed two basic forms: one in sandy layers of fine - textured soil profiles under the influence of abrupt textural changes and lower permeability, and the second in subsurface horizons of soils with calcareous parent material. The morphological evidences showed that in addition to translocation from upper horizons of carbonates by solution and suspension, physical movements to subsurface layers of fine calcareous materials have also affected the formation of calcic horizons. In other words, CaCO3 may have moved as fine particles through soil cracks and subsequently accumulated in the lower horizons. Soil mineralogy showed considerable amounts of illite, Chlorite, smectite and palygorskite clay minerals. Some pedogenic transformations of illite and chlorite may have caused formation of smectite and palygorskite.

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An experiment was carried out to study the effect of different levels (3.06, 3.23, 3.4, 3.57 and 3.74%) of calcium and vitamin D₃ supplementation (2000, 2200 and 2400 IU/kg diet) on the performance of laying hens. In a completely randomized design and in a 5 × 3 (15 treatments) factorial arrangement, two hundred and forty (240) white leghorn laying hens strain Hy-Line W 36, 26 weeks old, were divided into 60 replicates, four hens per replicate. The experimental period lasted 90 days, until the hens reached 38 weeks of age. The results indicated that calcium levels did not have any significant effects on the percentage of egg production, feed consumption, feed conversion ratio and egg mass. Egg weight significantly (P < 0.05) increased at 3.4% Ca level. Vitamin D₃ had no significant (P < 0.05) effects on egg weight, feed consumption and egg mass, but feed conversion ratio significantly (P < 0.05) decreased and percentage of egg production raised significantly (P < 0.05) due to added vitamin D₃. Interaction between vitamin D₃and calcium on egg weight and egg production was significant (P < 0.05). The regression equations indicated that performance traits can be estimated from calcium and vitamin D₃levels in diet.

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As apparent Zn recovery in mineral soils (saturated and unsaturated) is nill, the precise assessment of processes responsible for Zn retention in these soils is of great importance. A laboratory study was conducted to characterize Zn adsorption in eight lowland calcareous soils. The fit of sorption data was evaluated by Freundlich and Langmuir isotherms. In this study, 2-g soil samples were equilibrated for 24 hours with 40 mL 0.0lM CaCl₂ solution containing 5 to 500 mg Zn L^-1. The amount of Zn adsorbed was calculated based on the difference between the initial and equilibrium Zn concentrations.

Zinc adsorption data were fitted to a linear form of Freundlich equation. However the Langmuir isotherm was divided into two distinct linear portions, representing two different types of adsorption sites. The Langmuir K₁ was higher and adsorption maxima (b₁) was lower in part I (corresponding to lower Zn concentration) than in part II (corresponding to higher Zn concentration). Thus, it seems that in parts I and II, sites are more important for their high adsorption energy and adsorption capacity, respectively. Langmuir adsorption maxima (b₂) was positively correlated with clay content, CCE and P concentration and negatively correlated with CEC.

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This experiment was carried out to study the effect of different levels (3.06, 3.23, 3.4, 3.57 and 3.74%) of calcium and vitamin D3 (2000, 2200 and 2400 IU/kg diet) on eggshell quality of laying hens. In a completely randomized design and in a 5×3 (15 treatments) factorial arrangement, two hundred and forty (240) white leghorn laying hens, strain Hy-Line W36 and 26 weeks old, were divided into 60 replicates, four hens per replicate. The experimental period lasted 90 days until the hens were 38 weeks of age.

The results indicated that shell strength, shell thickness and shell percentage increased significantly (P<0.05) at 3.06% Ca level. Calcium levels had no effect on ash shell percentage. Vitamin D3 did not have a significant (P<0.05) effect on ash shell percentage and calcium shell, but shell strength, shell thickness and shell percentage significantly (P<0.05) increased at 2400 IU/kg diet vitamin D3. Only plasma calcium raised significantly (P<0.05) due to the added vitamin D3. Interaction between vitamin D3 and calcium on shell strength, shell thickness, shell percentage and plasma calcium were significant (P<0.05). Correlation between egg shell quality parameters and blood parameters with calcium and vitamin D3 was significant (P<0.05).

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An experiment was carried out on 384 7d old commercial broiler chicks (Lohman) to study the effect of changes in source and level of dietary calcium and limestone particle size on the performance and tibial growth and calcification of broiler chicks. From day 1 to day 7, the chicks were fed with the commercial basal diet. On day 7, the chicks were weighted and randomly assigned to 64 groups, six chicks of similar body weight (82.2±5.4) per group. Each of the eight experimental diets was fed to eight groups of chicks for an experimental period of 49 days. Two calcium sources (oyster shell and limestone), two calcium levels (100% NRC and 85% NRC) and three particle sizes of limestone [ground (less than 0.15 mm), medium (0.6 to 1.18 mm) and coarse (1.18 to 4.75 mm)] were added to diets with the same energy based on a Randomized Complete Design, in which levels of calcium were nested into calcium sources. Particle sizes were nested into calcium sources and levels.

Limestone significantly increased phosphorus retention (in percentage of phosphorus ingestion) at the age of 21 and 56 days and increased tibial length, dry weight and ash weight at 56 days. Calcium level of 85% NRC significantly decreased feed intake and feed conversion, especially during the starter, and increased calcium retention (in percentage of calcium ingestion) at 21 and 42 days. Phosphorus retention and cortical thickness of tibia at 21 and 42 days, tibial dry weight, ash weight and ash percentage at 42 day, were significantly increased with calcium level of 100% NRC. Coarse and medium particle sizes of limestone as compared to ground particle size, significantly improved feed intake and feed conversion, especially during the starter. Medium particle size of limestone with calcium level of 85% NRC and coarse particle size of limestone with calcium level of 100% NRC, significantly improved tibia ossification characteristics and increased calcium and phosphorus retention. By using calcium level of 85% NRC, coarse and medium particle sizes of limestone compared to ground particle size, significantly diminished percentage of leg abnormalities.

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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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Phosphorus (P) and iron (Fe) are essential nutrients for plants. Iron availability is low in calcareous soils of Iran due to the excessive amounts of CaCO₃ and high pH. Overfertilization of P fertilizers may also decrease Fe availability. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of P and Fe on the growth and chemical composition of corn (Zea mays L.) under greenhouse conditions. Treatments consisted of a factorial arrangement of P rates (0, 40, 80, 120 and 160 mg kg-1 as KH₂PO₄) and Fe rates (0, 2.5, 5 and 10 mg kg^-1 as Fe EDDHA) in a completely randomized design with four replications. Plants were grown for 8 weeks in a loamy soil, calssified as Chitgar series (fine-loamy, carbonatic, thermic, Typic Calcixerepts). Results showd that P application up to 80 mg kg^-1 increased corn top dry matter. Corn P concentration and total uptake increased by P application but decreased by Fe application. Application of Fe up to 5 mg kg^-1 increased dry matter but decreased it at higher rates. Concentration and total uptake of Fe increased by Fe application but decreased by P application. Zinc and copper concentrations decresed significantly when P was added. Manganese concentration increased at 40 mg P kg^-1 but decreased at higher rates. Iron application decreased zinc and manganese concentrations but had no effect on copper.

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The presence of large amounts of calcium in the equilibrium system of calcareous soils of arid and semi-arid regions affects the chemical reactions of soluble and exchangeable phases. Exchange phenomenon is one of these chemical reactions in which calcium plays an important role. K-Ca equilibria are important equilibria in calcareous soils and may be an answer to many problems in soil chemistry and fertility, specifically on the availability of potassium. Little work of this nature has been done in Iran. In this work, a variety of calcareous soil samples from northern Khorasan were examined. First, regression equation between potassium adsorption ratio (KAR) and exchangeable potassium ratio (EKR) in 26 soil samples was found to be EKR=0.02+2.48KAR, R²=0.77. Gapon exchange selectivity coefficient (K_G) was estimated as 2.48 for the soils. Furthermore, in 14 calcium saturated soil samples, different concentrations of K were added until equilibrium was reached and EKR and KAR relations were determined for each soil with a regression coefficient higher than 0.91. K_G ranged between 1.21 to 3.34. For the potassium range used in the soils studied, K_G was constant and almost matched the KG obtained from EKR and KAR relation of the first step. Based on this equation, the effect of soluble K on exchange K in the presence of Ca and Mg as dominant cations in calcareous soils may be evaluated.

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‘Golden Delicious’ apples were vacuum infiltrated (250 mm Hg) with 0, 4, and 6% solutions of CaCl₂ followed by heat treatment for 0, 48 and 72 hours at 38^oC. Treated fruits were stored at 0^oC with RH of 85-90% for 2.5 and 5 months, followed by one week of storage at 20C. The results showed that fruits treated with 4 and 6% of CaCl₂ significantly increased calcium content of fruits after 2.5 and 5 months of storage at 0^oC. With increasing calcium content, fruit firmness also increased. There was a positive relationship between fruit firmness and calcium content and regression coefficients after 2.5 and 5 months of storage at 0^oC were 0.77 and 0.83, respectively. Heat treatment for 48 and 72 hours at 38^oC significantly increased fruit firmness. Calcium chloride at 4 and 6%, plus heat treatment, significantly increased fruit firmness of those fruits held for one week at 20^oC after removal from cold storage. In the second experiment, vacuum infiltrated fruits with 4 and 6% solutions of CaCl₂ plus potassium permanganate (0, 10, and 20 g/bag) had no significant effect on fruit firmness, but potassium permanganate alone significantly increased fruit firmness.

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Iron (Fe) availability is low in calcareous soils of Iran due to high pH levels and presence of excessive amounts of CaCO₃. Overfertilization by phosphorus (P) fertilizers may also decrease Fe availability. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of P, Fe and their interactions on the growth and chemical composition of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merrill] under greenhouse conditions. Treatments consisted of a factorial arrangement of P rates (0, 40, 80, 120 and 160 mg kg^-1 as KH₂PO₄) and Fe rates (0, 2.5, 5 and 10 mg kg^-1 as FeEDDHA) in a completely randomized design with four replications. Plants were grown for 8 weeks in a loamy soil, classified as Chitgar series (fine-loamy, carbonatic, thermic, Typic Calcixerepts). Results showed that P application up to 80 and Fe at 2.5 mg kg^-1 increased shoot dry matter. Phosphorus concentration, total uptake and P:Fe ratio in soybean increased by P application but decreased by Fe application. Application of Fe up to 2.5 mg kg^-1 increased dry matter but decreased it at higher rates. Concentration and total uptake of Fe increased by Fe application but decreased by P application. Interaction of P and Fe had no effect on shoot dry matter. Zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) concentrations decreased significantly when P was added and manganese (Mn) concentration increased up to 40 mg P kg^-1 but decreased at higher rates. Iron application had no effect on soybean Zn and Cu concentrations but decreased Mn concentration at all rates. Prior to any fertilizer recommendations, it is necessary to study the effects of P, Fe and their interactions on soybean under field conditions.

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Knowledge of forms of phosphorus (P) is important in the evaluation of soil P status and also in understanding soil genesis and fertility. Amounts and distribution of P in different organic and inorganic fractions were examined in 39 soil samples of Fars province. Soils were sequentially extracted to determine organic P and inorganic P fractions. Total P with an average of 597 mg/kg soil was lower in the light soils (482 mg/kg) as compared with the heavy soils (690 mg/kg). Organic P constituted considerable portions of TP (27%). Calcium phosphates with an average of 424 mg/kg soil and being comprised of 71% inorganic P was the dominant form of soil phosphorus. Simple regression analysis indicated that there were significant positive relationships between organic P, Ca phosphates and Al-Fe phosphate values with CEC and clay content. Stepwise multiple regression analysis showed that a combination of soil properties such as clay content and equivalent calcium carbonate (CCE) increased correlation coefficients (R). Alghough multiple regression model was significant (at P<0.05), the relative contribution of each soil property in Al-Fe-P fraction was not considerable.

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In a 3×3 factorial experiment, 90 72-week-old native breeder hens of Isfahan were kept in cages (one bird/cage). The effect of three levels of dietary calcium (3.27, 2.62, and 1.96%) and three levels of dietary available phosphorus (0.25, 0.20, and 0.15%) on egg production and egg shell traits were investigated. Each treatment contained five replicates of two birds (10 birds per treatment). The experimental diets were fed 8 weeks (from 72 to 80 weeks of age). Dietary calcium and available phosphorus levels had no significant effects on feed consumption, shell thickness and shell breaking strength. Decreasing dietary calcium or available phosphorus levels (1.96% calcium and 0.15% available phosphorus) caused a significant (P<0.05) linear increase in egg production, egg weight and improvement in feed conversion. The results from this study showed that high egg production, maximum calcium retention in the shell and optimum feed conversion were observed in native breeder hens during late growing period with 1.96% calcium and 0.15% available phosphorus.

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The study was conducted to compare the efficiency of diets containing various levels of calcium(0, 1, 2, 3 and 4 percentage) in feeding freshwater crayfish, Astacus leptoductylus. 150 cray fish (10 individuals per tank) with mean weight of about 8-9 gram were stocked in each of 15 tanks, containing 100 L of water. In this research, The results showed that the mean values of some parameters such as weight gain (WG), weight increment rate (WIR), length increment rate (LIR), specific growth rate (SGR), biomass increment (BI), food efficiency rate (FER) and survival rate (SR) of animal fed on different diets were 0.75-1.46gr, 9.8-24.54%, 6.57-15.33% and 0.12-0.29% respectively. However, the diet with high levels of calcium (3-4%) showed the good weight and length increment, but there were no significants difference among these indices using different trial diets. The biomass of crayfish increased with increasing of calcium concentration. So, the highest biomass (11.65gr) of crayfish was observed in the diet containing calcium about 4%. Optimal calcium requirement in the freshwter crayfish was estimated about 3.4% with broken-line regression analysis. The lowest survival rate (30%) was obtained in the diet containing 2% calcium level. There were significant differences among survival rates in various experimental diets (p<0.05). These results indicate that the dietary calcium supplement is nesessary for crayfish. The diets with high levels of calcium had a good efficiency in freshwater crayfish feeding. So it is recommended to use 3-3.5% of calcium in formulated diets for freshwater crayfish

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  Sugarcane is one of the most important sugar crops in the world. Because of semi-arid climate and salinity of its cultivation area in our country, increasing salt tolerance of sugarcane is signifying. To achieve this goal determining salt tolerant cultivars and understanding salinity mechanisms in sugarcane are very important. This study was conducted to evaluate 8 commercial and promising sugarcane cultivars at early stage of growth. A complete randomized design with three replicates and four salinity treatments (0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75 % NaCl) was used in a hydroponics system. The effect of salinity on absorption, transport and accumulation of Na⁺, Cl^- , K⁺ and Ca²⁺ ions in shoot and root was determined. At high level salt concentration, Cl^- content in shoot and root increased. Result showed that sodium accumulation in sugarcane plants was more than potassium. By increasing salinity level, sodium uptake and its translocation to shoots increased reducing growth and dry matter yield of plants. With rising salt concentration from medium (0.5%) to high (0.75%), content of chloride in shoot and root of NCO-310 was constant showed that this cultivar had genetic ability to avoid Cl^- uptake. CP82-1592 with lowest ratio of shoot / root chloride had minimum transport of Cl^- to shoots. Also this cultivar had high content of Ca²⁺ in shoot and low Na⁺/Ca²⁺ ratio at all salinity levels. CP48-103 had low sodium in shoot and relatively low sodium in root. Thus it probably has genetic potential to avoid sodium uptake. At last, exclusion of Na⁺ and Cl^- to older leaves and tillers was seen in CP82-1592 and CP72-2086 cultivars. According to results, to avoid once of absorption and transport, and exclusion of harmful Na⁺ and Cl^- ions were mechanisms that could be used in salinity tolerance of sugarcane.

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This experiment was conducted to determine the phosphorus relative bioavailability of eight samples of dicalcium phosphate. Bioavailability of Samples of dicalcium phosphate was evaluated and their effects on performance of laying hens were investigated. Commercial samples of Dicalcium Phosphate were provided from the following manufacturers: Iran Phosphate, Partove Bashash, Godaze, Poya Khojaste, Dan Razy Kimia, Phosphore Iran, Golbar Shimi and Dan Avar. The Parameters measured were shell strength, shell thickness, shell ash percentage, shell percentage, shell calcium and phosphorus percentage, Haugh unit, egg weight, egg production, egg output, feed consumption, feed conversion ratio, tibial ash, and tibial calcium and phosphorus. One hundred and six, and 36 weeks old white Leghorn hens, from strain Hi-line W-36, were randomly allocated to 8 dietary treatments and 4 blocks in a completely randomized block design. The experiment lasted for 3 months, starting in the 36th week and ended in the 48week of age. Shell thickness, shell ash percentage, shell percentage, feed consumption, tibial ash and tibial calcium percentage were significantly different (P< 0.05) among treatments. Effect of experimental period on shell calcium and phosphorus percentage, egg weight, egg production, feed consumption, egg output was significant (P< 0.05). Relative bioavailability of samples ranged from 85 to 105.7%. Overall, samples of Phosphate Iran (F) were considered most effective with regard to relative bioavailability and performance.

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Transport and filtering of pathogenic bacteria through porous media and groundwater resources are important and، therefore the effect of various factors on bacteria transport and filtering has been given a great attention nowadays. In this study، effects of calcium sulfate and carbonate on Psedomonas fluorescens filtration and filtering parameters were investigated in saturated sand columns under steady-state flow. The calcium carbonate levels included 0، 5، 10 and 20 %w/w and calcium sulfate levels consisted of 0، 5 and 10 % w/w which were thoroughly mixed with sand (0.15-0.25 mm). The experiment was considered factorial in completely randomized design with three replicates. The treated sands were poured into pyrex cylinders with length of 20 cm and diameter of 7 cm. Then، steady-state saturated flow with constant flux was applied to the columns. When the steady-state flow was established، the bacteria suspension with concentration of 10⁶ CFU cm^-3 (C0) was injected as step input into the columns. The leaching then was continued up to 5 times of pore volume (PV). The effluent concentration of the bacteria (C) was measured at 0.25 PV intervals. Then، the sand columns were divided into 0-5، 5-10، 10-15 and 15-20 cm layers in order to measure the filtered bacteria in each layer. The results showed that the effects of calcium carbonate on retaining of the bacteria in the 5-10 and 10-15 cm layers were significant at 1% level. It was significant at 5% for the 15-20 cm layer. The effect of calcium sulfate was also significant at 5% for the 10-15 cm and 15-20 cm layers. The interactive effects of treatments on bacteria adsorption was significant for the 5-10، 10-15 and 15-20 cm layers. The retained concentration profile and the filtration coefficient were significantly affected by the treatments، showing higher bacteria adsorption at lower depths and predominance of physical filtering. The results showed the high filtering capacity of carbonate and sulfate minerals which could ultimately reduce bacteria transport in saturated porous media towards groundwater resources.

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Soil physical and chemical properties, and test conditions might affect soil structural stability. In this study, the effects of test conditions as well as intrinsic soil properties on structural stability were investigated for selected soils from Hamedan Province. Mean weight diameter (MWD) and tensile strength (Y) of aggregates were determined by wet sieving method and indirect Brazilian test, respectively. The soil samples were pre-wetted slowly to matric suction of 200 kPa before the wet sieving. The pre-wetted samples were wet-sieved for 5, 10 and 15 min in order to simulate different hydro-mechanical stresses imposed on soil structure. Tensile strength of soil aggregates were also measured at air-dry and 500 kPa matric suction conditions. Short duration shaking (i.e. 5 min) could effectively discriminate the Hamedan soils in terms of structural stability due to their fairly low aggregate stabilities. The soil organic matter content had the highest impact on MWD followed by both clay and CaCO₃ content. The same was true for the Y values i.e. OM played the highest role in mechanical strength of soil aggregates. The highest coefficient of determination (R²) was obtained between Y and the intrinsic soil properties for matric suction of 500 kPa. The organic matter content had an important role in water and mechanically stable soil aggregates. The results indicated that short-duration wet sieving (i.e. 5 min) and measurements of tensile strength at matric suction of 500 kPa could be recommended for aggregate stability assessment in Hamedan soils

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Nitrogen (N) is usually low in the majority of agricultural and non agricultural soils in Iran, mainly due to the lack of adequate soil organic matter (OM). On the other hand, boron (B) toxicity is becoming more widespread in arid and semi arid regions of this country, where soils or irrigation waters contain relatively high B content. Results of the research indicate that addition of certain plant nutrients such as N may reduce the harmful effect of high B levels. Therefore, the present experiment was undertaken to evaluate the interactive effect of N and B on the growth and chemical composition of rice in a calcareous soil. Treatments consisted of six B rates ( 0, 2.5, 5, 10, 20 and 40 mg kg^-1 as boric acid) and four levels of N ( 0, 75, 150 and 300 mg kg^-1 as urea) arranged in a factorial manner in a completely randomized design with three replicates. Application of B decreased shoot dry matter. At low B levels, N application alleviated the toxic effect of B. Moreover, the addition of B increased B and N concentrations in the rice shoot. The N concentration increased and B accumulation decreased with increasing N rates. There was a general trend of increase in shoot N and chlorophyll concentrations with increasing chlorophyll meter reading. Chlorophyll concentration decreased with increasing B levels. N fertilization increased chlorophyll content and somewhat reduced the adverse effects of high B rates on this plant parameter. The results reported herein show that in soils with high B levels, N application may alleviate the suppressing effects of B toxicity and increase rice growth possibly due to a decrease in B absorption by the plant

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The aim of the study was to examine the effect of CaCl₂ on the firmness and post harvest retention of Berry Grape (Vitis vinifera L.) cv. Askari. The experiment was carried out in 2006 in vineyard in the Sisakht region in a completely randomized design with 7 treatments. Experiment includes two parts: 1- spray with 3 levels 0.1, 0.25 and 0.5 %. (Two weeks before harvest and repeated one day before harvest) and 2- Dipping clusters in CaCl2 solution with 3 levels 1, 2.5 and 5 % post harvest. Grapes were stored at 0ºc for 1 month in cold store room. Results showed that the effect of CaCl₂ was significant on post harvest abscission berries percentage at 1% level. Minimum post harvest abscission of berries percentage was observed using 5% dipping and 0.25% spray after 30 days storage in cold storage room. Highest abscission of berries was observed in control. Effect of CaCl₂ on decay berry was significant at 1% level after 30 days of storage. Minimum decay percentage was observed in 0.25 % spray and the highest decay percentage was obtained in control. Effect of CaCl₂ on palatability (TSS/TA) was significant at 1%level.

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Because of its tenderness, long distance between field and consumer locations and unsuitable condition of transportation, 30 – 40 percent of strawberry fruits is wasted during the transportation between field to markets. One of the recommended ways for cutting down the wastes of strawberry is application of calcium salts after harvest stage to increase the content of Ca2+ in fruit flesh. For this reason, the selected fruits were treated by immersing them in 0, 25, 50 and or 75 mmol/lit concentrations of CaSO4, CaCl2 or Ca(NO3)2 for 4 min. After drying in atmospheric tempetature, fruits were stored at 5°C for 5 and for 10 days. To evaluate the effect of calcium solutions on fruit quality, some quantitative and qualitative tests were carried out on them. The results showed that by increasing the concentration of calcium salts, the amount of acidity and calcium of fruits is significantly increased, but the percentage of mouldy fruits is decreased. In most cases, the 50 and 75 mmol /lit concentrations of CaSO4 showed similar effects. Among the different calcium solutions, Ca(NO3)2 had the best effect on improvement of fruit quality, such as increasing the calcium and firmness of fruit , but CaSo4 prohibited the moulding of fruits better than other solutions. By increasing the period of storage from 5 to 10 days, the amount of acidity and firmness decreased significantly, while mouldness percentage increased. The organoleptic test showed that when the concentration of CaCl2 and Ca(NO3)2 solutions is increased, the acceptability of treated samples is decreased by consumers. Because of the bitter taste, the least score was given to the samples treated by 75 mmol/lit concentration of Ca (NO3)2 solution. The panelists didn’t recognize any difference in taste between control and samples treated by 25 mmol/lit concentration of CaSO4 and CaCl2 solutions. None of the treatments showed initial attributes (tenderness and shape) of fruits after storage period. This method isn't recommended to increase the strawberrys' shelf life for home use, but it can be used for the ones which are to be consumed in food processing industries.