JWSS - Journal of Water and Soil Science

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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.

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Gray mold, caused by Botrytis cinerea, is a serious disease of cut rose flowers (Rosa hybrida L.) in Iran. In order to elucidate the effects of different potassium and calcium levels in nutrient solution on susceptibility of cut rose flowers to gray mold, this experiment was carried out as factorial design in a randomized complete block with four replications at Safi Abad Agricultural Research center in 2008 for one year. In this experiment, rose plants were grown and subjected to three levels of potassium (1.0, 5.0 and 10.0 mM) in combination with two levels of calcium (1.6 and 4.8 mM) under hydroponic condition. Rose flowers from two consecutive harvesting periods were sprayed with the conidial suspension (104 spore/ml) of B. cinerea isolate. At the end of experiment the disease severity was recorded and analyzed. The results indicated that application of 10.0 mM K in the nutrient solution led to increasing rose disease severity to gray mold (30.4 % day-1) compared to 1.0 mM (24.8 % day-1) and 5.0 mM (26.2 % day-1) of K levels (P< 0.01). The increased susceptibility was associated with a decreased concentration of Ca in the rose petals. Correlation analysis revealed that susceptibility of rose flowers to gray mold significantly increased with K to sum cations ratio in the nutrient solution (r = 0.94*). The increase of Ca supply from 1.6 to 4.8 mM resulted in decline of disease severity from 29.6 to 24.6 % day-1 (P< 0.01). Therefore, balanced application of potassium and calcium (5.0 and 4.8 mM, respectively) is recommendable for preventing antagonistic effects between them and reducing of rose gray mold intensity under hydroponic conditions.

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An experiment was conducted in order to evaluate the effects of increased concentration of potassium and calcium in hydroponic nutrient solution on the response of safflower to salinity. The experiment was carried out in a glasshouse using a completely randomized design. Four saline treatments (Johnson solution containing 100 mM of NaCl, Johnson solution containing 100 mM of NaCl + 10 mM potassium, Johnson solution containing 100 mM of NaCl + 5 mM calcium, Johnson solution containing 100 mM of NaCl + 10 mM potassium + 5 mM calcium) and Johnson solution without any addition of salt as control. Leaf area per plant, shoot and root dry matter was decreased in saline treatments. The concentration of potassium and calcium in the plants were decreased but those of sodium were increased at salinity. The extent of shoot and root dry mater reduction with salinity was less in saline treatment with additional calcium alone. The addition of potassium into the nutrient solution could not mitigate the negative effects of salt stress on the plants. Increasing the concentration of both potassium and calcium in saline nutrient solution resulted in a greater reduction of shoot dry matter. The results showed that the negative effects of salinity may be alleviated by increasing the concentration of calcium in nutrient solution.

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Kinetical study on non-exchangeable potassium (NEK) release is necessary for management, optimum use of soil resources, availability and supplying power of potassium. Information about NEK release rate in Golestan soils is limited. The aim of this study was to investigate the NEK release of saturated soil sample by calcium using acid citric and CaCl2 extractants from 2 to 1844 h duration in 12 dominant soil series in Golestan province. Different soils indicated various responses to continuous extraction. The rate of K released in different soils was lower in CaCl2 than that of Citric acid. Potassium release was faster in earlier periods of the extraction in all soils followed by a lower release rate. Due to high coefficient of determination and low value of the standard error of the estimate, the NEK release kinetic by citric acid and CaCl2 were well described by Elovich and Parabolic diffusion equations and Power, First order and Elovich equations, respectively. Therefore, NEK release rate was controlled by K diffusion from weathered surface of soil minerals.

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Calcareous and gypsiferous soils are restricting factors for uptake of some plant nutrient elements and plant production. Most soils in Iran are calcareous and gypsiferous. Therefore, the aim of this study was the evaluation of calcium carbonate (Caco3) and gypsum effect on availability of some nutrients and corn growth. This study was conducted in a greenhouse at Vli-e-Asr University of Rafsanjan. Treatments were arranged in a factorial manner as a completely randomized design with three replications. Treatments were three levels of Caco3 (0, 20 and 40 g/100g soil), gypsum at three levels (0, 15 and 30 g/100g soil) and two soil textures (Sand and Silt clay loam). Results indicate that irrespective of soil texture, Caco3 application significantly decreased leaf area (by 80% and 15% for sand and silty clay loam texture, respectively), dry weight (by 80% and 15% respectively), plant height (regressed on Caco3 percentage by slopes -0.7 and -0.15 for sand and silty clay loam respectively), and shoot Fe (-9.67 and -11.3) and Zn (-0.24 and -1) uptake, but had no significant effect on shoot Cu uptake. In sandy soil, application of gypsum, significantly decreased leaf area (80%), dry weight (62%), and shoot Cu uptake (slope= -1.93), but had no significant effect on plant height and shoot Zn uptake. Gypsum application significantly reduced shoot Fe uptake (slope= -24.86) in fine textured soil, but it had no significant effect in coarse textured soil.

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Due to soil and plant zinc (Zn) deficiency and its effect on reducing yield and quality of agricultural products, application of Zn fertilizers has been intensified in recent years. To achieve optimum fertilizer management, knowledge of factors affecting Zn availability in soil and its uptake by plant is required. Therefore, this study was carried out to investigate the effect of certain soil physiochemical properties on Zn availability in soil and its uptake by corn. The experiment was laid out in a completely randomized design with factorial combination and three replicates in the research greenhouse of Isfahan University of Technology, in winter 2009. In this greenhouse experiment, 11 soil series were exposed to two Zn levels (0 and 15 mg Zn kg−1 in the form of zinc sulfate). The results indicated that Zn application significantly increased the dry matter weight and shoot and root Zn concentration of corn, although the magnitude of this increase varied depending on the soil type. There was no significant correlation between the DTPA-extractable Zn and the uptake of this nutrient element by corn. There was a negative significant correlation (P < 0.05) between the equivalent calcium carbonate content and available P with the DTPA-extractable Zn. A significant linear relationship (R2 = 0.31) was found between the buffer capacity of soil for Zn and clay content. According to the results obtained from the stepwise regression analysis, the DTPA-extractable Zn and buffer capacity of soil for Zn were not correlated with other measured soil properties.

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Information about potassium (K) release characteristics in the Chaharmahal-va-bakhtiari soils is limited. In this study, K release kinetics of fifteen calcareous soils was investigated. Soil samples were extracted using successive extractions with 0.01 M CaCl2 and citric acid solutions for 2-2017 h at 25±1 0C. Moreover, soil K was determined using 6 chemical extraction methods. The results showed that released K ranged from 111 to 411 mg kg-1in calcium chloride solution and from 177 to 1199 mg kg-1 in citric acid solution for 2017 h. Amounts of extracted K using any extraction methods were different. Result of kinetics study and chemical methods indicates that K supplying power of the soils is different. A plot of cumulative amounts of released K shows a discontinuity in slope at 168 h. Thus, two equations were applied to the total reaction time (2 to 168 and 168 to 2017 h). Moreover, results showed that release kinetics of K conformed fairly well to parabolic diffusion, simplified Elovich and power function models in two segments in 0.01 M CaCl2 and citric acid. In addition, results showed that correlation between released K by using 0.01 M calcium chloride and citric acid and extracted K using chemical methods was significant. The results of this research showed that kinetic studies and soil testing could be used for evaluating K fertility status of studied soils.

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Rate of nonexchangeable K release can significantly influence K availability. Kinetics of K+ release was studied by extraction using 0.01 M CaCl2 in 12 surface calcareous soils of Kohgilouye Province. Results showed that cumulative K release ranged from 89.9 to 460.9 mg kg-1(Average 195.4 mg kg-1). Calcium carbonate, nonexchangeable K, cation exchange capacity and mica showed a significant correlation with K release. Maximum of potassium release was observed in Alfisols, probably because of high amount of clay content and the clay mineral of mica. The amount of K release was in the following order: Alfisols> Entisols> Inceptisols. Elovich, parabulic diffusion and power function equations could reasonably describe the K release kinetics. Fitting the data to these equations indicated that release of K is controlled by diffusion process.

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The aim of this study was to assess the kinetics of nonexcheangable potassium release in surface and subsurface soil horizons, using organic and inorganic extractions, in Kohgilouye-va-Boyerahmad Province. Kinetics of K⁺ release was studied by successive extractions of K from 64 selective surface and subsurface soil samples, using 0.01 M CaCl₂ and 0.01 M oxalic acid, for 1948 h, with two replicates. Nonexchangeable K⁺ release was fitted by Elovich, Pseudo-first order, Power function and Parabolic equations. Result showed that the average nonexchangeable K⁺ released (extracted by 1M HNO₃) was 356 mg/kg, while those extracted by CaCl₂ and oxalic acid after 1948 h were only 58% and 52% of the total amount of nonexchangeable K⁺ of the soils, respectively. In all soil samples, nonexchangeable K⁺ released by oxalic acid was less than that released by CaCl2, due to the high buffering capacity resulting from high carbonates in the soils. Potassium release rate in Elovich and Parabolic equations were significantly correlated with non-exchangeable potassium and some physical and chemical characteristics.  Based on high Coefficients of determination (r²) and low Standard errors (SE), Elovich, Power function, First order and Parabolic equations were selected as the best equations for prediction of K⁺ release from the soils.

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Improvement of soils is among the major concerns in civil engineering, therefore a variety of approaches have been employed for different soil types. The annual budget of implementing the projects of this kind in countries clearly implies the importance of the subject. The loose granular soils and sediments have always imposed challenges due to their low strength and bearing capacity. Bio-mediated soil improvement has recently been introduced as a novel link of biotechnology (biotech) and civil engineering for improving the problematic soils, i.e. utilizing some bacteria to precipitate calcite on the soil particles. Bio-grouting is a branch of Bio-mediated soil improvement which is a method based on microbial calcium carbonate precipitation. In this regard, the soil samples were stabilized by injecting the bacterium Sporosarcina pasteurii in the first phase of the process and Urea and Calcium Chloride in the second phase of the process (two-phase injection) as the nutrients into the sandy soil columns and subjected to unconfined compressive strength test. In this research, Taguchi method was utilized for design of experience (DOE). Based on results obtained, the activity of the bacteria caused the precipitation of calcium carbonate in soil samples so that after 21 days, the unconfined compressive strength of the soil increased from 85 kPa in the control sample to 930 kPa at optimum condition.

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