JWSS - Journal of Water and Soil Science

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This study utilized a descriptive-correlational surveying approach to examine some economic factors involved in the adoption of an integrated campaign to control rice stem borer (Chilo suppressalis) in Isfahan Province. The population consisted of farmers living in the vilages where Biological Control Plan was conducted (N=6000). The population frame was obtained from Isfahan Agricultural Organization. The sample was obtained using the cluster random sampling method (n=361). Questionnaire and interview were used for data collection in this study. Face and content validity of the instrument was established using a panel of experts consisting of senior faculty members in agricultural extension and education at Tarbiat Modaress University. Further, the agricultural officer of Isfahan Province validated the questionnaire. A reliability analysis was conducted and Cronbach alpha value was reported to be 83 percent. The results showed that the rate of adoption of Integrated Campaign to Control Rice Stem Borer among the farmers was moderate. Among the economic characteristics, there was a significant relationship between adoption of integrated campaign and area of land, amount of area under cultivation, degree of family cooperation in the agricultural activities, access to agricultural inputs, access to financial resources, and yield of rice per hectare.

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The objective of this research was to evaluate bromide leaching in a field under corn, wheat and alfalfa. Potassium bromide (300 kg/ha) was uniformly applied and 15 mm of water was sprinkled over the plots in the first and second years. Plots were leached 8 times during the first year and 9 times in the second year (each time with 100 mm of water). Soil samples were collected at 0-30, 30-60, 60-90 and 90-120 cm depths two days after each leaching practice. Bromide concentration in soil samples was measured using an ion selective electrode. Moisture content in each plot was measured using a neutron meter to a depth of 120 cm and after calculation of evaporation from soil surface, the net water applied was determined. CXTFIT software and Regional Stochastic Model (RSM) were used to simulate leaching under field conditions. The results showed that flow velocity and dispersivity of treatmens were not significantly different from the control in the first year, indicating that treatments had no effect on preferential flow. Control treatments were not significantly different in the first and second years. In the second year, flow velocity in wheat, corn and alfalfa treatments were 1.54, 1.86 and 2.21 times higher than flow velocity in the control, respectively. Dispersivity in alfalfa and corn treatments were 4.30 and 5.30 times higher as compared to the control. The increase in flow velocity and dispersivity is caused by an increase of preferential flow in the second year. The root channels remaining in soil at the end of the first year may also have increased preferential flow. After adding 25 cm of water, 30% of bromide leached from the top 50 cm soil in all plots in the first year and control plots in the second year but the values in the second year were 47, 67 and 70% of bromide leaching from the top 50 cm soil in wheat, corn and alfalfa plots, respectively.

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During the period from 1997 to 1998, samples of wheat leaves were collected from different wheat farms in Fars and Kohgiluyeh & Boyrahmad provinces to identify the causal agent of wheat leaf blight. On the basis of LOPAT tests and production of fluorescent pigment on KB medium, 181 bacterial isolates were recovered from the samples. Based on biochemical, physiological and pathogenicity tests, the isolates were categorized in five groups. One group was found to be Pseudomonas fluorescens (Pf) and the remaining groups were identified as P. syringae pv. syringae (Pss). The pathogenicity test indicated that Pss strains were the causal agent of bacterial wheat leaf blight in Fars and Kohgiluyeh & Boyrahmad provinces. Whole protein electrophoretic patterns were similar in Pss isolates but only a few showed small variation in some subordinated bands. Pathogenic strains of Pss were also isolated from annual and perennial weeds such as foxtail, hairy vetch, oat grass, barley grass and Cynodon dactylon in some areas including Saadat Shahr and Marvdasht. Among the wheat cultivars tested, Tajan was susceptible to the pathogen but others were immune, resistant, moderately resistant, or moderately susceptible. The results showed that Pss is a seed-born pathogen in wheat kernel perhaps as endophyte in the seeds.

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Numerous methods are used in the investigation of floods in catchments such as regional flood frequency analysis. Regional flood frequency analysis relies on physical, climatic and ecological characteristics of catchments and applies statistical methods to study flow records. Hosking and Wallis developed Probability Weighted Moments and presented L-moments statistics as a new tool for flood frequency analysis. In this paper, the theory of L-moments was used to study the flood frequency of central catchments of Iran. A number of 27 sites each with more than 5 years of observed data were studied. In the first step, the diagram of L-kurtosis versus L-skewness was used and proper distributions for each site were applied. In order to eliminate the heterogeneous sites, homogeneous tests based on D, H₁, H₂ and H₃ criteria were performed indicating that two sites appeared to be heterogenous. Next, using Goodness of Fit Test, the best regional distributions were determined which are GL, GEV, GN, PE3 and GPA, respectively. Finally, quantile estimates for distributions accepted at a 90% level were presented.

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

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Increasing application of herbicides such as atrazine raises concerns about soil and groundwater pollution. This study investigated spatial and temporal variation of atrazine concentration and its transportation in the Daneshkadeh soil series (Fine, mixed, mesic, Calcixerollic Xerochrepts) at the experimental field of Agricultural College, Shiraz University. The risk of soil and water contamination due to applying atrazine was also assessed. The PRZM-2 model was evaluated for the simulation of the atrazine concentration. The experiment had 3 plots, 209 m² each (19 by 11 m). Atrazine was applied on corn at a rate of 3.5 kg a.i./ha per plot. During the growing season, soil samples were collected from each plot 7 times through 1 m soil depth with 0.10-m increments. The observed data showed temporal reduction of atrazine concentrations in the soil profile. The maximum depth of atrazine traced was about 50 cm below the soil surface. Statistical parameters ME, RMSE, EF, and CRM were obtained to compare PRZM-2 predicted and observed soil residue concentrations. For all data, the mentioned parameters were calculated and found to be 2.78 mg/kg-soil, 12.73 mg/kg-soil, 0.49, and 0.25, respectively. The simulation results were in close agreement with the observed data. Therefore, PRZM-2 could be used for simulation of atrazine transport and groundwater pollution.

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Dehydration of Mazafati Rutab is a method to prevent its spoilage. Dehydration is necessary for Mazafati Rutab because it contains too much moisture. If the moisture content of Mazafati Rutab is decreased properly, it need not be stored under refrigeration. The present study was carried out in an attempt to decrease the moisture content in order to increase the shelf life of Mazafati dates. Samples were dehydrated in a drying room at different drying times and 50-55 ^oC. The moisture content and quality characteristics of Mazafati dates such as acidity and sensory evaluation (texture, flavour and overall acceptability) were determined at 3-hour intervals and also drying curve of the fruit was drawn. Relative humidity in the drying room was 10-15%. During the drying process, the acidity content gradually increased due to the activity of microorganisms but organoleptic properties decreased especially affer 12 hours of drying time and at moisture levels less than 22%. Finally, drying time of 9-12 hours and acceptable moisture content of 22% were recommended. Dates with over 22% moisture levels are an easy target for microbial attack but the desirable quality of the fruit decreases at moisture levels below 22%.

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Soil erodibility in arid regions, particularly in less developed soils, greatly depends on parent material. The objectives of this study included comparison of the potential of runoff and sediment production in soils with different parent materials and identification of the highly sensitive parent materials in Golabad watershed, 60 km northeast of Isfahan, with about 160 mm of annual precipitation and various geological formations, as one of the highly erodible watersheds in Iran. Soils formed on twelve different parent materials were selected. Rainfall simulator was run for 80 minutes on three replicates of each soil. To have an idea about the rate of runoff and sediment generation with time, runoff loaded with sediment was collected every 10 minutes using plastic containers. After measuring the volume of each runoff sample, it was dried and the amount of sediment was measured. The mechanical parameters of the applied rain were: intensity about 40 mm/hr, rain drop average diameter: 6.56 mm plot size: 1 m² and kinetic energy of 13.7-17.2 J/m².mm. Based on the rainfall simulation experiments, soils formed on green andesite and slightly dissected alluvium derived from both sedimentary and igneous rocks created the highest amount of runoff. They also created runoff much more rapidly as compared to other soils. In contrast, soils developed on granodiorite and moderately undulating alluvium produced the least volume of runoff. Furthermore, maximum quantity of sediment was produced from the soils occurring on green andesite and shale. The least sediment yield was observed in soils developed on granodirite and moderately undulating alluvium. Soils formed on shale created the highest sediment concentration and no significant differences were observed among other soils. Based on the results obtained, soils were ranked according to sensitivity to erosion. It is concluded that soil parent materials have a high influence on the production of runoff and sediment yield in Golabad watershed.

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Three potato cultivars (Solanum tuberosum L.), spring Marfona, autumn Cosima and Marfona, obtained from Isfahan Province, were stored under different conditions: 4^oC, darkness 12^oC, fluorescent light room temperature, darkness and room temperature, daylight. Relative humidity of the above stores was 85 to 90%. Analyses were carried out to determine total glycoalkaloids, α-solanine, specific gravity and total solids, during 30 days for the spring cultivar and 90 days for the autumn cultivars in stored tubers. α -Solanine content of each cultivar was determined by HPLC, in mg per 100 g dry weight, at the beginning, the midinterval, and the end of storage periods. Also, amounts of α-solanine in autumn cultivars, which showed the highest levels after storage for sixty days, were determined before and after heat processing for frying and cooking. Data were analyzed statistically by completely randomized design with Duncan’s multiple range test. The results revealed that the amount of α-solanine of the spring cultivar considerably increased under 12^oC and flourescent light as compared with the other storage conditions. The amounts of α-solanine considerably increased during the storage of autumn cultivars which were stored at 12^oC under flourescent light compared with those stored at room temperature and daylight, room temperature and darkness, and at 4^oC and darkness, respectively. The amount of α-solanine decreased due to spring conditions during the storage period for cultivars stored at room temperature and darkness. In spite of the decreasing effect of peeling, before frying and after cooking, frying and cooking processes had no effect on the amount of α-solanine in the samples. Therefore, according to the above results, the most appropriate storage conditions to prevent increasing effect of α-solanine in potato tubers was 4^oC in darkness.

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Consumption of bread made from flours with high extraction rates is fairly common in western countries and has recently become widespread in Iran. Such breads contain relatively high levels of phytic acid. Phytic acid is present in the aleurone layer of wheat in the form of potassium-magnesium salts. It is carried over to wheat flour and to bread. Phytic acid is known to have chelating properties and to form complexes with bivalent cations (iron, calcium, zinc and so on), thus reducing their bioavailability in humans. In addition, phytate salts can form complexes with proteins, carbohydrates, and fats in the diet, making them unavailable too. In the present study, phytic acid contents of flours ( 3 individual extraction rates and 2 combinations), the dough and two types of popular breads of Khorasan (Lavash & Sangak) made from these flours were determined. The results showed that the flours had, on the average, 570.37 mg phytic acid per 100 g and that the phytic acid contents of breads were, on the average, 347.31 mg/100g. This indicates that the present baking procedures do not have an appreciable effect on the level of phytic acid recovered in bread.

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The poor information available on variation of Ascochyta blight fungus is the most important factor limiting chickpea breeding programs for resistance to blight disease. In this study, efforts were made to detect genetic variation of the pathogen in Iran. The RAPD marker was employed to evaluate 26 isolates collected from 16 provinces. Twelve random primers were used to analyze genomic DNA of the isolates. Only ten primers showed polymorphism among isolates. Primer OPK-01 defined the highest number of polymorphism and primer OPK-09 confirmed relatively low degree of polymorphism. On the basis of this molecular marker, the estimated genetic diversity index was 98% and the pair-wise genetic distance of the isolates varied from 0.16 to 0.61. The least genetic distance belonged to isolates 20 and 22 from Qazvin and Golestan while the highest distance belonged to isolates 26 and 12 from Mazandaran and Markazi. The phylogenic tree was constructed by cluster analysis and all the isolates grouped to 22 genetic clusters at the 90% similarity level. The genetic groups were named from A to V and their distribution in Iran was determined. The results revealed that genetic variation among Iranian population of the pathogen is very high, and further that RAPD is a vigorous tool for genomic analysis of Ascochyta rabiei.

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Excessive application of sewage sludge leads to the accumulation of potentially toxic elements in soils. The objective of this greenhouse study was to examine the DTPA–extractability of Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn, Pb, Cd, Ni, and Co in relation to soil pH and to investigate the concentrations of these metals in corn (Zea mayz). The study was conducted using a factorial experiment in a completely randomized design with three replications. Sewage sludge was applied at 0, 50, 100, and 200 t/ha on four soils [Langaroud (pH= 4.8), Lahijan (pH= 5.7), Rasht (pH= 6.8), and Isfahan (pH= 7.9)]. Application of sewage sludge significantly increased DTPA-extractable Fe, Zn, Cu, Pb, Cd, and Ni in all soils. The increasing effect was in accordance with sludge level. Langaroud soil had the highest and Isfahan soil the lowest levels of DTPA-extractable metals. Application of sewage sludge increased plant growth and metals in the foliage of corn plants. The metal concentration in corn tissues also increased with decreasing soil pH. Overall, the application of sewage sludge as an organic material, particularly in acid soils, may increase availability of heavy metals, which may, in turn, result in soil pollution. Therefore, addition of sewage sludge to soils should be managed on the basis of the changes in soil heavy metal concentration.

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Cation exchange capacity (CEC) is one of the most important chemical characteristics which influences soil quality from different aspects. At the same time, CEC is an input parameter of many computer models being applied in soil science and agriculture. Methods of CEC determination are always time-consuming and laborious. Therefore, developing a model for CEC estimation from other soil properties is essential. The objective of this study was to understand the associations between CEC (as a dependent variable) and sand, silt, clay, organic matter and pH (as independent variables). In this study 464 soil samples from A, B, and C horizons of different soils were used. Results revealed that CEC is negatively correlated with sand (r=-0.389***) and is positively correlated with organic matter (r=0.772***), clay (r= 0.391***) and silt (r= 0.233***). No significant correlation was observed between CEC and pH. Stepwise regression analysis showed that both organic matter and clay enter the model and that coefficients of determination (r²) for the multiple models are higher than those of simple linear correlations. Other parameters could not increase the r² considerably. Correlation analysis on data from A, B, and C horizons revealed that the CEC of organic matter in different horizons are not the same. Separation of Aridisols could not increase the r² of the model and the accuracy of the estimations. Correlation studies in acid soils showed that the contribution of organic matter in CEC is much higher than that of clays.

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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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An experiment with a 33 factorial arrangement in a completely randomized design with 450 day-old broilers was conducted to study the effect of energy level and time of change from starter to finisher diets on performance and economic aspects of broilers. Broiler chickens were fed at three levels of dietary energy (2800, 3000, and 3200 KcalME/Kg) from 1-42 days of age. Starter and finisher diets were changed at 16, 21, and 26 days of age and then finisher diets were fed up to 42 days of age. The effect of diet energy and changing time from starter to finisher diets on body weight and feed conversion at 26 days of age were significant (P<0.01). By increasing energy level and changing time from starter to finisher diets, at this age, body weight increased and feed conversion ratio decreased. Energy conversion decreased by decreasing the levels of energy content of diet and increasing time of change from starter to finisher diets (P<0.01). At 42 days of age, the effects of diet energy and changing time from starter to finisher diets did not show any significant effects on feed and energy conversion in contrast, body weight at this age increased significantly as a result of increasing time of change from starter to finisher diets (P<0.05). From 1-42 days of age, the interaction between diet energy and changing time from starter to finisher diets on feed and energy conversion was significant (P<0.05). The results from this study suggest that increasing diet energy and changing time from starter to finisher diets for producing broilers with less than 2 kg will improve their general performance.

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Canning of sausage is one of the methods to extend the shelf life of sausage with lower percentage of additives such as nitrite. This method reduces transport and storgae costs, too. The present stduy was carried out in two stages. The first stage consists of preparing sausages with four different formulations in Isfahan Senobar Factory and producing canned sausage. In the second stage, physicochemical and organoleptic experiments were carried out. Canned (214409) and bottled (No. 10-67) sausages were produced and sterilized in autoclave (absolute pressure=2 atm) to give F value = 4 min. Cans and jars were filled with skinless sausage of 22 calibre and brine (2% and 25^oC) at a sausage/brine ratio of 1:1. Chemical composition such as moisture, fat and protein were measured according to the standard and AOAC methods. Physical experimets including measurement of texture shear strength were performed in sausage and canned sausage over the 3-month storage period. Factorial experiments in completely randomized design was used to investigate and analyze statistical data in this study. The Duncan’s multiple range test was used to compare data averages. Moisture content increased and sausgae texture shear strength decreased in all formulations as a result of sterilization. Moisture content increased in four canned sausage formulations while protein and fat decreased (by the end of the second month of storage). Also, sausage texture shear strength was observed at this time to decrease. In organoleptic evaluations, four canned sausage formulations were not significantly different in flavor, texture, and color (P<0.01).

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In an etiological study on stunted, nursery grown maple seedlings, a species of root-lesion nematode (Pratylenchus vulnus) and two species of fusarium (Fusarium oxysporum and F. solani) were isolated from the infected roots. Interactions between the nematode and the two fungi in a complete randomized design with six treatments and four replications were carried out under greenhouse conditions. Nematodes were surface sterilized and reared on sterilized carrot discs. Then the maple seedlings at two-leaf stage were inoculated with a population density of 40 nematodes/100 gr soil in pots. The results indicated singnificant differences between the treatments. Seven months after inoculation, the treatments with nematode alone showed a high mortality rate of about 75% along with a severe increase in population up to about 11.2 and 1266 nematodes/gr of soil and roots, respectively. In treatments with nematode and each of the two-fungus species, the deleterious effects of fungi on nematodes were observed through decrease of nematode population. It was also shown that F. oxysporum was more effective than F. solani in nematode control.

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Watermelon (Citrullus Lanatus) cv. Charleston Gray is one of the most important cultivars grown in Iran. It has some good quantitative and qualitative characteristics but unfortunately is sensitive to Blossom End rot. To solve this problem, this experiment was conducted in a factorial manner in randomized complete block design with four replications in Research Station and Laboratories of Department of Horticulture, College of Agriculture, the University of Tehran, during 1997 & 1998. In this experiment, black polyethylene mulch was used and calcium nitrate was foliar sprayed at concentrations of 0, 4, and 6 g/L. Results indicated that mulch could increase yield by 85% over two years due to weed growth suppression and conserving soil moisture for a longer time. Foliage fresh weight, number and average weight of fruits per plant and precocity were also significantly affected by black polyethylene mulch. Furthermore, mulch reduced the number and weight of fruits affected by Blossom End rot by about 13% and 12.5% (average of two years), respectively. Calcium nitrate addition during both years had no significant effect on the measured fruit characteristics nor on Blossom End rot.

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To determine the effects of salinity and boron excess in irrigation water on relative growth rate (RGR), net assimilation rate on a leaf weight basis (NAR), and leaf weight ratio (LWR) of pistachio, three pistachio rootstocks (Badami -Zarand, Sarakhs and Ghazvini) were used. Rootstocks were grown in soil in eight-liter polyethylene pots. Sodium chloride treatments were 0, 75,150 and 225 mM NaCl and boron treatments were 0, 20 and 40mg liter^-1. Treatments were applied to the one-year old pistachio rootstock seedlings in three-day intervals with irrigation water. Some plants were randomly selected and destructively harvested before (day 0) and after applying treatments (30 and 60 days after treatments started). Growth and physiological characters were then measured as follows: number of leaves, leaf area, plant height and root length, fresh and dry weights of stem, root and leaf, proline accumulation in the leaf, total chlorophyll, and leaf relative water content (RWC). Results indicated that relative growth rate decreased with time for all treatments and in all rootstocks. Salt treatment significantly reduced both RGR and NAR, whereas LWR showed no significant differences. In all rootstocks, NAR, but not LWR, was significantly correlated with RGR, indicating that NAR was an important factor underlying the salinity-induced differences in RGR among the pistachio rootstocks. Salinity did not affect leaf water potential (ψ), chlorophyll content, and Fv:Fm ratio but increased NaCl concentration and time correspondingly increased proline accumulation in leaves. In addition, Ghazvini rootstock accumulated more proline compared to other rootstocks and was more resistant to salinity treatments. Different boron treatments did not show any significant effect on growth rate nor on measured parameters after two months of exposure to treatments.

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A factorial experiment with two levels of Zn (0 and 1.5 mg Zn kg^-1), five salinity levels of irrigation water (0, 60, 120 and 180 mM NaC1, and 120 mM NaNO₃) in three replications was conducted. Wheat (Triticum aestivum cv. Roshan) was seeded in pots. After plant harvesting, zinc and cadmium concentrations were determined in the shoot. Activities of metal species in the soil solution were predicted using the computer program MINTEQA2. Treating the soil with NaC1-salinized water increased total concentration of cadmium (Cd_T) as well as Cd²⁺, CdC1⁰₂, and CdCl⁺ species whereas, NaNO₃ treatment had no significant effect on Cd_T. Shoot Cd concentrations were positively related to Cd_T and soil solution Cl^- but negatively related to Zn_T. Application of Zn-fertilizer decreased Cd and increased Zn concentrations in shoot, significantly. The results of this experiment showed that Cl^- has an effective role in increasing mobility of soil Cd and its uptake by plant.