Showing 401 results for Ag
G. Fathi, M. Mojedam, S. A. Siadat, G. Noor Mohammadi,
Volume 5, Issue 4 (1-2002)
Abstract
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.
G. Saeidi,
Volume 5, Issue 4 (1-2002)
Abstract
Flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) is an oilseed and widely adapted crop. Oil of regular genotypes of flax is used in industry because of its unique fatty acid profile. New, mutant genotypes of flax have oils similar to sunflower oil which can be used as edible oil. This experiment was conducted to investigate the genetic variation of agronomic traits and productivity in different edible and industrial oil genotypes of flax in Isfahan. The genotypes were evaluated in augmented design.
Based on the results, the average numbers of seedling/m2 in edible and industrial oil genotypes were 178 and 367 with variation coefficients of 70 and 10%, respectively. Maturity also showed variation and varied between 89 to 116 days in edible oil genotypes and between 89 to 128 days in industrial oil genotypes. Plant height varied between 57 to 86 and 49 to 73 cm in edible and industrial oil genotypes, respectively. Seed yield also had considerable variations and varied between 429 to 2651 and 779 to 2389 kg/ha with variation coefficients of 35 and 25 in edible and industrial oil genotypes, respectively. Seed yield per plant showed a high and positive correlation with basal branches (r=0.77**) and bolls per plant (r=0.93**), but high and negative correlation with stand (r=-0.66**). Regression analysis revealed that approximately 96% of the variation in seed yield per plant was attributed to variation in bolls per plant, seeds per boll and seed weight and they were determined as the major yield components, respectively. Bolls per plant was the most important yield component and contributed to 87% of the variation for seed yield per plant.
M. Javan Nikkhah, Gh. A. Hejaroud, A. Sharifi Tehrani, S. A. Elahi-Nia,
Volume 5, Issue 4 (1-2002)
Abstract
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.
G. R. Mesbahi, J. Jamalian,
Volume 6, Issue 2 (7-2002)
Abstract
Pectin is used in a number of foods as a gelling agent, thickener, texturizer, emulsifier and stabilizer. Sugar-beet pulp, the residue left from sugar extraction, is a rich source of pectin. It was the purpose of this study to develop a procedure for the extraction of pectin from sugar-beet pulp and to improve the functional properties of this pectin for more potential uses. To extract pectin, pressed beet pulp was dried and powdered. Then, it was extracted under various conditions (pH 1 and 1.5, temperatures of 80oC and 90oC and extraction periods of 1, 2, 3 and 4 hr). The highest yield (22.35%) was obtained at 90oC after 4 hr at pH 1. Chemical composition of the extracted pectin and that of commercial citrus pectin were determined and compared. Also, the beet pulp pectin was used in certain foods and its functional properties were compared with those of the commercial citrus pectin. The effects of ammonium persulfate and high pH levels on the above mentioned properties were investigated. Finally, the effects of the beet pulp pectin and the commercial citrus pectin on the flavor of certain foods were evaluated. The results indicate that the extracted beet pulp pectin can be used in certain foods such as ketchup sauce as a thickener or as an agent increasing the viscosity however, it does not have the ability to form firm gels in food.
M. Rahemi, H. Zare,
Volume 6, Issue 2 (7-2002)
Abstract
Experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of heat and cold treatments on the disinfestation of dry figs from Estahban. Tow types of packing bags (with or without holes), two storage conditions including one at 23oC and one cold storage condition (10oC and 2oC), 9 heat and cold treatment durations (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10, 15, 20 and 25 hrs) and 13 temperature treatments [23, 45, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 45+(-25), 50+(-25) and 60+(-25) oC] were used in these experiments. The results showed that Indian meal moth, Plodia interpunctella, which is a major pest in dry fig storage, can be satistfactorily controlled by packing figs in plastic bags with a thickness of 0.24 mm after suitable temperature treatment. Cold storage at 2oC significantly controlled all developmental stages of moths at storage. Temperature treatments at 60oC for 7hrs or more, at 65oC for 6hrs or more, and at -25oC for 15hrs or more were found to be capable of controling pest most satisfactorily without changing fruit external quality.
R. Ramezani, A. Karbassi,
Volume 6, Issue 2 (7-2002)
Abstract
In this research, sunflower oil that was extracted and refined at Shiraz Narges Oil Company was packed in four different containers, namely, clear PET (polyethylene terephtalate), yellow PET, yellow HDPE (high density polyethylene), and metal can. Samples were kept at ambient temperature in the shelf exposed to normal light for a period of 1 year. Peroxide values were determined at 45-day intervals and TBA and anisidine values were measured at 0, 6 and 12-month periods. In order to determine the effect of artificial light, some samples in PET and HDPE containers were kept in a wooden box equiped with four (20 w) fluorescent lamps and the peroxide values of the samples were determined. Light transmittance properties of the packaging materials were measured using a spectrophotometer over a wavelength range of 350 nm to 800 nm.
The data indicated that the greatest variations in peroxide, TBA and anisidine values were observed in samples in HDPE containers (significantly different at 5% level) kept under normal light and ambient temperature for a period of 1 year. It was also shown that the shelf life of sunflower oil in HDPE container was less than 6 months while for the other packaging materials it was more than one year. Samples exposed to artificial light indicated that the highest peroxide values belonged to samples in clear PET while those in yellow PET proved to have the lowest. Finally, PET container proved to be the most suitable container for sunflower oil followed by metal can. Yellow PET with the lowest transmittance percentage (350-800 nm) and peroxide value (when exposed to 20 w fluorescent lamp) could be substituted for clear PET. HDPE container proved to be unsatisfactory for sunflower oil due to high oxidation rate.
F. Tajik, H. Rahimi, E. Pazira,
Volume 6, Issue 3 (10-2002)
Abstract
The general characteristics of salt-affected soils and soil structure degradation process are partially known, but the effects of saline and sodic conditions on mechanical properties of soils are not well recognized. In this study, the effects of electrical conductivity (EC) and sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) on tensile strength of soils with different organic carbon contents were assessed under laboratory conditions. The soil samples were collected from Dasht-E-Naz, at Sari region in the North of Iran. The samples had the same clay mineral (Illitic) and the main difference between them was the organic carbon content, subjected to different cropping systems. The tensile strength was determined on soil samples which had been treated by solutions having defined EC (0.5 and 4 dS/m) and SAR (0, 5, 15).
The tensile strength was positively related to organic carbon content, but negatively to SAR. With increasing SAR, tensile strength decreased, and at a given SAR, the treatments with higher EC showed higher tensile strength. The analysis of variance showed significant differences (at 0.01) between soil samples (four levels), soil sampling depth (two levels), EC (two levels), and SAR (three levels) for all variables under investigation. For soil factor, the order of averages were: Virgin soil > Permanent pasture (Festuca) > Intensive cropping > Permanent pasture (Agropyron).
A. A. Safari Sinejani, G. Emtiazi, H. Shariatmadari,
Volume 6, Issue 3 (10-2002)
Abstract
Soil organic matter and clay minerals adsorb and immobilize extracellular enzymes of microorganisms and increase soil enzymes stability. This study aims to clarify the relative importance of soil organic matter and clay minerals on the cellulolytic activities of soils. Fluca prepared cellulase was immobilized on some agricultural residues and clay minerals, avicel and a sample of soil. Immobilized exoglucanase and endoglucanase were assayed at different times. Activities of the immobilized enzymes were strikingly dependent on the kind of sorbent. After 20 days of storing in refrigerator at 4oC, the deactivation of immobilized enzymes on the organic substances (as avicel) was very low but deactivation of immobilized enzymes on the soil and clay minerals was relatively high. On the other hand, the activities of immobilized enzymes on the agricultural residues and avicel were significantly higher than the soil and clay minerals. So it may be concluded that a large part of cellulolytic activity of soil is related to immobilized enzymes on agricultural residues. Coating of the clay minerals, soil and avicel with 4 mmol of Al (OH) x per mg of them significantly increased their immobilization capacity and activities of immobilized enzymes. Activities of immobilized exoglucanase and endoglucanase on the Ca- homoionized soil and clay minerals were significantly higher than the K- homoionized soil and clay minerals. However, these effects may be related to the specific effects of cations on the method of enzyme assay or enzymes activities. These homoionizing-cations effects on the activity of immobilized enzymes on avicel were not significant.
M. R. Bahremand, M. Afyuni, M. A. Hajabbassi, Y. Rezaeinejad,
Volume 6, Issue 4 (1-2003)
Abstract
A field experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of sewage sludge and of time lapse after sludge application on soil physical properties. Four sewage sludge treatments (0, 25, 50, and 100 ton/ha) in a complete randomized block design with three replications were applied and mixed to a depth of 20 cm. Wheat was planted and soil physical properties were measured 23, 85, 148, and 221 days after sewage sludge application.
Sewage sludge application significantly increased MWD, hydraulic conductivity, final infiltration rate, moisture percentage at 1/3 and 15 bars, and plant available soil moisture, while it significantly decreased soil bulk density. In general, the best results obtained with the 100 ton/ha sewage sludge treatment. Time lapse after sewage sludge application caused soil physical properties to approach the values of the control. However, even 221 days after sludge application, the 50 and 100 ton/ha treatments had significantly different values compared with the control treatment. The results in this research show that sewage sludge can help to improve soil physical conditions and this effect persists over long periods. This effect is specially important with plant available soil moisture and infiltration.
G.pezeshki-Raad, M. Masaeli,
Volume 6, Issue 4 (1-2003)
Abstract
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.
E. Rowghani Haghighi Fard, M. J. Zamiri,
Volume 6, Issue 4 (1-2003)
Abstract
The effect of adding two urea levels (0.5 and 0.75% on fresh basis) to whole-crop barley (WCB) on chemical compositon and digestibility in Ghezel rams was studied. The effect of including these silages in the ration of fattening Ghezel and Mehraban rams was also investigated.
Urea supplementation of WCB silage resulted in an increase in pH, total nitrogen level, and ammonia-nitrogen concentrations (P<0.05). Apparent digestibility coefficients of dry matter, organic matter, acid detergent fiber, and neutral detergent fiber of WCB silage were not affected by urea treatment (P>0.05), but apparent digestibility coefficient of total nitrogen was higher for 0.5% urea-WCB silage. Apparent digestibility coefficients of total nitrogen and nitrogen balance were higher for 0.5% urea-WCB silage than for 0.75% urea-WCB silage, but the differences were not significant. Ruminal fluid pH at 2.5 h, and ammonia-nitrogen concentration at 4 h post-feeding were higher for 0.75% urea-WCB silage than for 0.5% urea-WCB silage (P<0.05). BUN levels (<20 mg per dl) in sheep fed with a mixture of alfalfa hay and silages were not affected by the treatment. The potential and effective degradabilities of dry matter and crude protein were higher for 0.75% urea-WCB silage. Feed performance and carcass characteristics were not significantly different amongst diets. The results showed that urea supplementation at 0.75% fresh basis, at the time of ensiling, may have a beneficial effect on feeding value of WCB silage.
M. Niknejad Kazempour, H. Pedramfar, S. A. Elahinia,
Volume 6, Issue 4 (1-2003)
Abstract
Antagonistic fungi Trichoderma harzianum (T1, from bean fields in Ahwaz, T2, from rice fields in Rasht), T. viride (T3 from bean fields in Shahriar, T4 from the collection in Plant Pest and Disease Institute, Tehran), Gliocladium virens (from bean fields in Kamal Abad, Karaj) and some fungicides (Benomyl, Carbendazim, Carboxin-Thiram, edifenphos and Zineb) were used to control sheath blight of rice incited by Rhizoctonia solani in vitro and under greenhouse conditions. The experiment was carried out in a completely randomized design with 12 treatments and four replications on Khazar rice cultivar in a soil infected by R. solani under greenhouse conditions. The results showed that the antagonistic fungi reduce sheath blight by 19.8 (T1), 21.5 (T2), 27.5 (T3), 19.6 (T4) and 18.5 (G1) percent. The antagonistic fungi in order of efficacy were T2>T3>T1>T4>G1. Benomyl, Carbendazim, Carboxin-thiram, Edifenphos and Zineb reduced disease by 32.5, 21.5, 12.8, 9.5 and 0 percent, respectively. Statistical analysis of data indicated that there existed no significant differences between T1, T3, T4, and G1 and Carbendazim fungicide to control disease however, the isolate T2 was as effective as Benomyl but Zineb had no effect on sheath blight.
M. H. Mahdian, N. Ghiasi, S. M. Mousavy Nejad,
Volume 7, Issue 1 (4-2003)
Abstract
Point data of weather stations are not important in and by themselves. Therefore, it is necessary to change these point data into regional information. Undesirable distribution of weather stations and their data deficiency hinder the direct determination of the regional information, unless sufficient data in the study area could be provided. Providing extra data using the geostatistical methods is practical, scientific, simple and quick, but adopting a suitable method is the basic question. The objective of the present study is to find a suitable method to estimate monthly rainfall in the central region of Iran. In this regard, the methods of kriging (ordinary kriging, log-kriging, co-kriging), weighted moving average (WMA, with the power of 1 to 5), thin plate smoothing splines (TPSS, with the power of 2 and 3 and with covariable) were used. Cross validation technique was used to compare these methods.
Based on the variography analysis, the range of influence of monthly rainfall in the central region is about 450 km. The results show that TPSS, with the power of 2 and with elevation as a covariable, was the most accurate method to estimate monthly rainfall. In addition, it is preferable to use the selected interpolation method in the sub-basins with homogeneous climates instead of considering the whole region.
M. Toodehroosta, J. Mir-Mohammad Sadeghi,
Volume 7, Issue 2 (7-2003)
Abstract
The purpose of this study is to investigate the income distribution among the farmers of two districts of lowland and upland of Savojbolagh township of Tehran Province, Iran. The data of this study were collected by filling out questionnaires through interviews with 350 farmers who were selected by stratified random sampling. For analysis, such techniques as Gini Ratio, comparing the quintiles, and comparing means of different variables were used.
The results showed that the income inequalities in the upland district were larger than in lowland. Income mean in the fifth quintile relative to other quintiles was considerably large and this fact was more serious in upland. As in income distribution, similar inequalities were observed in land distribution. The source of income of the farmers included income from agricultural activities (crops, livestock and fruit production) and from nonagricultural activities (second jobs and other incomes). Inequalities in total income in lowland and upland were mainly generated from agricultural sources of income while non-agricultural sources were less important. Inequalities in income from agricultural sources in lowland were related to livestock, fruits, and crops, and in upland to livestock, crops and fruits, respectively.
Sh. Dokhani, J. Keramat, S. Roofigari Haghighat,
Volume 7, Issue 2 (7-2003)
Abstract
Three potato cultivars (Solanum tuberosum L.), spring Marfona, autumn Cosima and Marfona, obtained from Isfahan Province, were stored under different conditions: 4oC, darkness 12oC, 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 12oC 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 12oC under flourescent light compared with those stored at room temperature and daylight, room temperature and darkness, and at 4oC 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 4oC in darkness.
S. Vaseghi, M. Afyuni, H. Shariatmadari, M. Mobli,
Volume 7, Issue 3 (10-2003)
Abstract
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.
S. Cheraghi Dehdezi, Sh. Dokhani, M. Shahedi,
Volume 7, Issue 3 (10-2003)
Abstract
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 (214409) 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 25oC) 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).
P. Norouzi, D. Cai, M. A. Malboobi, B. Yazdi Samadi,
Volume 7, Issue 3 (10-2003)
Abstract
OF2 and VAP genes, probably involved in signal transduction of sugarbeet nematode resistance, have already been cloned in bacterial vector by AFLP molecular marker and a two-hybrid system, respectively. To examine their capability to introduce resistance in sugarbeet, the genes were transferred to plant expression vectors. For this reason, OF2 gene after isolation was inserted within T-DNA of pAM194 binary vector, downstream of CaMV35S constitutive promoter and also inserted within T-DNA of modified pBin121 binary vector, downstream of HS1pro-1 gene inducing promoter (responsible for nematode resistance). VAP gene after isolation was inserted within T-DNA of pAM194 plasmid, downstream of CaMV35S constitutive promoter. Thus, three new constructs were made in which genes of signal transduction pathway were expressed to give beet cyst nematode resistance. These plasmids were separately transferred to Agrobacterium rhizogenes, strain AR15834. In the next step, petiole explants of sugarbeet were inoculated with the bacterial cells. Transformation-derived hairy roots were analyzed by GUS staining and/or PCR and were then inoculated with nematode larvae. Primary results showed partial resistance against nematode larvae in some hairy roots. As a result, this resistance can be related to OF2 and VAP genes effect.
A. Ghazanfari-Moghaddam,
Volume 7, Issue 3 (10-2003)
Abstract
In order to increase the role of machine vision in agricultural research in Iran, especially for measuring physical attributes of seeds, a machine vision system was developed using a computer, a capture card, a video camera and a light box. All equipment was purchased from domestic markets. Computer programs were developed for hardware setup and for image processing applications. The programs perfomed tasks such as image acquisition and display, color conversion, image segmentation, object counting, and measurement of some physical attributes of the objects by analysing their images. The system was used to measure some physical attributes of pistachio nuts. The machine vision measurements were statistically compared with the measurements obtained by the conventional manual methods.
The results indicated that there was generally no significant difference between the two methods. However, the time consumed by the machine vision method was far less than the time taken by manual methods. The experimental results also showed that there were many sources of error and limiting factors in using machine vision for measuring physical attributes of seeds.
J. Mohammadi, F. Raeisi Gahrooee,
Volume 7, Issue 4 (1-2004)
Abstract
Knowledge of the spatial dependency of soil properties, sensitive to grazing systems, is important from an ecosystem protection point of view. In the current study, geostatistical methods and fractal concepts have been used in order to characterize the impact of long-term grazing exclusion on the spatial variability of some soil chemical parameters including organic matter, total nitrogen, available phosphorous, and available potassium in both ungrazed and grazed sites located in Sabzkuh region, Chaharmahal Bakhtiari Province. The spatial pattern of different variables was studied using variogram.
The results indicate that spatial variability of soil parameters depends upon grazing history. The variogram of organic matter in grazed areas shows a linear behavior without reaching the sill variance while organic matter in the ungrazed area established a strong spatial structure. Moreover, available phosphorous in the grazed area had pure nugget variation. Variograms of total nitrogen and available potassium in both grazed and ungrazed areas showed spatial structure approximated by spherical model. However, the range of variograms in exclusion sites was twice that of the grazed area. The results of applying the fractal theory show that soil properties have fractional behavior since increasing the scale of study reveals more details. Moreover, calculated fractal dimension values from variograms of different variables were close to 2.0 although this index was usually greater in the grazed area than in the exclusion sites. The calculated fractal dimensions can be used as a proper indicator of describing the pattern of spatial variability and its complexity.
