JWSS - Journal of Water and Soil Science

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Electrical conductivity and acidity of soil are the most important chemical factors of soil for agriculture. The nature of soil is in such a way that its change has a continuous form. The method that can take into account this continuity will be able to show a better picture of change in soil characteristics. Objectives of this research are to investigate the relations between measured electrical conductivity and soil acidity of Qom plain, and clustering, compare the clustering methods, determine the optimum numbers of cluster, and to zone the clusters in the study area. Accordingly, two fuzzy clustering methods FCM and GK, were used for data mining and clustering of 465 measured data. For estimating the appropriateness and comparison of two methods, some criteria including Partition Coefficient, Classification Entropy, Partition Index, Separation Index and Xie and Beni's Index were used. Data mining results showed that the optimum number of clusters for FCM and GK method was 15 and 17, respectively. After investigating the results of clustering and based on the criteria of appropriateness, it was indicated that GK was the best clustering method. According to this method, 295 data from 465 measured samples had more than 40 percent of membership function. So, 9 clusters from 17 clusters had more than 20 members. Then salinity-alkalinity zoning based on GK method to show the clusters distribution better in the study area was prepared. This prepared fuzzy map explained that most of Northwest and west belonged to cluster 1 and eastern parts of study area include belonged to cluster 17. Based on this, salinity-alkalinity and the ensuing soil degradation in east of study area is more likely than the west of it.

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In order to evaluate the effects of nitrogen fertilizer levels on grain yield and nitrogen use efficiency in corn cultivars, a split plot experiment based on randomized complete block design with three replications was conducted at the Research Farm of Islamic Azad University of Ardabil during 2006-2007 cropping seasons. Factors consisted of nitrogen fertilizer at four levels (0, 80, 160 and 240 kg/ha) and corn cultivars at three levels (SC-310, SC-404 and DC-370). The results showed that grain yield was significantly affected by nitrogen levels, corn cultivar and nitrogen level × corn cultivars. The highest grain yield was related to application of 240 kg/ha nitrogen with SC-404 cultivar. Nitrogen levels of 160 and 240 kg/ha had similar yields, but more yield than 80 kg/ha. With increasing of nitrogen levels, plant height, the number of grains per ear rows significantly increased. Comparisons of means showed that increasing the application of nitrogen fertilizer decreased nitrogen use efficiency. Nitrogen use efficiency decreased from 17.13 kg/kg with application of 80 kg/ha nitrogen fertilizer to 12.4 kg/kg in application of 240 kg/ha nitrogen fertilizer. Nitrogen use efficiency was affected by corn cultivar. Nitrogen use efficiency in SC-404 was higher than SC-301. In conclusion, in order to increase grain yield and nitrogen use efficiency, SC-404 hybrid should be applied with 160 kg N/ha in climatic conditions of Ardabil Plain.

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Baseflow separation has long been an important topic in hydrology and has a crucial role in water resources management in arid and semi arid regions like Iran. In this paper, a comparison among commonly used automated techniques for hydrograph separation including theoretical method of local minimum and digital filter of one parameter with different filtering parameters of 0.9 to 0.975 and two parameter methods was done to estimate baseflow using baseflow index. For this purpose, daily flow data in some stream gauging stations in west Azarbaijan province were used. For comparison, in addition to baseflow index the graphical method based on the observed daily flow data and correlation coefficient among them was utilized. The main aim of this research is distinguishing the most suitable method in hydrograph separation and estimating the baseflow. Results showed that in different methods baseflow largely contributes to streamflow and also has high fluctuations. However, the results of the digital filter with two parameters appear to be hydrologically more plausible than those of the other methods, but the results of digital filter with proper parameter - in this region one parameter method with filter of 0.925- has proper estimation accuracy. Also, the baseflow index based on method of two parameter digital filtering varies from 0.54 to 0.78 in this study area.

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In this research, 5 percent of normal Precipitation Index (PNPI),Deciles of Precipitation(DPI),Rainfall Anomaly Index (RAI), Bahlme & Mooley Drought Index (BMDI) and standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) were used in order to investigate drought in Yazd synoptic station and 31 non synoptic stations all around this province. For this purpose, the present statistical errors were reconstructed via correlation between the stations, after raining data collection from the considered stations. Then, calculation of PNPI, DPI, RAI, BMDI and SPI indexes were calculated on monthly and annual scales. Situation of drought was determined based on the obtained values from calculation of each index according to tables related to the considered indexes in different classes of drought during the statistical period. Then indexes were compared to each other, considering drought given situation for each station. The difference and similarity of each index with other 4 indexes were calculated and investigated. Also after determination of drought situation in each station, given percentage of drought different situations via each Index was determined on annual scales, in 33 study stations. After passing the above mentioned stages, it was found that there was the highest percentage value of similarity between the two indexes RAI & DPI, as both indexes indicated similar situation of hard drought in the stations. These two indexes are considered most efficient to investigate aerology drought. But considering that static indexes are faced with problem on monthly scales and in stations located in drought regions, it is recommended to use‌ SPI & BMDI dynamic indexes whose similarity percentages are acceptable.

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In order to assess the effect of drought stress and various levels of potassium on solutes accumulation and chlorophyll of canola and Indian mustard, a field experiment was conducted in a factorial design based on randomized complete block design with three replications including three irrigation regimes (I1=irrigation after 50% depletion of soil water(control),I2 =irrigation after 70% water depletion and I3 =irrigation after 90% water depletion), two species (Hyola 401 hybrid of canola and landrace cultivar of mustard) and three levels of potassium fertilizer (K1=0 ,K2=150 and K3= 250 kg.ha-1 K2SO4 ) at Agricultural and Natural Resources Research Center of Sistan in 2008-2009 cropping season. Water stress increased proline and soluble carbohydrate accumulation in the leaves of Brassica sp. In non stressed condition (control) in different growth stages, proline was lower than water-stressed plants and Leaf proline content decreased significantly after irrigation. Mustard landrace showed higher capability for accumulating assimilates such as proline, soluble carbohydrates and potassium than hybrid Hyola 401. Water stress decreased the amount of chlorophyll a, b and total leaf chlorophyll, but Potassium application caused an increase in the mentioned parameters. The highest content of chlorophyll pigments was observed at flowering stage. Potassium application caused a decrease in proline and an increase in soluble carbohydrates concentration in the leaf under water stress condition. There was a negative correlation between grain yield and proline content and soluble carbohydrates, but grain yield was positively correlated with chlorophyll, a, b. It was concluded that osmotic adjustment can be an important mechanism for Brassica species under water stress conditions and that organic and inorganic compounds such as proline, soluble carbohydrates and potassium play key roles in this regard.

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Azotobacter chroococcum can improve mineral nutrition of plants through N2 fixation and plant growth promoting capabilities. Fourteen strains of A. chroococcum were isolated from rhizosphere of wheat plants grown in different field conditions around Tabriz, northwest of Iran. In a pot culture experiment with sterile soil, wheat plants (Triticum aestivum cv. Falat) were inoculated with 14 bacterial strains. Positive control received nitrogen fertilizer without bacterial inoculation and the negative control was left un-inoculated and without N- fertilizer. Totally, 16 trearments with four replications were arranged in a completely randomized design. The plant growth indices and N and P concentrations of shoot and root were determined at the harvest time. Results showed that the inoculation with Azotobacter strains caused a significant increase in shoot and root dry weights. Bacterial inoculation significantly enhanced the concentration and content of N in shoot and root. Phosphorus content was only enhanced (p<0.05) in the root. Translocations of N and P from root to shoot were markedly increased in bacterial treatments compared to the positive and negative controls. Moreover, strains 1 and 48 which showed relatively higher phosphate solubilizing capability and phosphatase activity in in-vitro assay also brought about higher P content and concentration in shoot and its translocation from root to shoot.

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Estimation of flood hydrograph is of necessities in hydrological studies such as flood mitigation projects. This estimation in un-gauged watersheds is usually taken place using geomorphological characteristics of watersheds. The objective of this research is to estimate synthetic unit hydrograph using regional flood frequency analysis and geomorphological parameters of watersheds. 1-hour and 2-hour hydrographs of two watersheds, Kanisavaran and Maranj Watersheds, were generated using maximum discharge data based on regional flood frequency analysis. Estimated hydrographs were compared with observed data and the efficiency of the model was evaluated using Nash-Sutcliffe coefficient, absolute and bias errors. The results showed that multiple regression models give more acceptable results among others for the computation of synthetic unit hydrograph (higher coefficient of determination). The Nash-Sutcliffe coefficient was 0.98 for 1-hour hydrograph while it was 0.93 for the 2-hour hydrograph. The absolute error in 1-hour hydrograph and 2-hour hydrograph was 0.13 and 1.2, respectively. The bias error was close to zero for both hydrographs, indicating that the proposed model is efficient. The model may be used for estimation of synthetic unit hydrograph in similar un-gauged watersheds.

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This study was conducted in Rudasht Research Farm Isfahan, to evaluate tolerance to iron (Fe) deficiency of 30 spring wheat genotype, using split plots in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Main plot consisted of two Fe levels (0 and 20 kg Fe ha-1 applied as FeEDDHA at planting and beginning of vegetative growth). Grain yield increased by 14% following the application of 20 kg Fe ha-1 as FeEDDHA. Application of Fe significantly increased grain yield of all wheat genotypes except for Rushan. The result indicated that Mean Productivity (MP), Geometric Mean Productivity (GMP) and Stress Tolerance Index (STI) were the most suitable indices for identifying and selecting Fe-deficiency tolerant wheat genotypes. By using both treatments with and without added Fe, grain yield showed significant (P < 0.01) positive correlation with MP, GMP and STI. The STI could divide the studied wheat genotypes in different groups based on both their response to fertilization and grain yield potential. Therefore, the STI was the best index to identify Fe deficiency tolerant genotypes. Based on the three indices, Ghods and Falat genotypes were the most tolerant and sensitive genotypes to Fe deficiency, respectively

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To determine the proper nitrogen fertilizer rates and its application times for achieving high grain and oil yields of rapeseed cultivar, Hyola 401, a research was carried out in paddy fields of Rice Research Institute of Iran in Rasht during two cropping seasons. A factorial experiment was conducted in a completely randomized block design with three replications. The experimental factors were pure nitrogen fertilizer rate at five levels of 0, 60, 120, 180 and 240 Kg ha-1 and fertilizer application times at five levels of all fertilizer at planting 1/3 at planting + 2/3 in stem elongation 1/3 at planting + 1/3 in stem elongation + 1/3 before flowering 1/3 in 3-4 leaf stages + 1/3 in stem elongation +1/3 before flowering 1/4 at planting + 1/4 in 3-4 leaf stages + 1/4 in stem elongation + 1/4 before flowering. The results of statistical analyses showed that from amony nitrogen rates, application of 240 Kg N ha-1 and 180 Kg N ha-1 with average production of 2505 Kg ha-1 and 2596 Kg ha-1 respectively showed the highest grain yield and were in the same group. of Nitrogen application times, application of 1/3 at planting + 1/3 in stem elongation + 1/3 before flowering had the highest grain and oil yields with average of 2155.3 Kg ha-1 and 9865 Kg ha-1, respectively. Maximum oil percentage was observed in control treatment (without N-fertilizer application) and the highest oil yield was obtained for nitrogen rates of 180 and 240 Kg ha-1. Also, the highest growth period was observed for the treatment of 240 Kg nitrogen with 206.3 days. The results showed that nonsignificant difference exists between the nitrogen rates of 180 and 240 Kg ha-1 in grain and oil yields. Therefore, the rate of 180 Kg ha-1 is recomended due to less fertilizer consumption and prevention of destructive effect on the environment

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As the first event in soil erosion, rain splash erosion causes movement of soil fragments. Splash is an important process in interrill erosion. The amount of soil particles detached from the surface is associated with soil and rain characteristics and may be affected by rainfall erosivity and soil erodibility. Therefore, in this study, splash erosion rate and its relation with some soil properties were studied. 120 soil samples were collected from three adjacent land uses including forest, rangeland and agriculture in two depths of 0-10 and10-20 cm in Kasilian Watershed. Soil samples were investigated under the experimental condition using splash cup and rainfall simulator. Results showed no significant differences between splash erosion in different land uses. Cultivated and rangeland soils were found to show a significantly lower organic matter (OM) by 59.93% and 33.62% in depth (0-10cm) and 33.33% and 25.59% in depth (10-20cm), respectively. We also found significance positive correlation between percent of silt and splash erosion rate in agriculture (r=0.69, p=0.018) and significance negative correlation between soil organic matter and splash erosion rate in rangeland (r=0.767, p=0.001) and significance positive correlation between K-USLE and splash erosion rate in agriculture (r=0.00, p=0.758).

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Soil water characteristic curve shows the relationship between soil water content and matric suction, which has an important role in water movement in the soil. The measurement of this curve is expensive and time-consuming in laboratory therefore, many methods have been proposed for its estimation including pedotransfer functions. By using the pedotransfer functions, soil water characteristic curve can be estimated based on other easily measured soil physicochemical properties. Parametric pedotransfer functions have been offered for parameters of the existing soil water characteristic curve models. In this study, 12 internal and external parametric pedotransfer functions of Brooks and Corey, Campbell and van Genuchten models were used and evaluated for 30 top soil samples in Fars province. To this end, the soil water characteristic curve and other necessary soil properties were measured, and then all soils according to the texture were divided into three groups of fine, medium and course textures. The results showed that the parametric pedotransfer functions of van Genuchten model were better than the other models, beacause of the better fit of this model to the measured data. Also, the results demonstrated that the parametric pedotransfer functions of Wosten et al. were the most appropriate method for estimating the soil water characteristic curve for the selected soils in Fars province, and that internal pedotransfer functions were not appropriate

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In order to investigate the effect of vermicompost on physical and chemical properties of soil, an experiment was carried out in split plot based on complete randomized block design in three replications in Sari Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources University. The physical and chemical properties of soil included bulk density, particle density, total porosity, water holding capacity, field capacity, permanent wilting point, available water capacity, pH, organic carbon and electrical conductivity in soil. Six levels of fertilizer treatments (T1= control, T2= chemical fertilizer, T3= 20 tons vermicompost + 1/2 T2, T4 = 20 tons / hac vermicompost + 1/2 T2 , T5= 40 tons vermicompost + 1/2 T2 and T6= 40 tons / hac vermicompost) and three levels of application years, one year of fertilization (1385), two consecutive years of fertilization (1385 and 1386) and three consecutive years of fertilization (1385, 1386, 1387). The results of the study showed that the application of these treatments in soil were significantly effective in increasing the total porosity, water holding capacity, field capacity, permanent wilting point, available water capacity, organic carbon electrical conductivity and in decreasing the bulk density, particle density and pH compared to control. In Contrast years of consumption of fertilizer did not have any significant effect on the physical properties of the soil except for FC, PWP, AWC, pH, OC and EC. The interaction between years of consumption of fertilizers were significantly different only in particle density and field capacity.

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Accurate estimation of runoff for a watershed is a very important issue in water resources management. In this study, the monthly runoff was estimated using the rainfall information and conditional probability distribution model based on the principle of maximum entropy. The information of monthly rainfall and runoff data of Kasilian River basin from 1960 to 2006 were used for the development of model. The model parameters were estimated using the prior information of the watershed such as mean of rainfall, runoff and their covariance. Using the developed model, monthly runoff was estimated for different values of runoff coefficient, , return period, , at different probability levels of rainfall for the basin under study. Results showed that the developed model estimates runoff for all return periods satisfactorily if the runoff coefficient value is taken 0.6. Also, it is observed that at a particular probability level and runoff coefficient, the estimated runoff decreases as return period increases. However, the rate of change of runoff decreases slightly as return period increases.

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Arbuscular mycorrhizae (AM) and Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) associations are integral and functioning parts of plant roots. These associations have a basic role in root uptake efficiency as well as improvement of plant growth in degraded environments including heavy metals contaminated soils. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of heavy metal-resistant soil microbe's inoculation on bio-availability of Pb and Cd in soil, plant growth as well as metal uptake by Millet (Pennisetum glaucum), Couch grass (Triticum repens) and wild alfalfa (Medicago sativa). A soil sample was treated by different levels of Pb and Cd (soil 1). Native microbial inoculums were obtained from alfalfa rhizosphere soils adjacent to Pb and Cd mines in Zanjan region (soil 2), then added with weight ratio of 1:5 (w/w) to soil 1. Host plants including millet, couch grass, and alfalfa were grown in pots and kept in greenhouse conditions. At the end of growing period, shoot dry matter and Pb and Cd concentrations in plant and soil were measured. Results indicated that plants yield and Pb uptake were significantly higher in non-inoculated treatments (p ≤ 0.05). However, Cd uptake by plants was greater in inoculated treatments (p ≤ 0.05). Couch grass showed the most accumulation potential of Cd and Pb among the studied plants.

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Paleosols provide invaluable data on paleoclimatic conditions of the area. These soils widely exist in central Iran. Micromorphology and clay mineralogy are among valuable techniques which are useful for interpretation and identification of these soils. The present research was performed to compare the micromorphology and clay mineralogy of paleosols and modern soils of Jiroft area. After field studies, 4 pedons (located on different geomorphic surfaces including stable mantled pediment, stable and unstable transitional surfaces of pediment and alluvial plain, and stable surface of alluvial plain) were sampled for physicochemical, micromorphological, and clay mineralogical analyses. Clay coatings in argillic horizons of paleosols were found during micromorphology observations. On the other hand, clay coatings in present soils were only found in natric horizons, which were attributed to high amounts of Na in these soils. Moreover, smectite, palygorskite, illite, chlorite, and kaolinite clay minerals were recognized in paleosols, but chlorite was not detected in modern soils. The presence of palygorskite in the soils under study was related to the stability of geomorphic surface. Results of the present research showed that a more humid climate was present at the time of paleosols formation.

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The objective of current study was to perform screening experiment, (phase zero of response surface methodology) the analysis of salinity and water tensions for spring wheat in Mashhad region and derive water production functions. The experiment was performed in the Research Field of Agricultural Faculty of Ferdowsi University of Mashhad in 2009-2010. Two water sources were selected: saline water (10 dS/m) and water without salinity limitation (0.5 dS/m). A single replicate factorial experiment with four variables and water requirements in different growth stages, was done with each variable having two levels, 20% and 100% of water requirements. The central points of experiment area with two replications were added for estimating the curvature in the fitted response surface. The results showed the water requirements in heading and flowering were the most important variables. The fitted water production functions estimated the yield of saline and non saline plots with correlation coefficients equalsing 0.95 and 0.99. In general, the obtained results proved the efficiency of the screening experiment in identifying the relative importance of variables and excluding the ineffective variables

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Uprooting trees and pit – mound micro topographies are due to creation of heterogeneity condition in soil ecosystem. Pay attention to mountainous condition of hyrcanian forests in Iran and presence of trees with high diameters (old trees), therefore, it is imagined that many of trees are prone to uprooting. Thus, the aim of this research is studying variability some of soil physico - chemical characters in uprooted trees location and pit – mound position. For this purpose, twenty hectare areas of Tarbiat Modares University Experimental Forest Station studied that is located in Mazandaran province, northern Iran. Numbers of thirty four uprooted trees were found. Five microsites were distinguished including mound top, mound wall, pit bottom, pit wall and closed canopy. Soil samples were taken at 0 - 15, 15 - 30 and 30 - 45cm depths from all microsites using core soil sampler (81cm2 cross section). Soil acidity, water content, organic matter, total nitrogen and carbon to nitrogen ratio measured in the laboratory. A statistical result is indicating that the most water content, organic matter and nitrogen devoted in pit bottom. Mound top and wall included maximum of acidity. The most value of carbon to nitrogen ratio found in mound wall, as well. Soil acidity showed no significantly differences among different depths. The results of this research can be considered in forest soils survey and forest management.

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This study performs trend analysis of hydroclimatic varibles and their possible effects on the water resources variability. Nonparametric Mann-Kendall and spearman tests were used to investigate trend analysis of mean annual and 24-hr maximum rainfall, flood and low flow parameters of 23 hydrometery and 18 synoptic stations in Sefid-Roud basin. The results showed that mean annual and 24-hr rainfall parameters are decreasing in few stations while most of stations representing negative trend for low flow and flood time series. Applying Sequential Mann-Kendall test revelad that this negative trend is started from 1965 to 1970 for rainfall parameters and from 1970 to1980 for flow (low flow and flood) parameters. Results show that climate change has probability affected variability of climatic variables, while changing of land use may have aslo affeteced extreme flow trends during recent decads. Therefor it can be noted that combination of climate chanege effects and human activities on water recources have affected the negative trend of hydroclimatics variables.

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In this study, in order to determe low flow conditions in Karkhe watershed, 5 indices of Q7,10, Q7,20, Q30,10, Q4,3 and Q95 were used for analyzing 12 hydrometric station data in the years of 1345-46 to 1380-81. Discharge data homogeneity was performed by Run Test. The Q95 index was determined by flow duration curve (FDC) and other indices were determined using 4, 7 and 30-day low flow frequency analysis. After calculating the indices, periods of low flows were determined. The indices were regionalized by Kriging method. The results showed that for the most stations, low stream flows happened in the years of 1345-46, 1377-78, 1378-79, 1379-80 and 1380-81 and the percentages of stations having low flows in these years were 68, 92, 84, 75 and 59, respectively. According to the regional maps of low flows in Karkhe watershed, maximum low flows are located in central and southern areas and all of the mentioned indices decrease from south to the north of this watershed.

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In this paper, velocity profiles were analyzed under different conditions such as bed slope, discharge and concentration of density current, and water entrainment. Experiments were carried out in a tilting flume with the density currents being provided using salt and water solution. Results showed that the above mentioned factors have significant effects on the velocity profile characteristics. Dimensionless velocity profiles were also provided and compared for sub-critical, critical and supercritical flow conditions and the results showed that for supper critical conditions the velocity profiles are generally thicker due to the more ambient water entrainment. The coefficients of velocity profile equations were also derived for the jet and wall zones, which showed good agreements with the experimental measurements. Relative values of the velocity profile characteristics were also calculated in order to have a better understanding about the velocity profile structure.