JWSS - Journal of Water and Soil Science

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In modern programmes of animal breeding, the polymorphisms of the milk proteins can be used as marker systems. Beta-Lactoglobulin is the major milk whey protein in the ruminants. The BLG coding gene located on ovine chromosome 3. This protein, synthesis in the mammary glands during pregnancy and the lactation stages. Studies have indicated that this protein is polymorphic in the many breeds of sheep. This is the result of a single base pair substitution in the Beta-Lactoglobulin gene that also rises to the RsaI restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). The aim of this work was to analyze the genotype distribution of Beta-Lactoglobulin in sheep. Blood samples were supplied from 142 sheep of the 5 breeds (Ghezel, Afshari, Moghani, Makoii and Arkharmerino). Genomic DNA was extracted from the 200ul blood sample according to Boom et al. (1989) method modified by Shaikhayev (1995). The Gel monitoring and the spectrophotometeric methods were used for determination of the DNA quality and quantity. the Primers BLG5 and BLG3 amplified a 452 bp fragment from the exon II of the ovine Beta-Lactoglobulin gene. the Products of the amplification were recognized by the electrophoresis on the 1% agarose gel stained with ethidium bromide. The RsaI enzyme was used for restriction of the PCR products. The digested products were separated by the electrophoresis on the 8% nondenaturant polyacrylamide gel and visualized after staining with the ethidium bromide on UV transillumination. The popGen32 software (ver.1.31) was used to estimate the allele and the genotype frequencies, the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium and dendrogram of the genetic distance. The frequency of A-allele in Ghezel, Afshari, Moghani, Makoii and Arkharmerino breeds was 56%, 34%, 36%, 53% and 48% respectively. The populations were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium except to Afshari breed. The lowest genetic distance was observed between Moghani and Afshari breeds and the highest genetic distance between Ghezel and Afshari breeds. The results of this study indicated that PCR-RFLP is an appropriate tool for evaluating genetic variability in sheep.

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An experiment was conducted with the male Ross broiler chicks from 1 to 42 days of age to test the effects of different dietary protein and lysine levels on performance, carcass characteristics, and N excretion. Treatment diets consisted of three levels of supplemental lysine in starter and grower period (0, 0.15, and 0.30 %) and the two levels of protein (20.84, 17.84 in starter, and 18.12, 16.12% in grower period) with 2900 Kcal ME/kg diet. The results indicated that the Reducing dietary protein decreased significantly the weight gain in starter, grower, and total period up to 6, 4.6, and 5.6%respectively (P<0.05). It also decreased the feed consumption in starter period (P<0.05). Decreasing dietary protein had no significant effect on gain to feed ratio and breast meat yield, but increased abdominal fat percentage significantly (P<0.05). Increasing dietary lysine increased the feed consumption in starter and weight gain, gain to feed ratio in grower and total period of the experiment (P<0.05). Increasing lysine in diet caused a significant increase in breast meat and tight yield, and percentage. Adding supplemental lysine reduced the N excretion in starter period significantly (P<0.059). N excretion reduced significantly by decreasing dietary protein (P <0.05). Dietary treatments had not significant effect on mortality percentage. The results of the present experiment indicated that with providing limiting amino acids and adding supplemental lysine to diet, the crude protein could be reduced up to 3 and 2 percent in starter and grower periods respectively. Reducing the crude protein had not adverse effect on the feed efficiency.

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In the current experiment seven catheterized broiler breeder hens were used at 60 weeks of age. Retention of ¹⁴CO₂ in the body of the hens following continuous infusion of NaH¹⁴CO₃ during each of tow-30-hr continuous infusion studies was determined. Oxidation rate plateau was established within two hours in each experiment. Recovery of ¹⁴CO₂ at the steady state in the first and second study were 91.09 and 87.55 percent respectively and were not significantly different. Mean breath ¹⁴CO₂ recovery was 89.32 percent and hence retention was 10.68 percent. Recovery of ¹⁴CO₂ in breath was not significantly affected by laying of egg or photoperiod. Recovery of ¹⁴CO₂ during the fed state was significantly lower than the fasted state. The results of this experiment indicated that, using of uncorrected data for the retained isotope into body, lead to 10.68 percent AA requirements underestimation in broiler breeder hens by indicator amino acid oxidation technique.

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In order to determine the effects of emulsifiers (Lecithin, E471 and E472) and their levels (0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75 and 1%) and also addition of fungal α-amylase (0, 5, 10 and 20 g/100 kg flour) on bread staling, a completely randomized experiment with factorial design and 3 replications was conducted. Bread staling was determined after 0, 24, 48 and 72 hours of storage. Correlation between variables was analyzed by simple and multivariate regression. Results indicated that addition of emulsifiers reduced the firmness of bread. E472 had the most and E471 had the least effect on bread firmness after 72 hours of storage. Addition of α-amylase reduced the bread firmness and this effect was less pronounced after 72 hours of storage. Correlation between variables based on the development of a model showed that in the first day of bread production, optimal levels of emulsifiers were 1%, 0.25% and 0.5% for Lecithin, E471 and E472, respectively. In case of simultaneous application of emulsifiers and enzyme, the optimal level of enzyme was 5 g/100 kg flour.

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This study was conducted in a sugar beet field at Collage of Agriculture Experimental Station, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran. In order to describe the pattern of spatial variations and density of Chenopodium album, Solanum nigrum, Amaranthus sp., Portulaca oleracea, Echinochla crus-galli, and Convulvulus arvense as the main prevalent annual and perennial weeds of sugar beet fields, geostatistic methods were used. Samples were taken by systematic method from the corners of (7m × 7m) grids, using (0.5m × 0.5m) quadrates in three stages (before application of herbicides, after herbicide treatment, and before harvesting sugar beets). The integrity of spatial variation of variables was determined by using variogram functions and distribution maps of species. The variograms indicated that variations of all variables did not happen by chance. The maximum and minimum ranges of variation were observed in Solanum nigrum (by 142.7m) and Portulaca oleracea (by 1.5m), respectively. Both maximum and minimum ranges of variations were related to pre herbicide application. The highest and the lowest spatial correlations were related to Amaranthus sp. (in the third sampling treatment) and Solanum nigrum (in the first stage of sampling), respectively. The spatial distribution maps confirmed the patchiness distribution of the weeds. The patch of weed was constructed from a dense point at the center, gradually tapering toward the edges. The patches were skewed across the rows and irrigation channels. The structure of patches altered during the growing season. Any information on the distribution of weeds in the fields can be useful to improve decision makings in relation to applying the herbicides, selecting the herbicide type or applying the amount of herbicide. Also it can be useful to better design of weed control programs.

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The present experiment was aimed to evaluate the freezing tolerance of two cold tolerant (MCC426 and MCC252) and a cold susceptible (MCC505) chickpea genotypes. The study was carried out in a split-plot factorial design with three replications. Factorial arrangement of genotype and acclimation (acclimation and non acclimation) were imposed as main plot and temperatures (0, -4, -8, -12, 16, -20ºC) as subplot. The effect of freezing temperature (FT) on plant survival was significantly different among genotypes (p<0.05). According to the average effects of acclimation and FT, the plant survival in MCC426 and MCC252 was 40% and 31% respectively more than in MCC505. Lethal temperature for 50% response (LT50) and temperature resulting in 50% lower dry matter (DMT50) in MCC426 were –10.8ºC and –8.4ºC, respectively and were lower than the other genotypes. Acclimation increased the freezing tolerance such that MCC426 tolerated up to –12ºC without any mortality, however, at this temperature, plant mortality rates in MCC252 and MCC505 were 25.7% and 67.7%, respectively. Plant regrowth was affected by the intensity of FT, such that plant dry weight (PDW) and stem height (SH) in –12ºC decreased about 63% and 50%, respectively, compared with non - frozen control plants. The most freezing damage was observed in MCC505, -12ºC treatment caused 90% decreases in PDW and SH, but at this temperature, PDW and SH in MCC425 decreased 55% and 49% and in MCC252, the reduction was about 60%and 54%, respectively. It seems that the use of controlled experiments would contribute to the evaluation of freezing tolerance and screening programs in chickpea germplasm for the estimation of LT50 and DMT50 .

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This study was conducted to investigate the effect of formic and sulphuric acids on chemical composition, dry matter (DM) and crude protein (CP) degradability of alfalfa silage and its effect on early lactating Holstein cow as three trials. In the first trial, chopped alfalfa (22 and 33% DM) was ensiled with three levels of formic acid (0.0, 15 and 20 ml/kg DM) and two levels of sulphuric acid (0 and 4 ml/kg DM). In the second trial, DM and CP degradability coefficients of silages (Treatment 1: without acid Treatment 2: 15 ml formic acid + 4 ml sulphuric acid per kg DM) and alfalfa hay (Treatment 3) were determined using nylon bag technique in two cannulated steers. In the third trial, silages (treatments 1 and 2) were replaced with 50% of alfalfa hay in the early lactation Holstein cow diet (11 cows, 19 ± 8 days in milk). Diets were fed for 49 days. Dry matter intake, milk production and milk composition were evaluated. Blood metabolites were determined in weeks 4 and 6. Effect of wilting on pH was significant (p<0.05). Quickly degradable fraction (a) of DM was similar in both silages (0.35) but was higher (0.5) for hay rather than the silages. Slowly degradable fraction (b) of DM of the acid - treated silage was higher compared with the hay (0.39 and 0.32, respectively). Fraction (a) of CP in acid treated silage was less than the control silage and hay (0.46, 0.57 and 0.57, respectively). Fraction (b) of CP in acid - treated silage was less compared with the control silage and hay (0.41, 0.28 and 0.35, respectively). There were no significant differences between the treatments on the cow’s performance. However, time effect on milk fat and solid non-fat was significant (p<0.01). Blood glucose concentration before feeding with treatment 2 was significantly higher (p<0.01) than cows feeding with treatment 1.

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This study was performed in two barley fields, in Experimental Station, Agricultural College of Ferdowsi University of Mashhad in 2003. Sampling was done by systematic method in which samples were taken from the corners of 7m*7m grids using 0.5m 0.5m size quadrates in three stages (pre herbicide, post herbicide and pre harvesting stages). The results indicted that the density of annual weed seedlings in sugar beet- barley rotation was more than fallow- barley rotation, and the density of perennial weed seedlings in fallow-barley rotation was more than sugar beet- barley rotation. Map of species distribution and density confirmed patchiness distribution of the weeds. The shape and size of patches differed based on the field and weed species, but spatial distribution did not change considerably before and after the application of herbicide. Percentage of free weeds area was 11.5% and 1.5% in fallow-barley rotation and 0.6% and 0% in sugar beet- barley rotation in the first and second sampling stages, respectively. These results indicate beside emphasis on weed infestation. The result also indicates inefficacy of sugarbeet-barley rotation compared to follow-barley rotation. Apparently, the evaluation of management and paying special attention to weed dispersal within the field assist in the implementation of appropriate management strategy, which includes high efficacy, and profit for farmers as well as least damage to crops.

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The aim of this study was to use Alpha-amylase termamyl 2-x for maltodextrin production from corn starch and evaluate its industrial uses. Based on the results obtained in laboratory, this process was accomplished in pilot plant scale. The process included preparation of starch suspension, pH adjustment, addition of enzyme, heating under stirring, continuous control of DE and Brix, enzyme inactivation in adequate DE, separation of soluble sections by centrifuge and finally spray-drying of the maltodextrin liquid. In this investigation, the amount of DE at dry matter was calculated under three enzyme concentrations (0.2, 0.25 and 0.3 ml of Alpha-amylase termamyl 2-x per Kg of starch) and in three different hydrolysis temperatures (60, 65 and 70 ºC) at constant pH (6). A completely randomized design with factorial arrangement and 5 replications was conducted. To study the relationship between DE and different parameters, multiple linear regression was used. Finally, for approximation of DE (based on enzyme concentrations, temperatures and hydrolysis times) a regression model was used. The results from different enzyme dosages at the same temperature and time of hydrolysis differed significantly (p≤ 0.05). Meanwhile, the best enzyme concentration and hydrolysis temperature for maltodextrin (high DE) production after 300 minutes were 0.25 ml of enzyme per kg of starch and 70 ºC, respectively. In these conditions, the least residual starch concentration and residual Alpha-amylase activity were observed.

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This study was intended to use the sourdough LAB containing specific starter cultures for Barbari bread production and reduction of its staling. For sourdough preparation, fresh microbial cells were collected by centrifugation from LAB cultures. Then 1.5% of flour (w/w) from these washed cells with the same amounts of wheat flour and tap water and 0.25% (w/w) active dry yeast extract, containing Saccharomyces cerevisiae were mixed. The effects of fermentation time (8, 16 and 24 hours), fermentation temperature (28, 32 and 36 ºC) and type of starter culture (Lactobacillus sanfransicencis, Lactobacillus plantarum and a mixture of both LAB) were analyzed in a completely randomized design with factorial experiment with 4 replications. Bread staling was determined by its measuring crumb hardness and specific volume in 1, 24, 48 and 72 hours after baking. Correlation between variables was obtained by multivariate regression, and regression models were exhibited. The results showed that sourdough had significant effect (p≤0.05) on reduction of Barbari bread staling at 1, 24, 48 and 72 hours after baking in comparison with control sample. Moreover, the sample prepared with Lactobacillus plantarum (24 h fermentation time and 32 ºC fermentation temperature) had the maximum specific volume and the least staling, 72 hours after baking.

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Cantaloupe (Cucumis melo L.) is one of the most important melons in Iran especially in Khorasan province. The cantaloupe seed is a good functional and nutritional source for human, having large amounts of essential amino acids and unsaturated fatty acids. In spite of nutritional and functional aspects, it does not have considerable applications in food industry yet. Cantaloupe seed milk's pH is about 6.8, so cannot be stored for a long time. In this work, pH of cantaloupe seed milk decreases to 4.15 in 3 treatments (citric acid, orange concentrate, and orange sacs) and a constant amount of lemon juice. At first, nutritive value of seed milk was measured. According to results, this milk is a good source of protein (1.52%), phosphorus (41/3 ppm) and potassium (17 ppm). After that, storage stability of cantaloupe seed beverage at refrigerator temperature (4 °C) for 42 days was evaluated by analyzing changes in the chemical, microbial and sensory properties. The results showed that the orange concentrate-cantaloupe seed beverage reached the highest score of total acceptance (3.67 on a 5-point hedonic scale). In these conditions, we couldn’t find any molds and yeasts in the samples, thus the shelf life of the mentioned beverage could be 6 weeks at 4 °C.

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Among the biodiversity of soil microorganisms, bacteria have the basic role in soil functions. In order to determine the diversity and abundance of soil bacteria in arid regions, and also to study the effect of agricultural practices on them, a study was conducted in winter wheat fields on Shirvan, Mashhad and Gonabad. In each region, high and low input fields of winter wheat and a natural system for comparison were selected. Use of agricultural inputs was criteria for selection of low and high input fields in each region. Soil sampling was done on fields and natural systems and organic matter content, abundance and diversity of soil bacteria were measured in soil samples. Species richness and abundance of soil bacteria was affected by region and so that natural system of Gonabad has the minimum of species richness among the studied systems and the differences of other systems was not significant. Abundance of soil bacteria in 1 g dry soil was maximum in Gonabad and minimum in Shirvan. Abundance of soil bacteria was affected by organic matter and in low and high input systems of Gonabad and low input system of Mashhad was greater than other systems. Overall, 19 species of bacteria that belonged to 4 genus were detected. Results showed that species richness and abundance of soil bacteria in studied systems were relatively low and agricultural practices have not significant impact on these organisms, so that species richness and abundance of soil bacteria were improved in agricultural systems of Mashhad and Gonabad. Pattern of bacterial diversity showed that regional and agricultural stresses were affected on bacterial function so that in high level of stresses, species richness decreased and function of soil bacteria was restricted to decomposition of organic matter. Therefore, organic matter of soil must be increased and agricultural stresses must be decreased to improve of soil bacterial functions.

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Hydrological models are useful tools in water resources planning, but some of them do not have satisfactory performance on a regional scale. Hydrological models are appropriate for a specific spatial scale and the lack of input data is a limiting factor in the modeling. One way to overcome this limitation is by using a flexible comprehensive model in different watersheds. Since surface and ground water have dynamic interaction in environmental ecosystems and form a combined water resources system so, the application of two general methods including fully integrated and coupled regions has been evaluated in this research. An investigation of these methods showed that the major focus in most studies is on increasing the accuracy of recharge and evapotranspiration rates in simulation. The results showed that the simultaneous use of SWAT and MODFLOW models to understand the hydrological conditions in a region has been able to cover the defects associated with the semi-distributional and distributive constraints of two models, simulating the surface-groundwater and the interaction between the aquifer and river. This method can provide useful information about the water balance of the basin and help to plan water resources more accurately