JWSS - Journal of Water and Soil Science

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To optimize the use of sulfur in drying of apricot, four following treatments including: sulfiting and drying, sulfiting- blanching and drying, blanching- sulfiting and drying, and finally sulfiting- drying to % 50 of initial moisture- blanching and finish drying were studied. The levels of sulfur addition were from 0 to 1500 ppm, SO2 and drying was carried out at 50 to 74 °C. The quality of dried apricots was judged by extent of browning development and hardness determination. A response surface statistical design was applied to evaluate the quality of slabs and to determine optimum drying conditions. The results showed that sulfite was the major factor in controlling dried apricot quality. At present of sulfur, the role of temperature can be neglected. The amount of used sulfite has no significant effect on drying time of apricots. Blanching reduced drying time of product significantly. By increasing the drying temperature, loss percentage of SO2 was reduced for all treatments. Blanching and then sulfiting, increased loss in residual sulfur of products significantly. Application of sulfiting– drying method, using 900 ppm of SO2 at 50 to 68 °C was found to be the best treatment because of production of slabs whit average hardness and color texture equal to 1.44 N/m2 and 0.07 Od respectively.

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In this research the effect of Super Absorbent Polymer (SAP) on the crop growth, wilting point, sunflower survival, water holding capacity, and irrigation interval was investigated. The experiment was conducted with different concentrations of absorbent hydrogel (Igeta): 0% (control treatment), 0.05%, 0.1%, 0.2%, and 0.3% (w/w). The soil textures were sand, loam, and clay. The experiment was a completely randomized design with three replications. The results of this research are: 1- Adding of Igeta to the soil changed solid, liquid, and gas phases. Application of 0.05%, 0.1%, 0.2%, and 0.3% (w/w) of Igeta increased the volume of clay, loam and sand soils between 10-40% , 5-32% and 9-37%, respectively. 2- With application of Igeta, absorption of nutrients (N, P, and K) was increased. Maximum absorption nutrients occurred at the level of 0.05%, 0.1%, and 0.3% with confidence level of 90% for clay, loam, and sandy soils, respectively. 3- Igeta increased water holding capacity and irrigation intervals. Increasing in irrigation interval was between 30-130% in clay, 60-120% in loam, and 150-300% in sandy soils. Water saving in clay, loam, and sandy soils was 30%, 40%, and 70%, respectively. 4- at the level of 0.3% Igeta, starting time of temporary wilting point was delayed from 4 to 10 days (150%) in clay and loam soils, and from 4 to 12 days (200%) in sandy soil. The starting time of permanent wilting point was delayed from 8 to 12 days (50%) in clay, 7 to 12 days (71.4%) in loam, and 9 to 14 (55.5%) days in sandy soils. Therefore, application of Igeta delayed starting time of permanent wilting point between 50-71% and temporary wilting point between 150-200%.

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In order to study the effects of L-carnitine on performance and some blood biochemical parameters of rainbow trout, the present experiment was conducted with 144 fish (130±5 g) for 8 weeks. In a completely randomized design, the experimental fish were divided into 9 groups with 3 treatments and 3 replicates and 16 fish in each group. Levels of L-carnitine supplements were 0 (control), 1 and 2 g per kg of diet. Results indicated that specific growth rate (SGR), total body weight, weight gain and protein efficiency ratio (PER) were significantly increased by 1g/kg L-carnitine supplements (P<0.05). L-Carnitine also improved feed conversion ratio (FCR) of fish. Crude protein of fish fillet was increased, but its crude fat was reduced at 1g/kg L-carnitine treatment. Similarly, cholesterol, total protein, albumin and globulin of fish blood serum were significantly (P<0.05) increased by the same levels of L-carnitine in the diet, however, blood glucose level remained unchanged. L-Carnitine reduced visceral fat index and increased hepatosomatic index. In conclusion, the results of the present study indicated that the addition of 1g L-carnitine per kg of diet could improve the performance of rainbow trout at grower stage.

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In dairy cattle, the increase in milk yield has been accompanied by a more negative energy balance during early lactation and a decrease in fertility. The 167 amino acid protein product of the ob gene was named leptin (derived from the Greek term ‘leptos’ meaning thin). The leptin hormone, as a 16-kDa protein is synthesized mainly by adipose tissue and is involved in regulation of food intake, energy balance, fertility and immune function. The expression and secretion of leptin are correlated with body fat mass and are acutely affected by changes in food intake. The objective of this study was to investigate the fluctuations of leptin concentrations during late pregnancy and early lactation, the effect of parity and BCS on plasma leptin concentration, and to investigate its fluctuation effects on reproductive status. Blood samples of 54 Holstein cows were taken at a fixed time of the day after milking but before feeding, from 2 weeks before calving until 6 weeks after calving. BCS and plasma leptin concentration were measured at 2-wk intervals. Leptin concentrations were affected by parity. Primiparous cows and cows in first parity had higher leptin concentrations compared with multiparous cows (P<0.05). Leptin concentration was not different in late pregnancy and early lactation. BCS was negatively correlated with plasma leptin concentration (P<0.05). Plasma leptin concentration did not influence reproductive traits (days in milk at first breeding, service per conception and open days).

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This experiment was conducted at the Agricultural Research Station of Isfahan University of Technolgy in 2006 to evaluate the effects of planting pattern and the level of soil moisture on two safflower cultivars. A factorial split plot arrangement was used in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Two planting patternS (flat and bed planting) and two levels of soil moisture (irrigation after 80 and 100 mm cumulative evaporation from Class A pan) were considered as the main factor and two safflower cultivars (IL 111 and Kosseh) as minor factor. Each plot in flat planting consistedof six rows, spaced 25 cm apart with plants 8 cm apart and in bed planting consisted of four rows, spaced 45cm apart with plants 5 cm apart. The duration from planting to button formation, 50% flowering, and 100% flowering stage were significantly shorter in 45cm bed planting than in 25cm flat planting. The duration from planting to all growth stages was less in IL 111, compared to Kosseh cultivar. The level of soil moisture did not affect the duration of any growth stages. Plant height, leaf area index, plant dry matter, number of buttons per plant, number of grains per button, grain weight, and harvest index were higher in flat planting, compared to bed planting. Plant height, plant dry matter, number of buttons per plant, number of grains per button, grain weight, and harvest index were reduced as the level of soil moisture was decreased. Leaf area index and plant dry matter were not significantly affected by the level of soil moisture at 50% flowering stage. Regardless of the level of soil moisture and cultivar, the grain yield was 36% more in flat planting than bed planting. The grain yield was more at higher level of soil moisture and also in Kosseh than in IL 111. The oil percentage and oil yield was higher in flat planting, compared to bed planting and also in Kosseh than in IL 111. The oil percentage was not significantly affected by the level of soil moisture. However, the oil yield was decreased as the level of soil moisture was reduced. The highest amount (1168 kg/ ha) of oil yield was obtained from Kosseh in flat planting and the lowest amount (417 kg/ ha) was achieved from IL 111 in bed planting. The results from this experiment show that to obtain the optimum yield from summer planting in areas with similar conditions to that of this study the 25cm flat planting compared to the 45cm bed planting, and Kosseh compared to IL 111 cultivar seems to be superior.

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Production of halophytes using saline waters and soils, and feeding livestock with them, is one of the most sustainable ways of desert ecosystems conservation and food production for people living in these areas. A field experiment was conducted at Salinity Research Station, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, in 2007 to evaluate the effect of planting density and harvesting time on oil and protein yield of Kochia. Treatments were arranged as a split-plot based on a randomized complete block design with three replications. Planting density (10, 20, 30 and 40 plants m-2) as assigned to main plots and two dates of harvesting (after 50% flowering and full maturity) constituted the sub-plots. Plant density had a significant effect on grain yield, mean seed weight, harvest index, oil yield, oil content and protein yield at maturity stage. Forage and protein yield were also affected by plant density at the harvest date of 50% flowering. Total dry matter, protein yield and percentage differed significantly between the two harvest dates. The greatest grain yield (2590 kg ha-1) and oil yield (357.7 kg ha-1) were achieved from 20 plants m-2, whereas those from 10 plants m-2 were minimal. Maximum protein yield (3390 Kg ha-1) was obtained from the planting density of 30 plants m-2 at 50% flowering stage. Based on the results of this study, the best qualitative yields for Kochia could be obtained from a planting density of 30 plants m-2 after 50% flowering but one may recommend planting Kochia at 20 plants m-2 for a high grain or oil production.

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Salad dressing is a semisolid emulsion and a colloidal system with high consumer demand. Food polysaccharides (e.g starch) are used in the formulation of salad dressing to improve its physical properties and sensory attributes. In this research, 10% mixture of wheat or maize starches were used to produce pregelatinized starches by a double drum drier, followed by milling and sieving. The pregelatinized starches (10%) were applied in the formulation of a salad dressing instead of native starch. Viscosity (at 25 and 35◦C), Hunter color parameters of the samples were evaluated and compared. Pregelatinized starches were more effective in increasing viscosity of the samples compared to corresponding native starches, and the effect of maize starch was greater than wheat starch. Significant differences were recorded in terms of color parameters of the samples. Pregelatinized starch caused higher L values (lighter samples) while the native starch samples were creamy-light yellow. In general, it can be concluded that the pregelatinized starches had better functional properties in salad dressing compared to native starches, and the produced pregelatinized starches can be used instead of native starch in the formulation of salad dressing.

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In this study, two kinds of packages namely tinplate (TP) can and flexible pouch were used for black cherry in syrup. Samples were taken in the same condition in these two packages. Other variables were temperature (4 levels) 4, 23, 35 and 40°C and time (4 levels) 0, 30, 60 and 90 days after preparation of the samples. Samples were digested according to the approved method of AOAC (AOAC, 1990). The total concentrations of Iron, Tin and lead, were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The mean concentration of Iron, Tin and Lead was 4/858 ppm, 38/459 ppb, 38/459ppb in TP cans and 3/161 ppm, 387/978ppb, 33/993 ppb in flexible pouches. Statistical analysis showed that at %5 probability level, the mean value of Iron content of the product packed in TP cans were significantly higher than the control the same was true about both lead and Tin content. However, this trend was not proved in flexible pouches. Furthermore, temperature had a significant effect on the metal content of the samples.

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A comprehensive study is underway now to determine the predicting factors of rice blast and its loss assessment in Guilan province. In a preliminary study, the effect of climatic factors on spores population and forecasting the disease were considered. So, during cultivation season of 2006 and 2007, some fields were chosen five kilometers away from weather stations in three regions of Guilan, including, Rasht, Lahijan and Anzali, and the daily spore population was measured on slides. Climatic data including precipitation (mm), maximum and minimum daily temperature, maximum and minimum daily humidity and sunny hours were obtained from weather stations. Then the relation between spore population and weather data was analyzed, and the most important climatic factors affecting spore population and predicting of rice blast were determined. It was concluded that climatic factors such as precipitation (mm), maximum daily temperature, minimum daily humidity and sunny hours are the most important factors for predicting rice blast in Guilan province. Spore population was positively correlated with precipitation, increase of daily minimum humidity, decrease of daily maximum temperature and decrease of sunny hours. The blast disease occurred in the fields during next 7 to10 days.

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In this study the causality relationship among variables in chicken and beef markets were investigated based on annual data from 1974 to 2004 in the I.S. of Iran. For this purpose, causality algorithms emerging from directed acyclic graphs were used in two cases, one based on co- integration analysis and innovation correlation matrix of Vector Error Correction Model (VECM) and the other using data directly. In the investigation of causality process, PC algorithm based on partial correlations and GES (Greedy Equivalent Search) based on Bayesian network model were used. The results revealed that there is no specific causality relation between chicken and beef consumption and their price indices. Thus it seems other variables and government interventions are effective factors in these markets. Therefore, this model is an instrument for forecasting changes of these variables. In these markets there are causality relations among price indices, quantities of consumption and other variables. Beef price index as endogenous variable, is under the effect of chicken price index, non meat food price index, non food price index, per capita expenditure and quantity of chicken consumption. The quantity of beef consumption is predetermined and isn’t under the effect of other variables. Chicken price index is endogenous and under the effect of beef price index, per capita expenditure and non food price index. Also chicken quantity consumption is endogenous and under the effect of beef quantity consumption and non meat food price index. With respect to the findings, for effectiveness, policy initiatives aimed at improving in meat industry should be different for different meat markets and the method of directed graphs can be used a s a guideline.

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In this study, marketing situation, problems and services of Dutch Roses was investigated in Isfahan province as a main rose producing region in Iran. In this context, marketing margin, share of marketing agents in marketing margin, marketing cost coefficients and marketing efficiency were calculated and marketing path and marketing services of roses flower including harvesting, transportation, packing, sorting and standardization in major path were investigated. The data used in this study were gathered through completing questionnaires from 38 producers, wholesalers (cut flowers distributors) and retailers (flower sellers) and by interviewing four consulting companies in Dutch Roses production and marketing. The results indicated that 56.5 percent of producers are only engaged with production activities and not exporting flowers to either foreign countries or the other provinces in the country. In the main path, average coefficient of technical efficiency (78.17%) was found to be higher than that of price efficiency (34.67%) and based on the marketing efficiency, 108 Rial value added can be achieved from each 100 Rial marketing services cost..

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Water scarcity causes production losses in arid and semi arid regions. In this condition, deficit irrigation is one of the most important methods to minimize effects of water shortage. This research was conducted to evaluate the effects of two kinds of irrigation management (deficit irrigation and partial rootzone drying technique) on some of physiological and phenological characteristics and water use efficiency of tomato. The experiment was carried out in a completely randomized design with five treatments and four replications. The treatments consisted of DI75 and DI50 (supplying 75% and 50% water requirement) applied to the whole root system, PRD75 and PRD50 (supplying 75% and 50% water requirement) which was applied to one side of the root system, and alternated in every irrigation, and FI treatment, which supplied 100% water requirement, and was considered as control. The results showed that the highest water use efficiency was observed in PRD75 (6.28 kg/m3) and the lowest in DI50 (1.98 kg/m3). Water use efficiency was reduced 67% in DI50 and increased 4.6% in PRD75, as compared with full irrigation. Furthermore, plant water state showed that relative water content was higher in PRD treatments than DI treatments. The analysis of variance indicated that there was a significant difference in leaf diameter stomata among treatments at 5% level .The higher level of water increased stomata diameter. The opening of stomata in FI and DI treatments was higher than PRD treatments. FI had the highest numbers of stomata per unit of leaf area and PRD50 had the lowest (10509.04 and 6904.4, respectively). There was no difference among treatments in phenological characteristics in terms of growing degree-day to fruit yield and growing-degree day to harvesting.

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Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Var. Speedfeed) is a major forage crop in Birjand Region, and phosphorus (P) plays an important role in its nutritional value. During a field campaign, eighty soil samples from the region were collected and analyzed. Among them, 24 samples varying in physico-chemical properties and available P were selected. Five extractants were used for measuring sorghum available P as follows: 1) 0.5 M NaHCO3, pH=8.5, shaken for 30 minutes (Olsen's method), 2) 0.5 M NaHCO3, pH=8.5, shaken for 16 hours (Colwel's method), 3) 0.0025 M Na2-EDTA, pH=7 (EDTA method), 4) 1 M NH4HCO3, 0.005 N DTPA (Soltanpour and Schwab's method), and 5) Water (Paauw's method). A greenhouse experiment using a completely randomized design was carried out with 24 soil samples, two treatments of 0 and 90 mg P/kg soil and three replicates. Results indicated that all five extractants are suitable for prediction of sorghum available phosphorus, but Olson and Paauw's methods are preferable. The results also show ed that the critical levels of soil phosphorus for sorghum by Olsen, Colwel, EDTA, Soltanpour and Schwab and Paauw methods are 17, 24, 14, 7 and 2.5 mg P/kg soil, respectively. Statistical analysis indicated that soil pH, clay percentage and organic carbon significantly affected sorghum available phosphorus.

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Direct measurement of discharge in rivers is time-consuming and costly, and sometimes, impossible under flood conditions because of the high speed of water, its transitory nature, and the existence of different floaters along the water. Therefore, the discharge-stage relation, known as Discharge Rating Curve is used. Moreover, to design hydraulic constructions, the maximum flood discharge and its maximum height are required. Therefore, to calculate the flood discharges, one should extend the discharge rating curve by using appropriate methods. In this study, in order to determine the best method for the extension of discharge-stage curve, and to estimate the corresponding discharge with high stages, the logarithmic method, the Manning method, the Chezy method, and the Area-Velocity method in 13 hydrometric stations at the Karkheh watershed in Lorestan province were compared. Data measured at each station were gathered for a ten-year statistical period. Results of calculating the Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) and the Mean Bias Error (MBE) for each method showed that the logarithmic method was more accurate than other methods, and it was more appropriate for the extension of the curve at the low average discharge stations. The Area-Velocity method, after the logarithmic method, especially at the stations with higher average discharge showed good results. The Manning and Chezy methods showed the least accuracy.

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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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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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Development of precise and simple methods in flood simulation has greatly reduced financial damage and life loss. Various methods and procedures have been implemented based on Saint-Venant's one-dimensional equation governing unsteady flows. To simplify the solution for these flows, analytical and numerical methods have been used. In the present study, a new method that provides the optimal outcome is introduced using non-linear programming. Penalty function has also been used to convert nonlinear programming (NLP) constrained problems into unconstrained optimal issues. To verify the accuracy of decision variables, the study covered 60 cross-sections of Gharasu River and 25-year flood hydrographs. After determining the model correctness, the 50 and 100-year flood hydrograph were routed in 18 Kilometers. The results were statistically compared with hydraulic and Muskingum hydrological methods. To sum up the routed hydrographs introduced by NLP method were very close to the hydrographs produced by dynamic wave method. The R2 of calculated discharge of routed hydrograph by NLP and dynamic wave method were 0.948, 0.990, and 0.989, respectively, with the return period of 25, 50 and 100-year flood being 0.989. It can be concluded that NLP method is more accurate than Muskingum method, especially when predicting the peak discharge of flood hydrograph.

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This study was conducted to investigate the effect of water salinity and sodicity on pore size distribution and plant-available water of two clay and sandy clay loam calcareous soils. All combinations of water EC values of 0.5, 2, 4 and 8 dS m-1 and SAR values of 1, 5, 13 and 18 (in total 16 solutions) were used to wet and dry the soil samples for five cycles. Then, water retention of the soil cores was measured at matric suctions of 0 (θs), 10 (θ10) 100 or 300 cm (θFC) and 15000 cm (θPWP). The following quantities were calculated: the difference between θ100 or θ300 and θ15000 considered as available water contrent, the θs and θ10 as macrorosity, the θ10 and θ100 as mesoporosity, and the θ100 as microrosity. The initial porosity of both soils was similar, but the greater values of pore indices and θFC, θPWP and AWC were measured in the clay soil due to clay swelling. As water EC increased, mesopores were destructed and altered to macropores and micropores. Salinity altered the mesopores into macropores due to contraction of diffuse double layer and particle’s flocculation and consequently decreased the θFC, and created new micropores which were responsible for the higher value of θPWP. These trends ultimately diminished the AWC. As water SAR increased, mesopores were destructed and altered to micropores but it did not significantly affect the macropores. With increment of SAR, both θFC and θPWP increased due to structural distruption clay swelling and dispersion resulting in increased adsorptive and interlayer surfaces. The increasing effect of SAR on θPWP was greater and more distinct so that AWC was reduced. As a result, high values of SAR of irrigation water decreased the soil available water to plants besides its toxicity and hazardous effect on plants. With increment of irrigation water salinity, the destructive impacts of SAR diminished. The influence of water quality on water retention was pronounced for the clay soil.‎

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Sediment sources fingerprinting is needed as an autonomous tool for erosion prediction, validation of soil erosion models, monitoring of sediment budget and consequently for selecting soil conservation practices and sediment control methods at the catchment scale. Apportioning of eroded-soil into multiple sources using natural tracers is an integrated approach in soil erosion and sediment studies. The objectives of this study, as a first work, are to assess spatial variations of biochemical tracers and theirs validation in discriminating sediment sources under different land uses and water erosions at catchment scale and to apply them as fingerprints to determine relative contributions of sediment sources in Zidasht catchment, Iran. In view of this, 4 enzyme activities as biochemical tracers were measured in 42 different sampling sites from four sediment sources and 14 sediment samples. The results of discriminant function analysis (DFA) provided an optimum composite of two tracers, i.e. urease and dehydrogenase that afforded more than 92% correct assignations in discriminating between the sediment sources in the study area. Sediment source fingerprinting model was used based on optimum composite of two tracers resulting from DFA to explore the contributions of sediment from the four sources. The results showed that the relative contributions from rangeland/surface erosion, crop field/surface erosion, stream bank and dry-land farming/surface erosion sources were 11.3±5.3, 8.1±3.8, 75±8.5 and 3.6±2.5, respectively. Therefore, we can conclude that fingerprinting using biochemical tracers may help develop sediment fingerprinting models and as a first step facilitate a more complete tool for fingerprinting approach in the future.

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Knowing about the way water is distributed in the soil is essential for designing and managing the Subsurface Drip Irrigation systems (SDI). Since carrying out experiments to recognize the form of moisture distribution in the soil is too complicated and time-consuming, using numerical simulations can be an efficient, effective substitute method to design these systems. One of these models is HYDRUS-2D, which is able to simulate the movement of water, heat and solute in saturated and unsaturated conditions in soil. This research aims to figure out the extent to which the HYDRUS-2D model is able to estimate wetting pattern in soil around a dripper. The simulations’ findings were compared to the data gathered from the field, including SDI system in different irrigation times, and 72 hours after irrigation. Moreover, the rates of error were measured for all points and distances from the dripper in all times of irrigation and also beyond that. The results indicated that the model can simulate the changes, trend similar to what happened in the soil profile. However, it estimated the rate of soil moisture with higher errors in those points in which the wetting took place, with the maximum error rate being RMSE= 0.05 per every 1.5 hours after irrigation starting point in the depth of 30 centimeters where dripper is placed. Also, with an increase in the irrigation time, and soil moisture evening which resulted from redistribution of moisture, the model resulted in better estimations. 72 hours after finishing the irrigation, the estimates were closer to real figures with an average error estimate of RMSE= 0.002.