JWSS - Journal of Water and Soil Science

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In order to assess and determine amino acids profile and their availability in different sorghum grain (SG) varieties, three SG varieties including low tannin (0.09% , LTS), medium tannin (0.19%, MTS) and high tannin (0.37%, HTS) were grown at the same location. The grains were analysed for their proximate analyses, tannin and amino acids. True amino acid availability (TAAA) was obtained by Sibbald’s method using ceacectomized single comb leghorn cockerels. The results showed that methionine and cystine were the first and the second limiting amino acids, respectively in LTS and MTS. But in HTS, lysine (0.166%) was the first and methionine (0.176%) was the second limiting amino acid. Methionine content was 0.114% , 0.182% and 0.176% for LTS, MTS and HTS, respectively. Although, crude protein was lower in HTS (10%) than the other SG, but histidine, methionine and isoleucine were higher for HTS in comparison to LTS and MTS. TAAA decreased when tannin content increased and all amino acids had a lower availability in HTS than LTS and MTS (P<0.05). Methionine in HTS and LTS and glutamic acid in MTS had the highest availability. The availability of proline was most affected by tannin, and its availability was 91.55% for LTS, 84.82% for MTS and 22.82% for HTS (P<0.05).

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Genetic variation within and between five Iranian sheep populations including Sanjabi (SAN), Kordi Kordistan (KKO), Kordi Khorasan (KKH), Mehraban (MEH) and Moghani (MOG) was assessed using six microsatellite markers (McMA2, McMA26, MAF64, OarAE64, OarCP26 and OarFCB304). The PCR reactions were successfully perfomed with all primers except OarAE64. All locus-population combinations were at Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium except McMA2 in MOG population (P<0.005). Polymorphism criteria showed that the five studied loci were polymorphic in all populations. The lowest D_A genetic distance (0.234) was observed between KKH and KKO and the highest (0.388) between SAN and MOG populations. The dendrograms based on D_A distances were drawn using unweighted pair-group method using an arithmetic average (UPGMA) and neighbor-joining (NJ) method. KKO, KKH and SAN were grouped together at one cluster and MEH and MOG at another by both methods. The average expected heterozygosity for each populations (as interpopulation variation) ranged from 0.744 to 0.847 for KKH and MEH, respectively. The estimated time of divergence for two Kordi populations (KKO and KKH) was 445 years that complies with historical evidences. The findings of this research confirmed that microsatellite variation could be a useful tool for screening of investigating biodiversity among domestic animals.

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Seed traits are an important measure of the effects of endophytic fungi in Festuca genus. In this study, endophyte-infected (E⁺) and un-infected (E^-) clones of the same tall fescue genotypes were used to investigate the effects of endophyte on the seed production and associated traits. Endophyte infection resulted in 32.8% increase of total seeds by weight, 34.6% seeds per plant, and 30.6% panicles per plant, but other seed components were not affected by endophyte. Significant phenotypic variances were observed for traits except for 1000 seed weight. Plant genotype×fungal status interactions occurred for seed per plant. These interactions occurred largely because of variation in different plant genotypes. Genetic variance for this trait in E⁺ was greater than E^- for both years, suggesting that the endophyte can mask plant genotypic variance. The results indicated that endophyte had a positive effect on seed production but could result in overestimating of plant genetic variance for some traits. In conclusion, breeding strategies should consider presence or absence of endophyte and the possible effects on variances.

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Genetic male sterility is controlled by one pair of ressesive allele (aa) in sugar beet. This trait is used in most breeding programes. The exsistance of the character in a line or population facilitates transfer of important trait to the breeding material (for example resistance to plant disease). Also, it is possible to increase genetic diversity of monogerm populations by using genetic male sterility. The time and cost of transferring of this gene will be decreased, if the character is tagged with a molecular marker. Bulked segregant analysis using 302 RAPD primers in two F2 populations (231 and 261 population) was performed for the the identification of RAPD markers linked to the genetic male sterility gene. DNA preparation from 8 male fertile and male sterile plants were separately mixed. At first, the primers were tested on bulks. The primers with polymorphic bands were tested on individual plants of the bulks. Only if the polymorphism of the primers was confirmed, they were tested on the other individual plants. Finally, 10 and 6 markers were identified in 231 and 261 populations, respectively, which their distances to male sterility gene were lower than 50 cM. AB-8-18-600r marker was the nearest marker to male sterility gene. This marker showed only 3 and 1 recombination in 231 and 261 populations, respectively. The distance of this marker and genetic male sterility locus was estimated as 5.3 cM in combined F₂ populations.

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A computer model (SprinklerMod) was developed to simulate hydraulics of sprinkler irrigation systems. The objective of this paper is to describe mathematical background of this model for simulating pressures and discharges of sprinklers along the laterals. The model is capable of designing two types of laterals: laterals with fixed sprinklers and laterals with portable sprinklers. The model shows the simulation results in the forms of tables and graphs. Laterals with one or two diameters on uniform or non-uniform slopes can be designed. The model provides graphical presentation of percentage of sprinkler pressure variations for different lateral inside diameters. The Hazen- Williams equation was used for the calculation of friction losses. The required input parameters for lateral simulation are lateral type, desired sprinkler operating discharge and pressure head, spacing between sprinklers, distance of first sprinkler from lateral inlet, number of sprinklers operating on the lateral, riser height, Hazen- Williams pipe friction coefficient and lateral longitudinal slope or field elevations at each of the sprinklers on the lateral. Laterals are simulated such that average sprinkler pressures and discharges become equal to the values requested by the designer. Iterative procedures were implemented to simulate sprinkler pressures and discharges on laterals and the Newton- Raphson iterative method was used for calculating pressure of each of the sprinklers on the laterals with portable sprinklers. In order to evaluate the model, some example results of the model were compared with classical design results. Since there is no formula for the calculation of the required lateral inlet pressure in classical design of laterals with portable sprinklers in the scientific references, a new formula was developed. Averages of absolute percentage of variations of lateral inlet pressures for laterals with fixed sprinklers and with one or two-size diameters ranged from 0.3 to 0.7 percent, respectively. This value for laterals with portable sprinklers was 0.1 percent. 

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Concentration of soluble fluoride in groundwater, soil, and some crops in Isfahan region was determined by Ion Selective Electrode (ISE) method. The mean fluoride concentration of water samples in the study area was 0.3 and 0.05 mg L^-1 in the spring and summer, respectively. These values are in an acceptable limit for irrigation, whereas for drinking water, they are in deficiency range. The average and maximum concentrations of soluble fluoride in soil samples were 1.0 and 3.2 mg kg^-1, respectively. In general, the spatial distribution of fluoride in soils showed that fluoride content around major industrial centers such as Isfahan Steel Factory, Mobarakeh Steel Co., and Isfahan oil refinery was higher than other sites. The minimum and maximum fluoride contents of crops were observed in alfalfa as 0.2 and in corn as 4.2 mg kg^-1, respectively. Tomato had the highest mean concentration of fluoride as 3.6 mg kg^-1. The fluoride concentration in plants positively correlated with the fluoride concentration in irrigation water and soil (P < 0.01) and negatively correlated with cation exchange capacity of soil (P < 0.05).

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Fescues (Festuca spp) are widely distributed in the temperate regions and are used for turf, forage and soil conservation. Though seed traits are important measures of the effects of endophytic fungi on their host, little information is available in this respect for Festuca. In this study, endophyte-infected (E⁺) and endophyte-free (E^-) clones of the six fescue genotypes were used to investigate the effects of endophyte on seed production. The relationships between seed traits plus direct and indirect effects of components on seed yield were also studied. Endophyte infection resulted in 38.1% to 249% more seed yields in some genotypes, though some were not affected by this symbiotic relationship. Correlations between traits and also results of stepwise regression were influenced by the presence of the symbiotic fungi. Path analysis showed that endophytic fungi changed direct and indirect effects of components on seed yield. In endophyte containing clones, panicle fertility had the most direct effects and number of panicle per plant and seed per panicle the most indirect effects on seed yield. In E- clones, panicle fertility had the highest indirect effects and other components had direct effects on seed yield. The results suggested that breeding strategies for increasing seed yield in fescue should consider the presence or absence of endophyte in germplasm.

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  Sugarcane is one of the most important sugar crops in the world. Because of semi-arid climate and salinity of its cultivation area in our country, increasing salt tolerance of sugarcane is signifying. To achieve this goal determining salt tolerant cultivars and understanding salinity mechanisms in sugarcane are very important. This study was conducted to evaluate 8 commercial and promising sugarcane cultivars at early stage of growth. A complete randomized design with three replicates and four salinity treatments (0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75 % NaCl) was used in a hydroponics system. The effect of salinity on absorption, transport and accumulation of Na⁺, Cl^- , K⁺ and Ca²⁺ ions in shoot and root was determined. At high level salt concentration, Cl^- content in shoot and root increased. Result showed that sodium accumulation in sugarcane plants was more than potassium. By increasing salinity level, sodium uptake and its translocation to shoots increased reducing growth and dry matter yield of plants. With rising salt concentration from medium (0.5%) to high (0.75%), content of chloride in shoot and root of NCO-310 was constant showed that this cultivar had genetic ability to avoid Cl^- uptake. CP82-1592 with lowest ratio of shoot / root chloride had minimum transport of Cl^- to shoots. Also this cultivar had high content of Ca²⁺ in shoot and low Na⁺/Ca²⁺ ratio at all salinity levels. CP48-103 had low sodium in shoot and relatively low sodium in root. Thus it probably has genetic potential to avoid sodium uptake. At last, exclusion of Na⁺ and Cl^- to older leaves and tillers was seen in CP82-1592 and CP72-2086 cultivars. According to results, to avoid once of absorption and transport, and exclusion of harmful Na⁺ and Cl^- ions were mechanisms that could be used in salinity tolerance of sugarcane.

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  Soil erosion is one of the most threatening issues for crop production and environmental qualities, especially for soil and water resources. Appropriate knowledge about total soil loss and runoff is valuable in order to perform soil and water conservation practices in watersheds. EUROSEM, "a single event, dynamic and distributed model," was developed to simulate soil loss, sediment transportation and deposition by rill and interrill processes. This study was conducted to evaluate EUROSEM model in order to simulate soil loss and runoff in Sulijan sub-basin, which covered 20 ha, from Charmah-Bakhtari province. The sub-basin was divided in to 19 homogeneous elements using topographic, land use, plant cover, slope and channel properties throughout it. Soil, plant cover, land surface and climate characteristics were measured and evaluated by field observations and laboratory measurements. Actual soil loss and runoff for studied events were determined by direct measurement in the field. After sensitivity analysis, calibration and validation steps were carried out to simulate runoff and soil loss. The results of sensitivity analysis showed that the EUROSEM model for predicting runoff was more sensitive to hydraulic conductivity, capillary drive and initial soil moisture. On the other hand the model for predicting soil loss was more sensitive to Manning's coefficient and soil cohesion. The results showed that the EUROSEM model was able to simulate well the total runoff, peak of runoff discharge, total soil loss and time for the peak of soil loss discharge. But that could not simulate well the peak of soil loss discharge and time for the peak of runoff. Although it seems that EUROSEM is able to predict soil loss and runoff partially well in individual events, it is necessary to evaluate the efficiency of the models for different basins with varieties of soil, plant cover and climatic properties.

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  Some industrial processes, such as plating and gold mining, utilize cyanide, which entering in their effluents. Because cyanide compounds are toxic contaminants, the waste-containing cyanide must be treated before discharge in the environment. Several methods are available for cyanide removal or detoxification. Natural degradation, alkaline chlorination, and oxidation with hydrogen peroxide are the most common methods in full-scale plants. Because of technical and economical concerns related to these methods, biological treatment processes have recently come under consideration. In phytoremediation, plants potential for pollutant removal is used. The main objective of present study is to investigate feasibility and potential of phytoremediation of cyanide-polluted soils by non-woody plants. The experiments carried out in this study were a completely random factorial design procedure, with three replications. Three non-woody plants: sorghum (as a cyanogenic cereal plant) and fescues with and free of endophyte (as grasses), were examined. Analysis of variance of the data obtained on soil cyanide reduction and cyanide accumulation in plants showed that phytoremediation is a suitable technique for low concentration of cyanide-polluted soils. Besides, it was been found that sorghum has a better soil cyanide removal efficiency than fescues, so that a significant portion of soil cyanide will accumulate in sorghum tissues.

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In tea plantation regions of northern part of the country, application of supplemental irrigation during dry periods (lacking rainfalls) in conjuction with proper nitrogen fertilizer application can significantly improve tea yield per unit of plantation area. In order to quantify the effectiveness of proper irrigation and nitrogen management on tea, the response of tea to various levels of irrigation and nitrogen applications was studied in Fouman suburb of Guilan province. Tea crop production function and its crop coefficient (K_C) were determined. A line source sprinkler irrigation was used for creatiating a variable irrigation application and a split-split-plot statistical design was used. Irrigation treatments consisted of full irrigation (I₄), deficit irrigation (I₃, I₂ and I₁) and no irrigation(I₀). Nitrogen application treatments were N₁, N₂ and N₃ (100, 180 and 360 kg/ha) in three replications randomly arranged as main plots, while irrigation treatments as sub plots were not randomized. During the growing period, soil moisture up to the depth of 90 cm was determined gravimetrically and actual crop water use was calculated from mass balance equation weekly. Reference evapotranspiration (ETo) was estimated by Penman-Montieth equation and was used to estimate tea crop coefficient. During growing period, the actual tea water use of I₄ and I₀ were computed to be 457 and 256 mm. Tea crop coefficient during dry period (June, July and Augest) ranged from 0.8 to 0.9. Crop resistance factor (K_y) for tea was found to be 1.37. Results indicated that optimum rate of nitrogen (180 kg/ha) along with supplemental irrigation, increased yield and water use efficiency (WUE). Futhermore, supplemental irrigation increased yield and WUE more than nitrogen application. In I₀ and I₁ treatments, application of 100 kg/ha nitrogen resulted the highest yield and WUE.

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Canola (Brassica napus L.) in response to salinity represents various resistances with respect to its phonologic stages. Most plants such as Canola are resistant at germination stage. However, at seedling or earlier growth stages, plants become more sensitive to salinity but their tolerance increases with age. Salt tolerance of various plants has been extensively studied however, the results have either been qualitative or expressed as average values over root zone salinity for the whole growth season. Thus, developing appropriate models for quantitative characterization of plant response to salinity at different growth stages is essential. Canola which is considered as high economic value plant was selected for this study. Two productive stages for canola are recognized as flowering and ripening. To determine the effect of salinity on canola at vegetative growth stages, a greenhouse experiment was conducted on a natural saline loamy sand soil, using salinity treatment including one non-saline water (tap water) and 8 saline waters of 3 to 17 dS.m^-1. The canola plants were irrigated with tap water before the desired stage and then salinity treatments were imposed. The Maas and Hoffman (1977), van Genuchten and Hoffman (1984), Dirksen et al., (1993), and Homaee et al., (2002b) models were used to predict relative transpiration (T_a/T_p ) and relative yield ( Y/Y_m) as a function of soil salinity. The maximum error (ME), root mean square error (RMSE), coefficient of determination (CD), modeling efficiency (EF) and coefficient of residual mass (CRM) statistics were calculated to compare the models and their efficiencies. The results indicated that the van Genuchten and Hoffman (1984) model provides best prediction at flowering stage. However the Homaee et al. (2002b) model offers better prediction at ripening growth stage.

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Ordination is the part of statistical ecology which has developed and integrated in recent years. Finding environmental factors which important in ecological structure determination of plant species is the final purpose of ordination. Ordination method was used for finding the effect of important variables on Bromus tomentellus species quantitative and qualitative changes in Esfahan's Fereidan region. For this purpose, fifteen sites were studied. Density, Cover percentage and Soil factors containing EC, pH, % caco₃ , % gravel and stone, % clay, % silt, % sand, Na⁺, Ca²⁺, K⁺, Mg²⁺, Cl^-, SAR, C/N and % OC. In A (0-30 cm) and B (30-60 cm) horizons over a line transaction in each site, were measured. The matrix of environmental and species characteristics were prepared. The relationship between environmental and species characteristics were determined using of PC-ORD and CANOCO software's and Redundancy Detrended Analysis (RDA) method. The results show that there are meaningful correlation between Density and Cover percentage with soil factors. The results implicate that C/N factor in A horizon and SAR in B horizon have the most effect on Bromus tomentellus density and cover percentage. EC, pH and …. Factors don't have much effect on Bromus tomentellus species characteristics.

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Field crop landraces are valuable genetic sources. Twenty populations of Persian clover (Trifolium resupinatum L.) collected from different areas of Iran were used in this study. DNA extractions were carried out using minipreparation method with equal amount of leaves from 30 plants of each population. DNA samples from 20 clover populations were evaluated using semi-random (ISJ) markers. Ten primers out of 30 which used IT (intron-targeting) and ET (exon-targeting) primers produced repeatable bands. Cluster analysis was conducted using NTSYS software and UPGMA method based on Jaccard's similarity matrix. Primers totally produced 111 bands, of which 93 bands (%93) were polymorphic among clover genotypes. The greatest and least amplification fragments belonged to IT_15-31 and ET_18-4 primers, respectively. Average band number per primer was estimated 11.1 bands. Furthermore, IT primers produced more polymorphic DNA fragments with higher resolution. Based on cluster analysis and cutting dendrogram in 0.8 similarity coefficients, clover populations were divided into five groups in which Kazerun and Kermanshahi (1) individually formed a separate cluster. According to similarity matrix, the least similarity (%42) belonged to Alvijan and Kazerun and the highest similarity belonged to Chegeni and Haftchin Hamedan. Clustering based on semi-specific PCR method almost substantiated the grouping based on geographical origin. Considering the results, it is concluded that PCR-based semi-random marker technique can be used for genetic diversity study of Persian clover as well as discrimination of its cultivars.

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In order to study changes in morphophysiological traits of wheat cultivars released from 1940 to 2000 in Iran and to determine the association of these traits with grain yield, an RCBD experiment was conducted with 15 wheat cultivars released during past 60 years in Arsanjan (Fars province) in 2006 and 2007. Results indicated that grain yield increased significantly during these 60 years (r=0.912, P<0.01). HI and BY increased significantly with increasing grain yield. The changes in photosynthesis rate were not significant during this period, but transpiration rate and stomotal conductance in recent cultivars increased significantly. Chlorophyll index also increased in new cultivars. Among yield components, grain number per ear increased significantly, but increase in ear number was not significant. Plant height decreased significantly in new cultivars. The results showed that during wheat breeding in Iran, increasing HI, grain number per ear, transpiration rate, stomatal conductance and decreasing plant height had the highest role in wheat yield increase. The role of BY and ear number per area were lower in grain yield increase. It seems that present HI values are near the highest possible value, but the opportunity for increasing grain yield by mean of HI is still possible.

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This experiment was conducted to investigate the genetic diversity, identify traits explaining yield variation, recognize relationships between traits and classify accessions in a Iranian and forign germplasem of tall fescue. Forty six Iranian and foreign tall fescue accessions were surveyed for Phenological, morphological and agronomical characters in a randomized complete block design with three replications in field for 2 years. Significant differences were observed for all of the characters, indicating broad variation in this germplasm. Iranian accessions had a better performance for most of the traits in both years indicating their high potential for developing commercial varieties in breeding programs. Basis on stepwise regression analysis, crown width justified the majority of hay yield variation, followed by establishment rate, percentage of dry matter, height and number of stem. Hence, these characters could be used for selecting high yielding cultivars. Factor analysis revealed 4 factors which explained more than 80 percent of the total variation and confirmed the results of regression analysis. Using UPGMA method, cluster analysis revealed five groups. Accessions with similar country of origin or same ecological conditions were grouped in same cluster. Regarding the morphological characters the best accessions were identified to be used in the further breeding projects.

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In order to determine the potato cultivars responses to irrigation regimes and fertilizer combinations, an experiment was conducted on Fereidan Research Farm, Isfahan Province in 2003. The trial was designed as split-split plot based on randomized complete block design with three replications. The cultivars (Arinda and Navita) were planted as main plots, and irrigated after 70, 140, 210 mm water evaporation from standard A pan surface that provided optimal watering, mild drought, and severe drought, respectively, as sub plots. Fertilizer combinations including of NPK + Zn, NPK+ Mn, NPK +Zn + Mn and NPK+ Manure were used as sub-sub plots. Results showed that the cultivar Arinda produced higher yield, mean tuber weight and total tuber number. By decreasing the amount of irrigation, the total yield and mean tuber weight were decreased. The highest amount of seed tubers (35-55 mm diameter) and marketable tuber sizes (diameter>35mm) and lowest amount of small size tuber numbers (diameter <35) were obtained in moderate drought. The use of NPK + Zn + Mn and NPK+ Manure produced the highest yield and mean tuber weight. Planting the cultivar Arinda with efficient irrigation is suggested in Isfahan province. Moderate drought is recommended for production of higher amount of seedy tubers. A combination of manure, Mn and Zn fertilizers are also suggested for potato farms of this district.

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At present, soil surface characteristics (SSC) are recognised as key parameters controlling infiltration rates, runoff generation and erosion. Microtopography of surface among SSC is the main one. The work presented in this paper is based on a set of digital elevation models (DEMs) supplied by two different methods: Laser roughness-meter and photogrammetry method. We used two maquettes. The used maquettes correspond to varying roughness (rough and soft roughness). These methods were compared using different statistical parameters of SSC such as heights and slopes histograms. In addition, we studied estimation of Random Roughness (RR) coefficient and Maximum Depression Storage (MDS). RR is considered as an indicator of microtopography and it is one of the main parameters influencing erosion and runoff-infiltration processes. The obtained RR by photogrammetry method showed, on average, 10 percent difference from laser method for soft maquette and 5 percent for the rough maquette. The range of this difference for the MDS varies from 2 to 34 percent, i.e., maximum 0.17 millimetres. In this study, photogrammetric method gives the DEMs with a lower slope for the rough maquette (on average 40.5 versus 46 for the laser method) and higher slope for the soft maquette (about 23.5 versus 20.7 for the laser method). The results showed the DEMs provided by photogrammetric method is able to perform accurate estimation for RR and provides good estimation for the MDS. Therefore, it can be useful in erosion and hydraulic studies.

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To study the goosegrass (Eleusine indica (L.) Gaertn.) in tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.), an experiment in 15-year old turf was conducted during 2006 in Tehran in Sheikh Fazlollah highway using randomized complete block design with 4 replications in 1*1 m2 plots. Treatments were diclofop methyl at 2.5 and 3 Lha-1, fenoxaprop-p-ethyl at 0.8 and 1 Lha-1, clodinafop propargyl at 0.6 and 0.8 Lha-1, tralkoxydim at 1 and 1.2 Lha-1, sulfosulfuron at 27 and 35 gha-1 and untreated control. All treatments were repeated 3 times during the growing period of goosegrass. The results showed that after the last spraying, diclofop methyl at 2.5 and 3 Lha-1, fenoxaprop-p-ethyl at 0.8 and 1 Lha-1, clodinafop propargyl at 0.6 and 0.8 Lha-1 decreased goosegrass's biomass up to 81, 83.64, 81.26, 78.58, 80.27 and 81.26 percent, respectively and goosegrass's density up to 82.5, 83.13, 79.38, 79.38, 78.75 and 80.63 percent, respectively, without significant differences. Treatment after 2 times of spraying controlled goosegrass more than 80 percent. Tralkoxydim and sulfosulfuron decreased goosegrass' biomas and density about 70 and 60 percent, respectively. One week after the last spraying, diclofop methyl, fenoxaprop-p-ethyl and clodinafop propargyl treatments did not decrease tall fescue's biomass without significant differences with untreated control. Turf biomass was decreased by tralkoxydim at 1 and 1.2 Lha-1 and sulfosulfuron at 27 and 35 gha-1, by 37.54, 36.79, 40.48 and 48.55 percent, respectively. Herbicide treatments made visual rating by 49.38, 48.75, 48.75 and 50.63 percent, respectively. Overall, diclofop methyl at 2.5 Lha-1, fenoxaprop-p-ethyl at 0.8 Lha-1 and clodinafop propargyl at 0.6 Lha-1 can be recommended for goosegrass control in tall fescue because of insignificant differences between both their doses, bio-environmental problems, costs, and no damage to tall fescue.

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The effect of mulberry leaves enrichment with riboflavin in 7, 37, 77 and 127ppm concentrations on larval growth and cocoon characteristics of Bombyx mori L., hybrid 103×104 was studied. Silkworm larvae were fed on fresh mulberry leaves of shin inche nevise enriched with riboflavin once a day. All biological and economical parameters were determined by using standard techniques in sericulture. The results showed that larval weight was greater in 77ppm among treatments on the 7th day of the fifth instar which had 47% increase compared to control. Maximum amount of female cocoon weight and female pupal weight were recorded 1.622g and 1.169g, respectively, in 127ppm while male cocoon weight and pupal weight were greater in 37ppm and recorded to be 1.169g and 0.895g, respectively. Maximum amount of cocoon shell weight and cocoon shell ratio were recorded in 77ppm for male (0.311g and 26.06%) and female (0.318g and 21.46%). Maximum weight of 50 eggs (0.027g) was recorded in 127ppm while high fertility and hatchability was recorded in 77ppm concentration. Effective rate of rearing was maximum in control treatment (72%) with no significant difference compared with other treatments. The overall results showed that riboflavin can be used at 77ppm concentration for the significant increase of cocoon weight, cocoon shell ratio and egg production of silkworm, Bombyx mori L.