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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Pollination and fertilization of canola flowers are the main factors of canola seed production. In order to study the effects of insect pollinators on seed quantity and quality of three chosen cultivars of canola, namly, S.L.M., Okapi and Talaye, a split plot experiment in a complete randomized block design with four replications was carried out in Isfahan region. Main plots consisted of canola cultivars, and subplots consisted of open pollination and non-pollination by insects. Results indicated that the time to seed ripening in pollinated plots was 10.5 days less than those of non-pollinated plots. Pollination by insects increased the number of pods per plant, number of seeds per pod and weight of 1000 seeds, by 14.3%, 23.5% and 10%, respectively. Grain yield also increased by 53% in pollinated plots. Pollination decreased seed moisture percentage by 3.15%, but its effect on seed oil percentage and germination percentage were not significant. Time to seed germination of plants of pollinated plots decreased three hours. Cultivars were significantly different in seed oil percentage and time to seed germination. Talaye cultivar produced the highest amount of oil (45.5%), while Okapi produced the lowest (40.8%). There were significant interactions between cultivars and pollination in terms of seed ripening, oil percentage and moisture of seeds, and the effects of pollination was different in different cultivars.

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This research was conducted in order to select male genotypes of pistachio with good performance. The study was performed on 10 genotypes in regard to their flowering time, pollen quantity and quality. The results indicated that flowering times of P1, P2 genotypes were simultaneous with Kallehghochi P3, P4, P5 genotypes with Ahmad Aghaii P6 and P7 genotypes with Ohadi and P8, P9, P10 genotypes with Akbari. Inflorescence weight showed big differences between them, ranging from 4.5gr for P6 to 1.66gr for P8. The amount of pollen per inflorescence also showed big difference, ranging from 71mg for P2 and 267mg for P5. In order to determine the percentage of pollen germination, a medium consisting of sucrose, agar and boric acid was used. The percentage of pollen germination also showed big difference, ranging from 30%for P3 and P4 and 85% for P10. Stored pollen at 4°C temperature showed 30% germination after one month and 0% germination after three months. The results also indicated that the percentage of pollen germination in culture medium without boric acid was lower, compared with other treatments. The viability of pollens collected from cutting inflorescences kept in water bottle was higher than that obtained from dried inflorescences maintained in room condition.

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  In order to evaluate insecticidal potential of some botanical extracts, a factorial experiment of complete randomized design with three replications on Callosobruchus maculatus was adopted for a pilot experiment in the laboratory. Plant extracts were prepared from 22 plants with three solvents (Methanol, Acetone and N-Hexane) with 30% concentration. Experiments were carried out at 25˚C and 70 ± 5% RH under 16: 8 (D: L) conditions. Each unit of experiment was a petri dish covered with a filter paper and 1.5 ml of each treatment solution was poured in it and 25 insects were released. Mortality was recorded after 36 hours. In this experiment, each plant extract with more than 50% mortality on C. maculaus was selected for further laboratory screening. In this stage of experiment methanolic leaf extract of Teucrium polium (with 55.04 percent mortality), hexane extract of Sonchus oleraceus (with 54.64 percent mortality), acetonic leaf extract of Calotropis procera (with 53.6 percent mortality), methanolic extract of Fumaria parviflora (with 52.7 percent mortality), methanolic extract of Capsicum annuum (with 50.04 percent mortality), and acetonic extract of Thymus vulgaris (with 50 percent mortality) were selected. After carring out the pilot experiment, the effective extracts with five concentrations of 15, 22.4, 33.5, 50.2 and 75% and one control were evaluated on the C. maculaus. This experiment also was designed in the laboratory as a factorial experiment of complete randomized design with three replications and mortality was recorded after 36 hours. In the highest concentration (75%), extract of Fumaria parviflora and extract of Thymus vulgaris (with 88.3% mortality) and extract of Sonchus oleraceus (with 78.3%) had higher and lower percentage of mortality resectively. The LC₅₀ values of effective extracts were calculated for C. maculaus after 36 hours of treatment with plant extracts. The results showed that C. maculatus with LC₅₀ = 126.27 µl/ml has highest sensitivity against extract of Fumaria parviflora and has lower sensitivity against extract of Sonchus oleraceus with LC₅₀ = 370.09 µl/ml in comparison to other extracts. Amongst the tested concentrations of plant extracts, 5 plant extracts with the concentrations that had the higher mortality on C. maculaus, were selected for experiment on Laphigma exigua in greenhouse. This experiment was carried out with complete randomized design with four replications. The acetonic leaf extract of Calotropis procera (with 57.5 %) caused the highest mortality and acetonic extract of Thymus vulgaris (with 27.5 %) caused the lowest mortality on L. exigua in comparison to other extracts.

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In this study diflubenzuron as a chitin synthesis inhibitor with a dosage of 25 mg A.I/L, and Pyriproxyfen as a juvenile hormone analogue with a dosage of 0.4 mgA.I/L were incorporated in the wax diets of young and last instar larvae of greater wax moth and reared at different temperatures (25, 30, 35°C). Results showed that these compounds in comparison with control increased larval mortality. Diflubenzuron and pyriproxyfen caused 33.9% and 24.1% mortality respectively. The young larvae showed higher mortality with the mean of 57.8% in diflubenzuron and 31.5% in pyriproxyfen. In evaluation of pupation and emergence of adults, no significant differences were observed between diflubenzuron and control. Pyriproxyfen induced reduction in pupation about 48.4% and adult emergence about 44.8% and caused some abnormalities of pupae. Last larval instar was more sensitive to JHA in this respect. Maximum pupation disruption occurred at 25ºC and 30ºC in comparison with 35ºC which reduced abnormal pupae up to 19.7%. IGRs were effective in last larval instar at 35 ºC and increased abnormality of adult up to 49.4%. Reproductive potential (egg viability, hatchability) of adults reduced in F1 generation and was 70-90 percent. IGRs have unfavorable effects on biological aspects of larvae therefore, it is possible to use IGRs alone or in conjunction with other pesticides (Fumigants) in integrated control of these pests.

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Due to injuries of pesticides to natural enemies of pests and pollinator insects, especially honeybees, during the flowering periods, it is essential to protect them. Application of chemical compounds along with the pesticides on the plants could repel the non-target insects from the sprayed areas for sometime and lessen the hazards of pesticides to them. In this study, ten repellent chemicals whose repellency effect was proven in the laboratory in previous studies were screened in the field. Among tested repellents including, Acetophenon, Methyl ethyl ketone, Methyl isobutyl ketone, Cyclohexanone, Acetyl acetone, Methylsalicylate, Propionic anhydride, Maleic anhydrate, 2- Ethylhexylamine, and Dibutylamine, it was revealed that amino group compounds including 2- Ethylhexylamine and Dibutylamine and esteric compound, Methylsalicilate had the highest repellency effect on the honeybees under the field conditions. Repellency effect of these compounds was greater at 15 pm than other sampling times. Repellency effects of different concentrations of these three compounds, when mixed with 0.5% concentration of fixative compounds, showed that the mixture of 2- Ethylhexylamine with Benzylbenzoate, Dibutylphthalate and Benzylalcohole with concentration of 0.17, 0.4 and 0.03 % respectively, the mixture of Dibutylamine at the concentration of 1% with Benzylbenzoate and Dibutylphthalate and at the concentration of 0.08% and higher with Benzylalcohole, and also mixture of Methylsalicilate at the concentration of 1.8 % and higher with Benzylalcohole, all have repellency effect of more than 70% under the field conditions.

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Seedlessness is the most important characteristic of fruit quality for raisin and table grapes. Grape breeding at University of Tehran, Karaj branch, Iran started in 1999 with crossing some selected seedless and seeded cultivars at the end of evaluation of 90 cultivars in grapevine collection of College of Agriculture in Karaj. Out of 1400 progeny obtained from 26 different crosses, 381 of them which produced fruits were evaluated during growing seasons of 2006 & 2007. Progenies were divided into four groups of completely seedless, semi-seedless, semi-seeded and completely seeded, according to seed trace or seed weight. Results classified progeny to 11% completely seedless, 13.6% semi-seedless, 24% semi seeded and 51.2% completely seeded. Percentages of seedless progeny for four male parents of Askary, Yaghooti, Bidane Sefid and Bidane Ghermez were 15.4%, 10.8%, 9.3% and 10.6%, respectively. Meanwhile, percentages of seedless progeny for female parents of Muscut of Hamburg, Ghezel Uzum, Dizmary, Rajabi Sefied, Ali Baba, Alhaghi Ghermez and Tabariz were 5.4%, 5%, 17.5%, 13.2 %, 1.4%, zero and 36%, respectively. Results also showed that among male parents, Yaghooti and Bidane Ghermez cultivars and among female parents, Tabarze cultivar had better backgrounds to transmit stenospermocarpic seedlessness characteristics.

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Because of many small florets and protandry, cross pollination in onion which is a biennial plant, by using polycross method for breeding is suitable and easy. To produce polycross seed, bulbs of 9 self onion genotypes were planted in the shape of equilibrium lattice design for 9 treatments with 10 replications on May 2002. To study some agronomical characteristicss, the polycross seeds produced from free pollination and original self-fed seeds (totally 18 genotypes) were planted in plots as a randomized block design with four replications. Samples were taken from each plot and different characteristics were measured. Results showed that polycross generally increased plant fresh and dry weight, plant height, percentage of off type bulbs and yield, with no effect on bulbing ratio and time to ripening. Although polycross increased most agronomical characteristics and yield in Kashan, Azarshahr and Kazeroon genotypes, in some genotypes little increase or even negative effects resulted due to interaction between genotype and polycross. With more assessment of polycross genotypes, good characteristics will be fixed and seeds with higher qualities will be produced.

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Onion thrips (Thrips tabaci Lind.) is one of the important factors which indirectly restrict the proper yield of onion (Allium cepa L.). Therefore, finding tolerant cultivars to onion thrips is important. Because of many small florets, cross pollination in onion which is a biennial plant by using polycross method for breeding is suitable and easy. To produce polycross seed, bulbs of 9 self pollinated onion genotypes were planted in the shape of equilibrium lattice design for 9 treatments in May 2002. To study tolerance to onion thrips and assess other agronomical characteristics, the polycross seeds produced from free pollination and self pollinated plant seeds (totally 18 genotypes) were planted in a randomized block design with four replications. The main plots were sprayed and not sprayed, and sub-plots were onion genotypes. From August to October 2003, samples were taken from each plot bi-weekly, and number of thrips, and percentage of injury on plants were recorded. As a result of this study, Azarshahr self pollinated genotype showed maximum population density of thrips (22.24) and injury, but Ghom and Abarkooh genotypes showed the lowest amount (2.65 and 5.68 respectively) among all genotypes. Among pollycross genotypes, Ghom and Kashan genotypes showed low population densities (4.3 and 4.24 respectively) and injury, but Azarshahr and Tarom showed high population densities (20.66 and 19.84 respectively) and percentage of injury. Generally, polycross reduced population density of thrips and percentage of injury.

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This study was set up in the research station of Rice Research Institute of Iran (RRII) to determine the response of three hetrotic Indica × Indica rice hybrids (Bahar1, IR75221H and IR69688H) to anther culture on four induction media (N6, modified N6, chu and modified chu). To evaluate hybrids, the percentage of calluses which had been made from anthers in early uni- to mid- uninucleate stage and the number of regenerated plantlets of calluses in those media were determined. The results indicated that genotype, composition of callus induction medium and their interactions significantly affected callus percentage, total plant regeneration and production of green and albino plants. IR75221H hybrid was considerably superior for callus induction (1/64%) and Bahar1 hybrid was the most desirable for producing of green plants (3/43%) and total regeneration (12/24%). IR75221H hybrid produced higher albino plant (10/66%) and IR69688H hybrid produced lower albino plant (6/45%). The best medium culture in the case of callus induction was modified N6 (2%) and total regeneration (21/82%) produced green plant (5/6%), and albino plant (16/22%) was modified Chu among all media culture. However, genotypes showed different results in each media culture, and responses to hybrid of anther culture was low, but by changing the media culture we increased the response of culture.

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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.

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Some recent research has indicated that certain alkaline contaminations may adversely affect mechanical properties of clayey soils. To examine the potential impact of alkaline divalent barium on the swelling characteristics of KAHRIZAK clay, the major solid-waste landfill at south of Tehran, a systematic set of experiments was conducted. Observations indicated that the swelling in the studied soil that belonged to the CH-MH group with a PI of 28.44, was reduced by about 17, 37, 48 and 54 percent, and swelling pressure by about 41, 55, 65 and 67 percent, respectively, after addition of barium chloride solutions to concentrations of 0.25, 0.5, 0.75 and 1.25 molal. It was also found that addition of barium chloride solutions to concentrations of higher than 1 molal had a little effect on reduction of swelling and swelling pressure.

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