JWSS - Journal of Water and Soil Science

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In this study 5025 records from the Lori-Bakhtiari sheep stud were used to predict phenotypic, genetic and environmental change in ewe traits from 1989 to 2004. Best linear unbiased prediction (BLUP) of breeding values were estimated by Drivative Free Restricted Maximum Likelihood (DFREML) procedure using single and multi-trait animal model. Phenotypic, genetic and environmental trends were calculated by regressing of the average phenotypic values, predicted breeding values and environmental values in the year of ewe birth respectively. The estimated phenotypic trends were –0.1223 kg for ewe body weight, -0.0415 kg for greasy fleece weight, 0.6639% for conception rate, 0.0003 for number of lambs born per ewe lambing, 0.0094 for number of lambs weaned per ewe lambing, 0.0380 kg for total birth weight per ewe exposed and 0.4227 kg for total weaning weight per ewe exposed. The estimated genetic trends were 0.0603 kg, -0.0004 kg, 0.0183%, -0.0012, -0.0007, 0.0030 kg and 0.0211 kg from single trait analysis and 0.0549 kg, -0.0006 kg, 0.0089%, -0.0008, -0.0008, 0.0030 kg and 0.0230 kg respectively from multi-trait analysis. The estimated phenotypic and environmental trends were significant but genetic trends were not significant (P<0.05) for often traits.

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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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The biological and behavioural parameters of Anisopteromalus calandrae (Hym.: Pteromalidae), a parasitoid of Callosobruchus maculatus (Col.: Bruchidae) on Chickpea were studied in laboratory conditions at temperature of 25±1ºC, photoperiod 16:8 (L:D) and 20±5 % RH. The pre-adult period of the wasp was 19.82 ± 0.038 days and pre-ovipositional period in this wasp was so short that female laid eggs immediately after emergence. Reproductive and post reproductive periods were 25.12 ± 1.98 and 1.75 ± 0.28 days, respectively. Adult life span was 26.69 ± 1.98 days. Total number of progeny produced by a female was 240 ± 28.51. The sex ratio (% females) of the resulting adults on hosts was 0.49. The functional response of A. calandrae was type II. The host stage preference by the parasitoid was investigated in two methods, choice and non-choice experiments. In the first condition, the parasitoid preferred the 4^th larval instar to others, but in the second, it preferred both 4^th larval instar and pupae. Adult longevity for both female and male parasitoids provided with honey solution (% 50), host larvae, host larvae and honey solution (%50), and finally without host larvae and honey solution was 49.00 ± 4.32 , 26.69 ± 1.98, 38.90 ± 3.52 and 5.66 ± 0.37 days for females and 10.64 ± 1.5, 6.85 ± 0.34, 8.41 ± 0.52 and 5.59 ± 0.28 days for males, respectively.

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The species diversity of bumblebees was investigated in two provinces, Tehran (Fasham, Zayegan) and Qazvin (Alamut, Wikan) in central Alborz during 2005-2006. Three casts of queen, worker and male bumblebees were collected during spring and summer in six dates in the two mentioned regions. Sampling of adult bees in Wikan was done from 26 July 2006 until 19 September 2006, and in Zayegan from 24 May 2006 to 17 September 2006. In sum, eleven species were collected of which eight species were common in the two regions. Data of different species casts at two regions were analyzed by Excel ver. 6 and Ecological Methodology ver. 6. 1. 2 soft wares. Species diversity of two regions was determined and compared with three indices of Simpson, Shannon-Weiner and Brillion, and evenness was calculated with indices of Simpson, Camargo and Esmit-Willson. Species richness of two regions was compared in research. The obtained results showed species diversity, evenness and species richness were more observable in Wikan compared with Zayegan. Consequently, Wikan in comparison with Zayegan was more sustainable. Similarity of two regions was 0/46, showing many differences in terms of the kinds. Also, there were 8 similar species in the two areas.

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Various effects of methanolic extract of neem seed kernel on larvae of cotton boll worm, Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) were studied and compared with those of Neem Azal T/S and Neem Plus, two commercial formulations. The pest was collected from Gorgan (Golestan Province, Iran) and reared on a bean based artificial diet. The neem seed was collected from Bandar-Abbas (Hormozgan Province) and extracted in laboratory. Growth inhibitory and antifeedant assays were carried out on larvae treated with seed kernel extracts in 3 concentrations,1, 2.5 and 5%, under choice and no-choice conditions. The neem extract had a significant antifeedancy effects on larvae. Neem Plus and 5% extract had the least and most antifeedancy effects, respectively. The most and least feeding rates belonged to Neem Plus and Neem Azal treatments, respectively, which differed significantly (P<0.05). Feeding deterrence index (FDI) was highest in 5% extract which also differed significantly from Neem Plus treatment. Larvae treated with extract led to malformation and prevented formation of pupa and ultimately caused death. The LT50 values with confidence limit (CL) of 95% were 3.84 and 4.13 d, for Neem Azal and 5% extract respectively. DC50 and EC50 of extract were 4.73% and 2.73% at similar CL, respectively.

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To characterize the geographical distribution of medicago-nodulating rhizobia in western regions of Iran, 950 Sinorhizobium isolates were trapped from a combination of two local alfalfa populations (Hamedani, Nikshahri) together with a foreign cultivar ( Kodi) and soil samples from eight sites across Kurdestan, Kermanshah, Eastern Azarbayjan and Lorestan provinces. Also, a total of 45 isolates were obtained from nodules of naturally grown Melilotus officinalis (14 isolates) and Trigonella foenum-graecum (31 isolates) plants in Isfahan. On the basis of PCR partial amplification of the plasmid born nod box gene and chromosomal mucR gene of the isolates,16S ribosomal DNA PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis, and the nucleotide sequence, three isolates from alfalfa, seven isolates from M. officinalis and 13 isolates from T. foenum-graecum were proved to be Sinorhizobium medicae. The remaining isolates (943 from alfalfa, seven from M. officinalis and 18 from T. foenum-graecum) were identified as S. melilloti. Both species, S. meliloti and S. medicae, were recovered from nodules of all the hosts although S. meloti was clearly more dominant in nodulating different populations of alfalfa. Taken together, these results indicated that the abundance of S. meliloti is independent of the site of isolation and have a wide geographical distribution. In this study, the banding pattern resulting from PCR amplification of 16S rRNA gene, followed by digestion with Rsa I, clearly differentiated S. meliloti and S. medica strains, showing that PCR-RFLP is an appropriate method to discriminate medicago-nodulating rhizobian with relative rapidity.

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  In this study, chemical quality of Zayandehrud river between Zayandehrud Regulating Dam and Nekouabad Diversion Dam, three discharging drains and one Fehlman well were measured using HPLC with determine the pollution concentration of diazinon insecticide from July 2006 to March 2007. Also, Zayandehrud’s assimilative capacity was determined. The results showed that river water and drains were not polluted to diazinon. Physical, chemical and biological factors effective in the diazinon detection were assessed. Diazinon was detected in the groundwater sample in October with concentration of 32.1 ng/L. This level was lower than the maximum permissible level for drinking water. Also, the NO^-₃ concentration in this month was 24 mg/L that is 2.4 times the standard level (10 mg/L). Due to the increased discharge of different wastewaters to Zayandehrud, its assimilative capacity decreased from upstream to downstream. So, prevention of use of pesticides and pre-treatment of wastewaters that are discharged to this river need more attention.

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The Marls are unstable sedimentary formations that contain chemical materials and destructive particles. Marls Erosion processes are very intensive, so different forms of erosion on the marls as badlands are of specific characteristics in marl lands. Hence, recognition of effective characteristics in marls erodibility is necessary to adopt corrective measures and methods. In this research, for assessing marls erodibility in Hablehroud watershed portable rain simulator was used. Runoff and sediment amounts were measured in each marl unit. Then effective Factors were identified using statistical parameters. Finally, by factor analysis we determined the relationship between marls chemical properties and sediment yield. Therefore, effective parameters of erosion and sediment yield were determined. Results showed sediment yield is decreased in gypsum marl, sandy marl, salt marl and limy marl. In addition, erosion and sediment yield are increased with increasing EC, Na, Cl, SAR and with decreasing TNV, HCO3

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The real estimation of the volume of sediments carried by rivers in water projects is very important. In fact, achieving the most important ways to calculate sediment discharge has been considered as the objective of the most research projects. Among these methods, the machine learning methods such as decision trees model (that are based on the principles of learning) can be presented. Decision tree method is a hierarchical multi step method which is a recursive data collection technique to binary and smaller sub-divisions until the final analysis cannot be divided. Decision trees consider a priori known set of data and derive a decision tree from it. Then, tree can be used as the set of laws to predict unknown features. In this research, the efficiency of this technique for predicting the suspended sediments in Ilam dam basin has been investigated. To evaluate the accuracy of the methods (written by MATLAB software), statistical criteria such as R, BIAS, RMSE, r2 and MAE were computed. The results showed that based on all the statistical criteria, decision tree in comparison with the sediment rating curve had most consistency with the observed data. Meanwhile, the most important factors for creating tree in the model (that had high correlation with sediment data) are the corresponding discharge and daily rainfall.

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Texture fractal dimension is a physical index to describe soil particle size distribution having a variety of applications. Fractal dimension may be calculated from three relations of mass-time, mass-diameter and modified mass-diameter (Kravchenko-Zhang) with two linear and nonlinear options for fittings. The aim of the present study was to compare methods and select an appropriate one and fitting option for determining the fractal dimension using hydrometer data. Sixty soil samples were collected from four fields of Taqanak, near Shahrekord. After removal of organic matter and other initial treatments, hydrometer readings were obtained at 0.67, 1, 2, 5, 15, 30, 60, 120, 180, 1440 and 2880 minutes and were converted to mass-time or mass-diameter data. Nonlinear fitting of the Kravchenko-Zhang mass-diameter relation was selected as the most appropriate method of calculating the fractal dimension of solid particles, due to its highest coefficient of determination and smallest mean square error and lowest Akaike Information Criteria. Error analysis also confirmed this conclusion. There was a significant, though not very strong, relationship between the fractal dimension obtained by linear and nonlinear fitting of mass- diameter and Kravchenko-Zhang mass-diameter methods. These relationships can be used to correct the fractal dimension determined by other methods and fitting options.

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Land use is one of the basic factors for controlling the hydrologic behavior of watersheds. Therefore, it is generally assumed that land use change is the cause of variation in hydrological dynamic of watersheds. In this paper, the land use effect in present and optimum conditions on sedimentation of watershed was studied using GIS and applying the HEC-HM model in Shoor-Shirin watershed in Fars province. Land use map was provided based on curve number map, and this map was considered as the important factor for HEC-HM model. The results showed that the estimated sediments in two different conditions were completely different. In fact, the estimated sediment in the optimum condition was 12% less than the current land use. This means that land use change and land use type play important roles in decreasing or increasing the peak flow and erosion.

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In this research, to locate and prioritize suitable areas for flood spreading in Mashhad plain, 10 criteria were used including land use, slope, alluvium thickness, distance to well, distance to subterranean, distance from the village, water table drawdown, permeability coefficient, electrical conductivity, and drainage density. Weighting process was done by Analytic Network Process (ANP) and fuzzy logic. After preparing and weighting the maps of all appropriate measures for locating suitable areas of flood spreading maps based on fuzzy logic and analytic network process model, the final map was prepared for prioritizing suitable areas for flood spreading. Then by applying the limiting layer that is a combination of three criteria of land use, slope and geomorphology, the final map of suitable areas for flood spreading was prepared and prioritized. The results showed that among the 10 factors influencing flood spreading, the thickness of alluvium criteria by weight of 0.27 was identified as the most effective layer in suitable areas for flood spreading. Most of the suitable regions located in slope less than 3% that represents its considerable impact in implementation of flood spreading. Mashhad plain potential for flood spreading, after removing exception areas (40.8% of total area), were defined in four inappropriate, relatively appropriate, appropriate and perfectly appropriate classes, that include 2.7, 25.9, 26.5 and 1.5% of the plain area, respectively.

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Treated wastewater may influence soil structure, porosity and as a consequence, soil saturated hydraulic conductivity. This study aims to assess the effect of wastewater on saturated hydraulic conductivity; and to determine the suitable soil solids fractal dimension to incorporate into the pedotransfer function by Rawls et al (1993) for estimation of saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ks). Soil saturated hydraulic conductivity was measured by disc permeameter. Soil particle fractal dimension was calculated from linearized forms of mass- time, mass- diameter and mass- diameter as modified by Kravchenko- Zhang (1998) relations. Wastewater irrigation for 13 years increased the saturated hydraulic conductivity three times, from 7 mm/hour to 21 mm/hour, but longer application of wastewater did not further increase it. Rawls et al (1993) pedotransfer produced acceptable and relatively close saturated hydraulic conductivity values to that of disc permeameter when fractal dimension obtained from the linearized forms of mass- diameter and Kravchenko- Zhang relations were used. Therefore, Rawls et al (1993) pedotransfer was capable of reflecting the effect of wastewater application on soil saturated hydraulic conductivity.
 

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Effective soil conservation requires a framework modelling that can evaluate erosion for different land-use scenarios. The USLE model was used to predict the reaction of appropriate land-cover/land-use scenarios in reducing sediment yield at the upland watershed of Yamchi Dam (474 km²), West Ardabil Province, Iran. Beside existing scenario, seven other land-use management scenarios were determined considering pattern of land-use through study area within a GIS-framework. Then, data inputs were prepared using terrain data, land-use map and direct observations. According to the model results, the generated erosion amount was 3.92 t/ha/yr for the current land-use (baseline scenario). For this purpose, conservation practices in dry farming slopes and implementing the scenario 5 (contour farming and remaining crop residuals) can reduce the sediment to 2.02 t/ha/yr. The lowest and highest decreases in sediment yield are projected to be through implementation of scenario 6 (irrigated farming protection with plant residuals) and 7 (biological soil conservation in dry and irrigated farming). The results indicated that, implementing scenario frameworks and evaluating appropriate land-use management scenarios can lead to the reduction of sediment entering the reservoir, and prioritizing soil conservations in the studied area.
 

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