JWSS - Journal of Water and Soil Science

---

One of the most vital problems in the storage and utilization of surface waters for drinking, flood control, hydropower, and agricultural purposes is that of sedimentation in reservoirs and subsequent decline of dam lifetime. The useful lifetime of a dam is defined as the time necessary for approximately 80% of the volume of its initial capacity to be filled by sediments washed in by water. It is a function of the volume of the incoming sediments, specific weight of sediments, and reservoir trap efficiency. Trap efficiency depends on sediment characteristics, life, shape, and rule curves of the reservoir as well as on the capacity-inflow ratio. It is the purpose of the present study to calculate sediment trap efficiency of small dams and also to determine the relationship(s) among the effective parameters in the Chaharmahal and Bakhtiary region. For our purposes, 14 small earth dams (with heights of less than 15 m and capacities of about 1 MCM) were selected around Shahrekord and Borougen. Since no data were available on the erosion and sedimentation for these dams, the MPSIAC empirical model was used to estimate the incoming sediment to the dams' reservoirs. The model considers nine factors effective on erosion and sediment production in each watershed. These factors were analyzed for the watershed of each dam under study and the annual sediment yield was calculated. The amount of sediments retained in the reservoirs as a result of the working life of the dams was estimated by reservoir surveying. The trap efficiency was calculated for all the reservoirs under study. The results obtained revealed that the trap efficiencies for these small dams ranged from 10.4 to 68.9%. New curves were developed and suggested for the trap efficiency of small dams based on these results.

---

Gypsiferous soils, as the most characteristic soil in arid and semi-arid regions, are widespread in Isfahan Province. The north-west region of Isfahan is a closed basin and is surrounded by geologic formations. This area is a part of Zayandehrood watershed. The origin of gypsum in this area was investigated in this study. Considering the geologic distribution of gypsum, twenty-two locations, suspected to have been affected by gypsum, were selected for sampling. Natural and artificial excavations were used to discover their relationships. To distinguish the differences between fresh and weathered shales, some fresh samples were taken from the depth of Shemshak formations (a lead mine).

Field observations showed that in Shemshak and Nayband formations, gypsic crystals were present within the layers of weathered shales, and pyrite was observed only in the mine shales. In weathered red conglomerates (Lower Cretaceous), considerable amounts of gypsum had accumulated. In the hydrothermal veins of Shemshak and Nayband formations, gypsic crystals were found in matrix or between rock layers. In some parts, the Qom formation (Evaporate sediments) contained plenty of gypsum.

From field observations and analytical data, such as mineralogy of untreated and floated rock powders, determination of residual sulfides in shales, and the examination of thin and polished sections of rocks, we conclude that the origin and main resources of gypsum in our study area are as follows:

1. Gypsum being released from Cretaceous limes particularly from red conglomerates

2. Oxidation of pyrite and any sulfidic minerals existing in shales

3. Gypsum being released from evaporates (Qom formation and Oligomiocenic Marls)

4. Gypsum formed through hydrothermal reactions during late Tertiary.

---

Qualitative land suitability evaluation is based on the physical parameters affecting the yield agricultural crops. The socio-economic factors are not considered in such evaluations. This study was carried out to assess the qualitative land suitability for irrigated wheat, barley, maize and rice in northern Baraan. Five soil series and 25 different phases were first delineated. Land utilization types commonly practiced in the region with intermediate input levels were considered. Physical requirements of the crops were determined and ranked using the available information. FAO framework and the proposed method of Sys were used for the evaluation. Qualitative evaluation was carried out according to both simple limitation and parametric methods by comparing land and climatic characteristics with crop requirements.

 It was shown that in addition to climatic factors, soil salinity, drainage and some soil physical properties such as texture, gravel and lime are the most limiting factors. Land physical suitability for rice production was very low in most land units. The results from physical evaluation by parametric method were very close to those from the simple limitation approach.

---

The effect of N levels and planting densities on quantitative and qualitative characteristics of grain yield in grain sorghum (cv. Kimia) was studied in summer 1998 at Kushkak Agricultural Research Station, Shiraz University. The experiment was a spilt plot with 4 replications in which 4 levels of planting densities (7.7, 10, 15.4, 20 seeds m^-2) were applied as main plots and 4 levels of N (0, 40, 80, 120 Kg N ha^-1) as subplots.

 N application rates up to 120 kg N ha^-1 increased grain yield (7240 kg ha^-1), but due to increased planting density (5336 kg ha^-1) the highest yield obtained from 15 seeds m^-2. Interaction of N and planting density was also significant. Application of 80 kg N ha^-1 and highest planting density produced 8702 kg ha^-1 of grain. Different grain yields in different levels of N and planting densities were due to increased number of grains per basic branches of panicle and increased number of panicle per m^-2. The trend of variation of crop growth rates (CGR) was similar to the trend of grain yield. Nitrogen application increased grain protein contents but planting density had no significant effect on grain protein. Phenolic compounds (tannins) decreased with increasing N application and with decreasing planting density. A negative correlation was observed between increased N content and increased phenolic compounds.

---

Soil development and variability of soil properties on different landforms of Central Zagros were investigated. The study area covers two climatic regions including Shahrekord and Chellgerd with mean annual precipitations of 314 and 1224 mm, respectively. In Shahrekord area, the amount of Fe_o (amorphous and organic-bound iron) was higher in surface horizons, whereas, the Fe_d (crystalline, amorphous and organic-bound iron) was higher in the surface soil of well-drained pedons and concentrated in subsoils with high ground water. Smectite increases as chlorite and palygorskite decrease. This might be an indication of Fe-chlorite transformation as a result of the local effects of organic acids, alternate oxidation reduction and hydrolysis intensity of a wetter past climate. Presence of an argillic as well as petrocalcic horizon with sparitic calcite and spherulitic fabric show intermittent and periodic leaching and deposition in Shahrekord area. Furthermore, reduction in sand and gravel content of the soils from mountain toward plains was attributed to the dissolution of carbonates and deposition of alluvium. Lower pH, lower carbonate content and higher pedogenic Fe in surface horizons were prominent in Chellgerd area. Consequently, interstratified chlorite-smectite, decrease of Fe-chlorite in fine clay, increase of smectite, high CEC and absence of petrocalcic horizon show that weathering intensity was higher in Chellgerd as compared to Shahrekord area. Also, papules with concentric fabric, higher Fe_d-Fe_o, and redder hues in buried horizon suggest polygenetic soils. There was some evidence of climatic change in two areas however, time seems to have played an important role in Shahrekord, whereas topography must have been more effective in Chellgerdarea due to higher tectonic activities and unstable landforms which may confirm the formation of the buried horizon and paleosols.

---

Due to physiography and weak structure, the pasture soils in Boroojen are potentially degradable. Converting pastures to agricultural land accelerates the degradation processes. A study was conducted in 1999 to show the effects of almost 20 years of farming on originally pasture land on soil physical properties, fertility, and tilth index of pastures in Boroojen region in Chahar Mahal and Bakhtiari Province (central Zagrous). Soil texture, clay content, bulk density, organic matter, saturation moisture percent, cone index, plasticity index, mean weight diameter and aggregate size and distribution, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium were measured.

After 20 years of cultivation, bulk density increased about 20% while organic matter decreased by 30%. Cone index was lower in the undisturbed pasture but nitrogen and phosphorus contents were higher compared to the disturbed pasture. The undisturbed pasture contained more larger (> 1 mm) aggregates, while the disturbed pasture had more smaller aggregates. Sustainable use of natural resources will lead to their long term workability, while negligence of conservational practices including appropriate farming management practices will result in the destruction of these resources.

---

In quantitative land suitability evaluation, economic aspects land evaluation such as impact of environmental physical factors on crop production and the amount of yield per surface unit are considered. The purpose of this research was to study quantitative land suitability of northern Baraan area located in eastern Isfahan. The study was a continuation of the previously accomplished qualitative land suitability evaluation of the area. The economic studies include economic data collection, matching inputs and outputs and gross margins analysis. Radiation-thermal production potential of the crops was calculated based on plant physiology and temperature (FAO model), which was 10.45, 10.11, 13.64 and 11.93 ton/ha for wheat, barley, maize and rice, respectively. Radiation-thermal production potential, observed and marginal yields and the results of the qualitative land evaluation were used to perform quantitative land evalution and to determine the corresponding suitability classes. The predicted yield in different land units varies between 1.64 and 9.17 ton/ha for wheat, 1.81 and 9 ton/ha for barley, 2.06 and 9.42 ton/ha for maize and 2.35 and 7.14 ton/ha for rice. Presence of significant statistical correlation between the observed and the predicted yield values reveals the validity of the evaluation methods used. The results from quantitative land evaluation show that most of the land units are slightly to moderately suitable for wheat, barley, maize and rice, while a few are not. The best land utilization type in each land unit can be selected through a combined consideration of quantitative land evaluation results, benefitability of each land unit and impact of the land use on the soil. Rice cultivation is not recommended in the study area, because of its adverse effect on soil physical properties and soil drainage.

---

For the study of field wind erosion and the design and evaluation of wind erosion control techniques, detailed observations of soil particle transport and vertical destribution of eroded soil particles are needed. The objectives of this study were: 1) To describe one device for soil transport particle measurement, i. e. the BSNE sediment catcher and 2) To assess vertical distribution of wind–eroded sediment with height in eastern Isfahan. The BSNE sediment catcher is a wind erosion sampler that traps eroded material at seven heights of 0.24, 0.60, 1.08, 2.00, 3.00, and 4.00 m above the soil surface. Each trap consists of a steel container with an inlet and outlet, mounted on a wind vane that rotates about a central pole. Before using the sampler in the field, it was tested and calibrated in the wind tunnel. The results showed that the average trapping efficiency with speeds ranging from 5.2 to 7.2 m sec^-1 for 4 different wind–eroded sediments was 0.44 to 0.68. However the trapping efficiency depended on wind speed, particle size distribution, particle density and type of sediment. The sampler had the lowest efficiency for particles < 44 μm. A BSNE sediment catcher was installed in Babaii Air Base. After a sampling period, the sediment in each trap was collected and weighed. The trapped materials were a mixture of saltation and suspension particles. Vertical distribution of wind–eroded sediment showed that the amount of soil collected decreased with increased height and the percentage of fine particles (<63μm) increased with height. The amount of trapped materials for each cm2 frontal intake with increased height were 12.00, 3.42, 1.44, 1.56, 0.75, 0.21, and 0.39 g cm-2, respectively, for the one sampling period.

---

Cultivating rangeland to be shifted to crop land farms commonly causes soil degradation and runoff generation. This study was conducted to evaluate the cultivation effects on runoff generation and soil quality. The experiment was performed in a rangeland and a 40-year cultivated land located at two slope positions (back slope and shoulder) of a hillside in Dorahan, Chaharmahal & Bakhtiari Province. A 60±5 mm.hr^-1 rainfall intensity was simulated by a rainulator. Organic matter, mean weighted diameter, saturated hydraulic conductivity, collected runoff and sediments were measured. The differences between the means were tested using T-test. Results showed 35, 53 and 8% increases in the organic matter, mean weighted diameter, and saturated hydraulic conductivity in back slope, respectively. The increases in these parameters in shoulder position were 39, 60 and 33%. The values for runoff and sediments in back slope were 3 and 8 times greater than in other similar positions while the values in the shoulder position were 11 and 55 times greater than the same values in other positions.

---

Investigation of paleosols plays a great role in paleoecological and paleoclimatological studies. They are also important in soil survey and planning, as they exhibit characteristics different from younger soils. Paleosols are those soils which formed under conditions different from present ones, and are either buried within sedimentary sequences or those which lie on persisting surfaces. Although such soils are widespread in central Iran and Zagros Zone, they have not been studied adequately. Paleosols are identified by different parameters such as morphological, physical, chemical, mineralogical, and micromorphological characteristics. In this study, morphological, physical, and chemical properties of three paleosols from Isfahan and Chaharmahal & Bakhtiary provinces were investigated. The profiles were on different landforms including alluvial fan, dissected old plain, and old lagoonal deposits. Soil profile in Segzi site, on old lagoonal deposits, had a very dark and thick layer at a depth of 45-60 cm containing some macrofossil shells. This shows that this area was covered by brackish water during the early Holocene. In Sepahanshahr profile, presence of strong clay coating and high concentrations of CaCO₃ indicates a wetter environment in the past than the present conditions with a precipitation of only 100 mm. In Emam-Gheis profile, a buried paleosol was identified with strong clay coating and free CaCO₃ horizons that shows more humid conditions. Evidences obtained from the three paleosols studied indicate that effective moisture in central Iran and Zagros regions during Late Pleistocene had been higher than its present levels.

---

Cation exchange capacity (CEC) is one of the most important chemical characteristics which influences soil quality from different aspects. At the same time, CEC is an input parameter of many computer models being applied in soil science and agriculture. Methods of CEC determination are always time-consuming and laborious. Therefore, developing a model for CEC estimation from other soil properties is essential. The objective of this study was to understand the associations between CEC (as a dependent variable) and sand, silt, clay, organic matter and pH (as independent variables). In this study 464 soil samples from A, B, and C horizons of different soils were used. Results revealed that CEC is negatively correlated with sand (r=-0.389***) and is positively correlated with organic matter (r=0.772***), clay (r= 0.391***) and silt (r= 0.233***). No significant correlation was observed between CEC and pH. Stepwise regression analysis showed that both organic matter and clay enter the model and that coefficients of determination (r²) for the multiple models are higher than those of simple linear correlations. Other parameters could not increase the r² considerably. Correlation analysis on data from A, B, and C horizons revealed that the CEC of organic matter in different horizons are not the same. Separation of Aridisols could not increase the r² of the model and the accuracy of the estimations. Correlation studies in acid soils showed that the contribution of organic matter in CEC is much higher than that of clays.

---

Clay minerals deserve special attention as they play a crucial role in many soils. The clay mineralogy of five gypsiferous soils from different landforms in eastern Isfahan was investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD). In addition, soil aggregates and wind-deposited sediments were examined by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and analyzed by energy dispersive X-ray analyzer (EDX). The results indicate the presence of palygorskite, mica, kaolinite, chlorite, and quartz with a trace amount of vermiculite and randomly interstratified layers in all soils. Smectite occurs in soils of both the piedmont plain and old river terrace, but not in the alluvial fan soils. Mica, chlorite, quartz, and kaolinite were probably inherited from the parent material. Palygorskite seems to increase with depth in the alluvial fan, whereas, in the old terrace soils, this clay mineral decreases with depth. Palygorskite present in alluvial fan soil appears to have been formed authigenically when the basin was covered with shallow hyper-saline lagoons toward the end of the Tertiary. Palygorskite in the old terrace seems to be mostly detrital and an eolian origin of palygorskite is likely because a large amount of palygorskite is present in upper soil horizons. A higher proportion of smectite in deep soils of the old terrace, as compared with palygorskite, suggests the possibility of authigenic formation of smectite from palygorskite. .

---

Satellite data use is finding global applications because they provide repeated cover, broad information, high electromagnetic spectral resolution, and software-hardware compatibilities. This study aims to evaluate of the Landsat TM data capabilities in land-use mapping of Bazoft River basin (Chahar Mahale Bakhtiary Province). Six spectral bands of the Landsate TM were employed to produce land-use map of the Region. The date of image acquisition was May 5^th, 1998. Performance of the geometric correction completed with RMSE= 1.008 pixels. Various image enhacement methods (e.g. FCC, filtering and Vegetation Indices) were used to study the different land-covers. Field investigations were carried out using a GPS, 1:50000 scale topographic map and false color composites images. Heterogeneous land-use units were studied in 62 sample sites estimating percentage of vegetation cover. A regression analysis was performed between percentage vegetation covers and vegetation indices values of NDVI, RVI, SAVI, DVI, TSAVI₁, NRVI and MSAVI₂. Results show that NDVI, SAVI, TSAVI1, NRVI and MSAVI₂ have high correlation coefficients. But RVI, DVI and PVI have low correlation coefficients. The resulting values of vegetation cover were density sliced to produce the land-cover map. After supervised classifications and density slicing of Vegetation Indices, classifacation accuracy was assessed and, finally, land-use map of the study area was produced with Hybrid classification method. Supervised classification with maximum likelihood method was the best technique for land-use mapping in the study area the total Kappa index was %87. In general, detection of some land-use classes through single date TM data is not feasible, these include: scattered forest trees with cultivated understory, annual grasses, and fallow lands. Also TM digital data are incapable of distinguishing small and separated rural constructions or soil-covered routes.

---

Analysis of transgenic plants is very important in gene transfer programs. In this research, the second generation (T₁) of transgenic brassica napus which was transformed by antisense of Glutamine synthetase (GS) gene was studied from the view of total soluble protein content of leaf, total chlorophyll and protein patterns (SDS-PAGE) using seeds of Brassica napus .Protein concentration was determined by a calorimetric method described by Bradford method. Chlorophyll (a, b) and carotenoid contents were determined by spectrophotometry. The total soluble protein content of Brassica napus leaves increased from YG stage, reached a maximum level during MG₂ and, after this, decreased with the progress of SS stage. Comparison of the total soluble protein between different treatments showed the highest level in the A₂ plant and the least in the A₆ plant. Comparisons with chlorophyll a and b were not significant between different treatments, but different stages showed significant differences with maximum and minimum levels obtained in the MG₁ and SS, respectively. Protein patterns were also studied using SDS-PAGE method. No new band was recognized in the MG₁ stage, but the density of some protein patterns was shown in YG and MG₂ stages. In YG stage, differences were seen among the A₅, A₃, A₄ and A₆ with W.T on 41 KDa weighty position and also between the A₁ and A₂ with W.T treatment on 23/6 KDa. Considering the molecular weight GS₁ subunit of glutamine synthetase (41 KDa) and the similar conditions in growth, protein extraction and macro molecular analysis in transgenic and control plants, we can tell that the difference shown in transgenic plants are probably due to the effect of the antisense of glutamine synthesis gene in this plant.

---

Soil pollution and accumulation of heavy metals in crops in industrial areas are the most important bioenvironmental problems that threaten the life of plants, animals and humans. The objective of this study was to determine Ni, Mn and Cd distribution in soil and crops shoots around the Mobarakeh Steel Plant. In this study, we separated 50 zones based on soil utility maps taking into consideration the dominant wind direction (south-western to north- eastern). In each zone, soil was sampled at 0-5, 5-10, 10-20 and 20-40 cm depths (200 samples) and DTPA-extractable concentrations of Ni, Mn and Cd were determined in soil samples. Also 36 plant samples from shoots of 18 main crops were collected in the region and the concentrations of heavy metals were determined in crop samples. Results showed that maximum DTPA-extractable concentrations of Ni and Mn were in the northeast of the region in the 0-5 cm layer (4.2 and 312 mg/kg.soil, respectively) and decreased in 5-10,10-20 and 20-40 cm layers (2.7,2.7,2.1 and 200,212,146 mg/kg.soil, respectively). The concentrations of Ni and Cd in shoots of crops were undetectable with atomic absorption method. The concentration of Mn in rice shoots was 716.6 mg/kg.dry.m. It was higher than USEPA standards (15-100 mg/kg.dry.m). .

---

Two hundred Arian broiler chicks were used to investigate the effect of contents of dietary glucosinolates on performance of broiler chicks during starter (0-21 days of age) and grower periods (22-42 days of age) in a completely randomized design. The dietary glucosinolates contents in the starter period were 0 (S₁), 7.5 (S₂), 15 (S₃), 22.5 (S₄), 30 (S₅) µmol/g and in the grower period they were 0 (G₁), 5.7 (G₂), 11.4 (G₃), 17.1 (G₄), 22.8 (G₅) µmol/g. Feed intake during the grower period was affected (P<0.05) by different levels of glucosinolates in the diets and the lowest feed intake was observed in the G₅ treatment. The lowest body weight gains were observed in the S₅ and G₅ treatments during the starter and grower periods, respectively (P<0.05). The feed conversion ratio (FCR) in the S₅ treatment for the starter and the G₅ treatment for the grower period were significantly different (P<0.05) from other treatments. The correlation between the body weight gain and level of dietary glucosinolates or glucosinolate consumption was high during the starter (r = -95.3% and -94.7%, respectively) and relatively high (r = -69.5% and -72.4%, respectively) during the grower period. This experiment showed that the amount of glucosinolates in the diets of broiler chicks for the periods of starter and grower feeding system should not be more than 11.36 and 8.11µmol/g diet, respectively. Also during the starter and grower feeding periods, the highest level of rapeseed meal could be used in the broiler diets are 13 and 8 percent, respectively.

---

Paleosols include soils formed under climatic condition different from the present. Although such soils are widespread in central Iran region, adequate investigations of them are yet to be carried out. Micromorphology is one of the most important tools in plaeoclimatological studies. This investigation was carried out to study microscopic features of two paleosols from Isfahan province to reconstruct the paleoclimatic condition during the Quaternary. The results of this study indicate that strong clay coatings are presented in Sepahanshahr paleosol, indicating moisture regime in the past. This paleosol is polygenetic due to calcite and gypsum accumulation during drier periods compared to clay illuviation condition. Micromorphological features in Segzi paleosol indicate that this area has experienced a swampy environment during the younger Dryas. The overall results from this study indicate that climatic oscillation evidences during Quaternary have been preserved in paleosols from Isfahan region.

---

Dasht Yari plain is nearly 580,000 hectares which is under engraving gully erosion and unfortunately the gully development rate is increased in the recent decades. Satellite images may provide quick, extensive, and valuable information for the interpretation of morphometric characterstics of gully erosion expansion due to having attributes such as time series, relatively low cost, large coverage, and finally being capable of digital analysis. Therefore, this research was initiated to use these possible capabilities to find a quick and cost effective method to determine the morphometric characteristics of gullies with use of the Landsat ETM⁺ digital data of Dasht Yari plain in Chabahar county in southeast of Iran. The Landsat 7 data of 2001 and the field data collected from 25 selected gullies from the same area were used as control in this study. After geometric and haze corrections with use of spectral enhancement methods such as linear enhancement and color composites, the images were made ready for visual interpretation and selection field sites for the subsequent field sampling. On the selected 25 gullies, the field data collection including width, length, and height of gullies at 25%, 50%, and 75% cross sections was performed. At the end of the image processing, with use of image interpretation techniques such filtering, fusion and principal component analysis (PCA), morphometric characteristics of the gullies was computed and compared with the field data. Mean comparison and F and t-student tests were used to verify any statistical differences between two set of the data. The results showed that the data set were different at 1 and 5 percent levels. From the image processing methods, the PCA method had the smallest difference with the field collected data. Therefore, we may conclude that PCA method may be used for monitoring the gully expansion in the Dashat Yari plain and similar plains in the southeast of Iran.

---

Stabilizng sand dunes has been one of the main challenges in the arid regions. So far, different kinds of mulches have been used extensively for sand dune stabilization. This study was carried out to determine the optimum composition, concentration and thickness of clay mulch for sand dune stabilization. For this purpose two soil samples from clay flats of a playa with different amount of salinity from Ardestan area were used to make clay mulches. A sand dune sample was selected as bed for applying the mulch. To select the right ingredient and treatments, clay samples were mixed with sand and different amount of water, and sprayed on sand dune bed. In addition, wheat straw was added to some mixture to test its effect on stability of the mulch. Treatments with lowest crack and highest penetration of mulch in sand bed were selected for the experiment in this study. Mulch treatments contained (1): 250g sand dune + 250g clay + 25g straw (2) 250g clay + 25g straw (3) 250g sand + 250g clay (4) 250g clay (5) 125g sand + 125g clay and (6) 125g clay. All treatments were mixed with 500ml water. The experimental design was a CRD with a 6(mulch) * 2(thickness)* 2 EC factorial method with 3 replications. The results showed that clay mulch were resistant to wind erosion, but erosion took place when they had been bombarded with sandblast. The mulches with straw showed the highest resistance to erosion as compared to other treatments. With increasing the number of mulch layers, resistant to erosion also increased. The added stability of mulch was due to the increase in mulch thickness and also increases in clay and silt content. The overall result of this study shows that the mulch with two layers and higher mixture of clay and sands was the best treatment for the stabilization of sand dunes.

---

In Iran, the development of cultivated areas becomes gradually impossible due to ever-increasing population growth and urban area development. Therefore, it is very important to use the existing cultivated lands more efficiently. Land suitability evaluation makes the sustainable use of the lands feasible. The objective of this study was qualitative, quantitative and economic assessment of land suitability in Talandahst area for rainfed wheat, barley and chickpea. Talandasht plain with a surface area of 4500 ha is located southwest of Kermanshah city. The climate is semi-arid with cold winter and moderate summer. The successive stages of this research included soil survey in the field, soil analysis, qualitative and quantitative and economic evaluations of land suitability. In qualitative evaluation of land, climatic, topographic and soil suitability classes were determined according to the degree of the matching. Limitation and parametric methods were used in qualitative evaluation. Quantitative and economic evaluations made based on the observed yield and gross benefit, respectively. Based on qualitative evaluation, the studied area is marginally suitable for rainfed farming of wheat, barley and chickpea. This is due to water deficiency occurring during some stages of the growing cycle. The solution for this problem is supplementary irrigation. In addition to climate limitation, there are also topographic and soil restriction for the growth of the studied crops. On the basis of observed yield, the land units are moderately to highly suitable for rainfed wheat and barley production. Among the three named crops, the most and least profitable ones are chickpea and barley, respectively, and wheat ranks between them.