Showing 2 results for Aggregation
H. Salami, A. Kiani Rad,
Volume 5, Issue 4 (1-2002)
Abstract
This study uses the Generalized Composite Commodity Theorem (GCCT) to investigate the consistency of aggregating major crop products in studying producer’s behaviour in Iran. The results show that all crop products, except corn, soybean, and melon can consistently be grouped into cereals, oil seeds, pulses, and vegetable composite commodities. In addition, the results testing the hypothesis of the possibility of aggregating all crop products in a single group was positive when we excluded sesame, cotton, and water melon from the list. Accordingly, modeling and estimating an aggregate production or cost function for Iranian crop sector will not cause consistent biases. Additionally, one can estimate a separate or cost function for each of the above sub-sectors without causing aggregation biases in grouping the commodities.
N. Ghorbani Ghahfarokhi, Z. Kiani Salmi, F. Raiesi, Sh. Ghorbani Dashtaki,
Volume 17, Issue 63 (6-2013)
Abstract
Free and uncontrolled pasture grazing by animals may decrease soil aggregate stability through reductions in plant cover and subsequent soil organic C, and trampling. This could expose the soil surface layer to degradation and erosion. The objective of this study was to determine the influence of pasture management (free grazing, controlled grazing and long-term non-grazing regimes) on aggregate-size distribution and aggregation parameters by wet and dry sieving methods in two native pastures, protected areas in Chaharmahal va Bakhtiari province. The studied pastures were 1) SabzKouh pastures protected from grazing for 20 years, and 2) Boroujen pastures protected from grazing for 25 years. Soil samples were collected from 0-15 cm depth during the grazing season in summer 2008. Samples (finer than 2 mm) were analyzed for aggregate-size distribution and aggregation parameters by wet and dry sieving methods. Results showed that pasture management had a significant influence on aggregate-size distribution and aggregation parameters in the two areas. The two methods indicated that macro-aggregates in non-grazing and controlled grazing regimes were higher than those in free grazing regime, whereas in free grazing management micro-aggregates showed an opposite trend, and were greater compared with the other grazing regimes. Similarly, soil aggregate stability indices (i.e. mean weight diameter, aggregate geometric and ratio mean diameter) were all improved by non-grazing regimes, suggesting that animal grazing and trampling break down large soil aggregates due largely to compaction and reduced plant coverage. However, the extent to which grazing affects soil aggregation depends in large part on grazing intensity and duration, and the area involved.
