JWSS - Journal of Water and Soil Science

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An experiment was carried out to study the effect of different levels (3.06, 3.23, 3.4, 3.57 and 3.74%) of calcium and vitamin D₃ supplementation (2000, 2200 and 2400 IU/kg diet) on the performance of laying hens. In a completely randomized design and in a 5 × 3 (15 treatments) factorial arrangement, two hundred and forty (240) white leghorn laying hens strain Hy-Line W 36, 26 weeks old, were divided into 60 replicates, four hens per replicate. The experimental period lasted 90 days, until the hens reached 38 weeks of age. The results indicated that calcium levels did not have any significant effects on the percentage of egg production, feed consumption, feed conversion ratio and egg mass. Egg weight significantly (P < 0.05) increased at 3.4% Ca level. Vitamin D₃ had no significant (P < 0.05) effects on egg weight, feed consumption and egg mass, but feed conversion ratio significantly (P < 0.05) decreased and percentage of egg production raised significantly (P < 0.05) due to added vitamin D₃. Interaction between vitamin D₃and calcium on egg weight and egg production was significant (P < 0.05). The regression equations indicated that performance traits can be estimated from calcium and vitamin D₃levels in diet.

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As apparent Zn recovery in mineral soils (saturated and unsaturated) is nill, the precise assessment of processes responsible for Zn retention in these soils is of great importance. A laboratory study was conducted to characterize Zn adsorption in eight lowland calcareous soils. The fit of sorption data was evaluated by Freundlich and Langmuir isotherms. In this study, 2-g soil samples were equilibrated for 24 hours with 40 mL 0.0lM CaCl₂ solution containing 5 to 500 mg Zn L^-1. The amount of Zn adsorbed was calculated based on the difference between the initial and equilibrium Zn concentrations.

Zinc adsorption data were fitted to a linear form of Freundlich equation. However the Langmuir isotherm was divided into two distinct linear portions, representing two different types of adsorption sites. The Langmuir K₁ was higher and adsorption maxima (b₁) was lower in part I (corresponding to lower Zn concentration) than in part II (corresponding to higher Zn concentration). Thus, it seems that in parts I and II, sites are more important for their high adsorption energy and adsorption capacity, respectively. Langmuir adsorption maxima (b₂) was positively correlated with clay content, CCE and P concentration and negatively correlated with CEC.

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This experiment was carried out to study the effect of different levels (3.06, 3.23, 3.4, 3.57 and 3.74%) of calcium and vitamin D3 (2000, 2200 and 2400 IU/kg diet) on eggshell quality of laying hens. In a completely randomized design and in a 5×3 (15 treatments) factorial arrangement, two hundred and forty (240) white leghorn laying hens, strain Hy-Line W36 and 26 weeks old, were divided into 60 replicates, four hens per replicate. The experimental period lasted 90 days until the hens were 38 weeks of age.

The results indicated that shell strength, shell thickness and shell percentage increased significantly (P<0.05) at 3.06% Ca level. Calcium levels had no effect on ash shell percentage. Vitamin D3 did not have a significant (P<0.05) effect on ash shell percentage and calcium shell, but shell strength, shell thickness and shell percentage significantly (P<0.05) increased at 2400 IU/kg diet vitamin D3. Only plasma calcium raised significantly (P<0.05) due to the added vitamin D3. Interaction between vitamin D3 and calcium on shell strength, shell thickness, shell percentage and plasma calcium were significant (P<0.05). Correlation between egg shell quality parameters and blood parameters with calcium and vitamin D3 was significant (P<0.05).

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An experiment was carried out on 384 7d old commercial broiler chicks (Lohman) to study the effect of changes in source and level of dietary calcium and limestone particle size on the performance and tibial growth and calcification of broiler chicks. From day 1 to day 7, the chicks were fed with the commercial basal diet. On day 7, the chicks were weighted and randomly assigned to 64 groups, six chicks of similar body weight (82.2±5.4) per group. Each of the eight experimental diets was fed to eight groups of chicks for an experimental period of 49 days. Two calcium sources (oyster shell and limestone), two calcium levels (100% NRC and 85% NRC) and three particle sizes of limestone [ground (less than 0.15 mm), medium (0.6 to 1.18 mm) and coarse (1.18 to 4.75 mm)] were added to diets with the same energy based on a Randomized Complete Design, in which levels of calcium were nested into calcium sources. Particle sizes were nested into calcium sources and levels.

Limestone significantly increased phosphorus retention (in percentage of phosphorus ingestion) at the age of 21 and 56 days and increased tibial length, dry weight and ash weight at 56 days. Calcium level of 85% NRC significantly decreased feed intake and feed conversion, especially during the starter, and increased calcium retention (in percentage of calcium ingestion) at 21 and 42 days. Phosphorus retention and cortical thickness of tibia at 21 and 42 days, tibial dry weight, ash weight and ash percentage at 42 day, were significantly increased with calcium level of 100% NRC. Coarse and medium particle sizes of limestone as compared to ground particle size, significantly improved feed intake and feed conversion, especially during the starter. Medium particle size of limestone with calcium level of 85% NRC and coarse particle size of limestone with calcium level of 100% NRC, significantly improved tibia ossification characteristics and increased calcium and phosphorus retention. By using calcium level of 85% NRC, coarse and medium particle sizes of limestone compared to ground particle size, significantly diminished percentage of leg abnormalities.

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Phosphorus (P) and iron (Fe) are essential nutrients for plants. Iron availability is low in calcareous soils of Iran due to the excessive amounts of CaCO₃ and high pH. Overfertilization of P fertilizers may also decrease Fe availability. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of P and Fe on the growth and chemical composition of corn (Zea mays L.) under greenhouse conditions. Treatments consisted of a factorial arrangement of P rates (0, 40, 80, 120 and 160 mg kg-1 as KH₂PO₄) and Fe rates (0, 2.5, 5 and 10 mg kg^-1 as Fe EDDHA) in a completely randomized design with four replications. Plants were grown for 8 weeks in a loamy soil, calssified as Chitgar series (fine-loamy, carbonatic, thermic, Typic Calcixerepts). Results showd that P application up to 80 mg kg^-1 increased corn top dry matter. Corn P concentration and total uptake increased by P application but decreased by Fe application. Application of Fe up to 5 mg kg^-1 increased dry matter but decreased it at higher rates. Concentration and total uptake of Fe increased by Fe application but decreased by P application. Zinc and copper concentrations decresed significantly when P was added. Manganese concentration increased at 40 mg P kg^-1 but decreased at higher rates. Iron application decreased zinc and manganese concentrations but had no effect on copper.

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‘Golden Delicious’ apples were vacuum infiltrated (250 mm Hg) with 0, 4, and 6% solutions of CaCl₂ followed by heat treatment for 0, 48 and 72 hours at 38^oC. Treated fruits were stored at 0^oC with RH of 85-90% for 2.5 and 5 months, followed by one week of storage at 20C. The results showed that fruits treated with 4 and 6% of CaCl₂ significantly increased calcium content of fruits after 2.5 and 5 months of storage at 0^oC. With increasing calcium content, fruit firmness also increased. There was a positive relationship between fruit firmness and calcium content and regression coefficients after 2.5 and 5 months of storage at 0^oC were 0.77 and 0.83, respectively. Heat treatment for 48 and 72 hours at 38^oC significantly increased fruit firmness. Calcium chloride at 4 and 6%, plus heat treatment, significantly increased fruit firmness of those fruits held for one week at 20^oC after removal from cold storage. In the second experiment, vacuum infiltrated fruits with 4 and 6% solutions of CaCl₂ plus potassium permanganate (0, 10, and 20 g/bag) had no significant effect on fruit firmness, but potassium permanganate alone significantly increased fruit firmness.

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In a 3×3 factorial experiment, 90 72-week-old native breeder hens of Isfahan were kept in cages (one bird/cage). The effect of three levels of dietary calcium (3.27, 2.62, and 1.96%) and three levels of dietary available phosphorus (0.25, 0.20, and 0.15%) on egg production and egg shell traits were investigated. Each treatment contained five replicates of two birds (10 birds per treatment). The experimental diets were fed 8 weeks (from 72 to 80 weeks of age). Dietary calcium and available phosphorus levels had no significant effects on feed consumption, shell thickness and shell breaking strength. Decreasing dietary calcium or available phosphorus levels (1.96% calcium and 0.15% available phosphorus) caused a significant (P<0.05) linear increase in egg production, egg weight and improvement in feed conversion. The results from this study showed that high egg production, maximum calcium retention in the shell and optimum feed conversion were observed in native breeder hens during late growing period with 1.96% calcium and 0.15% available phosphorus.

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Watermelon (Citrullus Lanatus) cv. Charleston Gray is one of the most important cultivars grown in Iran. It has some good quantitative and qualitative characteristics but unfortunately is sensitive to Blossom End rot. To solve this problem, this experiment was conducted in a factorial manner in randomized complete block design with four replications in Research Station and Laboratories of Department of Horticulture, College of Agriculture, the University of Tehran, during 1997 & 1998. In this experiment, black polyethylene mulch was used and calcium nitrate was foliar sprayed at concentrations of 0, 4, and 6 g/L. Results indicated that mulch could increase yield by 85% over two years due to weed growth suppression and conserving soil moisture for a longer time. Foliage fresh weight, number and average weight of fruits per plant and precocity were also significantly affected by black polyethylene mulch. Furthermore, mulch reduced the number and weight of fruits affected by Blossom End rot by about 13% and 12.5% (average of two years), respectively. Calcium nitrate addition during both years had no significant effect on the measured fruit characteristics nor on Blossom End rot.

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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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This experiment was conducted to determine the phosphorus relative bioavailability of eight samples of dicalcium phosphate. Bioavailability of Samples of dicalcium phosphate was evaluated and their effects on performance of laying hens were investigated. Commercial samples of Dicalcium Phosphate were provided from the following manufacturers: Iran Phosphate, Partove Bashash, Godaze, Poya Khojaste, Dan Razy Kimia, Phosphore Iran, Golbar Shimi and Dan Avar. The Parameters measured were shell strength, shell thickness, shell ash percentage, shell percentage, shell calcium and phosphorus percentage, Haugh unit, egg weight, egg production, egg output, feed consumption, feed conversion ratio, tibial ash, and tibial calcium and phosphorus. One hundred and six, and 36 weeks old white Leghorn hens, from strain Hi-line W-36, were randomly allocated to 8 dietary treatments and 4 blocks in a completely randomized block design. The experiment lasted for 3 months, starting in the 36th week and ended in the 48week of age. Shell thickness, shell ash percentage, shell percentage, feed consumption, tibial ash and tibial calcium percentage were significantly different (P< 0.05) among treatments. Effect of experimental period on shell calcium and phosphorus percentage, egg weight, egg production, feed consumption, egg output was significant (P< 0.05). Relative bioavailability of samples ranged from 85 to 105.7%. Overall, samples of Phosphate Iran (F) were considered most effective with regard to relative bioavailability and performance.

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Transport and filtering of pathogenic bacteria through porous media and groundwater resources are important and، therefore the effect of various factors on bacteria transport and filtering has been given a great attention nowadays. In this study، effects of calcium sulfate and carbonate on Psedomonas fluorescens filtration and filtering parameters were investigated in saturated sand columns under steady-state flow. The calcium carbonate levels included 0، 5، 10 and 20 %w/w and calcium sulfate levels consisted of 0، 5 and 10 % w/w which were thoroughly mixed with sand (0.15-0.25 mm). The experiment was considered factorial in completely randomized design with three replicates. The treated sands were poured into pyrex cylinders with length of 20 cm and diameter of 7 cm. Then، steady-state saturated flow with constant flux was applied to the columns. When the steady-state flow was established، the bacteria suspension with concentration of 10⁶ CFU cm^-3 (C0) was injected as step input into the columns. The leaching then was continued up to 5 times of pore volume (PV). The effluent concentration of the bacteria (C) was measured at 0.25 PV intervals. Then، the sand columns were divided into 0-5، 5-10، 10-15 and 15-20 cm layers in order to measure the filtered bacteria in each layer. The results showed that the effects of calcium carbonate on retaining of the bacteria in the 5-10 and 10-15 cm layers were significant at 1% level. It was significant at 5% for the 15-20 cm layer. The effect of calcium sulfate was also significant at 5% for the 10-15 cm and 15-20 cm layers. The interactive effects of treatments on bacteria adsorption was significant for the 5-10، 10-15 and 15-20 cm layers. The retained concentration profile and the filtration coefficient were significantly affected by the treatments، showing higher bacteria adsorption at lower depths and predominance of physical filtering. The results showed the high filtering capacity of carbonate and sulfate minerals which could ultimately reduce bacteria transport in saturated porous media towards groundwater resources.

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Soil physical and chemical properties, and test conditions might affect soil structural stability. In this study, the effects of test conditions as well as intrinsic soil properties on structural stability were investigated for selected soils from Hamedan Province. Mean weight diameter (MWD) and tensile strength (Y) of aggregates were determined by wet sieving method and indirect Brazilian test, respectively. The soil samples were pre-wetted slowly to matric suction of 200 kPa before the wet sieving. The pre-wetted samples were wet-sieved for 5, 10 and 15 min in order to simulate different hydro-mechanical stresses imposed on soil structure. Tensile strength of soil aggregates were also measured at air-dry and 500 kPa matric suction conditions. Short duration shaking (i.e. 5 min) could effectively discriminate the Hamedan soils in terms of structural stability due to their fairly low aggregate stabilities. The soil organic matter content had the highest impact on MWD followed by both clay and CaCO₃ content. The same was true for the Y values i.e. OM played the highest role in mechanical strength of soil aggregates. The highest coefficient of determination (R²) was obtained between Y and the intrinsic soil properties for matric suction of 500 kPa. The organic matter content had an important role in water and mechanically stable soil aggregates. The results indicated that short-duration wet sieving (i.e. 5 min) and measurements of tensile strength at matric suction of 500 kPa could be recommended for aggregate stability assessment in Hamedan soils

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Because of its tenderness, long distance between field and consumer locations and unsuitable condition of transportation, 30 – 40 percent of strawberry fruits is wasted during the transportation between field to markets. One of the recommended ways for cutting down the wastes of strawberry is application of calcium salts after harvest stage to increase the content of Ca2+ in fruit flesh. For this reason, the selected fruits were treated by immersing them in 0, 25, 50 and or 75 mmol/lit concentrations of CaSO4, CaCl2 or Ca(NO3)2 for 4 min. After drying in atmospheric tempetature, fruits were stored at 5°C for 5 and for 10 days. To evaluate the effect of calcium solutions on fruit quality, some quantitative and qualitative tests were carried out on them. The results showed that by increasing the concentration of calcium salts, the amount of acidity and calcium of fruits is significantly increased, but the percentage of mouldy fruits is decreased. In most cases, the 50 and 75 mmol /lit concentrations of CaSO4 showed similar effects. Among the different calcium solutions, Ca(NO3)2 had the best effect on improvement of fruit quality, such as increasing the calcium and firmness of fruit , but CaSo4 prohibited the moulding of fruits better than other solutions. By increasing the period of storage from 5 to 10 days, the amount of acidity and firmness decreased significantly, while mouldness percentage increased. The organoleptic test showed that when the concentration of CaCl2 and Ca(NO3)2 solutions is increased, the acceptability of treated samples is decreased by consumers. Because of the bitter taste, the least score was given to the samples treated by 75 mmol/lit concentration of Ca (NO3)2 solution. The panelists didn’t recognize any difference in taste between control and samples treated by 25 mmol/lit concentration of CaSO4 and CaCl2 solutions. None of the treatments showed initial attributes (tenderness and shape) of fruits after storage period. This method isn't recommended to increase the strawberrys' shelf life for home use, but it can be used for the ones which are to be consumed in food processing industries.

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Gray mold, caused by Botrytis cinerea, is a serious disease of cut rose flowers (Rosa hybrida L.) in Iran. In order to elucidate the effects of different potassium and calcium levels in nutrient solution on susceptibility of cut rose flowers to gray mold, this experiment was carried out as factorial design in a randomized complete block with four replications at Safi Abad Agricultural Research center in 2008 for one year. In this experiment, rose plants were grown and subjected to three levels of potassium (1.0, 5.0 and 10.0 mM) in combination with two levels of calcium (1.6 and 4.8 mM) under hydroponic condition. Rose flowers from two consecutive harvesting periods were sprayed with the conidial suspension (104 spore/ml) of B. cinerea isolate. At the end of experiment the disease severity was recorded and analyzed. The results indicated that application of 10.0 mM K in the nutrient solution led to increasing rose disease severity to gray mold (30.4 % day-1) compared to 1.0 mM (24.8 % day-1) and 5.0 mM (26.2 % day-1) of K levels (P< 0.01). The increased susceptibility was associated with a decreased concentration of Ca in the rose petals. Correlation analysis revealed that susceptibility of rose flowers to gray mold significantly increased with K to sum cations ratio in the nutrient solution (r = 0.94*). The increase of Ca supply from 1.6 to 4.8 mM resulted in decline of disease severity from 29.6 to 24.6 % day-1 (P< 0.01). Therefore, balanced application of potassium and calcium (5.0 and 4.8 mM, respectively) is recommendable for preventing antagonistic effects between them and reducing of rose gray mold intensity under hydroponic conditions.

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An experiment was conducted in order to evaluate the effects of increased concentration of potassium and calcium in hydroponic nutrient solution on the response of safflower to salinity. The experiment was carried out in a glasshouse using a completely randomized design. Four saline treatments (Johnson solution containing 100 mM of NaCl, Johnson solution containing 100 mM of NaCl + 10 mM potassium, Johnson solution containing 100 mM of NaCl + 5 mM calcium, Johnson solution containing 100 mM of NaCl + 10 mM potassium + 5 mM calcium) and Johnson solution without any addition of salt as control. Leaf area per plant, shoot and root dry matter was decreased in saline treatments. The concentration of potassium and calcium in the plants were decreased but those of sodium were increased at salinity. The extent of shoot and root dry mater reduction with salinity was less in saline treatment with additional calcium alone. The addition of potassium into the nutrient solution could not mitigate the negative effects of salt stress on the plants. Increasing the concentration of both potassium and calcium in saline nutrient solution resulted in a greater reduction of shoot dry matter. The results showed that the negative effects of salinity may be alleviated by increasing the concentration of calcium in nutrient solution.

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Calcareous and gypsiferous soils are restricting factors for uptake of some plant nutrient elements and plant production. Most soils in Iran are calcareous and gypsiferous. Therefore, the aim of this study was the evaluation of calcium carbonate (Caco3) and gypsum effect on availability of some nutrients and corn growth. This study was conducted in a greenhouse at Vli-e-Asr University of Rafsanjan. Treatments were arranged in a factorial manner as a completely randomized design with three replications. Treatments were three levels of Caco3 (0, 20 and 40 g/100g soil), gypsum at three levels (0, 15 and 30 g/100g soil) and two soil textures (Sand and Silt clay loam). Results indicate that irrespective of soil texture, Caco3 application significantly decreased leaf area (by 80% and 15% for sand and silty clay loam texture, respectively), dry weight (by 80% and 15% respectively), plant height (regressed on Caco3 percentage by slopes -0.7 and -0.15 for sand and silty clay loam respectively), and shoot Fe (-9.67 and -11.3) and Zn (-0.24 and -1) uptake, but had no significant effect on shoot Cu uptake. In sandy soil, application of gypsum, significantly decreased leaf area (80%), dry weight (62%), and shoot Cu uptake (slope= -1.93), but had no significant effect on plant height and shoot Zn uptake. Gypsum application significantly reduced shoot Fe uptake (slope= -24.86) in fine textured soil, but it had no significant effect in coarse textured soil.

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Due to soil and plant zinc (Zn) deficiency and its effect on reducing yield and quality of agricultural products, application of Zn fertilizers has been intensified in recent years. To achieve optimum fertilizer management, knowledge of factors affecting Zn availability in soil and its uptake by plant is required. Therefore, this study was carried out to investigate the effect of certain soil physiochemical properties on Zn availability in soil and its uptake by corn. The experiment was laid out in a completely randomized design with factorial combination and three replicates in the research greenhouse of Isfahan University of Technology, in winter 2009. In this greenhouse experiment, 11 soil series were exposed to two Zn levels (0 and 15 mg Zn kg−1 in the form of zinc sulfate). The results indicated that Zn application significantly increased the dry matter weight and shoot and root Zn concentration of corn, although the magnitude of this increase varied depending on the soil type. There was no significant correlation between the DTPA-extractable Zn and the uptake of this nutrient element by corn. There was a negative significant correlation (P < 0.05) between the equivalent calcium carbonate content and available P with the DTPA-extractable Zn. A significant linear relationship (R2 = 0.31) was found between the buffer capacity of soil for Zn and clay content. According to the results obtained from the stepwise regression analysis, the DTPA-extractable Zn and buffer capacity of soil for Zn were not correlated with other measured soil properties.

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Information about potassium (K) release characteristics in the Chaharmahal-va-bakhtiari soils is limited. In this study, K release kinetics of fifteen calcareous soils was investigated. Soil samples were extracted using successive extractions with 0.01 M CaCl2 and citric acid solutions for 2-2017 h at 25±1 0C. Moreover, soil K was determined using 6 chemical extraction methods. The results showed that released K ranged from 111 to 411 mg kg-1in calcium chloride solution and from 177 to 1199 mg kg-1 in citric acid solution for 2017 h. Amounts of extracted K using any extraction methods were different. Result of kinetics study and chemical methods indicates that K supplying power of the soils is different. A plot of cumulative amounts of released K shows a discontinuity in slope at 168 h. Thus, two equations were applied to the total reaction time (2 to 168 and 168 to 2017 h). Moreover, results showed that release kinetics of K conformed fairly well to parabolic diffusion, simplified Elovich and power function models in two segments in 0.01 M CaCl2 and citric acid. In addition, results showed that correlation between released K by using 0.01 M calcium chloride and citric acid and extracted K using chemical methods was significant. The results of this research showed that kinetic studies and soil testing could be used for evaluating K fertility status of studied soils.

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The aim of this study was to assess the kinetics of nonexcheangable potassium release in surface and subsurface soil horizons, using organic and inorganic extractions, in Kohgilouye-va-Boyerahmad Province. Kinetics of K⁺ release was studied by successive extractions of K from 64 selective surface and subsurface soil samples, using 0.01 M CaCl₂ and 0.01 M oxalic acid, for 1948 h, with two replicates. Nonexchangeable K⁺ release was fitted by Elovich, Pseudo-first order, Power function and Parabolic equations. Result showed that the average nonexchangeable K⁺ released (extracted by 1M HNO₃) was 356 mg/kg, while those extracted by CaCl₂ and oxalic acid after 1948 h were only 58% and 52% of the total amount of nonexchangeable K⁺ of the soils, respectively. In all soil samples, nonexchangeable K⁺ released by oxalic acid was less than that released by CaCl2, due to the high buffering capacity resulting from high carbonates in the soils. Potassium release rate in Elovich and Parabolic equations were significantly correlated with non-exchangeable potassium and some physical and chemical characteristics.  Based on high Coefficients of determination (r²) and low Standard errors (SE), Elovich, Power function, First order and Parabolic equations were selected as the best equations for prediction of K⁺ release from the soils.

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Improvement of soils is among the major concerns in civil engineering, therefore a variety of approaches have been employed for different soil types. The annual budget of implementing the projects of this kind in countries clearly implies the importance of the subject. The loose granular soils and sediments have always imposed challenges due to their low strength and bearing capacity. Bio-mediated soil improvement has recently been introduced as a novel link of biotechnology (biotech) and civil engineering for improving the problematic soils, i.e. utilizing some bacteria to precipitate calcite on the soil particles. Bio-grouting is a branch of Bio-mediated soil improvement which is a method based on microbial calcium carbonate precipitation. In this regard, the soil samples were stabilized by injecting the bacterium Sporosarcina pasteurii in the first phase of the process and Urea and Calcium Chloride in the second phase of the process (two-phase injection) as the nutrients into the sandy soil columns and subjected to unconfined compressive strength test. In this research, Taguchi method was utilized for design of experience (DOE). Based on results obtained, the activity of the bacteria caused the precipitation of calcium carbonate in soil samples so that after 21 days, the unconfined compressive strength of the soil increased from 85 kPa in the control sample to 930 kPa at optimum condition.