JWSS - Journal of Water and Soil Science

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Methods of seedbed preparation affect establishment, growth and yield of crops via manipulating physical and chemical properties of soil. These effects on wheat-mungbean double-cropping have not been studied in Isfahan. Therefore, the influences of various seedbed preparation methods on soil physical properties and nutrients content and on establishment of mungbean (experimental line 1-61-16) were studied in a wheat-mungbean double-cropping system during 1996 at the Agricultural Research Station, Isfahan University of Technology. Two residue management treatments (burned and unburned) along with four tillage systems (moldboard plow, disk, khishchee and no-till) were laid out in a strip plot design within a randomized complete block design with four replications. Bulk density and penetrability of soil at various depths were not affected by residue management at emergence. However, at the time of flowering, bulk density at 0-15 cm soil depth was lower and soil penetrability at 3-15 cm depth was higher in unburned treatment due to mineralization. Rate and coefficient of emergence of seeds were lower in unburned residue treatment. Soil bulk density at 0-30 cm depths was lower and penetrability at 3-21 cm depth was higher with moldboard plowing at both emergence and flowering time. In addition, lower soil N, P and K content at 0-15 cm depth at emergence and flowering time was obtained with moldboard plowing. Rate and coefficient of emergence were strongly lower in no-till treatment. Based on these results and considering sustainable agricultural goals, incorporating residue with disk tillage might be advantageous under conditions similar to this experiment.

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This experiment was carried out to study the effects of different levels of vitamin C (0, 150, 300 and 450 ppm) and cage density (3, 4 and 5 birds) on performance and egg shell quality of laying hens under high environmental temperature. In a completely randomized design with 3 × 4 factorial arrangement, one hundred and ninety two (192) 25 week white leghorn hens were divided into 48 replicates four hens per replicate. The experimental period lasted 90 days. The criteria measured were: percentage production, egg weight, egg output, feed conversion ratio, shell thickness, shell weight, shell calcium and albumin height. Daily egg production and biweekly egg weight, shell thickness, shell weight and albumin height were recorded. Shell c1acium was measured at the end of the experiment's period. The results indicate that, 150 ppm vitamin C significantly (P < 0.05) increased egg weight and shell calcium. Albumin height was significantly (P < 0.05) increased at 300 ppm vitamin C supplementation. Cage density had no effects on shell weight, thickness and calcium, and albumin height. Egg weight, egg production and egg output were reduced significantly (P < 0.05) due to increased cage density. Feed conversion ratio was also increased significantly (P < 0.05) as cage density was increased. Interactions between vitamin C and cage density on shell and egg weight were significant (P < 0.05).

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In order to find the critical period of weed control, the best time of weed control beginning (i.e. herbicide application time), and the length of weed control period (i.e. herbicide persistency) in corn, field experiments were conducted in Bajgah and Kooshkak in Fars Province in 1995 using a randomized complete block design with 14 treatments and four replications. Treatments consisted of different times of weed control beginnings (20, 30, 40, and 50 days after corn emergence), different duration of weed control periods (10, 20, and 30 days), a weedy check, and a weed-free check during the period of corn growth.

 In Kooshkak, a 10-day duration of weed control period had significantly lower corn yields than 20 and 30-day periods. In Bajgah, a 10-day weed control period had significantly lower corn yields than a 30-day period. Time of weed control beginning was not significant at both locations however, the interaction between beginning time and the duration period of weed control was significant. It appears in both locations that a minimum 20-day control period at the initial stages of corn and weed growth, and a minimum 30-day control period before corn pollination are necessary to prevent corn yield losses. In order to prevent corn leaf area decline at both locations, a 20-day weed control period until 40 days after crop emergence is necessary.

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Soil as the third major component of our environment is exposed to different kinds of pollution. Lead has been recognized as a factor in environmental pollution. Pollution of soil and plants along the highways and roads by Pb from automobile exhaust gases has extensively been reported as the most important pollutant source in the environment. This research was carried out to determine the degree of soil pollution along the following highways: Rasht-Anzaly (Anzaly area), Kelachay-Ramsar (Ramsar area), Tehran-Karaj (Karaj area) and Isfahan-Tehran (Delijan area). In each location a transect of 100 meters long, perpendicular to the highway axis, was selected for sampling. Soil samples at different depths were taken from different distances from the highway and analysed for some physical and chemical characteristics and total Ph content by 5M HNO3 extraction.

 Results indicated that the total Pb content of soil decreased exponentially with distance from the roadside. Total Pb content of soil decreased sharply with depth in all highways except in one area indicating that Pb was retained in the surface soil and that its movement down to the deep soil was slow. Total Pb content of soils was highly and directly related to the traffic volume.

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Tillage system effect, Conventional (CT) vs. No-Till (NT), on soil physical properties and Br transport was studied at two locations in North Carolina. The soil types were a Typic Paleudults at Coastal Plain (site 1) and a Typic Kanhapludults at Piedmont (site 2). Bulk density (BD), total porosity (TP), macroporosity (MP), and saturated hydraulic conductivity (K_s) .were measured in plant row (R), and trafficked (T) and untrafficked (N) interrows. A rainfall simulator was used to apply two early season rainfalls to 1 m² plots where KBr suspension was surface applied for Br leaching study. The first simulated rainfall event (30 min) consisted of a low (1.27 cm h^-1) or a high (5.08 cm h^-1) rate applied, 24 h after Br application. One week later, the high rainfall rate was repeated on all plots.

 Soil samples were taken two days after applying first and second simulated rainfall (a week between them) and the end of season from different depths for measuring Br concentrations. Soil physical properties were affected by both tillage system and position.

Bulk density was higher in NT versus CT and in T position versus Rand N positions. Total porosity was lower in NT versus CT but MP was significantly higher in NT. Saturated hydraulic conductivity was about 90% lower at T position versus N and R positions. Coefficient of variation was quite large, making it difficult to obtain statistical differences between tillage systems. The surface l0-cm of soil contained the highest Br concentration for depth treatments with treatment differences occurring primarily in 0 to 25 cm depth. In first and second sampling dates, more Br leached under NT versus CT system. However, there was no significant difference between the two tillage systems in Br leaching at the end of the growing Season. In site 1, Br leached more due to the coarse texture and high Ks of the soil.

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The effects of three kinds of organic matter on the physical characteristics of two soil series (Coarse Loamy, Mesic, Typic, Xerofluvents and Fine Mixed, Calcixerollic, Xerochrepts) were studied along with the measurement of maximum dry bulk density (MDBD) and the corresponding critical moisture content (CMC). Soil samples were taken from a depth of 0-20 cm and the percentage of organic matter and soil texture were determined. Three kinds of organic matters (peat, farmyard manure and filter press apple) were mixed with the soils at four levels (0, 4, 8 and 12% by mass), and were compacted using 10, 20 and 30 proctor hammer blows. The compaction tests on soils were carried out at different moisture contents. The present experiment, using factorial design, was randomly conducted in three replications. The results of this study showed that while the mean MDBD declined significantly (P<0.01) from 1.53 to 1.28 gr.cm^-3, the mean CMC increased from 23.32 to 33.28% as the organic matter increased from 0.12%. In all the experiments, CMC decreased with increasing compaction efforts, so that the effect of mixed organic matter and soil in terms of MDBD reduction and CMC increase was decreasing in the order, peat, farmyard manure and filter press apple. The clay loam soil showed lower values of MDBD but higher values of CMC as compared to the sandy loam. The significant interaction effect observed between incorporation of organic matter and soil compaction were meaningful. Finally an equation as to the relationship between MDBD and CMC was proposed for the purpose of mixing the three organic materials with soil.

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In this research, sunflower oil that was extracted and refined at Shiraz Narges Oil Company was packed in four different containers, namely, clear PET (polyethylene terephtalate), yellow PET, yellow HDPE (high density polyethylene), and metal can. Samples were kept at ambient temperature in the shelf exposed to normal light for a period of 1 year. Peroxide values were determined at 45-day intervals and TBA and anisidine values were measured at 0, 6 and 12-month periods. In order to determine the effect of artificial light, some samples in PET and HDPE containers were kept in a wooden box equiped with four (20 w) fluorescent lamps and the peroxide values of the samples were determined. Light transmittance properties of the packaging materials were measured using a spectrophotometer over a wavelength range of 350 nm to 800 nm. The data indicated that the greatest variations in peroxide, TBA and anisidine values were observed in samples in HDPE containers (significantly different at 5% level) kept under normal light and ambient temperature for a period of 1 year. It was also shown that the shelf life of sunflower oil in HDPE container was less than 6 months while for the other packaging materials it was more than one year. Samples exposed to artificial light indicated that the highest peroxide values belonged to samples in clear PET while those in yellow PET proved to have the lowest. Finally, PET container proved to be the most suitable container for sunflower oil followed by metal can. Yellow PET with the lowest transmittance percentage (350-800 nm) and peroxide value (when exposed to 20 w fluorescent lamp) could be substituted for clear PET. HDPE container proved to be unsatisfactory for sunflower oil due to high oxidation rate.

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Color sticky board traps are used in pest management for capture of adult insect, to estimate and predict population densities in later stages. Yellow sticky board traps showed high attraction for pistachio psylla. It is important to study these relationships for the right placement of traps. For each of three repetition in one year, four pistachio trees were selected randomly in one orchard. Eight traps were located on two heights and four cardinal directions of each tree (32 traps in each repetition). After one week the adult psylla captured were counted. One and two weeks 1ater, eggs and nymph densities were counted on five leaves in one of the eight positions of each tree on four other randomly selected trees (total 160 leaves each time). Data were subjected to analysis of variance. Coefficient of variation was determined between adults captured in each position and eggs and nymph density counts. There were significant differences for adult capture and egg density among directions, and in most cases significant correlations were observed between adults captured on each position and total egg and nymph density count on trees. It was concluded that for egg and nymphal density estimation, we can place traps on either of two heights and four directions except on lower east part, but preferably on either height in south direction of the trees . Also suggestions for egg and nymph sampling are given in the text.

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A field experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of sewage sludge and of time lapse after sludge application on soil physical properties. Four sewage sludge treatments (0, 25, 50, and 100 ton/ha) in a complete randomized block design with three replications were applied and mixed to a depth of 20 cm. Wheat was planted and soil physical properties were measured 23, 85, 148, and 221 days after sewage sludge application. Sewage sludge application significantly increased MWD, hydraulic conductivity, final infiltration rate, moisture percentage at 1/3 and 15 bars, and plant available soil moisture, while it significantly decreased soil bulk density. In general, the best results obtained with the 100 ton/ha sewage sludge treatment. Time lapse after sewage sludge application caused soil physical properties to approach the values of the control. However, even 221 days after sludge application, the 50 and 100 ton/ha treatments had significantly different values compared with the control treatment. The results in this research show that sewage sludge can help to improve soil physical conditions and this effect persists over long periods. This effect is specially important with plant available soil moisture and infiltration.

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To determine the effects of spawning frequency and density of incubating eggs on the survival rates of eggs and larvae in rainbow trout, five different groups of broodstocks with varying spawning frequencies were stripped. After fertilization, the percentage of survival at different stages of development, from eying, hatching to free swimming fry stages and also growth rates of larvae were determined. Moreover, the effects of incubating egg density (4000, 7000, 10000 per tray) on the different developmental stages of egg through free swimming larvae for each group of broodstock was studied. The study was carried out in a completely randomized design as a 5*5*3 factorial arrangement with three replicates. The results indicated that survival and growth rates are significantly correlated with spawning frequency (P<0.05) so that, survival and growth rates from fertilization to free swimming fry in broodstocks at their third and fourth spawning period were significantly different from the results obtained for broods in the first, second and fifth or higher spawning periods (P<0.05). Although the holding densities had no significant effects on the growth rate of larvae from different broodstocks, the survival rates from fertilization to free swimming stage was affected by incubating density so that the significantly lower value was recorded for density of 4000 per tray (P<0.05). In general, the results indicate that eggs obtained from broodstocks at their third and fourth spawning years have a better performance than those obtained from younger and older spawners. Also, the low holding density of eggs could decrease the performance of the fertilized eggs during incubating period.

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Soil tilth is crucial to seedling emergence, plant growth, and crop yield. Soil tilth of unstable soil is very susceptible to change. Internal forces originating from matric suction can change soil physical properties. A laboratory study was conducted on pots of a surface silty clay loam soil of Khomeinishahr series (fine-loamy, mixed, thermic Typic Haplargids, USDA), located in Research Farm of Isfahan University of Technology. Soil surface subsidence, bulk density, cone index, and tensile strength were measured after first flood irrigation. Results showed that the seedbed (0-20 cm) with a bulk density of 1.2 Mg.m^-3 will be changed to a massive soil with high values of bulk density, cone index, and tensile strength after soil wetting. Slaking, slumping and coalescence of the soil caused soil surface to subside about 1.5 cm in 20 cm soil layer. After irrigation, cone index and tensile strength increased abruptly with decreasing of moisture content. It is shown that the dominant source of strength (cone index and tensile strength) gain during drying is the effective stress due to matric suction. In the absence of external loads, physical state (tilth) of the soil returned back to the original state. Therefore, soil slaking and slumping and rearrangement of particles along with the internal forces are the factors leading to soil hardness.

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Planting density, through its impact on the level of available environmental factors may have significant impacts on grain yield in safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.). In order to investigate the impacts of plant density on grain yield, yield components and growth characteristics of safflower, a randomized complete block design field experiment with four replicates was conducted in spring-summer, 2000, at Lavark Research Farm (Lat. 32⁰ 32^, N and Long. 51⁰ 23^, E), College of Agriculture, Isfahan University of Technology, Isfahan, Iran. Arak-2811 and Kouseh safflower genotypes were seeded at 16.6, 22.2, 33.3 and 50 plants/m². For establishing these plant densities, plants were seeded in 12, 9, 6 and 4 cm distances, respectively, on ten 8-m-long rows spaced 50 cm apart in each plot. Plant density had no impact on plant growth stages with the exception of button formation. Genotype had significant effects on days to seedling emergence, button formation, and 50% flowering. While both number of days and accumulated growing degree-days for all growth stages decreased with an increase in plant density, Arak-2811 was earlier than Kouseh for most growth stages. Number of branches and heads per plant, number of heads per branch, number of seeds per head and harvest index showed significant decreases with increasing plant density. The decrease in the mentioned grain yield attributes was mainly negated by greater number of plants per m², leading to no significant variation in grain yield between plant densities of the two genotypes. Arak-2811 produced a significantly greater number of heads per branch and 1000-grain weight however, these differences did not lead to any greater grain yield compared to Kousehdue, mainly due to the greater number of branches in the latter. Neither of the leaf area index, leaf area duration, and crop growth rate varied significantly with plant density and between two genotypes, suggesting no difference in dry matter production capabilities of the two genotypes under environmental conditions of the present study.

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Planting pattern through changing vegetative growth and utilization of environmental resourses affects yield components and seed yield. These effects were studied in the spring of 2000 at the Agricultural Research Station, Isfahan University of Technology, using a randomized complete block design with a split plot layout and three replications. Main plots consisted of three row distances (30 cm flat, and 45 and 60 cm on bed), and sub-plots included three planting densities (30, 40, and 50 plants m^-2). The experiment was planted on March 13 using local safflower variety of Isfahan, named Koseh. Increase in row distance and plant density enhanced most developmental stages of safflower. Leaf area index was not significantly affected by row distance but increased as planting density increased. Up to the 50% flowering stage, 30 cm row distance produced highest plant dry weight, but had the least dry weight at the end of the growing season, probably due to the strong shedding of leaves. Up to the end of flowering stage, 50 plants m^-2 treatment produced the highest plant dry weight, but ranked lower as compared to 30 plants m^-2 treatment at the physiological maturity, probably due to the shedding of leaves. Row distance had no significant effect on number of branches per plant and per square meter, number of heads per branch, number of seeds per head, 1000-seed weight and harvest index. But number of heads per plant and per square meter as well as seed yield per plant and per square meter significantly decreased as planting distance increased. Plant density had no significant effect on number of branches per plant, number of heads per square meter, number of seeds per head, 1000-seed weight and seed yield. Increase in planting density increased number of branches per square meter, but reduced number of heads per branch and per plant, seed yield per plant and harvest index. The highest seed yield (4769 kg ha^-1) was obtained with 30 cm row distance and 40 plants m^-2 treatment. On average, 397 kg ha^-1 petal was harvested, which has a large economic value. However, petal clipping, over all treatments, reduced seed yield by about 7.4%. Considering the advantages of uniform distribution of plants and adaptation of safflower to flat planting, 30 cm row distance with 40 plants m^-2 might be appropriate for planting safflower under conditions similar to this experiment.

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In order to study the effects of different levels of nitrogen fertilizer and plant density on grain yield and its components in sunflower, an experiment was conducted using 'Record' cultivar at the Research Farm of College of Agriculture, Isfahan University of Technology in 1996. Four levels of nitrogen (0, 75, 150 and 225 kg/ha) and four plant densities (65000, 75000, 85000 and 95000 plants/ha) were used in a split plot arranged in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Developmental stages, plant height, stem diameter, head diameter, number of head per m2, grain yield, biological yield, harvest index, 1000-grain weight, number of grains per head, grain oil percentage, oil yield and grain protein content were measured. The results indicated that N fertilizer caused an extension of the growth period and means of days to physiological maturity. It also increased plant height, stem diameter and head diameter. While increasing plant density had an incremental effect on plant height, it negatively affected stem diameter and head diameter. N fertilizer up to 150 kg/ha increased the grain yield and biological yield, whereas higher levels of N fertilizer decreased both. Plant density of 85000 plants per hectare was observed as a suitable plant density, whereas the higher plant density had a negative effect on grain yield. N fertilizer via increasing the number of grains per head, and plant density via increasing the number of heads per unit area and also decreasing the number of grains per head influenced the grain yield. One-thousand grain weight was not affected by neither N fertilizer nor plant density. Considering the superiority of 150 kg/ha of N fertilizer and plant density of 85000 plants/ha for grain yield and oil yield, it appears that they could be recommended for producing desirable yield in the regions similar to the study region.

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To obtain soil-moisture characteristic curve experimentally is time-consuming and usually subject to considerable errors. So, many investigators have tried to predict soil-moisture characteristic curve by different models. One of these models predicts soil moisture characteristic curve based on soil particle size distribution and bulk density. In this model, soil particle size distribution curve is divided into a number of segments, each with a specific particle radius and cumulative particle mass greater than that of the radius. Using these data, soil-moisture characteristic curve was estimated. In this model, a scale factor, α, is used which may be considered as a constant, or obtained by logistic or linear procedures. The average values of α for clay, silty clay, sandy loam, two loam soils, and two silty clay loam soils were 1.159, 1.229, 1.494, 1.391, 1.393, 1.253 and 1.254, respectively. For most conditions, soil particle size distribution curve is not available, but only the percentages of clay, silt, and sand could be obtained using soil textural data, which is not enough to draw a precise soil particle size distribution curve. In this situation, a precise soil particle size distribution curve must be initially developed on the basis of which the soil moisture characteristic curve can be predicted. In this study, using soil textural data of seven different soils, soil moisture characteristic curve of each was estimated. In these estimations, logistic and linear methods were used to obtain the α value. Then, the results were compared with those of measured soil moisture characteristic curve. For estimation of soil particle size distribution curve, two extreme values for soil particle radius, 125 and 999 m, were used. The results indicated that using particle radius of 999 µm is more appropriate. On the other hand, it was found that for clay, silty clay, and sitly clay loam texture, it is more appropriate to employ a linear equation to determine for estimating soil-moisture characteristic curve while the logistic equation can be more appropriately used for loam and sand loam textures.

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The appropriate planting pattern of safflower in summer planting might be different from the planting pattern suitable for spring planting, and this has not been determined under Isfahan environmental conditions. A field experiment was conducted in the summer of 2000 at the Agricultural Research Station, Isfahan University of Technology, using a randomized complete block design with a split plot layout and three replications. Main plots consisted of three row distances (30 cm flat and 45 and 60 cm on bed), and sub-plots included three planting densities (30, 40, and 50 plant m^-2). The experiment was planted in June 13 using local safflower variety of Isfahan, named Koseh. Leaf area index, number of heads per branch, number of seeds per head, 1000-seed weight, seed yield per plant and harvest index were not significantly effected by row distance. Increase row distance significantly enhanced most developmental stages and increased number of branches per plant and per square meter, but significantly decreased number of heads per plant and per square meter and seed and petal yields. The highest seed and petal yields (3841 and 373 kg per ha, respectively) were obtained with 30 cm row distance. Plant density had no significant effect on number of branches per plant, number of seeds per head, 1000-seed weight and seed yield per plant and per unit area. Plant density significantly enhanced most developmental stages and increased leaf area index, number of branches and number of heads per square meter, but significantly decreased number of heads per branch and per plant, petal yield and harvest index. The highest seed yield without petal clipping (4341 kg per ha) was obtained with 30 cm row distance and 50 plants m^-2 treatment. The results obtained in this experiment indicate that this planting pattern might be appropriate for summer planting of safflower under conditions similar to this experiment.

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The physiological characteristics of winter wheat(cv. Shiraz) were evaluated in a 2-yrs field study by using a spilit plot design with four replications, at the experimental farm of Shiraz University, College of Agriculture located at Badjgah. Main plots consisted of three sowing dates (November 6^th, December 6^th and January 5^th) and four planting densities (150, 250, 350 and 450 plants/m²) were assigned as sub plots. The results indicated that delay in sowing was associated with a significant reduction in the grain yield. So that the grain yield in sowing date of January 5^th was significantly less than it in sowing dates of November 6^th and December 6^th. Moreover with delay in sowing date the developmental rate of wheat was enhanced and plants reached maturity more rapidly. The trend of the leaf area index changes and the dry weight of the plants were under the effect of experimental treatments, leaf area index was found to be greater at the higher densities and early planting date. Number of stems per m² were decreased with delay in the sowing date, although at the higher densities, the number of stems per m² was greater, despite severe tiller death observed at these densities. The study of trend of dry weight changes during the season indicated that biomass was greater at higher densities and earlier sowings, which resulted in earlier ground cover and higher amount of radiation interception. In conclusion, the results of the present investigation revealed that to achieve a reasonable grain yield, the 6^th of December and 250 plants per m² were the best sowing date and planting density for wheat (cv. Shiraz) under similar agro climatic conditions with the present investigation.

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Due to the feeding on prickly shrub of Astragalus adscendes by an insect (Cyamophila dicora Loginva), a kind of the manna named Gaz-angubin is produced which it’s harvesting has a long history in Isfahan province. This manna is exclusively produced in Isfahan, Iran. In this research, a map of spatial distribution of this prickly shrub was provided. By random-systematic sample of line transects, biological criteria such as insect density, canopy coverage, branch and the soil moisture were measured. Multiple linear regression and nested design were used to analyses the response and predictor variables. The results indicated that the prickly shrub of Astragalus adscendens occupied the wet parts of mountainous areas of Isfahan and density of insect is highly related to the age, canopy coverage and soil moisture. By increasing the age of prickly shrub, the densities of insect are also increased. Regression analysis showed that the age of plant are more important in two areas of Kloseh and Lashokhm, while in Dareh-sibe area, soil moisture and the moisture of branches are more important. In other words, when the moisture is enough (e.g. Kloseh and Lashokhm areas), the age of plant has the paramount effects on insect density but when the area was suffered from drought, branches and soil moisture are more important.

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In order to evaluate the effects of plant densities (10, 13, 20 and 40 plant/m² ) on the yield and yield components of two cultivars (Partow, Gohar) and a line (VC-1973A) of mungbean [Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek] a field experiment was conducted at the Seed and Plant Improvement Institute (SPII) of Karaj in Summer 1998. This research carried out in a factorial experiment based on Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with 4 replications. The results indicated that VC-1973A line had the highest grain yield. This line has superiority to other cultivars, due to the early and uniformity of seed maturity and easy mechanized harvest. Plant density has a significant effect (p<0.01) on the grain yield, in such a way that the densities of 20 and 10 plant/m² outyielded the highest (2221 kg/ha) and lowest (1650 kg/ha) grain yield respectively. Among the yield components, only the number of pods per plant indicated a significant difference due to the plant density. Correlation coefficient between attributes indicated that the plant height and height of first pod internode had a positive correlation with the plant density, while the correlation of the plant density with harvest index (HI), branch number and pod number per plant was negative. More over it seems that the pod number per plant is the most important components of mungbean’s yield, because it has a high (r = 0.88) and significant (p<0.01) correlation with the grain yield.

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This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of four levels of irrigation (irrigation of plants after I₁ = 40, I₂ =60, I₃ = 80 , and I₄ = 100mm of evaporation from class A pan) and four plant densities(D₁ = 30, D₂ = 40, D₃ = 50 and D₄ = 60 plants/m²) on the seed yield and seed quality in three soybean cultivars(V₁=Hobit, V₂=Williams and V₃=Hill) in a split factorial design, based on the completely randomized blocks, with three replication for two years(2001 and 2002). The Irrigation treatments were assigned to the main plots, and the plant densities and cultivars to the sub plots. Results indicated that soybean seed yield was influenced by the different irrigation and plant density levels in the both years. Irrigation levels I₂ produced the highest and I₄ the lowest seed yield. It was also revealed that the plant density D₃ produced the highest and D₁ the lowest seed yields. Among the cultivars under investigation, V₂ produced the highest and V₃ the lowest seed yield . Seed oil and its protein contents both were affected significantly by the irrigation levels, plant densities and cultivars in both years. The plants receiving I₁ treatment had the highest and those having I₄, the lowest percentages of seed oil. Changes in the plant densities also affected seed oil and protein content. The plant density of D₁ caused the seeds to have the highest oil and lowest protein percentages. However, D₄ decreased oil and increased protein percentages. The highest water use efficiency was obtained from I₃ and that of the lowest value from I₁. The results also indicated that D₄ had the highest and D₁ the lowest water use efficiencies. Therefore, it could be concluded that the water use efficiency can be increased by increasing the plant density per unit area. The highest efficiency for biological and grain yield belonged to V₂ and V₁ respectively where as the lowest efficiency for those two mentioned characters belonged to V₁ and V₃, respectively. However, the treatment I₂V₂D₂ is recommended for higer the seed yield production per unit area.