Showing 153 results for Tin
Mahmoud Ramroudi, Aghafakhr Mirlohi,
Volume 1, Issue 1 (4-1997)
Abstract
In order to find suitable cultivar and N-topdress rates in corn planted after wheat harvest, a field experiment was conducted in Isfahan University of Technology Experiment Farm located at Shervedan, Falavarjan in 1994. The experiment design was a split plot with a randomized complete block arrangement and four replications. Main plots were four N-topdress rates (0, 90, 180, and 270 kg/ha) and the subplots were three corn hybrids (S.C.I08, S.C.301, and D.C.370). N-topdress rates had no effect on the stages of plant development (50% emergence, transition, pollination and physiological maturity). Also there were no significant effects on the number of leaves per plant, LAI, plant height and plant dry weight measured at pollination stage for different N-topdress rates. As expected, plant development stages differed among hybrids except that of time until 50% emergence. Differences in the number of leaves per plant, LAI, plant height and dry weight of plant measured at pollination stage were highly significant among hybrids. D.C. 370 had the highest values for all of these characteristics. Dry matter accumulation during growing season increased as the N-topdress rates were increased for the hybrids. Also N-topdress rates x hybrid interaction was significant for biological yield. Grain yield, number of seeds per ear, 100-seed weight and biological yield were affected by N-topdress rates and hybrid. Higher grain yield of D.C. 370 can be attributed to greater number of seeds per ear. The results of this study suggest that D.C. 370 with 90 kg/ha N-topdress rate can be used after wheat harvest in Isfahan.
Rahim Ebadi,
Volume 1, Issue 1 (4-1997)
Abstract
In this study, conducted in Isfahan region over a period of two years, six oilseed sunflower cultivars named Record, Venimek 8931, Chernianka, Zaria, Perdovik and Mehr hybrid were investigated in a split-split plot design. These cultivars were planted on March 29 and April 29, with and without the presence of pollinator insects. The results showed that the yield of different cultivars were significantly different (p<0.01). The planting date of March 29 caused a higher yield than that of April 29. Also the presence of pollinator insects during the bloom increased the amount of yield in all cultivars planted on both dates. Venimek and Record cultivars planted on March 29 with the presence of pollinator insects during the bloom produced the highest, i.e. an average of 3910 and 3821 kilograms of seeds per hectare and Chernianka with an average of 2944 kilograms of seeds per hectare had the lowest amount of seed. In this study, Record and Venimek cultivars in the first place and then Mehr hybrid planted on March 29 with the presence of pollinator insects during the bloom were better than the other cultivars in terms of attractiveness to honeybees, yield per hectare, seed hollowness percent, weight of 1000 seeds, germination percentage, speed of germination and the amount of oil production.
Rasool Jalili Marandi,
Volume 1, Issue 2 (10-1997)
Abstract
In this study, an experiment was carried out to determine the effects of 6 culture media (sand, perlite, vermiculite, Sand + Perlite, Sand + Vermiculite, Vermiculite + Perlite) on the rooting of single-bud cuttings of seven grape cultivars (Rishbaba, Hosseiny, Dashgarah, Ghiziluzum, Teberzeh, Bidaneh Sefid, Sahebi). All the cuttings were prepared from one-year old branches. Statistical analyses of the data obtained from the examination of the roots revealed significant discrepancies in the rooting of different cultivars' cuttings, media and media-cultivar interactions in terms of rooting percentage, fresh weight of roots and the ratio of dry to fresh weight of roots. The highest rooting performance in terms of the above parameters was observed in Hosseiny cultivar while the lowest obtained in Teberzeh cultivar. Vermiculite and perlite + Vermiculite were found to be the most suitable media for rooting of cuttings. According to the media-cultivar interactions, high rooting of Hosseiny, Dashgarah, and Ghiziluzum was observed in vermiculite and high rooting of Rishbaba, Teberzeh, Bidaneh Sefid and Sahebi was obtained in perlite + vermiculite.
Mohammad Reza Yazdani, Sayed-Farhad Mousavi,
Volume 1, Issue 2 (10-1997)
Abstract
Water requirements of paddy fields in the Gilan Province are provided for by a large irrigation network including Sepidrud reservoir dam, Tarik diversion dam, Fumanat network, Sangar diversion dam, and Sangar right and left canals. Because of the deposition of sediments in the Sepidrud reservoir, its capacity has been reduced profoundly. To overcome this problem, sediments are flushed in the second half of each year. The sediments coming from erodible surfaces of the Sepidrud watershed area out flowing from the dam in the spring, and the deposited sediments in the Sepidrud river in the second half of each year are a great hazard for the irrigation network. The objective of this research is to study the effect of the sediments on Sepidrud network. In this research, sediment data from the hydrometric station near Sepidrud dam were analyzed. Sediment samples were collected by a hand sampler (type DH-48) from Tarik and Sangar diversion dams, upper and lower ends of Sangar desilting basin, BP4 and SP3 canals, and field ditches and drains. Water discharge was measured by a current meter. Deposited materials in irrigation structures were sampled for grading. The results from this study indicate that the Sepidrud river and Tarik diversion dam deposit sediments at low discharges, but at high river discharges these sediments were found to he erodible. Average efficiencies of left and right desilting basins of Sangar diversion dam were 15.3% and 11.2%, respectively. The area located in Fumanat section, which receives water from Tarik diversion dam, requires desilting structures. The irrigation structures of the network are in danger of sediments. The main and the secondary canals, compared with 3rd and 4th order canals, have less settled sediments in them.
Mohammad Rajab Zadeh, Aghafakhr Mirlohi,
Volume 2, Issue 2 (7-1998)
Abstract
Optimum rice population densities and the response of rice yield and yield components to population densities and planting pattern are important factors helping rice producers and researchers to achieve maximum productivity. For this reason, a randomized complete block design experiment was conducted during the summer of 1995 at Isfahan University of Technology Research Farm located at Lavark, Najafabad. Zayandeh-rood cultivar was transplanted with three seedlings per hill at row spacing of 15, 25 and 35 cm and hill spacing of 10, 15 and 20 cm under flooded conditions. Row spacing influenced the plant height significantly at heading and anthesis stages. Wider row spacing, enhanced days to 50% heading and anthesis and consequently grain filling duration and ripening stage coincided with unfavorable conditions at the end of the season, which decreased the percentage of maturity. Although number of tillers per unit area increased, tillers per plant decreased as row spacing was reduced. Narrow row spacing limited vegetative growth after anthesis and thereby growth rate of panicle increased. With reduction of row spacing, without any change in the percentage of full grains per panicle and grain weight, number of panicle per unit area increased but number of grains per panicle decreased. At greater row spacing, grain yield per unit area decreased although grain yield per plant and harvest index increased. Although, effects of hill spacing were similar to those of row spacing, hill spacing usually did not influence plant characters, yield components and grain yield significantly. Stepwise regression and path-coefficient analysis revealed that number of panicle per unit area is the most important yield components. It also showed that indirect effects of panicle per unit area on yield through its association with grain per panicle prevented real effects of grain per panicle on yield. Fifteen × 15 cm spacing produced maximum yield which is probably recommendable for rice production in Isfahan.
Behrouz Mostafazadeh, Sayed-Farhad Mousavi, Mohammad Hossain Sharif-Bayanolhagh,
Volume 2, Issue 3 (10-1998)
Abstract
To determine the effects of field slope, emitter discharge, irrigation water volume and soil texture on soil moisture profile and soil surface wetted shape from a point source, field data were collected on three different soil types, three emitter discharges (4, 8, and 12 lph), four slopes (0, 2, 5, and 10%), and five irrigation water volumes (10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 liters) with three replications. The results showed that the surface-wetted area increases as the emitter discharge increases. The surface-wetted area decreased with a corresponding increase in emitter discharge in experimental fields with light-textured soils. In experimental fields with heavy textured soils and slopes greater than 5%, the changes in surface-wetted area due to the emitter discharge increases, were higher compared to slopes of less than 5%. Since, a higher emitter discharge would result in higher surface-wetted area, the results showed that for an equal volume of irrigation water, the soil moisture profile was deeper for lower emitter discharge. In general, the volume of wetted zone was higher for greater emitter discharges. It was found that as the volume of irrigation water increased, the volume of wetted zone would increase correspondingly. This effect is more prominent than that of emitter discharge. In general, the depth of wetting front was lower and the wetted surface area was greater for heavy textured soils as compared to the light textured soils. The wetted-surface area and the shape of wetting front in the direction of slope were affected by the soil infiltration, emitter discharge and volume of irrigation water where these effects were more critical in higher sloping lands.
Sayed Ali Mohammad Mirmohammadi Maibody,
Volume 3, Issue 1 (4-1999)
Abstract
The reproductive development stage is a crucial stage in plant life to study the potential of plant yield. Salt tolerance in this stage is desirable to obtain a stable and high yield. A Cynodon dactylon population from America (Cyn3, London Univ. Collection), was suitable to study the detached immature inflorescence in booting stage on liquid medium. The detached inflorescenes were cultured on a liquid medium prepared with or without various supplements of NaCl (0 to 2%) and kinetin concentrations. The sequence of morphological events of spike development in vitro, and the effects of NaCl on spikelet opening, embryo sac growth, fertilization and caryopsis development were studied. The liquid medium supplemented with 10-7 M kinetin resulted in natural caryopsis development. Supplementing NaCl to the liquid medium had deteriorating effects on the embryo sac development and resulted in the production of abnormal caryopses. The abnormal caryopses were smaller in diameter with a more fragile pericarp. However, a small number of spikelets grown in liquid medium, supplemented with low salt concentration up to 5%, produced normal caryopses and germinated well on soaked filter paper in petri dishes at appropriate conditions.
Mohammad Shahedi, Payman Goli Khorasgani, Zohreh Hamidi Isfahani,
Volume 3, Issue 2 (7-1999)
Abstract
Stickiness and pastiness after cooking is one of the basic problems of macaroni production technology. Investigation of the factors affecting stickiness and pastiness of Iranian Macaroni is essential. The purpose of this research was to study the effects of percentage of gluten in the flour as well as extruder and drying temperatures on the macaroni quality. The factors studied are as follows:
1- Percentages of flour gluten at levels of 8.5, 10.5, 12.5 and 14.5 prepared by adding gluten to the macaroni flour purchased from the market.
2- Temperature of the dough discharged from the extruder (three levels: 48, 58 and 68 °C) obtained through changing the temperature of the water used in making the dough, circulation and noncirculation water in extruder jacket, and changing the rotational speed of extruder screw and increasing dough retention time.
3- Drying temperature (two levels: 50 and 62 °C) obtained through changing the number of burners in the heating system and using electrical heaters in the drying cabinet.
The results of the e:xperiments and their evaluation are as follows: using flour with a gluten percentage of 12.5 or 14.5 (12.5% gluten is preferred for economic reasons) with an extruder temperature of 48 °C and a drying temperature of 62 °C will improve the macaroni quality. This treatment resulted in the production of macaroni with less stickiness, pastiness and cooking loss.
M. Alikhani, G.r. Ghorbani,
Volume 3, Issue 3 (10-1999)
Abstract
To determine the best ratios of alfalfa hay to corn silage with similar dietary NDF, cation-anion balance, energy and protein content in the lactating dairy cows, eight mid-lactating Holstein dairy cows with average body weight of 570 kg, and milk yield of 22 kg/d with 3.5% fat, were assigned to each of four experimental diets with alfalfa hay to corn silage ratios of 100:0, 67:33, 33:67 and 0:100., in a 4 × 4 Latin square design with two replicates. Dry matter intake, digestibility, rumen degradability of DM, fat percentage and total solids in milk for diets one to four were 19.09, 19.94, 20.94, 20.90 kg/d 69.07, 65.75, 71.78, 49.82% 52.8, 49.6, 50.4, 46.7% 3.47, 3.53, 3.79, 3.93% 12.17, 12.17, 12.48, 12.60%, respectively. Diets containing 67% silage showed the highest dry matter intake, 3.2% FCM and digestibility. Degradability in rumen were highest and lowest in diets containing 100% alfalfa hay or corn silage, respectively. Increased ratios of silage to alfalfa hay corresponded to increases in milk fat and protein yield, milk protein percentage and total solids in milk.
M. Kavossi, M. Kalbasi,
Volume 3, Issue 4 (1-2000)
Abstract
High-yielding rice varieties are prevailing in Guilan Province which is one of the most important rice producing regions in Iran. However, little is known about K status in this region and no suitable extraction method can yet be introduced to the farmers. This experiment was carried out to determine the available K by 15 chemical extractants and also to examine the critical K levels in paddy soils of the region. The treatments included 23 soils and 2 K levels (0 and 300 mg/kg as KCl) in a factorial experiment in a randomized complete block design with three replications.
Results indicated that K application increased grain and straw yields, K concentration in straw as well as K uptake by rice. High correlation coefficients were observed between MgOAc, H2SO4, Morgan and 0.01 M CaCl2 methods with K concentration in straw (0, 0.83, 0.78, 0.8 and 0.78, respectively) and with K concentration in plant tops (0.79, 0.76, 0.75 and 0.73, respectively). Similarly, high correlation coefficients were observed between the same extraction methods with K absorbed by straw (0.83, 0.82, 0.78 and 0.76, respectively) and with total plant K uptake (0.79, 0.83, 0.74 and 0.71, respectively). Potassium critical levels by different extracting solutions were determined by Cate-Nelson procedure and were 38, 74, 160, 111, 36, 112 and 100 mg kg-1 for MgOAc, Morgan and Kelowana methods, Texas method H2SO4 0.01 M CaCl2 and NH4OAc without and with submergence of soil samples, respectively. In this study, available K was below the critical level in almost 75% of the soils.
F. Noorbakhsh, M. Afyuni,
Volume 4, Issue 1 (4-2000)
Abstract
Field capacity (FC) and permanent wilting point (PWP) are important factors affecting irrigation scheduling and field management. FC and PWP can be estimated from some of the soil physical and chemical properties. Pressure Plate apparatus is usually used for determination of FC and PWP, but this is a time-consuming and laborious procedure besides, the apparatus may not be available in many laboratories. Samples were taken from 23 locations in Isfahan and Chaharmahal Va Bakhtiary provinces in central Iran. Soil texture, organic matter and cation exchange capacity were determined. Soil moisture at FC and PWP of the soils were measured with a pressure plate. Simple and multiple regression analyses were used to study the relationships between FC and PWP with sand, silt, clay, soil organic matter and cation exchange capacity.
Results indicated that FC significantly correlated with sand, organic matter and cation exchange capacity in a stepwise model (r=0.97**). The PWP of soil also correlated significantly with silt, organic matter, and cation exchange capacity in a stepwise model (r=0.95**). Available water capacity (FC-PWP) correlated with sand in a stepwise model (r=0.82**). On the whole, results showed that FC and PWP can be estimated from some soil physical and chemical properties.
M.r. Khajehpour, F. Seyedi,
Volume 4, Issue 2 (7-2000)
Abstract
Obtaining high seed and oil yields of sunflower requires coincidence of vegetative and reproductive stages of growth of the plant with suitable environmental conditions via selecting appropriate planting date. Since the suitable date of planting for sunflower cultivars under Isfahan environmental conditions was not determined, this experiment was conducted in 1996 at the Agricultural Research Station, Isfahan University of Technology. In this study, five dates of planting (April 27, May 12 and 27 and June 12 and 29) and three open pollinated sunflower cultivars (Record, Vnimik 8931 and Armavirec) were evaluated using a randomized complete block design with split-plot layout in three replications. Date of planting was considered as the main plot and cultivars were randomized in the sub-plots.
Number of seeds per head (SH), l000-seed weight (SW), seed oil percent (SOP) and, consequently, yields of oil (OY) and seed (SY) were significantly reduced as planting was delayed. Reduction in these traits were considered to be related to the coincidence of vegetative and reproductive growth stages with higher temperatures prevailing at later plantings. Vnimik 8931 had higher SH and SW, and thus produced higher SY. This cultivar had lower SOP than Record, but produced higher OY than Record due to its higher SY. Armavirec was ranked the least for the measured traits, except for its SH that was slightly higher than that of Record. SH was the most contributing trait to the increase in SY, and SY was the most determining trait for the increase in OY. Date of planting by cultivar interactions for SH, SY and OY were significant. Nevertheless, the highest amount of the measured traits were obtained with Vnimik 8931 at the first planting date.
J. Torkamani,
Volume 4, Issue 3 (10-2000)
Abstract
The main objective of the present study was to investigate the production and marketing of Iranian saffron. About 99% of Iranian saffron is produced in Khorasan Province. Therefore, Khorasan was selected for the current study. Data were collected through the stratified random sampling method from 232 saffron producers in Torbat Heidarieh, Ghaenat and Gonabad regions through interviews in fall 1999. The production functions of saffron were estimated by using transcendental forms for the three study regions. Technical efficiencies for saffron producers were estimated using transcendental stochastic frontier production functions. Finally, wholesale, retail and marketing margins as well as marketing efficiency were estimated.
The results of the current study revealed that farmers were not using some of the inputs optimally. Study of the technical efficiency of saffron growers indicated that there was a considerable possibility of increasing production by increasing farmers’ efficiencies. The average of wholesale, retail and marketing margins of one kilogram of saffron were estimated to be 483, 410 and 893 thousand Rials, respectively, in the three study regions. Also, marketing efficiency was calculated at 155%. Finally, a marketing channel as a part of marketing strategy was proposed for Iranian saffron.
A. Mirlohi, M.a. Hajabassi, S.j. Razavi, E. Ghanaati,
Volume 5, Issue 1 (4-2001)
Abstract
Soil loss due to erosion is a common problem in most parts of Iran. Reduced soil organic matter and lack of proper agricultural management have intensified the problem in recent years. Conservation tillage systems are becoming more widely used in corn production in other parts of the world because of soil losses due to wind and water erosion and energy inputs. Changes in tillage methods, however, create different environments for the germination, development and maturation of corn plants. Most corn hybrids have been selected and developed under conventional tillage systems but these hybrids mayor may not be well adapted to both systems. This study aims to evaluate the performance of five locally grown corn hybrids under zero and conventional tillage methods. The experiment was conducted for 2 years on a plot of land specified for this study. Experimental design was a split plot with randomized complete block arrangement and four replications.
Seedling and juvenile plant growth were not affected by tillage method and were similar for all hybrids. Plant dry matter was affected significantly by the cropping system and was lower in no-till method. Plant leaf area index and stem diameter reduced significantly in the no-till system. Reduction was greater in the second year of the experiment. Also grain yields were significantly different among years, tillage method and plant genotypes. Yield reduction was highest in the second year of the experiment under no-till cropping system. There was no interaction between tillage method and corn genotypes, indicating that, usually genotypes perform similarly with regard to grain yield under both tillage methods. The results suggest that corn production under no-till system in Isfahan is probably associated with yield reduction.
A.r. Sadeghi Mahounack, F. Shahidi,
Volume 5, Issue 1 (4-2001)
Abstract
The antifungal effect of sodium diacetate on inhibiting the growth of some bread spoiling molds was examined both in culture media and in flat bread “In situ”. In the first step, the antifungal effect of different concentrations of sodium diacetate: 0, 1000, 2000, 3000, 4000, and 5000 ppm were examined against Aspergillus sp., Aspergillus niger, Rhizopus sp., and Penicillium sp.
The results indicated that as the concentration of sodium diacetate increased, the mold growth decreased. At 5000 ppm the mold growth was inhibited up to fifth day (the last day of experiment). Based on these results, the antifungal effect of different concentrations of sodium diacetate was evaluated in bread “In situ”. In this stage Aspergillus sp. was selected as the indicator mold. The results indicated that if 3000 ppm of sodium diacetate is used, not only mold growth is inhibited but bread staling can also be prevented. This concentration of sodium diacetate does not have any harmful effect on texture and flavour, and can increase bread shelf life up to four days. Higher concentrations of sodium diacetate can inhibit mold growth completely, but have negative effects on texture and flavour. Therefore, 3000 ppm of sodium diacetate is recommended for increasing bread shelf life.
M. Basirat, H. Seyedoleslami,
Volume 5, Issue 1 (4-2001)
Abstract
In winter 1997 severely infested pistachio nuts were collected from orchards in Borkhar district of Isfahan to determine minimum threshold temperature and thermal constants. Minimum threshold temperatures were calculated according to rate of development or X-intercept method and the least coefficient of variation method. Thermal constants were calculated for different developmental stages in the laboratory and were initially compared to field information available.
Results showed that minimum threshold temperatures for covered larvae in nut to 50% pupation, bare larvae to 50% pupation and larvae within nut and 50% pupation to 50% adult emergence according to X-intercept method were 7.69°C, 7.78°C, 9.52°C and 11.14°C, respectively. In the case of least coefficient of variation method, the values were 7.92°C, 7.59°C, 9.81°C and 11.99°C. Thermal constant for occurrence of 50% adult emergence and 50% pupation from overwintering larvae and from 50% pupation to 50% adult emergence and 5% adult emergence to 50% adult emergence with minimum threshold temperatures of 9.5°C, 8°C, 11°C and 11°C under laboratory conditions were 783±17.03, 609±1.7, 215.3±19.05 and 107, respectively, which, except for the last case, they were far different from the thermal constant under field conditions. With regards to the nature of the available data for field conditions, possible reasons have been suggested for these differences.
M.r. Khajehpour, F. Seyedi,
Volume 5, Issue 2 (7-2001)
Abstract
Sensitivity of developmental stages of three sunflower cultivars to day length and temperature changes under field conditions were evaluated, and their development rates during various growth stages were modeled in a field experiment conducted in 1996 at the Agricultural Research Station, Isfahan University of Technology. Five dates of planting (April 27, May 12 and 27, and June 12 and 29) and three open pollinated sunflower cultivars (Record, Vnimik 8931 and Armavirec) were evaluated using a randomized complete block design with split-plot layout in three replications. Date of planting was considered to be the main plot and cultivars were randomized in sub-plots.
Number of days from planting (P) to head visible (HV) and P to first anther (FA) were significantly reduced with delay in planting as the result of increase in temperature during these periods. Number of days from P to physiological maturity (PM) was also significantly reduced with delay in P. This response, however, could not be explained by changes in temperature variables or day length. Number of days from HV to FA, in harmony with the partial stability of maximum and minimum temperatures during this period, was not affected by date of planting. Duration from FA to PM of the last planting date was significantly shorter than the other planting dates. This response was related to the persistence of the effect of high and stable maximum temperatures prevailing during HV to FA period of the last planting date. Armavirec was significantly earlier than Record and Vnimic 8931 for number of days from P to HV and from P to FA Cultivars showed significantly large differences for the FA to PM and P to PM durations. Armavirec was the earliest and Record was the latest cultivar. Based on the results obtained, it may be concluded that the cultivars under study were non-sensitive to photoperiod. Development rate (DR) of Armavirec responded linearly and DR of Record and Vnimic 8931 responded non-linearly to increases in temperature variables during P to HV and P to FA Development of Vnimic 8931 was faster than Record at high temperatures. DR of the cultivars decreased linearly during P to PM as day length increased. The relationship between DR and photoperiod could be used as a practical model for estimating P to PM duration of these sunflower cultivars.
S.m. Nassiri, M. Loghavi, J. Jafarifar,
Volume 5, Issue 2 (7-2001)
Abstract
Wheat as a main food source is partly lost in different ways such as planting, harvesting, storage and even in consumption processes. This calls for attention to reducing these losses through application of the results from agricultural research, use of new farming practices, improvements in management system and repair and renewal of farm machinery. The present study considers the design, development and evaluation of a new pneumatic air reel system as a replacement for the conventional mechanical reel. To evaluate the new system, laboratory and field tests were conducted.
In the laboratory tests, the air velocity was measured along the fan outlet width at a 10 centimeter interval from the outlet to 40 centimeters away from it, and corresponding curves of air velocity distribution along the fan outlet width were drawn. On the basis of the results, 13 fans were calculated to be required on the cutting platform of a 14-foot (4.3 meter) combine. The results from the field tests of mechanical and air reels show that grain losses of air reel during harvesting are less than those of the mechanical reel because the air reel has no mechanical contact with the crop and applies less shock on plant stem than the mechanical reel. According to the results, grain losses increased linearly with increasing fan speed. In addition to the change of fan speed (2247, 2503, 2860, 3218 and 3932 RPM), three air discharge directions of 10, 20 and 30 degrees from horizontal line were examined. According to the data analysis in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) through Tukey’s procedure (15 treatments and 6 samples in each treatment), there were significant differences between grain loss at these directions and mechanical reel at a level of 5%. A wind direction of 20 degrees and fan speeds of 2503 to 2860 RPM are recommended.
A. Hemmant, O. Taki,
Volume 5, Issue 2 (7-2001)
Abstract
Any mechanical force exerted on a potato tuber during the harvesting may result in mechanical damage. A few weeks prior to harvesting, haulm destruction could improve the rheological properties of the tuber and reduce its susceptibility to mechanical damage. The effects of elevator and oscillatory sieve diggers and haulm destruction on potato loss and mechanical damage were studied on a farmer field in Fereidan region of Isfahan. Two haulm management treatments (destruction and non-destruction) along with five potato diggers (elevator digger with a long main web and with agitator, elevator digger with primary and secondary webs and with agitator, elevator digger with a main web and with/without agitator, and reciprocating riddle digger) were laid out in a strip block design within a randomized complete block design with four replications. The main crop variety, namely Marfona, was planted in the field.
The results showed that the percentages of undigged and soil-covered tubers were significantly different among the potato diggers tested. These losses were due to the dices located to the sides of shares or gage wheels and wrong adjustments on the diggers. Comparing the performance of reciprocating riddle with elevator diggers, its sieving capacity was low and the severity of the mechanical damage and the numbers of tubers covered with soil were high. Haulm destruction was effective in reducing the peeler type damage (the less than 3 mm deep damage to flesh). Although the elevator digger with a main web (elevator chain) and without agitator had the least mechanical damage index, the differences among the elevator diggers tested were not significant (5%).
M. Abdollahi Ezzatabadi, G.r. Soltani, A. Nejati,
Volume 5, Issue 4 (1-2002)
Abstract
In this paper, a simple farm management information system is introduced. This system was administered through cooperation between farmers and an information agency. The results showed that the farmers were willing enough to accept the system. Nevertheless, having an accounting system is the first step toward the establishment of an information system, which is used by only %42 of the sampled farmers. The main reason for this is the lack of knowledge about the benefits of such systems. In other words, if farmers were aware of the benefits of accounting systems, they would accept them easily. The results also showed that the farmers who use accounting systems are more successful in their production activities.
