JWSS - Journal of Water and Soil Science

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The relation between high molecular weight glutenin subunit alleles and flour quality traits have been studied for 117 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) derived by single seed descend to F₇ from a cross of Anza, a low quality cultivar, and Inia, a high quality cultivar, containing different alleles at 3 GLU-1 seed storage protein loci. RILs were classified by SDS-PAGE for the 8 possible combinations of the alleles. The allelic variation at the GLU-D1 locus accounted for most of the variation observed in SDS-sedimentation, mixing time and tolerance, and protein content. The GLU-D1 allele encoding the subunits 5+10 was superior to its allelic counterpart, encoding 2+ 12. All three loci had significant single locus additive effects for SDS-sedimentation volume and mixing tolerance. The additive effects of GLU-D1 locus on mixing time and protein content were also significant. The epistatic additive effects were mostly negative and with the exception of α_AB and α_AD for SDS-sedimentation volume were not significant.

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Two field experiments were conducted in 1996 at the experimental station, College of Agriculture, Shiraz University at Badjgah. Fourteen cultivars consisting of eight hybrids and six open pollinated cultivars were grown in two randomized complete block designs with four replications.

 The well-watered experiment received water when evaporation reached 65±5 mm from class A evaporation pan.

The water-limited experiment was irrigated in terms of 125±5mm evaporation from class A evaporation pan. Days to flowering, days to physiological maturity, head diameter, stem diameter, number of leaves per plant, plant height, number of filled seeds per head, 1000 seed weight, kernel percentage, unfilled seed percentage, seed yield, oil percentage, oil yield and harvest index were measured.

Most of the traits including seed yield and oil yield showed considerable genotypic and phenotypic variations. Highly significant differences were observed among cultivars. In normal and water stress conditions, the highest seed yield were obtained by Louc and Armavirsky cultivars, respectively. Water stress significantly decreased yield and its components. Furthermore, days to physiological maturity reduced in response to water deficit. However, oil percentage did not differ significantly. Drought resistance indexes were calculated in order to evaluate the response of each cultivar to water deficit. No association was found between yield potential and the stress susceptibility index, suggesting that drought resistance and high yield potential may be combined to improve sunflower cultivars. In addition, it was revealed that selection for height mean productivity and stress tolerance index will improve yield and drought tolerance simultaneously. Among cultivars that were used in this study, Armavirsky, besides having a relatively higher yield, was also drought tolerant.

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The first step in fundamental breeding of any living organism is the determination of its genetic make-up. To investigate the genetic make-up of the European honeybee (Apis mellifera L.) in Iran, some research attempts were made during the years 1992-1996 in which the bee's relationship with some exotic races were determined through the application of morphological methods. For this purpose 13000 samples of worker bees from 1320 colonies of 212 apiaries in 104 cities at 25 provinces were taken and twelve morphological characters were measured by using the international method (Ruttner, 1978). Furthermore, seven morphological characters of 900 drone samples taken from 403 colonies of 111 apiaries in 42 cities at 10 provinces were studied through the same method. The principle component analysis (PCA) was used for statistical analysis of the data obtained. The results indicated that the existing populations of honeybees under study were of the Iranian honeybee race (Apis mellifera meda) which were completely distinguishable from those of imported races such as A.m. carnica, A.m. ligustica, A.m. caucasica and exotic races such as A.m. anatoliaca, A.m. syriaca A.m. yemenitica and A.m. lamarkii. The imported races had not had great genetic impact on the Iranian race, as the Iranian honeybees have had good consistency and stability. In addition, import of the exotic queens has been ceased in the last decade.

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As unit hydrograph is an important item in flood estimation of the rivers and since flood hydrograph and simultaneous rainfall hyetograph is needed to derive a unit hydrograph, hydrologists recommend synthetic unit hydrographs for areas lacking these hydrometeorological data. A research was conducted in the Zayandehrud-dam watershed (Pelasjan sub-basin) to test the efficiency of synthetic unit hydrographs (Snyder, SCS, and Triangular methods) in hydrological evaluations. For the purposes of this study, natural and synthetic unit hydrographs were determined and compared, using all morphologic, hydrometric and rainfall data. The results showed that Triangular and SCS methods fit natural unit hydrographs better than Snyder method does, but peak instantaneous flow is estimated to be higher than the observed flow. So, the constant 2.083 in peak flow equation is recommended to be changed to 1.74 in this watershed. The Snyder method predicts good peak flows, compared with the other two methods. Generally, it is concluded that Triangular, SCS, and Snyder methods are ranked 1 to 3 for determination of synthetic unit hydrographs in this watershed.

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Physiographic characteristics of Atrak Watershed described by a number of parameters were used in regression models to estimate maximum daily discharges. These parameters were sub-watershed area, main waterway length, mean waterway slope, mean watershed elevation and mean watershed slope. Based on the results of correlation between the above parameters and their suitability for discharge estimation, three regression models were developed for further analysis. Model 1 applied area as the independent variable to estimate maximum daily discharge. In model 2 area and mean watershed elevation were the independent variables. Model 3 used area and mean waterway slope as the independent variables. Even though the results of testing did identified all three models as appropriate for application, further testing selected model 1 as the most appropriate. Recommendations were made for model application to similar watersheds lacking the necessary data.

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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 study aims to determine the effects of storage period and egg weight on albumen pH and hatchability of hatching eggs. For this purpose, the eggs produced by native breeder hens (28 - 31 weeks of age) were used in a completely randomized design with a 3 × 8 factorial arrangement. The main factors were 3 egg weight ranges (46 - 49, 50 - 52 and 53 - 56) and 8 storage periods (1, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18 and 21 days). Temperature and relative humidity of storage room was 16 ± 1.5 °C and 75 - 85%, respectively. Storage period had significant effects on albumen pH (P < 0.001), hatchability (P < 0.001), chick weight (P < 0.001), chick weight as a percentage of egg weight (p < 0.01) and late embryonic mortality (15 - 21 days of incubation) (P < 0.05). As the storage period increased from one to twenty-one days, hatchability of fertile eggs decreased from 89.4% to 42.7%, albumen pH, chick weight, chick weight as a percentage of egg weight and late embryonic mortality also increased from 9.25, 34.8 gr, 67.5% and 5.19% to 9.49, 35.9 gr, 70.1% and 42.7%, respectively. Egg weight of hatching eggs also was significantly related to hatchability (P < 0.05), chick weight (P < 0.001), chick weight as a percentage of egg weight (P < 0.01) and late embryonic mortality (P < 0.05). Heavy eggs (53 - 56 gr) had lower hatchability than medium and small weight groups (64.2% Vs. 68 and 69.5%, respectively). As the weight of hatching eggs increased, chick weight (p < 0.001), chick weight as a percentage of egg weight (P < 0.01) and late embryonic mortality (P < 0.05) also increased. The results indicate that, under the conditions of this experiment (16 ± l.5 °C and 75-85% relative humidity), highest hatchability can be obtained with eggs of medium weight range and storage periods of less than three or four days.

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This experiment was conducted to study egg production traits in a flock of native fowl from Isfahan region and their crosses with three improved exotic breeds. Sexual maturity (SM), weight of the first egg (WFE), number of eggs (EP), egg weight (EW), feed intake (FI), and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were recorded individually during laying period up to 52 weeks of age. There were no significant differences (P < 0.05) in WFE between the four groups, but the difference between the four genetic groups was highly significant (P < 0.01) for SM, EP, EW, FI and FCR. During laying period, pooled coefficients of heritability (sire component) for SM, WFE, EP, EW, FI and FCR were estimated to be 0.24 ± 0.10, 0.03 ± 0.08, 0.41 ± 0.12, 0.48 ± 0.12, 0.13 ± 0.09 and 0.18 ± 0.09, respectively. In combined analysis, part record egg production (SM to 34 weeks of age) was positively correlated (genetically and phenotypically) with EP up to 52 weeks of age (r_g = 0.74 ± 0.11, r_p = 0.71). The values suggested that there is a relatively appropriate relationship in the combined groups analysis. In addition, EP up to 34 weeks of age was negatively correlated with FCR during the same period (r_g = -0.92 ± 0.53, r_p = -0.81).The estimated genetic and phenotypic correlation in this study suggested that selection based on part record egg production can not only be used successfully to improve EP during full record, but may also cause a better laying performance during laying period.

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To estimate heritability, and genetic and phenotypic relationships and also to study the effect of sex and rearing environment on body weight, weight gain, feed consumption and feed conversion coefficient, the data from 1200 pedigreed male and female chickens from three genetic groups including 90 sires were used. The included genetic groups were crosses of native chickens and an exotic breed (group A), native chickens which were selected for two generations on the basis of 8th week body weight (group B) and a control group of native chickens (group C). All the chicks were reared up to four weeks of age on the ground in separated pens according to their sire groups. In order to calculate feed conversion coefficient, 498 chicks were placed in individual cages during four to ten weeks of age. The results showed that the cross group (A) compared to the other two groups had a higher body weight at 2, 3, 6, 8 and 10 weeks of age. Weight gain, feed conversion coefficient and consumption at periods of 4-6, 6-8, 8-10 and 4-10 weeks were also higher in the cross group. Genetic groups B and C, in spite of better performance of group B for most of the traits, did not have any significant differences for the compared traits. Estimated heritabilities on the basis of sire variance component showed that these traits were medium to highly heritable. Estimated heritabilities for feed consumption at different ages ranged from 0.15 to 0.44 which at any age was lower than that estimated for feed conversion coefficient. Genetic and phenotypic correlations between growth traits were positive and, in most of the cases, high. Correlations between nutritional traits at different ages were variable.

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Variability of seed storage protein electrophoretic patterns revealed by SDS-Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and their possible relations with some morphological and phenological characteristics were studied using 193 accessions from Iran Mungbean (Vigna radiata L. Wilczek) Collection. Seed protein electrophoresis revealed six different patterns that were different in two albumin and four globulin subunits with molecular weights of 23500-34000. Pattern types 1 and 2 had a considerable frequency but pattern types 3, 4, 5 and 6 had low frequencies and probably had developed recently in mungbean evolution process. Cluster analysis of countries and cities using the frequencies of albumin and globulin subunits showed no relation between geographical diversity and similarity distances. The correlations of morphological traits and albumin and globulin subunits indicated a relationship between G1 and G2 subunits with 1000 seed weight and days to beginning of maturity. Therefore, selection based on protein patterns at preliminary stages of breeding programs might be effective in increasing seed yield together with earliness.

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An important and fundamental step in breeding honeybees is the separation of honeybee populations in Iran. During the years 1992-1996, several research works were directed towards the investigation of genetic populations of the Iranian honeybee (Apis mellifera L.), using biochemical methods. For this purpose, samples of worker bees were taken from 251 colonies of 115 apiaries in 84 cities in 21 provinces. The biochemical studies were conducted on thoracic proteins of worker bees using the horizontal electrophoresis.

The thoracic proteins of worker bees from the north and east populations isolated by electrophoretic techniques lacked a protein band having molecular weight of about 100,000 daltons. The results obtained from morphological and biochemical techniques and segregation of populations, indicate that breeding centers can be established in northern as well as western and central regions of Iran to improve genetic potentials of Iranian honeybee population. 

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Different Extractants have been proposed to assess available P in different soils. Olsen method is widely used to determine available P in calcareous soils of Iran. However, it has not been compared adequately with other extractants. The main objective of this experiment was to compare this procedure with some other methods. Thirty nine calcareous soil samples from Fars Province with different physico-chemical characteristics were examined for available P by nine extractants. Furthermore, the effects of four P levels (0, 50, 100, 200 µgPg^-1 soil) on growth, P concentration and P uptake by corn were studied in a greenhouse experiment using 20 soil samples. The results indicated that the amount of extractable P decreased in the order, anion-exchange resin > Colwell > Morgan > Olsen > Bray P₁ (1:50) > Soltanpour & Schawb > EDTA > Bray P₁ (1:7) > Water. The amounts of P extracted by all methods, except that by Bray method, showed significant correlation. However, the correlation coefficients between resin, Olsen, Colwell and water were higher than the others. Regression analysis showed that P extracted by all methods, except Bray, was affected by organic matter and native Zn. Moreover, P removed by Bray method was decreased with an increase in calcium carbonate equivalent. Correlation between top dry weight, relative growth and P uptake and P extracted by resin, Colwell, Olsen and water were highly significant. Although the correlation coefficients between growth parameters and P extracted by Morgan and Soltanpour & Schawb were significant, they were of lower magnitude. Plant phosphorus concentration showed significant correlation with P extracted by Olsen and Colwell methods. In general, resin, Olsen and Colwell methods seem to be appropriate extractants for available P in the present study. However, to select the appropriate extractants, more research is needed.

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This experiment was carried out to study the effect of ionophore drugs (Salinomycin, Lasalocid and their combination) on the performance of broiler chicks. Also their relationship with methionine (three levels) was evaluated. 1215 one-day-old commercial broiler chicks (Arian) were divided into 81 groups, 15 chicks per group, and tested in a completely randomized design with a 3×3×3 factorial experiment and three levels (0/0, recommended and 1.5 times recommended) of drugs and three levels (0.0, 1% and 0.2%) of supplemental methionine.

The results indicated that these drugs reduced body weight gain significantly (p<0.05) at 21 and 56 days of the experiment. Decreasing feed consumption and increasing feed conversion was significant (p<0.05) due to Lasalocid supplementation. Increasing drug level significantly (p<0.05) reduced body weight gain and feed intake and feed conversion was increased at 21 to 42 and 0 to 56 days of the experiment. The effect of supplemental methionine on body weight of 42 days (P<0.05) and feed conversion at 21 to 42 and 0 to 56 days (p<0.01) were significant. The interactions between drug type and drug level on body weight gain, feed consumption and feed conversion were significant (p<0.05). Lasalocid significantly (p<0.05) increased water intake. Drugs did not affect litter moisture and mortality. The results showed that Salinomycin was better than Lasalocid. Also supplemental methionine was not effective in compensating for the growth depression caused by ionophore drugs.

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In order to estimate the heritability of morphological characters of worker honey bee and honey yield, 30 queen-mothers were selected randomly from the apiary of Research Center of Animal Science and Natural Resources in Isfahan Province. From each queen-mother, five queen-daughters were reared and introduced to equalize colonies after natural mating of queens. Summer honey yield was measured, while fall honey production was calculated from area of sealed honey combs. The total honey was calculated by adding summer honey production to fall honey production. Morphological characters were measured under a stereo-dissecting microscope fitted with a calibrated micrometer reticle according to Ruttners method (1985).

 Heritabilities were estimated by intraclass correlation method. Heritabilities of summer, fall and total yearly honey yields were estimated to be 0.64, 0.51 and 0.30, respectively. Estimates of heritability of morphological characters for probscis length, tibia length, femur length, metatarsus length, metatarsus width, forewing length, forewing width, cubital index, hindwing length and number of hamuli were 0.64±0.08, 0.45±0.07, 0.50±0.07, 0.47±0.07, 0.33±0.06, 0.42±0.06, 0.89±0.10, 0.5±0.07, 0.94±0.10 and 0.45±0.07, respectively. It could be concluded that in order to increase honey yield in either season (summer or fall), selection must be based on the amount of honey yield in the corresponding season. Thus, heritabilities of forewing and hindwing lengths were high selection according to these morphological characters would, therefore, change the size of these characters.

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Four hundred isolates of Ascochyta rabiei (Pass.) Lab. collected from different parts of the country, such as Zarivar Marivan Lake in Kordestan Province Shabestar and Khosroshahr in Eastern Azarbaigan Province Serow, Bokan and Shahindeg in Western Azarbaigan Province Mashhad and Ilam were used in this experiment.

These isolates showed little differences in their cultural and morphological characters and pathogenic behaviors. They were categorized into 17 groups on the basis of collection regions and, based on cultural characteristics, were then reduced to 11 groups. Isolate number 16 from Mashhad showed the highest growth rate while isolate number 1 from Kordestan had the lowest growth rate.

One isolate was chosen as a representative for each group. Pathogenicity of representative isolates from each of the 11 groups were tested. Reaction type of all isolates was studied on differential hosts and one local chickpea line Jam was examined, using Reddy and Nene (1979) method. Races No. 4 and 6 were identified as the two physiologic races.

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In 1996 and 1997 pistachio orchards in Isfahan Province were surveyed to determine the presence and damage levels by Eurytoma plotnikovi Nikolskaya and Megastigmus pistacia Walker. In order to investigate seasonal population fluctuation of E. plotnikovi, larval, pupal and adult stages were monitored in three orchards. In each orchard, 200 nuts with more than 50% infestation to overwintering larvae were dissected and examined twice weekly. In 1997 in one orchard, at intervals of one week, 100 randomly selected fresh nuts were examined to determine oviposition trend and damage development. In this field, the biology of the pest was also compared to developmental stages of pistachio trees. In most orchards visited, E. plonikovi was present and was the dominant species in relation to M. pistacia and its damage varied between 0.8-75%. In 1997, start, peak, and end of pupal stage were observed on April 4th, May 7th and May 21st. Start, peak and end of adult emergence occurred on May 4th, May 18th and June 4th. In two other orchards, almost a similar trend was observed. Start, peak and end of oviposition were also observed on May 18th, May 28th and July 2nd. Development of pistachio tree was divided into nine stages and the above mentioned dates were compared to that.

E. plotnikovi had one generation every one or two years. Only one egg was found in each infested fruit and first stage larvae had a long prefeeding period. The use of the information obtained from this study in the management of these pests is discussed.

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This experiment was conducted to determine the requirements of vitamin supplement and available phosphorus in broiler chickens from 42 to 56 days of age. In a completely randomized design, with a 3×3×3 factorial arrangement, 270 one-day-old commercial broiler chicks were divided into 27 groups (replicates) with 9 treatments, 3 replicates and 10 chicks in each group. Each of the nine diets was given to each treatment from 42 days of age. Levels of vitamin supplement were 0.5, 0.25, 0% and available phosphorus levels were 0.27, 0.22, 0.16%. Diets were isocaloric and isoprotein. Group weight and feed consumption of each replicate were determined after 42 and 56 days of age and daily gain, daily feed consumption and feed conversion were calculated. Percent of carcass components and tibia ash were determined.

Results indicated that removal of vitamin supplement from 42 to 56 days of age did not have any significant effects on daily gain, daily feed consumption, feed conversion, live weight, viscera, abdominal fat, carcass weight, wings, neck and back bone. Also, reduction of available phosphorus did not have any significant effect on daily feed consumption, feed conversion, live weight, viscera, abdominal fat, carcass weight, breast meat, femurs, wings, neck and tibia ash. Interaction between vitamin and phosphorus were significant for daily gain, daily feed consumption, live weight, wings, neck and tibia ash (P<0.005) and were highly significant for breast meat, femurs, and back bone (P<0.00l).

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The efficiency of singular and joint usage of third larval instars of ladybeetle, Hippodamia variegata (Goeze) and green lacewing, Chrysoperla carnea (Steph.) was studied against cotton aphid, Aphis gossypii Glover on cucumber plants in greenhouse.

The predator-prey ratio of 1:30 reduced the population of pest significantly. Singular and joint usage of predators, however, was not significantly different. The predator-prey ratio of 1:90 reduced the population of host significantly but the treatment with larvae of both predators and the treatment with only ladybeetle larvae were not significantly different. However, only the treatment with lacewing larvae was significantly different from the two above-mentioned treatments.

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Physicochemical characteristics of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) are very important for storage and processing qualities. The amount of reducing sugars (glucose and fructose) and organic acids at harvest, during and after storage is the most important factor. In this study, three potato cultivars (Moran, Marfona and Agria) were collected, dry cleaned and graded into three sizes. They were analyzed for specific gravity and dry matter content. Potato tubers were stored at 4°C and about 85% R. H. for 15 weeks and then reconditioned at room temperature (25±l)°C for 4 weeks. During the storage period of tubers, sugars (sucrose, glucose and fructose) were analyzed on a weekly basis, but citric, D-malic and D-pyroglutamic were analyzed on a monthly basis by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Data were analyzed statistically in a completely randomized design with sampling and Duncans multiple range test.

The total sugar and organic acid contents of tubers significantly increased during the 15 weeks of storage at 4°C and decreased after reconditioning at room temperature. The size of tubers did not affect the accumulation of total sugars. Dry matter content and specific gravity of Agria tubers were higher than those of both Moran and Marfona. Also accumulation of reducing sugars was lower in Agria than in Moran and Morfona initially and after the storage and reconditioning periods. Therefore, Agria must be suitable for processing into chips or dry powder.

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Identification of easily measured physiological traits contributing to yield under specified environmental conditions would benefit genotypic selection for grain sorghum. A field experiment was conducted to determine broad-sense heritability and expected genetic advance, and to examine the relationships of grain yield with 11 physiological traits related to developmental periods, vegetative growth, growth rate, grain filling rate, and partitioning to the grain.

Sorghum genotypes exhibited significant differences for all traits, except for grain yield. Broad-sense heritability estimates ranged from a low of 49.6 (for grain filling rate per unit area) to a high of 99.4 (for days to maturity). Expected genetic advance ranged between 9.2% (for days to transition of vegetative to reproductive phase, days to maturity and number of leaves) and 39.8% (for grain filling rate per grain unit). Generally, grain yield gave a significant negative correlation with physiological traits related to development and vegetative growth. But, this correlation was positive and significant for growth rate, grain filling rate, and harvest index. Grain yield was low in its coefficient of genetic variation and expected genetic advance. It is, therefore, concluded that indirect selection for grain yield via growth rate, grain filling rate per unit area and harvest index is efficient. Results suggest that use of easily measured physiological traits in sorghum breeding is possible.