Effect of saline irrigation water on agronomical and phytochemical characters of chamomile (Matricaria recutita L.)

In arid and semi-arid regions, where water availability is a major limitation in crop production, using alternative water resources, such as saline water is one way to utilize lands. Chamomile (Matricaria recutita L.) as an annual medicinal herb may be considered as an economic substitute for field crops irrigated with fresh water since it has adaptability to wide range of climate and soil. A field examination was conducted during 2004–2005 using complete randomized block design with four replications in order to evaluate the effects of saline irrigation water on morphological characters, mineral content, oil quantity (content, yield), oil composition and apigenin content of chamomile. In each plot, 0.6 g/m² of seeds were grown in 4 rows. The irrigation water had five different salinity levels (0, 4, 8, 12 and 16 dS m⁻¹). The investigated characters through cultivation were fresh weight of flower (g), dry weight of flower (g), dry weight of aerial stems (g), dry weight of root (g), oil yield (kg/h), oil content (%), oil quality and apigenin content (%). After harvesting, the content of minerals (Na⁺, Cl⁻, K⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺) were evaluated in aerial parts and roots of each plot. Mean comparisons for fresh flower weight in different treatments showed that fresh flower yield decreased with increasing salinity and it was higher in control compared to others. Analysis of variance showed that saline irrigation water had no significant effect on oil quantity (yield and content), oil quality (chemical composition) or apigenin content. Our results showed that chamomile is able to maintain all its medical properties, under saline condition and could be cultivated economically in such conditions.     

Can Betadine (10% povidone-iodine solution) act on the survival rate and gill tissue structure of Oranda goldfish (Carassius auratus)?

Veterinary Research Communications - Industrial chemical solutions are widely used as a method to disinfection of aquaculture water and environments. The aim of the present study was to evaluate...     

Linear programming approach for optimal forest plantation

The aim of this research was to identify species suitable for plantation. We first identified species for potentially suitable for plantation based on ecological capabilities regarding soil properties. We determined the area of plantation for different species based on ecological capabilities. Then, we collected relevant data such as growth patterns of different species, labor requirements for plantation and plantation cost. A linear programming model and two integer linear programming models were used for optimization. The appropriate species based on ecological capabilities were ash, elm, maple, oak and bald cypress. A linear programming model was used based on ecological capabilities classification to determine the land area of different species for plantation. Then, two integer linear programming models were employed to select the species for plantation. We set ecological properties unequal for all of the species in the first run of the integer programming model. Two groups were classified: group one included maple and ash; group two included bald cypress, oak and elm. The second integer programming model assumed equal ecological properties for all the species. Results of linear programming showed that maple and bald cypress were appropriate for plantation at the site and their plantation areas should be 151.3 and 355.3 ha, respectively. Results of the first integer linear programming model showed that maple and bald cypress would be economically profitable for plantation. The results of the second integer linear programming model showed that only bald cypress would be appropriate for plantation.     

Tree species composition,biodiversity and regeneration in response to catena shape and position in a mountain forest

We examined the variation in woody plant species composition, regeneration and biodiversity in relation to topographic heterogeneity, specifically catena shape (V and Λ) and slope position (summit, shoulder, back slope, foot slope and toe slope). All research took place at the TMU Experimental Forest Station, located in northern Iran. Two sets of replicated quadrats were established along transects that encompassed the different catena shapes and positions. We recorded the density, height, and canopy cover of all trees ≥12 cm diameter at breast height within 30 quadrats (400m²), as well as the density of all tree regenerations within 120 quadrats (4m²). In addition, three measurements of biodiversity were calculated for both mature trees and regenerations. Mature tree species composition varied greatly with catena shape and slope position, as did that of regenerating trees. Despite differences in species composition, the various measurements of biodiversity were consistent across the landscape for mature trees, whereas significant variation in evenness was detected for regenerating trees. We concluded that the broad matrix of environmental conditions occurring within this rugged mountainous area generates a variety of microhabitats, which in turn contributes to both the variation in species composition and the consistent biodiversity of these forests.     

Goal programming approach for sustainable forest management （case study in Iranian Caspian forests）

We used a goal programming technique to determine the optimal harvest volume for the Iranian Caspian forest. We collected data including volume, growth, wood price at forest roadside, and variable harvesting costs. The allometric method was used to quantify seques- trated carbon. Regression analysis was used to derive growth models. Expected mean price was estimated using wood price and variable harvesting costs. Questionnaire was used to determine the constraints and the equation coefficients of the goal programming model. The optimal volume was determined using the goal programming method according to multipurpose forest management. LINGO software was used for analysis. Results indicated that the optimum volumes of species were 250.25 m3.ha-1 for beech, 59 m3.ha-1 for hornbeam, 73 m3.ha-1 for oak, 41 m3.ha-1 for alder, and 32 m3.ha-1 for other species. The total optimum volume is 455.25 m3.ha-1.     

Identifying superior rainfed barley genotypes in farmers’ fields using participatory varietal selection

This study was carried out to identify superior barley genotypes for the rainfed areas of western Iran using a participatory varietal selection (PVS) approach. Three field experiments were conducted in two randomly selected farmers’ fields and in one rainfed research station in the 2006–07 cropping season with 69 genotypes (including one local and one improved check). Several univariate and multivariate methods were used to analyze qualitative (farmers’ scores) and quantitative (grain yield) data. Individual farmers’ scores in each village were positively correlated, indicating that the farmers tended to discriminate genotypes in similar fashion, although the genotypes actually selected by farmers were different in the two villages. In recent years, a greater number of farmers in western Iran preferred the improved variety (Sararood-1) over the local barley (Mahali), while in this project the farmers preferred the new genotypes over the two checks. This was also verified by the quantitative data showing that the checks were outyielded by the new genotypes. Farmers were efficient in identifying the best genotypes for their specific environment, as shown by biplot analysis, indicating their competence in selection. The genotypes selected by the breeder and farmers were almost similar but some differences existed. In conclusion, PVS is a powerful way to involve farmers for selecting and testing new cultivars that are adapted to their needs, systems and environments.     

Improvement in estimation of soil water retention using fractal parameters and multiobjective group method of data handling

Soil water retention characteristic is required for modeling of water and substance movement in unsaturated soils and need to be estimated using indirect methods. Point pedotransfer functions (PTFs) for prediction of soil water content at matric suctions of 1, 5, 25, 50, and 1500 kPa were developed and validated using a data-set of 148 soil samples from Hamedan and Guilan provinces, Iran, by multiobjective group method of data handling (mGMDH). In addition to textural and structural properties, fractal parameters of the power-law fractal models for both particles and aggregates distributions were also included as predictors. Their inclusion significantly improved the PTFs’ accuracy and reliability. The aggregate size distribution fractal parameters ranked next to the particle size distribution (PSD) in terms of prediction accuracy. The mGMDH-derived PTFs were significantly more reliable than those by artificial neural networks but their accuracies were practically the same. Similarity between the fractal behavior of particle and void size distributions may contribute to the improvement of the derived PTFs using PSD fractal parameters. It means that both distributions of the pore and particle size represent the fractal behavior and can be described by fractal models.     

Effect of potassium sulfate on the physiological characteristics of canola cultivars in late season drought stress conditions

Abstract

In order to reduce the damage caused by the late-season drought stress of canola, a factorial split-plot experiment was performed based on the randomized complete blocks design with three replications in Karaj, Iran. The treatments were Potassium sulfate in two levels, including application and non-application of potassium sulfate, irrigation at three levels including normal irrigation (control), restricted irrigation from the flowering and pod formation stage, as factorial were in main plots and winter canola cultivars including Opera, L72, KR1, GKH3705, GKH0224 were in subplots. The simple effect of irrigation and potassium sulfate on all of the studied traits and the simple effect of cultivar on all traits except chlorophyll b were significant. The interaction effect of irrigation?×?cultivar on soluble carbohydrate, stomatal resistance, proline content, chlorophyll a and total chlorophyll content was significant. The interaction effect of irrigation?×?potassium sulfate on the amount of soluble carbohydrates, stomatal resistance and proline content of leaves was significant. In irrigation interruption from the pod formation stage, the promising line of L72, and in irrigation interruption from the flowering stage, the Neptune cultivar exhibited the most positive effect of potassium application on the studied traits. As a result, the application of potassium sulfate in addition to the L72 and Neptune cultivars is recommended in areas similar to the tested area encountering the late-season drought stress.     

Nitrogen application and sowing date affect okra pod and seed characteristics

The effect of nitrogen (N) application rate and sowing date on seed quality and pod production of four cultivars of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) were examined. Seeds of four okra cultivars (cv. ‘Boyatiou’, ‘Veloudo’, ‘Clemson’, and ‘Pylaias’) were sown on 13 May (1st sowing) and 2 June (2nd sowing). Plants were subjected to three N levels: F₁, F₂, and F₃ (150, 300, and 450 mg N L^?1). The 2nd sowing improved flower induction and pod set, without however affecting pod size. The number of seeds per pod was not affected by sowing time, but the mean 100 seed weight was generally lower in the 2nd sowing. In all cultivars, except cv. ‘Veloudo’ germination increased in the 2nd sowing mainly as a result of lower seed hardness. Germination was also improved by increasing N levels, or by seed storage, acid scarification, or seed priming.     

Effect of nitrogen fertilizer levels and irrigation on quality characteristics in bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

In order to evaluate irrigation regimes and nitrogen fertilization on quality characteristics of wheat cultivars, a field experiment was carried out using split-plot factorial design based on randomized complete block design with three replications in Quchan, Iran (2010–2012). Main plots were assigned with four irrigation regimes; I1, 90 mm; I2, 130 mm; I3, 170 mm based on evaporation from a class A pan; and I4, water deficit stress during post-anthesis stage; sub-plots were assigned with four levels of nitrogen (N1, 0; N2, 70; N3, 140; and N4, 210 kg ha^?1); and three wheat cultivars (V1, Mihan; V2, C-87-6; and V3, C-87-11) were used as factorial. The results showed that nitrogen fertilization increased some quality characteristics. Under water deficit (I4), gluten index, grain protein content, grain yield, and sedimentation volume decreased. Significant interactions between irrigation regimes and both nitrogen levels and cultivars were observed.