Land suitability evaluation using image processing based on determination of soil texture–structure and soil features

Land evaluation is the process of land performance predictions over time based on land uses and soil features. Traditional methods in determining soil features are proved to be time-consuming and costly. Therefore, in order to overcome these limitations, a simpler automated method using the image segmentation was developed in this study. The method was designed by integrating dynamic region merging and genetic algorithm. An area index was calculated for each soil profile using the automated method. It was used to present the amount of soil coarse particles and thereupon to determine the rating value of text-structure. Using the method, the mean intersection over union of above 0.7 was obtained for detecting the coarse particles which confirms its suitability. Data analysis showed that (a) compared to the Storie-land index (R² = 0.71), the Square root-land index was more correlated to the harvest index (R² = 0.73), and (b) comparing to manual methods, not only the automated text-structure had a higher correlation with the harvest index (R² = 0.64) but also it decreased the determination time (>3.75 times). Furthermore, among the models developed by response surface methodology for estimation of soil features, the developed model for estimation of soil lime showed the highest accuracy (R² = 0.89). In conclusion, since the developed method is more accurate, more economic and faster than the usual manual methods, it can be widely used in land suitability evaluation.     

Red List assessment of nine <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aegilops</Emphasis> species in Armenia

The aims of this study are to determine the geographical and ecological distribution of nine Aegilops species in Republic of Armenia and to make an assessment of their IUCN Red List status, using the IUCN Red list categories and criteria, in order to develop an in situ conservation strategy for wild relatives of wheat in Armenia. Ecogeographic surveys of nine Aegilops species were undertaken over 2 years in Armenia. They included a herbarium survey followed by extensive ground-truthing field surveys where targeted Aegilops species occur. The study showed that of the nine Aegilops species studied, four are threatened and of these, Ae. mutica and Ae. crassa are critically endangered. The latter species may even be extinct in Armenia. Ae. neglecta and A. biuncialis are endangered. Additional studies are required to assess the threat status of Ae. umbellulata. Ae. columnaris was assessed as near threatened, while the remaining species (Ae. triuncialis, Ae. cylindrica and Ae. tauschii) are of least concern. There has been a dramatic decline in the genetic resources of Aegilops species during recent years in Armenia as a result of adverse human impacts such as expansion of agriculture, urbanization and uncontrolled grazing. Several species, especially Ae. mutica and Ae. crassa, should be prioritized in conservation activities in Armenia. Efforts should be made to conserve genetic diversity of crop wild relative species both in situ and ex situ, bearing in mind that their germplasm carries potentially valuable information (traits) that can improve adaptability and productivity of cultivated wheat varieties.     

Hard ticks on one-humped camel (Camelus dromedarius) and their seasonal population dynamics in southeast, Iran

The primary objective of this study was to determine the diversity and intensity of ticks found on camels (Camelus dromedarius) and their seasonal population dynamics in Kerman, southeast of Iran. For this purpose, a total of 426 tick specimens were collected from 217 infested camels in southeast of Iran during activating seasons of ticks (April 2009 to March 2010). The species collected from camel were Hyalomma dromedarii (84.7%), Hyalomma marginatum (8.7%), Hyalomma anatolicum excavatum (5.4%), and Hyalomma anatolicum anatolicum (1.2%). The highest seasonal activities occurred in summer. The ratio of male ticks was more than female ticks. H. dromedarii was the predominant tick species and accounted for 84.7% of the ticks.     

Biodiversity and prevalence of parasites of domestic pigeons (Columba livia domestica) in a selected semiarid zone of South Khorasan, Iran

Five species of nematodes and cestodes were collected from alimentary canals of pigeons: the nematodes were two species: Ascaridia colombae (16.66%) and Hadjelia truncata (1.96%), while the cestodes were Cotugnia digonopora (13.79%), Raillietina magninumida (18.62%) and Raillietina achinobothridia (32.35%); fecal examination revealed: Eimeria spp. (40.19%) and Cryptosporidium oocysts (2.94%); and blood smears showed: Haemoproteus cloumbae (47/05%); in mouth, throat and larynx: Trichomonans gallinae (57.84%); four species of ectoparasites were collected from feathers and subcutaneous nodules as follows: feathers: Pseudolynchia canariensis (63.72%), Columbicola columbae (79.41%), Menopen gallinea (44.11%); subcutaneous nodules: Laminosioptes cysticola (1.96%). From the parasitic fauna identified in this study, it is imperative to institute an integrated parasitic control through constant changing of litter, regular use of antihelminthics, anticoccidials and dusting of birds with pesticides.     

The effect of organic and chemical fertilizers on oilseed rape productivity and weed competition in short rotation

Abstract

A two-year field experiment was conducted to investigate the impact of short crop rotation and organic amendments on rapeseed yield under weed competition conditions. The primary experimental plots consisted of either triticale or pea as a prior crop, consisting of four subplots with either 25 tons of composted cattle manure (CCM), 150?kg urea N ha^?1 (N), 25 tons composted cattle manure + 75?kg urea N ha^?1 (CCM?+?N), or no urea N or manure added as the control (C0). Rapeseed seed yield was not significantly affected by previous crops, except for rapeseed grown after pea which had slightly higher seed yield (2058?kg ha^?1) than those grown after triticale (1942?kg ha^?1). Plants that received CCM?+?N produced the highest amount of seed yield (2447?kg ha^?1), but were not significantly different from plants that received just urea N (2218?kg ha^?1). Weeds gained more biomass when the previous crop was pea compared to those whose previous crop was triticale. Weeds in plots that received CCM?+?N produced the greatest biomass, followed by N, and CCM plots, respectively.     

Mesenteric and mediastinal lymph node infection with <Emphasis Type="BoldItalic">Linguatula serrata</Emphasis> nymphs in sheep slaughtered in Kerman slaughterhouse,southeast Iran

This research was carried out in order to detect the prevalence of nymphal stages of Linguatula serrata in mediastinal and mesenteric lymph nodes of sheep slaughtered in Kerman slaughterhouse, southeast of Iran. For this purpose, mesenteric and mediastinal lymph nodes of 806 sheep of different sex and age were examined. One hundred and thirty out of 806 (16.1%) of the sheep were found positive for L. serrata infection. The infection rate increased with age (P < 0.001). Prevalence of L. serrata nymphs in males and females and different seasons was not significantly different (P > 0.05). Considering the results, it could be concluded that the prevalence of L. serrata in sheep of Kerman is high and plays an important role in epidemiology of linguatulosis. The zoonotic potential of this parasite to human health is discussed.     

Remobilization efficiency and photosynthetic characteristics of five barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) cultivars under terminal drought stress

Drought is an important limiting factor which can cause major loss in barley productivity. A field experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of irrigation regimes on assimilate remobilization and photosynthetic characteristics of five barley cultivars in 2012 and 2013. There were four levels of irrigation including well-watered [soil moisture content in root depth kept at 100% field capacity (FC)], mild drought (75% FC), severe drought (50% FC), and very severe drought (25% FC). Results showed that Karoon and Valfajr cultivars had the maximum net photosynthetic rate (P_n) ranged from 16.3 to 19.3 µmol CO₂ m^?2 s^?1 under very severe drought. Stomatal conductance (gs) was affected by drought so that Karoon and Valfajr had the lowest gs under severe and very severe drought. By improving the drought, remobilization efficiency in Karoon and Valfajr increased from 18.3% in well-watered to 54.1% under severe drought. In both years under severe and very severe drought, maximum 1000-grain weight and grain yield was obtained in Valfajr and Karoon. Overall, in arid areas, applying suitable irrigation regimes such as mild or severe drought can control soil drying, so that suitable cultivars such as Karoon and Valfajr can rehydrate overnight, and yield might not be inhibited severely.     

Chemical,mechanical and integrated weed management under two phosphorous fertilizer application methods in rapeseed

A two-year field experiment was conducted in 2011 and 2012 at the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Shiraz University, Iran to determine the effect of the herbicide trifluralin, mechanical and integrated weed control under different application methods of P fertilizer (midrow banded and surface broadcast) on weed biomass and yield of rapeseed, cultivar Talayeh. Plants grown in unweeded plots at midrow banded and surface broadcast P fertilization methods produced the greatest rapeseed yield (3217 and 1034 kg ha^?1, respectively). The increasing effect of P fertilizer on rapeseed yield was less consistent when rapeseed was competing with weeds. It showed that weeds were able to prevent rapeseed from capturing the full benefit of P fertilizer. Trifluralin at 1400 g ha^?1 + rotary cultivator + sweep cultivator consistently provided the highest rapeseed grain (2953.5 and 2912 kg ha^?1, respectively) and oil yield (1363 and 1320 kg ha^?1, respectively). Additionally, trifluralin alone did not provide acceptable full season weed control in rapeseed. Since mechanical weed control implements such as rotary and sweep cultivators are available and inexpensive to Iranian farmers, trifluralin at 1400 g ha^?1 + rotary cultivator + sweep cultivator is recommended to improve weed control in rapeseed.     

The Effects of Verapamil Hydrochloride on Electrocardiographic (ECG) Parameters of Domestic Donkey (Equus asinus)

Verapamil hydrochloride, a calcium channel blocker, has been used in domestic animals. Its effects on electrical activities of the heart of donkeys were studied in this preliminary research work. This experiment was carried out on 10 healthy donkeys ranging in age from 4 to 7 years and mean body weight of 155 ± 18.6 kg. The electrocardiogram (ECG) was recorded on a base apex lead before (for 3 days), during, and after verapamil injection (10, 20, 30, 40, 50, and 60 minutes). Verapamil hydrochloride (0.3 mg/kg body weight) was given via catheterizaion as an intravenous bolus over 2 minutes. Heart rate, rhythm, ECG morphology, amplitude, durations, and intervals were measured and taken into consideration and values were compared. Results showed that heart rate was significantly increased at the time of injection from 55 ± 10.7 before injection to 77.61 ± 12.6 beats per minute after injection (P < .05). Duration of P and T waves; P-R interval, and also P-R segment were increased (P < .05). However, duration of QRS complex, P-P and R-R intervals, and S-T segment were significantly decreased after verapamil injection (P < .05). Sinus arrest (2 cases), bradycardia (1 case), and wandering pacemaker (1 case) were recorded before treatment and verapamil injection did not affect these arrhythmias, except in one case in which sinus arrest disappeared. However, after injection of verapamil, four types of arrhythmias (wandering pacemaker [WPM], sinus tachycardia, 1^st degree AVB, and 2^nd degree AVB) were recognized. These arrhythmias (with the exception of tachycardia) can be related to the increase of vagal tone activity that might be attributed to the negative effect of verapamil on SA and atrioventricular block [AV] nodes.