Optimization of irrigation management and environmental assessment using the water cycle algorithm

Obtaining high crop yields with limited water consumption requires optimal irrigation strategies based on comprehensive studies of the parameters of plant–environment interactions. Here, we used a structural equation modelling (SEM) to assess the relationships among input irrigation factors and moderate factors to find an optimum water use efficiency (WUE) response factor, for outdoor and greenhouse cultivation of eggplant (Solanum melongena). The input irrigation factors (including irrigation interval, water salinity and environment) and the moderate factors (evapotranspiration, soil salinity, plant parameters, fruit parameters and crop yield) were used in water cycle algorithm (WCA) and genetic algorithm (GA) methods to optimize the water use efficiency. The optimization process included finding the best combination of irrigation factors and optimized eggplant cultivation. The structural equation modelling results indicate that irrigation interval negatively affected water use efficiency with a more dominant effect on plant parameters. Water salinity negatively affected the water use efficiency with a more dominant effect on soil salinity, crop yield and fruit parameters. Low salinity water was more effective than full irrigation to optimize the water use efficiency. The water cycle algorithm revealed that for outdoor cultivation, the optimal range of irrigation interval was 2–5 days and water salinity in the range of 0.8–2.2 ds/m. These factors optimized evapotranspiration (346.23–738.19 mm), soil salinity (4.16–9.45 ds/m), fruit parameters (33.81–35.12 cm) and crop yield (1715.7–2190.8 g/plant), as well as increasing the water use efficiency (3.08–4.89 g/(plant-mm)). Both the water cycle algorithm and genetic algorithm yielded very close to optimal values. Two years of repeated experiments and the closeness of the optimal values using the algorithms confirmed that the optimal amounts are reliable.     

Interaction Between Salinity Stress and Verticillium Wilt Disease in Three Pistachio Rootstocks in a Calcareous Soil

ABSTRACT

The interaction between soil salinity and infection caused by Verticillium dahliae was studied in pistachio (Pistacia vera) in a greenhouse experiment. Treatments consisted of 0, 1400, 2800, and 4200 mg sodium chloride (NaCl) kg^{? 1} soil and three rootstocks (Sarakhs, Badami, and Qazvini cultivars). They were gradually exposed to salinity stress before and/or after root inoculation with a water suspension of 10⁷ conidia/mL of a pistachio isolate of V. dahliae. Salt stress significantly increased rootstock shoot and root colonization by V. dahliae. All rootstocks were susceptible to V. dahliae, but symptoms of the disease appeared earlier in Sarakhs, a salt sensitive cultivar. Moreover, salinity and V. dahliae interaction increased the concentrations of sodium (Na), potassium (K) and chloride (Cl), but decreased the K/Na ratio in all rootstocks. Shoot and root tissues of inoculated Sarakhs and Qazvini (a salt tolerant) contained the highest and the lowest concentrations of Na, K,and Cl, respectively. In salinity treatments, shoot and root dry weight of all rootstocks decreased as compared with controls. Sarakhs showed smaller shoot and root dry weight than Qazvini and Badami. Also, increasing the NaCl level increased accumulation of Na, K, and Cl in shoot and root of the rootstocks. Sarakhs showed higher concentrations of ions in the shoot and root. Based on shoot and root dry weights and ion accumulation, Sarakhs and Qazvini were susceptible and tolerant to salinity, respectively.     

RESPONSES OF WHEAT PLANTS IN TERMS OF SOIL WATER CONTENT,BULK DENSITY,SALINITY, AND ROOT GROWTH UNDER DIFFERENT PLANTING SYSTEMS AND VARIOUS IRRIGATION FREQUENCIES

The effects of irrigation water rates and seed bed shapes on changes in soil water and salinity status, bulk density, root growth and dry matter (DM) weights of wheat plants (Triticum aestivum L.) were investigated with a split plot design in a field trial in Zahak Agricultural Research Station in Sistan, Iran in 2005. Irrigation intervals after 80 and 160 mm evaporation from class A evaporation pan were used as main plot. Flat surface, single, triple, and six-row beds with a 20 cm row space were used as subplots. Each treatment was replicated four times. Volumetric soil water content and soil electrical conductivity (EC) were measured using Time Domain Reflectometry (TDR) at 0 —20, 20 —40 and 40 —60 cm depths at nine different times during the growing season. Soil water contents were also measured at 0 —10 and 10 —20 cm depths using standard sampling rings at four different times. The three and six-row beds increased the EC of the saturated paste extract with the more frequent irrigation intervals in this coarse textured soil. Soil water content, DM, and root density were always greater with the more frequent irrigations (shorter irrigation intervals). Root density was greatest in 0 —20 cm depth with the single row bed treatment. Grain yield and root density were greatest with single row bed treatment due to the bed shape at the root development stage (possibly due to a reduced mechanical resistance). A greater soil water content by the short irrigation interval increased grain yield and root density via reducing mechanical resistance. With the loamy sand, bulk density and mechanical resistance increased rapidly after cultivation. Bed shape at root development stage might have enhanced root growth and the crop yields. Apparently, mechanical resistance was the most limiting factor with these loamy sand soils than salinity.     

INFLUENCE OF NITROGEN AND SULFUR ON YIELD AND SEED QUALITY OF THREE CANOLA CULTIVARS

In order to investigate the effect of nitrogen (N) and sulfur (S) fertilizers on yield and seed quality of three canola cultivars, a factorial based on randomized complete block experiment was conducted during 2005–2006 in Iran. Treatments included four nitrogen rates (0, 75, 150, and 225 kg N ha^?1 source of urea), four sulfur rates (0, 100, 200, and 300 kg S ha^?1), and three cultivars (‘Pf’, ‘Option-500’, and ‘Hyola-401’). Results indicated cultivar had a significant effect on all studied traits. ‘Option-500’ and ‘Hyola-401’ cultivars had the highest seed yield, protein content, and N:S ratio in seed. The levels of 150 and 220 kg N ha^?1 resulted in the maximum protein content. Increasing N levels resulted in N content and decreased the oil content. The interaction effect between S and N levels showed the highest N content in seed was obtained with 300 kg S ha^?1 and 225 kg N ha^?1.     

Evaluation of growth indices and quantitative traits of safflower under organic farming and conventional agriculture

Application of organic fertilizers in sustainable agriculture systems improves yield sustainability of field crop production. The current research has been formed to investigate the effects of various levels of vermicompost (zero, 3, 6 and 9 t ha^?1) in combination with foliar spraying of potassium humate (0, 1, 2 and 3 mL L^?1) on spring safflower, in Iran during 2012–2013. In addition, inorganic fertilization has been considered as conventional agriculture (CA). In the current experiment, growth indices, seed yield, yield components and flower yield were evaluated. The results showed that the maximum leaf area index, total dry weight and crop growth rate have been determined at 9 t ha^?1 vermicompost and 3 mL L^?1 K-humate while the maximum netto assimilation rate has existed in CA at the emergence of flower buds. Likewise, the results indicated that vermicompost leads to a significant increase in seed yield, flower yield and yield components except 1000 seed weight. Flower yield, head number per plant and seed number per head were affected by K-humate concentrations and increased significantly from 1 to 3 mL L^?1. It should be mentioned that 9 t ha^?1 vermicompost and 3 mL L^?1 K-humate produced the highest seed and flower yield.     

Comparing apparent electrical conductivity measurements on a paddy field under flooded and drained conditions

Every growing season, paddy fields are kept both flooded and drained for a significant period of time. As a consequence, these soils develop distinct physico-chemical characteristics. For practical reasons, these soils are mostly sampled under dry conditions, but the question arises how representative the results are for the wet growing conditions. Therefore, the apparent electrical conductivity (EC_a) of a 1.4 ha alluvial paddy field located in the Brahmaputra floodplain of Bangladesh was measured in both dry and wet conditions by a sensing system using the electromagnetic induction sensor EM38, which does not require physical contact with the soil, and compared both surveys. Due to the smooth water surface under wet conditions which ensured increased stability of the sensing platform, the results of the survey showed considerably reduced micro-scale variability of EC_a. Furthermore, the wet survey results more reliably furnished soil-related information mainly due to the absence of soil moisture dynamics. The differences between EC_a under wet and dry conditions were attributed to differences in soil texture, mainly the sand content variation having considerable effect on soil moisture differences when flooded following drainage. Accordingly, the largest differences between EC_a under wet and dry conditions were found in those parts of the field with a large sand content. Hence, the conclusion was that an EC_a survey on flooded fields has an added value to precision soil management.     

Microsatellite markers based assessment of genetic diversity in Iranian olive (Olea europaea L.) collections

To study the genetic variation in Iranian olive collections and some foreign olive cultivars, 47 accessions of 18 local cultivars from 6 olive collections of Iran (Roudbar, Zanjan, Ahvaz, Dezful, Kazeroon and Shiraz), were analyzed along with 30 imported cultivars using 16 microsatellite primer pairs. All the used microsatellite loci revealed polymorphism in the studied genotypes, except GAPU14 and GAPU113 markers. Fourteen microsatellite primers amplified 126 polymorphic alleles in the 87 selected olive accessions. The average number of alleles per locus was 9, ranging from 3 to 14. Polymorphic information content (PIC) was 0.85. The genetic similarity based on Jaccard coefficient ranged from 0.15 to 1. The genetic relationships among accessions were investigated using cluster analysis and principal component analysis (PCA). Most of the accessions with the same name were grouped together; some exceptions were also observed. As expected, close relationship was observed among accessions within same cultivar. Most of the Iranian olive accessions were clustered to a main distinct group. Two-dimensional scatter plot of principal component analysis revealed a clear separation of most of the Iranian olives from Syrian and other introduced cultivars. These suggest that Iranian cultivars have different origin related to West Mediterranean basin cultivars and have evolved independently from the others. Between and within Iranian and foreign cultivars (cultivars including three or more accessions) genetic diversity was analyzed using analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA). AMOVA revealed higher within cultivar genetic variation (62.76%) as compare to that between cultivar variations (37.24%). The intra- and inter-cultivar variance tested by permutation test showed significant genetic variation at both levels. The high level within cultivar genetic variance could be due to mislabeling and presence of homonyms in cultivars produced by vegetative propagation from original plants.     

Retracted: Study of testis histology and sperm morphology in the Bunnei,Barbus sharpeyi (Gunther, 1874) induced by luteinizing hormone‐releasing hormone analogue and carp pituitary extract

This study was conducted to determine the effects of hormone treatment on testis structure in Barbus sharpeyi, as well as the morphology of sperm examined by scanning electronic microscopy (SEM). Male B. sharpeyi were divided into three groups (three fish per group) and injected with luteinizing hormone – releasing hormone analogue (LHRH–A₂) or carp pituitary extract (CPE). The first and second groups were treated with 10 μg kg^?1 LHRH–A₂ and metoclopramide (MET), and their testis were sampled pre‐ and Poststripping respectively. The third group received 2 mg kg^?1 CPE and were killed pre‐stripping. Based on the histological results obtained, the testicular connective tissue of the lumen was thicker, and seminal vesicles were of a lower volume, in fish injected with CPE in comparison to the other groups. After treatment with LHRH–A₂ and MET, not all spermatozoa within the testis were ejaculated, and only a small amount of sperm was obtained by abdominal stripping. The highest and lowest diameters of connective tissue within lobules were observed in fish receiving CPE and LHRH–A₂ treatments respectively. There was a significant difference (P < 0.05) in lobule space between the fish injected with the CPE and the fish injected with the LHRH–A₂ and MET. The SEM results revealed that the spermatozoa of B. sharpeyi were composed of a spherical to elliptical head, a cylindrical midpiece, and a lengthy flagellum. In conclusion, it was found that injection with LHRH–A₂ and MET improved the spermatogenic process in comparison to injection with CPE.     

Effect of spiramycin and tulathromycin on abomasal emptying rate in milk-fed calves

Impaired abomasal motility is common in cattle with abomasal disorders. The macrolide erythromycin has been demonstrated to be an effective prokinetic agent in healthy calves and in adult cattle with abomasal volvulus or left displaced abomasum. We hypothesized that 2 structurally related macrolides, spiramycin and tulathromycin, would also be effective prokinetic agents in cattle. Six milk-fed, male, Holstein-Friesian calves were administered each of the following 4 treatments: spiramycin, 75 000 IU/kg BW, IM, this dose approximates 25 mg/kg BW, IM; tulathromycin, 2.5 mg/kg BW, SC; 2 mL of 0.9% NaCl (negative control); and erythromycin, 8.8 mg/kg BW, IM (positive control). Calves were fed 2 L of cow’s milk containing acetaminophen (50 mg/kg body weight) 30 min after each treatment was administered and jugular venous blood samples were obtained periodically after the start of sucking. Abomasal emptying rate was assessed by the time to maximal plasma acetaminophen concentration. Spiramycin, tulathromycin, and the positive control erythromycin increased abomasal emptying rate compared to the negative control. We conclude that the labeled antimicrobial dose of spiramycin and tulathromycin increases the abomasal emptying rate in healthy milk-fed calves. Additional studies investigating whether spiramycin and tulathromycin exert a prokinetic effect in adult cattle with abomasal hypomotility appear indicated.     

Wide hybridization and introgression breeding in safflower: Effectiveness of different selection methods

Possibility of using interspecific hybridization to increase genetic diversity of drought tolerance in safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) and effectiveness of different selection methods is poorly understood. The main objectives of this study were to evaluate the effectiveness of (a) interspecific hybridization to expand genetic diversity in safflower for agronomic traits and drought tolerance in advance generations and (b) different selection methods (direct vs. indirect) for improving seed yield. Interspecific hybridizations were performed between species of C. tinctorius × C. palaestinus (TP), C. palaestinus × C. oxyacantha (PO) and C. tinctorius × C. oxyacantha (TO). Based on the field screening of genotypes in F3 generation, four groups of selected genotypes (derived from combination of direct and indirect selection under both drought and normal environments along with selection based on drought tolerance index (STI)) were evaluated in F4 and F5 generations. Indirect selection for seed yield was significantly more efficient than direct selection. Selection in stress environment resulted to more efficiency than selection in normal environment. No significant difference was observed between direct selection and selection based on STI. The result showed that TP was the best population to combine high seed yield and drought tolerance in safflower.