Calibration of Hargreaves–Samani equation for estimating reference evapotranspiration in semiarid and arid regions

The Penman–Monteith (FAO-56 PM) equation is suggested as the standard method for estimating evapotranspiration (ET₀) by the International Irrigation and Drainage Committee and Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). On the other hand, the Hargreaves–Samani (HS) equation is an alternative method compared with the FAO-56 PM equation. In the present study, the original coefficient C of the HS equation is calibrated based on the FAO-56 PM equation for estimating the reference ET₀ from 15 meteorological stations in central Iran (about 170,000 km²) under semiarid and arid conditions. After calibration, the new values for C are ranged from 0.0018 to 0.0037. The mean bias error (MBE), the root mean square error (RMSE), and the ratio of average estimations of ET₀ (R) values for all stations are ranged from 0.12 to 5.38, ?5.35 to 1.15 mm d^?1 and 0.64 to 1.28 for the HS equation and from 0.12 to 2.48, ?2.2 to 0.60 mm d^?1, and 1.00 to 1.05 for the calibrated Hargreaves–Samani equation (CHS), respectively. Results indicate that the average RMSE and MBE values are decreased by 40% and 66%, respectively. Relationships for calibrating the C coefficient on the basis of annual average of daily temperature range (ΔT) and wind speed (V) are proposed, calibrated, and validated. Hence, the CHS equation can be used for ET₀ estimates with acceptable accuracy instead of the FAO-56 PM method.     

Effect of nitrogen application during ripening period on photosynthesis and dry matter production and its impact on yield and yield components of semidwarf iniica rice varieties under water culture conditions

Abstract

A water culture pot experiment was conducted to analyze the effects of N application during the ripening period (RP) on photosynthesis, dry matter production, and its impact on grain ripening and yield in two semidwarf indica type varieties viz. Gui Zhao 2 (GZ) and BR3 (BR) compared with a japonica type variety Koganemasari (KO) under four N rates viz. 0 (N₀), 10 (N₁₀), 20 (N₂₀), and 40 (N₄₀) mg L^?1. Results showed that N application enabled to maintain a higher leaf area and delay leaf senescence in both indica and japonica type varieties but the decrease in the rate, of leaf area was higher in the former than in the latter and the rate was reduced with increasing N rates. Flag leaf photosynthesis and SPAD values of N treated plants were higher throughout the RP, showing the presence of a significant correlation either for each variety or all the varieties together. Higher photosynthetic rate was supported by higher leaf chlorophyll (SPAD value basis) content, stomatai conductance, and N concentration in leaf blades. Top dry matter content increased with increasing N rates mainly due to mean leaf area rather than NAR except for BR during RP but it was higher in KO than in GZ and BR. Reduction of shoot weight due to translocation of dry matter to panicles during RP was suppressed by N rates both in GZ and BR while shoot weight increased in the N-treated plants in KO. The dependency of KO on current photosynthates for panicle weight was found to be almost hundred percent while the contribution of stored carbohydrates in shoot before heading to panicle weight in GZ and BR was in the range of 4-27 and 33-54%, respectively and the rest was contributed by current photosynthates. The percentage increased with increasing N rates. Percentage of ripened grains (PRG) increased with increasing N rates in GZ and BR due to the increase in dry matter production and in the photosynthetic rates of apex leaves, despite the larger spikelet number and larger hull size. However, KO showed almost no variation although it had the highest PRG among the varieties. Brown rice yield followed the same pattern as that of PRG in GZ and BR and the highest yield was produced by BR followed by GZ and KO. These results suggest that N application during RP was more effective in increasing yield in the semidwarf indica type varieties than in the japonica type variety.     

Site-Specific Nitrogen Management in Rice Using Remote Sensing and Geostatistics

Proper doses of nitrogenous fertilizer are most important for rice production system because a large part of the nitrogen may be lost if it is not applied judiciously. A study was conducted covering five blocks of Balasore and two blocks of Bhadrak districts. Soil samples were collected randomly, and field visit was conducted during peak vegetative stage of rice. Two approaches have been used in this study for estimating the site-specific nitrogen (N) requirement in the study area. In one approach, geostatisical analysis and kriging was used to develop the soil test–based N recommendation map by which a minimum of 72 kg N ha^?1 and maximum of 94 kg N ha^?1 were recommended. In a second approach, remote sensing was used and N recommendation map was developed using the moderate-resolution imaging spectroradiometer (MODIS) leaf area index (LAI) and normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) satellite data, and a minimum requirement of 60 kg N ha^?1 and maximum of 120 kg N ha^?1 was estimated through this approach.     

Biochar-induced changes in soil properties affected immobilization/mobilization of metals/metalloids in contaminated soils

Purpose

Remediation of metal contaminated soil with biochar is attracting extensive interest in recent years. Understanding the significance of variable biochar properties and soil types helps elucidating the meticulous roles of biochar in immobilizing/mobilizing metals/metalloids in contaminated soils.

Materials and methods

Six biochars were produced from widely available agricultural wastes (i.e., soybean stover, peanut shells and pine needles) at two pyrolysis temperatures of 300 and 700 °C, respectively. The Pb-, Cu-, and Sb-contaminated shooting range soils and Pb-, Zn-, and As-contaminated agricultural soils were amended with the produced biochars. The mobility of metals/metalloids was assessed by the standard batch leaching test, principal component analysis and speciation modeling.

Results and discussion

The changes in soil properties were correlated to feedstock types and pyrolysis temperatures of biochars based on the principal component analysis. Biochars produced at 300 °C were more efficient in decreasing Pb and Cu mobility (>93 %) in alkaline shooting range soil via surface complexation with carboxyl groups and Fe-/Al-minerals of biochars as well as metal-phosphates precipitation. By contrast, biochars produced at 700 °C outperformed their counterparts in decreasing Pb and Zn mobility (100 %) in acidic agricultural soil by metal-hydroxides precipitation due to biochar-induced pH increase. However, Sb and As mobility in both soils was unfavorably increased by biochar amendment, possibly due to the enhanced electrostatic repulsion and competition with phosphate.

Conclusions

It is noteworthy that the application of biochars is not equally effective in immobilizing metals or mobilizing metalloids in different soils. We should apply biochar to multi-metal contaminated soil with great caution and tailor biochar production for achieving desired outcome and avoiding adverse impact on soil ecosystem.

     

Nitrogen release dynamics of a slow release urea pellet and its effect on growth,yield, and nutrient uptake of sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum L.)

Manure urea pellets were produced and their nitrogen release rate was evaluated in soil incubation at different water contents of 90, 75, and 60% soil filed capacity (FC). In another experiment, sweet basil growth was evaluated during eight months (with three shoot harvests) under the pellet application. The nitrogen release and pellet dispersion rates were slow after two months or at lower soil water content (60% FC), but they were significant after four months of soil incubation, or at higher soil water content (75 or particularly 90% FC). Application of pelleted urea reduced plant growth and yield at first harvest than urea treatment. However, at second and particularly at third harvest (and the average of three harvests) significant improvement in growth parameters of SPAD value, leaf area, plant height, shoot fresh weight, pot yield, and` leaf N and K concentrations were achieved by application of pelleted urea fertilization.     

Characterizing Spatial Variability of Soil Textural Fractions and Fractal Parameters Derived from Particle Size Distributions

Soil particle size distribution (PSD) is a fundamental physical property affecting other soil properties. Characterizing spatial variability of soil texture is very important in environmental research. The objectives of this work were: 1) to partition PSD of 75 soil samples, collected from a flat field in the University of Guilan, Iran, into two scaling domains using a piecewise fractal model to evaluate the relationships between fractal dimensions of scaling domains and soil clay, silt, and sand fractions and 2) to assess the potential of fractal parameters as an index used in a geostatistical approach reflecting the spatial variability of soil texture. Features of PSD of soil samples were studied using fractal geometry, and geostatistical techniques were used to characterize the spatial variability of fractal and soil textural parameters. There were two scaling domains for the PSD of soil samples. The fractal dimensions of these two scaling domains (D₁ and D₂) were then used to characterize different ranges of soil particle sizes and their relationships to the soil textural parameters. There was a positive correlation between D₁ and clay content (R² = 0.924), a negative correlation between D₁ and silt content (R² = 0.801), and a negative correlation between D₂ and sand content (R² = 0.913). The geometric mean diameter of soil particles had a negative correlation with D₁ (R² = 0.569) and D₂ (R² = 0.682). Semivariograms of fractal dimensions and soil textural parameters were calculated and the maps of spatial variation of D₁ and D₂ and soil PSD parameters were provided using ordinary kriging. The results showed that there were also spatial correlations between D₁ and D₂ and particle size fractions. According to the semivariogram models and validation parameters, the fractal parameters had powerful spatial structure and could better describe the spatial variability of soil texture.     

Flower yield performance and stability of various Rosa damascena Mill. landraces under different ecological conditions

The flower yield stability of Damask rose as an important medicinal and aromatic plant at different environments has not been well documented. In order to evaluate flower yield and stability, 35 landraces of Damask rose were studied at 8 locations in Iran during 2007–2008. Analysis of variance revealed significant differences (p ≤ 0.01) among landraces (G), environments (E), locations (L) and for landrace × environment (GE) and landrace × location (GL) interactions. Both GE and GL interactions were mainly crossover, a large portion of which was accounted for by non-linear (unpredictable) component. The landraces of IS9, YZ2, WA1, IS7 and IS1 with 3120.63, 2941.63, 2894.62, 2769.15 and 2716.92 kg/ha respectively produced the highest flower yield among studied landraces. Kerman with average flower yield of 3635.46 kg/ha produced the highest yield among studied locations. According to the results, most of landraces that originated from temperate, warm temperate and arid regions produced higher flower yield than those from cool, cool temperate, semi-arid and humid regions. The landraces of YZ2, IS5, IS8, IS4, KZ1, AR1_, IS3 and BA1 were stable and YZ2, IS5, IS8, IS4, KZ1, AR1 IS6, IS3, BA1, IS10 and YZ1 were adaptable landraces for flower yield according to Eberhart and Russell (1966) model. The presence of some high flower yield and stable landraces such as YZ2 and IS5 suggests that a genotype can demonstrate high flower yield and stability for yield simultaneously. Thus, simultaneous selection for flower yield and stability using nonparametric methods could be possible. In addition, taking into consideration flower yield and stability potential, the landraces of YZ2, IS5, IS8, IS4 and KZ1 as general stable, adaptable, and high flower yield are recommended. Furthermore, the landraces of IS9 and WA1 as high flower yield and specific adaptable landraces can be recommended for temperate and arid areas and the landraces of IS7 and IS1 for semitemperate and cool areas.     

Effects of stocking density on haematological parameters,growth and fin erosion of great sturgeon (Huso huso) juveniles

The influence of stocking density (1, 2, 4, 6 and 8 kg m^?2) was investigated on haematological parameters, growth and fin erosion of great sturgeon (Huso huso) juveniles for a period of 8 weeks. The mean weight of fish at the start of trial was 93.13±1.04 g. After 8 weeks of rearing, the mean weight was 362.4, 319.7, 267, 242.1 and 211.1 in densities 1–8 kg m^?2 respectively. The results of this study showed that growth parameters, including condition factor, weight, weight gain, feed conversion ratio, specific growth rate and body weight increase, had a statistically significant difference among treatments (P<0.05). A significant difference (P<0.05) was observed in haematocrit, but the other haematological parameters, including red blood cells, white blood cells (WBC), haemoglobin concentration, mean corpuscular haemoglobin, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration and differential WBC count, showed no significant effect with stocking density (P>0.05). At the end of the experiment, stocking density had no significant effect on plasma cortisol and glucose concentration. The fin length (dorsal, anal, ventral, pectoral and caudal) of fish was measured to calculate the fin index. According to this index, dorsal, anal, ventral and pectoral fins showed no significant difference among treatments (P>0.05), but the erosion of the caudal fin was significantly different between fish held on 6 and 8 kg m^?2 (P<0.05). These results showed that rearing density has a major effect on the growth indices of H. huso. Unlike many other fish, great sturgeon exhibited lower stress responses to high stocking density. This indicates that they are more tolerable to rearing conditions in high stocking densities. With respect to the various effects that density causes on growth, fin erosion and physiological and haematological parameters, better understanding of these phenomena considering different levels of density could have a beneficial impact on many rearing steps of this species.     

Effects of triploidy on the Caspian salmon <Emphasis Type="Italic">Salmo trutta caspius</Emphasis> haematology

The aim of this study was a comparison of key haematological features of diploid (2n) and triploid (3n) Caspian salmon (Salmo trutta caspius). Morphometric indices of erythrocytes were determined on blood smears by light microscopy. Triploidy significantly (P < 0.001) increased all morphometric indices measured in the erythrocytes including cell size, cell surface area, and cell volume. The increase in cell size was larger for the major (27%) axis than for the minor (22%) axis, thus making erythrocytes of 3n Caspian salmon more ellipsoidal. The estimated increase in erythrocyte nuclear volume (87%) was bigger than the theoretical expected 50% increase. Haematological indices were measured manually by hemocytometry. Triploids had lower numbers of red blood cells (RBC: 1,120,000 cells/mL in 2n vs. 700,000 cells/mL in 3n; P < 0.001) but they were larger in size (mean erythrocytic volume [MEV]: 363.1 nm³ in 2n vs. 483.3 nm³ in 3n; P < 0.001). The decrease in RBC number was not compensated by the increase in MEV and, thus, triploidy affected the haematocrit (Hct: 38.8% in 2n vs. 33.06% in 3n; P < 0.05). Total blood hemoglobin concentration was lower in triploid fish (Hb: 9.9 g/dL in 2n vs. 8.9 g/dL in 3n; P < 0.05). In contrast, mean erythrocytic hemoglobin (MEH: 95 μg in 2n vs. 133.2 μg in 3n; P < 0.001) was higher for 3n Caspian salmon as a result of their larger erythrocytes, although MEH concentration (MEHC: 0.26 g/dL in 2n vs. 0.27 g/dL in 3n) did not significantly differ (P > 0.05). White blood cell (WBC) counts (lymphocytes and neutrophiles) were measured and WBC/RBC ratios were calculated. There were no significant differences in WBC (15,710 cells/mL in 2n vs. 12,683 cells/mL in 3n; P > 0.05), lymphocytes, and neutrophils as %WBC as well as WBC/RBC ratios between two ploidy levels (P > 0.05). Triploid Caspian salmon showed higher erythrocyte abnormalities such as ‘twisted’, ‘tailed’, and ‘anucleated’ cells as well as high portions of immature RBC in blood smears in comparison with diploids (P < 0.001).     

Thermal,swelling and stability kinetics of chitosan based semi-interpenetrating network hydrogels

The present study is focused on studying the swelling kinetics, thermal and aqueous stabilities, and determination of various forms of water in the chitosan (CS) and polyacrylonitrile (PAN) blend and semi-interpenetrating polymer network (sIPN). CS/PAN blend hydrogel films were prepared by solution casting technique. The blend film with optimum swelling properties was selected for the synthesis of sIPN. CS in the blend was crosslinked with the vapors of Glutaraldehyde (GTA) to prepare sIPN. The fabricated CS/PAN blend and sIPN hydrogels films were characterized with Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) and field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM). The kinetics of swelling, bound and unbound waters and aqueous stability were determined experimentally. FESEM showed good miscibility between CS and PAN, FTIR showed no chemical interaction between CS and PAN; however, it did show a doublet for the sIPN, TGA showed improved thermal stability and swelling kinetic followed second order kinetics. The degree of swelling of the sIPN hydrogels samples at room temperature varied from ~2200 % (with a fair degree of stability (~30 %)) to ~1000 % (with high degree of aqueous stability (43 %)) with increase in the crosslinking time. The calculated unbound water (W_UB) max., for the blend was 52.3 % whereas for the bound (W_B) the max., was 41.9 %. However, for sIPN hydrogel films, the W_UB water decreased (max. 21.0 %) where as the W_B increased (max. 52.0 %). The decrease in W_UB and increase in the W_B is attributed to the formation of a compact structure and increase in the contact area between the water and polymers in sIPN hydrogels due to the induction of new water contacting point in these hydrogel films, respectively.