Optimal conjunctive use of aqua-agriculture reservoir and irrigation canal for paddy fields (case study: Tajan irrigation network,Iran)

Paddy and Water Environment - Aqua-agriculture reservoirs have been used as one of the main resources for supplying water to paddy fields, particularly under water shortage conditions. In this...     

Effects of plant residue management on soil properties,surface runoff,and soil loss under rainfall simulation in a semi-arid region in Iran

A 5-year field study was conducted on the effect of plant residue management on soil erosion, runoff, bulk density, penetration resistance, and organic carbon. There were three treatments: burning residues on field (BR), returning residues unto the soil surface after harvesting (TR), and removing residues from soil surface (RR) (control treatment). At the end of the 5-year treatment, a rainfall simulation at 90?mm?h^?1 was applied to each plot. After rainfall simulation started, the runoff volume and soil loss amount in samples were collected at four sampling times. The results showed that the runoff volume for BR (from 145.5?±?12.2 to 190.0?±?11.8?mL) differed significantly (p?≤?0.01) from that of RR (from 32.3?±?5.5 to 67.5?±?11.1?mL) and TR (from 10.0?±?0.7 to 16.7?±?3.3?mL). A significant difference (p?≤?0.01) was also observed between RR and TR regarding runoff volume and soil loss amount in different sampling times, except for the first sampling time (2–4?min). The runoff volume in BR and TR was 215% higher and 294% lower than that of the control (RR), respectively. As compared to the control (RR), soil loss decreased by 96.5% in TR but increased by 192% in BR. The BR increased soil bulk density and penetration resistance by 4.9% and 12.4%, whereas TR reduced them by 2.1% and 15.8%, respectively, as compared to the control (RR). The results indicated that the highest (0.35) and lowest (0.03) runoff coefficients were obtained for BR and TR treatments, respectively. It is concluded that returning plant residues to soil is the best residue management practice in decreasing soil runoff volume and controlling soil erosion in semi-arid regions.     

Improved model for studying hydrological process in the field-to-field irrigation system

Paddy and Water Environment - One of the common irrigation systems in the paddy fields is field-to-field irrigation. The management of these irrigation systems is difficult and essential because of...     

Optimizing phosphorus use in sustainable maize cropping via mycorrhizal inoculation

More details have yet to be indicated on the interactions between arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi and phosphorus (P) chemical fertilization under field conditions. Accordingly, the objectives were to: (1) evaluate the combined effects of mycorrhizal fungi and chemical P fertilization on maize yield, yield components, and nutrient uptake and (2) indicate the optimum rate of P chemical fertilization (P₁, P₂, P₃) with the use of mycorrhizal fungi (Glomus intraradices and G. mosseae). A factorial experiment using randomized complete blocks with three replicates, conducted at the Research Station of the Faculty of Agriculture, Islamic Azad University, Tabriz branch, Iran. Results indicated the significant effect of P, AM fungi, and their interaction on most of the measured traits. Grain yield (7909.3 kg/ha), maize nutrient content of P (0.39%), zinc (Zn) (42.1 mg/kg), iron (Fe) (68.3 mg/kg), and the colonization rate (47.5%) were all the highest by the interaction of G intraradices × P₂.     

The Potential of Green Manure Mixtures to Provide Nutrients to a Subsequent Lettuce Crop

The objectives of this greenhouse experiment were to quantify the benefits of green manure (GM) diversity and to assess effect of GM on a succeeding lettuce crop. Species included barley (B), field pea (P), sunn hemp (S), and buckwheat (U). Treatments included single plantings of B and P and mixtures of B and P (BP), B, P, and S (BPS), and B, P, S, and U (BPSU). The pea GM had the highest shoot concentration of potassium, calcium, magnesium, manganese, zinc, and iron. Roots had higher concentrations of nutrients than shoots. Accumulation of nutrients in legumes was higher than in barley. The CO₂ flux from the soil suggests that the most intensive mineralization period occurred within two weeks after incorporation of GMs. The mixtures and single planting of P mixtures had a significant benefit over single planting of B regarding fresh and dry weight of the lettuce.     

How Nitrogen and Zinc Levels Affect Seed Yield,Quality, and Nutrient Uptake of Canola Irrigated with Saline and Ultra-Saline Water

In order to investigate the effects of nitrogen (N) and zinc (Zn) fertilizers on seed yield, oil percentage, glucosinolate content, and nutrient uptake of canola (Brassica napus L. cv. Okapi), irrigated with saline and ultra-saline water, field experiments were conducted in Agriculture Research Centre of East Azarbaijan, Iran, during three consecutive years: 2011, 2012, and 2013. The experiments were carried out based on randomized complete block design arranged in factorial with three replications. The experimental treatments included N rates at three levels (0, 50, and 100 kg ha^?1), Zn rates at three levels (0, 5, and 10 kg ha^?1), and saline water at two levels (8 and 16 dS m^?1 as saline and ultra-saline water). According to the results, N and Zn application had a significant effect on the plant height, pod number per plant, and seed yield. However, the value of these traits decreased as a result of the higher salinity level (from 8 to 16 dS m^?1). From the results, the glucosinolate content was not affected by N or Zn fertilization, whereas, salinity increased the glucosinolate content from 27.51% to 30.06% when saline water and ultra-saline water were applied, respectively. In addition, the effect of ultra-saline water on the decrease in the N, phosphorous, potassium, and calcium uptake and the increase in the sodium and chlorine accumulation in canola seed was significant. However, Zn application could diminish adverse effects of salinity on phosphorus uptake. For instance, under ultra-saline water conditions, application of 10 kg ha^?1 Zn increased the seed phosphorus content compared with control treatment. In general, it seems that nutrients’ supply, especially N and Zn, can be considered as an effective solution to diminish adverse effects of salinity.     

Chemical composition of oleo-gum-resin from Ferula gummosa

The chemical composition of oleo-gum-resin from Ferula gummosa collected in the northern part of Iran has been studied. The fraction of oleo-gum-resin soluble in ethanol (ca 67 wt.%) is composed by three major fractions: (i) monoterpenes and monoterpenoids (ca 15 wt.% fraction), (ii) sesquiterpenes and sesquiterpenoids (ca 30 wt.%) and (iii) triterpenes and triterpenoids (ca 55 wt.%). The major families of terpenes and terpenoids were identified employing gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry detector (GC-MS). Almost 25 wt.% of oleo-gum-resin was insoluble in ethanol and, according to wet chemistry analyses, assigned to arabinogalactane structurally associated with protein complex (AGP). This arabinogalactan possessed the molecular weight of ca 30 kDa, as revealed by size exclusion chromatography, and the main backbone was constituted by β-(1 → 3)/β-(1 → 3,6)-linked d-galactopyranosyl residues ramified predominantly by terminal α-l-arabinofuranosyl and β-d-glucuronopyranosyl residues, as assessed by 1D/2D ¹H NMR.     

Prevalence of obesity, food choices and socio-economic status: a cross-sectional study in the north-west of Iran

AIM: To document the epidemiological features and influencing factors of obesity in the north-west of Iran, to provide baseline information for setting up a regional population-based centre to control and prevent obesity-related disorders in the area. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, a total of 300 subjects were selected/studied in Tabriz, one of the major cities in Iran. Data on basic characteristics, anthropometric measurements, dietary assessment and physical activity were collected. Obesity was defined as body mass index > or =30 kg m(-2) for both women and men. RESULTS: Total prevalence of obesity in the area was 22.4% (95% confidence interval (CI): 18.0-27.6). The prevalence of obesity was 24% (95% CI: 18.5-31.4) for women and 18% (95% CI: 12.5-25.6) for men. For both women and men obesity prevalence showed a positive association with age (P<0.001), while there was a negative correlation of obesity with education and income (P<0.001). Fruit consumption decreased the risk of obesity in both women and men (odds ratio (OR)=0.60, 95% CI: 0.49-0.71 vs. OR=0.62, 95% CI: 0.51-0.74, respectively). The same significant pattern was observed for the consumption of green vegetables (OR=0.71, 95% CI: 0.57-0.63 vs. OR=0.86, 95% CI: 0.77-0.98 for women and men, respectively), legumes (OR=0.70, 95% CI: 0.59-0.84 vs. OR=0.78, 95% CI: 0.66-0.91 for women and men, respectively) and dairy products (OR=0.73, 95% CI: 0.61-0.91 vs. OR=0.77, 95% CI: 0.63-0.93 for women and men, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed that educational attainment, higher income and consumption of certain food groups (i.e. vegetables, fruits, legumes and dairy products) may decrease the risk of obesity. Our findings also indicate the crucial necessity of establishing a population-based centre for obesity in the area. The essential information is now achieved to propose to local health authorities to act accordingly. However, more population-based investigations on dietary choices are needed to develop effective preventive strategies to control overweight and obesity disorders in different regions.     

The Effect of Ascorbic Acid and Garlic Administration on Lead-Induced Apoptosis in Rat Offspring's Eye Retina

Introduction: Lead toxicity induces retinal cell apoptosis. Vitamin C and garlic may decrease lead-induced apoptosis. This study was undertaken to investigate vitamin C and garlic protective effects on lead-induced apoptosis in eye retina. Methods: Pregnant Wistar rats (n = 72) were divided randomly into 9 groups: (L) treated rats with lead acetate in drinking water and (L+AA) with leaded water and vitamin C intraperitoneally;(L+G), the rats received leaded-water and garlic juice via gavage; (L+AA+G) treated rats with leaded water, ascorbic acid, and garlic juice, (AA) with ascorbic acid, and (G) with garlic juice; (AA+G) treated rats with vitamin C and garlic juice and (Sh) with tap water plus normal hydrogen chloride (HCl) and glucose; normal (N). After 21-day lactation, blood lead level (BLL) in rats was measured, and then their offspring and the rat offspring''s eyes were removed and processed for using TUNEL method. TUNEL positive cells in the eye retina were counted and all groups were compared. Results: BLL increased in L group compared to the control groups and decreased significantly in L + G, L + AA, and L+ AA + G groups compared to L group (P<0.05). TUNELL positive cell number in eye retina significantly increased in L group compared to control groups (P<0.05) and decreased in L+ G, L+ AA, and L+AA + G groups compared to L group (P<0.05). Conclusion: Garlic juice and ascorbic acid administration during pregnancy and lactation may protect lead-induced apoptosis in rat offspring''s eye retina. Key Words: Lead, Garlic, Ascorbic acid, Apoptosis, Retina     

Evaluation of various quick methods for estimating furrow and border infiltration parameters

For estimating infiltration properties of surface irrigation, some ‘quick’ and easy methods have been developed. The main objective of this study was to evaluate different ‘quick’ methods and to compare the obtained results with two new methods proposed based on the Shepard one-point approach. For this purpose, data sets measured in six borders and five furrows were used for evaluating different methods. Using the volume balance equation and estimated infiltration parameters, the total infiltrated volume and advance times were predicted to evaluate the accuracy of estimated infiltration parameters. The results showed that the modified Mailapalli and Elliott and Walker methods provided the lowest errors for both furrow and border irrigations. The Elliott and Walker method predicted advance times with highest accuracy. There was very small difference between the Shepard and new proposed one-point methods. The performance of the Elliott and Walker method was slightly better than the new proposed two-point method for the experimental furrows, while a minor difference was found for the experimental borders. The results also showed that the performance of the Elliot and Walker method would be improved using binomial approximation instead of Kiefer approximation.