A pollution index for agricultural soils

The main purpose of the present investigation was to develop a pollution index for agricultural soils. For this purpose, 58 soil samples were collected from agricultural lands in Hamedan Province (Iran). The elemental contents of As, Cd and Co in soil samples and agricultural crops were measured by atomic absorption spectroscopy. The spatial distribution of studied metals was prepared by Kriging method. It is concluded that agricultural activities have led to the higher concentrations of Co, Cd and As. Results of the chemical partitioning studies revealed that a considerable portions of As, Cd and Co in agricultural soils are derived from anthropogenic sources. We believe that pollution index should show values that are in accordance with chemical partitioning data. The newly developed pollution index showed slightly higher values when compared with the previously published indices such as geochemical index (I_geo) and pollution index (I_poll). The health risk index in the area of study was found to be lower than many other reported ones. Among the studied elements, Co has the highest transfer factor of 17.95 that could be attributed to its lower retention rate.     

Replacing maize with pearl millet in laying hens’ diets

Pearl millet grain could be considered as an alternative feed ingredient for poultry. In a 12 wks experiment, the performance of laying hens fed diets containing pearl millet were compared with those fed diets containing corn. Maize grain was replaced by pearl millet on an equal-weight at either 0, 25, 50, 75 or 100%. Results showed that use of 25, 50 and 75% of pearl millet in place of maize in the diet resulted in similar (P > 0.05) hen-day egg production, egg mass, egg weight, feed intake and feed conversion ratio to those of control group. Totally replacement of maize grain with pearl millet significantly (P < 0.05) reduced all production parameters. Egg quality parameters did not affect by using pearl millet in the diet. These results showed that maize grain can be replaced by pearl millet up to 75% in the diets of laying hens without any adverse effect on hen performance or egg quality.     

Effect of cooking and methionine supplementation on nutritional value of bitter vetch seed as a feed ingredient for broilers

The present study was conducted to evaluate the adequacy of applying heat treatment and methionine (Met) supplementation to improve the use of bitter vetch (BV) as a feed ingredient in the growth diet of broilers. A total of 540 Ross-308 chicks were fed various BV-supplemented diets between the ages of 35 and 49 days. The chicks were assigned randomly to one of nine experimental treatments, including raw and cooked bitter vetch seeds at two levels (100 and 200 g/kg) with or without Met (210 mg/kg) supplement and a corn–soybean-based diet as control. Results showed that feeding the 200-g/kg raw BV decreased feed intake by 52% in relation to the control diet (P < 0.05). Cooking the BV did not improve the feed intake. Met supplementation of 100 g/kg raw or cooked BV and 200 g/kg cooked BV resulted to a similar feed intake in the control group. Chicks fed with the 200 g/kg raw BV had an average depressed body weight gain of 90% in comparison to the birds fed with the control diet. The combination of cooking and Met supplementation of this diet resulted to a similar body weight gain to the control diet. Feeding 100 g/kg of raw or cooked BV also reduced (P < 0.05) body weight gain, and Met supplementation of these diets resulted in a body weight gain similar to the control group. Chicks fed with 100 g/kg of raw or cooked BV supplemented with Met or 200 g/kg of cooked BV plus Met has similar feed conversion ratio to the control group. In conclusion, heating BV seeds is not sufficient to overcome the limiting effects of BV seeds on feed intake and weight gain, and that Met supplementation does provide some improvement. The combination of cooking and Met supplementation was more efficient.     

The role of potassium solubilizing bacteria (KSB) inoculations on grain yield,dry matter remobilization and translocation in rice (Oryza sativa L.)

This experiment was carried out in both pot and field conditions to assess the effects of three native potassium solubilizing bacteria (KSB: including Pantoea agglomerans, Rahnella aquatilis and Pseudomonas orientalis which were isolated from paddy fields) on grain yield (GY), dry matter remobilization (DMR) and translocation (DMT), dry matter translocation efficiency (DME) and contribution of pre-anthesis assimilates (CA) from the leaves and leaves plus stem to the grain in rice (Oryza sativa L). The results indicated that the KSBs significantly increased GY around 20–38% in the pot and 20–52% in the field, especially when half of the recommended potassium fertilizer was applied (K₂So₄, 44% K₂O) as compared to the control. Results also showed that the KSB inoculations and chemical fertilizers had a significant effect on DMR, DMT, DME and CA. In conclusion, these KSBs can be utilized as bio-inoculants for half reduction of K chemical fertilizer consumption in rice production systems.     

Simulating Phenology,Growth and Yield of Transplanted Rice at Different Seedling Ages in Northern Iran Using ORYZA2000

Rice crop growth and yield in the north Iran are affected by crop duration and phenology.The purpose of this study was to calibrate and validate the ORYZA2000 model under potential production based on experimental data for simulating and quantifying the phenological development,crop duration and yield prediction of rice crop influenced by different seedling ages.In order to calibrate and validate the crop parameters of ORYZA2000 model,a two-year field experiment was conducted under potential growth conditio...     

Halophile plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria induce salt tolerance traits in wheat seedlings (Triticum aestivum L.)

Salinity is one of the most important growth-limiting factors for most crops in arid and semi-arid regions; however, the use of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria isolated from saline soils could reduce the effects of saline stress in crops. This study aimed to evaluate the efficiency of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPRs), isolated from the rhizosphere of halophile plants, for the growth, Na⁺/K⁺ balance, ethylene emission, and gene expression of wheat seedlings (Triticum aestivum L.) grown under saline conditions (100 mmol L^-1 NaCl) for 14 d. A total of 118 isolates obtained from saline soils of the deserts of Iran were tested for their capacity as PGPRs. Out of the 118 isolates, 17 could solubilize phosphate (Ca₃(PO₄)₂), 5 could produce siderophores, and 16 could synthesize indole-3-acetic acid. Additionally, PGPRs were also evaluated for aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate deaminase activity. A pot experiment was conducted to evaluate the ability of 28 PGPR isolates to promote growth, regulate Na⁺/K⁺ balance, and decrease ethylene emissions in plants. The most efficient PGPRs were Arthrobacter aurescens, Bacillus atrophaeus, Enterobacter asburiae, and Pseudomonas fluorescens. Gene expression analysis revealed the up-regulation of H⁺-PPase, HKT1, NHX7, CAT, and APX expression in roots of Enterobacter-inoculated salt-stressed plants. Salt-tolerant rhizobacteria exhibiting plant growth-promoting traits can facilitate the growth of wheat plants under saline conditions. Our results indicate that the isolation of these bacteria may be useful for formulating new inoculants to improve wheat cropping systems in saline soils.