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.     

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.     

Effect of dietary taurine and methionine supplementation on growth performance,body composition,taurine retention and lipid status of Persian sturgeon,Acipenser persicus (Borodin, 1897), fed with plant‐based diet

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of dietary taurine and methionine on Persian sturgeon (Acipenser persicus) fed with plant‐based diets. To this purpose, sturgeons were fed with either of methionine + taurine‐supplemented (MT), without taurine supplementation (M) or without methionine supplementation (T) diets. Growth performance, body composition, tissue amino acids and serum glucose and lipids were studied at the end of the experiment. Results showed that the treatments T and MT had similar growth performance and feed efficiency, which were significantly higher than the treatment M. Dietary taurine and methionine significantly altered carcass and liver taurine and methionine contents. The highest serum glucose was observed in the treatment M and the lowest in treatment MT. Serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the treatments T and MT were similar and significantly higher than those of the treatment M. This study showed that Persian sturgeon needs taurine supplementation when fed with plant‐based diets, but the supplemented level seems to be lower than those of the other species. Taurine has hypoglycaemic and lipidogenesis effects on Persian sturgeon. However, further studies are required to illustrate taurine and methionine metabolism in Persian sturgeon.     

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.     

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     

pH sensitive and controlled release system based on cellulose nanofibers-poly vinyl alcohol hydrogels for cisplatin delivery

Delivery of chemotherapy drugs, such as cisplatin, with controlled manner is a significant area of research in cancer treatment. The main purpose of this study was to investigate the in-vitro release of cisplatin from pH sensitive and controlled release hydrogels based on cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) and poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA). Various hydrogels with different amounts of CNFs were prepared. This novel drug delivery system was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analyses. By in-vitro experiments the influence of CNFs contents and pH of the release media on the release rate of the drug were investigated. According to the results, the hydrogel containing 1 wt% CNFs in the release media with the pH of 7.4, efficiently sustained the drug release and so can cause to the reduction of side effects of drug. By fitting the experimental data with various kinetic models it was concluded that the release mechanism is best fitted by Korsmeyer-Peppas kinetic model suggesting the diffusion controlled release mechanism. The prepared hydrogel system is suitable for delivery of cisplatin in the small intestine with a controlled manner.     

The effect of dietary taurine on growth performance and liver histopathology in Persian sturgeon,Acipenser persicus (Borodin, 1897) fed plant‐based diet

This experiment was conducted to illustrate the effect of dietary taurine levels on Persian sturgeon, Acipenser persicus (mean weight of ~35 g) fed plant‐based diet. A basal diet containing low level of fishmeal (19%) was formulated containing 0.05% endogenous taurine (control diet). To this diet were added five levels of exogenous taurine: 0.25 (0.25T), 0.5 (0.5T), 0.8 (0.8T), 1.2 (1.2T) and 1.6% (1.6T). These diets were fed to the experimental fish for 42 days. Results showed that growth performance decreased and food conversion ratio increased as dietary taurine increased, although no significant difference was observed between the control and 0.25T treatments. Increased dietary taurine led to increased carcass moisture and decreased carcass lipid percentages. Feed intake was significantly and negatively correlated with dietary taurine. Carcass taurine content significantly increased with dietary taurine elevation up to 1.2% and then decreased. Hepatic taurine content showed a significant increase in 0.25T treatment and then decreased along with dietary taurine elevation and reached the control values at 1.6% taurine level. Dietary taurine elevation led to more hepatic damages compared to the control. In conclusion, although within the range reported for other studied fish, the tested taurine levels in this study might be supra‐optimal causing adverse effects in Persian sturgeon and further study with lower taurine levels is encouraged.     

Saffron Daughter Corms Formation,Nitrogen and Phosphorous Uptake in Response to Low Planting Density,Sampling Rounds,Vermicompost and Mineral Fertilizers

Higher planting densities increase flower yield of saffron during the initial years; however, increase in population may have a negative effect on daughter corms, through increasing competition for nutrients. Accordingly, lower densities result in more desirable daughter corms for future planting. To investigate the effect of planting density, vermicompost and mineral fertilizers on daughter corms formation, and nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) content in the corms during different phenological stages, a three-year field experiment was conducted as factorial-split layout based on randomized complete block design with three replications, at Faculty of Agriculture, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran. The experiment consisted of 12 main plots [planting density (30, 60, 90 and 120 corms m^?2) × fertilizer sources (vermicompost 10.2 t ha^?1, mineral fertilizer including N 225 kg ha^?1 + P 129.08 kg ha^?1 and control)] and 15 subplots (15 sampling rounds; during the first, second and third growing seasons). During all stages of sampling, N and P content in large-sized daughter corms was significantly higher compared with middle and large-sized daughter corms. Application of vermicompost significantly increased the number, weight, N and P contents of medium and large daughter corms per plant than mineral fertilizer. Increase in plating density caused a significant reduction in number, weight, N and P content in the medium and large sized daughter corms per plant. Overall, the results suggest that lower densities and vermicompost application should be scheduled in mother corms production programs.