Plant Nutrition, Soil Fertility and Fertilizers
Taleb Nazari; Mojtaba Barani Motlagh; Seyed Omid Rastegar; Mohammad Hosien Sedri
Abstract
Introduction: The recovery of phosphorus as struvite from treatment plants has attracted researchers' attention due to its potential as a phosphorus fertilizer. Struvite is a white crystalline substance consisting of magnesium, ammonium and phosphorus in equal molar concentrations (MgNH4P04.6H2O). The ...
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Introduction: The recovery of phosphorus as struvite from treatment plants has attracted researchers' attention due to its potential as a phosphorus fertilizer. Struvite is a white crystalline substance consisting of magnesium, ammonium and phosphorus in equal molar concentrations (MgNH4P04.6H2O). The low water solubility of struvite is thought to limit its agronomic utility as a phosphorus (P) fertilizer compared with highly soluble P fertilizers (triple superphosphate). Because limited studies have been done regarding the effect of struvite on the availability of phosphorus in calcareous soils. Therefore, this study examines the effect of struvite replacement with triple superphosphate fertilizer on phosphorus availability in wheat plants in calcareous soils deficient in phosphorus.Methods and Materials: Soil with phosphorus deficiency was collected from 0-30 cm depth under arable lands of Hajjiabad-e Seyyedeh located in Ghorveh township, Kurdistan Province, Iran. The soil was air-dried and ground to pass through a 2-mm sieve, followed by laboratory analysis to determine its physico-chemical properties. Struvite used in the research was obtained by optimizing the three main factors of sulfuric acid concentration, solid-to-liquid ratio, and time for the leaching process, and the three key factors of Mg/P ratio, N/P ratio and pH for the precipitation process by Response Surface Methodology. To achieve the aim of this study The factorial experiment was carried out in the form of a completely randomized design in 3 replications. The factors include the application of different proportions of struvite replaced with triple superphosphate in 6 levels (S0:P0, S0:P100, S25:P75, S50:P50, S75:P25 and S100:P0) and 3 levels of phosphorus (50, 100 and 150 kg/ha) and a total of 54 pots. The application rate for struvite was calculated based on total phosphorus (P2O5) of triple superphosphate. Then 10 wheat seeds were planted in each pot at 2-cm depth which after plant emerging and greening declined to 4 plants in each pot. The pots were randomly moved twice a week during the growth period to eliminate environmental effects. Irrigation and weeding operations were done by hand. Plants (shoots and roots) were harvested 60 days after planting (beginning of flowering), washed with distilled water and dry with tissue paper. The samples were air-dried and then oven dried at 70˚C to a constant weight in a forced air-driven oven. Phosphorus concentrations in plant extracts by the molybdenum vanadate or yellow method and Nitrogen concentration in plant was measured by the Kjeldahl method. After harvesting the plants, the soil was immediately air-dried and passed through a 2mm sieve. Then, the amount of phosphorus was determined by Olsen method. The statistical results of the data were analyzed using SAS software and LSD test (at 5% level) was used for comparing the mean values.Results and Discussion: Based on the obtained results, all of the investigated treatments and their interactions were significant at the probability level of one percent (P < 0.01). The comparison of the average effects of different struvite treatments showed that by replacing struvite instead of triple super phosphate fertilizer in all three levels of fertilizer, the highest shoot fresh weight (with an average of 7.79 gr/pot), shoot dry weight (with an average of 1.13 gr/pot) shoot Nitrogen concentration (with an average of 4.82%) and its uptake (with an average of 5.44 gr/pot) was obtained from the application of S75:P25 150 kg/h superphosphate fertilizer. Also, the results showed that the highest amount of phosphorus concentration and uptake, respectively, with an average of 0.174% and 0.197 gr/pot, was obtained from the application of the S75:P25 treatment with 150 kg TSP/ha, which is compared to the application of the S75:P25 treatment of 50 and 100 kg TSP/ha had an increase equivalent to 26.43, 59.89, 11.49 and 43.14% respectively. The results also showed that the highest amount of soil phosphorus after harvesting the plant with an average of 18.95 mg/kg was obtained from the S100:P0 treatment with 150 kg TSP/ha, which compared to the S100:P0 treatment with 100 and 50 kg TSP/ha with an average of 13.29 and 12.56 mg/kg had an increase equivalent to 29.86 and 33.72%, respectively. Conclusions: In spite of its low solubility, struvite is as effective as highly soluble phosphorus fertilizers for plants. There is still a lack of clarity regarding the mechanisms of struvite dissolution as well as the reasons behind this apparent dichotomy. Therefore, more accurate measurements of pH and EC in substrates, analysis of soil properties and fractionation of phosphorus in soil will enhance our understanding of the use of struvite. Therefore, it is recommended to optimize the timing and application rate of struvite in relation to the demand for different agricultural and garden crops
Zahra Rezaee; Mojtaba Norouzi masir; Abdolamir Moezzi
Abstract
Introduction:Organic matter based on their composition and the C/N ratio can have different effects on nutrient bioavailability, concentration and uptake in soil and plant. Beside that, organic fertilizer can increase the yield of different agricultural products and pave the wey for emergence of sustainable ...
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Introduction:Organic matter based on their composition and the C/N ratio can have different effects on nutrient bioavailability, concentration and uptake in soil and plant. Beside that, organic fertilizer can increase the yield of different agricultural products and pave the wey for emergence of sustainable agricultural . Organic matter is relatively low in majority of soils in Iran, and continuous use of chemical fertilizer would create environmental hazards . Zinc deficiency is a worldwide nutritional constraint in crop production particularly in cereals growing on calcareous soils .Materials and methods:This research was conducted to investigate the effects of organic fertilizers such as bagasse, compost and biochar and chemical fertilizer ZnSo4 on yield of wheat and concentration and uptake of Zn in wheat ,a study based on randomized complete block design with 3 replications was conducted in Greenhouse Faculty of Agriculturar of Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz during the years1395-96. Treatments included:1-control ,2- ZnSo4 , 3-Bagasse 4- Biochar 5- compost. Some Physical and chemical properties were determined using standard methods (table1).some basic properties of bagasse , compost and biochar were also determined (table 2). after the experiment ,soil and plant properties such as pH, organic matter content(OM), available Zn in soil. and yield , yield components and concentration and uptake of Zn in wheat were determined in samples.After seed ripening grain , yield and component yield were measured from the total pot of each treatment.Statisical analysis of the data was performed using SAS software and comporision using Toki method was also performed.Results: the intial soil was clay loam with organic matter content( om=0.79).Results showed that the treatments had significant effect (p≤ 0.01) on percentage of organic carbon, organic matter, the availability of Zn and pH of soil . Also content of soil micro element affected by treatments and amount of these parameters were increased by using of organic fertilizers .Increase the organic matter in soil by compost improved a must of chemical peroperties and Increase concentration nutrient element in soil. Results showed that pH in the control decreased significantly from 7.74 of soil to 7.53 of soil in the compost. Results showed that the available Zn in the control increased significantly from 0.5 mg kg-1 of soil to 0.71 mg kg-1 of soil in the compost.The results of the experiment showed that all treatments except bagsse increased factors wheat yield . Compost showed greatest yield and bagasse the lowest yield in the the wheat root, grain and shoots (compared to the control). The highest grain yield was obtained from the application of compost. The maximum amount of chlorophylls (a, b, total and SPAD), with application compost. The highest Plant height was obtained from the application of biochar. The results showed that the highest and the lowest of va lue concentration and uptake of Zn in wheat to compos and bagasse respectivity. The maximum amount of chlorophylls (a, b, total and SPAD), with application compost. The highest Plant height was obtained from the application of biochar. The results showed that the highest and the lowest of va lue concentration and uptake of Zn in wheat to compos and bagasse respectivity. Discussion:The obtained result highlight the increased effects of compost on yield and yield components and Zn uptake change in wheat, also in comparison to other treatments, it emphasizes ore on the soil though they were useful too. Therefore, it can be concluded that applying organic fertilizers especially composted form would have, useful effects on plant growth and increasing the concentration of Zn of wheat .The obtained result highlight the increased effects of compost on yield and yield components and Zn uptake change in wheat, also in comparison to other treatments, it emphasizes ore on the soil though they were useful too. Therefore, it can be concluded that applying organic fertilizers especially composted form would have, useful effects on plant growth and increasing the concentration of Zn of wheat .The obtained result highlight the increased effects of compost on yield and yield components and Zn uptake change in wheat, also in comparison to other treatments, it emphasizes ore on the soil though they were useful too. Therefore, it can be concluded that applying organic fertilizers especially composted form would have, useful effects on plant growth and increasing the concentration of Zn of wheat .
Ghasem Ghorbani Nasrabadi; Esmaeil Dordipour; mojtaba Barani; Elham Malekzadeh; Abdolreza Gharanjiki
Abstract
Introduction Salinity is one of the most important environmental stresses limiting agricultural production in arid and semi-arid regions, which occupies a relatively large area of arable land. Nutrient availability is decreased in saline conditions in soil solution and plant nutrient balance is changed. ...
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Introduction Salinity is one of the most important environmental stresses limiting agricultural production in arid and semi-arid regions, which occupies a relatively large area of arable land. Nutrient availability is decreased in saline conditions in soil solution and plant nutrient balance is changed. Nitrogen fertilizer management as an essential nutrient for plant growth is very important under salinity stress. Also, salicylic acid is a plant growth regulator involved in defense mechanisms of plants against biotic and abiotic stresses. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of salinity on the concentration of nutrients in wheat in response to salicylic acid consumption at different levels of nitrogen.Materials and Methods In order to investigate the effects of salicylic acid and nitrogen fertilizer application rates at different salinity levels on nutrient concentration of wheat cv. Morvarid, an experiment was conducted as a split plot factorial based on a randomized complete block design with four replications in the fields of Mazraeh-E-Nemooneh located in Anbarolum, Aq Qala city, Golestan province. The main factor included three soil salinity levels (3-4 below wheat tolerance threshold (control), 9-11 and 13-15 dS.m-1) and sub factors included two levels of salicylic acid (0 and 1.5 mM) and three levels of N fertilizer (from urea source, 46% N) were 1) N based on soil test recommendation, 2) 30% N more than soil test recommendation and 3) 30% N less than soil test recommendation, respectively. Salicylic acid was foliar applied twice for about 2 weeks in the tillering stage and 10 days after the second stage spraying, content in them was determined. Nitrogen treatments were applied in three stages - one third before planting with ammonium sulfate (21% N) and remains top-dressed with urea (46% N) at tillering and stem elongation stages. At the emergence stage of the cluster or the beginning of flowering of wheat, the amount of nitrogen in the flag leaf was measured. The concentrations of nitrogen, potassium and sodium in grain and straw were also measured by standard methods.Results and Discussion The results showed that by increasing salinity, the flag leaf N concentration, N and K concentration of wheat staw and seed decreased. However, Na concentration of straw and seeds increased. With increasing N and salicylic acid consumption, the concentration of N flag leaf, the seed and straw N and K concentrations increased, but the concentration of Na in seed and straw decreased.The interaction of salinity, salicylic acid and nitrogen on seed N and K concentrations and also on flag leaf N concentration was significant but there was no significant effect on other measured elements. Comparison of the mean of simple effects of salinity on the evaluated elements indicates a significant reduction of all studied elements due to salinity treatment. Also, comparison of the mean of simple effects of nitrogen fertilizer showed that all elements were affected by the treatment. The results of mean comparison showed a positive and significant effect of salicylic acid on the leaf N concentration of the flag leaf, so that the N concentration in the flag leaf in a 1.5 mM salicylic acid treatment was significantly increased compared to the non-use treatment.Conclusion according to the results, more nitrogen consumption at moderate salinity can have a positive effect on plant nutrition, and vice versa, at high salinity levels, it is better to reduce nitrogen consumption. The interactions of salicylic acid and nitrogen showed that in general nitrogen treatments with salicylic acid increased the N concentration of seed and straw. Nitrogen fertilization at higher and medium salinity levels increased the concentration of N and K in straw and seeds; However, at high salinity, less nitrogen fertilization improved the concentration of N and K. Also, nitrogen application with salicylic acid improved these traits under saline conditions. Therefore, the application of salicylic acid and nitrogen fertilizer management to some extent reduced the adverse effects of salinity up to moderate salinity levels and improved plant nutrition by increasing plant tolerance to salinity.Therefore, the application of salicylic acid and nitrogen fertilizer management to some extent reduced the adverse effects of salinity up to moderate salinity levels and improved plant nutrition by increasing plant tolerance to salinity.Key words: Salicylic acid, salinity stress, wheat, Nitrogen fertilizer management
Mohammad Zeinvand; Afsaneh Alinejadian; Mohammad Feizian; Omidali َAkbarpour
Abstract
IntroductionDue to the use of fossil fuels, land use changes, and deforestation, it increases atmospheric carbon dioxide, which affects greenhouse gas emissions, results in global warming, effectively. Since crop production directly depends on climate, agriculture is one of the first sectors affected ...
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IntroductionDue to the use of fossil fuels, land use changes, and deforestation, it increases atmospheric carbon dioxide, which affects greenhouse gas emissions, results in global warming, effectively. Since crop production directly depends on climate, agriculture is one of the first sectors affected by climate change. Increasing greenhouse gas emissions leads to warming up and warming has devastating effects on organisms life, damaging natural ecosystems, causing floods, droughts, and disrupting the climate and ecological balance. Total soil organic carbon is the ability of trees and other plants to absorb carbon dioxide from theatmosphere and store it as carbon in wood, roots, leaves, and soil.Total soil organic carbon of plant biomass and Total soil organic carbon under this biomass is the simplest and most economically feasible solution to reduce atmospheric CO2. In this regard, an experiment was carried to investigate the effect of three amendment materials (alfalfa residues, straw and wheat straw, and poultry manure) on some soil characteristics, soil and wheat organ Total soil organic carbon potential. Materials and MethodsTo investigate the possibility ofimproving soil carbon sequestration, carbon content of plant and soil and some soil characteristics, an experiment was design in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) in the crop year 2018-2019, in a farm in Dasht-e Aramou, Dare Shahr-Ilam province, in three replications on the wheat plant. Trial factors include two factors, the types and amount of amendment materials (alfalfa residues at 5, 10 and 15 t/ha, straw and wheat straw at 5, 10 and 15 t/ha, poultry manure at three levels of 2, 4 and 6 t/ha and chemical fertilizer is 100 percent fertilizer requirement). The studied traits included root carbon, shoot carbon, root total organic carbon, and shoot total organic carbon, total organic carbon, soil organic carbon percentage, total soil organic carbon, soil nitrogen, soil phosphorus, soil potassium, soil pH and soil Electrical Conductivity (EC). Results and DiscussionThe use of amendment materials had a positive effect on most of the studied traits compared with the lack of application of amendment materials. The results showed that the amount of Total soil organic carbon and the percentage of carbon in shoots were higher than roots. The highest total organic carbon, percentage of carbon in plant and soil phosphorus were observed in 6 t/ha poultry manure (M6) while the highestTotal soil organic carbon and soil carbon content was obtained in 15 t/ha straw and wheat straw (G15). Also, the highest amount of soil nitrogen and potassium was obtained in 15 t/ha (Y15) alfalfa residues and the lowest amount in control treatment which were 47and 64 percent higher than the control, respectively. Contrary to all measured traits, pH and EC values were decreased by adding soil amendment materials. The highest was obtained in control treatment and lowest was observed in 15 t/ha (G15) straw and wheat straw which was 4.4 percent and 50.8 percent lower than the control, respectively. Conclusion Gradual degradation of organic matter increases the efficiency of nutrients, the effect of these compounds on the plant's yield and soil properties for several years. The use of high quality plant residues, if combined with optimized management, will have a good result, especially if the timing of the release of nutrients from decomposing plant debris coincides with the need for the crop. Under such conditions, the time gap between the release of elements from plant residues and absorption of elements by the plant will be reduced and by reducing nutrition elements, it will increase absorption efficiency. In general, the effect of fertilizer type and plant residue on the amount of carbon of the plant and soil as well as the amount of nutrients in the soil was significant at 1% level. Among the different treatments, 6 ton/ha of poultry manure had the most effect on total soil organic carbon and carbon storage in plant organs, and treatment of 15 ton/ha wheat straw had the most effect on total soil organic carbon and carbon storage in soil. Alfalfa residue treatment had the most effect on soil phosphorus and potassium content and poultry manure had the most effect on soil nitrogen. Regarding to the lower price of plant residue, it is more appropriate than poultry. Due to availability of poultrymanure in the most parts of the country, it recommends more than other fertilizers.
Ali Monsefi
Abstract
Introduction Herbicides are chemicals that are used to inhibit the growth or to eliminate weeds in agricultural fields to increase the yield of crops in crop production. By the end of the 19th century, with the increasing labor supply problems, the need for chemical methods to control weeds became apparent. ...
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Introduction Herbicides are chemicals that are used to inhibit the growth or to eliminate weeds in agricultural fields to increase the yield of crops in crop production. By the end of the 19th century, with the increasing labor supply problems, the need for chemical methods to control weeds became apparent. It was first reported in France in the 1980s, that sulfuric acid was used in the fight against weeds in sugar beet fields. Nowadays, most of the herbicides used are organic herbicides, which share organic carbon in their chemical structure. The use of herbicides since about a century ago has been suggested as an effective way of eliminating crop competitors, though herbicides that remain in the soil for longer periods of time prolong weed control and thus increase weed management efficiency. On the other hand, their increased stability in soil may be of a magnitude that can damage crops in the following crop rotations. Soil properties can have a significant impact on the stability of herbicides in soil. Materials and Methods For this purpose, soil samples were taken from 0-30 cm depth from field of experiment No. 2 in College of Agriculture Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz. After sampling and passing through 2 mm sieve, the physical and chemical properties were measured using standard methods. The pot experiment was conducted in a factorial completely randomized design with 32 treatments including soil salinity (at 2.5 and 6 dS / m), Ultimo herbicide rate (at 4 concentration levels of 0, 25, 50 and 100% Recommended dose) and planting time (60 and 120 days after herbicide application) with 3 replication. Wheat was selected as the experimental crop and variety was "Mehregan" which has been cultivated in most of Khozestan province. Herbicide was applied and soil was rested for 60 and 120 days then wheat was sown. For germination percentage, wheat seeds were sown directly in soil after germination test. After germination the percentages were recorded and kept in an equal number of plants in the pot. It should be noted that in order to eliminate the effect of nutrient deficiency on plant growth at appropriate intervals, nutrient solution was applied and irrigated according to the need of the plant.After 9 weeks (before flowering stage) the plant was harvested and the growth components including root length, root dry weight, shoot length, shoot weight and nutrient concentration including nitrogen (in plant dry matter), phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, copper and manganese were measured in the extract obtained from dry digestion of plant tissue (aerial parts of plant). Statistical analysis was performed using SAS software and mean comparisons were performed by Duncan's multiple range test. Charts were drawn using Excel software. Results and Discussion According to the results, increasing the level of herbicide decreased the growth parameters of the plant, which is intensive under salinity stress. The results showed that considering 60 days sowing after herbicide application, shoot dry weight in 100% RD herbicide application in salinity of 2.5 dS/m was 1.6 g which was not showed significant difference with 50% herbicide application under salinity of 6 dS/m. Therefore, in higher salinity levels lower herbicide dose can damage the plant as much as higher levels of herbicides in lower salinity, and lower levels of herbicides in more soil salinity produce more negative effects. By increasing planting time from 60 to 120 days the residual effects of herbicides on soil decreased and plant showed better yield. By increasing salinity level from 2.5 to 6 dS / m, all growth components of wheat decreased, except for shoot length and shoot dry weight, this significant decrease was not reported for other components. Conclusion Therefore, it can be concluded that selection of sowing time after herbicide application in crop rotations is very important and by selecting the correct time can greatly reduce the deleterious effects of consuming more herbicides.Planting wheat at 60 days after application of herbicide compared to 120 days after application of herbicide, decreased the growth components of the plant. Therefore, selection of wheat sowing time in crop rotation 60 days after application of herbicide (especially at 100% recommended dose) is not recommended in maize – wheat cropping system. Also considering soil chemical properties such as salinity as an influencing factor on herbicide behavior in soil can be effective in controlling residual effects of herbicides in soil and plant.
Agricultural Machinery
Mohammad Amin Asoodar; Afshin Marzban; Fatemeh Afsharnia
Abstract
Introduction Wheat is the main food commodity of Iranian population and major cultivating crop, grown on nearly half of the country’s rain-fed area as well as one-third of the irrigated area. Despite the availability of high yielding cultivars for different climates, the average wheat grain yield ...
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Introduction Wheat is the main food commodity of Iranian population and major cultivating crop, grown on nearly half of the country’s rain-fed area as well as one-third of the irrigated area. Despite the availability of high yielding cultivars for different climates, the average wheat grain yield in the country is around 3527 kg ha-1. Lower wheat grain yield could be due to unavailability of recommended varieties seed, delay in planting, inappropriate planting methods, excess use of fertilizers and inefficient water management. Irrigated wheat production in arid and semi-arid regions of Iran is generally practiced under conventional tillage systems. Crop producers in southwestern part of Iran are traditionally using conventional tillage (plowing with moldboard plow followed by double disking) for cultivating various crops. Most of the farmers use grain drills for sowing wheat because of uniformity of planting depth as compared to seed spreaders. The aims of the study were to determine whether different methods of sowing, such as grain drills (followed by flooding irrigation), row crop planting, and combination of furrowers (75 and 60 cm) and seeders (12 cm of sowing space) alter the agronomic performance of winter wheat. Therefore, selection of suitable sowing method plays an important role in the placement of seed at proper depth, which ensures better emergence and subsequent crop growth. Material and methods The study was conducted on a silt clay loam soil (Carbonatic Typic Torrifluvent) in research farms of Ramin Agriculture and Natural Resources University, Ahvaz, Iran, with wheat-wheat- corn crop rotation. The soil was representative of a large area of arable land in the Khuzestan province. Conventional tillage was practiced by moldboard plow ( 25 cm depth) followed by disc harrow twice (nearly 10 cm depth). The two year experiment was conducted based on completely randomized block design in four replicates. 140 kg/ha of wheat (Triticum aestivum L), Chenab cultivar was sown at 50 mm depth for all treatments. The experimental treatments were 20 furrow opener rain drill with 12 cm line space (P), combination of grain drill-furrower (PF60 and PF75) with 60 and 75 cm furrow spaces, also furrower-grain drill (FP60 and FP75 cm) and furrower –grain drill with 3 planted rows on beds (FP3_60 and FP3_75 cm). Soil conductivity of the experimental field (plots) ranged from 1.2 to 3.3 ds mG. The soil texture was silty clay loam with the range of clay content from 34 to36%, and N, P and K contents of the soil were 0.8 to 1, 6.1 to 16.2 and 117 to 192 mg kgG, respectively. Results and discussion Wheat grain yield obtained from all treatments was different; however, harvested grain after FP_75 was the highest compared to others. The highest amount of yield was 5966.7 kg/ha for the first year and 5070 kg/ha for the second year compared to simple planting (P) which was the lowest (4883 and 4271 kg/ha respectively for 2 interval years). Analysis of variance for grain yield indicated that FP-75 had a significant difference (p < 0.01) as compared to others, but grain yield for furrow spaces from 60 to 75 cm was not significantly different. However, the use of furrowers showed significant effects on wheat grain yield. Crop yield and biomass were shown to be different where the furrow was made before sowing. The use of grain drills without furrowers had a great negative effect on crop biomass and grain yield. The results obtained from the second year were similar to the first year. The application of furrow before sowing showed maximum crop yield and biomass, so that the highest and the lowest biomass belonged to FP-75 with 14817 kg ha-1 and P with 11731 kg ha-1, respectively. The harvest index was not significantly different among treatments. Similar results were obtained in wheat plots after harvesting. Conclusion The overall results from this study indicated that the values of crop yield and biomass were maximum where the furrow was made before sowing, as FP-75 treatment had the highest yield. So regarding non-problem of soil salinity in the north of Khuzestan, the use of furrow before sowing can be considered as an appropriate tillage and sowing system for wheat production in the semi-arid region.
Precision Agriculture
ُseyyed Mohammad Mousavai; Hojat Emami; Gholam Hosain Haghnia
Abstract
Extended abstractIntroductionKnowledge about the soil quality in agriculatral lands and natural resources is essential for achievement the best management and maximum economic efficiency. The land use change is the important human activity in environmental ecosystems, which effect on some soil processes ...
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Extended abstractIntroductionKnowledge about the soil quality in agriculatral lands and natural resources is essential for achievement the best management and maximum economic efficiency. The land use change is the important human activity in environmental ecosystems, which effect on some soil processes such as microbial activity, mineralization of carbon and nitrogen content. In addition, land use has an important role on temporal and spatial variation of soil properties and quality. Agricultural practices may affect positive or negative effect on soil quality. Intensive cultivation of plants decreases soil physical and quality, as a result of this yield of plants, production efficiency and environment quality decrease. In this research, the effect of three land uses on soil physical, fertility and quality properties were studied. Materials and methodsThe studied area (Hossein abad) is located 30 km far from the northern Nehbandan town (South Khorasan, Iran).To study the effect of land uses change on soil properties were selected three land uses including pomegranate (Punica granatum ), olive (Olea europaea) and wheat (Triticum aestivum ). The 45 soil samples (15 samples from each land use) were taken from surface soil (0-30 cm). Then some soil physical and fertility properties which affect the soil quality were measured and the effect of land use change from wheat cultivation to olive and pomegranate gardens during the recent 20 years were studied. In addition, soil quality in each land use was determined based on cornel university test. To compare soil properties and quality, the randomized complete block design was applied.Results and discussionThe results showed that land use change had a significant effect on organic carbon, mean weight diameter of aggregates (MWD), water stable aggregates (WSA), macro nutrients (N, P, and K), and some micro nutrients (Fe and Mn) (P < 0.001). Comparison of means demonstrated that the difference between organic carbon content in olive and pomegranate land uses was not significant, and the content of OC in both land uses was significantly higher than wheat land use. Olive and pomegranate land uses cause to stability of soil structure increase, probably due to reduction the traffic of wheals and also somewhat increasing the organic carbon as a result of littering. Therefore, the MWD in olive land use was significantly higher than two land uses and the lowest value was obtained in what land use. Also, the value of WSA in three land uses was significantly different (P < 0.05) and their content in olive and wheat land uses were the maximum and minimum, respectively. The concentration of total nitrogen in pomegranate land use was more significant than two other land uses (P < 0.05). But the concentration of phosphorous (P), potassium (K), Fe and Mn in wheat land use was the highest content and significantly greater than other two land uses. Despite the concentrations of P, K, and Fe nutrients in pomegranate land use were the lowest value, but, there were no significant difference between the concentration of them in olive and pomegranate land uses. It seems that this variation especially P and Fe is probably due to pH and the Ca and Mg concentration and creation insoluble component of Fe, Mn and P in these land uses.According to the results of cornel university test, soil quality in garden land uses was decreased and the range of soil quality score was varied from 49.5 (olive) to 61.2 (wheat). Among the soil properties affecting the soil quality, fertility and chemical properties such as electrical conductivity (EC), absorption sodium ratio (SAR) and somewhat pH of soil saturated extract decreased the soil quality in olive land use. Also, OM, Fe, Zn, and Mn decreased the soil quality in 3 land uses, of course in olive and pomegranate land uses, micro nutrients (Fe and Mn) had the more effect on decreasing the soil quality compared to wheat land use. In addition, bulk density (Bd), mean weight diameter of aggregates (MWD), aeration porosity (AC), P, K, and Cu contents increased soil quality in all 3 land uses.ConclusionIn general, when wheat land use change to olive and pomegranate land uses decreased some soil properties and quality in arid area of Nehbandan, probably due to low quality of irrigation water.
Plant Nutrition, Soil Fertility and Fertilizers
Ali Abdolahi; Mehdi Taghavi; Mojtaba Norouzi masir; Abdolamir Moezzi
Abstract
Nanotechnology has created a range of new applications in different stages of agriculture. The application of Nano-fertilizers for plants is of vital importance because of its unique properties, such as the specific surface and high reactivity. Many studies have investigated the effect of metal nanoparticles ...
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Nanotechnology has created a range of new applications in different stages of agriculture. The application of Nano-fertilizers for plants is of vital importance because of its unique properties, such as the specific surface and high reactivity. Many studies have investigated the effect of metal nanoparticles on yield and concentration of elements in the plant. The present study was conducted with the aim of investigating the effects of Functionalized Iron Oxide Nanoparticles (FIONPs) on plant yield, concentration and uptake of Zinc in root and shoots of wheat under greenhouse cultivation in a calcareous soil. Materials and Methods This study was conducted in the greenhouse condition as a randomized complete design with three replications. Treatment consisted of functionalized iron oxide nanoparticles (Hydroxyl: OH, Carboxyl: COOH and Amine: NH2) each at three levels (100, 200 and 300 mg.kg-1), ZnSO4 (40 kg.ha-1) and Control. During the experiment, some parameters such as the plant height and chlorophyll index were measured. At the end of the cultivation period, dry weight and Zn concentration of root, shoot and grain was determined using Atomic absorption apparatus (Perkin elmer A_Analyst 200 model). Likewise, content of soil available Zn was measured using DTPA. Results The amount of available zinc in all levels of iron oxide nanoparticles, except Amine iron oxide nanoparticles (at levels of 200 and 300 mg / kg), was significantly (p < 0.01) increased compared to control. The maximum amount of soil available Zn were observed in levels of 300, 200 and 100 mg.kg-1 Carboxyl iron oxide nanoparticles with 83.64, 70.91 and 63.64% increment compared to control, respectively. Effect of treatments of functionalized iron oxide nanoparticles and zinc sulfate on chlorophyll content, plant height and dry weight of shoots was significant (p < 0.01). The maximum yield of root and shoot was obtained at the level of 300 mg.kg-1 of Carboxyl iron oxide nanoparticles with 34.74 and 25.1% increment compared to control, respectively. The maximum grain yield was observed at the level of 300 mg.kg-1 of Carboxyl iron oxide nanoparticles with 36.51% increment compared to control. The maximum chlorophyll content was obtained in Carboxyl iron oxide nanoparticles (at level of 300 mg. kg-1) with 11.38% increment compared to control. The maximum of Zinc concentration in root, shoot and grain was observed at the level of 300 mg.kg-1 carboxylic oxide nanoparticles with 103.62, 159.26 and 26.87% increment compared to control, respectively. Conclusions The results showed that application of FIONPs improved soil pH and subsequently available zinc of soil. Also, nanoparticles increased the yield, concentration and uptake of zinc in root, shoots and grain of wheat. Therefore, based on the obtained results from this study, it can be said that use of new strategies such as nanoparticles can be useful in improving soil conditions and bioavailability of Micronutrient like Zinc and reducing chemical fertilizers.
N. Mehrab; M. Chorom; S. Hojati
Volume 37, Issue 1 , September 2014, , Pages 1-11
Abstract
To evaluate the effect of two types of soil textures and zeolite enriched with ammonium on growth characteristics of wheat and water use efficiency, a factorial experiment based on a completely randomized design with three replications in greenhouse condition was conducted at Shaid Chamran University ...
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To evaluate the effect of two types of soil textures and zeolite enriched with ammonium on growth characteristics of wheat and water use efficiency, a factorial experiment based on a completely randomized design with three replications in greenhouse condition was conducted at Shaid Chamran University in the autumn of 2011. Treatments were 5% and 10% of the raw zeolite, 5% and 10% zeolite enriched with ammonium, fertilizer treatment (100 kg ha-1) and soil textures were clay loam and sandy loam. The results showed that the soil texture significantly affected the growth characteristics of wheat and water use efficiency (P<0.01). The plant nitrogen percentage, 1000-seed weight and seed yield were higher in sandy loam soil than in clay loam. Water use efficiency in sandy loam, was more than clay loam. None of the zeolite treatments had a significant effect on water use efficiency. The highest percentage of plant nitrogen fertilizer plants treated with ammonium-rich zeolite and 10%, respectively. The highest percentage of plant nitrogen was observed in chemical fertilizer treatment and 10% NH4+-zeolite and the highest seed yield was obtained in 10% NH4+-zeolite treatment. The highest C/N ratio was measured in treated with 10% raw zeolite in a sandy loam soil. Therefore, the application of ammonium zeolite enriched can be improved wheat growth characteristics and using less chemical fertilizer and thereby also saving on fertilizers helped to reduce environmental pollution.
Land Evaluation and Suitability
V. Shahrokh; S. Ayoubi
Volume 37, Issue 1 , September 2014, , Pages 77-92
Abstract
This study was conducted to evaluate land suitability in Zarinshahr and Mobarakeh areas located in Isfahan Province using Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) technique. The hierarchy structure for evaluation was established to select the proper land use for 32 land units. Two alternative land utilization ...
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This study was conducted to evaluate land suitability in Zarinshahr and Mobarakeh areas located in Isfahan Province using Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) technique. The hierarchy structure for evaluation was established to select the proper land use for 32 land units. Two alternative land utilization types (the cultivation of wheat and rice) were selected at the lowest level. The intermediate levels of the hierarchy were comprised of seven criteria for evaluating the alternative land uses including soil, climate, gross income, water resources, market, physical environmental impacts and chemical environmental impacts. The weight for each element was calculated using 30 questionnaires which were completed by experts and software EXPERT CHOICE 2000. Then the overall weight for each land use was obtained by multiplying standardized attributes and local weights. The results showed that maximum and minimum calculated land indices for wheat cultivation were 77.4 (unit 2-3) and 18.86 (unit 4-9) and for rice 26.85 (unit 4-10) and 7.43 (unit 4-11), respectively. The climate suitability was the most important factor for selecting the proper land use, followed by soil suitability. The least importance was contributed to market accessibility. The inconsistency ratio related for all the matrices was 9 percent. The results of this study showed that the cultivation of wheat has higher performance for production in all land units.
Sajedeh Sadinejad; Ali Jafarnejadi; Ali Gholami; Abdolamir Moezzi
Volume 36, Issue 2 , March 2014, , Pages 69-80
Abstract
One of the basic principles for sustainable production is improving the quality of soil with regard to soil fertility and soil nutrients status. This study was conducted to investigate spatial variation of copper and manganese elements in soil farms in the northern part of Khuzestan region (100,000 ha). ...
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One of the basic principles for sustainable production is improving the quality of soil with regard to soil fertility and soil nutrients status. This study was conducted to investigate spatial variation of copper and manganese elements in soil farms in the northern part of Khuzestan region (100,000 ha). Therefore, 95 soil samples were collected from studied regions according to their wheat cultivation area. The data were analyzed to determine spatial variation and interpolation using Kirging technique. The results revealed that the average soil manganese concentration was 6.75 mg/kg in the study regions. Also, more than 75% of studied soils had manganese concentrations less than 8 mg/kg (threshold value), the average of copper concentration was 1.35 mg/kg, and about 90% of soils had desirable copper concentration. According to the results, there were significant correlations between the soil's copper and phosphorus (r= 0.79*), clay (r= 0.78*) and salinity (r= 0.77*) and also between soil's manganese and pH (r=0.83*). The best model for study characteristics was the spherical model. The highest soil manganese concentration was on the northeast, and the highest soil copper was on the west of the study regions. Finally, in some parts of the study area in which manganese and copper levels were less than the threshold value, application of copper and manganese fertilizers can be recommended. It increases the yield and improves the soils and agricultural products quality.
Arezoo Mohammadi; Mohammad Bahmanyar; Mehdi Ghajar Sepanlou
Volume 36, Issue 1 , September 2013, , Pages 1-11
Abstract
Salinity limited plant growth and will decrease the yield with decrease in solution osmotic pressure, nutrient imbalance and toxicity of some specific elements. Application of amendment materials such as gypsum and cattle manure can adjust the undesirable effects and increase the nutrient elements in ...
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Salinity limited plant growth and will decrease the yield with decrease in solution osmotic pressure, nutrient imbalance and toxicity of some specific elements. Application of amendment materials such as gypsum and cattle manure can adjust the undesirable effects and increase the nutrient elements in leaf and grain. In this regard a pot experiment was conducted during 2009 growing season based on split factorial with four replications in complete randomize design. In this experiment the main factor was inclusive different level of salinity in irrigation water {0, 3, 6, 9 and 12 dS/m as NaCl and CaCl2 (1:1 w/w)} and subsidiary factors were inclusive gypsum (0, 15 and 30 ton/ha) and the cattle manure (0 and 30 ton/ha). The results showed that increasing the salinity content of irrigation water causes reduce the amount of phosphorus and increase nitrogen and potassium in wheat leaves. Also, with increasing in salinity of irrigation water the amounts of phosphorus and potassium in grain decreased and the amount of nitrogen in grain increased. Application of gypsum increased the amounts of the nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium 6.31, 10.89 and 14.82 percent in leaves and the amounts of the nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium 10.32, 10.84 and 3.45 percent in grain, respectively. Using manure at different salinity treatments was significant affecting on the amounts of nitrogen and phosphorus in leaves and phosphorus and potassium in grain. The highest amounts of nitrogen and phosphorus in leaves and grain were obtained using 15 and 30 tons of gypsum per ha while the highest amount of potassium in leaves and grain were obtained using 30 tons of gypsum per ha.
Volume 34, Issue 1 , December 2011, , Pages 43-55
Abstract
The current study was conducted to compare the effect of different tillage methods on wheat yield of canola-wheat rotation in dryland areas during three years (2005-2008) north of Khouzestan (Baghmalek city). Randomized block design with five treatments was applied by using four replications. Canola ...
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The current study was conducted to compare the effect of different tillage methods on wheat yield of canola-wheat rotation in dryland areas during three years (2005-2008) north of Khouzestan (Baghmalek city). Randomized block design with five treatments was applied by using four replications. Canola tillage was done with conventional method and the experimental wheat treatments were: (1) moldboard plow + grain-drill, (2) chisel plow + grain-drill, (3) moldboard plow with removed moldboard + grain-drill, (4) sweep plow + grain-drill and (5) no-till-drill. The investigated indices were percent age of organic materials, soil moisture content (W.B), wheat yield and other agronomical factors. Complex variance analyses of the three years data showed no significant difference between tillage methods and interaction of tillage methods with year in case of soil moisture content in different plant growth stages. However, the effect of years was different for this factor. Analyses of variance for different tillage methods showed that there was no significant difference between percent age of organic materials in soil depths. The complex variance analyses of data also showed that tillage methods had a significant effect on harvesting index and biological yield but the difference in grain yield and other agronomical factors was not significant. In general, the tillage methods did not affect wheat yield. Hence, the conservation methods are recommended for this condition. Regarding the harvest index, the sweep plow with 43 percent had the highest and no-till-drill with 36 percent had the lowest amount. Moreover, in biological yield, the moldboard plow with 5263 and sweep plow with 3718 kg/ha had the most and the least values respectively.
