Journal of Water and Soil Science
Year:2009 | Volume:13 | Issue:48|Papers Count:45

A population of offspring from a cross between ‘Golden Smoothee’ × ‘Shafi Abadi’ apple which was developed by two methods of controlled pollination (with and without covering after controlled pollination) was used to investigate the inheritance of microsatellite alleles and the necessity of covering in controlled pollination of apple. DNA was extracted from 60 seedlings (30 from each method) as well as corresponding parents and the probable source of unwanted pollen. Four microsatellite loci (CH03d12, CH03d07, CH04a12 and CH03c07) which were polymorphic among parents were selected and their florescent primers were prepared. DNA amplification was carried out using different colored florescent primers, and alleles size were determined using ABI377 automatic gene sequencer and Gene Scan Software version 2.0 according to internal standards. Results showed that all seedlings shared one allele at each locus with each parent indicating their hybrid and true to type nature. There were no differences between two methods of controlled pollination in terms of unwanted pollination and there were no off type seedling originating from unwanted pollen source. Allele distribution among the progenies showed their co-dominant mode of inheritance, and no significant difference with Mendelian co-dominant ratio (1:1:1:1) was observed using chi square (x2) test. These results showed that there was no need for covering after controlled pollination of apple at least for less sensitive cases such as cultivar breeding which takes lots of time and cost for controlled pollination of many flowers in a limited time span. Results also showed the importance and potential of microsatellite loci in detecting parent-offspring relationship prior to inheritance study of characters and alleles, bulk segregation analysis, gene and linkage map and historical reconstruction of fruit tree pedigree.

Overcroping, shading and short growing season can reduce the pool of carbohydrate reserves, and consequently reduce the quality of crop in grapevines. An experiment was conducted in order to study the effects of cluster number and different levels of cane topping on balanced yield and qualitative traits of table grape (Vitis vinifera L.) cv. Askari. The design of experiment was factorial in completely randomized blocks with four replications. Factors included cluster number (Control, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45 and 50 cluster per vine) and cane topping included (Control, removal 1/4, 1/3 and 1/2 length of shoot). Results showed that decreasing the number of cluster to 25-35 per vine, significantly increased %TSS, TSS/TA and pH but with increasing cluster number, these traits were significantly reduced. Thinning treatment to 25 cluster showed significant difference from the viewpoint of %TA compared with untreated control. Also topping treatment significantly increased %TSS, %TA, TSS/TA ratio and decreased %TA compared with untreated control. Reducing the cluster to 25-45 per vine significantly increased cluster weight, however, no significant difference was observed between control and 50 clusters per vine and/or 25 to 50 clusters. Yield per vine was reduced in all treatments in comparison with untreated control. However, no difference was shown between 25 to 35 and or 40 and 50 clusters per vine. According to the results obtained, cluster thinning combined with topping can be recommended for increasing fruit quality and balanced yield of Askari table grapes in cold climate of Cisakht region.

In order to evaluate the effects of sulphur fertilizer sources and amounts on growth indices and yield of peanut (Arachis hypogaea L. CV. NC2), a field experiment was conducted in Bandar Kiaashahr, Guilan province, Iran in 2004. The experiment was laid out in a factorial arrangement with two factors including sulphur sources (gypsum and single super phosphate) and sulphur rates (0, 30, 60 and 90 kg.h-1) in a completely randomized block design with three replications. Results showed that sulphur application greatly enhanced peanut growth and yield. The application of 90 kg.h-1 sulphur (in both forms) performed significantly better than the rest. The highest pod yield and grain yield were obtained in 90 kg.h-1 sulphur in gypsum form (6400 and 5200 kg.h-1, respectively). The highest LAI (6.6), CGR (20.2 g.m-2.12GDD-1) and PGR (16 g.m-2.12GDD-1) were obtained in 90 kg sulphur in the form of gypsum after 1142, 1142 and 1289 of accumulation, respectively. According to the results of the present experiment, it could be concluded that sulphur may considerably increase peanut grain yield and yield components. Thus, it could be expected that the application of 90 kg sulphur per hectare in the form of gypsum may result in better growth indices and higher grain yield of peanut.

To assess adaptability and stability of seed cotton yield in promising cotton genotypes, eight cultivars of cotton (Gukorova, Nazeli–84, Khordad, No: 200, Crema, Tabladila, Beli Izovar and Sepid), along with two controls (Sahel and Varamin), were studied in a completely randomized block design (RCBD) with four replications in six regions of Golestan and Mazandaran provinces in two successive years (2005 & 2006). Combined analysis of variance was done and means comparison of yield was conducted based on Duncan's multiple range test. Sepid, Beli Izovar, Varamin and Khordad varieties were superior for yield, earliness, boll weight and boll number, respectively. The result of combined variance analysis showed that, there are significant differences between genotypes and genotype × environment (G.E) interaction effect. Because of significant G.E interaction effect univariete stability parametric and non-parametric stability methods were used to determine genotype stability. The results of varied methods were different. The 43200 and Sepid cotton cultivars had a specific adaptation and were suitable cultivar for fertile lands in north of country, because of good reaction to production high yield. In contrast, Sahel cultivar with lowest yield had broad stability with non-fertile regions. Overall, three genotypes (Khordad, Tabladila and Gukorova) were determined with suitable stability and moderate yield (general stability) for most locations in north of country.

Multi-environment trial data are required to obtain stability performance parameters as selection tools for effective cultivar evaluation. The interrelationship among several stability parameters and their associations with mean yield, along with the repeatability of these parameters in consecutive years was the objective of this study. Barley yield data of 18 cultivars, proprietary of Dryland Agricultural Research Institute, evaluated in 12 locations over 2005-2007 in three locations of Iran was used for the combined analysis of variance in three datasets. I: Across locations in a single evaluation year (dataset A), II: Across locations in each of two single evaluation year (dataset B), III: Across all locations in three years (dataset C). For each dataset, cultivar phenotypic variance and other statistics were appropriately partitioned in its components. The interrelationship among the parameters and their associations with mean yield based on Spearman rank correlation was studied in each of the three single evaluation years (dataset A). Rank correlation coefficients were also used as estimates of the repeatability of these stability parameters across two year combinations (dataset B). The parameters 2  si Shukla and 2 Wi were consistently highly correlated with each other but not with mean yield in all single and pair evaluation years. The parameters bi, 2 Si and CV were consistently highly correlated with each other but not with mean yield in all single and pair evaluation years. Result showed that Shukla variance, Wricke ecovalence, SIPC1 and ASV AMMI stability statistics have high repeatability. Thus it is suggested that more stability statistics especially nonparametric methods be used for determination of repeatability methods.

The genomic in situ hybridization (GISH) has been used to identify euploidy and aneuploidy in segregation generations of various plants. In this study, the GISH with minor modifications including, slide preparation of putative secondary Tritipyrum (F2) root meristemic cells, labeled genomic DNA of Thinopyrum bessarabicum by fluorescein 12-dUTP nucleotide as probe, genomic DNA of Thinopyrum bessarabicum for in situ hybridization on root meristemic cells of F2 (2n=6x=42, AABBDEb) and unlabeled Chinese Spring cultivar in pre hybridization, was carried out for the first time in Iran. The results not only indicated the various Eb chromosomes in putative 6x secondary Tritipyrum plants, but also showed different numbers of A, B and D chromosomes. The range of aneuoploidy in F2 genotypes was from %30 to %66.7, which could be due to various numbers of Eb and D chromosomes in each genotype. The selfing or back crossing of F2 plants with bread wheat varieties could lead to chromosomal stability and aneoploidy reduction in secondary Tritipyrum genotypes.

Canola (Brassica napus L.) as one of the oilseed crops has recently received lots of attention due to its suitable oil quality and high oil percentage. To evaluate the effect of water deficit stress on canola genotypes with regard to yield, drought tolerance quantitative indices and identify drought tolerant genotypes, an experiment was conducted in research farm of seed and plant improvement Institute (Karaj) using completely randomized block design with four replications, and 25 genotypes under two stress and non stress conditions. Genotypes were evaluated regarding drought tolerance. Drought tolerance quantitative indices include MP, GMP, STI, SSI and TOL. Result of variance analysis showed significant differences among genotypes as regards all indices and seed yield of genotypes in both conditions at 1% probability level. MP, GMP and STI indices were selected as the best indices for selection of tolerant genotypes in regard to analysis of correlation between seed yield in two stress and non stress conditions and drought tolerance indices. Results indicated that Genotype Vectra was the best genotype, because of its proper mean yield in both stress and non stress conditions. Multivariate biplot figure display showed that MP, GMP and STI indices had high correlation coefficient with each other, and tolerant genotypes were located near tolerance indices. Also results of three dimensional scatter plot and cluster analysis indicated that genotypes Modena, Jura, Eshydromel, Vectra, Dante, Zarfam, Esbetty and Olano were tolerant to drought stress, and genotypes Olpop, GKHelena, RG4504 and Olphi were sensitive genotypes.

In order to study the correlation of agronomic, morphologic and physiologic traits and their effects on grain yield of rice genotypes in two environments (favorable irrigation and water stress), 49 genotypes were evaluated using a completely randomized block design with 3 replications in two experimental conditions. All practices and conditions were the same for the two experiments with the exception of irrigation, where under stress conditions no irrigation was applied at tillering stage. Comparison of means showed significant differences between genotypes in each environment. Also, differences between yield and yield components of each genotype under two conditions were significant. The results of phenotypic correlations showed that the highest positive and significant correlation with grain yield belonged to number of panicle per plant (0.95) in irrigation conditions and to number of filled grains per panicle (0.92) in water stress conditions. Stepwise regression analysis for grain yield introduced number of panicle per plant, relative water content (RWC), flag leaf length and number of spikelet per panicle, respectively, as effective traits in grain yield in irrigation conditions, however, in stress conditions, number of filled grain per panicle, number of panicle per plant and relative water content were effective traits in yield. The results of path analysis showed that the number of panicle per plant had the highest positive and direct effect on grain yield in the two environments. Factor analysis introduced four factors in the two conditions named yield and crop production, phenologic, harvest index and plant shape and appearance quality of grains factors. Therefore, to select high yield and drought tolerant genotypes, we need to consider number of filled grain per panicle, number of panicle per plant and relative water content. In addition, traits such as panicle length, number of spikelet per panicle, flag leaf length and width that showed significant correlations with grain yield in stress conditions should also be considered important and second to the above mentioned traits.

This study was conducted in Research Farm of Isfahan University of Technology to evaluate some of the agronomic and physiological traits and grain yield potentials of ten bread wheat cultivars using a split plot design with three replications. Main and sub plot consisted of optimum and stress moisture treatments (irrigation after 70±3 and 130±3 mm evaporation from class A pan) and wheat cultivars, respectively. The results of analysis of variance revealed significant effect of moisture treatments on all traits except 1000-grain weight, harvest index, specific leaf weight, assimilate redistribution and difference of peduncle weights at heading. Significant differences were found among genotypes in the stress condition except for chlorophyll b and chlorophyll a to b ratio. Significant differences were detected among genotypes in optimum moisture condition for all characters, except for chlorophyll b, chlorophyll a to b ratio, harvest index and assimilate redistribution. Grain yields in two moisture conditions had significant positive phenotypic and genetic correlations with harvest index, number of grain/spike, RWC, chlorophyll a and sum of chlorophylls a and b and had significant negative correlation with RWL. Significant positive correlation was observed between peduncle weight at heading stage and difference of peduncle weights at stages heading and maturity with grain yield and RWC in moisture stress condition. The results of path analysis for phenotypic correlation coefficients between grain yield and their corresponding traits in the regression model showed that in stress condition harvest index had the highest direct and positive effect on grain yield and in non stress condition chlorophyll a had the highest direct and positive effect on grain yield. Results of stepwise regression analysis in non stress condition revealed that chlorophyll a, plant height and harvest index explained more than 90% of grain yield variability. Based on stepwise regression analysis in non stress condition, RWL, harvest index and RWC explained 95% of grain yield variability.

A study was conducted in 2007 to investigate the effect of nitrogen fertilizer rates (0, 30, 60 Kg ha-1) on some agronomic characteristics, seed yield and oil percentage in three Sesame(Sesamum indicum L.) cultivars (Dashtestan, Darab 14, and Zarghan) in Kaki region (Bushehr Province). The type of design was completely randomized block with factorial arrangement and three replications. Nitrogen(N) fertilizer had a very significant effect on agronomic characteristics, such as number of capsules in the main stem, number of capsules per plant, branches /plant, biological yield, seed yield ,and oil percentage, but had no effect on 1000 seed weight. There was no significant difference between the application of 30 and 60 Kg of N fertilizer ha-1 with respect to harvest index. Seed yield increased as N rate increased, but each cultivar had a different response to different rates of nitrogen. Dashtestan and Zarghan had superiority over Darab 14 with respect to overall agronomic properties such as response to fertilizer and early maturity, but from the qualitative point of view, Darab 14 produced higher percentage of oil.

In order to study the effect of air and root-zone temperature on yield, yield components, nodulation and nitrogen fixation of three annual medics, an experiment was conducted in controlled environment (growth chamber) at the Faculty of Agriculture, Tarbiat Modares University in 2006. The experiment was performed as a spilt split plot with the layout of completely randomized design with three replications. Air temperature at three levels including 15/10, 20/15 and 25/20oC day/night, four levels of root-zone temperatures including 5, 10, 15 and 20oC and three annual medics (Medicago polymorpha, M. radiata and M. rigidula) were randomized to main plot, sub plot and sub sub plot units, respectively. The results showed that there were significant differences among annual medics for dry matter production, yield components and nitrogen fixation. M. rigidula produced more leaves, stems and root dry matter, leaf and stem to root ratio, leaf number and area and forage yield than other annual medics. Also, three annual medics at 25/20oC day/night air temperature (the highest one) produced more nodulation dry matter (8.85 mg/pot) and nitrogen fixation (7.7 mg/g dry matter) than other temperatures. Plants at the former temperature produced 8 and 2 times more nodulation and nitrogen fixation than 15/10oC day/night air temperature (the lowest one), respectively. Low root-zone temperature up to 5oC had severely negative effect on yield and nitrogen fixation in the three studied annual medics. Interaction among annual medics, air and root-zone temperatures showed that M. rigidula was better than other annual medics for yield, nodulation and nitrogen fixation at 25oC air temperature and 15oC root-zone temperature . The result showed that M. rigidula had normal growth and development compared with other annual medics at low root-zone temperatures. Thus, M. rigidula may be a better annual medic for cultivation in cold and moderate regions. Therefore, in the zones where soil temperature is lower than 5oC during the season, cultivation of annual medics is not successful, but in the zones where soil temperature is greater than 10oC, annual medics have normal growth and produce average yield due to better nitrogen fixation.

The present experiment was carried out to determine the effect of feeding a diluted diet together with avilamycin or probiotics on catch-up growth of broiler chickens. Three hundred day-old chicks (Ross 308 hybrid) were assigned to 4 treatments with 5 replicates based on a completely randomized design. The control group, which met NRC requirements, fed a diet consisting of 2900 KCal/kg ME and 20.8%CP. A diluted diet included 2700 KCal/kg ME and 19.4%CP fed to the negative control group during 7 to 21 days of age. There were two additional treatments with 10ppm avilamycin and 100ppm probiotic, respectively. Feeding the diluted diet resulted in reduced body weight gain (P<0.05). Final body weight was higher in chickens having received avilamycin. Although this difference was insignificant compared with the control, it was significant in comparison with other groups. There was no significant difference in terms of feed intake among the treatments. However, birds which received avilamycin had superior feed conversion ratio to other groups. Birds in the control group had the highest abdominal fat content but the difference was not significant. In conclusion, avilamycin significantly increased body weight gain during catch-up growth though the probiotic caused no significant change.

This research was conducted to study the nutritive value of Jerusalem artichoke (JA) as animal feed. The aerial part of the JA plant was harvested, at full bloom stage, and then chopped and dried. The chopped JA hay included 0.0, 10, 20, 30 and 40% of alfalfa hay, used as experimental diets, and tested for in vitro digestibility. In a changeover experiment with Latin square based design the in vivo digestibility was studied by sheep. The samples of dried JA forage as well as the experimental diets were collected and analyzed chemically. The nutrient contents of JA were relatively similar to alfalfa hay except for the crude protein that was lower in JA. The in vitro dry mater and organic mater digestibility were not affected by the levels of JA in the diets, but the digestible value reduced (p<0.05) when the JA ratio was increased to the 40% of the diet. The in vivo digestibility of dry mater, organic mater and fiber fractions was decreased in the diet containing 40 percent JA; however, total digestible nutrients and metabolisable energy were not significantly different among the treatments. It may be concluded that nutritive value of JA is similar to alfalfa hay, when it is used up to 30% instead of the alfalfa hay based diet

Immunostimulants are one of the important ways to prevent diseases. The vaccination and immune system stimulator and their combination can increase the ability of vaccines in prevention of diseases and improved indexes of growth and survival rates in shrimps. In this research, the separate and simultaneous effects of Ergosan and Vibromax vaccine on the growth factors such as total length and increasing of dry weight and survival rates in three stages of post larvae PL1, PL5 and PL15 in Indian white shrimp (Fenneropenaeus indicus) were studied. The feeding of vaccine to shrimps was done through Artemia nauplii (Artemia franciscana) enrichment. The effects of Ergosan (T1) and effect of Vibromax (T2) separately and in combination (T3) along with a control treatment for comparison were studied. Taking into consideration of 4 treatments and 3 replications for each of them, 12 similar vessels were used, which were refilled with 10 liters of water and reserved with 100 larvae in liters in zoa stages and were fed in a completely randomized design. Duration of experiment was from zoa stage to PL15 and in the end of 12, 16 and 25 days they were analyzed for the biometry and determination of survival rates. Results showed that the highest amount of total length (mm) was observed in PL1,PL5 and PL15 stages in T3 (5.26, 6.45 and 18.41) and was a little different from that in T1 (5.28, 6.32 and 17.94) which was significantly different from the control treatment (4.91, 6.09 and 17.36) at P<0.05 level. Furthermore, T2 (5.11, 6.07 and 17.44) and control treatment were not significantly different (P>0.05). The highest amount of dry weight (mg) was observed in PL1, PL5 and PL15 stages in T3 (0.296, 0.890 and 2.940). In contrast to the control (0.216, 0.640 and 2.875) it was significantly different (P<0.05). The highest amount of survival rates (%) was observed in T3 (77.33, 76.33 and 80.67) which unlike control treatment (57, 57.33 and 59.67) was significantly different (P<0.05). The use of these two products in a desired feeding program from zoa stage to PL12 could increase the resistance and immunity in post larvae and survival rates and growth factors in shrimps leading to produce suitable post larvae for introducing into the training ponds.

In selection index procedure, phenotype and genetic (co) variance matrices of traits are used for calculating different genetic parameters like index coefficients, index variance, genetic gain in selection goal and selection accuracy. Sometimes, it is possible that these matrices become inconsistent or they are not positive, nor definite. In the current study, for investigation of the effect of inconsistency of (co) variance matrices on the results of selection index procedure, 6 kinds of different selection indices: milk production (Milk) , fat percentage of milk (fat%) and herd life (HL) in selection goal were constructed The first to third indices included Milk, fat% and one of the type traits, i.e. rear udder height (Ruh), front teat placement (Ftp) or front udder attachment (Fua) respectively, as correlated traits with herd life. The fourth index included productive traits and the three mentioned type traits altogether, and the fifth and sixth indices as reduced indices, included milk production and fat percentage and just milk production, respectively. Also, the results of using mean of 3 individual records were taken into account. All of calculations were done for both consistent and inconsistent matrices. For making consistency in inconsistent matrices, “bending” method was used. Results showed that the use of inconsistent matrices in selection index calculations will lead to wrong selections and will decrease genetic gain. This conclusion was independent of different economic conditions of production system in different years. When using consistent matrices, index 4, that had the most information from selection goal, was the best index.

This experiment was conducted to compare the effects of Roxarsone (Rox) and Bacitracin methylen disalicylat (BMD) on the performance of broiler chicks. A control corn-soybean meal diet without growth promoter was formulated according to NRC (1994) recommendation for starter (0-21d) and grower (22-42d) periods. The control diet was also supplemented with Rox (50 mg/kg diet) BMD (55 mg/kg diet) as well as the combination of Rox (50 mg/kg diet) and BMD (55 mg/kg diet) in order to prepare 4 dietary treatments. Five replicate groups of 15 Ross 308 broiler chicks were assigned to each dietary treatment. Data was analyzed in a completely randomized design. Results of experiment indicated that individual supplementing of diet with Rox as well as BMD led to improved body weight gain and feed conversion ratio compared to the basal diet. However, those birds fed diet containing the combination of these two compounds had significantly higher body weight gain and lower feed conversion than other groups ( P<0.05). Neither Rox nor BMD had any significant effect on feed intake. Birds fed diets supplemented with Rox or BMD had better carcass composition than those fed Basal diet. Based on the present results, supplementing broilers diets with Rox leads to improved body weight gain and feed conversion ratio in broilers. However, supplementing broiler diets with combination of Rox and BMD has a more positive effect on the performance and carcass composition in broiler chicks.

Exo-polysaccharide (EPS) production by some lactic acid bacteria (starter) during fermentation could affect the physical properties of yoghurt. In this study, at first EPS content and its effects on physical properties of three traditional (S1, S2 and G) and one industrial (I) yoghurt samples were studied. The results showed that there was significant differences in fat content, solid non-fat content, pH, EPS content, viscosity, elasticity and sensitivity to syneresis among samples. Statistical analysis based on a completely randomized design revealed that a significant correlation exists between EPS content and viscosity as well as resistance to syneresis of the samples. Fat content and solid non-fat content of the samples showed no correlation with physical properties of the samples. In the second phase of the study, to remove effects of raw milk composition and to be able to attribute the results to the EPS producing activity of the starter, skim milk was used to produce yoghurt samples using yoghurt samples tested in the first stage only as sources of starter. In these yoghurt samples, there were significant differences between amount of EPS and physical properties of yoghurts. There was also a significant correlation between EPS content and physical properties of each sample.

Since malting process of barley is greatly affected by the seed endosperm structure, getting information about its anatomical characteristics along with physico-chemical properties would be very important. The aim of this study was to measure length, width, thickness, kernel density, bulk density, porosity, total nitrogen, reducing sugar, diastatic activity, pH and color changes during malting process. Results showed that width, thickness, reducing sugar and diastatic activity of the samples increased over the malting time, whereas kernel density, bulk density and total nitrogen decreased (P<0.05). Scanning electron microscopic examination of barley endosperm revealed a significant relationship between grain total nitrogen and degree of endosperm modification. Because of lower nitrogen content in Sahra malt, more digestion of cell walls and protein matrix of endosperm walls were observed.

Salad dressing is a semisolid emulsion and a colloidal system with high consumer demand. Food polysaccharides (e.g starch) are used in the formulation of salad dressing to improve its physical properties and sensory attributes. In this research, 10% mixture of wheat or maize starches were used to produce pregelatinized starches by a double drum drier, followed by milling and sieving. The pregelatinized starches (10%) were applied in the formulation of a salad dressing instead of native starch. Viscosity (at 25 and 35oC), Hunter color parameters of the samples were evaluated and compared. Pregelatinized starches were more effective in increasing viscosity of the samples compared to corresponding native starches, and the effect of maize starch was greater than wheat starch. Significant differences were recorded in terms of color parameters of the samples. Pregelatinized starch caused higher L values (lighter samples) while the native starch samples were creamy-light yellow. In general, it can be concluded that the pregelatinized starches had better functional properties in salad dressing compared to native starches, and the produced pregelatinized starches can be used instead of native starch in the formulation of salad dressing.

In this study, two kinds of packages namely tinplate (TP) can and flexible pouch were used for black cherry in syrup. Samples were taken in the same condition in these two packages. Other variables were temperature (4 levels) 4, 23, 35 and 40°C and time (4 levels) 0, 30, 60 and 90 days after preparation of the samples. Samples were digested according to the approved method of AOAC (AOAC, 1990). The total concentrations of Iron, Tin and lead, were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The mean concentration of Iron, Tin and Lead was 4.858 ppm, 38.459 ppb, 38.459ppb in TP cans and 3.161 ppm, 387.978ppb, 33.993 ppb in flexible pouches. Statistical analysis showed that at %5 probability level, the mean value of Iron content of the product packed in TP cans were significantly higher than the control; the same was true about both lead and Tin content. However, this trend was not proved in flexible pouches. Furthermore, temperature had a significant effect on the metal content of the samples.

In this study, the effect of “Osmodehydrofrozen” fruit addition on sensory, physical, chemical and microbiological properties of concentrated yoghurt and its quality during storage was evaluated. This research was done in two stages. At the first stage, fruit percentage, type and addition time (before and after fermentation) was determined. The results indicated yoghurts containing 10% apple or 13% strawberry, which was added before fermentation had a better quality. Because of high osmotic activity of apple, the synersis was lower in apple yoghurt in comparison with strawberry yoghurt. According to osmotic activity of both fruits, the synersis value was much lower than that of fruit yoghurts, which contained untreated fruits. Taste value was higher in strawberry yoghurt and texture and mouth feel values were higher at low percentages of fruit. The results of the second stage (quality evaluation during storage) indicated that storage had a significant effect on pH, acidity, synersis, taste and texture (P<0.05). In samples which contained apple, coli forms disappeared after 7 days of storage. In samples that contained strawberry, coli forms disappeared after 7 days of storage.

Crystallization is an important phenomenon that affects some quality attributes such as appearance, texture and shelf life in many food materials. Sugar crystallization is a major challenge for dried fruits such as figs with low moisture levels and high sugar contents. In this study, the effect of glycerol and glucose syrup (DE=38) on the amount of sugar crystallization in figs with different moisture contents was investigated using X-ray diffraction. The addition of glycerol and glucose syrup increased equilibrium moisture content and reduced sugar crystallization significantly. In the presence of glycerol, sugar crystallization was one third of the control. Glycerol also had greater effect compared to glucose syrup. Changes observed due to the presence of glycerol and glucose syrup could be attrinuted to the hygroscopic behavior of these additives and their ability to keep more water at a specific water activity.

In this work, a cabinet solar dryer for thin layer drying of Cuminum cyminum was evaluated in two conditions (Indirect and Mixed). Four levels of drying air flow rates (three active and one passive) were adopted. The experiments were performed in a completely randomized Block design pattern in three replications. Drying durations were kept constant (90 min) for all the experiments. Average initial moisture content of Cuminum cyminum was 43.5% (db) and the product was set to be dried for 90min in the solar dryer (average 8%d.b). The effects of the drying air flow rates and modes of drying were highly significant in final moisture content of Cuminum cyminum. Duncan test was selected to evaluate the effects of different factors on average moisture content of the samples. The results showed that the passive air flow system in mixed mode drying conditions for drying the Cuminum cyminum was best. The drying duration for the mentioned condition was 55min to dry the product from 43.5% to 8% (db). The experiments were conducted each sunny day of August-September 2007 from 11.30 till 13.The average solar irradiance was recorded 750 W/m2; average ambient air temperature was 32oC; and average ambient relative humidity was 20%. Using the dryer in the best selected conditions reduced the moisture content of the product from 43.5% to 4.95% after 90 min.

The objective of this research was to predict head rice yield (HRY) in fluidized bed dryer using artificial neural network approaches. Several parameters considered here as input variables for artificial neural network affect operation of fluidized bed dryers. These variables include: air relative humidity, air temperature, inlet air velocity, bed depth, initial moisture content, final moisture content and inlet air temperature. In aggregate, 274 drying experiments were conducted for creating training and testing patterns by a laboratory dryer. Samples were collected from dryer, and then dehulling and polishing operations were done using laboratory apparatus. HRY was measured at several different depths, average of which was considered as HRY for each experiment. Three networks and two training algorithms were used for training presented patterns. Results showed that the cascade forward back propagation algorithm with topology of 7-13-7-1 and Levenberg-Marquardt training algorithm and activation function of Sigmoid Tangent predicted HRY with determination coefficient of 95.48% and mean absolute error 0.019 in different conditions of fluidized bed paddy drying method. Results showed that the input air temperature and final moisture content has the most significant effect on HRY.

Sugar beet cyst forming nematode (Heterodera schachtii) is one of the most important pathogens of the sugar beet in Iran. For biological control of Heterodera schachtii, 10 isolates of Trichoderma related to two species T. harzianum and T. virens were examined in laboratory and green house on eggs and cysts for two years. Results obtained from the laboratory assay showed that isolates of Trichoderma parasitized 60% eggs on average. Among them two isolates T. harzianum Bi and T. virens VM1with % 76.18 and %72.55 parasitism, respectively, showed more efficiency compared with the control. In green house, experiments were carried out in autoclaved and non autoclaved soils (field soils) separately with 12 treatments and 3 replications including non infested control (using Ragbi nematicide in field soils experiment), and infested control treated with isolates of Trichoderma using Randomized Complete Design. Then analysis of variance for the bio-control potential of isolates, final population of nematode, fresh and dry root weight, fresh and dry leaves weight inoculated with isolates of Trichoderma was carried out. The results revealed a significant difference (P<0.05) between treatments and control according to Duncan,s Multiple Range Test. T. harzianum Bi and T. virens VM1 decreased population of nematodes, and increased yield in autoclaved and field soils. In autoclaved soils, the two isolates (T. harzianum Bi and T. virens VM1) decreased population of nematodes by %76.68 and %72.65, respectively compared with the control. The Ragbi nematicide, T. harzianum Bi and T. virens VM1 decreased population of nematodes by %81.65, %75.15 and %72.85, respectively compared with the control in field soils experiments.

A comprehensive study is underway now to determine the predicting factors of rice blast and its loss assessment in Guilan province. In a preliminary study, the effect of climatic factors on spores population and forecasting the disease were considered. So, during cultivation season of 2006 and 2007, some fields were chosen five kilometers away from weather stations in three regions of Guilan, including, Rasht, Lahijan and Anzali, and the daily spore population was measured on slides. Climatic data including precipitation (mm), maximum and minimum daily temperature, maximum and minimum daily humidity and sunny hours were obtained from weather stations. Then the relation between spore population and weather data was analyzed, and the most important climatic factors affecting spore population and predicting of rice blast were determined. It was concluded that climatic factors such as precipitation (mm), maximum daily temperature, minimum daily humidity and sunny hours are the most important factors for predicting rice blast in Guilan province. Spore population was positively correlated with precipitation, increase of daily minimum humidity, decrease of daily maximum temperature and decrease of sunny hours. The blast disease occurred in the fields during next 7 to10 days.

Land and its size are important as the most basic factors of production in agriculture .Fragmentation is one of the main problems that rice producers of Mazandaran province are confronted with. Non-efficiency in farm management, inability in effective using of agriculture technology and machinery, and low range productivity of production are all related to land fragmentation. In order to overcome the problems and consequences originating from land fragmentation, specialists recommend the logical solution of land consolidation process, which is a basic strategy for changing the farm size. The purpose of this research was to identify and determine effective factors in land consolidation adoption by rice producers in Mazandaran province by using Logit Regression model. In this study, 150 rice producers from 5 villages have been investigated since 2007. Results show that variables of education, land quality, fragment distance and extension effort (learning programs) are the most important factors in land consolidation adoption by rice producers in this province (Sig=1%). Also, number of the household and credit support are the next factors affecting in land consolidation adoption (Sig=5%). I t must be noted that other variable such as age, farmer’s income, children education, experience of rice producers, cultivation area, membership in cooperatives, land situation, number of pieces and technical supports were not significantly involved.

In this study the causality relationship among variables in chicken and beef markets were investigated based on annual data from 1974 to 2004 in the I.S. of Iran. For this purpose, causality algorithms emerging from directed acyclic graphs were used in two cases, one based on co- integration analysis and innovation correlation matrix of Vector Error Correction Model (VECM) and the other using data directly. In the investigation of causality process, PC algorithm based on partial correlations and GES (Greedy Equivalent Search) based on Bayesian network model were used. The results revealed that there is no specific causality relation between chicken and beef consumption and their price indices. Thus it seems other variables and government interventions are effective factors in these markets. Therefore, this model is an instrument for forecasting changes of these variables. In these markets there are causality relations among price indices, quantities of consumption and other variables. Beef price index as endogenous variable, is under the effect of chicken price index, non meat food price index, non food price index, per capita expenditure and quantity of chicken consumption. The quantity of beef consumption is predetermined and isn’t under the effect of other variables. Chicken price index is endogenous and under the effect of beef price index, per capita expenditure and non food price index. Also chicken quantity consumption is endogenous and under the effect of beef quantity consumption and non meat food price index. With respect to the findings, for effectiveness, policy initiatives aimed at improving in meat industry should be different for different meat markets and the method of directed graphs can be used a s a guideline.

Risk and uncertainty have an important role in determining farmers' goals and their decision making. Risk affects optimal use of inputs and production efficiency. Using production inputs especially new inputs is one of the effective factors in production risk; hence, it is necessary to obtain information about inputs use risk in order to find solution to risk management. For investigating effect of inputs use on production risk of rice crop in Gilan province, a quadratic form of production function was applied. Mean production function indicates constant return to scale. Also, risk production function shows increasing acreage and use of fertilizer cause increase in production risk of rice crop. Therefore, consolidating program of rice acreages and policy of paying subsidies to fertilizer input should be managed by considering producers' conditions.

Deforestation has been recognized as one of the biggest environmental problems in the world. It is also one of the main elements of land productivity changes and one of the biggest factors which threaten world's environmental diversity. In this study, based on environmental Kuznets theory, factors which may affect deforestation have been investigated. Results obtained from 71 studied countries show that environmental Kuznets curve was not true for them. Population growth helps the speed of deforestation while higher rate of GDP growth decreases its rate. Institutions which help with the improvement of democracy, individual assets, civil right and political liberty can decrease the pressure on natural recourses and deforestation.

In this study, marketing situation, problems and services of Dutch Roses was investigated in Isfahan province as a main rose producing region in Iran. In this context, marketing margin, share of marketing agents in marketing margin, marketing cost coefficients and marketing efficiency were calculated and marketing path and marketing services of roses flower including harvesting, transportation, packing, sorting and standardization in major path were investigated. The data used in this study were gathered through completing questionnaires from 38 producers, wholesalers (cut flowers distributors) and retailers (flower sellers) and by interviewing four consulting companies in Dutch Roses production and marketing. The results indicated that 56.5 percent of producers are only engaged with production activities and not exporting flowers to either foreign countries or the other provinces in the country. In the main path, average coefficient of technical efficiency (78.17%) was found to be higher than that of price efficiency (34.67%) and based on the marketing efficiency, 108 Rial value added can be achieved from each 100 Rial marketing services cost.

The objective of this study was to investigate the demand of food and nonfood commodities among urban and rural households. To this aim, an appropriate functional form and approximation index were established. Then, Deaton and Mulbaer Iterative (DMI) approach as a linear approximation of Almost Ideal Demand System was used. The study horizon was also 1362-1383 (1983-2004). The findings revealed that for urban households housing, fuel, power and furniture, household operations and entertainment, education and food, beverages, tobacco are considered necessary. While clothing, footwear and medical care and transport, communication and other goods are consumed as superior commodities. For urban households, a weak complementary and substitution relation among selected commodities was recognized. In the case of rural households clothing, footwear and food, beverages, tobacco were revealed to be necessary, while housing, fuel, power and medical care and entertainment, education were found superior. For the rural households only furniture and house operation was found elastic. The compensated and uncompensated self price elasticizes were similar regarding the sign and magnitude coefficients for rural and urban households.

In the present study, grey fuzzy programming model was used for determination of cropping pattern in central part of Quchan city. The needed data was collected from Almachigh Research Center for the year 2008. Result showed that, current cultivated area of irrigated wheat, irrigated barley and alfalfa is more than and rain-fed barley is less than the represented interval upper and lower limits, respectively. Rain-fed wheat and sugar beet was within the represented intervals. Furthermore, the grey degree of solution set from grey programming was decreased about 48 percent by applying grey fuzzy programming approach. According to the findings, it is recommended that cultivated area is decreased for irrigated wheat, irrigated barley and alfalfa and increased for the rain-fed barley.

Determination of suitable species is the most important factor in success of forestation in unfavorable conditions. One of the least costly and the shortest ways for introduction of adaptable species in an area is recognition of the plants that grow naturally. The objective in this study was to find out the effects of protection and water spreading operations on the quantitative improvement of Greek Juniper seedlings. In this study, the areas of water spreading station (Research station of Poshtkoh Water spreading) and an area in western section of water spreading station (an area as control) along the Poshtkoh watershed were chosen. The research was performed on counting of Greek Juniper (Juniper excelsa) in each of two areas. The ratio estimation method was used in a randomized systematic design in strips with the width of 50 meters and 200 meters apart for registration of qualitative parameters of Greek Juniper (Juniper excelsa). The total surface of areas was 600 ha and inventory with intensity of 16 percent has been done. This study showed that in spite of the less number of Greek juniper trees per ha in the station (0/104) in relation to the number of Greek juniper trees per hectare out of the station (0/666), the number of the Greek juniper seedlings in the station was eight times (8.34) more than the number of the Greek juniper seedlings out of the station. As to the effect of protection and water spreading operations on natural growth and increase of number of Greek Juniper seedlings in the station, forestation using this species in this area is recommended.

Population of Persian gazelle has been declining in recent decades and as a result, this species was added to the IUCN list of threatened species in 2006. However, there is paucity of ecological data about this species within its range. Mooteh Wildlife Refuge is one of the best habitats of Persian gazelle in Iran where one of the biggest populations of this species live. Habitat selection by threatened Persian gazelle was studied in three seasons in Mouteh wildlife refuge. Habitat use was related to plant communities and plant vegetation variables using clearance transect pellet group counts carried out every 45th day. The effects of water resources and disturbance by man and livestock were controlled. Habitat selection was significantly different between seasons and plant communities. Salt bearing clay soils with a high diversity of holophyte plants were mostly used particularly over winter, while Artemisia- Zygophyllum community was avoided in all seasons. Minimal models resulting from multiple regression retained a number of vegetation variables in each season including a negative effect of Tamarix sp. and Alhaji camelorum and a positive effect of Halocnemum strobilaceum and Salsola dendroide in autumn and winter. It is concluded that selection of habitat by Persian gazelle changes by seasons and that salt-bearing soils and Artemisia-Salsola community are the most important habitats for gazelles in Mouteh Wildlife Refuge.

This research was carried out to improve the growth and performance of Arizona cypress (Cupressus arizonica) and Medite cypress (C. sempervirens var. horizantalis) seedlings in different combinations of organic matter in nursery of Koloudeh, located in Amol city (north of Iran). Seeds in plastic pots were sown as a completely randomized design (RCD) with four replications at different soil treatments including: T1) nursery soil (control), T2) control soil: cattle manure (5:1), T3) control soil: decomposited litter (5:1), T4) control soil: cattle manure: decomposited litter (5:1:1). The results after one year showed that the seedlings of both species grown on T4 obtained the greatest shoot height, collar diameter, seedling Vigor Index, shoot dry weight, root dry weight, total dry weight and seedling Quality Index (QI) among all the soils examined. The response of most attributes to soil was better in Cupressus arizonica than in C. sempervirens. It is concluded that organic matter caused the increase of growth and biomass of seedlings in both species. It can be proposed that in order to enhance the performance and improvement of Quality Index of seedlings in nurseries, the status of physico-chemical of soil-media should be seriously evaluated.

Forest future depends on forest stands regeneration. Soil is one of the principal capitals in the forest area. It is important to minimize damages to the forest ecosystem during logging operation. In forestry and forest management, it is significant to know the effect of forest logging damages on regeneration, sapling and soil compaction. This study was carried out in Asalem Beech forest area, in the north of Iran. The forest was harvested by selective cutting method. A systematic and randomized sampling method was used for data collection. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) techniques and binomial distribution were used for data analysis. The results showed 14.5±0.99 percent of regeneration and saplings of forest stands were destroyed and damaged by logging operations with 20 m3/ha intensity per year. 9.12±0.83 percent of saplings were totally destroyed and 5.3±0.63 percent were damaged. These damages were caused due to felling, accumulating, skidding and landing. Soil bulk density in range of 0-10 cm depth, logging and skid trails areas were increased 17.54 and 35.61 percent, respectively. To reduce logging damages and soil compaction in forestry, and manage the forest, we need a suitable organization of timber extraction operation, careful designing and standard construction of skid trails on the basis of logging maps before felling the trees down.