Journal of Soil Management and Sustainable Production
Year:2018 | Volume:8 | Issue:1 |Papers Count:10

Background and Objectives: Soil and water salinity is considered an important limiting factor for growth in many parts of the world especially in arid and semi-arid areas. Plant growth is restricted by salt stress like many other abiotic stresses. According to the relative tolerance of pistachio plant to salinity and large areas of saline soils in the country, it seems that pistachio is a suitable plant for cultivation in these areas. Since the production and activity of plant hormones such as cytokinins is influenced by environmental stresses and nutrient elements and considerig the soil salinity of pistachio orchards in kerman province and the important role of nitrogen in the production and exportation of cytokinin from roots to shoots this research for the first time investigates the role of benzyl adenine hormone (cytokinin) and nitrogen under salt stress on physiological parameters and osmotic regulators of pistachio seedlings (Pistachia vera L. ). Materials and Methods: In order to evaluate the effect of different levels of nitrogen and benzyl adenine on some physiological and osmotic regulators parameters of pistachio seedlings, cv. Badami Zarand in saline conditions (sodium chloride), a factorial experiment was carried out in a completely randomized design with three replications in the greenhouse. Treatments were consisted of salinity (0 and 2000 mg NaCl per kg soil), nitrogen (0 and 100 mg N kg-1 soil as NH4No3) and benzyl adenine hormone (0, 250 and 500 mg l-1). Results: The results showed that application of 500 mg per liter benzyl adenine under salt stress increased dry weight of plant more than 2 folds compared to control. Also, with increasing salinity, the content of chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and total chlorophyll was decreased. However application of nitrogen and benzyl adenine together, increased these parameters by 77, 72 and 52 percent, respectively. Also, carotenoids are affected by the treatments were increased by 78 percent. Although salinity reduced chlorophyll fluorescence index 31 percent, the application of nitrogen and 500 mg per liter benzyl adenine together could improve somewhat the effects of salinity and increased this photosynthetic parameter by 43 percent. Also, the results showed that proline and soluble sugars contents (osmotic regulators) increased with application of nitrogen and benzyl adenine (500 mg per liter), but combined application of these treatments increased osmotic regulators content by 78 and 59 percent compared to control, respectively. The ratio of K/Na and Ca/Na were also significantly reduced with increasing salinity, but application of 500 mg per liter benzyl adenine increased these parameters by 100 and 40 percent, respectively. Conclusion: According to the results, it is concluded that the nitrogen and benzyl adenine with improving of physiological and osmotic regulators parameters, increased the ability of pistachio seedlings to resistance to salinity stress and thus recommended to performe this test on maturity pistachio trees and if increase the quality and quantity of product to be recommended to farmers.

Background and Objectives: Biochar is a carbon-rich material that is obtained by heating organic feedstock in a limited or absence of oxygen. In general, biochar stimulates soil microbial activity by improvements in soil physiochemical properties such as increasing cation exchange capacity, altering soil pH and direct addition of nutrients, porosity and water holding capacity. Pyrolysis temperature and soil texture are the significant factors affecting soil responses to biochar application. However, there are very limited studies on biochar impact on chemical and microbiological properties of calcareous soils. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of corn biochars obtained at different temperatures on the chemical and microbiological characteristics of two calcareous soils with sandy and clayey texture. Materials and Methods: The soils used in this study were sampled from the surface layer at two different sites around Karaj city, Alborz province, Iran. Corn raw material and biochars produced at 200, 400 and 600 º C were mixed at 0. 5 and 1% (w/w) with the soils and incubated for 90 days. Soil chemical parameters such as pH and electrical conductivity, organic matter, inorganic nitrogen, available K and P; microbiological characteristics including substrate-induced respiration, microbial biomass carbon and enzyme activities (protease, saccharase, catalase and fluorescein diacetate hydrolysis) were measured. Results: The results showed that with increasing pyrolysis temperature, biochar pH (10-97%), ash content (378-75%), specific surface area (214-1472%), carbon content (19-54%) and carbon enrichment factor (20-54%) were increased, while the cation exchange capacity (12-45%), concentration of hydrogen (76-9%) and volatile matter (16-70%) were reduced. Biochar application increased soil pH (2-5%), electrical conductivity (8-66%), organic matter (36-161%), ammoniumnitrogen (6-28%), available potassium (12-40%), substrate-induced respiration (50-216%), catalase activity (34-320%), saccharase (26-476%), protease (3-186%) and hydrolysis of fluorescein diacetate (27-280%) relative to the control, whereas nitrate-nitrogen (10-77%) and available phosphorus (23-86%) tended to decrease with biochar addition. Increasing pyrolysis temperature increased soil pH (1-11%), electrical conductivity (1-38%), organic matter (18-179%), available phosphorus (2-150%), available potassium (5-25%) when compared with the raw corn residues, while decreased ammonium-nitrogen (7-43%), nitrate-nitrogen (10-77%), microbial biomass carbon (4-27%), substrate-induced respiration (2-39%), catalase activity (21-54%), saccharase (3. 7-62%), protease (0-54%) and fluorescein diacetate hydrolysis (21-60%). Conclusions: The findings demonstrated that the positive effect of biochar application on soil chemical and microbiological properties depends upon its application rate, soil texture and the soil attributes involved. The most desirable effect of corn biochars on soil chemical and microbiological properties was observed at 1% application rate in sandy soil. Of the evaluated soil variables, enzyme activity showed the greatest response to biochar application. In brief, biochar is a valuable soil amendment with a positive effect on soil quality in arid and semi-arid environments. Therefore, biochar application is recommended for increasing soil organic matter pool and consequently improving chemical and microbiological conditions of calcareous soils in Iran.

Background and Objectives: Contamination of soil and plants with heavy elements including zinc, due to industrial activities, might have significant adverse effects on human health. Industrial factories and mines, fertilizers, pesticides and waste water are the most important sources of water, soil and plants contaminations. In Zanjan province, there is a wide range of zinc processing and production factories and mining activities that can contaminate soil, water and plants. The aim of this study was to investigate the zinc concentration of the soil, shoot and root and zinc translocation factor (TF) in dominant rangeland plants (Hulthemia persica and Chenopodium album) in different distances and directions from factory. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted as factorial in a completely randomized design with three replication. The experimental treatments included three directions (northeast, east and west of the factory), six different distances from the factory (0-250, 250-500, 500-7500, 750-1000, 1000-1250, 12500-1500 meters) and two plants (Hulthemia persica and Chenopodium album). The soil and plant samples were collected from the selected sites. Shoot and root samples were digested by concentrated nitric acid and available zinc in soil was extracted by DTPA. The zinc concentrations were measured by atomic absorption spectroscopy. Results: The results showed that the effect of direction and distance from the factory was significant on zinc concentration of shoot and root and also translocation factor, (P<0. 01). The highest zinc concentration in shoot and root was 1125 and 1322 (mg/kg dry matter) in the northeast direction, in the range of 0 to 250 meters from the factory. The lowest zinc concentration in the shoot and roots was 7 and 30 (mg/kg dry matter) in the west, in the range of 1250 to 1500 meters from the factory. The highest amount of TF (1. 46) was observed in Chenopodium album in the range of 1250-1500 meters in the northeast and the lowest TF (0. 22) was in Hulthemia persica, in the range of 1250-1500 meters in the west direction. The directions×distances×plants interaction on zinc concentration of shoot, root and also TF were significantly (P<0. 01). Conclusion: In the northeast direction (dominant wind), plant and soil pollution was mostly influenced by wind. The main contamination factors of the soil and plant at distances close to the factory were waste water and waste in the east and west direct, respectively. Hulthemia persica, with a broad and thick root system, was able to absorb more zinc and transfer it to the shoot part. But in the northeast direction, the atmospheric deposition of the factory played an important role in soil and plant contamination. Chenopodium album with high vegetation biomass absorbed more zinc from the air in its shoot than Hulthemia persica with rough and blubber stems. For this reason, in the dominant wind direction, the TF was also found in the Chenopodium album at as far from distances higher than Hulthemia persica. Therefore, the absorption of atmospheric zinc was higher in Chenopodium album. In waste disposal areas, Hulthemia Persica had a more translocation factor.

Background and Objectives: The use of organic and inorganic amendments is one of the effective methods for reducing the deleterious effects of heavy metals in contaminated soils and their immobilization. Addition of biochar as an organic soil amendment may change some soil chemical properties and provides suitable condition for immobilization of heavy metals in soil. Also, zeolite is a porous alkali alumino-silicate mineral that its application as an inorganic modifier is developing particularly in stabilizing of heavy metals in soil. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of biochar (derived from different organic materials) and natural zeolite application and their interaction on immobilization of zinc in a Zn-contaminated calcareous soil. Materials and Methods: The appropriate amount of soil from the surface horizon (0-30 cm) of a calcareous soil, was collected, air dried and passed through 2 mm sieve. Then, the amount of 400 mg kg-1 Zn supplied as ZnSO4, 7 H2O was added to each soil sample (200 g). A factorial experiment in a completely randomized design was done with three replications. Factors included zeolite at three levels (0 (Z0), 3% (Z1) and 6% (Z2) (w/w)) and biochar at six levels (without biochar application (C), wheat straw biochar (WSB), corn straw biochar (CSB), licorice root pulp biochar (LRB), rice husk biochar (RHB) and sheep manure biochar (SMB) each at 3% (w/w)). Contaminated soil samples were treated according to the experimental design and were kept for 90 days at room temperature (22± 2 º C) and about field capacity moisture with distilled water. To evaluate the effectiveness of applied amendment materials in soil for immobilization of zinc, the sequential extraction procedure (sing et al, 1988), mobility factor (salbu and kreckling, 1998) and the parameters of two-first order kinetic model (Q1, Q2 and Q3) (Santos et al., 2010) were used. Results: with increasing zeolite levels from Z0 to Z2, the concentration of soluble-exchangeable (WEx), carbonatic (Car), organic (Om) and FeMn-Oxides fractions were decreased significantly while residual (Res) form of Zn was significantly increased. Application of all biochars significantly caused the decrease of WEx, Car and MnOxides (MnOx) forms in soil while crystalline Fe oxides (CFeOx) fraction was significantly increased compared to control (C). Res fraction was also increased significantly as influenced by different biochars application compared to control, so that, the impact of WSB, CSB, RHB and SMB treatments were similar and more than LRB treatment. The mobility factor (MF) value in different biochar treatments were as: C > LRB > RHB > CSB > SMB > WSB. Combined treatment of WSB and Z2 (WSBZ2), had the lowest MF of Zn in soil. The Q1 parameter of the kinetic model had significant and positive correlations with WEx and Car forms of Zn while Q3 and Q2 parameters had a significant and positive correlation with MnOx, FeOx and Res fractions. Furthermore, with application of all five biochars and increasing zeolite percentage, Q1/Q3 and Q2/Q3 ratios were significantly decreased compared to control. The lowest values of Q1/Q3 and Q2/Q3 ratios were observed in CSBZ2 and WSBZ2 combined treatments respectively. Conclusions: application of all biochars and zeolite levels, led to the redistribution of Zn in soil, so that, Zn was transformed from more available forms to more stable forms. According to the results, it seems that the combined application of WSB and zeolite (Z2) was the best treatment to stabilize Zn in the studied soil.

Background and Objectives: Study of soil diversity leads to an increase of awareness of the conditions and factors creating of diversity in the region. During soil evolution, soil development occurred by progressive and regressive pedogenic pathways and exogenic and endogenic factors, processes and conditions and consequently, it leads to the formation of diversity soils. Effect and intensity of exogenic (environmental) and endogenic (pedogenic processes) factors on soil diversity is distinct in different environments. This study explores the efficiency of diversity indices in expression of soil diversity in environments with external and internal factors. Materials and Methods: The landforms differentiation was done by Google Earth Software and field excursion and then, 23 profiles were drilled, described and sampled. Some soil properties including pH, EC, CEC, soil texture, percentage of gypsum, lime and organic matter were measured and the soils were classified by using soil temperature and moisture regime and USDA (2014). Separation of two study areas; Kerman and Lalehzar, was done by using digital elevation map and hydrological properties and also, ENVI and ARCMAP softwares. Based on the indices of Domartin, Gower and Jaccard, dissimilarity of soil forming factors of climate, topography and parent material was identified in Kerman and Lalehzar regions, respectively. The diversity indices of richness, evenness, Shannon and Simpson were calculated. Then, comparison of soil diversity in two study regions was carried out by using the classical statistics in a specified confidence limit. Finally, the relationship between sample size and landforms area was used for identification of the relative importance of internal and external resources in soil diversity. Results: The results showed the presence of different and diverse soils in both areas. Sharp difference of soil forming factors climate, topography and parent material has led to formation of different soils in two study areas. Histosols and Mollisols are locally composed in Lalehzar region. The results showed that soil diversity increase according to soil taxonomy hierarchy in USDA system. In different landforms, the maximum diversity was observed in piedmont plain and in soil family level. Despite the ability of Shannon and Simpson indices to display soil diversity based on taxonomic hierarchy, Simpson index has statistically more performance than to Shannon index. The Simpson diversity index was significantly difference in two study areas. The ratio of 􀯕 􀯜 􀯕 obtained 1. 26 for Kerman and 0. 46 for Lalehzar, that is stated the effect of inherent and environmental factors on soil evolution in Kerman and Lalehzar, respectively. Conclusion: In large spatial scale, the effect of environmental factors on soil evolution is clearer than inherent factors and with decreasing of spatial scale, the effect of inherent factors is specified. Diversity indices are powerful in the presentation of quantitatively soil diversity and provide useful information for soil mapping and optimum soil management.

Background and Objectives: The rhizospher, a soil-root interface, is a dynamic microcosm where interact microorganisms, plant roots and soil constituents. Trees pruning waste by turning into biochar and compost and adding to soil improves the physical, chemical and biological properties of the soil. Another approach to availability is to use the potential microorganisms such as Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. Considering that rhizospher studies have beneficial results. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of wheat rhizosphere treated with biochar and compost prepared from trees pruning and mycorrhizal inoculation on availability of macronutrient in rhizobox condition. Materials and Methods: This study was carried out in a factorial based on completely randomized design under greenhouse condition in rhizobox. The factors including organic sources (pruning waste biochar, pruning waste compost and control), mycorrhizal inoculation (Glomus fasciculatum and non-inoculation) and soil (rhizosphere and non-rhizosphere soil). For this purpose, a soil sample with light texture was prepared. Biochars produced from temperature of approximately 350° C. Also, compost was prepared from the research greenhouse department of soil science of Urmia University. The plant was planted in Rizobox at 20*15*20 cm (length, width and height). In order to greenhouse tests, the biochar and compost added to the boxes in terms of 1. 5% pure organic carbon (each box containing 5. 80 kg of soil). For plant cultivation, wheat seeds (Triticum aestivum L. ) cultivar Pishtaz were grown in rhizobaxes. At the end of the growth period, pH and EC (1: 5, soil: water), organic carbon by walkley-black method, The percentage of mycorrhizal colonization, Nitrogen, Potassium, Phosphorus in rhizosphere and non-rhizosphere soils and content macronutrients in the plant were determined. Results: The results showed that the highest pH was in biochar (7. 88) non-mycorrhizal inoculation. The amount of OC, N, P and K in compost treatment with mycorrhizal inoculation were significantly higher than other treatments. Compost treatments in comparison with biochar provided more contents of EC, OC, N, P and K in the rhizosphere and non-rhizosphere. Mycorrhizal inoculation increased the availability of P and K by 1. 70 and 1. 16 times in non-rhiozospher soil, compared to the rhizosphere. However, the content N in the rhizosphere soil of the mycorrhizal inoculation treatment was 1. 19 times higher than non-rhizosphere soil. The higher uptake of N, P and K by plant in inoculum of mycorrhiza biochar increased 48. 1, 39. 6 and 38. 8% compared to the control, respectively. Conclusion: The use of organic materials significantly changed the chemical properties of the rhizosphere and increased the availability of nutrients in calcareous soils. Ultimately, they increase availability of nutrients in plants. Also, the use of rizhobox method by adding organic matter along with mycorrhizal inoculation could justify the microbial-rhizospheric processes in relation to the availability of nutrients. It can be concluded that the application of biochar and compost in mycorrhizal inoculations leads to an increase in the nutrients availibity in soils and plant.

Background and Objectives: Micronutrient deficiency like Zinc is one of the common problems in worldwide soils especially calcareous soils. Therefore, application of new methods including Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles is increasing to improve nutritional status of this element in crops. Many studies showed that ZnO Nanoparticles application lead to increase of plant yield. Thus, present study was conducted to investigate ZnO Nanoparticles effects on yield, concentration and uptake of Zn in root, shoot and grain of wheat under greenhouse cultivation in a calcareous soil. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted in greenhouse condition as a completely randomized design with three replications. Treatment consisted of three levels of Zinc Nanoparticles (100, 200 and 300 mg. kg-1), ZnSO4 (40 kg. ha-1) and Control. During the experiment, some parameters such as plant height and chlorophyll index were measured. At the end of cultivation period, dry weight and Zn concentration of root, shoot and grain was determined using Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy. Moreover, pH and soil available zinc was measured using pH meter and DTPA. Results: The amount of soil available Zinc in all levels of ZnO Nanoparticles was significantly (P<0. 01) increased compared to control. The maximum amount of soil available Zn was observed in level of 300 mg. kg-1 ZnO Nanoparticles with 52. 73% increment compared to control. The sequence of shoot and root yield, concentration and uptake of Zn in treatments was as follow: ZnSO4 < ZnO NPs100 < ZnO NPs200 < ZnO NPs300. The maximum yield of root, shoot and grain was obtained in level of 300 mg. kg-1 of ZnO Nanoparticles with 43. 02, 24. 91 and 37. 08% increment compared to control, respectively. The maximum concentration of Zn was observed in root and shoot in level of 300 mg. kg-1 of ZnO Nanoparticles with 62. 11 and 111. 19% increment compared to control, respectively., maximum concentration and uptake of Zn of grain was observed in level of 300 mg. kg-1 of ZnO Nanoparticles. Conclusions: The results showed that application of ZnO Nanoparticles increased yield, concentration and uptake of Zn in root and shoot of Wheat. Therefore, application of nanoparticles can be considered as one of the new methods for improving yield and quality of crops and reducing the use of chemical fertilizers.

Background and Objectives: Declining soil fertility in many developing countries, duo to continuous cropping systems and soil nutrient depletion without proper replacement has reduced soil production capacity. Organic matter improves the physical and chemical properties of soil, as well as increases the yield and the quality of the crops to achieve a sustainable agriculture. Sugar beet is one of the strategic crops in the West Azerbaijan region and is widely cultivated. Therefore, application of organic fertilizer in addition to increasing organic matter reduces soil bulk density and improves aggregates forming as well as water holding capacity. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of manure application on quantitative and qualitative characteristics of sugar beet. Materials and Methods: This research was carried out a randomized complete block design with six levels of manure application including 0, 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 t ha-1 with 4 replications. Physicochemical properties of soil (calcium carbonate equilibrium, pH, OC, EC, micro and macro elements, soil texture) and manure (micro and macronutrients, OC, pH, EC) was determined by standard methods. So, quantitative and qualitative characteristics of sugar beet including total sugar content, pure sugar content and molasses sugar content, Na, K and N content in root, alkalinity, sugar extraction coefficient, root yield and pure sugar and total sugar yield were determined in sugar beet samples. Results: Studied manure contain significant amounts of organic matter and available nutrients for plant. Application of different amounts of manure on all parameters except potassium was significant. The results showed that application of 50 ton ha-1 of manure significantly (31. 98%) increased root yield compared to control. The percentage of sugar decreased due to the manure application while increasing root yield compensate this reduction. In addition, application of manure caused reduction in sugar extract coefficient and alkalinity of beet root. Mean comparison showed that manure application increased net sugar yield. The highest (10. 48 t ha-1) and lowest net sugar yield (8. 41 t ha-1) were observed in 50 t ha-1 and control treatments, respectively. Conclusion: According to the results of this study, using manure in sustainable agricultural system can increase root yield. In spite of decreasing sugar percentage due to manure application, beet root yield significantly increased. Therefore, the use of manure in agricultural systems improve soil fertility and lead to sustainable production through declining fertilizer use.

Background and Objectives: Amelioration of saline-sodic soils using organic matter has been widely reported as a cheap and suitable technique. The reported studies showed that the incorporation of organic matter with saline-sodic soils increased the growth of salt tolerant plants by increasing soil nutrient content and the abundance of soil organisms. However, no study has been done on the effect of dissolve organic carbon (DOC) on reclamation of saline-sodic soil. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the role of DOC on amelioration of saline-sodic soil with clay texture. Materials and Methods: In this research, the ameliorative potential of DOC on some chemical properties, including the concentration of soluble cations and anions of saline-sodic soil with clay texture was studied in the Karfoon area (Mazandaran province). The DOC was extracted from sugarcane, poultry manure and cow manure by distilled water. Each DOC was applied at three concentrations (0, 100 and 200 mg/L) to the soil. The experiments were carried out in two stages including incubation and leaching. After each experiment the concentrations of Na+, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+ and Cl-were determined. Results: The results indicate that in the incubation experiment, application of DOC increased the concentration of soluble elements and electrical conductivity compared to the control, but decreased the pH. In the leaching experiment, the highest concentration of elements in the leachate was related to the soils which treated with higher concentrations of DOC (200 mg/L). The results from analysis of soil of columns after leaching experiment showed that in all soils treated with DOC, electrical conductivity and sodium adsorption ratio decreased compared to control, the highest reduction was observed in soils treated with 200 mg/L DOC extracted from sugarcane. Conclusion: Although the DOC increased the concentration of Na+, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+ and Cl-in the incubation experiment, the leaching of salts in the presence of DOC were enhanced. Hence, after the leaching experiment DOC derived from sugarcane at higher concentration remediated the saline-sodic soil. Therefore, this treatment can be recommended for remediation of saline-sodic soil in the studied region.

Background and Objectives: The salinity and sodicity of water and soil is one of the most effective factors in reducing the agronomic production. Incorrect management in irrigation, low drainage and the use of saline water in irrigation, were effective factors in making saline soil. This research was conducted to study the growth diagnosis of two varieties of rapeseed and also, to study the changes of physiochemical characteristics and some nutrient contents in different levels of SAR and salinity. Materials and Methods: In order to study the effect of salinity and SAR on the yield and physiological characteristics of rapeseed, an experiment was carried out with two varieties of rapeseed, named Talayeh and Okapy in three factorials at a completely randomized design (CRD) with four replications. In this experiment, salinity with 3 levels 0. 35(control), 6 and 12 dSm-1, SAR with 4 levels 0, 6, 12 and 18 from NaCl and CaCl2 were conducted. In this research, traits consisted of the SPAD index, the number of silique, grain weight, a+b chlorophyll, a/b chlorophyll, carotenoids, the content of Na, K and Ca were determined. Results: The result of the analysis of variance showed that the effect of variety on number of silique, SPAD index, chlorophyll a/b and Ca/Na ratio were significant, the effect of salinity in all of treats were significant, the interaction effect variety and salinity on grain weight, chlorophyll a/b ratio, carotenoids content and K/Na ratio were significant, the interaction effect of salinity and SAR on grain weight, chlorophyll a/b ratio, chlorophyll a+b content were significant. The comparison means of varieties showed in Talayeh variety SPAD index, chlorophyll a+b content K/Na ratio was better than Okapy variety, but silique number, grain weight, chlorophyll a/b ratio and Ca/Na ratio, in Okapy variety was better. The comparison means of salinity showed that with the increase in salinity levels, the SPAD index increased, while silique number and grain weight decreased. The comparison means of SAR showed with the increase in SAR, the SPAD index and Ca/Na ratio increased and the maximum rate obtained in SAR18, in other traits with the increase in SAR, decreased in contents. The investigation of the interaction effect of variety and salinity, in both of variety showed the grain weight in Talayeh was 2. 99 grams in pot, while this trait in Okapi was 3. 13 grams in pot. In the interaction effect of salinity and SAR, the lowest amount in grain weight was 2. 74 grams in pot at EC12 and SAR=18. Conclusion: Whereas salinity and SAR causes negative effects on the growth indices of rapeseed, this effect depends on the variety, also, in the traits studied these effects in Talayeh variety were less than those of Okapy. also with increasing in Calcium proportion at salinity source cause the reducing of bad effects in all traits. So in the high salinity water has high Ion calcium, can have better quality for use in agriculture.