JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (JAST)
Year:2019 | Volume:21 | Issue:6|Papers Count:20

Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) have affected all sectors including the agricultural sector. ICTs play an essential role in sharing knowledge and information and networking among different actors of the agricultural sector. Agricultural researchers, as the main actors of generating and developing knowledge and technology, need to use the unique capacities of ICTs. The current situation of access to ICTs and the extent and skill of agricultural researchers in using ICTs need to be evaluated to take advantage of this capacity. In this study, 141 researchers from six agricultural research institutes of Iran were selected by multi-stage random sampling method to survey their access, purpose, skill, and extent of using ICTs. The findings indicated that researchers had access to the main ICT tools such as computers and the Internet. Researchers mainly used ICTs for information acquisition, chatting and sending messages, and finding educational materials and resources. Most of the researchers use e-mails, search engines, and social networks every day. The primary skills of most researchers were good at working with computers. Job experience and skill in using ICTs explained 46. 7% of the variance of using ICTs.

The objectives of this investigation were to determine general background of farmers, their existing rice seed production condition, their perception of rice seed production standard, and constraints on farmers’ rice seed production. The sample of 66 selected rice farmers in Thamai Sub-District, Chumsaeng District, Nakhon Sawan Province was estimated using the formula developed by Arkin (1974) through multistage sampling technique. Data was obtained by interview schedule under close observation and in-depth discussion with key persons in the research site. The results revealed that average age of respondent was 48. 09 years. Average year of rice seed cultivation experience was 4. 36 years. The average size of owned land for seed cultivation was 3. 36 hectares. Total seed cultivation land, accounting for 74. 88%, was farmers’ owned land that they inherited from their parents. These can reduce the risk in farming because it is their own land. The results of assessment of farmers’ perception indicated that most of respondents had the required knowledge in seed production standard. They could answer correctly questions regarding rice seed production technology. Most of them had positive attitude toward the proposed standard practice. Nearly 60% of the respondents followed the right production practices. Farmers’ characteristics factors affecting seed yield were number of extension contact, farm media perception, and participation in community intervention program, respectively. The constraints in rice seed production improvement were high cost of inputs, high cost of fertilizer, low rice price, and climate variability, respectively.

The purpose of this study was to explain the current water governance at Gawshan Watershed Basin in Kermanshah Province and then provide an alternative conceptual framework for good governance of water resources at the basin scale. Participants were selected purposefully among the representatives of rival groups. Participatory workshop technique was used to collect data with the aid of interviews and focus group discussions. Analysis of the interviews led to classification of the challenges of water governance into several categories. These include the lack of participation, fairness, accountability, responsiveness, legitimacy, transparency and consensus-oriented processes. Then, water governance solutions were extracted based on the consensus among the participants. These include farmers’ contribution to decision-making processes regarding agricultural water consumption, empowering the local people to negotiate and manage conflicts, establishing a participatory mechanism to manage water conflict, holding training courses and workshops for staff to get acquainted with the principles of good governance, creating transparent and accessible information system by agricultural water section, and holding education-extension courses to increase information and awareness of the stakeholders in line with responsibility. Finally, a framework for good governance of water resources in the watershed basin was drawn up after linking the concepts.

Rural production cooperatives, as an effective tool for rural development, have an important role in increasing the capabilities of rural farmers. In order to achieve the goals, in addition to human, social, and economic support, cultural development is also needed. In this regard, this study aimed at investigating the impact of cultural capital on the empowerment of rural production cooperative members. The study was conducted in Amol, Iran. A total of 6, 150 members of 11 rural production cooperatives were selected as the statistical population of the study, and 300 of whom were selected as the study sample based on Cochran's formula. Data collection was done using a researcher-made questionnaire composed of two parts of cultural capital (embodied, objectified and institutionalized) and empowerment (psychological, social, and economic). The content validity of the questionnaire was confirmed by experts' opinions. Also, based on the Average Variance Extracted (0. 514> AVE< 0. 663) and Composite Reliability (0. 808> CR< 0. 966), the questionnaire had a convergent validity and appropriate reliability. SPSS16 and Smart PLS2 software were used to analyze the data. Results of the research showed that cultural capital had a significant impact on the psychological, social, and economic empowerment level of the members of the rural production cooperatives. According to the results, it is recommended that, by careful planning, sufficient benefits be gained from the potential of cultural capital in the future development policies of rural production cooperatives, so that an effective, though small, step can be taken toward development of the aforementioned cooperatives.

Fig and grape have a high position in job creation and foreign exchange earnings for Iran. Moreover, these two products also have the same international position in terms of production and exports. This study has examined and compared price discrimination in the two markets of fig and grape exports using Exchange Rate Pass-Through and Pricing To Market (PTM) behavior approaches. The econometric analysis using the Panel-Corrected Standard Errors (PCSE) model showed that fig exporters had the ability to discriminate prices in the Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, Sweden, and Russia. Furthermore, fig and grape have an equal position in terms of production and exports, but the power of exporters are more in the fig export market and have better conditions for applying price discrimination. Therefore, it is recommended that the principled export of agricultural products be adopted according to global consumer demand by identifying target markets. The results of the analysis of the asymmetric effects of exchange rates on fig's exports illustrate that these effects are symmetrical in the market of all countries; however, it is asymmetrical in exporting grapes to Singapore, Sweden, and Saudi Arabia.

In the last decades, an increasing interest has been granted to halophytes due to their high phenolic content, which have therapeutic potential in the treatment and/or management of human health. Therefore, it is important to measure the halophyte total polyphenol content correctly and to valorize their antioxidant capacity. Ethanol extracts from thirty halophytes were analyzed to evaluate the Total Phenol Content (TPC). We employed three testing methods to prove their antioxidant potentialities, including DPPH• (1-DiPhenyl-2-PicrylHydrazyl), ABTS• + (2, 20-Azino-Bis-3-ethylbenzoThiazoline-6-Sulfonic acid) and IRP (Iron Reducing Power) assays. Results showed that plants exhibited different TPC, which varied significantly from 411. 5 mg GAE g-1 DW in Cynomorium coccineum to 6. 02 mg GAE g-1 DW in Ammophila arenaria. Concerning antioxidant activities, data revealed that Cynomorium coccineum (IC50= 3. 82 μ g ml-1 versus ABTS• +) and Euphorbia paralias had the highest antiradical capacity (IC50= 0. 12 μ g ml-1 against DPPH• ) and exhibited the best efficient concentration with an EC50 value= 9. 57 μ g mL-1 for the IRP. Considering correlation between phenols and antioxidant tests, three groups were distinguished with a higher correlation coefficient between 0. 78 and 0. 98 for the first group. These data suggest the promising potentialities of the Mediterranean medicinal halophytes as valuable source of powerful antioxidants of industries, especially for Cynomorium coccineum, Carpobrotus edulis, Reaumuria vermiculata, Tamarix gallica, and Euphorbia paralias regarding their strong phenol content.

In this work, pomegranate juice was adulterated manually by adding sour cherry and red grape juices. Physicochemical properties (brix, acidity, formalin index, reducing sugar, and total sugar) and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) gas chromatography profile (extracted by PPy-Ag nano-fiber) of pure pomegranate juice and adulterated pomegranate juice were evaluated and used to find adulteration. PPy-Ag nano-fiber as a Head-Space Solid Phase Micro Extraction-Gas Chromatography (HS-SPME-GC) method was used to extract and detect the VOCs profile (total peak area and total peak height) of different juices. The Box-Behnken Design (BBD) was used to study the effects of Pomegranate Juice (PJ), Sour Cherry Juice (SCJ) and Grape Juice (GJ) percent (V/V%) in the adulterated mix juice physicochemical properties and GC-profile. Results showed that the percent of pomegranate juice, sour cherry juice, and grape juice affect the juice physicochemical property, and there are relations between the physicochemical property of the juice and VOCs gas chromatography profile (total peak area and total peak height) that can help to find adulteration. The presented research makes it possible to detect adulteration of sour cherry and grape juice and their percent in the adulterated mix by analyzing the juice physicochemical properties and GC-profile.

The general desire to replace antibiotics and synthetic antioxidants with natural plants extracts has gained importance in recent years. This approach may be associated with the negative health effects of synthetic antioxidants and antibiotic resistance. Due to these controversial issues, in this study, free radical scavenging activity, Total Phenolic Content (TPC), Total Flavonoid Content (TFC), and antimicrobial activity of Methanolic Extracts (ME) from Teucrium polium, Smyrnium cordifolium Boiss, Mentha longifolia, and Nectaroscordum tripedale leaves were compared with Crocus sativus tepals. The antioxidant activity of these extracts was investigated in comparison with BHA, BHT, and α-tocopherol by DPPH method. Antimicrobial activities were determined by paper disc agar diffusion method against S. aureus (Gram positive) and E. coli O157: H7 (Gram negative). Results showed that C. sativus tepals contained the highest TPC (37. 36 mg GAE g-1) and TFC (138. 52 mg Q g-1). Also, radical scavenging activity of C. sativus tepals ME (87. 33%) was significantly higher than the other extracts; and it was the same as BHA and α-tocopherol statistically. In addition, a significant relationship between radical scavenging activity and TPC (R= 0. 964) and TFC (R= 0. 806) was found, illustrating the major role of these compounds in antioxidant activity of the mentioned plants. Antibacterial activity of N. tripedale leaf extract and C. sativus tepal extract against the two abovementioned pathogens were the highest among all the studied herbal extracts (P< 0. 05). Moreover, Results of antimicrobial activities were also strongly correlated to free radical scavenging activity and TPC, which indicates the importance of these factors on antimicrobial properties of the five studied medicinal herbs.

Eurygaster maura (L. ) (Heteroptera: Scutelleridae) is one of the most devastating pests of wheat in Turkey. The metathoracic scent gland secretions of male and female E. maura were analyzed separately by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Twelve chemical compounds, namely, Octane, n-Undecane, n-Dodecane, n-Tridecane, (E)-2-Hexenal, (E)-2-Hexen-1-ol, acetate, Cyclopropane, 1-ethyl-2-heptyl, Hexadecane, (E)-3-Octen-1-ol, acetate, (E)-5-Decen-1-ol, acetate, 2-Hexenoic acid, Butyric acid, and Tridecyl ester were detected in both males and females. These compounds, however, differed quantitatively between the sexes. In both females and males, n-Tridecane and (E)-2-Hexanal were the most abundant compounds and constituted approximately 90% of the total content. Minimal amounts of Octane were detected in males and Hexadecane in females.

The post-harvest damage caused by several pests is a major problem in stored grain product industry. Recently, synthesizing NanoParticles (NPs) with plant extracts act as an alternative approach in reduction of this damage. An attempt was made to synthesize and test the mortality effect of green synthesized silver NanoParticles (AgNPs) with peels extract of sweet orange, Citrus sinensis (L. ) (Rutaceae, Sapindales), against the adult tenebrionid beetle Tribolium confusum (Duval). The synthesized nanoparticles were characterized with UV-visible spectroscopy, X-ray Diffraction, and Transmission Electron Microscopy. Five bioassays were conducted by filter-paper residue and feeding methods with different concentrations of both green synthesizing and commercial AgNPs. Results showed that citrus extract by itself was not toxic against beetles, however, the green AgNPs showed 83-77% mortality in filter-paper residue and feeding methods. The impact of commercial AgNPs in both methods led to 75 and 40% mortality. The lowest LC50 and LT50 for green synthesized AgNPs were recorded (30. 62 ppm and 9. 92 day) for filter-paper residue tests. According to the results, the green silver nanoparticles, showed more efficiency than the commercial ones. This provides an evidence that green synthesized AgNPs have a great potential as an alternative option in stored products pest management.

This study primarily aimed to identify and suggest appropriate rapeseed cultivars and their optimum sowing time. A factorial split-plot experiment was conducted in a complete randomized block design with three replications during two years (2014-2016). The study was carried out using six rapeseed cultivars, namely, Elvis, HL2012, L155, KR2, HW113 and Danob, three sowing dates (October 7, 17, and 27), and two concentrations of glycinebetaine (0 as control and 0. 2%). The sowing dates and the GlycineBetaine (GB) were allotted to main plots and the six cultivars were allotted to subplots. The HL2012 cultivar had the highest seed yield (4, 584 kg ha-1), seed oil content (44. 6%) and seed oil yield (2, 060 kg ha-1), which were achieved optimally in the first sowing date. Application of GB increased the average seed yield from 4, 089 to 4, 419 (kg ha-1), seed oil from 44 to 44. 4% and seed oil yield from 1, 818 to 1, 976 (kg/ha). The amounts of proline and soluble carbohydrates in the plants increased from the first to the third sowing dates. The early sowing date and the application of GB had positive effects on the quantity and quality of rapeseed oil. The results of cluster analysis showed that three of the six cultivars could be suitable for cultivation in Karaj, Iran.

The aim of this work was to test the effects of soil urea fertilization on yield, grape juice soluble solids, total acidity, and amino acid composition of Chardonnay, Welschriesling, and Riesling grape varieties. The experiment was conducted in a vineyard with repeated records of low yeast-assimilable-nitrogen content in must and the corresponding grape juices in years prior to the experiment. Urea was applied after completion of flowering. Treatments included the control without fertilization, 5. 5, 16. 8 and 28. 1 g N vine-1. Urea fertilization generally increased yield components and amino acid concentrations. Fertilization with 28. 1 g N vine-1 prolonged grape ripening, regarding soluble solids and total acidity values. Fertilization with 28. 1 g N vine-1 was not so effective in improving amino acid concentration compared to other fertilization treatments. This leads to conclusion that fertilization with 28. 1 g N vine-1 seems excessive and unnecessary regarding delayed fruit ripening and inconsistent effect on amino acid composition.

Gymnema sylvestre, a potential anti-diabetic medicinal plant, is used in many herbal drug formulations. The medicinal properties have been credited to the presence of gymnemic acid, which is effective in controlling blood glucose and lipid levels in the body. Molecular and biochemical variations of seven populations of G. sylvestre were investigated using DNA markers and phytochemical fingerprints of gymnemic acid content. Results obtained through these techniques were used in a comparative analysis and revealed a correlation between genetic variations and biochemical content analysis. Thirteen primers were used for RAPD-PCR analysis revealing 112 bands, of which 62 were found to be polymorphic. The percentage of polymorphic bands detected ranged from 11. 1 to 84. 6% with an average of 54. 2%. The average number of amplified bands per primer was 8. 62 while the mean number of polymorphic bands per primer was 5. 42. A dendrogram of the genetic similarities among the populations was constructed using the genetic distance coefficients and the seven accessions were clustered into four major groups. The total gymnemic acid content level varied significantly among these groups from 3. 84 to 7. 12 mg g-1 DW. A principle coordinate analysis confirmed the results of clustering. Maximum yield of gymnemic acid content (7. 12 mg g-1 DW) was recorded with L7 accession. Results suggest that there might be a positive correlation between genetic makeup and gymnemic acid content; however, this has to be further investigated by using other molecular approaches.

The species Prunus fenzliana is acknowledged to be the possible ancestor of cultivated almond (Prunus amygdalus L. ) and other wild almond species. The objective of this study was to determine phenological and pomological properties and fatty acid composition of the almond species Prunus fenzliana Fritsch, which grows naturally on the slopes of Mount Ararat. The study was conducted in 2016 and 2017. The fruit weight with shell, kernel weight, fruit thickness with shell: kernel ratios of the selected almond genotypes were 0. 47– 0. 89 g, 0. 13– 0. 22 g, 0. 87-1. 31 mm, and 22. 38-37. 36%, respectively. Double kernelled fruits were encountered in two genotypes [(PFG-10 (6. 67%) and PFG-15 (7. 14%)]. In 2016, the first flowering, full flowering, and harvesting time of the genotypes ranged from 20-25 March, 24-31 March and 17-23 August, respectively. In 2017, the first flowering, full bloom, and harvest time were observed between 08-12 April, 13-17 April and 4-9 September, respectively. The oleic acid concentration was much higher than in previous studies. In this context, the oleic, linoleic, palmitic, stearic and myristic acid concentrations were 69. 2-77. 9, 15. 2-18. 5, 4. 6-5. 3, 1. 2-1. 6 and 0. 7-1. 7%, respectively. The results revealed that genotypes under the Prunus fenzliana species could be used as a genetic resource in rootstock breeding programs and could be utilized in chemical and pharmaceutical industry due to its rich fat content.

Tubers of the tuberous orchids have been collected for centuries, and used for medicinal purposes as well as in beverage and ice-cream industry. These orchids (Sahlep orchids) cannot be propagated vegetatively as they generally do not yield more than one tuber in a year. Seeds do not have microscopic endosperms; they have quite small chance of germination and successful establishment. These orchids are not cultivated and are usually collected from natural populations. Therefore, they are under threat of extinction and thus are placed under protection worldwide with national and international treaties. In this study, specimens of the threatened orchid taxa Ophrys sphegodes subsp. mammosa (Desf. ) Soo ex E. Nelson orchid, were stimulated to grow tuber twice in a single vegetation period. Plants’ ability to develop new tubers was tested and a new propagation method was proposed for the first time worldwide. Plants harvested at the beginning, middle, and end of flowering period were re-planted. It was observed that the plants harvested at early flowering were able to develop new tubers when they were re-planted in their original places. At the end of their annual life cycle, the number of tubers that were produced by the plants harvested at the three subsequent harvest periods were 2. 21, 2. 10, and 1. 04. Quality of the tubers of the 2nd harvest was also tested in this study to use them as propagation material for the subsequent season, and positive outcomes were achieved. According to the present findings, growth of two tubers in a single vegetation period was achieved for the first time. Possible sustainable cultivation of Sahlep orchids was proved by this new propagation method.

Present study aimed to assess the efficacy of Paclobutrazol (PBZ) in mango in terms of vegetative growth, leaf nutrient status, flowering, yield, and fruit quality. Moreover, residual dynamics of PBZ in soil and plant parts was also assessed. Studies were conducted under tropical hot and humid climatic conditions of eastern India during 2013-2017 on 15-year-old trees of mango var. Arka Neelachal Kesari. Paclobutrazol was applied at 0. 25– 1. 0 gram active ingradient (g ai m-1) canopy spread in soil during September. Results indicated that PBZ significantly reduced Trunk Cross Sectional Area (TCSA), shoot length, and leaf area. There was a reduction in leaf N and K contents, whereas the levels of Ca, Mg, Cu and Zn were increased in PBZ-treated plants. PBZ advanced floral bud break and increased flowering intensity, percentage of bisexual flowers, fruit yield, and yield efficiency. Higher concentration of PBZ aggravated shoot and panicle compaction. PBZ tended to increase Total Soluble Solids (TSSs) but pulp content and pulp/stone ratio were unaffected. PBZ residues in soil persisted for 9 months at higher rate of application, whereas at lower rate residues reached non-detectable level within 5-6 months after application. Fruits were free from PBZ residue, irrespective of dose. Application of PBZ at lower dose (0. 25 g ai m-1 canopy spread) was not only efficacious in enhancing flower induction and yield without affecting plant growth but also exhibited high rate of depletion in soil.

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of different concentrations (0, 100, 200 and 300 mg L-1) of postharvest AminoethoxyVinylGlycine (AVG) on fruit quality, chilling injury, and bioactive compounds in cold-stored plum fruit (Prunus salicina L. cv Friar). Fruit were stored at 0-1° C with 90± 5% Relative Humidity (RH) for 60 days. Weight loss, flesh firmness, Soluble Solids Content (SSC), titratable acidity, total anthocyanin content, total phenolic content, antioxidant capacity, respiration rate, and chilling injury were determined at the harvest and during the storage period at 15-day intervals. As compared to the control, AVG treatment delayed ripening and prolonged storage life, as indicated by prevented fruit softening, and retarded the increase in SSC. The 200 and 300 mg L-1 AVG treatments considerably reduced respiration rate and maintained higher bioactive compounds contents than other treatments. The severity of the chilling injury was reduced by AVG treatments compared to the control during storage. The results indicated that postharvest 200 and 300 mg L-1 AVG treatments could be an effective tool for prolonging storage of 'Friar' plums.

In this study, the first symptom appearance of wheat leaf rust disease was monitored in Khuzestan Province every ten days from early December 2014, for three years. Also, the climate changes and their influence on the development of the disease were studied. During 2014-2015, the first symptoms, with the severity of 5 MS (Moderately Susceptible), appeared in the south and west parts in early and mid-March, respectively. In northern areas, the symptoms appeared with 10 MS severity in early May. In 2015-2016, the first symptoms appeared with the severity of 5 MS in February in the southern areas. In the west, symptoms appeared and reached 20 S (susceptible) on March 10. In the north, the disease started in late February with the severity of 10 MS and developed to 30 S. In 2016-2017, the first symptoms appeared around the Karun River with the severity of 5 MS on March 10 and eventually reached 10 MS in late March. In the western areas, the disease started in early March with the severity of 5 MS and then stopped. Symptoms appeared one week later in the north, with the severity of 5 MS, and reached 15 MS until the end of March. Based on the previous studies, the first symptoms of wheat leaf rust usually start from the west. However, now, the regional pattern of the symptom has changed dramatically, and it appears in the south near Karun River and the Sugar Cane Crop Industry. This might be due to implementation of preventive measures and dryness of a big part of Hoveyzeh Marshland.

Based on the obvious relationship between geoforms and soils, pedodiversity was investigated in this study through the Spatial Distribution Patterns (SDPs) of LandForms (LFs) using quantitative analysis of the irregular geometry of LFs in Zayandeh-Rud Valley. The main objectives of this research were to: (1) Assess the applicability of fractal and modified fractal dimensions in quantifying the irregular geometry of LFs in the study area and (2) Specify the relationship between the irregular geometry of LFs and the pedodiversity in the region. LF units were delineated using aerial photographs at a scale of 1: 55, 000; and the geoform classification system was defined according to Zinck. After fieldwork and soil sampling, Soil Taxonomy was used for soil classification at the family level and determination of the geomorphic map units. The fractal Dimension (D) and modified fractal Dimension (Dm), as geometric indicators, and richness (S), Shannon diversity index (H′ ), maximum diversity (H′ max), and Evenness (E), as pedodiversity measures, were determined for LFs. Results showed that D and Dm were appropriate indicators of geometric irregularity, with their high values corresponding to fluvial surfaces with intensive dissection and deposition processes, and their low values corresponding to the smoother and more stable landforms. Comparison of the pedodiversity indices with the geometric measures in the landscapes showed that Dm was a suitable alternative to D in presenting structure of landscapes with high D and Dm values relatively coinciding with high amounts of richness in the study area. In addition, Dm was more closely related to the diversity indices than D was to the discernment of the pedodiversity of LFs.

During the last few years, due to inadequate rainfall, Iran has faced water scarcity. This made the fertile zones including the Fars Province and especially the Marvdasht District to face many problems. Salt concentrations increase and the groundwater resources reduction in the central part of this district are currently occurring. Recently, the farmers have attempted to change the cultivation pattern by cultivation of salt-resistant plants including olive and pistachio. Therefore, in this study, interaction between salinity of the irrigation water and the water deficit on physiological growth of the olive plant (Olea europaea L. ) was investigated. The experiment was conducted as a completely randomized block design for three years (2013-2015) in a 7-years-old olive grove (Roghani-Fishomi cultivar) grown in a sandy soil with planting density of 5. 5×5. 5 meters. Treatments included five Irrigation levels (I1= 25%, I2= 50%, I3= 75%, I4= 100%, and I5= 125 percent of olive water requirements) and three Salinity levels of 2. 2 to 7. 7 dS m-1 (S1), incorporation of 50% well water with 50% drinking water from the local region (S2), and pure drinking water from the region (S3= Salinity of 0. 4 to 0. 85 dS m-1) of irrigation water. Treatments were applied in a factorial arrangement, with three replications. Daily irrigation of trees was performed by drip irrigation. The results showed that in all of the three consecutive years, the highest Intrinsic Water Use Efficiency (IWUE) values were obtained in I3S1 (131. 94, 114. 14 and 96. 95 by years, respectively). Also, the highest transpiration efficiency was achieved in I3S3 (1. 24, 1. 06 and 0. 88 respectively). In high salinity, due to the stress applied to the olive trees, leaf water potential decreased and, consequently, the water in the leaves could not meet the existing VPDl. a (saturation Vapor Pressure Deficit near leaf area), thus causing stomatal closure and reduction in stomatal conductance (gs). Generally, for I1 to I4 irrigation levels, the highest salinity effect on Transpiration Efficiency (TE) happened in S3 salinity level.