Casing soil is one of the most important indicators of button mushroom production, which has a direct impact on the size and performance. Due to the easy availability of resources for the production of vermicompost, this mix can be used as a alternative of peat for button mushroom production. This study was conducted with nine treatments and three replications in a completely randomized design at the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Guilan in 2013. Different treatments were prepared before and after leaching vermicompost (worm waste) in combination with peat in ratio of (0:100), (25: 75), (50:50), (75:25) and (100:0). The results showed that the treatments of washed vermicompost alone or in combination with peat, were suitable for production of casing soil. Although different treatment didn’t show any significant differences on yield, but leached vermicompost led to increasing number of mushroom and reduction of two days from casing to harvest, but decreased dry matter content of mushroom.

Purpose An experiment was designed to introduce a substitute for peat, which is used in the production of bedding for the cultivation of ornamental plants and is imported and expensive. For this reason, the usability of peanut shells and Azolla, whose accumulation in the environment causes environmental problems, is a major research question. Methods In this work, Dieffenbachia amoena was grown in a growing medium that had substituted peanut shells and Azolla mixes composts (0, 15, 30, 45, 60, and 100 v/v %) for peat. The controls received only peat: perlite (2: 1 v/v) without composts. Results It was found that, as the substitution of compost increased, nutrients also increased in the growing medium. Nonetheless, the nutrients led to minor changes in the leaves. As compost increased, the bulk density of the growing media decreased (0. 17, 0. 16, 0. 15, and 0. 15 g cm− 3). The range of substrate physical properties, such as container capacity, airfilled porosity, and total porosity, was within the recommended range. The 15– 100% substitution of compost increased the electrical conductivity and pH of the growing media. The 30% compost treatment led to significant differences in the final height (32. 06 cm), trunk diameter (11. 66 mm), stem and leaf fresh weight (57. 52 g), and stem and leaf dry weight (5. 10 g) in comparison with the controls. Conclusions Considering the high price of peat in comparison with compost, replacing peat with 30% compost is economically preferable. Compost was thus found to be a good alternative to peat as an ornamental plants growing medium.

An experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of some media (vermicompost, peat and coco-peat) on the growth and flowering quality of carnation flower, based on completely randomized design with 10 treatments and 8 replications in Sarein's Municipal research greenhouse in 2010. Various levels (20, 40 and 60 percentages) of each these materials were used in this experiment as experimental treatments. Leaf number, plants height, shoots and flower diameter were studied. Plants treated with 60% vermicomoost were died, hence, neglected in statical analysis. Also, results has shown that vermicompost treatments had unfavorable effect on all of experimental criteria, which at 20 and 40% significantly decreased leaf number, plant height, shoot and flower diameter. Coco-peat at 20% enhanced leaf number and plants height, but at 40 and 60% decreased leaf number, plants height, shoot and flower diameter. But this compound at 20% increased shoot and flower diameter significantly (P<0.05). Peat treatments increased leaf number, final leaf number in peat treatment were either more or equivalent to control, But there was no significant difference between peat treatments and control. Peat at 60% in comparison to 20 and 40%, increased shoot diameter. In case of flower diameter, biggest flower devoted to peat 20% in first stages of flowering time, but the biggest final size of flower observed in peat 40% treatment. Hoewer, in this experiment, coco-peat at 20% and peat at 20% had positive effects on growth and development of carnation compaired to control and other treatnents.

This experiment was designed to characterize the effects of size and concentration of an Iranian clinoptilolite zeolite on the growth ofFicus benjamina (starlight) in peat base media.Ficus benjamina was stock rooted and grown in a peat consisting perlite (2: 1 v/v) (P: Pe), zeolite (10, 20, 30 and 40 v/v %, two sizes 0.5-3 mm and 3-8 mm) instead of peat in P: Pe (2: 1 v/v) media.Ficus benjaminawas grown in the substituted media for 10 month under fiberglass cover greenhouse, with 4 pots for each treatment. The control consisted of P: Pe alone without zeolite. The results showed that the substitution of 10-30 v/v % zeolites in control did not result in significant difference (p  £ 0.05) in shoot and leaf fresh weight, shoot and leaf dry weight, shoot dry weight, leaf dry weight in comparison to control. Instead, substitution of 10-40 v/v % zeolites instead of peat significantly increased media electrical conductivity (EC). There were no positive correlations betweenFicus benjamina growth and the amounts of mineral-N in potting mixtures or concentration of nitrogen in leaves of plant. Zeolite particle size significantly increased the pH in comparison with the control. With Regard to the high relative price of peat with respect to natural zeolite, zeolite substitution in an amount of 10-30 vol. % is economically preferred.

Introduction: Alternative punishments of imprisonment, which are called as a new approach of the penal system to fight against the negative consequences of prison, have many effects and consequences that need to be investigated. Therefore, in this study, while examining the types of alternative punishments, the moral and social effects of the implementation of these punishments have been explored. Materials and Methods: The present study was conducted using an analytical-descriptive method. In this study, in order to provide an appropriate answer to the question presented, by referring to the theoretical bases (books) and articles published in the ISC, Magiran, Civilica, SID and Ensani in the years 2011 to 2023 and with the method of extracting the existing legal provisions, the effectiveness of this type of punishment was also criticized in reaching the intended goals. Conclusion: The results of this study show that with the implementation of such punishments, the level of public trust, the growth of morals and social capital in the society will also improve. Therefore, the implementation of these punishments, while reducing the criminal population of prisoners and reforming them, provides better implementation of social justice and improvement of public trust, emotional and financial support for the families of criminals

Cultivation of plants in soilless medium has an increasing trend. A soilless medium, in addition to having suitable characteristics, should be available, cheap, sustainable, light, and affordable. The purpose of this applicable research is to produce solopeat from rice factories' wastes and evaluate and improve its characteristics. During the solopeat production process, the raw material was made into a pyramid shape and to accelerate biological reactions, Trichoderma family fungi and effective micro-organisms (EM) were added to it and covered with plastic. Irrigation and aeration of the mass were carried out regularly and after four months, primary evaluation including germination test along with seedling growth, microbial respiration, solopeat color, pH, and EC were carried out and macro & micronutrients were determined in it. Then, produced solopeat without additives and with ratios of 1:1, 2:1, and 3:1 of perlite, mixed and in terms of apparent specific gravity, water holding capacity, and hydraulic conductivity compared with most common soilless culture medium (cocopeat-perlite 3:1) . Then, to improve the characteristics of the solopeat, zeolite and bentonite clay, were added to it. Results approved that there is no significant differences between cocopeat-perlite (3:1) and pure solopeat in terms of chemical properties. Variance analyzing results approved that medium, amendment clay, clay levels, and these three factors' interaction effects have a significant effect on apparent specific gravity, water holding capacity, and hydraulic conductivity. Also, the interaction between the type of culture medium and the type of amendment had a significant effect on apparent specific gravity, water holding capacity, and hydraulic conductivity. The effect of culture medium and clay levels interaction on all measured characteristics was significant. Also, interaction between, clay type and its levels had a significant effect on all characteristics. The interaction of culture medium, clay amendment, and clay levels on apparent specific gravity, water holding capacity, and hydraulic conductivity was significant. Adding bentonite clay to solopeat-perlite had a greater effect on improving the characteristics of solopeat compared to zeolite. The result is that it is possible to produce solopeat from rice factories' wastages.

Extended Abstract Introduction: Growth medium is an important and effective factor in the seedling production process. An appropriate growing medium should be available, relatively low cost and lightweight, resulting in higher use efficiently and better economical transportation. A healthy and strong seedling is necessary for better growth and development of mature plants in the field condition. According to reports, several factors including internal parameters and environmental agents have significant effects on seed germination and seedling growth. Light (intensity and quality), air humidity and substrate characteristics are considered as the most important environmental factors effective on seedling growth and development. Investigating the seed germination indices and seedling growth parameters under influence of type of substrate is crucial to produce seedlings with low cost and high quality. Physalis peruviana is an exotic fruit belonging to the Solanaceae family. The fruit is an enriched source of vitamins (C and A), iron, phosphorus and fiber. The fruit or its derivatives are used to produce certain products such as jellies, jams, juices and ice cream. The purpose of the current study was to investigate the possibility of replacement of common and high cost substrate components such as peat moss and coco peat with some other local and economical materials to produce low cost seedlings of Physalis peruviana with appropriate quality.            Materials and Methods: The current study was conducted based on completely randomized design with four replications in Mashhad city, Iran. The treatments included A (control): coco peat 60 % + peat moss 30 % + perlite 10 %, B: palm peat 60 % + peat moss 30 % + sand 10 %, C: palm peat 60 % + compost 30 % + sand 10 % and D: palm peat 60 % + vermicompost 30 % + sand 10 %. Physalis seeds was sown in the seedling tray. The number of germinated seeds was recorded every day to calculate germination indices including germination percentage and speed. Germination percentage was calculated by dividing the number of germinated seeds by the total number of sown seeds. At the end of 60th day, the fresh weight of stem and root was measured by digital scale (accuracy 0.001 g). The height of the aerial part and root length were measured with ruler. Leaf chlorophyll index was measured with chlorophyll meter (Model SPAD 502 Plus Chlorophyll Meter). Collar diameter and leaf area were measured by caliper (0.01 mm precision) and leaf area meter (Li-3100 cor), respectively. Results and Discussion: The effect of substrate components on all measured traits such as seed germination percentage and speed, leaf number, leaf area, fresh and dry weight of stem and root, collar diameter, chlorophyll index, height of stem and root, electrolyte leakage and leaf relative water content was statistically significant at 5 % probability level. The results showed that the highest root fresh weight was related to seedlings grown on C substrate (2.3600 g) with no significant difference with D (2.2450 g) and B (2.2125 g) substrates. The highest value of fresh and dry weight of stem was related to control treatment (3.50 g and 0.350 g, respectively). Also, seedlings grown on C substrate had highest root dry weight (0.1525 g). The highest collar diameter was related to treatment D (3.0125 mm). The effect of studied treatments on leaf chlorophyll index was significant and the highest value (30.75 %) was recorded in seedlings grown on D substrate which was significantly higher than the control. The highest seed germination percentage was recorded in control (96.68 %) with no significant difference with substrates D (95.89 %) and B (93.61 %). Seeds sown in substrate C showed the lowest germination rate (82.68 %).  The highest and lowest germination speed were recorded in substrate D (14.43 %) and substrate C (13.15 %), respectively. Based on recorded data, the highest electrolyte leakage was for seedlings grown on control substrate (28.985 %). The results showed that substrates B (9.50 cm2) and D (9.25 cm2) had the highest value of leaf area. According to studies conducted in different crops, the kind of substrate components could be effective on morphological, physiological and biochemical characteristics of plant. Generally, seed sowing in substrates with more water storage capacity, porosity and nutrients amount, and better texture and structure lead to better growth and development of root, subsequently resulting in stronger seedlings with higher qualitative characteristics. Conclusion: The results of the current study indicated that the seedlings of Peruviana grown on alternative substrates had appropriate growth and proper characteristics (especially treatment D). Due to the easy availability of these compounds in the country, it seems that tested substrates could be used as a low-cost and favorable alternative for imported and expensive control substrate in P. Peruviana cultivation.

The Shahid-Kalantari highway between Urmia and Tabriz cities in Iran, has experienced more than one meter of settlement 7.8 Km east of Urmia city. The soil investigations revealed that the existence of a peaty foundation (Urmia peat) caused this settlement. This motivated a research to investigate the geotechnical characteristics of Urmia peat.A series of consolidation and direct shear tests were conducted on samples of Urmia peat and the relationship between the key mechanical and physical properties was investigated. The results show that the amount of organic matter (degree of decomposition) and initial void ratio are two important factors which control the mechanical behaviour of this soil. It was also found that the Ca/Cc concept of compressibility is applicable for Urmia peat.

One of the most important steps of Agaricus bisporus production is casing. In this step a layer of soil is added on top of compost. Peat is the most suitable casing soil for A. bisporus production. The lack of peat in Iran is one of the major problems in A. bisporus production for mushroom producers. It seems that peat can be replaced by Spent Mushroom Compost (SMC). In order to study the possibility of peat replacement, a factorial experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design layout with two replications. The experimental factors consisted of Spent Mushroom Compost with two levels (one and two years old), leaching with three levels (one (L1), two (L2) and three (L3) times) and EDTA with two levels (without EDTA (E1) and with EDTA, 0.3 M (E2)) and different casing soil with four levels (SMC+loam, SMC+Azolla, SMC+Peat (1:1) and Peat). The experiment was carried out in the Mushroom Production Center of Agricultural College, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad. The results showed that the highest mushroom yield was obtained in peat treatment (24%). The average of yield in SMC+Peat treatment was 11.78%. The Diameter of mushroom cap in SMC+Peat treatment was 44.1 mm. The lowest yield (8.1%) and diameter of A. bisporus cap (37 mm) was observed in SMC+Azolla treatment. The results also showed that the EDTA had a negative effect on yield (44.3 %) and diameter of the mushroom cap.