During the dry season (November to April), a field experiment was carried out at the Agricultural Field Research Center of the Bangladesh Open University, Gazipur. The effects of different levels of irrigation with various mulches were evaluated on the growth and yield of tomatoes. The trial comprised raised-bed furrow irrigation methods with three mulching treatments (i.e. without mulch, black polyethylene mulch and grass straw mulch) and two irrigation plans (6-day and 3-day intervals). The 6 treatments were designed in a randomized complete block (RCB) design in three replicates. In response to the 6-day and 3-day irrigation intervals, raised-bed furrow irrigation, with black polyethylene mulch, resulted in a significantly higher yield (96.46 t/ha and 102.19 t/ha) compared to the effect of no mulch on the yield (77.70 t/ha and 82.04 t/ha), respectively. The use of grass straw mulch (87.15 t/ha and 91.76 t/ha) also resulted in a significant yield, compared to no mulch. All three factors significantly influenced unit crop weight, fruit size at the age of 16, 18 and 20 weeks after transplanting, marketable fruit yield, plant water consumption and water use efficiency. The interaction between raised-bed furrow irrigation, mulching and irrigation schedule had a significant influence on the water use efficiency (WUE) of tomato production. The raised-bed furrow irrigation method in a two-row crop cultivation pattern was statistically equivalent in terms of WUE if it was mulched by black polyethylene and irrigated every 3 days.

Lower Cretaceous volcano-sedimentary sequence in the northwest and southeast of Safashahr (Dehbid) in marginal subzone of southern Sanandaj-Sirjan Zone comprises the Keshtmahaki deposit and few other occurrences of copper (-silver). The oldest rock units in the region are Jurassic shale and sandstone, which are unconformably overlain by the Lower Cretaceous progressive sequence with basal conglomerate, sandstone and silty shale. Copper (-Ag) mineralization occurred in the Lower Cretaceous pyroclastics and volcanic lava. The host rock is a crystal lithic tuff with trachyandesite-andesite affinity in which the stratabound and lenticular ore body is extended discontinuously over 35 km that laterally and vertically changed into orbitolina limestone. Ore minerals include chalcocite, bornite, native copper, digenite, chalcopyrite, pyrite, Ag-bearing clausthalite, covellite, anilite, malachite and azurite. Ore textures and structures are open space filling, vein-veinlet, replacement, disseminated and laminated-like. The lithogeochemical studies in 6 lithostratigraphic profiles from NW to SE of Safashahr indicated Cu (-Ag) mineralization occurrence in a specific stratigraphic unit and a positive relationship with Zn. The lithological, mineralogical, lithogeochemical and microscopic investigations revealed that mineralization initially occurred contemporaneously with volcanism in volcano-sedimentary sequences (absorption of Cu by ferric hydroxide, clay minerals and replacement in feldspar lattice) and then in burial diagenesis during dehydration of pyroclastic and detrital units and alteration resulting from this hydrothermal fluid, Cu released and transported by hydrothermal diagenesis fluids. When this ore-bearing hydrothermal fluid received by the rock unit with high permeability (pyrite-bearing crystal lithic tuff) and reduced conditions resulted from abundance of pyite, replaced them as copper sulphide minerals. S isotopic data of sulphidic minerals indicated that the bacterially sulfate reduction of sea water as an important role provided the nessecary sulfur for sulfide mineralization. Geochemical features of volcanic and pyroclastic units indicated that they formed in an intra-arc rift. On the basis of this study and with respect to some evidences such as tectonic setting, host rock, lenticular shape of the ore body, structure and texture as well as mineral paragenesis we suggest that Keshtmahaki Cu (-Ag) mineralization and surrounding occurrences are Volcanic Red Bed (VRB) type deposit that formed and concentrated contemporaneously with submarine volcanism to deep burial diagenesis processes.

To evaluate the effect of different planting patterns on weed control in corn, an a RCBD experiment with 4 replications carried out at Karaj in RCBD with 4 replications in Karaj, Iran in 2011. Experimental treatments included: Ridge planting + (band spraying; once cultivator in 45 cm corn height; twice cultivators in 25 & 45 cm corn height; hand weeding; weedy check) and bed planting + (full spraying; band spraying; replacing ridge by furrow in 25 cm corn height stage; hand weeding; weedy check). The results showed that the efficiency of mechanical treatments (twice cultivators and replacing ridge by furrow) in reducing of to reduce the density of Jimsonweed (Datura stramonium) and Lambsquaters (Chenopodium album) and dry weight of lambsquaters was more than of the band spraying and full spraying treatments. Among ridge planting treatments, ridge planting + twice cultivators and among bed planting treatments, bed planting + full spraying were the best treatments to control of barnyardgrass (Echinochloa crus-galli) and Johnsongrass (Sorghum halepense). In general, ridge planting + twice cultivators were the best treatment to control of the grass and broadleaf weeds. Grain yields obtained from bed planting + replacing ridge by furrow were the same with similar to bed planting + full spraying and ridge planting + band spraying treatments. Among the non-chemical control methods, bed planting + replacing ridge by furrow and ridge planting + twice cultivators had the highest yield respectively. Also, Besides maize biological yield was similar in bed planting + replacing ridge by furrow treatment with hand weeding, as well as and also biological yield of ridge planting + twice cultivators with were similar to chemical control treatments. Totally, it seems that by choosing the right approperate tools in mechanical control methods (like ridge planting and twice cultivators or bed planting and replacing ridge by furrow) while managing the weeds, weed management, can could be effective step towards in production healthy crops.

2Abstract Tomato is one of the most important crops, which is cultivated as seedlings. It is important to choose an economic and favorable cultivation medium for the production of good seedlings. In order to use the compost produced from palm pruning wastes as a substrate for the production of tomato seedlings, an experiment was carried out in the greenhouse conditions as completely randomized design with three replications in 2019-2018 at the research greenhouse of Soil and Water Research Institute. Five cultivation beds as treatments included: 1) compost produced from palm pruning wastes (palm peat) (PP), 2) peat moss (PM), 3) cocopeat (CP), 4) mixture of palm peat and peat moss (PP+PM), and 5) mixture of cocopeat and peat moss (CP+PM). Some plant indices, the concentration of plant nutrients and plant growth indicators were measured at the end of the growth period. The results showed that the highest amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (1.47% nitrogen, 0.18% phosphorus and 2.83% potassium) were observed in PM, CP and PP+PM treatments, respectively, which were significantly (p<0.01) different from other treatments. In terms of tomato seedling height, the best treatment was PM (8.34 cm), and PP (7.56 cm) and PP+PM (7.56 cm) were ranked second. The lowest seedling height was recorded in CP (5.37 cm). The highest and lowest values of root length were related to PP+PM (8.69 cm) and CP (6.62 cm), respectively, that were significantly (p<0.01) different. The economic results evaluation showed that palm peat is 50% cheaper than cocopeat and 100% cheaper than peat moss, and it can be used as a substitute for imported cocopeat and peat moss in tomato seedling cultivation. Background and Objective: Tomato is one of the most important agricultural crops and has the second rank among vegetables in the country, with a cultivated area of over 131,000 hectares (1). At present, tomato seedling cultivation and preparation of seedlings are the most important stages of production. Providing materials and high cost of cultivation bed are among the most important problems of seedling production in soilless cultivation (2). Currently, the materials used for the soilless cultivation are peat moss and cocopeat, both of which are imported, and besides increasing the cost of transplanting production, it also causes export problems. In this study, compost (peat) prepared from the pruned palm leaves was used as a seedling growing substrate and compared with other common cultivation beds. This is effective not only in reducing the cost of tomato seedling production, but also in the optimal use of palm tree pruning wastes, and would create income for palm tree farmers and cultivation bed producers. The purpose of this research was to compare the cultivation medium produced from the wastes of palm leaves and petioles (palm peat) with imported cocopeat and peat moss, and to investigate its quantitative and qualitative effect on the growth indicators of tomato seedlings. Methods: The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design with three replications in a controlled environment in the research greenhouse of Soil and Water Research Institute in 2019. Chemical properties such as pH, salinity, the amounts of ammonium and nitrate, phosphorus, potassium, calcium and soluble sodium, cation exchange capacity, organic carbon content and micronutrients (copper, zinc, iron and manganese) were determined in the soil and plant samples. Five planting cultivation beds as treatments included: 1) compost produced from palm pruning wastes (palm peat) (PP), 2) peat moss (PM), 3) cocopeat (CP), 4) mixture of palm peat and peat moss (PP+PM), and 5) mixture of cocopeat and peat moss (CP+PM). Some plant indices, the concentration of plant nutrients and plant growth indicators were measured at the end of the growth period. Results: The highest salinity was related to PM which was within the optimal range of salinity (i.e., 0.5–3 dS/m) provided by Gilmar and Betina (3). The pH value in the saturated extract was within the optimal range (5.5–6.5) for PM and CP and was more than optimal in PP. The results showed that the highest amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (1.47% nitrogen, 0.18% phosphorus and 2.83% potassium) were observed in PM, CP and PP+PM treatments, respectively, which were significantly (p<0.01) different from other treatments. The mean comparison of the chemical properties and nutritional elements of the cultivated substrates showed that T1 was richer in nutrients than PM or CP. The highest seedling height related to PM and PP was in the second rank. The highest stem fresh weight belonged to PP+PM, and PP ranked second. Palm peat treatment (PP) resulted in the highest concentrations of copper, zinc and iron in the whole plant. Conclusions: Seedling growth in peat moss compared to palm peat showed the suitability of chemical conditions including pH and nutrients in peat moss for optimal seedling growth. Despite the appropriate physical conditions and pH, cocopeat could not produce a good rating of growth due to the lower content of nutrients. Palm peat has a favorable potential in production of tomato seedlings, and due to its availability and low-cost production, it can be replaced instead of expensive peat moss and imported cocopeat. References: 1. Agricultural Statistics, 2018. Volume Three: Horticultural Products. Information and Communication Technology Center, Ministry of Planning and Economic Affairs, Tehran, Iran, 207 p. 2. Basirat, M., 2011. Use of palm waste cellulose as a substitute for common growing media in aglonema growing. Journal of Horticultural Plants 1(1): 1–11. 3. Gilmar, S., Betina, L., 2022. Physical and chemical characteristics and analysis of plant substrate. Ornamental Horticulture 28: 249–260.

Introduction: The Bed nucleus stria terminalis (BST) is a part of the limbic system. It was recently shown that chemical stimulation of the BST by L-glutamate elicited cardiovascular depressive responses. In the present study, we have investigated the possible cardiovascular role of the GABAergic receptors in BST by microinjection of its agonist and antagonists.Methods: Experiments were performed on 21 anaesthetized rats. Drugs were microinjected into the BST in volume of 50 nl using streotaxic apparatus. Blood pressure and heart rate were recorded before and throughout each experiment. The averages of maximum changes in the arterial pressure and heart rate were compared with control group and with its average in before injections using student t-test and paired t-test, respectively.Results: GABAA receptor antagonist, bicuculline met iodide (BMI, 1 mM), increased both arterial pressure (+14.2±3.08) and heart rate (+9.8± 2.5) (p<0.05). Muscimole, a GABAA agonist (5 mM), caused a significant decrease of the arterial pressure (-10.2 ±4.1) and heart rate (-20.3±9.40) (p<0.01). However, microinjection of phaclofen (5 mM), a GABAB receptor antagonist caused small unsignificant changes of the heart rate and blood pressure.Conclusion: GABAergic inhibitory neurons of the BST seems to cause decrease in the blood pressure and heart rate by GABAA but not GABAB receptors.

Cluster microforms are types of small scale bedforms found in the surface layer of some gravel bed rivers. These bedforms are comprised of discrete, organized groupings of particles that sit above the average elevation of the surrounding bed. In this study, flow and sediment characteristics were measured in a laboratory flume with and without the presence of clusters. Experiments were performed under steady flow conditions with clear water over uniform sediments. A statistical analysis using logistic regression was performed to examine the correlation between the occurrence of clusters and various combinations of measured parameters. It was found that clustering was best predicted by and parameters. It is thought that these variables work best at predicting the presence of clusters because they are descriptive of hydraulic and sedimentary conditions.