A field experiment was conducted under rainfed environment of Pothowar region of Pakistan to assess physical properties of soil as influenced by various green manure legumes (sesbania, cluster bean and rice bean) and different P levels (0, 30, 60, 90 kg P2O5/ha). Highest fresh biomass was observed in sesbania (23 t/ha) followed by cluster bean (19 t/ha) and lowest in rice bean (17 t/ha). Maximum crude protein content was found in sesbania (17%) followed by rice bean (10%) and cluster bean (8%). Green manuring crops, on average reduced soil bulk density (5%), enhanced total porosity (8%), and macropores and large mesopores (28%). Maximum reduction (7%) in soil bulk density, and an increase (11%) in total soil porosity and available water (17%) was observed in plots where sesbania was incorporated as green manuring crop. The order of effectiveness in improving bulk density, macro  rice bean. Sesbania produced greater> cluster bean >and mesopores was sesbania  number of macro and large mesopores about 41% increase over control followed by cluster bean (29%) and rice bean (16%). Phosphorus application showed meager positive impact on various soil physical properties but did not significantly increased porosity or reduced bulk density. Significant differences in volume fraction in pore space suggest that pore space on a volume basis was much higher in sesbania-amended soil than in other treatments.

Nowadays cities benefit from two geographical (natural, social, and economical environments) and artificial (man-made environment, and architecture) symbols. Mankind has always been trying to change these two symbols for the sake of his daily activities or earning his life and establishing a dwelling both as an interest and as a shelter. During this process green areas, jungles, and gardens have been changed into skyscrapers and buildings. Bricks, cement, and metallic plates have replaced for attractive views of nature. Today’s citizens have a sad feeling while they see that they have fallen far from the beauties and quietness of nature.To solve this problem, industrialists have developed the green roof technology. Urban planners and architects use it as a ‘back to nature’ process. Green roof is a method to convert the rough, dry, and cold parts of the city into green spots. Besides green roofs can create micro-climatic zones which reduce pollution and improve the living conditions of the citizens.This process is highly advantageous for cities like Tehran which is located in a 730 sq. km. of land delimited by mountains and deserts.67.9 percent of the city is occupied by buildings and about thirteen million people live in this city. Green roofs are good means for reducing these problems of Tehran.

Purpose In this study, the effects of green manure and animal waste on economic of strawberry yield, fruit quality and soil fertility were investigated. Method The experiment was set up with four replicates in a randomized complete block design. The treatments consisted of green manure parcels divided into two parts and green manure + poultry manure slurry were given to one part, and the other part was not applied complete. Seed planting was carried out in the first year of the experiment (2015) while strawberry plants were removed during the second year (2016) and the seeds of green manure plants were planted. Soja hispida [Soja] and Vigna sinensis [Cowpea] plants were mown and mixed into the soil when they were in bloom. Results The results from the study shows that the yield realized from control plot during first year was between 10. 68 and 22. 33 t ha-1, second year yield was between 8. 81 and 23. 39 t ha-1 and third year was 10. 68 and 16. 98 t ha-1. After harvest, soil organic matter content increased by 12% in the first year and 5. 10% in the second year in green manure + poultry manure slurry application, the total nitrogen content increased by 75% in the first year and 10% in the second year. In the fruit, it gave higher content of Vitamin C and nitrate level. Conclusion From our findings, it was discovered that green manure and poultry manure slurry gave better results in terms of fruit yield, quality, soil fertility and economy.

A B S T R A C T Green city is one of the approaches to sustainable development. “green city” is an environmentally friendly city compatible with the concept of sustainable development and can be used for the welfare and security of its inhabitants. Based on the concept of a “green city,” urban managers try to have the least destructive effect on the ecosystems upon which cities rely. Green city is one of the sustainable development approaches that reduce the environmental footprint of cities. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the situation of Mashhad metropolis in terms of the objective characteristics of the green city. In this study, 14 indicators of electricity consumption per capita, green space per capita, population density, water availability, sewage availability, superior public transportation network, urban mass transportation, traffic reduction, annual production waste per capita, carbon monoxide, concentration nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide concentration, particulate matter concentration, and air quality were exerted. To determine the importance of research indicators, the Shannon entropy method, and the status of Mashhad city areas in terms of green city indicators, the VIKOR multi-criteria decision-making method has been applied. The results showed that most areas of Mashhad are average and below average in terms of green city characteristics, and only District 9 is in very good condition (0.636). Also, based on the results of this part of the research, District 5, with the value of VIKOR index of 0.969, is in the last rank in terms of objective characteristics of the green city Extended Abstract Introduction Green city is one of the approaches to sustainable development. A “Green city” is an environmentally friendly city compatible with the concept of sustainable development and can be used for the welfare and security of its inhabitants. Based on the concept of a “green city,” urban managers try to have the least destructive effect on the ecosystems upon which cities rely. Green cities constantly try to manage their environmental effects by reducing waste, increasing recycling, reducing air pollution, increasing population density, developing open urban spaces, and encouraging the development of sustainable local businesses. Green cities were first used to evaluate 30 European cities by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) in 2009 with the financial support of Siemens and the aim of reducing the environmental effects of human activities in cities. In that study, eight indices of carbon dioxide, energy, construction, transportation, water, recycling and land use, air quality, and environmental governance were used. Later, the Economist Intelligence Unit, with the financial support of Siemens, evaluated the status of the green city index in 17 Latin American cities, 15 African cities, 22 major Asian cities, and 27 cities in United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. In recent years, even some Western Islamic scholars have, in various publications, shown that Islam is an ecological religion. In Iran, the issue of protecting the environment has not received much attention regardless of its rich cultural and religious background and its confirmation in Article 50 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Mashhad is the second metropolis of Iran, located in North-East of Iran, and is one of the counties of Khorasan Razavi Province. According to the 2016 Iranian Population and Housing Census, its population was 3057679 people (The Vice-Presidency of Planning and Development of Mashhad Municipality). In Mashhad, due to several reasons including the presence of Imam Reza Shrine (PBUH) and arrival of millions of pilgrims per year, population growth, increased garbage production (production of 896534 tons of garbage in 2016 (The Vice-Presidency of Planning and Development of Mashhad Municipality), air pollution (increased number of unhealthy days from 46 days per year in 2015 to 88 days in 2016 for sensitive groups and 4 days of unhealthy air for all groups in 2016 (Center for Monitoring Environmental Pollutants of Mashhad Municipality) the 2025 vision of the city has paid attention to the environment in the form of five general objectives; however, just like the national level, no specific pattern for environmentally-compatible urban development, such as green city, is determined. Analysis of the green city index in Mashhad metropolis can considerably contribute to urban managers and planners in addition to providing a pattern for evaluating the present situation in other cities of Iran and improving the quality of life regardless of the current status of the urban environment in Iranian cities; we can preserve these environments as parts of the natural environment for future generations.   Methodology In terms of its goal, the present study is an applied one; in the study, drawing upon other studies and library sources and considering the conditions of Iran and the metropolis of Mashhad in terms of green city, 14 quantitative indices were exerted. To this end, the required data for the quantitative indices was gathered by library research from the relevant institutions. Next, the weights of quantitative indices were determined using Shannon's entropy. Then, using the VIKOR method of multi-criteria decision-making, the status of various districts of the metropolis of Mashhad in terms of quantitative indices of green city was determined. Finally, the map of the spatial distribution of quantitative indices was drawn using the ARC GIS software package.   Results and discussion In this study, to analyze the status of the metropolis of Mashhad in terms of green city features, 14 quantitative indices were used. Considering the value of the VIKOR index ranges from 0 to 1, various districts of Mashhad can be classified into five categories; very satisfactory, satisfactory, average, unsatisfactory, and very unsatisfactory in terms of quantitative indices of green city. The results of the current situation of Mashhad showed that in terms of objective indicators of the green city, District 9 of Mashhad metropolis with a value of VIKOR index of 0.056 is in first place, and the seventh region with a value of VIKOR index of 0.433 is in second place. Also, based on the results of this part of the research, District 5, with the value of VIKOR index of 0.969, is in the last rank in terms of objective characteristics of the green city.   Conclusion Similarly, the results of studies by Afshar (2011) and Shabani et al. (2017) on Tehran metropolis are indicative of the unsatisfactory situation of Tehran (the biggest metropolis of Iran) in terms of green city features. Comparing the results of the studies by Afshar (2011) and Shabani et al. (2017) with the present study on Mashhad (the second biggest metropolis of Iran) reveals the necessity for a comprehensive plan toward achieving green cities. It should be mentioned that, due to the specific conditions of Mashhad metropolis and availability or unavailability of the required data, the indices used in the present study are somewhat different from the ones used by Afshar (2011) and Shabani et al. (2017).   Funding There is no funding support.   Authors’ Contribution All of the authors approved the content of the manuscript and agreed on all aspects of the work.     Conflict of Interest Authors declared no conflict of interest.   Acknowledgments We are grateful to all the scientific

With the rapid population increase, the importance of using recycled water has increased the serious crisis of water resources and drought. One of the common methods for removal of pollutant is the process of adsorption by the adsorbent. In this study mesoporous carbon CMK-3, was synthesized, characterized and applied in the process of azo dye Janus Green B. Mesoporous carbon CMK-3 was prepared by using SBA-15 silica material molecular sieve as hard template. Finally this adsorbent was characterized and confirmed by using X-Ray diffraction (XRD), N2 adsorption-desorption, scanning electron microscope images (SEM), and chemical analysis (EDX).The effect of contact time, pH, initial dye concentration, electrolyte concentration, and temperature on the removal process of absorbing dye solution was studied. The dye adsorption equilibrium was rapidly attained after 60 min of contact time. Removal of dye in basic solutions was better than in acidic solutions. The adsorption of dye increased with increasing initial dye concentration and salt concentration, but color removal decreased with increasing temperature.

Spermatogonial Stem Cells (SSCs) are the only stem cells in adults that can transfer genetic information to future generations. Considering that a single SSC gives rise to a vast number of spermatozoa, genetic manipulation of these cells is a potential novel technology with feasible application to various animal species. The aim of this study was to evaluate Enhanced Green Fluorescent Protein (EGFP) gene transfection into bovine spermatogonial colonies via Turbofect carrier and assess the best incubation day in uptake exogenous gene by spermatogonial colonies. Transfection efficiency EGFP gene through Turbufect was determined different three days (day 4, 6 and 8) after the beginning of the culture by fluorescent microscope. Immunofluorescent staining against OCT4 and Vimentin led to the confirmation of the nature of both SSCs and sertoli cells. Results showed that the transfected colonies through Turbufect increased significantly (p<0.05) in each three days of transfection in comparison with those of the control groups. The transfection colonies were higher (significant) in comparision with those of the free exogenous gene carrier groups. The rate of infected colonies was higher when transfection proceed day 4. It was concluded that Turbofect can be used safely for direct loading exogenous DNA to spermatogonila colony particulary during the fourth day of culture.

The use of organic fertilizer brings about an increase in the organic matter of soil and the microbiological activities. Generally as the soil in many parts of Iran is poor, the use of manure is suggested for improvement of soil structure and physical and chemical properties to increase yield and to reach a sustainable agriculture. This investigation was conducted during 2001-2004 in Karaj at the experimental station to study the effects of different amounts of manure on quality and quantity of sugar beet. The experiment was carried out in a complete block design with three replications in permanent plots for no-manure, 30ton  manure/ha and 60ton manure/ha treatments. A cereal-sugar beet rotation for two cycles was followed in the experimental field. Manuring was done in autumn before wheat planting in order to avoid any detrimental effect on beet quality. Beet quantitative and qualitative traits along with physical and chemical properties of the soil were recorded. The results showed that the use of manure increased the grain weight (of wheat) and total yield significantly. Wheat crop yield of 4.17t/ha in the no-manure increased to 5.41t/ha in 30t manure/ha treatment. The white sugar yield increased significantly from 5.78 to 6.78 t/ha using manure, although the sugar content suffered a decrease. The 60t/ha treatment increased the organic carbon of the soil from 0.81 to 0.94 percent. Furthermore, manuring improved the soil physical condition with apparent specific weight of soil at 0-20 cm depth which decreased from 1.46 g/cm3 in no-manure treatment to 1.38 g/cm3 in 30ton manure/ha, while the water capacity of soil improved significantly by the increase of soil organic matter. Moreover, crop nutrition was improved by manuring of the soil and diminished the need for chemical fertilization. Manuring with 30ton manure/ha before wheat cultivation is justified.

One of the surface irrigation methods is furrow irrigation which is used in different ways. One of the methods in furrow irrigation is alternate (every-other) furrow irrigation in which the furrows are irrigated alternatively. In this irrigation method water infiltrates more horizontally than vertically. Appropriate infiltration equation should be used in designing a surface irrigation method. Thus, the differences in infiltration equations for ordinary and alternate furrow irrigations should be investigated. Some of the infiltration equations are empirical and are obtained from field measurements. Some others are physically based equations and their performances should be tested in field. In this research four different methods were used to solve the Green-Ampt equation for alternate and ordinary furrow irrigations to simulate the advance phase, recession phase and outflow hydrograph. The results of simulation were compared with field data and the best method for solving the Green-Ampt equation was proposed. Among the four methods (slug, modified slug, exponential and dimensionless), for solving the Green-Ampt infiltration equation to simulate the advance, recession and outflow hydrograph in furrow irrigation, the exponential model were preferred for both ordinary and alternate furrow irrigation. The furrow spacing in ordinary and alternate furrow irrigations were different (60 and 120 cm, respectively) and was one of the input data to the model. Finally, appropriate results were obtained by the exponential model for both ordinary and alternate furrow irrigations with different furrow spacings.