Heavy metal pollution in soil is one of the major environmental problems throughout the world. Since metals uptaken by plants and fruits are transferred to humans, this problem is more serious in agricultural and garden soil. The object of the present study was to investigate and assess heavy metals in vineyards soil of Malayer plains. Random sampling system was used in this study. Totally, 25 soil samples were collected from the depth of 0-20 cm. Soil samples were analyzed by HR-CS AAS with flame method. The mean concentrations of Copper, Lead, and Zin in the soil samples were 7.36, 6.91, and 54 mg/kg respectively which were lower than the world average and earth crust for these metals. The results showed that positive and significant correlation between Cu - Zn, Cu - Pb, Zn - Pb and pH - EC. It seems that in addition to geology and parent materials, chemical fertilizers and animal manure are the sources of metals to vineyrads soil. In addition, copper fungicides have not played any role in the increase of the concentration of copper with regard to the application of sulphur as fungicide. At present these heavy metals are serious risk for these vineyard soils.

vineyards are intensively managed with machinery, leading to negative impacts on soil compaction and moisture, which can decrease grape productivity and quality. However, there is a lack of investigations at the Pedon scale related to the spatio-temporal distribution of soil compaction in vineyards. The aim of the study was to quantify the impacts of tractor traffic passes on Bulk Density(BD) and Soil Water Content (SWC), in a Croatian vineyard. Soil properties were measured at different depths (0-10, 10-20 and 20-30 cm), seasons (before, during and after summer), and at three different zones subject to different management actions: Grass Covered inter-row (GC), Tilled inter-row (T) and tilled row (R). The main effects of tractor traffic passes were found at the 0-10 cm soil depth. Soil BD was significantly higher after summer than before and during summer. At 0-10 cm, SWC was significantly lower during summer than before and after. At 10-20 and 20-30 cm depths, SWC was higher in all zones, showing no significant differences between them at each depth. Significant positive correlations between BD and SWC were identified in the T zone after summer, although increased traffic decreased the SWC. Wheel traffic increased BD, which we can attribute to the high SWC. Nevertheless, this increase was agronomically not relevant. Such findings should be considered in order to control soil compaction in vineyards through environmentally-friendly soil management practices.

A sensitivity analysis was done for soil water balance model for rain-fed vineyard in microcatchrnents in Bajgah area, Fars province. The objective of this study was determination of the effective and less effective of parameters. To do it, important parameters such as daily maximum and minimum temperature together, daily maximum and minimum relative humidity together, daily wind speed at 2 m above ground surface, daily sunshine, field capacity of each soil layers and wilting point together, readily water available coefficient and crop coefficient were considered and +I0 % and -10 % were added to them, separately.Then, the results of model estimation of volumetric soil water contents in depth of 120cm, and the amount of soil water at depths of 0-120cm were compared with the measured data. The results indicated that field capacity and crop coefficient were more sensitive and the other parameters that used for calculating reference crop potential evapotranspiration, had less sensitivity.

Two functional forms (Translog and Cobb-Douglas) were applied for estimation of grapes (vine) production function and thereby evaluation of returns to scale with 90 observations. Also, returns to scale under various conditions, namely, “using added fertilizers and labors”, “no added fertilizers and labors”, “only using added fertilizers” and “only using added labors” were studied. Results indicate that Translog production function is better than Cobb-Douglas production function to determinate returns to scale. Results to scale showed that farmers would have highest returns to scale, if they use added fertilizer. In this case, increasing returns to scale was observed (returns to scale was 6.39). But if farmers do not use added fertilizers and labors, would have decreasing returns to scale.

Most of the designer’s use of inspiration sources for problem solving and majority of them apply nature as inspiration sources, but these sources cannot restricted to only bio-inspiration sources. Because of the complexity and multi-aspect features of design, they can use of different methods of overcoming this complexity. This paper introduces and develops a new method for architectural design that has been called "adaptation" which is rooted in literature and textual sources. This method focuses on text-inspired sources such as novels, poetry, plays, historical stories and so on which have been converted to design media. To gain an in-depth understanding of the applicability of adaptation, a case study (Martha’s vineyard designed by Steven Holl) is discussed to reveal the process of inspiration in the form of adaptation. The adaptation method can be used to reshape other types of art media into new forms. The results show that the adaptation method is an innovative approach by which designers can reform remarkable and archetypical works into new presentations. It is believed that the other kinds of local-related arts and textual sources of a nation can serve as a platform for adaptation. Additionally, this method enables the designers to regenerate the valuable and up-to-date ideas in new forms. Also this method is a try to lead the designers for representing the various ideas with different outputs. Finally, in order to develop the adaptation as a design method, a conceptual model is provided for future study to establish a framework in the field and identify types of adaptation.

Background and objectives: The use of copper based fungicides is a crucial part of agricultural operations in vineyards, increasing productivity and crops. However, the long term application of fungicide could increase the copper concentration in the vineyard soils. Methods: In this study, soil and water chemical parameters including copper contamination, pH and EC as well as soil organic matter and texture were determined in 23 stations across Malayer vineyards in a completely randomized layout. Results: The soil texture of vineyards was a type of sandy loam in the study area which is suitable for grape seedlings growth. Copper concentration was significantly higher than the level required for optimum grapevine growth but less than the contamination level. The water and soil pH and soil organic matter content were in optimum condition. While soil EC was in normal range according to the Ministry of Agriculture standard, the EC value of water was above the optimum value, which can be due to the unauthorized deep-water wells and exposure to the saline watertable. Conclusion: According to the results, it seems that the sharp increase in copper concentration in the Malayer vineyard could be a result of fungicides application as well as pollution transmittal of mining, factories and chemical and animal fertilizers application in the study area.

Vermicompost, as a nutrient-rich organic amendment, contains most nutrients in plant-available forms and can influence soil fertility and plant growth significantly. The objective of this study was to investigate the availability and release rate of potassium (K) in six vineyard topsoil (0-30 cm) with different textures (loam, clay loam, and sandy clay loam) treated with 2 % of cattle manure vermicompost (VC), through successive extractions with 0. 01 mol L-1 CaCl2 over periods of 0. 25-72 hours. The results showed that VC addition to soils increased the K availability. The average cumulative K released after 72 h from the control and treated soils was 526. 9 and 547. 9 mg kg− 1, respectively. Due to the conformity of data to the Simple Elovich Equation, it was suggested that K release from soils was affected by diffusion processes. Simple Elovich rate constant values in soils ranged from 34. 9 to 132. 1 mg kg− 1h-1. The VC had different effects on K release rate in soils. In clay loam soils with high clay content, low organic matter and K fixation capacity, VC increased K release rate, while in loam and sandy clay loam soils with low clay, high organic matter, and low K fixation capacity, it decreased K release rate. Overall, VC had a balancing effect on K release rate. It could be related to VC interaction with soil particles, especially clays. Due to the importance of K in grape nutrition and K deficiency in some soils, the use of VC in vineyards is recommended.