نشریه علوم آب و خاک (علوم و فنون کشاورزی و منابع طبیعی)
سال هفدهم شماره 3 (پیاپی 65، پاییز 1392)

Urease is one of the most important enzymes in nitrogen cycle. The clay particles (with high surface area) play an important role in the stability of these protein compounds (enzymes) against various environmental factors. In order to examine the interactions between urease with sepiolite and vermiculite, three in vitro experiments were conducted separately in a completely randomized design. Two experiments were carried out with two replications. Treatments included six incubation times (0, 1, 2, 5, 10 and 20 days) and five levels of temperature (10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 ˚C). The third experiment was carried out in a factorial arrangement with two replications. Factors included three levels of pH (5, 7 and 9), and six-levels of enzyme concentrations (0.05, 0.25, 1, 5, 15 and 30 units). The results showed that the activity of adsorbed enzyme was more than free enzyme during the incubation time. The optimum temperatures for activity of free and adsorbed enzymes were 30 and 50 ˚C, respectively. It was concluded that enzyme adsorption on clay surfaces increases enzyme stability against environmental changes. Also, the results showed that the highest levels of urease adsorption on sepiolite and vermiculite occurred at pH 9 and 7, respectively. Adsorption isotherms of Enzyme showed that Vermiculite adsorbed urease with higher affinity compared to Sepiolite.

Different root water uptake models have recently been used. In this article, we use evapotranspiration data and soil water content data obtained from lysimeter measurements and root distribution in soil data obtained from olive tree to evaluate the accuracy of root water uptake models in predicting the soil water content profiles. Depth of lysimeter was 120 cm which was filled with clay-loam. Lysimeter recorded values of input and output of water and accurate value of evapotranspiration was also calculated. Soil water content distribution was measured using a TDR probe in lysimeter during the experiment. Feddes model with the root length density was used to account for the role of root distribution in soil. The flow equations were solved numerically with the measured evapotranspiration data as input, and the predicted soil water content profiles were compared with the measured profiles to evaluate the validity of the root water uptake models. The comparison showed that the average of relative error index for Feddes model was 10 %. Based on the results, about 90% of root uptake in olive tree happened at the depth of 40 centimeter.

Shahrekord aquifer is depleted by almost 800 deep and semi-deep wells, the majority of which are agricultural wells and some have urban usage. In southern parts of the plain, the water table has fallen strongly because of immoderate discharge and decreased the quality of water by urban wastewater. The main objective of this study is investigation of subsurface dam construction and its effects on water table in consumption locations, reduction of deliveries costs and interception of contaminant transport. Therefore, the Shahrekord aquifer model was simulated with hydrodynamic coefficients calibration by PMWIN5.3 Software. The southern outlet of plain (near Bahram-Abad village) was selected to study subsurface dam construction, then a horizontal-flow barrier in this place was set with mean hydraulic conductivity equal to 0.5 m/day. Water table situation and nitrate concentration were analyzed using ArcGIS9.2 software before and after dam construction. The results showed that the subsurface dam rises groundwater level in 4 kilometers distance of upstream areas. Also, the available volume of water increased about 1.5 Mm3. Nitrate concentration didnt show to be considerably different from the initial state. But, it is likely that contamination in the storage resource will rise because it is located near Shahrekord water treatment plant and also due to the discharge of wastewater wells.

Paddy soils provide the staple diet for nearly half of the world's population. The formation of the Anthrosols is induced by tilling the wet soil (puddling), flooding and drainage regimes associated with the development of a plow pan and specific redoximorphic features. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of long-term rice cultivation on physico-chemical properties and clay mineralogy of soils of three rice farms and compare the results with adjacent virgin lands in Yasouj region. Paddy soils exhibited larger contents of clay, organic carbon, saturation percentage, cation exchangeable capacity, cation exchange activity classes, electrical conductivity and lower content of calcium carbonate equivalent compared to non-paddy soils. This land use showed higher proportions of Feo, Fet and lower content of Fed. No such differences were noticed with the type of clay minerals in both land uses. Paddy soils contained greater amount of smectite, particularly in the surface horizons. Smectite in paddy soils exhibited lower layer charge and higher degree of crystallinity compared to non-paddy soils. Transformation of illite and chlorite to expandable minerals is a possible mechanism for lower amounts of these minerals in paddy soils.

Groundwater is the most important source of water supply for agricultural purposes in arid and semi-arid areas. In many areas, excessive use of high quality water resources leads to reducing the available water resources and turning to the use of low quality water resources. Thus, knowing the temporal and spatial variation of groundwater quality is a necessary factor for implementation of sound water resource management and establishment of the suitability between water quality and its usage. In order to investigate water quality changes, this study was divided into two phases. In the first phase, for evaluation of the quality of groundwater for irrigation 76 wells were sampled in Bahadoran plain, in the year 2006. The SAR, EC, ions B3+ and Cl- were analyzed as the evaluation indexes. Then, using geostatistical methods the maps of each parameter were prepared. Finally, considering FAO criteria, these maps were overlaid and separate water quality maps were derived. The EC map indicated that in 48 and 52 percent of the groundwater lies in severe and slight to moderate restriction class for irrigation purposes. Moreover, the thematic map of infiltration restrictions indicates that the groundwater has no restriction in 66 percent of the area while 11% of groundwater causes low to moderate and 23 percent causes severe limitation. In the next phase, to examine changes in groundwater salinity during a 5-year period, 38 wells were sampled and the groundwater salinity map for the year 2011 was prepared. Finally, using subtraction of the salinity maps of given years, the salinity changes map was derived. The results of thematic map showed that groundwater salinity increased in 26.47 percent of the study area. In contrast, there was a decrease of about 31.14 percent in groundwater salinity over the 5-year period while 42.39 percent of the region’s groundwater remained unchanged. Since the study area is under cultivation of pistachios and salt threshold of this tree is 8 ds/m so the area of about 8 percent of the area was added to the previous limited areas. Therefore, irrigation management and planting development plan in Eastern and Southeastern areas should be revised.

Trends in groundwater pollution with nitrate and phosphate may be an indication of water resources management. The aims of this research were to determine changes in nitrate and phosphate concentration and changes in spatial variability patterns of nitrate and phosphate and distribution over a 5-year period. To do this, 100 agricultural wells were sampled in the years 2006, 2010 and 2011, and analyzed for nitrate and phosphate concentrations. From 2006 to 2011, the mean nitrate concentration increased from 18 to 27 mg/L and the mean phosphate concentration from 0.05 to 0.15 mg/L. Spatial patterns did not change, and spherical model described the patterns throughout this period. Maps showed that the nitrate and phosphate concentrations are higher in the south, and lower in the north of the aquifer. It seems that the presence of the municipality treatment plant, intensive cattle farming, shallower water-table and inward flow gradient may be the reasons for the higher concentration in the southern part of the aquifer. From the comparison of the maps, it was clear that the areas of less polluted classes had shrunk while the areas of more polluted classes had grown from 2006 to 2011.

The quantity and variability of soil organic carbon (SOC) is one of the most important indices to determine the effect of land use changes on the soil quality. Regarding long-term changes from rangeland to dry farming in the Roin area of North Khorasan, the objectives of this study were to investigate the effect of long-term land use changes on the SOC in different slope faces and use SOC as an index to make a proper decision about the future of land use in this area. 140 soil samples were taken from 0-15 cm soil depth of back slope position of north-, south-, west- and east-facing slopes of rangeland, dry farming, alfalfa dry farming and garden in 7 points. 14 soil samples were taken from irrigated farming, too. The results showed that garden and irrigation farming with averages of 2.03 and 0.78% have the maximum and minimum SOC content. The average of SOC content in rangeland was 1.40% that decreased by land use change to 1.04 and 1.27% in dry farming and alfalfa dry farming, respectively. SOC content in southern slope aspects showed a significant difference compared to other slope aspects. The most SOC content occurred in east aspects. It seems that after long-term land use changes, the SOC content have equilibrated to environmental and land use conditions. The average SOC content in different slope aspects except south one changed from 1.4% in rangeland to 1.11% in dry farming and 1.32% in alfalfa dry farming, which are a suitable value for semiarid regions. In conclusion, to protect land from degradation and considering this fact that dry farming is the main income of the people in the study area, it is recommended to stop dry farming on south aspects and continue on east, north and west aspects with conservation practices.

This study was conducted to assess the long-term effects of soil texture and crop management on transport of lithium (Li+) and bromide (Br-) under unsaturated flow conditions. Treatments were two different soil textures of clay loam and sandy loam to be cropped with either wheat or alfalfa for 4 years. Undisturbed soil columns were taken for the steady-state flow condition using tap water prior to applying a pulse of 0.005 M (C0) LiBr solution as the influent. Four pore volumes (4PV) leaching for each column was obtained. Bromide and lithium concentrations of the effluent (C) were measured in 0.2PV intervals using bromide selective electrode and flame photometer, respectively. Relative concentrations (C/C0) of Br- and Li+ in the effluent were drawn vs. pore volumes. The results showed that the effluent concentrations were significantly affected by crop type and soil texture (in combination by soil structure). The breakthrough curves illustrated the early appearance of Br- in the effluent due to anion repulsion and retarded movement of Li+ because of surface adsorption through the soil columns. Both Br- and Li+ concentrations decreased with time and converged at low levels justifying the minor effect of macropores on continuation of leaching and final transport via soil matrix. The Br- and Li+ concentrations were higher in the effluent of clay loam soil under alfalfa due to higher structural stability compared with sandy loam soil under the same crop. It was also shown that in both soil textures the concentrations of Br- and Li+ appeared to be higher under alfalfa than under wheat, indicating the importance of crop management in contaminant transport compared with soil texture. The trends of breakthrough curves of Li+ were similar to Br- with lower concentration in effluent as a result of its adsorbtion on active surfaces.

In order to study the precision of qualitative land suitability classification method for main irrigated crops (i.e. potato, sugar beet, wheat and alfalfa) in the Shahrekord plain, qualitative land suitability maps were obtained for all the studied crops according to representative pedon analysis using simple limitation method. In the next step, a regular grid sampling consisting of 100 sample points with a distance of 375 m was designed. Then all required analyses were done to recognize the suitability class of these sites for each land use. Finally, land suitability results for all the observation points in each map unit were compared with the results of its representative pedon. The results showed the average of measured compatibility between representative pedon and other observation points in each map unit in class and subclass levels was about 60 % and 38 %, respectively. Due to the generalization of representative pedon analyses to all unit area, the use of soil map units as land suitability units may lead to unsatisfactory results. Therefore, the use of representative pedon is not recommended in sustainable land management and precision agriculture. However, new techniques like geostatistics can be used to improve the conventional soil mapping methods.

Environmental pollution caused by heavy metals such as lead is a serious and growing problem. Due to the importance of wheat in the human nutrition, this research was conducted to study concentration of lead in the soil and also seeds of wheat farms in Khuzestan Province. Therefore, in the agricultural year of 2007-2008, the soil and wheat seed samples were collected from 100 farms whose locations were specified using weighing sampling method. The lead concentrations in soil (total and available), and wheat seeds samples were measured. The result revealed that lead concentrations in soil and seeds in none of the studied regions exceeded the respective critical levels (50 and 30-300 mg/kg, respectively). Ezeh with an average of 0.01 µg/kg had the lowest amount of lead in the wheat seeds, while Bagh‌Malek with an average of 190 µg/kg had the highest amount. The mean concentration of available lead in the soils of study region was 0.6 mg/kg. The concentration of available lead had a negative and significant correlation (r=-0.2*) with the ECe. Also, lead concentration in wheat seeds had a positive and significant correlation (r=0.3**) with the amount of calcium carbonate equivalent. More lead concentration in seeds of bread wheat cultivars showed its higher potential for accumulation of lead than durum wheat.

Heavy metals in water resources are one of the most important environmental problems in most of countries. Up to now, various methods for removing these metals including using low price materials have been used. In this study, two new absorbents (zizyphus spinachristi leaf and its fly ash) were studied for adsorption of cadmium from aqueous solutions using batch experiments. The effect of contact time, pH, and amount of adsorbent on adsorption efficiency was evaluated and the best kinetic and isotherm model was determined. Results showed that optimal absorption of pH was 5 and 6 for zizyphus spinachristi leaf and its fly ash, respectively. The equilibrium time was 45 min for zizyphus spinachristi leaf and 30 min for ash. Adsorption efficiency was increased by increasing the adsorbent dose. By comparing the parameters of isotherm models, it was observed that the cadmium adsorption capacity of fly ash (4.27 mg/gr) was higher than that of zizyphus spinachristi (3.91 mg/gr).

Soil erodibility and gully erosion and their expansion occur under geological formation and soil characteristics. This study aims to find the rate of soil and formation effects on gully erosion in Seifabad watershed. To that end, aerial and field work were used together to determine the rate & expansion of 17 gullies in 12 year's period from 1997 to 2009. The soils were sampled for each gully in 50% interval distance with 0-30 cm horizontal surfaces and >30 cm depth. Some factors were estimated from the soil such as EC, PH, Silt, Clay, Sand & limeston percentages. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS 14 through non-parametric tests such as Kruskal-Wallis & Mann-Whitney. Spearman coefficient was used to investigate the relation between volume of gully & litological factors. The results showed a positive correlation at 1% level for the PH with the gully erodibility in surface soil, but for the depth of soil this relation belonged to the silt percentage, and sand showed a negative relation at 5%level with the volume of the gully sediments. Finally, there was no statistical relationship between geological formation and the sediment yield in gullies.

The main aim of flood water spreading in Iran is to recharge groundwater. Understanding the effect and efficiency of such projects is one of the most important activities in managing and implementing water spreading. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of water spreading on groundwater resources in Kohdasht plain. Data and information required including precipitation rate, groundwater level and groundwater exploitation were collected and analyzed for a ten year period. First of all, in order to assess the three variables test of normality was performed and then all the data was normalized. The results showed that before implementing the water spreading project, fluctuations of groundwater were proportional to utilization of groundwater resources, showing a declining rate. After implementing the project, a turning point on groundwater level was observed. Also, another turning point was recognizable in hydrological year 1377-1378. In addition to overexploitation, drought affected the aquifer so dramatically that standard index in hydrological year 1371-1372 decreased from 0.3 to -1.5 in hydrological year 1377-1378.

Improper properties of sewage sludge include odors, trace elements concentration, and presence of pathogens limit its use in agriculture. Composting and using of earthworms in this process is one of the most suitable methods for stabilization and removal of unsuitable properties of sewage sludge. To investigate the effects of kind and mixing proportion of bulking material and sewage sludge decomposition stage on vermicompost quality, an experiment was carried out in a split plot design with three replications. In this experiment, the stage of sewage decomposition (raw sewage, digested sludge in digester, dewatered sludge in lagoons, and final dried sludge in lagoons) was main factor and kind of bulking materials (woodchips, three leaves, and wheat straw) and mixing proportion of bulking materials to swage sludge (0, 15, 30, and 45 %, V/V) were as subordinate factors. Chemical properties of sewage in different decomposition stages and bulking materials were determined. After 5 months of incubation in the controlled moisture and temperature condition, and in the presence of earthworms, the pot's contents were harvested, and nutrients and heavy metal concentration of vermicomposts were measured. Vermicomposts had relatively low pH and EC. Their nutrients content especially N, P, Fe, and Zn were high. These properties showed vermicompost suitability for use as a soil amendment and organic fertilizer. Heavy metals concentrations of vermicomposts, except for Zn, were lower than recommended values by EPA. Despite no significant difference between the kinds of bulking materials, mixing of these materials with sewage sludge decreased pH, N, and Pb content of produced vermicompost. According to the results, 30% (v/v) mixing of bulking material and sewage sludge is recommended.

In order to determine optimum equilibrium solution phosphorus (P) concentration using P adsorption isotherm and obtain model(s) by integrating soil solution P concentration, physicochemical properties, and soil P test (available P) which predict standard P requirements to achieve maximum yield, laboratory and glasshouse experiments were conducted on 36 soil samples belonging to 15 soil series and 14 soil samples, respectively. Using wheat as a test crop, the glasshouse experiment was laid out with five P levels in a completely randomized design with three replications. Concentrations of P in solution established by adding P in the pots estimated from the sorption curve ranged from 0.2 to 1.2 mg P/L including check treatment (no P). The results showed that equilibrium solution P concentration (EPC) was almost low in comparison with the requirement for most crops (<0.2 mg/L). The amount of P adsorbed by the soils at 0.2 mg/L EPC ranged from 5 to 114 mg/kg soil. The phosphate adsorption was well described by Freundlich (R2 = 0.96) and Langmuir (R2 = 0.88) isotherms. Langmuir maximum adsorption (Xm) and Freundlich coefficient (aF) estimated from Langmuir and Freundlich equations ranged from 127 to 238 mg P /kg soil and from 43 to 211 mg P/kg, respectively. Yield of wheat in all soils approached maximum as adjusted P levels were increased to 0.4 mg P/L. The results showed that some soils studied were adequate in available P by the NaHCO3 test, but required an amount of P fertilizer by the isotherm P requirement test to obtain maximum biomass production. Soil clay content was significantly related to the soil P sorption indices, P0.4 (P sorbed at 0.4 mg P/L EPC) (R = 0.40, P<0.01), PBC (P buffering capacity) (R = 0.54, P<0.001), aF (R = 0.48, P<0.01), and Xm (R = 0.40, P<0.01). Total CaCO3 and Active CaCO3 were found to be less important factors affecting P adsorption. Using stepwise regression analysis resulted in a useful regression model including the combination of Olsen P and clay content for the prediction of standard P requirement (P0.4).

Studying the distribution of Zn in the soils allows investigating their mobility and bioavailability. In this research, 10 calcareous soil samples were selected, and sewage sludge-amended (1% w/w) and -unamended (control) soils were incubated for 1 month. Before planting, fractions of Zn were determined, three seeds of wheat were planted in each pot and after 8 weeks, they were harvested. Results showed that all Zn fractions were increased by sewage sludge addition. Results of pot experiment indicated a significant correlation between Zn concentration in wheat with exchangeable (r=0.92**) and Zn associated with Fe and Mn oxides (r=0.76*) in control soils. In addition, significant correlation coefficient was found between Zn associated with Fe and Mn oxides and Zn uptake index (r=0.86**). Moreover, wheat responses were significantly correlated with Zn exchangeable (r=0.71*- 0.84**) in amended soils. Yield was correlated with Zn associated with carbonates and Zn associated with Fe and Mn 0.69 and 0.75, respectively. Zn uptake index was correlated with Zn associated carbonates (r=0.64*). Therefore, the exchangeable and Zn associated with Fe and Mn oxides in control soils and the exchangeable and Zn associated carbonates and Zn associated with Fe and Mn oxides in amended soils could be used as available fractions of wheat.

This research was carried out in a hydroponic culture to investigate the effect of Zn nutrition on phytosiderophore release by roots of three bread wheat genotypes (Triticum aestivum L. cvs. Rushan, Kavir, and Cross) differing in Zn-efficiency. The wheat seeds were germinated in sterile sand and two weeks later the plants were transferred to nutrient solution containing different Zn levels. Phytosiderophore released by plant roots was collected ten days after applying Zn treatments and measured using resin-Cu-mobilization test. A month after their transfer to nutrient solution, the plants were harvested and Fe and Zn concentrations in root and shoot were measured, and total amounts (uptake) of these nutrients were determined. Zinc addition increased concentration and total amount of Fe and Zn in shoot in Rushan genotype, while it had no significant effect on concentration and total amount of Zn in shoot and root of Kavir and Spring Back-Cross-Rushan genotypes. Addition of Zn to the nutrient solution decreased concentration and total amount of Fe in shoot of all wheat genotypes. On the other hand, Zn nutrition increased root Zn concentration in Rushan and Kavir genotypes, while it resulted in significant decrease of root Zn concentration in Back-Cross-Rushan genotype. Effect of Zn nutrition on the amount of phytosiderophore release by roots of wheat genotypes was different. Zinc nutrition resulted in an increase of phytosiderophore release by roots of Rushan, while it had no significant effect on phytosiderophore release in other wheat genotypes.

Quantitative evaluation of evapotranspiration on a regional scale is necessary for water resources management, crop production and environmental assessments in irrigated lands. In this study, in order to estimate ETo and because of few synoptic stations and also little recorded meteorological data in North Khorasan Province, Iran, with arid and semi-arid climate, 7 stations from neighboring provinces were used. Reference evapotranspiration was calculated using 6 different methods which required a small amount of input data, including Class A pan, Hargreaves-Samani, Priestly-Tailor, Turc, Makkink and the method proposed by Allen et al (1998) to estimate ETo with missing climate data. Besides, the standard FAO-Penman-Monteith was used (because there was no Lysimetric data in the region) to evaluate the applied formulas. Since there was no agreement over the appropriate method to calculate ETo in the selected stations, by using significance test of regression lines, a linear regression equation was computed for each month, in order to convert the best calculating method to FAO-Penman-Monteith formula. Evaluations of these equations showed their acceptable accuracy, in comparison with the previous researches, specifically for cold months (MAE values ranged from 0.3 to 1.4 mm/day).

The purpose of this study was to investigate cadmium adsorption through Freundlich and Langmuir equations in sediments of Karun River in three hydrometric stations (5th Ahvaz Bridge, Darkhovin and Khorramshahr) in the low-water and high-water seasons. Fitting of data from experiments on cadmium absorption to Freundlich and Langmuir equation showed they are compatible. According to the conducted experiments, there was a significant difference at 0.01 levels between b coefficient of Langmuir equation with the organic matter percentage and the clay content in both Low and high water seasons, while there was no significant difference between k coefficient of Langmuir equation with the organic matter percentage and the clay content for the two seasons. The results also suggested that there is a significant relationship between Kf of Freundlich equation with the organic matter percentage and clay content, at significant levels of 0.05 and 0.01 for the organic matter percentage and the clay content, respectively. Comparison of the means of low and high water seasons revealed that there is no significant relationship between Langmuir coefficients, whereas in Freundlich equation, a significant difference at 0.01 level was observed between kf coefficients. Generally, the obtained results indicated that cadmium adsorption by sediments in low-water season is higher than high-water season. Also, cadmium adsorption by the 5th Ahvaz Bridge sediments due to the sandy texture was less than those adsorbed by both Darkhovin and Khorramshahr sediments.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of crop residues management on soil physical and biological properties. The impacts of residue management on yield of forage corn and barley and soil micro-organisms population were also studied. The results showed that application of crop residues increased soil organic matter (22.2 %), saturated hydraulic conductivity (51.9 %), porosity (3.7 %), mean weight diameter (MWD) of the aggregates (5.4 %), and field capacity (5.8 %) and decreased bulk density (3.7 %) Whereas crop residues burring decreased soil organic matter (31.8 %), saturated hydraulic conductivity (36.6 %), porosity (0.5 %), mean weight diameter (MWD) of the aggregates (5.1 %), and field capacity (4.1 %) and increased soil bulk density (1 %). Soil water characteristic curves showed that the observed differences in soil water retention of application and burning residues treatments were higher at low matric suctions than those at high water matric suction. The results demonstrated that micro-organisms population significantly (P<0.05) decreased in residues burning treatment compared with the residues application treatment. Therefore, based on the results of this study residue's burning is not recommended in Ardabil.