Soil science
F. Maghami Moghim; A.R. Karimi; M. Bagheri Bodaghabadi; H. Emami
Abstract
Introduction The type of management operations and land use systems are the key parameters affecting the soil quality and sustainable land use. The exploitation systems by efficient use of soil and water recourse can decrease productions costs and increase the yield as well as conserve the ...
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Introduction The type of management operations and land use systems are the key parameters affecting the soil quality and sustainable land use. The exploitation systems by efficient use of soil and water recourse can decrease productions costs and increase the yield as well as conserve the natural resources. However, farmers and stakeholders need to be aware that through their management practices, they affect soil quality and, with the short-term goal of production and greater profitability, lead to soil degradation. They can both use the land economically and improve and maintain soil quality by balancing production inputs and refining their management approaches. There are different management systems of productivity in agricultural lands in Neyshabour plain in northeastern Iran. In addition to the water and soil limitations in the study area, the prevalence of the smallholder system and the unwillingness of farmers to integrate smallholder, has further increased the destruction of soils in the study area. The objective of this study was to assess the changes in soil quality index in surface soil and profile (0-100 cm) and calculate the correlation between soil quality index and alfalfa and rapeseed yield in rangeland and agricultural areas managed by smallholders, total owners, and Binalood Company in the study area.Materials and Methods A total of 21 soil profiles were described in the total owner, smallholder and Binalood company management system and sampled from the alfalfa and rapeseed lands. Questionnaires were prepared with the help of farmers and experts in the study area based on Analytic Hierarchical analysis (AHP) method. The physical and chemical characteristics of the soil samples were determined. The important soil characteristics affecting plant growth were determined by interviewing farmers and experts study area. Soil quality index in the minimum data set (MDS) was calculated by two methods of principal component analysis (PCA) and expert opinion (EO), by additive and weighted methods in surface soil and profile. To achieve a single value for each soil properties in the soil profile, two methods of weighted mean and weighted factor were used. To evaluate the accuracy of the assessment, the correlation between soil quality index and alfalfa and rapeseed yield was investigated of the various management system.Result and DiscussionThe results showed that the highest additive and weighted soil quality index at both surface and soil profile in both PCA and EO methods were in rangeland. It was due to lack of cultivation and maintaining organic matter comparing to agricultural land. The total owner management system due to its economic power and the use of appropriate and scientific methods comparing to smallholder management system, showed the highest additive and weighted soil quality index. In all management system, the EO-calculated weight index by weighted factor method had the highest value due to assigning the suitable weight for soil characteristics. The correlation analyses soil quality indices with canola and alfalfa indicated that the EO soil quality calculated by weighted factor for the soil profile were more correlated than surface soil in total owner system and the Binalood company. Weight coefficient method due to the application of different weights to each layer based on their importance, showed a higher soil quality index in both EO and PCA sets than the weighted average method. The reason for better EO performance probably is that the PCA is a reducing the dimensions, meanwhile, the minimum data selection in the EO method is based on regional experts which are familiar with cause-and-effect relationship of the soil properties. Due to the relatively good correlation of the yield of the studied products, with the soil quality index, an appropriate management needs to maintain and improve soil quality, especially in the smallholder system, as well as meeting the nutritional needs of these products.Conclusion Soil quality assessment in this study indicated that calculation of the soil quality index only considering the surface soil properties may not provide complete information for the farmers and land managers. Then inclusion of both surface and profile soil properties with farmers' knowledge and study area experts are essential for sustainable soil management. On the other hand, the differences in the management system also affected the soil quality index. Although the smallholder management system due to low input, especially chemical fertilizers, water and agricultural implements, had a high potential concerning environmental issues, but in terms of production, total owner and Binalood company management systems because of their high economic strength had the higher soil quality index. The farmers and stakeholders of the total owner management systems should be considered despite the proper management, however due to high inputs of fertilizer and water, especially in the Binalood company, the production may not be sustainable. Therefore, for further studies, calculating the water consumption in the desired management systems is recommended.
Hadiseh Rahmani; Amir Lakzian; Ali reza Karimi; Akram Halajnia
Abstract
Introduction: Laccases are potent enzymes that are capable of oxidizing various phenolic and non-phenolic compounds as well as resistant environmental pollutants. One of the most effective methods for improving their properties, such as increasing the stability of these enzymes and even increasing their ...
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Introduction: Laccases are potent enzymes that are capable of oxidizing various phenolic and non-phenolic compounds as well as resistant environmental pollutants. One of the most effective methods for improving their properties, such as increasing the stability of these enzymes and even increasing their activity, is the immobilization of laccases on different carriers. In the process of immobilization, the enzyme is bonded to a solid carrier which is insoluble in the reaction mixture. In this process, the movement of the enzyme in space is severely restricted, while its catalytic activity is still maintained. One of the carriers used to create recyclable biocatalyst systems is mineral. Minerals as inorganic carriers are inexpensive, abundant in nature, readily available, and also have high biocompatibility. The objective of the present study was to investigate the adsorption properties of Laccase enzyme from T. versicolor fungus on montmorillonite K10 and zeolite minerals using Langmuir, Freundlich, Temkin and Dubinin–Radushkevich isotherms.
Materials and Methods: For this study, the pure laccase enzyme (> 10U mg-1), 2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS) substrate and montmorillonite K10 mineral (with a specific surface area of 220-270 m2/g and a cation exchange capacity (CEC) equal to 30 meq 100 g-1) were purchased from Sigma-Aldrich. Zeolite mineral was provided from a mine located in southeast Semnan province. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images of both minerals, CEC of zeolite with sodium acetate solution (pH=8.2) and zeolite surface area were determined. X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) analyzes of zeolite mineral were also done. In order to immobilize laccase on the minerals, 200 mg of both minerals were activated by shaking with 0.5N HNO3 for 2 hours and a solution of 2% 3-aminopropyltriethoxylane in acetone. The activated minerals were treated by a 5% solution of glutaraldehyde in a 0.1M sodium acetate buffer (pH=5) and were shaken for 24 hours with 0.25-2.0 mg of the laccase dissolved in the buffer. Langmuir, Freundlich, Temkin and Dubinin–Radushkevich isotherms were determined. The experiment was carried out at a constant temperature of 20°C. The results were analyzed using the MSTATC software and the means of the data were compared using Duncan’s multiple range test.
Results and Discussion: Based on the results, the zeolite type was clinoptilolite with a chemical formula of (Na,K,Ca)2.5Al3(Al,Si)2Si13O36.12H2O. Moreover, BET Surface Area, Langmuir Surface Area, t-Plot Micropore Area and t-Plot External Surface Area of zeolite were 40.2712, 645.4780, 3.5188 and 36.7524 m2/g, respectively. Laccase absorption on montmorillonite K10 showed the highest compliance first with the Dubinin–Radushkevich model (R2=0.97) and then with the Langmuir adsorption isotherm model (R2=0.96). Based on the D-R model, the theoretical monolayer sorption capacity (qm) and the constant of the sorption energy (ß) of montmorillonite K10 were 3 mg/g and 0.62 (×103 mol2/J2), respectively. According to the Langmuir isotherm, there was probably a homogeneous distribution of active sites on the montmorillonite K10 mineral surface. On the other hand, laccase adsorption on zeolite showed the best compliance with the Freundlich model (R2=0.87). Accordingly, sorption capacity (KF) of zeolite was 0.05 mg/g (L/mg)1/n. The amount of n parameter as an indicator of the favorability of sorption process was 1.49 demonstrating favorable absorption condition. The values of R2 obtained for Temkin isotherm model were, however, equal in both minerals (R2=0.62 for montmorillonite K10 and R2 = 0.61 for zeolite), and based on this model, the adsorption process was likely to be exothermic. According to the values of the equilibrium parameter (RL) of montmorillonite K10, the absorption was favorable. However, with increasing the initial concentration of laccase, the amount of RL approached zero indicating the laccase adsorption on the mineral is more favorable at higher initial concentrations of laccase. Based on % Removal parameter, the highest percentage of laccase adsorption on montmorillonite K10 and zeolite was related to concentrations of 250 and 125 mg/L, respectively, which showed a statistically significant difference with other concentrations.
Conclusion: In general, laccase absorption on montmorillonite K10 showed the best fit with Dubinin–Radushkevich and Langmuir adsorption isotherm models. On the other hand, adsorption of laccase on zeolite mineral showed the best fit with Freundlich model. A higher degree of steric hindrance and conformational changes in the enzyme structure is likely to occur and subsequently, the catalytic efficiency of the enzyme complexes may decrease. Therefore, montmorillonite is more suited to be used as a carrier of laccase enzymes. However, complementary studies such as kinetic tests will help to make final decisions.
Farsila Mahmoudian; Ali reza Karimi; Amir Lakzian
Abstract
1- Abdelkhalik Ibrahim M.A. 2011. Argillic horizons and clay-sized particles - an alternative interpretation of their dynamics in sola development and across catenas. Ph.D. Thesis, Iowa State University, 127p.
2- Bayat O., Karimzadeh H.R., Karimi A., Eghbal M.K., and Khademi H. 2013. Pedogeomorphic ...
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Mahdiyeh Momen; Ali reza Karimi; Akram Halajnia; Parisa Mirhoseini Moosavi
Abstract
Introduction: Sepiolite is a fibrous clay mineral which is usually found in Tertiary sediments in arid environments. The most abundance of sepiolite is between 30⁰ to 40⁰ latitudes of both northern and southern hemispheres. Sepiolite is an Mg-rich clay minerals which is very sensitive to weathering. ...
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Introduction: Sepiolite is a fibrous clay mineral which is usually found in Tertiary sediments in arid environments. The most abundance of sepiolite is between 30⁰ to 40⁰ latitudes of both northern and southern hemispheres. Sepiolite is an Mg-rich clay minerals which is very sensitive to weathering. Sepiolite is an industrial mineral with a variety of applications due to its structural and chemical properties. However, the clay (e.g. palygorskite and smectite) and no-clay (e.g. dolomite and quartz) impurities reduce the quality of sepiolite. Therefore, removing the impurities enhances the quality of the main clay mineral. Mineral purification consists of a series of chemical (e.g. acid treatment) and physical (e.g. particle size fractionation, sieving, ultrasonic treatment) procedures. There is a sepiolite mine in the northeastern Iran, near the city of Fariman. The sepiolite is a sensitive clay to weathering, especially in acidic solution. Therefore, the objective of this study was to propose a simple physical method based on particle size fractionation to purify the sepiolite.
Material and Methods: Sepiolite mine is located around Elyator, a village near the city of Fariman. The relatively hard sepiolite samples were grinded and passed through a 2 mm sieve. To determine the mineralogical composition, the powdered samples were analyzed by X-ray diffractometer (model: Explorer). XRF spectroscopy (model: PHILIPS-PW148) was used to identify the elemental composition. Pipette method was used to separate the particle size fractions. Firstly, the samples were passed through a 270 mesh (50 µm) sieve. The 0-50 µm fraction was then transferred to the cylinder containing dispersion solution (0.1% sodium carbonate and sodium hexametaphosphate solution). Based on the settling time of the particles in the suspension, three classes of particle size of 20-50, 0-20 and 50 µm size (sand size) were about 20 % and those with less than 2 µm size (clay size) consisted 37 % of the sample. Silt size particles (2-50 µm) were about 43 % of the sample. The XRD diffractograms indicated that particle size fractionation considerably decreased the amount of quartz. Dolomite peaks were completely absent in the diffractogram of the < 2 µm fraction. Furthermore, the peaks of palygorskite were not present in diffractogram of 20-50 µm. The intensity of sepiolite peaks considerably increased and the intensities of the other minerals decreased in relation to bulk samples. This confirmed that the most impurities were in the fraction > 50 µm. The ratios of the sepiolite indicator peak to the dolomite, palygorskite and quartz indicator peaks in bulk sample were 5.11, 7.28 and 2.82. This ratio was very high for dolomite in < 2 µm fraction and for palygorskite in 20-50 µm fraction. A purification procedure should be both efficient and economic. The 0-20 µm fraction composed about 70 % the particles. The separation time for this fraction is also pretty fast. Therefore, 0-20 µm particles seem to be economically purified. Based on the conventional measurement method for carbonates (HCl digestion and NaOH titration method), the calcium carbonate equivalent in < 2 µm fraction was calculated to be about 10 % despite removal of dolomite in this fraction. This illustrates that HCl dissolved the sepiolite. However, if removal of dolomite from coarser fraction by HCl is needed, it should be applied in the solution with high amount of Mg to prevent sepiolite dissolution.
Conclusion: Dolomite, palygorskite and quartz were the impurities in Fariman sepiolite. There is no chemical treatment to remove the quartz and palygorskite. Dolomite can be easily removed using HCl, but it dissociates the sepiolite, too. The result indicated that particle size fractionation as a simple physical method purifies sepiolite effectively.
A. Shahriari; F. Khormali; Martin kehl; Ali reza Karimi; M. Mousavidastenaei; E. Lehndorff
Abstract
Introduction: Knowledge about palaeoenviroment and palaeovegetation provides information about how vegetation reacts on climate fluctuations in the past, what will help understanding current and future developments caused by e.g. climate change. Northern Iranian Loess-Plateau forms a strongly dissected ...
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Introduction: Knowledge about palaeoenviroment and palaeovegetation provides information about how vegetation reacts on climate fluctuations in the past, what will help understanding current and future developments caused by e.g. climate change. Northern Iranian Loess-Plateau forms a strongly dissected landscape with steeply sloping loess hills. This loess record reflects numerous cycles of climate change and landscape evolution for the Middle to Late Quaternary period. therefore, this study was done for reconstruction of palaeoenvironment (climate and vegetation) in loess-palaeosol sequences in northern Iran. Therefore, this study aims at a preliminary reconstruction of palaeovegetation and palaeoenvironment, in loess-palaeosol sequences along a cliomosequnce in Northern Iran.
Materials and Methods: Two loess-palaeosol sequences (Agh Band and Nowdeh sections) were chosen in Golestan province, in northern Iran and step-wise profiles were prepared. Agh Band section is located in the western most part of the Northern Iranian loess plateau and has about 50 m thickness of loess deposits. Nowdeh loess-palaeosol sequence is located about 20 km southeast of Gonbad-e Kavus, in the vicinity of the Nowdeh River. Soil sampling was done in several field campaigns in spring 2012. More than 30cm of the surface deposits were removed in order to reach for undisturbed loess and palaeosols and one mixed sample was taken from each horizonA comparison of palaeosols with modern soils formed under known Holocene climatic conditions, which are derived from substrates with similar granulometric and mineralogical composition are suited for reconstructing past climate and environment. Hence, six modern soil profiles were prepared along the climosequnce and the vegetation cover changed from grassland in the dry area to dense shrub land and forest in the moist part of the ecological gradient. For reconstruction of palaeoenvironment (climate and vegetation) some basic physico-chemical properties, clay mineralogy and n-alkane biomarkers were used.
Results and Discussion: Results of soil texture analysis showed silt particles were dominant (more than 50 %) in the modern soil profiles and loess-paleosol sequences which confirmed aeolian source of loess deposit. Clay content increased while silt content decrease in more strongly developed palaeosol horizons which it may reflected weathering processes of clay and/or its translocation. The modern soil profiles were classified as Entisols, Inceptisols, Mollisols and Alfisols which shows impact of climate as an important soil formation factor in the studied area. Clay mineralogy results in two loess-palaeosol sequences showed that illite, chlorite, kaolinite and smectite are dominant in these deposits. Mineralogical changes in the soil horizons are consistent with morphology and soil evaluation, so smectite, illite-smectite (mixed layer) and vermiculite minerals were dominant minerals in more strongly developed palaeosol horizons indicating to high precipitation and good vegetation cover (e.g., forest). The n-alkane biomarker results in the modern soil profiles showed, the average chain length (ACL) and (nC31+nC33)/(nC27+nC29) ratio are very efficient parameters for reconstruction of vegetation, therefore these parameters were used to unravel the palaeovegation in loess-palaeosol sequences. In both sections n-alkane biomarkers studies showed vegetation changes in different periods. These changes were most intense in Nowdeh loess-palaeosol sequence, so grassland and shrub in profil1 (Bk horizon) and profile 2 (ABk horizon) palaeosols (with illite dominance) changes to forest in profile 2 (AB horizon with smectite dominance) and profile 3 (Btky horizon with smectite dominance and vermiculite presence) palaeosols. Agh Band section had one palaeosol including two horizons (Bw and Bk) which based on n-alkane specifications the Bw-horizon indicates grass/shrub vegetation (alsosmectite presence). It could indicate favorable environmental conditions promoting the growth of more dense vegetation.
Conclusions: Results showed that clay mineralogy changes are in line with n-alkane biomarkers results and both analyses reflect climate and environment conditions in soil formation periods and they are more effective for the accurate reconstruction of palaeoenviroment. According to chronological data for Nowdeh and Agh Band loess-palaeosol sequences, Nowdeh section had more suitable environment (more precipitation, more dense vegetation and suitable conditions for formation and development of soil, pedologically) compared with Agh Band section at the same times. Clay mineralogy and n-alkane biomarker resulted in the modern soil profiles and loess-palaeosol sequences showed that the modern ecological gradient (especially for precipitation) existed during the time and climate was an important soil formation factor in the studied region.
Mohammad Ghasemzadeh Ganjehie; Ali reza Karimi; Ali Zeinadini; Reza Khorasani
Abstract
Introduction: Playa is one of the most important landscapes in arid regions which covers about 1% of the world's total land area. Study of playas is important from different points of view especially pedology, sedimentology, mineralogy, environmental geology, groundwater and surface water chemistry. ...
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Introduction: Playa is one of the most important landscapes in arid regions which covers about 1% of the world's total land area. Study of playas is important from different points of view especially pedology, sedimentology, mineralogy, environmental geology, groundwater and surface water chemistry. More than 60 playas have been identified in Iran. Considering the fact that playas and surrounding landforms are important archive of landscape evolution and paleoenvironmental variations, it seems that less attention has been paid to them so far. Soils are known as indicators of the landscapes evolution. Previous studies in arid regions of Iran imply different periods of deposition and soil formation in playa and alluvial fans or pediments. Bajestan playa is one of the known playa in northeastern Iran, and the largest clay flat exists in this playa. There is no information on the soils and their evolution in Bajestan playa. The objective of this study were to 1) identify the soils in different landforms along a transect from alluvial fan to clay in Bajestan playa 2) determine the morphological, micromorphological and mineralogical characteristics of these soils 3) determine the periods of soil and landform evolution and 4) comparison of soils evolution of the study area to other arid regions of Iran.
Material and Methods: The study area of approximately 20000 hectares is located in southeastern of KhorasanRazavi province. The climate of the study area is hot and dry with mean annual temperature and rainfall of 17.3 °C and 193 mm, respectively. Soil moisture regime is aridic with subdivisions of weak aridic and soil temperature regime is thermic. Firstly, landforms and geomorphic surfaces of the study area were recognized based on Google Earth images interpretations and field observations. Four main landforms were recognized in the study area. The landforms from north to the south of the study area were alluvial fan, intermediate alluvial fan- clay flat, pediment and clay flat. Considering the diversity of geomorphic units, 11 soil profiles were described and diffrenet soil layers and horizons were sampled. Undisturbed soil samples were taken micromorphological studies. Some horizons were selected for clay mineralogy analysis. The mineralogy of clay fraction was determined using X-ray diffraction method.
Results and discution: All studied soils except the profiles in the pediment were classified in the Aridisols order. There were two geomorphic surfaces in alluvial fans. In the first geomorphic surface a soil with the Bk horizon buried a soil with red Btk horizon. In the second geomorphic surface, it seems that the erosion has been removed the overlying soil. The Bk horizon showed the maximum soil development in the clay flat and intermediate alluvial fan-clay flat landforms. Clay coating on sand in thin section was the evidence of clay illuviation in Btk horizon. Carbonate nodules associated with clay coating are the compound pedofeature in Btk horizon. These evidences reflect polygenetic nature of the soils and different period of climate change and soil formation. Smectite, mica, chlorite and palygorskite are the clay minerals in the studied soils. Similar to soils in arid regions of Iran, palygorskite was found in Bk, Bt and Bz horizons. The existence of Bk horizon in overlying soils, buried Btk horizon, removal of surface horizon in alluvial fan are the evidences of regressive and progressive of pedogenic processes in the study area. Btk horizon represents a warm and wetter and Bk horizon indicates a relatively wetter period in comparison to present time.
Conclusion: Btk was the most developed horizon in the study area that occurred as buried paleosol in alluvial fan. Bk, Bw, By and Bz were the common horizon in other landforms. Clay coating and red color of Btk horizon might seem as indicators of hot and humid conditions in the past, during the argillic horizon formation. Covered carbonate nodules with clay coating can also be mentioned as sign of a hot and wet period which is suitable for clay illuviation and weathering after a period of carbonate accumulation. The buried Btk horizon under alluvial layers in the alluvial fan indicates that after apedogenic period, alluvial processes have been responsible in burying this horizon. Bk horizon in overlying soil of all landforms represents a less intense period of soil formation. The dominant clay minerals in the study area were Illiite, cholorite, kaolinite, and palygorskite. The sequence of Bk and Btk horizons in this research and the occurrence of these soils in central, eastern and northeastern Iran imply the similar pedogenetic conditions in arid regions of Iran.
P. Mirhoseini Moosavi; A. Astaraei; Ali reza Karimi; Gh. Karimi
Abstract
Montmorillonite is the major mineral of Bentonite with many applications in industrial fields but some impurities decreases the quality of the bentonite. The main objective of this study was to investigate the suitable method for purification of Ghaen mine bentonite. A combination of methods was considered ...
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Montmorillonite is the major mineral of Bentonite with many applications in industrial fields but some impurities decreases the quality of the bentonite. The main objective of this study was to investigate the suitable method for purification of Ghaen mine bentonite. A combination of methods was considered including wet sieving and sedimentation, centrifuge and ultrasound. The efficiency of purification methods was determined based on X-ray, particle size, cation exchange capacity (CEC) and ratio peak of the Quartz/Montmorillonite analysis before and after experiments. The results showed that such methods were efficient for preparing of the materials having high quantity of montmorillonite with less than 2 microns particle sizes. Cristobalite was the only mineral remained in samples, however many of particles were exempted from the samples. Cristobalite was the main impurity remained with montmorillonite. Chemical treatment is the only way for its complete removal. The results of this study revealed that by using easy, cheap and fast methods, it is possible for acceptable purification of bentonite.
amir ranjbar; H. Emami; Ali reza Karimi; R. Khorassani
Abstract
Introduction: Saffron is one of the most important economic plants in the Khorasan province. Awareness of soil quality in agricultural lands is essential for the best management of lands and for obtaining maximum economic benefit. In general, plant growth is a function of environmental factors especially ...
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Introduction: Saffron is one of the most important economic plants in the Khorasan province. Awareness of soil quality in agricultural lands is essential for the best management of lands and for obtaining maximum economic benefit. In general, plant growth is a function of environmental factors especially chemical and physical properties of soil (20). It has been demonstrated that there was a positive and high correlation between soil organic matter and saffron yield. Increasing the yield of saffron due to organic matter is probably due to soil nutrient, especially phosphorous and nitrogen and also improvement of soil physical quality (6, 28, 29). The yield of saffron in soils with high nitrogen as a result of vegetative growth is high (8). Shahandeh (6) found that most of the variation of saffron yield depends on soil properties. Due to the economic importance of saffron and the role of soil properties on saffron yield, this research was conducted to find the relationship between saffron yield and some soil physical and chemical properties, and to determine the contribution of soil properties that have the greatest impact on saffron yield in the Ghayenat area.
Materials and Methods: This research was performed in 30 saffron fields (30 soil samples) of the Ghayenat area (longitude 59° 10΄ 10.37˝ - 59° 11΄ 38.41˝ and latitude 33° 43΄ 35.08˝ - 33΄ 44΄ 02.78˝), which is located in the Khrasan province of Iran. In this research, 21 soil properties were regarded as the total data set (TDS). Then the principal component analysis (PCA) was used to determine the most important soil properties affecting saffron yield as a minimum data set (MDS) and the stepwise regression to estimate saffron yield. To estimate the yield of saffron in stepwise regression method, saffron yield was considered as a dependent variable and soil physical and chemical properties were considered to be independent variables.
Results and Discussion: According to the PCA method, among the 21 studied properties, 7 out of them including calcium, iron, zinc contents, sand, calcium carbonate equivalent percent, mean weight diameter of aggregates (MWD) and manganese (Mn) had the higher Eigenvalues. Therefore, the above properties were introduced as the most important soil properties in saffron fields. Calcium carbonate had the negative effect on the availability of micro-nutrients (26). Christensen et al. (15) found that by increasing the calcium carbonate in soil due to high pH and formation of insoluble components, the uptake of micro-nutrients is especially limited.
The results of stepwise regression method (equation 1) showed that soil acidity (pH), zinc content, bulk density, MWD, iron content, salinity (EC), organic carbon and available potassium in soil were the most important properties that affect the yield of saffron, so that the determination coefficient (R2) of the regression model was high (Table 2) and it can explain 74% of the variation of saffron yield.
Y = 6924.51 – 1187.31 pH – 89.65 EC + 71.6 Fe – 826.02 Zn + 471.55 OC, + 5490.96 K + 1353.56 BD + 752.82 MWD (1)
where Y: saffron yield (kgha-1), pH: soil acidity, EC: electoral conductivity (dSm-1), Fe: iron concentration (mgkg-1), Zn: zinc concentration (mgkg-1), OC: organic carbon (%), K: soil potassium (%), BD: soil bulk density (Mgm-3), and MWD: mean weight diameter of aggregates (MM).
Based on the absolute values of standard ß in the regression model (Table 3), pH value and then after Zn concentration had the most effect on saffron yield. In general, responses of different plants to soil pH is varied, and saffron grows satisfactory in pH = 7.8 (5). Soil pH influences the uptake of soil nutrients by plants (15), so that this parameter had the most effect on saffron yield and by increasing the soil pH, the yield of saffron decreases. According to the regression model, Zn concentration was the second parameter in saffron yield. Zn has the important role in structure of plant enzymes (30). After these 2 parameters, Bd, MWD, Fe concentration, EC, Organic carbon and K concentration in soil had more effect on saffron yield (Table 3).
Conclusion: According to both PCA and regression methods, the concentration of iron and zinc and MWD were determined as the important and effective soil properties on saffron yield in the Ghayenat area. In addition, soil pH in stepwise regression method and calcium carbonate in PCA method were determined as the effective properties on saffron yield. Therefore, it is suggested that the parameters of Zn, Fe, and MWD along with soil pH and calcium carbonate which were regarded individually in two methods, were considered as the most soil properties in saffron yield.
S. Akbari; Ali reza Karimi; A. Lakzian; A. Fotovat
Abstract
Introduction: Parent materials as one of the main soil formation factors have a great impact on the concentration of heavy metals in the soil. Heavy metals are released to the soil during weathering and pedogenic processes. Ultrabasic rocks are known as the potential natural source of heavy metals, especially ...
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Introduction: Parent materials as one of the main soil formation factors have a great impact on the concentration of heavy metals in the soil. Heavy metals are released to the soil during weathering and pedogenic processes. Ultrabasic rocks are known as the potential natural source of heavy metals, especially Ni, Cr and Mn in the soil. Average concentrations of Ni and Cr in the soils are 84 and 34 mg kg-1, respectively; while, in soil derived from ultrabasic parent material, the concentration of these elements may reach up to 100000 mg kg-1. Binaloud zone in northeastern composed of different geological materials. There is a narrow band of ophiolitic rocks in this zone that located along Mashhad city. The geochemical behavior of ultrabsic rocks and the associated soil have been frequently studied mostly in humid regions. But, there are a few research works done in arid environments. The objective of this study was to investigate the physical and chemical properties and concentrations of Ni, Cr and Mn in soils formed along a toposequence of ultrabasic rocks in western Mashhad.
Materials and Methods: The study area is located in the hilly land landscape of Binaloud zone in the Western part of Mashhad. Mean annual precipitation and temperature is 260 mm and 13.7 oC, respectively. Soil temperature and moisture regimes are thermic and aridic boarder on mesic, respectively. Studied soils developed on hornblendite rocks that are ultrabasic rocks with SiO2 less than 45% and contain ferromagnesian minerals. A toposequence was selected and, three soil profiles on shoulder, backslope and footslope geomorphic positions were described acoording to key to soil taxonmy 2014 and the soil horizons were sampled. Air-dried samples were passed through 2 mm sieve and were used for laboratory analysis. Pseudo-total concentrations of Ni, Cr and Mn were extracted by aqua regia digestion procedure. Free iron oxides (Fed) and amorphous iron oxides (Feo) were extracted by citrate-bicarbonate-dithionite (CBD) and oxalic acid methods, respectively and were measured by atomic absorption spectroscopy. The soil was extracted by ammonium acetar 1N and concentration of Ca and Mg were measured by EDTA titrimetric method. Calcium carbonate equivalent, gypsum, pH, Sand, silt and clay fractions and soil organic materials were measured using custom laboratory methods.
Results and Discussion: Solum thickness of the studied soils is less than 45 cm. Calcification and gypsification are the two main soil formation processes leading to formation of calcic (Bk) and gypsic (By) horizons. Calcium carbonate equivalent and gypsum contents in the studied soils varied from 5.1 to 30 and 5.9 to 40.1 %, respectively. Regarding the type of parent material, presence of large amounts of gypsum and carbonates can be attributed to aeolian addition to the soil system. The presence of discontinuous and thin loess deposits in the study area confirms the dustfall deposition. High amount of these minerals cause Ca/Mg ratio is up to 33.3. Concentration of Fed and Feo were less than 6.8 and 0.2 g kg-1 reflecting weak wethering state of the soils. Morphological characteristics are the indications of weak soil development and weathering. Concentrations of Ni, Cr and Mn varied from 52.6 to 312.5, 35.2 to 135.3 and 375.3 to 628.9 mg kg-1 that are low values in comparison to soils in humid regions due to weak soil weathering and eolian addition of materials containing gypsum and carbonates. The Ni and Cr contents increase from shoulder to foot slope. Direct and concordant variations of Ni with Cr and Mn with Fed indicate the similar mineralogy and trend of weathering of these elements. Regarding the high concentration of Ni and Cr in the studied soils, the bioaccessibility of these elements should be investigated.
Conclusion: Results of this study indicated the weak development of soil formed on ultabasic rocks in the western Mashhad that was expected regarding the arid climate of the study area. Because of the low weathering status of the soil, the concentration of Ni, Cr and Mn were less than that of similar soils in humid areas. Also aeolian addition of carbonates and gypsum to the soil system dilutes the concentration of these elements. To evaluate risk assessment of Ni, Cr and Mn in the studied soils, successive extraction and pot experiments are suggested.
Ali reza Karimi; Isa Esfandiarpour Borujeni
Abstract
Soil maps are the common sources of soil information for land evaluation and land use planning. The objective of this study was to evaluate the capability of conventional and geostatistical methods for mapping selected physical (sand, silt and clay) and chemical (carbonate calcium equivalent and pH) ...
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Soil maps are the common sources of soil information for land evaluation and land use planning. The objective of this study was to evaluate the capability of conventional and geostatistical methods for mapping selected physical (sand, silt and clay) and chemical (carbonate calcium equivalent and pH) soil properties. Based on interpretation of aerial photographs, satellite images and field observations, five geopedologic map units were identified in an area of about 12 km2 in southern Jiroft. 100 surface soil samples (0-20 cm) were taken from a regular grid of 500 × 250 m. The results indicated that geopedological map units were significantly different in at least one soil property. Differences of characteristics between units are resulting differences in geomorphic processes. Continuous soil maps prepared by the ordinary kriging also revealed continuous variations of characteristics in accordance with the changes in geomorphic processes. However, variations between units obviously recognizable in the boundary of units were not revealed by the geostatistical method. Based on results of this study, the conventional method is proposed for large areas (small scale maps) and geostatisticals method for small areas (large scale maps) are proposed for soil mapping.
Ali reza Karimi
Abstract
Loess deposits of Kopeh Dagh area usually occur patchy, with low thickness and should be identified and differentiated from other deposits for environmental planning and landscape evolution studies. The objective of this study was to identify distribution and determine the characteristics of loess deposits ...
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Loess deposits of Kopeh Dagh area usually occur patchy, with low thickness and should be identified and differentiated from other deposits for environmental planning and landscape evolution studies. The objective of this study was to identify distribution and determine the characteristics of loess deposits and investigate their formation in the Sarakhs area. Thirty surface samples were collected from the study area and analyzed for particle size distribution. Coarse silt and very fine sand are the dominant fraction of the sediments and overally exceed 70%. Dominance of coarse silt and very fine sand, lack of coarse fragments and abrupt boundary of these sediments with underlying materials are evidences of eolian origin. With decreasing very fine sand and increasing coarse silt, sand dunes in the east and center of the area gradually change to loess deposits from Sarakhs city towards Dousti dam (along Hariroud River) and Kopeh Dag heights in the south and west. The maximum thickness of loess sediment occurred around the Dousti dam. Dominance of coarse silt and very fine sand in the sediments and gradual boundary between sand dunes and loess deposits shows the local source of the particles. Kopeh Dagh heights in southern and western parts of the area, like a barrier have trapped eolian sediments and caused their formation.
Hadis Hatami; Ali reza Karimi; A. Fotovat; H. Khademi
Abstract
Aluminosilicates such as K-feldspar and micaceous minerals are the main source of potassium in soils. The objectives of this study were to investigate the release of K from micaceous minerals (biotite, phlogopite, muscovite) and K-feldspars (Zanjan and Yazd) using sequential extraction by 0.05 M BaCl2 ...
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Aluminosilicates such as K-feldspar and micaceous minerals are the main source of potassium in soils. The objectives of this study were to investigate the release of K from micaceous minerals (biotite, phlogopite, muscovite) and K-feldspars (Zanjan and Yazd) using sequential extraction by 0.05 M BaCl2 and determine the effect of mineral grain size and application of kinetic models to describe K release. For this purpose, sequential extraction with BaCl2 was conducted on two sizes of 50-100 and less than 50 micron for the periods of 2-600 hours. The amount of K released into the solution was measured by flame photometer. The results indicated that after 13 times of extraction, in the both sizes, biotite and muscovite had the highest and lowest values of K release, respectively. Meanwhile, the released K increased by decreasing the mineral size. The kinetics of K release from minerals consisted of two phases, the first phase was relatively rapid and then continued with a slow rate to end of the experiment. Regarding the high determination coefficient (R2) and low standard error of the estimate (SE), parabulic diffusion and exponential function equations could reasonably describe the K release kinetics. Therefore, it may be concluded that the release of K is controlled by diffusion process from the surface of the study minerals.
nasrin ghorbanzadeh; A. Lakzian; Gh. Haghnia; Ali reza Karimi
Abstract
Microbial reduction is an important process that affects properties of ferric clay mineralas and iron biogeochemical cycling in natural environments. Oxyhydroxides and phyllosilicates are two major sources of iron in soils, rocks and sediments that potentially have ability to bioreduced over the time. ...
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Microbial reduction is an important process that affects properties of ferric clay mineralas and iron biogeochemical cycling in natural environments. Oxyhydroxides and phyllosilicates are two major sources of iron in soils, rocks and sediments that potentially have ability to bioreduced over the time. In this study, comparison of bioreduction in two main sources of iron (oxides and phyllosilicates) in the presence of Shewanella sp was carried out. For this purpose an experiment was conducted under laboratory conditions in the form of a completely randomized design with 16 treatments and 3 replications. Treatments included bioreduction of goethite, hematite and two type of nontronite with and without electron transfer (AQS) and controls (all mentioned treatments in the absence of Shewanella sp). The results revealed that bioreduction in goethite, hematite and two type of nontronite increased in the presence of AQS. The extent of reduction in the presence of AQS was 21%, 9%, 3% and 8.7% in NAu-2, NAu-1, hematite and goethite respectively. These results have shown when iron oxides (goethite and hematite) and iron silicates are the dominant form of ferric iron in soils and subsurface sediments, Shewanella sp can survive and produce significant amounts of Fe(II). In the identical conditions of bioreduction (concentration of electron donor and acceptor and equal number of bacterial cell) size and surface area of mineral play an important role in efficiency of bioreduction.
A. Shabani; Gh. haghnia; Ali reza Karimi; M.M. Ahmadi
Abstract
Topographic characteristics are considered as important factors for growth and yield of rainfed crops because of the impact on the water distribution and consequently effects on soil physical and chemical properties. No information is available on this subject for North Khorasan province of Iran. The ...
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Topographic characteristics are considered as important factors for growth and yield of rainfed crops because of the impact on the water distribution and consequently effects on soil physical and chemical properties. No information is available on this subject for North Khorasan province of Iran. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of soil and topographic characteristics on the rainfed wheat yield in Sisab region of North Khorasan province. Surface soil samples and wheat yield data were taken from 100, 1×1 m2 plots on different slope positions from 800 ha of rainfed farms. Sand, silt, clay, gravel, calcium carbonate equivalent, soil organic matter, pH, EC, total nitrogen, available potassium and phosphorus were measured. Primary and secondary topographic derivatives including elevation, slope, aspect, plan curvature, topographic wetness index, sediment transport index and stream power index were calculated from a 30m grid cell size digital elevation model. Multiple regression models were developed between soil and topographic characteristics and yield components. 20 out of 100 samples were used to validate the model prediction. Coefficients of correlation matrix showed that elevation and calcium carbonate equivalent have the strongest correlation with wheat yield components. Soil factors including calcium carbonate percentage and organic matter and topographic indices such as elevation, slope and stream power index were entered into the regression models. Because of non-linear and complex interrelation, the regression models explained only 43% and 40% of total and grain yield variations, respectively. The results of this study showed that although Sisab is located on the border of arid and semiarid climate, the topographic characteristics could affect soil properties and wheat yield components.
H. Shohab Arkhazloo; H. Emami; Gh. Haghnia; A.R. Karimi
Abstract
Abstract
Soil quality evaluation is an essential issue in soil management for agriculture and natural resource protection. Soil quality indices are useful tools for determination and comparison of soils quality. Using of principle component analysis in this study we selected 6 important properties as ...
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Abstract
Soil quality evaluation is an essential issue in soil management for agriculture and natural resource protection. Soil quality indices are useful tools for determination and comparison of soils quality. Using of principle component analysis in this study we selected 6 important properties as a soil quality minimum data set (MDS) among 18 soil properties (TDS). Then, soil quality of agriculture and pasture lands in DehSorkh region in south of Mashhad city was evaluated by Integrated quality index (IQI) and Nemero quality index (NQI) in two collections of soil properties include MDS and TDS. The results showed that soils of the region had low quality in respect to studied indices and was significant correlation between IQITDS - IQIMDS and between NQITDS - NQIMDS. Generally those results show that determined MDS can be a suitable representative of TDS. In addition, comparison of soil quality indices between agriculture and pasture soils showed that efficiency of TDS collection in determining land use effect on soil quality indices was better than that of MDS.
Keywords: Integrated quality index, Nemero quality index, Principle component analysis
H. Shohab Arkhazloo; H. Emami; Gh. Haghnia; A.R. Karimi
Abstract
Abstract
Soil quality is an essential concept for maximum agriculture production without environmental destruction. Studying soil physical quality indicators, that express soil structural stability and soil air-water balance in root zone, is one of the most important aspects of soil quality. So determination ...
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Abstract
Soil quality is an essential concept for maximum agriculture production without environmental destruction. Studying soil physical quality indicators, that express soil structural stability and soil air-water balance in root zone, is one of the most important aspects of soil quality. So determination of optimal range for pore volume distribution is important and this research carried out to determine i) the optimal range for pore volume distribution according to soil physical quality indicators ii) the effect of soil properties on the slope of retention curve at its inflection point or Sgi index and iii) the effect of type of land use on soil physical quality indicators. The classification of studied soils was Haplocalcid, soil texture varied from sand to clay loam and organic carbon (OC) also changed between 0.2 to 2.2 percentages. In this study, Sgi index and pore volume distribution were determined by fitting the experimental soil retention curve data of 40 soil samples to van Genuchten equation in agricultural and rangeland land uses in south of Mashhad plain. Also some other soil physical quality indicators such as, percentage of organic carbon, bilk density, sodium absorption ratio (SAR), mean weight diameter of wet aggregates (MWD), relative field capacity (RFC), plant available water capacity (PAWC), air capacity (AC), and structural stability index (SI) were measured. Then the optimal range of pore volume distribution was determined by using of 8 soil physical quality indicators. Also the correlation between Sgi index and soil physical properties was determined. The positive and significant correlation between Sgi index and percentage of %OC, mean MWD, RFC, and PAWC was shown. But there was a negative and significant correlation between Sgi index and SAR in both land uses. In addition, mean comparison of indicators in two land uses showed that, among the 8 indicators, Sgi index, MWD, PAWC has been decreased significantly in agriculture land use samples.
Keywords: Pore volume distribution, Sgi Index, Soil physical quality
R. Daempanah; Gh.H. Haghnia; A. Alizadeh; A.R. Karimi
Abstract
Abstract
In the recent decades, application of geostatistic and remote sensing for mapping salinity and sodicity of surface soil and monitoring it's changes have been developed. The goal of this research was to compare the capability of geostatistic and remote sensing methods for mapping salinity-sodicity ...
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Abstract
In the recent decades, application of geostatistic and remote sensing for mapping salinity and sodicity of surface soil and monitoring it's changes have been developed. The goal of this research was to compare the capability of geostatistic and remote sensing methods for mapping salinity-sodicity of soils in playa from sourthern Mah Valat county, in the Khorasan Razavi province. 88 samples of surface soil from depth of 0 to 10cm on the crossing lines of 1000×1000 meter grids were taken, and their EC, PH and SAR were measured. After normalizing variables, checking anisotropy and determining the parameters of variogram, the salinity and sodicity maps of soil were prepared using kriging method with an accuracy of 60 and 58 percent. the Results revealed that kriging had trimmed salinity and sodicity data because it had lowered the standard deviation. The IRS-P6 images were used to map salinity and sodicity maps. After pre-processing of images, PCA, salinity indexes of SI1, SI2, BI and NDSI were calculated and digital number of sampling points were extracted. By checking the correlation between variables and digital numbers of images, the SI1 that had the highest Pearson coefficient, was selected and salinity map of surface soil was prepared by the method of supervised classification. There was no correlation between images and sodicity data, and also between sodicity, salinity and pH data. Probability of extracting sodicity map by this method was evaluated poor. The result of this resarch also showed that for increasing accuracy in kriging maps more points should be taken, while in the remote sensing with less points while saving time and money, it’s possible to have more accurate maps.
Keywords: IRS, EC, Geostatistic, Salinity index, Superwised classification, Mah Valat
