H. Dialami; J. Givi
Abstract
Abstract Introduction: This research aimed to evaluate the qualitative land suitability for irrigated cultivation of Date Palm (Phoenix dactylifera L. cv Kabkab) using FAO (parametric -the second root formula) and Multi-criteria approaches. The FAO approach has been used by many scholars in different ...
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Abstract Introduction: This research aimed to evaluate the qualitative land suitability for irrigated cultivation of Date Palm (Phoenix dactylifera L. cv Kabkab) using FAO (parametric -the second root formula) and Multi-criteria approaches. The FAO approach has been used by many scholars in different parts of the world and Iran for land suitability assessment. In this approach, the most commonly used method is the parametric method. The FAO approach uses Boolean logic to assess land suitability. This logic has been criticized by a number of land evaluation researchers. Because it does not take into account the continuous nature of the soil variations along the earth's surface and the uncertainty in the measurements. To overcome these shortcomings, the fuzzy analytical hierarchy process (FAHP) was presented to determine the land suitability classes. Land suitability should be determined based on a fuzzy analytical hierarchy process, in which, unlike the Boolean logic, unequal importance of different land characteristics and continuity of soil variations are considered. Materials and Methods: The studied area is located in Kheshet and Komaroj plain, Kazerun County, Fars province, southwestern- Iran; between latitudes 29º 32΄ and 29º 36΄ N and longitudes 51º 20΄ and 51º 22΄ E. Its surface area is 5000 ha. The mean annual rainfall and temperature are 377mm and 23 °C, respectively. The soil temperature and moisture regimes are hyperthermic and xeric, respectively. The physiographic unit is river alluvial plain with a very gently sloping. The entire Kabkab date palm plantation of Fars Province is located in this plain. To fulfill the objectives 10 date palm groves, each with an area of at least 0.5 ha and palm date (Kabkab cultivar) cultivation, aged between 20 and 25 years, identical in soil management and vary soil characteristics were selected. A soil profile was dug randomly in each date palm grove, with dimensions of 1.5 (length), 1(width) and 1.5 (depth) meters and described, using soil profile description (Soil Survey Staff). Soil samples were collected from each horizon. After pre-treatments soil samples were analyzed and some physical and chemical characteristics were measured using standard laboratory methods. The profile site was chosen to have a date palm tree in each of the four corners of the profile. The yield of the four trees in four corners of each profile was measured and their average yield was considered as the yield of the corresponding profile. Meteorological data was collected for a period of 10 year from the nearest synoptic station (Kazerun). Land indices were calculated, using soil and climatic data and FAO (parametric-second root formula) and fuzzy AHP and AHP methods. Weighted average of the climatic and the soil data were used and a land index was calculated for each soil profile. In the fuzzy AHP and AHP methods, relative weight of each of the studied criteria was determined by analytical hierarchy analysis using a pair wise comparison matrix. In the fuzzy AHP method the membership degree for each soil and climatic criteria was determined through an appropriate membership function and finally, land suitability class for each soil profile was determined. Landscape characteristics such as slope, drainage and soil depth were not considered in the land evaluation, because these characteristics did not show any limitation for the date production in the studied area. Finally the accuracy of the methods was compared. Results and Discussion: The results of qualitative land suitability evaluation based on FAO (parametric-second root formula) method showed that about 10 and 90 percent of the studied area were classified as S2 and S3, respectively. Based upon fuzzy AHP method, 100 percent of the studied area was classified as S2 and according to AHP method about 90 and 10 percent of the studied area were in S1 and S2, respectively. According to the results, the suitability classes resulted from AHP method was higher than of the fuzzy AHP and FAO methods. Correlation coefficients between the measured yields and the calculated land indexes showed that the fuzzy AHP method results was more correlated to the measured yield than of the other two methods which indicated that the fuzzy AHP was the most appropriate method for land suitability assessment for Kabkab Date palm plantation compared to the FAO (parametric-second root formula) and AHP methods. Conclusion: According to the results of this research, the fuzzy AHP was the most appropriate method for qualitative land suitability evaluation for Kabkab Date in compared to the other two methods in Fars province, Iran.
Hojat Dialami
Abstract
Introduction: Date palm is considered as one of the important fruit trees in Iran. According to agriculture statistic book of Iran (2015-2016), mature date plantation area and production of Iran are 230000 hectares and more than 1000000 tons, respectively. This crop usually is planted in south of Iran ...
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Introduction: Date palm is considered as one of the important fruit trees in Iran. According to agriculture statistic book of Iran (2015-2016), mature date plantation area and production of Iran are 230000 hectares and more than 1000000 tons, respectively. This crop usually is planted in south of Iran where the soils are calcareous with high pH. The high soil pH causes reduction of nutrient elements absorption and yield. Thus, finding a solution for this problem is necessary. The investigations indicate that application of elemental sulfur along with Thiobacillus inoculant in soil reduces local pH in rhizosphere area due to sulfur oxidation. The reduced pH of calcareous soil can increase the availability of other essential nutrients resulting in an increase in the nutrient uptake by plants. In addition, uncontrolled use of chemical fertilizers destroys soil structure and decreases organic matter resulting in a more dense soil. This research was conducted to assess the effects of sulfur along with manure on yield improvement and fruit quality as well as the consumption amount of chemical fertilizers.
Materials and Methods: In order to evaluate the effect of elemental sulfur along with Thiobacilli bacteria and manure on quantitative and qualitative characteristics of date fruit, an experiment was carried out in randomized completed block design (RCBD) with six treatments and four replications on 24 fruitful, 25 years old date palm (cv. Barhee), in Ahwaz (Khuzestan Province). The treatments were: T1= Control (without any fertilizer), T2= (application of chemical fertilizer based on soil test for each date palm), T3= (application of 30 kg manure based on general recommendation for each date palm), T4= T3 + (application of elemental sulfur mixed with Thiobacillus inoculant) as 5% of manure, T5= T3 + (application of elemental sulfur mixed with Thiobacillus inoculant) as 10% of manure and T6= T3 (application of elemental sulfur mixed with Thiobacillus inoculant) as 15% of manure. Before the treatments application, soil and water were sampled and analyzed. In second treatment, macronutrient chemical fertilizers were also applied. Source of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium were urea, triple super phosphate and potassium sulfate, respectively. The nitrogen fertilizer was split and applied in February and May (the next year). Furthermore, all phosphorus and potassium fertilizers were used in February. These treatments were carried out along with manure (30 kg) and chemical micronutrient fertilizers applied based on general recommendation (i.e. 150 g of zinc sulfate, iron sulfate, copper sulfate and manganese sulfate). In third treatment, manure (30 kg) was applied based on general recommendation for each date palm. In T4, T5 and T5 treatments, 500g of Thiobacillus inoculant was mixed with 25 kg of elemental sulfur and then consumed base on 5, 10 and 15% of manure, respectively. All treatments were undertaken during winter by local placement method (Chalkood). Agro-technical practices such as pollination, thinning and irrigation were done according to local practice. Each year, in May, 20-25 leaflets from middle of leaf in second row were picked up, and their mineral nutrients were analyzed. At harvesting time, yield, average of weight, length, diameter and volume of fresh fruit, weight of stone and weight ratio of fruit pulp to its stone, pH, acidity, brix, total and reducing sugars in fruits were determined. The obtained data were analyzed with MSTATC statistical program and mean comparison was conducted using the Duncan’s Multiple rang test.
Results and Discussion: The results showed that using sulfur along with Thiobacillus bacteria and manure had significant effect on leaf phosphorus concentration at the 1% level and on yield and some quantitative characteristics such as weight, length, diameter, volume and pulp weight of fruit fresh and concentration of nitrogen at the 5% level. Sulfur application did not, however, significantly affect the leaf potassium concentration, stone weight, weight ratio of fruit pulp to its stone, pH, acidity, brix, reducing sugar and total sugar of fruit. As a result, application of 1500 g elemental sulfur (mixed with Thiobacillus inoculant) along with 30 kg manure for each date palm is recommended to improve yield and fruit quality and to reduce chemical fertilizer application.
