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In order to determine effects of chicken and cattle manures in culture of Chlorococcum, an experiment was designed in six treatments including; 0.1, 0.4, 0.8 g/l of chicken manure and 0.1, 0.4, 0.8 g/l of cattle manure as completely randomize design with three replicates for 28 days. Results showed that the mean maximum density (87.1 × 10⁵ cell/ml), specific growth rate (0.054 day^-1), algal dry biomass (0.644 g/l), and chlorophyll a (9.42 mg/l) were obtained with 0.8 mg/l chicken manure. In order to compare performance of these manures with other culture media, second experiment with five treatments including; BBM (control) (Bold’s Basal Medium), BBM + soil extract, 0.8 g/l chicken manure, 0.8 g/l cattle manure and mixture of all treatment (BBM, BBM + soil extract, chicken manure and cattle manure) was designed as completely randomize design with three replicates for 15 days. Comparative results showed that BBM + soil extract had highest algal density (11.6 x 10⁶ cells/ml), highest algal dry biomass (0.81 mg/ml), maximum SGR (0.13 /day), highest chlorophyll a (10.15 mg/l) and minimum doubling time (4.97 days). In conclusion, performance of BBM + soil extract was better in terms of biomass and growth parameters of Chlorococcum.

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The effect of six diets including Scenedesmus quadricauda), manure (cattle+poultry, 1:1 ratio), vegetable (spinach+parsely+coriander, 1:1:1 ratio), algae+soil, vegetable+soil, and manure+soil were examined on culture of freshwater copepod, Acanthocyclopsrobustus, under the experimental conditions of 23±1ºC, 12 hours dark: 12 hours light photoperiod, and light intensity of 60 µmol photons/m²/s. The maximum population density (1282.6±163.7 individuals/L), maximum specific growth rate (SGR) (0.17±0.0 /day) and minimum doubling time (Dt) (4.0±0.1 days) were obtained when A. robustus fed on algae+soil. The nauplii production was 727.3±42.4 (±SE),  272.0±23.5, 267.6±17.7, 147.0±18.2, 33.6±3.8 and 25.0±7.1 ind./L and copepodit production was 311.3±26.8, 124.3±11.1, 183.0±13.0, 59.0±7.1, 14.3±8.1, and 17.6±3.6 ind./L in algae, algae+soil, vegetable, vegetable+soil, manure+soil, and manure, respectively. Correspondingly, the adult production was 208.5±26.8, 51.6±16.5, 192.7±23.7, 91.7±28.4, 8.7±5.4 and 8.7±3.6 ind./L, respectively. The maximum body length (663.8±29.1 µm) and width (526.2±23.7 µm) of A. robustus were recorded when fed with vegetable+soil and vegetable, respectively. The number of nauplii, copepodit, adults, length and width were significantly correlated with EC, BOD and COD. According to results, the A. robustus has suitable potential culture on algal and non-algal diets based on production, growth, body size, BOD and COD, but the better performance obtain on algae+soil and vegetable.

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Redbud (Cercis griffithii) is an Iranian native species that plays a crucial role in protecting soil and water in Zagros forestsareas. Although many reforestation projects of this species in this area were unsuccessful, the restoration of redbud must continue using new applied studies to help conserve this precious resource. This can be achieved through increasing the quality and quantity of seedling production in nurseries. This study thus aimed to evaluate the effects of various organic amendments on growth and efficiency of redbud seedlings in a nursery. Four treatments viz.1) control (standard nursery mix) (C) 2) control: cattle manure (5:1) (CCM), 3) control: leaf composts (5:1) (CLC) and 4) control: cattle manure -leaf composts (5:1:1) (CCML)were applied for the present study. After one year, all growth indices were significantly increased by organic soil treatments compared to the standard nursery mix. Thegrowth characteristics such as height, root dry weight, length of the longest root, stem length to diameter ratio and relative height growth of redbud seedlings were associated with an organic soil treatment. These positive results on growth indices were explained by the reduction in EC and pH of planting bed induced by the organic soil amendments.

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The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of bio-fertilizers on growth and development of plants in pots containing (V) vermicompost and (M) cow manure: (soil amendments) and (S) garden soil separately and in combination. In the first experiment, treatments included S (control), SM (soil + 15%M + 0%V), SMV10 (soil + 15%M + 10%V), and SMV20 (soil + 15%M + 20%V) by dry weight (w/w). In the second experiment, mycorrhizae (Glomus mosseae and Piriformospora indica) were also added to the treatments. Plants and soils were evaluated 90 days after inoculation with fungi. At maturity, plant height and stem diameter, leaf area index (LAI), chlorophylls (a + b) content, root length, fresh and dry weights (aerial parts and root), and mineral nutrient content in plant leaves were measured. The obtained results indicated significant differences between treatments. Among all the treatments, interaction of soil amendments and fungus was significant for all traits. Almost the maximum amount of morphological traits was found in the combined applications of soil amendments and fungi. In particular, the highest weights were obtained in the SMV20 treatment inoculated with G. mosseae. Nutrient analysis of leaves, revealed maximum amounts of N, P and K in SMV10 and SMV20 treatments, and the highest amount of Ca and Mg was obtained in plants treated with SM and inoculated with P. indica in comparison to control plants. Also, the highest amount of phosphorous in the soil was obtained when SMV20 treatment was inoculated with P. indica. It seems that the combination of biofertilizers is the best result for the stevia plant growth..  

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Phosphorus (P) fertilizer recommendations for calcareous-sandy soils low in organic matter need further investigation. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to evaluate the effects of P and manure on corn (Zea mays L.) growth and chemical compositions and P recommendations for calcareous sandy soils with low organic matter under greenhouse conditions. Treatments consisted of a factorial arrangement of P levels (0, 25, 50, and 100 mg kg-1 soil as KH2PO4), manure rates (0, 10, 20 and 30 g dried sheep manure per kg soil) and three soils (Soil 1, sandy loam, initial P 10.8 mg kg-1 ; Soil 2, sandy loam, initial P 7.6 mg kg-1 ; and Soil 3, loamy sand, initial P 5.5 mg kg-1 ) in a completely randomized design with four replications. Results showed that P application in Soil 1 decreased corn dry matter. However, application of 25 or 50 mg P kg -1 soil increased corn yield significantly in Soils 2 and 3, respectively. Maximum corn yield was obtained when 30 g kg -1 manure was added to sandy loam soils and 20 g kg-1 to loamy sand soil. Application of P and ma-nure significantly increased plant P concentration and uptake in all three soils. Zinc con-centration in plants treated with Phosphorus was higher than in the control in soils 1 and 2. Such a trend was not observed in soil 3, but manure application increased it. Iron con-centration in plants treated with P increased in soils 1 and 2 but was decreased in soil 3; however, manure application increased it in all soils. Plant Mn concentration and uptake responses to P and manure application was not consistent. Applied P, in general, in-creased plant Mn Concentration in soils 1 and 2, but had no effect on plants in Soil 3. Manure effect on plant Mn concentration was not consistent. It seems that addition of manure to sandy soils can improve soil productivity and increase corn yield. Due to the low P buffering capacity of sandy soils, application of high rates of P can increase P con-centration to an undesirable level in soil solution. This may depress plant growth and also availability of some micronutrients like Fe and Zn to corn plants. Therefore, P fertilizer recommendations for sandy soils should be based on the soil test P level. Manure applica-tion is recommended for sandy soils, due to its positive effects on nutrient uptake and plant growth. Prior to any phosphorus fertilizer recommendations for sandy soils the re-sults of this experiment should be verified under field conditions and measuring P concen-tration in soil solution at different stages of plant growth is highly recommended.

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Mites of the families Parasitidae and Laelapidae (Acari: Mesostigmata) are among the most common and widely distributed mites of the suborder Gamasina. During 2015-2017, fauna of parasitid and laelapid (Acari: Mesostigmata) mites from domestic animal manure collected and surveyed in Khuzestan Province, southwestern Iran.Totally, four Parasitidae species belonging to three genera and seven Laelapidae species belonging to four genera collected from domestic animal manure in Khuzestan Province. Among them, Cornigamasus ocliferius Skorupski & Witaliński, 1997 is a new record for mite fauna of Asia and Androlaelaps projecta Furman, 1972 is a new name for mite fauna of Iran. Four species are new to Khuzestan Province fauna as well. We also recorded six manure-associated species which have never been previously reported from manure in Iran. Parasitus fimetorum (Berlese, 1904) was the most frequent Parasitidae species among our records. The mites distribution and habitats data in Khuzestan Province are provided for all of the species, together with some taxonomic and bio-ecological notes.

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The organic carbon (OC) status of three continuously cropped permanent manurial ex-periments, under different cropping systems, over a period of time is discussed in this pa-per. The Old Permanent Manurial Experiment (OPME) was originally an irrigated ex-periment started in 1909 and in 1937, converted into a rainfed experiment (at this time the cropping system was converted from two crops per year into a single crop per year). The New Permanent Manurial Experiment (NPME) was started in 1925 and was con-ducted in an irrigated system with one set of treatments receiving 2 t ha-1 of cattle manure since its inception. These two experiments were conducted with different nutrient input management systems of single inorganic nutrients and their combinations. The effect of these treatments on the OC status of the soil was evaluated. Along with these, the changes in the OC status of another irrigated long term fertilization trial which has been con-ducted since 1972 under the intensive cultivation system with three crops per year were studied. The results obtained in the three experiments showed that there was a build up in the OC status of the soil for the balanced application of N, P, and K combined with an or-ganic manure. Among the inorganic fertilizer treatments, the combined application of all the three major nutrients (N, P and K) resulted in a higher OC status, compared to the application of single nutrients. This may be due to better growth and a higher amount of root residues added after the harvest of each crop, over a period of time. But, in both OPME and NPME, there was a decline in the OC content after seven years and a build up has happened in the last nine years. Under the intensive cropping system of cultivation, the soil organic carbon build up occurred in all the treatments, including the unmanured control, and was the maximum for the combined application of inorganics and organics (100% NPK + Farm Yard Manure (FYM)). The increase in OC is attributed to enhanced root biomass over a period of 30 years.

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Saffron is the most expensive agricultural product and like other products, is affected by some limiting factors, including soil pests such as bulb mite Rhizoglyphus robini Claparede (Acari: Acaridae). Due to its polyphagous habit, it remains in the soil for a long time and is one of the most important pests of saffron. To determine the effect of non-chemical management factors including soil solarization days, fertilization and year on the population of bulb mite and yield of saffron, a split-plot experiment based on a randomized complete block design in three replications was conducted between 2007 and 2011 in Gonabad, Iran. Fertilization (Cow manure) of zero, 20 and 40 t/ha as the main plots and soil solarization of zero, 10, 20, 30 and 45 days as sub-plots were studied for four years. The results showed that simple and interaction effects of the three factors including year, fertilization and soil solarization days on the population of bulb mite and saffron yield were significant. Simple linear regression was fitted between the population of bulb mite and saffron yield as well as multiple linear regression for population of bulb mite and saffron yield separately. The population of bulb mite increased during the experiment by increasing the two factors of the year and fertilization separately. Whereas, with increasing soil solarization days, population of bulb mite decreased except for 10 days solarization treatment and, unexpectedly, in 45 days of solarization treatment, the population increased in the fourth year.
 
 

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Lack of adequate organic matter (OM) in the agricultural soils of Iran is responsible for the poor physical condition of these soils. Thus, increasing soil OM is very important. On the other hand, the eutrophication of surface water caused by continuous use of phosphorus (P) fertilizer has created an interest in the combined use of organic wastes and P fertilizer. Hence, the present study was undertaken to study the effects of several levels of municipal waste compost (MWC), poultry manure (PM) and P on the growth and elemental composi-tion of lowland rice (Oryza sativa L.) and on selected soil chemical characteristics. There was a consistent increase in the shoot dry weight as the levels of MWC, PM or P increased. How-ever, rice shoot growth was stimulated more by MWC than by PM and the enhancing effect of P on shoot growth was greater in MWC-treated plants than that of PM. Shoot P concen-tration increased with increasing levels of MWC, PM and P, whereas nitrogen (N) concen-tration was only affected significantly by the two organic wastes. Iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) concentration was suppressed by P supply in PM-amended soil and was not affected by MWC treatment. Rice seedlings treated with either of the biosolids accumulated more Fe, Zn, chloride (Cl) and sodium (Na) but less manganese (Mn) than the control plants. Fur-thermore, rice plants grown on MWC-amended soil contained higher Fe and Mn and lower Cl and Na than those grown on PM-treated soil. In the present study, lead (Pb) and cad-mium (Cd) concentrations did not follow a definite pattern with either of the organic wastes, whereas they increased with P application. Post-harvest soil sample analysis indicated that soil addition of MWC and PM increased concentrations of soluble salt, OM, N, NaHCO3-soluble P and DTPA-extractable Fe, Mn, Cu, and Pb.

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Root-knot nematode Meloidogyne javanica is an economically significant plant parasitic nematode in muskmelon farms in Ardestan, Isfahan province, Iran. A two-year experiment was conducted in two muskmelon farms in this region. We assessed the application of 3, 6, and 9 t/ha fresh (unrotten) chicken manure separately or in combination with summer plowing. To evaluate the efficacy of each treatment, the number of galls, egg masses, reproduction factor, plant growth factors, and yield were recorded at harvesting time. The results showed that combining double summer plowing with nine t/ha chicken manure was the most effective treatment for controlling M. javanica. Nematode population indices including: the egg mass number, gall number, total population in root and soil, and reproduction factor, were significantly lower than the control treatment. The application of double plowing with nine t/ha chicken manure treatment caused 83.5%, 79.1%, 80.2%, and 78.3% decreases in egg mass number, gall number, total population per root, and soil, and reproduction factor, respectively. Moreover, total fruit weight and root dry weight in each plot (24 m²) increased by 81.8% and 50.4% compared to the control.


 

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Degraded soils in Northwest China are mostly nonproductive due to imbalanced nutrient and inadequate water supply. The effects of manure application at three different rates (7.5, 15.0, and 22.5 t ha^–1) combined with chemical fertilizers on soil water and Water-Use Efficiency in maize [compared with chemical fertilizers (control)], under semi-arid conditions in dark Loessial soil and over a period of four years were studied to provide scientific support for water management. High manure application significantly reduced soil water evaporation throughout the fallow period as compared with control. It significantly increased soil water storage capacity at the big trumpet growth stage of the crop, and with the fertilization application years continued (P< 0.05). Manure application improved soil water holding capacity at the tasseling and grain filling stages. It decreased evapotranspiration at the jointing–big trumpet and tasseling–grain filling stages. It as well improved Water-Use Efficiency by 16.67 to 295.42% at the jointing–big trumpet stage vs. 9.38-68.96% at the tasseling-grain filling stage and 8.51 to 36.58% for the whole growth period of the crop maize. With a continuation of the fertilizer application years, water-use efficiency at the tasseling-grain filling stage was significantly improved with increasing manure application rates (P< 0.05). Medium and High Manure application rates significantly increased water-use efficiency at the big trumpet–tasseling and grain filling-maturity stages as compared with control (P< 0.05). With manure application years continued, soil nutrient was no longer the major factor limiting the crop’s water-use efficiency. The most promising manure application rate adopted to improve water-use efficiency was recorded as 15.0 t ha^–1.

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Effects of various fertilizers such as farmyard manure (FM), urea, and plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR, including the genera Azotobacter and Azospirillium) were checked on yield, fatty acids, protein, and oil contents of sunflower. A two-year field experiment was conducted in a semi-arid region in Iran in 2007 and 2008. The experiment was a split plot in a randomized complete block design with three replicates, with five fertilizer treatments as the main plots and two PGPR treatments as sub plots. Results demonstrated that the integrated fertilizers significantly increased the leaf area index, plant height, grain production, biomass, oil yield, and protein content in comparison with organic or chemical fertilizers. The maximum and minimum oil contents were obtained by applying 100% farmyard manure (F1) and 50% FM + 50% chemical (F3), respectively; however, opposite results were observed for protein content. When higher FM rates were used with PGPR, the saturated fatty acids (palmetic and stearic acids) declined significantly, while unsaturated ones (linoleic and oleic acids) were increased. The highest contents of linoleic acid (52.6%) and oleic acid (39.8%) were observed in F₃ and F₁ treatments, respectively. Bacterial inoculation also increased the leaf area index, plant height, biomass, grain and oil yields, oil and protein contents up to 12, 3.7, 7.8, 10, 6.5, 5.6 and 5%, respectively.

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A long-term field experiment was conducted for 7 years to evaluate the effect of different amendments to mitigate the adverse effect of saline-sodic water in a calcareous soil under cotton-wheat cropping system. The pooled results over 7 years revealed that the application of saline-sodic water decreased the mean cotton-seed yield by 20.7% as compared to good quality canal water. However, wheat-grain yield was not adversely affected by quality of irrigation water.  Among the different amendments, gypsum and farmyard manure were more effective in mitigating the adverse effect of saline-sodic irrigation water. Cotton-seed yield reduction was 9.8% with the addition of farmyard manure and remained only 8.8% with the addition of gypsum as compared to good quality water. However, when saline-sodic water was used alternately with good quality canal water, the recorded cotton-seed yield reduction was only 6.1%.  These results suggest that in calcareous soils, farmyard manure is useful in ameliorating long-term deleterious effects of saline sodic irrigation water and sustaining the productivity of cotton-wheat system. 

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This study was conducted to investigate the effect of mineral (F) and Mineral-organic Fertilizers (MF) on soil CO₂ flux during winter in grassland and cornfield in Southern Hokkaido, Japan, from May 2013 to April 2014. CO₂ flux was measured by the static chamber method. Soil CO₂ concentration was determined using silicone tubes pipe. The environmental variables, i.e. climate and soil, were also analyzed in this study. Results showed that, in freezing period, CO₂ flux in MF was lower than F plots in grassland (0.1 and 0.4 Mg C ha^-1 period^-1, respectively). However, in melting period, CO₂ flux in F was lower than MF plots (0.01 and 0.1 Mg C ha^-1 period^-1, respectively).  CO₂ flux in F and MF plot was similar in cornfield in freezing (0.5 Mg C ha^-1 period^-1) and melting (0.01 Mg C ha^-1 period^-1). These results were opposite to the annual CO₂ flux where MF was higher than F plot in both grassland (10.9 and 8.5 Mg C ha^-1 period^-1, respectively) and cornfield (8.7 and 6.2 Mg C ha^-1 period^-1, respectively). Soil CO₂ concentration during winter was relatively higher in grassland than cornfield. Soil NH₄-N and Water Extractable Organic Carbon (WEOC) showed a positive correlation with soil CO₂ concentration   (r²= 0.39 and r²= 0.19, respectively). On the other hand, a negative correlation was observed between soil CO₂ concentration and soil NO₃-N content (r²= -0.39).
 

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The effects of different fertilizers including ‘Cow manure’, ‘Vermicompost’, ‘NPK’ (20-20-20 NPK), ‘NPKBN’ (NPK+Azotobacter vinelandii), ‘NPKBP’ (NPK+Pantoea agglomerans+Pseudomonas putida), and ‘NPKBNBP’ (NPK+Azotobacter vinelandii+Pantoea agglomerans+Pseudomonas putida) were compared with the control treatment. Comparisons included not only the nutrient and chlorophyll content of cucumber leaves, but also the demographic parameters and body size of Aphis gossypii Glover. The highest nitrogen content (2.45%) was observed in ‘NPKBN’ and the highest phosphorus, along with potassium content (0.58 and 12.17%, respectively) was observed in ‘cow manure’ treatment. The highest chlorophyll content (37.51 SPAD units) was measured in ‘NPKBNBP’ treatment. Results showed that the intrinsic rate of increase (r) varied from 0.409 (in ‘Cow manure’) to 0.480 d^-1 (in ‘NPKBP’) under application of different fertilizers. Net Reproductive rate (R₀) varied from 71.65 to 79.25 nymphs/individual in ‘Vermicompost’ and ‘NPKBP’ treatments, respectively. The largest (1.28 mm) and smallest (1.00 mm) body length of the aphids was measured on ‘Vermicompost’ and ‘Control’, respectively. Results revealed that ‘NPKBP’ was the most suitable fertilizer for population growth of A. gossypii, compared with the other treatments, and the aphid’s longevity and fecundity was relatively low under ‘Vermicompost’ application.