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Scarcity of water resources in the entire country is more serious in the northern provinces like Golestan. Therefore, farmers have to use saline water or waste waters. One way to adapt to this condition is to use unconventional water such as Caspian Sea water, with lower salinity as compared with water from free seas, for common crops like soybean. Thus feasibility of using Caspian Sea water that has integrated with narrow common water and the calibration of Aquacrop model under the effect of salinity and water stress for soybean crop in Golestan province are more important. The Aquacrop model assumes a linear relationship between the biomass yield (BY) and crop transpiration one one hand and water productivity (WP) value on the other (Steduto and Albrizio, 2005). This model, as compared to other crop models, requires minimal input data and its new version 4.0 (June, 2012) has a salinity module which was used in this research to simulate the grain yield (GY) and WP of soybean under deficit and saline water irrigation. Furthermore, the AquaCrop model has not often been tested to simulate the yield of soybean under saline conditions in the semi-arid climate of Golestan province. This study aims at evaluating the efficiency of AquaCrop model in soybean yield simulation. The results are to be used for optimizing water consumption under water and saline stress. To this end, an experiment was carried out at the research farm of Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources.

Abstract Objective & Background: The aims of this study were to investigate the effects of planting methods on riased bed with microirrigation and seed density on grain yeild and energy indicators of bean production. Materials & Methods: In order to compare the effect of planting methods and seed density on bean line of COS-16 (Straight Type), a split plot experiment in randomized complete block design was carried out in Khomein Bean Research Station during 2016 and 2017 with 3 replications. The main plots were flat planting, single row on a ridge, double rows on a ridge and three rows on a ridges. Sub plots were seed consumption of 70, 120 and 170 kg.ha-1. The space between ridges was 75 Cm. Irrigation type was microirrigation (tape irrigation). Results: Experiment results showed that the treatments of two rows on a ridge with seed consumption of 120 kg.ha-1 and single row on a ridge with seed consumption of 70 kg.ha-1 with yields of 2300 and 2225 kg.ha-1, respectively are beter than other methods. The lowest energy intensity with 34 MJ.kg-1 and the high energy ratio with 0.99 were related to these treatments. Energy intensity and energy ratio of conventional method were 53.7 MJ.kg-1 and 0.63 respectively. Conclusion: The treatments of two rows on a ridge with seed consumption of 120 kg.ha-1 and single row on a ridge with seed consumption of 70 kg.ha-1 are recommended and the flat and three rows on a ridge planting methods does not recommended.

Introduction: Minerals are one of the main components of soils which play different roles in the soils. Minerals make up about 50% of the volume of most soils. They provide physical support for plants, and create the water- and air-filled pores that make plant growth possible. Mineral weathering releases plant nutrients which are retained by other minerals through adsorption, cation exchange, and precipitation. Minerals are indicators of the amount of weathering that has taken place, and the presence or absence of particular minerals gives clues to how soils have been formed. The physical and chemical characteristics of soil minerals are important consideration in planning, constructing, and maintaining of buildings, roads, and airports. Clay minerals can be used for understanding of soil formation, optimum management of dry and wet lands and interpretation of paleo environments. Moreover, clay minerals can provide some valuable information such as the origin of sediments, transportation and precipitation of sediments and also some information about intercontinental weathering regimes. Quaternary sediments have occupied most of the agricultural and natural resources of Urima plain and recognition of mineralogical of these soils is essential to optimum and stabile use of these soils. Additionally, caly mineralogical investigation can provide some information about the intensity of weathering processes and climate change in this area. Thus, in this study clay minerals of quaternary sediments in northeast of Urmia and the mechanisms of their formation and also tracing probable climate change in this area were investigated. Materials and Methods: This study was performed in theUrmia plain in west Azerbaijan Province. The study area is located on quaternary sediments and physiographically, this area is a part of a river alluvial plain with the gentle slope toward Urmia Lake. The mean annual precipitation and temperature of this area are 345.37 mm and 10.83 °C respectively and the soil moisture and temperature regimes are dry xeric and mesic respectively. In this study, eight soil profiles in quaternary sediments were dug and sampled and the morphological, physical, chemical and mineralogical properties were determined using standard methods. Results and Discussion: According to the results, Illite, smectite, Kaolinite, chlorite, vermiculite and hydroxy interlayer vermiculite (HIV) were the dominant clay minerals in these soils. The origin of illite, chlorite and kaolinite were related to inheritance from parent material. Regarding to the present of some smectite in the parent material of these soils, some of smectites have been inherited from parent material. Nevertheless it seems that, the most of smectites in these soils have pedogenic origin. Based on mineralogical results and trends variation of smectite and illite along studied profiles, we concluded that some of smectites in these soils have been formed from illite transformation. In profiles 4 and 6, regarding to low depth water table and consequently poor drainage, high pH and high values of calcium and magnesium cations, provide suitable conditions for the neoformation of smectit and so, some of smectites have been formed via neoformation from soil solution. In these soils, vermiculites were pedogenic and have been formed during transformation of illite to smectite. Small amounts of hydroxy interlayer vermiculites were present in buried horizons and regarding that they were not present in parent material, it might be because these minerals are pedogenic and have been formed in a past wetter climate. The transformation of illite to smectite in lower horizons needs high moisture and regarding to recent semiarid climate of study area, the suitable amount of moisture for this transformation, especially in lower depths and also in buried horizons, is not present. Thus, it seems the transformation of illite to smectite in lower depths and buried horizons has been taken place in a wetter past climate. So we concluded that smectite and hydroxy interlayer vermiculite are evidences of a wetter past climate in this area. Conclusion: In this study the origin of smectite in buried horizons was related to transformation of illite. According to high moisture condition which is necessary for the weathering of illite, the occurrence of this process related to more humid climate of the past. Additionally, the presence of hydroxy interlayer vermiculites was related to previously wetter climate as well. So results of this study can be used for recognition of climatic change in the study area.

This study was conducted to determine growth parameters, catch and fishing effort trends, stock assessment of Caspian Sea mullets in the Iranian coastal waters of Caspian Sea in the fishing season of 2013-2014. For gathering of data on biometry and catch statistics, 5 mobile working group in the regions of Anzali, Kiashahr, Noshahr, Babolsar and Torkmen were involved from the start to the end of fishing season.Gathered data Were entered to the computer. For data analysis, common methods were undertaken for estimation of growth parameters, mortality rates, biomass and Maximum Sustainable yield (MSY) as well. According to the result, the number of beach seines cooperatives was 124 and fishing efforts were 44688 beach seining haul. The catch per unit of effort CPUE) was calculated 53 kg/haul during this fishing season. The total catches of Caspian Sea mullets (including illegal fishing estimated as 2373 mt. Growth parameters of golden gray mullet (Liza aurata) were estimated as K=0.16/yr, L_∞=57.4 cm, t_0=-0.45/yr. Based on catch-at-age data, in the fishing season of 2013-2014, the total biomass, from the biomass-based cohort analysis were estimated 12473.3. mt. Based on these results, the fishing mortality rate in fishing season of 2013-2014 were 0.575/yr. In this survey, the Maximum sustainable yield were estimated as 2558.6 mt respectively. Generally from three Northern Province’s cooperatives 3406 samples collected. Results of biometry of golden gray mullet (Liza auratus) showed that the mean length and weight and age of this species were 32.3±6.1 cm and 383.5±74.823.4 g and 1.2±5.6 y respectively and leaping gray mullet (Liza saliens) showed that the mean length and weight and age of this species were 24.8±3.3 cm and 119±25.5 g and 2.5±0.6 y respectively. The biometric results showed that, 97.5% of the samples belonged to golden gray mullet and population of leaping gray mullet was sever declined. Also, the fishing of the mullet was increased over the last year by 10.3 % from 2151 tons to 2373 tons per year during 1391-92 and 1392-93, respectively .

Energy, one of the most essential and important factors of production and the final product, has an important role in the growth and economic development. This research examines the dynamic relationship between financial development and energy consumption based on GMM estimation in 53 developing countries and 47 advanced countries over the period 2000-2014. The results showed the positive impact of direct foreign investment and national income on energy consumption in the two groups of countries. Energy prices had a completely opposite effect on energy consumption in developing and advanced countries. The results also indicated that in both developed and advanced countries the money market plays a more effective role in reducing energy consumption in comparison with the capital markets. While the effect of financial development through the money market on energy consumption is U- inverse shape in both groups of countries, this effect through the capital market is U-shape and U-shape inverse for developing countries and advanced countries, respectively. These results might have important policy implications for energy management policymakers and authorities to achieve sustainable development in different countries.

Background and Objective: Study was conducted to evaluate the sustainability of the two autumn and spring potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) farming ecosystems. Methods and Materials: The study was conducted by questionnaire in Golestan Province during the period of 2017-2018. 120 autumn farms and 60 spring farms were selected by stratified random sampling method. After determining inputs and output and their energy equivalent, the energy indices were determined. Results: Fossil fuels and fertilizers were the largest energy inputs of the total in autumn and spring potato farming ecosystems with share of 30.26% and 29.04%, respectively. In autumn and spring potato farming ecosystems, energy use efficiency indices were 1.85 and 1.30; energy productivity indices were 0.51 and 0.36 kg MJ-1; specific energy indices were 1.95 and 2.76 MJ kg-1; net energy indices were 52135.16 and 16125.42 MJ ha-1; mechanization indices were 0.96 and 0.94; total energy inputs were 61384.83 and 53234.59 MJ ha-1 and total energy outputs were 113519.99 and 69360.01 MJ ha-1, respectively. Conclusion: The efficiency and the sustainability of the autumn farming ecosystem were higher than the spring in terms of potato production in Golestan Province. In autumn and spring farming ecosystems, the share of indirect, nonrenewable and commercial energy were greater than that of direct, renewable and noncommercial energy. It is useful to implement recommended guidelines for optimal management of inputs such as conservation tillage, modernization of machinery and consumption of manure, it reduces the share of nonrenewable and commercial energy and increases environmental health and energy efficiency.

Background and Objectives: The continuous increase in solid waste generation worldwide due to population growth and industrialization, calls for management strategies that integrate concerns for environmental sustainability. By quantifying environmental impacts of systems, Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is a tool which can contribute to answering that call. The aim of this study was to evaluate environmental pollutants resulting from various treatment options including anaerobic digestion, incineration, and landfill of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) generated daily in Tehran. Materials and Methods: First, the physical properties of the waste and consumption of inputs in the study area were determined from September to October, 2014- 2015. Then the different steps of LCA in relation to each of the subsystems were followed (with SimaPro software). Finally, the results based on the CML Baseline 2000 were presented and analyzed. Results: It was found that when the higher rate of separation and processing in any subsystems increases, the emission of environmental pollutants decreases, so that the global warming potential, acidification, eutrophication, and abiotic depletion as the most important impact categories in the subsystems of anaerobic digestion were obtained as -125935 kg CO2/day, -449 kg SO2/day, -1690 kg PO43-/day and -0.43 kg Sb/day, respectively and in incineration were obtained as -264872 kg CO2/day, -974 kg SO2/day, -3471 kg PO43-/day and -0.76 kg Sb/day, respectively, while in the landfill subsystem, they were estimated to be 74478 kg CO2/day, 362 kg SO2/day, 118 kg PO43-/day, and 0.13 kg Sb/day, respectively. Conclusion: According to the constituent processes of each of the subsystems and the results of the evaluation of exhaust emissions subsystems, it can be concluded that in an integrated system of waste management, the energy-generating systems such as anaerobic digestion and incineration should be as the first priority and the traditional subsystems such as landfill should be as the last priority.

Climate change has serious impacts on communities and livelihoods in dry areas. The agricultural sector accepts the greatest impact from climate change due to its extensive interactions with the environment. Environmental degradation and reduced yield of saffron and weakening of the household economy are among the consequences of climate change in the Kashmar plain. This study was carried out in order to evaluate the perception of saffron in the Kashmar plain from climate change and its capacity to adapt to this phenomenon. The present study was conducted to examine the perceptions and adaptation of saffron to climate change in order to expand the strategies for confronting the climate change challenges in the Kashmar plain. The method of this study is descriptive-analytic. The population of the study was calculated using Cochran's sampling method and a sample size of 390 households was chosen. Statistical models such as logistic regression were used to examine saffron perception and compatibility strategies. The analysis of saffron perceptions of climate change shows that the increase in temperature and the decrease in rainfall during the last decade in the Kashmar plain has been ongoing. The results of the logistic statistical model indicated that product diversity, change in crops, finding a job outside the farm, changing the amount of land, changing the planting date of saffron were adaptation methods used in the region. Given that many saffron growers have come to understand climate change and adjust their farming activities based on these changes, the government should facilitate the adaptation of saffron to climate change.

In accordance to the adaptation of architectural styles to the specific climatic conditions of the desert regions has led to the formation of an architectural style tailored to the needs of these areas. Understanding the coordination mechanisms of the technique, materials and environment and its intended application in understanding the concept of aesthetics and the performance of traditional buildings in the Iranian desert cities has attracted the attention of local and foreign researchers. In general, the concept of sustainability formed as a result of human awareness of environmental issues and socio-economic and cultural problems can be seen in desert architecture. One of the most important goals of sustainable development is to preserve nature and to alter the overall outlook towards it; furthermore, it is also sought to promote sustainable development in the built environment termed as sustainable architecture. Hence, the aim of this article is to understand climate adaptation and the environment response of traditional Iranian structures in the unique climate conditions of the desert. In this regard, this paper with a descriptive and analytic methods expresses this hypothesis that there seems to be a reliable and unique association between technique, structuring materials and environment with traditional Iranian structures built in desert areas. In order to prove the research hypothesis, first a descriptive and eloquent definition of the concept of sustainability in the structures and synergies created in the desert ecosystem and architecture is presented and then, the spatial features of a native desert architecture model after climate adaptation are described. Finally, it has been proven that the special features of architecture in desert areas have led to the emergence of beautiful traditional buildings appropriate to the climate of this resort.

Controling weeds at their critical periods of growth leads to low production costs and injurious effects of using chemical weed controling methods. In this experiment we studied the timinig effects of weed control (interference of weeds after 20, 40 and 60 days and complete control of weeds) and weed interference periods for 20, 40 and 60 days after planting and complete interference) on growth and yield of forage maize CV. 454. The experiment was conducted incomplete randomized blocks design with three replications at the Research Farm of Islamic Azad University of Tabriz Branch in 2013. According to the results, maintenaning the farm for 40 and 60 days under weed interference after 20 days prevented reduction of maize biomass, while weeds interference after 20 days, weed interference and controling weeds after 40 and 60 days resulted in 41.2%, 35%, 25% and 32.5% reduction of forage maize biomass, respectively. Reduction in fresh weight of corn and fresh weight of leaf and stem were also observed due to interference of weeds after 20 days. If weeds are controlled after 60 days, reduction of corn weight and fresh weight of stem will also results in reduction of biomass. Also, if weeds are controlled after 40 days, stem fresh weight of maize will result in biomass reduction. Corn traits were affected by weeds control treatments. Being affected by treatments of weeds interference after 20 days, weeds non-interference, controlling weeds after 40 and 60 days, the height of corn was reduced by 29.9%, 41.4%, 27.6% and 37.2%, respectively. The stem diameter demonstrated a significant reduction, although it was only affected by treatments of weeds interference and weeds control after 60 days. Based on the results of this study, it may be suggested that controling weeds during initial 20-60 days of maize growth would prevent the undesirable effect of weeds on growth, production and biomass production of maize and also results in production costs.