عبدالامیر معزی

Soil pollution with heavy metals such as cadmium has become a global environmental concern. Adsorption is widely used as a remediation method due to its advantages, including cost-effectiveness and high performance in removing metal ions. Biochar is an effective way to improve soil properties and act as a sorbent for various toxins. In particular, nanobiochar, with its unique properties such as high specific surface area, has the potential to be one of the most effective soil amendments. Nanobiochar has gained attention recently due to its unique properties and potential applications in various fields. Its high specific surface area and small particle size make it an effective adsorbent for polluted soils and water contaminants. Nanobiochar has demonstrated the ability to adsorb many pollutants, including heavy metals, organic compounds, and nutrients, making it a promising material for environmental remediation. Despite the potential applications of nanobiochar, more research is needed to fully understand its properties and potential uses. The field of nanobiochar is still emerging, and many questions remain unanswered. Furthermore, the importance of nanobiochar in remediating polluted calcareous soils is not well known. This study aimed to investigate the effect of nanobiochar made from reed on the cadmium adsorption isotherms and kinetics in polluted calcareous soil.

For this research, a composite soil sample was collected from a depth of zero to 30 cm from the farm of the Faculty of Agriculture, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz. The soil sample was air-dried and passed through a two-mm sieve, then some physical and chemical characteristics of the soil were measured. To prepare biochar, the raw common reed was collected, air-dried, and passed through a two-mm sieve, and the common reed was soaked in 0.5 M FeCl2. The raw and Fe-soaked common reed biomass was then pyrolyzed at 500 °C for three hours with a heating rate of six °C min−1 in an electrical furnace under anaerobic conditions. Nanobiochar was prepared using a ball milling method, and its properties were analyzed. To investigate the effect of the adsorbents on the Cd adsorption isotherm and kinetic in soil, an incubation experiment was conducted with three types of adsorbents, including common reed biochar, iron-modified common reed biochar, and common reed nano-biochar at three application rates of 0, 0.5, and 1 % in three replicates for 60 days at a temperature of 25°C. At the end of the incubation period, some soil properties were measured, and the isotherms of cadmium adsorption at different concentrations (zero, five, 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 mg L-1) were determined. The kinetics of cadmium adsorption at Cd concentration of 40 mg L-1 under different periods (0.5, 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, 24, and 48 h) were also studied. Then, the experimental data were fitted using nonlinear adsorption and kinetic models, and the model parameters were calculated.

The results showed that reducing the size of biochar to nano-scale increased the specific surface area and cation exchange capacity. The application of nanobiochar at one percent application rate increased the percentage of soil organic matter compared to other treatments. Soil treated with nanobiochar at 0.5 percent and one percent application rates increased soil organic matter by 33.02% and 83.02% compared to the control treatment, respectively. Nanobiochar gave rise to the highest Cd adsorption in the soil. The Langmuir model provided a better fit to the experimental data than the Freundlich and Temkin models. The maximum adsorption capacity of cadmium (qmax) boosted upon adsorbents application, and the highest adsorption capacity was obtained in soil treated with nanobiochar at one percent application rate with maximum Cd adsorption capacity of 1048 mg kg-1 of soil. The pseudo-second-order kinetic model provided the best fit to the kinetic adsorption data due to its high coefficient of determination (R2) and low standard error (SE). The adsorption capacity of cadmium (qe) increased with the use of reed biochar, iron-modified reed biochar, and nanobiochar compared to the control treatment, with a higher increase observed at the one percent application rate compared to 0.5 percent. Additionally, the rate constant K2 showed a higher surface adsorption rate of cadmium in soil treated with nanobiochar compared to the other treatments.

In general, the study findings confirmed the effectiveness of nanobiochar produced by ball milling in cadmium adsorption in polluted calcareous soils. The results showed that the nanobiochar amending cadmium-polluted soils demonstrated better improvement compared to biochar treatments. Nanobiochar at one percent application rate was the best treatment for improving soil properties and increasing Cd adsorption due to its exceptional properties (high surface area and improved adsorption capabilities). As a result, the application of nanobiochar as an adsorbent offers environmental and economic advantages. The application of nanobiochar as a strong and effective adsorbent for cadmium removal from the soil can be considered as an effective solution to protect the environment and human health.

One of the major problems of soils in arid and semi-arid regions is the lack of organic matter. Chemical fortification of biochar is effective in increasing biochar's efficiency to improve the chemical properties and fertility of the soil and plant growth. The purpose of this research was to investigate the effect of biochar and modified sugarcane bagasse biochar on the nutrient status, soil chemical properties, nutritional status and sugarcane yield. Sugarcane bagasse biochar was prepared and modified and its properties were measured. This research was done in a completely randomized design with 4 treatments, including 1- control (without the use of biochar), 2- sugarcane bagasse biochar, 3- sulfuric acid modified biochar, 4- citric acid modified biochar and 4 replications in pots and greenhouse condition. The biochar treatments were applied before plantantion at 1% w/w level. At the end of the experiment period, plant biomass yield and soil chemical properties were measured. The results showed that the application of all treatments caused a decrease in soil pH (0.24-0.64 units), but increase cation exchange capacity (1.55 to 1.84-fold), organic carbon (2.2 to 2.6-fold) and available concentration of phosphorus (1.7 to 2.2-fold), potassium (1.29 to 1.85-fold), iron (1.65 to 1.78-fold) and zinc (1.41 to 1.69-fold) in the soil. The use of citric acid modified biochar had the greatest effect in increasing the height (19.4%) and the dry weight of the shoot (10.8%) and nutrient uptake in shoot compared to the control treatment. In general, biochar prepared from sugarcane bagasse and modified with citric acid could be effective in improving soil chemical properties, nutrient availability and sugarcane growth and nutrition under the studied soil conditions.

Biochar is a potential soil amendment produced by pyrolyzing waste organic materials. Biochar with improving soil quality indicators could increase soil sustainability. Amending soil with biochar enhances soil quality and stimulates plant growth. So far, most studies have investigated the potential impacts of biochar on soil fertility, soil biota, soil chemical properties, soil greenhouse gas emissions, and remediation of contaminated soils. Comparatively, a minimal number of research has been carried out on the implications of biochar application on soil's physical and mechanical properties on the field scale and in the presence of plants. This study aimed to investigate the effect of Conocarpus erectus biochar as a modifier on some mechanical properties of soil (shear strength (SS), coefficient of linear extensibility (COLE), liquid limit (LL), plastic limit (PL) moistures, and plasticity index (PI)) as well as some physical properties includes soil porosity, soil moisture retention (field capacity (FC), permanent wilting point (PWP), and plant water available content (AWC)), soil air capacity (SAC), and bulk density (BD).

The research experiment was conducted in a completely randomized block design with three replications. The treatments including biochar at three levels (zero, three, and six ton ha-1) were added into a calcareous soil. The biochar was produced from Conocarpus erectus wood through the slow pyrolysis process at 550 °C. Before being applied to soil plots, the biochar was crushed to pieces smaller than 0.5 cm. The biochar was mixed to around 20 cm soil depth and soil moisture was kept at 70% of field capacity for three months. The corn plant was then planted and harvested after three months. Then soil samples were collected and used for physical and mechanical experiments. Some physical and mechanical properties of soil include SS, COLE, LL), PL moistures, PI, BD, porosity, SAC, FC, and PWP moisture were measured. The surface functional groups analysis of the biochars was detected using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Furthermore, the surface morphology of bulk biochar was portrayed by a scanning electron microscope (SEM).

The results of the analysis of variance (ANOVA) indicated that the addition of Conocarpus erectus biochar had a significant effect on the soil's physical properties (P< 0.01). The results revealed that the biochar significantly enhanced soil porosity, air capacity, and moisture content at FC and PWP, while diminished soil bulk density (P <0.01). The amount of soil porosity, air capacity, FC, PWP moisture, and AWC in the treatments of three and six ton ha-1 of biochar had a significant difference with the control treatment (P< 0.01). The increase of FC, PWP, and plant available water by raising the amount of biochar was attributed to the porosity of the biochar particles. The results of SEM images revealed that synthesized biochar is a porous material that significantly can enhance the total soil porosity and water retention capacity. Furthermore, the FTIR spectra of the synthesized biochar functional groups such as carboxylic acid, phenolic, ketone, ester, and, amine were detected. The findings of the ANOVA also show a significant effect (P< 0.01) of Conocarpus erectus biochar on the soil mechanical properties (SS, COLE, LL, PL moistures and PI). Moreover, the results of the mean comparison test revealed that three and six ton ha-1 of biochar treatments had a significant difference with the control treatment (P< 0.01); The difference between three and six ton ha-1 of biochar was also significant (P< 0.01). Application of the biochar increased LL, PL, and PI; while diminished shear strength and COLE index. In the treatments of three and six ton ha-1 of the biochar, the amount of LL increased by 40.32 and 77.74%, respectively, and PL increased by 40.8 and 70%, respectively, compared to the control treatment. Furthermore, the value of PI was enhanced by 38.33 and 71.66% in the biochar treatments of three and six ton ha-1 compared to the control treatment. While, the amount of shear resistance in the treatments of three and six ton ha-1 of the biochar decreased by 23.94 and 34.75%, respectively, compared to the control. The amount of decrease in COLE index at the three and six ton ha-1 of the biochar compared to the control was 20.28 and 36.95%, respectively. The results also revealed that the application level of six ton ha-1 biochar treatment increased the amount of porosity, SAC, FC, PWP, and AWC by 70, 13.7, 6.2, 5, and 8 %, compared to the control treatment. The application of biochar reduced the COLE index significantly; therefore, biochar has the potential to improve the mechanical characteristics of expandable soils.

This study showed that the biochar of Conocarpus as a suitable modifier improves the quality of the physical and mechanical properties of calcareous soils. According to the findings, it can be concluded that biochar by reducing soil bulk density, and shear strength, increasing porosity, water retention, plant available water, and air capacity, and improving soil consistency (Atterberg Limits) can provide suitable conditions for plant growth. The application of biochar not only has positive effects on the transport of nutrient elements, gases, heat, and water movement in soil but also by increasing soil porosity and water retention capacity provides beneficial conditions for plant growth. Therefore, in arid and semi-arid regions such as Khuzestan Province, which is facing the problem of lack of water resources and organic matter, biochar can be a valuable soil amendment. Overall, the use of biochar of Conocarpus could improve soil physical and mechanical properties at the field scale but long-term studies in different soils under plant cultivation are needed for a better understanding of its performance as a soil amendment.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi are highly important in improving plant growth and decreasing the negative effects of contaminants. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of inoculation of mycorrhizal fungus on the concentration of lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) by parsley (Petroselinum sativum) in heavy metal-contaminated soil in the presence of kerosene. This study was carried out as a factorial experiment based on the randomized complete design with four replications under greenhouse conditions. Experimental factors were included: 1- microbial inoculation in two levels with mycorrhizal fungus (Rhizophagus irregularis) and control (without inoculation), and 2- kerosene in four levels of 0, 4, 8, and 12 mL kg-1 soil. The results showed that mycorrhizal inoculation led to a significant increase in root (61.1 to 150.1%) and shoot dry weight (9.1 to 51.5%), shoot P, Zn, and Cu concentration and root Pb (18.7 to 97.9%) and Cd (13.3 to 98.6%) concentration, while significantly decreased shoot Pb (10.0 to 29.2%) and Cd (19.6 to 72.1%) concentration. The root bio-concentration factor (BCF) (7.74%) was higher than compared to shoot BCF. The mycorrhizal inoculation decreased the translocation factor (TF) of Pb and Cd. The TF<1 shows that the mycorrhizal fungus immobilized Pb and Cd in the roots and prevented their translocation from the root to the shoot. Hence, mycorrhizal inoculation can be effective in contaminated soils through bioconcentration of Pb and Cd in the root and decrease their translocation to the parsley shoot.

In recent years, due to the large amount of agricultural wastes, the production and use of biochar as a carbon-rich material has become very important in order to recycle plant residues, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, preserve nutrients and remove pollutants and heavy metals from the soil. This research was conducted with the aim of investigating the effect of pyrolysis temperature, type of biomass and modification with mineral salts on the characteristics of produced biochars.

To carry out the research, a factorial experiment was conducted in the form of a completely randomized design with three replications. The experimental factors include the type of feedstock in 2 types (sugarcane bagasse and rice straw), the pyrolysis temperature in 2 levels (300 and 500 ºC) and the type of biochar΄s modification in 4 models (control or without modification, modification with FeCl3, ZnCl2 and KH2PO4). At first, biochars were prepared (16 samples in 3 replicates) and then their physicochemical properties were measured and analyzed.

The results showed that with the increase of pyrolysis temperature in control and all modified biochars, the amount of ash, fixed carbon, electrical conductivity (EC), acidity (pH), specific surface area (SSA), carbon content and C/N ratio increased and yield, volatile matter, cation exchange capacity (CEC), oxygen and hydrogen content decreased. In rice straw biochars (control and modified), oxygen content, O/C and O+N/C ratio at both temperatures and CEC value at 500 ºC are higher than sugarcane bagasse biochars and Its SSA was less. Modification with mineral salts increased the amount of ash, yield, CEC, SSA, EC, oxygen content, O/C ratio and decreases pH, carbon, nitrogen and hydrogen content in biochars produced at both temperature levels and two types of biomass. The highest amount of CEC was observed in sugarcane bagasse biochar produced at 300 ºC modified with phosphorus (58.94 cmol.kg-1) and the highest SSA in sugarcane bagasse biochar produced at 500 ºC modified with iron (94.49 m2/kg). The rice straw biochar produced at 500 ºC without modification with a pH of 8.83 had the highest pH value, and the rice straw biochar produced at 500 ºC modified with iron with EC of 9.23 had the highest EC value and the highest percentage of ash (49.07%) compared to other biochars. The most fixed carbon was related to unmodified 500 ºC sugarcane bagasse biochar (51.4%) and 500 ºC sugarcane bagasse biochar modified with zinc (48.7%). Th 300 ºC rice straw biochar modified with iron had the lowest percentage of fixed carbon and the highest ratio of H/C, O/C and O+N/C and in biochar modified with zinc produced at 500 ºC, these ratios had the lowest value compared to other biochars, which probably indicates their greater stability.

The results of this research showed that the biochars produced at 300 ºC, especially the types that modified with phosphorus and iron, have properties that are expected to remove pollutants from water and soil and improve soil fertility, and the biochars prepared at 500 ºC, especially the types that modified with zinc, have the characteristics required for application in order to carbon sequestration in the soil. Of course, more research needs to be done to provide more accurate results. In general, the use of mineral salts to modify biochar can be effective in optimizing its characteristics, according to the purpose of application.

High concentration of heavy metals in soil directly affects soil and water quality and human safety. Therefore, decreasing mobility of metals, especially in contaminated soils by cost-effective amendments can solve environmental problems. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of nanobiochar on the mobility of lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn) in contaminated calcareous soils. This study was carried out as a factorial experiment based on a randomized complete design with two factors including: 1) type of bioadsorbents (4 type) and rate of bioadsorbents (3 rate) for 90 days in three replications. At the end of incubation period, Pb and Zn availability and their chemical fractions were measured. The results showed that the greatest reduction in Pb and Zn availability was observed in soil treated with Fe-NB. The Pb and Zn availability in Fe-NB-1% decreased by 34.65 and 15.38% compared to the control treatment, respectively. Application of biochar, especially in nano size, significantly (P<0.05) decreased the exchangeable fraction and increased iron and manganese oxide bound and residual fractions of the metals in comparison to the control treatment. The IR Values increased and MF values decreased with increasing biochars and nanobichars levels that indicating a decrease in the mobility of metals in the soil. In general, the addition of nanobiochar in soil causes the transformation of metals from unstable form (exchangeable and carbonate forms) to stable forms (iron and manganese oxide bound and residual forms) and further reduces the mobility of metals in the soil.

Phosphorus deficiency is one of the major problems of calcareous soils and a limiting factor for crop production in these soils and excessive use of phosphate fertilizers can cause pollution in soil and water. The use of organic amendments such as compost, biochar or a combination of them can be effective in improving the amount of available phosphorus of the soil. For this purpose, the effect of combined application of compost and biochar of sugarcane bagasse on phosphorus sorption and desorption were investigated.

Sugarcane bagasse and compost were provided from Debal Khozaei agro-industry Company. The oven-dried sugarcane bagasse 105 ºC were pass through 2 mm sieve and slow pyrolysed at 500 ºC using a laboratory muffle furnace with a heating rate of 5 ºC min-1 and presence of N2 flow to provide an anoxic condition. Some physico-chemical properties of samples were determined. The soil sample was collected from 0-30 cm of the campus of Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Khuzestan province, SW Iran (48° 65′91.12′′E31°30′53.82′′N). The studied soil classified as a Typic Haplocalcids. The air-dried soil samples were sieved (˂ 2 mm) and used for physico-chemical analysis. The incubation experiment was conducted with 7 treatments. The treatments including (1) control (without any amendments), (2) 100% sugarcane bagasse, (3) 100% sugarcane bagasse compost, (4) 100% sugarcane bagasse biochar, (5) 50% compost +50% biochar, (6) 75% compost + 25% biochar, (7) 25% compost + 75% biochar were added as 2% w/w to soil. The 200 g air-dried soil and treatments were mixed and kept in poly-ethylene containers for 120 days. Samples were incubated in 25  2 ºC and soil moisture was adjusted to soil field capacity using distilled water during the incubation time. At the end of incubation time, soil phosphorus sorption isotherm was measured. A 2.5 g of each treatment was transferred to a 50 ml centrifuge tube. Then, a 25 mL of CaCl2 0.01 M containing 0, 10, 20, 40, 60, 80, and 100 mg P L-1 (prepared from KH2PO4) was added to each centrifuge tube. Two drops of chloroform were added to each centrifuge tube to inhibit microbial growth. Samples were equilibrated at 25  1 ºC for 24 h on shaker at 150 rpm, and then centrifuged for 5 min at 3000 rpm and pass through 0.45-μm filter paper. The phosphate desorption was conducted on soil remaining in the filter immediately after sorption experiment. For this purpose, each treatment was resuspended with 25 ml of CaCl2 0.01 M solution without phosphate and shaken for 24 h. after collecting the supernatant, desorbed phosphate was measured. For assessing the adsorbed phosphate, the difference between the initial phosphate concentration and the phosphate concentration at equilibrium was calculated. The Langmuir, Freundlich and temkin isotherm models were used to describe the sorption of phosphate. In addition, some phosphorus buffering indices including maximum buffering capacity (MBC), standard buffering capacity (SBC), equilibrium buffering capacity (EBC) and standard phosphorus requirement (SPR) were obtained from P sorption equations at 0.2 mg P L-1 concentration in soil solution. The experimental data were fitted by Microsoft Excel-SOLVER and graphs were plotted by Microsoft Excel.

The soil was had loam texture, with low SOC content and high pH and calcium carbonate content, also the results of the characteristics of sugarcane bagasse compost and biochar showed that the compost had high salinity and the biochar had high pH and C/N ratio. The amount of phosphorus absorption increased with increasing the initial concentration of phosphorus in the treated soils. The highest and lowest amount of phosphorus absorption were in the control in compost treatments, respectively. In general, different levels of biochar and compost treatments caused a decrease in phosphorus absorption compared to the control treatment. The results showed that P sorption and desorption are described well by the Freundlich and Langmuir equations with a high correlation coefficient; however, the Temkin equation described the P sorption and desorption in the soils poorly. Biochar and compost treatments significantly decreased the Freundlich n parameter. Results showed that the effects of compost and 75% compost + 25% biochar were significantly greater than the effects of other treatments on the n parameter exponential adsorption equation. Application of different treatments of sugarcane bagasse compost and biochar application caused a significant increase in MBC (25.4-70.7%) and EBC (33.1-69.4%). The standard P requirements (SPR) were lower in soils treated than in control soil.

The results showed that the combined application of biochar-compost of sugarcane bagasse reduced the sorption and increased desorption of phosphorus. The maximum buffering capacity (MBC) and equilibrium buffering capacity (EBC), standard buffering capacity (SBC) and standard phosphorus requirement (SPR) in compost and compost 75% + biochar 25% showed more decrease than the control. In general, the results of this study indicate that the combined application of biochar-compost of sugarcane bagasse reduces phosphorus sorption in soil in calcareous soils, which can increase the availability phosphorus for plants.

Salinity is one of the growth-limiting factors for pistachio (Pistacia vera L.) crop production in semiarid and arid soils of Iran. Salinity poses two major threats to plant growth: osmotic stress and ionic stress. In addition, it also manifested an oxidative stress. The deleterious effects of salinity affect different physiological and metabolic processes of plants. The uptake of high amounts of salt by the plant leads to the increase of the osmotic pressure in the cytosol. Under this condition compatible osmoprotectant, such as proline and soluble sugars, is produced to protect the cells against the adverse effects from salt stress. High accumulation of proline is associated with tolerance to stress. Na+ and K+ homeostasis plays a vital role in the growth and development of higher plants under salt conditions owing to potassium–sodium (K+–Na+) interaction and is often associated with K+ deficiency. Application of potassium fertilizer affect plants growth and tolerance under salinity stress. The potassium is indispensable for several physiological processes, including the maintenance of membrane potential and turgor, enzyme activation, stomatal movement, regulation of osmotic pressure. Therefore the objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of potassium sulfate fertilizer application on growth, photosynthetic pigments, proline, soluble sugar and Na and K Uptake by Badami-riz Zarand P. vera L. (the main pistachio rootstock in Iran’s pistachio plantation area) seedlings under salinity stress.

This study carried out in greenhouse condition as a factorial experiment based on a completely randomized design and in three replications. Experimental factors was salinity of irrigation water (in three levels including 0.65, 5 and 10 dS m-1) and potassium sulfate fertilizer application )in three levels including without application or control, 150 and 250 mg kg-1 soil). Pistachio (Pistacia vera L. cv. Badami-riz Zarand) seeds were surface sterilized with solution of sodium hypochlorite in distilled water. Seedlings were transplanted in plastic potscontaining 10 kg of soil. The pots were maintained in the greenhouse under 25 ± 4 ◦C temperature and under natural light. The mean relative humidity was 40 %. At the end of growth period (six mounth), the plants were harvested and leaf area, root dry weight, shoot dry weight, chlorophyll a and b, total chlorophyll, carotenoids, proline, spluble sugar, root and shoot K and Na concentration were measured. In addition, the K and Na uptake in shoot and root, as well as K/Na ratio were calculated. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed using SAS program version 9.4 (SAS Institute, Cary, NC). Significant differences of the mean values (P <0 .05 for F-test) were determined by Duncans’s Multiple Range Test.

Results indicated that with increasing salinity stress, leaf area, root, and shoot dry weight, chlorophyll content and shoot and root K uptake decreased, while carotenoids and shoot and root Na concentration increased. The highest and lowest value of leaf area, root, and shoot dry weight, chlorophyll content and shoot and root K uptake were observed in control and high salinity levels (10 dS m-1) treatments respectively. Application of potassium sulfate fertilizer at both levels (150 and 250 mg kg-1) led to a significant increase in leaf area (8.1 and 8.7 % respectively), root dry weight (21.2 and 20.0 %), shoot dry weight (21.3 and 19.9 %), total chlorophyll (10 and 7.8 %), carotenoids (32.2 % and 35.7), proline (21.1 and 14.4 %), root K concentration (44.1 and 56.2 %), shoot K concentration (11.0 and 26.9 %) and K uptake in root and shoot. in high salinity treatment seedlings showed higher Na+/K+ ratio in the roots than that of the shoots. In addition, application of potassium sulfate fertilizer decreased Na uptake in shoot and root. Moreover, the addition of potassium fertilizer increased K/Na ratio in the shoot and root. The results also indicated there were no significant difference between potassium sulfate fertilizer levels (150 and 250 mg kg-1) effects on investigated traits.

It could be concluded that application of potassium sulfate fertilizer results in reduce the negative effects of salinity stress and subsequently enhance tolerance to salinity stress and improved P. vera L. seedlings growth. Therefore, nutrient management of potassium can be considered for decline of negative effects of salinity in P. vera L. v. Badami-riz Zarand seedlings.

In order to investigate the effects of nitrogen application and irrigation of sugarcane fields on grain yield and physiological and biochemical characteristics of quinoa (Gizavan cultivar) including relative leaf water content, chlorophyll index, catalase enzyme activity, superoxide dismutase, proline concentration and Field experimental grain yield in the cropping year 2018 was performed in the form of split plots in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The results showed that the maximum amount of chlorophyll index and grain yield were obtained in the application of 150 kg N ha-1 with one irrigation with sugar-cane. Application of 150 and 225 kg N ha-1 under salinity stress caused a significant increase in the activity of catalase and superoxide dismutase enzymes.

In this experiment, four levels of nitrogen fertilizer (0, 75, 150, 225 kg ha-1) from urea fertilizer source as the main factor and three levels of irrigation water including control (Karun water with salinity of 2.5 dS m-1) and irrigation One in between (Karun-sugarcane drainage) and irrigation with sugarcane drainage (with salinity of 7.5 dS m-1) was considered as a sub-factor.Seed sowing was done on November 6, 2018 in the form of barley and stack (on the grout line) and by hand. Each plot consisted of 6 planting lines 4 m long. The distance between the two plants was 7-10 cm and the distance between the lines was 50 cm. Irrigation treatments were applied in three to five leaf stage (seedling establishment stage). Before irrigation, soil moisture samples were taken and irrigation was done to reach the moisture content of the field capacity. For drainage irrigation, saline water of Mirza Kuchak Khan agro-industrial drains of Khorramshahr with salinity between 6 to 8 dS m-1 was used. Plastic cover was used during rain. The final harvest was made in late February at the time of physiological maturation.At the flowering stage, samples of the leaves were prepared and immediately transferred to the laboratory for physiological and biochemical measurements.

The results of analysis of variance showed that the effects of nitrogen and salinity levels and their interaction at the level of one percent probability on the measured properties of quinoa were significant.The highest average relative leaf water in Karun irrigation and nitrogen fertilizer treatment was 225 kg ha-1 (89.16%) and the lowest average of the mentioned trait was observed in drainage and nitrogen fertilizer treatment of 0 kg ha-1 (70.76%).In the present study, salinity stress decreased the relative water content of the leaves by affecting water absorption because the relative water percentage of plant tissue is one of the most important components of plant water status. Quinoa has been shown to have the ability to accumulate salt ions in its tissues to control and regulate leaf water potential, and this reaction has enabled plants to maintain cell turbulence and limited transpiration under saline conditions, thus preventing physiological damage to quinoa under stress.due to the accumulation of more than 70% nitrogen in the chloroplast of plant leaves, the increase in nitrogen in the plant was accompanied by an increase in the concentration of chlorophyll and leaf nitrogen. Salinity stress due to irrigation with drainage and high accumulation of sodium in the plant has reduced the chlorophyll index and photosynthesis rate of quinoa and finally possibly the accumulation of oxygen free radicals in the plant has increased the activity of catalase enzyme with urea fertilizer catalase activity in all Salinity levels of irrigation treatments have increased due to the presence of nitrogen in the structure of the enzyme. The mechanism of the effect of salinity on the response of antioxidant enzymes is not yet fully understood.

In general, the results of this study indicate that changes in nitrogen levels more than irrigation levels had an effect on chlorophyll index, relative leaf water content and quinoa grain yield and the average salinity had a significant effect on increasing grain yield. Higher amounts of nitrogen increased but also led to a significant increase in grain yield. Nitrogen has improved the destructive effects of salinity stress in quinoa and increased enzyme activity in high salinity has increased plant tolerance. Due to high genetic diversity and adaptation to different climates, high nutritional value and high efficiency of resource use, quinoa can be a suitable plant for using unconventional water and soil resources of Khuzestan province.

In the past few decades, accumulation of heavy metals in soils has increased as a result of human activities. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of common reed nano-biochar and Fe-modified nano-biochar on cadmium (Cd) mobility and fractionation in a Cd-contaminated soil. This study was carried out in 1399-1400 as a factorial experiment based on a completely randomized design (CRD) with two factors including absorbent type (at four levels including biochar, modified biochar, nano-biochar and modified nano-biochar), and biochar application levels (0, 0.5 and 1% w/w) in three replications under laboratory conditions. After treatments’ application, the soil samples were incubated for 90 days. At the end of incubation period, Cd availability and fractionation were measured and Cd mobility factor was determined. The results indicated that with the application of all absorbents (especially at 1% w/w level), concentration of available Cd, exchangeable and Cd bound to carbonate fraction were significantly decreased, while Cd bound to Fe-Mn oxides, Cd bound to organic matter and residue fraction of Cd significantly (P<0.05) increased. The Cd availability in modified nano-biochar treatment (1%) decreased by 26.37 % compared to the control. Results also indicated that nano-biochar had a more significant impact than raw biochar on the immobilization of Cd and decrease its mobility in the soil. In addition, modified-biochar and nano-biochar had more efficiency than raw biochars on the Cd stabilization in the soil. In general, the results revealed that common reed nano-biochar and modified nano-biochar with FeCl2 can be suitable absorbent for stabilization of Cd in contaminated soils.

Land-use changes may influence various natural and ecological processes, including soil nutrients, soil moisture, soil erosion, land productivity and biodiversity. Compact cropping and lack of suitable management approaches in agricultural fields all over the world have affected soil properties in vast areas and led to changes in soil quality. The cultivation of sugarcane in the south of Iran started 60 years ago. The cultivation of sugarcane was mechanized in the southwest of Iran in the late 1950s. Over the past 40 years, the sugarcane yield has been declined from 110 to 50 tons per hectare over the same period. The long-term cultivation period (6 to 7 months), high water consumption (30,000 cubic meters per hectare at 25 to 30 turns irrigation), extensive heavy machinery uses in the planting stage, and sugarcane harvesting may change soil properties. In order to determine how these changes are taking place, it is necessary to examine the land qualitatively and quantitatively to prevent further destruction of this vast God-given source. Due to the fact that few types of research have so far been conducted on the long-term effects of cultivation on the physical and chemical properties of soil, this study aimed to investigate the effect of long-term sugarcane cultivation on some chemical and physical properties of soil in the Karoun Agro-industry Unit in Shoushtar city, Iran.

 This research was carried out to investigate the effect of long-term sugarcane cultivation on soil chemical and physical properties in Karoun Agro-industry Unit in Dimcheh with the geographical coordinates Latitude: 32° 02' 60.00" N Longitude: 48° 50' 59.99" E and 68 meters above mean sea level located at 12 kilometres to the west of Shoushtar city in Khuzestan province of Iran. The total area of the land is 45,000 hectares. This area has warm and dry climate conditions. The dominant soils of the area are classified in the large Calcic Haplousteps group. This study was carried out as a factorial experiment based on a complete randomized design with two factors, including fields in seven levels and depth in three levels (0-30, 30-60 and 60-90 cm) and three replications. Soil samples were collected from three depths in six fields with long-term sugarcane cultivation and adjoining uncultivated land. Then, some chemical properties were measured by standard methods Soil texture by hydrometric method, soil organic matter content by wet oxidation method, the soil sodium bicarbonate extractable phosphorus by Olsen method and available K using 1 N NH4OAc were measured. Also, total porosity and mean weight diameter were calculated based on conventional equations. Statistical analysis of data was performed by SAS 9.2 software, and the comparison of means was made using Duncan's multidomain test at a 1% probability level. Figures were also drawn using Microsoft Excel software.

 Results indicated that land-use changes and long-term sugarcane cultivation result in soil chemical properties changes. By land-use changes, the amount of sand decreased from 22.55% in virgin soil to 6.67% in sugarcane fields. The apparent density and the mean weight diameter by changing the use of virgin soil to sugarcane farms increased by 16% and 67%, respectively, though this result was opposite for the total porosity. Also, land-use changes from virgin soil to sugarcane fields increased organic matter and absorbable phosphorus and reduced potassium absorbable and carbon-to-nitrogen ratio. Overall, changes in chemical properties in surface soil (0-30) were more than other depths (30-60 and 60-90). Also, estimating the correlation coefficients between different traits under the studied treatments showed that sand was correlated with all traits except clay and organic matter. In contrast, the clay had a positive and significant relationship with the mean weight diameter of soil aggregates.

 This research showed that the soil chemical properties of different sugarcane fields significantly changed by the land-use changes of long-term sugarcane cultivation. Thus, the land-use changes, abundant irrigation and leaching increased the organic matter, the mean weight of the diameter of aggregates and the apparent density of the soil. Also, the amount of phosphorus absorbed by sugarcane and fertilization increased, while the amount of organic matter of C/N and soil absorption potassium decreased in cultivated land. Potassium is essential for sugarcane growth, and the reduction of potassium absorbable can cause limitations in its growth and performance. On the other hand, concerns about soil density and change in the optimal plant growth conditions due to heavy agricultural machinery are clear and severe. Therefore, creating a cultivated system with minimal density is essential. Also, soil chemical properties monitoring and maintaining the quality of the studied soils must be considered in land management approaches.

Biochar application to soil improve organic carbon and soil quality. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of biochar and sulfur modified biochar (prepared from sugarcane bagasse and corn residue) on changes in organic carbon and biochemical and microbiological characteristics of a calcareous soil under corn cultivation. This study was conducted in a completely randomized design with five treatments and four replications. Corn residue and sugarcane bagasse biochar and their modified biochar were mixed at 1% (w/w) with the soil sample, and corn was grown in 5 kg pots. The results indicated that the application of biochar and biochar modified with sulfur caused a significant increase in total (56.7-115.4%) and dissolved organic carbon (24.3-60.9%) of the soil, microbial basal respiration (43.8-85.8%), substrate-induced respiration (44.5-98.9%), microbial biomass carbon (54.8-93.4%), dehydrogenase (108.0-114.7) and catalase (105.4-151.6%) activity. Comparison between the two feedstock has revealed that corn residue biochar was more effective in improving total and dissolved organic carbon and soil biochemical attributes than sugarcane bagasse biochar. The positive impact of sulfur-modified biochar on dissolved organic carbon, microbial biomass carbon and catalase activity was significantly greater than the raw biochar. The greatest value of dissolved organic carbon, microbial basal respiration, and substrate induced respiration as well as dehydrogenase, and catalase activity, were related to the biochar treatment of modified corn residue. In general, the results of this study demonstrated that biochar derived from corn residue and sugarcane bagasse could be a suitable organic amendment to improve soil organic matter and soil biochemical properties. In addition, modification of biochar with sulfur and production of acidic biochar can increase its efficiency in improving soil microbial activity.

In recent years, modified biochar application has been receiving attention in removal of organic and inorganic contaminants, soil amelioration and production of biochar based slow release fertilizers. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of various modification approaches on physical and chemical traits of corn residue and common reed derived-biochar. For this purpose, chemical modification methods (using iron- magnesium- and calcium- chloride) and surface modification (using sulfuric- and hydrochloric- acid, potassium- and sodium- hydroxide) were used to modify common reed and corn residues derived biochars in a completely randomized design. Then, the characteristics of modified biochars including yield, approximate analysis, pH, electrical conductivity (EC), cation exchange capacity (CEC), anionic exchange capacity (AEC) and specific surface area (SSA) were measured. The results showed that the highest specific surface area, cation exchange capacity and anion exchange capacity were observed in iron modified common reed biochar (217.94 m2 g-1, 111.43 cmolc kg-1 and 22.13 cmolc kg-1, respectively) and magnesium corn residue biochar (respectively, 210.83 m2 g-1, 137.40 cmolc kg-1 and 16.93 cmolc kg-1, respectively). Carbon content and C/N ratio decreased in the samples treated with acid, base and metal salts compared to the initial samples. Oxygen content, O/C and H/C ratios showed a decrease in in all treatments after chemical and surface modification. While the content of hydrogen and nitrogen in the acids and metal salts modified biochars were increased and decreased in the base modified treatments. In general, using various modification methods can play a very important role in optimizing biochar properties, according to the aim of its application in soil.

Organic matter based on their composition and the C/N ratio can have different effects on nutrient bioavailability, concentration and uptake in soil and plant. Beside that, organic fertilizer can increase the yield of different agricultural products and pave the wey for emergence of sustainable agricultural . Organic matter is relatively low in majority of soils in Iran, and continuous use of chemical fertilizer would create environmental hazards . Zinc deficiency is a worldwide nutritional constraint in crop production particularly in cereals growing on calcareous soils .

This research was conducted to investigate the effects of organic fertilizers such as bagasse, compost and biochar and chemical fertilizer ZnSo4 on yield of wheat and concentration and uptake of Zn in wheat ,a study based on randomized complete block design with 3 replications was conducted in Greenhouse Faculty of Agriculturar of Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz during the years1395-96. Treatments included:1-control ,2- ZnSo4 , 3-Bagasse 4- Biochar 5- compost. Some Physical and chemical properties were determined using standard methods (table1).some basic properties of bagasse , compost and biochar were also determined (table 2). after the experiment ,soil and plant properties such as pH, organic matter content(OM), available Zn in soil. and yield , yield components and concentration and uptake of Zn in wheat were determined in samples.After seed ripening grain , yield and component yield were measured from the total pot of each treatment.Statisical analysis of the data was performed using SAS software and comporision using Toki method was also performed.

the intial soil was clay loam with organic matter content( om=0.79).Results showed that the treatments had significant effect (p≤ 0.01) on percentage of organic carbon, organic matter, the availability of Zn and pH of soil . Also content of soil micro element affected by treatments and amount of these parameters were increased by using of organic fertilizers .Increase the organic matter in soil by compost improved a must of chemical peroperties and Increase concentration nutrient element in soil. Results showed that pH in the control decreased significantly from 7.74 of soil to 7.53 of soil in the compost. Results showed that the available Zn in the control increased significantly from 0.5 mg kg-1 of soil to 0.71 mg kg-1 of soil in the compost.The results of the experiment showed that all treatments except bagsse increased factors wheat yield . Compost showed greatest yield and bagasse the lowest yield in the the wheat root, grain and shoots (compared to the control). The highest grain yield was obtained from the application of compost. The maximum amount of chlorophylls (a, b, total and SPAD), with application compost. The highest Plant height was obtained from the application of biochar. The results showed that the highest and the lowest of va lue concentration and uptake of Zn in wheat to compos and bagasse respectivity.
The maximum amount of chlorophylls (a, b, total and SPAD), with application compost. The highest Plant height was obtained from the application of biochar. The results showed that the highest and the lowest of va lue concentration and uptake of Zn in wheat to compos and bagasse respectivity.

The obtained result highlight the increased effects of compost on yield and yield components and Zn uptake change in wheat, also in comparison to other treatments, it emphasizes ore on the soil though they were useful too. Therefore, it can be concluded that applying organic fertilizers especially composted form would have, useful effects on plant growth and increasing the concentration of Zn of wheat .The obtained result highlight the increased effects of compost on yield and yield components and Zn uptake change in wheat, also in comparison to other treatments, it emphasizes ore on the soil though they were useful too. Therefore, it can be concluded that applying organic fertilizers especially composted form would have, useful effects on plant growth and increasing the concentration of Zn of wheat .The obtained result highlight the increased effects of compost on yield and yield components and Zn uptake change in wheat, also in comparison to other treatments, it emphasizes ore on the soil though they were useful too. Therefore, it can be concluded that applying organic fertilizers especially composted form would have, useful effects on plant growth and increasing the concentration of Zn of wheat .

One of the ways to use and exploit saline water and lands is to use salinity tolerant cultivars such as quinoa. Management of nutrients such as nitrogen in saline soils can have negative effects of salinity on growth and yield. Cut plants. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of different levels of urea fertilizer under irrigation conditions of sugarcane fields on some chemical properties of soil and quinoa seeds during a growing season.

A field experiment was conducted in the year 2018 in the form of split plots in a randomized complete block design with three replications in Mirza Kuchak Khan Sugarcane Cultivation and Industry Company in the southwest of Khuzestan province. In this experiment, four levels of urea fertilizer (0, 75, 150, 225 kg/ha) as the main factor and three levels of sugarcane drainage including control (Karun water with salinity of 2.5 dS-Siemens per meter) and irrigation one in between ( Karun - sugarcane drainage) and sugarcane drainage irrigation (with salinity of 7.5 dS / m) were considered as sub-factors. Seed sowing was done in the form of barley and ridges with a distance of 7-10 cm between two plants and a distance of 65 cm between the lines by hand. Irrigation treatments were applied at the seedling establishment stage. Before irrigation, soil moisture samples were taken and irrigation was done to reach the moisture content of the field capacity. For irrigation with drainage, saline water of agricultural and industrial drains was used. Soil samples were taken at the end of the quinoa cultivation period from a depth of 0-50 cm per experimental plot. At the end of quinoa growth period, quinoa seeds were chemically analyzed separately for each treatment.

The results of the present study showed that the interaction effect of treatments on mean soil salinity, soil soluble potassium and nitrogen, potassium and sodium concentrations of quinoa seeds was statistically significant but had a significant effect on soil acidity and sodium concentration, phosphorus and grain iron concentrations. Quinoa not observed. Soil salinity decreased at the end of Quinoa crop season compared to the beginning of the season in plots with Karun irrigation and increased in intermediate and drainage irrigation treatments. The highest average quinoa nitrogen (2.94%) was obtained from the level of 150 kg N / ha with one irrigation, which resulted in an increase of 56%. With increasing application of urea fertilizer in soil, a gradual increase in total nitrogen content of quinoa was observed. At all salinity levels, increasing urea fertilizer decreased the quinoa sodium content. Urea fertilizer was able to improve the absorption of potassium, which is reduced in saline conditions due to sodium toxicity.

The results of this study showed that sufficient nitrogen can be a suitable physiological solution to increase tolerance to the harmful effects of salinity in quinoa and due to the salinity nature of quinoa, in moderate irrigation management, increasing soil salinity to moderate Morphological growth conditions and grain quality of quinoa. It is recommended to replace Karun irrigation with intermittent irrigation in order to make optimal use of Karun water and achieve high quinoa yield.

Due to the importance of useful elements such as silicon in improving plant resistance to environmental and biological stresses, a factorial experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design in Hashtgerd city, hydroponic greenhouse No. 256. Experimental factors included temperature at 4°C (stress temperature) and 25°C (optimum growth temperature) and application of silicon fertilizer from source of silicic acid at five levels; 0, 500, 1000, 1500 and 2000 mg/kg with three replications, in total 30 pots. The measured traits included the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), antioxidant enzymes and the qualitative characteristics of aloe vera consist of Mannose, Glucomannan and Aloin concentrations and the plant growth characteristics including aloe vera gel and leaf weight, which were tested at 4°C as cold stress temperature and 25°C as the optimum growth temperature of the plant. The obtained results after applying cold stress showed that the effect of silicon fertilizer levels applied on (SOD) and (CAT) and Glucomannan and Mannose activities were significant at 1% level. It was also observed that the interaction of different concentrations of silicon fertilizer and temperature stress is significant at 1% level on all compounds. For vegetative and biochemical traits, the highest interaction was observed in treatment of 2000 mg/kg silicic asid fertilizer at 25°C. For antioxidants, the highest interaction was found in treatment of 2000 mg/kg silicic acid and stress temperature of 4°C. Therefore, the application of 2000 mg/kg pure silicon could have positive effects on the activity of antioxidant enzymes and vegetative traits at normal temperature and a more favorable effect on biochemical traits under temperature stress. Consequently, the silicium fertilizer can be applied as a useful and suitable element in ncreasing the quantity and quality of aloe vera plant.

In recent years using modified biochar has been considered as an adsorbent to removal of inorganic pollutants such as nitrate from aqueous solution. Because of the increase of nitrate concentration in water resources and its environmental consequences, in this study the efficiency of nitrate adsorption by iron-modified common reed biochar from aqueous solution was investigated. For this purpose common reed biomass was modified by one molar iron chloride solution and then pyrolyzed at 500 °C and its physicochemical characteristics were measured. Nitrate adsorption was evaluated in batch experiments. The results indicated that the yield, cation exchage capacity (CEC), anion exchange capacity (AEC) and surface area of the biochar increased through modification by iron chloride. The adsorption efficiency of nitrate increased by increasing contact time, but it reduced by increasing initial concentration of nitrate in the solution. The pseudo-second-order kinetics model provided a good description for adsorption processes of biochar produced at 500 ºC (R2= 0.98) and iron modified biochar (R2= 0.99). Among the adsorption isotherms, Langmuir model (R2= 0.99) illustrated the best fit with the experimental data for both biochars. In general, the results of this study showed the high potential of iron-modified biochar for nitrate sorption (81.30 mg g-1). Thus, it could be concluded that the iron-modified biochar has high potential for nitrate removal from aqueous solutions.

Today, hazard of surface and underground water contamination with heavy metals has led to a global concern. Therefore, the current study was carried out to assess the effects of different types and rates of biochar on irrigation water heavy metals content.

For this purpose, 12 different biochars were produced using 6 different biomasses including wheat stubble, pea stubble, maize residual, reed stem and leaves, olive meal and beet pulp at 500 and 700 C under low oxygen condition. According to specific area results, cation exchange capacity and infrared spectrophotometry, wheat stubble, reed stem and leaves and residual maize biochars, which produced at 700 °C were selected for further studies. Then effect of nine levels of these biochars on irrigation water heavy metals (cadmium, nickel and lead) content were investigated using a completely randomized design(CRD) with three replicates. 

The results indicated that increase in temperature significantly reduce biochars yield, volatile compound percentage but increase acidity, cation exchange capacity, specific area and ash percentage. In addition, the results revealed that biochars and their applied doses could significantly reduce heavy metals content in irrigation water.

Increase in specific area, cation exchange capacity and acidity led to heavy metals elimination from irrigation water. Application of MB700 (compared with WB700 and RB700) and WB700 (compared with MB700 and RB700) could significantly reduce cadmium and nickel, respectively, whereas the effect of MB700 and WB700 in eliminating of lead was more pronounced than RB700. The maximum cadmium, lead and Nickel reduction was related to apply 32 g per liter biochar.

Sugarcane cultivation has been revived in Khuzestan province of Iran since the 1960s and  due to good results, gradually began to grow from north to south of this region. Currently, sugarcane is cultivated in more than 100,000 hectares of the province's land and almost 25% of the country’s demand for sugar is produced in this region. Regarding the very low rainfall and water resources reduction of the country in recent years, the optimal use of irrigation water is very important. Sugarcane fields in Iran due to irrigation problems such as distribution and consumption management, and the lack of continuous and uniform water supply, have high water use per hectare. In other words, the irrigation water use of farms is twice to three times of the real water need of sugarcane. Irrigation water use efficiency or WUE, which can be calculated from the ratio of plant dry matter to water consumption per hectare (Anyia and Herzog, 2004), is a very important criterion that can be of use in evaluating and improving irrigation operations and optimal water consumption. The water use efficiency of sugarcane depends on various factors such as climate, soil characteristics, irrigation management, cane cultivar and plant growth stage.Irrigation water quality, climate change, weeds and soil characteristics (high pH and low organic matter, for example) are the main factors that affect production of sugarcane in Iran. Therefore, the yield of the sugarcane is also far from the potential yield. Sugarcane fields of Khuzestan province are mainly rich in lime percentage and poor in organic matter and phosphorus. Soil pH in this region of the country is also about 8-8.5 and uptake of some elements such as phosphorus, by plants and phosphorus fertilizer efficiency in these soils (alkaline and calcareous soils) are expected to be low (Wang and Wang, 1995). The optimum use of phosphorus fertilizer and water irrigation are essential for the quantitative and qualitative function of sugarcane plants. Due to the very low mobility of phosphorus in soil, its uptake by plants such as sugarcane is affected by the number of soil and plant factors (especially plant root characteristics). Changes in these factors can lead to reduction or increase of P uptake by the crop.Because of the role of organic compounds in improvement of mobility and phosphorus uptake, the use of organic maters has been considered in several researches. Organic compounds can play a direct and indirect role in plant factors and in phosphorous uptake improvement, yield increase and finally water use efficiency improvement.

Nowadays, one of the ways to confront with the micronutrients deficiency is application of Nano materials to increase the availability of elements such as zinc for plants.  Therefore, this study was conducted to investigate the effect of functionalized iron oxide nanoparticles and zinc sulfate chemical fertilizer on the zinc chemical forms in soil solution phase and its correlation with zinc concentrations and uptake in wheat. This study was carried out in a completely randomized design with three replications. Treatment consisted of functionalized iron oxide nanoparticles of Hydroxyl (OH), Carboxyl (COOH) and Amine (NH2), each at three levels (100, 200 and 300 mg.kg-1), ZnSO4 (40 kg.ha-1) and Control (without using iron oxide nanoparticles). At the end of the cultivation period, soil chemical properties such as pH, soil available zinc and dissolved organic carbon and concentrations and the uptake of zinc in plant were measured. The results showed that pH, available zinc and dissolved organic carbon content of soil solution were significantly affected by the treatments. The results obtained from the Visual MINTEQ Geochemical model showed that the highest amount of the free form of zinc (Zn2+) was obtained at the level of 300 mg.kg-1 of carboxyl iron oxide nanoparticles. Also, the experimental treatments significantly influenced the concentration of Zn-DOM species. The positive and significant correlation between Zn+2 and Zn- DOC species with the concentration and total Zn uptake of wheat indicated that these pools of Zn could be liable species in soil. The results of this study, therefore, showed that the application of functionalized iron oxide nanoparticles could help to improve soil conditions in order to increase the zinc availability for plants.

Biochar modification is performed to improve the structure of pores, increase the specific surface area, functional groups, and reduction of raw biochar limits in absorption of pollutants. This study was conducted to evaluate the efficiency of corn stover modified biochar in adsorption of nitrate from aqueous solution. For this purpose, corn stover biochar (BC) and chemically modified corn stover biochar with MgCl2 (Mg-BC) was prepared at 500°C and its physico-chemical characteristics were measured. Adsorption batch experiments were carried. Effects of initial concentration of nitrate, contact time and pH on adsorption capacity mechanism were studied. The study of the characteristics of the two types of biochar showed that by the chemical modification of corn stover, enhanced yields, pH, surface area, cation exchange capacity and anion exchange capacity, oxygen content, H/C and O/C ratio, while decreased carbon content and C/N ratio. Adsorption of nitrate by both biochar reached to equilibrium after 480. The optimal pH for removal of nitrate was 3. The results demonstrated that chemical modification of biochar enhanced nitrate adsorption and maximum nitrate adoption by BC and Mg-BC was 51.72 and 72.18, respectively. Langmuir isotherm showed the best fit for nitrate in both biochars. The pseudo second order kinetic model also provided a good description for the adsorption process nitrate.Generally, result of present study revealed that modification of biochar could improve physico-chemical and adsorption capacity of nitrate from aqueous solution. Therefore, MgCl2 modified biochar could be a suitable absorbent for purifying water resources which contaminated by inorganic pollutants, including nitrate.

In order to study the effect of nitrogen and irrigation application with sugar-cane effluent on yield, yield components, grain nitrogen and nitrogen use efficiency of Quinoa (Gizzavan), a field trial was conducted as split plot design in 2018-19. In this experiment, four levels of nitrogen fertilizer (0, 75, 150, 225 kg ha-1) using urea fertilizer as a main factor and three levels of irrigation water including control (Karun river water with 2.5 dS m-1 salinity), alternative irrigation with river water and sugar-cane effluent (with salinity of about 5 dS m-1), and irrigation with sugar-cane effluent (with 7.5 dS m-1salinity) as sub-factor were performed in three replications. The maximum leaf area index, grain yield, index harvesting and nitrogen content of quinoa seed were obtained with application of 150 kg N ha-1. The maximum 1000-grain weight (2.77 g) was observed in treatment irrigated with Karun river water. Application of 150 kg N ha-1 and alternative irrigation improved leaf area index (51%), grain yield (79%), harvest index (60%), grain nitrogen content (61%) and finally increased nitrogen use efficiency. In irrigation treatment using sugarcane effluent, increasing nitrogen levell in the soil, not only did not mitigate the adverse effects of salinity, but also decreased the nitrogen content of the seed. Generally, the results of this study indicated that using adequate nitrogen fertilizer can mitigate the detrimental effects of salinity on plant growth and yield.

Biochar application can affect nutrient availability and biological properties of soil. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of biochar derived sugarcane bagasse at different pyrolysis temperature on nutrient availability and biological properties of a calcareous soil. Therefore, biochars were produced at 200, 350 and 500˚C and mixed at 1 and 2% (w/w) with the soil. The soil samples were incubated in ambient temperature (25 ± 2°C), for 90 days. At the end of experiment, nutrient availability and some of chemical and biological properties of soil were measured. The experiment was carried out as a factorial experiment based on a randomized complete design with two factors including biochar type and application rate in three replications. The results indicated application of biochars increased soil cation exchangeable capacity (1.9-12.9%), organic carbon (54-192%), available P (2.0-76.0%), K (5.2-18.1%) and Mn (12.6-17.5%). Application of B500 decreased the concentration of available Fe, Zn and Cu but application of B200 significantly increased of these nutrients. In addition, application of biochars significantly increased microbial respiration (20.0-108%), substrate-induced respiration (16.5-142%), microbial biomass carbon (8.2-124%) and activities of dehydrogenase (19.3-129%) and catalase (34.4-178%). The greatest increases in available concentration of micronutrients and microbial properties were observed in B200 treatment at 2% application rate. In general, the results indicated that sugarcane bagasse derived biochar produced at low temperature (200 and 350˚C) especially 200 ˚C can be suitable organic amendment for improving soil organic matter, nutrient availability and biological properties of calcareous soils in arid and semi-arid regions.

The potential of biochar for pollutant removal from aqueous solution greatly depends on biochar characteristics and its production conditions. The objective of this research was to investigate the efficiency of phosphorous adsorption from aqueous solution by date wood and sugarcane bagasse biochars produced at different pyrolysis temperature. For this purpose, biochars were produced at different temperatures (250, 400, 550 ˚C) and their physio-chemical characteristics were measured. Batch experiments performed to evaluate equilibrium and kinetics phosphate adsorption on biochars surface. Then, experimental data of phosphate adsorption were analyzed using the kinetic (Pseudo First-order, Pseudo second-order, and intra-particle diffusion) and the adsorption isotherm (Langmuir, Freundlich) models. In addition, the effect of various initial phosphate concentrations (25–500 mg L-1) and solution pH was investigated. The results indicated that the removal efficiency of sugarcane bagasse biochars was more than the date wood and increased with increasing of pyrolysis temperature. The sugarcane bagasse biochar produced at 550 ˚C, had maximum phosphorus adsorption from aqueous solution (46.94 mg g-1). Freundlich model showed the best fit for experimental data of phosphate adsorption onto biochar with R2=0.96 and RMSE=0.004. The results also revealed that Pseudo second-order kinetic model (R2 = 0.99) had the best fit for phosphate adsorption data. According to the results of this study, it can be concluded that the sugarcane bagasse biochar produced at 550 ˚C has high efficiency for removal phosphate from aqueous solution.

Almond is one of the most important orchards products of Chaharmahal va Bakhtiari Province that the most production is in saman area. The objective of this research was nutritional evaluation of almond gardens using DRIS (Diagnostic Recommendation Integrated System) method. Accurate and balance nutrition of almond are the important factors that improve quality and quantity of yield. Regarding sand texture of soil in almond gardens of region and abound average of rainfall, leaching of nutrients around the root, is one of orchards problem in this province. Proper management of fertilizers is one of the factors that can increase the quantity and quality of almond fruit be effective.

In order to evaluation of almond nutritional requirements an experiment was conducted using of Diagnostic Recommendation Integrated System (DRIS) method in the gardens of zayandeh roud river in a length of 60 kilometers and a data bank was provided. In current research 36 gardens were selected and the leaf samples were prepared. The selected leaf samples were washed and grinded for laboratory analysis. The high yield gardens were selected for preparing reference values at the end of growth season and in this case 30 percents of high yield gardens were chooses. The Diagnostic Recommendation Integrated System (DRIS) indexes were estimated and the nutritional requirement orders were determined.

The results showed that the order of nutritional requirements of the trees was in the following order: Zn>CU>Mn>S>Cl>Ca>B>N>P>Fe>Mg>K>Mo. According to the results, zinc has the most deficiency in almond trees studied. Then there are copper, manganese, sulfur, chlorine, calcium, boron, nitrogen, phosphorus, iron, magnesium and potassium elements, respectively. In other words, the highest amount was obtained for molybdenum, potassium, magnesium, iron, phosphorus, nitrogen, boron, calcium, chlorine, manganese, copper and zinc respectively.

According to the results of the DRIS method and the balance index, the almond gardens studied were not balanced in terms of nutritional status in this study. Among nutrients, micronutrients are scarce due to less use of fertilizers containing it and factors such as steep slope, lightness of soil texture and calcareous of them. And it is necessary to consider and apply necessary measures in order to nutrition needs of almond trees in this area. these actions include: the application of animal fertilizers, the use of a variety of micro-nutrient fertilizers, the use of acidic substances with irrigation water, preferably drip irrigation to improve the calcareous properties of soils and consequently, to increase the absorption capacity of micronutrients.Finally, it can be said that the DRIS method is an effective method for determining the nutritional needs of almond gardens in these areas and is applicable.