فهرست مطالب ardalan zolfagharan

The main purpose of this project was to measure the amount of saffron consumed water in farms managed by farmers in Razavi and South Khorasan provinces. 126 farms in two provinces were selected in two years (2017 & 2019). The amount of water consumed by saffron in the selected farms was measured by visiting the farms, completing the questionnaire, recording the irrigation program and measuring the water source discharge. Water requirement of saffron in different regions was calculated and compared with the amount of water consumed by farmers. Analysis of variance was used to investigate possible differences in yield, irrigation water and water productivity in saffron production. Analysis of the results showed that yield, volume of applied water and water productivity of saffron in two provinces was not significantly different. The average saffron yield, water productivity and water productivity plus effective rainfall were 8.3 kg/ha, 1.9 and 1.37 g/m3, respectively. The average irrigation water consumption was 4628 and 4594 m3/ha in the Razavi and South Khorasan provinces, respectively and the average of water consumed in two provinces was 4603 m3/ha. The range of water use changes in selected farms was high and between 1543 and 8914 m3/ha. In order to improve water productivity in saffron production in Iran, it is possible to increase yield per unit area or reduce water consumption per unit area with appropriate solutions. The average irrigation efficiency in the saffron farms of the two provinces was 55 percent.

In this study, volume of irrigation water, water productivity, and yield of alfalfa were measured in 300 farms in Zanjan, Fars, Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari, Hamedan, East Azerbaijan, Semnan, Khorasan-Razavi, Isfahan, West Azerbaijan, Central, Qazvin and Kerman provinces under farmers management and surface and sprinkler irrigation, various water sources, different water salinities, soil conditions, and varieties, during the growing season of 2018-2019. The results showed that the difference between average volumes of water applied by farmers, yield, and water productivity, in the studied sites were significant at 1% probability level. The average amount of applied water by farmers was 8502, 8901, 9226, 9459, 11481, 12796, 14311, 14821, 15198, 15916, 18351 and 23920 m3/ha, respectively, and the average was 13284 m3/ha. The dry yield of alfalfa varied from 2500 to 30000 kg/ha with an average of 13841 kg/ha. Irrigation water productivity varied from 0.2 to 4.5 and its average was 1.28 kg/m3. The average irrigation water plus effective rainfall productivity for alfalfa was 1.19 kg/m3. The results showed that the average applied water and alfalfa yield in surface and sprinkler irrigation methods were 15076 and 10653 m3/ha, respectively, (p<1%). These results showed that in sprinkler irrigation method, applied water was 30% less and irrigation water plus effective rainfall productivity was 41% higher. Accordingly, in order to reduce the volume of irrigation water and improve alfalfa water productivity, it is recommended to use sprinkler method in suitable climatic conditions where irrigation water is of good quality and the technical criteria of design, implementation, operation, and economic considerations are met.

Melon, with the scientific name Cucumis melon L, is an annual plant belonging to the Cucurbitaceae family (Mas, 1986). Melon is one of the most important products, which is rich in absorbable vitamins and minerals needed by the human body. According to the statistics of the World Food Organization (FAO), Iran with the production of 1731 thousand tons of melons in 2018, was the third producer after China (with the production of 12727 thousand tons) and Turkey (with the production of 1754 thousand tons), and the countries of India, Kazakhstan and America are ranked 4th to 6th in the world with 1231, 894 and 872 thousand tons respectively. Improving water productivity in crop production is necessary due to limited water resources in Iran. According to the surveys conducted on the volume of irrigation water (water applied) or the water given by farmers to melon cultivation, there are no accurate and reliable statistics in the country, and no relatively accurate measurement or estimation has been done in the country. On the other, melon cultivation is important in Iran, so it is necessary to study the volume of applied water in production of this product. In iran, development of pressurized irrigation systems has been one of the main programs in developing agricultural sector in the past few decades. Assessing the effects of these systems can be important in increasing of water ues management, national policies and planning. In this article, based on the field data of the research, it is tried to explain the amount of water used and water productivity of melons in the country and the effect of irrigation management (traditional and modern) on the amount of water given to melons.

In order to determine the volume of water used, yield and water productivity of melon crop with the management of farmers in Khorasan Razavi, Fars, Khuzestan, Semnan and Sistan and Baluchestan provinces in calendar year of 2020, 138 melon farms were selected. In these farms, the volume of applied water by farmers was measured. Water irrigation applied (water used) were compared with the net irrigation requirements estimated by the FAO Penman-Monteith method using meteorological data from the last 10 years, as well as the values of the national water document. In this study, the method of analysis of variance is used to investigate the possible differences in yield, applied water and water productivity in melon production. Data adequacy was assessed by using the method provided by Sarmad et al. (2001). Then, the effect of drip irrigation method on applied water, application efficiency and physical water productivity was investigated in the study areas.

The results showed that the differences in yield, applied water and water productivity indices in melon production were significant in selected provinces (P ≤ 0.01). The average weighted of yield, applied water and water productivity in Iran were 24962 kg / ha, 7117 m3/ha and 3.4 kg / m3, respectively. The total water for irrigating melon in Iran was estimated at 570.8 million cubic meters. The average yield of melon in furrow and tape irrigation was 20,954 and 24,500 (kg/ha), respectively. In other words, the average yield in tape irrigation method was 14.5% more than furrow irrigation method.The average volume of water in furrow and tape irrigation methods was 7940 and 6073 (m3/ha), respectively. The average volume of irrigation water in the tape irrigation method showed a decrease of 23.5% compared to the volume of irrigation water in the furrow method. The average water productivity in furrow and tape irrigation methods was 3 and 4.3 kg/m3 per hectare, respectively. The average water productivity in tape irrigation method showed an increase of 30% compared to the average of furrow irrigation.

The results of this research showed that tape irrigation method can improve yield, water consumption management and water productivity for melon. Also, the results of this study provide useful information on applied irrigation water management indicators in melon production to managers and water decision makers within Iran. The results of this research show that the use of drip irrigation systems (tape irrigation system) for melon cultivation in the country (and other row crops) can increase water productivity and reduce water consumption in the agricultural sector. However, the operation management of these systems in the country has a relatively long distance from the desired level

Regarding the volume of irrigation water in the agricultural sector, the figures presented in the country are very different and there are serious doubts about their accuracy. Therefore, the main purpose of this research project is direct measurement and irrigation water fields of saffron cultivation under farmers' management. Thus, the volume of water used for saffron production in major cities of Khorasan Razavi province (Torbat-e-Heydariyeh, Zaveh and Gonabad) was measured in 18 questionnaires. The results of field measurements showed that the highest volume of saffron irrigation water belongs to surface irrigation at 4691 cubic meters per hectare and the lowest is related to irrigation with Piflex pipes at 3713 cubic meters per hectare and roll irrigation with irrigation water volume of 3900 Cubic meters per hectare was ranked second. The volume of saffron irrigation water in Torbat-e-Heydariyeh, Zaveh and Gonabad cities was 4974, 4816 and 4517 cubic meters per hectare, respectively. The average yield of saffron in Zaveh and Torbat-e Heydarieh counties was 7.3 kg / ha and in Gonabad county was 5 kg / ha. The highest water consumption efficiency in Zaveh city was 0.001669 kg / m3 and the lowest was related to Gonabad city (0.001076 kg / m3). Application efficiency based on ten-year statistics in Zaveh, Torbat-e Heydarieh and Gonabad counties was 51, 49 and 87%, respectively.

Providing food security in scarcity conditions of water resources requires the optimal management of irrigation water. Estimation or determination of indices of water consumption management, such as water productivity in agricultural productions is one of the most important key in macro-planning for the supply, allocation and consumption of water in different sections such as agricultural section. Therefore, conducting a research at the national level that can lead to the real water productivity in the horticultural production in Iran, is essential and important. According to the production (3.4 million tons), a significant amount of surface and groundwater resources are consumed for apple production. This research was conducted with the aim of determining the amount of consumed water in apple orchards in selected provinces under the management of gardeners at the national level. Findings of this study could assist to the decision on management of water and agriculture.

The selected provinces were East Azarbaijan, West Azarbaijan, Ardabil, Isfahan, Tehran, Khorasan Razavi, Fars and Semnan. The water productivity in 145 sites was estimated, in addition to direct measurement of water consumption and crop yield. The factors such as irrigation systems, apple cultivars, gardeners' education, soil texture; and salinity of soil and irrigation water were also measured or recorded in apple orchards. The ANOVA was used to investigate the possible difference between the volume of consumed water, yield, and water productivity in apple production.

The results showed that the difference between the volume of water consumption, crop yield and water productivity was very significant in the orchards from provinces. The volume of consumed water and crop yield in apple orchards over the country averaged 9814 m3 ha-1 and 23.2 t ha-1, respectively. The water index was 2.73 kg m-3 in apple orchards over the country. The lowest and highest water productivity were obtained from the orchards of Fars and Semnan provinces.

Some strategies have been proposed to optimize the consumption of water resources; and to improve apple yield and water productivity in the country's level. The results of the research in apple orchards of selected provinces in Iran revealed that average of water consumption in apple orchards were 9814 m3 ha-1 with the water productivity of 2.73 kg m-3. Application of high-efficiency and well-managed irrigation systems, and other appropriate improving methods of water productivity can lead to optimal use of water resources, improve yield and enhance water productivity in production.

Water and nitrogen are two important factors that affect yield and plant growth. Excessive use of chemical fertilizers in recent decades, especially nitrogen fertilizer, has caused to nitrate pollution in soil, water and environment. This study was carried out to investigate the effects of different amounts of water and nitrogen fertilizers on the accumulation of nitrate in soil, tomato and potato plants. Research was performed on farms of Mashhad plain. Selected farms included 15 tomato and 15 potatoes fields. Irrigation method in all fields was furrow irrigation. During the growing season, the amount of water and nitrogen were measured in all fields. At the beginning and end of the growing season, the amount of nitrate in the soil (two depths of zero to 30 and 30 to 60 cm) and at the end of the growing season, the content of nitrate in both potato and tomato crops were measured. The measurement method was spectrophotometry (spectroscopy) at 540 nm. Results showed that the amount of water and fertilizer consumed in potato fields were higher than required. But, in tomato fields, water consumption was more than the required amount and, in some fields, the fertilizer was higher, and in some less than the recommended amount. With increasing water, nitrate decreased in two depth 0-30 and 60-30 cm whereas with the increase in fertilizer urea, soil residual nitrate increased at the end of the season. With increase in fertilizer application, nitrate residue in the plants increased. Thus, effects of excessive water on nitrate leaching and creating environmental problems are serious. To avoid such problems, crops water requirement must be estimated with great care. Also, fertilizer application should be balanced and in accordance with the type of plant and its yield.‎

To investigate the reason for decreasing Qanat’s discharge and providing technical and agricultural solutions, 15 limes of Qanats were selected in the Khorasan Razavi province. The discharge of Qanats in the years of 1386 and 1396 was measured together with filling of the questionnaires. The results show that the mean discharge of Qanats decreased by 21%. The reasons for this reduction include: technical issues (disregard for the technical nature of the Qanats), and management issues (disregard for proper utilisation of the Qanats and lack of credit). This research recommends some solutions in order to adapt to the decrease in Qanats’ discharge. The most important solutions include: cultivating products with less water requirements and improving drought tolerance, improving farm management by changing the pattern of crops, using modern technology, planning for proper use of Qanat water, and the integrity of the lower land of Qanats.

Various studies have investigated the response of crops and pasture plants to water for non-saline waters and their reaction to salinity in full irrigation. A set of such studies can determine water-yield or salinity-yield relationships. However, quantitative research has been done to study the effects of salinity and drought stress. However, we are proposing perpendicular system as a new alternative to learn wheat yield under simultaneous water and salinity stresses. Response of grain and straw of wheat, Back Cross Roshan 6611 cultivar, to combined effects of quantity and quality of water was traced under crossed sprinkler line source irrigation. The field area was 3232 m2 which was located in the west of Birjand city in southeast of Iran. The soil was sandy loam (=1.41 gr/cm3) and two different sources of water, normal (EC=1.5 dS/m) and saline (EC=5.5 dS/m) were adopted for two line sources, respectively. Crops located in the center of the field, were fully irrigated without any stress. While the other crops far beyond irrigation lines, were under water stress. Water salinity was differ among different points of the field and varied between 1.5 and 5.5 dS/m, based on the quantity of water received. After each irrigation procedure, the volume and salinity of water collected in 256 cans, which were placed in 2'2 square meters, were measured. At the end of the growing season, one square meter around the cans was taken to measure yield and yield components. General form of yield function for different salinities and irrigation water is Y=f (AW, EC) in which Y is the wheat yield in kg/hectare, AW is irrigation water depth during growth period in cm and EC is mean salinity of irrigation water in dS/m. Five types of production function (Linear, Cobb-Douglas, Quadratic, Laty-Dinar, and Transcendental) were evaluated using field data. Slide Write software was used for calculating R2, F-statistics, t-statistics and constant parameters of the equations. All statistics were tested at significant levels of 1% and 5%. The best function was selected based on goodness of fit and significance of factors. The results showed that yield prediction of wheat and straw was better than other functions under the influence of combined conditions of drought and salinity with Cobb Douglas function. Datta et al. used second polynomial non-linear function among three linear, power and Second polynomial functions. Rosso and Baker concluded that Second polynomial function estimates the relationship between yield, salinity and water better than Maximum and Hoffman function. Kiani used transducer function for result analysis. The marginal rate of technical substitution indicated that each one of the factors can be substituted for the other one for a wide range in order to achieve equal amount of yield (grain/straw). These results are consistent with results of Rosso and Baker, Dota et al. and Letti and Dinar. Also, the results showed that in lower performances, the effect of water content on reduction of crop was higher than that of salinity. 1-Regarding this research, reduction of grain and straw weight due to the reduction of irrigation water and increase in water salinity follows Cobb-Douglass function and outperforms other functions in predicting changes of grain and straw weight due to the effect of changes in two abovementioned factors.
2-Results showed that changes in grain and straw weights are more sensitive to changes of irrigation water than water salinity.
3-Using substitution rate curve, it is possible to substitute salinity and water content in order to achieve same yield.

In this study، technical and operational issues of 45 qanats in Hamadan، Semnan and Khorasan Razavi provinces were studied and executive strategies to improve water management in qanats were recommended. 15 qanats were selected and studied in each of the provinces. Discharge، quantity and quality of qanat water، geometric characteristics including longitudinal slope، length، and flow section areas were measured. Conveyance and application efficiencies and water use efficiency (WUE) from the cultivated areas downstream the studied qanats were evaluated. Results showed that conveyance efficiency was relatively high changing from 63 to 98%. Application efficiency in the cultivated areas downstream the studied qanats in different provinces varied from 31. 9 to 69. 7% being somewhat higher than observed application efficiency in the cultivated areas irrigated by other sources of water (i. e. wells and rivers). However، WUE from the cultivated areas downstream the studied qanats were essentially similar to the average of the country being about 0. 86 kg/m3. The main issues of the studied qanats were ground water table falling due to periodical droughts and digging of wells around the qanats، causing large variation in qanats dicscharge، maintenance management issues، lack of qanats experts، deficit budget for repairing and maintenance of the qanats، entrance of rubbish، sewage and public ownership، tunnel and well collapsing due to lack of resistant covering، numerous owners and rural migration.