Environmental Impact of Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) Production under Different Levels of Nitrogen Fertilization

A field experiment was conducted in Astaneh-ye Ashrafieh of Guilan Province in northern Iran to evaluate the environmental impact of peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) production under three levels of nitrogen (N) use (0, 30, and 60 kg ha−1) applied in the form of urea fertilizer. Six categories of environmental impact (i.e., global warming potential, acidification potential, terrestrial eutrophication potential, depletion of fossil resources, potassium resources, and phosphate resources) were determined. The functional unit was assumed the production of one ton of peanut pod yield. Peanut pod yield increased by 48.8% with N rate 30 kg ha−1 and by 108.6% with N rate 60 kg ha−1, compared with control (without N fertilization). The environmental index (EcoX) values with regard to global warming, acidification, and terrestrial eutrophication potential were 0.18, 0.52, and 0.66 for N rates of 0, 30, and 60 kg ha−1, respectively. Increase in N rate aggravated the emission of NH3 and N2O, resulting in more harmful effect of peanut growth on the environment at higher N rates than control (without N fertilization). The resources depletion index (RDI) values with regard to depletion of fossil resources, potassium resources, and phosphate resources were 0.80, 0.53, and 0.30 for N rates of 0, 30, and 60 kg ha−1, respectively. Increase in N rate and the resultant higher peanut yield mitigated the environmental effects of fertilization mainly by reducing the depletion of phosphate resources. Proper N input is a major consideration for mitigating environmental impacts of N fertilization in crop production and producers should be informed to use the least rate that will give them an economic optimum return over the long run

Effect of Production Region and Seed Size on Germination Indices and Heterotrophic Growth Components of Peanut Seedling (Arachis hypogaea)

To study the effect of production region and seed size on germination indices and heterotrophic growth components of peanut seedling, a study was performed in three peanut fields in Astaneh Ashrafieh and Agronomy Laboratory of Rasht Islamic Azad University from 2010 to 2012. This research was carried out using the standard germination, cold and accelerated aging tests. Tests were performed using factorial experiment with a completely randomized block design in 3 replications. The first factor was seed production region in 3 levels (Noghredeh, Amshal and Bandar-Kiyashahr) and the second factor was seed weight in 3 levels [large, medium and small]. The results indicated that the effect of production region on the germination speed (p<0.01) and coefficient of uniformity of germination (p<0.05) was significant so that the maximum means (6.17 and 18.11 day-1, respectively) were achieved in seeds produced in Amshal. The effect of the interaction of the region and seed size on the mean germination speed was significant so that the maximum mean (282.22) was achieved in large seeds produced in Amshal. The effect of production region on the seed reserve use rate was significant in standard germination (p<0.01) and cold tests (p<0.05). The effect of seed size on the seed reserve use rate and seed use reserve fraction were significant (P<0.01) in all the three germination tests. The maximum amount of seed reserve use rate was achieved in seeds produced in the Amshal region (in standard and cold tests with averages of 0.562 and 0.440, respectively). In addition, the maximum amount of seed reserve use rate was achieved in large seeds (with averages of 0.541, 0.470 and 0.277 mg per seed in standard, cold and aging tests, respectively). The maximum seed use reserve fraction was achieved in small seeds (with averages of 1.371, 1.310 and 1.664 in standard, cold and aging tests, respectively). &nbsp; Highlights: Peanut seed germination tests were performed based on seed production regions and seed sizes. Three different vigour tests (standard, aging, cold) were used to identify higher quality seeds. Germination indices indicated high quality in large seeds produced in different environmental conditions. Large seeds had the maximum seed reserve use rate and minimum seed use reserve fraction at the germination stage of peanuts

A Logistic Regression Analysis: Agro-Technical Factors Impressible from Fish Farming in Rice Fields, North of Iran

This study was carried out to identify Technical-Agronomic Factors Impressible from Fish Farming in Rice Fields. This investigation carried out by descriptive survey during July-August 2009. Studied cities including Talesh, Rezvanshahr and Masal set in Tavalesh region near to Caspian Sea, North of Iran. The questionnaire validity and reliability were determined to enhance the dependability of the results. Data were collected from 184 respondents (61 adopters and 123 non-adopters) randomly sampled from selected villages and analyzed using logistic regression analysis. Results showed that there was a significant positive relationship (p<0.05) between biological control of pests in rice fields and the fish farming in rice fields. Also, there was a significant negative relationship (p<0.10) between the fish farming in rice fields and variables of quantity using pesticide of Diazinon in rice fields and number of plows in rice fields

On the Comparison of the Applications of Conventional Ranking Techniques in Determining the Priority Factors Affecting Seed Production of Medicinal Plants: Case of Guilan Province, Iran

Aimed at identifying and prioritizing promoters and deterrent affecting seed production of medicinal plants, the present study was conducted in 2014. The Delphi method was conducted using a panel of 13 experts in Guilan Natural Resources and Agriculture Organization. In the first round of the study, multiple-response techniques were used for content analysis. Based on the results of the first round, the second round questionnaire was featuring a Likert type scale that was then filled out by the first round respondents. Next, by comparing the conventional techniques, data were analyzed for investigation. The use of ranking techniques led largely to the same results or results with slight differences. The study recommends devoting due attention to the technical and environmental conditions such as proper storage, to avoid the wasteful harvesting of seeds at risk, and to provide favorable conditions for the domestication of medicinal plants. In addition, the role of research, training, and information dissemination of the economic benefits would receive high importance. Furthermore, designing and implementing a legal monitoring mechanism and an active and comprehensive policy making process, as well as providing facilities and equipment necessary for the preparation, cultivation, and harvest of seeds by decision-making, executive institutions, and organizations would notably be effective to tackle the present challenges

A Logistic Regression Analysis: Agro-Technical Factors Impressible from Fish Farming in Rice Fields, North of Iran

This study was carried out to identify Technical-AgronomicFactors Impressible from Fish Farming in Rice Fields.This investigation carried out by descriptive survey duringJuly-August 2009. Studied cities including Talesh, Rezvanshahrand Masal set in Tavalesh region near to Caspian Sea, Northof Iran. The questionnaire validity and reliability were determinedto enhance the dependability of the results. Data were collectedfrom 184 respondents (61 adopters and 123 non-adopters)randomly sampled from selected villages and analyzed usinglogistic regression analysis. Results showed that there was asignificant positive relationship (p<0.05) between biologicalcontrol of pests in rice fields and the fish farming in ricefields. Also, there was a significant negative relationship(p<0.10) between the fish farming in rice fields and variablesof quantity using pesticide of Diazinon in rice fields andnumber of plows in rice fields

Modeling the Impact of climate change on Peanut Production on the Basis of Increasing 2oc temperature in Future Environmental conditions of guilan Province, Iran

To evaluate the effect of climate change on peanut production in Northern Iran on the basis of 2oC rise in temperature, a study was conducted using the SSM-Peanut. The simulation was done based on the long-term data obtained from synoptic stations in Guilan including Anzali, Astara, Kiashahr (Astaneh Ashrafieh), Lahijan, Rasht (Agriculture station), Rasht (Airport station), Roudsar and Talesh. When model was run for each year and each scenario, the following parameters were recorded in the outputs: days to beginning bloom, days to beginning pod, days to beginning seed, days to harvest maturity, maximum leaf area index, accumulated crop dry matter, seed yield, and pod yield. Data analysis: data analysis was done using SPSS 18. Furthermore, from ArcGIS was used for zoning of Guilan in terms of peanut production in the current condition and after the climate change. To compare the difference between peanut growth and yield in the current condition and when the climate change happens, t-test and discriminant analysis were used. The results showed that there is a statistically significant difference in terms of all parameters between the current condition and after climate change 2oC rise in temperature) in Guilan Province. With the rise temperature, average peanut growth period in Guilan decreased from 142 days to 123 days. Generally, the average peanut yield changes in Guilan with 2- degree rise in temperature is 8.73 percent more than that in the current condition