Journal of Agricultural Science and Technology
Journal of Agricultural Science and Technology
JAST
Agriculture
http://jast.modares.ac.ir
1
admin
1680-7073
2345-3737
10.22034/jast
en
jalali
1395
2
1
gregorian
2016
5
1
18
3
online
1
fulltext
en
Soil Quality Assessments in Some Iranian Saffron Fields
Little information is available about Soil Quality (SQ) in Iran, especially in saffron [<em>Crocus sativus (</em>L.)<em> Iridaceae</em>] fields. The objectives of this research were to: (i) Establish a Minimum Data Set (MDS) for quantifying soil quality in saffron fields; (ii) Evaluate soil quality status using two indices of Integrated Quality Index (IQI) and Nemoro Quality Index (NQI), and (iii) Investigate the relationship between soil quality and the economics of saffron production. Thirty soil samples were collected from the Ghayen area of South Khorasan, Iran, and analyzed for soil physical and chemical properties. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was used to identify a Minimum Data Set (MDS) consisting of sand, Relative Field Capacity (RFC), zinc, <em>SAR</em>, Ca, CaCO<sub>3</sub>, Fe and Bulk Density (BD). Soil Quality was evaluated using the <em>IQI</em> and the <em>NQI</em> for both the Total Data Set (TDS), and <em>MDS</em>. Four SQ indices i.e., <em>IQI<sub>TDS</sub>, IQI<sub>MDS</sub>, NQI<sub>TDS</sub></em>, and <em>NQI<sub>MDS</sub></em> were used to evaluate soil quality in saffron fields in the study area. A significant correlation (P< 0.05) was shown between the <em>IQI<sub>TDS</sub></em> (r= 0.44), <em>NQI<sub>TDS</sub> </em>(r= 0.41) and economic yield of saffron. Correlation analysis indicated that the <em>IQI<sub>TDS</sub></em> performed better compared to the <em>NQI<sub>TDS</sub></em> for evaluating the soil quality. Use of the <em>TDS</em> with the <em>IQI</em> index was the most effective approach for evaluating SQ in saffron fields.
Economic yield,Integrated quality index,Minimum data set,Nemoro quality index
865
878
http://jast.modares.ac.ir/browse.php?a_code=A-23-1000-1260&slc_lang=en&sid=23
A.
Ranjbar
A.
Ranjbar
100319475328460061879
100319475328460061879
No
Department of Soil Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Islamic Republic of Iran.
Department of Soil Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Islamic Republic of Iran.
H.
Emami
H.
Emami
100319475328460061878
100319475328460061878
Yes
Department of Soil Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Islamic Republic of Iran.
Department of Soil Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Islamic Republic of Iran.
R.
Khorasani
R.
Khorasani
100319475328460061881
100319475328460061881
No
Department of Soil Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Islamic Republic of Iran.
Department of Soil Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Islamic Republic of Iran.
A. R.
Karimi Karoyeh
A. R.
Karimi Karoyeh
100319475328460061880
100319475328460061880
No
Department of Soil Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Islamic Republic of Iran.
Department of Soil Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Islamic Republic of Iran.