Tarbiat Modares University
Journal of Agricultural Science and Technology
1680-7073
2345-3737
3
4
2001
10
1
Evaluation of Farmer’s Risk Attitudes Using Alternative
Utility Functional Forms
243
248
EN
J.
Torkamani
Department of Agricultural Economics, College of Agriculture, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Islamic Republic
of Iran.
Y
M.
Haji-Rahimi
Department of Agricultural Economics, College of Agriculture, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Islamic Republic
of Iran.
N
The most commonly used utility functional forms are reviewed and their properties
compared. Then, using data collected from West Azarbaijan province, utility functions
are estimated and absolute risk aversion coefficients measured. Exponential and expopower
utility functions classified all farmers as risk averse, but quadratic and cubic utility
functions classified 75% and 65% of farmers as risk-averse, respectively. Findings in this
study indicated that alternative utility functions may classify farmers’ risk attitudes in
different ways.
Agricultural economics,Risk attitudes,Utility function
http://jast.modares.ac.ir/article-23-3120-en.html
http://jast.modares.ac.ir/article-23-3120-en.pdf
Tarbiat Modares University
Journal of Agricultural Science and Technology
1680-7073
2345-3737
3
4
2001
10
1
Biological Responses of Russian Wheat Aphid, Diuraphis noxia
(Mordvilko) (Homoptera: Aphididae) to Different
Wheat Varieties
249
255
EN
M. H.
Kazemi
Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Tabriz University, Tabriz, Islamic Republic of
Iran.
Y
P.
Talebi-Chaichi
Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Tabriz University, Tabriz, Islamic Republic of
Iran.
N
M. R.
Shakiba
Department of Agronomy and Plant Breeding, Faculty of Agriculture, Tabriz University, Tabriz, Islamic
Republic of Iran.
N
M.
Mashhadi Jafarloo
Department of Plant Pests and Diseases, Agriculture Research Center of East Azarbaidjan, Tabriz, Islamic
Republic of Iran.
N
In recent years, the Russian Wheat Aphid, has been included worldwidely in the list of
the important pests of cereals, particularly wheat plants. In addition to direct serious
damage, the aphid is the main vector of Barley Yellow Dwarf, Barley Mosaic, and Sugarcane
Mosaic Viruses. The pest was reported from East Azarbaidjan province (Iran) a few
years ago and it is now widespread in Tabriz, Ahar and Kaleybar wheat fields. In the present
study, the possibility of any resistance was looked for at the tillering stage in Sardari,
Sabalan, Alvand, Zarrin and Alamoot, the most extensively planted varieties in the province.
The experiment was conducted under glasshouse conditions of 24.4±1.6 oC with 50-
60% R.H. and a photoperiod of 14:l0(L:D). Antibiosis was determined by studying the
percentage survival of the nymphs, their developmental time, and fecundity (total number
of progeny per /female produced within the first 10 and 15 days of the reproductive cycle)
calculating the relevant intrinsic rate of natural increase (rm values). The analysis of variance
indicated that, regarding the last two parameters, there were significant differences
(P<0.05) between the varieties. The highest (43.21±5.45) and the lowest (34.43±8.91) average
numbers of progeny within the first 10 days were observed in those reared on the
Sardari and Zarrin varieties respectively but the figures obtained within the first 15 days
were found to be 49,43±13.31 on Alamoot and 58.86±9.45 on Sardari. Also the highest
mean “rm” value (0.3399±0.01) was estimated for rearings on Sardari with the smallest
(0.2889±0.03) on the latter. At present, Sardari seems to be more likley susceptible to the
aphid amongst the others. Field trials and experiments on later phenological stages of the
wheats and potential role of other resistance mechanisms is going on.
Russian wheat aphid,Host plant resistancc,Wheat varieties
http://jast.modares.ac.ir/article-23-3607-en.html
http://jast.modares.ac.ir/article-23-3607-en.pdf
Tarbiat Modares University
Journal of Agricultural Science and Technology
1680-7073
2345-3737
3
4
2001
10
1
Airflow Resistance in Walnuts
257
264
EN
A.
Rajabipour
Agricultural Machinery Department, University of Tehran, Karaj, Islamic Republic of Iran,
Y
F.
Shahbazi
Department of Agricultural Machinery, College of Agriculture, University of Lurestan, Khoramabad, Islamic Republic of Iran.
N
S.
Mohtasebi
Agricultural Machinery Department, University of Tehran, Karaj, Islamic Republic of Iran,
N
A.
Tabatabaifar
Agricultural Machinery Department, University of Tehran, Karaj, Islamic Republic of Iran,
N
The harvested walnut has a relatively high moisture content of 30% compared with the
safe storage moisture content of 8%. One of the common means of reducing the moisture
content is by drying. For design of drying and other aeration systems for agricultural
products including walnuts, the relationship between the drop in pressure and airflow velocity
must be known. An airflow resistance apparatus was designed and manufatured to
measure the airflow resistance of walnuts. This apparatus consisted of an air compressor,
a rotameter, a cylindrical bin and an inclined U-tube manometer. The pressure, drops at
airflow velocities of 0.085 to 0.55 (m3/s)/m2, were measured at a constant depth of the nuts.
Airflow resistance equations were fitted to the measured data. The results showed that, by
increasing airflow rates, an increased drop in pressure was achieved through out walnut
column. To study the effect of walnut moisture content on airflow resistance, the drop in
pressure was measured at different moisture contents levels of 8.6%, 15.5%, 21.3% and
27%. Results indicated that the drop in pressure decreased with increasing moisture content,
especially for high airflow rates.
Resistance,Walnut,Airflow,moisture,Pressure drop
http://jast.modares.ac.ir/article-23-2733-en.html
http://jast.modares.ac.ir/article-23-2733-en.pdf
Tarbiat Modares University
Journal of Agricultural Science and Technology
1680-7073
2345-3737
3
4
2001
10
1
Dry Matter Accumulation and Partitioning as Affected by
Thinning in a Non-Prolific Maize Hybrid
265
272
EN
Y.
Emam
Department of Agronomy College of Agriculture, Shiraz University, Islamic Rebublic of Iran.
Y
G. H.
Ranjbar
Department of Agronomy College of Agriculture, Shiraz University, Islamic Rebublic of Iran.
N
The objective of the present field experiment was to examine how plant density and enhanced
source, i.e. thinning treatments, may affect grain yield and its components for a
non-prolific maize hybrid, SC704. The environment of the hybrid maize crop was
changed at intervals over its life cycle by removing every other plant in rows equispaced
at 75 cm apart with a population of 13.34 plants m-2. The plants were grown with no water
or nutrient restrictions. Results showed that earlier thinning was associated with
greater stem, leaf, shoot and ear dry weight accumulation, ear kernel weight (EKW) and
kernel number per ear row (KNER). In this ways the greatest of these characteristics
were obtained in thinning at sowing i.e. 6.67 plants m-2 throughout. Delay in thinning until
the 12-leaf stage reduced stem dry weight and EKW significantly. Thinning at tasseling
also resulted in significantly lower stem dry weight accumulation compared to thinning at
sowing. At final harvest, the stem dry weight of plants thinned at tasseling was 20.47%
(P<0.05) lower than those thinned at sowing. Similar effects were found upon delay in
thinning until tasseling on leaf, shoot, and ear dry weight accumulation. Delay in thinning
until the 12-leaf stage or later, also reduced EKW significantly compared to plants
thinned at sowing. This reduction was attributable to decreased KNER and 1000-kernel
weight. According to these results, KNER and 1000-KW were found to be yield components
sensitive to light environment.
Dry matter partitioning,maize,thinning
http://jast.modares.ac.ir/article-23-4744-en.html
http://jast.modares.ac.ir/article-23-4744-en.pdf
Tarbiat Modares University
Journal of Agricultural Science and Technology
1680-7073
2345-3737
3
4
2001
10
1
Betaine Replacement for DL-Methionine in the Performance
and Carcass Characteristics of Broiler Chicks
273
279
EN
H.
Kermanshahi
Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, P.O. Box:
91775-1163, Mashhad, Islamic Republic of Iran,
Y
An in vivo experiment was conducted to determine the effect of dietary betaine supplementation
(Betafin®) as a replacement for methionine on broiler performance and carcass
characteristics. In a completely randomized design (CRD) with five treatments of betaine
levels (at 0, 25, 50, 75, and 100% in replacement for methionine) and five replicates of 10
birds/replicate, two hundred fifty-day-old Ross broiler chicks were randomly distributed
in cages and fed the experimental diets from 0 to 49 days of age. Feed and water were
provided ad libitum. Feed intake and body weight were recorded weekly. At 49 days of
age, one bird from each replicate was killed for comparison of carcass characteristics.
Betaine replacement for methionine had no effect on feed intake and feed to gain ratio but
decreased body weight gain at 0 to 3 (P<0.0465) and 0 to 7 weeks of age (P<0.01). Betaine
as a replacement for methionine decreased the breast weight (P<0.025) and tended to reduce
the abdominal fat pad (48.9 vs 40.4 grams , 100% methionine vs 100% betaine replacement
for methionine). The present findings do not support the hypothesis that betaine
can effectively replace methionine.
Broilers,Betaine,Methionine,Replacement value
http://jast.modares.ac.ir/article-23-12169-en.html
http://jast.modares.ac.ir/article-23-12169-en.pdf
Tarbiat Modares University
Journal of Agricultural Science and Technology
1680-7073
2345-3737
3
4
2001
10
1
Multi-Criterion Decision-Making Tools for Wastewater
Planning Management
281
286
EN
M.
Kholghi
Irrigation and Reclamation Engineering Department College of Agriculture University of Tehran, Islamic
Republic of Iran.
Y
Wastewater planning management is a complex problem involving agricultural, rural
and industrial interests. In countries facing rapid population growth, identifying methods
that can allow them to take good decisions among several competitive alternatives is of
utmost importance. The purpose of this paper is to present a methodology for a wastewater
planning management system using a Multi-criterion Decision-making (MCDM)
method based on utility function. It allows one to take into account a multiple conflicting
multi criterion context in terms of objective specification, criteria, criterion scales and
construction of a payoff matrix that consists of the alternative versus criteria array. These
objectives deal with groundwater protection, effluent quality, wastewater reuse, system
reliability and resources needed. A number of wastewater treatment techniques are presented
as alternative action plans from which the most satisfying alternative is to be chosen.
In order to select on appropriate management scheme, we propose to use the UTA
(Utility Additive) method. This method is interactive and permits the decision maker
(DM) to select the best solution according to his viewpoint . The UTA method proceeds in
two steps: the assessment of optimal utility using piecewise linear programming techniques
and sensitive analysis using a post - optimal procedure. An application of UTA
method in wastewater planning management system is presented for the first time and
some extensions of the method are discussed.
Decision maker,Multi criterion utility function,Wastewater-management
http://jast.modares.ac.ir/article-23-6560-en.html
http://jast.modares.ac.ir/article-23-6560-en.pdf
Tarbiat Modares University
Journal of Agricultural Science and Technology
1680-7073
2345-3737
3
4
2001
10
1
Seed Storage Protein Profile of Grain Legumes Grown in Iran,
Using SDS-PAGE
287
292
EN
M.
Valizadeh
Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture, Tabriz University, Tabriz, Islamic Republic of Iran.
Y
Seed protein profiles of 47 accessions belonging to eleven species and four tribes of
grain legumes were studied, by extracting the total proteins from ten single seeds in each
accession and performing SDS-Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. All eleven species were
clearly recognizable from their protein banding patterns, but only Phaseolus vulgaris expressed
high intraspecific variations, followed by Lathyrus sativus. Variation among accessions
of other species was very limited. Cluster analysis, after quantifying the protein
bands, using UPGMA procedure, showed phylogenetic relationships which were in a good
concordance with species classification based on morphological characters. Accessions of
tribe Vicieae formed one cluster (Vicia faba, Lens culinaris, Pisum sativum, Lathyrus sativus
and Vicia ervilia) having nearly equal amounts of three categories of polypeptide:
high, moderate and low molecular weight. The second cluster was a small tribe of Cicereae
(Cicer arietinum accessions) having moderate and low molecular weight polypeptides.
Accessions of Phaseoleae tribe formed the third cluster (Phaseolus vulgaris, Vigna unguiculata
and Vigna radiata), having predominantly high molecular weight polypeptides. Finally,
the more distinct tribe, Aeschynomeneae (Arachis hypogaea accessions), formed a
separate cluster exhibiting a special banding pattern. A unique discrepancy was observed
about Glycine max, which belongs to Phaseoleae but was clustered with Cicereae.
SDS-PAGE,Grain legumes,Seed storage protein
http://jast.modares.ac.ir/article-23-2433-en.html
http://jast.modares.ac.ir/article-23-2433-en.pdf
Tarbiat Modares University
Journal of Agricultural Science and Technology
1680-7073
2345-3737
3
4
2001
10
1
Effects of Initial Moisture Content on Wood Decay at Different
Levels of Gaseous Oxygen Concentrations
293
304
EN
S. M.
Kazemi
College of Natural Resources of Mazandaran University, Sari, Islamic Republic of Iran.
Y
D. J.
Dickinson
Timber Technology Research Group, Department of Biology, Imperial College, London SW7 2BB, UK.
N
R. J.
Murphy
Timber Technology Research Group, Department of Biology, Imperial College, London SW7 2BB, UK.
N
The influence of initial moisture content on wood decay at different levels of atmospheric
oxygen concentration was studied. Three fungi, Coriolus versicolor (C. versicolor) a
white rot, Coniophora puteana (C. puteana) a brown rot, and Chaetomium globosum (C.
globosum) a soft rot, were chosen. The mycelia of the fungi were inoculated in to mini
blocks of Fagus sylvatica (beech) and Pinus sylvestris (Scots pine). Incubation was conducted
under four levels of oxygen concentration (1,5,10, and 21% O2) at 22o C. At low
oxygen concentrations, an increase of moisture content had a negative effect on the wood
decay process by both the Basidiomycetes (C. versicolor and C. puteana) in Scots pine and
beech. In air, the effect of initial moisture content on wood decay by these fungi depended
on the characteristics of the fungi and the wood species (such as fungal biology and physiology).
When C. globosum was used as a colonizer, increasing moisture content generally
increased weight loss in the wood blocks (especially in beech). When the moisture content
in the wood blocks was increased, more sporulations by C. globosum were also observed
on the wood samples. However, the role of oxygen in inceasing wood decay was more important
than the moisture content effect.
Fungal physiology,Moisture content,Oxygen concentration,Wood decay
http://jast.modares.ac.ir/article-23-10357-en.html
http://jast.modares.ac.ir/article-23-10357-en.pdf