EURASIAN JOURNAL OF SOIL SCIENCE

1 – 6

Authors: Fereydoon Sarmadian, Ruhollah Taghizadeh-Mehrjardi

The two common methods used to develop PTFs are multiple-linear regression method and Artificial Neural Network. One of the advantages of neural networks compared to traditional regression PTFs is that they do not require a priori regression model, which relates input and output data and in general is difficult because these models are not known. So at present research, we compare performance of feed-forward back-propagation network to predict soil properties. Soil samples were collected from different horizons profiles located in the Gorgan Province, North of Iran. Measured soil variables included texture, organic carbon, water saturation percentage Bulk density, Infiltration rate and deep percolation. Then, multiple linear regression and neural network model were employed to develop a pedotransfer function for predicting soil parameters using easily measurable characteristics of clay, silt, SP, Bd and organic carbon. The performance of the multiple linear regression and neural network model was evaluated using a test data set by R2, RMSE and RSE. Results showed that artificial neural network with two and five neurons in hidden layer had better performance in predicting soil hydraulic properties than multivariate regression. In conclusion, the result of this study showed that both ANN and regression predicted soil properties with relatively high accuracy that showed that strong relationship between input and output data and also high accuracy in determining of data.

13 – 24

Authors: Theodore Karyotis, İbrahim Güçdemir, Suat Akgül, Andreas Panagopoulos, Katerina Karyoti, Süleyman Demir, Ali Kasacı

To create a rational nitrogen fertilization plan, a mass nitrogen (N) balance was used for the main crops of Turkey. The following components are included in the suggested N fertilization plans: the quantity of N fertilizer which is required by the crop for a targeted and sustainable yield, nitrogen inputs available to the crop without fertilization, nitrogen losses mainly due to nitrates leaching and emissions to the atmosphere. This simple equation was transformed to a more detailed one and fertilization plans are based on the total N required to produce a crop of a targeted yield, N mineralized from Soil Organic Matter (SOM), the residual plant available inorganic N before sowing or planting, input of nitrogen from rainfall and losses through leaching and emissions. This work is based on available data and is an open sheet balance which can be easily used by local authorities. Decreased N fertilization can be applied without significant yield reduction and this can be explained by increased N use efficiency, as a result of proper time of application and splitting of N fertilizers in doses. This model can be appropriately adapted according to site-specific conditions, whilst new parameters can be added to improve precision of the performed calculations.

28 – 32

Authors: Botir Khaitov, Kholik Allanov

Many soils of Uzbekistan have low water and nutrient holding capacity because of their sandy texture, low organic matter concentrations and degradation caused by long years of cotton monoculture. Conservation tillage production systems have the potential to increase the productivity of these soils by increasing soil humus and nitrogen content. As practiced conservation tillage helped to lessen N leaching losses, holding more of these elements within the topsoil as well as increase crop productivity. Conventional tillage cotton/wheat/maize crop rotation has resulted very low humus and nitrogen content in soil by degreasing crop yield. Therefore, the effects of tillage, and crop rotation were examined on growth and yield of crops in three cotton-based rotation systems, (i) cotton/wheat/maize, (ii) cotton/wheat/sorghum and (iii) cotton/wheat/soybean, in Tashkent region in middle east of Uzbekistan. This obtained result suggests that no tillage with inserting legumes in crop rotation is able to improve soil quality and plant productivity.

42 – 55

Authors: Atilla Atik, Bülent Yılmaz

In the present study, effects of vermicompost treatment tried to be determined on some morphological and physiological seedling quality characteristics of one – year Scots pines. Experiments were set according to random plots experimental design including 14 trials with 3 repetitions. With this aim, seeds obtained from seven different sites (origins) of mixed Scots pine stands which naturally grow in the Western Black Sea Region of Turkey were used in the experiments. At the end of the vegetation period, important physiologic and morphologic parameters of seedlings in the plots, SH, RCD, TDW, RDW and total N rate were detected. After that, RI, V and QI rates, each of which is also important rational indicator in seedlings for height, root collar diameter and weight balance, were calculated with the help of morphological data. Effects of VC treatment were found to be statistically significant on all the development parameters measured in seedlings in seven origin groups. It was determined in all morphologic parameters that the best development rate was observed in Goktepe originating seedlings in both VC treatment and control groups while Geyikgolu originating seedlings showed the least development performance. It was observed from the correlation analysis that there is a positive relation between morphologic and physiologic quality criteria. It was also determined according to the results of multivariable regression analysis that elevation of the sites where seedlings were picked up was more effective on the development of seedling development than the aspect of the sites. Results of the study were found to be convenient with the related literature and showed that VC treatment contributed positively to the development of Scots pine seedlings taken from seven different origins.

65 – 76

Authors: Amuno Solomon Aruomero, Oluwajana Afolabi

Casket burials has been one of the most prevalent methods of disposing of the dead for several centuries. However, its increasing use in many countries has engendered serious environmental and epidemiological concerns due to documented evidences of leaching of toxic metals and pathogens as human remains and grave contents decompose over time. In this paper, a comparative trace element study of surface soils samples collected from two municipal cemeteries located in Macao SAR (China) and Akure (Nigeria) was undertaken to investigate their contamination potential. Soil contamination assessment based on index of geo-accumulation indicate that the soils associated with the Macao cemetery have been significantly contaminated with Ag, Cd, Hg, Pb, Se and Zn, while that of Akure site did not show significant pollution. From a comparative perspective, it was observed that the levels of Pb and Zn observed in the Macao cemetery soils was higher than the maximum values reported for selected cemetery soils in Brazil, South Africa, Rwanda, and the United States of America. For the Akure site, none of the samples showed significant pollution as the levels of trace elements were within the uncontamination threshold. Inconsistent levels of trace metals levels observed in the soils of the two cemeteries is likely to have resulted from the differences in the number of burials, soil characteristics, type of materials used for construction of coffins. The findings therefore suggest the need to improve awareness of eco-friendly burials to protect and conserve the environment.