Soil Science, Agricultural and Biological Sciences, Plant Science, General Agricultural and Biological Sciences
7
Scopus Publications
Scopus Publications
Psychosocial drivers of conservation agriculture adoption in Iran Moslem Savari, Mohammad Shokati Amghani, Ashraf Malekian Results in Engineering, 2026 • Place attachment, environmental attitude, social capital, awareness, and concerns significantly drive Conservation Agriculture adoption in Iran. • Structural Equation Modeling revealed these factors explained 74.1% of adoption variance. • Findings guide policymakers to strengthen social capital and awareness for sustainable soil management. Conservation Agriculture (CA) is a sustainable approach to natural resource management that reduces soil erosion, enhances water infiltration, improves soil structure, and increases productivity through reduced tillage, retention of crop residues, and crop rotation. In addition to lowering production costs, CA supports long‑term agricultural sustainability. Despite these benefits, adoption remains limited among farmers. This study investigates the factors influencing CA adoption among Iranian farmers. The statistical population comprised 37,500 farmers in Shushtar County, Khuzestan Province (southwestern Iran), of whom 380 were selected using stratified sampling with proportional allocation based on the Krejcie and Morgan table. An exploratory conceptual framework was developed from the literature, and data were analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM). Results indicate that place attachment (PA), environmental attitude (EA), social capital (SC), environmental awareness (EAW), and environmental concern (EC) all exert positive and significant effects on CA adoption. Together, these variables explained 74.1% of the variance in CA acceptance, demonstrating the strong explanatory power of the proposed model and its contribution to the literature on sustainable agriculture adoption. Among the predictors, SC and EAW had the greatest impact. By providing a comprehensive framework that integrates social and environmental dimensions, this study offers new insights for policymakers and planners seeking to promote soil conservation and sustainable agricultural development. The principal innovation lies in quantifying the contribution of social and environmental variables to CA adoption and presenting a model with high explanatory capacity applicable to other regions with similar conditions.
Application of the diffusion of innovation theory to identify factors affecting the use of treated wastewater in crop irrigation: a study in Tehran province Moslem Savari, Mohammad Shokati Amghani, Ashraf Malekian Cleaner Engineering and Technology, 2025 The sustainability of water resources and their optimal utilization have emerged as critical global challenges. In Iran, water scarcity combined with population growth has intensified pressure on existing water supplies. Given the agricultural sector's substantial share in freshwater consumption, effective water resource management in this domain is particularly vital. One promising solution is the use of treated wastewater (TWW), which offers considerable economic, environmental, and social benefits. However, its adoption by farmers faces notable barriers. This study aims to investigate the factors influencing Iranian farmers' willingness to use TWW for irrigating agricultural crops. The research employs the Diffusion of Innovation (DOI) theoretical framework to analyze farmers' adoption behavior. Additionally, the study controls for individual-level variables within the model—an approach that has received limited attention in previous structural and model-based research. The statistical population comprises farmers in Tehran Province, located in central Iran. Data were collected via a structured questionnaire and analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM). The results demonstrate the effectiveness of the DOI framework, with all hypothesized relationships proving statistically significant. The model explains 60.1 % of the variance in farmers' acceptance of TWW for irrigation purposes. Key DOI constructs—relative advantage, compatibility, complexity, observability, and trialability—were found to significantly influence adoption. Despite its contributions, the study is limited by its geographic focus, the absence of broader cultural, institutional, and economic considerations, and constraints on the generalizability of its findings. Nevertheless, the results provide a valuable foundation for designing extension programs, educational initiatives, and policy support mechanisms aimed at promoting sustainable agriculture through the use of alternative water resources.
Treated wastewater irrigation: A bridge between water scarcity, a healthy environment, and safe food production Moslem Savari, Mohammad Shokati Amghani, Ashraf Malekian One Health, 2025 Water scarcity has led to the growing use of untreated wastewater for irrigation in Iran, posing serious risks to human health and the environment. Treated Wastewater (TWW) offers a safer and more sustainable alternative, with economic, environmental, and social benefits. However, its adoption by farmers remains limited. This study aligns with the One Health approach by examining how irrigation practices affect interconnected domains-human health, environmental safety, and agricultural productivity-and by identifying behavioral factors that influence farmers' decisions regarding safe water use. This study applies the Health Belief Model (HBM) to explore the determinants of farmers' intentions to use TWW for irrigation. Using a survey-based approach and structural equation modeling (SEM), the study analyzes responses from farmers in Tehran Province, Iran. The findings reveal that the HBM accounts for 72.1 % of the variance in farmers' intentions to adopt TWW, with perceived benefits emerging as the strongest predictor. These results suggest that targeted policy interventions emphasizing the economic, environmental, and social benefits of TWW, along with addressing the negative effects of untreated wastewater (UTWW) on agricultural productivity, could encourage wider adoption among farmers.
Factors influencing the use of treated wastewater for irrigation in the agricultural sector: Evidence from Iran Moslem Savari, Mohammad Shokati Amghani, Ashraf Malekian Cleaner Engineering and Technology, 2025 In recent years, excessive use of freshwater and untreated wastewater for agricultural irrigation has exerted increasing pressure on environmental and natural resources. Hence, this study aimed to identify the influencing factors on Iranian farmers' intention to use Treated Wastewater (TWW) for irrigation in the agricultural sector. The research framework combines two theories: the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) and the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). The study employed a survey method using a questionnaire and structural equation modeling (SEM) for analysis. The statistical population consisted of all irrigated farmers in Tehran Province, the capital of Iran. The results indicate that the integration of TPB and TAM can provide new insights for policymakers aiming to encourage farmers to utilize TWW for agricultural irrigation, thereby promoting environmental sustainability and healthy crop production. The developed framework is capable of explaining 68.1% of the variance in farmers' intention to use TWW. Additionally, the findings reveal that the research variables explain 59.8% and 31% of the variance in the variables perceived usefulness and farmers' attitudes, respectively. In this study, PBC and SN play the most significant roles in the adoption of TWW among farmers. Consequently, policymakers can promote safe practices in the agricultural environment by emphasizing these factors, thereby reducing the excessive consumption of freshwater resources.
Soil water retention and maize (Zea mays L.) growth as effected by different amounts of Pumice Australian Journal of Crop Science, 2012
Evaluation of antioxidant potentials of extracts of cotton thistle (Onopordum leptolepis DC.) obtained by various solvents Australian Journal of Crop Science, 2011
