Ali Asghar Arjmandi, Hamid Ejtehadi, Farshid Memariani, Mansour Mesdaghi,
Volume 10, Issue 1 (6-2023)
Abstract
Understanding the different patterns of plant diversity and distribution along the environmental gradients is essential for managing ecosystems, especially in fragmented habitats due to intensive human pressure. The Darkash area is located in the western Aladagh Mountains in Khorassan-Kopet Dagh Floristic Province. The easternmost patches of the Hyrcanian montane forests grow in this area. The three main vegetation types in the area are shrublands/scrub forests, oak forests (Quercus castaneifolia), and subalpine vegetation. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the plant diversity in the understory of plant communities along the elevational gradient. We sampled 187 vegetation plots (2m x 2m) along a 1300m elevational gradient (in 100-m classes) using the stratified-random method and estimated the abundance and canopy cover of the species. Floristic characteristics and different diversity indices were measured. In total, 252 plant species belonging to 161 genera and 44 families were identified. Of these, 41 species were found to be endemic or semi-endemic. Hemicryptophytes and therophytes are the dominant life-forms in the study area. The Irano-Turanian elements (46.8%) make the major chorotype in the flora of the area, followed by Bi-regional (17.5%), Tri-regional (17.5%), Pluri-regional (11.5%), and Euro-Siberian (6.7%) elements. The shrubland understory has the highest Hill's and beta diversity indices, followed by the oak forest and the subalpine understory. The biodiversity changes sinusoidally along the elevation. In order to protect plant species, especially young oak seedlings, it is recommended to create a protective corridor along the elevational gradient in this area. This strategy is essential to protect plant diversity in these habitats.
Yasaman Salmaki, Mahya Khakpash,
Volume 10, Issue 2 (9-2023)
Abstract
Stachys sect. Satureoides includes four species characterized by being annual herbs having oblanceolate leaves, urceolate calyx in fruit and dense hairs at mouth and are distributed from Eastern and Southern Turkey, Syria, Northern Iraq to Western Iran. The main aim of present study is to determine the phylogenetic placement of S. sect. Satureoides based on Stachys melampyroides, as the only representative of this section in Iran. The present molecular study was conducted based on nuclear ribosomal ITS marker, using Maximum Parsimony and Bayesian Inference analyses. In total, 86 accessions (including nine outgroups and 77 ingroups) were included. Our results demonstrated that sect. Satureoides was placed in Olisia clade which is one of the most heterogenous and taxonomically challenging clades of Stachys as a paraphyletic genus. Moreover, not only sect. Satureoides was not found to be phylogenetically close to sect. Neurocalyx, as had been suggested by previous morphological studies, but also it was placed as a sister group of sect Fragilicaulis which was characterized by chasmophilus species with fragile stems and yellow flowers. Our results revealed that sect. Neurocalyx could be the closest group to the Satureoides+Fragilicaulis clade. In addition, based on the nrITS phylogenetic tree, annual species of Stachys showed affinity to perennial Stachys species. Hence, it seems that “Annual habit” have been evolved among their perennial ancestors, independently.
Elmira Shokoohi, Omid Sofalian, Ali Asghari, Saeid Khomari, Behrooz Esmaielpour, Hamed Aflatooni,
Volume 10, Issue 2 (9-2023)
Abstract
Chickpea is one of the most important plants of the legume family and is very important in the diet. In order to investigate the genetic diversity of chickpea, an experiment was conducted with 18 chickpea genotypes in the form of a completely to investigate the genetic diversity of chickpea, an experiment was conducted with 18 chickpea genotypes in the form of a completely randomized block design. After acclimatization of plants to cold, freezing treatment was applied at temperatures of -6, -8 and -10 and their 50% lethality temperature (LT50) was determined by probit transformation. Before and after the habituation stage, a leaf sample was taken and the relative content of leaf water, photosynthetic pigments, proline, soluble sugar, protein percentage, catalase, peroxidase, polyphenol oxidase and greenness index were measured. Genotype number 5 with the lowest LT50 (-8.86) and the highest survival percentage (80%) was the most resistant genotype and genotype 10 with the highest LT50 (-3.57) and the lowest survival percentage along with genotype 15 were recognized as the most sensitive genotypes. In order to evaluate genetic diversity, DNA extraction was utilized and 21 different ISSR primers were used in the investigation. The results showed the presence of polymorphism among the cultivars studied. A total of 101 clear bands were produced, of which 94 were polymorphic bands. Polymorphic information content (PIC) was in the range of 0.332 (initiator 7) to 0.049 (initiator 16). The amount of gene diversity was between 0.126 and 0.977 changes. Cluster analysis of genotypes was done using Jaccard similarity coefficient and UPGMA method
Abdollah Beyk-Khormizi, Siavash Hosseini Sarghein, Mohammad Reza Sarafraz-Ardakani, Seyed Mohammad Moshtaghioun, Seyed Mousa Mousavi-Kouhi,
Volume 10, Issue 2 (9-2023)
Abstract
Fennel is a medicinal plant; all of its parts were being used by humans in different ways. This plant is relatively sensitive to salinity. A factorial experiment as a randomized complete block design with three replications at the greenhouse level was executed to investigate the effect of vermicompost on the increase of salinity tolerance in four fennel populations (Mashhad, Urmia, Shiraz, and Bushehr) in the vegetative stage of the plant, emphasizing the evaluation of some osmotic and antioxidant protection indicators. Experimental treatments were designed with four levels of salinity (0, 40, 80, and 120 mM of NaCl) and two levels of vermicompost (0 and 5% v/v). After harvesting, the roots were separated from the stem to analyze the biochemical variables. Salt stress caused a decrease in the total soluble sugar and starch content in the shoot and an increase of those in the root of the studied populations. In addition, under stress conditions, the proline content of shoot and root, total free amino acid, total phenol, and activity of guaiacol peroxidase and catalase were increased in fennel populations, while total soluble protein and anthocyanin content were decreased. Vermicompost treatment increased the content of soluble carbohydrates, soluble protein, free amino acids, proline, total phenol, and anthocyanin, and decreased the activity of guaiacol peroxidase in the shoot, as well as the starch content in the roots of fennel populations under non-stressed and stressed conditions. Despite observing the complexity in the changes of the analyzed indicators which were dependent on the type of population and the dose of stress, our results showed that the application of vermicompost with a concentration of 5% can improve the osmotic and antioxidant protection in the studied populations of fennel under salinity stress.
Rana Valizadeh Kamran, Lamia Vojodi Mehrabani, Ali Abdoulzadeh Fard, Dr Alireza Tarinejad,
Volume 10, Issue 3 (12-2023)
Abstract
Rana Valizadeh Kamran1, Lamia Vojodi Mehrabani2, Ali Aryan1 & Alireza Tarinejad1
1
Corresponding author: Rana Valizadeh Kamran, rana.valizadeh@gmail.com
Abstract. Bioremediation is a promising strategy to reduce the concentration of heavy metals that their increase in the soil was the result of the development of industries and factories in the area, threatening the environment and human health. To investigate the effect of the heavy metal chromium and the reduction of its toxic effects by bacteria (at two levels of the absence of bacteria and the presence of bacteria in Hoagland's solution), a factorial experiment was conducted as a completely randomized design with three replications and the morphological, physiological traits and plant elements were measured in the applied treatments. The results showed that the experimental treatments did not affect plant yield traits, fresh weight, stem length, and leaf length. Leaf width, chlorophyll a, b, and plant phosphorus content decreased under chromium stress and increased with bacterial treatment. Hydrogen peroxide, malondialdehyde, ascorbate peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, catalase, proline, solid soluble substances, phenol, flavonoid, and anthocyanin, as well as the content of plant elements such as chromium, nitrogen, and potassium, increased due to the chromium treatment. Using bacteria in the culture medium containing chromium, significantly decreased the hydrogen peroxide and malondialdehyde, indicating a reduction in the oxidative stress. The non-enzymatic and enzymatic antioxidants of plats in the bacterial treatments increased, indicating bacteria's role in strengthening the plant's antioxidant system. The chromium content of the plant decreased after the use of bacteria. The results showed the positive effect of using chromium-purifying bacteria in the environment of plant cultivation in reducing the harmful effects of chromium heavy metal stress.
Atiqullah Sultani Ahmadzai, Hamid Ejtehadi, Mohammad Farzam, Maral Bashirzadeh, Farideh Attar, Mohammad Reza Joharchi,
Volume 10, Issue 3 (12-2023)
Abstract
The new species Onosma nuristanica is described and illustrated here on the basis of specimens collected from Parun in Nuristan and Chapa Dareh in Kunar, one of the eastern provinces of Afghanistan. An extensive review of the literature and a comparative study with specimens from several herbaria led to the determine of this new species. Our results represent significant divergence between studied specimens in terms of the most important morphological features, i.e., flower color, pedicel length, bract length filaments length, cauline shape and form. In this article, a detailed description of the new species and a diagnostic key for Onosma species thriving in Afghanistan are provided and the new species is compared morphologically with its closely related species. In addition, a distribution map is provided for the new species and its close relatives in the area.
Narjes Rezazadeh Moghadam, Asghar Zamani,
Volume 10, Issue 4 (3-2024)
Abstract
The family Verbenaceae, currently consists of Verbena and Phyla genera in different parts of Iran, especially northern provinces. The frame of this family has undergone significant changes in comparison with the previous references. For example, Vitex and Clerodendrum have been defined as the genera of this family in previous references. Accordingly, in this study, the relationship among these four genera has been evaluated using morphological and leaf anatomical characters of 20 samples. For this purpose, 67 qualitative and quantitative morphological and anatomical traits were used. The analysis of data was performed using R software ver. 4.3.1. For simultaneous analysis of quantitative and qualitative data, Factor Analysis of Mixed Data (FAMD) method was applied. The results of this study indicate the high value of some quantitative traits such as main vein xylem length, seed width, style length and blade width and some qualitative traits such as blade epidermal cells shape, stomata position, two arms of blade position in relation to each other, indumentum type, main vein epidermal cells shape, petal color, blade vascular bundles number, density of indumentum, leaf margin shape and stem branches length in the clustering of the genera. Totally, Analysis of data led to the separation of these genera. In accordance with the phylogenetic studies, Vitex and Clerodendrum show more affinity to each other and are separated from the currently native members of Verbenaceae in Iran, i.e. Verbena and Phyla.
Fatemeh Jafari, Ali Ganjeali, Elham Amjadi,
Volume 10, Issue 4 (3-2024)
Abstract
Nepeta binaludensis jamzad, as a medicinal plant, which is at risk of extinction due to irregular harvesting and damage of its habitat. Four treatments including: 1- inoculation with Azotobacter chooroccum, 2- inoculation with Bacillus cereus and Pseudomonas putida, 3- inoculation with a mix of three bacteria (A. chooroccum + B. cereus + P. putida) and 4 controls (without inoculation), in the form of a completely randomized design with 3 replications in two vegetative growth stages (ten and twenty weeks after sowing). Plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) improved all the evaluated morphological characteristics, including the length and dry weight of the aerial part, total leaf area and root length compared to the control. Also, the results of biochemical investigations showed that in 10 and 20 weeks old plants, the application of PGPB could increase the phenolic and flavonoid compounds and also antioxidant activity. The contain of some elements such as calcium, potassium, phosphorus, iron and magnesium also increased as a result of inoculation with PGPB. Since the PGPB improved the growth and also increased the effective compounds of N. binaludensis plants, they can be introduced as useful bio fertilizers and considered as a good alternative to chemical fertilizers.
Dr Fateme Mousavi,
Volume 10, Issue 4 (3-2024)
Abstract
Quinoa seed (Chenopodium quinoa) is considered a unique food source due to its rich protein content and high antioxidant activity related to polyphenols. In the present study, with the aim of selecting the quinoa seeds to send to space, the response of protein content, phenol, flavonoid, antioxidant capacity, and the germination index of its seeds to simulated vacuum conditions of space was evaluated. The results showed a significant increase in the seed germination index for the vacuum-treated group compared to the control group. Total phenolic and flavonoid content was higher in vacuum-treated seeds compared to the control group. Vacuum conditions significantly increased the antioxidant capacity of quinoa seeds. The total seed protein content in the vacuum-treated and control groups was 25 and 35 mg/ml, respectively. The seed protein profile showed 13 distinct protein bands in the molecular weight range of 15 to 70 kilodaltons. The intensity of protein bands was significantly different between vacuum treatment and control groups. Structural changes in the seed pericarp as well as water and oil exit from the seeds under vacuum conditions can be the causes of different biochemical and physiological responses of quinoa seeds in the present study.
Saeideh Khamushi, Fatemeh Nejadhabibvash,
Volume 11, Issue 1 (6-2024)
Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate the changes in the essential oil chemical composition of Satureja bachtiarica Bunge were inoculated by spores of the arbuscular mycorrhizal inoculation Glomus caledonium and foliar application of zinc chelate levels (0, 2, 4 and 8 g/L) in 2019, at Zarrin Giah greenhouse of Urmia city in West Azerbaijan Province, in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Plants were harvested at full flowering stage. Essential oils were obtained by Clevenger apparatus and were analyzed by GC and GC/MS. Comparison of means by Duncan's multiple range test showed that inoculation with Glomus caldonium had no significant effect on the essential oil yield of Satureja bachtiarica flowering shoots, but the foliar application of zinc chelate had statistically significant effect. However, there was no difference among different concentrations of zinc chelate in terms of effect on essential oil yield. The treatments also changed the essential oil composition compared to the essential oil of the control group. These changes included the reduction of beta-caryophyllene, sabinen hydrate, borneol and carvacryl acetate compounds and the increase of citral and octyl phthalate in the plant inoculated with mycorrhiza, as well as the increase of carvacrol in the essential oil of plants treated with zinc chelate. Also, inoculation with mycorrhizal fungi and zinc chelate foliar application increased the amount of sesquiterpene & diterpene and monoterpene compounds, respectively.
Mrs Nasrin Mehdinejhad Moghadam, Dr Omid Sofalian, Dr Naser Zare, Dr Mohamad Sedghi, Dr Rahmatollah Karimizadeh, Dr Fatemeh Mohamadiazar,
Volume 11, Issue 1 (6-2024)
Abstract
Legumes are common crops in arid and semi-arid regions. This study was conducted to investigate three levels of salinity stress on 18 lentil cultivars in the greenhouse and laboratories of Mohaghegh Ardabili University in 2016-2016 in a factorial manner in the form of a randomized complete block design with three replications. The results of comparing average lentil genotypes were done with Duncan's method at the five percent probability level. Correlation was done in separate stress levels. The dendrogram of cluster analysis divided the genotypes into three groups in control and 60 mM conditions and two in 120 mM conditions. Genotypes 7 and 5 were in the top group in all groupings. The relationship between ISSR molecular markers and physiological traits was calculated among genotypes. All traits in three levels of salinity stress had a significant correlation with some ISSR markers. A total of 22 positive markers for physiological traits were identified at the control level, 9 positive markers at the moderate stress level, and 23 positive markers at the severe stress level. Among the 21 studied ISSR primers, the P8A11 marker had the largest number of gene loci related to the studied physiological traits.
