Rostaniha
Year:2009 | Volume:10 | Issue:1 (34)|Papers Count:19

Morphological, numerical and chemical taxonomy of the genus Crataegus was studied in the East and northeast of Iran. More than 80 fresh specimens as well as 50 herbarium specimens from different localities were examind. Using vegetative and reproductive morphological characters an identification key is provided for all taxa. For numerical taxonomy 85 morphological characters were measured and the data were analysed by UPGMA method using NTSYS software. In chemotaxonomical study using paper chromatography, about 41 flavonoid spots were recognised by UV ray and UV+NH3 steam. The results showed the studied taxa can be classified into one section (sect. Crataegus), five series (ser. Crataegus, ser. Erianthae, ser.Orientales, ser. Pentagyna and ser. Microphyllae), and 13 taxa at species and infra-species level. Crataegus microphylla is separated from the other series by specific characters such as “shrubby life form, having more thorns, umbellate or more or less corymbose inflorescence, glabrous twigs and inflorescence, bright red fruit, erect on the fruit sepals”. The result of flavonoid data is well correlated with numerical studies and with classification of the genus by Cheristensen.

Aspergillus species are major causes of pre- and post-harvest degradation of agricultural products. During 2004-07, the presence and population of Aspergillus species were studied in various fields and orchards of Fars and Kerman Provinces. Soil samples were collected from 0-40 cm depth. Isolates were recovered from soil using modified Czapek, AFPA and SPDA media. Based on macroscopic and microscopic criteria, five sections (Flavi, Nigri, Circumdati, Fumigati, Terrei) and 13 following species were identified: A. alliaceus, A. auricomus, A. carbonarius*,A. flavus, A. fumigatus, A. japonicus var. japonicus, A. niger var. niger,A. ochraceus, A. oryzae*, A. parasiticus, A. sclerotiorum, A. sojae and A. terreus. The species with asterisk are new to Iran. SPDA and AFPA were more efficient for isolation  and enumeration of Aspergillus  colonies  especially aflatoxigenic aspergilli. In Fars Province: A. flavus, A. parasiticus, A. niger var. A. niger, and in Kerman Province: A. flavus, A. parasiticus and A. niger var. A. niger were predominant, respectively. In Fars, pistachio orchard and uncultivated soils showed the highest and lowest Aspergillus population, respectively. In Kerman Province, soils collected from Rafsanjan and Zarand had the highest and lowest Aspergillus population, respectively. Out of 20 and 52 isolates of A. flavus obtained from soils in Fars and Kerman Provinces, 14 and 33 isolates produced aflatoxin, respectively.

Genetic diversity of fungal endophytes, Neotyphodium species, was studied in grasses Festuca arundinacea, F. pratensis and Lolium perenne using AFLP markers. Fungi were isolated from the host leaf sheaths and Neotyphodium species were selected based on morphological characteristics. To confirm identity of selected fungi belonging to the genus Neotyphodium, polymerase chain reaction was performed using specific primers. AFLP with eight primer combinations was conducted to assess genetic variation for endophyte isolates. Cluster analysis based on AFLP data placed isolates into three separate groups according to their host species. In addition, similarity coefficient indicated the genetic distance between N. lolii from Lolium perenne and N. cf. uncinatum from Festuca pratensis was smaller than those of N. coenophialum which was isolated from F. arundinacea. Host ploidy level and its effect on co-evolution of host-symbiont may justify the higher similarity of N. lolii and N. cf. uncinatum. 

The present study involves the flora of the Estil wetland and its surroundings in Astara, northwest Iran. During 2006-07, we examined the plant specimens collected in this area and determined that there are 247 vascular plant taxa (229 species, 11 subspecies, and seven varieties) in 170 genera and 60 families. The largest families are Poaceae (27 taxa), Asteraceae (26), and Brassicaceae (21). Genera represented by the greatest number of species are Ranunculus (7), Cyperus (7) and Polygonum (6). From the chronological point of view, the largest proportion of the flora belongs to the pluriregional elements. The number of endemic taxa within the study area is 11 (4.5%). Using all references used, eight species and nine species are reported for the first time for the flora of northern Iran and Guilan Province, respectively. Classification based on life form indicates that the therophytes comprise the largest proportion of the plants in the study area. The main habitats in the area include aquatic, sand dune, forest, plain and ruderal. Along with a full checklist of all plants collected in the area, ecological characteristics of all habitats are also discussed. Moreover, a comparison between the data collected here and of other northern Iranian wetlands is presented.

Thirty-four populations of Artemisia sieberi from 10 provinces of Iran were investigated with respect to quantitative characteristics of leaves and seeds. In each habitat, five plants were randomly selected and some branches were harvested for studying leaf characteristics in spring and seed characteristic in autumn. Principle features of climate and soil were studied in each habitat. In order to grouping populations cluster analysis was carried out with Complete Method and Euclidian distance in Minitab software. Climate, altitude and soil features were compared by variance analysis among groups. Artemisia sieberi populations were separated in five groups based on quantitative characters of leaves and seeds. Analysis of variance showed that, there is significant difference at 0.1 % level for toughness, leaf area, fresh and dry weight and water content of leaves and 1000  seed weight, length and width of seeds; at 1% level for diameter of seed and at 5% level for ash of leaves between groups. Also, analysis of variance between groups, on the basis of climate, altitude and soil features showed that, there is significant difference at 0.1 % level for annual precipitation; at 5% level for average of maximum temperature, absolute maximum temperature and organic carbon between groups. There is maximum plasticity in fresh and dry weight, area and water content of leaves and minimum plasticity in length and width of seeds and thickness of leaf against variation of habitat condition.

Twenty fungal isolates associated with leaf spots of nutsedge plants (Cyperus spp.) from north of Iran (Guilan, Mazandaran, Zanjan and Golestan Provinces) are examined. According to the results of the morphological studies of grown fungi on culture media, Curvularia clavata, Curvularia lunata var. aeria, Dactylaria higginsii, and Myrothecium brachysporum are new taxa for Iran mycoflora and reported for the first time. This is the first report of isolation of Alternaria alternata, C. clavata, C. lunata, C. lunata var. aeria, D. higginsii, Glomerella cingulata, M. brachysporum, Nigrospora oryzae and Pestalotiopsis guepinii of the nutsedge in Iran.

Plants response to environmental stresses such as chilling, consist of changes in physiological and biochemical processes and developmental and morphological patterns. They first induce protective responses against environmental stresses and then may lead to structural and developmental changes...

An interesting specimen of Carex halleriana Asso ex Honck., with smut symptoms was collected and studied from Arasbaran protected region. Preliminary study revealed that, the fungus is a member of the genus Schizonella J. Schröt. The specimen characterized by sori in the leaves, amphigenous, as black blister-like hard intraepidermal striae of various length, containing the semi-agglutinated spore masses covered by layer of cuticle....

In order to determinate the causal pathogen of potato leaf spot disease in major potato growing area of Iran, isolate showed different characteristics compared with dominant species (Alternaria alternata). The pathogenicity test of this isolate was carried out and typical symptom on potato seedling leaves was observed. Morphological characteristics were recorded 5-7 days after obtaining single-conidium cultures on potato carrot agar (PCA) in 16:8 dark: light at 22-25°C. Cultures had light olive brown color without pigment diffusion into the agar, and produced aerial mycelium. Colonies exhibited concentric rings due to sporulation and growth according to the photo-period applied.

In July 2008, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (Lib.) de Bary, the causal agent of wilt and crown rot of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) was observed in regions of Golestan Province (Gonbad). Black sclerotia of S. sclerotiorum were found on roots and basal stem. Some samples of the collected sclerotia were destroyed (Fig. 5, A) and easily crushed with little pressure and its inner tissue turned to brown or black. Crushed sclerotia were sterilized with 1% NaOCl for 30 seconds and then washed in sterile water for 60 seconds and were inoculated on PDA (containing 200 ppm streptomycin + 100 ppm penicillin) and incubated at 23° C. Many black pycnidia were formed on sclerotia in the medium after 10 days….  

In a study of samples belonging to the genus Rorippa at the Herbarium of the Ministry of Jihad-e-Agriculture (“IRAN”), some specimens were seen with the following characteristics: Annual to biennial, 40-60 cm tall, erect, usually purple at base, glabrous or sparsely hairy below. Lower and middle leaves pinnate to pinnate-lyrate, lobes irregularly toothed, upper leaves with small auricules, often pinnate, sometimes dendate. Sepals 2 mm long. Petals shorter than, or equal to, sepals, 1-2 mm long, 0.5-0.7 mm wide. Fruits 6-8 mm long, 2-3 mm wide, oblong to oblong-ovate, swollen. Fruiting pedicels horizontal-patent, sometimes sub-deflexed, 4-7 mm long….

In a survey of the fungal flora of sheep rumen, a fungus was found similar to the genus Absidia with the following characters. Colony on PDA at 37°C rapidly filled nine cm Petri dishes in three days. With floccose appearance, produced sporangia at the margins. At first it was white then turned to light smoke gray to olive gray. Colony reverse was almost yellowish olive-buff.

This is the third in a series of publications on floristic studies of macrofungi of Arasbaran forests (NW. Iran). In the first paper, new species of the genus Cortinarius, subgenus Myxacium collected from Arasbaran forests, were reported for the first time in Iran.In this paper, species of the genus Cortinarius, subgenus Phlegmacium are presented. Six species viz. C. fluryi, C. paracephalixus, C. pseudonapus,  C. subvalidus, C. sublubricus and ‍C. vespertinus are reported for the first time for Iranian mycoflora. All species are redescribed and illustrated with photographs and drawings. 1. Cortinarius fluryi (M.M. Moser) M.M. Moser (Figs 1A, 3A) From soil, E. Azarbaijan, Arasbaran, Kalaleh, 6.11.2006, Asef & Torabi (IRAN 5074 F).2. Cortinarius paracephalixus Bohus (Fig. 3B) From soil, E. Azarbaijan, Arasbaran, Kalaleh, 6.11.2006, Asef & Torabi (IRAN 5058 F).3. Cortinarius pseudonapus (Rob. Henry ex M.M. Moser) M.M. Moser (Figs 1B, 3C) From soil, E. Azarbaijan, Arasbaran, Makidi, 22.10.2003, Asef (IRAN 5617 F).4. Cortinarius sublubricus (Jul. Schäff. ex M.M. Moser) M.M. Moser (Figs 2, 3E) From soil, E. Azarbaijan, Arasbaran, 6.11.2006, Asef & Torabi (IRAN 5061 F).5. Cortinarius subvalidus Rob. Henry (Figs 3D, 4A) From soil, E. Azarbaijan, Arasbaran, Kalaleh, 6.11.2006, Asef & Torabi (IRAN 5059 F).6. Cortinarius vespertinus (Fr.) Fr. (Figs 3F, 4B) From soil, E. Azarbaijan, Arasbaran, Ainalou, 6.11.2006, Asef & Torabi (IRAN 5371 F). 

The geographic distribution of Astragalus (Fabaceae) in Iran was analyzed using a database of 7606 georeferenced observations. Astragalus occurs in all provinces of Iran, but 88% of the observations are in five provinces including Tehran, West-Azerbaijan, Esfahan, Kordestan, and Khorasan-e Razavi. Most species are rare and narrowly endemic: The largest distance between two observations of the same species for 451 species is <200 km. The highest number of species (154 species) was known from Esfahan Province, followed by East-Azerbaijan with 149 species. A grid of 30 × 30 km cells were used to map the species richness. There are 794 cells with observation on grid map. To include all species of Astragalus, 269 selected cells are enough. High species richness occurs only in northern half of country especially in north-west of the Iran. Regions with high richness include Central-Alborz Mountain in north, North-Zagros Mountain in west, Mountain of north-west corner of Iran, and Khorasan-Kopet Dagh Mountain in North-East. The highest number of species in a grid cell (43 species) occurs in Avaj between Qazvin and Hamedan. Astragalus species occur between 30° N and 38° N. Astragalus species widely distributed in mountainous regions especially between 1000 and 3000 m altitude.

Melampsora euonymi-capraearum Kleb., Forstl. Naturw. Zeischr. 6: 469, 1897 = Melampsora epitea f. sp. euonymi-capraearum Boerema & Verh., Netherlands  J. Plant Pathol. 78(Suppl. 1): 24, 1972 = M. euonymi-incarnae O. Schneid., Central Blatt. F.15: 232-234, 1905 = Uredo euonymi-capraearum Arth., Sci. Cong. Int. Bot. Vien. 338, 1905 Biotrophic rust fungi caused by the genus Melampsora (Basidiomycetes, Uredinales) are the most widespread and frequent disease of willow  (Salix spp.) and poplar (Populus spp.) trees. Melampsora euonymi-capraearum on  Salix caramanica has been identified for the first time from Iran. Isolates  (S. caramanica) are matrix nova for M. euonymi-capraearum (Fig. 1).