Year:2007 | Volume:20 | Issue:2 (75 IN NATURAL RESOURCES)|Papers Count:33

In plastic industry wood flour, as filler for thermoplastics is used. Wood flour is produced in a mixture of particle sizes and generally has a lower aspect ratio than wood and other natural fibers. Utilization different sizes of wood particles on the mechanical properties of wood flour /polypropylene composites were investigated. Also, the effect of a maleated polypropylene coupling agent on mechanical properties was investigated. Wood flour particles (40, 50, and 60 mesh) were compounded at 40% by weight with polypropylene. Increases in tensile strenght and modulus of the wood flour composites were found to correspond with increases in aspect ratio. Notched impact strenght increased with increasing particle size. The maleated polypropylene coupling agent causes increasing strenght in wood flour polypropylene composites. The results clearly support the use of higher aspect ratio wood flour and coupling agents to increase the strenght of wood flour/ polypropylene.

Three samples grapeseed were collected from different regions and subjected to oil extraction. For comperation, two samples importing grape seed oils were prepared. The samples grapeseed is extracted by solvent and determination chemical and physical properties extracted oils, for example, fat percent, free fatty acids percent, peroxide value, induction period. Then fatty acid methyl esters were prepared from the extracted oils and subjected to gas chromatography. It was concluded that linoleic and oleic acids were the predominant fatty acids presented. Also result of peroxide value, induction period and free fatty acid from samples subjected that Iranian grape seed oil might be considered suitable oil for salad and cooking practices.

The Geno protected area is located in Hormozgan province, 30 km North west of BandarAbbas between latitudes (27o18'50"-27o29'16" N) and longitudes(55° 57'30"-56o18'4"E), at about 50 to 2347m above sea level. It covers an area of about 43000 hectares. In order to introuduce the plant associations of Genu protected area, 135 releves in different association individuals were recorded using the braun–blanquet school. Phytosociological data were analysed by AFC and CAH methods, Using the computer program of Anaphyto. 20 associations and one subassociation were distinguished. The most species reachness was observed in Acer monspessulani- Juniperetum excelsae and Ebeno stellatae- Amygdaletum scopariae associations. Meanwhile the native flora in sandy soils of low lands and plains seems to be threathened by the exotic species, Prosopis juliflora.

One of the most important function of obtained information form land use planning, is providing the species plantation trials based on ecological specifications and social- economical conditions in environmental units. In this research, in addition to ecological capability evaluation and using of environmental units by using of systemic analysis, the land use of forestry provided for watershed of Sarab in four different levels. According to mentioned plan, the watershed is out of the first class use for forestry. Measurement belonged to the second, third and fourth class of use resulted in 463,1072 and 670 hectares respectively. Then, by using of ecological specifications table in environmental units, ecological specifications table in specie plantation units, and finally based in this plan and in regard to the ecological limits of tolerance of selected species, the plan of species plantation trials of watershed designed in seven different levels. In total 3700 hectares of watershed and 2205 hectares belonged to forestry. land use, an area equaling to 1400 hectares in seven levels were identified appropriate for implementation the species plantation trials in regard to social- economical problems, land use planning and the other suitable land use. Implementation of this research confirmed that obtained information form land use planning in the area of watershed will be used based on land use planning, forestry land use and the other available information in documentary form for providing species plantation trials. in addition, the importance of extracted information from land use planning, including social- economical factors, wildlife density of canopy and finally land use planning itself along with other obtained information from it, was clearly determined in procedure of selecting species for species plantation trials.

Rangelands are natural ecosystems containing great genetic resources and plant species diversity having profound effects on stability of the rangelands. A most obvious and destructive biotic factor on this vegetation is overgrazing by animals. Therefore a study was carried out in two different grazed and ungrazed sites of rangeland vegetation in kohneh lashak Kojour, 65 km to South of Nowshahr, Mazandaran province to examine the effects of animal grazing on the rangeland conditions. Minimal area of 1 square meter was obtained by using nested quadrat method. Based on cumulative mean of dominant species, 20 quadrats were located in each site on two 100 m transects according to random-systematic sampling strategy. Species composition and their abundance were recorded. The result of field investigation was collection and identification of the total 102 plant species from which 99 and 58 species were recorded in the ungrazed and grazed sites, respectively. The collected abundance data were subjected to analyses by specific diversity packages to characterize and obtain numerical and parametric indices of species diversity. The results of numerical indices showed a higher species richness, evenness and species diversity indices in ungrazed than in the grazed site. Statistical t-test was significant in 0.05 significance level based on Shannon Index. Diversity comparing in the two sites by using rank-abundance plot as well as diversity ordering of Hill, Renyi and Patil and Taillie showed a higher species diversity in the ungrazed site that can explain the wellbeing of the environmental condition of this site.

Agar is a valuable polysaccharide which has widespread uses in different industries. Biologic and biotechnological uses of agar are being improved day by day. Red algae especially members of Gracilariaceae are main resources for the extraction of the polysaccharide. Recognition of the family species and study on morphology and biological features of them are very important for economic exploitation. Gracilaria salicornia (C. Agardh) Dawson (Gracilariaceae, Rhodophyta) is a member of the agarophyte algae in the Qeshm island in the south of Iran (Persian Gulf). In this research, morphological and biological features of the species communities on intertidal regions of the southeast coastlines of the island were determined biological and morphological differences of the species at different intertidal levels. The results showed the quality and quantity of the species growth in the communities of the species which are located in lower parts of the intertidal regions are higher than the upper parts. Depth of the water is important as effectual environmental factors on both quality and quantity of the species growth.

Evaluation of toxic metals in soil and plants is the most important subject according to health of human and ecosystem. In this study 3 sites with 3 density of Lead pollution (high, medium and low) selected in Irankoh region via satellite images. Physical and chemical soil characteristics determined then11 common plant species selected. Shoots and roots of these plants were sampled in May 2005. This experiment was done in completely randomized plot design with 3 replicates. Physical and chemical characteristics of rhizospheric soils were prepared and extracted lead analysed using DTPA. Finally lead accumulation and translocation factor measured in this study. According to the results Astragalus glaucanthus, Ebenus estellata and Acantholimon sp. showed the highest value of lead concentration and translocation factor 118.6, 98.1, 86.2 (mg/kg dry matter), and 2.95, 3.54 and 3.7 respectively. These recent 3 plants are recommended for phytoremediation of lead in the same conditions.

Relationships between suspended sediment and rainfall in a given watershed are influenced with catchments and rainfall characteristics. Estimation of suspended sediment load causing a rainfall event is necessity in hydraulic structures. In the present study, variations of suspended sediment for Garan river watershed (an upland river of Sirvan River in Kordastan province) were studied using 12 rainfall storm accurred during Nov. 2003 to April. 2004 and a linear time disc rated model. Curves showing the time variations of observed sediment load were compared with the model simulated curves using the relative errors and square errors indices. Results show that the developed model could be able to predict suspended sediment load time variation for a given rainfall event using the parameters of one hour last sediment yield, one hour last rainfall intensity, and two hour last rainfall intensity. Correlation coefficient of this relation was estimated as 95%.

Regarding to the importance of Pistatia atlantica in Zagros forests and its various usages this study was established to improve the ecological knowledge of this species in Garize nursery in Sanandaj. In this experiment completely randomized with factorial design with three treatments include sowing time (January 9th, January 29th and February 19th), sowing depth (surface, 4 cm depth, 8 cm depth) and weed (weed and non weed) with three replicates and five seedling in each row were used. In the end of first growing season determined that January 9th and January 29th sowing times increased the collar diameter whereas did not have any significant influences on survival, height, shoot/root length ratio and shoot/ root dry weight ratio. 4 cm sowing depth treatment increased collar diameter and survival and decreased stem to root dry weight ratio whereas did not have any influence on other parameters. Weed treatment only have the significant influence on stem to root dry weight ratio and it could reduce this parameter. Interactions of three treatments indicate that the usage of weed, 4 cm sowing depth and January 29th sowing time result in the best results.

This study was conducted to investigate of planting date and seed rate on blond psyllium (Plantago ovate Forsk.) in dry farming condition. The experiment was designed in a split plot arrangement using complete randomized block with three replications in Maraveh- tapeh station(55o 57, 36o 48´) in north east of Golestan province. The treatments comprised: Two planting dates(10 and 25 February ) and three seed rates(2,4 and 6 Kg/ha). The seed yield was harvested after rippening by a plot 1x1 m². Parameters that were recorded including: 1000 kernel weight, seed yield and amount of seed mucilage. Results indicated that seed rates were significant difference (p<0.05) on seed production so that the highest production obtained at the highest seed rate (6 Kg/ha) while planting date had no significant effect on seed production. There was not significant difference between treatments on mucillage content. The highest amount of mucillage was obtained at the highest seed rate.

Rainfall frequency analysis is a major task for water resources planners and hydrologists. Because of wide and different rainfall temporal and spatial distribution over Iran, at site frequency analysis is not sufficient for this purpose. It is very important to regionalize rainfall frequency over homogeneous rainfall spatial groups. A hierarchical cluster analysis and L-moments regional frequency analysis were used in this study to find homogeneous rainfall groups and regional rainfall frequency analysis. The study showed that there are eight homogeneous rainfall subregions over Iran, which can present geographic and climate variability of Iran, but no single parent distribution was found for each subregion. Although regional homogeneity measure, H1, showed that a 3-parameter log normal distribution performs regional distribution of Iran, but three LN2, P-III and GEV distributions perform better than other distributions for subregions derived from cluster analysis.

In order to study Caucasian walnut in forests of Mashelak (Nowshahr), two sites were selected. Within Behsara site, 8 circular plots of 0.1 hectare, and within Larochal site, 23 circular plots were established (31 plots).Qualitative and quantative characteristics were evaluated. Soil and climate condition were performed too. The results indicated that Caucasian walnut extends in special environmental conditions. This species is distributed in flat sites along riversides. The results showed that Caucasian walnut grows in semi-deep to shallow soils with medium nutrient. In the most sites, the soil texture is clay-silt and clay-sandy and pH varies between 6.2 and 7.8. The average of annual precipitation was 1300 mm and the average of annual mean temperature is between 12.5oc the mean of number per ha was 101 numbers tree per hectare. The mean diameter at breast height was 49.7 (Cm), the mean crown diameter was 9 (m) and the mean total height was 28.9 (m). In this study, 17 percent of tree’s trunks were non-cylindric, 20 percent were pitchfork, 16 percent were without branches, and 9 percent were non-symmetric crown. The regeneration of Caucasian walnut is established every year. The other species in study sites consisted of Carpinus betulus, Alnus subcordata, Quercus castaneifolia, Parrotia persica, Acer velutinum, and Diospyrus lotus. The distribution of maple tree and alder is more than from others.

Assessment of annual for age yield in order to determining of grazing capacity is necessary in range management. It is easy to obtain with determine of relation between yield and climatic factors in field. For this purpose annual yield forage of indicator, accompanying and total species of Nir range research station for pattern of steppic range of Yazd province were determined with clipping and weighting method during 2000-2004. Precipitation was measured by cumulative rain gauge. According to data of precipitation, amount of cumulative rain determined at October, November, autumn, Spring and annual. Forage yield quantities of every species and amount of rain were defined dependent and independent variables respectively Relationships between variables analyzed by regression programs in SPSS 10. Results showed that yield of perennial plants were not related to precipitation of summer and autumn, and omitted in models. Effects of October, November and spring precipitation had different responses on forage production. According to this study, annual yield of some species, yield of total perennial plants and annuals production can be estimated by precipitation data, But had not enough accurate for species of Noaea mucronata, Salsola rigida and Launaea acanthodes.

Occurrence of gully erosion on an area causes major impacts. Large area of the Sorkh-abad watershed in the Savadkooh district dissected by gullies. In this research several effective environmental factors on gully volume growth of 14 gullies have been evaluated in two six-month intervals (1year). At first rule of some gully's morphometric characteristics on volume growth have been estimated, then effects of environmental variables on gully volume growth have been calculated by multivariate regression analysis. The results of this research demonstrated that gully volume growth has been increased with increasing of gully length and height of headcut at all cases. Also according to introduced equations of multivariate regression analysis in this study, has been illustrated variables such as precipitation over 10mm per 24h, area of gully drainage basin, soluble salts and clay in soil have more effective rules on gully volume growth.

Identification of factor affecting existing of landslide as well as its zonation in the given watershed is one of the basic tools for landslide control and selection of appropriate and effective solution as well. Thus, a research study with objective of recognizing factor affecting landslide and determination of lands with hypothential to its occurrence was conducted to prepare landslide zonation map for the chalkrood watershed analytical hierarchy method. In order to determine the most important factor affecting landsliding different maps including slope, aspect, altitude, faults, drainage network, access roads, lithology, land use and rainfall maps were prepared digitally using aerial photos with scale of 1:20000 and 1:40000 for the year of 1967 and 2001 respectively together with field checks using GPS.Then affecting factors were binary compared using analytical method by indicating the weight of each factor as indicator for their effects in occurrence of landslide. Accordingly, the landslide zonation hazard map was prepared to the use of weighed information layer and weighted coefficient of each factor. Results of this study show that the analytical hierarchy method is precise method for evaluation of landslide potential due to the use of binary comparison affecting factors and considering numerous factors for landslide evaluation at the same time in comparison to the other prevalent method and the results indicates that the percentage of high hazard class is 85 percent in AHP method.

In order to study the effect of planting date and plant density on yield and seed yield components of anise an experiment was conducted in 2004 at the experimental field of Bojnourd Azad University. The experimental design split-plot in the basic of randomized complete blocks with four replications was used. Main plots consisted of three planting date (10 Mar. 13Apr. and 28 Apr) and sub-plots included four density levels(13.33, 20 and 40 plant/m2). The results showed that planting date, density levels and their interaction had significant effect on measured traits. By delay in planting number of umbel per plant and umbelet per umbel, number of seed per umbelet, seed yield, plant height and biologic yield significantly reduced but 1000-seed weight significantly was increased However no significant difference for number of seed per umbelet between 13 April and 28 April. Also planting dates had not any significant effect on harvest index. The increasing plant density incressed seed yield, biologic yield, plant height and 1000-seed weight but decreased number of umbel, umbelet, number of seed and harvest index In the traits number of seed per umbelet and 1000-seed weight had not significant difference between density of 13.33 and 20 plant/m2. On the whole, the maximum seed yield of anise were obtained at the frist planting date with 40 plant/m2 density.

Micropropagation of E. gongylocarpa through bud culture, callus and semiphotoautotropic conditions was investigated. The effects of sterilization, growth regulator treatments and different semi-photoautoautotropic conditions on establishment and multiplication of explants were studied. The best sterilization treatment for seeds was observed under 0.5% Benomyl solution for 15 min, washing with detergent and then under running water for two hours, 70% ethanol for 20 seconds and 2% NaOCl for 20 min. Terminal and auxiliary buds of seedlings after washing with detergent and dipping in acid ascorbic (AS) were sterilized by dipping in 0.1% HgCl2 solution for one and six min, respectively. Terminal and auxiliary buds of adult trees sterilized with 0.1% HgCl2 solution for two and six min, respectively. MS medium containing half strength of nitrate, 0.1 mgl-1 BAP, 0.2 mgl-1 Kin, 0.01 mgl-1 IBA and 0.25 mgl-1 GA3 were selected for shoot establishment and multiplication. The best rhyzogenese, observed in MS medium supplemented with 1 mgl-1 IBA. Enough amount of callus got induced explants on MS medium fortified with 1 mgl-1 Kin and 2 mgl-1 2, 4-D. The most shoot formation occurred on the callus when cultured on MS medium containing 0.5 mgl-1 both of BAP and IBA growth regulators. Three experiments were carried out to elucidate the influence of different culture conditions and environmental factors on growth of E. gongylocarpa. The in vitro growth rate of plantlets was the highest in vermiculite treatment.

More attention to consumption of herbal drugs are cost – effective and adverse effect of herbal drugs are may be lesser than chemical drugs. This formula chamomill drop is prescribed for prevention and treatment of peptic ulcer, gastritis and spastic condition of GI tract and also has significant antimicrobial effect. Despite its useful therapeutical properties, the prepared formula has a bitter taste so that it cause unaceptable for patients. After maturation , the obtained flower were dried. The amount of volatile oil existing in flower and amount of chamazulene and other effective components in plant were determined qualitatively and quantitively by the hydrodistillation method, UV/Vis spectrophotometry, TLC, GC/MS and also the dry plant weight percentage to its fresh weight were measured. Then 10% ethanol to make the extract with perculation procedure and solvent to flower ratio (8:1) choosed. Then by use of suitable sweetner and flavoring agent and with regard to maintance of characteristics and used dose in chamomille was tried to modulate chamomille’s taste. Several formulations prepared and examined with sensation test and statistics test. The best formulation selected by volunteers as final formulation prepared with the extract and the amount of volatile oil, chamazulene and other effective components were measured. The best sweetner is saccharin sodium to prepared formulation and cherry flavor selected as the best flavoring agent to cover bitter taste of formulations. finally prepared formulation of matricaria extract contained 0.1% of cherry flavor and 1% sodium saccharin and 10% sucrose (for cover bitter taste) choosed as best formalation, that is also better and more acceptald statically than other formulations (p<0/05).

Medicinal plants are important in various industries. With increasing of saline lands and the shortage of agricultural lands, the improvements of salt tolerant plants are important. Cultivation of plants in hydroponic environment is a reliable and economical method in order to select the salt tolerant plant. An experiment was carried out in order to study the effect of different salinity levels on Plantago psyllium and Plantago ovata in seedling and whole plant stages in a complete randomized design with four replications in seedling stage and three in whole plant stages. The salinity levels applied were zero (control), 50, 100, 150, 200 and 250 mM. The result showed, by increasing salinity level percentage of germination, root length, shoot length, root dry weight, shoot dry weight and shoot/root ratio decreased. This decrease was different among these studied plants and there were significant differences between salinity concentrations. In the seedling stage, P.ovata showed more tolerant than P. psyllium. In the whole plant stage, with increasing salinity the most of characters were decreased but P. psyllium showed more tolerant than P. ovata.

Water Erosion Prediction Project (WEPP) is a computer model that can estimate erosion and sediment of hillslope and watershed, based on individual events and/or in successive years. In this study, water erosion and sediment were determined in all sub- catchments and in whole of Bar-Erieh Neyshabur watershed, located in the North East of Iran. The data required for WEPP model are entered in six files, namely soil file, management file, climate file, slope file, channel file and impoundment file. In this study, after determining of same units, the information for developing files related to soil, management, climate (The data related to climate were obtained from climatology station of region), slope (This factor was determined by Geowepp software) and channel were collected. In this region there are 21 soil types, 18 management types, 4 channels types. After making the files, WEPP model was run via Geowepp software. It is notable that in this software water erosion and sediment amount was estimated by three methods of hillslope, watershed and flow path. In these methods sediments estimated were 8.52, 4.08 and 14.24ton/ha/year, respectively. According to estimated results, the hillslope and flow path methods with 8.52 and 14.24 ton/ha/year were in good agreement with actual amount (11.2) and are suitable for the erosion and sediment estimation of Bar-Erieh watershed.

Dendrostellera lessertii Van Tiegh has been distributed around rangeland of Iran as an endemic plant species. The plants were not interest for animal and poultry, because of un-palatability. It’s leaves extraction contains poisonous chemical materials which prevents cancer cells progression. The pure extraction D. lessertii’s leaves effect on alkaline phosphates’ enzyme of four types of human cancer cells. The seeds of D. lessertii were collected from ranglands of Esfahan and Markazi provinces of Iran. Seeds, after 42 hours being under running water, were disinfect with NaOCl (1%) for 5 min and cultured on medium treatments in a complete randomized block designed and the means of them were compared with Duncan test at a=5%. The best treatment for shooting was MS medium contains 1/2 KNO3, BAP (0.3 mg/l), 2ip (0.3 mg/l) and IBA (0.01 mg/l). Rooting of shoots carried out in 15 culture medium treatments (root’s hormone, semi-solid or liquid substrate and concentration of sucrose and macro elements). The best treatment for rooting was 1/3 MS semi-solid contains 1/3 macro elements, 1/2 KNO3 and 1/3 Sucrose, with the IBA (0.5 mg/l). Rooted plantlets translated to puts contains humus, perlit and sand with the same amount (1:1:1) in germinator for adaptability.

In this research utilization of beech bark at two different level of press time 5 and 6 min., mat moisture content 11,13, and 15 percent and combination contents of 0,10,15,and 20 percent (Base of Residues) were considered. Based on the DIN-68763 standard physical and mechanical properties including MOR, MOE, IB, and thickness swelling (after 2 and 24 immersion in water) were tested. Based on the factorial experimental design at completely random test was analysis. The potential utilization of beech bark in particleboard production including: beech bark (15%), Press time (6 min.) and mat moisture content (15%) were optimum condition.

Morphological and karyotypic studies were performed on two onobrychis subspecies, aucheri subsp. teheranica and aucheri subsp. psammophila. In the laboratory, a cytological study was done and according to informations, chromosome numbers and ploidy levels of species were identified. Chromosome characters including: Total length of chromosomes, long and short arms length and arm ratios were determined. Karyotypic symmetry of species was determined by using the S%, TF% and X parameters. The results showed that the subspecies of teheranica was diploid (2n=2x=16). and subspecies of psammophila was tetraploid (2n=4x=32). Karyotypic formula and karyotypic symmetry showed that the subsp. teheranica was 7m+1sm, allocated to 1B class and subsp. psammophila was 12m+4sm, allocated to 2B class. According to the morphological and karyological characteristics, two subspecies have important differences and we cannot be regarded as subspecies of aucheri. The suggestion of borenmoller on regarding the two subspecies as two species is prefered.

Hasan Abad forest park with an area about 144/7 ha on eastern slope of Abidar mountain in Sanandaj Pure species types existing in park are located as fellows: Fraxinus rotundifolia, Robinia peseudoacacia, Pinus nigra, Pinus eldarica, Cupressus arizonica, Thuja orientalis, and Celtis australis. In order to investigate of quantitative and qualitative characteristics of existing trees and shrubs, we needed inventory. Hence, line transect inventory method was selected. The results showed that average density of species in whole park was 731 per ha. Also, based upon this study Pinus nigra, Cupressus arizonica, Pinus eldarica and Thuja orientalis have devoted the highest percent of viability respectively, but this value for celtis australis, Fraxinus rotundifolia and Robinia peseudoacacia was lower. Since most of cover percent in park were devoted to ash and black locust, vitality in this park is low , as a whole. Conifers have better conditions than hardwood in view point of vitality. Water deficiency and irregular irrigation system in park, are the most important factors for paucity of natural regeneration. , Robinia peseudoacacia and Fraxinus rotundifolia contained the highest mortality because of water stress and irregular irrigation. High soil compact and high litter thickness are the main limiting factors against natural regeneration in conifers types. Dominated stool groups of Robinia peseudoacacia and Fraxinus rotundifolia constitute regeneration in park. Regeneration situations (stools and sprouts) are not favorable, totally. Percent of destructive (damaging) factors like pests and diseases also, are high.