Journal of Plant Research
Year:2016 | Volume:29 | Issue:4 |Papers Count:20

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between tree- and herb-layer regading to some variables in Hyrcanian beech forest, Northern Iran. For this research, field data from 24 circular 400 m2 sample plots in the inventory grid of 100 m ´ 150 m were used in beech stand. All trees with a diameter at breast 2 cm in each plot were measured to determine the frequency. Herb-layer species richness (herb-layer SR) was estimated in each plot. Humus layer thickness were measured at center and 4 corners of sampling points. The results showed that the humus thickness was significantly positively correlated with beech frequency (P=0.009) but there was no significant relationship with other tree species. Herb layer was significantly negatively correlated with maple frequency. Beech frequency was significantly positively correlated with hornbeam trees (P=0.036), and as well as negatively with maple (P=0.000) and alder trees (0.036). Analysis of variance showed that the altitude had no effect on trees abundance in deciduous braod-leaf forest.

Achillea is one of the important medicinal plants in Iran which has been used widely in medicinal, cosmetic and health care industries. Agro-morphological diversity of wild populations of Achillea nobilis L. subsp. neilreichii and A. aleppica DC. subsp. aleppicawas investigated. The investigated traits were: plant height, plant diameter, flower diameter, number of flowers and fresh and dry weight. Results showed that there are significant differences between populations, and some populations showed distinctively better results than the others. In A. nobilis, Population "Gilan7" showed highest amount and "Semnan" showed the lowest amount for different agro morphological traits. Correlation effect analysis of A. nobilis Populations showed that there are significant positive correlation between yield (average fresh weight of each plant) and flower diameter. This is the only correlation found between vegetative and reproductive traits. Cluster analysis groupedA. nobilis populations into 5 clusters. The valuable by-product ofAchillea is mainly located in the flowers and top part of the flowering stems so cluster 4 and 5 contained most desirable populations because they had highest amount of flowers and flower diameter. InA. aleppica, "Elam" population with high amount of flowers (8.17) and lowest amount for plant diameter is a Superior population because it let us to have more plant in a unit area. These results are very helpful for improving and introducing more suitable varieties.

The aim of this study is to investigate and to compare soil carbon sequestration in broad leaves and needle leaves afforestation stands in Makhmalkooh forest park in Khoramabad. Soil samples were taken from depth 0-5 and 5-15 cm in each type and some soil properties such as pH, organic carbon, and texture were analyzed. In each depth, soil organic carbon was measured and the amount of carbon sequestration were computed and compared for each types. The results showed that broad leaves species, ash, redbuds, olive, Persian oak resulted to more soil carbon sequestration compared to needle leaves, Turkish red pine, Mediterranean cypress. Also in unplanted area close to plantation the amount of soil carbon sequestration was significantly higher than other plantation types in the 0-5 cm depth and in the 5-15 cm depth, Persian oak and Turkish red pine had the highest and lowest amount of carbon sequestration respectively. While it is expected that needle leaves with higher growth rate and leaf area, result to more soil carbon sequestration, in short time the slow rate of coniferous litter decomposition result to less soil carbon sequestration in needle leaves stands compared to broad leaves stands. The pattern of organic carbon sequestration in afforested stands less than 20 years is decreasing, while after 20 years it follows an increasing trend. It is concluded that broad leaves trees show more effects on soil organic carbon than needle leaves trees but more effects on soil organic carbon can be seen at older stands.

The present research is an attempt to study certain responses of some accessions of saffron (Crocus sativus L.) to salinity and ameliorative effects of salicylic acid. For this purpose, the effect of four concentrations (0, 100, 200 and 300 mM) of NaCl on some biochemical parameters in leaves of saffrons collected from different regions of Iran (Natanz, Deyhook, Ghaenat) have been studied. In this research the effect of foliar application of salicylic acid with two concentrations (0.5 and 1 mM) has also been investigated. Our results showed that the contents of hydrogen peroxide, malondialdehyde and proline increased in all accessions under salinity stress and salicylic acid reduced them in Natanz. Activity of antioxidant enzymes, peroxidase, catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, polyphenol oxidase and superoxide dismutase in three accessions was measured. In Natanz the activities of antioxidant enzymes increased at first and then decreased and salicylic acid treatment reduced the activities of the enzymes. In Ghaenat the highest activities of enzymes was detected under maximum salinity and salicylic acid (1 mM) reduced the activities of the enzymes. The obtained results of these analyses demonstrated that Ghaenat is the most resistant accession and salicylic acid could improve oxidative damage in saffron under salt stress.

In this study, the gamma rays with high energy was investigated. This radiation can cause gene expression and genetic variation and induce undesirable recessive genes and useful trait. Consequently is able to produce plants with high potential for secondry metabolite production. Auxilary buds from Artemisia aucheri Boiss grown in MS medium after two weeks were exposed to 50, 100 and 200 Gy and were then grownin vitroculture. Then physiologic and antioxidnt factors measured after four weeks. Dry and fresh weight increased with gamma rays. Total phenolic increased in radiated plants and calli. The amount of condensed tannins in plant was decreased in 50 and 100 while was increased in 200 Gy. Amount of condensed tannins in callus didn’t display difference between control and treated samples. Total flavonoid in plant significantly was increased in 50, 100 Gy and was decreased in 200 Gy.

The genus Lonicera (Caprifoliaceae), introduce with 9 species in Iran. The main purpose of this study was to analyze leaf and stem anatomical characters of the members of the genus Lonicera and also evaluating the systematical efficiency of these features. In this study, collected the plant samples to study the anatomical structure of the species, Then used method of cutting and colouring manually at the laboratory. In this study, used light microscope for imaging the anatomical structure of the leaves and stems. Although were considered of various anatomical characters differences between species bu t it seem anatomically character could not distinct exact boundaries between the species. The results obtained from this research confirmes usefulness this characters for identification of the genus. Species could not separate from each other by means of anatomical characters Concurrent use anatomical trait with other taxonomical character could possible distinct exact boundaries between the species. In addition to providing anatomical photos of the species and the species distinguishing characters were presented.

The effects of several factors and variables which determine forest stand structure, aren’t equal. Some of these factors, which have large effects, named as principal factors or principal components. Diagnosis and separating of this principal factors from others are very important. One of the suitable methods for determining of principal factors, is Principal Component Analysis (PCA). In this research by PCA method, 12 forest stands of Oak (Quercus persica) and Pistachio (Pistasia atlantica), with different climatic and topographic conditions, selected and classified then by using of 31 environmental variables and structural characters, those principal factors were analysed. Results showed that variations between regions is relatively high, where 66.2 percent of total variations display in the first three axis. Regions of Cheshmehdaulat, Dalabpain and Nakhjirbala have minimum variability and regions of Melagavan, Meimeh, Nakhjirpain and Tajarian have maximum variability. In comparison to regions, we can named first axis as diameter or age axis and named second axis as almost species diversity. Variation between variables is too relatively high, where 61.3 percent of total variations display in the first three axis. Percent of health trunk, species diversity, tree density, number of dry branches, mean diameter at breast height and total canopy have larger variations in comparison to other variables.

Lead Stress is one of the most important environmental stresses that limit plant growth.Nitric oxide (NO) in signal transduction and biological and abiotic stress response is involved. In this study, the effect of nitric oxide of lead stress on proline, soluble sugars and activities of antioxidant enzymes in 401 Hyola canola plants in hydroponic culture using Hoagland solution was investigated in roots and shoots. Statistical analysis using SPSS and the comparisons were performed using Duncan. Three levels of lead by Pb (NO3) 2 [0, 100 and 200 mM] and two levels of NO by sodium nitroprusside [0 and 100 mM] took place. Lead to mild stress, root proline increased significantly and NO increases the plant adaptation to the environment. Soluble sugars in roots and shoots were not significantly increased. Peroxidase enzyme activity was significantly reduced in all treatments, roots and shoots. CAT activity in shoots under stress conditions lead to significantly reduced but Root catalase activity did not change significantly. Peroxidase and catalase enzyme activity loss can be caused by the activity of NO as an antioxidant.

To study salt stress tolerance, changes of some solutes such as proline, soluble total proteins and carbohydrate contents in canola seedling’s roots and shoots were studied. Three winter cultivars of canola (Brassica napus L.), including Colvert, Symbol and Agat were treated with 0 (control), 50, 100, and 150 mM NaCl for 6, 12 and 24 h in hydropoic conditions. The data were first tested for normality and then were analyzed according to 3-factorial balanced CRD with three replications. The ANOVA results showed that significant differences between cultivars and salt treatments. Physiological parameters showed significant differences in salinity treatment levels in either roots or shoots. LSD mean comparisons showed the highest accumulation of proline and protein in Colvert roots and shoots at 150 mM NaCl while the highest amount of soluble carbohydrate contents were identified in Colvert roots and shoots in 100 mM NaCl. The results suggest that solutes inhanced in response to salt in salt tolerant canola cultivar.

Helali Protected Area with ca.63495 ha. is located in west of Gonabad and southeast of Bajestan, Khorassan Razavi province, NE Iran. Biodiversity has an important role in environment protection. In order to study the plant biodiversity of Helali protected area, three sites including plain, foothill and mountainous areas and three sites with different grazing management were selected and the stratified random samples (236 plots of 1 m2) established to record the abundance and cover of each plant species. The results of biodiversity and its effective factors showed that mountainous site contains maximum value of richness (DMg=9.76) and minimum value of evenness (E=0.18). There were not significant differences in diversity of different aspects. Moderate grazing site illustrates maximum diversity and positive effect of controlled grazing on biodiversity (DMg = 8.31, H = 4.82 and E =0.36). Comparing the two years 2011 and 2012 in mountain site denotes affirmative effect of precipitation on biodiversity. Among the Rank- Abundance models, abundance data of the whole area, mountain and foothill sites fit to the lognormal model. On the other hand, plain site is fitted to logarithmic model that might be considered as an alarm for the site.

Knowledge appropriate quantity information from forest stand structure in the natural conditions is the first step in protecting and restoration the endangered species habitats. The objectives of this study were to contrast the structural diversity of three, native stands of Persian ironwood using common structural indices and measure the range of interspecies and interspecies competition. For this purpose three one hectare study sites in the Patom district from Kheyroud forests, were selected and within sites 30×30 m gird plot established and in the intersection point of girds diameter at the breast height, tree height, crown diameter, distance and angle among trees were measured for the closest beech to the intersection point as reference tree and other three nearest neighbors the to the reference tree. Our results showed that Persian ironwood tends to be fairly pure in species composition, have slightly heterogeneous diameter distributions, uniform tree height, and the stems have an average distance between trees of 6.0 m. The results indicated that trees in the canopy layer were more vital and decrease of height differentiation and a raise of tree–tree distance caused better vitality classes. It can be assumed that the vitality of the Persian iron wood is better related to inter-specific competition. We conclude that Persian ironwood is successes in the interspecies competition and the interspecies competition was the most important variable influencing on the trees vitality.

Agropyron intermediumspecies has good quality and the preference value that is important in soil conservation and forage production for livestock. Ecological niche factor analysis (ENFA) is a multivariate approach to the study of the geographical distribution of species based on environmental factors and present only. For modeling, vegetation data in addition to site condition information including topography, climate, geology and soil were prepared. Within each sampling unit, three parallel transects with 150m length, each containing 15 quadrats were established. Sampling method was randomized-systematic method. Quadrats size determined for each vegetation type using the minimal area and their number were determined according to vegetation variation. Soil samples were taken from 0-30cm in along of each transects and soil properties were measured in the laboratory. For data analysis and prepare environmental variables maps geostatistical methods. Biomapper4 Software was used for habitat suitability map for A. intermedium. According to the results of the model habitat suitability for A. intermedium species is more in the height evolution (2550m), slop (45%), organic matter and lower lime and clay-loam soil in site study. Accuracy model is calculated 84% using continue Boyce index. Kappa coefficient obtained by matching the prediction map with ground truth (kappa=0.76) to verify the accuracy of the model results. In addition to, the results of this study indicated that this species has a moderate tolerance to the environmental variables, Also has lower specialized that can tolerate life in the range of environmental variables in the study area.

Milkweed is a valuable medicinal plant, which grows in some regions of Iran. Its immense medicinal properties, which are of high value, have made it an important crop to be cultivated commercially. This plant is propagated from seed and root and shoot cuttings, both of which have some problems. Therefore, new propagation methods should be studied, for example, tissue culture. This study aimed at obtaining the appropriate concentrations of plant hormones in tissue culture conditions. The experiment was carried out based on a completely randomized design with three replications. We study effect of 2, 4-D concentration (0.1, 0.5, 1, 2, and 3 mgL-1) for callus initiation and BA and NAA, each at five levels (0.1, 0.5, 1, 2, and 3 mgL-1) for explants regeneration. Medium was MS with the following modifications: ammonium nitrate, potassium nitrate, calcium chloride, thiamin and Myo-Inositol concentrations were, respectively, 2000, 2400, 600, 4, 300 mg, 30 g sucrose and activated charcoal (3%). Mature embryos were used as explants and morphological traits such as embryo size, produced callus size, number and size of shoots and roots were recorded. Results showed that 2, 4-D increased the size of cultured embryos, significantly (P£0.05). Highest embryo volume was observed in cultures treated with 3 mgL-1 2, 4-D. The highest callusing was recorded in 1 mgL-1 NAA. Effects of BA and NAA concentrations were significant; the highest values were observed with combined of 1 mgL-1 BA and 2 mgL-1 NAA. In rooting stage, 1 mgL-1 NAA treatment was able to induce the highest root number.

The Dorema ammoniacum of Apiaceae family is a medicinal, and forage species that wide range of its habitats have been destroying since last 4 decades. At southwest of Sabzevar, was conducted a study for predicting the Kandal density in degraded lands by neural network model in 2014. Independent variables consist of (soil texture, EC, pH, SAR, N, P, K, cations, organic matter and lime) and the dependent variable was Kandal density. After drawing the rangeland border on topographical map and satellite photo, we collected 70 systematic-random samples consisted of independent variables and the dependent variable from Kandal habitat. Of this number, 50 samples for training, 10 samples for cross validation and 10 samples for testing were assigned. Then 8 samples were collected from the degraded rangeland and they input to the model. The results showed that Kandal plant has no even relation with all of environmental agents, and Plant density correlated with EC (-93%), potassium (95%), cations (-92%), SAR (-79%), soil texture (80%), and alkalinity (4%). the least Kandal density with 0.12/m2 belonged to degraded rangelands that they plowed over the past 45 years, and the most plant density with 0.23/m2 belonged to degraded rangelands that they have plowed since 3 years ago too. The prediction of the Kandal density showed that the more intense destruction rangeland is increased, the more dispersal will be created in soil agents, and this gradually resulted in migration and extinction of kanal in the future.

Each plant species have due to the habitat characteristics, ecological requirements and specific tolerance with some soil properties. Siahboneh Rangeland was selected with about 5000 (ha) area in Haraz, province of Mazandaran for this research. The purpose of this study was to investigate the type of pollination, the distribution of species and some ecological indicators including humus, pH, nutrients, tolerance of salinity and heavy metals, variability of soil moisture. Field data were collected in the 2014 spring and summer. The plant species were collected and then identified based on families, genera and species using appropriate reference. Soil samples were taken from 0 to 30 cm depths of in each plot. In the laboratory, pH, humus, moisture, Salt, heavy metals and nutrients including P, N and K were measured. Then plant species were classified using Flora Indicative software based on ecological indicators. The results showed that 70.7 percent of species had dispersal using wind and 45.25 percent of them pollinate using insects. The tolerance of species in ecological indicators results showed that most species had high tolerance into pH, humus and nutrient. Also 131 species grown soil with low moisture in the study. Only 20 species had the ability of absorption of heavy metals in the study area.

Aim: The treatment of the electromagnetic field is a the physical pretreatments of seed to increase yield of plants. In this paper, the effects of electromagnetic fields on seed germination and growth parameters of Nigella sativa L. were investigated. Materials and Methods: In the study dry and wet seeds are exposed to two electromagnetic fields strength of 1.6 and 0.8 mT for 30 minutes and seed germination were evaluated.3 months after sowing the Growth and development of seedlings was investigated. Results: Dry seeds germination comparing to wet and control seeds had a significant increase. Plant samples of dry pre-treated seeds, showed significant reduction in time to start flowering in both the intensity of the electromagnetic fields, (p<0.001). Plant samples from wet pretreated seeds, arrived late reproductive stage and the delay was significant in both field strength (p<0.05). Root length, shoot length, number of leaves, stomatal density of plants from dry pretreated seeds showed a significant increase. Lateral branches showed a significant increase in wet pretreated seeds. Leaf area in plant samples of both pretreated seeds comparing to control samples showed a significant increase. Conclusions: These studies show that electromagnetic fields can affect seed germination and plant growth and development.

Erodiumis a genus of Geraniaceae with about 75 annual and biennial species which are distributed in almost all continents except Antarctica. In this project pollen morphology of 8Erodium species of Iran investigated by light and scanning electron microscope.14 qualitative and quantitative features considered. All studied species showed monad, isopolar, prolate, spheroidal to oblate – spheroidal pollen grains with tricolporate apertures. Exine sculpture was of reticulate – striate to striate and gemmate types. Multivariate statistical analysis revealed the diagnostic value of pollen morphological features in species separation. Based on present study on pollen morphology, grouping result is in concordance with sub-generic classification. Pollen features are capable of Species separation inErdoium species of Iran.

Salicylic acid is one of growth regulator that has important role in regulation physiologic process in plants. Current investigation for studying effect of salicylic acid spraying on qualitative and quantitative characteristics in Rishbaba grape in 2013- 2014, performing in randomized complete block design with 4 repelication. The treatment in experiment was 150 mg/lit concentration of salicylic acid in 4 growth stages includes: vegetative growth, 50% of flowering, complete sour grapes, and three weeks before harvest. The results shows that applying salicylic acid increased cluster number in tree, cluster length, berries number in cluster, length and width of berries, average weight in 100 berries, juice volume, total sugar in fruit, titratable acidity and single seed weight in Rishbaba cultivar than control. Percentage of total soluble solids did not increased than control. In general, results of this research shows that salicylic acid spraying has positive effect on improved growth stages and grape production.

Peach has high nutritional value that can be used fresh or processed. Today, hormones and nutrients are used in order to improve shelf life of many horticultural crops in the world. This study, the effect of different levels of methyl jasmonate (0, 100 and 200 ppm) and salicylic acid (0, 1 and 2 mM), and their interactions on biochemical characteristics of “Elberta” peach to be considered during storage. Thus, experiment, in a randomized complete design with 9 treatments and 4 replications. Then, shelf life characteristics such chilling injury, electrolyte leakage, lipid peroxidaion and peroxide hydrogen content, and antioxidant enzymes activates such as catalas and peroxidase were studied. Generally, the results showed that treated fruits had lowest chilling injury, electrolyte leakage, lipid peroxidaion and peroxide hydrogen content and highest antioxidant enzymes activity, compared with control and between treatments, methyl jasmonate 200 ppm and combined with salicylic acid 1 mM had highest effect on shelf life peach.

In the present study, variability in the essential oil content and composition of different plant organs (leaf, flower, stalk and root) of Salvia sahendica were studied. The hydro distilled essential oils were analyzed by GC-FID and GC-MS to determine their chemical composition. The essential oil content (w/w %) was in the order of: leaf (1.2%)>flower (0.6%)>stalk (0.06%)>root (0.04%). The total number of compounds identified and quantified were 44 in leaf, 46 in flower, 42 in stalk, and 45 in roots, representing 99.6, 99.3, 98.2, and 99.4% of the total essential oil, respectively. β-Pinene (3.5-16.0%), manool (0.0-13.7%), abietatriene (0.0-11.2%), α-pinene (7.2-12.2%), trans -metamentha-2, 8-diene (1.2-11.1%), linalool acetate (3.2-10.7%), bornyl acetate (2.8-9.4%), bicyclogermacrene (3.6-9.3%) and 1, 8-cineol (2.0-8.5%) were the major compounds in all plant organs. Cluster analysis of the essential oil components grouped studied plant organs into two main clusters. Leaf and stalk were divided from the flower into two sub-clusters. Root was indicated in the second main group. Chemical diversity of the essential oil of S. sahendicaplant parts can be considered by medicinal plants breeders and pharmaceutical industries for breeding and processing uses.