Journal of Plant Research
Year:2018 | Volume:31 | Issue:1|Papers Count:20

Savory (Satureja khuzistanica) is an important medicinal plant of the Labiatae family. This species grows in warm and dry areas of the southwest in Iran. In present study, the effect of salinity consist of 0, 50, 100, 150 and 200 (Mm) (NaCl) with SA treatments consist of 0, 0. 5 and 1. 0 (mM) in Factorial plan and quite random in 8 repeat was cultured in greenhouse to investigate and to compare activity of some biochemical and physiological features of this species in aerial parts. Data was analysed by SPSS statistic software and Duncan test. Results showed that fresh weight (FW) and malondialdehyde (MDA) decreased by sodium chloride but treatment of salicylic acid (SA) was not significantly changed. The amount of protein content was not significantly. The proline content increased by NaCl. The first, SOD and PPO activities enhanced significantly up to 100 Mm NaCl and then decreased and POX activity and H2O2 content decreased by NaCl and SA treatment. Totally results showed that range of tolerance this species was up to 100 mM NaCl and SA treatment decreased effect of stress and partly improve them.

Desert ecosystems have negative effects on the environment and restoring by different methods including afforestation with appropriated non-native species. With regard to the importance of preserving biodiversity in a more stable and better ecological cycle, also to evaluate the effects of afforestation on biodiversity, in this study we examined the effects of afforestation with Prosopis juliflora on the plants biodiversity in regional catastrophic wind erosion in the Susa, Khuzestan province. Furthermore, the effect of different canopy coverage on species diversity in the ecosystem was evaluated in this study. To this two 10-ha stands with canopy 50-25% and 100-75% were selected. Also, a 10 ha at the vicinity of afforestation site was selected as control with no afforestation practice. In each site 15 sample plots were established and woody and herbaceous species in the plots were recorded. Our results showed that afforestation led to decrease richness and species diversity. Furthermore, Simpson index of diversity, Menhenick and Smith-wilson indices are suitable diversity indices for biodiversity evaluation in study sites. Also, our result indicated that increasing in canopy coverage will result in decreasing and increasing richness and evenness respectively.

Date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L. ) production was increased impressively in Iran during 1990 decade. But for some reasons, there are possibility of withdrawing from the world market cycle, such as old groves and use of traditional methods of planting and harvest dates. This study, in order to localize commercial tissue culture propagation dates, on shoot tip explants in Murashige and Skoog (1962) culture medium, supplemented with plant growth regulators including of thidiazuron (TDZ) and 2. 4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2, 4. D), at 2 concentrations (5 and 10 mgl-1), via factorial completely randomized design in 3 replicates. In treatment with 5 (mgl-1) TDZ and 2, 4-D 10 (mgl-1) were observed the highest levels of embryogenic callus. Maximum embryo induction and differentiation to somatic embryos was occurred in MS medium with decreased carbon source to 20 mgl-1 in 10 (mgl-1) 2, 4-D with 5 (mgl-1) TDZ, treatment. In this study, the time of induction up to formation of callus, was reduced in two weeks and in the fourth week were distinct somatic embryos. Result suggested that a low content of 2, 4-D and TDZ plant growth regulators in the medium had a positive effect to reduce the duration of embryogenesity and may decrease somalonal variation in date palm micropropagation.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of salicylic acid on lead toxicity in basil following lead addition to soil. This experiment was conducted as Randomized Complete Block with Factorial arrangement. Factors included the 4 levels of lead nitrate; 0 (control), 100, 200 and 300 mg per kg of soil and foliar application of salicylic acid at 3 levels of 0, 50 and 100 ppm. Phytotoxicity of Lead was determined as plant growth, concentration of photosynthetic pigments and catalase enzymes. Addition of lead significantly reduced dry weight of shoots and roots and photosynthetic pigments and increased soluble carbohydrates, catalase and peroxidase. In addition, salicilic acid spraying had a significant influence on all traits. In this study the interaction between salicylic acid and lead on shoot fresh and dry weight, root fresh weight, chlorophyll a and b, carotenoids, carbohydrates, catalase and peroxidase were significant, and salicilic acid play moderating role and reducing the negative effects of lead toxicity. The results of this experiment suggested salicylic acid application in basil can be reduced lead toxicity by increasing growth and concentration of photosynthetic pigments.

Monitoring of acorn production has fundamental and important role in silviculture and provides the valuable information about inherent potential of oaks. In this research, acorn production of 40 Brant`s oak (Quercus brantii Lindl. ) trees were assessed and monitored in Dasht-e Arjan forests, Fars province. Sample trees were selected using stratified random sampling method and their acorns were counted on the crown in early September, just prior to acorn fall, during three years (2009 to 2011). Furthermore, DBH and two diameters of crown were measured in all sample trees. Based on the results, poor acorn production (acorn density of 10. 1) was observed in 2010 and the best one observed in 2011 (acorn density of 24. 2). Year of 2009 had intermediate situation (acorn density of 13. 6). ANOVA analysis showed that there was not significant difference between acorn density of diameter classes in 2009 and 2011. Kruskal-Wallis analysis showed the same results for 2010. Totally, Individual and annual variation in acorn production of Brant`s oak in Dasht-e Arjan forests was confirmed.

Alibolagh is one of the beautiful regions around Dargaz town, and situated in the western side of the Tandoureh National Park. Because of the existence of hills, rocky highlands, old trees, and broken trunks, the site is valuable for distribution of lichens. However, the investigation of Alibolagh’ s lichens is restricted to 18 species. The present research was done with the goals of the identification of more corticolous lichens and the investigation of distribution of the lichens on the bark of trunks and twigs. Also finding the probable relation between the heights of the thalli from the soil surface was considered. The identifications were done with using standard macromicroscopy methods and the current chemical tests. The statistical analysis was done by using SPSS. The results included 17 species with four new reports Lecanora albellula, Parmelia sulcata, Phaeophyscia cilita and Physcia caesia for Rzavi Khorasan province. The statistical analysis showed that Teloschistaceae and Physciaceae, respectively. On the other hand, the genus Physcia had the most frequency on the trunks and twigs; but no clear relationship between the height of the thalli from soil level and the species was established. Minor changes in the site of corticolous lichens did not appear to limit their vegetation.

In order to study the effect of asphalt road on species diversity of trees and shrubs in Perc forest of Khorramabad, 42 circular plots with 0. 12 ha from both sides of the road (with longitudinal intervals of 300 meters along the road and also 20, 200 and 400m intervals perpendicular to the road) were established. The indices used to investigating the species diversity were richness (Margalef and Minhinich), evenness (Simpson and Smith-Wilson) and diversity (Shannon-Wiener and Simpson). In this study, 9 different woody plant species were identified. Obtained results showed that with going away of the road into the forest, species richness and diversity significantly increase but evenness indices showed no significant difference. The highest and lowest obtained mean deviation in different distances from the road, were related to Margalef's richness and Simpson's evenness indices. In fact, the negative impact of roads on species richness has been more than evenness and therefore, preserving species richness is one of the priorities of sustainability in the region.

Several species of cedar genus known as medicinal plants are used in traditional medicine. The study of various plants in order to identify natural compounds with medicinal value is of interest to researchers. The aim of this study is to identify the chemical volatile compounds of cedar leaf extract, and to measurement the antibacterial effect of Cedar leaf extracts on Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aurous and its allopathic effect on seedlings of wheat, barley and sesame. The completely randomized experimental design with four replications was chosen to consider. The results showed the existence of 16 different volatile compounds in the extract. Di epi alpha cedrene overall (45. 85%) and alpha pinene (12. 52%) were the most volatile compounds in the extract. The allelopathy results showed that the 100(g/ L) concentrations of cedar leaf extract, wheat and sesame seed germination stops completely. In Concentrations of 50 and 25 (g/ L) leaf extract of cedar, seeds of three species were able to germinate. In wheat and barley, with increasing concentration, length and weight of shoot and root was significantly reduced. In Sesame with increasing in the concentration of the extract a significant change in the length and weight of shoot and root weren’ t observed. The results showed that cedar leaf extract has antibacterial properties. It has more inhibitory effect on Staphylococcus aureus. Percentage inhibition for Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli were 27% and 96%, respectively. Allelopathic potential of different volatile compounds of Cedar leaf extracts can be used to produce of natural and environmentally friendly herbicides. Cedar leaf extract has significant antibacterial properties. Its inhibitory effect could be evaluated against human pathogenic bacteria and could be used as a source of natural antibiotics.

Haplophyllum tuberculatum (Forssk. ) A. Juss., is a perennial plant from Rutaceae which is a valuable folk medicinal plant. The leaves, stem and root samples of shadow dried plants gathered from Hormozgan province-IRAN, were extracted with methanol and total phenolics, flavonoids and alkaloids contents were determined by spectrophotometer. Then the methanolic extract was fractionated by di-ethyl-ether, chloroform, butanol, and water respectively. The cytotoxic effects of fractionated extracts were evaluated against RAJI and A549 cancerous cell lines and intact blood lymphocyte cells by MTT assay. Results showed that the most phenolics were accumulated in stems and the most alkaloids and flavonoids contents were observed in the plant leaves. Di-ethyl-ether extract from all three plant organs had moderate cytotoxic effect (IC50 < 200 μ g/mL) against A549 cell line. Overall cytotoxic effects against A549 were more than RAJI cell line. None of the extracts had cytotoxicity against intact blood lymphocyte cells. It seems that the plant chemicals while have no cytotoxic effects on intact cells, have specific effects on different cancerous cell lines. The results suggest that the purified chemicals of the plant may be benefit for pharmaceutical uses. The present study is the first report on evaluation of cytotoxic activities of fractions with different polarities obtained from methanolic extract of Iranian H. tuberculatum species against A549 and RAJI cell lines.

The aim of this study is habitat species distribution modeling using logistic regression in Eshtehard rangelands. Homogeneous units was determined based on the slope and elevation maps and satellite images. Per unit, three transects with a length of 750 meters was established according to systematic-random method. At the beginning and end of each transect soil profile was dug, Sampling was done from the depths 0-20 and 20-80. Soil variables including gravel, clay, sand, silt, lime, organic matter, pH and electrical conductivity was measured. Also for recording the presence or absence of plant species, 15 plots was established along each transect. Size of plot sampling was determined rectangular area 2 square meters according to the type and distribution of plant species with minimum area. In the next step regression relationship between environmental factors and presence of habitat using SPSS software was obtained. The map of variables was produced by Kriging interpolation method in GIS software. The regression equation related to the presence of any type were applied on maps of effective environmental factors, and prediction map produced for each habitat. The correspondence between the predicted and actual maps was assessed using the kappa coefficient. Correspondence between the predicted and actual maps was assessed for habitat Halocnemum strobilaceum in good level (k=0/66), for habitat of Artemisia sieberi in intermediate level (k=0/46), for Artemisia sieber-Stipa barbata in intermediate level too (K=0/54) and for habitat of Artemisia sieberi-Salsola richteri in poor level (k=0/29).

Medicago sativa is from Fabaceae family that has several flavonoid compound in roots and shoots. Medicarpin is a dominant isoflvonoid that induces nod gene. In this study, PAL (phenyl alanine amonialyase) activity was assayed using spectrophotometer. In this research the concentration of medicarpin by HPLC (high performance liquid chromatography) were studied in different stages of development also anatomical structure of alfalfa were studied in different stages of development by optic microscope. The results indicated that activity of PAL enzyme are altered during the plant development. Changes of medicarpin content were correlated to the activity PAL enzyme. The highest level of the concentration of medicarpin and activity PAL enzyme were achieved budding stage of growth in root.

Artificial seed production can be considered as an alternative method to overcome the problems of cultivation, propagation and conservation of medicinal plants. For this purpose, artificial seed production using somatic embryos of two genotypes of Chavyl (Ferulago angulata L. ) (Chehlcheshme and Koohgol) was evaluated in two separate experiments. In the experiment of investigation of the number of somatic embryos (the first experiment), after observing the torpedo embryos, number of globular, heart and torpedo embryos formed on the surface of embryogenic callus were counted that the significant difference was not observed between the two genotypes in the number of somatic embryos. In the artificial seed production experiment (second experiment) produced somatic embryos were sealed using calcium alginate capsules. In this way that somatic embryos were transferred to liquid full Murashige and Skoog growth medium (MS) and mixed with sodium alginate 2 and 3% and were dropped in calcium chloride solution, calcium alginate capsules were formed within 10 and 30 minutes. The results of this experiment showed that for Chehlcheshme variety complex treatment of sodium alginate 2% and calcium chloride 25 mM for 30 minutes and for Koohgol variety complex treatment of sodium alginate 3%, calcium chloride 50 mM for 30 minutes were good to produce artificial seeds with maximum germination.

Zhumeria majdae is the medicinal, endomic and endangered plant that is distributed in the south of Iran. This plant is seen on very sharp slope of mountains at 520-1450 meters Alt. It has noticed by natives and is used for digestion painful as swelling, diarrhea, stomatchache and coolness. In this research, the sample of Zhumeria majdae were collected from 11 habitats [Geno (520 m. ), Geno (750 m. ), Abmah, Tangezagh, Finu, Keshar, Sarchahan station (810 m. ) Sarchahan (1200 m. ), Zadmahmoud, Sirmand and Bastak mounts] in Hormozgan province and were measured some morphological properties of plant (A total of 31 quantitative and 19 qualitative morphological characters). Evaluation of qualitative and qualitative characteristics were performed based on terminology and by measuring, and the statistical comparison of them were done. Then the grouping of habitats were done by hierarchical clustering. Cluster analysis of habitats based on morphological parameters were determined using SPSS software and ward. To examine the relationship between habitats with morphological characters was used PCA and PC-ORDWIND software. Using Principle Components Analysis (PCA), the results illustrated that floral branch length, flower length, calyx upper lobe length, corolla length and width, corolla tube length, style length and ovary width are the main factors that changed in different habitats and calyx length and width, calyx tube length, bract length and seed color had secondary importance.

In this study, some fruit physicochemical characteristics of two lemon varieties (Lisbon and Cook eureka) were investigated to determine the changes in bioactive compounds according to physicochemical properties during maturity until ripening stages. Fruits were evaluated every 10 days interval for one month (15 October to 15 November). The results showed that Cook eureka fruit with 131. 04 g weight, 60. 84 mm length, 115. 12 mm3 volume and 39. 22 percentage of juice was significantly larger than Lisbon. The highest amount of titratable acidity of varieties (13. 51 and 10. 95 percent in Lisbon and Cook eureka, respectively) observed at late October. Technological Index of varieties was the range of 3. 40-4. 51 percent. The highest amount of pulp phenolic observed with 1. 85 mg. g-1 at late October and 1. 48 mg. g-1 at early November in Lisbon and Cook eureka, respectively. Ascorbic acid content of Lisbon lemon was high (57. 05 mg. 100g-1) at early November. Inversely, Cook eureka showed exceeding antioxidant activity with 65. 33 % at mid-November. In addition, the lowest amount of total chlorophyll in peel and pulp of Lisbon was 0. 69 (early November) and 0. 42 mg. g-1 (late October), respectively. The amount of total carotenoid (6. 85 mg. g-1 at late October) in Lisbon was higher than other examined varieties. Therefore, it is better that fruits to be harvested before beginning of internal metabolism (15 October) or at the full ripening stage (15 November) to have higher bioactive compounds.

Temperature and photoperiod affect on the growth and biomass of microalgae. In this study, combined effects of different temperatures (20, 25 and 30° C) and different photoperiods (8L: 16D, 12L: 12D and 16L: 8D) on the density, specific growth rate (SGR), doubling time (Dt) and biomass of freshwater green microalgae Scenedesmus quadricauda were investigated. The experiment was carried out as completely randomized design in Bold Basal, s Medium (BBM) for 16 days. Results showed that density, specific growth rate, doubling time and biomass are significant differences among treatments (P< 0. 05). The maximum density (2. 11×107 cell/ml), specific growth rate (0. 24 /day), biomass (0. 30 mg/ml) and the minimum doubling time (2. 87 day) were obtained at 16L: 8D photoperiod and 30 ° C. The minimum density (8. 18×106 cell/ml), minimum SGR (0. 178 /day), minimum dry biomass (0. 094 mg/ml) and maximum Dt (3. 897 day) were at 8L: 16D light/dark photoperiod and 20 ° C, respectively. Based on obtained results, it is concluded that the increasing of light hours as photoperiod in combination with higher temperature could be make better performance for S. quadricauda in mass culture.

Efect symbiosis of fungi and bacteria in resistance to water deficit stress in alfalfa studied in a factorial experiment in a randomized complete block design with three replications 2010 in greenhouse of University of Mohaghegh Ardabil, Ardabil. Water deficit stress was applied at three levels of %35, %55 and %75 of field capacity. Treatments of insemination involved inoculating of seed with strain of Mycorrhiza(Glomus mosseae), Sinorhizobium meliloti, Sinorhizobium meliloti + Mycorrhiza, and control. Results showed that with increasing stress in treatments, sodium concentration, proline and total soluble sugars increased, , While was reduced (potassium, phosphor) concentration, leaf area and stomatal conductance. Between treatments inoculation, potassium, phosphorus, proline, soluble sugar, stomatal conductance and leaf area with the highest values (72/6, 07/5, 14/7, 05/6, 28, 66/20 to double inoculation and lowest values (13/6, 9/2, 77/4, 73/4, 15, 33/5) was awarded to control in level of stress 35% of field capacity. After double inoculation, inoculated with mycorrhizal was more than symbiosis inoculation. But sodium with the least amount (2. 53) to double inoculation and the highest amount (3. 08) to control in stress levels of 35% field capacity was related. Double inoculation with increasing water absorption, nutrients and compatible osmolytes could improve plant resistance against the deficit. Since today the indiscriminate use of chemical fertilizers, problems such as soil and environmental pollution and increase of chemical inputs has created. Therefore, the use of biological resources could be of various aspects of economic and environmental, useful and is a good alternative to chemical inputs.

Cynodon dactylon is the herbaceous, perennial, thermophilic and creeping plant of the grass family which, as an autochthon plant resistant to drought, has a major importance from the medical, economic and environmental aspects. The present study was performed to evaluate the effect of pretreatment on germination and plant growth characteristics of C. dactylon, in a completely randomized design (4 replicates). The treatments consisted of potassium nitrate (0. 1, 0. 2 and 0. 3 %), for 10 hours, salicylic acid (100, 200 and 300 mg/l) for 12 hours and gibberellic acid (GA3) (125, 250 and 500 mg/l) for 12 hours and distilled water was used as control. The results of analysis of variance showed that the applied stimulus have a significant influence on the percentage and germination rate, vigor index of the seed, root length, stipe length and seedling length within probability level of 1. In general, among the applied treatments, presoaking with salicylic acid concentrations (100, 200 and 300 mg/l) had the most positive impact on the characteristics of seed germination of C. dactylon.

Pollution of soils with used-engine oil is a common problem in both developmental and industrial countries. Previous researches showed that some resistant plants and their root associated fungal strains can grow in petroleum and its derivate polluted soils. Bioremediation of engine oil contamination of soils is based on the stimulation of petroleum hydrocarbon-degrading fungal and microbial communities. Ranunculus arvensis L. (Ranunculaceae) is one of these that collected from an industrial garage in Hamedan. Root-associated fungi of the plant were determined, showing the presence of 16 species of which 8 were determined taxonomically. Eight fungal strains were also found in non-polluted soils that four ones were determined taxonomically. Bioremediation tests with R. arvensis, with and without the fungal strains, showed that joint application of the plant and its root associated fungal strains was more effective than of the plant and the fungi separately. The most effective fungal strains were Fusarium acuminatum and Trichoderma harizana with removing 57 and 69% decreasing respectively. Based on the results, the fungal strains had the main role in bioremediation of engine oil-polluted soils.

According to other experiments, electromagnetic field is considered as kind of tension that can affect directly or indirectly on plants. Thus, an experiment was conducted as completely randomized design arrangement in factorial with three factors including 5 plant seeds [crop seeds of safflower (Carthamus tinctorious) cultivar Goldasht and four species of weeds include pigweed (Amaranthus spp. ), Portulaca (Portuloca oleracea), wild oat (Avena fatua), and Chenopodium (Chenopodium album)], magnetic field intensity (10 and 20 milli tesla for 4 hours), and seed status (wet and dry) to study the effect of magnetic field on mentioned plants seeds. The results of this experiment showed that magnetic field of 10 milli tesla increased germination traits (germination percentage, germination speed, length of root and shoot), weight and length vigor, and seedling dry weight. Magnetic field 20 of mili tesla decreased germination parameters in examined plants. Magnetic field had lower and higher effect on Portuloca and Amaranthus seeds in relative to the other plants seeds. Also, application of the magnetic field increased the activity of antioxidant enzymes (catalase, peroxidase and superoxide dismutase) and reduced of the malondialdehyde content in all seedlings.

Persian walnut (Juglans regia L. ) is an economically important fruit tree of the temperate regions of the world that is cultivated for its fruit and timber. Due to physiological and mechanical dormancy, the walnut seeds often show an inconsistent or low germination percentage, making difficult the subsequent growth of seedlings. The purpose of this experiment was to investigate the influence of stratification periods (30 and 60 days) and different concentrations of plant growth regulators (Gibberellic acid and Kinetin) on seed dormancy breaking and germination of Persian walnut. This experiment was carried out as a completely randomized design with 15 treatments and 20 replicates in condition of greenhouse. Results showed that stratification periods and different concentrations of plant growth regulators had a significant difference on the most parameters investigated (P<0. 01), as the treatment of 60 days stratification in combination with 500 ppm GA3 resulting in the greatest seed germination (99. 28%), germination rate (2. 91 seeds per day), shoot length (24. 35 cm), root length (17. 50 cm), root volume (7. 71 cm3), shoot fresh weight (6. 78 g) and root fresh weight (6. 58 g). Nevertheless, the highest content of chlorophyll a (18. 64 mg/g fresh weight), chlorophyll b (10. 62 mg/g fresh weight) and total chlorophyll (29. 27 mg/g fresh weight) was related to the treatment of 60 days stratification in combination with 750 ppm Kinetin.