Journal of Plant Research
Year:2018 | Volume:31 | Issue:2|Papers Count:20

In order to study the effects of different levels of salinity and salicylic acid on physiological parameters of Balangu (Lallemantia royleana Benth. ) a factorial experiment was conducted based on completely randomized design (CRD) with five treatments and three replications. Two experimental factors were included five different salinity levels (0, 2, 4, 6, 8 dS/m) and two different concentrations of salicylic acid (0 and 200 ppm). Based on results, the interaction of treatments on proline of leaves, photosynthetic pigments, protein content, the concentration of Na and K in leaves and also the activity of catalase and proxidase enzymes activity were significant. According to the results by increasing the salinity stress, the proline content increased 189% compared with control treatment, whereas application of salisilic acid decreased the proline content about 84%. The highest amounts of protein of leaves observed in control treatment without application of salisilic acid. Application of salicylic acid resulted in higher activity of catalas in salinity levels of 2-6 dS/m but in 8 dS/m, catalas activity decreased significantly. Salicylic acid application also increased the activity of proxidas in salinity level of 2 dS/m, but in higher levels of salinity the activity of proxidase decreased. In general, it could be conclude that in higher levels of salinity, application of salisilic acid because of increasing undesirable effects of salts, negatively affected the studied parameters.

The current research was performed in two regions of control and degraded areas in Ivan county in Ilam province. In both regions, a number of four areas were selected randomly according to the indicator standing concept. In each area, 16 circle plots with an area of 1000 m2 were determined for sampling shrub and tree species. Two microplots (1m2) were sampled for sampling herbaceous species in each main plot. As well, soil sample was sampled in three locations per plots (0-20 cm depth) which a combined sample was analyzed for finding soil chemical, physical and biological characteristics. The analyses of DCA and PCA methods were shown that the sample plots were separated according to species composition and environmental variables. The results of soil characteristics and diversity indices based on the main attributes indicated that higher amount of species richness, soil nutrient and soil biological activities were found in the control region. Otherwise, species evenness, percentage of soil sand, lime, and salinity were highest in the degraded area.

Cadmium (Cd) is a heavy metal and the extra concentration of Cd around the root create metabolic problems in the plant. To study the effect of silicon on the availability of Cd accumulation in roots and shoots of morphological and physiological effects on the Portulaca oleracea, a factorial experiment in a completely randomized design with three replications. The experimental factors consisted of different concentrations of cadmium (0, 20, 40 and 60 mg Cd kg soil) and two levels of silica (without silicon and with 0. 937 mg Si kg soil), respectively. The results showed that the plant height, number of lateral shoots, leaves and root dry weight and the amount of photosynthetic pigments, at concentrations of 20 Cd had no significant with control (p≤ %5), but with increasing the concentration of Cd, was observed in the above mentioned factors. Amount of carotenoeid and proline increased by increasing Cd content up to 20 mg. kg-1 over the control. Applying silicon significant positive effect on the main stem height, number of lateral shoots, leaves and root dry weight and levels of photosynthetic pigments (p≤ %5). In the plant exposed to silicon the amount of biomass was significantly increased compared to control %5 at level. The amount of biomass declined with increasing the concentration of Cd. However, it is understood that a positive effect on the treatment silicon can increase strength and improve the indices of heavy metal cadmium.

Environmental stresses, particularly water and salt stress, are considered as one of the major obstacles in the production of agricultural crops in many parts of the world, especially in arid and semiarid regions such as Iran. Satureja is famous aromatic and medicinal genus which is very important in economical, medicinal and pharmaceutical aspects. In this study the effects of NaCl concentration on composition of essential oil of Satureja rechingeri was investigated. The salt treatments were 30, 60, 90, 120, and 150 mM. The essential oils were obtained by hydrodistillation method and were analyzed by capillary GC and GC-MS. Carvacrol as the main component of the oil does not follow the trends of increasing or decreasing regularly so that its highest and lowest content were observed in control and 30 mM respectively. Also other components including linalool, thymol, 4-terpineol does not follow the trends of increasing or decreasing regularly. The results of this study show that salt stress causes changes in composition of essential oil of Satureja rechingeri.

Studies and investigations on the ecology of any area based on Identification of vegetation cover and evaluation of geographical distribution of plants in each area. The purpose of this study was to introduce floristic list, life forms and geoghraphic distribution of Aran & Bidghol deserts area plants. This region covering about 605100 hactars and is located 5 km of north of Aran & Bidghol. The results showed that 347 plant species existed in the region belonging to 58 families and 230 genera. A total of 230 genera, 32 genera (13. 9 %) and 43 species (12. 4 %) belong to monocotyledons class and 193 genera (83. 9 %) and 296 species (85. 3 %) belongs to dicotyledons class. The families with high number of species are including, Chenopodiaceae (60 species), Asteraceae (37 species), and Poaceae (Each 33 species), Brasicaceae (30 species), and Fabaceae (30 species) respectively., the genus Astragalus L. and Salsola L. (12 species), Atriplex L. and Calligonum L. (8 species), Nepeta L. (5 species), have more speceies respectively. Geographical distribution showed the Iranian-Turanian vegetation area has more species with 205 species (59 %), then Iranian-Turanian/Saharao-Sindian with 47 species (13. 5 %), Cosmopolite with 24 species (6. 9 %), Iranian-Turanian/ Mediterranean with 21 species (6 %) and 15 species Iranian-Turanian/Europea-Siberia/ Mediterranean vegetation area, respectively. According to Raunkiaer’ s life form, species followed as: 44 % therophytes (153 species), hemicryptophytes (67 species), 19. 3%, therophytes (184 species), phanerophytes (60 species), 17. 3 %, 11. 2 % chamephytes (39 species).

Calendula officinalis is a perennial herb with bisexual and functionally female florets often used for medicinal purpose and ornamentation. The inflorescences is capitule and consists of fertile and solid sterile florets. Sterile florets consists of ray florets with decresed generation system. Fertile florets are divided to two groups of bisexual and female florets. In bisexual florets, the anther wall is composed of epidermis, endothecium, middle layer and tapetum. But the middle layer degenerates and only in primary levels distinguished. The tapetum is mainly secretive. For bisexual florets, cytokinesis is simultaneous and leads to tetrahedral tetrads. Bisexual florets are functionally male and solid. Also female florets have active ovules. Ovules are unitegumic, tenuinucellatae, anatropus. Before the differentiation of micropylar cells in to egg cell and synergids, two polar nuclei fuse and sntipos start degenerating. Development of embryo sac follows the monosporic, polygonum type.

Canola as one of the crops which is being cultivated in order to produce edible oil, have essential importance, however, it is severely influenced by salt stress. In the aim of studying effects of salinity on the growth characteristics and proteome profiling changes, Sarigol (salt-sensitive) was cultured under greenhouse conditions and salinity stress exerted at three levels, including 0, 175 and 350 mM NaCl. Seeds were sown in the current hydroponic system. To study the changes of proteome profile, 2-dimentional gel electrophoresis technique was used. The results indicated that fresh weight, shoot dry weight, shoot height, grain yield, and 100-grain weight significantly decreased with increasing intensity of salinity stress and proline concentration increased in leaves as well. Comparing the proteome profile of seed demonstrated that 29 spots with differentially expression changes occurred under 350 mM NaCl. Differentially expression spots were identified and grouped in six functional categorize, including carbon metabolism, defense/detoxification, storage proteins, photosynthetic, nitrogen metabolism, and synthesis/degradation. The majority of identified proteins involved in carbon metabolism and defense/detoxification. Salt stress decreased significantly the growth characters of Sarigol and altered proteome profile and protein expression of seeds. More than 60% of spots indicated significant down-regulation.

Chlorella are used as medicine, aquatic foods and biofilter. For this reason increases of its biomass and some of metabolites have economic value. The aim of this research was study of stimulating effect of some phytohormones on biomass and important metabolites contents of Chlorella sorokiniana. In this study C. sorokiniana was cultured at modified Bold Basal Medium. Glucose monohydrate (5gl-1) and different proportions of plant hormones naphthalene acetic acid (NAA), benzylaminopurin (BAP), indolebutyric acid (IBA) and indoleacetic acid (IAA) were added to medium. Dry weight, pigments and protein contents were measured. At 75% of NAA+BAP treatments, these growth parameters increased. At treatment with NAA (10mgl-1) +BAP (1mgl-1), these parameters significantly enhanced compared to control. At treatment with IAA (1mgl-1) +BAP (2mgl-1), dry weight and content of chlorophyll a, significantly increased compared to control. At treatment with IBA+BAP, dry weight and metabolites had not significant difference or reduced compared to control. The highest proportion of dry weight, cell numbers and pigments and protein contents were observed at NAA+BAP treatment. Results showed BAP, NAA and IAA had the greatest additive effects on growth traits respectively, but IBA had little effect on these traits.

In this study, uptake and accumulation of cadmium (Cd) by Malva parviflora L. and as well as some growth parameters were investigated in hydroponic medium. After collecting from the industrial area of Khuzestan steel company, the seeds were sown on the pots containing humus commercial soil and kept under controlled conditions. 47-day-old plants were transferred to nutrition solutions including 0 (control), 10, 50 and 100 μ M of Cd. The plants were harvested at 0 (control), 1, 2, 6, 10 and 14 days after supplement with Cd treatments. Based on these results, Cd concentration in shoots and roots showed an increase with increasing Cd concentration of medium. However, both concentration and accumulation of Cd in the roots exhibited higher values than that in the aboveground organs. At 100 μ M Cd, maximum Cd concentration in the shoot and root was assayed 224 and 1548 mg/kg DW, respectively. In each harvest time, with increasing Cd concentration of medium, length, fresh weight, dry matter of shoots and roots, blade area also index of tolerance significantly decreased in comparison with control. With regard to TF < 1, it seems that the roots of Mallow mainly possess higher capability than aerial parts to accumulate Cd. In summary, M. parviflora prevent Cd toxicity effects probably by reducing more translocation of Cd to the shoots.

Zinc is one essential micronutrient in all plants that its deficiency is widespread in Iran. Effects of silicon on alleviation of deficiency or toxicity of some minerals have been reported. In order to evaluation of effects of silicon on mitigation of Zn deficiency on rice plants, experiments carried out in growth chamber or outdoor. Plants cultivated in hydroponics culture with two levels of Zn treatments including 1 and 10 μ gL-1 Zn and two levels of Si including 0, 1. 5 mM. The results indicated that fresh and dry weights, root lengths of plants and shoot to root ratios decreased Zn deficiency compared to controls; however, Si application increased fresh and dry weights, root lengths and shoot to root ratios of plants in Zn-deficient treatment. Zn deficiency imposed decreased of Zn accumulation in plants that led to increase of H2O2 level and lipid peroxidation and decrease of chlorophyll and soluble proteins in plants. On the contrary, Si application increased Zn accumulation in Zn-deficient plants. In addition, reduction of H2O2 level following Si application in plants grown under Zn deficiency may indicated decrease of oxidative stress in plants. As a results, chlorophyll b, carotenoids and xanthophylls, soluble proteins increased in shoot of Zn-deficient plants due to Si nutrition. The Si nutrition increased poly phenol oxidase activity in roots that probably led to increase of lignin in Zn-deficient plants. The results indicated Si application could reduce oxidative stress and chlorophyll and soluble protein depletion of plants grown under Zn deficiency by increase of Zn content that led to better growth of rice plants.

In recent years, the use of oils and herbal products are considered as an alternative for diesel fuel. In addition to reducing the price of biodiesel produced from using herbal oils, which help to protect the environment. So far, the suitability of rapeseed, soybean and palm oil in direct injection diesel engine is evaluated. In the internal combustion engines, only approximately 1/3 of total fuel input energy is converted to useful work. Reduction of heat losses in different parts of the engine will lead to increased efficiency and useful work. The main aim of this research paper is to evaluate the effects of the biodiesel herbal fuel and nanocatalysts containing cerium oxide and molybdenum oxide on energy balance of a diesel engine using diesel-biodiesel-nanocatalyst fuel blends. The research engine was a single cylinder, four-stroke, direct injection and air-cooled diesel engine. The engine was run at the speeds of 2100 rpm and full load conditions. The thermal efficiency (useful work), transferred energy to the cooling system, exhaust gases and also unaccounted losses including lubricating oil heat loss and convection and radiation heat transfer were computed using the first law of thermodynamics. The results showed that by increasing the amount of biodiesel and nanocatalysts in diesel fuel, the thermal efficiency was increased. The highest increase in thermal efficiency was observed to be 7. 7% related to B10 and 90 ppm nanocatalyst, in comparison with the net diesel fuel. Also, by increasing biodiesel the transferred energy to cooling system and exhaust gases were increased while the inclusion the nanocatalysts to dieselbiodiesel fuel blends these values decreased.

Viola odorata belongs to the family Violaceae, has medicinal properties due to presence of compounds such as carbohydrates and mucilage found in its leaves and flowers. Polysaccharide hydrocolloids including mucilage compounds are abundant in nature and commonly found in many higher plants. These polysaccharides constitute a structurally diverse class of biological macromolecules with a broad range of physicochemical properties which are widely used for various applications in pharmacy and medicine. This study was conducted to investigate and trace the mucilage compounds in the various stages of development of the leaves of V. odorata, due to the economic and systematic values of these proprietary compounds. in this study, the disinfected seeds were maintained under greenhouse conditions and conducted in a completely randomized design. (16 hour light/8 hour dark, 80 % RH at 25 ± 2 ° C). To investigate and trace the mucilage compounds in various stages of plant growth, the cross-section of the leaves were made and were then painted with mucilage detection reagents. Results showed that the number of mucilage elements is very low at seedling stage and the mucilage compounds limited to cell wall. In the vegetative stage, an increase in the number and diameter of mucilage cells and their integration were observed. In the reproductive stage, the mucilage channels and cavities were created from fusion of adjacent cells especially in the area near the lower epidermis and main vein. Mucilage compounds increased with the increasing age of leaves, that this may be a developmental-protective reaction. This feature can be used in order to increase the production of pharmaceutical compounds of V. odorata.

In this study, the effect of salicylic acid and penconazole on some of plant growth indices in Carthamus tinctorius under salinity was investigated. Sodium chloride (0, 100, 200 mM), salicylic acid (1 mM), and penconazole (15 mg l-1) were applied for 21 days during vegetative growth of plants. Results have shown that the exogenous application of growth regulators to salt-stressed plants increased some growth parameters. Salicylic acid increased the amount of total chlorophyll content, carotenoids, anthocyanins, and flavonoids in plants. Penconazole increased the amount of total chlorophyll content under salinity, reduced carotenoids and increased flavonoids under 200 mM treatment, increased anthocyanins in control plants and 100 mM treatment and increased total sugar in control plants and 200 mM sodium chloride treatment. Simultaneous application of salicylic acid and Penconazole increased the amount of total chlorophyll content under salinity, increased carotenoids, increased flavonoids under 200 mM treatment, increased anthocyanins in control plants and under 100 mM treatment and increased total sugar in control plants and 200 mM treatment of sodium chloride. Overall, it seems that the exogenous application of salicylic acid and penconazole can cause the adaptability of safflower to salinity. Due to the low price and availability, the use of these components can be considered in order to increase the resistance of safflower to salinity.

Pistacia vera cv. Ghazvini rootstock is considered as one of the important pistachio rootstocks in tolerance to salinity, calcareous and resistant to drought. In order to providing a reliable protocol for micro-propagation of this rootstock, the efficiency of modified GNH media (GNH-A and GNH-B) compared to MS, WPM, DKW or GNH media was studied. Moreover, the effect of different concentration of BAP (1. 1, 1. 8 or 3. 6 mg/l) and L-glutamine (0. 0, 400, 800 or 1600 mg/l) to improve shoot-let production rate with the lowest physiological disorders was survived. Results revealed that the greatest buds and shoots number per explants (34. 46 ± 3. 16 and 4. 23 ± 0. 46, respectively) were attained significantly on GNH-A medium compared to the other media studied. Integration of BAP at different concentrations, affected significantly all the studied growth traits, producing the highest shoot number (6. 66 ± 0. 48) when GNHA was supplemented with 3. 6 mg/l BAP. Furthermore, application of exogenous 800 mg/l L-glutamine in GNH-A medium improved significantly both shoots height and fresh weight (1. 20± 0. 06cm and 0. 31± 0. 02g, respectively), in comparison with control. In rooting stage, the incorporation of NAA into media significantly increased rooting percentage compared to IBA. Finally, we strongly believe that these results will open new insights for researchers towards efficient culture media improvements for economically important woody plants, Pistacia vera species, in particular.

The study of plant vegetation's plays essential role in monitoring of vegetation dynamics, and consequently in management of environment and conservation of plant biodiversity in a given region. In the current study, floristic, vegetation form and chorotypes of mountainous region of Gunbruf in Sahand Mountains situated in Tabriz-East Azerbaijan Province-Iran, was investigated during 2008-2012. Identification of plant scientific names was carried out based on APG, and vegetation form of plant species was determined based on Raunkier vegetation classification. The numbers of 403 plant species belonging to 242 genera from 50 families were identified. The majority of the species were from Asteraceae and Poaceae. The highest and lowest vegetation forms were hemichryptophytes (44%) and Phanerophytes (6%) respectively. Throphytes with 33% of total species had the second largest species richness. Over 60% of species in the studied area were perennials while the rest 39% were annuals. The greatest vegetation elements (68%) in the region belong to Irano-Turani while the smallest percent allocated to Sahara-Sandi vegetation with 1% of species. The highest value of hemichryptophytes was expected in the region due to having cold climate, but therophytes with 33% was found to be unusual for the mountainous region, may indicate the appearance of drynees in the region. The results of the current study strongly suggest the application of conservation programs in the study area in order to prevent the vegetation distraction in the region.

Early blight disease caused by Alternaria solani is one of the most important damaging diseases common in most plants from the family solanaceae. At present, the most practical way to control this disease is to use fungicides. Considering the importance of early blight disease and excessive consumption of chemical pesticides, this study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of non-toxic compounds (Mycorrhiza agent) in controlling the disease. In this study, the mycorrhizal fungi Glomus moseae, G. rubi and Scutellospora sp were extended on corn roots. Then the effects of these factors were monitored and evaluated on plant indices as well as on pathogenicity of the fungus Alternaria solani under greenhouse conditions. The results from greenhouse experiments suggested significant impacts of arbuscular mycorrhizal compounds in reducing wave spot disease of tomato. The best treatment on the height of the stems and roots of tomato, respectively, were Scutellospora with G. mousae + Scutellospora (growth increases of 30. 86% & 19. 05%), and the highest influence on fresh s (31. 37% & 47. 81%, respectively) of shoot and root was found with G. moseae. The treatment G. mousae + Scutellospora obtained the greatest root dry weight (40. 79% & 52. 60%, respectively). The same treatment reduced the symptoms caused by the fungus A. solani up to 46. 08%. Mycorrhizal treatments, therefore, are very effective on tomato growth increase and reduced disease severity by A. solani fungus, and can be a suitable choice to replace chemical pesticides yielding completely organic products.

Propolis is a compound, produced by bees after collection of plant resin and mixing with beeswax. This rubbery material, due to its phenol and flavonoid, is one of the strongest natural materials with antibacterial properties which is used by bees to protect against external invades. The aim of this study is to investigate chemical analysis and antibacterial activity of poplar resin and propolis (produced by bees) extracts. In this study, the effect of ethanol and ethyl acetate extract of propolis and resin on three human pathogenic bacteria and two plant pathogenic bacteria have been investigated. Antibacterial activity of extracts was estimated by the well diffusion method. The extract compounds were qualitatively investigated. Results showed that, ethanol and ethyl acetate extracts of propolis and resin have antibacterial activity against plant and human pathogenic bacteria, however, antimicrobial effect of resin extract was higher than propolis extract. On the other sides, Plant pathogenic bacteria showed more sensitivity than human pathogenic bacteria to extracts. This is the first report of antibacterial effect of resin and propolis extract of poplar on plant pathogenic bacteria in Iran.

Floristic studies of any regions have high importance, because the florists list is an exploration document to identify the existing species and consequently the potential of the area. The aim of the study was introducing the flora of the transitional zone of Irano-Turanian and Sahara-Sindian phytochoria in Sistan and Baluchestan Province. For a floristic study of the area plant specimens were collected and identified. Field data collections were conducted during the year 2013. The life forms as well as geographical distributions of the species were determined. Flora in this region include 51 families, 233 genera and 327 species. The larger families are Compositae (42 species), Poaceae (39 species), Brassicaceae (28 species), Papilionaceae (27 species) and Chenopodiaceae (25 species) respectivly. The biggest genus was Astragalus with 7 species. Biological types of this area included Therophytes (37. 92%) where the dominant life-form followed by hemicryptophytes (22. 94%). phanerophytes (18. 96%), Chamaephytes (14. 37%) and Geophytes (5. 81%). Chrological analysis showed 24. 77% of the studied plant species belonged to Irano-Turanian / Sahara-Sindian region and 24. 16% Sahara-Sindian, 22. 33% Irano-Turanian, 3. 36% cosmopolitan elements and others are ploriregional. According to the results of this study, it can be concluded that the research area is located in Ecoton region.

Allelopathy can play an important role in control weeds. Achillea L. is a plant with allelophatic activity. By considering abundance of Achillea species in Iran, a laboratory experiment in 2013-2014 in Isfahan University of Technology was implemented. In this experiments aqueous extract from two Achillea species collected from different region of Iran, including A. nobilis (khorasan), A. pachycephala (Golestan) and A. pachycephala (Hamadan) on Amaranthus retroflexus at concentrations of 0, 3, 6, 12, 25, 50 and 100 percent was performed. The results showed that various concentrations of aquous extract have different effects on target species and their characteristics. Genotype of A. pachysephala of Hamedan has stronger allelopathy effect and genotype of Golestan has the lowest one. Extracts in concentrations between 3 to 12% have a stimulatory effect and in concentrations of 25 to 100% showed inhibitory effect.

The floristic investigation of each area is one of the most effective methods for managing and conserving genetic storages of existing biodiversity. The Sheyda Protected Area with 23832 hectars is located in Chaharmahal Va Bakhtiari and its geographical position is 50 ̊ 25ˊ to 50 ̊ 44ˊ E and 32 ̊ 33ˊ to 32 ̊ 41ˊ N. The minimum and maximum elevation is 2100 and 3165 from sea level, respectively. In this study plant species in the area were collected and 316 plant species from 48 families and 206 genera were identified. The plant species mostly belong to Asteraceae (56 species), Fabaceae (36 species), Lamiaceae (32 species), Poaceae (29 species), Apiaceae (25 species) and Brassicaceae (18 species) families and Astragalus (17 species), Centaurea (10 species), Cousinia, Nepeta, Salvia, Stachys (5 species), Silene, Bromus and Hordeum (4 species) genera. Among these plants about 44. 9 % are (medicinal), 34. 8 % (pastural-feed), 6. 6 % (poisonous), 5. 3 % (weed), 4. 4 % (industrial), and 3. 7 % (soil conservation-cover) uses. The life form of plant species according to Raunkierʼ s method are consists of 48. 7 % hemicryptophytes, 31. 3 % therophytes, 10 % camaephytes, 8 % geophytes and 2 % phanerophytes. The chorotypes of plants species showed that 64. 2 percent (203 species) of the plant species belonged to Irano– Touranian zone. Other species in addition to Irano– Touranian zone grew in other geobotanical zones too.