Iranian Journal of Rangelands and Forests Plant Breeding and Genetic Research
Year:2020 | Volume:27 | Issue:2 (54)|Papers Count:12

Prangos ferulacea L. is a member of the Apiaceae family. Considering the importance of this, industrial and forage plant, it is necessary to study the genetic diversity and determine the affinities of its different species. In this study, the genetic diversity of 19 ecotypes of Prangos ferulacea collected from different regions of Iran was investigated using ISSR and RAPD markers. Five ISSR and eight RAPD primers were used to investigate the genetic diversity of the ecotypes. The RAPD primers showed a total of 44 scoreable bands from which 42 bands were polymorphic. Seven RAPD primers revealed 100% polymorphism. Out of the 21 scoreable bands produced by the ISSR primers, 18 bands were polymorphic. The mean values of PIC for RAPD and ISSR markers were 0. 330 and 0. 304, respectively. The mean valus of Nei's genetic diversity (H) for RAPD and ISSR markers were 0. 332 and 0. 396, respectively, and Shannon's index (I) for RAPD and ISSR markers were 0. 48 and 0. 55, respectively. Based on the information obtained from cluster analysis using UPGMA method, the ecotypes were divided into eight groups for the data obtained from two marker systems. Although there was a high genetic diversity among the studied ecotypes, the results of cluster analysis showed that the genetic diversity did not correspond to the geographical variation among the identified groups. In general, studies on P. ferulacea ecotypes showed that the RAPD and ISSR molecular markers were suitable for investigating the genetic diversity of this species, and were able to indicate a wide range of genetic diversity.

Chaste tree (Vitex agnus-castus) is one of important medicinal plant that plays a key role in the women health. Due to high variation within the specimens of this plant, genetic diversity between 19 genotypes was investigated using 13 ISSR primers. The ISSR primers were able to produce a total of 74 bands, of which four were single bundle, and the rest were polymorphic. The mean of polymorphism percentage among the genotypes was 95%. The polymorphism rate observed for primers of UBC824 (80%), IS14 (83%), UBC851 (83%) and IS11 (89%) and for other primers were 100%. In total, based on all the indices, the most suitable primers for assessment of genetic diversity of Vitex agnus-castus were IS16, IS5, and UBC807. Genetic distance of the genotypes ranged from 0. 195 to 0. 593 using Dice coefficient. The results of cluster analysis using UPGMA method based on Dice coefficient, the genotypes classified into three groups. Based on the first and second coordinates, the distribution diagram of the genotypes were in agreement with the results of cluster analysis. The results of grouping was also confirmed the analysis of molecular variance.

Astragalus hamosus L. is an annual, herbaceous belonged to Leguminosae family. Understanding the pattern of plant species diversity is important in breeding programs and leads to awareness of evolutionary processes. This study was conducted on protein diversity of the ecotypes of this plant species. According to the protein variation analysis of A. hamosus, the polymorphism index content (PIC) was calculated as 0. 49. Cluster dendrogram was drawn using Dice similarity coefficient and UPGMA method. The ecotypes were classified into three subgroups with cophenetic correlation coefficient 0. 88. Out of the 13 ecotypes, 11 were grouped together with relatively high similarity. Kermanshah ecotype no1 was significantly separated from other ecotypes. According to the results of the expression of seven peptides studied in 13 ecotypes, the highest and lowest cumulative expression levels belonged to peptides6 and 7 with 24195 and 4328 units by PhoretixPro software, respectively. Based on biplot analysis, the highest expression of peptides in all different ecotypes was related to peptide 4 of Kermanshah ecotype 2. Peptide 7 was not expressed in any other ecotypes, even at very low levels. It was concluded that a new protein was added to the protein profile of A. hamosus in the Kermanshah ecotype with the emergence of this peptide.

Awareness of the pollination system and the amount of self-incompatibility of plant species is the first step in choosing appropriate breeding method. This study was carried out to determine the rate of self-incompatibility and the amount of self and cross pollination of Satureja sahendica and S. bachtiarica. For this purpose, paper bags were used for self-pollination treatments, while in control treatment, flowers were allowed to receive pollens from other genotypes. The pollens viability and stigma receptivity were also determined. Flower morphology such as flower length, calyx length, corolla length, anther length, style length, peduncle length, reproductive leaf height, position of anthers relative to each other, position of style relative to stigma, the number of pollen and ovule were determined. Self-incompatibility indices in S. bachtiarica and S. sahendica were 96 and 79%, respectively. The results of this study indicated that the amount of self and cross pollination could be a promising way to produce hybrid seeds through inter and intera species breeding. Practical results of this study that can be used in domestication and breeding improve varieties of these two mentioned species. In both species anthesis started in the fifth and sixth days after flower opening. At this point, the stigmas are at the peak of acceptance that can be pollinated by pollens for two days having the highest survival rate.

Because of increasing saline lands and decline the desirable agricultural lands for cultivation, the identification of salt-resistant medicinal plants is in high priority. For this purpose, an experiment was conducted to identify sustainable ecotypes of fennel at three levels of salinity stress in the greenhouse of the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Birjand, Iran, during the years 2014-15. The experiment was performed as factorial based on a randomized complete block design with two factors. A) 10 ecotypes as: Sardasht, Saghez, Kerman, Tabriz, Sabzevar, Rum, Khousf, Bojnord, Mashhad and Shabesta and B) three salinity levels: 3, 6 and 9 ds/m of Nacl with three replications. The results showed that, the salinity levels of 3, 6, 9 ds/m explained 72. 0, 69. 1 and 65. 2% of the total variation using GT (Genotype × Trait) Biplot, respectively. Similarly, for total of salinity stress GT-Biplot explained 65. 2% of total variation. Using polygonal diagram of genotype × trait, in stress 3 ds/m, the highest variation explained by ascorbate peroxidase, chlorophyll a and total chlorophyll, in stress 6 ds/m explained by superoxide dismutase, in stress 9 ds/m explained by chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, total chlorophyll and superoxide dismutase and in the total salinity stress levels explained by chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, total chlorophyll and superoxide dismutase, respectively. For all of stress levels, Tabriz ecotype for catalase, proline and malondialdehyde content, Mashhad ecotype for chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, total chlorophyll and ascorbate peroxidase and Rum ecotype for superoxide dismutase were superior to other ecotypes, respectively. Based on all traits and in all environments, Mashhad ecotype was better and more stable than other ecotypes.

Belladonna (Atropa belladonna), from Solanaceae, is an annual plant and has an important tropane alkaloids called hyoscyamine. Considering the pharmacological and economic importance of A. belladonna and priority in its domestication and cultivation, advances in its tissue culture and regeneration methods of this plant under in vitro conditions is important to facilitate methods of gene transfer to this medicinal herb. So, in this research, optimization of cultivation conditions for callogenesis and regeneration of Atropa belladonna was investigated. For callogenesis, belladonna sterilized seeds were initially sown in MS medium. After seed germination and seedlings growth for two months, stem and leaf explants were cultured in MS medium including a combination of different hormonal concentrations of 2. 4-D (0, 0. 5 and 1 mg/l) and Kin (0, 1 and 2 mg/l). To evaluate the regeneration percentage of callus from shoot explants, Kin hormone was used in four levels (0, 3, 5 and 8 mg/l) using completely randomized design with three replications. These experiments indicated that, shoot explants had the highest callogenesis in terms of explant type. In terms of hormonal concentrations, combination of two hormones at concentrations of 2. 4-D 1 mg/l + Kin 2 mg/l+MS and also, 2. 4-D 1mg/l +Kin 1mg/l +MS showed the highest rate of callogenesis. Increase in the concentration of Kin hormone in MS medium was directly correlated with increase in regeneration percentage and the highest regeneration rate of 36. 66% was observed at 8 mg/l.

This study was conducted to preserve the genetic reserve and proliferation of old cypress of Abarkooh, (Cupressus semprvirens var. horizontalis Mill. ) in Iran via tissue culture method. In this research, the effect of different culture media including WPM (woody plant medium), modified WPM, LS, SH and QL supplemented with Benzyl-adenine (BA) at different concentrations (0, 0. 01 and 1 mg/l) at establishment stage and 0, 1, 1. 5, 2 and 5 mg/l at proliferation phase were investigated through in vitro cultivation of this plant. Rooting was studied by two methods: in vitro and in vivo culture conditions. For in vivo culture method, three ratios of coccopeat and perlite containing 1: 1, 1: 2 and 1: 3 were used. After treatment of the end of in vitro cutting explants with four concentrations of IBA (1000, 2000, 3000 and 4000 mg/l), cutting clones were cultured in the prepared media. Under in vitro culture conditions, explants were cultured in WPM medium supplemented by different concentrations of IBA (1, 2 and 5 mg/l) for root production. According to the results obtained at both phases of establishment and proliferation, the highest length of explants was obtained in WPM medium. In the proliferation phase, the maximum number of shoots was obtained in LS medium that had no significant differences with WPM and modified WPM media. By increasing the BA concentration, the number and length of shoots significantly increased. The maximum number and length of shoots were obtained at 5 and 2 mg/l BA, respectively. Only explants in WPM medium containing 5 mg/l IBA were successfully rooted.

Savory (Satureja spp. ), due to its essential oil compounds such as thymol and carvacrol, has a special place among medicinal plants. In this study, transplants of 18 accessions of six species of savory originated from five provinces of Iran, cultivated in a randomized complete block design with three replications in Tikmehdash station of East Azerbaijan, Iran. Morphological and phytochemical traits were recorded over two years. Results showed high diversity between and within the species. Among the species, S. spicigera (Ganjeh accession from Guilan) with the highest essential oil yield (20. 4 kg/h) and S. sahendica (Zinjanab accession from East Azerbaijan) with the highest establishment rate early flowering date coupled the highest amount of thymol were identified as the most compatible species. Thymol content had a positive correlation with aerial floral weight and leaf area. In cluster analysis, the species were divided into three groups: S. bachtiarica from Yazd in group 1, S. mutica from North Khorasan in group 2 and species adapted to East Azerbaijan climate: S. spicigera, S. sahendica, S. atropatana and S. macrantha in group 3. In the principle components analysis, selection based on the first and second components leads to the selection of species with high essential oil yield and oil quality, respectively. Distribution of the accession/species in the biplot diagram based on the first and second components was in agreement with the results of cluster analysis. According to the results, for cold regions, early or moderate maturity species with high proportion of leaf and flower to stem and high leaf area should be selected and the performance components should be raised to a degree that does not reduce essential oil efficiency.

Black saxaul (Haloxylon aphyllum) is one of adapted species in desert and saline soils areas and grows in sand dunes and can be used for dune stabilization. Accumulation of metabolites leading to plant osmotic regulation. The relative importance of these substances varies depending on the plant species, habitat and intensity. Therefore, this experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of habitat conditions on photosynthetic pigments, antioxidant activity, amino acids, soluble sugars and ion content of black saxaul, in two areas in Bafgh, Iran under two soil conditions (saline sodic plaiya and non-saline sand dune) using a one way AMOVA with three replications in 2016. The results showed significant differences between two habitats for chlorophyll, carotenoid, anthocyanin, phenol and antioxidant activity (p<0. 01). The higher values of these indices were observed in saline sodic plaiya habitat than to sandy habitat. In contrast, for amino acids, as: aspartic acid, glutamic acid, glycine and glutamine the higher values of 13. 27, 13. 66, 17. 01 and 12. 21 μ g/g, respectively were obtained in sandy habitat than that that for saline sodic plaiya. For other amino acids, there were no significant differences between the two habitats. The higher values of soluble sugar 26. 24 mg g-1 DW was obtained in sandy habitat that was significantly (p <0. 01) higher than that for plaiya (13. 26 mg g-1 DW). Overall, the results showed that improved the antioxidant activity, increased pigment content and modulated the ions concentration, especially the accumulation of potassium in plant organs play a key role in black saxaul osmotic regulation under salinity stress. The role of other osmolality nutrients such as amino acids and soluble sugars are more important for black saxaul growth in the sandy area with low salinity.

Genetic variation among populations has a key role in breeding improved varieties and plant adaptation. Recent studies have shown that genetic variation among populations of species are related to ecological effects. In this study, quantitative genetic variation in populations of eastern beech was investigated for leaf characteristics at three altitudes in Masal forests, Guilan province, Iran. For this purpose, three altitudes of 700, 1200 and 1700 m above sea level were selected. At each elevation, 20 individual trees were randomly selected. Then from each tree, a number of leaves were taken from the southern and northern parts of healthy crown and mature trees. Measurements were made for leaf index, petiole index, leaf area, leaf specific area, leaf specific dry weight, leaf relative water content and leaf dry weight. Data were analyzed using nested ANOVA method. The results showed significant differences between altitudes population for most of traits. The means of leaf area, leaf specific area and relative water content at mid elevation were higher than the other two elevations. The highest heritabilities were observed for leaf area, leaf specific area, leaf dry weight, petiole index and leaf specific dry weight in mid-altitude populations. For leaf index and relative water content, the highest heritability value was observed in high altitude populations. The results showed that the correlation between most of traits was higher value and significant in the middle altitude (1200 m) than the first (700 m) and the third (1700 m) altitude populations.

Thymes are native plants of Iran and are considered as the most important medicinal plants due to their unique properties. In this study, morphological, ecological and essential oil percentage variation of 15 thyme populations (eight populations of T. kotschyanus, three populations of T. migricus, two populations of T. fedtschenkoi and one population of T. fallax and T. pubescens) from natural habitats of the northwest and west regions of Iran, were studied. For essential oil measurement, the flowering shoots of the populations were harvested during flowering season and the essential oils were extracted using Kelevenjer apparatus by distilled water for three hours. By examining the soil characteristics, climatic parameters and geographical position of the habitats, it was found that despite the geographical proximity, there were significant differences between the locations in which thymes were collected. This, along with genetic differences among the populations, led to a remarkable variation for all measured traits. There was negative correlation between essential oil percentage and inflorescence length. Using principal component analysis, the first three components explained 85% of the total variation. Using cluster analysis, the 15 populations divided into three groups. The populations in the third group had the highest values for most traits followed by the second and the first groups, respectively. According to results, Ghoghjeh population had the highest values for morphological characteristics. There was also a significant difference among the populations in terms of essential oil content. The essential oil percentage of the populations ranged from 0. 92 to 2. 82%. The highest values of essential oil 2. 82%, 1. 9% and 1. 7% were obtained from Sardasht, Qushchi and Naghadeh populations, respectively. According to the results, the populations of Sardasht from T. fedtschenkoi, Qushchi from T. migricus and Naghadeh from T. kotschyanus had the highest essential oil content, and suggested for cultivation and using in related industries, pharmaceuticals, and improve breeding varieties.

In order to study drought stress tolerance in sainfoin (Onobychis sp. ), two factorial experiments were conducted based on completely randomized design under laboratory and greenhouse conditions in Research Institute of Forests and Rangelands, during 2014-2015. In this study, four species of O. michoxii, O. cristagalli, O. sativa, O. sabnitens were evaluated at four drought treatments (control 0,-0. 3,-0. 6,-0. 9 MPa) in the laboratory and (FC100% field capacity, FC75%, FC50% and FC25%) in the greenhouse. Data collected and analysis for percentage and rate of germination root length, shoot length, seedling length, root/shoot length ratio (RS), seedling fresh and dry weight and seed vigor index. Results showed that in both experiments, by increasing drought stress, germination percentage and rate, shoot length, seedling length, seedlings fresh and dry weight and vigor index decreased in all species and their lowest values were observed in laboratory (-0. 9 MPa stress) and in greenhouse (25% FC). In terms of root length and RS, the trend was reversed. In fact, at stress intensity up to 0. 6 MPa, the amount of these traits increased and then consistent or decreased. By comparison, among species in the laboratory, the highest mean values of germination percentage and seedling growth were belonged to O. sabnitens and O. michauxii. Under greenhouse conditions, O. michauxii was more efficient than other species and introduced as a drought resistant species for breeding improved varieties.