The aim of this study is to propose a modification of TWINSPAN algorithm with introducing new stopping rules for TWINSPAN. Modified TWINSPAN combines the analysis of heterogeneity of the clusters prior to each division to prevent the imposed divisions of homogeneous clusters and it also solved the limitation of classical TWINSPAN in which the number of clusters increases power of two. For this purpose, ecological groups of Box tree stands in Farim forests were classified with using classical and modified TWINSPAN basis of plant species cover percentage of 60 plots with 400 m2 surface area which were made by releve method (by consideration of indicator stand concept). In this relation, five different heterogeneity measures including Whittaker’s beta diversity and total inertia, Sorensen, Jaccard and Orlo'ci dissimilarity indices which representing diversity and distance indices respectively were involved. Sample plots were also classified from basis of topographical properties using cluster analysis with emphasizing Euclidean distance coefficient and Wards clustering method. Results showed that using of two sets of heterogeneity indices lead to different classification DENDROGRAMs. In this relation, results of Whittaker’s beta with total inertia as diversity indices were similar and the other three dissimilarity indices have shown similar behavior. Finally, our results reiterated that modified TWINSPAN did not alter the logic of the TWINSPAN classification, but it increased the flexibility of TWINSPAN DENDROGRAM with changing the hierarchy of divisions in the final classification of ecological groups of Box tree stands in Farim forests.

Summary: One of the most important methods in unsupervised datamining is clustering  that when applied on variables leads to dimension reduction. Among all of them, fuzzy clustering methods are preferred because of special features and better flexibility in partitioning groups.  In this study, FANNY algorithm proposed by Kauffmann and Rousseuw has been applied in variable clustering of the  geochemical stream sediments that have a compositional nature. Referring to the extensive recent researches and novel methods presented in opening  compositional data, another definition of distance is needed for them to be transformed isometrically to the euclidean space to be interpretable with classical operations. In this case study after preparation of geochemical stream sediments data of Anar region in Kerman, first the exploratory DENDROGRAM of the simplex space was plotted and 4 clusters were obtained. Then using fanny algorithm, clr-transformed variables were clustered. It showed an acceptable conformity with the DENDROGRAM results. In case of determining the balances of SBP manually instead of default and with a prior knowledge, the results of exploratory DENDROGRAM would be more precise.Introduction: Geochemical exploration based on stream sediment analysis, is one of the most important methods in assessing mineral potentials in prospecting brownfield areas. Different statistical methods have been developed to identify the pattern of groups of associated geochemical elements in the last decades. In this research, stream sediments data clustering of Anar exploratory region have been analyzed with a particular perspective of the closed nature of geochemical datasets using two known methods, fuzzy clustering and exploratory DENDROGRAM.Methodology and Approaches: First, using R software compositions-package, exploratory DENDROGRAM of compositional data was calculated and plotted based on ward criterion and default sequential binary partition balances in simplex space. Due to applying this method, 4 clusters were detected. Then by applying  fanny algorithm (cluster package) –one of the most flexible ones in fuzzy clusterings –on clr- transformed data, 4 clusters with the best silhouette were determined. The fuzzification degree was selected in a way that would be near to crisper methods like DENDROGRAM in order to compare the results.Results and Conclusions: Although different methods applied on transformed compositional data, their similar results showed very good conformity with lithology and geological structures. It presented a good separation in simplex space. If the balances in SBP are to be defined manually, the reduced dimensions of the variables would be more informative.

This research was performed to evaluate morphological diversity of 40 thornless blackberry genotypes to find their relation with thornless resources. The samples evaluated based on blackberry descriptor in SANRU blackberry collection. Results showed high diversity in empty seed, taste, weight and titrable acidity of fruit with 100, 59, 43 and 42%, respectively. Empty seeds showed positive correlation with number of shoot (0. 325) and cross section of stem (0. 365) and negative correlation with fruit TSS (-0. 393) significantly. Morphological cluster separated two different class of thornless genotypes. The first class included Thornless Evergreen and Everthornless as first (chimera cultivar) and second (tissue cultured cultivar) resources of thornlessness in blackberry and separated based on flower lengths, TSS/TA, seed number and weight traits. The first class included most of evaluated thornless genotypes and it indicated genetic and recessive type of thornlessness (tissue cultured cultivar) which is the most popular cultivar in Mazandaran, Iran. Homonym genotypes identified, too. In second class, the vigorous thornless cultivars which could be related to poly ploiid cultivars belonged to Merton source of thornlessness, separated from others. Therefore, two early sources of thornlessness identified between Iranian genotypes inside of 'Merton thornless'. It seems that other distinct thornless genotypes related to evolution of thornlessness in diverse climate of north of Iran and will be valuable for future studies.

Subtilisin genes, which encoding serine protease, have an important role in the pathogenicity of dermatophytes. The aim of this study was considered the presence of Subtilisin gene (SUB) and its similarity in 25 clinical and nonclinical samples of two dermatophytes, Trichophyton verrucosum (T. verrucosum) and Microsporum gypseum (M. gypseum), by using molecular method and designing DENDROGRAM. 64% (16/25) strains showed the active presence of the gene. Statistical analysis of data showed the correlation among the presence of SUB gene, the host (human/ animal/ soil) and the type of dermatophytes (p0. 05). By using NTSYS software, UPGMA method and cut off number 70%, the strains were classified in 10 different genotypes according to their similarities to SUB gene (the Simpson coefficient of primers was 0/88). Due to different reports of presence/absence of Subtilisin gene in clinical and nonclinical strains of Trichophyton verrucosum and Microsporum gypsum, in this study, new primers were designed and synthesized to confirm the presence of Subtilisin gene in strains 64% of the, which, of course, requires more studies for further confirmation.

Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) is one of the most important economical crops in Iran. The present study was conducted to evaluate the morphological characteristics and yield of saffron corms in six regions of Talesh city, Guilin province (Iran) with different altitudes. The studied regions were considered as treatments and the obtained data were analyzed based on a nested design. The results showed significant difference among the cultivation areas in terms of number, diameter and dry weight of corm. The areas with altitudes of ~ 1250 and ~1400 m produced the maximum number of corm per plant (7.64 and 6.16, respectively). The highest corm diameter (15.7 mm) and dry weight (0.94 g) were produced in the plain region with ~30 m altitude. Direct associations were observed among environmental factors such as precipitation, relative humidity, annual mean temperature and saffron corm weight. According to the results of the present experiment, saffron corm can be efficiently produced in Talesh region of Guilan province.

Eleven goat breeds of different origin (10 Spanish and 1 African) were considered for this study: Zambian Dwarf, Azpi-Gorri, Blanca-Andaluza, Blanca-Celtiberica, Blanca de Rasquera, Catalana, Malaguena, Moncaina, Murciano-Granadina, Negra Serrana and Pyrenean. Nine linear body measurements for females, as well as the body weight ratio between gender and body weight, were obtained from literature and compared. Our results showed that the two principal components (PC) accounted for near 94% of total variation. The PC1 included the ratio between sexes, body weight and thoracic perimeter while the PC2 included body weight and ratio of body weight between sexes. Interestingly, all these high discriminating traits - body weight, body weight ratio between gender and thoracic perimeter- are related with body weight. The clustering of breeds according to those three traits offered a good picture of breeds according to their origin, with a cophenetic correlation, a measure of how faithfully a DENDROGRAM preserved pairwise distances between the original unmodeled data points, high.

Introduction: Russian olive (Senjed) is planted in a large area in Iran, and at the same time, there are limited natural habitats for its species. This elder tree can be found in different types of soils and moisture conditions, but preferably it grows better in flood plains and humid coastal areas. Russian olive has a special place as one of the important products of Kerman Province. The area under cultivation and the amount of its production in Kerman are 309 hectares and 1100 metric tons, respectively. In this province, native trees are mainly cultivated along streams and on the edge of fields due to the deliciousness of their fruits. In spite of the wide variety and potential of it, there is less information available on the number of species and the genetic diversity of local genotypes. This study, as a preliminary investigation, showed the existence of high morphological diversity in the native Russian olive genotypes of the province, which reveals the importance of using them in future multi-breeding programs. Material and methods: In this research, six qualitative traits include fruit shape, fruit aroma and flavor, fruit skin color, fruit ripening date, flowering date, and leaf shape, and fourteen quantitative traits including panicle length, panicle width, petiole length, petiole width, thorn length, thorn width, fruit length, fruit width, seed length, seed width, fruit tail length, fruit tail width, fruit weight, and seed weight were studied between 22 Russian olive native genotypes from Sirjan, Bardsir and Kerman regions. Results and discussion: The results showed the existence of many traits among genotypes. The average fruit length was 1.87 cm, fruit diameter 1.12 cm, fruit weight 1.49 grams, seed weight 0.52 grams, leaf length 4.27 cm and leaf width 2.48 cm. The highest fruit weight and fruit quality and flavor were reported in genotype number (4) of Mahmoudabad, Sirjan. The highest positive correlation coefficient at the probable level (p<0.01) was observed in petiole length and spine length (r=0.669), petiole length and fruit tail length (r=0.601), and fruit length and fruit diameter (r=0.584). Analyzing into main components in qualitative traits showed that the first two components explained 62% of the total changes. In quantitative traits, the first five components included 74.77% of the total changes. Based on the DENDROGRAM of the scatterplot of quantitative and qualitative traits, all genotypes were divided into three separate groups. In the present research, the classification of masses based on quantitative traits did not follow their geographical distribution. Conclusion: The highest fruit weight belonged to the genotype of Mahmoud Abad Sirjan, which is a tropical region of Sirjan, and it had a sweet taste and a good aroma. The highest correlation values of traits were observed in PC1 between the traits of flowering date, leaf shape, leaf, fruit and seed dimensions, as well as seed weight. The presence of superior leaf traits and the subsequent improvement programs on them can expand the scope of use of elderberry from the fruit-only state. Environmental conditions and being at different heights above sea level do not play a significant role in the classification of genotypes.

Narcissus is a member of the Amaryllidaceae family. This specie is very important in the world as an ornamental plant. In order to study the diversity between narcissus genotypes, an experiment was conducted in a completely randomized block design with 13 genotypes and 4 replications at Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources University of Khuzestan. In this study, effective indicators on cut flower quality include: number of flowers, stem height, stem and flowers weight, solution uptake, visual quality, chlorophyll of leaf, florets proline, soluble carbohydrates of florets, total phenols of florets, malondialdehyde content of florets, protein, activity of peroxidase and catalase enzymes activities were measured. The results showed that based on the cluster analysis of physiological data, genotypes were divided into two main groups. The first group included the genotypes of Kazerun, Behbahan, Jahrom, Ilam, Shiraz and Kerman. In this group, important traits such as total chlorophyll, solution absorption and total phenol had the highest amount. The second group was divided into two subgroups. Subgroup A included Khosf, Ghaemshahr and Khorramabad genotypes and subgroup B included Ahvaz, Abdanan, Gachsaran and Mehran. Subgroup A, traits such as proline content, malondia aldehyde, antioxidant enzymes peroxidase and catalase were effective factors in this group. Subgroup B had the highest total protein and soluble carbohydrate properties. It was found that the populations of Ahvaz, Abdanan, Gachsaran and Mehran, having the highest amount of total protein and soluble carbohydrates at the end of the experiment, and the content of proline, malondialdehyde, antioxidant enzymes peroxidase and catalase were at a low level, after 10 days, therefore, they introduced as superior populations for cut flowers. In general, the study showed that there is a high morphophysiological diversity in the native genus of narcissus, which can be the result of very different climatic diversity in Iran, as well as mutation and sexual reproduction by seeds in this plant. In general, understanding such a high diversity is useful in the management and protection of the germplasm of this plant and helps the breeder in determining the strategies of exploitation, breeding and domestication and cultivation of this plant.

Genus of Juniperus is one of the widely distributed plants from coniferales in the world which is native to moderate regions of central and south Asia. In this study, RAPD markers were used to evaluate the genetic variation among 21 samples of Juniperus (collected fram 6 habitat of Tandure National Park of Iran). The 7 RAPD primers produced 58 scorable bands of which 33 (57%) were polymorphic. The pair-wise genetic distance was from 0.129 to 0.788. The average Heterozygosity within accessions (Hs) was 0.213 and the total heterozygosity was 0.326. The Fst Index was 0.346 and the gene flow (Nm) was 0.944. The DENDROGRAM constructed using UPGMA method, distinguished 2 main groups among 6 accessions of Juniperus that had good compatibility with geographical map of park and was also confirmed by PCoA. Based on the high level of genetic diversity within the accessions in comparison with the genetic diversity among the accessions, the confirmation of AMONA analysis, and the relatively good level of gene flow among the accessions, we can conclude that there is a good amount of gene exchange among Juniperus accessions, due to ease of pollen transfer from zone to another zone using wind, birds, insects and….

The genus Triticum L. includes bread wheat and other important cultivated species, which are economically important for large parts of the human food. In this study, we conducted a phylogenetic analysis of A genome-possessing species of genus Triticum L. (T. aestivum, T. turgidum, T. urartu and T. boeticum). Here, the internal transcribed sequences (ITS) of nuclear ribosomal DNA were amplified by two pairs of primers in 26 genotypes from the above species. Sequenced amplicons were aligned by ClustalW. Divergence matrices and phylogenic DENDROGRAM were made by MEGA 5. 0. Results revealed the full length of sequences of ITS1 and ITS2 were 650 bp and 700bp, respectively and G+C content were 60. 25 and 60. 50 in them. High levels of conservation in sequences were found among genotypes (%63 and %88). Phylogenetic analysis using amplified sequences were successfully divided diploid and polyploid wheats into individual groups. Regarding to the results, there were close relationships within T. aestivum and T. turgidum and also within T. urartu and T. boeticum. However, our analysis suggests that the ITS molecular markers seem to be proper tools for plant phylogenetic studies.