Reviewing morphologic specifications of acorn leaves and fruits in lorestan province

حلقه های درختی می‌تواند به‌عنوان یک شاخص اقلیمی مفید جهت مطالعه نوسانات ماهانه و فصلی متغیرهای اقلیمی طی سده‌های گذشته به‌کار روند. برای به‌دست آوردن یک گاهشناسی منطقه ای، تعداد 54 نمونه از دو گونه درختی بلوط ایرانی و بلوط مازودار در رویشگاه دالاب در استان ایلام و رویشگاه شینه در استان لرستان برداشت شد. در این پژوهش پهنای حلقه های رویشی سالانه درختان توسط دستگاه LINTAB5 مجهز به نرم افزار TSAP مورد اندازه گیری گرفت و تطابق زمانی منحنی‌های رویشی درختان دو رویشگاه به دو شیوه چشمی و آماری توسط نرم‌افزار مذکور به انجام رسید. با تعیین میزان EPS، مطمئن‌ترین بخش از گاهشناسی منطقه‌ای (2010-1840) برای بازسازی مورد استفاده قرار گرفت. داده‌های دمای بیشینه ماهانه و فصلی ایستگاه های هواشناسی ایلام (2010-1987) و خرم‌آباد (2010-1951) برای واسنجی گاهشناسی منطقه ای در طول دوره آماری مشترک به کار گرفته شد. نتایج پژوهش نشان داد که دمای بیشینه در فصل رویشی و فصل قبل از آن بر روی رویش درختان بلوط این منطقه تأثیر منفی دارد. دمای بیشینه بهار- تابستان در منطقه مورد مطالعه طی دوره بازسازی شده (2010-1840) روند صعودی را نشان می دهد. دمای بیشینه طی دوره بازسازی شده در سال های 2010، 2000، 1984، 1966، 1958، 1955، 1952، 1945-1944، 1933، 1929 و 1904 افزایش شدید داشته است.

Aim of study: To identify and compare the early frost resistance mechanisms in three oak species (Quercus brantii, Quercus libani and Quercus infectoria). Area of study: Zagros forests of Iran. Material and methods: The physiological and biochemical variables such as chlorophyll fluorescence, relative water content (RWC), electrolyte leakage, and osmotic metabolite content, such as proline, glucose, and potassium of three oak species seedlings with varying altitudinal and latitudinal ranges were measured under various treatments, including cold treatments (4°C: control, -20°C (1 hour) and -20°C (2 hours)) and four levels of hardening steps with decreasing temperature and photoperiod. Main results: Results showed that decreasing photoperiod and temperature during cold hardening was associated with decreasing Fv/Fm, ΦPSII and electron transport rate, increasing (NPQ) measured from chlorophyll fluorescence, as well as increasing osmotic metabolite content and decline of RWC, except the glucose content decreased in Q. brantii from lower altitudes and south aspect. On the other hand, Q. libanii, which originates from higher altitudes and north aspect showed the strongest cold-resistance and faster developing cold-acclimation capacity using earlier accumulation of osmotic metabolites, diminishing RWC and subsequently lowest EL compared to the other oak species. Research highlights: The physiological and biochemical responses of oak species differed based on origin and there was a positive relation between osmotic metabolite content, NPQ, altitude, and cold stress resistance. These physiological responses, especially NPQ (as a fast and non-invasive tool) provide a quantitative assessment of the risks associated with autumn freezing in different oak species and ecotypes relevant to conservation and reforestation projects of the Zagros forests under changing climatic conditions.

Ethnopharmacological studies of medicinal plants in central Zagros, Lorestan Province, Iran

مطالعه تغییرات اقلیمی نیاز به داده های اقلیمی صحیح و طولانی مدت دارد. در این تحقیق جهت بازسازی تغییرات دمای حداکثر استان کرمانشاه، با استفاده از یک مته رویش سنج از تعداد 10 درخت کهنسال بلوط مازودار (Quercus Infectoria) در رویشگاه فریادرس تعداد 19 نمونه برداشت شد. کار اندازه گیری حلقه های سالیانه توسط دستگاه اندازه گیری LINTAB5 و با دقت 01/0 میلی متر صورت گرفت. تطابق زمانی و همبستگی بین منحنی های رویشی توسط نرم افزار تخصصی TSAP به انجام رسید. جهت حذف اثرات غیر اقلیمی از منحنی های رویشی، سری زمانی حلقه های رویشی با استفاده از برنامه ARSTAN استاندارد سازی شدند. گاهشناسی باقیمانده (RES) محاسبه شده با دمای حداکثر ماهانه ایستگاه هواشناسی کرمانشاه طی دوره 2010-1951، واسنجی شد. بر اساس روابط و همبستگی های بین گاهشناسی به دست آمده و داده های اقلیمی موجود در دوره آماری مشترک، با استفاده از روش رگرسیون خطی کار بازسازی دمای حداکثر برای مطمئن ترین بخش از گاهشناسی به انجام رسید. نتایج این بازسازی نشان می دهد که دمای حداکثر یکی از عوامل محدود کننده رویش درختان در این منطقه می باشد و در فصل رویش درختان بالاترین میزان تاثیر منفی را بر روی رویش بجای می گذارد. در این بازسازی پائین ترین دماهای حداکثر بازسازی شده در سال های 1842، 1848، 1858، 1864، 1874، 1876، 1885، 1890، 1940، 1950، 1957، 1973، 1982 و 1992 رخ داده است. همچنین بالاترین دماهای حداکثر در طول دوره بازسازی با حداقل یک درجه سلسیوس اختلاف نسبت به میانگین، در سال های 1847، 1871، 1944، 1948، 1960، 1984 و 2009 اتفاق افتاده است.

Mapping desertification potential using life cycle assessment method: a case study in Lorestan Province, Iran

Zagros forests are mainly covered by Quercus brantii L. coppices and oak sprout clumps occupy the forest area like patches. We investigated post-fire herbaceous diversity in the first growing season after fire. For this purpose neighboring burned and unburned areas were selected with the same plant species and ecological conditions. The data were collected from areas subjected to different fire severities. Overall 6 treatments were considered with respect to fire severity and the microsites of inside and outside of oak sprout clumps including: unburned inside and outside of sprout clumps (Ni and No), inside of sprout clumps that burned with high fire severity (H), inside of sprout clumps that burned with moderate fire severity (M), outside of sprout clumps that burned with low fire severity (OH and OM). Different herbaceous composition was observed in the unburned inside and outside of oak sprout clumps. The species diversity and richness were increased in treatments burned with low and moderate fire severity. However, in treatment burned with high fire severity (H), herbaceous cover was reduced, evenness was increased, and richness and diversity were not significantly changed. We concluded that besides the microsites conditions in forest, fire severity is an inseparable part of the ecological effect of fire on herbaceous composition.

In recent years, many factors such as climate change and drought have changed the Zagros forests in western Iran. Also, unsuitable use of the forest is now threatening the long-term survival of Zagros forests by local natives. The municipal solid waste (MSW) disposal of Ilam city (in the west of Ilam province) is located in the Zagros forests. In this study, the effects of the Ilam landfill on soil and Oak tree (leaf) contamination with heavy metals (HMs) were investigated. 31 points around the landfill (at different distances from the landfill) were considered for sampling, and also 6 points were selected in forest areas that are far away from pollution sources as control areas. The forest soils and oak leaves were randomly collected from the control area and landfill. The soil and tree leaf samples were analyzed for cadmium, chromium, cobalt, copper, iron, lead, nickel, magnesium, and zinc using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Several pollution indices, the Kriging method, and principal component analyses were applied for evaluating the contamination level spatial distribution, and possible sources of heavy metals. The concentrations of chromium, cobalt, and nickel in landfill soils were 531.6, 43.87, and 408.8, respectively, which were 5–10 times higher than the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) standards. The concentrations of chromium and nickel in oak leaves were 2.83 and 5.91, respectively, which are higher than the permissible limit. The results showed that there were statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) in metal soil concentrations between (lead, cobalt, zinc, and copper) the control area and landfill (with was 2 times higher than in the control). Higher values of soil pollution indices were obtained for the landfill sites than for the control sites. The findings of the spatial distribution confirmed that the heavy metals from the landfill significantly affected the soils of the Zagros forest. The presence of heavy metals in soil and leaf samples shows that contamination is due to leachate migration from an open dumping site. Regular monitoring around this non-engineered landfill is required.Graphical abstract

The oak decline is known as one of the most destructive complex diseases causing high economic losses around the world, especially in Iran. The main objective of the present study was to investigate the possible role of bacteria as causative agents of oak decline in the Zagros forests of Iran. To do this, stem, root and leaf samples were taken from symptomatic Persian oak trees (Quercus brantii) in different zones of Zagros forests (Ilam Province, Iran). From 150 bacterial isolates, 20 showed pathogenicity against Geranium seedlings. Among 20 hypersensitivity test positive strains, four strains showed pathogenicity against oak saplings. Based on morphological and 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, three strains were identified as Bacillus pumilus and one strain as non‐sporulating Gram‐negative Stenotrophomonas maltophilia. Pathogenicity studies of different B. pumilus and S. maltophilia strains revealed that they have potential to cause the disease in oak saplings and symptoms of disorder in Persian oak trees. To our knowledge, there are no previous records of B. pumilus and S. maltophilia causing decline on Fagaceous trees like Q. brantii. More detailed field and molecular studies are required to confirm the absolute role of such bacteria in occurrence of oak decline in Zagros forests.

During spring and summer of 2016, dieback symptoms including blights of leaves, twigs, and acorns were observed on current year shoots of Quercus infectoria in the Zagros oak forests of Iran. The fungus isolated from damaged tissues was identified as Discula quercina based on both morphological characteristics and ITS sequencing. To fulfil the Koch's postulates, a representative isolate was inoculated onto shoots of Q. infectoria and Quercus libani in both laboratory and forest conditions. Responses of the two oak species to inoculation with D. quercina were examined under laboratory and forest conditions in a completely randomized experiment. Discula quercina was clearly involved in oak dieback, and Q. infectoria was more susceptible than Q. libani to damage by the pathogen. This is the first record of the occurrence and pathogenicity of the fungus Discula quercina on Quercus infectoria. The fungus is considered as an emerging pathogen on oak trees in Zagros forests in Iran. Furthermore, the pathogenicity of the Discula quercina on Q. libani under laboratory and forest conditions increases the potential importance of this pathogen in Zagros forests.

Pollen grains of 3 Iraqian oak (Quercus) species belongmg to section Quercus and section cerris growing naturally in Duhok province Iraq. Three altitudinal zones (500-1000 m, 1000-1500 m, 1500-2000 m) were examined by light microscope (LM) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The main issue focused on in this study is to determine whether oak pollens have changed dimensionally and structurally according to both different latitudes and longitudes. Based on the averages obtained from seven variables, it has been demonstrated comparative data. The mean value, range (min.-max.), and standard deviation (SD) were calculated for polar axis(P), equatorial diameter (E), polar/equatorial ratio (P/E), apocolpium (AP), mesocolpiuin (ME), colpus length (CL) and exine (wall) thickness (ET). Mean values were assessed by the stattsticnl tests to compare the mean values for each variable. Pollen grains of all species are in monad, isopolar, radially symmetrical, their apertures are mostly tricolpate. Rarely 4-colporate as in Q.brantii and Q.libant, Overall mean polar length of Q.brantii, Q.infectoria subsp. Veneri and Q.libani were 24.34, 24.29, and 27.92 µm respectively. Pollen shape classes range from probate-spheroidal to sub-prolate at varying proportions for the species; Quercus brantii (P/E; 1.07 µm), Quercus infectoria (P/E;1.06 µm) and Quercus libani (P/E; 1.14 µm) According to pollen size classes, pollen grains of Q. brantii and Q. infectoria were 67% minute and 33% mediate, while in Q.libani are 100% mediate. Exine sculpturing pattern is gemmate-verrucate for all taxa

Background and Aim: Several gall varieties are found in Lorestan Province, Iran, on Quercus infectoria oak trees, which contain important phenolic compounds. In this work, a miniaturized matrix solid-phase dispersion (MSPD) extraction method has been developed for quantitative extraction and HPLC/UV determination of them. Materials and Methods: In the MSPD method, 10 mg of sample and 50 mg of silica gel adsorbent were transferred into an agate mortar. The mixture was finely pulverized after adding 40 µL dichloromethane as disperser solvent. It was then transferred into a cartridge, eluted by 350 µL of methanol, and the eluate was subsequently injected into HPLC for analysisn. Results: The extractions were quantitative with mean recoveries of 103.0±6.8% and 99.5±7.3% for ellagic acid (EA) and gallic acid (GA) in six replicated extractions, respectively. The detection limit of the method was 0.05-0.06 mg g -1 . The method was successfully applied to the extraction and HPLC determination of the phenolic compounds in five gall species. Conclusion: The proposed technique is simple and fast. It substantially reduced the amounts of sample, sorbent and organic solvents required for the extraction. The maximum amounts of the phenolic compounds were found in Qalqaf and Bramazu galls.

Most of the soils studied are non-evolved. The other soils of the area that can be distinguished are calcareous brown soils, sierozems and erosion soils. The soils are low in organic matter. The carbonate, varying from 0.4 to 46.3%, tends to increase with depth. Horizon of accumulation of carbonate (in the sierozems) is found between 30 and 100 cm from the soil surface. Sulfate exceeds chlorine ions in the soil extract. The salinity does not exist in these soils. The exchange capacity varies from 4.7 to 29.4 meq/100 g of soil. The dominant clay mineral in some of these soils is vermiculite. In the forests of western Iran, Quercus persica and Quercus saii generally occupy calcareous, poor and rather deep soils, whereas Quercus infectoria is usually grown on the less calcareous, rich and deep soils.

Effects of phenolic compounds in three oak species on in vitro gas production using inoculums of two breeds of indigenous Iranian goats

The gall oak (Quercus infectoria Oliv.) tree is one of the most important and valuable forestry species in the Northern Zagros forests in the west of Iran. Gall oak decline is considered to be one of the most important diseases currently affecting the Zagros oak forests in Iran. The main objective of the present study, conducted in the years 2021 to 2023, was to investigate the possible role of fungi as causative agents of gall oak dieback in the Zagros forests of Iran. Wood samples were taken from gall oak trees showing canker, dieback, and internal wood discoloration symptoms. Fungal isolates recovered from gall oak trees were identified based on cultural and morphological characteristics, as well as phylogenetic analyses using DNA sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer region of rDNA and partial beta-tubulin. Achaetomium aegilopis, Alternaria tenuissima, Apiospora intestini, Botrytis cinerea, Coniochaeta sp., Coniothyrium palmarum, Coniothyrium sp., Cytospora rhodophila, Dialonectria episphaeria, Diatrype sp., Diatrypella macrospora, Endoconidioma populi, Fonsecazyma sp., Fusarium ipomoeae, Jattaea discreta, Kalmusia variispora, Microsphaeropsis olivacea, Neoscytalidium dimidiatum, Paecilomyces lecythidis, Paramicrosphaeropsis eriobotryae, Paramicrosphaeropsis ellipsoidea, and Seimatosporium pezizoides were identified from diseased trees. Pathogenicity tests were performed by artificial inoculation of excised branches of healthy gall oak trees under controlled conditions and evaluated after 35 days by measuring the discolored lesion length at the inoculation site. N. dimidiatum was the most virulent species and caused the longest wood necrosis within 35 days of inoculation. In the greenhouse test, only some species induced typical symptoms of canker. All isolated fungi are reported for the first time on gall oak trees in the world.

Background: The antimicrobial activity of plants has long been considered an effective mechanism for controlling pathogenic microorganisms.&#x0D; Objectives: This study aimed to identify phytochemical compounds of the seed extracts from ethnomedicinal plants of Pistacia atlantica, Cassia absus, and Quercus persica with Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) and investigation of their antibacterial and antioxidant activities.&#x0D; Methods: The seeds were collected from Lorestan Province, Iran. Their antibacterial and antiradical activities were analyzed by disk-diffusion and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl assays, respectively. Ethanol (96%), methanol (80%), and distilled water extracts were obtained by the maceration method. The methanol extract was used for the analysis of chemical compositions.&#x0D; Results: About 40, 31, and 8 compounds were identified by GC-MS in the seeds of C. absus, P. atlantica, and Q. persica, respectively. Results indicated that 2,4-di-tert-butylphenol (36.043%) and tetradecanoic acid (4.92%) were dominated in the seed extracts of C. absus. However, germacyclopetene (38.119%) and 1,2,3-benzenetriol (8.115%) were dominated in the seed extracts of P. atlantica. Furthermore, 5H-tetrazole-5-thione, 1,4-dihydro-1,4-dimethy (38.505%), and tetradecanoic acid (30.546%) were dominated in the seed extracts of Q. persica. The highest inhibitory activity against Micrococcus luteus was observed on the methanol extract of C. absus with ascorbic acid. A significant difference was observed between the Inhibitory Concentration (IC50) values of methanol extract of C. absus with ascorbic acid.&#x0D; Conclusion: Because of the presence of antimicrobial compounds in the tested ethnomedicinal plants, they can be used to synthesize new antimicrobial drugs in medicinal and pharmaceutical sciences.