Quercus Castaneifolia Research Articles

Biomass allocation of chestnut oak (Quercus castaneifolia C.A. Mey) seedlings: effects of provenance and light gradient

Patterns of biomass allocation were determined for seedlings of five provenances of Quercus castaneifolia from west to east of the Hyrcanian forest along a rainfall gradient. Experimental design was executed under controlled conditions at seven different light levels (10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70 and 100% full light). We quantified the biomass allocation patterns to leaves, stems and roots. For all provenances total mass increased with irradiance at low light levels, reaching an optimum at an intermediate level but decreasing at a high irradiance level. As results show, in drier provenances and at high light levels, the seedlings invest more biomass into root mass to facilitate water uptake and to alter their leaf size to prevent overheating. In contrast, at wetter provenances and low light levels, towards increased light interception, more biomass is allocated proportionally to leaves and the stems but, accordingly, less to roots. The leaf to root ratio (L/R) was negatively correlated with light, with high correlation at wetter provenances compared to drier ones. In contrast, the relationship between the root to shoot (R/Sh) ratio and light was positively correlated with light, but it was weak at drier provenances and became gradually stronger at wetter ones. Such relationships indicated that chestnut oak seedling growth strategies are different along a rainfall gradient to irradiance levels. Despite similar growth conditions in the greenhouse, different growth strategies may be the result of genetic adaptation to the ecological conditions, especially when precipitation regimes prevail in the native habitat.  

Anatomical and Dendrochronological Investigation of the Chestnut-Leaved Oak in The South East Part of the Great Caucasus

Anatomical and Dendrochronological Investigation of the Chestnut-Leaved Oak in The South East Part of the Great Caucasus

The effect of natural and planted forest stands on soil fertility in the Hyrcanian region, Iran

Rafeie Jahed R, Hosseini SM, Kooch Y. 2014. The effect of natural and planted forest stands on soil fertility in the Hyrcanian region, Iran. Biodiversitas 15: 206-214. In the present work, we studied the effect of natural and planted forest stands on soil fertility in theHyrcanian region of northern Iran. Natural forest stands (including Acer velutinum Bioss., Zelkova carpinifolia (Pall), Parrotia persica(DC.) C.A.Mey, Quercus castaneifolia C.A. Mey., Carpinus betulus L, Mixed planted stand (including Acer velutinum, Ulmuscarpinifolia G. Suckow Quercus castaneifolia C.A. Mey, Carpinus betulus L., Tilia begonifolia Scop. subsp. caucasia (Rupr.) Loria;maple (Acer velutinum Bioss) plantation, pine (Pinus taeda L.) plantation and also clear-cut region (control) were considered in thisresearch. Soil samples were collected at two different depths, i.e., 0-15 and 15-30 cm, and characterized with respect to organic carbon(C), total nitrogen (N), available nutrient elements (P, K, Ca and Mg); pH and soil texture. The results showed that the highest amountof total N was found in mixed plantation. The highest amount of available P was detected in maple plantation and pine plantation hadthe highest available K and organic C than other treatments. The highest and the lowest available Ca and Mg were found in naturalforest and control area, respectively. In addition, it was observed that nutrients accumulate in upper layers of the soil. Hardwood standshave been more successful than the conifers stands, so this should be considered in the sustainable management of forests.

Modulus of elasticity in scarf-jointed wooden beams: a case study with polyvinyl acetate and isocyanate adhesives

In the present study, elastic properties of scarf-jointed oak (Quercus castaneifolia) timbers with the application of two different types of adhesives (polyvinyl acetate and isocyanate) were evaluated using free flexural vibration of free–free beam method in different flexural directions of vibration, i.e., tangential and redial directions. Samples were taken from trees of Hyrcanian forests in Iran with nominal dimensions of 20 × 20 × 360 mm3. Comparing the results of elastic properties of clear oak wood beams with scarf-jointed samples wood showed that scarf joints with the bonding angles of 70° and 75°, covered by polyvinyl acetate adhesive, did not demonstrate any significant effect on modules of elasticity. Scarf-jointed beams with smaller joint angles (60° and 65°) were considerably weaker or totally unreliable in their moduli of elasticity. It is also shown that the magnitude of effect gets worst by using isocyanate rather than polyvinyl acetate adhesive.

Biodiversity in oak forests (Quercus castaneifolia and Quercus macranthera) in Ramsar, Northern Iran

The study was accomplished in pure and mixed stands of Quercus castaneifolia and Quercus macranthera in northern Iran. collection of the sample and study of the ecological factors including the seasons, spring, summer and autumn of the years 2009 and 2010 was conducted and the scientific name of the species, life forms and Chorology were recorded using the available resources . 186 species have been identified of 6 Pteridophytes families, 2 families from Gymnosperms and 52 families of Angiosperms (8 families from a Dicotyledone and 44 families of Monocotyledon). The maximum number of species was related to the flowing family: Asteraceae, Papilionaceae, Lamiaceae, Orchidaceae and Poaceae. Raunkiaer’s classification of Hemicryptophytes 49%, Cryptophytes 20%, Phanerophytes 19%, and 8% Therophytes, Chamaephytes 3 percent and 1 percent of Epiphytic species are allocated to the region. Chorology study area showed the highest value in zone of EuropeSiberia (the Caspian), with 41% belonging. The study of the list of endangered species showed one endangered species, 5 vulnerable species. 20 species were identified as lower risk. Lilium ledebourii was identified as a rare species with relatively wide distribution in different parts of the region.

Growth responses to irradiance regime along an ecological gradient of Quercuscastaneifolia seedlings of different provenance

AbstractUnderstory light is known as one of the most important environmental predictors of growth response of woody species. Hence, the primary objective of most forest management practices is optimizing that resource for understory seedlings. In this study, growth responses of Quercus castaneifolia seedlings from five different provenances from west to east of the Hyrcanian forest were investigated along their ecological gradients (from high to low precipitation). An experimental design was executed under controlled conditions at eight different irradiance levels (10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70 and 100 % full irradiance). Results showed that the irradiance is probably the most important determinant of variation in seedling characteristics. Among all investigated variables, variability in seedling size was affected significantly by provenance, while seedling morphology and their architectural response was affected by different levels of irradiance in a curvilinear manner. The biggest changes were observed at lowest irradiance levels (10–20 %) while at higher irradiance (70–100 %) the curves flatten. It was shown that, unlike at low irradiance levels, there is little capacity in seedling morphology to acclimatize with high irradiance intensity. Attaining maximal biomass varies across provenances and irradiance gradient. The highest biomass for the five provenances could be ranked as follows: 20–60 % and 50–60 % for the wetter and drier provenances, respectively. These results demonstrated that the light requirement increases from wetter to drier provenances, with a negative relationship between light requirement and precipitation regime. Different responses to irradiance levels may be the result of genetic adaptation to the ecological conditions prevailing in native habitat, especially precipitation regime.

Elastic Properties of Oak Wood Finger Joints with Polyvinyl Acetate and Isocyanate Adhesives

In this study, the elastic properties of 23 specimens of oak timber (Quercus castaneifolia), including the longitudinal modulus of elasticity (MOE), acoustic coefficient (K), and acoustic converting efficiency (ACE) in free vibration using the free-free beam method with different planes of vibration, i.e. tangential (LT) and radial (LR), were studied. These elastic parameters were examined in both sound wood and finger jointed timbers with two different lengths of fingers (5- and 10-mm finger lengths) and individually glued with two different types of adhesives (isocyanate and polyvinyl acetate). Comparing the elastic properties of solid beams with finger jointed beams of oak wood in both (LT) and (LR) planes, 10-mm finger joints with polyvinyl acetate adhesive did not cause any serious change to the studied elastic properties of the beams, while shorter finger length (5 mm) with isocyanate adhesive severely changed the acoustic properties; therefore, beams having longer finger lengths may have enhanced acoustical properties.

Effect of wood chip application on root growth of oak seedling and weed control in northern Iran

It was hypothesized that wood chips can serve as a mulch to improve the growth of young trees by facilitating the development of their root systems, inhibiting weed germination, and suppressing weed growth. The present study was carried out in Ghorogh Nursery, Golestan Northern Iran, in order to investigate the impact of wood chips application on root growth of oak (Quercus castaneifolia) seedlings and control of weed. A three centimeter wood chip layer was used on the soil surface as the mulch treatment with bare soil as the control. The number of new roots, the length of exciting roots and the density of weeds were measured after 5 and 12 weeks. Results showed that wood chip application had significant positive effect on the length of excising roots after 5 and 12 weeks compared with control seedlings. Also, weeds were reduced to near zero levels in treated plot. Our findings suggested that wood chip layer on the soil surface in the nursery can conserve soil moisture and prevent nutrient leaching from the rooting zone as well as diminish weed growth which consequently lead to production of high quality seedling.

The effect of priming on seed germination and seedling growth in Quercus castaneifolia

The effect of priming on seed germination and seedling growth in Quercus castaneifolia

Investigating the out-of-roundness and pith-off-centre in stems of three broadleaved species in Hyrcanian forests

The out-of-roundness and pith-off-centre of Alnus subcordata, Acer velutinum and Quercus castaneifolia growing in Hyrcanian forests of Iran were investigated. Stem disks were cut from the breast height and stump height of felled trees in diameter classes of 20 cm to 90 cm. Results indicated that the pith eccentricity for Acer velutinum was significantly greater than that of Alnus subcordata and Quercus castaneifolia (P < 0.01). The pith-off-centre significantly increased with increasing stem diameter from 20 cm to 50 cm, while no significant difference were observed for pith-off-centre index from diameter class of 55 cm to 90 cm. The out-of-roundness in stems of Acer velutinum and Alnus subcordata was significantly greater than that of Quercus castaneifolia (P < 0.01). Moreover, out-of-roundness significantly decreased with increasing stem diameters from 20 cm to 45 cm except for 35 cm. There were no significant differences among diameter classes from 60 cm to 85 cm with respect to out-of-roundness. For all the species, the out-of-roundness and pith-off-centre at stump height were greater than those at breast height.

Throughfall, stemflow, and rainfall interception in a natural pure forest of chestnut-leaved oak (Quercus castaneifolia C.A. Mey.) in the Caspian Forest of Iran

In forest ecosystems, rainfall is partitioned by forest canopies into throughfall (TF), stemflow (SF), and interception loss (I). In the present study the partitioning of rainfall was studied in a natural chestnut-leaved oak ( Quercus castaneifolia C.A.Mey) forest situated in the Caspian Forest, north of Iran. Measurements were carried out on a rainfall event basis in a 0.12 ha sample plot of an oak forest, during 2009 and 2010, from July to October. Gross rainfall (GR) was measured in an open area close to the study plot. Thirty five throughfall collectors were randomly placed beneath the oak forest canopies and SF was collected from nine selected oak trees using the spiral type SF collection collars. The cumulative GR amount of 28 events was 651.5 mm. The amount of cumulative GR transformed into TF, SF and I were 489 mm, 2.6 mm, and 159.9 mm, respectively. On the event scale average ratios of TF:GR, SF:GR, and I:GR were 75%, 0.4%, and 24.6%, respectively. A fairly strong negative correlation was observed between I:GR and GR. As the intensity of the rainfall events increased, the interception loss in the oak forest canopies decreased. We concluded that interception in the oak forest represents a remarkable percentage of GR and it was strongly affected by the amount of GR.

Eco‐friendly tannin‐phenol formaldehyde resin for producing wood composites

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to describe the development of an eco‐friendly tannin‐phenol formaldehyde resin (PFT) applicable in the wood composite industry.Design/methodology/approachThe bark of oak (Quercus castaneifolia) contains a large amount of condensed tannin. Condensed tannin, with a large amount of Catechol groups was considered for reducing the formaldehyde emission level on the adhesive system. Physical characteristics of synthesized PFT resin were evaluated.FindingsFor optimal extraction, three solvents were used in the extraction process. The results showed that a mixture of water‐methanol (1:1 v/v) as extracting solvent is the best solvent and yields about 14 per cent tannin based on dry weight of bark. For producing tannin phenol formaldehyde adhesive, 10 per cent, 20 per cent and 30 per cent (based on PF dry weight) of PF, substituted with natural extracted tannin. For evaluating PFT performance effects of percentage amount of substitution tannin content on the gel time, viscosity, pH, and density of adhesives were evaluated. Based on emission test (JIS A 1460‐2001) formaldehyde emission of PFT 10 per cent, 20 per cent and 30 per cent were 1.13, 1.12 and 0.4 mg/100 g, which is very low compared with tannin‐free PF.Research limitations/implicationsTannin‐PF adhesive compared to PF adhesive had lower PH, higher viscosity and shorter gel time.Practical implicationsThe method developed provides a simple and excellent renewable resource “tannin” which can be used or partially substituted in phenol formaldehyde adhesive.Originality/valueResults showed that replacing PF for tannin reduces modulus of rupture (MOR) and modulus of elasticity (MOE) slightly but has significant effects on IB, water absorption and thickness swelling.

Soil organic carbon sequestration as affected by afforestation: the Darab Kola forest (north of Iran) case study

Following the ratification of the Kyoto Protocol, afforestation of formerly arable lands and/or degraded areas has been acknowledged as a land-use change contributing to the mitigation of increasing atmospheric CO(2) concentration in the atmosphere. In the present work, we study the soil organic carbon sequestration (SOCS) in 21 year old stands of maple (Acer velutinum Bioss.), oak (Quercus castaneifolia C.A. Mey.), and red pine (Pinus brutia Ten.) in the Darab Kola region, north of Iran. Soil samples were collected at four different depths (0-10, 10-20, 20-30, and 30-40 cm), and characterized with respect to bulk density, water content, electrical conductivity, pH, texture, lime content, total organic C, total N, and earthworm density and biomass. Data showed that afforested stands significantly affected soil characteristics, also raising SOCS phenomena, with values of 163.3, 120.6, and 102.1 Mg C ha(-1) for red pine, oak and maple stands, respectively, vs. 83.0 Mg C ha(-1) for the control region. Even if the dynamics of organic matter (OM) in soil is very complex and affected by several pedo-climatic factors, a stepwise regression method indicates that SOCS values in the studied area could be predicted using the following parameters, i.e., sand, clay, lime, and total N contents, and C/N ratio. In particular, although the chemical and physical stabilization capacity of organic C by soil is believed to be mainly governed by clay content, regression analysis showed a positive correlation between SOCS and sand (R = 0.86(**)), whereas a negative correlation with clay (R = -0.77(**)) was observed, thus suggesting that most of this organic C occurs as particulate OM instead of mineral-associated OM. Although the proposed models do not take into account possible changes due to natural and anthropogenic processes, they represent a simple way that could be used to evaluate and/or monitor the potential of each forest plantation in immobilizing organic C in soil (thus reducing atmospheric C concentration), as well as to select more appropriate species during forestation plan management at least in the north of Iran.

The effect of Quercus castaneifolia extract on pathogenic enteric bacteria

The family of Enterobacteriaceae is a major group of gram negative bacteria, some of these microorganisms are pathogen and could cause disease mainly gastroenteritis. Recently, due to drug resistant nature of these bacteria specially in developing countries treatment of the patient considered as important investigate. Quercus castaneifolia is a native plant of Yasuj province in Iran, which the people who living in this area consume the fruit of this plant for treatment of enteric disease. Hence, the present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of fruit of Q. castaneifolia extract on pathogenic enteric bacteria viz., E. coli, Salmonella typhimurium, Shigella dysenteriae and Yersinia enterocolitica. Antimicrobial susceptibility and minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the extracts were assessed by gel diffusion method and modification of E-test respectively. All the experiments were performed in triplicate and the statistical analysis was carried out on the results. The results obtained from this study indicated that alcoholic extract was shown antimicrobial effect on the microorganisms tested. In addition, S. dysentriae was more sensitive with zone of inhibition 18 mm and MIC value was 2.5 × 10 −4 whereas, E. coli was less sensitive with zone of inhibition 12 mm and MIC value 1 × 10 −2. Salmonella typhimurium and Yersinia enterocolitica showed relatively intermediate susceptibility to the extract with zone of inhibition of 14 mm and MIC value 5 × 10 −3. Overall, Q. castaneifolia may be considered for treatment of the patients suffering from enteric disease.

The Occurrence of Charcoal Disease Caused by Biscogniauxia mediterranea on Chestnut-Leaved Oak (Quercus castaneifolia) in the Golestan Forests of Iran.

The chestnut-leaved oak (Quercus castaneifolia) is native to the Alborz Mountains, including the Golestan Forests, in northern Iran. Trees grow up to 35 (-50) m tall with a trunk up to 2.5 (-3.5) m in diameter. During 2010, we received reports of a decline of oak trees in the Ghorogh Region of the Golestan Forests. The decline began with discolorations and browning of the leaves, resulting in drying of the foliage. Viscous liquid exudates were observed on the trunks, resulting in a brown-black discoloration of phloem and bark. In January 2011, all infected trees were dead and exhibited symptoms of charcoal disease with carbonaceous, perithecial stromata erupting from the bark on stems. Perithecia were obovoid, containing short-stipitate, amyloid asci with dark brown, ellipsoid ascospores, 14 to 19 × 7 to 9 μm, with straight germ slits along the spore length. On the basis of these morphological characteristics, the fungus was identified as Biscogniauxia mediterranea. Blast searches of the NCBI GenBank nucleotide database were done using ITS sequences derived from three cultures (CBS 129072 to 129074). GenBank Accession Nos. JF295127 to JF295129 of the isolated fungus differed by one nucleotide from B. mediterranea (GenBank Accession No. AF280624) (1,3). Pathogenicity tests were conducted using an isolate of B. mediterranea under greenhouse conditions. Six-month-old Q. castaneifolia seedlings were inoculated by means of stem wounds with a mycelial plug of colonized potato dextrose agar. After 6 months, typical decline disease symptoms associated with charcoal disease were observed and the same fungus was reisolated. Perithecia were observed on the surface of black carbonaceous stromata, which usually developed on stems of inoculated plants. The decline is known as charcoal disease because fungal growth induces a typical charcoal-black surface on diseased branches and trunks. The pathogen can easily spread through large cavity vessels, colonize bark and woody tissues, and is able to kill the host in a single, growing season. B. mediterranea causes necrosis on stems and branches of Quercus spp., including Q. suber, Q. cerris, Q. frainetto, Q. pubescens (4), Q. alba, Q. ilex, Q. imbricaria, Q. lusitanica, Q. palustris, and Q. pyrenaica (2) in Europe, North America, Africa, New Zealand, and Asia (China and India). On the basis of our current knowledge, Q. castaneifolia represents a new host of B. mediterranea, and this is the first report of this fungal pathogen from Iran causing charcoal disease on Q. castaneifolia trees in the Golestan Forest. Given its new introduction into Iran, it is highly likely that it will spread to species of Fagus, Zelkova, and other woody hosts in the area.

Marginal effects of rural roads and irrigation canals on woody and non-woody species composition

Across the northern rural regions of Iran, gardens and farmlands are being fragmented into smaller and smaller patches by rural roads network with significant edge effects on plant species composition and abundance. In this study, the presence of different plant species was recorded in ninety 1´1 m plots on nine 100 m transects at the edge of terrene rural roads with irrigation canal and without irrigation canal. Thirty seven plant species were identified in the 9 transects surveyed. Twenty six (70.3%) of those species occurred near the irrigation canal (Transects 2 and 3). Rubus hyrcanus Juz (more than 80% in visually) were observed on transect 3 of the roadside with irrigation canal because of the availability of light and high soil moisture. Ulmus carpinifolia Borkh., Quercus castaneifolia C. A. Mey., Pterocarya fraxinifolia (Lam.) Spach., Parrotia persica C.A.M., Zelkova carpinifolia (pall.) Dipp. and Albizia julibrissin (Willd) Benth were the unique species that were found close to the irrigation canal especially on transect 2. These species are the final survivors of Hyrcanian forests in rural area that were protected from human damages. Plant species richness at the edge of rural road with irrigation canal (37 species) was more than the edge of rural road without irrigation canal (17 species), but the cover value was similar to each other. Punica granatum L. was the most frequent species (more than 80%) on both side of rural road (transect 2 and 3) without irrigation canal. Key words: Edge, Iran, irrigation canal, plant composition, rural road.

Plant diversity in natural forest of Guilan Rural Heritage Museum in Iran

Abedi R, Pourbabaei H (2010) Plant diversity in natural forest of Guilan Rural Heritage Museum in Iran. Biodiversitas 11: 182-186. The aim of this study was to determine plant species diversity in Guilan Rural Heritage Museum in Iran. Eighty nine sampling plots were sampled based on systematic random method. Data analysis was carried out using diversity indices of richness, diversity (Shannon-Wiener, Simpson, Mc Arthur’s (N1) and Hill’s (N2) and Smith and Wilson’s evenness index (Evar). Results indicated that Rosaceae and Labiatae families have the highest number of species. Quercus castaneifolia and Ruscus hyrcanus were the most dominant woody plants for class of tree and shrub, respectively. Carex divolsa and Viola odorata were dominant herbaceous species. Herbaceous layer had the highest richness, evenness and diversity. Mc Arthur’s N1 index had the highest value among diversity indices.Key words: diversity, richness, evenness, Rural Heritage Museum, Guilan.

Forest fire effects in beech dominated mountain forest of Iran

Most of world's forests of different climates have a history of fire, but with different severities. Fire regimes for broadleaf deciduous forests have return intervals that vary from many decades (or less) to centuries (or more). Iran has a total of 1.2 million ha of temperate forest in the north, where fires burn about 300–400 ha annually. This study focused on the impact of fire on forest structure, tree species quality, and regeneration composition (specially beech) in the Chelir forest of northern Iran. The results showed that forest fires changed the structure and had different effects on tree species composition between burned and control areas. Thin barked species such as oriental beech ( Fagus orientalis Lipsky) and coliseum maple ( Acer cappadocicum Gled.) have been affected more than those with thick bark, like hornbeam ( Carpinus betulus L.) and chestnut-leaved oak ( Quercus castaneifolia C.A. Mey). The density of oriental beech regeneration in the unburned area was greater than in the burned area, while the quantity of regeneration of hornbeam, coliseum maple and velvet maple ( Acer velutinum Boiss) was higher in burned area. Forest fire had a greater effect on oriental beech quality, and changed regeneration composition in the burned area. Fire prevention activities should be considered as a silvicultural treatment for preserving these valuable forests.

Reinforced polypropylene composites: Effects of chemical compositions and particle size

In this work, the effects of wood species, particle sizes and hot-water treatment on some physical and mechanical properties of wood–plastic composites were studied. Composites of thermoplastic reinforced with oak ( Quercus castaneifolia) and pine ( Pinus eldarica) wood were prepared. Polypropylene (PP) and maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene (MAPP) were used as the polymer matrix and coupling agent, respectively. The results showed that pine fiber had significant effect on the mechanical properties considered in this study. This effect is explained by the higher fiber length and aspect ratio of pine compared to the oak fiber. The hot-water treated (extractive-free) samples, in both wood species, improved the tensile, flexural and impact properties, but increased the water absorption for 24 h. This work clearly showed that lignocellulosic materials in both forms of fiber and flour could be effectively used as reinforcing elements in PP matrix. Furthermore, extractives have marked effects on the mechanical and physical properties.

640. QUERCUS CASTANEIFOLIA

Summary. Quercus castaneifolia C.A. Mey. is described and illustrated from a tree growing at Kew. Its habitat, distribution, variation in the wild and its relationships with similar species, are discussed. A summary of the history and conservation of some of the oldest trees at Kew is included.