Quercus Brantii Lindl Research Articles

Assessment of root-shoot ratio biomass and carbon storage of Quercus brantii Lindl. in the central Zagros forests of Iran

Assessment of carbon storage build-up in tree stems is a difficult task due to the lack of information on their carbon sequestration potential and allocation in different components. Similarly, high cost and complex methodology for accurate belowground biomass estimation make it in particular problematic. To this end, 18 Persian oak (Quercus brantii Lindley) trees from two growth forms in western Iran were destructively sampled to develop biomass and carbon mass prediction. Sampling covered a range of ages (40–145-year-old), sizes (DBH 7–38 cm) and mean crown diameter (1.9–8.55 m). We examined biomass proportion and carbon sequestration quantity at individual tree and growth form levels, which were: coppice and high forest. One-way ANOVA was used to test the significant differences in carbon concentration, biomass and carbon pools between the components of the two growth forms. Results showed that there was a difference in average biomass and carbon sequestration of trees from the two growth forms. The biomass distribution pattern was similar in the two growth forms. Amounts of stored biomass in trunk, stump, branch, twig and foliage were 24.79, 6.01, 63.82, 2.53 and 2.93% of aboveground components for high forest and 16.4, 10.12, 65.83, 4.23 and 3.46% for corresponding coppice trees. The average biomass of the root-shoot ratio in high-forest and coppice trees was determined 0.72 and 0.88, respectively. A general decline in these proportions was detected as the size of trees increased. We recommend a root-shoot ratio of 0.80 to be adopted for Persian oak.

Influence of soil properties and burial depth on Persian oak (Quercus brantii Lindl.) establishment in different microhabitats resulting from traditional forest practices

In seasonally dry environments such as the Zagros woodlands (Iran), severe drought stress and lack of appropriate management practices can cause failure of oak afforestation or reforestation. We investigated the effect of soil properties and burial depth on Persian oak (Quercus brantii Lindl.) establishment in different microhabitats resulting from traditional forest practices. Four microhabitats that were based on forest structure were considered for oak acorn seeding: (1) inside old sprout clumps (ISPC); (2) under the canopy of tall trees (UCTT); (3) outside the canopy of tall trees and sprout clumps; and (4) near recent stumps or sprout clumps. Acorns were seeded at two depths (2 and 5 cm), and seedling survival and growth variables were recorded for 4 years, together with soil chemical and biological attributes. Stepwise discriminant analysis showed that a combination of total soil nitrogen, cation exchange capacity, available phosphorus and potassium, litter depth, microbial quotient, metabolic coefficient, substrate-induced respiration and earthworm abundance was the best variables to characterise the microhabitats. With the exception of pH, bulk density and soil texture, these variables were higher in UCTT and ISPC than in the other microhabitats. Seedling emergence and survival were greater at a seed depth of 5 cm than at 2 cm. Seedling height and shoot, root and leaf biomasses were higher in the UCTT microhabitat compared to the other microhabitats and correlated positively with soil nutrients contents and most of the soil biological variables but negatively with soil bulk density. This study emphasised the role of microhabitats in creating a “canopy effect” producing favourable physical, chemical and biological soil conditions. In particular, large oak trees form islands of fertility and therefore are of key importance for successful seedling establishment in forests subjected to intense human activities.

Effect of fire severity on physical and biochemical soil properties in Zagros oak (Quercus brantii Lindl.) forests in Iran

Fire affects the physical and chemical properties and soil biological activity of natural ecosystems. This study was conducted in the Miyan Tang region, Ilam Province in western Iran. The study site was 110 hectares, where we sampled soils in areas that were classified by fire severity: low (LS), high (HS) and medium severity (MS), and unburned (UB), which served as the control. In each severity class, 25 transect points were randomly selected for measurement. Around each transect plot center, 3 soil samples were selected randomly and soils collected from the 0 to 20 cm depth were combined into a composite sample that was used in laboratory analysis to represent conditions at that point. Plots in the UB and LS fire classes had similar soil conditions and had higher values of factors such as saturated moisture, organic carbon, carbon dioxide, and silt and clay content. In contrast, plots in the HS and MS fire severity classes were clustered in the positive direction along the first axis that represented gradients in soil acidity, electrical conductivity, cation exchange capacity, accessible phosphorus, accessible potassium, bulk density, and sand. Soil attributes were similar in areas of HS and MS fire severity classes, whereas soil conditions in the LS class and UB controls were most similar. Fire in the LS areas either did not significantly alter the physical–chemical soil properties and microbial basal respiration, or soils were able to recover quickly after being burned.

First report of identification and molecular characterization of Tuber aestivum in Iran

During June 2013 to March 2014, several visits were made to the truffle-bearing areas of Kermanshah province, Iran. In this study, two specimens associated with roots of oak (Quercus brantii Lindl.) were identified as Tuber aestivum Vittad based on morphological and cytological characteristics. Internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region was amplified by PCR using primer pair ITS1/ITS4 and the sequences were analyzed. Phylogenetic trees constructed based on ITS sequences revealed that all Iranian specimens were in the same branch in a clade with T. aestivum reported from others. All T. aestivum sequences, including Iranian specimen, showed an average of 97 % similarity (ranged from 96 to 100 %). The results of physico-chemical analyses on soil samples collected from oak forest indicated that T. aestivum was prevalent in the sandy soil with rather low phosphorus concentration, low in organic matter, and high CaCo3. To our knowledge, this is the first report of T. aestivum and its host plant from Iran.

Antidiabetic properties of lyophilized extract of acorn (Quercus brantii Lindl.) on experimentally STZ-induced diabetic rats

Ethnopharmacological relevanceAcorn obtained from the Quercus brantii Lindl. (QB) tree has been used in Turkish folk medicine. Some studies have reported as an antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, gastroprotective, antitumoural of QB properties previously. however, its effect on the management of type diabetic 2 and oxidative stress complications is still unexplored. The aims of our study were the evaluation of the protective effect and antioxidant role of acorn lyophilized seed plant extract against STZ-induced diabetic complications as oxidative stress, hepatotoxicity and nephropathy, lipidemia and serum biomarkers of diabetes (SBD). Materials and methodsIn-vivo studies were performed on STZ-induced diabetic rats Experiment was designed as I [Normal Control (NC)], II [Diabetes mellitus (DM)], III [DM+Acarbose (20mg/kg b.w) (DM+AC-20)], IV [DM+QB (100mg/kg b.w) (DM+QB-100)], V [DM+QB (250mg/kg b.w) (DM+QB-250)] and VI [DM+QB (500mg/kg b.w) (DM+QB-500)] groups. ResultsThis study showed that the biochemical analysis showed a considerable increase in the HRDB, DB, LP, MDA and fluctuated ADSC in the II group as compared to that of control group whereas, AC and the plant lyophilized seed plant extract supplementations diet restored the STZ-induced diabetic complications towards the control. α-glycosidase activity in DM group showed statistically significant increase with respect to control group in small intestine. Moreover, in accordance with the effects of seed extract; in diabetic rat groups to whom acorn seed extract and acarbose were given, the levels of almost all the concerned parameters were reached to the ones measured at control group. As a result, it was concluded that acorn seed extract had certain healing effects on many complications caused by diabetes.

Dietary nutrient manipulation to improve the performance and tibia characteristics of broilers fed oak acorn (Quercus Brantii Lindl)

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary nutrients (protein, methionine, and choline) manipulation on the performance and tibia characteristics of broilers fed diets containing 15% oak acorn. A completely randomized design with five treatments and four replicates of 15 chicks each, was used. One group was fed a diet based on corn (without oak acorn) as control and other four groups were fed diets containing oak acorn with one of the following nutrient manipulation: without nutrient manipulation, high level of methionine (100% more than NRC), high level of CP (10% more than NRC), and addition of 0.2% choline. Starter and finisher diets were fed from one to 21 and 22 to 42 d of age, respectively. The results indicated that group fed diet without nutrient manipulation presented higher feed intake and worse feed conversion ratio (p<0.05) compared with the control group throughout the experiment. Elevated levels of methionine, protein, and choline had significant beneficial effects on feed conversion ratio during starter phase. Feeding oak acorn negatively influenced tibia bone characteristics (bone ash and strength) both at 21 and 42 d of age, whereas the supplementation with protein, methionine and choline prevented those negative effects. In conclusion, dietary inclusion of 15% oak acorn had negative effects on broiler performance and tibia characteristics. Detrimental effects of oak acorn, particularly on tibia bone, were reduced or prevented by increasing the dietary levels of choline, methionine, and protein.

Green biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles using Quercus brantii (oak) leaves hydroalcoholic extract

Context: There is an ever-growing need to develop green, non-toxic, and eco-friendly procedures for synthesis and assembly of nanoparticles (NPs) with the desired morphologies and sizes. The hydroalcoholic extract of Persian oak leaves [Quercus brantii Lindl. (Fagaceae)] contains high content of phenolic and flavonoid compounds with strong antioxidant activities, and it seems that this plant can be considered a good candidate for metal nanoparticle synthesis.Objective: The potential of Q. brantii leaves in the production of silver NPs and the effect of the extract ethanol concentration on the produced NPs were studied.Materials and methods: Quercus brantii leaves were freshly collected, air-dried at room temperature, powdered, and sieved. Hydroalcoholic extracts (70% and 96%) were prepared by percolation of the plant powder. The reaction mixtures contained (final concentrations): AgNO3 (1 mM) as the substrate, plant extract as the biocatalyst, and phosphate buffer (pH = 7, 100 mM) as the reaction medium. Silver ions were determined using atomic absorption analysis. Particle size distribution of NPs was analyzed using Nano-Zeta Sizer (Malvern Instruments Ltd, Malvern, UK). Samples for TEM were prepared by drop-coating the silver nanoparticle suspensions onto carbon-coated copper grids.Results: Hydroalcoholic extract (96%) of Q. brantii successfully produced quite small (as small as 0.83 nm and the mean size of 6 nm), spherical, and poly-dispersed NPs with low aggregates. The conversion was fast and completed in 5 h.Discussion and conclusion: This plant and the extraction method seem to be quiet attractive for industrial scale production of NPs.

Genetic variability and structure of Quercus brantii assessed by ISSR, IRAP and SCoT markers

Persian oak (Quercus brantii Lindl.) is one of the most important woody species of the Zagros forests in Iran. Three molecular marker techniques: start codon targeted (SCoT), inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) and inter-retrotransposon amplified polymorphism (IRAP) markers were compared for fingerprinting of 125 individuals of this species collected from different geographical locations of north-west of Iran. A total of 233 bands were amplified by 18 ISSR primers, of which 224 (96.10%) were polymorphic, and 126 polymorphic bands (97.65%) were observed in 129 bands amplified by 10 IRAP primers. Besides, 118 bands were observed for all 10 SCoT primers, of which 113 were polymorphic (95.71%). Average polymorphism information content (PIC) for ISSR, IRAP and SCoT markers was 0.30, 0.32 and 0.38, respectively, and this revealed that SCoT markers were more informative than IRAP and ISSR for the assessment of diversity among individuals. Based on the three different molecular types, cluster analysis revealed that 125 individuals taken for the analysis can be divided into three distinct clusters. The Jaccard's genetic similarity based on the combined data ranged from 0.23 to 0.76. These results suggest that efficiency of SCoT, IRAP and ISSR markers was relatively the same in fingerprinting of individuals. All molecular marker types revealed a low genetic differentiation among populations, indicating the possibility of gene flow between the studied populations. These results have an important implication for Persian oak (Q. brantii) germplasm characterization, improvement, and conservation.

Two new species of Cyta (Acari: Prostigmata: Bdellidae) from Western Iran.

This paper reports two new species of Bdellidae, Cyta leliae sp. nov. and Cyta kurdistanicus sp. nov., collected from soil and litter under oak trees, Quercus brantii Lindl. (Fagaceae), wild almond, Amygdalus lycioides Spach (Rosaceae) and grass, Kurdistan Province, Iran. A key is provided to adult female Cyta of the world.

Optimization of polysaccharides from Zagros oak leaf using RSM: Antioxidant and antimicrobial activities

Ultrasonic assisted-extraction technique was applied to extract the polysaccharide from Zagros oak (Quercus brantii Lindl). The effects of four independent factors (ultrasonic power (X1: 150–300W), extraction temperature (X2: 50–90°C), extraction time (X3: 30–90min), and the ratio of water to raw material (X4: 15–45)) on the extraction yield of polysaccharide from the leaves of Q. brantii Lindl (QBLP) were optimized using response surface methodology. The experimental data obtained were fitted to a second-order polynomial equation. The optimal extraction conditions for QBLP were determined as follows: X1: 205.8W, X2: 81.9°C, X3: 55.6min and X4: 23.4. Under these optimal conditions, the experimental yield was 19.42±0.53%, which was well matched with the value predicted by the model 19.61%. The results indicated that polysaccharide has strong scavenging activities in vitro on DPPH and hydroxyl radicals. In addition, the QBLP showed good antimicrobial activity at 1.5–2.5mg/mL.

Effect of Hydro-alcoholic Extract of Persian Oak (Quercus brantii) in Experimentally Gastric Ulcer.

Persian oak (Quercus brantii Lindl.) belongs the family Fagaceae, is a medicinal plant which seed flour is used to treat inflammatory and gastric ulcers by the tribes in south western Iran. The current study was done to evaluate the effect of hydro-alcoholic extract of Q. brantii seed flour for treatment of gastric ulcers induced by ethanol in Wistar rats. The hydro-alcoholic extract of Q. brantii was tested orally at doses of 250, 500, and 1000 mg/Kg, control group and standard drug (omperazole) on experimentally gastric ulceration. At the 3, 6, 9, and 14(th) days, ulcer index in mm(2) and histopathological findings were evaluated. Results indicated the size of ulcers significantly reduced at 9, and 14 days after of Q. brantii extract treatment. Curative effect in the hydro-alcoholic induced gastric damage was 100% at 1000 mg/Kg and omeprazole, 99.8 % at 500 mg/Kg, and 95.4% at 250 mg/Kg after 14 days. Results of histopathological investigation showed the thickness of ulcerated mucosa was similar to the normal mucosa with 1000 mg/Kg of Q. brantii hydro-alcoholic extract after 14 days but in the groups treated by 250, and 500 mg/Kg, superficial erosions were visible in the central portion of the healed ulcers. In conclusion, the hydro-alcoholic extract of Q. brantii had active components (tannin = 8.2%) that accelerates ulcer healing and thus supported its traditional use.

On the benefit of galls of Quercus brantii Lindl. in murine colitis: the role of free gallic acid

IntroductionIn this study we investigated the effect of gall of Quercus brantii Lindl., a traditional Iranian medicine, in a murine model of experimental colitis induced in male rats by rectal administration of 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS).Material and methodsQuantification of the main active components was done for estimation of total phenolic content and free gallic acid. Gall of Quercus brantii Lindl. in two forms (gall powder and gall hydro alcoholic extract) was gavaged for 10 days (500 mg/kg). Ten days after induction of colitis, colonic status was examined by macroscopic, microscopic and biochemical analyses. Colonic tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) were analyzed as biomarkers of inflammatory condition. To determine the role of oxidative stress (OS) in colitis, the levels of cellular lipid peroxidation (LPO), total antioxidant power (TAP) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) were measured in colon tissues.ResultsTNBS-induced colitis exhibited a significant increase in colon MPO activity and concentrations of cellular LPO, TNF-α and IL-1β, while TAP was significantly reduced. Microscopic evaluations of the colonic damage in the colitis group revealed multifocal degenerative changes in the epithelial lining and areas of necrosis, extensive mucosal and sub-mucosal damage with congested blood vessels, edema and hemorrhages along with extensive infiltration of inflammatory cells. Parameters including macroscopic and microscopic scores, TNF-α, IL-1β, LPO, TAP and MPO improved by both gall extract and gall powder of Quercus brantii Lindl. and reached close to normal levels. The level of total phenols (GAE/100 g of sample) and free gallic acid were estimated to be 88.43 ±7.23 (mean ± SD) and 3.74% of dry weight, respectively.ConclusionsThe present study indicates that the gall of Quercus brantii Lindl. is able to exert antioxidative and anti-inflammatory effects on the biochemical and pathological parameters of colitis.

Soil microbial activity in response to fire severity in Zagros oak (Quercus brantii Lindl.) forests, Iran, after one year

The Zagros forest ecosystem is being threatened by increasing number of forest fires. These forests are generally in coppice form and oak sprout clumps occupy forest area like patches. We examined some microbial and physical–chemical properties of burned soil to understand the response of soil microbial activity to different fire severities one year after burning. Soil collected from areas subjected to different fire severities was visually classified as: unburned-inside of sprout clumps (UI), unburned-outside of sprout clumps (UO), burned with low severity-outside of sprout clumps (BLO), burned with moderate severity-inside of sprout clumps (BMI), and burned with high severity-inside of sprout clumps (BHI). Increases in soil pH and available P and decreases in soil N and C/N ratio occurred only at BHI. SOC decreased in BHI and BMI compared to UI but no change was observed in BLO compared to UO. The areas subjected to high severity burn contained the most bacterial and the least fungal colony forming units (CFUs). Basal respiration decreased in BMI and BHI while substrate-induced respiration (SIR), and alkaline and acid phosphatase activities were only decreased in BHI compared UI. Discriminate analysis showed that the linear combination of acid and alkaline phosphatase activity, fungal CFUs, and SIR were respectively the most effective variables to differentiate the treatments. We concluded that acid and alkaline phosphatase activities can efficiently represent the degree of fire impact on soil even one year after fire.

Interactive effects of seed size and drought stress on growth and allocation of Quercus brantii Lindl. seedlings from two provenances

Quercus brantii is an important tree species in Zagros forests. Summer drought imposes severe limitations in Q. brantii forests, making reforestation with this species in general very difficult. This is further complicated by the limited ecophysiological information for this species. To improve our understanding of factors affecting the drought tolerance of Q. brantii at early critical life stages, we explored the influence of seed size and provenance on growth and survival of Q. brantii seedlings under drought. As expected, drought reduced growth and survival and increased the root-to-shoot ratio, with larger acorns rendering more vigorous growth than small ones. There was a positive correlation between seed size and root-to-shoot ratio under severe drought stress only for the provenance from the wetter region. Our results indicate that large seeds of Q. brantii from populations with good genetic material can render restoration programs in the Zagros forests more successful.

&lt;i&gt;Adamystis&lt;/i&gt; Cunliffe, 1957 (Acari: Prostigmata: Adamystidae) in Iran: two new species and a key to the Iranian species

Two new species of the prostigmatic mite genus Adamystis Cunliffe, 1957—A. theroni sp. nov. and A. ueckermanni sp. nov.—from Fars province, Iran are described and illustrated based on female specimens collected from soil, humus and leaf litter under oak trees (Quercus brantii Lindl, 1840 ). Adamystis theroni sp. nov. differs from its congeners in having a smooth dorsal shield encompassing setal rows c, d and e, chelicera with two setae, lateral lip with three adoral setae, and coxal setation of 2-4-4-4. Adamystis ueckermanni sp. nov. is unique in having the trichobothrial pair sci placed far apart from each other, and the large dorsal shield with a mixed reticulation pattern encompassing setal rows c, d, e, f and h. A diagnostic key to the four species of Adamystis known from Iran is also given.

Species richness and true diversity of cynipid galling-wasps community in oak forests of West-Azerbaijan Province (Iran)

In this survey, the oak gall wasps (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae: Cynipini) were collected from oak forests of West-Azerbaijan Province in six sites, from April to October. Species richness, heterogeneity, evenness and true diversity were measured. Based on the result of this study, 37 of oak gall wasps species on oak trees (Quercus infectoria Oliv. and Quercus brantii Lindl.) were identified in WestAzerbaijan Province in 2009 and 2010. Most galls occurred on Q. infectoria. All the collected oak gall wasps belonged to seven genera: Andricus, Cynips, Neuroterus, Chilaspis, Pseudoneuroterus, Biorhiza and Aphelonyx. The expected number of oak gall wasps species on Q. infectoria and Q. brantii was estimated to be 27 and 10, respectively. The highest amount of gal wasps’ species richness with rarefaction method was recorded in Pardanan, with 28 oak gall wasps species. Furthermore, the highest amount of Gini-Simpson and Shannon entropy index were recorded in Sardasht, while the highest evenness was recorded in Shalmash. Differences in the local distribution of oak species, especially their oak subspecies, and the climate of the locations should be considered as one main factor in species diversity and the distribution of oak gall wasps species in different locations.

Three new species of the genus Tycherobius Bolland (Acari: Camerobiidae) from Iran

Three new species of the genus Tycherobius Bolland, 1986, Tycherobius iranensis sp. nov., Tycherobius ueckermanni sp.nov. and Tycherobius farsiensis sp. nov., collected from soil and rotten leaves under oak trees (Quercus brantii Lindl. (Fa-gaceae)) in Iran, are described and illustrated. This genus is recorded for the first time in Iran. A key to all known species is given.

Morphological and molecular diversity among populations of Quercus brantii Lindl. in western forest of Iran

This study represents a preliminary step toward understanding the genetic structure of Persian oak in Iran. The genetic variability of Quercus brantii in Western forest of Iran was evaluated by amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP), chloroplast microsatellite and leaf morphology. Fifty-five trees from eight regions were sampled from across the range of Chaharmahal va Bakhtiari province of Iran. Twenty morphological traits were analyzed through clustering and ordination method. At morphological level, the applied statistics suggest that macromorphological traits significantly differentiate between populations. The overall sample shows a proportion of AFLP polymorphic markers of 92.1%, denoting a high level of variability. Based on AFLP data, differences among populations within geographic regions account for 11.6% of the total variation and only 0.57% is attributed to variation among regions. Based on chloroplast microsatellite (cpSSR), 34% of total variation was found among populations, suggesting a high within-population haplotype diversity. The dendrogram obtained from cpSSR showed a general pattern quite different from the pattern obtained from morphological analysis and AFLP markers.

Decoupling of soil biological properties by deforestation

Soil management practices can influence both the level and quality of soil organic matter. The effects of oak ( Quercus brantii Lindl) deforestation on soil organic C (SOC), soil basal respiration (SBR), potentially mineralizable N (PMN), soil l-asparaginase activity (LAS) and their association were investigated. Soil samples were collected from protected forest and deforested counterparts of four adjacent sites in Lordegan region, west central Iran. Deforestation decreased SOC, SBR, PMN and LAS by 63, 62, 57 and 61%, respectively, and reduced the correlation coefficients among the bio-indicators to insignificant levels. It can be concluded that deforestation not only degraded the soil biological properties but also decreased the degree of correlation among them.