Tamarix Aphylla Research Articles

Establishment, Hybridization, Dispersal, Impact, and Decline of Diorhabda spp. (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) Released for Biological Control of Tamarisk in Texas and New Mexico.

Three Diorhabda spp. tamarisk beetles (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) were established in Texas from 2003 to 2010 for biological control of tamarisk (Tamarix spp.): Mediterranean tamarisk beetles, D. elongata (Brullé) from Greece, also established in New Mexico; subtropical tamarisk beetles, D. sublineata (Lucas) from Tunisia; and larger tamarisk beetles, D. carinata (Faldermann) from Uzbekistan. More than one million tamarisk beetles were released at 99 sites. Species establishment success ranged from 52 to 83%. All three species now co-occur in New Mexico with the northern tamarisk beetles, D. carinulata (Desbrochers). A phenotypic hybrid scoring system was developed to assess Diorhabda phenotype distributions and character mixing in hybrid zones. Widespread field populations of bispecific hybrid phenotypes for D. carinata/D. elongata and D. sublineata/D. elongata rapidly appeared following contact of parental species. Initial distributions and dispersal of Diorhabda spp. and hybrids are mapped for Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Kansas, where they produced large-scale tamarisk defoliation and localized dieback for 3-4 yr. However, populations subsequently severely declined, now producing only isolated defoliation and allowing tamarisk to recover. Diorhabda sublineata and D. elongata temporarily produced nontarget spillover defoliation of ornamental athel, Tamarix aphylla (L.) Karst, along the Rio Grande. Hybrid phenotypes were generally bimodally distributed, indicating some degree of reproductive isolation. Additional diagnostic phenotypic characters in males allowed more precise hybrid scoring. Character mixing in some hybrid populations approached or reached that of a hybrid swarm. The significance of hybridization for tamarisk biocontrol is discussed.

Plasmid Profiles of Pseudomonas syringae pv. savastanoi.

Pseudomonas syringae pv. savastanoi (Psv) is the causal agent of olive knot disease. Forty nine bacterial isolates of Psv were isolated from knots on several hosts at the western area of Libya: 31 isolates from olive Olea europaea, 17 isolates from athel Tamarix aphylla (on which the disease is documented for the first time) and one isolate from retem Retama raetam. The isolates were identified on the basis of their morphological characteristics and LOPAT profile. They produced round, white creamy colonies on selective media (PAB and KB), from which 15 isolates produced fluorescent pigments. With the exception of other LOPAT analysis, all isolates were pectinolytic activity and arginine dihydrolase negative. some isolates were levan positive (10 isolates) and oxidase positive (12 isolates), while the rest of isolates were negative for both tests. Most of the isolates induced a hypersensitive reaction on tobacco and pepper leaves. Plasmid profile analysis of Psv strains indicated high genetic variability between the isolates of the same host or different hosts. Most of the olive isolates were classified according to their plasmid profile into five groups (A, B, C, D, F), however, the athel isolates were separated into three different groups designated as G, K, N, on the other hand, group E and H contained mixed isolates from different hosts: group H included two isolates from olive (OS25w and OS42w) and one isolate from retem (Ra1); only two strains OS6w and Ta5y from olive and athel respectively were classified within the same group designated as E. The remaining seven isolates from all hosts were unique. The total number of plasmids ranged from 1-4 for the strains tested, while the DNA content varied widely ranging from 540 to 13550 bp. No plasmid were detected in 14 isolates tested. Genome analysis based on plasmid profiles indicated the great potential of this technique to discriminate between the isolates of Psv from different hosts and geographical regions.

Extraction and characterization of cellulose from halophytes: next generation source of cellulose fibre

Cellulose content was estimated from Tamarix aphylla, Juncus rigidus, and Thespesia populnea growing in saline soil at salt farm experimental plot of Central Salt and Marine Chemicals Research Institute (CSMCRI), Bhavnagar, Gujarat, India. Cellulose was extracted from the plant samples by the treatment of NaClO2 followed by NaOH, HCl, and H2O2. Extracted cellulose samples were fractionated to α-cellulose and β-cellulose. Tamarix aphylla was subject to different treatments, and among all the treatments the highest cellulose fibre was extracted from T1 (3.0% NaClO2 followed by 17.5% NaOH, 4.0% HCl) with 33% α-cellulose having 61% crystallinity. Maximum (44.0%) crude cellulose (3.5% NaClO2 followed by 2.0% NaOH, 5.0% HCl, 17.5% NaOH) was obtained from J2 treatment (J. rigidus) with 58.7% crystallinity, 33% α-cellulose with 62% crystallinity and TP3 (4.0% NaClO2 followed by 4.0% NaOH, 5.5% HCl, 17.5% NaOH) was best for T. populnea with 39% highest crude cellulose with 64.4% crystallinity, 30% α-cellulose with 55% crystallinity. The cellulose related peaks were noted in XRD and FTIR spectra; lignin and hemicellulose related peaks were absent. This confirms the removal of lignin and hemicellulose from the isolated product. All the three halophytes growing in saline soil were found good source of cellulose. However, T. aphylla contain highest cellulose and α-cellulose with highest crystallinity as compared to J. rigidus, and T. populnea.

Effects of soil texture and nitrogen on ability of carbon sequestration in different organs of two Tamarix species as a good choice for carbon stock in dry lands

The present study was conducted to examine how different organs of plants (leaf, stem and root) of Tamarix aphylla and Tamarix kotschyi could affect carbon sequestration in soil depths ranging from 0 to 15 cm and 15 to 30 cm. This study was carried out in the Ahoochar region, 25 km north of Shiraz, during 2015–2017. This study was carried out in two separate factorial experiment arranged in a randomized complete design. The first factor was the type of plant species in both experiments. The second factor was the plant organs in experiment I and different soil depths in experiment II. The results showed that there was a higher degree of carbon sequestration in depths that ranged from 0–15 cm, compared to soil at 15–30 cm depth. The results of correlation coefficients showed that the percentage of clay was the strongest parameter that contributed to carbon sequestration. Furthermore, Tamarix aphylla and T. kotschyi showed similar amounts of organic carbon stored in their tissues. Stems had higher amounts of stored organic carbon compared to the leaves. In general, it was observed that carbon sequestration reached its highest level (54.15 t/ha) in soil with T. kotschyi at 0–15 cm depth. The stem of both plants had a higher ability for carbon sequestration.

Cytogenetic analyses of the anti-mutagenic effect of Tamarix nilotica in mice bone marrow

The usages of medicinal plants as therapeutic agents have been practiced in a large scale of applications that make studies of their mutagenicity and/or anti-mutagenic /anti-carcinogenic effects very essential. The current investigation is focused on the anti-mutagenic effects of the Tamarix nilotica (Ehrenb) crude extract using chromosomal aberrations analysis in mice bone marrow. In fact, a single plant may have diversity of phytochemicals ranging from bitter compounds that stimulate digestive system, phenolic compounds for antioxidants and many other pharmacological properties, antibacterial, and antifungal, tannins that work as natural antibiotics, diuretic substances and alkaloids, etc. Tamarix is represented in Egypt with two indigenous species which are Tamarix aphylla (L.) (H.Karst) and T. nilotica (Ehrenb.) Bunge (T. nilotica (Ehrenb.). In addition, it was used in Egyptian traditional medicine as an antiseptic agent. Extracts of Tamarix species have been widely used in traditional medicine in Asia and Africa mainly for their antiseptic, astringent, diaphoretic and diuretic properties. The current investigation is focused on the anti-mutagenic effects of the Tamarix nilotica crude extract using chromosomal aberrations analysis in mice bone marrow. Mitomycin C (MMC) was administered to mice as a positive control alone before and after treatment with 5 or 0.5 mg/ kg b.wt Tamarix crude extract as acute (24 and 48 h) and sub-acute (15 consecutive days) doses respectively. Results indicated that the Mitomycin C (MMC) exposure induced statistically significant increase in chromosomal aberrations compared to the control, however T. nilotica revealed slight insignificant effect on aberrant mitosis rate. Chromosomal aberration domain structural and numerical aberrations. The frequency of chromosomal aberrations (CA) and mitotic index (MI) decreased with increasing the dose and time of T. nilotica treatment, especially pre-treatment (plant + MMC). This effect was found to be dose-dependent. In conclusion, the results showed that T. nilotica could be considered as a good anti-mutagenic agent.

Biomass Production and Carbon Sequestration by Cultivation of Trees under Hyperarid Conditions using Desalinated Seawater (Sewage Water)

As growing economies – in particular in the Gulf region – use extreme and growing amounts of desalinated seawater for municipal purposes the use of produced waste waters is in the focus of science. The fixation of atmospheric carbon-dioxide by a safe cultivation of trees using this slightly salty water sources is of increased importance in times of ongoing climate change. Unfortunately, existing research relies on irrigation of trees in arid lands using ground water, any kind of precipitation, seasonal events like river flooding or a mix of them. To date no data support the biomass or tree production in total absence of natural precipitation and complete lack of ground water. In this study, seven timber and fuelwood tree species, namely, Eucalyptus occidentalis En., Eucalyptus tereticornis Smith, Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehnh., Eucalyptus gomphocephala DC., Eucalyptus grandis Hybr. Hill ex Maid, Tamarix aphylla (L.) Karst., Tamarix nilotica (Ehrenb.) Bunge were tested for carbon sequestration and biomass-production. Above-soil and sub-soil parts were determined under two levels of drip-irrigation water supply: 25% and 50% of Evapotranspiration (ETo) over a period of two years and four months from planting to harvest. The trees were cultivated under hyper-arid climatic conditions using brackish irrigation water (3.5 dS m-1) on a research and development station in Arava, Israel. Purified waste water from a seawater desalination plant (reverse osmosis) was applied after municipal use. Eucalyptus gomphocephala DC. delivered the highest yields and had the highest water use efficiency, producing 70 t of Dry Matter (DM) /ha/a under the higher irrigation level. Compared with the other species, E. gomphocephala DC. showed a 32% to 65% superior performance . Whereas, lower amounts of saline irrigation water were favoured by E. camaldulensis and T. aphylla – both producing more than 50 t of DM/ha/a. Nevertheless, Tamarix, as a halophyte specialist plant, needed 30 % less water for this growth. Both Eucalyptus varieties mentioned before form a closed tree stand and reached a height of almost 10 m, two years after planting. Regardless of the particular use of the produced timber, about 15 – 25% of the trees’ total DM, approximately equal to the carbon-content, remains in the soil as long-term carbon-storage after harvesting the above ground biomass. Fast growing fuelwood tree species ensure a safe long-term biological fixation of carbon Irrigated with small amounts of saline waste water.

SURVIVAL, GROWTH PERFORMANCE AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC IMPACT OF BILLION TREE INTERVENTION IN DISTRICT KARAK

Pakistan forests have been severely affected by deforestation and degradation due immense social pressure of forest dependent communities for their livelihood. Billion Tree Afforestation Project (BTAP) is an initiative of mass afforestation by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government to decrease social pressure on forests and to support forest dwellers livelihood. The current study aimed to investigate at exploring socio-economic impacts of BTAP activities on local livelihood, to determine survival and growth performance of plantation executed within district Karak and to evaluate the status of Assisted Natural Regeneration (ANR) in the plantation sites. Circular sample plot of 50 feet radius were used for data collection. The numbers of pits was counted and observed for the survival percentage and growth performance within the same plot. Further, the number of species as well as dry species was determined and the growth rate of the plants at different sites was recorded and comparatively analyzed. Pit density was found lesser than the required 10x10 spacing. According to 10x10 spacing the required number of pits per ha is 1075 but here it is found 663. Average regeneration per ha is estimated as 222 and major species were Prosopi sjuliflora, Zizyphus nemularia, Nannorrhopsritchiana. All the regeneration was observed outside the pits during data collection in randomly selected areas. The study indicate that only the regeneration i.e established (mean above 9 inches) were found while the un-established (below 9 inches) were not found. The study revealed that average survival rate was 93% in both Karak subdivision and in Teri range. The survival rate of Karak forest subdivision is found as 92% while that of Teri forest range it was found 93%. Species composition in plantations was also found and the percentage of each species is as followed. Acacia modesta 18% , Eucalyptus 55%, Acacia nilotica 7%, Dodonaea viscosa 3%, Tamarix aphylla 1 % and Dalbergia sissoo 16%.

<p class="Body">Two new species of the genus Raphignathus Dugès (Acari: Raphignathidae) from Southeast of Iran

Two new species of the genus Raphignathus Dugès (Acari: Raphignathidae); R. hamooniensis sp. nov., and R. tamaricis sp. nov., are described based on adult female specimens associated with salt seder trees (Tamaricaceae: Tamarix aphylla L.) in the Sistan region, Sistan and Baluchestan province, southeast Iran.

Wound Healing Activity of Alcoholic Extract of Tamarix Aphylla L. on Animal Models

To evaluate the wound healing activity of ethanolic extract of Tamarix aphylla L. on animal model. Wound creation like circular excision and linear incision method were considered for this study. The various parameters were studied like DNA estimation, total protein estimation, estimation of Hexosamine and Uronic acid, estimation of lipid peroxides and antioxidant activity, Tensile Strength of tissues from incision wounds, Antioxidant activity, Antimicrobial activity, Period of epithelialization and finally TNF-a concentration in the wound tissue homogenate were estimated. The treatment groups with the extract showed significant antimicrobial activity with compare to the standard drug. Significantly, 93. 86% increase in the collagen content and significant 52% up regulation in tensile strength was observed in the treated group. 40% reduction was observed in epithelialization period of the treated wounds. The results of the current study confirm that the ethanolic extract of T. aphylla has potent wound healing capacity.

Changes in a soil microarthropod community in the vicinity of dominant tree species under trampling management at the Safari Zoological Center, Israel

Tree-canopy and trampling management are reported to influence soil arthropod abundance and diversity. However, there is limited understanding of their interactive effects on a soil microarthropod community at the Safari Zoological Center, central Israel. This study assessed the spatial influence of three dominant tree species (Cupressus sempervirens, Eucalyptus camaldulensis, and Tamarix aphylla) under contrasting trampling and enclosure treatment on soil microarthropod abundance and diversity during a wet Mediterranean winter. There was a significant interactive effect of tree species and trampling management on soil moisture, organic matter, pH, and soil density, with an individual effect of tree species or trampling management on soil electrical conductivity and water-holding capacity. There was a significantly greater abundance of total microarthropods under enclosure than under trampling in open spaces and beneath the E. camaldulensis canopy, with the greatest abundance found in the open spaces under enclosure. However, there were no significant differences in the average abundance of total microarthropods between trampling and enclosure beneath either the T. aphylla or C. sempervirens canopy. The soil Acari diversity indices (i.e., taxon richness, Shannon index, and evenness index) were significantly greater under enclosure than under trampling in open spaces and beneath tree-canopy habitats, with the exception of taxon richness beneath the C. sempervirens canopy. We concluded that the trampling activities had a detrimental effect on soil microarthropod abundance and soil Acari diversity in some cases only. The distinctive canopy architecture of some tree species (i.e., T. aphylla and C. sempervirens) has ecophysiological attributes which could mediate the effect of trampling on soil microarthropods.

Ethnobotanical, Phytochemical, and Biological Study of Tamarix aphylla and Aerva javanica Medicinal Plants Growing in the Asir Region, Saudi Arabia

In this study, Tamarix aphylla and Aerva javanica, plants used in folkloric medicine in the Asir region of Saudi Arabia were studied ethnobotanically, chemically, and biologically to assess their medicinal uses, phytochemical constituents, and biological activities. Ethnobotanical data were collected using semistructured interviews and the use values were calculated. A total of 61 informants were interviewed and results indicated high-value uses (0.9 and 0.7) for the plants. Phytochemical investigation indicated that the plants contained most of the phytochemicals that were tested for. The antioxidant activity was examined by assaying total phenolic content, 1,1-Diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) radical scavenging activity. .The bark extract of T. aphylla showed the best antioxidant effect in total phenolic content, DPPH, and H2O2 assays (278.02 ± 0.16 mg GAE/100 g; The half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50): DPPH, 18.39 ± 0.62 μg/mL; H2O2, 252.94 ± 1.86 μg/mL), followed by extract of the A. javanica aerial parts (228.60 ± 2.09 mg GAE/100 g; IC50: DPPH, 28.54 ± 0.53 μg/mL; H2O2, 154.17 ± 0.78 μg/mL) compared with ascorbic acid (DPPH: 27.27 ± 0.11 μg/mL; H2O2: 164.9 ± 0.37 μg/mL). The disc diffusion method performed for antimicrobial activity revealed weak activities in T. aphylla and A. javanica extracts (100 μg/mL) against six human pathogens. It was concluded that these plants possess therapeutic potential in the treatment of 18 types of ailments, which are important phytochemical constituents and antioxidant activities that justify their therapeutic uses in traditional medicine. Thus, this study laid sufficient background for further pharmacological research on extracts of these plants.

Phylogeny of Paecilomyces, the causal agent of pistachio and some other trees dieback disease in Iran.

One of the most important fungal agents of pistachio dieback disease belongs to the ascomycete genus Paecilomyces that has been identified as P. variotii. In 2012–2014, 700 plant samples from pistachio trees and 27 other plant species with dieback symptoms were collected from 10 provinces of Iran. Of the 567 pistachio samples, 277 Paecilomyces strains were obtained and from the 133 samples of other plants (except pistachio and including Pistacia mutica, Punica granatum, Prunus amygdalus, Caesalpinia gilliesii, Nerium oleander, Tamarix aphylla, Tamarix hispida and Haloxylon sp.), 23 fungal isolates were recovered and five isolates were obtained from the air of infected pistachio orchards. Based on morphology, all 305 isolates were identified as P. variotii. Physiological studies revealed that 299 isolates belong to P. formosus. Three isolates were assigned to P. variotii, while three isolates could not be assigned to any of the known species. Of the 305 isolates, 62 were selected for phylogenetic analysis based on DNA variation (ITS, β-tubulin and calmodulin). This analysis showed that all of our isolates form a clade with P. formosus. P. formosus consists of the three former species P. formosa, P. lecythidis and P. maximus. This study shows that our isolates form a strongly supported clade with strains of P. lecythidis. So, the causal agent of dieback disease of pistachio and other examined trees is P. formosus which is closely related to the former species P. lecythidis and has some differences with the former species P. formosa and P. maximus. Based on phylogenetic studies P. formosus thus seems to be a species complex that could be divided into three separate species.

Purification and properties of Manganese Superoxide Dismutase (MnSOD) from Tamarix aphylla L.

Superoxide dismutase (SOD) of the Tamarix aphylla leaves were detected at optimum conditions that collected in April, May and June. Results indicated the specific activity in the crude extract reaching to 36.76 unit/ mg protein. Crude SOD was purified by several techniques, precipitation with ammonium sulfate (50-75) %, Ion exchange chromatography using DEAE-cellulose and two steps of size exclusion chromatography on sephacryl S-200 column. The obtained specific activity (310 unit/mg protein) and purification fold 7.91. The purified enzyme revealed one band by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis with molecular mass 85.703 kDa. while 89.125 kDa by Sephacryl S-200. The optimal pH and temperature for enzyme activity were 7.5, and 50ºC respectively. EDTA, SDS and NaN3 reduced activity, contrariwise of H2O2 and KCN, pointed to the studied SOD is MnSOD. Michalis constant Km and maximum velocity Vmax values were 0.016 mM and 55.86 mM/min, respectively by using Pyrogallol as substrate. According to the results, we conclude Tamarix aphylla produce MnSOD which can have purified by serial purification techniques for better activity and characterized for further studies.

Two new species of Tenuipalpus Donnadieu, 1875 (Acari: Trombidiformes: Tenuipalpidae) from Iran.

Two new flat mite species (Acari: Trombidiformes: Tenuipalpidae), Tenuipalpus iranicus sp. nov. ex. Salix aegyptiaca (Salicaceae) and Tenuipalpus kermanicus sp. nov. ex. Tamarix aphylla (Tamaricaceae) from the Hormozgan and Kerman provinces of Iran, respectively, are described and illustrated. These species belong to the proteae species group. Tenuipalpus iranicus sp. nov. is placed in the xerocolus subgroup due to having two pairs each of setae 3a and 4a, and T. kermanicus sp. nov. is placed in the keiensis subgroup because it has one pair of setae 3a and two pairs of 4a.

Tamarix aphylla Biomass as Efficient Adsorbent for Removal of Pb(II) Ions from Aqueous Solution: Kinetic and Applicability for Different Isotherm Models

Tamarix aphylla biomass (TAB) is a low cost adsorbent that has been used for the removal of Pb (II) ions from an aqueous solution. It was characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) to support the adsorption of Pb (II) ions. The ability of TAB to adsorb Pb (II) ions was investigated by using batch adsorption procedure. The effects of various parameters such as solution pH, adsorbent concentration, contact time and initial Pb (II) ions concentration were examined. The adsorbent data were analyzed using two, three, four and five parameter models at 30oC by using nonlinear regression analysis. Various kinetics models including the Pseudo-first-order, Pseudo-second-order, Elovich, Intra-particle diffusion and Bangham models have been applied to the experimental data to predict the adsorption mechanism. It was found that pseudo-second-order rate was better obeyed than pseudo-first-order reaction supporting that chemisorption process was involved. The examination of error analysis methods showed that the Langmuir model provide the best fit for experimental data than other isotherms. The obtained results show that TAB can be used as an effective and a natural low-cost adsorbent for the removal of Pb (II) ions from aqueous solutions.

Local desalination treatment plant wastewater reuse and evaluation potential absorption of salts by the halophyte plants

The expansion of arid and semi-arid areas and consequently water scarcity are affected by climate change. This can influence on availability and quality of water while demands on food and water are increasing. As pressure on freshwater is increasing, utilization of saline water in a sustainable approach is inevitable. Therefore, bioremediation using salt tolerant plants that is consistent with sustainable development objectives might be an alternative and effective approach. In this study, saline wastewater from a local desalination treatment plant was utilized to irrigate four halophyte plants, including Aloevera , Tamarix aphylla , Rosmarinus officinalis and Matricaria chamomilla. A field experiment was designed and conducted in Zarrindasht, south of Iran in years 2012-2013 accordingly. Two irrigation treatments consisting of freshwater with salinity of 2.04 dS.m -1 and desalination wastewater with salinity of 5.77dSm -1 were applied. The experiment was designed as a split plot in the form of randomized complete block design (RCB) with three replications. The results of variance analysis, ANOVA, on salt concentration in Aloevera showed that there was no significant difference between the effects of two irrigation water qualities except for Na. In Rosmarinus officinalis, only the ratio of K/Na showed a significant difference. None of the examined salt elements showed a significant difference in Tamarix aphylla irrigated with both water qualities. In Matricaria chamomilla, only Mg and K/Na ratio showed a significant difference (Duncan 5%) . As a result , no significant difference was observed in salt absorption by the examined plants in treatments which were irrigated by desalination wastewater and freshwater. This could be a good result that encourages the use of similar wastewater to save freshwater in a sustainable system.

Application of wild Saudi plant extracts to control antibiotic resistant Staphylococcus aureus

Wild plants are always the promising sources to explore novel therapeutic agents. Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) has a wide collection from wild and medicinal plants that contains hundreds of precious species. Staphylococcus aureus is from the most clinically dangerous bacterial pathogens that could acquire many resistance types toward numerous chemical antibiotics. Seven wild KSA plants, e.g. Bassia eriophora, Blepharis ciliaris, Ducrosia anethifolia, Pulicaria crispa, Rumex vesicarius, Tamarix aphylla and Teucrium oliverianum, were extracted with 70% ethanol solution and screened for their antibacterial activity against various S. aureus strains, including reference, methicillin susceptible (MSSA) and resistant (MRSA) strains. Most of screened extracts exhibited remarked antibacterial activity against the entire S. aureus strains; the most powerful extracts were those from B. eriophora and T. oliverianum, using different antimicrobial quantification assays. These extracts were applied onto cotton textiles as finishing agents, for the production of anti-Staphylococcus aureus fabrics; treated textiles showed powerful antibacterial activity against all examined S. aureus strains, including MRSA isolates. Extract-treated textiles could preserve most of their antibacterial activities after two laundering cycles. The present work showed that the antibacterial potentiality of KSA wild plant extracts could be proposed for the control of resistant S. aureus strains and fabrication of anti-S. aureus textiles.

A new species of the genus Tuckerella (Acari: Trombidiformes: Tuckerellidae) from Iran

A new mite species Tuckerella parsi n. sp. (Prostigmata: Tuckerellidae) from Tamarix aphylla (Tamaricaceae) is described from Iran. The description of the adult female, adult male, female tritonymph and protonymph and also leg setal designations for this family are provided.

IMPACT OF SOIL SALINIZATION ON NATURAL VEGETATION AND LAND DETERIORATION

This work was conducted to assess the impact of soil salinization and sodification on natural vegetation and land deterioration in Wadi Al-Shatti, Southern Libya. Fallow soils were very strongly saline with mean ECe of 111.2 and 68.78 dS m-1 in crust and surface layers respectively. The cultivated soils were moderately, strongly and very strongly saline with mean ECe of 14.52 dS m-1. Sodium was the dominant cations, followed by calcium and magnesium. Chloride was the dominant anion. Very low concentrations of bicarbonate and absence of carbonate was recorded. Sodium chloride was prevalent salt in all samples, followed by calcium sulphate in some and magnesium chloride in the others. Sodium and magnesium sulphate were found in some samples, while the presence of calcium and magnesium chloride was confined in fallow soils and crust of very high salinity. Crust and surface layers of fallow soils have high values of ESP with means of 47.78 and 33.85% respectively, whereas low values were noticed in cultivated soils with mean of 18.10%. Field study results showed the disappearance of ordinary natural vegetation and the occurrence of halophyte plants, like; Athel trees (Tamarix aphylla), Spiny rush (Juncus acutus), Cogon grass (Emperica cylinderica), Camel thorn (Alhagi maurorum) and Nitre bush (Nitraria retusa). Degradation indices confirmed that the cultivated soils suffered from slight to moderate deterioration, whereas fallow soils suffer from sever to very sever deterioration.

Aeroponics for adventitious rhizogenesis in evergreen haloxeric tree Tamarix aphylla (L.) Karst.: influence of exogenous auxins and cutting type.

Tamarix aphylla (L.) Karst., a drought resistant halophyte tree, is an agroforestry species which can be used for reclamation of waterlogged saline and marginal lands. Due to very low seed viability and unsuitable conditions for seed germination, the tree is becoming rare in Indian Thar desert. Present study concerns the evaluation of aeroponics technique for vegetative propagation of T. aphylla. Effect of various exogenous auxins (indole-3-acetic acid, indole-3-butyric acid, naphthalene acetic acid) at different concentrations (0.0, 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, 5.0, 10.0mgl-1) was examined for induction of adventitious rooting and other morphological features. Among all three auxins tested individually, maximum rooting response (79%) was observed with IBA 2.0mgl-1. However, stem cuttings treated with a combination of auxins (2.0mgl-1 IBA and 1.0mgl-1 IAA) for 15min resulted in 87% of rooting response. Among three types of stem cuttings (apical shoot, newly sprouted cuttings, mature stem cuttings), maximum rooting (~90%) was observed on mature stem cuttings. Number of roots and root length were significantly higher in aeroponically rooted stem cuttings as compared to stem cuttings rooted in soil conditions. Successfully rooted and sprouted plants were transferred to polybags with 95% survival rate. This is the first report on aeroponic culture of Tamarix aphylla which can be utilized in agroforestry practices, marginal land reclamation and physiological studies.