Cytology of some Iranian Stipa (Poaceae) species and populations

Meiotic studies were performed on 16 populations of 13 Stipa species concerning polyploidy level, chiasma frequency and distribution, chromosome association and segregation. The species and populations studied possessed 2n = 24, 36 and 44 chromosome number. The chromosome numbers of four species are reported for the first time. The populations and species studied differed significantly in their meiotic characteristics. Meiotic abnormalities observed included laggard chromosome formation, stickiness and cytomixis. Cytomixis led to the formation of aneuploid meiocytes. Unreduced pollen grains were observed in some of the species, which differed significantly in their size compared to the normal (reduced) pollen grains

New chromosome number and unreduced pollen formation in Achillea species (Asteraceae)

Cytological studies were performed in 14 populations of 8 Achillea species growing in Iran. A. eriophora, A. tenuifolia, A. oxyodonta, A. talagonica and A. biebersteinii showed 2n = 2x = 18 chromosome number, A. wilhelmsii and A. vermicularis showed 2n = 4x = 36 and A. millefolium showed 2n = 6x = 54 chromosome number. The chromosome numbers of A. eriophora and A. talagonica are new to science and new polyploidy levels are reported for A. tenuifoli and A. wilhelmsii. Tetraploid and hexaploid species, they formed only bivalents in metaphase of meiosis-I showing diplontic behavior possibly due to allopolyploid nature of the species studied and the presence of control over pairing among homologous chromosomes. Multipolar cells were observed almost in all populations and species studied leading to the formation of abnormal tetrads and pollen grains as well as unreduced (2n) pollen formation

Características palinológicas de las subspecies de Linum mucronatum Bertol. con heterostilia

Linum mucronatum is a heterostylous species from sect. Syllinum with four subspecies in Iran. The present study examines palynological characteristics of the heterostylous subspecies of Linum mucronatum, pollen characters of brevistylous individuals (pins) as well as longistylous individuals (thrums) of these plants by scanning electron microscope and light microscope using the prolonged acetolysis procedure. Sixteen qualitative and quantitative characters were investigated. Pollen equatorial shapes varied between pin and thrum individuals of each subspecies with the exception of L. mucronatum subsp. assyriacum. Pollen sculptures varied between pin and thrum samples of each subspecies and were seen in the gemmate, clavate and baculate shapes. In addition, quantitative palynological characters differed between plants and ANOVA test showed significant variations for traits such as equatorial length, colpi width and apocolpium diameter. Hetrostylous individuals of each subspecies were separated from others in the UPGMA tree and also in the PCO and PCA plots. This study confirmed variations in pollen features between pin and thrum individuals of each subspecies.Linum mucronatum es una especie con heterostilia, que pertenece a la sección Syllinum del género Linum, y tiene cuatro subespecies en Irán. En el presente estudio se examinan las características palinológicas de las subespecies heterostilas de Linum mucronatum Bertol., así como los caracteres polínicos de individuos de los morfos brevistilo (pin) y longistilo (thrum) de estas plantas, mediante microscopía electrónica de scanning y microscopía óptica usando el método de acetolisis prolongada. Se estudiaron un total de 16 caracteres cualitativos y cuantitativos. La forma ecuatorial del polen varía entre los morfos pin y thrum en todas las subspecies, excepto en L. mucronatum subsp. assyriacum. La ornamentación también varía entre las muestras de morfos pin y thrum de cada subespecie, en los que se puede observar polen gemado, clavado y baculado. En algunos caracteres palinológicos cuantitativos, se encontraron también diferencias entre morfos y el test de ANOVA muestra que son significativas en cuanto a la longitud ecuatorial, la anchura de los colpos y el diámetro del apocolpio. Los individuos heterostilos de cada susbespecie aparecen separados en el árbol UPGMA y también en los gráficos de PCO y PCA. Este estudio confirma las diferencias en las características del polen entre individuos pin y thrum de cada una de las subespecies

Anatomical study of some Silene L. species of Lasiostemones Boiss. section in Iran

Silene (Caryophyllaceae) composed of 110 species in Iran from which 35 species are endemic. Lasiostemones section is one of Silene sections with 10 species in Iran. In present study leaf and stem anatomical structure were considered for the first time. In order to study the anatomical variations of stem and leaf, 36 populations of 7 species of Silene (Lasiostemonessection) were collected from different habitats of Iran. In leaf anatomy vascular bundle shape, shape of dorsal surface of mid vein, cortex diameter, hair presence in dorsal and ventral surface of leaf, mid rib diameter, cuticle upper and lower thickness, fiber presence in mid rib, stomata cell shape, stomata index and hair frequency show significant differences among studied species. In stem anatomy features as shape of cross section, hair type, cortex and xylem and phloem diameter were of diagnostic value in species separation

Inter-simple sequence repeats (ISSR) and morphological diversity in Onosma L. (Boraginaceae) species in Iran

Morphological characteristics as well as inter-simple sequence repeats (ISSR) molecular markers were used to study the species relationship in Onosma species (Boraginaceae) in Iran. Principal component analysis (PCA) showed that morphological characters like caule leaf size and shape, bract shape, corolla shape, nutlet length, venation and corolla teeth size and anther length are the most variable morphological characters among Onosma species studied. Out of 17 ISSR primers used, 6 primers produced 41 polymorphic and reproducible bands. Few specific ISSR bands were obtained for the species studied which show genetic material change during species diversification. Such bands may be used in the species identification too. Morphological and molecular trees obtained partly agreed with each other. In both trees, Onosma dasytrichum and Onosma microcarpum are placed close to each other, Onosma procerum and Onosma pachypodum show affinity to each other and Onosma araraticum, Onosma bodeanum, Onosma bistonensis, Onosma stenosiphon and  Onosma bulbotrichum are placed close to each other while, Onosma rostellatum stands far from the other species. The combined morphological and ISSR tree obtained separated the members of three sections of Onosma, Podnosma and Protonosma from each other. Moreover, almost a good separation of different subsections in the section Onosma was observed in the combined tree.Key words: Inter-simple sequence repeats, morphometry, Onosma

The effects of prolonged vegetative reproduction of the two Iranian olive cv. tree cultivars (Dezful Baghmalek and Dezful Safiabad) on morphological traits

Somaclonal variation of the two Iranian olive cultivars named Dezful Baghmalek (DB) and Dezful Safiabad (DS) during the long-term propagation among 7 subcultures were evaluated. Morphological traits such as leaf length, leaf width, number of leaves on shoot, the length of shoots, internode distance and rooting percentage were measured. The study results showed that DB affected somaclonal variations more than the DS cultivar, especially rooting percentage, but the DS cultivar had a steady behavior, especially rooting percentage, during several subcultures. Although in all the traits that were fluctuating, irregular and unpredictable changes such as the length of shoots were observed, the most significant trait that was studied with almost a similar vibration in the two cultivars were leaf length and width changes measures. Totally, we could not select any specific subculture period for the creation of the maximum satisfied morphological changes, because it was suitable for increasing the internode distance (DB) and leaf length which were in the second and seventh subcultures that were optimized. Consequently, it was suitable for DS in the seventh subculture. For the purpose of accomplishing the proper morphological changes in the length of shoots, number of leaves and enhancement of rooting percentage in DB cultivar and also, internode distance and leaf width increase in DS cultivar, somaclonal variation during several subcultures will be appropriate.Key words: Olea europaea L., somaclonal variation, Dezful cultivars

Statistical evaluations of morphological and anatomical characteristics of Dracocephalum thymiflorum (Lamiaceae) populations in Iran

Dracocephalum (dragonhead) with about 60 to 70 species is mostly annual or perennial herbs or subshrubs. These species have medicinal values including anticancer, antioxidant, ant hypoxic and immune modulator activities. Dracocephalum thymiflorum grows in limited areas in Iran and forms few local populations and is extensively used by locals. We have no information on anatomical and morphological features of these medicinal species in the country. Clustering and PCA ordination of the studied populations based on morphological and anatomical data separated some of these populations from the others suggesting the existence 2 varieties within this species

Inter simple sequence repeats (ISSR) and random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analyses of genetic diversity in Mehr cotton cultivar and its crossing progenies

Cotton is cultivated in Iran with diploid and tetraploid forms and hybridization is a means to increase the genetic diversity and obtain new elite cultivars in this crop. This present study considered the molecular genetic diversity in Mehr (Gossypium hirsutum) cotton cultivar and its crossing progenies. 21 of 30 random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) primers produced 220 reproducible bands with average of 10.47 bands per primer and 80.12% of polymorphism. OPR02 primer showed the highest number of effective allele (Ne), Shannon index (I) and genetic diversity (H). Some of the cultivars had specific bands, for example the F1 progeny of Mehr X No. 200, Mehr parental genotype and Mehr X Belilzovar hybrid genotype. Results show that some RAPD bands were present in the F1 progenies, but absent in the parental genotypes. Some others were present in the parental genotypes, but were absent in their hybrids. The highest values of genetic diversity in RAPD markers were obtained in Mehr X Sindose and Mehr X Belilzovar hybrids. Nine of ten inter simple sequence repeats (ISSR) primers used produced 113 reproducible bands with average of 54.35% polymorphism. UBC834 locus revealed the highest number of Ne, I and H values. Also, some ISSR bands occurred only in the parental genotype while some others occurred only in the hybrid genotypes. The highest values of genetic diversity in ISSR markers were obtained in Mehr X Sindose and Mehr X Belilzovar hybrids.Key words: Cotton, genetic diversity, random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD), inter simple sequence repeats (ISSR)

Comparison of DNA extraction methods from Geranium (Geraniaceae)

The genus Geranium (Geraniaceae); with about 320 species throughout the temperate regions, is chemically characterised by the presence of tannins, flavonoids, anthocyanins and essential oils which interfere with the extraction of pure genomic DNA. It is necessary to optimise the extraction protocols to reduce the effects of the presence of these compounds to the lowest level. The present study compares the plant genomic DNA extraction Kit (DNP™ Kit), CTAB DNA extraction method by Murray and Thompson and Sahu et al., from the extracting DNA point of view Geranium species. The results showed significant differences in DNA contents between the three methods. Quantity and quality of extracted genomic DNAs were compared by employing the spectrophotometer, Nano-Drop, agarose gel electrophoresis, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods and molecular marker such as (ITS and trnL-F) and ISSR. The method of Sahu et al., provided the best results (200 ng/µL) in terms of quantity and quality of DNA, therefore, this method was taken and optimised for DNA extraction. Our results proposed that this method could be effective for plants with same polysaccharides, proteins and polyphenols components. The advantage of this method is that it omits the use of liquid nitrogen and toxic phenols which are expensive. The success of this method in obtaining high-quality genomic DNA has been demonstrated in the Geranium species group and the reliability of this method has been discussed