Comparative cytogenetic within Achillea genus (Asteraceae) in Iran : I. chromosome number and morphology

The cytological features including chromosome numbers and detailed chromosome measurements of 46 populations of ten Achillea species (A. aleppica, A. bibersteinii, A. eriophora, A. filipendula, A. millefolium, A. nobilis, A. pachycephala, A. tenuifolia, A. vermicularis, and A. wilhelmsii) were reported from Iran. Sample plants and seeds were collected from diff erent geographical regions of Iran. Total chromosome length, long/ short arm ratio, centromere index, total form percentage, inter and intra-chromosomal index, diff erent relative lengths of the mitotic chromosomes were calculated. The populations showed one basic chromosome number x = 9 with two ploidy levels (2x and 4x). The chromosome numbers of A. filipendula, A. nobilis and A. pachycephala, for the first time are new to science and new ploidy levels are reported for A. biebersteinii (4x) and A. wilhelmsii (2x). The mean of chromosome length ranged from 3.8 μm in A. millefolium from Semnan, Chasham, Sirat to 6.37 μm in A. nobilis from Golestan, Agh Emam. Karyotype analysis indicated that chromosomes of Achillea taxa have predominantly median and sub-median centromeres. Several karyological aspects of these taxa are discussed in the light of the cytogenetic data

Effect of Priming on Germination and Enzyme Activity of Achillea vermicularis Seeds after Naturally and Accelerated Aging

Ageing induces seed deterioration expressed as the loss of seed vigor and/or viability. Priming treatment, which consists in soaking of seeds in a solution of low water potential, has been shown to reinvigorate aged seeds. An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of naturally and accelerated aging on seed germination traits and enzyme activities (proxidase, catalase and superoxid dismutase) in three Achillea vermicularis accessions. Naturally aged seeds were provided from base (stored 10 or15 years at -18 °C) and active (stored 10 or 15 years at 4 °C) cold rooms of Natural Resources Gene Bank of Iran. A two years harvested seeds of the accessions were aged under moisture of 100% and temperature of 40 °C for 48 and 72 hours. The seeds were primed by incubation for 24 hours at 15 °C in solution of polyethylene glycol 6000 (PEG6000) −0.3 Mpa (as osmo-priming), gibberellic acid 250 and 500 ppm (as hormone-priming). Non-primed seeds were used as control. ANOVA suggested significant different among three accessions of A. vermicularis for all germination traits and enzymes activities. Results showed that responses of different accessions to aging and priming treatments were significantly different. The data demonstrated that catalase is a key enzyme for seed repair against ageing ROS-induced damage during priming treatment

Evaluation of morphological and yield traits in the populations of Vicia spp.

El estudio se centró en el cálculo de la variación genotípica para las características morfológicas y de rendimiento de forraje de algunos genotipos de alverja para evaluar su potencial de mejora. En 2018-2020 se llevó a cabo un ensayo en pequeñas parcelas en el campo experimental del Instituto de Investigación de Bosques y Pastizales, provincia de Alborz, Irán. Se analizaron cincuenta y ocho (58) genotipos de alverja (Vicia spp.) del banco de genes de recursos naturales de Irán. Hubo una variación genotípica significativa (P<0.01) entre las poblaciones, para todas las características medidas. V. monantha (32845) produjo una planta alta y de vainas grandes, mientras que V. villosa (322) produjo más biomasa que otras variedades. En las estaciones de crecimiento más cortas, la precocidad de V. sativa var. angustifollia (4740,7243), V. sativa var. stenophylla (1862), V. villosa (315, 322) dio lugar a una elevada producción de semillas. También es posible hacer una selección directa de las poblaciones con un alto rendimiento de biomasa basándose en el rendimiento registrado de estas poblaciones durante los experimentos de campo. Un análisis de conglomerados de las poblaciones de arveja analizadas, basado en las características medidas, con una distancia genética de 11.49, creó cinco grupos principales que mostraron la similitud de los miembros de cada grupo. En general, las especies de arveja y sus poblaciones presentaron características de crecimiento, fenología, productividad de forraje y semillas diferentes. La información generada en este estudio proporciona una base para la variedad genética del género Vicia L. y podría ser útil incluirla en los futuros programas de mejoramiento genético.The study was focused on estimation of genotypic variation for the morphological and forage yield traits of some vetch genotypes to assess their breeding potential. A small-plot trial was carried out in 2018-2020 at the experimental field of the Research Institute of Forests and Rangelands, Alborz province, Iran. Fifty eight (58) vetch genotypes of Vicia spp. from the natural resources gene bank of Iran, were tested. There was significant (P<0.01) genotypic variation among populations, for all the traits measured. V.monantha (32845) produced high plant and large pods, while V. villosa (322) produced more biomass than other accessions. In the shorter growing seasons, the earliness of V. sativa var.angustifollia (4740,7243), V. sativa var.stenophylla (1862), V. villosa (315, 322) resulted in high seed yield. The principal component analysis showed that the variations observed were mainly caused by traits such as days to flowering and seed ripening and seed traits, that their contribution was important in discriminating the populations. Direct selection can also be made for the populations with high biomass yield based on the recorded performance of these populations during the field experiments. A cluster analysis of the tested vetch populations based on measured traits, at 11.49 genetic distance, created five main groups that showed the similarity of members of each group. Generally, vetch species and their populations had different growth features, phenology, forage and seed productivity. The generated information in this study gives a base for genetics variety of genus Vicia L. and could be useful for including in the future breeding programs

Callus induction and plant regeneration of Juniperus excelsa using in vitro technique

Low germination and non-viability of embryos are the main hindrans for forestation of Juniperus excelsa. Conventional methods of asexual plant propagation of this species have not been successful so far. In order to in vitro propagation, small pieces of stem of 8-10 years old trees(10-15 mm long) containing shoot tips with needles fascicles were used as explants. Those were excised from the plants and after surface sterilization. Samples were cultured on a Murashige & Skoog (MS) medium and six revised MS medium supplemented with different concentrations of BAP, Kin, IBA, NAA and 2,4-D. Then the cultures were incubated in a climate chamber at temperatures of 25°C (for day) and 15°C (for night) and 12 hours light at 2000-2500 Lux with 75% humidity. Results indicated that callugenesis and callus growth restricted by both type and nitrate and hormonal source. The best simulation of callus growth occurred on cultures of without KNO3, with gloutamin (100 ml/l) and amount of 2,4-D/BAP at more than 1 ratio. Although adventitious buds were formed on juvenile stages of parent plants, but root induction did not occur. In addition, the season of sampling can also restrict the calogenesis. Such, calougenesis of collected plants in autumn was more than in spring. We could not find any shoot proliferation on medium MS, however by elimination of ammonium nitrate from medium MS bud appeared from callus as well as leaf blade

Genetic variability of beech populations in Iran assessed by PCR-RFLP analysis of cp-DNA

Fagus is one of the most abundant and economically important forest tree genera in north of Iran. 14 populations of F. orientalis Lipsky were selected from its wide distribution through the Caspian Forests, in order to study the species genetic variation by three methods: enzyme, cpDNA and morphology. Chloroplast (cp) DNA polymorphysm was analyzed in the same populations of the Iranian beech by PCR-RFLP test. Two cpDNA gene regions, including DT and OA were generated and digested by bounder of HaeIII and HinfI. endonucleases The generated pieces fragments were separated by gel electrophoresis. The digestied profiles of the two regions CDT and OA were compared simultaneously with the digestied fragments of the control DNA of the known haplotype (kindly provided by Raffaello Giannini, IMGPF-CNR, Italy) to identify the Iranian haplotypes. The restricted fragments of the region DT did not show polymorphism among the individuals within any analysed population. However, among individuals within the analysed populations of Asalem and Neka-1400 areas, polymorphism in the bounder fragments of the OA region was found. Overall, three different chloroplast (cp) haplotypes were scored. Distribution of the cpDNA haplotypes revealed a geographical structure of the genetic differentiation with Gst=%68.7 and Nst=%70.3

A B 7 4+ &quot; % ! %

Reforestation with autochthonous species should take into account the preservation of the temporal variability and the geographic structure of genetic diversity in forest species. In order to provide empirical data about the suitability of methods of sampling material, genetic comparison of 10 beech populations (at least 40 trees per population) and their progenies (seeds of 10 mother trees per population, each tree 7 seeds) were analysed using four highly polymorphic microsatellite loci. The allelic multiplicity was higher in seed samples than adult trees indicating gene flow from adjacent plant populations. The comparison for genetic diversity measures between adult trees and seed generation revealed no significant differences for allelic richness (Na), effective number of alleles (Ne), and number of rare alleles (Nr), neither observed (Ho) nor expected heterozygosity (He). Genetic differentiation in allelic frequencies between adult trees and seeds generation were rather low (Fst = 0.058). A close genetic relationship between adult trees from seed generation of each population, which revealed by un-weighted pair group method based on arithmetic average (UPGMA) and supported by an analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA), were detected. In this paper some aspects related to seed sampling were discussed

A study on morphological, qualitative and quantitative characteristics of oriental beech stands from gene conservation point of view

Beech is one of the most abundant economically important species in northern Iran. Stand structure identification, combined with silvicultural characteristics, including of ad-mixture, age classes, vertical and horizontal structure, crown cover, absence or presence of gaps and regeneration or under storey could help in optimal management. Morphological qualitative and quantitative characteristics as well as genetic variation of beech were investigated in 14 sample plots, each covering 0.5 ha; originating from the major part of distribution range of this species in Hyrcanian zone. In this research also the role of human manipulation and selected management methods for management of beech forests on these characteristics were studied. Considerable genetic diversity of beech forests (expected heterozygosity = 0.191) represents large adaptive potential of this species. Due to positive correlation between genetic diversity and rate of undesirable trees, selection and conservation of desirable trees in shelterwood system must be considered with precautious. Because the selection for conservation of some genotypes is one of the most important processes in forest management practices, it changes the genetic variation of trees. During this process frequency of some genes and following that genetic variability and future adaptability, would be strongly reduced. An appropriate silvicultural system should reflect a sense of conservation, or a determined effort to provide future yields of goods and other values, even while harvesting or using those available at the moment. Therefore, the rate and circumstances of utilizing resources at present would be guaranteed adequate and continuous applies for future. Recent studies revealed that among silvicultural methods, the selection system and group selections are the best options for management of beech forests in a sustainable way. In this research high adaptive potential of some population (Neka at elevation 900 m.a.s.l. and Kheyrud at elevation 600 m.a.s.l. with 14 rare and specific area alleles) in comparison with limited adaptivity of others (such as Kheirud at elevation 1200 m.a.s.l. and Gorgan at elevation 2000 m.a.s.l. with 2 rare and specific area alleles) also emphasized on genetic resource conservation of beech forests and selection of suitable silviculture methods based on potential in every region

Seed Germination Plasticity of Two Endangered Species of Ferula in the Context of Climate Change

Ferula assa-foetida and F. gummosa, Apiaceae, are important endemic and endangered medicinal plants. Survival of the species is threatened by climate change, overexploiting (as source of oleo-gum resin and forage) and lack of organized cultivation. Cultivation of these valuable medicinal plants is restricted by insufficient domestication knowledge. Germination characteristics of different popula-tions of Ferula taxa were studied with the aim of describing and comparing their responses to continu-ous cold stratification condition. Germination cues for the species were complex, with dormancy mechanisms present to restrict germination until cold stratification are fulfilled. Results indicated that a period of 4 weeks of stratification is sufficient for germination of F. assa-foetida, but optimal germi-nation of F. gummosa require stratification for periods of 8 weeks. Both species were able to germi-nate at very low temperatures (4°C). Within-taxon differences in dormancy breaking and seedling emergence may interpret as local adaptations. The continued regeneration and propagation of the species in the wild will depend on the temperature and moisture status of the soil during winter and the maintenance of conditions suitable for stratification for an appropriate length of time

Seed Germination Plasticity of Two Endangered Species of Ferula in the Context of Climate Change

Ferula assa-foetida and F. gummosa, Apiaceae, are important endemic and endangered medicinal plants. Survival of the species is threatened by climate change, overexploiting (as source of oleo-gum resin and for-age) and lack of organized cultivation. Cultivation of these valuable medicinal plants is restricted by insuffi-cient domestication knowledge. Germination characteristics of different populations of Ferula taxa were studied with the aim of describing and comparing their responses to continuous cold stratification condition. Germination cues for the species were complex, with dormancy mechanisms present to restrict germination until cold stratification are fulfilled. Results indicated that a period of 4 weeks of stratification is sufficient for germination of F. assa-foetida, but optimal germination of F. gummosa require stratification for periods of 8 weeks. Both species were able to germinate at very low temperatures (4°C). Within-taxon differences in dor-mancy breaking and seedling emergence may interpret as local adaptations. The continued regeneration and propagation of the species in the wild will depend on the temperature and moisture status of the soil during winter and the maintenance of conditions suitable for stratification for an appropriate length of time