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Phosphorus is an essential nutrient for plant growth and productivity. Since agricultural soils in Iran are predominantly calcareous with very low available Pi content, Pi deficiency has been considered to be a major nutritional constraint for crop production, thus, the application of Pi-fertilizers is essential for satisfactory crop production. The application of Pi-fertilizers contaminates soil and water resources. Therefore, the application of Pi-fertilizers should be reduced through some efficient strategies. The identification of genotypes more tolerant to Pi deficiency is an important low-cost strategy to promote sustainable agriculture in low fertility soils. In this study, the morphological and biochemical responses of five cultivars of common bean (Talash, Mahali Khomein, Sadri, Kosha and Line Ks21191) were evaluated under Pi sufficiency and Pi deficiency. Under Pi-deficient conditions, fresh and dry weights and shoot length were lower while root length was higher in comparison with Pi-sufficient conditions. Under Pi-deficient conditions, the highest and lowest levels of total P were observed in Mahali Khomein and Talash, respectively. The activities of superoxide dismutase and peroxidase in root and catalase in leave showed remarkable increase under Pi-deficient conditions. In conclusion, Mahali Khomein and Talash were the most and the least Pi-deficient tolerant cultivars, respectively.
 
 

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The aim of this research was to study the effect of iron oxide nanoparticles (FeO NPs) on the growth, differentiation, anatomy, and physiology of pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) on the basis of a completely randomized design in vitro condition. Seedlings were cultured in MS medium containing four concentrations of FeO NPs (0, 1, 10, and 20 mgl^-1). Also, the effect of the different concentrations of FeO NPs on callus formation under two various hormone conditions (0.5mgl^-1 2,4D+0.5 mgl^-1 BAP or 0.5 mgl^-1 BAP+1 mgl^-1 Kin) were assessed. The results showed that the application of FeO NPs significantly increased biomass accumulation in both roots and shoots. Moreover, FeO NPs enhanced the concentrations of photosynthesis pigments (chllrophyll a, chlorophyll b, and carotenoids). The presence of FeO NPs in culture medium affected callus formation in a hormone-dependent manner. Different concentration of FeO NPs induced the callus formation under 2, 4-D and BAP treatments. However, it did not significantly increase callus formation under the kinitin and 2,4-D. The findings of this research indicated that the application of FeO NPs at optimized doses may improve plant production, especially in vitro condition.

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In this study, phylogenetic relationships and evolutionary trends of morphological characters of Astragalus sects. Acanthophace and Aegacantha were studied using nrDNA ITS and rpl32-trnL^UAG datasets while Astragalus stocksii was selected as the outgroup. The phylogenetic results indicated the non-monophyly of A. sect. Acanthophace in its current circumscription due to the distant exclusion of A. ovigerus from the core group, and incongruence between nuclear and plastid datasets on the basis of different position of latter species in the resulted phylogenetic trees. Astragalus sect. Aegacantha was also found to not being monophyletic due to the distant position of A. montis-parrowii from the other representatives of the section while accompanying with other spiny Astragalus species. The Optimization of 32 morphological characters on the Bayesian combined tree indicated that some characters were most useful for delimitation of taxa in sections Acanthophace and Aegacantha. The results obtained from the evolution of characters showed that standard blade constriction, legume shape and possessing unilocular pods were of diagnostic importance for the separation of A. ovigerus from other species. The traced characters were in accordance with the phylogenetic position of A. montis-parrowii, which was separated from other members of sect. Aegacantha, as the number of flowers in inflorescences, the presence of peduncle, hairy petal, pandurate standard and constriction of standard that is differentiatiated to claw, the presence of claw in standard and the length difference between keel and wing were different from those in other members of the sect. Aegacantha.
 

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The Hezar-Masjed Mountain range is one of the main highlands of the northeasten Iran. The vegetation of its upper elevations has been poorly studied. This study aimed to compare the plant biodiversity of different aspects of the Hezar-Masjed Summit. A total number of 139 random 1m² plots were recorded from different aspects of the study area. In each plot, the abundance and canopy cover percent of vascular plant species were recorded. Hill’s numbers (i.e., N₁, N₂) along with the Camargo evenness index and total species richness with bootstrapping approach were calculated. Rarefaction method was used to compare species richness among the aspects. Also, Hill’s diversity profile for each aspect was drawn. For each aspect, rank-abundance method was used to evaluate the dominant species. Biodiversity calculations and statistical analyses were performed using R software. The east- and south- facingslopes were found to have the highest and lowest indices in richness, evenness, and diversity, respectively. Despite adequate water availability in north-facing slopes, they show lower diversity than that of the east-facing slope, probably due to the of dominance of a poisonous species (Seseli transcaucasicum). Our results shown that in the Hezar-Masjed Summit, aspects have different biodiversity which is a result of their various environmental conditions.
 

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Algae are the most important group of organisms which considerably affect the water quality. Although algae constitute one of the fundamental parts of the aquatic food chains, only few researches deal with the freshwater algae of Iran. Filamentous algae are important components of the river vegetation. The Balikhlou River is utilized as a source to obtain drinking water for the city of Ardabil, therefore, the algae flora of this river was studied and a total number of 18 taxa of filamentous algae were determined, of which nine species were belonged to the Cyanophyceae class of Cyanobacteriae, while five speciesof which were belonged to the Chlorophyta. In addition, four species were recorded for the first time from Iran, i.e., Audouinella eugenea, Arthrospira gigantea, Homoeothrix janthina and Tychonema bourrellyi.

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The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of Damavand volcanic ash on the morphological and physiological characteristics of beans as a factorial experiment in a completely randomized design. The results showed that the highest dry leaf weight was observed in 100 mg/L treatment per liter of volcanic ash (0.0099 g). The results also showed that the optimal sugar content of the soluble sugar at 100 mg/L of volcanic ash was 0.650 (mg/g D.W.). The highest protein content and optimal peroxidase activity were observed with 0.68 (mg/g F.W.) and 0.082 (A470/mg/protein), respectively. Therefore, it can be argued that volcanic ash may increase plant growth and biosynthesis of organic compounds such as iron and aluminum.

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Beta vulgaris belongs to the family Amaranthaceae and was found to have halophytic ancestors. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of sodium chloride on seed germination, therefore the early stages of seedling growth of Beta vulgaris grown under different salinity levels (0, 100, 150 and 200 mM of NaCl) were studied. The experiment was laid out in a completely randomized design (CRD) with four replications. It was revealed that as concentration of NaCl increases, the rate and percentage of germination, length and fresh weight of radicle & plumule and seedling vigour index decrease. In conclusion, our results indicated that salt stress decreased Beta vulgaris seed germination and early seedling growth while induced changes in the anatomical characteristics such as increased level of cutin synthesis on epidermal leaves cells and altered the thickness of vascular system, epidermis and parenchyma in leaves, roots and petioles.
 

 
 

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In this article the collection of specimens related to Onosma sulaimanica from Kordestan Province, Iran, was confirmed and reported for the first time. Therefore, the species is recorded for the flora of Iran. This species is placed in the sect. Onosma, subsect. Onosma, ser. Wheeler-hainesii. A diagnostic key of related taxa belonging to series Wheeler-Hainesii and Aleppica, and the photos, micrographs and a distribution map of the species were also presented.
 

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Salinity tolerance of four grape genotypes [GharaUzum, Hosseini, AghUzum and Keshmeshi] was studied under various salinity levels (25, 50 and 100 mM NaCl). As a result, growth indices were significantly (P<0.05) reduced by salinity, whereas Cl^- and Na⁺ contents in the plant parts were increased. Cl^- accumulation exceeded than that of Na⁺ in all treatments. Among the genotypes studied, GharaUzum and Keshmeshi had the lowest and highest Cl^- concentrations in the leaf lamina, respectively. Photosynthesis and transpiration rate as well as stomatal conductance were greatly reduced by salinity and were shown to be highly correlated with leaf Cl^- content. GharaUzum showed lower reduction in photosynthesis parameters. Soluble sugars, proline and glycine betaine contents increased in the leaf lamina of all the genotypes studied treated with moderate salinity (50 mM). In conclusion, the results showed that GharaUzum and Keshmeshi had the highest and lowest salt stress tolerance among the genotypes studied, respectively.
 
 

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The Moldavian dragonhead (Dracocephalum moldavica L., Lamiaceae) is an annual medicinal plant with beneficial nutritional sources that plays important roles in human and animal feed. Nanoparticles and cold atmospheric plasma increase biochemical compounds in plants. In this study, the effects of copper nanoparticles and cold atmospheric plasma on biochemical indices of the medicinal plant Dracocephalum moldavica were investigated. Moldavian dragonhead plants were subjected to four doses of copper nanoparticles (0, 25, 50 and 75 mgl^-1) and cold atmospheric plasma at three durations (zero, 20 and 30 s). The results showed that cold atmospheric plasma significantly increases the essential oil percentage, while it decreases the amount of flavonoid content and activity of catalase and peroxidase enzymes. Cold atmospheric plasma (20 s) showed significant positive impact on essential oil content, while different time duration (20 and 30 s) did not show a significant impact on other traits. Lower doses of copper nanoparticles (25 and 50 mgl^-1) showed positive impacts on measured traits, while 75 mgl^-1 dose negatively affected the measured traits and functioned as a heavy metal. The cold atmospheric plasma and copper nanoparticles interactions indicated that cold atmospheric plasma had an incremental effect on the improvement of measured traits and increased the effect of copper nanoparticles. In conclusion, the results showed that copper nanoparticles with 25 mgl^-1 dose along with cold atmospheric plasma with 20 s duration had significant positive effects on the improvement of biochemical indices of Dracocephalum moldavica.
 
 

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Phelipanche pouyanii is described here as a new species from South Khorassan Province, East of Iran. Its diagnostic morphological features are the calyx teeth being far longer than the calyx tube and staminal filaments being glabrous. These characters clearly differentiated the new species from its closely related taxa, i.e., P. mutelii, P. angustelaciniata and P. nana. Results obtained from the pollen and seed micromorphological characters showed no significant taxonomic value in the delimitation of the new species from its closely related species. The internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences, however, showed sufficient differences to delineate the new species from its closely related species.
 

 

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The pomegranate fruit is one of the most important horticultural products due to the presence of polyphenolic, antioxidant and anti-fungal compounds. In the present study, morphological and phytochemical compounds diversity was investigated in eight Iranian commercial pomegranate cultivars. Fourteen morphological characters and 10 chemical compounds were measured. Based on PCA analysis the most variable morphological characteristics among Punica cultivars studied were the wood surface, the leaf tip, the leaf incision, growth power and rained condition. High-performance liquid chromatograms of chlorgenic acid, caffeic acid, Para Coumaric acid as well as titrable acidity, total soluble solid, total phenolic contents, antioxidant activity in juice and peel of cultivars differentiated the cultivars studied. Comparing the two UPGMA dendrograms of Punica cultivars based on morphological data and chemical contents indicated certain disagreement between them. The correlation between morphological and chemical compounds and geographical distances of Punica cultivars was not statistically significant by the Mantel test. These findings indicate that Punica cultivars studied differ in their genetic content, however, this genetic difference is not correlated with their geographical distance.
 
 

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In this study, the phylogeny and morphological variation of 6 species of the genus Cousinia sect. Stenocephalae, i.e., C. hypopolia, C. decipiens, C. esfandiarii, C. renominata, C. stahliana and C. daryoushiana, distributed in NE regions of Iran, were investigated. ITS, ETS and rpl32-trnL ^(UAG) sequences for 12 species (17 specimens) were generated. Phylogenetic interspecies relationships were constructed by Bayesian method and likelihood analysis. The specimens were also investigated in terms of morphological characters. Despite very similar morphological characters and geographical distributions, the separation of these species was confirmed by the obtained results of the molecular data (combined data of plastid and nuclear sequences). On the basis of the present study, the above-mentioned species were almost separated from each other by morphological characters and molecular data. A diagnostic key and the description of these species were also presented. These results did not conform with the previous palynological and anatomical studies of the species.
 

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Golestankooh, with an area of 130000 ha, is located in Isfahan Province. The present study was carried out in order to identification of flora of the aforementioned region, as a result, 620 taxa in total, belonging to 61 families and 303 genera, were identified. Asteraceae, represented by 104 species, was the largest family, following with Fabaceae, Lamiaceae and Brassicaceae with 63, 60 and 59 species, respectively. Astragalus, with 33 species, was the most diverse among the genera studied. Hemicryptophytes with 41% and therophytes with 34% are dominant life forms in the region. With regard to geographical distribution, 300 species (48%) were found to be Irano-Turanian elements. Moreover, 130 species, 21% of the identified plant taxa from the region, were found to be endemic to the flora of Iran. Due to high species diversity in the Golestankooh area, it seems necessary to use appropriate strategies for their conservation.
 

 

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In order to investigate the effects of salinity and magnesium (Mg) on the growth parameters, physiological characteristics and content of some metabolites in Syrian bean-caper (Zygophyllum fabago) plants, a factorial experiment with completely randomized design was performed and carried out in perlite with Hoagland solution. The treatments were combinations of two levels of salinity (0 and 300 mM NaCl) and three levels of Mg concentration (2, 4 and 8 mM; 0, 2 and 6 mM over the standard Mg content of Hoagland medium, 2mM, respectively). The simultaneous effect of salinity and Mg did not change the fresh weight of the plants, but increased the dry weight by 50%. Salinity reduced the leaf area, but the presence of Mg improved and even increased the leaf area of the plants. The Mg reduced NAR, while increased LAR and RLGR. Salinity decreased the RLGR. The simultaneous effect of salinity and Mg increased and improved RGR, LWR, RLGR. The tolerance index in saline treatments increased with the presence of Mg, but the R/S ratio showed a significant increase only in salinity condition, however, the presence of Mg moderated it. Salinity reduced the photosynthetic pigments, while the presence of Mg ameliorated the decrease. As a result, salinity and Mg increased the total sugar content of the leaf and reduced the total sugar content of the root. Salinity and Mg reduced the total protein content of all the organs of the plant specimens studied. In general, salinity had a negative effect on the physiological parameters of the Zygophyllum fabago plants, while the application of supplementary Mg improved the growth indices and increased the plants tolerance against salinity.
 
 

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Distribution of rivers, pools and grasslands, being large or small and perennial or temporary, have created conditions suitable for the establishment of wetlands, especially in the highland regions of the Country. These habitats are highly important for the preservation of biodiversity and other ecological aspects. The present study aimed to identify wetlands in the Kermanshah Province, Iran, and map their distribution. The investigation was carried out on the basis of the conventional taxonomic studies of the region by doing field observation in 31 aqueous habitats in Kermanshah Province. The flora of each habitats and the life form and geographical distribution of the species were investigated. In total, 617 plant specimens, belonging to 288 species, 218 genera and 62 families, were collected identified and stored in the herbarium of the research center of agriculture and natural resources of Kermanshah Province (RANK). Asteraceae with 41 species, Poaceae with 31 species, Fabaceae with 31 species and Brassicaceae with 24 species were found to be the most important families of the wetlands studied.  Trifolium with 11 species and Bromus with 6 species were the most important genera, in terms of species richness. Detection of the biological forms showed that 40.3% of the species were trophytes, 35/5% were hemicryptophyts, 6/1% were phanerophytes, 14/23% were cryptophytes and 3/72% were chamaephytes. The chorology of species showed that 93 species belonged to more than two elements (32%), 92 species (31%) to the Irano-Touranin elements, 32 species to Irano-Touranin- Mediterranean (11%), 9 species to Irano-Touranin- Euro-Siberian with (3%) and 23 species were found to be cosmopolitan elements (8%).
 
 

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Salinity stress is an important challenge for wheat production in the world. Plant growth promoting rhizosphere bacteria, isolated from halophytic plants, can increase the tolerance of crop plants to salinity by direct and indirect mechanisms. In this study, plant growth-promoting traits of bacterial strains (Bacillus safensis, Bacillus pumilus and Zhihengliuella halotolerans), isolated from the rhizosphere of several halophyte plants, were deterimined and their effects on some vegetative traits and ionic content of wheat plant irrigated with saline water ( 0.2, as control,  4, 8 and 16 dS/m) were measured. Result showed that all three bacteria were able to produce auxin, hydrogen cyanide, siderophore, 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid deaminase and soluble phosphate. The increase in salinity levels caused increase in the concentration of sodium and decrease in the concentration of potassium, calcium and phosphorus in wheat leaves, as well as decrease in stem length, shoot and root dry weight, root to shoot dry weight ratio and total biomass. In wheat plants irrigated with saline water and inoculated with the bacterial strains, sodium concentration decreased up to 17.7% and concentrations of potassium, calcium, phosphorus and potassium to sodium ratio increased up to 33, 25.7, 200.4 and 41%, respectively. The most efficient bacterium was found to be Z. halotolerans. All bacterial isolates also increased stem length, shoot and root dry weight, root to shoot dry weight ratio and total biomass by 17, 58.6, 137, 88 and 66 %, respectively. The results of this study showed that the plant growth-promoting bacteria of rangeland halophytic plants potentionally improve the growth indices of wheat plants in saline conditions. These results also showed that the rhizosphere of halophytic plants in rangelands can be a good source for the isolation of salinity-resistant bacteria to improve the resistance of wheat plants to salinity.
 

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Centaurea glastifolia, a plant species from the Asteraceae family, is distributed in the Northwest of Iran. This study carried out to determine suitable habitats and habitat connectivity of Centaurea glastifolia in three Provinces of West Azarbayejan, East Azarbayejan and Ardabil. Seven habitat variables and 36 presence points were selected for habitat modelling using six habitat distribution models of GLM, GAM, MARS, MaxEnt, RF and GBM. The ensemble map resulting from these models was used for habitat connectivity modelling using electrical-circuit method. Results of habitat evaluation revealed that suitable habitats of the species studied were mainly located in West Azarbayejan and east of Ardabil Provinces, for which distance from agricultural lands, mean annual temperature and distance from rangelands had the highest contribution to the model. Habitat connectivity modelling showed that the current density movement was highest in West Azarbayejan. Current density movement between East and Southeast of Ardabil was evaluated to be significant, whereas the current density movement between West Azarbayejan and Ardabil Provinces was relatively low. The high current density movement in West Azarbayejan indicates the species’ high dispersal ability in expanding its range across the area. The results of the current study could facilitate understanding of the distribution and dispersal of Centaurea glastifolia.