Fatemeh Rabizadeh, Hassan Zare-Maivan, Shahrokh Kazempour,
Volume 6, Issue 2 (8-2019)
Abstract
Astragalus semnanensis Bornm. & Rech. belongs to sect. Semnanensis, of thorny astragali and A. fridae, of non-thorny astragali, belongs to sect. Incani are the only endemic gypsophyllic species in western Semnan. The morphological and systematical studies available on these two species are scarce. Nor have the anatomical, distribution and adaptive capabilities in relation to soil and elevation of these species been investigated yet. Therefore, this study is aimed to comparatively investigate these features. The effect of soil and elevation on the anatomy, morphology and micro-morphology of the leaves of both species, as well as associated plant species, were analyzed using RDA and CCA analytical methods, Canoco 4.5 software. Comparison of RDA analysis of both species indicated that gypsum had the highest effect on the abundance of both species, while elevation had a strongly positive correlation with A. fridae and a negative correlation with A. semnanensis. Both species adsorb gypsum on their epidermis and part of the gypsum absorbed is accumulated in leaf parenchyma cells as calcium sulfate crystals. Adaptability of leaf surface is in the form of long and dense hairs which, in A. semnanensis, are longer and basifixed and, in A. fridae, thicker and medifixed. Increase in soil Ec and Na, K and Mg content and content of CaCO3 reduce both species abundances. Species such as Acantholimon cymosum and Prunus lycioides were found to be associated with A. semnanensis and species such as Moltkia gypsaceae and Euphorbia gypsicola with A. fridae.
Mina Rabie, Younes Asri, Fatemeh Sefidkon,
Volume 11, Issue 2 (8-2024)
Abstract
Abstract. Seseli olivieri (Apiaceae) is an exclusive species of the Alborz Mountains, Iran. In this research, the effect of environmental conditions on the vegetative traits and essential oil compounds of this species was investigated. For this purpose, three habitats with different heights were selected and the vegetative characteristics of this species were measured. In each habitat, soil samples and flowering branches of this species were collected and analyzed in the laboratory. The relationship between the functional traits of this species and environmental factors was determined using CA and PCA. Variance analysis of functional traits and soil parameters showed a significant difference between the three habitats. The highest values of vegetative traits were related to Tuyeh habitat. In Tange Kavard habitat, the main effective substances were Apiol and cis-Cadina-1(6),4-diene; in Enzo habitat, Apiol and Bornyl acetate; and in the Tuyeh habitat, Bornyl acetate and α-Pinene. Among the environmental factors, altitude, annual precipitation, annual temperature, minimum temperature of the coldest month, minimum absolute temperature, lime and nitrogen had the most significant correlation with the functional traits of this plant. Based on the IUCN criteria, the conservation status of this species was determined in the critically endangered.