Asghar Mosleh Arany; Gholamreza Bakhshi Khaniki; Bibi ozra Hakimi Bafghi
Volume 19, Issue 4 , March 2013, , Pages 581-589
Abstract
Potassium, sodium and free proline play important roles in adaptation of plant species to arid conditions. Distribution of Na+, K+ and free proline in desert plants is not clear. In this study, the accumulation of Na+, K+ and free proline was investigated in three species namely, Stipagrostis pennata, ...
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Potassium, sodium and free proline play important roles in adaptation of plant species to arid conditions. Distribution of Na+, K+ and free proline in desert plants is not clear. In this study, the accumulation of Na+, K+ and free proline was investigated in three species namely, Stipagrostis pennata, Calligonum polygonoides and Hammada salicornia. These species are naturally distributed in Irano-Turanian region. Six plants were selected from each species in the same conditions, in the dry summer of 2010. Soil humidity measurement showed that all plants were in drought conditions. Half of these plants were irrigated. The quantities of Na+, K+ and proline were determined in the roots and stems of all samples. Results showed that the concentrations of free proline in the stem and root of S. pennata were significantly higher than that of other two species and irrigated S. pennata. Furthermore, the concentration of K+ in the stem of H. salicornia was significantly higher than that of other two species and irrigated H. salicornia. Also, the concentration of K+ in the root of H. salicornia was higher than that of other species, but this concentration was not significantly different from the irrigated species. Sodium, like potassium content was higher in H. salicornia, but significant difference was not observed in its quantity between irrigated and unirrigated species. C. polygonoides after H. salicornia accumulated large quantities of Na+ in its stem. Sodium content was higher in the root of H. salicornia and C. polygonoides in comparison with S. pennata. Results also showed that K/Na ratio was less in roots of unirrigated species in all three species, particularly in S. pennata while it was high in stems of S. pennata H. salicornia compared to irrigated species. Consequently, it was concluded that these three species chose different strategies to cope with drought.
Mohammad Abolghasemiy; Amrali Shahmoradi; Naser Baghestani; Sadegheh Zarekia
Volume 16, Issue 2 , December 2009, , Pages 254-261
Abstract
Recognition of the autecology of plants and understanding their importance in soil protection, as well as forage production for livestock, is a proper strategy for management, conservation, and development of renewable natural resources, specially vegetation. This investigation was carried ...
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Recognition of the autecology of plants and understanding their importance in soil protection, as well as forage production for livestock, is a proper strategy for management, conservation, and development of renewable natural resources, specially vegetation. This investigation was carried out on autecology of Stipagrostis pennata in Yazd province. For this plant, ecological characteristics such as geographic distribution, climatic properties, topography, and soil were studied. Also phenology and root system of the plant were examined. For this purpose , three study sites of Mansoorieh (in Tabas area), Masjed-e-shokr (beside Yazd-Tabas high way), and Bafgh were determined. The results showed that Stipagrostis pennata is a psammophyte plant with standing stems and branches. This plant grows in low-height sand dunes and sandy hills. Elevation range for areas in which this plant grows is 700-1600 meters above sea level. Measure of soil acidity (pH) is 8.25-8.53 and electrical conductivity (EC) is 0.48 to 1.2 ds. This species starts its vegetative growth at the end of February and flowers in early May. Its seeds ripen in mid June. During summer and autumn, the plant is in dormancy stage. Due to high aerial organs, Stipagrostis pennata has a good resistance against sandy storms and winds. So it is highly recommended for mobile sand dune stabilization and control of soil erosion in desert areas. It also produces a fairly good amount of forage for livestock and wildlife.