Volume 31, Issue 3 , September 2024
Mohammad ali Alizadeh; Aliashraf Jafari; Farid Normand Moaied; Saeed Davzdahemami; Karam Sepahvand; Behrooz Mohammadi
Volume 31, Issue 3 , September 2024, Pages 219-231
Abstract
AbstractBackground and objectives: Sainfoin is one of the important fodder plants that have a high value for feeding for livestock. This plant is cultivated for both irrigation and dry land farming systems. Many of local populations are sensitive to powdery mildew disease that decrease forage yields ...
Read More
AbstractBackground and objectives: Sainfoin is one of the important fodder plants that have a high value for feeding for livestock. This plant is cultivated for both irrigation and dry land farming systems. Many of local populations are sensitive to powdery mildew disease that decrease forage yields and quality. Feeding of infected plants with powdery mildew by livestock might cause livestock abortion. Sainfoin powdery mildew disease is caused by Leveillula taurica fungus, which appears as necrosis of the leaf tissue and symptom spots on the plants. Contamination of the plant with this disease, especially in its severe condition, leads to a slowdown in the growth of the plant, the small size of the inflorescence, and decrease in the forage yield. The main stage of its damage is in the second and third cuts. This project aimed to evaluate the forage yield and tolerance to powdery mildew of two populations of 15353 and 3001 compared to the native variety in 10 trail locations in the country.Methodology: The seeds of two populations of 3001 and 15353 were sown along with the native population (susceptible to powdery mildew) as a control in 10 farms including Karaj and Taleghan (Alborz province), BostanAbad, Heris, Sarab, and Varzaghan (East Azerbaijan province), Nikpay and Saramsaghlo (Zanjan province), Dehpir (Lorestan province), and Faridan (Esfahan province) over two years (2018-2020). Data was collected for plant height and forage yield three cuts over two years, and the disease severity index of sainfoin to powdery mildew in the third cut. Since infection of sainfoin to powdery mildews happens in the third cut, so, the Disease Severity Index (DSI) of the two populations of 3001 and 15353 and (control) was evaluated in the third harvest in both years.Result: According to the evaluation of the DSI of two populations of 3001 and 15353 compared to the native population across ten locations. It was confirmed that both populations of 15353 and 3001 had a DSI below 10%, and therefore they were considered to be tolerant to powdery mildew disease. The native populations in all 10 locations had a DSI with a level of 50%, and they were considered susceptible to powdery mildew. Both 3001 and 15353 populations were tolerant to powdery mildew coupled with higher yield of 1.2 and 1 ton/ha than the control in 10 regions.Conclusion: According to the results, the two populations of 3001 and 15353 with DSI values lower than 10 % and higher yield were considered as tolerant to powdery mildew disease than to the native population (with a DSI of higher than 50%), in all locations. Then, the farms were visited by experts of the research Institute Seed and Plant Certification and Registration, Karaj, Iran. The two varieties were introduced as new cultivars known Bordbar 1 and Bordbar 2, by the authorities of the Institute. Finally, the two released varieties were suggested for cultivation in both irrigation and dryland farming systems.
Yaser Ghasemi Aryan; Firoozeh Moghiminejad; Mohammadreza Shahraki; Alireza Yari
Volume 31, Issue 3 , September 2024, Pages 232-247
Abstract
Abstract:Background and purpose The cooperative institution is considered the first and most essential pillar of strengthening social capital, whose stability guarantees the survival and continued participation of local communities in natural resource management projects. Village Development Group ...
Read More
Abstract:Background and purpose The cooperative institution is considered the first and most essential pillar of strengthening social capital, whose stability guarantees the survival and continued participation of local communities in natural resource management projects. Village Development Group and Microcredit Fund are two important social and economic institutions in the implementation of the international project of revitalization of forested and degraded lands with special emphasis on lands sensitive to saline soils and lands prone to wind erosion (RFLDL) in Sarayan city of Khorasan province. It has been the southern region that has brought valuable lessons from the participation of users in the more effective implementation of projects to combat desertification. The stability of these institutions depends on the participation and activity of the members in the decision-making meetings of the development groups in order to strengthen the social, economic, human, natural and physical capital of the village, as well as complying with the regulations of the microcredit fund and depositing monthly small amounts. However, the low activity or liquidation of some of these institutions has become one of the important challenges and concerns of project executive experts. The current research was carried out with the aim of explaining the main factors of the instability of these institutions.MethodologyThis research is descriptive-analytical in terms of method, practical in terms of purpose, and the method of gathering information is two documentary and survey methods. The target community is all the members of the village development groups and micro credit funds in the target villages of the implementation of the RFLDL project in Sarayan city. The measuring tool of the research was a researcher-made questionnaire, based on Cochran's formula and matching with Karjesi and Morgan's table, 96 people were selected as a statistical sample. After validating the validity with the opinion of experts, the reliability of the questionnaire was 0.83, which shows that it is reliable. Data analysis was done using 22SPSS software. The relationship between variables was investigated using Smart PLS3 software. For this purpose, the factor load of each item was obtained.Results The results related to the explanation of the main components of the sustainability of cooperative institutions were classified and prioritized in the form of 4 groups of social-cultural, economic-household, educational-promotional and policy-management factors. Based on this, in the socio-cultural factors, the items "lack of attention to the structural characteristics and composition of groups", "lack of commitment and sense of responsibility among group members" and "lack of a specific pattern for the preservation and survival of groups", in the economic factors, the items " The fund's small financial capital", "low amount of fund facilities" and "the inability of the fund to conclude contracts and attract funds from other sources", in the educational-promotional factors, the items "non-simultaneity of skill training with granting loans" and "insufficient training for effective use" of facilities" and in policy-management factors, the item "non-provision of government facilities to support the funds" had the highest priority. The results of the hypothesis examination and path analysis also showed that the management-policy component with a coefficient of 0-0.581 had the strongest negative and significant effect on the sustainability of cooperative institutions at the level of 99%.Conclusion In general, the results of this research show that policy-management factors and social factors (especially the structure and composition of institutions) are considered as the most important factors of the stability of cooperative institutions. Therefore, it is suggested that experts and facilitators first strengthen organizational coordination and coherence at the level of government officials and, while securing appropriate credits, remove the legal obstacles to the participation of local communities in the implementation of projects to combat desertification. It is also necessary to consider network analysis studies, in order to achieve the appropriate composition of members, in the stage of establishment and establishment of institutions.
Khadijeh Bahalkeh; Mehdi Abedi; Sara Palacio; Arantzazu Luzuriaga; Adrian Escudero
Volume 31, Issue 3 , September 2024, Pages 248-265
Abstract
AbstractBackground and objectiveGypsum habitats create a stressful environment for plant and the establishment of plants is affected by ionomic toxicity. Shrub plants as nurse plants can safeguard their understory species in the harsh conditions of this habitat. These plants are more important in extreme ...
Read More
AbstractBackground and objectiveGypsum habitats create a stressful environment for plant and the establishment of plants is affected by ionomic toxicity. Shrub plants as nurse plants can safeguard their understory species in the harsh conditions of this habitat. These plants are more important in extreme environmental conditions because they use particular processes to modify the microhabitat conditions and assist the development of subordinate species. This study attempted to explore the biotic effect of Artemisia diffusa shrubs on its subordinate species in an altitude gradient in the gypsum habitat of Semnan province.MethodologyFor this purpose, four habitats with gypsum content above 40% were chosen based on their altitude gradient. These habitats include Talkheh, Sorkheh Down, Rameh and Sorkheh Up with altitudes 1302, 1358, 1431 and 1544 meters above sea level, respectively. In each habitat, 20 twin plots were established under a canopy of A. diffusa and their nearby open spaces and then, their percentage of cover was measured within the plots. The sampling unit is the shrub, which is considered as a patch. To investigate the response of the plants, they were divided into four functional groups: annual grasses, annual forbs, perennial forbs and shrubs. To analyze the soil parameters in each habitat, ten soil samples were collected as pairs under canopy of A. diffusa and their nearby open spaces and physicochemical properties including pH, EC, gypsum content, CaCO3, sand, silt, clay, phosphorus, organic carbon, nitrogen and sulfur were examined. The difference between treatments was examined using the generalized linear mixed model, and means were compared using Tukey's HSD test. Soil properties were examined using multivariate PCA analysis. All computations were performed with R program. The relative interaction index was developed to measure biotic interactions between plants.ResultsBased on the obtained results, 22 plant species from 16 families were recognized. The findings revealed that the altitude and location of the species under the patch and their nearby open spaces have a major impact on various ecosystems. In Talkheh (7.7±1.9), Sorkheh down (13.2±2.36), and Sorkheh up (12.75±5.3), the percentage of total cover of species under patch is greater than their nearby open spaces. Additionally, in Talkheh, the percentage of annual forbs (5.3±1.2) and at Sorkheh down annual grasses (8.3±2.3) and annual forbs (5±1.06) under patch, also in Sorkheh up shrubs (7.5±3.5) and annual grasses (3.15±0.84) were more abundant under patch than in their nearby open spaces. Also the results showed that the biotic interaction of A.diffusa facilitates all species in all environments, however the intensity decreased with increasing altitude (F=2.95; P<0.05).The study found that annual forbs facilitation declines with increasing altitude (F=10.01; P < 0.001), while shrub species only experience facilitation at high altitude (F = 5; P < 0.006). The model's results demonstrated that altitude, position, and their interactions had a considerable effect on soil properties. In the Talkhe habitat, the amount of sulfur (4.57±1.21), phosphorus (2.1±0.3), clay (17.12±2.24), silt (31.78±1.61), and carbon (4.17±0.78) was much higher under the patch than in their nearby open spaces and the amount of sand (71.8±3.22) and gypsum content (56.93±3.47) was lower than the nearby open spaces. In general, lower altitudes had less gypsum and higher acidity, while the opposite was true in the upper environment.ConclusionIn general, Artemisia diffusa plants in Semnan province's gypsum ecosystem have enabling effects that decrease as altitude increases. Because as altitude and gypsum levels rise, environmental conditions grow more severe, increasing competition among plants for limited resources. Given that gypsum ecosystems feature unique and endemic species, it is critical to understand the types of interactions so that, if necessary, appropriate nurse species can be employed to restore these places.
Azin Sharafi; Seyed Akbar Javadi; Ehsan Zandi Esfahan; Mohammad Jafari; Mahshid Souri
Volume 31, Issue 3 , September 2024, Pages 266-283
Abstract
AbstractBackground and objectivesHalophyte plants grow and produce in very saline water and soil conditions; however, they do not compete with agricultural products for quality soil and water as the main sources of production. Halophytes can tolerate high salinity for various reasons such as morphological ...
Read More
AbstractBackground and objectivesHalophyte plants grow and produce in very saline water and soil conditions; however, they do not compete with agricultural products for quality soil and water as the main sources of production. Halophytes can tolerate high salinity for various reasons such as morphological characteristics, vegetative form, physiology and mechanisms of salinity tolerance. Although there have been good studies on the growth and salinity tolerance of halophyte species, there is little information about the absorption of heavy elements and the phytoremediation ability of different halophyte species. Heavy metal pollution is a serious problem in the lands adjacent to mines, which can be remedied by methods such as phytoremediation, while more studies are needed in this field. The present study aimed to evaluate the potential of several species of saltwort in the phytoremediation of mineral-contaminated soils. MethodologyFor this purpose, the ability of five halophyte species, Haloxylon persicum, Tamarix ramossisima, and Halocnemum strobilaceum, in phytoremediation of heavy metals arsenic (As), copper (Cu), lead (Pb), and nickel (Ni) was investigated at the Miduk mining site. Miduk copper mine is located 42 km northeast of Babak city in Kerman Province.The vegetation of this area includes short bushes and scattered forest trees such as Buxus hyrcana, Prunus antarctica, Pistacia atlantica, Calligonum comosum, Tamarix spp., and Astragalus spp. and bush plants such as Artemisia sieberi, Salsola richteri, Rheum ribes, Cirsium vulgare, Ferula communis and Ziziphora clinopodioides. Sampling was done from the five halophyte species at distances of 1000, 1500, 2000, and 5000 m from the Miduk copper mine, which included 4 repetitions and each repetition included 20 bases. The total number of plant and soil samples was 400 and 120, respectively. Sampling was done by harvesting the plant and then separating the shoot (aerial organs) and root (underground organ) at the flowering stage. As, Cu, Ni, and Pb elements were measured using the inductively coupled plasma ICP-OES device. ResultsThe results showed significant differences between H. strobilaceum, H. persicum, and T. ramossisima species regarding the amounts of arsenic, copper, and lead in different components of plants and soil. Ha. persicum has the highest amounts of arsenic and copper in the shoot, roots, and soil. At a distance of 1000 m, the highest concentration of arsenic is observed in the shoot, roots, and soil, as well as copper values in the shoot and soil. At a distance of 5000 m, a lower concentration of copper in the soil and a higher concentration of arsenic can be seen in the soil. In the case of Ta. ramossisima species, the highest concentration of arsenic is observed in the root and the highest amount of lead is also observed in the shoot. The results confirmed the phytoremediation potential of all five halophyte species for the remediation of contaminated soils at a distance of 1000 m from the copper mine, while the species H. strobilaceum had a higher potential for phytoremediation of contaminated soils. Furthermore, environmental pollution was not observed in the area without pollution to moderate pollution; which probably indicated the lack of transfer of heavy metals to agricultural products in lands further away from the mine. ConclusionSignificant differences in the distribution and concentration of elements have been observed between these species and at different distances, and these results can contribute to a better understanding of the environmental effects on the concentration and distribution of elements in plants. The results of this research showed the phytoremediation potential of plant species H. persicum, H. salicornica, S. rosmarinus, T. ramossisima, and H. strobilaceum, which indicated the acceptable ability of saline species to improve mineral-contaminated soils. The phytoremediation potential of H. strobilaceum species was higher than other species. Also, based on the indicators of the accumulation of elements and the low amount of contamination of the examined species in the points with a greater distance from the mine (more than 1500 m), it showed that agriculture in the area around the mine is observed with caution and periodic examination of the area in terms of concentration heavy metals are possible.
Masome Narouei; Morteza Khodagholi; Razieh Saboohi
Volume 31, Issue 3 , September 2024, Pages 284-301
Abstract
Abstract Background and objectives:Knowing the effective environmental factors in the establishment of vegetation can help the proper management of pasture ecosystems. A suitable habitat has a significant effect on the survival and reproduction of species. Revealing changes in climate ...
Read More
Abstract Background and objectives:Knowing the effective environmental factors in the establishment of vegetation can help the proper management of pasture ecosystems. A suitable habitat has a significant effect on the survival and reproduction of species. Revealing changes in climate parameters indicates that climate changes have started in Iran and it is necessary to determine the potential habitats of indicator species, now and in the coming years, under climate warning models. With the advancement of statistics and geographic information system, it has become possible to predict the habitat of plant species using modeling methods. Therefore, this research was conducted with the aim of preparing a forecast map of Platychaete aucheri habitats based on the climate forecast model in Sistan and Baluchestan province.Methodology:First, using 8 synoptic stations inside and nearby areas, the database including precipitation variables, night temperature, daily temperature and average temperature, from the year of establishment of each station until 2019, and 19 climate parameters were calculated. Also, three physiographic variables, including slope, direction and height, were prepared using a digital height model with an accuracy of 30 meters. Then, by using the updated maps of the ecological zones recognition plan and field visits, the presence and absence points of P.aucheri species were determined. The basis of the analysis used in this research is logistic regression, which is based on environmental values related to the presence and absence of species. Using logistic regression, the growth behavior of this species in Sistan and Baluchestan region was determined and the map was modeled and the relevant equations were calculated in the current conditions. After ensuring the efficiency of the model, the climate data predicted by the general circulation model MRI-ESM2-0 were used under the scenarios 4.5 and 8.5, and by using the current equations and placing the data extracted from the database, Worldclime, the future distribution map of the species P.aucheri was produced for 2050 under RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 climate scenarios. In this way, at the stage of defining the logistic regression model in ArcGIS, instead of the map of the climate variables that exist in the model, the maps of the same variables predicted for the year 2050 were placed.Results:The results of the potential maps showed that the current distribution of the species, P.aucheri, had a more colorful presence in the central and southern parts, and the percentage of the presence of the species decreased by moving towards the northern regions. The area of suitable habitat (probability of occurrence greater than 75%) of P.aucheri species in the province is equal to 12873269 hectares, approximately 71%. The evaluation of the model was done using the data of the presence and absence of the species and using the Kappa statistical coefficient. In this connection, the value of the Kappa statistical coefficient was obtained as 0.85, which according to the presented classification of the Kappa coefficients, the model has good and acceptable accuracy. It is acceptable. The maps resulting from the prediction of the logistic regression model show that the habitat area of P.aucheri species will increase significantly in 2050 under both RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 scenarios, and it is observed that the habitat area of P.aucheri species is more than 75% more likely to occur. In the province, it will be equal to 15506391 and 17788376 hectares, respectively, which will occupy a surface equivalent to 85.3 and 97.85%, respectively. Under the RCP8.5 scenario, the probability of the presence of the species will increase greatly, and it can be seen that the probability of the presence of this species in the lower floors reaches 50% to zero. Conclusion:In general, climate change and the consequent increase in temperature indicators will preserve the current habitat, increase the probability of the presence of the species in the entire province, and the vertical expansion of the P.aucheri species and its movement to higher latitudes along the altitude gradient of the region. Therefore, the expected upper limit of the vegetative range of P. aucheri species will undergo changes during the next three decades.
Saeedeh Nateghi; Morteza Khodagholi; Mahshid Souri
Volume 31, Issue 3 , September 2024, Pages 302-323
Abstract
Abstract Introduction Rangeland ecosystems are very important and sensitive to changes in environmental factors. Small changes in temperature and rainfall regime or other climatic events can fundamentally reduce the composition, distribution and dispersion of plant species as well as ...
Read More
Abstract Introduction Rangeland ecosystems are very important and sensitive to changes in environmental factors. Small changes in temperature and rainfall regime or other climatic events can fundamentally reduce the composition, distribution and dispersion of plant species as well as their production. To better understand future climate change, it is essential to determine the current and future distribution of species. Species distribution modeling is currently the only tool that can be used to assess the number of changes in the distribution of multiple species in response to climate change. Therefore, considering the importance of climate in the distribution of plant species, this research examines the distribution of plant species in the future, taking into account the relationship between the important pasture species in Alborz province and the climate factor. Materials and methods In this research, four plant species including Stipa arabica, Ferula ovina, Bromus tomentellus and Artemisia aucheri were investigated in Alborz province. In order to determine the amount of precipitation and temperature, the data of the synoptic stations, which were analyzed by the Man-Kendall method, were used. Using the maps of the Ecological Zones Recognition Plan of the Forestry and Rangeland Research Institute and ArcGIS, the vegetation cover map of the province and the current distribution of species, the presence and absence of species were drawn and recorded. In order to prepare the environmental information layer, 19 bio-climates for the present were calculated and downloaded from the WorldClim.org site for 2050 with an accuracy of 30 seconds. These data were obtained for two scenarios RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 for the future period. Then, the values of environmental variables were entered as independent variables and species presence and absence information as dependent variables in SPSS software, and the logistic regression statistical model was obtained from the presence of selected species. This statistical model was defined in the ArcGIS software environment and the potential species map was prepared. Kappa statistical coefficient was used to validate the resulting potential habitat maps model using 22 independent variables and with the help of error matrix. Results The results showed the rising temperature trends in all stations, and 65.76% of the trends were significant. In the northern and eastern heights of Alborz province, the increase in average temperature, especially in the early spring, late autumn and winter seasons, will cause early snow melting in the region, and due to the decrease in precipitation in the mountainous regions, it will cause many problems in water storage. According to the predictions of the logistic regression model, Stipa arabica species, 68626 hectares equivalent to 13% of the province, Bromus tomentellus, 298842 hectares equivalent to 58% of the province, Ferula ovina, 195465 hectares equivalent to 38% of the province, and Artemisia aucheri, 232539 hectares equivalent to 45% of the province have the probability of occurrence of class 75-100 The percentage is for the presence of these species. The evaluation of regression model using Kappa coefficient for Stipa arabica, Bromus tomentellus, Ferula ovina and Artemisia aucheri species was equal to 86, 85, 82 and 79 respectively, which are models with good accuracy according to Koch and Smith classification. 19 bio-climatic maps were prepared under two scenarios 4.5 and 8.5 for the year 2050. The current situation is similar to the 4.5 scenario, but in both models, we will see a decrease in the probability of the floor occurring by 75-100 percent in 2050. Also, the average of all temperature parameters in Karaj station will increase by 1.9 degrees Celsius by 2050 and the amount of precipitation will decrease by 1.33 mm. Discussion and conclusion The researchers reported that although there have been no significant changes in rainfall over the past 50 years, the decrease in rainfall in April and the increase in rainfall in December and July can indicate possible climate change in these areas in the future, and the climate in Iran, especially in spring is warming, which confirms the results of the present study. The minimum and maximum height in which the Stipa Arabica species is present is 1400 and 2400 meters, respectively, and the modeling results in 2050 show this minimum and maximum height in the 4.5 scenario, 2400-2100 meters and in the 8.5 scenario, respectively. It shows 2900 meters. The minimum and maximum altitude where the Ferula ovina species is present is 1850 and 2600 meters, respectively. If the modeling results in 2050 show this minimum and maximum height unchanged in the 4.5 scenario and 2800-3000 meters in the 8.5 scenario, respectively. The Bromus tomentellus species is currently located at an altitude of 1600-2700 m, while in scenario 4.5 (equilibrium conditions) and scenario 8.5 (pessimistic scenario) it is at an altitude above 2500 m, which indicates that this species of There is not much difference in altitude opinion. The minimum and maximum altitudes where Artemisia aucheri is present are 1600 and 2800 meters, respectively. Slope and temperature are the two main parameters affecting the distribution of this species and so that the slope affects the depth of the soil and thus has an effect on the establishment of the roots. Due to heat compensation in pessimistic conditions, this species has moved to higher altitudes, i.e. around 3000 meters, which confirms the results of other researchers. With the increase in temperature due to climate change, the extent of habitat of the species under investigation will decrease and they will move to areas that are higher and therefore have lower temperature.