Plasticity and stability in the major fatty acid content of almond kernels grown under two Mediterranean climates

Summary

Oil contents and fatty acid compositions were determined in 17 almond cultivars growing under two different Mediterranean conditions, in northeast Spain and in central Morocco. The major differences were irrigation management in Spain and higher temperatures in Morocco. Although a cultivar effect was observed for some compounds, the general trend was for an increase in total oil content [58.65% vs. 55.58% (w/w)] and in the percentage of oleic acid [71.1% vs. 68.62% (w/w)] in those kernels harvested in Spain, probably due to having lower temperatures and better water status. As the total oil content and level of oleic acid in almond oil are the major parameters for higher quality almond kernels, these results emphasise the need to optimise the management of almond orchards to improve kernel quality, not only from the commercial and industrial points of view, but also because of their healthgiving properties.     

The true nature of Ganoderma in Iran: Taxonomy based on ITS and mtSSU rDNA

The genus Ganoderma Karst. has broad‐spectrum usage in biotechnology, medicine and the food industry. The complexity of the morphology within species has led to uncertain identification in the past, but recent advancements in molecular identification methods have provided scientists with the opportunity to better understand the taxonomy of the species. The present study attempts for the first time to elucidate the distinctiveness of the Ganoderma species growing in Iran concerning those elsewhere in the world based on mitochondrial small subunit ribosomal DNA (mtSSU rDNA) and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequence data. The results disclosed that the G. lucidum Karst. samples collected in Iran are more similar to the European Ganoderma species than to the Asian (Chinese) one used in this study.     

Interaction analysis between slenderness ratio and resin content on mechanical properties of particleboard

The interaction between particle size and resin content is one of the most important structural parameters that can influence the accuracy of predictions about wood-composite properties. We developed three kinds of equation (linear, quadratic, and exponential) for each mechanical property of particleboard based on slenderness ratio and resin content at a constant density (0.7g cm -3 ). Results from SHAZAM software (version 9) suggested that the quadratic function was not significant, but the linear and exponential functions were significant. The interaction between particle size and resin content was analyzed by Maple 9 software. The results indicated that an exponential function can better describe the simultaneous effect of slenderness and resin content than a linear equation. Under constant resin content, particles with higher slenderness ratios increased more in modulus of rupture (MOR) and modulus of elasticity (MOE) than did particles with lower slenderness ratios. Edge withdrawal resistance (SWRe) values did not increase with increasing slenderness ratio.     

Diversity in phosphorus mobilisation and uptake in ectomycorrhizal fungi

• Introduction   

Phosphorus (P) is often the first or second element limiting aboveground net primary productivity of forests. Besides low available inorganic orthophosphate (Pi) concentrations, soil may contain high total P contents, as insoluble mineral P or as organic P. Most plants form mycorrhizal associations that improve their P nutrition. Three main hypotheses have been proposed to explain this positive effect through an increase of (1) P mobilisation from mineral P, (2) P mobilisation from organic P and (3) soil exploration and P uptake. However, the positive effect of mycorrhizal symbiosis may be variable with the fungal species forming the association. This could be due to the different abilities of mycorrhizal fungi to mobilise P and/or to take up Pi from the soil.     

Evaluation of pulp and paper making characteristics of certain fast growing plants

Summary Four species of fast growing annual plant viz.Hibiscus sabdariffa, Crotalaria juncea, Tephrosia candida andHibiscus cannabinus and a variety of reed, Neyraudia reynaudiana were evaluated in the laboratory for their pulp and paper making properties. Data on proximate chemical analysis of raw materials, unbleached and bleached pulp properties, morphological properties of fibres and physical strength properties of paper sheets were evaluated. The unbleached pulp yields were 44.90–53.20% with all the five plant materials, while bleached pulp yields varied from 39.80–50.60%. The average fibre lengths and diameters of the unbleached pulp obtained from the five plant species were within the range of 0.75 mm–2.15 mm and 20–22 pun respectively. Paper hand sheets, made with bleached pulps (45° SR) obtained from the five plant species, gave burst indices 2.75–3.92 kPa m²/g, tear indices 3.73–9.61 m N m²/g and tensile indices 37.27–47.81 N mg^–1, indicating adequate strength properties for writing and printing type of paper.The authors thank Director, Regional Research Laboratory (CSIR), Jorhat, India, for his kind permission to publish this paper. The authors also wish to thank B. N. Tosh, JPF for his assistance.     

Elastic parameters of poplar wood with end-cracks

? In this study, longitudinal specific modulus of elasticity along the grain (specific MOE_L = MOE_L/ρ) as well as radial and tangential shear moduli (G _LR and (G _LT ) of Populus Deltoides wood were examined in free flexural vibration in a free-free bar method, where end-cracks produced manually in LT plane along and parallel to annual rings in four different sizes.

? The effects of four different crack sizes (0, 6, 12, and 18 cm) on elastic parameters of the bars were examined for their vibration properties based on Timoshenko bar equations, in order to find a procedure to make a confident choice of a clear specimen among the cracked ones, considering three initial modes of vibration.

? Based on research findings, a significant correlation existed between radial and tangential shear moduli of the clear bars as G _LR was approximately 15 percents higher than (G _LT . After making the shortest crack sizes, however, this correlation entirely faded. Statistically for 6 cm crack, decreases in specific MOE _L for measurement on the tangential impact were not significant though they were for longer cracks.

? It was also revealed that in specimen under the study if longitudinal specific modulus of elasticity from both LR and LT flexural vibrations were almost equal and G _LR was slightly larger than (G _LT , the user could be confident enough to consider the specimen without severe longitudinal cracks.

     

Spatial variability of soil microbial indices in common alder COMMON ALDER(Alnus glutinosa) stands using a geostatistical approach in northern Iran

Microbial indices and their spatial patterns are strongly affected by environmental factors. Spatial variability of soil properties is one of the most important causes of variability in soil microbial indices. This research was conducted in the Caspian forest to assess spatial variabilities and frequency distributions of microbial properties.Ninety soil samples were taken using a grid sampling design 40 9 40 m. Microbial indices, organic carbon,nitrogen and pH were determined. Soil variable distributions showed that microbial indices had abnormal distributions. Logarithmic transformation produced normal distribution. Spatial continuity using geostatistical(variogram) was studied and maps obtained by point kriging.The variograms revealed the presence of spatial autocorrelation. The results indicate that spatial dependence of soil microbial indices was affected by non-intrinsic factors and forest management procedures. The maps show that soil microbial indices and soil properties have spatial variability. The spatial pattern of microbial indices was correlated to organic carbon and nitrogen.     

Land use change modeling through an integrated Multi-Layer Perceptron Neural Network and Markov Chain analysis(case study: Arasbaran region,Iran)

Temporal land use/land cover (LULC) change information provides a variety of applications for informed management of land resources. The aim of this study was to detect and predict LULC changes in the Arasbaran region using an integrated Multi-Layer Perceptron Neural Network and Markov Chain analysis. At the first step, multi-temporal Landsat images (1990, 2002 and 2014) were processed using ancillary data and were classified into seven LULC categories of high density forest, low-density forest, agriculture, grassland, barren land, water and urban area. Next, LULC changes were detected for three time profiles, 1990–2002, 2002–2014 and 1990–2014. A 2014 LULC map of the study area was further simulated (for model performance evaluation) applying 1990 and 2002 map layers. In addition, a collection of spatial variables was also used for modeling LULC change processes as driving forces. The actual and simulated 2014 LULC change maps were cross-tabulated and compared to ensure model simulation success and the results indicated an overall accuracy and kappa coefficient of 97.79% and 0.992, respectively. Having the model properly validated, LULC change was predicted up to the year 2025. The results demonstrated that 992 and 1592 ha of high and lowdensity forests were degraded during 1990–2014,respectively, while 422 ha were added to the extent of residential areas with a growth rate of 17.58 ha per year. The developed model predicted a considerable degradation trend for the forest categories through 2025, accounting for 489 and 531 ha of loss for high and low-density forests, respectively. By way of contrast, residential area and farmland categories will increase up to 211 and 427 ha, respectively. The integrated prediction model and customary area data can be used for practical management efforts by simulating vegetation dynamics and future LULC change trajectories.     

Pollen morphology and trichome types of Betula spp. in the Hyrcanian forests of northern Iran

Pollen and trichome morphology of the genus Betula were evaluated from three main habitats in Iran using light and electron microscopy.Pollen types were identical and tri-porate;however,in terms of quantitative data,some differences were observed in exine(outside)wall thickness,length of polar axis and length of equatorial axis,possibly due to the environment.Pollen alone is insufficient to separate species of Iranian birch.Investigation of the trichome trait(small hairs or other outgrowths)revealed that birch species in Iran belong to:(1)Betula litwinowii Doluch.according to the low density of trichomes on the adaxial surface of the leaves and the lack of trichomes on the abaxial surface and many trichomes on the petioles;(2)Betula pendula Roth.due to the absence of trichomes on the adaxial surface and the low density of trichomes on the abaxial surface;and,(3)in the adaxial and abaxial surfaces of leaves and petioles,the trichomes had different types of pilose(long,soft hairs),and this strengthens the possibility of a different species or more likely a hybrid of B.pendula.