Multivariate analysis of Prunus subgen. Cerasus germplasm in Iran using morphological variables

Knowledge of relationships among the cultivated and wild species of Cerasus, a subgenus of Prunus L., is important for recognizing gene pools, identifying pitfalls in germplasm collections and developing effective conservation and management strategies. In this study, morphological characterization of wild Cerasus subgenus species naturally growing in Iran, including P. avium L. (mazzard), P. mahaleb L., P. brachypetala Boiss., P. incana Pall., P. yazdiana Mozaff., P. microcarpa Boiss. subsp. microcarpa, P. microcarpa Boiss. subsp. diffusa and P. pseudoprostrata Pojark. and three commercial species, sweet cherry (P. avium L.), sour cherry (P. cerasus L.) and duke cherry (P. × gondouinii Rehd.) was investigated. Twenty-nine variables were recorded in 95 accessions of these species to detect similarities among them. All studied characteristics were showing a high degree of variability, but it was highly pronounced for plant height, leaf characters especially for dimensions and pubescence as well as for petiole and peduncle length. The majority of significant correlation coefficients were found in the characteristics representing plant size and growth habit with leaf size. Principal component analysis was performed for phenotypical diversity determination and grouping of species. Characters with high discriminating values were those related to growth habit, height, compactness, trunk diameter, leaf dimensions, petiole length, leaf tip and serration, flower color, peduncle length, fruit shape and stone shape. Based on the cluster analysis, species included in two main clusters, first those with large structure (sweet, sour and duke cherries, mazzard and mahaleb), second the other species with small structure which might be potentially suitable for rootstock breeding programs. Scatter plot using two first factors also confirmed the grouping by cluster analysis. The conservation of the highly diverse native populations of Iranian wild Cerasus species is recommended.     

Assessment of NK cells response to hepatocyte derived chemotactic agents

This project was aimed to examine the NK92 cells response as the CXC chemokine responder cells in rat model of liver disorder and injuries. Hepatocytes were isolated from Sprague-dawly rats and cultured on collagen type 1. Migration of NK92 cells was assessed using a 48 well micro-chemotaxis technique. Transwell chambers were positioned faced up, blocked Medium supernatant (500 microL) obtained from hepatocytes cultures were placed into the lower compartment of each Transwell. The upper compartment was filled with either 500 microL of NK92 cells. After washing, Membrane-attached cells were fixed; stained and Membrane-attached cells were counted by light microscopy and/or by size gating (9-14 microm) with an automated counter system. Human NK92 cells were attracted to recombinant human IP-10 in a concentration and time-dependent manner. NK92 cells also exhibited a chemotactic response to medium harvested from primary hepatocyte cultures. Isolated and cultured hepatocytes express several different chemokines. Although we identified that medium from hepatocyte cultures contains specific chemokines by immunoblotting, there is potential that migration assays detected yet other chemokines and other factors such as complement components. In this report, we demonstrated that hepatocytes expressed factors that were chemoattractive for human NK92 cells and that the factors must interact with the repertoire of receptors responsible for recruitment of these cells.     

The Potential of Caprifig Genotypes for Sheltering <Emphasis Type="Italic">Blastophaga psenes</Emphasis> L. for Caprification of Edible Figs

Caprifig (Ficus carica L.) as pollen sources, play a major role in edible fig caprification by Blastophaga psenes L. The present study was carried out to evaluate the potential of three caprifig genotypes (Poozdombali, Kouhi and Kouhaki) for the shelter of B. psenes wasp in Estahban region, Fars province, Iran. Summer (profichi) crop fruits per genotype were harvested in full maturity period and evaluated for five times for the shelter of B. psenes wasp. Significant differences among caprifig genotypes were found for B. psenes number for the three times carried out (0, 21 and 28 days), but they did not show significant differences for two times (7 and 14 days). At day of harvesting, Poozdombali showed the highest B. psenes wasp number (341.33) and Kouhaki had the lowest (200.00) and they showed significant differences for this character in this time. Also, seven days after harvesting, Poozdombali showed the highest wasp number (106.67) and Kouhi and Kouhaki had the lowest (104.33), but not significant difference. Number of B. psenes at the day of harvesting was the highest for all of the genotypes and at 28 days after harvesting was the lowest. Cluster analysis identified two major clusters with several sub-clusters. Caprifig trees with having high B. psenes number are essential for a suitable caprification. Thus, Poozdombali genotype with the highest B. psenes number, is suitable in this important trait to be used for edible figs caprification.     

Effect of vermicompost on some morphological,physiological and biochemical traits of bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) under salinity stress

Vermicompost can play an effective role in plant growth and development and also in reducing harmful effects of various environmental stresses on plants due to its porous structure, high water storage capacity, having hormone-like substances and plant growth regulators and also high levels of macro and micro nutrients. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of vermicompost and salinity interactions on some morphological and physiological features and concentration of mineral elements of bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L. cv. Light Red Kidney) cultivar. A factorial experimental with five different volumetric ratios of vermicompost and sand, including to: 0:100; 10:90; 25:75; 50:50 and 75:25 and four levels of salinity [20, 40, 60 and 80 mmol l^?1 sodium chloride (NaCl)], and control was conducted base on Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. Bean seeds were sowed in plastic pots, the seedlings being sampled 42 days old (flowering stage).The results showed that vermicompost had significant effect on all studied traits under stress and non-stress (p ≤ 0.05).In this experiment, the vermicompost significantly increased the photosynthetic rate and concentrations of potassium (K⁺) and calcium (Ca²)⁺in leaf and root tissues. In salinity levels of 20, 40 and 60 mmol l^?1NaCl, all subjected ratios of vermicompost and in 80 mmol l^?1NaCl the ratios of 10% and 75% vermicompost, significantly ameliorated negative effects of salinity. In both stress and non-stress conditions, using 10% volume of vermicompost is recommended to improve the growth of bean plants.     

Identification of broad bean cultivars based on isozyme patterns

Summary With the increasing rate of new cultivar production for different crop plants, there is great need for methods of identifying each cultivar discriminatingly. Starch gel electrophoresis was employed to study the differences between the esterase and cathodal peroxidase isozyme patterns of 40 broad bean (Vicia faba L.) cultivars. A total of 10 and 17 medium to darkly stained bands were obtained for esterase and peroxidase systems, respectively. Bands from each enzyme system could be gropuped into three zones. Bands belonging to zone 1 of esterase (E₁) and zones 2 and 3 of peroxidase (P₂ and P₃) were quite distinct, stained intensely, and were especially useful for identification purposes.The differences in banding patterns among cultivars of the same origin were as great as those of cultivars of unrelated origin. A large proportion of the cultivars could be completely differentiated using both of the isozyme systems. There were no bands present in either enzyme system which were common to all cultivars.     

Changes of vitamins A, E, and C and lipid peroxidation status of breeding and pregnant sheep during dry seasons on medium-to-low quality forages

This study assessed the changes of plasma vitamin A, E, and C and the lipid peroxidation status of sheep during breeding and pregnancy under drought conditions. The study was conducted on 105 cross-bred fat tailed ewes, 3–5 years old with body condition scores (BCS) of 2.5 to 3.5. The ewes were grazing on medium-to-low quality forages during summer and low quality forages within the succeeding months and had ad libitum access to a mixture of alfalfa hay (40%) and wheat straw (60%) in the afternoons. From 3 weeks before breeding till 1 month after the introduction of rams, 300 g of barley grain/head/day was offered to the ewes and then the supplemental grain was reduced to 100 g/head/day. For better synchronization of estrus cycles in ewes, they were isolated from the rams for at least 2 months and then kept in close proximity of the rams for 1 week before the introduction of the rams to the ewe flock. Then, whole blood samples were collected on days 1, 7, 21, and 120 after ram introduction. Vitamins A, E, and C were measured in plasma. Malondialdehyde (MDA) was measured in the hemolysate as a biomarker of lipid peroxidation. Plasma progesterone (P4) was measured in the samples of day 120 for assessing pregnancy status of the ewes. Vitamins A and C showed continuous and significant declines (P < 0.05) through days 1 to 120. Vitamin E declined only during the first 21 days of the study and remained almost constant till day 120. MDA concentration increased significantly at day 21. An elevated concentration of MDA was also detected at day 120. The difference between days 21 and 120 was not significant (P > 0.05). A positive correlation between vitamins E and C was detected at day 120 (r = 0.349, P < 0.01). Age and BCS did not affect the patterns of changes. Assuming that the ewes with P4 concentrations ≥2.5 ng/ml were pregnant, 95 out of 105 ewes (90.5%) were pregnant at day 120 of the study. Under the conditions of the present study with medium-to-low quality pastures as the main sources of feed, ewes of various ages and body conditions may suffer from oxidative stress during breeding and pregnancy.     

Alleviation of Salinity Stress by Vermicompost Extract: A Comparative Study on Five Fennel Landraces

In the present study, interaction between salinity (0, 40, 80, 120 mM NaCl) and vermicompost extract (VCE) on five fennel landraces (Urmia, Mashhad, Shiraz, Boushehr, Isfahan) was investigated in a factorial experiment as completely randomized design to find the best salt-tolerant landrace and potential alleviating role of VCE. Results showed that Boushehr and Isfahan were the most tolerant and sensitive landrace to salinity, respectively. Application of VCE improved germination and growth of salt-treated fennels. The amylase activity of fennels was not affected by salinity and not improved by VCE. While sodium (Na⁺) content of root and shoot of all salt-treated fennels increased, their potassium (K) content decreased. Under salinity stress, root K content of VCE-amended landraces was more than that of not amended ones. VCE also caused an increase in calcium (Ca) content of root of salt-treated Shiraz and Urmia landraces. In conclusion, VCE can alleviate adverse effects of salinity stress on fennel.     

Morphological Variability of Berberis integerrima from Iran

Barberry is a valuable medicinal plant that belongs to family Berberidaceae. In the current research, phenotypic variations of 34 individuals of wild barberry (Berberis integerrima) were evaluated. Significant phenotypic diversity was detected between the studied accessions based on morphological traits. Significant correlations were found for variables related to seed and berry, so that seed quantity, seed width, seed weight and seed length were positively correlated with berry quantity, berry weight, skin bloom and berry length, respectively. Leaf length was in significant positive correlation with berry shape, berry skin bloom, seed length, and seed weight and in negative correlation with seed quantity. Principal component analysis showed that 77.75?% of the phenotypic variability was explained by all components for the studied individuals. Variables such as seed length, width and weight, berry length and weight, spine length, leaf length, berry quantity, and seed quantity were predominant in the first three components and contributed most of the total variation. The present results have an important implication for characterization, improvement and conservation of barberry germplasm.