Assessment of Phenological Stages of Iris ferdowsii, a New Endangered Species Based on BBCH System

The basis of many plant studies is the identification of plant species because identifying plant populations in every region is the pivotal pillar of plants conservation. Furthermore, study of the stages of plant growth cycle is one of the ways to determine growth details of any given plant. The current research aimed to investigate the phenological stages of Iris ferdowsii in the main habitat of the plant based on the BBCH system for the first time (Biologische Bundesanstalt Bundessortenamt and Chemical Industry). The phenological study of Iris ferdowsii was performed during three consecutive years from 2018 to 2021. After selecting the habitat of this plant species, 10 different points of plant growth with a certain distance from each other were selected to study the different phenological stages of Iris ferdowsii. According to this system, the phenological stages of Iris ferdowsii was divided into 7 main stages and 13 sub-stages including: emergence, growth and development of two leaves, full growth and development of leaves, spathes stage, flowering, flower wilting, seed capsule formation, splitting of the seed capsule, the beginning of summer dormancy, the end of summer dormancy, the fall growth, the beginning of winter quiescence, and the end of winter quiescence. Identifying the new and endangered plant species of Iris ferdowsii, as a wild plant and a new genetic source provides researchers with the proper planning to preserve this species, domesticate and use it properly in breeding programs. We can also study its potentials in various ornamental and medicinal fields.