سعید دوازده امامی

Abiotic stresses pose serious risks for growth and production of crop in the world. Salinity is among the most important environmental stresses that makes limitations to agricultural production in arid and semi-arid regions. Twenty seven million hectares was affected from salinity in Iran. Salinity stress disrupts some plant processes by reducing the osmotic potential, and disrupting the absorption and transfer of certain essential nutrients such as calcium (Ca) and potassium(K). Moreover, direct toxic effects of ions such as sodium (Na) and chlorine (Cl) on cell membranes, as well as enzymes of the plant, disrupt some plant processes. Furthermore, the secondary aspect of all environmental stresses is production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that makes oxidative damages. Effective strategies to reduce negative effects of salinity stress include the separate or combined use of saline soil amendment methods, cultivation of compatible plants with saline conditions such as medicinal plants, application of optimal levels of chemical fertilizers such as silicon (Si), use of plant growth regulating agents such as humic acid (HA) and salicylic acid (SA), use of nano-fertilizers to improve the nutrient utilization efficiency, and growth stimulants applying.  Therfore current research was performed to investigate the effects of SiO2-nanoparticles coated with humic acid (coHA-nSi) on yield, ion composition and salt tolerance of black cumin (Nigella sativa L.) under laboratory and greenhouse conditions in 2016-2017.

The laboratory experiment was conducted to obtain the adsorption rate and maximum adsorption of HA on the nSi. Total carbon in coHS-nSi as an indicator of HA was determined by using Carbon Analyze requipment (Vario El, Elementar, Germany).The size of nSi was measured by Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM-EM10C-100KV-Zeiss-Germany) before and after coating process . The greenhouse experiment was conducted to apperceive the effectiveness of coHS-nSi on the yield, ion composition, and the increase of salt tolerance of black cumin(Nigella sativa L.). The treatments were arranged in a split plot design based on Randomized Complete Block Design(RCBD) with four replications and two observations in each plot. The main factor was salinity (NaCl in irrigation water)at three levels including 2 as the control, 3.5 and 5 dS/m, which applied 20 days after transplanting. The subplot was concentration of coHS-nSi in irrigation water at four levels including 0, 0.25, 0.5 and 0.75 g/l,that applied at two growth stages including15 days (p1) and50 days (flowering stage) (p2) after planting. Plants were harvested at maturity stage of seeds. Seed yield and biomass dry weight, harvest index, 1000-seed weight, the number of mature capsules, and the number of seeds were calculated per square meter (number of plants/m2=50). RWC [21] and ion leakage (IL)[22] of black cumin were evaluated as physiological parameters (ten weeks after transplanting). All data was subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) by using MSTAT.C software. Duncan's new multiple range test (DNMRT) at 5% probability level was used for mean comparison. Also, the graphs were drawn by Excel.

The laboratory results showed that the carbon adsorption as an indicator of HA on nSi was increased from 7.6 to 111.9 mgC/g and reached to maximum at 1.6 g/l of HA. Also, the adsorption rate of HA on nSi illustrated that it increased exponentially and peaked at 120 hours. The diameter of nSi was about 20-30 nm and did not change significantly during the experiment. It was confirmed by micrograph made with Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM-EM10C-100KV-Zeiss-Germany). The greenhouse results demonstrated that the seed yield and biomass dry weight harvest index, and number of capsules and seeds were affected by salinity significantly. These parameters were reduced at 5 dS/m. Furthermore, the application of 0.5 g/l coHA-nSi increased significantly the seed yield and biomass dry weight, harvest index, and number of capsules at all salinity levels.. The biomass dry weight and seed yield was increased by 20 and 30% at 0.5 g/l coHS-nSi treatment, respectively. The results illustrated that these parameters reached to maximum by application of 0.5 g/l coHS-nSi at 5 dS/m. The results of nutrient uptake by black cumin illustrated that the salinity affected the uptake of N, K, Ca, Mg, Fe and ratio of K/Na and Ca/Na while it was not affected S uptake. The application of coHS-nSi affected the uptake of N, K, Mg, Na, S and K/Na ratio at leaves, significantly. The uptake of N, K, Mg, Na, S and K/Na ratio increased by 20, 20, 10, 20, 26 and 16%, respectively at the 0.5 g/l compared to the control. The percentage of IL and RWC of black cumin leaves was influenced by salinity and coHS-nSi treatments. The lowest IL and the highest RWC of leaves were found at 0.5 g/l coHS-nSi treatment at all salinity levels.

The covering of nSi with HA in the presence of SA (coHS-nSi) investigated in laboratory conditions based on the carbon adsorption on nSi. The adsorption rate increased with increment of HA concentration and contact time. The outcome indicated that the maximum adsorption of carbon with nSi was 111.9 mgC/g. The diameter of nSi did not change significantly during the experiment according to micrograph made with Transmission Electron Microscopy. The results illustrated that application of 0.5 g / L coHS-nSi significantly increased biomass dry weight, grain yield, harvest index and the number of mature capsule in black cumin at salinity of 5 dS/m. Moreover, the application of coated nanoparticles not only increases the strength of cell wall but also increased uptake of nitrogen, potassium and magnesium. Therefore, it is concluded that coating of nSi with HA in the presence of SA(coHS-nSi), make a reduction to the amount and frequency of its usage and increase the salinity tolerance by improving the quantity and quality of black cumin.

Storability of medicinal plants plays an important role in the quantity and quality of their compounds. In order to investigate the effect of low irrigation and storability treatment on the quantitative and qualitative yield of S. Khuzestanica and S. bachtiarica essential oils, a completely random design with three replications was carried out at the Isfahan Agricultural and Natural Resources Research Center. Low irrigation treatments (16.6, 33 and 50 L/m2) were applied. Some agronomic traits and yields of essential oils and constituents of essential oils were investigated. Also, dried plants have been stored for two years, and the effect of storability on their essential oil has been investigated. According to the results, the low irrigation treatment had a significant effect on all traits except for the percentage of essential oil. The average of traits for S. khuzistanica were obtained for essential oil at 3.62%, dry matter at 1995 kg/ha, and the yield of essential oil at 71 L/ha. By reducing water (50 to 16.6 L/m2), The most important composition of the essential oil was carvacrol (95%), and treatments had no significant effect on the changing process of essential oil composition. The percentage of essential oil at harvesting compared to stored dried plants decreased (3.6 to 2.2 percent in S. khuzistanica and 2.3 to 0.8 percent in S. bachtiarica). The percentage of carvacrol in the essential oil of the stored dried plant in S. khuzistanica was 95%, and the percentage of carvacrol and p- cymen in S. bachtiarica were 41% and 34.6%, respectively.

Sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia Scop.) is one of the most important ancient fodder plants with special adaptability andSainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia Scop.) is one of the most important ancient fodder plants with special adaptability and quality that is cultivated in many parts of Iran. A field experiment in form of complete block design with three replications was conducted in Research Station of Agricultural and Natural Resources Research of Isfahan province during 2013- 2015. Twenty native populations from various regions of Iran were tested. Morphological characteristics, yield and fodder quality of plants was measured. According to results, there was less than 10 days difference among populations from planting to flowering stage. The phenological stages (beginning of spring growth, flowering time) in the second year began earlier than that of the first year. Maximum leaf number (127) and leaf/stem ratio (2.5) were obtained in Oshnavieh and 2759, respectively. PLC produced the highest dry matter content (31.27%) and dry forage yield (3179.3 kg ha-1) among populations. Populations also differed in terms of fodder quality. Most populations had adequate yield and quality potential for livestock feeding. Regarding variation in different traits among populations, each population can be used for different goals such as breeding programs, soil conservation and production of high dry matter yield. In generally, 3001 and 13535 populations (tolerant to powdery mildew disease) with acceptable forage yield and quality can be recommended in Isfahan climatic conditions. .

The genus Anthemis L. is the second largest genus in the Compositae family, which consists of 39 annual and perennial species scattered throughout Iran. In this research, a species of Anthemis lorestanica Iranshahr was collected from two regions in Isfahan province, namely Makdin region (sample 1) and Badum Valley region (sample 2) in 2017.  The samples were identified in the herbarium of the Research Institute of Forests and Pastures in the Department of Botany. The essential oils were extracted from its flowers and leaves by water distillation method (Klenger method). Then the essential oil samples were measured and identified by gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography connected to mass spectrometer (GC/MS). The amount of essential oil in sample 1 was 0.12% for flower and 0.08% for leaf. Major compounds in the flower consisted of methyl decanoate (18.6%), α-cadinol (11.1%), and n-tricosan (9.1%). Major compounds in leaves were neryl acetate (13.4%), α-cadinol (12.9%), and dihydro eudesmol (8.5%). Essential oil contents of sample 2 were 0.2% for flower and 0.08% for leaf. The main flower compounds included spathulenol (68.8%), dehydro-aromadendrane (5.2%), and oplopanone (3%). The main compounds of the leaves were oplopanone (12.3%), 1-icocen (11.5%), and dihydro eudesmol (10.9%).

Sweet violet (Viola odorata L.) is a perennial plant belonging to the Violaceae family that is not only known as a medicinal and ornamental plant but also widely used in the cosmetics industry. In order to investigate the effect of different concentrations of gibberellic acid (GA3) on the quantitative and qualitative properties of sweet violet flowers, an experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design (CRD) with three replications at Islamic Azad University of Khorasgan (Isfahan). Treatments were different levels of gibberellic acid (GA3) with three concentrations of 0 (control), 200 and 400 mg/L. Results showed that the application of  gibberellic acid at 400 ppm significantly increased flower number, flower diameter, flowering duration, anthocyanin content, flavonoids, chlorophyll and UV absorptions compared to control treatment. There was no significant difference in terms of anthocyanin, chlorophyll b and carotenoids between the treatment of 200 ppm  gibberellic acid  and control. Flower diameter, flower number, flowering duration and anthocyanin content of flowers at two concentrations of hormone (200 and 400 ppm) showed similar results. Regarding the medicinal use of sweet violet flowers, it is recommended to use hormonal treatments to increase the number of flowers and secondary metabolites of this plant.

Plant nutrition management is an important factor in the success of cultivation of medicinal plants, which leads to the improvement of their quantitative and qualitative yield. Therefore an experiment was conducted as a randomized complete block design with three replications and 8 nutritional treatments during three growing seasons on Satureja. spicigera Jamzad.The treatments were different levels of chemical fertilizers (N50P25K25), different levels of organic fertilizers (Cow Manure30, Cow Manure60 and 5 ton/ha Vermi-compost) and combination of chemical and organic fertilizers (N50P25K25+ Cow Manure30, N50P25K25+ Cow Manure60, N50P25K25+ 5 ton/ha Vermi-compost). These treatments were compared with the control. The aerial parts of plants were harvested at 50% flowering stage and after drying, the essential oil was extracted using water distillation and Clevenger apparatus. Essential compounds were identified using gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC / MS). According to the results, the maximum essential oil percentage and oil yeild in S. spicigera was 2.96% and 58.02 kg/ha during the second year. Based on the results of the experimental years, the highest oil yield was observed in the combined treatment of 50 kg/ha nitrogen, 25 kg/ha of phosphorus and 25 kg/ha of potash plus 5 tons per hectare of vermicompost, in the third year. During the experimental years, 13 compounds were observed in S. spicigera that dominant composition were thymol (26.14-56.15%), g-terpinene (12.83-30.95%) and p-cymen (7.24-16.85%) with a total of more than 97%, had the highest amount. According to the results, the qualitative yield of essential oil of plant was less affected by soil fertility treatments, but the quantitative yield of essential oil had a significant increase that indirectly increases the qualitative yield of essential oil. Also, it could be recommended to use vermicompost along with the chemical and biological fertilizers to increase the essential oil yield of Satureja spicigera.

Rose is one of the most important genera of the Rosaceae family and Rosa damascena Mill. is the most prominent rose cultivated in Bulgaria, India, Turkey and Iran to produce perfume. In order to identify populations of R. damascena, morphological characteristics of this species were considered as the first and most important criterion in explaining the genetic status. Samples were taken from 750 hectares of Kashan and other areas of Isfahan province such as Meymeh (Ziyad Abad), Chadegan, Semirom and Najaf Abad and in each specimen, the shape and color of the stem, spiny or spineless, leaf shape and its length, number of leaflet, length and width of terminal leaflet, color of upper and lower of leaf, edge and base of leaf, color and number of petals, number of stamen and at the end of season, shape and color of fruit and number of seeds per fruit were evaluated. Also, the morphology of ornamentation of seed surface of these populations was studied and compared using scanning electron microscopy. According to the results, the morphological traits of different populations known as Kashan and Kazeroon were not different, but the populations known as Tabriz and Meymand showed significant differences in number of spine, shape of fruit and seed number in fruit. No significant differences were observed in seed cover decorations for all types of R. damascena populations and this trait could not be used for separation of different populations.

Multipurpose use of rangelands is one of the new challenges facing rangeland users, according to which grazing pressure in rangelands can be reduced and an important step can be taken to increase the welfare and empowerment of rangelands, preserve ecosystems and improve ecosystem services related to them. Therefore, the present study aims to evaluate the potential of rangelands in the semi-steppe region, for the use of medicinal plants and forage production, in 12 habitats of the country (including: Arshad Chamanof Sahand, Shiveh Soor of Marghavar of Urmia, DoshKharat of Golestankooh, Derakhtak of Friedan, Aliabad Moshiri of Koohrang, Freeze heights of Binalood, Khoraklat of Razavi Khorsan, Joladak of Alamut, Sar Ali Abad of Gorgan, Rineh of Larijan, Otaghsara of Larijan and Kaboudcheshmeh of Savadkuh) were performed. For this purpose, after measuring the vegetation and estimating the production of medicinal plants; based on ecological, economic and social criteria and indicators; the suitability of each habitat for the use of medicinal plants was determined. Then, by comparing the suitability class of habitats for the use of medicinal plants and their suitability class for livestock grazing, a decision was made regarding the priority of the type of rangeland use. Overall; 17% of habitats, by all criteria, are unsuitable for the use of medicinal plants. 33% have good suitable, 25% have medium suitable and 25% have low suitable. The results suggest that not all rangeland habitats are suitable for the use of medicinal plants, and not all of them are suitable for the use of medicinal plants. This issue should be considered in the policies related to the harvest of medicinal plants from the rangelands, and the use of medicinal plants should be allowed, taking into account the suitability of the rangeland. In rangelands with potential for medicinal plants, it is possible to reduce the number of livestock and grazing livestock in accordance with ecological principles; he used medicinal plants along with livestock. This, in addition to compensating for the economic problems caused by reducing the number of livestock, will also restore vegetation and enhance the richness of medicinal plants.

Ajowan (Carum copticum L. C.B. Clarke) is an annual plant of the Apiaceae family with medicinal, health and industrial uses. To investigate the effect of irrigation water salinity and planting date on some characteristics of this plant, a split-split plot experiment based on a randomized complete design with three replications was conducted in Isfahan, Iran. Two different planting dates (spring: March 23 and summer: June 21) and four different salinity levels (0.3 (control), 3, 6 and 9 dS/m), were assigned to main plots and subplots, respectively. The results showed that the highest plant height (93.2 cm) and biological yield (1367.7 g/m2) were obtained at 0.3 dS/m and summer planting date and maximum seed yield (230 g/m2) was observed at 0.3 dS/m and spring planting date. Increasing salinity levels decreased plant height, biological and seed yields. Interaction effects of salinity and planting season on essential oil percent and yield was not significant. The number of compounds identified in aerial parts of essential oil was 15 and 11 in summer and spring planting season, respectively. Based on the results, salinity had significant effect on essential oil yield, but no significant effect on essential oil percentage. Quality and quantity changes of essential oil components had no typical pattern. Spring was the most appropriate planting date in Isfahan climatic conditions for ajowan.

In order to investigate the effect of irrigation water salinity on some characteristics of Ajowan (Carum copticum L. C.B. Clarke), a field experiment has been conducted in a completely randomized design with 3 replications in Isfahan, Iran during 2013. The treatments involve different levels of saline water, namely 2.5 (control), 6, 9, and 18 dS.m-1. The determined traits include the yield, biochemical parameters, mineral contents, and seed essential oil content and quality. Results show that increasing salinity decreases biological yield and seed yield. Changes in essential oil components, caused by salinity, have been low, showing no specific trend. The major compound in the seed essential oil of C. capticum is thymol (56.1% to 61.2% of the essential oil). The highest concentration of total protein (root: 3.6 and shoot: 8.2 mg g-1 DW) is assigned to the control treatment, dropping significantly as salinity levels rise. Increasing salinity enhances the amount of proline and reducing sugars so that the highest amount of root proline, equal to 12 mg g-1 FW, and reducing sugars (root: 30.5 and shoot: 62 mg g-1 DW) comes from salinity of 18 dS.m-1. Increasing salinity levels raises the amount of phenolic compounds in the shoot, though this increase has not been considerable. The treatment of 18 dS.m-1 has had the lowest concentration of K+ (root: 5 and shoot: 22 mg g-1 DW) and the highest concentration of Na+ (root: 54 and shoot: 64 mg g-1 DW).It can be concluded that by increasing salinity levels, the amount of resistant osmolytes rises.

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of coated nanosilicon oxide with humic acid (coHA-nSi) on yield, ion composition and salt tolerance of black cumin (Nigella sativa L.) in 2017-2018. The experiment was performed in the form of split-plot based on Randomized Complete Block Design with four replicates under greenhouse condition. The main plot was salinity levels including 2 (control), 3.5 and 5 dS/m. The sub plots was SiO2-nanoparticles including Control (without nanosilicon oxide), uncoated nanosilicon oxide (0.5 g/l) and coated nanosilicon oxide (0.5 g/l) which were applied in multi leave stage (15 days after planting) and flowering stages (50 days after planting). The results demonstrated that the salinity stress decreased yield and its compouents significantly. The application of coated nano silicon oxide increased significantly the seed weight (18.9%) and biomass dry weight (8.9%), dry root weight (23.7), number of capsules (24%) and number of seed (15.9%), harvest index (10.5%) and relative leaf moisture content (20.7%) and decreased significantly the ionic leakage (IL, 18.1%) compared to the uncoated nanoparticles. Also, it increased the uptake of leaf nutrients such as nitrogen, potassium and calcium. Therefore, it is concluded that the silicon nanooxide coated with humic acid could increase the effect of this nanoparticle on salinity tolerance indices, quantitative and qualitative traits of black seed under saline conditions.

In order to investigate the effect of irrigation water salinity on some traits of dill plant, a series of experiments were conducted in a completely randomized design (RCD) in Isfahan. Salinity stress application (0.3 - 30 dS/m) in the laboratory conditions showed that the control treatment had the highest percentage and rate of germination (80.5 % and 15.2 seedling per day). The effect of salinity stress on the germination rate was more severe than its effect on germination percentage. Application of saline irrigation from 0.3 to 15 dS/m indicated that the highest percentage and rate of emergence (60 and 73.8 % and 5.1 and 10.3 seedling per day at greenhouse and field) were in the control treatment. Applying salinity treatments from 0.3 to 9 dS/m in the field, showed that control treatment had the highest biological yield (811.4 g/m2), seed yield (143.3 g/m2) and plant height (87.4 cm) and increasing salinity decreased these traits. The effect of saline irrigation on essential oil percentage was not significant. Seed and shoot essential oil yields varied from 2.7 to 3.3 and 4.6 to 6 ml/m2 at different salinity levels, respectively, but their changes did not follow a specific trend. 12 and 13 different compounds were identified in the seed and aerial parts essential oils, respectively. The main components of essential oil were carvone, limonene and α-phellandrene. According to the results of this study, high levels of salinity had a negative effect on germination, emergence and agronomic traits (biological yield, seed yield and plant height) of dill plant.

In this study, the flora of the Drakhtak Frieden area was investigated. A total of 265 species belonging to 184 genera and 42 plant families were identified in the area. Of these, 35 belong to dicots and seven to monocots. The most important plant families include Asteraceae (32 genera and 48 species), Brassicaceae (24 genera and 32 species), Poaceae (20 genera and 25 species). The genus Astragalus with 11 species and the genera Cousinia and Centaurea each with five species accounted for the largest share in the plant composition of the region. The geographical distribution of plant species showed that 52% of the plants belong to the Irano-Turanian regions. Subsequently, by and large, elements from the Irano-Turanian / Europe-Siberia / Mediterranean area are most present. Hemicryptophytes and trophytes accounted for the most (40.75%), with camphores, geophytes, and phanerophytes being the next levels. The vegetation of the area based on the physionomy is shrublands, that dominant species including Astragalus verus and Astragalus gossypinus. Of the identified plants in the region, 42 are endemic species and 82 species have medicinal value.

Nowadays, medicinal plants are being used to cure ailments and improve health. The vegetative form and biological shape of plants establish a clear relationship with specific environmental and human factors. The purpose of this study was to study the vegetative form, geographical distribution and therapeutic application of indigenous medicinal plants in Semirom rangelands. Medicinal plant species were collected from different areas of Semirom rangeland and transferred to Isfahan Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Training Center for identification. After identifying the flora of the region and separating the medicinal plants, the data were collected by submitting a questionnaire to the knowledgeable and knowledgeable locals of the area (villages and tribes) about the use of medicinal plants. In this, study 62 plant species were identified in April and November of 94 and 95 belonging to 21 families and 53 genera in the region. Apiaceae with 12 species, Lamiaceae with 10 species and Asteraceae with 7 plant species were the most abundant.  According to the results of interviews with locals, most of the traditional uses of medicinal plants in rangelands of Semirom were dedicated to the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases. In terms of biological formations, hemicryptophytes with 24 species (39%) were the most abundant and biodiversity and elements of the Irano-Turanian area with 19 species represented 38% equivalents.

Sainfoin (Onobrychis vicifolia Scop.) is one of the most important forage legumes cultivated as high quality forage. Fifty three species have been identified in this genus in Iran. A field experiment was conducted using randomized complete block design to compare yield and forage quality of 20 populations of sainfoin in Isfahan Agricultural and Natural Resources Center, Iran during 2013 – 2014. Populations were evaluated at three cutting dates (29 April, 20 July and 26 October, 2014). Dry matter yield and forage quality indices such as crude protein (CP), water-soluble carbohydrates (WSC), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), dry matter digestibility (DMD), and ash content were determined. Results showed that populations were different in the majority of traits. Means of interaction effects indicated that the maximum and minimum dry matter yield were 5612.7 kg ha-1 at the third cutting and 118.5 kg ha-1 at the first cutting in 8199 and 9263, respectively. According to the results of quality analysis in the majority of populations, maximum DMD, CP and WSC were obtained at the third cutting and maximum ADF and NDF were obtained at the first cutting. In terms of forage yield some populations, such as 8199, 3800, Oshnavieh, 9147, 8799 and Isfahan camposit were superior to other populations. High digestibility populations (2759, 19402, PLC, 12542, 3001 and Oshnavieh) and high protein populations (8199, 15353, 2759, 3062, 15364 and 19402) had the best forage quality among populations. Regarding quantitative and qualitative characteristics of forage, these populations could be considered as desired parents for developing synthetic varieties.

Varroa destructor (VD) tick is one of the most important pests of honey bee colonies around the world, causing a lot of economic damage to the beekeeping industry in the world by feeding on bee larva and transferring some viruses. The use of chemical pesticides against this tick creates resistant populations and infects hive products. In this study, the level of repellent toxicity of different essential oil (EO) concentrations of Satureja khuzistanica Jamzad and S. spicigera (C. koch) Boiss., on the mortality of VD tick and honey bee (HB) was evaluated under laboratory conditions. Mature female ticks were treated with different EO concentrations including 0, 50, 75, 100, 150 and 200 ppm (at 32 °C, 50% relative humidity and darkness) for 5 and 10 hours, in four replicates, and after determining the equation of concentration vs. VD mortality, LC50 was calculated for concentrations of 20 to 1000 ppm. According to the results, the amount of LC50 at 5 and 10 hours after EO treatment was respectively determined as: for S. khuzistanica EO, 149.8 and 78.6 ppm for VD tick and 750.5 and 435.8 ppm for HB, and for S. Spicigera EO, 255.7 and 153.6 ppm for VD tick and 737.6 and 573 ppm for HB, indicating the more sensitivity of ticks in comparison with honey bees to applied EOs. The results showed that the EO of both species, especially S. khuzistanica, with the least mortality on HB, has a high potential for controlling VD tick. The main component(s) of essential oils was obtained as carvacrol (93%) in S. khuzistanica and carvacrol and thymol (43% and 29%, respectively) in S. spicigera based on qualitative analysis.

 In order to evaluate genetic variation and relationship among 20 genotypes of sainfoin, an experiment was conducted as a randomized complete block design with 3 replications in Agricultural and Natural Resource Research Center of Isfahan, during 2015-2016. Results of variance analysis showed significant differences among the genotypes for all traits, in exception of number of nodes, lateral branches, leaflets and leaf width. PLC population had the highest forage yield (3179 kg/h). 9147 population was the second population for forage yield (2965 kg/h). Correlation coefficients showed that forage yield had a positive correlation with total stems, number of lateral branches, nodes, leaves and leaf and stem dry weight. Using principal component analysis, the first three components accounted for 72% of the total variation. Number of lateral branches, nodes, leaf, leaf and stem dry weight and wet and dry forage yield were the most important traits in the first component. Stem height, leaf width, leaf and stem percentages and leaf/stem in the second component and leaflets, total stems, lateral stem height and dry matter percentage in the third component were important. Genotypes were classified into 4 groups with distinct variations for forage yield.

 Indigenous knowledge is a part of the unique culture of each country, which has been adapted to the environmental conditions of a particular ecosystem through experience and it has gradually become as a part of the social and productive culture of that community. The purpose of this study was to collect medicinal herbs and treatments associated with gastrointestinal motility by villagers and Semiramis tribes. Medicinal plants were collected from different parts of Semirom and transferred to Isfahan Province Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center. Data collection was done by questionnaire and randomly collected from indigenous peoples of the region (village and tribes) regarding the use of medicinal plants for various diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, such as the method of use, how to prepare and the parts used. Finally, data were recorded in the tables and charts and interpreted.  The results showed that the interviewed 26 people referred to various gastrointestinal diseases, which mostly used the limb. The indigenous people of the Semirom region had fairly large information of plant and medicinal plant in environments around them, especially among nomadic people, because they had to leave for three to four months a year due to changes in the seasons.

Purple coneflower(Echinacea purpurea L.) is a perennial medicine plant that belongs to Asteraceae family. It is using as immune system stimulant in medicinal industries. This study was done to evaluating root yield, aerial yield and chlorogenic acid yield under different levels of N fertilizer and plant density. The experiment was conducted at Agricultural and Natural Resource Research Center of Isfahan in a split plot experiment based on randomized complete block design with three replication, during 2009- 2010. The N fertilizer (0, 75, 150, 225kg/ha) was as main factor and different densities (11, 17 and 33 plant per m2) were sub factors. Based on the results the interaction of N levels × different densities × year were significant for aerial dry weight, root dry weight, aerial and root dry yield per hectare and chlorogenic acid yield per hectare. The highest dry weight of aerial and root plant (67.6 and 57.7, respectively) were observed at 225kg/ha N fertilizer and 11 plant per m2 densities. The aerial and root dry yield per hectare (19127 and 6342kg/ha, respectively) and chlorogenic acid yield in aerial and root plant (293.2 and 63.4gr/ha, respectively) were obtained in 225kg/ha N fertilizer and 33 plant per m2 densities. A significant positive correlation was observed between aerial dry yield per hectare with root dry yield and chlorogenic acid yield of plant.

In order to evaluate the effects of silicone nano oxide coated with humic acid and salicylic acid on some morphological parameters and ionic composition of black cumin (Nigella sativa L.) under salinity stress, two set of experiments were conducted (in lab. and greenhouse) during 2016-2017. First, silicone nano oxide was coated by different concentrations of humic acid (40-1600 mg l-1) in the presence of salicylic acid (pH=4) and at different times (0.5 to 120 hours) to maximize the coverage and energy absorption. Then, the effects of coated silicone nano oxide were evaluated in salinity stress in a split plot experiment based on randomized complete blocks with four replications. The salinity treatment was applied in three levels including 2 ds m-1 as control, 3.5 and 5 ds m-1 with irrigation. The coated silicone nano oxide treatments included 0, 0.25, 0.5 and 0.75 g l-1, applied via irrigation at two growth stages of black cumin (vegetative and reproductive). The results of laboratory experiment showed that by increasing humic acid concentration and exposure time (in presence of salicylic acid), the carbon adsorption rate increased from 6.6 to 11.9 mg g-1. However, the size of silicone nano oxide was not significantly different (20 to 30 nanometers). Results of analysis of variance showed that changes in dry weight of shoot, root, plant height, shoot/root ratio, number of branches, relative water content, and potassium in the salinity treatments and coated nanoparticles were independently significant. It is concluded that the silicone nano oxide coated with humic acid and salicylic acid can result in increased salinity tolerance of the black cumin through reducing the amount and frequency of these materials.

In order to study the effects of water salinity on fennel seed yield and seed yield components, an experiment was conducted at Agricultural and Natural Resource Research Center of Isfahan in a split plot experiment based on randomized complete block design with three replicates, during 2012- 2014. Four superior Foeniculum vulgare genotypes (Lorestan, Hamedan, P11- 820065 and 11486) in three treatments (control, 5 and 8 dS/m) were investigated. Number of inflorescences and umbels, seeds per umblets, seed yield, weight of 1000 seeds, plants height in 50% flowering and 100% flowering time, dry weight of plant aerial parts, plant dry weight/wet weight, days until 50% flowering and maturing time, percentage of essential oil and essential oil yield were evaluated. Results showed that the effect of salinity was significant on all traits with the exception of essential oil percentage. Effect of genotype wasn’t significant on seed per umblet and seed yield. Interactions of salinity and genotype were significant on all traits except for essential oil percentage. In control treatment P11- 820065 had the highest seed yield and essential oil yield (2359.8 and 91.5 kg/ha, respectively) but by increasing in salinity levels, seed yield of native genotypes was higher than P11- 820065 and Lorestan was the superior genotype with 1463 and 4/38 kg/ha, respectively. There was a positive correlation between seed yield with essential oil and forage yields. Based on the results, salinity stress decreased the seed, essential oil and herbage yield economically.

Investigating the effect of allelopathic substances in different organs of forest trees on the growth, establishment, and stability of other plants in the forest is very important. The source of production and effect of allelopathic substances from Fraxinus excelsior L. on two plant species, Plantago lanceolata and Eruca sativawas, were explored in the Research Center of Agriculture and Natural Resources of Isfahan in 2014. Organ leaf, fruit of the last and current year of Fraxinus tree, and the seeds of Plantago and Eruca were collected from the aforementioned center. This experiment followed a factorial completely randomized design with three replications. The factors included aqueous extracts of various organ of Fraxinus plant in four concentrations (0, 25, 50, & 75 %) as irrigation water and the seeds of two plants species of Plnatago and Eruca. The factors were considered in an experiment of germination in petri dish and in the laboratory. Traits related to germination behavior such as germination percentage, germination rate, average days to complete germination, the coefficient of germination rate, the average daily germination, and stimulation or inhibition index were calculated. Data were analyzed using Excel and mstatc software. According to results, Fraxinus tree had significant allele-chemical effect on the seeds of Eruca and Plantago. From among the extraction of organs, the allelopathic effect of last year fruit extracts was more than the two other organs. Furthermore, the sensitivity of Plantago seed to allelopathic materials was more than Eruca. With an increase in the concentration of extract, the measured traits demonstrated a significant decrease.

Black seed is one of important ancient medicinal plants with various properties in traditional medicine. In order to evaluate microelements (Fe and Zn) effects on seed yield and yield components of black seed in salinity stress, a complete block design with three replications was conducted in Esfahan Agricultural and Natural Resources Center during 2013-2014. Three water salinity treatments were control (0_, 3.5 and 5 dS/m and three levels of mineral spraying, control, 0.1% and 0.2% Fe (as 3*3 factors). Fourteen characters of plants were measured and calculated. According to results, the effect of salinity treatments on majority of traits was significant. By increasing salinity stress, seed yield and biological yield decreased (70% and 67%, respectively) and the abnormal seed percentage increased significantly (150%). In this experiment, the effects of Fe spraying were not clear, because of abundance of these two elements in the soil. Also, emphasis on deficit signs in field is not suitable criterium for microelements spraying in black cumin.