نشریه فیزیولوژی محیطی گیاهی
پیاپی 44 (زمستان 1395)

Soil salinity is on the increase around the world and it is considered as one of the most important challenges for the agricultural practices in world. Research has shown that saline soils limit the plant growth. Halocnemum strobilaceum plant belongs to the family of Chenopodiaceae and is a halophyte. The drying of Urmia Lake has led to the growth of this plant in saline soils of the region. This study was to investigate the effect of soil salinity on growth factors and osmolytes of H.strobilaceum plant in three regions (Chipgloo, Tapeh Chahar Borj, and Sahra Jen) southeastern edge of Urmia Lake. Soil and plant samples were analyzed for evaluation of growth parameters and physiological indices. The results indicated that Tapeh Chahar Bborj with silt-loamy texture had the minimum salinity (3.5 dS/m) and Sahra Jen region with sandy-loamy soil had the maximum salinity (17/43 dS/m). Also, results showed that the length, fresh and dry weight of shoots and roots, chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and carotenoids significantly decreased with increasing salinity while the Malondi aldehyde and proline and glycine betaine increased.

In order to evaluate the effect of compost tea, vermicomposting (as organic fertilizers), and mycorrhizal symbiosis on Mentha aquatica yield and its components, a factorial experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design with four replications in 2015 in Sari. The factors examined included mycorrhizal Glomus moseae (0 and 10% of the pot volume), vermicomposting (0 and 10% of the pot volume), and compost tea (at 0 and 1.5 liter). Some characteristics such as growth indices, amount of nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium in shoots were examined. The results of the study showed that organic fertilizers and mycorrhizal fungi had a significant impact on all measured characteristics and increased dry and fresh weight and flower diameter characteristics when compared with those of the control group so that the highest leaf area, flower diameter, and nitrogen and phosphorus contents were obtained from the mycorrhizal fungi compost tea vermicomposting treatment. The triple interaction effects showed that the absence of compost tea, vermicomposting and mycorrhizae symbiosis treatments increased the leaf area compared to the control. The results indicated that using vermicomposting, compost tea, and mycorrhizal symbiosis through the availability of nutrients increases the yield and improves the quantity and quality of Mentha aquatica harvest.

In order to study the effect of seed aging, plant density, and nitrogen fertilization on physiological and yield characteristics of wheat, an experiment was performed as a split plot based on RCBD with four replications in 2015-2016. Experimental factors were three levels of nitrogen in recommended amount, 15 and 30 percent more than the recommended amount (125, 143.75, and 162.5 kgN.ha-1, respectively) and plant density at two levels, namely 350 and 420 plants per square meter which were the main plots and seed quality at four levels including control, 15, 30, and 45 hours of accelerated aging was subplots. Grain yield, protein and starch performance were significant under the triple effects of seed quality, planting density, and nitrogen fertilizer. With increasing levels of seed aging significant reduction were observed in all traits (except grain protein and nitrogen percentage). Application of nitrogen fertilizer 30 percent more than the recommended dose, as well as plant density of 420 plants per square meter significantly increased grain protein and nitrogen percentage. The highest average protein yield was achieved in the combined treatment of 350 plant square meters at 30-hour aging level and nitrogen fertilizer at 15 percent more than the recommended dose and also in combined treatment of 420 plant square meters, 45-hour aging level, and the nitrogen level 30 percent more than the recommended dose. Generally, seed deterioration reduced its quantitative and qualitative characteristics but more nitrogen fertilizer improved quality traits, thereby improving the quality loss.

Cadmium is regarded as one of the most toxic elements for living organisms that plays no positive biological role. In order to study the effect of cadmium heavy metal on growth factors of Carthamus tinctorius, an experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design with three replications in open-air conditions. Different levels of cadmium sulphate applied to the pots in the experiment were 150, 300, 450, 600, 750, 900, and 1000 µM solutions. Based on the results of the present study, the dry weights of roots and shoots significantly decreased in response to varying levels of cadmium but shoot lengths and relative growth rates were not significantly different compared to control. The results of the analysis of variance showed that the amount of chlorophyll a,b and total chlorophyll significantly decreased compared with the control while the decrease in carotenoid compounds content and relative water content in Carthamus tinctorius with increasing cadmium concentration was not significantly different comparing with the control. The amount of soluble sugars in the roots and shoots of Carthamus tinctorius plants treated with cadmium increased, but the amount of insoluble sugars in the aforementioned organs decreased. The results of the analysis of variance also revealed that with increasing the concentration of cadmium, the cadmium levels of shoots increased. Findings also showed that with the increase in cadmium concentration at some levels (300, 750, 900, and 1000 µM) the activity of guaiacol peroxidase enzyme showed no significant difference compared to control. In addition, the amount of polyphenol oxidase enzyme increased which was significant at all levels comparing to control and only at 150 µM level no significant difference was observed compared to control. The results of this research showed that safflower is able to absorb cadmium in its tissues and it can be used for phytoremediation of cadmium heavy metal.

In this study, potential of seed priming techniques were investigated in improving the yield of barley cultivars (Sahra and Khoram) in a saline field in Simin Shahr, Gomishan. For the purpose of priming, barley seeds were soaked in distilled water (hydropriming), aerated solution of salicylic acid (50 mg l-1; salicylic priming), gibberellic acid (50 ppm; gibberellic priming), CaCl2 (50 mg l-1; halopriming), and polyethylene glycol (PEG-6000, 13.5%, osmopriming) for 12 h. In addition, untreated seeds were also taken as control. The results showed that seed priming treatments substantially improved the stand establishment with osmopriming being the most effective compared to the other treatments. Likewise, maximum fertile tillers, grains per spike, 1000-grain weight, grain yield and harvest index were observed in plants raised from osmoprimed seeds followed by halopriming in both cultivars tested. Seed priming treatments also improved the leaf K contents with simultaneous decrease in Na concentration, osmopriming being the best treatment. Similarly, maximum total phenolic contents, total soluble proteins (TSP), α-amylase and protease activity were observed in osmoprimed seeds followed by halopriming. In conclusion, different seed priming treatments in barley seeds improved the salinity tolerance. Nonetheless, osmopriming was the most effective treatments to get higher grain yield in both barley cultivars whereas gibberellic treatment was the least effective.

Ferula assafoetida is considered as a medicinal plant that is used for the treatment of different diseases because of its different chemical compounds. The plant has been commonly used in various regions of Iran since the old times. The purpose of the present study was introducing this plant and identifying its ecological properties such as geographical location, soil pH, and potassium, sodium, phosphorus, and nitrogen contents as well as the texture of its habitat and the distribution of the variability of the plant in terms of morphological and physiological properties in three distant populations in Fars, Kohgiluyeh and Boyer Ahmad, and Khuzestan. To this and, Ferula assafoetida plant and soil samples were collected from the natural habitats of the three provinces and the morphological features including the height of the plants, the length and width of the leaves, the diameter of the stems, the dried and fresh weights of the plants, and the physiological features including chlorophyll, carbohydrate, protein, phosphorus, potassium, and sodium contents of shoots were studied. Results showed that Khuzestan habitat was reicher than the other two habitats in terms of clay, nitrogen, and phosphorus contents of soil was more than the other two sites. Also, results of morphological study of the plants in this habitat showed higher average fresh weight, plant height, weight, length and width of leaf and stem diameter. Moreover, with an increase in the height from the sea level, the length, width, height and dried and wet weight of the plants decreased while the stem diameter increased. Furthermore, with an increase in the height from the sea level traits such as phosphorus and sodium contents decreased while potassium, carbohydrates, chlorophyll, and protein contents of leaves followed an increasing trend.

Natural and artificial forests absorb air pollutants and reduce pollution in addition to wood production. This study investigated the role of Polchahr forestation region in Kermanshah was investigated in reducing pollution due to petrochemical industry and also the effect of zinc and chromium on physiological characteristics and growth of Pinus eldarica Medw. and Cupressus Sempervirens L. The plantation area in Petrochemicals factory (infected site) and a plantation area around Petrochemicals (control site) were designated for the study. Results showed that the concentration of the two elements in roots and stems of both species in the infected site were significantly higher than the control site. Also in the area infested with the two elements, the shoot and root lengths of Pinus eldarica Medw. species decreased significantly compared to the control area while in Cupressus sempervirens L. only root length in the contaminated area was significantly difference from the control areas. Moreover, results showed that in the infected area, total chlorophyll, and proline and sugar contents in the leaves of the Pinus eldarica Medw. and Cupressus sempervirens L. species were significantly different compared to the disinfected area. In general, reduction in the pollution with zinc and chromium was more in Pinus eldarica Medw. than in Cupressus sempervirens

Natural and artificial forests absorb air pollutants and reduce pollution in addition to wood production. This study investigated the role of Polchahr forestation region in Kermanshah was investigated in reducing pollution due to petrochemical industry and also the effect of zinc and chromium on physiological characteristics and growth of Pinus eldarica Medw. and Cupressus Sempervirens L. The plantation area in Petrochemicals factory (infected site) and a plantation area around Petrochemicals (control site) were designated for the study. Results showed that the concentration of the two elements in roots and stems of both species in the infected site were significantly higher than the control site. Also in the area infested with the two elements, the shoot and root lengths of Pinus eldarica Medw. species decreased significantly compared to the control area while in Cupressus sempervirens L. only root length in the contaminated area was significantly difference from the control areas. Moreover, results showed that in the infected area, total chlorophyll, and proline and sugar contents in the leaves of the Pinus eldarica Medw. and Cupressus sempervirens L. species were significantly different compared to the disinfected area. In general, reduction in the pollution with zinc and chromium was more in Pinus eldarica Medw. than in Cupressus sempervirens

This review focused on phytoremediation technology status with particular emphasis on plant extraction of soil contaminated with heavy metals. Unlike organic compounds, heavy metals are not biodegradable and treatment usually is done by separating them. Many current technologies, costly and limiting soil fertility, therefore, this action would cause negative effects on the ecosystem. Phytoremediation is a cost-effective, environmentally friendly, aesthetically pleasing approach is suitable for developing countries. Despite this potential, phytoremediation, technology is commercially available in Iran. This article is about mobility, bioavailability and plant response to the presence of heavy metals in soil. Classify plants according to the mechanism of plant extracts is done. Various techniques has been discussed to enhance plant extraction and subsequent use of phytoremediation. Since a large amount of biomass produced during the process of purification plants, disposal of biomass also requires proper management. Plants with high biomass contaminants through the food chain are elected to limit the non-edible, resistant to disease and able to provide renewable energy. Therefore, herbal extracts for use in the current situation of our country will be better than other methods.