Antioxidant activity and phenolic profile of different parts of Bene (Pistacia atlantica subsp. kurdica) fruits

In this research, morphological characterization of wild Prunus scoparia species, naturally growing in Iran, was investigated. Twenty-one variables along flowering and ripening date were recorded in 150 accessions of this species to detect their phenotypic variation. All studied characteristics were showing a high degree of variability, but it was highly pronounced for secondary shoot number, leaf area and shape, growth habit, fruit exocarp color, nut shape, pubescence on fruit, canopy size and trunk diameter. The majority of significant correlation coefficients were found in the characteristics representing tree and nut sizes 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 tree height, growth habit, canopy size and kernel weight. Based on the UPGMA cluster analysis, accessions were placed in two main clusters. The first main cluster was divided into five subclusters with high variability within and between populations, while the second cluster contained 11 accessions of Estahban region. Current findings supported these opportunities since the phenotypic variability in Iranian wild P. scoparia species has been found to be very high, suggesting an extensive genetic diversity available to almond cultivar and rootstock development programs. The wide adaptation of this species indicates its potential as resources for resistance to abiotic and biotic stresses such as drought and spring frost. The conservation of the highly diverse native populations of Iranian wild P. scoparia species is recommended.

Morphological characterization of Prunus scoparia using multivariate analysis

The Khorassan-Kopet Dagh (KK) floristic province is located in the northeastern parts of Iran and partly in southern Turkmenistan. The area is a transition zone and a corridor connecting different provinces of the Irano-Turanian region and also Hyrcanian montane forests of the Euro-Siberian region. The unique combination of Irano-Turanian species and also presence of a local center of endemism are evidence of a separate biogeographic entity. The complicated topography, high habitat heterogeneity and vegetation history are reasons for the development of diverse vegetation types. In order to achieve up-to-date information on the plant diversity and distribution patterns, a database was prepared using all floristic records from the area defined as KK. A total of 2576 species/infraspecific taxa belonging to 702 genera and 112 families of vascular plants have been reported from the area, 2498 of which occur within Iran. Altogether, 28 different distribution patterns are recognized among five major phytogeographical groups, including widespread, tri-regional, bi-regional, Euro-Siberian and Irano-Turanian patterns. Irano-Turanian elements, which make up the core flora of KK, are subdivided further into 14 distribution patterns. A significant number of species, i.e. 356 species (13.8%), are endemic to the area. The flora of KK is highly influenced by central Irano-Turanian elements. The main vegetation types of the area include Juniperus woodlands, Pistacia vera woodlands, some isolated enclaves of Hyrcanian forests and scrub, cliff vegetation, mountain steppe communities, semi-desert steppes, loess and marl vegetation, halophytic vegetation, aquatic and hygrophilous communities, and ruderal/invasive plant communities. There are several major threats to the ecosystems and biodiversity of the area. The areas presently protected do not cover all of the vegetation types, and therefore many threatened species are not safe.

A review of plant diversity, vegetation, and phytogeography of the Khorassan-Kopet Dagh floristic province in the Irano-Turanian region (northeastern Iran–southern Turkmenistan)

Almond production in Iran occupies an important place in worldwide production and is of considerable importance in terms of providing genetic resources. In this study, 90 almond genotypes were evaluated using 60 morphological and agronomic characters. Results reflected a significant diversity in the assayed almond germplasm. All traits showed large differences between the studied almonds especially the nut and kernel dimensions, weight, flowering and ripening dates, kernel yield and percentage of double kernels. Furthermore, most of the agronomic traits were correlated, although the correlation coefficients were higher than 0.50 only in some cases. Morphological traits were categorized by principal components analysis (PCA) into 17 components which explained 77 % of the total variation. An unweighted pair-group method of arithmetic average dendrogram and a scatter plot of PCA scores showed high variation between almond genotypes, indicating that the studied germplasm can be considered a good gene pool for breeding programs. Some genotypes could be good genitors for increasing kernel size or can be considered unique, promising types for breeding or commercial growing. Also, some were late-flowering, and so can be used in breeding for later flowering.

Phenotypic diversity and relationships between morphological traits in selected almond (Prunus amygdalus) germplasm

The lipid fraction of Pistacia atlantica seeds was extracted for the first time by means of cold-press technique and analyzed for its chemical composition. The fatty acids, sterols, triacylglycerols (TAG), tocopherols, polyphenols, and pigments were identified and their concentrations were determined by means of reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) and gas chromatography (GC). Because of its high content of unsaturated fatty acids, it might prove to be of value in diets and it may be used as edible cooking or salad oils or for margarine manufacture. Pistacia atlantica seed oil has the unique sterols and tocopherols content providing source of natural antioxidants. The main triacylglycerols were SLL

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Chemical Composition of Iran's Pistacia atlantica Cold-Pressed Oil

Pistachio is one of the most important horticultural crops in Iran. Selection of suitable genotypes, resistant to unfavorable environmental and soil conditions and diseases, are important for increasing yield efficiency and the acreage of this important crop. The aim of this research was to evaluate wild pistachio species and genotypes native to Iran and also to determine any relationships that exist according to their phenotypical characteristics. A total of 11 pistachio types in situ from Kerman and Fars provinces and ex situ from the Iranian Pistachio Research Institute (IPRI) were used during the research. Thirty-one morphological characteristics (17 quantitative and 14 qualitative) were evaluated based on the pistachio descriptor (IPGRI). Results from simple correlation analyses showed significant positive and negative correlations in certain important characteristics. Nut thickness and weight were in significant correlation with the size (dimensions) of the leaves and terminal leaflets. Factor analysis was used to determine the effective characteristics and the number of main factors. For each factor loading a value of more than 0.65 was judged as being significant. Effective characteristics were categorized into seven main factors that contributed to 94% of the overall variance. Leaf and nut characteristics were defined mainly by the first factor contributing to 40% of the total variance. Pistachio genotypes were clustered based on seven factors and at a similarity distance of 10, these were further divided into three sub-clusters each consisting of genotypes belonging to species P. vera L., P. khinjuk Stocks. and P. atlantica Desf. Based on the results, P.khinjuk was located between the other two species, but resembled P. atlantica more than P. vera.

Morphological diversity of Pistacia species in Iran

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.

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

Changes in freezing tolerance of four pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) cultivars, including ‘Alak Torsh’ (AT), ‘Tabestaneh Torsh’ (TT), ‘Poostsefid Torsh’ (PT), and ‘Poostsyah Shirin’ (PS), and its...

Study of physiological and biochemical responses to freezing stress in pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) trees during acclimation and deaclimation cycle

Evaluation of RAPD markers for assessment of genetic variation among pomegranate genotypes.

Background: Hemodialysis (HD) patients are at risk of viral infections such as hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and human immunodeficiency viruses (HIV). Current study aimed to determine the prevalence of HBV, HCV, and HIV among HD patients who attended the dialysis center in Fasa, Iran. Methods: Collectively, 2082 HD patients (1291 men, 791 women) took part in our 6-year follow-up study. Results: 2082 HD patients with a mean age of 56.2±17.8 were included in our study. One (0.09%) patient was HBsAg positive, two (0.18%) patients were anti-HCV positive, and one (0.09%) was anti-HIV positive. There was no significant correlation between the paraclinical parameters of men and women. Conclusion: The present study showed a reduction in the prevalence of HBV, HCV, and HIV infections during 6 years of follow-up in HD patients.

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Mohamad Reza Fatahi

Papers

Morphological diversity of Pistacia species in Iran

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

Study of physiological and biochemical responses to freezing stress in pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) trees during acclimation and deaclimation cycle

Evaluation of RAPD markers for assessment of genetic variation among pomegranate genotypes.

Prevalence of HBV, HCV, and HIV Infections among Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis in Fasa, Iran: A Six-Year Follow-up Study