کهزاد سرطاوی

American Mesquite (is called Somr in Persian), (Prosopis juliflora (Sw.) DC) is native to South America (Mexico). It has been introduced and planted in south Iran for over 50 years. This project was carried out to determine the distribution of this species in terms of plantation or wild distribution in the Bushehr province. To determine the distribution of American mesquite, initial field visits were conducted, and after taking field notes and recording the UTM points, satellite images were analyzed. Polygons related to the distribution areas of American Mesquite were closed on the Google Earth images. Trees that were probably Somr were selected from the satellite images, and their UTM coordinates were recorded. With the ground control of those points, the distribution areas of Somr in the province were determined. The distribution map of Somr was prepared. The results showed that American mesquite is distributed in dense and non-dense afforestation on the sides of highways, roads, forest parks, and green spaces and scattered in other fields. These sample points were mainly related to afforestation and sometimes to agricultural lands, orchards, pastures, or the side of highways and roads. The area of afforestation with this species was 14444.8 ha. The wild distribution of this species with ≥5% canopy cover was 290 ha in Dayer County. Further Research in terms of forest monitoring on the distribution of this species was recommended. Planting this species east of Bushehr Province from Mond River to the southeast of Bushehr province was not recommended.

Plant reproduction is highly sensitive to stressors caused by both biotic and abiotic factors in nature. The success of plant establishment in the wild depends on various factors such as drought, grazing, availability of water and soil resources, and the mutual interactions among individuals, especially during the seedling stage. The concept of nurse plants, their effects, competition, facilitation, and the facilitative role in land restoration were explained using scientific sources. Through forest surveys and scientific resources, nurse plants and target plants in southern Iran were identified, and the role of each was examined with available scientific references. For this purpose, along the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman, accessible pathways were chosen to investigate vegetation cover up to an altitude of 1250 meters above sea level in sample plots of one hectare (100 * 100 meters). Sampling was conducted beneath the canopy of other trees or shrubs, and the plants were identified using scientific sources. The results of this study revealed that nine species belonging to eight genera and six families were identified as nurse plants, and seven species belonging to six genera and six families were identified as target plants. Among the nurse plant group, the genus Ziziphus Mill. from the family Rhamnaceae was the most diverse. Among the target plant group, the most diverse genus was Pistacia L. belonging to the family Anacardiaceae. Further research is recommended to explore the facilitative effects of nurse plant species and suitable methods for their use in the ecological restoration of dry areas in southern Iran in relation to the implementation of restoration and forest development projects.

 Lavandula stricta, Cassia obovata, Cocculus pendulus, and Solanum xanthocarpum are among the species that can be grown in Bushehr province, and so far, there is no report describing the ecophysiological, herbicidal and biochemical characteristics of these species in Iran. In recent decades, many chemical herbicides have been used to control weeds in agricultural ecosystems. Despite the many benefits of these herbicides, their improper use has caused devastating effects on the environment and agricultural production and ultimately has harmed human health. At present, the approach of developed countries is to use non-chemical methods and natural materials (biocides) to control weeds. Bushehr province with an area of about 252,653 Km2 in southern Iran and the Persian Gulf and at an altitude of 0 to195 meters above sea level. The average rainfall in Bushehr province is 250 mm. Bushehr province has a great variety in terms of having medicinal plants that allopathic substances and secondary metabolites of these plants have received less attention. Therefore, the identification of secondary metabolites and plants with allopathic properties is very important for the production of biological herbicides.

 This study was conducted to evaluate the eco-physiological, biochemical and herbicidal characteristics of Lavandula stricta, Cassia obovata, Cocculus pendulus and Solanum xanthocarpum. The plants were collected in April and May 2019. The location was situated in Kangan and Dashti, Bushehr Province, Iran. The ecological characteristics of the four areas such as latitude and longitude (UTM) and altitude were also recorded. Also, in order to determine the physicochemical properties of the soil in the collection areas of the studied plants, samples were taken from 15 different points of plant growth, from a depth of 0-30 cm and their properties were reported. In order to investigate the phytotoxic activity of the studied plants on germination and growth characteristics of Malva sylvestris and Chenopodium album in laboratory conditions, the seeds were first disinfected in 5% sodium hypochlorite for 5 minutes. Then the seeds were washed for 15 minutes and then dried at room temperature. In this study, Solanum xanthocarpum juice and alcoholic extracts of Lavandula stricta, Cassia obovata and Cocculus pendulus were used to investigate the phytotoxic properties and biochemical traits. From the extracts, concentrations of 0 (distilled water), 200, 400, 600, 800 and 1000 µl.L-1 were prepared and added to Petri dishes containing 25 seeds. In order to germinate the seeds, Petri dishes containing the extracts related to the extract were placed in suitable light conditions at a temperature of 25°C. Two weeks after treatment, germination percentage (%), germination rate index (number of day), radicle and plumule length (cm) and allopathic index were measured. Determination of free radical scavenging was performed by using the DPPH test. The samples’ absorptions were read at a wavelength of 517 nm with Epoch Microplate Spectrophotometer, BioTek Instruments, Inc., USA. Measuring the total phenols was performed according to Folin’s reagent method and the use of gallic acid as standard by using a spectrophotometer at the wavelength of 765 nm. Total flavonoid content was measured using a spectrophotometer at a wavelength of 510 nm through a standard curve of quercetin from Sigma-Aldrich. Flavones and flavonols were measured using 2% aluminum chloride and methanol at 425 nm. To isolate and measure the amount of polyphenols, an HPLC Agilent HPLC 1200 series model was used. Data were analyzed by using Duncan’s multiple range test (P< 0.05) by SAS, version 9.4 for Windows.

 Among the studied plants, the highest  and lowest amount of total phenol was found in Cocculus pendulus and Cassia obovata, respectively. The results showed, the highest amount of the total flavonoid in the extract, was achieved in Lavandula stricta plants collected in Kangan. The lowest (0.37 mg QUE. 100 g-1 DW) and highest (2.79 mg QUE. 100 g-1 DW) amount of flavon and flavonol was found in Cassia obovata and Cocculus pendulus, respectively. Also, antioxidant activity (I%) for Cocculus pendulus, Lavandula stricta and Solanum xanthocarpum were 77, 57 and 35%, respectively. Although, the lowest amount of antioxidant activity was found in Cassia obovata plants collected in Dashti. The results showed, the Lavandula stricta plants collected in Kangan had p-coumaric acid (PC) and ellagic acid (EA) by 0.565 and 1.28 mg g-1 DW. Among the phenolic acids evaluated, only catechin (0.262 mg g-1 DW) and p-coumaric acid (0.163 mg g-1 DW) were observed in the Cocculus pendulus plants collected in Kangan. The Cassia obovata plants collected in Dashti, had ellagic acid by 0.915 mg g-1 DW. The results of this study showed that the phenolic compounds identified in Solanum xanthocarpum juice were caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, pi-coumaric acid, vanillin and hesperidin. Chlorogenic acid was the predominant phenolic compound by 457 mg g-1 DW. Laboratory results showed Cocculus pendulus and Solanum xanthocarpum extracts had the most inhibition effect on the germination and growth of Malva sylvestris at the concentration of 1000 µl L-1.

 In this study, as the concentration of the extracts increased, the germination percentage, germination rate index (GRI), radicle and plumule lengths of Chenopodium album decreased significantly. Moreover, Solanum xanthocarpum juice showed the highest inhibition effect on Chenopodium album growth and germination at 1000 µl L-1. Due to the high potential allelopathy of the Cocculus pendulus and Solanum xanthocarpum, they can be used for Malva sylvestris and Chenopodium album control. Also, Cocculus pendulus extract can be used as a natural antioxidant source in related industries.

Iran's forest and rangeland ecosystems are changing or being disturbed under the influence of climate change and human factors. Meanwhile, desert and arid ecosystems are very fragile. The direct effects of misuse or destruction of the ecosystem are more on plants than on other components. Tecomella undulata (Sm.) Seem belongs to Bignoniaceae. This tree grows naturally in alluvial lands and seasonal riversides as small stands and individual trees in Bushehr, Fars, Khuzestan, Hormozgan, Kerman, Sistan, and Balochistan provinces. It grows in areas with altitudes ranging from 10m (Bushehr province) to 1594 m (Esfandegheh Jiroft) above sea level. Our study showed that there was no living individual in Khuzestan province, and it was distributed in 13 habitats in Bushehr province. Tecomella undulata habitats were affected by extensive grazing, prohibited cutting, death, and land-use change, which are the big threats to this tree. This species produces seeds rarely; therefore, seedling-based regeneration was not observed. Root-shoots-based regeneration was observed in the habitats. Protection, restoration, and development, the establishment of germplasm, seedling production afforestation, and green space development by using T. undulata are recommended. Further research on seedling production by sexual and non-sexual methods is suggested.

Marine green macroalgae are very important ecologically and strategically, especially in pharmaceuticals, food industries, agriculture, and phycoremediation. The natural habitat of green macroalgae in the coastal tide zones of Bushehr province is rocky and coral, and the most important reason is that macroalgae need a stable place to grow. Because of this, the macroalgae are not able to grow on sandy beaches. However, in parts of the sandy beaches pebbled to break waves, a small number of green macroalgae species have grown sparsely. The lack of a written reference on the diversity of species of green macroalgae growing in coastal tide zones of Bushehr province led to the collection of green seaweed species from seven counties adjacent to the coastline since 1996. The species diversity of 34 identified species of Chlorophyta in Deylam, Genaveh, Bushehr, Tangestan, Dayyer, Kangan, and Asaluyeh counties is 4, 7, 27, 12, 17, 13, and 15, respectively. Some of the reasons for species richness in Bushehr counties compared to other counties can be attributed to the greater area of rocky and coral habitats and the existence of a stable bed for its rhizoids attachment and growth of green macroalgae. The reasons for decreased species richness of green macroalgae in Deylam and Genaveh counties can be attributed to pollution from oil facilities of Imam Hassan and other facilities adjacent to Bushehr province, the entry of part of urban and industrial wastewater to the coast, and also sandy coasts.

Acacia albida Delile naturally grows on the outskirts of Razm Abad village, Dashti city, Bushehr province. This species is a hardy drought-resistant tree with abundant ecological and economic potential. The forest is under threat of degradation because of its close distance to the village. This research has been carried out to identify the habitat, the causes of degradation, the possibility of seed production for future propagation, and the necessity to protect it. The forest of this species can be categorized into three forms including dense, semi-dense, and scattered form. The reproduction of this species through seeds was scarce, but coppice seedlings were found in this area. In terms of phenology, A. albida lost its leaves in July, reproduced leaves in November, and produced flowers in March. Due to the late cold in March, flowers were destroyed and fruits were not formed during this work. Deforestation of Acacia habitat for agricultural and horticultural, livestock grazing, consecutive droughts, cutting down and uprooting trees, digging agricultural wells in the vicinity of the habitat, and herbal pests are essential and serious factors of threat and destruction of this habitat. Lowering the underground water level and water out of the reach of trees and reduction of flood-water in the Sana seasonal river are other important threats of forest degradation. Protecting, forestry, using floodwater of the Sana seasonal river, and continuous monitoring and enriching the forest can help sustain and rehabilitate this valuable natural forest. It is, also, recommended to do more research on the reasons for the lack of this species in other parts of southern Iran. To study the process of forest sequence, seed and seedling production and afforestation is suggested.

Despite plenty of chemical drugs present in the markets, application of medicinal herbs is going to increase. Whiles long or in some cases sectional usage of these chemical drugs may lead to side effects that sometimes they are more dangerous than its disease. This is a good reason to increase the universal attitude application of medicinal herbs and their productions.Today, traditional medicine and ethnobotany are two attractive topics in many countries. Traditional medicine is referred to ancient studies and experiments; and ethnobotany is referred to cognition of native herbal science in a region. The aim of ethnopharmacology is to improve the preparation methods of some products that are used by people; however to achieve this goal, some information about active compounds of these plants, the role of these compounds in development of biological effects, and the toxic effects of the plants should be available.Methods & Materials: In this research, we have collected and identified the plants in some parts of Jam&Riz town. the plants of this region were collected and systematically identified during 2012 and 2013. Furthermore, traditional applications of the collected plants were recorded through interviewing native people of the region.

A total of 74 medical plants belonging to 33 families were identified. Zataria multiflora, Rumex vesicarius, Otostegia persica and Astragalus fasciculifolius had the highest cultural importance index.Zataria multiflora, Otostegia persica, Calatropis procera and Ephedra pachyclada had the highest FRC index, respectively. The highest application was for gasterointestinal disease, epiderm disorders, respiratory disorders, infection diseases, mouth and tooth disease, kidney disorders, respectively. Concolusion: The results indicated that most plants of the region were valuable medicinal plants.

By considering the daily increase in drug resistance of various viruses, novel antiviral compounds extracted from natural resources – due to their fewer side effects, had always been important to researchers. In the present study, we investigated antiviral activity of the hot water extract of a green seaweed, Caulerpa sertularioides, collected from coastal water of Bushehr in the Persian Gulf, against Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 (HSV-1).

The hot water extract of a green seaweed, Caulerpa sertularioides was sterilized by autoclave and filtration methods. After determining its cytotoxic concentration 50 (CC50) value, the effect of the extract on the inhibition of HSV-1 replication was examined in Vero cell culture.

The extract showed antiviral activity against HSV-1 in both attachment and entry of virus to the Vero cells and also on post attachment stages of virus replication. Inhibitory concentration 50 (IC50) values of the autoclaved extract were 81µg/ml and 126 µg/ml for attachment and post attachment stages, respectively. IC50 values of the filtered extract were 73 µg/ml and 104 µg/ml for attachment and post attachment stages, respectively. CC50 values for autoclaved and filtered extracts were 3140 µg/ml and 3095 µg/ml, respectively.

The hot water extract of Caulerpa sertularioides of the Persian Gulf had antiviral effect against HSV-1.