asghar mosleh arani

Nomadic communities, due to their lifestyle, and permanent contact with natural areas, on the one hand, and seasonal relocation, from one area to another area, and  need for therapeutic use of immediate medicinal plants near their living environment are a treasure of information about the medicinal properties of plants in nature. For the ethnobotanical comparison of the nomadic tribes in this region, 5 large tribes in the form of three groups: 1- Kharaei and Bochaghchi, 2- Raini and Pushtkuhi, and 3- Jabalbarzi, were studied and investigated as sample. Data collection was done through questionnaires and interviews with 59 selected people and local experts of the nomadic tribes, in a snowball method. The esults showed 116 species of medicinal plants belonging to 45 families and 107 genera, the Asteraceae family with 15 plant species and the Lamiaceae families with 12 species were the most abundant in this region. 9.8% of the listed plants are used to treat colds, coughs and dry throats, and 9.77% of them are also used to relieve constipation and digestive problems with the highest frequency. Ruta graveolens and Glycyrrhiza glabra with 8 and 7 types of use, respectively, are introduced as the most widely used plant species. Finally, it was found that similar medicinal plants have various and different uses in the studied tribes.

Perennial shrubs play a crucial role in shaping the soil quality within their habitats, influencing soil characteristics through leaf fall and root interactions. This study focuses on the impact of three native woody species-Acer monspessulanum, Prunus scoparia, and Daphne mezerum—on soil quality parameters in the ecologically sensitive and fragile Korkhangan rangelands of southern Yazd province. Considering the susceptibility of these rangelands to desertification, understanding the effects of woody plant species on soil quality is vital for successful rangeland rehabilitation and improvement projects.

The research investigates the qualitative characteristics of soil under the canopy of the three woody species compared to areas outside the canopy (control) in Korkhangan rangelands. Fifteen sites were selected, and soil samples were collected both under the canopy and outside the canopy at a depth of 0-5 cm. Soil physico-chemical parameters were measured in the laboratory, and statistical analyses (one-way ANOVA and Duncan tests) were employed to compare soil characteristics under the canopy and the control.

The study revealed variations in soil nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, organic matter, acidity, and electrical conductivity under different woody species. Acer monspessulanum demonstrated a significant influence on soil characteristics, with higher levels of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and organic matter compared to the control. The acidity of soils under D. mezerum, P. scoparia, and A. monspessulanum was lower than that outside the canopy. Additionally, electrical conductivity showed variations between A. monspessulanum, P. scoparia, D. mezerum, and the control.

The research underscores the distinct impact of native woody species on soil properties in the studied rangelands. Acer monspessulanum exhibited a particularly pronounced effect on soil characteristics. Understanding these relationships can inform effective planning for ecosystem improvement and development activities in rangeland areas.

Increasing concerns about the phenomenon of global warming caused by greenhouse gases have led to increased attention to the sequestration of atmospheric carbon dioxide in arid and semi-arid ecosystems. However, in the desert areas, stresses, especially dust stress, have made biological restoration operations difficult. In this research, the effect of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria on the vegetative and physiological characteristics of Haloxylon aphyllm under the influence of dust (control and 1.5 g/m2/month) was investigated. In the conditions of dust application, the Zhihengliuela halotolerans strain compared to Bacillus pumilus increased total chlorophyll (236%) and decreased ascorbic acid (75%), soluble sugar (53%), and catalase enzyme activity (65%), respectively. Under dust conditions, the B. pumilus strain performed better in terms of total phenol (52%), proline (66%), peroxidase enzyme activity (79%), and total dry biomass (108%) than the Z. halotolerans strain. The results also showed that both bacteria were able to reduce ascorbic acid, total phenol content, proline, soluble sugar, catalase and peroxidase in Haloxylon aphyllum, which showed that the use of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria can reduce free radicals and thereby prevent damage to the plant. The results of this research showed that plant growth promoting bacteria isolated from saline pasture plants can increase the seedling quality index under dust stress conditions and can help in the afforestation of Haloxylon aphyllum and the promotion of carbon dioxide sequestration in climate change conditions in arid and semi-arid ecosystems.

The scarcity of cultivable land for medicinal plant growth in arid regions has resulted in the excessive utilization of pasture plants for medicinal applications. The objective of this study was to investigate the potential of hydroponic and aquaponic systems as alternative approaches for cultivating lemon grass (Cymbopogon citratus). thus, an experiment based on a completely randomized design with five repetitions was conducted in Yazd University and the impact of three different cultivation systems (hydroponic, aquaponic, and soil) on the different characteristics of lemongrass were determined. The results demonstrated a significant impact of the cultivation systems on various morphological attributes of the plant including root length, stem diameter, height, and total plant dry biomass. The hydroponic system improves these aforementioned characteristics by 133%, 33.3%, 40.9%, and 56.5%, respectively, when compared to traditional soil planting methods. The aquaponic was found to be ranked lower than the hydroponic system, but it demonstrated a significant improvement in the investigated traits when compared to soil bed cultivation. The influence of different culture systems on the concentration of macro and microelements (excluding potassium) in the aboveground part of the plant was found to be statistically significant. The hydroponic system exhibited the highest nitrogen concentration, while the highest levels of phosphorus and magnesium were observed in the aquaponic system. Conversely, the soil cultivation system displayed the highest concentrations of calcium, sodium, iron, and zinc. Furthermore, the culture medium had a significant impact on the levels of chlorophyll, protein, fat, fiber, and ash in the plant. However, the investigated treatments did not show any significant influence on the concentration of the plant's proline and carbohydrates. Overall, the findings of this study demonstrate the significant impact of three examined cultivation systems on the morphological, physiological, and biochemical attributes of lemongrass as a medicinal plant. Moreover, the potential utilization of hydroponic and aquaponic beds as viable alternatives for cultivating this plant in arid regions is indicated. However, it is necessary to investigate the economic aspects of lemongrass plant production in the mentioned systems as well as the effect of planting substrate on the secondary compounds of this plant in future research.

Identifying suitable plant species to create green belts around cities in arid and desert areas, in order to reduce air pollution is very important. Air pollution tolerance index is one of the known indicators to determine the tolerance of plant species to air pollution. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of dust on the physiological and biochemical characteristics of two halophyte species of Haloxylon aphyllum and Nitraria schoberi and to determine the appropriate species for green belt. The experiment was done in a factorial experiment in a completely randomized design, with two treatments (no dust and dust) in three replications for 5 months in greenhouse conditions. In order to investigate the effect of dust, dusting was performed on the samples with a time interval of one week (1.5 g/m2/month) using a dust simulator. Finally, the parameters of ascorbic acid, total chlorophyll, relative water content and pH of leaf extract and finally the air pollution tolerance index of the two species were measured. The results showed that the total chlorophyll parameter of H. aphyllum and N. schoberi decreased by 8 and 19%, respectively, compared to the control, while relative water content increased by 3 and 8%, respectively. The pH of N. schoberi leaf extract increased by 29% compared to the control. The highest APTI value of 8.15 was related to H. aphyllum and the lowest APTI value of 7.41 was related to N. schoberi species. According to the obtained results, despite the small differences between the air pollution tolerance index of the two species, H. aphyllum species can be a suitable option for planting a green belt to reduce air pollution due to its higher tolerance index and plant height than N. schoberi.

In desert areas, a variety of environmental stresses, including dust, affect the biomass and nutritional value of forage plants. In order to improve the value of fodder in dry areas, in the present study, the effect of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (Bacillus pumilus and Zhihengliuella halotolerans) on some morphological and physiological characteristics and ionic content of Seidlitzia rosmarinus was investigated under dust stress (control and 1.5 g/m2/month) in a factorial experiment based on a completely randomized design with three replications for 5 months in greenhouse conditions. The results showed that dust stress had a negative effect on the morpho-physiological characteristics of Seidlitzia rosmarinus. Z. halotolerans strain compared to B. pumilus had a greater effect on the improvement of Seidlitzia rosmarinus under dust stress so that Z. halotolerans increased 192% of potassium, 20% of nitrogen, 12% of iron, 48% of calcium, 37% of magnesium, 31 % of manganese, 30% of dry biomass, 74% of proline, 18% of soluble sugars, and 52% of sodium. The results of this research showed that the effect of bacteria on the species of Seidlitzia rosmarinus can be dependent on the type of bacteria. The results also showed that the plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria can increase the seedling quality index under dust stress conditions and help us to increase the fodder species in arid and semi-arid ecosystems.
 
In desert areas, environmental stresses affect the biomass of plants which can be used as forage. Seidlitzia rosmarinus Bunge ex Boiss forms an important part of the flora of the desert areas and plays an essential role in protecting the soil and feeding camels and sheep. One of the important environmental stresses accompanying drought and salinity is dust both on a local scale and on a regional scale. Dust particles are placed on the leaves, young branches, and the surface of the trunk of plants for a long time. This fact applies more to desert environments, due to the low rainfall that prevents the removal of dust particles from the surface of the leaves and other parts of the plant. Dust can cause harmful effects on photosynthetic activity and cause serious damage to the plant (Najafi Zilaie et al., 2022). Plants under these stresses will experience a series of morphological, physiological, and biochemical changes. In recent years, the use of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria as a leading strategy for reducing the effects of environmental stresses has attracted the attention of researchers. This research was designed and implemented with the aim of investigating the effect of inoculation of two plant growth-stimulating bacteria, Bacillus pumilus and Zhihengliuella halotolerans, on some morphological and physiological characteristics and ionic content of Seidlitzia rosmarinus under dust. The results of this research can help us in the afforestation of this species under dust in the conditions of climate change in arid and semi-arid ecosystems.
 
Three-month-old seedlings of the same size were inoculated by plant growth-promoting bacteria under dust stress in a two-factor factorial experiment with a randomized complete block design in three replications in a period of 5 months. The strains of Bacillus pumilus and Zhihengliuella halotolerans were provided by previously purified research by Amini et al. (2022). Inoculation was applied twice to the plant roots. Only nutrient broth solution without bacteria was applied to the control plants. Dusting was done using a simulator. The amount of falling dust equal to 1.5 grams per square meter per month was applied once a week. After completing the treatments, 8-month-old seedlings were sampled for physiological, morphological, and ionic content tests.
 
The results showed that dust stress had a negative effect on the morpho-physiological characteristics of Seidlitzia rosmarinus. Z. halotolerans strain compared to B. pumilus had a greater effect on the improvement of Seidlitzia rosmarinus under dust stress so that Z. halotolerans increased 192% of potassium, 20% of nitrogen, 12% of iron, 48% of calcium, 37% of magnesium, 31 % of manganese, 30% of dry biomass, 74% of proline, 18% of soluble sugars, and 52% of sodium. The results showed that dust treatment alone reduced the seedling quality index by 17%. The seedling quality index in the inoculation of Z. halotolerans and B. pumilus bacteria with seedlings in conditions with dust and without dust was not significant compared to the control. The results of this research showed that the effect of bacteria on the species of Seidlitzia rosmarinus can be dependent on the type of bacteria. The results also showed that the plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria can increase the seedling quality index under dust stress conditions and help us to increase the fodder species in arid and semi-arid ecosystems.
 
It is concluded that the plant growth-stimulating bacteria improved the morphological, physiological, and biochemical characteristics of Seidlitzia rosmarinus seedlings under dust stress compared to the control treatment. Meanwhile, the Z. halotolerans strain (that had been isolated from the Seidlitzia rosmarinus) had a greater effect than B. pumilus in improving the negative effects of dust on most of the measured characteristics and this makes clear the importance of bacteria-plant interaction. It can be concluded that the rhizosphere of plants is a suitable source for isolating growth-promoting bacteria and they can promise to increase the production of fodder and improve the tolerance of plants to air pollution. However, it is necessary to carry out additional field research in the habitat of these desert species in order to prove the performance and efficiency of these bacterial strains as suitable biofertilizers to deal with dust-stress conditions.

The use of biofertilizers such as plant growth-promoting bacteria to reduce damage caused by water-deficit stress in plants and improve physiological factors and thus increase plant growth in arid and semi-arid regions is an essential management to control water-deficit stress. Therefore, this study was conducted to investigate the simultaneous effect of different levels of water-deficit stress and inoculation of plant growth-promoting bacteria on some physiological traits of Brant's Oak )Quercus brantii L.) seedlings.

In order to investigate the effect of plant growth-promoting bacteria and different levels of irrigation on some physiological traits of oak) Quercus brantii L.) seedlings, an experiment was conducted in a complete randomized design with five replications in the research greenhouse of Yazd University. The main factor was three irrigation levels (80 % of full irrigation as control, 60 and 40 % of full irrigation) and the sub-factor was six levels of plant growth promoting bacteria (no inoculation as control and seed inoculation with Bacillus anthracis, B. licheniformis, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, B. cereus and BMix (combination of 4 strains().

The results of analysis of variance showed a significant effect of water deficit stress levels, bacterial treatments and their interaction on all studied traits. The results of comparison of means showed that the amount of chlorophyll a, b and total chlorophyll decreases with increasing levels of water-deficit. In contrast, the amount of proline, total phenol and percentage of free radical scavenging in oak seedlings under stress increased significantly compared to the control sample. The accumulation of malondialdehyde (MDA) that shows the rate of degradation and peroxidation of membrane lipids were significantly increased by water-deficit treatments, while application of PGPRs caused reduction in malondialdehyde content. These results showed that PGPRs can reduce negative effects on lipids peroxidation and thus increases the resistance of seedlings to water-deficit stress conditions.

In general, among the bacterial treatments, (BMix) bacterial treatment increased chlorophyll a and b, total chlorophyll and decreased malondialdehyde and Bacillus anthracis bacterial treatment increased proline, total phenol and percentage of free radical scavenging under water-deficit severe stress.

Intercropping of forage plants is considered as an effective startegy to achieve optimal yield and increase production in areas with water shortages. A field-based split plot experiment based on a randomized complete block design with three replications was conducted in Ashkezar research farm with the aim of evaluating the intercropping of millet and guar in improving physiological indices and forage yield. Irrigation intervals was considered as the main factor in three levels (irrigation at the time of discharge of 60, 70 and 80% of field capacity) and the cropping system was considered as the sub-factor in three levels (sole cropping of Millet, sole cropping of Guar, and intercropping of Millet and Guar). The intercropping system was implemented as row intercropping pattern with a replacement series design. Results showed that the amount of ionic leakage increased and the relative content of relative water content decreased when irrigation was delayed longer. The highest relative water content for Millet and Guar (70.3 and 78.4%, respectively) were obtained in intercropping system and their lowest relative water content (61.4 and 72.5%, respectively) were obtained in their sole cropping. The highest and lowest chlorophyll indices were observed in irrigation treatments at 60 and 80% of field capacity, respectively. The intercropping of Millet and Guar resulted in increased content of soluble sugar and proline and the highest forage yield compared to their sole culture, in all assessed irrigation intervals. Since intercropping system was shown to cause improved physiological indices of Guar and Millet, the consequent improvement of forage growth and yield could be expected. Overall, it can be concluded that intercropping system of Millet with Guar can significantly reduce the impacts of drought stress and can be considered as an effective management strategy in drought-prone areas.

Salinity is one of the most important abiotic stresses that reduce the growth and development of wheat. Reducing the effects of salinity with the help of plant growth-promoting rhizosphere bacteria has been considered by researchers as an environmentally friendly solution. In the present study, some physiological responses of wheat cultivar of Narin to salinity-resistant growth-promoting bacteria isolated from the rhizosphere of salt-tolerant plants) Atriplex lentiformis, Tamarix ramosissim, Seidlitzia rosmarinus, Halostachys belangeriana) were investigated. Wheat seeds after inoculation with the identified bacteria (Bacillus safensis, B. pumilus and Zhihengliuella halotolerans) were planted in pots and irrigated with saline water of 0.2 (control) 4, 8 and 16 dS / m. The results showed all isolated bacteria had the ability to produce auxin, siderophore, hydrogen cyanide, 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid deaminase (ACC deaminase) and phosphate solubility.With increasing salinity, chlorophyll content decreased in all treatments compared to the control. The use of bacteria increased 21 to 92, 6 to 175 and 21 to 52% of chlorophyll a, b and total chlorophyll content among salinity treatments, respectively. Increased salinity increased content of proline (136-136%), total phenol (11-92.5%), free radical scavenging capacity (12.5-89%) and total soluble sugars (7.5-1.5%) in salinity treatments inoculated with bacteria compared to control. The growth-promoting bacteria in this study with improved wheat resistance to salinity stress. Improving the physiological conditions of plant under the positive effect of bacteria eventually increased the plant biomass, in which the role of B. safensis was more than the other two bacteria. The results of this study showed that the plant growth-promoting bacteria of halophytic rangeland plants can play a role in improving the growth indices of wheat plants in saline conditions.

The present study was conducted to investigate the some characteristics and of water use efficacy of Ziziphus spina christi and Prosopis cineraria under different irrigation levels in the 2018-2019 crop year. Different irrigation levels consisted of 75, 50 and 25 percent irrigation and irrigation at field capacity (control), which was applied in a completely randomized design with four replications. The results showed that the mean water consumption or in other words evapotranspiration per year is equal to 35.41, 49.86, 62.43 and 79.34 liters for treatments of 75, 50, 25% of field capacity and control in the plant. Was aside. Also, the highest amount of evapotranspiration in July and in the studied treatments were equal to 5.58, 7.71, 9.81 and 12.38 liters, respectively.. The average amount of water consumption in Prosopis cineraria plant was equal to 23.03, 32.59, 41.94 and 53.92 liters for treatments of 75, 50, 25% of field capacity and control. In the case of Prosopis cineraria, the maximum evapotranspiration rate was 7.55 liters for the control treatment and 6.31, 4.96 and 3.59 liters for the 25, 50 and 75% irrigation treatments, respectively.

Salinity stress is an important challenge for wheat production in the world. Plant growth promoting rhizosphere bacteria, isolated from halophytic plants, can increase the tolerance of crop plants to salinity by direct and indirect mechanisms. In this study, plant growth-promoting traits of bacterial strains (Bacillus safensis, Bacillus pumilus and Zhihengliuella halotolerans), isolated from the rhizosphere of several halophyte plants, were deterimined and their effects on some vegetative traits and ionic content of wheat plant irrigated with saline water ( 0.2, as control,  4, 8 and 16 dS/m) were measured. Result showed that all three bacteria were able to produce auxin, hydrogen cyanide, siderophore, 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid deaminase and soluble phosphate. The increase in salinity levels caused increase in the concentration of sodium and decrease in the concentration of potassium, calcium and phosphorus in wheat leaves, as well as decrease in stem length, shoot and root dry weight, root to shoot dry weight ratio and total biomass. In wheat plants irrigated with saline water and inoculated with the bacterial strains, sodium concentration decreased up to 17.7% and concentrations of potassium, calcium, phosphorus and potassium to sodium ratio increased up to 33, 25.7, 200.4 and 41%, respectively. The most efficient bacterium was found to be Z. halotolerans. All bacterial isolates also increased stem length, shoot and root dry weight, root to shoot dry weight ratio and total biomass by 17, 58.6, 137, 88 and 66 %, respectively. The results of this study showed that the plant growth-promoting bacteria of rangeland halophytic plants potentionally improve the growth indices of wheat plants in saline conditions. These results also showed that the rhizosphere of halophytic plants in rangelands can be a good source for the isolation of salinity-resistant bacteria to improve the resistance of wheat plants to salinity.

The objective of this paper was determining population and species diversity of water birds and waders in Gandoman wetland during one year from mid-September 2017 to mid-September 2018 using SDR-IV software. Result showed from 70 identified birds, 28 species were waterfowl and 42 species were waders. The largest population was belong to Fulica atra. Anatidae with 33.19 percent frequency was the largest family and Burhinidae with 0.003 percent was the smallest family. Winter had largest bird counting (14413 birds) and summer had the lowest bird counting (4039). Results obtained using biodiversity index showed that spring had the biggest diversity in terms of Shanon-Winer (2.97), Simpson (10.71) and Margalf (6.69) diversity and biggest evenness (0.92) in terms of Smith & Wilson. The largest species richness was found in spring (60 species) and the lowest one was found in summer (40 species). The largest bird frequency (bird number) was belong to waterfowl (81.57 %) and the lowest frequency was belong to waders (18.43). In contrast, the largest number of species (60 percent) was belong to waders and the lowest one was belong to waterfowl (40 percent). The results showed that Gandoman wetland had the highest numerical values of richness and evenness of water birds and waders in spring, and this indicated the quality and desirability of the wetland in spring compared to other seasons.

Dust is one of the phenomena of atmospheric and natural disasters that poses adverse environmental effects and impacts. Due to the wide distribution of dust, this phenomenon can also change the soil and its biology trends. Typically, dust particles have a diameter of less than 100 microns, which can be transmitted horizontally or vertically to the ground after miles. The aim of this study was to determine the amount of dust falling and heavy metals lead and cadmium concentrations in dust samples to evaluate these elements is the urban pollution.

In this study, samples were collected using mild sediment trap for six months. A total of 180 samples were collected. Samples were weighed accurately using a scale of 0.001 g. The analysis of samples was performed using ISO11466. The samples were extracted by the Institute of Water and Soil Research, and the concentration of heavy metals was measured by the atomic absorption spectrometry of the Analyti jena-951 model.

The results showed that in the winter of March and in the spring of June, the highest rate of dust was observed. The mean lead concentration in winter was 97.32 ± 5.40 mg.kg and 90.16 ± 5.93 mg.kg in spring. Also, the average cadmium concentration in winter was 37.19 ± 3.60 mg.kg and 29.62 ± 2.42 mg.kg in the spring. According to the pollution index (PI), the level of contamination of lead is high in the floor, however, according to this index, cadmium contamination in both seasons is more than the level of contamination of lead and is higher than the limit, which is the risk index The ecology of cadmium, with an average of 1673.98 and 1333.03, also confirms this and is in the hazardous area of contamination. Also, the ecological risk of lead metal in winter was 18.14 ± 1.01 and in the spring with a mean of 16.91 ± 1.11 in the low pollution class. According to the values obtained for the pollution load index (PLI), this contamination rate is Cdwinte r˃Cdspring˃Pbwinter˃Pbsprin, and both of these elements are highly polluted in the classroom.

The results of statistical calculations and contamination levels indicate that the amount of dust pollution to lead and cadmium is higher than most of the calculated indices in the classes with high to high contamination.Therefore, these elements have been brought into the environment as a result of human activities and have less natural origin.

Study of the effect of woody plant species on the production, diversity and richness of substratum herbaceous species, especially in the arid and semiarid regions, is essential for the proper management of these ecosystems. Therefore, the rangelands of Chenarnaz region in Khatam city in Yazd province were selected and then, using 0.5m×0.5m quadrats, vegetation sampling was performed under the selected 15 sites from Daphne mezerum, Amygdalus scoparia and Ebenus stellate (growing in equal topographical conditions) canopies, and outside of the canopies (as control). In each quadrat, the cover percentage of each plant species was visually estimated and the productions were measured by clipping and weighing method. The species diversity and richness indices were calculated using Past software through introducing the plant covers into the software. The results showed that the most values of Shannon-Weaner and Simpson diversity indices were found under A. scoparia (2.07 and 0.80, respectively) and the lowest values were found under E. stellata (1.010 and 055, respectively). In addition, the highest values of Menhinik and Margalef richness indices were found under A. scoparia (4.90 and 3.43, respectively) and D. mezerum (4.25 and 3.12, respectively), while the highest production was found under E. stellata (64.76 g/m2). The results of this study showed that different woody species had the desired but different effects on the herbaceous species, in such, A. scoparia and D. mezerum had significant positive effects on species diversity and E. stellata increased significantly species production; therefore, conservation of all woody species is emphasized in the region.

Heavy metals in falling dust are known pathogens for humans. The aim of this study was to identify potential sources, availability assessment, and degree of contamination of heavy metals in falling dust using SDM, CF, ER, and PERI indices.

This descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study was carried out in autumn by installing 35 samplers of artificial grass to collect falling dust around Khak-e-chini, ceramic tile, sand and gravel, and Ardakan Glass industries. Heavy metals concentration in dust was measured using ICP-MS. All statistical analyses and calculations of indices were performed in SPSS 22 and Excel 2016.

The order of mean concentration of elements in the dust was manganese> vanadium> chromium> nickel> copper> arsenic> cobalt. Comparison of the concentration of dust elements with the background concentration and the results of principal component analysis and correlation tests showed that the concentration of all metals in the dust is probably influenced by two man-made sources in the area. The highest and lowest saturation degrees obtained were for manganese and cobalt, respectively. Based on the CF index, the manganese, cobalt, and vanadium were in low, medium, and high levels of pollution, respectively. Also, Arsenic, chromium, and nickel were classified in medium to high and copper in low to high classes. According to ERP and PERI indices, all heavy metals were classified in low pollution class.

The investigated industries in this study have an important role in increasing the concentration and mobility of heavy metals in falling dust.

Application of air quality models in Health Risk Assessment system has been defined as an effective tool in assess the human population exposure to environmental harmful factors. The present study was conducted to aim of health risk assessment of respiratory exposure to PM10 Emitted from Depos of primary materials and waste a number of Non-metallic minerals industries by Modeling method.

In this descriptive study, first to Field visits and laboratory measurements was obtained the information needed for SWEEP model to estimate PM10 emission rate from depos of Tile and Ceramic, Khak-e-chini and glass industries. Then, with the introduction of meteorological information to AERMET, the digital elevation model to AERMAP, the emission rate and the geometric dimensions of the pollutant sources to AERMOD, simulated the values of exposure to PM10 in the affected population. The chemical composition of the depos was determined using ICP-MS. Subsequently, using the EPA suggested relationships was estimated the risk of carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic exposure to PM10.

According to the simulation results of SWEEP model, the highest PM10 emission was estimated for the Tile and Ceramic depo. The highest concentration maximum of 1, 8, and 24 h of PM10 simulated were 8840, 1967, and 1272 µg/m3, respectively. The highest average respiratory exposure of 1 (52.53), 8 (11.64), 24 (5.85 µg/m3) hour to PM10 was estimated for Sand and Gravel processing plant staff. The highest percentage of chemical compounds in depos was for silica. Accordingly, the carcinogenicity risk (ILCR) of exposure to PM10 was predicted less than 10-4 and non- carcinogenicity risk (HQ) less than one.

Although numerical values of risk were predicted in the permissible limit, but to creating Surface rock on the depo industries can reduce the emission of PM10.

Diversification of used species in sand stabilization and desertification can help sustain these ecosystems. Most species used in sand stabilization require initial support to adapt to new conditions over time. One of the most important of these supports is irrigation in the early years of planting. In this study, the yield and water use efficiency of (Ammodendron persicum) in lysimetric conditions under the influence of different levels of irrigation were considered. Different irrigation levels consisted of 75, 50, and 25 percent irrigation and field capacity (control), applied in a completely randomized design with four replications. Evapotranspiration rates in control, 75, 50, and 25% under-irrigation treatments were 60, 47, 37, and 26 liters, respectively. By calculating water use efficiency based on the amount of dry matter produced per liter of transpiration water, it was found that there was a significant difference between different treatments. The highest water use efficiency with 2.07 g of dry matter for per liter of transpiration was related to 50% irrigation treatment. As the water consumption decreased, the root to aerial part ratio increased, so that it showed a significant difference in different treatments. The root to aerial part ratio in the control was 0.84 and in the 75% under-irrigation treatment was 1.51. The results of this study showed that Ammodendron persicum in the early stages of establishment due to low growth rate had low water requirements and improved its water use efficiency through various mechanisms such as root development. Due to the low growth, water loss through evaporation in early stages of establishment was high, and to improve irrigation efficiency, appropriate methods to reduce evaporation and maintain soil moisture are recommended.

Air Pollution Tolerance Index (APTI), as a criterion for assessing plants' resistance to air pollution, is one of the important tools for managing air quality around industrial complex buildings. The aim of this study was to determine air quality and the APTI of native plants grown around the Industrial Complex of Glass, Khak-e-chini, Tile and Ceramics and Glass in Ardakan, Iran.

This was a cross-sectional, descriptive-analytical study. First, the concentration of air pollutants in the industrial area was assessed. Then, APTI was determined as follows: measuring the pH of leaf extracts, relative water content, total chlorophyll and ascorbic acid contents of leaves in samples of native plant leaves. In addition, the concentrations of lead, chromium and cadmium were measured in plants by atomic absorption using the dry digestion method. For statistical analysis of the data the SPSS software version 22 was used.

The mean plant concentrations of Co, O3, NO2, SO2 and PM10 in the industrial are were 2.06 ppm, 7.75 ppm, 3.28 ppm, 33.94 ppb and 70.55 µg/m3, respectively; these concentrations were all below the respective standards, as were those of lead, cadmium and chromium. The tolerance index of plants around the Industrial Complex was measured in the floor/parts sensitive to air pollution, proportional to low air quality pollutant and heavy metal concentrations in plants. Among the rangeland, tree and shrubs species, the following had the highest air pollution tolerance index, respectively:  Boiss.fortuynia (8.49), Punica granatum (16.80) and Albizia lebbeck (9.37).

Based on the Air Pollution Tolerance Index it is suggested that the nonproductive species Punica granatum be used as a more tolerant species and Artemisia species as a biomarker for the expansion of green space.

Striving for employment in developing countries, as industries develop, heavy metals are released to the environment continuously. The purpose of this study was to measure heavy metal concentrations and to evaluate dust pollution levels in a number of industries using ecological indices.

This cross-sectional, descriptive-analytical study was conducted in winter by installing 35 dust traps around the industrial Khak-e-chini, Tile and Ceramic, Sand and Gravel and Glass in Ardakan county. The concentration of heavy metals in dust was measured by ICP-MS. The level of dust pollution was assessed using Contamination Factor, Pollution Index, Threshold Pollution Index, New Pollution Index, Vector Modulus of Pollution Index, Weighted Average of Pollution Index, Enrichment Factor, Multi-Element Contamination, Mean Effects Range-Median Quotient, Exposure Factor and Integrated pollution indices and it was zoned in GIS version 10.5.

Mean heavy metal concentrations in dust were measured in the form of Zinc (3310.54 mg/kg)> Pb (137.28 mg/kg)> Copper (63.65 mg/kg)> Nickel (45.91 mg/kg)> Arsenic (35.12 mg/kg> cobalt (13.73 mg/kg)> molybdenum (4.40 mg/kg). In all sampling stations CF index of lead, arsenic and zinc elements was in very high pollution class and PI index in severe pollution class. Zinc metal showed very high enrichment at 30 stations. For environmental protection user, zinc element PIT index in all sampling stations was very severe in the pollution class. Also, all stations were in severe pollution class based on the IPI index. Based on MERMQ index the heavy metals at 32 stations had 76% toxicity and based on PIN index were in polluted class. Highest values of MEC (3.43) and PIvector (35.93) indices were obtained at S1 and S15 stations, PIwAvg (42.27) at S1 and S12 and ExF (117.11) at S1 stations.

Based on results of zoning a number of pollution indices, dominant downwind in region plays has important role in increase of concentration of heavy metals in downstream stations the industries.

Assessment and evaluation of soil seed resources in an ecosystem provide valuable information about the status of plant composition in this ecosystem. The information obtained from these studies will lead to better understanding and recognition of vegetation conditions in that area. In this study, for the first time soil seed potential in the Baghe-shadi protected area in Yazd province was studied.

at first, two grazing and exclosure areas were selected from in the Baghe-shadi forest site of Yazd province with similar type. Then, in each area 20 circular plots were measured in a radius of 12 meter. Samples were taken from the soil seed bank, up to 10 cm soil depth in tow depth (0-5 cm and 5-10 cm) beneath the canopy and also outside the canopy in two growing seasons (spring and autumn). Density, composition and species richness of soil seed bank samples were estimated by combined method (extraction of large seeds and germination of small seeds).

soil depth showed significant effects on soil seed bank. The effects of spring and autumn vegetative seasons were different on soil seed bank and autumn season showed a higher rate than the spring in terms of number, density and numerical values of biodiversity indices. Also, according to the results, the number and density of seed bank under crown cover was higher than outside and the exclosure had no significant effect on soil seed bank. The results of independent t-test showed that there is no significant difference between grazing and exclosure areas, but grazing area had higher seed numbers than the exclosure area. The results of analysis of variance showed that vegetative season and crown cover had significant effects on all studied parameters of soil seed bank. Also comparison of numerical biodiversity index of soil seed bank between grazing and exclosure areas showed that species richness, Simpson, Shannon-Wiener and Pielou evenness were higher in autumn season than spring season and below the crown cover was significantly higher than outside.

The area under grazing produces enough seed of different species, but is likely destroyed by livestock after emergence. In fact, due to seed density and diversity of seed soil bank, it can be concluded that in this forests, exclosure alone can guarantee forest regeneration. But, it seems that it should be thought about fix the problems of Amygdalus scoparia droughts and pests, especially timber beetles.

Drought stress is a limiting factor for plant production. In order to minimize the adverse effects of stress, different modifying compounds have been used. In this study, the role of iodine in reducing the effect of drought stress on morphological characteristics of Carthamus tinctorius L. was investigated in laboratory conditions. The experiment was performed as a factorial experiment based on a completely randomized design with 3 replications. Four levels of drought stress (0, -0/4, -0/8, -1/2, -1/6 MPa ( and three levels of iodine (0, 40, 80 μΜ) were considered as first and second factors, respectively. Results showed that all studied traits significantly (p<0.01) affected by drought stress. With increasing drought stress, germination percentage, germination rate, seed vigor, shoot, and root length, as well as seedling weight, were significantly decreased but the use of iodine leads to improve the adverse effect of drought stress. Overall results indicate that iodine could be considered a possibly beneficial element to diminish the harmful effects of drought stress.

Plant litter is one of the best factors in the protection and stability of soil and by decomposition of litters, the percentage of organic matter could be increased which also improves the chemical properties of soil and plant production. The aim of this study was to compare the litter quality accumulated beneath three shrub species (Amygdalus scoparia, Ebenus stelata, Daphne mezerum) by measuring the soil chemical (carbon, calcium, magnesium, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium) and physical (Electrical conductivity and acidity) properties in Marvast rangelands, Yazd province, Iran. At the end of growth season, fifteen sites were selected and soil samples containing litter material was done randomly taken beneath and outside of the shrub canopy covers. Then, the chemical and physical characteristics of litter were measured in the laboratory. In order to compare the litter characteristics, one-way ANOVA were made between species and, between outside and beneath the shrubs. Mean comparisons were made using Duncan method. The results showed that the litter samples under E. stelata and D. mezerum shrubs had the highest values for calcium, magnesium and nitrogen contents. In contrast, the litter samples collected from outside shrubs had the highest values carbon content and electrical conductivity. The phosphorus contents between the species and between under and outside shrub of litters were statistically equal. Generally, the results of this study showed that the woody species in dry regions had different capacity in litter quality and soil improvement. It should be considered in the activity of rangeland improvement and development.

Haloxylon salicornicum (Moq.) Bunge ex Boiss and Haloxylon aphyllum Iljin are two important halophytes in desert. Hammada salicornicum and Haloxylon aphyllum Iljin have grown extensively in playa and sand dunes and are essential for supplying of forage for livestock, especially camels. The present study investigated the effects of different soil conditions in two areas (soil saline-sodic of playa and sandy soil in erg), on antioxidant activity, pigments characteristics, total phenolics, glycine and glutamine. The results showed that the highest amounts of chlorophyll a and total chlorophyll were measured 4.35 and 5.72 mgg-1fw in H. aphyllum and playa habitats, respectively. The highest amounts of chlorophyll b with 2.85 mg/g fresh weight were measured in H. salicornicum in playa habitats. The amount of anthocyanin was double in the playa habitats and was more than these two plants. The highest amounts of phenol with 458.97 mg/g fresh weight was measured in playa habitats and in H. aphyllum with 469.53 mg/g fresh weight. The amounts of antioxidant activity in playa habitats and H. aphyllum were significantly more than the erg habitat H. Salicornicum. Glutamine was not significantly different between the two habitats. The highest amounts of glycine betaine were measured in sandy habitats in H. Salicornicum. H. Salicornicum and H. aphyllumknown as halophytes can be countered salinity by various mechanisms, such as improving their biochemical conditions, and thus improving the quality of forage and increasing the foliage preference value.

Haloxylon salicornicum (Moq.) Bunge ex Boiss is a shrub that grows in large parts of the central regions of Iran. Due to the high adaptability of this species to the severe environmental conditions and its importance in the stabilization of sand dunes, Dust control and medicinal functions recognition of its genetic diversity and the selection of superior genotypes is very important. A set of 12 inter simple sequence repeat (ISSR) markers were used to evaluate genetic variation of 30 genotypes from 3 locations in Yazd province. Out of 12 primers, 4 primers were able to produce 39 reproducible bands that out of which, 32 bands were polymorphic (79.5%) with a mean PIC value of 0.39. The number of alleles in each individual locus varied in the range of 7-15 with the mean of 9.75. Primers ISSR 826 and with 9 alleles and ISSR7 with 7 allels showed the highest and lowest number of loci, respectively. The mean average rate of Nei’s gene diversity (h') and Shannon’s diversity index (I) were 0.451 and 0.643, respectively Using cluster analysis based on UPGMA algorithm and Jaccard's similarity coefficient, the isolates with 45% similarity level were divided into 5 groups. Shanon index, Principal coordinates analysis (PCoA), and analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) revealed significant difference among isolates selected from three regions. Analysis of molecular variance showed that the highest genetic diversity rate (89%) was disturbed between isolates and genetic variety within different isolated was determined as 11%. Based on these results in this work it can be demonstrated a high genetic diversity within the populations will be due to the closely distributed Haloxylon community in these studied regions.

The respiratory system, as one of the most important organs of the human body, is affected by adverse health effects and consequences of particulate matter. this study was performed to purpose determine the occupational exposure of workers to crystalline silica of inhalable dust and determine its health risks.

In this analytical cross-sectional study, sampling was performed in a industrial unit production Khak-e-Chini based on standard methods and individual and environmental sampling methods. Then the obtained data analyzed were in SPSS software version 22 .The risk assessment of
Occupational exposure of workers to crystalline silica was carried out based on the proposed EPA model.

The average exposure of workers to inhalable dust and crystalline silica was measured 4.46 ±1.34 mg/m3 and 0.57±0.10 mg/m3, respectively. The mean environmental concentration of the inhalable particles was 6177.71 µg/m3 and the range of 4088.30- 8289.70 µg/m3. In all occupational groups the risk of cancer was obtained less than 10-6. HQ values ​​for operator one (5.34) and two (4.79) crusher machine, crusher machine loading operator (8.49), dryer operator (1.91), slurry operator (3.01) and filter press operator (1.78) was more than permissible limit.

The average concentration of inhalable dust and crystalline silica was more than permissible limit in this industry. According to the results of the risk assessment, the priority of serious control actions is necessary to reduce the risk of non-cancerous complications in the crushing, drilling, slurry and filter press occupational groups.