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Background and Objectives: Given the significance of investigating and monitoring riparian ecosystems, this project was designed to identify and map the land cover, including tree and shrub species classes, around the Zarineh Rood River in West Azerbaijan province, Iran. Recognizing that the separation of lands with high spectral similarity, using single-time images is not precise, this study utilized a time series of satellite images, capitalizing on the phenological differences of plant species. Methodology: The research separated the land cover classes into two stages. In the first stage, the time series data from Sentinel 1 and 2 were used to map different classes oftee cover (natural, wood faming, orchard), shrub cover (natural, orchard), grass or pasture, agriculture, residential lands, soil, and water bodies. Given that seasonal changes in the images can provide valuable information about land cover classes, a one-year (2021) time series of Sentinel 2 optical images and Sentinel 1 radar polarizations for 2021, in the form of median in each season, were processed on the Google Earth Engine platform. The data were classified using four composites of input features and four classifiers. In the second stage, to separate the vegetation classes into Tamarix, willows, orchard, and poplar plantation, the trend of one-year changes of normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), normalized green red difference index (NGRD), normalized difference red edge index (NDREI), and green normalized difference vegetation index (1'1) combined with HV polarization of Sentinel 1 radar in the form of median in seasons, was used as an input feature. The land cover map produced contained Tamarix, willows, orchard, poplar plantation, grass or pasture, agriculture, residential lands, soil, and water bodies. Results: In the first stage of classification, the input feature of NDVI (Monthly)- Radar (Seasonal)- Sentinel 2 (Seasonal) and the random forest classifier were the best feature and the most accurate classification algorithm, separating the classes from each other with an overall accuracy and Kappa coefficient of 88% and 0.85, respectively. In the second stage of classification, the NDVI index between the months of April and November enabled the separation of all four tree and shrub covers. GNDVI between December and April was the best indicator for separating willows. Also, between May to November, it effectively separated Tamarix. NGRDI was suitable between May and November for separating Tamarix and also separated the poplar plantations between April and November. The GNDVI index between April and September effectively separated the two categories of orchards and poplar plantations from Tamarix and willows. The map was generated using the mentioned input feature and random forest algorithm. The overall accuracy and Kappa coefficient obtained from the validation relying on ground samples and Google Earth images were 80% and 0.77, respectively. The main diagonal of the error matrix shows the highest separation between water, soil, and urban land classes. Among the vegetation classes, willows and agricultural lands exhibited the best distinction. Conclusion: The variation in a plant's phenology, encompassing leafing, blossoming, fruiting, fall, and sleep cycle, leads to changes in the values of vegetation indicators during the seasons, which can be utilized in mapping vegetation to enhance separability. Consequently, if tree and shrub stands are pure and exhibit a different phenological behavior from their neighbors, they can be distinguished with higher accuracy using time series of satellite images. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and objectives: In light of projections indicating a growing demand for wood in the forthcoming years and the initiation of a plan to cease the exploitation of the Hyrcanian forests from 2019, the inadequacy of wood essential for the country's wood industry has emerged as a paramount challenge. The escalation in the exchange rate has rendered wood imports insufficient to cater to the nation's entire needs, underscoring the imperative to elevate wood cultivation levels as a primary solution. Despite the relatively modest expanse of poplar plantations and wood cultivation in Kurdistan province, the conducive conditions of ample rainfall and the presence of numerous seasonal and permanent rivers render it a viable area for expansion. Consequently, it becomes crucial to identify and effectively manage the obstacles and challenges impeding the development of wood cultivation in Kurdistan province. Methodology: This study focused on wood plantations and management strategies in Kurdistan province. A comprehensive questionnaire, encompassing the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats related to the development of wood farming in Kurdistan province, was meticulously prepared and finalized. The geographical boundaries of Kurdistan province served as the system's perimeter for the identification and categorization of these four key components. Employing purposeful sampling, experts well-versed in the research topic were deliberately chosen for their valuable insights. A total of 60 informed experts and local stakeholders, determined in accordance with Cochran's formula with a 10% error rate, actively participated in the review and scoring of the SWOT analysis questionnaire for wood farming in Kurdistan province, utilizing a Likert scale ranging from 1 to 5 points. The collected data, including the questionnaire results and SWAT analysis scores, were meticulously entered into an Excel program. Subsequently, total points for each item were calculated, followed by the determination of averages and relative weights for each of the four subsections of the SWAT analysis. Building on the average scores for strengths and weaknesses (internal organization) as well as opportunities and threats (external organization), the management strategy was discerned through the utilization of the Space Matrix and Strategic Action tools for wood farming in the province. This determined management strategy served as the foundation for the development of strategic plans spanning a period of 10 to 15 years, meticulously crafted to optimize wood farming in Kurdistan province. Results: According to the research findings, there are 16 strengths, 22 weaknesses, 15 opportunities, and 8 threats identified for the development of wood farming in Kurdistan province. The results highlight the most significant strength and opportunity for wood farming development in Kurdistan: "3000 kilometers of seasonal and permanent rivers in the province" and "the increasing demand from wood and paper industries for wood raw materials," respectively. Conversely, the most critical weakness and threat for wood farming in the province are identified as the "long harvest period of wood (economic age over 8 years) and the lack of income during this period" and "climate change leading to a reduction in annual rainfall and surface water." Local stakeholders emphasized that "the increase in demand for wood in other Iranian provinces (due to the lack of conversion industries in Kurdistan province)" stands out as a pivotal opportunity for the development of wood farming. Based on these findings, the conservative strategy (with a position of -19.67; 25.14) was endorsed in the second quarter of the coordinate system. Consequently, four long-term programs were formulated to optimize wood farming development in Kurdistan province: 1) Ensuring the annual pre-purchase of wood from farmers, 2) providing support and allocating facilities for the development of wood cultivation in the province, 3) promoting wood farming and increasing community participation, and 4) enhancing the province's infrastructure and fostering the growth of wood-related industries. Conclusion: Recognizing the crucial significance of advancing wood farming in Kurdistan province, it is imperative to underscore and strategically plan the following short-term initiatives: 1- Construction of a Wood Industry Factory, 2- Cooperative and Local Organization Engagement, 3- Technical Involvement of Natural Resources Experts, 4- Formation of Trade Union Cooperatives, 5- Guaranteed Wood Purchase Opportunities, 6- Wood Farming Festival, and 7- Infrastructure Enhancement and Industry Development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Populus euphratica Oliv. is a native species in arid and semi-arid zone of Iran distributing naturally in the vast regions. We studied the variation in fruit morphological traits in P. euphratica trees originating from seven provenances of Iran. P. euphratica samples were prepared from Karaj Research Station. In this study, catkin length, number of capsules in each catkin, capsule length, capsule width, capsule length to capsule width ratio, number of seeds in each capsule, seed length, seed width, seed length to seed width ratio, the weight of 1000 seeds and germination rate were measured. Analysis of variance on all morphological traits except germination showed significant differences (P < 0.05) among provenances. In addition, positive significant correlations were observed in some of the fruit morphological traits. Capsule length, seed length and number of seeds in each capsule showed a significant positive correlation with mean annual precipitation, mean annual temperature and longitude. Seed width showed a significant negative correlation with longitude and latitude. The results show that morphological fruit characteristics in P. euphratica are mainly influenced by the mean annual temperature of the origins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Genetic differentiation between co-occurring crops and their wild relatives will be greatly modified by crop-to-weed gene flow and variation between human and natural selective pressures. In this paper, the pattern of population differentiation within and among the wild and cultivated populations ofAgropyron desertorumin Iran, with respect to both total protein profiles and phenotypic traits, is measured and compared. A total of 180A. desertorumindividuals from 14 wild and four cultivated populations were included in the study. The levels of genetic diversity in cultivated populations were similar to those in wild populations (mean percentage of polymorphic loci [PPL] = 53.26% versusPPL=51.66%, and mean expected heterozygosity [He] = 0.154 versusHe=0.165). Neighbour-joining cluster analysis showed that wild populations and cultivated populations were not separated into two groups. The coefficient of genetic differentiation (Fst) between a cultivar and its wild progenitor was 0.060. For the 14 wild populations, a significant genetic differentiation among populations was found using AMOVA analysis (30% of total genetic variation resided among populations). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recycling wastewaters as irrigation and fertilization of tree species is a market-driven action for purpose-grown timber plantations that promotes the circular economy. A greenhouse experiment was carried out to investigate the performance of poplar clones (Populus alba L. "20/45", P. nigra L. "62/154", and P. euramericana (Dode) Guinier "92/40") and willow (Salix excelsa S.G. Gmel) grown on soils under tap water irrigation (TWI) or wastewater irrigation (WWI) during the first 2 years of establishment. Results showed that at 2 years after planting, poplars and willow exhibited significantly greater performance when grown in WWI versus TWI (P < 0.05). Likewise, phytoremediation of nutrients along with some heavy metals increased in plant organs of WWI-grown plants relative to their TWI counterparts (P < 0.05). After 2 years of growth and under both conditions (TWI and WWI), P. nigra plants showed the greatest growth and biomass; however, leaf area was the largest for P. alba and P. euramericana plants. Also, P. nigra plants had the highest total contents of copper (Cu) and manganese (Mn), P. alba had the most zinc (Zn), and differences for iron (Fe) were negligible across species. In contrast, total contents of nickel (Ni) and chromium (Cr) were higher for S. excelsa, P. nigra, and P. alba plants, while the lowest values were measured in P. euramericana plants. Across all species and soil treatments, the translocation factor (TF) was greater than 1 for Mn, Cu, and Zn, indicating phytoextraction and phytoaccumulation of these elements into leaves and stems, while TF was less than 1 for Fe, lead (Pb), Ni, and Cr, resulting in phytoremediation of these elements as phytostabilization. Differences in tolerance index (TI) values were negligible across species, and TI was greater than 100% after 2 years of growth, indicating that all four species are suitable for phytoremediation applications with urban wastewaters having similar heavy metal concentrations as in the present study. Nevertheless, given the combination of enhanced growth, biomass, and heavy metal accumulation (Mn, Cu, Cr, and Ni), P. nigra plants exhibited the greatest phytoremediation potential of four tested species., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Iran is located in a dry climate zone, and climate change has substantially reduced its precipitation and water resources. Reusing wastewaters from urban communities can meet some requirements for irrigation and fertilization of tree plantations in arid environments, leading to sustainable wastewater recycling, enhanced biomass production, and reduced land degradation. The objective of this study was to test the growth, biomass, nutrition, and heavy-metal accumulation of poplars [ Populus nigra L. "62/154," P. alba L. "20/45," P. euramericana (Dode) Guinier "92/40"], and willow ( Salix excelsa S.G. Gmel) in a pot experiment at four and eight months after planting when grown in soils irrigated with tap water (SITW) and wastewater (SIWW). After four months, SIWW treatment had no significant effect on growth, biomass, nor absorption of macronutrients. After eight months, SIWW treatment of poplars and willow significantly ( p  = 0.000) increased: (1) height, (2) leaf area, (3) root, stem, leaf, and total biomass, and (5) phytoextraction and phytoaccumulation of macro-/micro-nutrients and heavy metals in tree tissues, over trees receiving the SITW treatment. There were significant differences in growth, biomass, and accumulation of micronutrients and heavy metals in poplar versus willow tissues, with the highest biomass production and tissue-specific content of heavy metals in P. nigra trees, and the greatest total concentrations of heavy metals in P. alba and S. excelsa trees. In contrast, uptake of Fe, Cu, Ni, Cr and Pb were similar between poplar and willow, and phytoaccumulation of these elements was primarily in the roots. Leaf concentrations were highest for Zn and Mn. While P. nigra outperformed all other species overall, tolerance index (TI; defined as the tolerance to the heavy metals as calculated by the ratio of the biomass of SIWW trees relative to SITW trees) values exceeding 100% for all one-year-old poplar and willow trees demonstrated that they can be considered for planting in soil affected by urban wastewaters with similar contaminant profiles as in the current study.

Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) belongs to the Cannabaceae family. It is very rich in chemical constituents, especially the cannabinoids which has not been reported in any other plant, and has broad pharmacological properties. Hemp as a multi-purpose crop is a good source of fibers, seed, fixed and volatile oil. It is known that the cannabinoid content of hemp is related to genetic factors, as well as plant's growth stages and environmental factors such as latitude, altitude, weather, particularly moisture availability and nutrient supply during the growing season. The present study was designed to produce hemp that contains allowable concentration of THC (<3 %) by comparing different varieties of hemp, different stages of plant growth, and different geographical locations where it was planted. To achieve this, seeds of two native populations from Iran (Fars and Yazd Provinces) and one foreign variety from France (Fedora17, as an industrial hemp cultivar) with its progenies (Fedora17-2) were cultivated in 3 research fields (Gilan, Golestan and Alborz provinces) in Iran. The following plant materials were extracted with methanol/chloroform and analyzed by HPLC: foliage in the vegetative stage, inflorescent in the flowering stage, inflorescent of seeds in the seeding stage and the mature seed. The THC concentration of Fedora17 (Fed17) in all three geographical locations was found to be under 0.03 % or even non-detectable. Same result was also observed in its progenies (Fed17-2), indicating stability of the trait in this cultivar. The THC concentration of the Yazd variety that was planted in Alborz and Gilan regions was less than 0.080 % in all growth stages. The female flowers planted in Golestan, showed a THC concentration of 1.029 % which was more than the allowed THC concentration of <3 %. The THC concentration in all growth stages of all of the different varieties planted varied from 0 to 1.392 %. The above results indicates that the type of cannabinoid produced depends on the difference in genetic prosperities of the different seed types as well as the growth stage in which the plant material was extracted. On the other hand, the climate and the region in which the seeds were planted had little influence on the THC concentration., (© 2021 Wiley-VHCA AG, Zurich, Switzerland.)