Effect of crown dieback intensity on some physiological characteristics of Persian oak trees (Quercus brantii var. persica)

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Assist. Prof., Research and Education Center of Agriculture and Natural Resource, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Ilam, I.R. Iran.

2 Assoc. Prof., Research Institute of Forests and Rangelands, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Tehran, I.R. Iran

3 PhD Researcher, Research Institute of Forests and Rangelands, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Tehran, I.R. Iran

Abstract

Effects of crown dieback intensity of Persian oak trees (Quercus brantii var. persica) on their leaf and branch physiological traits were monitored in drought affected Melah-Siah forest, Ilam province, Iran, during spring and summer seasons of 2013-2014. Oak trees were divided into 4 groups with 6 replicates based on the severity of crown dieback.Sampls were randomly taken on leaves and two-year old branches of oak trees in south aspect of tree crown. Several  physiological traits including peroxidaz and catalaze enzymes, prolin, cholorophyll, carotenoid and leaf relative water content were studied. Results of crown dieback intensity effect on the studied traits showed that relative water content of declining trees was more than those of healthy trees. Prolin content of declining trees was more than those of healthy trees. Other studied traits did not show any significant changes among healthy and declining trees. Interaction effects of sampling year and season on the studied traits showed that branch peroxidase was at the highest level during spring 2014, lower during spring and summer 2013, and the least during summer 2014. Leaf catalaz was at the highest level during spring and summer 2013 and the least level during spring 2014. Branch catalaz was at the highest level during spring 2013 and at the lowest level during spring and summer 2014. Annual changes of cholorophyll b, total chlorophyll and RWC (from 2013 to 2014) were increasing, and for carotenoid, it was decreasing. Seasonal changes (from spring to summer) of cholorophyll a, carotenoid and RWC were positive, and for prolin, it was negative during the first year and positive during second year. It was concluded that variability of relative water content and prolin content in the declining trees was for stress reduction in tree body and transition from drought crisis, and non-significant changes of Photosynthetic pigments and enzymes is for continuing vital activities in its body.

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References

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