Phylogeny of the Southwest Asian Pimpinella and related genera based on nuclear and plastid sequences.

Pimpinella L. is a large genus and arguably one of the most complex genera in the family Apiaceae. In this study, the infra-generic relationship between Southwest Asian Pimpinella species and their generic allies in the tribe Pimpinelleae Spreng were investigated using sequence data from the cpDNA (chloroplast DNA) rps16 exon and rpL16 intron and nuclear ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacer regions. In total, 185 accessions representing 52 species of Pimpinella, 8 species of Aegopodium, and the monotypic Opsicarpium Mozaff. were analyzed using maximum parsimony and Bayesian methods. In our phylogenetic study, Pimpinella and Opsicarpium were considered together as a monophyletic group within the tribe Pimpinelleae. As a result, Opsicarpium insignis Mozaff has been formally transferred to Pimpinella. Our results indicate that the genera Pimpinella and Reutera Boiss formed a monophyletic group and also supported merging the genus Reutera with Pimpinella. This study confirms the transfer of the Southwest Asian Pimpinella anthriscoides (Boiss.) F. Ghahrem., Khajepiri & Mozaff to the genus Aegopodium as Aegopodium tribracteolatum Schmalh.

The effects of excess copper on antioxidative enzymes, lipid peroxidation, proline, chlorophyll, and concentration of Mn, Fe, and Cu in Astragalus neo-mobayenii.

To probe the physiological and biochemical tolerance mechanisms in Astragalus neo-mobayenii Maassoumi, an endemic plant around the Cu-rich areas from the North West of Iran, the effect of different copper concentrations at toxic levels on this plant was investigated. Copper was applied in the form of copper sulfate (CuSO4·5H2O) in four levels (0, 50, 100, and 150 µM). We observed no visible symptoms of Cu toxicity in this plant species. During the exposure of plants to excess copper, the antioxidant defense system helped the plant to protect itself from the damage. With increasing copper concentration, superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and catalase (CAT) activities increased in leaves and roots (P < 0.001) compared with that of the control group. The chlorophyll amount gradually declined with increasing Cu concentrations. However, reduction in the 50 µM level showed insignificant changes. Enhanced accumulation of proline content in the leaves was determined, as well as an increase of MDA content (oxidative damage biomarker) (P < 0.001). The results indicated that Cu contents in leaves and roots enhanced with increasing levels of Cu application. The Fe and Mn contents in both shoots and roots significantly decreased with increasing Cu concentration. Finally, the mechanisms of copper toxicity and copper tolerance in this plant were briefly discussed.