Author: آمنه غلامی 
Astragalus belgheisicus Maassoumi
Parvin Salehi Shanjani, Hamideh Javadi, Masoumeh Ramezani Yeganeh and Mohammad Mahmoodi
Natural Resources Gene Bank, Research Institute of Forests and Rangelands, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization, Tehran, Iran.
Uploaded at December 2024
Scientific editor: Mohammad Dadmand
Seed Storage
Storage behavior of this species is orthodox; dry to 15-20% eRH and store at -20°C.
Germination requirements
The seeds have dormancy and this dormant related to seed coat (external dormancy) and inhibition materials in the seeds (physiology dormancy).To remove of seed coat (Scarification) can be used different methods (Sandpaper, Sulfuric Acid, Hot water, etc.). To remove physical dormancy (Stratification), Pre-Chilling (for 14 days), Ultrasonic Waves and Hormones (Gibberellic acid 100ppm) are affect. The best methods for remove seed coat and physical dormancy are sandpaper and pre-chilling (14 days at 4°C) respectively. Then germinate under a constant temperature of 25ºC or with an alternating temperature regime of 15/20ºC (with an 8/16hr photoperiod).
Morphology
Fruit type: Pod
Fruit shape: Bilocular, ellipsoid, ventral side boat-like, dorsal side ribed, pobescent, stalkless, beak curved
Fruit size: Length 8 mm, width 2.5 mm, beak length 2.5 mm
Seed shape: Asymmetrical, Cordiform or reniform, slight flattish, hilum sunken, rounded, with pale surrounding. Surface wrinkled, glabrous, slight lustrous, color olive-brown, often faint spotted
Seed size: Length 2.71 to 3.4 mm, width 1.75 to 2.46 mm in an accession from Mahneshan, Zanjan, with 1000 seeds weight 4.85 g, which was collected and identified in 2017 by Mohammad Mahmoodi and is stored in Natural Resources of Gene Bank with an accession number 47005.
Average 1000 seed weight: 4.7 to 4.8 g
Biological features
Life form: Herbaceous, perennial, pubescent. Stems short, height 10 to 15 cm
Inflorescence, flower type, and pollination mechanism: Inflorescence raceme, flowers hermaphrodite, zygomorphic, papilionaceous, corolla (composed of banner: upper large petal, wings: two petals adjacent to the banner, and keel: two bottom petals) purplish yellow to, wings longer than the keel. Plant monoecious, cross-pollinated. Pollination is carried out by insects and wind.
Time of flowering: Late spring
Time of seed ripening: Late spring
Seed dispersal methods: Seed weight and animals
Geographical distribution: Endemic to Iran. Typus from Belqeys Mountain, Zanjan
Distribution in Iran: North West and West. Mostly in provinces Azerbaijan and Hamedan
Taxonomy
Family: Fabaceae
Genus: Astragalus
Species: A. belgheisicus
Persian name: Gavan
References and Links
Black, M. and Bewley, J.D. 2000. Seed technology and its biological basis. Sheffield Academic Press, 1-419 pp.
Bojnansky, V. and Fargasova, A. 2007. Atlas of seeds and fruits of central and East-European flora: the Carpathian Mountains region. Springer, Dordrecht, The Netherlands, 1046 pp.
Ghahraman, A. Flore of Iran. Research Institute of Forests and Rangelands with University of Tehran Publication. https://floraofiran.net/index.php.
Maassoumi, A.A. 2016. Flora of Iran, Fabaceae (Astragalus III). Institute of Forests and Rangelands Press, Tehran, Iran, Publication No. 145, 266 pp.
Mozaffarian, V.A. 1998. Dictionary of Iranian plants names. Farhange Moaser Publisher, Tehran, 671 pp.
Mozaffarian, V.A. 2012. A Pictorial dictionary of botany. Farhange Moaser Publisher, Tehran, 1088 pp.
Sharma, O.P. 2009. Plant taxonomy 2E. Tata McGraw-Hill Education, New Delhi, 563 pp.
