Author: آمنه غلامی 
Astragalus argyrostachys Boiss.
Parvin Salehi Shanjani, Hamideh Javadi, Masoumeh Ramezani Yeganeh and Amin Zeraatkar
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: Monolocular, subovate, cpmpressed, pobescent, with stalk at base, beaked
Fruit size: Length 5.5 mm, width 2.5 to 3 mm, thickness 1 mm, stalk length 0.5 to 2 mm, beak length 0.5 to 1 mm
Seed shape: Cordiform or reniform, slight flattish, hilum sunken, rounded, with pale surrounding. Surface, wrinkled, glabrous, slight lustrous, color olive-brown
Seed size: Length 2.27 to 3.11 mm, width 1.81 to 2.3 mm in an accession from Marvdasht, Fars with 1000 seeds weight 4.2 g, which was collected and identified in 2017 by Amin Zeraatkar, and is stored in the Natural Resources Gene Bank of Iran with an accession number 46900.
Average 1000 seed weight: 4.2g
Biological features
Life form: Subshrub, cushion-like, perennial, pubescent. Stems short very dense and branched, height 5 to 20 cm,
Inflorescence, flower type, and pollination mechanism: Inflorescence raceme, many-flowered, flowers hermaphrodite, zygomorphic, papilionaceous, corolla (composed of banner: upper large petal, wings: two petals adjacent to the banner, and keel: two bottom petals), pale purple, wings as long as the keel. Plant monoecious, cross-pollinated. Pollination is carried out by insects and wind.
Time of flowering: Spring
Time of seed ripening: Spring
Seed dispersal methods: Seed weight and animals
Geographical distribution: Endemic to Iran. Typus from Mountain Ayoub near Persepolis, Fars
Distribution in Iran: West and South. Mostly in provinces Kurdistan, Lorestan, Isfahan, Fars and Tehran
Taxonomy
Family: Fabacea
Genus: Astragalus
Species: A. argyrostachys
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 II). Institute of Forests and Rangelands Press, Tehran, Iran, Publication No. 85, 290 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.
