BIOSCIENCES BIOTECHNOLOGY RESEARCH ASIA, December 2015. Vol. 12(3), 1965-1974 Anatomical and Morphological Stem Features of two Haloxylon Species (Chenopodiaceae Vent.) of Drought Stress, Kazakhstan Alina Zhaglovskaya1*, Saule Aidosova1, Nursulu Akhtayeva1, Asem Mamurova1 and Dinara Yesimova2 1Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Al Farabi Avenue 71, 050038 Almaty, Kazakhstan. 2Faculty of Chemical Technology and Natural Sciences, S. Toraighyrov Pavlodar state university, Lomova street, 64, 140008, Pavlodar, Kazakhstan. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.13005/bbra/1863 (Received: 16 September 2015; accepted: 25 October 2015) The territory of Kazakhstan lies mainly in zones of deserts and semideserts. Soil degradation is all over the territory as a result of human intervention in vegetation. The representatives of Chenopodiaceae Vent. genus (Haloxylon aphyllum Minkw., Haloxylon persicum Bng.) are natural sandbinders in northern deserts of Kazakhstan. This article concerns adaptation traits of plants of drought stress. The article states the anatomical and morphological characteristics of representatives of Chenopodiaceae family: Haloxylon aphyllum, Haloxylon persicum. It was identified that there are similarities and differences in the anatomy of the stem of both species. The main difference is the number of layers of the epidermis: one layer in Haloxylon aphyllum, 2 layers in H. persicum, size of epidermis, chlorenchyma, parenchyma. Comparative characteristics of the two species of Haloxylon show some features of adaptation of psammophytes (Haloxylon persicum) and halophytes (Haloxylon aphyllum). Increased size of epidermal tissue and chlorenchyma of Haloxylon persicum stem, as well as increased size of parenchyma and crystalliferous cells of Haloxylon aphyllum. Features of the anatomical structure of the vegetative organs of plants adequately reflect their adaptation to growing conditions. Studied species are plants-C4 , by type of CO2 fixation, as a mechanism of adaptation to hot and dry climate. Haloxylon persicum is regarded as a genetic derivative to H. aphyllum. Key words: Haloxylon aphyllum Minkw., Haloxylon persicum Bng., ecological adaptation, psammophyte, halophyte, epidermis. Big part of Central Asia lies in arid and Threats, Challenges and Change, United Nations semiarid zones. In Kazakhstan 70% of territory is Organization (Eisfelder, 2014). prone to desertification (Eisfelder et al., 2012, 2013; As a result of high rates of desertification Lioubimtseva and Adams, 2004; Lioubimtseva at it is necessary to restore disturbed lands and al., 2005, 2009). provide ecological recovery of natural vegetation. Soil degradation and desertification are The main purpose of restoration is to use viable main ecologic issues of this country. Therefore, populations. It will help to restore functions and Kazakhstan is an important object of study (ADB, processes of ecosystems, prevent erosion and 2010). Environmental degradation was defined as protect biological diversity (Bradshaw, 1987). one of major threats by High Level Panel on It is widely accepted that efficiency of ecological restoration depends on the selection of local plants, especially in stress conditions (Knapp and Rice, 1994; Linhart, 1995; Lesica and Allendorf, * To whom all correspondence should be addressed. Tel.: +7 705 611 85 91; 1999). E-mail: [email protected] 1966 ZHAGLOVSKAYA et al., Biosci., Biotech. Res. Asia, Vol. 12(3), 1965-1974 (2015) Chenopodiaceae family includes about A big number of Chenopodiaceae stem 100 genera and more than 1500 species which are anatomy descriptions was published by Gregory broadly spread on arid and subtropical lands (1994, 2009). Plenty anatomy researches belong to (Heywood, 1978). Haloxylon (Chenopodiaceae Russian scientists (Arcichovskij & Osipov, 1934; Vent.) genus comprises 10 species where on the Butnik, 1983; Vasilevskaja, 1955, 1965; Novruzova territory of CIS countries and in semideserts of & Chapari, 1974; Timonin 1987a & b). Central Asia there are only 3 species (Haloxylon In order to provide theoretical basis for aphyllum Minkw., Haloxylon persicum Bng., recommendations on restoration of natural Haloxylon ammodendron C.A. Mey. Bunge. ecosystems in deserted areas and provision of Haloxylon aphyllum (local name -Black saxaul) and stability of natural ecosystems it is necessary to Haloxylon persicum (local name -White saxaul) study the anatomy structure of green stems of two have a vast growing area in deserts of Iran-Turanian species of Chenopodiaceae genus (Haloxylon region and Arab peninsula. Haloxylon aphyllum, H. persicum), analysis of similarities and ammodendron can be only found in the east of differences of morphometric indices and Kazakhstan and in Junggar province. This species adaptabilities of the species under study. mainly grow in the area of the Gobi Desert in Central Asia (Lavrenko, 1962). MATERIALS AND METHODS Saxaul forests directly affect environmental situation creating favorable The research was carried out on the conditions for human life and farming. Owing to territory of Ili-Balkhash region, situated within the natural domination saxaul can be considered as borders of Almaty city region, Balkhash-Alakol ecologically key species. Saxaul forests serve the hydro-ecological region (Fig.1). The material of the following functions of ecosystem: biomass research was collected in the framework of production, sand stabilization; minimization of soil experimental fieldworks carried out on the territory drifting; microclimate mitigation which ensures of Almaty city region in Ile-Balkhash region, valley growth and development of associated plants (for of the Ili River during summer time. example, Carex physodes M. Bieb.); setting habitat Four plots were examined on the territory conditions for animals. And, desert forests are a of the Ili River estuary. A representative of food supply for farming and energy-efficient biofuel Chenopodiaceae family (Haloxylon persicum) was for local population (Buras et al., 2012). collected on plots I and II. Haloxylon aphyllum Currently, as a result of human impact it was gathered as a research material on plots III was identified that saxaul is spread only on 25% of and IV (Table 1). potential areal in Kazakhstan. About three thirds According to soil and geomorphological, of potential areal of saxaul forests were destroyed climatic, and geobotanical conditions the territory or they deteriorated comparing to potential areal under study belongs to coastal salt plain region. (Thevs et al., 2013). Relief of the territory is typically hummocky and Having studied for many years growth of contains ridges, melting into plain and hills. Among Haloxylon, its development, morphology, and seed hills and ridges there are quite high ridges (10-20 germination it became possible to identify a number m) and quite low sand deposits up to 10 m high. of special features of its biology. The sources Spots of dry-type playas are found where hills and contain much information about morpho-biological ridges are considered as occasional sand hills (0.5 study of Haloxylon aphyllum (Ol’shevskii, 1935). – 2.5 m high). Dry beds and drainless lowlands are Chenopodiaceae family consists of a big typical to Bakanass plain. According to soil- number of C4 species where dominant plants of geographical regionalization the territory belongs deserted territories of Kazakhstan hold a specific to the zone of grey-brown soils which in their turn place. Many researchers studied anatomy belong to modern desert crust soils (Gvozdeva, structure of this genus (Kadereit et al., 2003; 1960). Pyankov et al., 1999, 2000; Sage et. al., 1999; Sage The climate is extremely continental. The 2001; Su Pei-Xi, 2005; Ramazannejad, 2006; Zhibin, moderate temperature of the coldest month of the 2011; Heklau, 2012). year (January) in ten years varies between minus ZHAGLOVSKAYA et al., Biosci., Biotech. Res. Asia, Vol. 12(3), 1965-1974 (2015) 1967 11 and minus 13 degrees Celsius. In the hottest anatomical structure study samples were taken from month of the year (July) the moderate temperature at least three trees of each species. is plus 26 degrees Celsius. The duration of frost- Plants were botanized and fixed for free season is 153 days. The annual amount of structure analysis. Fixation was done in 70% spirit atmospheric sediments is not more than 200 mm. by Strasburger-Flemming technique (spirit, The moderate degree of saturation is 61%. Winds glycerin, water 1:1:1). Anatomic specimens were blow predominantly from the east. Average wind prepared by means of microtome with TOC-2 speed is 2.5 m/s (Bedarev, 1985). freezing device. Slices were mounted into glycerin The dominant species of vegetation is in accordance to conventional procedures Haloxylon aphyllum. The following wood and (Prozina, 1960; Permyakov, 1988; Barykina et al., shrub species are also there: Halimodendron 2004). Anatomic slices were 10-15 micron thick. In halodendron, Populus deversifolia, Calligonum order to do quantitative analysis morphometric aphillum, Eurotia ceratoides, Astragalus indices were taken by means of software for ammodendron, etc. Artemisia terrae albae, Stipa micrography. Photomicrographs were taken with Hohenackeriana, Agropurum sibiricum and some MC-300 microscope (Zoom ×180). For statistical other of them are typical species of grass data processing mathematical statistics method and vegetation. The grass canopy consists of Microsoft Excel were applied. Artemisia solgorica, Echinopa albicalis,