Phytocenological structure and biological reserves of Helichrysum aurantiacum Boiss. & A. Huet in Gazakh-Tovuz economic region (Azerbaijan)

Бюллетень науки и практики / Bulletin of Science and Practice

The representatives of the Asteraceae, which have a special place in the vegetation of Azerbaijan, play a fundamental role in pasture, hayfield and grazing areas, desert-semi-desert, subalpine-meadow, forest-meadow, xerophilous, phryganoid, primitive rock-scree vegetation types. The Helichrysum aurantiacum Boiss. et Huet., one of the endemic plants of Azerbaijan belonging to the family, is a medicinal plant. In the regions, it is called as “sandy everlast, immortelle, yellow cat's foot, cat’s foot, golden shade, golden sun”. The plant's organs of use are the flowers. It has a weak aromatic smell and a dark-bitter taste [1]. It spreads in dry sandy, even stony soils, sometimes in black soil and clayey places. Lateral flowers of the plant are collected during the period of fresh flowering. The decoction and dry extract of the flower of Helichrysum aurantiacum plant is widely used as a choleretic medicine in the treatment of gallstones, chronic cholecystitis, hepatitis and biliary dyskinesia, and at the same time, the granules of its flowers are widely used [2].

It is widely used for medicinal purposes in all regions of Azerbaijan [5]. The reserve of this plant in the study areas is satisfactory and it is collected by people and sold in the markets. Taking this into account, the study of the phytocenology of the plant populations and its natural resources has been set as a goal.

Material and Methods

The research work was carried out at the biology department of the Azerbaijan State Agricultural University. Every year, trips were made to the territories of Tovuz, Agstafa and Gazakh districts, ethnobotanical, floristic and methodical expeditions were carried out [10]. The territory of Gazakh-Tovuz Economic Region is very favorable due to its economic and geographical position. A number of methods were used in the phytocenological studies conducted on the Helichrysum aurantiacum species and in the assessment of the coenopopulation [6, 7]. Using A. A. Uranov’s [6] concept of discrete description of ontogenesis, developmental stages in plant individuals were characterized. Phytocenological studies were based on generally accepted methods [4]. The following population indicators were used to determine the integral characteristics of the demographic structure of the plant:

^ к [ ^П [

N

Age index.

here i-is k i — “value” of ontogenetic state, n i — number of individuals, i — the state of the population, N — the total number of individuals in the population.

Efficiency index: w= ^^^ei here ni — number of plants, i — state, ei — plant effectiveness.

Accepted methods were used to study the state of populations and conduct assessments: writing plant communities and naming the phytocenotic complex is based on B. A. Yurseva [7]. Calculations were made using generally accepted evaluation scales of ontogeny, plant age and efficiency indices were calculated, thus the developmental stages of plant individuals were fully determined.

Using A. A. Uranov’s [6] concept of discrete description of ontogenesis, developmental stages in plant individuals were characterized. The description of ontogenesis is shown based on the forms of the ontogenetic state. Plants were registered in immature (im), virginil (v), young generative (g 1 ), middle age period (g 2 ), old generative (g 3 ), subsenile (ss) and senile (s) periods. The obtained results were analyzed by χ ² comparison criterion [1].

Plant productivity was studied based on generally accepted methods [3, 8]. The conducted route and semi-stationary studies were accurate, the population structure of the studied species, their role in formation and associations, their abundance and the number of individuals belonging to all phases of ontogenesis were studied. The state of the vegetation cover was assessed, and reserves were calculated [9, 10].

In order to achieve the goal, short-term expeditions were made to the area on 25 routes in the spring, summer and autumn seasons of 2016-2018, and more than 50 herbarium materials were collected. Studies were conducted in semi-stationary and stationary conditions, more than 20 geobotanical notes on the structure of phytocenoses were taken, and photos of species and formations were taken separately.

Result and Discussion

10 natural populations were selected, in which the species Helichrysum aurantiacum was distributed. Here, it was observed that mainly 3 vegetation types — steppe, semi-desert and mountain-xerophyte phytocenoses are distributed in the first tier, sometimes in the form of glades, and sometimes singly. The formations and associations were identified, the project cover of the areas was calculated, the abundance was determined (Drude, 5-point scale) and the obtained data is reflected in Table 1. The area of the coenopopulations selected for the study of the productivity of Helichrysum aurantiacum species was not less than 5 hectares. In the specific areas where the species is spread, special plots were marked and model samples were selected for stock determination. In addition, 15-20 model plants — Helichrysum aurantiacum from each population were taken and weighed to calculate the plant’s raw material reserve.

Table 1

PHYTOCENOLOGICAL STRUCTURE OF Helichrysum aurantiacum species

Areas where populations are recorded	Type of vegetation and composition of associations     project   abundance (in all associations the species Helichrysum aurantiacum coverage is typical, with the main species indicated)             %
Kazakh district Gushchu-Arim	2018 Shrub vegetation 1. sp: Rosa arvensis + Doronicum macrophyllum +          70        Soc Rumex alpinus + Filipendula ulmaria + Trifolium pratense + Herbosa
The foothills of Goyazan mountain The foot of Kazanchi mountain	2. sp : Juniperus foetidissima + Juniperus oblonga +         60        Soc Prunus divaricata + Herbosa
Kazakh district Kosalar village The foothills of Goyazan mountain	Mountain xerophytic vegetation 3.    sp: Cotoneaster integerrimus + Crataegus sp. +           30        Cop 3 Dactylis glomerata + Cynodon dactylon + Herbosa         40       Cop 2 4.    sp: Thymus collinus + Acantholimon karelinii + Herbosum

Бюллетень науки и практики / Bulletin of Science and Practice Т. 8. №11. 2022

Areas where populations are recorded	Type of vegetation and composition of associations (in all associations the species Helichrysum aurantiacum is typical, with the main species indicated)	project coverage %	abundance
	5. sp: Alhagi pseudalhagi + Paliurus spina-christi + Herbosa	70	Soc
2019
Agstafa district Mughanli village Pirili village	Steppe vegetation 6.    sp: Arctium lappa + Inula helenium + Festuca valesiaca + Stipa capillata + Stachys inflata+ Geranium molle 7.    sp: Astragalus caspicus + Kochia prostrata + Stipa capillata + Herbosum	30 40	Cop 3 Cop 2
Tovuz district Mountainous areas	Mountain xerophytic vegetation 8.    sp: Achillea millefolium + Rhamnus pallasii + Herbosum 9.    sp: Artemisia absinthium + Thymus collinus + Senecio othonnae + Cirsium hygrophilum + Cephalaria gigantea	40 50	Cop 2 Soc
Tovuz district Esrik forest surroundings and clearings	Meadow vegetation 10. sp: Hordeum violaceum + Carex dacica + Carex vesicaria + Anthemis rigescens + Cerastium arvense + Herbosum	40	Cop 2

The description of the ontogeny of the Helichrysum aurantiacum species is shown based on the forms of the ontogenetic state. Registrations were made in all ontogenetic periods of the plant and individuals were counted. During the study, plots or transects were established according to the methods in the phytocenoses where the plant was distributed. The dynamics of individuals corresponding to different phases of ontogenesis in 10 selected populations was studied and reflected in the diagram (Figure).

Table 1 shows the number of individuals distributed in each population for all phases. As can be seen from the table and diagram, there are more individuals belonging to the generative development phase. This shows that the plant is in continuous development.

The results of the calculations prove that the highest rate in Helichrysum aurantiacum species is observed in the generative development stages (225-243 pieces). When we look at the diagram, we see that during the description of ontogeny, the stages of development in plant individuals are also determined. The comparison criterion is indicated by taking notes in the im, v, g 1 , g 2 , g 3 , ss and s periods of the plants.

number of individuals

status of senopopulations

50      ₀

Figure. Dynamics of ontogeny of Helichrysum aurantiacum species

Table 2

AGE (GROWTH) STRUCTURE OF Helichrysum aurantiacum COENOPOPULATION

SP №	CP type	Growth phases of ontogeny (in %)							Indexes
		j	im	v	g 1	g 2	g 3	ss, s	Δ	ω
3	Young	8.40	60	6.70	27.2	26	19	7.7	0.09	0.21
8		41.1	24.6	20.1	4.5	6	2.2	1.5	0.08	0.21
9		18.9	64.6	0.9	4.6	7.8	3.2	0	0.09	0.23
2	Transition	6.34	21.7	8.45	19.9	21.9	25.8	9.4	0.08	0.32
4		25.1	20.9	12.1	21.2	33.1	33.3	11.4	0.27	0.46
5	Mature	4.5	2.9	19.1	12.7	13.6	31.8	18.2	0.53	0.63
1		6.2	10.4	16.7	16.7	18.8	6.2	25	0.44	0.52
7	Fully mature	50.2	20.5	11	8.6	6	2.2	1.5	0.41	0.72
6		63.8	13.7	6.9	4.2	7.8	3.6	0	0.43	0.75
10		14.1	10	26.2	19.0	11.7	12.1	1.9	0.58	0.76

As can be seen from the table, the efficiency coefficient of Helichrysum aurantiacum in mature populations was ω=0,52-0,76. The high value of the efficiency coefficient in CP 7, 6 and 10 is related to the high number dynamics of plants belonging to the juvenile and immature phases before the generative development phases, and the small number of individuals belonging to the aging (s, ss) phases.

Gazakh-Tovuz, the 14th Economic Region of Azerbaijan, is located in the north-east of the Lesser Caucasus and is represented by 3 districts: Tovuz, Aghstafa and Gazakh. In 2015-2020, research works devoted to the study of biological reserves of useful plants were carried out in the area. However, due to the large number of species, plants that have a wide distribution area and are used in many ways due to their usefulness have been studied. Assessments of resource potential were mainly carried out on Tussilago farfara , Helichrysum aurantiacum , Arctium lappa , Inula helenium , Centaurea cyanus, Cichorium intybus , Achillea millefolium species from the Asteraceae family. The present article provides information on the species Helichrysum aurantiacum .

The route-recognostic method was used to study the reserve of useful plants. The size of the recorded areas was taken as 10×10 m. In order to determine the stock and density of plants, experimental plots were selected in the studied vegetation types in 3 replicates, first 1 m2 each, then 5 and 10 m2. The structure, composition of the vegetation, the number of species there, edificator and dominants, in a word, the floristic-geobotanical indicators of the areas were studied and the richness of the flora was noted by Druden's 5-point scale.

Medicinal plants are found in Tovuz, Aghstafa and Gazakh districts, especially in mountainous areas in meadow-shrub formations. The studied Helichrysum aurantiacum differ from meadows according to their phytocenological structure, but according to their biological characteristics, they are close to meadow plants that follow the forest. It is abundant in poorly collected, hard to reach tiers, sometimes in xerophytic steppes, and sometimes in stony-rocky belts. From an ecological point of view, Helichrysum aurantiacum is mainly found on stony and gravelly hills, slopes, between forests and bushes, in ravines, in dry valleys. They grow better in good aerobic conditions, in soils rich in minerals. The following plant species are also found in Helichrysum aurantiacum associations: Doronicum macrophyllum Fisch. ex Hornem., Rumex alpinus L., Dactylis glomerata L., Elytrigia repens (L.) Nevski, Mentha longifolia (L.) L., Pyrethrum roseum M. Bieb., Lamium album L., Nepeta grandiflora M. Bieb., Senecio othonnae M. Bieb., Cirsium hygrophilum Boiss., Rosa arvensis Huds., Haplophyllum ciscaucasicum (Rupr.) Grossh. & Vved., Ranunculus elegans C. Koch etc.

Helichrysum aurantiacum is typical for all groupings in a number of meadow associations in a small area in the Esrik valleys: Hordeum violaceum Boiss. & Hohen., Carex dacica Heuff.,

C. vesicaria L., Anthemis rigescens Willd., Cerastium arvense L., Bromopsis variegata (M. Bieb.) Holub, Onobrychis transcaucasica Grossh. and etc. In this area, Helichrysum aurantiacum dominates.

A part of the meadows around the forest, where Helichrysum aurantiacum coenoses are found, is sometimes mixed with elements of subalpine meadows and forms mountain-meadow plants. Its average height is 170 cm, the length of the leaf is 8-13 cm, the number of leaves is up to 4-5. The abundance of the plant in the area is 1-2 points. These meadows are prominent in the high mountain belts in 1 area. The plant is widely used as medicine.

The grooved covers occupying the foothill belt have led to the formation of a xerophytic landscape. Helichrysum aurantiacum and Rumex confertus (Asiatic dock) dominate this zone in different seasons. It is also found together with Capsella bursa-pastoris , Lamium album , Urtica dioica species in lower mountain belt forests.

Centaurea cyanus and Helichrysum aurantiacum dominant species of Cephalaria gigantea formation were found locally in the study area. Studies have shown that this type of formation differs from one another with different types of plants. Here, with one or two plants, Helichrysum aurantiacum becomes an edificator, and the rest are components. Lathyrus miniatus M. Bieb. ex Steven, Delphinium foetidum Lomak and etc. can be shown. Vegetation cover of Boyukkislaq village of Tovuz district is 85-95%. In this area, Helichrysum aurantiacum, Arctium lappa and Inula helenium dominates in coenosis, the abundance of the area is 2-3 points. Forb plants (65%), cereals (23%) are the main part and Helichrysum aurantiacum makes up 10-15%. 2-3 specimens Arctium lappa can be found in every 4 m². The average height of the Helichrysum aurantiacum species is 65-85 cm, the number of leaves is up to 12-25, and the wet weight of the aerial part is between 1.01.5 kg. The width of the leaf is 1.5-2.0 cm, the length is 5-6 cm. Helichrysum aurantiacum is smaller than Inula helenium and Arctium lappa .

It was determined that compared to the previous years, the exploitation reserve of plants decreased as a result of the influence of anthropogenic factors. Some species ( Helichrysum aurantiacum, Urtica dioica , Arctium lappa , Lamium album , Achillea millefolium , Capsella bursa pastoris , Cichorium intybus , Centaurea cyanus ) are used as medicine and are eagerly eaten by animals. Some ( Asparagus officinalis, Urtica dioica, Capsella bursa-pastoris , etc.) are supplied by local communities as valuable food plants.

The biological reserve of Helichrysum aurantiacum was calculated (Table 3). As a result of bioecological studies, it was determined that the plant has spread from the lower mountain belt to the highland meadows.

Table 3

RESERVE OF Helichrysum aurantiacum SPECIES IN GAZAKH-TOVUZ ADMINISTRATIVE AREA (in 2018-2019)

The name of the districts	Name of villages by districts	Area of plant distribution (h)	Reserve density (h/s)	Biological reserve (centner)	Exploitation reserve (centner)
Tovuz district	Esrik valley	150	8.7 + 1.52	375.0 + 35.68	139.00 + 17.84
Gazakh	The foothills of	120	8.3 + 0.51	278.0 + 20.47	109 + 12.65
district	Goyazan mountain	115	6.6 + 2.33	167.0 + 10.00	84.00 + 5.02
	The foot of Gazanchi mountain, Guschu-Ayrim	280	5.9 + 1.29	135.0 + 9.00	67.50 + 4.99
Agstafa	Mughanli village	95	4.5 + 0.88	176.10 + 14.38	51.00 + 4.72

Бюллетень науки и практики / Bulletin of Science and Practice Т. 8. №11. 2022

The name of the districts	Name of villages by    Area of plant    Reserve       Biological      Exploitation districts            distribution    density (h/s)        reserve            reserve (h)                            (centner)          (centner)
district	Pirili village                   121         5.6 + 0.91       110.0 + 7.90       48.10 + 3.64 Total:                        881        5.21 + 0.78     1241.1 + 79.90     498.6 + 37.90

Thus, it is possible to annually supply Helichrysum aurantiacum in Tovuz, Agstafa and Gazakh districts located in the north-east of the Lesser Caucasus botanical-geographical region of Azerbaijan.