Özcan Seçmen

Preliminary results on the chemical composition of the Turkish carob beans

The present study embodies investigations on the chemical composition of three types of carob fruits viz. sisam, fleshy and wild. A perusal of analytical and chromatographic results reveals that the pods of sisam type are rich in sugar content (43.84%) as compared to that of wild and fleshy types. The sugars in general are of non-reducing type. The pods contain four kinds of sugars, namely: glucose, fructose, maltose and sucrose; latter being the principal constituent. In comparison with sugar content the protein content of pods is very low being 2.48%–4.76%. There are four types of amino acids present in the pods, namely: alanine, proline, leucine and valine. The fruits are very poor in fats. As compared to the pods, seeds in general lack sugars but possess higher protein, fat and ash content.

Field Studies of the Effects of Cement Dust on the Growth and Yield of Olive Trees in Turkey

The effects of cement dust emissions from a cement factory on the growth and yield of trees in the adjacent Olive plantation were investigated. Some characteristics of the soils in the polluted and non-polluted areas of the plantation were studied. In the polluted area the cement dust had formed a crust ca 1 cm thick on the soil surface, and the leaves of Olive trees in this area were also covered with a cement crust. The amount of dust deposited on the leaves of the polluted trees was around 2.55 mg/sq. cm of leaf surface, but they did not show any visible symptoms of injury. However, as compared with a non-polluted tree, the polluted trees showed up to 50 and 55.6 per cent reduction in growth and fruit yield, respectively. Moreover, the length and width of the fruits of the polluted trees were, respectively, some 15 and 20 per cent shorter. As regards herbaceous plants, there were only 6 species growing in the polluted area and these were practically confined to the soil under the trees whereas there were 26 species growing virtually at random in the non-polluted area. The soil of the polluted area had a lower moisture-content, less organic matter, a lower water-holding capacity, and a markedly reduced content of calcium carbonate, than that of the non-polluted area, which, however, had a somewhat lower content of other salts. The marked reduction in the growth and yield of Olive trees in the polluted area may be explained in terms of the shading effect of the foliar cement crust as well as through the changes in soil characteristics that had been brought about by the cement factory effluents. Thus the uncontrolled emissions of a cement kiln can affect the growth of the adjacent vegetation through both the air and the soil.

Helichrysum unicapitatum (Asteraceae), a New Species from Turkey

Helichrysum unicapitatum S.G. Şenol, Ö. Seçmen & B. Öztürk (Asteraceae) is described and illustrated from the SW province of Anatolia, Turkey. It grows on crystalline calcareous rocks between Evran Tepe and Karababa Tepe (1800–2300 m), situated within the Denizli Babadağ (Cadmus) Mountain Range. Helichrysum compactum seems to be its closest relative and their affinities are discussed based on morphological data and DNA sequences (nrDNA ITS and ETS).

An ethnobotanical study in Midyat (Turkey), a city on the silk road where cultures meet

BackgroundStudies of ethnobotanical usages in south-eastern Turkey are rare. To widen this field of knowledge, we conducted an ethnobotanical study in Midyat (Mardin Province), Turkey.MethodsThe field study was completed during three years (2007–2010). Our aim was to document the ethnobotanical uses of local plants and to make an ethnobotanical inventory of uncommon plants using qualitative interviews.ResultsDuring field studies, 368 voucher specimens were collected in the investigated area. Ninety-two traditionally used plant species were reported from Midyat and surrounding vicinities in Turkey. Among the 92 taxa (129 usages), 35% were used for medical purposes, 22% for food, 13% for animal fodder, 7% as ornamental plants and dyes, 6% as brooms, 4% for latex and as fragrance, 4% for herbal tea, molasses and wine preparation, 3% for agricultural purposes, and 6% for other purposes. Comparative assessment showed that Teucrium polium (0.51), Matricaria aurea (0.26), Alcea setosa (0.21), and Malva neglecta (0.21) have the highest recorded UVs, and the following taxa had UVs between 0.10–0.20: Anthemis cotula (0.12), Allium cepa (0.13), Alcea striata subsp. striata (0.14), Crupina crupinastrum (0.12), Papaver rhoeas (0.13), Salvia multicaulis (0.14), Thymbra spicata (0.11), and Vicia pannonica subsp. striata (0.15). We reported the ethnobotanical usages of 21 taxa for the first time, in addition to indicating usages previously recorded in the literature. We also recorded four endemic plant usages in the area: Alkanna trichophila var. mardinensis, Centaurea kurdica, Centaurea stapfiana, and Sideritis libanotica subsp. linearis. They have variable leaf and flower morphology that are used traditionally. They are present as well-developed populations and thus their conservation status is not compromised. Additionally, Thymbra sintenisii is a recorded species that is classified as a rare and extensively used species in the region.ConclusionsThese results contribute to the fundamental knowledge of ethnobotanical usages in Midyat. To date, ethnobotanical studies have not been carried out in this region. This investigation uncovered usages of endemic medicinal plant species and traditional knowledge of Midyat communities living in a mixed culture. The people of Midyat, Batman, and Şırnak are Turkish citizens from various ethnic backgrounds, such as Kurdish, Arabic, and Syriac. We compared our data with results from other studies conducted in Turkey, particularly in south-eastern and eastern regions, as well as with studies from bordering countries, Iraq, Jordan, Syria, and Iran. Nonetheless, more work needs to be conducted to extend the present knowledge for locals to contribute to and evaluate economic potential in the region.