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The life table parameters of Schizaphis graminum (Rondani) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) on four commercial cultivars of wheat (Kohdasht, Pastor, Tajan and Zagros) were determined in laboratory conditions. Fertility life table were constructed using age-specific survivorship (lx) and age-specific fecundity (mx) and subsequently analyzed using jackknife method and ANOVA. There were significant differences among pre-imaginal period and adult longevity of the aphid on the four wheat cultivars. The highest mortality occurred at first nymphal instar on all of wheat cultivars tested. The life expectancy (ex) of one-day-old adults was estimated to be 23.5, 24.6, 30.36 and 26.83 days on Kohdasht, Pastor, Tajan and Zagros, respectively. The gross reproductive rate was significantly higher on Tajan (102.39 ± 1.42 females/female/generation) compared with other three cultivars. The net reproductive rate (R­0) significantly differed on different wheat cultivars examined. The R0-value was highest on Tajan (82.21 ± 1.21) and lowest on Zagros (38.23 ± 0.63 females/female/generation). The highest and lowest values of the intrinsic rate of increase (rm) were 0.276 ± 0.002 (on Pastor) and 0.222 ± 0.001 day^-1 (on Zagros), respectively. The finite rate of increase (l) differed significantly among four wheat cultivars, ranging from 1.25 ± 0.00 (on Zagros) to 1.32 ± 0.00 days^-1 (on Pastor). Doubling time ranged from 2.51 ± 0.02 (on Pastor) to 3.12 ± 0.02 days (on Zagros). The longest mean generation time (T) of the aphid was obtained on Tajan cultivar. The results showed that the Zagros cultivar had the highest antibiotic effect on population growth of S. graminum.  

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The effect of soil and topographic features on distribution of Amygdalus scoparia in Nehbandan (Iran) was investigated. Slope, aspect and altitudinal maps were overlaid to prepare a working map unit. Quantitative and qualitative traits, including height, number, collar diameter of sprout with the highest diameter, crown diameter and trunk health were recorded in 1000 m² plots (27 plots). In each plot, soil was sampled at depth 0-30 cm. The regression model of the traits with topographical and edaphic factors showed that 70% of variations of A.scoparia sprout height was explained with calcium carbonate, 50% variations of the number of sprouts was explained with clay, and 77% variations of the crown diameter was explained with calcium carbonate. Correlation results revealed that some soil properties such as clay, potassium, organic matter, sand, acidity and lime accounted for A.scoparia distribution. Future work on other indicating factors will help us to determine the optimum range of these factors for this plant species.

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Citrus swallow tail butterfly, Papilio demoleus L. is a pest of citrus in many parts of the world. We examined the effect of four different citrus hosts including Citrus sinensis (L.) (Tarocco and Valencia) Citrus limon (L.) (Eureka), and Citrus paradisi Macfad. (Shambarg) on its life table parameters and biological characteristics at 24 ± 1 °C, 75 ± 5% RH and a photoperiod of 16: 8 h (L: D). The developmental time of immature stages was longest onC. sinensis (Tarocco) (12.3 ± SE days).The intrinsic rate of natural increase was significantly affected by variouscitrus, being the highest on C. sinensis (Tarocco) (0.099 day^-1) and lowest on C. sinensis (Valencia) (0.011 day^-1).The highest and lowest finite rates of increase were observed onC. sinensis(Tarocco) 1.10 andC. sinensis(Valencia)1.01, respectively.The highest gross reproductive rate and the lowest mean generation time were observed on C. sinensis (Tarocco) and C. sinensis. (Valencia), respectively. The findings indicated that C. sinensis (Tarocco) appeared to be the most susceptible host to P. demoleus among the tested varieties. The results of this and similar studies in the future on other hosts may be considered as a basis for finding resistant host/hosts in monitoring this pest.

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The effect of thyme Thymus vulgaris L. androsemary Rosmarinus officinalis (L.) essential oils on life table parameters of red rose aphid Macrosiphum rosae (L.) oncut flower rose Rosa hybrida L. were investigated in laboratory conditions (27 ± 2 oC, 70 ± 5% humidity and a photoperiod of 16L:8Dh), during 2014-2015. The results on the basis of LC50 values showed that the M. rosae was significantly more sensitive to the oil of T. vulgaris (LC50 = 36621 ppm) than R. officinalis (LC50 = 57565 ppm). Also, Investigation of the thyme essential oil on life table parameters of M. rosae showed that the net reproductive rate (R0) values changed from 16.62 ± 2.31 to 29.10 ± 1.97 female offspring, the intrinsic rate of increase (r) values ranged from 0.177 ± 0.01 to 0.229 ± 0.13 day-1, the mean generation time (T) was 13.92 ± 0.22 to 15.88 ± 0.19 days, the DT values ranged from 3.01 ± 0.05 to 3.90 ± 0.007 days and the finite rate of increase (λ) values was 1.19 ± 0.003 to 1.26 ± 0.06 day-1. Also, the rosemary essential oil on life table parameters of red rose aphid revealed that the R0 values ranged from 17.87 ± 1.97 to 31.97 ± 1.98 female offspring,the r values ranged from 0.185 ± 0.02 to 0.237 ± 0.001 day-1, the mean generation time (T) was 14.45 ± 0.23 to 15.99 ± 0.21 days, the DT ranged from 2.85 ± 0.14 to 3.71 ± 0.14 days and the λ values was 1.20 ± 0.01 to 1.27 ± 0.02 day-1.The results revealed that the essential oils of rosemary and thyme used in this research had a significant difference on population parameters of rose aphid. The maximum mortality percent of M. rosae population registered 86.12 ± 1.02% and 90.21 ± 1.12% for rosemary and thyme essential oils, respectively. Hence, T. vulgaris had higher insecticidal effect than R. officinalis essential oil on rose aphid population.

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Aims: The present study investigated the effects of different levels using of mealworm (Tenebrio molitor L., TM) on the growth and feed performance, body composition and digestive enzymes of rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss.
Materials & Methods: Fish (8.58± 0.27 g) in a completely randomized design in 4 treatments and each with 3 replications. Rainbow trout with different levels of 0, 15, 30 and 60% diet (TM0, TM15, TM30 and TM60) (including 50% moisture) of live worm for 30 days. Data were analyzed by one-way (SPSS 17). When p values were significant (P<0.05), means were compared using Duncan's multiple-range test.
Findings: At the end of the experimental, there were significant difference between treatments in growth performance and feed utilization. The results revealed that fish growth parameters and efficiency of nutrient utilization tended to increase with increasing dietary TM levels from 0 to 60%. Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR) was significantly reduced in fish fed the diet with the highest worm level (TM60). The treatments fed TM showed highest protein and lower lipid content compared to fish fed control diet.
The analysis of gastrointestinal enzymes showed that amylase, protease and lipase had a statistically significant difference between the control and other treatments. Protease and amylase activities were found to be significantly higher for fish fed the TM60 diet compared with fish fed TM0 diet.
Conclusion: The results showed that using 60% (TM60) of worm instead of the base diet can improve growth, carcass composition and digestive enzymes.

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Aims: microalgae use has been recently attracted for the production of biologically active drugs and pharmaceuticals.Carbon source is an essential factor for the Spirulina maxima growth. Since finding the appropriate carbon source and its concentration to achieve high levels of biomass in the shortest cultivation period is very valuable. Therefore, the effect of different carbon sources (sodium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, glucose and molasses) with different concentrations (16, 24 and 32 gL^-1) on growth and biomass production were evaluated. Methods: Microalgae was grown in 11 treatments with 3 replications at labarotary temperature (28±3 °C) and 1350±100 Lux light intensity (24 hours exposure-time). Maximum specific growth rate and doubling time were calculated according to nonlinear modeling by Wolfram Mathematica software at 99% confidence interval. Findings: The highest biomass concentration (gL^-1) at the highest carbon source concentration in the first 5 days belonged to molasses (3.083), glucose (2.094), sodium carbonate (0.869) and sodium bicarbonate (0.835). Biomass production of treatments except glucose in medium was increased by increasing concentration from 16 to 32 gL^-1. Although molasses has reached on highest biomass production during the first 5 days of cultivation, but the greatest effect on increasing specific growth rate belongs to the glucose sample. Conclusions: As a result, the carbon source and its concentration had a significant effect on the growth and biomass production. Glucose has been selected as an effective carbon source for growth with a concentration of 24gL^-1. Moreover, the highest concentration of treatments had shown the least effect on specific growth rate.

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The Mediterranean flour moth, Ephestia kuehniella (Zeller) (Lep.: Pyralidae) is not only known as stored products pest, but also used as a potential factitious host for mass rearing of biological agents. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of five different cereal cultivars (Wheat: Homma, Mihan and Zareh; Corn: 704 and Barley: Makui) on feeding performance and life table parameters of E. kuehniella, which was estimated by Carey life table producer. The results showed that preadult period ranged from 46.91 to 59.00 days on Corn and Zareh, respectively. The highest and lowest net reproductive rates (R₀) were obtained on Homma (128.76) and Zareh (61.77) offspring/female, respectively. The highest values of the intrinsic rate of increase (r) and finite rate of increase (λ) were on Corn and Homma and the lowest was on Zareh (r: 0.079 day^-1, λ: 1.08 day⁻¹). Based on the life history and demographic parameters results, Corn and Homma were the most suitable hosts for E. kuehniella. These findings may provide helpful information in integrated pest management programs including rearing of E. kuehniella as the alternative host, which could be used in the mass production of natural enemies.
 

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The long nose sturgeon (Acipenser stellatus, Pallas, 1771) is an anadromous sturgeon species, yet little is known with regard to salt bath effect on bacterial adhesion on superficial organs of this species and its growth. This study was conducted to determine the optimal salt bath concentration on growth parameters and total bacteria count on juvenile stellate sturgeon gill and skin. A total of 200 fishes with mean initial weight 494.5 ± 2.17 g and length 62.63 ± 0.18 cm (mean ± SD) were randomly distributed into 12 concrete pools in groups of 25. Fishes exposed to acute salinity of 0, 5, 10, and 15ppt for 30 minutes. Salt bath is used 5 times for 60 days (1, 15, 30, 45 and 60). At the end of 60^th day, growth indices including body weight, SGR, BWI, ADG, PER and FE revealed a significant increase at 5ppt salinity (P< 0.05) and fishes exposed to 15ppt exhibited the poorest growth. No statistical significant difference was observed between control and other treatments in total protein and albumin, also in total bacteria count in gill and skin of fishes (P>0.05) but higher levels of total protein and albumin and lower level of total bacteria observed in 5ppt treatment. The results of this study indicate that high acute salinity may compromise the growth of juvenile long nose sturgeon and suggest that, in commercial operations, salinity should be 5ppt.

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Aims: The objective of this study was to compare growth parameters and phenol content of different safflower (Carthamus tinctorius) cultivars and one wild species of safflower (Carthamus oxyacantha) under urea fertilizer and vermicompost treatments, to distinguish can we use vermicompost instead of urea fertilizer.
Methods: The experiment was carried out under greenhouse conditions. A factorial randomized complete block design with seven replications was used. Experimental treatments were three vermicompost rate; three levels of nitrogen fertilizer; and three types of safflower.
Findings: The number of leaves, leaf area, fresh and dry biomass weights significantly increased with vermicompost application. Urea fertilizer only increased the plant height. The interaction between plant cultivars and vermicompost was significant for phenol content. All growth parameters of safflower except dry biomass weight were significantly different between cultivars. Conclusion: Wild safflower responded more than other cultivars to treatments so it can be used in plant breeding programs. Vermicompost treatment act better than urea fertilizer for growing of safflower, so it can be used instead of chemical fertilizer.
 

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In the present study, the effect of two species of AMF, Glomus mosseae and Glomus intraradices, alone and in combination, was evaluated on the growth criteria, chlorophyll content, and root rot disease caused by Fusarium solani f. sp. pisi, on chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) under greenhouse conditions. Chickpea seeds were sown into pots containing 100 g of AMF inoculum (more than 1,000 propagules g^-1) and, after four weeks, root of seedlings were inoculated with conidia suspension (10⁶ conidia mL^-1) of F. solani f. sp. pisi. Six weeks after pathogen inoculation, shoot and root dry weight, shoot height, chlorophyll content and mycorrhizal and Fusarium colonization were measured. Results showed that inoculation of G. mosseae was more effective than G. intraradices and dual inoculations (G. intraradices+G. mosseae) on the above criteria. Inoculation of F. solani f. sp. pisi without AMF treatments reduced shoot height, shoot and root dry weight, and chlorophyll content significantly compared with the control. In the presence of AMF, root colonization by F. solani f. sp. pisi and disease severity decreased and individual inoculation with G. mosseae was more effective than the other treatments. Inoculation of G. mosseae and G. intraradices caused a significant increase in plant height, shoot and root dry weight, and chlorophyll content of pathogen-inoculated plants compared with inoculated chickpea plants with F. solani f. sp. pisi. Based on the results, application of G. mosseae was found to be the best for reducing the root rot disease and improving plant growth parameters of chickpea, followed by G. intraradices and dual inoculations.

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Drought stress reduces growth and productivity of crops in arid and semiarid regions, such as Iran. Methyl Jasmonate (MeJA) is involved in regulating plants growth and their immune responses. The main purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of MeJA on growth and some physiological responses of summer savory (Satureja hortensis) plant under drought stress condition. Treatments consisted of three levels of drought stress including stress free conditions, mild stress and severe stress, and four concentrations of MeJA (0, 75, 150, and 225 μM). The results showed that drought stress and MeJA application had a significant effect on morphological, physiological, and biochemical parameters. In drought conditions, some growth parameters, namely, relative water content and essential oil yield decreased and antioxidant activity, proline content, and essential oil percentage increased. The results suggest that MeJA application under drought stress can improve growth parameters as well as relative water content, proline content, antioxidant activity, and essential oil percentage and yield. The best protection appeared to be obtained from plants treated with MeJA at 75 μM.

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To study salinity tolerance of 15 basil accessions widely distributed across Iran, they were grown under two salt levels including control (no NaCl) and 40 mM NaCl (Hoagland nutrient solutions with EC of 1.1 and 5.5 dS m^-1, respectively). The studied parameters included morphological characteristics and chlorophyll a fluorescence transient (OJIP) measurements. According to the results, the accessions were categorized into three clusters under the salt stress. Salinity had significant effects on morphological and growth parameters in all basil plants. Compared to the control, NaCl decreased plant height. The number of leaves in Khash, Zabol, and Orumiyeh accessions was more than the others. Both salt and accession caused a decrease up to 43% in leaf fresh weight, emphasizing the major role of accession when salinity was applied. Salinity influenced negatively the biomass yield in basil plants. These decreases varied from 19 to 45% depending on the accessions. Salt treatment of basil plants decreased photosystem II activity, as evaluated from chlorophyll fluorescence data. The parameters that were most affected by salt treatment were maximal quantum yield of PSII photochemistry (F_V/F_M) and calculated Performance Index (PI_ABS). Overall, among the studied basil accessions, genotype Ardabil had superior tolerance to salt stress. Furthermore, the most of accessions can be used for studying the mechanism of salinity tolerance in basil plant.  

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Demographic parameters of the parasitoid wasp Trichogramma embryophagum Hartig reared on Sitotroga cerealella (Olivier) were determined for 40 generations (G5-G40). The experiments were done in a growth chamber at 26±2°C, 65±5% RH and photoperiod of 16:8 h (L:D). The results showed that the female longevity decreased significantly during successive production, ranging from 10.68 (in G5) to 9.64 days (in G40). On the other hand, the male longevity decreased significantly in the 20^th generation and no significant difference was found from G20 to G40. The oviposition days and mean total fecundity of T. embryophagum decreased as the number of generations increased. Generally, the wasps in earlier generations had longer adult longevity, longer life span, and higher fecundity than later generations. Moreover, sex ratio of T. embryophagum was not significantly different in successive generations. Results of paired bootstrap test indicated that all population growth parameters of T. embryophagum reared on S. cereallela were significantly different in successive generations. The highest and lowest values of the intrinsic rate of increase (r), finite rate of increase (λ), net Reproductive rate (R₀), Gross Reproductive Rate (GRR) and mean generation Time (T) of T. embryophagum were observed in G40 and G5, respectively. These results suggest that T. embryophagum wasps reared in sequential generations can be used successfully in biological control programs until the 20th generation without any loss of quality or performance; after that, regular rejuvenation of laboratory population by occasional importing of field-collected parasitoids should be done.