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Around 80% of the population relies on agriculture, rice being the staple food. Topography urges farmers to cultivate upland rice. The Chinese interest in rubber latex has stimulated farmers to grow rubber, although the technical knowledge regarding tree management and latex processing is poor. A study was conducted in an area in Luang Prabang province to examine the suitability of upland rice and rubber. The major objective was to make a comparison within and between three suitability evaluation methods, two of which are expert-driven whereas the third one was executed by a group of farmers. For the fuzzy model different membership values were set and weighed using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) technique. According to the Boolean classification 88% of the study area is suitable for upland rice, and 85% is suitable for rubber. The fuzzy method yielded 89% suitable for upland rice and 88% suitable for rubber. Farmers came up with 37% suitable for upland rice and 14% suitable for rubber. Comparison is made between the different methods. A reasonable agreement between farmers’ suitability maps and the expert-based methods is obtained for the upland rice than for the rubber-based land utilization type (LUT). This can be attributed to the lack of know-how on the latter.

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In the present study, the Alysiini (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Alysiinae) material from Switzerland deposited in the Entomological collection of Natural History Museum London (UK) and Biologiezentrum Linz (Austria) was identified. A total of 56 Alysiini species are catalogued. Thirty-eight species are recorded for the first time for the Swiss fauna. A faunistic list with distribution data is provided.

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New data for the genus Aspilota Foerster, 1863 (Braconidae: Alysiinae) of the Western Asia are provided. Four species, A. flagimilis Fischer, 1966, A. insolita (Tobias, 1962), A. latitemporata Fischer, 1976 and A. nidicola Hedqvist, 1972, are recorded for the first time from Iran. Illustrated re-descriptions of Aspilota alfalfae Fischer, Lashkari Bod, Rakhshani & Talebi, 2011, A. delicata Fischer, 1973, A. flagimilis, A. insolita, A. latitemporata, and A. nidicola are presented. A key to the Western Asian species of Aspilota is provided.

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The diagnosis and new contributions of the genus Chorebus Haliday, 1833 from Eastern Iranian provinces (North Khorasan, Khorasan-e Razavi, and Sistan-o Baluchestan) are provided. Samplings were carried out from 2009 to 2014. A total of 18 species are listed. Chorebus (C.)ruficollis(Stelfox, 1957) is recorded for the first time fromIran. An identification key is provided for Chorebus species occurring in the Eastern Iran.

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Braconidae (Hymenoptera) communities at high altitudes in alfalfa fields of Kerman province (Iran) were analyzed. The communities were sampled by sweep netting in 2014 and 2015. Samples were taken from three altitudinal transects: 1900–2300 m, 2400–2700 m and 2800–3100 m. A total of 1773 braconid specimens belonging to seven subfamilies were collected. Alpha, beta and gamma diversities were analyzed. The samples from 1900–2300 m and from2400–2700 m showed similar diversity, but from 2800-3100 m had the highest number of specimens and differed considerably in diversity.

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The subfamily Alysiinae (Hymenoptera, Braconidae) is one of the most peculiar and diverse endoparasitoids of the family Braconidae. A sampling survey was done in different parts of Iran, mainly in South, Central and South Eastern provinces. Fifteen species are recorded for the first time from Iran. They were belonging to tribe Alysiini (Dinotrema amparoae Peris-Felipo, 2013; D. borzhomii Tobias, 2004; D. dimorpha (Fischer, 1976); D. perlustrandum (Fischer, 1973); D. sinecarinum (Fischer, 1993); D. tauricum (Telenga, 1935); Orthostigma longicorne Konigsmann, 1969; Phaenocarpa bicolor (Foerster, 1863); P. carinthiaca Fischer, 1975 and Synaldis maxima Fischer, 1972) and Dacnusini (Chorebus melanophytobiae Griffiths, 1968; C. thusa (Nixon, 1937); Dacnusa areolaris (Nees, 1811); D. aquilegiae Marshall, 1896 and D. metula (Nixon, 1954)). List of Iranian Alysiinae including 108 species is also presented.

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The present paper provides the updated checklist of the genera and species in the subfamily Alysiinae (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) from Iran. A total of 55 species belonging to 13 genera have been listed, that had been recorded from 15 provinces. The recorded species belong to the genera Alloea Haliday, 1833 (one species), Aphaereta Foerster, 1862 (two species), Aspilota Foerster, 1862 (two species), Dinotrema Foerster, 1862 (four species), Idiasta Foerster, 1862 (one species), Orthostigma Ratzeburg, 1844 (three species), Phaenocarpa Foerster, 1861 (one species), Pseudopezomachus Montero, 1905 (one species) and Synaldis Foerster, 1862 (four species) from the tribe Alysiini, and Chorebus Haliday, 1833 (28 species), Coelinidea Viereck 1913 (one species), Dacnusa Haliday, 1833 (five species) and Protodacnusa Griffiths, 1964 (two species) from the tribe Dacnusini.

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The present paper provides information about the Alysiinae (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) species captured in Kerman province (Iran). A total of 14 species belonging to eight genera were collected and identified, of which three species are reported for the first time from Iran: Dinotrema (Prosapha) speculum (Haliday, 1838), Idiasta (Idiasta) dichrocera Konigsmann, 1960 and Protodacnus atristis (Nees, 1834). Diagnostic characters of the newly recorded species is presented.

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Adelius aridus (Tobias, 1967) (Braconidae, Cheloninae) is recorded for the first time from Iran. It was collected among Tamarix stricta Boiss and Tamarix aphylla (L.) Karst. shrubs in Eastern Iran (Hamoon wetlands, Sistan), of which the latter was severely infested by an unknown nepticulid leaf miner (Lepidoptera, Nepticulidae). Adelius aridus is redescribed and its generic position is discussed.

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Chromatomyia horticola (Goureau) (Diptera: Agromyzidae) is a highly polyphagous leaf miner that causes severe damage to different crops. Sampling on the Alysiinae (Braconidae) parasitoids of C. horticola was performed at various locations of Kermanshah province during 2009–2010. Infested leaves of host plants bearing the larvae and puparia of C. horticola were collected and placed inside the plastic rearing boxes and transferred to laboratory. The samples were preserved for 2–4 weeks, until the emergence of parasitoids. Three species of Alysiinae parasitoids were reared and identified in association with C. horticola in Kermanshah including, Chorebus (Stiphrocera) aphantus (Marshall, 1986), Chorebus (Stiphrocera) uliginosus (Haliday, 1839) and Dacnusa (Aphanta) hospita (Foerster, 1862). All three species have been recorded for the first time as parasitoids of C. horticola. In addition, C. aphantus is newly recorded for the fauna of Iran. An identification key to the parasitoid species is given.  

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Field experiments were conducted to determine the optimum application rate of sunn hemp Crotalaria juncea leaf residue in the management of Meloidogyne incognita on tomato. Sunn hemp applied at rates of 0 (control), 2, 4 and 6 kg/ha showed a varied effect on second stage juveniles of M. incognita. There were no differences in plant height and stem girth. The 6 kg/ha treatment reduced the M. incognita population by 94% compared with the control. The highest yield of tomato (168.7 kg/ha) was recorded in 6 kg/ha treatment of sunn hemp.

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The present study provides new data about the fauna and phenology of Opiinae (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) species captured in high mountain areas of Kerman province (South-Eastern Iran). Sampling was carried out from April 2014 to September 2015. In total, 19 species belonging to four genera have been listed of which Opius (Cryptonastes) gracilis Fischer, 1957, Phaedrotoma gafsaensis (Fischer, 1964) and Phaedrotoma scaptomyzae (Fischer, 1967) are recorded for the first time from Iran.

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A total of seven Dacnusini (Hym., Braconidae, Alysiinae) species are recorded for the first time for Sweden: Antrusa chrysotegula (Tobias, 1986), Aristelix phaenicura (Haliday, 1839), Chorebus (Phaenolexis) caesariatus Griffiths, 1967, Chorebus (Chorebus) scabrifossa Stelfox, 1957, Coelinidea gracilis (Curtis, 1829), Eucoelinidea compressa Tobias, 1979 and Sarops rea Nixon, 1942. Moreover, the genera Aristelix Nixon, 1943, Eucoelinidea Tobias, 1979 and Sarops Nixon, 1942 are thus recorded for the first time in Sweden. Finally, a checklist of the Swedish Dacnusini species is provided.

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Three different solvents namely; hexane, ethyl acetate and ethanol were used in partitioning the extracts obtained from Piper guineense seeds and solvent extracts were investigated for the presence or absence of secondary metabolites. Extracts were further evaluated on adult maize weevils, Sitophilus zeamais. Experiment was carried out under laboratory conditions at 27 ± 2 °C ambient temperatures and 65 ± 5% relative humidity and was arranged in a completely randomised design in four replicates. Parameters assessed, including contact toxicity, repellent effects as well as effect of solvent extracts on the germination of maize seeds. Results obtained showed that the solvent extracts contained all the secondary metabolites tested except flavonoids and steroids. As well, all the solvent extracts were lethal and possessed high repellent action against S. zeamais, with ethanol fraction being the most potent. There was no significant difference in the germination of seeds treated with the solvent extracts as well as the ethanol control. The results obtained from this study reveal P. guineese as a potential candidate for bio insecticide and could serve as an alternative to synthetic insecticides.

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The present study analyses the effects of multifunctional areas (MA) for three years (2013–2015) on an intensive multi-crop farm in Portugal. The implementation of MA resulted in a wide range of enhancements in the insect community, such as significant effects as a reservoir, allowing an increase of 102.47% in the number of species and 97.64% of individuals. MA play an important role in conservation strategies and help increase the population of rare and threatened arthropod species.

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Cabbage is an important component of agriculture in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) for its various food uses. It is important to identify pests that affect its production, which is still insufficient to meet the increasing consumer needs. Furthermore, insect data for tropical agroecosystems, particularly those of DRC are limited, making insect diversity poorly understood. The objective of this study is to assess the diversity and abundance of entomofauna related to cabbage in five different cabbage growing sites: Minova, Sake, Kibumba, Rutshuru and Lac Vert. This was achieved by trapping insects with the sweep net and yellow pantraps during 2021 and 2022. A total of 1109 insects from 9 orders and 48 families were collected. The most abundant pest families were Ciccadellidae (8%), Coreidae (7%), Chysomelidae (5%) and Pentatomidae (4%). The main families of beneficial insects (natural enemies and pollinators) identified were Syrphidae (7%), Carabidae (4%), Coccinellidae (3%) and Apidae (3%). Insect communities found in different locations were similar and diversified. Considering functions played by these different functional groups as ecological indicators, it is important to preserve entomological biodiversity. This is achieved through the rational selection of pest management methods to optimize ecosystem services provided by beneficial insects.

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One of the best-known rice-infecting microorganisms is Aspergillus flavus, which produces toxic metabolites known as Aflatoxins (AFs). This study was designed to detect potential simultaneous biosynthesis of the four main AFs (AFB₁, AFB₂, AFG₁, and AFG₂) in rice-infecting strains of A. flavus. The AF prevalence was studied in 109 strains of A. flavus, which were collected from stored Indian rice grains from 300 locations in the Middle Euphrates region of Iraq from 2015 to 2016. The potential AFs were extracted and quantified simultaneously using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) equipped with a photodiode array detector. The results revealed that 29% (n= 32) of strains were non-aflatoxigenic, while the remaining 71% (n= 77) were confirmed to be aflatoxigenic, with variable ability to produce mono-, bi-, and tri-AFs. AFB₁, AFG₂, AFG₁, and AFB₂ were produced by 49 (45%), 44 (40%), 20 (18%), and 17 (16%) strains, respectively, at various concentrations. The concentration of AFB₁ was the highest among the A. flavus strains, with a mean value of 3,561.9 µg kg^-1. In conclusion, the most abundant AF synthesized by the rice-infecting A. flavus strains was AFB₁. Contamination with AFs continues to pose potential health risks to animals as well as humans. These results clearly indicate that the improper storage conditions of rice in Iraq were favourable for the growth of A. flavus and contamination with AFs. National-level studies are mandatory to avoid foodborne intoxications. Strict regulations should be devised and imposed to prevent synthesis of AFs on rice grains.
 

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Photoselective nets are used to protect horticultural plants from sunburn and prolong the cropping period in conditions of excess light. In this work, we studied the influence of four photoselective shading nets (Pearl 30, Red 30, Silver 30, Red 40), a standard black-colored net (Black 35), and a control (no cover) on the evolution of color during the ripening of two types of pepper, namely, Lamuyo and California. For this purpose, the evolution of the colors of the fruit was followed from the beginning of their formation until the harvest, and was correlated with the total radiation and the temperature. The plant material used were peppers of the California type -cultivars Bendigo and Cayetano- and of the Lamuyo type, cultivars Alcudia and Pompeo. The results showed that the rate of change of the pepper coloration depended on the net used in the greenhouse. The speed of the change in color from green to red was more dependent on the cultivar and the total radiation, as conditioned by the different photoselective nets, than on the type of pepper. The greatest differences were between the control (without a net) and the black net, the increase in the red color of the peppers being faster in the former. Radiation values below 75 W m^-2 or greater than 110 W m^-2 negatively affected the yield. The temperature below the net was not affected significantly by the type of net, and thus its effect on the different cultivars was similar.

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This study aimed to investigate the impact of Juglans regia Kernel Powder (JKP) on broiler chickens subjected to Aflatoxin (AF)-contaminated diets during a 42-day feeding trial conducted in February and March 2022. A total of 240 one-day-old broiler chickens were divided into four dietary groups: Diet 1 (Control), Diet 2 (0.5 mg kg^-1 AF), Diet 3 (0.5 mg kg^-1 AF+250 mg kg^-1 JKP), and Diet 4 (0.5 mg kg^-1 AF+500 mg kg^-1 JKP). Birds on Diet 2 exhibited a significantly lower (P= 0.01) relative growth rate compared to the other diets. JKP supplementation at 250 mg kg^-1 (Diet 3) and 500 mg kg^-1 (Diet 4) mitigated the negative impact of AF on growth. Birds on Diet 2 showed significantly lower (P= 0.01) serum concentrations of total protein, albumin, and globulin compared to those on Diets 1, 3, and 4. Elevated levels of Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and creatinine in Diet 2 indicated liver and kidney damage. Alanine Transaminase (ALT) concentrations in Diet 2 were higher (P= 0.01) than Diets 1 and 4. Birds fed diet 2 had lower glucose levels (P= 0.01) than diets 1 and 4. IgA levels in birds fed Diet 2 were lower (P= 0.03) than those in the birds fed Diet 4. Birds fed diet 2 had considerably (P< 0.05) lower IgE and IgG levels than birds fed diets 1 and 4. Nuclear Factor Kappa B (NFK B) was higher (P= 0.01) in birds fed Diet 2 compared to other diets. Interleukin 6 (IL 6) concentration was significantly (P= 0.01) higher in the birds fed Diet 2 than in the other diets. A recommended dietary supplementation of 250 mg kg^-1 JKP is suggested based on the observed ameliorative effects.