---

Potassium (K) mitigates the effect of high temperature on canola, especially during its later growth stages when sowing of canola is delayed. To explore the effect of K on high temperature tolerance and canola production a field experiment (2019 – 2021) was conducted. The experiment had two sowing dates (October 15 and November 1) and four K treatments, i.e. control, soil application (50 kg K ha^-1), soil application + 0.25% K foliar spray at pre- and post-flowering stages and soil application + 0.50% K foliar spray at pre and post-flowering stages. Application of 50 kg K ha^-1 as soil application along with 0.50% K-foliar sprays resulted in higher production of biochemicals (superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, catalase, and total soluble sugars) besides net photosynthetic rate and stomatal conductance along with less malondialdehyde production and relative cell injury in crops sown on November 1^st than untreated plants. Moreover, it also enhanced chlorophyll florescence and chlorophyll (a and b) contents of late- sown crops. Plants sown on November 1^st and received 50 kg K ha^-1 as soil application along with 0.50% K foliar spray also gave a higher yield components, yield and economic returns than control. Therefore, it is suggested to supply 50 kg K ha^-1 at sowing and a foliar spray of 0.50% K at the pre- and post-flowering stages to canola crops sown late in the season to achieve optimal and economical yield levels.
 

---

The study aimed to assess the pathogenicity of the fungus Alternaria alternata on various Tulipa L. species and elucidate its phylogenetic position. The research focused on five specific tulip varieties: T. Albatros, T. Tarda, T. Delta Storm, T. Biflora, and T. Biebersteiniana. Methodologies included molecular analysis, microscopic examinations, cultivation of fungi on PDA, and sequencing of the 18S and 5.8S rRNA genes, as well as the D1/D2 region of the 26S rRNA gene. Results revealed variable pathogenicity across tulip species, with T. Albatros showing complete leaf damage and extensive conidium formation, while T. Biebersteiniana exhibited minimal damage. Factors influencing infection severity included plant variety, conidium formation, and environmental conditions. Sequencing confirmed the fungus's affiliation with the Alternaria genus and highlighted its close relation to other species. The findings underscore the importance of molecular methods for accurate pathogen identification and phylogenetic classification. These results are crucial for developing targeted disease management strategies and enhancing plant resilience in agriculture.The application of the findings is feasible within agriculture to develop resilient varieties and methods for managing the dissemination of A. alternata. Plant diseases involve complex interactions between pathogens and hosts, where fungi like Alternaria alternata disrupt plant physiology through toxin production and enzyme secretion, making effective management crucial

---

 

---

During a laboratory biological study of a midge, Feltiella acarisuga (Vallot, 1827) (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae), acarivorous on two-spotted spider mites, some ceraphronid specimens were reared from the midge cocoons. A detailed morphological study and comparison with previously known species revealed that the ceraphronid is a new species of Aphanogmus Thomson, 1858 (Hymenoptera: Ceraphronidae). The new species is described as A. feltiellophagus Lotfalizadeh, sp. nov. and compared with closely related species. An identification key for all Aphanogmus species associated with predatory cecidomyiids is provided. As a parasitoid of the pupal stage of Feltiella acarisuga, the potential negative impact of A. feltiellophagus on the biological control of tetranychid mites is discussed.

---

This study evaluates changes in species composition, catch, and CPUE of three species of kilkas in the Caspian Sea from 1961 to 2009. The effects of fluctuations in sea level rise and fall on the catch of kilka as well as the impacts of a recent invasion by Mnemiopsis leidyi (Ctenophora) were assessed in terms of species composition and CPUE of kilkas in the Iranian coastal region of the Caspian Sea. We found a negative correlation between long-term sea level changes and total catch (R2 = –0.56; P<0.001, which significantly declined in 1995 when the sea level increased to its highest level. Comparing catch per unit effort (CPUE) values during the pre-invasion (1996–1999) and post-invasion (2000–2009) periods indicated significant declines in anchovy and bigeye kilka, while common kilka increased significantly after the ctenophore invasion. During 2000–2009 overfishing, together with various environmental impacts following the introduction of Mnemiopsis, were major factors that contributed to changes in species composition and the collapse of kilka stocks in the Caspian Sea.

---

A new species of oak gallwasp, Andricus synophri (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae: Cynipini) is described from Iran. Data on the diagnosis, distribution and biology of the new species are given. This species is known only from asexual females and induces galls on the twigs of Quercus brantii and Q. libani. Galls aremultilocular, develop on lateral buds of young branches. According to its morphology, Andricus synophri belongs to a large group of 12 Andricus species, the “Adleria non-kollari” group.

---

The genus Ametastegia Costa 1882 (Hymenoptera: Tenthredinidae: Allantinae) was studied in northern Iran. The specimens were collected using sweeping net and Malaise traps during March to November 2010 and 2011. Four species were collected and identified of which Ametastegia persica Khayrandish, Talebi & Blank sp. n. is described as new to science. An illustrated key for identification of Ametastegia species in Iran is provided.

---

In order to study the role of Pythium species associated with cantaloupe root and crown rot, samples were collected from infected fields in different areas of Khorasan Razavi province during 2009-2010. The Root pieces were washed and cultured on CMA-PARP medium. The pythium isolates were then purified by hyphal tip method and identified based on van der Plaats-Niterink mycological key. The pathogenic species were identified as Pythium aphanidermatum, P. ultimum var. ultimum, and P. deliense. The pathogenicity of isolates on cantaloupe seedlings was tested under greenhouse conditions by using wheat grain inoculum. The results indicated that P. aphanidermatum was the most prevalent species and was recovered in all the regions. P. ultimum was isolated from Neyshabour, Fariman and Mashhad whereas P. deliense was detected in Khaaf. This to our knowledge, is the first report on occurrence and distribution of Pythium species causing root and stem rot on cantaloupes in Khorasan province.

---

The present study aimed to assess pure planted species (i.e., Alnus subcordata L., Poplus deltoids L., Taxadium distichum L. Rich) and a mixed natural forest (i.e., dominated by Quercus castaneifolia C. A. Mey. - Carpinus betulus L. - Parrotia persica C. A. Meyer) on basis of some soil quality indices in Mazandaran Province, northern Iran. Sixteen samples per stand were taken from the top 10 cm of soil and bulk density, texture, water content, pH, EC, organic C, total N, available nutrients, earthworm biomass, microbial respiration, fine root biomass with organic C and total N of litter layer were determined. Nine criteria (i.e., silt, EC, K, Ca, Mg, microbial respiration, fine root biomass, nitrogen mineralization and litter C/N) were selected according to Principal Component Analysis (PCA) as Minimum Data Set (MDS). The analytical hierarchy process (AHP) method was employed to assign the data integration in an index. The calculated overall priority based on nine criteria, showed that the A. subcordata forest type had higher ecological potential (0.370) compared to the other stands. Whereas, P. deltoids mixed natural forest and T. distichum with ecological potential of 0.295, 0.213 and 0.122 had next priorities, respectively. As a conclusion, the N-fixing species, A. subcordata, was found more efficient in improving soil quality in degraded forest regions

---

The main diatomic structure-forming species of the Zayandehrud Reservoir was investigated by collecting samples from the surface, five, seven and 10 m depths from January 2011 to October 2012 along four linear transects. Asterionella formosa Hassall, Cyclotella ocellata Pantocsek and Fragilaria crotonensis Kitton were revealed as the three structure-forming species among diatomic algae in the reservoir. The number of these diatomic cells increased from the reservoir banks to its central areas, but their abundance was non-uniformly distributed at the 10-meter water column at different sites, except for C. ocellata that showed a practically uniform distribution at the peak of its maximum growth. Overall, the frequency and cover of these structure-forming diatoms changed under the influence of different abiotic variables such as electrical conductivity (EC) and nitrate (NO₃-N).

---

The subfamily Microgastrinae Foerster, 1862 (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonoidea, Braconidae) is a challenging and the most diverse groups of braconids that has significant importance in biological control programs. They are koinobiont endoparasitoids of lepidopteran larvae and generally attack and develop in early instars and exit from the host larvae to pupate. In current paper, the findings of primary taxonomic investigations on these valuable biocontrol agents is presented and for each genus, the general habitus of a represented species is illustrated. Also, the proportion of known hosts for some genera was provided. The purpose of this paper is to provide a preliminary information of the Microgastrinae in Iran to serve as a starting point for future studies on the group and to encourage further study of more species in other regions of Iran, on various aspects of taxonomic, ecological, host associations, conservation, DNA barcoding and bio-control.

---

The grape erineum mite (GEM), Colomerus vitis (Pagenstecher) (Acari: Eriophyidae) is considered to be one of the most important pests, that sometimes causes irreversible damages to grapevine cultivars in western parts of Iran. Studies were carried out in order to find natural enemies associated with GEM, during 2011-2013. Results indicated that natural enemies included two species of predatory mites belonging to the families Phytoseiidae [Typhlodromus (Anthoseius) khosrovensis, T. (Anthoseius) bagdasarjani], Tydeidae (Neopronematus sp.), one species of Anystidae (Anystis baccarum), one species of Stigmaeidae (Zetzellia mali), one species of dipteran: Cecidomyiidae (Arthrocnodax vitis Rubsaamen), four species, belonging to the family Coccinellidae (Stethorus gilvifrons, Coccinella septempunctata, Hipodamya varigiata, Harmonia sp.), two species of predatory bugs belonging to the family Anthocoridae (Orius albidipennis, O. niger) and one species of Chrysopidae (Chrysopa carnea). Amongst them the cecidomyiid, the tydeid mite and the phytoseiid mites, had higher population densities in this area.      

---

Samples from five sturgeon species including Persian sturgeon (Acipenser persicus), Russian sturgeon (A. gueldenstaedti), Great sturgeon (Huso huso),Ship sturgeon (A. nudi-ventris) and Stellate sturgeon (A. stellatus) were collected from the South Caspian Sea. DNA was extracted from the fins, eggs and skeleton muscle of the five species. RAPD markers were used for identifying different kinds of black caviar and sturgeon meat. The polymorphic band from RAPD amplification of DNA from two out of five sturgeon spe-cies was purified, cloned and sequenced. RAPD analysis was carried out in order to com-pare the five species using an operon primer set. Sequence Characterised Amplifed Re-gion (SCAR) primers were designed and used to amplify caviar DNA from five sturgeon species. A marker of potential economic importance was discovered that is able to distin-guish three species from caviar and also to distinguish Ship sturgeon caviar from osetra caviar (from Russian and Persian sturgeon) and also other species. This marker could as-sist international conservation and legal efforts to save what is left of the commercial Ship sturgeon populations which are endangered and whose caviar is at present substituted for the more expensive osetra caviar.

---

Cercosporoid fungi including the genus Cercospora and other morphologically similar genera are associated with leaf spot symptoms on various host plants. In this research three taxa including Passalora cucurbiticola (on Cucurbita sp.), P. bolleana (on Ficus carica), and Pseudocercosporella capsellae (on Capsella bursa-pastoris, Sinapis arvensis) were identified. Among these, P. cucurbiticola and P. capsellae are new records for mycobiota of Iran.  

---

Research subject:
Zinc is one of the most dangerous organic components in industrial wastewaters, which pollutes the environment as a result of human activities and various industrial operations. In the present study, the adsorbent prepared from Gracilaria Corticata algae was used for the first time to recover and remove heavy metal zinc and equilibrium study of the process were done.
Research approach:
In the current work, the effect of important parameters such as initial pH of solution, adsorbent dosage and contact time were investigated on the adsorption efficiency of the process. Additionally, Langmuir and Freundlich two-parameter adsorption isotherm models were used to model the equilibrium of zinc adsorption.
Main results:
The results showed that according to the calculated correlation coefficient, Freundlich isotherm was better than the Langmuir in fitting the experimental data. The highest point-to-point correlation coefficient for adsorbent percentage was achieved at 3 g/ml adsorbent dosage with contact time of min 360 and pH=7 and the lowest one was at 4 g/ml adsorbent dose with contact time of min PH=360 and 7. However, the highest adsorption rate was observed for the adsorbent dosage of 4 g/ml with contact time of 420 min at pH=9 and the lowest adsorption percentage was achieved at the adsorbent dosage of 2 g/ml with contact time of 300 min and pH=5. The maximum and minimum adsorption percentages were 76.88 mg/g and 49.25 mg/g, respectively

---

The genus Spilomena Shuckard, 1838, is reviewed from the Indian subcontinent. One new species, Spilomena keralaensis Rajan, Sureshan & Girish Kumar sp. nov. is described from the Southern Western Ghats of Kerala and differences from similar species are given.

---

Maize genotypes were screened for host resistance and seed treatment chemicals were evaluated in field to manage Fusarium ear rot complex of maize at high- and mid-hill environments in Nepal during 2003 and 2004. Seven popular maize genotypes along with a susceptible check were used in the host resistance study. The maize genotypes adopted from exotic sources, Manakamana-3 and Deuti, performed superior for ear rot resistance. Three seed treatment chemicals, Vitavax® 200B, Captan 75 WP, and Bavistin® were tested in Fusarium susceptible cultivar. Seed treatment chemicals, Vitavax® 200B, Captan 75 WP and Bavistin®, significantly (P < 0.05) reduced ear rot incidences of maize. This study suggests that cultivation of resistant varieties and applications of seed treatment chemicals can be integrated to prevent crop loss from ear rot complex and reduce potential health hazards due to mycotoxins contamination in maize grains.

---

The pteromalid genus Zolotarewskya Risbec (Pteromalidae: Cleonyminae) is reported from India after a gap of 45 years with the description of a new species and one new species of Cleonymus Latrielle are described from Southern Western Ghats, Kerala, India. Affinities of the new species with closely related species are discussed and a key to the oriental species of Cleonymus is also provided. Male of Dipara hayati Sureshan is also described for the first time.

---

In this study, the list of Collembola from west of Iran and collection information such as study site, habitats, e.g. soils, grasslands, leaf-litter, vegetation, snowfields, etc., and collectors has been presented between years 2013-3018. Moreover some samples were collected and the identified by the author during 2017-2018. In the last case, Collembolans were extracted using the respirator or Berlese funnels. When greater clearing was required, Nesbitt's solution (40g chloral hydrate, 25 mL distilled water, and 2.5 mL concentrated acetic acid) was used for heavily pigmented specimens. In the first Iranian checklist of Collembola published in 2013, 17 species, 15 genera and seven families were introduced from west of Iran. After review and analysis of the available literature and the examination of samples collected by the author from west of Iran, were listed 88 species, belonging to 42 genera, 16 families and four orders. The genus Entomobrya and Folsomia are having highest number of species for analyzed region. An up-to-date systematic checklist of Collembolans has been provided.

 

---

In this study a total of 37 syrphid species belonging to 25 genera were identified in Mazandaran province, northern Iran. One genus and species, Brachyopa (Brachyopa) bicolor (Fallén, 1817) and two species Heringia (Neocnemodon) latitarsis (Egger, 1865) and Cheilosia soror (Zetterstedt, 1843) are recorded for the first time from Iran. In addition, saproxylic syrphids of Iran are briefly discussed.