Effects of foliar spray of nano-particles of FeSO4 on the growth and ion content of sunflower under saline condition

This study investigated the effects of foliar spray of normal and nano-particles of iron sulfate (FeSO₄) on the response of sunflower cultivars to salinity. Treatments included five cultivars (Alstar, Olsion, Yourflor, Hysun36 and Hysun33), two salinity levels (0 and 100 mM sodium chloride (NaCl)), and three levels of fertilizer application. Fertilizer treatments were the foliar application of normal and nano-particles of FeSO₄. Foliar application of FeSO₄ in either form increased leaf area, shoot dry weight, net carbon dioxide (CO₂) assimilation rate (A), sub-stomatal CO₂ concentration (Ci), chlorophyll content, Fv/Fm and iron (Fe) content and decreased sodium (Na) content in leaves. The extent of increase in chlorophyll a content by foliar spray of FeSO₄ nano-particles was significantly greater than normal form. The results showed that the FeSO₄ nano-particles increased biomass production of sunflower plants greater in comparison with normal form, although no significant difference was found between two forms.     

Interaction study of biochar with phosphate-solubilizing bacterium on phosphorus availability in calcareous soil

A large proportion of phosphate fertilizer applied to calcareous soils reacts with calcium. Changes in soil phosphorus (P) availability after single application of biochar and phosphate-solubilizing bacteria have been reported. However, interaction of biochar (increasing soil pH) and phosphate-solubilizing bacteria (decreasing soil pH) on P availability in calcareous soil is not well known. An incubation experiment was conducted to study how the interactive effects of biochars (produced from wheat straw and cow manure at 300°C and 500°C with residence time of 1, 3 and 6 h) at different rates (0, 5 and 10 t ha^?1) and phosphate-solubilizing Pseudomonas sp. IS8b2 affected on content of soil available P after 0, 60, 120 and 180 days of incubation (DOI) in a calcareous soil. After 60 DOI, the maximum value of available P (50.31 mg kg^?1) was observed in the compound treatment of Pseudomonas sp. IS8b2 and wheat straw biochar (10 t ha^?1) produced at 500°C with residence time of 3 h. We conclude that the combination use of wheat straw biochar and phosphate-solubilizing bacterium is promising to potentially improve soil P availability in calcareous soil, but further research at field scale is needed to confirm this.     

Toxicity of selected biorational insecticides to Pulvinaria aurantii Cockerell and its predator,Cryptolaemus montrouzieri Mulsant in citrus field

The citrus cottony scale, Pulvinaria aurantii Cockerell, is the most important pest of citrus orchards in northern Iran in recent years. Owing to the harmful impacts of chemical insecticides, the use of biorational pesticides seems a safe and convenient way to control this pest. The present investigation was set up to study contact toxicity of various biorational and chemical compounds on the first, second instar nymph and overwintering adult of the citrus cottony scale, P. aurantii, and its predator, Cryptolaemus montrouzieri Mulsant under field conditions. The results indicated that the highest percentage of mortality of first instar nymph of the citrus cottony scale was observed in the Dayabon treatment of 9 and 10?ml/L, 100.0%?±?0.0% and the lowest percentage was observed in Palizin treatment of 1.5?ml/L, 34.7%?±?2.9%. In the second instar nymph, the highest mortality was seen in the Dursban treatment of 2?ml/L, 94.7%?±?2.4% and the lowest mortality in the Palizin treatment of 1.5?ml/L, 30.0%?±?2.3%. Also, for overwintering adults Dayabon 10?ml/L caused the highest mortality, 96.0%?±?4.0% during 24?h. In the case of ladybird insects, the highest and lowest percentage of mortality was observed in the Dursban treatment of 2?ml/L, 76.7%?±?8.8%, Dayabon 5?ml/L, and Palizin 2?ml/L, 3.3%?±?3.3%, respectively. The highest and lowest mortality rate of larvae of ladybird was estimated in the Dursban treatment of 2?ml/L, 83.3%?±?3.3% and Dayabon 5?ml/L, 3.3%?±?3.3%, respectively. Also, for overwintering predator adults Palizin 1.5?ml/L had the lowest mortality, 3.3%?±?3.3% during 24?h and this rate remain unchanged after 96?h after treatment. According to the results obtained, treatments with Dayabon 9 and 10?ml/L, can be a viable alternative to other high-risk chemical pesticides in addition to effectively controlling citrus cottony scale without having any adverse impacts on predator ladybird.     

Molecular characterization of a pigeon paramyxovirus type 1 virus isolated from Eurasian collared doves in Iran, 2017

In September 2017, an outbreak with high mortality, which showed the typical signs of ND, occurred among a flock of more than 2000 Eurasian collared doves in Konarak, southeast of Iran. A confirmed pigeon paramyxovirus type 1 strain was isolated from the brain tissues of the dead doves. The isolate, which was called Pigeon/Iran/Konarak/Barin/2017, was classified as a highly velogenic NDV. Complete genome sequencing and phylogenetic analysis showed that the isolate belonged to subgenotype XXI.2, which has never been reported from Iran before. The isolate had the highest homology (96.15%) with early 2010s Italian isolates. Further studies will be required to understand the diversity better.