Comparative performance of the cotton bollworm,Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) on various host plants

The effect of various host plants; chickpea (varieties Arman, Hashem, Azad and Binivich), bean varieties (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), common bean (Khomein), white kidney bean (Dehghan), red kidney bean (Goli), cowpea (variety Mashhad) and tomato (variety Meshkin) on the life table parameters of the cotton bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) were evaluated under laboratory conditions (25 ± 1 °C, 65 ± 5 % RH and a 16:8 h light:dark photoperiod). Records for larval period, pupal period, and development time of H. armigera were longest on tomato (24.9, 15.1, and 45.4 days, respectively) and shortest on chickpea Arman (17.5, 9.1, and 31.7 days, respectively). Among various host plants fecundity (total number of eggs laid per female) was highest (2,665 eggs) on chickpea Arman and the lowest (700 eggs) on tomato. The net reproductive rate (R ₀) was significantly affected by various host plants being highest on chickpea Arman (1,422) and lowest on tomato (111.3 females/female/generation). The highest and lowest intrinsic rates of natural increase (r _m) were observed on chickpea Arman (0.244 day^?1) and tomato (0.123 day^?1) varieties, respectively. Cluster analysis of the life table parameters of H. armigera on various host plants indicated that tomato, in comparison to other plants was an unsuitable host to H. armigera.     

Assessment of some soil thermal conductivity models via variations in temperature and bulk density at low moisture range

Simulation of heat transfer in soil under steady and unsteady situations requires reliable estimate of soil thermal conductivity (λ) at varying environmental conditions. In the current work several soil thermal conductivity predicting models including I) de Vries, II) Campbell, III) combined de Vries and Campbell and IV) de Vries-Nobre were evaluated for the four soils of coarse sand, sandy loam, loam and clay loam textured at varying in temperature and bulk density at low moisture range. Thermal conductivities measured by the cylindrical probe method served as the reference for models assessment. Results showed that approximately same thermal conductivities obtained by the five methods at low moisture range (θ ≤ 0.05 m³/m³). Also the de Vries and de Vries-Campbell models produced accurate than Campbell and de vries-Nobre models. The accuracy of the two models increased with soil compaction but decreased with temperature rise. Campbell model showed more reliability at higher (311.16 and 321.16 K) temperatures; but its accuracy declined with soil compaction in current work. It seems that assuming needle shape for the soil particles is far away from the reality whereas assuming spherical shapes may be more realistic and produced more satisfactory prediction of thermal conductivity. The compaction would alter particle arrangement and may increase the contact area of particles; and then make them behave more or less spherical shape.it seems thermal conductivity in solid particles increase via increasing in temperature. Since a modified mineral shape factor, g_m, was developed as a combination between sphere and needle according to geometric mean particle diameter as well as bulk density and temperature as modifying factors. This factor increased the accuracy of de Vries-Nobre model up to 10.37%. Regarding nonlinear regression model, moisture content, bulk density, temperature and quartz content demonstrated significant effect on soil thermal conductivity in our investigation.     

Bacterial susceptibility to and chemical composition of essential oils from Thymus kotschyanus and Thymus persicus

Susceptibility of Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Klebsiella pneumonia, and Pseudomonas aeroginosa to the essential oils extracted from two varieties of Thyme, i.e., Thymus kotschyanus Boiss. and Hohen. and Thymus persicus L. at preflowering and flowering stages were studied. The disk diffusion method was used to evaluate the zone of microbial growth inhibition at various concentrations of the oils. Minimal inhibitory concentration and minimal bactericidal concentration of the oils were determined and compared with each other. The oils from the above plants were found to be strongly bactericidal with that of T. kotschyanus being more effective. T. kotschyanusand T. persicus oils analyzed by gas chromatography (GC) and GC/mass spectrometry (MS) lead to identification of 33 and 26 components, respectively. The profile of the oil components from T. persicuswas similar to that of T. kotschyanus in almost all of the compounds but at different concentrations. The major components of T. kotschyanus oil before and at the flowering stages were carvacrol (35.06, 22.75%), thymol (26.60, 16.52%), gamma-terpinene (7.81, 0.34%), gamma-terpinene (4.34, 0%), borneol (2.29, 4.52%), myrcene (0.26, 12.65%), thymolquinone (0, 11.39%), nerol (0, 6.10%), and beta-caryophyllene (0, 5.54%), respectively, and those of T. persicus at the same stages were carvacrol (38.96, 27.07%), thymol (6.48, 11.86%), P-cymene (7.51, 10.16%), gamma-terpineol (0, 9.51%), nerol (15.66, 9.41%), gamma-terpinene (6.11, 6.51%), and thymol acetate (5.29, 5.30%), respectively. The contribution of oil components to its antibacterial property is discussed. High aromatic compound content of the phenol-rich oils seems to account for strong antibacterial activity.     

Assessment for salinity tolerance through intergeneric hybridisation: Triticum durum × Aegilops speltoides

Summary Triploid hybrid embryos (AABB × SS = ABS) were produced by crossing two moderately salt-tolerant wheats, namely Triticum turgidum durum and Aegilops speltoides subsp. speltoides. The embryos were rescued by culturing on agar No. 1. Chromosome doubling was achieved by using 0.05% colchicine. The resulting hexaploid plants grew to maturity, and produced a considerable amount of seed (≈40,000). The synthetic hexaploid (C₂) was tested for salinity tolerance, grown at 0, 100, 125, 150, 160, 170, 180 and 200 mM NaCl in a standard nutrient solution for 2 weeks. The criterion of salt tolerance was root growth in different NaCl concentrations. The amphidiploid material showed greater salinity tolerance than either parent, suggesting the presence of different genes for tolerance in the parents.     

Prevalence,phenotypic and genotypic diversity,antibiotic resistance,and frequency of virulence genes in Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolated from shrimps

Preventive measures should be prioritized for the increased growth of bacterial contamination in aquatic organisms. This study is aimed at molecular investigation of the prevalence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, antibiotic resistance, and virulence factor encoding genes. After confirmation of P. aeruginosa collected from shrimp samples (in the same size) in Isfahan and Chabahar (Iran) in summer and autumn, antibiotic resistance encoding genes, virulence factor encoding genes, and multi-drug resistance (MDR) patterns were assessed. Bacterial contamination from Isfahan was higher than Chabahar despite having a cooler climate on summer days. Antibiotic resistance to piperacillin in fresh shrimp samples in summer in Isfahan was contrary to its usage as a front-line antibiotic agent. Lowered MDR pattern in frozen shrimp viability of bacteria was related to the varied expression of antibiotic resistance, highlighting the importance of regulations for cold chain in storage, transportation, and distribution of marine samples compared to fresh shrimps. Foodborne pathogens are of clinical and environmental importance. Results of our study indicated a high rate of frequency for P. aeruginosa isolated from marine samples. Maintenance of cold chain has indispensable roles in preservation, and reduction of P. aeruginosa frequency in aquatic organisms.

     

Serum biochemical characteristics of Beluga, Huso huso (L.), in response to blood sampling after clove powder solution exposure

In order to investigate the effect of anesthesia on serum parameters, Beluga, Huso huso (L.) were blood-sampled immediately without anesthesia (control) or subjected to following anesthesia procedure: 40, 120, and 240 s exposure to 3,000, 700, and 500 mg l⁻¹ clove solution, respectively. Blood samples were collected after these periods, when fish were immobile and reached stage 4 anesthesia. Results showed that cortisol and glucose levels were significantly high in 700 and 500 but not 3,000 mg l⁻¹ group compared to control. Serum lactate levels were significantly high in 500 mg l⁻¹ group compared to control group. Lactate levels were not significantly differed between control, 3,000, and 700 mg l⁻¹ groups. There were no significant differences in serum levels of cholesterol, total protein, lactate dehydrogenase, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, Na⁺, Cl⁻, K⁺, and Ca²⁺. Results suggest that rapid anesthesia with higher dose is better than slow anesthesia with lower dose for blood sampling in Beluga.     

Land cover mapping of deciduous forest regions using ETM+ data: a case study of Azerbaijan Province,Iran

Up to date information about the existing land cover patterns and changes in land cover over time is one of the prime prerequisites for the preparation of an integrated development plan and economic development program of a region. By using ETM+ image data from 2002, we provided a land cover map of deciduous forest regions in Azerbaijan Province, Iran. Initial qualitative evaluation of the data showed no significant radiometric errors. Image classification was carried out using a maximum likelihood-based supervised classification method. In the end, we determined five major land cover classes, i.e., grass lands, deciduous broad-leaf forest, cultivated land, river and land without vegetation cover. Accuracy, estimated by the use of criteria such as overall accuracy from a confusion matrix of classification was 86% with a 0.88 Kappa coefficient. Such high accuracy results demonstrate that the combined use of spectral and textural characteristics increased the number of classes in the field classification, also with excellent accuracy. The availability and use of time series of remote sensing data permit the detection and quantification of land cover changes and improve our understanding of the past and present status of forest ecosystems.     

Effects of irrigation strategies and soils on field grown potatoes: Root distribution

Root distribution of field grown potatoes (cv. Folva) was studied in 4.32 m² lysimeters and subjected to full (FI), deficit (DI), and partial root-zone drying (PRD) irrigation strategies. Drip irrigation was applied for all irrigations. Irrigations were run in three different soils: coarse sand, loamy sand, and sandy loam. Irrigation treatments started after tuber bulking and lasted until final harvest with PRD and DI receiving 65% of FI. Potatoes irrigated with water-saving irrigation techniques (PRD and DI) did not show statistically different dry root mass and root length density (RLD, cm root per cm³ soil) compared with root development in fully irrigated (FI) potatoes. Highest RLD existed in the top 30-40 cm of the ridge below which it decreased sharply. The RLD was distributed homogenously along the ridge and furrow but heterogeneously across the ridge and furrow with highest root density in the furrow. Most roots accumulated in the surface layers of coarse sand as compared to the other soil types. In the deep soil profile (30-70 cm) a higher root density was found in loamy sand compared with the sandy loam and coarse sand. Approximately twice the amounts of roots were found below the furrows compared with the corresponding layers below the ridges. The RLD values in the soil profile of the ridges and the furrows followed the Gerwitz and Page model: RLD = α × exp(−β × z). The highest value of surface root density (α) and rate of change in density (β) was found in coarse sand while the lowest values of α and β were found in the sandy loam and loamy sand. The model estimated the effective rooting depth in coarse sand and sandy loam quite well but did slightly overestimate it in the loamy sand. Statistical analysis showed that one α and β value can be used for each soil irrespective of the irrigation treatment. Thus, the effective rooting depths corresponding to root length densities of 0.1 and 0.25 cm cm⁻³ for sandy loam, loamy sand, and coarse sand soils were 99, 141, and 94 cm, and 80, 115, and 78 cm, respectively, calculated from top of the ridge. The findings of this study can be used in practice for efficient use of water and nutrients in the field.     

Blood parameters in female Zandi lambs as affected by liver biopsy methodology

The aim of the present study was to investigate the normal blood parameters of Iranian fat-tailed sheep (Zandi) and their changes due to rapid liver biopsy technique with a tru-cut biopsy needle. In ten ewe lambs, blood samples were collected from jugular vein and biopsy needle was inserted through the dorsal one third of the 11th intercostal space, on the right hand side of the lambs and liver specimen was collected. Physical examinations were performed on alternate days during the experiment. Blood collection was done on both before (day 1) and after (day 17) the biopsy. All animals were slaughtered at day 17. Values were compared using paired t test. While biopsy did not make any significant changes in mean values of body temperature, heart rate, respiratory rate, PCV, WBC, neutrophil, lymphocyte, eosinophil, monocyte, total serum protein, AST, ALT, and serum calcium (p > 0.05), it made a significant difference on the values of ALP (p < 0.001), serum inorganic phosphate (p = 0.035), and magnesium (p = 0.013). Necropsy examination revealed the points of hitting the biopsy needles on the diaphragmatic surface of the livers, surrounded by a zone of intense hyperemia. Peritoneal adhesions accompanying with typical strands of fibrous connective tissue between diaphragmatic surface of the liver and adjacent abdominal wall were found in two cases.