Molecular and genome size analyses of somaclonal variation in apple rootstocks Malling 7 and Malling 9

The cultivated apple (Malus domestica) is important fruit crops cultivated in world. For production and breeding of high quality apple, inducing and enhancing new genetic diversity and suitable traits are necessary. In Iran, different local and imported apple genotypes are cultivated and common apple root stocks (Malling 7) M7 and (Malling 9) M9 are mostly used root stocks in the country. Therefore, we studied genetic diversity of M7 an M9 tissue culture regenerated plants produced by different treatments by using twenty ISSR markers. In total 51 randomly selected plants were studied for the occurrence of somaclonal variation in apple mother plants and tissue culture regenerated plants. Four different treatments were used for tissue culture. Genetic diversity parameters, genetic distance and polymorphism percentage were studied in regenerated plants. Variations in loci frequency and combination were checked by STRUCTURE and the presence of similar loci in the plants was studied by reticulation NJ tree. Genetic relationship versus distinctness was determined by principal coordinate analysis. The results showed the occurrence of genetic variation among mother plants and tissue culture regenerated plants of each subculture due to somaclonal variation. Significant difference in the genome size among some of the regenerated plants indicates that change in genetic structure of plants during tissue culture is also accompanied with quantitative change in DNA. However, degree of genetic variation differed among apple rootstocks and also among different treatments used

Genetic diversity, taxonomy and legumins implications of seed storage protein profiling in Fabaceae

Proteomic evidences can be pivotal to the discovery of new plant proteins and plant relationships, due to the diversity of form it can reveal. Seed storage protein profiles of 20 Fabaceae species: 4 grain - legumes and 16 non-pulses; of 16 genera and 10 tribes were analysed by sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) to estimate protein content diversity and the possible genetic relatedness.28.3% similarity and 71.7% proteomic polymorphism was scored for the species. The high variability expressed by the lot reflects the genetic diversity amongst Fabaceae population. Dendrogram based on the proteomic data clustered the species into four groups. Aside two species, Albizia lebbeck and Albizia zygia belonging to the tribe Ingeae and those of the tribe Caesalpinieae, the other species clustered with several other non-traditional cohorts resulting in a rearrangement that showed least semblance with phylogenetic relationships based on traditional morphology taxonomic delimitation. The similarity in profiles can be preliminarily forensic for proteins of importance whether for nutritional, industrial or for improvement of existing crops or for entirely new plants as crops. The protein mix, and the resultant relationship based on seed storage proteins instigates a review of erstwhile taxonomic, agricultural and research perspectives for the Fabaceae

Oilseed Rape straw for Cultivation of Oyster Mushroom

Oyster mushroom [_Pleurotus ostreatus_ var. _sajor caju_ (Fr.) Singer] cultivation can play an important role in managing organic waste. It can be cultivated on a wide rang of substrates containing lignin and cellulose. Oyster mushroom was grown on five substrates: Rise straw (Oryza sativa L. var. Alikazemi), Rise straw + Oilseed Rape straw (Brassica napus var. Hyola 401) (75:25 dw /dw), Rise straw + Oilseed Rape straw (50:50 dw /dw), Rise straw + Oilseed Rape straw (25:75 dw /dw) and Oilseed Rape straw alone. Oilseed Rape straw alone and Rise straw + Oilseed Rape straw (25:75 dw /dw) were best for fruit body production of P. ostreatus. Time to fruiting for P. ostreatus was also shorter on Oilseed Rape straw. Protein content of the fruit bodies obtained from Oilseed Rape straw was higher than those from other substrates. Using Oilseed Rape straw as a substrate appears to be suitable for oyster mushroom production

APHIDS (HEMIPTERA: APHIDIDAE) ASSOCIATED WITH GRASSLANDS OF CENTRAL ALBORZ, IRAN

The aphid fauna associated with various host plants in grassland areas of central Alborz in Iran were studied. The samples were collected from 2002-2010 from different locations  in the southern foothills of  the Alborz Mountains which are a major highland on  the plateau of Iran. Eighty aphid species from 32 genera in association with 168 host plants were collected and identified.  In all, 284 aphid-host plant associations were recorded, 112 of which are new to Iran. Our results showed that grassland areas of central Alborz could be considered as major refugia for aphids from where they migrate to the neighboring cultivated fields. The aphid fauna associated with various host plants in grassland areas of central Alborz in Iran were studied. The samples were collected from 2002-2010 from different locations  in the southern foothills of  the Alborz Mountains which are a major highland on  the plateau of Iran. Eighty aphid species from 32 genera in association with 168 host plants were collected and identified.  In all, 284 aphid-host plant associations were recorded, 112 of which are new to Iran. Our results showed that grassland areas of central Alborz could be considered as major refugia for aphids from where they migrate to the neighboring cultivated fields

The Bark Beetles (Coleoptera: Scolytidae) of the Maltese Islands (Central Mediterranean)

The bark beetle fauna of the Maltese Islands is reviewed, based on literature records and examination of collected material. A total of twenty-one species have been recorded of which seventeen species represent new records from the Maltese archipelago. These include Hylurgus micklitzi, Kissophagus hederae, Phloeosinus thujae, Liparthrum mori, Scolytus amygdali, Scolytus rugulosus, Scolytus sulcifrons, Pityogenes calcaratus, Orthotomicus erosus, Thamnurgus characiae, Coccotrypes dactyliperda, Crypturgus cylindricollis, Crypturgus numidicus, Xyleborinus saxesenii, Hypocryphalus scabricollis comb. nov., Hypothenemus eruditus and Hypothenemus leprieuri. The earlier citation of Scolytus scolytus is incorrect and should refer to S. sulcifrons whereas the citation of Cryphalus piceae is definitely incorrect due to the absence of its host-plants in Malta. Additionally, two species, Xyleborus ferrugineus and X. volvulus were collected alive on logs originating from Tropical Africa and intended for the timber industry. So far, there were no local records of establishment of these two species in Malta.peer-reviewe

Contributions to the flora and vegetation of Kagbeni (Mustan District, Central Nepal)

Kagbeni and its irrigated oasis are surrounded by subdesert dwarf scrubland. In the present study, a list of 78 species of vascular plants is presented for Kagbeni and its immediate surroundings, supplemented with data on the distribution of the species within the entire Mustan District. The data are arrived from own investigations and the geobotanical literature. A phytogeographical analysis shows the prevalence of western over eastern elements. Species with a wide distribution in Eurasia, which constitute one third of the total flora of Kagbeni, are of great importance as weeds on arable fields and in ruderal places within the irrigated oasis. Their occurrence is closely related to human activity. Presumably, most of these weeds have reached the area under study in connection with agriculture a long time ago. Weeds from the New World, although recorded in other villages of Mustan District, have not been found in Kagbeni. The weed vegetation of Kagbeni is documented by nine vegetation releves, and is compared to releves from Jomsom and Mzrpha. A floristic gradient from south to north that has been detected by earlier investigations throughout the whole district can be reproduced at the local scale. With regard to the weed flora, the effects of different crops are minimal, compared to effects of altitude and other factors related to altitude

Efficacy of Pseudomonas chlororaphis subsp. aureofaciens SH2 and Pseudomonas fluorescens RH43 isolates against root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.) in kiwifruit

The Root-knot nematodes, Meloidogyne spp., are parasites of many crops and orchards, including kiwifruit trees. The Islamic Republic of Iran is among the leading kiwifruit producers in the world and M. incognita has been found as the dominant species responsible for severe loss of this crop. In order to evaluate the eff ectiveness of antagonistic bacteria on larval mortality, number of galls per plant and egg masses of nematode reduction, fifty local bacterial strains were isolated from root surrounding soils of kiwifruit plants in the northern production areas in Iran. Bacterial antagonists were characterized by morphological, physiological, biochemical and molecular methods. Two representative strains, showing the best nematicidal activity, were identif ed as Pseudomonas chlororaphis subsp. aureofaciens (isolate Sh2) and Pseudomonas fluorescens (isolate Rh43). They increased the percentage of larval mortality to 56:38% and 54:28% respectively in assays in vitro and showed excellent performance also in vivo with consistent reduction of number of galls (67:31% and 55:63%, respectively) and egg mass (86:46% and 84:29%, respectively) in plants. This study indicates that Pseudomonas chlororaphis subsp. aureofaciens isolate Sh2 and Pseudomonas fluorescens isolate Rh43 are good potential biocontrol agents for containing root-knot nematodes in kiwifruit trees.peer-reviewe

Mentha suaveolens Ehrh. (lamiaceae) essential oil and Its main constituent piperitenone oxide: biological activities and chemistry

Since herbal medicines play an important role in the treatment of a wide range of diseases, there is a growing need for their quality control and standardization. Mentha suaveolens Ehrh. (MS) is an aromatic herb with fruit and a spearmint flavor, used in the Mediterranean areas as a traditional medicine. It has an extensive range of biological activities, including cytotoxic, antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, hypotensive and insecticidal properties, among others. This study aims to review the scientific findings and research reported to date on MS that prove many of the remarkable various biological actions, effects and some uses of this species as a source of bioactive natural compounds. On the other hand, piperitenone oxide (PO), the major chemical constituent of the carvone pathway MS essential oil, has been reported to exhibit numerous bioactivities in cells and animals. Thus, this integrated overview also surveys and interprets the present knowledge of chemistry and analysis of this oxygenated monoterpene, as well as its beneficial bioactivities. Areas for future research are suggested