Molecular Detection of Grape Decline Phytoplasma in Leafhopper Species Associated with Infected Grapevines in Iran

Following recent detection of ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma fraxini’, ‘Ca. P. aurantifolia’, ‘Ca. P. solani’ and ‘Ca. P. phoenicium’-related strains in Iranian vineyards, a survey was conducted in 2016–2017 in vineyards located in Qazvin province of Iran. Nested PCR analysis was performed to identify phytoplasma strains in leafhopper species. The overall, less than 5% of grapevine trees shows phytoplasma symptoms and phyto-plasma was detected in all symptomatic samples. Phytoplasma DNA was detected in two leafhopper species. Most leafhopper species in which phytoplasma DNA were detected are recorded to be grass feeders, among which, Stolbur phytoplasma vectors, i.e. Psammotettix alienus (Dahlbom 1851) and Agallia ribauti (Ossian-nilsson, 1938), showed a strong potential ability for ‘Ca. P. solani’ transmission in Qazvin vineyards. The possibility of phytoplasma transmission between leafhoppers and grapevines is discussed

The effect of date palm tissue and aggregation pheromone on attraction and trapping of Red Palm Weevil, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus Oliv. (Col.: Dryophthoridae)

Red Palm Weevil (RPW), Rhynchophorus ferrugineus Oliv. (Col.: Dryophthoridae), is a key pest of date palm in Asia, North Africa and Spain. A field study was conducted in south eastern Iran to find the effect of odor sources in traps on RPW behavior. This study consisted of four experiments; each included four treatments (odor sources) and eight replications. Each experiment was repeated 4 times (i.e. four different distances between odor sources (treatments) were considered: 0, 0.5, 2 and 5 meters). In each treatment, two traps were used. The treatments were as follows: 1) one trap included two pheromones and the other trap included two pieces of plant tissue, 2) both traps included one pheromone along with one piece of plant tissue, 3) both traps included one pheromone, and 4) both traps included one piece of plant tissue. Overall, much less RPWs were caught in the traps of treatments 3 and 4 (baited with only the pheromone or the plant bait) than in the traps of treatments 1 and 2 (baited with pheromone and plant tissue) evidencing the phenomenon of synergy, previously reported. The Results of analysis of variance of total catch of traps, at all between-trap distances indicated that there was significant difference among treatments. In all experiments, traps that contained just palm tissue had the least catch rate. The RPW distinguished pheromone from plant odor when both sources were separated by less than 5 m. At distances of 5 m, attractancy of plant odor was similar to pheromone attractancy. Our results suggest that each of the chemical cues probably induce a different behavioral process. Probably, pheromone would attract RPWs from a distance, making them fly towards the pheromone sources (traps) while the plant odor would arrest flight and induce landing and local search by walking for palm tissue, resulting in entry into traps

Chemical control of the Lesser Date Moth, Batrachedra amydraula (Lepidoptera: Batrachedridae)

The Lesser Date Moth, Batrachedra amydraula (Lepidoptera: Batrachedridae), is a key pest of date palms in silos and storages. The efficacy of aluminium phosphide (Phostoxin® tablet 55%) @ 5 t/m3 and magnesium phosphide (Degesch® plates 56%) @ 2 p/30 m3 were assessed against this pest in Iran date silos based on a completely randomized block design. Based on Henderson-Tilton formula, on the third day after treatment, both treatments resulted in 100% mortality. Application of magnesium phosphide and aluminium phosphide can be a suitable substitution for methyl bromide, which has just been banned in many countries

Studying the efficacy of fipronil (GR 0.2%) against European Mole Cricket, Gryllotalpa gryllotalpa (Orthoptera: Gryllotalpidae)

The European Mole Cricket, Gryllotalpa gryllotalpa (Orthoptera: Gryllotalpidae), is a key pest of several crops in different regions of the world, damaging seedlings, roots and tubers. The efficacy of fipronil (Regent ® GR 0.2%) @ 2, 2.5 and 3 g/m2 along with toxic bait of carbaryl (EC 85%)@ 20 g/m2 were assessed against this pest in the field based on a completely randomized block design. Based on Henderson-Tilton formula, on the third day after treatment, the efficacy of fipronil @ 2, 2.5 and 3 g/m2 and carbaryl bait was 16%, 30%, 47% and 53%, respectively; while on the third day after treatment, the efficacy was 22%, 48%, 64% and 81%, respectively. At present, carbaryl application is banned in Iran; therefore, fipronil can be a suitable substitute for this insecticide

Susceptibility of different populations of Tribolium confusum (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) to malathion (EC 57%) in flour mills of Iran

The confused flour beetle, Tribolium confusum, is a key pest of stored products such as wheat and flour. For decades, organophosphorus compounds, such as malathion and pirimiphos-methyl, have been applied against stored-product pests. In this research, susceptibility of different populations of T. confusum, collected from silos at different locations of Iran, against malathion (EC 57%), was studied in the laboratory, based on a completely randomized design. Based on pre-tests, the Bioassay Index Dose was estimated as 2 g a.i./m2. Out of 23 populations, 2 populations from Bandar-Abbas region were resistant populations against malathion (9.72% and 67.2% mortality), while one population from Khomein region was moderately resistant (86.08% mortality), and the rest of the population were susceptible to malathion (95.71% to 100% mortality). Therefore, in warm locations of Iran, where this pest has evolved resistance against malathion, other control measures shall be considered

Nutritional indices and food utilization of tomato fruit worm, Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner, 1808) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) on ten tomato cultivars

Nutritional performance of the larval stages (fourth, fifth, and sixth instars) of Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) on unripe green fruit of ten tomato cultivars, including ‘Aras’, ‘Atrak’, ‘Korall’, ‘Mobil’, ‘Rio Grande Hed’, ‘Sivand’, ‘Super Chief’, ‘Super Mobil’, ‘Super Queen’ and ‘Super Urbana’, was studied at 26±1°C, 60±10% RH and a photoperiod of 16:8 L:D. Approximate digestibility values of the fourth instar larvae were highest (98.239±0.026%) and lowest (95.733±0.056%) on ‘Atrak’ and ‘Super Chief’, respectively. Fifth instar larvae fed on ‘Mobil’ showed the highest relative growth rate (RGR) and relative consumption rate (RCR) (0.316±0.038% and 7.369±0.669%, respectively). Approximate digestibility (AD) values of the sixth instar larvae were highest (96.264±0.114%) and lowest (92.349±0.120%) on ‘Super Chief’ and ‘Super Queen’, respectively. The highest ECI and ECD values of total larval instars (4th, 5th and 6th instars) was observed on ‘Rio Grande Hed’ (4.364±0.093% and 4.593±0.105%, respectively) and the lowest of both values was on ‘Super Urbana’ (3.034±0.021% and 3.187±0.022%, respectively).  The results of nutritional indices and the cluster analysis indicated that ‘Sivand’ and ‘Super Queen’ were unsuitable hosts for feeding of H. armigera among tested cultivars

Effect of different tomato cultivars on some biological characteristics of Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner, 1808) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) under lab conditions

Development, body weight and reproduction of the tomato fruit worm, Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner), were studied at 26 ± 1°C; 60 ± 10 % RH and a light: dark cycle of 16:8 h on ten tomato cultivars: ‘Aras’, ‘Atrak’, ‘Korall’, ‘Mobil’, ‘Rio Grande Hed’, ‘Sivand’, ‘Super Chief’, ‘Super Mobil’, ‘Super Queen’ and ‘Super Urbana’ in the laboratory. The shortest larval duration was recorded on ‘Super Chief’ (18.98 ± 0.94 days) while the longest was seen on ‘Super Queen’(22.07 ± 0.32 days). The developmental time of immature stages ranged from 37.62 ± 0.24 days on ‘Super Chief’ to 42.69 ± 0.48 days on ‘Super Queen’. Pupal period ranged from 11.60 ± 0.32 days to 13.19 ± 0.15 days on ‘Aras’ and ‘Super Queen’, respectively.  Maximum pupal weight was 323.67 ± 4.56 mg on ‘Aras’ and was minimum on ‘Super Queen’ (200.83 ± 3.03 mg). The maximum and minimum female longevity was observed on ‘Atrak’ (14.78 ± 0.39 days) and ‘Super Queen’ (12.77 ± 0.86 days), respectively. The life time of males ranged from 7.20 ± 0.20 days on ‘Super Mobil’ to 9.22 ± 0.17 days on ‘Mobil’. The mean number of eggs deposited on different cultivars varied with 360.25 ± 21.15 eggs on ‘Korall’ in 8.83 ± 0.43 days and 160.68 ± 22.37 eggs on ‘Super Queen’ in 8.35 ± 0.44 days. It could be concluded that ‘Korall’, followed by ‘Aras’ and ‘Super Chief’ were suitable and ‘Super Queen’ and ‘Super Urbana’ were unsuitable cultivars for growth and development of H. armigera larvae

Accuracy and efficiency of conventional ground sprayers in Iran

Sunn pest, Eurygaster integriceps, is a key pest of wheat and barley in Iran. At present, infested areas are treated with ground sprayers. A survey was conducted to evaluate the efficiency and calibration accuracy of ground hydraulic sprayers in Iran. The results showed that the motorized lance sprayer and manually operated sprayer were the most conventional sprayers, and fenitrothion EC 50% and deltamethrin EC 2.5% were the conventional insecticides against sunn pest in Kermanshah province. The mean efficacy percentage was 88% and 35% against nymphs and overwintered adults, respectively. In motorized lance sprayers, there were 5% and 90% overdosage of fenitrothion and deltamethrin, respectively; while, in manually carried sprayers, there were 5% and 25% overdosage of fenitrothion and deltamethrin, respectively. Applied dosages were 5-20% and 25-90% more than recommended dosages of fenitrothion and deltamethrin, respectively. Errors in effectiveness and applied dosage were higher in motorized lance sprayer than manually carried sprayers

Improvement of spinal cord injury symptoms by targeting the Bax/Bcl2 pathway and modulating TNF-α/IL-10 using Platelet-Rich Plasma exosomes loaded with dexamethasone

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a debilitating condition that results in impaired sensory and motor function due to the limited self-regenerative ability of the spinal cord. To address this issue, combination therapy has been proposed as an effective treatment strategy for SCI regeneration. In this study, Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP)-derived exosomes loaded with dexamethasone were utilized in a mouse model of SCI compression. PRP-derived exosomes loaded with dexamethasone (Dex) were prepared using ultracentrifugation and sonication methods and were administered to the mice via intravenous injection. Following a four-week duration, behavioral assessments were administered to assess functional recuperation, and diverse metrics encompassing the expression of genes associated with apoptosis and antiapoptosis, serum cytokine concentrations and tissue sampling were subjected to thorough examination. The results of this study demonstrated that mice treated with PRP-derived exosomes loaded with Dex (ExoDex) exhibited altered levels of TNF-α and IL-10, along with decreased Bax and increased Bcl2 expression in comparison to the model group. Furthermore, intravenously injected ExoDex reduced the size of the lesion site, lymphocyte infiltration, vacuolation, cavity size and tissue disorganization while also improving locomotor recovery. We propose that the utilization of exosome-loaded Dex therapy holds potential as a promising and clinically relevant approach for injured spinal cord repair. However, further extensive research is warranted in this domain to validate and substantiate the outcomes presented in this study

The Complete Genome Sequence of ‘Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum’, the Bacterium Associated with Potato Zebra Chip Disease

Zebra Chip (ZC) is an emerging plant disease that causes aboveground decline of potato shoots and generally results in unusable tubers. This disease has led to multi-million dollar losses for growers in the central and western United States over the past decade and impacts the livelihood of potato farmers in Mexico and New Zealand. ZC is associated with ‘Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum’, a fastidious alpha-proteobacterium that is transmitted by a phloem-feeding psyllid vector, Bactericera cockerelli Sulc. Research on this disease has been hampered by a lack of robust culture methods and paucity of genome sequence information for ‘Ca. L. solanacearum’. Here we present the sequence of the 1.26 Mbp metagenome of ‘Ca. L. solanacearum’, based on DNA isolated from potato psyllids. The coding inventory of the ‘Ca. L. solanacearum’ genome was analyzed and compared to related Rhizobiaceae to better understand ‘Ca. L. solanacearum’ physiology and identify potential targets to develop improved treatment strategies. This analysis revealed a number of unique transporters and pathways, all potentially contributing to ZC pathogenesis. Some of these factors may have been acquired through horizontal gene transfer. Taxonomically, ‘Ca. L. solanacearum’ is related to ‘Ca. L. asiaticus’, a suspected causative agent of citrus huanglongbing, yet many genome rearrangements and several gene gains/losses are evident when comparing these two Liberibacter. species. Relative to ‘Ca. L. asiaticus’, ‘Ca. L. solanacearum’ probably has reduced capacity for nucleic acid modification, increased amino acid and vitamin biosynthesis functionalities, and gained a high-affinity iron transport system characteristic of several pathogenic microbes