Deapartment of Plant Protection

Saffron intercropping with other plants needs to preliminary investigations about the possible negative interactions between saffron and associated crop. In this study, allelopathic effects of saffron leaf and corm extracts on germination and seedling growth indices of alfalfa (Medicago sativa), arugula (Eruca sativa) and rapeseed (Brassica napus) was investigated in six separate experiments based on completely randomized design. Experimental treatments were consisted of different levels of saffron leaf and corm extracts including 0, 0.75, 1.5, 3 and 6%. The maximum germination percentage of all selected crops was obtained at control treatment (on average 92%) and then decreased with increasing extracts concentration. So that, the germination percentage of arugula, canola and alfalfa in highest concentration of extracts were 18, 10 and 8% for leaf extract and 72, 68 and 93% for corm extract, respectively. The relatively similar trend was observed about germination rate, root and plumule lengths and dry weights. Therefore, the inhibitory effect of saffron leaf extract was more than corm extract on initial growth indices of studied plants. The lowest inhibitory effect of saffron leaf extract and even relatively high stimulatory effect of corm extract were obtained on alfalfa initial growth criteria. Considering the differences in allelochemicals mode of action and concentrations in laboratory bioassays with natural condition, it is necessary to investigate the effects of saffron residues on growth of selected associated crops in greenhouse and field scales for the final decision.

Antifungal substances of plant origin could be used as an inhibitor to control fungal seed diseases growth and development. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of alcoholic and aqueous extracts of few medicinal plants (Fennel, Cichorium, Asafoetida, Echinacea, Balangu (Lady’s mantle and Olender) on growth and development of Alternaria alternata fungi. The experimental treatments were arranged as factorial and the data was analyzed based on a completely randomized design with three replications. The effect of seed and plant extracts, plant type (plant), and their interactions were significant on the fungal growth and development. The strong antifungal properties of aqueous and alcoholic extracts of balangu and oleander showed a broad-spectrum natural antifungal resistance in those plants. However, the results indicated a high resistance for A. alternata against the aqueous extract of fennel. This study concluded a high potential for alcoholic extract of balangu an...

Background: Application nano iron chelate and AMF fertilizer can increase plants' tolerance against water deficit stress. The main objectives of the current study were to investigate the effect of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and nano iron chelate fertilizer under drought stress on grain yield, leaf chlorophyll contents, root colonization, oil percentage, and fatty acids profile of Lallemantia species. The experiment was carried out as a factorial based on a complete randomized block design consisting of three factors of irrigation levels of 90 (I90), 60 (I60), and 30% (I30) depletion of available soil water (ASW)), fertilizer levels of control (no fertilizer), AMF inoculation, and nano iron chelate, and plant species of Lallemantia (L. iberica and L. royleana) at the Research Farm of College of Agriculture, Shahed University, Tehran, Iran, in 2018/2019. Results: The results showed that increasing water deficit stress significantly decreased the above traits while applying...

Today, the issue of crop yield and quality is one of the many challenges facing societies. Residues of pesticides, chemical fertilizers, hormonal compounds, and preservatives have caused many environmental issues. It is necessary to reduce these environmental crises by paying attention to the development of sustainable agriculture. Seed coating is considered one of the best methods to promote sustainable agriculture where the physical and physiological properties of seeds can be improved to facilitate planting, increase growth indices and alleviate abiotic and biotic stresses. Several methods of seed coating (e.g., dry powder coating, seed dressing, encrusting, seed pelleting, and film coating) are used to attain good application uniformity and adherence in the seed coating process. Seed coating has been tested in seeds of various plant species (e.g., vegetables, medicinal and other plants with small seeds) with different dimensions, forms, textures, and germination types. Plant beneficial microorganisms (PBM), such as rhizobia, bacteria, and fungi inoculated via seed inoculation can increase seed germination, plant performance and tolerance across biotic (e.g., pathogens and pests) and abiotic stress (e.g., salt, drought, and heavy metals) while reducing the use of agrochemical inputs. In this review, the microbial seed coating process and their ability to increase seed performance and protect plants from biotic and abiotic stresses are well discussed and highlighted in sustainable agricultural systems.

The diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (L.) is a major pest of crucifers in Iran. In this study, the influence of two sublethal concentrations (LC 10 and LC 25 ) of an insect growth regulator, hexaflumuron on life expectancy (e x ), stable age distribution (C x ), age-specific fertility (m x ) and number of fertile eggs per day was investigated. Results showed that the sublethal doses of hexaflumuron decreased life expectancy (e x ), age-specific fertility (m x ) and number of fertile eggs per day of P. xylostella. Also stable age distribution (C x ) of population in next generation was changed and rate of adults in sublethals was increased compared to control. According obtained results, hexaflumuron is a good choice for IPM strategy in controlling the diamondback moth.

The preliminary result of a survey conducted on Xylaria species in the North of Iran is presented. Based on morphological examination of fungal specimens collected from Guilan, Mazandaran and Golestan provinces, eight species including Xylaria arbuscula, X. cubensis, X. filiformis, X. hypoxylon, X. longipes, X. multiplex, X. pannosa, and X. polymorpha were identified. Among the identified species, X. hypoxylon, X. longipes, and X. polymorpha have been already reported from Iran and the rest are new to the Iranian mycobiota. An identification key with brief description of all species already reported from Iran is presented.

During 2011, twigs, leaves and fruits of symptomatic hosts containing Fusicladium species from Guilan, Mazandaran, Qazvin and Ardabil provinces were sampled and examined. Five species including F. carpophilum, F. fraxini, F. oleagineum, F. pomi and F. pyrorum were identified based on morphological data. Of these, F. carpophilum and F. fraxini are identified as new records for the mycobiota of Iran. Fraxinus sp., Prunus persica var. nectarina, Pyracantha sp., red apple cultivar of Malus pumila and Khoj (local variety of Pyrus communis in Guilan province) are identified as new hosts for the  genus Fusicladium in Iran. Cultures of F. fraxini, F. pomi and F. pyrorum are deposited at fungal culture collection of Iranian Research Institute of Plant Protection. A brief description and illustration and a key to Fusicladium species reported from Iran are provided.