Comparative Efficacy of Weed Control Practices for Parthenium Weed and Sunflower Crop under Varying Tillage Systems

Parthenium poses serious threat to modern crop production system and necessitate evaluating control practices for its effective management. Efficacy of different weed control practices for controlling parthenium was explored in conventional and deep tillage systems in the field conditions. Hand hoeing (20 and 35 days after emergence), S-Metolachlor (pre-emergence herbicide), sorghum straw mulch @ 5 tons ha^-1 and combination of hand hoeing and sorghum straw mulch (hand hoeing at 20 and straw mulch at 35 days after emergence) were used as weed control practice. Weedy check where no weed control measure was applied was also included in this experiment for comparison. Results concluded that the all weed management treatments significantly reduced parthenium density, its fresh and dry biomass during both the years of study as compared to weedy check. Maximum sunflower achene yield was recorded in hand hoeing (20 and 35 days after emergence) in combination with deep tillage. So, mold bold plough used for the purpose of deep tillage should be encouraged for better control of parthenium and higher achene yield of sunflower crop (3293.3 kg ha^-1 in 2017 and 3221.3 kg ha^-1 in 2018). Moreover, is also inferred that total dose of herbicide might be reduced by using hoeing and mulching in an integrated way.     

Assessment of Heavy Metal Pollution and Human Health Risks Assessment in Soils Around an Industrial Zone in Neyshabur,Iran

Biological Trace Element Research - Heavy metal pollution of soils in industrial zones continues to attract attention because of its potential human health risks. The present research is an attempt...     

Phylogenetic Analysis of Clinically Relevant Fusarium Species in Iran

Mycopathologia - Fungi of the genus Fusarium are well known as major plant pathogens but also cause a broad spectrum of human infections. Sixty-three clinical isolates, collected during...     

Colon cancer therapy by focusing on colon cancer stem cells and their tumor microenvironment

Despite many advances and optimization in colon cancer treatment, tumor recurrence and metastases make the development of new therapies necessary. Colon cancer stem cells (CCSCs) are considered as the main triggering factor of cancer progression, recurrence, and metastasis. CCSCs as a result of accumulated genetic and epigenetic alterations and also complex interconnection with the tumor microenvironment (TME) can evolve and convert to full malignant cells. Mounting evidence suggests that in cancer therapy both CCSCs and non-CCSCs in TME have to be regarded to break through the limitation of current therapies. In this regard, stem cell capabilities of some non-CCSCs may arise inside the TME condition. Therefore, a deep knowledge of regulatory mechanisms, heterogeneity, specific markers, and signaling pathways of CCSCs and their interconnection with TME components is needed to improve the treatment of colorectal cancer and the patient's life quality. In this review, we address current different targeted therapeutic options that target cell surface markers and signaling pathways of CCSCs and other components of TME. Current challenges and future perspectives of colon cancer personalized therapy are also provided here. Taken together, based on the deep understanding of biology of CCSCs and using three-dimensional culture technologies, it can be possible to reach successful colon cancer eradication and improvise combination targeted therapies against CCSCs and TME.     

Effect of different eriophyid and tetranychid mango mite species on development,longevity, fecundity and predation of Typhlodromus mangiferus Zaher and El-Brolossy (Acari: Phytoseiidae)

Effects on development, longevity, fecundity and predation of the predatory phytoseiid mite Typhlodromus mangiferus Zaher and El-Brolossy were studied in the laboratory at different temperatures and relative humidities using four prey mite species: the motile stages of the eriophyid mango bud mite Aceria mangiferae Sayed, the eriophyid leaf coating and webbing mite Cisaberoptus kenyae Keifer, the eriophyid mango rust mite Metaculus mangiferae (Attiah) and nymphs of the tetranychid mango red mite Oligonychus mangiferus (Rahman and Sabra). The increase of different temperatures and decrease of relative humidities from 25°C and 60% to 30°C and 55% and 35°C and 50% shortened development and increased reproduction and prey consumption. The developmental durations were almost similar when the predator was fed on eriophyids compared to that on tetranychid. The maximum reproduction (2.70, 2.08, 1.97 and 1.66 eggs/ ♀ /day) was recorded at the highest temperature and the lowest relative humidity, while the minimum reproduction (1.7, 1.54, 1.53, and 1.06 eggs/ ♀ /day) was noted at the lowest temperature and highest relative humidity with all mango prey species. Life table parameters indicated that feeding of T. mangiferus on A. mangiferae led to the highest reproduction rate (rm = 0.204 and 0.139 females/female/day), while feeding on O. mangiferus gave the lowest reproduction rate (rm = 0.137 and 0.116) at 35°C and 50% relative humidity and 25°C and 60% relative humidity, respectively. T. mangiferus seems to be a voracious predator of both mango eriophyid and tetranychid mites. The adult female daily consumed about 127 A. mangiferae, 97 C. kenyae, 86 M. mangiferae, and 18 O. mangiferus at 35°C and 50% relative humidity, while it devoured only 99.81, 86, 81, and 15 individuals, respectively at 25°C and 60% relative humidity. The present study revealed that each injurious mite is thought to be profitable prey species to T. mangiferus as a facultative predator.     

Antagonistic actions of Pythium oligandrum and Trichoderma harzianum against phytopathogenic fungi (Fusarium oxysporum and Pythium ultimum var. ultimum)

Abstract

The possible biological control of damping-off fungi, Fusarium oxysporum and Pythium ultimum by Pythium oligandrum or Trichoderma harzianum was in vitro investigated. Results of comparing the antagonistic activity of P. oligandrum and T. harzianum in dual plates against the tested phytopathogens indicated different degrees of antagonism. After 12 days of incubation colony of the phytopathogenic fungus was completely overgrown by the antagonist, except for the interaction between T. harzianum and F. oxysporum which showed no overgrowth or any hyphal penetration by the antagonist. However, growth and proliferation of F. oxysporum colony was repressed. T. harzianum and P. oligandrum produced chitinase and β-1,3-glucanase when they were grown on liquid culture medium supplemented with chitin or fungal dried mycelium as a sole carbon source, and enzyme production was higher by T. harzianum comparing with P. oligandrum under the same condition. Fungal dried mycelium of F. oxysporum was the most selective carbon source for enzyme production, on the other hand, chitinase production was significant locked when P. ultimum dried mycelium was used as a carbon source. Production of volatile compounds by P. oligandrum or T. harzianum against F. oxysporum and P. ultimum was examined using the inverted plates method. F. oxysporum was inhibited by the antagonist volatile compounds and it is inhibited 100% by increasing the amount of inoculum size. Production of potential biocontrol agents provided with economically features and working under field conditions are recommended.     

Prominence of three diets on life table parameters for Chrysoperla carnea (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) to mass rearing under laboratory conditions

Chrysoperla carnea (Steph.) is a general predator reared in industrial scale. Different eggs of moth were used to rear C. carnea, but stabled moth colony needed expensive equipment and is costly. In this research, we surveyed appropriate diet to mass rearing. For this purpose, 100 same old (24H) eggs of C. carnea, separately, were selected randomly from the mass culture of C. carnea which was reared on the egg of flour moth Anagasta kuehniella (Zeller), artificial diet and semi-artificial diet under laboratory conditions (25 ± 5°C, 65 ± 5% RH and L–D: 16–8). These results showed reduction process e_x (expectation of life table at age X) and the survival curve was convex (K-Strategy). Also L_x in appearing of adults that fed on egg of flour moth, artificial diet and semi-artificial diet were 0.76, 0.4 and 0.9 which implied that 24, 60 and 10% of cohort were dead before reaching adult stage. Eggs produced by each female were recorded daily until all females died. The parameters were estimated using Carey’s (1993) method. Gross (GRR) and net (R₀) reproductive rates of predator on A. kuehniella, artificial diet and semi artificial diets were 225.5 ± 3.45, 72.4 ± 3.5, 267.8 ± 4.8 and 180.12 ± 2.3, 24.33 ± 4.3, 254.05+3.3 (female/female/generation), respectively. Mean generation time (T), Doubling time (DT), Intrinsic rate of increase (r_m ) and Finite rate of increase (λ) of predator on A. kuehniella, artificial diet and semi artificial diet were 31.9 ± 0.71, 42.87 ± 0.45, 29.79 ± 0.57 (days); 4.27 ± 0.03, 9.36 ± 0.06, 3.74 ± 0.05 (days); 0.162 ± 0.001, 0.074 ± 0.003, 1.185 ± 0.002; and 1.175 ± 0.001, 1.076 ± 0.002, 1.203 ± 0.002 (female/female/day), respectively. This research indicated that semi-artificial diet is a suitable prey for the predator.     

Combined effect of gamma radiation,hot water and sodium bicarbonate on quality and chemical constituents of stored mandarin fruits

The combined effect of gamma radiation and both hot water and sodium carbonate on physiological decay and chemical constituents of stored mandarin fruits was investigated in this work. In this consideration, the studied fruits were gamma irradiated at doses of 0, 0.3, 0.6, 1.2 and 2.4 KGy. Then, the irradiated and non-irradiated fruits were treated either by hot water or sodium bicarbonate to examine their capacity to give a further maintenance and increasing shelf life or storage periods of mandarin. Treated and non-treated fruit samples were taken at intervals of 10 days and up to 60 days. Physiological decay, total acidity, vitamin C, total sugars and TSS were investigated during the different intervals. Gamma radiation treatments showed a promising effect for maintaining the studied fruits and retarding the development of decay. On the other hand, applying both hot water and sodium bicarbonate as a further combined treatments induced a powerful effect on delaying decay development, keeping the chemical constituents near to the normal level and in turn maximizing shelf life and storage periods of the fruits under investigation.     

Use of some emulsified plant seed oils as a safe alternative for the management of Meloidogyne incognita infecting tomato

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to formulate six different plant seed oils namely canola, cotton, flax, olive, sesame and soybean as emulsifiable concentrates. The composition of the formulation comprises at least one organic solvent, one surfactant and one plant oil. Physico-chemical properties of the formulated oils (emulsion stability test, cold stability and heat stability tests) were measured. The successfully emulsified oils were evaluated for nematicidal activity against Meloidogyne incognita infecting tomato plants under greenhouse conditions. Emulsified canola oil proved to be the most effective oil as a protectant against M. incognita infection to tomatoes followed by soybean, cotton, flax and sesame oil. In addition, employing a high rate of the tested emulsified oils gave higher activity in suppressing nematodes both in the soil and in tomato roots than using a low rate. Moreover, all tested formulated oils at both rates of application had no adverse effect on the growth of tomato plants except sesame oil which significantly decreased the shoot length when compared to the control. The prepared plant oils might be used as potential sources for sustainable eco-friendly botanical nematicides to protect plants from nematode attack.