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This study aimed to determine the effects of energy levels and sources on growth performance, antibody titers, and the gene expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines in broilers exposed to heat stress. 450 one-day-old Ross chickens were assigned to six dietary treatments and five replicates in a completely randomized design. Chickens have received diets differentiated by main energy source (corn grain and soybean oil) and energy level (equal, 3 or 6% lower or higher than Ross 308 recommendation). Treatments were as follows: corn grain and equal as control (CON), corn grain, 3% lower (T1), corn grain, 6% lower (T2), corn grain and soybean oil, equal (T3), corn grain and soybean oil, 3% higher (T4), corn grain and soybean oil, 6% higher (T5). The room temperature was increased to 34 °C (6-h daily) from day 12 to 42 of age to induce heat stress. The highest corticosterone level was observed in the T1, T2, and T5 groups. The lowest antibody titers were observed in the T2 group and the highest expression levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines genes were in chickens receiving T5 diet. The highest feed conversion ratio (FCR) during the grower and finisher periods was observed in T2, and the lowest FCR was observed in T3 and T4 groups. It was recommended to feed Ross broiler chickens with a diet containing oil instead of a part of grain based on energy recommended by the strain recommendation.
 

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In a taxonomic study of the subfamily Phasiinae (Diptera: Tachinidae), seven species and the three genera Opesia Robineau-Desvoidy, Subclytia Pandellé and Xysta Meigen are recorded for the first time from Iran. The diagnostic characters, distributional data along with the photographs of species are presented. Taxonomical positions of the genera and species are discussed.

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Witches' broom disease of lime (WBDL) is a lime disease that has destroyed several citrus orchards in Oman, United Arab Emirates and Iran. WBDL is caused by a bacterium ''Candidatus Phytoplasma aurantifolia'' which is spread through the citrus orchards by a leafhopper, Hishimonus phycitis (Distant) (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae). Leafhoppers are associated with symbiotic microorganisms which provide them with essential amino acids lacking in their diets. Yeast-like relationships with insects are known as common and obligate symbiotic relationship. A prerequisite for the development of future strategies for the symbiotic control of insect pests and insect-vector competence is the identification of insect-associated yeast-like symbionts. In the present study, yeast-like symbionts housed in H. phycitis were investigated in insects collected from 13 districts of citrus orchards distributed in southern Iran (Hormozgan, Kerman, Sistan-Balushestan and Fars provinces). Insects were collected from infected lime trees by a D-Vac and stored at -20 ºC up to the DNA extraction. Total DNA was extracted and PCR was conducted with specific primer sets targeting 18S rRNA and 26S rRNA genes of the symbionts. Results revealed that the vector harboured two yeast symbionts, namely Yeast like symbiont of H. phycitis (Hp-YLS)and Candida pimensis,with a similarity of (98-99%) to those reported from the other Cicadellids. These results substantiate the association of these two endosymbiotic microbiota with H. phycitis which may suggest their ecological interactions. To establish any endosymbiotic relationship and probable interfering in pathogen transmission, further studies are needed.

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Endostatin suppresses growth and progression of many tumors through binding to endothelial cell surface and extracellular matrix proteins like integrin, heparin, matrix metalloproteinase-2 and transglutaminase-2. There is an arginine rich motif on the surface of endostatin that is essential for binding to some of aforementioned proteins. It has been shown that a 27 amino acid peptide derived from amino terminal of endostatin responsible for its anti-angiogenic and anti-tumor activities and mutation of histidines bound to Zn significantly reduce its activity. In the present study, as regards the importance of Zn-binding loop in amino terminal and arginine 27 in carboxyl terminal, peptides corresponding to this region and a mutated variant including isoleusin 26 to arginine mutation synthesized and their structure and interaction with matrix metalloproteinase-2 and transglutaminase-2 analyzed using fluorescence spectroscopy, molecular dynamic and docking simulation techniques. This study aimed to analyze effect of placing two positively charged arginines on the structure and interaction of this fragment of endostatin. Results showed that placing two arginines close together in the carboxyl terminal of peptide increases fluctuations in total structure of peptide, alters Zn-binding loop in the amino terminal and makes binding energy of peptide to matrix metalloproteinase-2 and transglutaminase-2 more negative. It can be inferred that repulsion of two positively charged arginines in carboxyl terminal induces conformational changes in the whole structure and in the amino terminal loop region.

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During a survey in 2016, Convolvulus glomeratus showing symptoms resembling those caused by phytoplasmas were observed in Bandar Abbas, Hormozgan province, Iran. These plants were examined for phytoplasma presence by nested-PCR assays using universal primer pair P1/P7 followed by R16F2n/R16R2. All the infected plants indicated positive results using universal primer pairs of P1/P7 followed by R16F2n/R16R2. Results of phylogenetic and virtual RFLP analyses of the 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that the phytoplasma associated with Convolvulus glomeratus witches' broom (CgWB) was a strain of 'Candidatus Phytoplasma phoenicium'. The phytoplasma was successfully transmitted to healthy plants by leafhopper, Orosius albicinctus (Distant) which account as a vector of this phytoplasma. This is the first report on the presence of ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma phoenicium’ (phytoplasma group 16SrIX-J) in C. glomeratus and its insect vector in Iran.
 

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The fauna of the family Tachinidae (Diptera) was studied in the Haftad-Qolleh Protected Area, Markazi province, Iran. A total of 86 species belonging to 67 genera have been collected of which 46 species within 19 genera are newly recorded from Iran. The species Magripa persica Gilasian & Ziegler sp. nov. is described as new to science. Diagnostic characters for the newly recorded taxa are provided. Illustrations of the male terminalia and head of the new species as well as habitus images of the new records are presented.

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Six new species of the genus Eumerus Meigen, 1822 are here described from Iran. The new species and their four related groups are as follows: E. nadoosheni Gilasian & van Steenis sp. nov. of the Eumerus barbarus group; E. pollinipedes Gilasian & van Steenis sp. nov. of the Eumerus minotaurus group; E. effossus Gilasian & van Steenis sp. nov. and E. similis Gilasian & van Steenis sp. nov. of the Eumerus obliquus group, as well as E. intermedius Gilasian & van Steenis sp. nov. and E. khiabani Gilasian & van Steenis sp. nov. of the Eumerus ornatus group. In addition, the species E. argyropus Loew, 1848 and E. torsicus Grković & Vujić, 2015 are newly recorded from Iran. The illustrations of the male genitalia and images of the new species are provided.

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Abstract
Most of the epic poetic texts in the west of Iran have been written in the literary language of Gorani. Some of these texts correspond to the Shahnameh's report, some according to the narrative texts and some independent epic narrations. The oldest remained hand-written manuscripts of these works were written in the eighth century AH, but the narrations of these texts often have very ancient epic elements. Seven Army, written by Mustafa bin Mahmoud Gorani, is one of the valuable surviving texts in this language, which has often been considered to be composed by Almas-khan Kondolei. Numerous manuscripts of this text are kept in the libraries of Iran and around the world, some of which date back to 150 years. The narration of Seven Army of Gorani is to some extent similar to Naqali, and in some other aspects similar to the prose version of Seven Army. It also has prominent elements such as The Seven Khan of Jahanbakhsh, and includes stories such as "Yaghut-push and Laal-push", "Bahram Javaher-push", and the independent narration of "Rostam and Xenon". The aim of this research, which borrows a descriptive-analytic method for analyzing the ancient manuscripts as well as other library sources, is to introduce, critique, and analyze this system, express its values and novelties, discover its similarities and differences with Persian texts, introduce the hand-written manuscripts, and note the necessity of its correction.
Research background
Mohammad Rashid Amini rewrote this poem from Namdar Zamani's version in 2277 verses and published a book on the Kurdish Shahnameh (Horami) as well (Kondolei, 2011, pp. 465 – 594). This edition contains less than half of the verses of the poem. Iraj Bahrami has published a copy of the "Javaher-push Book" without mentioning the name of Seven Army. The editor has admitted to manipulate many verses of the single version of her reference (Mustafa bin Mahmoud, 2010, pp. 38-39). Also, Abbariki introduced 10 copies of Seven Army in his study.
Aims, questions, and assumptions
Seven Army is one of the poetic and epic texts in Gorani language. As there are several commonalities between Gorani's Seven Army and other Persian narrated texts in terms of content and structure, it has become imperative to have a more precise investigation of this subject matter. Combining the Gorani's text with the narrated texts as well as the other independent narrations such as "Rostam and Xenon" and "Rostam and Salsal Div" is one of the novelties of the Gorani's text.
This study seeks to answer the following questions:
1. What type of text is Gorani's Seven Army in terms of content and language structure?
2. Who is the composer of the Gorani's Seven Army?
3. Is the narration of Gorani's Seven Army similar to the Persian prose and other Persian narrated texts of Seven Army?
4. What is the source of the added and recent narrations of Gorani's Seven Army?
Results and discussion
Gorani's Seven Army is one of the epic texts in west of Iran. This narration is similar to Persian narration texts. In Persian texts, contrary to the Gorani's text, Teimur is aware of his lineage. In the narration of Gorani, Kaykhosrow is a captive of the Turan army; but there are three Iranian prisoners in the Persian narration texts (Banogshsab, Bijan, and Pas). The similar battle of Yaghut-push and Laal-push in the Persian texts is done by Teimur. The similar battles of Bahram Shah Javaher-push in the Persian narrative texts is the responsibility of Koohkash (Faramarz).
In the text of Gorani, killing Marjaneh Jadou by Jahanbakhsh is one of the steps of his Seven Khan. But the Persian book of Seven Army is not part of the Seven Khan, and Marjaneh is killed by Bano Goshsab (Haft-lashkar, 1998, p. 449). In the Narration Version of Shahnameh, she is killed by Teimur (Narration Version of Shahnameh, 2012, p. 767). The struggle of Jahanbakhsh and Xenon in the sixth Khan is taken from an independent Gorani narration called "Rostam and Xenon" which is included in Seven Army. Also, the report of the fifth Khan in this text, entitled "Killing Salsal Div", is an independent and separate narration in the Persian version of Seven Army (Seven Army, 1998, pp. 235-237).
The names of the characters in the Gorani text are divided into three categories: names corresponding to the famous names of Ferdowsi's Shahnameh, names corresponding to the Persian narrated texts, and names dedicated to the Gorani text.
The dual confrontation of good and evil, which is the main feature of the Iranian mythology in different levels and areas, is evident in Gorani's Seven Army. One of the important confrontations in this text is the confrontation of light and darkness. This opposition has ancient roots in Manichaeism, which is based on the opposition of light and darkness. This idea has a clear effect on Gnostic beliefs. Incidentally, in the Yarsanha Bible, called "Kalam-e Kazaneh", there is a mixture of Zoroastrian, Zarwani, and Manichaean cosmological ideas as well (Letter of the End or Treasure Word, 1996, p. 391).
Conclusion
Epic texts in the west of Iran have very old narrations and elements. While sharing similarities with the ancient Iranian epic texts, there are some differences and novelties between them as well. Probably the origin of these narrations goes back to the epics of western Iran, including the lost prose Shahnameh such as Piroozan Moallem Shahnameh and Rostam Larjani. According to the ancient Persian texts, these texts are sometimes similar to the Safavid narrative texts and sometimes have independent stories.  So far, the composer of Seven Army has been considered to be Almas-khan Kondolei, while according to reliable manuscripts, the poet’s name is Mustafa bin Mahmud. In addition to the similarity between the story of Rostam and Sohrab and Seven Khan of Rostam and Esfandiar in Shahnameh, it is similar in some aspects to the report of the Persian narrative texts. In addition, it has other differences and novelties that add to its value. The arrival of armies from Khotan to the Yaghut-push and Javaher-push army is a unique part of this text. One of its brilliant parts is Seven Khan of Jahanbakhsh, in which the heroic pupils are more than the reports of Seven Khan in Shahnameh. The sixth Khan also includes the narration of "Rostam and Xenon", which is an independent story in Gorani language. The dominant view and the cosmological beliefs of the text are based on the opposition of good and evil, and light and darkness. This is rooted in Zoroastrian, Manichaean, and Yarsan beliefs. The language of this work is occasionally influenced by the linguistic and expressive elements of the Persian narrative texts.
References
Afshari, M., & Madayeni, M. (eds.) (1998). Haft-lashkar; Comprehensive Scroll of Narrators. Tehran: Institute of Humanities.
Aidenloo, S. (ed.) (2012). Shahnameh Narration Scroll. Tehran: Behnegar.
Condolei, A. (2011). Kurdish Shahnameh (Horami) (edited by Mohammad Rahshid Amini). Bija: Kordonia.
Hosseini Abbariki, S. A. (2016). A look at the Gorani system of Haft-lashkar and the introduction of its manuscripts. Payam Baharestan, 27, 68 - 97.
Mustafa bin Mahmoud. (2010). Javaher-push boo (edited by Iraj Bahrami). Anna.
Safizadeh, S. (1996). Letter of the End; Kalam-e Khazaneh. Tehran: Hirmand.

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Aims: Monitoring of the fish biomass is one of the basic principal of fisheries management, but ornamental and reef fish stocks, because of difficulty of estimating their abundance, have been less studied than others. The aim of this study was to estimate the standing biomass of ornamental and reef fishes in Larak Island, in the Strait of Hormuz.
Materials &Methods: Standing biomass of the fish species was assessed seasonally using Underwater Visual Census Method (UVCm) in coral reefs and  mesophotic coral reefs in Larak Island throughout 2018 and 2019. Two popular methods in UVCm (belt transect and stationary point) were used based on topography of sea bottom. The confidence interval of estimated standing biomass is calculated using bootstrapping method.
Findings: The standing biomass of ornamental and reef fishes is estimated as 2522.18, 5222.17 and 1325.15(Kg.) in Site 1, Site 2 and Site 3, that are located in 3-15meters depth. The standing biomass at Site 4, was estimated as 884.13kg. The minimum were observed in summer, also the result showed  that the standing biomass in summer was significantly lower than other seasons (P <0.05). In addition, the temporal diagnostic test showed that population structure of fish in the spring, autumn, and winter seasons was similar but significantly different from the population structure in summer.
Conclusion: The less of standing biomass in summer season can be affected  by seasonal migrations of fish in tropical and subtropical waters to deeper waters, in order to trade of the stresses caused by temperature fluctuations.
 

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Despite successful lime witches'-broom (LWB) phytoplasma transmission by Hishimonus phycitis to the lime trees and Bakraee seedlings, there is no published document regarding LWB transmission by H. phycitis to lime seedlings. To study the possibility of vector-based transmission to lime seedlings, the feral leafhoppers were collected in LWB-infected lime orchards and caged on one-year old Mexican lime seedlings. Six months after inoculation, 50% of inoculated seedlings showed typical symptoms of LWB and were strongly positive in PCR assays. To our knowledge, this is the first report of transmission of Ca. P. aurantifolia to Mexican lime seedlings by H. phycitis under greenhouse condition.
 
 

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Background: Airborne biological agentsmaterials in hospitals, such as fungal i micro-colonies, play a significant role in life-threatening airborne infections in immunocompromised individuals. Thus, it is crucial to reduce airborne contamination and address the related several of its influencing factors. This study aimeds to evaluate indoor air quality (IAQ) in terms ofrelated to fungal contamination, the fungal genera contaminating the  hospital rooms' air, and several factors that could influence IAQ in hospital rooms.
Materials & Methods: This environmental surveillance study was conducted in two rooms for onea year, andwith 288 air specimens were collected using thean active air sampling method equipped with chloramphenicol-supplemented Sabouraud Ddextrose Aagar. In addition to air samples, tTemperature, relative humidity, and occupants’ number were also recorded. The fFungal colony counts wereas recorded and converted using the Feller table. Furthermore, the fungi were identified based on macroscopic and microscopic characteristics.
Findings: The mean difference of isolated fungi between the twoboth rooms was statistically significant (p< 0.0001). Yeast, Penicillium spp, and Aspergillus spp. were the most predominant fungi. Both rooms hadwere observed to have room temperature and relative humidity above the national recommended levels (above 23 ˚C and 60%). However, the number of oOccupants' number in the room without HEPA filter was significantly correlated with airborne fungal contamination level in the room without a HEPA filter.
Conclusion: The level of airborne fungal contamination wasis significantly higher in the room without a HEPA filter. Yeast, Aspergillus spp., and Penicillium spp. were the most predominant fungi isolated fromin both rooms. Room temperature and relative humidity haddid not effect oninfluence the level of airborne fungal contamination level. The oOccupants' number in the room without a HEPA filter influenced airborne fungal contamination level.

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The use of stop drill holes is one of the most convenient methods for reducing the stress intensity factors and crack growth rate. The efficiency of stop drill holes on the crack growth retardation depends on the amount of reduction in stress intensity factors. The curved plates are frequently used in engineering structures. Therefore, in this paper, by using the finite element method, the effects of configurations and diameters of crack flank holes on the variations of stress intensity factor are studied for a curved plate. The numerical results indicate that the location and the size of stop drill holes affect the stress intensity factors which is mainly due to their interaction with the crack tip stresses. Closer distances to the crack tip and larger diameters of the flank holes provide more reduction in the stress intensity factors. Also, the finite element results show that the use of stop drill hole method for the curved plates has the same efficiency as that of the flat plates.

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For half a century, the limitations of obtaining cross-combinations in lilies because of the incompatibility and incongruity between different varieties have been known. Somatic hybridization is one of the most powerful tools for achieving distant interspecific hybrids. For this purpose, protoplast preparation is a first and important step in efficient system for the regeneration of plants from protoplasts. Protoplast isolation method was previously developed in Lilium ledebourii (Baker) Boiss. In this study, several valuable experiments were done based on completely randomized design with 3 replications and also each experiment was repeated twice. The results revealed that cell wall and colony formation were better in a liquid medium than those on a semi-solid medium. The highest plating efficiency (1.34×10⁶ per gr FW) and callus formation was obtained by using a medium containing 1 mg L^-1 2,4-D, 0.2 mg L^-1 Kin and 2 g L^-1 Yeast extract. Micro calli were formed after one month of culture. Many plantlets were formed on the calli after transfer of the proliferated calli to regeneration medium. The highest plantlet regeneration (91.66%) was obtained by using a medium containing 0.5mg L^-1 NAA, 1.5 mg L^-1 BA. Means comparison revealed that the semi- solid MS medium containing 0.5 mg L^-1 NAA and 1.5 mg L^-1 BA had the highest percentage of regeneration (91.66%), bulb number (8.83), and length (0.7366 cm), root length (0.421cm) and leaf number (13.66) and length (0.5052cm).

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Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is a non-protein amino acid existing in bacteria, plants, and vertebrates. GABA is especially well-known because of its physiological role in the neurotransmission, induction of hypotension, diuresis, and tranquility. GABA is biologically synthesized by GABA-producing lactic acid bacteria (GLAB) which are widely used as starters in the fermented foods. In this study, GABA-producing strain were chosen to be microencapsulated by soy protein isolate (SPI)-alginate using emulsion method. Encapsulation efficiency and entrapment of GLAB into soy protein-alginate microcapsules (SAE) was confirmed by scanning electron microscope. The GABA-producing ability and survivability of the microencapsulated GLABs were investigated in the human gastro-intestinal simulant. For screening of GLAB strains, the isolates from Tarkhineh and fermented carrot were separately cultivated in MRS broth supplemented with 1% (w/v) monosodium glutamate (MSG). The GABA production efficiency was studied by thin layer chromatography (TLC) and High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). According to the recorded chromatograms, Lactobacillus brevis PML1 isolated from Tarkhineh and Lactobacillus brevis G42 from fermented carrot showed GABA producing ability of 304 mg/L and 2511 mg/L, after 30 h at 30 °C, respectively. The results indicated that survival and GABA production improved upon microencapsulating the bacteria due to the good cell protection provided by soy protein isolate-alginate coating. In long with previous reports, this study proves the potential of microencapsulation toward increased efficiency of GABA production in functional foods.
 

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The staggered-truss system has been proposed as a lateral load resisting system in the structural steel framing for high-rise buildings, which was developed in Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1960s. The system consists of a series of storey-high trusses spanning the total width between two rows of exterior columns and arranged in a staggered pattern on adjacent column lines. the system has the columns only on the exterior walls of the building, the usual interior columns are omitted. Thus, the staggered-truss system can provide a full width of column-free area. In the system, the role of energy absorption and endurance of inelastic deformations is responsible for the special segment of truss, so that the ductility of structure is provided by the development of plastic hinges in this region. Although, in the special segment of truss an opening near the center of span must be provided to permit a width and height of sufficient proportions which is used as a corridor. Hence, the effects of this opening must be investigated in the performance of this system. In this study, the effects of the special segment length and its strengthening pattern on the seismic performance of staggered-truss system are investigated. In order to achieve this purpose, an 8-storey steel staggered-truss system with a 1/8-scaled studied in work of Zhou et al. [14] is selected and considered subjected to the low cyclic loading. First, the finite element (FE) model of this structure, in which both the material and geometric nonlinearity, is provided in ABAQUS software, and the validation of the model is controlled by experimental and numerical study and of Zhou et al. [14]. The results of modeling this structure show that the FE model of this structure has appropriately accuracy. Then, the seismic performance of the system is evaluated by considering the various lengths of the special segment and the proposed strengthening patterns in the special segment. The results of the evaluation show that the use of special segments with great length make the entire structural capacity is not fully utilized. Hence, when the large opening is required the regions must be properly strengthened. In this study, different patterns of the special segment, including strengthening of chords, strengthening of vertical members of the special segment and the strengthening pattern proposed by the Manual Number 14 of AISC code are investigated. Since the plastic hinges are usually formed at the chords of the truss, the strengthening of chords has the greatest effect on increasing the initial stiffness and strength of structure. Instead of the strengthening of the total length of the chord, a part of both ends of the special segment is also strengthened, so that its performance is as same as that of the strengthening of the total chord. It is noted that the strengthening of the special segment is one of the ways to increase the initial stiffness and resistance structure, but this strengthening must not omit the performance of the fuse in the truss system, and the conditions of strong beam and weak column are provided. Based on the FE analytical results, the suggestions of this study can be considered for the design of staggered-truss system.

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The present study reports an efficient protocol for isolation and regeneration of protoplasts from callus of Fritillaria imperialis L. There is no published method recommended for protoplast isolation and regeneration from Fritillaria imperialis L. A range of factors, which influence the success of isolation and regeneration of F. imperialis protoplasts, were investigated. From the results obtained, callus Fresh Weight (FW) of 0.4 g produced the highest number of viable protoplasts, which was 1.12×10⁵ protoplasts g^-1 FW. The highest amount of viable protoplasts (1.01×10⁵ protoplasts g^-1 FW) was obtained when the mannitol concentration was maintained at 9% (w/v). The best treatment for isolation of F. imperialis protoplast (1.37×10⁵ protoplasts g^-1 FW) was treatment with 2% cellulase and 0.1% pectinase with 9% mannitol for 8 h. For enhancement of the protoplasts division and the percentage of colony formation, different concentrations from Casein Hydrolysate (CH), 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and Benzyl-Adenine (BA) were used. The results revealed that cell wall and colony formation were better in liquid medium than those on semi-solid medium. The highest plating efficiency (1.26×10⁶ per g FW) and highest callus formation were obtained using the medium containing 0.5 mg L^–1 2,4-D, 1 mg L^–1 BA, and 200 mg L^–1 CH. Micro-calli were formed after one month of culture. Many plantlets were formed on the calli after transfer of the proliferated calli to regeneration medium. The highest plantlet regeneration (100%) was obtained using the medium containing 0.5 mg L^–1 (NaphthaleneAcetic Acid) NAA and 1.5 mg L^–1 BA.

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Claims and, as a result, disputes have become one of the inherent attributes of construction industry. Most projects’ stakeholders know claims as the most destructive events in this industry. There are some possibilities of claims occurrence by both contract sides, especially contractors in most of the projects with different project delivery systems. Although it is not possible to eliminate the possibility of claims, the occurrence of claims in the projects can be prevented by identifying their main origins and causes. Data collection in this study was done, through organized study and semi-structured interview with experts and also the consideration of related documents that led us to reach 400 relevant cases for claims in Design-Build projects. After analysis of these cases by the researchers, the model of claim package was developed, which represents the fourth part of the claims. Then, the factors associated with each of the four parts were identified. First section contains the 48 most important claim origins. The second section includes 43 causes of claims. The third section includes 4 types of claims, and the fourth one includes 6 types of claim request. Then the forth part of the claim package model was distributed among the experts by closed questionnaire, and the most important cases of each part were identified. The identification of these claims can be useful in predicting future claims, and minimizing their effects in the similar ones. 

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In a tri-trophic system, guild members may engage in IntraGuild Predation (IGP) and their interactions may be affected by the host plants. We used a system composed of the predatory gall midge, Aphidoletes aphidimyza Rondani, the parasitoid wasp, Aphidius colemani Viereck, and the melon aphid, Aphis gossypii Glover, to test how the outputs of IGP were affected by two cultivars of cucumber (Khasib and Karim). IGP between natural enemies were examined on a single cucumber plant of each cultivar infested with mummified, parasitized or healthy individuals of melon aphid in a controlled environment room at 25±2°C, 65±5% RH, and a photoperiod of 16L: 8D hours. According to the results, A. aphidimyza was the effective predator of parasitized aphids, but not on mummified ones. In treatments with either healthy or parasitized aphids alone, A. aphidimyza consumed significantly less numbers of healthy aphids or parasitized ones on Karim cultivar. When predators were provided with healthy aphids and parasitized aphids together on plants, the risk for parasitized aphids of being predated upon by A. aphidimyza larvae was significantly reduced on Karim cultivar. Manly’s Preference Index for healthy aphids on Karim cultivar was significantly the highest. The results revealed that the strength of IGP on IG-prey on Karim cultivar was less than Khasib cultivar. Therefore, better control of melon aphid population can be expected on this cultivar.

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Weed competition, especially from grass species, is estimated to cause 23% reduction in yield in the wheat fields of Iran. During the years 2013 to 2016, a study was conducted to evaluate the resistance to herbicides of 30 rigid ryegrass (Lolium rigidum) biotypes that had been collected from wheat fields of Khuzestan Province. The screening of these biotypes was conducted with clodinafop-propargyl in the greenhouse and revealed biotypes with a survival rate of greater than 20% in response to this herbicide. These biotypes were further studied for the evaluation of cross and multiple resistance. A total of 94 and 75% of the rigid ryegrass biotypes showed resistance to ACCase- and ALS-inhibitors, respectively. Approximately 69% of the rigid ryegrass biotypes included individuals with resistance to at least two herbicide mechanisms of action. This is the first report of cross and multiple resistance in rigid ryegrass biotypes from Iran. The leaves of the rigid ryegrass biotypes cross-resistance to ACCase-inhibitors were analyzed using CAPS and dCAPS markers to identify probable amino acid substitutions at 2,041, 2,088, 1,781, and 2,078 positions on the ACCase gene. In two and nine biotypes, mutations were observed in the 1,781 and 2,041 positions, respectively. These results indicated that there is a serious problem with herbicide resistance in rigid ryegrass, including cross and multiple resistance, and a need to implement long-term integrated management strategies.