عبدالنبی باقری

Sour orange, among the cold, drought tolerant rootstocks, is suitable for planting in poor drainage soils. Since salinity is one of the destructive stresses on the growth of citrus plants,  providing a suitable solution can be effective in reducing its harmful effects. So, a factorial pot research as a completely randomized design with three replications was conducted to evaluate the impact of saline water and potassium phosphite on sour orange plant. Sour orange plants were healthy and free disease six-months seedlings (height about 60 cm). The treatments were included salinity (1.5, 3, 4.5 and 6 dS/m) and potassium phosphite (0, 1.5 and 3 g L-1). The results showed that the high level of salinity led to a decrease in stem fresh and dry weight (63 and 60.22%, respectively), nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus, calcium and iron contents (4, 15.7, 8, 18.6 and 12.2 %, respectively) in sour orange. Potassium phosphite treatment (1.5 g L-1) increased the potassium, phosphorus, nitrogen, iron (32.6, 20.6, 19.7, 46.5%, respectively) contents, the fresh and dry weight of the stem (63.9 and 60.2%, respectively), the fresh and dry weight of roots (58.18 and 61.01 %, respectively) and finally the harmful impacts of salinity stress were reduced in sour orange plant. Generally, the application of potassium phosphite (1.5 g L-1) improved morphological characteristics, absorption of elements and reduced the adverse effects of salinity in Sour orange.

Endophytes have symbiosis life within the plant tissues without causing any obvious negative effects. Seaweeds are one of the large and diverse groups of marine plants that play an essential role in marine and oceans ecosystems. Seaweeds show rich diversity of associated microorganisms in compare with the other multicellular organisms. Citrus species, are amongst the most important evergreen fruit trees, cultivated in many countries worldwide. There are several obstacles for citrus production in southern of Iran, limiting continuity of citrus production. Lack of suitable soil, salinity and drought stresses are the main challenges threatening citrus industry in southern of Iran. Similar to other citrus species, the production of Mexican lime is threatened by certain biological stresses (such as pests, plant diseases and weeds) and non-biological stresses (such as salinity, drought, floods, cold and heat stress). Endophytes are advantageous group of microorganisms that protect plants from biotic and abiotic stresses. One of the alternative ways to restore normal plant growth may be to use plant growth to stimulate endophytes. Endophytes can play an important role in plant growth. Endophytes from marine environment are gaining special interest because of their existence in the harsh conditions of marines and ocean ecosystem such as temperature, light availability, high salinity and osmotic stress. Endophytes have already been isolated from various marine habitat, including marine plants, marine invertebrates and vertebrates. Among these organisms, seaweeds are one of the most prevalent sources of marine-derived fungi and bacteria for chemical studies. The purpose of this study was the isolation of associated fungi and bacteria endophytes with seaweed species in Persian Gulf to investigate morphological and molecular characterization by using PCR amplifications ITS1-5.8S-ITS4 regions and 16s rRNA gene respectively. Here, we have evaluated the potential of inoculating Mexican lime seedlings with seaweeds fungi and bacteria endophyte combination, (Aspergillus niger+ Bacillus aquimaris OD14), to improve morphological, biochemical, antioxidant and photosynthesis pigments characterizes of Mexican lime in salinity condition.

The main aim of this study was to investigate the role of endophytic fungi (Aspergillus niger) and bacteria (Bacillus aquimaris OD14) in improving the growth of Mexican lime seedlings. The seaweed samples were collected from coastal regions of Bushehr province and Qeshm Island. Fungi and bacteria endophytes were isolated and identified base on morphological and molecular methods. Molecular characterization was investigated using PCR amplification of ITS1-5.8S-ITS4 regions and 16s rRNA gene respectively. Mexican lime seeds were sterilized with 0.5% sodium hypochlorite for 20 minutes and then completely distilled three times with distilled water. Seedlings pots containing autoclaved soil were placed in the greenhouse of the Faculty of Agriculture, Hormozgan University. The experiment was arranged as a factorial experiment based on randomized complete randomize design with three replications. Isolated fungi and bacteria by MT420720 and MT278260 accession numbers were used in eight months old Mexican lime seedlings. The suspension was adjusted to a concentration of 1×106 cell per ml for fungi and 1×108 cell per ml for bacteria inoculums. For better contact of seedlings with endophytes, inoculation was performed three times. After three months, salinity stress was applied. morphological (Leave, Stem and Root dry and fresh weight), biochemical (Protein, MDA and soluble sugars), antioxidant capacity (CAT, POD, SOD, APX and Gr activity) and photosynthesis pigments (Chlorophyll a, Chlorophyll b, Total Chlorophyll and Carotenoids) characteristics in treated Mexican lime seedlings and control were analyzed. Analysis of variance of traits was performed using SAS software version 9.4 and the means were compared using LSD method with a probability level of P≤0.05.

The results show that most characterizes were significant compare with control. For example, in 6000 µs/cm water salinity, leave fresh weight (203.49%), root fresh weight (347.41%), stem fresh weight (206.81%) and root dry weight (421.95%) were significantly higher compared with control (P>0.001). Endophytes inoculation can significantly improve photosynthesis pigments such as chlorophyll a (65.21%), chlorophyll b (11.9%), total chlorophyll (28.39%) and carotenoids (59.09%) (P>0.001) compare with control. In antioxidant capacity of seedling, CAT, POD, SOD, Gr and APX were analyzed, Endophytes can increase enzymes activity. For biochemical characterizes, in 6000 µs/cm water salinity, endophytes can significantly increase soluble sugars (17.85%) and decrease MDA (35.18%) in inoculated seedlings compare with control (P>0.001). 

The results showed that the use of endophytic fungi and bacteria can increase the growth of Mexican lime seedlings under salinity stress. Thereby it can be used as an effective tool for growing salinity-sensitive plants in saline conditions.

Salinity stress is among the abiotic stresses that restrict citrus growth. In this regard, the appropriate suitable solutions to improve growth characteristics and antioxidant responses under salt stress conditions can be useful. The present pot research was conducted as a factorial experiment in a completely randomized design with three replications in the greenhouse of the University of Hormozgan during 1401. The used sour orange plants were six-month-old seedlings (height about 60 cm) that were healthy and disease-free. Experimental treatments included water salinity (1.5, 3, 4.5, and 6 dS/m) and potassium phosphite (KPhi((0, 1.5, and 3 g/l). The results revealed that the salinity of 6 dS/m compared to the salinity of 1.5 dS/m led to a decrease in leaf number, stem length and root volume (44.09, 11.4 and 37.5%, respectively) and increased ion leakage and malondialdehyde (9.23 and 41.7%, respectively). Application of potassium phosphite (KPhi( (1.5 g/l) compared to the salinity of 6 dS/m increased leaf number, stem length, root volume and root length (43.5%, 34.4%, 67.2% and 27.3%, respectively). In addition, increased protein content and activity of catalase, superoxide dismutase, phenylalanine ammonialyase, guaiacol peroxidase and ascorbic peroxidase increased (33.9, 94.4, 6.24, 22.8, 73.7 and 94.4%, respectively). Potassium phosphite (KPhi( decreased ion leakage and malondialdehyde (28.6% and 24.13%, respectively). Finally, this study showed that potassium phosphite (KPhi( (1.5 g/l) stimulates the antioxidant system, neutralizes oxygen free radicals, improves growth characteristics and moderates the harmful effects of salinity stress in sour orange seedlings.

The order Hymenoptera comprises an important group of insects, with ecological and economic importance, and serving as ecological indicators. Investigating the diversity and distribution of fauna is considered a prerequisite for biodiversity conservation. In this research, the hymenopteran fauna in mangrove forests on the southern coast of Iran were studied during 2021–2022. The collection was made by sweeping net and light trap. The survey revealed the presence of ten species and nine genera belonging to six families. Of which, two species, Ampulex assimilis Kohl, 1893 (Hym.: Ampulicidae) and Paridris leda Kozlov & Kononova, 1985 (Hym.: Scelionidae) are recorded for the first time for the Iranian fauna. Diagnostic characters of the new records and geographical distribution of all species are provided.

Salinity is among the abiotic stresses restricts citrus growth. In this regard, the selection of appropriate method to improve growth characteristics and antioxidant response under salt stress conditions can be useful. The present pot research was conducted as factorial reperiment in a completely randomized design with three replications in the greenhouse of University of Hormozgan during 2021. The used lime plants were six-month-old seedlings (height about 60 cm) healthy and disease-free. Experimental treatments were included salinity (1.5, 3, 4.5, and 6 dS/m) and potassium phosphite (0, 1.5, and 3 g L-1). The results revealed the 6 dS/m of salt led to a decrease in leaf number, stem length and root volume (25.27, 13.8 and 47.8% respectively) and increased ion leakage and malondialdehyde (50.47 and 34.5%, respectively). Application of potassium phosphite (1.5 g L-1) increased leaf number, stem length, root volume and root length (33.87%, 32.38%, 15.5% and 11.05%, respectively). In addition, the potassium phosphite treatment increased protein content and activity of catalase, superoxide dismutase, phenylalanine ammonialyase, guaiacol peroxidase and ascorbic peroxidase (36.9, 95.97, 69.1, 30.20, 65.7 and 78.5%, respectively) and decreased ion leakage and malondialdehyde (75.7% and 40.6%, respectively). Based on the results, it can be expected that potassium phosphite (1.5 g L-1) by stimulating the antioxidant system and neutralized oxygen free radicals, improves growth characteristics and moderates the harmful effects of salinity stress in lime.

Soil macrofauna plays a critical role in the development of soil structure and provides a variety of ecological functions. The present study aims to compare the biological index of soil macrofauna in broadleaved, coniferous, and mixed stands during growing and resting seasons in Geno protected area, Hormozgan Province, Iran. After a half-hectare broadleaved stand, a half-hectare coniferous stand, and a half-hectare broadleaf-coniferous (mixed) stand in the Geno protected area were selected to identify the soil macrofauna and measure the physical, chemical, and soil properties and their relationship with soil macrofauna, 10 soil samples were randomly collected from different soil depths including under the canopy to a depth of 15 cm, during the growing and resting seasons. The macrofauna were isolated from the soil samples and were then submitted to a laboratory for chemical analysis. Data were analyzed using SPSS26 software. Richness, evenness, and biodiversity indices were compared using t-test, and then ANOVA and Duncan tests were used to compare physical and chemical properties of macrofauna soil in growing and resting seasons. The results showed a significant difference biological index of macrofauna in broadleaved, coniferous, and mixed stands in the growing and resting seasons.Tperesence of macrofauna the soil, their great diversity and activity as one of the key factors in the supply of nutrients and soil fertility can play a constructive role in the health of ecosystems and maintaining its balance

 Medicinal plants have reservoirs rich in the active ingredients of many medicines. Medicinal plants have rich reservoirs of essential active ingredients of many drugs. Considering the importance of medicinal plants, especially in the pharmaceutical industry and their scarcity in nature, it is very important to study the various agricultural aspects of these plants, considering the increasing spread of saline soils, to find a solution. It seems necessary to prevent living and non-living environmental stresses or at least reduce them. One of these methods is the use of symbiotic relationships between mycorrhizal fungi and host plants, which reduces the stress caused by salinity. Due to the increasing expansion of saline soils, it seems necessary to find solutions that can prevent or at least reduce the living and non-living environmental stresses. There are different ways to overcome these tensions in different situations. Water salinization is one of the most important environmental limiting factors for crop production, especially in arid and semi-arid regions of the world, since Iran is located in the arid region of the world, given that salinity is one of the environmental factors. Are that have a strong effect on the growth and activity of lemongrass; There are also vast resources of saline and semi-saline groundwater, although not currently used and likely to be used in the future. Solutions to address abiotic stresses include the use of biofertilizers. One of these methods is to use the symbiosis of fungi with host plants, which leads to a reduction in salinity stress. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. On vegetative and biochemical traits of lemongrass under salinity stress. Salinity is one of the most important factors limiting the growth and production of crops. Fungi as a biological fertilizer can be useful in meeting the nutritional needs of plants and reducing the effects of environmental stresses on plants.
 
 The experiment was a factorial experiment in a completely randomized design with two factors of four salinity levels (0, 5, 10 and 15 ds.m-1 NaCl) and fungi (no inoculation and fungal inoculation). For inoculation of Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi with mixed potting soil was applied to the lemongrass. Plant height, root length, fresh and dry weight of leaves, relative water content, catalase, peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase were measured.
 
 The results indicate that all studied traits were significantly affected by the interaction of mycorrhiza and salinity stress. The application of mycorrhizal fungi in the presence of salinity stress due to the absorption of nutrients and water led to improved growth of lemongrass. The results showed that under salinity stress of 150 mM plant height, root length, fresh and dry weight of leaves, relative water content, catalase, peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase enzymes in lemongrass inoculated with arbuscular fungus at 23.05, 32.69, 25.31, 48.14, 31.83, 30.33, 52.72 and 33.41% respectively, increased compared to the control (no inoculation). In general, based on the results of this study, it can be concluded that the use of mycorrhizal fungi can increase the salinity tolerance of lemongrass and cultivate it in saline soil.
 
In summary, the results of the present study showed that inoculation of the fungi can protect the lemongrass plant against salinity stress. In addition, the effect of mycorrhizal fungi on lemongrass under salinity stress has been investigated for the first time. According to the results obtained in this study, salinity reduced morphological parameters and lemongrass as a reaction to salinity to maintain its status to increase the amount of enzyme activity through the mechanism of osmotic regulation to stress conditions. Compromise and to some extent deal with salinity. In the study, it was observed that inoculation with Arbuscular had a positive effect on all measured traits. The application of mycorrhizal fungi in the presence of salinity stress due to the absorption of nutrients and water led to improved growth of lemongrass. By examining all the measured traits, it can be concluded that by using mycorrhizal fungi, the salinity resistance of lemongrass can be increased and cultivated in saline soil. Arbuscular species seems to be more suitable for improving the growth of lemongrass in all conditions.

In order to investigate the effect of drought stress on some morphological, physiological, and biochemical traits of the medicinal plant Teucrium stocksianum Boiss, an experiment was conducted in the form of a completely randomized design by 5 rounds of irrigation of 0, 4, 6, 8 and 10 days and in four replications. The results showed that severe drought stress caused a significant decrease (P < 0.05) in leaf length and width, plant height and width, root length, plant width, the diameter of main and secondary stems, fresh weight of shoots and roots, and dry weight of shoot and root, relative humidity content, chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, total chlorophyll, carotenoids. The highest amount of ion leakage, proline, catalase, polyphenol oxidase, malondialdehyde, flavonoid, and anthocyanin were observed in severe drought treatment. In general, by using defense mechanisms such as reduction of morphological traits, rapid accumulation of organic substances regulating osmosis, and increasing the activity of antioxidant enzymes, the medicinal plant Teucrium stocksianum Boiss showed a suitable response to drought stress and absorbed nutrients by spending minimal energy and the growth continues.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi can improve salinity tolerance and plant productivity in saline-alkaline soils using different strategies including nutrient uptake, osmotic regulation, soil shaping, etc. Therefore, the use of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi has been considered to reduce the effects of salinity. This study aimed to investigate the effect of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus on the physiological, biochemical and caffeic acid levels of lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) under salt stress.

The experiment was conducted as a factorial in the form of a completely randomized design in three replications. The experimental treatments included the first factor of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (inoculation and non-inoculation) and the second factor of salinity treatment at four levels (0, 50, 100 and 150 mM). The characteristics of photosynthetic pigments, ion leakage, proline, soluble carbohydrates, flavonoid, anthocyanin, protein, ascorbate peroxidase, the amount of sodium and potassium ions and changes in caffeic acid content of lemon grass were investigated.

Plant inoculation with arbuscular fungus at salinity levels (150 mM) reduced ion leakage by 34.14% compared to the control. Plant inoculation with arbuscular fungus improved chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, total chlorophyll and carotenoids by 118.51, 82.35, 50.70 and 98.64 percent, respectively, compared to its absence at salinity levels (150 mM). The results show that lemongrass plants against salt stress (150 mM) maintain the state of proline, carbohydrate, flavonoid, anthocyanin, protein and ascorbate peroxidase enzyme activity in inoculation with arbuscular fungus at the rate of 20.48, 94.94, 27%, respectively. It increases by 27, 30 and 17.39% compared to the control (without inoculation). Also, the results showed that under the salinity stress of 150 mM and the presence of arbuscular fungus, the amount of potassium increased by 15.39% compared to the control; While the amount of sodium in the presence of this mushroom decreased by 8.46% compared to the control. Investigations showed that the percentage of caffeic acid in lemon grass inoculated with arbuscular mycorrhiza increased by 0.686% compared to control plants.

This study suggests the potential use of mycorrhizal technology as a practical biotechnological approach to increase the growth and increase production of bioactive compounds of Cymbopogon citratus in salt-affected soils.

Teucrium stocksianum Boiss. is one of the important medicinal plant species that is naturally grown in the Southern highlands of Hormozgan and Sistan & Baluchestan provinces, Iran. The aim of this study was to investigate the diversity of some morpho-physiological traits of different populations of T. stocksianum collected from natural habitats. The results showed significant differences among the populations for all the morpho-physiological traits. Plant height was positively correlated with plant height and width. Shoot dry weight was also positively correlated with root dry weight. Principal component analysis (PCA) showed that the first five components accounted for 84.15% of the total variation. In the first component, the inflorescence length, plant height, root dry weight, plant width, and stem dry weight were important traits (%31). Cluster analysis divided the populations into three groups and showed that the cluster analysis using morpho-physiological did not correspond to the geographical diversity. Based on the results, the populations of the second group due to having higher values for desirable traits such as large diameter, small diameter and plant length, stem and root dry weight, main stem diameter and the weight of 1,000 seeds, were introduced to breeding improved varieties.

 Medicinal plants have historically been one of the main sources of medicine and pharmacy in most parts of the world, that among these plants, we can mention the species Citrullus colocynthis L. Schrad. Cell suspension culture is a widely used method to increase the rate of secondary metabolites. The secondary metabolites of plants, are species compounds often produced during a certain period of growth and development and have important ecological functions in plants. They induce the ability of plants to cope with herbivores, microbial pathogens, adsorbents, and seed-spreading organisms. Also, due to the role of fungal elicitors to increase the rate of secondary metabolites in plants, in this study, we studied the role of the endophytes Alternaria solani. Fusarium sp. and Setosphaeria rostrata extracted from Citrullus colocynthis L. Schrad were collected from different regions of Hormozgan province as bio-elicitors in a cell suspension culture medium.

 The study was performed based on a factorial experiment in a completely randomized design with two factors (the first factor had two levels of different hormonal composition and the second factor had eight levels of endophytic fungal extracts) with three replications in the biotechnology laboratory of Hormozgan University and the results were analyzed statistically using SAS 9.4 software. To produce the callus and culture of cell suspension under hormone treatment, watermelon seeds were first disinfected for a period of time and then the seeds were transferred to a culture medium containing MS and placed in a suitable incubator for seed germination. After germination and leaflet production, pieces with an area of approximately 1 mm2 were separated from the primary leaves and for callus formation were transferred to Petri dishes containing MS medium (3% sucrose, 0.8% agar), with two levels of 1mg 2,4-D + 1mg BA and 1mg 2,4-D + 1mg kin and placed in a suitable incubator for three weeks. Three fungal endophytes Alternaria solani, Setosphaeria rostrata, and Fusarium sp. were transferred separately to PDA (Potato Dextrose Agar) culture medium to prepare the bio elicitor and placed at 30 ° C for 7 days. From 7-day cultures, 1 cm2 of mycelium was isolated and inoculated into 150 ml of PDB (Potato Dextrose Broth) culture medium. The cultured cells were stored at 30 ° C in a 500 ml Erlenmeyer flask and placed on a shaker for 7 days at 120 rpm. The fungal cells were isolated and dried at 65 ° C for 24 hours. The powder from the dried cells was dissolved in water (10 g / l) and autoclaved for 20 minutes at 121 ° C. The extracts of these cells were finally used as a bio elicitorto study the change in the number of secondary metabolites. After that, the growth rate of cells in cell suspension culture was measured before and after the application of fungal extract. Parameters such as total phenol content, antioxidant activity, and flavonoids were also studied.

The results showed that the treatment combinations of 1mg 2,4-D + 1mg BA and inoculation of the plant with three fungi, the amount of phenol and flavonoids increased by 62.11% and 49.18%, respectively, compared to the control and at the levels of 1% and 5% probability were significant  and was observed in the combination of hormonal treatment 1mg 2.4-D + 1mg Kin and inoculation of three fungi, the amount of antioxidant production increased by 62.78% compared to the control and at the levels of 1% probability was significant. The results indicated that the cell extraction of the fungal endophyte Alternaria solani, Fusarium sp., and Setosphaeria rostrata under condition hormonal treatment can be used as an effective stimulant in increasing the amount of secondary metabolites (phenol, flavonoids and  antioxidant) of Citrullus colocynthis L. Schrad. 

 It was revealed that by adding the elicitor to the culture medium, cell growth was increased. The results showed that the combination of three types of endophytic fungi Alteynaria solani, Setosphaeria rostrata and Fusarium sp. led to a significant increase in cell dry weight compared with the control treatment. Also, an increase in cell growth was observed even when a fungal extract was used alone. The amount of metabolites in cells treated with fungal extracts (fungal elicitors) was significantly higher than metabolites produced in the control. According to the results of this experiment, using a combination of three fungal extracts was the best treatment to increase the metabolite production in the culture of cell suspension of Citrullus colocynthis L. Schrad.

Endophytes play an important role in protecting plants. In this study, endophytic combination of Aspergillus niger and Bacillus aquimaris OD14 was used to improve tolerance of Mexican lime seedlings to salinity stress. Three months after inoculation, salinity stress of 0, 2000, 4000 and 6000 μs/cm was applied. After 8 weeks, morphological, biochemical and elements adsorption traits of seedlings were evaluated. The experiment was carried out as factorial in a completely randomized design with three replications. The results showed that in 6000 μs/cm water salinity, endophytic compound increased stem length (103.64%), trunk diameter (103.04%), number of leaves (444.41%) and root length and width (232.02% and 41.63% respectively). Endophyte increased 76.29% of SPAD chlorophyll content compared to control. Also, the uptake of root potassium (34.95%) and shoot calcium (115.15%) increased and the uptake of sodium elements was decreased (29.49%) compared to control. Endophytic combination could significantly reduce ion leakage (65.57%) and increase proline content (69.3%) in inoculated seedlings compared to control. In general, marine endophytes can be used as a suitable option to increase plant tolerance to salinity.

All plants in natural ecosystems seem to symbiose with fungal endophytes. This highly diverse group of fungi can have profound effects on plant communities by helping to tolerate abiotic and biological stresses, increasing biomass, and reducing water consumption or changing resource allocation.

In this study, the spatio-temporal biodiversity of fungal endophytes of Fusarium sp. and Thielavia sp. isolated from six species of halophyte plants was examined. The spatio-temporal biodiversity of these two fungal endophytes in different tissues of halophyte plant species was assessed by PAST software using Simpson, Shannon, and Margalf richness indices. The ITS-specific primer was used for the molecular identification of fungi.

The results of the study showed that the highest frequency was related to the fungal endophyte Thielavia sp. 21.75% in the stem. Examination of the Simpson, Shannon, and Margalf richness indices showed that the highest fungal endophyte diversity for these indices were 0.498, 0.691, and 0.445 in the stem of Bienertia cycloptera, respectively. Also, the results of the Simpson and Shannon diversity index showed that the highest fungal endophyte diversity of 0.500 and 0.693 was observed in the plant species of Abu Musa Island, and for the Margalf richness index, the highest fungal endophytic diversity of 0.455 was observed in Sirik port.

The results of this study showed the high spatio-temporal diversity of the two fungal endophyte species in the six saline plant species studied. Based on this information, it can be concluded that the supply of endophytes from geographical areas in which plant species are highly diverse, can be effective in the success of the plant colonization program.

 Fungal Endophytes have symbiosis life within the plant tissues without causing any obvious negative effects. Seaweeds are one of the large and diverse groups of marine plants that play an essential role in marine and oceans ecosystems. Seaweeds show rich diversity of associated microorganisms compare with the other multicellular organisms. Citrus species, are amongst the most important evergreen fruit trees, cultivated in many countries worldwide. There are several obstacles for citrus production in southern of Iran that limiting continuity of citrus production. Lack of suitable soil, is one of the main challenges threatening citrus industry in southern of Iran. Similar to other citrus species, the production of Mexican lime is threatened by certain biological stresses (such as pests, plant diseases and weeds) and non-biological stresses (such as salinity, drought, floods, cold and heat stress). Here, we have evaluated the potential of inoculating Mexican lime seedlings with seaweeds fungi endophyte, Aspergillus niger, to improve morphological, biochemical, antioxidant and photosynthesis pigments characterizes. Endophytes are advantageous group of microorganisms that protect plants from biotic and abiotic stresses. One of the alternative ways to restore normal plant growth may be to use plant growth to stimulate endophytes. Endophytes can play an important role in plant growth. Endophytes from marine environment are gaining special interest because of their existence in the harsh conditions of marines and ocean ecosystem such as temperature, light availability, high salinity and osmotic stress. Fungi have already been isolated from various marine habitat, including marine plants, marine invertebrates and vertebrates. Among these organisms, seaweeds are one of the most prevalent sources of marine-derived fungi for chemical studies. The purpose of this study was the isolation of associated fungi with seaweed species in Persian Gulf to investigate morphological and molecular characterization by using PCR amplifications ITS1-5.8S-ITS4 regions and primitive assessment of their potential as bio-fertilizer.

 The main aim of this study was investigation the role of endophytic fungi (Aspergillus niger), in improving the growth of Mexican lime seedlings. Cladophoropsis membranacea, green seaweed, was collected from coastal region of Bushehr province. Fungal endophytes were isolated and identified based on morphological and molecular methods. Molecular characteristic was investigated using PCR amplification of ITS1-5.8S-ITS4 regions. Mexican lime seeds were sterilized with 0.5% sodium hypochlorite for 20 minutes and then completely distilled three times with distilled water. Seedlings pots containing autoclaved soil were placed in the greenhouse of the Faculty of Agriculture, Hormozan University. Isolated fungi by MT420720 accession number was used as bio-fertilizing agents in eight months old Mexican lime seedlings. The suspension was adjusted to a concentration of 1×106 cell per ml. For better contact of seedlings with fungi, inoculation was performed three times. After three months, morphological (trunk diameter, stem length, root length and width, leaf and branch number, leaf, stem and root dry and fresh weight), biochemical (Protein, MDA and SPAD), antioxidant (CAT, POD, SOD, APX and Gr enzymes activity) and photosynthesis pigments (Chlorophyll a, Chlorophyll b, Total Chlorophyll and Carotenoids) characterizes in treated Mexican lime seedlings were analyzed. The experiment was arranged in randomized complete design with three replications. Analysis of variance of traits was performed using SAS software version 9.4 and the means were compared using LSD method with a probability level of P≤0.05.

 The genera of Aspergillus was the most frequent isolates of the isolated fungi. The results show that most traits were significant compared with control. For example, leaf number (144.42%), root fresh weight (144.13%), stem fresh weight (94.85%) and root width (105.55%) were significantly higher compared with control (P>0.001). Fungal inoculation can significantly improve the photosynthesis pigments such as chlorophyll a (10.98%) and carotenoids (40.62%) (P>0.001) compared with control. In antioxidant capacity of seedling, CAT, POD, SOD, Gr and APX enzymes were analyzed. Fungal inoculation can increase the enzymes activity. For biochemical traits, fungal inoculation can significantly increase SPAD number and decrease MDA in inoculated seedlings compare with control (P>0.001). 

 The results showed that the use of entophytic fungi increased the growth of Mexican lime seedlings. Thereby it can be used as an effective tool for growing salinity-sensitive plants such as Mexican lime in saline conditions.

Mentha Mozaffarianii Jamzad. is an aromatic, medicinal and endemic plant that grown in the South of Iran. Overharvesting, drought stress, destruction of its natural habitats have increased the extinction risk of this unique species. To investigate the morphological variation, nine populations were collected from its natural habitats during the years 2019-2021 and 23 morphological traits were evaluated. The results of the analysis of variance indicated the existence of diversity among the studied populations. There were significant differences among populations (P<0.05) for all the traits except the leaf number, leaf length to width ratio and the number of flowering branches. The results showed significant correlation among most of the studied traits. Based on the principal component analysis (PCA), six main components explained 76.45% of the total variance among traits. The first, second and third components explained 23.24, 15.8 and 13.64% of the total variation, respectively, and they were considered as the effective components in plant height, inflorescence, and canopy cover. Based on cluster analysis using Ward method, the populations were divided into three main groups. The populations in cluster 3 had the highest plant height and crown area. Evaluation of phenotypic variation and collection of its genetic resources is necessary to facilitate the management and better investigation in breeding programs. Assessment the presence of phenotypic diversity can provide beneficial information in the management of collections and germplasm of Mentha Mozaffarianii. The data obtained from this research is useful and valuable in identifying appropriate populations for breeding purposes.

Huanglongbing (HLB) is one of the most destructive diseases of citrus worldwide. The disease keeps spreading in several citrus-growing areas of southern Iran. The potential of (GTG)5-rep marker in revealing the genetic diversity of geographic isolates of Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus was evaluated in the present study. Twenty-one HLB-infected samples collected from the Hormozgan and Sistan and Baluchestan provinces were used in the trial. PCR with the (GTG)5 primer produced 16 scorable bands, of which nearly 100% were polymorphic among or within the populations. The most observed variation resided within (80.56, P < 0.10) and a substantially less (19.44, P < 0.10) between the populations. The isolates were distributed in two main (A and B) clusters, each consisting of several subgroups. Group A included Sistan and Baluchestan and Hormozgan isolates and the group B embraced Hormozgan isolates. Based on pairwise genetic differences, the Haji Abad and Hashtbandi populations exhibited the highest between-population variation, and the Siahoo, Hashtbandi, Nikshahr, Haji Abad, and Sarbaz showed the greatest within-population variation. The first three coordinates of the principal coordinate analysis explained more than 72.39% of the variation among or within the populations. The first two coordinates explained 58.20% of band variation in plotting, and the first and third coordinates explained 55.54% of band variation. These results may be inferred that the Hormozgan populations might have diverged from the Sistan populations, or both might have originated separately from an initial or parental population possessing a high genetic diversity.

Hormozgan province has an area of more than five million hectares of forests and rangelands. Saharo-sindian and Irano-Toranian plants are distributed in Hormozgan province naturally. To identify and study the harmful factors of forest and rangeland pests, samplings have been visited several times during 2015-2020. These studies included pest collection, prognosis, prevention, and control, as well as identification of order, family, genus, and species. The samples of pests were identified applying the CTAB method and COI amplified. Further analyses were done, including DNA genomic extraction and using SSR markers, including LCO1490 and HCO 2198 primers. Nine species of pests were collected and identified in Hormozgan agricultural research and natural resources and education center. The important pests identified included Thiacidas postica Walker (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), Streblote helpsi (Holloway) (Lasiocampidae: Lepidoptera), Schistocerca gregaria (Forskal) (Orthoptera: Acrididae), Hystrix leucura (Sykes) (Rodentia: Hystridae), The longhorn beetle of the family Cerambycidae, xylophagous beetle of the family Buprestidae, Nysius cymoides (Spinola) (Hemiptera: Lygaeidae), Vanessa carduie (Linnaeus) (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae). There are three new emerging pests causing severe damage to the forests, including Streblote helpsi Holloway (Lepidoptera: Lasiocampidae), a beetle from Cerambicidae, and an un-identified bark borer on Prosopis cineraria. The purpose of this study was to identify the most important pests of forests and rangeland in Hormozgan province with emphasis on new emerging pests to manage and control these pests.

Habrobracon hebetor Say (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) is an ectoparasitoid wasp in the family Braconidae and is widely used in biological pest control. Little information is available on the genetic diversity of geographically isolated populations of H. hebetor. In the present study, we assess the genetic structure and diversity of geographically distinct populations of H. hebetor collected from different regions of Iran. To this end, 19 populations of H. hebetor (Dehloran, Hamadan, Minab, Rudan, Ahvaz, Sari, Semnan, Bandar Lengeh, Haji Abbad, Jiroft, Shiraz, Sarpol-e Zahab, Gorgan, Isfahan, Urmia, Kahurestan, Taziyan, Isin, and Sarkhun) were collected from natural niches. For each population, we sequenced a ~660 base pair fragment of Cytochrome Oxidase subunit I (COI) successfully. Analysis of molecular variance revealed sharp differentiation among H. hebetor populations. Populations from Ahvaz, Dehloran, Jiroft and Minab were the most genetically diverged. A Mantel test showed significant positive correlation between genetic and geographic distances (r = 0.47, P < 0.001). The phylogenetic analysis clustered the populations into two major groups (A and B) (100); the major part was assigned to group A. Group B mainly included the populations from southern Iran. Based on these results, we conclude that H. hebetor in Iran is comprised of many diverse populations. These may be successfully applied in innundative release programs.

The date spider mite, Oligonychus afrasiaticus(McGregor) (Acari: Tetranychidae) is a destructive pest on date palm trees, causing high economic losses. Here, we investigated the relationship between population density of O. afrasiaticusand the extent of its injury level as well as the relation between rate of damage and date yield losses indices on six commercial date cultivars in five date palm growing provinces including Khuzestan (Sayer and Berhee), Hormozgan (Pyarum), Kerman (Mazafati), Bushehr (Kabkab), and Sistan and Baluchestan (Rabi) of Iran. The experiment was conducted in a complete randomized block design with five treatments and three replications.To this end, in each replication, four date clusters were selected from four different geographical directions, in each of them, 25 fruits were checked randomly to unveil the number of healthy and infested fruits. The sampling was repeated at seven-day intervals from late May to early September. Finally, the Norton model was used to estimate the economic injury level (EIL) under both biological and chemical control conditions. The highest value of EILin 2019 was estimated for Sayer in the chemical control method (1827 Mite-day) and the lowest one was estimated for Pyarum in the biological control method (25.5 mite-day). Our results also revealed that the cost of biological control was significantly lower than chemical control. The highest and lowest rate of date injury (symptoms of the pest feeding) were observed on Berheeand Mazafati cultivars, respectively. Also, the highest and lowest rate of date loss were observed on Kabkab and Sayer cultivars, respectively. On the other hand, the cost of chemical control in both years was higher than that of biological control.

The aim of this study was to compare the richness, diversity, and evenness of soil macrofauna and the factors affecting it during the growing and dormant seasons in Amygdlus scoparia Spach stand in the protected area of Geno located in Hormozgan province, Iran. After the selection of a half-hectare stand of Amygdalus scoparia in the Geno protected area, 10 soil samples were randomly collected in the depth of 15 cm, under the crown of trees in growing and dormant seasons in order to measure physiochemical characteristics and identify soil macrofauna and their relations. After macrofauna separation, samples were transferred to the laboratory for physiochemical analysis. All variables were compared across two seasons using T-Test analysis (p <0.05) and the correlation of variables was analyzed using Pearson correlation (p <0.01). The results showed that all soil properties (nitrogen, carbon, phosphorus, and temperature) except electrical conduction and soil acidity in the growing season were significantly higher than those in dormant season. The frequency and biomass of macrofauna in the growing season were 1060 in m2 and 5.9 mg.m-2, respectively, comapred to 90 in m2 and 0.7 mg.m-2 obtained for dormant seasons. Further, the indices of Margalef, Menhinick, Simpson, Shannon and Waever, and evenness Pielou and Hill in growing season (2.55, 2.15, 0.79, 1.77, 0.89, and 0.93) were significantly higher than those in dormant season (0.23, 0.53, 0.09, 0.13, 0.49, and 0.19, respectively). Soil macrofauna frequency along with biodiversity, richness, and Pielou evenness indices showed positive and significant correlations with organic carbon, phosphorus, nitrogen and soil temperature.

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) is one of the most well-known vegetable species in the world, that its cultivation can be threatened by salinity. Salinity is one of the main abiotic challengs that can negatively affect plant growth and physiology. The effect of the Penicillium chrysogenum endophyte fungus on the improvement of quantitative and biochemical traits of tomato plants under salinity stress (treatment of saline well water with different concentrations of (0, 4, 6, and 8 dS / m-1) was investigated in a factorial fully randomized design with three replications at the Hormozgan University greenhouse. The studied traits included plant height; root dry weight; content of chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, total chlorophyll and carotenoids; relative leaf water content; content of proline, soluble sugars, malondialdehyde and hydrogen peroxide. Although, salinity significantly reduced the plant height, root dry weight, chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, carotenoids and relative leaf water contents, Penicillium chrysogenum could overcome these challenges and reduce the negative effects of salinity. The presence of endophytes against its absence at salinity stress (8 ds/m-1) of 26.66, 30.43, 21.72 and 8.47%, respectively, improved the traits of proline, soluble sugars, malondaldehyde and hydrogen peroxide. Our findings confirmed the high potential of Penicillium chrysogenum to increase plant fitness, especially under salinity conditions. This issue can be used practically to reduce cultivation restrictions in some areas due to the salinity of the water.

Resistance development to both insecticides and transgenic crops has been frequently reported in Helicoverpa armigera populations, necessitating efforts to find new control measures. This study was aimed to evaluate the efficiency of attract and kill method using Noctovi®, a synthetic plant volatiles-based attractant for controlling H. armigera. In addition, the attractiveness of the Noctovi® for adults of H. armigera was evaluated under field conditions using delta traps. One liter per hectare of Noctovi® mixed with Permethrin, 5 ml A.I. or Thiodicarb, 7 ml A.I. was sprayed on tomato plants of the middle row (100 m length) just before sun set every two weeks. As infestation criteria, means percentages of infested tomatoes in attract & kill, insecticidal treatment and control (without any treatment application) plots were statistically compared. The results revealed that the Noctovi® was attractive for gravid females and males of H. armigera. Means percentages of infested tomatoes in attract & kill, insecticidal treatment and control (respectively 2.91±0.18, 4.68±0.24 and 5.14±0.28) were significantly different and the infestation in attract & kill treatment was significantly less than those of insecticidal treatment and control ones. At the same time, the infestation in insecticidal treatment was significantly less than that in control.

Date Palm Lessr Moth Batrachedra amydraula Meyrick, is among the most important pests feeding on date fruits. Here, we studied the standardization of the class-specific sampling method to define the appropriate unit and number as well as to know population distribution pattern of B. amydraula in its specific ecological niches and fitting of continuous sampling model on six date palm cultivars in five provinces. Sampling was repeated in 10 days intervals from late March to early September. Distribution pattern of B. amydraula in the date palm orchards was calculated using indices of mean crowding, Taylor's law, mass average index, patchiness, and Iowa. The results showed that the mean density of B. amydraula varied from 3.304 (Sayer cultivar) to 0.804 (Rabi cultivar) in 20 studied fruits. According to Taylor's law, the distribution of this pest was cumulative. The sample size decreased by increasing density of B. amydraula in date palm orchards. The slope of decrement was different in the various date cultivars so that the lowest and highest number of the samples were observed in Sayer and Kabekab, respectively. By these results we can say that sequential sampling method can decrease sample size by 3 to 16 times compared with the classical sampling model.

In this study we aimed to investigate the symbiotic effects of a fungal (Penicillium chrysogenum) and bacterial (Exigubacterium aurantiacum) endophytes and their interaction on some growth and physiological traits of tomato plant (Solanum lycopersicum L.) cultivar 8320. To this end, tomato seeds were inoculated by the studied endophytes P. chrysogenum and bacterial E. aurantiacum and transplanted in seedling trays in the greenhouse of Hormozgan University  in 2019. The experiment was performed as a factorial experiment in a completely randomized design with three replications  with inoculation of fungal endophytes and bacterial endophytes in which some traits such as fresh and dry weight aerial organs, leaf length and width, number of leaves, stem height and diameter, chlorophyll content (SPAD), fluorescence chlorophyll, chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, carotenoids, relative water content, antioxidant activity and total phenol content were measured. The results showed that the interaction of P. chrysogenum and E. aurantiacum significantly increased fresh and dry weight aerial organs, stem height and diameter, leaf number, chlorophyll content (SPAD), chlorophyll fluorescence, chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, carotenoids, relative water content, antioxidant activity and total phenol content of the tomato plants. However, both endophytes significantly reduced leaf length and width of the plants compared to symbiotic-free ones. The results showed that the simultaneous application of both endophytes had a significant synergistic effect on the mentioned traits in tomato plants compared to their separate application. In general, it can be concluded that the symbiosis of endophytes in a bio-rational combination with the tomato plant Improving growth traits will have significant positive effects. Therefore, the simultaneous application of P. chrysogenum and E. aurantiacum endophytes is strongly recommended to improve the growth traits of tomato plants.