محمدعلی تاجیک قنبری

Aspergillus has many species that are important in medicine, agriculture, and various industries. The genus has 446 identified species, which are difficult to distinguish from each other with the use of morphological characteristics. Xylan 1,4-beta-xylosidase is an enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis process of xylose in xylooligosaccharides and is produced by different species of Aspergillus. This research was conducted with the aim of a bioinformatics study of the gene region related to this enzyme and to evaluate its similarities and differences in some Aspergillus species. The results showed that this gene region, due to the presence of conserved motifs, was able to distinguish some species studied in this research.

The altitude gradient is one of the important ecological factors in the distribution of different types of plant species in forest ecosystems, and the origin of altitude from sea level is related to the difference in altitude from open waters. The change in height from sea level, along with the change in vegetation, can affect the abundance of wood fungi. This research was conducted with the aim of studying the ecological effect of the altitude gradient on the abundance of wood fungi on beech species at different altitudes.

In total, 15 pure beech logs were randomly selected in three altitude gradients: (first) 550 to 650, (second) 650 to 750, and (third) 750 to 850 meters above sea level, in the educational and research forest of Darabkala Sari. To collect samples of wood macroscopic fungi, after observing the fungal samples, each sample was taken in a healthy, complete, and suitable form for identification based on morphological characteristics. Height characteristics from sea level and dry land were recorded with a positioning device, and the samples were transferred to the mycology laboratory for identification. To measure the microscopic organs, 20 samples of each of these organs were measured using a microscope with a graduated lens. Finally, to identify different fungal arrays, identification was based on both macroscopic and microscopic features, using various sources. To categorize the abundance of fungi in different altitude gradients, statistical calculations and cluster analysis were carried out in PAST software, using the Ward and Lesser Eghlidis distance, and analysis of principal components for different altitudes, species, abundance, relative frequency, and standard index were checked in PAST software by comparing two groups of fungi. Additionally, to check for height differences, multiple analyses and double plotting were done in Minitab software to reveal the groupings in terms of cloud points and distribution of wood fungi.

The obtained results showed that in the first height class, 13%, in the second 30%, and in the third 57% of all fungi were included. In the first height class, Hypholoma fasciculare was the most abundant, while Trametes versicolor dominated the second class, and Schizophyllum commune was the most abundant in the third class. Furthermore, the Polyporaceae, Xylariaceae, Ganodermataceae, Pleurotaceae, and Schizophyllaceae families had the highest frequency, while the Pezizaceae and Hericiaceae families had the lowest frequency. The results indicated that 10 species were distributed in the altitude class of 550 to 650 meters above sea level, 15 species were distributed in the altitude class of 650 to 750 meters above sea level, and 22 species were distributed in the altitude class of 750 to 850 meters above sea level. In addition, the most fungi families in the first altitudinal class were from the Meruliaceae family, whereas the second and third classes were primarily Polyporaceae. The analysis with Minitab showed that there is a significant difference in the distribution of wood fungi between the third and second floors, as well as between the first floor and the others. The findings regarding the ecological effect of the altitude gradient indicated that decomposition components reveal differences in fungi at different altitudes above sea level. These results showed that Fomes fomentarius, Ganoderma lucidum, Stereum hirsutum, Daldinia concentrica, Pleurotus ostreatus, Trametes versicolor, Trichaptum biforme, and Schizophyllum commune were among similar groups that were distributed across all three altitude classes, primarily within the Polyporaceae family and the Polyporales order.

The macroscopic wood fungi of the forest exhibit different responses across various gradients. The results of this study showed that the altitude gradient affects the abundance of wood fungi; the abundance of fungal species increases with elevation above sea level.

Fusarium verticillioides (Sacc.) Nirenberg causes maize ear rot in all maize-growing regions of the world and produces mycotoxins that contaminate maize grains. Therefore, it is considered an important species in terms of food health for both animal and human in the world. One of the best approaches to address this disease is to identify highly tolerant or resistant genotypes that can be used for genetic improvement. In this experiment, the resistance of 16 late maize hybrids was evaluated for cob resistance, silk channel resistance, and resistance in the germination stage using three inoculation methods. The objective of the current study was to select the genotype with high resistance in all three developmental stages.

The seeds of 16 late maize hybrids were obtained from the Maize and Forage Crops Research Depatment (MFCRD), Seed and Plant Improvement Institute (SPII), Karaj, Iran, and were planted in a randomized complete block design with three replications in the research field of MFCDR, in 2021. To inoculate the plants, the Kj7 isolate collected from infected maize cobs in the field of MFCDR was used. Maize hybrids were screened with three methods. In the first method, the resistance of the studied hybrids was evaluated by the rolled paper method at the germination stage. In the second method, the cob resistance was assesed by creating a wound in the middle of the cob and injecting spore suspension, and in the third method, silk channel resistance was investigated by injecting spore suspension into the silk channel seven days after the appearance of silks. Data statistical analysis was done by analysis of variance and comparison of means with Duncan's test using SAS software.

The results of analysis of variance and comparison of means showed that there was a significant difference among the studied 16 maize hybrids in terms of disease resistance with all three methods of artificial contamination. According to disease severity measurement in all three evaluated methods, the hybrids H3, H8, H11, H12 and H13 were selected as hybrids with high resistance against pathogenic fungi. These hybrids showed suitable resistance against all main methods of fungal infection and were superior hybrids compared to the other hybrids evaluated in this study in terms of resistance to maize ear rot caused by F. verticillioides. The implementation of these screening assays in maize breeding programs can be effective for classifying the degree of flexibility of maize germplasms to fusarium head rot.

The results of this experiment indicated that to evaluate the fusarium ear rot resistance of maize genotypes, the cob resistance method can be used as the main evaluation method especially in dry regions. Silk channel resistance can be used as a control method to evaluate the possible sensitivity of resistant or semi-resistant genotypes in humid areas where contamination with this method is important. Also, due to the different reaction of a number of hybrids investigated at the germination stage in this study and the possibility of the fungus growing as an endophyte in the plant, it is recommended to evaluate the new cultivars being introduced at this growth stage. Finally, hybrids should be introduced as resistant to this disease, which have shown a suitable reaction to the fungus in all three methods.

Fusarium verticillioides is a fungal pathogen of maize that causes ear rot and contaminates the kernels with fomunisin mycotoxin. Induced resistance to diseases is one of the ways which plants use against pathogens. This research was conducted as a randomized complete block design with three replications for six different time courses (0, 24. 48. 72. 96 and 120 hours post inoculation) and with two resistant (K18) and susceptible (MO17) maize lines in the greenhouse of Seed and Plant Improvement Institute (SPII), located in Karaj. In order to better understand the defense systems of maize at the molecular level, plants were inoculated with a spore suspension of F. verticillioides at a concentration of 106 by creating a wound in the middle of the ear, one week after silk emergence. The expression rate of ZmCCoAOMT2 and CYP450 89A genes was checked using the Real-Time PCR evaluation method. The results showed that the expression level of both genes increased in the resistant line. The ZmCCoAOMT2 and CYP450 89A genes reached their maximum expression level 48 and 96 hours after inoculation respectively, in the resistant cultivar. A decrease in the expression level of ZmCCoAOMT2 gene was observed in the susceptible line after fungal inoculation, but the expression of CYP450 89A gene increased in this line. In general, the results of this research showed that the studied genes are related to the interaction of the plant with the pathogen and may help to induce resistance in the plant.

With sufficient knowledge regarding the presence of fungi and the significance of biodiversity, the forest's management objectives can achieve their sustainability goals. Therefore, in order to properly manage the forest, it is necessary to establish indicators that provide adequate information on biodiversity and monitor changes resulting from management activities. This study aims to identify various macroscopic fungi and investigate their biodiversity in their habitat, i.e., deadwood.

Fifteen specimens of deadwood fungi were randomly selected in Darabkola forest. All macroscopic fungi were numbered and collected, then transferred to the mycology laboratory for identification. The biodiversity of the fungi was calculated using Shannon-Wiener diversity index, Simpson diversity index, richness index, and uniformity index with PAST software

The obtained results revealed that there were 37 species of macroscopic fungi belonging to 27 genera and 16 families. Trametes versicolor, Daldinia concentrica, Trichaptum biforme, and Fomes fomentarius were the most abundant, while Hericium coralloides, Ganoderma resinaceum, Ganoderma adspersum, and Trametes trogii were the least abundant species. Additionally, the families Polyporaceae, Xylariaceae, Ganodermataceae, Pleurotaceae, and Schizophyllaceae were the most abundant, whereas Pezizaceae and Hericiaceae were the least abundant. Most fungi were present in the final stages of decomposition. The results indicated that the mean diversity index for Shannon-Wiener species diversity was 3.24, Simpson species diversity index was 0.95, Margalef's richness index was 6.11, Menhinick's index was 1.95, and uniformity was 0.69. The analysis of the Shannon-Wiener diversity index showed that Trichaptum biforme and Trametes versicolor had a higher diversity value with a score of 1.46.

The results of this study indicate that for the management of fallen deadwood habitats with the aim of increasing the biodiversity of fungi, it is recommended to preserve these fallen deadwood areas within the forest. This preservation would contribute to the revitalization and completion of the ecosystem cycle.

The aim of this study is to investigate the interaction effects of two Trichoderma spices (T.koningii and T. virens) mutants and endophyte Piriformospora indica on infected cucumber plants by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. radicis-cucumerinum (Forc) and evaluating their mutual influence on growth indexes in cucumber plants.The efficient wild-type Trichoderma isolates were selected by dual-culture test (T.koningii NAS-108 with 50% and T.virens NAS-115 with 33% inhibition of pathogenic growth) and their spore suspension with a concentration of 106 (spore/ml) in a dose range of 250 Gy was irradiated with gamma rays. NARS-TKM101 and NARS-TviM112 mutants showed highest antagonistic activity by 20% and 100% increase compared to their wild-type strains and they with their wild-type strains, were used for greenhouse evaluations. The combined treatments of Trichoderama sp. (total wild types and total mutants) with P. indica showed the most positive effects on seedlings growth indices length and dry weight (stem and root). No significant difference was observed between un-irradiated and mutant strains of Trichoderma in reducing disease index, (p<5%), but the combined treatments of two Trichoderma fungi (total mixed Trichoderama wild types and total mutants) with P. indica led to significant reduction of disease index (p<5%) and were more successful than the carbendazim fungicide in the plants infected with Forc.

Endophytic fungi are fungi that are present in plant tissue at the time of sampling without obvious symptoms. There are several reports that the use of endophytic fungi improves grain yield, increases cold and drought tolerance, resistance to plant pathogens and herbivorous insects. Therefore, these fungi can be used as a biocontrol agent in the protection of crops. Endophytic fungi are a rich source of active metabolites that have the potential to be used in medicine, agriculture, and industry, so this study was conducted to isolate endophytic fungi from hornbeam trees and their morphological and molecular identification from the forests of Sari.

In this study, to identify endophytic fungi from healthy branches of hornbeam trees during autumn 2019 and summer and autumn 2020 of the forests of Sari city were sampled. In the laboratory, each branch sample was kept for 24 months at 24 ° C and continuous darkness after disinfection and culture on PDA medium. Morphological features and sequencing of the ITS region were performed to confirm the morphological identification and sequencing of the relevant dendrogram using version 7.1 of Bioedit software.

In this study, 9 genera and species were identified. Fungal species includ:Alternaria alternata (OM117707), Aspergillus flavus (OM488258), Botryosphaeria dothidea (OM141395), Diaporthe eres (OM131770), Fusarium acuminatum(OM131729),Fusarium sambucinum (OM142129),Mucor fragilis (OM017151), Neofusicuccum parvum (OM017148), Fulvia fulva (OM124921).

In general, the aim of this research was to identify the fungal endophytes of Beech trees based on morphological and molecular data from the forests of Mahdasht, Tabaghdeh, Darabkala and Imamzadeh Zaid Sari located in Mazandaran province.

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is one of the most important cereals which known to have high nutritional value in foods population worldwide. Rice sheath blight is considered as a critical diseases and Rhizoctonia solani (Teleomorph: Thanatephorus cucumeris) is the causal agent of the disease. Induction of resistance by chemical compounds is a very interesting alternative approach in plant disease management. Various biotic and abiotic factors have a role in activation of resistance genes expression in plants. Potassium phosphite is among the chemical compounds which is able to induce of resistance genes in plants and leads to suppression of diseases by directly affecting the pathogens and indirectly by stimulating the host defense responses. In this study, the effects of potassium phosphite application was considered on the expression of some pathogenesis related genes in both Tarom (Resistance) and Khazar (susceptible) cultivars in challenging with R. solani.

The factorial experiment completely randomized design was used in this research. The effect of Potassium phosphite on Tarom (Resistance) and Khazar (Sensitive) rice cultivars in challenging with R. solani was considered. Four weeks old rice treated with potassium phosphite and as well mock plants were infected with the disease causal agent, R. solani. The sampling carried out at 0, 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours after infection. After total RNA extraction and cDNA synthesis, real-time quantitative PCR was performed to studying the expression pattern of PAL, LOX, PR1, PR3 and PR5 genes using specific primers.

In this research, findings demonstrated that there is a significant increase in the expression of PAL, LOX, PR1, PR3 and PR5 genes in potassium phosphite treated rice when compared to the mock plants. The effects of the treatments in all traits in the expression level of LOX, PR1, PR3 and PR5 genes were significant, but in the expression level of the PAL gene, in the treatment-cultivar and treatment-cultivar-time traits were not significant. Nevertheless, for the other traits it was significant. Between the Tarom (Resistance) and Khazar (Susceptible) cultivars, except for the PR1 gene, there was a significant difference in the rest of mentioned genes. As well, between the treatments, all five genes had a significant mean comparison.

These findings show that potassium phosphite causes a rapid and intense response of the rice plant against R. solani through the induction of different genes and leads to increase in sheat blight disease resistance. Actually in Tarom cultivar, resistance genes were expressed faster and further than Khazar cultivar.

Fusarium wilt, root and crown rot caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ciceris, (FOC) is the highly significant soil-borne disease of chickpea in the Kurdistan province of Iran. The distribution of pathogenic races of FOC in Kurdistan province was determined during this research. Infected plant samples were collected from 42 fields in the chickpea production area of the Kurdistan province. The causative microorganism of the disease was isolated and purified from each sample, and then FOC isolates were identified by morphological characters. After the pathogenicity test and evaluation of pathogenic variability on the susceptible cultivar Kaka, the DNA extraction, the molecular identification of species, and races of pathogenic isolates were performed using FOC-specific linked primers. Among the collected isolates, 37 were identified as Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ciceris. Molecular identification of races using SCAR-linked markers (1B/C, 0, 2,3,4,5, 6, and 1A) revealed that 28 out of 37 isolates belonged to race 0, and other isolates belonged to race 1B/C. There was no relationship between the prevalence of races and their geographical distribution. Identification of the races is crucial for the evaluation of resistance and the development of new commercial cultivars. The application of resistant cultivars is a fundamental approach for the integrated management of the Fusarium wilt, root, and crown rot for durable chickpea production

This study aimed to investigate the possibility of heavy metals contamination in the soil next to MDF factory located in Sari, Mazandaran province, Iran and their effects on soybean yield.

Accordingly, in an area of 3600 square meters 32 soil samples from 16 points (0-15 and 15-30 cm) and 48 plant samples were collected. After transferring the samples to the laboratory, absorption of heavy metals in the soil was measured. Also, the correlation between the yield and yield components with heavy metals were determined.

Distribution map of heavy metals and stepwise regression results showed that the cadmium significantly affected the number of unfilled pods per plant. When Cd increased, the number of unfilled pod increased as the rate of 0.5 per unit. In addition, a significant interaction existed between cadmium and iron for the 1000 grain weight. Accordingly, the maximum 1000 grain weight (131 g) was observed at the areas with the lowest concentration of cadmium and iron. Also, overlapping of distribution map of Zn and the number of unfilled grain per plant indicated that this parameter mainly controlled by Zn. Hence, the number of unfilled grain per plant increased as the rate of 0.53 per unit of Zn in the soil.

In conclusion, determining distribution map of heavy elements and overlapping with the yield and yield components not only help to identify contaminated areas and effective factors on spread of heavy metals into the soils but also help to evaluate their consequence effects on plant performance.

This experiment was designed to investigate the effects of sunflower seed meal fermented with Aspergillus niger and the probiotic Saccharomyces cerevisiae on the morphology and microbial population of different parts of the intestine and some digestive parameters.

This experiment conducted as a completely randomized design with 200 one-day-old Ross 308 male commercial broiler chicks, in five treatments five replications and eight chickens per replication. Experimental treatments including: 1- Diet containing sunflower meal fermented with Aspergillus niger 2. Diet containing sunflower meal fermented with Saccharomyces cerevisiae 3- Diet containing sunflower meal fermented by both Aspergillus niger and Saccharomyces cerevisiae 4. Diet containing unprocessed sunflower meal 5- Control diet based on corn and soybean. The effect of treatments at the end of the 39-day raising period was investigated on the morphology of ileum, viscosity, microbial population and pH contents of broiler chick’s intestine.

Intestinal morphological results showed that the highest villus height and the ratio of villus height to crypt depth in ileum were related to birds fed fermented treatment with Aspergillus niger (p<0.05). The amount of viscosity in the jejunum and ileum of the small intestine in all three treatments contained fermented sunflower meal was higher than the treatment contained unprocessed sunflower meal (p<0.05). The treatment contained sunflower meal fermented with Aspergillus niger was the closest to the control treatment based on corn and soybean (p<0.05). The population of duodenum coliform increased significantly in the treatment contained sunflower meal fermented by Aspergillus niger (5.41) and also the treatment contained sunflower meal fermented by both fungi and yeast (5.35) compared to the control treatment (5.57). The highest population of aerobic bacteria in this section was related to the treatment contained sunflower meal fermented by Saccharomyces cerevisiae (5.45): (p<0.05). The highest populations of Lactobacillus and aerobic bacteria in the jejunum were related to the treatment contained sunflower meal fermented with Aspergillus niger (5.16) and the control treatment based on corn and soybean (6.49): (p<0.05). The highest population of Lactobacillus bacteria in the ileum was related to treatment contained sunflower meal fermented with Aspergillus niger (5.92) and treatment contained unprocessed sunflower meal (5.95): (p<0.05). Also, the highest population of coliform (5.43) and aerobic bacteria (7.61) in this part was related to the treatment containing sunflower meal fermented with Aspergillus niger (p<0.05). The population of coliform, lactobacillus and aerobic bacteria in cecum was higher in all treatments than the control treatment based on corn and soybean (p <0.05). The highest pH of duodenum and jejunum was related to control treatment based on corn and soybean (p<0.05).

The results of this experiment indicated that fermented sunflower meal with Aspergillus niger and Saccharomyces cerevisiae decreases the pH of the gastrointestinal tract contents, increases the total microbial population, decreases coliform and increases Lactobacillus and improves the intestinal morphology of broiler chicks.

This research was carried out to evaluate the effect of sunflower seed meal fermented with Aspergillus niger and Saccharomyces cerevisiae on performance, nutrient digestibility, immune response, some blood parameters in 200 male Ross 308 broiler chicks in a completely randomized design. with five treatments. Experimental treatments were: 1- Diet containing sunflower seed meal fermented by Aspergillus niger 2- Diet containing sunflower seed meal fermented by Saccharomyces cerevisiae 3- Diet containing sunflower seed meal fermented by both Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus niger 4- Diet containing sunflower seed meal without processing 5-Control diet based on corn and soybean meal. Feed intake in control and treatment 1 were higher than the other treatments in starter and finisher periods of the experiment (P<0.05). Daily Feed intake in control group was higher than the other treatments in whole period of the experiment (P<0.05). Daily weight gain in control and treatment 1 were higher than the other group in starter and grower periods of the experiment (P<0.05). Feed conversion ratio in treatment 1 was better in finisher phase. In whole period of the experiment, feed conversion ratio in control and treatment 1 was better than the other treatments (P<0.05). Dry matter, crude protein, crude fat digestibility in the control group was higher than the other treatments (P<0.05). In conclusion, inclusion of sunflower seed meal fermented with Aspergillus niger, in broiler diet showed similar feed conversion ratio in compared to control group in whole period of the experiment and also lowered abdominal fat percentage.

In order to investigate the effect of biopriming of wheat seeds with Trichoderma and Aspergillusalong with ZnSo4 on improving germination indices and the tolerance threshold of wheat to zinc a factorial experiment was done based on a completely randomized design with three replications. Experimental treatments included six levels of zinc (0, 0.6, 6, 60, 300 and 600 mg/L) and four fungal treatments (no inoculation, inoculation with Trichoderma harzianum, Trichoderma longibrachiatum and Aspergillus niger). Nonetheless, based on the results, the coexistence of wheat seedlings with Trichoderma fungi especially Aspergillus fungi reduced the lipid peroxidation of the membrane in all application levels of zinc. Also, based on the results, the highest proline content was observed in the highest level of zinc in inoculated wheat seedlings by T. harzianum (fourfold increase as compared to the uninoculated control) and in other levels of zinc in seedlings inoculated with A. niger. However, the results showed a negative relationship between malondialdehyde (MDA) content and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and growth indices of wheat seedlings. There was also a negative relationship between MDAecontent with both SOD activity and growth indices of wheat seedlings. Inoculation of wheat seedlings with fungal treatments with higher production of SOD may led to higher resistance and avoidance to higher concentrations of Zn. Overall, the results showed an increase in the tolerance threshold of wheat seedlings to a concentration of 60 mg/L and therefore, more effectiveness of this micronutrient in seeds inoculated with Trichoderma and Aspergillus especially inoculated with Trichoderma longibrachiatum.

Oomycete species occupy many different environments and many ecological niches. The family Saprolegniaceae from Oomycota includes widely distributed water molds which usually behave as saprophytes on plants and animal debris. Members of some species may also be pathogenic for plants and fish. Oomycete species identification based on DNA is well established, but DNA barcoding with cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COXI) and II (COX II) are a relatively new approach. In this study, 57 isolates were obtained from water samples in mazandaran province, Iran. After morphological identification by morphological keys, ITS, COXI , and COX II gene regions of 10 representatives of the isolates were sequenced and 3 genera and 6 species (Newbya recurva, Achlya bisexualis, Dictyuchus monosporus, Saprolegnia ferax, S. bulbosa , and S. debaryana) were identified through BLASTn in NCBI gene bank. The results described in this paper were indicated that except for ITS, COXI and COXII sequencing could also be valuable resources to Saprolegniaceae identification. Except for S. ferax, other described species were new reports for oomycete biota of Iran.

Twist disease of wheat caused by Dilophospora alopecuri is one of the diseases that is observed along with wheat seed gall nematode (Anguina tritici) in Golestan province. In order to investigate the pathogenicity of the fungus, an experiment was performed in two cases including inoculation of the fungus alone, D. alopecuri and the nematode together and nematode alone on 4 cultivars of wheat known as Ehsan, Kouhdasht, Morvarid and Line 17 under greenhouse condition. Traits such as decrease of dry weight of infected plant, decrease of plant height, number of fungus-infected plants, number of spike infected by the fungus, number of nematode-infected plants, total weight of nematode galls, number of nematode galls and average galls weight per plant were measured in different cultivars. The analysis was performed using SAS software, and the comparison of the means was achieved by the LSD test. The results of analysis of variance showed that the interaction between D. alopecuri and wheat cultivars and the effect of the fungus on the measured indices in wheat cultivars was significant. The results showed that D. alopecuri can cause disease on wheat only in the presence of A. tritici and the presence of nematode is necessary for fungal pathogenicity and its distribution in the wheat spike.

Black dot disease triggered by Dilophospora alopecuri causes considerable damage in some fields in Golestan province, North of Iran. D. alopecuri is its causal agent and carried in to wheat by wheat gall nematode. Extracellular appendages on the conidia adhere to the cuticule of the nematode juveniles. The disease was reported in united state of America, Canada, Germany, Ugoslavia, India and Pakistan.The fungi is classDothideomycetes and order Dothideales. The geographical distribution of disease was studied in South-Eastern Australia in the summer 1995.The disease in Iran has been reported by Bamdadian since 1973 from Baluchistan, Isfahan, Golestan, Khorasan, Kerman and Khuzestan. The disease agent causes considerable damage in some fields in Golestan province, North of Iran. Symptoms have been found during a survey of foliar disease of wheat in Golestan province. The disease incidence was very low but fungus interaction with seed gall nematode causes considerable damage. The symptoms start with yellow spindle-shaped flecks which develop and become tan brown with black border. This spots may occur on peduncle and heads. The pathogen survives as mycelium in host debris or as conidia on seeds. The purpose of this study was determining the geographical distribution, disease incidence (DI) and disease severity (DS). Then molecular identification of isolates with ITS rDNA in North of Iran, Golestan province.

 Wheat fields infected with the disease in the cities of Golestan province were visited and subjected to sampling during spring 2017-2018. 42 samples suspected to infection with the twist disease were gathered from seven cities of Golestan province. The rate of disease distribution from seven cities farms with disease symptoms, three farms were selected in each crop year and their geographical coordinates were recorded. In this research mapping the geographical distribution of disease was prepared by ArcGIS10.2 software. During 2018 and 2019, a survey was conducted to characterize the disease incidence (DI) and disease severity (DS). The D. alpoecuri leaf spot reading scales rate carried out in this study. No visible symptoms are observed and the leaf remain a health 0; A few chlorotic lesions are present and the infection site is a tan-spot colored 1: Necrosis and chlorosis both exist on the leaf 2: A few pycnidia are visible on the infected site and less than 30% of the leaf is occupied by pycnidia 3: The entire leaf is covered by pycnidial lesions scored 4. A significant difference was observed between the disease rates in the two cropping years. Seven D. alopecuri isolates were identified on the based on morphological and molecular parameters. After purification of fungal isolates, 50 conidia and pycnidia were selected in each isolate and the length and width of pycnidia, conidia cell number, conidia size (length and width), colony shape on the culture medium were also measured in the laboratory. After that identifying of the fungus isolates pathogenicity test was performed in the greenhouse. The D. alopecuri spore suspension with 1.75× 106 CFU concentration and for nematode population with 25000 larvae (L2) were used for inoculation to plants. After three months symptoms of leaf spot (twist) disease was appeared in tillering stage. Fungal DNA extraction from mycelium mass of selected isolates was performed by Murray and Thompson (1980) method and part of ITS region was amplified using ITS4 and ITS5 primers by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The amplified PCR products of fragments were purified and sequenced at sequencing Microsense Company in Switzerland.

  Comparing of harvested fungal isolates which have been grown on PDA medium showed some variation in different characteristics such as the number of conidia walls, conidia appendages and pycnidia size. In both subsequent years, maximum disease incidence (DI) and disease severity (DS) was measured in Kalaleh by 3.6% to 3.9%, while for Bandar-Torkaman, the city with the lowest DS, were1.3% to 1.65%. The average size of conidia length was 4-8×1 μm in diameters.The pathogenicity test showed that the D.alopecuri is capable to produce twist  disease symptoms only  in the presence with seed gall nematode in the host. The nucleic acid sequences of Internal Spacer Transcribed (ITS) regions for Golestan isolates showed 100% similarity and had small genetic similarity with D. alopecuri MH859142.1 deposited in NCBI Genbank. The sequences belong to D.alopecuri from Gonbad, Aqala, Azadshahr, Maravehtapeh, Kalaleh, Minodasht cities were registered in NCBI Genbank with MW302360, MW291507, MW291561, MW303438, MW303517, MW303518 accession number, respectively.

This is the first study carried out on the morphological and molecular characteristics of twist disease agent isolates, disease severity and its distribution in Golestan province as a major wheat production area of Iran. Many of results especially molecular data and submitted sequences form Iranian isolates of D.alopecuri to databanks are new for Iran.

Green mold (Penicillium digitatum) is one of the most important post-harvest pathogens of citrus fruits. Tens of thousands of citrus fruits are often destroyed by green mold in Iran every year. The use of chemical toxins to control the disease, in addition to negative environmental effects, leads to the selection of fungal-resistant populations and also endangers consumer health, so non-chemical control of the pathogen has become an important goal of researchers in recent years.

The essential oil components of myrtle (Myrtus communis L.) were extracted with a Clevenger apparatus and their compounds were identified with a gas chromatography apparatus with a mass spectrometer. The inhibitory effect of myrtle essential oil and the fungicides chitosan and thiabendazole on spore germination and colony growth was investigated by mixing with PDA and PDB under laboratory conditions and by impregnating the fruit surface during storage.

Thirteen compounds were identified in myrtle essential oil, which was quantitatively the highest compound 1-8 cineole. Myrtle essential oil at a concentration of 1700 ppm and chitosan at a concentration of 500 ppm inhibited 100% of fungal colony growth, as did the fungicide thiabendazole.

It is possible to use myrtle essential oil or chitosan as an alternative to the fungicide thiabendazole to control citrus green mold.

Citrus bacterial blast disease is one of the prevalent diseases in most citrus-growing regions in the world. Plants use a wide range of mechanisms to defend against pathogens, and the plant-pathogen interaction induces the expression of genes involved in the plant resistance. Furthermore, symbiotic association between plant and mycorrhizal fungi could effectively promote growth and protect the plant against adverse environmental conditions. In the present study, Serendipita indica-root colonized sour orange seedlings were infected by Pseudomonas viridiflava and the expression patterns of PR1, PR2, PR3, PR4, PR5, PAL, POX, and LOX genes in the early stages of citrus blast disease were investigated using the qRT-PCR at different sampling times. According to the results, the response of defense genes to bacterial infection was time dependent. In the S. indica-colonized sour orange plants, the highest level of PR1, PR4, PAL, POX, PR3, and PR5 genes expression was observed at 48 h after infection, but the expression of PR2 and LOX genes was increased at 72 h after infection compared to the control plants. It seems that S. indica can induce systemic effects and prepare the host plant to increase the expression of defense genes more rapidly once it receives a signal for the presence of the pathogen.

Grapevine trunk diseases (GTDs)are known as the most important factors in crop reduction and cause considerable economic problems in grapevines worldwide. During 2016 to 2018, several field surveys were conducted on numerous vineyards in Khorasan-Razavi province to study fungal species associated with grapevine trunk diseases. In this study, samples were collected from trunk and branches of trees showing yellowing, stunted growth, dieback and wood discoloration in cross sections. In this study, 258 fungal isolates were obtained and identified based on morphological characteristics and comparison of DNA sequence data (ITS-rDNA region and a part of β-tubulin gene). These isolates were identified as Phaeoacremonium minimum (75 isolates), P. parasiticum (19 isolates), P. iranianum (52 isolates), P. tuscanum (8 isolates), Fomitiporia mediterranea (56 isolates) and Seimatosporium vitis (48 isolates). Pathogenicity of the selected isolates was verified by inoculation of potted grapevines shoots under greenhouse conditions. Based on the mean length of wood discoloration in the wood, P. minimum and F. mediterranea were the most and least virulent species, respectively. Our findings indicated that known fungal trunk pathogens such as Phaeoacremonium species and F. mediterranea occur on grapevine in Khorasan-Razavi province. This study is the first report of S. vitis associated with grapevine decline in Iran.

In this study, to isolate and identify the root endophyte fungi, root samples of herbaceous plants were collected from the central regions of Mazandaran province during 2016-17. In laboratory, each root sample was cultured on PDA medium after surface disinfestation and incubated for a month at 25°C and continuous darkness. Fungal isolates were purified using the single spore and hyphal tip methods. Fungal species were identified based on morphological characteristic and ITS sequence data. In this study, 27 species belonging to 14 different genera including: Alternaria alternata, A.arborescens, A. burnsii, A. dumosa, A. solani, A. tenuissima, Botryosphaeria dothidea , B. auasmontanum, Curvularia australiensis, C. buchloes, C. spicifera, Cladosporium tenuissimum, Daldinia concentrica, Diaporthe bohemiae, Fusarium acuminatum, F. avenaceum, F. equiseti, F. oxysporum, F. tricinctum, F.verticillioides، Microsphaeropsis arundinis، Nigrospora sphaerica، Paraconiothyrium cyclothyrioides, Periconia macrospinosa, Poaceascoma helicoides, Preussia minima and Xylaria heliscus were identified. Among identified fungi Botryosphaeria auasmontanum, Curvularia australiensis, C. buchloes, C. spicifera, Diaporthe bohemiae, Microsphaeropsis arundinis, Nigrospora sphaerica, Paraconiothyrium cyclothyrioides, Periconia macrospinosa, Poaceascoma helicoides and Preussia minima are new for mycoflora of Iran. Except Alternaria arborescens, other fungi are introduced from their hosts for the first time, in Iran.

Cadmium is one of the most commonly used heavy metals in the contaminated areas which entered in the ecosystem and the food chains and will have ecological harmful effects on living organisms. Considering the risk of increasing heavy elements in agricultural soils and subsequent exposure to medicinal plants such as purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.), a factorial experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design with three replications. The aim of the presented study was to study the vegetative growth response and the physiological and enzymatic parameters of this medicinal plant in comparison with the increase of cadmium concentration (0 to 275 mg/kg) in the soil. The results showed that vegetative traits, photosynthetic pigments, soluble protein content and relative water content of leaf decreased with increasing cadmium concentrations while increased the levels of malondialdehyde, hydrogen peroxide and proline. Also, the changes in the activity of the three enzymes of peroxidase (POX), ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) increased at lower levels of toxicity while decreased at higher levels. Purslane was more sensitive to higher levels of cadmium, so that gradient of more studied variables like dry weight of vegetative organs, the photosynthetic pigments, proline, soluble protein and hydrogen peroxide at low levels of cadmium (ranging from zero up to 60 mg/kg) was lower and then continued with a more slope. Overall, the results showed that the purslane medicinal plant has the ability to grow up to 275 mg per kg of cadmium in the soil. However, at concentrations higher than about 60 mg, the accumulation of dry matter and the functioning of the plants defense systems decreased by more than 50%.

Silybum marianum (L) Gaert.) Is a member of Asteraceae family, and silymarin is known as a valua effective substance in the plant, which is used to treat a number of diseases, such as liver disease. Chalcone synthase is one of the key enzymes in the production of silymarin. The fungal endophytes live in the tissues, without infection, and have a beneficial effect on the production of secondary metabolites of plants. Recently, several endophytic fungi from milk thistle (Silybum marianum (L) Gaert) have been isolated and studies were the chemical and molecular on its fungus has been considered. Therefore, this study aimed to isolate endophytic fungi from the seeds of milk thistle plant, and comparing the production of fungi and plant silymarin, as well as investigating the Chalcone synthase amino acid sequences associated with the L Silybum marianum and several other fungi from the NCBI database (http: //www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov).

Therefore, this research was carried out to isolate endophytic fungi from the seeds of milk thistle plant, and to compare the production of fungal and plant silymarin. For this purpose, milk thistle seeds were collected from the area of Sari Agricultural and Natural Resources University and after disinfection, They sterilized in conditions, cultivated on MS medium. After appearance of fungi in the culture medium, the fungi were transferred to the PDA medium under sterile conditions the next for purification to WA medium. Fungal growth isolates were transferred to PDB medium and after 10 days of silymarin extraction Molecular identification of endophyte fungi isolates was performed by amplification of ribosomal areas, then the Alignment of the obtained sequence with the sequences on the NCBI site was compared with BLAST online software and identified with phylogeny tree of endophytic fungus. Investigate the bioinformatics of Chalcone synthase in L. Silybum marianum and several other fungi species,is use the NCBI database, was obtained by comparing domains and similar positions of Chalcone synthase, and was Investigating with the clustalo uniprot database. Then it was analyzed with CLC Genomics Workbench5.5.2 software and their specifications table was drawn up. The phylogeny tree of these sequences was drawn using the Mega7 software, using the Neighbor- joining

The results of high performance liquid chromatography confirmed the silymarin production of fungi. The amount of silymarin for leaf samples of intact plant was 33.079 ppm and for the in vitro grown plant was 17.183 ppm and for the endophyte fungus was 7. 29 ppm. Using ITS, molecular identification of isolates was carried out and its species was identified as Alternaria alternata. Also, analysis phylogenic relationship of chalcone synthase, as a key enzyme for production of silymarin, between milk thistle and a few fungi showed its closest proximity to to Alternaria sp.

The study of the production of silymarin in fungi isolated from the seeds of milk thistle , in vitro and in vivo plants, along with the bioinformatics study of the pathway of production of Chalcone synthase enzyme, determined the role of endophytic fungi in the production of silymarin. The fungal isolate was also able to produce silymarin in laboratory conditions

The role of extracellular enzymes in mycoparasitism of Trichoderma spp. have been demonstrated in several cases. Trichoderma spp . produces several chitinolytic enzymes and this fungus is known as a powerful antagonist against Macrophomiona phaseolina, the causal agent of charcoal rot disease of soybean. In this study, two–dimensional protein pattern analysis and chitinaseactivity evaluation were performed for an Iranian Trichoderma koningii strain (NAS–K1) and its generated mutants were measured to indicate the potential role of endochitinases (N–acetylglucosam–inidase (NAG–I and NAG–II)) in its mycoparasitism. The results of chitinase activity assay using chitin and cell walls of M. phaseolina as substrates showed that the mutant isolates have significantly more enzyme activity compared to the wild type strain. The specific endochitinase enzyme activity in the mutant NAS–K1M25 was increased to approximately 2.5 times more and secreted three times more endochitinase than that of the wild type strain. This superior mutant showed up to 65% growth inhabitation against M. phaseolina in dual culture test (five times more than the wild type strain). Moreover, this strain showed sharper spots belong to endochitinase, and N–acetylglucosaminidase (I & II) presented in SDS–PAGE and 2D electrophoresis. Overall, induced mutation by gamma irradiation could be a useful method to develop such superior mutants, and the mutant NAS–K1M25 could be used as a potential biological control agent candidate for plant disease management programs of M. phaseolina. However, more detailed fermentation, formulation and field trial studies should be performed to finalize its biocontrol potentials.

Forest management has an essential impact on the growth of medicinal, edible, and poisonous wood-inhabiting fungi. Identification and cultivation of some edible fungi play an important role in supplying food needs and knowing medicinal fungi can be important for maintaining health and treating many diseases. The purpose of this study was to identify of wood-inhabiting fungi on deadwood of Fagus orientalis trees in the Darabkola forests. Also, we categorized these fungi into medical, edible, and poisonous groups, and present the volume of deadwood in these forests. After conducting preliminary field survey, sampling was done from deadwood. Identification of fungi in the fungal laboratory through morphology and extraction of ITS nrDNA region was done and sequenced using ITS1 and ITS4 primers and corrected with Bio Edit software and analyzed in NCBI. The results showed that 37 fungi species were identified, and among which, 70% had medicinal and economic values, 22% had edible value, and 8% had toxicity characteristic. A total of 15 deadwoods were studied, and 40 taxons of edible, medicinal, and poisonous were identified. Also, most of the species on deadwoods were found to be Trametes versicolor, Lenzites betulinus, Daldinia concentrica, Pleurotus ostreatus, Ganoderma lucidum, and Fomes fomentarius, respectively. In conclusion, in order to manage the deadwood in a forest ecosystem for increasing the diversity of medical and edible fungi, it is suggested that to preserve the deadwood