tadayon

Safflower is an annual plant native to the Mediterranean countries and cultivated in Europe and U.S. Safflower petals are very important as a source of medicinal preparations, natural food color and dyes for coloring fabrics. Water deficit stress severely limits crop growth especially in arid and semiarid regions of the world as it affects all stages of plant growth and development. Exposure to environmental stresses such as drought stress, heat stress, cold stress, salt stress and plant diseases often leads to the production of reactive oxygen species and other toxic compounds that diminish a plant’s performance. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are highly toxic to plant cells and in an absence of any protective mechanism they can react with proteins, lipids and DNA and this can inactivate an antioxidant defense system. Plants have an elaborate system of enzymatic and non-enzymatic scavenging pathways or detoxification systems that working together function as an extremely efficient system to counter the deleterious effects of ROS. Higher plants have active oxygen-scavenging systems consisting of several antioxidant enzymes, and some low molecules of non-enzyme antioxidants, such as phenolic compounds, flavonoids, anthocyanins and ascorbic acid. Water deficit is considered to be a major abiotic factor affecting many aspects of plant physiology and biochemistry causing a significant reduction in agricultural production and changes its behavior regarding the biosynthesis of bioactive compounds such as phenolic compounds, flavonoids and anthocyanins in safflower. Ascorbic Acid is a major metabolite in plants. It is an antioxidant, in association with other components of the antioxidant system, protects plants against oxidative damage resulting from aerobic metabolism. Jasmonic acid (JA) is a plant-signaling molecule that shows a wide range of plant responses, with effects at the morphological to molecular levels. Many morphological, physiological, and biochemical processes occurring within the plants can be regulated by jasmonic acid. Previous studies have documented that foliar application of JA and ascorbic acid could modulate plant physiological responses towards abiotic stress tolerance. Considering the importance of safflower plant in terms of quantity and quality of oil, and its various applications in the oil, dyeing and pharmaceutical industries in the semi-arid regions of the world, it seems that increasing yield per unit area in low-irrigated conditions is a good way to increase the production of this plant and improve the economic conditions of farmers. Compared to breeding methods that are often long-term and costly, some agricultural management practices, such as the use of chemicals like ascorbic acid, jasmine acid and other compounds, are easier, cheaper and faster. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the effects of jasmonic acid and ascorbic acid on grain yield and Changes in antioxidant compounds of safflower genotypes under drought stress conditions.

This experiment was carried out as a split-split plot in a completely randomized block design with three replications at Shahrekord University Agricultural Research Station during spring planting season 2017. The main plots consisted of three levels of irrigation of 100%, 75% and 50% of the plant's water requirement of safflower and sub-plots including safflower genotypes including Sinai, Isfahan local and Faramanand sub-sub sub-plots including foliar application with three levels including ( control, foliar application of jasmonic acid with 0.5mM concentration and foliar application of ascorbic acid with 20 mM concentration. In this study, the amount of total flavonoid, total phenol, antioxidant activity, ammonialase enzyme activity, grain yield and oil yield were measured.

The results showed that simple effects of low irrigation treatment, genotype and foliar application were significantly in all traits studied in this study. The highest grain yield (1609 kg.ha-1) and oil yield (430 kg.ha-1) obtained in 100% of the plant's water requirement and the least of grain yield (1382 kg.ha-1) and oil yield (335 kg.ha-1) obtained in 50% of the plant's water requirement. The interaction of genotype × deficit irrigation treatments on total phenol content, total flavonoid content, phenylalanine ammonialase enzyme activity and oil yield as well as interaction of low irrigation treatment × foliar application on the amount of antioxidant activity, total phenol, total flavonoid content were significant. The results show that the highest total phenol content (35.4 mg GA. g-1 DW), total flavonoid content (12.1 mg quercetin .g-1 DW), phenylalanine ammonialase enzyme activity (28.6 µmol.g -1FW. min) obtained in interaction 50% of the plant's water requirement and sina genotype and the least amount oftotal phenol content (17.6 mg GA. g-1 DW), total flavonoid content (5.2mg quercetin . g-1DW), phenylalanine ammonialase enzyme activity (8.4 µmol.g -1FW. min ) obtained in interaction 100% of the plant's water requirement and Isfahan genotype. Foliar application with jasmonic acid and ascorbic acid increased antioxidant activity, total phenol, total flavonoid, phenylalanine ammonialase enzyme activity, oil yield and grain yield. So that, the highest amount of antioxidant activity (85.9 % inhibition of linoleic acid), total phenol (31.7 mg GA. g-1 DW) and total flavonoid (11.7 mg quercetin . g-1 DW) related to 50% of the plant's water requirement and foliar application with ascorbic acid and the least amount of antioxidant activity (54.7 antioxidant activity), total phenol (17.6 mg GA. g-1DW) and total flavonoid (5.2 mg quercetin . g-1 DW) related to 100% of the plant's water requirement and without foliar application.

Results indicated that deficit irrigation stress could increase antioxidant activity, Phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) activity, Total phenol, total flavonoid and anthocyanin content in safflower genotype but, grain yield decreased. The increase in tolerance to drought in sina genotype is associated with antioxidant enzyme and non-enzyme activity. Also foliar application of jasmonic acid and ascorbic acid increase antioxidant activity, Phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) activity, Total phenol, Total flavonoid, anthocyanin content and grain yield. According to these results, it may be suggested that increased activity of antioxidant enzymes and non-enzymes can reduce the harmful effects of reactive oxygen species and improve plant drought tolerance, therefore antioxidant enzymes and non-enzymes can be taken as indices of drought tolerance in plants.

Nowadays, with increasing population and the severe shortage of space, the general preference is to construct buildings with deep and semi-deep excavations. However, changing the material from a soil to the rock, the stability conditions and its analysis are noticeably affected. In a rock slopes, there are weak levels with different direction and density which form different patterns of failure. In this paper, the case study on the static and dynamic stability of the rock slope caused by excavation up to the depth of 15meters have been investigated with considering the structural anisotropy effects due to the presence of stone joints, blocks and the pore water pressure.The main challenge is the existence of rocky jointed materials with water seepage through them. In order to collect data for some single joints, the structural geology analysis has been carried out by using the Streo net grid strategy in DIPS and statistical software. Finally, static, dynamic and hydrostatic analysis has performed using UDEC software based on discrete element method. The results show that the rock slope in the static and dynamic state of stability has been unstable due to the application of hydraulic flow.

Strategies to enhance local adaptation capacity are needed to mitigate climate change impacts and to maintain regional stability of food production. The objectives of this study were to simulate the climate change effects on phenology stages, potato production in the future and to explore the possibilities of employing planting dates and various varieties (Agria, Arinda and Santeh) as mitigating options to decrease the climate change impacts on potato production in Feridonshahr, Isfahan province, Central Iran. For this purpose, we employed two types of General Circulation Models ((United Kingdom Met. Office Hadley Center: HadCM3) and (Institute Pierre Simon Laplace: IPCM4)) and three scenarios (A1B, A2 and B1) for three time periods of 2030, 2060 and 2090. LARS-WG was used to produce daily climatic parameters as one stochastic growing season for each projection period and SUBSTOR-Potato model was used to simulate potato growth. Time period from cultivation until flowering and tuber yield were reduced in a majority of the climate change scenarios. Simulation results indicated that delayed planting (5 June) alleviated the harmful effects of climate change by improving tuber yield, while early planting (5 May) in both GCMs and under all scenarios reduced tuber yield compared with the conventional planting date. Arinda (early maturing), Sante and Agria (conventional maturing) varieties had higher tuber yield in all scenarios. Selecting 5 June and Arinda as the planting date and variety of choice will alleviate negative effects of climate change and seem to be the most appropriate approach of cultural management in the studied region.

Introduction[1]Most of the food for the world comes from some 150 plant species cultivated as crops. Sugar (the common name for sucrose) is obtained from only two crops, cane and beet. Sugar cane has been produced in large quantities in tropical regions for many centuries and continues to dominate the world supply of sugar. In contrast, sugar beet is a relatively new crop, appearing in temperate regions in the nineteenth century and spreading widely only in the twentieth century. Sugar beet is now grown in some 50 countries and provides about a quarter of the 140 Mt sugar currently used each year. In a world with increasing demand for water, and where agriculture consumes most of the available fresh water, the problem of how to maintain or increase agricultural productivity with sustainable use of water resources is an enormous challenge. Drought is a major limitation and the most significant environmental stress to crop productivity worldwide. This stress is the most important and common abiotic factor that limits sugar beet production in semi-arid regions and also in some parts of Europe. Due to putting Iran in the arid and semi-arid and climate, it is essential to study the effects of water stress on plant growth. In the last decade, the impact of drought has been recognized as a major cause of yield losses in sugar beet. Humic substances play a vital role in soil fertility and plant nutrition. Plants grown on soils which contain adequate humic acid are less subject to stress, are healthier, produce higher yields; and the nutritional quality of harvested foods and feeds are superior. Humic acid can be directly, have positive effects on plant growth. Shoots and roots growth is stimulated by the humic acid, but its effect on the roots, is more prominent, root volume and the effectiveness of its root system will increase by humic acid.  In order to study the effect of drought stress and humic acid on sugar beet an experiment was conducted as split plot in randomized complete block design (RCBD) base at Research Station of Shahrekord University in 2013. The main factor including: irrigation treatments (100%, 85%, 70% and 45% FC) and sub factors were humic acid at four levels (0, 2, 4 and 6 kg ha-1). Before planting seeds were disinfected with benomyl fungicide. Then planting was conducted in 10 plants m-2 density. Irrigation treatments was applied 40 days after sowing (unfolding of third trifoliate leaf) and continued in the growing season. Humic acid application was performed at three stages inclusive 4th, 8th and 16th leaf formation. Shoot dry weight, leaf area index, root diameter, root yield, sugar content, pure sugar percentage and molasses percentage was recorded. Data from these experiments were analyzed by analysis of variance using t-Student test for LSD calculation and are described as significant at the P < 0.05 level. Shoots weight showed increasing trend at all treatments, but application of water restriction treatments reduced shoot weight. At all levels of irrigation and concentrations of humic acid, leaf area index showed an increasing trend until mid-season and then a gentler slope than the first half of the growing season began to fall. Deficit irrigation reduced root diameter but humic acid application increased it. Humic acid application increased root yield and increase the amount of humic acid, also increased the root yield. So that, highest root yield was recorded from of six kg.ha-1 humic acid treatment and the lowest root yield was obtained from the treatment of not using of humic acid application at each level of irrigation. Root yield in 85%, 70% and 45% of field capacity decreased by 4.2%, 11.3% and 18.2% respectively, while application of 2, 4 and 6 kg.ha-1 humic acid increased root yield by 416%, 84.8% and 110 % respectively. Application of 2, 4 and 6 kg.ha-1 humic acid reduced molasses percentage by 2.9%, 1.4% and 12.9% respectively. Application of humic acid enhances the root yield so that treatments 2, 4 and 6 kg per hectare humic acid, increased root yield by 41.6, 84.8 and 110.5 percent respectively.

In order to study the effect of natural zeolite superabsorbent on yield and yield components of linseed under different moisture regimes, a split plot experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design with 3 replications at Research Farm of Shahrekord University, Shahrekord, Iran in 2017. The main factor in four moisture regimes included irrigation after 50 (control), 80, 130 and 180 mm evaporation from class A evaporation pan and sub factor, at three levels encompassed no application of zeolite (control), 5 tons zeolite per hectare and 10 tons zeolite per hectare. The results showed that the effect of application of zeolite on vegetation index, number of capsules per plant, number of seeds per capsule, 1000 seed weight, grain yield, biological yield and harvest index was significant at 1% probability level, but this factor had no significant effect on hectoliter weight. Effect of moisture regimes on all studied traits were significant at 1% probability level. The effect of interaction of factors was significant on the number of capsules per plant at the probability level of 1% and on the vegetation index at 5% probability level. With increasing of zeolite superabsorbent under moisture treatments, all studied traits were increased, while application of 10 tons of zeolite per hectare showed the most effect on the growth and yield of linseed in all irrigation conditions (normal irrigation and under drought stress conditions). The highest seed yield (1581 kg ha-1) of linseed was related to the application of 10 tons of zeolite per hectare and the lowest yield (1331 kg ha-1) was obtained at the zeolite – free conditions.

Genotyping of Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP) remains a challenge in epidemiology of paratuberculosis even with availability of the traidional molecular techinques such as PFGE, RFLP, SSR and MIRU-VNTR assays as MAPs are genetically monomorphic bacteria. In the Iranian environment MAP seems to have extensively scatterd across the country as reports indicating frequent occurrence of the disease in bovine, caprine and ovine populations are now on rise. However, only little is known on population structure of MAP in this country. The few conducted observations are in support of existence of cattle (C) type of MAP with no trace of sheep (S) type isolates ever found. In this work, a recently-developed PCR-based Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) assay concentrating on 13 individual loci across the MAP genome was conducted on a single endogenous Iranian MAP isolate of caprine origin. PCRs were conducted using universal protocol with all amplicons Sanger sequenced in search for target SNPs. An identical pattern of SNPs with that of the MAP K10 laboratory strain was revealed to confirm the identity of this local strain as a cattle type. The Leao’s SNP analysis is a simple, straightforward assay that if used extensively, we might expect a better understanding of evolutionary scenario behind todays’ epidemiology of paratuberculosis in Iran.

Paratuberculosis or Johne's disease is a chronic granulomatous disease of the small intestine that is caused by Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP).The aim of this study was to determine the status of this disease in suspected animals and finally confirmation of isolates identity by molecular tests. For this purpose, 142 suspicious samples were cultured on plain and mycobactin J-supplemented Herrold's egg-yolk slants from Isfahan, Alborz, Tehran, North Khorasan, Khuzestan, Zanjan, Fars, Qazvin, Kerman and Golestan provinces. Forty seven isolates were obtained out of 142 suspicious samples. All specimens that were grown on mycobactin J-supplemented Herrold's egg-yolk slants were detected by Ziehl-Neelsen staining as acid Fast bacilia, and in 83 samples of the total, as well as mycobacterial strains, a 543 bp fragment was amplified using PCR-16s rRNA. Nested PCR was done on isolates and positive and negative controls. At the first stage, a 398 bp fragment was obtained by P90 and P91 primers, and in the next step, a 298 bp fragment was obtained using AV1 and AV2 primers, which indicates the presence of Mycobacterium paratuberculosis in the samples. Based on this study, Nested-PCR is suggested as a suitable rapid diagnostic method for disease cases.

In order to evaluate the suitability of maize hybrids in different planting dates, an experiment was conducted as split plot in JalilAbad, Varamin, Iran in 2015. Main and sub plots were planting date (D1: April 4, D2: April 19, D3: May 5, D4: May 20) and maize hybrids (H1: Gazda, H2: Maxima, H3: KSC 701, H4: AS160) respectively. Results indicated that there was variation between hybrids in terms of leaf area index (LAI), dry matter, crop growth rate (CGR), relative growth rate (RGR) and net assimilation rate (NAR) in different planting dates. Also results showed that the effects of planting date, hybrid and planting date × hybrid interaction on plant height, plant weight, ear weight, ear/plant weight ratio, silage yield and water use efficiency were significant. Among the qualitative traits examined, the effects of hybrid on protein and neutral detergent soluble fiber were significant. The best planting date for achieving the highest silage yield of hybrids Maxima and AS160 were May 5 and 20, but for KSC 701 was April 19 and May 5. However hybrid Gazda had a similar yield in all planting dates. It was concluded that even though cultivation of KSC701 and Maxima seems preferable in terms of silage yield but repeating this experiment in further years is necessary for a solid recommendation.

In order to survey on the effect of urea fertilizer on yield and nitrate accumulation in edible parts of basil, an experiment was conducted in Fars agricultural and natural resource research and educational center as randomized complete blocks design with 4 replication in 2014. Experimental treatments contain: without nitrogen consumption (control, N0), consuming 50 (N50), 100 (N100), 150 (N150) and 200 (N200) kg N.ha-1 from urea fertilizer. The results showed that the effects of urea on nitrate accumulation in basil were significant. A highly significant difference between nitrate accumulation in the morning and in the evening harvesting time of basil leaf blade samples were observed, so that the amount of nitrate in the morning harvested samples were higher than the same sample in the evening. Application of 50 kg N.ha-1 (110 kg urea fertilizer) was showed the highest crop yield equal to 0.95 kg.ha-1 with lover nitrate accumulation as amount as 177.8 mg.kg-1 in dry weight.

Organic manure can be used as an alternative for chemical fertilizers in sustainable agriculture. Hence, compared with sole cropping systems, intercropping is a promising approach for crop production due to the lesser reliance on chemical fertilizer. In order to evaluate the effects of intercropping on yield and essential oil of dill (Anethum graveolens L.) under organic manure and chemical fertilizers, a factorial experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design with three replications at Shahrekord University research farm in 2016. Sole cropping of soybean (S) and dill (D) accompanied by three intercropping ratios of them (S:D 2:1, S:D 1:1, and S:D 1:2) were evaluated as the first factor, and two sources of fertilizer (chemical fertilizer, and broiler litter) as the second factor. The results showed that the highest dry matter yield of dill (1001.48 kg ha-1) and essential oil yield of dill (18.47 kg ha-1) was observed in the one-row dill + two-row soybean. The maximum essential oil percentage of dill (2.64%) was achieved in sole crop under organic manure. The highest pod/ plant (47.50) and seed yield of soybean (2192 kg ha-1) were dedicated to the two-row dill+one-row soybean under organic manure. The maximum land equivalent ratio (1.19) was achieved in treatment of one-row dill + two-row soybean under organic manure. According to the results, treatment of one-row dill + two-row soybean under organic manure had the highest land equivalent ratio, and produced a large amount of dill essential oil; therefore, it was considered as the superior treatment.

Pinto bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is one of the most important bean types in Iran. Cultivation area of pinto bean is about 50% of the total bean cultivation area and more than half of the grain bean production belongs to this type of bean. Drought is the most important environmental stresses that affected agricultural production in arid and semiarid areas and reduced crop productions. About 90 percent of Iran located in arid and semi-arid areas where water stress in the plants is inevitable. In addition, 60% of bean cultivation area in the world are faced with drought. Quantitative analysis of crops growth under water limitation condition is a good way to identify genotypes differences in response to drought stress.
In order to study the impact of deficit irrigation on pinto bean genotypes, an experiment was conducted as split plot based on randomized complete block design, at Shahrekord University, during 2013. Main plot was irrigation regime (supply of 100, 80 and 60 percent of crop water requirement) and sub plot was pinto bean genotype (Taylor, Sadri, C.O.S.16, KS21193 (Koosha193) and KS21486). Seeds were disinfected with benomyl fungicide before planting. Planting was conducted in 30 plant m-2 density. Crop water requirement was calculated by FAO Penman-Monteith equation. Irrigation regimes were applied at V4 stage (4th three foliate leaf has unfolded) and continued until the end of the growing season.
Results showed that there is genotypic variation in stem, leaf and seed dry weight, leaf area index (LAI), leaf area duration (LAD), crop growth rate (CGR), relative growth rate (RGR), net assimilation rate (NAR) and radiation use efficiency (RUE) in response to deficit irrigation. The dry matter accumulation of bean genotypes was sigmoidal shape and reduction in water use causes degradation of dry matter both in terms of the amount of dry matter and dry matter accumulation rate.
The highest RUE was recorded in KS21486 in supply of 80 percent of crop water requirement (3.21 g MJ-1). RUE changes to the reduction of irrigated water vary from genotype to genotype. So that, RUE of Taylor, Sadri and C.O.S.16 reduced and RUE of KS21193 and KS21486 increased in supply of 80 percent of crop water requirement condition. Moreover, RUE of all genotypes reduced in supply of 60 percent of crop water requirement condition. In fact, the amount of light absorption and biomass production reduced due to deficit irrigation. Under drought conditions, reduction in water availability decreases cell growth and subsequent reductions in leaf area index. Thus ratio of dry matter produced by the absorbed light is low and radiation use efficiency will be less. Drought stress reduced total dry weight. KS21486 had more rapidly seed dry weight enhancement rather than the other genotypes in the early stages, however Taylor and KS21193 had highest seed dry weight in all three levels of irrigation. Deficit irrigation decreased leaf area index in supply of 60 and 80 percent of crop water requirement condition compared to supply of 100% of crop water requirement condition. Maximum leaf area index in supply of 100, 80 and 60 percent of crop water requirement conditions were 3.1, 2 and 1.5, respectively. Average reduction of LAD in supply of 80 and 60 percent of plant water requirement conditions were 27 and 42 percent respectively. C.O.S.16 showed the highest CGR and maximum NAR and RGR, in supply of 100 percent of plant water requirement. In supply of 80% and 60% of plant water requirement conditions, KS21486 had the maximum NAR and RGR.
Biomass duration (BMD), LAD, LAI showed the highest correlation with grain yield, thus they are appropriate indicators to estimate grain yield under different moisture conditions. With the increase in leaf area index, leaf area duration and biomass duration, seed yield increased. To obtain more seed yield, the area of photosynthetic levels (leaves) and stay green must be increased to produce more photosynthetic products and allocated to seeds.

This abattoir-based investigation was conducted in search for presence of Pasteurella multocida, collection of its isolates, characterization of their biochemical profiles and also classification of their capsular types in Tehran and Alborz provinces. Swabs from 89 lungs and 595 nasal passages of bovine calves at a single slaughterhouse in Karaj (Karaj city) and 5 slaughterhouses in Tehran (Shahriar, Shahr-e-Ray, Robat Karim, Kahrizak and Varamin) were cultured on specific media. Among the 339 non-haemolitic individual colonies, 89 were proved P. multocida by conventional biochemical tests. The PM-PCR assay confirmed identity of 64 isolates as Pm where 60 were shown to belong to the capsular type A and a single one to capsular type B. The remaining 3 isolates were non-typeable. We believe still a lot needs to be done at the national level to fully acknowledge the epidemiology of Pm in Iran.

Hemorrhagic septicemia (HS) is principally an infectious disease of respiratory tract caused by Pasteurella multocida in ruminants and birds resulting in huge economic repercussions. In the mid 1930s and early 1980s the Iranian buffalo (Pm Razi0001) and chicken (Pm Razi0002) strains of Pasteurella multocida were collected respectively from diseased animals. These strains have been used ever since for preparation of pasteurellosis vaccine at Razi institute. Multi Locus Sequence Typing (MLST) analysis is a standard method of genotyping for P. multocida. This was conducted to assess genomic structure of the vaccine P. multocida strains at Razi institute. Genomic material was prepared from freshly cultured strains through a simplified boiling protocol. KMT1-PCR was used to authenticate identity of strains as P. multocida. The Australian RIRDC-MLST typing system targeting 7 housekeeping genes of adk, est, pmi, zwf, mdh, gdh and pgi loci with few modifications was performed on strains. The Sequence Type (ST) and the corresponding clonal complex of the strains was determined by consulting the RIRDC-MLST database. Two STs were identified with ST352 (a subgroup of clonal complex CC122) and ST129 (a subgroup of clonal complex CC129) assigned for the buffalo (Pm Razi0001) and fowl (Pm Razi0002) strains, respectively. If using these strains as vaccine for all the past consecutive decades has had major impacts in population and epidemiology of P. multocida in this country, much more work is required.

To investigate the effect of deficit irrigation on yield of mung bean genotypes, an experiment was conducted as a split plot in randomized complete block design (RCB) with three replications. The main plot was irrigation regime in three levels (supply of 100, 80 and 60% of crop water requirement) and subplot was genotype in five levels (VC 11-18b, VC 63-72, CN-9-5, NM 54 and 1-61-145). The results showed that effect of cultivar was significant on all traits, except seeds per pod. Also, the interaction of irrigation regime and genotype had no significant effect on grain weight, grain protein content and seeds per pod. Genotype VC 11-18-b had the highest number of pods, seed yield, harvest index and protein yield, when it received 100% of its water requirement. Results showed that with withholding water, the examined cultivars tended to produce a similar seed yield. The highest harvest index was obtained in VC 11-18-b genotype. But, notable difference in harvest index of NM 54 genotype (when it was subjected to application of 100% and 60% of water requirement) showed that water-induced modifications in grain and shoot dry mass yield in the latter cultivar was higher than the remaining genotypes. In general, irrigation regime had no significant effect on grain protein content.

Let G be a weighted digraph and s and t be two vertices of G. The reachability assurance (RA) problem is how to label the edges of G such that every path starting at s finally reaches t and the sum of the weights of the labeled edges, called the RA cost, is minimal. The common approach to the RA problem is pathfinding, in which a path is sought from s to t and then the edges of the path are labeled. This paper introduces a new approach, the marking problem (MP), to the RA problem. Compared to the common pathfinding approach, the proposed MP approach has a lower RA cost. It is shown that the MP is NP-complete, even when the underlying digraph is an unweighted directed acyclic graph (DAG) or a weighted DAG with an out-degree of two. An appropriate heuristic algorithm to solve the MP in polynomial time is provided. To mitigate the RA problem as a serious challenge in this area, application of the MP in software testing is also presented. By evaluating the datasets from various program flow graphs, it is shown that the MP is superior to the pathfinding in the context of test case generation.

Burkholderia mallei, the causative agent of Glanders, is a host-adapted bacterium that does not survive outside of its mostly soliped hosts. Iran is among those countries that experience annual outbreaks of the disease. Recently, multiple locus variable number of tandem repeat analysis (MLVA) has achieved broad acceptance as the method of choice in genotyping of B. mallei. In order to comparative assessment of diversity indices provided by two tandem repeat loci namely VNTR1217 and VNTR13, five Iranian B. mallei strains were examined by VNTR-PCR. The amplification products were sequenced to guaranty accuracy of sizing and nucleotide structure of unit repeats. A further 29 B. mallei strains were also included in the study. As observed, all the 34 B. mallei strains carried the VNTR13 locus that was characterized by this study while VNTR1217 was missing in the genome of 4 studied strains. A higher Nei's diversity index (Nei' di=0.80) was presented by VNTR13 compared to that of VNTR1217 (Nei's di= 0.74) when MLVA applied on the whole panel of 34 strains. Among the Iranian strains, VNTR13 detected 3 alleles while VNTR1217 found two alleles. Findings of this study back the assumption that if a standard panel of VNTR loci are to be selected for a universal MLVA typing system suitable for B. mallei, all the reported loci from across the world are then expected to assess against a global collection of B. mallei strains. Such extensive investigation is possible only if an international collaboration between OIE-approved Glanders reference laboratories is set.

In order to investigate the effect of different nutrient solutions on yield and potato minituber production under aeroponic and hydroponic culture, a split-plot experiment based on completely randomized design with three replications was carried out in 2015. The main factor was culture medium (aeroponic and hydroponic) and the sub-factors consisted of nutrient solution (control, Etazu, Etazu humic acid, Etazu mycorrhiza fungi, compost tea, compost tea humic acid and compost tea mycorrhiza fungi). Results showed that number of tubers, tuber yield and dry weight of roots under aeroponic culture were significantly higher than the hydroponic culture. Average tuber weight and shoot dry weight in hydroponic culture were significantly greater than the aeroponic culture. Interaction effect of culture system and nutrient solution on number of tubers, average tuber weight and tuber yield per plant was significantly higher in aeroponic culture than hydroponic in compost tea mycorrhiza fungi. There was no significant difference in minituber yield under compost tea mycorrhiza fungi and compost tea humic acid treatments. Shoot dry weight was greater under compost tea mycorrhiza fungi treatment in the hydroponic system. Maximum root dry weight under aeroponic system was obtained in the compost tea and compost tea humic acid treatments. In conclusion, the results of this study showed that provision of nutrients for potato by mycorrhiza fungi and compost tea, under aeroponic culture, significantly increased number of tubers, tuber yield and shoot dry weight and the compost tea humic acid treatment had a more significant role in root growth and tuber production.

Anthrax is one of the most important zoonotic diseases in the world that it has been caused by Bacillus anthracis. Ruminant’s vaccination is the most effective strategy to control the disease in Iran. in this study, the potential immunogenicity of (Sterne 34F2) and acute (17jb) vaccinal laboratory strains in animals model and the potential of polyvalan antiserum production are examinated. in this study, the amount of bacterial growth (5×106cfu) of above strains were prepared in blood agar by ultrasonic method and then the rate of protein was determinated by lowry method. Twelve rabbits divided to six groups and injected intramusculary a certain amount of live bacteria strains three times by two weeks intervals. After ten days of last injection, the blood samples were taken from the marginal vein in three times with ten days interval. The rate and stability of antibodies were determinated by indirect ELISA. The results showed that the production of antibodies have the highest quantity in groups that injected with 5×105 cfu 17jb strain after thirty days of first injection.

Mycoplasma agalctiae (Ma) is a principle agent in etiology of agalaxy. Iran remains a major world stronghold for agalaxy with numerous annual outbreaks. Three indigenous Ma strains of Lorestan, Taliqan and Shiraz are used in preparation of agalaxy vaccine at Razi institute. In order to characterize genetic properties of these strains a MLST genotyping system consisting of five genes (dnaA, gltX, gyrB, metS, tufA) based on guidelines recently developed was employed. In consequence, at dnaA, gltX, gyrB, metS and tufA loci of all the three strains alleles 1, 21, 2, 2 and 1 were identified, respectively. The gltX allele (21) was shown to be new with no previous record in the MLST database. A new sequence type (ST33) with close similarity to ST4 was assigned to these stains. Given the characteristics of the Iranian animal farming sector, we assume circulation of more clonal complex or complexes of Ma in the Iranian environment is expectable.

Mycoplasma capricolumsubsp. capricolumest lun des agents infectieux responsable de lagalactie contagieuse chez les brebis et les chèvres dans les pays de la Méditerranée et du Moyen-Orient. Mycoplasma agalactia, Mycoplasma mycoidessubsp. capri et Mycoplasma capricolum subsp.capricolum sont les agents pathogènes de l’agalactie contagieuse. L’objectif de cetteétude étaitl’isolement et l’identification de Mycoplasma capricolumsubsp.capricolumchez lesbrebis soupçonnées d'être atteintsd’agalactie contagieuse dans la province de lAzerbaidjan oriental en Iran. Un total de 272 échantillons, comprenant74 échantillons de lait, 72 prélèvements oculaires et 126 prélèvements auriculaires ont été prélevés à partir de 49 brebis soupçonnées d'être contaminées par l’Agalactie contagieuse. Tous les échantillons ont été testés simultanément par des méthodes de culture et moléculaire. Dans la méthode moléculaire, tous les cas de mycoplasmes positifs ont été examinés en termes d’appartenance aux espèces M. mycoides et M.capricolum subsp. capricolum. Sur un total de 272 échantillons, 67 échantillons ont été identifiés positifs par la méthode de culture, 87 échantillonsse sont avérés positifs par la méthode de réaction en chaîne par polymérase et les deux méthodes ont montré que 62 échantillons étaient positifs aux mycoplasmes . M. mycoides a été identifié dans 2 prélèvements oculaires, 2 prélèvements auriculaires et 1 échantillon de lait. L’espèce M ;capricolumsubsp. capricolum a été isolée et identifiée à partir de 4 échantillons positifs de M. mycoides. Cet article représentele premier rapport soulignant la présence de Mycoplasma capricolum subsp.capricolum chez les brebis dela province d’Azerbaidjan oriental. Les résultats de cette étude montrentque les prélèvements oculaires, les prélèvements auriculaires et les échantillons de lait sont appropriés pour lisolement et lidentification de M. capricolum subsp.capricolum.

In 1930's first whole cell pertussis vaccines became available to the public heralding a dramatic success in overcoming the global burden of the disease. To date only a handful of B. pertussis strains have been used by international/local pertussis vaccine manufacturers. Inevitable well-documented genetic changes in the world population of this pathogen have prompted serious questions on suitability of traditional vaccine strains protect human against currently circulating wild isolates of Bordetella pertussis.
Analyzing the genetic diversity within the most frequently-used vaccine strains of B. pertussis in the world
A recently developed multi locus variable number of tandem repeats analysis (MLVA) genotyping system along with a bioinforamtic piece of analysis was conducted on 11 strain/sub-strains of B137, B203 (10536), C393, Cs, E476, Tohama I, J445 (134), B202 and J446 (509) plus 2 sub-strains of 134 and 509 that are used at Razi institute for preparation of pertussis vaccine. In this study have used 6 individual loci of VNTR1, VNTR3a, VNTR3b, VNTR4, VNTR5 and VNTR6.
Findings: Six distinct genotypes were recognized among the examined strains by comparing our data with the Dutch MLVA databank. These were all new and not reported before in the database.
This observation reiterates on necessity for detection of predominant native strains to include in vaccine preparations suitable for different countries.

In order to investigate the response of yield and yield components of two medicinal plants i.e, fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) and buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench) to chemical fertilizer and organic manure, a factorial experiment was conducted in two sequential years in a randomized complete blocks design at the research farm, College of Agriculture, Shahrekord University, in 2014 and 2015. The factors consisted of two species of medicinal plants (fenugreek (legume) and buckwheat (non-legume)) and three different sources of fertilizer (chemical fertilizer, chemical fertilizer organic manure and organic manure). The results indicated that application of organic manure compared to chemical fertilizer in buckwheat significantly increased plant height (17.76%) and branches/plant (8%) in 2014, seeds/spike(28 and 19.53% in 2014 and 2015, respectively), seed yield (40.24 and 26.57% in 2014 and 2015, respectively), and biological yield (34.66 and 47.74% in the 2014 and 2015, respectively). Aapplication of organic manure compared to chemical fertilizer increased branches/plant (8%) and biological yield (25%) of fenugreek in 2014. Additionally, combination of organic manure with chemical fertilizer (50:50) compared to chemical fertilizer in the buckwheat significantly increased plant height (10.35%, in the 2015), seed yield (52.21 and 17.19% in 2014 and 2015, respectively), biological yield (24.86 and 26.35% in 2014 and 2015, respectively) and harvest index (21.53%, in 2014). Integrated fertilizer compared to chemical fertilizer increased branches plant -1 (16.70%, in 2014) and seed yield (14.40%, in 2015) in fenugreek. Finally, organic fertilizer and chemical fertilizer organic manure could be a suitable alternative for chemical fertilizer in cultivation of medicinal plant buckwheat (non-legume), but replacement of organic fertilizer in production of fenugreek may increase biological yield compared to chemical fertilizer.

For almost half a century Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP) 316F and MAP III & V strains have been used in preparation of paratuberculin at Razi institute. In order to characterize their genomic properties, a multi-approach strategy was employed to authenticate their identity (PCR-IS900 or PCR-F57), their type (PCR-Collins, PCR-gyrA or PCR-gyrB) and their genotype (MLVA-Thibault or SSR-Amonsin). Consequently, both strains proved to be MAP and from a cattle type. In MLVA the genotype was found to be INMV2, a type identical to that of the French MAP 316F Merial sub-strain. In explanation of these observations, the identical patterns of both studies strains in MLVA as well as SSR typing might be a case of coincidence or a an indication of a mutual ancestral clone. Besides, the fact that the supplier of MAP 316F strain studied here is the Turkish Etlik institute, it is likely that the original source for this strain is French. Application of the strategy developed in this study on indigenous MAP isolates will improve the current molecular epidemiology understanding of paratuberculosis in Iran.

Pasteurella multocida is a Gram-negative, nonmotile, penicillin-sensitive coccobacillus belonging to the pasteurellacea family, and can cause a common infection in humans and animals. P.multocida also important factor in diseases such as fowl cholera in domestic and wild birds, atrophic rhinitis in pigs, cattle and sheep pneumonia or respiratory disease, hemorrhagic septicemia in cattle and buffalo and sniffle disease in the rabbit. The bacteria types that cause Fowl cholera in bird species normally belong to serotypes (A: 1, A: 3 or A: 4). In this study, thirty strains of P.multocida isolated from poultry were studied using bacteriological and biochemical tests according to the classical methods. Several factors are known as virulence factors of P.multocida. The P.multocida isolates studied in this study were obtained from the poultry in Iran and were examined for the presence of virulence factor capsule gene, ompH, and adhesion fimbriae containing genes ptfA, pfhA, tadD, hsf-1, fimA and toxA. All of the isolates were confirmed as P.multocida by PM-PCR using species specific primers, KMT1. Molecular capsular typing (CAP-PCR) showed that all of the isolates belonged to type A. Of the 30 examined isolates, all (100%) contained ompH ¡ptfA¡ pfhA¡ hsf- 1 and fimA genes, fifteen isolates (50%) had tadD gene and 21 isolates (70%) had toxA. Analysis of sensitivity patterns to 9 antibiotics showed relative and complete sensitivity in all the tested samples. Two isolates (3.33%) were resistant to antibiotics Flumequin and Nalidixic Acid. Sensitivity to antibiotics Penicillin, Ampicillin, Lincospectin, Florfenicol, Tylosin and Tiamulin was 100% and complete. Sensitivity to antibiotics Flumequin, Enrofloxacine was observed in 96.6% and sensitivity to Nalidixic Acid was observed in 80 . The results of this study showed that the avian P.multocida isolates had the genes for the important diseases caused by these bacteria. It is concluded that P.multocida has the potential for pathogenicity in birds in Iran.

Weeds limit crops growth, development and yield through adjacency and competing and seed dormancy is a problem in controlling of weeds. Man has been always tried to optimize crop yield through weeds controlling. Weeds seed bank in the soil can affected weed management and their control methods. So identifying seed bank characters has important role in choice of management methods in seeds of many plant species which cannot germinate despite favorable environmental conditions. Main reasons for this problem, which is termed as seed dormancy, are hard and impermeable seed coat and presence of immature or dormant embryo. To break dormancy, a variety of methods are in vogue worldwide these days. Of all different methods of breaking dormancy, treatment of seed with certain chemicals including different types of plant growth regulators (PGRs) is contemplated as the most effective one. Gibberellic acid (GA3) is the most widely used PGR to improve seed germination in different plant species. Also, nitrate (such as KNO3) clearly stimulates the germination of dormant seeds. KNO3 is the most widely used chemical for promoting germination. Solutions of KNO3 are common in routine germination testing and are recommended by the Association of Official Seed Analysts and the International Seed Testing Association (ISTA) for germination tests of many species.Stratification refers to the method of placing seeds in layers alternating with layers of a moisture retaining medium, such as sand, peat or vermiculite, and keeping them at a cool temperature for a certain period, but it varies considerably from species to species. The combination of high moisture and low temperature appears to trigger off biochemical changes which transform complex food substances into simpler forms utilized by the embryo when it renews growth at germination. The use of the word “stratification” has recently been extended to include all forms of cold, moist treatment whether or not the seeds are placed in layers. Chilling plays an important role in providing the stimulus required to overcome dormancy, increase germination, and produce normal seedlings for Prunuspersica. Exogenous growth regulator treatments – gibberellins (usually gibberellic acid GA3 and GA4) and cytokinins (usually kinetin, benzyladenine) – have been shown to break dormancy in many seed species. The objective of the present study was to investigate effective methods in breaking the seed dormancy of Teragopogon collinus and Descurarina sophia and evaluate their response to different dormancy-breaking treatments, germination under different constant and alternating temperature, and using chemical, with most appropriate dormancy-breaking procedure for both species.
In order to evaluate the effect of different treatments on dormancy breaking and seed germination of Teragopogon collinus and Descurarina sophia an experiment was carried out as factorial based on a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications at Shahrekord University in 2012. Treatments including different levels of gibberellic acid (0, 100, 250 and 500 mg) at two soaking time levels of 2 and 24 hour (along with scarification pre-treatment), concentrations of potassium nitrate (50, 100 and 150 mM) in 10 and 30 minutes (along with scarification pre-treatment), treatment of rotational temperature (5-15 and 10-20 °C), in full light, dark and rotational light periods (8 hr light and 16 hr dark) and mechanical treatments of dormancy breaking (application of boiling water).
Teragopogon collinus and Descurainia sophia had highest seed dormancy breaking under rotational temperature and light and application of gibberellic acid and potassium nitrate (along with scarification pre-treatment) had no effect on Teragopogon collinus and Descurarina sophia dormancy. According to the Teragopogon collinus and Descurainia sophia seeds dormancy breaking in mechanical treatments and the effect of rotational temperature and light, it can be concluded that the dormancy of Teragopogon collinus and Descurainia sophia seeds are intermittent. The results showed that the effect of temperature, time, and the interaction of light ×time of germination percent of Teragopogon collinus and Descurainia sophiawere were significant at 1%.The interaction between light and alternating temperature on Teragopogon collinus seed germination suggests that intermittent lighting conditions at alternating temperatures, increase the germination percentage of Teragopogon collinus. According to the Teragopogon collinus and Descurainia sophia seeds dormancy breaking in mechanical treatments and the effect of rotational temperature and light, it can be concluded that the dormancy of Teragopogon collinusan and Descurainia sophia seeds are intermittent.