Natural Resources Research Center Research Articles

Effect of Vermicompost and Planting Pattern on Oil Production in Satureja sahendica L. under Competition with Pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexus L.)

The sahendi savory (Satureja sahendica Bornm.) is a native medicinal species of Iran which is subjected to extinction. Regarding to the importance of weed management and soil organic fertilization our study focused on plant growth responses to different nutrition systems and competition of redroot pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexux L.) in two planting pattern (rectangles, zigzag). Experiment was carried out in a randomized complete block design with three replications and factorial arrangement of treatments at the Ismael Abad Research Station, Qazvin Agriculture and Natural Resources Research Center on 2010 to 2012. Nutritional treatments include: NPK plus foliar application of micronutrients, four tone/ ha of vermicompost, two tone/ha vermicompost plus 40 liters/ha vermi-tea (liquid formulation of vermicompost). Pigweed density has also been studied at four levels of 0, 6, 12 and 18 plants per square meter. Effect of fertilizer treatments on essential oil percentage of sahendi savory was not significant and relative superiority of essence belonged to vermicompost fertilizer as 2 tone/ha plus 40 liters of vermi-tea .Also among the harvests second harvest was superior than first harvest. Weed treatment had no significant effect on essential oil percentage of sahendi savory. Thymol content in plots fertilized by 4 tons per hectare vermicompost was the highest value (42.95%) and had inverse relation with the p-cymen content (35.3%). Weed free condition produced the highest thymol content (45.18 %), meanwhile and the lowest amount (38.6%) were found in high weed density (18 plants per square meter).

Design, implementation and evalution of a central unit for controlling climatic conditions in the greenhouse

In greenhouse culture, in addition to increasing the quantity and quality of crop production in comparison with traditional methods, the agricultural inputs are saved, too. Recently, using new methods, designs and materials, and higher automation in greenhouses, better management has become possible for enhancing yield and improving the quality of greenhouse crops. The constructed and evaluated central controller unit (CCU) is a central controller system and computerized monitoring unit for greenhouse application. Several sensors, one CCU, several operators, and a datacollection and recorder unit were the major components of this system. The operators included heating, cooling, spraying, ventilation and lighting systems, and the sensors are for temperature, humidity, carbon dioxide, oxygen and light in inside and outside the greenhouse. Environmental conditions were measured by the accurate sensors and transmitted to the CCU. Based on this information, the CCU changed variables to optimize the greenhouse environmental conditions to predetermined ranges. This system was totally made of local instruments and parts and had the ability to integrate with the needs of the client. The designed and implemented CCU was tested in a greenhouse located in Agriculture and Natural Resources Research Center of Khuzestan Province during summer season of 2011. The CCU was operated successfully for controlling greenhouse temperature in the range of 22-29 C, relative humidity of 35-55%, artificial lighting in the case of receiving radiation of less than 800 Lux and turning on the ventilation units if the concentration of carbon dioxide was more than 800 mg/L.

Investigation and comparison of sweet corn hybrids yield after rice harvesting

In order to investigation and compare of kernel and other traits of eight sweet corn hybrids with conventional sweet corn (SC403) an expriment was conducted in randomized compelet block design at the Agricultural and Natural Resources Research Center of Mazandran, Qarakheil, Qaemshahr, Iran in 2007-2009 (three years) after rice harvesting (August). Each hybrid was planted in four rows. Each row included 30 plants at 20 cm distance from each others. Harvesting was done in two middle rows. After harvesting, kernel yield for each hybrid determined. analysis of variance and mean comparison were done. The result in three years showed that higher kernel yields were resulted from hybrids BASIN and POWER HOUSE with 7.66 and 7.31 t/ha respectively. these hybrids had higher yield than the check (SC403) with 6.11 t/ha and there was significant difference at 5%level between check and these hybrids according to Duncan's Multiple Range Test. EX08716636 Had higher kernel yield than the check (SC403 ) but this hybrid had not significant difference at 5% level. Hybrids CHALLENGER with 5.34 t/ha, HARVEST GOLD with 5.16 t/h, OBSSESION with 5.01 t/h, CHASE with 4/26 t/h and TEMPTATION with 3.8 t/h had lower kernel yields than check. HARVEST GOLD, POWER HOUSE and BASIN had Higher forage yeild with 50.99, 50.58 and 48.71 t/ha respectively but these hybrids had not significant difference at 5%level in compare of SC403 with 49.29 t/ha forage yield. Correlation between measuremented traits was showed that kernel yield have positive correlation with forage yield (%76), kernel row number (%60), kernel in row (%56) and ear diameter (%66). Kernel yield had negative correlation with cob diameter (-%56). Forage yield also had positive correlation with plant height (%67), ear hight(%81), kernel row number (%55), kernel in row (%54) and ear diameter (%70). Forage yield had negative correlation with cob diameter (-%55).

Improvement of yield, yield components and oil quality in sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) by N-fixing bacteria fertilizers and urea

Experiments were conducted in 2009–2010 at the Agricultural and Natural Resources Research Center of Yazd, Iran, to study the effect of nitrogen levels and plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) containing Azotobacter sp. and Azospirillum sp. on seed yield, its components and quality traits of sesame cultivars. Treatments were arranged in a factorial experiment based on randomized complete block design with nitrogen rates (0 (control), 25 and 50 kg N ha−1), cultivars (Darab-14, GL-13 and local) and N-fixing bacteria levels (non-inoculation and inoculation) were applied with three replications. Nitrogen fertilizer significantly increased yield and yield components, but reduced oil content in 2010. Inoculating seeds with PGPR increased yield and yield components of sesame cultivars compared to the control treatment. Seed yield in PGPR inoculation with half a rate of N fertilizer treatment was more than seed yield in the full rate of N fertilizer without a PGPR inoculation treatment. N fertilizer and PGPR application significantly decreased saturated fatty acids (palmitic and stearic acid) while it significantly increased unsaturated fatty acids (oleic and linoleic acid). Oleic acid had a significant negative correlation with linoleic acid (r = −0.79). The result showed that an application of PGPR could be usefully applied to reduce use of chemical fertilizer.

Irrigation scheduling for greenhouse tomato production using class A pan evaporation

Iran is one of the countries that is located in world's arid and semi-arid regions and is constantly subjected to water shortage. One of the effective methods for reducing water consumption and increasing production in agricultural sector is greenhouse culture. By using proper irrigation management in greenhouse, we are able to utilize water, soil and fertilizer to produce high yield and quality products. In the present study, a split-plots experiment was conducted as randomized complete blocks design with three replications, during 2010 and 2011, in Agricultural and Natural Resources Research Center, Isfahan, Iran. Irrigation frequency at 3 levels (once each 1, 2 and 3 days) was considered as the main plot and the subplots were irrigation depth at three levels (75% ETc, 100% ETc and 125% ETc). Results revealed that effect of depth of irrigation was significant on yield, number of fruits per plant and mean weight of a tomato, but the effect on water use efficiency (WUE) was not significant. The highest yield (6.77 kg/m) and the lowest yield (4.52 kg/m) were observed in 125% ETc and 75% ETc treatments, respectively. The amount of consumed water in these treatments was 0.3 and 0.19 m/m, respectively. WUE in the treatments ranged from 25 to 28 kg/m. Lack of significant effect of various irrigation water depths on WUE, though the effect was significant on yield, indicates that the crops have been under-irrigated. It was found that the abovementioned traits were not significantly affected by applying irrigation frequency treatments. Soil analysis at the end of the experiment showed that salinity in the soil surface of the pots was more than lower depths, which is due to surface water evaporation and acculation of the salts. Salinity in F1 treatment was very high (8 dS/m), though the pots were irrigated once a day. This shows that everyday irrigation, but with low depth of irrigation, has not been able to leach salts to deeper depths. Based on the obtained results, water shortage, practical simplicity and labor saving, the 125% ETc treatment with 3-day irrigation frequency are recomanded.

Genetic Variation in Superior Tomato Genotypes Collected from North West of Iran

Heterogeneous landrace populations are important sources of genetic variation and are utilized for agronomic and genetic improvement of the crop in plant breeding programs. Therefore, thirty tomato landraces collected from North West of Iran with three commercial cultivars Korall, Fauna and Peto Early CH were studied in completely randomized design in four replications at the Kahriz Station of Agriculture and Natural Resources Research Center of West Azerbaijan. Analysis of variance has shown the significant difference among genotypes for all the evaluated characters. The highest and lowest of heritability were observed for number of seeds per fruit and number of flowers per inflorescence respectively. In principal component analysis, the first five components clarified 77% of total variations in tomato germplasm. These five components were entitled fruiit pH, yield, vegetative growth, fruit size and fruit maturing respectively. In component yield, characters of fruit weight and fruit diameter had high positive coefficients. The cluster analysis located genotypes into five groups

Screening of freezing tolerance in some dwarf selected mahaleb genotypes

Prunus mahaleb L. is the principal rootstocks used in Iran and world wide for sweet and sour cherries. This study was conducted with the main purpose of evaluation of freezing tolerance in eleven dwarf selected mahaleb (Prunus mahaleb L.) genotypes at Khorasan Razavi Agriculture and Natural Resources Research Center (Mashhad, Iran) during 2010- 2011. In two independ experiments, vegetative buds and annual shoots were placed in various temperature treatments (0, -5, -15, -25 and -25 oC with decreasing rate of 5 och-1) and percentage of ion leakage, soluble sugars and relative water content (RWC) in every stages were measured. Results showed that there was a significant difference in ion leakage and soluble sugars but there was not a significant difference in RWC between genotypes. Ion leakage and RWC percentage in buds and annual shoots increased and soluble sugars percentage decreased when the temperature was decreased. Ion leakage and RWC were the highest in 'DM129' (bud and shoot), but the 'DM265' (bud) and 'DM139' (shoot) had the lowest. The 'DM129' (bud and shoot) had the lowest and 'DM265' (bud) had the highest soluble sugars.

Responses of Various Corn Cultivars under Supplementary Irrigation Management

This project was executed in a split-plot experiment using the randomized complete block design with four replications in the research field at the Gilan Agriculture and Natural Resources Research Center to evaluate the effects of various irrigation regimes on three single cross hybrids in corn. The major factor was the irrigation treatment (one irrigation before flowering, one irrigation at flowering and one at seed filling stages, no irrigation or rainfed farming), and the minor factor the cultivars ( the single cross hybrids 704, 260, and 400). The three irrigation regimes and the three cultivars had significantly different effects on seed yield at the 5% and 1% probability levels, respectively. Comparing the means of irrigation regimes showed the maximum yield (6580 kg/ha) belonged to the treatment of irrigation at flowering and at seed filling stages and the minimum (4888 kg/ha) to the treatment of irrigation before flowering. Irrigation at flowering and seed filling stages increased yield and yield components, while the hybrid SC704 was the suitable cultivar under water stress conditions.

Influence of Exogenous Application of Silicon and Potassium on Physiological Responses, Yield, and Yield Components of Salt-Stressed Wheat

To investigate the effect of exogenous application of silicon and potassium on some physiological responses, yield, and yield components of two wheat cultivars (Pishgam and Alvand) grown under salt-stress conditions, a field experiment was conducted at the Agricultural and Natural Resources Research Centre in East Azerbaijan, Iran, during 2012 and 2013 growing seasons. The experiment was arranged in factorial design based on randomized complete blocks design with three replications in each year. Wheat seeds were sown in saline soil (10 dS m−1) and irrigated with saline water (4 dS m−1). The plants were sprayed with silicon and potassium solutions at 0, 2, and 4 mM and 0, 100, 200, and 300 mM concentrations, respectively. The results demonstrated that silicon and potassium application improved antioxidant enzyme activity, chlorophyll content, photosynthesis rate, potassium uptake, yield, and yield components in both wheat cultivars. Although silicon and potassium had significant effects on all studied traits, there was a great interactive effect between them. When these two elements were applied on plants, the positive effect was more pronounced. Among all treatments, the most effective treatment was 4 mM silicon and 300 mM potassium. The greatest enzyme activity, chlorophyll content, photosynthesis rate, potassium uptake, yield, and yield components and the lowest proline, malondialdehyde, and sodium accumulations were observed in this treatment.

Study of genetic variation and heredity-acceptance of morphological features of 15 peas genotypes

In order to study genetic variation, heredity-acceptance and relations between agricultural features, 15 genotypes of black-eyed pea were performed according to experimental complete accidental blocks plan with three replicates at Broujerd agricultural and natural resources research center. The result of variance analysis showed that genotypes are of significant difference regarding the features under study implying genetic variation among genotypes. The results from studying simple correlation of features showed that the correlation between singlebush yield and sheath number in the main stalk, sheath length, a hundred-seed weight, sheath weight, sheath number in bush, seed number in sheath, biologic yield, and harvest index was positive and significant and between single-bush yield and sheath width was negative and significant.

Effect of Organic Nutrients on the Yield of Cabbage

A field experiment to assess the effect of organic fertilisers on the growth and yield of cabbage was conducted at the Renewable Natural Resources Research and Development Centre at Bajo, in Wangdue Phodrang Dzongkhag in 2012. A Randomised Complete Block Design with four treatments replicated four times was used in the experiment. Four treatments; T1 (farmyard manure at 10 MT/acre), T2 (Vegimax at 3 ml/20 litre water), T3 (farmyard manure 50% + Vegimax), and T4 (control, without added nutrients) were evaluated to determine the growth and yield of cabbage. There was no significant effect of treatments (p > .05) on the growth and yield, although T1 showed better response and the results for T2 were similar to that of control (T4). These findings suggest that farmyard manure can be beneficial for plant growth due to its higher plant nutrient concentration, although nutrient release was possibly slower during the winter. The efficacy of Vegimax is limited due to its lower concentration of macro-nutrients. This experiment was the first of its kind, with the new organic supplement (Vegimax). More field testing is needed, however, to confirm the effect on yield under a wide range of growing conditions.

Interactive Effects of Silicon and Potassium Nitrate in Improving Salt Tolerance of Wheat

Adequate regulation of mineral nutrients might be effective to ameliorate the deleterious effects of salts and help to sustain crop productivity, particularly in glycophytes, under salt stress. In this study, laboratory and greenhouse experiments were carried out at Agricultural and Natural Resources Research Centre in East Azerbaijan, Iran, to investigate the interactive effects of silicon and potassium nitrate in alleviating NaCl induced injuries in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). In the laboratory experiment, three winter wheat cultivars Pishgam, Afagh and Alvand were grown on sterile filter paper moistened with 20, 40, 60, 80, and 100 mmol L−1 NaCl solution. Results revealed that wheat cultivars were significantly different in their growth response to different concentrations of NaCl and Pishgam was found to be the most tolerant to NaCl stress, and used in the second part of study. In the greenhouse experiment, Pishgam was grown in a hydroponic system subjected to different NaCl levels (20, 60 and 100 mmol L−1) and treated by silicon (0, 2 and 4 mmol L−1, final concentration in nutrient solution using K2SiO3) and potassium nitrate (0, 0.5, 1, and 2 mmol L−1, foliar application). The experimental design was factorial based on a completely randomized design with three replications. It was found that NaCl stress significantly increased proline accumulation and sodium content in the plant tissues while decreased potassium uptake and accumulation by plants. Moreover, plant weight, 100-seed weight, relative water content, chlorophyll content, and photosynthesis were also significantly affected by varying levels of NaCl. However, exogenous application of silicon and potassium nitrate reduced sodium uptake, increased potassium and consequently improved plant weight, 100-seed weight, seed yield, ear length, and photosynthesis rate. This study suggested that utilization of the salt-tolerant cultivar (Pishgam) combined with proper foliar application of potassium nitrate (2 mmol L−1) and silicon (4 mmol L−1) at the wheat booting stage might be a promising approach to obtain higher grain yield on saline lands.

Determination of some B Vitamins in Sour Cherry Juice Using Dispersive Liquid-liquid Microextraction Followed by High-performance Liquid Chromatography.

Dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction method (DLLME) combined with high-performance liquid chromatography-ultraviolet detection (HPLC-UV) was used to determine thiamine (B1), nicotinamide (B3) and pyridoxine (B6) in sour cherry juice. This method was rapid, simple and sensitive. Separation was accomplished using a C18 column. The optimum chromatographic conditions were found to be: mobile phase consisted of 8% methanol and 92% aqueous phase (1% (V/V) acetic acid water solution); flow rate, 0.7 mL/min; detection wavelength, 260 nm and pH, 3.3. The extraction efficiency of thiamine, nicotinamide and pyridoxine was influenced by factors such as: additional salt effect, the kind and volume of disperser and extraction solvents. In this research, the limit of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ) were 0.9 and 3 ng/mL for thiamine, 1.5 and 5 ng/mL for nicotinamide, 0.9 and 3 ng/mL for pyridoxine. The relative standard deviations (RSDs) were less than 2.87% (n=3). An appropriate linear behavior over the observed concentration range was obtained with the value of R²>0.996 for the target vitamins. This method was successfully applied to the sour cherry juice samples. Sour cherry var. Gise (Prunus cerasus var. Gise), which was used in this research, was a local variety of the sour cherry with large stone, double flowers, double fruits, dark red skin and dark red juice. This variety was identified in high altitude areas of Isfahan province after five years of study, since 2005, by Agricultural and Natural Resources Research Center of Isfahan.

Antiparasitic herbs used in west regions of Ilam province located in west of Iran

ObjectiveTo identify antiparasitic medicinal plants used by people in southern regions of Ilam province in Iran. MethodsThis study was carried out using questionnaire and interview method between February 2012 and April 2013 and also by means of public resources. Along with distributing questionnaires herbarium specimens of each plant were collected and then their genus and species were determined in the Natural Resources Research Center of Ilam province. ResultsA total of 19 medicinal plants used as antiparasitic plants belonged to 14 families were identified in southern regions of Ilam province. Majority of antiparasite herbs were related to Compositeae (11%), Rosaceae (11%), Solanaceae (11%), Liliaceae (11%), and Asteraceae (11%) families. Aerial parts with 28% were the most plant organs used for the treatment of parasitic diseases. Results of this study showed that infusion with 83% is the most popular form of herbal medications in southern regions of Ilam province. ConclusionsThe report of medicinal plants belonged to northern regions of this province may provide necessary condition for researchers to identify effective substances and to study the clinical effects claimed for these plants and their effective substances on different parasitic diseases while traditional effects of these plants are documented.

First report of rosemary leaf spot caused byNigrospora oryzaein Iran

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis), a herbaceous and perennial plant in the Lamiaceae, is one of the most important ornamental and medicinal plants grown in Iran. In November 2012, leaf spot symptoms were observed during a survey of rosemary fields in Kerman (southeast Iran). Out of the approximately 150 rosemary plants examined, more than 45% had leaf spots. Samples of infected leaves were surface sterilised with 0.5% sodium hypochlorite for three minutes, rinsed with sterile distilled water, cultured onto potato dextrose agar (PDA) and incubated at 25°C for seven days. Fast growing woolly colonies were isolated, appearing initially white, later grey, and eventually turning black on both sides (Fig. 1a). Four isolates were collected (DMNOC1, DMNOC2, DMNOC3, and DMNOC4) and stored in the local culture collection at the Agricultural and Natural Resources Research Center of Kerman, Iran. Brown to black, spherical to sub-spherical, single celled conidia, ranging from 11.0 to 14.4 μm (mean 13.2 μm, n=100), were born on hyaline vesicles at the tip of short and rarely branched conidiophores (Fig. 1b). Based on morphological characteristics, the fungus was identified as Nigrospora oryzae (Ellis, 2). To demonstrate pathogenicity, inocula were produced from five-to-seven-day-old PDA cultures of N. oryzae isolates DMNOC1 and DMNOC3. Conidia were harvested by flooding the surface of the petri dish with 5 ml of sterile distilled, deionised water and gently scraping the surface of the media with an L-shaped glass rod to dislodge the conidia. The concentration was then adjusted to 104 conidia/ml using a haemocytometer. Three two-month-old plants were inoculated with each of the individual isolates by spraying the conidial suspension on to the leaves with a handheld sprayer until run-off. In addition, one plant was sprayed only with water as the control. All plants were covered with plastic bags to retain high humidity and kept in a greenhouse at 25-28°C. After 10 days, leaf spots were observed on all treated plants (Fig. 1c), with no observable differences between isolates. An average of 34% of the leaves (n=70) of the treated plants showed spots, covering on average 20% of the leaf surface. Some of the leaves gradually fell off. The control plant showed no symptoms. N. oryzae was re-isolated from the spots, thereby confirming Koch's postulate. This disease on rosemary, caused by N. oryzae, is significant because the main importance of rosemary is the leaves and any discoloration or dropping of the leaves will affect the quality and yield. This fungus has been previously reported from Iran on maize (Naderpour, 4), barley, and Sorghum bicolor cv. ‘Speed Feed’ (Abbasi & Aliabadi, 1). Lezama et al. (3) reported a Nigrospora sp. on rosemary in Venezuela, but the species was not specified. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of N. oryzae on rosemary in Iran and perhaps the world.

Comparative Assessment of Conventional and Organic Nutrient Management on Yield and Yield Components of Three Corn Cultivars

A field experiment was conducted to assess the effect of integrated nutrient management on the yield and yield components of three corn cultivar in Agricultural and Natural Resources Research Centre in Lorestan, Iran. The experimental design was a randomized complete block design arranged in factorial with three replications. The first factor comprised three corn cultivars (Single cross 704, Single cross 677 and Single cross 580) and the second factor was three levels of fertilizers [Chemical (100% urea), full organic (100% vermicompost) and integrated (50% urea and 50% vermicompost)]. The results showed that corn cultivars vary in yield components related traits such as ear length, ear diameter, seed number in row, row number, seed weight and seed and biological yield as well as protein yield. In addition, vermicompost application had great impact on corn yield components related traits especially when it was combined with chemical fertilizer. Integrated fertilizer management significantly increased ear diameter, seed number in row, row number, see weight, seed and biological yield and protein yield compared to full chemical and full organic treatments. In general, to get maximum yield, the application of integrated organic and inorganic fertilizer is best option.

CONTRIBUTION OF WESTERN AND EASTERN SPECIES TO THE IRANIAN PEAR GERMPLASM REVEALED BY THE CHARACTERIZATION OF S-GENOTYPES

CONTRIBUTION OF WESTERN AND EASTERN SPECIES TO THE IRANIAN PEAR GERMPLASM REVEALED BY THE CHARACTERIZATION OF S-GENOTYPES

Evaluation of Yield and Some Agronomical Traits in Garlic Genotypes (Allium sativum L)

Aims: The specific objective of this study was yield comparison the garlic genotypes for cultivation in region and evaluation some agronomic traits and determination correlation of coefficients these with yield in order to using in breeding programs. Study Design: Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with 3 replications . Place and Duration of Study: The present research was conducted in Agriculture and Natural Resources Research Center of Sistan and Baluchastan Province, Zabol, Iran in October 2012 during one crop season. Methodology: Garlic cloves ten genotypes were planted in early October. Each plot consisted of four rows: 5 m length, with 30 cm apart. Fertilizers were applied at ratio of 100, kg N /ha, 150 kg sulphate dipotash /ha and 100 kg super-phosphate, /ha respectively, (according to results of soil analysis). All plots received one-third of N and all sulphate dipotash and super-phosphate prior to sowing. Other two-third of N top dressed at the start of leaf four and before of bulbing stage, respectively. Results: The results showed that there was significant difference among genotypes for traits of cloves length, the number of cloves per bulb, clove weight, bulb weight, and bulb yield per hectare. Among genotypes, Mazand with yield (25508 kg/ha) and Chinese with

Agricultural and Natural Resources Research Center of Mazandran, Sari, Iran.

The aims of the study were to evaluate water quality of Tajan River in Sari in terms of chemical pollution and the impact of pollutant sources near the river by considering the climate, hydrological and hydraulic condition on it. In this study, 10 critical points of river were selected as sampling stations from dam to sea. Sampling was randomly done monthly from Apr 2009 to Mar 2010. Samples were analyzed in terms of chemical parameters after transferring to the laboratory according to standard methods. The results showed that the pH and temperature were within acceptable ranges of 6.5 to 8.5 and < 20°C, respectively. The minimum dissolved oxygen (DO) concentrations were above 6 mg/L along the river. Fish can survive because DO content was high. The maximum levels of biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), phosphate (PO4) and nitrate (NO3) were at or below 30, 17, 0.5 and 0.7 mg/L, respectively. In general, the results showed that the physical and chemical qualities of water from Tajan River were within the acceptable limits for agricultural consumptions. In addition, Tajan River water can be classified in Class II. Key words: Water quality, Tajan River, river pollution, water pollution.

Eriophyoidea (Acari: Trombidiformes; Prostigmata) fauna of Shiraz County, Iran

1 Depertment of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran; E-mails: n.doryanizadeh@gmail.com, akrami@shirazu.ac.ir 2. Agricultural and Natural Resources Research Center of Khorasan Razavi, Mashhad, Iran; E-mail: hashemkamali@gmail.com * Corresponding author Mites belong to Eriophyoidea are important due to their feeding damage, their role in the transmission of plant pathogens and as potantial biological control agents against weeds (Monfreda et al. 2010). It is estimated that world fauna of eriophyoid mites could be increased to 35000 to 50000 species. Thus, discovery of many new species is not surprising (Amrine et al. 2003). During 2010–11, 16 species of Eriophyoidea belonging to two families and eight genera were collected from 16 plant species from Shiraz (Fars Province). One species is a new record to mite fauna of Iran (marked by *) and three are unknown species (marked by **). The species are listed in Table 1. The mites were separated by an insect pin, cleared in a droplet of glacial lactic acid, and then mounted on a microscopic slide using Hoyer’s medium (de Lillo & Skoracka 2010). Table 1. List of Eriopyoidea species of Shiraz county.