عباس صلاحی اردکانی

A faunistic study on the tribes Tychiini and Mecinini (Curculionidae, Curculioninae) was carried out during the years 2010-2013 in different ecological regions of Iran. Twenty nine species belonging to the genera Mecinus Germar, 1821, Gymnetron Schoenherr, 1825, Rhinusa Stephens, 1829, Cleopomiarus Pierce, 1919, Tychius Germar, 1817 and Sibinia Germar, 1817 were collected. Localities and ecological notes on each species are provided. Among these, The following 11 species are new to the Iranian fauna: Mecinus crassifemur (Arzanov, 1991), Mecinus simus (Mulsant & Rey, 1859), Gymnetron linkei Reitter, 1907, Rhinusa antirrhini (Paykull, 1800), Rhinusa brondelii (H. Brisout de Barneville, 1862), Rhinusa florum (Rübsaamen, 1895), Tychius reitteri Faust, 1889, Tychius tridentinus Penecke, 1922, Sibinia aureofulva (Desbrochers des Loges, 1875), Sibinia pellucens (Scopoli, 1772), Sibinia unicolor Fảhraeus, 1843, whereas all other 18 species are new for one or more provinces. Host plants of several species reported for the first time and commented as well.

Mature seeds of Melia azedarach were harvested from north of Iran، Mazandaran province. The seeds were dried in the shade at room temperature (about 25ºC)، powdered by blender. Extraction from the seeds powder was done in the Soxhlet extractor. Water soluble and Non-water-soluble components of the seed powder extract were separated by dichloromethane/water. In addition، Tween 85 was added to the extract and an 11% formulation was made from the seed extract in the laboratory. The toxicity of formulation to the root-knot nematode، Meloidogyne incognita، was studied in laboratory and pot experiments. Application rates of formulation were 0. 125، 0. 25، 0. 5، 1، 2، 4، 8 and 16 percent for the laboratory experiment in order to determine their effects on motility and mortality of second-stage juveniles (J2) after two different exposure times (24 and 48 h). In pot experiment، 0. 125، 0. 25، 0. 5، 1، 2 and 4 percent of the formulation were applied on nematode activity and plant growth components of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum). Neither J2 immobility nor mortality was observed in treatments with 0. 125 and 0. 25% doses. Exposure time was significantly (p<5%) affected J2 mortality. After 24 h، J2 mortality was 0. 0، 44. 30 and 76 % following treatment with 4، 8 and 16% formulation، respectively، while 100% J2 mortality was recorded for the same concentrations، after 48 h of exposure. In the pot experiment، all of the concentrations significantly reduced the numbers of galls، egg masses and eggs in tomato roots، J2s in soil and tomato roots and overall nematode population. Treatment of 4% of formulation was toxic to tomato plants and significantly reduced tomato root and stem length and fresh weights in comparison to control. Results of the laboratory experiments show good stability of the formulation. In general، 1 and 2% concentrations of the formulation controlled root knot nematode and improved tomato growth parameters under the laboratory conditions as compared with the control. Use of the recommended concentrations of this new formulation، could be a natural and eco friendly way to control root knot nematode and to reduce hazardous effects of chemical pesticides.

Essential oil from aerial parts of Tanacetum polycephalum Schultz Bip. subsp. polycephalum at the rates of 8000, 4000, 2000, 1000, 500, 250, 125, 62.5 and 0 mg l-1was tested for its nematicidal activity against the second stage juvenile (J2) of Meloidogyne incognita (Kofoid and White) Chitwood. 100 percent J2 mortality was achieved with essential oils of 8000 and 4000 mg l-1. Nematicidal activities were recorded as 44.4, 22.8 and 6 percentages for concentrations of 2000, 1000 and 500 mg l-1 respectively. No nematode mortality was seen in treatments of 250, 125, and 62.5 mg l-1of the oil. Analysis by Gas Chromatography (GC) and GC-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) led to identification of 39 major compounds from T. polycephalum oil. Among the chemical components, the main components were trans-Thujone (74.483%), 1,8-Cineole (3.135%), Terpinene-4-ol (2.316%), Borneol (2.351%), cis-Thujone (1.880%),Camphor (1.832%), trans-Pinocarveol (1.333%), and γ-Terpinene (1.059%).

insistence on opposing transgenic plants and genetic engenearing by some individuals and/or organizations, hasresulted high levels of application of dangerous chemical pesticides in Iran. Samples of cucumber and tomato fruits were collected from various fields of Kohgiloyeh and Boyerahmad province and the residue of Endosulfan and Diazinon were determined in them. The highest amount of residue was of Diazinon in cucumber. The average residues of Diazinon in cucumber were 0.462, 0.669, and 0.205 mg/kg in Gachsaran, Boyerahmad and Kohgiloyeh respectively. However the internationally accepted maximum residue level of Diazinon in cucumber is 0.1 mg/kg. The residues of Diazinon in tomato were 0.504 and 0.534 mg/kg in Gachsaran and Dena respectively which are higher than the international levels. According to this research, the average residue of Diazinon in cucumber in the whole province was 0.355 to 3.5 times more than the maximum residue level. The residue of Endosulfan in tomato fields of Boyerahmad regions like Tangari, Keveshk, Tang Tamoradi and Sepidar. It was also higher than the international limits in Khairabad region at Gachsaran country. The residue of Endosulfan on cucumber was higher than the international levels in Tangari and Dornkore regions of Boyerahmad country and also Dehre, Dehkhalife and Shain brakan regions of Gachsaran, Delirech region of Dena country and in Zarghamabad of Kohgiloye country. The results showed not only the presence of high levels of Diazinon and Endosulfan residues in tomato and cucumber, but also showed that the period between pesticide use and marketing was also very short. It also shows that number of spraying, recommended dose and the interval between the spraying, were not taken into consideration. Continued restrictions on the application of transgenic plants is therefore considered as acceptance of the continued application of Endosulfan and Diazinon and their presence in food basket in Iran.

In order to control plant parasitic nematodes, in spite of chemical costs, some may have residue in yield, some kill the natural enemies of nematodes, and many of them may pollute the environment. Based on research carried out by oil, seed kernel extract and powder, and meal of neem, complete bead-tree seed extract and powder, yarrow aerial parts extract and powder, can cause mortality of these onstage juveniles of the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita. The effect of these plants materials on the nematode mortality compared with control and showed statistically significant difference at the level of 1%. Application of these plants materials maybe reduces of chemical pesticides and risks of their using.