abbas hassani

Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) is an annual herbaceous plant belonging to the mint family (Lamiaceae). Its fresh and dried leaves and essential oils are used in the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries. In recent years, the use of symbiosis with plant beneficial rhizospheric microorganisms including rhizobacteria and endophytic fungi has been considered as a cost-efficient and sustainable strategy to alleviate the adverse effects of environmental stresses such as salinity. Therefore, the present study was conducted in the research greenhouse of Urmia University. It evaluated the effect of inoculation with growth-promoting microorganisms on some growth, physiological, and phytochemical characteristics of basil plants under salt-stress conditions. This research was conducted as a factorial experiment in a completely randomized design with three replications. The experimental factors were inoculation with microorganisms at three levels (control without inoculation, inoculation with Serendipita indica, and inoculation with a mixture of Pseudomonas areuginosa, P. putida, and P. fluorescens) and salinity stress at four levels (0, 40, 80 and 120 mM of NaCl). For inoculation, the germinated seeds were separately inoculated with S. indica suspension (5×105 spores per ml) and inoculum containing a mixture of Pseudomonas bacteria (1.61×109 cells per ml) and planted in prepared pots. The pots were irrigated with ordinary tap water until the plants were eight-leafed, and from this stage onwards, salinity stress treatments were applied by dissolving different concentrations of NaCl in the irrigation water and continued until the full flowering stage. In the full flowering stage, plant samples were collected and root colonization percentage by fungus, growth parameters (plant height, stem diameter, number and total length of lateral branches, leaf number and area, inflorescence length, fresh and dry weight of leaf and stem), leaf relative water content (RWC), photosynthetic pigments, concentration of leaf nutrients (N, P, K, Na and Cl), essential oil content and yield were evaluated. For essential oil extraction, shade-dried samples were hydro-distilled using a Clevenger-type apparatus. The results showed that due to salinity stress, the percentage of root colonization by S. indica, growth parameters, RWC, photosynthetic pigments, essential oil content, yield, N, P, and K content, and K/Na ratio decreased while Na and Cl content increased. In addition, all evaluated parameters in inoculated plants were higher than in non-inoculated plants except Na and Cl content. The highest and lowest rates of growth parameters, RWC (74.47 and 72.39%), essential oil yield (0.23 and 0.17 ml/pot), and N content of leaves (1.36 and 1.14%) were obtained in plants inoculated with S. indica and non-inoculated plants, respectively. The highest and lowest amounts of chlorophyll a (0.87 and 0.74 mg/g fw), chlorophyll b (0.41 and 0.37 mg/g fw), essential oil percentage (1.24 and 1.05%), K content (5.15 and 3.97%), P content (0.29 and 0.24%) and the K/Na ratio (10.05 and 4.07), were observed in plants inoculated with a mixture of Pseudomonas bacteria and non-inoculated plants, respectively. Also, the lowest Na (1.34%) and Cl (2.93%) accumulation was observed in plants inoculated with Pseudomonas bacteria and S. indica fungus, respectively. According to the results of this study, the use of plant growth-promoting microorganisms (S. indica fungus and a mixture of Pseudomonas bacteria) can alleviate adverse effects of salinity stress on the growth and essential oil production of the basil plant by increasing the absorption of water and nutrients, preserving photosynthetic pigments and reducing the accumulation of toxic ions.

To evaluate the effect of Piriformospora indica and Pseudomonas fluorescens inoculation on some growth and physiological parameters and nutrient acquisition of sage (Salvia officinalis) under salt stress conditions, a pot experiment was conducted in factorial based on randomized complete blocks design with three replications. The treatments included inoculation with microorganisms at three levels (non-inoculation and inoculation with P. indica and P. fluorescens) and salinity stress at four levels (0, 25, 50 and 100 mM of NaCl). The results showed that salinity stress and inoculation with microorganisms had significant effect on the measured parameters, so that by increasing salinity concentration, percentage of root colonization by P. indica,growth paramaters, leaf relative water content (RWC), chlorophyll index (SPAD), essential oil conten and yield, N, P and K content and K/Na ratio decreased while Na and Cl content increased. The amounts of all evaluated parameters in fungi and rhizobacteria inoculation were more than non-inoculation treatments except for Na and Cl content. The highest and lowest of dry herb yield (29.61 and 13.51 g pot-1), RWC (82.45 and 54.83%), chlorophyll content (35.36 and 26.1), essential oil content (2.02 and 1.37%), essential oil yield (0.049 and 0.017 ml plant-1) and P content (0.41 and 0.10%) were observed in non-stress conditions+ P. indica inoculated plants and 100 mM salinity+ non-inoculated plants, respectively. Overall, the findings of this study showed that plant growth-promoting microorganisms inoculation can ameliorate the adverse effects of salinity stress on growth, yield and essential oil production in sage by maintaining chlorophyll content and improving water and nutrient uptake.

Salinity is a major environmental stress that limits plant growth and productivity in Iran. Olive (Olea europea L.) is one of the most valuable and widespread fruit trees in the Mediterranean area. In the last years, the surface of olive orchards has increased considerably in Iran. Furthermore, cultivars used in these orchards are often foreign and little is known about their behavior under Iran climate conditions, especially about their tolerance to salinity. Hence, in order to study the effects of NaCl salinity on some morphological and physiological properties of one-year-old rooted cuttings of two olive cultivars (Mission (a foreign cultivar) and Mary (one of the most important Iranian cultivars)), a pot experiment was conducted in factorial based on randomized complete blocks design with four replications. Saline treatments were imposed by irrigation with water containing 0, 25, 50, 100 and 200 mM of NaCl. The results showed that NaCl salinity has significant effects on the parameters. The plants grow parameters (plant height, number and area of leaves, number and length of axillary shoots, stem diameter, fresh and dry weight of leaves and stems, dry weight of root) were decreased by increasing of NaCl concentration in irrigation water. Relative water content (RWC), chlorophyll content and leaf potassium concentration were decreased as well. However, converse effect was found in proline, total soluble sugars (TSS), and concentration of Na and Cl in leaves. Overall, the findings of this study showed that cv. Mission because of higher potassium concentration, chlorophyll content and RWC, higher accumulation of proline and TSS and lower concentration of Na and Cl in leaves was more resistant to salinity than cv. Mary.
 
Keywords: Growth parameters, Olive (Olea europea), Proline, Relative water content, Salinity

Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) is an annual, aromatic and herbaceous plant belonging to the Lamiaceae family which is used as fresh vegetable and traditionally used to treatment many diseases. Plant nutrition is one of the important factors that affect quantitative and qualitative characteristics of plants. Nitrogen is one of the most important nutrients for plant growth and development. Plants can absorb nitrogen either as nitrate (NO3-) or ammonium (NH4+), and for optimal uptake and growth each plant species requires a different nitrate to ammonium ratio. This experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of different nitrate to ammonium ratios on morphophysiological characteristics and element concentration of basil. To study the effect of different nitrate to ammonium ratios (100:0, 75:25, 50:50, 25:75 and 0:100) on hydroponically grown basil, a pot experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design with four replications. In order to evaluate the growth parameters (plant height, stem diameter, number of leaves, leaf area, number and length of axillary shoots, fresh and dry weight of leaves, stems and roots), chlorophyll content and nutrients concentration (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, iron, copper, manganese and zinc in the leaves and roots), plant sampling was carried out at flowering stage. The results showed that plant growth parameters (such as number of leaves, number and length of axillary shoots, fresh and dry weight of leaves, roots and stems) and chlorophyll index (SPAD) were significantly affected by different nitrate to ammonium ratios. The different nitrate to ammonium ratios had no significant effect on plant height, stem diameter and leaf area. The growth parameters and chlorophyll content decreased with increasing of ammonium in nutrient solution and the 75:25 ratio of nitrate to ammonium was the most suitable treatment for most growth parameters and chlorophyll content. Also nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and copper (Cu) concentration in leaves and potassium (K), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn) and zinc (Zn) content in leaves and roots were significantly affected by nitrate to ammonium ratios. As nitrate to ammonium ratio decreased, N, P, Fe and Zn content of leaves increased, while K, Cu and Mn content of leaves and K, Fe and Mn content of roots decreased. The findings of this study showed that basil plant requires lower concentrations of ammonium in nutrient solution for proper growth. Therefore, a solution containing 75:25 of nitrate to ammonium ratio is recommended for basil plant production under hydroponic culture coditions. Key words: Ammonium, Basil, Hydroponic, Micronutrients, Nitrate

Juniperus communis L. ssp. hemisphaerica is a dioeciously wild growing shrub, which is belonged to Cupressaceae family and could found in the Alborz Mountain in north of Iran. The essential oil of Juniper is used as anti-depressant, anti-rheumatic, anti-spasmodic, carminative, antidiabetic, appetizer and diuretic properties. In this research the effects of altitude on the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of the essential oil in different gender of this plant was investigated. The aerial part of different gender were harvested from two altitudes (2200 and 2700 m) in summer 2011. The essential oils were extracted by hydro distillation and were analyzed by GC and GC/MS. The results were showed that the foliage of male plants in both altitude contained higher oil content (2.74%-2.85%) than the female plants (2.20%-2.59%). The α-pinene and sabinene were the main components of essential oils in both foliages, but the highest amount of α-pinene (48.81%) and sabinene (44.47%) were observed in 2200 m in both foliages, respectively. Monoterpenes were the main compounds, which identified in these essential oils.

Anise Hyssop (Agastache foeniculum) is a perennial and aromatic herb plant, belonging to the Lamiaceae family. Its essential oil has antifungal and antibacterial properties and used in food and pharmaceutical industries. To study the effects of foliar application of urea and amino acids on some morpho-physiological and biochemical characteristics of anise hyssop, a pot experiment was conducted in completely randomized design with four replications. The treatments were foliar application of urea (0.5, 1 and 2 g/l), aspartic acid (100, 200 and 300 mg/l), glutamic acid (100, 200 and 300 mg/l) and control (no nitrogen application). The results showed that foliar application of urea and amino acids had significant effects on growth, physiological and biochemical parameters. The highest and the lowest amounts of plant height, leaf number and area, stem diameter, fresh and dry weight of leaves and stems were obtained in 2 g/l of urea and control treatments, respectively. Foliar application of urea and amino acids increased photosynthesis pigments, proline, total soluble sugars, total protein and nitrogen content of leaves compared to control. Total protein, total soluble sugars, proline, leaf chlorophyll and nitrogen content increased as the concentration of amino acids increased. Overall, the findings of this study showed that foliar application of 2 g/l of urea was the most effective treatment for the studied characteristics however amino acids through improvement of growth and physiological characteristics can be used as new sources of nitrogen for plant nutrition.

Mullein (Verbascum sp.) is a biennial herbaceous member of the Scrophulariaceae family. Verbascum flowers are highly valued herbal drugs used in the treatment of inflammation, asthma, spasmodic coughs and other respiratory tract diseases. In this study, preliminary evaluation of morphological and phytochemical diversity of different Mullein species from West Azerbaijan province for its domestication was investigated.
West Azerbaijan as the centers of origin for many species of Mullein in Iran was selected for sampling. For assessment of morphological diversity, different species of Mullein were evaluated in full flowering stage based on 12 qualitative and 20 quantitative morphological traits. After species identification, leaf and flower samples were extracted using ultrasonic device. For evaluation of phytochemical diversity among different species of Mullein, total phenolic content and antioxidant capacity of leaves and flowers were determined using FolinCiocalteu assay and DPPH method, respectively.
Based on the evaluation of collected samples from different regions 9 species (V. erianthum, V. songaricum, V. speciosum, V. szovitsianum, V. stachydiforme, V. sinuatum, V. haussknechtianum,V. cherirantifolium and V. saccatum) were identified. The results showed that species has significant effect on the plant height, inflorescence length, number of flowers per bunch, number of flowering stems, basal leaves length and length and width of capsule (p The findings of this study showed that there is a wide diversity of Mullein species in West Azerbaijan province. V. sinuatum has unique morphological and phytochemical traits that can be used for breeding strategies and economic production.

Phytochemicals are good sources of natural antioxidants and have beneficial effects on human health. Many of phenolic phytochemicals have shown antimicrobial and antifungal activity. Anise hyssop (Agastache foeniculum [Pursh] Kuntze) is a perennial aromatic plant of the Lamiaceae family with antimicrobial and antifungal properties and useful for gastrointestinal problems. In this investigation, the antioxidant activity of extracts, their antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes, Bacillus cereus, B. subtilis, Salmonella thyphimurium, S. enteritidis, Escherichia coli strains and their antifungal activity against Aspergillus niger and A. flavus was evaluated. Seven components were identified, representing 95.4% of the oils including methyl chavicol (83.1%), limonene (3.4%), spathulenol (3.1%) and caryophyllene oxide (3.1%). Agar disk diffusion and broth micro-well dilution assays showed that B. subtilis was the most resistant strain against both of the EOs and E. coli was the most sensitive bacteria. Results of both disc diffusion and MIC showed that the EO was more effective against A. flavus than A. niger. Antioxidant activity of A. foeniculum by DPPH and ABTS assays revealed remarkable antioxidant activities of this EO comparing with BHT. Results of current study indicated that A. foeniculum EOs can be used as a food preservative in having antibacterial, antifungal and antioxidant activity for the control of food deterioration.

Studies have shown that contrary to decrease the efficiency of traditional resources, knowledge really is a resource for enhancing employees and organization performance. From the strategic perspective, nowadays, knowledge is used to create and enhance organizational value and the success of an organization depends on its ability to manage this scarce resource. In this study, the relationship between knowledge management and training performance of employees of Jahrom Dastgheib education center (NAJA) has been arranged. In this research, 191 people selected randomely among all employees of the center and also is used a questionnaire with the reliability and validity (77/0) that has been accepted. Also to analyze the final data and to test the hypotheses, Pearson statistical method and SPSS 16 software have been used. The findings show that there is a positive and significant relation between the knowledge management and employees performance (r=0/41) and if the staff be diligent in research and create and use new and updated knowledge that is suitable for their practical needs, their performance will be better.

To study the effects of salt stress on some physiological parameters of grapevine and the effect of foliar application of potassium silicate and zinc sulphate in alleviating saline effects, a pot experiment was conducted under greenhouse condition. Rooted sapling of two grapevine cultivars, Rasha (salt-tolerant cultivar) and Bidaneh ghermez (salt-semi sensitive cultivar) were subjected to different NaCl concentrations (0, 50 and 100 mM) and foliar application of potassium silicate (0, 150 and 300 mg/l) and zinc sulphate (0, 2 and 4 g/l) in hydroponic conditions. The experiment was conducted using a factorial design (cultivar, salinity levels and foliar application as factors) based on randomized complete block design with three replications. The results showed that relative water content, photosynthesis, stomatal conductance, transpiration and chlorophyll content decreased with increasing salinity level. The reduction of physiological parameters in Rasha was less than Bidaneh ghermez. Foliar application of different concentrations of potassium silicate and zinc sulphate increased relative water content, photosynthesis, stomatal conductance, transpiration and chlorophyll content in both cultivars. The most effective treatment was potassium silicate 300 mg/l zinc sulphate 2 g/l, so that at the highest salinity level (100 mM) relative water content, stomatal conductance and photosynthesis in this treatment was 13.75%, 91.14% and 47.56% more than no foliar application treatment, respectively. According to the results of this study foliar application of potassium silicate and zinc sulphate can be used to alleviate salinity effects in grapevine.

In order to evaluate the seed and essential oil yield and harvest index of cumin, a factorial experiment based on randomized complete blocks design was conducted with three replications, at the research farm of the faculty of agriculture of Urmia University in 2010. Treatments were four irrigation regimes (irrigation after 50, 100, 150 and 200 mm of evaporation from a class A pan) and different amounts of superabsorbent polymer (0, 60, 120, 180, 240 and 300 kg/ha). The highest biomass yield (3640 kg/ha), seed yield (1226 kg/ha) and essential oil (36.5 kg/ha) belonged to irrigation after 50 mm of evaporation and 60 kg/ha superabsorbent polymer application. Increasing in irrigation distances to 100, 150 and 200 mm of evaporation needs to 180 and 120 kg/ha polymer to produce maximum yield (biomass and seed), but they were 60 and 300 kg/ha polymer for essential oil yield and harvest index, respectively. The maximum harvest index of seed for irrigation after 100, 150 and 200 mm of evaporation belonged to 180 kg/ha superabsorbent treatment. Application of superabsorbent at irrigation after 50 mm of evaporation (non-stress condition) does not have efficiency for essential oil production compared with the control (without polymer in this irrigation). In conclusion, increasing irrigation intervals from 50 to 200 mm of evaporation from pan lead to reduce the yield (biomass, seed and essential oil), that application of superabsorbent polymer A200 compensate part of this reduction.

Considering great medicinal value of Hyssopus officinalis L. and possibility of its mass production through in vitro culture, two individual experiments was conducted. Effect of various concentrations (0, 2.2, 4.4 and 11 µmol) of TDZ and BAP in combination with 1 µmol of IAA on direct regeneration from nodal explants were assessed. Significant difference between treatments was observed (P≤ 0.01). In BAP treatments, the maximum shoot-buds induction (9 shoot-buds per explant) and shoot regeneration percentage (96.66%) were observed on MS medium fortified with 2.2 and 4.4 µmol BAP in combination with 1 µmol of IAA. In TDZ treatments, the highest regeneration percentage was achieved in MS medium supplemented with TDZ (2.2 µmol) and IAA (1 µmol), and the maximum shoot-buds induction (19.83 shoot-buds per explant) was observed in medium containing 4.4 µmol of TDZ in combination with 1 µmol of IAA. The highest root production frequency (89.5%) was achieved in medium contained 9.84 µmol of IBA. Rooted plants were acclimatized successfully in greenhouse conditions with 100% survival. The protocol described here could be applicable for mass in vitro production of the valuable medicinal plant Hyssopus officinalis L. for its genetic resource conservation as well as pharmaceutical purpose.

Basil is a rich source of phenylpropanoids and enzymes Chavicol o-methyl transferase and cinnamate 4-hydroxylase are involved in the biosynthesis of these compounds.
Material and A completely randomized design with three replications was conducted in greenhouse to assess the effect of methyl jasmonate on the expression of the genes encoding CVOMT and C4H enzymes. Methyl jasmonate with concentrations of 0, 0.1 and 0.5 mM was sprayed on healthy plant leaves in flowering stage. Plant leaves were sampled at 0, 24, 48 and 72 hours after spraying. Relative expression of the genes was determined by real time PCR. Methyl jasmonate concentrations and sampling times were considered as main and sub-plots, respectively, and analysis of variance was performed in a split plot in time design.
Based on the results of variance analysis and mean comparison tests, the highest expression of the CVOMT gene was achieved in a concentration of 0.5 mM methyl jasmonate at 48 hours after spraying (p≤0.01). The expression of the C4H gene was significantly (p≤0.05) affected by the methyl jasmonate concentrations and sampling times. The maximum expression of this gene was obtained in 0.1 mM concentration of methyl jasmonate. Also, the expression of C4H gene was reached its peak 48 hours after spraying.
Methyl jasmonate with concentrations of 0.1 and 0.5 mM methyl jasmonate lead to significant increase in the expression of the genes encoding CVOMT and C4H enzymes which could probably increase the production of phenylpropanoids such as chavicol and methyl chavicol.

To survey the effects of chemical and biological phosphorus on the yield and essential oil of Satureja hortensis L. as an important medicinal plant, factorial experiment was conducted based on randomized complete block design with three replicates at Research Station of Faculty of Agriculture, Urmia University in 2011. The treatments were chemical phosphorus fertilizer with four levels (0, 50, 100 and 150 kg/ha P as triple supper phosphate) and biological phosphorus fertilizer with four levels (0, 100, 200 and 300 g/ha Pseudomonas putida Strain P13 and Bacillus lentus Strain P5). The results of ANOVA showed the significant interaction effect between chemical and biological phosphorus on the yield of fresh weight, biological yield, stem dry weight, and the yield of drug and essential oil. There was non-significant effect of chemical and biological phosphorus on the essential oil percent, harvest index of drug and harvest index of essential oil. The highest amounts of total fresh weight (23327 kg/ha), biological yield (5282 kg/ha), stem dry weight (2523 kg/ha) and yield of drug (2759 kg/ha) and essential oil (79 kg/ha) were obtained from 200 g/ha of biological phosphorus without chemical fertilizer. The minimum amounts of total fresh weight, biological yield, stem dry weight, the yield of drug and essential oil were observed in higher than 200 g/ha of biological phosphorus.

A completely randomized design (CRD) with three replications was conducted at greenhouse of Urmia University in 2013 to study the effect of different methyl jasmonate concentrations (0, 0.1 and 0.5 mM) on the activity of enzymes polyphenol oxidase, phenylalanine ammonia lyase, catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, guaiacol peroxidase and total protein content in basil. Activity of the enzymes and total protein content was measured at flowering stage 0, 24, 48 and 72 hours after foliar application of methyl jasmonate. Analysis of data was carried out in a split plot in time design which methyl jasmonate concentrations and sampling times were considered as main and sub-plots, respectively. The results of the investigation showed the maximum activity of phenylalanine ammonia lyase and guaiacol peroxidase at concentrations of 0.5 and 0.1 mM, respectively, 48 and 72 hours after spraying. The effect of methyl jasmonate on the activity of polyphenol oxidase, catalase, ascorbate peroxidase and total protein content was significant (P≤0.01). The most activity of the catalase, ascorbate peroxidase and total protein obtained in a concentration of 0.5 mM methyl jasmonate. Significant differences were observed among sampling times after methyl jasmonate spraying for catalase activity which increased 48 and 72 hours after spraying (P≤0.05). Therefore, methyl jasmonate spraying with a concentration of 0.5 mM could increase the activity of the antioxidant enzymes and total protein in basil.

Castor (Ricinus communis L.) is one of the most ancient medicinal oil crops in the world. It has been vastly distributed in different parts of Iran. In the present study, the inter simple sequence repeat (ISSR) markers were used to evaluate the molecular genetic diversity among and within 12 castor accessions collected from 7 regions of Iran. Totally, 16 ISSR primers amplified 166 loci, of which 116 loci (69.89 %) were polymorph, indicating high genetic variability in castor germplasm. An accession-specific ISSR band was detected in ‘80-29’accession. Genetic distance among accessions ranged from 0.2 to 0.056. Analysis of molecular variance revealed a higher level of genetic variation within (80%) than between (20%) accessions. A model-based Bayesian approach subdivided 60 genotypes from 12 accessions into 6 subgroups. UPGMA dendrogram based on Nei’s genetic distance classified 12 accessions into 4 groups. The result indicates that there was no association between geographical origin and ISSR patterns. The results suggest that ISSR technique is a useful tool for studying genetic diversity in castor germplasm.

Study the effects of inoculation with two arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi, Gm (Glomus mosseae T.H. Nicolson & Gerd.)Gerd & Trappe) and Gi (Glomus intraradices N.C. Schenck & G.S. Sm.) on the herb yield, essential oil (EO) content and nutrient acquisition of basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) under drought stress conditions,The experiment conducted with 9 treatments and 4 replications. Drought stress treatments were applied by increasing the irrigation intervals from 4 days to 8 and 12 days. The root colonization, dry matter yield, oil content, oil yield and nutrients uptake decreased as the irrigation intervals increased. The AM fungi inoculation significantly increased the dry matter yield, oil content, oil yield and uptake of N, K, Zn, Fe and Cu as compared to Nm (non-mycorrhizal) plants in both well-watered and drought stressed condition. Analysis of essential oil by GC and GC/MS showed that Linalool, (E)-β-ocimene, eugenol and (Z, E) farnesol, main components of oil, had no significant variation by drought stress or AM fungi inoculation. The effect of AM fungi inoculation on herb yield, oil content, oil yield and nutrient acquisition was more significant with G. mosseae than G. intraradices. Results suggest that inoculation of AM fungi could be a feasible procedure to increase growth, yield and essential oil production under water deficit conditions.

Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.) is an herbaceous perennial plant of the Lamiaceae family that has a wide edible and medicinal uses. In this research the potential of five different explants (nodal segments، shoot tip، cotyledon، hypocotyl and leaf segments) on MS mediums supplemented with different concentrations of 6-Benzylaminopurine (BAP) (2. 2، 4. 4 and 8. 8 µm) alone or in combination with 1µm Indoleacetic acid (IAA) for direct regeneration of Lemon balm was investigated. The experiment was conducted using a factorial based on completely randomized design with three replications. The maximum mean number of shoots (23. 59 and 16. 90 shoots in shoot tip and nodal segment explants، respectively) was observed on the MS medium with 8. 8 µm BAP. The highest regeneration rate (99%) in shoot tip and nodal segment explants was achieved on the MS medium supplemented with 8. 8 and 2. 2 µm BAP، respectively. No shoot regeneration occurred in other explants. The rooting of regenerated shoots was assessed on MS، ½MS and MS medium supplemented with 1، 2. 5، 4. 92 and 9. 84 µm Indole butyric acid (IBA). The highest mean number of roots (9. 06 roots per explants) was observed on the MS medium supplemented with 4. 92 µm IBA.

Study of genetic relationships is a prerequisite for plant breeding activities as well as for conservation of genetic resources. In the present study, genetic diversity among and within 15 Iranian native Ajowan(Carum copticum L.) populations were determined using inter simple sequence repeat (ISSR) markers. Twelve selected primers produced 153 discernible bands, with 93 (60.78%) being polymorphic, indicating considerable genetic diversity at the population level. Number of polymorphic bands per primer ranged from 4 to 11 with an average of 7.75. The largest percentage of polymorphic loci was 78.57% for primer UBC818. Based on an un-weighted pair-group method using arithmetic average (UPGMA) clustering algorithm, four distinct groups were established. Results of the principal coordinate analysis (PCoA) corresponded to those obtained through cluster analysis. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) showed that the genetic variation was found mainly within populations (61%), but variance among populations was only 39%. This study has detected significant genetic differentiation among C. copticum populations. The current study confirmed the importance of molecular studies in detecting genetic variation among genotypes in selecting diverse parents to carry out crossing program successfully.

In criminal law, entrapment is a practice whereby a law enforcement agent induces a person to commit a criminal offense that the person would have otherwise been unlikely to commit. It is a type of conduct that is generally frowned upon, and thus in many jurisdictions is a possible defense against criminal liability. Depending on the law in the jurisdiction, the prosecution may be required to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant was not entrapped or the defendant may be required to prove that they were entrapped as an affirmative defense. The entrapment defense in the United States has evolved mainly through case law. Two competing tests exist for determining whether entrapment has taken place, known as the "subjective" and "objective" tests. The "subjective" test looks at the defendant's state of mind; entrapment can be claimed if the defendant had no "predisposition" to commit the crime. The "objective" test looks instead at the government's conduct; entrapment occurs when the actions of government officers would usually have caused a normally law-abiding person to commit a crime.