Caspian Journal of Environmental Sciences
Volume:20 Issue: 1, Winter 2022

The environmental effects of fish cage culture have poorly been studied in reservoirs. Since this activity is increasingly practiced, investigations on the impacts of cage culture on physicochemical parameters and biodiversity of the reservoir is imperative. The aim of this study was to study the effects of rainbow trout cage culture on water quality, as well as plankton population structure and communities in a reservoir (Golestan Reservoir 1, Gorgan, Iran). Four sampling stations were selected in the following manner: sampling station immediately below the cages, stations some distances including 50 m, 150 m and 1000 m (control station) away from the cages. Phytoplankton, zooplankton and water samples were obtained on a monthly basis for 4 months (December, January, February and March 2016). The depths of the stations were the same. Water temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, EC, transparency, TDS and TSS did not exhibit statistically significant differences among the stations. Significant increases were detected in the ammonium, nitrate, phosphate and chlorophyll α concentrations at the cage station (P˂0.05). Five phytoplankton phyla including Bacillariophyta, Chlorophyta, Cyanophyta, Euglenophyta and Dinophyta and also four zooplankton phyla including Protozoa, Rotatoria, Cladocera and Copepoda were identified in the reservoir. The obtained results revealed that cage culture exerts significant effect on the population and communities of planktonic organisms. Increase

Rapid sea level changing of the Caspian Sea has affected coastal geomorphology and environmental condition of Gorgan Bay since the end of 20th century. The vast parts of the Gorgan bay and Miankaleh Wetland have been dried out. So finding efficient solutions for environmental revival of the bay, compatible with the Caspian Sea rapid fluctuation, was the main aim of the present study. The geomorphological changing of the bay was identified by comparing and interpreting satellite images and field survey. The main results show that the Caspian Sea fluctuation plays a vital role in the bay environment depletion and development during the Anthropocene time and the implementing of secure connection between the bay and the Caspian Sea is the appropriate method for ecological revival of Gorgan Bay.

Klebsiella pneumoniae is a member of the Enterobacteriaceae family which plays an important role in creating various infections in the community. These strains are resistant to multiple β-lactam antibiotics due to the production of β-lactamases enzyme (ESBL). The purpose of this study was to  assess the phenotypic and genotypic characteristics of ESBL-producing K. pneumoniae strains from clinical specimens in three hospitals in Mazandaran, Iran. In this cross-sectional study, K. pneumoniae samples (N = 100) were identified from different clinical specimens after standard biochemical and microbiological tests. Disc agar diffusion test was applied for antibiotic-resistant examinations. Phenotypic detection of ESBL-producing isolates was performed using mixed disk method. The presence of blaTEM gene was investigated in ESBL-producing isolates using PCR method. The ESBL test analysis was positive for 40 isolates (40%) of K. pneumoniae. The prevalence of blaTEM gene in ESBL-producing K. pneumoniae isolates was 55%. Tetracycline, tobramycin, and ampicillin were the most active antibiotics against K. pneumoniae isolates, showing 85%, 81% and 73% sensitivity, respectively. The highest antibiotic resistance in isolated K. pneumoniae was found for ceftriaxone (48%) and cefotaxime (46%) antibiotics. There was a significant correlation between ESBL production and K. pneumoniae isolates resistance to cefotaxime (p = 0.000), ceftazidime (p = 0.001), ciprofloxacin (p = 0.001), tobramycin (p = 0.044), and ceftriaxone (p = 0.000). The prevalence of ESBL-producing K. pneumoniae was high and increasing. The high prevalence of blaTEM gene in these isolates may be a reason for their pathogenesis and multiple-antibiotic resistance. Therefore, there is a need to develop the strategies to manage antibiotic resistance in these isolates.

Despite its universally wide use in water quality indices and evaluating the efficiency of wastewater treatment plants, chemical oxygen demand (COD) or biological oxygen demand (BOD5) analyses have disadvantages such as being imprecise, time-consuming, insensitive, as well as the production of hazardous wastes. Total organic carbon (TOC) will introduce as an alternative analysis, the relationship between BOD5, COD, and TOC has been investigated in this study. A total number of 216 samples were taken from three stations (kumait, Al Amara, and Al Majar Al Kabeer) in Tigris River, Maysan Province, Iraq. The sampling was on a monthly basis during a two-year period.  The tests were performed according to ASTM D7573 - 18ae1, ASTM D6238-98, and ASTM D125-06 for TOC, BOD5, and COD respectively at the Pollution Research Centre of the Al-Shatra Institute, the data were statistically analyzed using the SPSS program to predict a relationship between the COD or BOD5 and TOC. The analysis showed a good relationship concerning to a value of correlation coefficient, i.e., r = 0.93 or r = 0.94 between TOC and BOD5 or COD respectively, as well as the coefficient of determination, i.e., R2 = 0.91 or R2 = 0.92 between TOC and BOD5 or COD respectively. The validation of the suggested formulas has been tested using data from the Pollutant Centre in Al Shatra Institute for Shat al Gharaf River. The formulas gave reasonably acceptable values. It could be used in monitoring water quality and wastewater plants as a surrogate parameter to have pre-impression of the plant efficiency.

Heavy metal ion contamination is a commonality in industries such as mining, electroplating, and metal processing. By increased discharge of copper contaminated water, toxic waste due to Cu (II) has become a severe ecological dilemma globally. Adsorption is considered one of the more practicable techniques suggested for heavy metal removal because of its sensitivity, ease of operation and reproducibility alongside economic benefits such as effectiveness. This study examined the adsorption characteristics of an adsorbent prepared from orange peel (OP) for copper (II) in solutions that were aqueous. In evaluating the useful benefit of the sorbent material, changes in solution pH, initial Cu (II) concentration, adsorbent dose, and contact time on the adsorption process were also examined. Additionally, adsorption equilibrium isotherm as well as adsorption kinetics were explored to understand adsorption processes.

Iraq is one of the states in the world, affected with coronavirus. Mapping spatial patterns analysis distribution of disease incidence and danger can be assist as a suitable tool for detecting exposures of public health concern. A geographical information system (GIS)-based methodology to examine the relationship between the reported incidence of coronavirus and spatial patterns analysis in eighteen provinces of Iraq was analyzed in 2020. So, the study was applying spatial statistics to inspect the spatial patterns and areas of clustering detection to describe the pattern of coronavirus in Iraq. In this study, local Moran's I has been applied to measure spatial distribution of coronavirus in the study area and examined how provinces were spread or clustered. Spatial patterns statistics were used to apply Moran’s I test and it estimated considerable negative spatial autocorrelation of coronavirus disease incidences from 24/02/2020 to 06/04/2020. The results described spatially random clustered and spatial pattern of this disease in the study area. The study determined that the coronavirus cases were increased in the northeastern- and southwestern-side provinces of Iraq.

The purpose of the paper is twofold. Firstly, through the Taxonomic Method, we construct a composite indicator, called the Index of Sustainable (IS), and analyze the provinces of Iran from 2011 to 2018, according to 9 variables. Secondly, the Granger-causality test for panel data is implemented in order to verify the causal relationship among the IS, climate change and agricultural production. In other words, we test which of the three analyzed variables turns out to be the causetive variable and which, instead, turns out to be the effect variable. This analysis provides a wide overview on how the provinces rank according to the IS and its three crucial pillars, i.e. environmental, economic and social. Moreover, important causality relationships among the IS, climate changes (approximated by mean annual temperature and mean annual precipitation) and agricultural production (approximated by wheat and barley production) are identified. The results showed that Khuzestan, Isfahan and Fars provinces have the highest average sustainability index during 2011-2018. Generally, the provinces which are in a better position in terms of agricultural and industrial production, are also in a more favorable position in terms of sustainability than other provinces. The results also showed that there is a significant causal relationship between agricultural productions, climatic variables of temperature, precipitation and stability index among the studied provinces.

Increased anthropogenic disturbances in river ecosystems has led to a reduction in the biodiversity of rivers. The purpose of this study was to develop a multimetric index based on benthic macroinvertebrate for water quality assessment of Jajrood River. Biological and physicochemical sampling from seven stations was performed in the upstream basin of the river, located in the northeast of Tehran. Therefore, for the development of the MMIJ (Multimetric Macroinvertebrate Index Jajrood upstream) index, as a complementary tool in analyzing the physicochemical parameters, the data and indices calculated in the first two years (2011 & 2012) were used and validated with the data of the third year (2013). So, 24 biological indices were selected. Range, stability, sensitivity, responsiveness (to the anthropogenic impact gradient), and redundancy were tested on indices. Finally, the five indices including FBI, MMIF, NJIS, Shannon-Wiener, and Margalef from four tests were performed for the development of the MMIJ multimetric index. Each index was given a values of 1, 3, and 5 about its score, and then this index was obtained with a sum of calculated scores. As a result, the calculated indices in the third year were valued according to the calibration of the five biological indices, and the water quality of the seven stations was determined. This study showed that MMIJ multimetric index had a high sensitivity to organic pollutants and was suitable for use in national monitoring and assessment programs in the Jajrood River basin.

The present study focuses on the distribution of precipitation in different spatial and temporal patterns based on monthly, seasonal and annual time scales using TRMM data derived from 92 different cells in the south of the Caspian Sea. In addition, to account for the impact of the geographical conditions such as elevation, latitude and longitude on rain values, the Pearson correlation method was used. In terms of the average monthly precipitation in the south of the sea, the results showed that the highest average belonged to November (87 mm), followed by December (74 mm), and finally March and October (67 mm and 66 mm), respectively. The highest negative correlation (0.862) between rain and longitude was observed in autumn at a significant level of 0.01. In addition, the highest negative correlation (0.87) between rain and longitude was found in November at a significant level of 0.01. The maximum annual rain was 892-1305 mm measured in Guilan Province. Precipitation showed a tendency to decline toward the east of Golestan Province, so that the minimum annual precipitation (321-393 mm) was recorded in its western and northeastern parts. The precipitation was positively correlated with elevation and there was a strong inverse relationship between rain and longitude.

One of the fundamental hypotheses in aquatic ecology deals with the recognition of fish stocks. The present study tested the spatial dynamics of starry sturgeon stocks across environmental gradients by spatial variability in strontium to calcium in the pectoral fin spine. Forty samples of starry sturgeon were collected from the north and south of the Caspian Sea. A quantitative method was used to examine stocks using digested pectoral fin spine, reflecting habitat characters of fish. Parts of pectoral fin spines from adult starry sturgeon were separated and analyzed using Inductively Coupled Plasma- Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). Comparisons of Sr/Ca ratios in digested spines of the fish from north and south of the Caspian Sea demonstrated that Sr/Ca varied in the region and this significance was reflected in the spine as well. Our results for starry sturgeon support the use of spine Sr/Ca as a proxy for ambient levels throughout their life-history, confident interpretation of life history from spine Sr/Ca chronologies, however likely require matching time series of ambient Sr/Ca in the water bodies of interest.

Water bodies of the delta part of the Lower Volga are extremely important for preservation of biodiversity as feeding and breeding grounds for valuable fish species, including sturgeon species. Meanwhile, the anthropogenic load on these water ecosystems is increasing alongside the growth of oil and gas industry. Thus, the aim of this study is to dynamically assess the pollution of water bodies of the prime grade of fishery importance with petroleum products throughout 2014-2018.  The objects of this study are the water bodies exposed to anthropogenic impact of both operating enterprises and formerly active industrial facilities. The content of petroleum products in the samples of water and benthos deposits was defined in accredited laboratories as prescribed by Federal Environment Protection Regulatory Documents (PND F) 14.1:2:4.128-98 and 16.1:2.2.22-98. According to the results of the study, it was found that the content of petroleum products in water exceeds the maximum permitted concentrations (MPC) in all monitored sites, its highest value is 4.2 times the MPC in Kizan River in the vicinity of Sokolovskie Neftyanye Yamy (Sokolovsky Oil Pits), a formerly active industrial facility. Here, the maximum level of pollution of benthos deposits with petroleum products (18719.3 mg kg-1) was recorded, and, as a consequence, the degradation of zoobenthos diversity with oligochaeta remaining its only representative was observed.

The kinetics of removal of Acetaldehyde (A,Al), Benzaldehyde (B.al),2-Butanone (2-But), Acetophenone (A.Ph) and Benzophenone (B.Ph) from their aqueous solution by adsorption onto powder of  Iraqi Porcelanite   rocks was investigated. The results were treated by non-linear pseudo-first order (PFO) and non-linear pseudo-second order (PSO) models, the latter model was better fitting with experimental data. Furthermore, the non-linear treatment indicates that the time periods of the operation is longer than that estimated from direct observation, hence the quantity of adsorption at equilibrium will be greater than observed directly. Another advantage of non-linear treatment not mentioned before is deducing kinetic model best fitting with data by expecting the equilibrium time of the process depending on the data pointsof initial time period. The obtained kinetic parameters were correlated with some molar parameters using multi-variable linear regression which show that molar polarizability has a promotional effect upon kinetic adsorption parameters, while molar volume and hydrophobicity have a demotion effect. The kinetic investigation was extended to include diffusion Boyd’, and Weber-Morris models. The results showed that A.Al and 2-But had a film diffusion kinetic determining step, the remaining compounds show a non-diffusional (local adhering) like behavior.

Streptococcus Thermophilus belongs to the group of lactic acid bacteria. The current study aims to identify the role of the biosurfactant produced by S. thermophilus bacteria, showing its importance in limiting the growth of pathogens and its effect on the biochemical parameters of male rats. S. thermophilus bacteria were isolated from local cheese, 120 different samples were collected from the human body (urine, sputum, wounds), and the biosurfactant was extracted from the bacteria. the active groups of biosurfactant components were detected and the antibacterial activity was tested on some biochemical parameters in male rats. 42 infected samples were distributed between 16 for urine, 11 for sputum and 15 for wound samples. The results showed that the highest percentage of infection with Staphylococcus aureus was 12 (28.57%), while the lowest Staphylococcus epidermidis was 3 (7.14%). The qualitative tests showed that the biosurfactant contains many active components such as tannins, carbohydrates, phenols, flavonoids, and sapindales, while does not contain triterpenoids. The results of the statistical analyses to anti-bacterial activity showed a significant increase (p<0.05), which indicates its effect on some biochemical parameters in male rats. A significant decrease was found in the total cholesterol, triglycerides and high-density lipoprotein (LDL) concentrations in the treatment group in comparison with the control. It was also noted a significant increase in HDL compared to control group. We conclude that biosurfactant has the ability to eliminate some gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria isolated from different clinical infections of the human body and it has an effective effect on the biochemical parameters of the male rats.

The extension is an active procedure requiring contact between the extension worker and the individual to establish a behavior change process. This study examines the revival of the notion of extension, the difficulty of extension in the period of the COVID-19 epidemic, and the problems of extension in the future. The revitalization of the meaning of extension includes: (1) extension is not just conveying information messages to the target (farmers) but is an activity of delivering messages until there is a behavior change (knowledge, attitudes, and skills) of message recipients/target communities; (2) extension is not just a transfer of technology, but it is a process of activities carried out between extension workers and target communities to solve problems faced by farmers; (3) extension is not just an activity that is partial and sporadic in the short term but is carried out as a whole with very long and continuous stages; (4) extension is not based on the mere interest of the extension worker but is based on the needs of the target community. Furthermore, the challenges of extension in the age of the COVID-19 epidemic are: (1) the low level of cosmopolitan farmers makes the information collected delayed; (2) farmers with all their constraints find it challenging to adjust to changes; and (3) the radius of confidence of farmers is minimal. Thus, the challenges of extension in the future are: (1) how to generate an entrepreneurial spirit for farmers; (2) the introduction of social media and web applications is mandatory as new media that extension workers should use; and (3) future extension services should be able to synergize conflicts of interest between stakeholders.

Infertility, which is typically defined in the scientific context as the failure to conceive after 12 months of frequent unprotected intercourse, is one occurrence that has become increasingly characterized as a medical disease. Walnut (Juglanse persica), a significant crop that produces nutritious nuts, and a vital components of good diets have been linked to a longer lifetime. Some walnut by-products, such as leaves or green husks, have been described and shown to contain beneficial chemicals such as tocopherols and phenolic compounds. The samples included 3-month old adult male white rats with an average weight of 150-250 grams. The experiment employed 60white adult male rats for 60 days, from May 15 to July 15th, 2021. The rats were split into three groups at random, each with 12 rats. After receiving the appropriate food and drink, the first group returned to the control group. The results showed significant increases in LH, FSH and Testosterone levels (p<0.05) of blood serum in rats treated with walnut extract compared to those in the control group. Finally, walnut intake and delivery of walnut seeds resulted in the increased LH, FSH, and Testosterone levels, as well as elevations in the viability and sperm production of male albino rats.

The allelopathic interactions of different concentrations (0, 2, 4, 6, 10 g in 100 mL-1) of alcoholic extract of Nerium oleander flower on Arabidopsis thaliana (Columbia-0) were studied. The results showed that leaf area, plant height and inflorescence emerge period decreased by elevation in the treatment concentration. The highest value of leaf area (1.176 cm²) was recorded in control group, while it was 0.63 cm² in treatment 2 g in 100 mL-1 (T2) and 0.5 cm² in T10. Chlorophyll concentrations were decreased by the upraised concentrations. The highest value (4.15 mg g-1) was recorded in control, while the lowest (3.3 mg g-1) in T10. Anatomical study revealed that the internal structure of stem and root undergone numerous character changes. The thickness of the stem varies between treatments. The control exhibited the highest average (109.37 µm), while T10 had the lowest average (81.25 µm). Collenchyma layer increased in all exposure treatments, compared to control. There was a change in the internal structure of the roots between the control and the alcoholic extract treatment. The root shape exhibited a lot of modification: it seemed circular in control, semi-circular in T4, while elliptic or irregular shape in T10. The root thickness reached 95 µm in T2 and T4, whereas the lowest thickness in T10 (70.33 µm). Vascular bundle in the control was cylindrical. However, there was some irregular growth on one side of the root in T4. In T10, larger vascular bundles and random growth were observed, while the root shape appeared to be irregular, due to the abnormal growth of vascular bundles or irregular growth.

The paper shows the need to develop a system for monitoring the concentration of suspended particles in the atmosphere, ensuring industrial safety at enterprises, facilities and in rooms with high dust content. The main possible consumers of this system are presented. Different measuring techniques of suspended particles and their fractions in the air are described, their advantages and weaknesses are mentioned. The technical requirements for the installation are noted. Discrete measurements via gravimetric method are depicted. Methods used and technical appearance of the installation are pictured. The composition, structure and operational principle of the installation are described. Attention is paid to the calculation, mathematical modeling and development of the analyzer optical scheme.

The article describes the assessment of the predicted water flows at the site of the projected rock dumps, which was carried out using geofiltration modeling. When developing the model, we used actual data on capacities, filtration coefficients and water capacity, roof and sole marks of the selected aquifers, precipitation infiltration, as well as the projected dumps are located on the slope surface. We schematized hydrogeological filtration conditions in relation to existing natural conditions, taking into account the planned construction and operation of dumps, and also determined the maximum water inflow of underground and surface water into the drainage system. Based on the obtained data, the most effective version of the drainage system for the removal of underground and surface water from the territory of dumps has been developed, which will allow to perform the maximum possible interception of the flow of underground water and flood water, to form depression surfaces in the near-slope mass of the body of dumps, to prevent filtration deformations of the ledges and to ensure the normative bearing capacity of rocks. The provided drainage devices will ensure the overall stability of the ledges of the dumps, both during their long standing and during their constant formation.

This study was conducted to assess the sensitivity of the land of Al Mussaib project for desertification within the Babylon governorate in Mid Mesopotamian plain. A 35 surface soil sample sites were identified and were distributed over the 12 largest areas of soil series and various soil types covered the area. Standard and adjusted Mediterranean desertification and land use (MEDALUS) approaches were applied, and the environmental sensitivity area indices (ESAI) for 2021 were calculated to obtain desertification-sensitive land types. New parameters were added to the soil quality indicator (SQI) while irrigation water quality indicator (IWQI) was considered as a new one. The results indicated that the area of low soil quality was 31.83%, while that of moderate quality was 68.16%, and the vegetation quality indicator (VQI) was of the low class for the whole region. IWQI indicated that the area of moderate quality was 74.38%, while the low quality was 25. 61%. The values of ESAI ranged from 1.356 to 1.541 indicating that ESAs to desertification were in two types according to adjusted MEDALUS approaches, critical at 94.47 % and fragile at 5.52 %, was arranged as subtypes (C2-C1-F3-C3) with a percentage of 64.58, 28.23, 5.52, and 1.66% respectively. On the other hand, the critical class was prevalent in all the regions according to the standard MEDALUS approaches, with two subtypes including C1 at 6.30% and C2 at 93.69%. Pearson's Correlation showed a significant positive correlation to ESAI values with the indices used in its evaluation, the highest was with IWQI, SQI and VQI by 0.901, 0.861 and 0.852 respectively.

Methicillin-resistant coagulase negative Staphylococcus warneri (MR-CoNS) is the major source of infective diseases because of its capacity to form biofilm inhabiting the hospital environments or community to regulate the sensitivity of S. warneri to  lemon oil and also examination of the anti-biofilm activity. Five isolates were taken from urinary tract infection and skin burns, tested by the VITEK-2 compact system (AST and ID) to confirm S. warneri. The diagnosis result showed one isolate due to S. warneri. The susceptibility of S. warneri to the formation of the biofilm was investigated in the presence and absence of glucose, exhibiting greater ability to form the biofilm in its presence. Penicillin G and Mixofloxacin were examined with the concentrations of MIC, sub-MIC and sub-sub-MIC, used to inhibit the formation of biofilm. The synergism activity was tested between lemon oil, penicillin G and moxifloxacin. The result displayed that a synergistic actvitity between the two antibiotics and lemon oil was the most efficient to prevent biofilm formation.

Guilan Province compost leachate was treated utilizing a hybrid process including chemical treatment followed by electro-proxone and ultra filtration (UF). The effects of different parameters including ratio of natural / chemical coagulant (1:5, 1:15, 1:25), pH (5-8), time (10-90 min), ozone dose (10-90 mg L-1), current intensity (50-500 mA), TMP (0.5-3.5 bar) and temperature (20-50 °C) on COD and turbidity removal were investigated. At optimum conditions of the coagulation process (Salvia hispanica mucilage/FeCl3 = 1:15 and pH = 6.5), 36.19 % and 56.9 % removal efficiencies were obtained for COD and turbidity, respectively. Effluent from the chemical treatment went through. Results from the electro-proxone process showed that by increasing the current intensity from 50 to 350 mA, COD removal efficiency reaches form 14 % to  79 %. By changing O3 concentration from 10 mg L-1 to 90 mg L-1, COD reduction increased and reached from 29 % to 84 %. UF reactor was used for final polishment of the treated wastewater at the optimum TMP of about 1.5 bar and pH = 7.5. By increasing the temperature from 20 °C to 40 °C, permeation flux increased from 76.7 Lm-2 h-1 to 104.1 Lm-2 h-1. However, following the increase of the permeation flux, the removal efficiency of COD and turbidity decreased slightly to 54 % and 90 %, respectively. This study showed that the employed hybrid method is capable of treating the hardly biodegradable compost leachate and obtaining the environmental standards.

Effects of the extract obtained from the Dieffinbachia picta leaves were examined on the termite workers of Microcerotermes diversus using four treatments (T) including 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% by spraying. The results showed mortality rate in the termite workers at different periods of time. T100% recorded the highest mortality rates (8%, 8.67% and 9%) after 24, 48 and 72 hours respectively, while the minimum mortality in the insect workers was recorded at T25% as 1.7%, 2.3% and 3.7% after 24, 48 and 72 hours respectively. According to results of the present study, there is a possible advantage of the toxic properties of D. picta leaves as an alternative and effective plant pesticides for combating the termite of M. diversus.

Heavy metals were measured in plant supplements including spirulina, mycophigi, lion's mane, reishi mushroom, Lingzhi tea, Cordyceps mushroom and coffee. Aluminium and chlorine were measured using X-ray fluorescent technology, whereas copper and cadmium using the atomic absorption spectrometry. According to the results, aluminium exhibited the highest concentration in Lingzhi tea: 618,263 ppm (part per million), while Cordyceps mushroom the lowest (105.781 ppm). In the case of chlorine, the highest concentration was recorded in spirulina (21502.5 ppm), whereas in the reishi mushrooms the lowest (921.2 ppm).  Lingzhi tea recorded the highest copper concentration of 7.17 ppm, while the lion's mane the lowest (0.39 ppm). In the case of cadmium, its concentration was zero in all samples.

The results of isolation from infected quince trees showed pure individual colonies of bacteria, Pantoea sp. by microscopic and morphological characteristics for growing colonies. Biochemical tests of the diagnosis was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). This is the first record of Pantoea sp. on quince tree, Cydonia oblonga Mill. in Karbala Province, Iraq.