A Comparative Study of the Effects of Al(OH)3 and AlPO4 Adjuvants on the Production of Neutralizing Antibodies (NAbs) against Bovine parainfluenza Virus Type 3 (BPIV3) in Guinea Pigs.

Aluminum-containing adjuvants are extensively used in inactive human and animal vaccines owing to their favorable immunostimulatory and safe properties. Nonetheless, there is controversy over the effects of different aluminum salts as an adjuvant for the bovine parainfluenza virus type 3 (BPIV3) vaccine. In order to find a suitable adjuvant, we studied the effects of two adjuvants (i.e., aluminum hydroxide [Al(OH)3] and aluminum potassium sulfate [AlPO4]) on the production of neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) for an experimental BPIV3 vaccine. The animals under study (Guinea pigs) were randomly assigned to five groups of experimental vaccines containing Al(OH)3 (AH), AlPO4 (AP), Al(OH)3-AlPO4 mixture (MIX), commercial vaccine (COM), and control (NS). The treatment groups were immunized with two doses of vaccine 21 days apart (on days 0 and 21), and the control group received normal saline under the same conditions. The animals were monitored for 42 days, and blood samples were then taken. The results indicated that all vaccines were able to induce the production of NAbs at levels higher than the minimum protective titer (0.6). An increase in titer was observed throughout the monitoring period. Moreover, an increase in both the level and mean titer of NAbs obtained from the vaccine containing Al(OH)3 adjuvant was significantly higher than in the other studied groups (P≤0.005). The comparison of NAbs titer in other groups did not display a significant difference. Considering the speed of rising and the optimal titer of NAbs production in the experimental vaccine, the Al(OH)3 adjuvant is a suitable candidate for preparing a vaccine against BPIV3 for immunization.

Improvement of in vitro proliferation of cockerel spermatogonial stem cells using different combinations of growth factors.

1. This study examined whether in vitro proliferation and maintenance of cockerel spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) could be improved by adding different combinations of growth factors (GFs), including glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) or leukaemia inhibitory factor (LIF) into the culture medium. 2. The SSCs were isolated from the testes of immature cockerels. For short-term cultures, a medium supplemented with different combinations of GFs for 7 d in 5 replicates was used. The groups were classified as follows: without GF (control group); with GDNF (G group); with GDNF and bFGF (GF group); and with GDNF, bFGF and LIF (GFL group). The number of colonies and cells per colony, as well as the transcript abundance of STRA8 and OCT4 genes, was determined 7 d after the initial culturing. Immunofluorescence staining of SSEA-1, SSEA-3 and VASA protein markers, besides periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) staining, was carried out. 3. The number of colonies and cells per colony increased in the G, GF and GFL groups, compared to the control group (P < 0.01); however, the highest proliferation and colony formation were observed in the GFL group. The positive immunofluorescence staining of SSEA-1, SSEA-3 and VASA protein markers, as well as PAS staining, confirmed the self-renewal and colonisation of cockerel SSCs. The proliferation results were supported by the increased STRA8 and OCT4 transcript abundance in the treated groups (G, GF and GLF), compared to the control group. The SSC proliferation was associated with the higher transcript abundance of STAR8 and OCT4 genes in the GFL group, compared to the G and GF groups (P < 0.01). 4. The results showed that proliferation and colony-forming capacity of cockerel SSCs were positively improved by GDNF, bFGF and LIF. However, the most significant effect was observed when the medium was supplemented with LIF in combination with GDNF and bFGF.

Comparison of the Immunogenicity of Four Infectious Bursal Disease Intermediate Vaccines in Commercial Broiler Flocks in Iran: A Field Trial Study.

Infectious bursal disease (IBD) is a highly contagious disease in young chickens worldwide. The major strategy for the prevention and control of IBD virus (IBDV) is vaccination. Therefore, the present study aimed to compare the immunogenicity of four commercially available IBD vaccines on broilers (Ross 308) that were raised in areas with very virulent IBDV infection history. Two commercial broiler farms with four standard poultry houses were selected in Alborz (n=6,250 birds per house) and Khorasan Razavi (n=8,000 birds per house) provinces of Iran. In each farm, the houses were randomly assigned to one of the four IBD intermediate vaccine brands including Dn, Vc, Ch, and Razi. The birds in Alborz were vaccinated against IBDV via drinking water at 18 and 22; and 15 and 21 days of age in Alborz and Khorasan Razavi flocks, respectively. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay antibody titers against IBDV were measured in 20 birds per group at 1, 28, 35, and 42 days of age. In addition, production attributes including body weight, feed conversion ratio, mortality, and production index were measured during the research period. According to the findings, the IBD antibody titers were not affected by the vaccine brands at 28, 35, and 42 days of age (P&gt;0.05). Following the second IBD vaccination, an increasing trend in IBD antibody titers was noted in the Razi vaccine as well as other brands at days 35 and 42 compared to the previously recorded titers (P&lt;0.05). Moreover, the production attributes of the flocks receiving various IBDV vaccine brands were not different (P&gt;0.05). Regarding the productivity indices and high immunogenicity levels, the results indicated that the potential of the IBD Razi vaccine was comparable to the other investigated brands of commercial IBD vaccines, and nominated it as an immunogenic candidate vaccine for use in commercial broilers.

Effect of Glutathione Supplementation to Semen Extender on Post-thawed Rooster Sperm Quality Indices Frozen After Different Equilibration Times.

BACKGROUND: Avian sperm is susceptible to lipid peroxidation, compromising their fertility. The semen antioxidant system protects sperm plasma membrane against reactive oxygen species. OBJECTIVE: The study evaluates the effect of glutathione (GSH) addition to semen extender during different equilibration times (ET) on rooster sperm cryopreservation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Semen samples are weekly collected from 60-week-old broiler breeder roosters. Collected samples were pooled and divided to six equal parts and frozen according to a randomized design (2 × 3 factorial arrangement). Treatments included adding two levels of GSH [0 (GSH-0) or 1 (GSH-1) mM] to semen extender during three ET: 0 (ET-0), 4 (ET-4) or 8 (ET-8) hours. Post-thawed motility and velocity parameters, apoptotic like changes, plasma membrane functionality, and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) were evaluated. RESULTS: Post-thawed total motility is improved in the GSH-1 compared to the GSH-0 group (P<0.10). Total motility responded quadratically to increasing levels of ET such that the highest value is recorded at ET-0. Although progressive motility (PM) is not affected by GSH or ET, the highest PM is obtained in the GSH-1×ET-0 group (P<0.05). The VAP and STR is improved in the GSH-1 compared to GSH-0 group; however, VAP decreases quadratically, and STR decreases linearly as ET is advanced (P<0.05). The interactive effect of GSH by ET tends (P<0.08) to affect the wobble coefficient (WOB), such that the highest value is recorded in the GSH-1×ET-0 group. Within both GSH supplemented and control groups, the amplitude of lateral head displacement (ALH) is highest (P<0.05) in the ET-0 group. The percentage of live spermatozoa quadratically decreases and the percentage of dead sperm quadratically increases in response to graded levels of ET (P<0.01). The highest plasma membrane functionality is also noted in the GSH-1×ET-0 group (P<0.05). Mitochondrial membrane potential quadratically decreases in response to increasing levels of ET (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Generally, GSH supplementation to rooster sperm extender has some beneficial effects on post-thawed sperm motion characteristics, but does not positively interact with ET.

The effect of zinc oxide on rooster semen cryopreservation.

1. Deleterious effects from the freeze-thawing process on post-thawed sperm quality attributes are main limiting factors in cryopreservation. The current study was conducted to determine the effect of semen extender containing zinc oxide (ZnO) on post-thaw rooster sperm quality indices.2. Semen samples from six, 60-week-old broiler breeder roosters were collected weekly during five successive weeks. The samples were mixed and divided into three equal parts and diluted with semen extender containing different levels of ZnO; 0 (ZnO-0), 1 (ZnO-1) or 2 (ZnO-2) µg/ml. After thawing, motility and velocity parameters, plasma membrane functionality, apoptotic like changes, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), and DNA fragmentation index (DFI) were evaluated.3. Results showed that the addition of ZnO in the extender quadratically affected (P < 0.01) total motility (TM), progressive motility (PM), and average path velocity (VAP) with the highest values were noted in the ZnO-1 group. Levels of ZnO quadratically affected percentages of live (P < 0.01), apoptotic (P < 0.03) and dead (P < 0.10) spermatozoa, where the highest percentage of live, and the lowest percentage of apoptotic or dead spermatozoa was for the ZnO-1 group. Although adding ZnO quadratically affected plasma membrane functionality and MMP (P < 0.01), it did not affect (P > 0.05) DFI.4. In conclusion, there were some beneficial effects of ZnO supplementation in semen extender on post-thawed rooster sperm quality which may result in a better freezability.

Controlling the rheological properties of wheat starch gels using Lepidium perfoliatum seed gum in steady and dynamic shear.

In the present work, the influence of Lepidium perfoliatum seed gum (LPSG) addition in varied concentrations (0%, 0.25%, 0.5%, 0.75% and 1%, w/w) on dynamic and steady shear rheological properties of wheat starch dispersion (4%, /w) was examined. Comparison of the values of dynamic (G', G″, τy, τf, tan δ), shear-dependent (ηa,50, η0, η∞, τ, m) and time-dependent (ηa,3s, k, η0, η∞) rheological parameters of the WS-LPSG mixtures with WS alone, indicated that the viscoelastic and flow properties of the mixtures were greatly affected by the addition of LPSG. According to the standard method provided by the National Dysphagia Diet (NDD), the WS and WS-LPSG gels were placed in the category of nectar-like (WS), honey-like (WS-0.25%LPSG, WS-0.5%LPSG and WS-0.75%LPSG) and spoon-thick (WS-1%LPSG) viscosity. In the simulated oral condition (SOC), the presence of saliva caused the increase of k value (10-81%), whilst decreased the values of η0 (43-95%) and η∞ (68-96%). As the concentration of LPSG increased, less decrease in value of ηa,3s in the SOC was observed. The results of present study demonstrated the feasibility of manipulating the viscosity of the WS gels by addition of LPSG to be suitable for the individuals with varying degrees of swallowing difficulty.

Phylogenetic Analysis of bor Gene in an Escherichia coli Strain 1378 (O78:K80) Isolated from an Avian Colibacillosis Case in Tehran, Iran.

Colibacillosis is known as a fatal bacterial disease resulting in a high level of commercial loss worldwide. This study amid to elucidate the sequence, genetic characteristics, and phylogeny of the bor gene in Escherichia coli (E. coli) strain c1378 (O78:K80) isolated from avian colibacillosis in Iran and develop a rapid and optimal polymerase chain reaction (PCR) molecular-based technique with specific primers to detect this gene in E. coli. A virulent avian E. coli (i.e., laboratory designation E. coli strain c1378) isolated from a chicken with systemic colibacillosis from a broiler farm in Tehran, Iran, in 2004 was used as a source of the bor gene. After DNA extraction, PCR method was used to amplify the bor gene. A 658 bp fragment of the bor gene was amplified, sequenced, blasted, and phylogenetically studied. The most similar sequences to the bor gene in E. coli strain c1378 were E. coli APEC O78, Enterobacteria phage HK630, and Escherichia coli BW2952, respectively. There was a high similarity between the bor gene in E. coli bacteria with their phage and plasmid. Moreover, a high similarity was observed between the bor and iss genes (approximately 92%) showing that they were homologous genes. In addition, the similarity analysis of different bacterial species, as well as their plasmid and bacteriophage, to the bor gene indicated that the highest similarity to O78:K80 was related to Paracoccidioides brasiliensis, Bacillus thuringiensis CT43 plasmid pBMB0558, and Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Kentucky strain CVM29188 plasmid, respectively. Altogether, the results of the present study confirmed the presence of the bor gene in the studied isolates and clarified its sequence, phylogenetic relationship, and similarities of E. coli strain c1378 (O78:K80) isolated from avian colibacillosis.

Changes in broiler breeder hen's immunity by zinc oxide and phytase.

BACKGROUND: The immune response of aged broiler breeder hens is influenced by many factors including obesity and aged lymphatic organs, but may improve by increasing the bioavailability of various nutrients such as zinc (Zn). Dietary supplementation of phytase can improve Zn availability in senescent broiler breeder hens. AIMS: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of supplementary zinc oxide (ZnO) and phytase in a maize-soybean meal-based diet on immune responses of broiler breeder hens. METHODS: In a 2 × 4 factorial arrangement, a total of 128 hens were randomly assigned into eight groups. The birds received two levels of phytase (0 or 300 U/kg diet) and four levels of ZnO (30, 60, 90, and 120 mg/kg diet) for 13 successive wk (59-72 wk of age). RESULTS: Results showed that phytase supplementation significantly increased immunoglobulin M (IgM), cutaneous basophil hypersensitivity (CBH) responses, total number of leukocytes, percentage of lymphocytes, and heterophil to lymphocyte ratios. The percentage of basophils and monocytes, however, decreased with phytase supplementation. Supplementation of ZnO increased anti-sheep red blood cells (SRBC) antibody titer, IgM, CBH responses, the total number of leukocytes, and the percentage of lymphocytes. Dietary supplementation of ZnO decreased the percentage of heterophil, and heterophil to lymphocyte ratio. A significant interaction effect of phytase and ZnO was found on the total number of leukocytes and percentage of lymphocytes. CONCLUSION: Dietary supplementation of ZnO (90 mg/kg diet) and phytase had some positive effects on improving immune responses in broiler breeder hens.

Fabrication and characterization of hybrid sodium montmorillonite/TiO2 reinforced cross-linked wheat starch-based nanocomposites.

In this work, a novel cross-linked wheat starch (CLWS)-based ternary nanocomposite films with incorporation of sodium montmorillonite (Na-MMT) (3%-7% wt.) and titanium dioxide (TiO2) (1%-4% wt.) nanoparticles were fabricated using casting method. CLWS film exhibited better physical, mechanical and thermal properties compared with the native wheat starch (NWS) film. Incorporation of the nanoparticles into the film solution resulted in a decrease in water vapor permeability (WVP), water solubility (WS), moisture content (MC) of the films, whereas density increased. Nano-TiO2 blocked the UV light effectively and >99% of UV was removed by the film containing 4% TiO2. Affecting by the addition of nanomaterials, the amounts of ultimate tensile strength (UTS) and Young's modulus (YM) values enhanced, while elongation at break (EB) ones diminished. By the Furrier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, the creation of new hydrogen bonds between the starch's hydroxyl groups and nanomaterials was confirmed. Formation of a completely exfoliated structure for CLWS/Na-MMT/TiO2 nanocomposites was proved by XRD. SEM micrographs exhibited appropriate dispersion of nanomaterials through the films surface particularly at lower concentrations. The thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) results revealed that the addition of nanomaterials especially TiO2 improved the thermal stability of the nanocomposite films.

Effects of dietary curcumin supplementation on seminal quality indices and fertility rate in broiler breeder roosters.

1. Decreased semen quality is an underlying contributor to age-related subfertility in broiler breeder roosters. This study investigated the effects of dietary curcumin (derived from turmeric) supplementation as an antioxidant source on semen quality and fertility in broiler breeder roosters. 2. Twenty-eight Ross 308 roosters were randomly allotted to four groups with seven birds in each and were fed a standard diet supplemented with different levels of curcumin at 0 (C0), 10 (C10), 20 (C20) and 30 (C30) mg/bird per day from 48 through to 61 weeks of age. Body weight and semen quality traits were evaluated on a weekly basis and seminal concentrations of malondialdehyde (MDA) as a measure of antioxidation status were quantified at one-week intervals during the first 11 weeks of the trial (48-59 weeks of age). Semen samples from last 2 weeks (60 and 61 weeks of age) were used to artificially inseminate to assess the sperm-egg penetration (SP) in perivitelline membrane and fertility rates. 3. Except for body weight and ejaculate volume, other characteristics, including semen concentration, total sperm production, progressive motility and plasma membrane integrity were linearly improved by the increasing levels of curcumin supplementation (P < 0.01). However, dietary curcumin levels were linearly and quadratically associated with decreased seminal concentration of MDA (P < 0.01 and P < 0.03), percentage of abnormal sperm (P < 0.01 and P < 0.07) and increased plasma membrane functionality (P < 0.01 and P < 0.04), respectively. The SP holes in perivitelline membrane were increased in a linear and quadratic manner in response to increasing levels of curcumin (P < 0.01). Moreover, fertility rate was linearly improved (P < 0.01) as the dosage of curcumin increased, and resulted in 8, 12 and 14% improvements in the birds fed C10, C20 and C30, compared to C0, respectively. 4. In conclusion, the results showed that increasing levels of dietary supplementation of curcumin was associated with beneficial effects on semen quality indices and fertility rate in aged broiler breeder roosters.

Modeling of glucose release from native and modified wheat starch gels during in vitro gastrointestinal digestion using artificial intelligence methods.

Estimation of the amounts of glucose release (AGR) during gastrointestinal digestion can be useful to identify food of potential use in the diet of individuals with diabetes. In this work, adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS), genetic algorithm-artificial neural network (GA-ANN) and group method of data handling (GMDH) models were applied to estimate the AGR from native (NWS), cross-linked (CLWS) and hydroxypropylated wheat starch (HPWS) gels during digestion under simulated gastrointestinal conditions. The GA-ANN and ANFIS were fed with 3 inputs of digestion time (1-120min), gel volume (7.5 and 15ml) and concentration (8 and 12%, w/w) for prediction of the AGR. The developed ANFIS predictions were close to the experimental data (r=0.977-0.996 and RMSE=0.225-0.619). The optimized GA-ANN, which included 6-7 hidden neurons, predicted the AGR with a good precision (r=0.984-0.993 and RMSE=0.338-0.588). Also, a three layers GMDH model with 3 neurons accurately predicted the AGR (r=0.979-0.986 and RMSE=0.339-0.443). Sensitivity analysis data demonstrated that the gel concentration was the most sensitive factor for prediction of the AGR. The results dedicated that the AGR will be accurately predictable through such soft computing methods providing less computational cost and time.

In vitro gastrointestinal digestibility of native, hydroxypropylated and cross-linked wheat starches.

The digestibility and estimated glycemic indices (GI) of native (NWS), cross-linked (CLWS) and hydroxypropylated wheat starches (HPWS) were obtained by in vitro enzymatic hydrolysis. The resistant starch (RS) content and GI were found to be 6.59 and 93.13 for NWS, 7.57 and 92.20 for CLWS, and 13.15 and 89.04 for HPWS, respectively. The amounts of glucose release for CLWS were approximately 6-11%, and for HPWS were 16-19%, lower than that for NWS after digestion under simulated intestinal conditions (SIC). The linear and two-term exponential models were fitted well to the experimental glucose release data under simulated gastric conditions (SGC) and SIC, respectively (R(2) = 0.858-0.991). After digestion under SIC, the consistency coefficient (k) values drastically decreased (73.02-90.27%), while the flow behavior index (n) increased (155.56-363.64%). Therefore, the amounts of glucose release can be controlled by manipulating the structure of native starches using chemical modifications such as cross-linking and hydroxypropylation.

Influence of temperature, mono- and divalent cations on dilute solution properties of sage seed gum.

The functional properties of food hydrocolloids are remarkably affected by the quality of solvent/cosolutes and temperature in a food system. In this paper, dilute solution properties of sage seed gum (SSG) as a function of salt type (NaCl, KCl, MgCl2 and CaCl2), salt concentration (10, 50, 100 and 200mM) and temperature (25, 45 and 65°C) were investigated. Among various models, Higiro model showed a higher performance to determine intrinsic viscosity of SSG at all temperatures and cosolutes. From 25 to 65°C for every 20°C rise in temperature, intrinsic viscosity decreased about 18.99 and 63.86%, respectively. The divalent cations had more reduction effect on intrinsic viscosity than monovalet cations. More flexibility of SSG in monovalent salts solutions compared with divalent ones was observed. A high value for activation energy (2.53×10(7)J/kgmol) and chain flexibility (3046.45) of SSG was obtained, which was higher than many hydrocolloids. The shape factor of SSG macromolecules at 25-65°C was an oblate or prolate and for all used cosolutes, the shape was roughly found to be ellipsoidal.

First Report of Orobanche aegyptiaca on Kalanchoe blossfeldiana in Iran.

The kalanchoe (Kalanchoe blossfeldiana) is an important ornamental species belonging to Crassulaceae. This plant is grown in commercial greenhouses. A survey revealed infections of broomrape, Orobanche aegyptiaca Pers. (syn. Phelipanche aegyptiaca Walp.), on kalanchoe plants in the province of Tehran (Pakdasht, 35°26' N, 51°40' E, 1,003 m elevation) in northern Iran in January 2014. About 1% of total Kalanchoe pots in a greenhouse were infected. The infection of kalanchoe was confirmed by verifying the attachment of the broomrape to the kalanchoe roots. Broomrape plant heights (from the soil surface) were between 13 and 28 cm, with flowering stems 5 to 14 cm. The stems were erect, unbranched, slender, 2 to 4 mm diameter, glandular-pubescent, pale yellowish, and inflorescent rather than lax. The leaves were reduced to bracts up to 3 to 6 mm long. There was one bract and two bracteoles surrounding each flower. The bracts measured 4 to 5 mm, had ovate lanceolates shorter than the calyces, and filiform, lanceolate bracteoles measured 5 mm. The calyces measured 4 to 6 mm, and were gamosepalous, hairy, and glandular. Corollas measured 22 to 28 mm, and were medium slate blue with darker veins, slightly curved, conspicuously infundibuliform, and glandular-pubescent. Stamens were epipetalous, inserted 5 mm above the corolla base, filaments (10 to 12 mm) hairy below, anthers were villous. Style (18 to 21 mm) and stigma lobes were light steel blue. Ovary measured 5 to 7 mm. O. aegyptiaca is the most important species of the broomrape, which parasitizes important crops, such as tomato, potato, tobacco, carrot, celery, mustard, and spinach, as well as some ornamental plants, such as chrysanthemum (1,2). In this survey, low infection did not lead to visible symptoms or damage to kalanchoe, but allowed seed production by the parasite. However, the parasite weed could pose a serious threat to production of this important ornamental plant at high infection. To our knowledge, this is the first report of O. aegyptiaca parasitism on kalanchoe in Iran. Additionally, to the best of our knowledge, this finding reports the first occurrence of a Crassulaceae plants as a host for O. aegyptiaca. References: (1) I. Ghannam et al. Am. J. Plant Sci. 3:346, 2012. (2) J. Rumsey and S. L. Jury. Watsonia 18:257, 1991.

First Report of Orobanche purpurea on Achillea wilhelmsii in Iran.

Achillea wilhelmsii C. Koch (Asteraceae) is a wild herb widely disturbed in Iran and known locally as yarrow. This plant is an important medicinal plant and it has been used for its analgesic, antiphlogistic, antispasmodic, and antibacterial effects in Iranian folk medicine. Field surveys revealed infestations of yarrow broomrape, Orobanche purpurea Jacq., on A. wilhelmsii plants in two locations in province of Zanjan (Zanjan, 36°37'19.85″ N, 48°27'16.87″ E, 1,707.4 m elevation, and Qolabar, 36°19'19.85″ N, 48°19'16.41″ E, 1,663.9 m elevation) in northwestern Iran in May 2012. The annual mean air temperature and the average maximum and minimum air temperatures were 11, 18, and 4°C, respectively. The annual mean precipitation was 298 mm. The infestation of A. wilhelmsii was confirmed by verifying the attachment of the yarrow broomrape to the A. wilhelmsii roots. Broomrape plant heights were between 24 and 37 cm. The stems were erect, unbranched, slender, and swollen near the base at contact with host, 0.5 to 10 mm diameter. The leaves were reduced to scale or bracts up to 10 to 15 mm long. The flowers were in dense terminal spikes, usually restricted to the top third or half of the shoot. There was one bract and two bracteoles surrounding each flower. The bracts measured 7 to 10 mm, had ovate lanceolates shorter than the calyces, and lanceolate bracteoles were 5 to 10 mm. The calyces were gamosepalous, entire, and whitish. Corollas were 13 to 18 mm long, and were dull bluish-purple with dark veins, suffused with whitish-yellow at the base. The upper part was slightly curved forwards. Stamens were epipetalous, inserted 4 to 7 mm above the corolla base, with filaments glabrous. The anthers were glabrous along sutures. Stigma lobes were white. Fruit was an oval capsule, 0.9 to 10 mm. Botanists at the College of Agriculture of Zanjan University confirmed the identity of O. purpurea. A. millefolium has been reported as a host plant for yarrow broomrape (1,2). However, to our knowledge, this is the first report of yarrow broomrape on A. wilhelmsii in Iran. Since production and farming of A. wilhelmsii as a medicinal plant has recently started on a commercial scale in Iran, the parasite weed could pose a serious threat to production of this plant. References: (1) B. Prajs. Biodiv. Res. Conserve. 17:33, 2010. (2) J. Rumsey and S. L. Jury. Watsonia. 18:257, 1991.

Occurrence, pathogenicity and distribution of Fusarium spp. in stored wheat seeds Kermanshah Province, Iran.

Fusarium is one of the most important pathogenic and toxigenic fungi widely distributed all over the world, including Iran. Fusarium species are found frequently in stored agriculture products especially wheat. The objective of this study was to identify Fusarium species associated with stored wheat seeds and their pathogenicity on root and head of wheat in Kermanshah, the leading province in wheat production in Iran. In this survey 75 seed samples of stored wheat were collected from 10 different regions during 2006-2008 and tested for the presence of Fusarium. Fusarium spp. were found in 51 (68%) of 75 samples. A total of 580 Fusarium strains were isolated, identified and preserved. All these strains belong to 20 Fusarium spp. according to morphological characters. Each conidial suspension of selected strains representing all species was evaluated for their pathogenicity on roots and spikes of healthy wheat var. Fallat in the greenhouse. F. graminearum, F. crookwellense, F. trichothecioides, F. culmorum and F. verticillioides were the most pathogenic to wheat's head. Foot rot assessment revealed that F. pseudograminearum and F. culmorum were the most damaging species. Of the Fusarium isolates, F. graminearum was the most prevalent followed by F. verticillioides and F. proliferatum. This is the first comprehensive report on identity and distribution of Fusarium spp. from stored wheat seeds in Iran while F. nelsonii was reported for the first time from wheat seeds in Iran.