To study the role of Pythium species associated with sugar beet root and Crown rot during two growing seasons 2002 and 2003, disease samples and soil samples from sugar beet fields were collected from different regions of Khuzestan province including Ahwaz, Andimeshk, Behbahan, Dezfoul, Safi Abad, Shoush Danial, Shoushtar, Kesht va Sanaate Shahid Beheshti and Kesht va Sanaate Shahid Rajayee. Decaying root segments were washed and cultured on CMA supplemented with antibiotics (Pimarcin, Ampicilin, Rifampicin, Benomyl and PCNB). Pythium isolates were recoverd from soil by eitrus leaf baiting methode. Species were identified based on morphological characters of sexual and asexual organs, cardinal temperature for growth and colony morphology on various media. From 580 isolates of Pythium recovered, 6 species and two groups were identified as: P. aphanidermatum, P. deliense, P. okanoganese, P. oligandrum, P.salinum, P. tracheiphilum, Fythium G. "F"and pythium G."G". P. salinum and P. tracheiphilum are new for Iran flora. Pathoginicity tests were carried under greenhouse conditions using sterlized soil artificially infested with vermiculite inoclun. P. aphanidermatum and Pythium G. "f" respectively caused severe seed rot and seedling dampping off. P. deliense, P. oligandrum and P.salinum were less pathogenic. Other species are none pathogenic.

Distribution of Phytophthora species associated with stone fruits decline in Fars was investigated. Of 36 isolates of Phytophthora recovered, 23 were identified as P. cactorum (mostly from infected crown) from almond, apricot, and peach and 13 isolates of P. nicorianae from crown and basal stem of almond and apricot from different environmental conditions. The reactions of crown and root of 6- month–old local almond cultivars, i. e., Mamaee, Moheb-Ali, Talkheh e- Najafabad (Isfahan Province), Talkheh Sadeh, and Sang Talkheh Riz from Neiriz (Fars Province), peach cultivar bitter pit and apricot cultivar Hallander from Isfahan to a virulent isolate of P. cactorum were evaluated under greenhouse conditions. The inoculum of the pathogen was obtained by growing on vermiculate – hemp seed extract for 4-6 weeks and positioned around either crown or root system. Plant height, root and total weight of plants, lesion size, plant mortality, and percentage colinization of the pathogen on root and stem base were determined.The results indicated that almond cv. Mamaee was the most susceptible and almond cv. Talkheh-e-Najfabad, peach cv. bitter pit and apricot cv. Hallander were the most resistant rootstocks to P.cactorum. Comparative reactions of root and crown of various rootstocks to P. cactorum showed that although inoculation site (root or crown) in most cultivars was not significant to most characters measured, the interaction of cultivars ´ site of inoculation became significant for certain characters such as plant height, lesion size, root and total plant weight and mortality, indicating different reactions by root and crown to P. cactorum in some cultivars.

A mathematical model for the performance prediction of an industrial glass furnace with six ports on each side was developed. This model comprises of two main sub-models for the combustion chamber and glass-melting tank. The first sub-model consists of the models for the combustion and the heat transfer model including, radiation, convection and conduction. The fuel combustion in atmospheric pressure is assumed perfectly and without soot. Heat balance equations in the gas; glass and walls determine the rate of heat transfer to the glass surface. The second sub-model consists of the model for the batch melting. The temperature distribution in the glass tank is computed by using results of the combustion simulation and effective conduction coefficient of molten glass. The results of the combustion model can be used for the pollution prediction and optimization of the furnace parameters to decrease the gas pollutants in the furnace.

The Narcotics has a profound effect on individual and the world communities. While, individually, they endanger health and personal security, nationally the narcotics crimes cause brawling, social intricacies, weakness of the states and backwardness of the country. The poor countries are highly vulnerable to narcotics and need cooperation because they lack the necessary resources to counter the cycles of crimes and delinquency.Internationally, narcotics problems have important significance. The narcotics markets have no boundaries or limitations and their transnational nature shows that none of the states whether rich or poor could gain access to the boundaries of these markets.From their initial classification, narcotics are of two kinds i.e. their natural origin are from poppy seeds, coca, and if manufactured in laboratory these are Meta amphetamine/ Amphetamine, which are the most destructive narcotics. Opium and especially heroine is the narcotics, which has its largest production in Southwest Asia especially Afghanistan. Narcotics production and smuggling has seriously affected Iran, Pakistan as well as Central Asian countries. The lucrative and profitable smuggling has caused the formation of groups and mafia networks. The collective nature of smugglers requires sophisticated programs with the ambitious objectives to accumulate enormous money, complex programming, active at national, transnational and international levels, use of strong information networks, inclination to influence political system, intervene in policy- making, organizational culture etc. This paper tries to describe the present conditions of narcotics in the southwest Asia and their geopolitical challenges.

The effect of plant density and nitrogen fertilizer on canopy light interception and on flowering was investigated in hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) cv. 'Kompolti' Crop grown at initial densities of 50, 150 and 250 plants/m2at the Mashhad and 30, 90 and 150 plants/m2 at the Shirvan. Nitrogen fertilizer was applied before and 45 days after sowing at a rates of 50 and 200 kg/ha at the Mashhad, and 50, 150 and 250 kg/ha at the Shirvan. Rate of canopy development increased with increasing plant density and nitrogen fertilizer in both sites. At the Mashhad, interception of 90% of light was attained at 380 to 665 degree days (base 2oC) from emergence for the crop grown at different densities At Shirvan, rate of canopy development was slower. Interception of 90% of light was attained at 586 degree days from emergence for the crop grown at 30 plants/m2 and at 712 degree days for the crop grown at 150 plants/m2, probably as a result of cold weather. Nitrogen fertilizer in a similar way as plant density increased light interception. Maximum light interception did not depend on plant density and nitrogen fertilizer and was about 95%. In both sites, the flowering date was later with increasing plant density. Dates of 75% flowering for the initial densities of 50, 150 and 250 plants/m2 in Mashhad and 30, 90and 150plants/m2in Shirvan were, respectively 26 August, 1, 6, 6, 11 and 12 September.. Independent of plant density, canopy light interception started to decline at about 150 degree days after flowering, reaching 58 to 75% at about 700 degree days post-flowering. Morphological characteristics at both sites were highly correlated with plant sexual, plant population and nitrogen fertilizer. Highest stem, leaf and inflorescence yield were obtained in Mashhad at 250 plant/m-2 and in Shirvan at 150 plant m-2 when 200 kg N ha-1 in Mashhad and 250 kg N/ha in Shirvan was used. Above ground dry matter increased at both sites with increasing plant density and nitrogen supply. The results presented here can be used to account for the effect of a wide range of plant densities and nitrogen fertilizer for simulation of the course of light interception by a hemp crop.

One of the main area for cultivation of garlic in Iran is Hamedan province. This plant has the best growth condition in places with moderate climate. The aim of this study was identification of garlic fungal disease agents in Hamedan province. In order to identify these agents, during years 2006-2008 more than 693 samples suspected to fungal disease were collected from different places and were transferred to Laboratory. Pieces from edge of diseased part of garlic were cut and cultured on media including PDA, PCA, CLA, G 25%N, SNA, MEA, CYA, HCA and BNPRAH.Totally 648 fungal isolates wee obtained. According to colony character and microscopic features of conidium, conidiophore, sc1orot and features of sexual organs the following species were identified: Aspergillus niger, Penicillium aUn, Fusarium oxysporum, F.proliferatum. F. so/ani, Embellisia allii, Pythium graminicola, Rhizoctonia solani, Puccinia allii, Ulocladium allii, Botrsis aUii, Cladosporium alii.Genera Rhizoctonia, Ulocladium, Pythium and Botrytis, are reported for I first time in garlic in Hamedan provimce. Pathogenicity of identified species on garlic were achived and all of them were pathogenic on garlic.

Distribution of Phytophthora species the casual agents of walnut root and crown rot was investigated in Kerman, Kohgilueh -and- Boyrahmad and Fars Provinces. Of 33 isolates of Phytophthora recovered 18 were identified as P. citicola that were isolated from crown, basal stem and root in Eghleed, Khaneh Zenyan, Yasuj and from crown in Sepidan. The sporangia were ovoid to spherical, pyriform, with 1 , 2 or occasionally with 3 prominent papilla, noncaducous with average dimension of 51.69 31.59 μm. The optimum temperature for growth was 25 °C. Twelve isolates were identified as P. citrophthora which were isolated from crown and basal stem in Bafte Kerman, Khabr. Rabor and Goohar (Kerman Province), Gian, Sorian, Seamakan and Asemi (Bavanat) and from crown and root in Shiraz. Sporangia were ovoid to spherical, pyriform, with 1 or 2 prominent papilla, noncaducous with average dimension of 55.18 × 29.6μm. The optimum temperature for growth was 25°C. Three isolates were identified as P. cactorum that were isolated from soil around declining walnut trees in Marvdasht by safflower seedlings method. The sporangia were ovoid to spherical, pyriform with one prominent papilla, caducous with average dimensions of 27.13 × 23.66μm. The optimum temperature for growth was 25 °C. Pathogenicity test of the isolates was carried out on detached walnut branches. In all cases P. citricola was more pathogenic and aggressive than P. citrophthora and P. cactorum.The reaction of crown and root of 8-month-old Juglans regia cultivars Sayed Hosseini, Ghlami, Sultan Ebrahim, Klaghi, Khooshaee, Reez Yasuj, B6SH10, OR33 T2. Hajmirza Khan, poost kaghazi, G4, G7, G2 and wingnut (Pterocarya fraxinifolia) to a more virulent isolats of P. citricola, P. citrophthora and P. cactorum was evaluated under greenhouse conditions. The inoculum was obtained on vermiculite-hemp seed extract and positioned around either crown or root systems. Percent dead seedlings and crown and root colonization, disease progress, plant height and dry weight of root and foliage were evaluated. Comparative percent dead seedlings and crown and root colonization and disease progress showed that all J.regia cultivars were infected with the pathogen but Sayed Hosseini was the most susceptible cultivar. Pterocarya fraxinifolia showed immune response to Phytophthora species.