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The microalgal strain Aurantiochytrium sp. shy contains considerable amounts of poly-unsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), chiefly docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) with potential pharmaceutical and health-related attributes. Effects of various concentrations of glucose, meat extract, monosodium glutamate and sea salt on the algal biomass and DHA production have been investigated in this study. Maximum algal biomass (7.1 g/l) was obtained when the culture medium contained 60 g/l of glucose, 6 g/l of meat extract, 6 g/l monosodium glutamate and sea salt at 25ppt. Lipid contents of the alga exceeded 30% of its dry cell weight, with palmitic acid and DHA as the most abundant components. When the effect of a single additive was concerned, meat extract was significantly effective, while interaction between meat extract and glucose was the most effective in comparison with other interactions (P < 0.0001). According to the results, glucose can assure more algal and fatty acids production when adequate amounts of meat extract exist in the culture medium. Optimal results attained when the ratios of glucose to meat extract and C/N concentrations were 10 and 5, respectively. Due to its remarkable growth rate and the capability to produce substantial quantities of biomass and fatty acids, Aurantiochytrium sp.shy was found to be a major source of the beneficial ingredients, whose productivity can magnify if its culture conditions is optimized using favorable blend of growth-promoting materials.
 

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Greenbug, Schizaphis graminum (Rondani), is the main pest of wheat that can considerably limit profitable crop production, either through direct feeding or via transmission of plant pathogenic viruses. One of the most effective approaches of pest control is the use of resistant cultivars and lines. Based on the initial screening test of 35 wheat cultivars and lines, we selected five cultivars (Pishtaz, Omid, Yavaras, Akbari, and Bahar) and four lines (R1-10, R2-9, R3-16, and R3-17) with different levels of resistance to S. graminum for antixenosis and antibiosis experiments. In the antixenosis test, the number of S. graminum attracted on R1-10 was the lowest after 24, 48, and 72 hours. In life table study, S. graminum reared on Yavaras and R1-10 had the lower survival rate, fecundity, and reproductive period compared with other host plans tested. Values of the intrinsic rate of natural increase (r_m), finite rate of increase (λ), net Reproductive rate (R₀), and Doubling Time (DT) indicated lowest population growth of S. graminum, when fed on Yavaras (0.26 d^-1, 1.30 d^-1, 17.66 offspring and 2.62 days, respectively). Based on the antixenosis and antibiosis analyses in this study, we concluded that R1-10 and Yavaras were more resistant to S. graminum. These findings could be useful for integrated pest management of S. graminum in wheat fields.
 

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Induced resistance in plants can be manipulated using the application of elicitors. In this study, the effects of Salicylic Acid (SA), chitosan, γ-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA), Serenad Aso (Bacillus subtilis QST713), and combined application of these elicitors were studied on the resistance of canola to cabbage aphid, Brevicoryne brassicae L. (Hemiptera: Aphididae). The number of B. brassicae attracted to canola plants treated with different inducers was significantly lower compared to the control in the field experiments. The lowest population density of aphid was observed on plants treated with SA+GABA and SA+chitosan. Moreover, the highest amounts of glucosinolates in canola leaves were recorded in SA+GABA treatment. The contents of sugar, lipid, and glycogen of B. brassicae were lowest when fed on the plants treated with SA integrated with GABA or chitosan. Furthermore, the activity of catalase, esterase, peroxidase and glutathione S-transferase enzymes was the lowest in SA+GABA and SA+chitosan. These findings suggest that exogenous application of SA integrated with GABA or chitosan on canola plants are successful in suppressing the B. brassicae population and can be considered in integrated management programs against this and other aphids.