Crown gall caused by Agrobacterium spp. has been observed in various crop species and in several provinces of Iran in recent years. In an attempt to identify the Agrobacterium species causing the disease in different areas of the country, strains were isolated from various infected crop species and characterized by phenotypic features, electrophoretic profile of cell proteins and BOX IR fingerprinting.On the basis of their phenotypic features, the strains were differentiated into three separate groups. The phenotypic characteristics of the first group of strains were closely similar to those of A. tumefaciens (Rhizobium tumefaciens). Members of the second group, isolated from infected grapevines were also identified as A. tumefaciens. Strains of the third group were phenotypically different from all described species, but appeared to be more similar to A. tumefaciens. These strains were not able to grow on any of the selective media tested and displayed a limited host range, infecting mainly sweet cherry All strains had a similar plasmid profile. The electrophoretic profile of cell proteins of the strains was different, although some similarity of the pattern was noted in the high-molecular weight region. In fingerprinting using BOX IR primer, a high level of heterogeneity was observed, nonetheless two major groups were differentiated. Phenotypic features appeared to be reliable criteria in identification of Agrobacterium species encountered in this study.

Genetic diversity of Fungal endophytes, Neotyphodium species, was studied in grasses Festuca arundinacea, F. pratensis and Lolium perenne using AFLP markers. Fungi were isolated from the host leaf sheaths and Neotyphodium species were selected based on morphological characteristics. To confirm identity of selected fungi belonging to the genus Neotyphodium, polymerase chain reaction was performed using specific primers. AFLP with eight primer combinations was conducted to assess genetic variation for endophyte isolates. Cluster analysis based on AFLP data placed isolates into three separate groups according to their host species. In addition, similarity coefficient indicated the genetic distance between N. lolii from Lolium perenne and N. cf. uncinatum from Festuca pratensis was smaller than those of N. coenophialum which was isolated from F. arundinacea. Host ploidy level and its effect on co-evolution of host-symbiont may justify the higher similarity of N. lolii and N. cf. uncinatum. 

Background and purpose: Biological pollution in indoor air is mostly created through bacteria and fungi which are harmful to human health. In the present study we evaluated the Fungal diversity of air and air-conditioning systems in different schools of Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences.Materials and methods: The samples were collected from some rooms in different schools of Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences during spring and summer, 2014. The Quick Take 30 Pump-air sampler and carpet sterile fragments were applied for sampling of air and filter surfaces of air conditioners, respectively. The grown fungi were identified by routine mycological methods.Results: Aspergillus was the most frequently species isolated from air samples (408 colonies, 28.26%) and surface samples (347 colonies, 24.89%). The highest Fungal concentration level was reported from School of Medicine with Aspergillus (1152 CFU/m3). Among the Aspergillus species, A. niger (43.2%) and A. flavus (34.8%) were the most frequent species from the air and surface samples, respectively.Conclusion: Both sampling methods showed that the School of Medicine had the highest level of Fungal contamination over the study period. The high concentration levels of airborne fungi may increase the risk of respiratory diseases. Aspergillus which was commonly found in this study is one of the main mycotoxin producers in nature and is strongly associated with allergic respiratory disease, especially asthma.

Background and Purpose: Fungal contamination in damp places in buildings has become an increasing problem worldwide. Dampness facilitates the growth of fungi, which can cause adverse effects not only on the buildings but also on their occupants. The aim of this study was to identify indoor mold species in the buildings of Kerman province, Iran. Materials and Methods: In this study, 110 samples were obtained from surfaces of damp indoor areas in buildings randomly selected in Kerman province. The identification of Fungal species was based on the macroscopic and microscopic characteristics of the isolates, such as colony morphology, hyphae, conidia, and conidiophores, as well as molecular sequence data. Results: Based on the results, a total of 218 Fungal isolates were obtained. Apart from frequently isolated fungi, such as Alternaria, Aspergillus, and Penicillium, 13 species, including Cladosporium sphaerospermum, Cladosporium herbarum, Cladosporium halotolerans, Engyodontium album, Collariella bostrychodes, Stachybotrys xigazenensis, Ramularia eucalypti, Fusarium merismoides, Fusarium solani, Ochroconis musae, Mucor racemosus, Acremonium zonatum, and Acremonium persicinum were identified, and the selected species were described. Among these 13 species, Cladosporium was the most common species (43%) in indoor surfaces, followed by Ochroconis musae (10. 8%) and Engyodontium album (7. 4%). To the best of our knowledge, Stachybotrys xigazenensis was reported in the present study for the first time in Iran. In addition, E. album and O. musae were isolated for the first time from indoor surfaces in Iran. Conclusion: According to the results, the level of overall Fungal richness across indoor surfaces was high. Some of the isolated taxa were clinically significant. It was concluded that the damp residential surfaces were potentially passive collectors of clinically significant molds.

Verticillium dahliae is an economically important pathogen causing vascular wilt on more than 160 plant species. Most strains have a wide host range. Forty-five wild isolates of V. dahlia recovered from different woody and herbaceous plants throughout Iran. Genetic diversity of the isolates was assessed through vegetative compatibility groups (VCGs) using nitrate non-utilizing (nit) mutants. Nit mutants were generated using water agar supplemented with 5-7% KClO3. Nit mutants from different isolates were used in all possible combinations. Three VC local groups were identified and designated as VCGA, VCGB and VCGC which correspond to VCG2B (88.8%) and VCG 2A (8.8%) and weakly to VCG2A (2.2%) Most of the isolates were assigned to VCG2B. The results indicated that genetic diversity of V. dahliae is very low and there were no relationship between VCGs and geographicalorig in of the isolates. Host specificity of V. dahliae using 18 isolates was determined on 11 different hosts plant species. Different plants reacted differently to the isolates and were divided into three groups: very sensitive (eggplant, pistachio, cotton and okra), semi-sensitive (sunflower, radish and rapeseed) and low sensitive (pepper, tomato, small radish and cabbage). Each plant species reacted differently to each isolate. Mint was less sensitive to the pathogen (5 isolates) than other plant species tested.

The present study considers assessment of morphometry and genetic diversity of 24 populations of Hypnea. Statistical analyses indicated that characters such as algal branching in habit, size of alga and Position of tetrasporange sorus had the most important role in intera-specific variation. In both morphometry and genetic diversity analysis, grouping of the populations separated the studied species into four distinct clusters and groups but populations were spread in clusters. Analysis revealed significant genetic difference among populations and some degree of genetic admixture and gene exchange among the studied populations.