Piptatherum denaense is described as a new species from south west of Iran, Dena Mountain. It is close to P. laterale but differs from it by having glabrous lemma in lower half and toward the apex, narrower vegetative shoots and unbearded anthers. Piptatherum holciforme subsp. holciforme var. glabrum is not accepted as a distinct variety. Piptatherum sphacelatum formerly known as a synonym of P. molinioides is established as a separate species due to having distinct morphological characters as well as molecular differences based on literature. Thus, the number of taxa in the genus Piptatherum changes to 9 species, 2 subspecies and 4 varieties in Iran. An identification key to Piptatherum taxa occuring in Iran is provided. The distribution map of P. denaense with P. laterale subsp. laterale and the illustration of the new species are included.

In order to determine the fumonisin producing isolates of the Fusarium fujikuroi species complex (FFSC), associated with infected spikes, and ear rot of grass plants, we examined 78 samples collected from Kermanshah province, Iran. Based on morphological characters, twenty two isolates assigned to the FFSC and were identified as F. proliferatum (ten isolates), F. verticillioides (seven isolates), and F. subglutinans (five isolates). This was additionally approved using the specific primers of F. verticillioides, F. proliferatum, and F. subglutinans, i.e. VER1/VER2, PRO1/PRO2, and SUB1/SUB2, respectively. PCR–based detection of the fumonisin–producing isolates of FFSC was also achieved using the primers FUM1 F/FUM1 R. Out of twenty two isolates, eleven isolates (50%) determined as fumonisin chemotype.

Onobrychis sanandajensis is described as a new species from W. Iran. This taxon belongs to sect. Onobrychis. The new species differs from O. megataphros, O. shahpurensis and O. neychalanensis by the number of pairs, shape and size of leaflets; calyx size; corolla size and features of pod. The description of the new taxon along with the illustrations are given. An identification key comparing the new species with the closest species is presented.

The research was conducted in Ustyurt that is one of the arid zones of Central Asia (Uzbekistan). The method of the research was rout-floristic and classical of morphologic-geographical studies. Two new records including Astragalus vulpinus Willd. & Centaurea apiculata Ledeb. are reported for the flora of Ustyurt. These specimens were collected by the author have been entered in the database for the flora of the Ustyurt in TASH.

The genus Elymus has been studied to prepare the draft of Elymus for the Flora of Iran. In this research, the plant specimens of Central Herbarium of Iran (TARI) were identified and a new key of the Iranian species of the genus Elymus is presented. Delimitation of the genus is discussed. Among the specimens, a new species from Zagros Mountain ranges was recognized which is described and illustrated as E. shirazicus. The new species is well characterized among the Iranian species of the genus by caespitose habit, having densely imbricate spikelets with none or short awns. Elymus shirazicus seems to be related to E. transhyrcanus but well distinguished by narrower spikes and much shorter rachis internodes. Elymus dorudicus based on E. nodosus subsp. dorudicus is introduced as a new combination. Elymus lazicus subsp. iranicus is described as a new subspecies.

During researches carried out in saline marshlands and dandies in the central regions of Iran in the years of 1395 and 1396, 21 samples were collected by the hand-trapping method in 3 seasons of spring, summer and autumn from 5 stations. Of these, nine species belonging to 5 genera and 5 tribes and two subfamilies of Myrmicinae and Formicinae were identified. species identified are: Subfamily: Myrmicinae Tribe: Stenammini Genus: Messor species: 1)Messor ebeninus Tribe: Solenopsidini Genus: Monomorium species: 2)Monomorium indicum 3)M. rimae n. sp. Tribe: Crematogastrini Genus: Tetramorium species: 4)Tetramorium sp. Subfamily: Formicinae Tribe: Formicini Genus: Cataglyphis species: 5)Cataglyphis niger 6)C. bellicosus 7)C. setipes 8)C. lividus Tribe: Plagiolepidini Genus: Lepisiota species: 9)Lepisiota dolabellae All species are reported for the first time from salt marshes and saline soils in the central regions of Iran and also all the identified species verified by prof. Brian Taylor, a member of the Royal Society of British Entomological Society.

Four species belonging to two subgenera of Iranian Allium species were chromosomally and karyotypically assessed, using squash technique and feulgen stain. Ploidy level of A. longivaginatum, A. hooshidaryae and A. remediorum (2n = 2x = 16) are reported for the first time. Results indicated that A. rotundum is tetraploid (2n=4x= 32). Two chromosome types (‘ ‘ m’ ’ , ‘ ‘ sm’ ’ ) formed different karyotypic formulas. Mean chromosome length varied from 7. 8-13. 56 μ m. The results show that Allium longivaginatum has the most asymmetrical karyotype.

Nepeta wuana H. J. Dong, C. L. Xiang & Z. Jamzad, (Lamiaceae), a new species found in Shanxi Province, China, is described and illustrated. The closest relative of the new species is the Chinese endemic N. sungpanensis C. Y. Wu but it clearly differs from it in the prolonged middle lobe of the lower corolla lip, as well as the much larger leaves, and sharper calyx lobes. Microfeatures of leaf epidermis, pollen grains, and nutlets of the new species are also explained.

The present study is an attempt to analyze the value chain of tuna and Tuna-like species. The study is intended to show the main loops of tuna and Tuna-like species industry along with their relations. Also, the present study indicates the current map of value chain along with its problem tree for tuna and Tuna-like species in Iran. According to test hypothesis, the status of tuna and Tuna-like species value chain is not ideal in Iran. Weak market for various tuna products (lack of variety in the production of canned goods and the non-canned products), low rate of export to Iraq, Afghanistan and Central Asia (high cost, lack of competitiveness and non-flexibility of the rules and regulations for producing products with the preference of exporting countries) and the weakness in the export of the fresh tuna to Japan and the European Union for added value products (non-compliance with the target countries criteria and the weakness of the transport infrastructure, especially in the air transit) were identified as the main problems. Also, in the present study, the missing and weak factors which reduced the efficiency of the value chain were identified in forms of the problem trees and ranked by Friedman test. The results of this study showed that the value chain of tuna and tunalike species suffer from the lack of fair distribution of profit between the value chain loops, no diversification in the production of value added products, neglecting the quality in the value chain and poor access to the export market of value added products.

Two new species, Lactuca birjandica and L. gilanica (Asteraceae) are described. In addition, a new record, Cichorium glandulosum Boiss. & Huet. is reported for Iran. Furthermore an interesting collection of Lactuca muralis L. from Gilan Forest in Iran is discussed for the first time. Taxonomic characters and illustrations are given for all species.