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Introduction Narcissus (Narcissus tazetta) is one of the perennial herbaceous and ornamental bulbous crops that is used as a cut flower garden plant and potted plant. Fungal diseases are one of the harmful factors of this ornamental plant in different parts of the world. In 2018, symptoms of Narcissus leaf spot (NLS) were observed in some planting areas of this plant in South Khorasan province. This study was carried out to identify the casual and associated fungi with NLS in Southern Khorasan province. Materials and Methods Samples with leaf spot symptoms were collected from two regions, Khoosf and Tabas, from 2018 to 2019. Plant tissues were transferred to the laboratory of the Department of Plant Protection in separate paper bags. The tissues were cultured on a Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) medium and purification was performed on a 2% wateragar medium using the Hyphal tip method. Fungal agents were isolated and identified based on morphological and molecular characteristics. The DNA of representative fungal isolates was extracted according to the CTAB method. To molecularly confirm the species, part of the rDNA gene was amplified using ITS5 (5'- GGAAGTAAAAGTCGTAACAAGG-3') and ITS4 (5'-TCCTCCGCTTATTGATATGC-3') primers. Sequencing of PCR products was done by Pishgam Biotechnology Company and deposited in the GenBank with Accession number: MN829259. Sequences were edited with Chromas software and the edited sequences were saved in FASTA format. The ITS-based phylogenetic tree was constructed using the Maximum Likelihood Method with MEGA ver6.0 software. For the pathogenicity test, the Narcissus plant was inoculated with mycelia plugs. In order to maintain moisture and establish the fungus, the inoculation area was covered with parafilm. The plants were covered with polythene bags for 24 hours. The bags were removed after 24 hours. In the control plants, the potato-dextrose-agar culture medium without fungal mycelium was used. All plants were examined after 3 to 14 days and the pathogen was re-isolated from the inoculated plant that showed leaf spot. Results and Discussion Symptoms of narcissus leaf spot (NLS) disease in the sampled areas included elongated, elliptical, and red to brown circles on the leaf. A total of 50 samples of different leaf spot symptoms were collected. In this study, 20 fungal strains were isolated and identified based on morphological and molecular characteristics. The growth rate of this isolate on the PDA medium was relatively fast and the average growth rate after 7 days was 6.6 cm. Pycnidia were formed abundantly on the PDA medium after 7 days. The pycnidiospores were transparent, mostly single-celled (3-4 x 5-7), sometimes two-celled (11.5-15 x 5.8), round to oval and curved. Chlamydospores (8-15) were dark brown, unicellular and multicellular, intercellular and rarely terminal. Based on morphological characteristics, the strains were finally identified as Phoma narcissi. The NCBI blast search revealed that the ITS region Phoma narcissi in our study had similarities to Didymella curtisii, Phoma narcissi, and Phoma sp. 100%, 100%, and 99% respectively. Phylogenetic analysis confirms that the examined strain belongs in a clade with strains of Ph. narcissi. In Pathogenicity tests, symptoms of the disease were observed on all plants 7 days after inoculation. No symptoms developed on non-inoculated plants. The original pathogen was re-isolated from the leaf spots of inoculated plants. Phoma s.l. is one of the most ubiquitous fungal genera, characterized by its great ecological diversity and difficult identification. According to our knowledge, the main cause of NLS disease in the east of the country is the Ph. Narcissi, Fusarium sp. and Cladosporium sp. were associated agents with this disease. Since the identification of the disease agent is effective in choosing effective and efficient strategies for disease control, the results can help to adopt effective methods in disease management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the year 2000, a fungus was isolated from rotting lemon (Citrus limon) fruit in the Kahnouj region, south-eastern Iran and subsequently identified asCeratocystis radicicola(anamorph:Chalarasp.). A pathogenicity test was carried out to fulfil Koch's postulates. The pathogen could only enter the ripen lemon fruit and cause the rot disease through the wounds and cracks. The fungus was also pathogenic on fruit of other citrus species as well as date palm (Phoenix dactylifera). Symptom development was slow on fruits on the tree but accelerated after fruit harvest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A survey was conducted in March 2016, which showed nearly 80% of the common barberry (Berberis vulgaris L.) shrubs planted in Birjand (Ghattargaz region), South Khorasan province of Iran infected with root-knot nematode. On the basis of perineal pattern the nematode was identified as Meloidogyne javanica and is the first report on B. vulgaris in Iran. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In summer of 2004, samples of husk looseness ear of corn (Zea mays) (cv. 700-Karaj) were collected from corn fields in Ali-Abad (Jiroft region), Kerman province, Southeastern Iran, for diagnosis of an unusual ear decay. A fungus was isolated from the rotting kernels and subsequently identified as Geotrichum candidum. The fungal pathogen was found to be closely related to G. citri-aurantii (citrus race) based on morphological, physiological and pathogenicity properties. The fungal pathogenicity test was demonstrated by fulfilling Koch's postulates. The pathogen caused rot disease on husk looseness corn kernels in soft-dough stage of ripening. The fungus was also pathogenic on ripe lemon and green and ripe tomato fruits. Fungal isolates of corn were compared to isolates from soft-rotten potato tubers. These two groups of isolates were highly similar on the basis of their morphological, biochemical and pathogenicity characteristics. To our knowledge, this is the first known report of corn ear rot caused by G. candidum in the world.

Hyperlipidemia is one of the famous disorders that can lead to atherosclerosis. Garlic has been considered as one of the blood lipids lowering agents for ages, and various studies have been carried out, some of them confirmed this effect of garlic and some did not. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of raw garlic consumption on human blood biochemical factors in hyperlipidemic individuals. This clinical trial was conducted on 30 volunteer individuals with blood cholesterol higher than 245 mg/dl. Fasting blood samples were collected for biochemical tests. The volunteers consumed 5 g raw garlic twice a day for 42 days. Second fasting blood samples were collected and the individuals did not use any kind of garlic for next 42 days. After that, the third fasting blood samples were collected and the biochemical factors were measured. After 42 days of garlic consumption the mean of blood total cholesterol (p<0.001) triglycerides (p<0.01) and FBS (p<0.01) were reduced significantly, but HDL-C was increased (p<0.001) significantly. Following 42 days of no garlic consumption total cholesterol (p<0.001), triglycerides and FBS (p<0.05) were significantly increased and HDL-C (p<0.01) decreased. Garlic consumption alone can decrease serum lipids, but it cannot be used as the main therapeutic agent for hyperlipidemia. Garlic can be used in mild hyperlipidemia or when the patients cannot tolerate the chemical drugs.