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Reproductive performance and life expectancy of the two-spotted spider mite (TSSM), Tetranychus urticae Koch were determined on seven eggplant cultivars (Isfahan, Dezful, Shend-Abad, Neishabour, Bandar-Abbas, Jahrom and Borazjan) at 25 ± 1°C, 60 ± 5% R.H. and a photoperiod of 16:8 (L:D) hours. The results revealed that the TSSM gross hatch rate varied from 59% on Bandar-Abbas to 83% on Dezful. The gross fecundity rate was 59.726, 31.430, 31.443, 14.461, 19.328, 16.035 and 20.560 eggs/female and the net fecundity rate was 25.804, 17.496, 15.139, 7.620, 5.931, 7.526 and 11.947 eggs/female on the above-mentioned cultivars, respectively. The highest and lowest value of the net fertility rate was 20.735 eggs/female on Isfahan and 3.495 eggs/female on Bandar-Abbas, respectively. Also, the gross fertility rate was the highest on Isfahan (47.994 eggs/female) and the lowest on Bandar-Abbas (11.390 eggs/female). The values of the mean eggs per day varied from 2.040 to 6.560 eggs/female, which was minimum on Neishabour and maximum on Isfahan. The life expectancy of one-day-old adults of the TSSM was estimated to be 7.550, 8.380, 5.820, 4.850, 5.440, 5.330 and 3.950 days on the above-mentioned cultivars, respectively. Comparison of the reproductive parameters of the TSSM on the examined cultivars revealed that Isfahan was the most susceptible cultivar and Neishabour was the most resistant cultivar to this pest. Using resistant host plants is one of the most important components of an integrated pest management program.

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Integrated application of compatible methods is the most reliable strategy for sustainable management of phytophagous pests in different agroecosystems. In the current study, parasitism parameters of Trichogramma brassicae Bezdenko were determined on eggs of Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) reared on a susceptible "Infinity" and a resistant "Goldy" tomato cultivar. All experiments were carried out under laboratory conditions at 25 ± 1 ^°C, 65 ± 5% RH, and a photoperiod of 16:8 (L:D) h. Our results showed that the maximum number of parasitized hosts per parasitoid was 25.94 and 23 eggs in "Goldy" and "Infinity" cultivars, respectively. The cultivars tested had no significant effects on the net parasitism rate (C₀), and the values of this parameter were 7.87 and 6.67 hosts on the mentioned cultivars, respectively. Similarly, the cultivar impact on the finite (ω ) and stable parasitism rates (ψ ) of T. brassicae was not significant. The parasitoid needed approximately one egg host to produce an egg on both cultivars for the simple reason that this parasitoid nearly always lays one egg in each host. In other words, the transformation rate (Q_p) of the parasitoid on the "Goldy" did not differ from that estimated on the "Infinity". Our findings revealed that the resistant tomato cultivar, "Goldy", did not compromise T. brassicae-based biocontrol of T. absoluta. Therefore, these two control procedures could be combined for the integrated management of this pest.

 

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Objective: Organophosphorus (OPs) compounds are widely used in many pesticides, insecticides and chemical nerve agents. These compounds are hazardous for humans and the environment. Organophosphate hydrolase (OPH) is a homodimeric protein initially isolated from Pseudomonas diminuta MG and Flavobacterium species. This enzyme is able to degrade a broad spectrum of toxic OPs compounds. Using immobilized OPH commonly presents a variety of advantages versus the free form of the enzyme. Advantages include an increase in stability, cost reduction by simple recovery and reutilization of the enzyme, quick and easy separation of the reactant and product in the reaction medium. Methods: Plasmid pET-26b (+) was used to generate the OPH protein under the control of the T7lac promoter. E. coli BL21 (DE3) pLysS was used as the host for expression of the OPH enzyme. Recombinant OPH was secreted into the extracellular medium and the purified enzyme was immobilized on the surface of Bacillus subtilis spores by the adsorption method, for the first time. Results: Approximately 42% to 45% enzymatic activity was determined to be associated with spores. Optimal pH and temperature of the enzyme were not altered by the presence of the spores. Thermo and pH stabilities of the immobilized enzyme was higher than the free form of the enzyme. Conclusion: Bacillus subtilis spores are safe for humans and the environment. Therefore this system can be considered an environmentally friendly biocatalyst for degradation of OPs. 

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Cultural methods such as crop fertilization can affect susceptibility of plants to herbivores by altering plant tissue nutrient. In this study, the life table parameters of the two-spotted spider mite (TSSM), Tetranychus urticae Koch were determined under different chemical fertilizer regimes on resistant bean cultivar (var. Parastoo) under laboratory conditions at 25±1°C, 60±5% RH and a photoperiod of 16:8 (L:D) hour. Treatments included 30, 60, and 100% of the recommended level of urea, ammonium nitrate, and potassium sulfate fertilizers. According to the obtained results, the longest preadult development time was related to individuals reared on the fertilized bean with potassium sulfate 60%, while the shortest period was related to those on 30% ammonium nitrate and 60%urea. The mean fecundity of the individuals reared on fertilized beans with different concentrations of ammonium nitrate (especially 60% ammonium nitrate) were significantly higher than the other fertilizers. The highest and lowest values of intrinsic rate of increase (r) were obtained on beans fertilized with 60% ammonium nitrate and 100%potassium sulfate, respectively. In addition, the values of net Reproductive rate (R₀) and the Gross Reproductive Rate (GRR) of TSSM reared on bean fertilized with 60% ammonium nitrate were significantly higher than the other fertilizer treatments. Our findings may provide important information in the design of a comprehensive program for integrated soil fertility management and subsequently integrated management of TSSM in bean fields.