Developmental rate models and biological parameters estimated from them, especially lower and upper temperature thresholds and optimal temperature, can help to forecast phenological events of codling moth, Cydia pomonella L. (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), in apple orchards. We studied the developmental time of immature stages of codling moth at eight constant temperatures ranging from 10 to 35 degrees C and modeled their developmental rate as a function of temperature using 13 published nonlinear and 2 linear models. Data were fitted to developmental rate models and temperature thresholds and the optimal temperatures were estimated. The models were evaluated based on adjusted coefficient of determination (R(2)(adj)) and Akaike information criterion (AIC), in addition to coefficient of determination (R(2)) and residual sum of squares (RSS). The thermal constants were 79.80, 312.60, 232.03, and 615.32 DD for egg, larva, pupa, and overall immature stages of codling moth, respectively, using the Ikemoto and Takai linear model. The Ikemoto and Takai linear model estimated lower temperature thresholds as 9.97, 8.94, 10.04, and 9.63 degrees C for egg, larva, pupa, and overall immature stages, respectively. Among the nonlinear models, the third-order polynomial fit the data well. This model estimates optimal temperature accurately. Brière-1 and Brière-2 accurately estimated the lower and upper temperature thresholds considering model evaluation criteria and accuracy of estimations.

Eight new field isolates of Cydia pomonella granulovirus (CpGV) originating in Iran and Georgia and one English CpGV isolate were analysed for restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) and by partial genome amplification and sequencing. According to the observed RFLPs, most of the predominant genotypes of these isolates could be assigned to those present in previously found isolates originating from Mexico (CpGV-M), England (CpGV-E) and Russia (CpGV-R). We suggest that these isolates should be designated genome A, B and C types, respectively. A fourth genome type was identified in three isolates and is designated D type. The isolates with A, B and D type genomes contained four open reading frames (ORFs) (ORF63-ORF66) not present in C type genomes. The lack of these ORFs in other granuloviruses suggests that the C type genome is evolutionarily ancestral to the other genome types. The B and D type genomes contained an additional insertion of a non-protein coding region of 0.7 kb, which was at different genome locations. Analysis of the partial gene sequences of late expression factor 8 (lef-8), lef-9 and polyhedrin/granulin (polh/gran) genes revealed single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that corresponded to the RFLP types. Phylogenetic analyses based on these SNPs corroborated the proposed ancestry of the C type genome. C type viruses were also less virulent to neonate codling moth larvae than the other virus types. In conclusion, the known diversity of CpGV isolates can be described by four major genome types, which appear to exist in different isolates as genotype mixtures.

The Cydia pomonella granulovirus (CpGV) is a very eVective biological control agent of the codling moth, Cydia pomonella L. (Lep.: Tortricidae). Only a few CpGV isolates originating from Mexico (M), England (E), and Russia (R) have been described so far. In a Weld survey at diVerent locations in Iran, CpGV isolates were collected from single or pooled codling moth larvae. The isolates, designated I1, I7, I8, I15, I22, I28, I30, I66, I67, I68, and I70 showed genetic (DNA restriction endonuclease proWles) and biological (bioassays) diVerences. Most isolates could be attributed to genome types similar to those found in CpGV-M, -E, and -R. Some of them were clear mixtures of diVerent genotypes. Thus, the CpGV isolates found in the North-West of Iran make an important contribution to the known diversity of CpGV. The occurrence of novel, naturally occurring CpGV isolates emphasize the necessity of further studies towards the diversity and evolution of CpGV.

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Background Soil salinity buildup and soil degradation are emerging challenges in cropping systems practicing high chemical fertilization. Application of biostimulants and organic fertilizers are better deserve agricultural sustainability and are generally reflected in more nutritious foods than chemical fertilization. Materials and methods In this study, the growth, quality and antioxidant capacity of coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) were evaluated under application of organic and biological compared to chemical fertilization in a pot experiment. Different soil fertilization treatments including vermicompost (20% pot volume), cow manure (20% pot volume), biophosphate (as seed inoculation), glycine amino acid (as a biostimulant at 300 mg/kg soil), mixed NPK fertilizer (at 600 mg/kg soil) and unfertilized control were applied to plants under a completely randomized design with four replications. Results The results showed that application of organic fertilizers mainly vermicompost and glycine, and to lesser extent NPK fertilizer significantly increased many growth, yield and biochemical quality traits of coriander including root and shoot biomass, leaf SPAD value, ascorbic acid, mineral nutrients, flavonoids and antioxidant activity compared to control plants. Fertilization practices resulted in higher biomass production of root (all treatments) and shoot (all treatments except biophosphate) than control plants. Leaf minerals including N and K (in vermicompost, NPK and glycine treatments), leaf P and Fe (in vermicompost and glycine treatments), leaf Zn (in vermicompost treatment) were significantly increased compared to control plants. Application of manure recorded the lowest leaf Ca and total phenols, while the highest leaf Ca was in vermicompost and glycine-treated plants and the highest leaf phenols was in vermicompost treatment. Application of glycine resulted in the highest leaf ascorbic acid as well as catalase enzyme activity. Leaf antioxidant capacity was significantly higher in vermicompost, glycine and NPK treatments compared to control plants. Leaf carotenoids, peroxidase activity, the concentration of Mg, Cu and Mn were not significantly affected by treatments. Conclusion The results indicate that cow manure and biophosphate treatments were not much effective on plant growth; however, vermicompost and glycine showed promising improvement of coriander growth and antioxidant capacity even more than NPK fertilization. Graphic Abstract