Purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench) is a widely used medicinal and ornamental plant. In the present study, the callus embryogenesis was examined using benzyl adenine (BA) at three levels (3, 4, 5 mg L⁻¹), 1-Naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) at three levels (0.1, 0.2 and 0.5 mg L⁻¹) with or without activated charcoal (1 g L⁻¹), coconut milk (50 ml L⁻¹) and casein hydrolysate (50 mg L⁻¹) in the MS (Murashige and Skoog 1962) medium. The embryogenesis indirectly occurred with the production of callus. The calli were observed in three forms: undifferentiated, embryogenic and organogenic. The embryogenic calli were dark green and coherent with a faster growth rate. The highest embryogenesis (100%) and embryonic regeneration (plantlet production) were obtained in the combined BA + NAA treatments with the activated charcoal, coconut milk and casein hydrolysate. However, the combined treatments of growth regulators failed to produce somatic embryos without the use of coconut milk and casein hydrolysate. The maximum amount of protein, peroxidase and catalase activity of embryogenic calli (2.02, 1.79 and 6.62ΔOD/Min/mg.protein, respectively), and highest percentage of acclimatization success (29.3% of plants) were obtained in the combined treatment of 5 mg L⁻¹ BA + 0.5 mg L⁻¹ NAA + activated charcoal + coconut milk + casein hydrolysate. The highest amount of chlorophyll content (33.3 SPAD value) and growth characteristics of acclimatized plantlets were observed in the media containing 3 mg L⁻¹ BA + 0.1 and 0.2 mg L⁻¹ NAA + 1 g. L⁻¹ combined activated charcoal, coconut milk, casein hydrolysate. The histological studies confirmed the somatic embryogenesis in purple coneflower. Generally, it was found that the somatic embryogenesis of E. purpurea occurs at high levels of BA and low levels of NAA with the addition of coconut milk and casein hydrolysate.

Pomegranate (Punica granatum) is one of the most popular fruits which is rich in nutrients and varied in cultivars including Hybrid, Wonderful (a sweet and delicious fruit with big size), and Seedless (sweet taste and very juicy). In this research, micropropagation of hybrid pomegranate cultivar (Wonderful and Seedless) was investigated. For the primary culture, the lateral and apical buds of pomegranate plant were used, and the plant materials were disinfected by Mercuric Chloride in the presence of Ascorbic Acid. Then disinfected explants cultivated to MS culture medium supplemented by 0.2 mg l⁻¹ BAP and IBA 0.01 mgl ⁻¹ as an initial culture medium. For elongation and proliferation, BAP at five levels of 0, 0.2, 0.8, 1.4, and 2 mgl ⁻¹, and IBA at two levels of 0 and 0.01 mgl⁻¹ were used in woody plant medium (WPM). To determine the most suitable rooting medium, IBA was used at concentrations of 0, 0.5, and 1 mgl⁻¹ in different culture media containg MS, WPM, and DKW. Different soil compositions were also used for the adaptation of plantlets. The results showed that the best concentration for Mercuric Chloride disinfectant was 0.1% and all the disinfection treatment times were appropriate. Moreover, woody plant medium with 1.4 mg l⁻¹ of BAP without IBA was the best culture medium for proliferation. In rooting stage, using woody plant medium was detected as the most suitable too. In the adaptation stage, using Vermicompost, Perlite, and Cocopeat (1: 1: 1) was observed to be the best treatment.

Background: Phosalone is an organophosphate insecticide, applied to control of plant pests. This compound has various side effects because it acts as an acetyl cholinesterase enzyme inhibitor. Objective: To investigate the effects of phosalone on the sperm parameters of and levels of sex hormones in adult male rats. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 16 adult (8-12 wk) male Wister rates (weighing 220-280 gr) were randomly assigned into 4 groups (n = 4/each). Group 1 (control) received only routine adequate water and food; Group 2, 3, and 4 received different low doses of phosalone (60, 90, and 120 mg/kg respectively). The rats were weighed and anesthetized after 48 days. Sperm parameters including number, motility, and viability as well as sex hormones (such as Luteinizing Hormone, Follicle Stimulating Hormone, and testosterone) were evaluated and compared after removing the epididymis tail. Results: Our results showed that phosalone decreased sperm motility, viability, and number in a dose-dependent manner. The level of FSH and LH was increased, and testosterone was decreased. Also, depending on the dose, phosalone decrease sperm motility and viability (p ≤ 0.001), while the level of FSH and LH was increased and testosterone was decreased (p = 0.861). Conclusion: Phosalone has negative effects on reproductive indices in male rats and can cause serious damage and decrease the number and sperms motility. It can also cause infertility due to changing the concentration of hormones. Key words: Organophosphate, Pesticides, Phosalone, Sperm, Sex hormones.