---

Pod length is one of the effective components on canola yield selection on the basis of which can increase not only the seed yield but also the oil yield. Molecular markers asso-ciated with long pod loci were identified in a doubled haploid population derived from a cross between the canola lines ‘Quantum’ (long pod) ‘China A’ (short pod) using RAPD and bulked segregant analysis. A molecular marker linkage map of 37 loci for this popu-lation was used to identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) controlling pod length of which two markers in two unlinked loci were selected by using an interval mapping model which explained 22% of phenotypic variation for pod length in this population. Selection for markers at two loci for increasing pod length resulted in a group of doubled haploid lines with an average 112 mm pod length that increased 15% of whole population mean. This shows that using these markers in the breeding program will enhance the breeding of long pod canola varieties.

---

In this article, after defining a conceptional framework for defining and measuring shadow economy in Iran a close attention is also paid to a more precise definition of shadow economy itself. It is also tried to estimate it's changing process and size during 1975-2007 based on the new definition. Direct and indirect approaches are also briefly discussed to estimate the shadow economy. Then, the strengths and weaknesses of each method are pointed out. So far, almost all of the researches carried out in Iran regarding estimation of shadow economy have mainly focused on structural equation modeling approach using Lisrel. Here in this paper for the first time both structural equation modeling software programs of Amos Graphics and Lisrel are applied to estimate the shadow economy in Iran. A comparison of the process and output of both software packages is also done in this research. Finally, in addition to investigating the direct effects of the causal variables, the interactional effects of them on latent variable of the shadow economy are also analyzed.

---

Shadow economy is an important part of economy in almost all countries especially the developing ones. Most of active firms in this part of economy have negative externality on the environment. Considering the importance of sustainable development and growing international pressures to maintain and support the environment more and more attentions have been drawn to the factors affecting and threatening environmental health. The present paper for the first time considers the role of variables like polity index and active population to total population ratio and how they affect the shadow economy. In addition to the main direct effects of these variables on shadow economy the indirect effects of causal variables through interaction with shadow economy are also examined. Since the relationship between shadow economy and air pollution has been somehow disregarded in economic literature to a large extent in Iran and to some extent at international level the present paper for the first time focuses on the relationship between shadow economy and air pollution. The results indicate that on average the ratio of shadow economy to GDP is 12.25% and a 1% increase in the size of the shadow economy raises the water pollution by 0.17%.

---

In this study, the genetic diversity of 10 different accessions of Andrographis paniculata was investigated using protein and SRAP markers. In the vegetative stage, protein and DNA were extracted from the leaves. The results of protein profile indicated a total of 20 bands with 64.15% polymorphism. To evaluate genetic diversity at the DNA level, 6 SRAP primers were used and a total of 583 scalable bands were observed.  A total of 549 bands had polymorphism with an average of 91.5 for the studied primers. The highest polymorphism (99.12%) and the lowest polymorphism (84.21%) were observed in E1/M1 E2/M2 primers, respectively. Cluster analysis produced four main clusters. Genetic diversity indices were calculated for all gene loci, including the average genetic diversity of Nei’s (0.27) and the mean of Shannon’s index with a value of 0.41. High level of population differentiation (Gst = 0.79) and good level of gene flow (Nm = 1.3) were estimated between the grouped populations. Molecular analysis of variance showed that intra-population variance (58%) was higher than inter-population variance (42%). Overall, the results of study showed a high genetic diversity in both protein electrophoresis pattern and in polymorphic bands separated using SRAP markers with emphasis on the greater efficiency of SRAP markers than protein markers, which can be selected in parents with genetic distance. It is widely used to produce dispersing and mapping populations in hybridization programs and to breed or improve desirable traits, as well as to protect and manage the germplasm of this plant.

---

In this study, accumulation of H₂O₂, malondialdehyde (MDA) (as cold-induced oxidative stress indicators), the transcript levels of dehydrin and beta-glucosidase genes (involved in metabolic responses) was evaluated in chickpea cv. Jam, using qRT-PCR during control, cold acclimation (CA), cold stress (CS), recovery, and freezing phases. Results showed the existence of wide range of genetic capacity in the cultivar to increase cold tolerance when environmental conditions change. Significant increase in H₂O₂ and MDA content during CA phase indicated that seedlings perceived cold signaling that resulted in remarkable increase in the transcript levels of dehydrin and beta-glucosidase genes as part of defense responses of plants. Balancing the expression of these genes and oxidative stress indicators showed the interplay between two major defense and injury pathways. During freezing phase, the higher transcript levels of these genes in acclimated plants compared to non-acclimated plants showed a more active role for plant cells. An incapability of defense machine in non-acclimated plants was a limiting factor determining the low potential of chickpea plants to freezing phase. It was suggested that adjustment and metabolic alterations like dehydrin and beta-glucosidase genes, especially after CA phase and, thereby, decrease in oxidative stress indicators, could be a reason for relative cold tolerance in chickpea. 

---