1Major Fields of Work in Agricultural Entomology:

• Insect Ecology

• Insect Biology

• Insect Physiology

• Chemical Ecology of insects

• Insect pest forecasting

• Economic injury level (EIL) of insect pests

• Plant resistance to insect pests

• Control methods of insect pests (IPM)

2Major Fields of Work in Agricultural Zoology:

• Identification (taxonomy, morphology and kariology) of acari, rodents, birds, spiders, slugs and snails.

• Ecobiology of acari, rodents, birds, spiders, slugs and snails.

• Control (biological, cultural, mechanical and chemical) of acari, rodents, birds, slugs and snails.

• Use of important species of acari and spiders as biocontrol agents of some agricultural pests.

3Major Fields of Work in Biological Control:

• Preparation and implementation of research projects and programs on biological control of plant pests, diseases and weeds.

• Collection of the genetic resources of parasitoids, predators and beneficial microorganisms to use in pest control.

• Providing mass production technology and large-scale application methods of beneficial agents and biological compounds.

• Providing the other research needs for institutes and centers on biological control of plant pests, diseases and weeds.

• Collaboration and communication with organizations and academic and research institutes nationally and internationally.

• Authority in national Registration, Inspection and Monitoring of all Biological Control Agents and Products.

4Major Fields of Work in Botany:

• Collection, identification and preservation of the flora (Flowering and non-flowering plants, Fungi, Lichens, Weeds of various crops, Medicinal and pesticide plants) of Iran in the Herbarium Ministerii Iranici Agriculture ("IRAN").

• Carrying out special botanical and mycological research projects (particularly taxonomic) and collaborative projects with other departments of the Institute.

5Major Fields of Work in Insects Taxonomy:

• Conducting taxonomic and faunal research projects.

• Cooperation with national and international experts.

• Identification services to research, training and executive centers.

• Offering training courses and advising the M.Sc. Ph.D. students theses.

• Cooperating in conduction and completion of insect collections in other scientific and research centers.

• Publishing articles reports books and checklists.

• Providing the related information to the visitors.

• Establishing data bank on the known species of insects and providing the identification software.

6Major Fields of Work in Nematology:

• Collection of phyto., entemopathogenic, predatory and free living nematodes.

• Determining host range and bio-ecology of important plant parasitic nematodes.

• Studies on seasonal fluctuation of plant parasitic nematodes in soil and plant.

• Studies on interaction of nematodes and soil borne microorganisms.

• Determination of economic damage threshold levels of phytonematodes

• Management of phytonematodes through physical, chemical, cultural. and resistant varieties.

• Integrated pest management of olive and co-operation in sugar beet, rape seed, cereal, temperate fruit trees, and cotton IPM.

7Major Fields of Work in Plant Diseases:

• Identification and diagnosis of fungal and bacterial plant diseases.

• Conduction and execution of research experiments regarding etiology, ecology, epidemiology, population genetics and control of plant pathogens with emphasis on non-chemical and integrated methods.

• Communication with agricultural research and extension centers around the country for identification and determination of plant diseases research priorities.

• Collection and preservation of biological agents including pathogenic and beneficial fungi and bacteria.

• Arrangement and conduction of training programs for provincial research staff.

• Continuous collaboration with the universities and colleges in supervising and advising student's dissertations and theses.

• Collaboration with international research institutes by conducting joint research projects.

• Publication of research papers in international and national scientific journals.

• Participation in international and national meetings by presenting research papers

8Major Fields of Work in Plant Viruses:

• Identification & diagnosis of main agricultural crop virus diseases and related strain by applying different specific & sensitive diagnostic tools including serological and PCR based methods.

• Molecular characterization of important plant viruses and study on their phylogenic relationships.

• Epidemiological studies for applying in disease management.

• Co-operating with different institutes (national and international) and scientists in the plant virology and related field, training university students and advisory services to farmers and different research centers.

9Major Fields of Work in Pesticides:

• Establishment of the Maximum Residue Levels (MRL) of the current pesticides

• Measurement of the pesticide residue in soil and water

• Collaboration with various health departments to achieve better and safer food (food safety)