Effects of water and nitrogen on growth and relative competitive ability of introduced versus native C4 grass species in the semi-arid Loess Plateau of China

Switchgrass is an introduced C₄ grass in the semi-arid Loess Plateau of China, but there is a lack of information to assess its ecological invasive risk. In this study, Old World bluestems (native C₄ grass) and switchgrass were sowed at five mixture ratios (8:0, 6:2, 4:4, 2:6 and 0:8) under two soil water levels (80% field capacity (FC) and 40% FC) and two nitrogen (N) treatments (0 and 100 mg N/kg dry soil, termed N₀-unfertilized and N₁-fertilized treatments, respectively) in a pot experiment in 2012. Biomass, root morphological traits and relative competitive abilities of these two species were analyzed. Results showed that biomass of both species was significantly greater under 80% FC or N fertilization, and switchgrass had a relatively larger root:shoot ratio (RSR). Total root length (TRL) and root surface area (RSA) of switchgrass were significantly higher under 80% FC irrespective of N treatment, while those of Old World bluestems were only significantly higher under N fertilization. N had no significant effect on TRL and RSA of switchgrass, while RSA of Old World bluestems significantly increased under 80% FC and N fertilization. Under 40% FC and N₀-unfertilized treatment, the aggressivity of Old World bluestems was larger than zero at 2:6 and 4:4 mixture ratios of two species, whereas it was close to zero at 6:2 mixture ratio. Root competitive ability of switchgrass significantly increased under 80% FC or N fertilization. The aggressivity of Old World bluestems was negative at 6:2 mixture ratio under 80% FC and N fertilization, while it was positive at 2:6 mixture ratio. Switchgrass may become more aggressive when N deposition or rainfall increases, while a proper mixture ratio with appropriate water and N management could help with grassland management in the semi-arid Loess Plateau.     

Assessment of microbial biocontrol agent (BCA) viability to mechanical and thermal stress by simulating spray application conditions

Background

In order to improve the biological control agent (BCA) efficacy, stress factors threatening the viability of microorganisms during spray application need to be determined. The effect of spray mixture temperature and exposure time on Trichoderma harzianum T 22 and Bacillus amyloliquefaciens QST713 viability were tested. Concurrently the combined effect of mechanical and thermal stress effect on BCA viability were tested at two initial spray mixture temperatures (14 and 25 °C) by simulating a spray application using airblast sprayers featured by different tank capacity and a spray liquid circuit (without and with hydraulic agitation system). To assess the BCA microorganism viability, spray mixture samples were collected at time intervals along trials and plated to count the colony forming units (CFU).

Results

The critical temperature threshold that inhibited BCA viability was 35 °C with 30 min of exposure. The sprayer type, the initial temperature of the spray mixture and the temperature increment during the trials significantly decreased the number of CFU recovered. When simulating a spray application, the spray mixture temperature increase rate was determined mainly by the residual amount of spray mixture in the tank. Even if the tank capacity does not substantially affect the final temperature reached by the spray mixture, the higher residual spray mixture in bigger tanks can expose the BCAs for a longer time to critical temperatures.

Conclusions

Experimental trials allowed us to identify the effect of factors affecting the viability of tested BCAs, providing information about the actual chance to guarantee the biological efficacy of BCA treatments. © 2023 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.     

Monitoring the efficacy and metabolism of phenylcarbamates in sugar beet and black nightshade by chlorophyll fluorescence parameters

Desmedipham, phenmedipham and a 50% mixture of the two decreased the maximum quantum efficiency of photosystem II (F(v)/F(m)) and the relative changes at the J step (F(vj)) immediately after spraying in both sugar beet and black nightshade grown in the greenhouse. Sugar beet recovered more rapidly from phenmedipham and the mixture than from desmedipham. Desmedipham and the mixture irreversibly affected F(v)/F(m) and F(vj) in black nightshade at much lower doses than in sugar beet. Black nightshade recovered from phenmedipham injury at the highest dose in the first experiment (120 g AI ha(-1)) but not in the second experiment (500 g AI ha(-1)). The dry matter dose-response relationships and the energy pipeline presentation confirmed the same trend. There was a relatively good correlation between F(vj) taken 1 day after spraying and dry matter taken 2 or 3 weeks after spraying. The differential speed of herbicide metabolism between weed and crop plays an important role in herbicide selectivity and can be studied by using appropriate chlorophyll a fluorescence parameters.     

虫螨腈与Bt混配对小菜蛾的田间防效及虫螨腈在西兰花上的残留消解动态

研究明确虫螨腈与苏云金芽孢杆菌 (Bacillus thuringiensis, Bt) 混配使用对小菜蛾的田间防效和虫螨腈在西兰花上的残留消解动态，可以为在西兰花害虫防治中减少虫螨腈的用量提供依据。采用手动喷雾法进行了虫螨腈防治小菜蛾的田间药效试验，采用高效液相色谱-串联质谱法 (HPLC-MS/MS) 测定了西兰花上虫螨腈的残留消解动态。结果显示，10%虫螨腈悬浮剂与32 000 IU/mg Bt可湿性粉剂分别按50%推荐剂量混配施用，施药后1、3和7 d对小菜蛾的防效分别为58.11%、65.21%和58.80%，与推荐剂量虫螨腈单剂的防效没有显著差异，但均显著超过了50%推荐剂量虫螨腈单剂及50%推荐剂量Bt单剂的防效，施药后3 d也显著超过了推荐剂量Bt单剂的防效。此外，10%虫螨腈悬浮剂与32 000 IU/mg Bt可湿性粉剂分别按50%推荐剂量混配施用后，虫螨腈在西兰花上的残留消解动态，与施用50%推荐剂量虫螨腈单剂后的残留消解动态接近，但虫螨腈在西兰花中的残留量均显著低于施用推荐剂量虫螨腈单剂的残留量。10%虫螨腈悬浮剂与32 000 IU/mg Bt可湿性粉剂分别按50%推荐剂量混配施用后，虫螨腈在西兰花上的残留消解动态符合准一级反应动力学或一级反应动力学方程，消解半衰期为4.2 d，施药后7 d的残留量为0.072 mg/kg，低于虫螨腈在西兰花的最大残留限量 (MRL) 0.50 mg/kg (参考澳大利亚的MRL标准)，施药后14 d低于定量限 (0.050 mg/kg)。研究结果表明，10%虫螨腈悬浮剂与32 000 IU/mg Bt可湿性粉剂分别按50%推荐剂量混配使用，可以达到减药防治小菜蛾的同时降低虫螨腈在西兰花上残留的目的。     

Effects of fungicide dose and mixtures on selection for triazole resistance in Mycosphaerella graminicola under field conditions

The effects of varying doses of fungicides, alone or in mixtures, on selection for triazole resistance were examined under field conditions. Two experiments were conducted using the triazole fungicide fluquinconazole with the strobilurin fungicide azoxystrobin as a mixture partner. Inoculated wheat plots with a known ratio of more sensitive to less sensitive isolates of the leaf blotch fungus Mycosphaerella graminicola were sprayed with fungicide and sampled once symptoms had appeared. Selection for fluquinconazole resistance increased in proportion to the dose, up to one-half of the full dose (the maximum tested) in both experiments. At the higher doses of fluquinconazole, the addition of azoxystrobin was associated with a decrease in selection (nonsignificant in the first experiment) for triazole resistance. Control by low doses of fluquinconazole was increased by mixture with azoxystrobin, but at higher doses mixture with azoxystrobin sometimes decreased control, so that reduced selection was obtained at the cost of some reduction in control. The effects on resistance are not necessarily general consequences of mixing fungicides, and suggest that the properties of any specific mixture may need to be demonstrated experimentally. Selection was inversely related to control in the unmixed treatments in both experiments, but the relationship was weaker in the mixtures with azoxystrobin.     

噁嗪草酮与五氟磺草胺或双草醚混用对水稻机插秧田杂草的防效及水稻的安全性

通过田间试验测定了1%噁嗪草酮悬浮剂(SC)与25 g/L五氟磺草胺可分散油悬浮剂(OD)或10%双草醚悬浮剂(SC)桶混使用对机插秧稻田杂草的防效及水稻的安全性。结果表明:1%噁嗪草酮SC 250、300、350 m L/667 m~2与25 g/L五氟磺草胺OD 80 m L/667 m~2混用,1%噁嗪草酮SC 350 m L/667 m~2与10%双草醚SC 10 m L/667 m~2混用,在水稻移栽后7 d毒土撒施及移栽后13 d茎叶喷雾施用对稗属杂草、千金子、鸭舌草、耳叶水苋、异型莎草等杂草的防效均达91%以上,优于对照移栽前2 d 35%丙草胺·苄嘧磺隆可湿性粉剂(WP)80 g/667 m~2毒土撒施+移栽后7 d 50%苯噻酰草胺·苄嘧磺隆WP 75 g/667 m~2毒土撒施处理、移栽后20 d 60 g/L五氟磺草胺·氰氟草酯OD 100 m L/667 m~2茎叶喷雾处理,移栽后7 d施药处理对杂草的防效高于移栽后13 d施药处理。1%噁嗪草酮SC 250、300、350 m L/667 m~2与25 g/L五氟磺草胺OD 80 m L/667 m~2或10%双草醚SC 10 m L/667 m~2桶混在水稻移栽后7 d或13 d处理对机插秧水稻安全。     

有機汞粉剂防治馬鈴薯晚疫病試驗

 两年来用有机汞消石灰混合粉防治馬鈴薯晚疫病的田間試驗获得了显著的效果。在发生中心病株时开始用1:9西力生消石灰或賽力散消石灰每7天撒佈1次,共撒4-5次可以大大地抑制病害的蔓延,从而提高产量。西力生和賽力散的防病效果相近。     

绿矾对防治苹果黄叶病效应的初步研究

以适当浓度的綠矾溶液;或以綠矾——檸檬酸混合溶液浸泡病株树根,效果显著,病株复綠快速,惟不能持久。若以綠矾——有机混合肥料施于根区,防治效果良好,效力持久,但复綠較慢。综合利用这两种施用方法,卽:先用綠矾溶液浸泡树根;后用綠矾——有机混合肥料施于根区,則可达到防病快速持久的目的。     

The effect of a piperonyl butoxide/tau-fluvalinate mixture on pollen beetle (Meligethes aeneus) and honey bees (Apis mellifera)

BACKGROUND: Previous work has characterised pyrethroid resistance in pollen beetle (Meligethes aeneus F.) as principally an oxidative mechanism. Piperonyl butoxide (PBO) can synergise this resistance in the field, but its effects on the honey bee are thought to be unacceptable. RESULTS: A field trial in Poland was conducted to show that a mixture of PBO and tau‐fluvalinate at the registered rate gave increased and longer‐lasting control of resistant pollen beetle. Four days after spraying with tau‐fluvalinate, only 20% of pollen beetles were controlled, compared with 70% if the tau‐fluvalinate/PBO mixture was used. No detriment to honey bee health was observed using the same mixture. CONCLUSIONS: PBO, if used in conjunction with a pyrethroid of relatively low bee toxicity, can successfully overcome pyrethroid resistance in pollen beetle without incurring an increased loss of honey bees, even if they are present at the time of spraying. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

三唑磷与氟虫腈复配对粘虫的增效机理研究

以粘虫Mythimna separate 4龄幼虫为试虫,从表皮穿透、生物转化、作用靶标3个方面研究了三唑磷·氟虫腈复配剂的增效机理。结果表明,三唑磷与氟虫腈复配后,相互促进了对方对粘虫表皮的穿透作用;三唑磷对酸性磷酸酯酶(ACPase)的竞争性抑制与氟虫腈对ACPase的非竞争性抑制与反竞争性抑制的混合型抑制相结合,使复配剂对ACPase的抑制能力大幅度提高;对谷胱甘肽S-转移酶(GSTs)的联合抑制系数(JIC)达到425.87,表现出显著的增效作用;三唑磷和氟虫腈对乙酰胆碱酯酶(AChE)只有微弱的交互作用。表皮穿透率的提高及其对ACPase和GSTs抑制能力的增强可能是该复配剂对粘虫增效的重要机理。     

Selection of pathotypes of Erysiphe graminis f.sp. hordei in pure and mixed stands of spring barley

Pathotypes of Erysiphe graminis f.sp. hordei were monitored at fortnightly intervals in pure and mixed stands of spring barley during the course of mildew epidemics in two field trials. Mixtures were composed of cultivars with Arabische (gene Mla12 ), Laevigatum ( Ml(La) ), and Monte Cristo ( Mla9 ) resistance, respectively. The three-way mixtures were either random or, in 1989, laid out as one-row mixtures (i.e., regularly alternating rows of different genotypes) or three-row mixtures (i.e., regularly alternating three-row strips of different genotypes), respectively. In 1990 only random mixtures and six-row mixtures were compared with pure stands. The virulence complexity (i.e., the average number of virulence factors per isolate with reference to Mla12, Ml(La) , and Mla9 ) was always maximal in the random mixtures. In 1989, linear regression of complexity on mildew generations gave significant b -values (slopes) of 0·049, 0·031, and 0·025 in the random mixture, one-row mixture, and three-row mixture, respectively; the b -value from pure stands was not significant. In 1990, another sampling technique allowed selection to be observed on each genotype in the mixtures separately. In the random mixture b -values were 0·048, 0·064 and 0·017 (not significant) on Mla12, Ml(La) , and Mla9 cultivars respectively. In six-row mixtures and in pure stands, there was no significant increase in complexity ( b > 0) on any of the mixture components. Although the frequency and relative fitness of complex pathotypes were higher in all types of mixtures than in pure stands, selection towards complex races was much less intense in row mixtures than in random mixtures in both field trials.     

THE COMBINED ACTION OF 3-AMINO-1,2,4-TRIAZOLE AND AMMONIUM THIOCYANATE ON PHOSPHATASE ACTIVITY IN COTTON THISTLE (ONOPORDUM ACANTHIUM L.)

Summary. In phosphatase extracts prepared from untreated leaves of Onopordum acanthium , phosphatase activity was stimulated by amitrole (0·04 M) and ammonium thioeyanate (0·04 M), alone and together. The effect of the mixture of amitrole and ammonium thioeyanate was more than additive in experiments set up at pH 4·0, less than additive at pH 4·6 and roughly additive at pH 5·3 and 5·8. The effect of amitrole alone could be explained simply in terms of the increase in pH it effected.
In leaves harvested 4, 7 and 9 days after spraying rosettes with 1/8 lb/ac (140 g/ha) amitrole and 1/4 lb/ac (280 g/ha) ammonium thioeyanate, alone and together, more than additive or additive increases in phosphatase activity of plants sprayed with the mixture were recorded. These increases are interpreted as being due to increases in the amount of soluble protein.
Inorganic phosphate levels showed different trends with time in plants treated with amitrole alone compared with plants treated with the mixture of amitrole and ammonium thioeyanate.
These interactions between amitrole and ammonium thioeyanate are taken to indicate a possible chemical basis for the increased herbicidal activity of the mixture over amitrole alone.
Histochemical studies on the mature leaves of rosettes showed that phosphatase activity was confined to the vascular tissues while in the very young leaves it was high in the chlorenchymatous tissue and appreciable in the epidermal and hair cells.
Attention is drawn to the strong buffering action of amitrole in the pH range 4·0–5·3. This may be relevant to herbicidal activity, the vacuolar pH of the outer cells of leaves of Onopordum being in the range 4·8-5·2.
L'action combinée du 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole et du thioeyanate d'ammonium sur l'activité de la phosphatase chez Onopordum acanthium L.     

枯草芽孢杆菌NJ-18和氟酰胺联合拌种防治小麦纹枯病研究

研究了枯草芽孢杆菌NJ-18菌株的芽孢制剂(109 cfu/g)与20%氟酰胺可湿性粉剂(WP)联合拌种对小麦纹枯病的防治作用。结果表明:氟酰胺抑制小麦纹枯病菌Rhizoctonia cerealis菌丝生长的平均EC50值为(0.34±0.06) μg/mL;NJ-18发酵液(108 cfu/mL)及其滤液稀释1 000倍时对小麦纹枯病菌菌丝生长的抑制率分别为96.38%和93.97%;氟酰胺对NJ-18的菌体生长和芽孢存活无抑制作用,具有很好的相容性;在温室条件下,NJ-18芽孢制剂(109 cfu/g)300 g分别与20%氟酰胺WP 50 g和100 g混合拌种处理100 kg小麦种子,在小麦拔节期对纹枯病的防效分别为47.96%和64.58%,显著高于二者同剂量单用处理的防效;在大田条件下,二者混合拌种处理也能显著提高对小麦纹枯病的田间防效,NJ-18芽孢制剂(109 cfu/g) 300 g与20%氟酰胺WP 200 g混合拌种处理100 kg小麦种子,对拔节期小麦纹枯病的防效高达74.83%,且能显著提高小麦千粒重,同时对小麦生长安全。     

苏云金芽孢杆菌液剂与杀虫双混用对稻纵卷叶螟的增效作用

室内生物测定表明,Bt液剂和不同比例的25％杀虫双混用对稻纵卷叶螟都有不同程度的增效作用,其中3:1和1:1(Bt:杀虫双)混用增效作用最为明显,共毒系数分别为265和298。1:1混用的毒效为杀虫双单用的1.71倍。田间小区试验表明,1:1混用的防治效果接近于同剂量的杀虫双。     

棉铃虫对拟除虫菊酯的抗性稳定性研究

应用生物测定的方法研究了棉铃虫Ｈｅｌｉｃｏｖｅｒｐａａｒｍｉｇｅｒａ（Ｈüｂｎｅｒ）对溴氰菊酯高抗（１３６．７３倍）、对三氟氯氰菊酯（９．５０倍）和凯明二号（３．４０倍）低抗的３个种群的抗性稳定性。结果发现，无论棉铃虫的抗药性是高或低，在连续几代不接触药剂的情况下，都表现为抗性不断下降；第８代后３个种群都表现为抗性基本稳定，变化不大。停药后第８代分出部分种群作抗性再恢复试验，经６代连续点滴筛选后，３个种群抗性都有所回升。而且，棉铃虫对单剂抗药性衰退明显，但再恢复较快；对混剂的抗性衰退慢，再恢复也慢。     

A two generation chronic mixture toxicity study of Clophen A60 and diethyl phthalate after gestational and lactational exposure in female Wistar rats

Polychlorinated biphenyls and diethyl phthalate are both lipophilic in nature and are likely to be present in the same environmental compartment or bioaccumalate over a period of time, thus a mixture toxicity study was undertaken to evaluate the type of interaction between polychlorinated biphenyls (Clophen A60) and diethyl phthalate over two generations in female Wistar rats. Healthy male and female albino rats of Wistar strain weighing 75-100 g (6-7 weeks old) were randomly assigned to four groups of six each. Group I male and female rats were fed on normal diet and water ad libitum. Group II male and female rats were maintained on normal diet mixed with corn oil as oil control. GroupS III and IV male and female rats were given Clophen A60 and diethyl phthalate dissolved in corn oil mixed with the diet at 50 mg/kg of the diet individually to each group. Group V male and female rats received a mixture of diethyl phthalate and Clophen A60, each dissolved in corn oil mixed with the diet at 50 mg/kg of the diet. Hundred days after the treatment, females were mated with the males in each group for 10 days. Exposure to diethyl phthalate and Clophen A60 was continued throughout mating, gestation until termination at weaning, which was 150 days of total treatment period of the parental generation female rats. Treatment for F1 generation male and female pups (6 males & 6 females) with Clophen A60 and diethyl phthalate individually and in mixture was continued at doses reduced to 25 mg/kg of the diet after they reached 75-100 g in weight. The treatment was carried out similar to the parental generation for a period of 150 days. Liver and serum aspartate aminotransferase, liver cholesterol and glycogen were significantly increased in the F1 generation Clophen A60 + diethyl phthalate treated group, whereas serum cholesterol, liver glutathione and glutathione reductase showed a significant decrease in the F1 generation Clophen A60 + diethyl phthalate treated group as compared to the parental generation mixture and individually treated groups as well as the individually treated F1 generation groups. A significant increase was observed in the liver and serum aspartate aminotransferase activity of Clophen A60 and serum aspartate aminotransferase levels of diethyl phthalate treated F1 generation rats as compared to the parental generation Clophen A60 and diethyl phthalate individually and mixture treated rats. Liver glutathione levels were significantly decreased in the F1 generation Clophen A60 and diethyl phthalate individually treated rats which was similar to the parental generation individually treated rats as compared to the controls. Liver glutathione reductase level was also significantly declined in the diethyl phthalate treated F1 individual group as compared to diethyl phthalate individually treated parental generation rats. Histology of the liver showed fatty degeneration in the mixture treated F1 generation rats as compared to Clophen A60 and diethyl phthalate individually treated F1 rats and parental generation Clophen A60 and diethyl phthalate individually and mixture treated rats. Thus, in spite of dose reduction and continuous exposure over two generation’s to a mixture of diethyl phthalate and Clophen A60 exposed through gestation, lactation and diet leads to a synergistic toxic effect in the F1 generation.     

丙溴磷·高效氯氰菊酯混配制剂对小菜蛾幼虫室内毒力测定

采用Potter喷雾塔喷雾法测定丙溴磷与高效氯氰菊酯不同配比对小菜蛾的室内毒力,用孙云沛的共毒系数法评价了2种药剂的联合作用。结果表明,丙溴磷与高效氯氰菊酯制成的含量为42％丙溴磷·2％高氯(混配1)与40％丙溴磷·4％高氯(混配2)混剂在处理后24h和48h,表现出显著的增效作用。     

Soil application of azadirachtin and 3-tigloyl-azadirachtol to control western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae): translocation and persistence in bean plants

To study the systemic effects of active neem ingredients, the substrate of bean plants was treated with a 170 g kg(-1) azadirachtin (NeemAzal-U; Trifolio-M GmbH, Lahnau, Germany, registration pending). This product was used at a dose rate of 10 mg AZA (azadirachtin a) and 1.2 mg 3-tigloyl-azadirachtol (azadirachtin b) per treated bean plant. Afterwards, the translocation and persistence of AZA and 3-tigloyl-azadirachtol and the effects on western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande), were studied. Residues of AZA and 3-tigloyl-azadirachtol from substrates with different contents of organic matter [pure culture substrate (CS), CS-sand mixture] and from various plant parts were quantified by high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS). The dissipation trends of AZA and 3-tigloyl-azadirachtol were similar within the same substrates. A slower decline of both active ingredients was measured with CS than with CS-sand mixture. Residue analysis of the bean plants showed that only small proportions of the initial amounts of AZA and 3-tigloyl-azadirachtol applied to the substrate were present in the plant (0.3-8.1%). Variable amounts of residues of the active components in relation to plant parts and time of analysis indicated a different translocation pattern for the two active ingredients. Higher residues of the active ingredients were found in roots and stems after neem application using CS, whereas higher residues were found in leaves after CS-sand mixture treatments. Mortality of F. occidentalis after NeemAzal-U soil applications reached up to 95% on CS-sand mixture, compared with 86% in CS.     

Effects of the mycoparasite Verticillium biguttatum on barley stunt disease caused by Rhizoctonia solani anastomosis group 8 in a model system

The height of barley stunted by Rhizoctonia solani anastomosis group 8 was significantly increased by up to 72·8% after incubation for 8 days at 20°C in seedling tray tests following application of the mycoparasite Verticillium biguttatum. The pathogen and mycoparasite were applied at the rate of 1% Perlite maizemeal inoculum (w/w potting mixture) resulting in propagule densities of approximately 24·0 and 6·6 × 10⁵ colony-forming units (cfu) per g potting mixture, respectively. Sieving (2 mm) R. solani inoculum prior to dilution in potting mixture increased the recovery of propagules from 1·2 × 2·1 × 10³ cfu per g inoculum compared with recovery when inoculum was sieved after dilution. Applications of a V. biguttatum isolate from the UK (vbl) and a Dutch isolate (M73) reduced stunting to a similar extent but did not stimulate the growth of healthy plants. The height of stunted plants was significantly increased after application of V. biguttatum inoculum after 6 days if inoculated trays were preincubated for 1 day prior to planting but a similar increase was only detected after 7 days if seeds were planted immediately. The number of stunted plants which emerged after 4 days was significantly increased by treatment with V. biguttatum but preincubation had no additional effect. These results suggested that control of R. solani was effected both before and after the initiation of disease.     

Evaluation of the combined toxicity of 15 pesticides by uniform design

BACKGROUND: Environmental pesticides, including insecticides and herbicides, are frequently encountered as mixtures and threaten non‐target organisms in water. Evaluation of the combined toxicity of diverse pesticides with various concentration combinations is important, especially using limited experimental effort. Uniform design (UD) is one optimal experimental technique that can rationally arrange the concentrations of mixture components so that, with a minimum number of experimental runs, the combined toxicity of multiple pesticide mixtures can be evaluated. RESULTS: The concentration compositions of 18 pesticide mixture points designed by UD covered almost all possible concentration ranges of the mixture components on account of the two merits of ‘space filling’ and ‘multiple levels’. The combined toxicities of 18 mixture rays extended by using the fixed‐ratio ray design (FRRD) from 18 UD mixture points were evaluated by concentration addition (CA) and independent action (IA) models. It was found that the concentration–response curves (CRCs) predicted by CA were, on the whole, located between the 95% confidence intervals of the experimental CRCs, which implied that the combined toxicity of the pesticide mixture rays could be evaluated by CA. The CRCs predicted by IA were very similar to those from CA. CONCLUSION: The model developed from the UD mixture rays can effectively simulate mixtures with arbitrary concentration compositions of 15 pesticides. The CA model can accurately evaluate and predict the combined toxicity of the pesticides, which provides a useful tool for risk assessment of a mixture of multiple pesticides in the aquatic environment. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry