Fungal invasion and mycotoxin contamination of stored sorghum grain as influenced by threshing methods

Sanitation from harvest to storage is a key factor in eliminating sources of infection and reducing levels of mycotoxigenic fungal invasion, and thereby mycotoxin contamination. This study was conducted at Haramaya University, Eastern Ethiopia to investigate the effects of threshing methods on fungal invasion and mycotoxin contamination of sorghum grain. The methods included threshing on bare ground, cow-dung-painted ground, concrete asphalt and canvas. The threshed grain was kept separately in bags in three replications in a completely randomized design and stored for five months. The results revealed that all the sorghum grain samples taken from different threshing methods were contaminated with both Aspergillus and Fusarium species. There were variations in fungal invasion between samples taken immediately after threshing and stored samples. The level of Aspergillus spp. invasion was much higher in the latter in sorghum grain threshed on bare ground. The concentration of aflatoxin B₁ was gradually increased, whereas the total fumonisin concentration was decreased with the storage duration both in 2013 and 2014. On stored sorghum grain, the highest (1.97 µg kg^?1) and the lowest (0.70 µg kg^?1) mean aflatoxin B₁ concentrations were recorded from sorghum grains threshed on bare ground and on canvas, respectively. Sorghum grain obtained from canvas threshing method had significantly lower mean total fumonisin content (142.5, 54.9 µg kg^?1) than grain from the other methods at threshing. The current work clearly demonstrated the effect that threshing might have on fungal invasion and mycotoxin contamination of sorghum grains. .     

Space Treatment of Warehouses Using Dichlorvos1)

Details are given of the performance of Vapona Pest Strips and of an automatic dichlorvos sprayer developed to prevent infestation of clean or fumigated stored commodities, for infestation control on stored carobs. Air concentrations after spraying a nominal dose of 10 μg/1 of total store space averaged approximately 1.0. μ g/l after 30 minutes and less than 0.3 μ g/l after 3 hours. Residues found on carobs after daily spraying of stores at 10 μ g/1 for 96 days were in the range of 0.2 - 2.0 ppm. Ephestia cautella Walk, and Lasioderma serricorne (F.) become established in carobs after harvest and are the principle pests causing damage during storage. Effective control of E. cautella was obtained by using Shell Vapona Pest Strips at two strips/100 m³ or by daily spraying of dichlorvos at 10g/1,000 m² (10μ g/1). No effect was observed against migrating larvae of E. calidella (Guen.) or E. figulilella Greg, nor against Bracon hebetor Say., the hymenopterous parasite attacking all three Ephestia species. The automatic dichlorvos sprayer is equipped to apply a predetermined dose at time of peak flight activity, 18–20 hours each evening. On stored carobs, no spraying is needed after October because the commodity temperature falls below 20⁰C, too low for active development of the pest species. 23 automatic sprayers are now used in Cyprus to protect the whole carob crop from storage pests.     

Dichlorvos residues in food arising from the domestic use of dichlorvos PVC strips

Trials have been carried out with “VAPONA”

1 “VAPONA” is a Shell trade mark.

Pest Strips under practical conditions in houses in the U.K. and France. The purpose of these trials was to determine the residues of dichlorvos that occur in food prepared in kitchens in which strips were placed. Samples, each of which consisted of the combined food and drink for an adult for a day, were taken at intervals during the trials. The food items were exposed and the meals prepared, including any cooking, in the way normal to the household. The analyses for dichlorvos were carried out by a g.l.c. method using flame photometric detection. The results show that the residue concentrations from all the individual samples were less than 0.1 part/million. In the U.K. trial, the mean dichlorvos levels in samples taken 7, 42 and 70 days after the strips were hung were 0.03, 0.03 and 0.02 part/million respectively. In the French trial, the mean concentrations were a little lower, being 0.02, 0.02 and less than 0.01 part/million at the same times. The items of food and the way in which they were processed varied widely from sample to sample and also between the two countries. However, the residue concentration in a sample did not appear to be correlated with the food items or with the manner of processing. No relationship was observed between the volume of the kitchens used, which varied from 14 to 45 m³, and the level of residues found in the samples.     

The insecticidal action of some components of wood preservatives

The use of liquid insecticide formulations for prevention and eradication of attack by common wood-boring insects is discussed and some methods of testing and assessing effectiveness described. Gamma-BHC and dieldrin prevent attack when present at 20 g/m³ of softwood while a number of stomach poisons are effective at from 1 to 10 kg/m³. The important part played by the organic solvent in an eradicant formulation is considered. Anobium punctatum in confined spaces can also be controlled by annual use of plastic strips emitting dichlorvos vapour. At 0.015 to 0.05 μg/l in air, dichlorvos virtually prevents initiation or spread of attack by this insect.     

Acute toxicity to zebrafish of two organophosphates and four pyrethroids and their binary mixtures

BACKGROUND: Environmental pollutants, including metals, pesticides and other organics, pose serious risks to many aquatic organisms. The acute toxicities to zebrafish (Brachydanio rerio Hamilton & Buchanan) were determined for two organophosphorus insecticides, four pyrethroid insecticides and 50:50 binary mixtures. RESULTS: At 24, 48, 72 and 96 h after treatment, LC₅₀ of permethrin, tetramethrin, bifenthrin, etofenprox, dichlorvos and phoxim to zebrafish were 0.0052–0.0025, 0.0782–0.0460, 0.0065–0.0032, 0.0969–0.0791, 51.3–13.0 and 1.28–0.469 mg L^?1 respectively. LC₅₀ of permethrin + dichlorvos, permethrin + phoxim, tetramethrin + dichlorvos, tetramethrin + phoxim, bifenthrin + dichlorvos, bifenthrin + phoxim, etofenprox + dichlorvos and etofenprox + phoxim were 0.0082–0.0046, 0.0078–0.0042, 0.264–0.124, 0.141–0.121, 0.0251–0.0154, 0.0154–0.0087, 0.396–0.217 and 0.213–0.0391 mg L^?1. CONCLUSION: Toxicity levels of all pyrethroid insecticides to the zebrafish were high or very high. The organophosphate dichlorvos showed low toxicity, but phoxim showed high or intermediate toxicities to zebrafish, and the toxicities of binary mixtures of permethrin and dichlorvos or phoxim, bifenthrin and dichlorvos or phoxim and etofenprox and phoxim (48, 72 and 96 h exposure) were very high. The toxicities of binary mixtures of tetramethrin and dichlorvos or phoxim, etofenprox and dichlorvos and etofenprox and phoxim (24 h exposure) were high. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

Dichlorvos concentrations in the air of houses arising from the use of dichlorvos PVC strips

Trials have been carried out in order to determine the concentrations of dichlorvos that occur in the air of houses when “VAPONA”

1 “VAPONA” is a Shell trade mark.

strips are placed under conditions of normal domestic use. The ten trials were conducted in the U.K., Australia and France in the years 1967 to 1970. Two trials were also carried out in the U.K. with a shorter, slightly thicker product [6.5 in strip (16.5 cm)] of the same basic formulation. Samples of air were taken at regular intervals throughout the 3 or 4 month period of each trial and the samples were analysed for dichlorvos by an enzyme inhibition – ΔpH method. The results from more than 3000 samples of air showed that the great majority of values (97.2%) were 0.1 μg dichlorvos per litre of air or less. Values ranged from less than 0.01 μg/1 to 0.24 μg/l, the higher concentrations being associated with houses closed because of the absence of the householders or with several strips in place in the house, or both. In each trial the dichlorvos concentration in the air rose rapidly and then fell exponentially. In temperate area trials, the concentration was at its highest 1 to 2 weeks after placing the strips, the geometric mean of all the values at this time being 0.04 μg/1 and 3 months after placement the mean concentration was 0.01 μg/1. In the two trials with the 6.5 in (16.5 cm) product, concentrations in air were in one of these no different and in the other slightly lower than from the 10 in (25.4 cm) strip, the rate of decline of the concentrations of dichlorvos being the same in both trials. Observation strongly suggests that ventilation is the most important factor in determining the level of dichlorvos in the air of a room. In the trials in Brisbane, Australia, where houses are constructed to allow a flow of air and where doors and windows are open day and night, concentrations of dichlorvos were low initially and quickly fell below the limit of determination. The effect of increased ambient temperature is to increase the rate of emission of dichlorvos from the strip. However, in general, it seems that the increased ventilation associated with higher temperatures outweighed the increased rate of emission of insecticide since concentrations in air tended to fall with increasing temperature. Some rooms, especially kitchens, are smaller than the volume recommended for placement of strips (30 m³ per strip). However, statistical analysis of the results shows that initial concentrations in kitchens are no higher than in other rooms, and that the rate of decline of concentrations in kitchens is significantly higher than in other rooms.     

The Feasibility of Environmental Control for the Protection of Stored Grain

Relevant data on the possibilities of changing the stored grain environment, for the sake of better preservation of grain in storage, are reviewed. The grain bulk is regarded as an ecosystem, in which the impact of damaging organisms can be controlled by ambient conditions. The influence of humidity, temperature, composition of atmospheric gases, atmospheric pressure and light is discussed. Lowering humidity and grain temperatures are well known effective and practical ways for the prevention of storage damage. The modification of atmospheric gas compositions has been subjected to very extensive research, on which new methods for insect control could be based. Lowering the absolute pressure in storage containers has detrimental effects on storage insects; the practical implementation of this technique is discussed. Research on the effects of changing light conditions on stored grain insects is in its earliest stage, but shows promise. Studies on an integrated approach using several environmental elements for the containment of grain insects and microflora are proposed.     

Efficacy of layer treatment with methoprene for control of Rhyzopertha dominica (Coleoptera: Bostrychidae) on wheat, rice and maize

BACKGROUND: Insect growth regulators are promising alternatives to traditional pesticides in stored grain. The efficacy of the juvenile hormone analogue methoprene was evaluated as a layer treatment in a laboratory experiment for control of Rhyzopertha dominica (F.) (Coleoptera: Bostrychidae) in wheat, rice and maize. RESULTS: Adults of R. dominica were placed in vials containing 33, 26 and 29 g (to a depth of 6.5 cm) of wheat, rice and maize, respectively, that was entirely or partially treated with 1, 5 or 10 mg kg^?1 methoprene. In wheat and rice, the layer treatments were not as effective as the whole‐grain treatment, but there was decreased progeny production as the application rate increased. However, on maize the partial treatments were as effective as the whole‐grain treatment at 5 and 10 mg kg^?1. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that partial layer treatments with methoprene can be used to control R. dominica on maize but may not be effective for control of this species on wheat and rice. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Insecticidal efficacy of fipronil against four stored‐product insect pests: influence of commodity,dose, exposure interval,relative humidity and temperature

BACKROUND: Fipronil is an insecticidal pyrazole that is commonly used as an insecticide in field crops, urban pesticide and veterinary medicine, but there are no reports of its evaluation against stored‐product insects. Three series of laboratory bioassays were conducted to assess fipronil as a potential grain protectant against adults of Sitophilus oryzae (L.), Tribolium confusum Jacquelin du Val, Rhyzopertha dominica (F.) and Prostephanus truncatus (Horn). Factors such as dose (0.01, 0.1, 1 and 10 mg fipronil kg^?1 grain), exposure interval (24 h, 48 h, 7 days and 14 days), temperature (20, 25 and 30 °C), relative humidity (RH; 55 and 65%) and commodity (wheat, maize, barley and paddy rice) were evaluated with regard to their impact on the insecticidal activity of fipronil. Progeny production was assessed after 64 days of exposure. RESULTS: At doses of < 1 mg fipronil kg^?1 grain, efficacy of fipronil was enhanced by an increase in temperature from 20 to 25 °C against S. oryzae or R. dominica for exposures of > 48 h and against T. confusum or P. truncatus for exposures of > 24 h. A further increase in temperature from 25 to 30 °C, although it enhanced efficacy at doses of < 1 mg fipronil kg^?1 grain against S. oryzae at all exposure intervals and against T. confusum after 7 days of exposure, it was negatively associated with efficacy against R. dominica or P. truncatus for exposures of > 24 h. By contrast, increase in RH did not have a significant impact on efficacy of fipronil. Although the performance of fipronil among the tested commodities was species dependent, this substance appeared to be less effective in paddy rice than in barley, maize and wheat. Regardless of the treated commodity, progeny production of all the tested species was almost suppressed with doses higher than 0.1 mg fipronil kg^?1 grain. CONCLUSIONS: Fipronil appeared to be a very effective alternative to the existing substances in stored‐grain protection at doses equal to or higher than 1 mg fipronil kg^?1 grain, and thus these doses require further evaluation in terms of safety for the consumer and residues on stored products. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

Organophosphorus and synergised synthetic pyrethroid insecticides as grain protectants for stored sorghum

A field experiment was carried out on bulk sorghum stored for 26 weeks in concrete silos in South Queensland. No natural infestation occurred. Laboratory bioassays of treated grain, in which malathion-resistant strains of insects were added to grain samples, indicated that all the treatments were generally effective. Deltamethrin (2mg kg⁻¹)+piperonyl butoxide (8mg kg⁻¹), fenitrothion (12mg kg⁻¹)+fenvalerate (1 mg kg⁻¹)+piperonyl butoxide (8mg kg⁻¹), and fenitrothion (12mg kg⁻¹)+phenothrin (2mg kg⁻¹)+piperonyl butoxide (8mg kg⁻¹) controlled typical malathion-resistant strains of Sitophilus oryzae (L.), Rhyzopertha dominica (F.), Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) and Ephestia cautella (Walker). Pirimiphos-methyl (6mg kg⁻¹)+permethrin (1mg kg⁻¹)+piperonyl butoxide (8mg kg⁻¹) allowed some survival of adults and progeny production by S. oryzae after 12 weeks, and by one strain of R. dominica throughout. Chemical assays established that the residues and rates of breakdown of these grain protectants on sorghum conformed to the general pattern on other cereal grains. Residues at the conclusion of the experiment were below the individual Maximum Residue Limits recommended by the Codex Alimentarius Commission.     

Field evaluation of vaporised ethyl formate and carbon dioxide for fumigation of stored wheat

BACKGROUND: Vapormate? is a cylinderised non‐flammable mixture of ethyl formate (16.7% by weight) and carbon dioxide (CO₂) that has been developed as a rapid fumigant of stored grain. Four field trials were undertaken on wheat in 50 t farm silos to demonstrate the feasibility of dynamic application. To assess treatment efficacy, each trial tested mixed stages of Rhyzopertha dominica F. (>11 000), Tribolium castaneum (Herbst.) (>1500) and Sitophilus oryzae (L.) (>13 000) in mesh cages positioned through the centre of the grain bulk and on the grain surface. Ethyl formate and CO₂ concentrations were measured in the silo during fumigation and in ambient air outside the 6 m fumigation zone. Application rates of 420, 660 and 940 g m^?3 of ethyl formate/CO₂ formulation and exposure times of 24, 3 and 72 h, respectively, were examined using wheat of 10.4–11.7% moisture content and grain temperatures between 2 and 32 °C. RESULTS: All life stages of R. dominica and T. castaneum were fully controlled under all conditions tested, and mortality of all life stages of S. oryzae was greater than 98%. CONCLUSION: Dynamic application of vaporised ethyl formate and CO₂ to 50 t silos proved safe to operators and rapidly effective against stored‐grain insects on cold to warm grain. Copyright © 2009 CSIRO, Australia. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd     

Quantitative Detection of Fusarium Species in Wheat Using TaqMan

Fusarium head blight (FHB) of wheat and other small-grain cereals is a disease complex caused by several fungal species. To monitor and quantify the major species in the FHB complex during the growing season, real-time PCR was developed. TaqMan primers and probes were designed that showed high specificity for Fusarium avenaceum, F. culmorum, F. graminearum, F. poae and Microdochium nivale var. majus. Inclusion of an internal PCR control and serial dilutions of pure genomic DNAs allowed accurate determination of the concentration of fungal DNA for each of these species in leaves, ears as well as harvested grains of winter wheat. The DNA concentration of F. graminearum in grain samples correlated (r ²= 0.7917) with the incidence of this species on the grain as determined by isolation from individual kernels. Application of the TaqMan technology to field samples collected in 40 wheat crops in the Netherlands during the growing season of 2001 revealed that M. nivale var. majus predominated on leaves early in the season (GS 45-65). Ears and harvested grains from the same fields, however, showed F. graminearum as the major species. In 2002, grain samples from 40 Dutch fields showed a much wider range of species, whereas in ears from 29 wheat crops in France, F. graminearum was the predominant species. The concentration of DON correlated equally well with the incidence of the DON-producing species F. culmorum and F. graminearum in the grain samples (r ²= 0.8232) as well as with total DNA of both these species (r ²= 0.8259). The Fusarium TaqMan technology is an important tool to quantify and monitor the dynamics of individual species of the complex causing FHB in cereals during the growing season. This versatile tool has been applied in a comparison of different genotypes, but can also be applied to other disease management systems, e.g. fungicide treatments.     

Changes in phosphine sorption in wheat after storage at two temperatures

BACKGROUND: Wheat can be stored for many months before being fumigated with phosphine to kill insects, so a study was undertaken to investigate whether the sorptive capacity of wheat changes as it ages. Wheat was stored at 15 or 25 °C and 55% RH for up to 5.5 months, and samples were fumigated at intervals to determine sorption. Sealed glass flasks (95% full) were injected with 1.5 mg L^?1 of phosphine based on flask volume. Concentrations were monitored for 11 days beginning 2 h after injection. Some wheat samples were refumigated after a period of ventilation. Several fumigations of wheat were conducted to determine the pattern of sorption during the first 24 h. RESULTS: Phosphine concentration declined exponentially with time from 2 h after injection. Rate of sorption decreased with time spent in storage at either 15 or 25 °C and 55% RH. Rate of sorption tended to be lower when wheat was refumigated, but this could be explained by time in storage rather than by refumigation per se. The data from the 24 h fumigations did not fit a simple exponential decay equation. Instead, there was a rapid decline in the first hour, with phosphine concentration falling much more slowly thereafter. CONCLUSIONS: The results have implications for phosphine fumigation of insects in stored wheat. Both the time wheat has spent in storage and the temperature at which it has been stored are factors that must be considered when trying to understand the impact of sorption on phosphine concentrations in commercial fumigations. Copyright © The state of Queensland (through the Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation) 2009. Published by John Wiley and Sons, Ltd.     

Suppressing aflatoxin biosynthesis is not a breakthrough if not useful

Liver‐affecting, carcinogenic aflatoxins produced by Aspergillus spp. are a major problem, especially in the humid developing world where storage conditions are often optimal for the fungi. Peanuts and maize have been transformed with RNAi constructs targeting Aspergillus flavus polyketide‐synthase, an early key enzyme in aflatoxin biosynthesis. Aflatoxin biosynthesis was suppressed in developing immature grain, less so in late maturing grain, and it is doubtful that the technology will be effective in near dry mature grain. The infected grain was still mouldy. As Aspergillus that infects grain preharvest can continue to grow and produce aflatoxin in poorly stored grain, and grain storage insects vector further infections, this technology seems to have little potential utility in the humid tropics. The biotechnological approaches of RNAi directly targeting Aspergillus, coupled with transgenic insecticidal proteins should be far more effective. These biotechnological approaches can be used in tandem with the RNAi against polyketide‐synthase, as well as with irradiation, biocontrol and better grain drying and hermetic dry storage in a controlled atmosphere. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry     

世界主要储粮书虱环介导等温扩增试剂盒研发与应用

为利用分子生物学技术快速准确鉴定国内外主要储粮书虱,基于环介导等温扩增 （loop-mediated isothermal amplification, LAMP）技术拟研发一款世界主要储粮书虱LAMP试剂盒,利用该LAMP试剂盒对10种储粮书虱的DNA粗提液进行测试,并结合DNA条形码技术对采自中国山东省和内蒙古自治区粮库的未知种类储粮书虱成虫样品进行鉴定。结果显示,本试验研发的LAMP试剂盒可准确鉴定10种储粮书虱;使用LAMP试剂盒和DNA条形码技术鉴定未知种储粮书虱样品的结果一致,即山东省储粮书虱样品为嗜虫书虱 Liposcelis entomophila,内蒙古自治区储粮书虱样品为啮书虱 L. corrodens,表明本试验研发的世界主要储粮书虱LAMP试剂盒可以快速、精准完成主要储粮书虱的鉴定,且操作便捷,可为海关口岸和基层仓储保护部门书虱鉴定工作提供技术支持。     

Extraction of allyl isothiocyanate from horseradish (Armoracia rusticana) and its fumigant insecticidal activity on four stored‐product pests of paddy

BACKGROUND: Isothiocyanates (ITCs) extracted from Armoracia rusticana Gaertn., May & Scherb. have been shown previously to have insecticidal activity. Allyl isothiocyanate (AITC), a major component of ITCs with high volatility, was therefore extracted using different methods and tested as a fumigant against four major pest species of stored products, maize weevil Sitophilus zeamais (Motsch.), lesser grain borer Rhizopertha dominica (F.), Tribolium ferrugineum (F.) and book louse Liposcelis entomophila (Enderlein). RESULTS: Whereas there was no significant difference between hydrodistillation and supercritical carbon dioxide fluid extraction in extraction rate for AITC from A. rusticana, both methods resulted in higher extraction efficiency than water extraction. AITC fumigation showed strong toxicity to the four species of stored‐product pests. Adult mortality of 100% of all four pest species, recorded after 72 h exposure to AITC fumes at an atmospheric concentration of 3 µg mL^?1, showed no significant difference from that of insects exposed to phosphine at 5 µg mL^?1, the recommended dose for phosphine. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest good insecticidal efficacy of AITC against the four stored‐product pests, with non‐gaseous residuals on stored products. AITC obtained from A. rusticana may be an alternative to phosphine and methyl bromide against the four pest species. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

A rapid high-pressure liquid chromatographic method for the determination of carbaryl residues in wheat grain

Carbaryl residues in wheat grain have been determined in methanol extracts using normal-phase high-pressure liquid chromatography (h. p. l. c.) with ultraviolet detection. A single-injection, clean-up and analysis technique was used to allow more rapid analysis of samples after extraction. A detection limit of 0.1 mg kg^?1 in a 50 g sample of wheat was achieved. Recoveries of 86% at the 1 mg kg^?1 level and 90-99% at the 5 mg kg^?1 level were obtained for fortified grain samples. Methanol was found to be a superior extractant for carbaryl from wheat when compared with hexane, acetone and dichloromethane. Twelve samples containing aged carbaryl residues were analysed by the h. p. l. c. technique and by a colorimetric procedure which allowed statistical analysis of errors. For the h. p. l. c. method (excluding sampling error), a relative standard deviation of 4.4% was obtained.     

Combinations of pirimiphos-methyl and carbaryl for stored grain protection

In laboratory experiments, whole wheat was treated with pirimiphos-methyl or carbaryl or combinations of these two insecticides; the treated grain was then adjusted to a 12% moisture content and stored at 25°C for bioassay at various intervals over a period of 39 weeks. Pirimiphos-methyl at 5.1 mg kg^?1 effectively controlled Sitophilus granarius (L.) and Tribolium confusum Jacquelin du Val but was ineffective against Rhyzopertha dominica (F.) CRD 118, a strain showing malathion resistance. Conversely, carbaryl at 6.5 mg kg^?1 (but not at 3.1 mg kg^?1) was effective against R. dominica, but ineffective against the other two species. A combination of pirimiphosmethyl + carbaryl, at 1.8 + 5.1 mg kg^?1, controlled S. granarius and R dominica but not T. confusum, whilst a 4.2 + 3.4 mg kg^?1 combination was relatively more effective against T. confusum but less so against R. dominica. In a separate experiment, whole wheat was treated with carbaryl at 2.5, 5.0 and 7.5 mg kg^?1 (nominal rates). Samples were stored and, at various times after the treatments, were bioassayed with R. dominica CRD 2, at 20, 25, 30 and 35°C. The results were comparable with those for the CRD 118 strain, but efficacy was reduced at higher temperatures. The combination of pirimiphos-methyl at 4–5 mg kg^?1 and carbaryl at 5–6 mg kg^?1 is suggested as a potentially useful grain protectant where R. dominica is a problem and long term storage is required. These results are discussed in relation to the protection of stored grain in Australia.     

Efficacy of vaporised ethyl formate/carbon dioxide formulation against stored‐grain insects: effect of fumigant concentration,exposure time and two grain temperatures

BACKGROUND: The ethyl formate/carbon dioxide (CO₂) formulation Vapormate? is a rapid‐acting fumigant being developed for the control of stored‐grain insects. The effects have been investigated of concentration, exposure times of 1, 3, 24 and 72 h and two grain temperatures, 15 and 25 °C, on its efficacy against mixed‐stage cultures of Sitophilus oryzae (L.) Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) and strongly phosphine‐resistant Rhyzopertha dominica (F.) strain QRD569. RESULTS: High mortalities (≥92%) of mixed‐stage cultures of all three species were obtained when grain was fumigated with the formulation (193 g m^?3 ethyl formate) for 1 h. Complete control of R. dominica QRD569 and T. castaneum was achieved with 63 and 76 g m^?3 ethyl formate respectively, with exposure for 24 h, whereas mean mortality of S. oryzae was 86% under the same conditions. Mortalities of S. oryzae juvenile stages were significantly lower than adults under the conditions tested, which was due to pronounced tolerance of mid‐stage pupae to the fumigant. Reducing grain temperature from 25 to 15 °C had no effect on insect mortality. CONCLUSION: Ethyl formate/CO₂ formulation is highly effective against stored‐grain insects over a range of concentrations and exposure times. Efficacious fumigations were conducted in as little as 1 h, and a strongly phosphine‐resistant R. dominica strain was readily controlled with the fumigant. Copyright © 2009 CSIRO, Australia. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd     

The behaviour of residues of benzoylprop-ethyl and its breakdown products in wheat

Samples of wheat grain and straw have been analysed from trials with the wild oat herbicide benzoylprop-ethyl ( I ) in several countries. Following recommended commercial treatments (application of 1.0–1.6 kg ha^?1 at Feekes growth stage G-J), total residues of I and its hydrolysis product N-benzoyl-N-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-DL - alanine (free and conjugated) were low and in the majority of instances they were < 0.01 mg kg^?1 in samples of grain from the UK, although rather higher residues were detected in some grain samples from other countries. Residues in straw were higher, but normally did not exceed 2 mg kg^?1, and were rather variable, possibly as a result of differences in agricultural practice.