氮磷减量与液体有机肥配施对膜下滴灌棉田土壤养分的影响

以新疆膜下滴灌棉田为试材,研究氮磷减量与液体有机肥配施对膜下滴灌棉田土壤养分的影响。试验设11个处理:(1)常规施肥(NP);(2)80%常规施肥(80%NP);(3)80%常规施肥+低量氨基酸有机肥(80%NP+LAA);(4)80%常规施肥+中量氨基酸有机肥(80%NP+MAA);(5)80%常规施肥+高量氨基酸有机肥(80%NP+HAA);(6)80%常规施肥+低量黄腐酸有机肥(80%NP+LFA);(7)80%常规施肥+中量黄腐酸有机肥(80%NP+MFA);(8)80%常规施肥+高量黄腐酸有机肥(80%NP+HFA);(9)80%常规施肥+低量沼液有机肥(80%NP+LBS);(10)80%常规施肥+中量沼液有机肥(80%NP+MBS);(11)80%常规施肥+高量沼液有机肥(80%NP+HBS);分别在蕾期、花期、成熟期采集0～20、20～40 cm土层土壤,测定土壤pH值、有机质、氮、磷、钾等有效养分含量。研究结果表明:(1)蕾期时,80%常规施肥配施高量黄腐酸、沼液有机肥显著降低了0～20 cm土层土壤pH值,并对提高土壤速效氮、速效磷含量效果最好。(2)花期时,80%常规施肥配施高量沼液有机肥对提高0～20 cm土层土壤有机质、速效磷含量效果最好。(3)成熟期时,80%常规施肥配施高量沼液有机肥对降低0～20 cm土层土壤pH值、提高土壤有机质含量效果最好。综上所述,新疆滴灌棉田应用80%常规施肥配施高量沼液有机肥效果最好,是新疆滴灌棉田提高土壤肥力和肥料利用率的有效途径。     

有机肥与化肥配施对土壤微生物、土质及骏枣果实品质的影响

以10年生骏枣树作为研究对象,采用田间试验方法,研究有机肥与化肥配施对骏枣园土壤细菌、真菌和放线菌数量,土壤呼吸速率、容重和p H值以及骏枣果实品质和叶果比等指标的影响。结果表明:随着复混肥中有机肥和化肥使用量的增加,土壤中细菌、真菌和放线菌数量均呈现逐渐上升趋势,其中增加有机肥促进土壤微生物群落数量提升的效应明显高于化肥。土壤呼吸速率也随着复混肥施用量的增加缓慢增高,T12(有机肥:8 kg·株~(-1);N:450 g·株~(-1);P:300 g·株~(-1);K:300 g·株~(-1))处理的土壤呼吸速率最大,其在果实膨大期和成熟期的土壤呼吸速率分别为3.03±0.02、2.24±0.02μmol·m~(-2)·s~(-1),比对照分别高71.0%、86.2%。随着复混肥中有机肥施用量的增加,土壤容重表现出下降趋势,其中T4(有机肥:8 kg·株~(-1);N:150 g·株~(-1);P:100 g·株~(-1);K:100g·株~(-1))处理的土壤容重最低,为1.36±0.02 g·cm~(-3),比对照低0.11 g·cm~(-3)。土壤有机质含量随着有机肥比例的增加而上升,随着化肥施用比例的增加而下降,随着有机肥施用比例的增加碱性土壤的p H值有逐渐下降的趋势,而化肥增施对碱性土壤p H值的影响不显著。有机肥与化肥不同配施对骏枣果实可溶性糖含量的影响均不显著,对可滴定酸含量和糖酸比均有一定程度的影响;果实Vc含量随着复混肥中有机肥和化肥施用量的增加而上升,各施肥处理的果实Vc含量均显著高于CK。骏枣叶果比随着复混肥施用量的增加呈现逐渐上升趋势,各处理中T3与T5和T6,T4与T7,T8与T9和T10处理之间均无显著差异。总之,合理配比的有机-无机复混肥的施用对干旱、半干旱地区红枣产业的可持续发展具有较大应用前途。     

培肥措施对侵蚀坡耕地春玉米产量与土壤养分的影响

针对宁南山区坡耕地土壤养分流失严重和作物产量较低的问题,通过剥离表层土壤0、10 cm和20 cm模拟不同侵蚀程度,研究单施化肥(NP)、有机无机配施(M+NP)和单施有机肥(M)、不施肥(CK)4个培肥措施对春玉米产量、耕层土壤有机质、碱解氮、土壤有效磷和土壤速效钾含量的影响,从而提出侵蚀坡耕地增产和培肥效果俱佳的施肥模式。结果表明,相对于CK处理,M和M+NP处理均能改善不同侵蚀程度下坡耕地春玉米的穗长、穗行数、穗粒数和百粒重等农学性状,达到增产目的。随着坡耕地土壤侵蚀程度的增加,春玉米的各产量构成因素和产量都出现显著降低趋势。相对于0 cm土层,表土剥离10 cm和20 cm侵蚀处理下春玉米分别显著减产了26.4%和38.5%。在同等侵蚀条件下,施肥措施能显著增加0~20 cm土壤碱解氮、有效磷和速效钾含量,而对土壤有机质含量影响不大;但随着土壤侵蚀程度的增加,土壤有机质和速效氮、磷、钾养分平均含量呈降低趋势。施用有机肥或有机无机配施还能降低土壤砂粒比例,提高粘粒含量,有效地改善土壤物理结构。     

新垦淡灰钙土微生物生物量碳、氮、磷及玉米产量的研究

通过设置在宁夏红寺堡灌区开垦4 a的淡灰钙土上的定位试验,研究了不同施肥对新垦淡灰钙土微生物生物量碳、氮、磷及玉米产量的影响。结果表明:各施肥处理可以明显提高土壤微生物生物量碳、氮、磷含量,不同处理相比,化肥配合羊粪效果最好,单施羊粪次之,单施化肥最低;与对照相比各施肥处理对玉米的增产效果极显著,各处理作用效果的排序为:氮磷 羊粪>氮磷锌钾>氮磷锌>氮磷>氮>羊粪>不施肥,氮磷 羊粪处理与单施氮肥和单施羊粪之间差异达极显著水平。化肥与有机肥羊粪配合施用既能显著增加土壤微生物生物量碳、氮、磷含量又能使玉米产量显著提高,因此是新垦淡灰钙土施肥的最佳选择。土壤微生物量碳与有机碳呈极显著正相关,与全氮呈显著正相关,表明其与土壤肥力关系密切,可作为评价新垦地土壤质量变化的生物学指标。     

灌淤土农田土壤有机碳及碳库管理指数对施肥措施的响应

为了探讨施肥对灌淤土水旱轮作农田土壤有机碳和碳库管理指数的影响特征,寻求合适的土壤增碳措施,在宁夏引黄灌区水稻-春小麦-春玉米轮作体系中,通过3 a田间定位试验研究了不施肥(CK)、平衡施用化肥(NPK)、单施有机肥(M)、化肥+有机肥配施(NPK+M)、化肥+玉米秸秆(NPK+S)和农民习惯施肥(CON)6个不同施肥措施对0~20 cm耕层土壤总有机碳、活性有机碳含量及碳库管理指数的影响。结果表明,在同等氮素供应水平下,无论水田或旱地,NPK、M、NPK+M和NPK+S处理都能达到土壤增碳效果,3年的土壤培肥后,其土壤总有机碳和活性有机碳含量分别达10.03~10.60 g·kg~(-1)和3.00~4.35 g·kg~(-1),与试验前(9.92 g·kg~(-1)和2.48g·kg~(-1))相比分别提高了1.2%~6.8%和20.8%~75.2%,M处理显著高于CK。施用有机肥3 a以上,才能显著提高土壤碳库、碳库活度、活度指数和碳库管理指数。因此,从土壤总有机碳及其活性组分提升的角度考虑,应在平衡施用NPK的基础上,提倡水旱轮作农田长期增施有机肥来提高土壤碳库管理指数。     

有机肥对酿酒葡萄土壤微生物、酶活性及产量的影响

为明确施用不同有机肥对土壤有机质、酶活性和微生物以及酿酒葡萄产量的影响,采用田间小区设计,以5 a生赤霞珠酿酒葡萄为试验材料,研究不同有机肥对土层0～20、20～40 cm和40～60 cm中土壤有机质、酶活性和微生物的影响。以不施用有机肥为对照(CK),设置沼渣(BR)、羊粪有机肥(SMOF)、牛粪有机肥(CMOF)、猪粪有机肥(PMOF)、牛粪+沼渣有机肥(CMOF+BR)5个处理进行大田试验。结果表明:不同有机肥施用后与CK相比,土壤有机质增加6.79%～44.97%,土壤微生物碳增加19.78%～91.53%,微生物氮增加2.22倍～3.93倍,碱性磷酸酶增加57.78%～512.55%,过氧化氢酶增加53.45%～240.48%,增产15.12%～46.89%。不同土层施用牛粪有机肥相对于其它有机肥处理土壤有机质含量增长8.49%～33.29%;土壤中微生物碳、氮的含量分别增加5.30%～42.46%和6.12%～49.65%;碱性磷酸酶增大8.01%～184.63%,过氧化氢酶增加5.14%～84.27%,脲酶提高25.58%～410.70%,蔗糖酶升高6.00%～107.65%;微生物总数增多5.99%～56.56%。施用牛粪有机肥相比较其它有机肥增产7.08%～27.60%。说明在宁夏地区施用有机肥可有效提高土壤有机质的含量,增加微生物的数量,增加土壤酶活性,促进酿酒葡萄的生长发育,提高产量,其中以牛粪效果最为显著。     

不同生物有机肥用量对棉花黄萎病防治的生物效应

通过盆栽试验,研究了不同有机质含量的土壤中施用不同用量生物有机肥对棉花黄萎病的发病率和病情指数、植株干重、土壤微生物数量及微生物量的影响。结果表明:随着施用量的增加,不同有机质含量的植株干重和土壤微生物量也在的增加,而土壤微生物数量则呈现先上升后下降的趋势。其中高有机质含量的土壤中施用10~20 g/kg生物有机肥处理最大,中、低有机质含量的土壤中施用20~30 g/kg最高。施用生物有机肥能显著降低棉花黄萎病病情指数,且防治效果在21.7%~75.0%之间。其中高有机质含量的土壤施用20 g/kg防病效果最高,为52.6%;中、低有机质含量的土壤施用30 g/kg效果最高,分别为75.0%、55.0%。总之,科学合理的施肥,不仅能够更好地使土壤微生物区系向健康、合理的方向发展,而且最大程度上降低棉花病情,为棉花生长提供良好的保障。     

不同比例羊粪与化肥配施对土壤质量及甜菜含糖率和效益的影响

为了解决长期施用化肥导致土壤质量下降,甜菜产量低,品质差的问题,在甘肃省张掖市甘州区明永镇甜菜种植基地,采用田间试验方法,连续3 a进行了不同比例羊粪与化肥配施对土壤质量及甜菜含糖率和效益影响的研究。结果表明:施用100%羊粪比其他处理有利于改善土壤质量,提高甜菜含糖率,与100%化肥比较,土壤容重、pH值和全盐降低10.45%、15.14%和15.35%,孔隙度和团聚体增加5.29和5.81个百分点,总持水量、CEC、有机质、有机碳和有机碳密度增加10.69%、16.85%、29.90%、29.93%和16.33%,蔗糖酶、脲酶、磷酸酶和多酚氧化酶活性增加18.93%、27.27%、21.74%和17.95%,甜菜含糖率增加2.74个百分点;施用100%化肥比其他处理有利于提高土壤全盐和氮磷钾含量,与100%羊粪比较,全盐含量提高18.14%,碱解氮、速效磷和速效钾含量提高1.23、1.78倍和1.22倍;施用50%羊粪+50%化肥比其他处理更有利于提高甜菜产量和经济效益,与100%化肥比较,甜菜叶丛高度、根体长度、根直径、单株根重、根产量、施肥利润和肥料投资效率增加6.40%、8.75%、19.00%、6.96%、5.33%、0.10万元·hm~(-2)和0.02元·元~(-1)。     

菌肥与有机肥配施对拱棚西瓜土壤的改良效果

针对宁夏半干旱农区地力薄弱、西瓜连作土壤障碍等问题,通过田间试验和室内分析,研究了不同有机肥和菌肥配施对拱棚西瓜土壤质量的影响。结果表明:有机肥配施菌肥有利于降低耕层土壤容重,增加田间持水量,改善土壤孔隙状况,并显著降低土壤p H值,尤其生物有机肥配施菌肥和豆饼粉配施菌肥使表层土壤的p H比CK分别下降5.66%~9.45%和2.24%~2.54%。施用生物有机肥能显著增加土壤有机质和速效氮磷钾含量,相应提高土壤水溶性盐含量,表层土壤中养分平均增幅为有机质84.98%,碱解氮68.05%,速效磷586.11%和速效钾80.11%。施用有机肥和菌肥能显著提高土壤脲酶、蔗糖酶、碱性磷酸酶和过氧化氢酶的活性,其中生物有机肥配施菌肥的表层土壤分别提高了180.00%~220.00%、467.80~703.39%、190.91~245.45%和18.46%~21.80%,豆饼粉配施菌肥分别提高90.00%~150.00%、154.24%~174.58%、0.00%~163.64%和19.30%~20.97%。有机肥配施菌肥有利于增加土壤细菌和放线菌数量,降低真菌数量,生物有机肥配施菌肥和豆饼粉配施菌肥的表层土壤细菌数量增幅分别为303.92%~339.23%和135.29%~203.92%,放线菌增幅分别为225.00%~270.00%和30.00%~92.50%,真菌降幅分别为54.12%~56.47%和44.71%~45.88%。通过比较,各施肥处理以生物有机肥配施解淀粉芽孢杆菌为改良培肥瓜田土壤的最优配施方案。     

长期不同施肥对土碳氮含量的影响

以长期定位试验为对象,研究了冬小麦-夏玉米轮作制度下,不同施肥处理对塿土碳、氮含量的影响。结果表明:不论是单独使用有机肥、单独施用化肥,还是有机肥配合化肥施用,都可以显著地提高土壤有机碳和全氮含量;其中,有机肥配合化肥施用的效果最明显;有机肥配合化肥施用以及单独施用高量有机肥可以明显地提高土壤碱解氮含量,单独低量施用有机肥处理和单独施用高量化肥处理基本维持土壤碱解氮含量没有明显变化,而单独施用低量化肥处理和不施肥处理(CK)使土壤碱解氮含量明显有所降低;长期有机肥配合化肥施用,可以使土壤C/N增加;农田生态系统对土壤肥力具有较强的保护作用。     

Dermestid beetles in ‘evolution Canyon’, lower Nahal Oren, Mt. Carmel, including new records for Israel

Fifteen species of dermestid beetles were recorded at ‘Evolution Canyon’ (EC), Lower Nahal Oren, Mt. Carmel, Israel. They represent ~35% of known Israeli dermestid species. The following three species were recorded for the first time in Israel:Trogoderma svriaca Dalla Torre, 1911;Ctesias svriaca Ganglbauer, 1904; andAnthrenus (s.str.) jordaniens Pic, 1934. Adults of 13 species were collected on the more solar radiated, warmer and climatically more fluctuating south-facing slope (SFS); ten species were collected on the opposite, north-facing slope (NFS), which was cooler and climatically more stable. The abundance of adult dermestid beetles was 1.9 times higher on the SFS than on the NFS (86 and 47, respectively). Species richness and abundance distribution at EC (three collecting stations on each slope and one at the valley bottom) were significantly negatively correlated with the plant cover that consisted of trees and bushes (Spearmanr _s ,P=0.007 and 0.039, respectively) and perennials (Spearmanr _s ,P=0.039 and 0.077, respectively), indicating that non-woody plants were preferred by adult dermestid beetles.     

Hymenopteran Parasitoids on Fruit-infesting Tephritidae (Diptera) in Latin America and the Southern United States: Diversity, Distribution, Taxonomic Status and their use in Fruit Fly Biological Control

We first discuss the diversity of fruit fly (Diptera: Tephritidae) parasitoids (Hymenoptera) of the Neotropics. Even though the emphasis is on Anastrepha parasitoids, we also review all the information available on parasitoids attacking flies in the genera Ceratitis, Rhagoletis, Rhagoletotrypeta, Toxotrypana and Zonosemata. We center our analysis in parasitoid guilds, parasitoid assemblage size and fly host profiles. We also discuss distribution patterns and the taxonomic status of all known Anastrepha parasitoids. We follow by providing a historical overview of biological control of pestiferous tephritids in Latin American and Florida (U.S.A.) and by analyzing the success or failure of classical and augmentative biological control programs implemented to date in these regions. We also discuss the lack of success of introductions of exotic fruit fly parasitoids in various Latin American countries. We finish by discussing the most pressing needs related to fruit fly biological control (classical, augmentative, and conservation modalities) in areas of the Neotropics where fruit fly populations severely restrict the development of commercial fruit growing. We also address the need for much more intensive research on the bioecology of native fruit fly parasitoids.     

Diagnostics,genetic diversity and pathogenic variation of ascochyta blight of cool season food and feed legumes

Molecular diagnostic techniques have been developed to differentiate the Ascochyta pathogens that infect cool season food and feed legumes, as well as to improve the sensitivity of detecting latent infection in plant tissues. A seed sampling technique was developed to detect a 1% level of infection by Ascochyta rabiei in commercial chickpea seed. The Ascochyta pathogens were shown to be genetically diverse in countries where the pathogen and host have coexisted for a long time. However, where the pathogen was recently introduced, such as A. rabiei to Australia, the level of diversity remained relatively low, even as the pathogen spread to all chickpea-growing areas. Pathogenic variability of A. rabiei and Ascochyta pinodes pathogens in chickpea and field pea respectively, appears to be quantitative, where measures of disease severity were based on aggressiveness (quantitative level of infection) rather than on true qualitative virulence. In contrast, qualitative differences in pathogenicity in lentil and faba bean genotypes indicated the existence of pathotypes of Ascochyta lentis and Ascochyta fabae. Therefore, reports of pathotype discrimination based on quantitative differences in pathogenicity in a set of specific genotypes is questionable for several of the ascochyta-legume pathosystems such as A. rabiei and A. pinodes. This is not surprising since host resistance to these pathogens has been reported to be mainly quantitative, making it difficult for the pathogen to overcome specific resistance genes and form pathotypes. For robust pathogenicity assessment, there needs to be consistency in selection of differential host genotypes, screening conditions and disease evaluation techniques for each of the Ascochyta sp. in legume-growing countries throughout the world. Nevertheless, knowledge of pathotype diversity and aggressiveness within populations is important in the selection of resistant genotypes.     

Epidemiology of Toxigenic Fungi and their Associated Mycotoxins for Some Mediterranean Crops

Recent data on the epidemiology of the common mycotoxigenic species of Fusarium, Alternaria, Aspergillus and Penicillium in infected or colonized plants, and in stored or processed plant products from the Mediterranean area are reviewed. Emphasis is placed on the toxigenicity of the causal fungal species and the natural occurrence of well known mycotoxins (aflatoxins, ochratoxins, fumonisins, trichothecenes, zearalenone, patulin, Alternaria-toxins and moniliformin), as well as some more recently described compounds (fusaproliferin, beauvericin) whose toxigenic potential is not yet well understood. Several Fusarium species reported from throughout the Mediterranean area are responsible of the formation of mycotoxins in infected plants and in plant products, including: Fusarium graminearum, F. culmorum, F. cerealis, F. avenaceum, F. sporotrichioides and F. poae, which produce deoxynivalenol, nivalenol, fusarenone, zearalenone, moniliformin, and T-2 toxin derivatives in wheat and other small grains affected by head blight or scab, and in maize affected by red ear rot. Moreover, strains of F. verticillioides, F. proliferatum, and F. subglutinans, that form fumonisins, beauvericin, fusaproliferin, and moniliformin, are commonly associated with maize affected by ear rot. Fumonisins, were also associated with Fusarium crown and root rot of asparagus and Fusarium endosepsis of figs, caused primarily by F. proliferatum. Toxigenic A. alternata strains and associated tenuazonic acid and alternariols were commonly found in black mould of tomato, black rot of olive and citrus, black point of small cereals, and black mould of several vegetables. Toxigenic strains of A. carbonarius and ochratoxin A were often found associated with black rot of grapes, whereas toxigenic strains of A. flavus and/or P. verrucosum, forming aflatoxins and ochratoxin A, respectively, were found in moulded plant products from small cereals, peanuts, figs, pea, oilseed rape, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, pistachios, and almonds. Finally, toxigenic strains of P. expansum and patulin were frequently found in apple, pear and other fresh fruits affected by blue mould rot, as well as in derived juices and jams.     

Brief Guide for Authors

正Journal of Arid Land(JAL)is an international journal(ISSN 1674-6767;CN 65-1278/K)for the natural sciences,sponsored by the Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography,Chinese Academy of Sciences and Science Press.It is published by Science Press and Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg bimonthly.JAL publishes original,innovative,and integrative research from arid and semiarid regions,ad     

A survey of the genera of<Emphasis Type="Italic">Microgaster</Emphasis> latreille and<Emphasis Type="Italic">Hygroplitis</Emphasis> thomson (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Microgastrinae) from China

The genera ofMicrogaster Latreille 1804 andHygroplitis Thomson 1895 from China are presented systematically in this paper. Thirty-two species ofMicrogaster and three species ofHygroplitis are known in China. Diagnosis, character variation, distribution and host of each species among the two genera are presented, including its host and distribution. Keys to the species ofMicrogaster andHygroplitis are given. http://www.phytoparasitica.org posting Dec. 19, 2006.     

Plant Viruses Transmitted by Whiteflies

One-hundred and fourteen virus species are transmitted by whiteflies (family Aleyrodidae). Bemisia tabaci transmits 111 of these species while Trialeurodes vaporariorum and T. abutilonia transmit three species each. B. tabaci and T. vaporariorum are present in the European–Mediterranean region, though the former is restricted in its distribution. Of the whitefly-transmitted virus species, 90% belong to the Begomovirus genus, 6% to the Crinivirus genus and the remaining 4% are in the Closterovirus, Ipomovirus or Carlavirus genera. Other named, whitefly-transmitted viruses that have not yet been ranked as species are also documented. The names, abbreviations and synonyms of the whitefly-transmitted viruses are presented in tabulated form together with details of their whitefly vectors, natural hosts and distribution. Entries are also annotated with references. Whitefly-transmitted viruses affecting plants in the European–Mediterranean region have been highlighted in the text.     

The parasitoid complex ofLiriomyza cicerina on chickpea (Cicer arietinum)

Liriomyza cicerina (Diptera: Agromyzidae) is an important pest on chickpea in Turkey. The objective of this study was to determine the parasitoids and rates of parasitism ofL. cicerina on chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) during the 2005 and 2006 seasons in ?anl?urfa province, Turkey. Leaves with mines were sampled weekly and kept in the laboratory to observe and count emerging leafminer and parasitoid adults. Eight parasitoid species were collected: the braconidsOpius monilicornis Fischer andOpius tersus Foerster and the eulophidsDiaulinopsis arenaria (Erdös) andNeochrysocharis formosa (Westwood), which occurred in both the winter and summer seasons;Diglyphus crassinervis Erdös,Neochrysocharis ambitiosa Hansson,Neochrysocharis sericea (Erdös) andPediobius metallicus (Nees), which occurred only in the summer growing areas.Diaulinopsis arenaria was the predominant parasitoid with 4–7.7% parasitism rate whileN. ambitiosa andO. monilicornis were the second and third most predominant species. The results of these trials show that sinceDia. arenaria occurred throughout every season, it could potentially be used for control of the leafminerL. cicerina.     

Plant–herbivore asynchrony necessitates augmentative releases of the exotic beetle,Zygogramma bicolorata,to enhance the biological control of P arthenium hysterophorus

Systematic information on the quantitative impact of Z ygogramma bicolorata on the biology of P arthenium hysterophorus is crucial as the seeds of this weed continue to germinate from the accumulated soil seed bank throughout the year in the form of different germinating flushes, while the activity of the beetle ceases during winter as it enters diapause. Therefore, plant–herbivore interactions need to be explored to develop predictions of the overall impact of the introduced beetle on the weed. The findings revealed that defoliation by Z . bicolorata had a significant impact on the plant height, density and flower production in flushes F ₃, F ₄ and F ₅, but not in F ₁ and F ₂ that exhibited longer periodicity, profuse branching, a longer flowering period and maximum flower production and contributed mostly to the existing seed soil bank. Therefore, total depletion of the existing soil seed bank was not possible. Consequently, the effect of augmentative field releases of laboratory‐reared beetles was explored on F ₁ and F ₂ in February for three consecutive years (2011–2013). Before initiating the trial, random soil samples were taken from the plots that were assigned to the paired treatments (i.e. with the beetle and without the beetle [insecticide‐treated]) and it was found that the seed bank in those samples did not differ. The single release of Z . bicolorata adults at five per plant at the six‐leaf stage significantly reduced the soil seed bank, compared to without the biocontrol agent, irrespective of the flushes at the end of the season.     

The use of Solacol® (validamycin) as a growth retardant in the isolation of soil fungi

Solacol^®, a formulation of the antibiotic validamycin, at 0.33% in 2% malt extract agar, reduced the spread of fungi on dilution plates drastically and allowed twice as much incubation time before subculturing; this resulted in an elevated number of species isolated. Using pure cultures of 62 common soil fungi, it was shown that all fast-growing species (exceptPythium ultimum) were efficiently inhibited but not completely suppressed. Inhibition was comparable to that by 0.5% oxgall, though, while this substance completely suppressed several species, Solacol very strongly inhibited onlyGaeumannomyces graminis, Gerlachia nivalis, Harzia acremonioides, Verticillium biguttatum andRhizoctonia solani. In a further experiment each separate constituent of Solacol was tested against 22 fungi at equivalent concentrations. Validamycin strongly inhibitedChaetomium globosum and two Basidiomycetes, though hardly more than the non-ionic detergent which mainly inhibited the other fungi. A few species were, however, more inhibited by Solacol than by the detergent alone. Solacol at 0.33% is a suitable aid in dilution plating of soil fungi, by increasing the number of colonies and species observed.Samenvatting Solacol^®, een formulering van het antibioticum validamycine, remde de groei van schimmels in verdunningsplaten met een concentratie van 0.33% in 2% moutagar en maakte het mogelijk de periode tot afenten met een factor 2 te verlengen; daardoor was het aantal geïsoleerde soorten duidelijk toegenomen. Met reincultures van 62 algemene grondschimmelsoorten werd aangetoond, dat alle snelgroeiende soorten (met uitzondering vanPythium ultimum) voldoende geremd, maar niet volkomen onderdrukt werden. Het remmingspercentage was vergelijkbaar met dat van 0.5% ossegal, hoewel dit laatste sommige soorten volkomen onderdrukte; Solacol remde alleenGaeumannomyces graminis, Gerlachia nivalis, Harzia acremonioides, Verticillium biguttatum enRhizoctonia solani zeer sterk. In een volgend experiment werden de componenten van Solacol t.o.v. 22 fungi apart getoetst in concentraties equivalent aan 0.33% Solacol. Validamycine remde alleenChaetomium globosum en twee basidiomyceten behoorlijk, maar nauwelijks meer dan de niet-ionische uitvloeier, die in hoofdzaak de overige remeffecten veroorzaakte. Enkele soorten werden echter door het complete Solacol veel sterker geremd dan door de uitvloeier alleen. Solacol in een verdunning van 0,33% wordt aanbevolen bij verdunningsplaten voor het isoleren van grondschimmels ten einde het aantal kolonies en soorten te verhogen.