Mating and dispersal behaviour of Scirpophaga incertulas and Chilo suppressalis (Lepidoptera; Pyralidae) in relation to resistance management for rice transformed with Bacillus thuringiensis toxin genes

Information on the mating and dispersal behaviour of the rice stem borers Scirpophaga incertulas and Chilo suppressalis is necessary for the design of resistance management strategies for rice varieties genetically engineered with toxin genes from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt). We investigated whether S. incertulas and C. suppressalis move from the site of adult eclosion before mating to determine the likelihood that random mating will occur between adults eclosing in fields of Bt rice and refuge fields of non-Bt rice. Observations were made under laboratory, screenhouse and field conditions. Almost all S. incertulas males and females flew out of sight after cuticle expansion and hardening, as did most C. suppressalis. Approximately 15% of C. suppressalis females called and mated within 3?m of the site of eclosion, and approximately 5% of C. suppressalis males mated within 5?m of the site of eclosion. These results suggest that random mating is likely to occur between S. incertulas eclosing in Bt rice fields and nearby refuge fields. Although a small proportion of C. suppressalis did not move far before mating, random mating of moths from Bt and nearby refuge fields is also likely to occur in this species if Bt-resistant moths are rare.     

Toxicity and selective mechanism of imazamox by weedy rice and imidazolinone-resistant rice in China

Weedy rice (Oryza spp.) is a notorious weed in direct-seeding paddy fields. Because it has anatomical and physiological traits similar to those of cultivated rice, no selective herbicide is effective in controlling weedy rice growing among conventional rice cultivars. Imidazolinone (IMI)-resistant rice lines JD372 and JJ818 have been planted with imazamox to control weedy rice in Jiangsu and Shanghai, China. Whole-plant dose–response analysis showed that imazamox exhibited high efficacy against three populations of weedy rice. The ED₉₀ of weedy rice populations FN-5, GY-8, and HY-3 were 46.87, 61.43, and 52.17 g a.i. ha⁻¹, respectively, close to the recommended field dose (50 g a.i. ha⁻¹) of imazamox. Conversely, the ED₁₀ values of JD372 and JJ818 were slightly lower than 50 g a.i. ha⁻¹. These findings indicate that imazamox can control weedy rice production in JD372 and JJ818 fields. The acetolactate synthase (ALS) sensitivity of JD372 in vitro was 1714.89-fold lower to imazamox than was that of FN-5. ALS gene sequencing revealed a Ser653Asn point mutation—a common mutation that confers resistance to IMI herbicides in JD372. In addition, higher ALS expression levels in JD372 were found at 24 and 72 h after imazamox treatment. ALS overexpression might partially compensate for the ALS activity of JD372 that was suppressed by imazamox.     

Control of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Verticillium dahliae</Emphasis> at a strawberry nursery by paddy-upland rotation

Effects of crop rotation between rice paddy fields and strawberry nurseries on the control of Verticillium wilt of strawberry were studied. For detecting Verticillium dahliae, the causal agent of Verticillium wilt, in soil, eggplant was used as an indicator plant. We were thus able to detect as low as 1 microsclerotium/g dry soil. In field surveys of Chiba and Hokkaido from 2000 to 2003, V. dahliae was detected in 9 of 10 upland fields but in none of 21 paddy-upland fields. In Hokkaido during 2000–2007, strawberry mother plants were planted, and plantlets were produced in upland and paddy-upland fields to assess V. dahliae infestation. Verticillium wilt of strawberry had never occurred in 72 tested paddy-upland fields, compared to 13.2–73.9% of plantlets infected with V. dahliae in upland fields. In a pot experiment in a greenhouse, two flooding treatments or two paddy rice cultivations suppressed Verticillium wilt symptoms on eggplant. In field experiments, one paddy rice cultivation in Chiba and two in Hokkaido prevented development of Verticillium wilt symptoms on eggplant. Verticillium wilt of strawberry was controlled completely with one paddy rice cultivation in infested fields in Chiba. In these field experiments, the number of microsclerotia of V. dahliae decreased under the flooding conditions for paddy rice cultivation. Based on the reduction in microsclerotia, a crop rotation system with paddy rice for 3 years (three times), green manure for 1 year, and strawberry nursery for 1 year was designed for Hokkaido.     

湖南水稻白翅叶蝉的研究

白翅叶蝉Erythroneura subrufa(Motschulsky)成虫与若虫均以刺吸口器刺进水稻叶片组织内吸取叶汁和叶绿素,被害初期,叶片上出现零星小白点,随后出现长短不一的点状白色斑条,受害严重的稻叶上满布白色斑纹,叶绿素丧失,叶片干萎。在稻叶蝉中除一点小叶蝉被害状出现小白点外,其他叶蝉为害水稻时,并不直接破坏叶绿素,亦不呈现白色斑纹,而是直接吸食叶液,使禾苗发黄而死。因而纠正了过去认为黑尾叶蝉、白翅叶蝉为害水稻后,都会造成叶片出现白色或褐色斑纹的报道。白翅叶蝉在湖南一年发生三代,在晚稻收割后以成虫迁向麦田、杂草等场所越冬,因其寿命很长,故长期不同世代交错。白翅叶蝉除为害水稻外,在初冬与早春还为害冬小麦。近年在湖南及我国南方部分稻区有回升趋势。     

Resistance Mechanism of Propanil-Resistant Barnyardgrass: II. In-vivo Metabolism of the Propanil Molecule

Propanil-resistant barnyardgrass populations, previously verified in Arkansas rice fields and in greenhouse tests, were examined in the laboratory to ascertain if the resistance mechanism in this weed biotype was herbicide metabolism. Propanil-resistant barnyardgrass was controlled >95% in the greenhouse when carbaryl (an aryl acylamidase inhibitor) was applied two days prior to propanil. Laboratory studies with ¹⁴C-radiolabelled propanil indicated that the herbicide was hydrolysed in propanil-resistant barnyardgrass and rice to form 3,4-dichloroaniline, but no detectable hydrolysis occurred in susceptible barnyardgrass. Two additional polar metabolites were detected in propanil-resistant barnyardgrass and rice and tentatively identified by thin layer chromatography. Overall, metabolites in the resistant barnyardgrass had R_f values similar to those in rice, indicating similar metabolism for both species. These data, coupled with data from a previous report on the resistant biotype showing no differential absorption/translocation or molecular modification of the herbicide binding site in the resistant biotype, indicate that the resistance mechanism is metabolic degradation of propanil. © of SCI.     

Frequency and distribution of herbicide resistance in Raphanus raphanistrum populations randomly collected across the Western Australian wheatbelt

In 2003, a random survey was conducted across the Western Australian wheatbelt to establish the extent and frequency of herbicide resistance in Raphanus raphanistrum populations infesting crop fields. Five hundred cropping fields were visited, with 90 R. raphanistrum populations collected, representative of populations present in crop fields throughout the Western Australian wheatbelt. Collected populations were screened with four herbicides of various modes of action that are commonly used for the control of this weed. The majority of Western Australian R. raphanistrum populations were found to contain plants resistant to the acetolactate synthase (ALS)‐inhibiting herbicide chlorsulfuron (54%) and auxin analogue herbicide, 2,4‐D amine (60%). This survey also determined that over half (58%) of these populations were multiple resistant across at least two of the four herbicide modes of action used in the screening. Only 17% of R. raphanistrum populations have retained their initial status of susceptibility to all four herbicides. The distribution patterns of the herbicide‐resistant populations identified that there were higher frequencies of resistant and developing resistance populations occurring in the intensively cropped northern regions of the wheatbelt. These results clearly indicate that the reliance on herbicidal weed control in cropping systems based on reduced tillage and stubble retention will lead to higher frequencies of herbicide‐resistant weed populations. Therefore, within intensive crop production systems, there is a need to diversify weed management strategies and not rely entirely on too few herbicide control options.     

Pink‐awned weedy rice (Oryza sativa): a potential conduit for gene exchange in rice agro‐ecosystems

Hybridisation between genetically distinct lineages results in increases in overall genetic diversity and is a potential mechanism for the origin and spread of adaptive alleles. Weed and crop hybridisation may result in weedy ecotypes, which have, in addition to classic weedy traits such as seed shattering and long seed dormancy, crop traits that enhance weediness, such as adaptation to field cultivation and harvest strategies. Weedy rice (Oryza sativa) hybridises with cultivated rice and, in the process, may produce new (pink‐awned) weedy rice varieties. Pink‐awned (PA) weedy rice plants have been observed in rice fields in Arkansas. We explored the genetic relationships between PA weedy rice, crop rice, global rice accessions and other weedy rice ecotypes present in the southern United States. Gene sequencing of 48 sequence‐tagged sites (STS loci) revealed a pattern of hybridisation and gene flow between blackhull weedy rice and tropical japonica rice (O. sativa subsp. japonica) cultivars. Our data suggest that PA rice originates from hybridisation between blackhull weedy rice and tropical japonica rice. PA rice offspring segregate phenotypic traits associated with weediness in rice. This segregation could lead to adaptive allele combinations in PA rice, which could potentially move into other weedy rice types through subsequent hybridisation events.     

Expansion of Leptochloa fusca ssp. uninervia and Leptochloa fusca ssp. fascicularis in rice fields in Valencia,eastern Spain

Due to the rapid spread of two subspecies of Leptochloa fusca through the Valencia rice‐growing region in the east of Spain, a 3‐year field study was carried out to establish the frequency, distribution and infestation level of the two subspecies in rice paddies in the area. A total of 3650 fields were visited, of which 1235 were visited in each year of the study period. Leptochloa fusca ssp. uninervia and Leptochloa fusca ssp. fascicularis were found to be widely distributed in the area, increasing from a frequency of 5.3% in 2008 to 20.1% in 2010. Leptochloa fusca ssp. uninervia was the largest contributor to the infestations, but subspecies fascicularis is now on the increase and represents a serious threat to rice crops, as it is found within the rice fields themselves. The irrigation system and the farm machinery used in the rice fields also contribute to the rapid spread of these weeds. Severe infestations have been caused by periodic water shortages, and the fact that new herbicides used to control Echinochloa spp. do not affect Leptochloa subspecies. Spatial differences in the distributions of the two subspecies are attributed to the different water management systems and also to differences in the germination and dormancy of both subspecies.     

辽宁省稻田野慈姑对苄嘧磺隆的抗药性

为明确辽宁省不同稻田区野慈姑对苄嘧磺隆的抗性水平,整株测定了辽宁省大石桥(种群R1)、海城(种群R2)、苏家屯(种群R3)和开原(种群R4)共4个水稻产区野慈姑对苄嘧磺隆的抗性水平,并离体测定了各种群叶片体内乙酰乳酸合成酶(ALS)对苄嘧磺隆的敏感性。结果显示,种群R1和R2的抗药性相对较高,抗性指数分别为76.99和49.94,种群R3和R4抗性相对较低,抗性指数分别为12.48和16.91;离体测定结果表明较高水平的ALS活性可能与是否产生抗药性无关,种群R1、R2、R3、R4的抗性指数分别为81.86、67.48、10.56、24.86;抗药性程度依次为R1R2R4R3。表明4个水稻产区野慈姑对苄嘧磺隆均产生了抗药性,而其体内ALS活性降低可能是产生抗药性的原因之一。     

Population dynamics of Apodemus agrarius Pallas and its economic threshold in the paddy region

Abstract

Investigations were conducted in the double or middle season paddy regions from 1988 to 1990; main results showed that the population of Apodemus agrarius reached maximal reproductive rate between April and May, and between September and October each year. Their maximal population size occurred in July and between October and November each year. At different stages of the rice, mouse density (X) was significantly related to loss rate of the rice (Y). Studies on imitation mouse damage on rice indicated that the rice, damaged by the mice in tillering stage, possessed a certain capacity for compensation. When the mouse damage rate approached yield loss rate in the booting or spiked stage the rice plant lost this compensatory capacity. It will be seen from the above that early spring is the most available, feasible time for mice control. Under the current production level the economic thresholds of mouse density are 3% in spring, 5% for early and middle‐season rice and 7% for later rice.     

Susceptibility to imazamox in Italian weedy rice populations and Clearfield® rice varieties

The introduction of imidazolinone‐tolerant rice varieties has made selective Oryza sativa (weedy rice) control possible. We hypothesised that Italian weedy rice populations have variable degrees of susceptibility to imazamox prior to imidazolinone‐tolerant variety introduction. To this end, 149 Italian weedy rice populations collected from fields never before cultivated with imidazolinone‐tolerant varieties were tested in a glasshouse‐based, whole‐plant response screening study. Imazamox was applied to all populations post‐emergence at a rate of 70 g a.i. ha^?1, resulting in 70–90% shoot biomass reduction in the majority of cases. The results prompted a second study of the seedling dose response of four weedy rice populations from the initial study group. Three imidazolinone‐tolerant and one conventional rice variety were also included. The seedling roots were cut six days after germination and exposed to different concentrations of imazamox. The root regrowth associated with each concentration‐exposure was then measured. Imazamox concentrations to inhibit weedy rice root growth by 50% varied by about two orders of magnitude, or between 0.0018 and 0.12 mm . Even with this result, imidazolinone‐tolerant varieties were at least 31.8 times less susceptible than weedy rice populations, suggesting that Italian weedy rice populations were not tolerant to imazamox before introduction of these varieties.     

云南野生稻和地方稻资源抗白叶枯病分析

为鉴定云南稻种质资源对水稻白叶枯病的抗性情况,于孕穗期采用剪叶接种方法,用水稻白叶枯病强致病型代表菌株BD8438、CN9404和X1接种云南野生稻和地方稻种质资源,以病斑长度大于6 cm为感病分界线,对其抗感表现型进行调查分析。结果显示,共鉴定出来源于云南省不同种植生态区的186份地方稻抗性材料和22个野生稻抗病居群。野生稻对水稻白叶枯病的抗病能力较地方稻强,其中疣粒野生稻的抗性最强,抗病等级为0~2;药用野生稻次之,抗病等级为1~2;普通野生稻相对较差,抗病等级为1~5。地方稻抗性资源来自于云南省各个传统水稻种植区,抗性1级的材料占17%,抗性2级的占2%,抗性3级的占81%;按照稻种质资源亚种类型、粘糯性和水旱性分类,各类型地方稻抗性材料所占比例分别为粳稻占61%、籼稻占39%;粘稻占66%、糯稻占34%;水稻占83%、陆稻占17%。从利用抗白叶枯病基因培育新品种的角度评价,这些抗性资源具有潜在的发掘利用价值。     

Prevalence and diversity of plant parasitic nematodes in Northern Ireland grassland and cereals,and the influence of soils and rainfall

The prevalence and diversity of plant parasitic nematodes in Northern Ireland cereal and grassland was determined from 191 agricultural fields. A total of 18 nematode genera were detected, including economically important pests, Meloidogyne spp., Heterodera spp. and Pratylenchus spp., each of which were above economic damage thresholds in a significant proportion of the sites (92.4%, 70% and 28.6%, respectively). The detection of the root knot nematode, Meloidogyne minor (6% prevalence), was significant given its recent emergence across the turf grass sector and the prospect of M. minor becoming a common agricultural pest. Analyses of nematode prevalence and abundance highlighted significant associations with grass and cereals, soil types, soil grade (proxy for soil quality) and rainfall levels. Specifically, nematode populations varied between the two major soils (brown earths and gleys), while significant trends for increased nematode diversity and greater prevalence of both Meloidogyne and Pratylenchus with increasing rainfall were also observed. Multivariate analyses were performed to determine interactive effects and the relative importance of the factors affecting nematode populations. Notably, rainfall, in combination with either crop type or soil grade, had a significant effect on nematode abundance and diversity. The findings suggest significant changes in nematode populations have occurred over the last several decades and the possibility that these are linked to changing climate and cropping practices are discussed, as well as future concerns for plant parasitic nematode management.     

Simple sequence repeat analysis of genetic diversity among Acetyl‐CoA carboxylase inhibitor‐resistant and ‐susceptible Echinochloa crus‐galli and E. oryzicola populations in Korea

Echinochloa species are amongst the most problematic weeds in rice fields of Korea. The steady reliance on the Acetyl‐CoA carboxylase (ACCase) and acetolactate synthase inhibiting herbicides for control of these weeds has led to resistance to these herbicides. The objective of this study was to assess the genetic diversity among populations of ACCase inhibitor‐resistant and ‐susceptible Echinochloa crus‐galli and E. oryzicola in Korea, to better understand their population structure and possible origins of resistance. Seven simple sequence repeat markers were applied to assess the genetic diversity between resistant and susceptible E. crus‐galli and E. oryzicola from 12 populations in Korea. Genetic diversity was slightly higher in the resistant group. The Unweighted Pair Group Method using Arithmetic algorithm (UPGMA) dendrogram generated two distinct clades. One clade consisted of Echinochloa spp. from three populations, i.e. Anmyeondo, Gimje 4 and Gongju, which are resistant and differentiated from the susceptible populations, and the other clade contained the rest of the populations. Structure modelling supported two clades of UPGMA clustering. Based on these data, we can infer that some resistant populations are greatly differentiated, whereas other resistant biotypes are still building up resistance in rice fields in Korea. Resistance traits will be fixed and continue to spread over time without proper control measures.     

Monitoring populations of Phthorimaea operculella in potato fields and in storage in Senegal

This study provided information on periods of peak trapping for the potato tubermoth (Phthorimaea operculella) in potato fields and in storage facilities in the Niayes area of Senegal. Delta sticky traps baited with P. operculella synthetic pheromone, IT053 ISCA lure, were used to monitor adult male moth populations in 2011 and 2012. In each trapping year, four peaks were observed with the maximum number of moths recorded in February, 2012. A Weibull regression model was developed to predict the incidence of P. operculella in potato fields using the number of male adults caught in pheromone-baited traps. The Weibull model provided a good fit to percentage cumulative mean trap catches for both 2011 and 2012 (R² = 0.99; P < 0.0001). Based on the Weibull models for the sampling periods in 2011 and 2012, 50% of cumulative mean number of moths were trapped by day 85 (26 March) in both years, 63.2% (= α) were trapped by day 103 and 104 (13 April and 14 April), and 95% were trapped by day 179 and 190 (28 June and 9 July), respectively. Male moths continued to be trapped after potatoes were harvested, but the numbers decreased compared to captures before harvest. This information will be useful for predicting the most appropriate times to institute intervention measures to mitigate damage to potatoes by the moth. Laboratory investigation revealed that abandoned tubers in the field were the source of sustained incidence of the moth on farms following the harvesting of potatoes. The number of male moths trapped in stores tapered with the number of weeks the bagged tubers stayed in storage.     

Buprofezin susceptibility survey, resistance selection and preliminary determination of the resistance mechanism in Nilaparvata lugens (Homoptera: Delphacidae)

BACKGROUND: Buprofezin has been used for many years to control Nilaparvata lugens (Stål). Assessment of susceptibility change in the insect is essential for maintaining control efficiency and resistance management. RESULTS: Eleven‐year surveys showed that most field populations were susceptible before 2004. However, substantially higher levels of resistance (up to 28‐fold) were found in most of the rice fields in China after 2004. A field population was collected and periodically selected for buprofezin resistance in the laboratory. After 65 generations (56 were selected), the colony successfully obtained 3599‐fold resistance to buprofezin. Synergism tests showed that O,O‐diethyl‐O‐phenyl phosphorothioate (SV1), piperonyl butoxide (PBO) and diethyl maleate (DEM) increased buprofezin toxicity in the resistant strain by only 1.5–1.6 fold, suggesting that esterases, P450‐monooxygenases and glutathione S‐transferases had no substantial effect on buprofezin resistance development. CONCLUSION: The results from this study indicate that N. lugens has the potential to develop high resistance to buprofezin. A resistance management program with rotation of buprofezin and other pesticides may efficiently delay or slow down resistance development in the insect. Further investigation is also necessary to understand the resistance mechanisms in N. lugens. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry     

甘蔗间作玉米对亚洲玉米螟发生为害的控制作用

为明确甘蔗间作玉米对亚洲玉米螟Ostrinia furnacalis(Guenée)发生和为害的控制作用,于2012—2013年在云南省元江县甘蔗种植区设置甘蔗间作玉米小区,采用目测法和马氏网法系统调查了该生境下亚洲玉米螟卵块密度与卵粒密度、蛀孔密度与百秆虫量、寄生性天敌昆虫种类及其种群动态。结果表明:与甘蔗间作种植的玉米上亚洲玉米螟落卵量、蛀孔密度、百秆虫量均明显低于单作玉米田,2012和2013年,间作玉米上百株卵块数比单作玉米分别减少了29.32%和35.73%,每卵块所含的卵粒数分别减少了34.22%和51.02%,百秆玉米蛀孔数分别减少了42.53%和31.25%,百秆虫量分别降低了58.18%和52.73%。间作田中亚洲玉米螟的3种主要寄生蜂螟蛉绒茧蜂Apanteles ruficrus、黄眶离缘姬蜂Trathala flavoorbitalis和大螟钝唇姬蜂Eriborus terebrans的种群密度显著高于单作玉米田,而数量较少的广大腿小蜂Brachymeria lasus及广黑点瘤姬蜂Xanthopimpla punctata种群密度在间作与单作田间无显著差异。表明甘蔗间作玉米对亚洲玉米螟的发生为害具有明显的控制作用,可用于亚洲玉米螟的生态控制。     

Intraspecific seasonal variation of dormancy and mortality of Phelipanche ramosa seeds

Phelipanche ramosa (Branched broomrape) is an obligate root parasitic plant that is a major pest of oilseed rape in France. Knowledge on seed viability and dormancy under field conditions is crucial to understand how to control P. ramosa, but is as yet unknown. Our study aimed to quantify these processes with a 2‐year seed burial experiment. Two genetically distinct populations of P. ramosa were studied, collected on winter oilseed rape (population O) and hemp (population H). Seed mortality was very low in both populations (4–7% per year). Although obligate parasitic seeds are assumed to germinate only after exposure to germination stimulants from host root exudates, a high proportion of population H seeds germinated spontaneously (up to 90%). Seeds of both populations displayed seasonal dormancy, with timing and magnitude depending on the population. Dormancy was low at the time each native host crop is usually sown. Populations differed in germination dynamics, with seeds of population H germinating faster. The difference in behaviour that we observed between populations is consistent with reported adaptations of pathovars to their preferred hosts. The results indicate that the parasitic plant management requires targeting at the populations concerned. For example, delayed sowing is more promising against population O than against population H.     

Relative abundance of Bemisia tabaci Gennadius (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae) and its parasitoids,and the impact of augmentative release of Eretmocerus spp. (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) on the population dynamics of the pest in Burkina Faso (West Africa)

Whitefly infestations and parasitism were monitored year-round in overlapping cotton crops sown on three dates in Burkina Faso. The relative abundance of B. tabaci (Gennadius) and its parasitoids, Eretmocerus spp. and Encarsia spp., was recorded in control and insecticide-sprayed plots. Low B. tabaci populations developed during the first half of the rainy season. Pest populations increased when rainfall was ending, and the levels reached were higher in insecticide-treated plots (48 nymphs/leaf) than in control plots (25 nymphs/leaf). Parasitism reached 88.7% in control plots, and 53.7% in insecticide-treated plots. Eretmocerus spp. nymphs were more abundant than Encarsia spp. in both treated and control plots. A positive and significant curvilinear relationship was observed where % parasitism, on a linear scale, rose to a plateau with logarithmic increase in host density. In general % parasitism was correlated with the abundance of pest populations except in March and April where parasitism increased while B. tabaci populations decreased. In a separate experiment, adult Eretmocerus spp. were released into caged cotton plants to study the impact of augmentative releases of the parasites on the population dynamics of the pest. Pest densities increased from 1.47 nymphs/leaf to 39.4 nymphs/leaf in the control, but were reduced to 0.8 and 0.6 nymphs/leaf in the cages where, respectively, 4 and 8 parasitoids were released per plant. It appears that parasitism is an important factor reducing B. tabaci populations during and after the cotton-growing season, and that Eretmocerus spp. are promising biological control candidates against the pest in cotton.     

Crop damage and yield loss caused by two species of rodents in irrigated fields in northern Nigeria

We investigated the damage and yield loss caused by two rodent species, Arvicanthis niloticus and Mastomys (Praomys) natalensis, in cereal crops in fields near Kano, northern Nigeria from August, 1990 to April, 1992. Using the random cluster technique, we selected 100 clusters of 30 hills in each rice and wheat field, and assessed damage fortnightly, using the Cut Tiller Count method. In premature crops, damage increased from tillering stages to the dough stages. Differences in the percentages of damage (yield loss) in mature rice (4.8% in 1990 and 12.6% in 1991) and in wheat (30.0% in 1991 and 21.7% in 1992) were statistically significant between years. Severe yield losses in wheat, compared to low and moderate levels in rice (grown for the most part during the rains), were probably a result of greater consumption of the wheat, grown entirely by irrigation during the dry season when other rodent food sources were less abundant. Results of ANOVA showed significant effects of developmental stage of the crop, year of cultivation, and their interactions on the magnitude of crop damage.