Larval diet affects development and reproduction of East Asian strain of the fall armyworm,Spodoptera frugiperda

In December 11, 2018, the fall armyworm(FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda invaded China and has since impacted local maize, sorghum and other crops. Here, we draw on laboratory experiments to show how different host crops(i.e., maize, sorghum, wheat and rice) and artificial diet affect larval growth and adult reproduction of one local FAW strain. Larval diet affected development duration, pupation rate, survival and emergence rate of pupae, and S. frugiperda adult fecundity. FAW attained the slowest larval development(19.4 days) on sorghum and the fastest(14.1 days) on artificial diet, with larvae attaining 99.6% survival on the latter food item. On rice, FAW larvae attained survival rate of 0.4% and were unable to pupate successfully. Pupation rate and pupal survival varied substantially between artificial diet and live plantlets at different phenological stages. Pupal weight was the highest(0.26 g) on artificial diet and the lowest(0.14 g) on sorghum, while FAW females reached the highest fecundity(699.7 eggs/female) on 2-leaf stage maize. Egg hatching rate equaled 93.6% on 4-or 5-leaf stage maize and 36.6% on artificial diet. FAW intrinsic rate of natural increase and the finite rate of increase varied between larval diets, reflecting how young maize leaves are the most suitable diet. Our findings can help to refine laboratory rearing protocols, devise population forecasting models or guide the deployment of ‘area-wide' integrated pest management(IPM) modules in FAW-invaded areas of China and other Asian countries.     

Ovipositional responses of Spodoptera frugiperda on host plants provide a basis for using Bt-transgenic maize as trap crop in China

Spodoptera frugiperda, the pest fall armyworm(FAW), is widespread in more than 100 countries. To date, planting insectresistant transgenic crops is one of the main control methods in its native countries. In this study we evaluated Bt-transgenic maize(Bt maize) and non-transgenic(conventional) maize and six other host plants in greenhouse pot experiments and field trials for oviposition preference by the Chinese populations of FAW. In laboratory trials, female moths preferred to oviposit on maize with no significant preference between conventional and Bt maize. However, after conventional and transgenic maize were exposed to FAW larvae and damaged, oviposition was significantly higher on transgenic maize than on the conventional one. Field trials showed that for plants less damaged at an early stage(seedling stage), oviposition of FAW on transgenic and conventional maize was significantly higher than that on wheat, sorghum, foxtail millet, peanut and soybean while showing no significant difference between transgenic or conventional maize. FAW adults mainly laid eggs on Bt maize, while the larval density and leaf damage rating or percentage of damaged plants were significantly lower than on conventional maize. Larval density and its damage on conventional maize were significantly higher than that on Bt maize and the other five hosts. Thus, maize is a highly preferred and suitable host for S. frugiperda feeding and ovipositing, and Bt maize can be used as trap crop to protect other crops.     

Effects of different rotation patterns on the occurrence of clubroot disease and diversity of rhizosphere microbes

Clubroot disease, caused by Plasmodiophora brassicae, is one of the most destructive soil-borne diseases in cruciferous crops worldwide. New strategies are urgently needed to control this disease, as no effective disease-resistant varieties or chemical control agents exist. Previously, we found that the incidence rate and disease index of clubroot in oilseed rape decreased by 50 and 40%, respectively, when oilseed rape was planted after soybean. In order to understand how different rotation patterns affect the occurrence of clubroot in oilseed rape, high-throughput sequencing was used to analyze the rhizosphere microbial community of oilseed rape planted after leguminous(soybean, clover), gramineous(rice, maize) and cruciferous(oilseed rape, Chinese cabbage) crops. Results showed that planting soybeans before oilseed rape significantly increased the population density of microbes that could inhibit P. brassicae(e.g., Sphingomonas, Bacillus, Streptomyces and Trichoderma). Conversely, consecutive cultivation of cruciferous crops significantly accumulated plant pathogens, including P. brassicae, Olpidium and Colletotrichum(P0.05). These results will help to develop the most effective rotation pattern for reducing clubroot damage.     

Fitness of fall armyworm,Spodoptera frugiperda to three solanaceous vegetables

The fall armyworm(FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda Smith(Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is an important agricultural pest that invaded China in the middle of December 2018. As a polyphagous pest, FAW is identified as a serious threat to agricultural production and food security in China. Pepper(Capsicum annuum L.), tomato(Solanum lycopersicum Mill.) and eggplant(Solanum melongena L.) are three of dominant solanaceous vegetables of this country. To our knowledge, the effects of these plants on the performances of FAW have not been well studied. In this study we assessed the fitness of this pest to these three plants. Results showed that FAW can complete its life cycle when fed with tomato and pepper, but not on eggplant. The population parameters of FAW fed with maize(Zea mays L.) and the three solanaceous vegetables were compared using the age-stage, two-sex life table method. Developmental duration was significantly different in the larval stage, but not in the pupae stage. FAW fed with pepper had the longest pre-adult period(41.73 d) and the lightest pupal weight(0.1134 g); the survival rate was lower than FAW fed with tomato. Significant differences were observed in the mean fecundity of female, with the highest(943.95 eggs) laid by FAW fed with tomato. FAW had the shortest mean generation time(T), the highest intrinsic rate of increase(r) and finite rate of increase(λ) on maize, and the highest net reproductive rate(R_0) on tomato. Overall, FAW fitness on the three solanaceous vegetables was: tomatopeppereggplant. This study provides the foundation for further assessment of FAW risk to solanaceous vegetables and for establishing corresponding control strategies in China.     

苏南地区汞污染农田土壤植物套作修复模式的筛选

为探究不同作物-超富集植物套作模式对修复汞污染农田土壤的效果,本研究通过盆栽试验,以小麦、大豆、油菜等作物为研究对象,将其分别与野艾蒿、乳浆大戟、悬钩子等汞富集植物搭配套作,研究不同套种体系修复汞污染农田土壤的效果。结果表明：与富集植物进行套作时,作物根、茎、叶和籽粒的汞含量有不同程度的下降,其中根部汞含量下降最明显,作物与富集植物套作可以降低作物体内汞含量。与小麦单作相比,野艾蒿、悬钩子与小麦套作可以增加小麦地上部生物量,增加幅度分别为49.37%和42.45%。小麦/野艾蒿套作和小麦/悬钩子套作富集植物中汞的转移系数（Transfer factors,TF）接近,但野艾蒿汞的生物富集系数（Bioconcentration factor,BCF）显著高于悬钩子,是其的2.59倍;大豆的两种套作模式下,乳浆大戟的TF、BCF值皆高于野艾蒿,分别是其的1.41倍和1.50倍;油菜的两种套作模式下,悬钩子和野艾蒿的TF值接近。结果分析显示野艾蒿适合与小麦套作,乳浆大戟适合与大豆套作。综上所述,小麦/野艾蒿、大豆/乳浆大戟套作模式可以降低作物体内汞含量,并在一定程度上提高小麦和大豆产量。     

不同植物对大豆孢囊线虫种群的影响

采用田间盆栽试验方法,研究不同作物品种对大豆孢囊线虫群体的影响,以寻找对大豆孢囊线虫具有抑制作用的作物品种。结果表明：在自然条件下少量大豆孢囊线虫会孵化为2龄幼虫,遇适宜寄主孵化率迅速提高,但非寄主植物对孢囊线虫的孵化影响不大,在处理38d后,适宜寄主根围2龄幼虫数量显著高于非寄主植物根围2龄幼虫数量。在作物生长100d后,农科六号、中黄13、黑乌豆、小粒黑豆和菜豆（改良保丰一号）处理土壤中的孢囊数量是原始孢囊数量的2.3～9.4倍,这5种植物为大豆孢囊线虫的良好寄主;但在豇豆（之豇28-2）、谷子（新吨谷1号）、大葱（中华巨葱）、番茄（精选L-402）和玉米（郑单958）等作物处理中,土壤孢囊数量仅为原始孢囊数量的58%～63%,可有效减少土壤中大豆孢囊线虫的数量。     

Sub-Lethal Effects of Fenvalerate on the Development,Fecundity, and Juvenile Hormone Esterase Activity of Diamondback Moth,Plutella xylostella （L.）

The toxicities of fenvalerate （20% EC） to the 3rd instar larvae of diamondback moth （DBM）, Plutella xylostella （L.）, reared on three host plants viz., radish, oilseed rape, and cabbage were tested. The LC50 values of fenvalerate to the 3rd instar larvae of DBM varied with host plants, however, there wasn＇t any significant difference among them （P〉 0.05）. Similarly, DBM fed on three host plants had same pupal weight, pupal period, pupation rate, adult emergence rate, female ratio, and fecundity. The activity of juvenile hormone esterase （JHE, EC 3.1.1.1） in the 3rd instar larvae of DMB did not significantly vary with host plants, either. These suggested that DBM had similar fitness on the three host plant species. When fed on the host plants pretreated with fenvalerate at the concentrations equivalent to LC20, LC50 and LC50, the pupation rate, pupal weight, adult emergence rate, female ratio, fecundity, and JHE activity of the tested insects were declined as compared with insects in control treatments fed on the same host plant species. Furthermore, the pupal period of the tested insects was extended after fenvalerate treatment. The decrease in JHE activity after fenvalerate treatment in the tested insects could partly explain the changes in the mentioned growth parameters. Whether the role of fenvalerate in the inhibition of JHE activity could serve as a new way to control DBM needs further investigation.     

油菜植株三维结构的测量与可视化建模研究

油菜模型研究对油菜栽培和育种具有一定参考作用。试验选用浙江省推广面积较大且叶形不同的油菜品种浙油50和浙油18,采用三维扫描仪扫描油菜叶片,用两种方法建立油菜单株模型,为相关植物模型构建提供参考。根据模型计算叶片面积并进行初步分析,为后续群体模型构建奠定基础。     

Density and Seasonal Dynamics of Bemisia tabaci （Gennadius） Mediterranean on Common Crops and Weeds Around Cotton Fields in Northern China

The density seasonal dynamics of Bemisia tabaci MED were evaluated over two years in a cotton-growing area in Langfang, Hebei Province, northern China on cotton （Gossypium hirsutum L.） and six other co-occurring common plants, common ragweed （Ambrosia artemisiifolia L.）, piemarker （Abutilon theophrasti Medicus）, sunflower （Helianthus annuus L.）, sweet potato （Ipomoea batatas L.）, soybean （Glycine max L.）, and maize （Zea mays L.）. The whitefly species identity was repeatedly tested and confirmed; seasonal dynamics on the various host plants were standardized by the quartile method. B. tabaci MED appeared on weeds （the common ragweed and piemarker） about 10 days earlier than on cotton, or the other cultivated plants. The peak population densities were observed over a span of 2 to 3 weeks on cotton, starting in early （2010） or mid-August （2011）. The common ragweed growing adjacent to cotton supported the highest B. tabaci densities （no. on 100 cm2 leaf surface）, 12-22 fold higher than on cotton itself. Sunflower supported more B. tabaci than the other plants, and about 1.5-2 fold higher than cotton did, Our results indicate that weeds （esp. the common ragweed） around cotton fields could increase the population density of B. tabaci MED on cotton, while sunflower could act as a trap crop for decreasing pest pressure on cotton.     

福建烟区烟蚜种群生长繁殖的适合寄主筛选

为了筛选出较适合福建烟区烟蚜生长繁殖的寄主植物,更好地扩大烟蚜及烟蚜茧蜂规模化繁殖,提高防控效果。本试验以茄子、油菜、白萝卜、小白菜、豇豆、‘红花大金元’、‘K326’等为材料,用盆栽法测得烟蚜及烟蚜茧蜂寄生率。结果表明：小白菜和油菜上烟蚜种群数量相对较高,其分别为129.07头/株（2012年）、109.14头/株（2017年）,110.79头/株（2012年）、99.82头/株（2017年）。豇豆上烟蚜的数量较低,为0.27头/株和1.23头/株。小白菜与油菜上烟蚜数量间无明显差异。接烟蚜茧蜂后7天、15天后有差异,但第30天时其寄生率均达到98%以上,无明显差异。因此,小白菜及油菜是福建省烟区烟蚜种群生长繁殖较适合的寄主植物。     

杜仲叶水提取物对几种农作物的化感作用

研究农林复合系统中杜仲枯落叶水浸提液对小麦、油菜、大豆和玉米种子萌发及幼苗生长的影响.结果表明,杜仲枯落叶水浸提液使受试农作物种子发芽指数显著降低.0.1 g·mL-1浸提液处理对4种农作物的发芽率有极显著的抑制作用.油菜、大豆和玉米种子在0.1 g·mL-1时均未长成幼苗,浸提液对其苗高和苗鲜质量有高质量浓度抑制,低质量浓度促进的双重效应.同时除0.005 g·mL-1浸提液对油菜根鲜质量无影响外,对其他3种作物的根长和根鲜质量有显著抑制作用.小麦的苗高、苗鲜质量、根长和根鲜质量均明显低于对照值.4种农作物的根系活力、细胞膜透性和过氧化氢酶活性同样反映了不同程度的化感效应,同时彼此相互作用.     

Flight activity promotes reproductive processes in the fall armyworm,Spodoptera frugiperda

The fall armyworm(FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda(Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), has invaded many countries in Africa and Asia since 2016, posing a major threat to world food security. Long-distance migration and strong reproductive ability form the biological basis of its rapid population expansion, but the relationship between the flight and reproduction of FAW has not been studied in depth. Here, an empirical assessment of this relationship in an invasive FAW population in China found that 1–3-day-old adults which had undergone 10-h tethered flights had a significantly shorter pre-oviposition period and greater oviposition synchronization, but did not show any differences in fecundity, oviposition period, mating percentage or other reproductive variables. Further studies on moths after 1.25–15-h tethered flights indicated that the reproductive process of adults could be fully triggered by flight activity longer than 2.5 h. Dissection of the reproductive organs also showed that tethered flight promoted ovarian and testicular development of FAW. These results show that appropriate moth flight activity significantly speeds up the reproductive process of FAW, which increases our knowledge on its migratory biology in relation to regional outbreaks.     

锑污染土壤中添加蚯蚓对油菜生长及土壤特性的影响

为探究蚯蚓对锑污染土壤中油菜的生长及根际土壤特性的影响,通过盆栽培养试验,研究了赤子爱胜蚓添加后锑污染下油菜幼苗生物量、富集系数的变化,并从根际土壤养分、酶活性和细菌群落结构3个方面初探了锑污染状况下蚯蚓对油菜富集锑的影响机制。结果表明：锑污染土壤中,赤子爱胜蚓可以提高油菜的生物量以及锑的富集,南油杂1号锑的富集含量达到358.30mg·kg^-1;锑显著抑制了过氧化氢酶、蔗糖酶和脲酶活性(P<0.05),蚯蚓显著提高了锑胁迫下两个油菜品种根际土壤的过氧化氢酶、蔗糖酶和脲酶活性(P<0.05),最大激活率分别为13%～31%、15%～48%和24%～44%;冗余分析表明全磷、全氮、碱解氮是影响土壤酶活性变化的重要因子;添加蚯蚓未改变油菜根际土壤中优势菌门的组成,主要增加了Bacteroidetes、Cyanobacteria和Chloroflexi的丰富度,其中Bacteroidetes与过氧化氢酶、脲酶活性呈极显著正相关(P<0.01)。研究表明,蚯蚓-油菜联合能降低农田土壤中锑的含量,起到一定的生态修复效果,南油杂1号的修复潜能大于沣油958。     

Salicornia bigelovii Torr.: An Oilseed Halophyte for Seawater Irrigation

The terrestrial halophyte, Salicornia bigelovii Torr., was evaluated as an oilseed crop for direct seawater irrigation during 6 years of field trials in an extreme coastal desert environment. Yields of seed and biomass equated or exceeded freshwater oilseed crops such as soybean and sunflower. The seed contained 26 to 33 percent oil, 31 percent protein, and was low in fiber and ash (5 to 7 percent). The oil and meal were extracted by normal milling equipment, and the oil was high in linoleic acid (73 to 75 percent) and could replace soybean oil in chicken diets. The meal had antigrowth factors, attributed to saponins, but could replace soybean meal in chicken diets amended with the saponin antagonist, cholesterol. Salicornia bigelovii appears to be a potentially valuable new oilseed crop for subtropical coastal deserts.     

小麦、蚕豆和油菜对向日葵列当种子萌发的影响

通过盆栽试验和水培试验的方法在不同地区分别种植小麦、蚕豆和油菜3种作物,研究这3种作物的甲醇浸提液以及根系分泌物对向日葵列当种子萌发的影响。结果显示,小麦和蚕豆植株的根部甲醇浸提液以及根系分泌物对向日葵列当种子的萌发有较强的刺激作用,其中小麦甲醇浸提液处理的向日葵列当种子萌发率最高(41.5%)。蚕豆植株的甲醇浸提液和根系分泌物也对向日葵列当种子萌发有较强的影响,其中蚕豆根系分泌物处理向日葵列当种子的萌发率高达41.1%。综合得出,小麦和蚕豆的根部可能含有刺激向日葵列当发芽的物质,具有作为向日葵列当诱捕作物的可能性。     

Effect of Host Plants on Development,Fecundity and Enzyme Activity of Spodoptera exigua （Hübner）（Lepidoptera：Noctuidae）

The beet armyworm,Spodoptera exigua (Lepidoptera:Noctuidae),is an economically important pest of crops worldwide,attacking plants from over 20 families including trans-continental agricultural cotton,corn and citrus crops.In this study,performance and subsequent enzyme activity of beet armyworm reared on host plants from five families were investigated.Significant differences were found in development,fecundity and enzyme activity on different host plants.Survival rate was the highest (42.8％) on asparagus lettuce (Lactuca sativar var.asparagina) and the lowest (17.0％) on sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum).Larval duration was the shortest on asparagus lettuce (12.0 d),and was 43.4％ longer on sweet peppers (21.2 d).The activity of acetylcholine esterase (AChE) and carboxylesterase (CarE) in 3rd instar larvae,and soluble carbohydrate and crude protein contents in different host plants were determined.AChE activity was the highest in the larvae feeding on Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa),but declined by nearly 60％ on maize (Zea mays) seedlings.The ratio of soluble carbohydrate content to crude protein content in host plants was found to have a positive effect on oviposition and a negative correlation with larval duration and life time (from larval to adult stages) of the insect.     

秸秆还田条件下不同供钾能力土壤水稻、油菜、小麦钾肥减量研究

【目的】研究不同供钾能力土壤在秸秆还田条件下钾肥减量施用对水稻、油菜、小麦的产量、钾素吸收量及钾肥利用率的影响,计算秸秆还田条件下3种作物的钾肥适宜用量,为秸秆还田条件下钾肥资源的合理利用及农田钾素养分管理和调控提供理论依据。【方法】2013—2015年在湖北省38个县(市)的水稻、油菜及小麦3种作物上开展秸秆还田钾肥减量施用田间试验。试验设置6个处理,分别为(1)对照,不施钾(CK);(2)施用全量化学钾肥(+K);(3)秸秆还田处理(+S);(4)秸秆还田配施50%钾肥(S+1/2K);(5)秸秆还田配施75%钾肥(S+3/4K);(6)秸秆还田配施全量钾肥(S+K)。参考不施钾肥处理的作物相对产量(即CK处理产量/+K处理产量)将土壤供钾能力分为高、中、低3个水平。【结果】不同供钾水平土壤施钾和秸秆还田均能不同程度增加水稻、油菜和小麦的产量和地上部钾素吸收量。其中,高供钾能力的土壤水稻、油菜和小麦仅通过上季作物秸秆全量还田即可满足作物高产的钾素需求;中等供钾能力的土壤3种作物可在秸秆还田条件下减少50%钾肥用量;而低供钾能力的土壤,秸秆还田条件下水稻季可减少25%钾肥用量,油菜和小麦季可减少50%钾肥用量。从土壤钾素表观平衡来看,秸秆还田可缓解土壤钾素亏缺,其中油菜季平均盈余量为14.1—152.6kg K_2O·hm~(-2),小麦季平均盈余量为25.5—95.9 kg K_2O·hm~(-2),水稻季则仍表现为钾素亏缺。在考虑秸秆钾素投入量的情况下,通过一元二次方程和线性加平台方程拟合秸秆还田条件下钾肥用量与作物产量之间的关系,以+K处理产量为标准得到秸秆还田条件下的适宜钾肥用量。结果表明,在前茬作物秸秆全量还田的条件下,供钾能力为中、高等水平的土壤3种作物钾肥适宜施用量为20—33 kg K_2O·hm~(-2),油菜钾肥施用量低于水稻和小麦;而供钾能力低的土壤上,秸秆还田土壤钾肥适宜施用量为45—49 kg K_2O·hm~(-2),油菜钾肥推荐用量高于水稻和小麦。与目前钾肥经济施用量60 kg K_2O·hm~(-2)相比,3种作物在供钾能力为中、高等水平的土壤通过秸秆还田可节省钾肥45.0%—66.7%,供钾能力低的土壤也可节省钾肥18.3%—25.0%。【结论】秸秆还田条件下水稻、油菜及小麦可以在减少18.3%—66.7%钾肥用量的同时保证作物产量,钾肥施用量减少的比例应根据土壤供钾水平进行调整。     

微生物-油料作物联合修复重金属污染耕地技术探讨

重金属污染已经成为我国,特别是湖南污染面积最广、危害最大的环境问题。微生物作为土壤中最活跃的生物因子,可协助植物抵抗重金属的迫害,提高植物对重金属的吸收;而油料作物对重金属富集能力强、且经济价值高。两者在土壤修复中占据越来越重要的地位。综述了微生物和油料作物如油菜、向日葵、花生、大豆、蓖麻等在重金属污染土壤修复中的研究进展,并探讨两者联合修复重金属污染耕地的可行性。     

Performance evaluation of a crop/weed discriminating microsprayer

An intelligent real-time microspraying weed control system was developed. The system distinguishes between weed and crop plants and a herbicide (glyphosate) is selectively applied to the detected weed plants. The vision system captures 40 RGB images per second, each covering 140 mm by 105 mm with an image resolution of 800 × 600 pixels. From the captured images the forward velocity is estimated and the spraycommands for the microsprayer are calculated. Crop and weed plants are identified in the image, and weed plants are sprayed. Performance of the microsprayer system was evaluated under laboratory conditions simulating field conditions. A combination of maize (Zea mays L.), oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) and scentless mayweed (Matricaria inodora L.) plants, in growth stage BBCH10, was placed in pots, which were then treated by the microspray system. Maize simulated crop plants, while the other species simulated weeds. The experiment were conducted at a velocity of 0.5 m/s. Two weeks after spraying, the fraction of injured plants was determined visually. None of the crop plants were harmed while 94% of the oilseed rape and 37% of the scentless mayweed plants were significantly limited in their growth. Given the size and shape of the scentless mayweed plants and the microsprayer geometry it was calculated that the microsprayer could only hit 64% of the scentless mayweed plants. The system was able to effectively control weeds larger than 11 mm × 11 mm.     

Searchlight trapping reveals seasonal cross-ocean migration of fall armyworm over the South China Sea

The fall armyworm(FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda, is a migratory noctuid pest that has recently invaded eastern Asia. From 2017 up till 2020, searchlight trapping was used to assess the extent of FAW migration across the South China Sea. Molecular and morphology-based identification confirmed that FAW made its first appearance on Yongxing Island on 11 April 2019, with most trapped individuals belonging to the S. frugiperda "corn-strain". Carbon isotope analysis further showed that FAW moths originated from C4 host plants, while trajectory analyses revealed that migratory S. frugiperda adults are able to cross the South China Sea and enter mainland China. This long-distance migration process plausibly results in frequent genetic mixing between domestic FAW populations and those of neighboring Southeast Asian countries. Overall, this work provides unique insights into FAW migration across eastern Asia and ultimately can help advance pest forecasting, risk assessment and area-wide pest management.