Sprayer type and water volume influence pesticide deposition and control of insect pests and diseases in juice grapes

In a mature Vitis labrusca L. “Niagara” vineyard, we compared an airblast sprayer and an air-assisted rotary atomizer (AARA) low-volume sprayer for coverage of grape clusters and control of grape berry moth, Paralobesia viteana. In addition, the effect of spray volume on control of fungal diseases was evaluated using the fungicides ziram and azoxystrobin applied with an airblast sprayer. For evaluation of coverage, sprayers applied kaolin clay at 28 kg/ha to grapevines while operating at low, medium and high water volumes. Kaolin residues on grape clusters were analyzed to compare the total amount of spray material deposited, percent of fruit surface covered, number of deposits, size of deposits and distance between deposits. There were no significant differences between sprayers or water volumes in the total amount of kaolin deposited on clusters, but the percent surface coverage was much greater on outside-facing berry surfaces (facing the sprayer) than inside-facing surfaces (facing the rachis). On the outside-facing berry surfaces, the airblast sprayer at 468 L/ha of water (medium volume) provided the highest percent coverage, the greatest density of deposits, the largest deposit diameter, and the smallest distance between deposits. On the inside-facing berry surfaces, the same sprayer–volume combination provided the highest percent coverage and greatest deposit diameter, but deposits from the airblast sprayer operating at 935 L/ha (high volume) had the smallest distance between deposits. No significant differences between sprayers or among water volumes were detected in the deposit density on the inside-facing berry surfaces. Bioassays of grape clusters sprayed with fenpropathrin or methoxyfenozide using the airblast or AARA sprayers at two water volumes revealed the greatest fruit protection from P. viteana at the higher volume for the airblast sprayer, but at the lower volume for the AARA sprayer. Spray volume of the airblast sprayer also affected disease control by the protectant fungicide ziram more than by the systemic fungicide azoxystrobin, with 468 L/ha providing better control than 187 L/ha. However, for most diseases, fungicide type was more influential than spray volume in determining the disease control outcome. The results of this study emphasize the need for appropriate water volumes relative to the sprayer and pesticide being used to optimize pest and disease control in juice grape vineyards.     

Pheromone-mediated mating disruption in the millet stem borer, Coniesta ignefusalis (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)

The millet stem borer, Coniesta ignefusalis Hampson (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), is a major pest of pearl millet in the Sahelian region of Africa. The female sex pheromone has been identified and synthesised, and previous research had shown that the synthetic pheromone could cause high levels of reproductive communication disruption in small plots when released at rates of 640 mg/ha/day, using PVC resin formulation renewed every seven days to maintain efficiency. In the present research, in experiments in farmers’ fields in Niger, 86.8% (SE = 2.6%) communication disruption was achieved when polyethylene vials loaded with 0.5 mg pheromone at 400 dispensers/ha were used and replaced every 21 days. Polyethylene vials loaded with 80 mg pheromone gave uniform, zero-order release at approximately 0.05 mg/day at 27 °C. Experiments carried out on replicated 0.5 ha plots in farmers’ fields in Niger using a single application of these dispensers at 400 dispensers/ha resulted in at least 99% suppression of pheromone trap catches of male C. ignefusalis moths in treated plots relative to numbers in untreated plots for up to 3 months. However, sampling the central portions of these plots before and after harvest showed no significant differences in infestation, damage or yield loss between plots treated with pheromone and untreated plots. This may have been because of small plot size and the immigration of mated female moths into the treated plots which negated any reduction of mating of females within the treated plots. Comparisons of numbers of male C. ignefusalis moths in traps baited with the standard 0.5 mg monitoring lures and those baited with the 80 mg disruption dispensers showed catches in the latter were only 10-20% of those in the former; indicating high level communication disruptions in traps with high dose dispensers. Implications of using insect synthetic pheromones in the development of integrated management of C. ignefusalis in pearl millet cropping systems in the Sahel are discussed.     

Mating disruption of the jasmine moth Palpita unionalis (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) using a two pheromone component blend: A case study over three consecutive olive growing seasons in Egypt

Field studies were carried out from 2002 to 2004 in an olive grove near Cairo, Egypt, to evaluate the efficacy of the mating disruption to control the olive pest Palpita unionalis, during the 1st (May–June) or the 1st and the 2nd (September–November) distinct flight periods. The binary blend of the two pheromone components, E-11-hexadecenyl acetate and E-11-hexadecenal, at the ratio of 70:30 in hexane was dispensed from polyethylene (PE) vials or absorbed into montmorillonite and dispensed from PE bags at a dose of 80 g active ingredients per hectare. Efficacy was measured considering suppression of pheromone trap catches, reduction of the moth population and fruit damage during harvest in the pheromone treated compared to the control (CO) plots. Male captures in treated plots were reduced by 91.3% (2002), 91.8% (2003) and 80.6% (2004) during trapping periods of 8, 21 and 20 weeks, respectively. The number of eggs recorded and fruit damage were lower in the pheromone treated than in CO plot. The fruit infestation accounted to 13.6±2.7% vs. 37.8±3.9% in 2003, a low fruiting year and 9.7±0.75 vs. 34.8±2.8% in 2004, a high fruiting year in treated and CO plots, respectively. Capillary GC analysis indicated that the release rate of E-11-hexadecenyl acetate was effective for the testing period; whereas the release and degradation of E-11-hexadecenyl were high, the inclusion of a photostabilizer into the pheromone-clay complex during 2004 improved substantially the release rate and photooxidation of the aldehyde.     

Disruption of Darna pallivitta (Lepidoptera: Limacodidae) by Conventional and Mobile Pheromone Deployment

Identification of the Darna pallivitta (Moore) pheromone component n-butyl (E)-7,9-decadienoate (E7,9-10:COOn-Bu) has made it possible to investigate communication disruption to control this lepidopteran pest. Conventional communication disruption trials showed marked decreases in the mean number of male moths captured in E7,9-10:COOnBu-treated fields compared with control fields. For traps baited with E7,9-10:COOnBu, percent disruptions were 94.4% and 92.1% for septa (1 g pheromone/ha, 1-wk trial duration) and spirals (6 g pheromone/ha, 8-wk trial duration) respectively. For traps baited with virgin female moths, percent disruption was 73.3% using septa disruptors (1 g pheromone/ha, 1-wk trial duration). Mobile communication disruption using Bactrocera cucurbitae (Coquillett) as carriers for E7,9-10:COOn-Bu was evaluated in the following three areas: fly survivorship, attraction of male moths to treated flies, and moth disruption in a small-scale field trial. Topical application of E7,9-10:COOnBu showed no significant decrease in survivorship at 50 and 80 µg/fly. However, decreased survivorship was observed at 100 µg/fly and linear regression showed E7,9-10:COOnBu dose was significantly correlated with B. cucurbitae survivorship. Traps containing honey–pheromone-fed flies attracted and caught D. pallivitta over a 1-wk period, demonstrating the attractiveness of the carrier. Releasing E7,9-10:COOnBu-fed B. cucurbitae (∼2 g pheromone/ha, 1-wk trial duration) resulted in significantly reduced trap catches in treatment fields compared with control fields on the first 2 d of the field trial. Percent disruptions were 84.7% (day 1) and 56.0% (day 2). These results suggest that both conventional communication disruption and mobile communication disruption have potential to control D. pallivitta.     

Response of palmarosa {Cymbopogon martinii (Roxb.) Wats. var. motia Burk.} to foliar application of magnesium and micronutrients

A field investigation was carried out on red sandy soil in the semi-arid tropical climate of south India to investigate the response of industrially important, multi-harvest, aromatic crop palmarosa {Cymbopogon martinii (Roxb.) Wats. var. motia Burk., family: Poaceae} to foliar application (2.5 g/L single application for each harvest at 700 L nutrient solution per hectare) of magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), boron (B) and their residual effect on the succeeding harvest. During the experimental period, palmarosa crop afforded four harvests, 49.5-70.6 t/ha total biomass yield (fresh weight), 211.4-384.2 kg/ha total essential oil yield and Rs. 232,540-422,620/ha (US$ 4844.6-8804.6/ha) gross returns. Fifth harvest (no nutrients were applied) performed to examine the residual effect of Mg and micronutrients applied to the previous four harvests revealed the absence of residual effect pointing to the need for application of nutrients to individual harvests. Foliar application of Mg and micronutrients significantly increased the yield attributes (plant height, tiller number/plant, leaf number/plant), biomass yield, essential oil yield and gross returns of palmarosa. Mg and micronutrients enhanced the total biomass yields by 37.0-42.6% and the total essential oil yields by 44.6-81.7% in comparison to the control (water spray).All the treatments produced good quality essential oils with 1.5-3.2% linalool, 79.7-85.8% geraniol and 4.5-10.3% geranyl acetate. Mg and B additions declined linalool (%) in the second and fourth harvests and increased geraniol (%) in the first harvest. Mg and micronutrients application improved geraniol (%) in the second harvest. Except Zn, all the other nutrients decreased geranyl acetate (%) in the second harvest, but in the third and fourth harvests Mn and B increased geranyl acetate (%).     

Management of bacterial wilt in tomatoes with thymol and acibenzolar-S-methyl

The combination of thymol, a monoterpene phenol compound originating from thyme, and acibenzolar-S-methyl (ASM; Actigard 50 WG), a systemic acquired resistance (SAR) inducer, was applied to tomato plants in field conditions to evaluate the effectiveness of both chemicals to control bacterial wilt. Thymol was applied as a soil fumigant at 9.43 kg per ha 24 h after soil infestation and seven days before transplanting. ASM was applied as a foliar spray at 3.59-8.98 ml per ha, once in the greenhouse and five times in the field. The field was inoculated by applying 50 ml of pathogen suspension (10⁷ cfu/ml) into each transplanting hole eight days prior to transplanting. The experiment was performed in 2006 and repeated in 2008 at the North Florida Research and Education Center in Quincy, FL. In 2006, the combination of ASM and thymol significantly reduced disease in the bacterial wilt tolerant genotype 7514 compared to thymol alone. In 2008, the combination of ASM and thymol significantly reduced disease and increased yield compared to the control, whereas ASM or thymol alone did not significantly reduce disease or increase yield compared to the control. This is the first report of the use of both thymol and ASM to control bacterial wilt on moderately resistant tomato cultivars. Based on this study, control of the pathogen can be achieved by using both chemicals and moderately resistant cultivars.     

Efficacy of a new glyphosate formulation for weed control in maize in southwest Nigeria

A field trial in 2003 and 2004 assessed the efficacy of a new formulation of glyphosate, Touchdown Forte HiTech (glyphosate-TF) and two older versions, Roundup (glyphosate-RP) and Touchdown (glyphosate-TD) for weed control in Nigeria. Treatments were glyphosate-TF at 0.25–1.25 kg a.i./ha, glyphosate-RP at 1.8 kg a.i./ha, and glyphosate-TD at 1.0 kg a.i./ha. Weeded and unweeded treatments were controls. Visual evaluations of weed control at 4 and 8 weeks after treatment (WAT) in both years indicated that glyphosate-TF at all doses gave moderate to complete control of all major weeds (50–100%). At 4 WAT, control of Ageratum conyzoides L., Commelina benghalensis L., Ipomoea involucrata P. Beauv., Brachiaria comota [Hochst ex A. Rich] stapf, and Acalypha ciliata Forssk was at a level similar to that in the weeded control. In 2003, all herbicide formulations and the weeded control reduced Imperata cylindrica (L.) Beauv. shoot dry biomass to the same level at 8 WAT (91–100%) and at maize harvest (83–88%). In 2004, 0.50–1.25 kg a.i./ha of glyphosate-TF and 1.8 kg a.i./ha of glyphosate-RP gave 95% reduction at 8 WAT and 97% at harvest, similar to the weeded control. Maize grain yield in the weeded control and herbicide treatments was 2.8 times higher than that in the unweeded control in both years. These results indicate that glyphosate-TF is effective for weed control in maize at herbicide doses lower than the older formulations.     

A new model for predicting the flight activity of Lobesia botrana (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae)

The grape vine moth, Lobesia botrana (Denis and Schiffermüller) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), attacks vineyards mostly in Southern Europe and Northern Africa. The efficiency of most control methods depends on the treatment of pest populations at their most susceptible stages, therefore the prediction of the moth’s development cycle would help greatly in determining an optimal treatment schedule. One strategy for protecting against this pest is based on the day of maximum flight of males per generation (peak flight), when the mating between males and females and the laying of eggs reaches its maximum. The knowledge of these times would enable us to decide the kind of insecticide and the best time to target it. The time of maximum flight can be predicted by the Touzeau model of accumulated average daily temperature exceeding the development threshold. As shown, the fit of this model on data from the Ribera del Duero region in Spain is not accurate enough. Therefore, we propose an empirical and biologically plausible model based on logistic transformation of daily temperatures, which proves a better fit and permits simple inclusion of additional variables such as relative humidity.     

Differential reproductive maturity between geographically separated populations of Homalodisca vitripennis (Germar) in California

The glassy-winged sharpshooter, Homalodisca vitripennis (Germar), is native to the southeastern United States and northeastern Mexico. It was detected in southern California in the late 1980s and in the San Joaquin Valley in 1999, where it transmits the bacterium Xylella fastidiosa to grapevines and other crops. The reproductive success of hybrid and pure line H. vitripennis from two geographically separated populations in California (Riverside (RIV) and Bakersfield (BAK)) was evaluated under identical conditions. The RIV and BAK populations had different preoviposition periods that persisted through the second generation of each lineage. From adult molt, the preoviposition period in both female generations was significantly shorter for RIV (F₀ = 28.2 days and F₁ = 62.3 days) than BAK females (F₀ = 46.1 days and F₁ = 170.4 days). After a 21-day mating period, F₀ and F₁ females deposited on average 391 (range, 21–967) and 196 (range, 0–755) eggs, respectively, without significant differences in fecundity among the F₀ and F₁ mating pair treatments. Egg accumulation rates among F₁ treatments showed that females in the RIV groups rapidly deposited their eggs within the first 120 days after adult molt while BAK females maintained a steady accumulation rate during their life. The performance of both hybrid lines was intermediate between the pure lineages. The F₀ mating pairs: ♀RIV × ♂RIV, ♀RIV × ♂BAK, ♀BAK × ♂RIV, and ♀BAK × ♂BAK produced on average 185, 94, 79, and 0 viable eggs, respectively, which suggested a delayed sexual maturity of BAK males and females. The proportion of viable eggs deposited decreased gradually, which suggests that females completely exhausted sperm reserves. From a management perspective, delayed reproductive maturity and polyandry are weak links in H. vitripennis’ biology that may be exploited through mating disruption or insect sterilization strategies to reduce population growth and augment pressure by natural enemies.     

Pre-transplant herbicides for weed control in irrigated onion (Allium cepa L.) in northern Nigeria

Field trials were conducted at Samaru in the northern Guinea and at Bakuta and Kadawa in the Sudan Savanna ecological zones of Nigeria to identify suitable herbicides for weed control in irrigated onion. The herbicides tested were chlorthal-dimethyl, fluorodifen and oxadiazon. In the trials each herbicide treatment was compared with an identical treatment which received supplementary hand-weeding. The results of these experiments show that oxadiazon at 1·0–2·0 kg a.i./ha, with or without supplementary hoe-weeding at 6 weeks after transplanting, combined effective weed control with high bulb yields in irrigated dry season onions. While fluorodifen at 1·5 kg a.i./ha followed by supplementary hoe-weeding may be effective at sites with low weed infestation, a higher rate (3·0 kg/ha) may be desirable at sites with a higher broad-leaved weed infestation. Chlorthaldimethyl at 10·0 kg a.i./ha effectively controlled weeds at all the sites and gave high onion yields at sites with 6–12% clay; the selectivity was, however, lower at Bakura with very light soil. Uncontrolled weed growth caused 49–86% reduction in the bulb yields compared with the best herbicide treatments.     

Increase in Cladosporium spp. populations and rot of wine grapes associated with leaf removal

Leaf removal reduces the epiphytic populations of several filamentous fungi found on grapevine (Vitis vinifera). Consequently this practice is used to prevent foliar diseases of grapevines and rots of grapes. In this study, the effects of leaf removal on Cladosporium rot (Cladosporium cladosporioides and Cladosporium herbarum), which often affects ‘Cabernet Sauvignon’ in Chile, were characterized. The effects of leaf removal on epiphytic populations of Cladosporium spp. on grape berry surfaces and on Cladosporium rot development were investigated. Three leaf removal treatments were compared: (i) severe leaf removal, where leaves from two to three nodes above, opposite and from all nodes below clusters were removed; (ii) mild leaf removal, where leaves opposite each cluster were removed; and (iii) no leaf removal. Regardless of the leaf removal treatment, low population levels of Cladosporium spp. were detected early in the ontogenic development of grape berries which increased as the berries matured, reaching maximum populations on overripe berries. Based on our results, severe leaf removal favors the growth of Cladosporium spp. on grape berries and increases the prevalence of Cladosporium rot at harvest. This increase in Cladosporium spp. was correlated with an increase in lenticel damage in ‘Cabernet Sauvignon’ and ‘Sauvignon blanc’ vines subjected to severe leaf removal. Considering that Cladosporium rot significantly reduces yield and wine quality, farmers should avoid continuous exposure of grape clusters to sunlight in order to prevent severe outbreaks of Cladosporium rot.     

Pre-harvest survival of codling moth in artificially infested sweet cherry fruits

Prior to the 2009 season, sweet cherry fruits, Prunus avium (L.) L., from North America were required to be fumigated with methyl bromide before being exported to Japan to eliminate possible infestation by codling moth, Cydia pomonella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae). However, based on recent biological research on host status, a new procedure (the “systems approach”) was implemented relying on the cumulative effects of pre- and post-harvest practices to produce pest-free sweet cherry fruits for export. This is an organized process that involves the integration of procedures used in the production, harvest, packaging, and distribution of a commodity which cumulatively meet the requirements for quarantine security. The objective of our study was to provide additional information to support the systems approach for codling moth in sweet cherries fruits. For four seasons, branches with sweet cherry fruits were caged on trees and infested by released ovipositing codling moths into the cages. Fruits were sampled weekly for codling moth individuals at each life stage. Eggs were laid mostly on leaves with the seasonal average numbers per cage ranging from 142 to 617. Populations declined rapidly after egg eclosion, with <1.5% of the original cohort surviving to fifth instars. Even after 8 weeks, none had formed cocoons or pupated. This failure of the codling moth to complete a life cycle under field conditions supports previous life history studies and demonstrates that sweet cherry fruits are inadequate hosts for codling moth.     

The response of onion couch (Arrhenatherum elatius ssp. bulbosum (Willd.) Schub. & Mart.) to glyphosate and other foliage-applied herbicides

Two experiments were conducted in which foliage-acting herbicides were applied to onion couch (Arrhenatherum elatius ssp. bulbosum). The first experiment used an artificially established population and investigated the effects of straw burning on the performance of autumn-applied treatments of glyphosate, aminotriazole and dalapon. Spring barley was sown without cultivation. The second experiment, conducted on a naturally occurring infestation, compared the performance of glyphosate applied at alternative autumn timings and a single application of flamprop-methyl made in the following spring, in the presence of a winter wheat crop. In the first experiment, assessments made after 15 months suggested that straw burning resulted in increased growth. In addition, herbicide performance appeared less effective after burning. In neither case were these differences significant. Glyphosate at 1·0 and 1·5 kg a.e./ha gave the highest levels of control of both shoots and bulbs, whereas control from aminotriazole at all doses (1·5, 3·0 and 4·5 kg a.i./ha) was poor. Dalapon (6·0, 12·0 and 18·0 kg a.i./ha) was intermediate in its effectiveness. In the second experiment, applications of glyphosate at 1·0 and 1·5 kg a.e./ha resulted in high levels of control of both shoots and bulbs with no significant difference between application dates. Flamprop-methyl at 0·52 kg a.i./ha reduced the number of shoots and bulbs by 55% and 58% respectively. All treatments significantly reduced the number of inflorescences present in July.     

Improved guayule lines outperform old lines in south-east Queensland

Guayule (Parthenium argentatum Gray) is a source of high quality rubber and low-allergenic latex as well as resin for use as a wood preservative. Demand for high value latex products has increased with the advent of deadly diseases such as AIDS. The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of six improved guayule lines (AZ-1 to AZ-6) in south-east Queensland: released jointly by the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and The University of Arizona. Trials were conducted at two sites, Chinchilla and Gatton. Overall performance of improved lines for plant growth and yield of dry matter, rubber and resin was better at both Gatton and Chinchilla than the standard check lines (N 565 and 11591). AZ-1 and AZ-2 maintained the best combinations of desirable traits, including plant uniformity, early vigorous growth, increased dry matter, and increased rubber and resin yields. Of these two, AZ-2 had more uniform plant growth and has commercial potential for Queensland production areas. In the summer harvest at Gatton, 32-month-old AZ-1 and AZ-2 produced rubber yields of 789 kg/ha and 771 kg/ha, respectively, while controls, N 565 and 11591 produced 675 kg/ha and 618 kg/ha, respectively. At Chinchilla, at 33 months, spring harvested AZ-1 and AZ-2 produced rubber yields of 717 kg/ha and 787 kg/ha; these yields were significantly higher than N 565 and 11591 which produced 385 kg/ha and 380 kg/ha, respectively. Thus, rubber yields of AZ-1 and AZ-2 were consistently high across sites. AZ-1 and AZ-2 produced resin yields of 1158 kg/ha and 1115 kg/ha at Gatton and 1318 kg/ha and 1476 kg/ha at Chinchilla. This compared with a mean of 612 kg/ha and 352 kg/ha for the standard check lines at Gatton and Chinchilla. Thus resin yields of AZ-1 and AZ-2 were consistently high across sites. Rubber content appeared to be influenced by time of harvest although this effect is compounded with plant age. At Gatton, in spring, 17-month-old plants produced a mean rubber content of 7.7% (all lines), while, in summer, when the plants were 32-month-olds, rubber content dropped to 6.4%. At Chinchilla, 33-month-old plants harvested in spring produced a mean rubber content of 7.4%, similar to the spring value at Gatton. By contrast, resin content appeared to be little affected by season.     

Yield response of okra, Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench to leaf damage by the flea beetle, Podagrica uniforma Jacoby (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

Yield-related response of okra plants, Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench, to artificial infestation of the flea beetle (Podagrica uniforma Jac.) at different densities (0, 5, 10, 20, 30, and 40 pairs per cage) was studied in screen house and field experiments. In both experiments, increase in beetle density resulted in a significant reduction (P < 0.05) in fruit production, fruit length, fruit width, fresh fruit weight, number of seeds per fruit, 100 seed weight and fresh fruit yield. In addition, higher densities caused more dry matter accumulation in the seeds than in the husk of okra fruits. Compensation was noticed at the 5- and 10-pair levels of infestation in some of the variables measured. Fresh fruit yield reduction was more than 50% when beetle density was increased beyond 20 pairs per cage in both experiments. The lowest density of P. uniforma at which significant reduction (P < 0.05) occurred in fresh fruit yield per cage, when compared with the control, was the 20-pair level, representing the damage threshold of the beetle at which initiation of control measures would be justified. Regression analysis indicated that flea beetle density was linearly associated with fruit damage and fresh fruit yield. Also, chi-square analysis showed that the models derived from the screen house and field experiments were not significantly different (P < 0.05) from each other, and either could be used for prediction purposes.     

Development of site-specific IPM against European grapevine moth Lobesia botrana (D. & S.) in vineyards

The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential for site-specific IPM of the European grapevine moth, Lobesia botrana (Denis & Shiffermüller), in a Mediterranean agricultural landscape in central Italy. In 2005-2006, sampling was conducted to verify the spatio-temporal distribution of L. botrana eggs, larvae and adult populations in the investigated agro-ecosystem. On the basis of these results, we applied tactics in 2007 and 2008 to reduce the outer source of the infestation by establishing a pheromone trap barrier system to prevent the movement of male adults from the olive groves into the vineyards, and to test the hypothesis that a within-field site-specific control results in reduced insecticide requirements compared with a traditional uniform IPM protocol. Sampling and control operations were carried out to avoid an increase of economic and labour efforts, leaving as much as possible the costs at the same level of a standard monitoring program. The results highlighted that male hot spots in olive groves disappeared, and that the number of larval nests on vine inflorescences was significantly decreased, when additional traps were deployed (2007-2008) compared to the period before (2005-2006). The site-specific control, i.e. treating only egg hot spots with Bacillus thuringensis var. kurstaki, allowed for a decrease in the surface of the treated vineyard and, consequently, the quantity of insecticide utilised. In 2008, no significant differences between uniform and site-specific IPM in vineyards were observed in the number of damaged berries and the percentage of infested bunches. The results are discussed with respect to the spatial pattern of pest populations, site-specific IPM tactics, sampling operations and pest control costs.     

Efficacy of entomopathogenic nematodes (Nematoda: Rhabditida) and insecticide mixtures to control Spodoptera frugiperda (Smith, 1797) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in corn crops

The main insect pest in Brazilian corn is fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (Smith, 1797) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) can be used to control this pest, and can be applied together with various insecticides. Thus, the objective of this work was to evaluate the efficacy of mixtures of EPNs and insecticides to control S. frugiperda in corn crops. In laboratory bioassays three species of EPNs were tested (Heterorhabditis indica, Steinernema carpocapsae and Steinernema glaseri) together with 18 registered insecticides to control S. frugiperda in corn. Efficacy of association between insecticides and EPNs on S. frugiperda larvae was evaluated against the insect's third instar, 2 and 4 days after applications in laboratory. Experiments in the field were performed in two consecutive years, with located application of H. indica and S. carpocapsae (250 IJs/cm²) mixed with chlorpyrifos (0.3 L/ha) and lufenuron (0.15 L/ha) on the corn husk. In laboratory, after two days exposure the interaction between chlorpyrifos and H. indica was synergistic, while interaction with cypermethrin, spinosad, methoxyfenozide and deltamethrin + triazofos was additive, as was interaction between lufenuron, chlorpyrifos and cypermethrin with S. carpocapsae. In contrast, the interaction between chlorpyrifos (Vexter™ and Lorsban™) and lufenuron with S. glaseri was synergistic. In the field, the best treatment was the mixture of H. indica with lufenuron (0.15 L/ha), with 62.5% and 57.5% larval mortality in the two evaluation years in the field, respectively.     

Evaluation of N and P mass balance in paddy rice culture along Kahokugata Lake, Japan, to assess potential lake pollution

Kahokugata Lake, a closed lake, has been subject to eutrophication. This research was conducted to clarify the actual phenomena and evaluation of the discharges of N and P from paddy test fields in the lowlands into Kahokugata Lake. A comprehensive mass balance of N and P was obtained from 4 years of study. About N, the mean value of harvested unhulled rice (79.9 kg/ha) was greater than mean controlled release fertilizer inputs (56.7 kg/ha). Other inputs and outputs include N in atmospheric acid deposition (21.4 kg/ha) and N fixation–denitrification (9.2 kg/ha). The rice straw recycled after harvest was balanced by straw produced in the succeeding year. The runoff and percolation losses discharged into the lake was 11.3 kg/ha, (8.6% of total inputs). Since the rice harvested was consumed domestically, which taking out from the farmland and, therefore, nitrogen pollutant into the lake was becoming small, paddy rice at this site is considered an “anti-polluting, purifying or cleansing” crop. The P content in harvested rice (39.4 kg/ha) was balanced by fertilizer inputs (36.4 kg/ha). Previous studies examining inflow–outflow relationships without considering a comprehensive mass balance may lead to erroneous conclusions. Our findings indicate paddy rice in lowlands could be an environmentally friendly crop and can play an important role in reducing pollution of lakes, and therefore should be considered in land use planning.     

Monitoring and action threshold determination for the obscure mealybug Pseudococcus viburni (Signoret) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) using pheromone-baited traps

The absence of effective pest monitoring has resulted in an increase in populations of the obscure mealybug Pseudococcus viburni (Signoret) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) in pome fruit orchards in the Western Cape Province of South Africa recently. The sex pheromone for P. viburni was recently identified and synthesized. Flight activity of adult male P. viburni was monitored by placing and servicing three, evenly spaced pheromone-baited traps per orchard in three pome fruit growing regions used for the study. Fortnightly fruit sampling was done by randomly picking three fruits per tree for the duration of each fruit season, dissecting and noting mealybug infestation. The biweekly male P. viburni trap catch information and fruit infestation data collected over two seasons were correlated. There was a positive and significant relationship between the fruit infestation and number of P. viburni adult males caught in pheromone-baited traps (r² = 0.454, P < 0.001). The action threshold level was estimated to be 2.5 male P. viburni caught per trap per fortnight at an economic threshold of 2% fruit infestation. This monitoring method was less labor intensive, more accurate and quicker than the current visual sampling and monitoring techniques.     

Management strategies for forage rape (Brassica napus L. cv Goliath): Impact on dry-matter yield,plant reserves,morphology and nutritive value

Limited information is available on the grazing management principles of forage rape (Brassica napus L.), particularly in relation to grazing height and intensity and the impact of these on dry-matter (DM) yield and nutritive value. A glasshouse study was undertaken to investigate the effect of three defoliation heights (plant height at harvest; DH: 40, 70 and 90 cm; L, M and H DH respectively) and three defoliation intensities (height at which plants were cut; DI: 5, 20 and 35 cm of residual height; H, M and L DI respectively) on forage rape (cv Goliath) yield and nutritive value at two harvests (harvest 1, H1 and harvest 2, H2), and the impact of nitrogen (N) and water soluble carbohydrate (WSC) reserves on regrowth. Increasing DH from L to H increased estimated total DM yield (H1 plus H2) from 0.5 to 4.6 t DM/ha but DI did not affect yield. Dry-matter yield was optimized at 90 cm DH, but greater nutritive value was achieved by harvesting at lower levels of DH. Despite high in vitro DM digestibility (IVDMD; 852–889 g/kg), harvesting at 90 cm DH could not meet the protein requirement of lactating dairy cows and harvesting at lower levels risks nitrate poisoning. Our results indicate the optimum DH may be between 70 and 90 cm DH, and 20 and 35 cm DI, which requires further studies.