滴灌水氮运筹对南疆春小麦根系生长及产量的影响

以南疆地区春小麦新春6号为供试材料,采用土柱栽培法,通过滴灌开展水、氮两因素控制性试验,滴施纯氮量设N_0(不施氮肥)、N_1(69 kg·hm~(-2))、N_2(172.5 kg·hm~(-2))和N_3(276 kg·hm~(-2))4个水平,滴灌水量设W_1(2 250 m~3·hm~(-2))、W_2(3 000 m~3·hm~(-2))、W_3(3 750 m~3·hm~(-2))和W_4(4 500 m~3·hm~(-2))4个水平,共16个水氮组合处理。结果表明:扬花期是滴灌春小麦根系生长的高峰期,有64.52%～76.90%的根系干质量和76.39%～82.47%的根长分布在0～40 cm土层中。适当增施水氮能有效促进根系生长并提高产量,其中扬花期N_3W_3、N_2W_3、N_3W_2处理的根干质量、根干质量密度、根长、根长密度、根系直径和根系表面积较高,分别为123.0～148.3 mg、97.07～117.03 g·m~(-3)、14 405.8～16 490.8 mm、1.14～1.30 cm·cm~(-3)、0.3267～0.3365 mm和14 245～17 624 mm~2,其产量也达到8 695.7～9 966.1 kg·hm~(-2)的较高水平。N_3W_4处理的根系各项指标虽然较高,但蜡熟期下降过快,表明水氮过高对延缓根系衰亡不利。水氮对根系生长及产量具有显著的互作效应,且水分效应高于氮素效应。通过分析,本地区较适宜的水、氮供应范围分别为3 750～4 500 m~3·hm~(-2)和172.5～276 kg·hm~(-2),当施氮量259.4 kg·hm~(-2)、滴灌量3 793.4 m~3·hm~(-2)时产量可达最高为9 142.9 kg·hm~(-2)。     

非充分滴灌下施氮量对棉花生长特性、产量及水氮利用率的影响

以新陆中54号为试材,采用裂区试验设计,主区为总灌溉量为2 800 m3·hm~(-2)(非充分滴灌)和3 800m3·hm~(-2)(常规滴灌),副区为4个施氮(纯N)水平,N0(0 kg·hm~(-2))、N1(150 kg·hm~(-2))、N2(300 kg·hm~(-2))、N3(450 kg·hm~(-2)),研究棉花在非充分滴灌条件下最佳的施氮量。结果表明:同一滴灌量下,生育进程随着施氮量的增加而明显延迟,株高、真叶数和果枝数随着施氮量的增加而增加,倒四叶宽和有效果枝数随着施氮量的增加呈先增后减的趋势;同一氮肥处理下,株高随着滴灌量的增加而增大,真叶数、倒四叶宽、茎粗随着滴灌量的增加略有降低;现蕾数、成铃数、干物质积累量、持续时间和最大积累速率随着施氮量的增加呈先升后降的趋势,以N2处理较高,生长特征值较为协调;两灌溉量间单铃重、皮棉产量及水氮利用效率差异不显著,但随着施氮量的增加其呈先增后降的趋势,以N2处理最高,分别比N0、N1、N3平均增产39.9%、20.1%、4.3%,水分利用效率分别提高了40.97%、19.02%、4.88%,氮肥利用率较N1、N3分别提高了53.91%、21.36%。因此,在南疆阿克苏地区,棉花滴灌量在2 800 m3·hm~(-2)条件下,施氮量以300 kg·hm~(-2)适宜。     

施氮量对膜下滴灌甜菜生长速率及氮肥利用效率的影响

为探明内蒙古冷凉干旱区不同施氮水平对膜下滴灌甜菜生长速率和氮素分配、转移及利用效率的影响,并进一步筛选出适宜该地区膜下滴灌甜菜的最佳施氮量。本文通过两年田间试验,分析了不同施氮水平对甜菜全生育期干物质积累、不同器官氮素积累量以及氮素增长速率和产量构成因素的动态变化规律,揭示了不同施氮水平下甜菜的氮肥利用效率、产量及含糖率的差异效应。通过田间定位试验,采用单因素随机区组设计,重复4次。结果表明,甜菜各农艺性状随施氮量的增大呈先增加后降低的变化趋势,其中以50、100 kg·hm~(-2)和150 kg·hm~(-2)处理较好。甜菜含糖率随氮肥用量的增加而降低,且无底肥施氮量为0 kg·hm~(-2)较在磷钾肥基础上施氮量为0、50、100、150 kg·hm~(-2)和200 kg·hm~(-2)处理甜菜含糖率分别增加了3.20%、3.63%、8.30%、13.07%和12.24%。甜菜氮素积累量随施氮水平的增加及生育时期的推进均呈增加趋势;随施氮量的增加氮肥吸收利用率呈先增加后降低的变化规律,氮肥农学利用率、氮肥生理利用率和氮肥偏生产力则呈降低趋势。综合甜菜农艺性状、产量、含糖量及氮肥利用率的分析可知,该地区膜下滴灌甜菜的最佳施氮量为100 kg·hm~(-2)。     

氮肥和土壤质地对滴灌棉花氮素利用率及产量的影响

为了探究氮肥和土壤质地对滴灌棉花氮素利用率及产量的影响,采用大田二因素随机区组试验方法,研究了滴灌条件下不同质地土壤棉花全氮含量以及氮素在各器官中的分布积累特征。结果表明:(1)不同施氮处理对各质地土壤棉花平均全氮含量表现为N2(施氮量340 kg·hm~(-2))N1(施氮量240 kg·hm~(-2))N3(施氮量480 kg·hm~(-2))CK(不施氮处理);(2)同种质地下棉花各器官全氮含量在铃期之前表现为叶花蕾茎;铃期之后表现为叶铃茎,不同质地条件下叶、花蕾、花铃、茎中全氮含量均表现为砂土壤土黏土;(3)相同灌水条件时,N2处理下棉花单株铃数壤土与黏土差异不显著;N1处理下棉花单铃重砂土与壤土、N3处理下壤土与黏土差异不显著,其余处理间均达到极显著水平,并且砂土、壤土、黏土分别以256.00 kg·hm~(-2)、287.34 kg·hm~(-2)、369.25 kg·hm~(-2)的施氮量能够达到最高目标产量。建议在新疆干旱区滴灌砂、壤棉田采用以上研究结果,黏土氮肥投入可酌情降低并无机-有机肥料配施,以达到节肥和高产的统一。     

北疆滴灌玉米施氮量估算及减氮增铵效应

根据产量与施氮量函数模型计算滴灌玉米施氮量,并通过减氮增铵改善滴灌玉米氮素营养,探索滴灌水氮一体化下优化施氮策略。2013—2014年两年田间试验表明:玉米产量、干物质量及氮素吸收量均随施氮量的增加显著升高,当施氮量大于435 kg·hm-2时,则呈下降趋势,表现为N435N540N330N225N0;减氮增铵处理的上述指标表现为N375+CPN37575%N375+CPN0,当施氮量在330~435 kg·hm-2时,不同处理的玉米氮素吸收量与氮素收获指数差异均不显著,说明在此范围内减氮增铵对玉米干物质积累、玉米氮素营养及产量无负面影响;根据产量与施氮量间函数关系可得天山北坡滴灌玉米经济最佳产量17 049 kg·hm-2下的施氮量为402.5kg·hm-2;施氮和增铵处理可显著增加玉米穗粒数、单穗重;氮肥偏生产力和氮肥利用率均随施氮量增加而下降,氮肥利用率表现为N225(46.6%)N330(45.8%)N435(43.6%)N540(34.6%);滴灌玉米氮肥偏生产力和氮肥利用率均以75%N375+CP处理最高,分别比施氮量在330~435 kg·hm-2之间其他处理的平均值增加了31.4%、27.9%和5.8%、6.4%,说明减氮增铵可显著提高滴灌玉米氮素养分利用效率;天山北坡滴灌玉米优化施氮量为402.5kg·hm-2,通过施用硝化抑制剂与尿素水氮一体化分次施入可实现减氮93.8 kg·hm-2,并显著提高氮肥利用率。     

水氮调控对轻度盐化土滴灌棉花根系生长的影响

为探讨轻度盐渍化地区不同水氮配比对滴灌棉花根系生长的影响,本文基于轻度盐胁迫下水氮耦合试验,确定轻度盐渍化农田棉花种植的合理水氮组合。采用当地主栽棉花品种"农丰133",开展轻度盐胁迫(4～5 g·kg~(-1))及滴灌条件下水氮二因素三水平桶栽试验,研究3个施氮水平:300、600 kg·hm~(-2)和900 kg·hm~(-2)尿素(分别标记为N1、N2和N3),3个灌水水平:2 750、3 750 m~3·hm~(-2)和4 750 m~3·hm~(-2)(分别标记为W1、W2和W3)对滴灌棉花根系生长的影响。结果表明:轻度盐胁迫下,灌水和施氮产生的交互作用对棉花根表面积和根平均直径有显著影响,根表面积和根平均直径均随灌溉定额或施氮量的增加而减小。灌水量和施氮量对棉花0～20 cm土层根体积调控作用不明显。轻度盐化土滴灌棉花根表面积、根平均直径及根体积垂直方向主要分布在0～30 cm土层,且随土层深度的增加逐渐降低;水平方向主要分布在滴头下方。灌溉定额3 750 m~3·hm~(-2),尿素施用量600 kg·hm~(-2)有利于轻度盐化土滴灌棉花根系生长,在各处理间棉花产量最高,为5 854.5 kg·hm~(-2)。     

不同水氮处理对滴灌冬小麦生长、产量和耗水特性的影响

通过滴灌小麦大田试验,研究了不同灌水下限(灌水下限为田间持水量的45%、60%、75%)和施氮处理(45、111、146 kg·hm~(-2))对田间冬小麦生长、产量和耗水特性的影响。结果表明:灌水下限对小麦株高、叶面积指数和干物质的影响是显著的,且比施氮量影响更大。W3(灌水下限为田间持水量45%)和N3(施氮量45 kg·hm~(-2))处理不利于小麦株高、叶面积的增长。在小麦生长后期,增加灌水量和施氮量有利于小麦株高的生长。小麦的产量随着灌水下限的增大而增加;施氮量在0~111 kg·hm~(-2)时,冬小麦产量随着施氮量的增加而增加,超过111 kg·hm~(-2)时不再显著增加甚至抑制产量的增长;灌水下限和施氮量相对较小的处理有利于提高水分利用效率。不同水肥处理,小麦各生育期内耗水量和耗水模数都表现为灌浆完熟抽穗扬花期拔节孕穗期返青起身期。在此试验条件下,W2N2的处理(灌水下限为田间持水量的60%,灌溉定额为290 mm,施氮量为111 kg·hm~(-2))的干物质、产量和水分利用效率最大,是产量和效益兼优的最佳组合。     

氮肥和密度对胡麻水分、氮素利用率及产量的影响

在大田环境下,设置氮肥(0、75、150 kg·hm~(-2))和密度(4.5、7.5、10.5×10~6粒·hm~(-2))2因素共9个处理(N_0D_1、N_0D_2、N_0D_3、N_1D_1、N_1D_2、N_1D_3、N_2D_1、N_2D_2、N_2D_3)的随机区组试验,分析了不同施氮量和种植密度组合对旱地胡麻土壤含水量、贮水量、籽粒产量及产量构成因子、水分和氮素利用率的影响。结果表明,氮肥、密度各处理土壤含水量变化主要表现在苗期～青果期0～60 cm土层,以N_1D_1处理为优,最高达到15.52%;N_2D_1处理0～200 cm土壤平均含水量为18.25%,其生育季内0～200 cm土壤贮水量亦较最低处理N_1D_3增加4.62%,具有较好的肥水耦合优势。胡麻产量随处理中施氮量和密度增加呈先降后升趋势,随施氮量变幅为66.58～171.64 kg·hm~(-2),随密度变幅为32.42～68.47 kg·hm~(-2)。籽粒产量和水分利用效率对施氮水平呈现明显的正效应,高氮(N_2)较中氮(N_1)和不施氮(N_0)水平产量上升14.97%～16.05%,水分利用效率增加7.14%～21.75%;而增加密度对胡麻产量和水分利用效率并未有显著影响,组合中均为4.5×10~6粒·hm~(-2)处理下最高,分别达到1 802.00 kg·hm~(-2)和7.87 kg·hm~(-2)·mm~(-1)。增施氮肥显著提高了植株氮素吸收量,高氮(N_2)、中氮(N_1)较不施氮(N_0)分别显著增加82.21%和57.55%;平均氮素吸收利用率则均随施氮量和密度上升而降低,高氮(N_2)较中氮(N_1)水平显著降低42%,高密度(D_3)、中密度(D_2)平均氮素利用率分别较低密度(D_1)处理显著降低58.45%和35.19%。在试验处理区间内,高氮配合增密不利于提高氮素吸收利用率, N_1D_1组合氮素利用率最优,为64.3%。氮肥密度互作后,籽粒产量与有效分茎数间(0.688~*)、有效分枝数与单株有效果数间(0.877~*)均显著相关,且分茎数、分枝数受密度影响程度大于施氮量,而千粒重受限于施氮量更甚,不同施氮水平间变幅达到0.04～0.29 g。因此,氮肥密度互作时,增密对水分利用效率及产量无显著影响,适量氮肥施用可促进胡麻生育前、中期水分有效利用和提高氮素利用率,使胡麻产量及水分利用效率显著增加。在本试验及相似农田生态类型环境下,兼顾节本增效和环境安全,施氮量75～150 kg·hm~(-2)、种植密度4.5×10~6粒·hm~(-2)可作为黄土高原干旱半干旱区胡麻高效生产的适宜参考氮肥密度组合。     

不同氮肥用量对春油菜产量及养分吸收分配的影响

在青海省春油菜主产区开展田间小区试验,采用随机区组设计,每公顷分别施用纯氮0、75、150、225 kg,研究氮肥水平对甘蓝型春油菜新品种青杂12号的产量、养分吸收量、不同部位分配比例和氮素利用效率的影响。结果表明,在施用磷肥、钾肥和硼肥的基础上,增施氮肥75～225 kg·hm~(-2)可显著增加春油菜地上各部位产量,其中籽粒平均增产量为1 274 kg·hm~(-2),平均增产率为77%,地上部分生物量平均增加3 116 kg·hm~(-2),平均增产率为79%。增施氮肥可显著提高地上部氮素累积量(P0.05),平均增加69%;在施氮水平为150～225 kg·hm~(-2)时,施氮可以显著促进春油菜磷、钾素的累积,累积量平均增加69%和239%。青杂12号成熟期氮素、磷素和钾素吸收分配均表现为:籽粒茎秆角壳,分配比例平均为74.7%、19.5%和5.8%。随着施氮量的增加青杂12号的氮肥偏生产力显著降低,从28.2 kg·kg~(-1)下降到15.3 kg·kg~(-1),增施氮肥后氮肥农学效率、表观利用率、生理利用率、地力贡献率平均值分别为8.2 kg·kg~(-1) N、32.8%、25.6 kg·kg~(-1) N和59.1%。根据产投比结果分析,本试验条件下青海省春油菜推荐氮肥用量为150 kg·hm~(-2)。     

水氮耦合对滴灌复播大豆干物质积累氮素吸收及产量的影响

为探明不同水氮组合对复播大豆干物质积累、氮素吸收及产量的影响,于2013年7—10月在新疆伊宁县进行了不同滴灌量与施氮量的裂区田间试验。滴灌量为主因子,分设3 000 m3·hm-2(W1)、3 600 m3·hm-2(W2)、4 200 m3·hm-2(W3)、4 800 m3·hm-2(W4)四个灌水梯度;施氮量为副因子,设0 kg·hm-2(N0)、150 kg·hm-2(N1)、300 kg·hm-2(N2)三个水平。结果表明:同一施氮量条件下,随着滴灌量的增加各施氮处理干物质积累平均速率、干物质积累持续时间及氮素吸收量基本表现为"先增后降"的趋势,且均在W3处理(4 200 m3·hm-2)达到最大;在低水量(W1)条件下增加氮肥的投入,有利于增加复播大豆干物质积累,提高复播大豆氮素吸收量,进而提高复播大豆产量,但降低了氮素籽粒生产效率;水分充足时适量增施氮肥能促进大豆干物质的积累,增加植株氮素的吸收量,增加氮素籽粒生产效率,而过量追施氮肥,阻碍根系吸收氮素进入植株体内,降低氮素的利用效率,且W3N1组合条件下,干物质积累量、植株氮素吸收量、产量均达到最大,产量达到3 741.23 kg·hm-2,分别比低水低肥处理(W1N0)、高水高肥处理(W4N2)增加了54.30%、17.02%。     

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.     

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     

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.     

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.