磷矿粉的有效利用途径综述

磷是植物生长发育所需的营养元素之一,其主要来源于土壤。我国磷矿资源丰富但大多为中低品位磷矿,近年来磷矿粉直接施用效果的研究成为国内外共同关注的热点。本文从磷矿资源优化、高效利用的角度,从土壤性质、磷矿粉自身性质以及植物种类三方面分析了影响磷矿粉肥效的主要因素,综述了提高磷矿粉肥效的活化技术,探讨磷矿粉的合理施用,为合理利用中低品位磷矿粉、提高磷肥的利用率、降低磷肥的生产成本提供理论依据。对缓和目前磷肥严重短缺、氮磷钾协调等方面会有所帮助。     

磷肥种类和施用方式对新疆棉田磷素利用及棉花产量的影响

通过研究不同磷肥种类和施用方式对新疆棉田棉花磷吸收、产量和土壤磷平衡的影响,明确适合新疆棉田的磷肥种类和施用方式。采用田间试验方法,设置6个处理:不施磷肥(CK)、重过磷酸钙基施(TSP-B)、磷酸一铵基施(MAP-B)、磷酸脲基施(UP-B)、磷酸一铵滴施(MAP-D)、磷酸脲滴施(UP-D),在棉花花蕾期、花铃期、吐絮期分别采集土壤及植物样品,测定土壤有效磷含量、棉花各器官吸磷量和籽棉产量,并计算磷肥利用效率和棉田磷平衡。结果表明:磷酸一铵和磷酸脲处理的土壤有效磷含量、植物吸磷量高于重过磷酸钙处理,并且吐絮期时,滴施处理(MAP-D、UP-D)土壤有效磷含量比基施处理(MAP-B、UP-B)增加了46.34%和105.12%。与不施磷肥和重过磷酸钙处理相比,磷酸一铵和磷酸脲处理的籽棉产量显著提高,且滴施处理略高于基施处理,磷酸一铵滴施处理的籽棉产量相较于不施磷肥和重过磷酸钙处理增加了41.38%和37.82%。磷酸一铵滴施的磷肥当季利用率和农学效率最高,分别为25.44%和19.59 kg·kg~(-1),且棉田磷素盈余最少,为-39.99 kg·hm~(-2)。综上,在新疆棉花种植体系中,磷酸一铵和磷酸脲提高土壤有效磷含量、籽棉产量、磷肥利用率和植物利用土壤磷素的效果优于重过磷酸钙,且滴施略优于基施。     

棉粕腐植酸肥对土壤团聚体、酶及养分的影响

采用田间试验方法,以小麦新春38号作为供试品种,设置3个处理:空白对照、等养分复合肥和等养分棉粕腐植酸复合肥,研究了棉粕开发的腐植酸水溶性肥料对土壤团聚体、酶和养分的影响。结果表明:与不施肥处理相比较,腐植酸肥处理使土壤团聚体含量向2~0.25 mm和2 mm粒级有显著转移;土壤脲酶活性、过氧化氢酶和碱性磷酸酶活性显著提高,对蔗糖酶活性差异不明显;可显著提高碱解氮、速效钾和有效磷含量,腐植酸肥处理能平均提高全生育期0~20 cm土层碱解氮37.27%、速效磷42.24%、速效钾37.02%,20~40 cm土层碱解氮提高15.55%、速效磷提高61.52%、速效钾提高57.36%。与等养分复合肥处理相比,腐植酸肥处理使不同土层土壤团聚体百分含量向2~0.25 mm和2 mm粒级均有转移;前期抑制土壤脲酶活性,后期提高壤脲酶活性,提高过氧化氢酶和碱性磷酸酶活性,蔗糖酶活性差异不明显;可提高土壤中碱解氮含量,显著提高速效钾和速效磷含量,腐植酸肥处理可平均提高全生育期0~20 cm土层碱解氮5.92%、速效磷8.8%、速效钾4.29%,20~40 cm土层碱解氮提高1.9%、速效磷提高15.39%、速效钾提高8%。     

长期施肥下黄土旱塬黑垆土磷平衡及农学阈值

为研究长期施肥条件下土壤磷平衡和土壤有效磷对磷盈亏的响应,明确土壤有效磷(Olsen-P)的农学阈值及合理磷肥施用量,依托甘肃平凉肥料长期定位试验(始于1979),分析了黄土旱塬黑垆土36 a土壤磷盈亏动态、累积磷盈亏与有效磷的响应关系以及土壤磷残余,通过Mitscherlich方程模拟作物相对产量对土壤有效磷的响应关系,计算黄土旱塬黑垆土小麦和玉米的土壤有效磷农学阈值。结果表明:不施肥(CK)和单施氮肥(N)处理土壤磷始终亏缺,N处理每亏缺磷100 kg·hm~(-2),有效磷含量下降1.05 mg·kg~(-1);施磷处理土壤磷当季盈余4.3～207.9 kg·hm~(-2),累积盈余154.9～7 483.6 kg·hm~(-2),其中有机、无机配施(MNP)处理磷盈余最大;土壤累积磷盈余与土壤有效磷增量呈线性正相关,土壤中每盈余100 kg·hm~(-2)磷,秸秆还田配施化肥(SNP,磷肥隔年施)、氮磷配施(NP)、有机肥(M)和有机、无机配施(MNP)处理土壤有效磷分别增加7.55、2.47、0.28 mg·kg~(-1)和0.46 mg·kg~(-1);黄土旱塬黑垆土农田有效磷的小麦和玉米农学阈值分别为22.05 mg·kg~(-1)和13.96 mg·kg~(-1),MNP处理土壤有效磷含量已高于作物农学阈值,NP和SNP处理土壤有效磷含量达到小麦农学阈值分别需要21 a和24 a,达到玉米农学阈值分别需要2 a和8 a,M处理土壤有效磷含量已高于玉米农学阈值,还需要3 a可达到小麦农学阈值。当磷投入量每年平均达22.9 kg·hm~(-2)时,土壤磷呈持平状态;当磷用量达33 kg·hm~(-2)时,不仅作物产量较高,而且磷肥当季利用率也较高;当磷用量增加到233 kg·hm~(-2)时,作物产量对增加磷投入无响应,土壤磷残余超过90%,大量磷素累积在土壤中,增加了土壤磷素的流失风险。黄土旱塬小麦玉米一年一熟轮作黑垆土农田土壤有效磷农学阈值为13.96 mg·kg~(-1)(玉米)和22.05 mg·kg~(-1)(小麦),秸秆还田可促进旱地农田耕层土壤有效磷含量的增加。     

砂磨机制备铜基营养保护剂悬浮剂的工艺优化

为提高铜基营养保护剂悬浮剂的悬浮率和稳定性,通过正交实验和单因素实验方法,从浆料质量分数、研磨转速、研磨介质与浆料质量比及研磨时间4个因素出发,研究了通过砂磨机制备铜基营养保护剂悬浮剂的优化工艺。结果表明:研磨转速对制剂粒径影响最大;研磨介质与浆料质量比对制剂分散颗粒比表面积影响最大;浆料质量分数对粒径和比表面积的影响均最小。其最佳制备工艺条件为:浆料质量分数60%,研磨转速1 500 r/min,m(研磨介质):m(浆料)=1.5:1,研磨时间80 min。在此条件下,所得铜基营养保护剂悬浮剂的悬浮率均大于90%,且其分散性、水质适应性和水温实验均符合相关标准要求。研究结果可为铜基营养保护剂的开发应用提供理论基础及工艺参考。     

棉花秸秆无筛粉碎机的设计与试验

针对棉花秸秆因木质化程度较高、韧性强,还掺有棉絮,在有筛粉碎机粉碎过程中排料困难、筛片易堵塞等问题,设计了一种棉花秸秆无筛粉碎机,通过调整出料口面积来实现粉碎室内气体流量的改变,获得不同粉碎粒度的棉花秸秆成品;对粒度分级装置、粉碎刀辊等主要部件的结构进行了确定;阐述了粉碎过程中棉花秸秆的受力过程,确定了L改进型锤片的关键参数,对机具的L改进型锤片和抛送叶片进行了结构和排列设计。Fluent仿真分析结果表明：L改进型锤片相比直刀型锤片更有利于提高棉花秸秆在粉碎室内的流动性并在粉碎室内部形成更大的负压。以L改进型锤片数量、粉碎刀辊转速、出料口面积为试验因素,以棉花秸秆粉碎粒径合格率为试验指标,进行三因素三水平正交试验,确定影响棉花秸秆粉碎粒径合格率显著性的因素由大到小分别为：粉碎刀辊转速、出料口面积和L改进型锤片数量。确定较优参数组合为L改进型锤片数量140把,粉碎刀辊转速2 660 r·min^-1,出料口面积136 500 mm²。采用较优参数组合进行样机田间试验,测得棉花秸秆粉碎粒径合格率为93.7%,能够满足棉花秸秆粉碎机实际生产需要。     

负压灌溉对茄子养分吸收和土壤养分环境的影响

利用负压供水装置,研究不同负压灌溉对茄子养分吸收、土壤有效养分含量和土壤酶活性的影响,以期筛选出适宜茄子生长的供水压力。在遮雨大棚内采用盆栽试验,供试土壤为草甸黑钙土,试验设3个不同供水压力(-3、-8、-15 kPa)及人工浇水(CK)共4个处理,在生育期测定茄子植株氮、磷、钾养分吸收量、土壤有效养分含量及土壤酶活性。结果表明:与CK处理相比,-3 kPa供水压力能显著提高茄子茎、叶和果实器官中氮、磷、钾的吸收量,促进了氮、磷、钾向果实中转移,有利于产量提高;与CK处理相比,-3 kPa供水压力下,茄子生育期土壤碱解氮、有效磷、速效钾含量分别提高11.03%～21.98%、14.89%～23.97%和6.48%～13.32%,土壤脲酶活性提高11.29%～19.78%,磷酸酶活性提高9.09%～16.91%,蔗糖酶活性提高3.74%～13.17%,始果期过氧化氢酶活性提高5.08%。相关分析表明,负压供水条件下,茄子茎、叶、果实中氮、磷、钾含量与土壤碱解氮、有效磷和速效钾含量间存在显著或极显著的正相关关系,并且土壤养分含量与土壤酶活性间存在极显著正相关关系。采用负压灌溉、供水压力控制在-3 kPa时,具有提高茄子植株氮、磷、钾养分吸收量,提高土壤有效养分含量,增加土壤脲酶、磷酸酶、蔗糖酶和土壤过氧化氢酶活性的效果。     

磷细菌对复垦土壤磷素流失风险的影响

以实验室筛选的溶磷能力最强的磷细菌W37为试验菌株,采煤沉陷区复垦土壤为供试土样,通过盆栽试验研究施用磷细菌对复垦土壤磷素养分、油菜产量、磷吸附特性及流失风险的影响。结果表明:磷细菌可以提高复垦土壤有效磷(Olsen-P)含量和油菜产量;施用磷细菌后复垦土壤最大吸磷量(Xm),吸附常数(k)都减小;磷细菌处理易解吸磷(RDP)、磷零点吸持平衡浓度(EPC0)及磷素饱和度(DPS)呈增加的趋势,分别比M处理增加0.014mg·L~(-1),6.54ug·L~(-1),0.80%;通过估算复垦土壤Olsen-P、EPC0、DPS的环境风险值为28.52mg·kg~(-1),129.78ug·L~(-1),5.18%,本试验中磷细菌处理土壤Olsen-P、EPC0、DPS远小于风险值,因此复垦土壤上施用磷细菌对磷素流失风险影响较小。     

不同配料颗粒秸秆施用对土壤速效养分及小麦生长的影响

我国西北地区气温较低，秸秆直接还田腐解慢、养分循环慢、当季利用率低、影响作物出苗，导致秸秆还田率不高。针对以上问题，本研究以小麦秸秆为原料，以硫磺粉（养分活化剂）和麦秸生物炭（养分吸附剂）为外源添加材料，制成秸秆颗粒。硫磺粉的添加质量比为3%（WS3）、5%（WS5）、10%（WS10），生物质炭的添加质量比为5%（WC5）、10%（WC10）、15%（WC15），以秸秆颗粒（WK）、剪碎秸秆（W，W6）及无秸秆（CK）为对照，通过盆栽试验探究了秸秆颗粒对土壤速效养分及小麦生长的影响。结果表明：秸秆颗粒较剪碎秸秆处理相比，能显著提高土壤速效养分及小麦生物量和植株全量氮、磷、钾含量，添加硫磺或生物炭的秸秆颗粒提升效果更明显。各处理土壤硝态氮含量以WS3处理最高，较W处理提高14.44%；铵态氮含量以WC5处理最高，较W处理提高40.93%；速效磷含量以WS10处理最高，较W处理提高23.42%；速效钾含量以WC5处理最高，较W处理提高9.05%；差异均达显著水平（P<0.05）。小麦生物量以WS5处理最高，较WK处理提高29.61%；全氮含量以WS10最高，较WK处理提高11.44%；全磷含量以WS10处理最高，较WK处理提高21.82%；全钾含量以WC15最高，较WK处理提高12.53%；差异均达显著水平（P<0.05）。综上可知，秸秆颗粒在西北地区实现秸秆还田和养分循环，维持土壤肥力等方面具有很大应用前景。     

施磷深度对春玉米干物质及磷积累与转运的影响

以郑单958为供试品种,在土柱栽培条件下,以不施磷肥为对照,研究了6 cm(T6)、12 cm(T12)、18cm(T18)和24 cm(T24)4个施磷深度对春玉米干物质及磷素养分积累与转运的影响。结果表明:随着施磷深度的增加春玉米干物质积累量和籽粒产量呈先升后降的趋势,均以12 cm施磷深度处理最大,6 cm施磷深度处理次之,24 cm施磷深度处理最小;叶和茎鞘干物质转运量、转运率以及对籽粒贡献率均以6 cm施磷深度处理最大,各处理之间大小为T6T12T18T24CK;器官磷含量、磷积累量以12 cm施磷深度处理最大,各处理之间大小顺序为T12T6T18T24CK;磷转运量、转运率和转运对籽粒贡献率总体上以6 cm施磷深度处理较高,6 cm施磷深度叶的磷转运量、转运率和转运对籽粒贡献率分别比其它处理高5.6%~59%、9.8%~12.6%和11.3%~35.6%;6 cm施磷深度茎鞘的磷转运量、转运率和转运对籽粒贡献率分别比其它处理高9.0%~65.4%、9.0%~10.2%、14.9%~50.3%,磷肥偏生产力、磷吸收效率和利用效率均以12 cm施磷深度处理最大,且与其他处理间差异均达到显著水平,表明适度增加磷肥施用深度是提高磷肥利用效率的有效途径。     

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Brief Guide for Authors

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

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

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

Plant Viruses Transmitted by Whiteflies

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

The parasitoid complex ofLiriomyza cicerina on chickpea (Cicer arietinum)

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

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

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

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

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