Optimising cutting method and timing for the control of Abutilon theophrasti seed production

Abutilon theophrasti (velvetleaf) is a widespread and problematic annual weed. Greenhouse and field experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of different cutting methods on the viability of A. theophrasti seeds. Three cutting methods were assessed: (1) Entire plant cut and dried (EPD)—plants were cut at soil level and dried with capsules attached on the greenhouse bench or soil surface for 4 weeks; (2) capsules detached and dried (CD)—capsules were removed from plants and dried for 4 weeks; and (3) capsules detached and tested while fresh (CF)—a control treatment. Before drying, the developmental stage (stage one, dark green; stage two, light green; stage three, yellowish-green; or stage four, black with the slightly open capsule) and age (days after flowering, DAF) of each capsule was recorded. Seed viability was measured immediately in the CF treatment and after the 4-week drying period in the EPD and CD treatments. No seeds in the EPD and CD treatments were viable when harvested at the first developmental stage (1–8 DAF) in either experiment, but 100% of seeds in the CF treatment in the field were viable when harvested at 8 DAF. In both greenhouse and field experiments, seeds attained full viability at earlier harvest ages in CF than in EPD or CD treatments, suggesting that seeds might become viable relatively early in development but lose viability if allowed to dry. These findings could be applied to optimise late-season mechanical control of A. theophrasti.     

Water Pricing and Sustainability of Self-Governing Irrigation Schemes

The sustainability of self-governingirrigation schemes is currently underpressure in many countries as publicfinancial support is decreasing.Furthermore, growing global concernregarding water scarcity means thatefficient water use is essential.Theoretically the choice and implementationof a water-pricing system should play acentral role in achieving this objective,both by recovering water costs and byencouraging farmers to adopt more efficientbehaviour. In the Senegal River Delta newlyestablished water users associations (WUAs)have chosen low water charges, which areaffordable for the majority of farmers butwhich underestimate long-term maintenancecosts. Combined with the difficulty ofcollecting and managing farmers' fees, thischoice has drawn them into a vicious circleleading to scheme deterioration and poorwater service. New alternatives have beendiscussed with them using a simulation toolthat takes into account both the watercosts and the farmers' incomes. Comparedwith the present fixed water charge basedonly on cultivated land, a two-part optionbased both on equipped and irrigated areasensures the recovery of fixed expenses suchas maintenance, while encouraging farmersto intensify their farming systems byadopting double cropping. Neverthelesschoosing a relevant water charge does notensure by itself the sustainability of anirrigation scheme. Combined supportproviding WUAS and farmers with efficientadvice regarding management andorganisational skills should alsocontribute significantly to achieve thisprime objective.     

Effects of Co‐stocking Smallmouth Buffalo,Ictiobus bubalus,with Channel Catfish,Ictalurus punctatus

Proliferative gill disease (PGD) in catfish is caused by the myxozoan Henneguya ictaluri. The complex life cycle requires Dero digitata as the oligochaete host. Efforts to control PGD by eradicating D. digitata have been unsuccessful. Smallmouth buffalo, Ictiobus bubalus, (SMB) are opportunistic bottom feeders and a putative option for controlling D. digitata. In 2011, 15 ponds (0.4 ha) were stocked with 5000 channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus; 7 of these 15 ponds were also stocked with 300 SMB fingerlings. There were no differences in benthic invertebrate numbers or water quality variables between ponds with or without SMB. At harvest, there were no differences in percent survival, total weight, or catfish feed conversion ratio. In the second year, 18 ponds (0.4 ha) were stocked with 6000 channel catfish. Half the ponds were also stocked with 300 SMB. Sentinel fish were used to estimate disease severity, and pond water was collected for molecular estimation of H. ictaluri actinospore concentrations. Similar to the first year, there were no differences between treatments in any variable tested, including PGD severity in sentinel fish and parasite concentrations in pond water. Under these study conditions, presence of SMB did not have a measureable effect on PGD incidence, parasite density, or overall catfish production.     

From shallow to deep waters: habitats used by larval lampreys (genus Petromyzon and Lampetra) over a western European basin

Abstract –  Habitat requirements of lamprey ammocoetes (Petromyzon marinus and Lampetra genus) were investigated, for the first time, from shallow to deep waters, at different spatial scales across the Gironde‐Dordogne continuum, thanks to a water suction dredge. Fish‐habitat relationships were assessed through two complementary statistical analyses: habitat‐use curves and habitat suitability models using the Boosted Regression Trees (BRT) technique. Analyses were performed on a small‐size data set that was characterised by the low prevalence of lamprey. The sea lamprey larvae occurred in deeper areas than their Lampetra genus counterparts. ‘Pools’ of 2 m’ depth and more were optimal habitats for the former species. Among the environmental variables retained to model lamprey occurrences, the mesohabitat (a categorical variable) was demonstrated to be highly influential, in terms of fine grain‐size substratum and vegetation cover. These preliminary results suggest that monitoring using the water suction dredge method may contribute to sea lamprey conservation.     

The effects of simulated frost on black currant (Ribes nigrum L.)

Pot plants of 12 black currant genotypes were assessed in frost simulation chambers for their tolerance of spring frosts during the flowering period. The most tolerant were some genotypes from the UK and Scandinavia. The inheritance of tolerance may be complex rather than simply additive. The results indicate that physiological frost hardiness at flowering is needed as well as later flowering, particularly when breeding for early ripening cultivars.     

Application of reverse-phase h.p.l.c. for the determination of partition coefficients

Reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography (h.p.l.c.), using a C₁₈ analytical column, has been applied to the determination of partition coefficients for a range of agrochemicals and industrial chemicals. Using a correlation plot of the logarithm of the capacity factor (k) with the logarithm of the n-octanol/water partition coefficient (P_ow), partition coefficients were predicted with a 95% tolerance interval of ± log 0.80 of the literature ‘shake flask’ value for compounds of random structure over the log P_ow range 0–6. Individual regression lines were fitted for compounds of comparable size and functional grouping, which reduced any bias and thereby enabled more accurate predictions to be made. The reverse-phase h.p.l.c. method has a number of advantages over the traditional ‘shake-flask’ method. Quantitative methods are not required or do not have to be developed and only the determination of the retention time is necessary. Quick and precise determinations of retention times are facilitated by h.p.l.c. and further improvement can be obtained by automation of solvent mixing, solute injection and data processing. H.p.l.c. was used to generate partition coefficient data for highly hydrophobic materials and, because of its resolving power, data for mixtures and solvent fractions. Dual detection, using u.v. and r.i. in series, was necessary for some compounds, particularly unknown mixtures and impure compounds. Calculations of log P_ow based on the fragment-addition method using the structural data file, MACCS, was of considerable value in confirming experimentally derived values. In certain cases, calculated log P_ow values were considered more trustworthy than experimental values.     

CABI/EPPO distribution maps of plant pests and plant diseases and their important role in plant quarantine

Never before has the need for accurate distribution data for plant pests been so important. CAB International (CABI) and EPPO are international organizations with a long history and strong involvement in collating and disseminating information on the global distribution of plant pests. Distribution Maps of Plant Pests and Distribution Maps of Plant Diseases, first published in 1951 and 1942, respectively, are respected, referenced sources of such data, expertly compiled and validated and used by plant health organizations around the world. They have been joint CABI/EPPO publications since 1997, and provide an essential complement to expanding knowledge on plant pest distribution. The Distribution Maps continue to be the most authoritative sources of information on the presence and extent of specific plant pests, sourced from the 4.5 million records in CAB Abstracts as a basis and numerous other sources. They also feed directly into CABI's Crop Protection Compendium (CPC) and EPPO's Plant Quarantine Data Retrieval System (PQR) databases. Their history, compilation and value are discussed.     

Pheochromocytoma in an aged female African elephant (Loxodonta africana).

A 43 yr-old female African elephant (Loxodonta africana) collapsed acutely and died. Necropsy revealed an enlarged right adrenal medulla. Histologic appearance was typical of pheochromocytoma. Special stains and electron microscopy demonstrated chromaffin granules, suggesting that the tumor was derived from catecholamine secreting cells of the adrenal medulla, and may have been functionally secretory. Serum levels of both norepinephrine and epinephrine were elevated at time of death, supporting the functional nature of the tumor. Histologic findings of arteriolar sclerosis and smooth muscle hyperplasia suggested that the animal may have suffered from chronic systemic hypertension. Pheochromocytoma should be considered as a differential diagnosis in cases of suspected hypertension and acute death in elephants.     

中国北方番茄主要病毒种类普查及TMV、CMV株系鉴定

1990—1994年,对中国北方15省(市)番茄4种主要病毒种类进行了普查,在3761份样本中,烟草花叶病毒(TMV)和黄瓜花叶病毒(CMV)的检出率分别为34.5％—65.7％和11.6％—62.6％,马铃薯X病毒(PVX)和马铃薯Y病毒(PVY)的检出率一般为10％—20％。与此同时,也对番茄上的TMV和CMV进行了与抗病毒育种紧密相关的株系分化研究,在333个TMV分离物中鉴定出0、1、2和1.2株系,以0和1株系为主,在绝大多数省(市)中分别占分离物的50％和30％以上;在232个CMV分离物中鉴定出轻花叶、重花叶、坏死和黄化株系,以轻花叶和重花叶株系为主,在绝大多数省(市)中分别占分离物的30％和50％以上,这一研究结果为番茄病毒病的综合防治和抗病毒育种提供了科学依据。     

Mechanisms conferring resistance of Western flower thrips to bendiocarb

Mechanisms associated with bendiocarb resistance were examined in two strains of western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande), that differed in their susceptibility to this carbamate by 13.6-fold. No appreciable differences between the two strains in [¹⁴C] bendiocarb penetration and excretion were detected; however, bendiocarb was metabolised substantially faster by the resistant KCM thrips than by the more susceptible UMC thrips. No appreciable difference between the two strains was found in the sensitivity of acetylcholinesterase activity to inhibition by bendiocarb. It was concluded that bendiocarb resistance in KCM western flower thrips was due to enhanced metabolism that probably was mainly oxidative in nature.