Sensitivity of Rhizoctonia species to different fungicides

Of 14 fungicides with different modes of action, cyproconazole and tolclofos-methyl were generally inhibitory both in vitro and in vivo against all tested isolates of five Rhizoctonia species belonging to the teleomorphs Thanatephorus cucumeris, Waitea circinata or Ceratobasidium cereale. Triadimenol and carboxin provided considerable variation in activity against different species and isolates, whereas prochloraz was ineffective against all isolates. Imazalil and fenarimol showed moderate control, whereas flusilazole, propiconazole, fenpropimorph and benomyl showed strong activity against R. zeae and R. oryzae, but were much less effective against R. sasakii, R. cerealis and R. solani. Benodanil and iprodione controlled all isolates of R. cerealis and R. solani, but were not very effective against R. zeae and R. oryzae. Pencycuron showed strong activity against R. sasakii and most R. solani isolates, moderate activity against R. zeae, and was ineffective against R. oryzae and R. cerealis.     

Trifluralin effects on the development of cotton in arid zone soils

The effect of trifluralin on the growth and development of cotton plants in low-organic-matter soils from the northern Negev of Israel was studied. Trifluralin exhibited linear sorp tion isotherms on these soils, Trifluralin and dinitramine losses from soils under varying moisture regimes and application practices were determined in open systems. The data were fitted to both first-order and biexponential kinetic equations. In about 50% of cases the biexponential kinetic model provided a better fit to the data, but no relationship could be found between the model parameters and environmental or soil properties. Losses were generally greater at field capacity than at 50% field capacity, and at 27°C than at 15°C, and in soils with a lower organic matter content. The trifluralin application rate was negatively correlated with vegetative growth parameters of cotton, but the correlation became weaker with increasing soil organic carbon content. Trifluralin delayed boll production in coarse textured soils, the longest delay occurring at higher application rates. It is concluded that in light soils that contain very little organic matter, trifluralin rates must be maintained at the minimum level required for adequate weed control to prevent damage to crops.     

Comparison of immunofluorescence staining and indirect isolation for the detection of Corynebacterium flaccumfaciens in bean seeds1

Corynebacterium flaccumfaciens, causing bacterial wilt in bean, is a quarantine organism for Europe. This paper compares two methods for detecting C. flaccumfaciens in seed lots on the market. Experimentally contaminated bean seeds were homogenized and a standard extraction and concentration procedure was used. The final pellets were used for immunofluorescence staining and indirect isolation (through bean seedlings). The immunofluorescence staining sensitivity threshold was 1.23 × 10⁷, corresponding to 1.82 × 10⁴ fluorescent cells per ml of final concentrate. The risk of false negative reactions to immunofluorescence staining caused by serologically unrelated C. flaccumfaciens strains was also examined. The indirect isolation sensitivity threshold was 1.23 × 10⁶ producing 43% symptomatic plants and 53% positive reisolation. There was no serious interference between C. flaccumfaciens and Pseudomonas syringae pv. phaseolicola in mixed inoculations and both pathogens were successfully reisolated. The comparative results are discussed in relation to the applicability of the methods to commercial lots of bean seeds.     

The joint action of fungicides in mixtures: comparison of two methods for synergy calculation

Two methods for evaluating the joint action of fungicides in mixtures were analysed. In order to obtain a relatively rapid answer on the type of interaction between fungicides in a mixture (additivity, synergism or antagonism), one can apply the Abbott formula to data on fungus survival. Tests with this method will not be accurate at high effective dose values. A more accurate determination of the joint action of fungicides can be made by the Wadley method, applied to data on effective doses. This involves more experimental work than the Abbott method. Optimization of mixing ratios of fungicides required a set of experimental data on effective doses with several mixing ratios.     

Application of aldicarb in a drip-irrigated cotton field for the control of the Tobacco Whitefly(Bemisia Tabaci)

Cotton was grown in loess soil, in rows 1 m apart, and drip-lines were placed in the center of every second space between rows at a distance of 50 cm from the plants. Aldicarb was applied as granules (containing 15% a.i.) to the field on two dates (mid-June and mid-July) and incorporated into the soil(a) 25 cm from the plants,i.e., equidistant from the plants and the drip-lines, on both sides of the drip-lines; and(b) 50 cm from the plants,i.e., in the center of the spaçe between the rows, near the drip-line. Measurements of mortality ofBemisia tabaci larvae, and of the accumulation of aldicarb from the late (mid-July) treatment showed that best control of the pest and the highest aldicarb residues were obtained with the late treatment. The pest control effectiveness was found to depend on both date and location of aldicarb application. Early treatment (mid-June) was more effective if applied close (25 cm distance) to the plant stems, whereas late treatment (mid-July) was more effective if applied at a distance of 50 cm from the plant stems.     

Effect of mammary secretions on functions of polymorphonuclear leukocytes in pigs

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of porcine mammary secretions on polymorphonuclear (PMN) leukocyte function and to relate concentrations of estradiol-17beta and cortisol in mammary secretions to PMN cell function. SAMPLE POPULATION: Mammary secretions from 10 healthy sows and blood PMN leukocytes from 27 healthy sows. PROCEDURE: Mammary secretions were collected within 24 hours after parturition (colostrum) and 12 to 13 days later (milk). Chemoattractant properties were assessed by use of a cell migration assay. Phagocytic capacity of PMN cells in colostrum and milk was assessed by recording chemiluminescence following phagocytosis of Escherichia coli or zymosan. Estradiol-17beta and cortisol concentrations were determined by use of radioimmunoassays. RESULTS: Chemoattractant properties of colostrum and milk were significantly greater than that of zymosan-activated serum. However, chemoattractant properties did not differ significantly between the 2 types of secretions. The capacity of PMN cells in colostrum to phagocytose either zymosan or E. coli was less, compared with cells in milk, and the ability of cells in either type of mammary secretion to phagocytose E. coli was greater than the ability to phagocytose zymosan. Concentrations of estradiol-17beta and cortisol were greater in colostrum, compared with milk. No clear relation was evident between PMN cell activity and hormone concentrations in mammary secretions. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Although chemoattractant properties of colostrum and milk did not differ, the phagocytic capacity of PMN cells in colostrum was significantly less than that of cells in milk. This may predispose sows to coliform mastitis during the early postparturient period.     

Influence of long-time transportation stress on re-activation of Salmonella typhimurium DT104 in experimentally infected pigs

In this study a Salmonella Typhimurium infection model in swine was used in order to investigate the influence of pre-mortal stress induced by long time period transportation on the re-activation of Salmonella in experimentally infected pigs. Salmonella free pigs were exposed to a highly virulent strain of Salmonella Typhimurium DT104 by direct intragastrical administration. Clinical parameters were monitored and the shedding rate in faeces was qualitatively and quantitatively determined by standard bacteriological procedures for 21 days. The distribution of the challenge organism in 14 different internal organs of transported and nontransported animals was determined. All infected animals developed clinical signs of salmonellosis 12 to 24 hours post infection. About 88 to 100% of the fecal samples were culture-positive up to post exposure day 6, and then varied from 71 to 92% until slaughter, respectively. At necropsy S. Typhimurium was recovered most frequently from caecum and ileocolic lymph nodes (83%), colon (79%), palatine tonsils (71%) and mandibular lymph nodes (62.5%). A negative impact of transportation stress on the shedding rate and the general condition of the animals was observed.