Inhibition of chitin synthesis by two 1-(2,6-disubstituted benzoyl)-3-phenylurea insecticides. II

The knowledge of the biochemical mode of action of 1-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-(2,6-difluorobenzoyl)urea (diflubenzuron) is presented, explaining the insecticidal effect. Like its structural analog, 1-(2,6-dichlorobenzyl)-3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)urea (Du 19111), it inhibits chitin synthesis in the cuticle of larvae. Virtually complete inhibition was demonstrable 15 min after the application of diflubenzuron. Neither diflubenzuron nor Du 19111 has any effect upon chitinase activity either in vivo or in vitro. The insecticidal effect upon the cuticle, therefore, must be explained as an inhibition of chitin synthesis and not as an activation of chitin degradation. In contrast to the action of Du 19111, no accumulation of N-acetylglucosamine occurs upon treatment of larvae with diflubenzuron. Similarities and differences in the mode of action of both compounds are discussed, together with other effects reported in the literature.     

Ultrastructural changes in leaf and needle segments treated with herbicides containing picloram

The herbicide Tordon 50D (picloram+2,4-D) affected the integrity of the nucleus and cell membranes in Pinus radiata needle segments and caused the swelling of internal chloro plast membranes and the eventual disintegration of the chloroplasts. Tordon 22K (picloram) only affected chloro plast structure. Both herbicides had similar adverse effects on cell membranes and chloroplasts of Eucalyptus viminalis.     

The selectivity of methabenzthiazuron between barley, perennial ryegrass and Poa trivialis

In field experiments methabenzthiazuron at 1.1 kg ai/ha applied pre-emergence gave good control of Poa trivialis L. in perennial ryegrass S23 which was undersown in spring barley (Zephyr); no significant damage to barley or perennial ryegrass resulted from 2.2 kg ai/ha. However this dose applied when barley had three to four leaves decreased the subsequent barley yield. In pot experiments in the glasshouse methabenzthiazuron was active mainly due to uptake through the soil. Much greater damage to barley and perennial ryegrass resulted when herbicide-treated soil was placed below seed level than above the seed. The difference was less marked with P. trivialis. The latter started to develop secondary roots near the soil surface earlier than either perennial ryegrass or spring barley.     

Structure-activity relationships of 1,2,3-benzothiadiazoles as synergists for carbaryl against the house fly (Musca domestica)

Fifty six 1,2,3-benzothiadiazoles and related compounds were evaluated as carbaryl synergists against the house fly (Musca domestica). Many of these were excellent synergists, the most active being those containing various combinations of halogen, alkyl, or alkoxy substituents in the 5- and/or 6-positions of the ring.Regression analysis on the data from 14 compounds for which substituents constants were available established that synergistic activity can be satisfactorily described by equations in terms of the hydrophobic bonding constant (π) and the homolytic free radical constant (σ ·).The results with compounds related to the 1,2,3-benzothiadiazoles suggest that synergistic activity is associated primarily with the diazosulfide moiety.     

First record of bacillary rickettsia-like organisms in European tick Dermacentor marginatus (Sulzer).

Bacillary rickettsia-like organisms (BRLO) were found in the tick Dermacentor marginatus. They are gram-negative and differ from common bacteria and reckettsiae both in the cultivation conditions and morphology. BRLO are non-pathogenic for ticks and guinea pigs. In our studies they were isolated on half-engorged females of D. marginatus, on which they are still maintained.     

Studies on viremia and antibody formation in ducklings and goslings after experimental infection with Lednice (Yaba 1) virus.

A very low virus level was found for a short time in the blood of ducklings and goslings after experimental Lednice (Yaba 1) virus infection by subcutaneous (scut) and intranasal (inas) route and in blood of ducklings also after infection by intracerebral (icer) route. Subsequently virus neutralizing antibody formation was examined. Antibody formation was found in most of animals. In goslings onset of antibody formation seems to be slower than in ducklings after the same virus infection dose; vice versa, in ducklings antibody titer decreased after 6 weeks. Using low infection virus dose, neutralizing antibody level in ducklings was lower than in the former case. On examining the blood and the organs, the virus was detected in a very low amount and for a very short time in blood and spleen of goslings and only in blood of ducklings.     

Seasonal activity of EPTC for Cyperus rotundus L. control in a tropical climate*

Four experiments were conducted at six week intervals to determine the seasonal activity and persistence of soil-incorporated EPTC (5-ethyl N,N-dipropyl(thiocarbamate)) for Cyperus rotundus L. control and tolerance of okra (Hibiscus esculentus L.), cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.), lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.), red beet (Beta vulgaris L.) and carrot (Daucus carota L.) during the dry and wet seasons in Viçosa, Brazil. Satisfactory control of C. rotundus was obtained at 2 kg/ha EPTC during the dry season and 4 kg/ha or more during the wet season. Only red beet and carrot tolerated these doses of EPTC when the crops were planted five days after application. However, selective control of C. rotundus was obtained when the planting date of lettuce was delayed for three or six weeks after EPTC application. EPTC controlled C. rotundus at half the dose that was required to control three species of annual grass that germinated near the soil surface. EPTC persisted longer when applied to air dry soil and incorporated with a rototiller than when incorporated into moist or wet soil.     

Dissociation and phosphorylation constants for the inhibition of acetylcholinesterase by a series of novel O-ethyl O-phenyl S-n-propyl phosphorothioates

The phosphorylation, dissociation, and bimolecular reaction constants were determined for several members of a series of substituted O-ethyl O-phenyl S-n-propyl phosphorothioates in the presence of substrate. The data obtained are discussed in relation to electronegativity of substituents and in vivo toxicity.     

Field Observations on Blackleg in England1

Inoculation of seed tubers with Erwinia carotnvora (Jones) Bergey et al. var. atroseptica (van Hall) Dye before planting resulted in early death (especially with sprouted seed), blackleg stems and decreased yields. Apical inoculations had most, and stolon inoculations the least, effect on growth and yield. Even plants without blackleg symptoms were more stunted and had fewer stems than plants from uninoculated seed. Rotting of seed tubers often stopped in dry weather and started again later, probably caused, or assisted by, insects breaching the wound barrier. Many other organisms can also rot seed tubers including Phytophthora erythroseptica Pethybridge (pink rot), Fusarium spp. (dry rot), Verticillium spp. (wilts) and Rhizoctonia spp. (black scurf). The bacteria have been shown to spread along rows underground and to different stocks within the same field, presumably in air, but season to season spread by the potato digger has not been demonstrated.     

Chemotaxonomy of Compositae related to their host suitability for Pratylenchus penetrans

Experimental work and a survey of literature gave data on the effects of 175 Compositate on populations ofPratylenchus penetrans in the soil. Nearly 70 Compositae effectively suppress populations ofP. penetrans. It is shown that a close relationship exists between this suppressing feature and the chemotaxonomy of the Compositae.Samenvatting Eigen onderzoek aangevuld met gegevens uit de literatuur gaf informatie over de invloed van 175 Composieten op populaties vanPratylenchus penetrans in de grond. Bijna 70 soorten verlaagden deze dichtheden (Tabel 1). Het betreft soorten van de geslachtenGrindelia, Solidago, Coreopsis, Eclipta, Rudbeckia, Verbesina, Melampodium, Parthenium, Iva, Ambrosia, Milleria, Baeria, Schkuhria, Eriophyllum, Chaenactis, Helenium, Gaillardia, Tagetes, Arctotis, Gazania, Berkheya, Didelta, Echinops enUrospermum. Er is een duidelijk verband tussen de taxonomische indeling van Composieten en deze eigenschap. Bijna alle getoetste soorten van de subtribus Ambrosiinae, Heleniinae, Arctotinae, Gorteriinae en Echinopinae reduceerden populaties vanP. penetrans. In sommige geslachten zoalsSolidago, Coreopsis, Rudbeckia enMelampodium veroorzaakten slechts een of enkele getoetste soorten dit effect.Van de 16 Composieten, waarvan bekend is dat zij -terthienyl in hun wortels bevatten, verlaagden er 15 dichtheden vanPratylenchus. Vrijwel hetzelfde geldt voor Composieten met 5-(3-buteen-1-ynyl)-2,2-bithienyl in hun wortels (Tabel 1). Ook de aanwezigheid in een aantal andere Composieten van een groep rode dithio-acetyleen-verbindingen met waarschijnlijk nematicide eigenschappen in vitro, komt goed overeen met de eigenschap om dichtheden vanP. penetrans in de grond te verminderen.