Enhancing the parasitism of insect herbivores through diversification of habitat in Philippine rice fields

The diversification of farming landscapes is proposed as a method to increase farm productivity while at the same time enhancing pest regulation services provided by the natural enemies of insect herbivores. In this study, areas of diversified and conventional rice fields (with 2–14 fields per area?=?0.42–1.31 ha) were established at three sites in the Philippines. The diversified areas had a series (>?40 per hectare) of small (<?2 m²) vegetable patches interspersed along rice bunds (levees). The abundance of planthopper and lepidopteran pests in these areas was monitored during two consecutive cropping seasons using sweep nets with rice yield and damage recorded at the end of each season. Mortality of brown planthopper (Nilaparvata lugens) and yellow stemborer (Scirpophaga incertulas) eggs was monitored through field exposures of infested rice plants. There were no differences in rice yields between the conventional and diversified areas; however, a range of vegetables were produced as a supplementary product from the diversified rice areas. Diversification had no effect on planthopper or leaffolder (Cnaphalocrocis medinalis) abundance at the sites. Adult stemborers (Scirpophaga incertulas) were more abundant in the diversified areas; however, stemborer damage was similar between area treatments in both years. Vegetable patches did not increase parasitism of planthopper eggs; however, egg parasitism was highest close to the vegetable patches, suggesting that egg parasitoids interacted with the patches. Mortality of stemborer eggs was higher in the diversified areas than in the conventional areas. Parasitism due to Trichogramma japonicum and other egg parasitoids was also higher in the diversified areas. These results indicate the potential for vegetable patches to enhance the biological control services provided by egg parasitoids in rice fields; however, the study also indicates a need to carefully select vegetable crops that avoid any potential benefits for rice pests. We discuss the need for further research into diversified farms as a means of achieving sustainable rice production in Asia.     

Understanding the relationship between volunteers’ motivations and learning outcomes of Citizen Science in rice ecosystems in the Northern Philippines

This study relies on the Flying Beauties Citizen Science project conducted in the Philippines to assess personal motivations and learning outcomes of volunteers who were involved in documenting butterflies and dragonflies in rice ecosystems. While evaluation of motivations of volunteers in Citizen Science is not new, at least in affluent western countries, little is done in investigating volunteers’ motivations and learning outcomes of Citizen Science projects in low-income countries. Using surveys, we collected data from volunteers that were analysed qualitatively and quantitatively. We adopted a two stages evaluation format—before and after volunteers finished the project exercise. We compared pre-motivations to motivations attained and changes in level of knowledge before and after the project ended. We use Spearman’s Rho, Kendall’s Tau—nonparametric tests to draw correlations between variables. The results showed that key determinants that drove people to volunteer in the project were (a) learning about species and (b) being part of scientific research and the principal learning outcome was improved awareness about ecosystem functions of the species.     

Characterization of Potato spindle tuber viroid (PSTVd) incidence and new variants from ornamentals

We analyzed the spreading and persistence of PSTVd variants in several ornamentals in the territory of the Czech Republic. The pool of PSTVd variants detected in Solanum jasminoides, S. muricatum, Datura sp. and Brugmansia sp. was biolistically transferred to Matricaria chamomilla, Argyranthemum frutescens and Diascia sp., species which we found as sensitive hosts for PSTVd from ornamentals. The PSTVd pool showed sequence changes and increased variation after its transfer to potato, suggesting a wide adaptation potential of PSTVd in this crop. Potato exhibited genotype-dependent leaf and spindle tuber symptoms, when inoculated with the sap from S. jasminoides infected with the predominant and sequence-stable PSTVd-S1.     

Trends and controls of Holocene floodplain sedimentation in the Rhine catchment

Holocene floodplain sedimentation in the Rhine catchment is controlled by human and climate impacts. Intricate river behaviour modifies the fluvial response to the external impacts making cause–effect analysis difficult, especially on large spatial scales. To better understand the relative importance and interdependencies of external and internal controls, temporally resolved floodplain sedimentation rates are established using three different methods: i) floodplain storage studies on the trunk stream, ii) depth/age-analysis of overbank deposits from different parts of the catchment and iii) cumulative frequency distributions of ¹⁴C-ages from floodplain deposits from various parts of the catchment. The applied methodology strongly differs with the available temporal resolution and the size of the corresponding catchment. All three methods show a strong increase in sedimentation rate for more recent periods that can be linked to increasing human impact. Evidences for climate impacts and intricate river behaviour are less clear and hindered by insufficient temporal resolution of the currently available data.     

Effects of elevated CO2, water stress, and inoculation with Glomus intraradices or Pseudomonas mendocina on lettuce dry matter and rhizosphere microbial and functional diversity under growth chamber conditions

Purpose  

In this study, we investigated the effects of elevated atmospheric CO₂, drought, and inoculation with a plant-growth-promoting rhizobacterium (PGPR) or an arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungus on microbial community composition and functional diversity in the rhizosphere of Lactuca sativa L. cv. Tafalla.     

Transferability of oxytetracycline (OTC) from feed to carp muscle and evaluation of the antibiotic effects on antioxidant systems in liver and kidney

Oxytetracycline (OTC) is employed in fish farms to contest or prevent bacterial infections. We simulated an OTC treatment at therapeutic level (75 mg kg^?1) and at higher doses (150, 300 mg kg^?1) for 10 days. A withdrawal period of 10 days was considered for treated carp, carrying out the same chemical and biochemical analyses (total glutathione, superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, glutathione S-transferase and malondialdehyde). The aim was to obtain data related to the carryover in muscle and on variations in the antioxidant indicators in liver and kidney. The OTC residual levels in muscle showed a dose–response relationship. After 10 days of treatment at the recommended dose (75 mg kg^?1), the mean value in muscle was 295 μg kg^?1. After 10 withdrawal days, residues in all treated groups were not entirely eliminated by fish. Residues of recommended 75 mg kg^?1 OTC dose were lower than the maximum permitted by EEC regulation: 100 μg kg^?1. Disturbance in the antioxidant systems in liver and kidney was recorded in (150, 300 mg kg^?1) carp, as well as during the withdrawal period. A lowered superoxide dismutase activity and higher levels of catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase and glutathione were evaluated in liver, while in kidney only higher malondialdehyde and glutathione S-transferase concentrations were recorded for 300 mg kg^?1 dose. The therapeutic OTC dose exerted lower effects, and only in liver, enhancement of GPx and GR activities was recorded. After the withdrawal period, altered antioxidant responses in tissues were restored for all three OTC doses.     

Slaughter findings feedback systems--its use for farms of origin?

Over a period of 22 months 13 official meat inspection authorities examined a number of 152 520 swine at an Austrian slaughterhouse for pathologic-anatomic changes (five parameters). Of those veterinarians whose reliability in the recording of findings was a given, the results were analysed by employing a mathematical model which assessed whether the activities of 25 attending veterinarians and 223 farmers actually lead to an improvement of animal health in their livestock. Mild pneumonia was registered in 14.5% of swine; no attending veterinarians had any influence whatsoever on the occurrence of this parameter. Farmers' activities improved animal health on two farms (0.9%), six farms of origin (2.69%) showed significantly lower findings than the average of all farms. Pleurisy was ascertained in 22% of all slaughter pigs. Through measures taken, four attending veterinarians (16%) caused a reduction of incidents, two works managers (0.9%) made worse, six farmers (2.69%) improved animal health of their live stock. Seven farmers (3.14%) showed significantly (p < 0.05) higher, 28 farms (12.6%) lower prevalence. Pericarditis affected 4.5% of the animals in question. On all farms of origin the condition of health remained unchanged by measures taken by veterinarians. On two farms (0.9%) the influence exercised by farmers led to a deterioration of the health of swine, six businesses (2.69%) showed higher, one (0.45%) lower prevalence than on average. 6.2% of swine showed white spots. Attending veterinarians did not influence this parameter at all. With preventive measures taken five farms (2.24%) showed less, three farms (1.35%) higher prevalence by the end of the 22 month term. Mange concerned 2.2% of all slaughter pigs. The activities of one veterinarian (4%) caused the number of incidents to double; on six farms (2.69%) a significantly higher prevalence was registered. Whatever influence exercised, the status of health of slaughter pigs remained unchanged throughout the duration of the study.     

Die Entwicklung des Obstbaus in Südtirol: I. Die landwirtschaftliche Aus- und Weiterbildung

South Tyrol (northern Italy) harbours the largest continuous apple producing area in Europe, with an annual fruit harvest of around one million of metric tonnes. Every tenth apple produced in EU-28 originates from South Tyrol and this fruit thus represents the most important export product of this region, which contributes to 55 % of the added value from agriculture. The success of apple production depends on several key factors, one of which is education and professional training in agriculture and fruit production, and this topic is elaborated in greater detail in the present work. In 1874, the ‘Agricultural Institute and Experimental Station’ in S. Michele upon Etsch/Adige was inaugurated as an institution for higher agricultural education and research for the entire territory of the historical Tyrol. The first vocational school for agriculture in South Tyrol was founded in 1909 in Sterzing/Vipiteno (later transferred to Dietenheim/Teodone nearby Bruneck/Brunico), but soon, with World War I, the agricultural education in German language collapsed completely and was re-established only after World War II. The work of the vocational school in Dietenheim/Teodone was pursued, and in 1952 opened the Vocational School for Agriculture and Forestry Fürstenburg, in 1962 the Vocational School for Fruit, Viticulture and Horticulture Laimburg and in 1978 the Vocational School for Agriculture and Domestic Economy Salern. Increasing student numbers demonstrate the success of these schools. In 1980, finally, the High School for Agriculture in Auer/Ora nearby Bozen/Bolzano was founded and in 1999 started the Bachelor’s study programme in Agricu­ltural Technology and Economics at the Free University of Bozen/Bolzano. Nowadays, the agricultural education in South Tyrol is covered by a full range of school types ranging from vocational schools to university level doctoral studies.     

Persistence of a biocontrol Pseudomonas inoculant as high populations of culturable and non-culturable cells in 200-cm-deep soil profiles

Little is known about the ecology of soil inoculants used for pathogen biocontrol, biofertilization and bioremediation under field conditions. We investigated the persistence and the physiological states of soil-inoculated Pseudomonas protegens (previously Pseudomonas fluorescens) CHA0 (10⁸ CFU g^?1 surface soil) in different soil microbial habitats in a planted ley (Medicago sativa L.) and an uncovered field plot. At 72 days, colony counts of the inoculant were low in surface soil (uncovered plot) and earthworm guts (ley plot), whereas soil above the plow pan (uncovered plot), and the rhizosphere and worm burrows present until 1.2 m depth (ley plot) were survival hot spots (10⁵–10⁶ CFU g^?1 soil). Interestingly, strain CHA0 was also detected in the subsoil of both plots, at 10²–10⁵ CFU g^?1 soil between 1.8 and 2 m depth. However, non-cultured CHA0 cells were also evidenced based on immunofluorescence microscopy. Kogure's direct viable counts of nutrient-responsive cells showed that many more CHA0 cells were in a viable but non-culturable (VBNC) or a non-responsive (dormant) state than in a culturable state, and the proportion of cells in those non-cultured states depended on soil microbial habitat. At the most, cells in a VBNC state amounted to 34% (above the plow pan) and those in a dormant state to 89% (in bulk soil between 0.6 and 2 m) of all CHA0 cells. The results indicate that field-released Pseudomonas inoculants may persist at high cell numbers, even in deeper soil layers, and display a combination of different physiological states whose prevalence fluctuates according to soil microbial habitats.     

Identification of a fungi-derived terrestrial halogenated natural product in wild boar (Sus scrofa)

In this study, we identified and quantitated a tetrachlorinated compound found at high concentrations in some samples of the meat of free-ranging wild boar (Sus scrofa) from Southern Germany. Mass spectrometric analysis indicated that the compound was a tetrachloromethoxyphenol isomer, and the subsequently synthesized tetrachloro-p-methoxyphenol was identical with the unknown compound in wild boar. Tetrachloro-p-methoxyphenol is a known secondary metabolite of basidiomycetous fungi, which in turn are regular feed items of the wild boar. It is extremely likely that the wild boar have accumulated tetrachloro-p-methoxyphenol by exploiting basidiomycetes. The highest concentration in the samples (n = 22) was ~1 mg/kg lipids tetrachloro-p-methoxyphenol. This concentration was higher than that of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) in any of the samples. Some samples did not contain tetrachloro-p-methoxyphenol, which indicates varied preferences in fungi by wild boars. Our data suggest that during their entire evolution, humans have been in contact with the natural product tetrachloro-p-methoxyphenol by consuming wild boars.