Effects of winter wheat cultivars and seed rate on the biological characteristics of naturally occurring weed flora

Summary Differential competitive ability of six winter wheat cultivars and traits that confer such attributes were investigated for a range of seed rates in the presence or absence of weeds for a naturally occurring weed flora in two successive years in split-plot field experiments. Crop height and tillering capacity were considered suitable attributes for weed suppression, although competitiveness is a relative rather than an absolute characteristic. Maris Huntsman and Maris Widgeon were the most competitive cultivars whereas Fresco was the least competitive. Manipulation of seed rate was a more reliable factor than cultivar selection for enhancement of weed suppression, although competitiveness of cultivars Buster, Riband and Maris Widgeon was not enhanced by increased seed rate. Crop densities ranging between 125 and 270 plants m⁻² were found to offer adequate weed suppression. Linear relationships were observed between individual and total weed species dry weight and reproductive structures per unit area.     

Genetic analyses of resistance of the wheat differential cultivars Carstens V and Spaldings Prolific to two races of Puccinia striiformis

Genetic analysis of resistance of wheat seedlings to two races of Puccinia striiformis was conducted on F₁, F₂ and F₃ generations from crosses Carstens V (CV) × Lee, Spaldings Prolific (SPA) × Lee and CV × SPA. F₂ generations from crosses of CV and SPA with Strubes Dickkopf (SD) were also studied. The plants were classified into six resistance classes and analysed by factorial correspondence analysis and nonhierarchical classification. The two P. striiformis isolates tested were a French isolate of race 43E138 and a Lebanese isolate of race 2E16, selected for the differences in their virulence spectra for the common differential cultivars Strubes Dickkopf and Nord Desprez. Resistance of CV and SPA was recessive and dominant to races 43E138 and 2E16, respectively. CV possessed three or four resistance genes, one of them being expressed with both races. Two genes of CV had a cumulative effect for resistance to 43E138 and two or three gave dominant resistance to 2E16. SPA had three resistance genes, all of which gave resistance to 2E16 and two of which also gave resistance to 43E138. SPA had one gene in common with CV for resistance to both races. Furthermore, the gene for resistance to race 2E16 in CV and SPA was allelic with a gene in SD, and was probably Yr25 .     

Integrated Pest Management in Cocoa Agroforests in Southern Cameroon: Constraints and Overview

Imports of pesticides have long been subsidised for use in the cocoa agroforests of the humid forest zone of southern Cameroon. With the liberalisation of the cocoa and pesticides sectors and the devaluation of the local currency (CFA franc), farmers are facing fluctuations in the price paid for cocoa and the high cost of farm inputs. Without the support of the extension services, they themselves have developed traditional integrated control methods based on the use of plant extracts mixed with conventional pesticides. From a survey of 300 cocoa farmers, the study assesses the farmers' command of these methods, the pests controlled, the problems encountered and the institutional constraints in the definition and dissemination of integrated control methods. The study concludes with recommendations for research and development towards the better definition and dissemination of integrated control methods. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Responding to Economic Crisis in Sub-Saharan Africa: New Farmer-Developed Pest Management Strategies in Cocoa-Based Plantations in Southern Cameroon

Cocoa is a key or source of income and poverty reduction in the humid forest of Southern Cameroon. Cameroon like other African countries went through a major economic crisis in the early 1980s with a decline in international commodity prices and significant changes in macroeconomic policies. Structural adjustment reforms following the economic crisis led to removal of fertilizers and pesticides subsidies, cocoa price liberalization and the overall withdraw of Government interventions from the cocoa sub-sector. Cocoa input price increases have been compounded by the devaluation of the CFA Franc, which doubled the prices of the imported pesticides which were considered key to the control of cocoa pests. This overall economic shock led to changes in cocoa producer's production decisions as a response to minimize cost. Among the changes the use of alternatives to imported chemicals for cocoa pest control. Farmers responded to the high prices of pesticides by developing, from local botanical knowledge and pest management strategies, which include plant extracts and plant extracts mixed with pesticides at different proportions. This is a major decision given the importance of imported chemical in the cost of production of cocoa. Valuable indigenous knowledge from farmers could be used also as an effective support system for communicating and diffusing modern knowledge and technologies to farmers. The paper describes the farmer knowledge-based alternatives to chemical pesticides for pest control in cocoa fields as a response to high pest control costs. Pest management specialists are urged to take advantage of this shift in practice and assess their effectiveness for further use. Two sets of questions are posed: (1) were the conventional insecticides, with all their problems, really necessary? and (2) are the materials derived from locally grown plants effective pest management agents or are they, in some way, placebos?     

辣椒疫病发病主导因素及综合防治技术研究

通过3a在多年辣椒重茬地的田间试验及调查研究,基本明确了辣椒疫病发生与灌水方法、栽培方式、降水、中心病株的出现等主导因素的关系。提出了栽培防病、化学治疗的综防技术,达到控病增产的目的。     

引进天敌昆虫的效果评估

对我国天敌昆虫引进20多年来各阶段的引种量、引进重复率、引种国际范围、引种单位、引进种类和引进后的应用情况的变化进行了分析，结果表明，我国的年平均引种量虽然逐年有所上升，但每年基本上维持在8～10种次。2次、3次引种重复率逐年降低，至2000年2次引种率大约23％。3次引种率在10％左右。引种目标国由4个到38个，引种单位数量变化相对不大，1986年后年平均基本上维持在10个左右。应用效果分3种类型：(1)建立种群起到控害作用；(2)建立不稳定种群控害效果不明显；(3)未能建立种群。     

青海省干旱预警服务系统设计与建立

在阐述青海省干旱概念、类型、成因与评估指标的基础上,确定了旱情监测区域。以地面常规监测、气候监测和空间遥感监测相结合为基础,设计和建立了"监测—评估—预测、预警"信息业务系统,可为研究干旱发生规律,及时监测和预测干旱的发生,评估干旱程度以及制定防灾、减灾、救灾提供科学依据。     

210国道榆林至陕蒙交界段建设的生态环境影响评价

在简要分析榆林至陕蒙交界段生态环境对公路及公路建设的影响的基础上 ,重点论述了公路建设在建设期和营运期对当地生态环境的影响 ,并对公路建设前后水土流失与土地沙化状况进行了预测 ,最后提出水土保持与防沙护路的方案。结论是 :只要把公路建设与生态环境建设相结合 ,重视生态环境的保护与建设 ,该公路建设和营运对生态环境的不利影响是很小的 ,而且 ,由于公路建设本身的需要所采取的防沙护路措施 ,会使公路沿线的生态环境更好     

检疫害虫稻水象甲的控制技术研究进展

稻水象甲(Lissorhoptrus。oryzophilus Kuschel)是一种毁灭性的水稻害虫，也是一种重要的检疫害虫。近年来在很多省市发生为害，且发生程度不断加重并呈扩大蔓延趋势。本文概述了近年来稻水象甲大发生危害的情况及原因，深入分析了其发生规律，提出了加强植物检疫、农业防治、化学防治、生物防治、物理防治等综合治理的措施。     

引诱剂在综合防治桔小实蝇作用中的评估

以使用引诱剂为主 ,坚持在杨桃园挂引诱笼 2 - 3年后 ,大量降低田间桔小实蝇BactroceradorsalisHendel雄虫数量和卵的受精率 ,配合其它的综防措施 ,防效逐年提高。三个综防点试验实践表明 :杨桃每果虫口数 ,卵孵化率及受害果率大大降低 ,防效达 92 5%。对桔小实蝇的防治初见成效。