Vectorizing agrochemicals: enhancing bioavailability via carrier‐mediated transport

Systemicity of agrochemicals is an advantageous property for controlling phloem sucking insects, as well as pathogens and pests not accessible to contact products. After the penetration of the cuticle, the plasma membrane constitutes the main barrier to the entry of an agrochemical into the sap flow. The current strategy for developing systemic agrochemicals is to optimize the physicochemical properties of the molecules so that they can cross the plasma membrane by simple diffusion or ion trapping mechanisms. The main problem with current systemic compounds is that they move everywhere within the plant, and this non‐controlled mobility results in the contamination of the plant parts consumed by vertebrates and pollinators. To achieve the site‐targeted distribution of agrochemicals, a carrier‐mediated propesticide strategy is proposed in this review. After conjugating a non‐systemic agrochemical with a nutrient (α‐amino acids or sugars), the resulting conjugate may be actively transported across the plasma membrane by nutrient‐specific carriers. By applying this strategy, non‐systemic active ingredients are expected to be delivered into the target organs of young plants, thus avoiding or minimizing subsequent undesirable redistribution. The development of this innovative strategy presents many challenges, but opens up a wide range of exciting possibilities. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry     

Problems of implementing compulsory integrated pest management

Compulsory integrated pest management poses a number of challenges and issues for debate. Some of are discussed with reference to European Union requirements set out in Annex III of Directive 128/2009. Requirements on the use of plant protection products bring with them problems with dose reduction in the light of a resistance prevention strategy, the lack of threshold levels, the necessity of chemical treatments and the limited availability of effective products of biological origin. Use of preventive measures of pest control faces barriers related to profitability and a lack of knowledge on the part of farmers. Challenges to control the system, as well as the fact that some legally enforced rules are not suitable for all crops, seem also to be an issue. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry     

Root‐associated microbes in sustainable agriculture: models,metabolites and mechanisms

Since the discovery of penicillin in 1928 and throughout the ‘age of antibiotics’ from the 1940s until the 1980s, the detection of novel antibiotics was restricted by lack of knowledge about the distribution and ecology of antibiotic producers in nature. The discovery that a phenazine compound produced by Pseudomonas bacteria could suppress soilborne plant pathogens, and its recovery from rhizosphere soil in 1990, provided the first incontrovertible evidence that natural metabolites could control plant pathogens in the environment and opened a new era in biological control by root‐associated rhizobacteria. More recently, the advent of genomics, the availability of highly sensitive bioanalytical instrumentation, and the discovery of protective endophytes have accelerated progress toward overcoming many of the impediments that until now have limited the exploitation of beneficial plant‐associated microbes to enhance agricultural sustainability. Here, we present key developments that have established the importance of these microbes in the control of pathogens, discuss concepts resulting from the exploration of classical model systems, and highlight advances emerging from ongoing investigations. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry     

Responses of subshrub sagebrush rangeland in North-Western China to changes in livestock numbers and rainfall over 10 years (2004–2013)

Seriphidium transiliense, or subshrub sagebrush, is one of the most important forage resources for livestock in many arid lands, but such resources have been threatened by overgrazing for a long time. A 2013 vegetation survey of an original sagebrush rangeland (2400?ha) in the Tianshan Mountains revealed that nearly half of the area once under sagebrush has been replaced by annual species. This is due to the continual and rapid increase in livestock numbers over the past 30?years. Three smaller sites with different grazing scenarios: no grazing (Site N), a decline (Site 1), and an increase (Site 2) in livestock numbers, were selected to monitor recent changes (from 2004 to 2013) in vegetation biomass and the degree of dominance by sagebrush. Supplanting happened at Site 2 but little occurred at Site 1. There were significant differences between Site 2 and Site 1 in standing biomass in Spring and Summer, but no significant differences in Summer between Site 1 and Site N. The supplanting of sagebrush marks the completion of a dynamic process – in which rainfall plays a crucial role – of damage to sagebrush from heavy grazing in drought years and its rehabilitation by light grazing in some good years. Plant biomass loss was greatest when the land was first subjected to heavy grazing. Sagebrush tends to exist as a sole-dominant species rather than a companion species in sagebrush communities. This suggests that sagebrush continued to survive in pockets where grazing pressure had declined.     

小花蝽在不同植物上的种群密度

2010―2016年通过人工栽培小区试验，系统调查了33科152种植物上小花蝽复合种群发生动态。多年调查结果表明：除黄柴胡外，其余151种植物上均有小花蝽发生，但小花蝽的种群密度在不同调查年度的植物种类上差异较大。小花蝽种群发生密度最高的植物是蓝蓟，其次是芥菜、硫华菊、荞麦、紫花苜蓿、红麻、陆地棉等有大量蚜虫及开花周期较长的植物。本研究明确了农田生境中小花蝽发生密度较高的候选功能植物，为下一步利用植物多样性促进农田小花蝽种群的保育及控害功能提供科学依据。     

东莨菪素包衣种子诱导大豆抗灰斑病研究

为研究东莨菪素（一类香豆素类植物保卫素）对大豆灰斑病的防治效果，本研究通过室内试验，盆栽试验和田间小区试验，调查了东莨菪素对大豆灰斑病的防效及促生作用。结果表明：东莨菪素对灰斑病菌有显著的抑制效果。在东莨菪素浓度为8.10 mg/L时对灰斑病的诱抗效果较好，且处理后的大豆叶片内东莨菪素含量显著上升，在田间试验中，对株高、鲜重、主根长等生理指标有促进作用，且抗病性显著增加。      

Diversity,plant growth-promoting traits,and biocontrol potential of fungal endophytes of Sorghum bicolor

The diversity of fungal endophytes in Sorghum bicolor was investigated in samples collected from 10 different geographical regions of Karnataka state, India. A total of 360 endophytes were isolated from leaf, stem, and root tissues and were assigned to 26 fungal species based on morphology and molecular characterization using ITS sequences. All the endophytes belonged to the phylum Ascomycota. The diversity (Shannon H, 2.57; Simpson_1-D, 0.92) and species richness (Margalef's, 4.68; Menhinick, 3.61) were found to be higher for the endophytes isolated from leaf tissues. The species evenness of the endophytic assemblage was strongly influenced by tissue type, followed by geographical location. The biocontrol potential of isolated endophytes was evaluated against economically destructive sorghum grain mould pathogens such as Fusarium thapsinum, Epicoccum sorghinum, Alternaria alternata, and Curvularia lunata using the dual culture method. Biocontrol potential was exhibited by 26 endophytic isolates, of which Trichoderma asperellum recorded broad-spectrum activity against target pathogens, followed by E. nigrum and A. longipes. Most (82%) endophytes showed plant growth-promoting traits. Biosynthesis of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) was observed in 84% of isolates, and phosphate solubilization, siderophore production, and cellulase activity was observed in 69%, 23%, and 27% of isolates, respectively. Seeds treated with T. asperellum exhibited a significantly higher seed vigour index (2096), germination percentage (94%), and yield under greenhouse and field conditions. The results were substantiated by the confocal microscopy analysis, which clearly demonstrated the colonization of treated endophyte in root tissues. The present study reveals an ecofriendly approach to explore T. asperellum in sorghum disease management.     

4种荒漠植物种子出苗和幼苗生长对沙埋深度的响应

通过室内试验测定了黑果枸杞、沙冬青、沙蒿、霸王4种荒漠植物的种子生理特征以及沙埋深度（0、1、2、3、4、5 cm）对4种荒漠植物种子出苗及幼苗生长的影响。结果表明，体积较大的沙冬青和霸王种子萌发率与其重量、含水量、形状及活性间存在正相关关系；体积较小的黑果枸杞、沙蒿萌发率与种子重量、含水量、形状之间为正相关关系，与种子活性负相关。随着沙埋深度增加，4种植物种子出苗率下降、首次出苗时间延迟，茎高、绝对株高和根长及根冠比总体呈先增大后减小的趋势；幼苗生长方面，黑果枸杞和沙蒿分别适宜于1～2、0～1 cm的浅层沙埋，均在沙埋深度5 cm时种子几乎不萌发；沙冬青、霸王则适宜于3～4 cm较深层沙埋，在沙埋0 cm时均不萌发。此外，在荒漠区采用这4种植物进行植被恢复时，除考虑种子自身性状外，还应充分考虑当地的沙埋、降雨等条件，以提高出苗率、增大幼苗定植率。