Mefenoxam sensitivity and fitness analysis of Phytophthora nicotianae isolates from nurseries in Virginia, USA

Mefenoxam is one of the most commonly used fungicides for managing diseases caused by Phytophthora spp. on ornamentals. The objectives of this study were to determine whether Phytophthora nicotianae, a destructive pathogen of numerous herbaceous annual and perennial plant species in nurseries, has developed resistance to mefenoxam, and to evaluate the fitness of mefenoxam‐resistant isolates. Ninety‐five isolates of P. nicotianae were screened for sensitivity to mefenoxam on 20% clarified V8 agar at 100 a.i. µg mL^?1. Twenty‐five isolates were highly resistant to this compound with EC₅₀ values ranging from 235·2 to 466·3 µg mL^?1 and four were intermediately resistant with EC₅₀ values ranging from 1·6 to 2·9 µg mL^?1. Sixty‐six isolates were sensitive with EC₅₀ values less than 0·04 µg mL^?1. Nine resistant and seven sensitive isolates were tested for mefenoxam sensitivity on Pelargonium × hortorum cv. White Orbit. Mefenoxam provided good protection of pelargonium seedlings from colonization by sensitive isolates, but not by any resistant isolates. Four resistant and four sensitive isolates were compared for fitness components and their relative competitive ability on Lupinus Russell Hybrids in the absence of mefenoxam. Resistant isolates outcompeted sensitive ones within 3 to 6 sporulation cycles on lupin seedlings, regardless of their initial proportions in mixed zoospore inoculum. Resistant isolates exhibited greater infection rate and higher sporulation ability than sensitive ones when they were applied separately onto lupins. These results suggest that fungicide resistance may pose a serious challenge to the continued effectiveness of mefenoxam as a control option for nursery growers.     

Feasibility and efficacy of a new approach for controlling populations of the rosy apple aphid,Dysaphis plantaginea Passerini (Hemiptera: Aphididae) in south-eastern France

Episyrphus balteatus De Geer (Diptera: Syrphidae) is one of the most efficient biocontrol agents against Dysaphis plantaginea Passerini (Hemiptera: Aphididae) in apple orchards due to its early arrival. However, releasing flying predators in open orchards may be risky. We thus evaluated the combined effects of biological (early release of syrphids) and physical (Alt'Carpo nets) methods for controlling aphids under orchard conditions assuming that syrphids released under the nets will be able to survive and reproduce. Five experimental treatments containing two rows of trees each were set up in a pesticide-free orchard containing two different apple cultivars. For each cultivar, E. Balteatus adults were released (25, 40 and 90 adults per row) into three treatments, which were covered with nets, and two treatments were maintained free as controls (with and without nets). The releases, mainly in treatment 90, had a small effect on the development of the aphid population compared to netted control trees, especially towards the end of the study period when some of the differences were significant. This study demonstrated that E. balteatus adults can be successfully released under nets since we did observe an accumulation in the offspring of released individuals, mainly in treatments 40 and 90.     

The need to implement the landscape of fear within rodent pest management strategies

Current reactive pest management methods have serious drawbacks such as the heavy reliance on chemicals, emerging genetic rodenticide resistance and high secondary exposure risks. Rodent control needs to be based on pest species ecology and ethology to facilitate the development of ecologically based rodent management (EBRM). An important aspect of EBRM is a strong understanding of rodent pest species ecology, behaviour and spatiotemporal factors. Gaining insight into the behaviour of pest species is a key aspect of EBRM. The landscape of fear (LOF) is a mapping of the spatial variation in the foraging cost arising from the risk of predation, and reflects the levels of fear a prey species perceives at different locations within its home range. In practice, the LOF maps habitat use as a result of perceived fear, which shows where bait or traps are most likely to be encountered and used by rodents. Several studies have linked perceived predation risk of foraging animals with quitting‐harvest rates or giving‐up densities (GUDs). GUDs have been used to reflect foraging behaviour strategies of predator avoidance, but to our knowledge very few papers have directly used GUDs in relation to pest management strategies. An opportunity for rodent control strategies lies in the integration of the LOF of rodents in EBRM methodologies. Rodent management could be more efficient and effective by concentrating on those areas where rodents perceive the least levels of predation risk. © 2017 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.     

Selective control of mite and collembolan pests of pastures and grain crops in Australia

Control of invertebrate pests in broad-acre agriculture largely relies on the application of broad-spectrum pesticides, however resistance problems and environmental concerns are driving a search for alternatives including more selective products. Here we explore the feasibility of using novel chemical groupings in the control of problematic pests that attack germinating pastures and grain crops in Australia. A modified laboratory bioassay is described for testing the response of several invertebrate pests to pesticides that have contact and systemic/translaminar properties. Two contact pesticides (fenitrothion and gamma-cyhalothrin) and three pesticides with strong systemic/translaminar properties (lambda-cyhalothrin, abamectin and diafenthiuron) showed promise for control of the collembolan Sminthurus viridis and four mite pests (Halotydeus destructor, Balaustium medicagoense, Penthaleus falcatus and Bryobia sp.). No single pesticide emerged as the most efficacious against all these pests, highlighting the need for correct pest identification before making control recommendations. Incorporating these new chemical options into pest control programs may help to control emerging pests and counter pesticide resistance issues. Selective pesticides in particular are likely to be compatible with integrated control programs that promote the establishment and maintenance of beneficial natural enemies.     

Mechanically-applied wax matrix (SPLAT-GBM) for mating disruption of grape berry moth (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae)

An ATV-mounted mechanical applicator was designed to treat vineyards with SPLAT-GBM™ for mating disruption of grape berry moth, Paralobesia viteana (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae). SPLAT-GBM was applied to vineyards in 0.8 g drops at a density of 1544 or 3089 drops per hectare for a total of 1.3 or 2.5 kg per hectare. Trials were conducted in 2008 and 2009 in vineyards receiving grower-standard insecticide sprays for control of grape berry moth and other insect pests. In the first trial, SPLAT-GBM applied twice at 1.3 or 2.5 kg/ha caused a significant reduction in grape berry moth infestation at harvest on clusters at the border of the vineyards where infestation is highest, compared with the no-pheromone control, but three applications at 2.5 kg/ha did not result in lower infestation compared with both the control and other treatments. In the second trial, application of SPLAT-GBM 2.5 kg/ha in mid-June and late-July caused a significant reduction in grape berry moth infestation at harvest on clusters at the border of the vineyards. Application in early-May and late-June resulted in infestation that was similar to the other program, but not statistically different from the control. In both trials, there were no significant differences between any of the treatments of SPLAT-GBM and the control inside the vineyards where infestation is low. Among treatments of SPLAT-GBM, infestation was similar regardless of number, rate, or timing of the applications. This study shows that mechanical application of wax matrix drops to release pheromone is an effective method for control of grape berry moth using mating disruption.     

有机农业及有机葡萄病虫害防治

有机农业和有机食品生产在世界上迅速发展,但大众对有机食品的概念、实质内容等的认识上还有许多分歧。在查阅有关资料的基础上,对有机食品的形成过程、有机食品的概念、有机食品在国内外的发展等进行了简单介绍,并对有机食品与绿色食品、无公害食品等进行了比较,同时对有机食品的理解进行了剖析,介绍了我国有机农业中葡萄病虫害的防控经验与实践。     

Smallholder cotton production in sub-Saharan Africa: An assessment of the way forward

Abstract

The benefits of growing organic cotton were advocated in a recent contribution to this Forum. While welcoming a debate on this subject, we advocate a closer look at the history of cotton in Africa, whereby for decades farmers did grow cotton without insecticides. We believe that while there may be a market for ‘organic’ cotton production, it would be a retrograde step to ignore the technological advances that enable much higher yields to be obtained economically. What is needed is improved training and extension services backed up by an on-going research programme for IPM/ICM utilising the most appropriate technologies. Continuing research is needed to integrate new technology of benefit to the small-scale farmer, whether aiming at organic production or higher yields by integrating rational use of biotechnology and pesticides.     

Weed Problems in Food Crops in Indonesia

Abstract

Losses due to weeds in food crop production are discussed. Types of weeds differ from one crop to another; environmental conditions, crop management and other factors affect weed growth.

Hand weeding is practised on small farms, even in upland crops where weed problems are more complicated. Some experiments with herbicides on food crops have been introduced by various institutions. Due to the rising cost of labour, especially on large-scale mechanised farms, chemical weed control will become more important.

It is suggested that applied research in new methods of weed control as well as basic research in weed biology related to agriculture should be encouraged.     

桃红颈天牛综合治理技术概述

系统总结国内外有关桃红颈天牛的防治技术,从物理防治、化学防治和生物防治3个方面进行阐述,重点阐述最具生产应用价值的防治技术。最后提出以物理防治为主,生物防治为辅的综合治理措施。即在成虫羽化前用薄膜包扎法阻止天牛成虫产卵,同时设置诱饵树,集中消灭前来产卵的雌虫及其所产的卵,刺杀已孵化的低龄幼虫,8-9月释放管氏肿腿蜂来防治天牛低龄幼虫,在第2年春季注射斯氏线虫或释放花绒寄甲防治天牛幼虫和蛹。上述方法连续进行2年,每年1次,即可将桃红颈天牛的种群数量控制到较低水平。