Phagostimulants enhancing the efficacy ofBacillus Thuringiensis formulations against the Giant Looper,Boarmia (Ascotis) Selenaria,in avocado

In both laboratory and field trials, as well as in semicommercial scale applications, the minimum concentration ofBacillus thuringiensis (B.t.) required to secure satisfactory larval mortality ofBoarmia selenaria could be halved, from 0.5% to 0.25%, by addition of 1% of the commercial phagostimulant Coax. Another phagostimulant product, Gustol, was inactive. Coax did not attract caterpillars from a distance. However, individual, Coax-treated spots on the avocado leaf surface were consumed by the larvae to a significantly greater extent than control. The same difference in palatability was recorded when the spots were treated with a mixture of Coax and aB.t. formulation. This explains, at least partially, the aforementioned advantageous effect of Coax in practical control of the looper byB.t.     

Effects of addition of a bird repellent to fish diets on their growth and bioaccumulation

The effects of adding the nonlethal bird repellent methyl anthranilate (MA), at levels of 100 and 1000 mg kg^?1, to fish feed on the bioaccumulation and growth of juvenile (10 g) hybrid striped bass (Morone chrysops×M. saxatilis) and juvenile (1 g) African cichlid fish Aulonocara jacobfreibergi were investigated under laboratory conditions. The bird repellent did not have any effect on the fish growth or survival over a period of 6 weeks. MA residues at low levels of 11.2±2.6 μg g^?1 were found in lipophilic tissues (liver) of MA‐fed fish. Control fish, which had no MA added to their diet, had a much lower level of 0.6±0.3 μg g^?1 MA in their liver. Fish muscle was found to contain negligible MA residues, while the outer body surface mucus did not contain any MA. Following a 6‐week depuration period, during which the previously MA‐fed hybrid striped bass were fed a feed to which no MA was added, the levels of MA residues detected were reduced by one order of magnitude.     

Fish larvae: zooplankton relationships in microcosm simulations of earthen nursery ponds. II. brackish water system

A simulation of the effects of predation intensity on zooplankton composition in brackish water nursery ponds was carried out in order to address the problem that commercial fish nurseries encounter in obtaining enough zooplankton of adequate species composition and size when fish larvae start to feed. The experimental system consisted of twelve 130 l containers with treatments of four densities (0, 1, 2, or 4 larvae l⁻¹) of common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.), stocked on the 6th day after filling the containers. Zooplankton-environment relationships were explored using factor analysis. Factor analysis allowed identifying several groups of zooplankters that responded in different ways to fish larvae predation pressure. The first factor represented a general measurement of rotifer abundance, and the second identified the direct effect of size-selective fish predation. Since no rotifers were present in the filling water, all these species were autochthonous populations that hatched from resting forms in the sediment and reproduced. In the absence of fish predation, this led to a steep rotifer increase. Fish predation started when the rotifer concentration was just starting to increase and their direct predation reduced and delayed the rotifer abundance peak. This effect increased with the increase in fish larvae density. Estimations of rotifer consumption by fish larvae in this experiment were higher than similar calculations from data of the literature, which led us to test the hypothesis that factors other than direct predation were affecting rotifer population dynamics. The mechanisms involved in rotifer population regulation are discussed. It was concluded that in commercial nurseries, increased larvae production can be achieved by keeping the larvae density at an intermediate level and stocking fish to match the increasing phase of the rotifer peak. Under reasonable larvae density (up to 2 l⁻¹) it seems that the direct predation effect of fish larvae on rotifer dynamics is minor, compared to fish induced self regulation.     

Effects of dietary protein and lipid levels with different protein‐to‐energy ratios on growth performance,feed utilization and body composition of juvenile red‐spotted grouper,Epinephelus akaara

An 8‐week feeding trial was conducted to assess dietary protein and lipid levels on growth performance, feed utilization and body composition of juvenile red‐spotted grouper (7.85 ± 0.03 g fish^?1). Nine semi‐purified diets were formulated containing varying protein levels (440–520 g kg^?1, dry matter) and lipid levels (60–120 g kg^?1, dry matter). The weight gain of juvenile Epinephelus akaara was affected by dietary protein (p = .005) and its interaction with dietary lipid (p = .020). Viscerosomatic index, intraperitoneal fat ratio and whole‐body lipid level increased with increasing dietary lipid level (p < .001). Nitrogen retention was not affected by dietary protein and lipid, while lipid retention decreased with increasing dietary lipid level (p < .001). The plasma blood urea nitrogen increased with increasing dietary protein level (p = .003). This study showed that diet with 520 g kg^?1 protein and 60 g kg^?1 lipid with 30.58 mg kJ^?1 P:E provided a maximal growth for this species. Moreover, an increase in dietary lipid levels (from 60 to 90 g kg^?1) could reduce the protein requirement (from 520 to 480 g kg^?1) without affecting the growth performance, while higher fat deposition was observed in fish fed high‐lipid diets.     

Water quality,ecological processes and management procedures in a periphyton biofiltration system in mariculture: A statistical analysis

A periphyton biofiltration system of mariculture effluents was studied to identify ecological processes and management procedures that strongly affect the biofilter functioning, in order to attain optimal biomass production and nutrient removal. The multivariate statistical technique of factor analysis allowed reducing the large amount of data available into three main factors. The first factor, which accounted for 49% of the overall data variability, was herein called “biological activity” as it represents the joint effects on the variables measured of photosynthesis, N and P uptake, respiration and decomposition of organic matter. The second and third factors were “autotrophic biomass density” and “nitrite and phosphate uptake/release balance”, which, respectively, accounted for further 20% and 14% of the data variability. A conceptual model, describing the functioning of the periphyton biofilters, revealed a delicate equilibrium among the different processes, whose understanding help to manage the biofilters towards optimal production of periphytic biomass and nutrient removal. Raising flow rate raised the overall nutrient uptake rate but reduced uptake efficiency and diluted nitrifying particles. A reduced flow rate led to sedimentation of organic particles, decomposition and nutrients re‐mineralization. Apparently, control of water flow and nutrient content, periphyton substrate area and the cleaning of the effluent supply system are key management elements for the operation of a periphyton‐based biofilter system that maximizes both periphyton biomass production and nutrient removal.     

Spread of potato virus Y (PVY) in relation to aphid population trends in potato fields in Israel

Summary Test of field spread of potato virus Y (PVY) were carried out in the coastal plain of Israel during the autumn growing seasons of 1964 and 1965. These included twice-weekly samplings of the winged aphid population. PVY-infected tubers of the varietyUp-to-Date, were planted at predetermined points in a trial plot, simultaneously with PVY-free ones. Virus spread to progeny was determined by indexing plants grown from tubers that had been collected at different distances from the infector plants. In 1965, a fair correlation was established between the incidence of naturally-spread PVY and distance from the source of inoculum. In 1964, however, the number of aphids trapped were exceptionally high, resulting in a PVY incidence more than double that of 1965 but with practically no apparent relation to the distance from the infector plants. This can be partly explained by the additional infection arising from sources outside the trial plot through the activity of an increased number of vector individuals.

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Zusammenfassung Im Anschluss an Studien über die Feldausbreitung von PVY, die vor 7 Jahren begannen, wurden in der Küstenzone von Israel w?hrend der zwei Herbstanbauperioden 1964 und 1965 besondere Untersuchungen angestellt. Halbw?chentlich wurden die geflügelten Individuen der Familie Aphididae in der Versuchsparzelle mit Hilfe der Moericke-Falle gesammelt. Vom gesamten Fang wurde nurMyzus persicae identifiziert, da diese Art der Hauptübertr?ger des PVY in Israel ist. Knollen der SorteUp-to-Date, mit dem gew?hnlichen Isolat von PVY infiziert, wurden an vorher bestimmten Stellen der Versuchsparzelle gleichzeitig mit PVY-freien Knollen gepflanzt (Abb. 1) Das Auftreten des Virus auf Knollen der neuen Generation wurde auf folgende Weise festgestellt: Knollen, die in verschiedenen Entfernungen von der Inokulumquelle gesammelt wurden, wurden in der Augenstecklingsprüfung nicht nur visuell beurteilt, sondern auch im A6-Test (Einreiben von Blattsaft) und mittels verschiedenen Testpflanzen überprüft. Zu diesem Zweeke wurden Stecklinge unter insektenfreien Bedingungen angezogen. Im Herbst 1965, wie auch in den Frühjahren 1960 und 1961 und im Winter 1961 (Zimmerman-Gries undNitzany, 1964), wurde eine ziemlich gute Korrelation zwischen Feldauftreten des PVY und der Entfernung von der Inokulumquelle beobachtet (Abb. 2). Im Jahre 1964 waren die Fallenergebnisse aussergew?hnlich gross. Dies nun verursachte ein mehr als doppelt so starkes Auftreten von PVY wie im Jahre 1965, und dies stand praktisch in keiner augenscheinlichen Wechselbeziehung zur Entfernung von der ausgepflanzten Inokulumquelle (Abb. 2). Das Verwischen eines solchen Korrelationsbildes im Jahre 1964 wird teilweise durch die weitere Ansteckung erkl?rt, die, von Quellen ausserhalb der Versuchsparzellen kommend, durch die vermehrte Zahl von übertr?gerindividuen (Abb. 3), die im Felde vorhanden waren, verursacht wurde.

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Résumé Des recherches particulières ont été effectuées dans la zone c?tière d'Isra?l durant les deux saisons automnales de culture 1964 et 1965, en jonction à des études sur la propagation au champ du PVY qui débutèrent il y a sept ans. Les individus ailés de la famille des Aphides étaient récoltés dans les parcelles d'essais deux fois par semaine, au moyen de pièges de Moericke. Parmi toutes les captures seuls les puceronsMyzus persicae étaient identifiés, puisque cette espèce est le principal transmetteur du PVY en Isra?l. Des tubercules de la variétéUp-to-Date, infectés avec l'isolat ordinaire de PVY, ont été plantés à des emplacements déterminés à l'avance dans la parcelle d'essais en même temps que les tubercules libres de PVY (Fig. 1). La présence du virus sur les tubercules de la génération suivante fut déterminée de la fa?on suivante: aux tubercules récoltes à diverses distances de la source d'infection était appliqué le test de bouture d'oeil de même que le test sur folioles détachées de l'hybride pomme de terre A6, comme aussi sur une séric de plantes-test. Pour la réussite de l'épreuve les pousses de tubercules étaient élevées dans des conditions libres de pucerons. En automne 1965, comme au printemps 1960 et 1961, et en hiver 1961 (Zimmerman-Gries etNitzany, 1964), on a observé une corrélation passablement bonne entre l'apparition au champ du PVY et l'eloignement de la source d'inoculum (Fig. 2). En 1964, les produits des pièges étaient exceptionellement élevés. Ce qui, dès lors, occasionna une apparition de PVY à un degré plus que double de celui de 1965, et engendra aussi ce fait que pratiquement il n'y avait aucune corrélation avec l'éloignement des sources d'inoculum plantées (Fig. 2). Cet effacement d'une telle image de corrélation en 1964 sera partiellement expliquée par une contagion plus grande causée par le nombre accru d'individus vecteurs (Fig. 3) qui étaient présents dans les champs, à partir de sources extérieures aux parcelles d'essais.

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Contribution from the National and University Institute of Agriculture, Rehovot, Israel. 1966 Series, No. 1051-E.

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Paper read to the Virology Section of the Third Triennial Conference of the European Association for Potato Research, Zürich, September 1966.     

Fish larvae – zooplankton relationships in microcosm simulations of earthen nursery ponds. I. Freshwater system

To address the commercial nurseries problem of obtaining enough zooplankton of adequate species composition and size when fish larvae start to feed, a simulation of the effects of predation intensity on zooplankton composition in freshwater nursery ponds was carried out in an experimental system of twelve 130-liter containers. Treatments consisted of two densities (1 or 2 larvae l⁻¹) of common carp stocked on the 4th day after filling the containers and a control without fish. Zooplankton–environment relationships were explored using factor analysis. Several groups of zooplankters that respond in different ways to fish larvae predation pressure were identified. The first factor was a general measurement of zooplankton abundance that mainly reflects allochthonous rotifer species that entered the system with the filling water, replaced in time by autochthonous species that hatched from resting eggs in the sediment. The second factor identified the direct effects of size selective fish predation, and the third showed indirect effects of high fish density. Larvae growth rate matched the plankton availability: high just after stocking, when they fed on the abundant but declining numbers of allochthonous rotifers; then decreased drastically and increased again when hatching of resting eggs of autochthonous rotifers and the availability of the crustacean preys preferred by the fish, increased. It was concluded that in commercial nurseries increased larvae production can be achieved just by stocking fish earlier than the 4th day after pond filling, to match the rotifer peak.     

Proteolysis by juvenile sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) gastrointestinal enzymes as a method for the evaluation of feed proteins

Protein digestibility by gastrointestinal homogenates of Dicentrarchus labrax, was investigated in 5 feeds in relation to their amino acids composition and their ability to sustain growth of D. labrax post larval juveniles. Gastric proteolysis was found to contribute <25% of the total proteolytic capacity. Correlation was found between intestinal proteolytic capacity and the feed protein content of three pairs of amino acids. The sum of basic amino acids, arginine + lysine in the feed protein exhibited a positive correlation with susceptibility to proteolysis. The sum of the acid amino acids glycine and proline showed a negative correlation.Comparison of the intestinal proteolytic enzymatic activities in 3 growth stages of this species revealed similar profiles. Post larval and large juveniles had similar proteolytic capacities when compared on the basis of equal activity on an artificial substrate of Trypsin. Specific growth rates of post larval fish fed on these 5 feeds correlated positively with their protein digestibility as measured with large juvenile's intestinal homogenates. The results suggest that in this species, the efficiency of feeds in sustaining growth at the post larval stage can be estimated by measuring the feed protein digestibility by the proteolytic system of larger sized juveniles.