Biological studies on the olive leaf moth, Palpita unionalis Hübner (Lepid., Pyralidae), and the olive moth, Prays oleae Bernard (Lepid., Yponomeutidae)

Abstract The biology of two important lepidopterous pests, Prays oleae Bernard and Palpita unionalis Hübner, was studied. The target pests were reared on olive plants, Oleae europaea L. (Oleaceae) under laboratory conditions for two successive generations, from March to June 2002. For P. oleae, the duration of larval stage development in the first generation was 21.4 ± 0.18 days at 19.3–20.9 °C, 65–68 % R.H, while in the second generation it was 14.8 ± 0.10 days at 20.8–24.2 °C, 65–69 % R.H. The number of eggs laid per female ranged from 58 to 109 eggs in the first generation, and from 47 to 113 in the second. The larval stage duration of P. unionalis was 16.3 ± 0.12 days at 16.8–22.9 °C, 65–69 % R.H. and 15.5 ± 0.12 days at 21.6–25.5 °C, 66–69 % R.H. for the first and second generations, respectively. Also, the number of eggs laid per female ranged from 630 to 653 eggs, and from 425 to 493 eggs in the second generation under the same previous laboratory conditions. P. oleae laid eggs at night mostly singly on flower-buds, more on the calyx. than on the petals. The larvae mined on leaves and damaged groups of flowers. P. unionalis adults were active at night, laid eggs singly at twilight usually on the lower surface of foliage. Larvae fed on leaves spinning several leaves together to form shelter for the pupa.     

Effect of salinity and water table on the mineral content of plum and peach

The effects of combinations of salinity and water table on the mineral content of plum and peach were studied in lysimeters.Chloride content (Cl) in the leaves and the roots of plum and in the leaves of peach increased with salinity, whereas Cl in peach roots was not affected. Leaves of peach contained higher amounts of Cl than the leaves of plum. The opposite trend was observed in the roots.Sodium content (Na) increased with salinity in plum, whereas in peach it was not affected.The effect of salinity on calcium content (Ca) was not consistent in plum and peach.Potassium content (K) in the leaves of plum and peach decreased with salinity, whereas in the roots it was not affected.The Ca/K ratio in plum leaves increased with salinity, whereas in peaches it decreased in the 4000 p.p.m. treatment.Leaf phosphorus content (P) in the plum and the ‘Balady’ peach decreased with salinity, while in ‘Mit Ghamre’ peach it was not consistently affected. In plum root, P increased with salinity, whereas the effect was the opposite in peach.Magnesium content (Mg) was not significantly affected.The depth of the water table had no consistent effect on the Cl, Na, Ca, K, Ca/K ratio, P and Mg contents in the leaves and roots of plum or peach.The interaction between salinity treatments and water table levels was not significant in most cases.     

Towards sustainable control of Lepidopterous pests in olive cultivation

Zusammenfassung Traditionelle, extensiv bearbeitete Olivenhaine, aber auch moderne Intensiv-Plantagen mit künstlicher Bewässerung und hohem Einsatz von Düngern bzw. chemischen Pflanzenschutzmitteln kennzeichnen die derzeitigen verschiedenen Anbauformen der Olive im Mittelmeerraum. Schadlepidopteren wie die Olivenmotte (Prays oleae, Lep.: Yponomeutidae) und die Jasminmotte (Palpita unionalis, Lep.: Pyralidae) werden durch regelmässigen Insektizideinsatz bekämpft. Das von der EU geförderte internationale Forschungsprojekt TRIPHELIO zielte auf die Entwicklung insektizidfreier Alternativmethoden durch (1) die Optimierung der pheromongestützten Überwachung und Verwirrtechnik, (2) der Anwendung von Habitatmanagement-Strategien zur Förderung natürlicher Gegenspieler, und (3) dem Einsatz von Trichogramma-Schlupfwespen. Zusätzlich wurden Module für eine optimale Anwendung biotechnischer und biologischer Methoden bezüglich der Phänologie der Schadinsekten und möglicher Nebenwirkungen von Pestiziden erarbeitet. Die intensive Kooperation zwischen Wissenschaftlern und Praktikern aus mehreren Ländern Europas und Nordafrikas erlaubte den Entwurf möglicher Lösungsansätze für verschiedene Anbaubedingungen und klimatische Regionen des Mittelmeerraumes. Die wichtigsten Ergebnisse und Ausblicke für eine zukünftige praktische Umsetzung werden in dieser Veröffentlichung beschrieben.     

Investigation of salinity impacts on germination and growth of two forest tree species at seedling stage

Soil salinity is becoming an increasingly serious constraint to plant growth in many parts of the world;this is particularly common in semi-arid and arid zones. This study was conducted to evaluate the...     

Associations of Leptin and Pituitary‐Specific Transcription Factor Genes’ Polymorphisms with Reproduction and Production Traits in Dairy Buffalo

This study aimed to detect the genetic variability in Leptin and Pit‐1 genes using polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism and DNA sequencing also to explore their possible associations with reproductive and productive traits of Egyptian buffaloes. Regarding Leptin gene, three genotypes (AA, AG and GG) were identified with frequency of 0.54, 0.40 and 0.06, respectively, and the genotypes were distributed according to the Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium. Allele A was comparatively higher than G with frequency of 0.74 and 0.26, respectively. For Pit‐1 gene, the association could not be performed due to the monomorphism (BB). The results showed that AA genotypes were found to be superior in most of production and reproduction traits. AA genotypes yielded more milk (2332.34 kg, p = 0.04) with higher fat% (6.10, p = 0.004) and fat yield (155.75 kg, p = 0.06), reach peak milk production at 42.19 days and required 2.19 services for conception in comparison with GG genotypes. Birthweight of animals with AA genotype was lesser than with GG genotype (39.35 and 43.67 kg, p = 0.02, respectively). The days open is numerically better in AA genotype animals (99.35 days), but the difference between the three genotypes was non‐significant. The distinct significant associations reported in this study suggested that Leptin is reputable candidate genetic marker, which might be used to enhance animals’ genetic potential for milk production in conjunction with reproduction.     

One Step Thermochromic Pigment Printing and Ag NPs Antibacterial Functional Finishing of Cotton and Cotton/PET Fabrics

One step thermochromic pigment printing and antibacterial functionality of cotton (100 %) and cotton/polyester blend (50/50 %) were demonstrated in this study. The improvement in antimicrobial activity against G+ve (Bacillus cereus) and G-ve (E. coli), and pigment printability were achieved by inclusion of Ag-NPs (30 g/kg) into pigment printing paste followed by printing and microwave curing at 700 W for 5 min. Modes of interactions were proposed, and surface modification was also confirmed by SEM and EDX analysis that proved the presence of Ag-NPs in cotton and cotton/ polyester blended samples. The results indicated that the colour fastness to wash and rubbing was excellent, the surface roughness reduced, and exhibited good antibacterial activity against Bacillus cereus and E. coli bacteria.     

A geospatial and temporal framework for modeling gaseous N and other N losses from forest soils and basins,with application to the Turkey Lakes Watershed Project,in Ontario,Canada

This article quantifies pre- to post-harvest gaseous N emissions and other N losses from forest soils and basins geospatially and temporally via digital elevation and hydrological modeling, using daily rain, snow and air temperature records, annual atmospheric N deposition rates, and basin-specific soil and forest specifications as input. The approach relates gaseous N losses from soils to soil temperature and water-filled pore space (WFPS) as affected by the depth-to-water (DTW) below the soil surface. The approach is applied to the Turkey Lakes Watershed Project (TLW) in Ontario, 60 km north of Sault St. Marie, where basin-wide N losses due to denitrification would mostly be restricted to the wetland portions of the basin. Basin-wide N losses via denitrification and stream export (mineral N and dissolved organic N) were empirically related to upland N mineralization and soil leaching as controlling processes. The calibrated model calculations, set to conform to the field-monitored N concentrations in TLW streams, suggest that the harvest-induced nitrification and denitrification pulses would be strongest near the end of the first post-harvest year, dropping to background levels within about 4–5 years later. The article concludes with assessing basin-specific denitrification efficiencies in relation to atmospheric N deposition and basin-to-basin wetland coverage.     

Reproductive traits,flowering phenology and seed bank dynamics in Retama raetam (Fabaceae) in a hyper-arid environment

This study explores the effects of year and location on reproductive traits and flowering phenology in Retama raetam populations growing in a hyper-arid environment. Besides year, season, and location, variations in the soil seed bank were also evaluated. Germination percentage of seeds buried in soil at two different depths for one year was determined. I hypothesized that changes in water availability between years and locations would lead to variations in reproductive traits, flowering phenology, and the seed bank of R. raetam. The study was conducted at a midstream and an upstream location during 2013 and 2014 in Wadi Rishrash in the Eastern Desert of Egypt. Flower, fruit, and seed production were significantly higher in the midstream location than the upstream location and in 2014 than in 2013. Flowering onset and duration did not differ significantly between locations. Flowering occurred earlier in 2014 than in 2013 at both locations, and the flowering period was longer in 2014 than in 2013. The size of the seed bank was greater at the midstream than at the upstream location, and in summer than in spring season. Germination of seeds decreased with burial depth, but increased with burial duration. Larger individuals produced more seeds and flowered earlier than smaller plants. The size of plant was also positively correlated with flowering duration. The location and temporal variations in all these traits may be related to environmental differences between locations and differences in annual precipitation.