The use of entomopathogenic fungi for the control of stored-grain insects

The present contribution discusses the recent advances in the biological control of stored-grain insects with entomopathogenic fungi (EF). Thus, the effect of formulated vs. unformulated strains of EF and the effect of combinations of EF with other components, i.e. diatomaceous earths (DEs), chemical insecticides, natural products and natural enemies against stored-product insects are reviewed. Very few formulations of EF strains have been developed and used, of which invert emulsion formulation (water-in-oil type) is considered the most important. A synergistic effect of EF is produced by combining them with DEs, chemical insecticides and natural products but not with natural enemies belonging to arthropods. Moreover, since the action of EF against insect pests in general, and stored-grain insects in particular, is compatible with the food safety and environmental regulations, a good perspective for these biocontrol agents is expected as alternatives to synthetic insecticides. The potential areas of future research on the effective use of EF as biocontrol agents of stored-grain insects and the constraints that are associated with the registration and commercialization of EF as biopesticides under storage conditions are also discussed. Suggestions for the possible ways for implementation of this technology in storage systems are also provided in the present study.     

Hemoconcentration in calves and its relation to the hematologic, protein, mineral and electrolyte profile

The dynamics of hematological, protein, mineral and electrolytic profile was examined clinically in nine calves when the hemoconcentration was induced experimentally. The hemoconcentration occurred after diarrhea caused by the per os application of 12 g saccharose per one kg of live weight. The hemoconcentration culminated six hours after application. The calves where the hemoconcentration did not exceed the critical value were included in the first group, and the calves with the extreme hemoconcentration values in the other group. In the first group (with the increasing hemoconcentration degree), a statistically significant increase was found in the values of hematocrit, erythrocytes, hemoglobin, total protein in blood serum and total immunoglobins and a statistically insignificant increase in the levels of leucocytes, inorganic phosphorus, serum calcium and sodium. Serum potassium and magnesium showed the inverse dynamics, i. e. the decrease. In the second group (with the extreme hemoconcentration), hyperkalemia and slight hypermagnesemia were identified, while the other parameters showed deviations similar to those observed in the first group. After the rehydration of animals by a preparation without any influence on the studied parameters, the hemoconcentration and the parameters under study stabilized, while in the second group the hemoconcentration was increasing even during the rehydration and the levels of serum potassium and magnesium showed different tendencies. As follows from the results, in the calves suffering from scours accompanied by hemoconcentration the correction of the parameters of metabolic profile is necessary.     

New findings on infestation and phenology of Dasineura oleae Angelini (Diptera,Cecidomyiidae): an emerging pest on olive trees in the Palestinian Territories

Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection - Dasineura oleae is a gall midge on leaves and branches of olive trees. Due to the scarcity of information regarding to the infestation and phenology of D....     

Oil content and fatty acid composition of promising IndianBrassica campestris L. (Toria) genotypes

Seeds of sixty four genotypes ofBrassica campestris L. (Toria) were analyzed for oil content and fatty acid composition. Oil content varied from 38.9% to 44.6%. Major fatty acids viz. oleic, linoleic, linolenic, eicosenoic and erucic acids exhibited ranges from 10.1% to 17.3%, 5.9% to 14.5%, 5.2% to 15.0%, 7.7% to 13.7% and 39.6% to 59.9%, respectively. Compared to the standard cultivar ITSA, four genotypes contained 5 to 8% lower content of erucic acid; and six genotypes contained significantly higher content of linoleic acid. Oil was positively correlated with erucic acid. The observed inverse relationship between linoleic and erucic acid contents might be utilized in breeding nutritionally better Toria cultivars with both high linoleic and low erucic acid contents.     

Hemoconcentration in calves in relation to actual and corrected values of metabolic profile parameters

Frequent pathogenetic condition of hemoconcentration in calves results in apparent increase in the parameters of metabolic profile above the standard level. These values, however, do not conform to the actual state and often lead to unsubstantiated diagnostic conclusions with pathological deviations. On the basis of experimental study on the dynamics of some parameters of hematological, protein, mineral and electrolytic profile in the calves with experimental hemoconcentration, a correction table and diagram for the calculation of corrected values for some parameters of metabolic profile were elaborated. At hematocrit value increased above the physiologic limit (0.45--0.60) the correction values of parameters in percent are subtracted from the actual value. The correction table was used to correct actual values of those parameters of metabolic profile which during the experimental hemoconcentration were found to have direct relations to the dynamics (Er, Hb, Le, CB, Ig, serum Ca, P and Na). The correction of serum potassium and of some enzymes (AST, ALT, gMT) is not indicated because no relations were determined. Whereas the actual values of the studied parameters reached their maxima (statistically significant differences in Er, Hb, CB, Ig levels) at the culmination of hemoconcentration (6th hour--1st sampling), the differences between the corrected values and initial values were in all parameters insignificant. The correction of actual values of parameters by means of the diagram or table is simple, expeditious and reliable.     

Control methods of the olive leaf gall midge (Dasineura oleae Angelini,Cecidomyiidae, Diptera) and potential implementation of integrated control programs in olive orchards

Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection - The olive leaf gall midge (Dasineura oleae) is a gall-inducing insect on leaves, branches and stems of flowers of olive trees. Heavy infestation with the...     

Comparison of oil content and fatty acid composition of peanut genotypes differing in growth habit

Peanut genotypes belonging to Virginia Runner, Virginia Bunch and Spanish Bunch groups exhibiting spreading, semi-spreading and erect growth habits, respectively, were compared for oil content and fatty acid composition. Mean values of oil content of the three peanut groups did not differ much, however, a marked difference was observed in fatty acid composition. Oleic acid concentrations were in the order of Virginia Runner > Virginia Bunch Spanish Bunch. This trend was reverse with respect to linoleic acid concentration. Virginia Runner genotypes having higher oleic—linoleic acid (O/L) ratio and corresponding lower iodine value of oil have greater oil stability and would incur lower cost of hydrogenation. Oil of Spanish Bunch and Virginia Bunch genotypes is nutritionally better due to a higher concentration of linoleic acid and may be used as refined oil. Oleic acid concentration was negatively correlated with that of linoleic acid, suggesting that selection of genotypes in each group, with improved industrial or nutritional qualities would be possible.