Risk assessment of thiacloprid and its chemical decontamination on eggplant,Solanum melongena L.

BACKGROUND: Thiacloprid [(Z)‐3‐(6‐chloro‐3‐pyridylmethyl)‐1,3‐thiazolidin‐2‐ylidenecyanamide; Calypso^?] is a systemic insecticide having persistence in the plant system. It was chosen for the management of the eggplant shoot and fruit borer, Leucinodes orbonalis Guen. Management of this insect pest is difficult because it harbours inside the shoot and fruit portions of eggplant. The persistence of thiacloprid on eggplant has not been studied in India. The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has proposed its maximum residue limit (MRL) on eggplant as 0.7 mg kg^?1, and there is a need to validate this value. Since residues were found to be above this level, five different decontamination agents were tested for the decontamination of thiacloprid from eggplant. RESULTS: The half‐life of thiacloprid was 11.1 and 11.6 days from trials in 2 years. Safety factors such as theoretical maximum daily intake (TMDI) and maximum permissible intake (MPI) were used to arrive at a risk assessment to human health from the analytical data obtained from the field trials. Thiacloprid at the doses tested (30 and 60 g AI ha^?1) was not effective in managing eggplant fruit borer. A waiting period of 3 days before harvest of the fruits after insecticide application and a processing factor (PF) could not ensure a sufficient margin of safety (MOS). Subjecting the data to a processing factor of 60% could not bring the residues below the proposed MRL. CONCLUSION: Thiacloprid is not found to be an appropriate and effective agent for application to eggplant. Either the proposed MRL needs to be revised or good agricultural practice involving thiacloprid for plant protection in eggplant cultivation is required. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry     

Response of a red clone of Myzus persicae (Hemiptera: Aphididae) to sublethal concentrations of imidacloprid in the laboratory and greenhouse

BACKGROUND: Pest resurgence following a pesticide application may occur owing to a stimulatory (hormetic) response to sublethal insecticide concentrations. The objective of the present study was to examine the potential for a greenhouse‐derived red clone of Myzus persicae to exhibit resurgence owing to a hormetic response following a systemic imidacloprid treatment in a bell pepper greenhouse. RESULTS: No differences in mortality and fecundity were observed among apterous adults exposed to sublethal imidacloprid concentrations on excised pepper leaves fed aqueous solutions of imidacloprid. Survival of first‐generation progeny was negatively affected by imidacloprid exposure, yet surviving progeny exhibited no differences in development rates or fecundity from progeny of adults unexposed to imidacloprid. Aphid mortality declined most rapidly in clip cages on pepper leaves at the top of the pepper canopy as compared with leaves present at the middle or bottom of the pepper canopy. CONCLUSION: Imidacloprid decays rapidly in mature pepper plants, resulting in sublethal concentrations in the upper canopy in as little as 4 weeks. Sublethal insecticide concentrations have been implicated in the resurgence of pest populations; however, exposure to sublethal doses of imidacloprid are unlikely to result in pesticide‐induced resurgence of the M. persicae aphid clone examined in this study. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Persistence,metabolism and safety evaluation of thiamethoxam in tomato crop

BACKGROUND: Thiamethoxam, a neonicotinoid insecticide, has been widely accepted for use in various crops, including vegetables, owing to its high efficacy against various chewing and sucking insect pests. In this particular study, the authors examined the residue dynamics of this insecticide in tomato and soil and calculated a safety index for this insecticide in an Indian context. RESULTS: In tomato fruits, the insecticide dissipated from 82 to 87% in 10 days with a half‐life of 4 days, whereas dissipation in soil, under tomato crop, varied between 72 and 75% in 15 days with a half‐life of 9 days. Total residues reached below detectable level in 15 days in tomato fruits and 20 days in soil. Maximum damage (30%) was found in control plots, as opposed to 8–10% of fruit damage in treated plots. One degradation product was detected on the tomato fruit surface, and three metabolites were identified in tomato fruits by the LC‐MS technique. The metabolites have been reported for the first time in tomato fruits. CONCLUSION: Thiamethoxam at normal and double the recommended use rate effectively controlled aphids, whiteflies and Helicoverpa, as the insect population decreased to a minimum within 10 days of spraying in comparison with the control. There was no significant difference between the two rates of application, and both thiamethoxam treatments significantly increased tomato fruit yield compared with the untreated control. A maximum residue limit (MRL) of 0.05 mg kg^?1 for tomato has been proposed, with a corresponding preharvest interval (PHI) of 8 days. These parallel advances in toxicology and analytical chemistry have strengthened the observations that thiamethoxam can be used safely and efficiently in crop protection programmes. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

氟环唑在小麦及土壤中的残留及消解动态

为了评价氟环唑在小麦生产上使用的残留安全性,建立了气相色谱-电子捕获检测器检测氟环唑在小麦植株、小麦籽粒及土壤中残留的分析方法,并对氟环唑在小麦植株、小麦籽粒和土壤中的最终残留量及小麦植株和土壤中的消解动态进行了研究。结果表明:在添加水平为0.01、0.1和2 mg/kg（小麦籽粒和土壤）和0.01、0.1和10 mg/kg（小麦植株）下,氟环唑的回收率为82%~93%,相对标准偏差为3.0%~9.7%。氟环唑在小麦植株、小麦籽粒和土壤中的定量限均为0.01 mg/kg。氟环唑在小麦植株和土壤中的消解半衰期分别为3.5~8.4和10~30 d。当以有效成分112.5 g/hm2的剂量施药2次、采收间隔期为21 d时,小麦籽粒中氟环唑的残留量为<0.05 mg/kg,低于中国制定的小麦中氟环唑的最大残留限量值（0.05 mg/kg）。建议氟环唑在小麦上使用时最大剂量为有效成分112.5 g/hm2,施药2次,安全间隔期为21 d。     

From laboratory to field: uses and limitations of pesticide behaviour models for the soil/plant system

Modelling is an economic way of assessing pesticide behaviour under field conditions; it is cheaper and faster than field experiments. Modelling attempts to generalize knowledge of pesticide field behaviour through identification of the most important pesticide/soil properties that can be measured in the laboratory. The technology to simulate volatilization of volatile pesticides that are incorporated or injected into the soil is well developed. However, modelling of volatilization rates from plant and soil surfaces before the first significant rainfall event after application is barely possible with current knowledge. The technology to simulate pesticide persistence in the plough layer is well developed; the PERSIST model has been tested at least 178 times, usually resulting in a slightly faster decline in the field than was simulated. In general, available pesticide leaching models are reliable enough to assess the leaching of the bulk of the dose (leaching levels above 1%). The EU drinking water limit of 0.1 μg L^?1 implies leaching of less than 0.1% of a dose of 1 kg ha^?1. At such a low leaching level, the validation status of the models is still low, mainly because preferential flow processes in both structured and unstructured soils and the factors controlling the transformation rate in subsoil are not well enough understood.     

Impact of ant control technologies on insecticide runoff and efficacy

BACKGROUND: Insecticides are commonly used for ant control around residential homes, but post‐treatment runoff may contribute to contamination of surface water in urban watersheds. This study represents the first instance where runoff of insecticides was directly measured after applications around single family residences. During 2007, houses were treated with bifenthrin or fipronil sprays following standard practices. During 2008, pin stream applicators, spray‐free zones and restricting sprays to the house foundation were considered as management options. RESULTS: During 2007, the resulting runoff from the bifenthrin spray in the irrigation water had a mean concentration of 14.9 µg L^?1 at 1 week post‐treatment and 2.5 µg L^?1 at 8 weeks, both high enough to be toxic to sensitive aquatic organisms. In comparison, treatments with bifenthrin granules resulted in no detectable concentrations in the runoff water after 8 weeks. The mean concentration for fipronil used as a perimeter spray was 4.2 µg L^?1 at 1 week post‐treatment and 0.01 µg L^?1 at 8 weeks, with the first value also suggesting a potential for causing acute aquatic toxicity to sensitive organisms. During 2008, insecticide runoff was reduced by using spray‐free zones and pin stream perimeter applications. CONCLUSIONS: It is shown that insecticide runoff from individual home treatments for ants can be measured and used to improve techniques that minimize runoff. The pin stream application and applications limited to the house foundation should be further evaluated for their potential to reduce pesticide runoff from residential homes. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

Effects of reduced‐rate methyl bromide applications under conventional and virtually impermeable plastic film in perennial crop field nurseries

BACKGROUND: Producers of perennial crop nursery stock in California use preplant soil fumigation to meet state phytosanitary requirements. Although methyl bromide (MB) has been phased out in many agricultural industries, it is still the preferred treatment in the perennial nursery industry and is used under Critical Use Exemptions and Quarantine/Preshipment provisions of the Montreal Protocol. The present research was conducted to evaluate reduced‐rate MB applications sealed with conventional and low‐permeability plastic films compared with the primary alternative material. RESULTS: Reduced rates (100–260 kg ha^?1) of MB applied in combination with chloropicrin (Pic) and sealed with a low‐permeability plastic film provided weed and nematode control similar to the industry standard rate of 392 kg ha^?1 MB:Pic (98:2) sealed with high‐density polyethylene (HDPE) film. However, the primary alternative chemical, 1,3‐dichloropropene (1,3‐D), tended to provide slightly lower pest control even on sites with relatively low plant parasitic nematode, soil‐borne pathogen and weed pest pressure. CONCLUSION: If California regulations change to allow the use of low‐permeability films in broadcast fumigant applications, the results of this research suggest that reduced rates of MB in perennial crop nurseries could serve as a bridge strategy until more technically, economically and environmentally acceptable alternatives are developed. Published 2010 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The effect of initial concentration of carbofuran on the development and stability of its enhanced biodegradation in top‐soil and sub‐soil

Carbofuran was incubated in top‐soil and sub‐soil samples from a pesticide‐free site at a range of initial concentrations from 0.1 to 10 mg kg⁻¹. Amounts of the incubated soils were removed at intervals over the subsequent 12 months, and the rate of degradation of a second carbofuran dose at 10 mg kg⁻¹ was assessed. An applied concentration as low as 0.1 mg kg⁻¹ to top‐soil resulted in more rapid degradation of the fresh addition of carbofuran for at least 12 months. The degree of enhancement was generally more pronounced with the higher initial concentrations. When the same study was conducted in sub‐soil samples from the same site, an initial dose of carbofuran at 0.1 mg kg⁻¹ resulted in only small increases in rates of degradation of a second carbofuran dose. However, degradation rates in the sub‐soil samples were, in many instances, considerably greater than in the corresponding top‐soil samples, irrespective of pre‐treatment concentration or pre‐incubation period. Initial doses of 0.5 mg kg⁻¹ and higher applied to sub‐soil successfully activated the sub‐soil microflora. Application of the VARLEACH model to simulate carbofuran movement through the soil profile indicated that approximately 0.01 mg kg⁻¹ of carbofuran may reach a depth of 70 cm 400 days after a standard field application. The results therefore imply that adaptation of the sub‐soil microflora (c 1 m depth) by normal field rate applications of carbofuran is unlikely to occur. In experiments to investigate this in soils exposed to carbofuran in the field, there was no apparent relationship between top‐soil exposure and degradation rates in the corresponding sub‐soils. The results further confirmed that some sub‐soil samples have an inherent capacity for rapid biodegradation of carbofuran. The high levels of variability observed between replicates in some of the sub‐soil samples were attributed to the uneven distribution of a low population of carbofuran‐degrading micro‐organisms in sub‐surface soil. There was no apparent relationship between soil microbial biomass and degradation rates within or between top‐soil and sub‐soil samples. © 2001 Society of Chemical Industry     

Field trial measuring the compatibility of methoxyfenozide and flonicamid with Orius laevigatus Fieber (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae) and Amblyseius swirskii (Athias-Henriot) (Acari: Phytoseiidae) in a commercial pepper greenhouse

BACKGROUND: Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) and Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) are among the most serious pests of sweet peppers in greenhouses. Chemical control is difficult because of their high reproductive rates and insecticide resistance, and seasonal inoculative releases of Orius laevigatus (Fieber) and Amblyseius swirskii (Athias‐Henriot) are commonly used to reduce their populations. As chemical treatments are often needed in the crop against other pests, the side effects of methoxyfenozide (an insect growth regulator against lepidopteran pests) and flonicamid (a selective feeding inhibitor against sucking insects) were studied in both beneficial organisms in a commercial greenhouse. RESULTS: Orius laevigatus and A. swirskii were released at commercial rates (4–5 and 100 m^?2), and a strong establishment and a very homogeneous distribution were reached. One pesticide treatment with the maximum field recommended concentration of methoxyfenozide and flonicamid (96 and 100 mg AI L^?1) was done when they were well established, and their population levels were not affected either immediately or up to 30 days after treatment. CONCLUSION: The results are indicative of no impact of methoxyfenozide and flonicamid on the two natural enemies in the field, and both can be considered as potential alternatives to be included in IPM programmes in sweet pepper. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

气相色谱-电子捕获检测器法测定柑桔和土壤中苯丁锡的残留

建立了采用气相色谱-电子捕获检测器(GC-ECD)测定柑桔和土壤中苯丁锡残留量的分析方法。样品经乙腈提取,浓盐酸衍生化,中性氧化铝柱净化。结果表明:在0.5~5.0 mg/kg添加水平范围内,苯丁锡的平均添加回收率为92% ~98%,相对标准偏差(RSD)为5.8% ~8.7%(n=5)。方法的最小检出量(MDL)为1×10-10g,苯丁锡在桔肉、桔皮、全果和土壤4种基质中的定量限(LOQ)均为0.5 mg/kg。该方法杂质干扰少,准确性及灵敏度满足农药残留检测要求,对检测硬件要求低,适用于柑桔和土壤中苯丁锡残留的分析。消解动态试验结果表明,苯丁锡在柑桔和土壤中的消解半衰期分别为9~14 d和9~11 d,属易降解农药。     

Effect of different formulations on tebuconazole residues in stone fruits

BACKGROUND: The correlation between pesticide residue levels and formulation of an active substance is often not considered, even if it is reasonable to expect some differences arising from behaviour during dilution and spraying, from adhesion to plant and from degradation. An experimental study to investigate the magnitude of tebuconazole residues as a function of different tebuconazole formulated products was carried out in Italy. The fungicide was applied as wettable powder (WP) and water‐dispersible granule (WG) formulations to peach, plum, apricot and nectarine orchards, on four different sites. The fruit samples gained from the field trials were quantitatively analysed by gas chromatography with a nitrogen phosphorus detector (GC/NPD) for tebuconazole residues. RESULTS: Tebuconazole residues in the fruits gained from the plot treated with the WP formulation, 14 days after application, were in the range 0.01–0.07 mg kg^?1, while corresponding residues in the plot treated with the WG formulation were in the range 0.01–0.06 mg kg^?1. CONCLUSION: No significant differences in the residue levels of tebuconazole could be observed between the trials conducted with the WP and the WG formulation. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

Growth, Yield and Blossom-End Rot Incidence in Bell Pepper as Affected by Phosphorus Level and Amino Acid Applications

This study was conducted to examine the possibility of enhancing productivity and reducing blossom-end rot (BER) incidence in bell pepper (Capsicum annumn L.). Four rates of phosphorus application (30, 60, 90 and 120?kg?ha^{? 1} of P₂O₅) were combined with two commercial naturally occurring amino acid stimulants (Amino green and Aminofort). Water was used as a control treatment as well. Plants were sprayed with 500?ppm of solutions three weeks after transplanting. Increasing P application rate increased vegetative growth, fruit yield, fruit quality (fruit size, TSS, acidity and vitamin C.) and nutritional elements content (N, P, K and Ca). However, it was showed that the phosphorus level of 90?kg?ha^{? 1} had no significant differences to the level of 120?kg?ha^{? 1} for most parameters measured. Furthermore, P-applications had a remarkable effect on reducing blossom end rot, probably due to a positive effect on water uptake and Ca acquisition. In addition, positive effects on the vegetative growth parameters, individual fruit weight and number of fruits were showed concerning the amino acid used. Fruit quality in terms of total soluble solids (TSS), total acidity and ascorbic acid contents were also improved compared to control. Aminofort was superior in its effect as Amino green. However, the tested amino acids showed no effect on BER incidence.     

Response of Cape gooseberry (Physalis peruviana L.) to nitrogen application under sandy soil conditions

The effect of different nitrogen (N) levels on growth and productivity of Cape gooseberry, cultivated in new reclaimed lands (sandy soil) at Nubaria region in Egypt, was investigated. Nitrogen levels were applied at rates of 50, 100, 150 and 200?kg?N?ha^?1 as ammonium sulfate. The amount of??N for each treatment was divided into five applications (after transplanting, seven days later, at the beginning of flowering, during fruit set and after the first harvest). Several growth parameters and yield were recorded in addition to nitrogen content in leaves. The results revealed that Cape gooseberry plants responded positively to nitrogen levels in sandy soils. Yield, number of fruits, and diameter of fruits increased significantly by increasing the nitrogen level up to 200?kg?N?ha^?1. Moreover, plant height, number of leaves, N-content in leaves and N-uptake shows a positive reaction to increased nitrogen supply. The quantitative effects of nitrogen on Cape gooseberry plants and the possible explanations of plant responses are discussed.     

Chlorpyrifos degradation in soil at termiticidal application rates

Chlorpyrifos [O,O-diethyl O-(3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridyl) phosphorothioate] is an organophosphorus insecticide applied to soil to control pests both in agricultural and in urban developments. Typical agricultural soil applications (0.56 to 5.6 kg ha^?1) result in initial soil surface residues of 0.3 to 32 μg g^?1. In contrast, termiticidal soil barrier treatments, a common urban use pattern, often result in initial soil residues of 1000 μg g^?1 or greater. The purpose of the present investigation was to understand better the degradation of chlorpyrifos in soil at termiticidal application rates and factors affecting its behaviour. Therefore, studies with [¹⁴C]chlorpyrifos were conducted under a variety of conditions in the laboratory. Initially, the degradation of chlorpyrifos at 1000 μg g^?1 initial concentration was examined in five different soils from termite-infested regions (Arizona, Florida, Hawaii, Texas) under standard conditions (25°C, field moisture capacity, darkness). Degradation half-lives in these soils ranged from 175 to 1576 days. The major metabolite formed in chlorpyrifos-treated soils was 3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyrid-inol, which represented up to 61% of applied radiocarbon after 13 months of incubation. Minor quantities of [¹⁴C]carbon dioxide (< 5%) and soil-bound residues (? 12%) were also present at that time. Subsequently, a factorial experiment examining chlorpyrifos degradation as affected by initial concentration (10, 100, 1000 μg g^?1), soil moisture (field moisture capacity, 1.5 MPa, air dry), and temperature 15, 25, 35°C) was conducted in the two soils which had displayed the most (Texas) and least (Florida) rapid rates of degradation. Chlorpyrifos degradation was significantly retarded at the 1000 μg g^?1 rate as compared to the 10 μg g^?1 rate. Temperature also had a dramatic effect on degradation rate, which approximately doubled with each 10°C increase in temperature. Results suggest that the extended (3–24 + years) termiticidal efficacy of chlorpyrifos observed in the field may be due both to the high initial concentrations employed (termite LC ₅₀ = 0.2– 2 μg g^?1) and the extended persistence which results from employment of these rates. The study also highlights the importance of investigating the behaviour of a pesticide under the diversity of agricultural and urban use scenarios in which it is employed.     

The effect of the annual use of pesticides on soil microorganisms,pesticide residues in the soil and barley yields

A study has been made of the influence of pesticides used annually on soil microorganisms and crop yields. The persistence of these pesticides in the soil was also investigated. The herbicides MCPA, glyphosate, maleic hydrazide and tri-allate, and the insecticide parathion, were applied on experimental plots on which barley was grown during the years 1973-1981. The fungicide 2-methoxyethylmercury chloride was used every year for dressing the seeds grown in pesticide-treated plots. The pesticide treatments did not affect significantly the numbers of several groups of soil microorganisms. A slight increase was, however, observed in the nitrification activity in the soil. The barley yields were on average higher on pesticide-treated plots than on controls because of successful weed control. Pesticide residues in the soil were generally very low; for example, for parathion they were below 0.02 mg kg^?1 within 11 days, and for MCPA 0.06 mg kg^?1 within 7 days. However, the glyphosate residue was 1.6 mg kg^?1 in the autumn 2 days after the treatment, and the residue settled to a level of 0.2 mg kg^?1 during the following summer. No clear dependence was observed between the residue level and the time between treatment and sampling.     

Ascorbic Acid Enhances Growth and Yield of Sweet Peppers (Capsicum annum) by Mitigating Salinity Stress

Salinity is a crucial problem which has affected crop productivity globally. Ascorbic acid is considered helpful against abiotic stresses due to its powerful antioxidant potential. In the pot experiment, salinity stress (0, 35, 70, and 105?mM) was applied to sweet peppers in split doses after 20 days of transplantation. To mitigate the adverse effects of salinity, ascorbic acid (0, 0.40, 0.80, and 1.20?mM) was applied as foliar spray after a 6-day interval during vegetative growth. Sweet pepper plants sprayed with distilled water (control) recorded maximum plant height (cm), leaf area (cm²), number of branches, stem diameter (mm), number of fruit plant^?1, fruit diameter (cm), yield plant^?1 (g), and chlorophyll content (mg 100?g^?1), while the maximum polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activity (unit mg protein^?1 min^?1) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) activity (unit mg protein^?1 min^?1) were recorded in plants treated with 70?mM NaCl application. Salinity stress beyond 70?mM significantly reduced all the studied parameters. An ascorbic acid concentration of 1.20?mM significantly mitigated the negative effects of salt stress and recorded maximum plant height (cm), number of leaves plant^?1, leaf area (cm²), number of branches plant^?1, stem diameter (mm), number of fruit plant^?1, fruit diameter (cm), yield plant^?1 (g), chlorophyll content (mg 100?g^?1), PPO activity (unit mg protein^?1 min^?1), and APX activity (unit mg protein^?1 min^?1). Hence, a 1.20?mM concentration of foliar ascorbic acid could be used in saline conditions up to 70?mM of sodium chloride (NaCl) for better growth, productivity, and enzymatic activity of sweet peppers.

     

Uptake of phorate by lettuce

Following experimental and commercial applications to soil of a granular formulalation of phorate (O,O-diethyl S-ethylthiomethyl phosphorodithioate), residues in the soil and in lettuce were determined by gas-liquid chromatography. When applied by the bow-wave method as a continuous logarithmically-changing dose ranging from approximately 0.9 to 16.0 kg a.i. ha^?1, the proportional rate of oxidation in soil of phorate sulphoxide to phorate sulphone was inversely related to dose. Ten weeks after application, total phorate residues in the soil had declined by about 35% at all dose levels. Residues in mature lettuce, from the 1-5 kg ha^?1 dose-range, comprised the parent and oxygen analogue sulphoxides and sulphones; the relative proportions of the individual metabolites were independent of dose. Over this dose-range, total residue concentrations in the crop became proportionally slightly greater with increasing dose. When single doses of 1.1, 2.0 or 2.2 kg a.i. ha^?1 were applied at drilling, the total residue concentrations in the lettuce declined from 5 mg kg^?1 in seedlings from some treatments to <0.05 mg kg^?1 at harvest. In plants raised in peat blocks containing 10 or 20 mg a.i. per block, however, residues in seedlings totalled 45-47 mg kg^?1 and declined to only 0.7 mg kg^?1 at harvest. It was concluded that bowwave applications of phorate when field-sowing lettuce were unlikely to lead to unacceptable residues in the harvested crop, but that residues in lettuce raised in phorate-treated peat blocks may be unacceptably high.     

Targeting Cydia pomonella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) adults with low‐volume applications of insecticides alone and in combination with sex pheromone

BACKGROUND: Studies surveyed the toxicity of several insecticides against adult codling moth, Cydia pomonella (L.), and examined the field effectiveness of applying low‐volume (12 L ha^?1) sprays alone or in combination with a microencapsulated (MEC) sex pheromone formulation. RESULTS: Neonicotinyls, organophosphates and synthetic pyrethroids significantly reduced fecundity at concentrations nearly 100‐fold lower than their maximum labeled field rate. Field studies in 2005 demonstrated that six applications of esfenvalerate resulted in > 90% reduction in fruit injury versus the untreated check. The addition of the MEC pheromone formulation did not further improve control. Five sprays of esfenvalerate, phosmet and acetamiprid all significantly reduced levels of fruit injury compared with the untreated control in 2006. Esfenvalerate and acetamiprid mixed with the MEC pheromone significantly reduced fruit injury compared with the MEC‐only treatment. Significant increases in pest and decreases in predator mite densities occurred in plots treated with esfenvalerate in both years. Low‐volume sprays of phosmet and acetamiprid did not disrupt mites. CONCLUSION: Low‐volume insecticide sprays can effectively manage codling moth and are less disruptive of integrated mite management. Developing an effective ‘attract and kill’ technology with this approach will require optimization of the attractant(s) to maximize moth exposure to insecticide residues. Published 2010 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Application timing of asulam for torpedograss (Panicum repens L.) control in sugarcane in Okinawa island

Field and glasshouse experiments were conducted from 1995 through 1996 to evaluate application timing of asulam (methyl sulfanilylcarbamate) for torpedograss (Panicum repens L.) control in relation to plant age in sugarcane. Above‐ground shoots of torpedograss were completely controlled with asulam at 2–4 kg active ingredient (a.i.) ha^?1 applied 60 or 80 days after planting (DAP) in artificially infested pots. But some newly developed rhizome buds survived after asulam application resulting in 1–25 and 76–100% or more regrowth in 60 and 80 DAP‐applied pots, respectively. Whereas the herbicide at 2–4 kg a.i. ha^?1 applied within 60 DAP completely controlled above‐ground shoots, applied 80 DAP at 2 kg a.i. ha^?1 it did not completely control the weed in the artificially infested field. Regrowth levels were 1–25 and 76–100% or more in 60 and 80 DAP‐applied plots, respectively. Asulam at 2–3 kg a.i. ha^?1 applied 20, 40, 60 or 80 DAP in a naturally infested field completely controlled above‐ground shoots and regrowth levels were 76–100 or more, 51–75, 1–25 and 26–50% in these same DAP applied plots, respectively. The herbicide applied at 4 kg a.i. ha^?1 caused chlorosis on younger sugarcane leaves (one‐leaf stage), but when applied at 2–3 kg a.i. ha^?1, no injury symptoms were shown. The herbicide at 2–4 kg a.i. ha^?1 applied within 60 DAP resulted in remarkably higher yield and shoot biomass of sugarcane than that applied 80 DAP. This study suggested that asulam at 2–3 kg a.i. ha^?1 should be applied 60 days after planting for the maximum control of torpedograss regrowth and better yield of sugarcane. This study also indicated that torpedograss cannot be completely controlled with a single application of asulam in a naturally infested field because of rhizome fragmentation by cross plowing and distribution of rhizomes into different soil layers that require different times to emerge. The shoots emerging after asulam application could not be controlled. Another study is required to determine the interval between sequential applications of asulam for better control of torpedograss in a naturally infested field.     

Fonofos residues in an organic soil and vegetable crops following treatment of the soil with the insecticide

Fonofos (O-ethyl S-phenyl ethylphosphonodithioate) was applied to an organic soil as band treatment at the rates of 1.12 and 2.24 kg/ha. The persistence of the insecticide and its translocation into onions and two rotation crops (lettuces and carrots) was studied under field conditions. Proportionally more residues persisted in the soil from the higher rate of application. In autumn, 4 months after soil treatment, about 40-48 % of the initially recovered levels of fonofos remained in soil. However, the amount of fonofos present at the harvest time, during the second growing season was only 16–26% of the insecticide concentration found in spring. Onions harvested 4 months after application of fonofos had no detectable residue (> 0.005 mg/kg) whereas lettuces and carrots grown in the following year contained fonofos in various amounts. At the lower rate of application the insecticide residues in lettuces and carrots were < 0.005 and 0.025 mg/kg, respectively, and those from the higher application rate were 0.012 and 0.036 mg/kg. About 72–80% of the residue could be removed by peeling the carrots. No residue of the oxygen analogue, O-ethyl S-phenyl ethylphos-phonothioate (I) was detected in any soil or crop samples.