Burial rates of surrogate seeds in arable fields

The probability of seed consumption by surface-dwelling predators depends on the duration of seed exposure on the soil surface. We investigated seed burial using painted ceramic beads as surrogate seeds. Fifty beads of three size classes each were applied to small arenas within crop fields and their fates were followed from August to October. New sets of beads were applied as soon as most beads had disappeared from the soil surface. Bead availability on the soil surface declined immediately after placement, and then declined steadily over time, with increased loss during rain and management practices. Smaller beads were incorporated into the soil/litter matrix more easily than larger beads. Bead burial differed considerably among crop environments, with more burial in forage crops (red clover, lucerne) than in row crops (soyabean, maize). The fact that seed availability differed among crop environments suggests that it can be manipulated to maximise predation risk.     

Assessment of the abrasion potential of pesticide-treated seeds using the Heubach test

During sowing of pesticide-treated seeds, pesticide-laden dust and abraded seed particles may be emitted to the environment, possibly leading to environmental contamination and posing health risks. In many countries there is currently no legislation concerning the acceptable amount of dust of treated seeds. This study aimed to gain insight in the abrasion potential of available pesticide-treated seeds and its associated factors. The abrasion potential of 45 seed samples of 7 different species (viz. sugar beet, oat, barley, wheat, spelt, pea, and maize) was determined using the Heubach test and amounts of dust were expressed as g 100 kg_seeds^?1, g 100,000 seeds^?1, and g ha^?1. The abrasion potential fell generally within the boundaries of maximum permissible values adopted by different countries. Species, seed treatment company, number of active ingredient (AIs) and combination of AIs had significant effects on the abrasion potential, whereas little or no effect of agitation and conservation was found. However, species were situated differently with respect to each other depending on the unit in which the abrasion potential was expressed. A standard unit that takes into account the species’ seed rate is suggested to give the fairest assessment of dust drift risk and would allow international comparison.     

Post-dispersal seed predation of non-target weeds in arable crops

Field experiments were conducted to quantify the natural levels of post-dispersal seed predation of arable weed species in spring barley and to identify the main groups of seed predators. Four arable weed species were investigated that were of high biodiversity value, yet of low to moderate competitive ability with the crop. These were Chenopodium album, Sinapis arvensis, Stellaria media and Polygonum aviculare. Exclusion treatments were used to allow selective access to dishes of seeds by different predator groups. Seed predation was highest early in the season, followed by a gradual decline in predation over the summer for all species. All species were taken by invertebrates. The activity of two phytophagous carabid genera showed significant correlations with seed predation levels. However, in general carabid activity was not related to seed predation and this is discussed in terms of the mainly polyphagous nature of many Carabid species that utilized the seed resource early in the season, but then switched to carnivory as prey populations increased. The potential relevance of post-dispersal seed predation to the development of weed management systems that maximize biological control through conservation and optimize herbicide use, is discussed.     

美国农药水生生态风险评价研究进展

介绍了美国农药水生生态风险评价从商值法到概率风险评价再到多层次生态风险评价的发展过程,重点阐述了当前在美国被广泛采用的多层次生态风险评价系统。对水生生态风险评价中常用的暴露评价模型GENEEC、PRZM 和EXAMS进行了比较分析。介绍了美国已开展的农药水生生态风险评价工作情况,旨在为我国今后的农药水生生态风险评价研究提供有益的借鉴。     

农药对蜜蜂的风险评价技术进展

在对美国国家环保局关于农药对蜜蜂的风险评价程序及工作进行调查研究的基础上,详细介绍了该评价体系所涵盖的不同层次,包括蜜蜂的室内急性毒性研究、叶面残留农药对蜜蜂的毒性影响的半田间研究及田间风险评价技术研究方面的进展,旨在为我国建立农药对蜜蜂的风险评价技术体系提供一定的借鉴作用。     

稻田用药的水生生态风险评价技术进展

主要介绍了美国、欧盟、日本有关稻田使用农药的水生生态风险评价技术体系,包括评价程序及已建立的模型、场景等。评价程序部分重点介绍了暴露评价方法,模型及场景部分则主要介绍美国、欧盟、日本开发并已广泛应用的稻田-地表水模型及相应场景。简要评述了我国在稻田用药水生生态风险评价技术方面的研究概况及不足,对我国在该领域的未来发展方向及工作重点进行了简单分析。     

黄瓜绿斑驳花叶病毒种子处理试验研究

为达到从种子源头控制病害流行危害的目的,本文通过应用药剂消毒、干热处理、干热处理结合药剂消毒、温汤浸种、温汤浸种结合药剂消毒等5种方法,对感染黄瓜绿斑驳花叶病毒的种子进行种子处理试验,结果表明:干热处理结合药剂消毒最好,相对防效为100%,增产12.36%,其次是干热处理,防效为93.46%,增产11.33%;温汤浸种结合药剂消毒,防效为80.47%,增产11.00%;药剂消毒,防效为73.93%,增产9.27%;温汤浸种,防效为58.2%,增产7.21%。     

Analysis of the seed dispersal patterns of wild soybean as a reference for vegetation management around genetically modified soybean fields

There are concerns that genetically modified soybean might threaten the genetic diversity of the wild soybean populations that are distributed in East Asia because genetically modified soybean has no crossing barrier with wild soybean. A simple and effective method to prevent hybridization via pollen flow is spatial separation between the two species because their hybridization occurs only when they grow in close proximity. Therefore, the invasiveness of wild soybean needs to be known in order to secure the appropriate distances. As wild soybean seeds are dispersed mechanically by pod dehiscence, an experiment was conducted in which white sheets were placed on the ground, concentric circles were drawn around the parent plants, and the number of dispersed seeds within each 0.5 m‐wide zone were counted. About 40% of the produced seeds were dispersed and the number of dispersed seeds gradually declined as the distance from the parent plants increased. The model that explained the relationship between the number and distance of the dispersed seeds was produced by using a generalized linear model procedure. More than 95, 99, and 99.9% of the produced seeds stayed within 3.5, 5.0, and 6.5 m after natural pod dehiscence. Knowing these values is useful for evaluating the level of invasive risk by mechanical seed dispersal. The goal of the work is to efficiently and deliberately prevent hybridization by isolating genetically modified soybean fields and wild soybean populations by vegetation management, including weeding and setting up specific‐width buffer zones.     

The effect of crop,cultivation and seed addition for birds on surface weed seed densities in arable crops during winter

Weed seeds present an agronomic threat, but are also an important food resource for wildlife in winter. Weed seed densities on the soil surface in winter were examined from 1999 to 2002 in 105 fields on three different farms in UK. The effect of the preceding crop, cultivation, position within the field and the application of seed for birds (bird seed) on surface seed abundance and species composition was tested. Six or fewer species comprised c. 80% of the weed seeds. By January of each study year, the densities of seeds important for farmland birds (key seeds) were 73% or 87% lower compared with early winter on two of the farms, but were stable on the third where seeds were incorporated through cultivation. At the edge and mid‐field, seed densities only exceeded 400 m^?2 in 17%, 10% and 12% of fields for total, key and dicotyledonous seeds respectively. The preceding crop only affected seed densities at one site; stubbles of winter barley had fewer seeds compared with winter wheat or spring barley. Seed densities varied between the edge and mid‐field, but trends were inconsistent between sites. The density of the larger seeds (Atriplex patula, Viola arvensis, Polygonum aviculare and Chenopodium album) were reduced in fields receiving bird seed. The objectives of weed control and conservation may not be mutually exclusive because seed return was most reduced where the ground remained uncultivated through the winter, yet this also provided the best foraging opportunities for surface feeding seed predators.     

Factors that influence the level of weed seed predation: A review

Herbicides applied alone have failed to reduce weed populations in agricultural ecosystems. The use of this management strategy has followed other problems such as damage to ecosystems and organisms that live in it. Herbicide resistance in weeds has also occurred more quickly based on the application of herbicides. Today, most scientists are looking for new integrated weed management programs in agricultural ecosystems. Biological control is one of the most effective ways of weed management. In this way, living organisms are used to reduce and control weed species in arable lands. Weed seed predators, including predispersal and postdispersal predators as biological control agents, can be primary factors of weed seed mortality in agricultural ecosystems. This review has discussed factors influencing seed predator populations, activity, and granivory. Knowledge of the interrelations between factors and seed predators can contribute to designing future strategies that augment weed seed predator activity and enhance weed seed consumption as a component of an integrated weed management system.     

Digitaria ciliaris seed banks in untilled and tilled soybean fields

We gained an understanding of the vertical distribution and seasonal dynamics of Digitaria ciliaris (Retz.) Koeler seed banks in untilled and tilled soybean fields using studies on naturally established seed banks and on seeds stored in the field. In untilled fields, D. ciliaris seeds were highly concentrated on or near the soil surface from late autumn to spring, whereas only a few seeds were found on the soil surface in the following summer. One year after tillage, there was a high concentration of the seeds on the soil surface. In the tilled fields, seeds were distributed uniformly throughout the soil profile and were present all year long, with only a few seeds found in the following summer. A study of seeds that were artificially buried or stored on the soil surface verified that D. ciliaris seeds were extremely short-lived in the field and could not form a large, persistent seed bank, even when the seeds were buried by tillage. Tillage contributes to suppression of D. ciliaris seedling emergence by reducing the number of seeds that are on or near the soil surface. Furthermore, D. ciliaris seeds showed a greater need for light in order to germinate throughout the year, even when they were stored on the soil surface. Particularly, light was critical for germination during summer. The light requirement for germination should be one reason why viable D. ciliaris seeds on the soil surface are carried over into the next season in untilled fields.     

Evaluation of aqueous Moringa seed extract as a seed treatment biofungicide for groundnuts

In a search for alternatives to currently used fungicides, the potential of aqueous Moringa seed extract (AMSE) as a seed treatment was evaluated. Seeds of groundnut, Arachis hypogea L cv Dakar, were soaked in AMSE at concentrations of 1, 5, 10, 15 and 20 g litre(-1) for 24 h. Comparison was made with Apron Plus (metalaxyl+carboxin+furathiocarb), until recently a recommended seed-treatment chemical, and distilled water, which was the medium for extraction of Moringa seeds. The results showed that AMSE has potential for use as a biofungicide on groundnut seeds, since all the concentrations used except 1 g litre(-1) brought about significant reduction in the incidence of fungi on the seeds, such reduction increasing as the dosage of AMSE increased. There were no significant differences in control between the highest concentration of AMSE (20 g litre(-1)) and Apron Plus at the manufacturer's recommended level. Water also produced slight reductions in the incidence of fungi, although this was not significant at P = 0.05. The sensitivity to AMSE of the fungi tested varied, Mucor sp being the most sensitive and Aspergillus niger the least, with Rhizopus stolonifer and Aspergillus flavus intermediate.     

美国农药生态风险评价技术

美国已建立较为完善的生态风险评价技术,包括农药对地表水水生生物、对陆生生物以及地下水的风险评价。综述了美国的农药水生生态风险评价及陆生生态风险评价技术,旨在为我国农药生态风险评价技术的完善和农药风险管理提供借鉴。     

13种药剂种子处理对瓜类细菌性果斑病的防治效果

瓜类细菌性果斑病是西瓜、甜瓜等瓜类作物的重要细菌性病害。为筛选防控果斑病的有效药剂, 本研究比较了13种药剂浸种带菌西瓜种子不同时间对果斑病的防治效果及对种子发芽的影响;并通过“先喷药后接种”和“先接种后喷药”, 比较了13种药剂对西瓜苗期果斑病的预防和治疗效果, 同时测定了助剂8.6%聚乙二醇对13种药剂的增效作用。药剂浸种试验结果表明, 带菌种子在10%阿苯达唑750倍液、2%春雷霉素300倍液中浸种12 h, 对果斑病的防效均达到100%, 发芽率比清水浸种分别高16.20百分点和16.34百分点;杀菌剂1号200倍液处理12 h的防效较好, 为85.58%, 且促进种子萌发。苗期喷施药剂的试验结果表明, 13种药剂对果斑病的预防效果均好于治疗效果, 预防效果和治疗效果都超过60%的药剂有7种, 以10%阿苯达唑600倍液对果斑病的防效最好, 预防效果和治疗效果分别为87.58%和75.70%, 与8.6%聚乙二醇混配后分别提高至94.12%和81.31%, 增效作用显著。本研究结果为后续田间试验和大面积推广应用提供了技术支撑。     

Correlation between the soil seed bank and weed populations in maize fields

Annual weed populations establish every year from persistent seed banks in the soil. This 3 year study investigated the relationship between the number of weed seeds in the soil seed bank and the resultant populations of major broadleaf and grass weeds in 30 maize fields. After planting the crop, 1 m² areas were protected from the pre-emergence herbicide application. Soil samples were collected soon after spraying to a depth of 100 mm and the weed seeds therein were enumerated. The emerged weed seedlings in the field sampling areas were counted over the following 8 weeks. Up to 67 broadleaf species and five grass weeds were identified, although not all were found at every site and some were specific to a region or soil type. For the most abundant weeds in the field plots, on average 2.1–8.2% of the seeds of the broadleaf species and 6.2–11.9% of the seeds of the grass weeds in the soil seed bank emerged in any one year, depending on the species. Overall, the results showed a strong linear relationship between the seed numbers in the soil and the seedling numbers in the field for all the grasses and for most broadleaf weeds. For some species, like Trifolium repens , only a weak relationship was observed. In the case of Chenopodium album , which had the largest seed bank, there was evidence of asymptotic behavior, with seedling emergence leveling off at high seed numbers. An estimate of the soil seed bank combined with knowledge of the germination and behavior of specific weed species would thus have good potential for predicting future weed infestations in maize fields.     

拌种防治花生田金针虫药剂筛选及其安全性研究

为了筛选拌种防治沟金针虫[Pleonomus canaliculatus(Faldermann)]安全有效的药剂和剂型,通过田间试验及对花生籽粒中农药残留和品质检测,对参试药剂效果和安全性进行评价。结果表明:5%氟虫腈悬浮种衣剂拌种可达到全生长季控制花生田金针虫的危害,防虫、保果效果和产量增加分别为98.53%、97.30%和33.33%,显著高于毒死蜱、吡虫啉、阿维菌素;30%毒死蜱微囊悬浮剂拌种防虫、保果效果分别为72.18%、79.96%,优于吡虫啉和阿维菌素;吡虫啉70%种子处理可分散粉剂保果防虫效果优于10%微囊悬浮剂;复配剂42%氟虫腈·吡虫啉悬浮剂和16%阿维·毒死蜱微囊悬浮剂防虫、保果和产量增加分别与氟虫腈和毒死蜱相当,无显著差异。所有参试药剂拌种对花生出苗率、花生生长和品质无不良影响,产量增加明显,花生籽粒中农药残留低于国内外农药残留限量。因此,5%氟虫腈悬浮种衣剂是拌种防治花生金针虫安全有效的理想药剂,30%毒死蜱微囊悬浮剂也可作为拌种防治花生金针虫安全有效的药剂之一。     

农药对蚯蚓的生长和繁殖毒性及其在生态风险评价中的应用

蚯蚓占了陆生无脊椎生物生物量的绝大部分,是农田生态系统土壤物质循环中的重要一环,且蚯蚓对某些污染物比许多其它土壤动物更为敏感,是陆生生态系统中土壤农用化学品污染的理想指示生物。死亡率是最常用于评估化学品对蚯蚓毒性的参数,但大多数情况下蚯蚓死亡率变化对农用化学品暴露并不敏感,因此急性毒性测试结果并不能为评估化学品对蚯蚓种群危害提供最敏感的风险预测。因此,研究更多可应用于土壤污染评价的蚯蚓生物标志物十分有意义,可对保护整个土壤动物区系的安全阈值设定提供参考。本文从蚯蚓常用毒理学研究方法入手,重点综述了农药对蚯蚓的生长和繁殖毒性效应以及相关毒理学测试指标在农药土壤生物风险评价中的应用,并讨论了影响蚯蚓生态毒理学测试结果的各项因素,最后对该领域未来研究提出了展望和建议。     

种子处理对西瓜苗期3种病害的防治效果

为了筛选防治西瓜苗期立枯病、猝倒病和枯萎病的有效种子处理剂,在人工控制的条件下,选择了6.25%精甲·咯菌腈悬浮种衣剂、2.5%咯菌腈悬浮种衣剂、3.5%精甲·咯菌腈悬浮种衣剂、72%霜霉威盐酸盐水剂和50%多菌灵可湿性粉剂5种杀菌剂对西瓜种子进行处理。分析了处理种子的活力和幼苗的生长特性;以及在人工接种3种病原菌的胁迫下不同处理种子在基质中的出苗率和发病情况。结果表明:5种杀菌剂对种子的活力和幼苗的生长特性没有明显的影响,但3.5%精甲·咯菌腈悬浮种衣剂包衣降低了每株幼苗的鲜重,50%多菌灵可湿性粉剂浸种则提高了幼苗的整齐度。接种西瓜立枯病菌和猝倒病菌的种子出苗率降低,接种西瓜枯萎病菌的种子出苗率没有明显变化;6.25%精甲·咯菌腈悬浮种衣剂和2.5%咯菌腈悬浮种衣剂包衣种子对西瓜立枯病的防效最佳,72%霜霉威盐酸盐水剂浸种对西瓜猝倒病有一定的防效,对西瓜枯萎病的防治没有特别有效的药剂。