Resistance risk evaluation, “a European regulatory perspective”

The European Union directive 91/414 on the inclusion of new and existing active substances requires an assessment of the potential risk of resistance being developed by target organisms and for management strategies to be introduced to address such risks. The European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organisation (EPPO) worked with regulatory authorities and industry's Global Crop Protection Federation's (GCPF) Resistance Action Committees to develop a guideline that would satisfy these requirements. The new resistance risk analysis guideline was published in April 2000. Implementation of this guideline will force significant changes in the way crop protection products are developed. Applicants for registration of crop protection products will need to evaluate resistance risk and develop acceptable use patterns early in the development process. Registration applications for uses that are associated with an unacceptable resistance risk may be refused. In such cases, restriction or modification of supported use patterns to achieve acceptable levels of resistance risk, could result in use patterns which are no longer consistent with other elements of the registration dossier. It is therefore essential that resistance risk is evaluated early in development so that registration dossiers may be developed with this criteria in mind.     

Context-Dependent Effect of Dietary Phytochemicals on Honey Bees Exposed to a Pesticide,Thiamethoxam

Honey bees continue to face challenges relating to the degradation of natural flowering habitats that limit their access to diverse floral resources. While it is known that nectar and pollen provide macronutrients, flowers also contain secondary metabolites (phytochemicals) that impart benefits including increased longevity, improved gut microbiome abundance, and pathogen tolerance. Our study aims to understand the role of phytochemicals in pesticide tolerance when worker bees were fed with sublethal doses (1 ppb and 10 ppb) of thiamethoxam (TMX), a neonicotinoid, in 20% (w/v) sugar solution supplemented with 25 ppm of phytochemicals—caffeine, kaempferol, gallic acid, or p-coumaric acid, previously shown to have beneficial impacts on bee health. The effect of phytochemical supplementation during pesticide exposure was context-dependent. With 1 ppb TMX, phytochemical supplementation increased longevity but at 10 ppb TMX, longevity was reduced suggesting a negative synergistic effect. Phytochemicals mixed with 1 ppb TMX increased mortality in bees of the forager-age group but with 10 ppb TMX, mortality of the inhive-age group increased, implying the possibility of accumulation effect in lower sublethal doses. Given that the phytochemical composition of pollen and nectar varies between plant species, we suggest that the negative impacts of agrochemicals on honey bees could vary based on the phytochemicals in pollen and nectar of that crop, and hence the effects may vary across crops. Analyzing the phytochemical composition for individual crops may be a necessary first step prior to determining the appropriate dosage of agrochemicals so that harm to bees Apis mellifera L. is minimized while crop pests are effectively controlled.     

Interactions of agrochemicals applied to peanut; part 3: Effects on insecticides and prohexadione calcium

A wide range of agrochemicals can be applied in a peanut production system to control various stresses and manage crop growth and development. Field and laboratory experiments were conducted in North Carolina to define biological and physicochemical interactions when insecticides (fenpropathrin and lambda-cyhalothrin) or plant growth regulator (prohexadione calcium) were applied in combination with other agrochemicals including fungicides, herbicides, and micronutrients. Fenpropathrin or lambda-cyhalothrin combinations did not injure peanut in 2008 and 2009. Two sprays of prohexadione calcium improved row visibility and reduced main stem height compared with one prohexadione calcium spray irrespective of agrochemical combinations. In many instances, applying prohexadione calcium with other agrochemicals resulted in lower main stem height compared to prohexadione calcium alone. In one of the experiments, prohexadione calcium with prothioconazole plus tebuconazole lowered fall army worm population compared with prohexadione calcium alone. Addition of boron, manganese, and 2,4-DB to fenpropathrin, lambda-cyhalothrin, and prohexadione calcium combinations changed solution pH dramatically. Prohexadione calcium had the least effect on pH of the carrier.     

Development of an innovative conceptual model and a tiered testing strategy for the ecological risk assessment of rice pesticides

Rice paddies constitute a very special agrobiosystem, which for some circumstances, could be considered as a human driven wetland. The complexity of such dynamic systems is a key element for conducting ecological risk assessments, in addition, the proximity of rice paddies to areas of high ecological value must be considered. This paper presents a new conceptual model for conducting ecological risk assessments of pesticides and other agrochemicals in rice, based on a combination of three main elements, the source of the stressor, the exposed environmental compartments and the relevance of the ecological receptors. A tiered testing strategy, starting with the standard requirements for pesticides and moving to specific higher tier studies with three levels of risk refinement is also presented.     

Interactions of agrochemicals applied to peanut; part 1: Effects on herbicides

Numerous agrochemicals are applied in peanut production systems. Field and laboratory experiments were conducted in North Carolina to characterize biological and physicochemical interactions when the herbicides clethodim, imazapic, imazethapyr, lactofen, sethoxydim, and 2,4-DB were applied in combination with adjuvants, fungicides, insecticides, and micronutrients. A wide range of interactions was noted when comparing across herbicides, weed species, and agrochemical combinations. There was little consistency across weed species for a herbicide or across herbicides for a weed species when comparing significant main effects and interactions. In most instances, when compared with the standard herbicide treatment and adjuvant applied alone, herbicide efficacy was not affected in the presence of other agrochemicals. Changes in solution pH and formation of precipitates varied according to the herbicide combinations used. Boron, manganese, and 2,4-DB often caused dramatic changes in solution pH.     

Allocating the costs of multi-purpose water resource development: a case study of Chi-Chi Weir in Taiwan

Most multi-purpose water resources have been planned and constructed by governments in Taiwan to meet the water demands of different users. However, economic and solvency differences among parties using water create conflicts regarding the reasonable and equitable allocation of investment and operational costs. The Chi-Chi Weir in Nantou County, which was completed in 2002, meets the high water demand of residents and the needs of industrial growth in central Taiwan. Thus, multi-purpose water reservoirs are designed to serve agriculture, the public and industry. Three analytical methods, the quantity-based method, marginal cost method, and separable cost remaining benefit method (SCRB), are employed to compare the cost allocation for different parties using water. The quantity-based method indicates that proportional costs allocated to agriculture, the public, industry and new irrigated areas are 88.02, 3.63, 7.86, and 0.49%, respectively. Via the marginal cost method, the proportional costs allocated to agriculture, the public, hydropower, industry and new irrigated areas are 68.44, 2.51, 28.71, and 0.34%, respectively. The marginal cost price of water is NT$ 2.97 ton⁻¹; industrial use has the highest price. Based on the SCRB method, the proportional costs allocated to agriculture, the public, hydropower, and new irrigated areas are 18.2, 22.2, 51.8, 4.8, and 2.9%, respectively.     

Sample size determination for seed potato certification

Seed buyers desire a conservatively low field certification rate (to better protect their industry). In contrast, seed growers want a relatively higher field certification rate (to reduce their costs in cultural practices which protect against disease). Sampling error requires 1) the grower’s “aimed-for” disease rate to be lower than 2) the agency specified field certification rate, which in turn must be lower than 3) the disease rate which the buyer would find “utterly” unacceptable. Since sample size determines sampling error, it also determines the amount by which the grower must aim to set rate 1) below that of rate 3) to reach reasonable likeliness for his field to be accepted. That is, in a sense, sample size determines the spread between rates 1) and 3). Formula, tables and graphs herein, for given probabilities of error, illustrate the relation between sample size and the required spread in disease rates 1) and 3) where spread is treated as the ratio of rate 1) to rate 3). Such can be useful to certification agencies in making decisions upon sample size requirements for determining field certification.     

GRASSLAND SYSTEMS*

Reference is made to the contrast between actual and potential yields from grassland, to the main factors affecting the development of effective grassland systems for dairy cows and to the technical developments which are now available. The unrealized potential for simplification and increased output from grazing systems is stressed. The available information on the effect of mechanical grazing and storage feeding systems is reviewed and the practical advantages and problems of these systems summarized. Simple calculations are made of the capital involved in large herd organization and the increases in herbage yield or efficiency of use needed to justify this additional expenditure. For large herds a relatively small increase (10%) in output per acre would justify the annual capital charge and feed cost for mechanical harvesting or tower silage; greater increases would be needed for grass drying (22%) or for tower silos in smaller (100-cow) herds (16%). Other important but less tangible factors influencing the choice of system are referred to. It is considered that unless herbage yields can be greatly increased by the use of mechanical grazing compared with normal grazing, the practical difficulties of this method outweigh its advantages. If tower silos allow more efficient conservation and easier feeding, they may be worthwhile, but the search should continue for cheaper alternatives. Only in very large-scale enterprises can grass drying, solely to produce cattle feed, be justified, although this method offers the greatest potential. In view of the complexities, it is suggested that computer models may help to resolve such problems and one such study is briefly described.     

Breeding for micronutrient density in edible portions of staple food crops: conventional approaches

Current and past efforts in breeding for industrial quality (processing, malting, baking, extruding, etc.), as opposed to yield, are reviewed as a prelude to discussion of the criteria that need to be met in breeding programs to improve the nutritional quality of crops for human consumption. In field crops, almost no attempts to improve nutritional value have been made. Recent studies in fact indicate that most criteria can be easily satisfied: existence of sufficient genetic variation, suitable selection methods and markers, workable heritabilities, and compelling reasons for doing so. However, establishing the efficacy in deficient human populations of elite material chosen by simple selection criteria is a major challenge that requires collaboration with human nutritionists. In some cases, developing marketing strategies for nutritionally superior types that may not – by color or other characteristics – appeal to target communities is also an issue breeders must bear in mind. Nevertheless, the fact recently established that desirable traits can be combined with high yield overcomes many obstacles. The widely demonstrated acceptance of new cultivars by farmers, in developing as well as industrialized countries, will ensure high impact of worthwhile improvements in nutritional value. To combine these new traits with high yield will increase the cost of breeding programs considerably, but the benefit–cost ratio is likely to be larger also.     

中国植胶业发展趋势与策略研究

众多资料表明，国内植胶业处于新一轮低潮，而且这一局面或将持续相当长时间。导致国内植胶业陷入困境的原因主要是人工费用上涨过快，而胶价却大幅下跌。为摆脱产业困局，国家应调整和加大补贴力度，加快高效生产技术推广；生产者需加快割胶生产方式、方法改进；技术部门需突破智能割胶、林下间作、新种植材料等重大技术并探讨新的生产模式，以谋求产业的跨跃式发展。     

中国天然橡胶产业面临的挑战

分析了天然橡胶形势；论述了植胶资源、气候变化及遗传转化技术等因素是当前中国天然橡胶安全面临的主要挑战；未来抗性兼顾高产的天然橡胶转基因品种有可能给世界橡胶业带来新一轮的革命性变化；提出了生物多样性、海外发展战略、投资农业并加快实施抗性、高产的天然橡胶转基因品种培育等促进中国天然橡胶安全的措施。     

Integrated assessment of cropping systems in the Eastern Indo-Gangetic plain

Both intensification and diversification of cropping systems may allow improving the productivity and sustainability of agricultural production in the Indo-Gangetic Plain (IGP), but the choices to be made require integrated assessment of various cropping systems. A field experiment was conducted from 1999 to 2002 on a sandy clay loam (Inceptisol) to evaluate nine predominant cropping systems in West Bengal, India. Productivity, energy use efficiency, and nutrient uptake generally increased with increasing cropping intensity. Positive residual effects of potato and jute on yield and energy output of subsequently grown crops were observed as well as maintenance or improvement of soil properties such as soil organic matter, available P, and available K. The P balance was positive for most systems, except for jute-containing systems. However, negative K balances occurred due to almost complete removal of crop biomass in all systems, suggesting that recommended rates of applied K fertilizer were to low for sustaining soil K supply over the longer term. Cropping systems containing potato had the highest levels of yield, net return, benefit to cost ratio and energy productivity, but energy use efficiency was reduced due to higher energy consumption in these systems. Jute–wheat and jute–rapeseed–rice systems showed high energy use efficiency along with moderate cost and return. Based on economic considerations alone, jute–potato–rice, rice–potato–rice and rice–potato–sesame can be recommended as cropping systems for resource-rich growers in the eastern part of the IGP. Systems such as jute–wheat, rice–wheat and jute–rapeseed–rice appear to be most suitable for small and marginal farmers that cannot afford the large production costs associated with crops such as potato.     

Effects of water management and organic fertilization with SRI crop practices on hybrid rice performance and rhizosphere dynamics

A field experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of intermittent versus continuous irrigation, together with different degrees of organic fertilization, on the growth and yield of hybrid rice, looking also at the functioning of the rhizosphere as this is a key element affecting crop performance. The crop management practices employed generally followed the recommendations of the System of Rice Intensification (SRI). The aim of the research was to learn how water management and organic fertilization together would affect crop outcomes. Under intermittent water application as recommended with SRI management (aerobic irrigation, AI), grain yield increased by 10.5–11.3%, compared to standard irrigation practice (continuous flooding, CF). The factor that contributed most to higher yield was increased number of grains per panicle. It was seen that under the range of organic fertilization treatments evaluated, intermittent irrigation compared with CF promoted greater dry matter production and higher leaf area index (LAI) during the main growth stages. Also, the combination of intermittent irrigation and organic material applications significantly increased soil redox potential (Eh), compared with CF, and also the numbers of actinomycetes in the rhizosphere soil. Actinomycetes were evaluated in this study as an indicator of aerobic soil biota. It was seen that with intermittent irrigation, the application of organic material improved the functioning of the rhizosphere and increased yield. However, these results based on 2 years of study reflect relatively short-term effects. The effects of longer-term water management and soil fertilization regimes should be also examined, to know whether these effects continue and, if they do, whether they become greater or less.     

Progress and Successes of the Specialty Crop Research Initiative on Acrylamide Reduction in Processed Potato Products

Acrylamide, a suspected human carcinogen, is a Maillard reaction product that forms when carbohydrate-rich foods are cooked at high temperatures. Processed potato products, including French fries and potato chips, make a substantial contribution to total dietary acrylamide. Health safety concerns raised by acrylamide in food increased financial risks to the potato industry and encouraged industry to take a proactive approach toward acrylamide mitigation. The USDA National Institutes of Food and Agriculture Specialty Crop Research Initiative (SCRI) on acrylamide reduction in potato was a cooperative endeavor in which industry partners worked at a systems level with university and government researchers to develop acrylamide mitigation strategies. Short-term goals focused on identifying advanced breeding clones and recently released varieties that have lower acrylamide-forming potential than standard potato varieties. Research was also directed at developing more efficient potato breeding methods, including marker-assisted breeding, genome wide selection, and improved phenotyping methods. Data from the National Fry Processing Trial (NFPT) and SCRI agronomic trial have shown that dramatic reductions in acrylamide are achievable through the use of new varieties that maintain low concentrations of tuber reducing sugars. Chipping potato trials coordinated by Potatoes USA and data from breeding populations suggest that maintaining low tuber reducing sugars through extended storage and lowering tuber asparagine content are options for decreasing acrylamide content in potato chips. To have an impact, new varieties must have exceptional agronomic performance and must produce finished products that meet requirements for consumer attributes including color, texture and taste. Data consistently show that this is more easily achievable in chipping potatoes than in fry processing potatoes.     

Assessment of electrodynamic spraying as an alternative to ultra-low-volume spraying in western Tanzania

The introduction of ULV (ultra-low-volume) spraying to cotton farmers in western Tanzania in the early 1970s was a major contribution to the cotton industry as the control of cotton insect pests was made easier and possible in many areas. However, spray drift and increased cost of ULV insecticides and batteries have been major constraints to ULV spraying in recent years, so a spraying technique allowing greater efficacy and reduced costs is needed. Trials to assess the potential of electrodynamic spraying as an alternative to ULV spraying started in western Tanzania in 1979. The present study assessed swath width, dosage rates and farmer's reaction to the ‘Electrodyn’® hand-held sprayer as compared with the hand-held spinning-disc sprayer (Micron ULVA), currently used by farmers in Tanzania, in order to identify the optimum combination package to be recommended to farmers. Cypermethrin ED applied at a dosage rate of 15·8–31·6 g a.i./ha by the Electrodyn sprayer over a swath width of 3·0 m gave good control of H. armigera. Yields of seed cotton were comparable to those with ULV cypermethrin applied at a dosage rate of 62·5 g a.i./ha. The spray volume was reduced from 2·5 l/ha applied with the spinning disc to 0·35 l/ha with electrodynamic spraying. Reduced drift, dosage of active ingredient and volume rates, and reduction in the number of batteries needed in a season, were among the major advantages of electrodynamic spraying over ULV spraying in western Tanzania.     

Quality of guayule seeds separated by physical attributes

Guayule (Parthenium argentatum Gray) is being developed as a new commercial crop to be grown in arid and semiarid regions. Guayule stands are presently established using transplants; however, establishment by direct-seeding would reduce costs and make production more economical. A major difficulty in field establishment by direct-seeding is the variation in the quality of guayule seeds. Guayule seeds vary greatly in color, size, and weight, which are the attributes believed to be associated with the observed germination differences among and within seed lots. To determine the importance of these attributes, guayule seeds from different seed lots were separated by size (diameter) and color, each separation class was weighed and then seed quality determined by germination percentage and rate. X-ray analysis was used to distinguish filled from unfilled seeds, and this was related to the germination results. In six guayule breeding lines (N565, 11591, AZ-2, AZ-3, AZ-4, and AZ-5), the highest quality seeds were darker (opaque-black and gray), small to medium in diameter (1.4–1.6 mm), and were heavier (a greater proportion of filled seeds). Color appeared to be a more efficient separator for seed quality than seed size; however, separation by size may be acceptable on a large scale and still provide higher quality and more uniform seed lots.     

我国转基因玉米研究进展和产业化分析

玉米是我国重要的粮食、饲料和工业原料作物。近年来,随着我国经济的快速发展和人民生活水平的迅速提高,玉米消费结构比例发生了明显的变化,饲用和加工比例明显增加,导致玉米将面临供不应求的局面。显著增加玉米产量,满足不断增长的玉米需求是玉米研究的主要课题,而转基因玉米产业化是解决这一问题的有效途径之一。综述了我国转基因玉米的研究进展,并针对转基因玉米产业化过程中存在的问题进行了分析。     

SOME FACTORS AFFECTING THE OUTPUT OF STARCH EQUIVALENT FROM GRAZING LAND ON UPLAND DAIRY FARMS

Grazing records and cost records have been analysed from 19 dairy farms, all situated at least 400 feet above sea level, in order to determine the effect of height and of increased expenditure on the level of output of starch equivalent, and to investigate whether these farms have special problems not met with on lowland farms. The analysis shows a very marked influence of height on output and a low, statistically non-significant, correlation between costs and yields. The low correlation between costs and yields is reviewed and reasons are suggested why a higher correlation was not found. Finally the fall in output with increasing height of farm is related to costs in order to quantify the economic disability of the upland dairy farm.     

重茬大豆减产与土壤环境变化

以三江平原主要土壤为试验材料进行田间、小区、盆栽试验和室内分析并补以农场调查。结果,与小麦、玉米相比,重茬大豆地土壤水分减少相当降水２０－４０ｍｍ;钾、磷、钼等有效养分偏低;固氮菌数减少而真菌和放线菌数增多;要系及根际土壤ＰＨ增高;土壤有机质减少;线虫危害严重。,导致重茬大豆减少产的绝不只是线虫一种,尚有土壤环境因素,而水分不足是主要原因,据此提出在垦区以增加土壤水分为中心的综合技术措施来缓解重大     

Effects of Weed-Free Periods on Organic Romaine Lettuce Production

Weed management in Romaine lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. var. longifolia) is an economic challenge for organic farmers. This study evaluated the effect of weed-free durations on crop yield and quality, weed densities and biomass, and weeding time in two growing seasons. Treatments included weedy entire-season; weed-free for 7 days after transplanting (DAT), 14 DAT, 21 DAT, 28 DAT, 35 DAT, 42 DAT; and weed-free entire season (49 DAT). Weeds were removed by hand-hoes and the time taken to weed each plot was recorded. Weed densities were recorded prior to each weeding and weed biomass was recorded at crop harvest. Total and marketable lettuce heads were recorded and crop quality was estimated. Weed interference up to 21 DAT resulted in approximately 45% total and 58% marketable yield loss. Weed control beyond this period did not result in significant (p < 0.05) increases in crop yield and quality. However, weed densities at the end of the season were 4- to 15-fold and weed biomass approximately 18-fold greater in plots kept weed-free only for 21 DAT compared with plots kept weed-free season-long. This suggested that weed seed-return may be a concern if late-season weeding is not conducted. To minimize weed seed-return, the plots would have to be kept weed-free for about 35 DAT. However, labor costs must be taken into consideration because the time required to hand-hoe was approximately 87 hr ha^?1 person^?1 greater in plots kept weed-free for 35 DAT compared with plots kept weed-free for 21 DAT.