Growth,physiological status,and yield of salt-stressed wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) plants affected by biofertilizer and cycocel applications

This factorial study was conducted based on randomized complete block design with three replications in a greenhouse during spring 2015 to investigate changes in dry matter mobilization, grain filling period, and some physiological characteristics of wheat. Treatments were four salt levels [0 (S₁), 30 (S₂), 60 (S₃), and 90 (S₄) mM sodium chloride (NaCl) equivalent to 2.76, 5.53, and 8.3 dS m^?1, respectively], four biofertilizers levels [(no biofertilizer (F₀), seed inoculation by Azotobacter chroococcum Beijerinck strain 5 (F₁), Pseudomonas putida (Trevisan) Migula strain 186 (F₂), both inoculation Azotobacter?+?Pseudomonas (F₃)], and three cycocel levels [(without cycocel as control (C₀), application of 600 (C₁), and 1000 (C₂)?mg?L^?1)]. Salinity stress increased leaf electrical conductivity and decreased chlorophyll index, quantum yield, relative water content, and stomata conductance. However, the application of cycocel and biofertilizer reduced the negative impacts at each level of salinity tested. When treated with cycocel, salt stressed plants demonstrated a significant decrease in stomata conductance compared to the salt-treated plants with no cycocel. The results revealed that the maximum shoot and stem dry matter mobilization (0.89 and 0.67?g, respectively) and contribution of stem reserves to grain yield (38.01%) were observed in salinity severe stress (90?mM) and no cycocel application. The application of Azotobacter?+?Pseudomonas had the greatest grain filling rate (0.002?g day^?1) without salinity stress. The greatest grain filling period (43.26 days) was achieved by the highest cycocel level without salinity stress. The application of biofertilizer and cycocel as F₃C₂ had 24.7% more grain yield in comparison to the controls.     

The trapping of spray droplets by insects

The paper describes a methodology for specifying the deposition of spray droplets on flying insects and insects at rest on a quantitative basis. Processes of deposition by sedimentation and inertial impaction are viewed in terms of a deposition velocity defined by v_g = v_sa_x + E_iua_z, in which v_s is the droplet settling velocity, u the air speed relative to the insect, E_i a collection efficiency associated with inertial impaction and a_x, a_z signify horizontal and vertical projections of a representative trapping area. Published data on the deposition of small droplets (diameter < 20μm) on mosquitoes show that the trapping efficiency is dominated by inertial impaction and it is assumed that the collection efficiency is specified by E_i = St²/(St + 0.2)² in which St is the Stokes number. Analysis of a second data set regarding the deposition of larger drops on flying locusts shows that the dependence of the observed collection efficiency on droplet size can be explained satisfactorily by this simplified approach. Further, it is demonstrated that a characteristic length which forms an essential component of the Stokes number is matched to the general size of the insect. The paper concludes with an analysis of a further data set concerning the deposition of small drops onto resting tsetse flies; this provides insight into the effective air speed controlling the deposition process.     

Effects of abamectin on intracellular potassium ion activity and membrane potential in dipteran skeletal muscle

The effects of abamectin (AVMB₁) on intracellular potassium ion activity (aK_i) and resting membrane potential (E_m) of the skeletal muscle cells of final instar larvae of Phormia terraenovae (Diptera) were investigated using K⁺-selective micro-electrodes. Bathing the preparation in 10^? M AVMB₁(+ 1 ml litre^?1 dimethylsulfoxide) for 60 min caused a significant (31%) decrease in aK_i, whilst E_m depolarized on average by 19 mV (nearly 50% of the original control value). The difference E_K-E_m increased by 9 mV, although E_K (potassium equilibrium potential) remained more negative than E_m. These results could be due to a cationic effect of AVMB₁ possibly involving an increase in K⁺ and Na⁺ conductances of the muscle plasma membrane.     

Affinity and phosphonylation constants for the inhibition of cholinesterases by the optical isomers of O-2-butyl S-2-(dimethylammonium)ethyl ethylphosphonothioate hydrogen oxalate

The synthesis of the four optical isomers of known absolute configuration of O-2-butyl S-2-(dimethylammonium)ethyl ethylphosphonothioate hydrogen oxalate is described. Values for the affinity constant (K_a), phosphonylation constant (k_p), and bimolecular inhibition rate constant (k_i) for the inhibition of bovine erythrocyte acetylcholinesterase, housefly-head acetylcholinesterase, and horse serum cholinesterase by the chiral isomers and the racemic mixture are reported. Using a relatively simple spectrophotometric technique, inhibition times as low as 0.5 sec were used. The phosphorus isomers of S_p configuration were more potent inhibitors than their R_p enantiomers by 1630-fold against the bovine enzyme, 9120-fold against the fly-head enzyme, and 40-fold against the horse serum enzyme. The differences in anticholinesterase activity were attributable to differences in the affinity constant, K_a, and the phosphonylation constant, k_p. Small but consistent inhibition rate differences were attributable to asymmetry at carbon. Against horse serum cholinesterase, the S_C isomers indicated the presence of three kinetic forms in this enzyme preparation.     

Comparison of acetylcholinesterase from three field populations of Liposcelis paeta Pearman (Psocoptera: Liposcelididae): Implications of insecticide resistance

The toxicological and biochemical characteristics of acetylcholinesterases (AChE) in Liposcelis paeta Pearman were investigated in three field populations collected from Nanyang city of Henan Province (NY), Wuzhou (WZ) and Hezhou (HZ) Cities of Guangxi Province, China. The result of bioassay showed that the LC_50s of the NY (281.4802 mg/m²) and the WZ (285.0655 mg/m²) to dichlorvos were 1.156-fold and 1.171-fold higher than that of the HZ (243.5197 mg/m²), respectively. Compared to NY population, the activity per insect and the specific activity of AChE in WZ and HZ populations were significantly higher, and significant kinetic differences among the three populations were also observed. The apparent Michaelis–Menten constant (K_m) for acetylthiocholine iodide (ATChI) was obviously lower in NY than that in WZ and HZ populations, indicating a higher affinity to the substrate ATChI in the NY population. The affinity to the substrate ATChI between WZ and HZ population was also significantly different. As for V_max, the values of WZ and HZ populations were significantly greater when compared to that for NY population, suggesting a possible over expression of AChE in the former two populations. The inhibition studies of AChE indicated that paraoxon-ethyl, demeton-S-methyl, carbaryl, and eserine all possessed some inhibitory effects on AChE in L. paeta. The results of I_50S suggested that when compared to the other two populations, while AChE from HZ population was less sensitive to paraoxon-ethyl and demeton-S-methyl. The contradiction with the result of the bioassay might be due to the different insecticides used in the bioassay. Although both carbaryl and eserine had excellent inhibitory effects, there was no significant difference among the three populations. The statistical analysis of the bimolecular rate constants (k_i) was consistent with the above situation that carbamates expressed remarkable inhibitory effects. It was noticeable that NY population was most sensitive to carbaryl while least to eserine. The differences in AChE among three populations may attribute to the difference in control practices for psocids between Henan and Guangxi Provinces.     

米尔贝霉素类似物的合成及杀螨杀蚜活性

为寻找高活性的米尔贝霉素衍生物,以伊维菌素为原料,经脱糖、羟基保护、氧化、还原胺化、脱保护等将其转变为13-氨基米尔贝霉素类似物,通过三组分反应设计合成了一系列米尔贝霉素磺酰脒类化合物(7a~7i),并初步测定了其对朱砂叶螨Tetranychus cinnabarinus和豆蚜Aphis craccivora的室内活性。结果表明:各衍生物对朱砂叶螨和豆蚜均有较好的触杀活性,其中7f、7h和7i对朱砂叶螨24 h的LC50值分别为1.04×10–2、9.60×10–4和1.44×10–2 mg/L;7i对豆蚜24 h的LC50值为7.81 mg/L。米尔贝霉素13位氨基上磺酰化的结构修饰有助于提高米尔贝霉素类化合物的杀螨、杀蚜活性。     

Susceptibilities to methamidophos and enzymatic characteristics in 18 species of pest insects and their natural enemies in crucifer vegetable crops

The susceptibilities to methamidophos as well as the kinetic and inhibitory parameter of acetylcholinesterases (AChE) and the activities of carboxyestsrases (CarE) and glutathione-S-transferases (GST) were studied in 18 species field populations of insects collected in Fuzhou, China during April and May 2000 and 2001. The insect species included five hymenopteran endoparasitoids, one hymenopteran exoparasitoid, one hymenopteran hyperparasitoid, one dipteran predator, four coleopteran predator ladybirds, six herbivorous pest insects of lepidoptera, diptera, homoptera, and coleoptera, respectively. There existed significant correlations between the susceptibility to methamidophos and the k_i values of AChE to methamidophos, dichlorvos, and carbofuran and between the k_i and V_max values of AChE among 18 species of insects. The six herbivorous pests and four ladybirds showed significantly low k_i and V_max values of AChE compared to the seven parasitoids and predator Epistrophe balteate. It was difficult to correlate the susceptibility to methamidophos or the k_i values with the K_m values of AChE, or with the activity of CarE and GST. The activities of CarE and GST varied depending on the different insect species. Significant synergisms of piperonyl butoxide (PB), triphenyl phosphate (TPP), and diethyl maleate (DEM) with methamidophos were observed in 14 pest insects and their natural enemies. Synergisms of PB were found to be the greatest. Reduced k_i values suggested that insensitive AChE might play a critical role in the tolerance to methamidophos in the 18 insect species. The detoxification enzymes, mixed-function oxidase (MFO), CarE, and GST, were believed to be involved in the tolerance to methamidophos. MFO might play the most important role, and CarE or GST might be important in the tolerance in some insect species. Different models of tolerance to methamidophos and enzymatic potential were existed in parasitoids, predators, and herbivores based on the different selection of insecticide pressure (either directly by exposing to the spray in the field, or indirectly by the insecticides penetrated into the body of host insects) as well as different ecological and biological habitats.     

河北省禾谷孢囊线虫种群密度和冬小麦产量损失的关系

为明确禾谷孢囊线虫Heterodera avenae对小麦的危害,于2011年10月—2012年6月在自然环境条件下采用定量接种方法测定了其在不同接种密度下对冬小麦产量和线虫繁殖的影响。结果表明,随着禾谷孢囊线虫接种密度的增加,小麦的株高、穗长、小穗数、分蘖数和籽粒重均呈下降趋势。小麦产量随着接种密度的增加损失率增加,在接种密度大于29个卵和2龄幼虫/g土时,小麦产量损失率均达50%以上,接种密度为465个卵和2龄幼虫/g土时损失率最大,达到77.7%;当接种密度小于116个卵和2龄幼虫/g土时,禾谷孢囊线虫的最终密度随着接种密度的增加而增加,但接种密度大于该值时,最终线虫密度则随着接种密度的增加而减少;且其繁殖系数随着接种密度的增加而降低。以小麦单株籽粒重为参数,利用Seinhorst模型拟合孢囊线虫密度与产量的关系,可知小麦对禾谷孢囊线虫的最低忍耐值为5个卵和2龄幼虫/g土,相对最低产量为0.23。     

Seasonal distribution and diversity of ground-active arthropods between shrub microhabitats in the Negev Desert,Israel

We examined the ground-active arthropods using pitfall trapping beneath Hammada scoparia and Zygophyllum dumosum shrubs and in adjacent open spaces in wet winter, short spring, dry and hot summer, and autumn in the Negev Desert, Israel. The activity abundance of ground-active arthropods was 244, 424, and 506 individuals trap^?1 in open spaces and beneath H. scoparia and Z. dumosum shrubs, and was 134, 448, 414, and 178 individuals trap^?1 in winter, spring, summer, and autumn, respectively. The activity abundance and richness of predators and phytophages were found to exhibit an inconsistent pattern between shrub microhabitats throughout seasonality. In contrast, the activity abundance and richness of omnivores indicated contrasting pattern between summer and other seasons. Likewise, total abundance was found to exhibit a similar pattern to taxa richness and Shannon index between shrub microhabitats only in summer. There was a consistent pattern of diversity indices between shrub microhabitats observed in both winter and autumn. However, no significant (P?>?0.05) differences in activity abundance and diversity indices were found between shrub microhabitats in spring. The Sørensen index between open spaces and H. scoparia and Z. dumosum canopy microhabitats, and that between the latter two microhabitats were found to be 0.26, 0.29, and 0.19 in winter, 0.53, 0.48, and 0.48 in spring, 0.47, 0.45, and 0.52 in summer, and 0.57, 0.56, and 0.78 in autumn, respectively. It was suggested that seasonality could mediate the activity abundance and diversity distribution of ground-active arthropods between shrub microhabitats in the Negev Desert.     

Thermal requirements and population dynamics of root‐knot nematodes on cucumber and yield losses under protected cultivation

Several studies were carried out to determine (i) thermal requirements for development, egg production and emergence of juveniles, and completion of the life cycle of Meloidogyne incognita and Meloidogyne javanica on cucumber, (ii) the maximum multiplication rate and the equilibrium density of root‐knot nematodes on cucumber and yield losses in pot and plastic greenhouse experiments, and (iii) the relationships between relative leaf chlorophyll content (RLCC) and relative cucumber dry top weight biomass (RDTWB) in relation to increasing nematode densities at planting (P_i) in pot experiments. Thermal requirements of M. incognita and M. javanica on cucumber did not differ, irrespective of the biological stage. In the pot experiments, M. javanica completed one generation. The maximum multiplication rate (a) was 833, and the equilibrium density (E) varied according to the effective inoculum densities. The relationship between RDTWB and P_i fitted the Seinhorst damage function model. The RLCC value at 40 or 50 days post‐inoculation also fitted the damage model and was related to RDTWB. In greenhouse experiments, conducted from 2009 to 2012, M. incognita completed three generations. The values for a and E were 1147 and 625 second stage juveniles (J2) per 250 cm³ soil, respectively. The tolerance limit was below zero, and the minimum relative yield ranged from 0·12 to 0·34.     

Hierarchical models for white mould in snap bean

Limitations on the acceptable proportion (incidence) of pods with white mould may lead to the rejection of entire fields of processing snap bean. The low tolerances (no more than 2% to 6% of pods with white mould) are difficult to estimate with sufficient precision in the field when time is limited. These constraints motivated this study of white mould across three spatial hierarchical levels: pods, plants and quadrats consisting of two adjacent plants within rows. Hierarchical relationships are required when designing formal rules for estimating the incidence of pods with white mould from units higher in the spatial hierarchy. Disease assessments were made on all pods from 38 within‐row transects of 40 plants each of the snap bean cultivar Hystyle. Using probability‐based principles, equations were derived and fitted to data on the incidence of white mould on pods (i_pod), plants (i_pad) and quadrats (i_q(2)), which led to a function directly linking i_pod to i_q(2). The variance of i_pod increased with i_q(2), but that may be of little consequence at the lower values of i_q(2) likely to be associated with i_pod values at processor‐set tolerances. For example, at i_q(2) = 0.1 there was a 92% probability that i_pod was less than 0.02. Assessing i_q(2) may be more efficient than directly estimating i_pod because i_q(2) was about an order of magnitude higher than i_pod. Results suggest it may be feasible to design sampling plans for estimating the proportion of pods with white mould from an assessment of the proportion of diseased quadrats.     

Unravelling the relationships among Verticillium wilt,irrigation, and susceptible and tolerant olive cultivars

Survival, germination, olive colonization, and water-use efficiency (WUE) impairments by Verticillium dahliae could be influenced by cultivar susceptibility or irrigation, and this could modify the irrigation–pathogen–disease relationship. In this study, the combined effects of irrigation and cultivar susceptibility on Verticillium wilt (VW) development were modelled by the temporary assessment of V. dahliae propagules (total inoculum density, density of micropropagules, and sclerotia in wet and air-dried soil; ID, MpD, S_wD, and S_dD, respectively), root (RCI) and shoot (SCI) colonization indexes, and WUE. The relationship of disease severity to the measured parameters was then explored. Under controlled conditions, plants of cultivars ‘Picual’ and ‘Frantoio’ were irrigated to a high and low rate by varying drip-irrigation frequencies: daily, twice weekly, and a combination of daily for 11 days and then twice weekly. Disease severity and colonization parameters were higher in ‘Picual’, while WUE was higher in ‘Frantoio’. However, high rate and twice weekly and combination treatments significantly increased disease incidence and reduced time-to-symptoms-onset only in ‘Picual’, while high rate reduced WUE and increased relative ID, MpD, and S_wD in both cultivars. Irrigation did not affect SCI, but a higher RCI was found at high rate during the development of symptoms in ‘Picual’. By using classification trees to examine parameters—disease severity relationships, it was possible to determine the degree to which VW was affected by irrigation and/or cultivar susceptibility. MpD was the best indicator for VW detection at any time, WUE was best before symptoms developed, and RCI, total ID, and S_dD after symptoms developed.     

水稻冠层叶绿素含量高光谱估算模型

为了寻求西北引黄灌区水稻冠层叶绿素含量的高精度估算模型,通过田间试验测定了水稻冠层SPAD和高光谱数据,运用任意波段组合的方式构建了一系列基于原始光谱、一阶导数光谱的比值、差值、归一化和土壤调节植被指数,筛选出反映水稻冠层SPAD的最佳植被指数作为自变量,应用普通回归分析方法和随机森林算法建立了该区域水稻冠层SPAD估算模型并进行了对比分析。结果表明：（1)应用普通回归分析方法,以RVI(D₁₃₁₆,D₇₃₆)为自变量建立的指数模型是估算西北引黄灌区水稻冠层SPAD的最佳单变量模型;（2)采用随机森林算法,以4个植被指数RVI(R₆₉₆,R₅₄₀)、DVI(R₇₀₀,R_{536)、SAVI(R700,R536)、RVI(D1316,D736)建立的估算模型比普通回归模型精度更高,验证结果的决定系数R²为0.873,均方根误差RMSE为3.221,平均相对误差RE为13.25%。说明通过随机森林算法建立的模型可以实现水稻冠层SPAD的精准估测,可以用于西北引黄灌区水稻冠层叶绿素含量的快速、无损获取。}     

Co‐solvent effects on the adsorption of carbofuran by two Indian soils

The adsorption of carbofuran on soils from water‐methanol mixtures has been evaluated by batch shake testing. Two uncontaminated soils having different physicochemical properties were used in these experiments. The volume fraction of methanol in the liquid phase (f_s) was varied from 0.25 to 1.0. Higher adsorption of carbofuran was observed in medium black (silt loam) soil than in alluvial (sandy loam) soil; calculated values of the Freundlich constant (K^m) and distribution coefficient (K_d) showed that adsorption of carbofuran in both soils decreased with increase in f_S values. The decreased carbofuran adsorption in methanol–water mixtures meant a greater potential of ground‐water contamination through leaching from potential sites. The data have been used to evaluate the co‐solvent theory for describing adsorption of carbofuran in methanol–water mixtures. The aqueous phase partition coefficient K_dw (mol g⁻¹) normalized with respect to f_oc and the aqueous phase adsorption constant K_w for carbofuran were evaluated by extrapolating to f_S = 0. © 2000 Society of Chemical Industry     

Glutathione S-transferase in the house fly: Biochemical and genetic changes associated with induction and insecticide resistance

Kinetic parameters were measured for glutathione S-transferase, an enzyme important in metabolic resistance to insecticides, in one susceptible and two insecticide-resistant strains of the house fly (Musca domestica L.), and in untreated and chemically induced flies. Both resistant strains differed from the susceptible strain in apparent K_m values for the enzyme, while only one differed in apparent V_max. Two of the strains were inducible with phenobarbital; the third with 3-methylcholanthrene. Kinetic analysis indicated enzyme induction was associated with changes in K_m rather than V_max, and genetic experiments showed that most variation relating to K_m and V_max was controlled by chromosome II. Based on these results, both metabolic resistance and induction of enzyme activity were associated primarily with the production of different forms of glutathione S-transferase rather than more of the enzyme present in susceptible flies.     

Studies on organophosphorus impurities in technical malathion: Inhibition of carboxylesterases and the stability of isomalathion

Four organophosphorus esters found as impurities in technical malathion were synthesized, and their abilities to inhibit monomeric and oligomeric carboxylesterases from rabbit liver, as well as type I and type II esterases from porcine liver, were studied. The equilibrium dissociation constant (K_d), phosphorylation constant (k₂), and bimolecular rate constant (k_i) were determined in the presence of substrate. Inhibition, as judged by the k_i, was in the following order: isomalathion > O,S,S-trimethyl phosphorodithioate > O,O,S-trimethyl phosphorothioate > O,O,S-trimethyl phosphorodithioate. All of the k₂ values were relatively small, indicating that the k_d values contribute most to the overall inhibitory power. Rabbit liver carboxylesterases are more sensitive to inhibition by isomalathion than porcine liver esterases, reflecting a species difference. Isomalathion undergoes nonenzymatic degradation in the presence of fluoride ions, producing diethyl thiomalate. A kinetic investigation of the nonenzymatic degradation of isomalathion was conducted, and reaction rate constants were determined in phosphate buffer at various molarities, temperatures, and pH values.     

Promotion of first internode elongation in perennial paddy weeds Sagittaria trifolia and Sagittaria pygmaea tubers by oxygen depletion and carbon dioxide

The semiaquatic plants, S agittaria trifolia and S agittaria pygmaea, are perennial and troublesome weeds of rice paddy fields. These species mainly reproduce vegetatively via tubers, which sprout after the rice paddy fields are irrigated. Sprouting finally leads to the emergence of the shoots from the water in the paddy fields. In both species, the first internode elongates around the time of emergence and this lifts the shoot meristems in the soil, aiding in the establishment of the young plants. Therefore, elongation of the internode is a factor that determines the weed damage to rice caused by these species. In this study, the first internode elongation of both species was characterized. During emergence, S . trifolia and S . pygmaea showed distinct growth patterns. In S . trifolia, the internodes elongated before the emergence of the shoots from the water; whereas, in S . pygmaea, the internodes started to elongate only after emergence. We examined environmental prerequisites for internode elongation, and found that the internode elongation of S . trifolia was induced by submergence and was independent of the soil cover, while that of S . pygmaea required both submergence and covering. Next, we determined which gaseous factors were responsible for internode elongation. Treatment with ethylene, which enhances growth of several other aquatic and semiaquatic plants, did not stimulate internode elongation in either species under an anaerobic condition. Our results suggested that the gaseous factor stimulating internode elongation in S . trifolia and S . pygmaea may be oxygen depletion and carbon dioxide, respectively.     

Attraction of Chrysoperla carnea complex and Chrysopa spp. lacewings (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) to aphid sex pheromone components and a synthetic blend of floral compounds in Hungary

BACKGROUND: The deployment of synthetic attractants for the manipulation of lacewing populations as aphid predators is currently used in integrated pest management. This study investigates a synthetic bait comprising floral compounds previously found to attract the Chrysoperla carnea complex, and, for the first time, the aphid sex pheromone components (1R,4aS,7S,7aR)‐nepetalactol and (4aS,7S,7aR)‐nepetalactone, in field experiments in Hungary, for their ability to manipulate lacewing populations. RESULTS: The synthetic floral bait attracted both sexes of the Chrysoperla carnea complex, and Chrysopa formosa Brauer showed minimal attraction. The aphid sex pheromone compounds alone attracted males of C. formosa and C. pallens (Rambur). When the two baits were combined, Chrysopa catches were similar to those with aphid sex pheromone baits alone, but carnea complex catches decreased significantly (by 85–88%). CONCLUSION: As the floral bait alone attracted both sexes of the carnea complex, it showed potential to manipulate the location of larval density via altering the site of oviposition. Aphid sex pheromone compounds alone attracted predatory males of Chrysopa spp. and can potentially be used to enhance biological control of aphids. For the carnea complex, however, a combination of both baits is not advantageous because of the decrease in adults attracted. Assumptions of intraguild avoidance underlying this phenomenon are discussed. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

Modelling multigenic resistance to potato cyst nematodes

After making simplifying assumptions, the ability of female potato cyst nematodes to develop and reproduce is modelled by expressions of the type i_x·x and i_x·(1 - x), where x is the frequency within a population of females able to circumvent the effects of a real resistance gene. Such females are potentially able to develop to maturity and reproduce to maximum capacity. For this class of females i_x= 1, i.e. they are unaffected by the resistance gene. The frequency of other classes of females is given by (1 - x) and for them i_x ranges in value from just less than 1 to 0 according to the effectiveness of the gene. When i_x approaches 0, females in these classes are eliminated and the gene responsible is said to be a ‘major’ resistance gene. For values of i_x greater than 0, the genes responsible are called ‘minor’ genes. If full reproductive power is 1, then the total reproductive power in the presence of the resistance gene is [x+i_x(1 - x)] or when several genes are present by [x+i_x(1 - x)]·[y+i_y(1 - y)]·[z+i_z(1 - z)] etc. That is, the effects of these genes depend on the frequencies of females able to reproduce in their presence and on the effectiveness of the different genes as measured by i. Furthermore, ‘major’ and ‘minor’ genes are part of a continuum described by i. The model is used to illustrate the effects of combining ‘major’ and ‘minor’ genes and the effects of some arbitrary combinations are calculated. Data with which to test the model are sparse but what little there is tends to support it. Interactions between resistance genes, the fitness of females, the selection of males and the effects of resistant cultivars on populations are discussed. Selection by resistant potato hybrids in pots is surprisingly rapid and sometimes becomes evident after only five generations. Ways in which resistant cultivars might be used to prolong the useful life of resistant cultivars are briefly discussed.     

Chemical hydrolysis of 2-chloro-4,6-bis(alkylamino)-1,3,5-triazine herbicides and their breakdown in soil under the influence of adsorption

The determination of rate constants and the calculation of the activation parameters [activation energy (E_a), free energy of activation(ΔG^≠)and entropy of activation (ΔS^≠)] demonstrated the identity of the reaction kinetics of chemical hydrolysis of the chlorinated triazine herbicides simazine, atrazine, propazine and terbuthylazine. Persistence in soil could be estimated, from the hydrolytic half-life time, only in pH regions where these compounds were also sensitive to chemical hydrolysis. In general, the rate of hydrolysis increased in the presence of soil as the result of a catalysing effect of the soil in their breakdown. When half-lives in soil of these triazine herbicides were compared with adsorption constants, a functional relationship was observed in both soil types; as adsorption increased the half-life in soil also increased.