Quantitative reproductive potential of Heterodera schachtii on weeds typical for late summer fallow in sugar beet rotations

In Europe, sugar beet is often produced in a 3‐year rotation with cereals, leaving stubble fields fallow from cereal harvest until primary tillage in autumn in the year prior to sugar beet production. The weed flora on such fields could include host plants of Heterodera schachtii that is one of the most important pests of sugar beet. Crop sequences with non‐hosts and cover cropping with resistant cruciferous hosts during this period have been crucial for its management. Availability of resistant and tolerant sugar beet cultivars could entice growers to forego cover cropping, exacerbating weed problems during the fallow period. The objective of this study was to determine the reproductive potential of H. schachtii on weeds that develop during this period. Under glasshouse conditions, reproduction on 39 plant species was compared with that on oilseed radish and sugar beet of differing nematode host status. In 2 years in field microplots, 18 previously tested species were grown in H. schachtii‐infested soil during the typical fallow period at 60 plants m^?2, and nine of these species were also grown at 180 plants m^?2. There were variable results between years after 8 weeks of growth, but most weeds allowed lower reproduction (<10%) than the susceptible sugar beet; only Stellaria media at 180 plants m^?2 and Thlaspi arvense at both plant densities increased nematodes. Such weed densities may seldom occur under commercial conditions; thus, weed management for nematological considerations during the stubble period may have limited importance.     

Epidemic progress of beet necrotic yellow vein virus: Evidence from an investigation in Japan spanning half a century

Beet necrotic yellow vein virus (BNYVV) is the causal agent of rhizomania, the most serious sugar beet disease worldwide. Since the first finding in Japan in 1969, BNYVV became widespread throughout Hokkaido in a few decades and led to the introduction of Rz1-resistant sugar beet cultivars in the 1990s. Here, we report the historical progress of the BNYVV epidemic in Hokkaido from 1969 to 2019. Previous analysis on samples from 1991 showed that BNYVV isolates were classified into three strains (named O, D, and T) based on the RNA3-encoded p25 gene. The O-type viruses were widely detected in Hokkaido, while the D- and T-type viruses were detected in limited areas. The RNA5, encoding the p26 gene, was initially contained in some D- and O-type isolates but not in any T-type isolates. Interestingly, recent sample analysis revealed that RNA5-containing T-type viruses, seemingly more virulent than the other two strains, were widely detected in Hokkaido. Additionally, a small group of virus isolates harbouring a new p25 gene (named C) was found in limited areas. These results suggest that the T-type viruses, which accompanied RNA5, have been preferentially spread from a limited area to other districts over the last few decades and that this spread might be strongly associated with the recent introduction of Rz1-resistant sugar beet cultivars. BNYVV-positive samples also contained mainly beet soil-borne virus and traces of beet virus Q, both of which are the first to be recorded in Japan.     

施氮量对膜下滴灌甜菜生长速率及氮肥利用效率的影响

为探明内蒙古冷凉干旱区不同施氮水平对膜下滴灌甜菜生长速率和氮素分配、转移及利用效率的影响,并进一步筛选出适宜该地区膜下滴灌甜菜的最佳施氮量。本文通过两年田间试验,分析了不同施氮水平对甜菜全生育期干物质积累、不同器官氮素积累量以及氮素增长速率和产量构成因素的动态变化规律,揭示了不同施氮水平下甜菜的氮肥利用效率、产量及含糖率的差异效应。通过田间定位试验,采用单因素随机区组设计,重复4次。结果表明,甜菜各农艺性状随施氮量的增大呈先增加后降低的变化趋势,其中以50、100 kg·hm~(-2)和150 kg·hm~(-2)处理较好。甜菜含糖率随氮肥用量的增加而降低,且无底肥施氮量为0 kg·hm~(-2)较在磷钾肥基础上施氮量为0、50、100、150 kg·hm~(-2)和200 kg·hm~(-2)处理甜菜含糖率分别增加了3.20%、3.63%、8.30%、13.07%和12.24%。甜菜氮素积累量随施氮水平的增加及生育时期的推进均呈增加趋势;随施氮量的增加氮肥吸收利用率呈先增加后降低的变化规律,氮肥农学利用率、氮肥生理利用率和氮肥偏生产力则呈降低趋势。综合甜菜农艺性状、产量、含糖量及氮肥利用率的分析可知,该地区膜下滴灌甜菜的最佳施氮量为100 kg·hm~(-2)。     

Effects of different potato cultivars on life history and demographic parameters of Phthorimaea operculella Zeller (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae)

Potato tuber worm, Phothorimae operculella Zeller (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) is a common pest of potato which causes a heavy loss in yield either in fields or storage. The effect of six potato cultivars (Agria, Florida, Impala, Picasso, Satina, and Sprint) were evaluated on the life history, life table and demographic parameters of P.operculella under laboratory conditions, which could be appropriate indices in resistance and susceptibility evaluation of potato cultivars. The longest development time was on Picasso (28.76 ± 0.36d) cultivar. The male longevity ranged from 4.83 ± 0.44d on Sprint to 7.45 ± 0.60d on Picasso. Impala and Satina with 53.22 ± 7.78 and 28.74 ± 3.54 eggs/individual had the highest and the lowest net reproductive rates (R₀). The highest values for the intrinsic rate of increase (r_m) and finite rate of increase (λ) were on Impala (r_m: 0.119 day^?1, λ: 1.75 day^?1), and the lowest value was on Sprint (r_m: 0.090 day^?1, λ: 1.01 day^?1). The results indicated that Sprint was the most resistant cultivar for the feeding of P.operculella, which could be useful in the development of integrated pest management programs for this pest.     

Pathogenetic roles of beet necrotic yellow vein virus RNA5 in the exacerbation of symptoms and yield reduction,development of scab-like symptoms,and Rz1-resistance breaking in sugar beet

Beet necrotic yellow vein virus (BNYVV) generally has a four-segmented positive-sense RNA genome (RNAs 1–4), but some European and most Asian strains have an additional segment, RNA5. This study examined the effect of RNA5 and RNA3 on different sugar beet cultivars using a Polymyxa-mediated inoculation system under field and laboratory conditions. In field tests, the degree of sugar yield served as an index for assessing the virulence of BNYVV strains. Japanese A-II type isolates without RNA5 caused mostly 15%–90% sugar yield reductions, depending on the susceptibility of sugar beet cultivars, whereas the isolates with RNA5 induced more than 90% yield losses in the seven susceptible cultivars, but small yield losses in one Rz1-resistant and Rizor cultivars. However, a laboratory-produced isolate containing RNA5 but lacking RNA3 caused higher yield losses in Rizor than in susceptible plants, and induced scab-like symptoms on the root surface of both susceptible and resistant plants. In laboratory tests, A-II type isolates without RNA5 had low viral RNA accumulation levels in roots of Rizor and Rz1-resistant plants at early stages of infection, but in the presence of RNA5, viral RNA3 accumulation levels increased remarkably. This increased RNA3 accumulation was not observed in roots of the WB42 accession with the Rz2 gene. In contrast, the presence of RNA3 did not affect RNA5 accumulation levels. Collectively, this study demonstrated that RNA5 is involved in the development of scab-like symptoms and the enhancement of RNA3 accumulation, and suggests these characteristics of RNA5 are associated with Rz1-resistance breaking.     

补水移栽对甜菜苗期生长及产量品质的影响

为明晰补水移栽对纸筒育苗甜菜苗期生长及产量品质的影响,研究比较了地下式补水与传统的地上式补水的土壤润湿结构特征,补水量对甜菜苗期地下部根系与地上叶片发育的影响,以及补水移栽在两种土壤条件下的甜菜产量与品质效应。结果表明,地下式补水创造了环裹于秧苗纸筒底部的土壤湿润球,利于向秧苗供水与田间有效保水。随补水量的增加,甜菜苗期侧根数、主根长、主根粗、根鲜重、叶片量、叶面积随之显著增长。在华北寒旱区砂质栗钙土农田,以成活率与壮苗为目标的甜菜移栽补水量为150～200 ml·株^-1、壤质草甸栗钙土农田为100～150 ml·株^-1为宜,较不补水甜菜块根增产68.78%～81.82%,糖产量提高65.57%～81.82%。地下式补水移栽,是提高甜菜成活率的关键;适量补水实现培育壮苗,成为甜菜高产的基础。     

The effect of root-absorbed PSII inhibitors on Kautsky curve parameters in sugar beet

The effects of the photosystem II inhibitors metamitron and terbuthylazine on the shape of the Kautsky (chlorophyll fluorescence induction) curve were investigated in sugar beet grown in hydroponic culture. The objective of the study was to trace recovery processes following herbicide injury using Kautsky curve parameters. Metamitron is used for selective weed control in sugar beet because it is metabolized in this crop. In contrast, terbuthylazine is toxic to sugar beet. Two hours after treatment, various fluorescence induction curve parameters, such as maximum quantum efficiency (F_V/F_m), the relative changes at the J step (F_vj) and area (the area between the Kautsky curve and maximum fluorescence, F_m), were affected by metamitron at concentration ranges of 70–280 mg active ingredient (a.i.) L^?1 in plants treated at the four‐true‐leaf stage. Shortly after herbicide application, F_v/F_m was more affected by the hydrophilic metamitron [log(K_ow) = 0.83] than by the lipophilic terbuthylazine [log(K_ow) = 3.21], but these differences between compounds were alleviated as metamitron was metabolized and terbuthylazine was not. Terbuthylazine at 1 mg a.i. L^?1 affected sugar beet at the four‐ and six‐true‐leaf stages to the same extent, whereas metamitron at a dose of 140 mg a.i. L^?1 affected much more at four‐ than at the six‐true‐leaf stage. Sugar beet recovered from metamitron injury even at high doses (140 and 280 mg a.i. L^?1). Fluorescence induction curve parameters were similarly affected by terbuthylazine and, although sugar beet recovered from terbuthylazine injury at low doses (<0.2 mg a.i. L^?1), the Kautsky curve was irreversibly affected at higher doses (1–10 mg a.i. L^?1), leading finally to plant death. Older plants were affected later, and recovered sooner, from both herbicides.     

New insights into virus yellows distribution in Europe and effects of beet yellows virus,beet mild yellowing virus,and beet chlorosis virus on sugar beet yield following field inoculation

Beet yellows virus (BYV), beet mild yellowing virus (BMYV), beet chlorosis virus (BChV), and beet mosaic virus (BtMV) cause virus yellows (VY) disease in sugar beet. The main virus vector is the aphid Myzus persicae. Due to efficient vector control by neonicotinoid seed treatment over the last decades, there is no current knowledge regarding virus species distribution. Therefore, Europe-wide virus monitoring was carried out from 2017 to 2019, where neonicotinoids were banned in 2019. The monitoring showed that closterovirus BYV is currently widely spread in northern Europe. The poleroviruses BMYV and BChV were most frequently detected in the northern and western regions. The potyvirus BtMV was only sporadically detected. To study virus infestation and influence on yield, viruses were transmitted to sugar beet plants using viruliferous M. persicae in quadruplicate field plots with 10% inoculation density simulating natural infection. A plant-to-plant virus spread was observed within 4 weeks. A nearly complete infection of all plants was observed in all treatments at harvest. In accordance with these findings, a significant yield reduction was caused by BMYV and BChV (−23% and −24%) and only a moderate reduction in yield was observed for BYV (−10%). This study showed that inoculation at low densities mimics natural infection, and quick spreading induced representative yield effects. Within the background of a post-neonicotinoid era, this provides the basis to screen sugar beet genotypes for the selection of virus tolerance/resistance and to test the effectiveness of insecticides for the control of M. persicae with a manageable workload.     

Genetic diversity and pathogenicity of Pseudomonas syringae pv. aptata isolated from sugar beet

Pseudomonas syringae pv. aptata is the causal agent of bacterial leaf spot disease of sugar beet (Beta vulgaris). During 2013, 250 samples were collected from leaf lesions with typical symptoms of bacterial leaf spot in commercial fields of sugar beet in Serbia, and 104 isolates of P. syringae pv. aptata were obtained. Identification and characterization was performed using biochemical, molecular and pathogenicity tests. Identification included LOPAT tests and positive reactions using primers Papt2F and Papt1R specific for P. syringae pv. aptata. Repetitive (rep) sequence‐based PCR typing with ERIC, REP and BOX primers revealed high genetic variability among isolates and distinguished 25 groups of different fingerprinting profiles. Pulse‐field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and multilocus sequence analysis (MLSA) of representative isolates showed higher genetic variability than in rep‐PCR analysis and distinguished three and four major genetic clusters, respectively. A pathogenicity test performed with 25 representative isolates on four cultivars of sugar beet confirmed the occurrence of leaf spot disease and showed correlation between the most aggressive isolates and the genetic clusters obtained in MLSA. All these findings point to the existence of several lines of P. syringae pv. aptata infection in Serbia that are genetically and pathologically different.     

Detection of resistance to sterol demethylation-inhibiting (DMI) fungicides in<Emphasis Type="Italic">Cercospora beticola</Emphasis> and efficacy of control of resistant and sensitive strains with flutriafol

Single-lesion isolates ofCercospora beticola (n=150) were collected in 1998 from sugar beet fields in the area of Serres, N. Greece. In this area, sterol demethylation-inhibiting (DMI) fungicides have been used for almost 20 years to control sugar beet leaf spot. The sensitivity of these isolates to the DMI fungicides flutriafol and difenoconazole (EC₅₀ values) was determined on the basis of inhibition of mycelial growth at several fungicide concentrations. The relative growth (RG) of isolates was correlated at all tested concentrations with the respective EC₅₀ values, indicating that RG provides a reliable estimate for the sensitivity of the isolates. The highest correlation coefficients were obtained for concentrations of 1 μg ml⁻¹ flutriafol and of 0.05 μg ml⁻¹ difenoconazole, respectively. Consequently, they are proposed for monitoring of DMI sensitivity inC. beticola populations, as single discriminatory concentrations in a simplified test method. Based on the RG values at the discriminatory concentration of 1 μg ml⁻¹ flutriafol,C. beticola isolates were classified as either resistant or sensitive. The efficacy of flutriafol, applied at the commercially recommended dose, in controlling Cercospora leaf spot was examined in field experiments conducted during 1999 and 2000. Disease incidence in plots artificially inoculated with resistant isolates and treated with flutriafol was significantly higher than in similar plots inoculated with sensitive strains. These results suggest that poor disease control after application of flutriafol may be based on the presence of resistant strains within the pathogen population in northern Greece. This emphasizes the risk of the development of practical resistance if there is increased frequency of such strains within the population. http://www.phytoparasitica.org posting July 13, 2003.     

Development of a field biotest using artificial inoculation to evaluate resistance and yield effects in sugar beet cultivars against <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cercospora beticola</Emphasis>

Cercospora beticola resistance and disease yield loss relationships in sugar beet cultivars are best characterised under field conditions with heavy natural infection; this does not occur regularly under German climatic conditions. Since Cercospora resistance reduces the rate of pathogen development, high yield loss was observed in studies using artificial inoculation. Our study, therefore aimed to optimise inoculum density to obtain cultivar differentiation, which correlates to natural infection. In 2005 and 2006, field trials were carried out to determine the effect of different inoculum densities on Cercospora resistance of three sugar beet cultivars possessing variable resistance. The epidemic progress and white sugar yield loss (WSY_loss) were determined and their relationship evaluated. An optimal inoculum concentration range (between 10,000–20,000 infectious Cercospora units ml⁻¹ inoculum suspension) was determined which allowed maximum resistance parameter differentiation in terms of C. beticola disease severity (DS), area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC) and WSY_loss. The correlation between AUDPC and WSY_loss was identical for all cultivars independent of the resistance level, demonstrating that tolerant reactions of the cultivars under study were not detectable. This study provides evidence that even under optimal inoculum levels necessary to obtain maximum differentiation between cultivars, climatic conditions are important for disease management, but remain unpredictable, indicating that artificial inoculation needs to be optimised, but that single field locations are not sufficient and reliable to evaluate Cercospora resistance.     

Susceptibility of intercrops to infection with Rhizoctonia solani AG 2‐2 IIIB and influence on subsequently cultivated sugar beet

The susceptibility of intercrop species (Raphanus sativus, Brassica juncea, B. rapa, Sinapis alba and Phacelia tanacetifolia) to the sugar beet pathogen Rhizoctonia solani was investigated in vitro, in the greenhouse and in the field with artificial inoculation. Disease severity in subsequently cultivated sugar beet was monitored in the field. Differences in susceptibility between species were found to be consistent in all experimental systems. All intercrop species were susceptible to R. solani. Brassica rapa and R. sativus were less susceptible than P. tanacetifolia. Compared to fallow, the cultivation of B. rapa and R. sativus reduced disease severity in subsequently grown sugar beet (median ratings of up to 3·0 and 3·5, respectively, depending on environmental conditions). This resulted in higher white sugar yield compared to fallow (up to 210% and 157% for B. rapa and R. sativus, respectively). This study demonstrates that in vitro and greenhouse resistance tests are suitable systems to predict the effects of intercrop species susceptibility in the field on disease severity and white sugar yield in subsequently grown sugar beet. Intercrop breeding programmes might profit from fast and efficient screening tests to provide Rhizoctonia‐resistant intercrops as an additional control measure against R. solani in sugar beet.     

The use of digital image analysis and real‐time PCR fine‐tunes bioassays for quantification of Cercospora leaf spot disease in sugar beet breeding

Cercospora leaf spot, caused by the fungus Cercospora beticola, is a major fungal sugar beet disease worldwide and the cause of significant yield losses. The disease is most successfully countered by the introduction of genetic tolerance into elite sugar beet hybrids. To this end, breeding programmes require high quality biological assays allowing discrimination of minor differences between plants within a segregating population. This study describes the successful implementation of image analysis software in the bioassays for quantification of necrotic lesions at different stages of C. beticola infection, allowing selection on minor phenotypic differences during the sugar beet breeding process for C. beticola resistance. In addition, a real‐time PCR assay was developed for the quantification of C. beticola pathogen biomass in infected beet canopy. The use of both techniques, even in an early stage of infection, fine‐tunes current bioassays, allowing more accurate and efficient selection of resistant breeding material.     

Identification of the G143A mutation associated with QoI resistance in Cercospora beticola field isolates from Michigan,United States

BACKGROUND: Cercospora leaf spot (CLS), caused by the fungus Cercospora beticola, is the most serious foliar disease of sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) worldwide. Disease control is mainly achieved by timely fungicide applications. In 2011, CLS control failures were reported in spite of application of quinone outside inhibitor (QoI) fungicide in several counties in Michigan, United States. The purpose of this study was to confirm the resistant phenotype and identify the molecular basis for QoI resistance of Michigan C. beticola isolates. RESULTS: Isolates collected in Michigan in 1998 and 1999 that had no previous exposure to the QoI fungicides trifloxystrobin or pyraclostrobin exhibited QoI EC₅₀ values of ?0.006 µg mL^?1. In contrast, all isolates obtained in 2011 exhibited EC₅₀ values of > 0.92 µg mL^?1 to both fungicides and harbored a mutation in cytochrome b (cytb) that led to an amino acid exchange from glycine to alanine at position 143 (G143A) compared with baseline QoI‐sensitive isolates. Microsatellite analysis of the isolates suggested that QoI resistance emerged independently in multiple genotypic backgrounds at multiple locations. A real‐time PCR assay utilizing dual‐labeled fluorogenic probes was developed to detect and differentiate QoI‐resistant isolates harboring the G143A mutation from sensitive isolates. CONCLUSION: The G143A mutation in cytb is associated with QoI resistance in C. beticola. Accurate monitoring of this mutation will be essential for fungicide resistance management in this pathosystem. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

不同比例羊粪与化肥配施对土壤质量及甜菜含糖率和效益的影响

为了解决长期施用化肥导致土壤质量下降,甜菜产量低,品质差的问题,在甘肃省张掖市甘州区明永镇甜菜种植基地,采用田间试验方法,连续3 a进行了不同比例羊粪与化肥配施对土壤质量及甜菜含糖率和效益影响的研究。结果表明:施用100%羊粪比其他处理有利于改善土壤质量,提高甜菜含糖率,与100%化肥比较,土壤容重、pH值和全盐降低10.45%、15.14%和15.35%,孔隙度和团聚体增加5.29和5.81个百分点,总持水量、CEC、有机质、有机碳和有机碳密度增加10.69%、16.85%、29.90%、29.93%和16.33%,蔗糖酶、脲酶、磷酸酶和多酚氧化酶活性增加18.93%、27.27%、21.74%和17.95%,甜菜含糖率增加2.74个百分点;施用100%化肥比其他处理有利于提高土壤全盐和氮磷钾含量,与100%羊粪比较,全盐含量提高18.14%,碱解氮、速效磷和速效钾含量提高1.23、1.78倍和1.22倍;施用50%羊粪+50%化肥比其他处理更有利于提高甜菜产量和经济效益,与100%化肥比较,甜菜叶丛高度、根体长度、根直径、单株根重、根产量、施肥利润和肥料投资效率增加6.40%、8.75%、19.00%、6.96%、5.33%、0.10万元·hm~(-2)和0.02元·元~(-1)。     

Fitness of Cercospora Beticola Field Isolates – Resistant And – Sensitive to Demethylation Inhibitor Fungicides

Isolates of Cercospora beticola resistant to fungicides that inhibit sterol demethylation (DMIs) were collected from sugar beet fields in Northern Greece. Fitness of these isolates was compared to that of DMI-sensitive isolates. The parameters measured were competitive ability both under growth chamber and field conditions, mycelial growth, spore germination, germ tube length, incubation period, virulence and spore production. The competitive ability under growth chamber conditions was measured for 4 pairs of one resistant and one sensitive isolate. Results showed that after 4 disease cycles, in 2 out of 4 pairs tested, the resistant isolates competed well with the sensitive isolates, but in the remaining two pairs the frequency of the resistant isolate decreased significantly. The competition experiment in the field was carried out by inoculating field plots with a conidial suspension consisting of a spore mixture from all the resistant and all the sensitive isolates used in this study. Results showed that at the end of the growing period the frequency of the resistant isolates had slightly decreased (P < 0.05). The measurements of fitness components of individual isolates showed that the resistant isolates had significantly lower (P < 0.05) virulence and spore production than the sensitive isolates, while no significant differences (P > 0.05) to the remaining 4 fitness components, were detected. With correlation analysis it was determined whether there is a relationship between values of each fitness component and the level of sensitivity to flutriafol of individual isolates. The correlation coefficients for virulence (r = 0.45) and spore production (r = 0.41) were significantly different from 0 (P > 0.05), indicating that resistance to DMIs affected, to some degree, the fitness of the resistant isolates.     

An investigation of herbicide interaction with the H+-ATPase activity of plant plasma membranes

This study has investigated the activity of several herbicide classes at the plant plasma membrane. Two-phase partitioning was used to prepare highly purified plasma membrane vesicles from the monocotyledon weed black-grass (Alopecurus myosuroides Huds.) and the dicotyledon crop sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L. cv. Celt). The purity of the plasma membrane H⁺-ATPase activity was characterised with respect to inhibitors, pH and substrate specificity. In both species, contamination of the plasma membrane by tonoplast fragments was largely eliminated and chlorophyll was absent. In addition, the plasma membrane H⁺-ATPase from black-grass and sugar beet exhibited high vanadate sensitivity and a sharp pH profile around 6·5. Subsequently, H⁺-ATPase activity was assayed in the presence (100 μM ) and absence of four graminicide classes and auxin-type herbicides. Graminicides, including the aryloxyphenoxypropionate diclofop-methyl and the thiocarbamate triallate, inhibited H⁺-ATPase activity by 50–80% in both species. However, other graminicides, including the cyclohexanediones and the chloroacetamide alachlor, had no affect. Similarly, auxin-type herbicides such as 2,4-D and MCPA did not inhibit H⁺-ATPase activity. Results are discussed in relation to the proposed mode of action of these herbicides. © 1998 SCI     

Composition of the stubble weed flora and its role for Heterodera schachtii in the year preceding sugar beet production

In Germany, sugar beet is often rotated with 2 years of cereal. Extensive fallow periods between cereal harvest and autumn primary tillage allow for a weed flora to develop. Broad‐leaved weeds could potentially be alternate hosts for the common nematode Heterodera schachtii, one of the most important pests of sugar beet. Between 2009 and 2012, annual weeds developing in cereal stubble fields during July to mid‐October in the season prior to sugar beet were surveyed, including known hosts of H. schachtii. Yearly weather patterns and agronomic practices possibly impacted weed species composition and weed population densities. During September, Chenopodium album, Cirsium arvense, Convolvulus arvensis, Mercurialis annua, Polygonum spp., Solanum nigrum and Sonchus spp. occurred at the highest frequencies. Weed hosts of H. schachtii were present, but densities, frequencies and uniformity were limited. In 2010 and 2011, staining for nematodes in roots revealed juvenile penetration of some weeds but few adult stages. No indication of nematode reproduction of H. schachtii was found on these weed hosts. A fairly stable weed flora was detected on stubble fields that could provide some carry over for weed species. An elevated risk for nematode population density build‐up on these weeds was not found and management of these weeds at the observed densities during the stubble period for nematological reasons appeared unnecessary.     

Biological activity, availability and duration of phytotoxicity for imazamox in four different soils of central Italy

Greenhouse bioassays were carried out from 1999 to 2002 on several types of soils of central Italy to assess the carry‐over risk of imazamox residues to non‐target crops. No observable effect levels (NOELs) were determined on quartz sand; sugar beet showed the highest sensitivity to imazamox (NOEL 0.4–0.8 ng a.i. mL^?1 of substrate), followed by spinach, oilseed rape, fennel, cauliflower and lettuce (NOELs from 1 to 5 ng a.i. mL^?1 of substrate). Wheat, sunflower, grain sorghum and maize were not very sensitive to this herbicide. Imazamox availability was greatest on sandy soils and decreased in soils with high clay or organic carbon content, where herbicide efficiency was less than 50%, with respect to non‐sorptive media. The decline of herbicide efficiency was quick in sandy soils, where herbicide efficiency dropped to 50% in less than 3 days. In clay‐loam or organic soils, 50% relative efficiency was reached in 15–33 days. Such results suggest that imazamox sprayed at normal field application rates can pose slight risks of carry‐over of residues, which may damage very sensitive species (sugar beet, oilseed rape and spinach) in sandy soils. In these cases, safe recropping intervals of 1–3 months are required, so current label guidelines for imazamox are adequate to protect rotational vegetable crops in central Italy.     

Life tables of Agrotis ipsilon (Hufnagel) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) on different cultivated plants

Agrotis ipsilon (Hufnagel) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is a cosmopolitan species that feeds on numerous cultivated plants and herbaceaus plants. Agrotis ipsilon causes significant economic losses in various agricultural products, especially in indisturial plants and vegetables in Turkey and worldwide. In this study, the effects on the biology and reproductive potential of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L., Asteraceae), maize (Zea mays L., Poaceae), sugarbeet (Beta vulgaris var. saccharifera Alef.,Amaranthaceae) and potato (Solanum tuberosum L., Solanaceae) which are essential host plants of A. ipsilon were investigated under climatized conditions of 28?±?1 °C, 60%?±?10 r.h., and 16 h daily artificial light. The data obtained were analyzed by using an age-stage two-sex life table. Agrotis ipsilon had five larval stages fed on lettuce, whereas seven larval stages were fed on other host plants. Agrotis ipsilon showed the best development and reproduction on lettuce, followed by sugar beet. When A. ipsilon is reared on lettuce the intrinsic rate of increase (r?=?0.1237 d^?1), finite rate of increase (λ?=?1.1317 d^?1) and net reproductive rate (R₀?=?403.06 offspring/individual) were found higher and the mean generation times (T?=?48.51 d) is shorter than those in other host plants. According to these results, A. ipsilon can cause the most damage to lettuce among studied plants.