Impact of spatio-temporal simulations of rat damage on yield of rice (Oryza sativa L.) and implications for rodent pest management

Rodents often damage crops throughout the growing season, from germination to harvest, thus making it difficult to understand the cumulative effects of rodent damage for crops such as rice that are able to partially compensate for damage. Compensation can make it difficult to understand the impact of variable rodent damage in terms of when the damage occurs, its severity and thus when, whether and how rodent pests should be controlled. The compensatory responses of rice to simulated rat damage carried out at different growth stages and at different spatial levels of severity showed that higher yield was recorded during the wet season in comparison to the dry season. However, yield loss was observed during all cropping stages for all levels of simulated damage for wet and dry season crops, with significant compensation noted at the transplanting [14 days after sowing (DAS)] and vegetative (45 DAS) stages. Only damage at the maturity (110 DAS) stage resulted in significant reductions in rice crop yield. Seasonal differences suggest water availability was an important factor that perhaps enhanced rice production. The ability of rice to compensate for early rodent damage could potentially reduce a farmer's perception of damage. However, failing to control rodents at these earlier crop growth stages could lead to increased rodent populations at the time of maturity when compensatory effects are limited.     

Studies on the epidemiology and yield losses from rice black-streaked dwarf disease in a recent epidemic in Zhejiang province, China

The spread of rice black-streaked dwarf disease, which has emerged as a major problem on winter wheat and the two summer rice crops (early indica and late japonica ) grown in central and southern Zhejiang province, China, is documented from 1995 to 2007. The late japonica crop suffered the most: up to 64 640 ha were affected with estimated losses of c . 120 000 t grain per year. Peak adult numbers of the small brown planthopper vector, Laodelphax striatellus , coincided with the seedling stages of both rice crops and the proportion of the insect population carrying virus increased during 1998–2005. Seedlings with three to four leaves were the most susceptible, whereas plants inoculated after the end of tillering developed few or no symptoms. Disease levels were strongly correlated with numbers of viruliferous vectors. In sowing-date experiments with both rice crops, the earliest sowings had the most disease and suffered the greatest yield losses. With the last sowing date (25 days after the first), there were almost no losses. There were yield losses of 0·80% for every 1% increase in disease incidence in early indica rice and rather more (0·92%) in the late japonica crop. There were large differences in susceptibility between cultivars, indicating the possibility, within currently available germplasm, of using more resistant cultivars to help contain the disease. Changes in cropping practice and in recent winter weather conditions have probably contributed to the emergence of the virus as a major pathogen in eastern China.     

Impact of the Common Vole,Microtus arvalis (Pallas) on Winter Wheat and Alfalfa Crops1)

Impact of the common vole, Microtus arvalis (Pallas), upon the winter wheat and alfalfa crops was determined. Net-bottomed coops were used for estimating the effect of vole grazing. Exposure of winter wheat to vole grazing at the stages of earing and flowering was the most harmful. Losses were up to 91% of the potential crop yield, while the proportion of the best grain size fraction (2.8 mm) dropped to a minimum level. Coefficients reflecting the influence of vole grazing on the crop were determined. The coefficient TOTAL is an index of the total impact of consumption. The impact, I_t, at time t equals the consumption, Ct, at this time multiplied by the value of TOTAL. For alfalfa, these coefficients range from 1.28 to 11.73. The results obtained in this study have made it possible to determine the effective rodent pressure on crop yield.     

Evaluation of herbicides against Phalaris minor in wheat in north-western Indian plains

Phalaris minor, the most serious weed in wheat in north‐western India, has developed extensive isoproturon resistance due to continuous isoproturon use. For its control, alternative herbicides (flufenacet, metribuzin and sulfosulfuron) at different application rates and timing were evaluated in wheat. In addition, herbicide carryover risk onto rotational crops (sorghum; maize and green gram, Vigina radiata) was also assessed. Isoproturon at 1 and 2 kg a.i. ha^?1 provided only 10.5% and 51.8%P. minor control respectively. Of the other herbicides, early post‐emergent [15–21 days after sowing (DAS)] flufenacet at 180–480 g a.i. ha^?1 provided acceptable control of P. minor, but failed to control broad‐leaved weeds and was phytotoxic to the wheat crop. Metribuzin at 210 g a.i. ha^?1 was effective in controlling both Phalaris and dicotyledonous weeds. Mixtures of both flufenacet and metribuzin at reduced rates were better than flufenacet for weed control and grain yield. The efficacy of flufenacet and metribuzin was drastically reduced with later growth stages of P. minor (four to five leaf). Whereas sulfosulfuron at 25–30 g a.i. ha^?1, applied either early post‐emergence (19 DAS) or post‐emergence (30–42 DAS), was quite effective. Overall, sulfosulfuron was the most effective treatment with regard to weed control and crop yield. However, maize and sorghum grown in rotation after harvest of sulfosulfuron‐treated wheat plots showed 65–73% crop biomass inhibition. The residual effect of sulfosulfuron was also noticed on Trianthema portulacastrum (Horse purslane), causing 73.5% dry matter reduction. By contrast, no carryover damage with flufenacet was observed on maize, sorghum and green gram. Glasshouse pot experiments and field trials investigating crop sensitivity to pre‐plant applications of sulfosulfuron found the decreasing order: sorghum > maize > green gram. The risk of carryover onto rotational crops should be considered when choosing alternative herbicides for P. minor control in wheat.     

Modelling the economics of herbicide treatment in wheat and barley using data on prevented grain yield losses

Losses in grain yield prevented by controlling weeds were measured in 59 fields of (southern hemisphere) spring-sown wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) (cv, Otane) and 45 fields of spring-sown barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) (cv. Corniche) in five consecutive growing seasons from 1988/89 until 1992/93 in the Canterbury region of New Zealand. The losses were measured as the differences in yield between weeded and non-weeded plots located in randomly positioned pairs in the fields. In the first 2 years, the weeding was by push hoe in‘organically grown crops. For the last 3 years, the fields were under prophylactic herbicide regimens with nonweeded plots created by excluding commercial herbicide applications (made mostly in October for wheat and November for barley) with polyethylene sheets placed temporarily over the plots. For each season the distributions of yield losses were modelled using the normal distribution and probabilities of ‘breaking even’ on herbicide use derived by substituting cumulative probability density functions into a simple break-even model for herbicide use. The model assumed that herbicide application in the current crop has no flow-on economic effect for succeeding crops. The mean annual yield losses prevented by herbicide application were positively correlated with September and October rainfall for wheat and bailey respectively. As a consequence, the probabilities of breaking even on herbicide use increased with increasing spring rainfall. Using historical rainfall records, probabilities of breaking even were estimated for each of the 48 years from 1947 to 1994. Averaging over these years, the analysis revealed that at current grain prices prophylactic use of the commonly applied herbicides is likely to be uneconomic in 24% (95% confidence limits 6% and 50%) of fields of average-yielding Otane wheat and in 26% (95% confidence limits 1% and 91 %) of fields of average-yielding Corniche barley in Canterbury. It was concluded that there is potential for withholding herbicide treatments without jeopardizing profitability in these crops, particularly in seasons with low spring rainfall.     

Tenth international congress of plant protection,Brighton, November 1983

Abstract

Field trials were conducted to control rodent pests of wheat crop by improving bait acceptability through taste enhancers (additives). Egg shell, egg yolk, yeast, minced meat, sheep blood and chicken blood were mixed 2% by weight individually in a bait base of broken rice and wheat flour. Brodifacoum and bromadiolone bait with egg shell additive ranked first, and egg yolk second, in preference over other additive poison baits and poison bait without additive. Poison baiting yielded 93.3% and 86.7% reduction in rodent population with brodifacoum and bromadiolone (0.005% each), respectively. Three baitings, at tillering, flowering and maturity stage of the crop, gave 91.0% tiller damage reduction with brodifacoum and 86.0% with bromadiolone as compared to control (untreated). It is concluded that three poison baitings containing egg shell additive should be initiated at tillering stage followed by flowering and maturity of the wheat crop for increased yield.     

Weeds

Abstract

The effects of simulated rat damage (stem cutting) on IR-8 rice yield was examined. Fields were subjected to four damage levels: 0 (control), 10, 25 and 50% of the stems cut. A modified split-plot sampling design was used with ten 1 m² plots tested at each damage level in three growth stages: tillering, booting and maturity. Each of the 120 plots (2,400 hills) was harvested and yields compared by Analysis of Variance and Least Significant Difference (LSD) tests. Ten perpent of all stems removed during the tillering stage produced growth compensation and a higher yield resulted. Trends in rice yields for different damage levels showed that the later damage occurred, the greater the yield loss. An LSD analysis of yields for the damage levels revealed no significant differences during tillering. At booting, significant differences (P < 0.05) in yields were noted with > 10% of the stems cut. At maturity, yields for all damaged levels differed significantly (P < 0.01). The results of this study demonstrated that rat damage in rice up to the booting stage did not affect yield significantly. From an economic standpoint, rodent control by field baiting before booting stage is not recommended in monsoon rice.     

Evaluation of action thresholds for chronic rice insect pests in the Philippines. III. Leaffolders

Abstract

Action thresholds (AT) as insecticide application decision tools were developed and tested against rice leaffolders Cnaphalocrocis medinalis (Guenée) and Marasmia patnalis Bradley (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) in four sites and 68 crops over a 13-year period in the Philippines. Leaffolder damage levels were generally low with a mean over all sites and crops of 2 – 3% damaged leaves (DL) and 6 – 9% in a given site as a per-crop average based on weekly samplings, with highest incidence per field on a given sampling date of 48%DL. The damage incidence over a typical crop cycle formed a bell-shaped curve with maximum numbers in the late reproductive and early ripening stages. Continuous population buildup over the planting cycle did not occur in any one site over the season, thus a strategy of monitoring earlier planted fields to forewarn against impending economic damage had no basis. ATs were based on different levels of percentage DL, number of larvae per hill (L), and density of flushed moths. Collectively ATs were surpassed in 1, 12, and 4% of fields in each of the three main growth stages. A scoring system was based on benchmark criteria including both leaffolder damage and yield loss. The 15%DL threshold performed best in all growth stages, only equaled by 1L in the vegetative stage, scoring 93 – 99% correct decisions in each of the growth stages. Flushed moths produced the most false positive decisions and the lowest performance scores. The best insecticide response gave only a disappointing 53% control and therefore was a significant weakness in using AT technology. BPMC, endosulfan, and monocrotophos performed the best and azinphos-ethyl and Bt the least. Sites with the highest densities had the most rapid rise in damage levels, thus requiring more frequent monitoring. Low leaffolder damage levels were most likely due to the activity of natural enemies. Given the ability of high tillering varieties to compensate from pest damage, farmers would be better off embracing integrated crop management as a preventative measure to bolster inherent tolerance levels combined with crop monitoring based on historical population levels. In sites with a record of high damage levels, monitoring should start 4 weeks after transplanting (WT) on a weekly basis and more risk averse farmers may increase the interval to twice a week during flag leaf stage. In sites with lower observed levels, monitoring can begin 6 WT on a weekly basis and continue through the flag leaf stage. Significant yield increases were recorded with the best AT characters despite evidence of modern rices to tolerate high damage levels. Reasons for this apparent paradox are discussed.     

Population dynamics of Apodemus agrarius Pallas and its economic threshold in the paddy region

Abstract

Investigations were conducted in the double or middle season paddy regions from 1988 to 1990; main results showed that the population of Apodemus agrarius reached maximal reproductive rate between April and May, and between September and October each year. Their maximal population size occurred in July and between October and November each year. At different stages of the rice, mouse density (X) was significantly related to loss rate of the rice (Y). Studies on imitation mouse damage on rice indicated that the rice, damaged by the mice in tillering stage, possessed a certain capacity for compensation. When the mouse damage rate approached yield loss rate in the booting or spiked stage the rice plant lost this compensatory capacity. It will be seen from the above that early spring is the most available, feasible time for mice control. Under the current production level the economic thresholds of mouse density are 3% in spring, 5% for early and middle‐season rice and 7% for later rice.     

Yield reduction in wheat by simulated rat damage

Abstract

A study of simulated rat damage was done to determine the loss of wheat yield when O (control). 10, 30 and 50% ot the wheat stems were cut at tillering, booting, dough and mature crop stages. The yields at harvest from each of 128 1‐m² plots were compared by analysis of variance and least significant difference tests. Yield at the tillering stages was not significantly different from the controls but yields at all other stages differed significantly. Yield losses in tillering and booting stages were not significant for the different damage levels except for 50% stem cutting at the booting stage. The yields from dough and mature crop stages at all damage levels were significantly lower than yields from controls. No significant differences in yield at all growth stages were observed between control plots and those receiving 10% damage, but 30 and 50% damage gave significant losses.     

Prediction of Heteranthera reniformis competition with flooded rice using day–degrees

In field studies carried out in 1992 and 1993, several durations of growth of Heteranthera reniformis Ruitz et Pavon were established in flooded rice (Oryza sativa L.) to evaluate weed influence on crop yield using day-degree predictive models for weed growth. H. reniformis was allowed to emerge at 7-day intervals from rice emergence until 49 days later. Weeds that emerged with the rice accumulated 403 day-degrees during the first 49 days. Weeds allowed to utilize 308 day-degrees had a dry weight reduction of 20% compared with plants that emerged with the rice. With the loss of all 403 day-degrees dry weight was reduced by about 95%. Maximum leaf area index (LAI) was 2.8, reached at 308 day-degrees. Weed density ranged from 48 to 5 plants m^-2 when all 403 day-degrees were accumulated or lost by the plant respectively. When the weed lost only 95 day-degrees out of the possible 403 (1 week's delay in emergence) rice yield was 34% and 39% lower in 1992 and 1993 respectively. When the weed was allowed to accumulate ail 403 day-degrees yield reduction reached 62% in 1992 and 68% in 1993, very similar to the control plot, which were maintained weedy throughout (64% and 70.5%). After an accumulation of 403 day-degrees the weed reduced the number of rice panicles by 45% in 1992 and 38% in 1993.     

Effect of method of Imperata cylindrica management on maize grain yield in the derived savanna of south-western Nigeria

Field studies were conducted in 1991 and 1992 on a sandy loam soil in the derived savanna zone of south-western Nigeria to assess the effect of the underground organs of Imperata cylindrica (L.) Raeuschel on maize grain yield. Total dry matter of I. cylindrica in abandoned arable land averaged 16 t ha⁻¹ and rhizomes contributed 56% of this. Rhizome removal from soil before planting maize significantly increased maize yield relative to hoe tillage or slashing of I. cylindrica shoots before planting maize. Digging up rhizomes before planting maize and weeding the crop twice gave a yield reduction of only 23% compared with weed-free crops with rhizomes removed. Grain yield reduction was 51% in plots where rhizomes were only fragmented by hoe tillage and the crop was weeded twice. Grain yield was 62% less when maize was grown in slashed plots with intact rhizomes that were weeded four times (farmers' practice). Slashing without additional weeding resulted in crop failure in maize.     

Effect of defoliation by livestock on stem canker caused by Leptosphaeria maculans in Brassica napus

Brassica napus (canola, oilseed rape), an important break crop for cereals across the Australian wheat belt, is being rapidly adopted as a dual‐purpose (forage and grain) crop in mixed farming systems. Stem canker caused by the fungus Leptosphaeria maculans is the most important disease of B. napus in Australia. The primary source of inoculum is airborne ascospores released during autumn/winter which coincides with the grazing of dual‐purpose crops. Field experiments were defoliated by sheep to determine the effect of grazing on blackleg stem canker severity at plant maturity in B. napus cultivars differing in their resistance level and grazed at different times. One cultivar was sown on different dates to investigate the impact of grazing at the same time, but at different growth stages. Defoliation by mowing was compared to defoliation by livestock. Similar amounts of dry matter remained after defoliation by machinery (0·66 t ha^?1) or livestock (0·52 t ha^?1). However, stem canker severity was higher in the grazed (40% of crown cross‐section diseased) compared with the mown (25%) treatment, which was higher than the ungrazed control (9%). Stem canker severity generally increased with grazing, but the increase was eliminated or reduced in cultivars with good resistance. Grazing during vegetative plant growth minimized the increase in stem canker severity compared with grazing during reproductive growth. Currently, cultivars with good L. maculans resistance are recommended in high disease situations. To avoid excessive yield loss in dual‐purpose B. napus crops due to L. maculans it is recommended that such cultivars are grown even in low‐moderate disease situations.     

Critical period of weed control in transplanted chilli pepper

Summary Field experiments were conducted from 1991 to 1993 to determine the critical period of weed control in chilli pepper. The maximum weed-infested period ranged between 0.7 and 3.2 weeks after transplanting (WAT) at a 5% yield loss level. To prevent losses in total and marketable yields, weeds should be removed 2.1 or 0.9 WAT respectively. The end of the critical period decreased as the predetermined yield loss level increased from 2.5% to 10%. The minimum weed-free period ranged between 6.7 and 15.3 WAT at a 5% yield loss level depending on crop yield category. The chilli pepper crop required an average of 12.2 weeks of weed-free maintenance to avoid losses above 5%. Using a 5% yield loss level, the duration of the critical period of weed control was 14 weeks in 1991 and 11.2 weeks in 1993, but was shortened to 5.1 weeks in 1992. The results suggest that weeds must be controlled during the first half of the crop's growing season in order to prevent yield losses.     

Nitrogen effect on competition between winter cereals and littleseed canarygrass

Field experiments were conducted in northern Greece during 1994, 1995, and 1996 to study the effect of nitrogen fertilization on competition between littleseed canaryglass (Phalaris minor Retz.) and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), barley (Hordeum vulgare =distichum L.) or triticale (Triticosecale). The presence of 400P. minor plants per square meter until early March did not have an adverse effect on dry weight of any crop. However, their further presence significantly reduced dry weight of wheat and triticale, but not that of barley. Grain yield of wheat and triticale was reduced 48% and 47%, respectively, by season-long competition ofP. minor, whereas the corresponding reduction for barley was only 8%. Crop yield reduction due toP. minor competition resulted mainly from reduction in ear number and less from reduction in 1000-grain weight. Nitrogen fertilization (150 kg N ha⁻¹), compared with control (0 kg N), slightly increased yield of all crops grown without weed competition. The same treatment also increased dry weight and competitive ability ofP. minor against wheat and triticale, compared with that of control (0 kg N); the split application of nitrogen (50 kg N ha⁻¹ before crop sowing and 100 kg N ha⁻¹ in early March) caused a slightly greater increase inP. minor dry weight than did 150 kg N ha⁻¹ applied once before crop sowing. Dry weight ofP. minor grown with barley was not affected by nitrogen fertilization, but it was severely reduced compared with that ofP. minor grown with wheat or triticale. http://www.phytoparasitica.org posting April 22, 2003.     

Losses in grain yield of winter crops from Lolium rigidum competition depend on crop species, cultivar and season

The competitive abilities of eight winter crops were compared against Lolium rigidum Gaud, (annual ryegrass), an important weed of southern Australia, as a potential strategy to suppress weeds and reduce dependence on herbicides. Two cultivars of each species were chosen to represent the range of competitive ability within each crop and grown in field experiments in 1992 and 1993. The order of decreasing competitive ability (with the ranges of percentage yield reduction from L. rigidum at 300 plants m^?2 in parenthesis) was as follows: oats (Avena sativa L.), 2–14%; cereal rye (Secale cereale L.), 14–20%; and triticale (×Triticosecale), 5–24%; followed by oilseed rape, (Brassica napus L.), 9–30%; spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), 22–40%; spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), 10–55%; and, lastly, field pea (Pisum sativum L.), 100%, and lupin (Lupinus angustifolius L.), 100%. Differences in competitive ability of cultivars within each species were identified, but competition was strongly influenced by seasonal conditions. Competition for nutrients (N, P and K) and light was demonstrated. L. rigidum dry matter and seed production were negatively correlated with grain yield of the weedy crops. More competitive crops offer the potential to suppress grass weeds while maintaining acceptable grain yields. Ways of improving the competitive abilities of grain legume crops are discussed.     

Occurrence of barley yellow dwarf virus in cereals and grasses of the low-rainfall wheatbelt of South Australia

South Australia is in the dry temperate zone where most cereal crops are grown in an area of low rainfall, with a crop-free season from December to April. The incidence of barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV) was assessed by ELISA from 1989 to 1991 in wheat crops and irrigated pastures of South Australia. The incidence of BYDV was low in most wheat crops of the low-rainfall area in 1989 and 1990 (less than 1% of plants infected), but moderate levels of infection (1–10%) were observed in some early-sown crops. BYDV infection was more widespread in the high-rainfall area (south east of South Australia). A high incidence of BYDV was observed in the irrigated pastures of the three areas surveyed (4–86%). Of the five previously described strains, the Rhopalosiphum padi/Sitobion avenae strain (PAV) was the most common in wheat samples (> 90%). PAV and the R. padi-specific strain (RPV) were found in pasture grasses, alone or in mixed infection. Virus incidence was greater in Festuca spp. (56%) and Lolium perenne (30%) than in other species (2-–9%).     

Prediction of yield loss caused by Orobanche spp. in carrot and pea crops based on the soil seedbank

Root parasites of the genus Orobanche cause serious losses in many subtropical crops. Direct control options are very limited and crop yield loss can reach 100%. Prediction of potential damage in a crop before sowing or planting would support farmers in their choice of crop. This paper discusses the relationship between the number of Orobanche spp. seeds in the field and yield loss in peas (Pisum sativum L.) and carrots (Daucus carota L.) in Israel. Yield loss due to Orobanche crenata Forsk. in peas was 100% at high infestations, whereas in carrots when O. crenata and O. aegyptiaca were present it stabilized at about 50% for moderate infestations of 200 seeds per kg of soil. Statistical analyses related the yield loss from parasitism in peas and carrots to the numbers of Orobanche seeds remaining in the soil. A rectangular hyperbolic model, previously applied to competition data, fitted the data well. Confidence intervals for per cent yield loss were calculated using the bootstrap method. The practical applications of these models in predicting yield loss are discussed.     

稻纵卷叶螟危害损失的通径分析及经济阈值的数学模型

根据稻纵卷叶螟Cnaphalocrocis medinalis Guenee对水稻危害的特点,作者对不同虫量的危害程度与水稻产量损失的关系,进行了测定和分析。结果表明:危害平均严重度或危害指数与产量损失呈平衡动态关系,空壳率的上升是产量损失的直接原因,其防治费用与产量损失金额相等时的经济阈值为:X_1=(1/(0.243))ln((1.7102CN+C_1)/(4.9034CN)(卷叶率)一般田块,防治指标的虫口密度为百株3.19—4.92头二、三龄幼虫。     

Evaluating and Modeling of the Seedling Growth Ability of Wheat Seeds as Affected by Shallow-Saline Groundwater Conditions

The adverse effects of shallow-saline groundwater may vary among crucial growth stages of crops by decreasing crop growth and productivity. The present study aimed to assess the germination and seedling growth ability of wheat seeds grown in four different (0.38, 2.0, 4.0, and 8.0 dSm^?1) groundwater salinities (GWS) and three (30, 55, and 80?cm) groundwater depths (GWD) condition. To achieve this aim, wheat crops were grown in drainable lysimeters under rain shelter conditions until the maturity stage, and then wheat seeds were harvested from various saline groundwater conditions. Afterward, wheat seeds were germinated to identify the performance of germination and seedling growth attributes. Response surface methodology (RSM) was used to determine the optimal growing wheat seeds condition, which had high early seedling growth performance. The results showed that the seedling growth performance of wheat seeds increased with increasing GWDs, while decreased with increasing GWSs. Based on the RSM findings, we suggest that GWD and GWS should be at least 42?cm and at most 5.46 dSm^?1, respectively, for sustainable higher wheat yield and seed quality. Finally, this study could provide considerable information for selecting strong and healthy wheat seeds grown under shallow saline groundwater conditions.