Present Status of Field Pests of Sorghum and Millets in India

Abstract

The incidence, economic importance, ecology, biology and control measures are described in brief for common pests of sorghum and millets in India. At present, shoot flies, stem borers, earhead midges, birds and rats are considered major pests. However formerly occasional or minor pests are becoming a menace in some states due to changes in cultural practices. For most of the recently recorded pests, information on factors responsible for their outbreak, bionomics, yield losses etc. is needed before planning the control operations. As an immediate remedy, chemicals have been used extensively, mainly on high yielding varieties and hybrids of sorghums. It is emphasized that studies should be intensified on varietal resistance, mass rearing techniques, predators and parasites and manipulation of population by cultural practices leading to the possibility of using all available methods on an integrated basis for future pest management programmes for sorghum and millets.     

Systemic insecticides for control of Delphacodes kuscheli and the Mal de Río Cuarto virus on maize

Control of the Mal de Río Cuarto virus (MRCV) and its planthopper vector Delphacodes kuscheli was studied on maize hybrids whose seeds had been treated with systemic insecticides. Laboratory tests were performed to determine the effects of seed treatments with insecticides (acephate, carbofuran, imidacloprid) on the survival of the planthopper. Field experiments using four maize hybrids whose seeds had been treated with the insecticides were performed to establish the effect of the latter on MRCV incidence and severity, and on grain yield. MRCV infection was confirmed by DAS-ELISA. Carbofuran was the most effective insecticide in laboratory tests, independently of the hybrid tested, followed by imidacloprid and acephate. MRCV incidences were high in all treatments in the field test under natural planthopper infestations. Disease severity data analysis indicated that the insecticide - hybrid interaction was not significant. Maize hybrid Dekalb 664 and the imidacloprid treatments had the lowest severity means among the four hybrids and three insecticide treatments, respectively. Data for grain yield showed that the insecticide - hybrid interaction was significant and imidacloprid was generally the most effective in the field experiments. A negative correlation was observed between the mean disease severity index and mean grain yield. The results suggest that if an effective systemic insecticide is applied as a seed coating, it may be possible to obtain good control of D. kuscheli, decrease MRCV severity and increase grain yield under field conditions in areas at risk for MRCV.     

Past Studies on and Present Status of Lethal Yellowing Disease of Coconuts

Abstract

The symptoms and extent of lethal yellowing disease of coconuts are described. In research into the cause of the disease nutrient deficiencies, fungi, bacteria, nematodes and, more recently, viruses have been investigated without implicating any causal agent. Mechanical and insect transmissions were attempted by a number of methods. The incubation period was shown to be 3–9 months for young palms and 7–15 months for bearing palms. Experiments to control the disease have been unsuccessful.

Local and introduced coconut varieties and hybrids are being tested for resistance by field exposure. The Malayan Dwarf variety has been shown to have high resistance and is being used to replant the industry. No other variety or hybrid is deemed as yet to be sufficiently resistant for farm planting.

Mycoplasms were recently found associated with the disease. Future research must include confirmation of mycoplasm-lethal yellowing association, continuation of the search for the vector, experimental chemotherapy, and attempts to culture mycoplasms to develop an inoculation technique. Palms showing resistance will be used in the breeding programme. Promising hybrids will be produced in greater numbers for more extensive testing and further introductions will be made.     

Diseases and pests of pigeonpea in eastern Africa: A review

Pigeonpea is one of the major legume crops grown in eastern Africa but has been relatively neglected in terms of research and development. The peas are a rich source of protein and the crop is nitrogen-fixing and drought tolerant. It is an ideal crop for the semi-arid areas of Africa and there is great potential for it to be more widely grown. The large number of pests and diseases which attack pigeonpea in Africa (and elsewhere) is perhaps the main constraint to increased production. The most important pest worldwide is the pod borer, Helicoverpa armigera, but the flowers and pods are attractive to a wide range of insect pests. The most important disease in eastern Africa is Fusarium wilt (Fusarium udum) and considerable effort has been devoted by ICRISAT to developing wilt-resistant pigeonpeas, adapted to cultivation in the region. This paper reviews the literature on pests and diseases of pigeonpea with special reference to eastern Africa and presents some new information on distribution and damage levels for the key pests and diseases.     

A New Approach to Weed Control in Puerto Rican Sugarcane Fields

Abstract

Experiments have been carried out on the south coast of Puerto Rico to determine the susceptibility of Leptochloa filiformis, Echinochloa colonum and Saccharum officinarum-spontaneum-robustum hybrids (sugarcane) to various herbicides applied post-emergence.

Ametryne proved to be the most suitable herbicide for use as a selective post-emergence grass-killer in sugarcane. The crop is resistant to rates of up to 1.6 lb a.i./ac, while very young seedling grasses are highly susceptible to this or lower rates. During tillering, the weed grasses rapidly become resistant and even 3.2 lb a.i./ac (which damages emerged cane) does not kill fully tillered seedlings. The residual pre-emergence effect of ametryne applied over seedling grasses is as pronounced as when this herbicide is applied to clean ground.     

Agricultural and Horticultural Fungicides - Past,Present and Future

Abstract

Maize is produced primarily in temperate and warm-temperate zones of the world, but its production is increasing in many tropical regions. Some diseases are common to both of these environmental zones even though their importance may vary greatly. Other diseases are confined to a single zone. The important factors influencing the geographical distribution of maize diseases and some of their vectors are temperature, moisture, cultural practices, and the type and diversity of maize germplasm used. Within tropical zones maize diseases may be segregated into those in humid environments and those favoured by drier, upland climatic conditions. Elevation within the tropics, as this influences temperature, is a factor in distribution of maize diseases.

Late wilt, banded leaf and sheath blight, and Rhizoctonia, Botryodiplodia and grey ear rots occur only in the tropical zone and the warm, temperate areas, while the Sclerospora-incited downy mildew diseases, southern rust, Pythium and bacterial stalk rots, Curvularia leaf spot, and ear rot caused by Diplodia macrospora are much more prevalent there, occurring only occasionally beyond latitudes 34°N and 34°S. Conversely, bacterial wilt, eye spot, and yellow leaf blight have been found to occur only in the temperate zones. Ergot has been found only in a few locations at high elevation (250–270 m) in Central Mexico. Northern leaf blight, common rust, and stalk and ear rots caused by Diplodia maydis and Gibberella zeae prevail in the temperate zones and at high elevations and in winter seasons within tropical latitudes.     

A simple,cheap experimental sprayer

Abstract

The winged bean (Psophocarpus tetragonolobus), a little known tropical legume, is currently attracting international interest as a plant that may have considerable agricultural potential. The plant has, until recently, been considered as a vegetable of minor importance and information on pests and diseases which attack it is scant, fragmented and often unpublished. Current information on false rust, a major disease of the winged bean in Papua New Guinea, is reviewed. The disease is also known to occur in Java, the Philippines and Malaysia. Any of the above ground parts of the winged bean may be attacked, resulting in severe galling and malformation. The causal agent is an obligate fungal parasite Synchytrium psophocarpi. The parasite is simple in structure, consisting of sori, sporangia and zoospores and has a short life cycle. Sporangia are short lived and dispersed mainly by wind. The parasite is thought to be host specific and it is not known whether resting spores exist. Possible methods for field control of the disease have not been tested.     

Fusarium – Problematik bei Körnermais (Zea Mays L.)

In the last few years in maize stalk and ear rots caused by fusarium spp. was increasing, often causing contamination with mycotoxins. Most prevalent was fusarium graminearum, mainly producing Deoxynivalenol (DON) in kernels and stalk. DON is suspected to cause several diseases in humans and livestock. In our study, injection of conidial suspension in the silk channel was the most successful method for artificial inoculation. Due to significant differences between several hybrids, it could be concluded that resistance against the fungus is genetically controlled. Intensity of resistance is varying extremely, depending on environment. The mycotoxin concentration of the kernels was positively correlated with percentage of visible infected kernels, obtaining levels up to 95?ppm. Susceptible hybrids even showed in the rest plant extremely high levels of DON (up to 60?ppm). Naturally infected plants showed high mycotoxin concentrations above and below the main ear, exceeding the recommended level of forage for cattle. High mycotoxin levels in kernels and rest plants show the importance of resistance breeding against fusarium.     

Screening Tomato Cultivars for Resistance to Meloidogyne Species

Abstract

Screening tests on 162 tomato cultivars and hybrids conducted at the Division of Horticulture, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi during 1967-8 indicated a high degree of resistance to root-knot nematodes in Nematex, VFN-8, 65N215-1, 65N255-1 and S1-120, under field and laboratory conditions. The degree of resistance varied with the species of Meloidogyne. Nematex was immune to M. javanica, M. incognita and M. arenaria. VFN-8, 65N215-1 and 65N255-1 were immune to M. incognita and M. arenaria and resistant to M. javanica. S1-120, a commercial cultivar, showed a high degree of tolerance to M. javanica, M. incognita and M. arenaria. The degree of resistance varied with nematode population density.     

Pests,diseases and weeds of Napier grass,Pennisetum purpureum: A review

Napier or elephant grass ( Pennisetum purpureum Schum.) is an important fodder crop in East Africa, particularly in Kenya, where it is used almost exclusively for feeding dairy cattle in cut-and-carry systems. A smut pathogen ( Ustilago kamerunensis P. & H. Sydow) was recently reported as being in the country, causing serious losses in biomass. A preliminary investigation of the grass/smut pathosystem revealed very little information on worldwide pests and diseases of the host. Data were not easily accessible and there was no central reference. This review attempts to address this gap in the literature, particularly with regard to the outbreak of U. kamerunensis, which may focus attention on the pest management of a valuable but comparatively neglected crop.     

Potential host range of four Phytophthora interspecific hybrids from Clade 8a

In recent years several interspecific hybrids have been reported in the plant pathogenic oomycete genus Phytophthora. Due to the large genotypic and phenotypic changes, these hybrids might have broader or more limited host ranges compared with their parental species. It is crucial to understand the host range of Phytophthora hybrids to minimize the economic losses caused by their infection. The potential host range of four hybrids belonging to Clade 8a of the Phytophthora phylogenetic tree was investigated in this study. Thirty species of herbaceous plants as well as eight species of woody plants were inoculated and monitored for any symptom of infection. In addition, the detached twigs of 32 tree species, fruits of six plant species, tubers of potato, and roots of carrot and sugar beet were investigated for susceptibility to these hybrids. Almost all hybrids caused severe rot on all tested fruits, tubers, and roots, although different isolates showed different pathogenicity on detached tree twigs. All hybrids tested had a different host range compared with their parental species: they were able to infect plants outside the host range of their parents, infect hosts of both parental species, although these parents did not have overlapping hosts, or, in some cases, they were not able to infect hosts infected by the parents.     

Development of chloroplast DNA markers in Japanese Imperata cylindrica

Imperata cylindrica (cogongrass) is one of the most invasive grass weeds found worldwide. In Japan, this grass grows as three climate types: cool temperate (CT), common (CM) and subtropical (ST). An early flowering (E) type has been also reported. Among them, the CM type is large and most invasive. Recent global warming may cause the extension of distribution of the CM type to northern parts of Japan and may allow hybrids to form between the CM and CT or E types. The hybrids sometimes show heterosis and this leads to new weed problems. Distinguishing between the hybrids and parents on a morphological basis is difficult. We investigated polymorphisms of eight cpDNAs to enable distinction between the ecotypes and the hybrids. Fourteen haplotypes were detected in 33 Japanese clones, based on variations in eight cpDNA regions. Based on three substitutions in the psbA–matK spacer, the ORF170 intron1, the trnL(UAA) intron–trnF(GAA) spacer and indels in the trnL(UAA) intron–trnF(GAA) spacer, the haplotypes were clustered into three phylogenetic groups: I, IIa and IIb, which corresponded with the CM and ST, E and CT types, respectively. The polymorphism in the cpDNA therefore enables us to distinguish among the ecotypes and is useful for prediction of the range expansion of the CM type.     

Sweet Potato Diseases in Nigeria

Abstract

In Nigeria only six pathogens were recorded on sweet potato in 1966. Between 1973 and 1977 about twenty were documented. These cause various foliage, stem, root and tuber diseases. They include diseases caused by Albugo ipomocac, Phaeoisariopsis bataticola, Pseudocercospora timorensis, Phyllosticta batatas, Septoria bataticola, Corticium sp., Elsinoe batatas, Mcliola clavulata, Coleosporium ipomoeae, Puccinia spp., Uromyces sp., Fusarium oxysporum, Plenodomus destruens, Sclerotium rolfsii, Rhizopus stolonifera, Monilochaetes infuscans, mosaic virus and internal cork virus. Detailed studies on the nature of the diseases incited under Nigerian conditions have not been carried out on most of the pathogens. However, there are indications that although the foliar diseases may not be of serious economic importance, the stem, root and tuber diseases may be major contributors to post-harvest loss, a common problem in root and tuber production in Nigeria.     

Effects of isolate virulence and host susceptibility on development of early blight (Alternaria solani) on tomato*

Early blight of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) caused by Alternaria solani has the potential to become one of the most serious diseases throughout the tomato‐producing regions of Greece. Controlled environment experiments were conducted to study the virulence of A. solani isolates and the susceptibility of commercial tomato cultivars and hybrids to early blight. The isolates used, derived from naturally infected tomato plants during the period 1997/1998, differed significantly (P>0.05) in the rate of mycelial growth as well as in their ability to sporulate in vitro. No correlation (R²= 0.33) was found between mycelial growth and conidia production. Isolates of A. solani were virulent to young tomato plants (cv. Ace 55VF), although they differed significantly (P>0.05) in the intensity of symptoms produced on leaves, stems, petioles and flowers. Defoliation was linearly related (R²= 0.87) to the percentage of leaf area with symptoms. Twenty‐three tomato cvs. or F₁ hybrids were evaluated for their susceptibility to early blight. The cultivars or hybrids were arbitrarily categorized as immune, highly tolerant, tolerant, moderately tolerant, susceptible and highly susceptible based on a percent disease index range: 0%, 1‐9%, 10‐24%, 25‐49%, 50‐74% and 75% or more respectively. None of the cultivars or hybrids tested was immune or tolerant to A. solani infection.     

Comparative seed germination study across alien grapes (Vitis,Vitaceae) in Europe

Alien grape (Vitis, Vitaceae) species and recently described hybrids are recognised as major environmental weeds in southern Europe, based on their tendency to spread into natural and semi‐natural habitats, often behaving as invasive species. Despite a high number of agronomic, genetic and phytopathological studies on Vitis cultivars, regeneration from seed has been poorly investigated, although it plays a key role in plant distribution and evolution. To this end, in this study we exposed seeds of eight wild grapes in Europe (three species and five nothospecies, including the native Vitis vinifera), to different temperature treatments in the laboratory. Fresh seeds from all studied taxa were dormant and germinated only after cold and/or warm plus cold stratification, but showing significant differences between the species. Seeds of V. vinifera showed an intermediate complex morphophysiological dormancy, while all other tested Vitis taxa exhibited a deep complex morphophysiological dormancy. Dark conditions reduced the germination percentage in Vitis labrusca, Vitis riparia and V. vinifera and their hybrids, and alternating temperatures elicited the highest germination percentages in all populations. Our results demonstrated for the first time that Vitis hybrids are capable of regeneration by seed, even in the absence of dispersal by animals. The germination processes studied here help understand the current expansion of alien Vitis taxa in Europe outside the viticultural areas. Consequently, germination requirements contribute to a better understanding of the mechanisms underlying alien Vitis taxa establishment and invasion.     

Computer-simulated evaluation of insect phenology models developed in the tropics: Chilo suppressalis (Walker) as an example

For beneficial insects--predators and parasitoids--to be used effectively within pest control scenarios, it is often necessary to have fundamental as well as more applied information about them, including data on population dynamics, host switching and breeding systems. In recent years, such information has been gained by the use of molecular DNA markers. In this article, we briefly discuss the range of molecular markers available and their potential uses, concentrating on how particular markers have been employed to unravel different patterns of behaviour. Whilst alternative methods of tracking insects have proved highly informative when applied over small geographical scales (e.g., fluorescent dyes and radar transponders as attached to bees, etc), these approaches tend to be confined to studies of movement rather than other potentially important behaviours.     

A Comparison of DDT w.p. and Dieldrin e.c. for Tesetse Fly Control in Botswana

Abstract

During the present century increasing world demand for forest products has brought about a rapid expansion of even-aged forest plantation estates, requiring the forester to adopt the outlook and techniques of the farmer to an increasing extent, both to maintain yield and protect crops from damage.

Aircraft have already proved their worth in the protection of natural and artificial forests from fire and are frequently used for seeding, fertiliser application, survey and the control of insect pests. They are also potentially useful for the control of forest diseases, although their role in this respect has so far been limited. The development of aerial spraying to control dothistroma blight of Pinus radiata is reviewed in this paper.     

Fungicide responses of maize hybrids to grey leaf spot

Grey leaf spot disease of maize (Cercospora zeaemaydis) has seriously decreased grain yields in the province of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, and has spread to infect maize in neighbouring provinces. No commercial hybrids, resistant to the disease have so far been identified, and fungicides have been shown to reduce disease severity. The response of sixty-four commercial hybrids to grey leaf spot under fungicide treatment were studied over two seasons. Overall, fungicides reduced disease severity and linear regression of gain in yield against disease severity enables the identification of hybrids with optimum responses to fungicides. Under low disease levels hybrids responded less to fungicides than under high disease levels. The most susceptible hybrids had the highest responses in control of leaf-blighting and gain in yield. Hybrids with lower-than-predicted leaf-blighting also had lower-than-predicted yield responses, indicating these to be less susceptible to grey leaf spot. These less susceptible hybrids are likely to require fewer fungicide treatments than more susceptible hybrids and are at lesser risk of serious yield losses.Abbreviations GLS grey leaf spot - AUDPC area under disease progress curve     

Influence of weather factors on sorghum earhead bug Calocoris angustatus Lethierry incidence

Abstract

Weather parameters during the same week and one, two, three or four weeks before were correlated with the population of earhead bug, Calocoris angustatus on different earhead stages of two hybrids, CSH 5 and K‐Tall, in main and ratoon crops. The weather factors in the different weeks contributing to the insect population varied with the stage of earhead, the hybrid and the nature of the crop (main or ratoon). In the main crop, the insect population at pre‐flowering, milky, dough and maturity stage was influenced by weather parameters one week before, the same, two and three weeks before respectively. Morning relative humidity was important in both hybrids at all stages, with a few exceptions. In the ratoon crop, the pre‐flowering and maturity stage populations were influenced by the weather parameters of the same week. The populations at milky and maturity stage were influenced by parameters four weeks and one week before the observations respectively. The factors influencing the population on CSH 5 and K‐Tall varied. In most cases morning relative humidity had a positive influence.     

Dissemination of Information About Management Strategies and Changes in Farming Practices for the Exploitation of Resistance to Leptosphaeria maculans (Phoma Stem Canker) in Oilseed Rape Cultivars

The management of phoma stem canker (blackleg disease, caused by Leptosphaeria maculans) is an integral component of oilseed rape production. In this paper, we discuss the information about management strategies that is disseminated in Europe and Australia. New cultivars have been introduced with improved resistance to disease, but sometimes this resistance has been overcome as new races of the pathogen have emerged. When cultivars with single major gene resistance have been introduced into areas with high inoculum concentrations, significant economic damage has been caused by new races of L. maculans within 2–3 years. Quantitative or polygenic resistance has also been used successfully against stem canker and offers more durable disease resistance if plant breeders and farmers deploy this resistance more effectively. Strategies to improve the durability of resistance need to be developed and tested in practice. New information on the occurrence of virulence and avirulence genes in populations of Leptosphaeria maculans and modelling of the durability of resistance provide opportunities for plant breeders, specialist technical organisations, cooperatives, advisory services and farmers to collaborate and better exploit cultivar resistance. Changing economic and environmental factors influence cropping practices and, if to be considered successful, management strategies must show clear financial benefits. Technology transfer will need to address all aspects of managing stem canker and other diseases of oilseed rape and using effective written, verbal and electronic methods of communication.