The relation between phosphine sorption and terminal gas concentrations in successful fumigation of food commodities

Owing to increased tolerance and the development of resistance in stored product insects to the fumigant phosphine, in recent years there has been a shift in the target terminal concentration from 100 ppm (100 mL m(-3)) to a higher level of 1000 ppm to achieve 100% insect mortality in 7 day commodity treatments. Therefore, there is a need to investigate whether the revised target concentration could be achieved for food commodities fumigated with phosphine at the standard dose of 2 g m(-3) for 7 days under airtight conditions at > or = 25 degrees C. When different types of food commodity (total 74) were fumigated (300 g per replicate) with phosphine at 2 g m(-3) for 7 days, the terminal gas concentrations in the free space of the commodities varied from 0 to > 2000 ppm. In chambers containing no substrate, a 1417 ppm concentration was recorded. Paddy rice, most of the oilseeds, shelled tree nuts, butter beans, cardamom, green gram splits, coriander powder, rice bran and cocoa powder were more sorptive (> or =60%), such that the target concentration of 1000 ppm was not achieved at the end of 7 days. For these commodities, increased doses of 3-6 g m(-3) were required to attain 1000 ppm. In-shell almonds, green cardamom, in-shell peanuts, leaf tea, tamarind pulp and sunflower seeds were exceptionally sorptive (>90%), so that 0, 41, 112, 168, 203 and 217 ppm respectively were noted at the end of 7 days; the dose must exceed 6 g m(-3) for effective fumigation of these commodities.     

硫酰氟——溴甲烷土壤消毒潜在的替代品

初步试验表明,硫酰氟25~50 g/m2对土壤真菌(Fusarium sp.)、线虫均有良好的杀灭效果,防治后番茄产量与使用溴甲烷50 g/m2相当。硫酰氟蒸汽压高,穿透性强,可杀死深土层中的线虫及病原菌。由于其在常温下是气体,即使在冬天使用,也不需要搭小拱棚或采用"热法"施药,因此比使用溴甲烷更为方便;使用时也不像威百亩那样需要专用的施药设备。因此,硫酰氟是溴甲烷土壤消毒很有前景的替代品。     

Plant volatile aldehydes as natural insecticides against stored-product beetles

BACKGROUND: Infestation by stored-product pests causes serious losses in food and feed commodities. Among possible strategies against these pests, which aim to reduce the use of synthetic insecticides, including fumigants, natural insecticides produced by plants represent one of the most promising approaches for their ecochemical control. Three six-carbon and nine-carbon aldehydes, natural plant volatiles produced by the plant lipoxygenase pathway, were tested for their insecticidal activity against five species of stored-product beetles in feeding, fumigation and combined bioassays. RESULTS: The compounds (2E,6Z)-nonadienal, (2E)-nonenal and (2E)-hexenal were incorporated into feeding discs in feeding bioassays or evaporated from filter paper in closed glass chambers in fumigation tests. Beetle sensitivity to aldehydes differed according to the different treatments. The highest activity was obtained by (2E)-hexenal in fumigation tests, with the LC(50) ranging from 4 to 26 mg L(-1), while (2E, 6Z)-nonadienal was the most effective in feeding tests, giving LD(50)s ranging from 0.44 to 2.76 mg g(-1) when applied to feeding discs. Fumigation tests in the presence of wheat grains confirmed that (2E)-hexenal was the most effective compound, with a calculated LC(99) ranging from 33 to 166 mg L(-1). CONCLUSION: The results of both feeding and fumigation tests indicated that natural plant aldehydes are potential candidates to control stored-product beetles.     

防治白菜根肿病的药剂筛选

分别采用拌药法和灌药法,比较了10种供试药剂对白菜根肿病的温室防治效果,并对盆栽试验防效较好的3种药剂进行了田间药效试验。结果表明,在温室条件下,50%氟啶胺悬浮剂(1 g/m3)、50%甲基硫菌灵可湿性粉剂(25 g/m3)、70%代森锰锌可湿性粉剂(35 g/m3)和40%五氯硝基苯粉剂(20 g/m3)的拌药处理,对白菜根肿病的防效均在50%以上,显著优于灌药处理的防效。田间药效试验结果表明,50%氟啶胺悬浮剂(2 g/m3)拌药处理的防效在80%以上,与盆栽药效试验结果一致,并显著优于其他药剂处理。     

气相色谱-串联质谱法快速检测玉米粉中乙草胺、异丙甲草胺和三唑酮残留

建立了玉米粉中乙草胺、异丙甲草胺和三唑酮残留检测的气相色谱-串联质谱(GC-MS/MS)分析方法。样品采用乙腈浸提3 h、过两次0.22μm尼龙66微孔过滤膜后,以气相色谱-串联质谱EI离子源,多反应监测模式(MRM)检测。结果表明:在0.005~1 mg/L范围内,3种供试农药的质量浓度与其相应的峰面积间呈良好的线性关系,决定系数(R2)均大于0.999。在0.025、0.050和0.25 mg/kg 3个添加水平下,3种农药的平均回收率为95%~101%,相对标准偏差(RSD)为0.7%~2.2%(n=6)。3种农药在玉米粉中的定量限(LOQ)分别为0.05、0.05和0.2μg/kg。该方法准确、灵敏、简单,适用于同时快速检测玉米粉中乙草胺、异丙甲草胺和三唑酮的残留量。     

Chlorpyrifos residue levels in avian food items following applications of a commercial EC formulation to alfalfa and citrus

Two 10-day field residue studies were conducted to measure the amount of chlorpyrifos residue found in typical avian food following applications of a commercial 480 g liter(-1) EC (Lorsban 4E) at 1.1 kg AI ha(-1) (1 lb AI acre(-1)) to alfalfa and at 2.3 kg Al ha(-1) (2.0 lb AI acre(-1)) to citrus. Avian food items used in these studies included: crickets (Acheta domestica (L)), earthworms (Lumbricus terrestris L), darkling ground beetle larvae (Tenebrio molitor L), seed heads (Triticum sp), and naturally occurring flying and ground-dwelling insects. The studies incorporated a design involving three main study plots placed within larger treated areas of an alfalfa crop and a mature orange grove. The three main study plots represented three replications and each contained four sub-plots. One sub-plot, on each study plot, was sampled on day 0 (2-h post-application), day 1, day 5 and day 10 post-application. Chlorpyrifos residues were present in all avian food sampled following the application; however, residue levels were lower than estimated residue values typically used by the US EPA to establish expected environmental concentration (EEC) used in screening assessments of risk to terrestrial wildlife.     

Manipulated precipitation regulated carbon and phosphorus limitations of microbial metabolisms in a temperate grassland on the Loess Plateau,China

Manipulated precipitation patterns can profoundly influence the metabolism of soil microorganisms. However, the responses of soil organic carbon(SOC) and nutrient turnover to microbial metabolic limitation under changing precipitation conditions remain unclear in semi-arid ecosystems. This study measured the potential activities of enzymes associated with carbon(C: β-1,4-glucosidase(BG) and β-D-cellobiosidase(CBH)), nitrogen(N: β-1,4-N-acetylglucosaminidase(NAG) and L-leucine aminopeptidase(LAP)...     

Monitoring the efficacy and metabolism of phenylcarbamates in sugar beet and black nightshade by chlorophyll fluorescence parameters

Desmedipham, phenmedipham and a 50% mixture of the two decreased the maximum quantum efficiency of photosystem II (F(v)/F(m)) and the relative changes at the J step (F(vj)) immediately after spraying in both sugar beet and black nightshade grown in the greenhouse. Sugar beet recovered more rapidly from phenmedipham and the mixture than from desmedipham. Desmedipham and the mixture irreversibly affected F(v)/F(m) and F(vj) in black nightshade at much lower doses than in sugar beet. Black nightshade recovered from phenmedipham injury at the highest dose in the first experiment (120 g AI ha(-1)) but not in the second experiment (500 g AI ha(-1)). The dry matter dose-response relationships and the energy pipeline presentation confirmed the same trend. There was a relatively good correlation between F(vj) taken 1 day after spraying and dry matter taken 2 or 3 weeks after spraying. The differential speed of herbicide metabolism between weed and crop plays an important role in herbicide selectivity and can be studied by using appropriate chlorophyll a fluorescence parameters.     

用正交试验法优选绿盲蝽若虫人工饲料配方

采用10因子3水平正交试验,得出影响绿盲蝽若虫总历期的人工饲料各因子顺序为:鸡蛋啤酒酵母小麦胚大豆卵磷脂、复合维生素卵黄利马豆粉蜂蜜水蔗糖大豆粉;影响绿盲蝽若虫存活率的因子顺序为:鸡蛋啤酒酵母利马豆粉大豆卵磷脂、复合维生素大豆粉蔗糖蜂蜜水小麦胚卵黄。综合两种结果,优选出绿盲蝽若虫人工饲料配方,其成分如下:蔗糖2.8 g、啤酒酵母粉0.25 g、50%蜂蜜水2.5 g、鸡蛋22.5 g、小麦胚10 g、利马豆粉30 g、大豆粉2.5 g、卵黄30 g、大豆卵磷脂1.5 g、复合维生素1.2 g、水164 g。此优化配方饲养绿盲蝽若虫存活率为80.57%,与四季豆饲养的若虫存活率71.13%没有显著差异;若虫总历期为11.80 d,较四季豆饲养的总历期10.4 d延长约1 d。     

Acute and sublethal toxicity of novaluron, a novel chitin synthesis inhibitor, to Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

The acute and sublethal toxicities of novaluron, a novel chitin synthesis inhibitor, to a laboratory-reared insecticide-susceptible strain of Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say), were determined. Novaluron exhibited excellent residual (120 h LC(50) = 0.42 mg litre(-1)) and good direct contact (120 h LC(50) = 27 mg litre(-1)) activity against second-instar larvae (L2). Hatch of eggs exposed by direct contact to novaluron solutions > or =100 mg litre(-1) was significantly reduced, as was the ability of emerged first-instar larvae to moult. L2 from eggs exposed to > or =100 mg litre(-1) novaluron weighed significantly less (P < 0.0001) than those from untreated eggs. However, L2 from eggs treated with 1 mg litre(-1) novaluron weighed significantly more (P < or = 0.05) than those from untreated eggs, suggesting novaluron can have a hormetic effect on L decemlineata larval development. Leptinotarsa decemlineata mating pairs fed foliage treated with novaluron at 25 or 75 g AI ha(-1) produced approximately 25% fewer egg masses and eggs per mass. Hatch of eggs on treated foliage was almost completely suppressed, and longevity of male beetles was reduced by approximately 50% when fed foliage treated with novaluron at 75 g AI ha(-1).     

土壤熏蒸剂研究进展

土壤熏蒸剂可有效防治土传病虫害,但效果最好的熏蒸剂溴甲烷由于破坏臭氧层,已被禁止用在农业上(必要用途豁免除外)。碘甲烷、氯化苦、异硫氰酸甲酯、1,3-二氯丙烯、二甲基二硫、硫酰氟、棉隆及威百亩是国际上已经登记使用的土壤熏蒸剂;甲酸乙酯、乙二腈、糠醛、丙烯醛是有希望开发为新的土壤熏蒸剂品种。国内已经商品化的土壤熏蒸剂品种有4种,分别为氯化苦、威百亩、棉隆和硫酰氟,二甲基二硫正在登记当中。本文系统综述了上述熏蒸剂在应用、环境行为等方面的研究进展,在未来一段时间内,氯化苦、棉隆及威百亩将会占据着国内土壤熏蒸剂的主要市场。二甲基二硫的登记也将会改善国内熏蒸剂品种匮乏的局面。     

Mobility of four triazole fungicides in two Indian soils

The sorption and downward mobility of four triazole fungicides, triadimefon, hexaconazole, penconazole and propiconazole, were studied in two Indian soils (New Delhi and Punjab). Punjab soil (organic carbon 0.4%) showed greater sorption capability for triazole fungicides than New Delhi soil (organic carbon 0.5%) and the order of sorption of triazoles in both soils was: penconazole > hexaconazole > propiconazole > triadimefon. Fungicides were more mobile in New Delhi soil columns than Punjab soil columns, and increasing the total water flux from 1 pore volume to 3 pore volumes further increased the transport to lower down in the column. Triadimefon showed maximum mobility while penconazole was the least mobile triazole fungicide. After percolating 3 pore volumes of water, triadimefon leached down to 25-30 cm depth in New Delhi soil and 15-20 cm in Punjab soil columns. Downward mobility of triazole fungicides was in order of their sorption results.     

改进米蛾饲养技术的研究

本文报道米蛾饲养技术的一些改进。用大盘直接饲养米蛾比先用小瓶接种再转入大盘饲养,可以增加出蛾数11—24%。每斤饲料接种2000米蛾卵比1500卵增加出蛾数31%。接种后用少量饲料复盖,比不复盖增加出蛾14.5%。在麦麸为主的饲料中加粮食细面10%或粮食细面和大豆粉各5%,饲养米蛾效果良好。出蛾率为56—62%,雌蛾率为54—60%,每雌产卵126-141粒,每斤饲料出蛾846-940头,得卵65000—74000粒,繁殖倍数可达43-49倍。高梁、白薯、王米、小麦的细面,大豆、花生、菜籽和芝麻的油饼,研细过筛,均可加在麦麸中以提高饲料的营养价值。用半量麦麸,半量谷糠、米糠或草木樨粉的饲料饲养米蛾,出蛾量和产卵量均显著降低。饲料的质量可以影响米蛾的出蛾数、性比、产卵数和生长发育速度。虽然从出蛾数可以大体上看出处理间的差别,但每斤饲料养出的成虫所产的卵量是更精确的衡量标准。饲养试验显示,每饲养出一头米蛾成虫,约消耗饲料0.3克。一斤饲料如出蛾800-900头,消耗饲料在50%左右。     

Metribuzin mobility in soil columns as affected by urea fertiliser

Application of urea fertilisers to soils influences the soil solution characteristics and thus may affect the sorption of soil-applied herbicides. The present investigation reports the influence of urea co-application on sorption and leaching of metribuzin, a triazine herbicide. Urea application at 60 and 120 kg N ha(-1) increased metribuzin sorption in soils over that in untreated natural soil. The Kf (Freundlich adsorption coefficient) values of metribuzin for natural, 60 and 120 kg N ha(-1) treatments were 0.43, 0.46 and 0.84 microg(1 - 1/n) g(-1) ml1/n respectively. Downward mobility of metribuzin was studied in packed soil columns (300 mm length x 59 mm i.d.) at two irrigation intensities, 720 m3 ha(-1) (72 mm) and 3600 m3 ha(-1) (360 mm). After 720 m3 ha(-1) irrigation, metribuzin did not leach out of any column and was not detected in the leachate. Urea amendment slowed the leaching of metribuzin by 20 and 40% in 60 and 120 kg N ha(-1) urea-treated columns respectively. Also, following urea application, greater amounts of metribuzin were retained in the application zone. Upon increasing the irrigation intensity fivefold, urea application did not have any effect on metribuzin mobility, and its breakthrough from both natural and urea-amended columns occurred after 126 mm irrigation. However, there was a marked difference in the maximum concentration of metribuzin in the breakthrough curves obtained from natural and urea-amended columns. The study indicated that co-application of metribuzin and urea fertiliser is a safe practice as far as leaching of herbicide is concerned.     

Toxicity of spray and fumigant products containing cassia oil to Dermatophagoides farinae and Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Acari: Pyroglyphidae)

The toxicity of formulations of oil of cassia, Cinnamomum cassia Blume, (20 and 50 g L(-1) sprays and 100% oil-based fumigant) to adult Dermatophagoides farinae Hughes and D. pteronyssinus Trouessart was examined using contact and vapour-phase toxicity bioassays. Results were compared with the lethal activity of three commercial acaricides: benzyl benzoate, dibutyl phthalate and diethyl-m-toluamide (deet). The contact toxicity of cassia oil to both dust mite species was comparable with that of benzyl benzoate but was higher than that of the other two acaricides. Sprays containing 20 and 50 g L(-1) cassia oil were effective against both mite species when applied to fabric, glass, paper, plastic, tin or wood substrates. Applications of the 50 g L(-1) spray to different space volumes and surface areas determined that 50-60 mg of cassia oil was needed to control dust mites in 3.4 m(3) or in 1 m(2). In tests with fumigant devices, toxicity varied according to the thickness of non-woven fabric covering the device, the exposure time, the number of fumigant devices used and the volume of the space sprayed. Fumigant toxicity to adult D. pteronyssinus was more pronounced with devices enclosed in thinner (40 microm) versus thicker (45 or 50 microm) non-woven fabric covers. A single fumigant device with a 40 microm thick non-woven fabric cover resulted in substantial control in a space of 0.05 m(3) but exhibited only moderate to weak control in spaces >or= 0.097 m(3) at 4 days after application. Two fumigant devices gave 88% mortality in a space of 1.73 m(3). Cassia oil applied as sprays or in fumigant devices appears to provide effective protection of humans from house dust mites.     

Post-harvest entomology research in the United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service

This is a review of current post-harvest entomology research conducted by the Agricultural Research Service, the research branch of the US Department of Agriculture. The review covers both durable and perishable commodities. Research on biochemistry, genetics, physiology, monitoring and control of insects infesting stored grain, dried fruits and nuts, and processed commodities is reviewed. Research on development of quarantine treatments, particularly for fruit flies, is also reviewed, including research on thermal and irradiation treatments and a discussion of risk management for quarantine pests. Two areas of research are covered more extensively: a project to map the genome of the red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum, and the use of near-infrared spectroscopy for detection of hidden infestations in grain, quantification of insect fragments in food, determination of quality in dried fruits, identification of insect species and age-grading insects. Future research directions are identified.     

Laboratory and field evaluations of rhodojaponin-III against the imported cabbage worm Pieris rapae (L.) (Lepidoptera: Pieridae)

The activity of rhodojaponin-III (R-III), a grayanoid diterpene compound isolated from Rhododendron molle G. Don flowers, was determined under laboratory and field conditions as an antifeedant, stomach poison, contact toxicant and insect growth inhibitor against Pieris rapae (L.) larvae. The median antifeedant concentration (AFC(50)) values in no-choice leaf disc tests were 1.16 and 15.85 mg L(-1) at 24 h after treatment when tested against third and fifth instars respectively. The median lethal concentration (LC(50)) values in leaf disc tests were 2.84 and 9.53 mg L(-1) at 96 h after treatment against third and fifth instars respectively. R-III showed an almost 30 times higher contact toxicity against third instars than for fifth instars, and the median lethal dose (LD(50)) values for topical application were 1.18 and 34.09 mg kg(-1) at 72 h after treatment respectively. R-III disrupted the development of larvae to pupae or adults with median concentration for inhibiting growth (IC(50)) values of only 1.36 mg L(-1) for third instars and 11.28 mg L(-1) for fifth instars. In field trials, a greater than 80% reduction in the adjusted larval numbers was obtained against P. rapae 14 days after treatment when Rhodo 0.1% EC, a commercial botanical insecticide based on R-III, was applied at both 937.5 and 625 mL ha(-1). These results suggest that further research to develop R-III, and extracts from R. molle, as biorational pesticides or as lead compounds for integrated pest management deserve consideration.     

Weed control in rose-scented geranium (Pelargonium spp)

Abstract: Field investigations were carried out during 1999 and 2000 to identify effective chemical/ cultural methods of weed control in rose-scented geranium (Pelargonium spp). The treatments comprised pre-emergence applications of oxyfluorfen (0.15, 0.20 and 0.25 kg AI ha(-1)) and pendimethalin (0.50, 0.75 and 1.00kg AI ha(-1)), successive hand weeding, hoeing and mulching using spent of lemon grass (at 5 tonnes ha(-1)) 45 days after planting (DAP), three hand-weedings 30, 60 and 90 DAP, weed-free (frequent manual weeding) and weedy control. Broad-leaf weeds were more predominant than grass and sedge weeds, accounting for 85.8% weed density and 93.0% weed dry weight in 1999 and 77.2% weed density and 93.9% weed dry weight in 2000. Unrestricted weed growth significantly reduced geranium oil yield, by 61.6% and 70.6% in 1999 and 2000, respectively. Pre-emergence application of pendimethalin (0.75-1.00 kgAI ha(-1)) or oxyfluorfen (0.25 kg AI ha(-1)), successive hand-weeding, hoeing and mulching and three hand-weedings were highly effective in reducing weed density and dry weight and gave oil yield comparable to the weed-free check. Application of oxyfluorfen (0.15 or 0.20 kg AI ha(-1)) and pendimethalin (0.50 kg AI ha(-1)) were less effective in controlling the weed species in geranium. None of the herbicides impaired the quality of rose-scented geranium oil measured in terms of citronellol and geraniol content.     

Improved efficacy of ethyl formate against stored grain insects by combination with carbon dioxide in a 'dynamic' application

Ethyl formate is being evaluated as a fumigant for stored grain as it is a potential alternative to the ozone-depleting fumigant methyl bromide and to phosphine, which is under pressure owing to the development of strong resistance in stored grain insects. However, use of ethyl formate faces significant challenges, such as poor penetration through grain, significant losses to grain sorption, high concentrations of fumigant required to control insects, and flammability risks, which have limited its further development. In this study it was found that the combination of carbon dioxide (5-20%) with ethyl formate significantly enhanced efficacy of the fumigant against external living stages of the rice weevil, Sitophilus oryzae (L.), the lesser grain borer, Rhyzopertha dominica F., and the flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum (Herbst). Dynamic application of ethyl formate and carbon dioxide mixture (100 mg litre-1 ethyl formate, 20% CO2) pumped through a model silo containing wheat (50 kg) for one gas exchange was also investigated. A flow rate of 6 litres min-1 gave a relatively even distribution of fumigant throughout the grain column and similar mortality levels among cultures of S. oryzae and T. castaneum placed at three positions, the top, middle and bottom of the column. Mortality of 99.8% of mixed stage cultures of T. castaneum and 95.1% of S. oryzae was achieved in 3 h exposures to 111 and 185 mg ethyl formate h litre-1 respectively applied by the dynamic method. It is concluded that the combination of carbon dioxide with ethyl formate and dynamic application enhances distribution and efficacy of the fumigant against stored grain insects.     

Effect of water, soil temperatures, and exposure times on the survival of the sugar beet cyst nematode, heterodera schachtii

ABSTRACT The effect of different combinations of temperatures and exposure times on the mortality of Heterodera schachtii eggs was assessed in two different experiments under laboratory conditions. In the first experiment, cysts in water were exposed to 25, 35, 37.5, 40, 42.5, 45, 47.5, 50, or 52.5 degrees C for a maximum period of 2 h. In the second experiment, cysts in naturally infested soil were exposed to 25, 32.5, 35, 37.5, 40, 42.5, or 45 degrees C for a minimum period of 2 h to a maximum of 2,048 h. Viability of eggs in cysts was assessed by a hatching test in 3 mM zinc chloride solution. Viability in water was suppressed after 2-h exposure at 50 degrees C and inhibited after 1 to 2 h at 52.5 degrees C. Emergence of juveniles from cysts in soil was greater at the lower temperature x exposure time combinations and suppressed at higher combinations. Egg mortality started after exposure for 256 h at 40 degrees C, 32 h at 42.5 degrees C, and 16 h at 45 degrees C, and 81, 31, and 7 h of exposure were necessary to kill 50% of the nematode egg population at 40, 42.5, and 45 degrees C, respectively. The data fitted the models P(t) = P(0)10(-t/ (q + mT)) and P(T1) = P(T0)10(-T/(z - pt)) for m = -0.0111, q = 0.8238, z = 2.444, and p = -0.23.