Soak conditions and temperature following sowing influence the response of maize (Zea mays L.) seeds to on-farm priming (pre-sowing seed soak)

On-farm seed priming of maize (i.e. soaking seed in water overnight, 17 h) in the semi-arid tropics has been shown to improve crop establishment and yield but the benefits can be variable. In previous work, this variation was thought to result from the interaction between primed seeds and conditions in the seedbed following sowing. To investigate this interaction, experiments were carried out under controlled temperature conditions that represented those of seedbeds in the semi-arid tropics. The conditions during seed priming and during subsequent germination and emergence were investigated as potential causes of variable seedling emergence relative to that of untreated seeds. Priming advanced emergence from moist sand cores at 30 °C/20 °C (day/night), reduced emergence at 35 °C/28 °C and delayed and reduced emergence at 40 °C/28 °C. In drier cores (drained 8 days) at 35 °C/28 °C, priming advanced germination time and did not decrease final percentage emergence. These results confirmed earlier field observations that the effect of priming in maize can vary and lead to positive, neutral or negative effects. Priming decreased the optimum and ceiling temperatures for germination, and unlike untreated seeds, the relationship between germination rate and sub-optimal temperature was not linear in all cases. Pre-humidifying seeds did not enhance the effect of priming, but aerating the soak water did. These results indicate that variable results from priming recorded in the field were not due to imbibitional damage, but may result from the negative effects of hypoxia during soaking exacerbated by moist conditions and high temperatures at sowing. These effects differed between seedlots of different cultivars, indicating the importance of selecting more tolerant maize hybrids to reduce variation in response to priming following sowing in the field. The implications of these findings for the use of primed seeds in the field are discussed.     

Feeding perturbation and toxic activity of five Chrysanthemum species crude extracts against Spodoptera littoralis (Boisduval) (Lepidoptera; Noctuidae)

The effect of the whole methanol extracts of five Chrysanthemum species on feeding and performance of Spodoptera littoralis (Boisduval) larvae has been investigated in vitro. The extracts exhibited an anti-feeding and phagostimulating activities against cotton leafworm larvae when applied either on leaf discs or incorporated into an artificial diet. Under chosen conditions, the antifeedant index calculated over 24 h for sixth instar larvae significantly varied from 78.55 for Chrysanthemum segetum L. to −44.18 for Chrysanthemum fuscatum Desf. at the dose of 1000 ppm. Toxicity of the extracts was manifested by a high mortality, reduced growth rates, and low weight gain by larvae fed on diets containing 1000–10,000 ppm of the extract. Anyone of the larvae treated with Chrysanthemum macrotum (D.R.) Ball. leaves crude extract survived to pupation at the two higher concentrations. The time to pupation increased for Chrysanthemum grandiflorum flowers crude extract from 11.40 ± 0.93 to 28.93 ± 10.92 days as the extract concentration in the diet increased from 0 to 10,000 ppm. The ingestion of crude extract by the third instar larvae reduced significantly the consumption, growth and utilisation of the ingested and digested food, and reduced digestibility.     

Chemical Composition, in vitro digestibility and in vitro VTA concentrations of New Mexico native forages

Comparative chemical composition, in vitro digestibility, and in vitro volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentration and molar proportions of current year's growth of twelve important native New Mexico forage species were evaluated. Volatile fatty acid data were collected on forage samples subjected to 12-h in vitro digestion using two different inoculum sources. Forbs and shrubs had higher ( P <0·05) total nitrogen and total available- nitrogen concentrations than grasses; however available nitrogen as a percentage of total nitrogen did not differ ( P >0·05) among grasses forbs and shrubs. in vitro organic matter digestibility (IVOMD) was higher (PKOOS) for forbs and shrubs than grasses for all incubation periods (24, 48, 72 hours). Lucerne hay and prairie grass hay inocula gave similar IVOMD results. Based on 24-h IVOMD divided by 72-h IVOMD, forbs were digested more rapidly than grasses ( P <0·05). Total VFA concentration and molar proportion differences among grasses, forbs and shrubs were small     

Mosquitocidal activity of two Bacillus bacterial endotoxins combined with plant oils and conventional insecticides

The full whole culture (FWC), containing parasporal protein toxins of Bacillus thuringiensis israelinsis (Bti) and Bacillus sphaericus 2362 (Bs), either singly or in combination with plant oils and commercial insecticides, was tested against larval and adult stages of Culex pipiens mosquitoes under controlled laboratory conditions. In terms of LC₅₀ values recorded after 24, 48, 72 and 96 h, the bacterial toxins showed high potency towards both larvae and adults of mosquitoes in a dose-dependent manner. Generally, the Bti toxin seemed to be more potent than the Bs toxin. For example, the Bti toxin showed a 24 h LC₅₀ of 8.2 ppm against mosquito larvae compared to 13.6 ppm for the Bs toxin. In the adult bioassay, the obtained 24 h LC₅₀ values were 0.064 and 0.085 mg/cm², respectively for the two bacterial toxins. The bacterial toxins mixed with plant oils or insecticides at equitoxic doses (e.g., LC₂₅ values) mostly showed potentiation effects, either against larvae or adults of the tested insect. Among a total of 14 paired mixtures, only the joint action estimated for the mixture of malathion + Bti or Bs was accounted as additively. Combining Bti or Bs endotoxins at LC₀ with different plant oils and insecticides at LC₅₀ concentration levels each, has resulted in considerable synergism against either larvae or adults. In the case of larval bioassays, the maximum synergistic factor (SF) obtained (ca. 2.0) was entitled to the mixture of Bti + spinosad. In the adult bioassays, the mixtures containing Curcuma longa or Melia azedarach oil extracts with Bti or Bs toxins achieved a SF accounted to 2.0. The results of the present study may be considered as an additional contribution to the area of joint toxicity of biocidal agents combining bacterial toxins, plant oils and traditional insecticides. The reached findings may encourage future research to elucidate its performance under practical field conditions.     

Minimum gaseous sulphur dioxide concentrations and exposure periods to control Botrytis cinerea

Sulphur dioxide (SO₂) concentrations required to kill the spores and mycelium of Botrytis cinerea and control post-harvest decay of fresh grapes were determined in chamber studies. Effective concentrations and exposure times were simulataneously expressed in a single dosage term, parts per million-hours (p.p.m.-h). This unit is the product of the concentration of SO₂ in parts per million multiplied by the duration of the fumigation in hours. SO₂ dosages that killed 99% of the spores (ED₉₉) were 78.3 ± 22.3 p.p.m.-h at 0°C and 20.3± 2.0 p.p.m.-h at 20°C. These values were determined with continuous concentrations of 25, 50, 100 and 200 p.p.m. SO₂ at high humidity. The mycelium on the surface of infected berries was injured by dosages of 10 p.p.m.-h and was no longer viable after fumigation with dosages of 50–100 p.p.m.-h at 0°C. Infection of inoculated berries at 0°C compared with the controls was 68, 47, 2 and 0% after dosages of 20, 50, 100 and 200 p.p.m.-h, respectively. Reduction in the percentage infection after spore inoculation of berries required a larger dosage ( 100 p.p.m.-h) than that which controlled mycelial growth ( 50 p.p.m.-h). For initial fumigation of grapes after harvest, where control of spores on the surface of grapes is required, 100 p.p.m.-h should be sufficient; for subsequent storage fumigations where control of mycelial growth from latent infections is required, 50 p.p.m.-h should be sufficient. Colorimetric dosimeters have been developed to quantify exposures of humans to SO₂ rapidly and inexpensively for safety purposes. They consist of a sealed glass tube containing a colour-indicating substrate that reacts with SO₂ to produce a coloured product. One end of the tube is opened before use, and the length of the colour change indicates the accumulated dosage in units of p.p.m.-h. They should be placed inside grape packages before fumigation and examined promptly after fumigation. Their accuracy was sufficient for determination of adequacy of SO₂ dosages to control decay.     

Comparative Efficacy of CO2 and Ozone Gases Against Ephestia cautella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) Larvae Under Different Temperature Regimes

Comparative efficacy of three different modified atmospheres: 100% CO₂, 75% CO₂ + 25% N₂, and 22 ppm ozone were examined against larval mortality of the almond moth, Ephestia cautella (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) at temperature regimes of 25°C and 35 ± 2°C and 60 ± 5% relative humidity, and 9:15 dark and light. Wandering young larval instars, which are fast growing, large enough in size and considered as more tolerant to modified atmosphere, were collected directly from the rearing culture, placed inside pitted date fruits of vars.: “Khudri,” “Ruziz,” and “Saqie,” were treated with aforementioned gases for 24, 48, and 72 h. The immediate and delayed larval mortality was recorded after each exposure timing. Ozone possessed the strongest fumigant toxicity causing 100% mortality with all varieties, at 25 and 35°C after 24 h exposure and was more effective than 75% CO₂ that caused 83 and 100% immediate mortality with variety ruziz at 25 and 35°C, respectively. Extending the treatments exposure time to 72 h, 100% mortality was recorded by exposing larvae to any of the studied gases at 25 and 35°C. These results suggest that gases and temperature used in this study can be effectively used to control E. cautella in dates and stored grains.     

Changes in the survival rate and fecundity of the rice leaffolder, Cnaphalocrocis medinalis Guenée (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), at different magnesium concentrations in hydroponic culture

The rice leaffolder, Cnaphalocrocis medinalis Guenée (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), is a leaf-feeding pest and the physical and chemical nature of the rice leaf affects its feeding, survival and fecundity. We examined changes in the survival rates of larvae and pupae, pupal weight and the number of eggs laid by adult females developed from a resistant variety (Huaidao 9) and a susceptible variety (Yangjing 9538) in hydroponic solutions containing different concentrations of magnesium (Mg). The concentration of Mg in the hydroponic solution significantly affected the survival rates of the larvae and pupae, the pupal weights and the numbers of eggs laid. Larval survival rates on the resistant variety were significantly higher for fourth instars exposed to 60 and 80 ppm Mg and pupae exposed to 20, 40, 60 and 80 ppm Mg than those for the control treatment (without Mg). For the susceptible variety, survival rates of first, second and third instars were significantly higher at high concentrations of Mg than those under control conditions. In addition, the number of eggs laid by adult females increased with increasing Mg concentrations, though there was a slight decrease at 80 ppm compared to 60 ppm. These results indicate that Mg is beneficial to the development, survival and fecundity of C. medinalis. They further suggest that high levels of nitrogen fertilizer in rice fields favour outbreaks of this pest because application of nitrogen elevates the chlorophyll content and Mg levels in the rice leaf.     

Relationship between sorghum ergot, sowing dates, and climatic variables in Morelos, Mexico

The importance of sowing dates to the development of sorghum ergot (Claviceps africana) was determined at Tlayca, Morelos, Mexico during the rainy seasons of 1998–2000. Annual variation in ergot incidence occurred, with the highest levels in the year 2000. Sowing dates between June 15 and July 14 had the lowest levels of ergot incidence and severity. Temperatures below 15°C 3 weeks before flowering increased ergot incidence. The optimal weather factors for ergot development were a mean day temperature of 25°C, a maximum relative humidity of 96%, a maximum temperature of 28°C, and nighttime relative humidity of 86%.     

Oil separation from wet-milled corn germ dispersions by aqueous oil extraction and aqueous enzymatic oil extraction

The many recent dry-grind plants that convert corn to ethanol are a potential source of substantial amounts of corn oil, if an economical method of separating it can be developed. Oil separation from corn germ by aqueous extraction (AE) was studied. Batches of 5–20% germ in a buffer solution were preheated in a pressure cooker, ground in a blender or colloid mill, churned in an incubator/shaker and centrifuged to separate a free oil fraction. The highest oil yields were obtained when the germ mass fraction was between 0.1 and 0.16. Addition of an enzyme solution to the ground germ suspension prior to churning, aqueous enzymatic extraction (AEE) gave an oil yield twice as high as the AE yield, carried out using similar conditions. Both types of extraction produced the most oil after a 122 °C cook followed by churning at 160 rpm and 70 °C. Oil yield increased linearly with dispersion loading, from 0.5 up to 1.0 g/cm² based on beaker cross-section (0.09–0.12 germ mass fraction). Over a several month period the germ used for the extractions became more difficult to extract, despite storage at 4 °C.     

Cereal leaf beetle (Oulema melanopus (L.)) population densities and winter wheat yields

Grain yields of a soft white winter wheat cultivar, cv. Ionia, susceptible to cereal leaf beetle (Oulema melanopus (L.)), were determined when the crop was subjected to four controlled infestation levels of the beetle in caged plots over a 3-year period in Michigan. Although identical infestation procedures and insect numbers were used each year, the intensity of larval infestation and feeding damage varied with the year. Significant (P < 0·01) grain losses occurred in plots that had at least 9·0 larvae per stem. The greatest yield loss was 45% and occurred with 15 larvae per stem and 85% feeding damage. Beetle damage had a greater effect on kernel weight than on the other yield components. Although economic thresholds should be conservative to allow for environmental variations, it appears that soft white winter wheat can often withstand beetle infestation levels greater than the current economic threshold of three or more eggs and largae per stem before the boot stage or one or more large larvae per flag leaf during heading.     

Survival of two varieties ofErwinia carotovora onDrosophila melanogaster meigen andDrosophila busckii Coquillett, (Diptera:Drosophilidae) vectors of potato blackleg in Colorado

Survival time ofErwinia carotovora var.carotovora (Ecc) andE.c. var.atroseptica (Eca), causal agents of potato blackleg and bacterial soft rot, was determined both internally and externally on two known insect vectors,Drosophila melanogaster Meig. andD. busckii Coq. The results indicate that the two bacterial varieties survived internally on both vectors for 48 hours and in some cases up to 72 hours.Ecc andEca survived externally on both vectors for at least 24 hours and in some cases at low levels for 48 hours. The two varieties of bacteria declined in number with elapsed time both internally and externally. We suggest that the vectors enhance survival of the non-spore formingErwinia cells outside the plant host. The enhanced survival, combined with the dispersal ability of the vectors, increases the destructive potential of these bacteria. There appeared to be no differential survival of the two bacterial varieties on the vectors studied that might account for the differential transmission reported by previous workers.     

Development and growth of two Lesquerella species grown under different temperatures during the reproductive period

The genus Lesquerella is a promising source of hydroxy fatty acids (HFA). Several species such as Lesquerella fendleri and Lesquerella mendocina are candidate crops for arid and semi-arid cropping systems. Several reports are available on the environmental effects on growth and yield in Lesquerella, but information on the effect of temperature on plant growth and development specifically during the reproductive period in Lesquerella is limited. The objective of this work was to determine the effect of two contrasting thermal regimes after flowering on time to maturity, plant growth and biomass allocation to the different organs in L. fendleri and L. mendocina. A greenhouse experiment was conducted with plants grown at a range of 11–23 °C during the vegetative phase. After this stage, 50% of the plants of each species remained under the same temperature regime until maturity, whereas the other 50% was transferred to another module subjected to a range of 17–31 °C until maturity. The duration of the reproductive phase was reduced by 23 days in plants of both species in the 17–31 °C treatment compared to those at 11–23 °C, although no differences were observed when the length of the reproductive phase was measured in thermal-time units. Total plant biomass for both species was 20% greater in the 11–23 °C treatment. In L. fendleri, this increment occurred due to more vegetative shoot biomass, whereas in L. mendocina it was associated with greater reproductive and root biomass. No changes in biomass allocation were produced by temperature in L. fendleri, while in L. mendocina the lower temperature regime increased allocation to the reproductive organs, at the expense of a lower allocation to vegetative shoot. These results could be used to predict the specific temperature effects after flowering on yield under field conditions, and suggest that L. mendocina might be a promising perennial alternative for cooler sites.     

Yield responses of garlic (Allium sativum L.) to oxadiazon, date of planting and intra-row spacing under irrigation at Kadawa, Nigeria

Field experiments were conducted in the 2002/2003 and 2003/2004 dry seasons at the Irrigation Research Station of the Institute for Agricultural Research, Kadawa (11°39′N, 38°02′E, 500 m above sea level) in the Sudan Savanna Ecological Zone, Nigeria to study the effects of oxadiazon, date of planting and intra-row spacing on yields of garlic (Allium sativum L.) under irrigation at Kadawa, Nigeria. A uniform inter-row spacing of 15 cm was maintained in the two seasons. The results obtained showed that the hoe-weeded plots and application of oxadiazon at 1.5 and 2.0 kg a.i./ha resulted in comparable but significantly higher bulb yield per hectare, bulb diameter, bulb weight and number of cloves than oxadiazon at l.0 kg a.i./ha and unweeded check. Bulb yield per hectare, bulb diameter, bulb weight and number of cloves were higher at early November planting. Planting garlic at 5 cm intra-row spacing resulted in higher bulb yield in both seasons.     

软枝黄蝉提取物对椰心叶甲的杀虫活性

室内测定了软枝黄蝉提取物对椰心叶甲的生物活性。结果表明,软枝黄蝉提取物对椰心叶甲5龄幼虫具有很强的毒杀作用,48 h、72 h的LC50值分别为0.466和0.173 mg/mL;在供试浓度为0.75～2 mg/L时,对椰心叶甲也有显著的杀卵作用,其卵孵化率和幼虫存活率均在45%以下;对椰心叶甲5龄幼虫还有明显的抑制生长发育作用,表现为体重和体重增加量显著下降,幼虫龄期和蛹期延长,化蛹率和成虫羽化率显著降低;此外,软枝黄蝉提取物对椰心叶甲5龄幼虫还有一定的触杀作用,48和72 h的LC50分别为5.780和3.754 mg/mL。     

新入侵害虫海枣异胸潜甲防治药剂的室内筛选

海枣异胸潜甲是一种新入侵并爆发成灾的棕榈科植物害虫,筛选出具有较高毒力水平的化学药剂防治该虫迫在眉睫。本研究采用浸渍法测定了11种杀虫剂对海枣异胸潜甲幼虫的毒力。试验结果表明,较低浓度的阿维菌素(10 mg/L,24 h)、氟虫腈(10 mg/L,24 h)、甲氨基阿维菌素(10 mg/L,72 h)和啶虫脒(10 mg/L,48 h)对海枣异胸潜甲幼虫的触杀致死率达100%,其24 h的LC50分别为0.7、2.28、4.02、5.61 mg/L;较高浓度的高效氯氰菊酯(200 mg/L,48 h)、氯虫苯甲酰胺(400 mg/L,48 h)和氯氟氰菊酯(400 mg/L,72 h)对海枣异胸潜甲幼虫的触杀致死率达100%;敌百虫、多杀菌素、虫酰肼和氟啶脲的触杀致死率相对较低。因此,可选用阿维菌素、啶虫脒、甲氨基阿维菌素和氟虫腈作为当前防治海枣异胸潜甲主要防治药剂。      

Suppression of bacterial soft rot in potato tubers by application of kasugamycin

An immersion in aqueous solutions of Kasumin®, containing kasugamycin at 10 to 320 mg/L (ppm) for 1 to 320 sec delayed or prevented the development of soft rot on inoculated (Erwinia carotovora subsp.carotovora) tuber disks incubated over wet filter paper at 24C for 24 to 72 hr. Treatment efficacy decreased as inoculum level and incubation period increased. Short immersion periods were not as effective as longer ones. When stored tubers were inoculated withE. c. carotovora and incubated up to 5 days in fog chamber at 20 C, immersion treatments in 20 to 400 ppm kasugamycin either had no effect or increased soft rot development. By contrast, when the stored tubers were cut into sections before inoculation and treatment, immersion in 300 ppm reduced soft rot development on the cut surfaces from 83% (inoculated controls) to 3.2%. With non-inoculated sections, treatment with 25 ppm reduced the SAD from 13.3 to 0.6%. Wash or rinse treatment of freshly harvested tubers in 40 to 160 ppm produced a significant reduction in the severity of bacterial soft rot among tubers incubated for 72 to 96-hr. The 160-ppm treatment delayed disease onset by at least 24 hr. Pre-washing freshly harvested tubers with clean or chlorinated water prior to antibiotic treatment did not consistently improve the efficacy of the kasugamycin treatment.     

Toxicity of Acorus calamus rhizome powder from Eastern Nepal to Sitophilus granarius (L.) and Sitophilus oryzae (L.) (Coleoptera, Curculionidae)

Powders prepared from sweetflag Acorus calamus rhizomes collected at both high (1700 m) and low (900 m) altitude in Eastern Nepal were admixed with wheat at concentrations in the range 0.05–2% w/w and the wheat infested with Sitophilus oryzae or S. granarius adults. Following a 7 day incubation, the mortality of both species was significantly lower at 20 °C than at 30 °C, and the material collected from high altitude was slightly less toxic than that from low altitude. The moisture content of the wheat (14 or 17%) and the part of the rhizome used to prepare the powder (young or mature growth) had no apparent effect on the toxicity of the preparation. Sitophilus granarius (L.) adults were more tolerant of the material than S. oryzae (L.), while the converse was true for larvae developing in treated grain. An admixture rate of approximately 2% w/w admixed rhizome powder was required to give complete kill of adults of both species following 7 days exposure at 20 °C, while a concentration of 1% w/w either prevented the emergence of adults or killed them rapidly following emergence when wheat containing eggs of either species was incubated for 7–8 weeks at 30 °C.

The β-asarone content of the rhizome powders was determined by GC-MS as 6.4 and 4.7% w/w (mature section of rhizomes collected at high and low altitudes, respectively) and 3.6 and 4.0% w/w (young sections of rhizomes collected at high and low altitudes, respectively). It is anticipated that, under field conditions and in the temperature range 20–30 °C, the initial residue of approximately 1300 mg/kg β-asarone required to disinfest wheat containing these weevil species would decline rapidly due to evaporation.     

Effects of relative humidity and high temperature on spore germination and development of tomato powdery mildew (Leveillula taurica)

The effects of relative humidity (RH) and temperature on tomato powdery mildew (Leveillula taurica) were studied in controlled environments to define conditions that affect disease development in fresh market tomatoes in California. Gradients of RH (20–90%) at constant temperatures (20–30°C) were generated in single growth chambers to determine their effect on mildew development on mature tomato plants. Temperatures of 30°C and above were deleterious for spore germination, germ tube elongation, and disease development. Lesion growth and rate of disease progress were significantly higher at 20°C than at 25°C. Low RH levels (20–40%) reduced spore germination and lesion growth, accelerated host tissue death and reduced disease progress. Intermediate RH levels (50–70%) increased spore germination and optimized disease development, provided temperatures were maintained within favorable limits. High RH levels (80–90%) were favorable for spore germination but continued exposure to these conditions led to a limited lesion growth and disease progress. Short daily periods (two or three daily exposures of at least 2 h) of high temperatures (35°C) suppressed disease development by 70–92%.     

Acetylation of wheat straw hemicelluloses in N,N-dimethylacetamide/LiCl solvent system

Hemicellulose acetates were prepared under homogeneous reaction conditions in the system N,N-dimethylacetamide/lithium chloride by reacting the native hemicelluloses with acetic anhydride in the presence of 4-dimethylaminopyridine within 72 h at 60–85°C. The products obtained were characterised by means of Fourier transform infrared chromatography, gel permeation chromatography, and thermal analysis. The degree of substitution of acetylated hemicelluloses ranged between 0.74 and 1.49 as a function of experimental conditions. Under an optimum reaction condition (85°C, 60 h), over 80% hydroxyl groups in native hemicelluloses were acetylated. The molecular weight measurements showed that a significant degradation and hydrolysis of the products appeared at only a prolonging period of 72 h. It was found that the thermal stability of the products increased by esterification.     

Effects of extended wilting, shading and chemical additives on the fatty acids in laboratory grass silages

This work investigated the range of fatty acid concentrations in grass silages made from the regrowth of perennial ryegrass Lolium perenne using different techniques involving combinations of shading of the crop before cutting, wilting and the use of chemical additives. The effects of the different silage additives on overall fermentation were large, with many of the formic acid and formalin-treated silages having a very restricted fermentation. Nonetheless, effects on levels and proportions of fatty acids were numerically small. The major differences between silages were generated during field operations (shading and wilting), with little further changes in fatty acids within the silage clamp. The extended wilt had the most dramatic effect on fatty acids with a marked reduction in both total fatty acids (24·6 vs. 17·5 g kg⁻¹ dry matter; s.e.d. = 0·65, P  < 0·001) as well as in the proportion of total fatty acids as α-linolenic acid (C18:3 n -3; 0·55 vs. 0·48; s.e.d. = 0·013, P  < 0·01). Shading the grass with a black plastic sheet for 24 h before cutting had a similar effect.