Dormancy release in male flowers of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cryptomeria japonica</Emphasis>

To clarify key characteristics of the process whereby dormancy is released in male flowers of Cryptomeria japonica, twigs with male flowers were collected every three days between December 1992 and February 1993. Half of the twigs collected on each date were chilled at 0°C for three days and the cumulative temperatures required by the chilled and non-chilled flowers for florescence were compared. There was no difference in the cumulative temperature required for florescence between chilled and non-chilled male flowers collected before 19 December. However, for samples collected between 21 December and 21 January, the cumulative temperature needed for the florescence of chilled male flowers was 8–68°C lower than that required for non-chilled male flowers. However, there was little difference again in the cumulative temperature required to induce the florescence of chilled and non-chilled male flowers for collection dates later than 24 January. These results suggest that the dormancy of male C. japonica flowers was gradually released by exposure to low temperature and the process was completed by 24 January. The cumulative temperature required for florescence and the sum of the mean daily temperatures between the date of collection and the date of natural pollen dispersal were almost equal after the dormancy of the male flowers was released. The exact day on which pollen will be released can be predicted using the dormancy characteristics of male flowers.     

Inheritance of the trait of male sterility inCryptomeria japonica

Matings of male-sterileC. japonica and fertile eliteC. japonica, as well as backcross seedlings of male-sterile trees, were carried out to clarify the genetic trait of male sterility of theC. japonica. The seeds from male-sterileC. japonica were germinated in an incubator and grown them in the greenhouse between 1994 and 1997. The seedlings were treated with 100 ppm gibberellin at early July 1994 and early July 1995 to promote the formation of male flowers. In the middle of January 1995, the male flowers of all seedlings were examined under the microscope to confirm the production of pollen. In January 1996, pollen did not developed in to the male flowers from the seedlings between the fertiled elite and backcrossC. japonica. In January 1997, all seedlings of eliteC. japonica produced pollen in their male flowers; however, pollen did not developed in 55 out of 120 backcrossed seedlings. This evidence suggests that the heredity pattern of male sterility inC. japonica is nuclear male sterility controlled by a pair of recessive genes.     

The effect of low temperature adversity on male flowers and pollen inLarix olgensis

The electric conductivity of pollen life-force and male flowers ofLarix olgemis on condition of low temperature adversity has been respectively measured by means of fluorescent dying method and conductivity method in 1992 and 1994. The results indicate that: (1) If the same clonal pollen is treated at equal time at different low temperatures, there are significant differences in pollen life-force, the pollen life-force is the largest between O°C and -3°C, in higher or lower temperature range, the pollen life-force will decrease. The measurement of electric conductivity of male flowers proves that the low temperature of below -3°C is the main reason that the cell membrane is damaged and the pollen life-force decreases. (2) The same clonal pollen life-force at the same low temperature will gradually decrease with the increasing of frozen time. Its main reason is that suffocation and losing body fluid result in the damage of cell membrane, the measurement of electric conductivity of male flowers can prove that. (3) If pollen is treated with the same low temperature, the humidity will be the main factor of affecting pollen life-force. (4) There are significant differences inLarix olgensis’s resistance against low temperature in its different growth stage, the male flower’s resistance of near pollen spreading period is low. (5) The resistance is different within clones. (6) The resistance against low temperature ofLarix can be increased by means of chemical treatment.     

Application of hot water emasculation to <Emphasis Type="Italic">Acacia auriculiformis</Emphasis> for controlled pollination

To determine the viability of hot water emasculation for Acacia auriculiformis, spikes composed of about 100 flowers were soaked in hot water at varying temperatures (45–60°C) and for varying lengths of time (5 s to 7 min) prior to anthesis. The rate of squashed polyads, each of which consisted of 16 pollen grains, and the germinating rate on media, decreased with temperature and time. A mating test suggested that the rates of adhering polyads per stigma and germinating polyads per stigma were lower in the self-pollination of soaked spikes than in that of normal spikes. On the other hand, the number of matured pods was not significantly different in the mating between the spikes receiving the soaking treatment (♀) and the spikes receiving no treatment (♂) compared with the mating between normal spikes. Although further research is needed to determine the optimal treatment conditions, these results suggest that soaking spikes into hot water, especially at 50°C for 45 s, 54°C for 15 s, and 56°C for 10 s, is an effective emasculation technique.     

Using degree-day accumulations and host phenology for predicting larval emergence patterns of the olive psyllid, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Euphyllura phillyreae</Emphasis>

The olive psyllid, Euphyllura phillyreae Foerster is one of the most destructive pests on buds and flowers of olive tree (Olea europaea L.) in May when the olive growers cannot apply any insecticides against the pest. Temperature-dependent development of the psyllid was studied at constant temperatures ranged 16–26°C. A degree-day (DD) model was developed to predict the larval emergence using the weekly cumulative larval counts and daily mean temperatures. Linear regression analysis estimated a lower developmental threshold of 4.1 and 4.3°C and a thermal constant of 164.17 and 466.13 DD for development of egg and larva, respectively. The cumulative larval counts of E. phillyreae approximated by probit transformation were plotted against time, expressed as the sum of DD above 4.3°C, the starting date when the olive tree phenology was the period of flower cluster initiation. A linear model was used to describe the relationship of DDs and probit values of larval emergence patterns of E. phillyreae and predicted that 10, 50 and 95% emergence of the larvae required 235.81, 360.22 and 519.93 DD, respectively, with errors of 1–3 days compared to observed values. Based on biofix depends the development of olive tree phenology; the DD model can be used as a forecasting method for proper timing of insecticide applications against E. phillyreae larvae in olive groves.     

Effect of temperature on development, mortality, fecundity, and reproduction of Aphis rumicisL. (Homoptera: Aphididae) on broadleaf dock (Rumex obtusifolius) and Swiss chard (Beta vulgaris vulgaris var. cida)

Temperature effects on developmental period, survival rate, and reproductive capacity of Aphis rumicis L. were studied on Broadleaf dock and Swiss chard at four constant temperatures (17.5°C, 20°C, 22.5°C, and 25°C). The developmental time of immature stages ranged from 10.9 days at 17.5°C to 6.5 days at 25°C on Broadleaf dock, and 11.8 days at 17.5°C to 6.5 days at 25°C on Swiss chard. The total percentage of survivorship of immature stages varied from 54.2% and 67.6% 17.5°C–25°C on Broadleaf dock, and 49.7% and 62.4% at 17.5°C–25°C on Swiss chard. The largest r _m value occurred with 0.2845 at 25°C on Broadleaf dock and with 0.2785 at 25°C on Swiss chard. The results obtained on this study indicated that Swiss chard was a less favorable host of the A. rumicis than Broadleaf dock. The optimal temperature for A. rumicis growth, developmental time, and reproduction was 22.5°C–25°C.     

A study on Xingkai Lake pine gall rust

The Xingkai Lake pine (Pinus takahasii Nakai) gall rust caused byCronartium quercuum(Berk.) Miyabc: Shirai is a serious stem rust in the northeast region of China. The alternate host is oak (Quercus mongolica Fisch). Germination of both acciospores and urediospores was optimal at 12°C and occurred over a range of temperatures, from 4°C to 32°C. Teliospores germinated optimally at 16–18°C and over a range of 8–28°C. All spores germinated best under natural light and dark conditions. Direct light inhibited germination even when followed by darkness. The incubation periods of urediospores and teliospores in inoculation experiments were 6–16 days and 3–33 days respectively. Anatomical studies ofCronartium quercuum galls showed that rust hyphae freely ramify through the intercellular spaces within parenchymatous tissues of the cortex, phloem, cambium and xylem. Hyphae are perennial; large haustoria arc cylindrical with rounded or blunt ends. Among the 12 fungicides tested for control of the rust, pine-tar, pine-tar: diesel oil (1:1, 1:3, 1:5), 75% Bravo emulsion and 70% Mancozeb emulsion applied to the galls produced satisfactory results.     

冷湿层积法对印度冷杉(Abies pindrow)和长叶云杉(Picea smithiana）种子萌发的影响

研究赤霉素(GA3),冷湿和温度 对五个种源的印度冷杉(Abies pindrow)和长叶云杉(Picea smithiana)种子萌发的影响.种子被浸泡在GA3 (10 mg(L-1)中24小时,然后在3(5(C温度的条件下冷藏15天.设计4个温度(10(C, 15(C, 20(C 和 25(C)条件来促进种子的萌发.结果表明,浸泡和冷湿处理明显增加种子的萌发率.在10 (C时种子的萌发率最高.总体结果表明,种子被浸泡在GA3 (10 mg(L-1)中24小时,冷湿藏15天,可以有效地促进印度冷杉和长叶云杉的种子萌发.统计数据表明,浸泡处理、温度和种源以及与温度的相互作用都对种子的萌发有明显的影响.     

Thermoperiodic effects on larval growth parameters of the Sesamia nonagrioides (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

The effect of five constant (10, 15, 20, 25 and 30°C) and the corresponding cycling (25:10, 27.5:12.5, 30:15, 32.5:17.5 and 35:20°C) temperatures at a photoperiod of 16:8 (L:D) h on the development and biometry (HCW, weight) of larva of Sesamia nonagrioides (Lef) Lepidoptera–Noctuidae were investigated. Larvae under both temperature treatments seemed to complete six instars. Final mean head capsule widths did not differ significantly between constant and cycling temperatures. Larval weights increased considerably through larval period under all temperature regimes. However, alternating temperatures were not shown to stimulate larval weight or head capsule widths compared with those of constant temperatures, although tended to result in shorter larval developmental periods. Results are discussed regarding development and seasonal biology of the species.     

Effects of seed water content and storage temperature on the germination parameters of white spruce, black spruce and lodgepole pine seed

The effect of seed water content (WC) (2–3, 5–6 and 22–25%, on a fresh weight basis), storage temperature (+4, −20, −80 and −196°C) and storage duration (6, 12, 24, 48 and 60 months) on the germination of white spruce (Picea glauca (Moench) Voss), black spruce (Picea mariana (Mill.) B.S.P.) and lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta Dougl. ex Loud. var. latifolia Engelm.) seed was investigated. Germination of white spruce control (untreated) seeds and seeds adjusted to 2–3% and 5–6% WC declined after 48 months of storage at −80 and −196°C, with a further decline at 60 months at −20, −80, −196°C. Germination remained high when control white spruce seeds and seeds with 2–3, 5–6% WC were stored at +4°C, over all storage durations. Generally, black spruce and lodgepole pine exhibited high germination at all storage temperatures at 2–3% and 5–6% WC as well as the control (untreated) seed, for up to 60 months in storage. Germination declined for all three species when seed was conditioned to 22–25% WC. This loss in germination was partially recovered in white spruce seed stored at +4, −20 and −80°C after storage durations of 24, 12 and 48 months, respectively, and in black spruce seeds stored at −20 and −196°C after storage durations of 24 months. Mean germination time (MGT) was relatively constant for all species, under all conditions, except for seed conditioned to 22–25% WC, where MGT increased for white spruce seed stored 48 months at −80 and −196°C, and for black spruce seed stored 24 months at +4 and −80°C and 60 months at −196°C. These results show that the optimal storage temperatures are 4°C for white spruce, and 4, −20, −80, and −196°C for black spruce and lodgepole pine, and 2–6% water content is optimal for all 3 species at these temperatures.     

Molecular sieving behavior of carbonized wood: selective adsorption of toluene from a gas mixture containing α-pinene

The adsorption properties of wood carbonized at various temperatures were investigated using a mixed gas containing toluene and α-pinene. Hinoki (Chamaecyparis obtusa) samples carbonized at 500°–1100°C were exposed to gas mixtures of toluene and α-pinene at 20°C. The samples carbonized at 500°–700°C only adsorbed toluene, whereas those carbonized at 800°–1100°C adsorbed both toluene and α-pinene. Analysis of the surface structure of the carbonized wood by nitrogen adsorption at liquid nitrogen temperature indicated that the sample carbonized at 700°C had micropores mainly 0.6 nm in diameter and few mesopores, whereas the samples carbonized at 900°C and 1100°C had mesopores and micropores larger than 0.8 nm in diameter. With the sample carbonized at 700°C, the flat-shaped toluene molecules could probably penetrate into the narrower pores, 0.8 nm in diameter, whereas the bulky globular-shaped α-pinene molecules could not. Carbonization at temperatures higher than 900°C probably enlarged the pore size and thereby reduced the selectivity of adsorption. The results revealed that wood carbonized below activation temperature has a unique flat-pore structure that seems to work as a kind of molecular sieving carbon, successfully removing only the harmful volatile organic compound (VOC), toluene, and leaving behind a pleasant aroma of α-pinene in the atmosphere.     

Optimal germination condition by sulfuric acid pretreatment to improve seed germination of Sabina vulgaris Ant.

Understanding the germination traits of plants is important not only for understanding natural regeneration processes but also for developing seedling production techniques for planting. Sabina vulgaris Ant. is a common species used for reforestation in semi-arid areas of the Mu-Us Desert, in Inner Mongolia, China, but its extremely low germination rate, both in situ and in vivo, is a bottleneck for seedling production. Sulfuric acid pretreatment was applied to improve germination, and the germination rate was compared for different soaking time (10, 30, 60, 90, and 120 min), different temperatures (10, 15, 20, 30, and 35°C) and under different lighting conditions (dark and light). Sulfuric acid treatment gave a high germination rate, reaching 60% at 30 days after sowing. However, the non-treated seeds produced no germination. The optimal treatment time in sulfuric acid was 120 min. Germination after sulfuric acid treatment increased at incubation temperatures from 10 to 30°C, but decreased at 35°C. Incubation at 25–30°C gave maximum germination of more than 50%. Light treatment had little effect on germination. Pretreatment with sulfuric acid improved water absorption by the embryo by creating cracks and cavities in the seed coat tissue. These results indicated that S. vulgaris seeds have physical dormancy caused by their hard seed coats, which prevents absorption of water into the embryo. A combination of pretreatment with sulfuric acid and incubation at 25–30°C was most effective in improving the germination of S. vulgaris seeds.     

Differentiation of seed germination traits in relation to the natural habitats of three <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ulmus</Emphasis> species in Japan

Germination traits of three Japanese Ulmus species, including two summer-fruiting species, U. davidiana var. japonica (UD) and U. laciniata (UL), and an autumn-fruiting species, U. parvifolia (UP), were investigated. Germination tests that controlled light (16 h dark–8 h light/24 h dark) and temperature (alternating 20–30°C/constant 23°C) conditions were conducted just after seed dissemination. Under the preferred (light and alternating temperature) conditions, UD germinated quickly and percentage germination was high (99%), whereas UL and UP germinated moderately to slowly (65.2 and 23.8%, respectively) and the remaining seeds were primarily dormant. When the seeds were exposed to unsuitable conditions for germination, secondary dormancy was induced in all three Ulmus species. Because primary and secondary dormancy of these species was not strict, the existing dormancy could be released by moist conditions and low temperature during the winter. Thus, all three Japanese Ulmus can germinate either just after seed dissemination or in the following spring. Nevertheless, the predominant germination of summer-fruiting UD just after seed dissemination seems to be advantageous for finding safe sites that might become available after a large-scale fluvial disturbance. Similarly, the delayed germination of autumn-fruiting UP until the following spring seems to be advantageous for preventing germination at the end of the growing season. Summer-fruiting UL had a more negative response to favorable light conditions just after seed dissemination, which seems to be advantageous for establishment in canopy gaps. These germination traits seem to be adaptive responses to the dominant disturbance regimes of their natural habitats.     

Chemical changes in terpenes of sugi (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Cryptomeria japonica</Emphasis>) wood during steam drying in kiln at high temperature

Sawdusts of sugi (Cryptomeria japonica) wood prepared before and after steam drying at 120°C in a kiln were extracted with n-hexane and ethyl acetate to give n-hexane extracts and ethyl acetate extracts. From gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis of the ethyl acetate extracts from woods before and after steam drying, the components of 4-epi-cubebol, cubebol, and 2,7(14),10-bis-abolatrien-1-ol-4-one, which existed in the raw sugi wood, were proved to disappear in the steam-dried wood. These components were also absent in the ethyl acetate extract of the steam-condensed solution of waste steam from the kiln outlet. When these three components were treated with 0.2% (v/v) acetic acid solution at 120°C, δ-cadinene was produced as a major product from both 4-epi-cubebol and cubebol by dehydration and cleavage of the cyclopropane ring, and cryptomerone from 2,7(14),10-bisabolatrien-1-ol-4-one by hydration. The chemical changes of the three components presumably occur during steam drying of the sugi wood. This study was presented in part at the 85th Spring Meeting of the Chemical Society of Japan, Kanagawa, Japan, March 26–29, 2005     

Temperature-dependent functional response of two aphid parasitoids, Aphidius colemani and Aphidius matricariae (Hymenoptera: Aphidiidae), on the cotton aphid

The functional response of two aphid parasitoids, Aphidius colemani Viereck and Aphidius matricariae (Haliday) (Hymenoptera: Aphidiidae), on the cotton aphid, Aphis gossypii Glover (Homoptera: Aphididae), was examined. Five constant temperatures (10, 15, 20, 25, and 30°C) and six host densities (2, 4, 8, 16, 32, and 64) were used during a 24-h period. At each temperature, 2–64 third-instar nymphs of A. gossypii were exposed to individual wasp mating pairs. A type II functional response model for both parasitoid wasps was fit separately for each temperature. The results showed that instantaneous attack rate (a) in A. colemani increased linearly as the temperature increases from 10 to 30°C, but in A. matricariae, (a) increased almost linearly with temperature to reach a maximum at 25°C, and then decreased at 30°C, displaying an asymmetrical dome-shaped pattern. The highest instantaneous attack rate for A. colemani and A. matricariae were calculated 0.940 ± 0.144 day⁻¹ at 30°C and 0.687 ± 0.157 day⁻¹ at 25°C, respectively. Handling time (T _h) for A. colemani was inversely proportional to temperature and ranged from 0.093 ± 0.026 day at 10°C to 0.032 ± 0.004 day at 30°C, but in A. matricariae, (T _h) was between 0.078 ± 0.015 day at 10°C and 0.036 ± 0.014 day at 20°C. A. colemani achieved higher parasitism rate than A. matricariae at higher temperatures. This observation suggests that A. colemani maybe more effective for biological control of the cotton aphid during warmer periods.     

Effects of high temperature kiln drying on the practical performances of Japanese cedar wood (Cryptomeria japonica) II: Changes in mechanical properties due to heating

Japanese cedar wood specimens were steamed at 80°, 100°, and 120°C over 14 days, and their equilibrium moisture content (M) at 20°C and 60% relative humidity, longitudinal dynamic Young’s modulus (E), bending strength (σ _max), and breaking strain (ε _max) were compared with those of unheated specimens. Steaming for a longer duration at a higher temperature resulted in a greater reduction in M, σ _max, and ε _max. The E of wood was slightly enhanced by steaming at 100°C for 1–4 days and 120°C for 1–2 days, and thereafter it decreased. The slight increase in the E of sapwood was attributable to the reduction in hygroscopicity, while sufficient explanation was not given for a greater increase in the heartwood stiffness. Irrespective of the steaming temperature, the correlations between M and the mechanical properties of steamed wood were expressed in terms of simple curves. M values above 8% indicated a slight reduction in E and s max, whereas M values below 8% indicated a marked decrease in the mechanical performances. In addition, the e max decreased almost linearly with a decrease in the value of M. These results suggest that hygroscopicity measurement enables the evaluation of degradation in the mechanical performances of wood caused by steaming at high temperatures.     

Alkaloid variations in Catharanthus roseus seedlings treated by different temperatures in short term and long term

A study was conducted to investigate the effects of high temperature on variations of alkaloid metabolism in C. roseus seedlings in Key Laboratory of Forest Plant Ecology, Northeast Forestry University, Heilongiang, China. 60-day-old C. roseus seedlings with 3-4 pairs of leaves were incubated in chambers with temperature of 30℃ and 40℃for short-term heat shock experiment and 20℃, 25℃ and 35℃ for long-term experiment. The contents of vindoline, catharanthine, vinblastine and vincristine in C. roseus leaves and root were checked at different temperatures in short term （1-6 h） and long term （1-16 d）. Results showed that under short-term heat shock, the contents of vindoline, catharanthine and vinblastine in leaves of the seedlings were higher at 40℃ than at 30℃, but after 6 h treatment, the contents of vindoline and catharanthine under the two temperatures came to the same level. Catharanthine was exclusively distributed in C. roseus roots and its content was increased by 40% after two hours incubation at 40℃, while increased slowly at 30℃ incubation and reached the highest value at 6 h. In the Long-term experiment, concentrations of monomeric alkaloids catharanthine and vindoline were higher at 20℃ than at 25℃ and had a sharp increase under the condition of 35℃. While for dimeric alkaloid, it showed that the higher the temperature, the earlier the peak value of vinblastine content appears. Vincristine had a continuous enhancement and attained 0.027 mg.g^-1 at 16th day under 35℃ condition which was higher than those in the other conditions. It was concluded that high temperature could promote the accumulation of different alkaloids in C. roseus and the accumulation characteristic is highly related to treatment time.     

Effect of Temperature on the Induction of Bud Dormancy in Ecotypes of Betula pubescens and Betula pendula

The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of temperature applied during short day-induced budset on induction of dormancy in six ecotypes of Betula pubescens Ehrh. and two ecotypes of Betula pendula Roth. Seedlings were grown in a phytotron at constant temperatures of 9–21°C under a 12 h photoperiod (SD) during dormancy induction. Induction of dormancy was monitored by following bud flushing and shoot growth after transfer to long photoperiod conditions (24 h) at 18°C. Chilling requirement was studied in seedlings exposed to 10 weeks of SD. In both species induction of bud dormancy developed most rapidly at 15–18°C, and both 9–12°C and 21°C delayed the induction of dormancy. Raising the temperature (from 9 to 21°C) applied during induction of dormancy significantly increased the chilling requirement. These responses were noted for all ecotypes tested, but in general the northern ecotypes entered dormancy more quickly than the southern ones. No such trend was recorded for chilling requirement, although a B. pubescens ecotype from Iceland and another from the coast of northern Norway appeared to require a longer chilling treatment than the other ecotypes. In conclusion, induction and depth of bud dormancy in birch are significantly affected by temperature conditions and these effects may explain some of the annual variation in dormancy and chilling requirement observed in nature.     

Evaluation of the self-bonding ability of sugi and application of sugi powder as a binder for plywood

Binderless particleboards were manufactured from sugi (Cryptomeria japonica D. Don) heartwood and sapwood by hot-pressing (pressure: 5 MPa; temperatures: 180°, 200°, and 220°C; times: 10, 20, and 30 min), and the board properties [internal bonding (IB), thickness swelling (TS), water absorption (WA)] were investigated to evaluate the self-bonding ability. The IB, TS, and WA of the boards from sugi heartwood were better than those of the boards from sugi sapwood at any hot-pressing condition. Therefore, it was suggested that the self-bonding ability of sugi heartwood was superior to that of sugi sapwood. Then, sugi heartwood and sapwood powder with grain size 10 βm were used as a binder for plywoods. Four kinds of plywood were manufactured from the combination of powder and veneer, both of which were prepared from sugi heartwood and sapwood under the same hot-pressing conditions as the binderless particleboard, and the adhesive shear strength and wood failure of the plywood were investigated. As a result, the plywood composed of sugi heartwood veneer met the second grade of JAS for plywood, when either powder was used as a binder, when they were pressed at 200°C for 20–30 min and 220°C for 10 min.     

The infestation of Vicia faba L. (Fabaceae) by Aphis fabae (Scop.) (Homoptera: Aphididae) under the influence of Lamiaceae (Ocimum basilicum L. and Satureja hortensis L.)

Abtract The system Vicia faba–Aphis fabae fabae was studied under the influence of Ocimum basilicum (basil) and Satureja hortensis, in a wind tunnel, in the greenhouse and in field experiments. In the wind tunnel at 20°C both Lamiaceae were deterrent for A. fabae, and S. hortensis proved to be more deterrent than O. basilicum. In experiments in the greenhouse at low temperatures (average minimum 14.6°C, average maximum 24.1°C), A. fabae colonised first and significantly more intense Vicia fabae (field beans) not surrounded by O. basilicum or S. hortensis. At high temperatures (average minimum 18.0°C, average maximum 38.5°C) this relation was inverted: Vicia faba surrounded by the two Lamiaceae were preferred for colonisation (Ocimum basilicum significantly). It showed that pots with Lamiaceae were no obstacle for the aphids to reach Vicia faba. In strip cropping in the field, the repellent effect of Ocimum basilicum proved to be stronger than of Satureja hortensis. In 2002 there was observed only a tendency of lower aphid attack of field beans intercropped with Lamiaceae, while in 2004 and 2005 the infestation of Vicia faba by Aphis fabae was significantly lower in plots intercropped with basil. In plots with Satureja hortensis as intercrop, Vicia faba were significantly lower infested, after 3 weeks. The differences between the results of the wind tunnel/greenhouse at low temperatures, and the field experiments concerning the deterrence by Satureja hortensis cannot be explained. But basing on our results with Ocimum basilicum and those published by other authors, it is recommended to follow up intercropping, after a sincere analysis in every case, in favour of agronomists.