Adjustment of soil-surface pH and comparison with conventional fungicide treatments for control of lettuce drop (Sclerotinia minor)

The use of soil-surface applications of finely powdered calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)₂) to inhibit Sclerotinia minor sclerotial germination and infection at the collar region of lettuce plants is described. In the laboratory, a pH > 8·0 reduced sclerotial germination of the three S. minor isolates tested. In the glasshouse, surface applications of 2–10 t Ca(OH)₂ ha⁻¹ raised the pH of the top 1–2 cm of a duplex sandy loam soil above 8·5 for at least 8 weeks without affecting soil pH within the transplant root zone. There was a linear relationship between the rate of Ca(OH)₂ applied and disease control, with complete disease suppression at 10 t Ca(OH)₂ ha⁻¹. In field trials on two soil types (duplex sandy loam, pH 6·0; and red ferrosol, pH 6·9), a rate of 2·5 t Ca(OH)₂ ha⁻¹, maintained soil-surface pH above 8·5 for 1–3 weeks and provided up to 58% reduction in lettuce drop. Application of polyvinyl alcohol (a soil-conditioning polymer) over the Ca(OH)₂ layer appeared to reduce Ca(OH)₂ loss by wind, but did not improve retention of raised soil-surface pH or disease suppression. Ca(OH)₂ treatment gave similar disease control to the industry standard treatment of a procymidone-based fungicide seedling drench. A combined treatment of Ca(OH)₂ and fungicide drench gave greater control than either individual treatment, and equivalent control to fungicide drench and three procymidone foliar sprays, offering integrated management options. The use of soil-surface-applied Ca(OH)₂ with fungicides, rotation and drip irrigation offers an opportunity for enhanced and sustainable control of lettuce drop.     

Imazaquin Spray Retention,Foliar Washoff and Runoff Losses under Simulated Rainfall

Spray retention and foliar washoff of imazaquin in smooth pigweed (Amaranthus hybridus L.) and sicklepod (Senna obtusifolia (L.) Irwin and Barneby) were investigated. Imazaquin (70 g AI ha⁻¹) was applied alone, with nonionic surfactant ‘X-77’ or organosilicone-based nonionic surfactant ‘Kinetic’ to plants at two- to five-leaf stage and subjected to 2·5 cm rainfall in 20 min either 1 or 24 h after application. Imazaquin spray retention was higher with adjuvants than without. Retention was similar between adjuvants in smooth pigweed but ‘Kinetic’ retained twice as much imazaquin as ‘X-77’ in sicklepod. Rainfall 1 h after application washed off three-quarters of foliar residues regardless of plant species or adjuvant. However, at 24 h after application, foliar washoff was lowest with ‘Kinetic’ followed by ‘X-77’ in both species. Imazaquin washoff ranged from 33 to 88% in the two species at 24 h after application. Overall, imazaquin activity was similar with either adjuvant in smooth pigweed but ‘Kinetic’ was more effective than ‘X-77’ in sicklepod. Runoff losses from the surface of a Bosket sandy loam (Mollic Hapludalfs) soil in runoff trays (1·2% slope) were also studied. Imazaquin was applied as above to trays with and without smooth pigweed canopy. A 2·5-cm rainfall was applied in 20 min at 24 h after application. Runoff samples collected in one-litre fractions were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Sediment (but not water) in runoff was greatly reduced (56%) by pigweed cover as compared to bare trays. Imazaquin in the first litre of runoff was higher than in subsequent runoff fractions regardless of pigweed cover. Total imazaquin lost in runoff was higher in pigweed cover (23%) than bare trays (16% of applied). Imazaquin concentration in 10–20 cm soil depth in pigweed cover trays was higher than in bare trays. These results suggest that imazaquin is vulnerable to foliar washoff and the herbicide washed off could move in the aqueous phase due to shorter contact time with soil for sorption.     

水分对不同栽培年限日光温室土壤氮矿化的影响

采用室内短期（84 d）好气培养法评价了不同水分供应水平下（田间持水量的60%、80%及100%,分别用60FC、80FC和100FC表示）陕西杨凌地区不同栽培年限（种植前、种植第二年及种植第三年）日光温室土壤（0~20 cm及20~40 cm土层）氮素矿化特性。结果表明：随着日光温室栽培年限的延长,0~20 cm土层累积净矿化氮量显著增加,且随栽培年限的增加,20~40 cm 土层氮矿化势呈增加的趋势;土壤水分含量由60FC增加到80FC,土壤累积矿化氮量呈增加趋势,但当含水量达到100FC时,土壤累积矿化氮量降低。回归分析结果表明,土壤有机质含量每增加1 g·kg^-1, 60FC、80FC、100FC土壤含水量条件下土壤氮矿化势分别增加 1.62、1.88 mg·kg^-1和1.57 mg·kg^-1;土壤全氮含量每增加1 g·kg^-1,土壤氮矿化势分别增加28.93、33.42 mg·kg^-1和27.82 mg·kg^-1。因此,建议日光温室蔬菜栽培中应综合考虑温室年限及灌溉量对土壤氮素矿化过程的影响。     

Potential biological control of clubroot on canola and crucifer vegetable crops

Clubroot caused by Plasmodiophora brassicae is an emerging threat to canola (Brassica napus) production in western Canada, and a serious disease on crucifer vegetable crops in eastern Canada. In this study, seven biological control agents and two fungicides were evaluated as soil drenches or seed treatments for control of clubroot. Under growth cabinet conditions, a soil‐drench application of formulated biocontrol agents Bacillus subtilis and Gliocladium catenulatum reduced clubroot severity by more than 80% relative to pathogen‐inoculated controls on a highly susceptible canola cultivar. This efficacy was similar to that of the fungicides fluazinam and cyazofamid. Under high disease pressure in greenhouse conditions, the biocontrol agents were less effective than the fungicides. Additionally, all of the treatments delivered as a seed coating were less effective than the soil drench. In field trials conducted in 2009, different treatments consisting of a commercial formulation of B. subtilis, G. catenulatum, fluazinam or cyazofamid were applied as an in‐furrow drench at 500 L ha^?1 water volume to one susceptible and one resistant cultivar at two sites seeded to canola in Alberta and one site of Chinese cabbage in Ontario. There was no substantial impact on the susceptible canola cultivar, but all of the treatments reduced clubroot on the susceptible cultivar of Chinese cabbage, lowering disease severity by 54–84%. There was a period of 4 weeks without rain after the canola was seeded, which likely contributed to the low treatment efficacy on canola. Under growth cabinet conditions, fluazinam and B. subtilis products became substantially less effective after 2 weeks in a dry soil, but cyazofamid retained its efficacy for at least 4 weeks.     

Distribution and activity of spray deposits in an oak canopy following aerial application of diluted and undiluted formulations of Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner against the gypsy moth,Lymantria dispar L. (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae)

The distribution and biological activity of spray deposits resulting from aerial applications of diluted and undiluted Bacillus thuringiensis, ‘Dipel 64AF’ against the gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar L., were examined in oak stands in south-eastern Ontario, Canada. The sprays were applied by fixed-wing aircraft equipped with four ‘Micronair AU4000’ atomizers. Application of diluted formulation at 30 BIU ha^?1 in 6.0–6.4 litre generally resulted in a higher droplet density (10–28 cm ^?2 leaf) than application of undiluted product at the same dosage rate in 1.8 litre ha^?1 (4–10 cm ^?2). However, spray deposits of undiluted product with a volume median diameter (D_v.5) of 90–130 μm caused as much mortality of gypsy moth larvae in bioassays of sprayed foliage as deposits of diluted product with a D_v.5 of 150–350 μm despite a two- to three-fold reduction in droplet density. Our data suggest that by using fine spray atomization, undiluted application of these formulations can offer the same efficacy against gypsy moth as coarsely atomized sprays of diluted product.     

Reinvestigating adjuvants for the wild oat herbicide,flamprop-M-isopropyl. II: Field performance

A field trials programme was conducted in which the performance of a new emulsifiable concentrate formulation (ECI) of flamprop-M-isopropyl containing the adjuvant, ‘Dobanol’ 25-7, in a ratio of 2:1 (by weight) with the AI, was compared with the current commercial formulation of ‘Commando’, in combination with its recommended adjuvant, ‘Swirl’, for the control of wild oat (Avena fatua L.) in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and barley (Hordeum vulgare L.). A further treatment, in which the ‘Dobanol’ 25-7: AI ratio was increased to 4:1 by the spray tank addition of the former, was also included. The mean results from six trials (five wheat, one barley) showed that the addition of ‘Swirl’ to ‘Commando’ was beneficial, increasing wild oat floret control from a mean value of 80% to 92% at current recommended rates (flamprop-M-isopropyl, 600 g ha^?1; ‘Swirl’, 2.5 litre ha^?1). However, combinations of flamprop-M-isopropyl and ‘Dobanol’ 25-7 gave superior levels of control even at lower AI application rates. For example, a mean level of 96% control of Avena spp. was obtained at 300 g AI ha^?1 with 1200 g ha^?1 ‘Dobanol’ 25–7; with even better control at higher rates of application of both components. This improvement in performance was accompanied by a higher risk of crop phytotoxicity than observed with the ‘Commando’/‘Swirl’ mixtures. Symptoms initially were scorch and subsequently growth depression, particularly of tillers. None of the mean values in the six ‘efficacy’ trials reached commercially unacceptable levels, but in a further six ‘crop effects’ trials (three wheat, three barley), in which double rates were applied, the levels of phytotoxicity did become unacceptable and subsequently reduced grain yields. In contrast, two barley ‘crop effects’ trials gave yields higher than the control plots, possibly through the effects of reducing stem length and lodging thereby enabling more efficient harvesting. Nevertheless, there were rates of application of flamprop-M-isopropyl in the range 300–400 g ha^?1 with ratios of ‘Dobanol’ 25-7 in the range 2:1 to 4:1 that would achieve high levels of control of Avena spp. without undue risk of crop phytotoxicity and further trials are planned to support this new adjuvant system.     

Non‐pathogenic rhizosphere bacteria belonging to the genera Rhizorhapis and Sphingobium provide specific control of lettuce corky root disease caused by species of the same bacterial genera

Lettuce corky root (CR) is caused by bacteria in the genera Rhizorhapis, Sphingobium, Sphingopyxis and Rhizorhabdus of the family Sphingomonadaceae. Members of this family are common rhizosphere bacteria, some pathogenic to lettuce. Sixty‐eight non‐pathogenic isolates of bacteria obtained from lettuce roots were tested for control of CR caused by Rhizorhapis suberifaciens CA1^T and FL1, and Sphingobium mellinum WI4^T. In two initial screenings, 10 isolates significantly reduced CR induced by one or more pathogenic strains on lettuce seedlings in vermiculite, while seven non‐pathogenic isolates provided significant CR control in natural or sterilized field soil. Rhizorhapis suberifaciens FL11 was effective at controlling all pathogenic strains, but most effective against R. suberifaciens CA1^T. The other selected isolates controlled only pathogenic strains belonging to their own genus. In a greenhouse experiment, a soil drench with selected biocontrol agents (R. suberifaciens FL11, Sphingomonas sp. NY3 and S. mellinum CA16) controlled CR better than seed treatments or application of alginate pellets. In microplots infested with R. suberifaciens CA1^T, seed treatment with R. suberifaciens FL11 provided complete control and a soil drench with FL11 significantly reduced the disease. Pathogenicity tests with FL11 on 23 plant species in 10 families resulted in slight yellowing on roots of lettuce and close relatives; similar yellowing appeared on some roots of non‐inoculated lettuce plants. This research showed that biocontrol agents can be genus‐specific. Only one isolate, FL11, provided more general control of various pathogenic strains causing CR even in field soil in pots and microplots.     

长期施用有机肥对松嫩平原西部盐碱土壤肥力和玉米产量的影响

依据施用有机肥（腐熟牛粪）年限的不同,共设置4个不同处理,分别为：施用有机肥13 a（13A）、19 a（19A）和24 a（24A）,以未施用有机肥的盐碱土作为对照（CK）,采集各处理0～20 cm和20～40 cm的土壤样品,测定土壤养分、物理性状和盐碱性质,旨在探明长期施用有机肥措施下苏打盐碱土壤的肥力状况及其促进玉米产量提升的机制。结果表明：与CK相比,施用有机肥显著提高了0～20、20～40 cm土层的土壤有机质、全氮、速效养分含量和土壤田间持水量（P<0.05）,显著降低了土壤容重和土壤密度（P<0.05）,显著增加了0～20 cm土层的土壤孔隙度（P<0.05）。0～20 cm土层中,土壤有机质、全氮以19A处理最高,分别达39.31 g·kg^-1和1.30 g·kg^-1;土壤碱解氮、速效磷、速效钾均以24A含量最高,较CK分别提高了89.31%、81.07%和107.64%,土壤孔隙度以24A含量最高,较CK提高了54.56%,各处理土壤容重和土壤密度平均较CK下降率达31.91%和6.29%,处理间不显著。...     

Herbicidal and biological characteristics of a new benzenesulfonylurea compound K-11451 under submerged paddy conditions

The new benzenesulfonylurea K-11451, an α-hydroxy-β-fluoropropyl- compound, applied at 3–9 g ha ⁻¹, controlled annual and perennial weeds grown in submerged paddy soil under greenhouse conditions. It effectively controlled barnyardgrass at growth stages varying from pre-emergence to the five-leaf stage. The compound inhibited acetolactate synthase, I₅₀ values for the enzyme isolated from barnyardgrass and rice being 56 and 67 nM , respectively. K-11451 inhibited the growth of rice when it was transplanted at a shallow depth (0–1 cm) and water leaching from the paddy soil was high (3–5 cm per day). With a water depth of 3 cm, the compound appeared to move readily down into the paddy soil and had the relatively short half-life of 15.2 days under submerged paddy conditions. A mixture of K-11451 + mefenecet + daimuron (9 + 250 + 250 g ha⁻¹) controlled almost all weeds in the paddy field without injury to rice, so that the combination could be used as a ‘one-shot’ herbicide in rice culture.     

The analysis of crops and soils for the triazine herbicide cyanazine and some of its degradation products. II. Results

Crops and soils from field trials in 1967–1970 in several countries have been analysed for residues of the triazine herbicide cyanazine (‘BLADEX’

1 Shell Registered Trade Mark.

^a or ‘FORTROL’^a' 2-chloro-4-(1-cyano-1-methylethylamino)-6-ethylamino-1,3,5-triazine) and for its degradation products 2-chloro-4-(1-carbarmoyl-1-methylethylamino)-6-ethylamino-1,3,5-triazine ( II ), 2-chloro-4-(1-cyano-1-methylethylamino)-6-amino-1,3,5-triazine ( V ) and 2-chloro-4-(1-carbonyl-1-methylethylamino)-6-amino-1,3,5-triazine ( VI ). The time for the concentration of cyanazine in soils to fall to half the initial value was in the range 1.3 to 5 weeks with a mean value of 2.4 weeks. The rate of loss was not affected by sparse crop cover and there was some indication that the rate was greater under moist soil conditions. Residues of up to 0.5 part/million of ( II ) and up to 0.08 part/million of ( VI ) were detected in soils at 4 weeks from cyanazine application at 2 kg/ha. The residues of cyanazine and the degradation products declined rapidly and were 0.07 part/million or less at 16 weeks from treatment. Repeated annual applications did not lead to a detectable build up of residues in soil. Neither residues of cyanazine nor those of ( II ), ( V ) or ( VI ) could be detected in a wide range of crops harvested from soil treated in accordance with the likely recommendations and the limits of detectability were 0.01 to 0.04 part/million.     

Leaching of Alachlor from Alginate-Encapsulated Controlled-Release Formulations

The mobility of alachlor from alginate-encapsulated controlled-release (CR) formulations was investigated in two contrasting soil profiles. Two CR formulations of alachlor were prepared with the following components (1) base—sodium alginate+kaolin+‘Tween’ 20 (1+10+0·5 by mass) and (2) base+40 g kg⁻¹ linseed oil. These were compared to technical grade alachlor and to a commercial alachlor EC formulation (‘Lasso’ 4EC). All herbicide treatments were labeled with [¹⁴C]alachlor and were applied to duplicate soil columns that were composed of a surface and a subsoil horizon. Each horizon was packed to a depth of 12·5 cm, giving a total column length of 25 cm. The columns were leached with 21 cm (420 ml) to 30 cm (600 ml) of 0·01M calcium chloride for a period of 7 to 10 days. Alachlor leaching from the EC formulations was the same as that from the technical material in both soils: 33% in the Evesboro and 10% in the Conover soil. The CR-Oil formulation leached 4 and 2% of the applied [¹⁴C]alachlor, compared to 12 and 3% for the CR-N formulation for the Evesboro and Conover soils, respectively. The CR-Oil formulation also increased the amount of [¹⁴C]alachlor retained in the soil surface horizon (105–114%), compared to CR-N (39–45%), technical material (14–23%) and EC (12–17%).     

Effect of Adjuvants on the Therapeutic Activity of Dimethomorph in Controlling Vine Downy Mildew. II. Adjuvant Mixtures,Outdoor-Hardened Vines and One-Pack Formulations

Previous investigations have shown that certain C₁₂–C₁₈ alcohol ethoxylates with between 5 and 20 moles ethylene oxide gave large enhancements to the therapeutic activity of emulsifiable concentrate (EC) and wettable power (WP) formulations of dimethomorph in controlling two-day-old infections of downy mildew (Plasmopara viticola, Berl. & deT) on glasshouse propagated vines (Vitis vinifera, L.). In a continuation of that work it has been shown that similar enhancements could also be obtained on vines that had been grown under outdoor conditions for two to three weeks before treatment (outdoor-hardened vines) and it is concluded that the treatments would therefore be effective on field vines. Mixtures of either ammonium sulfate or the silicone ethoxylate, ‘Silwet’ L77, with the best alcohol ethoxylates, ‘Genapol’ C050 or ‘Genapol’ C080, produced slight antagonism of the action of the ‘Genapols’ and therefore were of no benefit. Trials with one-pack formulations prepared containing the ‘Genapol’ adjuvants produced good dose response curves from which estimated doses for 90% fungal control (ED₉₀ values) could be calculated by Logit analysis. These one-pack formulations were significantly more effective than the standard EC formulation (ED₉₀=335 g AI ha⁻¹, glasshouse vines and 445 g AI ha⁻¹, outdoor hardened vines) with optimum enhancements with those formulations containing an adjuvant: dimethomorph ratio of either 9:1 on glasshouse vines (ED₉₀= 13 g AI ha⁻¹) or 6:1 on outdoor-hardened vines (ED₉₀=30 g AI ha⁻¹). This last result was significantly better than that obtained with a commercial formulation of cymoxanil, ‘Fytospore’, (ED₉₀=86 g AI ha⁻¹) and encouraged the recommendation that these one-pack formulations should be examined in field trials.     

1,3-dichloropropene distribution in soil when applied by drip irrigation or injection in pineapple culture

The fumigant nematicide, 1,3-dichloropropene (1,3-D VL; ‘Telone’ II) and a soluble liquid formulation, 1,3-D SL were tested in a pineapple field experiment to evaluate the vapor movement of the two formulations in soil gas as well as the movement and persistence of 1,3-D SL in soil profiles. Prior to planting, 1,3-D VL (407 kg ha^?1) was hand-injected into the soil in two parallel rows per planting bed to approximate the practice of chisel injection. 1,3-D SL (407 kg ha^?1) was applied with 6 mm of water by drip irrigation through a drip tube in the center of the bed. Post-plant applications of 1,3-D SL (113 kg ha^?1) were made at three-month intervals during a two-crop cycle. 1,3-D concentrations in soil gas were lower at the plant line in the drip treatment compared with the 1,3-D VL treatment, owing to differences in application method and fumigant placement. 1,3-D in the vapor phase reached peak concentrations 24 h after injection in the 1,3-D VL treatment compared with a peak at 48 h in the drip treatment. Post-plant applications of 1,3-D SL resulted in a three-fold difference in peak 1,3-D soil gas concentrations between replicate applications, the concentration being inversely related to soil moisture at the time of sampling. Drip application of 1,3-D SL resulted in a relatively uniform distribution of 1,3-D across the bed and to a depth of 45 cm. There was no effect of formulation on downward movement of 1,3-D and persistence in soil profiles sampled two weeks and one month after application. Rainfall which occurred 9 days after pre-plant 1,3-D fumigation resulted in leaching of 1,3-D to a depth of 150 cm in soil profiles. Due to the short half-life of 1,3-D, significant penetration of 1,3-D in the soil was observed only when irrigation or rainfall occurred soon after application.     

The effect of benomyl and some related compounds on Lumbricus terrestris and other earthworms

Earthworm populations in apple orchard plots sprayed with benomyl and thiophanate-methyl were greatly reduced. Lumbricus terrestris, a surface-feeding species, was not found in the treated plots. Captive worms would not feed on leaf material with spray deposits of benomyl, MBC and thiophanate-methyl at 1.75 μg/cm², and feeding was significantly reduced when deposits were 0.87 μg/cm². There was 100 % kill of worms in pots of soil within 14 days following a benomyl drench at the rate of 7.75 kg/ha, and a 60 % kill following a drench at the rate of 1.55 kg/ha. Worms immersed for 1 min in benomyl suspensions of 0.05 or 0.5 % died within 27 and 13 days respectively; those immersed in lower concentrations would not feed for 2 weeks but eventually did so. It is suggested that the lethal effects of benomyl may be due to anti-cholinesterase activity of the carbamate moiety of the molecule.     

Fusarium solani f.sp.cucurbitae andF. oxysporum f.sp.niveum inoculum densities in tunisian soils and their effect on watermelon seedlings

Populations ofFusarium solani f.sp.cucurbitae (Fsc) andFusarium oxysporum f.sp.niveum (Fon) in naturally infested soil of watermelon fields were counted by the soil dilution method with subsequent pathogenicity tests. Inoculum density varied within the same region from one field to another, ranging between 9 and 1600 CFU g^?1 soil forFsc and from 0 to 200 CFU g^?1 soil forFon. Fusarium crown- and root-rot-diseased seedlings were observed in most soils (93%); however, Fusarium wilt was observed in only 34% of soil samples. The disease incidence on cv. ‘Giza’ (Y) increased significantly with inoculum density in the soil (X) (P<0.001). ForFsc, the relationship between inoculum density and disease incidence was characterized by the equation Y=0.0005X+0.165 (R²=0.67). ForFon, the equation was Y=0.003X?0.0014 (R²=0.88). Based on these equations, the estimated inoculum densities required to cause 50% disease incidence (DI₅₀) on cv. Giza plants was 670 and 171 CFU g^?1 soil forFsc andFon, respectively.     

Virulence of ‘Dickeya solani’ and Dickeya dianthicola biovar‐1 and ‐7 strains on potato (Solanum tuberosum)

Studies were conducted to explain the relative success of ‘Dickeya solani’, a genetic clade of Dickeya biovar 3 and a blackleg‐causing organism that, after recent introduction, has spread rapidly in seed potato production in Europe to the extent that it is now more frequently detected than D. dianthicola. In vitro experiments showed that both species were motile, had comparable siderophore production and pectinolytic activity, and that there was no antagonism between them when growing. Both ‘D. solani’ and biovar 1 and biovar 7 of D. dianthicola rotted tuber tissue when inoculated at a low density of 10³ CFU mL^?1. In an agar overlay assay, D. dianthicola was susceptible to 80% of saprophytic bacteria isolated from tuber extracts, whereas ‘D. solani’ was susceptible to only 31%, suggesting that ‘D. solani’ could be a stronger competitor in the potato ecosystem. In greenhouse experiments at high temperatures (28°C), roots were more rapidly colonized by ‘D. solani’ than by biovar 1 or 7 of D. dianthicola and at 30 days after inoculation higher densities of ‘D. solani’ were found in stolons and progeny tubers. In co‐inoculated plants, fluorescent protein (GFP or DsRed)‐tagged ‘D. solani’ outcompeted D. dianthicola in plants grown from vacuum‐infiltrated tubers. In 3 years of field studies in the Netherlands with D. dianthicola and ‘D. solani’, disease incidence varied greatly annually and with strain. In summary, ‘D. solani’ possesses features which allow more efficient plant colonization than D. dianthicola at high temperatures. In temperate climates, however, tuber infections with ‘D. solani’ will not necessarily result in a higher disease incidence than infections with D. dianthicola, but latent seed infection could be more prevalent.     

Effect of soil-injected benomyl on resident earthworm populations

Soils pressure-injected with benomyl (36 g/m²) ¼ 1, 2 or 3 years previously or at 18 g/m² 4 years previously were examined to determine the earthworm populations. Earthworms that emerged within 20 min following a soil drench with formalin were counted. A significant reduction in the earthworm population occurred soon after benomyl treatment; however, within months the earthworm population increased substantially. The earthworm populations in plots treated with benomyl one or more years previously did not differ significantly from untreated plots.     

The influence of soil and other physical factors on the antifungal activity of carbendazim against Rhizoctonia solani

The inhibition of the growth of Rhizoctohia solani in vitro by carbendazim was maximal at 20°C and at pH 8. In pot tests using mung bean, maximum protection against ‘damping-off’, caused by R. solani, was obtained when seeds were treated with carbendazim. at 1 g a. i. kg^?1 (as a wettable powder) and sown in river sands of pH 7 and 8, kept at a 20°C. Better disease control was obtained in soils kept moist by frequent watering than in soils under water stress. Disease control was best in sandy soil and least in clay loam. The implications of these results, for the antifungal efficacy of carbendazim under diverse soil conditions, are discussed.     

Weed seedling herbivory by field cricket Teleogryllus emma (Orthoptera: Gryllidae) in relation to the depth of seedling emergence

This study aimed to determine whether seedling herbivory by the field cricket, Teleogryllus emma (Ohmachi et Matsuura), promoted the mortality of Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.), a non‐native grass weed in Japan, whether the impact of seedling herbivory differed depending on the depth of seedling emergence and the influence of cricket density on seedling mortality. First, the seedlings at emergence depths of 0, 1 and 2 cm were exposed to the cricket for 2 days in plastic cups and the amount of seedling mortality by herbivory was calculated. The level of mortality of 60 seedlings that emerged from seeds on the soil surface was 92.4%, significantly higher than that of the seedlings that emerged from seeds at depths of 1 cm (10.8%) and 2 cm (9.6%). Second, the seedlings at the emergence depths of 0 and 1 cm were exposed to the crickets at four different densities (zero, one, two and three individuals per 5700 cm²) for 5 days in plastic containers and the amount of seedling mortality by herbivory was calculated. The level of mortality by herbivory of the seedlings that emerged from 100 seeds on the soil surface was higher (33.3–61.3%) than that of the seedlings that emerged from seeds at a depth of 1 cm (4.7–13.1%) in the containers with one‐to‐three crickets. The level of seedling mortality tended to increase with an increasing cricket density. These results suggest that seedling herbivory by crickets is an important factor in weed mortality, particularly in no‐till fields and in field margins, where the seeds are more prevalent near the soil surface.     

Influence of plastic mulching and disinfection on the fungal flora of soils in Belgium1

Plastic mulching was tested in Belgium over several years as a method for modifying the population of pathogens and saprophytic fungi in the soil, both in the glasshouse and in the field. The plastic film was kept on the soil for 3 or 6 months, and treatments with formaldehyde, methyl bromide or dazomet were also applied. In the glasshouse the fungal flora was decreased after 6 months’plastic cover without disinfectants, especially for Mucor and Rhizoctonia, but Trichoderma was favoured. The plastic layer together with formaldehyde resulted in 50% killing of soil fungi. In the field with plastic layer only, there was a slight decrease in some fungi and an average increase in bacteria. With plastic combined with formaldehyde (250 ml m^-2), methyl bromide (100 gm^-2) or dazomet (80 g m^-2), better results were obtained. Fungi were reduced 75% with formaldehyde and 80–100% with methyl bromide or dazomet depending on soil depth. Qualitatively there was a clear shift towards Trichoderma, while pathogenic fungi such as Verticillium and Fusarium were nearly 100% killed.