Efficacy of aluminum phosphide tablets to control Richardson’s ground squirrel (Spermophilus richardsonii) populations in southern Saskatchewan, Canada

The objective of this study was to assess, using a capture-recapture program, the effectiveness of aluminum phosphide tablets for control of Richardson’s ground squirrels (Spermophilus richardsonii) in southern Saskatchewan grasslands, from April to July 2007-2009. Aluminum phosphide tablets were tested in study plots in moist or dry soil conditions, where burrow openings had either been marked with a flag (to ensure that all openings would be found and treated) before treatment or left unmarked. In five study plots with moist soil conditions and flagged burrow openings, the mean control level was 80.9 (SD = 6.3) %. In two study plots with dry soil conditions and flagged burrow openings, and one study with moist soil conditions and unflagged burrow openings, control levels were < 60%. It is recommended that aluminum phosphide tablets be used to control Richardson’s ground squirrels in relatively small areas (i.e., < 5 ha) with moist soil conditions and flagged burrow openings, or in specific sites where there are still high concentrations of ground squirrels after an initial treatment with poison food baits.     

Comparative efficacy of conventional and new rodenticides against Microtus arvalis (Pallas, 1778) in wheat and alfalfa crops

In order to compare the efficacies of new rodenticides (sodium selenite and cellulose) and conventional ones (bromadiolone, brodifacoum and cholecalciferol) in controlling Microtus arvalis (Pallas, 1778) in wheat and alfalfa crops, experiments were conducted at two sites near Belgrade, Serbia, in the spring of 2008, using a standard EPPO method. The presence of rodent populations, their spatial distribution and density indexes were evaluated by pre-treatment census, and rodenticide efficacy by counting active holes 14 and 28 days after treatment.     

Epidemiology and control of chocolate spot (Botrytis fabae) on winter field beans (Vicia faba)

Dispersal of Botrytis fabae spores and the development of chocolate spot lesions were monitored in crops of winter-sown field beans during the 1980/81, 1981/82 and 1982/83 seasons. The greatest numbers of B. fabae spores collected on horizontal sticky slides exposed in crops were associated with periods of heavy rain and numbers declined if weather was dry. Amounts of chocolate spot developing on leaves of young potted plants exposed in crops near the slides followed the same trends as spore numbers. When numerous spores were collected, abundant chocolate spot developed on the leaves of tagged plants in the crops. Benomyl sprays were applied (at 0·5 kg a.i./ha) either after peaks in numbers of spores collected or according to crop growth stages. Sprays applied in January–April generally gave no increase in yield whether or not timed according to spore peaks. The greatest yields were obtained from plots sprayed in late May, at the midflowering stage of crop growth.     

The effect of ground vegetation management on competition between the ants Oecophylla longinoda and Pheidole megacephala and implications for conservation biological control

In tropical Africa and Asia, two species of the predatory ant genus, Oecophylla, play a crucial role in protecting tree crops against pests and enhancing the quality of fruits and nuts. As predatory effectiveness is influenced by the presence of other dominant ant species, understanding the ecological factors at work in agroecosystems lies at the basis of conservation biological control. Over three and a half years, the effect of ground vegetation management on the beneficial tree-nesting ant Oecophylla longinoda (Latreille) and its competitor, the ground-nesting ant, Pheidole megacephala (Fabricius), was studied in a citrus orchard in Tanzania. When ground vegetation was present, P. megacephala tolerated O. longinoda and to some extent cohabited with this ant in citrus trees. However, after clean cultivation, P. megacephala displaced O. longinoda from tree crowns and became the sole occupant of the majority of trees. Displacement could be reversed by reversing the weed management regime, but this took time. Two years after the establishment of ground vegetation about half of the trees were colonized by Oecophylla only. Maintaining ground vegetation in tree crop plantations benefits the establishment and abundance of Oecophylla over Pheidole and is recommended in order to improve the efficiency of biological control of tree pests. The use of Amdro ant bait (hydramethylnon) to control P. megacephala is discussed. Boosting agroecological innovations, such as the one described in this paper, could benefit smallholder producers.     

Factors influencing the effectiveness of Trichosirocalus horridus (Panzer) in the control of Carduus thistles

Trichosirocalus horridus (Panzer) (Coleoptera: Curcilionidae), a European weevil introduced for the biological control of Carduus thistles, was initially released in 1974 and has become established in Virginia, USA. Studies were conducted to examine the impact of the weevil on Carduus thistles in the field in spring and winter, and in the laboratory. Variables included two thistle species, two thistle sizes and three larval densities. Response of the thistle to larval infestation was influenced by thistle growth, thistle size and larval density. Thistle rosettes grown in the laboratory had the greatest percentage of plants developing necrosis (99%) with none recovering fully; the plant centre died in 89%, and 31% died completely, whereas no field-grown plants died. Spring rosettes developed the next largest percentage of necrosis (85%) and of death of centre (28%), but had the highest percentage of plants recovering (80%). Overwintering thistles developed the least amount of necrosis (43%) and of dead centres (2%), but had a lower recovery rate (61%) than spring thistle rosettes. Neither spring nor overwintering rosettes died even at the highest infestation level (50 larvae). Appearance of symptoms of infestation in overwintering thistle rosettes was influenced by plant species, plant size and rate of larval infestation. Thistle species was not a factor determining when laboratory rosettes manifested symptoms of infestation, and larval density did not influence spring rosettes. Small laboratory thistle rosettes were killed by infestations of 30 larvae (42%) and 50 larvae (100%). Although T. horridus larvae do not kill the majority of the thistles that they infest, they do weaken them by destroying crown tissues. The effectiveness of T. horridus may be greatly enhanced by the joint use of other stress factors.     

Fire blight (Erwinia amylovora) resistant/susceptibility of native apple germplasm from eastern Turkey

This study aimed to determine the resistance/susceptibility to fire blight of apple germplasm resources from the province of Erzincan in eastern Turkey. In total, 32 native apple accessions from four regions within the province were tested under greenhouse conditions by inoculating the shoot tips with pathogenic bacterium. Shoot tips were wounded for inoculation. Genotypical susceptibility index (GSI%) values were computed for each genotype based on the length of the lesion that developed on each shoot. Accessions were grouped into five classes of resistance/susceptibility, as follows: Class A (resistant); Class B (moderately resistant); Class C (moderately susceptible); Class D (susceptible); and Class E (highly susceptible). GSI% values differed significantly among accessions (p < 0.01). Five accessions received a rating of Class A, and 7 accessions received a rating of Class B. This was followed by 9 accessions with a rating of Class C, 5 accessions with a rating of Class D and 6 accessions with a rating of Class E. The findings of this study are expected to contribute to breeding efforts with respect to apple resistance to fire blight.     

Chemical control of faba bean rust (Uromyces viciae-fabae)

The effectiveness of eleven foliar-applied fungicides on faba bean rust (Uromyces viciae-fabae (Pers.) J. Schröt.) and on the seed yield of faba bean (Vicia faba L.) were studied in growth chambers and in the field in Spain. Fungicides were tested at recommended and reduced rates. All the fungicides tested provided very effective preventive control in the growth chamber studies. Triazoles (difenoconazol, epoxiconazol, tebuconazol) and their mixtures with benzimidazoles (carbendazim-flutriafol and carbendazim-flusilazole) provided the most effective curative effect, even at 25% of recommended concentrations. They were followed by dithiocarbamates, copper dithiocarbamate mixture, carboxamide and chlorothalonil. Triazoles, benzimidazole-triazole mixtures and carboxamide maintained their effect until 15 days after fungicide application.Under field conditions, rust infection caused 22-26% yield reduction. All fungicides except mancozeb caused a significant decrease in disease severity under field conditions, but only treatments with triazoles and benzimidazole-triazole mixtures provided significant yield increases (22.7-15.6%) when applied twice. Three applications of oxycarbosin or copper-mancozeb were needed to provide a significant yield increase. Dithiocarbamates (thiram, maneb or mancozeb) or chlorothalonil reduced rust severity but did not provide a significant yield increase.     

Weed control and yield response to mesotrione in maize (Zea mays)

Mesotrione has recently been registered for weed control in maize in Ontario, Canada; however, there is still little information on the doses required to provide 90% control for the complete spectrum of broadleaved weeds that the product controls. Our objective was to determine mesotrione doses that would provide at least 90% control of four economically important weeds, without impacting final maize yield by more than 5% in comparison to a weed-free control. Sixteen field trials were conducted at six Ontario locations in 1999–2001 to evaluate the effectiveness of mesotrione at doses ranging from 9 to 280 g ai ha⁻¹. The doses required to reduce weed biomass by at least 90% (I₉₀) varied with location and year, and for common lambsquarters and velvetleaf differed by application timing. For lambsquarters, the estimated doses required ranged from 10 to 1984 g ai ha⁻¹ for preemergence applications and 15–38 g ai ha⁻¹ for postemergence applications. Doses of 45 and 19–243 g ai ha⁻¹ were required to effectively reduce the biomass of redroot pigweed. Velvetleaf was effectively controlled preemergence with 288 g ai ha⁻¹ and postemergence with 31 g ai ha⁻¹ of mesotrione. Final maize yield was only reduced by more than 5% of a weed-free control when a dose of less than 35 g ai ha⁻¹ of mesotrione was applied. These results show that biologically effective weed control with reduced doses of mesotrione is possible depending on the spectrum of broadleaved weed species present in the field.     

Modelling the spray deposition and efficacy of two mineral oil-based products for the control of California red scale, Aonidiella aurantii (Maskell)

The pattern and quantity of pesticide deposition may affect the efficacy of pesticide treatments. In this study we evaluated under laboratory conditions the efficacy of two petroleum-derived spray oils (PDSO) (Laincoil^®, an nC21 oil with a content of 83% w/v, Oil A, and Sunspray Ultrafine^®, an nC21 with a content of 85% w/v, Oil B, both with an unsulfonated residue of 92%) applied at 1.5% concentration at five volumes (0.5, 1, 2, 3 and 4 ml) against different stages of Aonidiella aurantii Maskell (Homoptera: Diaspididae). In parallel, we characterized the deposition pattern of treatments resulting from these five volumes and two PDSOs. The objective was to model deposition characteristics and efficacy as a function of the deposited volume in order to determine the optimum volume per unit surface that should be applied to control this pest. Different models that depend on the developmental stage and relate to the efficacy of the treatment as a function of the deposited volume have been obtained for both PDSOs, thus providing a scientific basis for product efficacy comparison. Furthermore, our results are also relevant to find an adequate trade-off between sprayed pesticide volume and expected efficacy.     

Pest-damage relationships for Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) on soybean (Glycine max) and dry bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) during pod-fill

The response of soybean (Glycine max) and dry bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) to feeding by Helicoverpa armigera during the pod-fill stage was studied in irrigated field cages over three seasons to determine the relationship between larval density and yield loss, and to develop economic injury levels. H. armigera intensity was calculated in Helicoverpa injury equivalent (HIE) units, where 1 HIE was the consumption of one larva from the start of the infestation period to pupation. In the dry bean experiment, yield loss occurred at a rate 6.00 ± 1.29 g/HIE while the rates of loss in the three soybean experiments were 4.39 ± 0.96 g/HIE, 3.70 ± 1.21 g/HIE and 2.12 ± 0.71 g/HIE. These three slopes were not statistically different (P > 0.05) and the pooled estimate of the rate of yield loss was 3.21 ± 0.55 g/HIE. The first soybean experiment also showed a split-line form of damage curve with a rate of yield loss of 26.27 ± 2.92 g/HIE beyond 8.0 HIE and a rapid decline to zero yield. In dry bean, H. armigera feeding reduced total and undamaged pod numbers by 4.10 ± 1.18 pods/HIE and 12.88 ± 1.57 pods/HIE respectively, while undamaged seed numbers were reduced by 35.64 ± 7.25 seeds/HIE. In soybean, total pod numbers were not affected by H. armigera infestation (out to 8.23 HIE in Experiment 1) but seed numbers (in Experiments 1 and 2) and the number of seeds/pod (in all experiments) were adversely affected. Seed size increased with increases in H. armigera density in two of the three soybean experiments, indicating plant compensatory responses to H. armigera feeding. Analysis of canopy pod profiles indicated that loss of pods occurred from the top of the plant downwards, but with an increase in pod numbers close to the ground at higher pest densities as the plant attempted to compensate for damage. Based on these results, the economic injury levels for H. armigera on dry bean and soybean are approximately 0.74 HIE and 2.31 HIE/m², respectively (0.67 and 2.1 HIE/row-m for 91 cm rows).     

Evaluation of augmentative release of Zygogramma bicolorata Pallister (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) for biological control of Parthenium hysterophorus L.

Augmentative release of biocontrol agents has been largely successful for the management of insect pests but it has not been a common approach for weed management. Augmentation methods need to be developed for weed management, especially for pernicious weeds like Parthenium hysterophorus L., commonly known as pathenium or carrot weed. The leaf beetle Zygogramma bicolorata is a potential biocontrol agent of P. hysterophorus. Initial release of biocontrol agents is subject to uncertainties as to whether timely population built-up will take place in sufficient numbers. Several augmentative releases may be required to ensure early establishment of the biocontrol agents, for successful biological control of noxious weeds including pathenium. We made augmentative releases of larvae or adults of Z. bicolorata each to three sites, severely infested with pathenium at Jabalpur, India consecutively for a period of three years. Initially 10 larvae or adults per sq m were released in each plot, followed by a second, third and fourth release of 3, 1.5 and 1.5 larvae or adults per sq m at an intervals of 3, 7 and 14 days after the first augmentation. The pathenium at augmented sites were completely defoliated in 45 and 60 days by larvae and adults respectively. There was also a reduction in the pathenium density and plant height in the augmented sites as compared to the non-augmented sites. Over a period of 3 years augmentation resulted in a noteworthy negative effect on the weed.     

Suppression of green peach aphid (Myzus persicae) (Sulz.), citrus mealybug (Planococcus citri) (Risso), and two spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae) (Koch.) attacks on tomatoes and cucumbers by aqueous extracts from vermicomposts

Vermicomposts are produced through interactions between earthworms and microorganisms in the breakdown of organic wastes. Aqueous extracts were prepared in commercial brewing equipment (Growing Solutions Inc.) from vermicomposts processed from pre-consumer food waste. The ratio of vermicompost to water was 1 to 5 v:v to produce a 20% aqueous solution. The effects of soil drenches at dilutions of 20%, 10%, and 5% vermicompost extracts, were compared with those of deionized water, in the suppression of green peach aphids, mealybugs, and two spotted spider mites attacking tomatoes and cucumbers, in greenhouse cage experiments.     

Effectiveness of plant extracts on suppression of damping-off and wilt diseases of lupine (Lupinus termis Forsik)

The aim of this study was to evaluate water and organic solvent of plant extracts for protection of lupine plants against damping-off and wilt diseases caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lupini, F. oxysporum f. sp. lupini Snyder & Hansen was isolated from diseased lupine roots collected from different locations of Minia, Assiut and New Valley governorates. Water leaf extracts of Calotropis procera, Nerium oleander, Eugenia jambolana, Citrullus colocynthis, Ambrosia maritime, Acacia nilotica and Ocimum basilicum and fruit extracts of C. colocynthis, C. procera and E. jambolana reduced damping-off and wilt diseases caused by F. oxysporum f. sp. lupini. Water extracts of E. jambolana leaves, C. colocynthis fruits and N. oleander leaves were the most effective ones for controlling such diseases. In contrast, A. nilotica and O. basilicum extracts were the least effective ones. Organic solvent extracts of tested plants reduced damping-off and wilt diseases than water extracts. Butanolic and ethereal extracts were highly effective in reduction of diseases than the other tested extracts. Under field conditions, during winter growing seasons 2008/09 and 2009/10, ethereal and butanolic extracts of N. oleander and E. jambolana leaves and C. colocynthis fruits significantly reduced the percentage of wilt severity as well as improved growth parameters (plant height, number of branches, pods and seeds per plant) and increased seed index, total seed yield/hectare compared with control treatment, while protein content in seeds was not effected. In conclusion, our study demonstrated that some plant extracts can be used for biocontrol of lupine damping-off and wilt diseases.     

Use of propanil and quinclorac tank mixtures for broadleaf weed control on rice (Oryza sativa) levees

Broadleaf weed control on rice levees is an emerging problem faced by growers and consultants in Arkansas, USA. Field experiments were conducted at Lonoke and Stuttgart, Arkansas, in 2007 and 2008 to evaluate the effectiveness of various postemergence herbicides applied alone or in tank mixture with propanil or quinclorac for large-sized broadleaf weed control on rice levees. Rice injury was minimal (≤5%) from all herbicides at 2 weeks after treatment (WAT), and no injury was observed at 4 WAT. Sida spinosa (prickly sida) and Amaranthus palmeri (Palmer amaranth) were the most difficult-to-control weeds on levees. Of the herbicides applied alone, 2,4-D generally supplied the highest and most consistent weed control across the six species evaluated. Quinclorac was generally a better tank-mix partner than propanil for control of the weed spectrum evaluated. Propanil at 4.48 kg/ha lowered the activity of several systemic herbicides on S. spinosa, Polygonum pensylvanicum (Pennsylvania smartweed), and Ipomoea wrightii (palmleaf morningglory). Quinclorac plus 2,4-D was the most consistent tank mixture, providing more than 80% control of all weeds at 2 and 4 WAT, except A. palmeri.     

Double fortification of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) and finger millet (Eleucine coracana L. Gaertn) flours with iron and zinc

Finger millet and sorghum flours were used as vehicles for double fortification with ferrous fumarate, zinc stearate and EDTA. The iron and zinc salts were added at levels that provided 60 mg iron and 50 mg zinc per kg of flour. EDTA was added at levels equimolar to the added iron. The double-fortified finger millet and sorghum flours contained bioaccessible zinc contents of 0.83 and 1.63 mg/100 g, respectively, while the respective bioaccessible iron contents were 2.39 and 2.63 mg/100 g. The exogenous iron and zinc did not mutually interfere with their bioaccessibility. The shelf-life of the fortified flours was also satisfactory up to a period of 60 days, as indicated by the moisture and free fatty acid contents in the fortified flours. Double fortification of the millet flours did not negatively alter the sensory quality of the products prepared from them. The RDA for iron and zinc of Indian children, women and men can be sufficiently met with approximately 4 dumplings or 9 rotis. The use of such qualitatively and quantitatively rich flours can be promoted through welfare programs to reduce and subsequently eradicate iron and zinc deficiency.     

Weed control and sensitivity of oats (Avena sativa) with various doses of saflufenacil

Saflufenacil is a new herbicide being developed by BASF for broadleaved weed control in maize, soybean and other crops prior to crop emergence. Six field studies were conducted in Ontario, Canada over a three year period (2008-2010) to evaluate the potential of saflufenacil applied pre-emergence (PRE) at various doses for broadleaved weed control in oats. Saflufenacil applied PRE caused minimal visible injury at 1, 2 and 4 weeks after emergence (WAE) in oats. At 4 WAE, the dose of saflufenacil required to provide 95% control of Ambrosia artemisiifolia (common ragweed), Chenopodium album (common lambsquarters), Polygonum convolvulus (wild buckwheat), Polygonum scabrum (green smartweed) and Sinapsis arvensis (wild mustard) was 72 to >100, >100, 74, 58 and >100 g ai ha⁻¹, respectively. Generally, similar saflufenacil dose-response trends were seen at 8 WAE. The doses of saflufenacil required to provide 95% reduction in density and dry weight ranged from 95 to >100 and 42 to >100 g ai ha⁻¹ respectively for A. artemisiifolia, C. album, P. convolvulus, P. scabrum and S. arvensis. Oat yield showed no sensitivity to saflufenacil at the doses evaluated. Based on this study, saflufenacil applied PRE can be safely used in spring planted oats for the control of some troublesome annual broadleaved weeds.     

Dietary fiber and other functional components in two varieties of crude and extruded kiwicha (Amaranthus caudatus)

Two varieties (Centenario and Oscar Blanco) of Andean native grain, kiwicha (Amaranthus caudatus), were evaluated as sources of dietary fiber and of some bioactive compounds. The impact of low-cost extrusion on the content of these components was studied for technological applications. The content of total dietary fiber in Centenario was higher (16.4%) than in Oscar Blanco (13.8%). In both varieties, the content of total and insoluble dietary fiber decreased during the extrusion process. In Centenario, the content of soluble dietary fiber increased, from 2.5 to 3.1% during the extrusion process. The content of phytic acid in raw kiwicha was 0.3% for both varieties, and the content of total phenolic compounds was 98.7 and 112.9 mg GAE/100 g of sample, for Centenario and Oscar Blanco, respectively.     

Differential response of pea (Pisum sativum) to Orobanche crenata, Orobanche foetida and Phelipanche aegyptiaca

Several broomrape species including Orobanche crenata, Orobanche foetida and Phelipanche aegyptiaca are reported to infect various grain and forage legumes in the Mediterranean and West Asia. Pea (Pisum sativum) is severely damaged by O. crenata, but there are no reports on O. foetida or P. aegyptiaca infection. We report here that pea can induce high germination of seeds of O. crenata, O. foetida and P. aegyptiaca but only O. crenata success infecting pea roots and developing further. Some differences in levels of infection by O. crenata were observed among pea accessions what can be exploited in pea resistance breeding programmes. On the contrary, all pea accessions studied were highly resistant to infection by both O. foetida and P. aegyptiaca, preventing any tubercle attachment and development. This makes pea a promising candidate as trap crop for O. foetida and P. aegyptiaca seed bank demise in infested soils.     

Monitoring for MACE resistance in the tobacco-adapted form of the green peach aphid, Myzus persicae (Sulzer) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) in the eastern United States

Organophosphate and carbamate insecticides exert their neurotoxic effects by inhibiting acetylcholinesterase (AChE), thereby, prolonging the action of acetylcholine at cholinergic synapses, resulting in neuronal hyperexcitation. Mutations at the AChE target site confer modified acetylcholinesterase (MACE) phenotypes. Target-site insensitivity of AChE was characterized in field-collected, tobacco-adapted forms of the green peach aphid, Myzus persicae (Sulzer), from nine different states in the eastern United States from 2004 to 2007. The specific activity of the AChE among the 65 aphid colonies screened by Ellman's assay ranged from 0.017–0.259 U/min/mg protein. Eight colonies, with a wide range of specific activities were chosen to study the inhibition of AChE in the presence of two carbamate insecticides, methomyl and pirimicarb. IC₅₀ values for methomyl ranged from 0.35 to 2.4 μM, while six out of eight colonies had lower values that ranged from 0.16 to 0.30 μM for pirimicarb. Two colonies that were inhibited by methomyl had very high IC₅₀ values for pirimicarb, 40.4 and 98.6 μM respectively. The target-site insensitivity in these two colonies that are resistant to pirimicarb could be due to an ace2 gene mutation. This is the first instance where MACE phenotypes in M. persicae from the United States were studied and confirmed. The results indicate that the possible insensitivity due to MACE resistance in some colonies may render selected carbamate insecticides ineffective. Concerns of MACE resistance in managing the tobacco-adapted form of the green peach aphid on tobacco in the United States are discussed.     

Stalk strength and reaction to infection by Macrophomina phaseolina of brown midrib maize (Zea mays) and sorghum (Sorghum bicolor)

Reduced lignin concentration in brown mid-rib mutants in both maize and sorghum have resulted in improved dry matter digestibility, increased milk yield and higher energy in lactating cows. However, the mutations were not widely deployed due to concern that reduced lignin concentration might increase vulnerability to lodging and stalk rot incidence. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of the mutations on stalk strength and stalk rot resistance in both sorghum and maize. Six brown midrib (bmr) sorghum, four brown midrib (bm) maize, and their normal isolines were evaluated for stalk strength and stalk rot disease reaction at two locations in four replications. Three randomly selected plants in each plot were inoculated with Macrophomina phaseolina at 14 d after flowering by using the toothpick inoculation technique. On 28 d after inoculation, the plants were rated for disease severity by measuring the length of necrotic lesions in the stalks. Stalk strength was determined from another three random plants in each plot by using a rind penetrometer. The mutations had no effect on stalk rot disease severity in either sorghum or maize though stalks strength was markedly affected by the mutations in both species. While maize bm entries broke easily in response to mild mechanical stress, bmr sorghums did not exhibit sign of stalk collapse in all backgrounds. The result suggests that the bmr genes in both maize and sorghum can be deployed without incurring losses to stalk rot disease.