Resistance to the legume pod borer, Maruca vitrata Fabricius, and the probable modalities involved in wild Vigna

A large number of accessions belonging to selected wild Vigna species namely V. unguiculata subspecies dekindtiana, V. oblongifolia, and V. vexillata were evaluated using choice (DCAT) and no-choice (NCFT) laboratory feeding bioassays to determine their resistance to the pod borer, Maruca vitrata Fabricius. The most resistant accessions belonged to V. vexillata, followed by those from V. oblongifolia, with a few outstanding exceptions from V. unguiculata. Even though the latter were the least resistant, they provided the greatest variability among the tested accessions. In the DCAT, the cultivated cowpea line, IT84S-2246, which was used as the susceptible control was always preferred for feeding by the larvae (feeding index [FI] of 1.10–2.60) than the V. unguiculata accessions (FI ranged from 0–0.52). Against the resistant control (itself belonging to V. vexillata), only a few accessions were less preferred, most of these being either V. vexillata or V. oblongifolia. Larvae lost weight on the most resistant from all three species, because they either did not feed, or fed very little. Weight gain was positively correlated with seed damage (r = 0.82, P < 0.01) and the amount of frass produced (r = 0.91, P < 0.01). Seed damage was also positively correlated with the amount of frass produced (r = 0.64, P < 0.05). On the basis of these results, we believe that both antibiosis (post-ingestive effects) and antixenosis (deterrence to boring into the pods to feed) modalities of resistance are involved. The results are discussed further in relation to the origin, domestication and use of these accessions in cowpea improvement.     

Assessment of avoidable losses and economic injury levels for the sorghum head bug, Calocoris angustatus Leth. (Hemiptera:Miridae) in India

Avoidable losses and economic injury levels (EILs) were computed for the sorghum head bug, Calocoris angustatus Leth., on three cultivars during three rainy seasons (1985–1987) at ICRISAT. Grain yield in plots protected with 2–5 insecticide sprays (carbaryl at 500 g a.i./ha) between the half-anthesis and the dough stage was significantly higher than in untreated plots, with cost-benefit ratios > 1. Plots that were not protected at half-anthesis and/or complete-anthesis, and at milk and dough stages, suffered a significant loss in yield. Bug damage spoiled the grain quality in terms of germination, 1000-grain mass, grain hardness and percentage floaters. Three to four sprays between complete-anthesis and the dough stage prevented a significant reduction in grain quality. Head bug density at half-anthesis, complete-anthesis, milk and dough stages was significantly and negatively associated with grain yield. Bug density at different stages explained 43–94% of the variance in yield. Direct effects of bug numbers at the milk stage and the indirect effects of head bug density at other stages through the milk stage contributed towards maximum reduction in yield. Maximum avoidable losses were recorded in cultivar ICSV 1 (88·6%), followed by CSH 1 (69·9%), and CSH 5 (53·9% in 1986 and 55·0% in 1987). Loss in grain yield/ha due to one insect/panicle at half-anthesis and that based on natural increase, were 548 and 232 kg in CSH 5 during 1986 and 1987, respectively, 251 kg in ICSV 1, and 77 kg in CSH 1. EILs based on a cost-benefit ratio of 1:1 ranged from 1·3–1·4 insects/panicle for CSH 1, 0·4 for ICSV 1, and 0·4–0·6 and 0·2–0·4 for CSH 5 during 1986 and 1987, respectively. Simple cost estimates for insecticide sprays and the resultant saving in grain yield are a useful tool for decision-making in pest management.     

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.     

Interaction between cultivar and crop management effects on winter wheat diseases, lodging, and yield

The breeding of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) for resistance to major fungal diseases has been a priority over the last 15 years in France. During this period, integrated low-input strategies have been developed for winter wheat, to cope with falling grain prices and growing environmental concerns. We investigated the interactions between genotype and management for disease and lodging intensities, and analysed their effects on yield within an integrated crop management (CM) context.

A multi-environment experimental network (13 locations, studied in three seasons, between 1999–2000 and 2001–2002) comprising several combinations of cultivars and CM systems was carried out. Four rule-based CM plans were defined, with a decrease in input level from CM1 (a high-input CM plan designed to maximise the yield of a given cultivar) to CM4 (a low-input system with no fungicide protection, no plant growth regulator applications, a sowing density 40% lower than for CM1, and 90 kg ha⁻¹ less N fertiliser than for CM1). Cultivars were clustered into three groups (cultivar type (CT) CT1–CT3), according to their scores for resistance to diseases, for the analysis of yield, whereas the resistance cultivar rating (CR) for each disease and for lodging was considered for the analysis of disease and lodging intensities.

For all diseases, CM had a significant effect (P<0.0001), with disease intensity increasing from CM1 to CM4, whereas CR had a negative effect (P<0.005). An interaction between CR and CM was also detected for all diseases (P<0.005) except eyespot. Lodging intensity decreased significantly from CM1 to CM4 (P<0.0001), and significant increases in lodging resistance score (P<0.0001) were not associated with a genotype by management interaction.

Lastly, yield was significantly affected by CM (P<0.0001), CT (P<0.0003), and CM by CT interaction (P=0.0023). Cultivar ranking differed as a function of CM for yield, demonstrating that breeding programs focusing on cultivar evaluation in high-input environments do not result in the selection of cultivars suited to low-input environments.     

The ups and downs of insecticide resistance in peach-potato aphids (Myzus persicae) in the UK

The peach-potato aphid, Myzus persicae, provides an excellent demonstration of how genetic and ecological factors can interact to determine the dynamics of resistance and influence success of resistance management. The diversity of resistance mechanisms, based on both enhanced detoxification of insecticides and modifications to their target sites, that this species shows is now well understood at the genotypic, biochemical and molecular levels. These developments have yielded rapid and precise methods for detecting individual mechanisms, and for monitoring frequency changes in the presence and absence of insecticide selection. One factor influencing the prediction of these changes in the UK is the occurrence of prolonged periods of parthenogenesis in M. persicae, which results in non-random associations between particular resistance genes through the absence of genetic recombination. This has important implications for the rate at which resistance genes can accumulate in populations under selection by insecticides, and also for the speed at which they will decline when selection is relaxed. Although it is becoming apparent that resistance can be associated with various fitness costs, the relative contribution of individual resistance genes to these effects is still under investigation. However, the overall effect of the ‘ups’ and ‘downs’ of resistance in M. persicae, in the UK at least, has been to help maintain resistance phenotypes at manageable levels in most seasons. Unfortunately, the increasing genetic diversity of resistance in this species is progressively eroding the supply of effective insecticides. This in turn highlights the importance of ensuring sufficient chemical diversity to combat existing resistance mechanisms and to restrict the use of novel insecticides in order to sustain their effectiveness.     

Assessment of electrodynamic spraying as an alternative to ultra-low-volume spraying in western Tanzania

The introduction of ULV (ultra-low-volume) spraying to cotton farmers in western Tanzania in the early 1970s was a major contribution to the cotton industry as the control of cotton insect pests was made easier and possible in many areas. However, spray drift and increased cost of ULV insecticides and batteries have been major constraints to ULV spraying in recent years, so a spraying technique allowing greater efficacy and reduced costs is needed. Trials to assess the potential of electrodynamic spraying as an alternative to ULV spraying started in western Tanzania in 1979. The present study assessed swath width, dosage rates and farmer's reaction to the ‘Electrodyn’® hand-held sprayer as compared with the hand-held spinning-disc sprayer (Micron ULVA), currently used by farmers in Tanzania, in order to identify the optimum combination package to be recommended to farmers. Cypermethrin ED applied at a dosage rate of 15·8–31·6 g a.i./ha by the Electrodyn sprayer over a swath width of 3·0 m gave good control of H. armigera. Yields of seed cotton were comparable to those with ULV cypermethrin applied at a dosage rate of 62·5 g a.i./ha. The spray volume was reduced from 2·5 l/ha applied with the spinning disc to 0·35 l/ha with electrodynamic spraying. Reduced drift, dosage of active ingredient and volume rates, and reduction in the number of batteries needed in a season, were among the major advantages of electrodynamic spraying over ULV spraying in western Tanzania.     

种植抗虫品种和减量使用杀虫剂的白背飞虱可持续治理技术的田间试验

采用田间虫情和天敌数量调查、水稻产量与千粒重测定和水稻生产实际收益比较的方法,在浙江富阳和重庆秀山两地进行了种植抗虫品种和减量使用杀虫剂的白背飞虱可持续治理技术的田间试验.设使用杀虫剂2次和农户管理(使用杀虫剂4～5次)两个处理,无杀虫剂作为对照.试验结果表明,抗虫品种嘉花1号在各种杀虫剂处理中,白背飞虱成、若虫数量最低(0.9～3.3只/株),是感虫品种中香1号无杀虫剂处理的0.12%.无杀虫剂处理的蜘蛛数量分别是农户管理和杀虫剂2次处理的2.8～5.5倍和1.6～4.1倍.在同样的杀虫剂处理条件下,抗虫和耐虫品种的稻谷损失量和损失率较感虫品种明显地低.水稻生产的实际收益比较显示,无杀虫剂处理,种植嘉花1号可以增收1.13%～15.91%.因此,稻农种植抗虫或耐虫品种,减量使用杀虫剂至2次或不使用杀虫剂,充分利用蜘蛛等天敌的控制作用,完全能够有效地抑制白背飞虱种群的发生和发展,获得与常规杀虫剂用量(4～5次)相仿或更高的收益.     

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.     

Antifungal properties of Agapanthus africanus L. extracts against plant pathogens

Crude extracts of various Agapanthus africanus plant parts were screened in vitro against eight economically important plant pathogenic fungi. Radial mycelial growth was inhibited significantly (P<0.05) in five test organisms, while Pythium ultimum, and to a lesser extent Fusarium oxysporum and Alternaria alternata, showed a degree of tolerance. Subsequently, these crude extracts were tested in vivo in the greenhouse against Mycosphaerella pinodes, the cause of black spot or Ascochyta blight in peas. Fourth internode leaves were removed from 4-week-old pea plants, placed on moist filter paper in Petri dishes and inoculated with a M. pinodes spore suspension 30 min before and after treatment with the extracts. The control of Ascochyta blight by different concentrations of the crude extracts was measured in terms of lesion size over a 6-d period at 20 °C in a growth cabinet. All crude extracts significantly reduced lesion development caused by M. pinodes when leaves were inoculated with spores both before and after treatment with the extracts. Neither of the extracts showed any phytotoxic reaction on the leaves, even at the highest concentration applied. A combined aerial part crude extract of A. africanus was additionally evaluated against sorghum covered (Sporisorium sorghi) and loose (Sporisorium cruentum) kernel smuts under field conditions over two seasons. The extract and a standard fungicide, Thiram that served as a positive control, were applied as seed treatments 1 h after artificially inoculating separate sets of sorghum seed with smut spores. Inoculated, but untreated seeds served as a negative control. The extract reduced the incidence of both loose and covered kernel smuts significantly (P<0.05) and compared favourably with the prescribed fungicide, Thiram. Both treatments resulted in significant yield increases compared to the untreated control. From these results it was concluded that the aerial part crude extract of A. africanus possesses sufficient in vivo antifungal activity to warrant a further investigation.     

Alternate-row treatment with the repellent methiocarb to protect cherry orchards from birds

An alternate-row treatment of the bird repellent methiocarb (CA chemical name 3, 5-dimethyl-4-(methylthio)phenyl methylcarbamate; Mesurol® was evaluated for protecting entire cherry orchards from damage by European starlings, American robins, house finches, common grackles and other birds. Half of each orchard was randomly selected for treatment with methiocarb (1·7 kg/ha) applied to trees in every other row. The other half of each orchard was used as a control. Estimated loss of cherries to birds at the time of damage assessment was significantly lower in the six partially sprayed blocks (6·5%) than in the six unsprayed, control blocks (8·8%) (P = 0·03). However, the level of bird damage and the magnitude of the reduction were insufficient to provide a favourable benefit:cost ratio: there was a return of only $0·80 in cherries saved for every $1·00 spent on application and chemical costs. The overall lower damage in the partially sprayed blocks appeared to result primarily from reduced feeding by birds in the sprayed trees, which averaged 4·6% loss compared with 8·4% loss for unsprayed trees within the same block (P = 0·22). That this difference was not statistically significant indicates that birds had to sample a substantial number of berries before discriminating between sprayed and unsprayed fruit. It is not clear how birds detected berries sprayed with the repellent. Suggestions for evaluating other partial treatments of bird repellents in cherry orchards are discussed.     

三角梅属5个品种的花粉活力及柱头可授性比较分析

为探究三角梅属植物不同品种的花粉活力和柱头可授性,从而提高其杂交效率。以‘伊娃夫人’（Bougainvillea glabra ‘Mrs Eva’）、‘小叶紫’（B. glabra ‘Sao paulo’）、‘伊娃白’（B. glabra ‘Mrs Eva White’）、‘加州黄金’（B. × buttiana ‘California Gold’）和‘橙红’（B. × buttiana ‘Afterglow’）等5个三角梅品种为试材,采用FDA、液体培养基萌发法检测5个品种的花粉生活力,探究不同保存方法对其花粉活力的影响;利用联苯胺-过氧化氢法对5个品种的柱头可授性进行比较分析。结果表明：（1）0.01%FDA染色液均能使5个三角梅品种染色,其中,‘伊娃白’花粉活力最高,花粉活力为27.16%;其次是‘伊娃夫人’和‘小叶紫’,分别为13.98%和11.86%;活力最低的是‘橙红’和‘加州黄金’,分别为7.17%和4.01%。（2）不同保存条件下,5个三角梅品种的花粉活力存在显著差异。28℃干燥保存条件下,各品种花粉活力大小顺序为‘小叶紫’>‘伊娃夫人’>‘伊娃白’>‘橙红’>‘加州黄金’;4℃冰箱保存条件下,各品种花粉活力大小顺序为‘伊娃夫人’>‘伊娃白’>‘小叶紫’>‘加州黄金’>‘橙红’。（3）通过液体培养基培养12 h后5个三角梅品种的花粉萌发率均较低,其中‘小叶紫’萌发率相对较高,为4.50%;其次是‘伊娃白’和‘伊娃夫人’,分别为2.78%和2.51%;‘加州黄金’和‘橙红’萌发率最低,分别为0.98%和0.08%。（4）5个三角梅品种的柱头可授性差异明显,其中‘小叶紫’和‘伊娃夫人’柱头可授性较好,其次是‘伊娃白’,而‘加州黄金’和‘橙红’柱头可授性均较低。综上,‘小叶紫’‘伊娃夫人’和‘伊娃白’3个三角梅品种适合作为杂交育种中的亲本材料。     

Effects of herbicide-induced habitat alterations on blackbird damage to sunflower

In August 1992, we treated cattail-dominated wetlands in four 23-km² blocks with aerially-applied glyphosate herbicide (5.3 1 ha⁻¹). Four other blocks of wetlands were left untreated (reference). We assessed the effects of cattail (Typha spp.) reduction on roosting blackbird (Icterinae) numbers and sunflower damage within the blocks. Blackbird numbers did not differ between posttreatment years (P = 0.453) or between treated and reference wetlands (P = 0.469), averaging 6227 ± 4185 (SE) birds per block. Sunflower damage within blocks was similar between posttreatment years (P = 0.250) and did not vary (P = 0.460) between treatments ( ). However, positive linear relationships were detected between blackbird numbers (y) and hectares of live cattails (x) [(y = 442.2 x)] (P = 0.006) and between blackbird numbers (x) and kilograms of sunflower lost per hectare per year (y) [(y = 0.003 x)] (P = 0.0001). Cattail reduction appears to discourage roosting blackbirds and, thus, may reduce sunflower damage in adjacent fields.     

双季早稻养分积累分配特征及其与产量构成的相关性

三熟制模式下南方双季稻茬口衔接季节紧张是协调双季稻周年增产中存在的主要问题。虽然前人在三熟制模式下水稻品种搭配以及肥料利用率方面做了大量研究,但是三熟制模式下南方双季早稻产量及其养分积累分配相关性的研究鲜有报道。为了比较南方双季早稻养分积累分配特征,本文以15个水稻早稻品种为研究对象,对不同水稻品种的秧苗素质、基本苗及分蘖动态、经济性状、营养元素积累及分配、产量及产量构成因素进行比较分析。结果表明,不同品种间秧苗素质存在显著差异,‘株两优819’的叶龄、苗高、百株鲜重等多项指标优于其他品种,秧苗素质表现佳。分蘖动态调查表明不同品种达到分蘖峰值的时间不同,其中以‘株两优929’的高峰苗最大,1 hm²达616.65万茎蘖数,‘株两优929’与‘中早39’高峰苗差异最为显著,‘株两优929’较‘中早39’显著增加33.62%。氮、磷、钾总养分的积累方面,‘株两优929’和‘陵两优942’养分积累量显著高于其他品种,分别为311.88 kg/hm²和376.35 kg/hm²。‘陵两优942’的地上部干物质积累量最高,为12 028.09 kg/hm²。‘株两优929’的实际产量最高,为7873.01 kg/hm²。成熟期水稻品种养分积累量与子粒产量的相关性分析表明,氮、磷积累与有效穗均呈显著正相关（r=0.62^*,r=0.50^*）,株高与千粒重之间呈极显著正相关（r=0.80^**）,有效穗数与每穗粒数之间呈极显著负相关（r=-0.76^**）,结实率与千粒重之间呈极显著负相关（r=-0.68^**）。通过关联度分析表明,‘陵两优942’和‘株两优929’的综合表现明显优于其他品种。本研究对南方多熟制稻区早稻品种筛选及高效栽培具有重要意义。     

Pheromone traps for the pest management of phycitid moths

Pheromone traps of different designs, suitable for monitoring stored-product phycitids were: (1) a commercially made fly strip; (2) a bottle trap with insecticide or water for killing captured insects and (3) a cylinder trap with half-closed entrances. The optimum dose of (Z)-9, (E)-12-tetradecadienyl acetate was 1·0 mg via a rubber dispenser. Release and recapture experiments performed in empty rooms demonstrated that a fly-strip pheromone trap can consistently capture well over 50% of released males of Ephestia kuehniella, and that synthetic pheromone is a significantly more efficient bait than six live virgin females. A 2-year mass trapping trial performed in a chocolate factory demonstrated the applicability of the pheromone method for maintenance of an acceptably low population density of E. cautella suppressed initially by insecticides.     

Coleoptile length variation of near-isogenic Rht lines of modern CIMMYT bread and durum wheats

A set of 10 bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and six durum wheat (T. turgidum L.) genotypes near-isogenic for either the Rht1 or Rht2 dwarfing genes were analyzed for plant height, kernel weight, coleoptile length and grain yield. Coleoptile length was measured at three different temperatures and plant height, kernel weight and grain yield determined in six different environments. Durum wheat, regardless of stature, produced longer coleoptiles than bread wheat at higher temperature. Within the non-Rht isolines, plant height and coleoptile length were independent characters. The tall durum wheats tended to be taller than their bread wheat counterparts, indicating an absence of minor genes for reduced height. However, a number of bread wheat cultivars showed relatively small height increases following removal of the Rht gene and substantially greater increases in coleoptile length. Coleoptile length was more highly correlated (r²=0.53, P<0.01) with seed weight among the non-Rht isolines compared to cultivars containing either Rht1 or Rht2. Grain yield and plant height were positively correlated among the semi-dwarf Rht isolines in 5 of 6 environments. No equivalent relationship existed among the non-Rht materials. Grain yield (standard sowing depth 3 cm) and coleoptile length were generally not significantly correlated within each isogenic grouping.

Plant breeders should be able to select short statured, non-Rht1 or non-Rht2 hexaploid bread wheat with better emergence characteristics. The non-Rht genotypes developed from the bread wheat cultivars Seri 82 and Culiacan 89 were identified as meeting these criteria. Wheats such as these could offer significant advantages to farmers in environments where deep sowing into stored soil moisture is practiced.     

Herbivory tolerance of cotton expressing insecticidal proteins from Bacillus thuringiensis: responses to damage caused by Helicoverpa spp. and to manual bud removal

Transgenic cotton varieties expressing Cry IA(c) insecticidal proteins from Bacillus thuringiensis (`Bt cotton') remain vulnerable to non-lepidopteran insects. In addition, they are susceptible to lepidopteran pests when the efficacy of Bt toxins falls because of ontogenetic and/or environmental factors. Hence the importance of knowing to what extent Bt cotton is able to tolerate damage. The degree of tolerance of Bt cotton to actual and simulated insect damage was assessed in three field experiments. Exp. 1 compared the effects of Helicoverpa spp. (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) on the growth, development and yield of Bt cotton with those of its near isogenic non-Bt counterpart in two genetic backgrounds (Siokra V15, Sicala V2) under two regimes of chemical control of insects (S1: nine insecticide applications during the growing cycle, S2: six insecticide applications). Exp. 2 compared insecticide-protected Bt crops with crops manually damaged to simulate (a) early-season loss of vegetative buds, (b) loss of flowerbuds, and (c) loss of both vegetative and reproductive buds. Also using manual damage, Exp. 3 evaluated the effect of timing of flowerbud loss on the yield and maturity time of insecticide-protected Bt crops. In Exp. 1, well-protected Bt crops (S1) yielded 24% more than their less-protected counterparts (S2). The less protected crops had, however, substantially more immature fruit at the end of the season highlighting a considerable potential for recovery. Poor soil conditions, interacting with season length accounted for the difference between potential and actual compensation in crops that were exposed to almost continuous damage by Helicoverpa spp. Under more favourable growing conditions, maturity was delayed but yield of damaged Bt crops was unaffected by discrete episodes of simulated herbivory (Exps. 2 and 3). The introduction of B. thuringiensis genes into cotton does not seem to have reduced the considerable capacity of the crop to tolerate insect damage, and this attribute should be considered in the development of pest management strategies for Bt crops.     

Control of Bromus species in winter barley in England using EPTC

EPTC was tested in glasshouse and field experiments for its potential as a herbicide to control Bromus species in winter cereals. Bromus hordeaceus, Bromus commutatus, Bromus pectinatus and Bromus sterilis were all selectively controlled in barley by EPTC. Winter wheat was found to be susceptible but winter barley tolerated doses up to 2·0 kg a.i./ha. The barley cultivar Sonja was more resistant than both Athene and Maris Otter. In the first field trial, 1·0 kg a.i./ha EPTC reduced B. sterilis plant numbers by 75% giving a barley yield increase of 2·84 t/ha. In the following year 2·0 kg a.i./ha reduced B. sterilis numbers by 54% and increased yield by 1·75 t/ha.     

Evaluation of various methods of weed control for increasing rhubarb yields

Four herbicides, monthly handweeding and a 15 cm deep straw mulch were evaluated for weed control during 1982 to 1987 on rhubarb (Rheum rhabarbarum L. ≡ R. rhaponticum L. ‘Victoria Red’). The straw-mulched plots produced larger plants, provided higher yields and had fewer weeds than all other treatments during the five years of these field trials. Yields in 1987 were 29·42, 17·65 and 13·06 tonnes/hectare for straw, handweeded and herbicide treatments, respectively. Monthly handweeding produced large plants and high yields, but required much more hand labour than mulching, making straw mulch the most cost-effective treatment. The four herbicides evaluated (glyphosate, fluazifop, sethoxydim and propyzamide) provided weed control for up to 1 month and would require reapplication during the growing season.     

Controlled-release insecticide granules, compared with other soil insecticides, for use against the termite, Macrotermes natalensis Haviland, in the establishment of Eucalyptus plantations

Following the banning of DDT and dieldrin, and pending the withdrawal of other organochlorine insecticides in many countries, there is a need to find alternative treatments against termites for the establishment of Eucalyptus forestry plantations. Controlled-release granules (CRG) of carbosulfan, carbofuran and phorate were nearly as effective as chlordane emulsifiable concentrate (0·6 g a.i./tree) in reducing attack on Eucalyptus grandis W. Hill ex Maiden by Macrotermes natalensis Haviland. The optimum application rate of CRG formulations was 1·0 g a.i./tree mixed with the surrounding soil at planting out. Changes in granule size and release rate had no discernable effect on the efficacy of the granules, nor was there any advantage in incorporating part of the dose in the seedling planting medium. Chlorpyrifos CRG was significantly less effective in protecting the trees. There was evidence that under dry soil conditions phorate CRG was ineffective. Of 11 other non-controlled-release insecticides tested, alphamethrin suspension concentrate at 0·1 g a.i./tree was the only non-organochlorine material as effective as the CRG formulations.     

Global status of nematode problems of groundnut, pigeonpea, chickpea, sorghum and pearl millet, and suggestions for future work

Analysis of responses received from 40 cooperators in 20 countries to a questionnaire on nematode problems of groundnut, pigeonpea, chickpea, sorghum and pearl millet suggested that Meloidogyne spp. are internationally important nematode pests of groundnut, chickpea and pigeonpea. Pratylenchus spp. are important on all the five crops. In India, Heterodera cajani and Rotylenchulus reniformis are important pathogens of pigeonpea. Over the last 10–15 years, extensive nematode disease surveys have been undertaken for these crops in Australia, Egypt, India, Jamaica, Senegal, Sudan, Thailand and Zimbabwe; however, < 10% of the total crop areas were covered by these surveys. Except for Brazil, Egypt, USA and Zimbabwe, growers do not use nematicides to control the nematodes. Cultural practices, especially crop rotations, are the most commonly used control measures. Species of Meloidogyne, Pratylenchus and Rotylenchulus on the legumes, and species of Hoplolaimus, Pratylenchus, Quinisulcius and Xiphinema on the cereals, are strongly suspected of increasing the severity of fungal diseases. Work aimed at finding host resistance is being done in Brazil, Fiji, India and the USA, and some sources of resistance have been identified against Meloidogyne arenaria, M. incognita, M. javanica and R. reniformis. Facilities for resistance screening work now exist in many countries. Information on damage thresholds of important pest species are available only from Brazil, Fiji, India and the USA.