LEATHERJACKET DAMAGE TO GRASSLAND

By controlling the high populations of leatherjackets in two experimental leys it was shown that the loss of grass from this pest could be heavy. The most serious loss occurs in early summer. As soon as the larvae cease feeding in mid-June recovery begins and subsequent growth is satisfactory. Clover is damaged more heavily than grasses, but recovers completely by early autumn. The implications of these experiments are discussed.     

The impact of low numbers of leatherjackets on grass yield

Experiments were carried out on seven sites in Fermanagh to investigate the yield loss caused by leatherjackets in grassland. Populations on the sites ranged from 65,000 to 865,000 ha⁻¹ and significant damage was recorded from all sites except the least populated. Greater yield increases were obtained by controlling leatherjackets in September when compared with control in March. Regression models were fitted and it was found that 125,000 leatherjackets ha⁻¹ in March caused a yield loss of 50 kg herbage dry matter (DM) ha⁻¹ by mid-May. Based on these figures the average yield loss to leatherjackets in Northern Ireland, from 1965 to 1982, was 208 kg DM ha⁻¹. Controlling leatherjackets in September, rather than March, increased the potential avoidable yield loss by a factor of 2.72. The average yield loss at first silage cut is therefore 566 kg DM ha⁻¹. On average, 100,000 ha grassland in Northern Ireland may be suffering an annual loss of 1t herbage DM ha⁻¹.     

Application of a sequential sampling technique to DIY assessment of leatherjacket (Diptera: Tipulidae) populations in grassland

The use of brine in plastic pipes inserted into the ground is now an established technique for sampling leatherjackets in grassland. Three sequential sampling plans were compared with a standard twelve-pipe sample for the probability of a recommendation to spray and the number of sample units necessary before a decision over a range of population densities. Data derived from field studies showed a good fit with the expected outcomes. All four plan models were applied to leatherjacket distribution data from Northern Ireland, This shows the number of samples required before a decision was reduced with sequential sampling and that the use of single sequential samples would increase the risk of error. The results are discussed in the context of the physical limitations of the brine sampling procedure and it is concluded that a sequential scheme based upon groups of four pipes would reduce average sampling time by 36% without increasing error.     

The effect of different cultivars of clover on numbers of and leaf damage by, some invertebrate species

Invertebrate numbers were studied in two white clover cultivars trials, grown with perennial ryegrass Weevils ( Sitona spp.), slugs, lucerne flea, leatherjackets and as were more common (at least at some life stage) in cultivars of lower cyanogenic potential. Damage to clover foliage by the first three species was also negatively related to cyanogenesis. The production of HCN ranged from 0.025 mg to about 1.8 mg g⁻¹ fresh leaf. There was no evidence of any other factor influencing cultivar preference.
Cyanogenesis had most effect on numbers of weevil larvae and leatherjackets. The effect on weevil larvae was attributed partly to intercultivar differences in oviposition, but it was also suspected that larvae had fed on cyanogenic parts of the plant before reaching the root. Leatherjacket numbers developed inter-cultivar differences during larval growth. In one case these differences were detectable by December. By March in the second experiment there were approximately three times as many leatherjackets at the low as at the high end of the cyanogenic range. Approximately four times as many Sitona larvae were found at the lower as at the higher end of the scale. There was some evidence that a higher clover content in the sward was attractive to ovipositing Tipula paludosa but not in recently harvested cultivars of high cyanogenic potential     

玉米人工合成群体S2遗传变异SSR标记评估

本研究利用SSR标记技术分析2个玉米人工合成群体S2分子水平的遗传变异,为群体合成及自交后代的选择提供一定理论依据。结果表明,40对引物在2个群体S2中共扩增出420个等位位点,每个SSR座位的等位基因数目为3～25个,平均为10.5个。GP-5S2的多态位点数、多态位点比例、基因型数、变异系数、基因杂合度等均大于GP-4S2,表明GP-5S2入选株系的遗传变异较GP-4S2大。遗传距离比较表明,不同群体S2间平均遗传距离大于群体内株系间平均遗传距离,群体内株系间平均遗传距离又远远大于株系内个体间平均遗传距离。根据遗传距离,可将60个单株分为5个大类10个亚类,GP-4S2部分株系和GP-5S2部分株系聚在同一亚类,表明GP-4S2和GP-5S2的部分株系可能有相似的遗传背景。因此,玉米人工合成群体亲本材料的选择应将田间鉴定与SSR检测结合,并根据育种目标确定合成材料的多少,而在自交后代选择中则应侧重系间选择。     

Yield response of improved upland pasture to the control of leatherjackets under increasing rates of nitrogen

In each year from 1984-5 to 1987-8 the effect of leatherjackets on yield of improved upland pasture was assessed at Redesdale Experimental Husbandry Farm in Northumberland. Chlor-pyrifos at 0.72 kg ha⁻¹ was applied in November or December to half the plots; these and the untreated plots received one of four fertilizer rates (0, 40, 80, 120 kg N ha⁻¹). All rates increased yield by a mean of about 24 kg DM kg N⁻¹.
There was a significant correlation (Y (t DM ha⁻¹) = 0-21 + 0-00168 ×, r = 0-99 ( P = 0.001)) between yield response to chlorpyrifos and leatherjacket numbers m⁻² in November/ December. Treatment thresholds for leatherjacket numbers are given.     

Nitrogen Efficiency in Mixed Farming Systems

SUMMARY

The problem of nitrogen surpluses in Northwestern Europe is related in part to recent segregation of animal and crop production. A long-term solution can be found by re-integration of the main agricultural production components into mixed farming systems. In a new classification scheme of farming systems, high-input systems are placed in a sequence of modes in agriculture that each address sus-tainability problems in different ways. In this classification scheme, New-Conservation Agriculture (NCA) is considered to be a new mode of farming that aims to replace losses from the system, whilst not overloading it through critical use of non-renewable resources. Mixed farming systems that integrate crops and livestock are a typical example of NCA. The advantageous environmental features of mixed farming systems are illustrated by the favorable nitrogen balance of two experimental prototypes (a conventional and an organic one) where arable, dairy and sheep farming are integrated to a high degree. However, particularly the plowing of grass/clover swards caused serious problems on both farms regarding seedling survival and product quality in sugarbeet, maize, onion, and potato crops. This was due to the occurrence of large pest populations of leatherjackets (Tipula paludosa) and wireworms (Coleoptera: Elateridae).     

玉米人工合成群体S2遗传变异SSR标记评估

本研究利用SSR标记技术分析2个玉米人工合成群体S2分子水平的遗传变异，为群体合成及自交后代的选择提供一定理论依据。结果表明，40对引物在2个群体S₂中共扩增出420个等位位点，每个SSR座位的等位基因数目为3～25个，平均为10.5个。GP-5 S2的多态位点数、多态位点比例、基因型数、变异系数、基因杂合度等均大于GP-4 S₂，表明GP-5 S₂入选株系的遗传变异较GP-4 S₂大。遗传距离比较表明，不同群体S₂间平均遗传距离大于群体内株系间平均遗传距离，群体内株系间平均遗传距离又远远大于株系内个体间平均遗传距离。根据遗传距离，可将60个单株分为5个大类10个亚类，GP-4 S₂部分株系和GP-5 S₂部分株系聚在同一亚类，表明GP-4 S₂和GP-5 S₂的部分株系可能有相似的遗传背景。因此，玉米人工合成群体亲本材料的选择应将田间鉴定与SSR检测结合，并根据育种目标确定合成材料的多少，而在自交后代选择中则应侧重系间选择。     

The effect of some invertebrate species on the growth of white clover (Trifolium repens L.) in the lahoratory

In laboratory experiments to clarify earlier field observations, Sitona lepidus larvae caused significant damage to established clover plants at infestations of approximately 1–2 per plant. When eggs were placed on the soil, cultivars of differing cyanogenic capacity were damaged equally. The plants did not recover when larval feeding ended.
Leatherjackets, slugs and 'lucerne flea' fed most on the least cyanogenic cultivars, even where no choice was offered. Plants ultimately recovered from damage by leatherjackets. Deroceras reticulatum caused more damage than did Arion fasciatus. The proportion of leaves damaged by lucerne fiea was highest in the least cyanogenic eultivar but also tended to increase in the most cyanogenic cultivar, confirming a field observation. At high population densities lucerne flea was capable of killing some seedlings but was not tested against established plants.     

云南白莺山地区茶树遗传多样性研究

云南省云县白莺山地区是大理茶（Camellia taliensis）、阿萨姆茶（C. sinensis var. assamica）及中间过渡形态茶树广泛分布的区域。本研究利用30个SSR核心标记分析了130份白莺山地区茶树种质资源的遗传多样性,共检测到202个等位基因,平均每个位点的等位基因数（A）为6.73,期望杂合度（H_E）为0.6135,近交系数（Fis）为–0.1745,多态信息含量（PIC）为0.5652,基因多样性（H）为0.6112。通过模拟不同样本数量,计算遗传多样性参数与样本量变化的回归曲线,发现样本量在40个时,能较好地反映白莺山茶树资源的遗传多样性。研究白莺山地区茶树的遗传多样性及取样策略,对茶树种质资源的保护与利用具有积极意义。     

不同生境条件下的狗牙根形态变异研究

通过野外调查和田间测定,对海南岛狗牙根(Cynodon dactylon[L.]Pers.)不同野生种群的形态学变异,以及同一种群在不同生境条件下的形态变异进行了研究。结果表明:狗牙根不同种群在野外原生境与田间栽培两种条件下外部形态性状均发生了较大的变异,说明狗牙根种质资源有较丰富的遗传多样性。对形态学测定结果进行聚类分析,将16个种群分为3大类,聚类结果与材料的生境基本一致,IC类种群可望作为优良的草坪草选种育种材料。     

Interactions between fertilizer use and leatherjacket control in grassland

A coordinated experiment was set up in eight fields of established grass; four In Northern Ireland and four in the West of Scotland. At each site one of three different fertilizer rates (0, 75 and 150 kg N ha^-1) were applied to plots that had previously either received a 0.72 kg ha^-1 chlorpyrifos treatment to control leatherjackets or no spray. Both fertilizer and insecticide applications increased herbage yields. Yield increases in response to chlorpyrifos treatments were equivalent to that obtained from 75 kg N but were not linearly related to leatherjacket numbers. A curvilinear function relating loss per leatherjacket to population size was derived and its validity is discussed. It is concluded that herbage yield increases resulting from chlorpyrifos and nitrogen applications were independent and cumulative.     

Resolving economic decisions for the simultaneous control of two pests,diseases or weeds

Models are presented that show how to derive economic thresholds and to optimize pesticide treatment rates for situations in which two pests coincide. A hypothetical example using a tank-mix of chlorpyrifos and MCPA to control leatherjackets and Viola arvensis in spring barley is presented. This demonstrates the effective lowering of thresholds as a result of reducing fixed costs of application. It is suggested that the models can be extended into n dimensions and that this will acoomodate n−1 pests.     

The control of leatherjackets, Tipula paludosa Meig., in grassland by early application of insecticide

To determine whether leatherjackets might be controlled by application of a pesticide in summer, before oviposition by crane flies, chlorpyrifos was applied to perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) swards on dates from July to September in anticipation of leatherjacket infestation. Subsequent winter population estimates showed that leatherjacket numbers had been reduced by at least 85% by 0·72 kg chlorpyrifos ha^-1 applied on 13 July, and by 0·60 kg ha^-1 applied on 3 August or later.
The significance of leatherjacket control by pesticide application on these dates is discussed in relation to previously recorded effects of pesticide treatment on other known pests. It is concluded that control of all common arthropod pests of proven significance in established grassland may be achieved with one application of pesticide.     

多亲本杂交衍生的多个相关群体QTL作图的通用方法

对多亲本杂交衍生的多个群体的联合分析将有助于QTL的定位和基于QTL分析的育种实践,但目前还没有一个可对这类群体进行联合分析的通用方法。在以往发展的双亲杂交衍生的多个相关群体QTL图谱的联合构建方法的基础上,进一步拓展为可以对多个亲本杂交衍生的多个相关群体进行联合分析。首先建立了多亲本杂交衍生的多个相关群体QTL联合作图的通用遗传模型,然后根据混合分布理论建立基于EM(expectation maximization)算法实现的QTL作图的极大似然估计方法。以循环杂交设计的3个F2群体为例用计算机模拟数据研究了QTL遗传力和样本容量2个因素对方法的影响。结果表明,无论是统计功效,还是参数估计的准确度和精确度,相同遗传力下,对循环杂交设计的3个F2群体联合作图均优于对其中的任2个F2群体联合作图。该方法的主要优点：一是可以比较和综合已有的对单个作图群体的定位结果,提高QTL检测的功效和定位的精度;二是在多亲本涉及的等位基因数更多的情形下,可以扩大和发掘有关数量性状的基因资源,从而为育种学家改良相应的数量性状奠定重要基础。     

A General Method for QTL Mapping in Multiple Related Populations Derived from Multiple Parents

It’s well known that incorporating some existing populations derived from multiple parents may improve QTL mapping and QTL-based breeding programs. However, no general maximum likelihood method has been available for this strategy. Based on the QTL mapping in multiple related populations derived from two parents, a maximum likelihood estimation method was proposed, which can incorporate several populations derived from three or more parents and also can be used to handle different mating designs. Taking a c...     

Changes in race structure of Canadian populations ofPhytophthora infestans based on specific virulence to selected potato clones

Summary A collection of 80 isolates ofPhytophthora infestans, representing multilocus genotypes of the pathogen found in Canada from 1994 to 1996, was screened on a series of nine differential potato host cultivars to determine the physiological race of the isolates. A total of 28 pathotypes were found among the 11 genotypes present in the collection. There was a significant increase in the complexity of pathotypes from 1994 to 1996 which reflected the displacement of the US-1 genotype (mean of 2.2 host differentials infected) by the US-8 genotype (mean of 8.1 host differentials infected). Eighteen of the US-8 isolates could overcome all nine of the resistance genes tested. Virulence genes which overcame host resistance conferred by R8 were the rarest in the populations studied. The predominance of complex populations ofP. infestans in Canada implies that the introduction of cultivars with specific R genes for resistance would be an ineffective control measure. AAFC Contribution No. 901     

Assessment on Evaluating Parameters of Rice Core Collections Constructed by Genotypic Values and Molecular Marker Information

Eleven evaluating parameters for rice core collection were assessed based on genotypic values and molecular marker information. Monte Carlo simulation combined with mixed linear model was used to eliminate the interference from environment in order to draw more reliable results. The coincidence rate of range (CR) was the optimal parameter. Mean Simpson index (MD), mean Shannon-Weaver index of genetic diversity (MI) and mean polymorphism information content (MPIC) were important evaluating parameters. The variable rate of coefficient of variation (VR) could act as an important reference parameter for evaluating the variation degree of core collection. Percentage of polymorphic loci (p) could be used as a determination parameter for the size of core collection. Mean difference percentage (MD) was a determination parameter for the reliability judgment of core collection. The effective evaluating parameters for core collection selected in the research could be used as criteria for sampling percentage in different plant germplasm populations.     

华山新麦草居群取样策略的SSR分析

为了研究我国特有植物华山新麦草（Psath yrostachys huashanica Keng）的遗传多样性并获得更为科学、合理的结论,以分布于不同海拔高度黄埔峪（海拔500m）和大夫峪（海拔1218m）的2个华山新麦草居群为研究对象,每个居群分单株采集30株并以6、10、14、18、22、26和30株为单位,利用10对SSR引物对其遗传多样性进行分析。结果表明：（1）分布于较低海拔的黄埔峪居群的平均等住变异数（6．3）和遗传多样性指数（0．713）大于分布于较高海拔的大夫峪居群的等位变异数（5．1）和遗传多样性指数（0．662）;（2）随着分析单位个体数目从6株增加到30株,黄埔峪居群和大夫峪居群的等位变异数（42～63和43～51）和遗传多样性指数（0．643～0．713和0．618～0．662）均表现增大的趋势,但当分析单住的个体数目达到26株以上时,等位变异数和遗传多样性指数基本不再发生变化;（3）当分析单位个体数目为18株时,2个居群的等位变异数和遗传多样性指数分别包含了各自居群95％以上的遗传变异,建议在利用SSR技术进行华山新麦草居群遗传多样性研究中,以单个居群随机采集18株华山新麦草为最佳分析单位个体数目。     

Computerized video image analysis to quantify color of potato chips

Color analysis is a critical quality evaluation procedure in the potato processing industry. This research sought to determine whether potato chip color could be quantified by video image analysis. Russet Burbank and Shepody potatoes, stored at 8 and 5 C, were processed into 8 mm thick chips, which were fried for three time periods. Chip color was characterised by mean gray level values. Changes in video equipment operation and sample presentation were investigated to establish the most reproducible conditions for chip color measurements. The use of image analysis software to analyze mean gray level values from specific regions of the chip was demonstrated. Differences in chip color from potatoes stored at the two temperatures could be distinguished by mean gray level values. For potatoes that had been stored at 5 C, different chip frying times were distinguished on the basis of mean gray level. Chips of 1 mm thickness were prepared from 13 selections and 2 cultivars and color measured by mean gray level, Lvalue (Hunterlab D25L-2 colorimeter) and by Agtron value (Agtron M31A color meter, green mode). Good correlation was found between color assessed by mean gray level and color measured by the Agtron and Hunterlab. A repeatability study showed that image analysis color was not as repeatable as color measured by the two other techniques. Nevertheless, video image analysis appears to have potential as an objective assessor of chip color, and through software development, has specific advantages over other color assessment techniques.