Variation in the reproductive performance ofEpiricania melanoleuca (Fletcher) (Lep., Epipyropidae) in relation to stage and sex of the hostPyrilla perpusilla (Walker) (Hem., Lophopidae) during rearing

Rearing ofEpiricania melanoleuca (Fletcher) on adult females ofPyrilla perpusilla (Walker) augmented the productivity of the former, which is an effective nymphal and adult ectoparasitoid of the latter, in terms of yield of total and viable eggs. The applied value of this finding in field biocontrol program is highlighted.

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Zusammenfassung Wurden die ektoparasitischen Raupen vonEpiricania melanoleuca auf adulten Weibchen der Zuckerrohr-Zikade,Pyrilla perpusilla aufgezogen, vergrößerte sich die Zahl und Lebensfähigkeit der Eier, die von den daraus resultierenden Faltern abgelegt wurden. Das Ergebnis wird im Hinblick auf einen Einsatz des Parasitoiden zur biologischen Bekämpfung des Schädlings erörtert.

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With one table     

Oocyte-specific deletion of Pten causes premature activation of the primordial follicle pool

In the mammalian ovary, progressive activation of primordial follicles from the dormant pool serves as the source of fertilizable ova. Menopause, or the end of female reproductive life, occurs when the primordial follicle pool is exhausted. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying follicle activation are poorly understood. We provide genetic evidence that in mice lacking PTEN (phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome 10) in oocytes, a major negative regulator of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), the entire primordial follicle pool becomes activated. Subsequently, all primordial follicles become depleted in early adulthood, causing premature ovarian failure (POF). Our results show that the mammalian oocyte serves as the headquarters of programming of follicle activation and that the oocyte PTEN-PI3K pathway governs follicle activation through control of initiation of oocyte growth.     

Foliar washoff potential and simulated surface runoff losses of trifloxysulfuron in cotton

The surface runoff potential of trifloxysulfuron {N-[(4,6-dimethoxy-2-pyrimidinyl)carbamoyl]-3-(2,2,2-trifluoroethoy)-pyridin-2-sulfonamide sodium salt} in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) production systems has not been evaluated. The objectives of this study were to (i) determine sorption/desorption coefficients for trifloxysulfuron; (ii) quantify foliar washoff of trifloxysulfuron when applied to cotton at the five-leaf stage; and (iii) determine the surface runoff potential of trifloxysulfuron when applied to cotton at the five-leaf stage and to bare soil. Freundlich sorption and desorption coefficients were 1.15 and 1.22, respectively. Sorption data indicated that trifloxysulfuron was moderately sorbed to soil and that it will be transported primarily in the dissolved phase of surface runoff. Foliar washoff studies revealed that approximately 91% of trifloxysulfuron applied to cotton at the five-leaf stage was available for washoff 72 h after application. Simulated rainfall (7.5 cm h-1) applied 1 day after herbicide application (7.9 g ha-1) resulted in average concentrations of trifloxysulfuron in surface runoff water of 0.8 microg L-1 for bare plots and 1.3 microg L-1 for cotton plots. Cumulative trifloxysulfuron losses in surface runoff from bare plots and cotton plots were 0.13 and 0.21 g ha-1, respectively. These values correspond to fractional losses of 1.7% for bare plots and 2.7% for cotton plots. Greater runoff losses of trifloxysulfuron from cotton plots were attributed to foliar washoff. Trifloxysulfuron runoff losses may be curtailed if the herbicide is applied early postemergence when canopy coverage is minimal, thereby reducing the potential for foliar washoff.     

Field evaluation of entomofungal pathogens against cowpea aphid,Aphis craccivora Koch,and their effect on two coccinellid predators

The present study was carried out to assess the field efficacy of 10 isolates of entomofungal pathogens on management of cowpea aphid, Aphis craccivora. All the tested isolates showed suppressive effect on aphid population. Two-year pooled data revealed lower incidence of 19.37–40.81 aphids/plant in the entomofungal pathogen treated plots compared to higher incidence of 88.07 aphids/plant in untreated control. Among the 10 isolates tested, Vl-8 isolate of Lecanicillium lecanii, Ma-6 isolate of Metarhizium anisopliae and Bb-5a isolate of Beauveria bassiana showed 78.01%, 77.42% and 76.91% reduction of aphid population, respectively, over control and were on par with each other. Significantly higher yields were recorded in the plots treated with Bb-5a, Ma-6 and Vl-8 isolates (1252, 1225 and 1208 kg/ha, respectively) compared to untreated control (916 kg/ha). The predatory coccinellid populations of Cheilomenes sexmaculata and Micromus timidus in entomofungal treated and untreated control plots were almost similar and found statistically non-significant, indicating the safety of fungal pathogens to these coccinellid predators.     

An approach to land-use planning in a hilly watershed using geographical information system

The eco-socio-economic balance of a region can be preserved by proper land-use planning, particularly in hilly watersheds where erosion caused by rainfall is an ever-present threat. This paper describes a methodology developed to compile a treatment-oriented land-use planning scheme for a hilly watershed using a geographical information system (GIS). A remote sensing based physiographic soils map and a digital elevation model (DEM) are the sources of soil depth and slope steepness classes, respectively, and are the information databases for GIS analysis. The GIS was used to integrate these databases and provide tools for manipulation of the data. A set of knowledge-based rules was formed from the classification scheme formulated by Sheng and Stennett (1975) for hilly watersheds, modified to allow for the local land-use patterns. These rules were used to manipulate the databases and allow the establishment of a sustained land-use system in the watershed with proper soil and water conservation measures. This biological engineering scheme would be a safeguard against soil erosion and other environmental threats. A priority sub-watersheds delineation survey conducted in the watershed indicates significant variation in the silt yield index values, which calls for conservation planning in earnest in cases of high and very high priority sub-watersheds.