Veränderungen der Vegetation durch experimentelle Erdgasbehandlung

Changes in vegetation caused by experimental leakage of natural gas The response of vegetation to natural gas leakage was studied in Central Bohemia, Czechoslovakia, in 1978–84. The gas used was of the following chemical composition: 93·8% methane, 3·6% ethane, 0·8% propane, 0·25% butane, 0·3% carbon dioxide. The test crops were planted in 60·5 m plots containing underground bores from which gas was released into the soil through distribution pipes. In addition, the response of some weed species was recorded. The important effects of contamination observed were restricted growth and decrease in the number of individuals present. A change in the green colour of leaves was recorded in Medicago sativa, Brassica oleracea var. acephala, Secale cereale, Lolium multiflorum. Beta vulgaris and Zea mays. An obvious shift of developmental stages was found in Solanum tuberosum. Helianthus annuus and Zea mays (delay of recruitment and blooming). Restricted or even failure of reproduction can be considered the typical effect of exposure to natural gas: this holds true especially for Allium cepa, Triticum aestivum, Hordeum distichon, Trifolium sp.div., Medicago sativa, and most of the weedy species. Various growth deformations, mostly found in the underground parts of the plants (tubers and roots in Solanum tuberosum, Beta vulgaris), can be ascribed to the unfavourable conditions of soil aeration. Plants of Chenopodium album and Medicago sativa growing in the vicinity of the gas release point had an increased number of stomata. There were changes in the course of the reflectance curves estimated in the population of Trifolium pratense subsp. sativum. There was a conspicuous decrease of the near infrared reflectance in the stand exposed to gas in comparison with the control. Decrease of coverage and density of the stands reduced species diversity and changes in the species' composition (reduction of sensitive species) are the general consequences of natural gas leakage. The first symptoms on the vegetation were observed after 15–30 days which corresponds to about 80–150 m³ of discharged gas.     

Morphological Basis of Resistance in Cotton to the WhiteflyBemisia Tabaci

The morphological basis of resistance to the whiteflyBemisia tabaci Genn. (Aleyrodidae: Hemiptera) was studied. The plant characters examined were leaf area, thickness of leaf lamina, hair density, hair length, angle of insertion of leaf hair, and density of gossypol glands. Hair density and leaf thickness were positively correlated with the population ofB. tabaci, and a positive correlation was obtained between the adult whitefly population and gossypol glands on stem internodes. Cotton genotype USA-22 (sparsely hairy) was found to be more tolerant toB. tabaci than was genotype USA-13 (velvety hairy). The use of thinner and glabrous leaved cotton varieties is suggested to minimize the whitefly menace in cotton.     

Synthesis and toxicological properties of some alkyl and aryl 3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl N,N′-thio-bis-N-methylcarbamates

A series of asymmetrical thio-bis-N-methylcarbamate derivatives were synthesised by combining 3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl N-methylcarbamate with different N-methylcarbamates. Some of these derivatives combined good insecticidal activity against the housefly with reduced acute oral toxicity to mice. The thio-bis-N-methylcarbamates obtained exhibited a lower anti-cholinesterase activity than the more toxic of the two carbamate moieties contained in each combination. The weak synergism of piperonyl butoxide on the insecticidal activity of the derivatives suggests the possibility of a self synergism phenomenon caused by the 3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl group.     

Understanding the site of action of photosystem II inhibitors

It is believed that the different classes of compound which interfere with photosynthesis system II (PS 11) must act by binding at different sites, because they appear to be structurally so dissimilar. However, it can be argued that some of the classes of compound of diverse structural type share very similar external surface features. Now that details about the binding oj PSII inhibitors are becoming available, it will be possible to see how many of the different compound classes actually bind similarly. In future, increasingly detailed knowledge of the structures of potential sites of action will be available. QSAR methods will need to be used together with molecular modelling to be effective tools for agrochemical design.     

Ultrastructure of the excretory system of Brachylaimus aequans (Trematoda: Brachylaimoidea)

The ultrastructure of the flame cell, excretory capillaries, ducts, collecting ducts, excretory bladder, and excretory pore of Brachylaimus aequans was studied 6-8 days p.i. The excretory ducts, collecting ducts and excretory bladder are provided with numerous lamellae on the luminal side. The cilia of lateral flames in the excretory ducts have a triated rootlet. The excretory pore is covered by a tegument identical with the body tegument. The syncytium of the excretory bladder is connected with the tegument of the excretory pore by means of a septate desmosome. No lipid or excretory corpuscles have been demonstrated in the excretory system.     

Diclofop-methyl tolerance in cultivated oats (Avena sativa L.)

The feasibility of achieving selective wild oat (Avena fatua L.) control in a stand of the Australian oat (Avena sativa L.) cv. Savena I was examined. Diclofop-methyl was applied at rates of 0·4–0·7 kg a.i. ha^?1 at the three- and five-leaf stages of A. fatua (84–132 culms m²). Although all rates of diclofop-methyl caused initial chlorosis and necrosis to the crop, the subsequent control of A. fatua permitted increased crop tillering. Avena fatua control and crop yield response were maximized when diclofop-methyl was applied at the three-leaf stage. Crop grain yield was increased by as much as 32% and 22% during 1984 and 1985, respectively. In the absence of A. fatua competition, crop shoot dry weight at ear emergence was reduced only where diclofop-methyl was applied at 0·6 or 0·7 kg ha^?1. However, final grain yield was not reduced by any treatment. Only 11 of 240 cultivars or lines tolerated diclofop-methyl, and none reached the level attained by Savena I and a closely related Australian line [(Irwin × (West × New Zealand Cape/42)) × West]/24. The nature of the inheritance of diclofop-methyl tolerance was examined (1983–1985) by crossing and backcrossing (BC) Savena I with four diclofop-methyl susceptible, but agronomically superior, lines. Inheritance of diclofop-methyl tolerance appeared to be controlled by two genes, with susceptibility being dominant to tolerance in F₃, BCIF₂ and BCIF₃ lines.     

Effect of chlorsulfuron on four graminicides for weed control and wheat yield

In field experiments with spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L., cv. Neepawa), the low rate (0·02 kg ha^-1) of chlorsulfuron significantly reduced wild oat control from individual applications of only barban and diclofop-methyl. The high rate (008 kg ha^-1) affected wild oat control by all four graminicides, including difenzoquat and flam-prop-methyl. In most cases, the graminicides did not affect the broad-leaved weed control of chlorsulfuran. Overall, a low rate of chlorsulfuron in mixture with graminicides did not reduce wheat yield, whereas a high rate of chlorsulfuron in the mixtures gave a significant yield reduction compared with individual graminicides applied alone. All herbicide treatments increased wheat yield over the control. In the glasshouse, reduction in wild oat control by diclofop-methyl was directly related to the rate of chlorsulfuron added to diclofop-methyl. The effect of 0·02 kg ha^-1 chlorsulfuron on control of wild oat was decreased when the rate of diclofop-methyl increased from 0·5 to 0·9 kg ha^-1 and was completely eliminated when diclofop-methyl reached 1·1 kg ha^-1. Conversely, diclofop-methyl (0·7 and 1·1 kg ha^-1) gave some reduction of wild mustard (Sinapis arvensis L.) and redroot pigweed (Amaranthus retrofiexus L.) control by chlorsulfuron (0·01 and 0·02 kg ha^-1), even though in some cases diclofop-methyl/chlorsul-furon gave better control of these broad-leaved weeds. In the laboratory, the absorption and translocation of [¹⁴C]-diclofop-nieihyl in wild oat seedlings were significantly reduced when chlorsulfuron was added, compared with [¹⁴C]-diclo-fop-methyl applied alone. Effet du chlorsulfuron sur l'efficacité et l'effet sur le rendement de quatre graminicides Dans des essais de plein champ sur blé de printemps (Triticuni aestivum L., cv. Neepawa), la faible dose (0, 02 kg ha^-1) de chlorsulfuron a réduit significativement l'efficacité d'une application séparée de barbane et de diclofop-methyl. La forte dose (0, 08 kg ha^-1) a contrarié la destruction de la folle avoine pour les quatre graminicides dont le difenzoquat et le flamprop-methyl. Dans la plupart des cas, les graminicides n'ont pas eu d'incidence sur la destruction des dicotylédones par le chlorsulfuron. Par ailleurs. une faible dose de chlorsulfuron en mélange avec les graminicides n'a pas réduit le rendement en blé, en revanche, une forte dose de chlorsulfuron en mélange a entrainé une baisse significative de rendement en comparaison des graminicides appliqués seuls. Tous les traitements herbicides ont entrainé un gain de rendement par rapport au témoin non traité. En serre, la réduction d'efficacité sur folle avoine du diclofop-methyl était directement correlée à la dose de chlorsulfuron ajouté. Les effets de 0, 02 kg ha^-1 sur la destruction de la folle avoine baissaient quand le niveau de diclofop-methyl augmentait de 0,5 à 0,9 kg ha^-1 et étaient complètement éliminés quand la dose de diclofop-methyl atteignait 1, 1 kg ha^-1. Par ailleurs, le diclofop-méthyl (0,7 et 1,1 kg ha^-1) a réduit l'efficacité du chlorsulfuron (0,01 et 0,02 kg ha^-1) sur la sanve (Sinapis arvensis L.) et l'amaranthe réflechie (Amaranthus retroflexus L.) même si dans certains cas l'association diclofop-mélhyl-chtorsulfuron a eu une meilleure efficacité sur ces mauvaises herbes. Au laboratoire, l'ab sorption et la translocation du diclofop-methyl C¹⁴ dans les plantules de folle avoine ont été réduites significativement par l'addition de chlor-sulfuron en comparaison du diciofop-méthyl C¹⁴ appliqué seul. Wirkung von Chlorsulfuron zusammen mil Vier Graminiziden auf die Unkrautbekämpfung und den Ertrag von Weizen In Freilandversuehen mit Sommerweizen (Triticum aesttotm L. ‘Neepawa’) verminderie Chlorsulfuron in niedriger Aufwandmenge (0,02 kg ha^-1) den Bekämpfungserfolg gegen Flug-Hafer nur bei Barban und Diclofop-menthyl. Die hohe Aufwandmenge (0,08 kg ha^-1)beeinträchtigte die Wirkung aller 4 Graminizide, einschliesslich Difenzoquat und Flamprop-methyl. Die Graminizide beeinfiussten die Wirkung von Chlorsulfuron gegen zweikeimblättrige Arten meistens nicht, Der Weizenertrag blieb bei der Mischung der niedrigen Aufwandmenge von Chlorsulfuron mit den Graminiziden unverändert, die hohe Aufwandmenge führte aber in den Mischungen zu einem signifikaten Abfall des Ertrags, vergli-chen mit dem bei Anwendung der Graminizide allein. Mit allen Herbizidbehandlungen wurden gegenüber Unbehandelt höhere Erträge erzielt. Im Gewächshaus war die Wirkung von Diclofopmethyl gegen Flug-Hafer direkt von der zugefügten Menge an Chlorsulfuron abhängig. Der Einfluss von 0,02 kg ha^-1 Chlorsulfuron aif die Bekämpfung von Fiug-Hafer nahm ab. wenn die Aufwundmenge von Diclofop-methyl von 0,5 auf 0,9 kg ha^-1 gesteigert wurde; bei 1, 1 kg ha^-1 Diclofop-methyl war er aufgehoben. Andererseits trat bei 0,7 und 1,1 kg ha^-1 Diclofop-methyl eine Minderung der Wirkung von Chlosulfuron (0,01 und 0,02 kg ha^-1) gegen Acker-Senf (Sina-psis arvensis L.) und Zurückgekrümmten Fuchsschwanz (Amarenthus retroflexus L.) ein, wenn auch dise Mischung in einigen Fällen gegen dise Arten starker wirkte. Im Labor wurde einc signifikant geringere Absorption und Trans-lokation von ¹⁴C-Diclofop-methyl in Keimpflan-zen des Flug-Hafers beobachtet, wenn Chlorsulfuron zugefügt worden war.     

Persistence of hexachlorocyclohexane isomers and carbofuran applied to surface and sub-surface layers of a flooded soil

The persistence of carbofuran (2, 3-dihydro-2, 2-dimethylbenzofuran-7-yl methylcarbamate) and the β- and γ-isomers of HCH (hexachlorocyclohexane) applied to surface (oxidised) and sub-surface (reduced) layers of a flooded soil was studied using radiolabelled insecticides. In one experiment, these compounds were placed in the surface (2–5 mm) and sub-surface (10–15 cm) layers of 10-day flooded soil columns. HCH isomers were unstable under flooded soil conditions irrespective of their placement, but disappeared slightly faster when applied to the sub-surface layer, possibly due to the more reduced conditions prevailing. In contrast, sub-surface-applied carbofuran was more stable than surface-applied carbofuran. The decreased stability of surface-applied carbofuran may be due to a relatively higher pH in the surface layer and in the flood water which was in immediate contact with the surface layer. In another experiment, surface and sub-surface soil samples were collected from a rice field which had been flooded for 30 days. These soils were then again flooded under laboratory conditions prior to addition of carbofuran and β-HCH. Upon submergence, both surface and sub-surface soil samples attained almost equally reduced conditions. In flooded surface soil samples, more rapid degradation not only of carbofuran but also of β-HCH occurred, compared with similarly incubated sub-surface soil samples.     

Association of double-stranded RNA with whitefly-mediated silvering in squash

A disorder of unknown aetiology appearing as silvering on squash (Cucurbita pepo) leaves has become prevalent in south Florida. Typical symptoms, observed after 2 weeks of exposure to adults of Bemisia tabaci , the sweet potato whitefly (SPWF) include vein clearing followed by silvering of whole leaves. Fruits from affected plants are blanched or streaked longitudinally. The silverleaf syndrome was not mechanically transmissible when crude extracts of symptomatic leaves were used as inoculum. Two sizes of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) of c. 4.6 and 4.2 kilobase pairs (kbp) were consistently observed in leaf extracts of caged, whitefly-infested, symptomatic plants. In contrast, caged plants not exposed to whiteflies showed no symptoms and contained no detectable dsRN A. In addition, squash plants exposed to SPWF colonies from California neither developed silverleaf symptoms nor contained any dsRNA. Double-stranded RNA could also be readily detected in whitefly-infested yellow summer squash and zucchini from the field. However, asymptomatic eggplant and watermelon infested with SPWF from nearby fields did not contain detectable dsRNA. Dot-spot hybridization assays using an RNA-specific probe detected homologous sequences in both adults and nymphs of SPWF that induced silverleaf symptoms but not in adults and nymphs of SPWF that could not induce silverleaf symptoms. These results, along with the non-endogenous nature of the detected dsRNA suggest that the dsRNA is or is associated with the causal agent of whitefly-mediated leaf silvering in squash.