Dissipation of the defoliant tribufos in cotton-producing soils

Soil dissipation of the cotton defoliant tribufos was measured in laboratory incubations and on 0.2-ha research plots. Computed 50% dissipation time (DT(50)) using nonlinear and linear kinetic models ranged from 1 to 19 days. Data indicated that exchangeable soil aluminum inhibited tribufos-degrading soil organisms. Nevertheless, measured DT(50) values were 40 to 700 times less than the aerobic soil half-life (t(1/2)) values used in recent tribufos risk assessments. DT(50) values suggest that risk estimates were overstated. However, edge-of-field runoff concentrations measured on research plots exceeded invertebrate LOECs, thus some aquatic risk is indicated. Field data also suggested that volatilization may be a significant soil dissipation pathway. From this result, we conclude that volatilization should be included in simulation models used for pesticide registration. This will likely improve the accuracy of model outputs for products such as tribufos. Potential volatilization losses indicate a need to evaluate the atmospheric behavior of tribufos.     

Mechanization and efficiency in rice production in China

Agricultural mechanization and custom machine services have developed rapidly in China, which can influence rice production efficiency in the future. We calculate technical efficiency, allocative efficiency, and scale efficiency using data collected in 2015 from a face-to-face interview survey of 450 households that cultivated 3096 plots located in the five major rice-producing provinces of China. We use a one-step stochastic frontier model to calculate technical efficiency and regress the efficiency scores on socio-demographic and physical land characteristics to find the influencing variables. Variables influencing technical efficiency are compared at three different phases of rice cultivation. We also calculate technical efficiency by using the Heckman Selection Model, which addresses technological heterogeneity and self-selection bias. Results indicate that: (1) the average value of technical efficiency using a one-step stochastic frontier model was found to be 0.74. When self-selection bias is accounted for using the Heckman Selection Model, the average value of the technical efficiency increases to 0.80; (2) mechanization at the chemical application phase has a positive effect on technical efficiency, but mechanization does not affect efficiency at the plowing and harvesting phases; (3) machines are overused relative to both land and labor, and high machine input use on the small size of landholding has resulted in allocative inefficiency; (4) rice farmers are overwhelmingly operating at a sub-optimal scale. Future policies should focus on encouraging farmland transfer in rural areas to achieve scale efficiency and allocative efficiency while promoting mechanization at the chemical application phase of rice cultivation to improve technical efficiency.     

Sterol Ring System Oxidation Pattern in Marine Sponges

The marine sponges (Porifera) are a unique group of sedentary organisms from which several novel natural products are reported, many of which have useful biological activities. In producing unusual sterols, they occupy a preeminent position among the various groups of organisms. The polar sterols of sponges reported as at the end of the year 2002 number about 250; their ring structure changing a hundred times. The oxidation pattern in the sterol ring system, from the point of view of biogenesis seems to be mainly of four types. Each sponge species is able to produce sterols fitting into one of the four main biogenetic pathways viz., (i) 3β-hydroxy-Δ⁵-sterol pathway, (ii) 3β-hydroxy-Δ⁷-sterol pathway, (iii) 3β-hydroxy-Δ^5,7-sterol pathway, and (iv) 3α-hydroxy sterol pathway.     

Enhanced Sequential Flushing Process for Removal of Mixed Contaminants from Soils

The feasibility of a sequentially enhanced process for the remediation of soils contaminated by mixed contaminants, specifically multiple polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and heavy metals, was investigated. This process consists of sequential flushing using two chemical agents: a surfactant and a chelate. A series of laboratory column experiments was conducted with three different sequential schemes, designated as SEQ1, SEQ2, and SEQ3, in two distinct flushing stages, to remove PAHs and heavy metals from a field-contaminated soil. The SEQ1 scheme involved flushing 0.2 M ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) followed by flushing 5 % Igepal. The SEQ2 scheme involved flushing 5 % Igepal followed by flushing 0.2 M EDTA. SEQ1 was investigated under a constant hydraulic gradient of 1.2, while the SEQ2 scheme was investigated under hydraulic gradients that increased from 1.2 to 4.0. The SEQ3 scheme consisted of sequential flushing of 5 % Igepal (first stage) and 0.2 M EDTA (second stage) under a constant low hydraulic gradient of 0.2. The selected sequential schemes allowed an assessment of the efficacy of sequencing the surfactant and chelating flushing for the removal of multiple heavy metals and PAHs under various hydraulic gradients. The hydraulic conductivity (or flow) was found to vary depending on the flushing agent and the sequence scheme. Under the high hydraulic gradient, the hydraulic conductivity was lower during chelant flushing stage as compared with surfactant flushing stage in both SEQ1 and SEQ2. However, under a low gradient condition (SEQ3), the hydraulic conductivity was approximately the same during both chelant and surfactant flushing stages. The contaminant removal was also significantly affected by the flushing agent and sequence and the applied hydraulic gradient. Heavy metals were removed during chelant flushing, while PAHs were removed during surfactant flushing. The total removal efficiencies of Pb, Zn, and Cu were 76 %, 63 %, and 11 % in SEQ1 and 42 %, 40 %, and 7 % in SEQ2, respectively, while the total removal efficiencies of phenanthrene, anthracene, benz(a)anthracene, and pyrene were 51 %, 35 %, 58 %, and 39 % in SEQ1 and 69 %, 50 %, 65 %, and 69 % in SEQ2, respectively. Overall, the total mass removal of heavy metals and PAHs was higher in SEQ1 as compared with SEQ2, demonstrating that SEQ1 is the effective sequence scheme. Comparison of the results of high and low gradient conditions (SEQ2 and SEQ3) reveals that the removal of contaminants, especially heavy metals, is rate-limited. Overall, this study showed that the removal of co-existing heavy metals and PAHs from soils is possible through the careful selection of the sequence under which the flushing of chelant and surfactant occurs and depends on the site-specific soil and contaminant conditions. Additional research is needed to establish the most optimal flushing scheme (sequence duration and flow velocity) to remove the mixed contaminants effectively and efficiently.     

Integrated management of Meloidogyne incognita‐Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ciceri wilt disease complex in chickpea

A field experiment was conducted to study the management of a root‐knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita (Kofoid and White) Chitw. (Tylenchida: Heteroderidae)‐wilt inducing fungi, Fusarium oxysporum Schlecht. emend. Snyd & Hans. f. sp. ciceri (Padwick) Snyd. & Hans. (Moniliales: Tuberculariaceae) wilt disease complex in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.). cv. Annegiri. The results indicated that integration of soil solarization (for 6 weeks), VA mycorrhizal fungus (VAM), Glomus fasciculatum inoculation (12g/hill) and seed treatment with carbosulfan (3% w/w) was highly effective in reducing population levels of both pathogens, root‐knotdisease and wilt incidence and in increasing chickpea grain yield significantly. However, seed treatment with carbendazim (0.25% w/w) together with carbosulfan (3% w/w) was not only effective in reducing the wilt disease complex but also economic with an incremental cost: benefit ratio of 1: 2.4.     

Anti-Inflammatory Concentrate Enriched with Substituted Oligofucans Derived from Brown Seaweed Turbinaria conoides (J. Agardh) Kützing and Its Safety Assessment on Wistar Rats

ABSTRACT

Aqueous extract of the seaweed Turbinaria conoides was purified to obtain an oligofucan-enriched seaweed concentrate (OESC). Oligofucans isolated were characterized as two types with (→1)-fucose-(2,3-diSO₃^?)-(1→4)-fucose-(2-SO₃^?)-(1→3)-fucose-(2,3-diSO₃^?)-(1→4)-fucose-(2-SO₃^?, 3-OAc)-(4→) and (→1)-fucose-(3-SO₃^?)-(1→4)-fucose-(2-SO₃^?)-(1→4)-fucose-(3-SO₃^?)-(1→4)-fucose-(2-SO₃^?)-(4→) motifs. A 90-day accelerated shelf-life study (50°C) showed that OESC maintained its antioxidant properties (free radical scavenging, reducing, lipid peroxidation inhibition, and chelating activities) even after 30 days. In vitro COX-2 and 5-LOX inhibitory properties of OESC (67.2 and 95.2%, respectively) showed no significant variation even at the 30th day. OESC significantly mitigated the carrageenan-induced inflammation in rats at 0–2 h (59.7–70.3% inhibition), which were greater compared to the synthetic NSAID aspirin. The safety of OESC has been assessed by acute (14 days) and subchronic (90 days) oral toxicity studies, which showed no toxicity-related significant changes in renal or hepatic function, hematological indices, and serum biochemical parameters in the OESC-treated Wistar rats. No histopathological alterations were observed in the vital organs of rats treated with OESC. LD₅₀ and sub-chronic no-observed-adverse-effect level (NOAEL) for this concentrate were found to be > 5,000 and 2,000?mg/kg BW, respectively. Hence, oligofucan-enriched seaweed concentrate is safe to consume without any adverse effects in the body.     

Bromoxynil degradation in a Mississippi silt loam soil

BACKGROUND: The objectives of these laboratory experiments were: (1) to assess bromoxynil sorption, mineralization, bound residue formation and extractable residue persistence in a Dundee silt loam collected from 0–2 cm and 2–10 cm depths under continuous conventional tillage and no‐tillage; (2) to assess the effects of autoclaving on bromoxynil mineralization and bound residue formation; (3) to determine the partitioning of non‐extractable residues; and (4) to ascertain the effects of bromoxynil concentration on extractable and bound residues and metabolite formation. RESULTS: Bromoxynil K_d values ranged from 0.7 to 1.4 L kg^?1 and were positively correlated with soil organic carbon. Cumulative mineralization (38.5% ± 1.5), bound residue formation (46.5% ± 0.5) and persistence of extractable residues (T_1/2 < 1 day) in non‐autoclaved soils were independent of tillage and depth. Autoclaving decreased mineralization and bound residue formation 257‐fold and 6.0‐fold respectively. Bromoxynil persistence in soil was rate independent (T_1/2 < 1 day), and the majority of non‐extractable residues (87%) were associated with the humic acid fraction of soil organic matter. CONCLUSIONS: Irrespective of tillage or depth, bromoxynil half‐life in native soil is less than 1 day owing to rapid incorporation of the herbicide into non‐extractable residues. Bound residue formation is governed principally by biochemical metabolite formation and primarily associated with soil humic acids that are moderately bioavailable for mineralization. These data indicate that the risk of off‐site transport of bromoxynil residues is low owing to rapid incorporation into non‐extractable residues. Published 2009 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd     

印度东北地区一种极频危和特有树种(Ilex khasiana Pork.)再生生态学及种群现状

在5个典型自然种群Mylliem(种群1)、Upper Shillong(种群2)、Shillong Peak(种群3)、Laitkor(种群4)和Nongpiyur(种群5)中,详细研究了冬青树(Ilex khasiana)种群结构和再生生态学,旨在探究种群结构和再生能力的影响因素.在全光照(100%),中等光照(50%)和低光照(30%)三种光强度条件下,实验观察表明:在中等和低光照条件下的种苗成活率和生长状态好于在高光照条件下的种苗成活率和生长状态.成年树种群(≥5cm dbh)的密度直径分布揭示了一种再生种群的典型特征.对植被的破坏和人类其他干扰导致森林树冠疏开使光照增强,造成自然种群(L khasiana)幼苗的高死亡率.本研究结果对制定适当的物种保护措施有重要价值.     

Reactions of hard red spring wheat to common root rot under field conditions of Northern United States of America

Common root rot (CRR), primarily caused by Cochliobolus sativus, is one of the important soil borne diseases of wheat (Triticum aestivum L). To gain information about resistance of hard red spring wheat (HRSW) to the disease, forty HRSW cultivars and advanced breeding lines were grown and evaluated in a completely randomized block design for reaction to CRR from 2000 to 2002 in a field plot with high natural inoculum of C. sativus at Williston, ND. Plant root samples during the soft to mid-dough stage were collected and CRR incidences and severities were scored using the subcrown internode index method. Disease severities (DS) varied from 24–61% in 2000 and 2002, but were relatively low in 2001 (19–40%). None of the wheat cultivars was immune to CRR. The genotypes Canon, Forge, Dandy, Ember, Butte 86, Oxen, AC Barrie, Parshall, and 2371 had higher DS (>45%) and exhibited susceptible disease reactions. However, the genotypes ND 722, AC Cadillac, HJ 98, Argent and Scholar had lower levels of DS throughout the study period, and these were better than, or similar to Amidon, the resistant check. The HRSW cultivars with consistent resistance to CRR during the three year evaluation could be valuable resistance sources for use in breeding programs.     

Variation of pomelo (Citrus grandis (L.) Osbeck) in Nepal and participatory selection of strains for further improvement

A farmers’ participatory survey was carried out in the mid-hill and plain (Terai) regions of Nepal to assess the diversity, consumers’ preference for fruit quality and potential for selection of elite pomelo clones. A wide variation of morphological characters of tree, fruit, leaf and seed was identified from information gathered and from laboratory analysis. Multivariate analysis of the data produced five discrete groups, which were represented by plants from different agro-ecological regions and soil types. The groups differed significantly in yield efficiency, fruit shape and size, pulp, juice, total soluble solids and acid content, seed number, leaf shape and size. Some fruit characters, such as yield, size and acid content were found to be affected by environment and genotype, whereas others, such as fruit shape, pulp colour, seed number, bitterness were not affected by environment. Leaf shape and petiole wing shape were also not affected by the environment. Farmers were more interested in quality characteristics rather than to aspects of yield. Six superior types were identified.