BUFFERING EFFECT OF ELEMENTAL SULFUR ON MYCORRHIZAL INFECTION OF LEEK

The effect of elemental sulfur (S) on the mycorrhizal infection and yield enhancement in leek was investigated. Plants were grown on a calcareous Karaburun soil (sub-group typic xerorthent) from a farm of the University of Cukurova, Adana, Turkey. Sterilized soil with and without the addition of elemental sulfur resulted in significant biomass increase of both root and shoot dry matter. The buffering effect of the elemental sulfur against the decreasing effect of phosphorus for the inoculation percent was also observed. This new finding about the efficiency of the mycorrhizae with the optimum inoculation rate resulting from the addition of 100 ppm elemental sulfur to the application inoculated with mycorrhizae indicates that it is of major scientific interest for ecologic agriculture.     

EFFICIENCY OF ELEMENTAL SULFUR ON MYCORRHIZAE IN THE YIELD INCREASE OF WHEAT

Mycorrhizal infection enhances phosphorus (P) nutritional status of plants under P-deficient soil condition. The yield responses of wheat to sulfur (S) alone, phosphorus (P) alone, and combined application of sulfur and phosphorus in mycorrhizal and non-mycorrhizal treatments in calcareaous non-sterilized Karaburun soil (sub-group Typic Xerorthent) were investigated. The elemental sulfur enhanced the mycorrhizal efficiency that resulted in increased shoot, root, and grain yield dry matter in comparison to mycorrhiza treatment alone. This new finding to increase the efficiency of the mycorrhizae by the addition of 100 mg kg^?1 elemental sulfur to the soil suggests that elemental sulfur may play an important role for the ecologic agriculture. It can be specifically important for increasing the efficiency of mycorrhizal infection in well-aerated P deficient soil.     

Effect of continuous 0.3 μL/L gaseous ozone exposure on fungicide residues on table grape berries

The persistence of residues of some fungicides, commonly applied in table grape vineyards to reduce bunch rot, was investigated during the cold storage of ‘Thompson Seedless’ table grape stemmed berries in atmospheres of air or 0.3 μL/L ozone enriched air. Grape berries were sprayed with a mixture of boscalid, iprodione, fenhexamid, cyprodinil, and pyrimethanil solutions, dried in air for 24 h, and packed in plastic clamshell containers in expanded polystyrene boxes. The boxes were stored either in ozone or in ambient air atmosphere (2 °C, 95% RH) for 36 d. Residue analyses were done initially and at 12-d intervals using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Residues of boscalid, iprodione, fenhexamid, and pyrimethanil declined during storage in air, but cyprodinil residues did not change significantly during 36-d storage. Storage in the ozone atmosphere markedly accelerated the rates of decline of fenhexamid, cyprodinil, and pyrimethanil, but not those of boscalid or iprodione. At the end of storage, degradation of fenhexamid, cyprodinil, or pyrimethanil was 1.6-, 2.8-, or 3.6-fold higher, respectively, in the ozone atmosphere compared that in air. Despite their structural similarity, pyrimethanil declined more rapidly in an ozone atmosphere than cyprodinil. Fenhexamid declined in both air and ozone more rapidly than the other fungicides; at the end of storage period, only 59.2% or 35.5% of the initial residue remained after air or ozone storage, respectively. Our results have shown that gaseous ozone treatment during storage has a great potential for degrading contemporary fungicides related to table grape production.     

The chalcid parasitoid complex (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea) associated with the globose scale (Sphaerolecanium prunastri Fonscolombe) (Hemiptera: Coccoidea) in Isparta Province,Turkey and some east European countries

Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection - The globose scale (GS) Sphaerolecanium prunastri Fonscolombe (Hemiptera: Coccoidea) is a common and harmful soft scale species which attacks Prunus spp....     

Primary studies on the parasitoid fauna of Coccoidea in cultivated and non-cultivated areas in the east Mediterranean region of Turkey

The parasitoid fauna of Coccoidea in cultivated and noncultivated areas was studied in the east Mediterranean region of Turkey in 1994–1997. In total, 25 parasitoid species belonging to Aphelinidae, Encyrtidae, and Eulophidae (Hymenoptera) were reared from 21 different scale hosts. On crop plants, mainly citrus and peach, 13 parasitoids from eleven Coccoidea hosts were determined while 14 parasitoid species were obtained from twelve scale insects on non-cultivated plants. Seven parasitoid species are new records for the Turkish insect fauna. Only one of them was found on citrus, while the other six species were sampled in non-cultivated areas. The most common parasitoids encountered wereAphytis melinus DeBach,Encarsia berlesei (Howard) (Aphelinidae),comperiella bifasciata Howard (Encyrtidae), andMetaphycus flavus (Howard) (Eulophidae) in cultivated areas andCoccophagus lycimnia (Walker) (Aphelinidae) in non-cultivated areas. All other parasitoids species were obtained only from a few scale insects hosts.

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Erste Untersuchungen zur Parasitoiden-Fauna der Coccoidea in landwirtschaftlich genutzten und nicht genutzten Gebieten der ?stlichen Mittelmeer-Region der Türkei

Zusammenfassung  In der vorliegenden Arbeit wurde die Parasitoiden-Fauna der Coccoidea in landwirtschaftlich genutzten und nicht genutzten Gebieten der ?stlichen Mittelmeer-Region der Türkei in der Zeit von 1994–1997 untersucht. Insgesamt konnten 25 Parasitoiden-Arten aus den Familien Aphelinidae, Encyrtidae und Eulophidae (Hymenoptera) aus 21 verschiedenen Schildlaus-Wirten gezogen werden. Von den Kulturpflanzen, vor allem von Zitrus und Pfirsich, wurden 13 Parasitoide aus 11 Coccoidea-Wirten gewonnen, w?hrend 14 Parasitoiden-Arten aus 12 Schildlaus-Wirten von den Wildpflanzen stammten. Bei sieben Parasitoiden-Arten handelt es sich um Neubeschreibungen der türkischen Insektenfauna. Nur eine von diesen wurde auf Zitrus beobachtet, w?hrend die anderen sechs Arten aus nicht bewirtschafteten Gebieten stammten. Die gel?ufigsten der ermittelten Parasitoiden-Arten warenAphytis melinus DeBach,Encarsia berlesei (Howard) (Aphelinidae),Comperiella bifasciata Howard (Encyrtidae) sowieMetaphycus flavus (Howard) (Eulophidae) auf den bewirtschafteten undCoccophagus lycimnia (Walker) (Aphelinidae) auf den nicht bewirtschafteten Fl?chen. Alle anderen Parasitoiden-Arten wurden auf nur wenigen Schildlaus-Wirten beobachtet.

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The paper was gratefully dedicated to Prof. Dr. Niyazi Lodos.     

SPERMATIC GRANULOMA IN THE RAM: DIAGNOSIS BY ULTRASONOGRAPHY AND SEMEN CHARACTERISTICS

Ultrasonographic appearance of the testis and epididymis, and seminal characteristics, with regard to localization of spermatic granuloma were studied. In rams with spermatic granuloma (n = 9), diagnosed by clinical or ultrasonographic examinations before histopathological confirmation, localization of each lesion was recorded. Epididymal granulomas, caput and cauda, were seen as anechoic or hyperechoic areas with a distinct margin with or without a hyperechoic capsule. Granulomas in the testis were microscopic and, therefore, could not be detected by ultrasonography. Enlargement in the mediastinum testis was detected in all rams when there were granulomas in the caput. Heterogeneous testis parenchyma invaded by numerous hyperechoic foci, representing testicular degeneration, was associated with granulomas both in the epididymis and testis. Ultrasonographic appearance of the lesions did not differ with regard to season. Seminal characteristics varied between rams. It was concluded that ultrasonographic evaluation may give valuable information in the diagnosis of sperm granuloma in the ram.     

Potential Threats from a Likely Nuclear Power Plant Accident: a Climatological Trajectory Analysis and Tracer Study

Water, Air, & Soil Pollution - The present paper deals with an extensive review of literature concerning the platinum group elements (PGEs), and their impact on the environment. The increased...