Barium isotopes in allende meteorite: evidence against an extinct superheavy element

Carbon and chromite fractions from the Allende meteorite that contain isotopically anomalous xenon-131 to xenon-136 (carbonaceous chondrite fission or CCF xenon) at up to 5 x 10(11) atoms per gram show no detectable isotopic anomalies in barium-130 to barium-138. This rules out the possibility that the CCF xenon was formed by in situ fission of an extinct superheavy element. Apparently the CCF xenon and its carbonaceous carrier are relics from stellar nucleosynthesis.     

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.     

Experiments to assess the suitability of nine species of prawns for intensive cultivation

This paper describes experiments in which nine species of prawns were compared for their suitability for intensive culture in closed systems. The species tested were: Macrobrachium rosenbergii, Penaeus aztecus, P. indicus, P. japonicus, P. monodon, P. occidentalis, P. orientalis, P. schmitti and P. setiferus. Tanks with a bottom area of 0.6 m² and water depth 20 cm were stocked with juvenile prawns (0.2–0.5 g mean live-weight) of each species at two stocking densities, equivalent to 25 and 166 prawns/m². Water conditions were maintained at 28±2°C and 28–30‰ (M. rosenbergii was reared in fresh water), and growth and survival were monitored during 16 weeks.Fastest growth was recorded for P. monodon and P. orientalis, which reached mean live-weights of 25.43 g and 22.80 g respectively at the low stocking density and 12.95 g and 14.63 g at the high stocking density. Best survival was recorded for P. monodon, which was considerably better than any of the other species. It was concluded that P. monodon and P. orientalis merit further consideration as candidates for intensive culture.     

Developments in the integrated control of Frankliniella occidentalis in capsicum and cucumber1

Since the appearance of the western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis, in European glasshouses, many attempts have been made to improve the biological methods for thrips control, originally based on the control of Thrips tabaci. Introductions of Neoseiulus (Amblyseius) cucumeris have been increased with respect to both numbers per introduction and number of releases. So-called slow-release systems have been developed to ensure better establishment of the predator on the plant. New control agents have been tested: the predatory bug Orius insidiosus and the entomopathogenic fungus Verticillium lecanii. Additional control methods are: 1) the use of polybutenes as an insect glue on yellow polythene covers of the rock-wool mat; 2) newly developed blue sticky traps. These new developments and prospects are discussed.