Myiasis caused by Wohlfahrtia magnifica (Schiner, 1862) in the Arabian camel (Camelus dromedarius) in the Peninsula of Sinai

Massive myiasis caused by Wohlfahrtia magnifica (Schiner, 1862) in camels in the Southern Mountainous zone of the Peninsula of Sinai is described. Wohlfahrtiosis seemed intimately related to the climatic and ecological conditions of the area, particularly altitude, precipitation, pasture, rodents and ticks. The clinical features resembled those described in sheep in Israel and in camels elsewhere. Treatment with diazinon and synergized pyrethrum in pine oil proved effective.     

The potential of middle eastern flora as a source of new safe bio-acaricides to control<Emphasis Type="Italic">Tetranychus cinnabarinus</Emphasis>, the carmine spider mite

Twenty-nine plant extracts of local species were evaluated for their potential as a source of bioactive ingredients with significant acaricidal activity that could lead to the development of new and safe bio-acaricides. The crude extracts (70% ethanol) of these plants were tested for their acaricidal activity against the carmine spider miteTetranychus cinnabarinus in a bioassay under controlled conditions. Mortality, repellency, and the number of eggs laid were measured. Extracts fromEucalyptus camaldulensis andInula viscosa caused more than 25% mortality. Sixteen plant extracts showed significant repellency compared with the control. The six best extracts, resulting in more than 75% repellency, were fromAllium sativum, Capparis spinosa, Cupressus sempervirens, Lupinus pilosus, Rhus coriaria andTamarix aphylla. Extracts from 16 plants were found to cause a significant reduction in the number of eggs laid compared with the control. The greatest reduction was achieved by extracts fromC. spinosa, Cyperus rotundus, E. camaldulensis, L. pilosus, Punica granatum, R. coriaria andT. aphylla. A relatively negative fit was found between the mean number of repelled mites and the number of eggs laid (r=−0.65), which might indicate that most repelled mites were unable to lay eggs before leaving the leaf discs of the bioassay. Our results show that several plant extracts have good potential for acaricidal activity and are worth further investigation. http://www.phytoparasitica.org posting Dec. 16, 2003.     

Construction of a genetic map of melon with molecular markers and horticultural traits, and localization of genes associated with ZYMV resistance

Abstract: A partial linkage map of melon was constructed from a cross between PI414723 and Dulce. Twenty-two SSR, 46RAPD, 2 ISSR markers and four horticultural markers [female flower form (a), Fusarium resistance, striped epicarp (st), and fruit flesh pH (pH)] were analyzed in an F₂/F₃ population to produce a map spanning 14 linkage groups. We report for the first time map positions for the st, a, and pH genes. One SSR marker was tightly linked to pH. Mapping the a gene for the female flower form to molecular linkage group 4 enabled the merging of the map of horticultural traits with the of molecular markers in this region. Using the 22 SSR markers of this map, two of the three postulated ZYMV resistance genes were located using a BC₁ population (PI414723 recurrent parent). One SSR marker was tightly linked to a ZYMV resistance gene, designated Zym-1. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Effect of soil wetting and drying cycles on metolachlor fate in soil applied as a commercial or controlled-release formulation

A controlled-release formulation (CRF) has been developed for metolachlor, which reduced its leaching in a sandy soil and improved weed control in comparison with the commercial formulation. The current study tested the effect of soil wetting and drying cycles (WDCs) on metolachlor fate (desorption, leaching, and weed control) applied as the CRF and as the commercial formulation. Metolachlor adsorption to a heavy soil (Terra-Rosa) was predominately to the clay minerals and oxides. Metolachlor release from a heavy soil subjected to WDCs was higher than its release from the soil not subjected to WDCs. Consequently, a bioassay in soil columns treated with the commercial formulation indicated enhanced metolachlor leaching in heavy soils under WDCs. In contrast, when metolachlor was applied as the CRF, leaching was suppressed and not affected by WDCs. These results emphasize the advantages of the CRF also in heavy soils subjected to WDCs.     

Variations saisonnières de la composition alimentaire des différents types de pâturage du Néguev septentrional d'Israël

Résumé En 1965 un essai fût effectué pour déterminer la teneur et les variations saisonnières de certaines caractéristiques qualitatives des plantes pastorales suivantes: le Guéttaf(Atriplex halimus), le Pâturage naturel (sur jachère), les Légumineuses (surtout la Vesce, var.Vicia dasycarpa), l'Avoine — pour fénaison et l'Orge — pour pacage.Il a été confirmé, que la teneur en composants chimiques, au point de vue alimentaire, des diverses plantes examinées est différente et leurs taux varient beaucoup durant l'année, et en particulier entre la période de croissance et celle du flétrissement.Il apparût clairement que les changements les plus prononcés entre les saisons, dans toutes ces espèces végétales se produisent dans le taux des protides et dans celui de la cellulose brute. En général, des changements saisonniers nombreux et souvent marqués — selon l'espèce végétale-se manifestent dans le taux des lipides et de la matière minérale (cendres), mais ils restent relativement minimes dans les taux des glucides (matières extractives non azotées).Pour souligner les différences entre la phase de croissance, d'une part, et celle-critique — du flétrissement, d'autre part, on a apprécié la valeur fourragère des différentes plantes du pâturage en fonction de chaque composant alimentaire pris à part.

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Summary Seasonal changes in the chemical fodder composition of a number of pasture types in the northern semi-arid Negev of Israel were determined. Data were obtained for saltbush(Atriplex halimus l.), native vegetation (following cultivation), an annual legume mixture (mainlyVicia dasycarpa l.), barley and oats.The greatest seasonal variations in chemical composition for all pasture types occurred: in crude protein and crude fiber content. In general also fat an mineral (ash) content changed often markedly, whereas carbohydrates (Nitrogen free extract) relatively varied least.The legumes were notable for their high protein and low fiber level throughout the year, both in the growing season and in the dry forage phase. Native vegetation was lowest, and saltbush intermediate. During the growing season, oats and barley had a medium protein content; fiber was highest in barley and lowest in oats. On the other hand in the dry forage phase oats and barley had the lowest protein and highest fiber content of all pasture types.According to the level of each chemical component the evaluation of the pasture plants in the two extreme seasons (growing and dry forage phase) as fodder is established.

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Zusammenfassung Im Jahre 1965 wurde ein Versuch durchgeführt, der zur Aufgabe hatte, die Zusammensetzung und die jahreszeitlichen Veränderungen gewisser qualitativer Eigenschaften folgender Weidepflanzen festzustellen:Salzbusch(Atriplex halimus l.), Naturweide (Vegetation der Ackerbrache), Leguminosen (überwiegend Wicke-Vicia dasycarpa), Hafer (zur Heugewinnung), Gerste (als Weidefutter).Es hat sich erwiesen, daß die chemische Zusammensetzung der Futterbestandteile der untersuchten Pflanzen verschieden ist, und daß deren Gehalt im Laufe des Jahres stark variiert, insbesondere zwischen dem Wachstums- und Trockenstadium.Es erschien deutlich, daß die größten jahreszeitlichen Schwankungen in diesen Pflanzen, im Roheiweiß- und Rohfasergehalt vorkommen. Im allgemeinem treten zahlreiche und öfter markante jahreszeitliche Schwankungen — je nach Pflanzenart — im Rohfettund Mineralstoffgehalt (Asche) hervor, jedoch bleiben die Schwankungen verhältnismäßig beschränkt auf die Kohlenhydrate (Stickstoffreie Extraktstoffe).Um die Unterschiede zwischen dem Wachstumsstadium einerseits und dem Trockenstadium anderseits zu unterstreichen, wurde der Futterwert der verschiedenen Weidepflanzen in Bezug auf jeden einzelnen Futterbestandteil ermittelt.

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Contribution de l'Institut National et Universitaire d'Agriculture. Serie No. 1191 F, Israël 1967.     

Identification of malodorous, a wild species allele affecting tomato aroma that was aelected against during domestication

Vegetable cultivation favored the inclusion of pleasant aromas in the produce, whereas unpleasant aromas were selected against. Introgression lines, generated by hybridization of a cultivated tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) to its wild relative L. pennellii, were used to map quantitative trait loci (QTL) that influence tomato aroma. A marked undesirable flavor was detected by taste panelists in L. pennellii fruits and was related to an introgressed segment from the short arm of chromosome 8. Analysis of the ripe fruits' volatiles of chromosome 8 introgressed lines revealed an up to 60-fold increase in the levels of 2-phenylethanol and phenylacetaldehyde, as compared to the cultivated tomato. This effect was associated with a 10 cM segment originating from the wild species. Although 2-phenylethanol and phenylacetaldehyde have favorable contribution to tomato aroma when present at low levels, phenylacetaldehyde has a nauseating objectionable aroma when present in levels >0.005 ppm. The loss of the ability to produce high levels of phenylacetaldehyde contributed to the development of desirable aroma of the cultivated tomato. The findings provide a genetic explanation for one of the aroma changes that occurred during the domestication of the tomato.     

Quantification of protodioscin and rutin in asparagus shoots by LC/MS and HPLC methods

A liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) method with selected ion monitoring was developed and validated to analyze the contents of protodioscin and rutin in asparagus. The distribution of rutin and protodioscin within the shoots was found to vary by location, with the tissue closest to the rhizome found to be a rich source of protodioscin, at an average level of 0.025% tissue fresh weight in the three tested lines, while the upper youngest shoot tissue contained the highest amount of rutin at levels of 0.03-0.06% tissue fresh weight. The lower portions of the asparagus shoots that are discarded during grading and processing should instead be considered a promising source of a new value-added nutraceutical product.