Responses of oribatid mite communities to summer drought: The influence of litter type and quality

A litterbag experiment was used to study the impact of extended periods of summer drought on the structure of oribatid mite communities (Acari, Oribatida) developing in two litter types (beech, spruce) of two qualities (fresh, pre-incubated). Within each litter type, litter quality determined species composition and densities and, in turn, this determined the impact of drought upon the oribatid mite communities. In both litter types, drought had a greater impact on community development in the pre-incubated compared to the fresh litter. In the short-term perspective of the present study, oribatid mite communities in beech litter were less sensitive to summer drought than those in spruce litter. This was partly due to the presence of site-specific, drought-tolerant species but seemed also strongly related to differences in the decomposition patterns between the litter types. Marked changes in densities and composition of oribatid communities after only one period of summer-drought suggest that there is a potential for a significant alteration of oribatid community structure in both litter types if climatic changes persist.     

Assessment of wheat ear insects in winter wheat varieties in central Germany

Population densities of wheat ear insects infesting different winter wheat varieties (n = 50) were estimated during 2008 and 2009 seasons near Halle, central Germany. The research was aimed at identifying wheat varieties most resistant to wheat ear insect pests. Two methods were used to evaluate the degree of insect infestations in different wheat ear varieties. Wheat ears were dissected when kernels were in Zadoks stage 73 and examined using a binocular microscope to count the number of spikelets and infested kernels, and to identify the insect pests present. In addition, white water traps were placed on the soil underneath each variety to collect mature larvae of wheat blossom midges (WBMs) as an indicator of potential crop risk for the next year. There were significant differences in the number of thrips and WBM infesting wheat ears among varieties in both years. Thrips numbers were the highest in Akratos, Limes and Ritmo varieties in 2008 and in Michigan Amber, Elegant and Kontrast in 2009. Thrips were the lowest in Thuareg in 2008 and Robigus varieties in 2009. The results showed that the highest WBM infestation level was observed in Michigan Amber in both years. The lowest WBM infestations were found in Türkis, Cubus, Capo, Welford and Robigus in both years. The number of infested kernels was positively correlated with WBM among varieties. In the water traps, the highest numbers of WBM larvae were recorded in Saladin and Bussard in 2008 and Orlando, Julius and Glasgow varieties in 2009. The lowest values were recorded in Victo, Enorm, Robigus and Welford varieties in both years. The results provide a guide for selecting winter wheat varieties with resistance to these wheat ear pests.     

Effectiveness of Some Insecticides on Wheat Blossom Midges in Winter Wheat

Orange wheat blossom midge damage can impart serious loss of quantity and quality of winter wheat. Wheat midges were evaluated in large scale field in winter wheat in Bad Lausick (Leipzig, Saxsony) central Germany. The present study aimed at studying the activity of wheat blossom midges WBM, Sitodiplosis mosellana (Géhin) and Contarinia tritici (Kirby) using pheromone, sticky traps and two types of water traps. Management of midges with different treatments was studied; Karate (pyrethroid), Biscaya (neonicotinoid) and NeemAzal T/S (botanical insecticide) were sprayed on wheat at heading stage (GS 55). Monitoring was conducted before the treatment and continued for 4 weeks after the treatment. Pheromone traps were used for forecasting midge adult population and determine the control date. Water traps were used to assess midge larvae, while midge adults were surveyed using sticky traps. A strong correlation between midge catches and weather conditions was obtained; as well a coincidence between pheromone catches and wheat midge infestation in the susceptible growth stages (GS 47–65) was recorded. Insecticide applications to fields of midge-infested winter wheat significantly reduced the wheat midge damage. There were significant differences in wheat midge numbers between treated and untreated; wheat midge numbers were lower in the treated than in control. The results proved that both Karate and Biscaya caused more mortality to wheat midges than NeemAzal T/S.     

Intraspecific body size increases with habitat fragmentation in wild bee pollinators

Context

In modern agricultural landscapes, fragmentation of partial habitats is a significant filter for multi-habitat users, reducing local taxonomic and functional diversity. There is compelling evidence that small species are more susceptible than large species. The impact of habitat fragmentation on intraspecific body-size distribution, however, is yet unexplored.

Objectives

We tested habitat fragmentation, a major driver of pollinator loss, for its impact on intraspecific body-size distributions of solitary wild-bee species. Subsequently, we tested individual body size for its impact on pollination services.

Methods

We sampled 1272 individuals of the four most common Andrena wild bee species in 22 newly established flowering fields (0.21–0.41 ha) in Hessen, Central Germany, over two consecutive years. Study sites were located in a ca. 80 ha landscape context of increasing habitat fragmentation. We analysed the pollen loads of the most abundant species.

Results

Body size within local populations of the two medium-sized bees increased with fragmentation, suggesting intraspecific selection for higher dispersal capacity. Pollen analysis carried out for the most common species revealed that larger individuals visited a significantly smaller plant spectrum. Habitat fragmentation may thus alter pollination services without necessarily affecting species richness or composition.

Conclusions

Systematic body-size variation at the population level thus explains the considerable variability between simple community measures and ecosystem functioning. Filtering processes at the individual level require increased understanding for targeting pollination services under current and future land-use change.

     

Economic and Risk Effects of Rotation Based on a 14-Year Irrigated Potato Production Study in Manitoba

Crop rotations can be used to optimize economic return by preserving or enhancing soil quality and reducing pest pressure. A field experiment consisting of six rotations of potato with canola (P-C), wheat (P-W), canola-wheat (P-C-W), oat-wheat (P-O-W), wheat-canola-wheat (P-W-C-W), and canola underseeded to alfalfa-alfalfa-alfalfa (P-C(A)-A-A) organized in a Randomized Complete Block Design was established on a clay loam soil in Manitoba, Canada and monitored for fourteen years to assess the relative economic performance of potato in each rotation. A stochastic budget based on returns and risk of returns trade-offs was used to determine each rotation’s profitability. While differences in average annual net income of all crops between rotations were not significant, the P-C-W rotation was the most stable. Despite the economic advantage of P-C in the first two cycles, longer P-C-W or P-C(A)-A-A rotations are recommended, as two-year rotations increase plant disease and decrease economic viability in the long run.