Spotted wing drosophila infestation of California strawberries and raspberries: economic analysis of potential revenue losses and control costs

BACKGROUND: Economic costs of spotted wing drosophila (SWD) include yield and associated revenue losses, labor and material costs for monitoring and management and revenue losses due to the closure of export markets should fruit from SWD‐infested regions be banned by trading partners. This analysis focuses on two types of loss in the California raspberry and strawberry industries: yield losses in the absence of management, and insecticide material costs on a per treatment basis. It computes the cost of a specific management program for raspberries in California's Central Coast region. RESULTS: Insecticide material and application costs per treatment and the cost of the management program are small relative to the yield losses in the absence of management that are observed by growers, researchers and others in initial infestations. CONCLUSION: It is difficult to evaluate precisely the share of pest management program costs due to SWD because insecticides are sometimes used to manage multiple pests, and because labor‐intensive field sanitation efforts to control SWD are recommended practices already. Given these considerations, this analysis finds that the benefits to SWD management well outweigh the costs examined here. Evaluating the efficacy of managing SWD is essential in assessing the risks that SWD poses and the benefits of pest management programs. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Foliar residue dynamics of azadirachtins following direct stem injection into white and green ash trees for control of emerald ash borer

BACKGROUND: Azadirachtins are natural insecticides derived from the neem tree. The emerald ash borer (EAB) is an exotic invasive insect pest that infests various ash tree species and has the potential for significant economic, aesthetic and ecological impacts throughout North America. The initial translocation and foliar residue dynamics of azadirachtins were examined following direct injection into white and green ash trees growing in urban scenarios as a potential control for EAB. RESULTS: Substantial concentrations of azadirachtins A and B [mean maxima > 0.98 mg kg^?1 fresh weight (f.w.)] were observed within 2 days of injecting a specifically designed formulation of azadirachtins. Foliar residues declined exponentially through time, with half‐life estimates ranging from 5.1 to 12.3 days. At the time of leaf senescence, foliar residue levels approximated 0.01 mg kg^?1 f.w., strongly mitigating the potential effects of non‐target biota in soil or aquatic compartments. CONCLUSION: The magnitude and duration of exposures observed in this field study were considered to be above the thresholds required for biological effectiveness against both larval and adult life stages of EAB. Results support the use of azadirachtins as an environmentally acceptable systemic insecticide for control of EAB and protection of high‐value ash trees in urban environments. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

种子的发芽和休眠(Ⅱ)

ABA不敏感突变型 vp1和 abi3在 ABA存在时也能发芽 ,这表明它们的野生型的相应基因产物参与了休眠的调控。因而 ,我们是否可以鉴别出这些由玉米 VP1和拟南芥菜 ABI3野生型的基因产物 ,从而解释为什么野生型种子对 ABA敏感而不能发芽 ?VP1和 ABI3这两个结构类似的基因编码某种蛋白 ,这个蛋白含有一个具有转录激活子特性的区段 (Mc Carty等 ,1991;Giraudat等 ,1992 )。它们不能在 vp1和 abi3突变体中合成 ,由此便产生了许多多效性效应 ,包括降低了一些种子成熟时期特有蛋白的合成 (如 Em蛋白、L EA蛋白 ;Paiva和 kriz,1994) ,降低…     

Organophosphorus poisoning: A comparative study of the toxicity of carbophenothion to the Canada goose,the pigeon and the Japanese quail

The acute single dose oral toxicity of carbophenothion (S-4-chlorophenylthiomethyl OO-diethyl phosphorodithioate) has been determined in Canada geese (Branta canadensis), pigeons (Columba livia) and Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica). At post mortem examination gross pathological changes were observed in Canada geese and pigeons and esterase levels were determined by conventional and electrophoretic methods on extracts of liver and brain from these two species. Carbophenothion residue levels were determined in liver, brain and gizzard contents from the geese and pigeons. The overall pattern of results suggests that esterase inhibition may not be the dominant factor in carbophenothion poisoning in geese. It is suggested that a brain carbophenothion residue level of 1 part/10⁶ is indicative of death by poisoning in geese.     

Eradication of over-wintering mildew (Podosphaera leucotricha) in apple buds by nitrogen-containing surfactants

The eradicant activities of 24 nitrogen-containing preparations, comprising primary, secondary or tertiary amines, amine acetates, diamines, amine oxides or quaternary ammonium salts, were assessed in trials with potted dormant apple rootstocks, heavily infected with the powdery mildew fungus Podosphaera leucotricha. The surfactants consisted of mixtures in which C₁₂/C₁₄ or C₁₆/C₁₈ alkyl or alkenyl compounds predominated. Of the amine acetates (at 50g litre^?1), only the formulation containing C₁₂/C₁₄ primary amine acctates was considered worthy of further evaluation. Some amine oxides and quaternary ammonium compounds (at 35 g litre^?1) were good eradicants and were as effective as ‘PP222’ a (nonylphenol-ethoxylate mixture) which was included for comparison. All the compounds showing good activity contained one C₁₂/C₁₄ alkyl group whereas C₁₆/C₁₈ compounds, whether saturated or unsaturated, were relatively inactive. In a field trial, C₁₂/C₁₄ (dimethyl) amine oxide, C₁₂/C₁₄bis (2-hydroxyethyl) amine oxide, and C₁₂/C₁₄ amine acetate (35 g litre^?1) greatly reduced the amount of primary mildew on trees that were previously heavily infected, but there were signs that the fruit yield was reduced.     

Surfactants for the control of apple mildew

Reduction of the overwintering powdery mildew fungus Podosphaera leucotricha resulted from one application of a variety of surfactants (at 50 g/litre a.i.) to apple trees during the dormant season. Examples of non-ionic, anionic and cationic materials were tested and some gave promising control. Successful treatments delayed bud burst during the following spring and caused some loss in fruit yield.     

Two classes of pyrethroid action in the cockroach

Pyrethroids are divided into two classes (Types I and II) based on their effects on the cercal sensory nerves recorded in vivo and in vitro and on the symptomology they produce in dosed cockroaches, Periplaneta americana. Type I compounds include pyrethrins, S-bioallethrin, [1R,cis]resmethrin, kadethrin, the 1R,trans and 1R,cis isomers of tetramethrin, phenothrin, and permethrin, and an oxime O-phenoxybenzyl ether. Electrophysiological recordings from dosed individuals reveal trains of cercal sensory spikes and sometimes also spike trains from the cercal motor nerves and in the CNS. Low concentrations of these pyrethroids act in vitro to induce repetitive firing in a cercal sensory nerve following a single electrical stimulus. This in vitro measurement, standardized for evaluating structure-activity relationships, shows that only 1R, insecticidal isomers are highly effective neurotoxins. The most potent compounds on the isolated nerve are [1R,trans]- and [1R,cis]tetramethrin, each active at 3 × 10^?13M. The poisoning symptoms of Type I compounds are restlessness, incoordination, hyperactivity, prostration, and paralysis. Type II compounds include [1R,cis,αS]- and [1R,trans,αS]cypermethrin, deltamethrin, and [S,S]fenvalerate. These α-cyanophenoxybenzyl pyrethroids do not induce repetitive firing in the cercal sensory nerves either in vivo or in vitro; moreover, they cause different symptoms, including a pronounced convulsive phase. Two other pyrethroids with an α-cyano substituent, i.e., fenpropathrin and an oxime O-α-cyanophenoxybenzyl ether, are classified as Type I based on their action on a cercal sensory nerve but the symptoms with these compounds resemble Type II. The two classes of pyrethroid action evident with the cockroach are discussed relative to their neurophysiological effects and symptomology in other organisms.     

Development and validation of species-specific primers that provide a molecular diagnostic for virus-vector longidorid nematodes and related species in German viticulture

The nematode species Longidorus attenuatus, L. elongatus, L. macrosoma and Paralongidorus maximusare economically important pests to the viticulture industry due to their ability to vector two nepoviruses (Raspberry Ringspot Virus and Tomato Black Ring Virus) to grapevines. In Germany, these species occur in vineyard soil with other non-vector but morphologically similar longidorid species, L. helveticus, L.profundorum and L. sturhani. Species-specific primers were designed from ribosomal DNA for all seven species to facilitate taxonomic identification for non-specialists. Primers were assessed for their reliability by screening, where possible, a number of populations of each species. Furthermore, their selectivity and sensitivity were determined when challenged with closely related longidorid species and general nematode communities typical of vineyard soil. A multiplex approach using a common forward primer combined with species-specific reverse primers enabled three target nematode species to be detected in the same PCR reaction. All primers were highly specific, detecting all nematode developmental forms from disparate populations and were sufficiently sensitive to detect a single target nematode within a whole nematode community typical of a vineyard soil comprising of a range of non-target species. Given their specificity, sensitivity and reliability, these diagnostic primers should be of great benefit to both phytosanitary/quarantine services related to the viticulture industry and also as a decision management tool for growers.     

Effect of meniscal release on rate of subsequent meniscal tears and owner-assessed outcome in dogs with cruciate disease treated with tibial plateau leveling osteotomy

OBJECTIVE: To determine and compare rates of meniscal tears after tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO) among 3 groups of dogs based on treatment method: arthrotomy with meniscal release (openR), arthrotomy without meniscal release (openNR), arthroscopy without meniscal release (scopeNR), and compare long term owner-assessed outcomes for the same groups. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SAMPLE POPULATION: Stifles (n=254) of dogs that had TPLO. METHODS: The three groups were compared for significant (P<.05) differences in rate of subsequent tears using a chi(2) test. Odds ratios for likelihood of subsequent meniscal tears were determined. Data for signalment, outcome, time to peak function, and time to subsequent tear were compared for significant differences using ANOVA, t-test, or rank sum test. RESULTS: Subsequent meniscal tears were diagnosed in 16 cases (6.3%). Of dogs with subsequent meniscal tears, 9 had openNR, 4 had openR, and 3 had scopeNR; the proportion of subsequent meniscal tears was significantly different (P=.035) among groups. Odds ratio indicated that subsequent meniscal tear was 3.8 times more likely to occur for openNR than openR or scopeNR. No significant differences among groups were noted for measures of outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Meniscal release did not reduce the rate of subsequent meniscal tears when compared with cases treated arthroscopically or when compared with all cases combined, but may be advantageous when meniscal pathology cannot be comprehensively assessed in the cranial cruciate deficient stifle. Meniscal release had no effects on owner-assessed outcome as determined in this study. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The low rates of subsequent meniscal tears in conjunction with the relatively high and equivocal levels of owner-assessed outcome and time to peak function for all 3 treatment groups suggest that any of these surgical management strategies can be considered acceptable. We suggest that a meniscal release be performed when complete and thorough exploration of the joint and meniscus cannot be, or are not, performed.     

Serum IgG and total protein concentrations in dairy calves fed two colostrum replacement products

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate effects of 2 commercially available colostrum replacement products on serum IgG and total protein concentrations in dairy calves. DESIGN: Prospective clinical trial. ANIMALS: 84 Holstein bull calves from a single dairy. PROCEDURES: Calves were randomly assigned to be given 4 quarts of colostrum (group 1; n = 21), 2 packages of a colostrum replacement product (product A; group 2; 21), 1 package of a different colostrum replacement product (product B; group 3; 21), or 2 packages of product B (group 4; 21). Treatments were given within 3 hours after birth, and blood samples were collected 24 hours later and submitted for determination of serum total protein and IgG concentrations. RESULTS: Group 1 calves had significantly higher serum total protein and IgG concentrations than did calves in the other 3 groups. However, the percentage of calves with adequate passive transfer (ie, serum IgG concentration > 1,000 mg/dL) was not significantly different among groups 1 (90%), 3 (81%), and 4 (95%). In contrast, only 10% of calves in group 2 had adequate passive transfer. It was predicted that calves fed product B that had serum total protein concentrations > 5.2 g/dL would have serum IgG concentrations > 1,000 mg/dL at least 90% of the time. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results indicated that product B could be considered as an alternative to colostrum in dairy calves, but product A failed to routinely provide adequate serum IgG concentrations when fed according to label directions.