Inheritance of two body color mutations of the spiny bollworm (Earias insulana)

Reciprocal crosses in all possible combinations between the yellow-green (YG) wild line and two body color mutations — viridian-green (VG) and grayish-white (GW) — of the spiny bollworm,Earias insulana (Boisd.), indicated that these mutations were not sex-linked or controlled cytoplasmically. The YG phenotype was dominant over both body color mutations. A genetic model involving two genes with recessive epistasis is proposed for the inheritance of body color.

     

Entamoeba histolytica--the virulence of imported strains

We tested the virulence of 15 strains of Entamoeba histolytica, imported to Czechoslovakia, by intracaecal inoculation of laboratory rats. According to the scoring system of Neal, none of the 15 strains possessed the virulence index greater than 2. This indicates that all the organisms tested should be classified as avirulent. However, it should be noted that all the strains produced infection of the caecum and thus should be considered infective for rat. For 7 strains, isoenzyme patterns were determined for PGM, HK and ME. One imported strain, obtained from student from Congo, demonstrated isoenzyme pattern for PGM and HK indicated that the strain was virulent. This organisms had the index of virulence 1.8 (avirulent) in animal experiment; it was isolated from cysts of clinically asymptomatic patient. Examination of the rectal mucosa of the donor of the strain indicated typical chronic catarrhal proctitis of mild degree. Examination of the patient's serum demonstrated the presence of anti E. histolytica antibodies by CIEP, while the ELISA test was negative. Twenty-one cyst carriers were examined by rectoscopy. Pathologic changes were observed in 20 of these, as follows: altered vascular structure (13X), roughened mucosa (12X), mucosal reddening (10X), decreased glistening (7X), mucus in mucosa (5X), inflammatory pseudopolypes (2X), ulcers (2X), enanthema (1X). Histological biopsies were obtained in 15 cases. One was considered normal. Remaining 14 biopsies exhibited following morphological changes: increased mucus secretion (8X), edema (7X), lymphocytic and plasmocytic infiltration (6X), lymphocytic and plasmocytic infiltration in addition to the presence of eosinophilic granulocytes (6X), presence of mucophages (5X), haemorrhages (4X), increased vascularity (3X), lymphocytic and plasmocytic infiltration with presence of extremely abundant eosinophilic granulocytes (1X), erosive-ulcerative changes of mucosa (1X). The changes observed indicated chronic catarrhal proctitis with expression to greater or less degree of signs of chronic catarrhal inflammation.     

Variability among Spanish citrus tristeza virus isolates revealed by double-stranded RNA analysis

A survey for citrus tristeza virus (CTV) strains, based on double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) analysis, was carried out in five locations on the eastern citrus-growing area of Spain. CTV was recovered from 137 trees of different ages, citrus species and varieties, sampled in 53 orchards. The best months for dsRNA recovery were April, May, September, October, and November, and the highest dsRNA yield was obtained from sweet orange cultivars. Sixteen dsRNA profiles differing by the number and/or position of subgenomic bands were detected. One of these profiles was detected in more than half the trees analysed. Maximum diversity of dsRNA patterns was found in the location with the oldest citrus orchards and the highest CTV incidence (Alzira-Carcaixent). In many instances, several dsRNA profiles were detected in neighbouring trees of the same orchard, notably in Alzira-Carcaixent, where 70% of the plots sampled contained more than one profile. The possible causes for the diversity of CTV isolates found in this specific area are discussed.     

Characterization of an isolate of beet mosaic virus from South Kazakhstan

A filamentous virus isolated from a sugar-beet plant showing systemic mosaic collected in South Kazakhstan was identified as an isolate of beet mosaic virus (BMV-K). BMV-K was transmitted by the green peach aphid Myzus persicae in a non-persistent manner, and by sap inoculation to 11 out of 19 species from seven families tested. The virus could not be transmitted to Nicotiana tabacum, N. debneyi, N. glutinosa and N. clevelandii, cither mechanically or with M. persicae. The thermal inactivation point of BMV-K in sugar-beet sap was 55-60 C, dilution end point 1:1000 and longevity in vitro 2 days at 20 C. A purification procedure produced 1-5-3 mg of purified virus from 100 g of infected Stellaria media plants. Purified virus contained a single protein species of molecular weight 34 700 Da. In ELISA tests, BMV-K reacted positively with BMV-specifc antisera obtained from Japan. Germany and Portugal. By competitive DAS- ELISA, the virus isolate was shown to be closely serologically related to all the three isolates of BMV, and very distantly related to bean yellow mosaic and soy bean mosaic viruses.     

A rapid method for the determination of liquid fumigant residues in food commodities using automated headspace analysis

An automated gas chromatographic headspace method capable of detecting halogenated compounds in cereals, nuts and seeds at levels down to μg kg^?1 or less has been developed and evaluated. Commodities were analysed directly without extraction or clean-up and a simple calibration technique offers a rapid screening quantitative analytical method. Comparison of results obtained using an established solvent extraction method with those obtained using the method described showed good quantitative agreement. Minimum detectable quantities were lower using the headspace method for every fumigant residue/commodity studied. The recommended analytical conditions are suitable for examination of further commodities for the fumigant residues examined and for other volatile halocarbons.     

Prediction of codling moth egg hatch in Germany and Italy using the Californian forecasting model Bugoff21

The effectiveness of the Californian model Bugoff2 for Cydia pomonella was tested in Germany (4 years) and Italy (2 years), the Italian results confirming the German findings. In the first codling moth generation (air temperatures normally below 30 C) good agreement was found between field observations of egg hatching and the model's forecast. However, the model gave notable differences for the second generation, i.e. 3 weeks in Germany and 1 week in Italy, and a significant difference for the third generation in Italy. These divergencies arise from an overestimation of the development rate of the codling moth in Bugoff 2's heat unit table whenever air temperature exceeds the upper limit for development. As a result of modifications to Bugoff 2, an example of a better simulation of the codling moth egg hatch in Germany and Italy is discussed.     

Rhabdovirus-like particles in the sporocyst of the trematode Brachylaimus fuscatus from terrestrial mollusc Ponsadenia duplocincta

Rhabdovirus-like particles containing nucleoprotein in a helix with eight turns was demonstrated by transmission electron microscopy in subtegumental cells and syncytial layer of tegument in Brachylaimus fuscatus sporocyst. This is the first case of virus infection in trematodes. The possibility of transfer of the virus to intra-molluscan parasitic generations of the trematode is discussed with respect to the peculiarities of the life cycles of the family Brachylaimidae.     

Some factors affecting the performance of fluazifop-butyl against Elymus repens (L.) Gould (=Agropyron repens (L.) Beauv.)

In this series of glasshouse experiments, several factors influencing the foliar activity of fluazifop-butyl, butyl-2-[4-(5-trifluoromethyl-2-pyridylox-y)phenoxy] propionate, against Elymus repens (L.) Gould (=Agropyron repens(L.) Beauv.) were investigated. The growth stage of the weed even up to about 16 weeks of age was not found to be a major factor affecting the performance, if a dose of 1.0 kg ai ha^?1 is used. The activity of fluazifop-butyl was affected by low temperature, low humidity and water stress, all of which reduced the herbicide performance to varying extents. High post-treatment temperature or humidity favoured the activity of the herbicide, as measured from the regrowth ability of treated plants. Moderate water stress did not affect the activity significantly, but severe stress led to the plants becoming more tolerant of the herbicide. The effect of light/shade on foliar activity was not clear, bin showed a tendency of decreasing with increasing shade. Adverse effects of rain, probably due to wash-off of the retained spray droplets, reduced the performance of fluazifop-butyl, if rain fell within 6 h of spraying. Certains facteurs qui touchent à la performance du fluazifop-butyle contre Elymus repens (L.)Gould. (= Agropyron repens (L.) Beauv.) Cette expérimentation en serre a porté sur plusieurs facteurs qui influent sur l'activité foliaire du fluazifop-butyle, butyle-2–4-(5-trifluorométhyl-2-pyridyloxy)phénoxy proprionate, contre Elymus repens (L.) Gould (Agropyron repens (L.) Beauv.). Il en résulte que, même jusqu'à l'âge de 16 semaines, le stade végétal de l'adventice ne paraît pas jouer un rôle important dans la performance de l'herbicide à une dose de 1,0 kg ma ha^?1. L'activité du fluazifop-butyle se trouve altérée en conséquence de température faibles, d'une faible humidité et de carence d'eau; tous ces facteurs ont amené une réduction plus ou moins grande dans la performance de l'herbicide. A en juger part la croissance nouvelle des plantes traitées, une température élevée, de même qu'une forte humidité suivant l'application, favorisent l'activité herbicide. La carence d'eau n'a exercé une influence significative sur l'activité herbicide que lorsqu'elle est devenue sévère; alors les plantes ont fait preuve d'une moindre tolérance. L'influence de la lumière sur l'activité foliaire est restée imprécise mais celle-ci a eu tendance à dimineur à mesure qu'augmentait l'ombre. Les effets néfastes de la pluie, grâce sans doute au lessivage des gouttelettes retenues sur les feuilles, ont diminué l'efficacité du fluazifop-butyle lors d'une précipitation moins de 6 heures après la pulvérisation. Einflüsse auf die Wirkung von Fluazifop-butyl auf Elymus repens (L.)Gould. (= Agropyron repens (L.) Beauv.) Verschiedene Einflüsse auf die Blattwirkung von Fluazifop-butyl Butyl-2-[4-(5-trifluormethyl-2-pyridiloxy)phenoxy]propionate auf die Gemeine Quecke wurden in einer Reihe von Versuchen im Gewächshaus untersucht. Das Entwicklungsstadium des Unkrauts war auch bei bis zu 16 Wochen alten Pflanzen ohne Einfluss auf die Wirkung, solange 1,0 kgAS ha^?1 angewandt wurden. Niedrige Temperatur und Luftfeuchtigkeit sowie Wassermangel setzen die Wirkung des Herbizids, die am Wiederaustrieb gemessen wurde, herab. Hohe Temperatur und Luftfeuchtigkeit nach der Behandlung begünstigten die Wirkung. Schwacher Wassermangel beeinflusste die Wirkung nicht signifikant, aber bei starkem Wassermangel waren die Pflanzen widerstandsfähiger. Die Wirkung einer Beschattung der Pflanzen auf die Wirksamkeit des Herbizids war undeutlich, aber tendenziell zeigte sich eine Abnahme der Wirkung mit Zunahme der Beschattung. Regen innerhalb 6 Stunden nach der Behandlung verminderte die Wirkung von Ftuazifop-butyl, vermutlich wegen des Abwaschens des Spritzbelags von den Blättern.