Assessing the deposition and canopy penetration of nozzles with different spray qualities in an oat (Avena sativa L.) canopy

Consistent spray coverage that is evenly distributed throughout the canopy is necessary to control pest populations that can negatively affect yield. As applicators are switching to Coarser spray quality nozzles to reduce risk and liability of pesticide spray drift, concerns about efficacy loss are growing. Previous research has indicated that small droplets are the most effective at penetrating through crop canopies, but newer nozzle technologies have improved the effectiveness of larger droplet or Coarser sprays. Research was conducted to assess the canopy penetration of nozzles that produce Coarse, Very-Coarse and Extremely-Coarse spray qualities compared to nozzles that produce Fine and Medium spray qualities. Kromekote collectors were positioned in four configurations in an oat (Avena sativa L.) var. ‘Yarran’ (AusWest Seeds, Forbes, NSW, Australia) crop to quantify the coverage and droplet number densities (droplets cm⁻²) across three application carrier volume rates: 50, 75 and 100 L ha⁻¹. Applications were made in the field in 30 cm tall, tillering oats, with collectors arranged in a randomised complete block design with three replications. The entire study was repeated on the following day. Results showed that droplet number densities were inversely related to the droplet size produced by the nozzles, yet coverage was increased more by application volume rate than droplet size. Thus, both spray drift reduction and improved canopy penetration can be achieved with proper nozzle selection and operation parameters for the control of agronomic pests.     

Treatment of contaminated radial fracture in Sprague-Dawley rats by application of a degradable polymer releasing gentamicin

Fracture-related infections remain a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. We aimed to establish a simple contaminated radial osteotomy model to assess the efficacy of a biodegradable polymer poly(sebacic-co-ricinoleic acid) [p(SA-RA)] containing 20% w/w gentamicin. A unilateral transverse osteotomy was induced in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats, followed by application of Staphylococcus aureus suspension over the fracture. After successfully establishing the contaminated open fracture model, we treated the rats either systemically (intraperitoneal cefuroxime), locally with p(SA-RA) containing gentamicin, or both. Control groups included non-contaminated group and contaminated groups that were either untreated or treated with the polymer alone. After 4 weeks, the bones were subjected to micro-CT scanning and microbiological and histopathology evaluations. Micro-CT analysis revealed similar changes in the group subjected to both local and systemic treatment as in the non-contaminated control group. Lack of detectable bacterial growth was noted in most animals of the group subjected to both local and systemic treatment, and all samples were negative for S. aureus. Histopathological evaluation revealed that all treatment modalities containing antibiotics were highly effective in reducing infection and promoting callus repair, resulting in early bone healing. While p(SA-RA) containing gentamicin treatment showed better results than cefuroxime, the combination of local and systemic treatment displayed the highest therapeutic potential in this model.     

气肿疽梭菌CctA基因的原核表达及其间接ELISA检测方法的建立

研究旨在原核表达气肿疽梭菌细胞毒素A （CctA）基因,用纯化的重组蛋白建立其间接ELISA检测方法,a。利用大肠杆菌密码子的偏爱性优化CctA基因序列,克隆至原核表达载体pET-28a （+）,双酶切鉴定原核表达质粒pET28a-CctA并测序。将重组质粒转入大肠杆菌,经IPTG诱导得到高表达的重组CctA包涵体蛋白。包涵体蛋白变性后经镍（Ni）柱纯化,SDS-PAGE检测其纯化效果。以豚鼠抗气肿疽梭菌抗血清为一抗,用Western blotting方法检测重组CctA蛋白的反应原性。用棋盘滴定法建立间接ELISA检测方法,以复性后的重组CctA蛋白作为检测抗原,摸索抗原包被浓度、封闭液的种类及浓度、抗体的最适稀释度和反应条件等。选用3批气肿疽灭活疫苗免疫豚鼠后采集血清,同时用攻毒和间接ELISA两种方法验证疫苗的免疫效力。质粒双酶切结果显示,得到大小约853 bp的条带,与预期相符,且测序结果正确。SDS-PAGE结果表明,成功表达并纯化大小为35 ku的重组CctA蛋白。Western blotting结果显示,豚鼠抗气肿疽梭菌抗血清与重组CctA蛋白具有良好的反应原性。建立的间接ELISA法的最适条件为：抗原的包被浓度为0.5 μg/mL,于4 ℃包被过夜;封闭液选择10%胎牛血清,37 ℃孵育2 h;二抗的稀释度为1：8 000;室温避光显色10 min后终止反应,测定D_{450 nm}值。当P/N>4.6时,间接ELISA法检测结果与豚鼠攻毒试验结果拟合度较好。本研究成功表达CctA基因并纯化了重组CctA蛋白,建立的以重组CctA蛋白为检测抗原的间接ELISA检测方法,有望成为气肿疽灭活疫苗免疫效果验证的替代方法。     

基于HYDRUS-2D的地下滴灌下水分运移数值模拟研究

利用HYDRUS-2D软件模拟了地下滴灌条件下滴头周围黏壤土的土壤水分动态,并与田间观测进行对比;通过分析不同滴头流量对试验地土壤湿润模式的影响,明确了最佳灌水技术参数。结果表明,HYDRUS-2D软件模拟结果与观测值一致,体积含水率均方根误差为1.2%~4.5%,湿润范围均方根误差变化范围为2.1~3.87cm。     

玉米秸秆残茬覆盖对大豆田土壤水温效应的影响

研究了传统耕作、玉米原垄留茬耕作、玉米原垄留茬全覆盖、玉米留茬条带覆盖、浅松覆盖和深松覆盖6种耕作方式下土壤含水率、棵间蒸发量和地温的变化。结果表明,条带覆盖对大豆不同生育期土壤剖面含水率影响最大;其他耕作方式对棵间蒸发的抑制作用均小于传统耕作;日平均地温在苗期变化明显;保护性耕作对日平均地温影响较大,传统耕作最高,留茬全覆盖最低。     

Evaluation of finger weeder safety and efficacy for intra-row weed removal in irrigated field crops

Increased demand for pesticide-free food and the development of herbicide-resistant weed populations have created a need for non-chemical weed-control tools. A candidate mechanical tool for controlling weeds in the seeding line (intra-row zone) is the finger weeder. This study thus aimed to evaluate the safety and weed-control efficacy of the finger weeder in various irrigated field crops. Eight field trials were conducted in processing tomato, sweet corn, sunflower, cotton, and beetroot over 2 years. The finger weeder treatments were applied as the sole weed-control method (single or double treatments) and in combination with herbicides. A mini meta-analysis was used to evaluate the overall effect of the finger weeder treatments on crop stand and yield and on weed control efficacy. Weed density in the control not treated with herbicides nor a finger weeder ranged between 2 and 62 weeds m⁻². The finger weeder treatments resulted in a significant reduction in weed density, which ranged between 40% and 90%. The weed density following the double finger weeder treatment was not significantly different from that for the conventional herbicide-based treatment (p = 0.32) and could therefore be considered as an effective environmentally friendly alternative. Furthermore, a single FW treatment integrated with herbicide application gave better weed control than the conventional herbicide treatment (p = 0.04). This treatment was safe for the crops with no significant stand (p = 0.19) or yield (p = 0.29) reductions compared to commercial treatment. The results of this study demonstrate the promise of the finger weeder as an effective tool within integrated weed management systems for conventional agro-systems. The tool offers a rational weed-control solution for sustainable systems under irrigation.     

2022年上海市稻田杂草大发生原因剖析及对策建议

在对稻田杂草发生危害长期跟踪监测和调查走访的基础上, 从主观?客观和管理层面的10个方面, 对2022年上海市稻田杂草大发生原因进行了剖析, 并针对当前稻田杂草防除中存在的问题, 从政策引导?技术支撑?组织管理等方面提出了对策建议?     

生物杀虫剂组合在有机水稻种植中的作用效果

针对上海市崇明区有机水稻生产过程中病虫害防治效果不佳的问题,在水稻无化肥、无化学农药种植条件下开展了生物杀虫剂对水稻主要害虫稻纵卷叶螟和稻飞虱的田间防控效果评价。在崇明区的2个试验基地,于水稻不同生长时期,以绿僵菌、白僵菌产品分别与病毒杀虫剂MbNPV、植物源杀虫剂苦参碱和细菌杀虫剂Bt组合进行施药处理。结果表明,应用绿僵菌/白僵菌与MbNPV组合,能够有效防治稻纵卷叶螟,在稻纵卷叶螟发生较早的基地,施药后7 d和14 d的防效可达58.2%～81.2%,而在稻纵卷叶螟发生较晚的另一基地,施药后7 d防效可达61.3%和65.6%;绿僵菌/白僵菌与苦参碱组合,可用于防治稻飞虱,7 d和14 d的防效达64.7%～76.1%;绿僵菌/白僵菌与苏云金杆菌组合防治稻纵卷叶螟的14 d防效分别达64.0%和75.4%,优于对稻飞虱的防效;各组合试验结果显示,白僵菌有相对较长的持效作用,且在害虫迁入早期阶段(水稻发育分蘖盛期至拔节期)施用生物农药比在中后期(抽穗期及之后)施用的防效高。可见,生物杀虫剂组合可作为农作物绿色防控的有效手段。     

Acute oral toxicity of zinc phosphide: an assessment for wild house mice (Mus musculus)

Irregular plagues of house mice, Mus musculus, incur major economic impacts on agricultural production in Australia. The efficacy of zinc phosphide (ZnP), the only registered broadacre control agent for mice, is reported as increasingly variable. Have mice become less sensitive over time or are they taking a sub-lethal dose and developing aversion? In this laboratory study, the sensitivity of mice (wild caught; outbred laboratory strain) was assessed using oral gavage of a range of ZnP concentrations. The estimated LD₅₀ values (72–79 mg ZnP/kg body weight) were similar for each mouse group but are significantly higher than previously reported. The willingness of mice to consume ZnP-coated grains was determined. ZnP-coated grains (50 g ZnP/kg grain) presented in the absence of alternative food were consumed and 94% of wild mice died. Mice provided with alternative food and ZnP-coated wheat grains (either 25 or 50 g ZnP/kg grain) consumed toxic and non-toxic grains, and mortality was lower (33–55%). If a sublethal amount of ZnP-coated grain was consumed, aversion occurred, mostly when alternative food was present. The sensitivity of wild house mice to ZnP in Australia is significantly lower than previously assumed. Under laboratory conditions, ZnP-coated grains coated with a new higher dose (50 g ZnP/kg grain) were readily consumed. Consumption of toxic grain occurred when alternative food was available but was decreased. Our unambiguous findings for house mice indicate a re-assessment of the ZnP loading for baits used for control of many rodents around the world may be warranted.     

Physical simulation of fluid field and structure optimization in two-strand tundish

The influence of the structure and location of dam and weir on fluid flow state in a two-strand tundish is studied, and a set of optimal structure, combining with the average residence time calculated from RTD curve, is obtained. The result indicates that the fluid flow state can be changed and the path of the fluid flow can be prolonged as well as the average residence time is improved after using dam and weir. But there are some dead zones after fluid passed through the dam and weir. Combination scheme of No. one dam and weir is better than the others. Its average residence time is 299 s and the volume fraction of dead zone is 31.0%. After the optimization of flowing control parameters in tundish, the best case is that the distance between dam and weir is 290 mm and the distance between weir and the long nozzle is 383 mm. The longest average residence time is 351 s and the minimum volume fraction of dead zone is 19.0% under the above situation. Compared with that of no dam and weir, the average residence time increases by 65 s and the dead zone volume fraction decreases by 15.0%. Based on Newton formula, the calculated results show that the inclusions with diameter larger than 17.5 μm can float up within 351 s under this optimization situation.