Diatomaceous earth foliar spraying along with adjuvants in pistachio orchards associated with the common pistachio psylla,Agonoscena pistaciae

The common pistachio psylla, Agonoscena pistaciae, is a serious global pest menacing pistachio orchards. Considering the dangers of using excessive chemical pesticides, it seems that using natural insecticides such as diatomaceous earth is a suitable way to lower the residual amount of highly hazardous pesticides. In this study, the effects of diatomaceous earth with different additives, including dipotassium hydrogen phosphate, polyurethane glue as a wood adhesive, and potassium silicate, were investigated in several concentrations over two years in orchard conditions. Although all treatments showed significant effects, the most effective treatments were (diatomaceous earth+dipotassium hydrogen phosphate) and (diatomaceous earth+polyurethane glue). Therefore, the use of diatomaceous earth combined with the additive materials mentioned can potentially be a safe method for the integrated management of the common pistachio psylla.     

Feasibility of a single-species quota system for management of the Malaysian multispecies purse-seine fishery

Malaysian fisheries employ multiple measures to improve management; however, not all are well-suited to the multispecies fisheries. As part of a pilot project, an individual quota system was introduced for the purse-seine fishery off the East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia (ECPM), but no assessment of this particular measure nor the feasibly of its implementation has been confirmed. Therefore, this study analysed spatial and temporal patterns of purse-seine fishing, by collecting catch composition data per landing and its fishing ground within three period fishery surveys between August 2017 and September 2018 at six different landing sites. Similarity and cluster analysis examined species composition and diversity to determine the feasibility of implementing a single-species quota system in this multispecies fishery. Some overlapped of indices results and minor difference in catch composition were found due to changes in spatial and temporal fishing activities. However, no specific spatial or temporal patterns were discernible as structuring the fishing grounds used by purse-seiners. The absence of patterns, using the available data, might be attributable to huge species aggregations and widely distributed and homogenously mixed fish stocks. Thus, it is likely impractical to manage species individually in such a multispecies fishery.     

Effects of different high constant and alternating temperatures on the development and prey consumption of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Dicyphus tamaninii</Emphasis> Wagner (Heteroptera,Miridae) with <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aphis gossypii</Emphasis> Glover (Homoptera,Aphididae) as prey

The present work aimed to study the effects of high constant and alternating temperatures on the development and prey consumption by Dicyphus tamaninii Wagner (Het., Miridae) with Aphis gossypii Glover (Hom., Aphididae) as prey.Results showed that the predator was able to successfully develop and reach the adult stage, on average, after 20.1 () and 20.6 () days at a temperature of 30 ± 1 °C with A. gossypii as prey. On the other hand, it was not able to develop at 35 ± 1 °C, here all N₁ instars used at the beginning of the experiments had died even before moulting to N₂ instar. At alternating temperatures of 25/15 ± 1 °C, the predator reached the adult stage 23.7 () and 23.5 () days after egg hatching, whereas when the temperatures were increased to 35/22 ± 1 °C, it took a significantly shorter period: 20.6 () and 20.9 () days. In general, the highest mortality occurred during the first two nymphal instars. The total percentage mortality during development from N₁ to adult stage was 30 % and 100 % at the constant temperatures 30 ± 1 °C and 35 ± 1 °C, respectively. At the alternating temperatures of 25/15 ± 1 °C, it was lowest with 16.5 %, while at 35/22 ± 1 °C, it was 20 %.The results of the experiments on prey consumption showed that an individual D. tamaninii consumed during its development to adult stage at 30 ± 1 °C an average of 442.2 (), 433.6 () aphids. At the constant temperature of 35 ± 1 °C, the average daily prey consumption started with 4 aphids and decreased continuously till it approached nil on the 9th day, where all predatory nymphs died. At the alternating temperatures of 25/15 ± 1 °C, the total prey consumption during development was, on average, 359.3 () and 297.0 () aphids, while at 35/22 ± 1 °C it was 348.5 () and 334.0 () aphids. The effect of the four temperatures on the prey consumption by D. tamaninii during the first 10 days after emergence was also studied. At a constant temperature of 30 ± 1 °C, a total of 446.4 () and 372.0 () aphids were consumed, compared to 40.6 () and 39.0 () at 35 ± 1 °C. At alternating temperatures of 25/15 ± 1 °C, the predatory adult consumed, on average, a total of 267.0 () and 207.0 () aphids. Increasing the temperature to 35/22 ± 1 °C resulted in a higher prey consumption by the adult predator, reaching 351.5 () and 267.7 () aphids over the same period.In conclusion, results indicated that D. tamaninii is a promising predator of the melon aphid at a temperature spectrum ranging from 15 ± 1 °C up to 35 ± 1 °C.     

Perineal Nets of Proteoglycans and Glycoproteins in Albino Rat Hippocampus

Perineuronal nets (PNs) of condensed extracellular matrix (ECM) have been shown to characterize the microenvironment of individual neurons and the chemoarchitecture of some brain regions. In the present study, PNs in the hippocampus were visualized with a cationic iron colloid method for sulphated proteoglycan content and a plant lectin from Vicia villosa agglutinin (VVA) for N-acetylgalactosamine containing glycoconjugates. The ECM molecules were organized in reticular coats (PNs) around non-pyramidal cells in the Ammons horn (Corneu Ammons, CA) and subicular region, in addition to pyramidal neurons located in CA2 and CA3 regions. CA2 stratum pyramidale exhibited the most intense staining of its PNs and a diffuse intervening neutrophil labelling, while CA3 region showed a graded fashion of staining intensity. The subiculum displayed intensely stained perineuronal coats. Notably, the hippocampal perineuronal nets revealed overlapped staining characteristics with both staining methods. However, cell coats of the subicular neurons showed various degrees of labelling characteristics with both markers. It is suggested that the PNs in the hippocampus are correlated with the fast spiking inhibitory GABAergic neurons and their target pyramidal cells, and this is important to keep the excitatory elements under control and therefore control the information processes within the hippocampus.     

Two new flavonoids from Retama raetam

Two new flavones were isolated from the aerial parts of Retama raetam subsp. raetam. Their structures were established as luteolin 4'-O-neohesperidoside (1) and 5,4'-dihydroxy-(3",4"-dihydro-3", 4"-dihydroxy)-2",2"-dimethylpyrano-(5",6":7,8)-flavone (2) by means of spectroscopic methods. Also present was ephedroidin (4',5, 7-trihydroxy-8-(2-hydroxy-3-butenyl)-flavone).     

Minimizing instrumentation requirement for estimating crop water stress index and transpiration of maize

Research was conducted in northern Colorado in 2011 to estimate the crop water stress index (CWSI) and actual transpiration (T _a) of maize under a range of irrigation regimes. The main goal was to obtain these parameters with minimum instrumentation and measurements. The results confirmed that empirical baselines required for CWSI calculation are transferable within regions with similar climatic conditions, eliminating the need to develop them for each irrigation scheme. This means that maize CWSI can be determined using only two instruments: an infrared thermometer and an air temperature/relative humidity sensor. Reference evapotranspiration data obtained from a modified atmometer were similar to those estimated at a standard weather station, suggesting that maize T _a can be calculated based on CWSI and by adding one additional instrument: a modified atmometer. Estimated CWSI during four hourly periods centered on solar noon was largest during the 2 h after solar noon. Hence, this time window is recommended for once-a-day data acquisition if the goal is to capture maximum stress level. Maize T _a based on CWSI during the first hourly period (10:00–11:00) was closest to T _a estimates from a widely used crop coefficient model. Thus, this time window is recommended if the goal is to monitor maize water use. Average CWSI over the 2 h after solar noon and during the study period (early August to late September, 2011) was 0.19, 0.57, and 0.20 for plots under full, low-frequency deficit, and high-frequency deficit irrigation regimes, respectively. During the same period (50 days), total maize T _a based on the 10:00–11:00 CWSI was 218, 141, and 208 mm for the same treatments, respectively. These values were within 3 % of the results of the crop coefficient approach.     

The origin of mangosteen: A review

Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution - Mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana var. mangostana) is an obligate apomictic species which does not require a fertilization process to produce seeds. The absence...     

Predicting Water, Sediment and NO3-N Loads under Scenarios of Land-use and Management Practices in a Flat Watershed

Changes in land-use or management practices may affect water outflow, sediment, nutrients and pesticides loads. Thus, there is an increasing demand for quantitative information at the watershed scale that would help decision makers or planners to take appropriate decisions. This paper evaluates by a modeling approach the impact of farming practices and land-use changes on water discharge, sediment and NO₃-N loads at the outlet of a 51.29 km² watershed of central Iowa (Walnut Creek watershed). This intensively farmed (corn-soybean rotation) watershed is characterized by a flat topography with tiles and potholes. Nine scenarios of management practices (nitrogen application rates: increase of current rate by 20, 40%, decrease of current rate by 20, 40 and 60%; no tillage) and land-use changes (from corn-soybean rotation to winter wheat and pasture) were tested over a 30 yr simulated period. The selected model (Soil and Water Assessment Tool, SWAT) was first validated using observed flow, sediment and nutrient loads from 1991 to 1998. Scenarios of N application rates did not affect water and sediment annual budgets but did so for NO₃-N loads. Lessening the N rate by 20, 40 and 60% in corn-soybean fields decreased mean NO₃-N annual loads by 22, 50 and 95%, respectively, with greatest differences during late spring. On the other hand, increasing input N by 20 and 40% enhanced NO₃-N loads by 25 and 49%, respectively. When replacing corn-soybean rotation by winter wheat, NO₃-N loads increased in early fall, immediately after harvest. Pasture installation with or without fertilization lessened flow discharge, NO₃-N and sediment delivery by 58, 97 and 50%, respectively. No-tillage practices did not significantly affect the water resource and sediment loads. Finally, such realistic predictions of the impact of farming systems scenarios over a long period are discussed regarding environmental processes involved.