Method for assessing the influence of additives on the effect of foliar-applied herbicides

The principles of parallel-line assay were employed lo assess the influence of various additives on the herbicidal activity of alloxydim-sodium, fluazifop-butyl and sethoxydim on winter barley (Hordeum vulgare L. cv. Igri). The dose-response curves of the herbicides were parallel, only differing in their horizontal location, i.e., the relative potencies of the herbicide preparations were independent of the dose-response level considered. Except for one herbicide-additive combination, increasing the concentration of the additives in the spray solution increased herbicide activity. The prospects of using the parallel-line assay in studies examining the effect of additives on the activity of herbicides and its application in other kinds of herbicide studies are discussed. Méthode d'estimation de l'influence d'adjuvants sur l'efficacite de certains herbicides appliqués en pulvérisation foliaire Le principe d'essai des lignes parallèles a été utilise pour estimer l'influence d'adjuvants variés sur l'activité herbicide de l'alloxydine sodium, le fluazifop-butyl et la séthoxydine en orge d'hiver (Hordeum vulgare L. cv. Igri). Les courbes de réponse à la dose entre les herbicides étaient parallèles, différant seulement dans leur localisation horizontale, par exemple les puissances relatives des préparations herbicides étaient indépendantes du niveau de la réponse à la dose pris en considération. Excepté pour un mélange herbicide-adjuvant, l'activité des herbicides a augmenté quand on a augmenté la concentration en adjuvants dans la bouillie de pulvérisation. Les possibilités d'utilisation de cette méthode des parallèles pour étudier l'effet des adjuvants sur l'activité des herbicides, et son application à d'autres secteurs d'étude des herbicides, fait l'objet d'une discussion. Eine Methode zur Beurteilung des Einflusses von Additiven auf die Wirkung von blattwirksamen Herbiziden Basierend auf den Grundlagen von ‘parallel line’-Bioassays wurde der Einfluss verschiedener Additive auf die herbizide Wirkung von Alloydim-Natrium, Fluazifop-Butyl und Sethoxydim auf Wintergerste (Hordeum vulgare L. cv. Igri) untersucht. Die Dosis/Wirkungs—Kurven waren parallel; sie unterschieden sich nur in ihrer horizontalen Lage, d.h. die relative Wirksamkeit der Herbizidformulierungen war unabhängig von einem bestimmten Dosis/Wirkungs–Niveau. Nur für eine Herbizid/Additiv—Kombination wurde eine zunchmende Aktivität der Herbizide mit steigender Additivkonzentration in der Spritzbrühe gefunden. Es werden die Möglichkeiten der Verwendung von ‘parallel line’-Bioassays zum Studium des Einflusses von Additiven auf den Effekt von Herbiziden sowie für andere Herbziduntersuchungen diskutiert.     

Repeated grading of weed abundance and multivariate methods to improve the efficacy of on-farm weed control trials

We evaluated whether new information could be drawn from additional data collection and unconventional statistical analyses of an on-farm trial. First, we compared a conventional sampling method using a biomass estimate of weed abundance to repeated visual assessment of the percentage ground cover of weeds. The biomass was sampled once after the treatment, whereas the ground cover was repeatedly sampled once before weed control plus several occasions after weed control. Second, we contrasted the outcomes from analysis of variance ( anova ), taking samples from a single point in time with repeated measures (rm) anova and a multivariate method. As the outcomes and conclusions drawn were relatively similar, we conclude that the ground cover estimate of weed abundance was as reliable as the biomass estimate. The rm anova enabled us to follow the temporal trend in response to treatments in the most abundant species, including possible initial differences. Multivariate analysis went even further, by clearly displaying species-wise responses and treatment selectivity.     

Is dose‐splitting of graminicides as effective as a single application?

Dose‐splitting or reduced dose repeat application, i.e. the application of a herbicide twice to the same plant, is likely to become a more common scenario in future, if farmers adopt the use of novel techniques for prediction of herbicide efficacy shortly after application. Fourteen pot experiments were conducted to study whether graminicides applied to annual grass weeds as dose‐splitting treatments were as effective as single applications. The influence of time interval between applications and the ratio of the doses of the two applications were studied. Two statistical approaches were applied: comparison of the ED₉₀ of the single treatments and a joint action model. The study revealed that flupyrsulfuron, iodosulfuron, sulfosulfuron, clodinafop and glyphosate could be applied as repeat treatments with up to 14 days’ interval between the two applications without loss of activity. In some experiments, particularly with iodosulfuron, dose‐splitting enhanced herbicide performance. By contrast, prosulfocarb responded adversely, most likely due to the pronounced impact of weed growth stage on the activity of this herbicide. The ratio of the doses and the timing between the two applications had no significant influence on herbicide responses. The results of the present studies showed that even if a reduced dose of a graminicide results in an unsatisfactory control and it is necessary to re‐spray, the overall use of herbicide will not increase, if methods are available that can predict the efficacy of a herbicide application within the first 1–2 weeks after application.     

Influence of broad-leaved weed herbicides on the activity of fenoxaprop-P-ethyl

The activity of fenoxaprop-P-ethyl applied alone or in tank-mixture with different formulations of mecoprop or sulfonylurea herbicides was compared in a series of pot experiments using Avena fatua L. (wild oat) as a test plant. A logistic model was fitted to the results and dose–response curves of fenoxaprop-P-ethyl applied alone and in mixture with the broad-leaved weed herbicides were estimated using non-linear regressions. Tank-mixtures of fenoxaprop-P-ethyl and mecoprop or metsulfuron-methyl were antagonistic. In general, the activity of fenoxaprop-P-ethyl decreased with increasing doses of the broad-leaved herbicides. In mixture with 1200 g a.i. ha^?1 mecoprop, doses of fenoxaprop-P-ethyl had to be increased by 60% to 130% (dependent on formulation) to obtain the same effect as when fenoxaprop-P-ethyl was applied alone. Both the active and the inactive isomers of mecoprop were involved in the antagonism, and the ester formulation of mecoprop-P was less antagonistic than the amine formulation. In mixture with the recommended dose of 8 g a.i. ha^?1 of metsulfuron-methyl, doses of fenoxaprop-P-ethyl had to be increased by 20% to 110% to obtain the same effect as with fenoxaprop-P-ethyl applied alone. Fenoxaprop-P-ethyl did not lose activity when applied in mixture with recommended doses of chlorsulfuron, tribenuron and amidosulfuron. Antagonism of the sulfonylurea herbicides seemed to be related to the susceptibility of A.?fatua to these herbicides.     

An agro-economic survey of the weeds and weeding practices in cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) in Colombia

A survey of weeds and weeding practices was carried out by a team of agricultural economists and agronomists on 283 farms in five Cassava growing regions of Colombia at three times during a cropping season. Seventy-one to 78% of all weed species present were broadleaved species. As cassava grew older, grass species were present to a greater and sedge species to a lesser relative frequency. Surprisingly Pteridiumaquilinum (L.) Kuhn was the most frequently listed species and Bidens pilosa L. and Cyperus rotundus L. were other frequent problems. Regional variations in the most frequently encountered species were found but several of the weeds were common to many zones. The most frequently encountered species did not usually have the highest plant populations. Most of the annual grasses, sedges and broadleaf weeds found can be controlled by currently recommended herbicides for cassava but further research is needed on Imperata cylindrica (L) Beauv., Melinis minutlftora Beauv., P. aquilinum and Sida spp. The average number of manual weedings was 3.3 per crop, occupying 48 man-days/ha which is 50% of the total labor requirements for cassava production, and more than one-third of the total costs. Reasons for not using herbicides were (1) relative costs of herbicides and labor. (2) lack of information, (3) lack of capital, (4) right herbicides were not available, and (5) herbicides were not available in small packages. This survey has usefully identified new field problems and has suggested further research programs to solve them.     

Evaluation of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the serological diagnosis of canine sarcoptic mange

Abstract The purpose of this study was to evaluate a serodiagnostic test (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; ELISA) for sarcoptic mange in dogs and to characterize the assay antigen, based on the mite Sarcoptes scabiei var. vulpes. The ELISA, applied to sera from 359 dogs suspected of having sarcoptic mange, showed a sensitivity and specificity of 92 and 96%, respectively. Sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) of the antigen employed in the ELISA revealed polypeptide bands with molecular weights ranging between 14 and 164 kDa. In Western blot analyses antigens of molecular weights between 62 and 64 kDa dominated. Particularly dominant were antigens of 164 and 147 kDa. These were found to have isoelectrical points in the range of 5.7–6.9. Sera from dogs infected with Cheyletiella sp., Demodex canis, Linognathus setosus and Otodectes cynotis, as well as from dogs allergic to fleas, were negative in the ELISA. Résumé— Le but de cette étude est d'évaluer un test sérologique ELISA pour le diagnostic de la gale sarcoptique chez le chien et de caractériser l'antigène révélateur, extrait de l'acarien Sarcoptes scabiei var. vulpes. Le test ELISA, lors d'une étude conduite avec les sérums de 359 chiens suspects de gale sarcoptique a démontré une sensibilité et une spécificité de 92 et 96%, respectivement. L'électrophorèse en gel polyacrilamide dodécyl sulfate de sodium de l'antigène utilisé dans l'ELISA a révélé des bandes polypeptidiques de poids moléculaire compris entre 14 et 164 kDa. Dans l'analyse en Western blot, les antigènes de poids moléculaire compris entre 62 et 164 kDa étaient les plus abondants, notamment ceux de 164 et 147 kDa. Ces derniers ont des points isoélectriques compris entre 5.7 et 6.9. Les sérums de chiens infectés par des Cheyletiella sp. Demodex canis, Linognathus setosus et Otodectes cynotis, ou par des chiens allergiques aux puces, se sont révélés négatifs en ELISA. [Bornstein, S., Thebo, P., Zakrisson, G. Evaluation of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the serological diagnosis of canine sarcoptic mange (Evaluation d'un test ELISA pour le diagnostic sérologique de la gale sarcoptique canine). Veterinary Dermatology 1996; 7 : 21–28.] Resumen El objetivo de este estudio fue el de evaluar una pruba serodiagnóstica (prueba de inmunoadsorción ligada a enzima; ELISA) para la sarna sarcóptica en el perro y caracterizar el antigeno prueba, basado en el ácaro Sarcoptes scabei, var. vulpes. El ELISA, aplicado a sueros de 359 perros sospechosos de padecer sarna sarcóptica, mostró una sensibilidad y especificidad del 92 y 96%, respectivamente. La electroforesis en gel de poliacrilamida dodecil sulfato sódico (SDS-PAGE) del antigeno usado en el ELISA reveló bandas de polipétidos con peso molecular entre 14 y 164 kDa. En el análisis Western blot, predominaron los antigenos de pesos moleculares entre 62 y 164 kDa. Los antigenos entre 164 y 147 kDa fueron especialmente predominantes. Estos tuvieron puntos isoeléctricos entre 5.7 y 6.9. Los sueros de perros infectados por Cheyletiella sp., Demodex canis, Linognathus setosus y Otodectes cynotis, asi como el de perros alérgicos a las pulgas fueron negativos en el ELISA. [Bornstein, S., Thebo, P., Zakrisson, G. Evaluation of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the serological diagnosis of canine sarcoptic mange (Evaluation de una prueba de immunoadsorcion ligada a enzima (ELISA) para el diagnostico serologico de la sarna sarcóptica canina). Veterinary Dermatology 1996; 7 : 21–28.] Zusammenfassung— Ziel dieser Studie war, einen Serodiagnostiktest (Enzyme-Linked-Immunosorbent-Assay, ELISA) für Sarkoptesräude des Hundes zu überprüfen und das Testantigen zu charakterisieren, das auf der Milbe Sarcoptes scabiei var. vulpes basiert. Der ELISA-Test, der bei den Sera von 359 Hunden mit Sarkoptesverdacht angewendet wurde, zeigte eine Sensitivität von 92% bzw. 96%. Die Natriumdodecylsul-fatpolyacrylamid-Gelelektrophorese (SDS-PAGE) des Antigen, das im ELISA verwendet wurde, zeigte Polypeptid-Banden mit Molekulargewichten zwischen 14 und 164 kDa. In der Wester-blot-Analyse dominierten Antigene mit einem Molekulargewicht zwischen 62 und 164 kDa. Besonders dominierend waren Antigene von 164 und 147 kDa. Bei diesen stellte man isoelektrische Punkte im Bereich von 5,7 bis 6,9 fest. Die Sera von Hunden, die mit Cheyletiella sp., Demodex canis, Linognathus setosus und Otodectes cynotis infiziert waren, fielen ebenso wie die Hunde mit Allergie auf Flöhe im ELISA negativ aus. [Bornstein, S., Thebo, P., Zakrisson, G. Evaluation of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the serological diagnosis of canine sarcoptic mange (Die Auswertung eines Enzym-Linked-Immunosorbent-Assay (ELISA) für die serologische Diagnose der kaninen Sarkoptesräude). Veterinary Dermatology 1996; 7 : 21–28.]     

Effects of broadleaf herbicides on imazamet habenz-met hyl performance on wild oat (Arena fatua L.)

The influence of broadleaf herbicides on imazamethabenz-methyl performance on wild oat (Avena fatua L.) plants grown outdoors in pots was examined. The foliar activity of imazamethabenz-methyl was reduced when applied in mixture with salt formulations of MCPA and mecoprop, salt and ester formulations of bromoxynil and bentazone. In contrast, chlorsulfuron had no influence and ester formulations of MCPA and mecoprop either had no effect or promoted imazamethabenz-methyl performance. A comparison of the activity of imazamethabenz-methyl in mixture with the ester formulation of MCPA and the corresponding formulation blank revealed that the antagonistic effect of MCPA active ingredient in the salt and ester formulations were similar. However, because of an enhancing effect of the formulation constituents in the ester formulation antagonism was masked in mixture with the latter. Similarly, addition of a mineral oil adjuvant only masked but did not eliminate the antagonistic interaction between the two herbicides. Volume rate did not affect imazamethabenz-methyl activity nor the antagonistic effect of the salt formulation of MCPA. The ester formulation of MCPA, however, promoted imazamethabenz-methyl performance significantly more at the low than at the high volume rate. Sequential application reduced antagonism of the salt formulation of MCPA on imazamethabenz-methyl. Selective placement of droplets revealed that antagonism occurred only if imazamethabenz-methyl and the salt formulation of MCPA were applied in the same droplet but not as separate droplets. Neither foliarnor root-applied MCPA reduced the performance of root-applied imazamethabenz-methyl. The results indicate that antagonism of MCPA was caused by a reduced uptake. The implications of the results of the present study in relation to the performance of tank mixtures of imazametha-benz-methyl and broadleaf herbicides under field conditions are discussed. Effet d'herbicides antidicotylédones sur l'efficacité de l'imazaméthabenz-méthyle contre la folle avoine (Avena fatua L.) L'effet d'herbicides antidicotylédones sur l'efficacité de l'imazaméthabenz-méthyle contre la folle avoine (A vena fatua L.) a étéétudié sur des plantes cultivées en pot à l'extérieur. L'activité foliaire de l'imazaméthabenz-méthyle était réduite quand il était appliqué en mélange avec des formulations sel de MCPA, et de mécoprop, et des formulations sel ou ester de bromoxynil et de bentazone. Par contre, le chlorsulfuron n'avait aucun effet, et les formulations ester ou sel de mécoprop et de MCPA, soit n'avaient aucun effet, soit augmentaient l'efficacité de l'imazaméthabenz-méthyle. Une comparaison de l'efficacité de l'imazaméthabenz-méthyle en mélange avec une formulation ester de MCPA et avec le blanc de formulation correspondant, a montré que l'effet antagoniste de la matiére active MCPA était similaire dans les formulations sel et ester. Cependant à cause de l'effet stimulateur de constituants de la formulation ester, l'antagonisme était masqué dans le mélange. De mßme, l'addition d'une huile minérale masquait mais ne supprimait pas l'antagonisme entre les deux herbicides. Le volume d'application n'affectait pas l'efficacité de l'imazaméthabenzméthyle non plus que l'effet antagoniste de la formulation sel du MCPA. L'augmentation d'efficacité de l'imazaméthabenz-méthyle par la formulation ester du MCPA était significativement plus élevée à bas qu'à haut volume. Une application séquentielle réduisait l'antagonisme de la formulation sel du MCPA sur l'imazaméthabenz-méthyle. Des applications sélectives de gouttelettes ont montré que l'antagonisme ne se produisait que si l'imazaméthabenz-méthyle et la formulation sel de MCPA étaient appliquées dans la même gouttelette mais non dans des gouttelettes séparées. Le MCPA, qu'il soit appliqué sur le feuillage ou par les racines, n'affectait pas l'efficacité de l'imazaméthabenz-méthyle appliqué par les racines. Les résultats indiquent que l'antagonisme était provoqué par une réduction de la pénétration. Les implications pratiques des résultats de cette étude sur l'efficacité des mélanges d'imazaméthabenz-méthyle et d'herbicides antidicotylédones au champ sont discutées. Einfluß von Herbiziden gegen Dikotyle auf die Wirkung von Imazamethabenz-methyl auf Flug-Hafer (Avena fatua L.) Der Einfluß von Herbiziden gegen Dikotyle auf die Wirkung von Imazamethabenz-methyl auf Flug-Hafer (A vena fatua L.) wurde im Freiland in Topfversuchen untersucht. Die Wirkung von Imazamethabenz-methyl über das Blatt war herabgesetzt, wenn es in Mischung mit Salzformulierungen von MCPA und Mecoprop sowie Salzund Esterformulierungen von Bromoxynil und Bentazon ausgebracht wurde. Chlorsulfuron dagegen hatte keinen Einfluß, und Esterformulierungen von MCPA und Mecoprop beeinflußten die Wirkung von Imazamethabenz-methyl weder positiv noch negativ. Ein Vergleich der Wirksamkeit des Imazamethabenz-methyls in der Mischung mit der Esterformulierung von MCPA und der entsprechenden Leerformulierung zeigte, daß der antagonistische Effekt des Wirkstoffs MCPA in der Salz-und der Esterformulierung ähnlich war; die wirkungsfördernden Bestandteile der Esterformulierung maskierten jedoch den Antagonismus. In ähnlicher Weise wurde der Antagonismus zwischen zwie Herbiziden durch den Zusatz von Mineralöl nur überdeckt, aber nicht aufgehoben. Die Aufwandmenge blieb sowohl auf die Wirksamkeit des Imazamethabenz-methyls als auch auf den Antagonismus der MCPA-Salz formulierung ohne Einfluß. Aber bei der niedrigen Aufwandmenge förderte die Esterformulierung von MCPA die Wirkung von Imazamethabenz-methyl signifikant mehr als bei der hohen. Aufeinander folgende Anwendung mäßigte den Antagonismus der MCPA-Salz-formulierung auf Imazamethabenz-methyl. Der Antagonismus trat nur auf, wenn Imazamethabenz-methyl mit MCPA-Salzformulierung zusammen, nicht aber in getrennten Tröpfchen nebeneinander appliziert wurde. Weder übers Blatt noch über die Wurzeln appliziertes MCPA minderte die Wirkung von wurzel-appliziertem Imazamethabenz-methyl. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, daß der Antagonismus von MCPA durch eine reduzierte Aufnahme zustande kam. Die Untersuchungsergebnisse werden hinsichtlich der Wirksamkeit von Tank-mischungen von Imazamethabenz-methyl mit Herbiziden gegen Dikotyle unter Freiland-bedingungen diskutiert.     

The influence of temperature, humidity and simulated rain on the performance of thiameturon-methyl

The influence of temperature, humidity and simulated rain on thiameturon-methyl activity was examined on white mustard (Sinapis alba L.) plants grown in controlled environment cabinets or in a glasshouse. The performance of thiameturon-methyl was markedly improved with increasing temperature and humidity. Addition of a non-ionic surfactant increased the activity of thiameturon-methyl, reduced the in fluence of humidity on herbicide performance but had no effect on the influence of tempera ture on herbicide activity. Increasing the amount of simulated rain from 0.11 to 3 mm reduced the activity of thiameturon-methyl. However, reduction in activity by 3 mm rain became less pronounced as the interval between herbicide application and rain treatment was in creased from 0.5 to 6 h. With a 6-h interval 3 mm rain had little effect. Rain intensity was found only to have a minor influence on the rainfast-ness of thiameturon-methyl.     

NEEDLE S FRACTIONS AND S TO N RATIOS AS INDICES OF SO2 DEPOSITION

Needles of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) from 25 and 40 sampling plots in southern and northern Finland, respectively, that had earlier been analysed for total sulphur concentration (S_t) were reanalysed for foliar sulphate sulphur (SO₄–S) and total nitrogen (N_t). Organic sulphur content (S_o) was calculated as the difference between S_t and SO₄–S. Current (c) and previous-year (c+1) needles were collected from southern Finland in December 1989 and c – c+2 needles from northern Finland in September-October 1990/September 1992. The results show that the S_t concentration and S_t/N_t ratio in Scots pine needles are good indices of dry deposition of SO₂ in general, while SO₄–S concentrations and SO₄–S/S_o ratios can be used in areas with low N supply from the soil and/or low wet deposition of N. The normal S_t concentration in needles of Scots pines growing on a podzol with low N supply is considered to be 500–700 μg g^-1 and that of SO₄–S 100–200 μg g^-1. An increase of 100 μg g^-1 in needle S_t may be attributed to a rise of 1.4 μg m^-3 in ambient SO₂ concentration in areas with relatively low SO₂ concentrations (>15 μg m^-3). A critical level of 5 μg m^-3 as an annual and growing season mean is proposed for forestry in northern Europe (north of 60°N).