Effects of ethylene oxide on soil microbial content and some soil chemical characteristics

The effects of ethylene oxide (EtO) on survival of soil microflora and on selected chemical properties of a sandy-loam soil were examined. Soil sterilization was achieved after 8 hours exposure to EtO. Ethylene oxide treatment increased soil pH and organic matter content. Extractable Mn and Fe slightly increased whereas P content decreased. Total N was not affected by the treatment.     

Compatability of Metarhizium anisopliae var. anisopliae with chemical pesticides

The effects of various insecticides on the mycelial growth, sporulation and conidial germination of Metarhizium anisopliae var. anisopliae isolate E₉ were studied in the laboratory. Chlorpyrifos was the most toxic organophosphate to mycelial growth and sporulation at all concentrations. Temephos, malathion and leptophos were highly toxic to sporulation while malathion was the most inhibitory to germination. The carbamates, carbofuran, methomyl and oxamyl were moderately toxic to mycelial growth and sporulation while oxamyl had an adverse effect on germination. The pyrethroids (pyrethrin, permethrin and resmethrin) and the insect growth regulators (diflubenzuron and methoprene) were not inhibitory to the various developmental stages of isolate E₉. The chlorinated hydrocarbons (chlordane, lindane and toxaphene) were more deleterious than all other insecticide groups tested. Among the fungicides, benomyl and maneb produced the greatest inhibition.     

Larval mouthpart deformities in Procladius paludicola Skuse (Diptera: Chironomidae) from the Murray and Darling Rivers,Australia

A high incidence of ligula (mouthpart) deformities is reported for the larvae of Procladius paludicola Skuse (Diptera: Chironomidae) collected from sites on the Murray and Darling Rivers, Australia. This is the first report of deformities in Australian freshwater insects, and is discussed in relation to known toxic pollutants within the catchment.     

RESEARCH ON INSECTICIDES FROM PLANTS IN CHINA

Abstract  An overview is presented on recent (1989–19911 investigations on insecticidal plants in China, specially in South China. The main emphasis was laid on studies of Meliaceae including Azadirachta indica, Melia azedarach and M. toosendan , as well as on Rhododendron molle, Derris elliptica, Tephrosia voglii, Ajuga nipponensis, Plumbago idea and Celastrus anplatus . Research work on the bioactivities and application of essential oils from plants for the control of stored-grain insects is also discussed. The results of these investigations reveal a great potential of the active ingredients of a number of Chinese plants for integrated pest management, as well as for using these natural product models as guides for the synthesis of a novel class of insecticides.     

Susceptibility of Various Stages of Trichogrammatoidea armigera Nagaraja to Some Pesticides and Effect of Residues on Survival and Parasitizing Ability

The toxicity, persistence and effect on parasitism of 10 insecticides, eight fungicides and one acaricide on Trichogrammatoidea armigera Nagaraja, an egg parasitoid of a Helicoverpa armigera (Hb), were investigated in the laboratory and under field conditions. At field recommended dosages, the fungicides oxycarboxin, copperoxychloride, streptomycin sulphate + tetracycline hydrochloride and 2‐bromo‐2‐nitropropane‐1,3‐diol and the acaricide dicofol were safe, while the insecticide phosalone and fungicide tridemorph were moderately toxic to adults. All other insecticides tested, namely dimethoate, fenitrothion, monocrotophos, phosphamidon, endosulfan, cypermethrin, decamethrin, fenvalerate and fluvalinate, and the fungicides carbendazim, methyl thiophenate and carboxin were toxic to adults. A high level of parasitism was recorded for all fungicide treatments and for dicofol and fluvalinate. The larval stage of the parasitoid was more tolerant than other stages. The residual toxicity of all fungicides, and dicofol, did not affect the ability of the parasitoid to parasitize its host, while the insecticides phosalone and fluvalinate were slightly persistent, favouring 44.7% and 49.3% parasitism after 15 days. Residues of dimethoate, decamethrin, cypermethrin, fenvalerate, monocrotophos and phosphanidon were moderately persistent, while fenitrothion and endosulfan were persistent.     

Review on the sublethal effects of pure and formulated glyphosate on bees: Emphasis on social bees

Bees are declining worldwide, and the use of pesticides has been linked to this problem. Studies show that even herbicides can negatively impact bees, causing death or compromising health. As a result, concern about the use of glyphosate (GLY) has increased, as it is the most sold pesticide. Studies have shown that exposure of bees to GLY can trigger sublethal effects. Considering the speed with which information is published, reviews become important for the integration of knowledge, aiding understanding of the topic. Therefore, the present study aimed to review the literature on the sublethal effects of GLY and the different commercial formulations on bees. After the literary review, it was observed that the exposition, acute and chronic, of larvae and adults of social and solitary bees, to GLY and its formulations, can trigger alterations in gene expression, enzyme functioning, oxidative metabolism, cell/tissue structure, intestinal microbiota diversity, learning, food consumption, flight and vertical displacement capacity, circadian cycle and body development of these insects. The most used species in the studies was Apis mellifera L. Studies are still necessary to understand the sublethal effects of GLY on bees, in the medium and long term, on colony homeostasis, especially about the information on the toxicity of some surfactants present in the different commercial formulations.     

Effects of Melia azedarach, (Meliaceae) fruit extracts on the leafminer Liriomyza huidobrensis, (Diptera, Agromyzidae): Assessment in laboratory and field experiments

Control of the widely distributed pest Liriomyza huidobrensis, is complicated due to the protected habit of the leafmining larvae, and their resistance to insecticides. The effects of Melia azedarach, (Meliaceae) fruit extracts against adults and larvae of L. huidobrensis, were investigated. In the laboratory, leaves of Cucurbita, sp. infested with first and third instar larvae were treated with different extract solutions. Larval and pupal survival, as well as wing‐spread of adults, were ssessed. Female adult behaviour towards the extract was also analysed in terms of number of feeding punctures and number of offspring left on treated/untreated leaves. In the field, an infested Vicia faba, crop was sprayed four times at weekly intervals with plant extract, water, and a blank solution. The number of adult leafminers and parasitoids emerging from sampled leaves from each treatment were compared. The laboratory tests showed translaminar action of the extracts, which negatively affected leafminer pupal survival, while body size was not affected. The extracts also deterred feeding by adult females and may also have caused reduction in oviposition rates. All solutions and concentrations tested had similar effects. In the field, extract effects were consistent with those from laboratory trials, number of pupae and pupal survival being lower on treated plants. Percentage parasitism was not affected by plant extract treatment, suggesting a selective activity.     

The relationships between brain, serum, and whole blood ChE activity in the wood mouse (Apodemus sylvaticus) and the common shrew (Sorex araneus) after acute sublethal exposure to dimethoate

Inhibition of cholinesterase (ChE) activity produced by a single acute intraperitoneal administration of dimethoate was studied in the wood mouse, Apodemus sylvaticus, and the common shrew, Sorex araneus, under laboratory conditions. ChE values from serum and whole blood were compared with those obtained from brain in order to obtain a non-destructive tool for predicting the severity of brain acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibition. In addition, serum and brain inhibition following oral exposure to dimethoate was also measured in the wood mouse. Normal ChE activity was higher in the brain and whole blood of the shrews than in wood mice. There was no difference between species in serum ChE activity. Exposure to dimethoate caused a dose-dependent reduction in ChE activity and there was a significant recovery in activity with increasing time after administration. In both species, serum and whole blood were more sensitive than brain for revealing organophosphate-induced ChE inhibition and serum was more sensitive than whole blood. Statistically significant relationships were defined between whole blood and brain ChE activity and between serum and brain ChE activity. Compared with serum, whole blood ChE activity was the more accurate predictor of brain AChE levels. The relationships between brain and serum ChE activity did not appear to be affected by the route of administration of the pesticide.     

Survival of Bradyrhizobium sp. (Arachis) on fungicide-treated peanut seed in relationship to plant growth and yield

Survival and viability of Bradyrhizobium inoculant on fungicide-treated peanut seed and the resulting effects on nitrogen fixation, plant growth and seed yield were determined. Vitavax and Benomyl had the most and least lethal actions against Bradyrhizobium strains grown on YEM medium containing a fungicide, respectively, while Thiram and Captan effects were intermediate. Survival of Bradyrhizobium USDA 3384 and USDA 3456, as single strain peat inoculants, on peanut (Arachis hypogaea L. var. Florunner) seeds treated with Benomyl or Vitavax at the rate of 3g/kg seed was also examined. Both fungicides inhibited the growth and affected the survival of strain USDA 3384 on peanut seed. Vitavax killed the inoculant in 9 h. In contrast, USDA 3456 resisted both fungicides, and survived for up to 72h. Nodule formation on greenhouse-grown plants inoculated with USDA 3384 was inhibited by all fungicides. Shoot dry weight and plant nitrogen content significantly decreased as compared to controls. Fungicides, except Vitavax, had a slight effect on nodulation and plant growth when USDA 3456 was used as inoculant. The agronomic importance of fungicide-inoculant interaction was examined in field experiments conducted in Egypt in soil free of peanut-nodulating Bradyrhizobium, where seeds were treated with a combination of two fungicides and a single strain peat inoculant of either USDA 3384 or USDA 3456. All fungicides decreased nodulation, nitrogen fixation, plant growth and seed yield, especially with USDA 3384 as inoculant. Fungicides inhibited viability and survival of Bradyrhizobium on peanut seeds which decreased nodule formation leading to reduced peanut seed yield.     

Improvement of persistence and yield of Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) through pesticide use

The present two field experiments, involving plots of Italian ryegrass sown in 1976, 1980 and 1984 confirmed results of earlier work in which the yield and persistence of Italian ryegrass was greatly increased by the application of pesticide. A range of pesticide treatments were used. The responses to application of permethrin applied three times per year average 8% for the three years of the first experiment and 5% for the five years of the second experiment. Such responses appeared cost-effective, but the overall environmental impact of such applications is not known.