Evaluation of the users value of salts against apple scab and powdery mildew for the integrated fruit production

As new fungicides are mainly unisite action fungicides, the problem of fungicide resistance development is becoming more important every year. Combining chemical fungicides, which is the best anti-resistance strategy, is not always possible or recommended in the case when the number of available chemical fungicides are limited or a reduction in fungicide use is asked for. Therefore the use of salts as an anti-resistance strategy was looked upon. The salts evaluated were K(HCO3), KH2PO3, KHPO4 and K2SiO3. When using these salts as an anti-resistance strategy the efficacy obtained when spraying the compounds alone was often to low to be used in rotation with chemical fungicides. Only with K(HCO3)2 a good efficacy can be observed in some years. The variation in efficacy with K(HCO3)2 observed is higher for powdery mildew. Chitosan was also included in the trials against powdery mildew, however chitosan had no effect on the infestation.     

Development of a fast and reliable method for the assessment of microbial colonization and growth on textiles by DNA quantification

There is a lack of relevant methods to assess the colonization of textiles by skin bacteria because present methods are mainly culture-based procedures. Therefore, the goal of this study was to develop a fast and sensitive culture-independent procedure for the quantification of microbial colonization and growth on textiles. We have established a suitable protocol to use DNA quantification as a reliable method for in vitroand in vivoinvestigations of textiles. For DNA extraction, a two-step procedure comprising treatment of the textile with a solution containing Triton X-100 and lysozyme for 1 h and a successive treatment by SDS and proteinase K for 2 h turned out to be most efficient. DNA extracted from textiles and fabrics was than quantified with the highly sensitive PicoGreen fluorescent dye. In vitrochallenge tests demonstrated a strong correlation between numbers of bacteria on textiles and amount of DNA extracted from textiles. Therefore, this method was used to compare different materials after in vivotrials for assessment of their susceptibility for microbial colonization and growth.     

The effect of Saccharomyces cerevisiae on concentration of dicarboxymide and acylanilide fungicides and pyrethroid insecticides during fermentation

Summary Continuing the investigation into possible yeast influence on ferment degradation of residual pesticides, two dicarboxymide antibotrytic fungicides (Iprodione and Procymidone), three acylanilide antiperonosporic fungicides (Benalaxyl, Furalaxyl and Ofurace) and two pyrethroid insecticides (Permethrin and Fenvalerate) were tested.Only the pyrethroids were degraded completely during fermentation.     

Local redistribution of fungicides on leaves by water

Local redistribution of various fungicides applied as large or small droplets to detached broad-bean leaflets was examined by laboratory bio-assay with Botrytis fabae and by leaf-printing techniques. The results showed that fungicidal particulate and soluble material will spread in water from the initial deposits and that the protected areas on leaves inoculated after washing were often much greater than on unwashed leaves. The extent of redistribution was related to the inherent toxicity, physical form, duration of weathering and tenacity of the fungicides. The effects of formulating copper oxychloride and zineb fungicides with surface-active agents and adhesives seemed due to differences in the tenacity of the deposits. Results indicated that similar types of redistribution would occur in the field, but the possible importance of the electrokinetic theory of redistribution was not proven.     

The effects of foliar fungicides on beneficial arthropods in wheat fields

Large scale replicated field trials were carried out over a 2 year period to quantify the insecticidal properties of 3 foliar fungicides commonly used in wheat fields. Pyrazophos significantly reduced the numbers of many groups of the natural enemies of cereal aphids and the insects known to be vital in the diet of gamebird chicks for up to 4 weeks after spraying. No such reductions were found after the use of either triadimefon or propiconazole. Aphid numbers on plots sprayed with pyrazophos were twice the numbers found on unsprayed plots either 6 weeks after spraying in 1985 or on unsprayed plots and plots sprayed with the other fungicides 20 days after treatment in 1984. In 1985, this necessitated the additional use of an aphicide only on those plots previously sprayed with pyrazophos. The removal of chick food insects following the use of pyrazophos was considered to be sufficient to reduce survival rates of wild gamebird chicks.      

Fungicide residues in pears and apples after post harvest treatments by drencher

Aim of this trial was to verify the residues of two fungicides, already authorised for the use in field (the admitted maximum limit of residues have been fixed), after post harvest treatments on pears and apples for defence against main post harvest rots. The use of formulation in post harvest must consider also the technique of product application. In fact there are different systems to carry out the treatments for the protection of the commodities during cold storage. In this trial two formulations of pyrimethanil and imazalil were applied by drencher on pome fruit.     

Glasshouse experiments on apple scab

Dilutions of various fungicides were compared on potted MM 109 clonal rootstocks in the glasshouse for protective (pre-infection) and curative (post-infection) activity against apple scab. The materials, as commercial preparations, included captan, copper (as ‘dry’ Bordeaux mixture), dichlofluanid, didecyldimethylammonium bromide (DDAB), dispersible sulphur, dithianon, dodine acetate, lime-sulphur (LS), phenylmercury chloride (PMC), and thiram; they were assessed on the basis of percentage active ingredient in the dilutions. When acting at normal rates of use, many of the fungicides were much more effective protectively than curatively, but this contrast was less applicable to DDAB, dodine acetate, LS, and dichlofluanid. PMC, however, was an especially notable exception in proving curatively superior at unusually low rates. In addition, it was particularly active in vapour form, and was effectively translocated not only from one leaf surface to the other, but, especially at 0.005%, from sprayed to younger unsprayed leaves on the same shoots. Other standard fungicides showed little or no translocated activity, but isobutyl-o-coumarate was effective at the growing shoot-tips in spring from a spray applied to the lower leaves. PMC reduced infection when applied once at any time during the scab-incubation period, and especially 24 hr. after infection, when the control was almost complete. Longer intervals before spraying reduced the curative action, but not in proportion to the intervals; the infection pattern showed multi-peak fungicidal activity and, after the later sprays, many lesions were practically infertile. The curative properties of PMC were matched by several other formulated phenylmercury salts compared at equivalent percentage mercury content, but the dimethyldithiocarbamate proved rather less effective. A preliminary attempt to supplement the curative properties of PMC with the protective properties of LS, by mixing these fungicides at low rates, showed evidence of fungicidal antagonism, and this needs further investigation. Several fungicides, notably the inorganic sulphurs, thiram, the phenylmercury compounds, dichlofluanid, and DDAB showed incidental activity against natural infection by powdery mildew.     

Nitrogen fixation with the soybean crop in Brazil: Compatibility between seed treatment with fungicides and bradyrhizobial inoculants

Biological nitrogen fixation with the soybean crop can be improved by seed inoculation with superiorBradyrhizobium strains, but factors that reducethe population of inoculated bradyrhizobiaon the seedwill directly affect the efficiency of the process. Seed treatment with fungicides has been broadly practiced as cheap insurance against seed-and soil-borne pathogens, but toxicity of most fungicides to bradyrhizobia has often been underestimated. The compatibility between seed treatment with fungicides in single or mixed applications (including Benomyl, Captan, Carbendazin, Carboxin, Difenoconazole, Thiabendazole, Thiram, Tolylfluanid) and bradyrhizobial inoculants was examined in laboratory, greenhouse and field experiments during five crop seasons in Brazil. Bacterial survivalon the seeds was severely affected by all fungicides, resulting in mortalities of up to 62% after only 2 h and of 95% after 24 h. Fungicides also reduced nodule number, total N in grains and decreased yield by up to 17%. The toxic effects of fungicides were more drastic in sandy soils without soybean inoculation and cropping history, reducing nodulation by up to 87%, but were also important in areas with established populations of soybean bradyrhizobia. Therefore, fungicides should be used only when the seeds or soil are contaminated with pathogens, otherwise biological N₂ fixation may be severely affected.     

Fungicide Effects on Fungal Community Composition in the Wheat Phyllosphere

The fungicides used to control diseases in cereal production can have adverse effects on non-target fungi, with possible consequences for plant health and productivity. This study examined fungicide effects on fungal communities on winter wheat leaves in two areas of Sweden. High-throughput 454 sequencing of the fungal ITS2 region yielded 235 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) at the species level from the 18 fields studied. It was found that commonly used fungicides had moderate but significant effect on fungal community composition in the wheat phyllosphere. The relative abundance of several saprotrophs was altered by fungicide use, while the effect on common wheat pathogens was mixed. The fungal community on wheat leaves consisted mainly of basidiomycete yeasts, saprotrophic ascomycetes and plant pathogens. A core set of six fungal OTUs representing saprotrophic species was identified. These were present across all fields, although overall the difference in OTU richness was large between the two areas studied.     

Microbial Odor Profile of Polyester and Cotton Clothes after a Fitness Session

Clothing textiles protect our human body against external factors. These textiles are not sterile and can harbor high bacterial counts as sweat and bacteria are transmitted from the skin. We investigated the microbial growth and odor development in cotton and synthetic clothing fabrics. T-shirts were collected from 26 healthy individuals after an intensive bicycle spinning session and incubated for 28 h before analysis. A trained odor panel determined significant differences between polyester versus cotton fabrics for the hedonic value, the intensity, and five qualitative odor characteristics. The polyester T-shirts smelled significantly less pleasant and more intense, compared to the cotton T-shirts. A dissimilar bacterial growth was found in cotton versus synthetic clothing textiles. Micrococci were isolated in almost all synthetic shirts and were detected almost solely on synthetic shirts by means of denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis fingerprinting. A selective enrichment of micrococci in an in vitro growth experiment confirmed the presence of these species on polyester. Staphylococci were abundant on both cotton and synthetic fabrics. Corynebacteria were not enriched on any textile type. This research found that the composition of clothing fibers promotes differential growth of textile microbes and, as such, determines possible malodor generation.     

CONCENTRATIONS OF ENERGY METABOLITES AND CYCLIC NUCLEOTIDES DURING AND AFTER BILATERAL ISCHEMIA IN THE GERBIL CEREBRAL CORTEX

Abstract— The concentrations of metabolites which reflect energy production or use ( P -creatine, ATP. ADP. 5'AMP, glucose, glycogen and lactate) and cyclic nucleotides (cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP) were measured in gerbil cortex during ischemia and recirculation. Bilateral ischemia of the gerbil brain was chosen as a model to ensure the assessment of short periods of ischemia without ambiguity. The metabolites and cyclic nucleotides were measured after, 1, 5. 20. 30 and 60 min of ischemia; and 1, 5, 30, 60 and 360 min after circulation was reestablished. The greatest changes in metabolites and cyclic nucleotides due to ischemia occurred during the 1st min; ischemia of longer duration had little further effect. However, the restoration of the metabolic profile was altered by the duration of the ischemic period. In general, the longer the period of ischemia, the slower the replenishment of high-energy phosphate compounds and energy sources. Cyclic AMP increased 5- to 13-fold during ischemia; cyclic GMP decreased to as little as one-fifth control values 60min after occlusion. During recirculation, cyclic AMP increased as much as 100-fold, while cyclic GMP increased up to 6-fold. The temporal derangements in cyclic nucleotide concentrations coincide with the loss and restoration of cortical activity; a possible mechanism has been suggested.     

Influence of strobilurin compounds on the development of Puccinia horiana

The effectiveness of 5 strobilurin fungicides: Acanto 250 SC, Amistar 250 SC, Discus 500 WG, Signum 33 WG, Zato 50 WG and Score 250 EC (triazole-standard) in the control of Puccinia horiana was tested on chrysanthemum cv. Melba Blane. Number of pustules per leaf was observed before treatment, as well as 2 and 4 weeks after treatment. Additionally, after 4 weeks, their influence on plant growth, size of pustules and eventually phytotoxicity were assessed. Plants were sprayed preventively and curatively 4 times at weekly intervals. In preventive programme after 4 weeks of investigations, average of about 1.5 spot per leaf was recorded on control plants. Disease symptoms did not appear on chrysanthemums protected by fungicides Signum 33 WG at concentration 0.18% and Zato 50 WG at concentration 0.015%. In case of the other tested fungicides only sporadically pustules on single leaves were noticed (over 95% of them were browned, dried and crumbled). On control plants more than 46% of leaves was infected but in case of the other investigated fungicides it was only 3-7%. Diameter of spots on plants protected with: Score 250 EC, Acanto 250 SC and Discus 500 WG was similar as on the leaves of control plants. On plants protected with Amistar 250 SC the diameter of pustules was significantly lower than on control plants. In curative programme after 4 weeks of tests, leaves of control plants had about 4 spots per leaf. On leaves sprayed with Score 250 EC at concentration 0.05% there were 4 times less spots than on control plants. Chrysanthemums treated with tested strobilurin fungicides had about 2 times less pustules than on control plants. Diameter of spots on control plant leaves was 3.6 mm and was similar as on chrysanthemums protected with tested fungicides. On leaves of control plants all pustules were active without visible changes or damage but in case of the investigated fungicides almost 100% of them were browned, dried and crumbled. After 4 weeks of experiment, a measured height of control plants was about 125 mm and was similar to the height of plants protected with tested fungicides except Signum 33 WG, which stimulated plant growth. None of tested compounds showed phytotoxic effect.     

Induction of homozygous Spathiphyllum wallisii genotypes through gynogenesis

In Spathiphyllum wallisii the production of doubled haploids was attempted. Different combinations of growth regulators were tested, as well as different cultivars. The use of TDZ (0.25–1 M) in ovary cultures of Spathiphyllum was required. On the contrary, cytokinins were not crucial during ovule culture; in fact, the use of a too high TDZ concentration induced diploid parthenogenesis in ovules of `Alfa'. The use of the imidazole fungicides IMA, PRO or TRI during ovary culture was not critical, though they enhanced the swelling of ovules during ovary culture, making the isolation of the ovules easier. The ovule cultures yielded different plantlets. Flow cytometry and AFLP-patterns showed that two doubled haploid genotypes could be obtained from `Stefanie'. These plants showed a normal phenotype. We concluded that the induction of homozygous Spathiphyllum through gynogenesis is possible and is genotype dependent.     

施药后不同时间玉米田中常用农药残留对玉米螟赤眼蜂的影响

【目的】为明确玉米田中常用杀菌剂和杀虫剂对玉米螟赤眼蜂Trichogramma ostriniae的安全性。【方法】室内用田间推荐剂量在玉米叶片上施用4种杀菌剂(甲基硫菌灵、戊唑醇、叶枯唑和吡唑醚菌酯)以及4种杀虫剂(阿维菌素、氯虫苯甲酰胺、高效氯氰菊酯和吡虫啉),施药后1, 3, 5和7 d调查玉米螟赤眼蜂成虫接触玉米叶片24 h时的死亡率、寄生能力(寄生的麦蛾Sitotroga cerealella卵量)及子代羽化率。【结果】施药后不同时间,不同杀菌剂和杀虫剂对玉米螟赤眼蜂成虫的死亡率、寄生能力和羽化率产生显著影响。4种杀菌剂中,叶枯唑和吡唑醚菌酯对玉米螟赤眼蜂寄生能力持续影响时间长,在施药7 d后,玉米螟赤眼蜂成虫接触含叶枯唑和吡唑醚菌酯残留的玉米叶片24 h时其寄生的麦蛾卵量分别为20.25和20.80粒;戊唑醇对玉米螟赤眼蜂的影响最大,施药7 d后玉米螟赤眼蜂成虫接触含戊唑醇残留的 玉米叶片24 h时子代羽化率为18.48%,施药3 d后接触时死亡率高达37.03%。4种杀虫剂中,阿维菌素和吡虫啉对玉米螟赤眼蜂寄生能力持续影响时间长并且毒性较大,在施药7 d后,玉米螟赤眼蜂成虫接触含阿维菌素和吡虫啉残留的玉米叶片24 h时的寄生的麦蛾卵量为3.43和9.19粒,施药后1-3 d时死亡率分别高达96.21%和74.00%;高效氯氰菊酯对玉米螟赤眼蜂子代羽化的持续伤害时间长,施药7 d后玉米螟赤眼蜂成虫接触含高效氯氰菊酯残留的玉米叶片24 h时的子代羽化率为27.92%。总体来说,4种杀虫剂对玉米螟赤眼蜂的影响较4种杀菌剂大。【结论】田间释放玉米螟赤眼蜂防治玉米螟Ostrinia nubilalis前7 d不建议喷施戊唑醇、叶枯唑和吡唑醚菌酯3种杀菌剂以及阿维菌素和吡虫啉两种杀虫剂,前5 d不建议喷施甲基硫菌灵和高效氯氰菊酯,氯虫苯甲酰胺使用时应该根据该药的田间推荐浓度合理喷施。     

Some problems of evaluating fungicides for use on coffee in Kenya

As part of a programme testing fungicides for control of coffee berry disease (CBD) promising materials were also tested in the field against leaf rust of coffee. In all, fourteen fungicides were tested, five of which have been recommended for control of CBD. Only Perenox (representative of 50% copper fungicides) and Du-Ter (not highly effective against CBD and no longer recommended) gave good control of rust; Difolatan gave some control but Benlate and Daconil were virtually ineffective.
Where only CBD is present there is generally a good relationship between disease control and yield, but in these experiments where leaf rust was also present, this relationship was seriously disturbed. The implications of this for testing fungicides for use on coffee in Kenya are discussed.     

灰飞虱体内类酵母共生菌异常毕赤酵母的分离培养及其对杀菌剂的敏感性

【目的】随着杀虫剂等化学农药的大规模使用,灰飞虱Laodelphax striatellus的抗药性不断增强,防治效果下降,因此寻找新的防治方法尤为重要。本研究探索使用杀菌剂来减少灰飞虱体内共生菌的数量,以降低灰飞虱的活力,为"抑菌防虫"提供理论依据。【方法】对灰飞虱体内的类酵母共生菌(yeast-like symbiotes,YLS)进行离体培养并鉴定,测定离体培养YLS对不同浓度不同种类杀菌剂的敏感性,将对其抑制作用明显的杀菌剂喷施于麦苗,待灰飞虱取食后统计灰飞虱死亡率、体重,并通过荧光定量PCR检测体内共生菌的数量变化。【结果】离体培养得到1株YLS,经碳源同化实验和18S r DNA分子鉴定,将该菌株归为异常毕赤酵母Pichia anomala,以变性梯度凝胶电泳(denatured gradient gel electrophoresis,DGGE)技术验证了该菌株在灰飞虱体内的存在。对杀菌剂敏感性的测定结果显示,70%丙森锌和50%戊唑醇+25%肟菌酯对P.anomala抑制效果明显,而氟吡菌胺+霜霉威盐酸盐(687.5 g a.i./L)与40%嘧霉胺对P.anomala的抑制效果较差。用对P.anomala抑制效果明显的两种杀菌剂(70%丙森锌和50%戊唑醇+25%肟菌酯)以800 mg/L浓度喷施麦苗,灰飞虱取食喷施麦苗后的死亡率分别达到46.7%与63.3%,显著高于对照,而体重比对照组显著低。荧光定量检测结果表明,灰飞虱体内3种共生菌(Noda菌、季也蒙毕赤酵母和异常毕赤酵母)的数量在使用了各种杀菌剂后均显著降低。【结论】结果说明,体外喷施杀菌剂对灰飞虱体内共生菌有抑制作用,进而对灰飞虱的生长存活产生影响,这为杀菌剂与杀虫剂的协同使用防治灰飞虱奠定基础。     

Phosphite uptake and distribution in potato tubers following foliar and postharvest applications of phosphite‐based fungicides for late blight control

Foliar and postharvest applications of phosphite (Phi)‐based fungicides are used to control the oomycete Phytophthora infestans which is responsible for the occurrence of late blight in potatoes. Optimisation of the usage of Phi‐based fungicides for disease control during the growing season and in subsequent storage can lead to improved potato production and processing quality. In order to assess the efficiency of Phi translocation to tubers, following foliar and postharvest treatments of potato crops with the Phi‐based fungicides, the amount of Phi in tubers was determined by a high‐performance ion chromatography method. The quantity of Phi found in tubers increased with the total amount of Phi‐based fungicides applied during the growing season. Foliar applications of Phi resulted in an uneven distribution of Phi in the three tuber regions analysed, with high concentrations being identified in the tuber cortex (32.5–166.4 µg g^?1 fresh tissue) and medulla regions followed by the skin area. Postharvest treatment of tubers led to a different distribution of Phi, with the highest concentrations of Phi found in the skin (411.0–876.6 µg g^?1 fresh tissue) followed by the cortex and medulla regions. As foliar treatments are essential to protect the aerial parts of the plants during the growth season, the best disease management practices of tubers should include the postharvest treatment in addition to foliar applications. The use of both types of treatments ensures that concentrations of Phi in excess of 100 µg g^?1 fresh tissue are present in tuber skin and cortex areas; such concentrations are needed to suppress the growth of P. infestans on tubers during storage.     

Problems, Approaches, and Results in Restoration of Dutch Calcareous Grassland During the Last 30 Years

This paper is based on research of the restoration of species‐rich calcareous grasslands in The Netherlands, over the last 30 years. Chalk grassland is a semi‐natural vegetation with a high density of species at a small scale. This type of vegetation was once widespread in Western Europe as common grazing land, mainly for flocks of sheep for which the main function was dung production. In some regions of Central Europe, these grasslands were also used for hay production. The dung was used to maintain arable field production at a reasonable level. In the chalk district in the southernmost part of The Netherlands some 25 sites of this vegetation, varying in area from 0.05–4.5 ha, are still present. Chalk grassland completely lost its significance for modern agricultural production after the wide application of artificial fertilizer following World War II. This grassland has a high conservation value both for plants and animal species, of which a large number of species are exclusively restricted to this biotope. When conservation activities started at a large scale in the early 1960s, three different types of restoration activities could be distinguished: (1) restoration of fertilized sites; (2) restoration of abandoned grasslands; and (3) recreation of chalk grassland on former arable fields. The main aim of the restoration attempt is to create and/or improve sustainable conditions for both plant and animal species characteristic of the chalk grassland ecosystem. In the process of restoration, several phases of different activities can be distinguished: (1) pre‐restoration phase, during which information of the land use history is collected and, based on these data, clear restoration goals are established; (2) initial restoration phase, during which effects of former, non‐conservational land use has to be undone in order to stimulate germination and establishment of target species originating from soil seed bank and species pool; (3) consolidation phase, including the introduction and continuation of a regular management system for sustainable conservation; and (4) long‐term conservation strategy, including measures to prevent disturbance from the outside and genetic erosion and extinction of locally endangered plant populations.     

The effect of irrigation on powdery scab and other tuber diseases of potatoes

In field experiments seed tubers affected with powdery scab cankers were planted and the effect on disease incidence of timing of irrigation and some seed-tuber fungicides was investigated over 3 yr. For 2 yr, irrigation to maintain soil wetter than—20 centibars (—20 kPa) during the first half of the growing season increased disease compared to unirrigated plots. Disease incidence was not affected by irrigation at 2 wk intervals or when applied during the second half of the season. Little disease developed in 1983 even in irrigated plots, probably because of high soil temperatures. None of the fungicides tested gave consistent disease control. Common scab and silver scurf were both decreased by irrigation but in two years, black dot was increased. The relative importance of black dot could increase in irrigated crops where fungicides are used to control silver scurf.