Capability of selected crop plants for shoot mercury accumulation from polluted soils: phytoremediation perspectives

High-biomass crops can be considered as an alternative to hyperaccumulator plants to phytoremediate soils contaminated by heavy metals. In order to assess their practical capability for the absorption and accumulation of Hg in shoots, barley, white lupine, lentil, and chickpea were tested in pot experiments using several growth substrates. In the first experimental series, plants were grown in a mixture of vermiculite and perlite spiked with 8.35 microg g(-1) d.w. of soluble Hg. The mercury concentration of the plants' aerial tissues ranged from 1.51 to 5.13 microg g(-1) d.w. with lentil and lupine showing the highest values. In a second experiment carried out using a Hg-polluted soil (32.16 microg g(-1) d.w.) collected from a historical mining area (Almadén, Spain), the crop plants tested only reached shoot Hg concentration up to 1.13 microg g(-1) d.w. In the third experimental series, the Almadén soil was spiked with 1 microg g(-1) d.w. of soluble Hg; as a result, mercury concentrations in the plant shoots increased approximately 6 times for lupine, 5 times for chickpea, and 3.5 times for barley and lentil, with respect to those obtained with the original soil without Hg added. This marked difference was attributed to the low availability of Hg in the original Almadin soil and its subsequent increase in the Hg-spiked soil. The low mercury accumulation yields obtained for all plants do not make a successful decontamination of the Almadén soils possible byphytoremediation using crop plants. However, since the crops tested can effectively decrease the plant-available Hg level in this soil, their use could, to some extent, reduce the environmental risk of Hg pollution in the area.     

广西锰矿恢复区食用农作物重金属污染评价

对广西平乐、荔浦两锰矿恢复区种植的食用农作物进行了调查和重金属含量分析.结果表明:两锰矿区农作物Zn、Pb、Cr、Cu和Cd的含量范围分别在1.18~20.46、0.52~16.16、0.33~6.62、0.01~6.24和0.01~2.76mg.kg-1之间.其中,豆类作物中的重金属含量最高,其次是薯类.单因子污染指数评价表明,农作物基本未受Zn、Cu污染,但受Pb、Cd和Cr污染严重,以Pb污染最重,受污染率达100%,Cr和Cd受污染率分别为96.9%和75.0%;从综合污染指数来看,农作物受污染率达100%,其中,重、中、轻污染分别占87.5%、9.4%和3.1%.表明在锰矿废弃地直接种植食用农作物存在较大风险,应重新考虑其恢复利用模式.     

Quantification and speciation of mercury and selenium in fish samples of high consumption in Spain and Portugal

Mercury (Hg) and selenium (Se) determinations were carried out to evaluate human exposure to those elements through fish consumption in Spain and Portugal. Atomic fluorescence spectroscopy (AFS) was applied in a cold vapor mode for total mercury quantification and was also hyphenated to gas chromatography (GC) to achieve the speciation of organomercurial species in fish samples. The results obtained show the highest concentration of Hg in swordfish and tuna (0.47+/-0.02 and 0.31+/-0.01 microg g-1, respectively), and a much lower concentration in sardine, mackerel shad, and octopus (0.048+/-0.002, 0.033+/-0.001, and 0.024+/-0.001 microg g-1, respectively). The determination of alkyl mercury compounds revealed that 93-98% of mercury in the fish samples was in the organic form. Methylmercury (MeHg) was the only species found in the three fish species with higher mercury content.Total selenium concentration was high in sardine, swordfish, and tuna (0.43+/-0.02, 0.47+/-0.02, and 0.92+/-0.01 microg g-1, respectively), but low in mackerel shad and octopus (0.26+/-0.01 and 0.13+/-0.01 microg g-1, respectively). Speciation of selenium compounds was done by high-performance liquid chromatography in conjunction with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LC-ICP-MS). Selenomethionine (SeMet) was the only selenium compound identified in the fish samples with higher selenium content.Among the fish species studied, sardine had the most favourable Se:Hg and SeMet:MeHg molar ratios; therefore, its consumption seems to be preferable.     

张家界市部分农作物可食部位硒含量研究

采用国家标准( GB/T5009.93-2003),用荧光分光光度计对张家界市22种农作物40个样本可食部位中的硒含量进行了分析.结果表明,测定的22个种类40个样本均属于富硒及高硒作物,以茶叶的硒平均含量最高为2.0102 mg/kg,其次是豆类平均含量为1.8518 mg/kg,薯类含量最低为1.0240 mg/kg.所测定的各种作物可食部位富硒能力依次为:茶叶2.0102 mg/kg＞豆类(干)1.8518 mg/kg＞水稻、玉米1.5326 mg/kg＞蔬菜类1.3438 mg/kg＞水果类1.0783 mg/kg＞薯类1.0240 mg/kg.该研究确定了部分农作物硒含量的水平及富硒作物品种.     

Risk Analysis of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum for Biological Control of Cirsium arvense in Pasture: Sclerotium Survival

The plurivorous ascomycete, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum , is being evaluated as a mycoherbicide for the biocontrol of Cirsium arvense in pastures. Increased inoculum levels potentially add to the risk of disease in susceptible crops sown at or near the biocontrol site. This paper summarises: (1) two series of experiments that quantify the survival of soilborne sclerotia in sheep-grazed pastures in the Canterbury province of New Zealand; (2) a survey of the natural sclerotium population densities in four contrasting agricultural activity strata; and (3) a model for predicting the time period for which susceptible crops should be withheld from a site following the cessation of biocontrol. In the first series of two experiments, mycoherbicide-induced populations of sclerotia were sampled annually for four years. Half-lives were estimated to be 395 and 218 days. In the second series of eight experiments, sclerotia were buried in mesh bags in four different soils for three to four years, and exhibited half-lives of 206-506 days. In the survey, the four strata were permanent pasture, arable crop/pasture rotation, continuous cropping and market garden. The estimated sclerotium density in the market garden stratum was 9m -2 ; few sclerotia were found in the other three strata. Using the withholding period model, the average time for a biocontrol-induced sclerotium population to decay exponentially to a natural 'market garden' density of 9 sclerotia m -2 was estimated to be four years, assuming an average initial density of 125 sclerotia m -2 and an average half-life of 351 days. A conservative upper limit for the withholding period was estimated to be ten years.     

The use of cover crops in cereal-based cropping systems to control nitrate leaching in SE England

Field experiments were done to evaluate the extent to which cover crops can be used to help farmers comply with current legislation on nitrate leaching from arable land in nitrate vulnerable zones. Nitrate leaching was measured in sandy loam and chalky loam soils under a range of early sown (mid-August) cover crops at two sites in SE England, and in the subsequent winter following their incorporation. Cover crop species tested were forage rape, rye, white mustard, a rye/white mustard mixture, Phacelia and ryegrass. Additional treatments were weeds plus cereal volunteers, a bare fallow and a conventional winter barley crop sown one month later than the cover crops and grown to maturity. Cover crop and bare fallow treatments were followed by spring barley. This was followed by winter barley, as was the conventional winter barley crop. In the winter immediately after establishment, early sown cover crops decreased nitrate leaching by 29–91% compared to bare fallow. They were most effective in a wet winter on the sandy loam where nitrate leaching under bare fallow was greatest. There was little difference between cover crop species with respect to their capacity to decrease nitrate leaching, but losses were consistently smaller under forage rape. The growth of weeds plus cereal volunteers significantly decreased nitrate leaching on the sandy loam compared with a bare fallow, but was less effective on the chalky loam. Nitrate leaching under the later sown winter barley was often greater than under cover crops, but under dry conditions leaching losses were similar. In the longer-term, in most cases, the inclusion of cover crops in predominantly cereal-based cropping systems did not significantly decrease cumulative nitrate leaching compared with two successive winter cereals. In summary, early sown cover crops are most likely to be effective when grown on freely drained sandy soils where the risk of nitrate leaching is greatest. They are less likely to be effective on poorer drained, medium-heavy textured soils in the driest parts of SE England. In these areas the regeneration of weeds and cereal volunteers together with some additional broadcast seed may be sufficient to avoid excessive nitrate losses. In the short-term, mineralization of N derived from the relatively small cover crops grown once every 3–4years in cereal-based cropping systems is unlikely to contribute greatly to nitrate leaching in later years and adjustments to fertilizer N recommendations will not usually be necessary.     

广州市食物硒含量及居民硒摄入量

调查了广州市常见食物中的硒含量.结果表明:动物性食品内脏、水产品、蛋类和羊肉等食品中的硒含量最为丰富(>150.0μg.kg-1);谷物与豆类中的硒含量相近(46.5～98.3μg.kg-1);蔬菜(15.8μg.kg-1)和水果(4.97μg.kg-1)中硒含量均较低;菌类在植物性食品中的硒含量最高(46.0μg.kg-1).广州市居民硒摄入量为98.5μg.d-1.其中,动物性食品占总硒摄入量的73.7%;植物性食品占26.3%;水产品和猪肉均占22.0%以上;大米占17.2%.广州市食品中的硒含量和居民每日硒摄入量能满足人体生理需要.     

Effects of stubble and N fertilization management on N availability and uptake under successive rice (Oryza sativa L.) crops

Experiments were conducted in fields which had a history of nil to four rice (Oryza sativa L.) crops during the previous four summers. Incorporating stubble after each harvest reduced soil nitrate-N content between crops, but increased soil N mineralization potential. During the fourth successive crop, plots where stubble had been incorporated after the previous three harvests had an average 21% more soil NH₄N and 22% more N uptake than plots where stubble had been burnt.Soil fertility fell rapidly with increasing numbers of crops, and the unfertilized fifth crop accumulated approximately half the N (60 kg N ha^-1) found in the unfertilized first crop (116 kg). Fertilizer N alleviated the effects of annual cropping; the application of 210 kg N ha^-1 to the fifth crop (uptake of 156 kg N ha^-1) resulted in similar N uptake to the first crop fertilized with 50 kg N ha^-1 (154 kg N ha^-1).Applying N at sowing had no significant effect on soil NH₄-N concentration after permanent flood (PF), while N application at PF resulted in increased NH₄-N concentration and N uptake until panicle initiation (PI). N applied at PI increased soil NH₄-N concentration at least until the microspore stage.Management factors such as stubble incorporation and increasing N application rate, maintained N supply and enabled successive rice crops to accumulate similar quantities of N at maturity.     

Seasonal variation in glucosinolate content in Brassica oleracea crops grown in northwestern Spain

Brassica oleracea L. crops including kales, cabbages, and Tronchuda cabbages are widely grown in northwestern Spain and Portugal but little information is available on leaf glucosinolate content of these crops. The objectives were to determine the diversity for the total glucosinolate content and profile on leaves in a collection of 153 kales, 26 cabbages, and three Tronchuda cabbages varieties grown at two growing seasons and to determine the seasonal variation of glucosinolates in cabbages and Tronchuda cabbage varieties. Sinigrin, glucoiberin, and glucobrassicin were the major glucosinolates found in kales. Glucoiberin was the most common glucosinolate in Tronchuda cabbages in both planting seasons and in cabbages sown in fall season whereas glucobrassicin and glucoiberin were the most common glucosinolates in cabbages in spring season. In kales the total glucosinolate content ranged from 11.0 to 53 micromol g(-1) dw, with a mean value of 26.3 micromol g(-1) dw. Four kale varieties (MBG-BRS0468, MBG-BRS0476, MBG-BRS0060 and MBG-BRS0223) showed the highest total sinigrin or glucobrassicin contents. So, they could be good candidates for future breeding programs. In cabbages, the total glucosinolate content ranged from 10.9 to 27 g(-1) dw. Total glucosinolate concentration during spring sowing (22 micro mg(-1) dw) was higher than those in fall sowing (13 micro mg(-1) dw). Regarding both high glucosinolate content and the agronomic value, MBG-BRS0057 and MBG-BRS0074 could be good sources of beneficial glucosinolates. The presence of high concentrations of sinigrin, glucoiberin, and glucobrassicin warrant further search into their potential use to enhance the level of these important phytochemicals in these edible crops.     

Autecology of Bradyrhizobium japonicum in soybean-rice rotations

The effect of rice culture on changes in the number of a strain of soybean root-nodule bacteria, (Bradyrhizobium japonicum CB1809), already established in the soil by growing inoculated soybean crops, was investigated in transitional red-brown earth soils at two sites in south-western New South Wales. At the first site, 5.5 years elapsed between the harvest of the last of four successive crops of soybean and the sowing of the next. In this period three crops of rice and one crop of triticale were sown and in the intervals between these crops, and after the crop of triticale, the land was fallowed. Before sowing the first rice crop, the number of Bradyrhizobium japonicum was 1.32×10⁵ g^–1 soil. The respective numbers of bradyrhizobia after the first, second and third rice crops were 4.52 ×10⁴, 1.26×10⁴ and 6.40×10² g^–1 soil. In the following two years the population remained constant. Thus sufficient bradyrhizobia survived in soil to nodulate and allow N₂-fixation by the succeeding soybean crop. At the second site, numbers of bradyrhizobia declined during a rice crop, but the decline was less than when the soil was fallowed (400-fold cf. 2200-fold). Multiplication of bradyrhizobia was rapid in the rhizosphere of soybean seedlings sown without inoculation in the rice bays. At 16 days after sowing, their numbers were not significantly different (p<0.05) from those in plots where rice had not been sown. Nodulation of soybeans was greatest in plots where rice had not been grown, but yield and grain nitrogen were not significantly different (p<0.05). Our results indicate that flooding soil has a deleterious effect on the survival of bradyrhizobia but, under the conditions of the experiments, sufficient B. japonicum strain CB 1809 survived to provide good nodulation after three crops of rice covering a total period of 5.5 years between crops of soybean.     

Effects of sowing date and volunteers on the infectivity of soil infested with Gaeumannomyces graminis var. tritici and on take-all disease in successive crops of winter wheat

In a field experiment on winter wheat, take‐all on plants and the infectivity of the soil were studied in crop sequences with different combinations of sowing dates. Take‐all was negligible in the first wheat crop, but thereafter the mean disease intensity (measured using a take‐all rating, TAR, with a maximum of 300) was 108, 190, 118 and 251 in the second to fifth successive crops. In each growing season, the disease differed amongst sequences and built up more rapidly and was more intense on plants sown in mid‐September than on plants sown in mid‐October. In late‐sown plots, where volunteers had been present during the mid‐September to mid‐October period, take‐all reached an intensity intermediate between that in early‐sown plots and that in late‐sown plots that had been kept free of volunteers. Volunteers, therefore, partially offset the expected beneficial effect of decreased disease with later sowing. Differences in take‐all amongst sequences were most pronounced in the second wheat crop and early sowing of the previous wheat increased intensity of disease. In the following (third) crop, differences in disease intensity amongst sequences were smaller. Soil infectivity (measured by seedling bioassay after harvest) built up progressively from a low level after the first crop to peak after the third crop. In this build‐up phase, soil infectivity estimates were always numerically greater after harvest of early‐sown treatments than after later‐sown treatments, although never significant at P= 0.05. The greatest difference (P= 0.06) was recorded in October before sowing of the third crop, where the comparison was between soil after two previous early sowings and soil after two previous later sowings and control of volunteers. In the same autumn, presence of green cover (i.e. volunteers) was associated with a smaller loss of soil infectivity between harvest and later sowing than occurred in an absence of green cover. In 2^nd–4^th crops, where comparisons were available and mean TARs indicated moderate levels of take‐all, sowing later had no yield benefit, despite more take‐all and greater soil infectivity associated with early sowing. Important considerations for the management of crops at risk of take‐all are 1) choosing appropriate sowing dates to minimize take‐all or to encourage take‐all decline and 2) controlling volunteers and weed hosts where crops are sown late to minimise take‐all.     

Soil mercury accumulation and transference to different crop grains

Mercury contamination in agro-ecosystems is one of the most important environmental issues. Farmland soil mercury accumulation and transference to crops in Changshu City, eastern China, were investigated to identify mercury migration capacity from soil to crops. The mean content of mercury for soil samples slightly increased year after year. The mercury accumulation capacity of rice grown (bioaccumulation factor (BAF) 0.028) in submerged soils under reductive conditions was stronger than that of wheat (BAF 0.0073) in dried soils under oxidative conditions. There were clear relationships between soil mercury with organic matter (OM), cation exchange capacity (CEC), and CaCO₃ of soil samples, while apparent negative relationships between Hg in rice grain with OM, CEC, and CaCO₃ of soil existed. No clear association for Hg between crops and soil was found, indicating that mercury in crop grains is mostly affected by other factors besides soil mercury. Also, soil properties and farming patterns affected mercury transference from soil to crop grains and mercury enrichment capacity in crop grains. The results suggested that appropriate selection of crop species and water management are two major possible ways to reduce total mercury accumulation in crop grains grown in mercury-contaminated regions.     

Development of a low input system for growing wheat (Triticum vulgare) in a permanent understorey of white clover (Trifolium repens)

In three field experiments carried out during 1989-91, a permanent sward of pure white clover (Trifolium repens) was established to provide a source of N for winter or spring wheat crops (Triticum vulgare) directly drilled into the legume. Spring-sown wheat failed to compete with the clover, but wheat sown in the autumn established successfully. N fertiliser was applied to all three experiments at rates of 0, 50 and 100 kg N ha“¹ measurements of grain and whole-crop silage yields were made. Yields were low for all treatments, probably because of the dry conditions prevailing and the low soil N status of the site used. Yield responses to fertiliser were significant, despite the contribution to plant nutrition that the clover was intended to make. A key feature of the work was that the clover survived successive cereal crops and could be grazed and used as an understorey for later crops. Further, response to fertiliser N diminished with a successive crop implying a build-up of available soil N, which measurements confirmed had occurred. Use of the system obviated the need to use pesticides, although reasons for the lack of pest damage were not clear.     

Epiphytic cyanobacteria on Chara vulgaris are the main contributors to N(2) fixation in rice fields

The distribution of nitrogenase activity in the rice-soil system and the possible contribution of epiphytic cyanobacteria on rice plants and other macrophytes to this activity were studied in two locations in the rice fields of Valencia, Spain, in two consecutive crop seasons. The largest proportion of photodependent N(2) fixation was associated with the macrophyte Chara vulgaris in both years and at both locations. The nitrogen fixation rate associated with Chara always represented more than 45% of the global nitrogenase activity measured in the rice field. The estimated average N(2) fixation rate associated with Chara was 27.53 kg of N ha(-1) crop(-1). The mean estimated N(2) fixation rates for the other parts of the system for all sampling periods were as follows: soil, 4.07 kg of N ha(-1) crop(-1); submerged parts of rice plants, 3.93 kg of N ha(-1) crop(-1); and roots, 0.28 kg of N ha(-1) crop(-1). Micrographic studies revealed the presence of epiphytic cyanobacteria on the surface of Chara. Three-dimensional reconstructions by confocal scanning laser microscopy revealed no cyanobacterial cells inside the Chara structures. Quantification of epiphytic cyanobacteria by image analysis revealed that cyanobacteria were more abundant in nodes than in internodes (on average, cyanobacteria covered 8.4% +/- 4.4% and 6.2% +/- 5.0% of the surface area in the nodes and internodes, respectively). Epiphytic cyanobacteria were also quantified by using a fluorometer. This made it possible to discriminate which algal groups were the source of chlorophyll a. Chlorophyll a measurements confirmed that cyanobacteria were more abundant in nodes than in internodes (on average, the chlorophyll a concentrations were 17.2 +/- 28.0 and 4.0 +/- 3.8 microg mg [dry weight] of Chara(-1) in the nodes and internodes, respectively). These results indicate that this macrophyte, which is usually considered a weed in the context of rice cultivation, may help maintain soil N fertility in the rice field ecosystem.     

正交试验分析不同作物的产量、含硒量与土壤酸碱度、硒酸盐、亚硒酸盐含量的相关性

采用正交试验研究了碎米荠、韭菜、大豆、马铃薯的产量、含硒量与土壤酸碱度、硒酸盐、亚硒酸盐含量的关系。结果表明:影响作物含硒量最大的因素是作物品种,不同作物间差异极显著。在土壤中施用硒酸钠和亚硒酸钠均能够提高作物含硒量,用量均以1.0 mg/kg为宜;硒酸钠会使作物产量降低,用量过高使作物硒吸收总量下降;土壤pH值增加有利于植物对硒的吸收,但综合考虑作物产量、含硒量和硒摄入总量,土壤适合的pH值应在6.7～7.9之间。     

Human health risks associated with heavy metals in soil in different areas of San Luis Potosí, México

The aim of this study was to develop a health risk assessment in different areas of San Luis Potosí, México. Four heavy metals (arsenic, mercury, cadmium, and lead) were analyzed in soil from communities assessed. The mean arsenic concentration was significantly higher (p < .05) in the city of San Luis Potosí (51.85 mg/kg) compared to the other assessed areas (5.52–8.43 mg/kg). For cadmium, the mean concentration was significantly higher (p < .05) in Santa Maria Picula (7.46 mg/kg) than in the other areas (3.72–4.15 mg/kg). Regarding mercury levels, a significantly higher (p < .05) mean concentration was found in Mezquitic (1.54 mg/kg) compared to other areas (0.56–0.81 mg/kg). Lastly, when comparing the mean lead concentration in the city of San Luis Potosí (108 mg/kg), it was found to be significantly lower (p < .05) than in other areas (219–227 mg/kg). Subsequently, a probabilistic health risk assessment was performed, ingestion was the major exposure pathway for all four metals. Maximum cumulative hazard index (HI) values showed higher risk in all sampled locations (HIs > 1.0), suggesting that these sites can pose a non-carcinogenic risk to the populations (children) living in those areas. This study highlights the necessity of establishing a biomonitoring program for the surveillance of the child populations living in the assessed locations.     

Estrogenic effect of propylparaben (propylhydroxybenzoate) in rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss after exposure via food and water

The estrogenic effect of propylparaben was investigated in a rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss test system. Propylparaben was administered orally to sexually immature rainbow trout every second day for up to 10 days in doses between 7 and 1830 mg kg(-1) 2 d(-1) and in the water at 50 and 225 microg l(-1) for 12 days. Plasma vitellogenin was measured before and during the exposures and the concentrations of propylparaben in liver and muscle were determined at the end of experiments. Increases in average plasma vitellogenin levels were seen at oral exposure to 33 mg propylparabenkg(-1) 2 d(-1); the most sensitive fish responded to 7 mg kg(-1). The ED(50) values for increase in vitellogenin synthesis were 35, 31 and 22 mg kg(-1) 2 d(-1) at day 3, 6 and 11, respectively. Exposure to 225 microg propylparabenl(-1) increased vitellogenin synthesis, but exposure to 50 microg l(-1) did not. Propylparaben showed little tendency to bioaccumulation in rainbow trout; less than 1 per thousand of the total amount of propylparaben administered orally at 1830 mg kg(-1) 2 d(-1) over the 10-d experimental period was retained in muscle and liver 24 h after the end of the experiment. Exposure to 225 microg propylparabenl(-1) for 12 d led to concentrations of 6700 and 870 microg propylparabenkg(-1) liver and muscle, respectively. Half lives for propylparaben were 8.6 h in liver and 1.5 h in muscle.     

施用硫肥对几种作物与牧草产量和硫素含量的影响

为了研究不同作物的需S状况。对我国北方3种主要农作物(小麦、玉米、油菜)和牧草(苜蓿)进行了5个施硫水平(0、5、10、20和40mg·kg^-1)的盆栽试验．结果表明。增施一定量的硫肥可以提高作物生物量和产量．4种作物生物量增加5％～32％．小麦和油菜籽粒产量增加3％～20％．同时。增施硫肥可以使作物体内S素增加,但不同作物含硫量明显不同,油菜含硫量最高(0．479％～1．228％)。玉米含硫量最低(0．043％～0．091％)．同一作物不同部位含硫量不同。但同一作物不同部位含硫量呈显著的线性正相关．如油菜I、油菜Ⅱ和小麦植株与其种子含硫量的相关性都达极显著水平,R2值分别为0．399、0．654和0．547(n=15)．作物生物量、产量与施硫量相关性除苜蓿外．都达显著或极显著水平;作物生物量、产量与作物体内硫素含量除苜蓿外也显著或极显著相关;作物从土壤中吸收的S开始时随土壤的有效硫增加而增加,但达到一定程度时。随着有效硫的增加吸收的S略有下降．     

Trap cropping to manage green vegetable bug Nezara viridula (L.) (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) in sweet corn in New Zealand

Abstract

• 1 The use of trap crops to reduce green vegetable bug (GVB) Nezara viridula (L.) (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) damage to process sweet corn Zea mays (L.) was investigated in three field experiments.
• 2 In the first season, small plots (2.7 m by 10 m) of white mustard Sinapis alba (L.) with pea Pisum sativum (L.) were sown along a crop border and compared with sweet corn alone.
• 3 In the second season, black mustard Brassica nigra (L.) was sown at two sowing dates (14 days apart) and compared with a sweet corn control, to examine how the maturity of the trap crop affected numbers of GVB trapped.
• 4 A field scale experiment was also conducted to determine the effectiveness of black mustard as a trap crop to protect larger areas of sweet corn from GVB.
• 5 In all three experiments, GVB populations were much higher on the trap crops compared with the sweet corn.
• 6 In both small plot experiments, GVB were contained largely within the trap crop for 2 weeks until the sweet corn was harvested.
• 7 The field scale experiment demonstrated the efficacy of the trap cropping technique to protect larger areas of crop from GVB.
• 8 Percentages of damaged sweet corn cobs in the outside row of fields protected by a trap crop were 0% and 1%, respectively, compared with 11% and 22% in control fields.
• 9 Trap cropping is recommended as an effective strategy to manage this insect. Options for cultivating or spraying the trap crops to reduce bug survival are discussed.

     

Report on the levels of cadmium, lead, and mercury in imported rice grain samples

In an attempt to know whether highly consumed food might contribute to metal exposure, we analyzed cadmium, lead, and mercury in 27 rice grain samples commonly consumed in Saudi Arabia by atomic absorption spectrometry after acid digestion. The mean concentrations and ranges of cadmium, lead, and mercury in tested rice samples were 20.261 (range <DL-178.026 μg/kg), 134.819 (range 23.1–1529.0 μg/kg), and 3.186 (range <DL-43.573 μg/kg), respectively. The results showed high concentrations of metals and in some cases exceeded the Provisional Tolerance Weekly Intake (PTWI) recommended by FAO/WHO. It was also noted that different rice grain samples had varying concentrations of these metals. Because the bulk of literature warns against the cumulative effects of prolonged heavy metal exposure, regular consumption of rice by local populations might pose potential health problems.