Movement of Tribolium castaneum (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) adults in response to temperature gradients in vertical and horizontal wheat and corn columns

The movement and redistribution of adult Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) in stored grain provide important information for detection of insect pests and for simulations of their distribution in grain bins. Movement and redistribution of T. castaneum adults in 1 or 6 d and in wheat or corn were determined in a 100 by 100 by 1000-mm acrylic box with a 10 degrees C/m temperature gradient (from 20 to 30 degrees C) or at a uniform temperature (20, 25, and 30 degrees C). In a vertical corn column with a uniform temperature, approximately 15 and 25% of adults moved to the top or bottom section in 6 d, respectively; and < 30% of adults were recovered in 1-d movement in the middle two sections where insects were initially introduced. In a horizontal or vertical wheat column, > 90% of the adults were recovered in the two middle sections where insects were introduced after 6 d. Adults responded to the temperature gradient and preferred the warmer areas in both wheat and corn. The slower movement in wheat is probably caused by the small granular space in bulk wheat than in bulk corn.     

Movement and distribution of adult rusty grain beetle, Cryptolestes ferrugineus (Coleoptera: Laemophloeidae), in stored wheat in response to different temperature gradients and insect densities

The movement and distribution of adult Cryptolestes ferrugineus (Stephens) (Coleoptera: Laemophloeidae) in grain provide important information for detection of insect pests and for simulations of their distribution in grain bins. Adult movement and distribution were determined in 100 by 100 by 1000-mm wheat (14.5 +/- 0.2% moisture content) columns at four insect densities, three temperature gradients, and dynamic (changing) temperature conditions. Insect density was a minor factor influencing insect movement and distribution in grain columns with temperature gradients. Dispersal resulted in a uniform distribution at a higher insect density (higher than two adults per kilogram of wheat), and aggregation occurred at a low insect density. Adults wandered in the first 6 h after introduction, and there were fewer adults wandering in the vertical direction than in the horizontal direction. Adults moved faster in the vertical direction than in the horizontal direction, and the maximum speed of the movement was 6 m/d in the horizontal direction, and >10.8 m/d in the vertical direction through wheat. Adults could detect temperature gradients in <1 h and preferred warmer temperatures when they had a choice. Insect distribution in horizontal wheat columns at any temperature gradient was unstable for 24 h. Twenty-four hours after introduction, adults gradually overcame their positive geotactic behavior if the upper temperature was more biologically suitable or was not <27.5 degrees C. Adults responded faster to higher temperature gradients than to lower temperature gradients. There was a similar pattern of adult distribution in 144 h.     

Wheat in bins and discharge spouts,and grain residues on floors of empty bins in concrete grain elevators as habitats for stored-grain beetles and their natural enemies

Wheat stored in upright concrete bins at seven grain elevators in central Kansas was sampled intermittently for insects over a 2.5-yr period by collecting samples from the upper half of the grain mass, from the discharge spout at the base of the bins, and from residue remaining in empty bins before the 2000 wheat harvest. Samples were taken from the grain mass with a power vacuum sampler (PV) and from the discharge spouts (DS) by dropping grain onto the reclaim belt beneath the bins. The density and species distribution in the residue samples were compared with those found in the DS samples and samples from the grain mass (PV). Cryptolestes spp. dominated the insect populations in all types of samples, constituting >40% of all insects in the PV samples in three of five time periods and >60% of all insects in DS samples in four of the five time periods. Cryptolestes spp. was an early colonizer, being found in the grain mass shortly after new grain was added. Rhyzopertha dominica appeared to be slower to colonize grain and grain residue, but sometimes developed large populations (i.e., 2.4 +/- 0.7 adults/kg between July and December 2000). Sitophilus spp. weevils often were present in grain masses, were often abundant in grain in the discharge spouts (i.e., 11.1 +/- 2.9 adults/kg between July and December 2000), and were abundant in grain residue in empty bins in May/June 2000 (5.3 +/- 0.7 adults/kg). Differences in density and species distribution of insects in grain in the upper part of the grain mass and those in the discharge spouts indicated that the populations were not closely related. Grain in discharge spouts usually was densely infested, and parasitic wasps, natural enemies of several of the beetles, were found when the density of the pest insects was greater than approximately 10/kg. The population of natural enemies appeared to increase when the density of pest insects increased after a lag of about one month, and decreased when the population of pest insects decreased. Grain in discharge spouts appeared to provide an incubation chamber for pest insects, and removing this grain periodically should reduce the resident populations. Residue in empty bins often was densely infested compared with samples from the grain masses. Cleaning the empty bins before refilling with newly-harvested wheat resulted in a significantly-reduced density of pest insects in discharge spouts later, and the effect lasted at least 12 wk after filling.     

Fungal volatiles associated with moldy grain in ventilated and non-ventilated bin-stored wheat

The fungal odor compounds 3-methyl-l-butanol, l-octen-3-ol and 3-octanone were monitored in nine experimental bins in Winnipeg, Manitoba containing a hard red spring wheat during the autumn, winter and summer seasons of 1984–85. Quality changes were associated with seed-borne microflora and moisture content in both ventilated and non-ventilated bins containing wheat of 15.6 and 18.2% initial moisture content. All three odor compounds occurred in considerably greater amounts in bulk wheat in non-ventilated than in ventilated bins, particularly in those with wheat having 18.2% moisture content. The presence of these compounds usually coincided with infection of the seeds by the fungi Alternaria alternata (Fr.) Keissler, Aspergillus repens DeBarry, A. versicolor (Vuill.) Tiraboschi, Penicillium crustosum Thom, P. oxalicum Currie and Thom, P. aurantiogriseum Dierckx, and P. citrinum Thom. High production of all three odor compounds in damp wheat stored in non-ventilated bins was associated with heavy fungal infection of the seeds and reduction in seed germinability. High initial moisture content of the harvested grain accelerated the production of all three fungal volatiles in non-ventilated bins.     

Efficacy of ozone fumigation against the major grain pests in stored wheat

Field experiments were conducted in steel bins containing 13,600 kg of hard red winter wheat, Triiticum aestivum L. One bin was treated with ozone and the second bin served as a control. Stored grain insects were placed in bins for 1-, 2-, 3-, and 4-d exposure periods in sampling tubes to test ozone concentrations of 0, 25, 50, and 70 parts per million by volume (ppmv). Ozone treatments on eggs and larvae of Plodia interpunctella (Hübner) were not effective, but pupae were more susceptible. Sitophilus oryzae (L.) adults were the most susceptible species with 100% mortality reached after 2 d in all ozone treatments. However, some progeny were produced at all concentrations and exposure periods. Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) adults had 100% mortality only after 4 d at 50 or 70 ppmv. No T. castaneum progeny were produced after 2-4 d at 70 ppmv. For Rhyzopertha dominica (F.), Cryptolestes ferrugineus (Stephens), and Oryzaephilus surinamensis (L.), 100% mortality was never achieved and progeny were produced at all ozone concentrations. Laboratory experiments, testing the effectiveness of ozone in controlling psocids, were conducted in two polyvinyl chloride cylinders each containing 55 kg of hard red winter wheat. Ozone treatment at a concentration of 70 ppmv was highly effective against adult female Liposcelis bostrychophila Badonnel and Liposcelis paeta Pearman after only 1 d of exposure. However, it was not effective against eggs of both species at all exposure periods. Ozonation has potential for the control of some stored grain insect pests on wheat.     

Effect of temperature, exposure interval, and depth of diatomaceous earth treatment on distribution, mortality, and progeny production of lesser grain borer (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae) in stored wheat

Diatomaceous earth (DE) can be used as a surface treatment in stored wheat Triticum aestivum (L.) to control pest infestations. However, it is not known how the thickness of the DE-treated wheat layer or grain temperature impact effectiveness. Therefore, we conducted an experiment in growth chambers to assess the effect of different surface layers of hard winter wheat combined with DE on spatial distribution, adult survival, and progeny production of lesser grain borer, Rhyzopertha dominica (F.), and to determine whether temperature and exposure interval modified this effect. When adult lesser grain borers were released in experimental towers containing untreated wheat or wheat admixed with DE to a surface layer depth of 15.2, 22.9, or 30.5 cm, they were able to penetrate all DE layers and oviposit in the untreated wheat below. However, survival was significantly reduced in adults exposed to DE. Survival decreased both with increasing depth of the DE-treated wheat and with exposure interval. Temperature had no effect on adult survival, but significantly more progeny were produced at 32 than at 27 degrees C. Progeny production was inversely correlated with the depth of the DE-treated layer. Vertical distribution patterns of parental beetles were not significantly different among treatments or exposure intervals; however, more insects were found at greater depths at 32 than at 27 degrees C. The F1 production was reduced by 22% at the thickest DE-treated layer. However, we conclude that this level of survival could leave a residual population of lesser grain borers that would probably be above an allowable threshold for insect damage.     

Effect of age and mating status on adult European corn borer (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) dispersal from small-grain aggregation plots

The European corn borer, Ostrinia nubilalis (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), is often controlled with genetically modified corn, Zea mays L., hybrids (Bacillus thuringiensis [Bt] corn) in the United States. If Bt-resistant insects are detected in the field, mitigation-remediation tactics must be implemented to sustain the efficacy of insecticidal, transgenic corn. Mass releasing laboratory-reared, susceptible adults near aggregation sites to mate with locally emerging resistant adults is a possible remediation tactic, but it is imperative that the former remain in or near the release site long enough to mate. Understanding adult dispersal behavior relative to the timing of mating is important, because it directly affects patterns of gene flow and the rate at which Bt resistance moves through a population. Previous work shows that newly eclosed adults do not remain in proximity to their natal field. However, moth age, reproductive development, or mating status may influence the propensity to disperse. The objectives of this study were to determine the effect of adult age (0-3, 4-6, and 7-10 d old) and mating status on dispersal of adults released in small-grain aggregation plots. Less than 1% of the marked adults released in the aggregation plots remained after one night. More males than females were recovered. Age influenced dispersal, with mostly 4-6-d old adults being recovered. Conversely, mating status did not affect the number of adults recovered. Given the paucity of marked adult moths recovered near their release sites, mass releases of adults may not be a viable tactic to combat the spread of resistance to Bt corn.     

Nymph and adult biology of Dichelops melacanthus (Dallas) (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) feeding on cultivated and non-cultivated host plants

The biology of the pentatomid Dichelops melacanthus (Dallas) feeding on cultivated and non-cultivated plants was studied in the laboratory. Nymph mortality varied from approximately 60 on corn (seed mature) to 77% on wheat (ear immature); no nymphs survived on seedlings of corn or wheat. Nymph developmental time on soybean, corn or wheat (seed, pod or ear) varied from 25.5 to 32.8 days. Body weight at adult emergence was similar and greater on most foods than on wheat ear. Nymphs fed preferentially on soybean (pod immature). On non-cultivated hosts, nymphs showed high mortality (73%) on crotalaria (pod immature); on tropical spiderwort (stem) all nymphs died. Nymphs took longer time to develop on crotalaria and/or on spiderwort than on soybean. Body weight at adult emergence did not differ on crotalaria or soybean. Survivorship decreased with time on most foods, with approximately 50% of adults alive at day 30. On corn and wheat seedlings approximately 80% of adults were dead on day 20. Adult longevity ranged 31-43 days, except on corn and wheat seedlings < 15 days. Females % ovipositing peaked ( approximately 76%) on soybean (pod or seed immature), and was minimum ( approximately 9%) on wheat ear (immature); no females reproduced on seedlings of corn or wheat. Preoviposition period was shorter ( approximately 12 days) on soybean (immature pod or seed) and longer ( approximately 37 days) on wheat (ear immature). Fecundity was similar and higher on all foods than on wheat (ear immature). Body weigh gain occurred on all foods, but on corn and wheat seedlings. Adults fed preferably on soybean (pod immature and seed mature); wheat (seedling) was the least preferred food.     

Persistence and efficacy of spinosad residues in farm stored wheat

Degradation and insecticidal effectiveness of spinosad residues were evaluated in Kansas during November 2000 to November 2001 in farm bins holding wheat (34-metric ton capacity). About 50 kg of hard red winter wheat from each of three bins were brought to the laboratory and treated separately with 1-ml aqueous suspensions of spinosad to provide rates of 0.1, 0.5,1, 3, 6 mg (AI)/kg of wheat. Wheat treated with distilled water served as the control treatment. Untreated and spinosad-treated wheat samples (250 g each) were placed in three plastic pouches of two different mesh sizes, and buried 2.5 cm below the grain surface. Pouches with large mesh openings were used to monitor insect infestations and kernel damage in untreated and spinosad-treated samples. Pouches with small mesh were used for extracting spinosad residues and for conducting laboratory bioassays with adults of the lesser grain borer, Rhyzopertha dominica (F.) and red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) at 28 degrees C and 65% RH. Wheat temperature and relative humidity near the pouches during the 1 yr of storage ranged from -10 to 32 degrees C and 50 to 70%, respectively. Moisture of wheat samples varied from 12.4 to 13%. Observed spinosad residues on wheat samples were 25% less than the calculated rates of 0.1 to 6 mg/kg. However, these residues were stable during the 1 yr of storage, and killed all R. dominica adults exposed for 14 d in the laboratory. Mortality of T. castaneum adults increased with an increase in spinosad rate. The linear regression slope of LD50s (0.3-2.7 mg/kg) against storage time was not significantly different from zero, indicating no loss in spinosad toxicity to T. castaneum adults. Insect species, insect numbers, and kernel damage over time in wheat samples inside pouches with large mesh openings were highly inconsistent, and failed to accurately characterize spinosad performance. Laboratory bioassays with R. dominica and T castaneum adults using grain from pouches with small mesh openings accurately gauged spinosad persistence and insecticidal activity under the field conditions.     

Interaction of treatment of both adult and immature Coleoptera with a chitin synthesis inhibitor affects mortality and development time of their progeny

Chitin synthesis inhibitors, like many other insect growth regulating insecticides, do not kill adult insects but cause mortality of the immature stages. Pre-exposure of adult stored grain Coleoptera, Rhyzopertha dominica (F.) (Bostrichidae) and Sitophilus oryzae (L.) (Curculionidae) and development of their progeny in grain treated with the chitin synthesis inhibitor, chlorfluazuron, influenced the mortality and development rate of the progeny. Hatch rate of eggs from R. dominica adults that had both developed and laid on wheat treated with 0.75 mg kg–1 chlorfluazuron was reduced by almost 50% compared with untreated eggs, with an LC50 of 0.84 mg kg–1 . Eggs laid on treated wheat by R. dominica adults that had been exposed only to treated wheat for 2 weeks before oviposition showed greater reduction in hatch: 75% reduction of normal hatch rate at 0.25 mg kg–1 and almost 100% reduction at 2 mg kg–1 chlorfluazuron, with an LC50 of 0.19 mg kg–1 chlorfluazuron. X-rays were used to monitor the development and mortality of the immature stages of S. oryzae that developed within the wheat grains. Numbers of eggs laid were not affected by chlorfluazuron treatment. The combination of pre-exposure of adults and chlorfluazuron concentration had an additive effect on mortality of immature S. oryzae. Pre-exposure of adults caused most mortality in the first three weeks of development (eggs and larvae), whereas development in treated wheat caused mortality from weeks 3 to 8 (pupae and adults); higher concentrations of chlorfluazuron caused higher mortality. Development in wheat treated with 1 mg kg–1 chlorfluazuron caused 12% corrected overall mortality of progeny while pre-exposure to the same concentration and development in untreated wheat caused 29% corrected mortality. Pre-exposure combined with development in wheat treated with 1 mg kg–1 caused 30% corrected mortality. Thus, pre-exposure of adults appears to have a greater effect on mortality of S. oryzae progeny than development of immature stages in treated grain. Development on treated grain had no effect on development rate. Pre-exposure of adults did not appear to affect the rate of immature development, as assessed by X-rays, but did slow the emergence of adults, lengthening development time by about 2 days. This significant, additive effect of pre-exposure of adults on the mortality of their progeny will enhance the toxicity of chitin synthesis inhibitors such as chlorfluazuron, since most adults receive treatment when the immature stages are treated in crops either before they are harvested or in storage. Assessing the proportion of eggs that hatch from pre-exposed adults would be a simpler bioassay for CSIs.     

Comparison of aeration and spinosad for suppressing insects in stored wheat

Field studies were conducted from July 2002 to January 2003 for evaluating the effects of controlled aeration and a commercial biological insecticide, spinosad, in suppressing insect populations in stored wheat. Six cylindrical steel bins were filled with newly harvested (2002 crop year) hard red winter wheat on 9 and 10 July 2002. Each bin contained 30.7 metric tons (1,100 bu) of wheat. Wheat in two bins was left untreated (control), whereas wheat in two bins was treated with spinosad, and in another two bins was subjected to aeration by using aeration controllers. Spinosad was applied to wheat at the time of bin filling to obtain a rate of 1 mg ([AI])/kg. Aeration controllers were set to run the fans when ambient air temperature fell below 23.9, 18.3, and 7.2 degrees C for the first, second, and third cooling cycles, respectively. We added 400 adults each of the rusty grain beetle, Cryptolestes ferrugineus (Stephens); lesser grain borer, Rhyzopertha dominica (F.); and red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum (Herbst), to the grain at monthly intervals between July and October 2002. Insect density in the bins was estimated monthly by taking 3-kg grain samples from 21 locations within each bin by using a pneumatic grain sampler. No live T. castaneum or C. ferrugineus and very low densities of R. dominica (<0.008 adults per kilogram) were found in wheat treated with spinosad during the 6-mo sampling period. Density of C. ferrugineus and T. castaneum in aerated bins did not exceed two adults per kilogram (the Federal Grain Inspection Service standard for infested wheat), whereas R. dominica increased to 12 adults per kilogram in November 2002, which subsequently decreased to three adults per kilogram in January 2003. In the untreated (control) bins, R. dominica density increased faster than that of C. ferrugineus or T. castaneum. Density of R. dominica peaked at 58 adults per kilogram in October 2002 and decreased subsequently, whereas T. castaneum density was 10 adults per kilogram in October 2002 but increased to 78 adults per kilogram in January 2003. Density of C. ferrugineus increased steadily during the 6-mo study period and was highest (six adults per kilogram) in January 2003. This is the first report comparing the field efficacy of spinosad and aeration in managing insects in farm bins. Our results suggest that spinosad is very effective in suppressing R. dominica, C. ferrugineus, and T. castaneum populations in stored wheat.     

Treatment of adult Coleoptera with a chitin synthesis inhibitor affects mortality and development time of their progeny

A group of insect growth regulators, the chitin synthesis inhibitors (CSIs), are being more widely used as many insects have become resistant to broad-spectrum insecticides. This study investigated the mode of action of one CSI, particularly looking at the delayed effect of treating adult insects on the survival and development of their progeny. The study describes the responses of adult stored grain beetles Sitophilus oryzae (L.) (Curculionidae) and Rhyzopertha dominica (F.) (Bostrichidae) to wheat treated with chlorfluazuron. For both species, wheat treated with chlorfluazuron reduced progeny survival at a constant rate from 1 day to 8 weeks after it had been treated. There was a direct, negative concentration-time relationship between the treatment of the adults with chlorfluazuron-treated wheat and the survival and developmental rate of their progeny. Adults that were pre-exposed for one or more weeks before oviposition to wheat treated with chlorfluazuron had significantly lower progeny survival than adults that were not pre-exposed. The EC₉₅ values were 16-fold higher for R. dominica and 40-fold higher for S. oryzae from assays without pre-exposure, than with pre-exposure. Pre-exposure of R. dominica with 0.1 mg kg^-1 and of S. oryzae with 0.4 mg kg^-1 of chlorfluazuron reduced progeny survival by 95%. Higher concentrations of chlorfluazuron produced a reduction in mean population developmental time of several days. These findings have important implications for bioassays of CSIs, since pre-exposure of the adults can significantly reduce the numbers of F1 progeny. Therefore standard bioassays may seriously underestimate the efficacy of the CSI being assayed.     

EXPERIMENTS ON THE AIRTIGHT STORAGE OF DAMP GRAIN

Airtight storage as a means of preventing deterioration of damp grain was studied both on a laboratory scale and in 10-ton bins, at grain moisture contents from 17 to 24%.
Except when containers leaked, there was no development of mould, and the grain was bright and free-flowing, even after prolonged storage, at high moisture content. The grain remained mould-free after a bin was opened several times and small quantities of grain run out in cool weather. Such grain, removed from hermetic conditions and stored in sacks in an unheated building, showed no mould development for several weeks.
With prolonged hermetic storage or at high moisture content the grain developed a sour-sweet smell and taste which when extreme were not entirely removed by subsequent airing or drying.
There was no spontaneous heating; the grain in the 10-ton bins reflected the mean temperature of the surroundings.
The oxygen in the intergranular air was reduced to a low level and replaced by carbon dioxide within a few days or weeks, according to the moisture content and temperature of the grain. At moisture contents of 16% and above, appreciable positive pressure developed inside the containers. The carbon dioxide concentration rose to 90–95% at grain moistures of 22–24%, 70–75% at 19%, 50% at 18%, and 35–40% at about 17% moisture content. The change from aerobic to anaerobic activity was marked by a reduction in the rate of production of carbon dioxide. With grain of less than 14% moisture content, the rate of respiration was slow, the carbon dioxide concentration being only about 2% after 18 months' storage. As long as oxygen remained, the apparent respiratory quotient was consistently between 0.6 and 0.7, whatever the moisture content of the grain.
This work formed part of the programme of work of the Pest Infestation Laboratory.     

黄土旱塬区土壤水分状况与作物生长、降水的关系

土壤水分研究是统筹农业生产和生态环境建设的关键环节.本研究结合4年田间定位试验,通过对黄土高原南部长武旱塬冬小麦和春玉米2012—2015年土壤水分状况的研究,分析农田土壤干层形成情况、土壤水分对作物生长的影响、降水对土壤水库的影响以及作物对土壤水分状况的影响.结果表明: 降水年型是冬小麦地土壤干层形成的主导因素,年内降水分布不均是春玉米地土壤干层形成的主导因素.长武旱塬区冬小麦和春玉米一年一季的种植制度不会导致永久性干层的产生;相较于春玉米,冬小麦根系生长习性更符合黄土旱塬区土壤水分循环特征,黄土旱塬区土壤水分有效性可保证作物产量稳定;降水作用下,冬小麦土壤水库充、放水过程呈现收获期、休闲期和苗期连续充水、缓慢消耗期和大量消耗期连续失水相互交替的特点.0～300和300～600 cm土层土壤水库不一致性现象明显,以最大根深作为野外监测试验中土壤含水量的取样深度时,由于深层土壤水库负反馈作用,不同降水年型下,休闲期和苗期的蒸散均会被高估,缓慢消耗期和大量消耗期的蒸散均会被低估.冬小麦田间过渡层存在的范围为140～360 cm;作物生长的时间跨度影响土壤水库效应的发挥,土壤水库对冬小麦供水表现为年际间的调节作用,土壤水库对春玉米供水表现为季节间的调节作用.     

Pulmonary vascular smooth muscle: biochemical and mechanical developmental changes.

To evaluate the developmental changes in pulmonary vascular smooth muscle contractile protein content, mechanical properties, and their contribution to the high resistance characteristic of the fetal and immediate neonatal period, we studied pulmonary vessels of fetal, newborn, and adult sheep, as well as newborn and adult pigs. Strips of the second- through fifth-generation vessels were dissected, and their content of tissue total smooth muscle cell protein, myosin, and actin-to-myosin ratio were measured; the mechanical properties of the second-generation vascular strips were also studied. For all ages the smooth muscle protein and myosin content of the second-generation vessels were significantly greater than for the lower pulmonary vascular orders (P less than 0.05). The myosin content in fetal sheep (0.77 +/- 0.03 micrograms/mg wet tissue) was similar to that of the newborn (0.79 +/- 0.04) and adult (0.86 +/- 0.05). However, the smooth muscle protein content (7.94 +/- 0.21 micrograms/mg wet tissue) and the actin-to-myosin ratio of the pulmonary vascular tissue of the fetus (1.00 +/- 0.04) were lower (P less than 0.01) in the fetal than in the newborn (9.16 +/- 0.26 and 1.60 +/- 0.12) and adult (9.38 +/- 0.3 and 1.60 +/- 0.11, respectively). No differences were observed for these parameters between the newborn and adult pig. Stress (16.5 +/- 1.7 mN/mm2) and the maximum shortening capacity (13.0 +/- 1.5% of optimal length) in the newborn pulmonary vascular strips were significantly greater than for the fetus (6.8 +/- 1.4 and 5.9 +/- 1.0, respectively) but similar to those of the adult sheep.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

耕作播种方式对稻茬小麦根系发育、土壤水分和硝态氮含量的影响

2016—2018年,以深旋耕播种模式为对照,研究了浅旋耕播种和免耕带旋播种模式对稻茬小麦根系发育、土壤水分和硝态氮含量的影响。结果表明: 孕穗期以前免耕带旋播种和浅旋耕播种处理耕层土壤含水量高于深旋耕播种处理,而硝态氮含量低于深旋耕播种处理。拔节和开花期根重密度和根表面积密度处理间差异不显著。2016—2017年,3种耕播方式的产量和地上部分氮吸收量无显著差异;2017—2018年,免耕带旋播种和浅旋耕播种处理的产量较深旋耕播种分别增加10.9%和10.5%,地上部分氮吸收量分别增加17.5%和12.0%。与深旋耕播种和浅旋耕播种处理相比,免耕带旋播种处理播种效率高、断垄率低。综上,免耕带旋播种处理可提高稻茬小麦的播种质量,增强土壤保墒能力,降低氮淋溶风险,促进产量和环境效益的协同提升。     

Effect of four cropping systems on variant western corn rootworm (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) adult and egg densities and subsequent larval injury in rotated maize

The cultural practice of rotating corn, Zea mays L., with soybean, Glycine max (L.) Merrill, to manage larval injury by the western corn rootworm, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte, was used extensively throughout east central Illinois and northern Indiana until the mid-1990s. The effectiveness of this management tactic diminished due to a shift in the ovipositional behavior of the western corn rootworm. The variant western corn rootworm has since spread as far as northwestern Illinois, southern Wisconsin, southern Michigan, and eastern Ohio. The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of four cropping systems on adult and egg densities of the western corn rootworm and to quantify the level of root injury in rotated corn after each system. The four cropping systems used included: 1) corn; 2) soybean; 3) double-cropped winter wheat, Triticum aestivum L., followed by soybean; and 4) winter wheat. Research trials were conducted near Monmouth (northwestern), DeKalb (northern), and Urbana (east central), IL, during 2003 and 2004. Results indicated variant western corn rootworm adults can be found in all four treatments at each location and consequently no crop was immune to oviposition or root injury by corn rootworm larvae in rotated corn the following season. Adults were found primarily in corn and soybean, whereas egg densities were greatest in corn plots in all three locations in both years of the study. Root injury by larvae was most abundant in corn following corn at all three sites. Of the four systems evaluated, the use of wheat demonstrated the most potential for preventing yield reducing levels of root injury in rotated corn.     

耕作方式与施肥对陇东旱塬冬小麦-春玉米轮作农田土壤理化性质及产量的影响

以陇东黄土旱塬已进行7年的田间定位试验为基础,分析了免耕和传统耕作条件下5个施肥处理冬小麦收获期土壤水分、土壤容重（2011年）及土壤养分和产量（2005-2011年）变化,探讨了耕作方式和施肥对冬小麦-春玉米轮作农田土壤蓄水保墒效果及土壤肥力和产量的影响.结果表明： 2011年免耕条件下0～200 cm各土层土壤含水量、0～20 cm和20～40 cm土层土壤容重及土壤有机质、速效氮、速效磷含量均高于传统耕作.相同耕作条件下氮磷化肥与有机肥配施处理的土壤有机质、速效氮、速效磷含量高于其他施肥处理;不同耕作方式及施肥处理下速效钾呈逐年减少的趋势;传统翻耕处理的产量高于免耕,相同耕作条件下氮磷化肥与有机肥配施处理产量最高,不施肥对照产量最低.不同耕作方式和施肥处理的土壤蓄水保墒能力和肥力效应以免耕优于传统翻耕,产量以传统翻耕下有机无机肥配施处理最好.     

Prairie grasses as hosts of the northern corn rootworm (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

We evaluated 27 prairie grass species thought to be among those dominant 200 yr ago in the northern midwest as larval hosts of the northern corn rootworm, Diabrotica barberi Smith and Lawrence. Maize (Zea mays L.), spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), and grain sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) were included as controls for a total of 30 species. Twenty pots of each species were planted in a randomized complete block design. Each pot was infested 5 wk later with 20 neonate northern corn rootworm larvae. Two pots within each species and block were assigned an extraction date of 7 or 14 d after infestation. The remaining two pots from each block were used to monitor adult emergence. The percentage of larvae recovered, change in larval head capsule width, and change in average dry weights varied significantly among the grass species. The highest percentage of larvae was recovered from slender wheatgrass, Elymus trachycaulus (Link), and this was significantly greater than the percentage recovered from all other species including maize for the 14-d sample date. Several additional species were also relatively good hosts, in that the percentage of larvae recovered from these species was not significantly different from maize. The average dry weight of larvae recovered was significantly greater for larvae recovered from maize than for larvae recovered from all other species except slender wheatgrass, when the two samples dates were combined. Overall, adults were produced from only 6 of the 28 species evaluated, and no analysis was performed because of the low numbers. The results of this study are discussed in relation to the potential of alternate hosts of northern corn rootworm to serve as a bridge to survival on transgenic maize.