Postharvest resistance in hard spring and winter wheat varieties of the northern Great Plains to the lesser grain borer (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae)

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) varietal resistance to the lesser grain borer, Rhyzopertha dominica (F), was evaluated in hard spring and winter wheat produced 1997, 1998 (Bozeman, Montana). We tested the hypothesis that six Montana-grown spring wheat varieties, 'Ernest', 'Scholar', 'Hi-Line', 'McNeal', 'Newana', and 'Amidon', were equally and strongly resistant to R. dominica at low moisture contents (9-10%). Mortality/Feeding damage occurred in all varieties. In most assays, Ernest had significantly greater feeding damage from R. dominica than other varieties, usually not significantly different from the susceptible control. Mean adult mortality was significantly greater in McNeal (93%) and Hi-Line (92%) than in Ernest (34%) and Montana-grown, soft white spring wheat (Penawawa), the susceptible control (36%). In 9 wk, twice as many adult progeny were produced on Ernest than on McNeal, Hi-Line, or Scholar. We also compared three Montana-grown winter wheat varieties for resistance to R. dominica attack at low moisture contents (9-10%). Significantly more mortality after 6 wk was associated with all winter wheat varieties than the susceptible control. In 'Nuwest', 'Rocky', and 'Vanguard', significantly fewer progeny were produced than in the susceptible control; these varieties appeared more resistant. 'Tiber' and 'Neeley', in contrast, appeared more susceptible than other winter wheat varieties evaluated. Susceptibility decreased significantly with a 1.2% decrease in moisture content. Percentage of total protein was positively correlated with percentage of sound kernels and negatively with total progeny (r2 = -0.69). Kernel hardness was positively correlated with percentage of sound kernels, but negatively correlated with total progeny (r2 = -0.87) and dry weight loss.     

Effectiveness of spinosad on four classes of wheat against five stored-product insects

Spinosad is a commercial reduced-risk pesticide that is naturally derived. Spinosad's performance was evaluated on four classes of wheat (hard red winter, hard red spring, soft red winter, and durum wheats) against adults of the lesser grain borer, Rhyzopertha dominica (F.); rice weevil, Sitophilus oryzae (L.); sawtoothed grain beetle, Oryzaephilus surinamensis (L.); red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum (Herbst); and larvae of the Indianmeal moth, Plodia interpunctella (Hübner). Beetle adults (25) or P. interpunctella eggs (50) were exposed to untreated wheat and wheat treated with spinosad at 0.1 and 1 mg (AI)/kg of grain. On all untreated wheat classes, adult beetle mortality ranged from 0 to 6%, and P. interpunctella larval mortality ranged from 10 to 19%. The effects of spinosad on R. dominica and P. interpunctella were consistent across all wheat classes. Spinosad killed all exposed R. dominica adults and significantly suppressed progeny production (84-100%) and kernel damage (66-100%) at both rates compared with untreated wheat. Spinosad was extremely effective against P. interpunctella on all wheat classes at 1 mg/kg, based on larval mortality (97.6-99.6%), suppression of egg-to-adult emergence (93-100%), and kernel damage (95-100%), relative to similar effects on untreated wheats. The effects of spinosad on S. oryzae varied among wheat classes and between spinosad rates. Spinosad was effective against S. oryzae, O. surinamensis and T. castaneun only on durum wheat at 1 mg/kg. Our results suggest spinosad to be a potential grain protectant for R. dominica and P. interpunctella management in stored wheat.     

Alpha-amylase activity of Rhyzopertha dominica (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae) reared on several wheat varieties and its inhibition with kernel extracts

Total progeny of Rhyzopertha dominica (F.) (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae) reared on 10 wheat, Triticum aestivum L., varieties was evaluated. Higher amylase activities were detected in populations with few individuals, whereas the opposite was observed in higher populations. As protein ingested increased, reproductive success increased. However, consumption of wheat protein was inversely correlated with amylase activity levels (r = -0.66). Amylase activity in homogenates of R. dominica populations showed variable inhibition by wheat extracts prepared from wheat varieties on which they were reared. Insect populations with lowest amylase activities were inhibited more by wheat extracts than those with higher amylase activity (r = -0.77). An electrophoretic analysis revealed four phenotypes showing combinations of three isoamylases (Rm 0.70, 0.79, and 0.90) in different populations of R. dominica. Some of the insect progeny that emerged from resistant wheat varieties contained the three isoamylases, whereas progeny that emerged from the most susceptible varieties showed reduced activity of isoamylases 0.70 or 0.90. These results suggest that the alpha-amylase activity levels and the composition of isoamylases in R. dominica populations are modulated by diet and that the alpha-amylase inhibitory activity of the wheat kernels influences these variations.     

Susceptibility of laboratory and field strains of four stored-product insect species to spinosad

Two field strains of the Indianmeal moth, Plodia interpunctella (Hübner); red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum (Herbst); and lesser grain borer, Rhyzopertha dominica (F.), and one field strain of the rusty grain beetle, Cryptolestes ferrugineus (Stephens), were collected from hard red winter wheat stored on farms in northeastern Kansas. Fifty eggs of P. interpunctella and 25 beetle adults of each species were exposed to 100 g of untreated wheat or wheat treated with various rates of spinosad, to determine susceptibility of the field and corresponding insecticide-susceptible laboratory strains. Mortality of beetle adults and P. interpunctella larvae was assessed after 7 and 21 d postinfestation, respectively. Field strains of P. interpunctella, C. ferrugineus, and T. castaneum were less susceptible to spinosad than the corresponding laboratory strains. The LD50 and LD95 values for P. interpunctella and C. ferrugineus field strains were 1.7-2.5 times greater than values for corresponding laboratory strains. Adults of both laboratory and field strains of T. castaneum were tolerant to spinosad, resulting in <88% mortality at 8 mg/kg. The LD50 and LD95 values for the field strains of T. castaneum were 2.0-7.5 times greater compared with similar values for the laboratory strain. The field and laboratory strains of R. dominica were highly susceptible to spinosad, and one of the field strains was relatively less susceptible to spinosad than the laboratory strain. Our results confirm a range of biological variability in field populations, which is consistent with findings for other compounds, and underscores the need to adopt resistance management programs with stored grain insect pests. The baseline data generated on the susceptibility of the four insect species to spinosad will be useful for monitoring resistance development and for setting field rates.     

Influence of growing location and cultivar on Rhyzopertha dominica （Coleoptera： Bostrichidae） and Sitophilus oryzae （Coleoptera： Curculionidae） infestation of rough rice

Long-grain rice cultivars Cocodrie, Wells, and XP 723 grown in three locations （Hazen, MO; Essex and Newport, AR, USA）, and medium-grain rice cultivars Bengal and XP 713 grown in two locations （Jonesboro and Lodge Corner, AR, USA）, were harvested and assayed for susceptibility to Rhyzopertha dominica （F.） （Coleoptera： Bostrichidae）, the lesser grain borer, and Sitophilus oryzae （L.） （Coleoptera： Curculionidae）, the rice weevil, on rice held at 27℃, 57% and 75% relative humidity （RH）. Separate samples from the same harvest lots were also analyzed for the physical characteristics of brown rice yield, percentage whole kernels and kernel thickness. Progeny production and feeding damage of R. dominica were significantly different among long-grain cultivars within two of the three locations （P 〈 0.05）, but not for location or RH （P ≥ 0.05）, while progeny production of S. oryzae was different among cultivars, location, and RH （P 〈 0.05）. On medium-grain rice, both cultivar and location were significant for progeny production of R. dominica, but not RH, while cultivar and RH were significant for progeny production of S. oryzae, but not location. On both rice types, feeding damage of R. dominica followed the same trends and was always strongly positively correlated with progeny production （P 〈 0.05）, but for S. oryzae there were several instances in which progeny production was not correlated with feeding damage （P ≥ 0.05）. Physical characteristics of both rice types were statistically significant （P 〈 0.01） but actual numerical differences were extremely small, and were generally not correlated with progeny production of either species. Results indicate that the location in which a particular rice cultivar is grown, along with its characteristics, could affect susceptibility of the rice to R. dominica and S. oryzae.     

Larval diet influence on oviposition behaviour inSpodoptera littoralis

Females ofSpodoptera littoralis Boisd. (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) with different feeding experiences during their larval development were tested for their ovipositional response to methanol extracts of larval frass and semisynthetic diets. The effect of the following frass, diet and diet component extracts was tested: (a) frass fromS. littoralis orAgrotis segetum larvae fed on a potato-based diet; (b) frass fromS. littoralis larvae fed on a wheat germ-based diet; (c) potato and wheat germ-based diets; and (d) potatoes and wheat germ. Ovipositing females without prior experience of the potato diet were deterred by extracts of: (1) larval frass from either species fed on potato diet; (2) the potato-based diet; (3) potato. Also females with experience of the potato diet during only a part of their larval development were deterred from oviposition by frass of larvae reared on the potato diet and by the diet itself. However, for females reared on the potato diet for their entire larval development, oviposition was no longer deterred by either of the three extracts listed above. Extracts of: (1) frass from larvae of either species reared on wheat germ diet: (2) the wheat germ diet; or (3) wheat germ did not significantly affect oviposition. Females with ablated antennae were still deterred by frass extracts from larvae fed on potato diet, when they had been reared on the wheat germ diet. In feeding experiments, larvae of larval stage one and of larval stage three-four reared on either of the two diets preferred to feed on the wheat germ diet. However, the preference was significantly stronger for larvae with no prior contact with the potato diet. The effect of larval experience on the loss of oviposition-deterring activity by extracts of larval frass, diets and diet components is discussed in view of induction and selection.     

Effectiveness of spinosad against seven major stored-grain insects on corn

In January 2005, the United States Environmental Protection Agency registered spinosad as a stored grain protectant. No referenced data on the efficacy of spinosad on corn in suppressing major stored-grain insects have been published. In this paper, we evaluated the efficacy of spinosad against seven major stored-grain insects on shelled corn in the laboratory. Insect species tested were the red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum （Jacquelin duVal）; rusty grain beetle, Cryptolestesferrugineus （Stephens）; lesser grain borer, Rhyzopertha dominica （F.）; sawtoothed grain beetle, Oryzaephilus surinamensis （L.）; rice weevil, Sitophilus oryzae （L.）; maize weevil, Sitophilus zeamais （Motschulsky）; and Indian meal moth, Plodia interpunctella （Htibner）. Corn kernels were treated with spinosad at 0, 0. 1, 0.5, 1, and 2 active ingredient （a.i.） mg/kg for controlling the seven species. Beetle adults or P. interpunctella eggs were introduced into each container holding 100 g of untreated or insecticide-treated corn. The seven insect species survived well on the control treatment, produced 28 to 336 progeny, and caused significant kernel damage after 49 days. On spinosad-treated corn, adult mortality of C. ferrugineus, R. dominica, 0. surinamensis, S. oryzae, and S. zeamais was 〉 98% at 1 and 2 mg/kg after 12 days. Spinosad at≥ 0.5 mg/kg completely suppressed egg-to-larval survival after 21 days and egg-to-adult emergence of P. interpunctella after 49 days, whereas 16% T. castaneum adults survived at 1 mg/kg after 12 days. Spinosad at 1 or 2 mg/kg provided complete or near complete suppression of progeny production and kernel damage of all species after 49 days. Our results indicate that spinosad at the current labeled rate of 1 mg/kg is effective against the seven stored-grain insect pests on corn.     

Role of defense enzymes and phenolics in resistance of wheat crop (Triticum aestivum L.) towards aphid complex

Herbivory damage leads to induction of rapid signals and responses in plants such as oxidative burst, accumulation of secondary metabolites and defensive proteins. Response of various defensive enzymes and secondary metabolites in flag leaf samples of six bread wheat varieties against aphid feeding was investigated. Six bread wheat varieties, namely PBW 621 and HD 2967 (timely sown irrigated), PBW 590 and PBW 658 (late sown irrigated), and PBW 644 and PBW 660 (timely sown rainfed) were grown under the aphid infested and uninfested conditions and were sampled at a regular interval to analyze the biochemical changes caused by aphid feeding. A tremendous increase in the overall activity of various enzymes namely superoxide dismutase, glutathione reductase, phenylalanine ammonia lyase and polyphenol oxidase was observed, all of which play an important role in plants defense towards aphid feeding. Each wheat genotype showed an overall difference in their defensive activity towards aphid feeding. However, certain genotypes under different conditions showed significantly less susceptibility towards aphid damage.

Abbreviations: GR: glutathione reductase; HPR: host plant resistance; PAL: phenylalanine ammonia lyase; PPO: poly phenol oxidase; POD: peroxidase; SOD: superoxide dismutase     

Efficacy of heat treatment for disinfestation of concrete grain silos

Field experiments were conducted in 2007 and 2008 to evaluate heat treatment for disinfestations of empty concrete elevator silos. A Mobile Heat Treatment Unit was used to introduce heat into silos to attain target conditions of 50 degrees C for at least 6 h. Ventilated plastic containers with a capacity of 100 g of wheat, Triticum aestivum L., held Rhyzopertha dominica (F.) (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae) and Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae). Polyvinyl chloride containers with a capacity of 300 g of wheat held adults of Liposcelis corrodens (Heymons) (Psocoptera: Liposcelididae) and Liposcelis decolor (Pearman), which were contained in 35-mm Petri dishes within the grain. Containers were fastened to a rope suspended from the top of the silo at depths of 0 m (just under the top manhole), 10 m, 20 m, and 30 m (silo floor). When the highest temperature achieved was approximately 50 degrees C for 6 h, parental mortality ofR. dominica and T. castaneum, and both psocid species was 98-100%. Progeny production of R. dominica occurred when there was parental survival, but in general R. dominica seemed less impacted by the heat treatment than T. castaneum. There was 100% mortality of L. corrodens at all depths in the heat treatments but only 92.5% mortality for L. decolor, with most survivors located in the bioassay containers at the top of the silo. Results show wheat kernels may have an insulating effect and heat treatment might be more effective when used in conjunction with sanitation and cleaning procedures.     

DEVELOPMENT AND EVALUATION OF A FREEZE-ETCH,FREEZE-FRACTURE TECHNIQUE APPLIED TO DEVELOPING WHEAT ENDOSPERM

A technique was developed and evaluated whereby differentiating wheat endosperm tissue could be processed for the freeze-etch, freeze-fracture technique without the use of chemical fixatives. Field grown, developing hard red winter wheat (cv. Newton) caryopses were infiltrated with glycerol prior to freezing in liquid nitrogen-cooled Freon-22. Frozen samples were placed in cryogenic vials and stored in liquid nitrogen until needed. Freeze-fracture was carried out under standard conditions. Evaluation of replicas from glycerol-imbibed endosperm was made by comparing them to replicas obtained from freshly frozen untreated endosperm, and endosperm that had been prefixed in glutaraldehyde and paraformaldehyde. Other evaluations were made by comparing replicas of glycerol-treated endosperm to thin sections obtained from wheat that had been imbibed with glycerol, fixed, dehydrated, and infiltrated and embedded in epoxy resin for routine electron microscopy. The results indicate that if the unfixed glycerol-treated wheat endosperm is handled carefully, replicas can be obtained which show few artifacts due to glycerol and freezing. Typical artifacts such as vesiculation of RER, ice crystal damage, production of fusion intermediates, and membrane particle segregation can be nearly eliminated when this technique is applied to developing wheat endosperm.     

Effects of temperature and exposure time on mortality of stored-product insects exposed to low pressure.

The prospects of using low pressure that creates a low-oxygen atmosphere to control stored-product insects were investigated in the laboratory. Eggs, larvae, and pupae of Tribolium castaneum (Herbst), Plodia interpunctella (Hübner), and Rhyzopertha dominica (F.) were exposed to 32.5 mmHg in glass chambers at 25, 33, 37, and 40 degrees C for times ranging from 30 min to 144 h. Time-mortality data were subjected to probit analyses and lethal dose ratios were computed to determine differences in lethal time (LT) values among all species-life stage combinations across the four temperatures. Eggs of each species were the life stage most tolerant to low pressure. Pupae of T. castaneum and R. dominica were more tolerant to low pressure than larvae. In all life stages, mortality increased with increasing exposure time to low pressure and also with increasing temperature. Immature stages of R. dominica were more tolerant to low pressure than immature stages of the other two species. The LT99 for R. dominica eggs was 176.32 h at 25 degrees C and that for P. interpunctella eggs was 28.35 h at the same temperature. An increase in temperature to 33 degrees C resulted in a LT99 < of 85.98 h for R. dominica and 6.21 h for P. interpunctella. Higher temperatures resulted in further significant reduction in lethal time values. Low pressure represents a simple, nonchemical alternative to fumigants such as methyl bromide and phosphine for controlling pests of stored-products or other commodities.     

冀中北小麦品种抗旱性筛选研究

干旱是华北地区小麦生产的重要限制因素,从推广小麦品种中鉴定和筛选抗旱品种,对稳定小麦产量、降低区域水分消耗具有重要意义.本研究以近年来在河北省中北部审定、推广的13个小麦品种为材料,设置冬后浇2水(D2处理)、浇1水(D1处理)和不浇水(D0处理)3种处理方式,进行了大田条件下的抗旱品种筛选试验.结果表明,在D0处理时...     

干旱胁迫下小麦叶片的电阻抗图谱参数与生理参数的关系

通过盆栽实验,在适宜水分、中度干旱和严重干旱水分条件下,分别测定了3个不同抗旱类型的7个小麦品种叶片的电阻和电抗以及保护酶活性、MDA含量、细胞膜相对透性、脯氨酸和含水量等生理参数,并拟合了胞外电阻、胞内电阻、驰豫时间以及驰豫时间的分布系数等电阻抗图谱参数,分析了叶片的电阻抗图谱参数与生理参数之间的相关性。结果表明,在受到水分胁迫后,小麦叶片的CAT、POD活性较适宜水分条件下降低,MDA含量、细胞膜相对透性和脯氨酸含量增加,含水量减小;胞外电阻、胞内电阻、驰豫时间以及驰豫时间的分布系数在品种间差异均极显著(P<0.01),而仅胞内电阻在水分处理间差异显著(P<0.05);在适宜水分条件下,胞外电阻与细胞膜透性有显著负相关,驰豫时间与丙二醛、含水量之间有显著正相关,而在严重干旱条件下,驰豫时间分布系数与丙二醛含量之间有显著正相关,胞内电阻与含水量之间有显著负相关。可见,胞内电阻和驰豫时间分布系数在一定程度上反映了小麦叶片受水分胁迫的程度。     

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.     

Burrower bugs (Heteroptera: Cydnidae) in peanut: seasonal species abundance, tillage effects, grade reduction effects, insecticide efficacy, and management

Pitfall traps placed in South Carolina peanut, Arachis hypogaea (L.), fields collected three species of burrower bugs (Cydnidae): Cyrtomenus ciliatus (Palisot de Beauvois), Sehirus cinctus cinctus (Palisot de Beauvois), and Pangaeus bilineatus (Say). Cyrtomenus ciliatus was rarely collected. Sehirus cinctus produced a nymphal cohort in peanut during May and June, probably because of abundant henbit seeds, Lamium amplexicaule L., in strip-till production systems. No S. cinctus were present during peanut pod formation. Pangaeus bilineatus was the most abundant species collected and the only species associated with peanut kernel feeding injury. Overwintering P. bilineatus adults were present in a conservation tillage peanut field before planting and two to three subsequent generations were observed. Few nymphs were collected until the R6 (full seed) growth stage. Tillage and choice of cover crop affected P. bilineatus populations. Peanuts strip-tilled into corn or wheat residue had greater P. bilineatus populations and kernel-feeding than conventional tillage or strip-tillage into rye residue. Fall tillage before planting a wheat cover crop also reduced burrower bug feeding on peanut. At-pegging (early July) granular chlorpyrifos treatments were most consistent in suppressing kernel feeding. Kernels fed on by P. bilineatus were on average 10% lighter than unfed on kernels. Pangaeus bilineatus feeding reduced peanut grade by reducing individual kernel weight, and increasing the percentage damaged kernels. Each 10% increase in kernels fed on by P. bilineatus was associated with a 1.7% decrease in total sound mature kernels, and kernel feeding levels above 30% increase the risk of damaged kernel grade penalties.     

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.     

Effect of acrolein vapors on stored-product insects and wheat seed viability

In laboratory experiments, toxicity of acrolein vapors was investigated against four species of stored-product insects. In empty-space trials, estimates of the median lethal doses of acrolein against adults of Oryzaephilus surinamensis (L.), Sitophilus oryzae (L.), Rhyzopertha dominica (F.), and Tribolium castaneum (Herbst), were 1.87, 2.35, 3.12, and 6.65 mg/liter, respectively. Penetration tests revealed that acrolein vapors could penetrate into the wheat mass and kill concealed insects in interkernel spaces. Comparison of LD50 values between empty-space tests and penetration experiments after 24-h exposure indicated that the increase in penetration toxicity was 6.34-, 6.31-, 7.17-, and 4.54-fold for O. surinamensis, S. oryzae, R. dominica, and T. castaneum, respectively. In the hidden infestation trials, the acrolein vapors destroyed all the developmental stages of S. oryzae and R. dominica concealed inside the wheat kernels, resulted in a complete control with dose of 80 mg/liter for 24 h, and subsequently observed during 8 wk after the exposure. Wheat germination rate was diminished by fumigation with acrolein. The plumule length was reduced after exposure to all doses of acrolein. Together, the data suggest acrolein could be a potential compound for empty-space fumigations.     

我国部分冬小麦品种籽粒硬度及其单籽粒频率的分布

籽粒硬度是小麦重要的品质性状之一,主要影响磨粉品质和食品加工品质.用单籽粒谷物硬度测定仪对252份冬小麦品种(品系)的籽粒硬度及其单籽粒频率分布进行了分析,结果表明,品种按籽粒硬度分为三类5级,63份软质品种(系)中,5级和4级占95.2%,3级为4.8%;31份混合品种(系)中,3级占93.6%,4级和2级各3.2%;148份硬质品种(系)以1级为主,占92.4%,2级为7.6%.籽粒硬度变幅为12~104,标准差12~29.各种硬度类型皆有,且不同麦区的品种差异较大,北部和黄淮麦区品种的硬度显著高于长江中下游和西南麦区,前者以硬质为主,后者分别以混合和软质类型为主.籽粒硬度的分类与不同硬度范围单籽粒频率分布及其硬度均值有关,软质麦硬度指数小于46的籽粒占75%~98%,大于47的籽粒为6%~36%,均值为14~40,标准差12~27;硬质麦硬度指数小于46的籽粒为1%~19%,大于47的籽粒为82%~100%,硬度均值为56~104,标准差12~20;混合麦硬度指数小于46和大于47的籽粒分别为26%~75%和23%~74%,硬度均值为32~63,标准差17~29.软质或硬质品种籽粒分布集中,一致性较好;混合型品种籽粒分布分散,一致性较差.     

Phenotypic and Molecular Assessment of Wheat Genotypes Tolerant to Leaf Blight,Rust and Blast Diseases

Globally among biotic stresses, diseases like blight, rust and blast constitute prime constraints for reducing wheat productivity especially in Bangladesh. For sustainable productivity, the development of disease-resistant lines and high yielding varieties is vital and necessary. This study was conducted using 122 advanced breeding lines of wheat including 21 varieties developed by Bangladesh Wheat and Maize Research Institute (BAMRI) with aims to identify genotypes having high yield potential and resistance to leaf blight, leaf rust and blast diseases. These genotypes were evaluated for resistance against leaf blight and leaf rust at Dinajpur and wheat blast at Jashore under field condition. Out of 122 genotypes tested, 20 lines were selected as resistant to leaf blight based on the area under the diseases progress curve (AUDPC) under both irrigated timely sown (ITS) and irrigated late sown (ILS) conditions. Forty-two genotypes were found completely free from leaf rust infection, 59 genotypes were identified as resistant, and 13 genotypes were identified as moderately resistant to leaf rust. Eighteen genotypes were immune against wheat blast, 42 genotypes were categorized as resistant, and 26 genotypes were identified as moderately resistant to wheat blast. Molecular data revealed that the 16 genotypes showed a positive 2NS segment among the 18 immune genotypes selected against wheat blast under field conditions. The genotypes BAW 1322, BAW 1295, and BAW 1203 can be used as earlier maturing genotypes and the genotypes BAW 1372, BAW 1373, BAW 1297 and BAW 1364 can be used for lodging tolerant due to short plant height. The genotypes WMRI Gom 1, BAW 1349 and BAW 1350 can be selected for bold grain and the genotypes WMRI Gom 1, BAW 1297, BAW 1377 can be used as high yielder for optimum seeding condition but genotypes BAW 1377 and BAW 1366 can be used for late sown condition. The selected resistant genotypes against specific diseases can be used in the further breeding program to develop wheat varieties having higher disease resistance and yield potential.     

Influence of Fungicides and Irrigation Practice on Aflatoxin in Peanuts Before Digging

Peanuts grown under dryland conditions where drought stress occurred accumulated more aflatoxin before digging than peanuts grown under irrigation. Kernels became more susceptible to Aspergillus flavus and A. parasiticus invasion when the soil moisture in the pod zone approached levels at which moisture moved from the pod into the soil and the kernel moisture dropped below 31%. Isolation frequencies of these aspergilli from fresh-dug kernels were lowest in 1968 (maximum of 3%). In 1967 and 1969, maximum percentages of 100 and 74, respectively, were noted. Kernel infestation was correlated with degree of aflatoxin contamination. Dryland fresh-dug kernels contained a maximum of 35,800 parts per billion aflatoxin while a maximum of 50 parts per billion was detected in kernels from irrigated plots. In 1969 A. flavus infestation was as high as 59% in peanuts from irrigated plots; however, no aflatoxin was detected. Absence of aflatoxin in these samples is attributed to the higher kernel moisture content which reduced the aflatoxin-producing potential of A. flavus. Statistical analysis of the data revealed no significant differences in degree of fungal infestation, production levels, and grade factors between any fungicide treatments.