Variation in preference and performance of Frankliniella occidentalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) on three strawberry cultivars

Western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), is a major pest of strawberry, causing substantial yield loss through direct feeding on the flowers and fruit. Insecticides are the main method used for its control; however, F. occidentalis has developed resistance to insecticides from all major chemical classes. Chemical control is not a long-term strategy and integrated pest management is required. This study determined whether F. occidentalis damage could be reduced by host plant resistance or tolerance in three commercial strawberry cultivars (Fragaria X ananassa [Rosaceae]: 'Albion', 'Camarosa', and 'Camino Real'). Determination of resistance or tolerance to F. occidentalis was based on olfactory response, feeding damage, ovipositional preference, and host suitability for reproduction on leaves. F. occidentalis adults preferred to feed on Camarosa; however, if leaves had been fed on previously by conspecifics, there was no difference in feeding preference. Camarosa was the most preferred cultivar for oviposition, and more eggs were laid by F. occidentalis on Camarosa than either Albion or Camino Real. More larvae hatched and adults were reared from Camarosa than either Albion or Camino Real. The percentage of unhatched eggs, larvae, and pupae that died was highest on Camino Real. Survival rate was highest on Camarosa. Egg incubation, prepupation, pupation, and total developmental periods were shortest on Camarosa, but the larval period was longest on Camarosa. Camarosa was the most favorable cultivar for F. occidentalis population growth on leaves.     

Optimum plant densities for three semi-leafless combining pea (Pisum sativum) cultivars under contrasting field conditions

Yield and yield components of three semi-leafless pea (Pisum sativum) cultivars, of contrasting seed type/growth habit, were assessed at target planting densities of 40–140 plants/m² on nine sites over three years. Flat-topped parabolic/asymptotic yield/density relationships were obtained. The plant density required to maximise (p max) and optimise (p opt) yield differed between cultivars: Helka, small blue, p max 126 plants/m², p opt 101 plants/m²; Solara, large blue, p max 124 plants/m², p opt 94 plants/m²; and Countess, white-seeded, p max 104 plants/m², p opt 71 plants/m². Near-maximum yields were maintained between 70 and 140 plants/m² due to the ability of the pea crop to make compensatory increases in the number of pods per plant as density declined. Yield/density responses were influenced by site (e.g. soil type) more than by seasonal factors. The risk of yield reductions occurring at densities below 70 plants/m² was greater on a mineral soil than on a fertile organic soil. On the basis of agronomic and economic considerations, there was no evidence that target plant densities required to optimise yield should necessarily be higher for semi-leafless cultivars studied than for conventional leafed peas.     

Candida spp. morphotype differentiation on Sabouraud-Triphenyltetrazolium-Agar (STTZ-Agar) under three different experimental conditions

One hundred and thirty-two strains of Candida spp. were cultured on STTZ-Agar at 37 degrees C for 6 days and at 25 degrees C for 6 and 21 days to determine the culture conditions that would ensure maximum reproducibility in the discrimination of the strains of the same species. Standardization is of utmost importance, as varying experimental conditions can alter the results of the tests. Further studies are needed also implementing molecular tests to establish possible relationships between morphotype, genotype and virulence.     

Variation in abundance and feeding impact of tarnished plant bug (Hemiptera: Miridae) for different cultivars of strawberry: role of flowering phenology and yield attributes

The current study evaluated whether flowering phenology and yield attributes of different strawberry cultivars affect the abundance and feeding impact of tarnished plant bug, Lygus lineolaris (Palisot de Beauvois), as well as behavioral decisions made by feeding nymphs and ovipositing adults. The distribution of emerged nymphs in cage experiments involving nine different cultivars of June-bearing strawberry cultivars suggests that females lay more eggs on plants with numerous flower receptacles, while cultivar per se did not influence their oviposition behavior. A large number of nymphs emerged from receptacles of strawberry plants, while the distribution of emerged nymphs among receptacles, petioles, leaves, and stems varied for different cultivars. These results suggest that the relative intensity of damage caused by ovipositing females may vary for different cultivars. Foraging nymphs did not exhibit a preference for any strawberry cultivar per se, although the abundance of nymphs increased with the weight of receptacles, especially for late instars. Evaluating the density and feeding impact of L. lineolaris for different cultivars under field conditions revealed that some host plant attributes affect the abundance of plant bugs, such as early flowering season and high productivity. Decreasing number of emerged nymphs per flower per plant with increasing density of receptacles per plant suggests that females lay relatively more eggs per receptacle on plants with few receptacles; this pattern of oviposition may explain, in part, why patches with low density of plants typically have high incidence of damage. Planting a high yielding early season cultivar such as 'Cavendish' may contribute to reduce the incidence of damage by L. lineolaris.     

Berry productivity and molluscicidal saponin yield ofPhytolacca Dodecandra (Phytolaccaceae) under different sunlight,watering and nutrient conditions

The cultivation ofPhytolacca dodecandra has been studied in Zimbabwe in order to initiate local production of the berries from which molluscicidal saponins can be extracted and used in schistosomiasis control programs. The effect of shading, water and nutrient type on growth and berry yield of an imported Ethiopian and a Zimbabwean cultivar were monitored. The molluscicidal potency and saponin concentration of the aqueous extracts of berries, harvested at the full grown, unripe development stage, were determined. There was a marked seasonal variation in berry production with both cultivars being highly productive in the dry season. The best growth and the highest berry yield was obtained with plants grown in full sunlight, under irrigation and with application of cattle manure. The Ethiopian cultivar showed in general better growth and higher berry yield than the Zimbabwean cultivar. Cultivation in shade gave a substantially lower berry yield and saponin concentration in both cultivars, compared to full sunlight. Irrigation was beneficial to the berry yield in both cultivars but lowered the saponin concentration in berries of the Ethiopian cultivar. However, it did not counteract the advantage of irrigation on the total yield. Addition of manure did significantly increase the growth and the berry yield of both cultivars compared to fertilizer application and to the control. The saponin concentration was in general lower with addition of manure, with exception of irrigated Ethiopian plants. The combination of cattle manure and irrigation resulted in the highest saponin yield. Although the two cultivars had different saponin patterns, these patterns and the relative proportions of the saponins were constant, irrespective of the treatments.     

Experimental and simulated light responses of photosynthesis in leaves of three tree species under different soil water conditions

Water deficit is one of the major limiting factors in vegetation recovery and restoration in loess, hilly-gully regions of China. The light responses of photosynthesis in leaves of two-year old Prunus sibirica L., Hippophae rhamnoides L., and Pinus tabulaeformis Carr. under various soil water contents were studied using the CIRAS-2 portable photosynthesis system. Light-response curves and photosynthetic parameters were analyzed and fitted using the rectangular hyperbola model, the exponential model, the nonrectangular hyperbola model, and the modified rectangular hyperbola model. Under high light, photosynthetic rate (P _N) and stomatal conductance (g _s) were steady and photoinhibition was not significant, when the relative soil water content (RWC) varied from 56.3–80.9%, 47.9–82.9%, and 33.4–92.6% for P. sibirica, H. rhamnoides, and P. tabulaeformis, respectively. The light-response curves of P _N, the light compensation point (LCP), and the dark respiration rate (R _D) were well fitted using the above four models. The nonrectangular hyperbola was the best model in fitting the data; the modified rectangular hyperbola model was the second, and the rectangular hyperbola model was the poorest one. When RWC was higher or lower than the optimal range, the obvious photoinhibition and significant decrease in P _N with increasing photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) were observed in all three species under high light. The light saturation point (LSP) and apparent quantum yield also decreased significantly, when the upper limit of PPFD was 200 μmol m^?2 s^?1. Under these circumstances, only the modified rectangular hyperbola model was able to fit well the curves of the light response, LCP, LSP, R _D, and light-saturated P _N.     

Comparative analysis of oyster (Crassostrea gigas) immune responses under challenge by different Vibrio strains and conditions

Screening a virulent Vibrio strain to study the interactions between bacterial infection and host immune defence is important to resolve large-scale summer oyster mortalities. Using adductor muscle injection we tested the oyster responses to phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), lipopolysaccharide (LPS), or Vibrio strains. Mortalities and stress gene expressions were used to characterize oyster immune responses. At 5 days post injection, the cumulative mortality rates in PBS, LPS, Vibrio tubiashii, Vibrio anguillarum, Vibrio alginolyticus and Vibrio aestuarianus groups were 8%, 16%, 36%, 40%, 40% and 76%, respectively, indicating that V. aestuarianus induced the highest death rate. Two-factor analyses of variance revealed that expression of SOD, CAT, GPX and HSP70 was influenced by bacterial injections in a time-dependent manner. The expression of all genes increased and reached their peak 3 or 12 h after bacterial injection and then decreased. These genes could be applied as immune responsive biomarkers to monitor early changes in oysters in response to bacterial infection. The greatest changes were observed in the V. aestuarianus-injected group, which may indicate that V. aestuarianus could be used as one of the more virulent strains for experimental infections.     

Respiratory responses of Oreochromis niloticus (Pisces, Cichlidae) to environmental hypoxia under different thermal conditions

The oxygen uptake ( V O₂), breathing frequency ( f _R), breath volume ( V _S.R), gill ventilation ( V G) and oxygen extraction (%) from the ventilatory current of four groups of Oreochromis niloticus during graded hypoxia were measured under the following acclimation temperatures: 20. 25. 30 and 35°C. The critical oxygen tensions ( P O₂), determined from V O₂ v. P O₂ of inspired water at each experimental temperature were, respectively. 19±1±3±1. 18±0±4±9, 29±7± 4±1 and 30±2± 0.6 mmHg. The f _R remained nearly constant during the reductions of O₂ at all the temperatures studied. V G increased discretely from normoxic levels until the P O₂ was reached, below which it assumed extremely high values (17-fold higher or more). The increases observed in V G resulted, at all the acclimation temperatures, in an elevation in V _S.R rather than in f _R. The extraction of O₂ decreased gradually from normoxia until the P O₂ was reached, below which an abrupt reduction of extraction was recorded, except at 35°C when fish showed a gradual reduction in extraction just below the tension of 80 mmHg.     

Stem canker (Rhizoctoniu solani) on three early and three maincrop potato cultivars: effects of seed tuber size on growth and yield

Large seed tubers (mean 134 g) and small seed tubers (50 g) of three early and three maincrop potato cultivars, spaced respectively 48 and 30 cm apart within rows, were inoculated with Rhizoctonia solani at planting in 1985 and 1986. All seed of early cultivars was sprouted and maincrop seed was either sprouted or not sprouted. In all cultivars, plant emergence was slower from small than large seed and with both was delayed by inoculation. From 11 wk after planting numbers of stems and tubers and weights of foliage and tubers/m² were usually similar from small and large seed when not inoculated, but inoculating delayed plant growth and decreased tuber numbers and yield more from small than large seed. Inoculating decreased mean yields from large and small seed of early cultivars at 11 wk by respectively 24% and 31% (Arran Comet), 12% and 18% (Estima) and by 10% and 28% (Wilja) and losses were greatest with saleable sized tubers (3–4 cm). When grown to maturity inoculating decreased yields by 7% (Arran Comet), 5% (Estima) and 14% (Wilja). With maincrop cultivars, yields in October from large and small seed were decreased by respectively 4% and 10% (DCsirke), 9% and 12% (Maris Piper) and by 14% and 22% (Pentland Squire). In all cultivars yields of tubers < 44 mm and 44–70 mm were decreased and, with Pentland Squire, tubers > 82 mm were increased. The incidence of stem canker and of black scurf on progeny tubers was not affected by seed size but in all cultivars the percentage of greened tubers was slightly increased by inoculation.     

Intraspecific responses of six cultivars of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) to supplemental ultraviolet-B radiation under field conditions

The solar ultraviolet-B (UV-B) background level is often high and posing an environmental challenge in most of the tropical region of the world, including India. This prompted the present study to investigate the effects of supplemental UV-B (sUV-B) radiation (ambient + 7.2 kJ m⁻² day⁻¹) on various growth, physiological and biochemical characteristics of six locally grown cultivars of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Plants being sessile protect themselves from the harmful UV-B radiation by synthesizing flavonoids to screen UV-B and also by inducing antioxidant defence system. sUV-B radiation negatively affected the growth of wheat seedlings but the response varied amongst the cultivars. Leaf injury was maximum in cv. PBW154 and minimum in HD2824. Values of sensitivity index also revealed that HD2824 was least sensitive to sUV-B, while PBW154 was most sensitive. All the assessed biochemical parameters corresponded well with the sensitivity index of different cultivars of wheat.     

Effect of the vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal (VAM) fungus Glomus fasciculatum on the essential oil yield related characters and nutrient acquisition in the crops of different cultivars of menthol mint (Mentha arvensis) under field conditions.

The effects of inoculation with vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal (VAM) fungus Glomusfasciculatum on the root colonization, growth, essential oil yield and nutrient acquisition of three cultivars of menthol mint (Mentha arvensis); Kalka, Shivalik and Gomti, were studied under field conditions. The VAM inoculation significantly increased the root colonization, plant height, fresh herbage and dry matter yield. oil content and oil yield as compared to non-inoculated cultivars. The effect of VAM inoculation on the root colonization, growth and yield of mint was more pronounced with the cv Shivalik than the cvs Kalka and Gomati, indicating Shivalik as a highly mycorrhizal dependent genotype. VAM inoculation significantly increased the uptake of N, P and K by shoot tissues of mint, but most markedly increased the uptake of P. The VAM-inoculated mint plants depleted the available N, P and K in the rhizosphere soil as compared to non-inoculated control plants, however the extent of nutrient depletion was greater for P than N and K. We conclude that the VAM inoculation could significantly increase the root colonization, growth, essential oil yield and nutrient acquisition of mint for obtaining economic production under field conditions.     

Channeling of bacterioplanktonic production toward phagotrophic flagellates and ciliates under different seasonal conditions in a river

The objective of this study was to analyze the flux of biomass through the communities of bacteria and phagotrophic protists in the cold and warm conditions occurring seasonally in Butrón River. Bacterial and heterotrophic protistan (flagellate and ciliate) abundance was determined by epifluorescence direct counts; protistan grazing on planktonic bacteria was measured from fluorescently labeled bacteria uptake rates; and the estimate of bacterial secondary production was obtained from [³H]thymidine incorporation rates. The abundance of bacterial, flagellate, and ciliate communities was similar during cold and warm situations. However, we observed that estimates of dynamic parameters, i.e., secondary bacterial production and protistan grazing, in both situations were noticeably different. In the warm situation, grazing rates of flagellates and ciliates (bacteria per protist per hour) were, respectively, 7 times and 18 times higher than those determined in the cold situation, and the grazing rates of the protistan communities (bacteria per protists present in 1 ml of water per hour) increased up to 5 times in the case of flagellates and 42 times in the case of ciliates. Estimates of bacterial secondary production were also higher during the warm situation, showing a ninefold increase. The percentage of bacterial production preyed upon by flagellates or ciliates was not significantly different between the two conditions. These results showed that in the different conditions of a system, the flux of biomass between the trophic levels may be quite different although this process may not be reflected in the abundance of each community of bacteria, flagellates, and ciliates.Offprint requests to: J. Iriberri.     

Stability of snakehead (Ophiocephalus striatus) rhabdovirus under different environmental conditions

Snakehead rhabdovirus stored in cell culture medium was found to be relatively temperature resistant with ≥ 99.9% reduction in infectivity only occurring after 6 months at 15°C, 6 weeks at 25°C and 10 days at 35°C. At 25°C, virus stability was greatest in the range pH 5–7. Infectivity was less well retained at pH9 and rapidly lost at pH3 and pH11. Stability was poor in serum-free media with a 99.9% reduction in infectivity occurring in less than 48 hours at 25°C in de-ionized water, tap water, balanced salt solutions and artificial seawater.     

次降雨条件下坡度对坡面产流产沙的影响

以野外径流小区的次降雨产流产沙数据为基础,对不同次降雨条件下坡面产流产沙随坡度的变化规律进行研究.结果表明:降雨性质的差异对坡面产流随坡度而变化的影响较小,在研究区的6场次降雨中,坡面产流量随坡度的变化规律基本一致,坡面径流量均随坡度增大而增大,但坡面径流量随坡度增加而增加的趋势较弱,这主要由降雨量与入渗量之间的转化程度所决定;次降雨性质对不同坡度的坡面产沙规律有重要影响,一般情况下存在临界侵蚀坡度,但临界坡度不是唯一值,而是随着降雨特性的不同而不同,临界侵蚀坡度随径流量的增大而增大,临界坡度较大时,坡面产沙量随坡度变化而变化的趋势也往往较大.     

Brazilian isolates of Clonostachys rosea: colonization under different temperature and moisture conditions and temporal dynamics on strawberry leaves

Aims: In a research programme for managing diseases caused by Botryis cinerea, four isolates of the antagonistic fungus Clonostachys rosea (Cr) were obtained from different ecosystems in Brazil. We studied ecological requirements for the colonization of strawberry leaves by these isolates. Methods and Results: Temperature effects on both mycelial growth in vitro and leaf colonization by Cr were studied. At 10°C, growth on potato dextrose agar and colonization of leaf discs were poor. Optimum temperature for mycelial growth and leaf colonization was around 25°C. The isolates were applied to leaves which were exposed to 0–48 h intervals of moisture. They were also applied to leaves which remained from 0 to 36 h without wetness. All isolates efficiently colonized leaves, regardless of moisture interval or the delay to begin wetness. Although all isolates survived in green leaves of whole plants, colonization decreased throughout a 49‐day period. Conclusions: Brazilian isolates of Cr can establish and colonize strawberry leaves under a wide range of temperature and moisture conditions. Significance and Impact of the Study: It is expected that the Brazilian isolates of Cr will establish efficiently in strawberry leaves where they can compete with B. cinerea.     

Temperature responses of three Fibrocapsa japonica strains (Raphidophyceae) from different climate regions

The harmful bloom alga Fibrocapsa japonica has a worldwide distributionin temperate regions and is occasionally responsible for massmortality of fish. Little is known about requirements for optimalgrowth and survival of this species, especially about temperatureconstraints that define natural distribution. Therefore, westudied thermal traits in three Fibrocapsa strains from differentclimate regions. All strains were eurythermal and viable between4 and 32°C, explaining their presence in temperate regions.Some differences in temperature response among the strains wereobserved, not only for growth rate but also for biovolume andnet production. The implication of the observed responses wasevaluated by translating growth performance of strains in thelaboratory to potential performance in the natural habitats.Only the Japanese strain seemed to be well adapted to its environment,while the New Zealand strain exhibited growth and survival overa much broader temperature range, despite the small temperaturefluctuations in its habitat. Interestingly, the German WaddenSea strain encounters lethal temperatures in winter and musthave a resting stage, able to survive temperatures <4°C,to explain its occurrence in this region. However, in general,the responses of the three F. japonica strains in culture werein good agreement with the observed seasonal occurrence in thefield.     

Vegetation structure and microclimate of three Dutch Calthion palustris communities under different climatic conditions

Three Dutch Calthion palustris communities, situated in different phytogeographic districts which vary in elimatic conditions, are compared with respect to vegetation structure and microclimate. The three Calthion stands which are similar in soil, management and hydrology, differ slightly in total aboveground biomass in the period just before cutting, but there is a larger difference in the biomass contributed by phanerogams, bryophytes and litter. The structure of the Calthion communities varies in vertical distribution of biomass and leaf area (LAI), and growth form and leaf size composition. These differences are interpreted in terms of elimatic differences such as length of growing season, temperature and wind. Profiles of decreasing light intensity within the vegetation canopy are related to the vertical distribution of biomass, LAI and leaf inclination of the various Calthion communities. Temperature and saturation deficit of the air on the different sites show profiles of a similar shape which suggests that in such ecologically comparable plant communities, vegetation structure differs under influence of the macroclimate in such a way that the resulting vegetation canopies modify the microclimate within the vegetation to become homologous.Nomenclature of species follows Heukels-van Ooststroom (1977). Acknowledgement. This study is part of the pfoject on vegetation structure, financially supported by the Foundation for Fundamental Biological Research (BION), of the Dutch Organization for the Advancement of Pure Research (ZWO). Much of the research was carried out at the Division of Geobotany, University of Nijmegen. The authors kindly acknowledge this hospitality. Also the data contributed by B. Aerssens, J. Cortenraad, and S. Troelstra and the typing help of Mrs R. Jaegermann are gratefully acknowledged.     

Development of two spotted spider mite (Acari: Tetranychidae) populations on strawberry and raspberry cultivars

Five strawberry (Fragaria sp.) and five raspberry (Rubus ideaus L.) cultivars were evaluated for resistance to two spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae Koch.). Two methods of assessing the development of two spotted mite populations using detached leaves were compared. The number of eggs laid and mites which developed were compared. The strawberry cvs Hapil and Pegasus had significantly greater development of two spotted mite populations than the cvs Rhapsody, Symphony and Elsanta. The raspberry cv. Joan Squires had higher populations of two spotted mite whilst the raspberry cv. Leo the least, when compared with cvs Glen Clova, Glen Moy and Glen Prosen. Differences were observed in oviposition sites and mite distribution when comparing raspberries with strawberries. The method of assessing the populations development of two spotted mite which involved maintaining the cut leaf stem in water may be of potential use for studying population dynamics of both two spotted mite and possible predators over extended periods of time.     

Biological control of Lobesia botrana (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) larvae by using different formulations of Bacillus thuringiensis in 11 vine cultivars under field conditions

This work describes the results of an experiment that was conducted in the vineyard of the American Farm School, Thermi, Thessaloniki Greece, during 2001. Its aim was to study the efficacy of two formulations of Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner (wettable powder and dust) to control the larvae of Lobesia botrana Denis & Schiffermueler (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae). The experimental results showed that the two formulations of B. thuringiensis are significantly more effective than the control, the dusting being more effective in most cultivars (Asyrtico, Sauvignon blanc, Debina, Athiri, Agiorgitico, Limnio, Syrah, and Cabernet sauvignon), and the spraying in a few cultivars (Xinomavro, Roditis, and Chardonnay). Dusting in the blue-black cultivars was found to be more effective than spraying, this not being the case in the yellow-green cultivars. This fact should be taken into consideration when cultivars of different color were planted in the same field. Single dusting proved to be better in cultivars with loose, average and dense berry cluster compactness, whereas double spraying gave better results in compact cultivars.