scholarly journals Managing Bees for Delivering Biological Control Agents and Improved Pollination in Berry and Fruit Cultivation

2015 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 89 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heikki M. T. Hokkanen ◽  
Ingeborg Menzler-Hokkanen ◽  
Marja-Leena Lahdenpera
Keyword(s):  
Crop Protection ◽  
Field Tests ◽  
Weather Conditions ◽  
Field Studies ◽  
Field Trials ◽  
Marketable Yield ◽  
Dissemination Activity ◽  
Grey Mold ◽  
Commercial Farms ◽  
Disease Pressure

<p>Targeted precision biocontrol and improved pollination were studied Europe-wide in the EU ERA-NET CORE ORGANIC 2 project BICOPOLL (Biocontrol and Pollination). A case study was conducted on the management of strawberry grey mold <em>Botrytis cinerea</em>, with the biocontrol fungus, <em>Gliocladium catenulatum</em>, vectored by honey bees or bumble bees. A joint field trial carried out in five countries targeted strawberry cultivations in open field, and included four treatments: untreated control, chemical fungicide, entomovectored biocontrol, and chemical and biocontrol combined. In organic fields, no pesticide treatments were included. The proportion of moldy berries, and/or the marketable yield of healthy berries were recorded from each treatment, along with other parameters of local interest. A pilot study was started in Finland in 2006, and, by 2012, large commercial farms were using entomovectoring. In 2012, field trials were started in Estonia and in Italy, and in 2013-14, these experiments were expanded to Slovenia and Turkey. In total, 26 field tests were conducted using entomovectoring and <em>Gliocladium catenulatum</em> (Prestop<sup>®</sup> Mix) on strawberry, with five additional trials on raspberry. Efficacy results have been excellent throughout the field studies. The results show crop protection equalling or exceeding that provided by a full chemical fungicide program, under all weather conditions, and over a wide geographical range (from Finland to Turkey). Under heavy disease pressure, entomovectoring provided on average a 47% disease reduction, which was the same as multiple fungicide sprays. Under light disease pressure, biocontrol decreased grey mold by an average of 66%, which was greater than fungicide sprays. The concept has proven to be effective on strawberries, raspberries, pears, apples, blueberries, cherries, and grapes. A conservative estimate for Finland is that over 500 ha of strawberry cultivation currently use the technique (≈15% of the strawberry growing area). To make full use of the entomovectoring technique, organic berry and fruit growers are encouraged to (i) keep bees, or to hire the service from local beekeepers for entomovectoring; and (ii) manage vegetation within and around the target crop to support the activity of bees and other pollinators, which can help to disseminate the beneficial microbial populations within the crop. Beekeepers are encouraged to (i) market pollination and biocontrol services to fruit and berry growers, and (ii) ensure that all operations are effective in mananging bees and their microbe dissemination activity. Biocontrol product manufacturers are encouraged to further develop products and their formulations specifically for entomovectoring, because current formulations are suboptimal as they are initially optimized for other uses (e.g., mixing into the soil).</p>

METARHIZIUM FLAVOVIRIDE (FI985) AS A PROMISING MYCOINSECTICIDE FOR AUSTRALIAN ACRIDIDS

1997 ◽  
Vol 129 (S171) ◽  
pp. 287-300 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard J. Milner
Keyword(s):  
Field Tests ◽  
Its Region ◽  
Weather Conditions ◽  
Field Trials ◽  
Positive Control ◽  
Chemical Insecticide ◽  
Metarhizium Flavoviride ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Group 3 ◽  
Australian Plague Locust

AbstractOnly one isolate of Metarhizium flavoviride Gams and Roszypal group 3 has been isolated from a field-infected acridid in Australia. This is isolate FI985 (ARSEF 324) obtained from a spur-throated locust, Austracris guttulosa (Walker), near Rockhampton, Queensland, in 1979. In terms of conidial size and shape as well as phialide morphology, FI985 is intermediate between Metarhizium anisopliae (Metschnikoff) Sorokin and M. flavoviride. It has been compared with other group 3 isolates using RAPDs and sequence analysis of the ITS region and found to be very similar. However the analysis shows that these group 3 isolates are genetically closer to M. anisopliae than to M. flavoviride sensu stricto. Laboratory bioassays have shown that FI985 is virulent for five species of acridid pests in Australia. Comparative bioassays with other isolates of Metarhizium, including other group 3 isolates from Africa and Asia, have not yet revealed any isolate more virulent than FI985. This isolate is amenable to mass-production on rice and has been formulated in oil as a mycoinsecticide. The results from six field tests, mostly against wingless grasshopper, Phaulacridium vittatum (SjÖstedt), using doses of 2–7 × 1012 conidia per hectare and plot sizes up to 50 ha are summarized. These trials (with the exception of the first against the Australian plague locust) have given high levels of disease-related mortality in caged samples of the target collected within 3 days of spraying. In the four trials with wingless grasshopper, population reductions were detected 10–30 days after application; however these reductions were much less than suggested by cage samples as a result of movement of the target acridids. In contrast, positive control plots sprayed with fenitrothion gave a very high initial kill (>90% in 1 day) but were then more rapidly reinvaded. Consequently, 3–4 weeks after spraying the density in the plots treated with chemical insecticide and those treated with mycoinsecticide were similar. Further field trials are needed especially against the Australian plague locust and evaluating lower doses. The results obtained to date show that a mycoinsecticide based on FI985 is likely to be effective over a wide range of target acridids and weather conditions.

scholarly journals Response of Bell Pepper Cultivars Near-isogenic for the N Gene to Meloidogyne incognita in Field Trials

HortScience ◽  
2003 ◽  
Vol 38 (7) ◽  
pp. 1394-1396 ◽  
Author(s):  
Judy A. Thies ◽  
Richard L. Fery ◽  
John D. Mueller ◽  
Gilbert Miller ◽  
Joseph Varne
Keyword(s):  
Meloidogyne Incognita ◽  
Field Tests ◽  
Nematode Resistance ◽  
Field Studies ◽  
Field Trials ◽  
Bell Pepper ◽  
N Gene ◽  
Root Knot Nematode ◽  
High Level ◽  
Fresh Root

Resistance of two sets of bell pepper [(Capsicum annuum L. var. annuum (Grossum Group)] cultivars near-isogenic for the N gene that conditions resistance to root-knot nematodes [Meloidogyne incognita (Chitwood) Kofoid and White, M. arenaria (Neal) Chitwood races 1 and 2, and M. javanica (Treub) Chitwood] was evaluated in field tests at Blackville, S.C. and Charleston, S.C. The isogenic bell pepper sets were `Charleston Belle' (NN) and `Keystone Resistant Giant' (nn), and `Carolina Wonder' (NN) and `Yolo Wonder B' (nn). The resistant cultivars Charleston Belle and Carolina Wonder were highly resistant; root galling was minimal for both cultivars at both test sites. The susceptible cultivars Keystone Resistant Giant and Yolo Wonder B were highly susceptible; root galling was severe at both test sites. `Charleston Belle' had 96.9% fewer eggs per g fresh root than `Keystone Resistant Giant', and `Carolina Wonder' had 98.3% fewer eggs per g fresh root than `Yolo Wonder B' (averaged over both test sites). `Charleston Belle' and `Carolina Wonder' exhibited a high level of resistance in field studies at both sites. These results demonstrate that resistance conferred by the N gene for root-knot nematode resistance is effective in field-planted bell pepper. Root-knot nematode resistant bell peppers should provide economical and environmentally compatible alternatives to methyl bromide and other nematicides for managing M. incognita.

Physical, Cultural, and Chemical Alternatives for Integrated Management of Charcoal Rot of Strawberry

Plant Disease ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. PDIS-04-20-0917
Author(s):  
Juliana S. Baggio ◽  
Rafaela G. Ruschel ◽  
Joseph W. Noling ◽  
Natalia A. Peres
Keyword(s):  
Integrated Management ◽  
Macrophomina Phaseolina ◽  
Field Trials ◽  
Plastic Mulch ◽  
Charcoal Rot ◽  
Residue Removal ◽  
Cultural Methods ◽  
Commercial Farms ◽  
Black Plastic ◽  
Disease Pressure

Macrophomina phaseolina, the causal agent of charcoal rot in strawberry, induces plant wilting and collapse. The pathogen survives through the production of microsclerotia in the soil and in strawberry debris. However, its management is difficult, and the disease has become an increasing problem for the strawberry industry. Physical, cultural, and chemical alternatives for integrated management of charcoal rot were evaluated in laboratory and field trials during the 2017–18 and 2018–19 strawberry seasons. In a laboratory trial, M. phaseolina microsclerotia were subjected to heat treatment and germination was inhibited at 52, 56, 80, and 95°C after 30, 10, 1, and 0.5 min of exposure, respectively. In infected strawberry crowns, microsclerotial viability was reduced after 5 min, regardless of temperature, whereas in the field, reduction was observed after 1 min. In field trials, charcoal rot incidence of inoculated strawberry plants transplanted into white-striped plastic-mulched beds was reduced to 20.8%, compared with 60.8% for plants grown in the black plastic mulch. On commercial farms, crop residue removal from infested areas reduced the M. phaseolina population in the soil but did not decrease charcoal rot incidence. Moreover, M. phaseolina propagule densities in the soil and in strawberry debris was reduced by fumigant application at crop termination but surviving propagules allowed the population to increase over the summer. Furthermore, preplant fumigation with metam potassium reduced soil population and charcoal rot incidence. Overall, the adoption of integrated approaches such as physical, chemical, and/or cultural methods played a significant role in reducing M. phaseolina inoculum and contributed to control of the disease in areas with high disease pressure.

Evaluation of attractants for non-invasive studies of Iberian carnivore communities

2011 ◽  
Vol 38 (5) ◽  
pp. 446 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pedro Monterroso ◽  
Paulo Célio Alves ◽  
Pablo Ferreras
Keyword(s):  
Survey Methods ◽  
Species Abundance ◽  
Field Tests ◽  
Field Evaluation ◽  
Single Species ◽  
Field Studies ◽  
Field Trials ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Carnivore Species ◽  
Detection Probabilities

Context The estimation of population parameters for mammalian carnivore species is a challenging task because of their low densities and large home ranges, which make detection probabilities very low. Several factors, such as the species abundance, habitat structure or the use of an attractant affect carnivore detection probabilities; however, attractants are the most easily manipulated. Some previous research suggests that the use of effective attractants can significantly increase detection probabilities. Aims To assess the effectiveness of several attractants for Iberian carnivores, and to evaluate their usefulness for non-invasive survey methods. Methods The responses of seven carnivore species to six potential attractants were evaluated through cafeteria-like experiments with captive specimens. A selectivity index was applied to assess the relative attractiveness of each tested substance. The enclosure tests were followed by field trials with camera-trapping, using the most promising attractants for field evaluation of their efficiency. Key results Enclosure trials revealed that lynx urine was the most effective and generalist attractant because it successfully attracted six of the seven species tested. Rubbing behaviour was also induced in the greatest number of species by lynx urine. Field tests using a combination of lynx urine and valerian extract solution induced investigative behaviours in over 50% of all detection events in all species, with the exception of the Eurasian badger. Conclusions No single attractant is effective for all species. Nevertheless, a combination of lynx urine and valerian solution should efficiently attract the majority of species present in Iberian carnivore communities. Furthermore, some species exhibit a rubbing behaviour when they come in contact with the attractants. Regardless of the generalist efficiency of the lynx urine, other tested substances revealed promising results for single-species monitoring. Implications Our results provide a baseline for selecting attractants in survey and monitoring programs that focus on carnivore species. The rubbing behaviours exhibited by several of the species tested suggest the use of these attractants could improve the efficiency of field studies that rely on rub-pads for the collection of biological samples.

scholarly journals Response of lentil cultivars to Sclerotinia white mold and Botrytis grey mould infection under irrigated and dryland conditions

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kazi Kader ◽  
Scott Erickson ◽  
Robyne Bowness ◽  
Mark A Olson ◽  
Syama Chatterton
Keyword(s):  
Sclerotinia Sclerotiorum ◽  
Disease Incidence ◽  
Grey Mould ◽  
Field Trials ◽  
Limiting Factors ◽  
White Mold ◽  
Limiting Factor ◽  
Dry Land ◽  
Grey Mold ◽  
Disease Pressure

Diseases such as Sclerotinia white mold (SWM) caused by the fungus Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (Lib.) de Bary and Botrytis grey mold (BGM) caused by the fungus Botrytis cinerea Pers. may be limiting factors for lentil production in wetter areas of Alberta, Canada. Field trials were conducted at the Lethbridge Research and Development Centre from 2013-2015 to evaluate the response of lentil cultivars to SWM and BGM and yield impacts. Ten lentil cultivars from five market classes were evaluated under irrigated and dry land plots with two planting densities (120 plants m-2 and 160 plants m-2).Year and irrigation had the largest effect on disease incidence, with highest SWM incidence occurring under irrigation in 2013, followed by 2014 and 2015. Conversely, BGM incidence under irrigation was highest in 2015 and lowest in 2013, but levels were lower than SWM. Significantly (P <0.05) lower disease incidences were observed in dryland plots, which also produced higher yield than irrigated plots. Cultivars varied significantly in SWM incidence and yield under irrigated and dryland conditions, perhaps due to variable disease pressure, but there was no consistent trend in cultivar performance. BGM incidence was similar in cultivars, but differed among years. These findings indicate that SWM may be a limiting factor to lentil production in wetter areas, as the ten cultivars from five market classes tested were all highly susceptible to SWM.

scholarly journals Modified Humic Substances as Soil Conditioners: Laboratory and Field Trials

Agronomy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 150
Author(s):  
Natalia A. Kulikova ◽  
Alexander B. Volikov ◽  
Olga I. Filippova ◽  
Vladimir A. Kholodov ◽  
Nadezhda V. Yaroslavtseva ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Humic Substances ◽  
Soil Aggregates ◽  
Field Tests ◽  
Performance Testing ◽  
Field Trials ◽  
Soil Conditioner ◽  
Model Soil ◽  
Substrate Induced Respiration ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Survival Of Seedlings

The paper is devoted to the development and performance testing of a soil conditioner based on leonardite humic substances (LHS) modified with 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES). The modified HS were obtained by adding APTES to LHS solution at different mass ratios of LHS and APTES, followed by the investigation of siloxane structures using 31Si NMR spectroscopy. The Urbic Technosol was used as a model soil. The size and amount of water-stable soil aggregates were estimated using wet sieving and laser diffraction, respectively. Toxicity was evaluated by monitoring microbial substrate-induced respiration (SIR) and seedling bioassay. Laboratory column experiments demonstrated an increase in water-stability of the 3–5 mm soil aggregates after LHS-APTES application. Field tests showed an increase in the average weighted diameter of micro aggregates (from 59 to 73 μm) and water-stable macroaggregates (from 1.6 to 2.9 mm) due to the LHS-APTES amendment. A substantial increase in SIR from 5 to 9 mg CO2 (kg h)−1 was detected. Better survival of seedlings was observed. The obtained beneficial results indicate that APTES-modified HS can be successfully used as a soil conditioner. The formation of extended siloxane networks was suggested as the main mechanism of the observed improvement in the structure of the amended soils.

Management strategies to reduce losses caused by fusarium seedling blight of field pea

2013 ◽  
Vol 93 (4) ◽  
pp. 619-625 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. F. Chang ◽  
S. F. Hwang ◽  
H. U. Ahmed ◽  
B. D. Gossen ◽  
G. D. Turnbull ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Root Rot ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Stand Density ◽  
Field Trials ◽  
Field Pea ◽  
Seedling Blight ◽  
Inoculum Level ◽  
Fusarium Seedling Blight ◽  
Disease Pressure

Chang, K. F., Hwang, S. F., Ahmed, H. U., Gossen, B. D., Turnbull, G. D. and Strelkov, S. E. 2013. Management strategies to reduce losses caused by fusarium seedling blight of field pea. Can. J. Plant Sci. 93: 619–625. Fusarium seedling blight can cause substantial reductions in the stand density of field pea in western Canada. In greenhouse experiments, emergence decreased and root rot severity rose with increasing inoculum density. In field trials in 2007 and 2008 near Edmonton, AB, seeding at different depths and seeding dates did not consistently affect emergence or yield in Fusarium-infested soils. In field experiments, emergence declined significantly with each increase in inoculum level. Also, seed yield were reduced at high levels of disease pressure. Treatment of seed with Apron Maxx improved emergence, nodulation and yield of treatments challenged with inoculum of F. avenaceum in both greenhouse and field experiments. This research demonstrates the need to prevent seedling blight and root rot through proper seed treatment.

Comparison of Water and Gas Tracers Field Breakthrough

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hsieh Chen ◽  
Sehoon Chang ◽  
Gawain Thomas ◽  
Wei Wang ◽  
Afnan Mashat ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Gas Phase ◽  
Detection Method ◽  
Tracer Tests ◽  
Field Tests ◽  
Field Trials ◽  
Breakthrough Curves ◽  
Detection Methods ◽  
Reservoir Conditions ◽  
Gas Tracer

Abstract We are developing new classes of barcoded advanced tracers, which, compared to present commercial offerings, can be optically detected in an automated fashion. The eventual goal for the advanced tracers is to deploy cost-effective, ubiquitous, long-term, and full-field tracer tests in supporting large-scale waterflooding optimization for improved oil recovery. In this paper, we compare model predictions to breakthrough data from two field tests of advanced tracers in a pilot during water alternating gas (WAG) cycles, where gas tracer tests have recently been performed as well. Two advanced tracer injections were performed at the test site. For the first injection, only a dipicolinic acid based advanced tracer (DPA) was injected. For the second injection, DPA and a phenanthroline- based advanced tracer, 4,7-bis(sulfonatophenyl)-1,10-phenanthroline-2,9-dicarboxylic acid (BSPPDA), was injected in conjunction with a commercially available fluorobenzoic acid-based tracer (FBA) to benchmark their performance. Produced water samples were collected weekly for tracer analysis. Both newly developed 2D-high performance liquid chromatography/time-resolved fluorescence optical detection method (2D-HPLC/TRF) and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) were used to construct the breakthrough curves for the advanced tracers. In parallel, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was used to detect FBA tracer. Gas tracer tests have been performed on the same field. Since DPA, BSPPDA and FBA tracers were water tracers as designed, they were expected to appear in between gas tracer breakthroughs, and we observed exactly that for BSPPDA and FBA. Unexpectedly, the DPA predominantly appeared along with gas tracer breakthroughs, suggesting its favorable compatibility with the gas phase. We suspect the presence of some gas components rendered the medium more acidic, which likely protonates DPA molecules, thereby alters its hydrophilicity. A wealth of information could be gathered from the field tests. First, all tracers survived not only the harsh reservoir conditions but also the irregular WAG injections. Their successful detection from the producers suggested robustness of these materials for reservoir applications. Second, the breakthrough curves of the BSPPDA tracers using optical detection method were very similar to those of FBA tracers detected by GC-MS, substantiating the competency of our in-house materials and detection methods to the present commercial offerings. Finally, even though DPA has passed prior lab tests as a good water tracer, its high solubility to gas phase warrants further investigation. This paper summarizes key results from two field trials of the novel barcoded advanced tracers, of which both the tracer materials and detection methods are new to the industry. Importantly, the two co- injected advanced tracers showed opposite correlations to the gas tracers, highlighting the complex physicochemical interactions in reservoir conditions. Nevertheless, the information collected from the field trials is invaluable in enabling further design and utilization of the advanced tracers in fulfilling their wonderful promises.

Critical Period for Palmer Amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri) Control in Pickling Cucumber

2018 ◽  
Vol 32 (5) ◽  
pp. 586-591
Author(s):  
Samuel J. McGowen ◽  
Katherine M. Jennings ◽  
Sushila Chaudhari ◽  
David W. Monks ◽  
Jonathan R. Schultheis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
North Carolina ◽  
Critical Period ◽  
Relative Yield ◽  
Field Studies ◽  
Palmer Amaranth ◽  
Amaranthus Palmeri ◽  
Marketable Yield ◽  
Yield Data ◽  
Pickling Cucumber ◽  
Cucumber Yield

AbstractField studies were conducted in North Carolina to determine the critical period for Palmer amaranth control (CPPAC) in pickling cucumber. In removal treatments (REM), emerged Palmer amaranth were allowed to compete with cucumber for 14, 21, 28, or 35 d after sowing (DAS) in 2014 and 14, 21, 35, or 42 DAS in 2015, and cucumber was kept weed-free for the remainder of the season. In the establishment treatments (EST), cucumber was maintained free of Palmer amaranth by hand removal until 14, 21, 28, or 35 DAS in 2014 and until 14, 21, 35, or 42 DAS in 2015; after this, Palmer amaranth was allowed to establish and compete with the cucumber for the remainder of the season. The beginning and end of the CPPAC, based on 5% loss of marketable yield, was determined by fitting log-logistic and Gompertz equations to the relative yield data representing REM and EST, respectively. Season-long competition by Palmer amaranth reduced pickling cucumber yield by 45% to 98% and 88% to 98% during 2014 and 2015, respectively. When cucumber was planted on April 25, 2015, the CPPAC ranged from 570 to 1,002 heat units (HU), which corresponded to 32 to 49 DAS. However, when cucumber planting was delayed 2 to 4 wk (May 7 and May 21, 2014 and May 4, 2015), the CPPAC lasted from 100 to 918 HU (7 to 44 DAS). This research suggested that planting pickling cucumber as early as possible during the season may help to reduce competition by Palmer amaranth and delay the beginning of the CPPAC.

scholarly journals Effects of Rootstock and Budding Height on Bacterial Canker in French Prune

Plant Disease ◽  
2002 ◽  
Vol 86 (5) ◽  
pp. 543-546 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. J. Sayler ◽  
S. M. Southwick ◽  
J. T. Yeager ◽  
K. Glozer ◽  
E. L. Little ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tree Mortality ◽  
Prunus Persica ◽  
Disease Incidence ◽  
Fruit Trees ◽  
Field Trials ◽  
Bacterial Canker ◽  
Prunus Domestica ◽  
Severity Of Disease ◽  
Prunus Cerasifera ◽  
Disease Pressure

Bacterial canker is one of the most economically important diseases of stone fruit trees, including ‘French’ prune (Prunus domestica). Field trials were conducted to evaluate the effect of rootstock selection and budding height on the incidence and severity of bacterial canker in four orchards with low to high disease pressure. Treatments included French prune scions low-grafted on ‘Lovell’ peach (Prunus persica) rootstocks as well as Myrobalan 29C (Prunus cerasifera) plum rootstocks grafted at 15, 50, and 90 cm above the rootstock crown. Another treatment consisted of growing Myrobalan 29C plum rootstocks in the field for one growing season, then field-grafting French prune buds onto rootstock scaffolds. Lovell peach rootstock provided the greatest protection from bacterial canker as measured by disease incidence and tree mortality in all orchards. Field-budded rootstocks and rootstocks grafted at the highest budding height provided moderate levels of resistance to bacterial canker. These treatments reduced the incidence but not the severity of disease.

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