Biology and management of two important <Emphasis Type="Italic">Conyza</Emphasis> weeds: a global review

Weed management is one of the prime concerns for sustainable crop production. Conyza bonariensis and Conyza canadensis are two of the most problematic, noxious, invasive and widespread weeds in modern-day agriculture. The biology, ecology and interference of C. bonariensis and C. canadensis have been reviewed here to highlight pragmatic management options. Both these species share a unique set of biological features, which enables them to invade and adapt a wide range of environmental conditions. Distinct reproductive biology and an efficient seed dispersal mechanism help these species to spread rapidly. Ability to interfere strongly and to host crop pests makes these two species worst weeds of cropping systems. These weed species cause 28–68 % yield loss in important field crops such as soybean and cotton every year. These weeds are more prevalent in no-till systems and, thus, becoming a major issue in conservation agriculture. Cultural practices such as crop rotations, seed rate manipulation, mulching, inter-row tillage and narrow row spacing may provide an effective control of these species. However, such methods are not feasible and applicable under all types of conditions. Different herbicides also provide a varying degree of control depending on crop, agronomic practices, herbicide dose, application time and season. However, both these species have evolved resistance against multiple herbicides, including glyphosate and paraquat. The use of alternative herbicides and integrated management strategies may provide better control of herbicide-resistant C. bonariensis and C. canadensis. Management plans based on the eco-biological interactions of these species may prove sustainable in the future.     

Evidence for contact sex recognition pheromone of the Asian longhorned beetle,<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Anoplophora glabripennis</Emphasis> (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae)

Field observations of the Asian longhorned beetle (Anoplophora glabripennis) mating behavior in China suggested that a female-produced contact pheromone was almost certainly involved in sex recognition. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis of A. glabripennis adults' whole body cuticular extracts indicates that a series of long-chain hydrocarbons comprise the cuticular waxes of both sexes. Although for the most part the GC profiles are similar for the two sexes, five monounsaturated compounds were consistently more abundant in samples from females than in those from males. These compounds were identified as (Z)-9-tricosene, (Z)-9-pentacosene, (Z)-7-pentacosene, (Z)-9-heptacosene, and (Z)-7-heptacosene in the approximate ratio of 1:2:2:8:1, respectively. Antennal and palpi contact to a polypropylene micro-centrifuge tube coated with a synthetic mixture of the five compounds stimulated copulatory behavior in males.Electronic Supplementary Material  Supplementary material is available for this article if you access the article at . A link in the frame on the left on that page takes you directly to the supplementary material.     

Sex pheromone of the tea aphid,Toxoptera aurantii (Boyer de Fonscolombe) (Hemiptera: Aphididae)

The tea aphid, Toxoptera aurantii, also called the “black citrus aphid”, is one of the most destructive insect pests in commercial tea plantations and gardens in southern China. In autumn, declining day length triggers production of winged T. aurantii sexuparae, which produce both winged males and wingless oviparae. Oviparous females then release sex pheromone that attracts potential mates. GC–MS analysis of volatile headspace extracts of T. aurantii oviparae revealed that they emit (4aS,7S,7aR)-nepetalactone (I) and (1R,4aS,7S,7aR)-nepetalactol (II) in a ratio of 4.3–4.9:1. Field-trapping experiments with synthetic I and II singly or as two-component blends of different doses and ratios showed significant attraction of T. aurantii males, as well as weak attraction of sexuparae. Identification of the T. aurantii sex pheromone provides a new opportunity for developing a pheromone-based monitoring and management strategy for the sexual phase of tea aphids and, possibly, the alate sexparous generation in late summer and fall.     

Persistence of chlorpyriphos in okra (Abelmoschus Esculentus) fruits and soil

Persistence of cypermethrin and chlorpyriphos in okra and soil were studied following the application of pre-mix formulation of insecticides Action 505EC (chlorpyriphos 50%?+?cypermethrin 5%) at single (275?g a.i.?ha^?1) and double dose (550?g a.i.?ha^?1). The average initial deposits of chlorpyriphos in okra were observed to be 0.07 and 0.15?mg?kg^?1 in single and double dose, respectively, which dissipated to 92% after 10 days for both the dosages. Residues of soil under okra crop were found to be 0.15?mg?kg^?1 at the single and 0.36?mg?kg^?1 at the double doses. These residues persisted up to 3 days at single and 5 days at double dose. The half-life (t _1/2) periods of chlorpyriphos on okra and soil were observed to be 0.6 days and 1.9 days for single and double dose, respectively. Residues of chlorpyriphos reached below detectable level (BDL) of 0.01?mg?kg^?1 in okra fruits after 7 days at single dose and in 15 days in double dose. In soil, residues of chlopyriphos persisted up to 5 and 7 days in single and double dose, respectively. Following foliar applications of a insecticide formulation (Action 505EC, (chlorpyriphos 50%?+?cypermethrin 5%) on okra at @ 275 and 550?g active ingredient (a.i.)?ha^?1 resulting in active applications of chlorpyriphos at the rate of 250 and 500?g a.i.?ha^?1 the average initial deposits of chlorpyriphos in okra were observed to be 0.07 and 0.15?mg?kg^?1, respectively. These residue levels dissipated to 92% after 10 days at both the dosages. Residues of soil under the okra crop were found to be 15?mg?kg^?1 at the single and 36?mg?kg^?1 at the double dose. The residues persisted up to 3 days at the single and 5 days at the double dose. The half-life (t _1/2) periods of chlorpyriphos on okra were observed to be 0.6 days for application rates, and 1.9 days for soil. Okra fruits and soil samples collected on the 7th and 15th day after application did not show any chlorpyriphos residues above their determination limits of 0.01 and 0.005?mg?kg^?1, respectively.     

Assessment of bio-medical waste management in three apex government hospitals of Agra

Waste management practices in three apex government hospitals of Agra viz., Sarojini Naidu Medical College, Lady Lyall Maternity Hospital and District Hospital were studied during January 2004-January 2005. Data were collected with the help of (i) personal observations of the waste treatment and disposal practices and (ii) assessment of knowledge, attitude and practices of working personnel with the help of questionnaires. The results obtained indicated lack of knowledge and awareness regarding legislations on bio-medical waste management even among qualified hospital personnel. None of these hospitals were equipped with higher technological options e.g. incinerator autoclave, microwave and had no facilities to treat the liquid waste generated inside the hospital. It is concluded that generation and implementation of a waste management policy institutiona/organizational set up, training and motivation must be given paramount importance to meet the current needs and standards of bio-medical waste management in these hospitals.     

Radon diffusion and exhalation from mortar modified with fly ash: waste utilization and benefits in construction

Journal of Material Cycles and Waste Management - The utilization of fly ash in construction and cement industry increases from last few decades. But the question on utilization of fly ash for...     

Micronucleus induction by oxidative metabolites of trichloroethylene in cultured human peripheral blood lymphocytes: a comparative genotoxicity study

The genotoxic effects of oxidative metabolites of trichloroethylene (TCE), namely chloral hydrate, trichloroacetic acid (TCA), dichloroacetic acid (DCA), and trichloroethanol (TCEOH) were examined in human peripheral blood lymphocytes. In this context, lymphocytes were exposed in vitro to 25, 50, and 100 μg/ml concentrations of these metabolites separately for a period of 48 h and examined for micronucleus (MN) induction through flow cytometer. At 50 μg/ml TCE metabolites, TCA (6.33?±?0.56 %), DCA (5.06?±?0.55), and TCEOH (4.70?±?1.73) induced highly significant (p?<?0.001) frequency of MN in comparison to control (1.03?±?0.40) suggestive of their genotoxic potential. However, exposure of 100 μg/ml of all the metabolites consistently declined the frequencies of MN which in some cases was equable to that of observed at 25 μg/ml. Further, cytotoxicity and cell cycle disturbances were also measured to find out the association of these endpoints with the MN induction. DNA content analysis revealed 3–4-fold elevation of S-phase at all the concentrations tested. Particularly, at 100 μg/ml, treatment elevation of S-phase was significantly (p?<?0.0001) higher as compared to the control. Present findings together with earlier reports indicate that TCE induces genotoxicity through its metabolites. Interaction of these metabolites with DNA, as evident by elevated S-phase, seems to be the major cause of MN induction. However, involvement of spindle disruption cannot be ruled out. This comparative study also suggests that after TCE exposure, the metabolic efficiency of human to generate oxidative metabolites determines the extent of genotoxicity.     

Toxicity,degradation and analysis of the herbicide atrazine

Excessive use of pesticides and herbicides is a major environmental and health concern worldwide. Atrazine, a synthetic triazine herbicide commonly used to control grassy and broadleaf weeds in crops, is a major pollutant of soil and water ecosystems. Atrazine modifies the growth, enzymatic processes and photosynthesis in plants. Atrazine exerts mutagenicity, genotoxicity, defective cell division, erroneous lipid synthesis and hormonal imbalance in aquatic fauna and nontarget animals. It has threatened the sustainability of agricultural soils due to detrimental effects on resident soil microbial communities. The detection of atrazine in soil and reservoir sites is usually made by IR spectroscopy, ELISA, HPLC, UPLC, LC–MS and GC–MS techniques. HPLC/LC–MS and GC–MS techniques are considered the most effective tools, having detection limits up to ppb levels in different matrices. Biodegradation of atrazine by microbial species is increasingly being recognized as an eco-friendly, economically feasible and sustainable bioremediation strategy. This review presents the toxicity, analytical techniques, abiotic degradation and microbial metabolism of atrazine.     

Limnological investigations of Texi Temple pond in district Etawah (U.P.)

Present investigations were carried out on the limnological aspects of Texi temple pond in district Etawah. Many of the parameters were found below the permissible limits for drinking water as suggested by WHO. A total of 18 parameters were analysed and their seasonal variations in the year 2003 were discussed.     

Vulnerability of Indian mustard (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Brassica juncea</Emphasis> (L.) Czernj. Cosson) to climate variability and future adaptation strategies

A simulation study has been carried out using the InfoCrop mustard model to assess the impact of climate change and adaptation gains and to delineate the vulnerable regions for mustard (Brassica juncea (L.) Czernj. Cosson) production in India. On an all India basis, climate change is projected to reduce mustard grain yield by ～2 % in 2020 (2010–2039), ～7.9 % in 2050 (2040–2069) and ～15 % in 2080 (2070–2099) climate scenarios of MIROC3.2.HI (a global climate model) and Providing Regional Climates for Impact Studies (PRECIS, a regional climate model) models, if no adaptation is followed. However, spatiotemporal variations exist for the magnitude of impacts. Yield is projected to reduce in regions with current mean seasonal temperature regimes above 25/10 °C during crop growth. Adapting to climate change through a combination of improved input efficiency, additional fertilizers and adjusting the sowing time of current varieties can increase yield by ～17 %. With improved varieties, yield can be enhanced by ～25 % in 2020 climate scenario. But, projected benefits may reduce thereafter. Development of short-duration varieties and improved crop husbandry becomes essential for sustaining mustard yield in future climates. As climatically suitable period for mustard cultivation may reduce in future, short-duration (<130 days) cultivars with 63 % pod filling period will become more adaptable. There is a need to look beyond the suggested adaptation strategy to minimize the yield reduction in net vulnerable regions.