Response of the bird cherry-oat aphid (Rhopalosiphum padi) to climate change in relation to its pest status, vectoring potential and function in a crop-vector-virus pathosystem

Global climate change threatens world food production via direct effects on plant growth and alterations to pest and pathogen prevalence and distribution. Complex relationships between host plant, pest, pathogen and environment create uncertainty particularly involving vector-borne diseases. We attempt to improve the understanding of the effects of climate change via a detailed review of one crop-vector-pathogen system.The bird cherry-oat aphid, Rhopalosiphum padi, is a global pest of cereals and vector of yellow dwarf viruses that cause significant crop losses in cereals. R. padi exhibits both sexual and parthenogenetic reproduction, alternating between crops and other host plants. In Australia, only parthenogenesis occurs due to the absence of the primary host, thus the aphid continuously cycles from grasses to cereals, allowing for continuous virus acquisition and transmission.We have reviewed the potential impact of future climate projections on R. padi population dynamics, persistence, abundance, dispersal and migration events as well as the interactions between vector, virus, crop and environment, all of which are critical to the behaviour and development of the vector and its ability to transmit the virus. We identify a number of knowledge gaps that currently limit efforts to determine how this pathosystem will function in a future climate.     

Action thresholds for processing cabbage,a short-term solution to a long-term problem

Action thresholds for management of lepidopteran pests in processing cabbage were developed and refined over a 4-year period. Since research data on the relationship of pest population density to economic loss was not available initially and treatment guidelines were required for a pest management demonstration program, the thresholds were initially based on the experience of an advisory committee including members from industry, extension and research faculty. These thresholds were revised annually, based on the comments of farmers using them, observations of the advisory committee and studies conducted for that purpose. Studies demonstrated considerable interaction between pest population density and other factors affecting yield. Future progress will require the development of a comprehensive economic threshold model, but in the interim the action thresholds provide most of the benefits expected from such a model.     

Public acceptance of tree health management: Results of a national survey in the UK

Assumptions about public stakeholder attitudes to pest and disease management can influence the decisions of forest managers and NGOs involved in responding to pests and diseases; however, they are rarely assessed directly. Evidence on the social acceptability of tree health management methods is required to inform government led policy and management. A nationally representative survey of 2000 members of the UK public was used to address two research questions: (1) How acceptable are tree health management methods to the public? (2) How do opinions about woodland functions, concern and awareness of tree pests and diseases, and demographics influence acceptance of management methods? We found that public stakeholders are highly supportive of tree health management; however, knowledge about tree pests, diseases, and management options is low. Methods seen as more targeted and ‘natural’ were preferred, e.g. felling and burning only affected trees and using biological control rather than chemical control. There were demographic differences in attitudes: men and older people are more likely to support management interventions and stronger management methods than females and younger people. Acceptance of management can also differ according to location and local context (e.g. management is less supported when it may impact on wildlife) and values (e.g. those with economic values are more supportive of management). These findings provide evidence to support current government initiatives on tree health and should improve confidence amongst managers tasked with carrying out tree pest and disease management. However, there is a need for in-depth qualitative studies to explain the beliefs which influence demographic variations in acceptance and the influence of concepts such as ‘nativeness’ and ‘naturalness’.     

Trends affecting research strategies in plant resistance to insects

Varieties of crop plants showing resistance to insect pests have been in use in modern agricultural production systems for nearly 40 years. The need for their continued use is especially critical in developing countries today, since both food and food production costs have increased greatly. The expanding populations of some developing countries currently endanger the habitats of the germplasm of several major crop plants. For this reason, major efforts are now necessary to collect, preserve and maintain as much wild germplasm of major crop plants as possible. These efforts may lead to the exchange of advanced biotechnology techniques from developed countries for exotic crop plant germplasm from developing countries.Many varieties of insect-resistant crop plants rely on allelochemicals to convey antibiotic effects on pest insects. However, high levels of allelochemicals can have detrimental effects on beneficial insects, and induce insecticide tolerance in non-target insect pests. Therefore, a need for caution exists in the development of crop varieties which utilize allelochemicals in their resistance.Accurate, reproducible bioassay techniques are essential to the continued development of insect-resistant varieties. This is especially important today, since groups of scientists at different locations may be involved cooperatively in identifying and categorizing plant resistance to insects. Insect, plant and environmental variables should be standardized, since each can greatly affect the validity of bioassay results.     

Husbandry methods and farm systems in industrialised countries which use lower levels of external inputs: A review

Evidence on the experience with techniques and systems involving lower levels of purchased fertilisers and other agrochemicals, concentrate feeds and energy is reviewed. Economic characteristics considered include yields, gross and net margins per hectare, and labour use. Environmental and physical resource aspects include the incidence of pests, diseases and weeds, nutrient balances and leaching, and energy use. Known techniques can, in many cases, substantially reduce the need for external inputs. However, farm management studies tend to indicate lower than average returns to labour in biological husbandry systems and possibly also in integrated systems. It is generally agreed that adverse environmental impacts are less with lower external input systems, but total energy use per unit of output is not necessarily lower.     

农业生态系统中杂草资源的可持续利用

杂草是农业生态系统中对农作物的生长和产量产生重要影响的伴生植物。杂草具有耐不良环境、生长快、繁殖力强等优良特性,是重要的生物资源。可利用杂草的优良基因作为农作物遗传改良的基因供体,利用其有用成分开发中医药,利用植物他感效应进行害虫生物防治,可开发成观赏植物,可作为先锋物种进行生态恢复、改良环境、促进养分循环、保护土壤微生物等。杂草的化学防除是导致杂草资源丧失的重要因素,寻找既利于杂草资源保护又不影响农作物生长的防除途径、杂草资源数据库的创建、杂草资源有益基因的发掘和开发利用,是杂草科学今后应加强的研究方向。     

A review of the use of models of weed control in Integrated Crop Protection

An examination is made of the role that mathematical modelling can have in developing integrated strategies, involving reduced dependence on chemicals, for controlling weeds, pests and diseases in crops. From a detailed survey of the application of models to weed control, it is concluded that modelling has fundamentally been concerned with answering issues that contribute comparatively little to our understanding of ‘sustainable’ systems of crop protection. There has been a strong concentration of effort on simulating the impacts of herbicides and on identifying ‘threshold’ levels for spraying. Issues such as herbicide resistance, weed-crop interference and integrated weed management systems have received scant attention. None-the-less, given the complexity of the management systems involved in Integrated Crop Protection, mathematical modelling would seem to be a potentially valuable tool. In the case of some forms of control, such as biological and genetic, it is also arguable that modelling the consequences is imperative, given the potential risks involved.     

Relationship between abundance of rodents and damage to agricultural crops

Developing a relationship between pest abundance and damage to crops is essential for the calculation of economic injury levels (EIL) leading to informed management decisions. The crop modelling framework, APSIM, was used to simulate the impact of mouse damage on yield loss on wheat where a long-term dataset on the density of mice was available (1983–2003). The model was calibrated using results from field trials where wheat plants were hand clipped to imitate mouse damage. The grazing effect of mice was estimated using the population density, daily intake per mouse and the proportion of wheat grain and plant tissue in the diet to determine yield loss. The mean yield loss caused by mice was 12.4% (±5.4S.E.; range −0.5 to 96%). There were 7/21 years when yield loss was >5%. A damage/abundance relationship was constructed and a sigmoidal curve explained 97% of variation when accounting for different trajectories of mouse densities from sowing to harvest. The majority of damage occurred around emergence of the crop when mouse densities were >100 mice ha⁻¹. This is the first time that field data on mouse density and a crop simulation model have been combined to estimate yield loss. The model examines the efficacy of baiting and how to estimate EILs. Because the broadscale application of zinc phosphide is cheap and effective, the EIL is very low (<1% yield loss). The APSIM model is highly flexible and could be used for other vertebrate pests in a range of crops or pastures to develop density/damage relationships and to assist with management.     

An economic assessment of the health effects and crop yield losses caused by air pollution in mainland China

Air pollution is severe in China, and pollutants such as PM_(2.5) and surface O_3 may cause major damage to human health and crops, respectively. Few studies have considered the health effects of PM_(2.5) or the loss of crop yields due to surface O_3 using model-simulated air pollution data in China. We used gridded outputs from the WRF-Chem model, high resolution population data, and crop yield data to evaluate the effects on human health and crop yield in mainland China. Our results showed that outdoor PM_(2.5) pollution was responsible for 1.70–1.99 million cases of all-cause mortality in 2006. The economic costs of these health effects were estimated to be 151.1–176.9 billion USD, of which 90% were attributed to mortality. The estimated crop yield losses for wheat, rice, maize, and soybean were approximately 9, 4.6, 0.44, and 0.34 million tons, respectively, resulting in economic losses of 3.4 billion USD. The total economic losses due to ambient air pollution were estimated to be 154.5–180.3 billion USD, accounting for approximately 5.7%–6.6% of the total GDP of China in 2006. Our results show that both population health and staple crop yields in China have been significantly affected by exposure to air pollution. Measures should be taken to reduce emissions, improve air quality, and mitigate the economic loss.     

Yield loss in conventional and natural rice farming systems

Compared to modern, conventional agriculture, alternative agricultural production systems may rely on biologically different mechanisms (syndromes) to attain similar production goals. Yield loss to rice in conventional and natural farming rice paddies in Japan was evaluated by simulated injury (leaf-clipping) and monitoring plants damaged by insect herbivores. Rice grown under natural farming practices was more tolerant of simulated injury and injury from Oulema oryzae than rice grown under conventional practices. Natural farming rice retained proportionately more tillers and had a higher proportion of mature seeds than conventionally grown rice. In conventional paddies, the simulated injury may have made the rice plants more susceptible to plant pathogens than their non-injured counterparts, resulting in higher disease attack and proportionately greater yield loss. These results suggest that, pests may affect yield loss independently in natural farming, but in conventional paddies, multiple pest injury may interact synergistically, compounding yield loss.     

环境污染与小麦病虫害的关联性分析研究

环境污染对小麦品种具有决定作用,文章分析了环境污染同小麦病虫害的关联性,为小麦病虫害防治和治理提供可靠的分析依据。分析常见小麦病虫害产生的原因以及环境污染对于小麦病虫害产生的影响,详细研究了环境污染中的温度变化、湿度变化、光照变化以及风力变化对小麦病虫害的影响,给出减少环境污染对于农作物病虫害作用的措施,并总结了小麦病虫害绿色防控技术的几项建议,增强人们的环保意识,通过科学的方式提高小麦病虫害防治效率,增强小麦品质和产量。     

Exploring public perceptions of solutions to tree diseases in the UK: Implications for policy-makers

Tree diseases are on the increase in many countries and the implications of their appearance can be political, as well as ecological and economic. Preventative policy approaches to tree diseases are difficult to formulate because dispersal pathways for pest and pathogens are numerous, poorly known and likely to be beyond human management control. Genomic techniques could offer the quickest and most predictable approach to developing a disease tolerant native ash.The population of European Ash (Fraxinus Excelsior) has suffered major losses in the last decade, due to the onset of Hymenoscyphus fraxineus (previously called Chalara Fraxinea) commonly known in the UK as ash dieback. This study presents evidence on the public acceptability of tree-breed solutions to the spread of Chalara, with the main aim to provide science and policy with an up-stream ‘steer’ on the likely public acceptability of different tree breeding solutions. The findings showed that whilst there was a firm anti-GM and ‘we shouldn’t tamper with nature’ attitude among UK publics, there was an equally firm and perhaps slightly larger pragmatic attitude that GM (science and technology) should be used if there is a good reason to do so, for example if it can help protect trees from disease and help feed the world. The latter view was significantly stronger among younger age groups (Millennials), those living in urban areas and when the (GM)modified trees were destined for urban and plantation, rather than countryside settings. Overall, our findings suggest that the UK government could consider genomic solutions to tree breeding with more confidence in the future, as large and influential publics appear to be relaxed about the use of genomic techniques to increase tolerance of trees to disease.     

Effects of environmental parameters on the chestnut gall wasp and its complex of indigenous parasitoids

The chestnut gall wasp (CGW), Dryocosmus kuriphilus, an invasive pest native to China, has caused severe yield and economic losses to chestnut production in Europe since its arrival in 2002. In Southern Italy, the complex of indigenous parasitoids colonizing CGW was monitored between 2013 and 2015, with the aim of estimating the composition of the indigenous parasitoid complex, its ability to control CGW populations, and the interactions of both factors with several measured environmental parameters. We compared results among three differently managed field types. Results showed an increase in the rate of parasitism both when the host population density was lower and in unmanaged chestnut stands with more natural conditions. The percentage of parasitism in galls was related to morphological traits of the galls and to higher seasonal temperatures, which reduced the parasitism intensity because CGW develops earlier under such conditions. The host–parasitoid mortality inside galls varied among sites and was associated mostly with rot fungi during wet spring and summer months. Parasitoid species richness was similar among the study sites, but the proportion of parasitoid species differed between orchards and unmanaged coppice stands. The timing of attack by parasitoids followed a species-specific successional sequence throughout the larva-to-adult life cycle of the CGW. These interactions should be considered in future research on trophic relationships and when modeling invasive scenarios for new pest species.     

Survey of current crop management practices in a mixed-ricefield landscape,Mekong Delta,Vietnam — potential of habitat manipulation for improved control of citrus leafminer and citrus red mite

In the Mekong Delta, Vietnam, the citrus leafminer Phyllocnistis citrella (CLM) and the citrus red mite Panonychus citri are major pests in both sweet orange (Citrus sinensis) and Tieu mandarin (C. reticulata). Survey data indicate that these pest problems might be aggravated after farmers have completely destroyed the weed flora in their orchard. As citrus farmers only perceive the larger predators such as the weaver ant Oecophylla smaragdina and spiders, and have no idea about the existence of predatory mites or parasitoids, they do not know about potential positive attributes of weeds in pest management which sustain populations of natural enemies and their alternative food. IPM training programmes could use the weaver ant as an introduction to educating farmers about predatory mites and parasitoids, and should likewise emphasise the importance of beneficial asteraceous weeds such as Ageratum conyzoides. Non-crop trees such as Spondias dulcis, Mangifera indica, Eucalyptus tereticornis and Ceiba pentandra are commonly known to offer good refuge for the weaver ant. These trees should be further studied for their temporal contribution as food resource for other natural enemies of CLM and mites. Small adjustments of current weed management techniques are suggested to improve availability of pollen and nectar for beneficials at crucial moments in the cropping season, with due respect to implications at the landscape level.     

粮食损失研究进展和展望

我国人多地少,粮食安全事关国家安全。因此,在重视增产的同时,需要不断关注粮食损失问题。通过回顾现有粮食损失的研究,总结文献中提出的重要问题,展望未来可能的研究方向。分析表明,现有研究主要集中在：（1）减少粮食损失的目的和效果的研究。包括增加粮食供给、保障国家安全,减少不必要的资源浪费、减轻环境压力,保障粮食质量、保证食品安全,以及增加粮食价值链参与者的利润等。（2）粮食产后各环节损失水平估计及其影响因素研究。 （3）减少粮食损失的方法研究,包括品种改良、教育培训、改进储存设施等。在对现有研究综述的基础上,提出了几点展望：未来的研究应向粮食价值链下游环节拓展,对粮食质量损失程度进行定量分析,并关注粮食的最优损失水平。     

2020年中国大气臭氧对慢性阻塞性肺病死亡影响的疾病负担分析和健康经济学评价

大气臭氧暴露对人群慢性阻塞性肺病(chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, COPD)的影响不断加剧.为评价大气臭氧暴露对COPD的不良影响,量化与大气臭氧暴露相关的COPD死亡负担以及相应的健康经济损失,本研究收集了2020年我国31个省(自治区、直辖市)臭氧浓度高峰季(4—9月)数据、社会经济及人口数据,基于已有研究中确立的大气臭氧暴露与COPD死亡的暴露-反应关系,以世界卫生组织2021年提出的臭氧浓度高峰季平均值(60μg/m³)为参考,分别估算我国大气臭氧暴露的COPD归因死亡人数和经济损失.结果表明：(1) 2020年我国大气臭氧暴露的COPD总死亡风险比为1.12[95%CI (95%置信区间)为1.00～1.21].(2) 2020年我国大气臭氧暴露的COPD归因死亡人数为10.12×10⁴人(95%CI为0.00～17.49×10⁴人).(3) 2020年我国大气臭氧暴露造成的COPD的健康经济损失为2 131×10⁸元,占GDP的0.21%.研...     

Decaleside: a new class of natural insecticide targeting tarsal gustatory sites

Natural sources for novel insecticide molecules hold promise in view of their eco-friendly nature, selectivity, and mammalian safety. Recent progress in understanding the biology of insect olfaction and taste offers new strategies for developing selective pest control agents. We have isolated two natural insecticidal molecules from edible roots of Decalepis hamiltonii named Decalesides I and II, which are novel trisaccharides, highly toxic to household insect pests and stored-product insects. We have experimentally shown that insecticidal activity requires contact with tarsi on the legs but is not toxic orally. The insecticidal activity of molecules is lost by hydrolysis, and various sugars modify toxic response, showing that the insecticidal activity is via gustatory sites on the tarsi. Selective toxicity to insects by virtue of their gustatory site of action and the mammalian safety of the new insecticides is inherent in their chemical structure with 1-4 or 1-1 α linkage that is easily hydrolyzed by digestive enzymes of mammals. Decalesides represent a new chemical class of natural insecticides with a unique mode of action targeting tarsal chemosensory/gustatory system of insects.     

中国自然灾害、减灾建设与可持续发展

本文依据国家减灾委减灾办所收集到的有关我国自然灾害的资料,以及国家基金委＂中国自然灾害区域规律＂研究所收集到的资料,分析了中国自然灾害的基本状况、危险性程度以及中国可持续发展与减灾建设。结论是中国可持续发展必须对减轻自然灾害给予高度重视,把减灾作为国家的基本国策。