Changes in pest management practice in almond orchards during the rainy season in California,USA

In California, regulatory agencies are concerned about organophosphate (OP) contamination of surface water. OPs originate in part from applications on dormant almond and stone fruit orchards that are washed off during winter rainstorms. Programs conducted by the University of California Statewide Integrated Pest Management Project, University of California Cooperative Extension, and the Biologically Integrated Orchard Systems (BIOS), a coalition of public and private groups, have promoted the replacement of OPs on almonds during the rainy season with alternative practices. Data from individual applicator records from the California Pesticide Use Reports demonstrated that during 1992–1997, almond growers in all nine major almond-producing counties significantly reduced use of OPs. The area of almond orchards treated with OPs during the dormant season was reduced by 40–55%, depending upon the region. Similarly, the percentage of growers who used OPs during the dormant season was reduced by 31–48%, and the mass of OPs applied to almond orchards during the dormant season was reduced by 22–57%. During the same period, there was a significant increase in the percentage of growers who used “reduced-risk” treatments: the microbial pesticide Bacillus thuringiensis at bloom-time, oil without an insecticide during the dormant season, and no treatment during the dormant or bloom season. In addition to the decrease in OPs during the dormant season, there was a significant decrease in the area treated with OPs during the growing season. However, there was also a significant increase in the use of pyrethroids during the dormant season, a practice that might result in some surface water and sediment contamination.     

Potential for biological control of field bindweed in California's coastal vineyards

The possibility of using biological control against field bindweed, Convolvulus arvensis L., was studied in four vineyards along the California coast. Field bindweed is a dominant member of the weed community and the principal plant pest in these vineyards. There is considerable insect and mite damage to its foliage during late summer and autumn, but the stress this places on the weed is unknown. The most significant natural enemies of field bindweed are defoliating caterpillars, Bedellia somnulentella Zeller, Chaetocnema confinis Crotch, and spider mites. Non of the natural enemies present appeared to be suitable as biological control agents. However, some arthropods, such as Noctuelia floralis (Huebner), associated with field bindweed in Mediterranean Europe and Pakistan, could be useful in the California grape agroecosystem, once cleared for importation and release in North America. Others, unsuitable to release in California because of feeding on closely related native plants, may be of value in other parts of the world where no such conflicts of interest exist. It would be feasible to use biological control against field bindweed in California's coastal vineyards and, perhaps, also in orchards under present systems of cultivation. Its effectiveness could be enhanced by certain changes in growing practices, particularly the acceptance of some weed growth, and by changes in existing pest controls. Biological control of field bindweed should be considered in the development of pest management programs for such crops in California and wherever this plant is a serious pest.     

The conversion of overgrazed pastures to almond orchards and alfalfa cropping systems may favor microbial indicators of soil quality in Central Iran

Land use changes may have a major influence on soil quality that is important in sustaining ecosystem productivity. Yet, the effects of these changes on soil quality are not well understood, particularly in poor heterogeneous pastures overgrazed by sheep. The aim of this study was to determine the short-term response of soil quality indicators to changes in land use from permanent pastures overgrazed to almond orchards and then to alfalfa cropping systems occurring in Saman plain, Central Iran. Soil quality indicators were evaluated in four land use systems including permanent pastures (PP) overgrazed by sheep, pastures converted to almond orchards (AO) for more than 45 years, almond orchards converted to alfalfa fields for 5 years (FA) and almond orchards converted to alfalfa fields for 2 years (TA). Composite soil samples from each of the four random replicates of the land use systems were sampled to a depth of 30 cm, and analyzed for soil bulk density, total N, total organic C, wet aggregate stability, C mineralization, microbial biomass C, and phosphatase activities. Land use changes (i.e. conversion of pastures to almond orchards and then to alfalfa fields) resulted in significant increases in soil bulk density, and total organic C and N contents. Similarly, total organic C and N pools were far greater in TA and FA compared to PP and AO land use systems. The soil porosity and aggregate stability (MWD) in PP and AO land use systems were significantly greater than those in TA and FA land use systems. Carbon mineralization and microbial biomass C and the activity of acid and alkaline phosphatases were substantially higher in the alfalfa fields than those in overgrazed pastures and almond orchards. The microbial metabolic quotient (qCO₂) increased in alfalfa fields, although the increases were marginal. It would appear that (1) the conversion of poor pastures to alfalfa cropping systems favors soil microbial properties, (2) microbial properties are the most sensitive soil quality indicators responding positively to short-term changes in land use. It is also concluded that improvement in soil quality and enhanced biological activity in alfalfa fields demonstrated the gradual resilience of the poor and overgrazed pastures once converted to a fast growing and N₂ fixing legume crop.     

Integrated mite control in apples in Queensland, Australia

An interdisciplinary team introduced Integrated Mite Control (IMC) to the Queensland apple industry in Australia from 1989 to 1992. Project funding supported the employment of a consultant to monitor mite levels and provide management advice to growers who paid for the service. Interviews at the beginning and end of the project showed widespread adoption of IMC over this period. Overall use of chemicals was not reduced, but the use pattern changed towards wider use of chemicals that are less toxic to predatory mites. The future of IMC in the Queensland apple industry is in doubt because the seasonal nature of apple production does not allow the paid consultancy service to be self-sustaining. Indications are that the integrated approach to pest management may not be generally accepted as a strategic management process while the availability of effective chemicals allows the continuation of a spray routine for mite control. The lack of availability of effective and proven methods of pest control was seen by growers as the major constraint to adoption of IMC.     

丛枝菌对转Bt基因棉根际土壤营养物质及酶活性的影响

转Bt基因抗虫棉已在全球范围内广泛种植,然而Bt棉根际分泌物是否会影响土壤理化性质及土壤功能尚缺乏深入研究。通过盆栽实验方法,设计不同的棉花品种与是否接种丛枝菌总共4个处理,以此研究Bt棉和接种丛枝菌根真菌对植物根际土壤营养物质含量以及土壤酶活性的影响。结果显示:丛枝菌可以使non-Bt棉和Bt棉根际土壤营养物质中的土壤有机质和土壤总氮含量显著增加,但是对根际土壤全磷却鲜有影响。转基因对于不同品种棉花根际土壤酶,丛枝菌均能有效增强其活性。由此表明,丛枝菌对Bt棉和non-Br棉根际土壤环境均具有改善作用。     

Cleaner production alternatives: Biomass utilisation options

The increasing price of energy, the security of supply, the reduction of green house gases, and the scarcity of oil and gas urge the use of more and more renewable energy. An important renewable energy source is the biomass which can be applied for heat, electricity, and transportation fuel production. The heat and electricity production are the so called “direct utilisation” alternatives and the transportation fuel production alternatives are the “indirect utilisation” alternatives of biomass energy. If efficient land use is considered, the alternatives can be compared on the basis of the utilisable energy produced from the biomass per hectare. It is shown that the bioethanol production from corn has about 89–99% less energy production capability than that of the direct utilisation alternatives. The cellulosic type bioethanol production technologies, since these partially directly utilise the biomass energy, have better energy utilisation potential, that is about 40–50% of direct alternatives.     

Effects of two sterol-inhibiting fungicides on populations of pest and beneficial arthropods on apple

This research demonstrated that sterol-inhibiting fungicides alter the population structure of some pest and beneficial arthropods in apple orchards. Orchard populations of European red mite, Panonychus ulmi (Koch) (Acarina: Tetranychidae); the predacious mite, Typhlodromus caudiglans Schuster (Acarina: Phytoseiidae); the spotted tentiform leafminer, Phyllonorycter blancardella Fabr. (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae); the leafminer parasite Pholetesor ornigis Weed (Hymenoptera: Braconidae); the green apple aphid, Aphis pomi DeGeer (Homoptera: Aphididae); white apple leafhopper, Typhlocyba pomaria McAtee (Homoptera: Cicadellidae); Campylomma verbasci Meyer (Hemiptera: Miridae); chalcids, primarily Sympiesis sericeicornis Nees (Hymenoptera: Chalcididae), were monitored for two growing seasons in a McIntosh apple orchard that had received applications, at 2-week intervals, of two sterol-inhibiting fungicides, bitertanol and flusilazole. High rates of flusilazole were associated with increased numbers of European red mite and decreased numbers of predacious mite species, particularly T. caudiglans. Trees receiving a high rate of bitertanol had fewer European red mites and predacious mite species. Fungicides did not influence spotted tentiform leafminer oviposition or the number of leafminer larvae in May and June 1985. However, in September 1985 there were fewer leafminer pupae in plots treated with the two lower rates of flusilazole and more larvae in plots treated with the high rate of bitertanol, relative to trees sprayed with captan. In 1986, there were more leafminer eggs in plots treated with the low rate of bitertanol compared with captan and non-sprayed trees. However, by 24 June, all treatments showed similar levels of leafminer larvae and pupae. Populations of P. ornigis were generally higher in trees treated with flusilazole in both years. Numbers of aphids and mullein bug were higher in trees treated with flusilazole relative to non-sprayed and captan-treated trees. Chalcid populations were higher in bitertanol-treated trees. Fungicides had no apparent effect on populations of white apple leafhopper.     

Pesticide usage in California and the United States

In recent years, pesticide usage in the United States has increased markedly. As measured in 1980 for the U.S.A., there were: (1) more than 45 000 individually products registered; (2) more than 1500 active ingredients involved; and (3) about 2.5 billion pounds of active ingredients used annually. Pesticide usage in agriculture has probably peaked and will probably level off and may even decrease in the 1980's because of public health concerns, environmental concerns, lower dose levels of newer pesticides, and the introduction and use of integrated pest management programs and bio-control programs.     

A survey of the use of IPM by New York apple producers

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) was first introduced to New York apple growers in 1975 through an Extension pilot program. Since that time, growers have become aware of the methods, results and potential benefits of following an IPM approach in their orchards. Differences in pesticide use, demography and behavior between IPM users and non-users are presented in this study. Results showed that > 80% of the apple producers in New York State (NY) incorporate some aspect of IPM into their pest control strategies. IPM users were younger and better educated and had less farm experience than non-users. Cornell Cooperative Extension was considered a primary source of written pest management and pesticide information to NY growers. However, agricultural sales persons were also considered useful by the growers for making pest management decisions. Growers that employed comprehensive IPM practices used 30% less insecticides, 47% less miticides and 10% less fungicides than growers that did not use IPM practices. This resulted in 235 kg active ingredient ha⁻¹ not having to be absorbed by the environment and saved IPM apple growers an average of US$ 95.80 ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ over an 11-year period (1976–1986) without significantly affecting fruit quality.     

鄱阳湖沉积物有机磷累积特征及其与流域发展间的响应关系

选取了鄱阳湖4个柱状沉积物,应用改进的Hedley磷形态连续提取法和有机磷(OP)酶水解技术,研究了其OP累积特征、生物有效性变化及其与流域发展间的响应关系.结果表明:1自1972年以来,鄱阳湖沉积物OP含量呈持续增长趋势,其中南部湖区和"五河"尾闾区较北部和中部湖区增长趋势明显;不同阶段沉积物OP中H2O-Po和HCl-Po含量呈先下降,而近十年又有所增加趋势;Na OH-EDTA-Po含量则呈持续增长趋势,即鄱阳湖沉积物OP增加主要是由于Na OH-EDTA-Po的增加所致.2鄱阳湖沉积物各形态OP组成各异,其中H2O-Po含量较低,以类植酸磷为主,生物有效性较低;Na OH-EDTA-Po含量较高,以活性单酯磷为主,生物有效性较高.鄱阳湖沉积物OP增加主要来源于活性单酯磷,其生物有效性也呈增长趋势,二酯磷和类植酸磷则在1972—2002年间为下降趋势,2002年以来有所增加.3鄱阳湖沉积物OP,特别是Na OHEDTA-Po的累积主要受流域农业面源污染影响,其中沉积物OP和Na OH-EDTA-Po含量与流域单位面积磷肥施用量显著正相关,表明流域农业面源污染是导致鄱阳湖沉积物OP含量增加的重要原因之一.     

Abundance patterns and foraging activity of ant communities in abandoned,organic and commercial apple orchards in Northern California

The abundance patterns of ant communities were monitored with pitfall traps during 14 weeks in four northern California, dry farmed, apple orchards: an abandoned orchard undisturbed for 25 years, two ‘organically’ managed orchards, one with a cover crop of bell beans (Vicia faba) and grasses and the other kept clean of cover by discing, and a ‘commercial’ clean cultivated orchard sprayed with organophosphate insecticides. Six species of ants coexisted in the abandoned orchard, whereas only two species were found in the managed orchards. In both the organic and sprayed, clean cultivated systems, ants were more abundant in the orchard edges than in the vegetation-free centers. This trend was not apparent in the abandoned or organic cover orchards, where plant diversity in the center was similar to that of the edges. Ant predation on potato tuberworm larvae, Phthorimaea operculella, artificially placed on the orchard floor, declined with the intensity of management and vegetational simplication. A higher incidence of larval removal occurred in the edges than in the centers of the clean cultivated orchards. No noticeable populations of ants were detected on the trees in any of the orchards. Increased vegetational diversity and lack of disturbance appeared to affect ant locomotory activity and foraging efficiency by creating preferred sheltering and feeding sites.     

Spatial and historical distribution of organic phosphorus driven by environment conditions in lake sediments

The chemistry of sedimentary organic phosphorus (OP) and its fraction distribution in sediments are greatly influenced by environmental conditions such as terrestrial inputs and runoffs. The linkage of OP with environmental conditions was analyzed on the basis of OP spatial and historical distributions in lake sediments. The redundancy analysis and OP spatial distribution results suggested that both NaOH-OP (OP extracted by NaOH) and Re-OP (residual OP) in surface sediments from the selected 13 lakes reflected the gradient effects of environmental conditions and the autochthonous and/or allochthonous inputs driven by latitude zonality in China. The lake level and salinity of Lake Hulun and the runoff and precipitation of its drainage basin were reconstructed on the basis of the geochemistry index. This work showed that a gradient in weather conditions presented by the latitude zonality in China impacts the OP accumulation through multiple drivers and in many ways. The drivers are mainly precipitation and temperature, governing organic matter (OM) production, degradation rate and transportation in the watershed. Over a long temporal dimension (4000 years), the vertical distributions of Re-OP and NaOH-OP based on a dated sediment profile from HLH were largely regulated by the autochthonous and/or allochthonous inputs, which depended on the environmental and climate conditions and anthropogenic activities in the drainage basin. This work provides useful environmental geochemistry information to understand the inherent linkage of OP fractionation with environmental conditions and lake evolution.     

微生物对冰封期湖泊沉积物中有机磷降解释放的影响

以寒旱区湖泊乌梁素海为研究对象,以有机磷降解过程中的形态转化为主线,探讨了冰封期内底物添加与灭菌处理对有机磷释放特征的影响.结果表明,180 d冰封期内,灭菌处理(T_N)上覆水中可溶性总磷酸盐(DTP)和可溶性正磷酸盐(DIP)及可溶性有机磷(DOP)的质量浓度均高于底物添加处理(T_M),揭示T_M体系中厌氧微生物的同化利用降低了上覆水中磷的质量浓度;同时微生物驱动下铁的异化还原作用也是影响水-沉积物界面有机磷释放的重要机制.释放周期内,沉积物中活性有机磷(LOP)、总活性磷(TLP)的含量均减少;T_M体系的中等活性有机磷(MLOP)含量先减少后增加,非活性有机磷(NLOP)的含量先增加后减少;T_N的MLOP含量波动性增加,NLOP的含量波动性减少.释放初期(0~60 d),T_M的MLOP含量高于T_N,而NLOP的含量低于T_N;释放中末期(60~180 d),T_M的MLOP含量低于T_N,而NLOP的含量高于T_N.揭示释放中沉积物MLOP与NLOP之间存在相互转化的可能性.释放过程中,T_M沉积物有机磷的相对含量降低,无机磷的相对含量增高,呈现有机磷向无机磷转化的趋势,沉积物有机磷约有6.1%转化为无机磷,揭示了冰封期内,微生物可加速沉积物有机磷向无机磷的转化,提高了磷的生物可利用率,增加了沉积物磷向上覆水释放的风险.     

Are linear habitats in agrarian landscapes source areas of beneficial or pest rodents?

This study tested the hypotheses that populations of the montane vole Microtus montanus (a potential pest species) and deer mouse Peromyscus maniculatus (a potential beneficial species) in linear habitats will be (i) positively related to the type of vegetation (abundance and diversity of vascular plants) within and adjacent to those habitats; and (ii) correlated with population changes and productivity (reproductive performance, recruitment, and survival) in nearby apple (Malus domestica) orchards. Population dynamics of M. montanus and P. maniculatus were measured by intensive live-trapping from 2003 to 2006 in replicated hedgerows, riparian strips, and nearby orchards, in southern British Columbia, Canada. Hedgerows were borders between orchards, orchards and old fields, as well as orchards and natural forest. Contrary to hypothesis (i), M. montanus and P. maniculatus populations were not positively related to vegetation type within linear habitats and their adjacent crop and non-crop areas. Mean abundance and diversity of vegetation attributes were similar among linear habitats. Hypothesis (ii) was not supported for M. montanus populations in linear habitats since they did not correlate with population changes in nearby apple orchards, during a peak year in abundance. Populations of P. maniculatus were similar in abundance and other demographic variables among the linear habitats and apple orchards, and hence hypothesis (ii) was supported for this species.     

Transition to large-scale organic vegetable production in the Salinas Valley, California

Studying the management strategies suited to large-scale organic production, particularly during the mandated 3-year transition period from conventional management, is a unique research challenge. Organic production traditionally relies on small, diverse plantings and complex management responses to cope with soil fertility and pest pressures, so research should represent decision-making options of an organic grower at the farm scale. This study analyzes crop, soil, pest and management changes during the organic transition period on two ranches (40 and 47 ha) in the Salinas Valley, California in cooperation with a large conventional vegetable producer, Tanimura and Antle, Inc. Permanent transects were established across the two ranches at the onset of adoption of organic practices, and soil and plants were sampled at harvest of almost all crops, while all management operations were recorded by the co-operator. The 10 ha blocks were divided into many small plantings, and 17 different cash crop and cover crop species were planted during the transition period. Management inputs consisted of a range of organic fertilizers and amendments, sprinkler and drip irrigation, cultivation and hand-hoeing, and several types of organic pesticides. Results from the 3-year period followed these general trends: increase in soil biological indicators (microbial biomass and arbuscular mycorrhizae), low soil nitrate pools, adequate crop nutrients, minor disease and weed problems, and sporadic mild insect damage. Multivariate statistical analyses indicated that some crops and cultivars consistently produced higher yields than others, relative to the maximum yield for a given crop. Multi-factor contingency tables showed clear differences in insect and disease damage between crop taxa. Although Tanimura and Antle, Inc. used some of the principles of organic farming (e.g., crop diversity, crop rotation, and organic matter (OM) management), they also relied on substitution-based management, such as fertigation with soluble nutrients, initially heavy applications of organic pesticides, and use of inputs derived from off-farm sources. Their initial production of a large number of crop taxa in small plantings at staggered intervals proved to be an effective strategy for avoiding risks from low yields or crop failure and allowed them to move towards a smaller number of select, successful crops towards the end of the transition. This study demonstrates the feasibility of large-scale producers to transition to organic practices in a manner that was conducive to both production goals and environmental quality, i.e., increased soil C pools, low soil nitrate, and absence of synthetic pesticides.     

Insecticide and tillage effects on pest and non-pest arthropods in corn agroecosystems

Effects of carbamate and organophosphate insecticides, tillage and previous cropping history on pest and non-target soil arthropods in corn are reported. Also, degradation patterns of organophosphate insecticide were quantified in plowed and no-tillage systems. Overall, tillage and cropping sequence had greater effects on arthropod communities than did insecticide treatments. Rootworm (Diabrotica sp.) damage was less in no-tillage than in plowed systems. There was no significant difference between insecticides in affecting rootworm damage. The organophosphate-treated corn had less black cutworm (Agrostis ipsilon) damage than did the carbamate-treated corn. Cryptostigmata mite density was highest in no-tillage systems. In contrast, non-cryptostigmata mite density was highest in fallow—plowed systems. The carbamate insecticide had a greater negative effect on overall mite density than did the organophosphate compound. With respect to soil macroarthropods, herbivore numbers were highest in plowed systems and lowest in no-tillage systems. Spider numbers were highest in the no-tillage systems. The organo-phosphate insecticide degraded more rapidly in the no-tillage compared to the plowed systems; however, this difference did not appear to affect arthropod numbers.     

植物源杀虫剂川楝素对环境生物安全性评价

评价农药对环境中非靶标生物的毒性是新农药开发应用的重要环节.依据国家环境保护局"化学农药环境安全评价试验准则",测定了78%川楝素原粉和0.5%川楝素乳油对生态环境中非靶标生物的毒性,并进行了安全性评价.结果表明,川楝素原粉对鹌鹑、家蚕、蜜蜂、蚯蚓、瓢虫、蝌蚪等非靶标生物均为低毒;川楝素乳油对家蚕、蜜蜂、蚯蚓、瓢虫等均为低毒,对家蚕的生长发育具有一定的影响,对鹌鹑中毒,对蝌蚪高毒.可见,植物源杀虫剂川楝素对环境非靶标生物毒性低、较为安全,但在水田及桑园应慎用0.5%川楝素乳油.     

昆虫对拟除虫菊酯农药的抗性研究进展

拟除虫菊酯是继有机氯、有机磷和氨基甲酸酯之后具有生物活性优异、环境相容性较好的一大类杀虫剂,在防治卫生害虫和农作物害虫中占有重要地位。然而随着拟除虫菊酯农药的广泛使用,害虫普遍对其产生了不同程度的抗药性。文章就此综述了昆虫对拟除虫菊酯农药的抗药性现状、抗药性产生的原因及机制,以及昆虫对拟除虫菊酯农药与其他农药的交互抗性、昆虫的抗药性遗传和对昆虫抗药性进行监测的现行方法等国内外的研究进展。并对如何科学合理的使用拟除虫菊酯农药,及如何减缓昆虫对其产生抗性的措施进行了扼要的阐述,最后探讨了受农药影响所导致的昆虫基因多样性及生物多样性受损等问题。     

浅述中国森林植被保护与可持续发展

人类为了满足生活和生产的需求,对森林资源的过度索取,已造成森林植被的毁坏及生态系统的自动调节能力的破坏,引起了生态失调甚至造成生态系统崩溃.森林植被破坏对人类社会发展造成了气候异常、温室效应等恶果.为此提倡中国的森林植被保护与可持续发展要从法制和管理方面入手,达到改善生态环境和森林资源持续发展及利用的目的.     

氯氟烃替代物的开发研究进展

重点介绍了近年来国内外对氯氟烃替代物的研究开发动向，并简要地介绍了主要替代物的性能及应用情况。