Partial compensation of the sublethal effect of deltamethrin on the sex pheromonal communication of Trichogramma brassicae

Pyrethroid insecticides are widely used and lead to a sizable environmental pollution that could interfere with the population biology of insects. Trichogramma is a beneficial insect used in biological control and which natural populations contribute to the control of Lepidopterus pests. In this work, we determined the effect of a sublethal dose of deltamethrin on the sex pheromonal communication of Trichogramma. The dose used (LD 0.1) induces no detectable mortality (the theoretical mortality is only one insect over 1000) and can be a good representation of contamination by this insecticide from environmental pollution. The insecticide was shown to have opposite effects on the sex pheromonal communication of Trichogramma, depending on which sex was exposed (Delpuech, J.M., Legallet, B., Terrier, O., Fouillet, P., 1999. Chemosphere 38, 729–739). We show that, when both sexes are simultaneously exposed to the insecticide, this effect is only partially neutralized. The mean response of treated males responding to the sex pheromone from treated females is not significantly different from that of controls, but the kinetics of their response is not the same. When both sexes are treated, the response of males to the sex pheromone is lower at the beginning but their response does not decrease during time contrary to controls and becomes finally higher than that of controls. Therefore, the sublethal effect of deltamethrin in the field can be either advantageous or disadvantageous depending on the difficulty in finding females and their scarcity.     

Comparative study of the age and location dependence of some heavy metals in human hair from two Nigerian cities

The concentration of some heavy metals (lead, zinc and copper) were determined in the scalp hair of children (1–15 year) and active adults (16–40 year) in two Nigerian cities. The levels of zinc were found to be higher in children than in the adult population. There was a significant difference (P?=?0.05) between the two age groups. The levels of copper were all within the same range for the two age groups and independent of location. The levels of lead were generally higher in adults than in children. However, there was no significant difference (P?=?0.05) in the average concentrations of lead between the children and adult populations of the two cities. The regression analysis indicated a strong correlation (r?=?0.86) between zinc and copper.     

A landscape ecological approach to countryside planning

Extensive losses of semi‐natural rural biotopes have led to pressures for conservation and habitat creation. Of particular concern is the loss of large‐scale structure and regional distinctiveness. If this is to be regained, planners will require both an effective body of theory relating to large‐scale visual and ecological cohesion, and effective methods of implementation. This study reviews the value of landscape ecology as a theoretical framework and discusses some applications, with particular reference to the re‐forestation of lowland Britain.     

Influence of farm resource endowment on possibilities for sustainable development: a case study for vegetable farms in South Uruguay

In different parts of the world, there is an urgent need for redesigning and innovating farming systems. Such a process may be supported by model-based explorations that enable ex-ante evaluation of a broad range of alternatives. Since a variety of viable patterns of farm development exists related to farm resource endowment and farmer's strategy, model-based explorations should be able to capture the existing variation in resource endowment and strategies in order to have impact on strategic farm management. In this paper, we present an overview of the model-based explorative method based on the MILP model Farm Images, applied to explore options for sustainable development of vegetable farms in Canelón Grande, Uruguay. The method is used to gain insight into the impact of current farm resource endowment on the possibilities for sustainable development and on the resource use efficiency at farm scale. We maximized farm income for 128 different farm types in an environment-oriented scenario and in an income-oriented scenario. Farm types were defined by combining 4 farm sizes, 2 labor endowments, 4 irrigation endowments, 2 soil quality combinations and 2 mechanization levels. The results demonstrate a strong impact of farm resource endowment on possibilities for sustainable development, as well as synergy between labor, land and irrigated area on resource-use efficiency at farm scale. Farms with 10ha of land or less, representing 47% of the farms in the Canelón Grande region, could only achieve a family income higher than the average income of Uruguayan families when the irrigated area was ca. 40% of the farm area. The achievement of environmental targets was less costly in terms of income on farms with a low rather than high labor availability per unit area and on farms with irrigation facilities.     

淮安市农产品中重金属及有机氯、有机磷农药残留量调查

淮安市环境监测中心站于1999年－2000年对淮安市农产品中重金属以及有机氯、有机磷农药残留量进行了调查。结果表明，粮食和蔬菜作物中，六六六的4种同分异构体只有γ－六六六能检出，检出率分别为24．0％和51．7％，都未超标；DDT的4种同分异要体均未检出；有机磷农药的检出率分别为5％和25％，其中蔬菜中敌敌畏含量出现个别超标现象，倍硫磷、乐果和杀螟松在粮食和蔬菜作物中的含量都不超标。重金属中金属“五毒”在粮食和蔬菜作物中，只有Cr和Pb能检出，Cd、Hg和As都未检出，Cu、Zn和Mn能检出，但不超标。提出，应严格按照农牧渔业部和卫生部颁发的《农药安全使用规定》用药，多使用高效低残留量的“绿色农药”；农业、环保和卫生部门必须加强合作，对蔬菜生产销售的全过程进行监督监测，以确保生产无公害蔬菜。     

中国粮食主产区耕地土壤重金属时空变化与污染源分析

土壤重金属污染威胁着农田生态系统安全和人类健康.基于2000年以来中国五大粮食主产区3 006个耕地样点的土壤重金属实测数据和20世纪80年代的土壤重金属历史数据,采用单因子指数法评估了粮食主产区耕地土壤重金属的污染现状和变化趋势,并基于地累积指数,结合区位环境污染探讨了其污染来源.结果表明,中国粮食主产区耕地土壤重金属点位超标率为21.49%,整体以轻度污染为主,其中轻度、中度和重度污染比重分别13.97%、2.50%和5.02%.四川盆地、长江中游及江淮地区、黄淮海平原、松嫩平原和三江平原的耕地点位超标率分别为43.55%、30.64%、12.22%、9.35%和1.67%,南方耕地污染重于北方.主要污染物为Cd、Ni、Cu、Zn、Hg,超标率分别为17.39%、8.41%、4.04%、2.84%、2.56%.自20世纪80年代以来,耕地土壤重金属含量呈增加趋势,整体上点位超标率增加了14.91%,其中Cd、Ni、Cu、Zn和Hg的污染比重分别增加了16.07%、4.56%、3.68%、2.24%和1.96%.除三江平原外,其他4个粮食主产区耕地土壤重金属点位超标比重增加趋势显著,且南方地区的Cd、Ni和Cu重金属超标比重变化量高于北方,而Hg和Cr增速低于北方.Cd、Hg以人为污染源为主,其他6种重金属以自然污染源为主,但Pb、Zn和Cu约有20.00%的点位受人为活动的影响.矿业、工业、污灌水是主要的污染源,除污灌水来源北方重于南方外,其余污染来源均是南方污染重于北方,污染物种类也多于北方.     

Agricultural policies and the emergence of cotton as the dominant crop in northern Côte d'Ivoire: Historical overview and current outlook

In most of sub‐Saharan Africa, where the agricultural sector experiences dismal performance and is characterized by a gloomy picture, the cotton sub‐sector in Côte d’Ivoire is often mentioned as a “success story” given the spectacular rise in the quantity of cotton production and the profile of the crop within the farming system. What are the historical and political antecedents of the development of cotton and the factors responsible for the feat accomplished in the midst of general failures in the same continent? To what extent can cotton be regarded as a “success story” and, what lessons can be drawn for agricultural development strategies based on the Ivorian case study? This paper traces the historical and socio‐political background of cotton development in Côte d’Ivoire and identifies key policy and institutional interventions that have influenced the rise of cotton production and its emergence as the dominant crop in the farming systems of the country. Four stages in Ivorian cotton development are identified: planning, take off, crisis and the renaissance phases. The study demonstrates how a combination of good planning, technological advancement and appropriate policy and institutional conditions have contributed significantly to the rise of cotton production and its influence on the agricultural economy of northern Côte d’Ivoire. The study also highlights how the sustainability of agricultural development has been impacted by domestic and international policies and political events over which smallholder farm families have little control, and can at best only respond to. Important questions about cotton development in Côte d'Ivoire are raised that need to be answered before the program can be categorized conclusively as a success story. The study shows that there are no quick fixes to agricultural development in the sub‐region. Rather, good planning and putting the necessary building blocks in place are important prerequisites. It is recommended that agricultural development efforts in the continent take cognizance of the complexity of the sector and address the inter‐relationships that exist among the technical, policy, market and institutional factors that combine individually and collectively to influence African agriculture.     

火源位置对轻型门式刚架竖向位移的影响

为探究总火源功率相同时,两个火源相对位置变化对轻型门式刚架竖向位移的影响规律,采用经实验验证过的有限元方法对其进行瞬态非线性热-结构耦合数值模拟,研究了大功率火灾下单个火源、两个火源位置变化对门式刚架的温度分布以及竖向位移的影响。结果表明:保持火灾总功率30 MW不变时,在单一火源作用下火源位于跨中时刚架位移最大,在两火源作用下,15 MW-15 MW的火源组合最危险、刚架的破坏时间随火源相对距离的增大而增大,功率较大的火源位于临界位置比功率较小的火源位于临界位置有利。且功率较大的火源位于临界位置时,火源相对位置变化对刚架竖向位移的影响不显著,而功率较小的火源位于临界位置时,影响显著。     

基于时差收敛算法的声发射源定位方法研究

本文针对传统基于时差的声发射定位方法精度及稳定性不足且易受检测环境影响的问题,提出了一种基于收敛算法的声发射源定位方法,经过循环迭代不断优化声发射信号的到达时刻计算方式,使得定位计算重构的定位源稳定收敛在近似同一区域,从而提高声发射源的定位准确度。     

Cues used by shiny cowbirds (Molothrus bonariensis) to locate and parasitise chalk-browed mockingbird (Mimus saturninus) nests

Unlike other birds, shiny cowbirds (Molothrus bonariensis) must locate host nests where to lay their eggs and then decide whether to parasitise them. They should also synchronise their laying with that of the host to increase the survival of parasite egg and young. Shiny cowbirds can discover nests using host behaviour as a cue, or by searching the habitat without need for the presence of a host. Besides, they can synchronise parasitism with host laying by monitoring nests during building and laying, or directly by assessing the degree of development of embryos through the puncture of host eggs. Alternatively, synchronization can arise by lower nest attentiveness during host laying. We determined the extent of synchronization between laying of shiny cowbirds and chalk-browed mockingbirds (Mimus saturninus) and estimated if parasitism was negatively associated with host nest attentiveness. We also conducted an experiment to test if host activity was necessary to locate nests, and if puncture of host eggs was a cue for deciding parasitism. Shiny cowbirds synchronised parasitism with host laying in 75% of the cases and synchronization was not explained by lower host nest attentiveness during laying. Shiny cowbirds located nests without need for presence of a host, but the decision of parasitising the nest depended on host activity at the nest. The information that shiny cowbirds could obtain through egg punctures was not necessary for deciding parasitism. Our results indicate that shiny cowbirds rely on the precise timing of their eggs and avoid laying in unsuitable nests.