Amrasca biguttula (Ishida). [Distribution map

A field experiment was conducted during 200708 and 200809 on a sandy clay loam soil, to indentify sustain- able rice ( Oryza sativa L.) based cropping systems with higher productivity, economics and efficient use of water in Kymore Plateau and Satpura hills zone of Madhya Pradesh. In these 12 cropping systems, rice was sequenced ) with feasible rabi viz., wheat [ Triticum aestivum (L.) emend. Paol & Fiori], chickpea (Cicer arietinum L. , onion ( Al- lium sepa L.), berseem ( Trifolium alexandrinum L.), potato ( Solanum tuberosum L.), gobhi sarson ( Brassica napus var. napus ), vegetable pea, ( Pisum sativum L.), garlic ( Allium sativum L.), marigold ( Tagetes erecta L.) and sum- mer crops viz., maize ( Zea mays L.), green gram ( Vigna radiata L. Wilczek), sunflower ( Helianthus annuus L.), groundnut ( Arachis hypogaea L.), okra ( Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench) and cowpea ( Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.). Hybrid rice JRH-5garlicmaize+cowpea cropping system recorded the highest productivity (27.35t/ha/ year) in terms of rice equivalent yields (REY) with net monetary returns of ` 1,75,980/ha/year, 4.47 benefit:cost ra- tio and water productivity of 137.9kg/ha/cm. Both the existing cropping systems viz., ricewheat and ricechickpea recorded the least productivity, net monetary returns, benefit:cost ratio and water productivity. The highest total uptake of N, P and K nutrients was under rice gobhi sarsonokra cropping system. After completion of 2 crop cycles, there was a slight improvement in organic carbon and total N content of soil due to inclusion of legumes.

Potato-based five cropping systems, viz. rice (Oryza sativa L.)-potato (Solanum tuberosum L.)–wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), maize (Zea mays L.)-potato-wheat, blackgram(Vigna mungo L. Hepper)-potato-greengram (Vigna radiata L. Wilczek), soybean (Glycine max L. Merril)-potato-cowpea (green pods) (Vigna sinensis L.) and cowpea (green pods)-potato-okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench) were tested during 2010–11 to 2012–13 at Kanpur, India. The highest total productivity was obtained under cowpea-potato-okra cropping system (53.44 tha−1), while blackgram-potato-green gram system gave the highest potato equivalent yield (57.57 t ha−1) with maximum net return ( 231.42 ha−1) and benefit: cost (B:C) ratio (3.30). Traditional potato-based cropping system of the study area i.e., maize-potato-wheat produced only 25.26 t ha−1 total economic yield and earned lowest net return and B:C ratio. Thus, blackgram-potato-greengram cropping system proved to be most productive and profitable system for central plain zone of Uttar Pradesh.

Boron (B) is an essential plant nutrient and its specific deficiency symptoms are well documented in several crops. Boron is essential for the development of reproductive tissues and its deficiency results in low grain set or poor quality seeds and fruits. Adequate B nutrition is reported to reduce incidence of some diseases in plants. About one-third of the cultivated soils, especially in the eastern and north-eastern states of India are deficient in B. Good responses for a number of crops to B have been reported. Borax and boric acid are the common B fertiliz- ers. The average amounts of B removed (g/tonne grain or other economic produce) by some crops are: 21 in wheat [Triticum aestivum (L.) emend. Fiori & Paol], 22 in pearlmillet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br. Emend. Stuntz], 36 in sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench], 17 in cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp], 16 in cotton (Gossypium spp.), 21 in cabbage [Brassica oleracea (L.) var. capitata], 15 in cluster bean (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba L.), 14 in castor (Ricinus communis L.), 9 in groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) and potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) and 23 in brinjal (Solanum melongena L.). Boron, possibly because of its role in lignin formation is able to reduce the incidence of several diseases in plants. High amounts of B in irrigation water could be toxic to crops and irrigation water having < 3 mg B/litre is ideal for B tolerant and semi-tolerant crops.

Egg parasitoids (Hymenoptera: Mymaridae) of Amrasca biguttula (Ishida) (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) on Okinawa Island, a pest of okra in Japan

Traditional medicines of plant origin are used by world’s large population. Economic development including eradication of poverty in developing countries like, India or other countries of the world required increase in agricultural productivity. Bio fertilizers plays a very important role in modern agriculture, in achieving higher productions in Agriculture at lower input costs using biotechnological innovations at large. An endophytic symbiotic fungus, Piriformospora indica isolated from desert soils of Rajasthan, India promotes growth as well as important ingredients of the medicinal as well as economically important plants by forming association with roots of various plants and it has been established as biofertilizer, bioprotector, immunoregulator and agent for biological hardening of tissue culture raised plants. P. indica tremendously improves the growth and overall biomass production of a diverse host including legumes, medicinal and economically important plants. Pronounced growth promotional effect was seen with terrestrial orchids. P. indica was able to colonize the rhizoids of liverwort and the thalli failed to grow under in situ conditions in the absence of this fungus. The fungus also provided protection when inoculated into the tissue culture raised plants by overcoming the ‘transient transplant shock’ on transfer to the field and renders almost 100% survival on transplant. P. indica cell biomass which has potential for promoting growth of many plants (above 145) has been documented so far which include plants such as Centella asiatica , Coriandrum sativum , Artimisia annua , Spilanthus calva , Arabidopsis thalina , Cajanus cajan , Arachis hypogea , Mimosa pudica , Cicer arietinum , Allium cepa , Hordeum vulgare , Zea mays , Saccharum officinarum , Withania somnifera , Solanum lysopersicum , etc. However, impact of P. indica culture filtrate on plant growth promotion has been studied only in few plants. Important medicinal plants and plants of economic importance on which effect of culture filtrate of P. indica has been studied include plants such as Z. mays , Bacopa monniera , Nicotiana tabaccum , Azadiracta indica , Aristolochia elegans , Helianthus annus and Solanum melongena . P. indica , a root colonizing fungus which is cultivable axenically, uniquely possesses multifunctional properties such as plant promoter, plant protector, resistance against heavy metals, bio herbicide, immune-modulator, resistance against temperature, salt and stress tolerance as bio fertilizer and tool for basic research. There are prospects that ingredients present in culture filtrate, that are stimulated and produced in response to ingredients of culture filtrate in plants, will be identified in future completely thereby opening more avenues of applications of P. indica . Many more properties and functions of P. indica cells and culture filtrate are expected to be known in future. Keywords: Helianthus annus , Piriformospora indica , seed oil content, culture filtrate, aristolochia , plant microbe interaction

This chapter focuses on the pests of beans (Phaseolus sp. and Vigna sp., among others), cabbage and other crucifers, cassava (Manihot esculenta), cucurbits (Cucurbitaceae), aubergine (Solanum melongena), okra (Abelmoschus esculentus), onion (Allium cepa), peppers (Capsicum annuum and C. frutescens), potato (Solanum tuberosum), sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) and tomato (Solanum lycopersicum). The taxonomy, origin, geographical distribution, host range, life cycle and damage caused by these pests are discussed and their natural enemies are presented.

In a field experiment performance of 7 banana (Musa sp., AM)-based crop sequences was assessed in terms of their productivity, economic returns and impact on soil fertility. The crop, whose combinations constituted the sequences were banana, papaya (Carica papaya L.), pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.], wheat (Triticum aestivum L. emend. Fiori & Paol.), maize (Zea mays L.), cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.], okra (Hibiscus esculentus L.), greengram (Phaseolus radiatus L.) and lentil (Lens culinaris Medikus). The sequence of banana PC (PC, plant crop) - papaya (2 crop cycles)-banana PC-banana R, (R,, first ratoon) gave the highest banana-equivalent yield (78.57 tonnedhdyear), net return (Rs 78.414lhdyear) as well as returnlrupee investment (Rs 1.991Re). Another sequence (banana PC-banana R,-lentil-pigeonpea-papaya 1 crop) where banana and papaya were seperated by growing pulses proved to be comparable with the best treatment with a return rate of Rs 1.88lrupee investment. The above 2 sequences did not show any adverse impact on soil- fertility status. Crop sequence without banana was least profitable. Banana monoculture for 4 crop cycles [banana PGbanana R,- banana R2 (R, second ratoon)-banana PC] showed yield decline in third and fourth cycles, registering a lower net return of Rs 1 .WRelyear.

A long-term field experiment was conducted during 200607 to 201415 on organic nutrient management in rice (Oryza sativa L.)potato (Solanum tuberosum L.)okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) cropping system under irrigated conditions in the coastal alluvial sandy loam soil having pH 5.8 and organic carbon 0.62% at Bhubaneswar, Odisha. Eight treatments comprising of five organic, two integrated and one inorganic of nutrient management were tested with three replications in randomized block design. Organic sources of nutrient supply reduced the system yield by 7.6 to 9.7% over the inorganic source in the first year. However, the mean system yield of conversion period (first three cropping system cycles) with organic nutrient management comprising of supply of one-third N each through farm yard manure (FYM), green manuring of dhaincha (Sesbania cannabina) or vermicompost and neem (Azadirachta indica) oilcake + Azospirillum or Azotobacter + phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB) was on par with inorganic approach. The mean system yield from fourth to ninth cropping system cycles (after conversion period) with organic sources of nutrient supply, i.e. FYM + green manuring or vermicompost + neem oilcake + Azospirillum or Azotobacter + PSB was significantly higher (11.1%) than that of with inorganic source of nutrient supply i.e., 100% NPK + ZnSO @ 25 kg/ha to rice and 100% NPK + gypsum @ 4 110 kg/ha + borax @ 10 kg/ha + ammonium molybdate @ 0.8 kg/ha to both potato and okra. The organic nutrient management package increased the soil organic carbon and available N, P and K at the end of ninth cropping system cycle over the initial and the build-up was maximum in the soil applied with one third N each through FYM, dhaincha/vermicompost and neem oilcake + Azospirillum/Azotobacter + PSB. The microbial population in terms of colony forming units increased in a higher rate in soils with organic nutrient supply system (bacteria 36.5 to 39.4%, fungi 33.0 to 38.2% and actinomycetes 36.0 to 37.3%) compared to the inorganic source of nutrient supply system (bacteria 5.6%, fungi 10.3% and actinomycetes 12.7%) after ninth cropping system cycle over initial status. The microbial biomass carbon of the soils with organic sources of nutrient supply was enhanced considerably (57.7% to 66.8%) over the initial level (98.7 to 107.4 ?g C/g). Application of one-third N each through FYM, green manur- ing of dhaincha and neem oilcake + Azospirillum + PSB to rice followed by similar combination of FYM, vermicompost, neem oilcake + Azotobacter + PSB to both potato and okra was the best organic nutrient manage- ment practice for ricepotatookra cropping system for improving soil health and productivity. However, this sys- tem can be profitable under organic farming only when on-farm generated organic manures are used.

A new distribution map is provided for Colletotrichum coccodes (Wallr.) S. Hughes. Ascomycota: Glomerellaceae. Hosts: potato ( Solanum tuberosum ), tomato ( Solanum lycopersicum ), persimmon ( Diospyros kaki ), okra ( Abelmoschus esculentus ) and carnation ( Dianthus caryophyllus ). Information is given on the geographical distribution in Europe (Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia-Hercegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechoslovakia (former), Denmark, Estonia, France (Mainland France), Germany, Greece (Crete, Mainland Greece), Hungary, Ireland, Italy (Mainland Italy, Sicily), Lithuania, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal (Azores), Romania, Russia (Central Russia, Southern Russia), Serbia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UK (Channel Islands, England and Wales, Scotland)), Asia (Afghanistan, Brunei Darussalam, China (Hong Kong), India (Bihar, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh), Indonesia (Java), Iran, Israel, Japan, Jordan, Korea Republic, Lebanon, Malaysia (Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah), Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Syria, Turkey, Vietnam), Africa (Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Morocco, Nigeria, South Africa, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zimbabwe), North America (Canada (Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Saskatchewan), Mexico, USA (California, Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming)), Central America & Caribbean (Barbados, Bermuda, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, United States Virgin Islands), South America (Argentina, Brazil (Rio Grande do Sul), Chile, Guyana, Peru, Venezuela), Oceania (American Samoa, Australia (New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia), Federated States of Micronesia, New Caledonia, New Zealand).

The effects of a vesicular–arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus, Glomus aggregatum inoculation were examined on growth of vegetable crops in pot culture and field experiments with Guam cobbly clay loam soil (clayey, gibbsitic, nonacid, isohyperthermic Lithic Ustorthents). In pot experiments, the growth response of yard-long beans (Vigna unguiculata subs. sesquipendalis), sweet corn (Zea mays), watermelon (Citrullus lanatus), cucumber (Cucumis sativus), okra (Abelmoschus esculentus), green onion (Allium fistulosum), eggplant (Solanum melongena), and papaya (Carica papaya) were significantly improved with mycorrhizal inoculation. A pot experiment was also conducted to evaluate effects of G. aggregatum inoculation on the growth of corn seedlings at four different water regimes. Seedlings inoculated with G. aggregatum significantly improved the plant growth and the mineral uptake at all levels of water treatments. In the first field trial, prior to seed sowing the media in seedling trays were either inoculated or not inoculated with G. aggregatum. Treated watermelon and eggplant seedlings were transplanted in field. It was found that inoculating seedlings did not improve the harvest yield of two fruit-bearing crops. The second field experiment was conducted to study G. aggregatum inoculation and different levels of inorganic fertilizer application on growth of corn. Mycorrhizal colonization had positive effects on corn development and uptake of some minerals such as Fe. Experiments in the study suggested potential uses of a mycorrhizal fungus in an alkaline soil in the tropics.

In Limpopo Province of South Africa, a trial was conducted over four seasons (one each year, from September 2011 to May 2015) to assess the productivity of Moringa oleifera 'PKM 1' grown with tropical legumes. Season 1 was devoted to the establishment of 120-m long rows of moringa trees, with seeds spaced 1 (in-row) × 3 (between-row) m. Except for a 1-m wide weed-free band at the base of each moringa row, the alleys were kept in native grasses to minimize weeding. Arranged in a randomized complete block design with five replications, treatments consisted of a no-legume control and four legumes [cowpea (Vigna unguiculata 'ITD98'), jack bean (Canivalia ensiformis), lablab (Lablab purpureus 'Highworth') and pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan 'Kranti')] sown below the moringa trees during seasons 2 and 4. During season 3, the 1-m wide weed-free strip beneath the moringa trees was sown to okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) and kale (Brassica oleracea). The moringa trees were heavily mulched with straw over the winter dry seasons, and pruned to a height of 1 m at each of two leaf harvests per season (2-4). Total season-2 (223-279 kg ha-1) and season-3 (314-466 kg ha-1) moringa powder yields were unaffected by season-2 legumes. Season-4 moringa productivity, however, was lower (P<0.0001) with (191-340 kg ha-1) than without (473 kg ha-1) legumes, likely due to weather conditions favoring legume competition with moringa. Legumes performed better under moringa than the vegetables. Results indicated that, where short-duration freezes occur, 1 ha of this system can provide - over the course of a year - a daily supply of 5 g of moringa powder for each of 120-153 people by the second season. Additionally, legumes were shown to contribute as much as 5 (jack bean) to 6 (lablab) t ha-1 of dry, above-ground biomass and 525 kg ha-1 (lablab) of dry beans. Steps such as pruning moringa above 1 m are suggested to minimize adverse effects of legume competitiveness with moringa.

Recent market slump in rice, less rainfall during monsoon, high temperature and scarcity of water during dry season leads to lower grain yield and less profit from rice cultivation in India. Farmers’ grow upland crops like chickpea (Cicer arietinum), greengram (Vigna radiate), mustard (Brassica nigra), corn (Zea maize), pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan), potato (Solanum tuberosum), sunflower (Helianthus annuus) etc. along with rice (Oryza sativa) during the dry season. However, knowledge of greenhouse gas (GHG) emission from these rice based cropping systems is very limited. In the present study four rice based cropping systems was studied along with rice-rice rotation system as control in respect of GHG emission, yield potential and economic feasibility. Conventional plantation and fertilizer application methodology was followed for each crop. Methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) flux from field plots were studied with conventional closed chamber method using gas chromatograph. CH4 flux was recorded highest from rice-rice rotation plots (304.25 kg ha−1). N2O flux was recorded 1.02 kg ha−1 from rice-rice rotation system during wet season. However, during wet season, higher N2O flux (1.93 kg ha−1) was recorded from rice-potato-sesame rotation plots. Annual N2O flux was also recorded significantly low (3.42 kg ha−1) from rice-rice rotation plots and high (6.19 kg ha−1) from rice-chickpea-greengram rotation plots. Significantly lower annual grain yield was recorded from rice-rice rotation plots (9.25 Mg ha−1) whereas it was 18.84 Mg rice eq ha−1 from rice-potato-sesame rotation system. The global warming potential (GWP) of rice-rice rotation system was recorded significantly high (8.62 Mg CO2 ha−1) compare to plots with different rice based cropping systems. Computing all C-emission from cradle-to-grave, highest total C-cost was recorded from the rice-rice rotation system ($62.00 ha−1). We have made an attempt to calculate the C-credit of different rice based cropping systems by considering the difference of C-cost with control. The study suggests that the rice-potato-sesame is most sustainable among different cropping system studied in terms of economic profit ($1248.21 ha−1) and C-credit ($38.60 ha−1). The result of the study may be limited to the study region; however, the study has potential use in respect to the development of agriculture practice for adaptation to climate change.

Agricultural reuse of reclaimed water and uptake of organic compounds: Pilot study at Mutah University wastewater treatment plant, Jordan

Industrialization and urbanization activities lead to extensive environmental problems and one of the most challenging problems is heavy metal contamination. Heavy metal is responsible for causing adverse effect on human health through food chain contamination. To minimize the effect, different methods are being used for decreasing heavy metal load into the food chain. Most of the traditional methods are either extremely costly or it simply isolate the contaminated site. A promising, relatively new technology for removal of heavy metal from contaminated sites is phytoremediation. There are numerous crops such as sunflower (Helianthus annus), maize (Zea mays), mustard (Brassica compestris), barley (Hordeum vulgare), beet (Beta vulgaris), bitter Gourd (Momordica charantia), brinjal (Solanum melongena), cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis), chilli (Capsicum annum), coriander (Coriandrum sativum), fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum), garlic (Alium sativum), ivy gourd (Coccinia indica), lufa (Luffa acutangula), lady’s finger (Abelmoschus esculentus), mint (Mentha piperata), radish (Raphanus sativus), spinach (Spinacia oleracea), tomato (Lycopersicom esculentum), and white gourd (Lagenaria vulgaris) used for remediation of heavy metal. The efficiency of the phytoremediation crops depends upon their biomass production and ability of metal accumulation in their harvestable organs. In addition to this there are some biotechnological approaches for enhancing the property of hyper accumulator plant for metal remediation. Various potential remediation techniques are available that can be used to reduce the heavy metal contamination. Research related to relatively new technology should be promoted and emphasized and expanded in developing countries where heavy metal pollution has already touched alarming level. In the above context present review deals with different approaches to reduce the availability of heavy metal from soil to plants.

A new distribution map is provided for Globodera rostochiensis (Wollenweber) Behrens Nematoda: Tylenchida: Heteroderidae Hosts: Potato ( Solanum tuberosum ), tomato ( Lycopersicon spp .), aubergine ( Solanum melongena ). Information is given on the geographical distribution in EUROPE, Albania, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Faroe Islands, Finland, France, Mainland France, Germany, Greece, Crete, Mainland Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Mainland Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Madeira, Mainland Portugal, Romania, Central Russia Russia, Eastern, Russian Far East, Northern Russia, Southern Russia, Western Siberia, Slovakia, Spain, Canary Islands, Mainland Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UK, Channel Islands, England and Wales, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Ukraine, ASIA, Armenia, Cyprus, India, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Israel, Japan, Hokkaido, Kyushu, Lebanon, Oman, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, AFRICA, Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tunisia, Zimbabwe, NORTH AMERICA, Canada, British Columbia, Newfoundland, Mexico, USA, Delaware, New York, CENTRAL AMERICA &amp; CARIBBEAN, Costa Rica, Panama, SOUTH AMERICA, Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Venezuela, OCEANIA, Australia, Victoria, Western Australia, New Zealand, Norfolk Island.