Application Of Chemical Products Research Articles

Subcellular effects of imidazolium-based ionic liquids with varying anions on the marine bivalve Mytilus galloprovincialis

Green Chemistry involves applying a set of principles aimed at minimizing the use of hazardous substances in the design, production, and application of chemical products. In recent decades, Ionic Liquids (ILs) have emerged as more environmentally friendly substitutes for traditional organic solvents. This preference is primarily due to their low vapor pressure, which results in minimal atmospheric pollution and enhanced industrial safety. However, existing literature highlights the toxicity of ILs towards aquatic invertebrates. Consequently, this study points to assess the biochemical effects of a selection of ILs through an in vitro approach. Specifically, digestive gland and gill cellular fractions (S9) of the marine bivalve Mytilus galloprovincialis were exposed to varying concentrations (0.05–2 μM) of three ILs featuring identical cations but different anions. The ILs tested were 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium octanoate ([EMIM][Oct]), 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate ([EMIM][OAc]), and 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium ethyl sulfate ([EMIM][EtSO4]). The results indicate that [EMIM][Oct] induces higher toxicity in both S9 tissues, highlighting a strong effect of the anion. Overall, antioxidant and biotransformation defenses were significantly altered for all three ILs assessed. While acetylcholinesterase activity was significantly inhibited of about half of control activity, indicating neurotoxic damage as part of the toxicity mode of action of these ILs, neither lipid peroxidation nor alterations to DNA integrity were observed (≥100 %). This study supports the use of in vitro techniques as important tools capable of generating reliable ecotoxicological data, which can be further considered as a screening before in vivo testing and used for in silico modeling.

PHOSAGRO / UNESCO / IUPAC Partnership In Green Chemistry for Life

Abstract Green chemistry has become a focus for cutting-edge research into sustainable technologies. These technologies may reduce or even eliminate the production and use of hazardous substances in mining and in the design, manufacture and application of chemical products, and may also lead to energy savings, a better environment and improved human health.

Ecotoxicological assessment of the application of chemical products of plant protection against pests

Goal. To analyze the number of insecticides and acaricides during the cultivation of crops in Ukraine and in the central part of the Right Bank Forest-Steppe of Ukraine and to determine the degree of danger of their application.
 Methods. Analytical, economic and statistical, comparative analysis. The analysis of the amount of chemical plant protection products for 2018—2020 was conducted according to the State Statistics Service of Ukraine. Ecotoxicological assessment of 23 chemicals was performed using the Methodologies of the Institute of Plant Protection of NAAS of Ukraine according to the safety data sheet of the preparations and the properties of the active ingredient. The assessment of the level of potential danger of insecticides and acaricides was performed according to the integrated classification of pesticides according to the degree of danger of their application, taking into account indicators of pesticide toxicity (LD50) and their half-life (T50) in soil.
 Results. In 2018—2020, on average, 1,750.5 thousand kg/ year of chemical pesticides were used in Ukraine, including 279.1 thousand kg in the territory of the Central Forest Steppe. The most common in Ukraine are preparations based on active agent chlorpyrifos (743.0 thousand kg/ year), active agent dimethoate (95 thousand kg/ year) and active agent lambda-cyhalothrin (80.2 thousand kg/ year), which are stable in soil and according to the indicator of acute oral toxicity are classified as hazard classes 2 and 3. The most common acaricides against ticks are those based on active agent clofentezine and pyridaben (3.01 and 3.08 thousand kg/ year, respectively). It was found that insecticides Danadim Mix, EC (Dimetoat, 400 g/ l + Gamma-Cyhalothrin, 4 g/ l), Lamdex, mc.s. (Dimetoat, 400 g/ l + Gamma-Cyhalothrin, 4 g/ l), Rimon Fast, SC (Novaluron, 50 g/ l + Bifenthrin, 50 g/ l), Cezar e.c. (Bifenthrin, 100 g/ l), Shaman, EC (Chlorpyrifos, 500 g/ l + Cypermethrin, 50 g/ l) and acaricide Sunmite, m.p. (Pyridabem, 200 g/ kg) with LD50 55—160 mg/ kg. Most preparations are highly resistant chemical compounds with half-life (Т50) in soil 51-386 days. These are: Aktara 25WG, w.g. (Thiamethoxam, 250 g/ kg), Ampligo 150 ZC, FC (Chlorantraniliprole, 100 g/ l + Lambda-Cyhalothrin, 50 g/ l), Voliam Flexi 300 SC, e.c. (Thiamethoxam, 200 g/ l + Lambda-Cyhalothrin, 100 g/ l), Engio 247 SC, s.c. (Lambda-Cyhalothrin, 106 g/ l + Thiamethoxam, 141 g/ l), Coragen 20, s.c. (Chlorantraniliprole, 200 g/ l), Lamdex, mc.s. (Lambda-Cyhalothrin, 50 g/ l), Mavrik, BE (Tau-fluvalinate, 240 g/ l), Rimon Fast, SC (Novaluron, 50 g/ l + Bifenthrin, 50 g/ l), Cezar e.c. (Bifenthrin, 100 g/ l), Shaman e.c. (Chlorpyrifos, 500 g/ l + Cypermethrin, 50 g/ l), Apollo, s.c. (Clofentesin, 500 g/ l), Sunmite, m.p. (Pyridaben, 200 g/ кg). Conclusions. In Ukraine and in the Central Forest-Steppe the amounts of chemical plant protection products are considerable, which increases the emergence of environmental risks in agrophytocenosis. Most pesticides contain active agent with a high rate of acute oral toxicity and are classified as hazard class 2. According to the degree of danger level, preparations Decis Profi WG (Deltamethin, 250 g/ кg), Decis f-Lux 25 EC (Deltamethin, 25 g/ l), Kalipso 480 SC (Thiacloprid, 480 g/ l), Kormoran, EC (Novaluron, 100 g/ l + Acetamiprid, 80 g/ l), Proclaim 5 SG (Emamectin benzoane, 50 g/ кg), Rubizh, e.c. (Dimetoat, 400 g/ l) belong to low-hazardper (danger level 6—7). According to the combination of ecotoxicological and sanitary-hygienic indicators, dangerous pesticides (3 degree) include preparations Ampligo 150 ZC, FK (Chlorantraniliprole, 100 g/ l + Lambda-Cyhalothrin, 50 g/ l), Engio 247 SC, s.c. (Lambda-Cyhalothrin, 106 g/ l + Thiamethoxam, 141 g/ l) and Masai, s.p. (Tebufenpyrad, 200 g/ кg), very dangerous — (2 degree) — Lamdex, mc.s. (Lambda-Cyhalothrin, 50 g/ l), Rimon Fast, SC (Novaluron, 50 g/ l + Bifenthrin, 50 g/ l), Cezar e.c. (Bifenthrin, 100 g/ l) and Sunmite, m.p. (Pyridabem 200 g/ kg). These preparations are highly toxic and decompose in agrophytocenosis slowly, and therefore their use should be limited to reduce environmental risks.

Green Chemistry and its Role in Achieving Sustainable Development Goals

In 2015 the United Nations declared a framework comprising 17 aspirational goals known as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which was meant to be adopted by governments, industries, and other stakeholders worldwide to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure that all people live with peace and prosperity by 2030. It can make the environment sustainable, in other words. Chemistry can play an essential role in helping society achieve the SDGs and Green Chemistry (GC) specifically may be a key player in this regard. GC complements other streams of chemistry, including environmental chemistry. Environmental Chemistry is the ‘chemistry of the environment’ that explains nature and the impact of man on nature. At the same time, GC is ‘chemistry for the environment’ i.e., more environmentally friendly chemistry. GC may be defined as “invention, design and application of chemical products and processes to reduce or eliminate the use and generation of hazardous substances”. New chemical research, green and sustainable chemistry education, green and sustainable chemical manufacturing practices, and a sense of social responsibility are critical for all chemists worldwide as we work together to protect our planet Earth. SDGs including Zero Hunger, Good Health and Well-being, Clean Water and Sanitation, Affordable and Clean Energy, Industries, Innovation and Infrastructure, Responsible Consumption and Production, Climate Action is directly related to chemistry at large and GC in precise. Therefore, if we rightly practice GC, it serves the purpose of environmental sustainability and will be useful in achieving the SDGs, which will ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity in the long run. Green Chemistry Education is quite important in this regard, which needs to be practiced more and more.

BIOLOGICAL CONTROL OF TOMATO PHYTOPATHOGENS AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO AGRICULTURAL DEFENSIVES AND ANTIBIOTICS

The tomato ( Solanum lycopersicum L.) is one of the most cultivated vegetable in the world. China represents about 25 % of all world production, so there is a dependence and constant use of agricultural defensives in tomato crops. The application of chemical products banned in many parts of the world has as a side effect a major impact on human health and the ecosystem, therefore necessary to adopt other disease prevention strategies. Another method of combating tomato diseases is the use of microorganisms as a form of biological control, which is considered an alternative to agricultural defensives and antibiotics offering better sustainability and less toxicity. In this work, the agricultural defensives most used by producers were, Pyraclostrobin, Mancozebe, Copper oxychloride, and derivatives of DDT. For the antibiotics, Streptomycin and Oxytetracycline were the most used, whereas Bacillus spp. and Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB) was the microorganisms most cited as a form of biological control. Lastly the main phytopathogens of tomato were Xanthomonas spp., Clavibac t er michiganensis subsp. michiganensis and Ralstonia solanacearum . The objectives of this work were to identify the main types of agricultural defensives, antibiotics, and genera of microorganisms used to control tomato diseases and to compare their impact on human health and the environment.

Comparison among chemical thinners applied to ‘Maciel’ and ‘Sensação’ peach trees

Peach tree thinning, which aims at reducing plant load so as to ensure productivity and fruit quality, has been manually carried out within a short period of time in the stage of fruit development. Due to the need and shortage of qualified man power, chemical thinning is one of the alternatives that can solve these difficulties found in manual thinning. This study aimed at evaluating the effect of different products which have been applied – either alone or in combination – to fruit thinning of peach tree cultivars ‘Sensação’ and ‘Maciel’ in Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul (RS) state, Brazil. The experiment was conducted in the 2015/2016 crop in a commercial peach orchard located in Morro Redondo, RS, Brazil. The following seven treatments were carried out 40 days after full bloom (DAFB): plants with no thinning, manual thinning, metamitron, benzyladenine, benzyladenine + metamitron, ethephon, ethephon + metamitron. Fruit abscission, effective fructification, number of fruits and production per plant, mean mass and fruit classification into caliber classes, epidermis color, pulp firmness and soluble solids were evaluated. Production and number of fruits per plant decreased excessively, whereas fruits placed in categories of higher caliber increased when ethephon was either used alone or in combination with metamitron. When both metamitron and benzyladenine were applied, either alone or in combination, they led to fruit abscission and resulted in mean fruit size and weight, at harvest time, similar to those found in manual thinning. Application of chemical products – either alone or in combination – may be an alternative of peach tree thinning in orchard management.

Enhancement of graffiti removal from heritage stone by combining laser ablation and application of a solvent mixture

In this study, it was evaluated the combined cleaning treatment based on laser ablation followed by the application of chemical products for removing alkyd graffiti paint from two different types of stone. Three different laser treatments (operated in Q-switched, long Q-switched and free short running modes) were applied to the stone samples. The best two treatments were then followed up by application of a chemical product (a low toxic ternary solvent mixture). The Q-switched and the long Q-switched laser treatments in combination with the chemical agent were more effective than either of the laser treatments alone, leaving fewer paint remains, but with minimal damage to the stone.

Science and agriculture: promoting beneficial symbiosis.

While fundamental research into key mechanisms and interactions is important, the practical investigations that scientists also undertake have additional considerations, since the results are applicable in the real world but need disseminating in a way that reaches the intended audience. Worldwide, rapid population growth produces multiple pressures on land, meaning agriculture must become more efficient and productive. Other pressures on farmers are also increasing: to meet environmental quality standards, to follow legislation about application of chemical products, to remain financially viable against uncertain markets, and more. Applied research addresses specific aspects, but often reports do not describe local contexts or are too restricted, lacking details that enable an understanding of their wider application. We illustrate from our experience within UK agriculture, with a particular focus on soil, the identification of current shortcomings in many research publications; provide examples of good practice; and make suggestions for how scientists can help agriculturalists use their work to address the global issues currently faced. Specifically, we recommend that communication between science and agricultural communities is nurtured, to improve mutual understanding and facilitate two-way flow of ideas. In scientific publications, provision of as much contextual information as possible, and consideration for climatic/temporal/location influences, will enable investigations and results to be used for maximum practical effect and should increase citations.

Early detection of Plasmopara viticola-infected leaves through FT-ICR-MS metabolic profiling

Grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) is one of the most important crops in the world. Domesticated V. vinifera cultivars frequently used for wine production are highly susceptible to different diseases, including downy mildew, one of the most destructive vineyard diseases, caused by Plasmopara viticola. Downy mildew affects all green parts of the vine, causing yield reduction and significant production losses. To cope with this threat, the application of chemical products is currently the mainly strategy, with severe environmental and economic costs. The development of alternative sustainable disease-control strategies is crucial. Early detection of infected plants is not easy, since observable disease symptoms normally appear 7-10 days after pathogen inoculation. Thus, the development of early detection techniques is very important to control downy mildew spread. In the present work, we followed an untargeted metabolomics approach using Fourier transform-ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FT-ICR-MS) to analyse the chemical profile of infected and non-infected grapevine leaves. Chemical formulas were used to build Van Krevelen diagrams and compositional space plots, which do not require full metabolite identification and provide an easy screening method. Based only on the chemical profile and representation plots, we were able to discriminate between infected and non-infected grapevine leaves as soon as 24 h post-inoculation. Moreover, our results show that lipids, carbohydrates and polyketides are the most altered metabolite groups in P. viticola-infected plants when compared with control samples.

Metabolite profiling of wines made from disease-tolerant varieties

Disease-tolerant varieties of Vitis vinifera are receiving great attention due to their great potential in significantly reducing the application of chemical products as well as the production costs in viticulture. The aim of this study was to characterise the chemical composition of wine produced from a wide selection of some promising disease-tolerant grape varieties grown in Italy and Germany in different years. Some of them were analysed for the first time and their characterisation was based on a comparison with traditional European varieties of grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) to find out the similarities and also possible differences between them. A multi-targeted approach using different analytical techniques (GC–MS, HS-GC–PFPD, UPLC–MS/MS, NMR and FT-MIR analysis) was adopted to investigate the main classes of volatile and non-volatile compounds playing a key role in the organoleptic and sensory properties of wine. The results showed the strong influence of the vintage on the chemical composition of wine and good stability of the metabolite profile of wines produced from grape varieties grown in different vineyard locations. Overall, by providing broad coverage of grape composition and diversity, this study highlighted substantial overlapping of the chemical space of traditional and disease-tolerant varieties. The information gained can be used to select winemaking techniques aimed at improving the quality of the final wine to promote the use of disease-tolerant varieties for quality wine production.

Análisis de residuos de plaguicidas en el agua superficial de la cuenca del río Ayuquila-Armería, México

The application of chemical products for pest control is one of the most widely used methods in agriculture worldwide despite their adverse effects on humans and the environment. This is a topic of interest due to the growing number of chemical products and their toxicity. The objectives of this research were to identify the most commercialized pesticides in the Ayuquila-Armería River basin (Mexico) and to determine their concentration in the surface water of the basin. The hypothesis of this work was that the current system of agricultural production in the basin is causing degradation of water quality due to the presence of a wide variety of pesticides. For the f irst objective, we visited 27 outlets of pesticides located in the main municipal capitals within the basin, obtaining a total of 143 commercialized active ingredients, mainly of chemical origin. For the second objective, we carried out two samplings in the dry season and two in the rainy season, in 30 sites distributed within the basin. The sampling sites were chosen in a directed way according to the problem of existing contamination and trying to cover the largest agricultural areas within the basin. The analyses were carried out through liquid chromatography coupled to mass-mass spectrometry. The results showed that 66% of the samples contained at least one pesticide. The most frequent pesticides were ametrine, dimethoate and diazinon. The sites that presented the highest number of pesticides in the four samplings were Palo Blanco, Antes Manantlán, Tuxcacuesco and Ayuquila. The sites near the area of intensive agriculture had a higher number of pesticides than those located in areas with rainfed agriculture. This study is the f irst to analyze the presence of pesticides in surface waters of the basin.

Effect of Trinexapac-Ethyl, at Two Application Timings, on the Initial Development of Eucalyptus under Water Deficit

ABSTRACT: Eucalyptus plants are sensitive to stress during their initial development, and water deficit is the most important one. Thus, the hormetic effect caused by the application of chemical products may be a factor that allows plants to tolerate such stresses. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of trinexapac-ethyl on the initial growth of Eucalyptus urophylla (Clone I-144), under water deficiency, at two application timings (before planting - BP; and after planting - AP). Two experiments were conducted simultaneously in a greenhouse for 74 days after planting (DAP) eucalyptus in 15 L pots. Treatments consisted of three trinexapac-ethyl doses (0.0, 30, and 60 g a.i. ha-1) and two water conditions (with and without water deficit). A complete randomized block design was used, in a 3 x 2 factorial arrangement, with five replications. At the BP application timing, trinexapac-ethyl was sprayed at 0 DAP, and at the AP timing, at 24 DAP. In both experiments, plant height, diameter, leaf area, dry matter, total relative chlorophyll content and gas-exchange were evaluated. There was a positive effect for the net CO2 assimilation rate at 27 and 40 DAP, for AP and BP, respectively. Eucalyptus plants, without water deficit, presented higher growth, regardless of the application timing. In conclusion, the application of trinexapac-ethyl before planting caused a positive effect on the height and diameter of eucalyptus; and the application timing influenced, in different ways, the evaluated characteristics, not having harmful effects on any of them.

Recent Advances of Chitosan Applications in Plants.

In recent years, the search for biological methods to avoid the application of chemical products in agriculture has led to investigating the use of biopolymers-based materials. Among the tested biomaterials, the best results were obtained from those based on the biopolymer chitosan (CHT). CHT, available in large quantities from the deacetylation of chitin, has multiple advantages: it is safe, inexpensive and can be easily associated with other compounds to achieve better performance. In this review, we have summarized the latest researches of the application of CHT on plant productivity, plant protection against the attack of pathogens and extension of the commercial life of detached fruits.

Especificações para o projeto de um mecanismo aplicador de calor para o combate de plantas espontâneas dirigido à agricultura familiar

ABSTRACT: One of the difficulties faced by organic food farming families is weed management without the application of chemical products. Thus, this study aimed to establish the design specifications for the development of a heat applicator device for small organic family farms. The implemented methodology allowed the division of the project to phases composed by different tasks. This paper addresses the informational phase, which identifies client needs, according to the lifecycle of the product, in order to establish the design specifications. The declared needs of 40 customers were identified and converted to the requirements of 24 clients. This resulted in 26 design specifications, displayed in order of importance, and distributed along the product’s entire life cycle. Nine requirements were considered to be the most important; namely working speed, target applied temperature, application height variables, weed elimination, production costs, operation costs, energy consumption, weight, and main crop damage.

Host status of passion fruit genotypes to scab and bacterial blight

Screening passion fruit genotypes to target resistance to scab and bacterial blight may play an important role in reducing the application of chemical products and losses caused by the diseases. It is likely that resistant genotypes may be found in ongoing breeding programs targeting production traits. Thus, the objective of this work was to evaluate the host status of eighteen passion fruit genotypes from the Breeding Program of the Universidade Federal de Viçosa (CRP 01-12 to CRP 16-12, CRP 19-12 and CRP 20-12) and two cultivars (FB 200 Yellow Master and FB 300 Araguari) of yellow passion fruit to the scab (Cladosporium herbarum) and bacterial blight (Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. passiflorae). The fungus and the bacterium were artificially inoculated on wounded leaves at the concentrations of 1 x 106 spores mL-1 and 1 x 108 cfu mL-1. Scab incidence and severity were assessed at 7, 14, 21 and 31 days after inoculation (DAI); whereas the bacterial blight evaluations were performed at 10, 20, 28 and 44 DAI. The genotypes CRP 01-12 to CRP 16-12 and CRP 19-12 are moderately resistant to scab. The genotype 20-12 and the FB 200 Yellow Master cultivar are susceptible to the fungus. All genotypes are highly susceptible to bacterial blight.

Seed Coating Formulation Technologies: An Environmental Biology Friendly Approaches for Sustainable Agriculture

Farmers must meet an array of demands and challenges every day: growing crops that have minimal disease and insect damage, protecting the environment and providing food for communities across the globe. In modern agriculture, farmers pursue continuous improvement through new technologies that help them face these obstacles in a sustainable way. This includes the responsible use of crop protection products (insecticides, herbicides and fungicides), applied to the soil, seeds or the growing crop. Seed treatment specifically refers to the application of chemical products and/or biological organisms to the seed prior to sowing in order to suppress, control or repel pathogens, insects and other pests that attack seeds, seedlings or plants. Seed treatment through seed coating formulations offer an increasingly precise mode of applying products in the field, and provide a high level of protection against insects and disease while reducing potential exposure of humans and the environment to crop protection products.

The Challenge: Assessing the effects of chemicals in freshwaters under multiple stress

Chemicals continuously arriving to the environment apparently affect biological communities and freshwater ecosystems. Still, chemicals co-occur with a myriad of stressors of diverse nature. Recognizing the complexity behind multiple stress situations requires refining the current knowledge and coupling it to ongoing policies so that conservation of freshwater ecosystems can go hand in hand with the application of chemical products and its necessary innovation. Sergi Sabater Catalan Institute for Water Research Scientific and Technological Park of the University of Girona Institute of Aquatic Ecology University of Girona Girona, Spain

Greener and Sustainable Chemistry

In the pursuit towards attaining sustainability, arrays of greener pathways are being carved to address the needs of the diverse chemical universe. The evolving area of green and sustainable chemistry envisions minimum hazard as the performance criterion while designing new chemical processes. Green Chemistry is defined as "the utilization of a set of principles that reduces or eliminates the use or generation of hazardous substances in the design, manufacture, and application of chemical products" [1]. Sustainable processes are being sought to explore alternatives to conventional chemical syntheses and transformations. Among several thrust areas for achieving this target includes: the utility of alternative feedstocks, preferably from renewable materials or waste from other industries; unconventional efficient reaction conditions and eco-friendly reaction media to accomplish the desired chemical transformations with minimized by-products or waste generation, and ideally avoiding the use of conventional volatile organic solvents, wherever possible. Other avenues for achieving this objective are to explore the generation of efficient catalytic processes, particularly magnetically retrievable nano-catalysts [1,2,3,4]. In addition to greener synthesis, the recyclability and reuse aspects for catalytic systems are extremely significant particularly when it boils down to the use of endangered elements and precious catalysts. Several friendlier applications in catalysis have been advanced via magnetically recoverable and recyclable nano-catalysts for oxidation, reduction, and multi-component condensation reactions [1,2,3,4] and this has made a terrific impact on the development of green chemical pathways [1]. The greener preparation of nanoparticles has been exemplified via the use of vitamins B1, B2, C, and tea [5] and wine polyphenols [6], beet juice [7] and other agricultural residues which function both as reducing and capping agents. This avoids the need to deploy toxic reducing agents, such as borohydrides or hydrazines and empowers simple and aqueous green synthetic methods to produce bulk quantities of nano-catalysts without the requirement for large amounts of insoluble templates [8]. [...]

Accumulation of heavy metals in agricultural soils of Mediterranean: Insights from Argolida basin, Peloponnese, Greece

Excessive application of chemical products for promoting crop growth is a significant contributor for elevated concentrations of heavy metals in agricultural soils potentially threatening human health through the food chain. In this study, a series of heavy metals were quantified in 132 agricultural soils of Argolida basin, Peloponnese, Greece, with the aim to characterize their accumulation patterns. Median concentrations of Cu, Pb, Zn, Ni, Co, Mn, As, Cd, Cr and Fe were 65.23, 20.1, 72.75, 120.3, 20.6, 956.5, 7.1, 0.45, 72.3 and 27,100mg/kg respectively. Statistically significant differences for Cu, Zn, Pb and Cd content were found between agricultural and background soils in the same region. Implementation of principal component analysis and cluster analysis successfully grouped the investigated chemical elements according to their anthropogenic or natural origin. The prolonged application of large amounts of fertilizers and pesticides–fungicides has resulted to Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb and As accumulation in the agricultural fields whereas Ni, Cr, Co and Fe amounts are controlled by parent material influences. Contrary to results commonly reported in the literature that characterize Mn as a geogenic element, this metal was found to exhibit a mixed source in the study agricultural system. Geographical information system techniques were used to illustrate the spatial distribution trends of the investigated elements confirming the clear contribution of agrochemicals to soil chemistry and highlighting the citrus soils around Argos town to have received large anthropogenic inputs. The agricultural area represented by olive groves does not demonstrate significant anthropogenic soil metal enrichment indicating that accumulation phenomena are restricted to the soils cultivated for oranges and mandarins. This study is the first detailed report on metal accumulation in citrus soils from Argolida basin, and results promote the care for the environment by reducing application rates of fertilizers and pesticides–fungicides and monitoring heavy metals levels in receiving soils. Future studies should pay attention to characterize the fractionation and reactivity of metals in citrus soils by utilizing selective chemical extractions with the aim to assess the actual risks for the environment.

Monitoring występowania i sygnalizacja terminów zwalczania omacnicy prosowianki (Ostrinia nubilalis Hbn.) w Polsce – stan obecny i perspektywy

The European corn borer (Ostrinia nubilalis Hbn.) is the most dangerous pest of maize (Zea mays L.) in Poland, requiring intensive control with agrotechnical method for instance by cultivating varieties less damaged by caterpillars, biological measures, and, application of chemical products as last available option. A precise monitoring of the species presence in maize fields is necessary to determine accurately a need and a date for setting out bioformulations containing Trichogramma spp. Currently, nationwide monitoring of O. nubilalis presence is conducted by the Main Inspectorate of Plant Health and Seed Inspection, using mainly pheromone traps characterised by low effectiveness in catching moths (males). On a small scale, regional monitoring is also conducted by the Institute of Plant Protection – National Research Institute, whose decisions about a need and a date for O. nubilalis control are based on simultaneous use of several observation methods. These methods include: observation of moth flights from postharvest maize residues (in entomological chambers), use of light and pheromone traps (of various types and with various pheromones), and observation of egg laying and caterpillar hatching dynamics. By combining several independent observation methods it is possible to precisely determine an optimal time for biological and chemical control of O. nubilalis, thus it is necessary to establish a national network for monitoring that pest with all known methods, covering all Poland. Omacnica prosowianka (Ostrinia nubilalis Hbn.) to najgroźniejszy szkodnik kukurydzy (Zea mays L.) w Polsce wymagający integrowanego zwalczania z wykorzystaniem metody agrotechnicznej, hodowlanej (uprawa odmian słabiej uszkadzanych przez gąsienice), biologicznej oraz w ostateczności chemicznej. W celu dokładnego określenia potrzeby i terminu wyłożenia biopreparatów zawierających Trichogramma spp. lub wykonania opryskiwania roślin zarejestrowanymi insektycydami, konieczne jest dokładne monitorowanie obecności gatunku na polach kukurydzy. Aktualnie ogólnokrajowy monitoring występowania O. nubilalis prowadzi Państwowa Inspekcja Ochrony Roślin i Nasiennictwa, głównie z wykorzystaniem pułapek feromonowych, które odznaczają się niską efektywnością w odławianiu motyli (samców). Na niewielką skalę, regionalny monitoring występowania szkodnika prowadzi również Instytut Ochrony Roślin – Państwowy Instytut Badawczy, który decyzje o potrzebie i terminie zwalczania O. nubilalis opiera na jednoczesnym zastosowaniu kilku metod obserwacyjnych. Do metod tych zalicza się: obserwację wylotu motyli z resztek pożniwnych kukurydzy (w izolatorach entomologicznych), zastosowanie pułapek świetlnych i pułapek feromonowych (różnych typów i z różnymi feromonami), obserwowanie dynamiki składania jaj oraz wylęgu gąsienic. Łączne zastosowanie kilku niezależnych od siebie metod obserwacyjnych pozwala dokładnie określić optymalny termin biologicznego i chemicznego zwalczania O. nubilalis, stąd też konieczne jest stworzenie ogólnokrajowej sieci monitorującej szkodnika z wykorzystaniem wszystkich poznanych sposobów.