Effects Of Plant Protection Products Research Articles

The effectiveness of plant protection products against Lobesia botrana Den. U Schift. in Zakarpattya

Goal. To establish the effectiveness of chemical protection of vineyards against pests, taking into account the peculiarities of their biology, distribution, harmfulness, seasonal dynamics of flight in Zakarpattya Ukraine. Methods. The research was conducted in accordance with the generally accepted methods in entomology and viticulture in 2021—2022 on the basis of Chateau Chizay LLC. The dynamics of the pest’s flight were studied in the field using the pheromone monitoring method using «Atrakon» pheromone traps and synthetic sex pheromones from the company «Csalomon» (Hungary). The research was conducted on Muscat, Chersegui, Sovignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sovignon, Merlot, Rhine Riesling, and Pino Blan varieties. In 2022, in the vineyards of Chateau Chizay LLC, Zakarpattia Oblast, chemical plant protection agents were tested against grape leaf curl: Karate Zeon 050 CS, SK (liambda-tsyhalotryn, 50 h/l), 0.65 l/ha, Korahen 20, KS (khlorantraniliprol, 200 h/l), 0.15 l/ ha, Mavrik, EV (tau-fliuvalinat, 240 h/l), 0.2 l/ha, Voliam Fleksi 300 SC, KS (tiametoksam, 200 h/l + khlorantraniliprol, 100 h/l), 0.3 l/ha according to generally accepted methods. Results. Prolonged spring cooling in 2022 delayed the start of the flight of the first generation of cluster leafhopper, which began only in the first days of May. The second generation of this pest has been actively developing since the end of June. Grape damage on different varieties ranged from 2.1% on Muscat to 8.0% on Pino Blan. In the control (not treated with insecticides) plots, this indicator averaged 96.1%. The yield in the farm by variety averaged about 8 t/ha and ranged from 7.1 t/ha for the Muscat variety to 9.0 t/ha for the Merlot variety. In the control plot, the yield was low, only 1.4 t/ha. The effectiveness of protective measures on all grape varieties reached 90.5%. Conclusion. It was established that the protracted spring cooling caused the late start of flight of the grape leafhopper, which made adjustments to the calendar of protective measures, especially chemical ones. At the same time, thanks to pheromone monitoring, it was possible to establish the exact date of the start of Lobesia botrana’s flight and specify the timing of the application of chemical insecticides at the most favorable time, which made it possible to achieve an efficiency of more than 90%. Use of plant protection products against Lobesia botrana Den. et Schiff. in vineyards, LLC «Chateau Chizay», Zakarpattia Oblast contributed to the reduction of grape damage up to 94% and the preservation of the harvest up to 6.5 t/ha.

Recommendations to reduce the streetlight effect and gray areas limiting the knowledge of the effects of plant protection products on biodiversity.

Preserving biodiversity against the adverse effects of plant protection products (PPPs) is a major environmental and societal issue. However, despite intensive investigation into the ecotoxicological effects of PPPs, the knowledge produced remains fragmented given the sheer diversity of PPPs. This is due, at least in part, to a strong streetlight effect in the field of ecotoxicology. Indeed, while some PPPs have been investigated in numerous ecotoxicological studies, there are many for which the scientific literature still has little or no information on their ecotoxicological risks and effects. The PPPs under the streetlight include a large variety of legacy substances and a more limited number of more recent or currently-in-use substances, such as the herbicide glyphosate and the neonicotinoid insecticides. Furthermore, many of the most recent PPPs (including those used in biocontrol) and PPP transformation products (TPs) resulting from abiotic and/or biotic degradation are rarely addressed in the international literature in the field of ecotoxicology. Here, based on a recent collective scientific assessment of the effects of PPPs on biodiversity and ecosystem services in the French and European contexts, this article sets out to illustrate the limitations and biases caused by the streetlight effect and numbers of gray areas, and issue recommendations on how to overcome them.

Main conclusions and perspectives from the collective scientific assessment of the effects of plant protection products on biodiversity and ecosystem services along the land–sea continuum in France and French overseas territories

Preservation of biodiversity and ecosystem services is critical for sustainable development and human well-being. However, an unprecedented erosion of biodiversity is observed and the use of plant protection products (PPP) has been identified as one of its main causes. In this context, at the request of the French Ministries responsible for the Environment, for Agriculture and for Research, a panel of 46 scientific experts ran a nearly 2-year-long (2020-2022) collective scientific assessment (CSA) of international scientific knowledge relating to the impacts of PPP on biodiversity and ecosystem services. The scope of this CSA covered the terrestrial, atmospheric, freshwater, and marine environments (with the exception of groundwater) in their continuity from the site of PPP application to the ocean, in France and French overseas territories, based on international knowledge produced on or transposable to this type of context (climate, PPP used, biodiversity present, etc.). Here, we provide a brief summary of the CSA's main conclusions, which were drawn from about 4500 international publications. Our analysis finds that PPP contaminate all environmental matrices, including biota, and cause direct and indirect ecotoxicological effects that unequivocally contribute to the decline of certain biological groups and alter certain ecosystem functions and services. Levers for action to limit PPP-driven pollution and effects on environmental compartments include local measures from plot to landscape scales and regulatory improvements. However, there are still significant gaps in knowledge regarding environmental contamination by PPPs and its effect on biodiversity and ecosystem functions and services. Perspectives and research needs are proposed to address these gaps.

Toxicokinetic and toxicodynamic mixture effects of plant protection products: A case study

Authorisation of ready to use plant protection products (PPPs) usually relies on the testing of acute and local toxicity only. This is in stark contrast to the situation for active substances where the mandatory data set comprises a most comprehensive set of studies. While the combination of certain active ingredients and co-formulants may nevertheless result in increased toxicity of the final product such combinations have never been evaluated systematically for complex and long-term toxicological endpoints. We therefore investigated the effect of three frequently used co-formulants on the toxicokinetic and toxicodynamic of the representative active substance combination of tebuconazol (Teb) and prothioconazol (Pro) or of cypermethrin (Cpm) and piperonyl butoxide (Pip), respectively. With all four active substances being potential liver steatogens, cytotoxicity and triglyceride accumulation in HepaRG were used as primary endpoints. Concomitantly transcriptomics and biochemical studies were applied to interrogate for effects on gene expression or inhibition of CYP3A4 as key enzyme for functionalization. Some of the tested combinations clearly showed more than additive effects, partly due to CYP3A4 enzyme inhibition. Other effects comprised the modulation of the expression and activity of steatosis-related nuclear key receptors. Altogether, the findings highlight the need for a more systematic consideration of toxicodynamic and toxicokinetic mixture effects during assessment of PPPs.

A combination of the frequent fungicides boscalid and dimoxystrobin with the neonicotinoid acetamiprid in field-realistic concentrations does not affect sucrose responsiveness and learning behavior of honeybees

The increasing loss of pollinators over the last decades has become more and more evident. Intensive use of plant protection products is one key factor contributing to this decline. Especially the mixture of different plant protection products can pose an increased risk for pollinators as synergistic effects may occur. In this study we investigated the effect of the fungicide Cantus® Gold (boscalid/dimoxystrobin), the neonicotinoid insecticide Mospilan® (acetamiprid) and their mixture on honeybees. Since both plant protection products are frequently applied sequentially to the same plants (e.g. oilseed rape), their combination is a realistic scenario for honeybees. We investigated the mortality, the sucrose responsiveness and the differential olfactory learning performance of honeybees under controlled conditions in the laboratory to reduce environmental noise. Intact sucrose responsiveness and learning performance are of pivotal importance for the survival of individual honeybees as well as for the functioning of the entire colony. Treatment with two sublethal and field relevant concentrations of each plant protection product did not lead to any significant effects on these behaviors but affected the mortality rate. However, our study cannot exclude possible negative sublethal effects of these substances in higher concentrations. In addition, the honeybee seems to be quite robust when it comes to effects of plant protection products, while wild bees might be more sensitive.

Comparative insight of pesticide transformations between river and wetland systems

The widespread use of pesticides threatens the environment and ecosystems. Despite the positive effects of plant protection products, pesticides also have unexpected negative effects on nontarget organisms. The microbial biodegradation of pesticides is one of the major pathways for reducing their risks at aquatic ecosystems. The objective of this study was to compare the biodegradability of pesticides in simulated wetland and river systems. Parallel experiments were conducted with 17 pesticides based on the OECD 309 guidelines. A comprehensive analytical method, such as target screening combined with suspect and non-target screening, was performed to evaluate the biodegradation via identification of transformation products (TPs) using LC-HRMS. As evidence of biodegradation, we identified 97 TPs for 15 pesticides. Metolachlor and dimethenamid had 23 and 16 TPs, respectively, including Phase II glutathione conjugates. The analysis of 16S rRNA sequences for microbials characterized operational taxonomic units. Rheinheimera and Flavobacterium, which have the potential for glutathione S-transferase, were dominant in wetland systems. Estimation of toxicity, biodegradability, and hydrophobicity using QSAR prediction indicated lower environmental risks of detected TPs. We conclude that the wetland system is more favorable for pesticide degradation and risk mitigation mainly attributed to the abundance and variety of the microbial communities.

Effectiveness of fungicidal protection of spring wheat against powdery mildew and tan spot

The results of the study of the effectiveness of plant protection products against powdery mildew (Blumeria graminis) and tan spot (Pyrenophora tritici-repentis) for spring wheat are presented. It has been noted that the probability of mass destruction of crops by phytopathogens is determined by the stock of the infectious beginning of pathogens, the susceptibility of the host plant and the favorable weather conditions for their development and spread. The experiment was carried out using the methods generally accepted in the Russian Federation. During the observation period, the degree of plant damage of more than 20% in the heading phase was noted in 46% of the years of observation (in 2009, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017). Epiphytotic development of powdery mildew together with brown leaf rust (Puccinia triticina Eriks.) was registered in 2013–2014 and 2016–2017. For 2009–2019 the degree of plant damage of more than 20% in the heading phase was noted in 46% of the years of observation (in 2009, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017). Effective protection of wheat against powdery mildew (75–87%) was provided by fungicides based on 2–3 active ingredients. The biological effectiveness of the biofungicide (Bacillus subtilis) was manifested only in the years with moderate wheat damage and did not exceed the average level of 58%. It is more expedient to carry out operational control of yellow spotting of wheat leaves with preparations based on such active substances as "azoxystrobin + epoxiconazole", "tebuconazole + propiconazole". The level of statistically significant yield preserved due to fungicidal protection during the years of depression was 5–6%, with a moderate development of leaf diseases due to chemical fungicides - 18%, and the biological product provided an increase in productivity of 9%. During the years of epiphytoties, the chemical protection of crops retained an average of 24% of the wheat yield, polycomponent preparations had the best performance and stability of action, and the biological protection of plants under these conditions was ineffective.

Seed-coating of rapeseed (Brassica napus) with the neonicotinoid clothianidin affects behaviour of red mason bees (Osmia bicornis) and pollination of strawberry flowers (Fragaria × ananassa).

Neonicotinoid insecticides applied to flowering crops can have negative impacts on bees, with implications for crop pollination. To assess if exposure to the neonicotinoid clothianidin via a treated crop (rapeseed) affected bee behaviour, pollination performance (to strawberry), and bee reproduction, we provided each of 12 outdoor cages with rapeseed (autumn-sown plants complemented with a few spring-sown plants to extend the flowering period) grown from either clothianidin-treated or untreated (control) seeds, together with strawberry plants and a small population of red mason bees (Osmia bicornis). We expected clothianidin to reduce bee foraging activity, resulting in impaired strawberry pollination and bee reproduction. During the early stage of the experiment, we observed no difference between treatments in the length of entire foraging trips, or the combined number of rapeseed and strawberry flowers that the bees visited during these trips. During the later stage of the experiment, we instead determined the time a female took to visit 10 rapeseed flowers, as a proxy for foraging performance. We found that they were 10% slower in clothianidin cages. Strawberries weighed less in clothianidin cages, suggesting reduced pollination performance, but we were unable to relate this to reduced foraging activity, because the strawberry flowers received equally many visits in the two treatments. Clothianidin-exposed females sealed their nests less often, but offspring number, sex ratio and weight were similar between treatments. Observed effects on bee behaviour appeared by the end of the experiment, possibly because of accumulated effects of exposure, reduced bee longevity, or higher sensitivity of the protocols we used during the later phase of the experiment. Although the lack of a mechanistic explanation calls for interpreting the results with cautiousness, the lower strawberry weight in clothianidin cages highlights the importance of understanding complex effects of plant protection products, which could have wider consequences than those on directly exposed organisms.

Formation of photosynthetic parameters of winter wheat crops under foliar fertilization and herbicide application

Purpose. To study agronomic measures for the care of winter wheat: the use of foliar fertilization and protection against weeds with sulfonylureas.
 Methods. Field and laboratory.
 Results. It was investigated that the application of Bioforge anti-stress fertilizer did not significantly affect the growth of photosynthetic potential of crops, as the leaf surface area was not significantly different. In addition to the area of the photosynthetic leaf surface, there is a more accurate indicator, that is net productivity of photosynthesis, which can, in our opinion, more accurately show whether the effects of plant protection products against weeds lead to changes in physiological processes in the plant. the mechanism of action of the anti-stress agent is somewhat different. After all, the organization of the photosynthetic apparatus of plants can be such that for a relatively small area of leaves you can get better rates of dry matter accumulation. The best indicators of photosynthetic potential for the use of plant protection products in autumn were identified with the use of such products as Granstar Pro 75, WG, Logran 75, WG, Harmony 75, WG, for introduction into the phenophase BBCH 10–13, and in spring for use in BBCH 27–29 in combination with Bioforge and separately. However, the introduction of PIC 75, WG, to form the best photosynthetic potential of winter wheat crops should be carried out in the phase of BBCH 7–9 in autumn or spring in BBCH 25–26. We also investigated that the use of Bioforge anti-stress fertilizer did not significantly affect the growth of photosynthetic potential of crops.
 Conclusions. It was determined that the use of the anti-stress agent Bioforge had a positive effect on the condition of plants and their accumulation of dry matter. Accordingly, the best indicators of net productivity of wheat photosynthesis were obtained with the use in autumn of such products as Granstar Pro 75, WG, Logran 75, WG, Harmony 75, WG, for introduction into the phenophase BBCH 10–13, and spring for use in BBCH 27–29 in combination with Bioforge. However, the introduction of PIC 75, WG, to form the best photosynthetic potential of winter wheat crops should be carried out in the phase of BBCH 7–9 in autumn or spring in BBCH 25–26 in combination with Bioforge.

High nutritional status promotes vitality of honey bees and mitigates negative effects of pesticides

Honey bee health is affected by multiple stressors, such as the exposure to plant protection products (PPPs), dietary limitation, monofloral diets and pressure of diseases and pathogens and their interactions. Here, we analysed the interacting effects of plant protection products and low nutritional pollen source on honey bee health under semi-field conditions. We established a healthy honey bee colony in each of 24 tents, planted either with monofloral maize, maize with a diverse flower strip or with monofloral Phacelia tanacetifolia. To evaluate the interaction between exposure to PPPs and nutritional status, a mixture of the insecticide thiacloprid and the fungicide prochloraz was applied. For each colony, we investigated brood capping rate as well as adult longevity, body and head weight, and enzyme activity of acetylcholinesterase and P450 reductase of newly hatched worker bees.We found a significant reduced capping rate in treated maize compared to flowering strips and Phacelia, but no interaction effect between pesticide treatment and nutritional status on capping rate. The response to treatment on the longevity of adults differed significantly between maize and Phacelia, with flower strips being intermediate, indicating interaction effects of PPP treatment and low pollen quality in maize compared to Phacelia and flowering strip treatments.Head weight of newly hatched worker bees showed significant interaction of nutritional status and treatment of PPPs. PPPs slightly increased body weight in all nutritional statuses, except for Phacelia. Enzyme activity of acetylcholinesterase and P450 reductase showed significant different responses between maize and Phacelia to PPP exposure, but not between maize and flowering strip.Our results support the hypothesis that higher pollen quality promotes development of larvae and pupae, longevity of adults and detoxification of PPPs.

Effects of Plant Protection Products on Biochemical Markers in Honey Bees

Plant protection products (PPPs) are pesticides that protect crops and ornamental plants. PPPs include primarily insecticides, herbicides, and fungicides. Bees’ contact with PPPs can cause immediate death or, in sublethal dose, may affect their physiology and/or behavior. Understanding the effect of PPPs’ sublethal doses is especially important. Contact with a sublethal dose of PPPs generally allows the bee to return to the hive, which may expose the whole colony to the harmful substance. Biochemical changes may affect colony condition, health, and performance. Most of the research on the biochemical effects of PPP in honey bees focuses on insecticides and among them neonicotinoids (especially imidacloprid). The vast majority of research is carried out on Apis mellifera workers. A small part of the research has been conducted on drones and queens. Pesticides, including fungicides and herbicides, may alter antioxidant defense, detoxification, gene expression, and immune response of the bee. They affect the drones’ semen quality and metabolic rate of the queen. In this review, the biochemical effect of PPP products in the honey bee was examined, with a focus on the effect on cytochrome P450 monooxygenases, glutathione transferases, and carboxylesterases, which take part in toxin metabolism or the detoxification process. PPPs effects on the activity of glutathione peroxidase (GPX), catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), proteases, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and phenoloxidase (PO) are also presented.

Determination of the Environmental Effects of Plant Protection Products in Fighting Pests in Greenhouse Vegetable Production: Batman Province Example

This study was carried out to determine the environmental awareness levels of agricultural enterprises in the province of Batman and its districts where greenhouse production was carried out in 2020. With this purpose, and based on simple random sampling method, information was obtained from 75 producers in 15 villages, 5 randomly selected villages from three districts (Central, Besiri, Sason), using a 37 question survey method and the results have been evaluated as a percentage (%). With this study, it has been determined that the education level of the greenhouse producers is high, most of them have non agricultural income and the amount of their income is above the hunger limit. Greenhouse producers take advice from vendors and the District Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry to determine pesticide selection and pesticide dosage. They reported that the producers pay attention to important factors in the selection of pesticides like brand and active substance, they do not use the same pesticide against the same disease and pest continuously, they apply the recommended dose before the disease and pest appears, that the pesticides they use leave residues in the product, they pay attention to the waiting time between spraying and harvest, they reported that they use protective clothing and masks, do not throw empty pesticide boxes on the field or roadside, clean the spraying tool, but they said that they have use the spraying tool without calibration and applied pesticides as a mixture. However, it has been determined that they prefer cultural methods in addition to chemical methods and they are not aware of the concept of biopesticide. Farmers generally prefer chemical warfare methods to overcome plant protection problems, and mistaken pesticide applications bring many negative effects in terms of human and environmental health. Keywords: Greenhouse, Plant Protection Problems, Survey, Batman. DOI: 10.7176/JSTR/7-06-01

Collective scientific assessment as a relevant tool to inform public debate and policymaking: an illustration about the effects of plant protection products on biodiversity and ecosystem services.

Several sustainable development goals cannot be achieved without implementing a new generation of environmental measures to better preserve or restore biodiversity and ecosystem services. However, understanding and addressing biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation is a challenging problem that is not solvable without integrating the best and latest science. It is crucial to enhance the legibility of this knowledge for decision-makers and policymakers following good-practice standards of scientific assessment. This is the main objective of collective scientific assessments (CSAs), as carried out by the French National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and the Environment (INRAE) since the early 2000s following a documented procedure to inform public policy and foster public debate on complex interdisciplinary issues. This article describes the main steps of the CSA procedure designed by INRAE's Directorate for Collective Scientific Assessment, Foresight and Advanced Studies, from formulation of the initial question asked by public or para-public bodies (typically ministry divisions or environmental agencies) to wider dissemination of the results and conclusions. This process description is then illustrated through the example of a CSA recently commissioned by three French Ministries (for Ecology, for Research, and for Agriculture) regarding (i) contamination of terrestrial, freshwater, and marine ecosystems by plant protection products (PPPs); (ii) the resulting effects on biodiversity and ecosystem services; and (iii) possible prevention and mitigation strategies. The capacity of this kind of CSA to inform public debate and policymaking is then exemplified through a description of the main outcomes generated by the latest CSA dealing with the adverse effects of PPPs. We also provide a short overview of some key expectations from the current CSA, with a focus on the recent development of the ecosystem service approach in ecological risk assessments of PPPs in the European Union. This illustration demonstrates that CSAs, which are applicable to a wide variety of complex interdisciplinary questions that are not limited to environmental issues, are a relevant tool to inform public debate and policymaking.

Effectiveness of plant protection products to control root rots of buckwheat

Effectiveness of plant protection products to control root rots of buckwheat

Влияние обработки растений по вегетации стимуляторами роста и средствами защиты на семенную продуктивность овсяницы луговой сорта Надежда

Abstract. The article provides information about the yield, development of leaf-stem diseases, as well as the biological effectiveness of drugs on meadow fescue crops. The purpose of research is to study the influence of protective agents and growth stimulants that provide the most complete realization of the potential of seed productivity of meadow fescue. After applying protection products, crop structure for 2018–2019 Treatment of plants for vegetation in the phase of entering the tube – the beginning of earing, the following drugs were used: “Fitolavin” – 1.5 l/ha; “Lariksin” – 50 g/ha; “Kolosal’ Pro” – 0.5 l/ha; “Strekar” – 1.5 l/ha; “Fitolavin” – 1.5 l/ha + “Kolosal’ Pro” – 0.5 l/ha. Research methodology and methods. The experience consists of 18 plots. The total area of one plot is 42 m2, the accounting area of one plot is 28 m2. Plots are placed – blockwise, repetitions are rendomized, the repetition is 3-fold. Observations and studies were conducted according to the generally accepted methodology. Meteorological conditions in 2018–2019 significantly varied from the long-term average. The hydrothermal coefficient (GTC) for the growing season in 2018 was 1.4; in 2019, it was 1.77, which is higher than the long – term average (1.57). Results. The development of the disease on average for all tiers of leaves for two years (2018–2019) in the control was 23.7 %, the prevalence – 67.5 %. In the variants with fungicides and biologics, the development and prevalence of leaf-stem diseases ranged from 9.4 to 17.4 % and from 32.4 to 56.5 %, respectively. The use of plant protection products led to a decrease in the development of diseases by 1.4–2.5 times (by 6.3–14.3 %), and the prevalence – by 1.2–2.1 times (by 11.0–35.1 %).The biological effectiveness of plant protection products ranged from 26.6 to 60.3 %. The applied preparations on average for two years of research provided a reliable increase in seed yield from 0.11 to 0.26 t/ha (from 32 to 76 %). Scientific novelty. The increase in seed productivity according to two-year data (2018–2019) was obtained due to a significant increase in all components of the yield structure.

The selection and co-selection of antimicrobial resistance by non-antibiotic drugs and plant protection products

Non-antibiotic compounds including metals and biocides co-select for clinically relevant antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes. Presently, there is little research looking at the effects of plant protection products (PPPS) such as herbicides and insecticides on the development and spread of resistance. Agricultural activities require the direct application of PPPs in large quantities and at high concentrations to soil. These chemicals are applied alongside antibiotics and manures which may contain antibiotic residues, other selective agents and resistant bacteria. The selection pressure exerted by this mixture of chemicals may result in enrichment of resistant bacteria and/or the exchange of resistance genes between environmental and clinically relevant bacteria. The impact of these chemicals on AMR and microbial diversity in terrestrial environments is poorly understood. PPPs from different substance groups were tested for antimicrobial activity using the SELECT method developed by Murray et al. (2019; under review). In this method, bacterial communities were exposed to PPPs and selective concentrations were identified by a significant reduction in community growth. Results from these experiments determined the concentration at which long term evolution experiments were carried out in soil microcosms. Selection for AMR was investigated using metagenomic analysis and targeted real-time PCR.

Missing temporal effects of soil insecticides and entomopathogenic nematodes in reducing the maize pest Diabrotica virgifera virgifera

Control methods for the larvae of the maize pest Diabrotica virgifera virgifera (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) are known to produce inconsistent results under field conditions. To better understand the effects of plant protection products on the root-feeding larvae, we looked for changes in efficacy of the granular soil insecticides chlorpyrifos, cypermethrin, and tefluthrin during a cropping season, as well as a fluid-applied entomopathogenic nematode Heterorhabditis bacteriophora (Rhabditida: Heterorhabditidae). Twelve field-scale experiments carried out in Hungary between 2010 and 2018 revealed that treatments, whether chemical or biological, are able to reduce D. v. virgifera. However, results were variable with failures in about a quarter of the experiments. Unexpectedly, our findings indicated only limited effect of time on treatments, meaning all products appeared capable of continuously reducing larvae during their time in the soil. Only chlorpyrifos seemed to slightly lose and tefluthrin to slightly increase efficacy over time. Nevertheless, there is no major evidence that failure of treatments is due to temporal effects. Other factors may play a larger role and merit investigation under field conditions.

The Oomen bee brood feeding test – revision of the method to current needs and developments

The Oomen bee brood feeding test is a long‐standing, frequently used test for investigating potentially adverse effects of plant protection products on honey bee brood. Based on new methods, new regulatory requirements, technical improvements as well as current experience and results from the evaluation of acute (single) and chronic (multiple) honey bee brood feeding tests, a revision of the method is advised. This paper describes recent approaches suited to current needs and developments and fulfils new risk assessment requirements.

VitiMeteo and Agrometeo: Two platforms for plant protection management based on an international collaboration

The negative effects of plant protection products on the human health and the environment have become a major concern for consumers and politics in Europe. In the last years new policies for risk mitigation and reduction of use of synthetic pesticides has been enforce in Europe and Switzerland. A possible strategy to reduce the use of plant protection products is to spray according to the epidemic of diseases and pests by following decision support systems (DSS). The platform VitiMeteo offers a wide set of forecasting models for viticulture including downy and powdery mildew, black rot, grape berry moth and rust mite. Two research institutes the Staatliches Weinbauinstitut Freiburg (Germany) and Agroscope (Switzerland) developed VitiMeteo jointly. A consortium was built with the company Geosens (Germany) which is in charge of the programming of the different forecasting software. Each institute is running his own internet website with specific tools and feature for each country but the core of the system is the same. The combination of these different DSS allows a significant reduction of plant protection products used. All these forecasting systems and tools are freely available for the winegrowers on the platform www.vitimeteo.de and www.agrometeo.ch. The use of these platforms helps the winegrowers to meet current society's expectations.

The substantiation of the technical solution for improving the application of chemical plant protection products using pneumohydraulic sprayers

Purpose. Improving the effectiveness of plant protection products when growing crops due to the pneumohydraulic device that ensures their uniform application to the sheet surface. Methods. Analytical and Experimental. Results. Laboratory studies of the process of spraying plants with nozzles with a pneumohydraulic system determined the quality indicators of the process with pressure in injection communication 0.4 MPa – droplet coating density of 19–46 pcs/cm2 for the weighted average droplet diameters in the different experimental variants was within 304–543 microns. These indicators were compared with those for the standard, anti-drift and injection nozzles in which the droplet coating density was 23–59 pcs/cm2 and the weighted average droplet diameters were in the range of 350–485 microns. The obtained analytical dependence of the influence of lateral air flow and air pressure in the pneumohydraulic system on the amount of deposited sprayed liquid. The annual economic effect from the introduction of this technical device with pneumohydraulic spraying system is 10434 UAH. Conclusions 1. The tendencies development technical means of chemical protection plants are determined: the use of sprayers with monodispersed cutting by drops adapted to weather conditions, which allow the operator to work in a wider range of speeds like wind (up to 9 m/s) and the speed of the unit (up to 30 km/h). To improve the quality of spraying, devices with air supply to the nozzles are used to control the dispersion of the spray depending on weather conditions. 2. It was established that with increasing pressure of air from 0.12 MPa there is a decrease in the diameter of the droplets. And at a pressure more than 0.25 MPa, the cutting is equivalent to a standard small-gap slot sprayer. During researches, it was discovered that the air pressure could be influenced by the dispersion of droplet cutting. Keywords: pneumatic hydraulic spray, model sketches, laboratory tests, performance indicators, analytical fluidity, fluid pressure, air pressure.