Ground Cloth Research Articles

Influence of the Albedo on Agrivoltaics Electricity Production

This paper aims to quantify to what extent the electricity production of two types of agrivoltaics installations (fixed vertical bifacial and horizontal single axis tracker) is affected by the installation of different ground cloths. In order to assess the potential benefits of the use of these cloths, a series of ray-tracing simulations and an extensive measurement campaign were conducted. For the fixed vertical bifacial system, the simulations showed that the white ground cloth should result in an average increase in incident irradiance of about 8% for simulated periods occurring in both March (+8.2%) and June (+7.3%). However, measurements on the vertical bifacial setup over a period of 5.5 months indicated that no measurable differences occurred between the different ground covers. Measurements on the tracker setup did show a clear measurable difference with an average increase of 25% in cumulative rear incident irradiance, also resulting in an increase in revenues, for the tracker with the white ground cloth compared to the reference tracker.

Effect of long-term in-row branch covering on soil microorganisms in pear orchards.

Branches covering (BC) is a way to reuse the pruned branches and save the cost of ground cloth. This study investigated the effects of BC and ground-cloth covering on the soil microcosm environment by measuring the chemical properties and microbial communities at different soil depths for 6 years. The results revealed that BC significantly improved soil chemical properties, increased the abundance of bacterial microbial communities and the diversity and homogeneity of bacteria and fungi, while decreased the abundance of fungal microbial communities. There was a threshold value for the regulation of microbial communities by BC, which decreased the high-abundance communities (Proteobacteria, Ascomycota, etc.) and increased the low-abundance communities (Acidobacteriota, Basidiomycota, etc.). Fungi were more sensitive to BC than bacteria. The stability and homogeneity of microorganisms were stronger in the 15-25 cm soil layer. The bacterial phyla were dominated by Proteobacteria, with the top 10 phyla accounting for more than 80% of the relative abundance; the genera were dominated by MND1, with the top 10 genera accounting for about 10%. The fungal phyla were dominated by Ascomycota, with the top 10 phyla accounting for 50-90%; the genera were dominated by unidentified Pyronemataceae sp., with the top 10 genera accounting for 30-60%. The phyla that differed significantly between treatments were mainly Proteobacteria, Ascomycota, Acidobacteriota, and Basidiomycota. In addition, metabolism was the predominant function in bacteria, while Saprotroph was the predominant function in fungi. Bacteroidota correlated strongly with soil chemical properties and bacterial functions, while Chytridiomycota correlated strongly with soil chemical properties and Pathogen-Saprotroph-Symbiotroph. In conclusion, BC can improve soil nutrient content and optimize microbial community structure and function. Through initially assessing the effects of BC on soil nutrients and microorganisms in pear orchard rows, this study provides a reference for excavating key microorganisms and updating the soil row management model.

Response of soil water in deep dry soil layers to monthly precipitation, plant species, and surface mulch in a semi-arid hilly loess region of China

Large-scale deep soil desiccation has occurred in the Loess Plateau caused by large-scale introduced vegetation rehabilitation over many years. Consequently, this occurrence has raised concerns among scholars regarding the obstacles to plant succession that may result from deep soil desiccation following large-scale artificial vegetation construction. In order to answer the question of whether vegetation can be replanted and water can be restored in the deep dry soil environment in this region, large soil columns in the field were used to simulate dry soil in the 0–1000 cm layer. Some soil columns were planted with Robinia pseudoacacia, Caragana korshinskii, alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), jujube (Zizyphus jujuba Mill.), and Poa annua, while other columns were covered with stones, branches, ground cloth, and white plastic film. Bare soil columns were used as the control treatment (CK). Dynamic changes of soil water in the 0–1000 cm soil layer of the soil columns were regularly observed, and five years (2014–2018) of continuous observation data were analyzed. The results showed that: (1) Under the condition of severe desiccation of the deep soil layer in the semi-arid loess region of China, reintroducing plants can be successful, and the reintroduced plants can grow normally depending on the amount of local precipitation; (2) Due to the different water consumption amounts of reintroduced plants, a new soil water balance can emerge in the dry soil layer. Plants with high water consumption planted on dry soil can result in more severe soil desiccation, while plants with low water consumption planted on dry soil can alleviate soil desiccation. (3) The use of soil surface mulching had a strong effect on soil water restoration, with the order of effectiveness for soil desiccation remediation being white plastic film > ground cloth > branches ≈ stones > control (CK). In particular, the use of white plastic film can transform severely desiccated soil in the 0–640 cm layer into a non-desiccated state. These research findings directly address long-standing concerns of ecologists regarding plant succession and soil water restoration in deep desiccated soil, and can serve as a reference for the sustainable development of ecological construction in the Loess Plateau of China.

Embroidering the Traumatized “Cloth-Skin-Body”: Suffragette Embroidered Cloths Worked in Holloway Prison, 1911–1912

In Holloway Prison in March 1909, in an astonishing act of bodily harm, the suffragette Constance Lytton punctured the membrane of her skin with two needles and a hairpin in order to inscribe the words “Votes for Women” across her skin-body. She used her own skin as the ground cloth for the inscription, and needles, hairpin, skin, body, cloth and pain were all implicated in the act. Instead of using the needle to work cloth, Lytton used it to probe the boundary of her skin-body. Skin became a projected cloth where she materially wrought and discursively wrote the beginnings of a visceral and political suffrage message, demonstrating that her quasi-“cloth-skin-body” was a political site and the locus of trauma. Whilst Lytton did not leave any tangible evidence of hand-embroidering through cloth in Holloway, several suffragette embroideries worked there between 1911 and 1912 have survived. Hundreds of women were imprisoned at this time as the militant Women’s Social and Political Union (WSPU) turned to breaking windows and the destruction of property. They faced the threat of the hunger strike and forcible feeding. In this paper the relationship between trauma and embroidering through the “cloth-skin-body” is explored with reference to six suffragette embroideries. Leaning on the psychoanalytical writings of Didier Anzieu, Nicola Diamond and Stella North, as well as drawing on my own practice as research, I argue that for imprisoned suffragettes embroidering was autobiographic, situated and embodied. The paper proposes the concept of a “cloth-ego,” which can be psychically projected from the body: hyphenated in its proximity to skin and the body but abstracted and expanded into the world as an embroidered handkerchief, tablecloth, bag or panel. For suffragettes such as the embroiderer Janie Terrero, who registered her own forcible feeding and that of nineteen others on a cloth panel, I argue that embroidering through the cloth-skin-body helped to psychically re-make and repair the self and filter and expel the toxic and invasive “spine in the flesh.” 1 Through the “procedural enactments” 2 of embroidering, I claim that the women processed their somatic and affective experiences. The material practice of embroidering allowed their “absent present” 3 bodies to “speak.” It enabled the body to tell a material story above and beyond the discursive limits of language, beyond the words and images on the cloth. Thus, a story could be articulated before words were found or before feelings were put into consciousness, thought or speech.

ANALYSIS AND JUSTIFICATION OF NORMATIVE SUPPORT OF EARTH DESIGN DESIGN IN COMPLEX ENGINEERING AND GEOLOGICAL CONDITIONS

Designing of a ground cloth is the most responsible stage as destruction or inadmissible deformations of a ground cloth connected with design errors lead to decrease in reliability of all constructive elements of highways, increase in expenses for maintenance of a standard technical and operational condition of road clothes, culverts, elements. arrangement, etc. Insufficient strength of the ground structure is one of the causes of deformations and destruction of the structure of the pavement, which leads to deteriorating traffic conditions, increased damage from traffic accidents, increased cost of transportation and more. At the same time, the normative documents on road design do not contain any regulations on the procedure and methods of calculating the road surface in difficult conditions (on weak, subsidence soils, in rocky soils). Therefore, in order to further develop the list of mandatory calculations during the design of the ground, it is necessary to analyze and generalize the regulatory framework for the construction of the ground of public roads, to determine the requirements for the design of the ground in complex engineering and geological conditions. The purpose of this study is to generalize the regulatory requirements for the design of the ground of public roads in complex engineering and geological conditions. According to the results of the analysis, it is established that in the normative documents on the design of the road surface in difficult engineering and geological conditions there is no regulation on the procedure and methods of calculating the road surface in difficult conditions (on weak, subsidence soils, in rocky soils). Therefore, there is a need to develop a national standard for the design of the road surface. In the future it is necessary to summarize the existing methods of calculating the road surface, to develop a list of mandatory calculations during the design of the road, to establish requirements for the principles and procedures of road construction, to determine the boundary conditions of the road and their criteria.

Mersin-Gözne Yaylası’nda Istar Dokumacılığı ve Örnekleri

Istar weaving whose history is based on many years ago, is also known as floor cover weaving by Yuruks weaving in the plateaus of Mersin and have been woven for many years. As in all handcrafts, istar weaving woven in Gozne plateau located in Mersin cannot be maintained and has been in danger of extinction. The aim of this study is to create a permanent source about local weaving via examining both istar weaving woven in Gozne plateau located in Mersin and examples survived until today. Winding type looms which are in the group of perpendicular looms are used in the region. Productions such as prayer rug (scatter), sack, saddlebag, ground cloth and corner rug were made by using hair, wool and orlon yarns killama, tirlik for daily use. With this research, twenty different products woven using ‘zili’, ‘cicim’ and plain weaving techniques were examined. In the research, the production date of weaving, purpose of weaving, weaver, dimensions, types of yarn used, colors as well as technical, pattern, composition and motif characteristics of weavings are included. The data were obtained from the source persons by face to face interview technique.

Strategies for restoring the structure and function of lichen‐moss biocrust communities

Biological soil crusts (biocrusts) are crucial components of dryland ecosystems, but they are slow to recover following disturbance. Herein, we evaluated several methods for restoring lichen‐moss biocrusts that included factorial applications of moss fragments in a water‐slurry (1) with and without lichen fragments (to restore biocrust taxonomic structure), (2) with and without clay (to facilitate establishment), and (3) with and without jute ground cloth (to facilitate establishment). Three and four years after inoculation, moss and lichen cover was up to five and eight times higher on jute ground cloth than on bare ground, respectively. Lichen cover was six times higher in plots where lichen fragments were added. Clay amendments did not increase moss or lichen establishment. To understand the effects of biocrust recovery on soil properties, we measured soil inorganic nitrogen, microbial biomass carbon, and soil water availability in restoration and control plots. Restored biocrusts decreased inorganic NH4‐N availability by 67% when compared to controls 3 years after inoculation, but did not influence the availability of inorganic NO3‐N, soil water, or microbial biomass carbon. Our results demonstrate that adding a biocrust inoculant to jute ground cloth can expedite recovery of lichen‐moss biocrust and reestablish its influence on soil properties within a few years.

Carbon Footprint and Variable Costs of Production Components for a Container-grown Evergreen Shrub Using Life Cycle Assessment: An East Coast U.S. Model

The production components of an evergreen shrub (Ilex crenata ‘Bennett’s Compacta’) grown in a no. 3 container in an east coast U.S. nursery were analyzed for their costs and contributions to carbon footprint, as well as the product impact in the landscape throughout its life cycle. A life cycle inventory was conducted of input materials, equipment use, and all cultural practices and other processes used in a model production system for this evergreen shrub. A life cycle assessment (LCA) of the model numerated the associated greenhouse gas emissions (GHG), carbon footprint, and variable cost of each component. The LCA also included the transportation and transplanting of the final product in the landscape as well as its removal after a 40-year useful life. GHG from input products and processes during the production (cutting-to-gate) of the evergreen shrub were estimated to be 2.918 kg CO2e. When considering carbon sequestration during production weighted over a 100-year assessment period, the carbon footprint for this model system at the nursery gate was 2.144 kg CO2e. Operations, combining the impact of material and equipment use, that contributed most of GHG during production included fertilization (0.707 kg CO2e), the liner and transplanting (0.461 kg CO2e), the container (0.468 kg CO2e), gravel and ground cloth installation (0.222 kg CO2e), substrate materials and preparation (0.227 kg CO2e), and weed control (0.122 kg CO2e). The major contributors to global warming potential (GWP) were also major contributors to the cutting-to-gate variable costs ($3.224) except for processes that required significant labor investments. Transporting the shrub to the landscaper, transporting it to the landscape site, and transplanting it would result in GHG of 0.376, 0.458, and 0 kg CO2e, respectively. Variable costs for postharvest activities were $6.409 and were dominated by labor costs (90%).

Weed Control for Ornamentals Inside Greenhouses and Other Enclosed Structures

Maintaining a weed-free greenhouse is important for producing healthy and marketable crops. Weeds will compete with crops for water, light, and nutrients. Weeds can find favorable conditions for growth in gravel and along edges, tears, and worn areas of ground cloth. It is important to frequently scout for weeds. This 5-page fact sheet describes both chemical methods of controlling weeds, but also non-chemical methods, such as sanitation and prevention, hand weeding, and cultural control practices. Written by Chris Marble and Jeremy Pickens, and published by the Environmental Horticulture Department, November 2015. ENH1267/EP528: Weed Control for Ornamentals Inside Greenhouses and Other Enclosed Structures (ufl.edu)

The Mind-Body Stage: Passion and Interaction in the Cartesian Theater

The Mind-Body Stage: Passion and Interaction in the Cartesian Theater

Effects of Adjacent Habitat on Populations of Stink Bugs (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) in Cotton as Part of a Variable Agricultural Landscape in South Carolina

The distribution of phytophagous stink bugs and associated boll injury in margins of cotton fields bordering various agronomic crops and woodlands were studied in 2007 and 2008. Two commercial cotton fields, ranging in size from 7.8 to 12.1 ha in Barnwell and Lee Counties, SC, were sampled weekly each year along predetermined transects at 0, 5, 10, and 25 m from the outside margin into the cotton field. Stink bugs were sampled using a ground cloth (0.91 by 0.91 m), and quarter-sized bolls (≈ 2.5 cm in diameter) were collected and examined for internal damage. Density (bugs/row-m) of total stink bugs (adults plus nymphs) was greatest in cotton adjacent to peanut. Boll injury was significantly greater in cotton adjacent to soybean and peanut than in cotton next to other habitats, including corn, cotton, and woodlands, during midseason. Density of nymphs was greatest in cotton adjacent to peanut during mid and late season. Densities of total stink bugs and adults were greatest in cotton immediately adjacent (0 m) to all bordering crops and decreased as distance from the margin increased. Boll injury was greatest in cotton immediately adjacent (0 m) to the bordering crop in mid and late season. Because densities of stink bugs and boll injury vary spatially and temporally along field margins of cotton and can vary significantly based on the adjacent crop, such factors should be considered when developing integrated pest management strategies in cotton.

A compendium of insect pests and natural enemies associated with soyabean (<i>Glycine max</i> (l.) Merrill in Calabar, a humid area

Field studies were carried out in 1992 and 1993 late cropping seasons to identify the species of insects and their effect on soyabeans in Calabar, a humid tropical environment. Two treatments were used, (that is sprayed and un- sprayed). Nuvacron (Monocrotophos), a systemic insecticide was applied at the rate of 400g a.i/ha using a CP3 knapsack sprayer. Spraying started six weeks (42 days) after planting and continued at three weekly intervals until three weeks to harvest. A total of three sprays were applied. Insect population was sampled using the direct observation and ground cloth methods. A total of thirty-seven insect species were recorded. Thirty-two of these insects were pests while five were predators. The most abundant insect pests were Coptosoma spp. belonging to the order Hemiptera, Family: Plataspidae. Others were Coleoptera (example, Lagria villosa; Chrysolagria cynicolis; Podagrica spp.; Chnootriba similis (=Epilachna similis Muls); Medythia quarterna; Chaetonecma pulla chapius) Pentatomid bugs such as Aspavia armigera (F), Nezara viridula (L) and Acrosternum acuta (Ray), Coreid bugs-Clavigralla spp. Riptorus dentipes, Alydidae, Cletus notatus, Mirperus spp and Paederus sabeaus); Orthoptera- e.g. Gymnogrillus lucens (Walker) Gryllidae). Others were unidentified lepidopterous caterpillars. Five predators were also recorded. These were Cheilomenes sulphurea (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), Rhincoris bicolor (Hemiptera: Reduviidae), Black ants (unidentified), Sphrodomantis spp. and a number of unidentified spiders (Arachnidae). Journal of Applied Chemistry and Agricultural Research Vol. 4 1997: pp. 33-36

Assessing Stink Bug Resistance in Soybean Breeding Lines Containing Genes from Germplasm IAC-100

Sixty-five soybean, Glycine max (L.) Merr., breeding lines containing the stink bug resistant ‘IAC-100′ in their pedigrees were evaluated for their resistance to stink bug, primarily southern green stink bug, Nezara viridula L., feeding in replicated field trials from 2001 to 2005. Plots were sampled throughout the season for stink bug abundance, and, at harvest, seed samples were rated for stink bug-induced kernel damage. Individual seeds were categorized as having none, light, moderate, or heavy damage plus 100-seed wt and plot yields were determined. Both ground cloth and sweep net sampling procedures were used to compare stink bug densities between the soybean entries. Stink bug densities varied between years; however, in the years when populations exceeded four per row-meter or six per 25 sweeps, there were more damaged soybean seeds (>25%) in the entries with higher stink bug numbers. During the first 2 yr of evaluations, the mean stink bug-damaged soybean seeds ranged from 10.0 to 38.2%. From these differential responses, 28 entries were selected for continued study in 2003–2004. In 2003, stink bug-damaged soybean seeds were low, with damage ranging from 2.9 to 18.2%. In 2004, stink bug damage ranged from 8.8 to 53.2%. From these 28 lines, 12 entries were selected for an advanced field screening trial in 2005, including the IAC-100 and ‘Hutcheson’. Damaged soybean seeds ranged from 18.5 to 54.1% among these 12 entries in 2005, under heavy stink bug pressure. From these evaluations, four breeding lines with either Hutcheson × IAC-100 or IAC-100 × ‘V71-370′ in their genealogy were identified as possible breeding material for future soybean stink bug resistance cultivar development.

Assessing Stink Bug Resistance in Soybean Breeding Lines Containing Genes from Germplasm IAC-100

Sixty-five soybean, Glycine max (L.) Merr., breeding lines containing the stink bug resistant 'IAC-100' in their pedigrees were evaluated for their resistance to stink bug, primarily southern green stink bug, Nezara viridula L., feeding in replicated field trials from 2001 to 2005. Plots were sampled throughout the season for stink bug abundance, and, at harvest, seed samples were rated for stink bug-induced kernel damage. Individual seeds were categorized as having none, light, moderate, or heavy damage plus 100-seed wt and plot yields were determined. Both ground cloth and sweep net sampling procedures were used to compare stink bug densities between the soybean entries. Stink bug densities varied between years; however, in the years when populations exceeded four per row-meter or six per 25 sweeps, there were more damaged soybean seeds (>25%) in the entries with higher stink bug numbers. During the first 2 yr of evaluations, the mean stink bug-damaged soybean seeds ranged from 10.0 to 38.2%. From these differential responses, 28 entries were selected for continued study in 2003-2004. In 2003, stink bug-damaged soybean seeds were low, with damage ranging from 2.9 to 18.2%. In 2004, stink bug damage ranged from 8.8 to 53.2%. From these 28 lines, 12 entries were selected for an advanced field screening trial in 2005, including the IAC-100 and 'Hutcheson'. Damaged soybean seeds ranged from 18.5 to 54.1% among these 12 entries in 2005, under heavy stink bug pressure. From these evaluations, four breeding lines with either Hutcheson X IAC-100 or IAC-100 x 'V71-370' in their genealogy were identified as possible breeding material for future soybean stink bug resistance cultivar development.

DESIGN, DEVELOPMENT AND USE OF AN ORNAMENTAL TEACHING GARDEN AT THE INDIAN RIVER RESEARCH AND EDUCATION CENTER, UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA

DESIGN, DEVELOPMENT AND USE OF AN ORNAMENTAL TEACHING GARDEN AT THE INDIAN RIVER RESEARCH AND EDUCATION CENTER, UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA

PERSISTENCE OF PLANT GROWTH REGULATOR EFFECTS ON PERENNIAL PLANTS IN THE NURSERY

PERSISTENCE OF PLANT GROWTH REGULATOR EFFECTS ON PERENNIAL PLANTS IN THE NURSERY

EVALUATION OF INSECTICIDES FOR MANAGEMENT OF A LOOPER COMPLEX AND A VELVETBEAN CATERPILLAR - GREEN CLOVERWORM COMPLEX ON SOYBEAN, 2002A

Eight insecticides were evaluated to determine rate effects on Soybean looper (SL), Cabbage looper (CL), Green cloverworm (GCW) and Velvetbean caterpillar (VBC) on soybean. Pre-treatment insect counts revealed that larvae of each species were mainly in midto late instars on day 1 prior to application of the insecticides. Looper infestation consisted of 89% SL and 11% CL at the time the insecticides were applied. Because current identification of the larvae in the field is difficult, especially very small larvae, the number of loopers in samples was combined and reported as a looper complex (SL/CL). This same procedure was used to record the GCW and VBC (GCW/VBC) infestations, both species being about equally susceptible to many insecticides. Plots were located at the Mississippi State University Plant Science Research Farm, Mississippi State, MS. Soybeans were planted on May 29, 2002 in 38-inch rows, using the conventional planting system for soybean in the area. Treatment plots were four rows, 35 ft long, arranged in a randomized complete block design with four replications and a 8-ft alley between replications. Insecticide treatments were applied 8 Aug, using a backpack CO2 sprayer, equipped with eight CONEJET T 3X nozzles, 16 inch apart (2 nozzles per row), delivering 10 gpa at 40 psi, with water as a carrier for the insecticide. Soybeans were in the R5 stage. The environmental conditions at application were 68°F , 100% Rh, with sunshine and wind speed of less than 1 mph. Ground cloth samples were taken from the two middle rows of each plot on days 2 and 7 after spray application. Mean number of larvae in each complex was calculated for each date. Data were analyzed using SAS proc ANOVA, and means were separated using Fisher's least significant differences (LSD).

EVALUATION OF INSECTICIDES FOR MANAGEMENT OF A LOOPER COMPLEX AND A VELVETBEAN CATERPILLAR - GREEN CLOVERWORM COMPLEX ON SOYBEAN, 2002B

Eight insecticides were evaluated to determine rate effects on Soybean looper (SL), Cabbage looper (CL), Green cloverworm (GCW) and Velvetbean caterpillar (VBC) on soybean. Pre-treatment insect counts revealed that larvae of each species were mainly in midto late instars on day 1 prior to application of the insecticides. Looper infestation consisted of 89% SL and 11% CL at the time the insecticides were applied. Because current identification of the larvae in the field is difficult, especially very small larvae, the number of loopers in samples was combined and reported as a looper complex (SL/CL). This same procedure was used to record the GCW and VBC (GCW/VBC) infestations, both species being about equally susceptible to many insecticides. Plots were located at the Mississippi State University Plant Science Research Farm, Mississippi State, MS. Soybeans were planted on May 29, 2002 in 38-inch rows, using the conventional planting system for soybean in the area. Treatment plots were four rows, 35 ft long, arranged in a randomized complete block design with four replications and a 8-ft alley between replications. Insecticide treatments were applied 8 Aug, using a backpack CO2 sprayer, equipped with eight CONEJET T 3X nozzles, 16 inch apart (2 nozzles per row), delivering 10 gpa at 40 psi, with water as a carrier for the insecticide. Soybeans were in the R5 stage. The environmental conditions at application were 68°F , 100% Rh, with sunshine and wind speed of less than 1 mph. Ground cloth samples were taken from the two middle rows of each plot on days 2 and 7 after spray application. Mean number of larvae in each complex was calculated for each date. Data were analyzed using SAS proc ANOVA, and means were separated using Fisher's least significant differences (LSD).

Pragas e inimigos naturais na soja e no milho cultivados em sistemas diversificados

A consorciação de culturas e o plantio direto podem influenciar a dinâmica populacional de insetos, aumentando ou diminuindo a densidade populacional de pragas e de inimigos naturais. Deste modo, avaliaram-se os efeitos de sistemas de plantio direto e da consorciação soja [Glycine max (L.) Merrill] e milho (Zea mays L.) sobre as populações de insetos-pragas e inimigos naturais. Os tratamentos constituíram um fatorial 3x2 (monocultura de soja, monocultura de milho, consorciação soja-milho em plantio direto e plantio convencional). Os insetos foram amostrados pelo método do pano, rede entomológica e procura visual. No milho, a ocorrência de insetos-pragas da parte aérea e insetos predadores não foi influenciada pelo manejo do solo. Lagartas de Helicoverpa zea ocorreram em maior número (5,1) no milho em consorciação. Na soja, adultos de Anticarsia gemmatalis e do predador Cycloneda sanguinea foram mais abundantes em plantio direto, respectivamente, 0,4 e 2,4 insetos. Observou-se maior número do sirfídeo Toxomerus sp. em plantio convencional (1,3). Nas condições de consorciação, verificou-se baixo número de Diabrotica gracilenta (11,5) na soja, enquanto que Maecolaspis sp. (5,0) e Megascelis sp. (17,0) e os predadores C. sanguinea (2,3), Doru sp. (0,8), Geocoris sp. (1,5) e Toxomerus sp. (1,4) ocorreram em alta densidade.

Efeitos do plantio direto e da consorciação soja-milho sobre inimigos naturais e pragas

Procurou-se avaliar os efeitos do plantio direto e da consorciação soja (Glycine max (L.) Merrill) e milho (Zea mays L.) sobre pragas e inimigos naturais. Os tratamentos constituíram um fatorial 3 x 2 (monocultura de soja, monocultura de milho, consorciação soja-milho x plantio direto, plantio convencional), em blocos casualizados. Os insetos foram amostrados pelo método do pano, rede entomológica, procura visual e armadilha de sucção. Entre os insetos-pragas do milho, Maecolaspis assimilis ocorreu em maior número no sistema de plantio convencional; o mesmo ocorreu com os predadores Cycloneda sanguinea e Doru sp. Por outro lado, M. assimilis e o predador Toxomerus sp. foram mais numerosos na monocultura de milho em relação à cultura do milho consorciado com soja. Dos insetos-pragas da soja, destacaram-se pelo maior número Anticarsia gemmatalis e Diabrotica gracilenta, no sistema de plantio convencional, e o mesmo aconteceu com a espécie da família Trichogrammatidae, enquanto as espécies da família Eulophidae foram mais numerosas na soja sob sistema de plantio direto. Na soja consorciada com milho foi maior o número de insetos-pragas Megalotomus sp. e Maecolaspis sp. e dos inimigos naturais Geocoris sp., Lebia concina, Orius sp., Braconidae e Scelionidae.