Late October Research Articles

Optimizing faba bean cultivation: assessing varietal performance in spring and fall

The need to identify specialty crops in Virginia has driven interest in faba beans (Vicia faba L.), which offer potential benefits for crop rotation systems. As a cool-season crop, faba beans can be planted in both fall and spring, providing flexibility in farming schedules. A field study was conducted at Randolph Farm, the Virginia State University Research and Extension Farm, using a completely randomized factorial block design. This study examines the performance of seven faba bean varieties—Ethiopia, NEB247, Aprovecho, EN3, EN47, Windsor and EN45—across three spring (late February, late March and mid April), and three fall (late September, early October and late October) planting dates. Our results demonstrate that both variety and planting date significantly influence the yield and yield components of faba beans. Among the varieties tested, Windsor and EN47 exhibited superior traits across multiple categories, making them preferable for achieving high yields. Conversely, varieties such as EN45, Aprovecho, and NEB247 showed poor performance. Fall planting dates generally resulted in superior growth, yield, and maturity characteristics, underscoring their importance for maximizing faba bean production. We observed that faba beans planted in the fall had 58% more branches, 100% more shoot dry matter, 34% higher 100-seed weight, double the grain yields, and 8% higher harvest index compared to those planted in the spring. To further enhance faba bean production, additional studies are suggested to clarify the physiological relationships between photosynthesis rates and the sink-source dynamics. Furthermore, investigating how planting dates impact the nutrient components of faba beans will provide deeper insights into optimizing their cultivation.

SEASONAL MOSQUITO PRODUCTION IN STORM SEWER CATCH BASINS OF THE NORTH SHORE SUBURBS OF CHICAGO, 2021 TO 2024.

From 2021 to 2024, the number of pupae found in storm sewer catch basins in the North Shore suburbs of Chicago were assessed as part of routine quality control and improvement efforts. Over the course of these 4 yr, pupae were collected at least once during all calendar months, allowing for some insight into monthly mosquito production in catch basins. Thus, the intent of this study was to use those data to describe the number of pupae found in these structures across calendar months. In total, 1,993 unique catch basins were sampled. Pupae were found during the months of April through December, with the highest levels seen during June through November. Results suggest that basins may remain productive a month or more after local abatement districts end their routine Culex adult surveillance with gravid traps in late September and early October each year. These observations can help with the timing and intensity of larvicide treatments in Chicago area catch basins and may serve as a baseline for comparison to future seasonal changes.

FDA recalls thousands of bottles of antidepressants over toxic chemical

In late October, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recalled more than 7,000 bottles of the popular antidepressant duloxetine, sold under the brand name Cymbalta, Consumer Affairs reported on Oct. 24. The agency found that the affected bottles of the drug, which is used to treat depression, anxiety and mood disorders, contained toxic levels of the chemical nitrosamine. While the FDA says that the chemical isn't likely to cause harm in low levels and that consumers can handle low levels of the chemical for 70 years without health risks, it can increase the risk of cancer and become toxic to humans when ingested at higher‐than‐acceptable levels over an extended period of time. “FDA, in collaboration with regulatory counterparts around the world, has set internationally recognized acceptable daily intake limits for nitrosamines,” the agency said. “If drugs contain levels of nitrosamines above the acceptable daily intake limits, FDA recommends these drugs be recalled by the manufacturer as appropriate.” Currently, this recall is classified as a Class II recall, which the FDA defines as “a situation in which use of or exposure to a violative product may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences or where the probability of serious adverse health consequences is remote.” Towa Pharmaceutical Europe manufactured the contaminated pills, which were distributed across the United States. In total, there are 7,107 bottles of duloxetine that have higher‐than‐normal levels of nitrosamines. The affected medications are 20 mg pills that come in bottles of 500 pills and have an expiration date of December 2024 with a lot number of 220128.

Variation of carbon and nitrogen stable isotope composition in leaves and roots of Littorella uniflora (L.) Asch. in relation to water pH and nutrient availability

In a phytotron experiment, the effects of pH variation and eutrophication on isoetids plants from soft-water lakes specifically the submerged form of Littorella uniflora (L.) Asch. was investigated by analyzing stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes (δ13C and δ15N). Conducted in late October 2020, 200 specimens from Lake Zawiad, near Gdansk, Poland, were examined over 75 days. The study tested three pH levels (∼4.5, ∼7.0, and ∼8.5) and a detailed 12-step nutrient gradient (nitrogen: 0–10 mg/l; phosphorus: 0–0.3 mg/l). The analysis focused on isotopic composition in leaves and roots, revealing that acidic conditions favored higher δ13C values (leaves: −22.67 ‰; roots: −23.23 ‰), suggesting a preference for lighter carbon forms in photosynthesis and intensive use of limited sources of CO2. The neutral pH variant showed the lowest δ13C values (leaves: −25.53 ‰; roots: −25.47 ‰), indicating less optimal conditions. δ15N values exhibited minimal fluctuation across pH levels, with slight variations in acidic and alkaline environments compared to neutral conditions. An observed decrease in δ13C across all pH levels with increased nutrients, alongside a rise in δ15N values, indicates a complex interaction between isotopic composition and environmental factors. Our findings suggest that L. uniflora shows a distinct isotopic response to varying pH levels, with higher δ13C values under acidic conditions potentially indicating enhanced CO2 uptake through a specialized carbon assimilation strategy. This highlights the species' adaptive mechanisms to environmental stressors, suggesting that the isotopic composition of aquatic vegetation can serve as a sensitive indicator of changes in lake ecosystems.

Modelling Blow Fly (Diptera: Calliphoridae) Spatiotemporal Species Richness and Total Abundance Across Land-Use Types.

Geographic Information Systems provide the means to explore the spatial distribution of insect species across various land-use types to understand their relationship with shared or overlapping spatiotemporal resources. Blow fly species richness and total fly abundance were correlated among six land-use types (residential, commercial, waste, woods, roads, and agricultural crop types) and distance to streams. To generate multivariate models of species richness and total fly abundance, blow fly trapping sites were chosen across the land-use gradient of Windsor-Essex County (Ontario, Canada) using a stratified random sampling approach. Sampling occurred in mid-June (spring), late August (summer), and late October (fall). Spring species richness correlated highest to residential (-), woods (-), distance to streams (+), and tomato fields (+) in models across all three land-use buffer scale distances (0.5, 1, 2 km), with waste (+/-), roads (-), wheat/corn (-), and commercial (-) correlating at only two of the three scales. Spring total fly abundance correlated with all but one land-use variable across all buffer scale distances, but the distance to streams (+), followed by orchards/vineyards (+) exhibited the greatest importance to these models. Summer blow fly species richness correlated with roads (-) and commercial (+) across all buffer distances, whereas at two of three buffer distances wheat/corn (-), residential (+), distance to streams (+), waste (-), and orchards/vineyards (+) were also important. Summer total fly abundance correlated to models with distance to streams (+), orchards/vineyards (+), and sugar beets/other vegetables (+) at the 2 km scale. Species richness and total abundance models at the 0.5 km buffer distance exhibited the highest correlation, lowest root mean square error, and similar prediction error to those derived at larger buffer distances. This study provides baseline methods and models for future validation and expansion of species-specific knowledge regarding adult blow fly relationships with spatiotemporal resources across land-use types and landscape features.

Effects of Rainfall and Harvest Time on Postharvest Storage Performance of ‘Redson’ Fruit: A New Red Pomelo x Grapefruit Hybrid

‘Redson’ is a new triploid, red-fleshed pomelo × grapefruit hybrid. The goal of this study was to examine the effects of rainfall, harvest time, tree age, and yield on the postharvest storage performance of ‘Redson’ fruit. During 2022/23, two postharvest storage trials were conducted with early- and late-harvested fruit. The fruit from the early harvest retained good quality for up to 16 weeks of storage at 7.5 °C plus 1 week at 22 °C, whereas the late-harvested fruit suffered from a high decay incidence. During 2023/24, we expanded the postharvest trials to nine different fruit sets harvested from early season (late October) until the end of the season (January). Fruit quality was examined under the same storage conditions after 6 and 16 weeks, and the results indicated that early- and mid-season fruit retained good quality with minimal decay incidence even after prolonged storage for 16 weeks, whereas the late-season fruit suffered from significant decay incidences of 17–22% and a decline in flavor acceptability. Further analysis revealed strong and significant correlations between various rainfall parameters and harvest time and decay incidences. Overall, early-harvested fruit during the autumn had a superior postharvest storage performance, whereas late-harvested fruit during the rainy winter suffered from decay development.

Exploring Indigenous Ways of Childbirth Management and its Perinatal Outcomes During Cyclonic Periods in Hilly Tribal Homebirth Settings: A Qualitative Observational Study

Objective This study explores the cultural-based management of childbirth vulnerabilities in the hilly regions during cyclone periods, where the land mass has been frequently exposed to floods during and aftermath of cyclones due to low-high cyclonic depressions in the Bay of Bengal coast. Methods The present study was a community-based qualitative observational study conducted for three weeks immediately after the two cyclonic periods occurred between October and December 2022. With the purposive sampling method, 21 postpartum mothers were selected on the inclusion criteria, of having had childbirth around the cyclonic period of ‘Sitrang’ (late October 2022) and ‘Mandous’ (early December 2022). Semi-structured in-depth interview schedules were employed to document socio-demographic profiles and probed for their cultural ways of managing childbirth complications and neonatal exposures to infections during the cyclonic period. Results Views of 21 mothers were coded into three themes with two sub-themes each according to repeated frequencies of information. The themes were (a) Striving for Safe Childbirths; (b) Surviving with Traditional Capacities; (c) Strength and Sustenance. The results indicated that home deliveries were considered safest over institutional deliveries except in the cases of complicated childbirths confirmed difficult by the traditional birth attendants (TBA). Rough climatic conditions compounded by geographical distance, lack of appropriate financial help and timely transportation facilities were the major prevailing factors influencing their childbirth practices during the cyclonic periods. Conclusion Disasters do not alone influence childbirth outcomes, but the evidence is still mixed. The expediency of birth technology has effectively managed childbirth vulnerabilities. Ensured sleep, rest and enough food had also been disturbed during and aftermath cyclones. The results showed an urgent need for focused planning on tribal areas for gestation, birthing and postpartum people during natural disasters.

Coastal Storm-Induced Sinkholes: Insights from Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Monitoring

In recent decades, the scientific community has increasingly focused on extreme events linked to climate change, which are leading to more intense and frequent natural disasters. The Mediterranean can be considered a hotspot where the effects of these changes are expected to be more intense compared to other regions of the planet. Italy is not exempt; in fact, with its extensive shoreline, it is particularly vulnerable, especially to high sea levels and coastal erosions. In this framework, from late October to early November 2023, six storm surges occurred in the Gulf of Trieste (NE Italy). These events, characterized by winds from 190°N to 220°N and the significant wave height, which reached up to 1.81 m nearshore—an uncommon meteorological condition in the northern Adriatic Sea—caused the occurrence of eight coastal sinkholes and substantial damages to man-made structures. Thanks to Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and their derived products (high-resolution orthomosaics, Digital Elevation Models—DEMs, and point clouds), it was possible to study these features over time, enabling long-term coastal dynamics monitoring, which can be crucial for timely and effective response and restoration efforts.

Understanding how winter conditions in the North Atlantic affect the physiology and behaviour of Atlantic Salmon in sea-cages

In recent years there have been a number of instances where declines in water temperature are suspected to have contributed to winter mortalities at salmon cage-sites in Atlantic Canada. In addition, it is expected that temperature variability due to more intense and frequent winter storms will increase with climate change, and this may further threaten Atlantic salmon health and welfare in sea-cages. To better understand cage-site conditions and aspects of salmon behaviour and physiology during the winter, we fitted Atlantic salmon in commercial size sea-cages in Newfoundland (Canada) for two consecutive years with internal and external data storage tags (DSTs) that recorded depth, temperature, heart rate (fH) and 3D-acceleration (swimming activity). Tags were surgically attached / implanted in late October / early November when water temperatures were 8–10 °C, and the DSTs were collected at the time of harvest. Although tag retrieval was limited due to some early mortality, challenges due to Covid-19 and with fish identification during harvest, the data collected for both years were comparable.Water temperature decreased at a rate of 0.35–0.57 °C week−1 from October / November to March, and the coolest average weekly temperature experienced by the fish was 1.10 °C in early March of both years. Average fH decreased with temperature starting in the fall, and the fish primarily occupied the upper 5 m of the cage for the duration of this study, despite the fact that temperatures were generally homogeneous with depth. Nonetheless, vertical migrations to deeper depths were observed during some periods (e.g., at night during the coldest months), and thus, the average depth of the fish was greater during these times.These data reveal that temperatures in sea-cages in Newfoundland remain below 5 °C for ~5 months and are below 2 °C for ~1.5 months. Thus, understanding how cold temperatures affect various aspects of salmon biology, and monitoring these fish during this period, is critical to the sustainability and future of this industry.

Comparative Temporal Infrared Thermography of Arboricultural Materials for Sun‐Induced Trunk Injury Prevention in Broad‐Leaved Woody Plants

ABSTRACTUsing an infrared (IR) thermal camera, we evaluated the efficacy of six arboricultural materials for preventing sunscald and frost crack. The trunks of adult Yoshino cherry (Prunus × yedoensis) and Japanese zelkova (Zelkova serrata) were treated with (i–iii) three paint types (white water paint [P–W], white latex paint [P–L], and quicklime [P–Q]), (iv and v) two band wrap types [brown tree wrap (B–B) and white tree wrap (B–W)], and (vi) a wound paste: thiophanate‐methyl paste (TP) in the shape of a band 10 cm thick. Outdoor IR thermographs were captured four times a day at 3 h intervals (09:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m., 03:00 p.m. and 06:00 p.m.) over four consecutive days in late October 2019. Bark temperatures recorded for P–W, P–L, P–Q and B–W treatments were consistently lower than those for untreated trunks. The mean temperature difference between B–W and untreated bark (up to 4.57°C) remained pronounced between 09:00 a.m. and 06:00 p.m. for both tree species each day. Conversely, no significant differences in bark temperatures were observed under B–B and TP treatments compared with untreated bark (p = 0.01). Elevated bark temperature was observed on the south side compared with the other three cardinal directions; however, temperatures were similar in all directions at 06:00 p.m. These findings suggest that white tree wrapping may provide a viable approach to prevent sun‐induced trunk injuries, leveraging the light reflectivity of the white colour and thermal insulation properties of the wrapping material.

Lifecycle of Anastatus orientalis (Hymenoptera: Eupelmidae) and synchrony with its host, the spotted lanternfly, Lycorma delicatula (Hemiptera: Fulgoridae).

Anastatus orientalis Yang & Choi (Hymenoptera: Eupelmidae), an egg parasitoid of spotted lanternfly, Lycorma delicatula (White) (Hemiptera: Fulgoridae), has been documented emerging from host eggs in both autumn and spring, at the beginning and end of the period that spotted lanternfly eggs are present in the field, suggesting parasitoid-host specificity and synchrony. This study was designed to test whether, under conditions that simulate native and introduced ranges of spotted lanternfly, (a) A. orientalis has 2 and only 2 generations per year, (b) A. orientalis adults sometimes emerge when only nontarget species would be available for parasitization, and (c) emerging parasitoid adults can parasitize unhatched host eggs in the spring. Parasitized spotted lanternfly eggs were collected in 2019 and 2020 from Beijing, China and in 2020 and 2021 from Yantai, China. They were shipped for laboratory study in growth chambers programmed to simulate temperature and daylength for collection locations in China and in the invaded range in Pennsylvania, United States. Anastatus orientalis had a flexible lifecycle depending on environmental conditions and possibly genetic makeup, with 1-3 generations per year, and parasitoid emergence was not always synchronous with host egg availability. Additionally, given the cooler temperatures in Pennsylvania, autumn parasitoid emergence was often delayed until late October or November, no progeny were produced, and parasitoid populations died out. Anastatus orientalis does not exhibit host synchrony characteristics that would make it a good candidate for a classical biological control program.

서울시 청년 1인 가구를 위한‘상담 멘토링’프로그램 분석 및 개선방안 연구

Perhaps the biggest change that has occurred in Korean society recently is the increase in single-person households.In line with the trend of increasing single-person households, the Seoul Metropolitan Government has introduced and is carrying out a counseling mentoring program for single-person households from 2021.However, the discussion on the effectiveness of this program has not yet been fully conducted. Accordingly, in this study, telephone and written interviews were conducted centering on practitioners conducting counseling mentoring, and based on the contents, the program was analyzed and limitations and improvement plans were proposed from various angles. The study was conducted from late October to mid-November 2022 with an FGI interview with a person in charge who runs a single-person household counseling mentoring program. Ten Metropolitan boroughs were selected by adding 7 administrative officers who operated the counseling mentoring program and 3 administrative officers who did not operate counseling mentoring. If a counseling program for emotional support is introduced in a residential space using social housing, one of the housing services for single-person households, it is expected that community activities to be formed in social housing can be supported, and at the same time, intimacy with the current area and residential space will increase, leading to a sense of psychological stability. This study is meaningful as it proposes a highly effective counseling program tailored to the characteristics of Seoul.

Exploring botanical varieties in alpine landscape of Himalayas: A study of vegetation and species composition in Madhmaheshwar Valley, Western Himalaya, India

Alpine meadows emerged as the hallmark vegetation type, embodying the essence of botanical richness. In this research endeavor, the focus was on exploring the intricate tapestry of alpine flora nestled within the Madhmaheshwar Valley, spanning elevations ranging from 3200 to 4950 meters above sea level. This comprehensive study yielded a trove of botanical insights, documenting an impressive assemblage of 462 distinct plant species. These species were carefully cataloged across 237 genera, encompassing a rich diversity represented by 61 distinct families. In the study area, the family Asteraceae was the dominant family with 58 species and 30 genera followed by Rosaceae with 33 species and 16 genera, and Ranunculaceae with 27 species across 15 genera. Among the genera Carex L., with 10 species, was the dominant, followed by Saxifraga Tourn. ex L., Gentiana Tourn. ex L., Pedicularis L., and Primula L. followed closely behind with nine species each. Additionally, Rhodiola L., Bistorta (L.) Scop., and Epilobium Dill. ex L. displayed their vitality with seven species each. The study used meticulous research methodology to categorize forest types based on floral diversity and altitude distribution. Rigorous verification processes ensured the reliability of findings, with specimens identified using up-to-date references and cross-referenced with authentic herbarium samples. Fieldwork occurred between early May and late October, aligning with seasonal accessibility due to heavy snowfall the rest of the year. Alpine meadows and scrubs dominated the study area, highlighting their resilience. Alpine plants showcased various adaptive morphologies, such as cushion-forming and mat-forming structures, with thick cuticles defending against desiccation. Despite harsh conditions, these plants displayed modified structures enabling growth and blossoming. Many were highly specialized, emphasizing unique adaptations to their habitats.

Seasonal Incidence of Scirtothrips dorsalis and Bemisia tabaci on Chilli with Studies on Comparative Efficacy of Insecticides and Botanical Oils

The study conducted at Sam Higginbottom University of Technology and Sciences in Prayagraj during the 2019 and 2020 kharif seasons provided comprehensive insights into insect population dynamics and insecticide efficacy against thrips and whiteflies in chilli cultivation. Key findings revealed significant pest population fluctuations, with thrips peaking at 16 per plant during the 43rd Standard Meteorological Week (SMW) in late October for both years. Whitefly populations reached up to 17.6 per plant, peaking during the 44th week in 2019 and the 43rd week in 2020, both in late October. Correlation analyses showed significant negative relationships between insect populations and temperature, wind velocity, and rainfall, while a positive correlation was observed with sunshine duration. Multiple linear regression models demonstrated that weather parameters collectively explained 69.8% and 70.4% of thrips population variability in 2019 and 2020, respectively, and 87.7% and 17.2% of whitefly population variability. Stepwise regression models revealed that in 2019, maximum temperature and rainfall jointly accounted for 46% of pest population variability. In 2020, the addition of wind velocity to these factors explained 83% and 56% of variability in thrips and whitefly populations, respectively. Insecticide efficacy evaluation showed acetamiprid as most effective against thrips (92.14% reduction) and imidacloprid against whiteflies (88.89% reduction). Thiamethoxam and imidacloprid demonstrated comparable effectiveness. Economic analysis highlighted imidacloprid's superiority, providing effective pest control, the highest chili yield, and the best cost-benefit ratios (1:8.30 in 2019 and 1:5.38 in 2020).

Water budgets in an arid and alpine permafrost basin: Observations from the High Mountain Asia

Ground freeze‒thaw processes have significant impacts on infiltration, runoff and evapotranspiration. However, there are still critical knowledge gaps in understanding of hydrological processes in permafrost regions, especially of the interactions among permafrost, ecology, and hydrology. In this study, an alpine permafrost basin on the northeastern Qinghai‒Tibet Plateau was selected to conduct hydrological and meteorological observations. We analyzed the annual variations in runoff, precipitation, evapotranspiration, and changes in water storage, as well as the mechanisms for runoff generation in the basin from May 2014 to December 2015. The annual flow curve in the basin exhibited peaks both in spring and autumn floods. The high ratio of evapotranspiration to annual precipitation (>1.0) in the investigated wetland is mainly due to the considerably underestimated ‘observed’ precipitation caused by the wind-induced instrumental error and the neglect of snow sublimation. The stream flow from early May to late October probably came from the lateral discharge of subsurface flow in alpine wetlands. This study can provide data support and validation for hydrological model simulation and prediction, as well as water resource assessment, in the upper Yellow River Basin, especially for the headwater area. The results also provide case support for permafrost hydrology modeling in ungauged or poorly gauged watersheds in the High Mountain Asia.

Drivers and Impacts of the Record-Breaking 2023 Wildfire Season in Canada.

The 2023 wildfire season in Canada was unprecedented in its scale and intensity, spanning from mid-April to late October and across much of the forested regions of Canada. Here, we summarize the main causes and impacts of this exceptional season. The record-breaking total area burned (~15 Mha) can be attributed to several environmental factors that converged early in the season: early snowmelt, multiannual drought conditions in western Canada, and the rapid transition to drought in eastern Canada. Anthropogenic climate change enabled sustained extreme fire weather conditions, as the mean May-October temperature over Canada in 2023 was 2.2 °C warmer than the 1991-2020 average. The impacts were profound with more than 200 communities evacuated, millions exposed to hazardous air quality from smoke, and unmatched demands on fire-fighting resources. The 2023 wildfire season in Canada not only set new records, but highlights the increasing challenges posed by wildfires in Canada.

Changes in Quality of Carya illinoinensis at Different Harvest Periods.

In order to determine the appropriate harvesting period of Carya illinoinensis planted in Nanjing city of China, this study analyzed the phenotypic characteristics and inclusions, including single fruit quality, fruit transverse and vertical diameter, kernel rate, water content, color, respiratory strength, crude fat, soluble sugar, soluble protein, and total phenols, of two cultivars 'Pawnee' and 'Wichita' during September and October, respectively. Results showed that the respiration intensity and IAD values of pecan fruits decreased as the harvest date was delayed. 'Pawnee' fruits exhibited the highest seed kernel fullness, ∆E value, fruit transverse diameter, shape index, kernel yield, crude fat, and total phenolic content in late September and early October, while the quality of 'Wichita' fruits reached its peak in late October. The appropriate harvest period is conducive to the material accumulation of Carya illinoinensis, which is of great practical significance for improving the commodity value of pecans. The optimal harvesting period for 'Pawnee' in Nanjing is from the end of September to the beginning of October, and the optimal harvesting period for 'Wichita' is from mid- to late-October to the end of October.

Analysis of a Halocline Mesoscale Eddy in the Northwind Basin, Arctic Ocean

Eddies have been observed at all depths and in all regions of the Arctic Ocean. However, given the complex geographic conditions and dynamic environments of this ocean, the synchronized observations of temperature, salinity, and currents, and the detailed analysis of individual eddies are still lacking in the Northwind Basin. Our study aims to address these research gaps. We observed an eddy from a mooring in the Northwind Basin in late October 2017. It is a large anticyclonic cold eddy within the Arctic halocline, with a maximum azimuthal velocity reaching 52.63 cm/s and a horizontal scale (∼56 km) that significantly exceeds the first local baroclinic Rossby radius of deformation, i.e., it is in mesoscale. Its azimuthal velocity and scale are larger compared with those of nearby eddies, suggesting a relatively young state. This eddy possibly originated from the northern Chukchi Sea shelf, converging near Hanna Shoal with the Chukchi Slope Current before being advected northward into the Northwind Basin. Our study outlines detailed steps for extracting and analyzing eddies from mooring data and contributes to improving the understanding of the characteristics of Arctic Ocean eddies, providing a typical case for the investigation of eddies in the Northwind Basin.

Morphological and Biochemical Changes in the Mediterranean Cereal Cyst Nematode (Heterodera latipons) during Diapause.

The cereal cyst nematode (Heterodera latipons) is becoming an economically important species in global cereal production as it is being identified in many new cereal cultivated areas and causes significant losses. Consequently, understanding its biology becomes crucial for researchers in identifying its vulnerabilities and implementing effective control measures. In the current study, different morphological and biochemical changes of H. latipons cysts containing eggs with infective juveniles from a barley field in Jordan were studied during the summer of 2021, at two sample dates. The first, at the harvest of the cereal crop (June 2021), when the infective second-stage juveniles (J2s) were initiating diapause, and the second, before planting the sequent cereal crop (late October 2021), when the J2s were ending diapause. The studied population was characterized morphologically and molecularly, showing 98.4% molecular similarity to both JOD from Jordan and Syrian "300" isolates of H. latipons. The obtained results and observations revealed that there were dramatic changes in all the investigated features of the cysts and eggs they contained. Morphological changes such as cyst color, sub-crystalline layer, and thickness of the rigid eggshell wall were observed. A slight change in the emergence time of J2s from cysts was observed without any difference in the number of emerged J2s. The results of biochemical changes showed that the total contents of carbohydrates, glycogen, trehalose, glycerol, and protein were higher in cysts collected in October when compared to those cysts collected in June. The SDS-PAGE pattern indicated the presence of a protein with the size of ca. 100 kDa in both sampling dates, whereas another protein (ca. 20 kDa) was present only in the cysts of October. Furthermore, the expression of trehalase (tre) gene was detected only in H. latipons collected in October. The outcomes of this study provide new helpful information that elucidates diapause in H. latipons and may be used for the implementation of new management strategies of cyst nematodes.

Behavior and damage potential of the newly emerged pest Myochrous armatus (Chrysomelidae: Eumolpinae) on soybean plants in Brazil

AbstractMyochrous armatus Baly, 1865 (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) has expanded its occurrence significantly into soybean‐growing areas of Brazilian Cerrado and became an important early‐season soil pest. Experiments were performed under field conditions from 2020 to 2023 to assess several aspects: (1) population behaviour over crop season and offseason; (2) day/night behaviour during the early stages of soybean plants and (3) injury to plants and potential damage to soybean yield to establish the Economic Injury Level (EIL). Adults of the M. armatus population presented a season‐long abundance during the specific period from late October to January, with major captures in November and December (end of Spring), either inside or on the edge of soybean fields. Weeds and volunteer plants of corn and cotton hosts adults and eggs. These findings suggest an univoltine life cycle. Behavioural assessments revealed that M. armatus does not exhibit a specific day, night or crepuscular behaviour, performing deeds at any time. The majority of insects (40% to 70%) were found in the soil throughout the day and night. Adults feed on soybean plants by scraping or cutting the stem, cotyledon, petiole and apical sprouting. Their preference is initially for the stem and cotyledon (up to 14 days after emergence), and later for the petiole (after 21 days of emergence). After 7 days of coexistence at V1‐V3 soybean stages, we observed a potential yield reduction of 35% for each insect per plant. Dynamic EIL estimations are between 0.4 and 1.9 adults per row metre, depending on the grower productivity expectation, control costs and soybean market value. Our results are fundamental for establishing Integrated Pest Management for M. armatus in soybean and other crop systems.