Non-covered Treatment Research Articles

Spring-Planted Cover Crop Impact on Weed Suppression, Productivity, and Feed Quality of Forage Crops in Northern Kazakhstan

Integrating cover crops into crop rotation could provide options for herbicide-resistant weed control in farming systems. To evaluate the potential effectiveness of spring-planted cover crop oats (Avena sativa L.) on weed suppression, productivity, and feed quality of annual forage crops as sole crops and intercrops in order to determine the best agroecological technique, two-year experiments were laid out under arid conditions in the Akmolinsk region in northern Kazakhstan. Three annual forage crops, namely, (Piper) Stapf.-Sudan grass (Sorghum sudanense) (control), common millet (Panicum miliaceum L.), and Japanese millet (Echinochloa frumentacea L.), and three annual intercropping systems, i.e., 50% pea (Pisum sativum L.) + 50% barley (Hordeum vulgare L.); 40% pea (Pisum sativum L.) + 30% (Piper) Stapf.-Sudan grass (Sorghum Sudanense) + 30% barley (Hordeum vulgare L.); and 50% pea (Pisum sativum L.) + 50% (Piper) Stapf.-sudan grass (Sorghum Sudanense), as well as the six mentioned treatments with the sole crops and intercrops plus cover crop oats (Avena sativa L.) were used. Japanese millet is a promising newly introduced crop in northern Kazakhstan. It was revealed that the cover crop significantly reduced weed density in the forage sole crops and their intercrops. In all cases, integrating the cover crop with annual forage crops showed higher quality and productivity than non-covered treatments. A highly productive annual crop grown with and without cover intercrop was Sudan grass. The highest yield among the three intercropping systems was recorded with the intercrop constituting 40% pea + 30% Sudan grass + 30% barley. The crude protein content was higher in biomass from sole crops and intercrops constituting cover crops. The overall view was that the use of oats as a cover crop on sole annual forage crops and their intercrops including methods that could be integrated with chemical and non-chemical methods in the field could be a valuable way to reduce weed pressure and improve quality and productivity during the vegetation period.

Comparison of Row Cover Systems for Pest Management in Organic Muskmelon in Iowa

Organic growers of cucurbit (Cucurbitaceae) crops in the midwestern United States have difficulty managing bacterial wilt—a fatal disease with a pathogen (Erwinia tracheiphila) that is transmitted by striped and spotted cucumber beetles (Acalymma vittatum and Diabrotica undecimpunctata howardi, respectively). Registered organic insecticides lack effectiveness, and host plant resistance is rare in commercial cultivars of many cucurbit crops. Row covers are widely used as barriers to minimize pest access, but the spunbonded polypropylene fabric covering traditional low tunnels must be removed at bloom to prevent overheating and facilitate pollination, thereby exposing the crop for the rest of the season. “Mesotunnels”—nylon mesh fabric covering 3.5-ft-high hoops—provide more space than low tunnels and mitigate overheating. In field experiments at Iowa State University (Ames, IA, USA) during 2016–18, two variations of mesotunnels—full-season tunnels [with purchased bumble bees (Bombus impatiens) added for pollination] and part-season tunnels (with covers removed for 2 weeks during bloom to provide pollinator access)—were compared with low tunnels and a noncovered treatment for organic ‘Athena’ muskmelon (Cucumis melo) production. Based on scouting results, full-season mesotunnels required no insecticides and part-season mesotunnels averaged 0.6 spray per season compared with 1.0 and 5.0 sprays per season for the low-tunnel and noncovered treatments, respectively. Incidence of pest and disease damage was zero for the full-season mesotunnels, 5% to 22% for the part-season mesotunnels, and 37% to 70% for both of the other treatments. Marketable yield for the full-season mesotunnel treatment exceeded the noncovered treatment significantly each year, and mean marketable yields were greater numerically than for the other treatments. Both mesotunnel treatments had a marketable yield that averaged more than twice that of the noncovered treatment in each year. Economic analysis (partial budget and cost-efficiency ratio) indicated that mesotunnels were likely to be more profitable in Iowa, USA, than either the low-tunnel or noncovered systems, but also that the year-to-year differential among treatments in profitability could be substantial. Additional experiments are needed to evaluate the efficacy of these integrated pest management practices and their profitability at spatial scales representative of commercial farms.

Analysis of outpatient expenditure trends using Korean Health Panel Survey data of patients diagnosed with lumbar intervertebral disc herniation.

ObjectiveIn this study, we aimed to analyze cost trends for the outpatient treatment of lumbar intervertebral disc herniation (LDH).MethodsWe used cross-sectional data obtained from the Korea Health Panel Survey from 2011 to 2015. We compared outpatient medical expenses for conservative treatment of LDH using traditional Korean medicine (TKM) or Western medicine (WM).ResultsThis analysis revealed that the total medical expenses for outpatient treatment of LDH using WM treatment methods increased by 30% from 2011 to 2015, and self-payment expenses increased by 50%. The total medical expenses for outpatient treatment of LDH using TKM methods increased by 8%, and self-payment expenses decreased by 33%. The National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) expenditure for WM increased by 7%, and non-covered costs increased by 83%. The NHIS expenditure for TKM increased by 41%, and non-covered costs decreased by 66%.ConclusionsThe total medical expenses for WM treatments are increasing in Korea, especially for non-covered treatments. The non-covered costs for TKM treatments are decreasing, suggesting a change in medical cost trends according to whether Korea’s actual medical expense insurance scheme is applied.

Spectral characteristics on increasing hydrophilicity of Alfalfa seeds treated with alternating current corona discharge field.

In this study, corona discharge at atmospheric pressure under an alternating current (AC) field with a multi-needle plate electrode structure was used as mutagen to study the effects of corona discharge field on the hydrophilicity of alfalfa seeds, especially the effects of non-uniform electric field that is frequently ignored. Alfalfa seed were divided into two groups, one group was covered with 1mm-thick polypropylene petri dish cover that can be approximated as a single factor effect of non-uniform electric field, the other group was directly irradiated by corona discharge field under different parameters. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and dual-index sequence analysis were used to detect and compare the spectra of alfalfa seed coats with different treatments. Results showed that the peaks of the seed coat at 2856 and 1727cm-1 in the treatment group changed, indicating that hydrophobic wax, lipid, and cellulose may be cracked or degraded. Corona discharge field treatment can change the chemical structure of alfalfa seed coats, resulting in the changes in their hydrophilicity. The results of the apparent contact angle and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and other experiments showed that the change in 19kV non-covered treatment group was greatest, the petri dish cover can effectively reduce the physicochemical etching of ionic wind, the hydrophilicity of alfalfa seeds improved after corona discharge field treatment regardless of whether there is an ionic effect during irradiation, and the ionic wind has a greater influence on the hydrophilicity of alfalfa seeds than the non-uniform electric field. This study revealed the biological effect mechanism of corona discharge field from the perspective of spectral characteristics and provided experimental data support for the analysis of alfalfa seed surface modification and chemical structure after corona discharge field treatment.

AN EFFECTIVE HEALTH CARE INSURANCE FRAUD AND ABUSE DETECTION SYSTEM

Due to the complexity of the processes within healthcare insurance systems and the large number of participants involved, it is very difficult to supervise the systems for fraud. The healthcare service providers’ fraud and abuse has become a serious problem. The practices such as billing for services that were never rendered, performing unnecessary medical services and misrepresenting non-covered treatment as covered treatments etc. not only contribute to the problem of rising health care expenditure but also affect the health of the patients. Traditional methods of detecting health care fraud and abuse are time-consuming and inefficient. In this paper, the health care insurance fraud and abuse detection system (HECIFADES) was proposed. The HECIFADES consist of six modules namely: claim, augment claim, claim database, profile database, profile updater and updated profiles. The system was implemented using Visual Studio 2010 and SQL. After testing, it was observed that HECIFADES was indeed an effective system for detecting fraudulent activities and yet very secured way for generating medical claims. It also improves the quality and mitigates potential payment risks and program vulnerabilities.

Providing care to people on social assistance: how dentists in Montreal, Canada, respond to organisational, biomedical, and financial challenges.

BackgroundDentists report facing difficulties and experiencing frustrations with people on social assistance, one of the social groups with the most dental needs. Scientists ignore how they deal with these difficulties and whether they are able to overcome them. Our objective was to understand how dentists deal with critical issues encountered with people on social assistance.MethodsWe conducted in-depth, semi-structured interviews with 33 dentists practicing in Montreal, Canada. The interview guides included questions on dentists’ experiences with people on social assistance and potential strategies developed for this group of people. Analyses consisted of interview debriefing, transcript coding, and data interpretation.ResultsDentists described strategies to resolve three critical issues: missed appointments (organisational issue); difficulty in performing non-covered treatments (biomedical issue); and low government fees (financial issue). With respect to missed appointments, dentists developed strategies to maximise attendance, such as motivating their patients, and to minimise the impact of non-attendance, like booking two people at the same time. With respect to biomedical and financial issues, dentists did not find any satisfactory solutions and considered that it was the government’s duty to resolve them. Overall, dentists seem reluctant to exclude people on social assistance but develop solutions that may discriminate against them.ConclusionsThe efforts and failures experienced by dentists with people on social assistance should encourage us to rethink how dental services are provided and financed.

Covering Tree Line with Black Poly Ethylene Sheets for Composting Fresh Animal Manures Reduces Weeds and Improves Tree Growth in Newly Established Orchards

Three field experiments were carried out over two growing seasons to evaluate the response of weeds and the volume of fruit trees; peach, pear and olive to composting of manures at 10 kg·m-2. Planting holes were prepared early January. Animal manures from different sources; broiler, cow, layer and sheep were mixed in the top 20-cm of the soil surface over a 40-cm band X 2.5m row per treatment in the planting row then either non covered or covered with black polyethylene (BPE) sheets for six weeks or for the period from January to October. Trees were then planted late February. The same treatments were repeated in November of the next year. Weeds were significantly reduced and fruit trees were significantly larger in the treatments with manures in the BPE-covered treatments as compared to the non-covered treatment. Perennials; Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. and Cardaria draba L. in addition to Convolvulus arvensis L. and Sorghum halepense (L.) Pers. tolerated the composting process. Most annual weeds did not appear in composted manure subplots. Main annual weeds included; Amaranthus blitoides S. Wats. A. garacilis Desf. Sinapis arvensis L. Chenpodium album L. in addition to some weeds species belonging to Leguminosae and Caryphyllaceae.

Use of Felled Junipers to Protect Streamside Willows From Browsing

Willow (Salix) communities are important components of riparian ecosystems. However, browsing by livestock and wildlife species can negatively impact willow size and abundance, and make restoration efforts difficult. A common solution has been fencing of affected willows to exclude ungulates, but fencing is expensive and may not complement desirable land management strategies. An alternative to fencing is the use of structures that limit access to streamside willows, without excluding ungulate access to the entire riparian zone. We examined the use of felled western juniper trees (Juniperus occidentalis Hook) placed over streamside willow shrubs. Four replicates of felled western juniper treatments (covered) and noncovered treatments were applied to a 1.2-km length of stream in southeastern Oregon. Willows (< 2 m) within treatment areas were censused, tagged, examined for evidence of browse-use, and measured for maximum height during August 2002, before treatment. Posttreatment measurements were made in August and October 2003. Results indicate that by August 2003 (posttreatment) the average growth of willows in covered treatments was 25 cm (480%) greater than in noncovered treatments. By October 2003 (posttreatment), more shrubs were browsed in noncovered (84%) than covered (39%) treatments. Our data suggest that covering small willow shrubs (< 2 m tall) with felled western juniper is an effective deterrent to browsing.

Allyl Isothiocyanate and Carbon Dioxide Produced during Degradation of Brassica juncea Tissue in Different Soil Conditions

A study was conducted to quantify volatiles generated from Indian mustard (Brassica juncea L. Czerniak) tissue incorporated into soils under controlled conditions. Mustard residues were incorporated into noncovered and covered soils that varied by texture, temperature, moisture, pH, or sterility (autoclaved or nonautoclaved). Sandy loam soil had 38% more allyl isothiocyanate (AITC) than clay loam soil. AITC concentration in 45 °C soil was 81% higher than in soil at 15 °C, and 56% higher in covered compared to noncovered treatments. The microbial catabolism of AITC was suggested by the result that AITC concentration in autoclaved soils was over three times that measured in nonautoclaved soils. The highest AITC level detected (1.71 μmol·L–1) occurred in the autoclaved covered soil. Several factors also influenced CO2 evolution. At 30 or 45 °C, CO2 concentration was at least 64% higher than at 15°C. The covered soil had over twice the CO2 found in the noncovered soil, and the nonautoclaved soil treatment yielded twice the CO2 measured in the autoclaved soil. There were no main effect differences among soil moisture, soil pH, and soil texture treatments for CO2 concentrations. This information could be helpful in defining ideal soil conditions for field scale experiments. Additionally, this study demonstrates a sampling technique for testing fumigation potential of biofumigation and solarization systems that may have the potential to replace methyl bromide.

(332) Fabric Cover Effects on Soil Fertility and Plant Nutrition of Sweet Cherry

Theinfluences of a synthetic fabric cover in the row area of sweet cherry trees on soil fertility and plant nutrition are largely unknown. A field trial has been conducted on young `Regina' sweet cherry on a sandy loam soil at the Mid-Columbia Agricultural Research and Extension Center, Hood River, Ore., since 2001. The difference in soil NO -3, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, B, Zn, Mn, Cu, pH, or organic matter was nonsignificant between the covered and non-covered treatments in any year. Leaf N content was 11% to 16% greater with the covered treatment compared with the non-covered treatment in 2002 and 2003, but leaf N was similar for the two treatments in 2001. Leaf P content was similar for the two treatments in 2001, but was about 36% less with the covered treatment than the non-covered treatment in 2002 and 2003. Leaf Ca content was decreased by 11% to 17% due to a synthetic fabric cover in 2002 and 2003. Leaf Mg content was 13% to 24% less with the covered treatment than the non-covered treatment in 2002 and 2003. However, the decreased leaf P, Ca, and Mg contents with the covered trees were due to the dilute effects of increased tree growth. The effects of a fabric cover on leaf K, S, B, Zn, Mn, and Cu contents were primarily nonsignificant. Our results suggest that although nutrient availability in the soil is not reduced by a wide synthetic fabric cover, higher rates of fertilizers may be needed for the covered sweet cherry trees due to the elevated tree growth and fruit production from a long-term perspective.

Use of Felled Junipers to Protect Streamside Willows From Browsing

Willow (Salix) communities are important components of riparian ecosystems. However, browsing by livestock and wildlife species can negatively impact willow size and abundance, and make restoration efforts difficult. A common solution has been fencing of affected willows to exclude ungulates, but fencing is expensive and may not complement desirable land management strategies. An alternative to fencing is the use of structures that limit access to streamside willows, without excluding ungulate access to the entire riparian zone. We examined the use of felled western juniper trees (Juniperus occidentalis Hook) placed over streamside willow shrubs. Four replicates of felled western juniper treatments (covered) and noncovered treatments were applied to a 1.2-km length of stream in southeastern Oregon. Willows (&lt; 2 m) within treatment areas were censused, tagged, examined for evidence of browse-use, and measured for maximum height during August 2002, before treatment. Posttreatment measurements were made in August and October 2003. Results indicate that by August 2003 (posttreatment) the average growth of willows in covered treatments was 25 cm (480%) greater than in noncovered treatments. By October 2003 (posttreatment), more shrubs were browsed in noncovered (84%) than covered (39%) treatments. Our data suggest that covering small willow shrubs (&lt; 2 m tall) with felled western juniper is an effective deterrent to browsing.

Effect of Dazomet on Annual Bluegrass Emergence and Creeping Bentgrass Establishment in Turf Maintained as a Golf Course Fairway

Dazomet (tetrahydro‐3,5‐dimethyl‐2H‐1,3,5‐thiadiazine‐2‐thione) is a soil fumigant labeled for turfgrass renovation. Little is known about dazomet efficacy on annual bluegrass (Poa annua L.) seedling emergence, particularly when it is surface‐applied. The objectives of this field study were to determine (i) the effects of rate and plastic covering of surface‐applied dazomet on annual bluegrass seedling emergence in turf; and (ii) effective creeping bentgrass seeding intervals following surface applications of dazomet. All treatments were applied to established turf during late summer in 2000 and 2001. Covering dazomet treatments with plastic sheets resulted in fewer annual bluegrass seedlings than in noncovered treatments. All plastic‐covered dazomet treatments (388, 340, 291, and 194 kg ha−1) provided greater than 98% reduction in annual bluegrass seedlings when compared with the plastic‐covered controls during 2000 and 2001. When not covered with plastic, the 388 kg ha−1 dazomet treatment provided 97% fewer annual bluegrass seedlings in 2000 and 92% fewer seedlings in 2001 than the noncovered controls. Results of the seeding interval experiment revealed that creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera L.) groundcover and yields were not inhibited when seeded 3 d after a surface application of dazomet at 388 kg ha−1

Dynamic Performance of Drill Coulters in a Soil Bin

A laboratory experiment was conducted to examine the vertical movement of two different conventional drill coulters in a soil bin. The bin was filled with air-dried sand, and was configured without straw, and with a surface covering of straw of two different length distributions. The objective of the experiment was to compare the movement of a disc coulter and a hoe coulter depending on the straw cover of the surface, and to analyse the dynamics of the coulter–soil system. The penetration depth was not affected by the surface condition for the hoe coulter, but the disc coulter had a smaller penetration depth in the straw-covered soil than in the straw-free soil. Both coulters penetrated steeper in the straw-free soil than in the straw-covered soil. The penetration after passing a solid object in the soil also followed the same course, affecting the disc coulter more than the hoe coulter. Here, the disc coulter on the surface with short straw had the smallest penetration depth, and the penetration angle was least for the same coulter on the surface with short straw. The depth of the hoe coulter was unaffected by straw covered treatment on the surface. The depth of the disc coulter was reduced in the straw covered treatments compared to the non-covered treatment. Of the straw-covered treatments, the reduction in the depth of the disc coulter was greatest for surface with short pieces of straw. Frequency analysis of the depth signal varying over time showed that the frequencies below 1 Hz dominated the signal. Rescaled range analysis showed persistence in the data and indicated that the test distance of 3.9 m was not long enough to establish a stable coulter depth. The frequency analysis of coulter depth data was very sensitive to the coulter run distance, but proved less sensitive in detetecting the vertical coulter movement pattern. To eliminate the depth trends and duration effects of the tests, the depth fluctuations were calculated. Coulter depth fluctuations were almost non-existent for the hoe coulter, but the disc coulter was affected by the surface with short straw compared to the straw-free surface. The fluctuations were in the range 0·25–11 Hz for the disc coulter. Long pieces of straw damped the vertical oscillation of the coulter considerably compared to the straw-free surface and the surface with short pieces of straw.

Induction of bicellular pollen by trifluralin treatment and occurrence of triploids and aneuploids after fertilization in maize

By spraying tassels of maize (Zea mays L.) with a trifluralin solution before flowering, viable bicellular pollen grains (with one vegetative nucleus and one mitotically arrested diploid generative cell) were produced. Fertilization between a central cell (2n) of diploid plants and the mitotically arrested generative cell (2n) of the bicellular pollen induced by trifluralin treatment was detected by the presence of shriveled kernels on pollinated ears. A covered method (tassels covered with aluminum foil for 24 h after spraying) and a non-covered method were compared, and the non-covered treatment with 0.2-0.4% trefanocide solutions was the most effective treatment in producing viable bicellular pollen. About 40-50% of the kernels were shriveled on pollinated ears from the treatments. Chromosome counts on seedlings obtained from 0.3% non-covered treatment revealed 24% were triploid and 4% were aneuploid (2n = 19, 21, and 22).Key words: aneuploid, bicellular pollen, trifluralin, triploid, Zea mays L.

Influence of planting date and row covers on yields and crop values for bell peppers in Saskatchewan

In 1989 and 1990, bell peppers transplanted into the field in mid-May, late May or early June were grown with a black plastic soil mulch and no cover (NC) or under tunnels of perforated clear polyethylene (PT) or spunbonded polyester (ST). The ST treatment provided several degrees of frost protection, whereas the PT treatment appeared to increase the crop’s susceptibility to frost damage. Early planting had little effect on total fruit yields but did accelerate the harvest. In both years, the ST accelerated crop maturity and increased total fruit yields relative to the noncovered treatment. At times the PT improved crop development and increased fruit yields, but in many cases it reduced fruit yields relative to the noncovered treatment. By promoting early fruit set and development, early planting under the spunbonded row covers significantly enhanced the value of the crop, as early peppers command a premium price in Saskatchewan. Cumulative crop values for the PT treatments were generally similar to or poorer than those for the noncovered control.Key words: Bell pepper, Capsicum annuum, planting date, row covers, frost

Influence of Two Callusing Methods on Benchgrafting Success of 12Vitis ViniferaL. Combinations in Pennsylvania

To investigate benchgrafting success with <i>Vitis vinifera</i> L. in Pennsylvania, replicated randomized complete-block experiments with split-plot treatment arrangements were conducted for three years. Twelve combinations of three scion cultivars were used: White Riesling, Gewürztraminer, and Gamay with each of four rootstocks — Kober 5BB, Teleki Selection Oppenheim Number 4, Couderc 3309, and Aramon x Rupestris Ganzin Number 1. The treatments were a covering or noncovering during the callusing period of the graft unions with dry sawdust and the scions with a wet peat-vermiculite-sand mixture. The noncovered treatment produced a significantly higher percent total yield for six combinations in the first year and three combinations in the second year. In the third year, one combination was significantly better with the covered treatment. There appeared to be no advantage in covering the grafted plants in the callusing boxes with the wet medium. White Riesling and Gewürztraminer grafted onto Couderc 3309 seemed to be the best-suited combinations, giving consistent high percentages of total yield with either covering treatment. Gamay in combination with each of the rootstocks showed lower percentages of total yield, a result of dormant scion wood of poorer quality. The benchgrafting and callusing method described seem commercially feasible since many of the combinations, regardless of covering treatment, produced greater than 50% total yield.