Uncultivated Sites Research Articles

Социально-философские идеи Наполеона III

The article is devoted to the analysis of the worldview of Louis Bonaparte, his ideas about the political prospects of mankind, which include generalizing judg­ments about the meaning of the French Revolution, about the significance of Napoleonic rule for social life. Of course, for Louis Bonaparte the theoretical works he wrote served as a means of promoting his own political aspirations, a kind of justification for the ambitions that inspired him, but also a certain philosophical support on the life path. Created by him even before coming to power, they may well be coordinated with the subsequent actions of the new­ly president of the republic, and then the emperor. He attached the most world­view importance to the image of Napoleon, which was interpreted as the focus of the leading lines of social development. Progress, justice, the social hierar­chy determined by merit, the confederation of free European states – these are the main features of the near future in his understanding. Like representatives of Saint-Simonianism, Louis Bonaparte called for the care of the poorest, most suffering class. His social project provided for the creation of agricultural colonies on abandoned, uncultivated sites. The liquidation of unemployment, in his opinion, could eliminate extreme poverty from everyday life. But, unlike Saint-Simon, he attached much greater importance to the role of the state and the centralization of power, did not consider Napoleon to be a defender of the obsolete feudal system. The example of Napoleon III shows a special way of mutual influence of philosophy and power: his social concept was formed primarily as a result of a very specific understanding of the decisions of his illustrious predecessor, this concept embodied an explicit desire for the post of head of state, and at the same time it found, albeit incomplete, reflection in politics of the Second Empire.

Comparison between Mineralogical Properties of Oak Forest and Un-Cultivated Soils in Iraqi Kurdistan Region

This study was conducted to identify the mineralogical properties of oak forest and uncultivated soils at 12 locations in the Iraqi Kurdistan region, which included (Brifca, Gara, and Matin) in Duhok governorate, (Awagrd, Bilah, and Malakan) in Erbil governorate, (Badawan, Bardanga, and Chwarta) in Sulaimani Governorate and (Bakhakon, Hawar, and Sartak) in Halabja governorate. Clay minerals were identified from X-ray diffraction data and peaks. Peak height is used as a rough indicator of the relative abundance of minerals. In general, the expansion of 14°A to 17°A in the ethylene glycol treatment was not detected because measuring started at 5? so that’s why we cannot differentiate between Chlorite and Smectite in that treatment. Swelling chlorite was the dominant mineral in these soils. While the miner clay minerals at those locations were Kaolinite. Mica was identified at all locations, while the dominant type of mica in forest soils was Muscovite, which was obtained from 6 sites, and Mica Biotite was obtained from 4 sites. In uncultivated sites, both types of mica were recorded at 5 sites.

A portable rainfall simulator to evaluate the factors affecting soil erosion in the northwestern coastal zone of Egypt

Soil erosion and the resulting sedimentation constitute major natural hazards that increase land degradation in the Mediterranean region. Understanding the behavior of soil erosion is of particular importance to control the degradation of productive soils. Therefore, a portable field rainfall simulator was designed to provide rainfall intensities in the range of 14 to 80 mm h−1. The simulator was tested in terms of Christiansen uniformity coefficients that ranged from 89 to 94% for the three full-jet nozzles used in this study, with median diameters ranged from 0.836 to 2.113 mm, showing an appropriate degree of accuracy. Furthermore, kinetic energy values ranged from 12.7 to 18.9 J m−2 mm−1, showing similarity to the natural rainfall occurs in the Mediterranean regions under conditions of low rainfall intensity. The applicability of the rainfall simulator in the dynamic processes of erosion characteristics was investigated in the northwestern coastal zone of Egypt. Five rainfall intensities (14, 21, 30, 36, and 45 mm h−1) were evaluated in three repetitions at three uncultivated sites having slope gradients of 5, 9, and 12%, forming 45 simulated rainfalls. The changes of sediment yield and runoff rate for the 45 simulated rainfalls were quantified. Altogether, the results indicated that runoff and sediment yield rates were substantially different between the rainfall intensities of 14 and 45 mm h−1 than those obtained between any other pairs of intensities under all soil gradients. Summing up the findings, the proposed rainfall simulator in this study can be used in future soil erosion studies.

Comparison between Mineralogical Properties of Oak Forest and Un-Cultivated Soils in Iraqi Kurdistan Region

This study was conducted to identify the mineralogical properties of oak forest and un-cultivated soils at 12 locations in the Iraqi Kurdistan region, which included (Brifca, Gara, and Matin) in Duhok governorate, (Awagrd, Bilah, and Malakan) in Erbil governorate, (Badawan, Bardanga, and Chwarta) in Sulaimani Governorate and (Bakhakon, Hawar, and Sartak) in Halabja governorate. Clay minerals were identified from X-ray diffraction data and peaks. Peak height is used as a rough indicator of the relative abundance of minerals. In general, the expansion of 14A to 17A in ethylene glycol treatment was not detected because measuring started from 5 so thats why we cannot be differentiated between Chlorite and Smectite in that treatment. Swelling chlorite was the dominant mineral in these soils. While the miner clay mineral at that locations were Kaolinite. Mica was identified at all locations, while the dominant type of Mica at forest soils was Muscovite which was obtained from 6 sites, while Mica Biotite was obtained from 4 sites, but in un-cultivated sites, both types of mica recorded at 5 sites.

Radiological impact on uncultivated soil and Dittrichia viscosa plants around a Lebanese coastal fertilizer industry

Chemical fertilizers, phosphate ore treatments, and phosphogypsum wastes contribute to enhanced levels of natural radionuclides in the environment. A total of 27 soil samples were collected from nine uncultivated sites around a Lebanese fertilizer plant in order to analyze the gamma emitter radionuclides (238U,232Th,226Ra,210Pb,137Cs, and40K) and to assess the radiological impact on the surrounding environment, through the calculation of different radiological index parameters. In addition, a total of 27 Dittrichia viscosa plant samples were gathered including roots, leaves, and stems, and the radionuclide transfer factors were determined. Measurements were conducted using a gamma spectrometer with high-purity germanium detectors. The highest values measured in soil samples were 77 ± 9 Bq/kg, 102 ± 10 Bq/kg, and 143 ± 5 Bq/kg for238U,226Ra, and210Pb, respectively.40K levels were comparable to other Lebanese provinces and about 50% less than the worldwide average value. The results showed the absence of radionuclide transfer between soil and plants, except for40K. The average values of the total absorbed dose rate and the annual effective dose were comparable to the worldwide average values. Therefore, the external exposure index and Radium equivalent were found to be below the international recommended values.

Soil domestication by rice cultivation results in plant-soil feedback through shifts in soil microbiota

BackgroundSoils are a key component of agricultural productivity, and soil microbiota determine the availability of many essential plant nutrients. Agricultural domestication of soils, that is, the conversion of previously uncultivated soils to a cultivated state, is frequently accompanied by intensive monoculture, especially in the developing world. However, there is limited understanding of how continuous cultivation alters the structure of prokaryotic soil microbiota after soil domestication, including to what extent crop plants impact soil microbiota composition, and how changes in microbiota composition arising from cultivation affect crop performance.ResultsWe show here that continuous monoculture (> 8 growing seasons) of the major food crop rice under flooded conditions is associated with a pronounced shift in soil bacterial and archaeal microbiota structure towards a more consistent composition, thereby domesticating microbiota of previously uncultivated sites. Aside from the potential effects of agricultural cultivation practices, we provide evidence that rice plants themselves are important drivers of the domestication process, acting through selective enrichment of specific taxa, including methanogenic archaea, in their rhizosphere that differ from those of native plants growing in the same environment. Furthermore, we find that microbiota from soils domesticated by rice cultivation contribute to plant-soil feedback, by imparting a negative effect on rice seedling vigor.ConclusionsSoil domestication through continuous monoculture cultivation of rice results in compositional changes in the soil microbiota, which are in part driven by the rice plants. The consequences include a negative impact on plant performance and increases in greenhouse gas emitting microbes.

Bioaccessibility of lead in Dittrichia viscosa plants and risk assessment of human exposure around a fertilizer industry in Lebanon

Total and bioaccessible lead (Pb) concentrations in Dittrichia viscosa and soil samples were considered for estimating the potential health risk, related to both plant intake and accidental soil ingestion by adult and child consumers, near a Lebanese fertilizer plant. A total of 27 plant samples, from 9 uncultivated sites situated around the plant, were analyzed in order to assess the total and bioaccessible Pb content. Physiologically based extraction test (PBET) was used to estimate oral bioaccessibility of Pb in edible plant parts. Washed and unwashed leaves were compared in order to show the importance of good consumer practice on Pb intake. Extracted Pb in the intestinal medium accounted for 24 up to 87% of Pb extracted in the gastric medium. The total hazard quotient (HQtot) and the total bioaccessible hazard quotient (BHQ), related to both plants' intake and soil ingestion, for two maximalist child and adult scenarios, were calculated in order to estimate human health risk assessment. HQtot estimations considering the total concentration of Pb in soil and plant suggest that this metal is a contributor in elevating health risks problems on local plants’ consumers, especially children inhabitants. However, the integration of bioaccessible concentrations of Pb in risk estimations reduces remarkably the potential risk.

Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp) hosts several widespread bradyrhizobial root nodule symbionts across contrasting agro-ecological production areas in Kenya

Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp.) is an important African food legume suitable for dry regions. It is the main legume in two contrasting agro-ecological regions of Kenya as an important component of crop rotations because of its relative tolerance to unpredictable drought events. This study was carried out in an effort to establish a collection of bacterial root nodule symbionts and determine their relationship to physicochemical soil parameters as well as any geographical distributional patterns. Bradyrhizobium spp. were found to be widespread in this study and several different types could be identified at each site. Unique but rare symbionts were recovered from the nodules of plants sampled in a drier in-land region, where there were also overall more different bradyrhizobia found. Plants raised in soil from uncultivated sites with a natural vegetation cover tended to also associate with more different bradyrizobia. The occurrence and abundance of different bradyrhizobia correlated with differences in soil texture and pH, but did neither with the agro-ecological origin, nor the origin from cultivated (n = 15) or uncultivated (n = 5) sites. The analytical method, protein profiling of isolated strains by Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS), provided higher resolution than 16S rRNA gene sequencing and was applied in this study for the first time to isolates recovered directly from field-collected cowpea root nodules. The method thus seems suitable for screening isolate collections on the presence of different groups, which, provided an appropriate reference database, can also be assigned to known species.

Quantifying total and labile pools of soil organic carbon in cultivated and uncultivated soils in eastern India

Loss of labile carbon (C) fractions yields information about the impact of land-use changes on sources of C inputs, pathways of C losses and mechanisms of soil C sequestration. This study dealt with the total organic C (TOC) and labile C pools in 40 surface soil samples (0–15 cm) collected from four land-use practices: uncultivated sites and rice–wheat, maize–wheat and sugarcane agro-ecosystems. Uncultivated soils had a higher total C pool than croplands. The soil inorganic C concentrations were in the range of 0.7–1.4 g kg–1 under different land-use practices. Strong correlations were found between TOC and all organic C pools, except water-extractable organic C and mineralisable C. The sensitivity index indicated that soil organic C pools were susceptible to changes in land-use practices. Discriminant function analysis showed that the nine soil variables could distinguish the maize–wheat and rice–wheat systems from uncultivated and sugarcane systems. Finally, we recommend crop rotation practices whereby planting sugarcane replenishes TOC content in soils.

SOIL ORGANIC CARBON LEVELS IN SOILS OF CONTRASTING LAND USES IN SOUTHEASTERN NIGERIA

<p class="Default"><span>Land use change affects soil organic carbon (SOC) storage in tropical soils, but information on the influence of land use change on segmental topsoil organic carbon stock is lacking. The study investigated SOC levels in Awgu (L), Okigwe (CL), Nsukka I (SL), and Nsukka II (SCL) locations in southeastern Nigeria. Land uses considered in each location were the cultivated (manually-tilled) and the adjacent uncultivated (4-5 year bush-fallow) soils from which samples at 0-10, 10-20, and 20-30 cm topsoil depth were assessed. The SOC level decreased with topsoil depth in both land uses. Overall, the SOC level at 0-30 cm was between 285.44 and 805.05 Mg ha<sup>-1</sup> amongst the soils. The uncultivated sites stored more SOC than its adjacent cultivated counterpart at 0-10 and 10-20 cm depth, except in Nsukka II soils, which had significantly higher SOC levels in the cultivated than the uncultivated site. Nonetheless, at 20-30 cm depth, the SOC pool across the fallowed soils was statistically similar when parts of the same soil utilization type were tilled and cultivated. Therefore, while 4 to 5 years fallow may be a useful strategy for SOC stabilization within 20-30 cm topsoil depth in the geographical domain, segmental computation of topsoil organic carbon pool is critical.</span></p>

Restoration and sequestration of carbon and nitrogen in the degraded northern coastal area in Nile Delta, Egypt for climate change mitigation

Most of coastal area in Nile Delta, Egypt, is salt-affected soils and have low carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) inputs as a result of declining vegetation growth and low net primary production. Therefore, this study amid to compare between C and N pools in degraded (uncultivated and salt-affected soil) and restored (cultivated and reclaimed 20 years ago) locations in North Nile Delta. and to examine the impact of cultivation on sequestering C and N pools in this area as one of the most important methods for mitigating climate change impacts. C and N pools increased significantly in surface soil from 2.99 and 0.43 Mgh−1 in uncultivated sites to 19.26 and 1.66 Mgh−1 in cultivated ones as salinity was reduced and net primary production was increased due to leaching and reclamation. Particulate (associated with sand) and nonparticulate (associated with clay +silt) soil organic C or N was significantly higher cultivated sites. In addition, nonparticulate organic C or N was lower than particulate part indicating and supporting the strong relationship between organic matter and clay. The sequestration rate (in approximately 1 m profile) was 1.69 and 0.14 Mgh−1 yr.−1 C and N pools respectively. Although the cultivation is leading to loss of organic matter in some areas; C and N in this coastal area are partially restored and stored. Therefore, restoration and appropriate management practices will lead to mitigate the negative impacts of climate change in this area.

Estimates of late Holocene soil production and erosion in the Snowy Mountains, Australia

Soil production in actively uplifting or high precipitation alpine landscapes is potentially rapid. However, these same landscapes are also susceptible to erosion and can be sensitive to changes in climate and anthropogenic activity which can upset the balance between soil production and erosion. The Snowy Mountains, southeastern Australia, are a tectonically stable, low relief, moderate precipitation mountain environment. The alpine area is extensively blanketed by soil that has been subjected to more intensive episodes of erosion during past periods of anthropogenic disturbance and under cold climate conditions of the late Quaternary. In this study, rates of soil development and hillslope erosion were investigated using radiocarbon dating, fallout radionuclides and sediment cores collected from lakes and reservoirs. Estimated Holocene soil development rates were 20–220t/km2/y. Erosion rates determined from the radionuclides 137Cs and 210Pb were equivocal, due to the inherent spatial variability of radionuclide inventories relative to apparent erosion rates. Estimated average erosion rates over the past 100years, determined from 210Pbex inventories, were 60t/km2/y (95% CI: 10, 90). Inventories of 137Cs observed at the same site implied that more recent erosion rates (over the past 60years) was below the detection limits of the sampling method applied here (i.e.<70t/km2/y). The upper estimate of 90t/km2/y is comparable to the mean erosion rate estimated using the radionuclide method for uncultivated sites in Australia and is significantly lower than that measured at sites were vegetation cover was disturbed by livestock grazing prior to its exclusion from the alpine area in the 1940s CE. Low erosion and high soil production rates relative to the lowland soils are likely related to extensive vegetation cover, which, in this context, protects soils against erosion and contributes to the formation of organic alpine soils, that rapidly accumulate organic matter by comparison to other soil types.

Estimating vulnerability of agriculturally used peatlands in north-east Germany to carbon loss based on multi-temporal subsidence data analysis

Agriculturally used peatlands are prone to carbon loss and soil degradation. The intensity of the underlying processes differs locally with respect to land management practices as well as hydro-geomorphic setting and soil conditions. A reliable assessment of the site specific vulnerability to carbon loss is important information to enable effective and precise agricultural and environmental policy. In the frame of a research project to derive an updated map of peatland soils for the Federal State of Brandenburg, located in the North-East of Germany, 7725 soil investigations on peatland sites were carried out thereof 3729 were suitable for peatland subsidence analyses. These data, together with extensive legacy data consisting of approx. 246,650 soil profiles, allow for robust carbon loss estimations based on peatland subsidence records. Observed carbon losses amount to 0.234kg/m2∗yr at (presently) uncultivated sites, 0.562kg/m2∗yr for grassland and 0.645kg/m2∗yr for arable land. These figures agree well with recently published data for similar landscapes and land management practices. Taking into account additional information on the initial peat thickness, the type of underlying substrate and the presence or absence of a mineral top layer, a robust site-specific assessment of vulnerability to carbon loss for agriculturally used peatlands has been done. It is shown that >50% of agriculturally used peatlands in Brandenburg are characterized by medium or high vulnerability to carbon loss.

Sustainable long-term intensive application of manure to sandy soils without phosphorus leaching: a case study from Ghana

Long-term application of manure to sandy soils to ensure high crop productivity may lead to phosphorus (P) leaching, which, in turn, may deteriorate the quality of recipient waters because of eutrophication. The risk of P leaching depends on contents of aluminum (Al) and iron (Fe) oxides that are strong P sorbents and of calcium (Ca) that can form sparingly soluble Ca–P compounds. While P sorption by Al and Fe oxides is limited, the formation of sparingly soluble Ca–P may theoretically continue as long as enough Ca is available, i.e. under such conditions long-term application of manure may be environmentally sustainable. This hypothesis has been tested on soils formed on beach sand at Keta, Ghana, which have been used since the 1930s for intensive cultivation based on manure application. Soil samples were collected from different depths down to 80 cm in profile pits on cultivated soils that received manure over 70 years and on uncultivated plots (controls). The samples were analyzed for texture, pH, total C and P and poorly ordered Al and Fe oxides as well as different P forms as assessed by the Hedley fractionation method. The results showed a fourfold P increase in the top 40 cm of the cultivated soils, whereas in the deepest soil layers the P contents in the cultivated and uncultivated soils were almost the same indicating very limited downward P transport despite long-term manure application. This was supported by comparable P concentrations in groundwater taken under cultivated and uncultivated sites. P fractionation showed that the cultivated top soils were dominated by sparingly soluble Ca–P compounds that accounted for about 70% of the P gain. Thus, the results suggest that intensive crop production under tropical semi-arid conditions may be environmentally sustainable when based on manure fertilization ensuring enough Ca supply and neutral to alkaline pH.

English

Wetlands provide enormous socioeconomic and environmental values. However, wetlands are threatened by conversion for agricultural land in southwestern Ethiopia. The study aims to assess the impact of wetland cultivation on plant species richness, composition and soil fertility. Plant species richness and composition was investigated for 30 plots in each site of adjacent uncultivated and cultivated wetlands sites and total of 60 sampling plots were used. Soil samples were collected from 18 sample plots (9 in each site) selected using simple random method from plots used for plant survey. The results showed that cultivated sites have significantly higher (P&lt;0.05) species richness, diversity and evenness indices than uncultivated wetlands. Though, this seems positive biological integrity in cultivated site, some ecologically and socioeconomically valuable wetland plant species were lost. Similarity of species (index 30.51%) between two sites was low. Moisture content, clay, organic carbon, total nitrogen, available phosphorous, cation exchange capacity (CEC), exchangeable K+ and Na+ were significantly (P&lt;0.05) lower while silt, pH and electric conductivity (EC) were significantly (P&lt;0.05) higher for cultivated site respect to uncultivated site. However, bulk density, sand, exchangeable Mg2+ and Ca2+ were not significantly (P&gt;0.05) affected. Hence, planning wise use strategy for sustainable management of wetlands is essential. &nbsp; Key words: Wetland cultivation, species composition, soil physico-chemical properties, South-Bench District.&nbsp

Acaulospora mellea and A. trappei, fungi new for Poland

Spores of &lt;i&gt;Acaulospora mellea&lt;/i&gt; and &lt;i&gt;A. trappei&lt;/i&gt; are described and illustrated. &lt;i&gt;Acaulospora mellea&lt;/i&gt; occurs relatively infrequently in Poland. It was found in 30 of the more than 1300 soil samples examined representing different uncultivated and cultivated sites. Spores of &lt;i&gt;A. trappei&lt;/i&gt; were only found in six field-collected soils. However, the occurrence of this fungus in many pot cultures with soils from various uncultivated and agricultural sites indicated that the species was common among arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in Poland.

Combined use of stable isotopes and fallout radionuclides as soil erosion indicators in a forested mountain site, South Korea

Abstract. The aim of this study is to assess and to validate the suitability of the stable nitrogen and carbon isotope signature as soil erosion indicators in a mountain forest site in South Korea. Our approach is based on the comparison of the isotope signature of "stable" landscape positions (reference sites), which are neither affected by erosion nor deposition, with eroding sites. For undisturbed soils we expect that the enrichment of δ15N and δ13C with soil depth, due to fractionation during decomposition, goes in parallel with a decrease in nitrogen and carbon content. Soil erosion processes potentially weaken this correlation. The 137Cs method and the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) were applied for the soil erosion quantification. Erosion rates obtained with the 137Cs method range from 0.9 t ha−1 yr−1 to 7 t ha−1 yr−1. Considering the steep slopes of up to 40° and the erosive monsoon events (R factor of 6600 MJ mm ha−1 h−1 yr –1), the rates are plausible and within the magnitude of the RUSLE-modeled soil erosion rates, varying from 0.02 t ha−1 yr−1 to 5.1 t ha−1 yr−1. The soil profiles of the reference sites showed significant (p &lt; 0.0001) correlations between nitrogen and carbon content and its corresponding δ15N and δ13C signatures. In contrast, for the eroding sites this relationship was weaker and for the carbon not significant. These results confirm the usefulness of the stable carbon isotope signature as a qualitative indicator for soil disturbance. We could show further that the δ15N isotope signature can be used similarly for uncultivated sites. We thus propose that the stable δ15N and δ13C signature of soil profiles could serve as additional indicators confirming the accurate choice of the reference site in soil erosion studies using the 137Cs method.

Phytosociology of Hulunbeier grassland vegetation in Inner Mongolia, China

The present study provides the first detailed phytosociological description of the plant communities of Hulunbeier grassland, the easternmost part of the Eurasian steppe. Using phytosociological methods, vegetation data were collected from 109 plots in six areas spanning 300 km and covering a large proportion of the east-west axis of Hulunbeier steppe. Five main phytosociological plant communities were identified: meadow steppe of Veronico incanae-Stipetum baicalensis, ruderal vegetation of Cannabi-Sphallerocarpetum gracilis, steppe of Poo attenuatae-Stipetum grandis, heavily grazed steppe of Allium polyrhizum community, and Glycyrrhizo uralensis-Achnatherum splendens. The Poo attenuatae-Stipetum grandis was divided into two subunits: a Potentilla acaulis subassociation and a Caragana microphylla subassociation. The ordination of the communities showed a strong gradient from the drier western steppe to the wetter eastern steppe. Compared with 20 years ago, the zonal floristic composition had drastically changed from S. krylovii being dominant to the salt-tolerant A. polyrhizum and A. splendens becoming dominant. Species richness was lower in the communities nearby water sources suggesting intensive grazing and tramping than in the typical community of the steppe zone. Species richness was lower in the abandoned fields than in adjacent uncultivated sites. These results suggest that both grazing pressure and cultivation had changed the floristic composition and decreased the species richness in the area.

Factors affecting the efficacy of a vinegar trap for Drosophila suzikii (Diptera; Drosophilidae)

AbstractDrosophila suzukii, Matsumura, is a relatively new pest in the United States attacking a variety of fruit crops. Studies were conducted to develop a standardized, economical trap for monitoring. Laboratory bioassays found that flies were attracted to dark colours ranging from red to black. Similarly, fly catches in 237‐ml plastic ‘spice’ jars with ten 0.48‐cm holes and baited with apple cider vinegar were significantly higher in jars with red or black than white caps. The use of an alternating set of three, horizontal red, black and red bands (‘Zorro’ trap) significantly increased fly catches compared with the use of all‐red or all‐black strips. This increase was associated with a significantly higher proportion of flies first landing on the side near the openings of the trap instead of on the cap with the ‘Zorro’ trap compared with the other traps. Laboratory data were used to develop a predictive model to define total fly capture as a function of trap colour/colour pattern, cumulative area of entry holes and the length of the trapping portion of the trap. Total fly catches by the ‘Zorro’ trap were compared with other red and clear plastic traps in five field trials conducted in several cultivated and uncultivated sites. Comparisons included a commercial red‐capped 200‐ml trap with two 0.63‐cm holes, an all‐red spice jar with ten 0.48‐cm holes and clear and red 473‐ml and clear 946‐ml plastic cups with six or ten 0.48‐ or 0.63‐cm holes. The model was successfully validated, suggesting that performance of cup traps can be predicted based on a few characteristics. The current ‘Zorro’ trap did not catch most of the flies among trap designs, but showed some advantages, including the durability and potential to recycle the plastic, small size, commercial availability and its greater selectivity for D. suzukii than the other traps tested.

Antibiotic susceptibility testing of isolated Bacillus thuringiensis from three soil types around Iligan City, Philippines

This study was conducted with the aim of isolating and identifying entomopathogenic isolate of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) from the three different kinds of soils and to determine its antibiotic susceptibility. Soil samples were taken from three different uncultivated sites that have no history of treatment with Bt products. Isolation of the Bt strain was conducted based on the conventional biochemical method and the phenotypic characteristics of the isolated Bt were determined by making use of standard methods. 20 presumptively identified strains of Bt were subjected to antibiotic testing by using ampicillin, amoxicillin, tetracycline, streptomycin, and ofloxacin. Results show that the isolated strains of Bt were resistant to β-lactams (amoxicillin and ampicillin). Keywords: antibiotic susceptibility, β-lactams, vermicast