Untreated Fields Research Articles

Performance and field efficacy of indigenous egg parasitoid Trichogrammatoidea bactrae (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) against the cotton pink bollworm Pectinophora gossypiella (Saunders) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) in transgenic Bt cotton

The pink bollworm (PBW) Pectinophora gossypiella (Saunders) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) has emerged as a major pest of transgenic Bt cotton in India. The recent outbreak of PBW caused serious damage, and the existing management strategies become inefficient to reduce the pest incidence and crop yield losses. The development of environment-friendly and sustainable management strategies against PBW is urgently needed. Thus, laboratory tests were performed to evaluate 16 indigenous trichogrammatid species/strains to manage the PBW in transgenic Bt cotton. We compared the parasitism of trichogrammatid species/strains on PBW eggs and found that Trichogrammatoidea nr. robusta (79.6%), Trichogrammatoidea bactrae Nagaraja (76.4%) and Trichogramma chilonis Ishii (73.8%) parasitized a greater percentage of PBW eggs under laboratory conditions. Furthermore, the parasitism of Tr. nr. robusta, Tr. bactrae and T. chilonis were tested in cages. Results of cage study showed that Tr. bactrae parasitized at a higher rate the PBW eggs (73.2%) followed by T. chilonis (60.5%) and Tr. nr. robusta (48.6%). Subsequently, the effectiveness of Tr. bactrae was assessed for consecutive three years (2017–2020) in transgenic Bt cotton fields. We found that the 12 sequential releases of Tr. bactrae from the flowering stage onwards showed a significant reduction in the PBW incidence. Field released with Tr. bactrae or treated with insecticides reduced the number of larvae boll−1 by 1.5 and 3, respectively, the percentage of rosette flower by 1.7 and 2.7, respectively, and the percentage of locule damage by 2 and 2.5, respectively, compared to untreated control field. A higher yield of seed cotton was obtained both in Tr. bactrae released field (27.73 q h−1) and insecticide treated cotton field (31.68 q h−1) as compared to untreated control field. Our results showed that Tr. bactrae is a potential biocontrol agent of PBW. This could be used in biological control programme and may be incorporated in integrated pest management (IPM) programme against PBW in transgenic Bt cotton.

Pre-exposure to a variable temperature treatment improves the response of Acropora cervicornis to acute thermal stress

Given that global warming is the greatest threat to coral reefs, coral restoration projects have expanded worldwide with the goal of replenishing habitats whose reef-building corals succumbed to various stressors. In many cases, however, these efforts will be futile if outplanted corals are unable to withstand warmer oceans and an increased frequency of extreme temperature events. Stress-hardening is one approach proposed to increase the thermal tolerance of coral genotypes currently grown for restoration. Previous studies have shown that corals from environments with natural temperature variability experience less bleaching when exposed to thermal stress, though it remains unclear if this localized acclimatization or adaptation to variable temperatures can be operationalized for enhancing restoration efforts. To evaluate this approach, fragments from six source colonies of nursery-raised Caribbean staghorn coral (Acropora cervicornis) were treated with a variable temperature regime (oscillating twice per day from 28 to 31 °C) or static temperatures (28 °C) in the laboratory for 89 d. Following this, fragments were subjected to a heat-stress assay (32 °C) for 2 weeks. Corals treated with variable temperatures manifested signs of severe thermal stress later than static temperature laboratory controls as well as untreated field controls collected from the nursery. Furthermore, there was a stark contrast in the physiological response to heat stress, whereby the laboratory and field control groups had a significantly higher incidence of rapid tissue sloughing and necrosis, while the variable temperature-treated corals succumbed to bleaching more gradually. Overall, our data show that pre-acclimation to a variable temperature regime improves acroporid thermotolerance. As corals continue to be outplanted back onto Florida’s changing reef scape, understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying this enhanced thermal tolerance and its endurance in situ will be critical for future research and restoration applications.

Atoxigenic-based technology for biocontrol of aflatoxin in maize and groundnuts for Tanzania

Application of biocontrol products containing atoxigenic isolates ofAspergillus flavus to reduce aflatoxin content in crops is an effective strategy for managing aflatoxin in several regions throughout the world. We report the development and validation of two aflatoxin biocontrol products, Aflasafe TZ01 and Aflasafe TZ02, for use in maize and groundnut in Tanzania, a country frequently affected by aflatoxin contamination. Each product contains four atoxigenicA. flavus genotypes native and widely distributed in Tanzania. Efficacy tests on maize and groundnut were conducted over two years and in four regions of Tanzania where aflatoxin contamination is prevalent. Application of both products significantly (P<0.05) reduced aflatoxin levels in maize and groundnut in both years and in all districts. No differences were observed in totalAspergillus sectionFlavi population in treated and untreated fields, revealing that application of the biocontrol products do not alter overallAspergillus populations in the environment. The results indicate that both products are effective tools for aflatoxin mitigation in groundnut and maize. The products were officially registered in 2018. Currently, there are scale-out and-up efforts of aflatoxin biocontrol products in Tanzania through a private sector company that is making the products available to farmers. Protecting maize and groundnut from aflatoxin contamination in Tanzania can result in health, income, and trade benefits.

Spatial Distribution of Lissorhoptrus oryzophilus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in Rice.

Rice water weevil, Lissorhoptrus oryzophilus Kuschel (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), is a destructive insect pest of rice in the United States. The pruning of rice roots by L. oryzophilus larvae can cause up to 25% yield loss. Currently, insecticidal seed treatments are used in the Louisiana rice industry as a pre-emptive means of controlling this weevil species. Our objective was to gain a better understanding of the spatial distribution of L. oryzophilus in Louisiana rice fields. Thirteen untreated commercial rice fields in Louisiana were mapped using GPS software, and surveyed for L. oryzophilus larvae over two years (2017 and 2018). An ANOVA, spatial interpolation, hotspot analysis, and multiple linear regression were used to determine where populations of L. oryzophilus were concentrated and whether distributions of the pest were related to edge effects. The results showed that L. oryzophilus larvae are typically aggregated along the edges of rice fields, with populations decreasing toward the center of rice fields. Lissorhoptrus oryzophilus densities were 3.3- and 2.2- fold greater along field edges than in field centers in 2017 and 2018, respectively. Hotspot spatial analysis revealed 59% and 32% of low-density clusters occurred at or near field centers, respectively. Multiple linear regression revealed larval densities decline with increasing distance from overwintering sites and alternative habitats (such as tree lines and levees containing bunch grasses and other alternative noncrop plants). These results suggest potential for insecticidal seed treatments to be applied selectively within rice fields to control this pest.

Leaf Apoplast of Field-Grown Potato Analyzed by Quantitative Proteomics and Activity-Based Protein Profiling.

Multiple biotic and abiotic stresses challenge plants growing in agricultural fields. Most molecular studies have aimed to understand plant responses to challenges under controlled conditions. However, studies on field-grown plants are scarce, limiting application of the findings in agricultural conditions. In this study, we investigated the composition of apoplastic proteomes of potato cultivar Bintje grown under field conditions, i.e., two field sites in June–August across two years and fungicide treated and untreated, using quantitative proteomics, as well as its activity using activity-based protein profiling (ABPP). Samples were clustered and some proteins showed significant intensity and activity differences, based on their field site and sampling time (June–August), indicating differential regulation of certain proteins in response to environmental or developmental factors. Peroxidases, class II chitinases, pectinesterases, and osmotins were among the proteins more abundant later in the growing season (July–August) as compared to early in the season (June). We did not detect significant differences between fungicide Shirlan treated and untreated field samples in two growing seasons. Using ABPP, we showed differential activity of serine hydrolases and β-glycosidases under greenhouse and field conditions and across a growing season. Furthermore, the activity of serine hydrolases and β-glycosidases, including proteins related to biotic stress tolerance, decreased as the season progressed. The generated proteomics data would facilitate further studies aiming at understanding mechanisms of molecular plant physiology in agricultural fields and help applying effective strategies to mitigate biotic and abiotic stresses.

Pesticide residues in honeybee-collected pollen: does the EU regulation protect honeybees from pesticides?

Researchers globally identify pesticides as one of the main reasons for pollinator decline. In the European Union (EU), extensive legislation is implemented to protect pollinators from harmful pesticide exposure. The aim of our study was to discover whether the pesticide residue levels in honeybee matrices, such as nectar and pollen, exceeded the chronic or acute toxicity levels when beehives were located next to fields treated with specific insecticides. The insecticides were used according to the EU legislation and its national implementation. The experiments were conducted in turnip rape, oilseed rape, and caraway fields in southern Finland during the years 2019 and 2020. The pesticides used in the experiments contained the active substances lambda-cyhalothrin (2019), esfenvalerate (2020), and tau-fluvalinate (2020). However, the honeybee-collected pollen and nectar were analyzed for residues of more than 100 active substances. The results showed that the pesticide residue levels clearly remained under the oral acute toxicity for honeybees, although we found high levels of thiacloprid residues in the pollen collected in 2019. The pesticide residues in nectar were below LOQ values, which was most likely due to the rainy weather conditions together with the chosen sampling method. No statistically significant differences were observed between the insecticide-treated and untreated fields. In light of our research, the EU legislation protected honeybees from oral acute toxicity during the years 2019 and 2020. However, potential sublethal effects of thiacloprid and other pesticide compounds found in the collected pollen cannot be ruled out. In the future, constant monitoring of pesticide exposure of honeybees and wild pollinators should be established to ensure that pesticide legislation, and its implementation across the EU successfully protects pollinators and their services in agricultural environments.

The effect of digestate fertilisation on grass biogas yield and soil properties in field-biomass-biogas-field renewable energy production approach in Lithuania

The shift from a fossil economy to a biological economy will stimulate the demand for bio-based energy generation. One promising strategy to meet the growing demand for biomass for energy production is to re-cultivate abandoned arable land. The digestate fertilisation approach for the sake of increased biomass yields is the key strategy towards more sustainable biogas generation in many regions. To minimise digestate utilisation costs, biogas plant operators seek to spread the liquid digestate as close as possible to its storage location. The present work is focused on the evaluation of the digestate impact on the eroded agricultural soil, the improved biomass yield of semi-natural grassland biomass and its biogas potential. Three-year field experiment results indicate the positive effect of solid and liquid digestate on soil fertility and quality. The amount of dissolved organic carbon in eroded loamy Retisol increased 3.7% and 15% in soil 0–10 cm layer with fertilisation rate of 170 kg ha−1 N of liquid and solid digestate, respectively. In terms of total nitrogen, 11.6% and 20% increases were achieved using 170 kg ha−1 N of liquid and solid digestate compared to unfertilised. Furthermore, the grass fresh biomass yield was up to 3 times higher compared to the unfertilised yield. The biomethane yield of biomass from digestate-fertilised fields was higher for every fertilisation rate applied. The highest biomethane yield was for 170 kg N ha−1 liquid digestate applied, yielding 19% more biogas compared to untreated field biomass due to both increased biogas yield and increased methane content.

Effect of Biochar on Soil CO2 Fluxes from Agricultural Field Experiments in Russian Far East

Agricultural soils are a major source of greenhouse gases. Biochar is a soil improver and, when applied to the soil, sequesters carbon. However, a different combination of soil and climatic conditions and biochar leads to different research results. In this research, the effects of 1 kg/m2 and 3 kg/m2 biochar application to clay soils on the CO2 flow in field experiments along two cropping seasons in the Russian Far East were investigated. Data showed that biochar significantly reduces the cumulative flow of soil CO2, compared with untreated field plots. In 2018, the greatest reduction in soil CO2 emissions (28.2%) with 3 kg/m2 of biochar was obtained, while in 2019, the greatest decrease in the cumulative CO2 flow at the application dose of 1 kg/m2 (57.7%) was recorded. A correlation between a decrease in the value of the cumulative CO2 flux and an increase in the biomass grown in the studied areas of agricultural crops during the season of 2018 was found.

Does Use of Atoxigenic Biocontrol Products to Mitigate Aflatoxin in Maize Increase Fumonisin Content in Grains?

In the tropics and subtropics, maize (Zea mays) and other crops are frequently contaminated with aflatoxins by Aspergillus flavus. Treatment of crops with atoxigenic isolates of A. flavus formulated into biocontrol products can significantly reduce aflatoxin contamination. Treated crops contain up to 100% fewer aflatoxins compared with untreated crops. However, there is the notion that protecting crops from aflatoxin contamination may result in increased accumulation of other toxins, particularly fumonisins produced by a few Fusarium species. The objective of this study was to determine if treatment of maize with aflatoxin biocontrol products increased fumonisin concentration and fumonisin-producing fungi in grains. Over 200 maize samples from fields treated with atoxigenic biocontrol products in Nigeria and Ghana were examined for fumonisin content and contrasted with maize from untreated fields. Apart from low aflatoxin levels, most treated maize also harbored fumonisin levels considered safe by the European Union (<1 part per million; ppm). Most untreated maize also harbored equally low fumonisin levels but contained higher aflatoxin levels. In addition, during one year, we detected considerably lower Fusarium spp. densities in treated maize than in untreated maize. Our results do not support the hypothesis that treating crops with atoxigenic isolates of A. flavus used in biocontrol formulations results in higher grain fumonisin levels.[Formula: see text] Copyright © 2021 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY 4.0 International license.

Epicuticular hydrocarbons of the redbanded stink bug Piezodorus guildinii (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae): sexual dimorphism and alterations in insects collected in insecticide-treated soybean crops.

The redbanded stink bug Piezodorus guildinii (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) is one of the most important species affecting soybean crops in southern South America. Capillary gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry was used to characterize the epicuticular hydrocarbon profiles of field-collected insects, and to identify differences in their composition between fifth-instar nymphs and adults, males and females, and between bugs collected in insecticide-treated and insecticide-free soybean crops. Straight chain saturated n-C27 and n-C29, and monomethyl and dimethyl chains of C31 and C33 were the most abundant compounds. A group of volatile hydrocarbons with n-C13 and n-C15 as the predominant compounds were also detected. The hydrocarbon pattern was different between nymphs and adults, either males or females. Heneicosene was almost exclusively detected in adult males and was the most important component to differentiate between both sexes, followed by tricosadiene. The total hydrocarbon amount was significantly higher in nymphs, males and females collected in insecticide-treated fields compared with insects obtained from untreated fields. Differences were found in the epicuticular hydrocarbon pattern among nymphs and adults, as well as sexual dimorphism in adult stink bugs. Interestingly, an alteration was also found in the hydrocarbon profile of insects collected in insecticide-treated soybean crops and its relevance is discussed within a pest management context.

Effect of Weed Control Methods and Canopy Characteristics on Weed Biomass, Yield and Yield Components of Two Contrasting Cassava Varieties in the Rainforest Zone of Nigeria

Weed infestation is one of the reasons why the average cassava yield is low in Nigeria. This study was conducted in 2010 at the Teaching and Research Farm, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife to evaluate the impact of different cassava canopy structures on (i) weed biomass and (ii) yield and its components. The treatments consist of hand-weeded, herbicidal treatment, and unweeded checks in the main plot. The sub-plots constituted the cassava cultivars (TMS 30572 and TME 1) laid out in a randomized complete block with a split-plot arrangement in three replications. TMS 30572 reduced weed biomass by 59% when compared to TME 1 in the unweeded plot. However, there was no significant difference in the weed biomass between the hand-weeded and herbicide-treated where TMS 30572 and TME 1 were cultivated. Root dry matter of TMS 30572 was higher by 72% when compared to TME 1 in the untreated field. However, there was no significant difference between the yield of TMS 30572 and TME 1 in both hand-weeded and herbicide-treated plots. In conclusion, TME 30572 is recommended for cultivation in regions with similar agroecological patterns coupled with Integrated Weed Management (IWM) especially, when planting TME 1 to obtain optimum yield. Keywords: Weed biomass, TMS 30572, TME 1, Yield, and Integrated Weed Management. DOI: 10.7176/JNSR/12-14-05 Publication date: July 31 st 2021

Aflasafe SN01 is the First Biocontrol Product Approved for Aflatoxin Mitigation in Two Nations, Senegal and The Gambia.

Aflatoxin contamination is caused by Aspergillus flavus and closely related fungi. In The Gambia, aflatoxin contamination of groundnut and maize, two staple and economically important crops, is common. Groundnut and maize consumers are chronically exposed to aflatoxins, sometimes at alarming levels, and this has severe consequences on their health and productivity. Aflatoxin contamination also impedes commercialization in local and international premium markets. In neighboring Senegal, an aflatoxin biocontrol product containing four atoxigenic isolates of A. flavus, Aflasafe SN01, has been registered and is approved for commercial use in groundnut and maize. We detected that the four genotypes composing Aflasafe SN01 are also native to The Gambia. The biocontrol product was tested during two years in 129 maize and groundnut fields and compared with corresponding untreated fields cropped by smallholder farmers in The Gambia. Treated crops contained up to 100% less aflatoxins than untreated crops. A large portion of the crops could have been commercialized in premium markets due to the low aflatoxin content (in many cases no detectable aflatoxins), both at harvest and after storage. Substantial aflatoxin reductions were also achieved when commercially produced groundnut received treatment. Here we report for the first time the use and effectiveness of an aflatoxin biocontrol product registered for use in two nations. With the current scale-out and -up efforts of Aflasafe SN01, a large number of farmers, consumers, and traders in The Gambia and Senegal will obtain health, income, and trade benefits.[Formula: see text] Copyright © 2021 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY 4.0 International license.

Fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) in maize cropping systems in Benin: abundance, damage, predatory ants and potential control

Invasive fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), is a species native to the Americas which has spread to Africa in 2016. This insect has been reported in Benin as a major pest of maize causing important economic losses and putting at risk food and nutritional security. This study evaluated the damage caused by this pest to maize in different cropping system and management practices. It also assessed predatory ants presence and diversity and their potential in controlling FAW. Results showed that 50% of farmers grow maize in a mixed cropping systems in association with sorghum, cassava and cowpea and also used biopesticides. FAW larval population and damage in maize fields varied accros villages. Surprinsingly FAW larval population was higher in maize field sprayed with insecticides than untreated field. Seven species of predatory ants were recorded in maize field. Ants' population was higher in untreated field (1043 ants per hectare) than treated field (806 ants per hectare). In the laboratory, ants species exhibits great predatory potential. Further studies are needed to discuss uses of ants in FAW management in Benin.

The Effect of Digestate Fertilization on Grass Biogas Yield and Soil Properties in Field-Biomass-Biogas-Field Renewable Energy Production Approach in Lithuania

The shift from fossil economy to bio-economy will stimulate the demand for bio-based energy generation. The promising strategy to meet the growing demand of biomass for energy production is to re-cultivate set-aside arable land. The digestate fertilization approach for the sake of increased biomass yields is the key strategy towards sustainable biogas generation in many regions. In order to minimise digestate utilization costs, biogas plant operators seek to spread the liquid digestate as close as possible to its storage location. The present work is focused on the evaluation of the digestate impact for the eroded agricultural soil, the improved biomass yield of semi-natural grassland biomass and its biogas potential. Three-year field experiments results indicate the positive effect of solid and liquid digestate on soil fertility and quality. The amount of dissolved organic carbon in eroded loamy Retisol increased 3.7% and 15% in soil 0–10 cm layer with fertilization rate of 170 kg ha -1 N of liquid and solid digestate, respectively. In terms of total nitrogen 11.6% and 20% increase was achieved using 170 kg ha -1 N of liquid and solid digestate compared to the untreated. Furthermore, the grass fresh biomass yield was up to 3 times higher compared to untreated. The biomethane yield of biomass from digestate fertilized fields was higher for every fertilization rate applied. The highest biomethane yield was for 170 kg N ha-1 liquid digestate applied yielding 19% more biogas compared to untreated field biomass both due to increased biogas yield and increased methane content.

Evaluation of augmentative biological control strategy against major borer insect pests of sugarcane\u2014a large-scale field appraisal

BackgroundBiological alternatives to pesticides in agriculture do not harm non-targets organisms including natural enemies of insect pests. Experiments were conducted at sugarcane fields during 2015 to 2019 to assess large scale biocontrol practices, involving inundative releases of trichogrammatids against lepidopteran borers in comparison to conventional chemical-based farmers’ practice.Main bodyEight releases each of Trichogramma chilonis Ishii and Trichogramma japonicum Ashmead were made at 50,000 ha−1 at 10 days interval for the management of sugarcane stem borer, Chilo infuscatellus Snellen and the sugarcane top borer, Scirpophaga excerptalis (Fabricius) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), respectively. Likewise, 10–12 releases of T. chilonis were made at 50,000 ha−1 at 10 days interval for the management of sugarcane stalk borer, Chilo auricilius Dudgeon (Lepidoptera: Crambidae). The biocontrol intervention was compared with farmer’s practice (chemical control) in managing these borers. The results showed that farmers’ practices and biocontrol treated fields resulted in a lower incidence of C. infuscatellus (1.1, 2.9%) and S excerptalis (1.7, 3.9%) than the untreated control fields, wherein the mean per cent incidence of these borers (6.8, 8.5%) was significantly higher. The incidence of C. auricilius was also lower in augmented fields (2.8%) than untreated fields (7.3%). The yield data indicated that farmers adopting biocontrol practices were able to get comparable yield and benefit: cost ratio than farmers’ practice, both being better than untreated control. Moreover, in biocontrol fields, parasitism rate on the factitious host, Corcyra cephalonica Stainton cards was estimated.ConclusionThus, the study highlights the significance of adoption of biocontrol-based technology over a long run to provide sustainable system of sugarcane insect pest management and economic benefits to the stakeholders.

RICE SEEDLING ESTABLISHMENT AS INFLUENCED BY CULTIVARS AND SEED PRIMING WITH POTASSIUM NITRATE

Poor crop establishment is one of the major constraints to obtain the higher potential of rice, particularly in areas prone to environmental stresses. Therefore, present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of potassium nitrate on germination dynamics, seedling growth and associated physiological and biochemical events of two rice cultivars. For this purpose, various seed priming treatments were tested in lab and greenhouse. The percent concentrations of potassium nitrate were 0.25, 0.50, 0.75, 1.0 and 1.25 in both lab evaluation and greenhouse experiment. Non-primed seeds were maintained as a control for comparison. The results depicted that soaking rice seeds at higher concentrations of KNO3 could delay emergence time and final emergence (%) in both cultivars under lab and greenhouse conditions. Seed priming with 0.75% KNO3 significantly increased the stand establishment and seedling vigor attributes of both cultivars compared with other concentrations and naked rice seeds both in lab evaluation and greenhouse screening. Similarly, highest values for photosynthesis rate, evaporation rate and CO2 index were observed in experimental units receiving primed seeds with 0.75% KNO3 under greenhouse screening. Interestingly, no variance was observed among both rice cultivars. Overall, higher seed emergence, seedling vigor and associated biochemical attributes due to seed priming with 0.75% KNO3 was associated with decrease in alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and pyruvate decarboxylase (PDH) activities in lab and greenhouse screening.

Damage of flower chafer beetle Oxycetonia versicolor Fabricius ((Scarabaeidae: Coleoptera) on brinjal in Dharmapuri district, Tamil Nadu

The occurrence of flower chafer beetle Oxycetonia versicolor Fabricius in brinjal has been studied in Dharmapuri district during 2018 - 19 and 2019 - 20. The survey was under taken in the major brinjal growing regions of Dharmapuri district during 2018-19 and 2019-20. In Dharmapuri district brinjal has been cultivated in precision farming and conventional method. The flower chafer beetle incidence was noticed in all the surveyed fields and the incidence was more during 45 days after transplanting and decreased after 75 days after planting. The number of beetles per ten plants was ranged between 0.3 – 1.3, 1.5 – 4.6, 2.1 – 5.1, 0.8 – 2.4 and 0.4 – 1.3 during 2018-19, 0.6 – 1.6, 1.4 – 5.5, 1.8 – 6.6, 0.6 – 2.3, 0.5 – 1.3 during 2019 – 20 at 30, 45, 60, 75 and 90 days after planting respectively. The study on the incidence flower chafer beetle in the treated and untreated fields conducted at Krishi Vigyan Kendra farm revealed that lower incidence in the treated fields. The number of chafer beetles per ten plants in the treated fields were 4.0, 3.4, 2.8, 2.0 and 2.0 at 30, 45, 60, 75 and 90 days after transplanting. The beetles initiate their feeding on holes made by the brinjal shoot and fruit borer. They also found feeding on the tender shoots, buds and flowers of the brinjal plants. In some plant’s congregation of 4-6 adults and frothy secretion were noticed. The periodical application of insecticides for the management of shoot and fruit borer L. orbonalis keeps the beetle population under check. The beetle population was more during August to October months and thereafter the population declines. The occurrence of flower chafer beetle during the reproductive stage of the brinjal will lead to huge economic loss to the farmers and increase the cost towards plant protection. The damage level, direct and indirect yield loss, association with shoot and fruit borer L. orbonalis and management strategies should be studied in detail before this pest attains major pest status in brinjal.

Evaluation of BepanGel Hydrogel Efficacy and Tolerability Using an Abrasive Wound Model in a Within-Person, Single-Center, Randomized, Investigator-Blind Clinical Investigation.

IntroductionOver the last few years, it has been demonstrated that a moist environment enhances the healing process and reduces scar formation of wounds. Such moist conditions can be created and maintained using hydrogels. The aim of this study was to evaluate wound healing, cooling efficacy, local tolerability, and cosmetic appearance of abrasive wounds treated with BepanGel wound care hydrogel.MethodsThis study was designed as a within-person, single-center, randomized, investigator-blind clinical investigation comparing a hydrogel-treated test field with an untreated test field in an abrasive wound model. In 33 subjects, two small superficial wounds were induced on the non-dominant forearms. Wounds were treated with BepanGel and covered with a standard semi-occlusive wound plaster or covered with a plaster alone for 11 consecutive days. Wound healing efficacy, cooling effect, and tolerability of the treatment were assessed over 12 investigational days. During follow-up at day 31, the cosmetic appearance of the wounds was evaluated.ResultsOn day 12, the test field treated with BepanGel was completely healed in nearly all subjects (97.0%) in contrast with the test field treated with a plaster alone (18.2%, AUCdays 2–12 p < 0.0001) as assessed by a blinded investigator. Two-thirds of the unblinded subjects indicated an immediate cooling effect of the hydrogel (p = 0.0555). At the end of the investigation, the cosmetic appearance of the BepanGel-treated test fields scored superior to the fields treated with a plaster alone as evaluated by a blinded investigator (p = 0.0005) and the unblinded subjects (p = 0.0078). The hydrogel was generally well tolerated and no signs of infection or adverse events (AEs) related to the treatment were observed.ConclusionThis evaluation shows that treatment of superficial cutaneous wounds with BepanGel results in improved wound healing as demonstrated by faster wound closure and a considerably better cosmetic appearance, while providing immediate cooling.Trial Registration NumberEUDAMED-No.: CIV-19-09-029744.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1007/s13555-020-00432-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Assessment of integrated shoot and fruit borer (Leucinodes orbonalis) management practices in brinjal field

To formulate a realistic sustainable management module for brinjal shoot and fruit borer (Leucinodes orbonalis) a field experiment was carried out during kharif seasons of 2016-17 and 2017-18 in the farmers’ fields at Imalia and Kakraua villages of Datia district in Bundel Khand zone. The combination of three components i.e. pheromone trap, timely mechanical control and application of Carbosulfan 25 EC @ 1000ml/ha at 20 days interval after 20 days of planting (M5) was found most effective in reduction of shoot damage (76.59%) and fruit damage (81.44%) followed by M6 (6 times pesticide sprays), M4 (Trap + Two spray of insecticide), M3 (Sex pheromone Trap + M1), M1 (Sanitation + Mechanical removal of shoot and fruits), M2 (Only installation of trap). Highest mean yield of Brinjal per field was recorded in M5 (227.00 q/ha) which is 30.63 per cent more than untreated field followed by M6, M4, M3, M1 and M2. IPM combination M5 provided the highest gross returns (Rs. 181840/ha) and highest net return Rs. 135790/ha. The highest benefit cost ratio of 4.19 was obtained from M4 followed by M5, M2, M6, M3 and M1. However, benefit cost ratio was found in M5 is statistically on par with M2 and M6 similarly, another combination M6 statistically at par with M2.

Field efficacy of two atoxigenic biocontrol products for mitigation of aflatoxin contamination in maize and groundnut in Ghana

Biological control is one of the recommended methods for aflatoxin mitigation. Biocontrol products must be developed, and their efficacy demonstrated before widespread use. Efficacy of two aflatoxin biocontrol products, Aflasafe GH01 and Aflasafe GH02, were evaluated in 800 maize and groundnut farmers’ fields during 2015 and 2016 in the Ashanti, Brong Ahafo, Northern, Upper East, and Upper West regions of Ghana. Both products were developed after an extensive examination of fungi associated with maize and groundnut in Ghana. Each product contains as active ingredient fungi four Aspergillus flavus isolates belonging to atoxigenic African Aspergillus Vegetative Compatibility Groups (AAVs) widely distributed across Ghana. An untreated field was maintained for each treated field to determine product efficacy. Proportions of atoxigenic AAVs composing each product were assessed in soils before product application, and soils and grains at harvest. Significant (P < 0.05) displacement of toxigenic fungi occurred in both crops during both years, in all five regions. Biocontrol-treated crops consistently had significantly (P < 0.05) less aflatoxins (range = 76% to 100% less; average = 99% less) than untreated crops. Results indicate that both biocontrol products are highly efficient, cost-effective, environmentally safe tools for aflatoxin mitigation. Most crops from treated fields could have been sold in both local and international food and feed premium markets. Adoption and use of biocontrol products have the potential to improve the health of Ghanaians, and both income and trade opportunities of farmers, aggregators, distributors, and traders.