Variation In Level Of Resistance Research Articles

Identification of resistant donors from South Indian landraces for brown planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens (Stal.), Delphacidae, Hemiptera in rice

A total of 126 rice landraces along with resistant (PTB 33) and susceptible (TN 1) check were screened using the protray method. Out of which 13 genotypes having a score of 3.0 - 7.0 were shortlisted and re-evaluated under the modified seed-box screening method. Results of the two experiments showed variation in resistance level with damage score of 3.0 to 9.0. Only one landrace Mysore Malli and PTB 33 were found to be resistant with damage score of 3.0 and four landraces viz., Chetty Samba, Panamara Samba, Vellai Gundu Samba and Vellai Kombi Samba were found to be moderately resistant in both the screening method. In protray screening, 8 landraces were found to be moderately susceptible, 66 landraces were found as susceptible and 48 landraces were highly susceptible. In modified seed-box screening, 5 landraces were found as moderately susceptible, 3 landraces were susceptible and TN 1 in both the methods was found as highly susceptible with a score of 9.0. Cluster analysis performed for 126 landraces based on damage score, nymphal settlement, chlorophyll and Nitrogen content grouped them into six clusters. Among the six clusters, resistant and moderately resistant landraces are grouped in cluster 4 which had low damage score and nymphal settlement and moderate chlorophyll and Nitrogen content.

The mechanisms of target and non-target resistance to QoIs in Corynespora Cassiicola

Corynespora leaf spot, caused by Corynespora cassiicola, is a foliar disease in cucumber. While the application of quinone outside inhibitors (QoIs) is an effective measure for disease control, it carries the risk of resistance development. In our monitoring of trifloxystrobin resistance from 2008 to 2020, C. cassiicola isolates were categorized into three populations: sensitive isolates (S, 0.01 < EC50 < 0.83 μg/mL), moderately resistant isolates (MR, 1.18 < EC50 < 55.67 μg/mL), and highly resistant isolates (HR, EC50 > 56.98 μg/mL). The resistance frequency reached up to 90% during this period, with an increasing trend observed in the annual average EC50 values of all the isolates. Analysis of the CcCytb gene revealed that both MR and HR populations carried the G143A mutation. Additionally, we identified mitochondrial heterogeneity, with three isolates carrying both G143 and A143 in MR and HR populations. Interestingly, isolates with the G143A mutation (G143A-MR and G143A-HR) displayed differential sensitivity to QoIs. Further experiments involving gene knockout and complementation demonstrated that the major facilitator superfamily (MFS) transporter (CcMfs1) may contribute to the disparity in sensitivity to QoIs between the G143A-MR and G143A-HR populations. However, the difference in sensitivity caused by the CcMfs1 transporter is significantly lower than the differences observed between the two populations. This suggests additional mechanisms contributing to the variation in resistance levels among C. cassiicola isolates. Our study highlights the alarming level of trifloxystrobin resistance in C. cassiicola in China, emphasizing the need for strict prohibition of QoIs use. Furthermore, our findings shed light on the occurrence of both target and non-target resistance mechanisms associated with QoIs in C. cassiicola.

In-field prevalence of resistant grain aphid &lt;em&gt;Sitobion avenae&lt;/em&gt; (Fabricius)

A concerning development for Irish agriculture is the detection of partial resistance in the main aphid pest (Sitobion avenae) of cereal crops to the most widely used pyrethroid insecticide compound. The mechanism of this resistance, termed ‘knockdown resistance’ (kdr), affects pyrethroid binding and enables S. avenae to survive insecticide exposure. This partial resistance to insecticide means that S . avenae can continue to inflict feeding damage and transmit barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV), which may carry a significant yield penalty. The incidence and persistence of resistant S. avenae in the Irish population is currently unknown. To address this knowledge gap, in-field sampling of S. avenae was carried out from 2016 to 2018 in the 11 major cereal-growing counties, and 621 cases of S. avenae were screened. Genotyping was used to screen S. avenae for kdr and to determine the diversity of clones in the resistant and susceptible genotypes, thus testing the hypothesis of resistance in a single dominant super-clone. The data were statistically analysed to determine annual variation in resistance levels. Findings revealed that resistant S. avenae are widespread across Ireland, occurring in all the major cereal-growing counties. Despite an initial high prevalence of resistant S. avenae (54%), matching levels detected in the UK, prevalence in Irish field populations appeared not to be increasing over the duration of this study, suggesting that pyrethroids remain largely effective at managing aphid populations. Resistance was detected in a single dominant SA3 super-clone, which may be explained by the loss of cyclical parthenogenesis as a potential impact of resistance alleles.

Cucumber mosaic virus resistance and reproductive biology of brazilian melon accessions

Abstract In melon (Cucumis melo) the resistance to Cucumber Mosaic Virus (CMV) and the knowledge about reproductive characteristics are important for selection of genitors for breeding population. So, the objective was to investigate if different accessions of melon from a Brazilian germplasm bank have variability in resistance to CMV (FNY strain) and polymorphism in resistance loci markers, as well as whether there is genetic diversity on resistance and floral morphology descriptors and reproductive biology, aiming at genetic improvement. The symptoms induced by CMV were evaluated in 52 melon genotypes which were genotyped with three markers of single nucleotide polymorphisms related to CMV resistance. A sample of 24 genotypes was characterized for floral and reproductive descriptors. The significant variation in resistance levels allows classifying the accessions in five groups. The polymorphisms detected by the markers were independently distributed in these groups, consistent with the oligogenic quantitative expression of the melon’s resistance. There were significant differences between accessions in floral and reproductive descriptors. Through the Ward-MLM multivariate strategy, these accesses were distributed into seven groups with distinct reproductive characteristics, including variability in pollen viability. Therefore, there are Brazilian accessions of melon that have resistance to CMV, as well as variability in reproductive characteristics.

Multiple P450s and Variation in Neuronal Genes Underpins the Response to the Insecticide Imidacloprid in a Population of Drosophila melanogaster

Insecticide resistance is an economically important example of evolution in response to intense selection pressure. Here, the genetics of resistance to the neonicotinoid insecticide imidacloprid is explored using the Drosophila Genetic Reference Panel, a collection of inbred Drosophila melanogaster genotypes derived from a single population in North Carolina. Imidacloprid resistance varied substantially among genotypes, and more resistant genotypes tended to show increased capacity to metabolize and excrete imidacloprid. Variation in resistance level was then associated with genomic and transcriptomic variation, implicating several candidate genes involved in central nervous system function and the cytochrome P450s Cyp6g1 and Cyp6g2. CRISPR-Cas9 mediated removal of Cyp6g1 suggested that it contributed to imidacloprid resistance only in backgrounds where it was already highly expressed. Cyp6g2, previously implicated in juvenile hormone synthesis via expression in the ring gland, was shown to be expressed in metabolically relevant tissues of resistant genotypes. Cyp6g2 overexpression was shown to both metabolize imidacloprid and confer resistance. These data collectively suggest that imidacloprid resistance is influenced by a variety of previously known and unknown genetic factors.

Validated predictive modelling of the environmental resistome.

Multi-drug-resistant bacteria pose a significant threat to public health. The role of the environment in the overall rise in antibiotic-resistant infections and risk to humans is largely unknown. This study aimed to evaluate drivers of antibiotic-resistance levels across the River Thames catchment, model key biotic, spatial and chemical variables and produce predictive models for future risk assessment. Sediment samples from 13 sites across the River Thames basin were taken at four time points across 2011 and 2012. Samples were analysed for class 1 integron prevalence and enumeration of third-generation cephalosporin-resistant bacteria. Class 1 integron prevalence was validated as a molecular marker of antibiotic resistance; levels of resistance showed significant geospatial and temporal variation. The main explanatory variables of resistance levels at each sample site were the number, proximity, size and type of surrounding wastewater-treatment plants. Model 1 revealed treatment plants accounted for 49.5% of the variance in resistance levels. Other contributing factors were extent of different surrounding land cover types (for example, Neutral Grassland), temporal patterns and prior rainfall; when modelling all variables the resulting model (Model 2) could explain 82.9% of variations in resistance levels in the whole catchment. Chemical analyses correlated with key indicators of treatment plant effluent and a model (Model 3) was generated based on water quality parameters (contaminant and macro- and micro-nutrient levels). Model 2 was beta tested on independent sites and explained over 78% of the variation in integron prevalence showing a significant predictive ability. We believe all models in this study are highly useful tools for informing and prioritising mitigation strategies to reduce the environmental resistome.

Variation in P450-mediated fenvalerate resistance levels is not correlated with CYP337B3 genotype in Chinese populations of Helicoverpa armigera

Metabolic resistance to synthetic pyrethroids in Helicoverpa armigera has recently been associated with the chimeric cytochrome P450 enyzme CYP337B3. One variant of the latter, CYP337B3v1, accounts for 40–50 fold resistance to fenvalerate in an Australian population while a second variant, CYP337B3v2, has been associated with ~7 fold resistance to cypermethrin in a Pakistani population. Here we show that ~250–1200 fold resistance to fenvalerate in populations of the species from northern and northwestern China is largely due to P450-based metabolism, and that CYP337B3v2 is also at high frequency in these populations but absent in a susceptible control strain. However we find little correlation between the level of resistance and CYP337B3v2 frequency, either across the resistant populations studied, or over time within them. While there is variation between populations in the levels of CYP337B3v2 expression, this is not correlated with the level of resistance either. These data suggest that much of the variation in the level of fenvalerate resistance in China is explained by P450s other than CYP337B3. We also find that both the level of resistance and CYP337B3v2 frequency decline in field populations transferred to the laboratory and remained there without fenvalerate exposure, suggesting a fitness cost to both characters in the absence of the pesticide pressure. However the declines in the two characters are not well correlated across populations, again consistent with a large contribution to the variation in resistance levels from factors other than CYP337B3.

Variation in mortality among populations is higher for pymetrozine than for imidacloprid and spiromesifen in Trialeurodes vaporariorum in greenhouses in Finland.

Insecticide resistance in Trialeurodes vaporariorum W. is unknown in the species' northern distribution range where it inhabits mainly commercial greenhouses. Resistance development in whiteflies feeding on year-round crops in greenhouses is possible owing to the use of chemical treatments to back up biocontrol. The authors tested the response levels to spiromesifen, pymetrozine and imidacloprid in whiteflies collected from seven greenhouses within a 35 km radius in western Finland. All except one (PR) population had LC50 values below the recommended concentrations for the tested compounds. However, some populations showed reduced susceptibility to pymetrozine in comparison with the reference susceptible population. Resistance ratios to pymetrozine were highly variable (resistance ratio 0.5-39.7), even among closely located greenhouses, and higher than those for imidacloprid (resistance ratio 1.05-10.5) and spiromesifen (resistance ratio 0.8-11.5). LC50 values and application frequencies of pymetrozine correlated positively among the sampled populations. High variation in resistance levels to pymetrozine among populations within natural whitefly dispersal limits reflects variation in the usage of this compound among individual greenhouse crop producers. Thus, resistance management is recommended at the individual greenhouse crop producer level, even in a dense production cluster. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry.

Efficacy Assessment of Different Screening Methods for Detecting Resistance against Erwinia carotovora in Calla Lily

Bacterial soft rot is one of the major disease of Zantedeschia species (Calla lily) caused by Erwinia carotovora. The objectives of this study were i) to screen the most efficient method to determine resistance level against E. carotovora and ii) to evaluate the genetic variability in Zantedeschia genotypes by inoculation of Ecc NHRI-3 and PD 1784 isolates. Four screening tests i.e. leaf disk, petiole, tuber and tuber slice tests were used to determine the resistance level in calla lily. Eleven genotypes from section Zantedeschia were used for variation studies against E. carotovora by using the leaf disk test. It was observed that all genotypes showed variation in resistance level and could be categorized in 3 groups on the basis of their resistance level. Four of the genotypes were resistant against this pathogen whereas, 6 genotypes were moderately resistant and only one genotype was found susceptible. Within section Aestivae, ‘Galaxy’, ‘Florex Gold’, ‘Treasure’ and ‘Mango’ were found very susceptible cultivars, whereas ‘Coral Sunset’, ‘Hazel Marie’ and ‘Neroli’ were less susceptible genotypes. Most of the cultivars from section Aestivae were susceptible to bacterial soft rot and the cultivar ‘Florex Gold’ was identified as susceptible control. It is suggested to perform pre-screening through leaf disk method which proved to a non-destructive test. The pre-screening evaluation can discriminate susceptible cultivar and resistant cultivar. Tuber slice test is more useful in screening subsequent genotypes at a later growth stage in any breeding program.

Properties of a Novel PBP2A Protein Homolog from Staphylococcus aureus Strain LGA251 and Its Contribution to the β-Lactam-resistant Phenotype

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains show strain-to-strain variation in resistance level, in genetic background, and also in the structure of the chromosomal cassette (SCCmec) that carries the resistance gene mecA. In contrast, strain-to-strain variation in the sequence of the mecA determinant was found to be much more limited among MRSA isolates examined so far. The first exception to this came with the recent identification of MRSA strain LGA251, which carries a new homolog of this gene together with regulatory elements mecI/mecR that also have novel, highly divergent structures. After cloning and purification in Escherichia coli, PBP2A(LGA), the protein product of the new mecA homolog, showed aberrant mobility in SDS-PAGE, structural instability and loss of activity at 37 °C, and a higher relative affinity for oxacillin as compared with cefoxitin. The mecA homolog free of its regulatory elements was cloned into a plasmid and introduced into the background of the β-lactam-susceptible S. aureus strain COL-S. In this background, the mecA homolog expressed a high-level resistance to cefoxitin (MIC = 400 μg/ml) and a somewhat lower resistance to oxacillin (minimal inhibitory concentration = 200 μg/ml). Similar to PBP2A, the protein homolog PBP2A(LGA) was able to replace the essential function of the S. aureus PBP2 for growth. In contrast to PBP2A, PBP2A(LGA) did not depend on the transglycosylase activity of the native PBP2 for expression of high level resistance to oxacillin, suggesting that the PBP2A homolog may preferentially cooperate with a monofunctional transglycosylase as the alternative source of transglycosylase activity.

Resistance to rice sheath blight (Rhizoctonia solani Kühn) [(teleomorph: Thanatephorus cucumeris (A.B. Frank) Donk.] disease: current status and perspectives

Sheath blight (ShB) disease, caused by Rhizoctonia solani, is an economically important rice disease worldwide, especially in intensive production systems. Several studies have been conducted to identify sources for ShB resistance in different species of rice, including local accessions and landraces. To date, none of the genotypes screened are immune to ShB, although variation in levels of resistance have been reported. Several quantitative trait loci (QTL) for ShB resistance have been identified using mapping populations derived from indica or japonica rice. A total of 33 QTL associated with ShB resistance located on all 12 rice chromosomes have been reported, with ten of these co-localizing with QTL for morphological attributes, especially plant height, or for heading date. Sixteen QTL, from the same or differing genetic backgrounds, have been mapped at least twice. Of these, nine QTL were independent of morphological traits and heading date. We hypothesize that two main, distinct, mechanisms contribute to ShB resistance: physiological resistance and disease escape. Strategies to improve our understanding of the genetics of resistance to ShB are discussed.

Trends in DDT and pyrethroid resistance in Anopheles gambiae s.s. populations from urban and agro-industrial settings in southern Cameroon.

BackgroundPyrethroid insecticides are widely used for insect pest control in Cameroon. In certain insect species, particularly the malaria vector Anopheles gambiae, resistance to this class of insecticides is a source of great concern and needs to be monitored in order to sustain the efficacy of vector control operations in the fields. This study highlights trends in DDT and pyrethroid resistance in wild An. gambiae populations from South Cameroon.MethodsMosquitoes were collected between 2001 and 2007 in four sites in South Cameroon, where insecticides are used for agricultural or personal protection purposes. Insecticide use was documented in each site by interviewing residents. Batches of 2-4 days old adult female mosquitoes reared from larval collections were tested for susceptibility to DDT, permethrin and deltamethrin using standard WHO procedures. Control, dead and survivors mosquitoes from bioassays were identified by PCR-RFLP and characterized for the kdr mutations using either the AS-PCR or the HOLA method.ResultsFour chemical insecticide groups were cited in the study sites: organochlorines, organophosphates, carbamates and pyrethroids. These chemicals were used for personal, crop or wood protection. In the four An. gambiae populations tested, significant variation in resistance levels, molecular forms composition and kdr frequencies were recorded in the time span of the study. Increases in DDT and pyrethroid resistance, as observed in most areas, were generally associated with an increase in the relative frequency of the S molecular form carrying the kdr mutations at higher frequencies. In Mangoum, however, where only the S form was present, a significant increase in the frequency of kdr alleles between 2003 to 2007 diverged with a decrease of the level of resistance to DDT and pyrethroids. Analyses of the kdr frequencies in dead and surviving mosquitoes showed partial correlation between the kdr genotypes and resistance phenotypes, suggesting that the kdr mechanism may act with certain co-factors to be identified.ConclusionThese results demonstrate the ongoing spread of kdr alleles in An. gambiae in Central Africa. The rapid evolution of insecticide resistance in this highly dynamic and genetically polymorphic species remains a challenge for its control.

A decade of monitoring herbicide resistance in Lolium rigidum in Australia

Charles Sturt University commenced herbicide resistance monitoring in 1991. A random survey in 1991 to determine the level of resistance in annual ryegrass (Lolium rigidum) to selective herbicides across the south-west slopes region of New South Wales found that 30% of samples were resistant to at least 1 herbicide. A subsequent survey of commercially available ryegrass seed found that 58% of these samples were resistant to at least 1 herbicide. As a result of these findings, a commercial testing service was established and has since received samples from a large proportion of the southern Australian cropping belt. Seventy-seven percent of samples tested were resistant to Group AI, 40% to Group B and 22% to Group AII herbicides. Lower levels of resistance were found to Group D (8%), Group C (1%) and Group M (0.4%) herbicides. The correlation between resistance in Group AI and AII herbicides was lower than expected given that these herbicides are considered to have the same mode of action. Within the Group AI herbicides the observed response of the samples was consistent across herbicide formulations. Resistance to clethodim varied from observed responses to other Group AII herbicides. The variation in resistance levels (and degree of multiple resistance) in each Australian state is discussed in relation to environmental conditions and cultural practices. The size of this dataset allows for the analysis of the relationships present among herbicide resistant annual ryegrass.

Yield and Yield Components Response to Defoliation of Spring Wheat Genotypes with Different Level of Resistance to Helminthosporium Leaf Blight

Breeding for resistance to Helminthosporium leaf blight (HLB) caused by a complex of spot blotch (Cochliobolus sativus) and tan spot (Pyerenophora tritici-repentis Died) of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is difficult due to complex nature of resistance, and high influence of environment. This study was conducted to examine whether genotypes having variation in level of resistance and tolerance differ in compensation to loss of leaves. Five spring wheat genotypes with different levels of resistance and tolerance to HLB were grown under irrigated field conditions in randomized complete block design during 2001-2002 and 2002- 2003 wheat-growing season at Rampur, Chitwan, Nepal. Defoliation treatments consist of removal of flag (F), penultimate (F-1), and both F and F-1 leaves were done one day after anthesis. Results showed that defoliation had significant effects on grain yield, biomass yield, thousand-kernel weight (TKW) but not on harvest index, number of grains per spike, kernel per spikelet, and spikelets per spike. All genotypes included in this study showed some degree of compensation for loss of F, F-1, and both F and F-1 leaves, which was found to be variable between years. Removal of flag leaf was compensated by the resistant genotype NL750 for both grain yield and TKW but not for both F and F-1 leaves. Loss of both F and F-1 leaves was better compensated by BL 1473, a stably tolerant genotype in both years. For other genotypes sensitivity to defoliation was found as variable as tolerance to HLB. &#x0D; &#x0D; Key words: Spot blotch, tan spot, defoliation, compensation, flag leaf removal, penultimate leaf removal &#x0D; &#x0D; J. Inst. Agric. Anim. Sci. 26:43-50 (2005)

Bla SHV Genes in Klebsiella pneumoniae : Different Allele Distributions Are Associated with Different Promoters within Individual Isolates

Extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs) emerge by point mutation from non-extended-spectrum precursors. The aims of this study were to reveal the basis for variations in resistance levels found in a collection of 21 Klebsiella pneumoniae clinical isolates from Brisbane, Australia. Previous studies have shown that 20 of these isolates possess bla(SHV-11), bla(SHV-2a), and/or bla(SHV-12), and there is an association between the copy numbers of the ESBL-encoding genes and resistance levels. In this study, a real-time PCR method for interrogating the polymorphic sites at codons 238 and 240 was developed, and this confirmed the relationship between mutant gene copy numbers and resistance levels. The bla(SHV) promoter region was cloned from one of the ESBL-expressing isolates, and this showed that bla(SHV) genes exist downstream of two different promoters within this single isolate. These promoters have both been reported previously, and they differ by virtue of the presence or absence of an IS26 insertion. The bla(SHV) copy numbers in cis with the different promoters were measured, and the copy number of the IS26 promoter was correlated with resistance levels. Cloning and analysis of PCR products showed that different bla(SHV) variants existed in cis with individual promoters in individual isolates but that mutant genes were more abundant downstream of the IS26 promoter. There were no ESBL-positive isolates without this promoter. It was concluded that bla(SHV) in cis with the IS26 promoter is located on an amplifiable replicon, and the presence of the IS26 insertion may facilitate the acquisition of an ESBL-positive phenotype.

Laboratory testing policies and their effects on routine surveillance of community antimicrobial resistance.

To investigate the effects of laboratory testing policies, particularly selective testing, rule-based reporting and isolate identification, on estimates of community antimicrobial resistance. Antibiotic resistance estimates were analysed from an all-Wales dataset for approximately 300 000 community isolates of common pathogens. Selective testing policies were often associated with markedly increased resistance, particularly for second-line testing. Site-specific testing tended to yield variant resistance estimates for eye and ear isolates. Estimates from rule-based reporting deviated markedly from test-result-based reporting. Urinary isolates reported as Escherichia coli showed greater susceptibility than those reported as undifferentiated urinary 'coliforms'. The proportion of isolates tested for an antibiotic by a laboratory was a useful indicator of selective testing in this dataset. Selective testing policies had invariably been applied where the proportion of isolates of a species tested against an antibiotic was <90%. As this proportion fell with increasingly selective policies, divergence from pooled-all-Wales non-selective estimates tended to increase, with a bias to increased resistance. Selective testing, rule-based reporting and urinary coliform identification policies all had significant effects upon resistance estimates. Triage based upon the proportion of isolates tested seemed a useful tool in assigning analysis resources. Where <20% of isolates were tested, selective policies with inherent bias to increased resistance were common, the low number of isolates gave high potential sampling errors, and little confidence could be placed in the resistance estimate. Where 20-90% of isolates were tested, detailed analysis sometimes revealed resistance estimates that might be usefully retrieved. Where >/=90% of isolates were tested, there was no evidence of selective testing, and inter-laboratory variation in estimates appeared to be safely ascribable to other effects, e.g. methodology or real variation in resistance levels.

Transformasi Genetik Tanaman Kentang cv. Atlantik Dengan Mengintroduksikan Gen Hordothionin untuk Mendapatkan Ketahanan terhadap Penyakit Bakteri

Hordothionins are small anti-bacteria proteins present in barley endosperm, To reveal the potential of this proteins for engineering bacterial disease resistance into potato, a semi-synthetic hordothionin gene construct was introduced in potato cv. Atlantic via Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain LBA 4404, under the control of a cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV) 358 promotor. The in vitro grown stem (internodus) was used in this research. After 6 weeks in regeneration medium and 2 weeks in rooting medium there were 22 regenerated plants that were screened in kanamycine containing medium. PCR analysis using spesific primer from CaMV 358 promotor showed the presence of amplified T-DNA in 4 transgenic lines from 22 putative transgenic plants were tested, The in vitro toxicity against Ralstonia solanacearum tested from transgenic lines showed variation in resistance level, There were only 2 of the transgenic lines were tolerant, while one of them was moderate tolerant even one of them was susceptible. Key words: Potato, Hordothionin gene, Disease resistance

Bacterial antibiotic resistance levels in Danish farmland as a result of treatment with pig manure slurry

Resistance to tetracycline, macrolides and streptomycin was measured for a period of 8 months in soil bacteria obtained from farmland treated with pig manure slurry. This was done by spread plating bacteria on selective media (Luria Bertani (LB) medium supplemented with antibiotics). To account for seasonal variations in numbers of soil bacteria, ratios of resistant bacteria divided by total count on nonselective plates were calculated. Soil samples were collected from four different farms and from a control soil on a fifth farm. The control soil was not amended with animal manure. The occurrence of tetracycline-resistant bacteria was elevated after spread of pig manure slurry but declined throughout the sampling period to a level corresponding to the control soil. Higher load of pig manure slurry yielded higher occurrence of tetracycline resistance after spreading; however, the tetracycline resistance declined to normal occurrence defined by the tetracycline resistance occurrence in the control soil. Concentrations of tetracycline in soil and in pig manure slurry were measured using HPLC. No tetracycline exceeding the detection limit was found in soil samples. Manure slurry concentrations of tetracycline for three of the farms were 42, 81 and 698 μg/l, respectively. For streptomycin and macrolides, only minor variations in resistance levels were detected. Results obtained in this study thus indicate that tetracycline resistance levels in soil are temporarily influenced by the addition of pig manure slurry. The results indicate also that increased amount of pig manure slurry amendment may result in increased levels of tetracycline resistance in the soil.

Antimicrobial resistance among Pseudomonas spp. and the Bacillus cereus group isolated from Danish agricultural soil

From four Danish pig farms, bacteria of Pseudomonas spp. and the Bacillus cereus group were isolated from soil and susceptibility towards selected antimicrobials was tested. From each farm, soil samples representing soil just before and after spread of animal waste and undisturbed agricultural soil, when possible, were collected. Soil from a well-characterized Danish farm soil (Højbakkegaard) was collected for comparison. The Pseudomonas spp. and B. cereus were chosen as representative for Gram-negative and Gram-positive indigenous soil bacteria to test the effect of spread of animal waste on selection of resistance among soil bacteria. No variations in resistance levels were observed between farms; but when the four differently treated soils were compared, resistance was seen for carbadox, chloramphenicol, nalidixan (nalidixic acid), nitrofurantoin, streptomycin and tetracycline for Pseudomonas spp., and for bacitracin, erythromycin, penicillin and streptomycin for the B. cereus group. Variations in resistance levels were observed when soil before and after spread of animal waste was compared, indicating an effect from spread of animal waste.

Spider-mite problems and control in Taiwan.

Problems with spider mites first appeared in Taiwan in 1958, eight years after the importation of synthetic pesticides, and the mites evolved into major pests on many crops during the 1980s. Of the 74 spider mite species recorded from Taiwan 10 are major pests, with Tetranychus kanzawai most important, followed by T. urticae, Panonychus citri, T. cinnabarinus, T. truncatus and Oligonychus litchii. Most crops suffer from more than one species. Spider mites reproduce year-round in Taiwan. Diapause occurs only in high-elevation areas. Precipitation is the most important abiotic factor restricting spider-mite populations. Control is usually accomplished by applying chemicals. Fifty acaricides are currently registered for the control of spider mites. Acaricide resistance is a serious problem, with regional variation in resistance levels. Several phytoseiid mites and a chrysopid predator have been studied for control of spider mites with good effect. Efforts to market these predators should be intensified so that biological control can be a real choice for farmers.