• Authors:
    • Sanderlin, R. S.
    • Melanson, R. A.
    • McTaggart, A. R.
    • Ham, J. H.
  • Source: Plant Disease
  • Volume: 96
  • Issue: 8
  • Year: 2012
  • Summary: Xylella fastidiosa causes disease in a number of economically important crops, ornamental plants, and shade trees, including grapevine, citrus, oleander, and sycamore. In pecan, X. fastidiosa causes pecan bacterial leaf scorch (PBLS), which leads to defoliation and reduces nut yield. No economically effective treatments are available for PBLS. In order to improve PBLS management practices, it is necessary to determine the subspecies of X. fastidiosa strains that infect pecan so that potential sources of inoculum may be identified. Multiprimer polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and phylogenetic analyses using nucleotide sequence data from the 16S-23S rRNA intergenic transcribed spacer (ITS) region and pglA consistently identified strains of X. fastidiosa isolated from pecan as X. fastidiosa subsp. multiplex. Enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus PCR and repetitive extragenic palindromic (REP)-PCR analyses were congruent with phylogenetic analyses. REP-PCR analyses indicated genetic variation within strains of X. fastidiosa from pecan. From these same analyses, X. fastidiosa strains from sycamore, grapevine, and oleander from Louisiana were identified as subsp. multiplex, subsp. fastidiosa, and subsp. sandyi, respectively. This study provides additional information about the host ranges of X. fastidiosa subspecies.
  • Authors:
    • Jennings, K. M.
    • Meyers, S. L.
    • Monks, D. W.
  • Source: Weed Technology
  • Volume: 26
  • Issue: 3
  • Year: 2012
  • Summary: Studies were conducted in 2008 and 2009 to determine the effect of S-metolachlor rate and application time on sweetpotato cultivar injury and storage root shape under conditions of excessive moisture at the time of application. S-metolachlor at 1.1, 2.2, or 3.4 kg ai ha -1 was applied immediately after transplanting or 2 wk after transplanting (WATP) to 'Beauregard', 'Covington', 'DM02-180', 'Hatteras', and 'Murasaki-29' sweetpotato. One and three d after S-metolachlor application plots received 1.9 cm rainfall or irrigation. S-metolachlor applied immediately after transplanting resulted in increased sweetpotato stunting 4 and 12 WATP, decreased no. 1 and marketable sweetpotato yields, and decreased storage root length to width ratio compared with the nontreated check. Sweetpotato stunting, no. 1 and marketable yields, and storage root length to width ratio in treatments receiving S-metolachlor 2 WATP were similar to the nontreated check. In 2008, Covington and Hattaras stunting 12 WATP was greater at 2.2 and 3.4 kg ha -1 (11 to 16%) than 1.1 kg ha -1 (1 to 2%). In 2009, S-metolachlor at 3.4 kg ha -1 was more injurious 4 WATP than 2.2 kg ha -1 and 1.1 kg ha -1. While cultivar by treatment interactions did exist, injury, yield, and storage root length to width ratio trends were similar among all cultivars used in this study.
  • Authors:
    • Basheer, A. M.
    • Mohamed, E. M.
    • Abukaf, N.
  • Source: Egyptian Journal of Biological Pest Control
  • Volume: 22
  • Issue: 1
  • Year: 2012
  • Summary: A study to survey parasitoid species associated with the citricola scale insect, Coccus pseudomagnoliarum (Kuwana) (Homoptera: Coccidae) was carried out in untreated citrus orchards, at 4 districts (Alrama-Ean Alaros-Hmaimimm and Albassa), at Lattakia, Syria, seasons 2010 and 2011. Weekly sampling was undertaken by collecting infested leaves and twigs. Rate of parasitism, population trend of the parasitoid complex and the role of each species was determined. The survey revealed the presence of 10 parasitoid species; 2 aphelinids ( Coccophagus lycimnia and Coccophagus sp.), 5 encyrtids ( Metaphycus sp., M. helvolus, Microterys nietneri, Baryscapus sp. and Encyrtus sp.), one pteromalid ( Prochiloneurus sp.) and 2 eulophids ( Abrostocetus sp. and Tetrastichus sp.).
  • Authors:
    • Mezencev, N.
    • Collet, J. M.
    • Monot, C.
  • Source: Acta Horticulturae
  • Issue: 942
  • Year: 2012
  • Summary: The development of a model for the prediction of the risk appearance of downy mildew on Artichoke ( Bremia lactucae) was based on a biological model close to the Guntz and Divoux's one established on potatoes. The model uses simple meteorological data (relative humidity of air, hourly temperatures and rainfalls) and includes user's data (treatments, irrigation, stage of the crop and variety). The first year of the model fittings showed a good visualization of the real epidemic. Laboratory tests refine our knowledge about the life cycle and, associated to field observations, will allow to quantify more precisely the models parameters.
  • Authors:
    • Assis, C. P.
    • Jucksch, I.
    • Mendonça, E. S.
    • Neves, J. C. L.
    • Silva, L. H. M.
    • Wendling, B.
  • Source: Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis
  • Volume: 43
  • Issue: 5
  • Year: 2012
  • Summary: The objective of this study was to evaluate changes in distribution and quality of organic matter in light and heavy fractions of a medium-texture Red Latosol under different uses and management practices in Capinopolis, Brazil. Soil samples were collected from different layers in the profile (0-5, 5-10, and 10-20 cm). The following treatments were evaluated: NTs, no till (no tillage) for 4 years with maize (silage)/soybean in succession; NTg, no till for 4 years with maize/maize/maize/soybean in succession; NTtf, no till for 3 years with tifton (hay) and soybeans in the last year; CS, about 30 years with conventional cultivation system (maize/soybean) with only soybean in the past 4 years; and NF, native forest. The heavy fraction contributed 75-98% of total carbon and 94-99% of total nitrogen, indicating that most carbon and nitrogen in the soil are associated with the mineral fraction, which is fundamental for the maintenance of their stocks. Tifton grass in no tillage was efficient in increasing the amounts of light fraction (free and occluded). Increases of occluded light fraction in no-till systems were greater than in conventional cultivation system. The light fraction was shown to be sensitive to soil cultivation and can be considered indicative of soil degradation. Light-fraction analysis by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) allowed the study of changes in the chemical structure of these fractions under different uses and management practices. Occluded light fraction was shown to be more recalcitrant and condensed than the free light fraction. The surface layer in the conventional cultivation system has a more aromatic and condensed free light fraction than in no-tillage system. In general, the upper layers were less aromatic than the deepest ones.
  • Authors:
    • Grace, P. R.
    • Basso, B.
  • Source: Agricultural Systems
  • Volume: 105
  • Issue: 1
  • Year: 2012
  • Authors:
    • Blanco-Canqui, H.
    • Claassen, M. M.
    • Presley, D. R.
  • Source: Agronomy Journal
  • Volume: 104
  • Issue: 1
  • Year: 2012
  • Summary: Impact of cover crops (CCs) on winter wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) and grain sorghum [ Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] yields is not well understood. We assessed crop yield and its relationships with CC-induced changes in soil properties for a 15-yr CC experiment in wheat-sorghum rotation at 0, 33, 66, and 100 kg ha -1 of N application in south central Kansas. Hairy vetch ( Vicia villosa Roth) was used as a winter CC from 1995 to 2000, while sunn hemp (SH; Crotalaria juncea L.) and late-maturing soybean [LMS; Glycine max (L.) Merr.] were used as summer CCs in no-till from 2002 to 2008. Summer CCs increased crop yields particularly at low rates of N application. At 0 kg N ha -1, SH increased sorghum yield by 1.18 to 1.54 times, while wheat yield increased by 1.60 times in the first year (2004) after CC establishment relative to non-CC plots. At 66 kg N ha -1, SH had no effects on sorghum yield, but it increased wheat yield in 2 of 3 yr. Cover crops increased soil total N pool by 270 kg ha -1 for the 0- to 7.5-cm depth. Crop yield increased with the CC-induced decrease in soil maximum compactibility (soil's susceptibility to compaction) and soil temperature, and increase in soil aggregate stability, soil organic carbon (SOC) and total N concentration, and soil water content, particularly at 0 kg N ha -1. Principal component analysis (PCA) selected soil compactibility and total N as the best yield predictors. Inclusion of summer legume CCs in no-till fixes N, increases crop yield, and improves soil-crop relationships.
  • Authors:
    • Briedis, C.
    • Sa, J. C. de M.
    • Caires, E. F.
    • Navarro, J. de F.
    • Inagaki, T. M.
    • Boer, A.
    • Ferreira, A. de O.
    • Quadros Neto, C.
    • Canalli, L. B.
    • Santos, J. B. dos
  • Source: Soil Science Society of America Journal
  • Volume: 76
  • Issue: 1
  • Year: 2012
  • Summary: In a no-till system (NTS) on naturally acidic soils, surface liming is essential to neutralize soil acidity and increases crop productivity. As a result, the soil organic matter (SOM) pools of the soil surface layers may change, reflecting increased C inputs by crop residues. The objective of this study was to quantify changes in SOM pools and the rate of C sequestration that occur in response to surface liming in a long-term NTS experiment. The experiment was conducted in an Oxisol in southern Brazil. The treatments consisted of the application of 0 or 6 Mg ha -1 of dolomitic lime on the soil surface in 1993 and a reapplication of 0 or 3 Mg ha -1 of dolomitic lime in 2000 to plots with or without the previous lime application. Liming caused total organic C (TOC) accumulation, especially in the 0- to 2.5-cm layer. The amount of TOC stored in the 20-cm layer was 49.9, 52.9, 52.7, and 57.5 Mg ha -1 in the control, 6+0, 0+3, and 6+3 Mg ha -1 treatments, respectively. The levels of particulate organic C (POC) and mineral-associated organic C (MAOC) in the SOM were also enhanced by liming. The increase in POC was directly related ( R2=0.99, P=0.002) to the accumulation of C from crop residues, which was greater in the plots receiving lime treatment. There were positive correlations between TOC and C extractable with hot water, total polysaccharides, and labile polysaccharides. The correlation analysis also demonstrated that TOC was more tightly correlated with POC than with MAOC, indicating a greater influence of the labile fraction on the increase in TOC with surface liming.
  • Authors:
    • Djigal, D.
    • Saj, S.
    • Rabary, B.
    • Blanchart, E.
    • Villenave, C.
  • Source: Soil & Tillage Research
  • Volume: 118
  • Year: 2012
  • Summary: Conservation agriculture (CA) is rapidly developing in Madagascar but little is known about its effects on local soil functioning. To assess some of those effects, we investigated the effects of three CA systems and two levels of fertilization on soil functioning using nematofauna as indicator. The systems consisted in (i) soybean (Glycine max L.)-maize (Zea mays L) rotation with mulch of residues, CA-R; (ii) bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)-soybean rotation with living mulch of Pennisetum clandestinum, CA-K; (iii) continuous maize with living mulch of Desmodium uncinatum, CA-D and were compared with soybean-maize under conventional tillage (CT) and natural fallow (NF). The fertilization levels consisted in ( i) farmyard manure, FYM; and (ii) farmyard manure + mineral fertilizers, FYM + NPK. Located in the Highlands of Madagascar, the experiment was setup in 1991 and andic Dystrustept soil had been sampled in 2005-2007. We measured nematode abundances and ecological indices as well as the abundance and biomass of soil macrofauna, soil water and organic C and N contents and plant yields. We hypothesized that (1) CA including maize in monoculture would lead to higher abundance of plant-parasitic nematodes; (2) both dead-residue mulch and inorganic fertilization would lead to a more basal nematode community structure; and (3) that the combination of system effects on soil nematode community would be able to forecast differential crop yields for the CA systems. Our results show that CA systems tested were able to support better/comparable maize and soybean yields compared with CT, provided that crop rotation is correctly managed. Supporting our first hypothesis, abundance of plant parasitic nematodes was (40-150 times) higher under maize monoculture. Abundance of soil nematofauna and trophic groups (excepted carnivores and omnivores) was stable during the three years. Inorganic fertilization increases carnivorous and omnivorous nematodes to 122% and 140%, respectively. Ecological indices showed that soil functioning of CA systems was intermediate between that NF and CT. CA systems were characterized by a highly structured soil food-web compared with CT. Yet, soil processes intensity revealed to be lower in CA with dead mulch compared with CA with living mulch, contrasting with our second hypothesis. The characterization of nematofauna discriminated well the different systems and supports our third hypothesis. Nematode structure and enrichment indices were significantly correlated to soil organic C and N content as well as grain yields. They proved to be powerful bio-indicators of soil functioning in the CA systems studied.
  • Authors:
    • Duke, J. M.
    • Borchers, A. M.
    • Johnston, R. J.
    • Absetz, S.
  • Source: Ecological Economics
  • Volume: 74
  • Year: 2012
  • Summary: This paper describes the results of a choice experiment measuring social benefits for sustainable management practices and agricultural land preservation. Sustainable management is conceptualized with three illustrative practices that impact water quality, carbon sequestration, and soil erosion: fertilizing with a broiler litter product, expanding riparian buffers, and no-till cropping. Data for a choice experiment are collected using a mail survey of residents living near a large, unpreserved agricultural parcel in an urban-influenced area of Delaware. Results identify substantial benefits for land preservation, the use of broiler litter, and riparian buffers but not for conservation tillage. Results also suggest that the estimated household benefits of all three sustainable management practices combined are similar in magnitude to the benefits from land preservation alone. Based on model results, policy and future research may wish to examine possibilities for subsidizing sustainable management practices in urban-influenced areas as a more cost-effective means of providing benefits similar to those realized through land preservation.