Modeling runoff with AnnAGNPS model in a small agricultural catchment, in Mediterranean environment

Agricultural activities, as part of the natural resource management practice, impact soil and water quality at the watershed or catchment level. Field monitoring is often used to evaluate and acquire knowledge of the impacts of management practices on productivity and environment. Computer simulation models, after calibrated and validated, provide an efficient and effective alternative for evaluating the effects of agricultural practices on soil and water quality at the watershed level. The main objective is calibrate and validate the AnnAGNPS model relatively to runoff and peak flow using five hydrologic years data, for the rain and irrigation season. The study watershed is located in Portugal, and covers an area of 189 ha, divided into 18 fields belonging to four farmers. The climate is typically Mediterranean with continental influence, and the main crops are oat, tobacco, sorghum and maize. The calibration was done manually, but in a systematic away, in order to select values for the statistical parameters so that the model closely simulates runoff and peak flow. The results obtained in calibration and validation of the AnnAGNPS model, confirm a good or very good performance to simulate the peak flow and runoff volume at daily or event scale, in rainfall season. Also, the obtained results are a good indication of the validity of AnnAGNPS model to simulate runoff in irrigation to larger periods of time, for example irrigation season

Eficacia del fipronil (EXP 60720A) en el control poblacional de Frankliniella occidentalis Pergande (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) en condiciones de laboratorio

En el presente trabajo se ha estudiado la eficacia del fipronil (insecticida perteneciente al grupo de los pirazoles) en el control del trips Frankliniella occidentalis en condiciones de laboratorio con temperatura 27:19° C (D:N) y fotoperíodo 16:8 h (L:O). Para ello se utilizaron discos de hoja de pimiento (Capsicum annuum) de 2,5 cm de diámetro, tratados por inmersión en diferentes concentraciones de fipronil. Como insecticidas de comparación se utilizaron el formetanato y el acrinatrin por ser los insecticidas de uso más frecuente aplicados en España para el control de trips. De los resultados obtenidos se puede afirmar que a igualdad de dosis de materia activa (5 g/Hl), el fipronil resultó ser más eficaz y en un plazo de tiempo más corto que los insecticidas de referencia empleados, necesitándose un tiempo mínimo de 13 h de exposición para obtener un 95 % de mortalidad frente a 588 h y 10.262 h en el caso del formetanato y acrinatrin, respectivamente.Peer reviewe

Influence of the digital elevation model resolution on the topographic configaration of the watershed

Nos estudos de poluição difusa originada pela actividade agrícola à escala da bacia hidrográfica, é fundamental a sua conveniente configuração topográfica e a compreensão do seu comportamento hidrológico. No presente trabalho é utilizado o módulo FlowNet Generator do modelo AnnAGNPS, no sentido de se compreender a influência da resolução vertical do Modelo Digital do Terreno (DEM) na configuração topográfica de uma pequena bacia hidrográfica. O estudo decorre no Aproveitamento Hidroagrícola da Campina da Idanha, na bacia de uma linha de água tributária do rio Tejo, tendo sido elaborados dois DEM com resoluções verticais de 1 e 5m. A rede de drenagem natural observada na bacia hidrográfica é a característica usada para comparar os resultados simulados e observados, procedendo-se depois à análise da divisão da bacia e dos parâmetros topográficos e hidrológicos resultantes. Este estudo permite concluir que para a área de estudo de 190 ha o DEM com resolução vertical de 5m não é suficientemente detalhado para contemplar a totalidade da rede de drenagem natural, pelo que é recomendável o uso de um DEM com menor resolução vertical. Pela forma como a rede de drenagem simulada, tendo por base o DEM com resolução de 1m, se aproxima da rede de drenagem natural observada na zona de estudo, não se torna necessário usar informação topográfica mais detalhada.In modelling the effects of agricultural activities on non-point pollution at the catchment scale, it is important to delineate correctly the topographic configuration and to understand the hydrologic behaviour of the basin. In this work, the module FlowNet Generator, a component of the model AnnAGNPS, was used to evaluate the influence of the vertical resolution of the Digital Elevation Model (DEM) in the topographic and hydrologic configuration of a small irrigated catchment (190 ha) located in the area of Campina da Idanha, in a small basin located on a tributary of the Tejo River. The study used two vertical resolutions of 1m and 5m, respectively. The study first characterized in the field the surface drainage network of the catchment which was found to be stable, and then compared it with the results of the simulated networks, performed at the two resolution levels. It was found that the vertical resolution of 5m was unsatisfactory because it yielded catchment subdivisions which departed significantly from the field observations and did not document all the stable surface drainage network observed under field conditions. By contrast, the network generated with 1m resolution was quite close to the observed network, suggesting that the realistic simulation of this catchment demands such degree of vertical resolution in the topographic assessment

Densovirus induces winged morphs in asexual clones of the rosy apple aphid, Dysaphis plantaginea

Winged morphs of aphids are essential for their dispersal and survival. We discovered that the production of the winged morph in asexual clones of the rosy apple aphid, Dysaphis plantaginea, is dependent on their infection with a DNA virus, Dysaphis plantaginea densovirus (DplDNV). Virus-free clones of the rosy apple aphid, or clones infected singly with an RNA virus, rosy apple aphid virus (RAAV), did not produce the winged morph in response to crowding and poor plant quality. DplDNV infection results in a significant reduction in aphid reproduction rate, but such aphids can produce the winged morph, even at low insect density, which can fly and colonize neighboring plants. Aphids infected with DplDNV produce a proportion of virus-free aphids, which enables production of virus-free clonal lines after colonization of a new plant. Our data suggest that a mutualistic relationship exists between the rosy apple aphid and its viruses. Despite the negative impact of DplDNV on rosy apple aphid reproduction, this virus contributes to their survival by inducing wing development and promoting dispersal

Local soil classification and crop suitability: Implications for the historical land use and soil management in Monti di Trapani (Sicily)

In the past, the lack of technologies (e.g. synthetic fertilizers) to overcome biophysical limitations has played a central role in land use planning. Thus, landscape management and agronomic practices are reactions to local knowledge and perceptions on natural resources, particularly soil. In the framework of the European research project MEMOLA (FP7), the role of local farmers knowledge and perceptions on soil for the historical land use through the spatial distribution of crops and the various management practices have been assessed in three different areas of Monti di Trapani region (Sicily). The identification of the soil classification systems of farmers and the criteria on which it is based, linked to the evaluation of the farmers\u2019 ability to identify and map the different soil types, was a key step. Nevertheless, beyond the comparison of the ethnopedological classification approach versus standard soil classification systems, the study also aims at understanding local soil management and land use decisions. The applied methodology was based on an interdisciplinary approach, combining soil science methods and participatory appraisal tools, particularly: i) semi-structured interviews; ii) soil sampling and analysis; iii) discussion groups; and iv) a workshop with local edafologists and agronomists. A rich local glossary of terms associated with the soil conditions and an own soil classification system have been identified in the region. Also, a detailed soil map, including process of soil degradation and soil capability, has been generated. This traditional soil knowledge has conditioned the management and the spatial distribution of the crops, and therefore the configuration of the landscape, until the 1990s

AquaCrop-OS: An open source version of FAO's crop water productivity model

AbstractCrop simulation models are valuable tools for quantifying crop yield response to water, and for devising strategies to improve agricultural water management. However, applicability of the majority of crop models is limited greatly by a failure to provide open-access to model source code. In this study, we present an open-source version of the FAO AquaCrop model, which simulates efficiently water-limited crop production across diverse environmental and agronomic conditions. Our model, called AquaCrop-OpenSource (AquaCrop-OS), can be run in multiple programming languages and operating systems. Support for parallel execution reduces significantly simulation times when applying the model in large geospatial frameworks, for long-run policy analysis, or for uncertainty assessment. Furthermore, AquaCrop-OS is compliant with the Open Modelling Interface standard facilitating linkage to other disciplinary models, for example to guide integrated water resources planning

Acylsucrose-Producing Tomato Plants Forces Bemisia tabaci to Shift Its Preferred Settling and Feeding Site

[Background] The whitefly Bemisia tabaci (Genn.) causes dramatic damage to plants by transmitting yield-limiting virus diseases. Previous studies proved that the tomato breeding line ABL 14-8 was resistant to B. tabaci, the vector of tomato yellow leaf curl disease (TYLCD). This resistance is based on the presence of type IV glandular trichomes and acylsucrose production. These trichomes deter settling and probing of B. tabaci in ABL 14-8, which reduces primary and secondary spread of TYLCD.[Methodology/Principal Findings] Whitefly settlement preference was evaluated on the adaxial and abaxial leaf surfaces of nearly-isogenic tomato lines with and without B. tabaci-resistance traits, 'ABL 14-8 and Moneymaker' respectively, under non-choice and free-choice conditions. In addition, the Electrical Penetration Graph technique was used to study probing and feeding activities of B. tabaci on the adaxial and abaxial leaf surfaces of the same genotypes. B. tabaci preferred to settle on the abaxial than on the adaxial surface of 'Moneymaker' leaves, whereas no such preference was observed on ABL 14-8 tomato plants at the ten-leaf growth stage. Furthermore, B. tabaci preferred to feed on the abaxial than on the adaxial leaf surface of 'Moneymarker' susceptible tomato plants as shown by a higher number of sustained phloem feeding ingestion events and a shorter time to reach the phloem. However, B. tabaci standard probing and feeding behavior patterns were altered in ABL 14-8 plants and whiteflies were unable to feed from the phloem and spent more time in non-probing activities when exposed to the abaxial leaf surface.[Conclusions/Significance] The distorted behavior of B. tabaci on ABL 14-8 protects tomato plants from the transmission of phloem-restricted viruses such as Tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV), and forces whiteflies to feed on the adaxial side of leaves where they feed less efficiently and become more vulnerable to natural enemies. © 2012 Rodriguez-Lopez et al.Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación Spain (co-financed by FEDER) projects: AGL2007-66760-C02-02/AGR, AGL2007-66399-CO3-02/AGR, and AGL2010-22287-C02-01/AGR, AGL2010-22287-C02-01/AGR Consejería de Innovación y Ciencia, Junta de Andalucía, Spain (co-financed by FEDER-FSE) projects: AGR-214 and AGR-129Peer Reviewe

Midday measurements of leaf water potential and stomatal conductance are highly correlated with daily water use of Thompson Seedless grapevines

A study was conducted to determine the relationship between midday measurements of vine water status and daily water use of grapevines measured with a weighing lysimeter. Water applications to the vines were terminated on August 24th for 9 days and again on September 14th for 22 days. Daily water use of the vines in the lysimeter (ETLYS) was approximately 40 L vine−1 (5.3 mm) prior to turning the pump off, and it decreased to 22.3 L vine−1 by September 2nd. Pre-dawn leaf water potential (ΨPD) and midday Ψl on August 24th were −0.075 and −0.76 MPa, respectively, with midday Ψl decreasing to −1.28 MPa on September 2nd. Leaf g s decreased from ~500 to ~200 mmol m−2 s−1 during the two dry-down periods. Midday measurements of g s and Ψl were significantly correlated with one another (r = 0.96) and both with ETLYS/ETo (r = ~0.9). The decreases in Ψl, g s, and ETLYS/ETo in this study were also a linear function of the decrease in volumetric soil water content. The results indicate that even modest water stress can greatly reduce grapevine water use and that short-term measures of vine water status taken at midday are a reflection of daily grapevine water us

Regulated deficit irrigation reduces water use of almonds without affecting yield

A plant-based regulated deficit irrigation (RDI) experiment in the northern Sacramento Valley determined that crop consumptive water use and irrigation could be reduced without significant detrimental effects on almond production. Tree stress was measured by recording midday stem water potential, a direct measure of tree water stress. With a water stress level of −14 to −18 bars during the hull-split period, average annual water savings were about 5 inches. Over 5 years, no significant yield reductions were observed, although average kernel weight was slightly lower. The results suggest that water savings can be achieved without affecting yield, even in soils with low water-holding capacity