Control of the apple sawfly Hoplocampa testudinea Klug in organic fruit growing

The best application technique and application data for the treatments with Quassia extract against the apple sawfly Hoplocampa testudinea Klug were tested. The spraying solution was distributed best on the receptacle of the blossom – the place where the sawfly larvae feed before the enter the blossom – when the treatment was effecttuated at fading blossom with a high amount of water (about 500 l/ha/mTh). The addition of T/S forte, a wetting agent, could also improve the efficacy of Quassia treatments in a lower dose. Thus, it is recommended to apply in fading blossom with addi-tion of T/S forte and high amounts of water to obtain the best effect. If the conditions for applica-tions are good and the infestation is not too high, the normally recommended dose of 6 g/ha/mTh can even be reduced

Efficacy of Quassia extract on the apple sawfly Hoplocampa testudinea Klug

The efficacy of Quassia extract with a standardized content of Quassin was proved in various field trials in different regions during three years. The amount of Quassin of 6 g/ha/m tree height will be recommended to practice. It is not important to have a contact effect on the eggs. The larvae must feed on the product before they enter the fruit. There is a very good efficacy on primaray infestation. Furthermore, there is even an efficacy on secondary infestation. Thus, even if due to difficult conditions during application or not optimal termination of the treatment the efficacy on the primary infestation is not entirely sufficient, the secondary infestation will be controlled better

Wirkung von Quassiaextrakt auf die Apfelsägewespe Hoplocampa testudinea Klug

The efficacy of Quassia extract with a standardized content of Quassin was proved in various field trials in different regions during three years. The amount of Quassin of 6 g/ha/m tree height will be recommended to practice. It is not important to have a contact effect on the eggs. The larvae must feed on the product before they enter the fruit. There is a very good efficacy on primaray infestation. Furthermore, there is even an effi-cacy on secondary infestation. Thus, even if due to difficult conditions during application or not optimal ter-mination of the treatment the efficacy on the primary infestation is not entirely sufficient, the secondary in-festation will be controlled better

Control of the woolly apple aphid (Erisoma lanigerum Hausm.) by releasing earwigs (Forficula auricularia L.) and support oil applications - an interim report of first year results

The woolly apple aphid (Erisoma lanigerum Hausm.) has been recognised for some years as a serious pest in organic fruit growing where they may cause severe economic damage due to a lack of control strategies. Based on preliminary results a new project has been started in 2007 testing combinations of releasing earwigs and oil applications in order to develop an onfarm control strategy. In this paper we present preliminary results of the first year of the project´s field trials. They showed good efficacies for applying oil preparations by brush. The efficacy of releasing earwigs depended on the infestation intensity

Control of the apple sawfly Hoplocampa testudinea Klug in organic fruit growing and possible side effects of control strategies on Aphelinus mali Haldeman and other beneficial insects

The effect of Quassia extract on eggs and larvae of the apple sawfly Hoplocampa testudinea was studied. The efficacy of this extract is mainly due to an oral toxicity to the neonate sawfly larvae. The main active ingredients, Quassin and Neoquassin, were tested separately. Wheras Quassin has a considerable efficacy also on older larvae, Neoquassin is less efficient in this case. While Quassin and Neoquassin are found in different Quassia sources in varying relations to each other and have different efficacy, they have to be considered separately in the definition of extract quality by the content of active ingredients. These findings mean, that the “egg maturity” is not important for application date. Nevertheless, the application must take place before the larvae hatch. It was shown that low rates of Quassin (4-6 g/ha) can show very good results in the field, in other cases the rates necessary for good efficacy are much higher. This corresponds to farmers experience. Several factors as application technique and the condition of the blossom must be taken in consideration and will be object of further studies. The side effects of Quassin, Neoquassin and Quassia extract on Aphelinus mali and other beneficial arthropods were tested. Quassia is harmless to all organisms tested

Regulierung der Apfelsägewespe im Ökologischen Obstbau und Nebenwirkungen der Strategien auf die Blutlauszehrwespe

The effects of Quassia extract on eggs and larvae of the apple sawfly Hoplocampa testudinea were studied in the laboratory. The efficacy of this extract was mainly due to an oral toxicity to neonate sawfly larvae. The main active ingredients, Quassin and Neoquassin, were tested sepa-rately as pure substances. While Quassin had a considerable efficacy also on older larvae, Neo-quassin was less efficient in this case. Since Quassin and Neoquassin were found in different Quassia sources in varying relations to each other and had different efficacy, they have to be considered separately in the definition of extract quality by the content of active ingredients. This requires the application of Quassia extracts before larval hatch. It was shown that low concentra-tions of Quassin (4-6 g/ha) can achieve very good control in the field, in other cases the concentra-tions for good efficacy are much higher. These varying results seem to be connected with applica-tion technique and application date. Trials in 2004 showed that the best way of application is with plenty of water (500 to 1000 l/ha) and the best date is during the stage when blossom is fading. The side effects of Quassin, Neoquassin and Quassia extract on Aphelinus mali and other benefi-cial arthropods were tested. Quassia is harmless to all organisms tested

Profitability of groundnut-based cropping systems among farmers in Hong local government area of Adamawa state, Nigeria

Groundnut is an important cash crop and a good source of vegetable oil to resource-poor farmers. The study examined the Profitability of Groundnut–based Cropping Systems among farmers in Hong Local Government Area of Adamawa State, Nigeria. Specifically, the socio-economic characteristics of the farmers were described, their cropping systems identified, and the profitability of groundnut-based cropping systems determined. Multi-stage random sampling was used in selecting one hundred and twenty respondents used for the study. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics, gross margin and profitability ratios. The result of the analysis revealed that majority (60%) of the farmers were female, having an average household size of 8 people and had some level of formal education. Two groundnut-based cropping systems were identified, namely; groundnut/sorghum and sole groundnut cropping systems. The analysis of cost and returns revealed a total variable cost of N18,931.68/ha in groundnut/sorghum enterprise, while that of sole groundnut enterprise was N20,244.40/ha. On the returns from production, the total revenue from groundnut/sorghum production was N66,273.950/ha while that of sole groundnut enterprise was N77,319.40/ha. The profit from groundnut/sorghum production was N47,324.27/ha, while that of sole groundnut production was N57,075.00/ha indicating the later to be more profitable than the former. Sole groundnut production had higher profitability index, higher rate of return on investment and higher rate of return on variable cost than groundnut/sorghum production. Based on the findings the study recommended that farmers cultivate groundnut solely. Government and donor agencies should encourage groundnut breeding researches so as to raise the productivity of existing groundnut seeds.KEYWORDS: Groundnut, Production, Cropping System, Profitabilit

Biological Control of Woolly Apple Aphid (Eriosoma lanigerum HAUSM.) with Aphelinus mali HALD.

The release of Aphelinus mali HALD. from artificial rearing for the control of Woolly Apple Aphid (Eriosoma lanigerum HAUSM.) was tested in field trials. The release of adults proved to be more suitable than the release of cards with parasitized mummies as practised in the first trial. Setting free adult A. mali at the beginning of June reduced the aphid population, though its efficiency was not high enough to prevent damage of the trees totally. The practical applications of A. mali in early spring (after blossom) were not effective because climatic conditions were not suitable enough. The fertility of A. mali depends on temperature and light intensity. The application of Micula (rape oil) and T-S forte reduced the growth of the aphid population effectively. These substances may be used in a combined strategy to improve the successful subsequent release of A. mali. Possible phytotoxic effects, however, must be considered in this context

Untersuchungen zur Regulierung von Apfelsägewespe und Blutlaus im ökologischen Obstbau

Ziel des Projekts war es, die bestehenden großen Unsicherheiten bezüglich Qualität und Terminierung, Kombinationsmöglichkeit mit anderen Präparaten sowie Nebenwirkungen auf die Blutlauszehrwespe und andere Nützlinge des traditionell zur Regulierung der Sägewespe eingesetzten Quassiaholzauszuges auszuräumen. Des weiteren sollten mögliche Managementstrategien für eine Förderung der Blutlauszehrwespe auf ihre Praxistauglichkeit überprüft und gegebenenfalls optimiert werden. Folgende Erkenntnisse wurden aus dem Projekt gewonnen und sind für die Praxis relevant: - Quassia wirkt vor allem auf die Larven der Apfelsägewespe. Wichtig ist daher, dass Quassia ausgebracht wird, bevor die ersten Larven schlüpfen. Das Eistadium zum Ausbringtermin ist nicht von Bedeutung, die Eier müssen auch nicht direkt getroffen werden (d.h. eine Ausbringung kann, wenn die Blüte offen ist, auch vor Ende der Eiablage erfolgen). - Die wichtigsten aktiven Inhaltsstoffe Quassin und Neoquassin wirken unterschiedlich stark: Besonders bei älteren Larven ist die Wirkung von Neoquassin schlechter. Sie lässt sich auch durch eine höhere Aufwandmenge nicht verbessern. - In verschiedenen Hölzern waren Quassin und Neoquassin in unterschiedlichem Verhältnis vorhanden. - Zur Beurteilung der Qualität von Quassiaholz müssen Quassin und Neoquassin daher getrennt bewertet werden (Sekundärbefall!). - Eine Empfehlung für die Selbstherstellung von Quassia mit möglichst hoher Ausbeute wurde erarbeitet. - Eine Behandlung mit Quassia-Extrakt vor starkem Regen ist wirksam. - Es gibt einerseits Hinweise, dass auch geringe Aufwandmengen schon sehr gut wirken, andererseits gibt es auch Fälle, wo erst sehr hohe Aufwandmengen (18 g/ha) eine ausreichende Wirkung zeigten. Hier sind noch weiterführende Untersuchungen notwendig, um der Praxis gesicherte Empfehlungen für den Einsatz niedrigerer Aufwandmengen geben zu können (Spritztechnik!). - Zwei Behandlungen sind wohl in den meisten Fällen nicht notwendig, es muss aber noch untersucht werden, inwieweit zweimal behandelt werden muss, wenn bei der ersten Spritzung ein Teil der Blüten noch geschlossen ist. - Die Kombination von Quassia mit NeemAzal-T/S scheint wenig sinnvoll, da Quassia auch den Sekundärbefall reduziert - Bei Quassia-Behandlungen sind im Freiland keine Nebenwirkungen auf die Blutlaus zehrwespe sowie den Gemeinen Ohrwurm, den Siebenpunkt-Marienkäfer und die Flor-fliege zu erwarten. - Die Strategie, Blutlauszehrwespen bereits im Sommer in den Anlagen zu sammeln und ins Kühllager zu bringen, ist nicht praxistauglich, da diese Tiere im Kühllager die Zeit bis zum Frühling nicht überdauern können. - Eine Induktion der Diapause und darauffolgende Lagerung früher Stadien, die im Freiland gesammelt wurden, ist auch unter den Bedingungen eines professionellen Nützlingszüchters nicht möglich, da die Temperatur bei der Eiablage bereits die Induktion der Diapause massgeblich beeinflusst, so dass mit Freilandmaterial aus dem Spätsommer fast nie eine Diapauseinduktion erreicht werden kann. - Die Nebenwirkungen weiterer im Ökologischen Obstbau verwendeter Präparate auf Blutlauszehrwespen wurden in einem ersten Versuch abgeschätzt. Bei Netzschwefel- und Kupferpräparaten kann eine starke Nebenwirkung im Freiland weitgehend ausgeschlossen werden. Bei Schwefel-Kalk-Brühe sind weitere Untersuchungen notwendig, um eine Aussage über eine mögliche Schädigung der Zehrwespen im Freiland zu ermöglichen. - Die Populationen der Blutlauszehrwespe aus verschiedenen Regionen in Deutschland, Holland und Kanada sind genetisch weitgehend homogen. Nur die holländische Population unterschied sich etwas von den anderen Herkünften. Es gibt bisher keine Hinweise auf stark unterschiedliche regionale Biotypen

Effect of interleukin-6 receptor blockade on surrogates of vascular risk in rheumatoid arthritis: MEASURE, a randomised, placebo-controlled study

Objectives The interleukin-6 receptor (IL-6R) blocker tocilizumab (TCZ) reduces inflammatory disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) but elevates lipid concentrations in some patients. We aimed to characterise the impact of IL-6R inhibition on established and novel risk factors in active RA. Methods Randomised, multicentre, two-part, phase III trial (24-week double-blind, 80-week open-label), MEASURE, evaluated lipid and lipoprotein levels, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) particle composition, markers of coagulation, thrombosis and vascular function by pulse wave velocity (PWV) in 132 patients with RA who received TCZ or placebo. Results Median total-cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) and triglyceride levels increased in TCZ versus placebo recipients by week 12 (12.6% vs 1.7%, 28.1% vs 2.2%, 10.6% vs −1.9%, respectively; all p&#60;0.01). There were no significant differences in mean small LDL, mean oxidised LDL or total HDL-C concentrations. However, HDL-associated serum amyloid A content decreased in TCZ recipients. TCZ also induced reductions (&#60;30%) in secretory phospholipase A2-IIA, lipoprotein(a), fibrinogen and D-dimers and elevation of paraoxonase (all p&#60;0.0001 vs placebo). The ApoB/ApoA1 ratio remained stable over time in both groups. PWV decreases were greater with placebo than TCZ at 12 weeks (adjusted mean difference 0.79 m/s (95% CI 0.22 to 1.35; p=0.0067)). Conclusions These data provide the first detailed evidence for the modulation of lipoprotein particles and other surrogates of vascular risk with IL-6R inhibition. When compared with placebo, TCZ induced elevations in LDL-C but altered HDL particles towards an anti-inflammatory composition and favourably modified most, but not all, measured vascular risk surrogates. The net effect of such changes for cardiovascular risk requires determination.</p