Vulpia myuros, an increasing threat for agriculture

Vulpia myuros is an annual grass species of Mediterranean origin, which has achieved a global distribution. It is a fast-growing species, with high colonisation and competitive abilities. This species is considered an invasive weed in most countries where it has been introduced, with highly negative economic impact where it now dominates. It is increasingly found to be a problematic weed in winter cereals, especially in no-till and reduced tillage systems, across Europe, United States and Australia. Seeds of V. myuros have reduced germination potential when buried. However, where tillage interventions are reduced, ideal conditions for V. myuros are created. Minimum and no tillage practices are increasing worldwide, with a concomitant increase in the spread and abundance of V. myuros. Effectiveness of herbicides is mostly suboptimal, in particular for well-established populations forming dense swards, even though no herbicide resistance has yet been identified. An integrated management approach, increasing crop diversification combined with management adaptations, possibly including herbicides is suggested as an effective control strategy. Despite increasing research on V. myuros, more information is needed to optimise the management of this weed. Based on the species’ Mediterranean origins and adaptation to warm and dry environments, an increase of its global importance may be expected with climate changes. It is thus paramount to increase the awareness around this species, improve its identification in the field, and monitor its spread before it becomes a concern of similar magnitude to grass weeds like Alopecurus myosuroides or Lolium rigidum

Evaluation of education program in an asthmatic cohort in a French Caribbean island

Objective: This 3-year study assessed the effectiveness of the therapeutic education unit in the asthma school in Guadeloupe (France). Methods: The therapeutic education unit is an outpatient structure. First, patient acquisitions before and immediately after education were compared. Second, asthma control and morbidity indicators were evaluated 12 months after education by a telephone survey. Results: Over three years, 1177 patients were included. Different groups were constituted according to inclusion in the program at baseline, or their follow-up. The assessment carried out 12 months after education concerned 675 patients who were able to be contacted. Before and immediately after education, an evaluation showed improvement in all parameters such as control of inhalation technique, knowledge of the disease, compliance, and asthma control. The results showed a significant improvement in morbidity indicators. In contrast, patients who did not follow the education program had a significant increase in incidents after 12 months. Most of them were less than 15 years old. Discussion: In patients who followed the asthma education program, there was a significant decrease in morbidity criteria and an increase in quality of asthma control. However, patients lost to follow-up were most frequently teenagers. Conclusion: In Guadeloupe, where the prevalence of asthma and resulting hospitalizations are greater than in the other French departments, it is important to improve and to support education programs

Agroecological farming, flowering phenology and the pollinator–herbivore–parasitoid nexus regulate non‐crop plant reproduction

International audienc

Individual flowering phenology shapes plant–pollinator interactions across ecological scales affecting plant reproduction

International audienceThe balance of pollination competition and facilitation among co-flowering plants and abiotic resource availability can modify plant species and individual reproduction