Possibility of Aphis pomi control in apple orchards with azadirachtin

Aphids occur regularly in apple orchards and cause severe damages. This research aimed to assess the efficacy of biological - azadirachtin (10 g a.i. L-1) 0.2% and chemical insecticides - chlorpyrifos + cypermethrin (50 + 50 g a.i. L-1) 0.1%, against Aphis pomi in apple orchard. The experiments were performed in 2013 and 2014 in Novi Slankamen, Celarevo and Bela Crkva (Serbia, Vojvodina) according to standard EPPO methods, on cultivar 'Golden Delicious'. Treatment was performed twice with azadirachtin in seven days interval and once with chlorpyrifos + cypermethrin. Three assessments were made: before the treatment, immediately after the second treatment and 10 days after the second treatment, on 10 previously marked shoots per replication, by counting the number of aphids. Efficacy (E%) was calculated according to Abbott. In 2013, the number of aphids in Novi Slankamen and Celarevo ranged from 58.7 to 70.0 before the treatment, and after seven days (26.5 to 33.5) was significantly lower than in the control (99.5 to 133.7). Insecticides efficacy was 66.3 to 79.6%. Ten days after the second treatment, the number of aphids (9.75 to 10.7) was significantly lower than in the control (135.5 to 148) and insecticides efficacy was 92.2 to 93.9%. In Celarevo and Bela Crkva in 2014 the average number of aphids before the treatment was 71.7 to 81.2 and after seven days (34.5 to 43) was significantly lower compared to the control (127.7 to 145.2) and the insecticides efficacy was 66.3 to 76.2%. The number of aphids (16.2 to 18.2), 10 days after the second treatment was statistically significantly lower compared to the control (160.5 to 160.7) and insecticides efficacy was 88.6 to 90.1%. Efficacy of tested insecticides was on the same level of significance thus it can be concluded that azadirchtin can ensure adequate protection from A. pomi in apple orchards

Viability analysis of heat recovery solution for industrial process of roasting coffee

Every industrial heat recovery solution is specific engineering challenge but not because predicted energy rationalization or achieved energy savings but potential unavoidable technological deviations and consequences on related processes and for sure, high investment because of delicate design and construction. Often, the energy savings in a particular segment of the industrial process is a main goal. However, in the food industry, especially roasting coffee, additional criteria has to be strictly observed and fulfilled. Such criteria may include prescribed and uniform product quality, compliance with food safety standards, stability of the processes etc., and all in the presence of key process parameters variability, inconsistency of raw material composition and quality, complexity of measurement and analytical methods etc. The paper respects all circumstances and checks viability of proposed recovery solution. The paper analyzes the possibility of using waste heat from the roasting process to ensure shortening of roasting cycle, reduction of fuel consumption and increasing capacity of roasting lines on daily basis. Analysis concludes that effects are valuable and substantial, although the complete solution is on the threshold of economic sustainability with numerous opportunities to improve of both technical and economic indicators. The analysis combines measuring and analytical methods with standard cost-benefit analysis. Conclusions are derived from measurements and calculations of key parameters in the operating conditions and checked by experimental methods. Test results deviate from 10 to 15%, in relation with parameters in main production line

Effects of different inert dusts on Sitophilus oryzae and Plodia interpunctella during contact exposure: Poster

The use of natural inert dusts against storage insect pests is increasing recently, as an alternative to conventional insecticides. Laboratory study was carried out to evaluate the contact effect of three inert dusts, diatomaceous earth (DE), kaoline (KA) and vermiculite (VE), at rates 5, 7.5, 10, 15 and 20 gm-2, against adults of Sitophilus oryzae (L.) and larvae of Plodia interpunctella (Hubner). Insect mortality was evaluated 1, 2, 3 and 7 days after the exposure. Insect mortality varied depending on the species, concentrations and exposure periods. The DE and KA caused 86.7-98% mortality of S. oryzae after 2 days of exposure at the highest rates, while at 5 and 7.5 gm-2, 100% mortality was achieved only after 7 days. The highest rates of inert dusts caused 42-50% (DE) and 60-75% (KA) mortality of P. interpunctella larvae only after 7days. The mortality of moths increased gradually with the concentration and 100% was achieved 3 days after the contact with DE and KA (10, 15 and 20 g m-2). However, inert dusts induced faster pupation of P. interpunctella, while adult emergence was reduced and adults had smaller body-sizes, compared to control. The VE caused relatively low mortalities (7-11% of S. oryzae adults and 5-8% of P. interpunctella larvae) at all tested rates during the entire experiment. Our results have shown good insecticidal effect of DE and KA against S. oryzae and P. interpunctella at 10, 15 and 20 gm-2. These products could therefore be used by small-scale farmers to protect stored grains against insect pest infestation.The use of natural inert dusts against storage insect pests is increasing recently, as an alternative to conventional insecticides. Laboratory study was carried out to evaluate the contact effect of three inert dusts, diatomaceous earth (DE), kaoline (KA) and vermiculite (VE), at rates 5, 7.5, 10, 15 and 20 gm-2, against adults of Sitophilus oryzae (L.) and larvae of Plodia interpunctella (Hubner). Insect mortality was evaluated 1, 2, 3 and 7 days after the exposure. Insect mortality varied depending on the species, concentrations and exposure periods. The DE and KA caused 86.7-98% mortality of S. oryzae after 2 days of exposure at the highest rates, while at 5 and 7.5 gm-2, 100% mortality was achieved only after 7 days. The highest rates of inert dusts caused 42-50% (DE) and 60-75% (KA) mortality of P. interpunctella larvae only after 7days. The mortality of moths increased gradually with the concentration and 100% was achieved 3 days after the contact with DE and KA (10, 15 and 20 g m-2). However, inert dusts induced faster pupation of P. interpunctella, while adult emergence was reduced and adults had smaller body-sizes, compared to control. The VE caused relatively low mortalities (7-11% of S. oryzae adults and 5-8% of P. interpunctella larvae) at all tested rates during the entire experiment. Our results have shown good insecticidal effect of DE and KA against S. oryzae and P. interpunctella at 10, 15 and 20 gm-2. These products could therefore be used by small-scale farmers to protect stored grains against insect pest infestation

Genome editing for improvement sunflower oil quality – possibilities and problems

Modern sunflower breeding dedicate a great attention in altering oil quality. Sunflower oil gain importance due to the frequent transition to the Mediterranean dict (using oils tich in oleic acid), and the requirements of biodiesel industry, preferring the use of high-oleic sunflower oil for biodiesel production compared to the standard sunflower oil. Although sunflower oil is one of the finest plant oils, sunflower breeders have reacted to market demands and managed to make certain changes in sunflower oil quality, concerning fatty acid composition and tocopherol content. Besides mid and high oleic acid content, “new” traits such as, both low saturated and high saturated fatty acid content and different combinations of increased levels of beta-, gamma-, and delta-tocopherol have been developed. Combination of “new” and “old” traits for oil quality enables their accumulation in one genotype and use for various purposes. Recent breakthrough in sunflower genome sequencing is expected to facilitate the use of genomics and other new breeding techniques, including genome editing, and work on understanding the molecular mechanisms. Genome editing could provide new perspectives for more efficient breeding, especially complex phenotypic traits, such as oil quality traits

The effect of seed treatments on wireworm (Elateridae) performance, damages and yield traits of sunflower (helianthus annuus l.)

© 2019, University of Zagreb - Faculty of Agriculture. All rights reserved. Sunflower seed treatments are inevitable measure that ensures protection from soil-dwelling insects and pathogens at the first stages of plant development. Due to the ban of neonicotinoid based insecticides for the sunflower seed treatments, new registered preparations are put to test. The aim of this work was to assess the efficacy of currently registered insecticides against the wireworms (observed in field emergence and percent of damaged plants) and their effect on yield traits (yield, oil content and 1,000-seed weight) of the sunflower hybrids (Sumo 2 OR, Oliva and Novak) in comparison to previously used neonicotinoids. Seeds were treated with different pesticidal combinations: metalaxyl-m, metalaxyl-m + bifenthrine, metalaxyl-m + thiacloprid, metalaxyl-m + thiametoxam, and metalaxyl-m + imidacloprid. Two-way ANOVA and Duncan’s multiple range tests were performed. Field emergence was not influenced by the treatment. Sumo 2 OR and Oliva emergence did not differ significantly among the treatments (78.3-88.3%; 83.0-91.3%, respectively), but for Novak it was significantly lower (79.3%) when treated with metalaxyl-m. The lowest percent of damaged plants was in the treatment with metalaxyl-m + thiametoxam (1.1-2.4%). However, it did not differ significantly among other treatments (2.4-3.9%), regardless on the hybrid. Novak had the highest average yield (3,938.1 kg/ha), followed by Sumo 2 OR (3,566.1 kg/ha), and Oliva (3,199.8 kg/ha), regardless on the applied seed treatments. The highest 1,000-seed weight was measured for Oliva. Given indicates that currently registered insecticides for the seed treatment of sunflower, such as Sonido and Semafor, can be adequate substitute to the banned neonicotinoids like Cruiser and Gaucho

Changes in the distribution and pest risk of stored product insects in Europe due to global warming: Need for pan-European pest monitoring and improved food-safety

Global warming affects the distribution of stored product pest insects across Europe in a way comparable to field crop and orchard pests. Nevertheless, stored product research has been neglected in Europe and detailed monitoring is lacking. This paper aims to illustrate current knowledge about the movement of storage pests up north today triggered by altered environmental conditions. In addition, it stresses the need for a pan-European surveillance to monitor the distribution, movement and spreading of stored product pests in a rapidly changing environment. Global warming and a growing number of extreme weather conditions may influence on climate and can negatively affect global food security, especially in the case of durable commodities, which are of fundamental importance for human nutrition. It is thus suggested that the distribution of stored product pests within Europe is uniformly monitored and studied by a joint initiative. Furthermore, for additional food safety the World Food Program should receive more support to fund research needed and provide larger food storages in regions prone to agricultural instability. It is also suggested that the missing quarantine/regulated status for the most serious stored product and invasive pests (such as Trogoderma granarium) should be re-evaluated in the EU. © 202