Long-term Weed Management Using Diverse Crop Rotation Systems

Now that the elevators are filled with grain, farm life is slowing down, and farmers in Iowa can look back at a year with generally good yields, it is important to recognize that our wealth and prosperity are not without a cost. Nationwide, herbicide use has not diminished, despite the use of glyphosate resistant genetically engineered crops (http://www.epa.gov/oppbead1/pestsales/), and intensive row-cropping in combination with the use of high rates of synthetic fertilizer and drainage tiles contributes to high concentrations of nitrate in surface waters (Randall et al., 1997; Schilling and Libra, 2000) and hypoxia in the Gulf of Mexico (Burkart andjames, 1999). Is it possible to run a profitable farm that better promotes human and environmental health? We are conducting an experiment in which three crop management systems are being compared with respect to weed management, crop yield, net return, labor and energy use. Two of the three systems receive reduced rates of herbicide and fertilizer inputs, while the third one is managed with conventional inputs

The influence of time of storage on performance of the insect parasitic nematode, Heterorhabditis sp

Summary -The inf1uence of the time of storage on efficacy, persistence and migration rate of the insect parasitic nematode HelerorhabdiLis sp. was investigated. Various batches of the Dutch isolates HFr86 and HL81 stored for different periods (4 to 340 days) at 4-5 oC were compared. Efficacy of HFr86 against the black vine weevil, Oliorhynchus su/calUs, ranged from 15 to 93 % effect, the difference in persistence in potting soil ran up to five weeks, migration rate in 9 cm sand columns ranged from 1 to 3 cm in 4 h in the absence of a host and from 1 to 7 cm in the presence of Galleria mel/onella. An increase of the time of storage caused a decrease of" quality " of the nematodes with respect to persistence and efficacy against black vine weevil. Migration rate in sand columns ref1ected efficacy on the nematodes for control of the weevil and might be suitable as a sensitive laboratory assay of nematode " quality ", at least for Dutch heterorhabditids. Résumé -Influence de la durée de conservation sur les performances du nématode entomoparasite Heterorhabditis sp. -L'inf1uence de la durée de conservation sur l'efficacité, la persistance et le taux de migration du nématode entomoparasite Helerorhabditis sp. a été étudiée. Plusieurs lots des isolats hollandais HFr86 et HL81 conservés pendant des périodes variables -de 4 à 340 jours -à 4-5 oC sont comparés. L'efficacité de l'isolat HFr86 contre l'otiorrhynque, Oliorhynchus SU/calUs, varie de 15 à 93 %; la différence en ce qui concerne la persistance dans du terreau croît jusqu'à cinq semaines; la distance de migration dans des colonnes de sable de 9 cm varie de 1 cm à 3 cm en quatre heures en l'absence d'hôte et de 1 à 7 cm en présence de Galleria mellonella. Un allongement de la période de conservation a pour résultat une diminution de la « qualité» des nématodes en ce qui concerne la persistance et l'efficacité contre l'otiorhynque. Le taux de migration dans les colonnes de sable démontre l'efficacité des nématodes dans la lutte contre !'otiorhynque et pourrait convenir pour une analyse fine de laboratoire en vue de déterminer la « qualité» du nématode, du moins pour les Heterorhabditis hollandais

Heterorhabditis sp., during storage

Summary -Performance, defined as migration rates, efficacy and persistence of ten batches of the insect parasitic nematode, Heterorhabditis sp. HFr86, stored for different periods of time in a cold-room at 4-5 "C, was described by linear regression models. Input factors were : time of storage, percentage nematodes with ample food reserves, percentage ensheathment and percentage mortaliry. Migration rate in 9 cm high sand columns in the absence of insects and persistence in non-sterile potting soil was well described by these input factors (R: = 95 "10 and 91 % respectively). Efficacy against Otiorhynchus SU/caLUs in strawberries and migration rate in the presence of Gallerl:a mellonella, on the other hand, were not well described (R-' = 76~o and 68 "/u respectively). The time of storage was a dominating factor in all models. Percentage mortaliry of nematodes was the only factor that did not contribute to a better description of migration rates, efficacy or persistence. The equation for efficacy showed that the percentage effect will decrease by 10 % in the first 100 days of storage, followed by more than 30 0/0 in each subsequent period of 100 days. Efficacy and persistence could also be described in terms of migration rates (R.' = 77 o'u and 82 "" respectively). Résumé -Modèles de régression linéaire permettant de représenter les performances du nématode entomoparasite Heterorhabditis sp. pendant sa conservation -Les performances -exprimées par le taux de migration, l'efficacité et la persistance -de dix lots du nématode entomoparasite Helerorhabditis sp. HFr86 conservés pendant des périodes variables à 4-5 "C sont représentées par des modèles de régression linéaire. Les facteurs pris en compte sont: le temps de conservation, le pourcentage de nématodes avec réserves complètes, le pourcentage de nématodes conservant la cuticule du deuxième stade et le pourcentage de mortalité. La persistance dans du terreau non stérile et le taux de migration dans des colonnes de sable de 9 cm en l'absence d'insectes peuvent être convenablement représentés par les facteurs cités (R: = 95 % et 91 0/ 0, respectivement). L'efficacité contr

Velvetleaf Responses to 2-Year and 4-Year Crop Rotation Systems

In 1938, C.E. Leighty described crop rotation as “the most effective means yet devised for keeping land free of weeds.” Despite the accumulation of a considerable amount of evidence to support this assertion, little has been learned over the past six decades about why, mechanistically, cropping system diversity suppresses weeds. The field experiment and modeling work described here were initiated to address this issue and focused particularly attention on the question of whether diverse rotations can achieve effective weed control through greater reliance on ecological interactions, such as seed predation, rather than herbicides

Die Bedeutung der Temperatur für die Inaktivierung von Samen im Biogas-Reaktor

Samen von Unkräutern können mit der Ernte von Biomasse oder Zufuhr von Dung in den Biogas-Reaktor gelangen. Alle Unkrautsamen, die auf diese Weise in die Biogas-Prozesskette gelangen und die anaerobe Vergärung überleben, können mit der Ausbringung des Gärrestes verbreitet werden. Die Inaktivierung der Samen im Biogas-Reaktor erfolgt hauptsächlich über die Temperatur. Im Vergleich von Labor-Biogas-Reaktor und Wasserbad haben wir den Einfluss der Temperatur auf das Überleben der Samen von einer hartschaligen und einer nicht-hartschaligen Art überprüft. Von den Tomatensamen, die auch als Indikator für die Hygienisierung von Vergärungsanlagen genutzt werden, überlebten im Mittel nur 20 % die maximale Expositionszeit im Reaktor und im Wasserbad. Die Samen verloren ihre Vitalität im Reaktor schneller als unter ausschließlichem Temperatureinfluss. Die Vitalität der hartschaligen Art, Melilotus albus, sank bis zur maximalen Expositionszeit (12 Tage) auf etwa 70 % ab. Die Abnahme der Vitalität erfolgte gleichermaßen in Wasserbad und Reaktor.Die Inaktivierung der Samen von M. albus beruhte hauptsächlich auf der Wirkung der Temperatur. Bei der Tomate waren auch andere Faktoren beteiligt. Die Tomate ist kein geeigneter Indikator-Organismus für die Inaktivierung von (hartschaligen) Pflanzensamen im Biogas-Reaktor.The importance of temperature in the inactivation of seeds in biogas reactorsWeed seeds can enter the biogas reactor by the harvest of biomass or by animal manure. All seeds that enter the biogas process chain and survive anaerobic digestion can be spread with the digestate. The inactivation of seeds in the biogas reactor is mainly due to temperature. In comparison of a laboratory-scale biogas reactor and a water bath experiment, we tested the contribution of temperature in the inactivation of seeds from one hardseeded and one non-hardseeded species.On average, as few as 20 % of the tomato seeds, which are used as an indicator species for the sanitation of fermentation plants, survived the maximum exposure time in the reactor and water bath. In the reactor the seeds lost their viability quicker than could solely be explained by temperature. Viability of the hardseeded species, Melilotus albus, declined to 70 % after the maximum exposure time of 12 days. The decline was similar in water baths and reactor.Inactivation of M. albus seeds was mainly due to temperature. For tomato seeds, factors other than temperature must have contributed to inactivation. Tomato appears to be no appropriate indicator for inactivation of (hardseeded) seeds in biogas reactors

Agronomic and Economic Performance Characteristics of Conventional and Low-External-Input Cropping Systems in the Central Corn Belt

We conducted a 9-ha field experiment near Boone, IA, to test the hypothesis that yield, weed suppression, and profit characteristics of low-external-input (LEI) cropping systems can match or exceed those of conventional systems. Over a 4-yr period, we compared a conventionally managed 2-yr rotation system {corn (Zea mays L.)/soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.]} with two LEI systems: a 3-yr corn/soybean/small grain + red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) rotation, and a 4-yr corn/soybean/small grain + alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.)/alfalfa rotation. Synthetic N fertilizer use was 59 and 74% lower in the 3- and 4-yr systems, respectively, than in the 2-yr system; similarly, herbicide use was reduced 76 and 82% in the 3- and 4-yr systems. Corn and soybean yields were as high or higher in the LEI systems as in the conventional system, and weed biomass in corn and soybean was low (≤4.2 g m−2) in all systems. Experimentally supplemented giant foxtail (Setaria faberi Herrm.) seed densities in the surface 20 cm of soil declined in all systems; supplemented velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti Medik.) seed densities declined in the 2- and 4-yr systems and remained unchanged in the 3-yr system. Without subsidy payments, net returns were highest for the 4-yr system ($540 ha−1 yr−1), lowest for the 3-yr system ($475 ha−1 yr−1), and intermediate for the 2-yr system ($504 ha−1 yr−1). With subsidies, differences among systems in net returns were smaller, as subsidies favored the 2-yr system, but rank order of the systems was maintained

Ixazomib, daratumumab and low-dose dexamethasone in intermediate-fit patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma:an open-label phase 2 trial

Background: The outcome of non-transplant eligible newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM) patients is heterogeneous, partly depending on frailty level. The aim of this study was to prospectively investigate the efficacy and safety of Ixazomib-Daratumumab-low-dose dexamethasone (Ixa-Dara-dex) in NDMM intermediate-fit patients. Methods: In this phase II multicenter HOVON-143 study, IMWG Frailty index based intermediate-fit patients, were treated with 9 induction cycles of Ixa-Dara-dex, followed by maintenance with ID for a maximum of 2 years. The primary endpoint was overall response rate on induction treatment. Patients were included from October 2017 until May 2019. Trial Registration Number: NTR6297. Findings: Sixty-five patients were included. Induction therapy resulted in an overall response rate of 71%. Early mortality was 1.5%. At a median follow-up of 41.0 months, median progression-free survival (PFS) was 18.2 months and 3-year overall survival 83%. Discontinuation of therapy occurred in 77% of patients, 49% due to progression, 9% due to toxicity, 8% due to incompliance, 3% due to sudden death and 8% due to other reasons. Dose modifications of ixazomib were required frequently (37% and 53% of patients during induction and maintenance, respectively), mainly due to, often low grade, polyneuropathy. During maintenance 23% of patients received daratumumab alone. Global quality of life (QoL) improved significantly and was clinically relevant, which persisted during maintenance treatment. Interpretation: Ixazomib-Daratumumab-low-dose dexamethasone as first line treatment in intermediate-fit NDMM patients is safe and improves global QoL. However, efficacy was limited, partly explained by ixazomib-induced toxicity, hampering long term tolerability of this 3-drug regimen. This highlights the need for more efficacious and tolerable regimens improving the outcome in vulnerable intermediate-fit patients. Funding: Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited.</p

Global, regional, and national burden of neurological disorders during 1990-2015 : a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2015

Background Comparable data on the global and country-specific burden of neurological disorders and their trends are crucial for health-care planning and resource allocation. The Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors (GBD) Study provides such information but does not routinely aggregate results that are of interest to clinicians specialising in neurological conditions. In this systematic analysis, we quantified the global disease burden due to neurological disorders in 2015 and its relationship with country development level. Methods We estimated global and country-specific prevalence, mortality, disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs), years of life lost (YLLs), and years lived with disability (YLDs) for various neurological disorders that in the GBD classification have been previously spread across multiple disease groupings. The more inclusive grouping of neurological disorders included stroke, meningitis, encephalitis, tetanus, Alzheimer's disease and other dementias, Parkinson's disease, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, motor neuron disease, migraine, tension-type headache, medication overuse headache, brain and nervous system cancers, and a residual category of other neurological disorders. We also analysed results based on the Socio-demographic Index (SDI), a compound measure of income per capita, education, and fertility, to identify patterns associated with development and how countries fare against expected outcomes relative to their level of development. Findings Neurological disorders ranked as the leading cause group of DALYs in 2015 (250.7 [95% uncertainty interval (UI) 229.1 to 274.7] million, comprising 10.2% of global DALYs) and the second-leading cause group of deaths (9.4 [9.1 to 9.7] million], comprising 16.8% of global deaths). The most prevalent neurological disorders were tensiontype headache (1505 9 [UI 1337.3 to 1681.6 million cases]), migraine (958.8 [872.1 to 1055.6] million), medication overuse headache (58.5 [50.8 to 67.4 million]), and Alzheimer's disease and other dementias (46.0 [40.2 to 52.7 million]). Between 1990 and 2015, the number of deaths from neurological disorders increased by 36.7%, and the number of DALYs by 7.4%. These increases occurred despite decreases in age-standardised rates of death and DALYs of 26.1% and 29.7%, respectively; stroke and communicable neurological disorders were responsible for most of these decreases. Communicable neurological disorders were the largest cause of DALYs in countries with low SDI. Stroke rates were highest at middle levels of SDI and lowest at the highest SDI. Most of the changes in DALY rates of neurological disorders with development were driven by changes in YLLs. Interpretation Neurological disorders are an important cause of disability and death worldwide. Globally, the burden of neurological disorders has increased substantially over the past 25 years because of expanding population numbers and ageing, despite substantial decreases in mortality rates from stroke and communicable neurological disorders. The number of patients who will need care by clinicians with expertise in neurological conditions will continue to grow in coming decades. Policy makers and health-care providers should be aware of these trends to provide adequate services.Peer reviewe

The global, regional, and national burden of adult lip, oral, and pharyngeal cancer in 204 countries and territories:A systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019

Importance Lip, oral, and pharyngeal cancers are important contributors to cancer burden worldwide, and a comprehensive evaluation of their burden globally, regionally, and nationally is crucial for effective policy planning.Objective To analyze the total and risk-attributable burden of lip and oral cavity cancer (LOC) and other pharyngeal cancer (OPC) for 204 countries and territories and by Socio-demographic Index (SDI) using 2019 Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors (GBD) Study estimates.Evidence Review The incidence, mortality, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) due to LOC and OPC from 1990 to 2019 were estimated using GBD 2019 methods. The GBD 2019 comparative risk assessment framework was used to estimate the proportion of deaths and DALYs for LOC and OPC attributable to smoking, tobacco, and alcohol consumption in 2019.Findings In 2019, 370 000 (95% uncertainty interval [UI], 338 000-401 000) cases and 199 000 (95% UI, 181 000-217 000) deaths for LOC and 167 000 (95% UI, 153 000-180 000) cases and 114 000 (95% UI, 103 000-126 000) deaths for OPC were estimated to occur globally, contributing 5.5 million (95% UI, 5.0-6.0 million) and 3.2 million (95% UI, 2.9-3.6 million) DALYs, respectively. From 1990 to 2019, low-middle and low SDI regions consistently showed the highest age-standardized mortality rates due to LOC and OPC, while the high SDI strata exhibited age-standardized incidence rates decreasing for LOC and increasing for OPC. Globally in 2019, smoking had the greatest contribution to risk-attributable OPC deaths for both sexes (55.8% [95% UI, 49.2%-62.0%] of all OPC deaths in male individuals and 17.4% [95% UI, 13.8%-21.2%] of all OPC deaths in female individuals). Smoking and alcohol both contributed to substantial LOC deaths globally among male individuals (42.3% [95% UI, 35.2%-48.6%] and 40.2% [95% UI, 33.3%-46.8%] of all risk-attributable cancer deaths, respectively), while chewing tobacco contributed to the greatest attributable LOC deaths among female individuals (27.6% [95% UI, 21.5%-33.8%]), driven by high risk-attributable burden in South and Southeast Asia.Conclusions and Relevance In this systematic analysis, disparities in LOC and OPC burden existed across the SDI spectrum, and a considerable percentage of burden was attributable to tobacco and alcohol use. These estimates can contribute to an understanding of the distribution and disparities in LOC and OPC burden globally and support cancer control planning efforts