The interaction between millet and European corn borer, Ostrinia nubilalis (Hübner), was investigated to gain insight into whether millet could serve as a refuge or trap crop for O. nubilalis management. In 1995, 1996, and 1999, millet selection studies were conducted in North Dakota and New York with four millet species. Proso millet, Panicum milliaceum L., had the highest infestation and wide...

BACKGROUND The species diversity of aphids and seasonal timing of their flight activity can have significant impacts on crop production, as aphid species differ in their ability to transmit plant viruses and flight timing affects virus epidemiology. The aim of the study was to characterise the species composition and phenology of aphid fauna in Finland in one of the northernmost intensive crop ...

1. Africa faces serious challenges in feeding its rapidly growing human population owing to the poor productivity of maize and sorghum, the most important staple crops for millions of smallholder farmers in the continent, with yields being among the lowest in the world. 2. A complex of lepidopterous stemborers attack cereals in Africa. However, their effective control is difficult, largely as a...

Two soybean varieties (early-maturing group V and late-maturing group VII) and two cotton varieties (conventional and transgenic (Bt) were grown in adjacent replicated large field plots (approximately 0.1 ha each) at two locations for 3 yr. The dynamics and relative abundance of phytophagous stink bugs within these two crops were observed. The most abundant pentatomid species in both crops for ...

Food insecurity is a chronic problem in Africa and is likely to worsen with climate change and population growth. It is largely due to poor yields of the cereal crops caused by factors including stemborer pests, striga weeds and degraded soils. A platform technology, 'push-pull', based on locally available companion plants, effectively addresses these constraints resulting in substantial grain ...

The diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae), highly prefers to oviposit on yellow rocket, Barbarea vulgaris (R. Br.) (Cruciferae) var. arcuata , despite larvae not being able to survive on it, suggesting it may have potential as a trap crop. In a no-choice greenhouse experiment, P. xylostella laid 28% more eggs on B. vulgaris than on cabbage. Within the B. vulgaris...

One of the most important issues in water supply for agriculture or drinking is sediment control.Sedimentation in water conveyance channels reduces transmission efficiency. this study evaluated theefficiency of settling basin of Kamandan intake that is located in the village of Aligoodarz in Lorestanprovince. At first sample from water and sediment in inlet and outlet of settling basin in diffe...

The Aravalli range diagonally bisects the state of Rajasthan and this oldest Archaean rock formation is also spread in southern and southeastern Rajasthan. The latter zone is an conglomeration of Aravallis, Vindhyans and Deccan trap and it has undergone a change in landuse pattern, from forest to irrigated crop land, during recent years. Studies were taken up in this biologically interesting hi...