Chorioptes texanus causing mange in goats: comparison of two therapeutic protocols

Out of 34 caprine dermatological cases examined, 12 were detected positive for Chorioptes texanus. Pruritus, alopecia, crusts, thickening, wrinkling, cracks and fissures on legs, axillae, inguinal region and perineal region were the symptoms noticed in caprine chorioptic mange. In affected animals, reduction in haemoglobin concentration and per cent lymphocytes were noticed, along with elevation in the values of the total leukocyte count, per cent neutrophils and per cent monocytes. Values of serum glucose, zinc and copper were normal. All the 12 cases were treated with ivermectin at 10 days interval till two consecutive skin scrapings were negative for mites. In addition, all goats were treated with vitamin A supplements throughout the period. Six goats were treated topically with permethrin spray while other six animals were treated topically with lime sulphur spray. Both treatment protocols caused recovery of the animals from clinical symptoms, however, a skin scraping after 1 year revealed the presence of mites.

Lethal and Sublethal Toxicity of Pesticides Used in Fruit Growing on the Parasitoid Diachasmimorpha longicaudata (Hymenoptera: Braconidae): Implications for Integrated Fruit Fly Management

The larval-pupal endoparasitoid Diachasmimorpha longicaudata (Ashmead, 1905) is considered one of the main biological control agents of fruit flies Ceratitis capitata Wiedemann (1824) and Anastrepha fraterculus Wiedemann (1830) in Central and South America. The application of pesticides for disease and insect-pest management in fruit species may have adverse effects on the parasitoid. The objective of this study was to evaluate the lethal and sublethal effects via residual contact of commercial pesticide formulations on D. longicaudata. The active ingredients thiamethoxam, indoxacarb, chlorpyrifos, deltamethrin, spinetoram, spinosad, phosmet, lambda-cyhalothrin, malathion, dimethoate, and methidationa showed high toxicity to adults (100% mortality) after 96 h and were classified as harmful (Class 4). In contrast, the formulations of azadirachtin (Agroneem 850 EC, Azact 2.4 EC, Azamax 12 EC, and Fitoneem 850 EC), chlorantraniliprole, bordeaux mixture, sulfur, lufenuron, lime sulphur, novalurom, and mancozeb were rated as innocuous (<10% mortality). In addition, the formulations azadirachtin did not reduce the parasitism and the emergence rate of the F0 generation, the same pesticides added to chlorantraniliprole, azadirachtin A+B (Agroneem 850 EC), and lufenuron did not cause reduction in parasitism and emergence rate of the F1 generation of D. longicaudata. The use of pyrethroids, organophosphates, spinosyns, oxadiazines, and neonicotinoids should be used with caution in IPM programs. While pesticides chlorantraniliprole, azadirachtin formulations, bordeaux mixture, lufenuron, lime sulphur, and mancozeb do not cause lethal and sublethal effects for D. longicaudata adults. The results of this study provide important information for use in integrated pest management programs for fruit fly management.

Management of citrus leprosis using lime sulphur and their implications to soil and plant properties

Lime sulphur is used worldwide in agriculture to control pests and diseases. Our objective was to determine the effect of lime sulphur applications in an orange orchard on soil chemical properties and foliar nutrients after seven years of use to control B. yothersi. Soil and leaf samples were collected in two consecutive years for determination of soil chemical properties and nutritional analysis, respectively. We also assessed severity of citrus leprosis and productivity of plants. The applications of lime sulphur reduced pH values in CaCl2 and increased levels of S-SO42- in subsurface soil layer. Plants treated with lime sulphur had thehighestleaf concentrations of Ca and S and of the micronutrients B, Cu, Mn e Zn. On the other hand, lime sulphur was able to reduce severity of citrus leprosis and had a positive effect on citrus productivity. The use of lime sulfur must be moderate, as the excessive use of this pesticide can cause imbalances in soil and plants, affecting the quality of food produced and causing negative impacts on the environment.

Management of Apple Scab and Powdery Mildew Using Bicarbonate Salts and Other Alternative Organic Products with Fungicide Effect in Apple Cultivars

The control of apple scab and powdery mildew is a challenge for organic fruit growing. Bicarbonate salts are already consecrate in reducing the attack of scab and powdery mildew in organic apple culture. In the current study the influence of some products accepted in organic apple production to control scab and powdery mildew (potasium bicarbonate, lime sulphur, wettable sulphur, potassium silicate, cooper ammonium-phosphate, potassium bicarbonate + potassium silicate, potassium bicarbonate + wettable sulphur) in comparison with untreated control, were used. The biological material was represented by three scab resistant cultivars (‘Luna’, ‘Topaz’ and ‘Sirius’) and three scab susceptible cultivars (‘Elstar’, ‘Pinova’ and ‘Golden Delicious’). The experiments were carried out during 2014-2016 at Steluța LTD, Cluj-Napoca, N.W. Romania, as a bifactorial experiment arranged in randomized blocks. The trees were planted in 2011 at a density of 3,175 trees/ha. Depending of the year, a number of 18-22 treatments were made annually after each rain. It can be concluded that the combination of potassium bicarbonate + wettable sulphur significantly reduced the attack degree of scab and powdery mildew on leaves and fruits and increased the yield of the scab-susceptible and scab resistant cultivars. Good results were obtained in the case of treatment with potassium bicarbonate with potassium silicate, potassium bicarbonate and cooper ammonium phosphate. The treatments with the products used in the experiments did not register symptoms of phytotoxicity on leaves or fruits, except lime sulphur and wettable sulphur and cooper ammonium phosphates.

The effect of fungicides on spore germination, mycelial growth and lesion development of Phlyctema vagabunda (syn: Neofabraea alba) (bull’s eye rot of apples)

Phlyctema vagabunda (syn: Neofabraea alba) is a plant pathogenic fungus that causes bull’s eye rot on apples and pears. Phlyctema vagabunda fruit infections occur in orchards predominantly pre-harvest, and eventually express as a fruit rot after 4—5 months of cool storage. Twelve fungicides (captan, carbendazim, copper hydroxide, cyprodinil, difenoconazole, dithianon, dodine, isopyrazam, metiram, lime sulphur, sulphur and trifloxystrobin) were tested in vitro for their effects on spore germination and mycelial growth of P. vagabunda. Spore germination was inhibited by metiram, captan, dodine, dithianon, lime sulphur, carbendazim and isopyrazam, in order of effectiveness. Carbendazim, isopyrazam, difenoconazole and cyprodinil, in order of effectiveness, inhibited mycelial growth when used at label rates. Wettable sulphur was ineffective in both assays. On detached apple fruit, carbendazim, cyprodinil, trifloxystrobin and isopyrazam (in order of effectiveness) inhibited lesion development.