Influence of sugarcane straw on weed germination control

This research studied the effectiveness of herbicide treatments in weed control and during different periods of emergence, when applied to varying amounts of straw. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse with pre-emergent herbicides: amicarbazone, metribuzin, indaziflam, isoxaflutole, amicarbazone + indaziflam, metribuzin + indaziflam, and isoxaflutole + indaziflam, against three species (Sorghum halepense, Rottboellia exaltata, and Mucuna aterrima). The experimental design was completely randomized in a 5x4 factorial scheme, with five amounts of straw (0, 1, 2, 3, and 5 t/ha) and four periods of weed emergence (0, 30, 60, and 90 days after treatments). The residual control of indaziflam was influenced by the amount of straw. Metribuzin presented a low residual control, while isoxaflutole was not affected by the amount of straw. Amicarbazone offered residual control for Mucuna aterrima. The association between indaziflam + isoxaflutole displayed a suitable residual control against Sorghum halepense and Rottboellia exaltata. The association of indaziflam + metribuzin adequately controlled Mucuna aterrima and Sorghum halepense. herbicide physical-chemical characteristics can influence their performance, and the association of products may increase residual and weed spectrum control. Highlights This partial or total removal of remaining sugarcane straw from the soil surface alters weeds dynamics in sugarcane fields. In this situation we have monocot and dicot weeds infesting the sugarcane crops. Among these species, some plants are even more difficult to control, such as Sorghum halepense, Rottboellia exaltata, and Mucuna aterrima Indaziflam herbicide presented a better performance in controlling monocotyledonous plants than eudicot plants. The herbicides amicarbazone and metribuzin presented adequate control of Mucuna aterrima despite having lower residual control. The association of indaziflam + metribuzin, resulted in satisfactory results for Mucuna aterrima, Sorghum halepense, and Rottboellia exaltata.

Acute liver injury associated with Oxyfluorfen toxicity

Oxyfluorfen is a phenoxyphenyl-type herbicide which is used for broad-spectrum control of broadleaf and grassy weeds. Ingestion of toxic dose of oxyfluorfen can be fatal among animals. However, toxicity to humans are rare in literature. The alterations in haem biosynthesis (anaemia) and in liver are the primary toxic effects. There are no specific antidotes and none of the current treatments have proven efficacious till date. Therefore, prevention needs to be the utmost priority, and on exposure, aggressive decontamination should be initiated. Herein, we described an oxyfluorfen toxicity with acute hepatic injury in a young woman who presented with a deliberate self-harming with an oxyfluorfen poisoning in Sri Lanka.

Application of a Non-carrier-Based Modulation for Current Harmonics Spectrum Control during Regenerative Braking of the Electric Vehicle

The regenerative braking of railway vehicles is widely used in DC railway systems all over the world. This mode of operation provides an opportunity to reuse part of the energy consumed by vehicles, and makes the railway system more energy efficient. During regenerative braking, not only energy management is an issue, but also Electromagnetic Compatibility EMC issues, such as interference of generated current harmonics with a railway signaling system. In this paper, the selective harmonic elimination modulation technique (SHE-PWM) was introduced to the traction drive with a three-level inverter to reduce specific catenary current harmonics generated during regenerative braking. The simulation model of a traction drive appropriate for harmonics analysis was proposed and verified by the measurements in the low-power laboratory drive system. The model was re-scaled to the 3 kV DC system for further study. The model of an induction motor with electromotive force and the method of its calculation was proposed. Furthermore, an analysis of the braking chopper operation was carried out. The asymmetric control of braking chopper was proposed to reduce the current harmonics below limits during chopper operation.

Silicon builds resilience in strawberry plants against both strawberry powdery mildew Podosphaera aphanis and two-spotted spider mites Tetranychus urticae

Silicon is found in all plants and the accumulation of silicon can improve plant tolerance to biotic stress. Strawberry powdery mildew (Podosphaera aphanis) and two-spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae) are both detrimental to strawberry production worldwide. Two field trials were done on a UK commercial strawberry farm in 2014 and 2015, to assess the effects of silicon nutrient applied via the fertigation system on P. aphanis and T. urticae. The silicon treatments decreased the severity of both P. aphanis and T. urticae in two consecutive years on different cultivars. The percentage leaf area infected with P. aphanis mycelium from silicon treated plants were 2.19 (in 2014) and 0.41 (in 2015) compared with 3.08 (in 2014) and 0.57 (in 2015) from the untreated plants. The etiology of the pathogen as measured by the Area Under the Disease Progress Curve from silicon (with and without fungicides) treatments was 152.7 compared with 217.5 from non-silicon (with and without fungicides) treatments for the overall period of 2014–2015. The average numbers of T. urticae recorded on strawberry leaves were 1.43 (in 2014) and 1.83 (in 2015) in plants treated with silicon compared with 8.82 (in 2014) and 6.69 (in 2015) in untreated plants. The silicon contents of the leaves from the silicon alone treatment were 26.8 μg mg-1 (in 2014) and 22.2 μg mg-1 (in 2015) compared with 19.7 μg mg-1 (in 2014) and 21.4 μg mg-1 (in 2015) from the untreated. The silicon nutrient root application contributed to improved plant resilience against P. aphanis and T. urticae. Silicon could play an important role in broad spectrum control of pests and diseases in commercial strawberry production.