Rodents and their control in orchards

The number of mouse-like rodents was monitored based on the traces and the estimates of the active holes in a private orchard from February to October 2019. Based on the appearance and spatial arrangement of the active holes on the observed orchard plot, the presence of the field vole Microtus arvalis (Pallas 1778) and the field mouse Apodemus agrarius (Pallas, 1771) was determined. Until 2019, the control of the rodent population at this location was successfully implemented through an integrated approach and the application of many non-chemical methods and procedures. Considering the mass appearance of these organisms during the research period, which was determined by constant monitoring, the chemical control had to be implemented to avoid major economic damage and defects to young seedlings. In the chemical control a zinc-phosphide based rodenticide with 2% active substance, which belongs to the group of fast-acting rodenticides with an acute and respiratory effect, was used. The effectiveness of rodenticide formulations was evaluated according to the Henderson & Tilton formula, based on the number of active holes for 7, 14 and 28 days. The best efficiency of the applied rodenticide was registered in the 28-days spring control period (85.11%) and in the 14days autumn period (74.03%) and 28days autumn period (82.14%).

The possibility of using bifenazate and pyridaben in control of the plum rust mite (Aculus fockeui) on sour cherry

In the field trial conducted in 2020 at the locality of Mačvanski Metković (municipality of Bogatić, Serbia), the efficacy of products based on bifenazate and pyridaben in the control of the plum rust mite (Aculus fockeui) on sour cherry was examined. Product Acramite 480 SC (bifenazate) was tested in two application rates, 0.375 l/ha and 0.75 l/ha, while Sanmite 20 WP (pyridaben) was applied in an amount of 500 g/ha. The experiment was performed according to the standard, partially adapted EPPO method for testing the efficacy of acaricides in the control of spider mites in fruit orchards. Based on trial results, it can be concluded that the efficacy of bifenazate was different depending on the application rate of the product. The efficacy of this compound applied in the amount of 0.75 l/ha of the product Acramite 480 SC was very high and ranged between 94.85% and 98.96%, respectively. The same product in the amount of 0.375 l/ha showed low efficacy, which ranged from 55.27% to 88.22%, respectively. The efficacy of pyridaben was high in all evaluations (90.43% - 95.25%).

Hidden risk of the presence of weed species: Tropane alkaliods in food and cereals

This paper evaluates the occurrence of the TAs in 71 food products samples. The analysis comprised the following samples: 18 corn puffs, 12 popcorn, 16 corn and 25 corn grits samples, obtained from the shops in Belgrade and Novi Sad during 2019. and 2020. The overall number of the samples with the atropine and scopolamine detections below the LOQ was 61,97%. The percentage of the detection of the tropane alkaloids above the limit of quantification, which may have a negative effect on the health of humans and animals, was 29,57%. The atropine and scopolamine detections are equal in the number of corn puffs, popcorn and corn samples, while 7 samples of corn grits contained the atropine, and 6 of them contained the scopolamine. The highest mean concentrations of the atropine and scopolamine were detected in corn grits, followed by popcorn, then in the corn, while the lowest were in the corn puffs.

Importance and epidemiology of tomato spotted wilt virus

Tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) is the most economically important plant viruses from genus Tospovirus. It has a polyphagous character and infects a wide range of very significant agricultural crops. Vectors of viruses are insects from order Thysanoptera (Thripidae) and till know eight species are known to transmit tospoviruses of which Frankliniella occidentalis is considered to be economically most important vector. TSWV is transmitted by thrips in a persistent and propagative manner. Relationship between vector and TSWV is very specific because vectors acquire the virus in the larval stages, while imago plays a key role in transmission of the virus. TSWV causes wide range of symptoms depending on host plant, external environmental conditions and type of viruses. In addition to affecting the fruit quality of cultivated crops, greatly reduces the yield to agricultural producers. Tomato is the most commonly attacked by TSWV, and after the symptoms manifested on leaves in the form of a bronze color, the virus was name. Protection of agricultural crops is very challenging and difficult due to wide distribution of viruse vectors, their hidden way of life as well as wide range of TSWV hosts.

Significant bean bacteriosis

Beans are an important plant species that is grown in our agroecological conditions. One of the significant factors in the reduction and quality of yield are phytopathogenic bacteria that appear on leaves, stems, pods and seeds. Also, one of the reasons for the frequent incidence of the disease is the use of seeds that are not declared, and very often infected. In our conditions, depending on the environmental conditions, two species from the genus Xanthomonas and Pseudomonas predominantly appear. Species Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. phaseoli, the causal agent of common bacterial blight is affected by warmer and wet conditions, while the species Pseudomonas savastanoi pv. phaseolicola is affected by colder weather and humid conditions. Other bacteria that appear are of minor economic importance.

The most important diseases and pests of beans and green beans and the possibility of their control

The production of beans and green beans in our country takes place in relatively small areas, and it is additionally reduced by the presence of various harmful agents (pests and diseases). Economically significant diseases of beans and green beans are gray rot (Botrytis cinerea), white rot (Sclerotinia sclerotiorum), seedling rot, and seedling blight (Pythium sp.), Fusarium wilt (Fusarium oxysporumf. sp. phaseoli), bean rust (Uromyces phaseoli), anthracnose (Colletotrichum lindemuthianum), gray leaf spot (Mycosphaerella pinodes), brown leaf spot or bacterial blight (Xanthomonas campestris pv. phaseoli), and bean mosaic virus. Five plant protection products (PPPs) based on four active substances have been registered in our country for the control of pathogens in beans and green beans. Signifi cant pests of beans and green beans in our country are black aphid (Aphis fabae), thrips (Kakothrips robustus), plant aphids (family Aphididae), cotton bollworm (Helicoverpa armigera), as well as red spider mite and Atlantic (strawberry) spider mite (Tetranichus urticae and Tetranichus turkestani). Eight PPPs, based on seven active substances, have been registered for the control of pests in the crop of beans and green beans. This paper aimed to present the registered PPPs in the Republic of Serbia for the control of the most economically important pathogens and pests of beans and green beans, classified according to the mode of action.

The most important viruses of beans

Over 200 diseases with different etiologies have been determined in dry beans and green beans. However, viral diseases seem to cause the greatest economic da-mage to legume production in most parts of the world. Dry beans can be infected by 44 different viruses including Bean common mosaic virus (BCMV), Bean common mosaic necrosis virus (BCMNV), Bean yellow mosaic virus (BYMV) and Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV). Transmission through seeds and/or spread by aphids in non-persistent manner play important role in worldwide distribution of bean viruses. Viral diseases on dry and green beans can have an array of symptoms. The most common symptoms are the mosaic pattern, variegation or deformation of leaves and pods, resulting in reduced plant growth and yield.

Impact of nicosulfuron on biochemical markers of oxidative stress in maize leaves and roots

Maize (Zea mays L.) is one of the most important crops. It is the object of many studies, aiming to utilize its full genetic potential and quality, while protecting it from the harmful external factors. Considering that weeds in the early stage of maize development can severely affect the yield, effective weed control is of great importance. As the most significant herbicides in fighting maize weeds, sulfonylurea herbicides are singled out. The aim of this research was to test the impact of different concentrations of nicosulfuron (150 and 250 mg/mL) on the biochemical (oxidative and anti-oxidative) parameters of two maize hybrids (ZP 555 and ZP 606). After treating maize plants with different concentrations of nicosulfuron for five days, concentrations of hydrogen peroxide (H2 O2 ), phenolic compounds and total chlorophyll were measured, as well as the activity of enzymes Peroxidase Class III (POD) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX). The results showed that nicosulfuron significantly impacted the biochemical parameters in the root and leaves of maize. Differences in impact of nicosulfuron at different concentrations and differences in the tolerance of two hybrids to treatment were also observed.

Efficacy of fungicides in control of tomato late blight (Phytophthora infestans (Mont.) de Bary) under conditions of heavy disease incidence

During the season 2020, the biological efficacy of fungicides propamocarb hydrochloride + fluopicolide, cymoxanil, mandipropamide + difenoconazole and dimothomorph + mancozeb in the control of late blight (Phytophthora infestans) in tomato, was investigated. The experiments were conducted in the localities of Sovljak (Ub), Belosavci (Topola) and Garaši (Aranđelovac). The experiments were carried out as a randomized block system in four replication (EPPO, 1996). A total of five treatments and two assessments were performed at each location. Favorable conditions resulted in a significant disease intensity on untreated plots, which amounted from 17,5-41,3% in the first, and 28,8-95,0% during the second assessment. Fungicide mixture propamocarb-hydrochloride+fluopicolide, showed the efficacy from 94,5-99,4% at the first, and 92,3-97,9% at the second assessment. Fungicide cymoxanil, showed the efficacy of 83,0-92,9% at the first, and 80,0-89,5% at the second assessment. Fungicide mixture mandipropamide+difenoconazole achieved the efficacy from 89,1-99,7% at the first, and 88,2-98,5% during the second assessment. By a combination of dimothomorph+mancozeb the efficacy was ranged from 94,1-97,8% at the first and from 90,7-97,7% at the second assessment.

Pseudomycosis and mycosis of rocket plant (arugula)

As plant pathogens cause significant yield losses in all crops, much effort is put into diseases prevention and control. The importance of rocket has increased in many countries, and also in Serbia interest in cultivation this species is raising. Rocket production is threatened by various pathogenic microorganisms, fung-like, fungi and bacteria being among the most significant ones. For successful rocket production, knowledge on possible pathogenic causers of the diseases is of high importance. In this paper, a review of the literature of diseases caused by fungi and fungi-like organisms of rocket known so far, is presented.