Research progress on pesticide residues of Panax notoginseng / 中国中药杂志

Panax notoginseng is a perennial Chinese medicinal plant, which has serious continuous cropping obstacles and is prone to a variety of diseases and insect pests during the growth process. At present, the prevention and control of pests and diseases is mainly carried out through chemical pesticides, and the consequent pesticide residues of P. notoginseng have attracted much attention. This study reviewed the types and detection methods of pesticide residues in P. notoginseng from 1981 to 2021, and compared the limits of pesticide residues in P. notoginseng in China and abroad to provide a reference for rational application of pesticides in P. notoginseng and quality control of medicinal materials, thereby promoting the sustainable development of the P. notoginseng industry in China. Currently, there are only 40 published papers on pesticide residues of P. notoginseng, which is indicative of a serious problem of insufficient research. At present, hundreds of pesticide residues in P. notoginseng can be detected simultaneously by using chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The pesticides detected have gradually changed from early prohibited ones, such as dichlorodiphenyl trichloroethane(DDT), benzene hexachloride(BHC), and parathion, to low toxic ones(e.g., dimethomorph, procymidone, propicona-zole, and difenoconazole). The dietary risk from pesticide residues in P. notoginseng is low, which would not cause harm to consu-mers. This study concluded that in the future, the development of the quality standard for pesticide residues of P. notoginseng should be actively carried out. To increase the pesticides used in actual production in the quality standard based on the existing ones and to guide farmers to use pesticides scientifically will be the focus of future work.

Research progress on pesticide residues of Panax ginseng / 中国中药杂志

Panax ginseng, a perennial herb, is prone to diseases and insect pests in the growth process, which are primarily prevented and treated by pesticides. However, due to the lack of standardization in the types, frequencies, and doses of pesticides, pesticide residues have become the main exogenous pollutants of P. ginseng. To explore the risk of pesticide residues in P. ginseng, this paper summarized and analyzed the common pesticide residues in P. ginseng, detection techniques, and pesticide residue limit stan-dards based on the published literature in recent years. The results revealed that the main pesticide residues in P. ginseng were organochlorine pesticides, such as tetrachloronitrobenzene, pentachloronitrobenzene, and hexachlorobenzene, and the detection techniques were dominated by gas chromatography(GC), liquid chromatography(LC), or those combined with mass spectrometry(MS). Because of the long half-life and difficulty in degradation, organochlorine pesticides have become the main factor affecting the export of P. ginseng. It is worth mentioning that P. ginseng has been classified as food in Japan, South Korea, the European Union, and other countries, and the standards of pesticide residues and limits are stricter than those in China. The quality and safety of P. ginseng are prerequisites for the efficacy of Chinese medicine and the development of traditional Chinese medicine. The formulation of scientific and effective standards for pesticide application and limits would promote the high-quality development of the P. ginseng industry.

Expression of Pinellia ternata leaf agglutinin under rolC promoter confers resistance against a phytophagous sap sucking aphid, Myzus persicae

BACKGROUND: Piercing/sucking insect pests in the order Hemiptera causes substantial crop losses by removing photoassimilates and transmitting viruses to their host plants. Cloning and heterologous expression of plantderived insect resistance genes is a promising approach to control aphids and other sap-sucking insect pests. While expression from the constitutive 35S promoter provides broad protection, the phloem-specific rolC promoter provides better defense against sap sucking insects. The selection of plant-derived insect resistance genes for expression in crop species will minimize bio-safety concerns. RESULTS: Pinellia ternata leaf agglutinin gene (pta), encodes an insecticidal lectin, was isolated and cloned under the 35S and rolC promoters in the pGA482 plant transformation vector for Agrobacterium-mediated tobacco transformation. Integration and expression of the transgene was validated by Southern blotting and qRT-PCR, respectively. Insect bioassays data of transgenic tobacco plants showed that expression of pta under rolC promoter caused 100% aphid mortality and reduced aphid fecundity up to 70% in transgenic tobacco line LRP9. These results highlight the better effectivity of pta under rolC promoter to control phloem feeders, aphids. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggested the potential of PTA against aphids and other sap sucking insect pests. Evaluation of gene in tobacco under two different promoters; 35S constitutive promoter and rolC phloemspecific promoter could be successfully use for other crop plants particularly in cotton. Development of transgenic cotton plants using plant-derived insecticidal, PTA, would be key step towards commercialization of environmentally safe insect-resistant crops.

Research Progress on Mosquitoes Control by Essential Oil of Artemisia argyi / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Artemisia argyi is a perennial aromatic herb. As been recorded in 2015 edition of Chinese Pharmacopoeia， it has the characteristics of warming meridian to stop bleeding，dispersing cold and relieving pain，and clearing dampness to stop itching in topical use. It contains a variety of active ingredients and has a wide range of edible and medicinal values. It mainly includes essential oil，flavonoids，polysaccharides，tannins and other compounds. The essential oil compounds have antioxidant，anti-inflammatory，anti-tumor and bacteriostatic biological activities. At the same time，they have activities of poisoning，repelling，antifeeding and affecting growth and development for the mosquitoes. In order to further study the activity of essential oil and its chemical components from A. argyi in mosquitoes control，and to improve the development and utilization of mosquito control products，we reviewed the functions of plant essential oil for mosquito control and the existing related dosage forms in this study. Simultaneously，we summarized the extraction methods， mosquito control functions and active ingredients of essential oil， with focus on the action mode and target objects of the active components in volatile oil monomers from A. argyi. Based on the current researches on essential oil of A. argyi in mosquitoes control，the existing problems were analyzed to provide references for the synthesis and application of plant insecticides，environment-friendly pesticides and new insecticides developed as green plant materials，and put forward the prospects on the development of new highly active A. argyi mosquitoes control products.

Investigation and Evaluation of Cultivation Status of Ligusticum chuanxiong in Sichuan / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective::To deeply understand important scientific problems and key technical problems in the cultivation of Chuanxiong, the Chuanxiong cultivation situation of 247 households in 23 towns of 5 counties in Sichuan province were investigated, providing basic data for the standardized cultivation of Chuanxiong. Method::On the basis of reported literatures, a questionnaire survey was conducted on the farmers of cultivating Chuanxiong in main producing areas, field measurements were also preformed, and the cultivation status of Chuanxiong was comprehensively analyzed. Result::The proportion of plain-breeding mainly existed in Pengzhou and Shifang, where per farmer had a small scale of planting areas, was 65%, while the proportion of mountain-breeding mainly existed in Meishan, Qionglai and Dujiangyan, where per proprietor had a large scale of planting areas, was 92%. The planting density and yield of Chuanxiong varied greatly among individuals. The growth period of Chuanxiong in Meishan and Qionglai is about 30 days shorter than that in Pengzhou, Shifang and Dujiangyan. About half of farmers applied base fertilizer and top dressing in spring. The proportion of NPK compound fertilizer input was high (>90%). Chuangxiong has a few diseases and insect pests, the incidence of which in new production areas was obviously lower than that in old production areas. The application of herbicide was not standardized. 52% farmers used Chu cao ling No.1 which was made by agricultural material store owners. The labor cost accounted for the highest proportion (37%) in Chuanxiong cultivation. Conclusion::Now in Sichuan clonal propagated patterns of Chuanxiong were both mountain-breeding and plain-breeding. It is suggested to make clear the differences between mountain-breeding nodes and plain-breeding nodes, and breed high qualities of Chuanxiong nodes. The mechanization research and production of Chuanxiong should be promoted, realizing timely planting and harvesting. Farmers should be guided to increase the application of organic fertilizer, and meanwhile standardize the application of agrochemicals.

Giant rhinoceros beetle Golofa claviger (Linnaeus) (Coleoptera: Melolonthidae: Dynastini) is damaging North Brazilian oil palm plantations

ABSTRACT The oil palm is an economically important crop cultivated in the North of Brazil. Damage caused by insects is one of the main causes of reduced productivity for the oil palm. Before this research, only the beetles of the family Curculionidae were considered to be oil palm pests in Brazil. However, for the first time, we report on the damage caused by a giant rhinoceros beetle to oil palm plantations in Pará, Brazil. The beetle was identified as Golofa claviger (Linnaeus, 1771), which has a single record in Brazil (Pará) but is widely distributed in South America. The species occurs in an unprecedentedly high abundance of local specimens. The attacks are concentrated on the central cluster of young palms. Feeding behavior is identified as the main cause of the damage as the beetles use their mouthparts to rip the plant tissues, causing wedge-shaped cuts on young fronds that have not yet unfurled. After an attack, the leaflets of the unfurled fronds are partially destroyed.

Isolation and characterization of Lepidoptera specific Bacillus thuringiensis strains predominantly from north-eastern states of India.

Both, the tobacco caterpillar Spodoptera litura (Fabricius) and the cotton bollworm Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner), are serious polyphagous pests causing considerable loss to crops. Indiscriminate use of chemical pesticides for controlling them has rather resulted in their resistance development. Microbial pesticides, Bacillus thuringiensis in particular, play an important role in pest management. Here, we isolated Bacillus thuringiensis-like bacteria from the soil samples primarily collected from North East region of India along with some states viz., Haryana, Punjab, Maharashtra, West Bengal and Uttarakhand and studied their toxicity against the above two insect pests at 10 µg/g along with standard strain B. thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki HD-1 and at 1 µg/g Pseudomonas fluorescens based MVPII expressing Cry1Ac toxin and AUG-5. Isolates AUG-5 and GTG-7 proved toxic to more than 75% larvae on the 4th as well as 7th day of the treatment of the neonates of H. armigera. The AUG-5 isolate was also effective against S. litura. Ten effective isolates (AUG-5, GTG-4, GTG-7, GTG-9, GTG-42, GTG-64, GTG-70, GTG-3S, GTG-4S and GTG-6S) were characterized using biochemical and 16S rDNA analysis. Nearly, all the isolates tested positive for utilizing monosaccharides. All selected B. thuringiensis isolates showed resistance to ampicillin and co-trimoxazole except AUG-5 to co-trimoxazole. AUG-5 and GTG-7 were highly toxic to both insects, and possessed cry1, cry1A and cry2 genes. These isolates AUG-5 and GTG-7 also contained high Cry1Ac (104.8 and 88.32 ng/mg) and Cry2Ab (3792 and 1305.9 ng/mg), respectively in their spore-crystal complex. Both, AUG-5 and GTG-7 isolates, could be considered for further development as bioinsecticides. The present study has established the diversity and richness of B. thuringiensis-like isolates in soils collected from north-eastern region of India.

Progress in improvement of continuous monoculture cropping problem in Panax ginseng by controlling soil-borne disease management / 中国中药杂志

The continuous monoculture cropping problem severely has hindered the land resource of Panax ginseng cultivation and threatened the sustainable development of ginseng industry. There are comprehensive factors causing the continuous monoculture cropping problem, such as deterioration of soil physical and chemical properties, accumulation of allelochemical, increase of pesticide residue and heavy metal, imbalance of rhizospheric micro-ecosystem, and increase of soil-borne diseases. Among soil-borne disease was one of the key factors. More than 40 soil-borne diseases have been reported in the ginseng cultivation, especially, the diseases were more serious in the ginseng replanting land. Here main soil-borne diseases and their prevention way have been summarized, and we try to provide the effective improvement strategy of continuous monoculture cropping problem focusing on the disease control and offer reference for overcoming the ginseng continuous monoculture cropping problem.

Biological activity of Dolichos biflorus L. trypsin inhibitor against lepidopteran insect pests.

Protease inhibitors confer resistance in plants against insect pests by inhibiting larval gut proteases. Cultivars of Dolichos biflorus were screened for their inhibitory activity against midgut proteases of Pieris brassicae larvae. Seed extracts of developing and germinating seeds of HPK4 cultivar inhibited larval gut proteases of Spodoptera littoralis efficiently. Neonate larvae of P. brassicae fed on cabbage leaf discs coated with 0.025-2.50 mg protein (seed extract) resulted in 10-80% larval mortality and significantly reduced leaf area eaten and faecal matter as compared to control. The treated larvae had 40% less soluble proteins per mg faecal matter and there was similar decline in midgut proteases of treated larvae (@ 2.5 mg protein) compared to untreated ones after 5 days. The LC50 and LT50 value was calculated to be 1.05 mg/leaf disc and 4.8 days (2.5 mg protein), respectively for neonate larvae of P. brassicae. Significant reduction in egg hatching (75%) was observed in egg mass treated with 5.3 mg of crude inhibitor protein of mature seeds. This could be due to the inhibition of proteases involved in the hydrolysis of egg chorion proteins. The studies demonstrated the insecticidal activity of D. biflorus seed extracts.

Molecular characterization of brinjal shoot and fruit borer, Leucinodes orbonalis (Guenée) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) based on mitochondrial marker cytochrome oxidase I and their phylogenetic relationship.

Shoot and fruit borer, Leucinodes orbonalis is an important insect pest infesting brinjal or eggplant in India. Molecular characterization of nine different populations belonging to various brinjal growing regions was done using Cytochorome C Oxidase I (COI) gene. Nucleotide analysis of genetic diversity and phylogenetic analysis of the COI indicate that the L. orbonalis from different geographical regions are homogenous. The results showed less nucleotide diversity (π = 0.007895) and overall mean distance (0.008±0.003). Topologies of neighbour-joining (NJ) trees indicate all the populations belong to single major clade. Therefore, it is inferred that there was no significant molecular diversity within L. orbonalis of different geographical locations of India with respect to COI.

Occurrence of Enneothrips flavens moulton and Stegasta bosquella (Chambers) and its effects on agronomic traits of wild Arachis accessions / Ocorrência de Enneothrips flavens moulton e Stegasta bosquella (Chambers) e seus efeitos em caracteres agronômicos de acessos de espécies silvestres de arachis

Some wild species of the genus Arachis have demonstrated potential for improvement of peanuts. This work was performed to evaluate the occurrence and symptoms of Enneothrips flavens and Stegasta bosquella and its effects on agronomic traits of wild Arachis accessions. Nine accessions of wild Arachis species and a commercial A. hypogaea variety were studied in a split plot statistical scheme with a completely randomized block design and four replications. The main plots consisted of plants sprayed or not sprayed for insect control, while the subplots comprised the peanut accessions. Accessions GKP10017 (A. cardenasii) and V7639 (A. kuhlmannii) showed the lowest percentages of leaflets with E. flavens and S. bosquella. Accessions V9912, V7639 and V8979 (all three A. kuhlmannii) and V13250 (A. kempff-mercadoi) showed the lowest responses to insecticide application among the various plant traits evaluated. These accessions are of interest for further studies to identify mechanisms of resistance, to be used in breeding programs for resistance to these insects.

Algumas espécies silvestres do gênero Arachis têm demonstrado potencial para melhoramento do amendoim cultivado. Objetivou-se avaliar a ocorrência e os sintomas de Enneothrips flavens e Stegasta bosquella e seus efeitos nos caracteres agronômicos de acessos de Arachis spp. O delineamento estatístico utilizado foi o de blocos ao acaso, em esquema de parcelas subdivididas, sendo a aplicação ou não de inseticidas as parcelas e os acessos (dez materiais) as subparcelas, com quatro repetições. Os acessos GKP10017 (A. cardenasii) e V7639 (A. kuhlmannii) apresentaram as menores percentagens de folíolos com presença de E. flavens e S. bosquella e os acessos V9912, V7639 e V8979 (todos A. kuhlmannii) e V13250 (A. kempff-meradoi) se destacaram por apresentarem baixa resposta em relação à aplicação de inseticidas nos diferentes parâmetros avaliados. Esses acessos são de interesse para estudar os possíveis mecanismos de resistência às pragas e aproveitá-los em programas de melhoramento visando resistência.

Occurrence of the stinkbug Edessa meditabunda F. (Pentatomidae) in differents cultivars of lettuce Lactuca sativa L. (Asteraceae) / Ocorrência do percevejo Edessa meditabunda F. (Pentatomidae) em diferentes cultivares de alface Lactuca sativa L.(Asterace)

There are few research involving vegetables pests, especially when we consider the culture of lettuce (Lactuca sativa). Thus, the aim of this study was to verify the presence of stinkbugs Edessa meditabunda over four cultivars of lettuce. The experiment was conducted in field conditions in the vegetable garden of farm Florentino, Novo Progresso, south Pará State (7°07'45.71"S 55°23'21.13"W), between the months october and december 2010. We used four cultivars of lettuce: Elba (curly group), Teresa (american group), Regina (smooth group), and Mimosa (clippings group). The samplings of stinkbugs were made in december, when the plants had 30 days after transplantation. In each cultivar was randomly selected one lettuce plant per line, totaling 10 plants sampled from each cultivar/day and 30 plants per cultivar during all samplings. The data were submitted to analysis of variance and the averages were compared by Tukey test at 5% probability. Were collected 443 adults, 127 nymphs and 50 postures of E. meditabunda.The results shows that the incidence of adults was higher in cultivars Elba (curly group) and Teresa(american group) (p<0,001) and the abundance of nymphs and postures of E. meditabunda were statistically higher in the cultivar Elba (curly group) than others cultivars (p<0,001), indicating the preference of stinkbugs for these cultivars. Considering the few studies conducted with E. meditabunda, and this being the first to obtain information about the occurrence of stinkbugs attacking different cultivars of lettuce, we suggest further studies to evaluate the physiological and morphological effects caused by these insects in lettuce.

Pesquisas envolvendo pragas de hortaliças são escassas, principalmente quando consideramos a cultura da alface. Assim, este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a presença de percevejos Edessa meditabundaF.em quatro cultivares de alface. O experimento foi conduzido em condições de campo, na horta da Fazenda Florentino, município de Novo Progresso, sul do Estado do Pará, Brasil (7°07'45.71"S 55°23'21.13"W), entre os meses de outubro e dezembro de 2010. Foramutilizadas quatro cultivares de alface, sendo elas: Elba (do grupo crespa), Teresa (do grupo americana), Regina (do grupo lisa) e Mimosa (do grupo repicada). As coletas de percevejos foram realizadas em dezembro, quando as plantas já apresentavam 30 dias de transplante. Em cada cultivar foi sorteado uma planta de alface por linha, totalizando 10 plantas amostradas em cada cultivar/dia e 30 plantas por cultivar durante todas as coletas. Os dados foram submetidos à análise de variância e as médias comparadas pelo teste de Tukey a 5% de probabilidade. Foram coletados 443 adultos, 127 ninfas e 50 posturas de E. meditabunda. Os resultados mostram que a incidência de adultos foi maior nas cultivares Elba (crespa) e Teresa (americana) (p<0,001) e que a abundância de ninfas e posturas de E. meditabunda foram maiores na cultivar Elba (crespa) quando comparados com as outras cultivares (p<0,001), indicando a preferência dos percevejos por estas cultivares. Considerando a escassez de trabalhos sobre E. meditabundaem alface, e sendo este o primeiro a obter informações sobre a ocorrência deste percevejo em diferentes cultivares, fica como sugestão para posteriores estudos, analisar os efeitos fisiológicos e morfológicos que E. meditabunda causa sobre as diferentes cultivares de alface.

Qualidade de sementes de milho armazenadas em diferentes embalagens / Maize seed quality after storage in different packages

O armazenamento é parte decisiva para a produção de sementes de alta qualidade. Com o objetivo de avaliar a qualidade física, fisiológica e sanitária de sementes de três variedades de milho armazenadas durante seis meses, em embalagens plásticas e em sacos de algodão, foram realizadas determinações da perda de peso, da quantificação de danos por insetos e do teste de germinação e sanidade. No armazenamento em embalagens plásticas, observou-se redução na germinação, porém o dano por insetos foi menor. O armazenamento em saco de algodão proporcionou redução na qualidade das sementes, pela presença de insetos-praga e pela alta incidência de fungos do gênero Fusarium, Penicillium e Aspergillus, exceto para a variedade Pururuca Branco. O armazenamento em embalagens plásticas possibilitou a manutenção da qualidade das sementes, tendo uma menor incidência de insetos e de fungos em comparação com sacos de algodão. As variedades Caiano e Pururuca Branco apresentaram comportamento diferenciado em relação às embalagens utilizadas.

The storage is a decisive part of seed production of high quality. The objective of this study was to evaluate the physical, physiological and sanitary quality of three maize varieties seeds, stored for six months in plastic packaging and cotton bags. Germination, quantification of insect damage and seed health were evaluated. In the plastic packaging storage, were observed reduction in the germination, but the presence of insect pests was lower. The storage in cotton bag reduced the seeds quality, due to the presence of insect pests and the high incidence of Fusarium, Penicillium and Aspergillus. The storage in plastic package provided the maintenance of seeds quality, with a lower incidence of insects and fungi when compared to the cotton bags. The varieties showed different answers in relation to the packages used.

Hongos patógenos de insectos en Argentina (Zygomycetes: Entomophthorales) / Pathogenic fungi of insects from Argentina (Zygomycetes: Entomophthorales)

Three species of Entomophthorales entomopathogenic fungi (Zygomycotina: Zygomycetes) have been identified from insects in agricultural crops (Buenos Aires Province, Argentina): Zoophthora radicans Batko (Brefeld); Entomophthora planchoniana Cornu and Pandora gammae (Weiser) Humber. Fungal structure measurements are reported.

Se informa de tres especies de hongos Entomophthorales en insectos encontrados en cultivos agrícolas en la Provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina: Zoophthora radicans Batko (Brefeld); Entomophthora planchoniana Cornu y Pandora gammae (Weiser) Humber. Se incluyen las medidas de las estructuras fúngicas.

Insetos associados à cultura da soja no estado do Acre, Brasil

The soybean crop is increasing in the northern region of Brazil and it is in adaptation to local conditions of the State of Acre, which raises the possibility of occurrence of insect pests. For this reason soybean pests and their natural enemies were studied in eleven soybean cultivars planted in strips of 40 8m (320m2) in 3520m2. An area of 80m2 in each strip received no insecticide. Four samplings were made each week in each strip (two samplings were made on each controlled and non controlled areas) with a beating cloth method. Stink bug eggs were collected aiming to evaluate parasitoidism level of soybean pests. The most abundant insect was Cerotoma tingomarianus Bechyné (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), with higher defoliation in the non controled area, while main predators were Lebia concinna Germar (Coleoptera: Carabidae), Callida sp. (Coleoptera: Carabidae) and Tropiconabis sp. (Hemiptera: Nabidae). Main seed sucking bugs were Piezodorus guildinii Westwood (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) and Euschistus heros Fabr. (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), with parasitoidism of 39.9 and 53.3% of eggs of those bugs, respectively. Telenomus podisi Ashmead (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) was the most frequent parasitoid with 94.5 and 100.0% of eggs of P. guildinii and E. heros parasitized by this natural enemy respectively.

A soja é uma cultura em expansão na região Norte e, no Estado do Acre está em fase de adaptação, o que pode levar ao surgimento de insetos e o comprometimento da produção dessa oleaginosa. Por isto, estudou-se a incidência de pragas e de seus inimigos naturais em onze cultivares de soja, em faixas de 40 8m (320m2), em uma área de 3520m2. Em cada faixa monitorada, delimitou-se uma área de 80m2, onde não houve controle de pragas. Semanalmente, foram realizadas, em cada cultivar, duas amostragens na área pulverizada com inseticidas e duas em área não pulverizada, utilizando-se o método do pano de batida. Além disso, foram coletados ovos de percevejos-praga para determinação do nível de parasitoidismo dos mesmos. O principal inseto desfolhador foi Cerotoma tingomarianus Bechyné (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), que causou maior desfolha nas áreas não pulverizadas, enquanto Lebia concinna Germar (Coleoptera: Carabidae), Callida sp. (Coleoptera: Carabidae) e Tropiconabis sp. (Hemiptera: Nabidae) foram os predadores mais observados. Os percevejos sugadores de sementes mais representativos foram Piezodorus guildinii Westwood (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) e Euschistus heros Fabr. (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), que tiveram 39,9 e 53,3% de seus ovos parasitoidados, sendo 94,5 e 100,0% do parasitoidismo dos ovos desses percevejos efetuado pelo microhimenóptero Telenomus podisi Ashmead (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae).