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Simple Summary: The navel orangeworm, Amyelois transitella, is the principal pest of pistachio and almond in California. The timing of insecticide applications is challenging because there is no model to predict when pistachio is vulnerable to infestation; therefore, it is difficult to decide when to intensify scouting orchards when making application decisions. Sixteen years of flight data were analyzed (541,892 adults) to determine if there was a predictable pattern in flight activity from the beginning of the year. A pattern was found using degree days, a measurement of heat accumulation, with the count starting at the beginning of the year. The goal is to be able to scout orchards to identify pistachio vulnerability before peak insect pressure. A common starting point was identified that occurred 944.4 degree days °C from 1 January each year. This starting point, also known as a biofix, remained consistent despite the changes in trap lures and the expansion of almond and pistachio hectarage that occurred over the 16-year period. This information can be used to predict flights each year, thereby increasing scouting efficiency because nut vulnerability can be determined before peak pressure. The navel orangeworm, Amyelois transitella, is the principal pest of pistachio and almond in California. The timing of the insecticide application is challenging because there is no model that predicts when pistachio is vulnerable to infestation. Sixteen years of pistachio flight data from Madera and Fresno counties (541,892 adults) were analyzed to determine if there was a consistent starting point each year for flights that overlap pistachio vulnerability. This effort was complicated by changes in trap lures over this period, as unmated females were replaced by a combination lure consisting of the synthetic pheromone and phenyl propionate, which is needed because mating disruption suppresses pheromone lure trap capture. There were two additional complications: the increased degree day accumulation during the growing season and the three-fold hectarage expansion of pistachio. A biofix at 944.4 degree days °C from the beginning of the year was identified from the dataset, which was consistent across all years in both counties. Using the biofix, subsequent flight peaks occurred at 277.78 degree day °C intervals (generation time on new crop pistachios), corresponding to three weeks in the field. This biofix can be used to improve the timing of field scouting, which in turn will improve the timing of insecticide application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The production of chitin generates wastewater containing high content of organic compounds, nutrients, and salinity, thus a biofilm system including anaerobic–anoxic–aerobic bioreactors was employed. This study aims to evaluate the performance of Stick-bed Biofix and Swim-bed Biofringe added to bioreactors as a biomass carrier in order to enhance biomass concentration. The results indicated that the organic removal has been insignificantly affected by high salinity, the removal efficiency was obtained at 95 ± 2% corresponding to a rate of 5.78 ± 1.10 kg COD/m3/d. Otherwise, the nitrogen removal rate was achieved at around 0.45 ± 0.17 kg N/m3/d and strongly decreased to 0.24 ± 0.10 kg N/m3/d under high salinity of 18,000 mg/L and a high loading rate of 1.03 ± 0.10 kg N/m3/d. Phosphorus removal was obtained at 0.032–0.057 kg P/m3/d and decreased by 1.5 times when the salinity is over 10,000 mg/L although the influent load was strongly reduced by pre-treatment. Besides, the biofilm system can also remove around 50% of calcium ions which causes high salinity in chitin production wastewater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chilo partellus Swinhoe 1885 (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) is a serious pest of maize in many parts of the world. It was reported for the first time in 2014 in the Mediterranean part of Turkey. Degree-Day (DD) models were developed to predict seasonal dynamics in maize fields using 3-parameter 'Boltzman' and a 4-parameter Logistic regressions. Larval/plant counts were monitored in pesticide-free maize fields in Adana, Turkey from 2017 to 2019. Depending on the year, the first record of C. partellus was between 03-14 May, corresponding to ~ 9-12 DD accumulated from 01 May. There were two main peaks; one in each of the maize growing seasons. The models accurately predicted the phenology of C. partellus with an Adj. R 2 greater than 0.80. The 'Boltzman' regression had lower AICc, ΔAICc and Wі values than the logistic regression. Based on the 'Boltzman' model, 50% of the accumulated larvae/plant count for the first and second generations (peaks) occurred at 80DD and 375DD, 81DD and 413DD, and 54DD and 289DD in 2017, 2018 and 2019, respectively. For the logistic regression model, 50% of the accumulated larvae/plant counts occurred for the first and second generation at 90DD and 362DD, 62DD, and 45DD and 250DD in 2017, 2018, and 2019, respectively. Both these models could play a crucial role in the integrated pest management (IPM) of C. partellus in maize fields in Mediterranean regions.

Gram pod borer, Helicoverpa armigera is a serious insect pest of pigeonpea and chickpea crops, responsible for huge economic losses. Timely forecasting and subsequent sensible management practices of H. armigera would save the crops from economic damage. In the present study, H. armigera larval incidence data was recorded from sixteen pigeonpea and chickpea growing locations (Maharashtra, India) for three seasons (2015, 2016 and 2017). Observed accumulated GDD (from 40 SMW to 7 SMW) revealed, H. armigera completed one generation in 29 days to develop 4 generations across the locations and seasons. After accumulating 86GDD (40 SMW) and 62 GDD (43 SMW), larval 'biofix' (initial incidence of larvae) was started in pigeonpea and chickpea, respectively. Logistic regression model estimated accumulated GDD required by H. armigera larvae to reach ETL in pigeonpea (629 GDD) and chickpea (378 GDD), which was same as observed accumulated GDD. Statistical criteria viz., Adjusted r², AIC and BIC projected logistic regression model as a better performer in most cases. The geographically unique models developed based on biofix and accumulated GDD in this study can be used for timely advisories and sustainable management of H. armigera in pigeonpea and chickpea crops after field validation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chilo partellus Swinhoe 1885 (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) is a serious pest of maize in many parts of the world. It was reported for the first time in 2014 in the Mediterranean part of Turkey. Degree-Day (DD) models were developed to predict seasonal dynamics in maize fields using 3-parameter 'Boltzman' and a 4-parameter Logistic regressions. Larval/plant counts were monitored in pesticide-free maize fields in Adana, Turkey from 2017 to 2019. Depending on the year, the first record of C. partellus was between 03-14 May, corresponding to ~ 9-12 DD accumulated from 01 May. There were two main peaks; one in each of the maize growing seasons. The models accurately predicted the phenology of C. partellus with an Adj. R 2 greater than 0.80. The 'Boltzman' regression had lower AICc, ΔAICc and Wi values than the logistic regression. Based on the 'Boltzman' model, 50% of the accumulated larvae/plant count for the first and second generations (peaks) occurred at 80DD and 375DD, 81DD and 413DD, and 54DD and 289DD in 2017, 2018 and 2019, respectively. For the logistic regression model, 50% of the accumulated larvae/plant counts occurred for the first and second generation at 90DD and 362DD, 62DD, and 45DD and 250DD in 2017, 2018, and 2019, respectively. Both these models could play a crucial role in the integrated pest management (IPM) of C. partellus in maize fields in Mediterranean regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Temperature-based degree-day models describe insect seasonality and to predict key phenological events. We expand on the use of a temperature-based process defining timing of reproduction through the incorporation of female reproductive physiology for the invasive pentatomid species Halyomorpha halys, the brown marmorated stink bug. A five-stage ranking system based on ovary development was able to distinguish between the reproductive statuses of field-collected females. Application of this ranking method described aspects of H. halys' seasonality, overwintering biology, and phenology across geographic locations. Female H. halys were collected in the US from NJ, WV, NC, OR, and two sites in PA in 2006-2008 (Allentown, PA only) and 2012-2014. Results identify that H. halys enters reproductive diapause in temperate locations in the fall and that a delay occurs in developmental maturity after diapause termination in the spring. Modification of the Snyder method to identify biofix determined 12.7-hr photoperiod as the best fit to define initiation of reproduction in the spring. Applying the biofix, we demonstrated significant differences between locations for the rate at which the overwintering generation transition into reproductive status and the factors contributing to this difference require further study. For example, after including abiotic variables influencing development such as temperature and photoperiod (critical diapause cue), reproduction occurred earlier in OR and for an extended period in NJ. This data describe a method to investigate insect seasonality by incorporating physiological development across multiple regions that can clarify phenology for insects with overlapping generations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluated the symbiotic effectiveness and economic evaluation of Rhizobium inoculants with the objective of recommending the most effective inoculant strain for soybean and cowpea production in Northern Ghana. Field experiments were established in three locations using randomized complete block design with 5 blocks. A total of four treatments (Legumefix, Biofix, 100 kg N ha-1 and uninoculated control for soybean and BR 3267, BR 3262, 100 kg N ha-1 and uninoculated control for cowpea) were applied. At Nyankpala, inoculation of soybean with Legumefix and Biofix led to significant (P < 0.05) increases in nodule number (90 – 118 %), nodule dry weight (>2 folds) and grain yield (12 – 19 %) relative to the control. The Biofix effect on soybean grain yield was 1.5 fold of Legumefix. Similarly, inoculation of cowpea with BR 3262 and BR 3267 significantly (P < 0.05) increased nodule number (41-68%), nodule dry weight (45-65%) and grain yield (11 – 38 %) relative to the control. Strain BR 3267 performed consistently (>2 folds) better than BR 3262 on grain yield. At Nyagli, there was no significant effect of inoculation on cowpea. Wilks lambda values (0.067, 0.039; p = 0.00) indicated that 93.3 and 96.1 % of the variations observed in soybean and cowpea, respectively were due to the applied inoculants. Biofix and BR 3267 were economically profitable with VCR ratio of 8.7 and 4.6, respectively. Based on grain yield and economic returns observed, Biofix and BR 3267 can be recommended in Nyankpala for inoculation of soybean and cowpea, respectively.

This study evaluated the symbiotic effectiveness and economic evaluation of Rhizobium inoculants with the objective of recommending the most effective inoculant strain for soybean and cowpea production in Northern Ghana. Field experiments were established in three locations using randomized complete block design with five blocks. A total of four treatments (Legumefix, Biofix, 100 kg N ha-1 and uninoculated control for soybean and BR 3267, BR 3262, 100 kg N ha-1 and uninoculated control for cowpea) were applied. At Nyankpala, inoculation of soybean with Legumefix and Biofix led to significant (P < 0.05) increases in nodule number (90-118%), nodule dry weight (>twofolds), and grain yield (12-19%) relative to the control. The Biofix effect on soybean grain yield was 1.5-fold of Legumefix. Similarly, inoculation of cowpea with BR 3262 and BR 3267 significantly (P < 0.05) increased nodule number (41-68%), nodule dry weight (45-65%), and grain yield (11-38%) relative to the control. Strain BR 3267 performed consistently (>two-folds) better than BR 3262 on grain yield. At Nyagli, there was no significant effect of inoculation on cowpea. Wilks lambda values (0.067, 0.039; P D 0.00) indicated that 93.3 and 96.1% of the variations observed in soybean and cowpea, respectively, were due to the applied inoculants. Biofix and BR 3267 were economically profitable with VCR ratio of 8.7 and 4.6, respectively. Based on grain yield and economic returns observed, Biofix and BR 3267 can be recommended in Nyankpala for inoculation of soybean and cowpea, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Single-stage nitrogen removal using Anammox and partial nitritation (SNAP) is a novel technology developed in recent years for removing nitrogen. To evaluate the ability of SNAP technology to remove nitrogen in old landfill leachate under the conditions in Vietnam, we conducted a survey with 7 different nitrogen loading rates of 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, 1.0, 1.2, 1.4 kg-N/m3 day and a concentration from 100 to 700 mg-N/L. The operating conditions were as follows: DO at 1.0-5.3 mg/L, HRT at 12 h, and pH at 7.5-7.8. The biomass carrier was a biofix made from acrylic fiber. The maximum ammonium conversion and nitrogen removal efficiency were approximately 98% and 85%, respectively, at 1.2 kg-N/m3 day. In general, the nitrogen removal efficiency increased and stabilized at the end of each loading rate. The first step showed that SNAP could potentially be applied in real life for removing nitrogen from old landfill leachate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adoption of legume inoculation with rhizobia by small-scale farmers in East Africa, and the resultant increase in biological nitrogen fixation requires that quality inoculants meet minimum standards. BIOFIX is one of the commercially available rhizobia/legume inoculants in East Africa, whose standard is at least 109 rhizobia g-1. We examined the effect of carrier material and storage conditions on the populations of two industry standard rhizobia, Bradyrhizobium japonicum USDA 110 for soybean (Glycine max) and Rhizobium tropici CIAT 899 for common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) over 165 days, using the drop plate method on Congo Red Yeast Extract Mannitol Agar. Viable populations of rhizobia differed significantly between carriers and rhizobia strains (P<0.05). Rhizobium tropici CIAT899, prepared with filter mud carrier, achieved a shelf-life of 135 days and B. japonicum USDA110 contained over 109 cells g-1 for 105 days. Both of these results fall below the stated six months expiry period of BIOFIX. Replacing filter mud carrier with vermiculite, resulted in an inferior product; although, both more thorough sterilisation and refrigerated storage, after a 14 day curing stage, improved the shelf-life thizobia in the inoculant packet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Multiple techniques and implants are available for all-inside meniscal repair, but the knowledge about their failure rates and functional outcome is still incomplete. The hypothesis was that there might be differences between meniscal arrows and suture devices regarding reoperation rates and functional outcome. Thereby, the aim of this study was to compare clinical results following repair with the Biofix arrows or the FasT-Fix suture devices. Methods: In this RCT, 46 patients were treated either by Biofix ( n = 21) or FasT-Fix ( n = 25). The main outcome was reoperation within 2 years. Knee function and activity level were evaluated by KOOS and Tegner activity scale. Results: Twelve out of 46 (26 %) patients were reoperated within 2 years, nine out of 21 (43 %) in the Biofix-group versus three out of 25 (12 %) in the FasT-Fix-group ( p = 0.018). The relative risk of reoperation was 3.6 times higher for Biofix compared to FasT-Fix (95 % confidence interval 1.1-11.5). Both treatment groups had significant increase in all KOOS subscales, but there were no major differences between the groups. The subgroup of reoperated patients differed from the other patients with higher Tegner score preoperatively (median 5 vs. 4) ( p = 0.037) and at 3-month follow-up (median 4 vs. 3) ( p = 0.010). Conclusions: These results indicate that FasT-Fix suture is superior to Biofix arrows with significant lower failure rate. Functional outcome did not depend on repair technique. Higher activity score preoperatively and at 3-month follow-up in the reoperated patients indicates that activity level may influence on the risk of reoperation. Level of evidence: I. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scouting at key times in the seasonal development of insect pest populations, as guided by degree-day accumulation, is important for minimizing unwarranted insecticide application. Fields of small grains in northern Utah were censused weekly from 2001 to 2011, to assess infestation by the cereal leaf beetle, Oulema melanopus (L.) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), and develop degree-day guidelines for measuring cereal leaf beetle abundance at peak egg and larval densities in any given year. Even in years of high overall numbers of cereal leaf beetle, relatively few fields were heavily infested (with 20 or more cereal leaf beetle eggs + larvae per 0.09 m²) at either egg or larval peak density during the growing season. In individual fields, the number of immature cereal leaf beetle (eggs + larvae) at peak larval density was positively related to the number of immature cereal leaf beetles present earlier at peak egg density. Although there was large variation among years in when cereal leaf beetle egg and larval numbers peaked during the season as measured by degree-day accumulation from 1 January, much of this variation was accounted for by the warmth of the early spring before significant egg laying occurred. Hence, degree-day estimates that account for early spring warmth can guide growers in scouting grain fields at peak egg densities to identify fields at high risk of subsequent economic damage from cereal leaf beetle larval feeding. The relatively low incidence of fields heavily infested by cereal leaf beetle in northern Utah emphasizes the benefit that growers can gain by scouting early before applying insecticide treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Codling moth, Cydia pomonella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), is a major pest of apple, pear and walnut production in North America. Management programs are based on preventing larval entry into the fruit or nut and are typically timed by heat-driven models that are synchronized to field populations by first capture of overwintering moths in pheromone traps. Unfortunately, trap capture is affected by a range of environmental parameters as well as by the use of mating disruption, which makes detecting first flight difficult, thus complicating implementation of management programs. The present goal was to evaluate data collected from a broad range of locations across North America to see whether average first spring emergence times could be predicted. Results Average emergence time on a degree-day scale from 1 January was predictable using latitude and elevation. Sites at elevations of <400 m fit a simple quadratic equation using latitude, but, when higher elevations were included, a multiple regression using elevation was required. Conclusions The present models can be used to simplify management programs for codling moth in areas where heat-driven models that require extensive trapping to synchronize with emergence are currently used. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The plum curculio, Conotrachelus nenuphar (Herbst) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), is a key pest of peaches, Prunus persica (L.) Batsch, in North America. Captures of adult weevils in unbaited pyramid traps recorded annually from 2000 to 2008 in an unmanaged peach orchard in central Alabama were used to determine its seasonal occurrence and to develop predictive degree-day models. Spring migration of plum curculio began at bloom (early to mid-March). Linear, polynomial, and three-parameter Weibull functions were tested to describe the relationship between weekly trap capture and cumulative degree-day (DD). Criteria used to select the best models were the smallest Akaike information criterion and highest R² values. A sixth-order polynomial function fitted best to seasonal trap captures and cumulative DDs and revealed two major seasonal peaks with the first (spring generation) and second (summer generation) peaks occurring at cumulative DDs of ≈245 and 1105 (base 10°C, biofix of 1 January), respectively. A potential third (late summer generation) peak was observed at 1758 DDs. The sixth-order polynomial model predicted the first trap capture to occur at cumulative DD of ≈99 (base 10°C, biofix of 1 January). The three-parameter Weibull model predicted the first trap and first peak (spring generation) trap captures to occur at mean cumulative DDs of 108.02 ± 9 and 220.07 ± 16, respectively. Validation of the models in the unmanaged orchard in 2009 and 2010 and in a second unmanaged orchard (located 1.6 km from the first) in 2009 showed that the polynomial and Weibull were within ±7 d in their predictions of the first and peak trap captures of the spring population. Validation results showed that both models successfully predicted the first trap capture in one out of three scenarios and the peak trap capture in two out of three scenarios. The performance of the models is discussed in relation to management of plum curculio in central Alabama. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Field observations from pecan, Carya illinoinensi.s (Wangenh.) Koch, orchards in Texas were used to develop and validate a degree–day model of cumulative proportional adult flight and oviposition and date of first observed nut entry by larvae of the first summer generation of the pecan nut casebearer, Acrobasis nuxvorella Nuenzig (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae). The model was initiated on the date of first sustained capture of adults in pheromone traps. Mean daily maximum and minimum temperatures were used to determine the sum of degree–days from onset to 99% moth flight and oviposition and the date on which first summer generation larvae were first observed penetrating pecan nuts. Cumulative proportional oviposition (y) was described by a modified Gompertz equation, y = 106.05 X exp(–(exp(3.11 0.00669 X (x 1)))), with x = cumulative degree–days at a base temperature of 3.33°C. Cumulative proportional moth flight (y) was modeled as y = 102.62 X exp(–(exp(1.49 0.00571 X (x 1)))). Model prediction error for dates of 10, 25, 50, 75, and 90% cumulative oviposition was 1.3 d and 83% of the predicted dates were within ± 2 d of the observed event. Prediction error for date of first observed nut entry was 2.2 d and 77% of model predictions were within ±2 d of the observed event. The model provides ample lead time for producers to implement orchard scouting to assess pecan nut casebearer infestations and to apply an insecticide if needed to prevent economic loss. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The heat-driven phenology model used for initiating codling moth, Cydia pomonella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), management in Washington state was examined to determine the need for using the capture of the first moth as a method of synchronizing the model and phenology of field populations (=biofix). We examined trap catch data taken at 1-2-d intervals from two research orchards; one data set encompassed a 28-yr period and the other data set a 4-yr period. We also examined consultant-collected data taken at 7-10-d intervals from 15 sites (N = 81), mostly between 2001 and 2005. At the two research sites, we found the mean biofix occurred at 96 degree-days (DD) (DD Celsius by using 10°C lower threshold and 31.1°C horizontal upper threshold) after 1 January (SD = 14.4; mm. = 68, max = 122). After correcting for longer sampling intervals in the consultant data set, the biofix at the nonresearch sites occurred at 97 DD (N = 50, SD = 14.4; mi = 74, max = 120), nearly identical to that at the research sites. We also examined the performance of the codling moth model at predicting moth flight and egg hatch using a biofix and by just accumulating heat units from 1 January. The model performance was similar in both generations regardless of whether a biofix was used. The elimination of biofix simplifies management and eliminates mistakes associated with poor trap catch, particularly in low-pressure situations where mating disruption reduces trap efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous work documented seasonal field response dynamics of Euschistus conspersus Uhler (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) to Euschistus spp. pheromone [methyl (2 E,4 Z)-decadienoate]-baited traps in California processing tomatoes, Lycopersicon esculentum (Miller) (Solanaceae). A laboratory phenology model has been reported for E. conspersus egg incubation to adult emergence. In the present work, reproductive and thoracic dissections were performed on female E. conspersus collected year-round from seasonal habitats in California's Central Valley. We used these dissection data to establish relationships between the morphology of E. conspersus and time of year, habitat, sample recovery method, and female attraction to pheromone traps in commercial tomato fields. All ovariole categories, sexually immature through postreproductive, were recorded for females collected from tomatoes by plant-beating sample throughout the growing season. Conversely, pheromone trap captures in tomatoes over the same period revealed that females entering the traps were exclusively reproductively active with matured eggs. We conclude that early season female-biased E. conspersus pheromone trap catch can be used to establish a ‘biofix’ from which to accumulate degree days and forecast nymphal development in the field. Focusing control efforts on the more susceptible nymph stages may improve efficacy of reduced-risk insecticides such as the neonicotinoids. Thoracic dissection results, with no significant difference in flight muscle size or color by ovariole condition, failed to support our hypothesis of a life history trade-off between female reproductive activity and flight capability to explain a decline in female pheromone trap response during the mid-summer tomato-fruiting stages. The adaptive value of the observed retention of E. conspersus flight capability over the calendar year, and across reproductive stages, is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]