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Climate change favors the establishment of new pests in Germany, which now find suitable habitats here due to the changed climate. Field locusts occur repeatedly as agricultural pests in southern European countries. Therefore, it is investigated whether the climate change-induced northward shift of warmer zones can create climatically suitable habitats for field locusts in Germany and whether agricultural areas can be affected by this. The CLIMEX software is used to model the possible distribution of the Italian locust (Calliptamus italicus (L., 1758)), the Moroccan locust (Dociostaurus maroccanus (Thunberg, 1815)) and the Migratory locust (Locusta migratoria (L., 1758)) for 20 locations in Germany in six scenarios. These result from the combination of the two observation periods 2021 - 2050 and 2071 - 2100 with the three climate projections RCP2.6, RCP4.5 and RCP8.5. Based on the study, C. italicus is expected to spread widely in Germany, whereas D. maroccanus and L. migratoria might form only small and local populations. Locust swarms can potentially threaten crop products on around 10 - 25% of the agricultural area in Germany at the sites considered, but are unlikely to occur, since the intensive use of grassland areas provides insufficient conditions for reproduction. The creation of lager fallow areas as part of environmental protection and climate adaptation measures could change this in the future. In addition, swarm formation in neighbouring countries and possible migration routes to Germany should be investigated. Furthermore, the development of concepts for prevention and intervention in the event of a locust invasion is recommended. Overall, however, a low risk potential of field locusts for German agriculture is currently assumed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fumigation with phosphine (PH3) is one of the most effective ways of control insect and mite pests in stored agricultural products. However, the excessive and incorrect use of this active ingredient has led to the development of resistant insects towards phosphine fumigation, which makes it much more difficult to control an infestation and, in the worst case, can lead to the total loss of the stored products. In case of an insufficiency of the fumigation, the treatment usually continues until the controlling of entire insect pests in the stored commodities. The strategies to avoid development of resistance to phosphine are already part of the good practice in fumigation activities in many countries. In Germany, no insects are currently known that are resistant to phosphine in stored products. To ensure that the risk of development and spread of resistance among insects remains low in Germany, the application rules and regulations for fumigation and storage of agricultural products must be fulfilled. In this review article, the current world-wide situation and the possible factors for a development of resistance to phosphine and its prevention in Germany are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Climate-sensitive pests are those whose risk of causing damage is likely to change significantly due to predicted climatic changes. They therefore pose a particular chal lenge to plant health. In order to predict the establishment and spread potential of these pests, an assessment under various environmental and management scenarios is essential. Process-oriented simulation models are an efficient tool to investigate the occurrence and spread of climate-sensitive pests. In the project 'ProgRAMM' (Proactive phytosanitary risk analysis through modelling and monitoring: adaptation to long-term risks caused by climate- sensitive pests) such a model based on species-specific physiological parameters and distribution characteristics is being developed. With this model the above mentioned predictions and scenario analyses can be carried out. A transferable, generalized open-source modelling framework will be established as a standard procedure to support plant health risk analyses (PRA) of climate-sensitive pests. A particular focus is on the fact that the model is easily extensible and that it can be easily coupled with a different set of additional host plants, plant databases, different climate data sets as well as new presence/absence data of pests. The results of the model are presented graphically in the form of distribution and risk maps. The results can be used in PRAs to better assess the economic and ecological risks of a pest. In addition, the high-risk areas for the occurrence of pests will be identified to support the planning of efficient monitoring activities. The open source license along with the modular nature of the model components will ensure transferability to pest groups such as fungi, insects, mites, nematodes and bacteria. This will also enable the extension of the model by different sub-models as well as by species-specific functions and parameterization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Potato cyst nematodes, Globodera pallida and G. rostochiensis, as well as Synchytrium endobioticum, causing potato ward disease, are severe pests of potato crops. Due to their massive yield impact, all three species are considered invasive and thus are listed as quarantine pests in Germany. Dissemination of soil tares, which derive from the industrial processing of potatoes, are considered as main path for the spread of Globodera spp and S. endobioticum to non-infected areas. Consequently, the reuse of processed soils for any agricultural purpose requires the application of adequate treatments to exclude contamination with both pests. We are seeking to develop reliable diagnostic tools for S. endobioticum (INNOKA project) and to validate and improve treatment procedures for the disinfestation of tare soil eliminating potato cyst nematodes (GlobRISK project). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Copyright of Gesunde Pflanzen is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Gesunde Pflanzen is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

In an ecological field study conducted from 1992 – 1998, populations of spiders (Arachnida: Araneae), ground beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae) and rove beetles (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae) were examined under synocologic methodical aspects in Peissen, Barnsta¨dt, Frose, Schadeleben and Winterfeld. The research focused on the structure and dynamics of epigeic arthropod populations in the different types of farmland. Based on the findings of these studies, possibilities and limits of using Araneae and predatory beetles as biological indicators were analysed and discussed. In order to do so, suitable criteria for agroecological assessment of the examined farmland had to be specifically established. A total number of 178,535 Araneae, 128,836 Carabidae and 106,665 Staphylinidae were caught by means of pitfall traps. The species diversity was also comparably high. The total of 152 different species of Araneae belonged to 22 families. Up to 17 families and 92 species were found within a period of one year. In the Carabidae populations, up to 60 different species of a total of 111 could be identified within a single year. Without considering the Aleocharinae, 26 species of Staphylinidae were identified. The high number of endangered species of the “Red Data Book”, 21 species of Araneae and 26 Carabidae, pointed to a rich fauna and high ecological diversity in the farmland plots. The populations of Carabidae, Staphylinidae and Araneae demonstrated an extremely high regulatory potential. Activity densities of Araneae were found to be as high as 7.1 individuals per trap and day. Those of Carabidae and Staphylinidae showed values of 6.9 captured individuals per day respectively. The populations of Araneae and Carabidae can be considered as suitable indicators for assessing ecological farming activities. The continuous activity densities and the steady spectrum of dominance allow a relatively objective rating of certain factors, e.g., insecticide treatment. The occurrence of numerous species of Carabidae also confirms certain indicator parameters. The species diversity and activity density of Staphylinidae are more influenced by other environmental factors, mostly by their dependence on sustrats. The following parameters seem to be suitable to effectively assess the populations of epigeic prey arthropods: activity density, number of species, ‘‘Red Data Book’’ species, as well as the ratio of subdominant to eudominant species. When maintaining a sufficiently long catching period, methodical restrictions can be partially overcome by reducing the number of traps. A set of four traps with a diameter of approximately 10 cm and a catching period of three months (approximately from May to July) appears to be a reasonable minimum number. The following conclusions were drawn regarding global evaluation and development concepts: (i) No evaluation of the impact of agronomic measures on biological diversity can be made by exclusively relying on the indicator of epigeic prey anthropods; (ii) Spider and ground beetle populations, as part of a whole complex of agro-ecological indicators, should be used to objectively assess ecological activity in order to test the sustainability and the impact on agro-biodiversity of typical farming systems in our natural spaces, and (iii) The subsidy programme should consequently not relate to single biological indicators or groups of indicators but respect certain previously rated agricultural standards. This proceeding was further simulated through the integration of selected farmland plots. The following approaches for evaluation of activity density, number of species, “Red Data Book” species, as well as the portion of subdominant to eudominant species were considered.… [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of different fallow treatment on subsequent winter wheat. The field trials included rotational fallows planted with Trifolium repens, Festuca rubra and Lolium perenne sown under winter barley compared to complete fallow and natural fallow without seed application and fallows planted with Trifolium pratense, Festuca rubra and Dactylis glomerata sown under winter wheat. After ploughing up the fallow vegetation, winter wheat was planted for 2 succeeding years at two levels of N-fertilization. Herbicides and fungicides were not applied. The following criteria were investigated: biomass-production, N-uptake, yield, weed infestation, nitrate and water content of the soil. In autumn, after ploughing up the fallow vegetation, the nitrate content of the soil (0-150 cm) increased by up to 210 kg NO3-N/ha after complete fallow, by up to 60 kg NO3-N/ha after natural fallow and by up to 75 and 130 kg NO3-N/ha after fallows cropped with Trifolium repens and Trifolium pratense, respectively. Low nitrate levels of 20-27 kg NO3-N/ha were observed after fallows planted with grass. N-immobilization caused by ploughing up grass fallows continued until the first harvest of the subsequent winter wheat. In the second year of winter-wheat, no differences of N-mineralization dependent on the previous fallow crop occurred, except in the case complete fallow which showed lower N-mineralization. It can be concluded that fallows cropped with grass lead to a higher nitrogen fertilizer requirement in the succeeding crops. Festuca rubra was able to form dense swards in strong competition with weeds and to decrease the abundance of Alopecurus myosuroides and Apera spica-venti in subsequent winter wheat, while natural fallow and fallow planted with Trifolium repens and Lolium perenne caused epidemical increases in grass-weed density. Preceding crop effects on grain yield of the winter wheat showed a close relation to N-supply and were compensated by mineral N-fertilization. After natural fallow and fallow covered with Trifolium repens, yield reductions due to grass-weed competition occurred. Undersown Festuca rubra seems to possess a special suitability for cultivation in rotational fallows. It establishes itself strongly under different cover crops and is able to form dense swards in strong competition with weeds. Grass-weed density in the succeeding crops will be reduced and nitrate leaching will still be prevented after ploughing up the fallow vegetation. N-fertilization of the subsequent crops must be carried out under considerations of higher N-requirements which is probably not entirely due to a stronger N-immobilization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abies alba - trees with symptoms of silver fir decline differ from healthy trees in the annual ring growth pattern. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Weed Research is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Weed Research is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Weed Research is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Weed Research is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Presents the report "Chestnut Blight, Other Endothia Diseases, and the Genus Endothia," by M. K. Roane, G. J. Griffin and J. R. Elkins.