bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of coloured sticky traps for monitoring beneficial insects in apple orchards
Authors: Wallis D.R. , Shaw P.W.
Published: October 2019

Field experiments to evaluate four different coloured sticky traps for monitoring beneficial insects were conducted on Braeburn apple blocks in four commercial orchards situated in the Motueka region Traps used were white yellow and blue Corflute sheets and a clear Mylar sheet all coated on one side with adhesive (Tactrap) The sticky traps were deployed between 27 February and 24 March 2006 Each colour sticky trap was hung vertically from a branch within the tree and traps were replaced and rerandomised two times during the trapping period Beneficial insects monitored included Aphelinus mali Platygaster demades Anagrus sp Stethorus bifidus and Encarsia spp Results indicated that yellow was the best trap colour for catching A mali Stethorus and Encarsia and a clear trap was best for Anagrus sp Trap colour did not have a significant impact on the catch of P demades
Developmental biology of Meteorus pulchricornis parasitising painted apple moth
Authors: Chhagan A. , Stephens A.E.A. , Charles J.G.
Published: October 2019

Following the discovery of painted apple moth (PAM) Teia anartoides in Auckland in 1999 a longterm management programme was proposed in case eradication failed Research was initiated to evaluate the potential impact of natural enemies that were already present in New Zealand Laboratory bioassays determined the developmental biology of the larval parasitoid Meteorus pulchricornis on PAM at five constant temperatures (13 18 21 25 or 30 C) Total development time (egg to adult) ranged from 645 days at 13C to 160 days at 25C Meteorus pulchricornis adults provided with agarhoney parasitoid diet survived an average of 69 days and laid an average of 213 eggs at 21C Meteorus pulchricornis parasitised a significantly higher number of second and third instar PAM larvae compared to other larval instars The potential of M pulchricornis as a primary regulator of PAM populations in New Zealand is discussed
A comparison of populations of Armillaria hinnulea in New Zealand and Australia
Authors: Ramsfield T.D. , Power M.W.P. , Ridley G.S.
Published: October 2019

Armillaria hinnulea has been recorded from the northwest quadrant of the South Island of New Zealand Tasmania and Australia In New Zealand A hinnulea is rare being restricted to decaying wood in South Island Nothofagus forests A preliminary study of the relationship between the populations of A hinnulea was performed using DNA sequence data from the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of the ribosomal DNA Two major ITS clades were observed each of which included representative sequences from Australian collections Within one ITS clade one Australian sequence was 100 identical with the New Zealand isolates while in the other ITS clade eight New Zealand isolates representing five locations were 100 identical but the Australian sequence differed by five base substitutions and was in a separate subclade These results suggest at least two introductions of A hinnulea have occurred one relatively recently and one in the more distant past
Timing of sulphur spray application for control of hazelnut big bud mites (Phytoptus avellanae and Cecidophyopsis vermiformis)
Authors: Webber J. , Chapman R.B.
Published: October 2019

Eriophyoid big bud mites are key pests of hazelnuts throughout the world although little is known of the identity and impact of the species on New Zealand hazelnut crops The objective of this study was to determine the efficacy of and optimum timing for sulphur application to control these mites A field experiment tested the application of sulphur (112 g ai/tree) at 3 62 and 88 accumulated mite emergence from overwintering big buds The greatest reduction in emerging mite numbers was achieved with an application at 62 emergence The importance of determining peak mite emergence the appearance of hazelnut buds and weather conditions to optimise the time to apply control measures are discussed
A costloss analysis to evaluate the value of weather estimates as inputs to a disease risk model
Authors: Kim K.S. , Beresford R.M. , Henshall W.R.
Published: October 2019

To assess the value of weather estimates the expenses including the cost of spray application and the losses incurred because of a disease were analysed using disease risk simulations In this case study the risk of botrytis bunch rot was simulated using weather estimates as inputs to a disease risk model Those estimates were obtained using spatial interpolation and nearest neighbour methods Possible cost was calculated based on 2 by 2 matrices under the assumption that fungicide spray decisions were made using the disease risk model with estimated weather data The expenses associated with each combination of decisions on spray application and outcome were compared between weather estimates and measurements
A review of the direct and indirect effects of nitrogen on botrytis bunch rot in wine grapes
Authors: Mundy D.C.
Published: October 2019

Nitrogen is an important macronutrient for grapevines influencing a number of metabolic pathways and plant structures This review provides a summary of some direct and indirect effects of nitrogen fertilisation on bunch rot incidence in the field Direct changes due to increased nitrogen nutrition include greater thickness of the wax on berry surfaces and increased concentrations of the biochemical defence compounds produced in them Indirect changes that result from increased nitrogen include development of tighter bunches and denser canopies As integrated management systems become more complex a better understanding of different components such as nitrogen nutrition is required to allow vineyard managers to make informed decisions on how potential changes to current practices may influence disease and berry quality parameters
Potential for biological control of porina (Wiseana spp) with a novel insecticidal bacterium Yersinia n sp (MH96) EN65 strain
Authors: Brownbridge M. , Ferguson C. , Saville D.J. , Swaminathan J. , Hurst M.R.H. , Jackson T.A.
Published: October 2019

Porina (Wiseana spp larvae) are endemic pests of pasture If detected early young larvae can be controlled with diflubenzuron but generally damage is not predicted and organophosphate insecticides (eg diazinon chlorpyrifos chlorfon) are required Yersinia n sp (MH96) cf entomophaga (EN65 strain) a novel bacterium with insecticidal properties is pathogenic to late instar Wiseana spp larvae in laboratory assays and has potential as a biopesticide This trial measured the effect of two formulations of EN65 and a commercial formulation of Bacillus thuringiensis var kurstaki (Btk) against late instar porina EN65 was formulated in a sprayable biopolymer and on to a kibbled wheat bait Both EN65 formulations caused significant mortality of porina larvae and reduced feeding damage on white clover; efficacy was superior to Btk Survival of the bacterium in the sprayable biopolymer formulation was enhanced compared to a nonformulated broth culture Bacterial survival on the kibbled wheat bait was better when stored at 4C compared to 20C over 3 months
Establishing white clover (Trifolium repens) in high pest density regions
Authors: Brock J.L. , Eerens J.P.J. , Rahman A. , Wilson D.J.
Published: October 2019

Four field trials were conducted on commercial dairy farms in Waikato and Manawatu to develop guidelines for reestablishing white clover into vigorous grass pastures Treatments were designed to (1) determine the minimum clover fallow period needed to minimise clover pest populations and (2) identify options for reintroducing white clover Tribenuron proved damaging to grass and results for thifensulfuron were variable Dicamba was effective in removing clover and the length of clover fallow required to remove clover root weevil larvae appeared to be 68 months Glyphosate applied at sowing reduced pasture cover significantly for up to 10 weeks but seedling establishment was improved by 50100 The reintroduction of clover was better in autumn than spring but no treatment resulted in increased long term clover content of the pasture This was due to both poor emergence and survival of clover seedlings facing severe competition from resident well established grass plants
New attractants for Vespula vulgaris from honeydew
Authors: White N.J. , Gibb A.R. , Stringer L.D. , Manning L.M. , Unelius C.R. , Park K.C. , Suckling D.M. , El-Sayed A.M.
Published: October 2019

The common wasp (Vespula vulgaris) is a major pest species in New Zealands forests and urban areas Attractants for wasps could enable new environmentallyfriendly management techniques against this invasive species Beech forest honeydew known to be attractive to vespid wasps was analysed using Solid Phase Micro Extraction Several volatile compounds were identified and two compounds (I and II) were tested for attraction in a Canterbury beech forest Four different lures (manuka honey; compound I; compound II; and a blend of compounds I and II) were placed in delta traps and the number of V vulgaris trapped recorded Compound II trapped significantly more V vulgaris than manuka honey and compound I and had significantly less honey bee (Apis mellifera) bycatch than the other three lures A controlled release experiment was carried out by placing 05 ml of compound II in vials with a 2 4 or 6 mm diameter hole or no hole in the lid The 4 mm treatment caught significantly more V vulgaris than the control no hole and 2 mm treatments A gravimetric release rate experiment on compound II in the laboratory showed a significant difference in weight loss between treatments These results suggest that compound II deserves further research as a wasp attractant
Sex pheromone of the pink grass worm Tmetolophota atristriga (Walker)
Authors: Mitchell V.J. , Manning L.M. , El-Sayed A.M.
Published: October 2019

The New Zealand native moth Tmetolophota atristriga (Walker) (Lepidoptera Noctuidae) is a background pest defoliating pasture This project identified the pheromone components of the female pink grass worm that could be used to trap male moths in a control or monitoring programme Extraction of the sex pheromone gland of virgin female moths and GCMS analysis has identified several compounds in the sex pheromone gland two monounsaturated compounds cis11hexadecenal (Z1116Ald) and cis11hexadecyl acetate (Z1116Ac) and three saturated compounds hexadecan1ol (16OH) hexadecyl acetate (16Ac) and octadecan1ol (18OH) and triene hydrocarbon (ZZZ)369tricosatriene (Z3Z6Z923Hy) A field trapping experiment was conducted using binary blends of the two main compounds Z1116Ald and Z1116Ac at five different ratios (ie 1000 7525 5050 2575 and 0100) The highest catch was obtained at ratio 2575 of Z1116AldZ1116Ac; males were also caught at the 5050 ratio No catches were recorded with any other ratio tested A dose response experiment was conducted testing five loadings of the optimum binary (2575 ratio) mixture (01 1 10 100 and 1000 mg loading) and males were caught only at 01 and 1 mg loadings In a field trapping experiment conducted late in the season (2008) using the three additional minor compounds only the addition of Z3Z6Z923Hy to the binary mixture significantly enhanced male attraction
Australian black beetle expansion through Christchurch city highlights a risk to pastoral agriculture on the Canterbury plains
Authors: Townsend R.J. , McNeill M.R. , Jackson T.A.
Published: October 2019

The Australian black beetle Adoryphorus couloni (also known as the redheaded cockchafer) was found in large numbers in Barrington Park in Christchurch in May 2008 Severely damaged areas comprised 1020 of the park with populations reaching over 300 larvae/m2 The thatch layer produced on sports fields appears ideal for this insect which favours grasslands with high organic matter levels and could explain the very high grub numbers To reach a population of this size A couloni had probably colonised and remained undetected in the park for several years In Australia the insect is a serious pest of pastures Severe damage occurred in Tasmania in the 1980s and 1990s when the insect spread through the central Midlands stripping bare thousands of hectares of pasture The beetle was accidentally introduced to Canterbury through Lyttelton harbour in the 1960s and has slowly spread around the Port Hills in lowquality hill pastures The outbreak in Christchurch marks the first move of this pest into habitat favourable for development of populations large enough to pose a serious risk of further westward expansion onto the Canterbury plains AgResearch is assisting the Christchurch City Council with identification and control recommendations for the pest and is evaluating potential biocontrol measures
The fate of ectomycorrhizal fungi associated with Pinus radiata seedlings in the nursery
Authors: Walbert K. , Ramsfield T.D. , Dick M.A. , Jones E.E. , Ridgway H.J.
Published: October 2019

Ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungi dramatically enhance the growth of the plantation species Pinus radiata and facilitate the establishment of nursery seedlings following outplanting This study investigated ECM species colonising P radiata seedlings in the nursery and their fate in the first year of outplanting Naturally occurring ECM communities of P radiata seedlings in the Te Ngae Nursery Rotorua were investigated and these seedlings were assessed following outplanting in Kaingaroa Forest Observations of the ECM communities were made eight times during the first year of the seedlings being in the plantation forest In addition the ECM communities of 1 2 and 8 year old P radiata plantation stands were also analysed It was found that nursery ECM survived the first year of outplanting The first nonnursery ECM Pezizales sp occurred 6 months after outplanting at Kaingaroa but these were in minor abundance Rhizopogon rubescens was the most persistent and dominant nursery ECM species Overall nursery ECM survived for 2 years following outplanting but were completely replaced by 7 years
Phytotoxicity of phosphorus acid in Leucodendron Safari Goldstrike
Authors: Casonato S.G. , Manning M.A. , Rheinl?nder P.A. , Fullerton R.A.
Published: October 2019

The efficacy of phosphorous acid (FoliRFos) was tested for the control of Phytophthora cinnamomi in the cut flower Leucodendron Safari Goldstrike The fungicide was applied monthly in accordance with the prescribed label rate commencing in December 2005 During the winter months of 2006 phytotoxicity was observed in the treated plants The treatment was suspended for 2 months to avoid further damage after which time the foliar applications began again No plant deaths caused by P cinnamomi occurred in the treatments with the phosphorous acid whereas there was a 20 death rate in the untreated plots Growers should be aware of potential phytotoxicity from phosphorus acid on Leucodendron Safari Goldstrike as it can cause stunting of the plants and affect the quality of the blooms Application on Leucodendron Safari Goldstrike should be made with caution during winter months when plants are not actively growing Further work should be undertaken to determine whether using lower rates of the chemical during the winter months when the plants are apparently more susceptible to infection would result in less phytotoxicity
Vine death of Hort 16A in Chile caused by Verticillium alboatrum
Authors: Fullerton R.A. , Auger J. , Rodriguez I. , Manning M.A. , Martin R.A. , Duboy F.
Published: October 2019

GOLD kiwifruit Actinidia chinensis Hort 16A is being grown under licence in Chile as part of the ZESPRI global supply strategy for the cultivar The first plantings were made in 2003 Vines started dying within 2 years and by May 2007 up to 50 of vines had died in the older orchards The problem is continuing The disease is caused by Verticillium alboatrum a soilborne pathogen that infects the roots subsequently invading the whole plant Apparently healthy plants suddenly develop necrotic patches on leaves and the whole plant wilts and dies Other symptoms include cracking of the bark brown discoloration of vascular tissues and profuse growth of watershoots from the rootstock and lower scion This is the first record of this fungus causing a serious disease in kiwifruit A number of remedies including soil and trunk injections with fungicide and soil fumigation for replant sites are being evaluated
Genetic variation among Glomerella cingulata isolates from different Lauraceae hosts
Authors: Scheper R.W.A. , Timudo-Torrevilla O.E. , Rees-George J. , Everett K.R.
Published: October 2019

Four populations of Glomerella cingulata 20 isolates each were sampled from avocado (Perseae americana) fruit from orchards throughout New Zealand and from Queensland Australia and from leaves of Beilschmeidia tawa and Beilschmeidia taraire in Hawkes Bay and the Waitakere Ranges respectively Among 80 isolates 44 different colony morphologies were identified with only three of these occurring in more than one of the four populations The population from B taraire showed less variation in colony morphology than did the other populations with a Shannon and Weaver information statistic H of 047 compared with 071 to 093 More of the diversity occurred within the populations (64) than between them (36) Sequence analysis of the ITS region using maximumparsimony identified two clades among the isolates with all isolates from the native New Zealand trees clustering in one clade and all avocado isolates in the other Some variation was detected within the clades although all isolates from B taraire had identical sequences This study indicates that G cingulata populations from avocado and native trees may represent genetically isolated populations that have evolved separately To identify geographic origin of fungal populations from avocado a different DNA sequence with more variation is required
Effect of postharvest dips on apple surface microflora and Dasineura mali removal
Authors: Scheper R.W.A. , Rogers D.J.
Published: October 2019

The effectiveness of six prewashing and nine postwashing dips on loosening apple leaf curling midge (ALCM) cocoons and reducing fruit surface microflora respectively was examined In the laboratory fungal populations were significantly reduced (1217 cfu/cm2) after 10min dips in medium or high concentration Nylate (5 ppm or 10 ppm free Cl2) or SteriMaxTM (008) compared with controls (5367 cfu/cm2) An ethanol dip (1 min 50) significantly reduced fungal and yeast populations compared with all other treatments Dips in low concentration controlledrelease chlorine products (10 min) and in sodium hypochlorite (1 min 100 ppm free Cl2) did not affect fungal populations significantly The same products except ethanol which was replaced by an antifoam solution (075) were tested on ALCM cocoons but none loosened cocoons effectively compared with the control In a packhouse a 6min postwashing dip in high concentration Nylate (75 ppm free Cl2) significantly reduced fungal (25 cfu/cm2) and yeast (12 103 cfu/cm2) populations compared with washed and unwashed apples (274 fungal cfu/cm2 and 23 104 yeast cfu/cm2) Both laboratory and packhouse studies indicated that postwashing dips can lower the apple surface microflora which may reduce storage rot incidence However the prewashing dips did not appear to loosen ALCM cocoons
Effect of felled wilding pines on plant growth in high country grasslands
Authors: Paul T.S.H. , Ledgard N.J.
Published: October 2019

Wilding conifers are invading grassland and shrubland ecosystems in the New Zealand high country The felling of wildings is common practice to control such infestations This research investigated the effects of felled pines on growth and composition of grassland vegetation at Mt Barker Canterbury The vegetation within areas of dead trees felled in 1998 was compared with open grassland alongside Adjacent to the dead trees mean species number/plot was reduced to seven (native 37) compared to open grassland (134; native 109) Mouseeared hawkweed (Hieracium pilosella) was dominant in the open grassland plots and had very low cover inside the deadtree plots Grasses and native shrubs showed enhanced growth in the deadtree plots Average plant height was 213 cm compared to 54 cm in the open grassland plots It is suggested that novel microsites and additional nutrients from the decaying trees gave a competitive advantage to some plants for a period of time
Ragwort and nodding thistle control with novel 24d mixtures
Authors: James T.K. , Rahman A.
Published: October 2019

For 50 years 24D has been the predominant chemical used for weed control on New Zealand farms but there is regulatory pressure to reduce application rates Pot and field experiments investigated the efficacy of lower rates of 24D when used in combination with either chlorsulfuron or mesotrione for control of ragwort (Senecio jacobaea) and nodding thistle (Carduus nutans) Experiments on potted plants evaluated herbicide combinations at several growth stages from small rosettes to prebolting while field trials were on weeds at bolting Ragwort was well controlled by the halfrate of 24D plus either chlorsulfuron or mesotrione For nodding thistle mesotrione was a better additive In the field trials control of both ragwort and nodding thistle from the half rate of 24D plus either chlorsulfuron or mesotrione was equal to or significantly better than that from the fullrate of 24D alone However in some instances there was also significant pasture damage
Evaluation of disinfectant products for microbial decontamination of imported used footwear
Authors: Cheah L-H. , Marsh A.T. , McNeill M.R. , Hedderley D.I.
Published: October 2019

Fourteen disinfectants were tested in vitro for activity against soil bacteria and fungi attached to a boot worn in New Zealand and then eight were further evaluated on three types of fieldworn footwear From in vitro tests sodium hypochlorite (Janola) calcium hypochlorite (HazTab) and a quaternary ammonium product (Trimove) gave almost complete kill of bacteria Four disinfectants (sodium hypochlorite phenols (Prephen) hypochlorous acid plus hypobromous acid (Nylate) and calcium hypochlorite) also gave complete kill of fungi Field tests showed that five disinfectants (sodium hypochlorite calcium hypochlorite formaldehyde hypochlorous acid plus hypobromous acid and the quaternary ammonium product) were as effective as dipotassium peroxodisulphate (Virkon a standard biosecurity treatment for disinfecting footwear) Sodium hypochlorite was found to be significantly more effective than dipotassium peroxodisulphate for disinfecting shoes of soil fungi The disinfectants caused no visible changes in colour or damage to footwear materials
Preventing rattailed maggot incursion into dairy sheds
Authors: Wilson D.J. , Gerard P.J. , Villiers J.E. de
Published: October 2019

Rattailed maggots are the larvae of hover flies (Diptera Syrphidae) of which there are about 40 species in New Zealand many of them native The adults are important pollinators and the larvae live in water and mud feeding on rotting organic matter High concentrations occur in dairy effluent bunkers and become health and sanitary issues when prepupal larvae seeking suitable pupation sites exit bunkers and invade nearby dairy sheds Replicated small scale model bunkers were set up to test barrier methods that could prevent maggots entering sensitive areas and divert them to suitable pupation sites Known numbers of migratory prepupal larvae were placed in the model bunkers and their movements recorded over a timed period Both round piping and angular strips proved effective barriers while soil sand and sawdust were all equally attractive as a pupation medium
Bacterial entomopathogens improve cereal establishment in the presence of grass grub larvae
Authors: Young S.D. , Townsend R.J. , O?Callaghan M.
Published: October 2019

Grass grub (Costelytra zealandica) larvae can damage or kill establishing cereal seedlings Two entomopathogenic bacteria applied as seed coatings were investigated as a means of protecting emerging wheat seedlings Seeds coated with Serratia entomophila or Yersinia sp nov were planted outdoors in pots containing grass grub larvae at rates equivalent to 70 and 140 larvae/m2 Seedling establishment was significantly increased in both bacterial treatments compared to untreated controls with S entomophilacoated seed having the higher establishment rate 94 at both larval densities although this was not significantly different from the Yersinia sp nov treatment at the highest larval density When included in a comparison of chemical seed dressing treatments for grass grub a S entomophilacoated seed treatment was as efficacious as standard insecticide treatments indicating there is good potential to develop this bacterium as an alternative to chemical pesticides for use in cereal crops
Use of rifampicinresistant bacterial biocontrol strains for monitoring survival in soil and colonisation of pea seedling roots
Authors: Bolstridge N. , Card S. , Stewart A. , Jones E.E.
Published: October 2019

Spontaneous rifampicinresistant strains of two bacterial biocontrol agents Bacillus subtilis and Paenibacillus polymyxa with potential to control Aphanomyces euteiches root rot of peas were used to assess bacterial survival in soil and colonisation of pea seedling roots The growth and biocontrol characteristics of the rifampicinresistant strains were similar to the wild type isolates In two nonsterile soils (Methven and Courtenay) both bacterial strains survived at least 28 days when applied as inoculum containing high endospore numbers However when applied as mostly cells no bacteria were recovered Bacteria applied as seed coat formulations colonised both the rhizosphere and rhizoplane of the resulting pea seedlings with higher recovery from the top 04 cm root section compared with the bottom 58 cm section Apart from the top root section for P polymyxa where there was no difference in the recovery between the rhizoplane and rhizosphere recovery of the bacteria was higher in the rhizoplane compared with the rhizosphere
Managing bronze beetle (Eucolaspsis sp) in Hawkes Bay organic apple orchards using soil cultivation
Authors: Rogers D.J. , Cole L.M. , Fraser T.M. , Walker J.T.S.
Published: October 2019

Bronze beetle (Eucolaspsis sp Coleoptera Chrysomelidae) threatens the economic viability of New Zealands organic pipfruit industry Small plot cultivation trials were conducted during spring to target immature beetles in the soil under apple trees These treatments did not appear to be as effective in the second year as in the previous year although two cultivations significantly reduced beetle emergence at all orchards compared with the control In largescale cultivation trials two cultivations reduced damage to apples by 4661 Sampling immature development stages of the beetles in the soil indicated that cultivation should commence during mid October to target pupae in the top 70 mm of the soil The application of cultivation treatments for controlling bronze beetle on commercial orchards is discussed
The Christmas dispersal of Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) in New Zealand
Authors: Drayton G.M. , Teulon D.A.J. , Workman P.J. , Scott I.A.W.
Published: October 2019

In 2006 Bemisia tabaci biotype Q was identified in New Zealand The Christmas trade in poinsettias is implicated in the recent rapid dispersal of B tabaci biotype Q through North America Retail outlets were surveyed during December 2006 and 2007 to investigate whether this may be a pathway for dispersal in New Zealand A PCRbased diagnostic tool confirmed the presence of B tabaci biotype Q on poinsettias purchased in both Christchurch and Auckland However results indicated that abundance varied between the regions years and propagation nurseries In 2006 169 and three adult whitefly were collected from a selection of retail outlets in Christchurch and Auckland respectively compared with 256 and 56 in 2007 Only B tabaci biotype Q was identified from the samples collected from Christchurch with B tabaci biotype Q and relatively few Trialeurodes vaporariorum identified from the Auckland samples
A potential mating disruption system for three New Zealand leafroller species
Authors: Cole L.M. , Walker J.T.S. , El-Sayed A.M. , Lo P.L. , Sharma N.
Published: October 2019

A dispenser incorporating a pheromone blend to disrupt three species of New Zealand leafrollers was developed for their control in Otago summerfruit orchards This control system was evaluated for suppression of leafroller activity in Hawkes Bay apple and summerfruit orchards over 2 years In 20078 dispensers were applied at 6001000/ha in two large organic apple orchards and activity of all three species in pheromone traps was recorded Dispensers achieved only 738 and 61 shutdown of lightbrown apple moth pheromone traps in Orchards A and B respectively Dispensers were modified to increase disruption of this species and were evaluated in similar trials on the same orchards in 20089 and achieved 984 and 909 trap shutdown respectively The same dispenser was also evaluated on four summerfruit orchards where it was applied to 1 ha plots in January 2009 at 1000 dispensers/ha Pheromone trap catches of lightbrown apple moth were reduced by 833100 over the following 3 months Further assessment of this multiple species mating disruption system is required to determine its value in managing the fruit damage and larval infestation risks to meet export market tolerances
Crop rotation with Brassica reduces disease in potato crops
Authors: Marsh A.T. , Cheah L-H. , Hedderley D.I.
Published: October 2019

A longterm trial (5 years) was conducted at a commercial property with a history of high incidence and severity of soilborne diseases Five rotational crops (potato pasture Brassica cereal and squash) were tested for their effects on soilborne diseases on potatoes These crops were grown in plots for about 4 months and then ploughed back into the soil 30 days prior to planting potatoes Soil applications of metalaxyl fungicide were used as a standard (control) treatment After four growing seasons there was evidence that rotational treatments particularly Treatment 2 (cereal Brassica crop) reduced the amount of diseased potatoes and the proportion of the crop that was diseased compared with the control treatment (potatoes and pasture with or without metalaxyl) (P0046 and 0016 respectively) Combining these results with harvest data from previous years there was no significant difference between the treatments in terms of yield per plant However there did appear to be a marginal difference (P01) in the proportion of the crop that was diseased with Treatment 4 (without Brassica crop) being higher than other treatments that had Brassica crops In previous work soil analysis had shown that a rotation with Brassica crops reduced the level of Phytophthora and other species of soilborne fungi compared with the same rotation without Brassica crops
Effect of hot water dip treatment on seedborne pathogens and germination of carrot seeds
Authors: Cheah L-H. , Marsh A.T. , Hedderley D.I.
Published: October 2019

The effect of hot water treatment of carrot seeds on seedborne pathogens (Alternaria and Fusarium spp) and seed germination was studied Carrot seeds (no fungicide) were dipped in water at 50C or 52C for 10 20 or 30 min and plated on potato dextrose agar to assess pathogen growth Treated seeds were sown in cell trays to assess germination in a glasshouse The weight of the germinated seedlings was also recorded All hot water treatments significantly (P
Towards universal detection of Luteoviridae
Authors: Chomic A. , Pearson M.N. , Armstrong K.F.
Published: October 2019

Luteoviridae is a plant virus family of 26 species which causes yield losses in cereals potatoes and other economically important crops worldwide Accurate detection is an important component of controlling the spread of luteoviruses and reducing yield losses PCRbased detection is often the method of choice for Luteoviridae as it is more sensitive than serological methods which frequently fail to detect infection due to the low concentration of luteoviruses in plants Since the currently available luteovirus primers are mostly speciesspecific and work under different PCR conditions universal primers are desirable Seven primers were tested that were designed to target the most conserved regions of the Luteoviridae genomes and that possess high homology to over 75 of Luteoviridae species Thirty luteovirus isolates representing 15 species were obtained from New Zealand and overseas these included all five species from the Luteovirus genus eight of the nine species from the Polerovirus genus (except CYDV RPS) PEMV1 (the only species from the Enamovirus genus) and CtRLV (which is not assigned to a genus) Between them the three combinations of primers detected all 13 of the Luteovirus and Polerovirus species tested
Control of plant pathogens practical experiments in eradication
Authors: Fletcher J.D. , Shah F.A. , Butler R.C. , Viljanen-Rollinson S.L.H. , Marroni M.V.
Published: October 2019

There have been relatively few attempts to eradicate plant pathogens once they have established themselves in New Zealand However when concerted attempts are made very often there have been some notable successes (eg citrus canker and common smut of maize) For a successful eradication of a plant pathogen simple practical tools are needed This research describes a series of experimental applications demonstrating the potential to eradicate seedborne fungal and bacterial pathogens and nematode incursions In simulated incursions seedborne pathogens of celery were eradicated from experimental plots using solarisation and spray chemicals singly or in combination In a simulated cyst nematode incursion Globodera rostochiensis was successfully controlled using heat treatment rather than chemical pesticides Variations on these methods could be tailored to contain and eradicate biosecurity incursions
Bacteria and fungi on the soles of footwear worn by international airline passengers what was found and what does it mean
Authors: Young S.D. , McNeill M.R.
Published: October 2019

Passengers arriving on international flights to New Zealand bring with them a range of items that are considered biosecurity threats because these items potentially carry unwanted exotic organisms In response New Zealands border biosecurity officers have instigated a screening process at the airport to prevent these organisms entering New Zealand Microorganisms carried on footwear and clothing worn by passengers disembarking from aircraft can potentially be plant pathogens The soles of footwear worn by passengers arriving at Christchurch International Airport were sampled for bacteria and fungi Bacteria were recovered from 99 of the footwear examined while fungi were recovered from 78 of footwear Seventythree different species of bacteria were isolated with Bacillus species the most abundant genus although Kocuria palustris had the highest incidence of any of the bacterial genera recovered Based on morphological identification Penicillium Phoma spp and Trichoderma spp were the most prevalent fungal genera isolated The bacterial genera Clavibacter and Curtobacterium and the fungal genera Phoma and Botrytis were found in this study and contain species and strains that can act as plant pathogens Killing microorganisms adhering to passengers footwear is problematic since there are logistical issues in implementing an effective footwear disinfectant protocol especially during peak aircraft arrival periods
Vegetable brassica IPM expanding into other brassicagrowing systems in the South Island
Authors: Walker G.P. , Davidson M.M. , Walker M.K. , MacDonald F.H.
Published: October 2019

An IPM programme originally developed for vegetable brassicas is now being adapted and extended into other brassicagrowing systems in the South Island including vegetable fodder and seed brassica crops MAFs Sustainable Farming Fund and various industry partners plus government funding is supporting research into best practices to manage the major foliage insect pests in these brassica crops A pest risk assessment survey was undertaken this year to determine in which seasons areas and growing systems pests are a problem Pheromone trap data showed that diamondback moth (DBM) Plutella xylostella survived overwinter as resident populations in localised brassica crops DBM and leaf miners caused serious problems for many growers DBM is resistant to standard broadspectrum insecticides but growers are still applying these insecticides which disrupt natural enemies of insect pests European leaf miner Scaptomyza flava is the key leaf miner pest and appears not to be attacked by the larval parasitoid Asobara persimilis which could be introduced from the North Island Field surveys also showed that the recently introduced larval parasitoid of white butterfly Cotesia rubecula has spread naturally to North and South Canterbury
Mealybugs and their parasitoids in Nelson pipfruit orchards
Authors: Wallis D.R. , Shaw P.W.
Published: October 2019

Three species of mealybug are major pests on a wide range of horticultural crops in New Zealand Pseudococcus longispinus P calceolariae and P viburni They can be found throughout New Zealand although they rarely become pests south of Marlborough Because colonies often establish in the calyx and stem of developing fruit they can cause rejection of export fruit During the 2008 Nelson apple harvest an increase in mealybug numbers was recorded for some commercial orchards A sample of 58 mealybuginfested apples was kept in a climate chamber at 20C to determine if any parasitoids were present From these 16 Tectracnemoidea sydneyensis (Hym Encyrtidae) and two Coccophagus gurneyi (Hym Aphelinidae) parasitoids were reared The following season 5400 fruit were examined from an infested block to determine mealybug species and the level of fruit infestation 188 of the fruit were infested 155 by P longispinus and 1 by P calceolariae Another 89 infested fruit were kept in individual containers at 20C From this sample 308 mealybugs were counted of which 305 were P longispinus and three were P calceolariae Fifteen percent of the P longispinus were parasitised by T sydneyensis Results from this study confirmed that P longispinus was the predominant mealybug species and that T sydneyensis was the most common parasitoid
Nontarget plant damage from picloram and triclopyr used for climbing spindle berry control in regenerating native forests
Authors: James T.K. , Laurenson A.A. , Carney E.C. , Rahman A.
Published: October 2019

Climbing spindle berry (Celastrus orbiculatus) is a deciduous liane climbing to 12 m It is spreading in Waikato particularly in hedgerows and native forest remnants Control has been by foliar spray with a herbicide mixture containing picloram This study investigated damage to surrounding nontarget native flora where climbing spindle berry was treated with herbicides containing picloram The most abundant native species in the plots included Podocarpus totara Blechnum blechnoides Asplenium bulbiferum Coprosma spathulata Carex sp Adiantum cunninghamii Pittosporum eugenioides Deparia petersenii and Lastreopsis glabella Picloram triclopyr (Tordon Brushkiller 100 g/litre picloram as the amine salt 300 g/litre triclopyr as the butoxyethyl ester) as a foliar spray was compared with picloram gel as a cut stump treatment Both the cut stump and foliar spray resulted in excellent control of climbing spindle berry The cut stump treatment resulted in little damage to adjacent vegetation The foliar spray was damaging to adjacent small nontarget plants especially the ferns The affected nontarget plants recovered within 6 months with no damage apparent on new growth This study coincided with a protracted drought and seedling recruitment was compromised; therefore it was difficult to obtain conclusive results about seedling emergence
Persistence of residual herbicides in maize silage fields
Authors: Trolove M.R. , James T.K. , Rahman A. , Hurrell G.A. , Parker M.
Published: October 2019

Annual ryegrass (Lolium perenne) is typically grown in the winter following maize (Zea mays) silage but alternative crops such as oats (Avena sativa) and triticale (x Triticosecale) are being investigated The persistence of residual herbicides used in maize silage crops was investigated in three field trials located in Waikato (55 organic carbon) Taranaki (84 OC) and Canterbury (37 OC) planted on 3 5 and 16 October 2008 respectively Herbicides investigated included atrazine and acetochlor applied preemergence and mesotrione and nicosulfuron applied 612 weeks after planting Broadleaf weeds in control plots were removed with the nonresidual herbicide bromoxynil Soil samples (10 cm depth) were collected about the time of silage harvest and herbicide residues determined by glasshouse bioassay using oats and mustard (Brassica nigra) Detection limits ranged from 00101 mg/kg for atrazine and acetochlor 0005002 mg/kg for mesotrione and 0002001 mg/kg for nicosulfuron Using oats no residues were detected at any of the sites but the mustard bioassay found about 0005 mg/kg nicosulfuron at the Taranaki site which was the last site treated post emergence and with the least rainfall (180 mm) between application and sampling (215 mm for Waikato; 350 mm for Canterbury)
Vegetation succession associated with wilding conifer removal
Authors: Paul T.S.H. , Ledgard N.J.
Published: October 2019

Techniques used to remove unwanted wilding conifers can impact on subsequent vegetation successions Five South Island sites were assessed for vegetation successions after conifers had been removed by four methods felled to waste mulched harvested or killed standing by stem poisoning Felled conifers created a flush of vigorous plant growth but this increase was not longlasting and the end result was reduced plant biodiversity Mulching reduced all plant cover initially but gave poor wilding control Harvesting led to a dominance of exotics including wildings whereas solely native plants were found under dead standing trees that had been poisoned Results indicated that while there were differences in vegetation composition between the low and high altitude sites there are good opportunities for manipulating wilding control towards more desirable vegetation covers particularly involving native plants
Potential distribution of hawthorn in New Zealand
Authors: Kean J.M.
Published: October 2019

Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) a birddispersed introduced shrub is becoming increasingly weedy in parts of New Zealand North America Australia and elsewhere In order to identify areas threatened by this species an ecoclimatic model for its potential global distribution was constructed using CLIMEX software The model was based on the native range of hawthorn in Europe and validated against the invaded range elsewhere in the world It suggests that hawthorn could potentially invade most lowland and montane areas of New Zealand In lowland areas invasion is likely to be limited by grazing pressure but changes in the management of South Island montane grasslands as a result of the current tenure review process may favour hawthorn invasion in some areas Preemptive action to identify and remove infestations from montane grasslands is recommended
Seed biology of brome grass weeds (Bromus diandrus and B hordeaceus) and effects of land management
Authors: Dastgheib F. , Poole N.
Published: October 2019

Aspects of seed biology of ripgut brome (Bromus diandrus) and soft brome (B hordeaceus) were studied in relation to land management practices Among the practices tested burning stubble had a detrimental effect on seed survival The majority of seeds close to the soil surface were charred or nonviable following a stubble fire Overall higher brome infestation was measured in notillage compared to minimum tillage or burning treatments More than 80 of the seeds of both species emerged in the field within the first couple of months after planting and full germination was achieved by spring Seed burial at depths from 1 to 20 cm did not significantly affect germination but seedling establishment and vigour was reduced with seed depth Implications of these results in management of brome grasses are discussed
Comparison of weed control techniques to establish three ground cover species
Authors: Foo C.L. , Harrington K.C. , MacKay M.B.
Published: October 2019

Weed control strategies for establishing three ground cover species were investigated by planting them in late spring then assessing eight different control treatments during the following 14 months The prostrate woody Coprosma acerosa Taiko established best with black weed mat mulch and EcoCover paper mulch although bark mulches also gave reasonable establishment rates The brittle succulent Sedum mexicanum Acapulco Gold also established well with black weed mat and paper mulch although a sawdust mulch was particularly suitable The frostprone Polygonum capitatum which regrows readily from seed did best with soil kept bare by handhoeing or selective herbicides although the paper mulch also rated well Thus the best weed control strategy varied depending on the characteristics of the ground cover being established Other considerations including relative costs are also discussed
Population dynamics of bronze beetle Eucolaspis spp (Coleoptera Chrysomelidae) in relation to other soil macroinvertebrates in organic apple orchards in Hawkes Bay
Authors: Doddala P.R.C. , Minor M.A. , Rogers D.J.
Published: October 2019

The population structure and dynamics of bronze beetle Eucolaspis spp and other soil macroinvertebrates were studied in eight organic apple orchards in Hawkes Bay during spring/summer 200708 Orchards with high bronze beetle population densities also had higher abundance of all types of soil macroinvertebrates than orchards with low bronze beetle populations Surfacedwelling generalist predators were more numerous (on average 536 versus 405 predators per trap) in orchards with low bronze beetle density than in orchards with high beetle density This result was mainly due to spider numbers in pitfall traps which were highest during January It may be that within orchards where surface dwelling spiders are most abundant these spiders may be predating upon newly emergent adult bronze beetles as they move from the soil to the apple foliage
Factors affecting Hass avocado (Persea americana) fruit set in New Zealand
Authors: Evans L.J. , Goodwin R.M. , McBrydie H.M.
Published: October 2019

Avocado trees typically have a low (
A disease assay for Rhizoctonia solani on potato (Solanum tuberosum)
Authors: Bienkowski D. , Stewart A. , Falloon R.E. , Braithwaite M. , Loguercio L.L. , Hicks E.
Published: October 2019

Rhizoctonia solani is an important soilborne pathogen of potato causing black scurf on tubers and shoot/stolon canker on young plants These diseases reduce the quality of fresh and seed potatoes and may harm crop establishment A pathogenicity test has been developed for the study of biological suppression of diseases caused by R solani Disease expression from two R solani isolates was assessed in potato plants grown from tissue cultured plantlets or from minitubers The isolates were cultured in two media branwater or barley grainV8 juice which were compared as inoculants of potting mix at several standardised rates The proportions of diseased stolons and necrotic shoots were determined after 7 weeks growth in a greenhouse Significantly different levels of disease incidence were found between the isolates between inoculum concentrations for one isolate and (only with minitubers) between inoculum media Rates of inoculum that produced disease levels suitable for use in biocontrol assays were determined