Influence of Different Netting Structures on Codling Moth and Apple Fruit Damages in Northwest Croatia
During the vegetation season of 2015 exclusion nets were set up in IPM apple orchard in Krapina (Croatia) to test their effectiveness in preventing the attack of codling moth to apple fruits. Nets were the same in mesh size (2.4 x 4.8 mm) but different in color (white, red, yellow) in order to examine their effect on vegetative growth and quality of apples. To assess the presence of pest, weekly sampling of codling moth on pheromone traps in protected and unprotected (control) net rows was conducted. Single row netting structures resulted in a highly significant reduction of codling moth catches on pheromone traps in comparison to the unprotected control in the experimental orchard. The percentage of codling moth infested fruits during the harvest time was considerably lower, in the protected net rows in comparison with unprotected rows. The lowest percentage of damaged fruits was recorded under the red net (0.96%), followed by white net (1.04%) and yellow net (2.86%). Percentage of damaged fruits in unprotected row amounted to 11.39%. Considering the fact that the mean net efficiency amounted to almost 90%, these results confirm the effectiveness of netting structures in the protection of apple fruits from CM damages.
Effect of anti‐hail nets on Cydia pomonella behavior in apple orchards
Over the last 10 years, the use of nets to protect pome fruit from hailstorms has increased. In this study, we investigated the effect of these nets on the behavior of the codling moth, Cydia pomonella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), a major pest of apple, Malus domestica Borkh. (Rosaceae). Experiments were carried out in net‐covered and uncovered apple orchards treated with conventional insecticides. The number of codling moth males caught in pheromone‐ and virgin female‐baited traps was significantly reduced in net‐covered compared to uncovered plots. In addition, inhibition of mating by the net was demonstrated by significant reductions in mating of tethered virgin females. Fruit injury was consistently lower in net‐covered plots vs. uncovered plots. Because of the reductions in male trap catch, the reduced female mating frequency, and the lower level of damage, we conclude that flat anti‐hail nets have a disruptive effect on the reproductive behavior of the codling moth.
On the fractionation of β-lactoglobulin and α-lactalbumin
Abstract Existing methods for the preparation of α-lactalbumin and β-lactoglobulin are examined critically. It is proposed that the most satisfactory method for the preparation of the whey protein fraction from bovine milk is (NH 4 ) 2 SO 4 fractionation. A number of new gentle procedures for the fractionation of the whey proteins are compared with some existing methods. The distribution of total protein at various stages is determined by total Kjeldahl nitrogen and the kind of protein by starch-gel electrophoresis. The effect of variables, such as pH, salt concentration and temperature on the separation of α-lactalbumin and serum albumin from β-lactoglobulin is studied. Differences in the behavior ( e.g. solubility) of genetic variants of β-lactoglobulin are noted. The solubility of each of the major whey proteins, under similar conditions to those used in the fractionation, is compared with its solubility in the whey protein mixture. The understanding gained of factors important in the fractionation is used in recommending new procedures for α-lactalbumin and β-lactoglobulin isolation.