SEEDLING GROWTH TOLERANCE OF CUCURBITS CROPS TO HERBICIDES STOMP AND ACETOCHLOR
Summary. Several species from the Cucurbitaceae family including muskmelon, watermelon, cucumber, pumpkin, and squash were used to evaluate their tolerance in a laboratory test to two herbicides (Stomp and Acetochlor) widely used in crop cultivation. The effects of concentration and site of herbicide action on the length of primary roots and hypocotyls as well as seedling fresh weight were studied. The results showed that the cultivars differed greatly in their sensitivity to the herbicide action. The difference in the growth responses was not only species-, but also cultivar-specific. In addition, there was a difference in the herbicide acting site on plants which depended on the kind of cucurbits crops. Based on the tolerance to the action of both herbicides the studied species can be classified as follows: watermelon, squash, pumpkin, muskmelon, cucumber. The tolerance differences of the studied cucurbits crops can be used in cultivation practice.
Stale seedbed weed control in cucumber
Field studies were conducted from 1995 to 1997 near Tifton, GA, to determine the benefits of stale seedbed weed control in cucumber. Three stale seedbed management systems—(1) power till stale seedbeds twice (2 ×), (2) glyphosate application immediately after planting, and (3) combination system of stale seedbeds power tilled once 2 wk prior to planting followed by glyphosate application immediately after planting cucumber—were evaluated as main plots. Subplots were weed management systems after planting cucumber: intensive, basic, and cultivation alone. Weed densities were generally greater in 1996 and 1997 than in 1995. Yellow nutsedge was the overall predominant species in 1995 (46 plants m−2), with Florida pusley being the predominant species in 1996 and 1997, at 80 and 124 plants m−2, respectively. Generally, stale seedbeds shallow tilled 2 × had fewer weeds and greater cucumber yields than stale seedbeds treated with glyphosate. Glyphosate did not adequately control emerged Florida pusley on stale seedbeds, resulting in reduced cucumber yield. Clomazone preemergence and bentazon/halosulfuron postemergence were used for broadleaf weed control in the intensive weed management system. These herbicides injured cucumber plants, delayed maturity, and reduced yield. Based on our results, stale seedbeds shallow tilled 2 × can be integrated into cucumber production and provide effective cultural weed control. Furthermore, these systems will replace the need for potentially injurious herbicides.
Mite population density analysis of stored dried apricots in Turkey
The aim of this study was to determine the population density of mite species attacking stored dried apricots in Malatya, Elazig and Izmir regions of Turkey. Storage construction types and duration of storage were also considered. The samples were collected during 2000–2003 in the most important apricot producing areas (Malatya and Elazig) and the exporting center (Izmir). Frequency of occurrence and rates of intensity of infestations were determined (16.50% from Malatya, 3.19% from Elazig and 80.49% from Izmir). A total of 16 mite species belonging to 13 genera and 11 families were identified during the surveys. The pest species Carpoglyphus lactis (L.) (Astigmata: Carpoglyphidae) was the most abundant species recorded (69.14% of samples). The highest infestation value recorded was 15,534 mites per kg.