Eco-friendly steps can control stem weevil

In the early stage, breaking of stem at apical region because of hallow pseudo-stem caused by grubs feeding is common symptom.

The National Research Centre for Banana (NRCB) has said that banana stem weevil damage has been found in all banana-growing areas of Tamil Nadu, including Tiruchi, Thanjavur, Karur, Perambalur, and Pudukottai districts and suggested eco-friendly steps to control the pest.

All commercial cultivars are susceptible to the pest, the NRCB has said. Jelly exudation on the banana stem indicates weevil and grub activity inside the stem. This is the early symptom of the weevil attack. Depending on the crop stage, the jelly exudation varies. In the early stage, breaking of stem at apical region because of hallow pseudo-stem caused by grubs feeding is common symptom.

Instead of waiting for the early and late stage symptoms, the stem weevil activity in a field can be monitored by laying banana longitudinal split traps and if the weevils are attracted to the traps, control measures have to be taken up immediately, said B. Padmanaban, Principal Scientist (Entomology), NRCB, in a communication.

The female weevil selects about five months old banana plant and lays eggs inside the leaf sheath through the slits cut on leaf sheath. Before developing into pupae (resting stage), the grub makes a square hole on the outermost leaf sheath and makes a pupal case in the adjacent leaf sheath. The adult weevil emerges through the hole made by the larva. The circular holes on the leaf sheath indicate the damage caused by grubs.

The banana stem weevil can be controlled by adopting integrated pest management, including application of insecticides and monitoring banana weevil activity in the plantations by placing banana stem traps. Longitudinal split traps, treated with pathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana solution developed by NRCB, can be placed to attract the weevils, Mr. Padmanaban said.

Once the banana plant in infested with weevil, stem injection is the only way to control the pest. However, the injection should not be given after the emergence of bunches. For more details, contact The Director, National Research Centre for Banana, Thayanur (Post), Tiruchi-620 102 or Dr. Padmanaban over 9442359253.
source : http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-tamilnadu/ecofriendly-steps-can-control-stem-weevil/article5158977.ece

Mixrite Medicator

DESCRIPTION:

MixRite injectors are used to add exact dosages of medications, vitamins, minerals and vaccinations into livestock watering systems. When used with cleaning agents, MixRite assists in disinfecting and cleaning lines and installations.

Comments: MixRite's main advantages are:

• Easy to install
• No electricity needed
• Easy to adjust dosing percentage
• Replaceable seals
• Works at very low flow rate
• Easy to field repair
• Highly Chemical resistant
• Perfect blending
• Highly resistant to UV Working Pressure: 0.2 – 8
• Chemical Resistance: Standard
• Dosage Rate: 0.4% - 4%
• ON OFF System: No [Air Release]
• Chemical Bypass: Standard
• Coupling: 3/4"
• Thread Type: BSPT
• Max Pressure Loss: 1.4 Bar
• Min Pressure Loss: 0.2 Bar
• Flow Rate Range: 30-2500 L/H [8 to 660 Gal/H] Gal/H
• Weight: 2.8 pounds
• Color: Grey
• Dimensions: 22" X 7.27"
• Water Pressure: 0.2-8 Bar [2.9 to 120 PSI]

Overview:

• MixRite is a water driven proportioning injector for pumping an additive into a water line at a consistent induction rate over varying water pressure and flow rates.
• Model: 2504 – P04
• Min Injection Per Hour: 0.12 l/h [0.03 GPH]
• Max Injection Per Hour: 100 l/h [GPH 26.5]
• Seal Kit: Free seal kit with each pump.

Metzerplas Projects

Metzerplas’ leading project department specializes in developing a large variety of advanced irrigation and agriculture enterprises.Metzerplas’ project staff includes well-experienced engineers and agronomists to design and establish the project tailored to your needs. Metzerplas projects’ aim is to give the costumer professional and reliable assistance adapted to your project demands from design throughout and including construction. The Metzerplas projects construction team provides trained engineers and team managers with wide experience in diverse types of irrigation and agricultural projects worlwide. Metzerplas projects specializes in initiating turn-key projects that include general and detailed designing, construction, setting up and commission before delivery.

Each Metzerplas projects include:

• Professional customer assistance from the first inquiry to project delivery.
• Project feasibility study includes data-collection assistance, data analyzing and design recommendations.
• Finding the best agricultural solution according to customer’s needs.
• Designing project layouts according to soil, water and climate conditions.
• Examining proper crop culturing system, such as open field, screen covered, or greenhouse.
• Choosing optimal irrigation method (drip, sprinklers and irrigation machines).
• Designing project complimentry facilities (processing, and packaging lines, cooling houses, etc.).
• General and detailed designing of project aspects (engineering, hydraulic and agricultural).
• General and detailed designing of project water supply (catchments, storage and pipelines).
• Designing supply and setting up efficient pumping station for water supply from rivers, wells and reservoirs.
• Designing and establishing water-treatment systems for irrigation and potable water.
• Designing precise and reliable fertigation system according to field demands.
• Designing irrigation and fertigation automation and control, fitted to crop and customer requirements.
• Packaging and transporting project components for efficient unloading and assembling at the site.
• Providing professional technical and agronomic guidance of project managers and workers.

Metzerplas Projects provide wide experience in a large variety of agro-technologies and crops, in Israel and world wide:

• All types of field crops (vegetables, grains, fodders, industrial crops, etc.).
• Orchard and fruit plantation (citrus, vineyards, deciduous, avocado, coffee, etc.).
• Bio-diesel and ethanol crops (sugar cane, jatropha, castor oil and palm).
• Greenhouses for vegetables, herbs and flowers
• Screen houses for trees, vegetables, herbs and flowers.
• Municipal and private landscaping and gardening (public parks, airports, golf courses, soccer fields, etc.).

Metzerplas Ltd.

Company Profile

METZERPLAS COOPERATIVE AGRICULTURAL ORGANIZATION Ltd., is located in Israel’s central district, and is owned by Kibbutz Metzer (75%) and Gaon Agro Industries Ltd. (25%). Metzerplas was established in 1970, and since has accumulated extensive expertise and know-how in development, design, production, marketing, and installation of agricultural and landscaping products and turnkey irrigation projects.

Major Activities

Experienced in both production and actual application of these products, we are attentive and sensitive to the requirements and requests of local manufacturers of dripper lines and are able to supply the technological solutions and backup needed to successfully compete in their markets.

 

Main Products

* High speed production lines for both cylindrical and flat emitters

* Compensated and non-compensated drippers

* Irrigation systems and drip laterals

* PE pipes and fittings for agriculture, electricity, & industry

* S.P. piping designed for plumbing and water at extreme temperatures and pressures

International Standards

Metzerplas was granted and maintains the ISO 9002 certificate since 1997. Metzerplas production and service operate under strict ISO 900 1: 2008 Standards.

Subsidiaries

Metzerplas Irrigacion – 100% ownership – Markets in Argentine .

Dura-Line (Israel) – 100% ownership – Produces and markets telecommunication tubes and conduits in Israel.

Metzerplas Australia Pty. Ltd. – 100% ownership – Markets in Australia.

Irrigator Ukraine Ltd. – 51% ownership – Markets in Ukraine.

Main Products

Cylindrical and Flat, Compensated and Non-Compensated, inline and online Drippers – used mainly for irrigation in agriculture, landscaping and gardening.

Designing full irrigation systems for agriculture.

SP pipes - designed for plumbing and water at extreme temperatures and pressures.

Telecommunication and electric pipes

Building high speed production lines for both cylindrical and flat emitters

US (CA): Bacterial community composition on field-grown lettuce

Researchers from 'University of California - Davis Campus' conducted a survey on spatio-temporal variation in bacterial community composition on field-grown lettuce.

Even though the microbial ecology is a scientific topic very important, the information regarding the bacterial community on plant leaf surface, their composition and how it changes according to the geographical and seasonal conditions is quite poor.

For the survey, 106 samples of Romaine lettuce were collected from production regions in California and Arizona from June 2009 to February 2010.

The microbial analyses showed that the total bacterial count averaged between 105 and 106 CFUs per gram leaf, whereas counts of cultivable bacteria were on average one (summer season) or two (winter season) orders of magnitude lower.

Bacteria were identified by using PCR analysis to amplify bacterial 16S rRna gene sequences. The DNA sequence analysis showed that Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes andActinobacteria were the most abundant and representative phyla; while, at genus level,Pseudomonas, Bacillus, Massilia, Arthrobacter and Pantoea were the most consistently found across samples, thus highlighting that they represented the phyllospere microbiota on lettuce.

The foliar presence of Xanthomonas campestris pv. vitians, the causal agent of bacterial leaf spot of lettuce, resulted positively correlated with the presence of bacteria from Alkanindigesgenus, while negatively correlated with the presence of bacteria from Bacillus, Erwinia andPantoea genus.

The survey showed that both the geographic area and the climatic conditions, such as the seasonal variation and storm dust period, affected significantly the differences in bacterial community found in the analysed lettuce samples.

The scientists concluded that, being one of the largest surveys on leaf surface microbiology, this study could be a tool to better understand the causes of the spatial and temporal variation in bacterial community composition lettuce leaves.

For more information:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22534606

Source : www.freshplaza.com