MCW-2 has potential to be used as a new non-fumigant nematicide that probably has a novel mode of action.

Fluensulfone showed relatively high nematode control activity when sprayed on the foliage before inoculation. Fluensulfone may be used as a foliar application, in addition to soil application, for root-knot nematode control.

Fluensulfone nematicidal activity and movement were affected by organic matter and clay content, probably via adsorption. Enhanced biodegradation or cross-biodegradation of fluensulfone by other compounds was not observed. Soil environment should be considered to obtain effective nematode control efficacy with a given compound.

Abstract:The aim of this study was to investigate the function of tree belts in reducing the aeolian transport of dust particles carrying pesticides. The study examined the importance of the buffer zones created by commonly planted trees (Eucalyptus camaldulensis, Pinus halepensis (pine) and Ceratonia siliqua (carob)). The methods include analyzing the quantity and the chemical composition of pesticides carried by aeolian dust particles from the intensively cultivated fields and orchards, where pesticides were applied, towards the tree belts nearby. Eighteen different chemicals used as insecticides, fungicides and herbicides, were found both in the agricultural fields and in the adjacent tree belts, suggesting an important function of the trees. This ecological service has rarely been taken into consideration by management policies of tree plantings in farmland areas. To integrate this service into agriculture, especially in the case of agricultural fields and orchards, which are adjacent to populated areas, planting tree belts should be positively considered as a means for reducing aeolian dust and air pollution, mainly in order to reduce leakage of pesticides, which are a cause for significant health concerns.

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The effect of manipulating soil pH on the nematicidal activity of ammonia-releasing fertilisers was tested with cement kiln dust (CKD) and alkaline stabilised biosolid (ASB) as alkaline amendments. The nematicidal activity of chicken litter (1.0, 2.0 and 4.0 g kg −1 ) or ammonium sulphate (50 mg N kg −1 ) was enhanced by combination with CKD at 1.0 and 2.0 g kg −1 or ASB at 5, 10 and 20 g kg −1 . The amendment of soil with alkaline amendments or fertilisers alone did not reduce, or reduced only moderately, Meloidogyne javanica infection of the plant roots. The application of CKD and ASB increased the soil pH from ca 8.5 to ca 11.0, and converted ammonium (NH + 4 ) released from the fertilisers into nematicidal ammonia (NH 3 ). Increased ammonia concentrations by 5.2-to 6.7-fold in the soil were probably the major factor responsible for nematode suppression, whereas increased soil pH was less detrimental to the nematodes. Combination of ammonia-releasing fertilisers with alkaline amendments to soil may serve as a nematode control method.

The ‘wadis’ (ephemeral incised channels in arid regions) concern badlands with low agriculture utilisation that expands to neighbouring cultivated areas. They are noticeable and unique landforms characterised by vegetation patches and seasonal flood flows with scenic beauty that must be conserved. The wadi characteristics have influenced the way of life of their indigenous residents from ancient times until now. The main one is grazing with small ruminants (SR). The authorities and public consider grazing in these areas as a destructive land management practice that should be reduced. To assess the viability of grazing in such regions, we hypothesised that fluvial and biological flows tightly correlate with the wadis’ landforms, channels and slopes. The site of study is located in the Yeroham mountains nearby the Rahma planned Bedouin village. Five different transects of channels and slopes were located over representative wadis, including those exposed to grazing. The finding indicates that a herbaceous vegetation expansion uphill was observed only in grazed transects, while the wadi slope patterns affect its patterns. It contains an increased soil water content (from a similar value of 5% until 13% change in the grazed transect), 1.5% higher soil organic matter, 0.08 mg Kg−1 higher Nitrite content and 1–2% higher clay content in the grazed transects, up to 4 m ahead from the channel. The novelty of this finding suggested that the SR influences the organic matter to reach the wadi channel and facilitate the adherence of aggregated clay and the formed colluvial layer that serves as a substrate to the expanded vegetation growth. Adequate implementation of these grazing patterns may rehabilitate degraded ‘wadis’ and increase their tourism eligibility.