Evaluation of a Push-Pull System for the Management of Species (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) in Tomato.

A push-pull strategy for reducing populations of the thrips (Pergande), (Morgan) and (Fitch) in tomato was evaluated. Push components consisted of ultraviolet (UV)-reflective mulch and foliar applications of kaolin and the pull component consisted of the companion plant (L.).

Population Dynamics of Frankliniella bispinosa (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) and the Predator Orius insidiosus (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae) as Influenced by Flower Color of Lagerstroemia (Lythraceae).

Crapemyrtle is a common landscape planting that is a resource subsidy for beneficial insects. Field studies were conducted to determine the influence of crapemyrtle flower color on the population abundances and predator-prey dynamics of the herbivorous Frankliniella species and the predator Orius insidiosus. Adults and immatures of predator and prey were highly anthophilous, preferring white 'Acoma' flowers compared with lavender 'Apalachee', red 'Carolina Beauty', and pink 'Choctaw'.

Biotic resistance limits the invasiveness of the western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), in Florida.

The spread of the western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande), has resulted in the world-wide destabilization of established integrated pest management programs for many crops. It is hypothesized that frequent exposure to insecticides in intensive agriculture selected for resistant populations, which allowed invasive populations in the eastern USA to overcome biotic resistance from the native community of species. Research conducted in Florida to understand the role of biotic factors in limiting the abundance of the western flower thrips is reviewed.

Comparison of arsenic accumulation in 18 fern species and four Pteris vittata accessions.

This study evaluated the ability and mechanisms of 19 Pteris and non-Pteris species to accumulate arsenic (As) in a hydroponic system spiked with 300 microM As. The study included four Pteris vittata accessions (China, India, Poland, and the United Kingdom), P. biaurita and 17 non-Pteris species.

Effect of fertilizer amendments on phytoremediation of Cd-contaminated soil by a newly discovered hyperaccumulator Solanum nigrum L.

Phytoremediation is a cost-effective, simple and sustainable beneficiary technique to purify the polluted environment. Solanum nigrum L., a newly found cadmium (Cd) hyperaccumulator, has shown the potential to remediate Cd-contaminated soils.

Bidens tripartite L.: a Cd-accumulator confirmed by pot culture and site sampling experiment.

Characteristics of accumulation and tolerance of cadmium (Cd) in Bidens tripartite L. were investigated to identify Cd-accumulating properties. In this study, pot culture experiment and site sampling experiments were conducted to assess whether this plant is a heavy metal hyperaccumulator or accumulator.

Seed germination of a newly discovered hyperaccumulator Solanum nigrum L. affected by illumination and seed-soaking reagent.

Solanum nigrum is a newly found Cd-hyperaccumulator which showed very high remediation efficiency in polluted soil. Seed germination experiments with different illumination and seed-soaking reagents were conducted in constant temperature box and greenhouse with soil as burgeon base. The results showed that the germination rate with alternating light/dark photoperiod was about twice of that without lighting (p < 0.

Effects of selenium on arsenic uptake in arsenic hyperaccumulator Pteris vittata L.

Selenium (Se) is a non-metallic element, which has the capability to increase the antioxidative capacity and stress tolerance of plants to heavy metals. Plants vary considerably in their physiological response to Se. The reported research investigated the effects of Se on arsenic (As) uptake by As hyperaccumulator Pteris vittata L.

Kalimeris integrifolia Turcz. ex DC.: an accumulator of Cd.

Phytoremediation is a traditional technique that uses vegetation to remediate contaminants from water, soil and sediments. This is a solar-driven, aesthetically pleasing, and cost effective technology. In a former published article, Kalimeris integrifolia Turcz.

Arsenic hyperaccumulation in the Chinese brake fern (Pteris vittata) deters grasshopper (Schistocerca americana) herbivory.

Brake fern, Pteris vittata, not only tolerates arsenic but also hyperaccumulates it in the frond. The hypothesis that arsenic hyperaccumulation in this fern could function as a defense against insect herbivory was tested. Fronds from control and arsenic-treated ferns were presented to nymphs of the grasshopper Schistocerca americana.

Arsenic resistance in Pteris vittata L.: identification of a cytosolic triosephosphate isomerase based on cDNA expression cloning in Escherichia coli.

Arsenic hyperaccumulator Pteris vittata L. (Chinese brake fern) grows well in arsenic-contaminated media, with an extraordinary ability to tolerate high levels of arsenic. An expression cloning strategy was employed to identify cDNAs for the genes involved in arsenic resistance in P.

Three new arsenic hyperaccumulating ferns.

Phytoremediation, an emerging, plant-based technology for the removal of toxic contaminants from soil and water, has been receiving increased attention. The prerequisite for successful phytoremediation is the existence of hyperaccumulator plants. Designed to search for new arsenic (As) hyperaccumulators, an experiment was conducted under greenhouse conditions in a completely randomized design with four replications.

Uptake and distribution of selenium in different fern species.

There has been an interest in using hyperaccumulating plants for the removal of heavy metals and metalloids. High selenium (Se) concentrations in the environment are detrimental to animals, humans, and sustainable agriculture, yet selenium is also an essential nutrient for humans. This experiment was conducted to screen fern plants for their potential to accumulate selenium.

Antioxidant responses of hyper-accumulator and sensitive fern species to arsenic.

Plant species capable of hyper-accumulating heavy metals are of considerable interest for phytoremediation, and differ in their ability to accumulate metals from the environment. This work aims to examine (i) arsenic accumulation in three fern species [Chinese brake fern (Pteris vittata L.), slender brake fern (Pteris ensiformis Burm.