Apple orchards are agro-ecosystems managed with high levels of inputs and especially pesticides. Epigeal spider communities were sampled in three seasons using pitfall traps in 19 apple orchards with four different management strategies (abandoned, under organic, Integrated Pest Management or conventional protection) and thus significantly different pesticide usage. The abundance and diversity of the spider communities was the highest in abandoned orchards. Higher diversity and evenness values were the only difference in spider communities from the organic orchards compared to the other commercial orchards. The analysis of five ecological traits (proportion of aeronauts, type of diet, overwintering stages, body size and maternal care), however, clearly showed differences in the spiders from the organic orchards. The spider species in the other commercial orchards were smaller and have higher dispersal abilities. Seven bioindicator species were identified in abandoned orchards, two species in organic ones (only Lycosidae) and one species in conventional orchards (Linyphiidae).
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
---|---|
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10646-014-1409-1 | DOI Listing |
Plants (Basel)
January 2025
Intelligent Equipment Research Center, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Beijing 100097, China.
Precision pesticide application mainly relies on canopy volume, resulting in varied application effectiveness across different density areas of orchard trees. This study examined pesticide application effectiveness based on the spray wind, canopy volume, and leaf area within the canopy, providing variable bases for precise regulation of spray wind and pesticide dosage. The study addresses the knowledge gap by utilizing laser detection and ranging (LiDAR) to measure the thickness and leaf area of orchard tree canopies.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSensors (Basel)
January 2025
Department of Agricultural Machinery Engineering, Graduate School, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Republic of Korea.
Information and communication technology (ICT) components, especially actuators in automated irrigation systems, are essential for managing precise irrigation and optimal soil moisture, enhancing orchard growth and yield. However, actuator malfunctions can lead to inefficient irrigation, resulting in water imbalances that impact crop health and reduce productivity. The objective of this study was to develop a signal processing technique to detect potential malfunctions based on the power consumption level and operating status of actuators for an automated orchard irrigation system.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Imaging
December 2024
Department of Agricultural Machinery Engineering, Graduate School, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Republic of Korea.
The geometric feature characterization of fruit trees plays a role in effective management in orchards. LiDAR (light detection and ranging) technology for object detection enables the rapid and precise evaluation of geometric features. This study aimed to quantify the height, canopy volume, tree spacing, and row spacing in an apple orchard using a three-dimensional (3D) LiDAR sensor.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMol Plant Pathol
January 2025
Plant Pathology Laboratory, School of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Alson H. Smith Jr. Agricultural Research and Extension Center, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Winchester, Virginia, USA.
Unlabelled: Apple bitter rot is caused by various Colletotrichum spp. that threaten apple production globally resulting in millions of dollars in damage annually. The fungus causes a decline in fruit quality and yield, eventually rotting the fruit and rendering it inedible.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMicroorganisms
December 2024
Division of Biotechnology and Advanced Institute of Environment and Bioscience, Jeonbuk National University, Iksan 54596, Jeonbuk, Republic of Korea.
A Gram-positive, rod-shaped, and obligate anaerobic bacterial strain OS1-26 was isolated from apple orchard soil in Iksan, South Korea. Interestingly, strain OS1-26 was observed to possess the functional genes involved in biological nitrogen fixation (BNF), including , which was actively transcribed during the anaerobic cultivation with excessive production of extracellular NH despite of presence of other fixed N nutrients. The BNF of strain OS1-26 was distinguished from the other well-known diazotrophs, such as and .
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEnter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!