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Subject: search.filters.subject.300804 Horticultural crop protection (incl. pests, diseases and weeds)

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Now showing 1 - 10 of 13
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    Ecosystem services provided by North Island brown kiwi (Apteryx Mantelli) in two horticulture settings : vineyards and kiwifruit orchards : a thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Conservation Biology, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2025) Gong, Wei
    Ecosystem services provide essential benefits to humans from natural ecosystems. Recognising and valuing these services is crucial. By implementing sustainable management practices that balance human needs with biodiversity preservation, we can ensure the long-term health of both ecosystems and people. North Island brown kiwi (Apteryx mantelli), an endemic New Zealand bird are nocturnal ground insectivores whose numbers are increasing following conservation management practices. They are now being reported more frequently from human-modified landscapes. This study explores the possible role of the brown kiwi as pest controllers in vineyards and kiwifruit orchards, focusing on its foraging behaviour and habitat use. I collected data using acoustic recorders only in one study site, and camera traps, pitfall traps, and kiwi faeces analysis across four study sites. These methods aimed to investigate their activity pattern, habitat use, diet composition, and the invertebrates’ composition in this specific area. Acoustic recorders provide kiwi vocal behaviour, estimate population density, and at the same time, camera traps monitor their movement and habitat preference between orchard and bush areas. Pitfall traps and faecal analysis help to identify available and consumed invertebrate prey for them. I used capture rate calculations, Non-Metric Multidimensional Scaling (NMDS), and Spatial Capture-Recapture (SCR) modelling for statistical analyses. That is to assess kiwi activity, diet overlap between seasons and study sites and estimate population density. I found that they were more active in bush areas, but also used orchards, especially those with dense canopy cover, like Puriri Park. Seasonal changes affected invertebrate availability and their behaviour. Kiwi were most active in summer and less active in winter. Kiwi faeces contained potential orchard pest species, suggesting they may be a potential pest controller. Using predator heat maps made with camera trap data, I found different levels of threat at different locations, with higher numbers of predators closer to the bush area. The spatial capture-recapture model estimated a low kiwi density, which may be due to detection limitations and small sample sizes. It may be necessary to increase the sample size in future studies to reflect the most realistic results. Overall, the findings suggest that habitat characteristics such as canopy cover, soil conditions and surrounding vegetation influence their behaviour and that horticultural landscapes can support kiwi if managed properly. Additionally, my findings show that kiwi use modified landscapes and can inform orchardists on how to make horticultural settings more kiwi-friendly through improved habitat and pest management. Future research should increase the number of orchards used and include more diverse horticultural settings to test the replicability of these findings and their extent. Research could also assess the effectiveness of different orchard management practices on their behaviour. These efforts will support better conservation strategies and promote eco-friendly orchard management in New Zealand.
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    Effectiveness and energy efficiency of pulsed electric microshocks for killing young weeds : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Plant Science at Massey University, Manawatū, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2024-08-30) Bloomer, Daniel James
    Alternatives to herbicides are needed due to increased occurrence of herbicide resistance, regulatory restrictions, and consumer preferences. This thesis presents results of research into ultra-low energy weeding systems using very short pulses of very high voltage direct current electricity. Proof-of-concept trials found that small Capsella bursa-pastoris weeds in a fallowed vegetable bed were killed by single 10 kV pulses of about 5 J. Grasses were harder to kill. In replicated greenhouse trials, small Chenopodium album plants collapsed, and three quarters were dead 4 weeks later. Shocks instantly impacted small Lolium multiflorum plants, but death rates were very low. Applying multiple-pulse treatments using a probe electrode precisely placed against the stems of bagged plants showed Amaranthus powellii could be well controlled, but Solanum nigrum could generate adventitious roots and recover. While L. multiflorum treated with probe-electrodes again had a high survival rate, biomass reduced with increasing energy doses. Seeking a more practical application method, I showed that a flat plate electrode applying multiple pulses to the plants’ leaves or to the plant pressed against the soil was effective, with Polygonum aviculare, A. powellii, Amaranthus deflexus and Solanum nitidibaccatum weeds successfully controlled. While only half of L. multiflorum plants were killed, data indicated a 90% death rate would be achieved at 200 J plant⁻¹. Moving outdoors, I treated small plants in the ground using flat plate electrodes and achieved excellent control of Lepidium didymum, A. powellii and L. multiflorum. Flat-plate electric weeding using pulsed microshocks is a novel development that gives effective control of individual or small clumps of weeds in the field. Observations of plant responses during almost 30 trials suggest the mode of action is not cell rupturing from resistive heating as usually claimed for electric weeding, but an increase in membrane permeability. My trials showed that small broadleaf weeds and grasses can be controlled at a density of 5 plants m⁻² using less than 1 MJ ha⁻¹, a fraction of the energy required by any other weeding system. Combined with automation technologies and artificial intelligence, it offers an autonomous, low-energy, non-chemical, selective weeding system for integrated management of weeds.
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    Biological control ecology of Tamarixia triozae (Burks) (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) on Bactericera cockerelli (Šulc) (Hemiptera: Triozidae) : a thesis presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Plant Science (Entomology) at Massey University, Manawatū, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2023) Chen, Chen
    Tamarixia triozae (Burks) (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) is an important primary parasitoid of tomato-potato psyllid Bactericera cockerelli (Šulc) (Hemiptera: Triozidae), a serious invasive pest of solanaceous crops. It kills its hosts by both feeding and parasitisation. However, its biological control ecology is still not well known, making it difficult to develop an effective biological control programme using this parasitoid. In this thesis, I investigated adult circadian rhythms, diets, life history strategies, and host selection behaviour in T. triozae. My results show that most emergence occurred in the morning and most mating took place early the next morning. Oviposition only occurred during the daytime, peaking between mid-morning and mid-afternoon while host feeding had three peaks in the early morning, late afternoon, and dawn. Adults fed with honey for four days with no access to hosts or with water or yeast for one day followed by host feeding for three days had similar longevity and lifetime pest killing ability. Adults fed with only water for one day immediately before release had significantly greater intrinsic rate of increase, shorter doubling time, and higher daily fecundity peak. Adults fed with honey or yeast for one day followed by host feeding for three days significantly flattened their daily oviposition curves. T. triozae females could feed on nymphs of all instars but preferred mid-aged ones for feeding. Most parasitisation occurred on older nymphs. Host feeding and parasitism peaked during the first week of female life and declined markedly after two weeks. Parasitoids allocated more fertilised eggs to older and larger nymphs. The oviposition of fertilised eggs peaked when females were four to five days old, with > 90 % of daughters produced during the first half of their life. There was a positive relationship between the host size at parasitisation and parasitoid offspring fitness. The parasitoid behaviours consisted of encounter, evaluation, piercing for feeding, feeding, oviposition probing, and oviposition, and host defence behaviours included body swaying and escaping. Female wasps were more likely to encounter and evaluate older and larger hosts. However, encounter and evaluation did not necessarily translate into feeding and oviposition success. Older nymphs had more resources, thicker integument and stronger defence ability and the opposite was the case for younger ones. The present study provides novel knowledge for development of effective T. triozae mass rearing, shipment, and release programmes for the control of B. cockerelli.
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    Unravelling the molecular basis of subcuticular host-colonization by the apple scab fungus, Venturia inaequalis : a thesis presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Plant Science, School of Agriculture and Environment, Massey University
    (Massey University, 2023) Rocafort Ferrer, Mercedes
    Scab, caused by the fungal pathogen V. inaequalis (Vi), is the most economically important apple disease. During infection, Vi occupies the subcuticular environment, where it develops specialized infection structures, called stromata and runner hyphae. These structures are thought to be important for fungal nutrition and the delivery of proteins, with many of these anticipated to function as virulence factors (effectors) in promoting host infection or avirulence factors (Avr effectors) in triggering host resistance. To date, nothing is known about how these structures are differentiated and protected from recognition by the host immune system. Likewise, little is known about the identity and function of Vi effector proteins. To better control scab, a greater understanding of the molecular mechanisms underpinning infection structure differentiation and protection, as well as Vi virulence and avirulence, is first needed. In Chapter 2, a comprehensive review of apoplastic effector proteins from plant-associated fungi (and oomycetes) was provided. Given that Vi is an extracellular pathogen, this review provided insights into the potential types of effector proteins secreted by Vi into the subcuticular environment. Then, in Chapter 3, a multidisciplinary approach based on bioinformatics, transcriptomics, and structural biology was used to identify and characterize Vi effector candidates (ECs). This revealed that ECs were predominantly expressed in two temporal waves, and that many belonged to expanded protein families with predicted structural similarity to virulence and avirulence effectors from other plant-pathogenic fungi. This analysis helped to generate a list of ECs for further study and contributed to a better understanding of effector biology and evolution. Next, in Chapter 4, a multidisciplinary approach based on transcriptomics, proteomics, glycomics, and confocal microscopy was used to study Vi cell wall carbohydrate composition during the differentiation of infection structures. This iii revealed that Vi down-regulates genes putatively associated with the biosynthesis of immunogenic carbohydrates, and deacetylates surface-exposed chitin to the less immunogenic carbohydrate, chitosan. Finally, in Chapter 5, CRISPR-Cas9 technology was applied to Vi for the first time, which will enable genes identified in this study to be functionally characterized. Altogether, this thesis has furthered our understanding of the Vi –apple pathosystem and has provided novel data that can be used to inform the development of new scab control strategies against Vi.
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    Life history strategies of the spider mite, Tetranychus ludeni Zacher, in response to environmental conditions : a thesis presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Entomology at Massey University, Manawatu, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2022) Ristyadi, Dwi
    Tetranychus ludeni Zacher (Acari: Tetranychidae) is an invasive pest of many horticultural crops and now occurs in all continents except Antarctic. Its invasive nature and pest status have stimulated the need for understanding the plasticity of its life history strategies under different environmental conditions. So far, little is known about effects of environmental factors on the life history traits in T. ludeni. In this thesis, I investigated its life history strategies in response to temperature, food deprivation, and predator threat. I show that life history traits of T. ludeni were highly flexible and adaptive to dynamic thermal environment. Higher temperature accelerated development but reduced adult body size and longevity. Increasing temperature elevated the intrinsic rate of increase (rm) but shortened generation time (T) and the time to double the population size (Dt). The net population growth rate (R0) was higher at 20 and 25ºC compared to lower and higher temperatures. Thermotolerance in T. ludeni was stage-dependent with eggs being the most vulnerable and adults the most tolerant. No eggs hatched after exposed to 45°C for ≥ 15 hours, 48°C for ≥ 12 hours, or 51°C for three hours; no adults survived 51°C or 54°C for ≥12 hours or 57°C for ≥ six hours, and heat tolerance of other life stages fell in between. Intermittent fasting (IF) had sex-specific and mating status-specific effects on the lifespan of T. ludeni. It extended the lifespan of females regardless of mating status but shortened that of mated males and had no effect on virgin males. IF reduced fecundity and egg size and extended offspring developmental time. My study indicates that predator-induced fears significantly lowered the fitness of T. ludeni. Cues from predators and injured prey shortened the longevity by 23–25% and oviposition period by 35–40% and reduced the fecundity by 31–37% in T. ludeni females. These cues significantly reduced intrinsic rate of increase (rm) and net population growth rate (R0), and extended time to double the population size (Dt). Findings from this study contribute to our understanding of the effects of environmental stressors on life history traits in T. ludeni, providing knowledge for pest risk analysis and development of pest management programs.
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    Investigating organic control methods for bronze beetle (Eucolaspis sp.) in New Zealand organic apple production : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Horticultural Science at Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2022) Wyatt, Sarah Margaret
    Bronze beetle (Eucolaspis sp.), an insect native to New Zealand (NZ), is one of the most prevalent threats to the NZ organic apple industry. In organic orchards, bronze beetle can potentially damage or destroy 40-50% of the crop. At Bostock New Zealand, a large organic company that produces approximately 90% of NZ’s organic apples, the beetle causes losses of approximately ‡6 million per year. The lack of effective control methods available for use in organic production systems exacerbates the population numbers and severity of this pest. Two separate experiments were carried out to help alleviate this problematic pest. The first was a laboratory bioassay trial comparing the efficacy of three conventional insecticides with three organic insecticides containing the active ingredients spinosad (Entrust™ SC Naturalyte™ 240), pyrethrin (PYNZ28 EC), and azadirachtin (NeemAzal-T/S™ 40 EC). The objective of this experiment was to determine if any of the organic insecticides had the potential to provide an acceptable level of control in controlled conditions. If so, they should be investigated commercially. The organic insecticide Entrust SC Naturalyte (commonly called Entrust) provided over 90% control five days after application to leaves, a level of control similar to all three conventional insecticides trialled (Vayego® 200 SC, Calypso® 480 SC, and Avaunt® 300 WDG). NeemAzal-T/S, the organic insecticide containing azadirachtin, also showed some potential but at a lower level compared to Entrust, as the control achieved was over 80% seven days after direct application to leaves. The second experiment investigated the host plant attraction of bronze beetle, as it is known that they use plant volatiles to locate host plants. Based on this, apple, plum, and blackberry leaves were compared (with a clean air control) to identify which of these crops was the most attractive to bronze beetle. The purpose of this was to investigate the possibility of using these crops as attractants in a potential organic control programme. However, there were few responses to treatments, and all four treatment options appeared equally attractive to bronze beetle during this experiment, with any differences attributed to random variability.
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    Interactions between Anystis baccarum (Acari: Anystidae), a generalist predatory mite, and larvae of Epiphyas postvittana (Walker (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), a pest of apples : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Horticultural Science in Plant Health at Massey University
    (Massey University, 1995) Ekanayake, Nayana Kumudini
    A large numbers of Anystis baccarum (Acari: Anystidae) were discovered living alongside of Epiphyas postvittana (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) larvae known as light brown apple moth (LBAM) in shelter belt of acacia, Acacia reva (Leguminoseae: Sub family Mimosoidae). Few questions that needed to be answered were whether the mites actually feed on the LBAM larvae and what are their interactions. The objective of my study was to investigate the general characteristics of mite feeding on LBAM larvae, and to study the age, density, webs and defence behaviour of larvae as exogenous factors, and the effect of level of starvation and experience of mites as endogenous factors on foraging behaviour of A. baccarum. Eleven experiments were conducted under laboratory conditions. At 20 c, the average daily consumption rate of A. baccarum was 11.5 ± 52.68 neonate E. postvittana larvae of 1.484 mm in lenght and 0.231 mm in width. The predator spent 1106 ± 309 seconds mean feeding time, feeding on a neonate larvae of E. postvittana. A. baccarum is cannabalistic and survived 6.1 ± 2.28 days totaly deprived of food and water. Webs of E. postvittana larvae act as a physical barrier to attack of A. baccarum. When the webs were removed larvae upto eight days of age were consumed by A. baccarum, however survival from capture by mite increased with age. When the mite was given a choice between three different age groups of larvae, a higher number of neonate faivae were taken as the first choice, but the overall results showed the choice depends on random encounters between the predator and prey and prey avoidence behaviour of larvae. Spinning was the most frequent avoidence behaviour of larvae without webs. Spinning response occured less frequently with increased age of the larvae. The most common response of larvae in webs was quick movement fonnards or backwards. Starvation for 24 hours did not significantly increase walking speed of A. baccarum over walking speed of non-starved mites, but walking speed was decreased at 48 hr and 72 hr starvation. However, starvation increased prey capture of A. baccarum compared to non starved condition. Starvation also had a significant effect on number of captures at first encounter. A. baccarum with no experience of prey on apple shoots prefered to rest on branch of apple than leaf and fruit given that area of the branch is low, preference was even greater. On their search of alternative walking and resting periods, A. baccarum spent significantly more time walking than resting. When given experience of feeding a neonate larva of LBAM on branch, leaf or fruit, A. baccarum spent significantly more time walking on the location they were fed. In conclusion, the larvae of E. postvittana includes in to the list of prey of A- baccarum. If encounterd during their dispersal phase after hatching, possibilities are high that neonate larvae of E. postvittana to be preyed by A. baccarum ocurring in large numbers in orchid ecosystems in New Zealand. Studies on this predator-prey interaction opens new venues of research on generalised predator-prey interactions.
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    Growth, yield and quality response of beetroot to organic mulches in tropical conditions : submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirement for the degree of Master of Science (Horticultural Science) at Massey University, Manawatu, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2021) Addo, Elizabeth
    A field experiment was conducted in Malawi (Bvumbwe, Thyolo) between June and September 2020 to evaluate the impact of locally found organic mulches, viz maize straw (SM) and compost mulches (CM), with an un-mulched control, on the growth, yield and quality of three beetroot varieties, viz Detroit dark red (DDR), Crimson globe (CG) and Globe dark red (GDR). The experiment was set up under a split-plot design, randomized, and replicated three times. During the experiment, observations on plant height, number of leaves, leaf length and width, marketable and non-marketable yield, root diameter, shoot and root dry weights and dry matter content were recorded. The profitability of the two mulch treatments was assessed by working out the net profit for each treatment per hectare. The results showed that mulching improved all growth parameters and yield in beets. Additionally, net return was maximized by mulching. Compost mulch produced superior results with the highest plant height (20.6cm) and marketable yield (2423g) while the control had the least plant height (12.7cm) and marketable yield (443g) which subsequently reduced the overall net profit. However, mulching did not affect dry matter percentage as there were no significant differences observed between the control and straw mulch. However, the lowest dry matter content was found in beets planted under compost mulch. The total net return was higher in all mulched plots with compost mulch giving the maximum net return. There were no significant differences observed between the effects of mulches on the three beetroot varieties. However, Detroit dark red and Globe dark red produced the maximum plant height and yield respectively. Based on the results of this study, it can be concluded that mulching was the most effective treatment compared to non-mulched treatment. Therefore, it is recommended for commercial beetroot cultivation in farmers’ fields.
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    Development and validation of a robust and rapid isothermal loop-mediated amplification (LAMP) assay for the detection of Black Sigatoka Disease (Pseudocercospora fijiensis) in bananas : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science (Agricultural Science) at Massey University, Manawatū, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2020) Bob, Luania Koi
    Black Sigatoka disease is a serious threat to banana and plantain production. However, the causal agent of the disease, Pseudocercospora fijiensis, is difficult to distinguish from related species associated with yellow Sigatoka disease (P. musicola) and eumusae leaf spot disease (P. eumusae) on the basis of symptomology or morphology. These similarities complicate pathogen identification. Molecular methods such as conventional PCR have been used in diagnosing this disease, but the time and cost of testing as well as the requirement for specialised equipment and infrastructure have limited its usefulness. New molecular approaches are reducing the barriers to molecular testing by allowing testing to be conducted in non-laboratory settings. Given the serious threat of black Sigatoka disease, a simple and rapid isothermal loop-mediated amplification (LAMP) assay has been developed to improve pathogen detection. A potential target region within the mitochondrial small ribosomal subunit (ssRNA) gene was identified and a set of four LAMP primers were developed. Initial trials established optimal reaction conditions for the P. fijiensis LAMP assay. These were a 1:8 primer ratio with an amplification temperature of 60˚C and an amplification time of 60 minutes. Laboratory validation of the assay suggests specific amplification in the presence of the target organism with no cross-reaction with several related species and other fungal pathogens of bananas and it detects anything above 9.1 × 10⁶ copies of the target. The LAMP assay was used against foliar and mycelial samples from Papua New Guinea and foliar samples from Fiji. Testing of foliar samples identified P. fijiensis in >90 % of the samples. These results were confirmed using PCR and sequencing. Nuclear ribosomal ITS sequencing suggested that non-target pathogens dominated the mycelium samples. However, LAMP testing indicated P. fijiensis was present in 50% of these samples. These results were confirmed using a PCR marker specific to P. fijiensis. In combination it suggests P. fijiensis was present on culture plates but competing species grew more rapidly. The testing performed suggests the LAMP assay provides a specific test for P. fijiensis that is sensitive enough to identify this pathogen from symptomatic tissue. Further work is needed to develop protocols for field testing and to examine the potential for testing non-symptomatic material.
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    'Whakapuputia mai o mānuka' : a case study on indigenous knowledge and mitigating the threat of myrtle rust (Austropuccinia psidii) : a research thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Horticultural Science, School of Agriculture and Environment, Massey University Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa, University of New Zealand, Palmerston North, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2019) Tora, Mesulame J.
    This research centres on the recent myrtle rust (Austropuccinia psidii) incursion in New Zealand to review the literature on the disease specifically and to create a localised case study with Ngāi Tāneroa hapū of Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa. The case study focused on the importance of whakapapa, mātauranga Māori, tikanga Māori and the practices of kaitiaki to ethnobotany and the development of indigenous biosecurity measures (tools) to protect culturally important plant species within the Māori community The proverb stated in the title of this thesis whakapuputia mai o Mānuka, kia kore ai te whati – (cluster the branches of the Mānuka, so they will not break off) recognizes the status of plant knowledge in te Ao Māori. It provides a foundation of understanding how Māori can participate in resource management against biological threats, which are becoming increasingly common. The science around myrtle rust and the mitigation of any incursion threats is clearly aligned to western paradigms. The information presented in this thesis outlines an extensive understanding of the intricacies of the disease as understood by the science community. But this science alone has not been able to halt the spread or risk of myrtle rust into new geographical regions. Therefore, future management of the risk of myrtle rust incursions needs to look at alternative approaches for the development of suitable management tools. The holistic approach of traditional biodiversity management using mātauranga and tikanga Māori has much to offer to conservation of taonga resources, especially the mitigation of biological threats. The Māori worldview of the environment encompasses all elements beyond the physical attributes of an ecosystem that thrives through traditional kaitiaki inputs. The case study with Ngāi Tenaroa introduced several examples of how Māori can contribute to the mitigation of all threats on the ecosystem, not just fungal threats. Firstly, the role of whakapapa is explicit and cannot be ignored. This role consolidates the management tools across all generations at the very least. Secondly, the role of networks within Māori communities and inter-generational learning is also clear – and the risk that exists if this is lost is apparent. Lastly, examples of local knowledge such as the effect of hukahuka on plant health, companion trees and role of kaitiaki in decision-making have been identified and their importance conveyed from the hapū under study.