Thesis (MAgric)--University of Stellenbosch, 2007. / Bibliography. Also available via the Internet.

Outbreaks of spider mites (Acari: Tetranychidae) in vineyards have been increasing with the expansion of the industry in Virginia. Only three effective acaricides are registered on grapes and as resistance begins to occur, control options are limited. Biological control of spider mites by inoculative or inundative releases of predatory mites has been tried on a wide range of crops including grapes. This project examined the feasibility of using <i>Neoseiulus fallacis</i> (Acari: Phytoseiidae) as a potential large-scale biological control agent in vineyards. Slide dip bioassays were conducted on <i>N. fallacis</i> to determine the toxicity of insecticides, fungicides and herbicides commonly used on grapes in Virginia. In addition to laboratory experiments, commercially obtained <i>N. fallacis</i> were released in vineyards with spider mite infestations. The populations of both mites were then monitored on a regular basis to determine dispersal and distribution patterns. Among the insecticides tested in the laboratory bioassays, carbaryl, azinphos-methyl, phosmet, cyhexatin, and pyridaben all caused significantly higher mortality than the control treatment. Fungicides tested were not toxic to the predator, but three herbicides caused high mortality. Glufosinate caused 100% mortality after 24 hours and both oxyfluorfen and paraquat had adverse effects on <i>N. fallacis</i>. The use of materials that were found to be toxic to the predator would not be compatible with inoculative releases of <i>N. fallacis</i>. Field release results were variable. Three releases were made in 1999 and 2000., Recovery of the predator was low following the releases at two of the sites, probably due to lack of prey. At the third site enough predators were recovered to analyze the spatial distribution of the predator and prey populations. It appears that there is no similar aggregation pattern between the predator and prey at the same point in time although there is an indication of the predator spreading is response to the prey distribution. A more complete season of sampling would give more conclusive evidence of this trend. Although the distribution of the two populations were dissimilar, the predator was present throughout the season and did spread through the entire plot indicating that the predator may be able to colonize the vineyard if it successfully overwinters. / Master of Science

No description available.

"November 2002" / Bibliography: leaves 155-176. / xv, 176 leaves : ill. (some col.), plates (col.) ; 30 cm. / Title page, contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University Library. / Studies were conducted to develop soil sampling, detection and quantification techniques for Meloidogyne spp.. (root-knot nematodes, RKN) in vineyards. A survey was conducted in vineyards of South Australia (SA) to validate a DNA based quantification method for RKN and to determine the population structure fo RKN across the grapevine growing areas of SA. The effect of different RKN densities on vine growth during their establishment was also determined. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Applied and Molecular Ecology, 2003

Leafhoppers (Homoptera: Cicadellidae) were surveyed in Western Oregon vineyards in 1999. Four sites were sampled for leafhoppers using a sticky trap method, and 29 vineyards were sampled for leafhoppers using a sweep net method in the summer of 1999. The sticky trap and sweep net methods were chosen based on cost, ease of use, and the fact that they are commonly used tools available for growers and IPM programs. Populations varied according to sample method, date, location, height, agricultural practices, and growing region. Each method resulted in the capture of different leafhopper species. Sticky traps attracted, and caught mobile insects such as the winged adults. The sweep net captured leafhoppers of all stadia from the vegetation. There was seasonal variation seen for each leafhopper group. Greatest numbers of leafhoppers were caught on the border and edges of the vineyard, presumably because of the surrounding vegetation providing refuge and food. The height of catch was dependent upon the preferred host plant of the leafhopper. Species that feed on the grapevine were generally found in the canopy from 90 to 150 cm above the soil surface. Vineyard management influenced abundance and diversity within the sites. Those vineyards using the least input had the highest diversity and lowest overall abundance of leafhoppers. Chemical use, irrigation, and cover crop choice influenced the species composition of the vineyard. The sites to the south of the Willamette Valley had a higher abundance of the species Psamotettix sp. The community structure of leafhoppers appeared to be more similar in the southern sites to California. The vineyards that had a diverse mix of plants in the cover crop had a more diverse population of leafhoppers. Most species found in this study feed on herbaceous plants that are common as vineyard ground cover. The cover crop that most low input management sites use may increase the number of leafhoppers that feed on the vine, but the presence of a cover crop has many advantages in the vineyard system. / Graduation date: 2001

<p>This dissertation places intersection homology and local homology within the framework of persistence, which was originally developed for ordinary homology by Edelsbrunner, Letscher, and Zomorodian. The eventual goal, begun but not completed here, is to provide analytical tools for the study of embedded stratified spaces, as well as for high-dimensional and possibly noisy datasets for which the number of degrees of freedom may vary across the parameter space. Specifically, we create a theory of persistent intersection homology for a filtered stratified space and prove several structural theorems about the pair groups asso- ciated to such a filtration. We prove the correctness of a cubic algorithm which computes these pair groups in a simplicial setting. We also define a series of intersec- tion homology elevation functions for an embedded stratified space and characterize their local maxima in dimension one. In addition, we develop a theory of persistence for a multi-scale analogue of the local homology groups of a stratified space at a point. This takes the form of a series of local homology vineyards which allow one to assess the homological structure within a one-parameter family of neighborhoods of the point. Under the assumption of dense sampling, we prove the correctness of this assessment at a variety of radius scales.</p> / Dissertation

Thesis (M.S.)--California Polytechnic State University, 2009. / Title from PDF title page; viewed on December 2, 2009. Major professor: Brent G. Hallock, Ph.D. "Presented to the faculty of California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo." "In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree [of] Master of Science in Agriculture with specialization in Soil Science." "November 2009." Includes bibliographical references (p. 67-71). Also available on microfiche.

The economic impact of frost on agriculture remains a global problem. It is a particular concern for the New Zealand wine industry, where the consequences of an unexpected spring frost can be disastrous. Marlborough is located in the north-eastern corner of the South Island and is the largest grape-growing region in New Zealand. The region is surrounded by complex mountainous terrain that gives rise to extremes of climate, particularly large spatial variations of minimum temperature and the frequent occurrence of spring frost. The high spatial variation of near-surface minimum temperature can lead to under-preparedness among grape growers who rely on accurate frost forecasts as part of their frost mitigation systems. Field campaigns of the 1980’s and 90’s extended the understanding of the physical meteorological processes that affect cooling in complex terrain. More recent modelling efforts continue to refine this knowledge, although much less attention is given to the effects of different cooling processes on near-surface temperature. Agricultural developments in areas of complex terrain would benefit from an increased understanding of the meteorological processes that govern near-surface cooling, as this will help with the local prediction of frost. The spatial variation of near-surface minimum temperatures is first explored by identifying relationships with synoptic weather patterns using the Kidson (2000) synoptic classification scheme. Analysis revealed that Kidson types associated with the largest daily variations in near-surface minimum temperature (T, TNW and H) are not always associated with the occurrence of frost. Frost is more likely to occur during the cooler airflows of Kidson type HW, HNW and SW, or during the settled anticyclonic conditions that follow cooler airflows. The relationship between the spatial variation of near-surface minimum temperature and regional airflow patterns is explored using numerical weather prediction (NWP) modelling. Results indicated that a high σ Tmin around the region is a product of interaction between the region’s complex terrain and ambient meteorology, and it could occur in both settled weather and more dynamic synoptic conditions. A high regional σ Tmin during light ridge top winds could occur as a function of a location’s relative susceptibility to ventilation from thermally-induced drainage winds, and it may also occur as a result of the simultaneous ventilation and stagnation of near-surface air layers as synoptic wind interacts with local topography. The influence of the vertical structure of the nocturnal boundary layer (NBL) on nearsurface minimum temperature was investigated with the University of Canterbury Sonic Detection And Ranging (SODAR). Measurements confirmed the formation of low-level jets (LLJ’s) in the Awatere and Wairau Valleys during settled weather conditions, and that shear-induced turbulence beneath the jets was sufficient to mix warmer air to the surface and increase local temperatures. The process is sufficient to reduce frost risk to some of the region’s upper valleys during clear settled weather. In stronger ridge top winds development of the LLJ’s can be suppressed or eliminated and this was found to reduce shear-induced turbulence near the surface, allowing increased near-surface cooling. While results from this study are of greatest value to the prediction of near-surface minimum temperature and frost in Marlborough, the results could be applied to improved prediction of near-surface minimum temperature in complex terrain around the world. Further research could be directed toward the interaction of synoptic winds with thermally-induced airflows, as the transition zone between these wind systems is believed to govern the temporal and spatial evolution of near-surface stagnation, and this is related to episodes of strong near-surface cooling.

Title page, table of contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University of Adelaide Library. / Grapevine powdery mildew, caused by the fungus Uncinula necator Schweinitz Burrill, is a major disease affecting grape yield and quality worldwide. In conventional vineyards, the disease is controlled mainly by regular applications of sulphur and synthetic fungicides, such as demethylation inhibiting fungicides (DMIs), and in organic agriculture by sulphur and canola-based oils. The impending restrictions on the use of sulphur in organic viticulture, the development of resistance to DMls in Australia and elsewhere, and the demand for residue-free grapes create a need for effective alternatives to sulphur and synthetic chemicals. This research has identified potential replacements for synthetic fungicides and sulphur in the control of powdery mildew, such as milk, whey, bicarbonates and canola oil-based sprays. A series of greenhouse experiments was conducted to evaluate 34 potential novel materials and biological agents for efficacy in controlling powdery mildew. The most effective treatments applied were Bacillus subtilis (which reduced disease by 94% compared to the untreated control), Synertrol Horti-Oil® (a canola oil-based product, 92%), milk (70%), whey (64%) and Ecocarb® (potassium bicarbonate, 58%). Milk and whey provided increased control of powdery mildew as the concentration increased. The efficacy of milk tended to decrease as the fat content of the milk was reduced. The materials that were most promising in the greenhouse were then assessed in field trials in commercial vineyards. Applications of milk, whey and mixtures of a canola oil-based product and potassium bicarbonate, applied at rates of 300 L/ha to 1000 L/ha depending on canopy development, reduced the severity of powdery mildew. The severity of powdery mildew on vines sprayed with a 1:10 dilution of milk, 45 g/L whey powder and mixed programs was not significantly different from that on vines sprayed with sulphur (wettable powder, 3 g/L). However, the relative control of powdery mildew by the test materials in field trials was highly dependent on the degree of coverage of the plant surface achieved. In vineyards where coverage was compromised, the degree of control of powdery mildew was reduced, often to commercially unacceptable levels. Electron spin resonance (ESR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to investigate the possible mode or modes of action of milk and whey in the control of powdery mildew. The ESR experiments showed that production of oxygen radicals by various components of milk in natural light was associated with reduced severity of powdery mildew. SEM images showed that milk and whey caused the hyphae of U necator to collapse and damaged conidia within 24 h of treatment. Hydrogen peroxide, applied as a source of free radicals, also caused collapse of the hyphae of U necator within 24 h but did not damage conidia, and appeared to stimulate germination. Lactoferrin (an antimicrobial component of milk) ruptured conidia, but damage to hyphae was not evident in lactoferrin-treated samples until 48 h after treatment. The results suggested that fats, free radical production along with the action of lactoferrin, and possibly other proteins, are associated with the control of powdery mildew by milk. Novel soft fungicides, such as milk and oil plus bicarbonate mixtures, were effective alternatives to sulphur and synthetic fungicides in certain South Australian conditions. Biological agents (including B. subtilis, which was highly effective in greenhouse experiments) did not provide acceptable control of powdery mildew in the vineyard. / http://proxy.library.adelaide.edu.au/login?url= http://library.adelaide.edu.au/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=1116612 / Thesis (Ph.D.) -- University of Adelaide, School of Agriculture and Wine, 2004

Title page, table of contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University of Adelaide Library. / Grapevine powdery mildew, caused by the fungus Uncinula necator Schweinitz Burrill, is a major disease affecting grape yield and quality worldwide. In conventional vineyards, the disease is controlled mainly by regular applications of sulphur and synthetic fungicides, such as demethylation inhibiting fungicides (DMIs), and in organic agriculture by sulphur and canola-based oils. The impending restrictions on the use of sulphur in organic viticulture, the development of resistance to DMls in Australia and elsewhere, and the demand for residue-free grapes create a need for effective alternatives to sulphur and synthetic chemicals. This research has identified potential replacements for synthetic fungicides and sulphur in the control of powdery mildew, such as milk, whey, bicarbonates and canola oil-based sprays. A series of greenhouse experiments was conducted to evaluate 34 potential novel materials and biological agents for efficacy in controlling powdery mildew. The most effective treatments applied were Bacillus subtilis (which reduced disease by 94% compared to the untreated control), Synertrol Horti-Oil® (a canola oil-based product, 92%), milk (70%), whey (64%) and Ecocarb® (potassium bicarbonate, 58%). Milk and whey provided increased control of powdery mildew as the concentration increased. The efficacy of milk tended to decrease as the fat content of the milk was reduced. The materials that were most promising in the greenhouse were then assessed in field trials in commercial vineyards. Applications of milk, whey and mixtures of a canola oil-based product and potassium bicarbonate, applied at rates of 300 L/ha to 1000 L/ha depending on canopy development, reduced the severity of powdery mildew. The severity of powdery mildew on vines sprayed with a 1:10 dilution of milk, 45 g/L whey powder and mixed programs was not significantly different from that on vines sprayed with sulphur (wettable powder, 3 g/L). However, the relative control of powdery mildew by the test materials in field trials was highly dependent on the degree of coverage of the plant surface achieved. In vineyards where coverage was compromised, the degree of control of powdery mildew was reduced, often to commercially unacceptable levels. Electron spin resonance (ESR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to investigate the possible mode or modes of action of milk and whey in the control of powdery mildew. The ESR experiments showed that production of oxygen radicals by various components of milk in natural light was associated with reduced severity of powdery mildew. SEM images showed that milk and whey caused the hyphae of U necator to collapse and damaged conidia within 24 h of treatment. Hydrogen peroxide, applied as a source of free radicals, also caused collapse of the hyphae of U necator within 24 h but did not damage conidia, and appeared to stimulate germination. Lactoferrin (an antimicrobial component of milk) ruptured conidia, but damage to hyphae was not evident in lactoferrin-treated samples until 48 h after treatment. The results suggested that fats, free radical production along with the action of lactoferrin, and possibly other proteins, are associated with the control of powdery mildew by milk. Novel soft fungicides, such as milk and oil plus bicarbonate mixtures, were effective alternatives to sulphur and synthetic fungicides in certain South Australian conditions. Biological agents (including B. subtilis, which was highly effective in greenhouse experiments) did not provide acceptable control of powdery mildew in the vineyard. / http://proxy.library.adelaide.edu.au/login?url= http://library.adelaide.edu.au/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=1116612 / Thesis (Ph.D.) -- University of Adelaide, School of Agriculture and Wine, 2004