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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Relationship between sensitization to citrus red mite (Panonychus citri) and the prevalence of atopic diseases in adolescents living near citrus orchards.

BACKGROUND: Recent investigations have demonstrated that the citrus red mite (Panonychus citri, CRM) is the most important allergen in citrus fruit farmers with asthma and rhinitis and a common sensitizing allergen in children living near citrus orchards. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the sensitization rate to CRM and the association between sensitization to CRM and atopic diseases, such as athma, allergic rhinitis and atopic dermatitis, in adolescents living in rural areas with citrus orchards. METHODS: A total of 2005 adolescents (aged from 16 to 18 years) living in rural areas with citrus orchards were enrolled. Subjects were evaluated by a questionnaire and a skin prick test with 11 common aeroallergens including CRM. RESULTS: The prevalences of current wheeze, rhinoconjuntivitis, and eczema on the questionnaire were 13.0%, 13.6%, and 8.8%, respectively. On skin prick tests, the most common sensitizing allergen was CRM [20.6%], followed by Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (18.5%), D. farinae (14.6%) and cockroach (9.8%). The prevalence of current eczema was significantly associated with the sensitization to CRM (OR = 1.9, 95% CI 1.3-2.9), although the prevalence of current wheeze and rhinoconjunctivitis was not associated with it. Among adolescents living near citrus orchards, however, the prevalences of current wheeze and rhinoconjuncitivitis were significantly higher in those with sensitization to only CRM than in those without sensitization to any allergens (20.3% vs. 14.1% and 20.3% vs. 15.0%, P < 0.05, respectively). CONCLUSION: CRM is the most common sensitizing allergen in adolescents living in rural areas with citrus orchards, and sensitization to CRM was significantly associated with the prevalence of atopic dermatitis.

Adolescent↗

Citrus red mite (Panonychus citri) is a common sensitizing allergen among children living around citrus orchards.

BACKGROUND: A recent investigation has suggested that Panonychus citri (citrus red mite) is the most common causative allergen in citrus-cultivating farmers with asthma or allergic rhinitis. OBJECTIVE: A cross-sectional survey was performed to evaluate the prevalence of asthma and sensitization to P. citri among children living around citrus orchards. METHODS: A total of 1,055 children living around citrus orchards were enrolled. There were 544 boys and 511 girls with a mean age of 12.3 (range 7 to 16) years. They were evaluated by the ISAAC questionnaire, and a skin prick test with 13 common aeroallergens including P. citri and Japanese cedar pollen. Children who recorded ever having experienced wheezing on the questionnaire were evaluated by methacholine bronchial provocation test and determined to have asthma if they showed bronchial hyperresponsiveness to methacholine simultaneously. RESULTS: The positive skin test response to one or more inhalant allergens except P. citri was 35.5%, but when including P. citri, the positive response increased to 37.7%. The most common sensitizing allergens in the order of decreasing frequency were Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (26.6%), D. farinae (22.7%), P. citri (14.2%), cockroach (11.3%), and Japanese cedar pollen (9.7%). Among the children without sensitization to house dust mites, the sensitization rate to P. citri was significantly higher in those 13 and over than in those under 12 (5.8% versus 2.5%, P < .05). The prevalence of asthma was not different between the children with sensitization to P. citri and those without it (5.4% versus 4.0%, P > .05), although the prevalence was higher in those with sensitization to D. pteronyssinus or D. farinae than in those without sensitization to these allergens (7.9% versus 2.9%, P < .05; 9.7% versus 2.6%, P < .05). CONCLUSION: Citrus red mite is a common sensitizing allergen among children living around citrus orchards. The features of sensitization and development of asthma are different between citrus red mite and house dust mites.

Administration, Inhalation↗

[Inhibitory effect of flavones from Ageratum conyzoides on the major pathogens in citrus orchard].

Inter-cropping with Ageratum conyzoides may effectively control major pathogens in citrus orchard. The research showed that flavones produced by and released from A. conyzoides could inhibit the major fungal pathogens, such as Elsimoe fawcetti Bit. Et Jenk, Collectrichum gloeosporimdes Penz, Oidium tingitaninum Carter, Capondium citri Berk et Desm in citrus orchard. 10 flavones, including one glycoside, from A. conyzoides plant were isolated and identified. Most of them could gradually degraded in soil and only 3 flavones could be accumulated and last a long time. Just these 3 flavones could obviously possess inhibitory effect on fungal pathogens in citrus orchard. The inhibitory effect of the 3 flavones was stronger, not only than those of other allelochemicals produced by and released from A. conyzoides, but also than that of Carbenzin, a commercial fungicide. Therefore, the flavones produced by and released from A. conyzoides played an important role in pathogens control in citrus orchard.

Ageratum↗

Volatile allelochemicals in the Ageratum conyzoides intercropped citrus orchard and their effects on mites Amblyseius newsami and Panonychus citri.

Ageratum conyzoides L. weed often invades cultivated fields and reduces crop productivity in Southeast Asia and South China. However, intercropping this weed in citrus orchards may increase the population of predatory mite Amblyseius newsami, an effective natural enemy of citrus red mite Panonychus citri, and keep the population of P. citri at low and noninjurious levels. This study showed that A. conyzoides produced and released volatile allelochemicals into the air in the intercropped citrus orchard, and these volatiles influenced the olfactory responses of A. newsami and P. citri. At test temperature (25 degrees C), A. conyzoides fresh leaves, its essential oil, and major constituents, demethoxy-ageratochromene, beta-caryophyllene, alpha-bisabolene, and E-beta-farnesene, attracted A. newsami and slightly repelled P. citri. Field experiments demonstrated that spraying A. conyzoides essential oil emulsion in an A. conyzoides nonintercropped citrus orchard increased the population density of A. newsami from below 0.1 to over 0.3 individuals per leaf, reaching the same level as in an A. conyzoides intercropped citrus orchard. However, this effect could not be maintained beyond 48 hr because of the volatility of the essential oil. In contrast, in the A. conyzoides intercropped citrus orchard, A. conyzoides plants continuously produced and released volatile allelochemicals and maintained the A. newsami population for a long time. The results suggest that intercropping of A. conyzoides not only made the citrus orchard ecosystem more favorable for the predatory mite A. newsami, but also that the volatile allelochemicals released from A. conyzoides regulated the population of A. newsami and P. citri.

Ageratum↗

Dissipation and distribution of atrazine, simazine, chlorpyrifos, and tetradifon residues in citrus orchard soil.

An environmental fate study was conducted in a citrus orchard plot in València (Spain) in the fall of 1993. Dissipation and distribution of atrazine, simazine, chlorpyrifos and tetradifon residues following their controlled addition for agricultural purposes in a mediterranean red soil (Luvic Calcisol, Rhodoxeralf) were evaluated. During a two-month period, the amounts of applied pesticides in different soil layers (0-0.05, 0.05-0.22, 0.22-0.42, and 0.42-0.52 m) were monitored. In addition, information on soils, weather and agricultural practice were collected. Degradation half-lives were calculated, assuming zero-order kinetics: 11 days for atrazine, 12 days for simazine, 10 days for chlorpyrifos, and 18 for tetradifon. The distribution through the soil profile shows that the pesticide concentrations were always highest in the upper layer (0-0.05 m) of soil, and that atrazine was the most mobile of all the four pesticides investigated.

Chlorpyrifos↗

Diversity of flies (Diptera: Tephritidae and Lonchaeidae) in organic citrus orchards in the vale do Rio Caí, Rio Grande do Sul, southern Brazil.

This study was carried out in the Counties of Montenegro and Pareci Novo located in the region of the Vale do Rio Cai, Rio Grande do Sul, Southern Brazil, aiming to determine the fruit fly species of Tephritidae and Lonchaeidae that occur in organic orchards of sweet orange [Citrus sinensis (L.) Osb.] cultivar Céu, and Murcott tangor (Citrus reticulata Blanco x C. sinensis), during the fruit ripening stages in 2003 and 2004. Eight McPhail traps baited with integral grape juice diluted to 25% were installed in four orchards, two in each citrus species. The traps were checked weekly, when the baits were changed, the flies separated and preserved in 70% ethyl alcohol. Fruits were also sampled from the orchards, placed in containers with damp soil and closed with a mesh. The tephritid flies represented 86.2% of all captured flies in the four orchards during both years. Five Tephritidae species were captured from traps: Anastrepha fraterculus (Wiedemann), Anastrepha grandis (Macquart), Anastrepha pseudoparallela (Loew), Anastrepha dissimilis Stone and Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann). The captured species of Lonchaeidae were: Neosilba zadolicha McAlpine & Steyskal, Neosilba n.sp.3, Neosilba sp. and Lonchaea sp. Anastrepha fraterculus was found in 99% of the fruit samples, both in 'Céu' orange and 'Murcott' tangor, and Neosilba n.sp.3 were only obtained from 'Murcott' tangor fruits.

Animals↗

Simazine runoff from citrus orchards affected by shallow mechanical incorporation.

Simazine (6-chloro-N,N'-diethyl-1,3,5-triazine-2,4-diamine) losses via runoff in California are a potential source of environmental contamination because simazine is widely used for weed control during the rainy season from November to March. This study was conducted in two citrus orchards from three rainfall events to evaluate the effects of shallow mechanical incorporation on simazine losses in runoff during the winter. Simazine losses in runoff were compared between row middles that were either undisturbed, the normal orchard practice, or subjected to shallow mechanical incorporation. Mechanical incorporation of row middles significantly reduced runoff volumes by approximately 45 and 28% for the first and second runoff events, respectively. In undisturbed plots, simazine concentrations in runoff from the first runoff event ranged from 0.62 to 0.73 mg L(-1); then simazine concentrations rapidly decreased (0.03-0.35 mg L(-1)) from the second and third runoff events. In disturbed plots, simazine concentrations in runoff from the first runoff event ranged from 0.21 to 0.24 mg(-1), but simazine concentrations remained relatively constant between the three runoff events. Total mass recoveries of simazine in runoff ranged from 1.93 to 2.97% and from 0.70 to 0.74% of application from the undisturbed plots and from the disturbed plots, respectively. Low water infiltration rate inhibited surface-applied herbicide incorporation into the soil matrix with natural rainfall in compacted soils. Mechanical incorporation of row middles significantly reduced runoff volumes, simazine concentrations, and mass losses in runoff after application.

Agriculture↗

Influence of irrigation with lagooned urban wastewater on chemical and microbiological soil parameters in a citrus orchard under Mediterranean condition.

The reduced availability of water resources in semi-arid Mediterranean regions requires an efficient use of supply sources. Urban wastewater, after treatment to minimise health hazards, may constitute an important resource for irrigation in areas characterised by intensive agriculture. These considerations have motivated an investigation (during the irrigation season 1996) of the dynamics of microbial biomass in the soil of a citrus orchard in eastern Sicily, which has been irrigated for 15 years with lagooned urban wastewater, to evaluate the effects of this practice on soil fertility. The analyses of parameters regarding soil microbial biomass (microbial carbon and microbial nitrogen, soluble carbon and nitrogen, cumulative respiration, respiratory quotient and enzymatic activity in the soil) have confirmed that the evolution of soil microflora is directly conditioned by the type of water used for irrigation and climatic conditions. Just before the beginning of the irrigation season (May), microbial biomass carbon (MBC), soluble C, cumulative respiration and enzymatic activity were significantly higher in the soil irrigated with wastewater with respect to the same soil irrigated with 'clear' water; the qCO2 was significantly lower. In June, after 1 month of irrigation, both soils showed an increase of all microbial parameters except for enzymatic activity and qCO2 which showed a significant reduction. In September, at the end of the irrigation period, there was a decrease of almost all investigated parameters in both plots, which was more evident in the soil irrigated with 'clear' water. The microbial biomass of the soil irrigated with wastewater, during the irrigation period, did not undergo any negative effects, having an evolution analogous to the plot irrigated with 'clear' water. The use of lagooned wastewater after three lustrums has shown, particularly in the dry season, an increase in quantity of easily available nutrients, with an improvement of the metabolic efficiency of soil microflora coupled with a more marked activity of total hydrolase and phosphatases. The variations of the parameters related to the soil microflora were strongly influenced by the seasonal climatic trend.

Agriculture↗

Movement of simazine in runoff water and weed control from citrus orchard as affected by reduced rate of herbicide application.

Simazine (6-chloro-N,N'-diethyl-1,3,5-triazine-2,4-diamine) and diuron (N'-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-N,N-dimethylurea) are applied as pre-emergence herbicides to control weeds in over 45,000 hectare of citrus in the San Joaquin Valley of California. Growers usually apply 2.0 kg active ingredient (ai) ha(-1) simazine and 2.0 kg ai ha(-1) diuron together in the fall and winter seasons. Surface water and groundwater contamination, ecological, and health damage have led to increased regulatory attention and a search for changes in current weed management practices. Reduced application rate of simazine on runoff losses generated by simulated rainfall was studied in experiment 1. Treatments included a control without herbicide application and application of herbicides at 0.5, 1.0, 1.25 and 2.0 kg ai ha(-1). Three generated runoff events were produced using simulated rainfall with 540 l water. For each simulated rainfall event, the simazine concentration in runoff water was greatest at the first volumetric sampling interval, decreasing gradually in subsequent samples. Simazine concentration in runoff water for the three runoff events was undetectable for the control treatment. For the first simulated rainfall event, simazine concentrations in runoff water averaged 0.55, 1.07, 1.27, and 2.12 mg l(-1) for treatments receiving 0.5, 1.0, 1.25 and 2.0 kg ai ha(-1) herbicide application, respectively; simazine concentration in runoff water from the second event one week later averaged 0.16, 0.27, 0.36, and 0.58 kg ai ha(-1) and two weeks later the concentration was reduced to 0.05, 0.10, 0.14 and 0.22 mg l(-1), respectively. Total simazine mass recovered in runoff water from the three simulated rainfall events was estimated approximately 13.8, 26.3, 32.3 and 53.8 g ha(-1) for the treatments receiving herbicide application at 0.5, 1.0, 1.25 and 2.0 kg ai ha(-1), respectively. Field evaluation of weed density showed that pre-emergence herbicides applied at reduced rates (1.0 and 1.25 kg ai ha(-1)) were as effective as the standard rate (2.0 kg ai ha(-1)) for weed control in experiment 2.

Agriculture↗

Occurrence and Characterization of Graft-Transmissible Pathogens of Citrus in Orchards and Urban Citrus in Chile with a Focus on the Apscaviroid nanocitri.

Apscaviroid nanocitri (citrus dwarfing viroid, CDVd) is a graft-transmissible pathogen that frequently coexists with other citrus viroids and affects tree vigor. This study evaluated the occurrence of citrus viroids in small growers and commercial orchards in Chile and characterized CDVd strains obtained from urban Citrus spp. trees, with unknown propagation history following the discontinuation of the national citrus certification program. A total of 301 samples from five citrus-producing regions were analyzed, revealing that CDVd is widely distributed and commonly associated with Hostuviroid impedihumuli (hop stunt viroid, HSVd). Single infections were the most frequent (41%), followed by double (7.3%) and triple infections (3.0%), indicating that mixed infections are common. CDVd strains from urban trees were characterized using biological indexing on 'Etrog' citron Arizona 861-S-1 indicator plants combined with RT-PCR detection and phylogenetic analysis. Symptom development and pathogen detection were evaluated at 6 and 18 months post-inoculation. All graft-inoculated plants developed symptoms consistent with viroid infection, whereas control plants remained asymptomatic. CDVd was consistently detected at 18 months but not at earlier stages, suggesting delayed systemic accumulation. Although Closterovirus tristezae (citrus tristeza virus, CTV) was present in the source plants, it was not detected in indicator plants at either time point, possibly associated with the higher temperatures required for viroid symptom development during bioindexing. The frequent occurrence of mixed infections highlights the epidemiological relevance of viroid interactions and supports the need for reinstatement and strengthening of the national citrus certification program.

Apscaviroid nanocitri↗

Nitrate leaching in important crops of the Valencian Community region (Spain).

In the Valencian Community there are many areas in which the nitrate content of groundwater is higher than the limit of 50 mg l(-1) established by the European Union. A recent survey of drinking water quality showed that around 8% of the Valencian Community population had water supplies with nitrate content above that limit. The Valencian Community has an intensive agricultural base that includes citrus trees, fruit trees, and vegetables. A summary of the available nitrate leaching results in vegetable fields and citrus orchards is presented. It is demonstrated in the main vegetables grown, that N inputs were much higher than the values recommended by some researchers, and that nitrate leaching values were in most cases within the range of 150-300 kg N ha(-1). Artichoke, early potato, and onion were the three crops with higher leaching rates than other crops, based on simulation studies made for several of the main vegetable growing areas of the Valencian Community. The mineral N content in the 0-60 cm layer at planting time in the vegetable fields is, in many cases, greater than 200 kg ha(-1); fertilizer application could be greatly reduced if some recommendation system similar to the N(min) system used in other European countries was adopted. A simplified N balance in onion and early potato crops showed that the lower limit for mineralization in the 0-60 cm soil layer during the crop period varied from 65 to 130 kg N ha(-1). In these two crops nitrate leaching varied from 240 to 340 kg N ha(-1), depending on the N fertilizer treatment, and representing about 66-70% of total N input in the onion crop, and from 38 to 65% in the potato crop. Nitrate leaching losses in citrus orchards were, in general, lower than 100 kg N ha(-1) year(-1), representing about 33% of the total N input. A comparison of these results with those obtained in other studies is made. Finally, prospects for improvements in the fertilizer practice of vegetable crops and citrus orchards in the Valencian Community are discussed.

Agriculture↗

Nocturnal microhabitat distribution of adult Culex tarsalis (Diptera: Culicidae) impacts control effectiveness.

Suction traps (30 cm diameter) were more effective for non-attractant sampling of flying adult Culex tarsalis Coquillett than were smaller CDC (5.5 cm diameter), Malaise or ramp traps. Comparative catch in suction traps operated in a variety of vegetation types indicated that females congregated along elevated ecotones and were significantly less abundant flying over low vegetation or under and over elevated vegetation. Most females taken at upland orchards or Tamarisk tree lines were unfed (97%, n = 5,278) and similar in reproductive condition to host-seeking females. Blood fed and gravid females and males were only abundant near emergence sites. Pyrocide 7396 (Pyrethrin 5%, PBO 25%) was applied at the label rate of 5 oz/min by truck mounted Pro-Mist ultra low volume (ULV) equipment and particle drift measured by bioassay. ULV particles dispersed well downwind over low vegetation, between citrus orchard rows, and under date orchard canopy, but did not penetrate citrus orchards or vineyards when rows were perpendicular to wind direction. Particles did move up and over vegetation contacting sentinel mosquitoes placed above the canopy. The congregation of adult mosquitoes at vegetative ecotones and within orchard vegetation may afford protection from ground applied ULV particles, negatively impacting control. These data may explain why repeated applications often fail to interrupt encephalitis virus transmission.

Animals↗