Laboratory studies were conducted at the biological control unit, college of Agriculture, University of Baghdad to evaluate some biological aspects of the predator Chilocorus bipustulatus (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), which is considered one of the most important predators on many insect pests, especially the scale insect, Parlatoria blanchardi, (Homoptera: Diaspididae) on date palms. The results showed that biological parameters of the predator were varied according to different degree of temperature. Egg incubation period was significantly different and reached to 7.5 and 5.44 day at 25 and 30°C respectively, Fertility was the same 100% at both temperature degrees. Larval growth periods were 17.41 and 16.12 day as well as the mortality during this stage was also the same 0.0%. Duration rate of pupal stage was 9.62 day at 25°C and reduced significantly to 7.13 day at 30°C. No morality was found, in pupal stage at both temperatures. The adult longevity rates for both males and females were also significantly different that the adult longevity of the male was 80.87 and 66.75 day and less than that of female longevity rate which reached to 90.89 and 67.0 days at both temperature degrees of 25 and 30°C, respectively. Fecundity affected significantly and reached to 254.3 and 316.0 egg female at 25°C and 30°C, respectively. The predator has very high consumption efficiency of scale insect nymphs, this predation was increased as the larva developed from one instar to the following. As average the 1ˢͭ, 2ⁿᵈ, 3ͬ ͩ and 4ᵗͪ instars were consumed 95.12, 171.4, 328.06 and 710.0 scale insect nymphs, and the average of daily consumption of each instar reached to 23.78, 34.28, 65.61 and 140.2 nymph, respectively. The average rate for the whole larval stage consumption was 263.87 and 1295.58. The female of predator consumed more nymphs (127.5 nymph/ day) than that of male (106 nymphs/ day).
Ethanol as a solvent, a precursor of titanium isopropoxide and a stabilizer of either hydrochloric acid or ammonium hydroxide was used to prepare a titanium dioxide aqueous solution. The aqueous solutions with different values of pH and the morphology of the resultant reaction of the nanoparticles of titanium dioxide were investigated. The X-ray diffraction showed that at low temperatures and with acidic solutions, rutile structures are more favorable to grow on titanium dioxide synthesized, while at low and average temperatures and with base solutions, anatase phase is more pronounced. The crystalline form and the re-confirmation of the crystallite size growth were observed by the scanning electron microscopy. The atomic force micr
... Show MoreEthanol as a solvent, a precursor of titanium isopropoxide and a stabilizer of either hydrochloric acid or ammonium hydroxide was used to prepare a titanium dioxide aqueous solution. The aqueous solutions with different values of pH and the morphology of the resultant reaction of the nanoparticles of titanium dioxide were investigated. The X-ray diffraction showed that at low temperatures and with acidic solutions, rutile structures are more favorable to grow on titanium dioxide synthesized, while at low and average temperatures and with base solutions, anatase phase is more pronounced. The crystalline form and the re-confirmation of the crystallite size growth were observed by the scanning electron microscopy. The atomi
... Show MoreStatic and dynamic circumstances confirm that seepage is water movement through the earth dam’s embankment’s voids from upstream to downstream. Seepage is a quantity of fluid that has seeped through the permeable material or as the infiltration downward and lateral movement of water into soil or substrata from a source of supply such as a reservoir of a dam. In case of an earthquake strikes saturated soils, the water-filled pore spaces collapse, reducing the soil’s overall volume. The water pressure between individual soil grains is increased as a result of this action, and the grains can then move freely in the watery matrix. This reduces the soil’s resistance to shear str
Low temperature and high relative humidity in the spring season led to decrease of field emergence ratio and growth in maize. Planting dates and seeds stimulation can be appropriate fix. Field experiment was conducted in the two spring seasons of 2022 and 2023. Randomize complete block design with split-plot arrangement and four replications was used. Planting date treatments (February 15th, March 1st and 15th and April 1st, 15th) were placed in main plots. Seeds stimulation treatments (potassium nitrate 6 mg L-1 + licorice extract 6 g L-1 as well as treatment of soaking with distilled water only) were placed in subplots. Seeds stimulation (potassium nitrate+licorice extract) or planting date of February 15th were superior at traits of fiel
... Show MoreThe present paper investigates the role of fear and predator dependent refuge in the prey-predator system. The system describes the interaction between prey and a stage structure of predator that incorporates Holling II functional response. The predator splits into two compartments immature (juvenile) and mature (adult). The mature predators can hunt and reproduce but this capability is not found in the immature predators, the immature depend on their parents. The growth rate of prey decreases due to the existence of mature predators. The existence, uniqueness, and boundedness of the solution of the system are investigated. Three equilibrium points of the system are determined. The local stability of the system is studied. The global stabil
... Show MoreYeasts are distributed in all environments and have been reported as potential biocontrol agents against various phytopathogenic fungi. To investigate their enzymatic and biological activities, 32 yeasts were isolated from 15 date vinegar samples. Evaluation of the antagonistic activities of isolated yeasts against the plant pathogens Fusarium oxysporium, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, and Macrophomina phaseolina indicated that there are two yeasts had the highest inhibitory effect against plant pathogens, these yeasts identified as Kluyveromyces marxianus and Torulaspora delbrueckii using traditional and molecular methods. These yeast isolates were tested for fungal cell wall degrading enzymes (in vitro), and results indicated that the
... Show MoreIn the present work, a first-row divalent d-transition metal obtained from curcumin(Curc) and L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanin(L-dopa)have been synthesized which their complexes and characterized by C.H.N, conductance, spectral methods: FT-IR, Ultra–Visible. Magneto-chemical measurements, molar conductance ΛM (1×10−3 mol/L in DMSO):36- 0.84 ohm-1.cm2.mol-1 (non-electrolyte). The data shows that the complexes have the structure [M((II))-(Curc)-(L-dopa)] system. Electronic and magnetic data suggest an octahedral geometry for all complexes in which the (L-dopa) and curcumin act as bidentate ligands. Curcumin coordinated to the metal ions M (II) through the lone pair of electrons of oxygen in 2(C=O) groups. The (L-dopa) coordinated to M (II) a
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