The Galápagos are considered a model oceanic archipelago, with unique flora and fauna currently threatened by alien invasive species. Seed dispersal is an important ecosystem function with consequences for plant population dynamics and vegetation structure. Hence, understanding the seed dispersal abilities of the assemblages of frugivores will inform scientists and managers of the dynamics of p...

The results of recent trials for winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) have influenced farming practice in the UK by encouraging the use of lower seed rates. Spink et al. (2000) have demonstrated that, particularly if sown early, wheat can compensate for reduced plant populations by increased tiller production. Results from seed-rate trials are usually analysed separately for each environment or ...

BACKGROUND In 2013, the European Commission restricted the use of three neonicotinoids (clothianidin, imidacloprid and thiamethoxam) and the pyrazole fipronil, which are widely used to control early-season pests. Here, we used original farm survey data to examine the impact of the restrictions on pest management practices in eight regional case studies including maize, oilseed rape and sunflowe...

The use of neonicotinoid seed treatments is a nearly ubiquitous practice in sunflower (Helianthus annuus) pest management. Sunflowers have a speciose pest complex, but also harbor a diverse and abundant community of beneficial, nontarget organisms which may be negatively affected by pest management practices. Here, we investigate how the foliar and subterranean arthropod pest communities in sun...

Pollination in crops, as in native ecosystems, is a stepwise process that can be disrupted at any stage. Healthy pollinator populations are critical for adequate visitation, but pollination still might fail if crop management interferes with the attraction and retention of pollinators. Farmers must balance the direct benefits of applying insecticide and managing irrigation rates against their p...

The efficiency of a tree improvement program can be greatly affected by the degree of seed efficiency in the nursery. The gains from tree improvement can be 50% greater from a nursery with 90% seed efficiency than from a nursery with 60% seed efficiency. However, because the nursery and tree improvement are usually operated by different divisions, the goals of the nursery manager may not includ...

Introduction The grass pea (Lathyrus sativus L.) cultivated in Chile has a large, mostly clear white, grain. It is valued by European communities as the basis for the preparation of traditional dishes. Small Chilean farmers are exporting grass pea to these markets, which pay higher prices for larger seed. However, the size of the grain currently being produced is quite heterogeneous, and the ex...

Eastern deciduous forests are populated with a variety of hardwood species, with composition at large scales determined by a complex interplay of temperature, moisture, and disturbance. An understanding of seed production is important in the context of forest regeneration and wildlife management. We analyzed time series data obtained from the literature to investigate (1) the effects of life-hi...

The present study investigated the physicochemical properties and phytochemical constituents of seed oil of Semecarpus anacardium L. to understand its biopesticidal and therapeutic potential. Preliminary phytochemical studies showed the presence of polyphenolic compounds, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, steroids in seed oil which is extracted using various organic solvents such as n-hexane, petr...

Arable land weed seed banks are dynamic and reflect cropping history, current management, and environment. Changes in crop rotation and tillage system can alter weed seed density and species composition. In the semi-arid region of the Pacific Northwest, USA, no-till spring cropping is being studied as an alternative to the traditional winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)/dust-mulch fallow (WWF) ...