[Objective] Considering invasion of Eupatorium adenophorum, a growth in-hibitor of the plant was developed based on plant sensitivity, to make evaluation on control effects and to determine the optimal concentration. ...[Objective] Considering invasion of Eupatorium adenophorum, a growth in-hibitor of the plant was developed based on plant sensitivity, to make evaluation on control effects and to determine the optimal concentration. [Method] According to field test method, the effects of treatments with growth inhibitor at 0.5%, 1%, 1.5%and 2% on Eupatorium adenophorum were explored and the growth of other weeds was observed to research selectivity of plant inhibitor on the plant. [Result] The growth inhibitor had significant effects on ground parts of Eupatorium adenophorum. Specifical y, after 2 h, Eupatorium adenophorum was damaged seriously and the damage degree went worse upon inhibitor concentration. After 5 d, the control effect of the inhibitorreached 41.5% with concentration at 1.5%, reached 90.2% with the concentration at 1%, and 100% with the concentration at 1.5% and 2%. After 15 d, the control effect achieved 64.6%, 91.7%, 98.9% and 100% with concentrations at 0.5%, 1%, 1.5% and 2%. Stil , the effects of growth inhibitors on root system were limited. For example, new branches would grow from base part if the inhibitor con-centration is too low. On the other hand, the growth inhibitor is of sensitivity and selectivity, which would not hurt other plants. [Conclusion] It is feasible to rapidly control growth and development and even kil Eupatorium adenophorum based on plant sensitivity and it is proved that the growth inhibitor at 1.5% would considerably restrict and kil Eupatorium adenophorum. Therefore, the concentration of growth in-hibitors should be over 1.5%.展开更多
The bulk peanuts were used as the materials. After ),-ray irradiation of different doses, the peanuts were stored up at room temperature, and the degree of pest infection and gradient of mould infection were observed...The bulk peanuts were used as the materials. After ),-ray irradiation of different doses, the peanuts were stored up at room temperature, and the degree of pest infection and gradient of mould infection were observed regularly. The results showed that insects began to appear in the unirradiated peanuts in 2 months, while after 4 months, the pest infection rate increased with the prolonged storage time, and the pest infection rate reached up to 58%-100% after 6 months of storage. However, the irradiated peanuts did not suffer from the pest infection throughout the storage. The unirradiated peanuts were contaminated by moulds after three months of storage, while the peanuts with an irradiation dose of 0.3-0.5 kGy were mildewed after 6 months of storage, while those with an irradiation dose of 1.0, 4.0 kGy had no mould after 12 months of storage. Combined with relevant international and national standards as well as the findings of scholars at home and abroad, the minimum effective irradiation dose for insect disinfestations of peanuts was 0,3 kGy, and the minimum effective irradiation dose for mildew control was 1.0 kGy, while the maximum tolerance dose was 4.0 kGy.展开更多
[Objective] This study aims to screen for the high effective fungicides which could significantly decrease the disease incidence and disease index of rice false smut. [Method] The inhibitory activities of the fungicid...[Objective] This study aims to screen for the high effective fungicides which could significantly decrease the disease incidence and disease index of rice false smut. [Method] The inhibitory activities of the fungicide against mycelial growth of Ustilaginoidea virens were measured to in vitro evaluate the ECho values. And 17 fungicides were sprayed to evaluate the efficacy and effect of the fungicides tested in the field trials on the rice characters, [Result] The results showed that epoxicona- zole, difenoconazole, propiconazole and procloraz exhibited high inhibitory activity against mycelial growth of Ustilaginoidea virens with the ECso values 0.04, 0.07, 0.12 and 0.11 pg/ml, respectively. The results of field trials showed that the efficacy of Wen- quning, and fungicides such as difenoconazole, prochloraz, propiconazole, epoxi- conazole and their mixtures in controlling rice false smut were all 70% or more. [Conclusion] The 17 tested fungicides behaved efficacy in controlling rice false smut and did not cause drug injury on leaves and grains of rice plants, sprayed when flag leaves of rice fully expanded.展开更多
[Objective] The aim was to explore biocontrol approaches of strawberry an-thracnose. [Method] With hyphal growth inhibition method, bacteriostatic activities of Bacil us subtilis and Osthole on strawberry anthracnose ...[Objective] The aim was to explore biocontrol approaches of strawberry an-thracnose. [Method] With hyphal growth inhibition method, bacteriostatic activities of Bacil us subtilis and Osthole on strawberry anthracnose were measured and field test was carried out. [Result] The results show that both of Bacil us subtilis and Osthole were of higher bacteriostatic activity on strawberry anthracnose, and the values of EC50 were 0.007 5 mg/L and 1.063 0 ml/L, respectively. The result of field test show that the prevention effects of Bacil us subtilis (600-750 g/hm2) and 25% prochloraz (600 ml/hm2) both achieved higher than 76%, 7 and 14 d after triple medical applica-tions with rains sheltered or in open field. But the effects were of extremely signifi-cant differences with that of Osthole (1 800-2 700 ml/hm2) (P〈0.01). [Conclusion] Bacil us subtilis can be made use of for control ing strawberry anthracnose.展开更多
Among 27 filamentous fungi, a strain Aspergillus niger An76 gave the highest siderophore yield even when cultured on natural medium or minimal medium containing 1 mmol L^-1 Fe^3+. Whereas for most other strains, the ...Among 27 filamentous fungi, a strain Aspergillus niger An76 gave the highest siderophore yield even when cultured on natural medium or minimal medium containing 1 mmol L^-1 Fe^3+. Whereas for most other strains, the capacities of siderophore production was repressed as the concentrations of Fe^3+ was higher than 20 ~tmol L^-1. Lower ferric iron concentrations were more conducive to siderophore synthesis for those strains. The An76 siderophore was partially purified through a series of chromatography steps using Sephadex LH20 and CM-Sepharose Fast Flow columns. Its structural characteristics differed from typical siderophores, such as catecholates or hydroxamates, and no amino acids or peptide bonds were detected. It may therefore represent a new type of siderophore structure. TBA assay and ESR trapping studies showed that An76 siderophore had remarkable scavenging activity of hydroxyl free radicals in vitro. The antibiotic activities of siderophores produced by An76 were tested against 29 bacterial strains, including plant, animal, and human pathogens. The growth of 14 bacterial strains could be completely inhibited at a siderophore concentration of 8 mg ml^-1 with an incubation time of 30 min. Evidence suggests that the An76 siderophore has potential value as an antioxidant and a biocontrol agent against pathogenic microorganisms.展开更多
Over the few last years, cucumber (Cucumis sativus L) root rot disease became common and inflicted marked losses to yield in Fayoum. Isolation trails from infected cucumber roots revealed that Thielaviopsis basicola...Over the few last years, cucumber (Cucumis sativus L) root rot disease became common and inflicted marked losses to yield in Fayoum. Isolation trails from infected cucumber roots revealed that Thielaviopsis basicola and Fusarium moniliforme were the main cucumber root rot pathogens. The isolation trials from the rhizosphere of healthy cucumber plants revealed that two fungal isolates and four bacterial isolates had antagonistic effects against cucumber root rot fungi. All the tested biocontrol agents reduced the radial growth of all the tested root rots fungi in dual cultures. However, all culture filtrates of the tested biocontrol agent significantly reduced radial growth of all the tested pathogenic fungi, except that T. harzianum. Under field conditions, soil treatment with any of T. harzianum and B. subtilis BI and BF, significantly reduced percentages of infected plants and significantly increased percentages of survived plants and fruit yield compared with the control. Application of the commercial product Harpin protein (Messenger)~ product, as a resistance inducer at 0.3, 0.5 and l g/L significantly reduced the percentage of infected plants under greenhouse and field conditions. Field experiments indicated that the average percentage of infected plants after 90 days significantly decreased. The percentage of the survived plants as well as fruit yield increased by using integrated disease management (IDM) package, including the most effective treatments: tolerant cultivar, Trichoderma harzianum granules formula as soil treatment, Purging cassia plant extract, Harpin protein, and a half dose of Vitavax/thiram comparing with the treatment recommended by the Ministry of Agricultural or applied treatments individually.展开更多
Trianthema portulacastrum L. (commonly known as horse purslane) is a noxious weed of several economically important field crops in tropical regions of the world. An intensive work on the screening of the biocontrol ...Trianthema portulacastrum L. (commonly known as horse purslane) is a noxious weed of several economically important field crops in tropical regions of the world. An intensive work on the screening of the biocontrol agents was accomplished through in vitro epidemic study to control weed populations. The foliar disease symptoms on infected weed plants caused by fungal pathogens represented as round to irregular maroon spots with dark borders and the epidemic was identified as leaf spot disease. The pathogen allied with the infection of horse purslane was isolated from infectious propagules by inoculation of leaf bites on a nutrient medium, potato dextrose agar (PDA). The causal agent of leaf spot was confirmed as Gibbago trianthemae Simmons by Koch's postulates. The mycoherbicide ability of G. trianthemae has been examined through visual (standard area diagram) and statistical methods (analysis of variance using the Microsoft Office Excel-Data Analysis Tool Pack 2007). The results revealed that the pathogen causes significantly (P 〈 0.05) severe infection on host weed and destructs the weed population by leaf spot diseases. The findings of the research suggested that the isolate G. trianthemae is highly virulent and host-specific, and recommended for further studies as a promising biocontrol agent against horse purslane weed.展开更多
In this investigation, the ability of biocontrol agents, Trichoderma harzianum and T. aperellum applied in combination and alone, which had been isolated from soil and root chickpea field were compared to control of F...In this investigation, the ability of biocontrol agents, Trichoderma harzianum and T. aperellum applied in combination and alone, which had been isolated from soil and root chickpea field were compared to control of Fusarium solani. These isolates had shown good control of Fusarium solani in in-vitro condition. Chickpea roots were treated with T. harzianum individually and in combination and planted in artificially infested soil with pathogen F. solani. Although all biocontrol agents applied individually reduced disease incidence, treatments as combination, except for T. harzianum (T-4) + T. asperellum (T-6) showed more protective effect. Combination of T. harzianum (T-7) + T. asperellum (T-5) isolate gave the best control (51.29%) at greenhouse condition.展开更多
Trichoderma strains are used in agriculture because they provide to the plants the following benefits: i) are rhizosphere competence and establish stable rhizosphere microbial communities; ii) control plant disease ca...Trichoderma strains are used in agriculture because they provide to the plants the following benefits: i) are rhizosphere competence and establish stable rhizosphere microbial communities; ii) control plant disease caused by pathogenic and competitive microflora, by using a variety of mechanisms; iii) improve vegetative growth, root development and yield; iv) make nutrients more available to the plant. In this work we have investigated the ability of T. harzianum T22 and T. atroviride P1 to improve plant growth of locally important horticultural crops: lettuce, tomatoes and peppers and to prevent disease in the greenhouse and field. The effect of the Trichoderma treatment was evaluated by determining the weight of fresh and dry roots and above ground plant biomass, measuring plants height, counting the number of emerged leaves (lettuce, tomatoes and peppers) and quantifying production (tomatoes and peppers). No disease symptoms were found during production, although Fusarium sp. strains pathogenic to tomato were detected in the soil. Compounds containing copper oxychloride are frequently used for fungal disease control in agriculture. In order to investigate the compatibility of T. harzianum T22 and T. atroviride P1 with copper oxychloride applications, the effect on mycelia growth was monitored in both liquid and solid medium. In general, the tests indicated a high level of tolerance of the Trichoderma strains to concentrations of copper oxychloride varying from 0.1 to 5 mmol/L.展开更多
Colletotrichum gloeosporioides is the causal agent of anthracnose disease in fruits and vegetables, representing a global problem. The use of biocontrol agents has proved effective against fungal diseases in a wide va...Colletotrichum gloeosporioides is the causal agent of anthracnose disease in fruits and vegetables, representing a global problem. The use of biocontrol agents has proved effective against fungal diseases in a wide variety of products. In this work, the antifungal activity of Wickerhamomyces anomalus against C. gloeosporioides isolated from contaminated avocados was evaluated. The antagonism and volatile compound inhibition were measured on Petri dishes. In the mixed cultures, the mycelia damage was observed by scanning electron microscope (SEM). Chitinase and glucanase production by the antagonism was quantified by the reducing sugars method, and biofilm formation was evaluated with 1% crystal violet. The yeast W. anomalus could reduce the growth of C. gloeosporioides up to 65% by direct antagonism and 10% by volatile compounds. The antagonist did not allow the conidia germination and mycelia growth in any of the tested formulations. SEM showed mycelial damage caused by W. anomalus. The antagonist showed adhesion to the mycelium by a polysaccharide biofilm. The presence of mycelium stimulated the hydrolytic enzyme production with the maximal activity of 21.4 U/mg for chitinases at 24 h and 10 U/mg for glucanases at 60 h. These results showed that W. anomalus used together different mechanisms to express its antifungal activity against C. gloeosporioides. This study might be the first report for this phytopathogen isolated from avocado fruits, which could represent an opportunity to establish biocontrol of diseases for this agricultural product.展开更多
基金Supported by Sichuan Industry Technology Innovation Strategic Alliance(2010Z00024)~~
文摘[Objective] Considering invasion of Eupatorium adenophorum, a growth in-hibitor of the plant was developed based on plant sensitivity, to make evaluation on control effects and to determine the optimal concentration. [Method] According to field test method, the effects of treatments with growth inhibitor at 0.5%, 1%, 1.5%and 2% on Eupatorium adenophorum were explored and the growth of other weeds was observed to research selectivity of plant inhibitor on the plant. [Result] The growth inhibitor had significant effects on ground parts of Eupatorium adenophorum. Specifical y, after 2 h, Eupatorium adenophorum was damaged seriously and the damage degree went worse upon inhibitor concentration. After 5 d, the control effect of the inhibitorreached 41.5% with concentration at 1.5%, reached 90.2% with the concentration at 1%, and 100% with the concentration at 1.5% and 2%. After 15 d, the control effect achieved 64.6%, 91.7%, 98.9% and 100% with concentrations at 0.5%, 1%, 1.5% and 2%. Stil , the effects of growth inhibitors on root system were limited. For example, new branches would grow from base part if the inhibitor con-centration is too low. On the other hand, the growth inhibitor is of sensitivity and selectivity, which would not hurt other plants. [Conclusion] It is feasible to rapidly control growth and development and even kil Eupatorium adenophorum based on plant sensitivity and it is proved that the growth inhibitor at 1.5% would considerably restrict and kil Eupatorium adenophorum. Therefore, the concentration of growth in-hibitors should be over 1.5%.
基金Supported by the Special Fund for Agro-scientific Research in the Public Interest(201103007)~~
文摘The bulk peanuts were used as the materials. After ),-ray irradiation of different doses, the peanuts were stored up at room temperature, and the degree of pest infection and gradient of mould infection were observed regularly. The results showed that insects began to appear in the unirradiated peanuts in 2 months, while after 4 months, the pest infection rate increased with the prolonged storage time, and the pest infection rate reached up to 58%-100% after 6 months of storage. However, the irradiated peanuts did not suffer from the pest infection throughout the storage. The unirradiated peanuts were contaminated by moulds after three months of storage, while the peanuts with an irradiation dose of 0.3-0.5 kGy were mildewed after 6 months of storage, while those with an irradiation dose of 1.0, 4.0 kGy had no mould after 12 months of storage. Combined with relevant international and national standards as well as the findings of scholars at home and abroad, the minimum effective irradiation dose for insect disinfestations of peanuts was 0,3 kGy, and the minimum effective irradiation dose for mildew control was 1.0 kGy, while the maximum tolerance dose was 4.0 kGy.
基金Supported by Agricultural S&T Innovation:Genetic Structure Analysis and Parasitism Fitness of U.virens in Anhui Province(14B1148)Special Fund for Talent Development:Pesticide Innovation and High-efficient Application Technology(13C1109)~~
文摘[Objective] This study aims to screen for the high effective fungicides which could significantly decrease the disease incidence and disease index of rice false smut. [Method] The inhibitory activities of the fungicide against mycelial growth of Ustilaginoidea virens were measured to in vitro evaluate the ECho values. And 17 fungicides were sprayed to evaluate the efficacy and effect of the fungicides tested in the field trials on the rice characters, [Result] The results showed that epoxicona- zole, difenoconazole, propiconazole and procloraz exhibited high inhibitory activity against mycelial growth of Ustilaginoidea virens with the ECso values 0.04, 0.07, 0.12 and 0.11 pg/ml, respectively. The results of field trials showed that the efficacy of Wen- quning, and fungicides such as difenoconazole, prochloraz, propiconazole, epoxi- conazole and their mixtures in controlling rice false smut were all 70% or more. [Conclusion] The 17 tested fungicides behaved efficacy in controlling rice false smut and did not cause drug injury on leaves and grains of rice plants, sprayed when flag leaves of rice fully expanded.
基金Supported by Jiangsu Agricultural Science and Technology Support Program(BE2012378)Six Talents Peaks Program of Jiangsu Province in 2013(2013-NY-001)Jiangsu Agricultural Scientific and Technological Self-innovation Foundation[CX(11)2018]~~
文摘[Objective] The aim was to explore biocontrol approaches of strawberry an-thracnose. [Method] With hyphal growth inhibition method, bacteriostatic activities of Bacil us subtilis and Osthole on strawberry anthracnose were measured and field test was carried out. [Result] The results show that both of Bacil us subtilis and Osthole were of higher bacteriostatic activity on strawberry anthracnose, and the values of EC50 were 0.007 5 mg/L and 1.063 0 ml/L, respectively. The result of field test show that the prevention effects of Bacil us subtilis (600-750 g/hm2) and 25% prochloraz (600 ml/hm2) both achieved higher than 76%, 7 and 14 d after triple medical applica-tions with rains sheltered or in open field. But the effects were of extremely signifi-cant differences with that of Osthole (1 800-2 700 ml/hm2) (P〈0.01). [Conclusion] Bacil us subtilis can be made use of for control ing strawberry anthracnose.
基金This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 30470051), the Major State Basic Research Development Program of China (973, No. 2004CB7197), and the Natural Science Foundation of Shandong Province (No. Y2004D07).
文摘Among 27 filamentous fungi, a strain Aspergillus niger An76 gave the highest siderophore yield even when cultured on natural medium or minimal medium containing 1 mmol L^-1 Fe^3+. Whereas for most other strains, the capacities of siderophore production was repressed as the concentrations of Fe^3+ was higher than 20 ~tmol L^-1. Lower ferric iron concentrations were more conducive to siderophore synthesis for those strains. The An76 siderophore was partially purified through a series of chromatography steps using Sephadex LH20 and CM-Sepharose Fast Flow columns. Its structural characteristics differed from typical siderophores, such as catecholates or hydroxamates, and no amino acids or peptide bonds were detected. It may therefore represent a new type of siderophore structure. TBA assay and ESR trapping studies showed that An76 siderophore had remarkable scavenging activity of hydroxyl free radicals in vitro. The antibiotic activities of siderophores produced by An76 were tested against 29 bacterial strains, including plant, animal, and human pathogens. The growth of 14 bacterial strains could be completely inhibited at a siderophore concentration of 8 mg ml^-1 with an incubation time of 30 min. Evidence suggests that the An76 siderophore has potential value as an antioxidant and a biocontrol agent against pathogenic microorganisms.
文摘Over the few last years, cucumber (Cucumis sativus L) root rot disease became common and inflicted marked losses to yield in Fayoum. Isolation trails from infected cucumber roots revealed that Thielaviopsis basicola and Fusarium moniliforme were the main cucumber root rot pathogens. The isolation trials from the rhizosphere of healthy cucumber plants revealed that two fungal isolates and four bacterial isolates had antagonistic effects against cucumber root rot fungi. All the tested biocontrol agents reduced the radial growth of all the tested root rots fungi in dual cultures. However, all culture filtrates of the tested biocontrol agent significantly reduced radial growth of all the tested pathogenic fungi, except that T. harzianum. Under field conditions, soil treatment with any of T. harzianum and B. subtilis BI and BF, significantly reduced percentages of infected plants and significantly increased percentages of survived plants and fruit yield compared with the control. Application of the commercial product Harpin protein (Messenger)~ product, as a resistance inducer at 0.3, 0.5 and l g/L significantly reduced the percentage of infected plants under greenhouse and field conditions. Field experiments indicated that the average percentage of infected plants after 90 days significantly decreased. The percentage of the survived plants as well as fruit yield increased by using integrated disease management (IDM) package, including the most effective treatments: tolerant cultivar, Trichoderma harzianum granules formula as soil treatment, Purging cassia plant extract, Harpin protein, and a half dose of Vitavax/thiram comparing with the treatment recommended by the Ministry of Agricultural or applied treatments individually.
文摘Trianthema portulacastrum L. (commonly known as horse purslane) is a noxious weed of several economically important field crops in tropical regions of the world. An intensive work on the screening of the biocontrol agents was accomplished through in vitro epidemic study to control weed populations. The foliar disease symptoms on infected weed plants caused by fungal pathogens represented as round to irregular maroon spots with dark borders and the epidemic was identified as leaf spot disease. The pathogen allied with the infection of horse purslane was isolated from infectious propagules by inoculation of leaf bites on a nutrient medium, potato dextrose agar (PDA). The causal agent of leaf spot was confirmed as Gibbago trianthemae Simmons by Koch's postulates. The mycoherbicide ability of G. trianthemae has been examined through visual (standard area diagram) and statistical methods (analysis of variance using the Microsoft Office Excel-Data Analysis Tool Pack 2007). The results revealed that the pathogen causes significantly (P 〈 0.05) severe infection on host weed and destructs the weed population by leaf spot diseases. The findings of the research suggested that the isolate G. trianthemae is highly virulent and host-specific, and recommended for further studies as a promising biocontrol agent against horse purslane weed.
文摘In this investigation, the ability of biocontrol agents, Trichoderma harzianum and T. aperellum applied in combination and alone, which had been isolated from soil and root chickpea field were compared to control of Fusarium solani. These isolates had shown good control of Fusarium solani in in-vitro condition. Chickpea roots were treated with T. harzianum individually and in combination and planted in artificially infested soil with pathogen F. solani. Although all biocontrol agents applied individually reduced disease incidence, treatments as combination, except for T. harzianum (T-4) + T. asperellum (T-6) showed more protective effect. Combination of T. harzianum (T-7) + T. asperellum (T-5) isolate gave the best control (51.29%) at greenhouse condition.
文摘Trichoderma strains are used in agriculture because they provide to the plants the following benefits: i) are rhizosphere competence and establish stable rhizosphere microbial communities; ii) control plant disease caused by pathogenic and competitive microflora, by using a variety of mechanisms; iii) improve vegetative growth, root development and yield; iv) make nutrients more available to the plant. In this work we have investigated the ability of T. harzianum T22 and T. atroviride P1 to improve plant growth of locally important horticultural crops: lettuce, tomatoes and peppers and to prevent disease in the greenhouse and field. The effect of the Trichoderma treatment was evaluated by determining the weight of fresh and dry roots and above ground plant biomass, measuring plants height, counting the number of emerged leaves (lettuce, tomatoes and peppers) and quantifying production (tomatoes and peppers). No disease symptoms were found during production, although Fusarium sp. strains pathogenic to tomato were detected in the soil. Compounds containing copper oxychloride are frequently used for fungal disease control in agriculture. In order to investigate the compatibility of T. harzianum T22 and T. atroviride P1 with copper oxychloride applications, the effect on mycelia growth was monitored in both liquid and solid medium. In general, the tests indicated a high level of tolerance of the Trichoderma strains to concentrations of copper oxychloride varying from 0.1 to 5 mmol/L.
文摘Colletotrichum gloeosporioides is the causal agent of anthracnose disease in fruits and vegetables, representing a global problem. The use of biocontrol agents has proved effective against fungal diseases in a wide variety of products. In this work, the antifungal activity of Wickerhamomyces anomalus against C. gloeosporioides isolated from contaminated avocados was evaluated. The antagonism and volatile compound inhibition were measured on Petri dishes. In the mixed cultures, the mycelia damage was observed by scanning electron microscope (SEM). Chitinase and glucanase production by the antagonism was quantified by the reducing sugars method, and biofilm formation was evaluated with 1% crystal violet. The yeast W. anomalus could reduce the growth of C. gloeosporioides up to 65% by direct antagonism and 10% by volatile compounds. The antagonist did not allow the conidia germination and mycelia growth in any of the tested formulations. SEM showed mycelial damage caused by W. anomalus. The antagonist showed adhesion to the mycelium by a polysaccharide biofilm. The presence of mycelium stimulated the hydrolytic enzyme production with the maximal activity of 21.4 U/mg for chitinases at 24 h and 10 U/mg for glucanases at 60 h. These results showed that W. anomalus used together different mechanisms to express its antifungal activity against C. gloeosporioides. This study might be the first report for this phytopathogen isolated from avocado fruits, which could represent an opportunity to establish biocontrol of diseases for this agricultural product.