Riptortus.

R. pedestris causes up to 54% reduction in lipid content in soybean seed (Bae et al., 2014) and 8% seed sterility in soybean in Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan (Ikeda and Fukazawa, 1983). In another study, Kadosawa (1981) estimated 6.2% soybean damage in Northern Honshu and 26% in Shikoku, Japan. R. pedestris also transmits yeast-spot disease (Eremothecium coryli) in up to 81.6% of immature soybean seeds in Kyoto, Japan (Kimura et al., 2008). R. linearis damage on soyabean in India is reported to be 30-40% (Kashyap and Adlakha, 1971). R. linearis is estimated to cause (along with two other pod feeders) 19-39% pod and seed damage on soyabean in Indonesia (Supriyatin, 1992). In Nigeria, R. dentipes and Anoplocnemis curvipes cause 20-39% pod damage on Vigna unguiculata (Khaemba, 1984).

Fungi Associated with and Influence of Moisture on Development of Kernel Mold of Hazelnut

Kernel mold on hazelnuts is defined by the United States Department of Agriculture, U.S.A., as any visible fungal growth either on the outside or inside of the kernel. Only one yeast and one filamentous fungus have been associated with kernel mold of hazelnut in Oregon. In this report, fungi were isolated from kernels with mold and identified using morphological and molecular characters. Penicillium spp. were isolated most often from kernels with mold, but species of Aspergillus and Cladosporium and Diaporthe rudis were also frequently isolated. Additional fungi from three other genera were also isolated. All of the same fungi were also isolated from symptomless kernels. Eremothecium coryli or Ramularia sp. previously associated with kernel defects in Oregon were not found associated with symptoms of kernel mold. Incidence of mold was the highest when nuts were incubated in moist chambers on wet, nonautoclaved orchard soil and was significantly higher than kernel mold found in nuts incubated on either air-dried soil or wet, autoclaved soil. Preventing hazelnuts from coming in contact with wet soil in the field using elevated wire screens resulted in significantly less mold development in two out of three years evaluated. Nuts on screens had a greater chance to dry out between rainstorms as measured by significantly lower nut moisture levels at harvest.