In recent years, the occurrence of "chicken claw" symptoms in vegetables has been increasing significantly. This condition is characterized by severe curling of vegetable leaves, especially on the most affected ones, which eventually lose their ability to photosynthesize and fall off. As a result, vegetable yields drop dramatically, and the quality of the produce suffers greatly. Some farmers were confused about what was causing this "chicken claw" phenomenon. However, the real culprit behind it is the tea yellow aphid.
The tea yellow aphid, also known as the yellow tea pest, is an omnivorous insect that can damage over 70 plant species across more than 30 families. It commonly attacks vegetables such as potatoes, eggplants, peppers, tomatoes, melons, and beans.
Symptoms of infestation include damage to young leaves, tender stems, flowers, and young fruits. The aphids often target leaves before they fully unfold, causing them to become thin, curled, and stiff. Leaves may turn yellowish-brown, and buds may fail to flower or become deformed and fall off. In fruits like eggplants, the skin may crack, while tomatoes may develop split shoulders. Beans may have rough, stiff skin, and melons may show stunted growth of new leaves and growing points.
The tea yellow aphid typically appears from late May to early June, with peak activity between late June and mid-September, and the worst infestations occurring from July to September.
To prevent and control this pest, farmers should:
1. Remove weeds and field debris, level the soil, and destroy overwintering sites to eliminate the source of the infestation.
2. Apply early pesticide treatments. Options include 24% Wan Ling at 800 times dilution, 20% insecticide EC at 1000 times, or 73% Kotel EC at 2000 times. It's important to alternate or combine different pesticides to prevent resistance.
3. Focus spraying on the tender parts of the upper plant, particularly the underside of leaves, ensuring thorough coverage. Middle and lower leaves should also be sprayed to catch pests that are moving between layers.
Additionally, both viral diseases and "chicken claw" symptoms affect the young leaves, tips, or flower buds of vegetables, leading to leaf curling and elongation. Farmers often refer to this condition as "lobular disease." Many mistakenly believe that "chicken claw" is caused by a virus. However, the main symptoms of a viral infection include chlorotic veins on new leaves, mottled patterns, thickened and elongated leaves, shortened internodes, and sometimes brown necrotic streaks on the leaves, which can lead to leaf and flower drop, as well as stunted growth or necrosis of shoots.
Therefore, when vegetables exhibit "lobular leaf disease," farmers should carefully distinguish between a viral infection and an infestation by the tea yellow aphid, and apply the appropriate control measures accordingly.
Bifidobacterium adolescentis is one of the most abundant bifidobacterial species in the human large intestine, and is prevalent in 60-80% of healthy human adults with cell densities ranging from 109-1010 cells/g of faeces. Lower abundance is found in children and in elderly individuals. The species is evolutionary adapted to fermenting plant-derived glycans and is equipped with an extensive sugar transporter and degradation enzymes repertoire. Consequently, the species is strongly affected by dietary carbohydrates and is able to utilize a wide range of prebiotic molecules. B. adolescentis is specialized in metabolizing resistant starch and is considered a primary starch degrader enabling growth of other beneficial bacteria by cross-feeding. The major metabolic output is acetate and lactate in a ratio of 3:2. Several health-beneficial properties have been demonstrated in certain strains of B. adolescentis in vitro and in rodent models, including enhancement of the intestinal barrier function, anti-inflammatory and immune-regulatory effects, and the production of neurotransmitters (GABA), and vitamins. Although causalities have not been established, reduced abundance of B. adolescentis as part of a dysbiotic colonic microbiota in human observational studies has been associated with inflammatory bowel diseases, irritable bowel syndrome, coeliac disease, cystic fibrosis, Helicobacter pylori infection, type 1 and 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, and certain allergies. It is therefore reasonable to conceive B. adolescentis as a health-associated, or even health-promoting bacterial species in humans.
Bifidobacterium Adolesentis
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