Spot treatments with hexazinone (0.03, 0.046, and 0.06% ai [v/v]) were evaluated for their effects on thistle density, seed production, and crown vetch vigor from 1991 to 1994 to determine if long-term usage of hexazinone caused damage to the vetch and exacerbated the thistle problem. Thistle densities were reduced within a year at any concentration of hexazinone and seed production was reduced or eliminated. Environment had a large impact because initial thistle densities varied widely among years. The amount of precipitation during July of the previous year accounted for 89% of the variation in initial thistle densities in the subsequent year. Vetch injury from hexazinone was also best explained by the amount of precipitation during July. Vigorously growing crown vetch in wet years may have suppressed the thistles enough to reduce density the following year while drought years reduced the competitiveness of the crown vetch, resulting in higher initial densities of thistles in the following year.

Weather-related variables (temperature and rain) are examined for their association with daily cigarette smoking. Prior research has examined how the average monthly temperature and summer versus winter months are related to smoking, but daily fluctuations in weather have not been examined previously. The current research tests whether daily changes in weather are related to young adult cigarette use. In addition, nicotine dependency is tested as a moderator of such associations. Nine hundred and twelve participants were recruited to complete weekly measures of cigarette smoking for 35 weeks. Participants provided weekly self-reports of daily smoking for the last week and completed measures of nicotine dependence. In addition, data was obtained on daily temperature and presence of rain. A longitudinal growth curve model was calculated using daily temperature and rain data to predict daily cigarette smoking. A positive linear effect and negative quadratic effect of temperature was found along with a negative effect of rain. Nicotine dependency did not moderate the effect of temperature or rain on smoking. This study is the first to use daily measures of temperature and rain and corresponding daily measures of cigarette smoking to examine possible associations. Results support the relevance of weather-related variables in the prediction of cigarette smoking and the importance of considering environmental factors in understanding smoking behaviour.

Nightly catches of Scirpophaga nivella (F.) in light traps in rice plots in West Bengal, India, showed two discrete peaks of abundance in each trap-year corresponding to congenial weather and abundance of summer (mid-March-mid-June) and autumn (mid-July-mid-November) rice plants. Estimated generation times showed many overlapping generations in each trap a year. Variations in summer catches were significantly correlated (P < 0.01–0.05) with maximum temperature and minimum relative humidity of the day, and minimum temperature and wind speed of the night; whereas those in autumn catches were significantly associated with maximum temperature and minimum relative humidity of the night (P < 0.01–0.05). Autumn crops had more infestations, and sustained greater larval density than summer ones. Females were twice as heavy as males (2.1:1) and adults were heavier in October than in May. Catches of immature and mature females were consistently maximum at full moon and new moon, respectively.