Studies of alternaria black spot disease of pomegranate caused by Alternaria alternata in Punjab

Alternaria black spot of pomegranate caused by Alternaria alternata pose significant economic losses in India as it reduce the crop yield. Farm survey was undertaken at Punjab Agricultural University, Pomegranate Research Block, Fruit Research Station, Jallowal- Lesriwal Jalandhar during 2015. Among all the five cultivars highest disease incidence (70%) and severity (30%) was registered in cultivar Bhagwa. Twenty two isolates of A. alternata were recovered from infected fruits and clustered using UPGMA (unweighted pair group method with arithmetic averages) on the basis of disease score produced in five cultivars (Ganesh, Ruby, Bhagwa, Jyoti and Mridula). It was revealed that five isolates namely AL14, AL15, AL20, AL21 and AL22 were highly virulent on almost all the pomegranate cultivars. Two cultivars viz. Bhagwa and Mridula were found to be most susceptible as 45.45 % isolates were found to be highly virulent on them.Thein vitro antifungal effects of the six fungicides on mycelial growth were investigated. Based on the inhibition of mycelial growth, all the fungicides showed most toxic reaction with 50% effective concentrations (EC50) of < 1 ppm. However, they varied in EC90 values. 10 ppm cocentration of Tilt (azole group) showed 90% effective concentration (EC90). Folicur also showed approximately same results as Tilt while EC90 value of Natio and SAAF was <25 ppm and > 20 ppm. However, two fungicides namely Dithane Z-78 and Bavistin showed less toxicity against Alternaria alternata as compared to other with EC90 value at concentrations <50 ppm and > 25 ppm. Azole group fungicides (Tilt and Folicur) were found most effective to inhibit the pathogen growth

Comparative evaluation of abdominal hysterectomy by ligasure and conventional method

Background: Hysterectomy is the 2nd most common surgical procedure performed in women and is associated with various complications like any other major surgical procedure. The objectives and aims of this study was to compare the effects of ligasure and conventional clamping and suturing in abdominal hysterectomy.Methods: A randomized controlled trial was performed by randomizing the patients in 2 groups - ligasure (A) and conventional hysterectomy (B). Operative time, no. of sutures, blood loss, hospital stay and cost factor to patient were studied as its main outcomes. A total of 100 patients were studied.Results: 66% of patients in group A had duration of surgery that was less than an hour in spite of associated co-morbidities. More no (76%) of patients in Group A had significantly less blood loss (<50 ml) as compared to 60% of patients in Group B. Only one suture was used in 80% of patients in Group A while in group B all of the patients required more than one suture from stumps to vault. There by reducing the cost of surgery.Conclusion: Apparently ligasure group seems to have less time for surgery and less blood loss and more intraoperative and postoperative complications, but to prove one ligasure group superior or inferior over conventional method we need to have more studies. But yes, Ligasure group reduces the cost of surgery to patient by reducing suture consumption as compared to conventional group.