Comparison of Plant Growth-Promotion with \u3ci\u3ePseudomonas aeruginosa\u3c/i\u3e and \u3ci\u3eBacillus subtilis\u3c/i\u3e in Three Vegetables

Our objective was to compare some plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) properties of Bacillus subtilis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa as representatives of their two genera. Solanum lycopersicum L. (tomato), Abelmoschus esculentus (okra), and Amaranthus sp. (African spinach) were inoculated with the bacterial cultures. At 60 days after planting, dry biomass for plants treated with B. subtilis and P. aeruginosa increased 31% for tomato, 36% and 29% for okra, and 83% and 40% for African spinach respectively over the non-bacterized control. Considering all the parameters tested, there were similarities but no significant difference at P \u3c 0.05 between the overall performances of the two organisms

Microbial Content of Abattoir Wastewater and Its Contaminated Soil in Lagos, Nigeria

Microbial content of wastewater in two abattoirs and the impact on microbial population of receiving soil was studied in Agege and Ojo Local Government Areas in Lagos State, Nigeria. Wastewater samples were collected from each of the abattoirs over three months period and examined for microbial content. Soil samples contaminated with the wastewaters were also collected and analyzed for microbial content as compared to soil without wastewater contamination in the neighborhood (control). Some physico-chemical parameters of the samples such as total dissolved solid, chemical oxygen demand, etc., were examined. The wastewater samples from both abattoirs were highly contaminated; Agege abattoir showed mean bacterial count of 3.32 × 107 cfu/ml and Odo abattoir showed mean count of 2.7 × 107 cfu/ml. The mean fungal populations were 1.6 × 105 and 1.2 × 105 cfu/ml for Agege and Odo abattoirs respectively. In the contaminated soil sample, mean bacterial count was 3.36 × 107 cfu/ml compared to the 1.74 × 106 cfu/ml of the control sample. High microbial load in abattoir wastewater with negative effects on microbial population in soil, in this study, further confirmed the need to treat wastewater rather than discharging it to the environment

What’s New in Plant Pathology

Extension Plant Pathology Team Update Changes to the Plant Disease Management Section of the 2015 Weed Guide During the past year, several new products have become available for disease management. These products and additional products have been added to the Plant Disease Management Section of the 2015 Weed Guide. Products added to the Weed Guide have been summarized in Tables 1-3. Table 1. Foliar Products Table 2. Seed Treatment Products Table 3. Seed Treatment Nematicide

Corn Disease Profiles: Diseases Favored by Dry Conditions

Extension Circular 1910 (EC1910) Extreme weather events are predicted to become increasingly common and could bring periods of drought as well as intense rainfall events. Wet conditions are favorable for many plant pathogens and the development of diseases, but some diseases may also develop during or following dry weather. The timing during the season when dry conditions occur, as well as other factors, such as temperature, impact which diseases develop and when. The list summarizes some of the most common corn diseases that can develop during dry conditions: Seedling Root Rot Diseases, Nematodes, Common Smut, Rust Diseases Charcoal Rot, Stalk and Crown Rot Diseases, and Aspergillus Ear Rot. (Illustrated with photographs.

Corn Disease Profiles: Diseases Favored by Wet Conditions

Extension Circular 1909 (EC1909) Extreme weather events are predicted to become increasingly common and could bring periods of more intense rainfall. Wet conditions are favorable for many plant pathogens and the development of diseases. Seasonal timing when these conditions occur, as well as other factors such as temperature, impact which diseases develop and when. Listed, described, and illustrated are some common corn diseases favored by wet conditions: Pythium Root Rot, Eyespot, Northern Corn Leaf Blight, Gray Leaf Spot, Physoderma Brown Spot, Rust Diseases (Puccinia spp.), Stalk and Crown Rot Diseases (such as those caused by Fusarium and Diplodia spp.), and Ear Rot Diseases (such as those caused by Fusarium, Gibberella, and Diplodia spp.)

Weather Variability and Disease Management Strategies

This year’s title of “weather variability and disease management strategies” was chosen because we need to remember how weather conditions this year have impacted crop productivity and disease development. This will enable us to look forward and develop better management decisions for future growing seasons. Agricultural production is dependent on many climatic factors such as rain, humidity, temperature, and sunlight. These climate conditions have direct effects on yield as well as other indirect effects. One specific indirect effect of extreme weather events is increased pressure from pathogens and pests. Plant pathogens are commonly favored by very specific, and sometimes extreme, weather conditions. Pathogens take advantage of these conditions to infect, reproduce, and cause disease in crops that can lead to economic losses, ultimately in the loss of yield quality or quantity. Scientific projections indicate that climate change will continue to have major impacts on crops across the country and the world. It is therefore not surprising that this year the United Nations Summit in New York on September 23 focused on climate change in agriculture with discussions on Global Alliance for Climate-Smart Agriculture. Nebraska is known for its leadership in agricultural production and one germane concern is how we will be able to utilize the available climate data in a timely fashion to our advantage in protecting our crops from the negative impacts of climate change and pathogens. We need to act in a way that can leverage climate change to our advantage, where possible. It is important to monitor soil moisture and irrigation. Late planting and dryer than normal conditions in 2014 resulted in irrigation late into the season in some locations, which will unfortunately result in reduced profits for such farms. Temperature is also an important factor. When conditions are warmer, crops tend to grow faster and the time for seed maturity reduces. However, warmer conditions have the potential to reduce yield and, in addition, can promote certain diseases. The dry and hot weather conditions of 2014, for example, supported charcoal rot infections that were seen in both corn and soybean in many locations this year. Weed control and timely applications of herbicide will be crucial preparation steps in mitigating the impacts of climate change in 2015. Weeds not only act as alternate hosts for many pathogens but also deplete soil moisture. Below we present information on the influence of weather variability on development of diseases in Nebraska field crops. In 2015, crop production practices should be well planned to be climate-ready and climate-compliant

Corn Disease Profiles: Diseases Favored by Wet Conditions

Extension Circular 1909 (EC1909) Extreme weather events are predicted to become increasingly common and could bring periods of more intense rainfall. Wet conditions are favorable for many plant pathogens and the development of diseases. Seasonal timing when these conditions occur, as well as other factors such as temperature, impact which diseases develop and when. Listed, described, and illustrated are some common corn diseases favored by wet conditions: Pythium Root Rot, Eyespot, Northern Corn Leaf Blight, Gray Leaf Spot, Physoderma Brown Spot, Rust Diseases (Puccinia spp.), Stalk and Crown Rot Diseases (such as those caused by Fusarium and Diplodia spp.), and Ear Rot Diseases (such as those caused by Fusarium, Gibberella, and Diplodia spp.)

What\u27s New in Plant Pathology

Changes to the Disease Management Section of the 2017 Guide for Weed, Disease, and Insect Management in Nebraska Bacterial Leaf Streak of Corn—An Emerging Disease in Nebraska and First Report in the United States Pest and Plant Diagnostic Clinic Position Change New Products … Ethos XB … Majestene Table 1. Foliar products for disease control that were updated in the 2017 Guide for Weed, Disease, and Insect Management in Nebraska Table 2. Seed treatment products for disease control that were updated in the 2017 Guide for Weed, Disease, and Insect Management in Nebraska Table 3. Biological products that were updated in the 2017 Guide for Weed, Disease, and Insect Management in Nebrask

Baricitinib in patients admitted to hospital with COVID-19 (RECOVERY): a randomised, controlled, open-label, platform trial and updated meta-analysis

Background: We aimed to evaluate the use of baricitinib, a Janus kinase (JAK) 1–2 inhibitor, for the treatment of patients admitted to hospital with COVID-19. Methods: This randomised, controlled, open-label, platform trial (Randomised Evaluation of COVID-19 Therapy [RECOVERY]), is assessing multiple possible treatments in patients hospitalised with COVID-19 in the UK. Eligible and consenting patients were randomly allocated (1:1) to either usual standard of care alone (usual care group) or usual care plus baricitinib 4 mg once daily by mouth for 10 days or until discharge if sooner (baricitinib group). The primary outcome was 28-day mortality assessed in the intention-to-treat population. A meta-analysis was done, which included the results from the RECOVERY trial and all previous randomised controlled trials of baricitinib or other JAK inhibitor in patients hospitalised with COVID-19. The RECOVERY trial is registered with ISRCTN (50189673) and ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04381936) and is ongoing. Findings: Between Feb 2 and Dec 29, 2021, from 10 852 enrolled, 8156 patients were randomly allocated to receive usual care plus baricitinib versus usual care alone. At randomisation, 95% of patients were receiving corticosteroids and 23% were receiving tocilizumab (with planned use within the next 24 h recorded for a further 9%). Overall, 514 (12%) of 4148 patients allocated to baricitinib versus 546 (14%) of 4008 patients allocated to usual care died within 28 days (age-adjusted rate ratio 0·87; 95% CI 0·77–0·99; p=0·028). This 13% proportional reduction in mortality was somewhat smaller than that seen in a meta-analysis of eight previous trials of a JAK inhibitor (involving 3732 patients and 425 deaths), in which allocation to a JAK inhibitor was associated with a 43% proportional reduction in mortality (rate ratio 0·57; 95% CI 0·45–0·72). Including the results from RECOVERY in an updated meta-analysis of all nine completed trials (involving 11 888 randomly assigned patients and 1485 deaths) allocation to baricitinib or another JAK inhibitor was associated with a 20% proportional reduction in mortality (rate ratio 0·80; 95% CI 0·72–0·89; p<0·0001). In RECOVERY, there was no significant excess in death or infection due to non-COVID-19 causes and no significant excess of thrombosis, or other safety outcomes. Interpretation: In patients hospitalised with COVID-19, baricitinib significantly reduced the risk of death but the size of benefit was somewhat smaller than that suggested by previous trials. The total randomised evidence to date suggests that JAK inhibitors (chiefly baricitinib) reduce mortality in patients hospitalised for COVID-19 by about one-fifth. Funding: UK Research and Innovation (Medical Research Council) and National Institute of Health Research