Screening of groundnut interspecific derivatives for resistance to Sclerotium rolfsii

Sclerotium rolfsii is a major constraint for production in most of the groundnut growing areas in India inflicting 28-30 per cent yield losses annually. Irrigated groundnut grown in the post-rainy and summer seasons in India is often infected by this pathogen. The 54 interspecific derivatives and 6 recombinant inbred lines (TAG-24 x R-9227 cross) along with 6 check varieties CDh-86, Dh-216, ICGV 91114, Dh-3-30, R-9227 and TAG-24) were screened for S. rolfsii resistance in sick plots during summer and Kharif2012 seasons. In summer 28 lines and 32 lines in Kharif showed highly resistant reaction to stem rot disease. High genetic variability and heritability was observed for disease and yield attributes viz., number of pods per plant, pod yield, harvest index, disease incidence at harvest, disease severity and disease spread irrespective of seasons. Per cent disease incidence at harvest was having strong significant negative association with dry pod yield per plant in both seasons. The interspecific derivatives viz., ICGV 3649-1, ICGV 4368-1, ICGV 3727-4, ICGV 34-1 and ICGV 4670-7 and recombinant inbred lines viz., RIL 3-14, RIL 6-1 and RIL 6-28 had desirable combination of high level of stem rot resistance and good agronomic attributes. These promising lines can been tested in trials over locations to confirm their superiority and utilized in breeding for Sclerotium disease resistance

Changes in behavior among the College of Medical Laboratory Science students of De La Salle Medical and Health Sciences Institute before and after COVID-19 vaccination

During the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, heightened restrictions coupled with personal health and preventive behaviors protect the public from acquiring the infection before the provision of COVID-19 vaccines. However, as COVID-19 vaccination becomes available to the public, there is an observable weakening of personal health and preventive behaviors as the restrictions weaken. This observation is important for students as they are now more exposed as face-to-face classes are being established again. In this study, we investigate if there is a significant change in COVID-19 related behaviors before and after COVID-19 vaccination among College of Medical Laboratory Science (CMLS) students of De La Salle Medical and Health Sciences Institute (DLSMHSI). We conducted a survey among 263 vaccinated students out of 808 total vaccinated students from first year to fourth year students using stratified random sampling for selecting the respondents, proportionate sampling for determining the sample size, and simple random sampling for determining the respondents per stratum. To maximize our results’ capacity to correlate with our objective, we embed quantitative and cross-sectional research design. Our analysis implied that all variables of COVID-19 related behaviors we measured significantly changed after COVID-19 vaccination from their behavior before COVID-19 vaccination. Additionally, only the proper handwashing and wearing of face masks remained the same after having COVID-19 vaccination. Based on the findings, the researchers recommend that the concerned institution continues establishing health protocols for students to reduce potential transmission of SARS-CoV-2. As some COVID-19-related behaviors begin to deteriorate, the likelihood of viral transmission may increase

Reduced fungicide use on a new Australian peanut cultivar, highly resistant to the late leaf spot and rust pathogens

Rust (caused by Puccinia arachidis) and late leaf spot (LLS, caused by Mycosphaerella berkeleyi) can cause significant yield losses in Australian peanut crops. Until recently, all commercial peanut varieties were highly susceptible to these pathogens, but the new Australian cultivar Sutherland has significantly higher levels of resistance than the older cultivars. Field trials were conducted at two sites in Queensland to (a) confirm the improved resistance of cv. Sutherland over another commercial cultivar, Menzies, (b) study the effects of timing of first spray, spray interval and cultivar on disease severity and yield, and (c) develop a suitable fungicide management program for cv. Sutherland. In the 2006 and 2007 trials, rust and LLS developed slower and had lower final disease ratings and AUDPC values on unsprayed plots of cv. Sutherland than on cv. Menzies. The timing of the first spray is critical in managing both rust and late leaf spot, with the results demonstrating that the first fungicide spray on cv. Sutherland should be applied as soon as rust and LLS are first seen on cv. Menzies. In most trials spray intervals of 14 days or 21 days were suitable to effectively control rust and LLS. In years with low disease pressure, few, if any, fungicide applications will be needed to manage the diseases, but in other years up to four sprays may be necessary