Field evaluation of neem seed extract for the control of major pests of cowpea in northern Ghana

Field studies were conducted at the Experimental Farm of the Savanna Agricultural Research Institute (SARI), Nyankpala, northern Ghana, during the 2006 cropping season to evaluate the effect of aqueous neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss) seed extract at 5, 10, 15 and 20 per cent on Aphis craccivora Koch., Megalurothrips sjostedti Tryb., Maruca vitrata Fab., and a complex of pod and seed-sucking bugs of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walpers), as well as their effect on the grain and fodder yields of the crop. The results showed that the incidence and abundance of all the target insect pests were significantly affected by the neem extract treatments. Cowpea grain yield was significantly higher in all the neem-treated plots than in the control. The 15 per cent neem seed extract treatment proved as effective as that of the 20 per cent in increasing the grain yield of the cowpea crop. However, none of the neem treatments was as effective as the synthetic insecticide (Karate) in cowpea grain yield. However, grain quality for the 15 and 20 per cent treatments was similar to that for the Karate treatment. Cowpea fodder yield was found to decrease with increasing concentration of the neem extract. Benefit-cost analysis for the grain and fodder yields showed that the 15 and 5 per cent neem extract treatments, respectively, had the best benefit-cost ratios. Therefore, the 15 per cent neem seed extract is recommended for use in controlling the major field insect pests of cowpea for maximum grain yield in the Guinea savanna agroecological zone of Ghana. However, for situations in which the grower is strapped for cash or neem seeds are inadequate, the 5 or 10 per cent extract may be used. The 5 per cent neem seed extract is recommended for dual-purpose cowpea cultivars for maximum returns on grain and fodder yield

Insights into the genetic structure of the cowpea pest Callosobruchus maculatus in Africa

The bean beetle Callosobruchus maculatus is a worldwide generalist legume seed pest, present in the tropics and subtropics. Despite its economic importance, little is known about the population structure and migration patterns of this bruchid beetle in its continent of origin, both at local and regional scales. Gaining knowledge in the demographic processes experienced by C. maculatus, in particular in its native area, might give clues to understand evolutionary forces that have driven its expansion in traditional agroecosystems. Here, we analyze the genetic structure of 23 African populations of C. maculatus located in eleven different countries, using nuclear (28S) and mitochondrial (CytB) markers, and further apply phylogenetic and demographic analyses. The 28S sequences showed low genetic variability. In contrast, the analysis of CytB indicated significant genetic differentiation between most populations, suggesting low levels of gene flow, even at a reduced spatial scale. The results obtained from the estimation of various demographic parameters suggest evidence of recent population expansion, in agreement with a scenario of long-distance dispersal through trade of legume seeds for human consumption and population growth related to its pest nature. Overall, our results show that biogeography, isolation processes and human-mediated dispersal events drive the genetic structure of this pest in Africa

Continuous quality improvement in intensive care medicine. The GiViTI Margherita project - Report 2005

Aim. The assessment of the quality of intensive care medicine is mandatory in the modern healthcare system. In Italy, the GiViTI (Gruppo Italiano per la Valutazione degli Interventi in Terapia Intensiva) network is working in this field since 1991 and it now involves 295 out of the about 450 Italian intensive care units (ICU). In 2002 GiViTI launched a project for the continuous quality assessment and improvement that is now joined by 180 ICUs. Data collected in 2005 are analyzed and presented. Methods. All admitted patients were entered in a validated software, which performs a multitude of validity checks during the data entry. Data were further reviewed by the co-ordinating center; patients admitted in months with more than 10% of incomplete or inconsistent records in each ICU were excluded from the analysis. Each year, a multivariate logistic regression model is fitted to identify predictors of hospital mortality. Starting from the SAPS 2 and the 2004 GiViTI model predictions of hospital mortality, two calibration tables and curves are presented. Results. In 2005, 180 Italian ICUs collected data on 55 246 patients. After excluding those admitted in months with an unjustified lower recruitment rate or with less than 90% of complete and consistent data, we had 52 816 (95.6%) valid cases. Although the rough hospital mortality in 2005 was 1% higher than in 2004 (22.6% vs 21.5%), the adjusted mortality shows a statistically significant 4% reduction (obser-ved-to-expected ratio: 0.96; 95% CI: 0.94-0.97). Conclusion. Italian ICUs in 2005 performed better than in 2004, at a parity of patient severity