Caring communities : a challenge for social inclusion

Report on the contribution of a community development approach to community care, drawing on four pilot initiatives in Scotland. Explores the links between community care and other issues which are of concern to local people, and how this can be used to reduce the social exclusion of service users and carers. Draws lessons for effective partnership working between community organisations and voluntary and statutory sector service providers

Compensation in grain weight and volume in sorghum is associated with expression of resistance to sorghum midge, Stenodiplosis sorghicola

Sorghum midge, Stenodiplosis sorghicola (Coquillett) is one of the most important pests of grain sorghum worldwide. We studied the inheritance of resistance to sorghum midge and compensation in grain weight and volume in panicles of sorghum hybrids and their parents under uniform infestation (40 midges per panicle for two consecutive days). Sorghum midge damage ranged from 8.2 to 82.4% in the maintainer lines (B-lines) of the females parents (A-lines), and 9.0 to 67% in the male parents (restorer lines). Hybrids involving resistant × resistant parents were highly resistant, while those involving resistant × susceptible and susceptible × resistant parents showed moderate susceptibility. Susceptible × susceptible hybrids were susceptible. Compensation in (percentage increase) grain weight and volume in midge-infested panicles of midge-resistant parents and their F1 hybrids was greater than in midge-susceptible parents and hybrids. General combining ability effects for midge damage, and grain weight and volume were significant and negative for the midge-resistant females (ICSA 88019 and ICSA 88020), whereas those for the midge-susceptible females (ICSA 42 and 296 A) were significant and positive. However, the reverse was true in case of compensation in grain weight and volume. Inheritance of compensation in grain weight and volume and resistance to sorghum midge is controlled by quantitative gene action with some cytoplasmic effects. Resistance is needed in both parents to realize full potential of midge-resistant hybrids

Using digital time-lapse cameras to monitor species-specific understorey and overstorey phenology in support of wildlife habitat assessment

Critical to habitat management is the understanding of not only the location of animal food resources, but also the timing of their availability. Grizzly bear (Ursus arctos) diets, for example, shift seasonally as different vegetation species enter key phenological phases. In this paper, we describe the use of a network of seven ground-based digital camera systems to monitor understorey and overstorey vegetation within species-specific regions of interest. Established across an elevation gradient in western Alberta, Canada, the cameras collected true-colour (RGB) images daily from 13 April 2009 to 27 October 2009. Fourth-order polynomials were fit to an RGB-derived index, which was then compared to field-based observations of phenological phases. Using linear regression to statistically relate the camera and field data, results indicated that 61% (r 2?= 0.61, df = 1, F?= 14.3, p?= 0.0043) of the variance observed in the field phenological phase data is captured by the cameras for the start of the growing season and 72% (r 2?= 0.72, df = 1, F?= 23.09, p?= 0.0009) of the variance in length of growing season. Based on the linear regression models, the mean absolute differences in residuals between predicted and observed start of growing season and length of growing season were 4 and 6 days, respectively. This work extends upon previous research by demonstrating that specific understorey and overstorey species can be targeted for phenological monitoring in a forested environment, using readily available digital camera technology and RGB-based vegetation indices

Variation in inheritance of resistance to sorghum midge, Stenodiplosis sorghicola across locations in India and Kenya.

Sorghum midge [Stenodiplosis sorghicola (Coquillett)] is an important pest of grain sorghum, and host plant resistance is one of the important components for the management of this pest. We studied the inheritance of resistance to this insect involving a diverse array of midge-resistant and midge-susceptible genotypes in India and Kenya. Testers IS 15107, TAM 2566, and DJ 6514, which were highly resistant to sorghum midge in India, showed a greater susceptibility to this insect in Kenya. The maintainer lines ICSB 88019 and ICSB 88020 were highly resistant to sorghum midge in India, but showed a susceptible reaction in Kenya; while ICSB 42 was susceptible at both the locations. General combining ability (GCA) effects for susceptibility to sorghum midge for ICSA 88019 and ICSA 88020 were significant and negative in India, but such effects were non-significant in Kenya. The GCA effects of ICSB 42 for susceptibility to sorghum midge were significant and positive at both the locations. The GCA effects were significant and positive for Swarna, and such effects for IS 15107 and TAM 2566 were negative at both the locations. GCA effect of DJ 6514 were significant and negative in India, but non-significant and positive in Kenya; while those of AF 28 were significant and positive during the 1994 season in India, but significant and negative in Kenya. Inheritance of resistance to sorghum midge is largely governed by additive type of gene action. Testers showing resistance to sorghum midge in India and/or Kenya did not combine with ICSA 88019 and ICSA 88020 to produce midge-resistant hybrids in Kenya. Therefore, it is essential to transfer location specific resistance into both parents to produce midge-resistant hybrids

Gene action for resistance in sorghum to midge, Contarinia sorghicola

Gene action for resistance to sorghum midge (C. sorghicola [Stenodiplosis sorghicola]) was studied in a diverse array of midge-resistant and midge-susceptible females and males under natural infestation and under uniform infestation with a no-choice headcage technique. Gene action for glume and grain characteristics associated with resistance to sorghum midge was also studied to understand their role in expression of resistance to this insect. Gene action for resistance to midge is largely governed by additive gene action. Genotype × environment interaction was significant for midge damage rating under natural infestation, but non-significant under no-choice headcage screening. The GCA effects of midge-resistant CMS females (PM7061A and PM7068A) were significant and negative, and such effects for the midge-susceptible CMS females ICSA42 and 296A were positive. Similar results were observed for the males (except for CS3541 and MR750 for midge damage in one out of two seasons). Dominance (mid-parent heterosis) was also important for midge resistance in some cross combinations. For genotypic non-preference by the midge females, the SCA effects were greater than the GCA effects. The SCA effects for genotypic non-preference were negative for PM7061A. The GCA effects were significant and negative for glume length in PM7061B, glume hardness for 296B, and glume hairiness for PM7061B. The GCA effects were significant and positive for glume length, glume hairiness and glume hardness of ICSB42. Resistance is needed in both the parents to produce midge-resistant hybrid

Registration of ICSV 88032: a high yielding line resistant to sorghum midge, Stenodiplosis sorghicola

ICSV 88032, a high-yielding sorghum line highly resistant to S. sorghicola, was developed in India by pedigree breeding from a cross between ICSV 197 (midge-resistant line) and ICSV 1 (a high-yielding sorghum cultivar). In the international sorghum variety and hybrid adaptation trial, ICSV 88032 recorded yields of 4.8-5.2 t/ha during 1990-91, compared to 5.0-5.3 t/ha for ICSV 112, a released commercial cultivar, at Bhavanisagar (Tamil Nadu) and Patancheru (Andhra Pradesh). At Surat, ICSV 88032 had grain yields of 2.6 and 4.6 t/ha (2.9 and 3.4 t/ha for ICSV 112) during 1990 and 1991, respectively. In the preliminary variety trials of AICSIP in 1990-91, ICSV 88032 and ICSV 112 had grain yields of 3.1 and 2.8 t/ha, respectively. In the 1991 and 1992 advance variety trials of AICSIP, grain yields reached 4.0 and 3.6 in ICSV 88032, and 4.2 and 3.1 in ICSV 112, respectively. Damage by S. sorghicola was lower on ICSV 88032 (12-14%) than on the resistant control DJ 6514 (18-20%) and susceptible control CSH 1 (90-94%). Visual damage ratings varied from 2.1 to 3.4 in ICSV 88032, compared to 1.3-1.8 in DJ 6514 and 8.4-9.0 in CSH 1. The resistance of ICSV 88032 to S. sorghicola has been confirmed across locations in India, Latin America and West Africa. In 1995-96, damage by S. sorghicola reached 16-31% in ICSV 88032, 9-26% in ICSV 197 (resistant control), and 38-83% in Swarna (susceptible control). The loose panicle of ICSV 88032 makes it less susceptible to head bugs and earhead caterpillars. ICSV 88032 was as susceptible to shoot fly [Atherigona soccata] and stem borer as ICSV 112 and CSH 5

The purpose of mess in action research: building rigour though a messy turn

Mess and rigour might appear to be strange bedfellows. This paper argues that the purpose of mess is to facilitate a turn towards new constructions of knowing that lead to transformation in practice (an action turn). Engaging in action research - research that can disturb both individual and communally held notions of knowledge for practice - will be messy. Investigations into the 'messy area', the interface between the known and the nearly known, between knowledge in use and tacit knowledge as yet to be useful, reveal the 'messy area' as a vital element for seeing, disrupting, analysing, learning, knowing and changing. It is the place where long-held views shaped by professional knowledge, practical judgement, experience and intuition are seen through other lenses. It is here that reframing takes place and new knowing, which has both theoretical and practical significance, arises: a 'messy turn' takes place

Biotechnology in Pest Management: Improving Resistance in Sorghum to Insect Pests

Annual losses in grain production attributed to four major insect pests (shootfly, stem borers, midge and head bugs) are estimated at $1,098 million in Africa and Asia alone. Integrated pest management (IPM) strategies for these insects have been poorly focused. There is little scope for chemical insecticides in sorghum production in sub-Saharan Africa. Various cultural and biological methods, including recommended intercropping configurations and biocontrol have either not been adopted by farmers or have not shown lasting success. Although much effort has gone into the identification and development of insect resistant sorghums, apart from sorghum midge, conventional breeding techniques have not yielded agronomically desirable products. Several biotechnological approaches for achieving higher levels of resistance in sorghum are discussed. Marker-assisted selection can speed up the breeding process and lead to gene pyramiding from diverse sources. The transfer of resistance genes from wild relatives of sorghum is of particular relevance to shootfly. With recent advances in genetic engineering, the standardization of protocols for routine transformation is being pursued at ICRISAT. Three techniques are discussed. Biosafety concerns are briefly mentioned

Registration of sorghum varieties ICSV 735, ICSV 758, and ICSV 808 resistant to sorghum midge, Stenodiplosis sorghicola

The sorghum lines ICSV 735, ICSV 758 and ICSV 804 have been released as Yezin 6, Yezin 7 and Yezin 5, respectively, in Myanmar. These cultivars combine resistance to S. sorghicola with yield potential almost similar to that of the commercial cultivar Yezin 1 or Yezin 3. ICSV 735 was derived from (ICSV 197 x ICSV 1)-9-1-1-2-6, whereas ICSV 758 was developed from (ICSV 197 x A 13108)-1-2-1-1-1. ICSV 804 was obtained from (ICSV 197 x ICSV 1)-3-1-1-1-1. The grain yields of ICSV 735, ICSV 758 and ICSV 804 were 1.489, 1.949 and 1.721 t/ha, respectively (0.622 t/ha for the local control), during the rainy season of 1993-94. Under fertilizer treatment, the grain yields of ICSV 735, ICSV 758 and ICSV 804 (2.878, 3.389 and 3.416 t/ha) were higher than the grain yield of the local control (1.910 t/ha). At ICRISAT Center, these cultivars had grain yields of 4.65-7.65 t/ha during the rainy season of 1997. ICSV 735, ICSV 758 and ICSV 804 were comparable to resistant controls DJ 6514 and ICSV 197 interms of resistance to S. sorghicola, and as susceptible to shoot fly [Atherigona soccata], head bugs and stem borer, but less susceptible to aphids as the commercial cultivars ICSV 1 and CSH 9