Effect of okra plant resistance on transmission rate of okra enation leaf curl virus by its vector whitefly, Bemisia tabaci

The present study aimed to investigate the effect of age of the okra plants that showed varying whitefly resistance responses on the transmission rate of okra enation leaf curl virus (OELCV) by its vector whitefly Bemisia tabaci. The OELCV infected whitefly adults were collected from whitefly colonies and were challenged on the test okra accessions (Upl mona 2, Co 1, Arka anamika and AE 64) of differential ages which were individually caged (7, 10 and 15 d after germination) with glass chimney and the number of such whiteflies used were at the rate of 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14 and 20 adults per plant. Observations were made on the virus symptom expression 30 d after challenge. The efficiency of transmission was determined. The efficiency of transmission of OELCV was the highest (maximum T and P*, 0.80, 1.00 and 0.08, 0.10) when 7 d old seedlings were inoculated (Arka anamika and AE 64 respectively) and transmission had decreased as the age of seedlings increased. The estimated transmission rate for single whitefly (P*) increased with an increase in the number of whiteflies used per plant. Okra plant resistance to B. tabaci significantly changed the transmission rates of OELCV on okra. Understanding the resistance mechanisms of the okra accessions and interactions between plant viruses and their insect host can pave the way for novel approaches to protect plants from virus infection

Comparative biology and fertility parameters of two spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch. on different grapevine varieties

The influence of the four grapevine varieties 'Thompson Seedless', 'Manjri Naveen', 'Gulabi' and 'Bangalore Blue' on fitness, development and reproductive characteristics of the two spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae was studied. The biology of two spotted spider mites consisted of egg, larvae, protonymph, deutonymph and adult stages. The total duration from egg to adult was found to be the least in 'Thompson Seedless' (16.2 days) followed by ''Manjri Naveen' (17.2 days), 'Gulabi' (17.2 days) and maximum in 'Bangalore Blue' (32.2 days). The survival rate of life stages of mites was found to be lower in 'Bangalore Blue'. The higher values of net reproductive rate, intrinsic rate of increase, finite rate of increase the shortest mean generation time was observed in 'Thompson Seedless' followed by 'Gulabi', 'Manjri Naveen' and 'Bangalore Blue'. The results suggested that 'Thompson Seedless' was the most suitable cultivar with higher survival rate of life stages of mites, shortest development period, higher value intrinsic rate of increase and fecundity whereas 'Bangalore Blue' was the least suitable cultivar because of the lowest intrinsic rate of increase, longest development period, lower survival rate of life stages of mites

Sex-specific innate immune selection of HIV-1 in utero is associated with increased female susceptibility to infection

Female children and adults typically generate more efficacious immune responses to vaccines and infections than age-matched males, but also suffer greater immunopathology and autoimmune disease. We here describe, in a cohort of>170 in utero HIV-infected infants from KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, fetal immune sex differences resulting in a 1.5-2-fold increased female susceptibility to intrauterine HIV infection. Viruses transmitted to females have lower replicative capacity (p=0.0005) and are more type I interferon-resistant (p=0.007) than those transmitted to males. Cord blood cells from females of HIV-uninfected sex-discordant twins are more activated (p=0.01) and more susceptible to HIV infection in vitro (p=0.03). Sex differences in outcome include superior maintenance of aviraemia among males (p=0.007) that is not explained by differential antiretroviral therapy adherence. These data demonstrate sex-specific innate immune selection of HIV associated with increased female susceptibility to in utero infection and enhanced functional cure potential among infected males. Sex differences in the immune response to vaccines and infections have been well described in children and adults. Here the authors describe, in a cohort of 177 HIV-infected infants, innate immune sex differences in fetal life that increase female susceptibility to intrauterine HIV infection and increase the chances of subsequent HIV remission in infected males

Influence of temperature on the biology of two spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch. on brinjal

Brinjal, Solanum melongena L. is an important vegetable crop cultivated throughout India and many other countries for its fruits. The genus Solanum belongs to the family Solanaceae (Nightshade family) under the order solanales. A small tropical perennial with attractive purple flowers, native of Africa and Asia; growing up to a height of 55 inches. Wild types can grow much longer, upto 85 inches.The leaves are pubescent and sometimes spiny. The fruits grow up to 25"long which may weigh upto 2½ lb. and have numerous soft seeds. These fruits may be black, purple, green, white, striped, and sometimes even red. Egg plants are available in several shapes, sizes and colours. This vegetable with a spongy texture is also used extensively in the Surinam kitchen. It has got excellent medicinal properties for eg., the roots of the eggplant are used against internal hemorrhage and asthma; the leaves and bark against dysentery. This plant is also effective for the treatment of hypercholesterolemia. The fruit is suggested as a cure for diabetic in ayurvedic medicine system. The successful cultivation of eggplant is threatened by a number of pests and diseases. Among the arthropod pests of brinjal, the two spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae is the main threat next to shoot and fruit borer Culturing of mites Brinjal, Solanum melongena (L) Okra, Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) and French bean, Phaseolus vulgaris (L.) were raised in pots for culturing mites as pe

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Not AvailableThe selective toxicity of three doses viz., 1.25, 2.5, 3.75 mL/L ofspirotetramat 150 OD against the life stages of Chrysoperlazastrowisillemi was studied under in vitro conditions. The higher dose of tested insecticide caused 28.88% mortality and hence spirotetramat can be considered ‘harmless’ to C. z. sillemi as per the categorization of IOBC (International Organization on Biological Control). There was no adverse effect of spirotetramat 150 OD over the egg hatching percentage, rate of pupation, adult emergence and fecundity of C. z. sillemiand hence considered as a safer molecule to be integrated with chrysoperla in insect management programs.Not Availabl

Not Available

Not AvailableThe influence of the four grapevine varieties 'Thompson Seedless', 'Manjri Naveen', 'Gulabi' and 'Bangalore Blue' on fitness, development and reproductive characteristics of the two spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae was studied. The biology of two spotted spider mites consisted of egg, larvae, protonymph, deutonymph and adult stages. The total duration from egg to adult was found to be the least in 'Thompson Seedless' (16.2 days) followed by ''Manjri Naveen' (17.2 days), 'Gulabi' (17.2 days) and maximum in 'Bangalore Blue' (32.2 days). The survival rate of life stages of mites was found to be lower in 'Bangalore Blue'. The higher values of net reproductive rate, intrinsic rate of increase, finite rate of increase the shortest mean generation time was observed in 'Thompson Seedless' followed by 'Gulabi', 'Manjri Naveen' and 'Bangalore Blue'. The results suggested that 'Thompson Seedless' was the most suitable cultivar with higher survival rate of life stages of mites, shortest development period, higher value intrinsic rate of increase and fecundity whereas 'Bangalore Blue' was the least suitable cultivar because of the lowest intrinsic rate of increase, longest development period, lower survival rate of life stages of mites.Not Availabl