Molecular characteristics of Tomato mosaic virus infecting tomato in Uganda

Viral diseases are part of the limiting factors to tomato ( Solanum lycopersicum L.) cultivation worldwide, reducing both the quality and quantity of yield. Tomato mosaic virus (ToMV) is one of the damaging viruses of tomato. This paper describes molecular characteristics of the full length genome of ToMV isolated from tomato in Uganda (ToMV-Ug). The genomic, ribonucleic acid (RNA), of this isolate is 6383 nucleotides (nts) in length, encoding four open reading frames (ORFs). Based on the homology with other ToMV strains, the 5\u2019 proximal 130 kilo dalton (kDa) ORF and its read-through product (180 kDa) are expected to encode two proteins required for viral genome replication; while the 30 kDa middle ORF and the 17.5 kDa 3\u2019 proximal ORF are expected to encode the movement protein (MP) and coat protein (CP), respectively. The 5\u2019- and 3\u2019- untranslated regions (UTRs) are 71 and 201 nts, respectively. Comparison with previously published ToMV sequences showed that ToMV-Ug is 99% identical to ToMV strains from Africa (Egypt and Zimbabwe), as well as diverse locations such as China, Australia, Germany and Japan; suggesting high levels of sequence conservation within this virus. This is the first report detailing molecular analysis of a ToMV isolate from Uganda and the Eastern and Central Africa regions.Les maladies virales font partie des facteurs limitant la production mondiale de la tomate ( Solanum lycopersicum L.), r\ue9duisant \ue0 la fois la quantit\ue9 et la qualit\ue9 du rendement. Le virus de la mosa\uefque de la tomate (ToMV) est l\u2019un des virus endommageant la tomate. Ce papier d\ue9crit les caract\ue9ristiques mol\ue9culaires de la longueur du g\ue9nome de l\u2019isolat ToMV de la tomate en Ouganda (ToMV-Ug). L\u2019acide g\ue9nomique, ribonucl\ue9ique (ARN), de l\u2019isolat a une longueur de 6383 nucl\ue9otides (nts), codant quatre cadres de lecture ouverts (ORFs). Sur la base de l\u2019homologie avec les autres souches de ToMV, le proximal 5\u2019 de 130 kilo dalton (kDa) de l\u2019ORF et sa lecture \ue0 travers le produit (180 kDa) sont esp\ue9r\ue9s coder pour deux prot\ue9ines n\ue9cessaires \ue0 la r\ue9plication du g\ue9nome viral\ua0; alors que les 30 kDa du ORF moyen et les 17,5 kDa du proximal 3\u2019 du ORF sont esp\ue9r\ue9s coder pour le mouvement de la prot\ue9ine (MP) et la prot\ue9ine de l\u2019enveloppe (CP), respectivement. Les r\ue9gions non traduites du 5\u2019 et 3\u2019 (UTRs) sont de 71 et 201 nts, respectivement. La comparaison avec les s\ue9quences (ToMV) pr\ue9c\ue9demment publi\ue9es a montr\ue9 que ToMV-Ug est \ue0 99% identique aux souches ToM de l\u2019Afrique (Egypte et Zimbabw\ue9), ainsi que diverses localit\ue9s telles que la Chine, l\u2019Australie, la Germanie et le Japon\ua0; sugg\ue9rant de hauts niveaux de s\ue9quence de conservation dans ce virus. Ceci est le premier rapport d\ue9taillant l\u2019analyse mol\ue9culaire d\u2019un isolat ToMV d\u2019Ouganda et les r\ue9gions Est et Centre de l\u2019Afrique

Validity and reliability of field-based measures for assessing movement skill competency in lifelong physical activities: a systematic review

Background: It has been suggested that young people should develop competence in a variety of ‘lifelong physical activities’ to ensure that they can be active across the lifespan. Objective: The primary aim of this systematic review is to report the methodological properties, validity, reliability, and test duration of field-based measures that assess movement skill competency in lifelong physical activities. A secondary aim was to clearly define those characteristics unique to lifelong physical activities. Data Sources: A search of four electronic databases (Scopus, SPORTDiscus, ProQuest, and PubMed) was conducted between June 2014 and April 2015 with no date restrictions. Study Selection: Studies addressing the validity and/or reliability of lifelong physical activity tests were reviewed. Included articles were required to assess lifelong physical activities using process-oriented measures, as well as report either one type of validity or reliability. Study Appraisal and Synthesis Methods: Assessment criteria for methodological quality were adapted from a checklist used in a previous review of sport skill outcome assessments. Results: Movement skill assessments for eight different lifelong physical activities (badminton, cycling, dance, golf, racquetball, resistance training, swimming, and tennis) in 17 studies were identified for inclusion. Methodological quality, validity, reliability, and test duration (time to assess a single participant), for each article were assessed. Moderate to excellent reliability results were found in 16 of 17 studies, with 71 % reporting inter-rater reliability and 41 % reporting intra-rater reliability. Only four studies in this review reported test–retest reliability. Ten studies reported validity results; content validity was cited in 41 % of these studies. Construct validity was reported in 24 % of studies, while criterion validity was only reported in 12 % of studies. Limitations: Numerous assessments for lifelong physical activities may exist, yet only assessments for eight lifelong physical activities were included in this review. Generalizability of results may be more applicable if more heterogeneous samples are used in future research. Conclusion: Moderate to excellent levels of inter- and intra-rater reliability were reported in the majority of studies. However, future work should look to establish test–retest reliability. Validity was less commonly reported than reliability, and further types of validity other than content validity need to be established in future research. Specifically, predictive validity of ‘lifelong physical activity’ movement skill competency is needed to support the assertion that such activities provide the foundation for a lifetime of activity

An assessment of the Integrated Pest Management Collaborative Research Support Project's (IPM CRSP) activities in Uganda: Impact on farmers' awareness and knowledge of IPM skills

The IPM CRSP (Integrated Pest Management Collaborative Research Support Program) has been applying a farmer participatory IPM strategy at on-farm research sites in eastern Uganda since 1995. Following five years of project implementation an evaluation of project impacts was conducted using a stratified random sample of 200 small- scale farmers. The main purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of project (IPM CRSP) activities on IPM knowledge and awareness change using comparison groups composed of project participants and non-participants. A summated ratings scale consisting of four attributes was developed to measure knowledge of IPM and individual indices were developed to measure crop specific pest management knowledge. Results indicate that more active participation increased knowledge of IPM skills and knowledge, provided preliminary support for the project's participatory research and extension approach. However, diffusion of knowledge was limited and project beneficiaries were slightly more socioeconomically advantaged. Several recommendations are made for increasing the number of farmer participants and improving the evaluation process

Seed transmission of Fusarium xylarioides in Coffea canephora in Uganda

No Abstract

Deriving appropriate pest management technologies for smallholder tomato (Solanum lycopersicum Mill.) growers: A case study of Morogoro, Tanzania

Journal of Animal & Plant Sciences, 2010. Vol. 6, Issue 3: 663- 676. Publication date: 28/04/2010,The current standard farmer practice for insect pests and disease control in tomatoes is routine weekly pesticide sprays which are not always required. Field experiments were conducted at Morogoro, Tanzania to evaluate the effect of seven management practices (sub plots) on pest incidence and yields during May-September 2007 (normal production season) and October 2007 - February 2008 (off-season) using two determinate varieties CALJ and Tanya (main plots) in a RCBD with five replications. Practices involving intercropping with Vigna unguiculata or Cleome gynandra, application of fertilizer or mulch were severely infested by insects particularly thrips (Frankinlla occidentalis) which averaged 30 insects/plant at 64 days after transplanting. The standard and integrated pest management (IPM) practices led to similar low levels of insect pest and disease control though in the IPM only 3 pesticide sprays were applied compared to 10 for the standard practice. In the normal season, disease incidences of early blight (Phytophthrora infestans), late blight (Altenaria solani), leaf spot (Septoria lycopersici) and leaf curl were low (<10%) except for fertilizer and mulch treatment where incidences were close to 50%. The greatest fruit damage (>50%) was ascribed to Helicoverpa armigera. Purple nutsedge (Cyperus rotundus), the most dominant weed, was initially controlled by pre-transplanting application of Round-up® and mulch suppressed the growth of the dominant broadleaf weeds Digera muricata (false amaranth); Amaranthus spp (pigweeds) and Commelina benghalensis (wondering jew). In the normal season, tomato yields with current farmer practice were highest averaging 18.5 t/ha which was not significantly different (P=0.05) from mulch application (14 t/ha) followed by IPM (12.1 t/ha). Similarly, in the off-season crop, yields were highest and similar for mulch and standard practice (4.8 t/ha) followed by IPM (3.4 t/ha). Farmers selected mulch application and IPM for on-farm demonstration to verify production costs and benefits

Deriving appropriate pest management technologies for smallholder tomato (Solanum lycopersicum Mill.) growers: A case study of Morogoro, Tanzania

Journal of Animal & Plant Sciences, 2010. Vol. 6, Issue 3: 663- 676. Publication date: 28/04/2010,The current standard farmer practice for insect pests and disease control in tomatoes is routine weekly pesticide sprays which are not always required. Field experiments were conducted at Morogoro, Tanzania to evaluate the effect of seven management practices (sub plots) on pest incidence and yields during May-September 2007 (normal production season) and October 2007 - February 2008 (off-season) using two determinate varieties CALJ and Tanya (main plots) in a RCBD with five replications. Practices involving intercropping with Vigna unguiculata or Cleome gynandra, application of fertilizer or mulch were severely infested by insects particularly thrips (Frankinlla occidentalis) which averaged 30 insects/plant at 64 days after transplanting. The standard and integrated pest management (IPM) practices led to similar low levels of insect pest and disease control though in the IPM only 3 pesticide sprays were applied compared to 10 for the standard practice. In the normal season, disease incidences of early blight (Phytophthrora infestans), late blight (Altenaria solani), leaf spot (Septoria lycopersici) and leaf curl were low (<10%) except for fertilizer and mulch treatment where incidences were close to 50%. The greatest fruit damage (>50%) was ascribed to Helicoverpa armigera. Purple nutsedge (Cyperus rotundus), the most dominant weed, was initially controlled by pre-transplanting application of Round-up® and mulch suppressed the growth of the dominant broadleaf weeds Digera muricata (false amaranth); Amaranthus spp (pigweeds) and Commelina benghalensis (wondering jew). In the normal season, tomato yields with current farmer practice were highest averaging 18.5 t/ha which was not significantly different (P=0.05) from mulch application (14 t/ha) followed by IPM (12.1 t/ha). Similarly, in the off-season crop, yields were highest and similar for mulch and standard practice (4.8 t/ha) followed by IPM (3.4 t/ha). Farmers selected mulch application and IPM for on-farm demonstration to verify production costs and benefits