Prevalence, incidence and molecular identification of root-knot nematodes of tomato in Pakistan

Tomato is a widely grown vegetable in Pakistan. However, its production is severely constrained by root knot nematodes (RKNs). Accurate identification of RKNs is essential for an appropriate control program. The current study evaluated the prevalence, incidence and diversity of RKNs of tomato crops grown in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province and their identification using molecular tools. A field survey, including 30 commercial tomato fields, was conducted in ten major tomato growing areas of Swat and Malakand divisions during spring 2010. The overall prevalence and incidence in the study area was 83.3 and 52.0%, respectively. Three species of RKNs, Meloidogyne arenaria, M. incognita and M. javanica were found alone or in mixed populations. Disease incidence ranged from 10% in Malakandher to 100% and 90 to 100% in Jabban and Malakand, respectively. The greatest galling index (GI) (5.0) and egg mass index (EMI) (5.0) was recorded in samples from Jabban, whereas the lowest GI and EMI were recorded in samples from Malakandher and Peshawar. The population density of RKNs was highest in roots (633.0 eggs and second-stage juveniles) and soil (533.0 eggs and second-stage juveniles) samples of Jabban. DNA amplification with rDNA (D2A-D3B) and (194 to 195) primers amplified 750 and 720 bp products for M. arenaria, M. incognita and M. javanica, respectively. Amplification with sequence characterized amplified regions (SCAR) primers produced characteristic products of 420 bp for M. arenaria (Far/Rar), 1200 bp for M. incognita (Finc/Rinc), and 670 bp for M. javanica (Fjav/Rjav). DNA amplification of mtDNA with C2F3/1108 primers yielded a 1700 bp size product for all three species of RKNs in comparison with 520 and 750 bp for M. chitwoodi and enterolobii, respectively, which were utilized as control. Sequencing the 28S rDNA product generated with the D2A-D3B primers did not differentiate among the three Meloidogyne spp. from the study area.Key words: Meloidogyne, species identification, perineal pattern, sequence characterized amplified regions (SCAR) primers

Phytobiocidal management of bacterial wilt of tomato caused by Ralstonia solanacearum (Smith) Yabuuchi

Phytobiocides are a good alternative to chemicals in managing bacterial diseases including bacterial wilt of tomato caused by Ralstonia solanacearum. In the present research study, finely ground dried powders of seven widely available medicinal plants/weeds species viz., Peganum harmala (esfand or wild rue), Calotropis procera (sodom apple), Melia azedarach (white cedar), Allium sativum (garlic), Adhatoda vasica (malabar nut), Tagetes patula (marigold) and Nerium oleander (oleander) were assessed for their anti-microbial activity, both in-vitro (10% w/v) and in-vivo (10, 20, 30, and 40 g/kg of potted soil) against R. solanacearum. Aqueous extracts (prepared as 10% w/v, soaking for 48-72 h and filtering) of C. procera, A. vasica, and T. patula inhibited the in-vitro growth of the bacterial pathogen over 60% of that produced by the standard antibiotic streptomycin. A. sativum, N. oleander and P. harmala aqueous extracts were less effective while M. azedarach showed no effect against R. solanacearum. The higher dose (40 g/kg of soil) of C. procera, A. vasica and T. patula decreased disease severity quite effectively and increased yield and plant growth characters as much as the standard antibiotic did. No phytotoxicity of medicinal plants powder was observed on tomato plants. Alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, saponins and terpenoids were detected in the aqueous extracts of T. patula and A. vasica whereas C. procera was found to have only alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins and saponins. Our data suggest that dried powders of T. patula, C. procera and A. vasica (40 g/kg of soil) could be used as an effective component in the integrated disease management programs against bacterial wilt of tomato

Prevalence of suicidal ideation and suicide attempts in individuals with psychosis and bipolar disorder in South Asia: systematic review and meta-analysis.

BackgroundSuicidal ideation and attempts are growing public health concerns globally. Evidence from high-income countries suggests that individuals with psychosis and bipolar disorder are at increased risk of suicidal ideation and attempts, but there is a scarcity of evidence from South Asia.AimsTo estimate the prevalence of suicidal ideation and attempts in individuals with psychosis and bipolar disorder in South Asia.MethodIn this systematic review and meta-analysis, four databases (PsycINFO, Web of Science, EMBASE and Medline) were searched until December 2022. Pooled prevalence was estimated with random-effects models. Heterogeneity was quantified with the I2-statistic.ResultsThe pooled sample size across the 21 studies was 3745 participants, 1941 (51.8%) of which were male. The pooled prevalence of suicide attempts in South Asian people with either psychosis or bipolar disorder was 22% (95% CI 17-27; n = 15). The pooled prevalence of suicidal ideation with psychosis or bipolar disorder combined was 38% (95% CI 27-51; n = 10). Meta-regression, subgroup and sensitivity analysis showed that the pooled prevalence estimates for both suicide attempt and ideation remained unaffected by variations in critical appraisal ratings and study designs. Only one study reported data on suicide-related deaths.ConclusionsOne in four individuals diagnosed with psychosis or bipolar disorder have reported suicide attempts, whereas up to one in three have experienced suicidal ideation. These findings underscore the urgent need for clinicians to regularly assess and monitor suicidal ideation and attempts among individuals with these disorders in South Asia

Ab-initio investigation of electronic structures of α-BiFeO3 with different exchange-correlation functionals

The electronic structures of α-BiFeO3 are calculated by using a full-potential linearized-augmented-plane-wave method. We employed the local-density approximation (LDA) with the modified Becke-Johnson (mBJ) exchange potential and the LDA + U method. The indirect (direct) bandgap of 2.24 (2.44) eV obtained by LDA + U method is in good agreement with an experiment, while the mBJ potential produces the indirect bandgap of 2.55 eV, and the direct bandgap is slightly larger than the indirect one. The discrepancy between the experimental x-ray spectra and the calculated Fe-3d and O-2p density of states were revealed to be due to the effects of the core hole. The core-hole effects are also responsible for the smaller bandgap in x-ray spectroscopy than the optical spectroscopy. The calculated valence-charge density and the bonding character obtained by LDA + U method also provides the stronger ionic character of the compound than the mBJ potential. Although the mBJ method is very efficient one, it is still very time consuming compared to the LDA + U method. The most suitable exchange-correlation potential for α-BiFeO3 is the LDA + U. Therefore, it is better to use the LDA + U method for the electronic-structure calculations of BiFeO3 compound not only for reducing the calculational time but also for better description of bandgaps and some physical properties. From the similar calculations carried out for transition-metal monoxide system it was found that the inadequacy of using the mBJ potential for the description of the localized 3d-states is rather universal

Phytobiocidal management of bacterial wilt of tomato caused by Ralstonia solanacearum (Smith) Yabuuchi

Phytobiocides are a good alternative to chemicals in managing bacterial diseases including bacterial wilt of tomato caused by Ralstonia solanacearum. In the present research study, finely ground dried powders of seven widely available medicinal plants/weeds species viz., Peganum harmala (esfand or wild rue), Calotropis procera (sodom apple), Melia azedarach (white cedar), Allium sativum (garlic), Adhatoda vasica (malabar nut), Tagetes patula (marigold) and Nerium oleander (oleander) were assessed for their anti-microbial activity, both in-vitro (10% w/v) and in-vivo (10, 20, 30, and 40 g/kg of potted soil) against R. solanacearum. Aqueous extracts (prepared as 10% w/v, soaking for 48-72 h and filtering) of C. procera, A. vasica, and T. patula inhibited the in-vitro growth of the bacterial pathogen over 60% of that produced by the standard antibiotic streptomycin. A. sativum, N. oleander and P. harmala aqueous extracts were less effective while M. azedarach showed no effect against R. solanacearum. The higher dose (40 g/kg of soil) of C. procera, A. vasica and T. patula decreased disease severity quite effectively and increased yield and plant growth characters as much as the standard antibiotic did. No phytotoxicity of medicinal plants powder was observed on tomato plants. Alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, saponins and terpenoids were detected in the aqueous extracts of T. patula and A. vasica whereas C. procera was found to have only alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins and saponins. Our data suggest that dried powders of T. patula, C. procera and A. vasica (40 g/kg of soil) could be used as an effective component in the integrated disease management programs against bacterial wilt of tomato

Sustainable management of the Southern root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita (Kofoid and White) Chitwood, by means of amendments of Fumaria parviflora

Greenhouse and field studies were conducted in the spring and autumn of 2010 to test the efficacy of dry amendments of Fumaria parviflora as a form of eco-friendly management of Meloidogyne incognita in tomato. Various preparations of F. parviflora (in the form of dry root, stem, leaf and whole plant powder) at different dose rates (10, 20 and 30 g per kg of soil) significantly reduced levels of M. incognita in the roots of tomato cv . Rio Grande, and promoted plant growth. The root amendments of F. parviflora at the highest application dose (30 g per kg of soil) were the most effective, significantly reducing the number of galls, the galling index, the egg masses per g of the root, and the adult femal es per g of the root. Shoot and root lengths, the fresh and the dry shoot weight, and the number of branches and flowers per plant were improved in greenhouse trials that were conducted in the spring and autumn. Under naturally infested field conditi ons, the root ́s amendment of F. parviflora at the highest application dose was the most effect ive, and reduced the number of galls, the GI, the number of egg masses per g of root, the adult femal es per gof root, and the reproduction factor (Rf). It also promoted plant, health and increased the number of fruits per plant and the fruit weight per plant in the spring and autumn experiment. Dry amendments of F. parviflora have remarkable nematicidal potential and could be used as an effective and environment-friendly management tool against M. incognita as an alternative to chemical control. © 2015 Friends Science Publishers.This research, which forms part of the PhD study by Ishrat Naz, was supported by the Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan, under the indigenous scholarship programme.Peer reviewe

Combined nematocidal effect of nonacosan-10-ol and 23 A-homostigmast-5-en-3B-ol on Meloidogyne incognita (Kofoid and White) Chitwood

he synergistic effect of three phytochemicals, nonacosan-10-ol, 23a-homostigmast-5-en-3β-ol and cis-and transprotopinium were assessed in four combinations and three concentrations (5, 50 and 100 μg ml-1) against Meloidogyne incognita, in vitro and in planta on the tomato cultivar Riogrande. Additionally, an in vitro phytotoxicity test on tomato seedlings was performed with the same phytochemical combinations. A combination of nonacosane-10-ol and 23ahomostigmast-5-en-3β-ol inhibited egg hatching at the highest rate and induced 100.0% mortality of second-stage juvenile (J2) at the concentration of 100 μg ml-1. The egg hatch inhibition and J2 mortality were positively correlated with an increase in the concentrations of phytochemical as well as with the incubation time. All phytochemical mixtures displayed a nematicidal effect against M. incognita in in planta studies. The combine application of nonacosan-10-ol and 23a-homostigmast-5-en-3β-ol resulted in the highest reduction in nematode parameters (viz., galls, gall index, females g-1 of root and eggs g-1 of root) and promoted the greatest increase in the plant parameters (such as shoot and root lengths, fresh and dry shoot weights, and number of flowers plant-1) at the highest concentration of 100 μg ml-1. The phytochemical mixtures did not induce phytotoxic effects on tomato seed germination and seedling growth in invitro tests. It was concluded from the present study that such phytochemical mixtures offer nematocidal potential in organic vegetable production systems or could be integrated with other management tools as a part of sustainable control strategies for plant-parasitic nematodes. © 2016, Pakistan Agricultural Scientists Forum. All rights reserved.This research was funded by the Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan under the Indigenous PhD scholarship programPeer reviewe

Control of Southern root knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita (Kofoid and White) Chitwood on tomato using green manure of Fumaria parviflora Lam (Fumariaceae)

Extracts of the plant Fumaria parviflora have demonstrated nematicidal properties and it is a potential novel control agent against plant parasitic nematodes. In this research, we examined the use of F. parviflora, in green house and field experiments, as a green manure against Meloidogyne incognita on tomato. M incognita did not parasitize F. parviflora as shown using a host pathogenicity test with a range of different inoculation rates of the nematode. Applications of F. parviflora 15 days before transplanting at the highest dose of 30 g fresh chopped whole plant material per kg of soil showed the most promising results. The root portion of F. parviflora showed higher nematicidal activity than the tops of the plant. All plant growth parameters studied were significantly promoted by the application of green manure in addition to the toxic effect on M. incognita. These data suggest that F. parviflora could be used alone or as part of an Integrated Pest Management strategy as a novel management tool for M. incognita.This research, part of PhD study by Ishrat Naz, was supported by the Higher Education Commission (HEC5000 Fellowship Program Phase–VI) of Pakistan under the Indigenous scholarship program.Peer reviewe

Management of iron deficiency anemia during pregnancy: A midwife-led continuity of care model

Background: Globally, 36.5% of pregnancies are affected by anemia, particularly in low-and middle-income countries, posing significant risks to maternal and perinatal health. In rural Pakistan, 44.3% of pregnant women suffer from iron deficiency, contributing to the high prevalence of anemia. Limited accessibility to antenatal care exacerbates the challenge, necessitating innovative solutions. This study assessed a midwife-led continuity of care model, utilizing intravenous (IV) iron therapy for the management of anemia in Karachi, Pakistan.Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of data from a prospective cohort study conducted in two primary healthcare facilities, which employed a community midwife (CMW)-led continuity of care model for antenatal care, including IV iron therapy. We extracted data from February 2021 to March 2022 for women who were diagnosed with anemia based on hemoglobin (Hb) levels, categorized as mild (10.0 to 10.9 g/dL), moderate (7.0 to 9.9 g/dL), or severe (less than 7.0 g/dL). Assessment occurred at the initial antenatal care (ANC) visit to establish baseline anemia severity, and approximately 2 weeks after intravenous (IV) iron therapy administration to evaluate post-treatment changes were considered.Results: We enrolled 114 pregnant women, where the majority presented with moderate (88.6%) anemia. After IV iron treatment, 48.5% improved to normal-mild levels, while 50% remained unchanged. Severe anemia affected 10.5% at baseline; 42% shifted to moderate and 50% to normal-mild post-treatment, with one remaining unchanged (p \u3c 0.001). Among women enrolled in the first and second trimesters, severe anemia improved to normal-mild (50%) and moderate levels (50%) (pre-treatment: n = 10, post-treatment: n = 0), and moderate anemia decreased by 48% (pre-treatment: n = 92, post-treatment: n = 47).Conclusion: Our midwife-led model of care demonstrated an improvement in iron levels among pregnant women. The model addressed the challenges of anemia prevalence in Pakistan and underscored the significance of empowering front-line healthcare providers, such as community midwives (CMWs) for managing these common conditions

Cis- and trans-protopinium, a novel nematicide, for the eco-friendly management of root-knot nematodes

Plant-derived nematicides are being increasingly used while select synthetic nematicides are phased out for environmental concerns. This is the first report on the in vitro nematicidal activity of cis- and trans-protopinium isolated from roots of Fumaria parviflora and its in vivo effect on the southern root-knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita. Cis- and trans-protopinium was isolated from the methanolic fraction FM2.1, and its structure elucidated using 13C and 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). The NMR spectra were characterized using deuterated dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) at temperatures of 25 and 80 °C. In an in vitro study, over 120 h of incubation, the area under cumulative percent hatch inhibition and mortality of cis- and trans-protopinium reached 100% at a concentration of 200 μg mL−1. In the greenhouse and field settings, cis- and trans-protopinium was evaluated against M. incognita on tomato at a concentration of 100, 200, and 300 μg mL−1 for two consecutive seasons, that is, spring and autumn, in 2010. At a concentration of 300 μg mL−1 in the greenhouse and field trials during spring and autumn, cis- and trans-protopinium significantly reduced the nematode galling index, the number of females per gram of root, and the reproduction factor, as well as increased plant height, fresh and dry shoot weights, and root length. Therefore, cis- and trans-protopinium can be used as an effective and safe nematicide against M. incognita on tomato in an organic and sustainable agricultural production system. Phytochemicals have various agricultural applications, especially to control economically important nematode pests.The funds provided by the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan (HEC) through indigenous scholarships (Batch-VI) are highly appreciated.Peer reviewe