Fungicidal effect of some non-conventional chemicals for management of alternaria blight disease of mustard

Alternaria blight disease of mustard caused by a necrotrophic fungus Alternaria brassicae (Berk.) Sacc. Is one of the most important limiting factors, causing yield losses of up to 47% in mustard (Brassica juncea). The aim of this present investigation was to evaluate the fungicidal effect of non-conventional chemicals viz. calcium sulphate (CaSO4), potassium chloride (KCl), potassium sulphate (K2SO4), zinc sulphate (ZnSO4) and borax (Na2B4O7.10H2O) against alternaria blight disease of mustard. The significantly minimum size of spot was recorded in T1 CaS at 0.5% (1.73) followed by T3 CaS at 1.5% (1.75) and T2 CaS at 1.0% (1.78) respectively in comparison to check. The minimum number of average leaf spots/25 mm2 leaf area was observed in T3 CaS at 1.5% (1.78) followed by T1 CaS at 0.5% (2.26). T1 CaS @ at 0.5% showed significantly lowest disease index (13.00%) followed by T15 NaB at 0.75% (17.77%) and T8 KS at 1.0% (18.00%) respectively over check. The average minimum apparent infection rate was recorded in T1 CaS at 0.5% ( 0.504) followed by T9 KS at 1.5% (0.553) and T3 CaS at 1.5% (0.573) respectively. The AUDPC was significantly minimum in all the treatments of CaSO4 i.e. in T1 CaS at 0.5% (32.25), T2 CaS at 1.0% (33.8) and T3 CaS at 1.5% (35.55) in comparison to check (77.95). The foliar spray of CaSO4 at 0.5% concentration induced resistance significantly against alternaria blight and reduce pesticide residue in food and environment

In vitro and in vivo effect of eco-friendly chemicals on alternaria blight disease (Alternaria brassicae) and yield attributes in Indian mustard (Brassica juncea)

The present investigation was done to evaluate the effect of different concentrations of five eco-friendly chemicals in vitro and in vivo, on the management of alternaria blight and yield attributes in Indian mustard (Brassica juncea cv. Varuna). Out of five eco-friendly chemicals, K2SO4 1000 ppm (64.28%) followed by ZnSO4 1000 ppm (63.88%) showed maximum inhibition of mycelial growth in comparison to check. 0.5% concentration of KCl (57.06%) followed by CaSO4 (59.50%) and K2SO4 (62.20%) showed significantly maximum effect on spore germination in comparison to check (74.60%). Spore intensity significantly increased by all the treatments except CaSO4 at 0.5% (40.18%) followed by K2SO4 at 0.5% (29.86%) and ZnSO4 0.75% (5.11% reduction) in comparison to check. The significantly minimum disease index on leaf over check was found by foliar spray of CaSO4 at 0.5%(23.58%) followed by CaSO4 at 1.5% (24.00%) and Na2B4O7.10H2O at 1.5% (24.08%). Na2B4O7.10H2O at 0.75% showed significantly lowest disease index (23.91%) on pod followed by K2SO4 at 1.5% (25.75%) and KCl at 1.5% (26.00%) in comparison to check. CaSO4 at 1.0% showed maximum number of primary branches (7.00), number of secondary branches (13.00) and total yield/ha (1917.30 kg/ha) in comparison to check. The results obtained from the present study suggested that K2SO4 showed maximum in vitro effect on Alternaria brassicae and CaSO4 and Na2B4O7.10H2O are providing maximum reduction of disease and increase in seed yield/ha that leads to efficient alternaria blight disease management strategies in field condition. These eco-friendly chemicals can protect the crops from alternaria blight diseases and increase the production and productivity of the Indian mustard crop

Alternaria blight of oilseed brassicas: A review on management strategies through conventional, non-conventional and biotechnological approaches

Oilseed Brassicas are contributing approximately 28 percent of the India’s total oilseed production. This crop is gaining wide acceptance among t he f a rme r s b e ca u s e of adaptability for both irrigated as well as rainfed areas and suitability for sole as well as mixed cropping. Besides, it offers higher return with low cost of production and low water requirement. The production and productivity of oilseed brassicas are comparatively lower as compared to the world average due to the biotic and abiotic constraints. Among the biotic constraints, alternaria blight disease caused by Alternaria spp. has been reported from all the continents of the world, causing up to 70% yield losses in India. This disease was found on leaves, stems and siliquae and dark spots on the leaves and siliquae reduce the photosynthetic capacity and induce immature ripening, which causes reduced amount of quality seed and oil content. The severity of this disease depends upon weather conditions, varieties, age of host plants and virulence of the pathogens. Efforts are being done throughout the world for the management of alternaria blight of rapeseed-mustard. This paper comprehensively reviews the research of alternaria blight of rapeseed-mustard with special reference to management strategies through conventional, non conventional and biotechnological approaches that leads to planning the future research. The present scenario demands the traditional and modern biotechnological techniques bringing together for integrated disease management according to the need and availability at farmers level for sustainable management of alternaria blight disease of oilseed brassicas

Pathological and biochemical changes in Brassica juncea (mustard) infected with Albugo candida (white rust)

Components of disease reaction, including incubation period, pustule types, inoculum production and disease index (DI); and contents of protein, phenols, soluble sugars and reducing and non-reducing sugars were investigated in cotyledonary and true leaves of six genotypes of Brassica juncea: Varuna, Kranti, EC-399296, EC-399299, EC-399313 and EC-399301, inoculated with Albugo candida. Cotyledonary leaves were examined 14 days after inoculation (d.a.i.), whereas true leaves were scored 14 and 21 d.a.i. Disease indices were assessed on a 0% (resistant) to 100% (susceptible) scale. DIs at the cotyledonary leaf stage in the above six genotypes were 67, 65, 32, 31, 31 and 38%, respectively, whereas at the true-leaf stage they were 21, 28, 12, 17, 9 and 4%, respectively at 14 d.a.i., and 35, 45, 17, 19, 20 and 6%, respectively at 21 d.a.i. Protein contents were highest in the genotypes with the highest DIs, such as Varuna at the cotyledonary leaf stage and Kranti at the true-leaf stage, and lowest in the genotypes with the lowest DIs, such as EC-399299 at the cotyledonary stage and EC-399301 at the true-leaf stage. Total phenols, total sugars, reducing sugars and non-reducing sugars were generally negatively correlated with DI, but were not always consistent, particularly when differences in DI were small. The results indicated that factors conditioning the response of host genotypes to A. candida may differ or operate in different ways at different growth stages

Efficacy and Tolerability of Intramuscular Dexketoprofen in Postoperative Pain Management following Hernia Repair Surgery

Objective. To evaluate the safety and efficacy of intramuscular dexketoprofen for postoperative pain in patients undergoing hernia surgery. Methodology. Total 202 patients received single intramuscular injection of dexketoprofen 50 mg or diclofenac 50 mg postoperatively. The pain intensity (PI) was self-evaluated by patients on VAS at baseline 1, 2, 4, 6, and 8 hours. The efficacy parameters were number of responders, difference in PI (PID) at 8 hours, sum of analogue of pain intensity differences (SAPID), and onset and duration of analgesia. Tolerability assessment was done by global evaluation and adverse events in each group. Results. Dexketoprofen showed superior efficacy in terms of number of responders (P = .007), PID at 8 hours (P = .02), and SAPID 0–8 hours (P < .0001). It also showed faster onset of action (42 minutes) and longer duration of action (6.5 hours). The adverse events were comparable in both groups. Conclusion. Single dose of dexketoprofen trometamol 50 mg given intramuscularly provided faster, better, and longer duration of analgesia in postoperative patients of hernia repair surgery than diclofenac 50 mg, with comparable safety

PCR diagnosis of tick-borne pathogens in Maharashtra state, India indicates fitness cost associated with carrier infections is greater for crossbreed than native cattle breeds

Tick-borne pathogens (TBP) are responsible for significant economic losses to cattle production, globally. This is particularly true in countries like India where TBP constrain rearing of high yielding Bos taurus, as they show susceptibility to acute tick borne disease (TBD), most notably tropical theileriosis caused by Theileria annulata. This has led to a programme of cross breeding Bos taurus (Holstein-Friesian or Jersey) with native Bos indicus (numerous) breeds to generate cattle that are more resistant to disease. However, the cost to fitness of subclinical carrier infection in crossbreeds relative to native breeds is unknown, but could represent a significant hidden economic cost. In this study, a total of 1052 bovine blood samples, together with associated data on host type, sex and body score, were collected from apparently healthy animals in four different agro-climatic zones of Maharashtra state. Samples were screened by PCR for detection of five major TBPs: T. annulata, T. orientalis, B. bigemina, B. bovis and Anaplasma spp.. The results demonstrated that single and co-infection with TBP are common, and although differences in pathogen spp. prevalence across the climatic zones were detected, simplistic regression models predicted that host type, sex and location are all likely to impact on prevalence of TBP. In order to remove issues with autocorrelation between variables, a subset of the dataset was modelled to assess any impact of TBP infection on body score of crossbreed versus native breed cattle (breed type). The model showed significant association between infection with TBP (particularly apicomplexan parasites) and poorer body condition for crossbreed animals. These findings indicate potential cost of TBP carrier infection on crossbreed productivity. Thus, there is a case for development of strategies for targeted breeding to combine productivity traits with disease resistance, or to prevent transmission of TBP in India for economic benefit

Polymeric synthetic nanoparticles for the induction of antigen-specific immunological tolerance

Current treatments to control pathological or unwanted immune responses often use broadly immunosuppressive drugs. New approaches to induce antigen-specific immunological tolerance that control both cellular and humoral immune responses are desirable. Here we describe the use of synthetic, biodegradable nanoparticles carrying either protein or peptide antigens and a tolerogenic immunomodulator, rapamycin, to induce durable and antigen-specific immune tolerance, even in the presence of potent Toll-like receptor agonists. Treatment with tolerogenic nanoparticles results in the inhibition of CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell activation, an increase in regulatory cells, durable B-cell tolerance resistant to multiple immunogenic challenges, and the inhibition of antigen-specific hypersensitivity reactions, relapsing experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, and antibody responses against coagulation factor VIII in hemophilia A mice, even in animals previously sensitized to antigen. Only encapsulated rapamycin, not the free form, could induce immunological tolerance. Tolerogenic nanoparticle therapy represents a potential novel approach for the treatment of allergies, autoimmune diseases, and prevention of antidrug antibodies against biologic therapies.Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Internationa