Reeling and fibre quality of commercial silkworm hybrid (PM × NB4D2) in relation to number of feeds and seasons

201-204<span style="font-size:11.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:" calibri","sans-serif";mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:="" "times="" new="" roman";mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;mso-hansi-theme-font:="" minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;="" mso-ansi-language:en-us;mso-fareast-language:en-us;mso-bidi-language:ar-sa"="">Reeling and fibre quality of commercial silkworm hybrid, PM × NB4D2, have been analyzed in relation to number of feeds and seasons. The results indicate positive correlation of reeling and fibre quality with number of feeds. 26 and 28 feeds result in better reeling and fibre characteristics such as reelability, evenness neatness and cleanness. The renditta is more over 30 and 32 feeds but the difference in renditta is not statistically significant. Hence, 26 and 28 feeds are better for harvesting reeling cocoons of PM × NB4D2.</span

Genetic Diversity Analysis of Oryza glaberrima Derived Introgression Lines under Direct Seeded Condition

The increasing water scarcity and labour wages have led to the search for alternative crop establishment in rice, such as direct seeded rice (DSR). DSR can reduce unproductive water flow, reduce labour requirements, and mitigate greenhouse gas emissions. Genetic diversity was assessed for hundred and three rice introgression lines using Mahalanobis’ D2 analysis and Tochers’ clustering method. Cluster I had the largest number of genotypes (73), tailed by Cluster II with 15 genotypes. Cluster III and IV had the maximum intra-cluster distances, with Cluster IV having a significant number for desirable characters. The results disclosed that days to 50% flowering, tailed by plant height contributed much to diversity. The most significant inter-cluster distances were found in Clusters involving III and IV, II and III, I and IV and II and IV. These introgression lines can be utilised in crosses, resulting in fruitful recombination during the selection process

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Not AvailablePhosphorus (P) is an essential macronutrient to all crops including rice and it plays a key role in various plant activities and development. Low availability of P in the soils negatively, influences rice crop growth and causes significant yield loss. In the present study, we characterized a set of 56 germplasm lines for their tolerance to low soil P by screening them at low soil P and optimum soil P levels along with low soil P tolerant and sensitive check varieties. These lines were genotyped for the presence/absence of tolerant allele with respect to the major low soil P tolerance QTL, Pup1, using a set of locus specific PCR-based markers, viz., K46-1, K46-2, K52 and K46CG-1. High genetic variability was observed for various traits associated with low soil P tolerance. The yield parameters from normal and low soil P conditions were used to calculate stress tolerance indices and classify the genotypes according to their tolerance level. Out of the total germplasm lines screened, 15 lines were found to be tolerant to low soil P condition based on the yield reduction in comparison to the tolerant check, but most of them harbored the complete or partial Pup1 locus. Interestingly, two tolerant germplasm lines, IC216831 and IC216903 were observed to be completely devoid of Pup1 and hence they can be explored for new loci underlying low soil P tolerance.Not Availabl

Delayed colorectal cancer care during covid-19 pandemic (decor-19). Global perspective from an international survey

Background The widespread nature of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been unprecedented. We sought to analyze its global impact with a survey on colorectal cancer (CRC) care during the pandemic. Methods The impact of COVID-19 on preoperative assessment, elective surgery, and postoperative management of CRC patients was explored by a 35-item survey, which was distributed worldwide to members of surgical societies with an interest in CRC care. Respondents were divided into two comparator groups: 1) ‘delay’ group: CRC care affected by the pandemic; 2) ‘no delay’ group: unaltered CRC practice. Results A total of 1,051 respondents from 84 countries completed the survey. No substantial differences in demographics were found between the ‘delay’ (745, 70.9%) and ‘no delay’ (306, 29.1%) groups. Suspension of multidisciplinary team meetings, staff members quarantined or relocated to COVID-19 units, units fully dedicated to COVID-19 care, personal protective equipment not readily available were factors significantly associated to delays in endoscopy, radiology, surgery, histopathology and prolonged chemoradiation therapy-to-surgery intervals. In the ‘delay’ group, 48.9% of respondents reported a change in the initial surgical plan and 26.3% reported a shift from elective to urgent operations. Recovery of CRC care was associated with the status of the outbreak. Practicing in COVID-free units, no change in operative slots and staff members not relocated to COVID-19 units were statistically associated with unaltered CRC care in the ‘no delay’ group, while the geographical distribution was not. Conclusions Global changes in diagnostic and therapeutic CRC practices were evident. Changes were associated with differences in health-care delivery systems, hospital’s preparedness, resources availability, and local COVID-19 prevalence rather than geographical factors. Strategic planning is required to optimize CRC care