Studies on black scurf of potato caused by Rhizoctonia solani Khun : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Agricultural Science at Massey University

The potato, Solanum tuberosum L. is second only to wheat in importance as a food crop in New Zealand. During the last five years the total area of potatoes grown has fluctuated between 8,000 and 10,000 hectares, and the yield has increased steadily to over 25 tonnes per hectare (Table I). Table I Potato production in New Zealand. Area and production for several recent seasons*. Season Area (ha) Total Yield (tonnes) Yield (tonnes/ha) 1966-67 8,020 187,267 23.35 1967-68 9,517 235,831 24.78 1968-69 10,132 256,263 25.32 1969-70 9,928 253,263 25.51** 1970-71 7,689 (est.) * New Zealand Official Year Book, 1972. (Yield figures converted to metric equivalents). **= 10.15 tons/acre Although potatoes are grown in all parts of New Zealand, the bulk of the market is supplied from three areas. The Pukekohe district supplies the early markets from September to December and also substantial quantities of mid-season and main-crop potatoes. The February to July market is supplied principally from the Manawatu-Rangitikei district, and winter supplies (May to November) are drawn mainly from Canterbury, Otago and Southland (Claridge, 1972; Baxter, 1972). [FROM PREFACE

Design of a randomized superiority trial of a brief couple treatment for PTSD.

Interpersonal difficulties are common among veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and are associated with poorer treatment response. Treatment outcomes for PTSD, including relationship functioning, improve when partners are included and engaged in the therapy process. Cognitive-behavioral conjoint therapy for PTSD (CBCT) is a manualized 15-session intervention designed for couples in which one partner has PTSD. CBCT was developed specifically to treat PTSD, engage a partner in treatment, and improve interpersonal functioning. However, recent research suggests that an abbreviated CBCT protocol may lead to sufficient gains in PTSD and relationship functioning, and yield lower dropout rates. Likewise, many veterans report a preference for receiving psychological treatments through clinical videoteleconferencing (CVT) rather than traditional face-to-face modalities that require travel to VA clinics. This manuscript describes the development and implementation of a novel randomized controlled trial (RCT) that examines the efficacy of an abbreviated 8-session version of CBCT ("brief CBCT," or B-CBCT), and compares the efficacy of this intervention delivered via CVT to traditional in-person platforms. Veterans and their partners were randomized to receive B-CBCT in a traditional Veterans Affairs office-based setting (B-CBCT-Office), CBCT through CVT with the veteran and partner at home (B-CBCT-Home), or an in office-delivered, couple-based psychoeducation control condition (PTSD Family Education). This study is the first RCT designed to investigate the delivery of B-CBCT specifically to veterans with PTSD and their partners, as well as to examine the delivery of B-CBCT over a CVT modality; findings could increase access to care to veterans with PTSD and their partners