DEVELOPMENT OF DUAL PURPOSE SORGHUM: CORRELATION AND PATH-COEFFICIENT ANALYSIS OF GRAIN YIELD AND STEM SUGAR TRAITS

Information on the relationship between grain yield, stem sugar and biomass is important in developing dual-purpose sorghums. The objective of this study was to determine, correlations and path-coefficients between grain yield and stem sugar traits. The study was conducted using 100 sorghum genotypes evaluated in six environments in southern Africa. Grain yield, the dependent variable, was positively and significantly (P<0.05) correlated with stem sugar, stem biomass, days to 50% flowering, number of leaves per plant, plant height and stem diameter. Grain yield was negatively significantly (P<0.05) correlated with stem juice score (r = -0.049), suggesting that high grain yielding cultivars are generally low in stalk juice. However, the significance of the positive correlation coefficient between grain yield and stem sugar (r = 0.071) suggested that the traits are not mutually exclusive. The identification of hybrids that combined high performance for both traits supported this. Path-coefficient analysis revealed that the number of leaves per plant had high, positive direct effect on grain yield, implying that selection for high performance in this trait improves grain yield. In contrast to the overall correlation coefficient, stem sugar had a negative direct effect on grain yield; suggesting that selection for high stem sugar content directly reduces grain yield. However, this was masked by the indirect effect, hence the significant positive and significant (P<0.001) correlation coefficient between the two traits.L\u2019information sur la relation entre le rendement en grain, en sucre de la tige et en biomasse est importante dans le d\ue9veloppement des sorghos \ue0 double objectifs. L\u2019objectif de cette \ue9tude \ue9tait de d\ue9terminer, les corr\ue9lations et les coefficients de piste entre les rendements en grain et en teneur en sucre de la tige. L\u2019\ue9tude a \ue9t\ue9 conduite en utilisant 100 g\ue9notypes du sorgho \ue9valu\ue9s en six environnements en Afrique du Sud. Le rendement en grain, la variable d\ue9pendante, \ue9tait positivement et significativement (P<0,05) corr\ue9l\ue9 avec la biomasse de la tige, le nombre de jours \ue0 50% de floraison, nombre de feuilles par plant, la hauteur de la plante et le diam\ue8tre de la tige. Le rendement en grain \ue9tait n\ue9gativement et significativement (P<0.05) corr\ue9l\ue9 avec le score du jus dans la tige (r= - 0,049), sugg\ue9rant que les cultivars \ue0 rendement \ue9lev\ue9 sont g\ue9n\ue9ralement faible en jus de la tige. N\ue9anmoins, la signifiance de la corr\ue9lation positive entre le rendement en grain et le sucre dans la tige (r=0.071) sugg\ue9rant que les traits ne sont pas mutuellement exclusifs. L\u2019identification des hybrides contenant une performance \ue9lev\ue9e pour les deux traits confirme ceci. L\u2019analyse du coefficient de piste a r\ue9v\ue9l\ue9 que le nombre de feuilles par plante avait un fort, et positif effet direct sur le rendement en grain, impliquant que la s\ue9lection pour une forte performance dans les traits am\ue9liore le rendement en grain. Contrairement au coefficient de corr\ue9lation en g\ue9n\ue9ral, la teneur en sucre de la tige avait un effet direct n\ue9gatif sur le rendement en grain\ua0; sugg\ue9rant que la s\ue9lection pour une forte teneur en sucre directement r\ue9duit le rendement en grain. Toutefois, ceci a \ue9t\ue9 masqu\ue9 par l\u2019effet indirect\ua0; d\u2019o\uf9 le coefficient de corr\ue9lation positif et significatif (P<0,001) entre les deux traits

Evaluation of Bambara groundnut varieties for off-season production in Zimbabwe

Early planting of bambara groundnuts (Vigna subterranea L. Verdc) in the southern Africa enables farmers to fetch premium prices before the markets are flooded with produce from the main summer growing period.However, adaptation of the crop outside the main growing season has not been studied in Zimbabwe. Therefore, this study evaluated 20 varieties at four planting dates covering contrasting temperatures and daylength, at Harare Research Station, during 2000/2001. Planting date was the main plot factor replicated three times and cultivar the subplot. Standard agronomic practices were followed and adequate moisture supplied through supplementary irrigation. Both the planting dates and variety main effects were significant (

Post-tuberculosis lung health: perspectives from the first International symposium

Tuberculosis, although curable, frequently leaves the individual with chronic physical and psycho-social impairment, yet these consequences have to-date been largely neglected. The 1st International Post-Tuberculosis Symposium was devoted entirely to impairment after tuberculosis, and covered a number of multi-disciplinary topics. Using the Delphi process, consensus was achieved for the terms “post-tuberculosis”, “post-tuberculosis lung disease/s (PTLD)”, and “post-tuberculosis economic, social and psychological well-being” (Post-TB ESP)”, to overcome the historical challenge of varied terminology in the literature. A minimum case-definition was proposed by consensus for PTLD in adults and children. Lack of sufficient evidence hampered definitive recommendations in most domains, including prevention and treatment of PTLD, but highlighted the dire need for research and priorities were identified. The heterogeneity of respiratory outcomes and previously employed research methodologies complicates the accurate estimation of disease burden. However, consensus was reached proposing a toolkit for future PTLD measurement, and on PTLD patterns to be considered. The importance of extra-pulmonary consequences and progressive impairment throughout the life-course was identified, including tuberculosis recurrence and increased mortality. Patient advocates emphasised the need for addressing the psychological and social impacts post tuberculosis, and called for clinical guidance. Increased awareness and more research addressing post-tuberculosis complications is urgently needed

"This is an illness. No one is supposed to be treated badly": community-based stigma assessments in South Africa to inform tuberculosis stigma intervention design.

BACKGROUND: Though tuberculosis (TB)-related stigma is a recognized barrier to care, interventions are lacking, and gaps remain in understanding the drivers and experiences of TB-related stigma. We undertook community-based mixed methods stigma assessments to inform stigma intervention design. METHODS: We adapted the Stop TB Partnership stigma assessment tool and trained three peer research associates (PRAs; two TB survivors, one community health worker) to conduct surveys with people with TB (PWTB, n = 93) and caregivers of children with TB (n = 24) at peri-urban and rural clinic sites in Khayelitsha, Western Cape, and Hammanskraal, Gauteng Province, South Africa. We descriptively analyzed responses for each stigma experience (anticipated, internal, and enacted), calculated stigma scores, and undertook generalized linear regression analysis. We conducted 25 in-depth interviews with PWTB (n = 21) and caregivers of children with TB (n = 4). Using inductive thematic analysis, we performed open coding to identify emergent themes, and selective coding to identify relevant quotes. Themes were organized using the Constraints, Actions, Risks, and Desires (CARD) framework. RESULTS: Surveys revealed almost all PWTB (89/93, 96%) experienced some form of anticipated, internal, and/or enacted stigma, which affected engagement throughout the care cascade. Participants in the rural setting (compared to peri-urban) reported higher anticipated, internal, and enacted stigma (β-coefficient 0.72, 0.71, 0.74). Interview participants described how stigma experiences, including HIV intersectional stigma, act individually and together as key constraints to impede care, leading to decisions not to disclose a TB diagnosis, isolation, and exclusion. Stigma resilience arose through the understanding that TB can affect anyone and should not diminish self-worth. Risks of stigma, driven by fears related to disease severity and infectiousness, led to care disengagement and impaired psychological well-being. Participants desired counselling, identifying a specific role for TB survivors as peer counselors, and community education. CONCLUSIONS: Stigma is highly prevalent and negatively impacts TB care and the well-being of PWTB, warranting its assessment as a primary outcome rather than an intermediary contributor to poor outcomes. Multi-component, multi-level stigma interventions are needed, including counseling for PWTB and education for health workers and communities. Such interventions must incorporate contextual differences based on gender or setting, and use survivor-guided messaging to foster stigma resilience. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s44263-024-00070-5

Identification of gene modules associated with low temperatures response in Bambara groundnut by network-based analysis

Bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea (L.) Verdc.) is an African legume and is a promising underutilized crop with good seed nutritional values. Low temperature stress in a number of African countries at night, such as Botswana, can effect the growth and development of bambara groundnut, leading to losses in potential crop yield. Therefore, in this study we developed a computational pipeline to identify and analyze the genes and gene modules associated with low temperature stress responses in bambara groundnut using the cross-species microarray technique (as bambara groundnut has no microarray chip) coupled with network-based analysis. Analyses of the bambara groundnut transcriptome using cross-species gene expression data resulted in the identification of 375 and 659 differentially expressed genes (p<0.01) under the sub-optimal (23°C) and very sub-optimal (18°C) temperatures, respectively, of which 110 genes are commonly shared between the two stress conditions. The construction of a Highest Reciprocal Rank-based gene co-expression network, followed by its partition using a Heuristic Cluster Chiseling Algorithm resulted in 6 and 7 gene modules in sub-optimal and very sub-optimal temperature stresses being identified, respectively. Modules of sub-optimal temperature stress are principally enriched with carbohydrate and lipid metabolic processes, while most of the modules of very sub-optimal temperature stress are significantly enriched with responses to stimuli and various metabolic processes. Several transcription factors (from MYB, NAC, WRKY, WHIRLY & GATA classes) that may regulate the downstream genes involved in response to stimulus in order for the plant to withstand very sub-optimal temperature stress were highlighted. The identified gene modules could be useful in breeding for low-temperature stress tolerant bambara groundnut varieties

Perspectives from the 2nd International Post-Tuberculosis Symposium: mobilising advocacy and research for improved outcomes

In 2020, it was estimated that there were 155 million survivors of TB alive, all at risk of possible post TB disability. The 2nd International Post-Tuberculosis Symposium (Stellenbosch, South Africa) was held to increase global awareness and empower TB-affected communities to play an active role in driving the agenda. We aimed to update knowledge on post-TB life and illness, identify research priorities, build research collaborations and highlight the need to embed lung health outcomes in clinical TB trials and programmatic TB care services. The symposium was a multidisciplinary meeting that included clinicians, researchers, TB survivors, funders and policy makers. Ten academic working groups set their own goals and covered the following thematic areas: 1) patient engagement and perspectives; 2) epidemiology and modelling; 3) pathogenesis of post-TB sequelae; 4) post-TB lung disease; 5) cardiovascular and pulmonary vascular complications; 6) neuromuscular & skeletal complications; 7) paediatric complications; 8) economic-social and psychological (ESP) consequences; 9) prevention, treatment and management; 10) advocacy, policy and stakeholder engagement. The working groups provided important updates for their respective fields, highlighted research priorities, and made progress towards the standardisation and alignment of post-TB outcomes and definitions

Morphological Diversity and Agronomic Evaluation of Promiscuous Varieties of Soyabean

Promiscuous varieties have the potential to increase soyabean ( Glycine max (L.) Merrill) production of resource poor farmers who cannot afford artificial inoculum. Some varieties grown by smallholders are known to be promiscuous but their yields are reported to have declined overtime, yet researchers questions their purity. It is suspected that these varieties are made up of mixtures of genotypes with varying nodulation capacities. A study was carried out to quantify diversity in two promiscuous varieties, Local, and A&11 using morphological markers to initiate mass selection to reconstitute the original varieties. Eight Phenotipic Groups (PGs) were identified in the variety Local mainly based on days to flowering, growth habit and flower colour, whereas in the variety A&11, days to flowering, number of primary branches, and response to rust infection revealed seven PGs. A second study evaluated the agronomic performance of the PGs in comparison with a specifically nodulating commercial variety Storm. Five of the PGs identified in A711 had significantly (P<0.01) higher grain yield than the commercial standard. All eight PGs identified in Local yielded the same as the commercial standard

Evaluation of Bambara groundnut varieties for off-season production in Zimbabwe

Early planting of bambara groundnuts (Vigna subterranea L. Verdc) in the southern Africa enables farmers to fetch premium prices before the markets are flooded with produce from the main summer growing period.However, adaptation of the crop outside the main growing season has not been studied in Zimbabwe. Therefore, this study evaluated 20 varieties at four planting dates covering contrasting temperatures and daylength, at Harare Research Station, during 2000/2001. Planting date was the main plot factor replicated three times and cultivar the subplot. Standard agronomic practices were followed and adequate moisture supplied through supplementary irrigation. Both the planting dates and variety main effects were significant (