Genetic Resistance in Desi and Kabuli Chickpea Lines to Fusarium Wilt Caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ciceris

Twenty five lines each of desi and of kabuli chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) were evaluated for Fusarium wilt resistance during 2008–09 season in the field (wilt sick plot) and greenhouse at the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), Patancheru, India. Fifteen desi and nine kabuli lines were found resistant (d"10% mortality) to Fusarium wilt. Significant positive correlation was found between greenhouse and field screening techniques (r = > 0.84, P < 0.0001). Additionally, phenological traits and yield were also recorded for all the lines in the disease free field at ICRISAT, Patancheru. Six wilt resistant desi lines (ICCV 09118, ICCV 09113, ICCV 09115, ICCX-030042-F4-P12-BP-BP, ICCX-030037-F4-P9-BP-BP, ICCX-030042-F4-P1-BP-BP) and two kabuli lines (ICCV 09308, ICCV 09314) matured early between 99–107 days and yielded more than the control cultivars JG 11 for desi (2208 kg/ha yield) and JGK 1 for kabuli (2243 kg/ha). These early maturing, high maturng, high yielding and wilt resistant desi and kabuli chickpea lines can be useful sources for breeding wilt resistant varietie

Effect of sub-optimal moisture levels on the quality of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) during storage in triple-layer hermetic storage bags

Storage is an important aspect of groundnut, as the in-shell and shelled kernels are prone to infestation by insects, pests, and fungi. Among several storage pests, the groundnut bruchid, Caryedon serratus, causes serious losses. Farmers often resort to different management practices, including hermetic storage, to control it. The moisture content of the commodity plays an important role in insect infestation during storage. Drying to safe moisture levels before storage is known to prevent the activity of various living organisms, such as storage pests. However, drying to low levels of moisture may not be economical for farmers, as they may not have access to devices to accurately check product moisture. In this regard, we wanted to demonstrate the efficacy of triple-layer hermetic storage bags in preventing the damage caused by C. serratus when the groundnuts are stored at intermediate (10%) and high (14%) levels of moisture compared to traditionally used bags such as polypropylene bags and jute bags. Groundnut pods at 10% moisture content and 14% moisture content were separately inoculated with adult bruchids and a toxigenic strain of Aspergillus flavus fungal inoculum before storing them for 6 months. Results from groundnut samples taken at two-month intervals indicated that groundnut pods stored in triple-layer hermetic bags were completely free from infestation by C. serratus by recording a zero number of eggs laid, number of pupae, adult emergence, percentage of loss, and percentage of damage up to 6 months of storage, by creating low oxygen (hypoxia) and high carbon dioxide (hypercarbia) conditions. Results also indicate no loss of pod weight stored in triple-layer bags, but a slight reduction in germination percentage was recorded due to a slight increase in fungal activity, but the reduction was significantly less in triple-layer plastic bags compared to other bag types. Similarly, biochemical constituents such as oil and protein content were slightly reduced in triple-layer plastic bags when pods were stored at a 10% moisture level, but a higher reduction was observed at a 14% moisture level. However, the reduction was very high and significant in other bag types at both 10 and 14% moisture levels

New sources of resistance to Fusarium wilt and sterility mosaic disease in a mini-core collection of pigeonpea germplasm

Fusarium wilt (FW) and Sterility mosaic disease (SMD) are important biotic constraints to pigeonpea production worldwide. Host plant resistance is the most durable and economical way to manage these diseases. A pigeonpea mini-core collection consisting of 146 germplasm accessions developed from a core collection of 1290 accessions from 53 countries was evaluated to identify sources of resistance to FW and SMD under artificial field epiphytotic conditions during 2007–08 and 2008–09 crop seasons. Resistant sources identified in the field were confirmed in the greenhouse using a root dip screening technique for FW and a leaf stapling technique for SMD. Six accessions (originated from India and Italy were found resistant to FW (<10% mean disease incidence). High level of resistance to SMD was found in 24 accessions (mean incidence <10%). These SMD resistant accessions originated from India, Italy, Kenya, Nepal, Nigeria, Philippines and United Kingdom. Combined resistance to FW and SMD was found in five accessions (ICPs 6739, 8860, 11015, 13304 and 14819). These diverse accessions that are resistant to FW or SMD will be useful to the pigeonpea resistance breeding program

Resistance to pre-harvest aflatoxin contamination in ICRISAT’s groundnut mini core collection

Aflatoxin contamination in groundnut by Aspergillus flavus has assumed global significance and is considered a potential threat to human and animal health. The present study focused on the screening and identification of stable and reliable resistance sources to pre-harvest aflatoxin contamination in ICRISAT’s groundnut mini core germplasm accessions. Field studies were conducted during 2008 and 2009 in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Superior accessions (n = 34) were selected and screened during 2010 and 2011 in a Lattice design with three replications. Seven best accessions with <1 μg kg−1 aflatoxin B1 levels were further selected and screened during 2012 and 2013. Based on the evaluation in 2008 and 2009, four accessions had aflatoxin contamination within 4 μg kg−1, 50 accessions within 10 μg kg−1, 66 accessions within 15 μg kg−1, and 75 accessions within 20 μg kg−1. Of the 34 selected accessions evaluated in 2010 and 2011, eight accessions had <1 μg kg−1. The analysis of 34 accessions over a period of four years from 2008 to 2011 indicated that the mean toxin levels ranged from 0.9 to 10.3 μg kg−1. In total, 31 accessions had less aflatoxin accumulation than the resistant check, 55–437. The seven best accessions, ICGs 13,603, 1415, 14,630, 3584, 5195, 6703 and 6888, over six years (2008–2013) consistently accumulated very low levels of aflatoxin (<4 μg kg−1). These seven accessions could be potential sources for understanding the resistant mechanisms and can be further used in developing resistant cultivars or introgressing resistance in popular released varieties

Investigations on prevalence of aflatoxin contamination in major groundnut growing states of India, influence of soil characteristics and farmers’ level of awareness

Food safety issues are of major concern in groundnut due to aflatoxin contamination by Aspergillus flavus. Monitoring aflatoxin prevalence and understanding the factors responsible can provide useful information for devising effective management strategies. The present study focused on mapping the pre-harvest aflatoxin contamination in India along with its determining factors. A comprehensive survey was undertaken during 2012-2014 in four major groundnut growing States such as Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu. Pod (n=2434) and rhizospheric soil samples (n=1322) were collected to ascertain A. flavus populations and pre-harvest aflatoxin contamination. Further, kernel aflatoxin levels were correlated with soil organic carbon, available calcium and pH levels in the fields from where the samples were collected. Farmers’ awareness on aflatoxin problem was also determined using a semi-structured questionnaire. Our results indicate wide variations in the occurrence of pre-harvest aflatoxin contamination levels of kernels among different States (0 - 5486 ppb) and samples within States. Detectable levels of aflatoxins (>1ppb) were highest in Karnataka (70.5%), whereas it was lowest in Andhra Pradesh (32.9%). Correlation studies revealed that aflatoxin contents were positively associated with soil pH (r = 0.54-0.99) and A. flavus populations (r = 0.63 in Gujarat; r = 0.75 in Karnataka) whereas soil organic carbon and available calcium were negatively correlated with toxin levels in kernels (r = -0.99). Farmers’ awareness was considerably poor in all the States under survey. Overall, our results suggest the prevalence of aflatoxin contamination in major groundnut growing areas in India, and influence of certain edaphic factors

Are there Gender Differences in Diabetes Care Among Elderly Medicare Enrolled Veterans?

OBJECTIVE: To examine gender differences in diabetes care process measures and intermediate outcomes among veteran clinic users. DESIGN: A retrospective cohort study using Veterans Health Administration (VHA) and Medicare files of VHA clinic users with diabetes. Diabetes care process measures were tests for hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C) values, and eye exams. Intermediate outcomes were HbA1c and LDL-C values below recommended thresholds. Chi-square tests and logistic regressions were used to assess gender differences. PARTICIPANTS: Study population included 3,225 women and 231,922 men veterans with diabetes, enrolled in Medicare fee-for-service and alive at the end of fiscal year 2000. RESULTS: Overall, there were no significant gender differences in HbA1c or LDL-C testing. However, women had higher rates in these process measures than men among the non-African American minorities. Women were more likely to have completed eye exams (odds ratio [OR]=1.11; 99% confidence interval [CI]=1.10, 1.23) but were less likely to have LDL-C under 130 mg/dL (OR=0.77; 99% CI=0.69, 0.87). CONCLUSIONS: Among VHA patients with diabetes, clinically significant gender inequality was not apparent in most of diabetes care measures. However, there was evidence of better care among nonwhite and non-African American women than their male counterparts. Further research on interaction of race and gender on diabetes care is needed. This includes evaluation of integrated VHA women's health programs as well as cultural issues. Lower LDL-C control among women suggests areas of unmet needs for women and opportunities for future targeted quality improvement interventions at system and provider levels