National identity predicts public health support during a global pandemic

Understanding collective behaviour is an important aspect of managing the pandemic response. Here the authors show in a large global study that participants that reported identifying more strongly with their nation reported greater engagement in public health behaviours and support for public health policies in the context of the pandemic.Changing collective behaviour and supporting non-pharmaceutical interventions is an important component in mitigating virus transmission during a pandemic. In a large international collaboration (Study 1, N = 49,968 across 67 countries), we investigated self-reported factors associated with public health behaviours (e.g., spatial distancing and stricter hygiene) and endorsed public policy interventions (e.g., closing bars and restaurants) during the early stage of the COVID-19 pandemic (April-May 2020). Respondents who reported identifying more strongly with their nation consistently reported greater engagement in public health behaviours and support for public health policies. Results were similar for representative and non-representative national samples. Study 2 (N = 42 countries) conceptually replicated the central finding using aggregate indices of national identity (obtained using the World Values Survey) and a measure of actual behaviour change during the pandemic (obtained from Google mobility reports). Higher levels of national identification prior to the pandemic predicted lower mobility during the early stage of the pandemic (r = -0.40). We discuss the potential implications of links between national identity, leadership, and public health for managing COVID-19 and future pandemics

EFFECTS OF DIFFERENT ETHANOL CONCENTRATIONS ON THE INITIAL GROWTH OF LETTUCE (Lactnca sativa)

Greenhouse trials were carried out to determine the effect of different ethanol solution concentrations oil the initial growth of'South Bay' lettuce. Lettuce plants in the twotrue leaf stage were dipped in for 2 minutes in a solution containing 0, 5, 10, 15 or 20% ethanol (v/v). Lettuce fresh weight and plant diameter were collected 30 days after treatment. Lettuce plants that received 10 or 15% dipping had the greatest plant diameter and dry weight compared to other treatments, representing about 21.2 and 19.5% increases in fresh weight, respectively. A 22.2% reduction in fresh weight was observed when plants were treated with 20% ethanol solutions. A tertiary relationship characterized the fresh weight response to ethanol rates (y = 109.64 - 0.56x + 0.62x2 - 0.033x3; r2=0.99)

THE BACTERIAL WILT OF POTATO CAUSED BY Pseudomonas solanacearum: A NEW DISEASE OF IMPORTANCE IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

The bacterial wilt of potato was first noticed as a new potential tlireat of economic importance in the highland valley of Tirco in 1993. The disease has been disseminated, apparently by infected tuber-seed and plowing implements, and it is currently reported as an important problem in all lowland and highland potato production areas ofthe Dominican Republic. Chemical control attempts have been unsuccessful. The best results have obtained with an integrated approach of cultural practices, emphasizing the use of certified Pseudomonas-free tuber-seeds, crop rotation without susceptible plant species and avoiding excessive irrigation

CONTROL OF THE TOMATO FRUIT WORM (Keiferia Iycopersicella) WITH IMIDACLOPRID

Field experiments were conducted in the Dominican Republic to determine the effect of different rates of imidacloprid on the control of the tomato fruit worm Keiferia lycopersicella. Imidacloprid was applied once at the rates ranging from 25 to 150% of the recommended dosage (0.5 kg/ha), when 80% of the tomato fruits were 2 cm in diameter. Percentage of surviving and dead larvae and percentage of damaged tomato fruits was determined. Results show that Keiferia control (85%) was achieved with 75% of the recommended rate, and that higher rates failed to provide better control

RESPONSE OF POK-CHOI CHINESE CABBAGE (Brassica chiiiensis) TO ΓΙΙΕ BIOSTIMULANT FOLCYSTEINE

Field experiments were conducted in Gainesville, Florida, to determine the response of 'White Stem' C h i n e s e cabbage to foliar applications of the biostimulant folcysteine. Rates of 100, 300, 500 and 700 ppm folcysteine were applied once (7 days after transplanting) or twice (7 and 21 days after, transplanting). Plant fresh biomass was determined 50 days after transplanting. Results show that 'White Stem' pok-choi was responsive to folcysteine. When the biostimulant was applied once, overall growth was enhanced as rates increased, reaching maximum yield at the rate of 500 ppm as determined by a quadratic relationship (y = 21.8 + 0.20x - 0.0002x2; r2 = 0.97). Yield decreased at the rate of 700 ppm. When folcysteine was applied twice, the highest yield was obtained at 100 ppm per spray, with higher rates failing to increase yields above control levels. A linearplateau equation characterized this relationship (y = 23.8 + 0.27x, if χ 100

INITIAL BELL PEPPER (Capsicum anmwm) GROWTH AS INFLUENCED BY DIFFERENT LEAF-APPLIED ETHANOL CONCENTRATIONS

Experiments were conducted under controlled conditions to determine the effect of different ethanol concentrations on the initial growth of'Camelot' bell pepper. Plants in the two-true leaf stage were submersed for 2 minutes in either 0, 5, 10, 15 or 20% ethanol solution (v/v). Plant height, leaf area per plant, number of floral buds per plant and leaf and stem dry weight per plant were collected 40 days after treatment. Bell pepper plants had the highest values for all variables under study when solutions containing 10% ethanol were applied. In most cases, 20% solutions reduced variables studied at or below control levels

EFECTO DE SUSTRATOS Y DIFERENTES DOSIS DE BORO EN EL CRECIMIENTO Y DESARROLLO DE PLANTULAS DE LECHOSA (Carica papaya L.).

Se realizo un primer experimento para determinar el efecto de tres sustratos: mezcla comercial, estiercol descompuesto + tierra (1:1) y cachaza curada + estiercol descompuesto + tierra (1:1:1) en el numero de hojas, altura y materia seca de plantulas de lechosa. En un segundo experimento se evaluo el efecto d e los mismos tres substratos y 4 dosis de boro (0.13, 0.26, 0.39 y 0.52 mg B/planta, respectivamente) en el desarrollo de plantulas de lechosa. Los resultados indican que el numero de hojas, altura y materia seca a los 21, 28 y 35 dias despues de nacidas fue menor en las plantulas sembradas en el sustrato comercial que en los otros dos sustratos (p.05). Similarmente, en el segundo experimento las plantulas sembradas en el sustrato comercial tenian menor altura a los 4, 8 y 12 dias despues del trasplante (DDT) que en los otros dos sustratos (p.05). Se presentaron diferencias (p.05) en la altura de las plantulas a los 4, 8 y 12 DDT, entre el control (no aplicacidn de boro) y las demas dosis, indicando que el rango critico de aplicacidn de boro se encuentra entre 0 y 0.13 mg B/planta. Se sugiere la realizacidn de estudios adicionales para conocer el nivel optimo de aplicacidn de boro, dentro del rango mencionado, a plantulas de lechosa con la finalidad de maximizar la eficiencia en el uso del micronutriente

INFLUENCE OF GIBBERELLIC ACID ON TUE COMPETITIVE ABILITY OF TOMATO, EGGPLANT AND BELL PEPPER AGAINST THE WEED Partlienium spp.

Container experiments were conducted in the Dominican Republic to determine the influence of gibberellic acid treatment on the competitive ability of tomato, eggplant and bell pepper against the weed Parthenium spp. until crop flowering. The effect of gibberellic acid rates on competitiveness was determined by the changes in relative crowding coefficient values (RCC) in a replacement series of each crop and the weed. Results indicate that gibberellic acid increased crop biomass and thus RCC as rates increased. Bell pepper was the most responsive crop. Since the critical interference period usually occurs before flowering, gibberellic acid treatment at the time of transplanting might prove to be an effective means to improve the competitive ability of this crop against Parthenium spp