Performance of climber common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) lines under Researcher Designed Farmer Managed (RDFM) system in three bean agro-ecological zones of Malawi

An on-farm study was carried out in 2003-2004 and 2004-2005 growing seasons under rain-fed condition in five sites namely Thondwe and Matapwata in Zomba and Thyolo districts respectively, Chipuka inNtchisi district, Ntchenachena and Ngong’a in Rumphi district representing three bean agro-ecological zones of Malawi. Seven climber common bean entries; CAB 19, RWV 1046, BCMV B4, AND 659, RWV1042-2-3, 5P/5 and DC 86-244 were evaluated for their performance and stability across sites and two seasons under Researcher Designed Farmer Managed (RDFM) system. Entries DC 86-244, AND 659 andBCMV B4 were early maturing in most sites of the trial. DC 86 244 and AND 659 were also high yielding and had larger seed sizes compared to other entries. RWV 1046 and RVW 1042-2-3 were also highyielding though had smaller seed sizes. Stability analysis identified entries CAB 19 and DC 86 244 as stable entries across sites and seasons. Among environments, Ng’onga, Chipuka and Thondwe werehigh yielding. Ntchenachena was more stable but lower yielding compared to other sites. Matapwata was highly unreliable as heavy rains followed by dry spells characterised the site which resulted in lossof all bean entries in 2004-2005 growing season

Yield performance of dwarf bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) lines under Researcher Designed Farmer Managed (RDFM) system in three bean agro-ecological zones of Malawi

An on-farm study was carried out under rain-fed condition in 2003 - 2004 and 2004 - 2005 growing seasons in five sites namely Ntchenachena and Ngong’a in Rumphi district, Chipuka in Ntchisi district, Thondwe and Matapwata in Zomba and Thyolo districts respectively representing three bean agroecological zones of Malawi. Seven dwarf bean entries; DC 96-95, PC 490-D8, BCMV-B2, SDDT-54-C5, APN 130, F6BC (19) and DOR 715 were evaluated for their yield stability across sites and two seasons under Researcher Designed Farmer Managed (RDFM) system. Yield stability of the entries across years varied significantly. Entries SDDT-54-C5, PC490-D8 and DOR 715 were stable across all sites and between the two seasons. DOR 715 was also high yielding entry in Thondwe and Ntchenachena sites followed by BCMV B2 though the latter was unstable. Among sites, Thondwe was the best because yields of most of the bean entries were stable at this site

Performance of parental genotypes and inheritance of Angular Leaf Spot (Phaeosariopsis griseola) resistance in the common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris)

Two studies, one on performance of six common bean parental genotypes and another on inheritance of resistance to Phaeosariopsis griseola (Pg) in the common bean were carried out in Malawi. Common bean entries namely; Chimbamba, Nasaka, RC 15, CAL 143 and Mexico 54 were evaluated on station in the 2004/2005 growing season at Bunda, Dedza, Ng'onga and Ntchenachena sites. The second study started by generating F1s and then F2 and F3 seeds in greenhouse at Bunda College. CAL 143 and Mexico 54 were sources of Pg resistance genes while Chimbamba, Nasaka and RC 15 were susceptible recipient parents. Following green house trials, Pg resistance was evaluated on station in the samesites. CAL 143 was highest yielding but unstable across sites. RC 15 was stable and gave the highest yield at the dry-spell-stricken Ng’onga whereas Mexico 54 was superior at Ntchenachena but highly unstable across sites. Yield was strongly correlated to number of effective pods per plant in all genotypes. The inheritance study showed that resistance to Pg in the common bean is controlled by one gene using both CAL 143 and Mexico 54 as resistant parents.&#160

Performance of parental genotypes and inheritance of Angular Leaf Spot Phaeosariopsis griseola) resistance in the common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris)

Two studies, one on performance of six common bean parental genotypes and another on inheritance of resistance to Phaeosariopsis griseola (Pg) in the common bean were carried out in Malawi. Common bean entries namely; Chimbamba, Nasaka, RC 15, CAL 143 and Mexico 54 were evaluated on station in the 2004/2005 growing season at Bunda, Dedza, Ng'onga and Ntchenachena sites. The second study started by generating F1s and then F2 and F3 seeds in greenhouse at Bunda College. CAL 143 and Mexico 54 were sources of Pg resistance genes while Chimbamba, Nasaka and RC 15 were susceptible recipient parents. Following green house trials, Pg resistance was evaluated on station in the same sites. CAL 143 was highest yielding but unstable across sites. RC 15 was stable and gave the highest yield at the dry-spell-stricken Ng onga whereas Mexico 54 was superior at Ntchenachena but highly unstable across sites. Yield was strongly correlated to number of effective pods per plant in all genotypes. The inheritance study showed that resistance to Pg in the common bean is controlled by one gene using both CAL 143 and Mexico 54 as resistant parents

Maternal and neonatal outcomes after caesarean delivery in the African Surgical Outcomes Study: a 7-day prospective observational cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Maternal and neonatal mortality is high in Africa, but few large, prospective studies have been done to investigate the risk factors associated with these poor maternal and neonatal outcomes. METHODS: A 7-day, international, prospective, observational cohort study was done in patients having caesarean delivery in 183 hospitals across 22 countries in Africa. The inclusion criteria were all consecutive patients (aged ≥18 years) admitted to participating centres having elective and non-elective caesarean delivery during the 7-day study cohort period. To ensure a representative sample, each hospital had to provide data for 90% of the eligible patients during the recruitment week. The primary outcome was in-hospital maternal mortality and complications, which were assessed by local investigators. The study was registered on the South African National Health Research Database, number KZ_2015RP7_22, and on ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT03044899. FINDINGS: Between February, 2016, and May, 2016, 3792 patients were recruited from hospitals across Africa. 3685 were included in the postoperative complications analysis (107 missing data) and 3684 were included in the maternal mortality analysis (108 missing data). These hospitals had a combined number of specialist surgeons, obstetricians, and anaesthetists totalling 0·7 per 100 000 population (IQR 0·2-2·0). Maternal mortality was 20 (0·5%) of 3684 patients (95% CI 0·3-0·8). Complications occurred in 633 (17·4%) of 3636 mothers (16·2-18·6), which were predominantly severe intraoperative and postoperative bleeding (136 [3·8%] of 3612 mothers). Maternal mortality was independently associated with a preoperative presentation of placenta praevia, placental abruption, ruptured uterus, antepartum haemorrhage (odds ratio 4·47 [95% CI 1·46-13·65]), and perioperative severe obstetric haemorrhage (5·87 [1·99-17·34]) or anaesthesia complications (11·47 (1·20-109·20]). Neonatal mortality was 153 (4·4%) of 3506 infants (95% CI 3·7-5·0). INTERPRETATION: Maternal mortality after caesarean delivery in Africa is 50 times higher than that of high-income countries and is driven by peripartum haemorrhage and anaesthesia complications. Neonatal mortality is double the global average. Early identification and appropriate management of mothers at risk of peripartum haemorrhage might improve maternal and neonatal outcomes in Africa. FUNDING: Medical Research Council of South Africa.Medical Research Council of South Africa