Thresholds, sensitive stages and genetic variability of finger millet to high temperature stress

Finger millet [Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn.] is an important coarse cereal crop grown in the arid and semi‐arid regions and often experiences high temperature (HT) stress. The objectives of this research were (i) to quantify effects of season‐long HT stress on physiological and yield traits, (ii) to identify the developmental stages most sensitive to HT stress and (iii) to quantify the genetic variability for HT stress tolerance in finger millet. Research was conducted in controlled environment conditions. HT stress decreased the chlorophyll index, photosystem II activity, grain yield and harvest index. Maximum decrease in number of seeds per panicle and grain yield per plant was observed when stress was imposed during booting, panicle emergence or flowering stages. Maximum genotypic variation was explained by panicle width and number of seeds per panicle at optimum temperature (OT) and grain yield per plant at HT and number of seeds at HT. Based on the stress response and grain yield, tolerant or susceptible genotypes were identified. Finger millet is sensitive to HT stress during reproductive stages, and there was genotypic variability among the finger millet genotypes for number of seeds per panicle and grain yield under HT, which can be exploited to enhance stress tolerance

Design, recruitment, and retention of African-American smokers in a pharmacokinetic study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>African-Americans remain underrepresented in clinical research despite experiencing a higher burden of disease compared to all other ethnic groups in the United States. The purpose of this article is to describe the study design and discuss strategies used to recruit and retain African-American smokers in a pharmacokinetic study.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The parent study was designed to evaluate the differences in the steady-state concentrations of bupropion and its three principal metabolites between African-American menthol and non-menthol cigarette smokers. Study participation consisted of four visits at a General Clinical Research Center (GCRC) over six weeks. After meeting telephone eligibility requirements, phone-eligible participants underwent additional screening during the first two GCRC visits. The last two visits (pharmacokinetic study phase) required repeated blood draws using an intravenous catheter over the course of 12 hours.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Five hundred and fifteen African-American smokers completed telephone screening; 187 were phone-eligible and 92 were scheduled for the first GCRC visit. Of the 81 who attended the first visit, 48 individuals were enrolled in the pharmacokinetic study, and a total of 40 individuals completed the study (83% retention rate).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Although recruitment of African-American smokers into a non-treatment, pharmacokinetic study poses challenges, retention is feasible. The results provide valuable information for investigators embarking on non-treatment laboratory-based studies among minority populations.</p

Sermones de Tempore et de Sanctis

Mottled brown calf boards; front board detached. Spine title reads: Sermones/ Peregrini/ 1493.Title-page, Alphabetum I (f.9a), binding, Dedicatione

Effect of environmental stress and management on grain and biomass yield of finger millet (Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn.)

Doctor of PhilosophyDepartment of AgronomyP.V. Vara PrasadProductivity of grain crops is highly sensitive to changing climates and crop management practices. Response of finger millet [Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn.] to high temperature stress, and intensive management practices such as increased seeding rates and fertilizer application are not clearly understood. The objectives of this research were to determine the effects of (a) season-long, and short episodes of high temperature stress on growth and yield traits of finger millet, (b) seeding rates and nitrogen fertilizer application rates on grain and biomass yield, and (c) to evaluate the finger millet minicore collection for high grain and biomass yield. Controlled environment studies were conducted to determine the effects of high temperature stress on physiological, growth and yield traits. Field studies were conducted in Manhattan and Hays (Kansas) and Alupe (Kenya) to determine the effects of seeding and nitrogen fertilizer rates on growth and yield traits. Finger millet minicore collection was evaluated under field conditions in India, for phenology, growth and yield traits. Season long high temperature stress of 36/26 or 38/28°C compared to 32/22°C decreased panicle emergence, number of seeds per panicle, grain yield and harvest index. Finger millet was most sensitive to short episodes (10 d) of high temperature (40/30°C) during booting, panicle emergence and flowering stages, resulting in lower number of seeds, and grain yield. Finger millet responded to the interaction between environmental (locations) and temporal (years) factors. In general, locations with higher rainfall had greater grain and biomass yield than those with low rainfall. There was no influence of seeding rates (3.2 or 6.0 kg ha[superscript]-1) at Hays and Alupe. However, in one of the two years in Manhattan, higher seeding rate of 6.0 kg ha[superscript]-1 increased grain yield compared to 3.2 kg ha[superscript]-1. There was no influence of nitrogen rates (0, 30, 60 or 90 kg ha[superscript]-1) on grain or biomass yield at all three locations. However, higher fertilizer rates had greater percentage lodging. The finger millet minicore collection displayed large ranges for most quantitative traits including days to flowering, plant height, number of fingers panicle[superscript]-1, grain yield, biomass yield, and lodging; and had >60% heritability. Some of the genotypes from the minicore collection have the potential to increase grain and biomass yield and abiotic stress tolerance of finger millet