Species of Fusarium Causing Root Rot of Soybean in South Dakota: Characterization, Pathogenicity, and Interaction with Heterodera Glycines

In South Dakota, Fusarium-associated diseases (e.g. seedling diseases, root rot and sudden death syndrome) are emerging threats to soybean production. Several species of Fusarium have been reported to cause these diseases in the soybean producing regions of the United States and in the world. However, little information is available on the species of Fusarium causing soybean root rot in South Dakota and their pathogenicity. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to (1) characterize the species of Fusarium causing soybean root rot in South Dakota; (2) evaluate the cross-pathogenicity of species of Fusarium causing root rot of soybean and corn; (3) screen soybean germplasm for resistance to F.graminearum under the greenhouse conditions; (4) determine the interaction of F.graminearum and F.proliferatum with Heterodera glycines (soybean cyst nematode, SCN) on soybean roots in the greenhouse; and (5) determine the effect of soil nutrients on the association of F.virguliforme and F.proliferatum with H.glycines under both greenhouse and field conditions. In 2014, a survey of 200 commercial soybean fields across 22 counties in South Dakota was conducted during the reproductive growth stages of the soybean development. From the roots of the diseased plants sampled, 11 species of Fusarium were identified using morphology and molecular techniques. Among the 11 species of Fusarium, F.graminearum (51%) followed by F.acuminatum (30%) were the most frequently recovered, while F.virguliforme, F.solani, F.equiseti-incarnatum complex, F.commune, and F.subglutinans were among the least frequently recovered (\u3c 2%). Fifty-seven isolates were arbitrarily selected from a total of 1130 isolates that represented the 11 species of Fusarium to test for their pathogenicity on soybean. It was determined that isolates of F.oxysporum, F.armeniacum, and F.commune caused the greatest root rot severity on soybean plants in the greenhouse. In addition, there were significant differences in root rot severity caused among the 57 isolates on soybean when compared to the non-inoculated control plants and among the isolates within F.acuminatum, F.oxysporum, F.proliferatum, and F.solani. Results of the cross-pathogenicity among Fusarium isolates causing root rot of soybean and corn in South Dakota showed that there were significant differences among individual isolates and the non-inoculated control on both crops. Two F.proliferatum isolates and one F.graminearum isolate from corn caused significantly greater root rot severity compared to the others and the non-inoculated on soybean and corn. Soybean germplasm screening for resistance to F.graminearum, revealed eight accessions that were significantly less susceptible to the fungus, and may be used as potential sources of resistance in breeding programs to develop soybean cultivars with resistance to root rot caused by F.graminearum. A greenhouse experiment on the association of F.graminearum and F.proliferatum with H.glycines detected no synergic interaction between the fungus and the nematode. The root rot severity caused by the F.graminearum and F.proliferatum isolates did not significantly increase in the presence of H.glycines. The presence of F.graminearum did not affect the nematode egg counts when compared to H.glycines only treatment. However, the presence of F.proliferatum reduced the reproduction of H.glycines on soybean roots though not statistically significant. To study the effect of soil nutrients on the association of F.proliferatum and F.virguliforme with H.glycines in the field, two rates of N-P-K fertilizers (15:15:15 and 50:80:110) were used on SCN susceptible and SCN resistant soybean varieties. The root rot severity caused by the isolates of F.virguliforme and F.proliferatum did not increase with either N-P-K rates application. At harvest, the number of SCN egg count per 100 cc of soil was higher (\u3e9000 per 100 cc of soil) in SCN susceptible plots compared with SCN resistant variety irrespective of the N-P-K fertilizer rate application. The highest soybean yields were obtained from plots with SCN resistant soybean variety with application of starter N-P-K fertilizer rate. Overall, the collective findings from this study indicate that the isolates representing the 11 species of Fusarium were pathogenic on soybean in South Dakota. In fields with a history of Fusarium root rot, soybean growers are recommended to adopt proactive management strategies to minimize the impact of the disease, which includes use of fungicide seed treatments, well-drained planting beds, tillage practices, and resistant cultivars (if available)

Self Help Groups and Household Asset Acquisition and Income Among Women Group Members in Kisumu East Sub County, Kenya

Many studies covering Self-Help Groups (SHGs) have delved extensively on their impacts on food security, livelihoods, socio-economic empowerment, and enterprise enhancement. However, little attention has been paid to the impact of SHGs on household assets acquisition. Traditionally, SHGs are formed by people (mainly women) who are not in formal employment and who are unable to acquire credit or loans from financial institutions. Thus, it is interesting to enquire whether membership of SHGs can enable credit asset acquisition. The purpose of this study was to establish the impact of SHGs on asset acquisition among women group members trading in open air markets in East Kolwa location of Kisumu East Sub County, Kenya. Specific objectives of the study were to establish the status of household assets of members before joining SHG; assess the nature of assets acquired after joining SHG; to determine the level of household income due to asset acquisition after joining SHGs. The target population was 25 market trader groups operating in East Kolwa location, comprising 375 members. Through simple random sampling 30% of the membership (113 women from 8 SHGs) were selected for questionnaire administration.One official of each group was also selected for interview. Descriptive statistics was used to analyse data. The study found that all the respondents (100%) of the SHG members had received at least one type of asset through membership to a SHG; 80% reported an improvement in asset acquisition; Moreover, those with income between 2000 and 3000 Shillings increased from 19.47% to 37.17%; those with income of between 3000 and 4000 Shillings also increased from 7.08% to 15.04%; those with monthly income of between 4000 and 5000 Shillings increased from 2.65% to 3.54%; and those with monthly income of between 5000 and 6000 Shillings increased from 0.88% to 1.77% after acquisition of household assets. The study recommended that assets that enhance agricultural production to SHG members need to be encouraged to boost household food security. Further, studies should also be done on the effect of SHGs members’ supervision on repayment of loan obtained through credit among women market traders. Keywords: Self Help Group; Household Asset Acquisition: Household Efficiency; Market Trader

Mechanisms of Conflict Management over Common Pool Resources among the Residents of Lower River Nyando Floodplains, Kisumu County, Kenya

Conflict management is the process of reducing the negative and destructive capacity of conflict through a number of measures and by working with and through the parties involved in that conflict. However, scholars have not addressed how latent conflicts can be managed by the parties involved without any feeling of grievance or betrayal among the conflicting groups. This study was set to examine mechanisms of conflict management over common pool resources among residents of lower river Nyando floodplains and to explore the appropriate means of managing conflicts. The recurrence of conflicts in the lower River Nyando floodplains despite the interventions by different actors called to attention the need to address these conflicts. It was therefore necessary to undertake a study highlighting conflicts over common pool resources among the residents of lower River Nyando floodplains with a view to finding solutions to the continuous loss of human lives, environmental degradation, and displacement of persons among other issues. Descriptive research design was adopted for the study, and purposive and stratified sampling techniques were used to select 138 respondents who were interviewed using interview schedules. Cronbach’s Alpha was used to test instrument’s reliability and a coefficient of 0.76 was obtained. Key actors in conflict management were found to be the government, nongovernmental organizations, elders, community based organizations and religious leaders while conflicts that were common in the area arose from the use of land, water, fishing, and exploitation of papyrus. Litigation, negotiation, and coercion were the main mechanisms of managing conflicts. It was concluded that negotiation was the most appropriate mechanism in resolving conflicts over common pool resources. This study is beneficial to the government in that it identifies key actors in conflict management hence appropriate mitigating mechanisms can be implemented to enhance gainful management of conflicts in common pool resource areas. Keywords: Conflict; Mechanism; Conflict Management; Common Pool Resource; Flood plains

Psychological distress and associated factors among the attendees of traditional healing practices in Jinja and Iganga districts, Eastern Uganda: a cross-sectional study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Mental health problems are a major public health concern worldwide. Evidence shows that African communities, including Uganda, use both modern and traditional healing systems. There is limited literature about the magnitude of psychological distress and associated factors among attendees of traditional healing practices. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and associated factors of psychological distress among attendees of traditional healing practices in two districts in Uganda.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Face-to-face interviews with the Lusoga version of the Self Reporting Questionnaire (SRQ-20) were carried out with 400 patients over the age of 18 years attending traditional healing in Iganga and Jinja districts in Eastern Uganda. Patients were recruited consecutively in all the traditional healers' shrines that could be visited in the area. Persons with 6 or more positive responses to the SRQ were identified as having psychological distress. Prevalence was estimated and odds ratios of having psychological distress were obtained with multiple logistic regression analysis.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>387 questionnaire responses were analyzed. The prevalence of psychological distress in connection with attendance at the traditional healers' shrines was 65.1%. Having a co-wife and having more than four children were significantly associated with psyclogical distress. Among the socioeconomic indicators, lack of food and having debts were significantly associated with psychological distress. The distressed group was more likely to need explanations for ill health. Those who visited both the healer and a health unit were less likely to be distressed.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>This study provides evidence that a substantial proportion of attendees of traditional healing practices suffer from psychological distress. Associated factors include poverty, number of children, polygamy, reason for visiting the healer and use of both traditional healing and biomedical health units. These findings may be useful for policy makers and biomedical health workers for the engagement with traditional healers.</p

Spatio-Temporal Patterns in kdr Frequency in Permethrin and DDT Resistant Anopheles gambiae s.s. from Uganda

The planned upscaling of vector control strategies requires insight into the epidemiological consequences of vector resistance. Therefore, the pyrethroid and DDT resistance status of Anopheles gambiae s.l. was assessed in Uganda from 2004 to 2006, and spatial and seasonal variations in knockdown resistance (kdr) frequencies were analyzed in terms of epidemiological significance. Anopheles gambiae s.l. was DDT and pyrethroid resistant in central and eastern Uganda. The L1014S kdr allele frequencies varied from 3% to 48% in An. gambiae s.s. Although the homozygous resistant genotype was the most prevalent genotype among survivors, the genotypes could not entirely explain the bioassay results. In the dry season, the kdr frequency was significantly higher in Plasmodium falciparum-infected mosquitoes, indicating that mosquitoes bearing a kdr mutation have a better adult survival, hence a higher likelihood of becoming infectious. This study showed that kdr might have an epidemiological impact that could jeopardize the vector control strategies

Survival of people aged 50 years and older by HIV and HIV treatment status: findings from three waves of the SAGE-Wellbeing of Older People Study (SAGE-WOPS) in Uganda.

BACKGROUND: Data on the survival status of older adults on antiretroviral treatment (ART) are scarce in sub-Saharan Africa. The objective of this study was to determine the survival status of people aged 50 years and older who were HIV-negative, HIV-positive not on ART, and HIV-positive on ART. METHODS: We used three waves of data from the World Health Organisation Study on Global Ageing and adult health- Well Being of Older People Study cohort in Uganda, conducted in 2009, 2012-2013 and 2015-2016. The cohort included HIV-negative and HIV-positive persons aged 50 years and older recruited from multiple rural and peri-urban sites in Uganda. Data were collected using interviewer-administered questionnaire. Time-dependent ART data were collected from medical records using a data-abstraction form. This study was conducted before the universal test and treat policy came into effect. We fitted Cox survival models to estimate hazard ratios to compare the risk of death between groups, adjusted for age, sex, marital status and hypertension. RESULTS: Of 623 participants, 517 (82.9%) of respondents had follow-up data and were included in this analysis. We observed 1571 person-years of follow-up from 274 people who were HIV-negative, and 1252 from 243 who were HIV-positive. The estimated mortality adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) was 1.89 (95% CI 1.0-3.4; p = 0.04) among people living with HIV compared to HIV-negative people. The aHR for mortality among people receiving ART compared with HIV-negative people was 1.75 (95% CI 0.9-3.5). People who were HIV-positive and not receiving ART had the greatest risk of death (aHR = 2.09, 95% CI 1.0-4.4 compared with HIV negative participants). The aHR for HIV-positive people not receiving ART, compared to those who were on treatment, was 1.19 (95% CI 0.6-2.5). CONCLUSION: Older adults living with HIV on ART had a risk of mortality that was nearly twice as high as HIV-negative adults. Further analyses of longitudinal data should be done to understand factors that affect the survival of older adults on ART

Linkages with practice for higher-education curriculum innovation

This article is inspired by the debate on curriculum innovation for graduate training, emerging out of linkages between universities and agribusiness development actors, targeting entrepreneurial action and employability of graduates. Experiences from implementation of a three-year joint project are enriched by a desk review, stakeholder feedback and interpretative analysis of process documents during the development of the regional graduate curriculum on Agri-Enterprise Development for Egerton and Gulu Universities in Kenya and Uganda, respectively. The graduate curriculum at the two universities in East Africa integrated the approaches of roundtable engagement and research as well as value chain cluster mapping and development through interactive sharing with agribusiness development facilitators. Simultaneously, the two implementing universities showcased the feasibility of integrating community engagement and entrepreneurial skills into a new curriculum. They achieved this by adopting two training approaches from their previous, more limited curriculum, which lacked student entrepreneurial experiential learning. The outcome from the first cohort of students in the innovative programs demonstrates significant institutional change in teaching and learning approaches. These changes prioritize a blend of action research and theoretical exposure. At the university-wide level, a student-centered teaching and learning approach has been established, facilitated by models like Student Farm Attachment, Student Enterprise Scheme, and Student Community Engagement. Additionally, university-based research teams have honed their skills in community action research, leading to the identification of relevant challenges and plausible solutions. Furthermore, students’ skills sets have increasingly enhanced employability. Strengthening linkages between universities and community development actors can enhance curriculum orientation toward problem-solving and entrepreneurial capacity building for young graduates. Purposeful engagement with communities by university faculty and students serves as a complementary extension approach and advisory service. Implementing an innovative curriculum has the potential to boost research uptake and foster innovation. This article demonstrates how university- industrial actors’ collaboration can be exploited for curriculum (re)design, review and up-dating for (a) enhanced relevance of universities to community needs and employability of graduates; and (b) improvements in the research uptake pathways that facilitate research-into-use for desired impacts at community level

Association between herd management practices and antimicrobial resistance in Salmonella spp. from cull dairy cattle in Central California.

BackgroundIn this study cull dairy cows from six California dairy herds were sampled seasonally over the course of a year. The objectives were to determine the prevalence of antimicrobial resistant (AMR) Salmonella spp. shed in cull cow feces, and the factors associated with fecal shedding of AMR and multidrug resistant (MDR) Salmonella.MethodsSix dairy farms located in the San Joaquin Valley of California were identified and enrolled as a convenience sample. On each dairy, and once during each of the four seasons, 10 cull cows were randomly selected for fecal sampling on the day of their removal from the herd. In addition, study personnel completed a survey based on responses of the herd manager to questions related to the previous 4 month's herd management and the specific cattle sampled. Fecal samples were submitted to the California Animal Health and Food Safety laboratory for Salmonella isolation. Antimicrobial resistance was evaluated using broth microdilution method and a gram-negative assay plate following Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guidelines and breakpoint references. All statistical models were survey adjusted for number of animals on sampling day.ResultsA total of 62 Salmonella were isolated from 60 of the 239 fecal samples collected. For 12% (95% confidence interval (CI) [3-20]) of fecal samples a multidrug resistant Salmonella was isolated. The survey-weighted results for the two most common drug classes for which isolates were resistant were tetracycline (39%; 95% CI [27-51]) and ampicillin (18%; 95% CI [9-27]). An important finding was the identification of cephalosporin as the third most common drug class for which isolates were resistant, with ceftriaxone (10%; 95% CI [2-17]) being the most common drug associated with resistance in that class. At the cow-level, reason for culling, prior treatment with antimicrobial drugs as the reason for culling was associated with higher odds of isolating an AMR Salmonella isolate. At the herd-level, percent of animals monthly culled on the farm as well as number of milking cows in the herd were associated with isolation of antimicrobial resistant Salmonella in cull cows.DiscussionSalmonella isolated from fecal samples from cull cows were resistant to important antimicrobials, such as ceftriaxone. The most common drug classes for which isolates were resistant were tetracyclines and beta-lactams, with ampicillin, ceftriaxone and ceftiofur being the three most common drugs within the latter. Cow and herd level factors were associated with isolating antimicrobial resistant Salmonella that should be further investigated for their potential role in promoting occurrence of AMR Salmonella. Our results also highlight the importance of monitoring dairy cattle sent to slaughter for shedding of Salmonella resistant to medically important antimicrobial drugs

Effects of Conflicts over Common Pool Resources on Gender among the Residents of Lower River Nyando Floodplains, Kisumu County, Kenya

Common pool resource conflicts affecting communities’ livelihoods are becoming very relevant in natural resource research as it is now accepted as one of the key factors leading to poverty and loss of livelihood, although specific effect on gender is lacking. This study examined the effect of conflict over common pool resources upon gender, of varying age groups, among the residents of lower river Nyando flood plains in Kenya. The study locates use of common pool resources like water, fish, papyrus resources, and land as source of conflict among the residents of this area. The objectives were to identify the frequency of conflict, the results of conflict, and the effect of conflict over common resources on gender among the residents of Lower River Nyando flood plains. Descriptive research design was adopted for the study, and purposive and stratified sampling technique used to select 138 respondents, who were interviewed using interview schedules. Cronbach’s Alpha was used to test instrument’s reliability, and a coefficient of 76% was attained. Gender was categorized as women, men, elders, youth, and disabled, and amongst these, women were the most affected owing that most farming, papyrus harvesting, and dairy products benefit women most in households in this region. Similarly, displacement of men from grazing fields, farming, and use of water resulted into loss of income, dairy resources, and nutrition. Women, being reliant on exploitation of papyrus, lost income from this CPR conflict due to destruction of harvested papyrus and exclusion from the right to cultivate crops on disputed land. It was concluded that there is a significant relationship between gender and resource exploitation, hence conflicts relating to CPRs have gender specific effects