Growth and yield of 3 hybrid papayas (Carica papaya L.) under mulched and bare ground conditions

At Yarwun (151.3˚E, 23.75˚S), Australia, papaya Hybrid 29 yielded twice as much fruit as Hybrid 11 and 30% more than Hybrid 13. The plots mulched with coarse grass hay yielded 50% more fruit than the plots with bare ground. The highest yielding treatment, Hybrid 29 + mulch, averaged the equivalent of 81 t/ha.year over the 16.5-month harvest period. The yields were achieved in spite of inadequate water supply due to drought and the loss of 877 plants from 1441 plant positions (4 plants per position) due to the 3 phytoplasma diseases; dieback, yellow crinkle and mosaic. Hybrid 29 produced higher yields than the other hybrids by flowering early on shorter plants with thicker stems and setting more fruit that commenced lower down on the stem. Hybrid 13 was intermediate in size and the amount of fruit setting between Hybrid 29 and Hybrid 11 but was the slowest to flower and set fruit. Hybrid 11 had the thinnest and tallest stems, flowered at an intermediate time between the other 2 hybrids and produced fewer flowers and fruit resulting in the lowest yield. Mulching increased stem height and thickness, promoted earlier flowering and increased fruit set, yield and average fruit weigh

Post-ratoon growth and yield of three hybrid papayas (Carica papaya L.) under mulched and bare-ground conditions

At Yarwun (151.3°E, 23.75°S), a trial was conducted to compare 3 papaya hybrids (Hybrid 29, Hybrid 11 and Hybrid 13) under mulching with grass hay or in bare ground. The viability of ratooning a papaya crop was also investigated. After a 16-month cropping season plants were cut to a 750-mm stump (ratooned) about monthly over a 3.5-month period and, following a 4.5-month regrowth period, were harvested for a period of 11 months (post-ratoon). Hybrid 29 yielded (by weight) 54% more than Hybrid 11 and 92% more than Hybrid 13 during the 3.5-month ratooning period. At the commencement of ratooning, Hybrid 29 plants were 41–58 cm shorter than Hybrid 11 and 13 plants, allowing the Hybrid 29 plants to be retained for longer before being ratooned. Hybrid 29 also returned to fruiting more quickly with a greater proportion of plants (97%) with fruit at the first post-ratoon harvest compared with Hybrid 11 (87%). Following regrowth (post-ratoon) the 3 hybrids produced similar yields. All 3 hybrids were equally susceptible to the 3 phytoplasma diseases and to nematodes. The plots mulched with coarse grass hay yielded 70% more during the ratooning period and 116% more post-ratoon than the plots with bare ground. This difference was attributed in part to fewer root-knot nematodes, the roots being more heavily infected with vesicular arbuscular mycorrhiza, the use of the complete upper soil profile by the roots, reduced rainfall run off and less soil loss in the mulched treatment. The highest yielding treatment, mulched Hybrid 29, averaged the equivalent of 55 t/ha.year during ratooning, 43 t/ha.year over the 11-month post-ratoon harvest period and 65 t/ha.year over the entire plant–ratoon cycle. These yields were achieved in spite of drought conditions and quite severe outbreaks of the phytoplasma diseases, dieback, yellow crinkle and mosaic, with 60% of plant positions infected with dieback during the post-ratoon period. Theoretical yield estimations using the data from the plant and post-ratoon crops indicated that ratooning may give superior average monthly yields compared with 2 successive plant crops because of the reduced time required for the ratooned crop to return to production. The study demonstrated the benefits of mulching, the superiority of Hybrid 29 and that ratooning may be successfully used in papaya. In environments similar to Yarwun, Hybrid 29, or similar hybrids, with mulching is recommended for commercial production. If land, time or finances are limiting, consideration should be given to ratooning the plant crop based on monthly cut outs over a 3–4-month ratooning period with vacant plant positions replanted during ratooning

Extension parallel to the rift zone during segmented fault growth: application to the evolution of the NE Atlantic

The mechanical interaction of propagating normal faults is known to influence the linkage geometry of first-order faults, and the development of second-order faults and fractures, which transfer displacement within relay zones. Here we use natural examples of growth faults from two active volcanic rift zones (Koa`e, island of Hawai`i, and Krafla, northern Iceland) to illustrate the importance of horizontal-plane extension (heave) gradients, and associated vertical axis rotations, in evolving continental rift systems. Second-order extension and extensional-shear faults within the relay zones variably resolve components of regional extension, and components of extension and/or shortening parallel to the rift zone, to accommodate the inherently three-dimensional (3-D) strains associated with relay zone development and rotation. Such a configuration involves volume increase, which is accommodated at the surface by open fractures; in the subsurface this may be accommodated by veins or dikes oriented obliquely and normal to the rift axis. To consider the scalability of the effects of relay zone rotations, we compare the geometry and kinematics of fault and fracture sets in the Koa`e and Krafla rift zones with data from exhumed contemporaneous fault and dike systems developed within a > 5×104 km2 relay system that developed during formation of the NE Atlantic margins. Based on the findings presented here we propose a new conceptual model for the evolution of segmented continental rift basins on the NE Atlantic margins

Growth, yield and phenology of 2 hybrid papayas (Carica papaya L.) as influenced by method of water application

Highly variable, outcrossed papaya lines irrigated with overhead sprinklers were grown at Yarwun (151.3˚E, 23.75˚S) in Queensland, Australia. The inherent variability made scientifically based comparative studies impractical. The advent of uniform hybrid papaya lines allowed the testing of 2 of these hybrids under 3 irrigation methods, 2 of which had the potential to greatly reduce water use compared with overhead sprinklers. Yields of 92 t/ha.year were achieved by both papaya Hybrids 29 and 1E. Water application method did not influence yield. About 26% of plants were lost due to the phytoplasma diseases dieback, yellow crinkle and mosaic over the life of the trial. Downward yield fluctuations were related to poor fruit set in winter when pollinators (Family Sphingidae) were not present and growth was slow due to hot dry periods affecting fruit set. The resultant fruit (about 6 months later) were small and reduced in number. Irrigation with overhead sprinklers using saline water (1400–4000 S/cm) damaged leaves and reduced growth of plants. Winter spot was most severe in July, August and September, in Hybrid 29 with overhead irrigation. Height of plants 13 weeks after planting was greater under trickle irrigation due to less damage from the saline water supply than in the overhead sprinkler treatment. Hybrid 29 set fruit at 94.3 cm above ground compared with 117.6 cm for Hybrid 1E

The relationship between seminal leukocytes, oxidative status in the ejaculate, and apoptotic markers in human spermatozoa

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between seminal leukocytes, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in the ejaculate, and markers of apoptosis in human spermatozoa. Semen samples were collected from 60 patients attending fertility clinics at the Reproductive Biology Unit at Tygerberg Academic Hospital and Vincent Pallotti Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa. The concentration of seminal leukocytes was determined and was correlated with ROS production in the ejaculate, the percentage of superoxide (·O2 )- and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-positive spermatozoa, glutathione activation in the ejaculate, and with markers of apoptosis in spermatozoa, namely cysteine-dependent aspartate-directed proteases (caspase)-3/7 activation, mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm), and the percentage of terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL)-positive sperm. Significant correlations with the concentration of seminal leukocytes were found for ROS production in the ejaculate, the percentage of ·O2 -positive spermatozoa, and caspase-3/7 activation in the ejaculate. Leukocytospermic samples showed significantly higher ROS production, percentage of ·O2 -positive sperm, GSH activation, and caspase-3/7 activation compared to non-leukocytospermic samples. The percentage of ·O2 -positive sperm was significantly correlated with sperm ΔΨm and caspase-3/7 activation in the ejaculate. Sperm ΔΨm and TUNEL-positive sperm did not correlate with seminal leukocyte concentration. Data demonstrate that high seminal leukocyte concentrations that leads to increased seminal ROS production, and is also associated with caspase activation in the male germ cell and increased mitochondrial ROS production. The latter could possibly be a result of disturbed ΔΨm. The activation of caspase-3/7 could then follow the increased intrinsic superoxide levels due to depleted intrinsic glutathione (GSH). These cellular events might not directly and immediately lead to DNA fragmentation as an endpoint of apoptosis because of topological hindrances.Web of Scienc

Physical activity but not sedentary activity is reduced in primary Sjögren’s syndrome

The aim of the study was to evaluate the levels of physical activity in individuals with primary Sjögren’s syndrome (PSS) and its relationship to the clinical features of PSS. To this cross-sectional study, self-reported levels of physical activity from 273 PSS patients were measured using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-short form (IPAQ-SF) and were compared with healthy controls matched for age, sex and body mass index. Fatigue and other clinical aspects of PSS including disease status, dryness, daytime sleepiness, dysautonomia, anxiety and depression were assessed using validated tools. Individuals with PSS had significantly reduced levels of physical activity [median (interquartile range, IQR) 1572 (594–3158) versus 3708 (1732–8255) metabolic equivalent of task (MET) × min/week, p < 0.001], but similar levels of sedentary activity [median (IQR) min 300 (135–375) versus 343 (223–433) (MET) × min/week, p = 0.532] compared to healthy individuals. Differences in physical activity between PSS and controls increased at moderate [median (IQR) 0 (0–480) versus 1560 (570–3900) MET × min/week, p < 0.001] and vigorous intensities [median (IQR) 0 (0–480) versus 480 (0–1920) MET × min/week, p < 0.001]. Correlation analysis revealed a significant association between physical activity and fatigue, orthostatic intolerance, depressive symptoms and quality of life. Sedentary activity did not correlate with fatigue. Stepwise linear regression analysis identified symptoms of depression and daytime sleepiness as independent predictors of levels of physical activity. Physical activity is reduced in people with PSS and is associated with symptoms of depression and daytime sleepiness. Sedentary activity is not increased in PSS. Clinical care teams should explore the clinical utility of targeting low levels of physical activity in PSS

Impact of Chlamydia trachomatis in the reproductive setting: British Fertility Society Guidelines for practice

Chlamydia trachomatis infection of the genital tract is the most common sexually transmitted infection and has a world-wide distribution. The consequences of infection have an adverse effect on the reproductive health of women and are a common cause of infertility. Recent evidence also suggests an adverse effect on male reproduction. There is a need to standardise the approach in managing the impact of C. trachomatis infection on reproductive health. We have surveyed current UK practice towards screening and management of Chlamydia infections in the fertility setting. We found that at least 90% of clinicians surveyed offered screening. The literature on this topic was examined and revealed a paucity of solid evidence for estimating the risks of long-term reproductive sequelae following lower genital tract infection with C. trachomatis. The mechanism for the damage that occurs after Chlamydial infections is uncertain. However, instrumentation of the uterus in women with C. trachomatis infection is associated with a high risk of pelvic inflammatory disease, which can be prevented by appropriate antibiotic treatment and may prevent infected women from being at increased risk of the adverse sequelae, such as ectopic pregnancy and tubal factor infertility. Recommendations for practice have been proposed and the need for further studies is identified

Astronomical Distance Determination in the Space Age: Secondary Distance Indicators

The formal division of the distance indicators into primary and secondary leads to difficulties in description of methods which can actually be used in two ways: with, and without the support of the other methods for scaling. Thus instead of concentrating on the scaling requirement we concentrate on all methods of distance determination to extragalactic sources which are designated, at least formally, to use for individual sources. Among those, the Supernovae Ia is clearly the leader due to its enormous success in determination of the expansion rate of the Universe. However, new methods are rapidly developing, and there is also a progress in more traditional methods. We give a general overview of the methods but we mostly concentrate on the most recent developments in each field, and future expectations. © 2018, The Author(s)