Biosensor-based spatial and developmental mapping of maize leaf glutamine at vein-level resolution in response to different nitrogen rates and uptake/assimilation durations

Replicate versus treatment variability of the GlnLux in situ imaging protocol. Three replicates of raw GlnLux agar plate images (Fig. 3) were analysed for each N treatment (+/-) and leaf (1-3) combination (6 plates total per leaf). A 1 x 10-2 M Gln agar disk was also included on each plate for standardization. The ratios of luminescence produced by each standard disk against the GlnLux agar background were pooled to generate SEM and an estimate of plate-to-plate variability. The luminescence output of all three replicates for each N treatment was pooled to generate SEM, and an estimate of the comparative variability due to N uptake/assimilation. Values represent the SEM of 6 plates each. Significant difference at P<0.05 between the variance of the standardization ratio and leaf luminescence is indicated with an asterisk, as determined with F tests. Quantification of luminescence was performed using WinView software (version 2.5.16.5, Princeton Instruments, Trenton, USA). (DOCX 43 kb

Factors Associated with Tuberculosis and Rifampicin-Resistant Tuberculosis amongst Symptomatic Patients in India: A Retrospective Analysis

Background Tuberculosis remains a major public health challenge for India. Various studies have documented different levels of TB and multi-drug resistant (MDR) TB among diverse groups of the population. In view of renewed targets set under the End TB strategy by 2035, there is an urgent need for TB diagnosis to be strengthened. Drawing on data from a recent, multisite study, we address key questions for TB diagnosis amongst symptomatics presenting for care: are there subgroups of patients that are more likely than others, to be positive for TB? In turn, amongst these positive cases, are there factors—apart from treatment history—that may be predictive for multi-drug resistance? Methods We used data from a multi-centric prospective demonstration study, conducted from March 2012 to December 2013 in 18 sub-district level TB programme units (TUs) in India and covering a population of 8.8 million. In place of standard diagnostic tests, upfront Xpert MTB/RIF testing was offered to all presumptive TB symptomatics. Here, using data from this study, we used logistic regression to identify association between risk factors and TB and Rifampicin-Resistant TB among symptomatics enrolled in the study. Results We find that male gender; history of TB treatment; and adult age compared with either children or the elderly are risk factors associated with high TB detection amongst symptomatics, across the TUs. While treatment history is found be a significant risk factor for rifampicin-resistant TB, elderly (65+ yrs) people have significantly lower risk than other age groups. However, pediatric TB cases have no less risk of rifampicin resistance as compared with adults (OR 1.23 (95% C.I. 0.85–1.76)). Similarly, risk of rifampicin resistance among both the genders was the same. These patterns applied across the study sites involved. Notably in Mumbai, amongst those patients with microbiological confirmation of TB, female patients showed a higher risk of having MDR-TB than male patients. Conclusion Our results cast fresh light on the characteristics of symptomatics presenting for care who are most likely to be microbiologically positive for TB, and for rifampicin resistance. The challenges posed by TB control are complex and multifactorial: evidence from diverse sources, including retrospective studies such as that addressed here, can be invaluable in informing future strategies to accelerate declines in TB burden

A picture book of best practices for subsistence farmers : North African version

This presentation is graphic only, showing illustrations from a best practices handbook as part of sustainable agriculture kits (SAK) developed for subsistence farmers. The illustrations cover the entire preparation, planting/sowing, and growing cycles of specific crops; utilization of appropriate technologies such as mechanical tilling, weed control, fertilizer and pesticide use; and expectations of harvest results depending of the method of cultivation. SAKGlobal is an effort to bring inexpensive technologies to the world’s one billion subsistence farmers. SAK kits are based on the principles of sustainable, ecological agriculture.Global Affairs Canad

A picture book of best practices for subsistence farmers Sub Saharan African and Caribbean version

This book was made possible because of generous funding from the International Development Research Centre (IDRC, Ottawa) and Global Affairs Canada as part of the CIFSRF program.This book contains farmer training material using pictorial language and graphic illustration to depict methods, science, best practices and tools for both male and female farmers who may have low literacy. It shows planting methods using appropriate technology. It is part of the Sustainable Agriculture Kits (SAK) project

Picture book of best practices for subsistence farmers : East Asian version

This book was made possible because of generous funding from the International Development Research Centre (IDRC, Ottawa) and Global Affairs Canada as part of the CIFSRF program. Dr. Raizada dedicates this book to the memory of his father, Mahesh N. Raizada, an Indian scientist who went to Nigeria in the 1960s to teach a young nation – a man who treated all peoples, rich or poor, with equal respect and dignity.Many language versions available in IDRC Digital Library: East Asia, South Asia, Latin America, North Africa and Middle EastThis book contains training material and shows how to grow plants in important quantities with scientific methods (approaches and tools) over time

Picture book of best practices for subsistence farmers : South Asian version (English)

This book was made possible because of generous funding from the International Development Research Centre (IDRC, Ottawa) and Global Affairs Canada as part of the CIFSRF program. Dr. Raizada dedicates this book to the memory of his father, Mahesh N. Raizada, an Indian scientist who went to Nigeria in the 1960s to teach a young nation – a man who treated all peoples, rich or poor, with equal respect and dignity.Nepali version available in IDRC Digital Library IDL-57145This book contains training material and shows how to grow healthy plants and improve diets, using pictorial language and graphic illustration that depictis methods, science, and appropriate technologies. It is part of the Sustainable Agriculture Kits (SAK) project

A picture book of best practices for subsistence farmers : Latin American version

This presentation is graphic only, showing illustrations from a best practices handbook as part of sustainable agriculture kits (SAK) developed for subsistence farmers. The illustrations cover the entire preparation, planting/sowing, and growing cycles of specific crops; utilization of appropriate technologies such as mechanical tilling, weed control, pesticide use; and expectations of harvest results depending of the method of cultivation. SAKGlobal is an effort to bring inexpensive technologies to the world’s one billion subsistence farmers. SAK kits are based on the principles of sustainable, ecological agriculture.Global Affairs Canad

Climbing legumes : an underutilized resource with significant potential to intensify farming on terrace walls (FTW) for smallhoder farmers

This research was supported by a grant to MNR from the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) and Global Affairs Canada as part of the Canadian International Food Security Research Fund (CIFSRF).Millions of subsistence farmers cultivate crops on terraces. These farmers face unique challenges including severe shortages of arable land and remoteness leading to poor access to inputs including nitrogen fertilizer. These challenges contribute to human and livestock malnutrition. Terrace walls (risers) as a vertical surface to grow climbing or trailing legumes represents an opportunity to help overcome these challenges. These crops are rich in minerals and protein, and their associated microbes produce nitrogen fertilizer. Rice bean is already grown on terrace risers in South Asia. This paper reviews the literature concerning crops that are currently farmed on terrace walls (FTW), then surveys climbing legume species that have potential for FTW, focusing on crops that are nutritious and tolerate shade (caused by the terrace wall) and resist drought (many terrace farms experience an extended dry season). A total of 29 legume species are discussed including climbing varieties of jack bean, common bean, cowpea, winged bean, horse gram and velvet bean. The review concludes by discussing the practical challenges of farmer adoption of FTW and makes concrete recommendations. Terrace wall cultivation of legumes represents an opportunity to intensify agriculture and increase resiliency in remote mountainous areas

A review of nutrient management studies involving finger millet in the semi-arid tropics of Asia and Africa Annex 7

We thank Vijay Bhosekhar (University of Guelph, Canada) for providing an initial framework for this review, and Kirit Patel (Canadian Mennonite University, Winnipeg, Canada) for inspiring our interest in finger millet. We thank Travis Goron (University of Guelph) for his helpful comments, Jaclyn Clark (University of Guelph) for editorial assistance, and our Nepalese partner organization, LI-BIRD, especially Kamal Khadka, for generously providing photos of finger millet cropping systems. This research was supported by a grant to MNR from the CIFSRF program, jointly funded by the International Food Development Centre (IDRC, Ottawa) and the Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development.Finger millet (Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn) is a staple food crop grown by subsistence farmers in the semi-arid tropics of South Asia and Africa. It remains highly valued by traditional farmers as it is nutritious, drought tolerant, short duration, and requires low inputs. Its continued propagation may help vulnerable farmers mitigate climate change. Unfortunately, the land area cultivated with this crop has decreased, displaced by maize and rice. Reversing this trend will involve achieving higher yields, including through improvements in crop nutrition. The objective of this paper is to comprehensively review the literature concerning yield responses of finger millet to inorganic fertilizers (macronutrients and micronutrients), farmyard manure (FYM), green manures, organic by-products, and biofertilizers. The review also describes the impact of these inputs on soils, as well as the impact of diverse cropping systems and finger millet varieties, on nutrient responses. The review critically evaluates the benefits and challenges associated with integrated nutrient management, appreciating that most finger millet farmers are economically poor and primarily use farmyard manure. We conclude by identifying research gaps related to nutrient management in finger millet, and provide recommendations to increase the yield and sustainability of this crop as a guide for subsistence farmers

सक्रिय धातु आयनों के अनुकूलन द्वारा अंत:स्थलीय भूमिगत नमकीन जल में टाईगर झींगा (पेनियस मोनोडोन) के स्थाई पालौअ की संभावनाएं

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