Molecular analysis reveals that lack of chasmothecia formation in Erysiphe necator in Maharashtra, India is due to presence of only MAT1-2 mating type idiomorph

The heterothallic, ubiquitous fungus Erysiphe necator causes powdery mildew disease of grapevines and in many countries it is reported to reproduce both asexually and sexually. Sexual reproduction results in the formation of chasmothecia (cleistothecia) on infected surfaces when the colonies of two opposite mating types meet on the infected plant parts and the temperatures are favorable for their development. Chasmothecia are reported from north India, but not from peninsular India, even though powdery mildew is reportedly present in these regions at least since the beginning of the last century. Through systematic survey of ten vineyards in Maharashtra and adjoining Karnataka in peninsular India, we confirmed the absence of chasmothecia under natural conditions. Analysis of temperature data from two locations in Maharashtra showed that the Tmax and Tmin were favourable for chasmothecia initiation (10 °C to 30 °C) and maturation (15 °C to 30 °C) for a sufficient period of time.Multiplex PCR of 120 E. necator field isolates collected from peninsular India showed presence of a single band of 232 bp corresponding to MAT1-2 mating type idiomorph or MAT- phenotype. None of the samples gave band of 408 bp corresponding to MAT1-1 mating type idiomorph. Further, two bands of 408 bp and 232 bp were detected in only one powdery mildew sample collected from Kashmir, in north India while the other nineteen samples gave a single band of 232 bp.  Thus, molecular analysis established that E. necator is not sexually reproducing in Maharashtra due to presence of only one mating type idiomorph. The study also brings out that MAT1-1 mating type idiomorph is not as common in nature as MAT1-2 and explains why in many other countries, too, chasmothecia were first observed as late as half to one century after start of grape cultivation.  &nbsp

Prospect of library services in academic libraries

Library service is the combination of the services- process and its delivery. In a library, the service offered from acquisition section, technical section, reference section etc. are the processes carried out there and thereafter delivered to the users. The library services have changed fast in last ten years. Now a days e resources, Internet and Web 2.0 tools represent large portion of library services. Innovation and technology transfer differentiates the role of the librarian and extends it beyond the limits of the information intermediary. The librarian in order to involve, anticipate and especially produce innovation has to learn how to learn, as libraries have to learn how to change

Status and probability of occurrence of grey mold on preharvest and postharvest grapes in Maharashtra, India

'Research Note

Service Quality Expectations of Academic Library Users

The library services have changed very fast in the digital era. The library customers have access to multiple sources of information and expect quality material within the shortest possible time irrespective of the format of information. Hence, library must provide quality service in order to retain and increase its importance for its users and succeed in enhancing the role of the library in teaching, learning and research. Quality services means those which satisfy users’ expectations and perceptions. Proper understanding of customers' perceptions along service quality dimensions is essential for LIS professionals to recognize the customer expectations. This paper briefly explains the concept of service quality; trace its development and highlight some results of service quality studies using various models, with an objective to describe and identify the issues meriting attention by the library professionals to gear up the library products and services so that user communities get satisfied coming to library

Knowledge and Skills required by academic librarians in digital era

With the invention of Information Communication Technology, libraries now use various types of technologies to provide services to users. In this changing environment needs of library users are changed. In order to play a useful role in supporting teaching, learning and research, librarians need to develop special knowledge and skills for information services in the digital era. This study examines, on the basis of published literature, the skills required by librarians in the digital era

Service Quality Expectations of Academic Library Users

The library services have changed very fast in the digital era. The library customers have access to multiple sources of information and expect quality material within the shortest possible time irrespective of the format of information. Hence, library must provide quality service in order to retain and increase its importance for its users and succeed in enhancing the role of the library in teaching, learning and research. Quality services means those which satisfy users’ expectations and perceptions. Proper understanding of customers' perceptions along service quality dimensions is essential for LIS professionals to recognize the customer expectations. This paper briefly explains the concept of service quality; trace its development and highlight some results of service quality studies using various models, with an objective to describe and identify the issues meriting attention by the library professionals to gear up the library products and services so that user communities get satisfied coming to library