Two diseases of dimorphotheca caused by lettuce mosaic potyvirus and tomato spotted wilt tospovirus

In 1997, virus-like symptoms were observed in dimorphotheca plants (Dimorphotheca sinuata) at two different locations in Greece. In a greenhouse near Heraklion (Crete), plants showed chlorotic patches mainly in the older leaves, and a mild stunting; near Katerini (Macedonia), garden plants showed chlorotic rings. Sap inoculation of healthy dimorphotheca plants with extracts from diseased plants from the two regions, reproduced each of the two diseases. Examination by electron microscopy (EM) of samples from diseased plants from the first region revealed filamentous particles, whereas samples from the second region showed quasi-spherical particles. The filamentous particles were decorated in EM with antibodies specific to lettuce mosaic potyvirus (LMV). Samples from the second location reacted with antibodies specific to tomato spotted wilt tospovirus (TSWV) in ELISA tests. It is concluded that LMV and TSWV are the causal agents of the disease noticed in Heraklion and in Katerini, respectively

Improvement in engineering properties of expansive soils using ground granulated blast furnace slag

Improvement in engineering properties of expansive soils by mixing ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS) is the main focus of this research. For this purpose two expansive soil samples were collected from DG Khan and Sialkot areas (Pakistan). Classification tests revealed that DG Khan sample belonged to fat clay (CH) while Sialkot soil was lean clay (CL) as classified by Unified Soil Classification System. GGBFS has been added in varying proportions between 0 and 55% in these soil samples to study its role in stabilizing these expansive soils. Based on the laboratory test performed on composite soil samples, it was observed that maximum dry unit weight increased up to 10 % by adding 50% GGBFS in both samples. California bearing ratio (CBR) value showed an increase from 3.2 % to 11.5% for DG Khan soil while CBR values varied from 2.4% to 10.7% for Sialkot soil by mixing 50% GGBFS. Addition of 30 % GGBFS to DG Khan soil reduced swell potential from 8 % to 2 % while in Sialkot soil, 20 % addition of GGBFS reduced swell potential from 5 % to 2 %. Unconfined compressive strength of remoulded sample cured for 28 days increased by about 35% with the addition of 30%GGBFS. The results indicated that mixing of GGBFS in the expansive soil samples have a marked increase in their engineering properties. Also, it is an affective and environmental friendly means to dispose waste of steel industry