Integrated Management of Blast Disease in Finger Millet

Aims: To test the effect of bacterial biocontrol agents (Pseudomonas-TNAU-Pf1) and fungicides (Tricyclazole) individually and their integration as seed treatment and foliar spray against finger millet blast under field conditions.Study Design: The field experiments were conducted in a Randomized Block design.Place and Duration of Study: The experiments were conducted at the Regional Research Station farm, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Paiyur, Krishnagiri District, Tamil Nadu, India, during 2016-17 and 2017-18.Methodology: Two field experiments were conducted to evaluate the efficacy of talc-based formulation of Pseudomonas -TNAU-Pf1 and Tricyclazole individually and in combination as seed treatment and foliar application for the management of finger millet blast with five treatments and four replications using a variety Paiyur 2. The bioagent and the fungicide were applied as seed treatment and foliar spray.Results: The results revealed that seed treatment with talc-based formulation of Pseudomonas -TNAU-Pf1 (10g/kg) plus two sprays of tricyclazole (0.1%) one at the maximum tillering phase and another at the heading phase was significantly most effective in reducing leaf, neck and finger blast in both the seasons. The treatment recorded 1.65 and 1.25PDI of leaf blast, 0.33 and 0.22% of neck and 2.55 and 1.33% of finger blast in the first and second season, respectively. The treatment also recorded highest grain yield of 2663 and 2543 kg/ha with BC ratio of 1:3.94 and 1:3.85 in the first and second season, respectively.Conclusion: Seed treatment with Pseudomonas TNAU-Pf1 (10g/kg) plus two sprays of tricyclazole (0.1%) was found to be effective in reducing the incidence of blast disease and increasing grain yield in finger millet.

Exploring the Storage Potential of Groundnut Var.TMV (Gn) 13 under Modified Atmospheric Storage Conditions

The aim of the study is to identify the suitable modified atmospheric storage condition required for long term storage of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) variety TMV (Gn) 13. The experiment was conducted during 2022 at Department of Seed Science and Technology, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore. The groundnut pods and kernels were subjected into different storage conditions viz., pods stored in gunny bag, kernels stored in gunny bag, kernels stored in polythene bag, kernels stored with N?gas and kernels stored in vacuum conditions. The results revealed that pod storage recorded the maximum germination percentage (73%), root length (14.5cm), shoot length(14.3cm), dry matter production (3.47 g 10 seedlings -1) and vigour (2136). Similarly, enzymes viz., dehydrogenase( 0.72 OD value), peroxidise (1.29U mg?¹ protein min?¹), alpha amylase (13.60mg maltose min-1) and catalase activity (1.253 µmolH?O? min?¹g?¹ protein) were also maximum in pod storage with minimum harmful effect of pest(0.6%) and fungus incidence(17%). The nitrogen storage conditions also have maximum enzyme activity viz., dehydrogenase (0.64 OD value), peroxidise (1.24U mg?¹ protein min?¹), alpha amylase (13.58 mg maltose min-1) and catalase activity (1.220 µmolH?O? min?¹g?¹ protein) with minimum harmful effect of pest (0.6%) and fungus incidence (20%). Present study, it is concluded that groundnut kernels stored under modified atmospheric storage i.e. nitrogen gas storage can maintain the seed longevity by minimizing the deterioration process in groundnut equally as that of pod storage. Further, it will helps to minimize the expenditure towards transport and storage.

Harnessing the Antifungal Potential of Seed Bacteriome against Major Seed and Soil-borne Pathogens in Blackgram

Blackgram is an important pulse crop in India. One of the major constraints on blackgram production is the attack of pathogens, which leads to yield loss. Nowadays, with the understanding of harmful effects of chemical fungicides, biocontrol methods are gaining more importance. One such method is biopriming with endophytes to control pathogens and enhance yield. In the present study, the endophytes of blackgram seeds was explored and tested for its biocontrol potential against major seed- and soil-borne pathogens and growth promotion in blackgram. A total of 14 bacterial endophytic isolates were obtained and screened against Macropomina phaseolina and Fusarium oxysporum. Among them, BSE5 isolate was proven to be more efficient in inhibiting the mycelial growth of M. phaseolina and F. oxysporum, with per cent inhibition of 22.5 and 50.6, respectively, following BSE9. Both the isolates showed improved plant growth parameters like germination percentage, root length, shoot length, dry matter production and vigour index. Molecular characterisation of BSE5 and BSE9 confirmed that the isolates are Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Bacillus xiamenensis.

Effect of pH on the Mycelial Growth of Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus flavus

Aspergillus fungus is well-known for causing a number of secondary plant and food rots that can result in the buildup of mycotoxins, despite their significant economic contribution to the fermentation industries. In the past, even the most fundamental influences on the development and inhibition of significant mycotoxigenic fungi were only partially understood. To overcome this issue, an investigation on the impact of pH on the mycelial development of Aspergillus species was conducted. A. niger and A. flavus were inoculated in PDA medium with a range of pH values from 4.0 to 9.0 under in vitro conditions and then cultured for 7 days at room temperature. Results revealed that, the mycelial growth of A. niger and A. flavus was increased with increase in pH level up to 6 and then became static up to pH level 9 and there was no mycelial growth in pH 4. Hence, it was concluded that the use of alkaline compounds as a way of preventing their proliferation and reproductive processes may be used to inhibit the development and spore production of A. niger and A. flavus, which can affect the crops.

Recombinant factor VIIa in a case of pontine hemorrhage.

A 59-year-old lady presented with hypertensive hemorrhage involving the pons. Since she presented within 3 hours of onset of the stroke, recombinant factor VIIa was administered. From a state of altered sensorium there was a rapid recovery of consciousness followed by gradual improvement in limb weakness. Serial CT scans of the brain revealed no further expansion of the hematoma. The hematoma progressively resolved. Recombinant factor VIIa could be an attractive therapeutic option in treating hemorrhages at critical sites like brainstem where expansion of hematoma could be fatal.

Symptomatic human rotavirus subgroups, serotypes & electropherotypes in Hyderabad, India.

A total of 352 stool specimens obtained from children under 2 yr of age with acute diarrhoea, between January 1998 and March 1999, were screened for the presence of rotavirus by RNA-PAGE. Symptomatic human rotaviruses were detected in 57 of 352 (16.19%) specimens by RNA-PAGE. These 57 samples were tested for rotavirus double stranded RNA pattern and among these, 46 samples were tested for subgroup and serotype specificities. Among the 46 strains tested, 29 strains were found to be subgroup II and remaining 17 strains were subgroup I, indicating that subgroup II strains are more predominant than subgroup I strains. Subgroup I and II strains were circulating concurrently throughout the study period. Seventeen strains with 'short' RNA pattern and subgroup I specificity could not be assigned as serotype 2 strains as they exhibited cross-reactivity to MAbs specific for more than one serotype. Of the 29 subgroup II strains with 'long' RNA pattern, 16 (55.17%) were serotype 1, 8 (27.58%) were serotype 4. Five (17.24%) showed dual reactivity to serotypes 1 and 3. Our results indicated that serotype 1 and G2-like strains are predominant in Hyderabad. None of the virus strains showed an unusual RNA pattern.

Sero-prevalence of herpes simplex virus type-2 among cancer cervix patients.

Serum samples were collected from 140 cancer cervix patients aged between 25-60 years and also from 20 age matched, married, healthy women to serve as controls. These sera were tested for HSV-2 antibodies by ELISA test and HBsAg by RPHA test. HSV-2 antibodies were detected in 92 (65-71%) and HBsAg in 25 (17.8%) cancer cervix patients. Sera from control group were negative for HSV-2 antibodies and HBsAg.