Use of visual inspection to inspect seed production fields of small-scale seed multipliers to improve physical and economic access to quality seed by smallholder farmers.
Management of Maize Lethal Necrosis (MLN) in Tanzaniaafrica-rising
Presented by Bright Jumbo, Lava Kumar, Dan Makumbi, George Mahuku and Yangole Luhenda at the Africa RISING East and Southern Africa Review and Planning Meeting, Malawi, 14-16 July 2015
Plant disease and pest monitoring surveys in Africa RISING action areas in Ta...africa-rising
Presented by Lava Kumar (IITA) and Warren Arinaitwe (CIAT) at the Africa RISING East and Southern Africa annual review and planning meeting, Lilongwe, Malawi, 3-5 September 2013
Nutrition (vegetables) activities in Ghana 2019/2020africa-rising
Presented by Jean-Baptiste Tignegre (WorldVeg), Wubetu Legesse (WorldVeg), Edoh Ognakossan (WorldVeg), Paul Zaato (WorldVeg), Mahama Saaka (UDS), Linda Dari (UDS), and Abdul Rahman Nurudeen (IITA) at Africa RISING Ghana Country Planning Meeting, Tamale, Ghana, and Virtual, 24 - 25 June 2020.
Global germplasm collections: sure benefits without seedborne diseasesCIAT
The Genetic Resources Program is the germplasm bank of CIAT which conserves the collections of bean and tropical forage seeds, and the collection of cassava "in vitro" for a total of approximately 67,500 different accessions. The conservation of these collections allows the benefit of the distribution of germplasm of approximately 6,000 samples of genetic material per year, at national and international level. To minimize the risks associated with the movement of germplasm, especially the transport of pathogens of quarantine interest, it is required a process of laboratory tests certifying the plant quality. This process is carried out in the Germplasm Health Laboratory of the GRP, where also research is developed to improve the effectiveness of the detection, testing reliability and efficiency of operations.
Participatory evaluation of five drought tolerant maize varieties in the semi...Florian Neubauer
Climate change poses a substantial threat to food security in Sub-Sahara African countries. Maize is the most important staple crop in Kenya, but its yields have stagnated, and the production per capita has decreased in the last decades. Climate smart agriculture technologies become more important to sustainably increase agricultural productivity and adapt to climate change. However, it is important to first evaluate these technologies with farmers to learn about their needs. Therefore, participatory evaluations of five drought tolerant maize varieties were conducted in Makueni County, Kenya. OLS and ordinal regressions are used to find out which characteristics farmers value in maize varieties, how the evaluations compare to observed grain yields, and whether the adoption of the improved varieties has an effect on farmers’ income.
Results show that farmers’ perceptions of varieties are quite complex. Farmers do not only value yield, but a broad spectrum of different characteristics. Yield becomes more important to farmers in the end-season, while plant development and stress resistance play a more important role in the mid-season. Drought resistance is crucial to all farmers in both seasons, which is also confirmed by a follow-up survey. All varieties get significantly better scores on-station than on- farm, which corresponds to yield data that was collected at harvest. The difference of generated yield between on-station and on-farm is higher in a year with little rainfall, matching the farmer evaluations. Overall, women seem to score more nuanced than men, who score quite similarly across the varieties. Tego WE1101 is the least liked variety by farmers, but it yielded most in the trials. DH02, the variety that is liked best on-station, had the lowest yield both on-station and on- farm. Overall, farmers’ scores do not reflect yield data well, indicating farmers’ complex perceptions of varieties beyond yields. Calculations show that farmers in Makueni County could increase their income by 70% with the adoption of the improved maize varieties from this trial.
The analysis shows the importance of participatory evaluations for understanding farmers’ perceptions. It is important for breeders to take farmers' perceptions into consideration when developing new varieties. This is crucial to increase the adoption rate of improved maize varieties and contribute to more food security and a better economic situation for smallholders in Kenya.
A Comprehensive Research Resource.
UVC disinfects plants in two ways via germicidal effects and biological responses. We did the hard work of gathering research and compiling into a digestible resource.
Management of Maize Lethal Necrosis (MLN) in Tanzaniaafrica-rising
Presented by Bright Jumbo, Lava Kumar, Dan Makumbi, George Mahuku and Yangole Luhenda at the Africa RISING East and Southern Africa Review and Planning Meeting, Malawi, 14-16 July 2015
Plant disease and pest monitoring surveys in Africa RISING action areas in Ta...africa-rising
Presented by Lava Kumar (IITA) and Warren Arinaitwe (CIAT) at the Africa RISING East and Southern Africa annual review and planning meeting, Lilongwe, Malawi, 3-5 September 2013
Nutrition (vegetables) activities in Ghana 2019/2020africa-rising
Presented by Jean-Baptiste Tignegre (WorldVeg), Wubetu Legesse (WorldVeg), Edoh Ognakossan (WorldVeg), Paul Zaato (WorldVeg), Mahama Saaka (UDS), Linda Dari (UDS), and Abdul Rahman Nurudeen (IITA) at Africa RISING Ghana Country Planning Meeting, Tamale, Ghana, and Virtual, 24 - 25 June 2020.
Global germplasm collections: sure benefits without seedborne diseasesCIAT
The Genetic Resources Program is the germplasm bank of CIAT which conserves the collections of bean and tropical forage seeds, and the collection of cassava "in vitro" for a total of approximately 67,500 different accessions. The conservation of these collections allows the benefit of the distribution of germplasm of approximately 6,000 samples of genetic material per year, at national and international level. To minimize the risks associated with the movement of germplasm, especially the transport of pathogens of quarantine interest, it is required a process of laboratory tests certifying the plant quality. This process is carried out in the Germplasm Health Laboratory of the GRP, where also research is developed to improve the effectiveness of the detection, testing reliability and efficiency of operations.
Participatory evaluation of five drought tolerant maize varieties in the semi...Florian Neubauer
Climate change poses a substantial threat to food security in Sub-Sahara African countries. Maize is the most important staple crop in Kenya, but its yields have stagnated, and the production per capita has decreased in the last decades. Climate smart agriculture technologies become more important to sustainably increase agricultural productivity and adapt to climate change. However, it is important to first evaluate these technologies with farmers to learn about their needs. Therefore, participatory evaluations of five drought tolerant maize varieties were conducted in Makueni County, Kenya. OLS and ordinal regressions are used to find out which characteristics farmers value in maize varieties, how the evaluations compare to observed grain yields, and whether the adoption of the improved varieties has an effect on farmers’ income.
Results show that farmers’ perceptions of varieties are quite complex. Farmers do not only value yield, but a broad spectrum of different characteristics. Yield becomes more important to farmers in the end-season, while plant development and stress resistance play a more important role in the mid-season. Drought resistance is crucial to all farmers in both seasons, which is also confirmed by a follow-up survey. All varieties get significantly better scores on-station than on- farm, which corresponds to yield data that was collected at harvest. The difference of generated yield between on-station and on-farm is higher in a year with little rainfall, matching the farmer evaluations. Overall, women seem to score more nuanced than men, who score quite similarly across the varieties. Tego WE1101 is the least liked variety by farmers, but it yielded most in the trials. DH02, the variety that is liked best on-station, had the lowest yield both on-station and on- farm. Overall, farmers’ scores do not reflect yield data well, indicating farmers’ complex perceptions of varieties beyond yields. Calculations show that farmers in Makueni County could increase their income by 70% with the adoption of the improved maize varieties from this trial.
The analysis shows the importance of participatory evaluations for understanding farmers’ perceptions. It is important for breeders to take farmers' perceptions into consideration when developing new varieties. This is crucial to increase the adoption rate of improved maize varieties and contribute to more food security and a better economic situation for smallholders in Kenya.
A Comprehensive Research Resource.
UVC disinfects plants in two ways via germicidal effects and biological responses. We did the hard work of gathering research and compiling into a digestible resource.
A Comprehensive Research Resource.
UVC has a long history of harmful pathogen destruction, including Salmonella. We did the hard work of gathering research and compiling into a digestible resource.
This webinar is organized by MyICID and Institute for Clinical Research (ICR), NIH, Ministry of Health in conjunction with Neglected Tropical Disease Day 2022. The purpose of this webinar is to refresh and update our knowledge on Dengue fever, which has been overshadowed by COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic.
Presenter: Dr Norhayati Mokhtar, Public Health Physician at the Vector Borne Disease Sector, Disease Control Division, Ministry of Health Malaysia
#dengue #WorldNTDDay #BeatNTDs
Nutraceutical market, scope and growth: Herbal drug technologyLokesh Patil
As consumer awareness of health and wellness rises, the nutraceutical market—which includes goods like functional meals, drinks, and dietary supplements that provide health advantages beyond basic nutrition—is growing significantly. As healthcare expenses rise, the population ages, and people want natural and preventative health solutions more and more, this industry is increasing quickly. Further driving market expansion are product formulation innovations and the use of cutting-edge technology for customized nutrition. With its worldwide reach, the nutraceutical industry is expected to keep growing and provide significant chances for research and investment in a number of categories, including vitamins, minerals, probiotics, and herbal supplements.
Richard's aventures in two entangled wonderlandsRichard Gill
Since the loophole-free Bell experiments of 2020 and the Nobel prizes in physics of 2022, critics of Bell's work have retreated to the fortress of super-determinism. Now, super-determinism is a derogatory word - it just means "determinism". Palmer, Hance and Hossenfelder argue that quantum mechanics and determinism are not incompatible, using a sophisticated mathematical construction based on a subtle thinning of allowed states and measurements in quantum mechanics, such that what is left appears to make Bell's argument fail, without altering the empirical predictions of quantum mechanics. I think however that it is a smoke screen, and the slogan "lost in math" comes to my mind. I will discuss some other recent disproofs of Bell's theorem using the language of causality based on causal graphs. Causal thinking is also central to law and justice. I will mention surprising connections to my work on serial killer nurse cases, in particular the Dutch case of Lucia de Berk and the current UK case of Lucy Letby.
Slide 1: Title Slide
Extrachromosomal Inheritance
Slide 2: Introduction to Extrachromosomal Inheritance
Definition: Extrachromosomal inheritance refers to the transmission of genetic material that is not found within the nucleus.
Key Components: Involves genes located in mitochondria, chloroplasts, and plasmids.
Slide 3: Mitochondrial Inheritance
Mitochondria: Organelles responsible for energy production.
Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA): Circular DNA molecule found in mitochondria.
Inheritance Pattern: Maternally inherited, meaning it is passed from mothers to all their offspring.
Diseases: Examples include Leber’s hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON) and mitochondrial myopathy.
Slide 4: Chloroplast Inheritance
Chloroplasts: Organelles responsible for photosynthesis in plants.
Chloroplast DNA (cpDNA): Circular DNA molecule found in chloroplasts.
Inheritance Pattern: Often maternally inherited in most plants, but can vary in some species.
Examples: Variegation in plants, where leaf color patterns are determined by chloroplast DNA.
Slide 5: Plasmid Inheritance
Plasmids: Small, circular DNA molecules found in bacteria and some eukaryotes.
Features: Can carry antibiotic resistance genes and can be transferred between cells through processes like conjugation.
Significance: Important in biotechnology for gene cloning and genetic engineering.
Slide 6: Mechanisms of Extrachromosomal Inheritance
Non-Mendelian Patterns: Do not follow Mendel’s laws of inheritance.
Cytoplasmic Segregation: During cell division, organelles like mitochondria and chloroplasts are randomly distributed to daughter cells.
Heteroplasmy: Presence of more than one type of organellar genome within a cell, leading to variation in expression.
Slide 7: Examples of Extrachromosomal Inheritance
Four O’clock Plant (Mirabilis jalapa): Shows variegated leaves due to different cpDNA in leaf cells.
Petite Mutants in Yeast: Result from mutations in mitochondrial DNA affecting respiration.
Slide 8: Importance of Extrachromosomal Inheritance
Evolution: Provides insight into the evolution of eukaryotic cells.
Medicine: Understanding mitochondrial inheritance helps in diagnosing and treating mitochondrial diseases.
Agriculture: Chloroplast inheritance can be used in plant breeding and genetic modification.
Slide 9: Recent Research and Advances
Gene Editing: Techniques like CRISPR-Cas9 are being used to edit mitochondrial and chloroplast DNA.
Therapies: Development of mitochondrial replacement therapy (MRT) for preventing mitochondrial diseases.
Slide 10: Conclusion
Summary: Extrachromosomal inheritance involves the transmission of genetic material outside the nucleus and plays a crucial role in genetics, medicine, and biotechnology.
Future Directions: Continued research and technological advancements hold promise for new treatments and applications.
Slide 11: Questions and Discussion
Invite Audience: Open the floor for any questions or further discussion on the topic.
This presentation explores a brief idea about the structural and functional attributes of nucleotides, the structure and function of genetic materials along with the impact of UV rays and pH upon them.
Observation of Io’s Resurfacing via Plume Deposition Using Ground-based Adapt...Sérgio Sacani
Since volcanic activity was first discovered on Io from Voyager images in 1979, changes
on Io’s surface have been monitored from both spacecraft and ground-based telescopes.
Here, we present the highest spatial resolution images of Io ever obtained from a groundbased telescope. These images, acquired by the SHARK-VIS instrument on the Large
Binocular Telescope, show evidence of a major resurfacing event on Io’s trailing hemisphere. When compared to the most recent spacecraft images, the SHARK-VIS images
show that a plume deposit from a powerful eruption at Pillan Patera has covered part
of the long-lived Pele plume deposit. Although this type of resurfacing event may be common on Io, few have been detected due to the rarity of spacecraft visits and the previously low spatial resolution available from Earth-based telescopes. The SHARK-VIS instrument ushers in a new era of high resolution imaging of Io’s surface using adaptive
optics at visible wavelengths.
Professional air quality monitoring systems provide immediate, on-site data for analysis, compliance, and decision-making.
Monitor common gases, weather parameters, particulates.
Introduction:
RNA interference (RNAi) or Post-Transcriptional Gene Silencing (PTGS) is an important biological process for modulating eukaryotic gene expression.
It is highly conserved process of posttranscriptional gene silencing by which double stranded RNA (dsRNA) causes sequence-specific degradation of mRNA sequences.
dsRNA-induced gene silencing (RNAi) is reported in a wide range of eukaryotes ranging from worms, insects, mammals and plants.
This process mediates resistance to both endogenous parasitic and exogenous pathogenic nucleic acids, and regulates the expression of protein-coding genes.
What are small ncRNAs?
micro RNA (miRNA)
short interfering RNA (siRNA)
Properties of small non-coding RNA:
Involved in silencing mRNA transcripts.
Called “small” because they are usually only about 21-24 nucleotides long.
Synthesized by first cutting up longer precursor sequences (like the 61nt one that Lee discovered).
Silence an mRNA by base pairing with some sequence on the mRNA.
Discovery of siRNA?
The first small RNA:
In 1993 Rosalind Lee (Victor Ambros lab) was studying a non- coding gene in C. elegans, lin-4, that was involved in silencing of another gene, lin-14, at the appropriate time in the
development of the worm C. elegans.
Two small transcripts of lin-4 (22nt and 61nt) were found to be complementary to a sequence in the 3' UTR of lin-14.
Because lin-4 encoded no protein, she deduced that it must be these transcripts that are causing the silencing by RNA-RNA interactions.
Types of RNAi ( non coding RNA)
MiRNA
Length (23-25 nt)
Trans acting
Binds with target MRNA in mismatch
Translation inhibition
Si RNA
Length 21 nt.
Cis acting
Bind with target Mrna in perfect complementary sequence
Piwi-RNA
Length ; 25 to 36 nt.
Expressed in Germ Cells
Regulates trnasposomes activity
MECHANISM OF RNAI:
First the double-stranded RNA teams up with a protein complex named Dicer, which cuts the long RNA into short pieces.
Then another protein complex called RISC (RNA-induced silencing complex) discards one of the two RNA strands.
The RISC-docked, single-stranded RNA then pairs with the homologous mRNA and destroys it.
THE RISC COMPLEX:
RISC is large(>500kD) RNA multi- protein Binding complex which triggers MRNA degradation in response to MRNA
Unwinding of double stranded Si RNA by ATP independent Helicase
Active component of RISC is Ago proteins( ENDONUCLEASE) which cleave target MRNA.
DICER: endonuclease (RNase Family III)
Argonaute: Central Component of the RNA-Induced Silencing Complex (RISC)
One strand of the dsRNA produced by Dicer is retained in the RISC complex in association with Argonaute
ARGONAUTE PROTEIN :
1.PAZ(PIWI/Argonaute/ Zwille)- Recognition of target MRNA
2.PIWI (p-element induced wimpy Testis)- breaks Phosphodiester bond of mRNA.)RNAse H activity.
MiRNA:
The Double-stranded RNAs are naturally produced in eukaryotic cells during development, and they have a key role in regulating gene expression .
Multi-source connectivity as the driver of solar wind variability in the heli...Sérgio Sacani
The ambient solar wind that flls the heliosphere originates from multiple
sources in the solar corona and is highly structured. It is often described
as high-speed, relatively homogeneous, plasma streams from coronal
holes and slow-speed, highly variable, streams whose source regions are
under debate. A key goal of ESA/NASA’s Solar Orbiter mission is to identify
solar wind sources and understand what drives the complexity seen in the
heliosphere. By combining magnetic feld modelling and spectroscopic
techniques with high-resolution observations and measurements, we show
that the solar wind variability detected in situ by Solar Orbiter in March
2022 is driven by spatio-temporal changes in the magnetic connectivity to
multiple sources in the solar atmosphere. The magnetic feld footpoints
connected to the spacecraft moved from the boundaries of a coronal hole
to one active region (12961) and then across to another region (12957). This
is refected in the in situ measurements, which show the transition from fast
to highly Alfvénic then to slow solar wind that is disrupted by the arrival of
a coronal mass ejection. Our results describe solar wind variability at 0.5 au
but are applicable to near-Earth observatories.
1. Visual inspection to manage bacterial wilt in
Sub-Saharan Africa:
Improving seed quality and impacting smallholder
farmers
Parker, ML, Mugo, J, Gutarra, L, Orrego, R and
Schulte-Geldermann, E.
European Association of Potato Research
Triennial Conference, Brussels July 7-11, 2014
2. Bacterial Wilt (BW) major
(principal) constraint to potato
production
BW = Ralstonia solanacearum
Massive host range (> 200 plant
species)
Survivor
Impact of bacterial wilt on smallholder farmers
Major cause of poor seed quality
and consequently, low yields
(8-12 t/ha)
3. Spread
seed tubers
contaminants
irrigation/water run-off
NO host resistance
NO chemical control
Management relies on:
clean seed
sound crop rotation
Management
4. Unavailable
Quality (formal) seed difficult to access
Expensive
Informal seed system dominates in SSA
farmer-saved seed
unmarketable tubers
Main culprit = SEED
5. Prevalence
Wide spread in SSA from low to high altitudes
Region Incidence
(%)
1500 -
2200 m
> 2201 m Region Incidence
(%)
1500 -
2200 m
> 2201 m
Aberdares 0 6 5 Mau 0 1 4
1-9 1 4 complex 1-9 5 3
10-20 2 5 10-20 2 2
above 20 0 6 above 20 1 1
Elgon 0 4 6 Mt Kenya 0 6 3
1-9 2 2 1-9 2 0
10-20 3 4 10-20 3 1
above 20 1 7 above 20 4 1
BW was observed on 121 farms of a total 156 farms (78%)
6. Improving access to quality seed
Certification regulations exist, practice is minimal
In Kenya
quantities of certified (formal) seed supply
approximately 2% of demand
available at a few locations across the country
Costly
certify seed lots
purchase
7. tissue culture/minitubers/first field generations
onward, localised multiplication
decentralised multipliers
Improving access to quality seed
Formal certification
Quality Declared
Planting Material
QDPM
8. VISUAL INSPECTION by recognised committees
Removing infected plants from seed multiplication
plots (negative selection)
GAP - particularly crop rotation, alternative host
management and field hygiene
QDPM is promoted among decentralised multipliers
Thereby increasing geographic and economic
accessibility to quality seed
Local trade only
QDPM: an alternative approach to assess seed
health
10. VISUAL INSPECTION
Farm-saved seed
Marking and saving tubers from
the healthiest plants in a crop
for the following season’s seed
Positive selection
12. Another main culprit = poor rotation
Potato key (only!) cash
and food security crop for
farmers in mid to highland
regions
Season after season,
farmers plant potato on
same site
Lower altitudes, farmers
crop numerous
solanaceous crops
13. Improving crop rotation
Region Crop
CFU / g soil
Before planting After planting
Huanucalla Potato 188 11248
Onion 836 401
Chinchinga Potato 50 426
Onion 38 17
In each region, onion reduced CFU by ~ 50%
18. Improving effectiveness of visible inspection
Knowledge on Rs isolates
Simple tools for field based diagnostics
Further validation of rotation (onion) to reduce
Rs populations in soil
Understand infection
gradient from an infected
source
