Πειραματική διερεύνηση της διαλυτότητας του διοξειδίου του άνθρακα σε υδατικά διαλύματα ανθρακικού καλίου με πρόσθετες αμίνες και αμινοξέα

Recent studies into the distribution of Xanthomonas species causing Bacterial Leaf Spot (BLS) in Australian solanaceous crops detail varied genomic profiles that may influence pathogenicity. These genomic studies are expanded upon here by reporting the pathogenicity, race and copper tolerance of the previously sequenced Xanthomonas strains. Capsicum (Yolo Wonder), tomato (Grosse Lisse) and differential lines of capsicum (Early Cal-Wonder) were used to determine pathogenicity and race. Copper tolerance of 44 Xanthomonas strains was measured by observing bacterial growth on copper sulphate amended media. Protein sequence associated with these traits was detected using genomic analysis and compared using protein alignments. Only strains of X. euvesicatoria (16 strains) were found to be pathogenic on both tomato and capsicum. These were determined to be race 4 and 9. High copper tolerance was detected in the majority of Xanthomonas strains tested. Multiple copper resistance and avirulence proteins were detected in genomic sequence. Relatively few of these were associated with plasmid sequences. The genomic basis for copper tolerance was determined to be complex, as the tolerance thresholds did not directly correlate with gene number or presence. Similarly, pathogenicity of the strains was also not always clearly linked with presence or absence of specific Avr genes. This study highlights the need for detailed and ongoing investigations into the function of these proteins and how they produce the phenotypes that affect crop production

Genomic sequence analysis reveals diversity of Australian Xanthomonas species associated with bacterial leaf spot of tomato, capsicum and chilli

The genetic diversity in Australian populations of Xanthomonas species associated with bacterial leaf spot in tomato, capsicum and chilli were compared to worldwide bacterial populations. The aim of this study was to confirm the identities of these Australian Xanthomonas species and classify them in comparison to overseas isolates. Analysis of whole genome sequence allows for the investigation of bacterial population structure, pathogenicity and gene exchange, resulting in better management strategies and biosecurity

PARTICIPATORY COTTON BREEDING AND CULTIVAR EVALUATION FOR ORGANIC SMALLHOLDERS IN INDIA

Stakeholders of the organic movement are highly concerned about this development in the cotton sector in India. Organic farming can only present a viable alternative to conventional production if farmers have access to suitable cultivars. A national workshop on 'Disappearing non-GM cotton – ways forward to maintain diversity, increase availability, and ensure quality of non-GM cotton seed' initiated by bioRe, the Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL Switzerland) and the University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS) Dharwad presents the first agreement (Dharwad Declaration) towards safeguarding the heritage of Indian Desi cotton, maintaining genetic diversity, avoiding GM contamination as well as supporting the organic farmers with suitable cultivars. The activities on participatory cotton breeding for organic and low input farming is the first step of implementation towards the goals set in the Dharwad Declaration in June 2011. The Cotton Cultivar Evaluation Project started in 2011 with systematic evaluation of available non GM cultivars and is focusing on the fast identification of suitable cultivars and the reestablishment of a cotton seed supply chain under control of the farmers to safeguard the organic cotton production. This is urgently needed, as GM free cotton seeds completely vanished from the market. The Green Cotton Project is a long term project aiming for developing new cotton cultivars, that are specifically suited for organic farming. Here the focus is on networking, capacity building, training farmers in cross breeding and single plant selection. In collaboration with the University of Agricultural Science Dharwad and Chetna organic it starts with new crosses that are selected under local conditions and has a special focus on the original desi cotton species. The aim is the establishment of decentralized participatory cotton breeding programs that will allow the improvement of organic cotton in the future

Mothers in the Media: Blamed and Celebrated -- an examination of drug abuse and multiple births.

The media has always had a profound interest in mothers and birth stories. This study examined the difference between media portrayal of \u27good\u27 mothers and \u27bad\u27 mothers. Did the media cover potential harm to fetuses and would-be children in the same way for two groups of mothers: (a) pregnant women addicted to illicit drugs and (b) women who chose to continue a high-order, multiple birth pregnancy? Two searches were conducted on Lexis-Nexis, one with keywords \u27McCaughey and birth\u27 and another with the keywords \u27pregnancy and illegal drugs.\u27 A total of 210 articles were coded for the McCaughey search, and 90 articles were coded for the pregnancy and illegal drugs search. The media did not address potential harm in the same way in both cases. The harm from illegal drugs was exaggerated, while the harm from multiple births was downplayed. Consequently, the media response towards the two cases was dramatically different. In conclusion, the communal and regulatory responses to both drug-addicted pregnant women and large multiple births caused by infertility treatments needs to be rethought

Mothers in the Media: Blamed and Celebrated -- an examination of drug abuse and multiple births.

The media has always had a profound interest in mothers and birth stories. This study examined the difference between media portrayal of \u27good\u27 mothers and \u27bad\u27 mothers. Did the media cover potential harm to fetuses and would-be children in the same way for two groups of mothers: (a) pregnant women addicted to illicit drugs and (b) women who chose to continue a high-order, multiple birth pregnancy? Two searches were conducted on Lexis-Nexis, one with keywords \u27McCaughey and birth\u27 and another with the keywords \u27pregnancy and illegal drugs.\u27 A total of 210 articles were coded for the McCaughey search, and 90 articles were coded for the pregnancy and illegal drugs search. The media did not address potential harm in the same way in both cases. The harm from illegal drugs was exaggerated, while the harm from multiple births was downplayed. Consequently, the media response towards the two cases was dramatically different. In conclusion, the communal and regulatory responses to both drug-addicted pregnant women and large multiple births caused by infertility treatments needs to be rethought

Biological control of doublegee : fungi may be another weapon

A fungus has been assessed both in Australia and South Africa since 1989 for its potential to control doublegee. Under optimal environmental conditions it causes a severe stem blight which ultimately kills the plant. It also infects seeds, and caused up to 30 per cent mortality at a field site near Badgingarra. Hopes to develop the fungus as a mycoherbicide (fungal killer of plants) have had to be dropped because it produces a potent toxin but it is still contributing to control in the field

New species of foliicolous Loculoascomycetes on Dysoxylum, Melaleuca and Syzygium from Queensland, Australia

Four new species of foliicolous Loculoascomycetes, Didymella melaleucae sp. nov., Rosenscheldiella dysoxyli sp. nov., Seynesiella melaleucae sp. nov. and S. syzygii sp. nov. are described and illustrated from Queensland, Australia. The hosts are indicated by the specific epithet. Four Discostromopsis species are redisposed to Discostroma as Discostroma callistemonis (H.J. Swart) Sivan. comb. nov., D. elegans (H.J. Swart) Sivan. comb. nov., D. leptospermi (H.J. Swart) Sivan. comb. nov. and D. stoneae (H.J. Swart) Sivan. comb. nov

New species from each of the pyrenomycete genera Hyponectria, Physalospora and Trichosphaeria from Queensland, Australia

Three new species of ascomycetes each occurring on leaves of Acacia, Eucalyptus and Lomandra respectively in Queensland, Australia are described and illustrated as Hyponectria acaciae sp. nov., Physalospora lomandrae sp. nov. and Trichosphaeria eucalypticola sp. nov

A new smut fungus, Sporisorium centrale sp. nov., on Themeda from Australia

Sporisorium centrale sp. nov. (Ustilaginaceae, Ustilaginomycetes) is described and illustrated from Themeda triandra collected in the Northern Territory, Australia. It is compared with Sporisorium punctatum