Associations between grain yield and carbon isotope discrimination in cowpea

Twenty cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp.) genotypes, comprising Kenyan cultivars and Kenyan and introduced breedings lines, were grown in 15 replicated field trials carried out at three locations in semi-arid eastern Kenya over four seasons. Grain and straw yields and the carbon isotope discrimination (Δ) of this material were determined, and days to flowering and maturity observed.None of the seasons in which the trials were conducted was appreciably drier than the long term average for the sites, and some trials received excessive rain. Averaging the data for the 15 trials, one genotype yielded much less grain (77 g m⁻²) than the 19 others, whose yield ranged from 125 to 177 g m⁻² (average 148 g m⁻²). Trial mean yield trials had a high straw Δ (r = +0.567) and had received more rain between flowering and maturity (r = +0.428) than lower yielding ones. Among genotypes, averaging over trials, the correlation coefficient (r) between grain yield and grain Δ was +0.394, and between grain yield and straw Δ, +0.460. Early genotypes had the highest grain Δ and straw Δ. The correlation among genotypes between date of flowering and grain Δ was −0.632 and with straw Δ, −0.502. When comparisons were made among trials, there was no clear relationship between the strength of the correlations among genotypes between grain yield and straw Δ or grain Δ and the degree of stress experienced by a trial (as indicated by the rainfall it had received). It appeared that this was because the variances of grain Δ and straw Δ were greater in the most droughted trials, whereas the variance of yield was greatest in the least droughted trials.It is concluded that the genetic correlation between grain yield and either grain Δ or straw Δ is unlikely to be strong enough to make either Δ a useful surrogate or adjunct in selecting for high yield in the segregating generations of a breeding programme for semi-arid eastern Kenya, but that Δ may be of value in the selection of parent genotypes.     

Frequencies of Vertical Resistances and Virulences in the Rye-Powdery Mildew Pathosystem*

Nine populations of rye (Secale cereale L.; the cultivars ‘Kustro’, ‘Danko’ and ‘Carokurz’. a breeding population PA 14/75 and five Iranian primitive ryes) were tested with three or two pathotypes of powder)’ mildew (Erysiphe graminis DC. f. sp. secalis Marchal) to determine the frequencies of vertical resistances. Similarly, three populations of powder)’ mildew isolated from the above eultivars were tested with two rye pathodemes to estimate the frequencies of vertical virulences. Tests were carried out on leaf segments cultivated in vitro. To explain the pattern of the host-parasite interaction, a model with at least four resistance and virulence genes was required. In the rye populations the genotypes of most plants could be determined unambiguously whereas in the powdery mildew populations no unique classification of one-postule isolates was possible due to the limited number of rye differentials. Both the host and the pathogen populations were polymorphic for resistance and virulence, respectively. In all lye populations except PA 14/75 the resistance frequencies were low. In the mildew populations the virulence frequencies were high and complex races occurred rather frequently. The virulence frequencies were related to the resistance frequencies of the respective host population. Results were compared with mathematical host-parasite models accounting for gene-for-gene interaction and balancing natural selection. Observations agree well with theory.     

Myiasis in a turkey

A case of cutaneous myiasis was reported in a 3.5-month-old turkey. The bird was invaded by a very large number of maggots on its posterior half. The maggots killed the bird and consumed all the flesh within 48 hours. Microscopic examination of the maggots revealed that they belonged to Lucilia sericata (a dipterous fly). The incidence of myiasis in birds was also discussed.     

The concept of vector in parasitology, ecology of agents, epidemiology and epizootology

The concepts of "host" and "vector" are compared in application to arthropods which are capable to transmit pathogens to man and animals. The paper shows that these concepts are not identical. The function of such arthropods as hosts of microorganisms, as well as their possible importance in population ecology, epidemiology and epizootology are discussed. The system of different concepts corresponding to the tasks of these scientific disciplines is also considered.