Provenance and pretreatment effect on seed germination of six provenances of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Faidherbia albida</Emphasis> (Delile) A. Chev

A nursery experiment was conducted to determine the effects of seed pretreatment methods on the germination of Faidherbia albida at ICRAF, Nairobi from six provenances consisting of Awassa, Taveta, Lake Koka, Maseno, Chinzombo and Wagingombe. Seeds were subjected to five pretreatment methods namely nicking, soaking in acid, hot water, cold water and control. Germination percentages (GP), mean germination time (MGT) and germination index (GI) were calculated and the data was subjected to ANOVA. The study revealed significant (p ≤ 0.05) differences in seed treatments among provenances in all studied parameters. Highest germination among pretreatments in Awassa (99 %) and Wagingombe (80 %) was observed in nicked seeds, Chinzombo (81 %) in nicked and acid treated seeds, Lake Koka (90 %) in acid treated seeds and Taveta (28 %) and Maseno (64 %) in cold water treated seeds. Nicking gave the highest cumulative GP (69.67) while lowest GP was observed in hot water treated seeds (23.17). Acid treatment exhibited lowest MGT (8.85 days) and highest GI (2.29) while highest MGT (24.35 days) and lowest GI (0.31) were observed in control and hot water treatment respectively. Although acid treatment gave a high GP and lowest MGT and GI, nicking and soaking in cold water for 24 h is being recommended as cheaper and less hazardous pretreatment methods to improve germination in F. albida since sulphuric acid is expensive and requires proper handling techniques. Significant correlation between geo-climatic data and germination parameters of seeds subjected to different pretreatments indicates that provenances are as important as pretreatments in germination of the species.     

Understanding patterns of tree adoption on farms in semi-arid and sub-humid Ethiopia

Trees on farms are a widespread feature of landscapes across a large part of Ethiopia with an important role in enhancing the resilience of smallholder livelihoods through the provision of ecosystem services. Despite their importance, little is known about what trees are planted or retained from natural regeneration by different types of farmers that results in the pattern of tree cover found in the region. We address this knowledge gap through analysis of household survey data from semi-arid and sub humid areas of Oromia regional state. A set of composite variables that represent distinctive patterns of tree cover on farms were derived from principal component analysis and Pearson correlation analysis. This revealed two major tree adoption strategies: farmer managed natural regeneration (FMNR) of trees to meet subsistence needs as well as contributing to other ecosystem services; and, high value agroforestry (HVAF) involving planted trees used largely to produce fruits, timber and fodder. Regression analysis further identified fine-scale variation in ecological and socio-economic factors that affect which of these two broad strategies are adopted by farmers. Favorable climatic conditions coupled with institutional arrangements to control free grazing were pre-conditions for HVAF, whereas poor biophysical potential and sloping land provided a positive incentive for farmers to adopt FMNR. Farmers with preferences for tree species with multiple utilities and locational flexibility favored FMNR while adoption of HVAF was more asset-driven. Our findings reveal that farmers integrate many native and exotic tree species on their farms to meet their variable farm conditions, needs and asset profiles in stark contrast to most tree promotion efforts that focus on a few, usually exotic, tree species. We recommend that future agroforestry promotion should embrace a diversity of tree species appropriate to matching the fine scale variation in ecological conditions and farmer circumstances encountered in the field.     

A serologic investigation of epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus (EHDV) in cattle and gazella subgutturosa subgutturosa in Turkey

Epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus (EHDV) is a vector-borne disease of ruminants disseminated in the tropic and subtropic zone of the world. Gazella subgutturosa subgutturosa (goitered gazelle) is native species of Anatolia. Due to risk of extinction, captured gazelles have been taken under protection in a restricted area at Ceylanpinar state farm. In this study, the presence of EHDV was investigated serologically in 82 goitered gazelle and 399 cattle. Seropositivity rates in goitered gazelle and cattle were detected as 2.43% and 3.50%, respectively.     

Evaluation of soybean genotypes for resistance against the rust-causing fungus Phakopsora pachyrhizi in East Africa

Soybean rust, caused by the biotrophic fungus Phakopsora pachyrhizi, is the most important foliar disease of soybean (Glycine max) worldwide. Deployment of resistant soybean cultivars is the best option for managing this disease. Genes conferring resistance to P. pachyrhizi have been identified, but pathotypes of the rust fungus overcoming these resistance genes have also been found. To identify novel resistance genes, soybean genotypes from both local and international sources were screened at multiple locations in Tanzania and Uganda in 2016 and 2017. The results from this screening revealed that infection types, disease severities, and sporulation levels varied among the genotypes and locations. The majority of the genotypes had tan-coloured (TAN) lesions and developed moderate sporulation, implying susceptibility, while only seven of the 71 lines had reddish-brown (RB) lesions and showed low disease severities in all of the screening environments. We identified seven genotypes that were the most resistant to rust in the most locations over the two years. These genotypes will be useful for further studies and, ultimately, for rust management, as they show broad resistance to various pathotypes of the rust fungus.     

Damage by monk seals to gear of the artisanal fishery in the Foça Monk Seal Pilot Conservation Area, Turkey

The present study examines the operational interaction between critically endangered monk seals Monachus monachus and artisanal fisheries in the Foça Pilot Monk Seal Conservation Area, Turkey between 1994 and 2002. One to four permanent researchers collected the data on this interaction during the seal sighting data inquiries. Interviews with the fishermen provided 142 direct interactions with monk seals around the fishing gear. Among these encounters damage to fishing gear, including gill nets (53%), trammel nets (37%), longlines (9%) and a lure (1%) was recorded 90 times. However, no difference was found in damage between gill and trammel nets. Although, the damage inflicted by seals per occasion was found to be substantial (maximum 462.5 USD per occasion), the overall annual economic impact on the artisanal fishery was found to be modest. Limitation in soaking time of nets; long-line use instead of nets in MPAs where monk seals survive; and low interest credits to be given to those fishermen who suffer monk seal damage, are proposed as appropriate management practices.     

Occurrence of rift valley fever in cattle in Ijara district,Kenya

Ijara district in Kenya was one of the hotspots of rift valley fever (RVF) during the 2006/2007 outbreak which led to human and animal deaths causing huge economic and public health losses. The main constraint in the control and prevention of RVF is inadequate knowledge on its occurrence during the interepidemic period. This study was aimed at understanding the occurrence of RVF in cattle in Ijara to enable the development of improved community-based disease surveillance, prediction, control and prevention.     

Molecular,physiological and pathogenic variability of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pyrenochaeta lycopersici</Emphasis> associated with corky rot disease of tomato plants in Turkey

Isolates of Pyrenochaeta lycopersici, the causal agent of corky root rot on tomato plants, were assessed for physiological and genetic characteristics using conventional and molecular techniques. All isolates were able to produce necrosis on tomato roots and classified into temperature group according to the optimal growth temperatures. Specific-PCR assays and DNA sequence analysis of the ribosomal DNA (rDNA) internal transcribed spacer region confirmed the existence of both types (Type 1 and Type 2) of the pathogen among the isolates tested. All isolates were identified as Type 2 except for isolate Pl-4, which was classified as Type 1. Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis with six enzymes resulted in three distinct banding patterns among the isolates depending on the length and restriction profiles of the rDNA intergenic spacer region. Inter-simple sequence-repeat analysis revealed a high level of genetic diversity among the isolates in agreement with the data of RFLP analysis. These results indicated that there were three different intraspecific groups among Turkish isolates of P. lycopersici. The presented study is the first attempting to characterize Turkish isolates of P. lycopersici. The results obtained will be useful in screening of tomato seedlings for resistance to P. lycopersici.     

Resistance sources and reactions of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) cultivars in Turkey to anthracnose disease

Anthracnose caused by Colletotrichum lindemuthianum is one of the major diseases of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) worldwide. The aim of this study was to analyze common bean cultivars in Turkey for Co resistance genes using different molecular markers (SC08, SBB14, OPAZ04, SF10, OPF10, OPA18, SB12, TGA1, SAB3, SCAreoli, SZ04, and OPV20) linked with anthracnose resistance genes and evaluate the reaction of these cultivars to the pathogen isolates. The results showed the presence of Co-1, Co-1⁴, Co-1⁵, Co-2, Co-4, Co-4², Co-6, Co-10, Co-11, and Co-13 resistance genes, alone or combination except for Co-3³ and Co-5, in common bean cultivars. These cultivars carried predominantly Co-6 and Co-4 genes for anthracnose resistance. Five cultivar (Sazova, Zülbiye, Ak?n, Önceler and Karaca?ehir 90), carrying Co-1, Co-1⁴, Co-1⁵, Co-2, Co-10, Co-13, Co-4, and Co-6 resistance genes were resistant to the pathogen isolates. These cultivars, showing a high level of resistance to the pathogen can be used as resistance sources in common bean breeding programs for resistance to anthracnose disease. These markers will provide significant benefit in breeding strategies.

     

Diversity and distribution of pathotypes of the soybean rust fungus Phakopsora pachyrhizi in East Africa

Phakopsora pachyrhizi is a biotrophic fungus that causes rust on soybean, leading to devastating yield losses. Development of resistant cultivars for deployment in different geographic regions requires a comprehensive understanding of the prevalent P. pachyrhizi pathotypes. To determine the pathotypes existing in four East African countries, 65 isolates were tested on 11 soybean host differentials. In addition, the virulence spectrum of isolates collected from the same region over multiple years was compared. The majority of the isolates (54%) belonged to pathotype 1000, which was found in all countries. The pathotypes with the most complex virulence spectrum, which comprised isolates from Kenya and Malawi, were virulent on four differentials. All pathotypes were virulent on soybean genotypes carrying the Rpp1 resistance gene to P. pachyrhizi, but they were avirulent on cultivars carrying the Rpp1b, Rpp2, or Rpp3 gene, as well as on cultivar No6-12-1 that carries Rpp2, Rpp4, and Rpp5. Two of the pathotypes were virulent on cultivar UG 5 that carries Rpp1 and Rpp3 and on Hyuuga that carries Rpp3 and Rpp5. The isolates collected from different countries differed in their virulence spectrum across the years. Shannon's index (H) and Simpson's index (S) of diversity indicated that the isolates from Malawi were more diverse (H = 1.55, S = 0.90) while those from Uganda had lower diversity (H = 0.78, S = 0.46 ). The Rpp genes that were found to provide resistance to all pathotypes of P. pachyrhizi can be employed for soybean breeding aimed at durable rust resistance.     

Antibodies to Schmallenberg virus in domestic livestock in Turkey

This, partly retrospective study, was designed to determine the seroprevalence of Schmallenberg virus (SBV), a new Orthobunyavirus first reported in Germany in late 2011, in domestic ruminants from the Middle Black Sea, West, and Southeast regions of Turkey. An indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to screen serum samples collected from slaughterhouse animals between 2006 and 2013. The overall seroprevalence was 335/1,362 (24.5 %) with 325/816 (39.8 %), 5/307 (1.6 %), 3/109 (2.8 %), and 2/130 (1.5 %) recorded in cattle, sheep, goats, and Anatolian water buffalo, respectively. This is the first study to demonstrate the presence of antibodies to SBV in Turkish ruminants; it indicates that cattle are more susceptible to infection than sheep, goats, or buffalo and that exposure of domestic ruminants to SBV in Turkey may have occurred up to 5 years prior to the first recorded outbreak of the disease in 2011.