Relation entre I'infestation de Tylenchulus semipenetrans, la morphogenèse et la productivité de l'oranger cv. Maltaise demisanguine greffées sur bigaradier

Les variations pluriannuelles de la croissance végétative (orthotrope et plagiotrope) et de la production et du taux d'infestation des citrus par Tylenchulus semipenetrans suivent une évolution cyclique et des amplitudes décalées les unes par rapport aux autres. Ces variations présentent deux phases distinctes. La première se caractérise par une diminution de la population des nématodes dans les racines, une augmentation de la croissance plagiotrope aux dépens de la croissance orthotrope et une production annuelle stable. La deuxième phase se caractérise par contre par une augmentation de l'infestation, une croissance orthotrope plus dominante et une alternance annuelle de la production des agrumes. L'intervention chimique à l'aldicarbe permet de réduire l'incidence des nématodes sur les agrumes, mais seuls les traitements appliqués au cours de la deuxième phase sont efficaces contre les nématodes.     

Suppression of development of Callosobruchus maculatus (F.) (Col.: Bruchidae) in bambara groundnut seeds exposed to solar heat in the Nigerian savanna

The effect of solarization on the development of Callosobruchus maculatus was investigated in the Nigerian savanna during the hot season from April to May, 1999. Development of C. maculatus adult progeny was completely suppressed in seeds of bambara groundnut, Vigna subterranea bearing bruchid eggs or harbouring first and second instar larvae that were exposed to the sun in metal tins, clay pots or polypropylene sacks for 7, 14 or 28 h. Adults of C. maculatus developed only in seeds that were not exposed to sun. Solarization did not have a significant adverse effect on germinability of bambara groundnut seeds.     

Levamisole--biological response modifier in Taenia crassiceps--mouse experimental system

Levamisole, a common anthelminthic preparation, was used for the modification of the immune response of mice to vaccination with soluble antigen from Taenia crassiceps. The combination of antigen with Levamisole significantly increased the immunogenic effect of the antigen. Metacestodes survived in 16.7% after one dose and in 42.9% after two doses of Levamisole. The percentage of resistance was 97.7% and 67.8%.     

Deconstructing myotonic dystrophy

Triplet repeat diseases are disorders in which there is expansion of a repeat sequence of three nucleotides in the affected gene. Although the pathology usually results from production of a defective protein, myotonic dystrophy (DM) has proved to be a puzzle because the expanded repeats appear in a non-coding region of the affected DMPK gene. In a Perspective, Tapscott explains how findings from a new mouse model of DM (Mankodi et al.) could solve this paradox.     

Biotechnology international conference. Biotech research proves a draw in Canada

TORONTO, CANADADespite protests from Greenpeace members, some of whom dressed up as "corn fakes" to show their opposition to genetically modified organisms, more than 500 industrial and academic researchers, lawyers, and business people from about 25 countries gathered here from 5 to 8 June for the third biennial Agricultural Biotechnology International Conference. Highlights of the meeting included reports of progress toward making plants that resist nematode pests or stresses such as salt, frost, and drought.     

Effect of canopy cover,seeding depth,and soil moisture on emergence of Centaurea maculosa and C. diffusa*

The effects of canopy cover, seeding depth, and soil moisture on emergence of Centaurea maculosa Lam. and C. diffusa Lam. were studied. Canopy cover had no effect on ermergence rate (seedlings/day/100 seeds) of either species. Seeds of both species emerged faster when placed on the soil surface. Emergence rate decreased as seeding depth increased. Both species required more than 55% initial soil moisture to initiate emergence, with 65–70% being optimum. Percentage emergence followed exactly the same trend as emergence rate. C. maculosa had better emergence characteristics over a wider range of conditions than C. diffusa, possibly being some of the reasons for the former having a wider geographical distribution in the United States and Canada.