Use Of Cultural Practices Research Articles

Involvement of Male Partners in Sustaining Interventions for Preventing Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV Among Women with HIV.

Although male partners are eager to support the implementation of prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) of HIV programs, several obstacles prevent them from participating. The purpose of this study was to explore the support of male partners of HIV-positive women in sustaining the implementation of PMTCT interventions. This study adopted a qualitative approach. The case study research design was used to generate an in-depth understanding of the factors that hinder male participation in PMTCT interventions. Non-probability purposive sampling was used to 20 sample participants. Data was collected from two focus group discussions and analyzed using open coding. Trustworthiness was achieved by credibility, transferability, and confirmability. Adherence to ethical principles was upheld. Findings revealed two themes, perceived practices that hinder the provision of support and perceived support provided to sustain PMTCT intervention during childbirth. Sustaining PMTCT interventions included how the male partner adheres to interventions that prevent the transmission of the virus, like consistent condom use, especially during breastfeeding, support in exclusive breastfeeding, adherence to ART, and limiting the use of cultural practices. The involvement of males in the interventions of PMTCT has been found to improve the sustainability of eliminating transmission of the virus to the baby. All clinics were recommended to be men user-friendly to encourage men to accompany their partners. Men are to be actively involved during decision-making and physical examination, where possible. Workshops and information-sharing sessions for men forums and community members on PMTCT interventions to be conducted.

Conceptualisation, experiences and suggestions for improvement of food security amongst Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander parents and carers in remote Australian communities

This study aimed to determine perceptions of the lived experience of food insecurity and suggestions to improve food security in four remote Aboriginal communities in the Northern Territory, and Queensland. Participants were Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander pregnant and breastfeeding women, and parents/carers of children aged six months to five years. Semi-structured interviews (n=17) were conducted between June–July 2021 and the data thematically analysed using a four stage process. No specific term was used by participants to describe being either food secure or insecure. Descriptions of food security were centred in food sharing, food sufficiency, and family activities. Elements describing food insecurity were physical pain and emotional stress, adults going without food, seeking family help and managing without food until payday. Factors contributing to food insecurity were reported to be: (i) Low income and unemployment, (ii) Cost of living remotely, (iii) Resource sharing, and (iv) Impact of spending on harmful commodities and activities. Three themes were conceptualised: (1) Cultural practices buffer food insecurity, (2) Coping with food insecurity, (3) People accept a degree of food insecurity as normal. Findings suggest Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural practices such as sharing food buffer episodic food insecurity and constitute ‘cultural food security’. Despite use of cultural practices (e.g., procuring traditional food) and generic coping strategies, regular episodes of food insecurity often aligned with the off week of social assistance payments. Household energy (electricity) security was coupled to food security. Suggestions for improving food security included better transport and food access, extending electricity rebates, increases in the regularity of social assistance payments, and computer access and training in budgeting. Policies to advance food security should embody deeper Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descriptions and experiences. Community-derived policy suggestions which aim to increase access to adequate, regular, stable household income are likely to succeed.

POPULATION FLUCTUATION OF WHITE MANGO SCALE (Aulacaspis tubercularis Newstead) AND ITS NATURAL ENEMIES IN ‘MANILA’ MANGO ORCHARDS

<p><strong>Background.</strong> White mango scale (WMS) is present at any physiological stage of the mango tree, can remain on leaves and fruits, and affects photosynthesis and fruit aesthetics. Knowing the population fluctuation of WMS and its natural enemies over time will help to design efficient control strategies. <strong>Objective.</strong> To determine the annual population fluctuation of WMS and its natural enemies in three mango-producing areas, in Veracruz, Mexico. <strong>Methodology. </strong>In three mango orchards cv. 'Manila' in productive stage, located in the municipalities of Actopan, Medellín, and Tierra Blanca (one orchard at each municipality), the number of female individuals and male colonies of WMS, and its natural enemies <em>Chilocorus cacti</em>, <em>Scymnus </em>spp., <em>Azya orbigera</em>, <em>Ceraeochrysa</em> spp. and <em>Pentilia</em> spp., were monitored for 12 consecutive months. <strong>Results. </strong>Higher densities of WMS and <em>Ceraeochrysa</em> spp. were found in the Actopan orchard. The density of natural enemies changed according to species and time of year. The density of <em>Pentilia</em> spp., <em>Scymnus</em> spp., and <em>Ceraeochrysa</em> spp. correlated with the WMS density, with a higher and lower density of individuals per leaf in December-May and June-October, respectively.<strong> Implications.</strong> The time when the highest and lowest populations of WMS and its natural enemies occur in different 'Manila' mango-producing areas in Veracruz were identified. This knowledge will help to define the most appropriate timing and strategy for WMS control. <strong>Conclusion. </strong>The greater WMS population coincides with the fruiting stage, so its control should start in winter, during the flowering stage. Considering that the population of <em>C. cacti</em>, <em>Pentilia</em> sp., <em>Scymnus</em> spp., and <em>Ceraeochrysa</em> spp. present positive correlation with the WMS, it is recommended to reduce the use of broad-spectrum pesticides and to increase the use of cultural practices to benefit the population of these natural enemies.</p>

Sustainable management of fall armyworm in smallholder farming: The role of a multi‐channel information campaign in Rwanda

AbstractIn recent years, fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda, has emerged as one of the most serious invasive species in many countries across Africa, Asia and Oceania. The pest is causing extensive damage to maize production and the intensification of pesticide use. In this paper, we examined the effectiveness of three mass‐extension channels (plant health rallies, radio drama and SMS) in enhancing farmers' knowledge and management of FAW and in increasing maize productivity. Applying matching techniques to data from 720 smallholder farmers and 1077 maize plots in Eastern Rwanda, we found that exposure to the information channels is significantly associated with increased knowledge outcomes, including knowledge of the correct identification of FAW and the use of cultural practices as the first resort to pest management. Moreover, the information channels showed positive effects on the adoption of environmentally friendly management practices. Generally, the treatment effects are larger for households exposed to multiple (especially all) channels, indicating complementary effects of the channels. We also found suggestive evidence that the information channels are associated with maize yield increases ranging from 10% to 34%, depending on the channel. Overall, the results imply that multi‐channel information campaigns can be effective in enhancing farmers' knowledge on how to identify and sustainably manage the FAW pest. Our findings also suggest that while there is a growing popularity in the use of digital extension approaches to deliver timely information to farmers in a cost‐effective manner, much greater gains can be achieved if they are combined with other low‐cost face‐to‐face extension methods, such as plant health rallies.

The Status of Research for the Management of the Banana Weevil, Cosmopolites sordidus (Germar) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in Sub-Saharan Africa

The banana weevil Cosmopolites sordidus (Germar) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae] is a major pest of East African highland bananas and plantains. Its larvae bore in corm tissue damaging the root system, disrupting nutrient and water uptake, compromising plant anchorage, reducing yield, and shortening plantation life. Yield losses in bananas and plantains may exceed 50%. Available technologies for the management of the pest include cultural control, biological control, and chemical control. These methods may be costly, labor intensive, or ecologically unsustainable. Such effects, together with developed pesticide resistance, have led to various efforts searching for sustainable alternatives. To achieve this, there is a need to understand the biology of the pest and the currently available management options which includes use of cultural practices, resistant banana varieties, biological and microbial control, pheromone trapping and chemical and botanical insecticides. This article reviews the research status concerning C. sordidus biology, distribution, management options, including current innovations such as genome editing, and suggests future research directions for the management of the pest. Research findings suggest that no single control strategy will provide complete control. The integration of appropriate conventional C. sordidus management options with genetic engineering and other ecologically friendly methods such as use of botanicals and infochemicals will manage the pest and sustainably increase banana production.

Irrigation Timing as a Practice of Effective Weed Management in Established Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) Crop

Irrigation is an agronomic practice of major importance in alfalfa (Medicago sativa L), especially in the semiarid environments of Southern Europe. Field experimentation was conducted in Western Greece (2016–2018) to evaluate the effects of irrigation timing on weed presence, alfalfa yield performance, and forage quality. In a randomized complete block design (four replications), two cultivars (“Ypati 84” and “Hyliki”) were the main plots, while three irrigation timings were the subplots (split-plot). The irrigation timings were IT-1, IT-2, and IT-3, denoting irrigation 1 week before harvest, 1 week after harvest, and 2 weeks after harvest, respectively. IT-1 reduced Solanum nigrum L. density by 54% and 79% as compared to IT-3 and IT-2, respectively. Chenopodium album L. density was the highest under IT-2. IT-3 resulted in 41% lower Amaranthus retroflexus L. density in comparison to IT-2, while the lowest values were observed under IT-1. Stand density and stems·plant−1 varied between years (p ≤ 0.05). Mass·stem−1 and alfalfa forage yield were affected by the irrigation timings (p ≤ 0.001). Total weed density and forage yield were negatively correlated in both the second (R2 = 87.013%) and the fourth (R2 = 82.691%) harvests. IT-1 and IT-3 increased forage yield, leaf per stem ratio, and crude protein as compared to IT-2. Further research is required to utilize the use of cultural practices for weed management in perennial forages under different soil and climatic conditions.

МОДЕЛИ ДОПРОФЕССИОНАЛЬНОЙ ПЕДАГОГИЧЕСКОЙ ПОДГОТОВКИ ОБУЧАЮЩИХСЯ

Social and pedagogical training of students in modern conditions, in addition to solving professional problems in the context of continuing pedagogical education, is also of value and meaning for the development of society as a whole. Such effects are achieved due to the development of skills in constructive interaction and the use of cultural practices during pre-professional pedagogical training (PPT). Numerous psychological and pedagogical studies today are devoted to the study of various aspects of PPT — targeted, meaningful, effective, etc. At the same time, the subject of scientific discussions are approaches to highlighting training models and determining their essence. The purpose of the article is to synthesize the ideas available in the theory and practice of education about models of preprofessional pedagogical training of students, to describe the general model, as well as to accumulate ideas about possible approaches to classifying models of organizing the process under study. The orientation of students to the pedagogical profession can be carried out in various formats: the activities of psychological and pedagogical classes; support of individual educational projects of students; the work of associations of additional education for children, implemented, inter alia, on the basis of pedagogical universities and colleges; use of Internet resources and sites for virtual interaction during PPT. The article includes a meaningful description of the indicated models and their specifics in the context of the peculiarities of interaction between subjects of educational relations and pedagogical support of the process. Being aware of the variety of approaches to pre-professional training, the authors distinguish the following types of organization models: psychological and pedagogical classes, associations of additional education for children, virtual creative associations, individual educational projects.

Agro-Ecological Aptitude to Produce Cocoa under Rainfed Conditions in Tabasco Mexico

The main problem of cocoa in Mexico is that it is not competitive due to low productivity related to cultivated areas with low production potential, old and low-yield materials susceptible to diseases and poor use of cultural practices. The state of Tabasco in Mexico is the most important cocoa grower since more of 70% of the country’s plantations are located in the state. Faced with a scenario of strengthening the cultivation and renewal of cocoa plantations, it is compulsory to consider the agro-ecological aptitude for cultivation and reclassify the areas according to their potential yields. The agro-climatic requirements of cocoa were compared with the natural agro-climatic condition geographically scattered in the state. A QGIS version 3.6.0 was the Geographic Information System software used to process and analyze the information. There were identified more than 174 thousand hectares of optimal yield potential and more than 32 thousand with suboptimal ones under rainfed conditions.

Saline Water, Pit Coating and Calcium Fertilization on Chlorophyll, Fluorescence, Gas Exchange and Production in Passion Fruit

In plants sensitive to salinity, such as passion fruit, irrigation with saline water can cause physiological disturbances and reduce fruit production, necessitating the use of cultural practices that mitigate saline stress. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of water salinity, pit coating with high-strength polyethylene film, and calcium fertilization on the physiological and productive aspects of passion fruit ‘BRS Gigante Amarelo’. The treatments were arranged in split plot in the scheme 2WS × (2LP × 5DC), corresponding to water salinity (0.3 and 4.0 dS m-1) as the main plot, side coating of pits (without and with) doses of calcium (0; 30; 60; 90 and 120 kg ha-1). During the flowering phase, we evaluated leaf chlorophyll indices, fluorescence kinetics, and gas exchange. The increase in calcium doses up to 60 kg ha-1 increased leaf chlorophyll and quantum efficiency. The stomata did not restrict gas exchange, but salinity resulted in reduced net photosynthesis and plant production. The lateral coating of the pits intensified the reduction in salinity-promoted production, while calcium mitigated the effects of the salts. Entisol cultivated with passion fruit should not be irrigated with saline water of 4.0 dS m-1; lateral pit coating is not advised. In an Entisol with an initial calcium level of 1.92 cmolc dm-3, the recommended application dose is 60 kg ha-1 for passion fruit cultivation.

FARMERS’ PERCEPTION OF CLIMATE CHANGE AND ADAPTATION IN KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWA PAKISTAN: A CASE STUDY OF NOWSHERA DISTRICT

Climate change has a devastating effect on yields of major crops and is considered to become a threat to national food security. Therefore, this study was designed to explore farmers’ perception of climate change and investigate changes in seasonal temperature and rainfall over the last two decades. Focus Group Discussion (FGD) was employed to analyze the perceptions of farmers about climate change vulnerabilities and their adaptation strategies to cope with the changing climatic conditions. The results revealed that regarding environmental services, water availability was decreased due to low rainfall. In addition, the supply of firewood was also decreased due to a high demand on fuel and construction purposes. Furthermore, there was an increase in population density and a decrease in medicinal plants and wildlife due to deforestation. The temperature increased over the last 20 years and the length of the summer period was longer due to less rainfall while the duration of winter turned to be short. It is reported that the spring season is almost merged in the summer season, with the increase of temperature during the spring. Therefore, agriculture research should develop a variety of crops that can adapt to climatic extremes and educate farmers through seminars and campaigns to build their adaptive capacity dealing with the use of cultural practices to mitigate climate change.

Integrated control of fusarium head blight and deoxynivalenol mycotoxin in wheat

Fusarium head blight (FHB), a devastating disease that affects wheat, is caused by a complex of Fusarium species. The overall impact of Fusarium spp. in wheat production arises through the combination of FHB and mycotoxin infection of the grain harvested from infected wheat spikes. Spike infection occurs during opening of flowers and is favoured by high humidity or wet weather accompanied with warm temperatures. Available possibilities for controlling FHB include the use of cultural practices, fungicides and biological approaches. Three cultural practices are expected to be of prime importance in controlling FHB and the production of mycotoxins: soil preparation method (deep tillage), the choice of the preceding crop in the rotation and the selection of appropriate cultivar.

Biological invasions in forest ecosystems

Forests play critical roles in global ecosystem processes and provide numerous services to society. But forests are increasingly affected by a variety of human influences, especially those resulting from biological invasions. Species invading forests include woody and herbaceous plants, many animal species including mammals and invertebrates, as well as a variety of microorganisms such as fungi, oomycetes, bacteria and viruses. These species have diverse ecological roles including primary producers, herbivores, predators, animal pathogens, plant pathogens, decomposers, pollinators and other mutualists. Although most non-native species have negligible effects on forests, a few have profound and often cascading impacts. These impacts include alteration of tree species composition, changes in forest succession, declines in biological diversity, and alteration of nutrient, carbon and water cycles. Many of these result from competition with native species but also trophic influences that may result in major changes in food web structure. Naturally regenerating forests around the world have been substantially altered by invading species but planted forests also are at risk. Non-native tree species are widely planted in many parts of the world for production of wood and fibre, and are chosen because of their frequently exceptional growth in their new environment. This greater growth is due, in part, to escape from herbivores and pathogens that exist in their native ranges. Over time, some pest species can “catch-up” with their hosts, leading to subsequent declines in forest productivity. Other impacts result when native herbivores or pathogens adapt to exotic trees or when novel associations form between pathogens and vectors. Additionally, planted non-native trees are sometimes invasive and can have substantial adverse effects on adjacent natural areas. Management of invasions in forests includes prevention of arrival, eradication of nascent populations, biological control, selection for resistance in host trees, and the use of cultural practices (silviculture and restoration) to minimize invader impacts. In the future, the worlds’ forests are likely to be subject to increasing numbers of invasions, and effective management will require greater international cooperation and interdisciplinary integration.

English

Diverse cultural practices have been communicated to and/or applied by resource-poor households over the past two decades to improve the overall farm health and crop tolerance to biotic/abiotic factors. This study assessed the current diversity and use of cultural practices on banana fields in Ituri and North Kivu provinces, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo). Interview schedules coupled with farm diagnosis were used to take stock of cultural practices. Farmers’ choice of banana cultivars was mainly influenced by bunch size, demand/price, pulp flavor/taste, and juice quality. Availability of planting materials and the lifespan of mats were also important. In contrast, drought tolerance, soil fertility conditions, length of production cycle, and pest and disease resistance were not highly considered. Suckers were the predominant type of planting material used. Banana-bean (in 15 to 39% of farms) and banana-taro-bean (18 to 30%) were the dominant intercrops. Staking of banana plants with bunches was applied by 94 to 95% of the respondents, possibly due to the perceived immediate benefits from bunches. Cutting of green leaves to among other things improve sunlight penetration for legume intercrops which was practiced by 74 to 85% of the farmers. This practice has greatly contributed to the perpetuation of banana Xanthomonas wilt disease (XW) in the region. Male bud removal was applied in 55 to 66% of farms to control XW and improve bunch size. However, 38 to 51% of these farmers de-budded after the recommended time. Other common cultural practices included de-suckering, pseudostem use for mulch and weeding. Strategies for safe application of some of the practices such as weeding, leaf cutting, de-trashing and in light of diseases such as XW are recommended. In addition, some practices such as mulching and male bud removal are knowledge intensive, while others such de-suckering have no immediate perceived benefits to farmers, thus the need to strengthen knowledge extension to enhance their adoption.   Key words: Cropping, cultivars, cultural practices, de-budding, de-leafing, de-suckering. &nbsp

ASSESSMENT OF INDIGENOUS FOREST AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION PRACTICES IN AKOKO-EDO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, EDO STATE, NIGERIA

The study is conducted to assess the indigenous forest and wildlife conservation practices in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of Edo State, Nigeria. The objectives of the study are to identify the location of the sacred grove and cultural practices like customary laws and taboos used to enhance conservation in the area. Data were collected by the use of structured questionnaires distributed to 202 respondents in the local government area. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics such as percentage, and simple chi-square test was used to separate significant means. The results showed that 36.6, 33.2, 15.8 and 14.4% of the respondents agreed that groves were located in cemeteries, market squares, centres of towns and out-skirts of towns respectively. 99.5% agreed that cultural practices were used to protect endangered species, 98% agreed they were used to conserve medicinal plants, 83.2% agreed that religion, migration and industrialization have negatively affected the use of cultural practices for conservation. Also, 92.6% agreed that customary laws were used to conserve flora and fauna in the area, whereas, 97% agreed that applying appropriate sanctions on defaulters will help conservation. It was therefore recommended that new ways of conservation be explored in the area now that cultural practices are being abandoned because of massive development and industrialization.

Strategy for Insect Pest Control in Cocoa

Farming systems in cocoa over the last three decades have involved the use of new hybrid plant varieties, which produce pods throughout the year, intensified fertilizer use, and misguided pesticide applications by some farmers. Resource availability in terms of abundance of feeding and breeding sites and ecological disruption as a consequence of climate change and bad agronomic practices have increased the importance of insect pests on cocoa. Historically the major management tool for hemipteran pests has been calendar spraying with conventional insecticides. Considerable progress was made at the turn of the last century by replacing organochlorine insecticides for cocoa mirid control. But inappropriate timing and inefficient application is probably reducing the viability of otherwise acceptable products in some areas. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategy for mirids and other insect control should involve great investment in pest surveillance, and be based primarily on the use of cultural practices of removal of excess chupons, shade management and Opinion Article Adu-Acheampong et al.; AJEA, 6(6): 416-423, 2015; Article no.AJEA.2015.099 417 host variety resistance. These practices must primarily aim at minimising mirid-associated dieback disease and stink bug deformation of pods, and should be supplemented in some cases by the use of insecticides (up to two applications in February to May at 28-days intervals) depending on the pest populations, damage levels as well as intensity of activity of pollinating insects, with additional two applications during September to December when pest problems may arise. Improved methods of monitoring and prediction should assist in early identification of specific problems in different farms. The rotational use of different active ingredients should also take into account factors such as application methods, compatibility and correct timing. Careful planning is necessary to formulate a flexible control system.

Uso da desfolha para indução da brotação de atemoleiras 'Gefner'

A utilização de práticas culturais que permitam programar a época de produção é fundamental para a exploração da cultura da atemoleira em clima tropical. Em determinados tipos de clima, associada a outras técnicas culturais, a desfolha permite induzir a brotação das gemas de atemoleira, podendo controlar a época de produção da cultura. Objetivou-se com este trabalho avaliar diferentes tratamentos de desfolha para a indução da brotação de atemoleiras sob condições tropicais. O experimento foi realizado em cultivo comercial localizado no município de Limoeiro do Norte-CE, utilizando atemoleiras 'Gefner' com cinco anos de idade, enxertadas sob o porta-enxerto de pinha. Cerca de dez dias após a colheita, realizou-se a poda de produção e, em seguida, aplicaram-se os tratamentos: 1) testemunha (sem aplicação da desfolha); 2) desfolha manual; 3) ureia 150 g L-1; 4) ureia 150 g L-1 + óleo mineral 24 mL L-1; 5) ureia 150 g L-1 + sulfato de cobre 10 g L-1; 6) sulfato de cobre 10 g L-1 +óleo mineral 24 mL L-1; 7) ureia 150 g L-1 + óleo mineral 24 mL L-1 + sulfato de cobre 10 g L-1; 8) etefom 2,4 mL L-1. Todos os tratamentos químicos testados induziram a desfolha e a brotação, sobretudo as aplicações foliares de etefom 2,4 mL L-1 e combinação de sulfato de cobre 10 g L-1 + óleo mineral 24 mL L-1.

CRITICAL ASPECTS IN DISEASE MANAGEMENT AS A CONSEQUENCE OF THE EVOLUTION OF SOIL-BORNE PATHOGENS

The most critical aspects of diseases of vegetable and ornamental crops as a consequence of the spread of new diseases are considered. Breeding, use of cultural practices and soil amendments, biological control agents and diagnostic tools are discussed as possible options for reducing the importance of soil-borne pathogens.

Rebuilding community resilience in a post-war context: developing insight and recommendations - a qualitative study in Northern Sri Lanka.

BackgroundIndividuals, families and communities in Northern Sri Lanka have undergone three decades of war trauma, multiple displacements, and loss of family, kin, friends, homes, employment and other valued resources. The objective of the study was understanding common psychosocial problems faced by families and communities, and the associated risk and protective factors, so that practical and effective community based interventions can be recommended to rebuild strengths, adaptation, coping strategies and resilience.MethodsThis qualitative, ecological study is a psychosocial ethnography in post-war Northern Sri Lanka obtained through participant observation; case studies; key- informant interviews; and focus groups discussions with mental health and psychosocial community workers as well as literature survey of media and organizational reports. Qualitative analysis of the data used ethnography, case studies, phenomenology, grounded theory, hermeneutics and symbolic interactionism techniques. Quantitative data on suicide was collected for Jaffna and Killinochchi districts.ResultsComplex mental health and psychosocial problems at the individual, family and community levels in a post-war context were found to impair recovery. These included unresolved grief; individual and collective trauma; insecurity, self-harm and suicides; poverty and unemployment; teenage and unwanted pregnancies; alcoholism; child abuse and neglect; gender based violence and vulnerability including domestic violence, widows and female headed-household, family conflict and separation; physical injuries and handicap; problems specific for children and elderly; abuse and/or neglect of elderly and disabled; anti-social and socially irresponsible behaviour; distrust, hopelessness, and powerlessness. Protective factors included families; female leadership and engagement; cultural and traditional beliefs, practices and rituals; and creative potential in narratives, drama and other arts. Risk factors that were impeding community rehabilitation and recovery included continuing military governance, depletion of social capital particularly lack of trust, hope and socio-economic opportunity structures for development that would engender a sense of collective efficacy.ConclusionsIn view of the widespread trauma at the individual, family and collective levels, community based programmes to increase local awareness, knowledge and skills to deal with common mental health and psychosocial issues; and training of community level workers and others in basic mental health and psychosocial problem solving are recommended to rebuild family and community agency and resilience. The use of cultural practices and school based programmes would rekindle community processes.

Effects of Soil Depths on Nymphal Eclosion of Melanoplus sanguinipes (Fabricius)

This work reports on the use of cultural practices that influence grasshoppers' nymphal emergence. Grasshop- per eggs were buried at depths of 2, 14, 18, 22, and 26 cm in laboratory arenas. Nymph eclosion ranged from 77.5 to 87.8%. However, nymph emergence, measured as the number of nymphs that reached the soil surface, was estimated at 70.9% when eggs were buried at 2cm, but was reduced to 2.5 % at 18cm depth. No nymphs emerged at depths of 22 cm or more. The relative high percentage of nymphal eclosion and the low or no nymph emergence suggests that the depths tested on this trial do not affect egg development and nymphal eclosion, but affect the ability of the insect to emerge to the soil surface, thus increasing first instar mortality. The addition of sand to the soil reduced nymphal emergence. A signifi- cantly lower percentage of hoppers emerged from sand as compared to soil, vermiculite, or soil mixed with 25, 50 and 75% sand. This suggests that cultural practices, such as plowing can be used as a management tool to control grasshop- pers. Further research should investigate if nymphs died of suffocation at the eclosion site or in the process of emerging to the soil surface.

Potato and Tomato Late Blight Caused by Phytophthora infestans: An Overview of Pathology and Resistance Breeding.

Late blight (LB) caused by the oomycete Phytophthora infestans, is a major disease of potato and tomato worldwide and can cause up to 100% yield losses. The devastating economic impact of this disease intensified the related pathology and genetics research since the occurrence of Irish famine in 1840s, with a side gain of major scientific discoveries. For example, many of the crucial steps involved in LB defense response in host plants have been elucidated through the use of modern cytological and molecular biology techniques. Also, genetic and biochemical studies have revealed differences between oomycetes and pathogenic fungi, which has led to more selective use of chemicals for LB control. Furthermore, the discovery of P. infestans two mating types and the resultant generation of more aggressive lineages by sexual recombination stresses the need for an integrated and sustainable approach to LB control. These measures would include the use of cultural practices, selective fungicide applications, and genetic resistance. In potato at least a dozen major resistance genes and several quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for LB resistance have been identified, and most modern cultivars have been bred with one or more resistance genes. In tomato, though most commercial cultivars are susceptible to LB, a few major resistance genes and several QTLs have been identified and several breeding programs around the world are developing breeding lines and commercial cultivars with LB resistance. Most recently, a few fresh-market tomato hybrid cultivars with LB resistance were released by the North Carolina State University Tomato Breeding Program in the United States. There is, however, an insufficient number of potato and tomato cultivars with LB resistance, resulting in continued expensive as well as the hazardous and increasingly ineffective use of chemicals for disease control. In an era when both host plants and P. infestans genomes are sequenced and considerable genomic information is available, it is not unexpected that a more sustainable solution to controlling LB is on the horizon. In this review, we summarize the recent achievements in better understanding of the P. infestans pathogenesis, host-pathogen interactions, and the progress made in developing genetic resistance in potato and tomato.