Epidemiological Studies of Brown Rot in Spanish Cherry Orchards in the Jerte Valley

Cherry brown rot caused by Monilinialaxa was observed and estimated in organic cherry orchard located in the Jerte Valley between 2013 and 2018 (Cáceres, Spain). Climatic variables were collected from this orchard and also from a nearby weather station. The primary inoculum of the pathogen recorded in March was detected in overwintered mummified fruits, ground mummies, and necrotic twigs and was a function of the average temperature of the previous three months (December, January, and February). The first symptoms of brown rot could be observed on flowers until fruit set in April. The months of March and April were identified as the critical period for cherry brown-rot development. A significant positive correlation was identified between brown rot observed at harvest and the mean number of consecutive days in each fortnight of March and April when the percent relative humidity was above 80%. Brown-rot incidence observed over the 6 years ranged from 0 to 38%. More than 11 days with relative humidity >80% in each fortnight of critical period would mean 100% of cherry brown rot at harvest. A forecasting model could be used to predict brown rot infection in Jerte Valley cherries.

Severity of potato late blight under different weather conditions in Mymensingh region of Bangladesh

An experiment has been conducted to observed the disease severity of late blight of potato in the different weather parameters viz., air temperature, soil temperature, dew points, percent relative humidity and period of sunshine. The experiment was conducted in the Net-house, Department of Plant Pathology, Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU), Mymensingh during July 2016 to November 2017. Weather data were collected on daily basis from BAU weather station during the experimental period. A significant role of weather parameters was detected in disease development and disease progress. Temperature was strongly linked with the late blight infection in potato. From 15 December, 2016 to 12 January, 2017 air temperature was ranged from 21.00-23.50°C and soil temperature was ranged from 19.00-22.00°C, and this range late blight incidence was not detected in the potato plant. From 13-14 January air and soil temperature suddenly decreased 2°C and from next day again increased the temperature as well as starting late blight disease symptoms. It was observed that dew point and percent relative humidity have a big role on late blight disease severity of potato. In 13-14 January, 2017 dew point decreased from 14°C to 8°C and Percent RH decreased from 80% to 51%. From 14 January, 2017, disease symptoms were observed in potato leaves and rapidly increased. Thus, late blight of potato disease may respond to the variation of temperature, dew point and relative humidity. Progressive Agriculture 31 (2): 74-80, 2020

Holes in wrist patches improve wearing comfort

Purpose The purpose of this paper was to investigate whether small holes in an impermeable patch at the wrist improve perceived comfort during exercise. Design/methodology/approach Nine male participants participated in this study. During the experiment, participants cycled 60 W in a hot room (35°C, 30 percent relative humidity) while an impermeable 20 cm2 patch was located on the ventral side of one wrist and at the same time a patch of identical shape with 5 mm diameter holes (17.7 percent uncovered) on the other wrist. The participants could not see the patches. Participants were forced to choose which patch they perceived as more comfortable. Chest and arm skin temperature, thermal comfort, thermal sensation and wetness perception were assessed. Findings Participants preferred 5 mm holes over no holes (p=0.017). Chest skin temperature (p=0.018) but not arm skin temperature correlates with this preference. Thermal comfort, thermal sensation and wetness perception did not differ significantly between patches. It is concluded that patches with 5 mm holes are preferred over impermeable patches during work in the heat in particular when the torso skin is warm. Originality/value The wrist is a preferred location for smart wearables. Generally, wrist bands are made of air-impermeable materials leading to sensation of wetness and discomfort. This study has shown that manufacturers should consider to make small holes in their wrist bands to optimize wearing comfort.

The Effect of Priming Treatments on Germination and Seedling Performance of Purslane (Portulaca oleracea) Seed Lots

This study was conducted to test the effect of a priming combination on the seed germination percentage and seedling emergence performance of purslane under climate chamber and field conditions. Four purslane seed lots were treated according five different methods, which were T1: Seeds kept at a hundred percent relative humidity for four hours at 20 °C; T2: Seeds kept at a hundred percent relative humidity for four hours at 20 °C, and then soaked in distilled water for 8 hours at 5 °C; T3: Seeds kept at a hundred percent relative humidity for four hours at 20 °C, and then soaked in distilled water for 8 hours at 20 °C; T4: Seeds soaked in distilled water for 8 hours at 5 °C; T5: Seeds soaked in distilled water for 8 hours at 20 °C; and C: Control (untreated). Seed germination was calculated for 14 days at 20 °C, seedling emergence percentages were calculated in the climatically-controlled chamber for 21 days at 22 °C, and in the field for 35 days at 15-25 °C. The highest seed germination (94%) and seedling emergence in the climatically-controlled chamber (87%) and field (82%) were obtained from seeds that had been kept at a hundred percent relative humidity for four hours at 20 °C, then soaked in distilled water for eight hours at 5 °C. Results indicated that farm-priming, can be an efficient priming method in purslane seeds.