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Cassava is an important subsidiary food in the tropics. In Tamil Nadu, India, microbial cultures were used to eradicate the tuberous root rot of cassava. Hence, an experiment was conducted for two consecutive years to test the effects of coinoculation of microbes on soil properties. The surface soil from the experimental site was analysed for soil available nutrients, soil enzyme activities and microbial biomass carbon. The treatment ofAzospirillumwithTrichodermaat the 50% recommended N:P2O5:K2O (NPK) rate (50:25:50 kg ha−1) significantly increased soil available nitrogen (142.81 kg ha−1) by 72.66% over uninoculated control. There was a significant increase in available phosphorus in soil by the inoculation of AM (arbuscular mycorrhizal) fungi withTrichodermaat the 50% recommended NPK rate (41.04 kg ha−1) compared to other treatments. The application ofPseudomonas fluorescenswithTrichodermaat the 50% recommended NPK rate significantly increased available iron (19.34 µg g−1) in soil. The treatment ofAzospirillumwithTrichodermaincreased urease enzyme activity at the recommended NPK rate (816.32 μg urea hydrolyzed g−1soil h−1). Soil application of all cultures at the 50% recommended NPK rate significantly increased dehydrogenase activity (88.63 μg TPF g−1soil) and β-glucosidase activity (48.82 μg PNP g−1soil) in soil. Inoculation ofTrichodermaalone at the 50% recommended NPK rate significantly increased microbial biomass carbon (3748.85 μg g−1soil). Thus, the microbial inoculations significantly increased soil available nutrient contents, enzyme activities such as urease, dehydrogenase and β-glucosidase activity and microbial biomass carbon by reducing the amount of the required fertilizer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Incidence of root rot and foliar yellowing, rhizome rot, panicle wilt and stem rot diseases of small cardamom (Elettaria cardamomumMaton) are caused byFusarium oxysporumSchlecht., and were surveyed in the high ranges of Idukki district, Kerala during 2010–2011. The diseases were noticed in different areas to varying degrees. Root rot was found to be most severe, followed by pseudostem rot, rhizome rot and panicle wilt. TheFusariuminfections were prevalent throughout the year (January–December) and varied from 1.5 to 10.6%. Even though the pathogen was isolated from different plant parts, during pathogenicity studies, all the isolates could cross-infect other plant parts too. Twenty different isolates ofF. oxysporumwere obtained from diseased samples, and five morphologically distinct isolates were analysed with Randomly Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers to study the genetic variability, if any, among them. PCR amplification of total genomic DNA with random oligonucleotide primers generated unique banding patterns, depending upon primers and isolates. Nine oligunucleotide primers were selected for the RAPD assays, which resulted in 221 bands for the five isolates ofF. oxysporum. The number of bands obtained was entered into an NTSYS, and the results showed moderate genetic variability amongF. oxysporumisolates causing root rot, rhizome rot, panicle wilt and pseudostem rot, collected from different locations. The dendrogram of different isolates into groups resulted in one major cluster at 0.61 similarity index comprising of four isolates (CRT 3, CRR 3, CPW 2 and CSR 1) and one isolate (CRT 5) formed in a separate cluster. Among the five isolates ofF. oxysporum, CRT 5 was entirely different from the other four isolates. The isolates also differ according to the geographical area, as revealed from the genetic variability observed in different root rot isolates (CRT 3 and CRT 5). It is inferred that despite moderate variability,F. oxysporum, infecting small cardamom in Idukki district of Kerala, consists of a single clonal lineage. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Incidence of root, stem and beans rot of vanilla (Vanilla planifolia Andrews) caused by Fusarium oxysporum Schlecht was surveyed in vanilla growing areas of south India during December 2008. The incidence of the disease varied from 1 to 100% in different locations. A total of 60 isolates of F. oxysporum were obtained from diseased samples, and nine morphologically different isolates were taken for molecular characterization using Randomly Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers to study the genetic variability if any, among them. PCR amplification of total genomic DNA with random oligonucleotide primers generated unique banding patterns depending upon primers and isolates. Nine oligonucleotide primers were selected for the RAPD assays, which resulted in 384 bands for nine isolates of F. oxysporum. The number of bands obtained was entered into a NTSYS and the results showed that the variability among the pathogen isolates was moderate. The nine isolates studied were grouped into single major cluster at 0.66 similarity index. Hence, it is inferred that F. oxysporum infecting vanilla in south India consists of a single clonal lineage with a moderate level of genetic diversification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Examines the prevalence of cutaneous tuberculosis among children in developing countries. Examination on the response of children to antitubercular therapy; Comparison between the skin tuberculosis in adults and children; Presence of tuberculosis infection in lungs and bones among eight children.

Skin biopsies were taken from an infant girl with Hypomelanosis of ho (Incontintentia Pigmenti Achromians) for histopathological, histochemical and electron microscopic studies. Histological observations were similar to those reported previously. Electron microscopy revealed two groups of melanocytes, an effete group and another group with a highly dendritic appearance. The significance of these findings is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Examines the mode on the treatment of rhinophyma-like complication for post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis in India. Presence of transient erythema on the nose and cheeks; Prominence of facial erythematous indurations; Effectivity of sodium antimony gluconate.

Describes keratotic plaques in an elderly man. Diagnosis of benign lichenoid keratosis; Factors contributing to the development of the disease; Contents of papillary dermis.