The aim of the present study was to investigate the ability of frozen-thawed mouse and sheep embryos to develop in vitro after introducing hyaluronic acid (HA) into the freezing medium as a substitute for biological proteins. A total of 443 mouse embryos and 120 sheep embryos were divided into equal numbers to be frozen in one of two freezing media containing either 4 mg/ml BSA (control) or 1 mg/ml HA (treated). Overall, 80% of the mouse embryos developed after thawing, with no significant difference (P > 0.05) between the two freezing media. Similarly, 75% of the frozen-thawed sheep embryos developed in culture after thawing, with no differences (P > 0.05) between the two groups. It was concluded that although the handling of embryos is more difficult with the HA compound than with BSA, the HA compound may be safely substituted for BSA for international movement of embryos, if these preliminary results are confirmed in vivo.

At harvest, lychee fruit of three maturity levels : M3 (31-60 percent surface red), M4 (61-90 percent surface red) and M5 (91-100 percent surface red), were either treated with hot benomyl (500 ppm at 52 deg C for 2 min) and air dried, or left untreated prior to PVC wrapping in punnets, and storage at 5 deg C. The fruits were assessed weekly between 2 and 5 weeks after harvest. Browning of the pericarp and disease development were absent from fruit of M4 and M5 maturity levels 2 weeks after harvest, while 50 percent skin browning had developed on the M3 fruits. Browning had appeared on all fruits by 3 weeks after harvest. Similar levels and spectra of fungi were recorded from fruits of the three maturity levels, and were more prevalent in fruits that were not dipped in hot benomyl. Cladosporium sp. and Fusarium sp. were the most commonly detected fungi. Treatment in hot benomyl appeared to give greater control of side lesions than stem end lesions.

To determine the optimal daytime dietary regimen for type 1 glycogen storage disease (GSD), we used uncooked cornstarch (UCS) at a basal glucose production rate (GPR) in single and divided doses, with mixed meals at 0700 and 1700 h. This regimen was compared with a 1.5 times larger single dose of UCS at 0700 h, and with dextrose at GPR at 1200 h. Two-hour UCS loads (amount equal to GPR in 2 h) given with a mixed meal at 0700 h and 180 min later maintained mean blood glucose (BG) concentrations at greater than or equal to 4.2 mmol/L for 300 min. BG was significantly greater from 240 to 300 min compared with a single 4-h UCS load, and at 300 min compared with a single 6-h UCS load. Similar effects were noted when the divided UCS regimen was given with a mixed meal at 1700 h, but not when isoenergetic amounts of dextrose were given on the same schedules with a mixed meal at 1200 h. A daytime schedule of six UCS feedings (with the three main meals and 180 min later) at GPR maintains BG at concentrations that should minimize biochemical abnormalities and optimize clinical outcome in patients with GSD.

The culture of potato bud sprouts reduced greatly the ratio of disease which produced the degradation of variety and potato rot disease, which decreased the potato rot in field and increased the storage ability. The potato sprouting should be done under the lightless condition and be the size of bud sprout as to 0.5-1cm in degradated potato tube and over 1cm in healthy potato tube or tissue cultured one

The culture of potato bud sprouts reduced greatly the ratio of disease which produced the degradation of variety and potato rot disease, which decreased the potato rot in field and increased the storage ability. The potato sprouting should be done under the lightless condition and be the size of bud sprout as to 0.5-1cm in degradated potato tube and over 1cm in healthy potato tube or tissue cultured one.

The effects of preharvest applications of pyrrolnitrin (a biologically derived fungicide) on postharvest longevity of 'Bristol' black raspberry (Rubus occidentalis L.) and 'Heritage' red raspberry [R. idaeus L. var. strigosus (Michx.) Maxim] were evaluated at two storage temperatures. Preharvest fungicide treatments were 200 mg pyrrolnitrin/liter, a standard fungicide treatment (captan + benomyl or iprodione) or a distilled water control applied 1 day before first harvest. Black raspberries were stored at 18 or 0 +/- 1C in air or 20% CO2. Red raspberries were stored at the same temperatures in air only. Pyrrolnitrin-treated berries often had less gray mold (Botrytis cinerea Pers. ex Fr.) in storage than the control but more than berries treated with the standard fungicides. Storage in a modified atmosphere of 20% CO2 greatly improved postharvest quality of black raspberries at both storage temperatures by reducing gray mold development. The combination of standard fungicide or pyrrolnitrin, high CO2, and low temperature resulted in more than 2 weeks of storage with less than 5% disease on black raspberries; however, discoloration limited marketability after approximately 8 days under these conditions.

The effects of preharvest applications of pyrrolnitrin (a biologically derived fungicide) on postharvest longevity of 'Bristol' black raspberry (Rubus occidentalis L.) and 'Heritage' red raspberry [R. idaeus L. var. strigosus (Michx.) Maxim] were evaluated at two storage temperatures. Preharvest fungicide treatments were 200 mg pyrrolnitrin/liter, a standard fungicide treatment (captan + benomyl or iprodione) or a distilled water control applied 1 day before first harvest. Black raspberries were stored at 18 or 0 +/- 1C in air or 20% CO2. Red raspberries were stored at the same temperatures in air only. Pyrrolnitrin-treated berries often had less gray mold (Botrytis cinerea Pers. ex Fr.) in storage than the control but more than berries treated with the standard fungicides. Storage in a modified atmosphere of 20% CO2 greatly improved postharvest quality of black raspberries at both storage temperatures by reducing gray mold development. The combination of standard fungicide or pyrrolnitrin, high CO2, and low temperature resulted in more than 2 weeks of storage with less than 5% disease on black raspberries; however, discoloration limited marketability after approximately 8 days under these conditions.

Bacterial soft rots occur most commonly on vegetables that have fleshy storage tissues. They are found all over the world and cause serious diseases of crops in the field, in transit, and especially in storage, resulting in greater total loss of produce than any other bacterial disease. Microbial antagonism was studied as possible tool to control soft rot of potato tubers (Solanum tuberosum L.), disease caused mainly by E. carotovora group of bacteria. To evaluate the antagonistic capacity of the bacterial isolates used, two completely randomized field blocks were established with 4 treatments and 3 repetitions. The field test were conducted in the localities of Fresia and Remehue (Xth Region, Southern Chile), using cv. Kennebec. A rich organic soil (peat) and a bacterial suspension were used as cell carries to transport the antagonistic isolates. Induction of soft rot on potato tubers was conducted after harvest. Two methodologies and different testing dates were established. First, potato tubers were immersed in water inside plastic bugs, then, each tuber was individually wrapped with moist paper towel and covered with alusa plat. Potato tubers weight differences determined before (initial weight) the rot induction and the remaining tuber tissue (final weight) were established as percentage for each one of the treatments. The use in field test of antagonistic isolates of E. carotovora did not significantly affect potato tubers yield. On the other hand, soft rot incidence on potato tubers was greater in Remehue than in the locality of Fresia. The effect of the isolates used as biocontrol agents on soft rot bacteria carried by daughter tubers was not significantly reduced and it could be due to a non diminution of the disease in the harvested tubers. An increasing amount of storage time of the potato tubers resulted in a larger amount of soft rot. Also, the evolution of rot by immersing potato tubers in water, yielded a greater amount of tissue, less than in the process of wrapping tubers with moist towel and "alusa plat".

Four technologies are examined: use of maleic hydrazide curing by mechanical means, high temperature storage and use of fantainers. Maleic hydrazide was first experimented on in 1956 in the Philippines, introduced commercially in 1990, and now there are about 40 ha of onions sprayed with maleic hydrazide. Full benefit of the technology could not be realized due to poor quality bulbs stored. Survey of quality stored by farmers showed that where disease was prevalent in the field, quality deterioration was fast, even where bulbs are selected before storage. Curing by forced heated air in curing sheds was shown to be only as good as air drying, and most beneficial when harvesting during the start of the rainy season. High temperature storage using ambient air is effective but there is a need to bring down the relative humidity during the rainy season and control diseases during production. The use of fantainers, which are general purpose shipping containers with ventilation, is worth looking into for long-distance shipment of onions, following the examples of Australia and New Zealand