Isothiocyanates (ITCs) are produced by the enzymatic hydrolysis of glucosinolates in cruciferous plants and can kill fungi, oomycetes and bacteria. The effect of 2-phenylethyl ITC (2-PE ITC), the main ITC liberated from the roots of canola, was tested in vitro on a range of fungi, oomycetes and bacteria. Bacteria were generally more tolerant than the eukaryotic pathogens to 2-PE ITC, although both groups showed considerable variability in response (ED 90 ranging from 0·005 to 1·5 m m for eukaryotes, and from 0·33 to greater than 3·34 m m for complete inhibition of bacterial growth). While intraspecies variability was low, interspecies variability was high within some genera. Amongst the eukaryotes, Trichoderma spp. were the most tolerant to 2-PE ITC, while other genera, including Aphanomyces , Gaeumannomyces , Phytophthora and Thielaviopsis , were very sensitive. A range of responses was exhibited by Pythium spp. and the different anastomosis groups of Rhizoctonia solani . A simple laboratory screening may be an effective way to identify candidate soilborne pathogens for control in rotation cropping systems which include a Brassica crop phase.

Biofumigation refers to the allelopathic effects of brassicas on non-desirable soil organisms in a rotation cropping system. These effects are additional to non-hosting of root diseases, responsible for much of the break-crop effect observed in a following cereal crop. We investigated the biofumigation impacts of canola on take-all disease and rhizosphere microorganisms of following wheat crops. The biofumigation potential of the canola was tested by comparing effects of Brassica and non-Brassica break-crops and by using canola varieties with differing levels of root glucosinolates, the precursors of isothiocyanates, which are thought to be the primary biofumigant molecules released by brassicas. There was no evidence that biofumigation was related to superior growth of wheat following brassicas compared with non-Brassica break-crops, nor among the wheat crops following canola varieties with differing root glucosinolate levels. However, the break-crop effect was evident in agronomic, take-all, and some rhizosphere microbial measurements of the wheat–wheat rotations compared with fallow–wheat or break-crop–wheat rotations. Thus the break-crop effect was the primary advantage conferred by the brassicas. Any additional biofumigation effect on yield or disease was not significant in our study and does not appear to be influenced by root glucosinolate content. For broad-acre cropping with current canola or mustard varieties, and adequate grass weed control, the agronomic characteristics of canola varieties chosen should take precedence over their biofumigation potential.

ObjectivesCoach-centred antidoping education is scarce. We tested the efficacy of a motivationally informed antidoping intervention for coaches, with their athletes’ willingness to dope as the primary outcome.MethodsWe delivered a cluster randomised controlled trial in Australia, the UK and Greece. This study was a parallel group, two-condition, superiority trial. Participants were 130 coaches and 919 athletes. Coaches in the intervention group attended two workshops and received supplementary information to support them in adopting a motivationally supportive communication style when discussing doping-related issues with their athletes. Coaches in the control condition attended a standard antidoping workshop that provided up-to-date information on antidoping issues yet excluded any motivation-related content. Assessments of willingness to dope (primary outcome) and other secondary outcomes were taken at baseline, postintervention (3 months) and at a 2-month follow up.ResultsCompared with athletes in the control group, athletes in the intervention group reported greater reductions in willingness to take prohibited substances (effect size g=0.17) and psychological need frustration (g=0.23) at postintervention, and greater increases in antidoping knowledge (g=0.27) at follow-up. Coaches in the intervention group reported at postintervention greater increases in efficacy to create an antidoping culture (g=0.40) and in perceived effectiveness of need supporting behaviours (g=0.45) to deal with doping-related situations. They also reported greater decreases in doping attitudes (g=0.24) and perceived effectiveness of need thwarting behaviours (g=0.35).ConclusionsAntidoping education programmes should consider incorporating principles of motivation, as these could be beneficial to coaches and their athletes. We offer suggestions to strengthen these programmes, as most of the effects we observed were not sustained at follow-up.Trial registration numberThis trial has been registered with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (https://www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=371465&isReview=true).

Background Physical inactivity is a global health concern. mHealth interventions have become increasingly popular, but to date, principles of effective communication from Self-Determination Theory have not been integrated with behavior change techniques to optimize app effectiveness. We outline the development of the START app, an app combining SDT principles and 17 purposefully chosen BCTs to support inactive office employees to increase their walking during a 16-week randomized controlled trial. We also explored acceptability, engagement with, associations between app usage and behavioral engagement, and perceived impact of the app in supporting behavior change. Methods Following development, fifty insufficiently physically active employees (M age = 44.21 ± 10.95 years; BMI = 29.02 ± 5.65) were provided access and instructions on use of the app. A mixed methods design was used to examine feasibility of the app, including the User Mobile App Rating Scale, app engagement data, step counts, and individual interviews. Linear mixed modeling and inductive thematic analysis were used to analyze quantitative and qualitative data, respectively. Results Walkers rated the app quality favorably (M = 3.68 out of 5). Frequency of entering step counts (i.e., frequency of self-monitoring) on a weekly basis positively predicted weekly step counts measured via Fitbits at both the between-and within-individual levels. App features (entering daily step counts, reminders, and motivational messages) were perceived to assist walkers in fostering goal achievement by building competence and via self-monitoring. Conclusions The START app may be a useful component of walking interventions designed to increase walking in the workplace. Apps designed to promote walking behavior may be effective if they target users’ competence and integrate BCTs. Trial Registration: This study was part of a pilot larger randomized controlled trial, in which a component of the intervention involved the use of the mobile app. The trial was retrospectively registered with the Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN12618000807257) on 11 May 2018 https://www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=375049&isReview=true.