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Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is the second most important cereal crop of the world as well as of Pakistan. Rice blast caused by a Magnaporthe oryzae (syn: Pyricularia oryzae Cav.) is an infectious fungal disease which is distributed worldwide and prevailing in more than 85 countries of the world. Therefore, present studies were carried out to isolated different fungi associated with seeds and leaves of commercially grown rice varieties and to test the pathogenicity of predominantly isolated species. Seven fungi namely Magnaporthe oryzae, Curvularia lunata, Helminthosporium oryzae, Fusarium moniliforme, Alternaria alternata, Nigrospora oryzae and Aspergillus niger were isolated from seeds and affected leaves of five rice varieties viz., IRRI-6, IRRI-8, DR-82, KS-282 and Shua. N. oryzae was isolated only from IRRI-6 and IRRI-8 rice varieties. Among these fungi, M. oryzae was predominantly isolated both from seeds and leaves of the rice varieties studied. Rice variety IRRI-6 followed by KS-282 appeared as most susceptible rice cultivars to rice blast fungus. M. oryzae was detected with highest frequency from leaves and seeds of IRRI-6. All other fungi were isolated either occasionally or with low frequency. Pathogenicity test of M. oryzae conducted on apparently most susceptible variety IRRI-6 has confirmed the pathogenic nature of the fungus. Plant growth was significantly decreased in inoculated plants as compared to un-inoculated plants. Moreover, typical rice blast disease symptoms were also produced in inoculated plants.

Fusarium nivale (Fr.) Ces. a recently reported fungus of mango malformation disease (MMD)is a predominant and virulent fungus in mango orchards of Sindh, Pakistan. In the current study in vitro and in vivo attempts were made with commercial fungicides to reduce the severity of F. nivale. Mycelial growth of F. nivale was significantly inhibited at low and high doses of Thiophanate methyl and Fosetyl- Aluminium. Metalaxyl+Mancozeb and Mancozeb also reduced growth of fungus at their high doses (6.830 and 11.900mm), respectively, as compared to Copper oxychloride (18.083 mm) and control (40.750 mm). Thiophanate methyl and Fosetyl- Aluminium significantly reduced infection in Desi, Almas and Dusheri to 16.60 and 19.00%; 17.60 and 19.80%; and 20.60 and 22.00% after first spray, with decreased percent of malformation 72.33 and 68.33%; 71.11 and 67.54%; and 67.81 and 65.62% and over untreated control. The second spray of Thiophanate methyl and Fosetyl- Aluminium fungicides completely inhibited infection of F. nivale, and 100.0% reduction in malformation disease in Desi, Almas, and Dusheri as compared to Metalaxyl+Mancozeb (78.73, 73.84, 72.64%) and Mancozeb (73.65, 73.69, 69.41%), Copper oxychloride and in control. The application of Thiophanate methyl and Fosetyl- Aluminium would be useful in integrated management of MMD.

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Background: Schizophrenia may have a better outcome in low- and middle-income countries. In Bangladesh short-term outcome of drug treatment of schizophrenia is also better. It is required to see the predictors of outcome of drug treatment of schizophrenia in Bangladesh. Objectives: General objective of this study is to assess the outcome of 6-month follow-up of patients with schizophrenia. Specific objective of this study is to find out the predictors of 6-month follow-up outcome of drug treatment in schizophrenia. Methods: Patients with a SCID-1/P diagnosis of schizophrenia (n=42) were assessed prospectively at baseline, at 6-week and at 6-month follow-up. Socio-demographic and relevant variables and questionnaire for family support and previous work record for the study were read in front of the patients and guardians and were filled up by the researcher. Psychopathological measurements were applied at base line by researcher and at 6-week and at 6-month by research assistant for the study population. Results: Follow-up data were available for 38 patients at 6-month and among them 86.85% achieved partial remission, 7.89% had not responded and 5.26% had relapsed. In multivariate analysis by General Linear Model Analysis of socio-demographic and relevant variables with the mean BPRS score as outcome in this study we found that age, education, marital status and history of previous work record were significantly associated with the 6-month treatment outcome. Conclusions: Drug treatment outcome of schizophrenia in Bangladesh is better in short-term follow-up. Increase family support and early management by drugs should be a target for intervention. Central Medical College Journal Vol 6 No 2 Jauly 2022 Page: 90-96