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Notes: We report a case of Staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome in a 77-year-old man with an infected surgical wound. The patient was immunocompetent and had only mildly impaired renal function. The pathogenic and aetiological factors of the condition are discussed.

Notes: In 1974–76 a study of fairy rings in West Sussex caused by Marasmius oreades (Bolt ex Fries) Fries indicated that they can be a severe problem in pastures under intensive management. The yield of high quality grassland was decreased directly by the bare rings produced by the fungus and by alteration of the botanical composition of the sward by permitting the introgression of weed species.

Notes: The above article was published without a number of the author's corrections included. The publisher offers their unreserved apology for this and the sections affected are reprinted below in their entirety.Samples from 360 to 450 randomly selected winter wheat crops in England and Wales were collected annually during the milky ripe development stages (GS 73–75) from 1989 to 1998. The number of samples from each region was proportional to the area of winter wheat grown. The percentage area affected by disease was assessed on the top two leaves and the ear, and the incidence and severity of stem base diseases were also recorded. An estimate of the percentage area of the crop affected by Barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV) and take-all (Gaeumannomyces graminis) was made in the field. Septoria leaf blotch (Septoria tritici, teleomorph Mycosphaerella graminicola) was the major foliar disease recorded, with an average maximum severity of 7·8% of the area of leaf 2 affected in 1998. Eyespot (Tapesia spp.) was the major stem base disease, with the highest incidence of stems falling into the damaging moderate plus severe categories (18·9%) in 1998. Levels of powdery mildew (Blumeria graminis) showed a decline from 0·4% of the area of leaf 2 in 1989 to 0·1% in 1998. This fall was associated with a reduction in the proportion of disease-susceptible cultivars grown. There were significant regional differences in levels of septoria leaf blotch, brown rust (Puccinia recondita), eyespot, sharp eyespot (Rhizoctonia cerealis) and BYDV. The percentage of crops treated with a fungicide rose from 96% in 1989 to 98% in 1998 and the mean number of spray applications per crop rose during this period from 2·1 to 2·5. A higher proportion of crops was treated with fungicides between the end of tillering and fifth node detectable (GS 29–35) than around flag leaf emergence (GS 36–48) or ear emergence (GS 49–71). Prior to 1994, the majority of late fungicide sprays was applied at, or after, ear emergence, but from 1994, the majority was applied around flag leaf emergence. The value and socioeconomic implications of the results are discussed.

Notes: The incidence and severity of three diseases of oilseed rape, caused by beet western yellows luteovirus (BWYV), cauliflower mosaic caulimovirus (CaMV) and turnip mosaic potyvirus (TuMV), were assessed in England and Wales in the springs of 1992 and 1993. In 1992, 62% of oilseed rape crops examined were found to contain BWYV, with an average of 28% plants infected; 14% of crops contained CaMV, with an average of 5% plants infected; and TuMV with 3% crops and 〈 1% plants infected. In 1993, BWYV was found in 42% of crops and 12% of plants infected; CaMV in 25% of crops and 7% of plants infected; and TuMV in 14% of crops and 5% plants infected. The yields of plants showing severe virus symptoms were reduced by an estimated 70 to 79%. The high incidence of CaMV and TuMV in oilseed rape crops could have important consequences for rapeseed production in the UK and also serve as a source of virus for vegetable brassicae.

Notes: Samples from 360 to 450 randomly selected winter wheat crops in England and Wales were collected annually during the milky ripe development stages (GS 73–75) from 1989 to 1998. The number of samples from each region was proportional to the area of winter wheat grown. The percentage area affected by disease was assessed on the top two leaves and the ear, and the incidence and severity of stem base diseases were also recorded. An estimate of the percentage area of the crop affected by barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV) and take-all (Gaeumannomyces graminis) was made in the field. Septoria leaf blotch (Septoria tritici, teleomorph Mycosphaerella graminicola) was the major foliar disease recorded, with an average maximum severity of 7·8% of the area of leaf 2 affected in 1998. Eyespot (Tapesia spp.) was the major stem base disease, with the highest incidence of stems falling into the damaging moderate plus severe categories (18·9%) in 1998. Levels of powdery mildew (Blumeria graminis) showed a decline from 0·4% of the area of leaf 2 in 1989 to 0·1% in 1998. This fall was associated with a reduction in the proportion of disease-susceptible cultivars grown. There were significant regional differences in levels of septoria leaf blotch, brown rust (Puccinia recondita), eyespot, sharp eyespot (Rhizoctonia cerealis) and BYDV. The percentage of crops treated with a fungicide rose from 96% in 1989 to 98% in 1998 and the mean number of spray applications per crop rose during this period from 2·1 to 2·5. A higher proportion of crops was treated with fungicides between the end of tillering and fifth node detectable (GS 24–35) than around flag leaf emergence (GS 36–48) or ear emergence (GS 49–71). Prior to 1994, the majority of late fungicide sprays was applied at, or after, ear emergence, but from 1994, the majority was applied around flag leaf emergence. The value and socioeconomic implications of the results are discussed.