013852   Latha R;Shadanaika;Manonmani H K; Chandrashekar A;Rati E R (Human Resource Development Dep, Central Food Technological Research Institute, Mysore-570 020) : Screening aflatoxigenic fungi in select spice samples by PCR. Asian J Microbiol Biotechnol envir Sci 2006, 8(1), 35-40.

A flatoxins are potent secondary metabolites produced commonly by Aspergillus flavus, A pamsiticus and A. nomiusi Primers were designed specifically for O-methyl transferase (omt) gene that encodes the enzyme involved in the conversion of sterigmatocystin to O-methylsterigmatocystin of aflatoxin biosynthetic pathway. Experimental conditions were standardized for optimum PCR. The omt primer pair gave specific PCR amplification for aflatoxigenic Aspergilli. It did not give amplification for non-aflatoxigenic. A.flavus, and other fungi such as A. oryzae, A. glaucus, Fusarium, Penicillium and for Rhizopus spp. Market samples of spices were screened for-contamination by aflatoxigenic fungi both by traditional methods and by PCR. They gave positive amplification with enrichment technique for aflatoxigenic fungi at spore count of ≥ 10⁴ cfu/g.

3 illus, 2 tables, 25 ref

013851   Lalitha V;Raveesha K A (Department of Studies in Boatny, Agricultural Microbiology Labroatry, University of Mysore, Manasagangotri, Mysore-570 006) : Antagonistic effect of Trichoderma koningii on important seed borne pathogenes of paddy. Asian J Microbiol Biotechnol envir Sci 2006, 8(3), 483-8.

Antagonistic potentiality of Trichoderma koningii was tested against ten important seed borne fungal pathogens of paddy under in vitro. Hyphae of T. koningii, colonized the mycelium of Bipolaris oryzae, Drechslera halodes, Tricoconis padwickii, Drechslera tetramera and Fusarium oxysporum. There was hyphal development and physical coiling between the hyphae of the mycoparasite and test fungi. The production of penetration structure was also evident. In dual culture method, class-2 type of antagonism was observed against all test fungi except Fusarium oxysporum and Fusarium solani. Cell free culture filtrate of T.koningii totally inhibited the pathogens and the results were comparable with that of synthetic pesticides at recommended doses. Significant inhibition in spore germination of test pathogens, were also observed. The mechanism of antagonism was found to be Mycoparasitism and Antibiosis.

8 illus, 2 tables, 24 ref

013850   Kshirsagar S R;Parabia M (Centre for Environmental Management of Degraded Ecosystems, Univ of Delhi, Delhi-110 007, Email: sanjay_kshirsagar@indiatimes.com) : Rarity and occurrence of Drosera indica L. (Droseraceae) in Gujarat state, India. J Bombay Nat Hist Soc 2005, 102(3), 372.

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013849   Khot S S;Joshi A J (Botany Dep, Yashavant Chavan Warana Mahavidyalaya, Warananagar-416 1132, Email: khotsudhakar1976@rediffmail.com) : Accumulation of organic and inorganic solutes in Salicornia brachiata Roxb., an edible succulent halophyte growing at Navalakhi port. Ecol Envir Conserv 2006, 12(4), 699-703.

Succulent tips of Salicornia species are perked up as pickles, snacks and vegetable in developing as well as developed countries. Electrical conductivity of saline soils supporting Salicornia brachiata, Roxb., an edible, annual, succulent halophyte growing at Navalakhi Port (Gujarat) varied from 6.75 to 37.4 dS.m^-1 and pH ranged from 7.08 to 8.02. Accumulation of free amino acids viz., alanine, asparagine, aspartic acid, phenylalanin, proline and serine was quite high. Proline ranging from 406.04 to 979.16 μg.g^-1 d. wt. contributed 33.08 to 71.2% of the total amino acids pool. Plants yielded 65,7 to 72.44 mg.g^-1 and 17.33 to 59.64 mg.g^-1d. wt. total and reducing sugars, respectively. Na+ andCI- were major inorganic ions in phylloclades and fluctuated between 5.58 to 7.95 meq.g^-1 d. wi. and 6.9 to 8.5 meq.g-^-1 d. wi. Mg²⁺,Ca²⁺ and K⁺ ranged between 0.89 to 1; 0.19 to 0.35 and 0.3 to 0.38 meq.g^-1 d. wt., respectively.

5 tables, 28 ref

013848   Khare P B; (NO, National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow-226 001) : Reproductive biology of some ferns of Kumaon Himalayas. Geophytology 2005, 35(1-2), 33-8.

The reproductive biology of nine species of ferns collected from Kumaon Himalayas has been studied through in-vitro raised isolate and composite populations of the gametophyte. Taxa such as Adiantum incisum, do not show sporophyte production through intra-gametophytic selfing probably due to constitution of the zygotic genotypes and perhaps their gene pool is charged with hundred percent genetic load. On the other hand Lygodium japonicum, cheilanthes farinosa, Tectaria coadunata, Adiantum capillus-veneris and Pteris vittata produced considerable amount of homozygous sporophytes through intragametophytic selfing. On the basis of observation, all the taxa have been categorized into two groups, i.e. (1) those having lesser genetic diversity, and (2) those having greater genetic diversity. Since in Kumaon Himalayas the environmental conditions are very much favourable for the growth and development of gametophytic and sporophytic generations, the results of mating system correlates with the population diversity and density of the taxa. The study shows that the taxa having mixed mating are widely distributed whereas others having inter-gametophytic mating are restricted in distribution.

1 illus, 2 tables, 15 ref

013847   Khan M A;Khan M I H;Siddiqui M B;Bhat S (Department of Botany, A.M.U., Aligarh-202 002) : Ratio of ray and fusiform initials in some Citrus species. Vegetos 2005, 18(1-2), 99-103.

Paper deals with the ratio of fusiform and ray initials of some Citrus species (C.reticulata var. tangelos, C. lemon, C. sinensis, C. paradisi). The anatomical studies of the vascular cylinder revealed in tangential longitudinal plane have fusiform initials and ray initials arranged in non-storied manner like majority of dicots. It is generally believed that fusiform initials constitute more than 90% of the vascular cambium but contrary to above reports. 60% to 83% fusiform initials have been observed in different tropical tree and in certain extreme cases their proportion may fall as low as 25%. Keeping in view the above variations, the present communication aims at presenting the proportions of the fusiform initials which was found to vary between 75% to 83% in the cambial zone of presently investigated species.

13 illus, 14 ref

013846   Khan A A;Ansari M Y K;Danish Shahab;Bhat T A (Mutation Breeding and Cytogenetics Laboratory, Department of Botany, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh-202 002) : Induced variations for quantitative traits in Vicia faba L.. Vegetos 2005, 18(1-2), 83-6.

Seeds of broad bean (Vicia faba L.) var. major were treated with 0.25%, 0.50%, 0.75%, 1.00%, 1.25% and 1.50% concentrations of 8-Hydroxy Quinoline (8-HQ) to find out variability in seven quantitative traits viz. plant height, days to flowering, days to maturity, number of pods/plant, number of seeds/pod, number of seeds/plant and 100-seed weight. The direction of shift in mean values for plant height, days to flowering and days to maturity indicated that negative micromutations out-weighed the positive ones. While the reverse was true for pods/plant, seeds/pod, seeds/plant and 100-seed weight in lower concentrations of the mutagen while as negative trend was observed at the higher concentration. Coefficient of variation was recorded to be higher in mutagen treated populations.

2 tables, 5 ref

013845   Khairnar D N (Deparment of Boatny, K.A.N.M.S. Arts, Commerce and Science college, Satana-423 301) : Medico-ethnological studies and conservation of medicinal plants of north Sayhadri. Asian J Microbiol Biotechnol envir Sci 2006, 8(3), 535-9.

Number of medicinal plants (19) that occur quite commonly in the forests of East Nashik region (North Sahyadri) have been collected, identified and listed out. The medico-ethnological data regarding the specific parts of the different medicinal plants together with the ailments that can be treated in general and the specific uses of this plants in prenventive, promo rive and curative applications obtained from the tribals well acquainted with medicinal plants have been given. Besides, some important conservative measures have also been suggested.

8 ref

013844   Kaladharan P (NO, Central Marine Fisheris Institute, Cochin-682 014) : Gracilariopsis lemaneiforms (Bory) Dawson - a red alga reported from certain backwaters of Kerala. J Bombay Nat Hist Soc 2005, 102(3), 378.

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013843   Joshi H (Department of Botany, S.S.J Campus (Kumaun University), Uttaranchal, Almora) : Enumeration of Algal flora collected from water bodies of Kumaun Himalaya, Uttaranchal. Vegetos 2005, 18(1-2), 7-13.

Paper presents algal flora collected from various polluted and unpolluted water bodies like pounds, lakes, ditches, pools, rivers and streams of Kumaun Himalaya. The collection is based on intensive field surveys during 1985-2004. Species of green algae and diatoms were very common in fresh and clean waters whereas polluted water was inhabitated by species of cyanophyceae. Reduction in the number of generic variety of algae has been recorded in polluted water.

12 ref

013842   Jha N;Tewari R (NO, Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeoboatny, 53 University Road, Lucknow-226 007) : Comment on gula and gulate megaspores. Curr Sci 2006, 91(8), 1010-11.

29 ref

013841   Jha B N;Sharma G D;Shukla A K (Department of Boatny, North Eastern Hill University, Shilong-793 022) : Phosphatase activity of ectomycorrhizal root and nutrient status of pine seedling under dfferent physical factors. Asian J Microbiol Biotechnol envir Sci 2006, 8(3), 561-6.

Phosphatase activity of ectomycorrhizal roots and nutrient status of pine seedlings inoculated with mycorrhizal fungi Collybia radicata, Laccqria laccata, Pisolithus tinctorius and Rhizopogon luteolus was studied under different physical factors namely, temperature, relative humidity and light intensity. Concentration of acid phosphatase activity was always higher than alkaline phosphatase activity. Maximum acid phosphatase was recorded with the roots of seedlings grown at 25°C with high and moderate light intensities. Seedlings with 2P level sets were found to be more efficient in phosphorus absorption under high and moderate light intensities compared to low intensity. Uptake of nitrogen was also more at high and moderate light intensities. In general higher N and P content was found in the seedlings grown at 25 °C than 10 °C. Impact of relative humidity was not found showing a definite pattern on N and P concentration in the seedlings.

2 tables, 22 ref

013840   Jain M;Pal M;Gupta P;Gadre R (School of Biochemistry, Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya, Takshashila Parisar, Khandwa Road, Indore-452 017, Email: gdr-rkh@yahoo.co.in) : Effect of cadmium on chlorophyll biosynthesis and enzymes of nitrogen assimilation in greening maize leaf segments role of 2-oxoglutarate. Indian J expl Biol 2007, 45(4), 385-9.

Supply of cadmium chloride (0.5 mM) inhibited chlorophyll formation in greening maize leaf segments, while lower concentration of Cd (0.01 mM) slightly enhanced it. Inclusion of 2-oxoglutarate (2-OG, 0.1-10 mM) in the incubation mixture increased chlorophyll content in the absence as well as presence of Cd. Substantial inhibition of chlorophyll formation by Cd was observed at longer treatment both in the absence and presence of 2-OG.' When the tissue was pre-incubated with 2-OG or Cd, the inhibition (%) of chlorophyll formation by Cd was lowered in the presence of 2-OG. Treatment with Cd inhibited ALAD activity and ALA formation and the inhibition (%) of ALA formation by Cd was strongly reduced in the presence of 2-OG. Glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) activity was increased by the supply of Cd both in the absence as well as presence of 2-OG. In the presence of 2-OG, Cd supply significantly increased glutamate synthase (GOGAT) activity and reduced inhibition (%) of glutamine synthetase (GS) activity. The results suggested the involvement of the glutamine synthetase/glutamate synthase (GS/GOGAT) pathway of ammonia assimilation to provide the precursor, glutamate, for ALA synthesis under Cd toxicity and 2-OG supplementation.

1 illus, 3 tables, 26 ref

013839   Hosamani N;Vidyasagar G M (Plant Pathology and Fungal Biotechnology Laboratory, Botany Dep, Gulbarga University, Gulbarga- 585 106, Email: gmvidyasagar@rediffmail.com) : Isolation of keratinophilic fungi from cultivated and non-cultivated soils of Bidar, India. Asian J Microbiol Biotechnol envir Sci 2006, 8(1), 83-6.

Investigations were conducted to assess the ecological factors governing distribution of keratinophilc fungi in cultivated and non-cultivated soils of Bidar district in Karnataka, India. Samples were collected from different places of Bidar district. A total of 28 fungal species belonging to 20 genera were isolated from both cultivated and non-cultivated soils. Of these, 25 fungal species were isolated from cultivated soils, 23 fungal species from non-cultivated soil samples. Among the isolates, Mucor racemosus, Curvularia lunata, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, Cunninghamella echinulata, Chrysosprium tropicum, Malbrachea flaua, Alternarai alternata, Verticiliium alboatrium and Trichophyton mentagrophytes were recovered from both cultivated and non-cultivated soils. These soils were nearly neutral to weakly alkaline with high content of organic carbon, sulphate, nitrate, calcium and magnesium.

3 tables, 21 ref

013838   Gowrishankar J;Anbuganapathi G;Arun T; Selvaraj T;Davvamani S N;Malthy R;Srinivasan K;Natarajan D (Bio Technology Dep, Kandaswami Kandar's College, Velur-638 182) : In vitro propagation studies on Kaempferia galanga L.. Asian J Microbiol Biotechnol envir Sci 2006, 8(3), 475-7.

Protocol for in vitro propagation of the nodal segments of Kaempferia galanga was described. The explants were cultured on MS medium supplemented with various concentration of BAP and Kn (0.5 - 5.0 mg/L) for shoot induction and multishoots, the combination of BAP( 1 mg/L), Kn (1 mg/L) and IAA (0.1-1.0 mg/L) was used in the shoot elongation and rooting of the explants. The highest percentage of shoot induction was observed in Kn (2.0 mg/L)+BAP (3.0 mg/L) and the maximum number of shoots was obtained in the combination of BAP+IAA. (0.5-1.0 mg / L). The plantlets were successfully transferred to the field.

1 illus, 2 tables, 16 ref

013837   Gopalakrishna Bhat K (Botany Dep, Poornaprajna College, Udupi-576-101) : Additions to the flroa of Karnataka. J Bombay Nat Hist Soc 2005, 102(3), 383.

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013836   Ganguly G;Bhandari J B;Mukhopadhyay R (Bot Dep, Burdwan University, Barddhaman-713 104) : Morpho-anatomical observations on some Indian species of Loxogramme (Loxogrammaceae). Geophytology 2005, 35(1-2), 19-24.

Detailed studies on the morphology, anatomy and palynology of seven species of Loxogramme (B1.) Presl, namely-L. assimilis Ching, L. chinensis Ching, L. carinata Pric, L. ducloxii Christ, L. elevata Ching, L. involuta (D. Don) Presl, L. lankokiensis (Rosenst.) C. Chr., have been made. the different species of Loxogramme differ in size, stomatal morphotypes, in the presence or absence of hairs and paraphyses and in the stipe and the rhizome anatomy. A key has been prepared for delineating these members. the genus, possess some characters, which have similarities with Grammitaceae and Polypodiceae, and justify its placement between these two families.

3 illus, 2 tables, 24 ref

013835   Gahalain S S;Fotedar R L;Gupta R C (Botany Dep, Kumaun Univ, SSJ Campus, Almora- 263 601) : Vivipary in Biota orientalis Endl.- Rare phenomenon in a gymnosperm. Curr Sci 2006, 91(12), 1608-9.

1 illus, 9 ref

013834   Gagan Kumar;Dhaliwal H S;Aulakh P S;Baidwan R P S (Zonal Research Station for Kandi Area, , Ballowal Saunkhri, Balachaur, District Nawanshahr-144 521) : Studies on the suitable time of budding in ber (Zizyphus mauriiana Lamk) in the lower Shivaliks of Punjab. Ann Biol 2005, 21(2), 199-201.

Studies were carried out at Zonal Research Station for Kandi Area, Ballowal Saunkhri of Punjab Agricultural University during the years 2003 and 2004 to find out the suitable time of budding in ber (Zizyphus mauritiana Lamk) cv. Sanaur No. 2 under the rainfed conditions of Kandi area of Punjab. The observations were recorded on per cent bud sprout, survival of buddlings, length of scion shoot, number of leaves and stem diameter. The results showed that the maximum bud sprout (95.6-97.3%), survival of buddlings (86.0-89.3%) and length of scion sprout (27.5-29.4 cm) and number of leaves per buddling (26.3-27.0) were obtained during beginning of August and mid-August as compared to the budding done during the months of September and October. This could be because of the more favourable atmospheric temperature during the month of August.

2 tables, 4 ref

013833   Fraser-Jenkins C.R.;Pangtey Y P S (NO, British Museum, London) : Athyrium nephrodioides (Baker) Christ (Athyriaceae: Pteridophyta) : an addition to the fern flora of India. J Bombay Nat Hist Soc 2005, 102(3), 374.

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013832   Fernandez A C;Mohanty M;Varma H K;Komath M (Biomedical Technology Wing, Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology, Thiruvananthapuram-695 012, Email: acfernandez04@yahoo.com) : Safety and efficacy of chitra-CPC calcium phosphate cement as bone substitute. Curr Sci 2006, 91(12), 1678-86.

Calcium phosphate cements (CPCs) have gained importance in orthopaedics and dentistry as repair materials for bony/dentinal defects. They are aqueous-based, mouldable and osteoconductive materials which set into hydroxyapatite, the basic mineral of bone and teeth. A CPC product 'Chitra-CPC' has been developed. Cement did not show any adverse effects in the acute systemic toxicity. Nor did it elicit any erythemic or edematous reactivity in the intracutaneous reactivity test. Bone implantation studies showed that efficacy of Chitra-CPC and hydroxyapatite granules in bone healing is comparable. Both materials were found to be osteoconductive, but with the difference that Chitra-CPC resorbed progressively allowing simultaneous new bone formation. This proves the osteotransductivity of Chitra-CPC. which is the ideal property for a bone substitute.

3 illus, 10 ref

013831   Dey B;Srivastava R C (Plant Physiology and Biochemistry Research laboratory, Department of L, Tripura University, Surjyamaninagar campus, West Tripura-799 130) : Cumulative effects of NPK and Mg salts with plant growth hormones on growth and some nitrogen metabolizing enzyme and soluble protein in Rhizobium sp.. Vegetos 2005, 18(1-2), 1-5.

Symbiont rhizobium sp. was isolated from root nodules of Vigna radiata cultivated in the field. The isolate was sub-cultured in Yeast Extract Mannitol Broth (YEM) that was supplemented with optimum concentration of N, P, K and Mg salts and three plant growth hormones (IAA, GA₃ and kinetin) and their various combinations. The growth behaviour, nitrate reductase (NR) activity, nitrite reductase (NiR) activity, nitrogenase (N₂-ase) activity and soluble protein were found to be enhanced with treatment of N, P, K and Mg salts and plant growth regulators (IAA), GA₃ and kinetin) and their various combinations at different hours (24 to 120h) after inoculation.

3 tables, 14 ref

013830   Deshmukh B S;Shirke D R (NO, , Dhumalwadi Road, Opp. to ITI, Akole-422 601, Email: babadesh2004@yahoo.co.in) : Note on Ceropeiga L.(Asclepiadaceae) with respect to ex-situ conservation of Akole tahshil (M.S.), India. Ecol Envir Conserv 2006, 12(4), 629-31.

Ceropegia L. is a genus of over 200 twining herb species; distributed over the world. The genus becomes rare due to habitat destruction and local consumption of tuber for food and medicine by rural communities. An extensive survey was made from Akole Tahasil, where six species have been reported. Tubers, and seeds were collected and tried for ex-situ conservation in the protected garden. Propagation through tubers and seeds show successful results. Transplantation through tubers required similar ecological condition and climate. Ceropegia mahabalei Ansari et. Kulkarni needs wet, well-drained soil and humid climate. Conservation measures include, uprooting of plants be prohibited, plants should be propagated in protected areas, propagation through seeds and tissue culture should be tried, local communities should be informed and motivated for cultivation.

10 ref

013829   Das S;Singh D K (Botanical Survey of India, , Kolkata-700 064) : Bazzania bidentula (Steph.) Steph. - an addition to Indian bryoflora. Geophytology 2005, 35(1-2), 15-17.

Bazzania bidentula (Steph.) Steph. has been reported for the first time in Indian bryoflora from Dibang Valley district, Arunachal Pradesh.

22 illus, 5 ref

013828   Das A K;Khumbongmayum A D (Centre of Biodiversity, Rajiv Gandhi Univ, Rono Hills, Itanagar- 791 112, Email: arupbot@rediffmail.com) : Galeola faconeri Hook. f., an endangered giant saprophytic orchid. Curr Sci 2006, 91(7), 871-3.

1 illus, 11 ref

013827   Christopher C (Botany Dep, All Saints's College, Thiruvananthapuram) : Diversity of aquatic vascular plants in Karikkakom, Thiruvananthapuram. Ecol Envir Conserv 2006, 12(4), 661-3.

Increase in population, industrialization and urbanization, many of the aquatic ecosystems are under threat and thus the aquatic biodiversity. Karikkakom is one of such area, under the pressure for destruction of aquatic fields. The treasure of aquatic vascular flora revealed the diversity of aquatic fields as well as the need for conservation.

1 table, 7 ref

013826   Bhat T A;Khan A H;Parveen S (Cytogenetics and Mutation Breeding Laboratory, dept. of Botany, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh-202 002) : Spectrum and frequency of chlorophyll mutations induced by gamma rays and EMS in Vicia faba L.. Vegetos 2005, 18(1-2), 143-5.

Comparative study of the frequency and spectrum of chlorophyll mutations induced by gamma rays (10kR, 20kR, 30kR and 40 kR), EMS (0.1%, 0.2%, 0.3% and 0.4%) and their combination (20kR + 0.1%, EMS, 20kR + 0.2% EMS, 20kR + 0.3% EMS and 20kR + 0.4% EMS) in M₂ generation was made in Vicia faba var. minor. Six different types of chlorophyll mutants viz. albina, chlorina, maculata, tigrina, virescence and xantha were identified in the treated populations. Chlorophyll mutation frequency was calculated on plant population basis. Frequency of chlorina mutants was highest followed by xantha and other types. Combination treatments in general proved to be most effective followed by EMS and gamma rays in inducing maximum frequency of chlorophyll mutations (gamma rays +EMS<62>EMS<62> gamma rays).

1 table, 9 ref

013825   Bhat S;Khan M I H;Siddiqui M B;Khan M A (Department of Botany, A.M.U., Aligarh-202 002, Email: saima81@rediffmail.com) : Ratio of ray and fusiform initials in Anthocephalus cadamba Miq.. Vegetos 2005, 18(1-2), 93-5.

This paper deals with the ratio of fusiform and ray initials in the main stem of Anthocephalus cadamba Miq. The anatomical studies of the vascular cambium revealed, in tangential longitudinal plane, the fusiform initials and ray initials arranged in a non-storied manner like majority of dicots. It is generally believed that fusiform initials consitute more than 90% of the vascular cambium but 60% to 83% fusiform initials have been observed in different tropical tree and in certain extreme cases their proportion may fall as low as 25%. Analysis of the data obtained reveals that the fusiform cells constitute 72% mean tangential area in the cambial zone of Anthocephalus cadamba Miq.

2 illus, 14 ref

013824   Basu P S;Ali M;Chaturvedi S K (NO, Indian Institute of Pulses Research (ICAR), Kanpur-208 024, Email: basps@satyam.net.in) : Osmotic adjustment increases water uptake remobilization of assimilates and maintains photoynthesis in chickpea under drought. Indian J expl Biol 2007, 45(3), 261-7.

Eight chickpea advanced breeding lines (ABLs) and their parents were evaluated for osmotic adjustment (OA), leaf carrohydrates and gas exchange under dryland field. These (ABLs) were derived from crosses between CTS 60543 x  Kaniva and Tyson x Kaniva. Mean leaf water potential (LWP) fell down from -1.00 MPa at pre-stress level to about -2.25 MPa during terminal stress. Relative water content (RWC) showed periodic changes with alternate decrease or increase at certain interval, which also influenced the values of OA (low or high) in number of genotypes e.g. Kaniva, CTS 60543, Tyson and M 75. Significant variation in OA ranging 0.45 to 0.88 MPa was observed at high level of stress at -2.5 MPa. However, none of the genotypes showed stability of OA over the period of stress. Leaf starch declined even at mild stress (LWP,-1.6 MPa) resulting in an increase in hexose sugars and activation state of sucrose-phosphate synthase (SPS) that led to accumulation of sucrose. Both photosynthesis (P_max) and transpiration decreased concurrently in two chickpea lines M 129 and Tyson with increasing water stress. However, rate of decline in the photosynthesis slowed down even drought was further intensified. The observed periodic changes in OA, RWC and photosynthesis appeared to be associated with drought-induced changes in SPS and carbohydrates which modify water uptake of the leaves.

8 illus, 1 table, 22 ref

013823   Bargali K (Department of Botany, DSB Campus, K U Nainital-263 002) : Response of Indigofera heterantha seedling to inoculation with vesicular arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. Proc Natn Acad Sci India-Sect B 2006, 76(4), 373-6.

Vesicular Arbuscular mycorrhizal (VAM) fungi are being used as biofertilizer to increase the yield. In the study, the effect of VAM inoculation on growth performance of Indigofera heterantha at seedling stage was analysed. VAM fungi inoculation resulted in 1.9 cm increment in root length, 5.9 cm increment in shoot length and 0.04 cm increment in root collor diameter. With increasing time the positive effect of VAM fungi inoculation also increased. Seedlings of I. heterantha showed 62% mycorrhizal dependency for dry mass production.

013822   Bansal O P (Chemistry Dep, DS College, Aligarh-202 001, Email: drop31@rediffmail.com) : Effect of nitrogen, FYM and carbamate pesticide on nitrogen transformation. Proc Indian Natn Sci Acad 2006, 72(2), 79-81.

Laboratory incubation study was conducted to investigate the effect of N-Phenyl (ethyl carbomyl) propyl carbamate on nitrogen transformation in allluvial soil of Aligarh. The NH₄-N content in soil increased upto 7d of incubation in all the treatments of N, FYM and pesticide and thereafter it declined. Application of pesticide helped in releasing higher NH₄-N content in soil than control upto 7 d incubation. The NO₃-N content in soil increased after 7 d incubation under all the treatments, it became almost stable after 63 d of incubation. Application of nitrogen, FYM increased NO₃-N content in soil and maximum increase was observed in between 7 and 14 d of incubation. Application of pesticide decreased NO₃-N content upto 28d of incubation in soil. The increase in ammoniating bacterial population and decrease in nitrification indicate that carbamate pesticide affects nitrifying bacterial population.

2 tables, 15 ref

013821   Bandyopadhyay A;Jana D;Bera S (Botany Department, Calcutta University, Kolkata-700 019) : Pollen analysis of winter honey samples from Bankura district, West Bengal. Geophytology 2005, 35(1-2), 1-6.

Qualitative and quantitative pollen analyses of 26 apiary honey samples (Apis cerana indica) and 4 squeezed honey samples (A. florea) collected during November - February, 1999-2001 from Bankura district, West Bengal has been presented Fifty per cent of honey samples were found to be unifloral with Brassica nigra, Eucalyptus globulus, Sizygium cumini, Phoenix sylvestris, Zizyphus jujuba, Schleichera trijuga and Ailanthus excelsa. Other important reliable sources of nectar for honey bees during winter were also identified.

2 tables,1 map,2 plates,8 ref

013820   Balta M F;Muradoglu F (Horticultural Dep, Faculty of Agricultural, Yuzuncu Yil Univ, 65080-Van, Turkey) : Fruit set of turkish quince CV. 'Ekmek' Cydonia oblanga Mill.) under open-pollination conditions. Biosci Res Bull 2006, 22(2), 89-93.

Study deals with observating fruit sets and fruit drops from full bloom to harvest in Turkish quince cv. 'Ekmek' (Cydonia oblonga Mill.) grown under ecological conditions of Van located in eastern Turkey during 2004 and 2005 years. Full blooming occurred on 27 May in 2004 and on 23 May in 2005. Subsequent to full bloom period, changes of fruit sets and fruit drops were followed by 16 different dates in 2004 and in 24 different dates in 2005. The final fruit sets at harvest times of two years were determined as 12.3 % in 2004 and 8.6 % in 2005.

3 tables, 8 ref

013819   Akhilesh Kumar;Tewari D D;Pandey V C (Post Graduate Departemnt of Botany, M.L.K.P.G. College, Balrampur, Uttar Pradesh) : Folk botany of Achyranthes aspera in Terai belt of North eastern Uttar Pradesh. Vegetos 2005, 18(1-2), 89-92.

Achyranthes aspera is a local herb belonging to family Amaranthaceae growing wildly in wasteland areas and open field throughout the Devipatan Division of North-Eastern Uttar Pradesh, which comes under the terai region (foothills of Himalayas) of India. This herb is commonly known as Latzira, chirchita and Lehchichira by local people. Informations regarding various uses of this plant were obtained from rural, tribal (Tharu), aborigionals (Nutt & Banjara) as well as from highly advanced communities of the society. Different parts of the plant are used as appetizer, abortifacient and contraceptive, in skin diseases, toothache, piles, scorpion and insect sting. Plant is also used as magicotherapeutic agent in fever, dysentry, to achieve easy delivery, to increase sexual power of man and to prevent from scorpian stings. Detail process of drug preparation, mode of administration doses and doses and duration of treatment are also recorded.

2 ref, 1 map, 1 phogtograph

013818   Agarwal M;Kamal R (Botany Dep, Govt P G College, Chimanpura, Jaipur, Email: htfc@satyam.net.in) : Flavonoid production using in vitro culture of Momordica charantia L. Indian J Biotechnol 2007, 6(2), 277-9.

Callus cultures and in vitro plant development of Momordica charantia L. were establishment on Murashige and Skoog's (MS) medium using different concentrations and combinations of auxins and cytokinins. Further, qualitative and quantitative production of flavonoids in callus cultures and different in vitro developmental stages were studied by using thin layer chromatography and spectrophotometric analysis. Presence of three flavonoids was detected and the maximum amount of total flavonoid content was observed in 6-wk-old callus cultures (2.90 mg/g dry wt). While in different in vitro morphogenetic stages, the maximum amount of total flavonoid content was observed in multiple shoots (2.96 mg/g dry wt).

1 illus, 2 tables, 17 ref

011536   Srinivasan M;Nachiappan V;Rajasekharan R (Department of Biochemistry, Indian Institute of Scinece, Bangalore-560 012, Email: lipid@biochem.iisc.ernet.in) : Potential application of urea-derived herbicides as cytokinins in plant tissue culture. J Biosci, Bangalore 2006, 31(5), 599-605.

Various urea-derived herbicides and different cytokinin analogues were used to determine their effects on callusing response and shoot regenerating capacity of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L. and Coleus (Coleus forskohlii Briq.). The herbicides monuron and diuron evoked profuse callusing response from Coleus leaf segments and alfalfa petiole explants on Murashige and Skoog medium. Shoot regeneration by monuron (2.0 mg/l) showed a maximum of 3 multiple shoots both in alfalfa and Coleus with a frequency of 92% and 75%, respectively. Whereas diuron (0.5 mg/l) showed a high frequency of shoot regeneration (89%) with a mean number of 5 shoots in alfalfa, in C. forskohlii, the frequency of regeneration was 90% with a mean number of 6 shoots. Diuron with two chloride groups in the phenyl ring showed significantly higher cytokinin-like activity than single chloride substitution monuron. This study demonstrates the potential use of monuron and diuron as cytokinins in plant tissue culture.

2 illus, 1 table, 26 ref

011535   Seneviratne G;Indrasena I K (Biological Nitrogen Fixation Project, Institute of Fundamental Studies, Hantana Road, Kandy, Sri Lanka, Email: geminis@ifs.ac.lk) : Nitrogen fixation in lichens is important for improved rock weathering. J Biosci, Bangalore 2006, 31(5), 639-43.

It is known that cyanobacteria in cyanolichens fix nitrogen for their nutrition. However, specific uses of the fixed nitrogen have not been examined. Study shows experimentally that a mutualistic interaction between a heteratrophic N₂ fixer and lichen fungi in the presence of a carbon source can contribute to enhanced release of organic acids, leading to improved solubilization of the mineral substrate. Three lichen fungi were isolated from Xanthoparmelia mexicana, a foliose lichen, and they were cultured separately or with a heterotrophic N₂ fixer in nutrient broth media in the presence of a mineral substrate. Cells of the N₂-fixing bacteria attached to the mycelial mats of all fungi, forming biofilms. All biofilms showed higher solubilizations of the substrate than cultures of their fungi alone. This finding has bearing on the significance of the origin and existence of N₂-fixing activity in the evolution of lichen symbiosis. Further, our results may explain why there are N₂-fixing photobionts even in the presence of non-fixing photobionts (green algae) in some remarkable lichens such as Placopsis gelida. Sheds doubt on the idea that the establishment of terrestrial eukaryotes was possible only through the association between a fungus and a phototroph.

2 illus, 1 table, 28 ref

011534   Ren H;Gu G;Long J;Yin Q;Yu T;Song T;Zhang S; Chen Z;Dong H (Key Laboratory of Monitoring and Management of Plant Pathogens and Ins, Ministry of Agriculture of China, Weigang, Nanjing, China, Email: hsdong@njau.edu.cn) : Combinative effects of a bacterial type-III effector and a biocontrol bacterium on rice growth and disease resistance. J Biosci, Bangalore 2006, 31(5), 617-27.

Expression of HpaG_Xoo, a bacterial type-III effector, in transgenic plants induces disease resistance. Resistance also can be elicited by biocontrol bacteria. In both cases, plant growth is often promoted, Here address whether biocontrol bacteria and HpaG_Xoo can act together to provide better results in crop improvement. Studied effects of Pseudomonas cepacia on the rice variety R109 and the hpaG_Xoo-expressing rice line HER1. Compared to R109, HER1 showed increased growth, grain yield, and defense responses toward diseases and salinity stress. Colonization of roots by P. cepacia caused 20% and 13% increase, in contrast to controls, in root growth of R109 and HER1. Growth of leaves and stems also increased in R109 but that of HER1 was inhibited. When P. cepacia colonization was subsequent to plant inoculation with Rhizoctonia solani, a pathogen that causes sheath blight, the disease was less severe than controls in both R109 and HER 1; HER 1, nevertheless, was more resistant, suggesting that P. cepacia and HpaGXnn cooperate in inducing disease resistance. Several genes that critically regulate growth and defense behaved differentially in HER1 and R109 while responding to P. cepacia. In R109 leaves, the OsARF1 gene, which regulates plant growth, was expressed in consistence with growth promotion by P. cepacia. Inversely, OsARF1 expression was coincident with inhibition in growth of HER1 leaves. In both plants, the expression of OsEXP1, which encodes an expansin protein involved in plant growth, was concomitant with growth promotion in leaves instead of roots, in response to P. cepacia. Also studied OsMAPK, a gene that encodes a mitogen-activated protein kinase and controls defense responses toward salinity and infection by pathogens in rice. In response to P. cepacia, an early expression of OsMAPK was coincident with R109 resistance to the disease, while HER1 expressed the gene similarly whether P. cepacia was present or not. Evidently, P. cepacia and G_Xoo-gene mediated resistance may act differently in rice growth and resistance. Whereas combinative effects of P. cepacia and HpaGXM in disease resistance have a great potential in agricultural use, it is interesting to study mechanisms that underlie interactions involving bioconirol bacteria, type-III effectors and pathogens.

7 illus, 2 tables, 48 ref

011533   Nath C D;Dattaraja H S;Suresh H S;Joshi N V; Sukumar R (Centre for Ecological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore-560 012, Email: rsuku@ces.iisc.ernet.in) : Patterns of tree growth in relation to environment variability in the tropical dry deciduous forest at Mudumalai, Southern India. J Biosci, Bangalore 2006, 31(5), 651-69.

Tree diameter growth is sensitive to environmental fluctuations and tropical dry forests experience high seasonal and inter-annual environmental variation. Tree growth rates in a large permanent plot at Mudumalai, southern India, were examined for the influences of rainfall and three intrinsic factors (size, species and growth form) during three 4-year intervals over the period 1988-2000. Most trees had lowest growth during the second interval when rainfall was lowest, and skewness and kurtosis of growth distributions were reduced during this interval. Tree diameter generally explained <60>10% of growth variation and had less influence on growth than species identity or time interval. Intraspecific variation was high, yet species identity accounted for up to 16% of growth variation in the community. There were no consistent differences between canopy and understory tree growth rates; however, a few subgroups of species may potentially represent canopy and understory growth guilds. Environmentally-induced temporal variations in growth generally did not reduce the odds of subsequent survival. Growth rates appear to be strongly influenced by species identity and environmental variability in the Mudumalai dry forest. Understanding and predicting vegetation dynamics in the dry tropics thus also requires information on temporal variability in local climate.

3 i, 4 tables, 52 ref, 2 app

011532   Mandal M K;Pandey D;Purwar S;Singh U S;Kumar A (Department of Molecular Biology and Genetic Engineering, College of Basic Sciences and Humanities, Pantnagar-263 145, Email: ak_gupta2k@rediffmail.com) : Influence of jasmonic acid as potential activator of induced resistance against karnal bunt in developing spikes of wheat. J Biosci, Bangalore 2006, 31(5), 607-16.

Induction of defense response against Karnal bunt (KB) by suppressing the pathogenesis was observed upon exogenous application of jasmonic acid (JA) as evident from decrease in the coefficient of infection and overall response value in both susceptible and resistant varieties of wheat. The ultra-structural changes during disease progression showed the signs of programmed cell death (PCD). However, JA strengthened the defense barrier by enhancing the lignifications of cell walls as observed in spikes of both varieties by histochemical analysis. Compared to the plants inoculated with pathogen alone, plants of resistant line (RJP) first treated with JA followed by inoculation with pathogen showed more lignifications and extracellular deposition of other metabolites on cells, which is supposed to prevent mycelial invasions. Contrary to this, susceptible (SJP) lines also showed lignifications but the invasion was more compared to resistant line. Induction of protease activity was higher in resistant variety than its corresponding susceptible variety. The protease activity induced during the colonization of the pathogen and its proliferation inside the host system gets inhibited by JA treatment as demonstrated by the quantitative and in-gel protease assay. The results indicate the role of JA signalling in inhibiting the proteases due to expression of certain protease inhibitor genes. SDS-PAGE analysis shows differential gene expression through induction and/or suppression of different proteins in wheat spikes of resistant and susceptible varieties under the influence of JA. Thus, exogenously applied JA provides the conditioning effect prior to the challenge of infection and induces defense against KB probably by maintaining a critical balance between proteases and protease inhibitors and/or coordinating induction of different families of new proteins.

4 illus, 3 tables, 31 ref

011531   Laura J S;Bhardwaj S K (Department of Bioscience, M.D. University, Rohtak-124 001) : Anti-fungal activity of botano-extracts against aspergillus species. Int J Trop Agric 2006, 24(3-4), 573-7.

Twenty eight plants were tested for their antifungal activity against three species of Aspergillus (A. flavus, A. fumigatus, A. niger). Plant extracts were tested for their efficacy both against mycelial growth as well as spore germination. Test results showed a differential activity of the plant extracts against the mycelial growth and spore germination, the spore germination being more susceptible to the extracts. The extracts were more effective against A flavus and A fumigatus as compared to A niger. Diospyrous melanoxylon showed very good inhibition of both mycelial growth (66 to 81%) and spore germination (87 to 98%). Lawsonia alba showed good inhibition of spore germination (58 to 70%) but poor inhibition of mycelial growth. Some of the other plants showed intermediate inhibition i. e. Aegle marmelos, Azadirachta indica, Datura stramonium and Dedonia viscosa.

2 tables, 16 ref

011530   Lattoo S K;Khan S;Bamotra S;Dhar A K (NO, Regional Research Laboratory, Canal Road, Jammu Tawi-180 001, Email: surrinlattoo@rediffmail.com) : Cytomixis impairs meiosis and influences reproductive success in Chlorophytum comosum (Thunb) Jacq.-an additional strategy and possible implications. J Biosci, Bangalore 2006, 31(5), 629-37.

Spontaneous intercellular chromatin migration/cytomixis was observed to occur in the pollen mother cells (PMCs) of the Chlorophytum comosum for the first time. The migration through cytomictic channels was more pronounced in meiosis-I and very rare in meiosis-II. The process was associated with erratic meiosis, which was characterized by defects in chromosome organization and segregation. Cytomixis was more intense in the month of April than in July and consequently the frequency of meiotic irregularities was much more pronounced during the month of April. As a consequence of abnormal meiosis, fertility was drastically reduced resulting in meager seed efficiency of 17% only. Recombination system also does not guarantee the release of sufficient variability. Authors view the phenomenon of cytomixis as genetically controlled mechanism involving meiotic genes and operating through signal transduction pathway triggered by the environmental stimuli. The evolutionary significance and tenable hypothesis in the backdrop of existing literature is also proposed.

1 illus, 3 tables, 52 ref

011529   Kotchoni S O;Gachomo E W (Department of Plant Molecular Biology, Institute of Botany, Kirschallee 1, University of Bonn, D-53115 Germany, Email: simeon.kotchoni@mail.wvu.edu) : Reactive oxygen species network pathways: an essential prerequisite for perception of pathogen attack and the acquired disease resistance in plants. J Biosci, Bangalore 2006, 31(3), 389-404.

Availability of complete Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) and rice (Oryza sativa) genome sequences, together with molecular recourses of functional genomics and proteomics have revolutionized understanding of reactive oxygen species (ROS) signalling network mediating disease resistance in plants. So far, ROS have been associated with aging, cellular and molecular alteration in animal and plant cells. Recently, concluding evidences suggest that ROS network is essential to induce disease resistance and even to mediate resistance to multiple stresses in plants. ROS are obligatory by-products emerging as a result of normal metabolic reactions. They have the potential to be both beneficial and harmful to cellular metabolism. Their dual effects on metabolic reactions are dosage specific attention on cellular ROS level to trigger beneficial effects on plant cells responding to pathogen attack has been focused. By exploring the research related contributions coupled with data of targeted gene disruption, and RNA interference approaches. It shows here that ROS are ubiquitous molecules of redox-pathways that play a crucial role in plant defence mechanism. The molecular prerequisites of ROS network to activate plant defence system in response to pathogen infections are here underlined. Bioinformatic tools are now available to scientists for high throughput analysis of cellular metabolisms. These tools are used to illustrate crucial ROS-related genes that are involved in the defence mechanism of plants. The review describes also the emerging findings of ROS network pathways to modulate multiple stress resistance in plants.

2 illus, 1 table, 131 ref

012776   Zafar R;Ahmad S;Mujeeb M (Plant Tissue Culture Laboratory, Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry Dep,, Jamia Hamdard, Hamdard Nagar, New Delhi-110 062) : Convolvulus prostratus Forsk: phytochemical and biological properties. J Econ Taxon Bot 2006, 30(3), 638-45.

Convolvulus prostratus Forsk. (C. microphyllus Sieb. ex Spreng.) is an important medicinal plant commonly known as "Shankhpushpi". The plant is a medhya rasayana drug reported in Ayurvedic literature which has been used since long for various mental disorders, as a brain tonic and is also an important component of various herbal formulations. Describes the phytochemical investigations and biological activity of the plant. The properties of plant extracts in CNS and other disorders have also been discussed.

46 ref

012775   Wilson S;Manickam V S;Justin Koil Y; Sivasubramanian P S;Jesudoss L L (Biotechnology Centre for Biodiversity and Botany Dep, St. Xavier's College, Palayamkottai-627 002) : Two distinct distribution of an endemic tree Calophyllum austroindicum Kosterm. Ex Stevans in KMTR - Tirunelveli hills. J Econ Taxon Bot 2006, 30(3), 566-9.

Two distinct distributional records of Calophyllum austroindicum Kosterm., an economically important tree endemic to south Western Ghats are made in KMTR regions of Tirunelveli hills, Tamil Nadu.

1 illus, 1 map

012774   Wadoodkhan M A;Chavan D P;Solanke S N (Botany Dep. Herbarium of Cyperaceae, Majalgaon College, Majalgaon, (HCMCM), Dt.Beed-431 131) : Novelties in cyperaceae-II. J Econ Taxon Bot 2006, 30(3), 717-26.

Reports 4 new taxa (2 species; one subspecies and one variety) of Cyperaceae and a new record for India from different parts of the Western Ghats. The specimens lodged in the herbarium of Majalgaon College, Majalgaon are acronymed as HCMCM. The literature consulted on Cyperaceae is given under references for the economy of space.

5 illus, 24 ref

012773   Wable K J;Patil H B;Rajput S G (Agril Biotechnology Dep, Marathwada Agriculture Univ, Parbhani-431 402) : Cryopreservation of Citrus reticulata embryonic axes by vitrification technique. Asian J Bio Sci 2006, 1(2), 112-3.

Importance of loading and treatment with a vitrification solution on the survival of Citrus reticulata embryonic axes cryopreserved using vitrification technique (Derudde et al., 1990) were investigated. Loading treatment was carried out for 20 min. at 25 °C before chemical dehydration with 100 per cent PVS2 for 20 min. After treatment with PVS2 rapid immersion in liquid nitrogen, rapid rewarming, unloading in a 1.2 M sucrose solution for 20 min. Then the culture on solid medium with 0.3 M sucrose for 1 day and growth recovery for 4 weeks on standard medium, survival of C. reticulata embryonic axes reached 60 per cent following the process.

1 illus, 1 table, 8 ref

012772   Upadhaya K;Pandey H N;Tripathi R S (Department of Botany, North Eastern Hill University, Shillong-793 022, Email: pandeyhn@yahoo.com) : Understorey plant diversity in subtropical humid forest of Meghalaya. Int J Ecol envir Sci 2006, 32(2), 207-19.

Impact of mild anthropogenic disturbance on diversity and phytosociological attributes of understorey species was-examined in two subtropical humid forest stands, the Ialong and Raliang sacred groves in Jaintia hills of Meghalaya, northeast India. A total of 89 shrub and 91 herbaceous species representing 42 and 39 families respectively, were identified. The richness of shrubs and herbs increased from 46-49 in the protected stands to 59-61 in the disturbed stands of the two groves. The density ranged from 6428 and 11038 ha^-1 and 1887 and 2474 100 m^-2 for shrub and herbs respectively, in the four stands. In all stands 93-100% of the species in the understory were contagiously distributed and only 2-7% showed random dispersion. Regular dispersion was completely absent. The dominance distribution pattern for shrubs and herbs fitted a lognormal distribution showing high equitability and low dominance. Results show that mild disturbance, to which these forests were exposed, enhanced species richness of the understory community.

1 illus, 4 tables, 26 ref

012771   Tripathi S;Singh N;Shakya S;Dangi A; Misra-Bhattacharya S;Dube A;Nikhil Kumar (Betel Biotechnology Lab, National Botanical Research Institute, Rana Pratap Marg, Lucknow-226 001) : Landrace/gender-based differences in phenol and thiocyanate contents and biological activity in Piper betle L.. Curr Sci 2006, 91(6), 746-9.

1 illus, 2 tables, 26 ref

012770   Tripathi S;Singh K K (NO, National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow-226 001) : Taxonomic revision of the genus Zingiber Boehm. in North-East India. J Econ Taxon Bot 2006, 30(3), 520-32.

North-East India maintains maximum diversity in Zingiberaceae (next to Malaysia) in having 20 genera and about 122 species, out of total 22 genera and 180 species known from India (Karthikeyan et al., 1989). In Malaysia, the family is represented by 24 genera am about 750 species (i.e. 50% of the total found in the World). The genus Zingiber Boehmer is, however, represented by eighteen species in India. A key to the species, up-to-date nomenclature and detailed descriptions are provided along with other relevant notes on phenology, phytogeography ecology etc.

6 illus, 15 ref