002372   Khan S;Wani M R (Dep of Bot Mutation Breed Lab, Aligarh Muslim Univ, Aligarh-202 002) : Comparison on the effect of chemical mutagens on mungbean. Adv Pl Sci 2005, 18(2), 533-5.

Mutagens namely ethylmethane sulphonate (EMS), methylmethane sulphonate (MMS) and sodium azide (SA) were used on seeds of mungbean Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek) varieties Pant Moong-1, PS-10 and T-44, to compare the effects on certain biological parameters in M₁, and M₂ generations. All the three chemical mutagens variably affected seed germination, pollen fertility and seedling height. The extent of decrease was not uniform in the varieties studied.

2 tables, 5 ref

002371   Khan S J (Dept. of Bot, The Inst of Sci, 15-Madame Cama Road, Mumbai-400 032) : Efficacy of certain soil fungi in decontamination of common metal pollutants. Adv Pl Sci 2005, 18(2), 577-9.

Fungi, Aspergillus niger, Penicillium sp. & Rhizopus stolonifer, isolated from the contaminated soils near the fertilizer industries were used for the study. A previous analysis of the soils at the same site had shown a high concentration of Iron, Zinc & Manganese, therefore the effect of these metals on the growth & sporulation of these fungi and their ability to decontaminate these pollutants was studied. Growth & sporulation studies have shown that all the three test fungi could grow in 'X' & '2X' concentrations of Iron, Rhizopus stolonifer showed high sensitivity to Manganese & Zinc, whereas A. niger failed to grow in the medium containing Zinc. Remediative studies have shown that all the test fungi could decrease the concentrations of metals in the medium in which they could grow & thus can prove to be useful for the purpose of decontamination of these metals.

2 tables, 8 ref

002370   Kar M;Patro B B;Sahoo C R;Hota B (Dep of Pl Physiol, Orissa Univ of Agric & Technol, Bhubaneswar-751 003) : Traits related to drought resistance in cotton hybrids. Indian J Pl Physiol 2005, 10(4), 377-80.

Responses of five hybrid varieties of cotton to moisture stress were assessed in the field for their relative tolerance to drought. The study revealed that moisture deficit adversely affected the chlorophyll stability index and nitrate reductase activity, while proline accumulation enhanced irrespective of varieties. Yield and its attributes decreased conspicuously in all the varieties in response to water stress imposed at flowering stage. Amongst the cotton hybrids, PKV Hy-4 and PKV Hy-2 were noted to be relatively more drought tolerant than others on the basis of assessment of their yield performance. The flowering stage in cotton was found to be more critical to moisture stress than vegetative and ripening stages.

^ssc2 tables, 14 ref

002369   Kannan N D;Kulandaivelu G (Dep of Pl Sci, Sch of Biol Sci Madurai Kamaraj Univ, Madurai-625 021, Email: gkplant@sify.com) : Ambient light quality induced morphological, anatomical and biochemical changes in the tropical medicinal plant, senna (Cassia angustifolia Vahl.). J Pl Biol 2005, 32(2), 95-100.

Senna (Cassia angustifolia Vahl) is a well-known tropical plant extensively used in the ayurvedic and allopathic systems of medicine for the treatment of constipation. This study was conducted to assess the physiological and biochemical changes of senna associated with light stress. Changes in the leaflet anatomy, pigments and proteins were studied comparatively in sun and shade leaves. Sun plants (ambient) have smaller leaflets, higher dry and fresh weight and higher chlorophyll alb ratio, and are thicker than those of shade (LL) plants. SDS-PAGE analysis of chloroplasts shows increased level of Dl protein in ambient light grown plants as compared to LL plants. Sennosides separated on thin layer chromatography (TLC) revealed four bands, and the level of all these had decreased under LL conditions.

3 illus, 2 tables, 29 ref

002368   Kadavul K;Joseph R D;Presena J (Dep of Bot, K.M. Cent for Post Grad Stud, Lawspet, Pondicherry-605 008, Email: kkad_kmcpy@rediff.com) : Phenology of woody exotics and distribution of Lantana camara L. in different vegetations of Pondicherry region. Adv Pl Sci 2005, 18(2), 693-7.

Exotic woody species and their phenology are observed in Pondicherry region. A comparative ecological survey on the distribution of Lantana camara L. and its effect as seconday invader under varried vegetational types have been investigated.

1 illus, 3 tables, 11 ref

002367   Jinturkar B P;Kale S B (Dep of Bot, S.K.M. Gunjoti. Osmanabad, MS) : Isolation of rhizobium from different varietes of chickpea. Asian J Microbiol Biotechnol envir Sci 2005, 7(4), 727-8.

Studies were undertaken some of the aspects of biological N-fixation in groundnut. Initially ninteen isolates were obtained from different locations of Marathwada region of Maharastra state. Based on the gram reaction, ability to absorb congo red dye from yeast extract manitol agar medium and nodulation on the indicator host siratro; all the ninteen isolates were identified and authencated.

1 illus, 5 ref

002366   Jigna P;Rathish N;Sumitra C (Dep of Biosci Phytochemical Pharmacological and Microbiological Lab, , Saurashtra University, Email: sumitrachanda@yahoo.com) : Preliminary screening of some folklore medicinal plants from Western India for potential antimicrobial activity. Indian J Pharmac 2005, 37(6), 408-9.

^ssc1 table, 6 ref

002365   Indra V;Meiyalagan V (Dep of Zool, Thiruvalluvar Univ Fort Campus, Vellore, T.N) : Diversity and distribution of microfungi in polluted and nonpolluted water bodies from an industrial areas of river Palar, Vellore-India. Asian J Microbiol Biotechnol envir Sci 2005, 7(4), 723-5.

Attempt is made to enumerate the diversity and distribution of micro fungi in water polluted and non polluted aquatic ecosystems in an industrial area of rive Palar. The results shows that the fungal diversity was higher with 22 species in polluted watres compared to 12 species from non polluted sources. The ecological significance of these observations is discussed

1 illus, 1 table, 14 ref

002364   Gitte A N;Patil S R;Tike M A (Dep of Agric Bot, Marathwada Agric Univ, Parbhani-431 402) : Influence of zinc and boron on biochemical and yield characteristics of sunflower. Indian J Pl Physiol 2005, 10(4), 400-3.

Effect of Zinc (Zn) and Boron (B) application was studied on biochemical and quality parameters and yield in sunflower (Helianthus annus(L.) The study revealed that combined application of Zn (5.25 kg/ha) and B (6.3 kg/ha) was most effective followed by Zn (5.25 kg/ha) or B (2.1 kg/ha). The combination showed increase over the control in chlorophyll content, nitrogen content in dry matter and seed, phosphorus content in dry matter and seed, potassium content in dry matter and seed, and oil and protein content in seed. Similarly, the combined application of Zn and B exhibited increase over control in straw yield, harvest index, translocation efficiency, 100-seed weight and seed yield per plant.

^ssc2 tables, 19 ref

002363   Gayathri V;Asha V V;Subramoniam A (NO, Trop Botanic Garden and Res Inst, Pacha-Palode Thiruvananthapuram-695 562, Email: asubramoniam@yahoo.com) : Preliminary studies on the immunomodulatory and antioxidant properties of Seleaginella species. Indian J Pharmac 2005, 37(6), 381-5.

Immunomodulatory activity of the whole plants (water suspension) was studied in mice immunized with sheep RBC. The plant extracts were tested for their effect on lipid peroxidation (in vitro and in vivo in mice), and for in vitro hydroxyl radical scavenging activity. The most promising extract (water extract of S. involvens) was evaluated for its short-term toxicity in mice. The dried suspension (500 mg/kg) of the three plants did not influence humoral antibody titre and the number of antibody secreting cells in the mouse spleen. However, the plant suspensions as well as the water extracts (and not the other extracts) of the plants remarkably increased the weight of thymus in adult mice, and not in suckling mice. This effect was very marked in the case of S. involvens compared to the other two species. Although the water extract of all the three plants showed varying degrees of antioxidant activity, the antilipid peroxidation activity of S. involvens (water extract) was remarkable [EC₅₀: 2 μg/ml]. This extract did not exhibit any conspicuous toxicity in mice in general, short-term toxicity evaluation. At high dose, serum cholesterol level was significantly reduced.

5 tables, 22 ref

002362   Garg B K;Burman U;Kathju S K (Div of Soil-Water-Plant Relationships, Cent Arid Zone Res Inst, Jodhpur-342 003, Email: bkgarg@cazri.res.in) : Comparative water relations, photosynthesis and nitrogen metabolism of arid legumes under water stress. J Pl Biol 2005, 32(2), 83-93.

Relative drought tolerance of four arid legumes, viz. clusterbean (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba), moth bean (Vigna aconitifolia), mung bean (Vigna radiata) and cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) was assessed at vegetative and flowering stages separately by withholding of irrigation for nine days at each stage. Water stress decreased plant water potential, relative water content and leaf stomatal conductance at both stages but the decreases were more at the flowering stage in all the legumes. The levels of total chlorophyll, starch and soluble protein significantly declined while those of total soluble sugars, reducing sugars and free amino acids significantly increased under stress, indicating a dislocation in carbohydrate and nitrogen metabolism under water stress. Likewise, net photosynthetic rate and nitrate reductase activity were drastically reduced by water deficit. Drought had less detrimental effects on plant growth and seed yield at vegetative than at the flowering stage in all the legumes. Among various legumes, moth bean displayed highest drought tolerance, while least tolerance to stress was observed in mung bean at the vegetative and in cowpea at the flowering stage. Maintenance of high leaf turgidity, net photosynthetic rate and stomatal conductance at almost similar stress levels (in terms of plant water potential) along with least alteration in leaf metabolites in moth bean was reflected in its yield stability under water stress compared to other arid legumes. Though different legumes showed variable recovery on re-watering in their water status and most of the biochemical parameters studied, yield and dry matter did not recover fully when plants were subjected to water stress at the flowering stage.

2 illus, 6 tables, 36 ref

002361   Faz I S;Ahmad S;Jamal A;Abdin M Z (Dep of Biotechnol Cent for Transgenic Pl Dev Fac of Sci, Hamdard Univ, New Delhi-110 062) : Changes in oil and fatty acid composition of developing seeds of (aramira Eruca sativa Mill.) as influenced by sulphur and nitrogen nutrition. Indian J Pl Physiol 2005, 10(4), 354-61.

Randomized field experiments were conducted to study the interactive effect of sulphur (S) and nitrogen (N) on oil, protein, sugar and fatty acid composition in developing seeds of taramira (Eruca sativa Mill.). Two combinations of S and N (in kg ha^-1): S₀ + N₁₀₀ (-S+N) and S₄₀ + N₁₀₀ (+S+N) were used. In +S+N treatments, S was applied either as a single basal dose (T₂) or in two (T₃) or three splits (T₄). A rapid increase in total oil content commenced af 20 days after lowering (DAF) and continued to 40 DAF; the dry matter however, continued to accumulate until maturity. A gradual rise was found thereafter and finally the oil accumulated as storage oil. Combined application of S and N resulted in increased oil accumulation in the seeds right from the initial stage. The maximum increase was observed, when S and N were applied in three splits. There was a strong positive correlation between S and oil content in the seeds. Soluble protein content increased from 10 to 30 DAF, followed by a decline until maturity. Among the +S+N treatments, i.e. T₂, T₃, and T₄, the treatment T₄ resulted in maximum increase in soluble protein content of developing seeds. Total sugar content decreased from the initial stage of seed development till harvest. The fatty acid composition of the oil changed substantially during seed development. S and N application in three splits (T₄) resulted in the increased oleic acid (18:1) content, while decreased crude acid (22:1) content over other treatments. Reduction in 22:1/18:1 fatty acid ratio in the oil resulted in improved quality of oil.

5 illus, 1 table, 27 ref

002360   Engel V L;Martins F R (Dep of Nat Resour, UNESP - Sao Paulo St Univ Agronomic Sci Fac P.O. Box 237 18.603-970 B, Brazil, Email: veralex@fca.unesp.br) : Reproductive phenology of atlantic forest tree species in Brazil: an eleven year study. Trop Ecol 2005, 46(1), 1-16.

Reproductive phenorhythms of tree species in a tropical seasonal lowland forest in Southeastern-Brazil has been described. Every two weeks, five individuals of 41 species were observed for the occurrence of flowering and fruiting, from May 1982 to December 1992. All phenophases showed high seasonally, when considering the whole set of species, but the amplitude of the cycles was much more variable between years; only 13 species had regular flowering. Infra-annual flowering and fruiting were found in 11 and four species, respectively, while only one species flowered and fruited continually. Supra-annual cycles were observed in four (flowering) and seven (fruiting) species. An increase was observed in number of species and individuals flowering and fruiting from 1990 to 1992, following mainly an elevation in the absolute minimum air temperature. These data suggest a relationship between reproductive phenology and major climatic phenomena like "El Nino" events and solar activity cycles.

5 illus, 5 tables, 50 ref

002359   Dhiman A K (NO, Gurukul Kangri Univ, Hardwar-249 404) : Problems of medicinal plant wealth upon the phytogeography of Uttaranchal. Adv Pl Sci 2005, 18(2), 615-23.

Uttaranchal is a newly formed state possesses a rich potential of medicinal plant wealth with many products of industrial and commercial uses. It has been one of the largest suppliers of crude and raw drugs in the past but due to unplanned and extensive exploitation of the medicinal plants, population increase and urbanization process etc, a sharp decline is seen. Many plant species either have gone endangered or are on the verge of extinctions. So, there is a need to make an action plan for proper management of medicinal plant potentials of the state.

3 tables, 19 ref

002358   Desingh R;Ramachandra Reddy A (Dep of Bot, Annamalai Univ, Annamalai Nagar-608 002, Email: rdesingh@yahoo.com) : Differential responses to salinity stress in seedlings of three Eucalyptus species. Indian J Pl Physiol 2005, 10(4), 307-14.

Ascorbate and foliar contents of proline, glycine betaine and abscisic acid (ABA) along with lipid pcroxidation rates, electrolytic leakage were determined in three different Eucalyptus species, viz. E. camaldulensis Dehn., E. citriodora Hook., E. tereticornis Sm., subjected to salinity stress (Mixed salts: NaCl, MgSO₄ and CaCl₂) of different concentrations (0, 50, 100, 150mM). Sampling was done after 35 days of treatments in leaves. The contents of ascorbate and monodehydroascorbate in the leaf extracts of all Eucalyptus species showed variations to salinity stressed conditions. Lower rates of membrane lipid peroxidation and electrolytic leakage were noticed in the leaves of E. camaldulensis under salinity stress. Quantitative differences were also noticed in foliar proline, glycine betaine and ABA contents among Eucalyptus species in response to salinity. The leaves of E. camaldulensis accumulated more proline, glycine betaine and ABA under salinity stress compared to E. tereticornis and E. citriodora. The data demonstrate that E. camaldulensis have efficient antioxidative characteristics and ABA accumulation which could provide better protection against oxidative stress in leaves under salinity stress conditions.

5 illus, 2 tables

002357   Deshmukh R N;Dhumal K N (NO, New Arts Commerce and Sci Coll Parner, Ahmednagar-414 302) : Enzymatic studies in sorghum cultivars under peg induced water stress. Indian J Pl Physiol 2005, 10(4), 349-53.

Sorghum (Sorghum bicolar) cultivars M 35-1, Phule Maulee (RSLG-262), Phule Yashoda, Sel-3, Swati 108 and CSH-15 R were screened for drought tolerance under PBG-6000 induced water stress from -2 to -8 bars, on the hasis of activities of nitrate reductase, peroxidase and poly phenol oxidase. It was noted that the cultivars CSH-15 R and RSLG-262 were drought tolerant as compared to Phule Yashoda and Swati 108. Among the cultivars studied, Sel-3 and M 35-1 were found to he susceptible to water stress at seedling stage. The study indicated that enzymes like peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase along with nitrate reductase may serve as the indicators for testing the water stress tolerance and may he useful for sorghum breeders to evolve drought tolerant cultivars.

3 tables, 20 ref

002356   Bisht S S;Buchar S K;Kothyari B P;Palni L M S (NO, G.B. Pant Inst of Himalayan Envir & Dev, Kosi-Katarmal-263 643, Email: ssbisht1@yahoo.co.in) : Biochemical changes associated with retting of grewia back for fibre extraction. J Pl Biol 2005, 32(2), 125-7.

Grewia oppositifolia Roxb. ex. Mast (common names bhimal, beul, bhekua, etc.) is a moderate-sized deciduous tree, well known throughout the Himalayan region for its highly nutritive fodder, particularly for winter months. During spring, shade-dried branches from the winter harvest are submerged in semi-stagnant ponds called 'Khalls' for retting; the process is completed in about three weeks. This traditional method of fibre extraction still commonly practised in the Central Himalayan villages. Biochemical changes associated with the process of decomposition of bark and subsequent extraction of fibre have been examined. Increase in the per cent values for neutral detergent fibre, acid detergent fibre and cellulose was observed as the retting progressed. Concurrently, there was a gradual decrease in per cent values for hemi-cellulose and lignin. Upon submergence in water, fresh weight increased up to 12 days and then started to decrease till the process of retting was completed on 21st day; during the same period dry weight loss due to leaching ranged from 11 to 26%.

^ssc1 illus, 2 tables, 14 ref

002355   Baskin C C;Baskin J M (Dep of Biol, Univ of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40506-0225 USA, Email: ccback0@uky.edu) : Seed dormancy in trees of climax tropical vegetation type. Trop Ecol 2005, 46(1), 17-28.

Data on classes of seed dormancy, or of nondormancy, for 2040 species of trees in climax tropical forests: evergreen, 1098; semievergreen, 515; deciduous, 133; savanna, 223; and montane, 71 has been described. In evergreen, semievergreen, deciduous, savanna, and montane forests, 57.3, 52.0, 34.8, 37.8, and 33.8% of the species, respectively, had nondormant seeds. Overall, there was an increase in dormancy with decreases in temperature and precipitation across the gradient of forest types from evergreen to montane forests, but deciduous, savanna, and montane forests had about the same proportion of species with dormant seeds. Depending on the family, there were increases, decreases, or no change in proportion of species with dormant seeds across the gradient. Considering only the species with dormant seeds, physiological dormancy decreased from evergreen to deciduous forests but increased slightly in savanna and montane forests. On the other hand, physical dormancy increased from evergreen to savanna forests but decreased in the montane. Morphological dormancy decreased from evergreen to savanna forests but increased in montane forests. Morpho physiological dormancy decreased from evergreen to deciduous forests but increased in savanna and montane forests. Combinational dormancy (physical + physiological), which never exceeded 2%, was found only in evergreen and montane forests. Much research needs to be done to understand the evolutionary origins and biogeography of seed dormancy in tropical trees, and it is suggested that working on members of plant families that occur across the gradient of forest types may be a rewarding approach.

1 illus, 3 tables, 45 ref

002354   Baheti J R;V Kumar;Shah G B;Goyal R K (NO, K.B. Inst of Pharm Educ and Res, Sector-23, Gandhinagar-382 023, Email: gaurangbs@yahoo.com) : Free radical scavenging activity of aqueous extract of Rhus succedanea galls. J nat Remedies 2005, 5(1), 15-8.

Evaluates the free radical scavenging activity of aqueous extract of Rhus succedanea galls. Aqueous extract was prepared and free radical scavenging activity was studied using DPPH assay and nitric oxide scavenging assay. Aqueous extract of R. succedanea galls showed remarkable and concentration dependent free radical scavenging activity comparable to that of standard ascorbic acid in the studied models. IC₅₀ was found to be 27.33μg and 32.63μg in DPPH assay and NO scavenging assay respectively.

2 tables, 15 ref

002353   Aravind S M;Murthy K V Keshava; (Dep of Pl Path, Coll of Agric Univ of Agric Sci, GKVK, Bangalore-560 065) : Relationship of sunflower necrosis virus and its thrips vector, Thrips palmi Karny. Envir Ecol 2005, 23(4), 918-21.

Vector of sunflower necrosis virus (Ilarvirus) Thrips palmi Karny was found successful in transmitting the disease when longer acquisition access period of three days was given with 12.0 to 20.0 per cent transmission. A minimum of five days inoculation access period was found necessary for the vector to transmit the disease. A minimum of 15 viruliferous thrips per test plant were found necessary to transmit the disease. Results also suggests that latent period in the vector after acquisition was four days. Adult thrips failed to acquire and transmit the disease to test plants whereas, both adults and nymphs could transmit the disease only if they were allowed to feed on source plant during their nymphal stages.

5 tables, 8 ref

002352   Ajay ;Ramesh P;Reddy K S;Ramana S;Maji B (Div of Envir Soil Sci, Indian Inst of Soil Sci, Nabibagh, Bhopal-462 038) : Effect of nitrogen and farm yard manure on physiological parameters in Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) under vertisol soil type. Indian J Pl Physiol 2005, 10(4), 389-93.

An experiment was conducted to study the effect of nitrogen and farm yard manure (FYM) on some physiological, biochemical parameters and quality of root of medicinal plant ashwagandha at pre-flowering and post-flowering stages. Significant differences in pigment content (chlorophyll and carotenoids) were observed in both pre and post-flowering stages. Type from journal the total phenol and ortho-dihydric phenol content decreased with the application of nitrogen in pre-flowering stage, but increased with the application of nitrogen at post-flowering stage. The activity of polyphenol oxidase (PPO) showed an increasing trend with the application of nitrogen in pre-flowering stage and mixed trend in post-flowering stage. The highest grade of roots B, C and D were formed at all applied nitrogen levels. The quality of root based on the alkaloid content was found to be better at low nitrogen level (N₀ and N₂₀) and FYM. However, the root yield was maximum 20 kg N ha^-1.

^ssc3 tables, 16 ref

002351   Aher R K;Nair L N (Dept. of Bot, Univ of Pune, Pune-411 007) : Morphogenetic responses of plumule, radicle and cotyledon explants of Sorghum vulgare, Pers. in Vitro. Asian J Microbiol Biotechnol envir Sci 2005, 7(4), 791-2.

Sorghum vulgare, Pers. is an agronomically important crop and used as food and fodder purpose. An in vitro multiplication system was developed to effectively propogate disease free variety of sorghum as well as analysis of biochemical alterations in vitro. In vitro culture was done by germinating the seeds aseptically and the cotyledon, plumule and radicle were used as explant on Murashige and Skoog's (MS) medium. The M.S. medium supplemented with different concentrations of growth regulators like 2, 4-D, Kinetin, BAP and LAA. Out of different explants and combinations callus developed well from radicle explants. Radicle explants proliferated well in M.S.+ 2, 4 - D (1 mg/1) + BAP (1mg/1). Callusis used for organogenesis and detection of biochemical alterations. The in vitro raised plants were hardened in a green house and transplanted to the field successfully.

1 illus, 5 ref

002350   Agrawal S;Tiwari S (NO, , Dani Para, Raigarh, Chattisgarh) : Ecotaxonomic characteristics of flora of Raigarh, India. Asian J Microbiol Biotechnol envir Sci 2005, 7(4), 865-6.

Presents certain eco-taxonimical characters of few tree species of Raigarh.

1 table, 5 ref

001225   Vijaya Lakshmi P;Satyanarayana J;Harvir Singh;Ratnasudhakar T (Dep of Ent, Coll of Agric ANG Ranga Agril. Univ, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad-500 030) : Incidence of green leafhopper, Empoasca flavescens Fab. on castor, Ricinus communis L. in relation to morphological characters and date of sowing. J Oilseed Res 2005, 22(1), 93-9.

Experiment was laid out in a Split Plot Design at College Farm, College of Agriculture, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad during Rabi, 2002-03. Most popular and high yielding varieties of castor such as Kranti, Jyothi, Kiran and Hybrids viz., DCH-177 and GCH-4 were tested for their reaction under field conditions against leaf hoppers. These cultivars are sown in three different dates viz., 11-10-2002, 26-10-2002 and 10-11-2002 with three replications. Based on leafhopper population and hopper burn, hybrid DCH-177 (single bloom) were categorized as highly susceptible, varieties viz., Kranti, Jyothi and Kiran (double bloom) as less susceptible and GCH-4 (Triple bloom) as tolerant to leafhoppers incidence. The incidence of leafhopper decreased with increase in the intensity of bloom. The intensity of bloom was found to play a major role with infestation of leaf hopper than other morphological characters. Among three dates of sowings leafhopper incidence was more in October second fortnight, than October first fortnightand November first fortnight sowings. These were statistically significant with each other.

4 tables, 8 ref

001224   Tripathi K P;Garg V K (NO, Cent Arid Zone Res Inst, Jodhpur, Rajasthan-342 003) : Performance of anjan grass (Cenchrus ciliaris) in inter-dunal soils of western Rajasthan under different methods of establishment. Indian J agric Sci 2005, 75(9), 612-3.

The mycorrhizal fungi enhanced the establishment of colonizer grass C. ciliaris plants over the other methods of grass establishments, such as seeding, seed pelleting and transplanting with root slips without mycorrhizal infection in the soils. Further, presence of mycorrhizae in the grass root slips helped in shoot and root development of grass plants, enhanced soil moisture use and N and P uptake.

1 table, 4 ref

001223   Suneel Kumar;Singh S V;Khan M A (Dep of Zool Fac of Sci, Univ of Allahabad, Allahabad) : Observation on the life cycle of predatory bug, Canthecona furcellata Wolff. on poplar defoliator, Clostera fulgurita Walker. Pantnagar J Res 2005, 3(1), 37-9.

1 table, 8 ref

001222   Sinhababu A;Banerjee A;Kar R K (Dep of Bot Pl Physiol and Biochem Lab, Visva-Bharati Univ, Santiniketan-731 235, Email: r_kkar@rediffmail.com) : Assessment of tolerance to water stress at seedling stage of four fuel wood yielding legumes. J theor expl Biol 2004, 1(1), 19-23.

Twenty-five day old seedlings of four fast growing fuel wood yielding plants viz. Acacia auriculiformis A.Cunn., Albizia lehbeck (Linn.) Benth., Cassia fistula Linn, and Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) de Wit. were subjected to poly eihylene glycol (PEG)-induced water stress (-0.5 and -1.0 MPa) for 24 h in order to assess their relative tolerance to water stress. Leaves were analysed for relative water content (RWC) and activity of SOD(EC-1.15.1.1), catalase (EC-1.11.1.6) and peroxidase (EC-1.11.1.7). In all the cases, RWC declined significantly; however, such decline was least in C. fistula which reflects its relative drought tolerance through osmoregulation. Decline in the activity of the antioxidative enzymes was also least in the leaves of C. fistula seedlings again indicating its relatively high degree of drought tolerance.

2 illus, 22 ref

001221   Padmavathi G;Ram T;Pasalu I;Mishra B (NO, Directorate of Rice Res, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh-500 030) : Gene identification of brown planthopper (Nilaparvata lugens) resistance in rice (Oryza sativa). Indian J agric Sci 2005, 75(9), 587-90.

During winter season of 2000-2001 to analyse the allelic relationship of brown planthopper (Nilaparvala lugens Stal) resistance gene (s) in 10 resistant cultivars with the 3 known genes, i e Bph 3. bph 4 and Bph6(l) The brown planthopper resistant cultivars 'Velluthacheera 'T 1471', 'T 1426', 'T 1432', 'ARC 5984, 'Manoharsali', 'Sonasali' and 'Nagarjuna' were crossed with 'TN1' (susceptible) and some of the known gene donors, viz 'Rathu Heenati' (Bph 3), 'IR 72' (Bph 6t) , 'Babawee' (bph 4) while 'ARC 14529' and 'ARC 1477 1' were crossed with 'IR 72' only. All the parents, F₁s and F₂s were screened against brown planthopper population maintained at Hyderabad during 2000 and 2001 under glasshouse conditions using standardized mass screening techniques. The segregation pattern in F₂ generation of the crosses involving susceptible check 'TN1' with 'Velluthacheera', 'T 1471', 'T 1426' and 'T 1432' indicated 2 duplicate dominant genes, whereas crosses of 'ARC 5984', 'Manoharsali', 'Sonasali' and 'Nagarjuna' with TN 1' showed single recessive gene for resistance. The allelic test with known brown planthopper resistance genes, suggested that Velluthacheera', T 1471', 'T 1426', T 1432' possessed 2 dominant genes (Bph 3 and Bph 6l) while the genes present in 14529' and 'ARC 14771'are allelic to that of 'IR 72' (Bph 61). The other cultivars 'ARC 5984', 'Manoharsali', 'Sonasali' and 'Nagarjuna' possessed single recessive gene which is allelic to bph 4 present in 'Babawee.

3 tables, 22 ref

001220   Koshy K C;Gopakumar B (NO, Trop Botanic Garden and Res Inst, Palode, Thiruvananthapuram-695 562, Email: koshykc@hotmail.com) : An improvised vegetative propagation technique for self-incompatible bamboos. Curr Sci 2005, 89(9), 1474-6.

1 illus, 1 table, 12 ref

001219   Kandpal K;Santosh Kumar;Srivastava R;Ram Chandra (Dep of Hort, Coll of Agric G.B. Pant Univ of Agric and Technol, Pantnagar-263 145) : Effect of growth regulators on micropropagation of Dendranthema grandiflora. Pantnagar J Res 2005, 3(2), 61-2.

2 tables, 8 ref

001218   Jeyasankar A;Jesudasan R W A (Dep of Zool, Madras Christian Coll, Tambaram, Chennai-600 059) : Insecticidal properties of novel botanicals against a few lepidopteran pests. Pestology 2005, 29(11), 42-4.

Annual crop losses due to insect pests, diseases and weeds have been estimated to be about Rs. 50,000 crores in India. In the past, synthetic pesticides have reigned supreme in crop protection programmes and over 5 million tonnes of pesticides have been used the world over during this period immensely benefiting mankind. Intensification of agriculture, has further increased the number of insect pest species attacking different crops, as a result nearly 35 per cent of the standing crops are still destroyed. Indiscriminate use of chemical pesticide has resulted in the development of resistance by insects/weeds/ pests, resurgence and outbreak of new pests, toxicity to non-target organisms and hazardous effects on environment endangering the sustainability of ecosystem. Due to higher dose and repeated frequency of application of pesticides every year, one million people suffer from pesticide poisoning. These dreadful incidents have necessitated introduction of safer crop protection methods. Of the many alternative methods available for insect control, plant based insecticidal compounds gain prominence because they are easily biodegradable without causing pollution, thus being eco-friendly, and hence are hoped to provide cleaner and safer ecosystem. Until the second world war, the botanical pesticides used in the western hemisphere were pyrethrum, nicotine, rotenone, quassin, ryanodine and sabadilla. During the past three decades, neem (Azadirachta indica) has dominated the international literature on botanicals and it is receiving global attention in pest control and allied areas.

3 tables, 22 ref

001217   Jain A;Cao A;Karthikeyan A S;Baldwin J C; Raghothama K G (Dep of Hort and Landscape Architecture, Purdue Univ, West Lafayette, Indiana-47907-1165, USA, Email: ragu@hort.purdue.edu) : Phosphate dificiency suppresses expression of light-regulated psbO and psbP genes encoding extrinsic proteins of oxygen-evolving complex of PSII. Curr Sci 2005, 89(9), 1592-6.

Phosphate (Pi) is one of the important mineral nutrients influencing growth and development of plants. Prolonged Pi starvation is known to influence the light-saturated rate of photosynthetic evolution of O₂. The genes psbO and psbP encode 33 and 23 kDa extrinsic proteins respectively, that play a critical role in the structural and functional integrity of oxygen-evolving complex (OEC) of the photosystem II (PSII). Although the role of Pi in photosynthesis is well documented, the effect of its deficiency on the expression of these genes has not been elucidated. In the study analysed the expression of psbO and psbP genes in Arabidopsis thaliana supplemented with different concentrations of Pi. A concurrent increase in the transcript levels of these genes was observed with an increase in the concentration of Pi in the medium, suggesting a role for Pi in the regulation of these genes. These results were further substantiated by time-course studies where a complete suppression of psbO and psbP genes was observed in plants starved of Pi for 7 d. The suppressive effect of Pi deficiency on these genes could be alleviated by replenishment with Pi. Fe deficiency had only a moderate effect on the expression of these genes. The effects of Pi stress on the expression of these genes could have potential implications on the structural integrity of OEC and consequently its O₂ evolving efficacy.

2 illus, 28 ref

001216   Chandra R;Kumar S;Srivastva R K;Saud B K; Kandpal K (Dep of Hort, Coll of Hort G.B. Pant Univ of Agric and Technol, Pantnagar-263 145) : In vitro multiplication of gladiolus. Pantnagar J Res 2005, 3(2), 63-6.

Studies on in vitro bud initiation and shoot multiplication were carried out in gladiolus cvs. Rose Supreme, Snow Princess and Jester. Dormant axillary buds emerging from the corm were used as the source of explants. The explants were surface sterilized in 0.1 per cent HgCl₂ and cultured in MS medium supplemented with BAP (1.0 mg/l) and NAA (0.5 mg/l) was found effective for maximum survival (88%) and early bud emergence (6.49 days). Different combinations of growth regulators kinetin, BAP and NAA were tried for further shoot multiplication. MS medium supplemented with BAP (3.0 mg/l) and MS medium supplemented with kinetin (3.0 mg/l) resulted in maximum multiple buds per explant and longest shoot length.

3 illus, 11 ref

001215   Borgohain R;Devi J;Sarma R N (NO, Assam Agric Univ, Jorhat, Assam-785 013) : Intra- and interspecific genetic diversity exploration in chilli (Capsicum spp) using morphological and randomly applied polymorphic DNA markers. Indian J agric Sci 2005, 75(9), 582-5.

Experiment was conducted to study intra- and inter-specific genetic diversity during the winter season of 2001 and 2002 in 33 chilli (Capsicum spp) accessions of North-Eastcrn India belonging to 3 species using morphological characteristics and randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers. Forty Capsicum descriptor-based characters were used for morphology based hierarchical cluster analysis, which delineated 2 major clusters. One of the cluster included all but I C. annuum L. accession, while the other had all the C. chinense Jacq. and C.frutescens L. accessions. However, accessions belonging to later 2 species were separated at sub-cluster level. For RAPD analysis, 20 random oligonucleotide primers were used and only 15 showed amplification. A total of 101 bands with a mean of 6.73 bands/primer were amplified in the test accessions out of which 84 were polymorphic. The fragment size ranged from 325 to I 436 bp. The RAPD markers detected 83.17% polymorphism among the accessions. Two distinct clusters were delineated here too with all the C. frutescens accessions in one and C. annuum and C. chinense accessions in another. However, the C. chinense accessions were separated from C. annuum at sub-cluster level. Thus, the accession belonging to 3 species were differentiated by this technique and the clusters corresponded to previous morphology based classification of the species. Cultivar specific RAPD markers for eleven accessions were also detected in the study.

2 illus, 2 tables, 19 ref

001214   Augustine J (Dep of Bot, St. Thomas Coll, Pala, Kerala-686 574) : Vagamon hills - a death trap of endemic plants. Sci Soc 2004, 2(1), 45-9.

The Vagamon Hills that attracted public attention recently has been studied for its biodiversity and ecology for the last 14 years by numerous visits. It is at the boarder of Kottayam and Idukki districts and is the southwestern directed foothill of Anamalai-High Range center of endemism. Grassland-forest ecosystem is the vegetation type of this hill ranges and so far more than 800 species of flowering plants have been collected and identified from here. About 25% of the total species are endemic to Western Ghats and 44 of them were considered under various threat categories. The study in the context of the proposed tourism projects at Vagamon is important, as it resulted in documenting the biotic richness of the area. And it is feared that if the tourism project is implemented, the area may become one of the death traps of rare plants in the region.

1 table, 10 ref

001213   Ajai Kumar;Singh S P;Bhakuni R S (NO, Cent Inst of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Lucknow-226 015, Email: rs.bhakuni@cimap.res.in) : Secondary metabolites of Chrysanthemum genus and their biological activities. Curr Sci 2005, 89(9), 1489-1501.

Chrysanthemum genus synthesizes and accumulates a variety of secondary metabolites. Some of the biologically active secondary metabolites and pyrethroids are resposible for the insecticidal activity of the well known plant species Chrysanthemum cinerariaefolium. Review summarizes information available on the secondary metabolites isolated form Chrysanthemum genus.

^iia3 tables, 49 ref

000312   Zargar M Y;Khan M A;Parry S N;Ahmad M; Khursheed S (Envir Sci Div, S.K. Univ of Agric Sci and Technol of Kashmir, Srinagar-191 121, Email: myzargar@yahoo.com) : Effect of inoculation of Pseudomonas on the growth and development of fir and spruce seedlings. Indian J Microbiol 2005, 45(4), 314-15.

Pseudomona sp. were isolated from rhizosphere of fir and spruce growing in the forest stands at Gulmarg, Yousmarg and Tangmarg in Kashmir valley and examined for plant growth promoting activities. The isolates found to have plant growth promoting potentials were selected and inoculated to young fir and spruce seedlings to assess their role in plant growth and establishment of the seedlings. A few isolates increased the height, number of leaves, girth and weight of plants significantly. Nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium contents were also enhanced. Isolate PS5 was found in all the physicochemical characteristics.

^ssc2 tables, 12 ref

000311   Udayan P S;George S;Tushar K V;Balachandran I (NO, Cent for Medicinal Plants Res (CMPR) Arya Vaidya Sala, Changuvetty, Kottakkal-676 503, Email: psudayan@rediffmail.com) : Medicinal plants used by the Malayali tribe of Servarayan hills, Yercad, Salem district, Tamil Nadu, India. Zoos Print J 2006, 21(4), 2223-4.

4 ref

000310   Tiwari K L;Jadhav S K;Singh N B (Sch of Stud in Biotechnol, Pt. Ravishankar Shukla Univ, Raipur 492 010) : Allergenic plants of Raipur city. Bioinfolet 2006, 3(2), 91-2.

Survey of known allergenic plants growing at Raipur City (Chhattisgarh State) was carried out. A total of 31 plant species from 24 families were recorded. The flowering time of plants were also observed. Different plant species had different flowering time. The pollen grains of the above plants may cause allergy.

1 table, 7 ref

000309   Tiwari K L;Jadhav S K;Kunjam S R (SOS in Biotechnol, Pt. Ravishankar Shukla Univ, Raipur 492 010) : Sewage fund of Raipur city. Bioinfolet 2006, 3(2), 142-3.

1 table, 3 ref

000308   Tiwari A;Chauhan S V S (Dep of Bot, Sch of Life Sci DR. B.R. Ambedkar Univ, Agra-282 002, Email: svs250@rediffmail.com) : First report of Tribonema elegans Pascher (Heterotrichales, Xanthophyta) from Uttar Pradesh. Phytomorphology 2005, 55(3-4), 191-4.

Algal flora of Agra, seven has been investigated at different sites were explored. A new algal form namely, Tribonema elegans Pascher (Heterotrichales, Xanthophyta) was recorded from one of these sites. The occurrence of this alga at Agra, along with its characteristics morphological features, has been described.

1 illus, 1 table, 15 ref

000307   Srinivas P;Ram Reddy S;Reddy S M (Dep of Bot, Kakatiya Univ, Warangal, Andhra Pradesh) : Influence of AM fungi and rhizobium on the growth and development of two agroforestry tree species. Bioinfolet 2006, 3(2), 114-16.

Influence of dual inoculation by AM fungi (Glomus fasciculatum and G. mosseae) and Rhizobium on growth and development of Albizzia lebbeck and Acacia nilotica was investigated. Inoculation of AM fungi and Rhizobium individually promoted the growth of both the forest tree species which was further increased with dual inoculation. Inoculation of G. fasciculatum and G. mosseae resulted in maximum stimulation of growth of both the tree species under investigation.

1 table, 9 ref

000306   Singh P P;Srivastava S;Srivastava B C (Deptt. of Bot, Shiv Pati P G. Collage Shohratgarh, Siddharthnagar-272 205) : Toxic reponse of distillery effluent on the aquatic ferns Marsilea minuta Linn. Himalayan J Envir Zool 2005, 19(2), 141-4.

Effect of different concentrations (5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, and 25%) of distillery effluent on change in plants number, change in biomass, chlorosis, chlorophyll content (a,b and total) and carotenoid in Marsilea minuta Linn was studied. Higher concentrations (>10%) of distillery effluent were found to be toxic but however, can be used for irrigation purpose after proper dilution.

4 tables, 8 ref

000305   Singh A K;R D Ranjan (Dep of Bot and Pl Physiol Rajendra Agric Univ, , Pusa Samastipur-848 125) : Changes in growth and enzymatic activity of rapeseed genotypes under salt stress. Ann Pl Soil Res 2005, 7(2), 111-14.

Rapeseed genotypes were screened against salinity stress during germination. Tolerant genotypes (Panchali and Bhavani) and susceptible genotypes (TS-46 and PT-303) were subjected to different levels of salinity stress (0.0, 4.0, 8.0, 12.0 dSm^-1) to investigate the enzymatic basis of salt tolerance during germination. the tolerant genotypes had higher germination percentage, vigour index and mobilization efficiency alongwith high catalase, peroxidase and lower polyphenol oxidase activities.

2 tables, 13 ref

000304   Sharma V P;Sharma S R;Kumar S (Natn Res Cent for Mushroom, ICAR, Solan-173 213, Email: sharma_vsp93@rediffmail.com) : Nutritional requirements for mycelial growth and cultivation of Flammulina velutipes. Mushroom Res 2004, 14(1), 13-18.

Physiological studies on Flammulina velutipes revealed that out of fourteen solid media tested, Glucose asparagine agar medium supported the maximum radial mycelial growth (90 mm) followed by Malt extract agar medium (87 mm) and Rice extract agar medium (84 mm). Glucose asparagine was the best (11 mg/ml) among all the nine liquid media tested. Optimum temperature and pH for mycelial growth were respectively. Among thirteen carbon and nine nitrogen sources tested, the best growth was supported by sucrose and asparagine, respectively. All the four trace elements supported good growth of the fungus, however, 1 ppm FeSo₄, 2 ppm ZnSO₄ and MnSo₄ and 10 ppm Ammonium molybdate proved superior as compare to higher or lower concentrations of the same trace element tried. Among the four growth regulators, gibberellic acid supported the maximum (10.2 mg/ml) mycelial growth at 100 ppm concentration. Pasture grass supported the fastest growth among all the eight substrates tested. In cultivation, trial biological efficiency of thirty per cent was obtained on sawdust of broad tree leaves.

1 illus, 5 tables, 10 ref

000303   Saraswathi M S;Balakrishnamurthy G;Seaswaran; Sathiamoorthy S (Dep of Fruit Crops, Horticultural Coll and Res Inst Tamil Nadu Agric Univ, Coimbatore-641 003, Email: saraswathimse@rediffmail.com) : Influence of season, pre-excision and post-excision treatments on in vitro establishment of axenic axillary buds of mature field grown male marker trees of elite papaya genotype 9-1 D<. Phytomorphology 2005, 55(3-4), 143-50.

Attempts were made to counteract the losses associated with endophytic contamination in explants of mature field grown trees of elite papaya genotype 9-1 D. Among the various spray schedules tried, lowest contamination (40.00 per cent) was observed in treatment (T4) where the pre-excision treatment of mother trees with bavistin 0.1 per cent-four times on alternate days and finally with gentamycin 500 mg l^-1 was coupled with post excision treatment of axillary buds for 1/2 hr in each of 0.1 per cent bavistin and 500 mg l^-1 gentamycin followed by routine sterilization. The axillary buds collected and cultured during summer months recorded the maximum bud break (60.00 per cent) and minimum contamination (40.00 per cent) whereas those cultured during winter months (Nov-Jan) recorded the maximum contamination and minimum bud break.

2 illus, 2 tables, 14 ref

000302   Salgare S A (Salgare Res Foundation Pvt. Ltd., Prathamesh Soc, Shivaji Chowk, Karjat-410 201) : Effect of ageing on pollen tube growth of successive flowers of Cyamopsis tetragonoloba, Taub.. Himalayan J Envir Zool 2005, 19(2), 207-8.

Potentiality of pollen germinability in Cyamopsis tetragonoloba, Taub. Var. Pusa Navbahar Gawar was noted in F, F-24, F-48, F-72 series i.e. open flowers and the flower buds which required 24, 48, 72 hours to open respectively. After one week of flowering 345.15±12.34, 510.55±16.07, 450.66±14.18,105.82±11.05 mm pollen tube length was noted in F, F-24, F-48, F-72 series of successive flowers respectively. However, after 6 weeks of an initiation of flowering 300.00±12.85,450.35±14.50, 400.00±13.86, 075.00±10.28 mm pollen tube length was recorded in F, F-24, F-48, F-72 series of successive flowers respectively of this plant.

1 table, 8 ref

000301   Salgare S A (Salgare Res Foundation Pvt. Ltd., Prathamesh Soc, Shivaji Chowk, Karjat-410 201, Email: drsalgare@rediffmail.com) : Effect of ageing on pollen germination of successive flowers of cyamopsis tetragonoloba Taub. Himalayan J Envir Zool 2005, 19(2), 187-8.

Potentiality of pollen germinability in Cyamopsis tetragonoloba Taub. Var. Pusa Navbahar -Gawar was noted in F, F-24, F-48, F-72 series i.e. open flowers and the flower buds which required 24, 48, 72 hours to open respectively. After one week of flowering 57.08±0.36, 80.00±0.81, 65.87±0.50, 10.18±0.09% pollen germination was noted in F, F-24, F-48, F-72 series of successive flowers respectively. However, after 6 weeks of an initiation of flowering 08.46±0.09 pollen germination was recorded in F, F-24, F-48, F-72 series of successive flowers respectively in Cyamopsis tetragonoloba Taub. Var. Pusa Navbahar - Gawar.

1 table, 3 ref

000300   Salgare S A (Salgare Res Foundation Pvt. Ltd., Prathamesh Soc, Shivaji Chowk, Karjat-410 210, Email: drsalgare@rediffmail.com) : Effect of ageing of pollen viabillity of successive flowers of Cyamopsis tetragonoloba, Taub. Himalayan J Envir Zool 2005, 19(2), 185-6.

Pollen viability of Cyamopsis tetragonoloba, Taub. Var. Pusa Navbahar-Gawar was tested by weekly interval after an initiation of flowering till the end of it. After one week of flowering 85.27±0.45, 85.20±0.40, 85.00±0.56, 85.3610.30% pollen viability was noted in F, F-24, F-48, F-72 series of successive flowers respectively. However, after 6 weeks of an initiation of flowering 81.50±0.46, 81.28±0.36, 81.37±0.48, 81.24±0.48% pollen viability was recorded in F, F-24, F-48, F-72 series of successive flowers respectively in Cyamopsis tetragonoloba Taub. Van Pusa Navbahar- Gawar.

1 table, 3 ref

000299   Sahai K (NO, Natn Bot Res Inst, Lucknow-226 00, Email: sahaikanak@rediffmail.com) : Taxonomic relevance of anatomical characteristics of seed coat among some species of Acacia miller. Phytomorphology 2005, 55(3-4), 275-81.

Critical examination of mature seed coat in transection of 12 species of Acacia Miller, viz., A. acinacea Lindl., A. acuminata Benth, A. aroma Gillies ex Hook. Arn., A. baileyana F. Muell., A. dodonaeifolia Willd., A. estrophiolata F. Muell. A. neriifolia A. Cunn. ex Benth., A. oswaldii F. Muell., A. saligna (Labill.) Wendl. F, A. sclerosperma F. Muell., A. sophorae (Labill.) R. Br., and A. trinervata Sieber ex DC. exhibited some anatomical differences with each other. Major differences were seen in the shape and size of macrosclereids (palisade cells) and osteosclereids (hourglass cells), presence and absence of double layer of macrosclereids and inner osteosclereids. Differences have also been observed in shape and size of parenchymatous cells and degree of their lignifications. A. dodonaeifolia and A. sclerosperma have the most lignified parenchymatous zone. Though, parenchymatous zone in each species was multi-layered, the number of lignified cell-layer varied species to species. A double layer of macrosclereids was observed in 6 species. A layer of inner osteosclereids was regularly observed in all the examined species except in A. sophorae and A. trinervata where it could not be traced. However, anatomical features of testa are important in distinguishing the taxa with each other and thus can be useful in their identification and delimitation at species level.

2 illus, 1 table, 20 ref