014934   Kadam R K;Dhavle S D;Allapure R B;Jadhav B S (Botany Dep, Mahatma Gandhi Mahavidyalaya, Ahmedpur, Latur, Maharashtra) : Evolution of phenological plasticity in Parthenium hsterophorus in response to air pollution stress and unordered environmental variation. Asian J envir Sci 2008, 3(2), 131-3.

Strong phenotypic plasticity in Parthenium hysterophorus regarding life span, height of plant, flowering time, under pollutant stress, particularly air pollution stress were observed. Environment might be more important in determining genetic and phenotypic changes. There was also increasing evidence that the amount and pattern of expressing genetic variation itself was environment dependence. Parthenium hysterophorus showed adaptive phenotypic evolution within range of environments.

3 tables, 6 ref

014933   Joy Padma Dinesh G;Poornima S;Vimala Devi M; Sundar S K (NO, , 16A/30, Victory Lane, Vetturni Madam P.O., Nagercoil-629 003, Email: gjoybio@googlemail.com) : In vivo screening of anti inflammatory and analgesic potential of selected medicinal plants. Asian J Microbiol Biotechnol envir Sci 2009, 11(4), 773-5.

A good number of herbal remedies have stood the test of time, particularly for the treatment of allergic, metabolic and degenerative diseases associated with aging. Traditional medicinal plants in various countries, especially in India have been used for various aliments such as inflammation and for immunopotentiation. In the present study, two plants such as Clerodendrum sermtum, Mollugo cerviana were screened for analgesic and anti inflammatory property using tail flicking and paw oedema assay. The findings revealed that better activity was noticed in C.serratum at 50 |ag concentration. More phytochemical compounds were also detected in C.serratum Even though microgram of the plant extract was used in the present study; further isolation, purification and characterisation of the drug using chromatographic techniques may help us to formulate nanograms of bioactive principle for prophylaxis.

2 tables, 10 ref

014932   Jeeva S;Kiruba S;Lalhruaitluanga H;Prasad M N V;Rao R R (Botany Dep, Nesamony Memorial Christian College, Marthandam-629 165, Email: prasad_mnv@yahoo.com) : Flowering of Melocanna baccifera (Bambusaceae) in Northeastern India. Curr Sci 2009, 96(9), 1165-6.

1 illus, 8 ref

014931   Jayakumar S;Ramachandran A;Heo J (Geomatics and Remote Sensing Laboratory, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, College of Engineering,, Seoul, Korea, Email: jheo@yonsei.ac.kr) : Comparison of floristic diversity of evergreen forest inferred from different sampling approaches in the eastern ghats of Tamil Nadu, India. Curr Sci 2009, 96(4), 575-81.

Floristic inventory and diversity studies are conducted using various sampling methods. The present study compared floristic diversity of an evergreen forest of Kolli Hill based on three sampling methods, viz. (a) ad hoc (AH) vegetation survey, (b) stratified random plot (SRP) and (c) bigger plot (BP). The evergreen forest area (2889.5 ha) was classified with IRS 1D LISS III satellite data and the evergreen area belonging to different reserve forests were subset. Floristic inventory with SRP was carried out on 0.1% of total evergreen area using 20 X 20 m plot. An earlier study done on the same locality was considered as the BP. The AH, SRP and BP recorded, 121, 91 and 78 tree species respectively. The mean tree densities were 547 and 478 trees ha^{-1 and the mean basal areas were 46.74 and 43.6 m2 ha~1 in SRP and BP respectively. All the diversity indices calculated based on SRP with 3 ha sampling area and BP with 8 ha sampling area varied considerably.}

2 illus, 7 tables, 37 ref

014930   Jagtap T G;Shenai-Tirodkar P S;Savant S B; Kulkarni V A;Ansari Z A (NO, National Institute of Oceanography, Dona Paula, Goa-403 004, Email: tanaji@nio.org) : Elysia bangtawaensis swennen (Nudibranch) from the mangrove habitat of Mandovi estuary, Goa (central west coast), India. Curr Sci 2009, 96(1), 30-3.

2 illus, 3 tables, 17 ref

014929   Jadhav D (NO, , Kanchan, 72 Rajiv (Kasturba) Nagar, Ratlam, Madhya Pradesh) : Ethno-medicinal plants used for dental troubles by the Bhil tribe of Ratlam district (M.P.) India. Indian For 2009, 135(1), 140-2.

17 ref

014928   Harish Singh;Srivastava S C;Krishna G;Kumar A (Central Botanical Laboratory, Botanical Survey of India, Howrah, West Bengal) : Ethnobotany of Indigofera cassioides Rottler Ex Dc.. Indian For 2009, 135(2), 227-30.

The paper Provides botanical description, phenology, vernacular names, ecology and distribution along with less known edible, medicinal and other uses of Indigofera cassioides Rottler ex DC. in different parts of India on the basis of field and literature study. This paper also provides method of cultivation of the plant in the waste/barren land as a subsidiary food crop and for the economic benefits of the tribal people.

7 ref

014927   Gol N B;Ramana Rao T V;Patel P R (Biosciences Dep, Sardar Patel Univ, Vallabh Vidyanagar, Gujrat-388 120) : Certain biochemical changes associated with the growth and ripening of mulberry (Morus Alba L.) frut. Prajna 2009, 17(Dec), 58-64.

The biochemical composition and enzymatic changes were analyzed in the fruit of Morns alba at its five sequential developmental stages. A declining trend of chlorophylls and carotenoids occurs simultaneously with an increase in the anthocyanins content. As the Mulberry fruit proceeds towards ripening a concomitant sharp increase occurs in the quantity of sugars, but the amount of total starch, protein and ascorbic acid decreases. The changes in the activity of enzymes such as amylase, invertase, catalase and peroxidase involved in a number of catabolic and anabolic reactions indicate that these enzymes also have active role in the process of Mulberry fruit growth and ripening. The specific activity of invertase and cell wall degrading enzymes such as PG, celiulase and PME showed higher activity throughout the growth and ripening stages. The present study manifests that with rich source of sugars and antioxidants the fruit of Moms alba can be used as a natural food. Besides, since a significant amount of anthocyanins also found to get accumulated in the ripening Mulberry fruit, it may also be used as a natural food colorant. Due to significant medicinal and economic importance, Mulberry fruits are recommended for their commercial exploitation.

8 iluus 4 tables, 29 ref

014926   Gogoi S N;Sarma S K (Host Plant Improvement Div, Central Muga Eri Research and Training Institute, Lahdoigarh, Jorhat, Assam) : Ecological study of winter weeds in tea [Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze] plantations of Dibrugarh and Tinsukia district of Assam. Indian For 2009, 135(2), 198-208.

Ecological investigation covering pbyte-sociological'attributes of 123 winter weed species have been reported in the article from the tea fields of Dibrugarh and Tinsukia districts of Assam, Importance Value Index (IVI) of each species was calculated. Among the weed species, Axonopus compressus (38.986), Imperata cylindrica (26.353), Ageratum conyzoides (26.251), Cynodon dactylon (14.383), Oxalis corniculata (11.348) and Gnaphalium indicum (10.39), are identified as the most dominant species in the tea fields. The study showed variation in their IVI values in different study sites due to for change in the physicochemical properties of soil of the study sites. Although the physical properties of soils are almost similar in all the study sites, their nutrient contents show variations, which may be the prime cause of variation in the IVI values.

3 tables, 24 ref

014925   Gill D S (Botany Dep, Punjab Agricultural Univ, Ludhiana-141 001) : Agro-physiological traits for screening heat tolerant lines of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) under late sown conditions. Indian J agric Res 2009, 43(3), 211-14.

A field experiment WES conducted during rabi (winter) season. Five wheat cultivars (PBW-343, WH-542, PBW-502, PBW-509 and Raj-3765) sown on six dates of sowing starting from 31st October at weekly interval upto 5th December to find out suitable thermotolerance traits and genotypes. Amongst eleven traits recorded at different growth stages, largest variability was observed in crop growth rate (CGR), partitioning to spike, grain spike weight ratio (GSWR), spike growth duration (SGD), cumulative growing degree days (GDD) accumulated during vegetative and reproductive phenophases and grain yield at maturity. The highest grain yield was correlated with longer spike growth duration, partitioning higher crop growth rate and grain spike weight ratio at anthesis phase. The results revealed that cumulative growing degree-days (GDD) accumulated more during the reproductive phases as compared with the vegetative phases of wheat cultivars. The GDD is the effective selection criteria for screening thermotolerant lines of wheat.

1 table, 7 ref

014924   Geetha R;Gopal G V (Botany Section, Regional Institute of Education, Mysore, Karnataka, Email: chinnigeethanazar@yahoo.co.in) : In-vitro regeneration of Siegesbeckia orientalis L., a medicinal plant. Asian J Microbiol Biotechnol envir Sci 2009, 11(4), 903-6.

Multiple shoots were induced from nodal explants of Siegesbeckia orientalis L. on Murashige and skoog's basal medium supplemented with Img/L Benzyl Amino Purine within 4 weeks of culture. These shoots were sub cultured for in vitro rooting with MS medium supplemented with different auxins at various concentrations and the best results were obtained on MS+1 mg/L Indole Butyric Acid. In vitro flowering was observed on a medium supplemented with 2 mg/L Benzyl Amino Purine within six weeks of culture. The plantlets were hardened in a 2:1 potting mixture of sand and soil and were established under greenhouse conditions. Hence, in vitro propagation protocol of siegsbeckia orientalis has been standardized.

1 illus, 2 tables, 20 ref

014923   Garg A (NO, Central National Herbarium, Botanical Survey of India, P.O. Indian Botanic Gardens, Howrah-711 103, Email: kad_396@yahoo.com) : Pollen-the underestimated treasure of taxonomists. Curr Sci 2009, 96(2), 202-3.

Integration of the two disciplines of botany, viz. palynology and taxonomy is essential as it adds profound substance and accurateness in species discrimination and in resolving taxonomic complexities. Such an effort would minimize errors and modify taxonomy. I have suggested the possible practical expansion in the prevailing methods which are of utility in multidimensional taxonomic approach.

11 ref

014922   Christian B;Krishnayya N S R (Ecology Laboratory, Botany Dep, Faculty of Science, The M.S. Univ of Baroda, Vadodara-390 002, Email: krish14@gmail.com) : Classification of tropical trees growing in a sanctuary using hyperion (EO-1) and SAM algorithm. Curr Sci 2009, 96(12), 1601-7.

The study aims at classifying tropical trees using Hyperion (EO-1) and SAM (Spectral Angle Mapper) algorithm. The study was conducted in the Shoolpaneshwar Wildlife Sanctuary (SWS), Narmada District, Gujarat, India. Hyperion data were obtained during October 2006 when the vegetation was lush green. Field survey was done coinciding with data acquisition time. The tree species identified for discrimination were Tectona grandis L., Dendrocalamm strictus Nees., Mangifera imlica L., Madhuca indica J. F. Gmel. and Ficus glom-erata Roxb. Hyperion data were preprocessed. End-member spectra for each species were selected and used as library spectra for the classification. SAM was performed for the entire spectrum, VIS-NIR region (1-90 bands), SWIR-I region (103-136 bands), SWIR-II region (159-195 bands), 1-10 MNF and 1-15 MNF bands. Overall accuracy assessment (OAA), kappa coefficient and user's and producer's accuracy were calculated. SAM classification with 196 bands (full-spectra) of Hyperion data gave 51% OAA for the five tropical trees selected. The obtained OAA was appropriate looking at the pattern of vegetal cover and also of the sensor used. Partition analysis of the spectrum indicated superiority of VIS-NIR region for classification. SWIR-I and II did not fare well because of the biophysical state of vegetal cover. SAM showed the highest accuracy (59.57%) for spectra of 1-10 MNF bands. Higher accuracy using MNF band combination indicated the potential of MNF transformation to increase classification accuracy of tropical trees by reducing data dimensionality. Our study indicates that homogeneity in the vegetal cover is a critical aspect for classification in the tropical areas. We conclude that SAM is an appropriate method for classifying Hyperion data of the tropics. With the reported densities for Tectona and Dendrocalamus, Hyperion is found to be an appropriate sensor for monitoring.

4 illus, 45 ref

014921   Chandra Sekar K;Ganesan V (NO, G.B. Pant Institute of Himalayan Environment & Development, Kosi-Katarmal, Almora, Uttarakhand) : Reproductive biology of Acacia nilotica (L.) Willd. Ex del. subsp. Indica benth.. Indian For 2009, 135(7), 914-26.

The reproductive biology of Acacia nilotica (L.) Willd. ex Del. subsp. indica Benth. (Mimosaceae) is detailed by floral biology, phenology, pollen biology, stigma receptivity, breeding system, composition and relative abundance of flower visitors, time spent at flowers by pollinators and resource allocation. The percentage of pollen viability varied significantly (P<0.05) from 50% to 75%. The morning samples collected between 10.00 and 11.00 hours had significantly better viability (75%) than the samples collected at 17.00 hour (50%). 8% sucrose supplemented with boric acid 1000 ppm and gibberellic acid 500 ppm was found to be an ideal medium for enhanced pollen germination and pollen tube growth. The viability of pollen stored at 0°C was highest in comparison to the pollen kept at room temperature and at 4°C. A total of 17 flower visitors recorded in the study sites. Oxyrchis torandus had spent maximum time on flowers. The construction of each flower costed 0.00416 g, of these 48% of total allocation spent by attractive yellow colored stamens. The seed cost recorded as 44% of the total pod cost, while remaining 56% allocated to pack the seeds as well as to organize for effective dispersal.

7 tables, 24 ref

014920   Bjorn L O;Govindjee (Cell and Organism Biology Dep, Lund Univ, Solvegatan 35, SE-22362 Lund, Sweden, Email: lars_Olof.Bjorn@cob.lu.se) : Evolution of photosynthesis and chloroplasts. Curr Sci 2009, 96(11), 1466-74.

This review focuses on what has been learned about the evolution of photosynthesis in the past five years, and omits evolution of CO₂ assimilation. Oxygenic photosynthesis (using both photosystems I and II) has evolved from anoxygenic photosynthesis. The latter occurs in different variants, using either a type 1 photosystem resembling photosystem I, or a type 2 photosystem resembling photosystem II. Opinions differ as to how two types of photosystem came to be combined in the same organism, whether by gene transfer between bacteria, by fusion of bacteria, or as a result of gene duplication and evolution within one kind of bacterium. There are also different opinions about when oxygenic photosynthesis arose, in conjunction with the Great Oxygenation Event, 2.3 billion years before the present, or more than a billion years before that. Cyanobacteria were the first organisms to carry out oxygenic photosynthesis. Some of them gave rise to chloroplasts, while others continued to evolve as independent organisms, and the review outlines both lines of evolution. At the end we consider the evolution of photosynthesis in relation to the evolution of our planet.

iia 7 illus, 73 ref

014919   Bisht A S;Nautiyal B P;Bhatt A B (Boany Dep, HNB Garhwal Univ, Srinagar, Garhwal, Uttarakhand) : Propagation and growh performance of Hedychium spicatum Smith. under different hormonal and soil treatments. Indian For 2009, 135(1), 60-6.

H. spicatum is an important Himalayan medicinal herb and the species needs immediate attention and priority for conservation due to over exploitation and increasing demand in herbal market. Keeping this in view, the present investigation was aimed to enhance the seed germination percentage of H. spicatum using hormones and trying various soil compositions under nursery conditions. Treatment of seeds by various concentrations of hormones and soil treatment (litter addition) improved germination as well as growth performance. These findings can be utilized for producing propagates of the species for domestication and cultivation to realize commercial requirements. The method would be an additional advantage over vegetative propagation by rhizomes.

3 tables, 11 ref

014918   Bhat P R;Shenoy H S P;Kaveriappa K M (Biotechnology Dep, Alva's College, Moodbidri, Karnataka) : Status of some species of rattans (Calamus spp.) in the forest of Western Ghats of Karnataka, India. Indian For 2009, 135(4), 517-30.

Rattans of Peninsular India belong to only one genus namely Calamus and 21 species. Twenty species occurring in Western Ghats forests are reported here. The status of C. delessertianus and C. rheedei is uncertain while 15 species are endemic to Western Ghats. Among the five states falling within the Western Ghats, Karnataka has the maximum 13 Calamus species, of which 11 were endemic to the Western Ghats. Three species namely, C. lacciferus, C. lakshmanae and C. prasinus were restricted only to Karnataka region of the Western Ghats. Among the 13 species of Calamus occurring in Karnataka, 12 were found in Kodagu District. Studies were undertaken to determine the status of rattans in some cane-rich forests of Kodagu, Dakshina Kannada and Uttara Kannada districts of Karnataka by belt transect method. The study has revealed that Sampaje, Karike and Makut in Kodagu District, Subramanya and Charmadi in Dakshina Kannada District and Anantavadi (Honnavar) in Uttara Kannada District were rich in some species of rattans including those endemic to the Western Ghats. The population of C. lakshmanae and C. prasinus (restricted only to Karnataka) was high in Sampaje and Karike forest respectively, however, C. stoloniferus (restricted to Karnataka and Maharashtra) was very high in Makut forest of Kodagu District. In Dakshina Kannada District C. nagabettai was well distributed in about 25 km radius around Subramanya, while Charmadi area has a rich population of C. thwaitesii and fairly good representations of C, prasinus, C. pseudotenuis and C. nagabettai. The population density of C. karnatafyensis (restricted to Karnataka and Goa) was very high in Anantavadi forests near Honnavar.

5 tables, 6 ref

014917   Bhardwaj S K;Laura J S (Biosciences Dep, M.D. Univ, Rohtak-124 001, Email: skbmdu66@gmail.com) : Antibacterial activity of some plant-extracts against plant pathogenic bacteria Xanthomonas campestris PV. Campestris. Indian J agric Res 2009, 43(1), 26-31.

Aqueous extracts of twenty plants were screened by agar diffusion method for their antibacterial activity against Xantltomonas campestris pv. campestris, a causal organism of black rot of cabbage and cauliflower. Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestriswas found most sensitive to the leaf extract of Camellia sinensis. Some of the other plants such as Acacia arabicae, Aegle marmelos, Acacia catechu, Achyranthus asper, Asparagus racemosus, Azadirachta indica, Callistemon lanceolatus and Acacia femesiana, also showed the inhibitory effect against the test bacteria.

2 tables, 27 ref

014916   Bhardwaj N;Gupta S (Botany Dep, Forest Research Institute, Dehra Dun) : Wood micro-structural studies of Indian rutaceae part III : tribe flindersiae. Indian For 2009, 135(4), 500-4.

The present study deals with the detailed wood anatomy of the Indian species of the genus Chloroxylon swietenia DC belonging to the tribe of Flindersioideae of the family Rutaceae. Photomicrographs have been given for the diagnostic features. The wood of this tribe is used for carving, turnery and mathematical instruments. The genera includes mostly diffuse porous woods with marginal and diffuse parenchyma; exclusively simple perforation plate; non-vestured, alternate and minute inter vessel pitting with coalescent aperture. In all the samples prismatic crystals in chambered parenchyma cells were observed. New reports include coalescent aperture in the vessels and crystals in fibres for the first time.

1 table, 7 ref

014915   Barik S K;Lyngdoh E K;Naithani H B (Centre for Advanced Studies in Botany, North-Eastern Hill Univ, Shillong, Meghalaya) : Taxonomic identity, ecological niche and distribution of two restricted range bamboo species of Meghalaya-Phyllostachya mannii gamble and Sinarundinaria griffithiana (Munro) C.S. Chao & Renvoize. Indian For 2009, 135(1), 67-77.

Paper presents a comprehensive account on taxonomic identity, niche characteristics and distribution pattern of two important bamboo species of Meghalaya viz., Phyllostachys mannii Gamble and Sinarundinaria grifftthiana (Munro) C.S. Chao & Renvoize. The altitudinal distribution of both the species, and stand micro-environmental variables and soil characteristics indicate similar niche of the species. Both the species follow three-phase growth sequence. Based on the culm height, diameter and sheath morphology, it was concluded that Phyllostachys mannii, Phyllostachys assamica and Phyllostachys bambusoides are synonyms instead of being independent species as has been argued by many earlier workers. The distribution map of Phyllostachys mannii and Sinarundinaria grifftthiana in Meghalaya shows extremely restricted distribution. Phyllostachys mannii has a restricted distribution world-wide and is confined to Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland of India, Yunnan province of China, and Myanmar. Sinarundinaria grifftthiana has also extremely restricted distribution in Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland and hills of West Bengal in India, Bhutan, Laos, Myanmar, China and Vietnam. Hence, based on their global distribution pattern, both the species may be termed as Endemic to South-East Asia.

3 illus, 2 tables, 15 ref

014914   Bahar N (Forest Tree Seed Laboratory, Silviculture Div, Forest Research Institute, Dehra Dun, Uttarakhand) : New report on precocious germination (Vivipary) in Diploknema butyracea (Roxb.) H.J. Lam.. Indian For 2009, 135(3), 431-2.

1 illus, 6 ref

014969   Vishwakarma P;Dumont M G;Bodorossy L; Stralis-Pavese N;Murrell J C;Dubey S K (Botany Dep, Banaras Hindu Univ, Varanasi-221 005, Email: dskbot@rediffmail.com) : Ecological and molecular analysis of the rhizospheric methanotroph community in tropical rice soil: effect of crop phenology and land-use history. Curr Sci 2009, 96(8), 1082-9.

To study the effect of crop phenology and cultivation practices on methanotrophic communities, two tropical rice fields located in the upper Gangetic plain of India with similar soil type and different cropping history were selected. A laboratory incubation experiment for the enumeration of methanotrophs and for the measurement of CH₄ oxidation potential was conducted on a parallel basis. The methanotroph population size was found to be significantly higher in the Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Varanasi soil than the Indian Institute of Vegetable Research (HVR), Varanasi soil. The population size increased with the age of the plant for both the sites. The CH₄ oxidation potential was higher with the BHU soil compared to the IIVR soil. The CH₄ oxidation rate increased significantly from tillering to flowering to grain-filling stages, and finally there was no significant difference between the grain-filling and the grain-maturation stages. A diagnostic microarray targeting the pmoA gene and a 16S rRNA denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE)-based approach were applied to assess the diversity of the methanotrophic community for the two sites. A broad diversity of methanotrophs was detected at both sites, including type I and type II methanotrophs of the genera Methy-lobacter, Methylomonas, Methylosarcina, Methylos-phaera, Methylomicrobium and Methylocystis. Type II methanotrophs were found in higher abundance as compared to type I methanotrophs at both the sites. DGGE analysis indicated that the methanotroph community in BHU soil was more or less stable, while little variation was found in IIVR soil during crop growth.

3 illus, 3 tables, 35 ref

014968   Venil C K;Raja S S S (NO, , 13/262, M.G.R. Nagar, Podanur, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu) : Beta asarone-an anti-microbial compound from sweet flag (Acorus calamus Linn.). Indian For 2009, 135(1), 126-32.

Acorus calamus commonly known as Sweet flag is a medicinal herb, effectively used in treating variety of illness. The chemicals were fractionated from rhizome of Acorus calamus and antimicrobial properties of Hydrocarbon and Beta asarone were studied. Acorus calamus were collected from Nilgiri wetland areas. The components of rhizome of Acrous calamus were separated using column chromatography. Hydrocarbon and Beta asarone parts were eluted from the column and tested for its antimicrobial assay. Antibacterial activity of fractionated beta asarone inhibited the growth of Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Salmonella typhi and Listeria monocytogenes. There is no antibacterial activity in fractionated hydrocarbon. The determination of antimicrobial activity of-Acorns calamus reveals that beta asarone is responsible for antimicrobial activity and this can be used in future for preparation of drugs.

1 illus, 1 table, 7 ref

014967   Usha Singh;Satya Narain (Duthie Herbarium, Ethnobotany Cell, Botany Dep, Allahabad Univ, Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh) : Ethno-botanical wealth of Mirzapur district, U.P.. Indian For 2009, 135(2), 185-97.

Mirzapur District of Uttar Pradesh, covering land area 4,952 km^{2, is a natural treasure of vast number of plants having ethno-botanical importance. The present study enumerates some common and extensively used ethno-medicinal plants. During the ethno-botanical survey in the district, 183 plants species belonging to 158 genera and 60 families have been collected. The medicinal informations were gathered by personal contact with the aborigines such as Kols, Musahar, Baiga, Pashaiya, Gond, Saharia, Panika, Kharwar, Agaria and others. Plants with botanical name, family, local name, part used are given. These plants are useful under rural healthcare system and for herbal drug industry.}

1 illus, 1 table

014966   Unadkat K;Parikh P (Botany Dep, Faculty of Science, M.S. Univ of Baroda, Vadodara, Gujarat-390 002) : Metabolic observations on zinc induced toxicity on Lemna Polyrriza L.. Prajna 2009, 17(Dec), 48-50.

The influence of Zn toxicity on Leinna polyrrhiza L was investigated using biochemical parameters as stress indicators. Lenma plants (Leinna polyrrhiza L) were cultured in Iloagland's medium which was supplemented with various Zn concentrations (1, 3, 5, 7 and 9 ppm Zn) and were separately harvested after 3, 6 and 9 days. The toxicity symptoms of Zn ions showed chlorosis on the leaves of the test plants. There were significant decrease in chlorophyll, protein and carbohydrate when the exposure time and concentrations of the inetal ion increased. However 1 ppm Zn ion concentration increased chlorophyll and carbohydrate content of the plants. Higher concentration of the metal ion significantly reduced all the biochemical parameters under study.

3 tabels, 15 ref

014965   Thakur P C;Harsh Kumar (NO, , Qr. No. 2297, Sector-4 D, Bokaro Steel City-827 004, Email: drpcthakur@gmail.com) : Tissue culture study of Ixora parviflora vahl.-a woody ornamental shrub. Asian J Microbiol Biotechnol envir Sci 2009, 11(4), 881-3.

Ixora parviflora Vahl. is an ornamental shrub cultivated in gardens for white cluster of flowers and evergreen foliage. It is used in whooping cough and anaemia. Its tissue culture study was undertaken to search out micropropagation method. Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium with 0.5-1.0 mg L^{-1 6-furfuryl amino purine (KIN) plus 1.0-2.0 mg L-1 a-naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) induced normal growth in cultured shoot apex. Calli were produced from shoot apex, leaf, internode and node explants when cultured on different concentrations of KIN and NAA or 2,4-D. Medium with KIN (0.5-2.0 mg L-1) and NAA (1.0-2.0 mg L-1) induced normal growth in cultured floral bud. Best proliferation of roots was achieved when internodal explants were cultured on NAA (1.5 mg L-1)}

2 illus, 1 table, 11 ref

014964   Thakur M C;Mantri V A;Reddy C R K;Jha B (NO, Central Salt & Marine Chemicals Research Institute (CSIR), Gijubhai Badheka Marg, Bhavnagar-364 002, Email: vaibhav@scmcri.org) : Dictyopteris serrata (Arschoug) Hyot: first record of male gametophytic plants. Curr Sci 2009, 96(4), 468-70.

1 illus, 8 ref

014963   Singh K P;Yadav R;Bhadauria S (Botany Dep, Raja Balwant Singh College, Agra, Uttar Pradesh) : Growth and nodulation in Acacia nilotica Benth, under mycorrhizal fungi and nutrient treated alkali soil after one year of inoculation. Indian For 2009, 135(3), 412-19.

Acacia nilotica is fast growing, drought resistant, multipurpose legume tree speoies occurring in semi-arid and arid zones of the world. AM fungi, which constitute a group of important soil microorganisms, are known to improve the plant growth through better uptake of nutrients. A total of eight sets of experiments were conducted to analyze maximum growth and nodulation in A. nilotica. The results of present investigation showed the maximum shoot, root height, collar diameter and dry weight of root nodules under soil treated with AM along with phosphate and nitrogenous fertilizers. It was minimum in the soil treated only with AM fungi. In another set of experiment, the maximum number of nodules/plant and its dry weight g/plant were found under soil treated with AM along with nitrogen followed by soil treated with AM along with phosphorus and nitrogen.

2 tables, 24 ref

014962   Shivanna K R (Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment, , 659, 5th 'A' Main, Hebbal, bangalore-560 024) : Pollination biology, breeding system and reproductive success of Adhatoda vasica, an important medicinal plant. Curr Sci 2009, 96(3), 408-12.

Adhatoda vasica Nees. (Acanthaceae) is an important and widely used medicinal plant. The flowers last for 3-5 days, they are protandrous and pass through three distinct phases: male, bisexual and female. Two species of carpenter bees, Xylocopa verticalis and Xylo-copa sp. are the effective pollinators. Pollen grains are deposited on the dorsal surface of the thorax during Xylocopa visit to the flowers in the male phase, and the stigma rubs the pollen-coated thorax and is pollinated when the bees visit the flowers in bisexual and female phases. There is a high level of geitonogamy. Pollination efficiency under field conditions is high (95%). However, fruit set is poor (6%). The species is self-incompatible. None of the self-pollinated flowers sets fruits, but over 50% of the cross-pollinated flowers sets fruits. The results indicate that protandry does not prevent self-pollination, but reduces interference in export and import of pollen. Although the flowers have adapted well to achieve a high level of pollination, reproductive success in terms of fruit set is low, largely due to the limitation of compatible pollen.

1 illus, 2 tables, 18 ref

014961   Sharma I;Sharma N;Kour H (Botany Dep, Jammu Univ, Jammu-180 006, Email: phyllanthus@rediffmail.com) : Role of ants in reproductive efficiency of three species of Phyllanthus L.. Curr Sci 2009, 96(2), 283-7.

Three herbaceous species of Phyllanthus L. namely P. fraternus L., P. urinaria L. and P. simplex Retz. form overlapping populations in and around Jammu during April-October. All are monoecious and unique in placement of flowers beneath leaf axils. Flowers are small, nectariferous and not amenable to major pollinators. Ants are involved in pollen transfer in these species. Three species visit the plants, these belong to genus Camponotus and Monomorium. Although all the three plants species represent a typical case of ant-plant mutualism, they differ in their dependence on ants for successful fruit set. P. simplex is totally dependent on ants, while P. urinaria and P. fraternus take the help of wind also.

3 illus, 3 tables, 24 ref

014960   Satish S;Mohana D C;Raghavendra M P;Babu S; Raveesha K A (Herbal Drug Technology Laboratory, Microbiology Section, Studies in Bo, Mysore Univ, Manasagangotri, Mysore-570 006, Email: karaveesha@gmail.com) : Antibacterial evaluation of some Iranian medicinal plants against some human pathogenic bacteria. Asian J Microbiol Biotechnol envir Sci 2009, 11(4), 735-8.

The aqueous and different solvent extracts of seven higher medicinal plants viz., Althea officinalis L.(Malvaceae), Origanum vulgare Oregano (Lamiaceae), Plantago lanceolata L. (Plantaginaceae), Polygonum bistorta L. (Polygonaceae), Satureja hortensis L. (Lamiaceae), Solanum dulcamara L. (Solanaceae) and Quercus robur L. (Fagaceae), were screened in vitro for anti-bacterial activity by cup diffusion method against fourteen human pathogenic bacteria. All the plants recorded antibacterial activity against all the test bacteria. Among the seven plants tested methanol extract of Origanum vulgare and Althea officinalis recorded highly significant antibacterial activity against all the human pathogenic bacteria. The antibacterial activity was more significant in solvent extracts compared to aqueous extract in all the plants indicating that the active principle responsible for antibacterial activity is more soluble in organic solvents. Comparison of the inhibitory activity of the extracts with the antibiotics gentamicin and streptocycline revealed that methanol extracts of Origanum vulgare and Althea officinalis were significantly higher than that of the antibiotics tested. The results suggest that Origanum vulgare and Althea officinalis are potential candidate plants for isolation and characterization of the active principle for further exploitation in medical microbiology.

1 table, 14 ref

014959   Saikia S P;Bhau B S;Rabha A;Dutta S P; Choudhari R K;Chetia M;Mishra B P;Kanjilal P B (Medicinal Div, Aromatic and Economic Plants, North East Institute of Science and Technology, Jorhat-785 006, Email: sp_sidhu@yahoo.com) : Accession source variation in morpho-physiological parameters and growth performance of Jatropha curcas Linn.. Curr Sci 2009, 96(12), 1631-6.

Jatropha (Jatropha curcas Linn.) is a non-edible oilseed plant with adaptability to marginal semi-arid lands and wastelands. The Indian Government is promoting Jatropha to reduce dependence on the crude oil and to achieve energy independence by the year 2012, under the National Biodiesel Mission. Adaptive trials on J. curcas were undertaken at the North East Institute of Science and Technology, Jorhat, Assam. The aim of the study was to determine source variation in J. cur cas accessions collected from 17 states (34 locations) of India and to identify the best sources to be utilized for reforestation and future genetic improvement work. The evaluation of 34 cultivars revealed a good degree of variation for plant height, stem girth, branches per plant and 100 seed weight. The accessions have shown measurable growth responses, which were sufficient for a conclusive remark. Hence the present study was carried out with the respective first and second year growth performances. Variation in the physiological parameters of different sources was also studied. The pattern of variation exhibited for different characters was found to be different and varied with age. Such variation among different populations may be due to different intensities of natural selection acting upon the traits in their natural habitat. High 100 seed weight (142 g) was observed in one cultivar. The performance of Naharlagun (Arunachal Pradesh), Lam-phelpat (Manipur), Dergaon (Assam) and Namsa (Nagaland) sources was satisfactory. The results indicate that genetic differences exist among accessions of ]. curcas. The relative performance of these sources was fairly consistent throughout the observation period.

5 tables, 23 ref

014958   Sabharwal S;Dhir K K (Botany Dep, Panjab Univ, Chandigarh) : Azadirachta indica A. Juss. (Neem) : Reproductive studies in relation to kinetin application. Indian For 2009, 135(4), 505-16.

In-vivo morpho-physiological responses to kinetin application in Neem (Azadirachta Mica A. Juss.) were studied during three consecutive annual reproductive flushes from bud development onwards to seed set (prior standardization with endogenous levels). The number of buds and flowers per inflorescence was higher in treated branches as compared to the control. Physiological responses were observed to be kinetin-specific. Year 1 sample proteins, total sugars and reducing sugars measured higher following kinetin at 0.5 mM as compared to kinetin at 0.2 mM. The response to year 2 treatments was even better, being significant in 0.5 mM kinetin samples. Year 3 kinetin treatments produced poor flowering response, poor juvenility and low contents of the above compounds as compared to the control. The enzyme assay measuring the activities of invertase, protease, acid- and alkaline phosphatases was consistent with the biochemical responses to the kinetin treatments. In control, a shorter regeneration phase seems to lead to lower productivity in terms of floral inflorescence and fruit set. Therefore, it is suggested that the application of kinetin may regulate the reproductive phase resulting in improved organ-biomolecule production.

4 tables, 37 ref

014957   Rana T S;Ranade S A (NO, National Botanical Research Institute, Rana Pratap Marg, Lucknow-226 001, Email: ranatikam@gmail.com) : Enigma of monotypic taxa and their taxonomic implications. Curr Sci 2009, 96(2), 219-29.

Numerous categories of the inventories of plants are possible. Among these categories, an artificial category can be created for the taxa that are represented by a single genera or a single species known as monotypic taxa. These are an unusual, but important group of plants that are interesting not only in floristics, but also in phytogeography and phylogenetics studies. They also need further taxonomic evaluation and documentation. In this review, authour have collated information about their numbers, occurrence, habit-wise distribution and their representation in the country. We have also highlighted some of the important and interesting features of these plants in the form of queries that we consider are still not satisfactorily answered. Monotypic taxa are, therefore, a challenging and stimulating group that merits considerable further attention of both taxonomists as well as molecular biologists.

^iia2 tables, 19 ref

014956   Pandit P K;Bhakat R K (Jhargram Div, , Jhargram, Pashim Medinipur, West Bengal) : Ethno-medicinal plants used to treat gynaeological disorders by tribal peoples of paschim Medinipur district, West Bengal, India. Indian For 2009, 135(1), 28-46.

Ethno-medicinal plants are traditionally used by local tribal people of Paschim Medinipur District (West Bengal) since long for their healthcare. As many as 90 ethno-medicinal plant species have been identified which were traditionally used to cure gynaecological disorders like leucorrhoea, menorrhagia, amenorrhoea, dysmenorrhoea, etc. These were also used to treat related ailments and problem like birth control, contraception, gonorrhoea, spermatorrhoea, syphilis, regulation of menses and act as an aphrodisiac.

23 ref

014955   Pandey S K;Hema Singh;Singh J S (Botany Dep, Banaras Hindu Univ, Varanasi-221 005, Email: hema.bhu@gmail.com) : Species and site effects on leaf traits of woody vegetation in a dry tropical environment. Curr Sci 2009, 96(8), 1109-14.

Selected leaf traits (leaf area, leaf weight, specific leaf area and chlorophyll content) from eight woody species at four sites in the dry tropical Vindhyan forest were investigated in order to assess their variability across species and site conditions. The morphological traits such as leaf area and leaf weight were more variable than biochemical traits such as chlorophyll content. There was significant effect of species and site, and the site X species interaction was also significant for all traits. These traits were correlated except for specific leaf area, which was independent of leaf area. A combination of traits could discriminate between the sites. Between-site variability in leaf traits was smaller (1.3-1.5-fold) than between-species variability (1.7-12.5 fold). The larger inter-species variability reflects marked genotypic variability in the leaf traits, while the smaller between-site variability reflects phenotypic plasticity leading to adaptation to site conditions.

3 illus, 6 tables, 44 ref

014954   Pande P K;Singh M (Botany Div, Forest Research Institute, Dehra Dun, Uttarakhand) : Individual tree, intra- and inter-clonal variations in wood properties of the clonal ramets of Eucalyptus tereticornis SM.. Indian For 2009, 135(5), 629-46.

Within tree, intra- and inter-clonal variations in wood anatomical properties of 4 years old elonal ramets of Eucalyptus tereticornis Sin. were investigated. The material was collected from Clonal Testing Area, Lalkuan (Haldvani) and Bannakhera. The twelve best elonal ramets of better growth and form from Lalkuan and 5 clones of ITC-Bhadrachalam planted at Bannakhera were selected for the study. Radial variations in all the individual ramets were non-significant for all anatomical properties investigated, while inter-clonal variations were significant. Intra-clonal variations were non-significant. The values of Runkel ratio, shape factor and fibre-length to diameter ratio of the selected clones from Lalkuan were well within the permissible limits for producing better pulp. The wood properties of the clones were comparable with the clones of ITC- Bhadrachalam grown in South India except for fibre-length, Runkel ratio and shape factor which were significantly higher in South India. ITC-Bhadrachalam clones grown in Bannakhera and Lalkuan clones were not different from each other on the basis of wood anatomical properties. They grouped differently for wood anatomical characters. Fibre-length of different clones of the present study -was comparable with the 8-10 year old seedling seed-raised plantation of the same species. Clone raised plantation wood showed better paper making wood properties than of the seedling seed raised trees even at the early age.

1 illus, 7 tables, 40 ref

014953   Pande P K;Negi N;Magan Singh (Wood Anatomy Discipline, Botany Div, Forest Research Institute, Dehra Dun) : Variatins in physial and wood anatomical properties of Shorea of Malay peninsula. Indian For 2009, 135(2), 209-26.

The intra- and inter-species variations in the dimensions of different wood elements and wood density of Balau, White meranti (Meranti Pa'ang), Yellow meranti (Meranti damar hitam) and the Red meranti group of Malay Shorea were studied. Variance ratio (F) test indicated that intra-species differences of Shorea were non-significant for all the groups. Inter-species variations were significant for fibre length, fibre diameter, wall thickness and vessel element diameter for all the four groups except vessel element diameter for White meranti and fibre length for Yellow meranti. Significant variations in wood density were noticed for all the groups except in the Yellow meranti group (a=0.05). Crystals were present in parenchyma cells as solitary, in idioblast and/or also in short and long chains in the different species of Balau, Red and the Yellow meranti groups. In some species of Red meranti, viz. S. singkawang, prismatic crystals in chambered and non-chambered parenchyma cells were reported for the first time. Similarly crystals in ray cells were recorded in S. leptoclados, S. hemsleyana and S. macrantha. Crystals were not observed in the White meranti group. Silica bodies were a characteristic feature of White meranti group. The three types of normal axial inter-cellular canal, namely solitary, in broken tangential lines and long tangential lines were present in all the groups. Radial canal was present in the Yellow meranti and three species of the Red meranti group. Wall thickness, fibre diameter, wood density and vessel element length were positively correlated (α=0.05). Cluster analysis was done on the basis of qualitative and quantitative wood anatomical characters using binary matrix for all the groups. Two clusters were formed at 0% (Rescaled Distance Cluster Combine = 25) similarity level. One cluster grouped the species that belongs to White meranti, while another clustered the three groups viz. Balau, Red meranti and Yellow meranti. Yellow meranti further split from Balau and Red meranti at 6% similarity level. Red meranti and Balau clustered separately at 26% similarity level.

3 tables, 28 ref

014952   Natrajan M;Parmar A;kher M M (Biosciences, Dep, Sardar Patel Univ, Vallabh Vidyanagar, Gujrat - 388 120) : Impact of Chromium during early germination of fenugreek in intraction with copper, zinc, lead and cadmium. Prajna 2009, 17(Dec), 40-7.

Chromium is one of the heavy metals known to cause oxidative damages to plants. When plants are exposed to more than one element, the effects may be independent, synergistic additive or antagonistic. The present paper deals with the effect of chromium (Cr^{6+) on germination of Trigonella foenum-graecum seeds when treated along with either: Cu, Zn, Pb, or Cd. The present study suggests that Cu and Zn are antagonistic and Pb and Cd are either synergistic or additive. However Zn at higher concentrations was synergistic.}

7 tabke, 24 ref

014951   Nandini D;Mohan J S S (Biosciences Dep, Sardar Patel Univ, Vallabh Vidyanagar, Gujarat-388 120) : Qualitative profiling of induced phenols in different varieties of Arachis hypogaea L. by using fungal culture filtrate of Sclerotium Rolfsii [Sacc.]. Prajna 2009, 17(Dec), 17-22.

Sclerotium rolfsii infects groundnut crop and causes productivity losses. A qualitative profile of total phenols has been carried out in four different varieties of Arachis hypogaea L. viz. J-11, GG-20, TG-26, and TPG-41 after spraying the fungal culture filtrate (FCF) of S. rolfsii. As a result, the induction of phenols occurs to the tune of 30.62 fold in TG-26, 7.2 fold in GG-20, 2.3 fold in TPG-41 varieties at 96 hrs and 22.5 folds in J-11 variety at 120 hrs. Thin layer chromatography of aqueous methanol leaf extracts of groundnut plants revealed the presence of salicylic acid and coumaric acid as common phenolic compounds. However, other phenolic compounds such as tyrosine in GG-20 and TPG-41, hydroquinone in J-11 and L-phenylalanine in TG-26 varieties were also found to get induced after treatment with FCF. The phenols and phenolic compounds exhibited varied increase in presently studied groundnut varieties. Thus the present results indicate that the treatment of fungal culture filtrate successfully induce higher accumulation of phenols thereby causing systemic resistance in the worked out four different varieties of groundnut against S. rolfsii.

2 illus, 1 table, 26 ref

014950   Naithani H B;Chandola S;Chandran M (Botany Div, Forest Research Institute, Dehra Dun) : On the wild occurence of orchid Phaius tankervilliae in North India. Indian For 2009, 135(4), 578-9.

Genus Phaius belong to the family Orchidaceae, comprising 38 species in the world. This genus was erected by Jaun Louriero, who also named it using the Greek word phaius (swarthy), probably because of the yellow-brown colour that dominates the genus. One of its species Phaius tankervilliae is highly ornamental and commonly cultivated in gardens. As a wild in India, it is distributed from Nepal east-wards to North Bengal, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Mizoram, Tripura. From outside India it has distribution to Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, China, Indonesia, Thailand, Indo-China, Australia, Fiji Islands and Samoa. In the recent past, it has been naturalized to Hawaii, Cuba and Jamaica. It is generally found in wet tall grasslands and is therefore called 'Swamp Orchid'. It is also known as 'Nun's orchid', possibly due to the lateral view of the column which resembles the Madonna (Tom and Sheehan, 1994).

^ssc1 illus, 2 ref

014949   Mondal A K;Mondal S;Mandal S (Plant Taxonomy, Biosystematics and Molecular Taxonomy Laboratory, Bota, Vidyasagar Univ, Midnapore-721 102, Email: amalcaebotvu@gmail.com) : Free amino acids of pollen of some angiospermic taxa as taxonomic markers for phylogenetic interrelationships. Curr Sci 2009, 96(8), 1071-81.

Cluster pairing affinity or similarity index between eight interrelated families of angiosperms, namely Acantha-ceae, Bignoniaceae, Boraginaceae, Convolvulaceae, Labiatae, Scrophulariaceae, Solanaceae and Verbena-ceae was evaluated on the basis of the free amino acid composition of pollen as taxonomic markers of five members of each family, to assess the phylogenetic interrelationships and plant affinity. Considerable amount of homology was observed in the species belonging to the same family. Homology being more pronounced within species belonging to the same genus was also observed between the various families. Amino-n-butyric acid, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, methionine, phenylalanine and proline were the major amino acids found in the various pollen. Dendrogram constructed on the basis of free amino acid composition places the eight families in two clusters, with Verbenaceae and Labiatae being the most closely related in one group, and Scrophulariaceae and Bignoniaceae in the other. Scrophulariaceae also shows similarity with Acanthaceae and Solanaceae, with the latter being closely related to Convolvulaceae. Boraginaceae, showing a high degree of similarity with Verbenaceae and Labiatae, was also found to be related to Convolvulaceae. The present observation will open a new vista using free amino acids of pollen as taxonomic markers in the conservation of biodiversity.

1 illus, 11 tables, 49 ref

014948   Maheshwari R;Sankara Rao K;Ramachandra T V (NO, , 53/13, Sriteertha Apartments, 4th Main, 17th Cross, Malleswaram, Bangalore-560 003, Email: ramesh.maheshwari01@gmail.com) : Structural characteristics of a giant tropical liana and its mode of canopy spread in an alien environment. Curr Sci 2009, 96(1), 58-64.

To circumvent the practical difficulties in research on tropical rainforest lianas in their natural habitat due to prevailing weather conditions, dense camouflaging vegetation and problems in transporting equipment for experimental investigations, Entada pursaetha DC (syn. Entada scandens Benth., Leguminosae) was grown inside a research campus in a dry subtropical environment. A solitary genet has attained a gigantic size in 17 years, infesting crowns of semi-evergreen trees growing in an area roughly equivalent to 1.6 ha. It has used aerially formed, cable-like stolons for navigating and spreading its canopy across tree gaps. Some of its parts which had remained unseen in its natural habitat due to dense vegetation are described. The attained size of this liana in a climatically different environment raises the question as to why it is restricted to evergreen rainforests. Some research problems for which this liana will be useful are pointed out.

6 illus, 2 tables, 26 ref

014947   Madhuri S;Pandey G (Zoology and Biotechnology Dep, Model Science College, Jabalpur-482 001, Email: drgovindpandey@rediffmail.com) : Some anticancer medicinal plants of foreign origin. Curr Sci 2009, 96(6), 779-83.

Attempt has been made to review some medicinal plants used for the prevention and treatment of cancer in foreign countries. Information on the botanical names of plants with family names, parts used and their main active components, and original/native place of these plants have been collected from the literature. This article considers 62 medicinal plants of foreign origin. These plants belong to 40 families, and their different parts (root, stem, bark, corm, bulb, leaf, fruit and seed) or the whole plants/herbs are used. The extracts or decoctions of these are generally used. The medicinal plants contain several phyto-chemicals such as vitamins (A, C, E, K), carotenoids, terpenoids, flavonoids, polyphenols, alkaloids, tannins, saponins, enzymes, minerals, etc. These phytochemi-cals possess antioxidant activities, which prevent or can be used in the treatment of many diseases, including cancer. Herbal drugs are also known to have good immunomodulatory properties. These act by stimulating both non-specific and specific immunity.

^iia1 table, 44 ref

014946   Lal B;Om Prakash;Sharma V;Singh R D;Uniyal S K (Biodiversity Div, Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology, (CSIR), Palampur, Himachal Pradesh) : Synedrella vialis (Less.) A. Gray-a new record to the flora of Himachal Pradesh. Indian For 2009, 135(1), 89-91.

Synearella vialis (Less.) A. Gray (Asteraceae) is a new generic record to the flora of Himachal Pradesh. The plant has been collected from different localities of Kangra District, H.P. Morphological characters, habit and ecological notes of the plant are given to facilitate the identification.

1 illus, 7 ref

014945   Kumari A;Tripathi K P (Pteridology Laboratory, National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh) : Management of metal contaminated wastelands by fern species. Indian For 2009, 135(1), 117-25.

Study site was thermal power station, Kanti and nearby locality (District Muzaffarpur, Bihar), having Gangetic plain topography with fertile soil. But fly ash deposition of thermal power has reduced the soil fertility of nearby area and consequently local farmers were vexed by adverse effect on crop yield. In similar condition ferns were found luxuriantly growing inside and outside the campus of thermal power without any visible phytotoxic symptoms. In context of the above, during present study metal content and physico-chemical properties of the fly ash site and soil samples of natural forest site of Balmikinagar (reference site) were studied. Community structure (frequency, density, abundance, and IVI) and several diversity indices including population density, concentration of dominance, heterogeneity, equitability, Shannon Wiener's diversity index of ferns of both fly ash site and reference site were studied. Effect of fly ash on photosynthetic pigments were studied and compared with reference site. Results showed that fern communities existing on fly ash site perform better than reference site even in presence of high metal content in fly ash. As ferns grown on fly ash site show slight reduction in chlorophyll content but no visible toxicity symptoms and have higher population distribution, it indicates the possibility of management of metal loaded wastelands with metal accumulator fern species.

32 ref

014944   Kumar R N;Chakraborty S;Nirmal Kumar (Biological Dep, Environmental Science, N.V. Patel Collage of Pure Applied Scince, Vallabh Vidyanagar, Gujarat-388 120) : Physiological action of 2,4 dichlorophenoxyacetic acid on the growth of Eichhornia crassipes. Prajna 2009, 17(Dec), 51-4.

Deals with the study of effect of different concentrations of herbicide 2, 4 D on an aquatic weed, Eichhornia crasspes. Various concentrations of herbicide i.e. 1 ppm, 2 ppm, 4 ppm and 6 ppm were applied to E. crassipes plants in duplicate sets. The total carbohydrates, proteins and chlorophylls content were estimated for a period of ten days at regular intervals of three days. During the present study it was found out that the concentration of these primary metabolites and chlorophyll pigments decreased with the increasing concentration of 2, 4 D till nine days.

3 illus, 24 ref

014943   Kidwai N R;Jain M B;Chaturvedi H C (NO, Amity Univ, Lucknow-226 010, Email: hcc_nbri@hotmail.com) : Role of thidiazuron in in vitro induction of embryogenesis in nucellar tissue of Mangifera indica L. var. dashehari, leading to plantlets. Curr Sci 2009, 96(8), 1119-24.

High frequency differentiation of embryos took place in 100% explants of predisposed nucellar tissue of Mangifera indica L. var. Dashehari, proliferated using 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid for a short duration of only 7 days initially, particularly under the influence of thidiazuron. The nucellus contained in ovular halves of 25- to 30-day-old young fruits proliferated into dark-brown compact tissue, over which differentiation of discrete sectors of whitish, pale and granular pro-embryogenic tissue was induced. Enormous number of embryos differentiated in the proembryogenic tissue during its subsequent subculture in the optimum treatment containing 0.15 mg l^{-1 each of 6-benzyl-aminopurine and 2-isopentenyladenine, along with 0.5 mg l-1 indole-3-acetic acid. Amongst the embryos of five developmental stages cultured in the liquid-processing medium, the best development was evinced by embryos with av 1.51 cm length. However, amongst the processed embryos, 90% matured and 80% germinated, while 60% did actually convert into plantlets. The properly acclimatized and in vitro-raised plantlets showed more than 80% transplant success, and during 4 months in the potted pure Soilrite under ex vitro conditions displayed an increase in shoot length and produced new leaves as well.}

1 illus, 2 tables, 27 ref

014942   Khurana P (Botany Dep, Meerut College, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh) : Phytosociological studies of woody vegetation along the disturbance gradient in tropical dry deciduous forest of Hastinapur. Indian For 2009, 135(7), 970-80.

In the present study, various phytosociological attributes of woody vegetation were analyzed along the disturbance gradient in tropical dry deciduous forest of Hastinapur. The sites were surveyed for floristic composition, distribution pattern, species diversity and dominance. Maximum number of trees, seedlings and saplings were recorded for Block-2 and minimum for Hillock. Number of shrub species was maximum on Hillock because of open forest canopy due to disturbances, which provide favorable conditions of growth for shrubs and other weeds. Most of species except shrubs were regular followed by random in distribution pattern. Diversity index and concentration dominance confirmed the disturbances in the studied forest. Beta diversity values were maximum for the Hillock forest.

2 illus, 6 tables, 21 ref

014941   Kholia B S (NO, , Botanical Survey of India, P.O. Rajbhawan, Baluwakhani, Sikkim Himalayan Circle, Gangtok-737 103, Email: bskholia_bsi@yahoo.co.in) : Gender variation in a threatended and endemic palm Trachycarpus takil Becc.. Curr Sci 2009, 96(1), 144-7.

A detailed study of flowering and fruiting in endemic and threatened palm, Trachycarpus takil was carried out. Earlier reports on the male and female concept of the plant were found incorrect; the plant is not perfectly dioceous. Gender expression in this species is not stable and it was noted that there is a tendency of young plants to behave as male which subsequently changes the sex from male to bisexual and female on ageing. It was also noted that the species is evolutionarily at superior stage and basically planned to outbreed but if the chances of cross pollination fails, the plant has capacity to develop pollen grains in staminodes to ensure the sexual reproduction.

1 table, 19 ref