Applied Botany

In the present study antioxidant potential of the moss Barbula javanica Doz. et Molk was evaluated. The total phenolic content (TPC) was found to be 30mg±0.96 GAE/gdw. The radical scavenging activity as IC50 against DPPH (2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl), NOSA (Nitric oxide scavenging assay) and DDA (deoxyribose degradation assay) was evaluated to be 100±1.12, 80±0.90 and 35±0.50 ?g/ml, respectively. The reducing activity was assayed using FRAP (Ferric Reduction Antioxidant Potential) was found to be 1259±1.56 ?M/l. The results show the potential of B. javanica as novel antioxidant, which has been reported for the first time.

A convenient, rapid and accurate chromatographic method was developed for authentication and quality control of commercial product Flos Arnicae. Chromatography (HPTLC or TLC) was performed on silica gel 60 F254 (Merck) plates with toluene–dioxane –acetic acid (95:25:4) as mobile phase. Compounds were visualized by spraying with ‘Naturstoffreagenz A’ reagent. Detection was performed at ?=366 nm. Eight flavonoid aglycones were detected of the exudates of Arnica montana and Arnica chamissonis by co-chromatography with authentic markers. Differences in the fluorescence emission were observed in flavonoid profiles between A. montana and A. chamissonis under mentioned above conditions of analysis. Flavonoid profile of Arnica montana is presented by flavonoids with brown fluorescence while the flavonoid profile of Arnica chamissonis is composed of flavonoids with yellow-green fluorescence. These visually noted differences of the flavonoid profiles of the both species allow they to be quickly distinguished. The proposed method could be used for quality control of identity and purity of commercial product Flos Arnicae.

Kas area as a part of the “Sahydri Sub-cluster” has been declared as the World Natural Heritage Site list of the UNESCO-IUCN. Considering this it is essential to document the existing diversity of various life forms of this area. The present checklist of fungal flora of Kas is an attempt to unravel the unexplored and hidden fungal wealth. Kas is the high level ferricrete surrounded by dense stunted semi-evergreen forests which harbors myriad fungal diversity. The checklist gives the preliminary count of fungal diversity from Kas and surrounding areas. An intensive search of literature records is reported which shows 53 species of fungi and lichens belongs to 23 families and 31 genera. The present checklist of fungi from Kas and surrounding is a value addition in the floristic study of the world natural heritage sites.

The effects of aqueous leaf extracts of different concentrations of Butea monospermal (Lam) Taub (Fabaceae), Limonia acidissima L. (Rutaceae) Semecarpus anacardium L. (Anacardiaceae) from Pathardi Tahsil (longitude190 09? N, latitude 750 10? E) Dist Ahmednagar were bioassayed in August 2008 on germination and seedling growth of Raphanus sativus L . var. ‘Hybrid 11’. Seed germination was promoted 13 to 21% by Butea, 3.58% by Limonia while Semecarpus inhibited by 10.71% at 10-1 concentration. Data was analyzed by appropriate statistical method. Inhibition at higher and stimulation at lower extract concentrations were recorded. Pot culture experiments will be arranged.

The responses of photosynthetic gas exchange and chlorophyll fluorescence along with changes in growth were observed in Jatropha curcas L. seedlings subjected to waterlogging. The growth characteristics, electrolyte leakage, photosynthetic CO2 assimilation rate, stomatal conductance and transpiration rates were determined. The activities of catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, glutathione reductase and glutathione peroxidase in leaves increased with the increase duration of waterlogging, implying an integrated pathway involving catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, glutathione reductase and glutathione peroxidase for protection against the detrimental effects of activated oxygen species under waterlogging, but decreased in the recovery period. A strong reduction in photosynthetic and growth characteristics was observed as a results of waterlogging. Decrease in leaf area expansion and stomatal conductance seemed to be the main cause for impairing photosynthesis-carbon assimilation, linked with biomass yield eventually. Further, the ratio between variable to initial chlorophyll fluorescence and the maximum quantum yield efficiency of photosystem II explored damage to the photosynthetic apparatus. Strong nonlinear correlation between physiological parameters and duration of waterlogging was observed.

The established vector for Kala-azar (VL) Phlebotomus argentipes is developing tolerance/resistance against the common insecticide (DDT). However, the insecticidal effect of wild plant i.e. Clerodendron infortunatum leaf (Hexane extract) was found effective in killing 63% sand flies that can be enhanced with formulation of lead molecules. Hence, its toxicity evaluation to humans is pre-requisite. Percentage Hemolytic Inhibition activity of the extract was observed with IC50 value of 25.80 mg/L, 18.68 mg/L & 15.90 mg/L at 450 nm, 490 nm & 655 nm wavelengths respectively. The extract was found non-toxic and safer to use as a new insecticide against Sand fly.

Biochemical and molecular characterization of five Trigonella accessions were carried out based on seed storage protein electrophoresis and RAPD marker. The electrophoretic pattern of proteins produced 3 monomorphic bands and 23 polymorphic bands and 7 species specific bands. RAPD results revealed high level of polymorphism among the studied genotypes. The primer OPP-02 produced reproducible polymorphic bands. A total of 19 amplified bands were generated across the studied accessions. 16 bands out of total number were polymorphic and 7 were unique. UPGMA dendrogram based Jacquard’s similarity matrix grouped all the accessions into two clusters. Based upon similarity matrix accessions A4 and A2 were close. On the other hand UPGMA dendrogram generated on the basis of jaccard’s similarity matrix revealed that accessions A1 and A2 Were very close to each other. No significant correlation was observed among the two marker systems utilized. It is concluded that Seed protein profiles could be useful, but RAPD profiles are reliable tools in the genetic diversity studies and genotype classification which can be used to improve the efficiency of Trigonella breeding programme.

One of the most important wheat breeding strategies under Mediterranean climate is to achieve genotypes that are potentially capable of producing desirable yield while encountering water limitation during their flowering stage. With the aim to investigate such an important issue, we planted 12 bread wheat genotypes in research farm of Islamic Azad University, Ardabil Branch, as randomized complete blocks design (RCBD), during 2008-09 cropping year. This section of the study addresses traits such as plant height, day’s number to heading, days number to anthesis, fertile tiller number, spike length, spike weight, grain number per spike, grain weight per spike, 1000 grain weight and grain yield. Estimating the phenotypic and genotypic coefficient for various traits revealed that the studied genotypes were genetically more variable in terms of traits such as plant height, spike length, grain number per spike and grain weight per spike, 1000 grain weight and days to heading than in terms of other traits. Cluster analysis divided the studied genotypes into two categories. Mean of square between the categories was significant for all traits except for grain yield, spike length and date of heading. The inheritability of yield components was higher than that of grain yield.

The climate of Bihar remains warm and humid for most part of the year. Regular visit of flood and drought along with fluch factors as high level of illiteracy, socioeconomic backwardness and use of primitive agronomic practices in field and storage enhance mycotoxin risk in Bihar drastically. 75 samples of 15 common drug plants were collected from different flood prone districts of Bihar. Vital parts, used for medicinal purposes, of these plants were chemically analysed for the natural occurrence of mycotoxins in them. Most samples contained mycotoxin as a natural contaminant. Among the mycotoxins, aflatoxins occurred most frequently. Other mycotoxins reported to be present were ochratoxin, citrinin, zearalenone and fumonisin. These mycotoxins are very harmful to both man and animals. Some of these mycotoxins are carcinogenic, mutagenic and/or teratogenic. This is a matter of great concern as these plants are used for the preparation of traditional medicines. Treatment of one disease will be the unintentelyded cause of another which is still more dangerous. The problem needs our serious attention.

Induced mutation is one of the best alternatives for the improvement of cowpea as it can help to regenerate and restore the variability, which is generally lost in the process of adaptation to various stresses. Genetic variability is the most essential prerequisite for any successful crop improvement programme as it provides spectrum of variants for the effective selection, which can be achieved through the processes of hybridization, recombination, mutation and selection. In the present investigation, variability induced by gamma rays, Ethyl methane sulphonate (EMS) and combined treatments (gamma rays with EMS) for different quantitative traits viz., plant height, days to first flower, number of branches per plant, number of leaves per plant, number of cluster per plant, number of pods per plant, number of seeds per plant and seed yield per plant in M3 generation of cowpea. Estimate of genetic parameters (genotypic coefficient of variation, heritability and genetic advance) for the yield and its components were higher than the control in M3 generation. The increased genetic variance in the treated material is a dependable suggestion of the effects of mutagens.