Spectroscopic determination of poly-aromatic compounds in petroleum contaminated soils

The determination of poly-aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the soil is of interest because of their carcinogenic and mutagenic activity in biological systems. The present study deals with the rapid application of infrared, fluorescence, synchronous luminescence spectrometries and gas chromatography to detect organic pollutants and their quantity in the soil. Sohxlet extraction followed by column separation was used to isolate organic pollutants. Although several solvent mixtures were used as eluents for the column, the solvent mixture, hexane:dichloromethane (50:50) efficiently extracts the aromatic compounds. Total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) measured by IR were found at high concentrations (30810.0 ppm) in the contaminated soil compared with the reference soil (30.0 ppm). Furthermore, the fluorescence results reveal that almost one-fourth of the 30810.0 ppm are aromatic hydrocarbons. In addition, the presence of PAHs such as naphthalene, acenaphthene, fluorene, fluoranthene, phenanthrene, pyrene, benzo(a)pyrene, chrysene, and dibenzo(a,h)anthracene in the polluted soil was determined by using synchronous study.     

Sprouted Sorghum Extract Elicits Coleoptile Emergence,Enhances Shoot and Root Acclimatization,and Maintains Genetic Fidelity in indica Rice

The high growth-stimulating effect of plant extract has urged the plant biotechnologists to use natural supplements in the culture media instead of synthetic phytohormones. We advocated the effect of sprouted sorghum extract(SSE) on emergence, in vitro acclimatization, and genetic fidelity in coleoptile derived callus of indica rice variety ADT36. The use of SSE with Murashige Skoog medium efficiently acclimatized the root and shoot apical systems. A higher mat and seminal roots(3.4 g biomass) with an efficient shoot primordium elongation were observed with an increase in the concentration of SSE. Seeds treated with SSE medium showed higher germination and earlier coleoptile maturation about 48 h compared to untreated seeds, and there was a higher expression of e EF-1α with an increase in coleoptile length. B5 medium was effective on inducing embryogenic and nodular callus from 3-day-old coleoptile with 3.0 mg/L 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and further proliferated effectively with 0.8 mg/L kinetin with a fresh weight of 180 mg. Highly significant regeneration was observed with combination of 2.5 mg/L 6-benzylamino purine and 3.0 mg/L α-naphthaleneacetic acid. The metabolic and genetic profiles of in vitro and directly cultivated plants were the same, examined through Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, random amplified polymorphic DNA(RAPD), inter-simple sequence repeat(ISSR) and R-ISSR(combination of RAPD and ISSR) markers, respectively, and thus confirming the significant efficacy of the SSE incorporated medium. Disarmed T-DNA was transformed to coleoptile derived callus through Agrobacterium tumefaciens LBA4404 and confirmed by GUS assay. The T-DNA integration was confirmed by DNA blot analysis using DNA from transient GUS-expressed explants. Thus, SSE can be used as a natural and organic supplement for organogenesis and efficient acclimatizations of shoot and root apical meristems in regenerated plants.     

A new taxonomic treatment for some wild relatives of mungbean (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Vigna radiata</Emphasis> (L.) Wilcz.) based on their molecular phylogenetic relationships and morphological variations

Mungbean (Vigna radiata (L.) Wilcz.) is an important leguminous crop cultivated mainly in Asia. Its wild relatives are considered useful genetic resources for mungbean breeding. However, the taxonomic history of mungbean and its wild relatives is complicated and some confusion is still present in recent publications. In this study, we examined the rDNA-ITS sequences and morphological characteristics of 83 gene bank accessions closely related to mungbean. As a result, we classified the 83 accessions into five species and one unclassified accession. The proper taxon name for each species was determined (Vigna grandiflora (Prain) Tateishi et Maxted, Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper, V. radiata, Vigna subramaniana (Babu ex Raizada) Raizada, and Vigna trinervia (Heyne ex Wight et Arn.) Tateishi et Maxted) based on a review of their taxonomic history and morphological comparisons between gene bank accessions and type specimens. A new taxonomic treatment is proposed and a morphological key has been prepared. In this treatment, Vigna radiata (L.) Wilcz. var. setulosa (Dalz.) Ohwi et Ohashi is treated as a synonym of Vigna radiata (L.) Wilcz. var. sublobata (Roxb.) Verdc., and Vigna hainiana Babu, Gopinathan et Sharma is a synonym of V. subramaniana. Accession ‘NI1135’ was revealed to be most closely related to, but is considerably differentiated from, mungbean (V. radiata) based on its rDNA-ITS sequences. It also has distinguishing morphological characters. Plants with similar morphologies and DNA profiles might be distributed in the Indian Himalaya. However, since only one accession is available at present, the taxonomic classification of ‘NI1135’ needs to be reconsidered in the future.     

Evaluation of Certain Sugarcane Varieties for Ethanol Production

Field experiment was conducted to study the ethanol yielding ability of twenty-three sugarcane varieties during 1987–88 at Sugarcane Breeding Institute, Coimbatore, India. Among the varieties studied, Co 8145 yielded the highest quantity of ethanol (13,619 1/ha) and Co 1305 yielded the lowest (5,579 1/ha). Apart from Co 8145 , varieties CoSi 86071, Co 6304, Co 975 and Co 7219 were also found promising which yielded alcohol above 12,000 1/ha. Total sugars had a positive association (r = 0.974**) with fermentable sugars in juice. Ethanol yield per unit volume of juice (actual yield) had a significant positive association with total sugars (r = 0.818**) and fermentable sugars (0.942**) in cane juice. Cane yield had a direct bearing on ethanol yield as evidenced from the highly significant positive correlation between them (r = 0.890**). Hence a variety meant for ethanol production should contain high total and fermentable sugars in juice coupled with high cane yield and juice extraction per cent. These high yielding ethanol varieties viz., Co 8145, Cosi 86071, Co 6304, Co 975 and Co 7219 may be exploited for commercial production of ethanol directly from juice and used as parents for evolving cane varieties meant for ethanol production.     

Mungbean yellow mosaic virus (MYMV): a threat to green gram (Vigna radiata) production in Asia

Mungbean yellow mosaic virus (MYMV) disease is one of the most vicious diseases of green gram and has been renowned in India for more than five decades. It is caused by a group of geminiviruses belonging to the genus, begomovirus of the family, Geminiviridae. They are transmitted through whitefly in a persistent manner. The economic losses due to this virus account up to 85% in green gram which is spreading faster towards newer areas. The escalating economic importance of MYMV has resulted in the call for accurate detection and identification procedures that inspire rigorous research efforts focussing on the biology, diversity and epidemiology of the virus, so that viable management strategies could be designed. Breeding for resistance or tolerance appears to be the best approach to control this disease. However, the commercially offered genotypes are only partially resistant. Therefore, the hunt for newer sources of disease resistance needs to be intensified. This review updates all the accessible information on MYMV and outlines the areas in which advance research is indispensable.