Characterization of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Prosopis cineraria</Emphasis> (L.) Druce germplasm with suitable horticultural traits from the hot arid region of Rajasthan,India

Sixteen germplasm accessions of Prosopis cineraria with suitable horticultural traits were identified from north-western Rajasthan, India, propagated clonally by budding on seedling rootstock and maintained in the field gene bank. Morphological characterization of seven-year-old trees of these accessions by 21 traits indicated a lot of variation among the accessions tested. Higher number of flowers per raceme was found in accession CIAH/K2, higher width of ripened pod in CIAH/K5, higher number of seeds per pod in CIAH/K12 and a higher weight of seed per pod in CIAH/K6. Overall, CIAH/K16 was found to be a superior genotype for most of the useful traits. High significant positive correlation was obtained with traits useful for horticultural values. Out of 62 random decamer primers for random amplification (RAPD) reaction, and four minisatellite core sequence for direct amplification of minisatellite DNA (DAMD) screened with these accessions, 12 RAPD and 2 DAMD primers were found polymorphic. Average polymorphism resolved by these markers among the accessions was 93.2%. Genetic diversity revealed by Jaccard’s co-efficient was between 0.11 and 0.77, and four major clusters were identified among these accessions by phylogenetic analysis using NTSYSpc-2.02e software. This study shows the existence of high genetic diversity within these accessions.     

Comparison of arbuscular mycorrhizal and dark septate endophyte fungal associations in soils irrigated with pulp and paper mill effluent and well-water

We compared arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) and dark septate endophyte (DSE) fungal associations in 2 crops and 31 weeds commonly occurring in pulp and paper mill effluent irrigated and well-water irrigated soils. Soil pH, organic C, N, P and K, were higher in pulp and paper mill effluent irrigated than in well-water irrigated soils. In contrast, the average AM fungal colonization, root length with AM fungal hyphae/hyphal coils, spore numbers and diversity were lower in pulp and paper mill effluent irrigated soils compared to well-water irrigated soils. However, no significant variation was found in DSE fungal colonization nor root length with AM fungal arbuscules/arbusculate coils and vesicles between pulp and paper mill effluent irrigated and well-water irrigated soils. A significant negative correlation existed between AM and DSE fungal colonization in both effluent and well-water irrigated soils. Twelve AM fungal spore morphotypes belonging to Acaulospora, Dentiscutata, Glomus, Racocetra and Scutellospora were isolated from the well-water irrigated soils, whereas spores of six morphotypes were isolated from effluent irrigated soils. AM fungal spore numbers were correlated significantly and positively to AM fungal colonization in effluent and well-water irrigated soils.     

Morphological and molecular diversity of an underutilized fruit crop - <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cordia myxa</Emphasis> L. germplasm from the arid region of Rajasthan,India

Twenty two germplasm accessions of Cordia myxa were collected from Rajasthan and established at the field gene bank for conservation and evaluation. Morphological characterization of 10 year-old trees for 17 traits indicated wide variations among the accessions tested. Higher number of flowers per cyme was found in accession ACHM11 and higher pulp:stone ratio in AHCM25. Overall, AHCM22 was found to be a superior germplasm line for most of the horticulturally useful traits among the accessions tested as it had higher percent of fruit set, pulp:stone ratio and fruit weight. High significant positive correlation was obtained between leaf, fruit characters and pulp:stone ratio. However, these characters were found to be negatively correlated with number of flowers per cyme. Out of 50 random decamer primers used for random amplification (RAPD), 25 were polymorphic. Average polymorphism resolved by these markers among these accessions was 69.8% with an average polymorphic information content of 0.43. Genetic diversity revealed by Jaccard’s co-efficient was between 0.44 and 0.94, and three major clusters were identified among these accessions by phylogenetic analysis using NTSYSpc-2.02e software. RAPD markers associated with leaf size and pulp:stone ratio were also identified. This study shows the existence of high genetic diversity among these accessions.     

Experimental insight of trace metal environmental pollution problems in mussel farming

A survey was made on the content of nine trace metals in waters of 12 predetermined coastal stations in the Island of Penang, Malaysia, with the object of establishing mussel culture farms in the near future. The results indicated low concentrations of these trace elements except for Cr and Ni, which ranged from trace level to 35 ppm and BDL (below detectable level) to 2.07 ppm, respectively. These values are slightly above the upper limits (Cr, 0.05 and Ni, 1.0 ppm) set by the national Division of Environment, Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment, under the Environmental Quality (Sewage and Industrial Effluents) Regulations 1978.Investigations on tissue level bioaccumulated trace metal contents in mussel from an experimental culture farm indicated BDL values for As in all tissues, Cd highest in the intestines and stomach (6.24 ppm), Co in the mantle (59.85 ppm), Cr in the siphon (1869.85 ppm), Cu in the mantle (23.94 ppm), Fe in the intestines and stomach (218.82 ppm), Mn in the style (365.28 ppm), Ni in the mantle (23.94 ppm), Pb in the mantle (279.3 ppm) and Zn in the style (152.2 ppm). However, culture experiments at 10 ppm concentration stresses of the different trace elements over a 48-h period did not result in a similar tendency in tissue bioconcentration, except for Cd (378.35 ppm) and Fe (419.66 ppm) in the intestine and stomach, and Mn (748.5 ppm) in the style. Co was highest in the style (187.35 ppm), Cr in the gill (2924.91 ppm), Cu in the gill (457.22 ppm), Ni in the intestines and stomach (222.44 ppm), Pb in the gill (1897.2 ppm), and Zn in the mantle (1077.73 ppm).Short-term stress studies over a 48-h period with trace metal concentrations ranging between 10 and 300 ppm indicated the patterns of biodeposition for Cd, Cr, Co, Pb, Mn and Zn to be closely related even though their toxicity levels varied. Cu indicated a bioaccumulation maximum after 12 h of incubation followed by a regulatory mechanism, while Fe and Ni demonstrated a drastic spiked absorption after 6 h exposure followed by the normal trend of biodeposition as observable for the other trace metals. The biodeposition factors at most instances, were highest for the 10 ppm concentration cultures of 48 h.     

Zebrafish fin‐derived fibroblast cell line: A model for in vitro wound healing

The goal of this study was to develop and characterize a cell line from the caudal fin tissue of zebrafish and also its application as an in vitro model to study the effect of H₂O₂ in wound healing. Fibroblastic cell line was developed using explant culture method from caudal fin tissue of zebrafish and characterized. This cell line was named as DrF cell line. The DrF cells treated with 0–10 µM/ml H₂O₂ were tested for viability, proliferation and motility by MTT assay, trypan blue assay and chemotaxis assay, respectively. Among the different concentrations of H₂O₂, 4 µM was found to be nontoxic to study cell migration in in vitro scratch wound assay. Furthermore, the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and chemokine receptor (CXCR4) genes was carried by qPCR. The cell survival, proliferation and migration were extremely enriched at 4 µM level of H₂O₂. We observed accelerated wound closure in DrF cells treated with H₂O_2. The qPCR results indicated that H₂O₂ markedly up‐regulated mRNA expression of PCNA and CXCR4. The findings from our study suggest that H₂O₂ at low levels promotes cell survival, proliferation, migration and wound healing in DrF cells.     

Development of a transformation protocol for Tecomella undulata (Smith) Seem from cotyledonary node explants

A protocol was optimized for genetic transformation of Rohida (Tecomella undulata) from cotyledonary node tissues using Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain GV2260 harboring binary vector pBinAR containing osmotin and nptII gene under control of CaMV35S promoter. This is the first report on the transformation of T. undulata. The effective concentration of selectable marker antibiotic used for screening of transformants was 85.97 μM in shooting media and 42.98 μM in rooting media. PCR and Southern blot confirmed integration of osmotin gene into genome of Rohida.     

Molecular markers to distinguish ‘Thar Shoba’, a variety of khejri [Prosopis cineraria (L.) Druce], from trees in natural populations

Prosopis cineraria (L.) Druce, commonly called khejri, is an important multipurpose, leguminous tree of the Thar Desert. ‘Thar Shoba’ is a variety of khejri without thorns which was developed as a vegetable. In order to develop markers for varietal identification, 80 RAPD primers were tested, of which nine were polymorphic between ‘Thar Shoba’ and trees in a natural population of khejri. Phenetic analysis revealed that ‘Thar Shoba’ formed a separate cluster from the natural population with similarity coefficients of 0.57–0.78. The 10-mer primers OPBE05, OPBA13, OPA12, and OPA14 were each found to differentiate ‘Thar Shoba’ from the natural population by one amplicon. These differential amplicons were sequenced and SCAR markers were developed based on the sequences that differentiated ‘Thar Shoba’ from the natural population. Natural populations of khejri from different regions of the Thar Desert, and clonally multiplied ‘Thar Shoba’ plants in the ICAR-CIAH bud-wood genebank, were used to validate these primers. These markers will be useful in further developing the bud-wood genebank, and for certification, identification, and protection of the khejri variety ‘Thar Shoba’.     

Inhibitory activity of essential oils from medicinal plants against Pseudomonas sp. isolated from aquatic environments

This study focuses on the evaluation of the antimicrobial activity of essential oils (EOs) from medicinal plants against Pseudomonas sp isolated from aquatic environments, and proves its controlling efficacy on Pseudomonas aeruginosa‐Dahp1 using Confocal Laser scanning Microscopy. Twenty‐seven Pseudomonas spp. (Ps ₁–Ps ₂₇) were isolated using King's B medium and the selected P. aeruginosa‐Dahp1 was confirmed using 16S r‐DNA methods. Antimicrobial activity of 10 EOs was determined using agar well and disc diffusion methods. Ten EOs were extracted with six solvents and the crude extracts were tested against the Pseudomonas spp. through disc diffusion method. Among 10 EOs tested, maximum inhibitory activity was noted in EOs of Wringtia tinctoria against the P. aeruginosa‐Dahp1 in the disc diffusion method. The MIC values (concentrations were expressed in Weight/Volume) of the EOs range from 0.5 to 9.054 mg mL^?1. The EO of W. tinctoria showed the maximum activity at the concentration (w/v) of 2.060 mg mL^?1. The EO of W. tinctoria with chloroform extract showed the maximum inhibition against P. aeruginosa‐Dahp1. The CLSM proves the control and viability of 1 × 10⁵ CFU mL^?1 of P. aeruginosa‐Dahp1 at a lower concentration (2.720 mg) of EOs with chloroform extracts of W. tinctoria. This study pivots for designing of new drugs using EOs of W. tinctoria against Pseudomonades in the aquaculture sites.     

On the grey mullets of the Nigerian coast,prospects of their culture and results of trials

Mullets have so far been recorded in the brackish water areas only and of the 8 species identified, Liza falcipinnis is the most abundant. Mullet fry (mixed species) are available throughout the year but in greater quantities between March and July. It is estimated that enough fry to stock more than 10 000 ha for polyculture can be collected from the coastal areas. With a view to culturing them in fresh water, it has been possible to acclimatize them to fresh water. This offers good prospects of culturing mullets together with common carp, catfish (Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus) and cichlias (Tilapia sp.)Polyculture trials in brackishwater ponds in Lagos indicate that the natural entry of mullet fry with the tide could result in productions of up to 239 kg ha^?1 year^?1 in addition to that of other species, without supplementary feed or fertilizer. Stocking of mullet fry increased the mullet yield. Experiments indicate that supplementary feed also increases both yield and average size. Predators such as Sphyraena sp. reduce mullet population in fish ponds and also their yield.