Pluchea lanceolata (Rasana): Chemical and biological potential of Rasayana herb used in traditional system of medicine

Pluchea lanceolata (DC.) Oliv. & Hiern, (Family: Asteraceae) is a rapidly spreading perennial herb, considered valuable for the management of anti-inflammatory disease. Scientific reports dealing with phytochemical and pharmacological research and its traditional have been reviewed. Reports have also suggested that its prominent constituents viz. triterpenoids, sterols, flavonoids and lactones originate from this plant arbitrate their effects by modulating several therapeutic targets.Out of about 80 species of Pluchea, some of them are on extinct and only 16 have traditional uses in several countries of Asian, Middle East and North American region. The present review covers the period 1935–2011.     

In search of commercially acceptable Panama wilt-resistant natural variants in Ney Poovan banana (Musa AB)

Ney Poovan banana, the most widely cultivated mixed diploid banana, has been reported to be susceptible to Fusarium wilt like many other varieties in the world. The identification of natural variants possessing disease tolerance or resistance is one strategy to prevent losses. The aim of this study was to identify resistant lines in Ney Poovan banana, through extensive field surveys and screening of putative variants using a detached leaf-based challenging technique. The selected lines were screened under field condition to determine their economic feasibility for commercial-scale use. A total of 26 lines were observed to be resistant to the disease, out of which 24 exhibited a commercially acceptable productivity index and five best lines possessing desirable attributes were obtained.     

Effect of powdery mildew (Erysiphe pisi) on nodulation and nitrogenase activity in pea (Pisum sativum)

The effects of powdery mildew ( Erysiphe pisi) disease of pea (Pisum sativum) on the number and size of root nodules and on nitrogenase activity were investigated in pea plants grown in pots and in the field. There were significant reductions in nodulation and in the size of root nodules as well as in nitrogenase activity in infected plants.     

Evaluation of dipstick-ELISA using 28 kDa Fasciola gigantica cathepsin l cysteine proteinase (FgCL3) for serodiagnosis of fasciolosis in naturally infected goats

In the present investigation 100 goats presented for slaughter were used to evaluate the 28kDa cathepsin l cysteine proteinase (FgCL3) dipstick-ELISA for the diagnosis of fasciolosis. Presence of Fasciola gigantica worms in liver at the time of slaughter was taken as a gold standard for the evaluation of the assay. Faeces, blood and liver were taken from all slaughtered goats. Biochemical parameters and coprological examinations using sedimentation technique were also taken into consideration. Total serum proteins, albumin, mean values of aspartate aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase of positive group were not significantly different from those of the negative group. The diagnostic sensitivity of dipstick-ELISA was higher than coprological detection of fluke eggs. However, specificity was equal for both the tests. The accuracy of dipstick-ELISA in detecting circulatory antibodies during the course of disease was higher than coproscopic examination. In conclusion, the FgCL3 antigen dependent dipstick-ELISA was more reliable and has better scope for field application in the endemic areas.     

Identification and pathogenicity of Alternaria alternata causing leaf spot and blight disease of Ailanthus excelsa in India

Alternaria leaf spot of Ailanthus excelsa is generally considered as minor disease in India. Recently, severe disease outbreaks were recorded in the nursery of the Forest Research Institute, Dehradun, progeny trial at Jhumpa, Haryana, and in a nearby farm field. Leaf symptoms included small circular, brown, necrotic spots with a chlorotic halo. With severe infections, leaf spots coalesced and resulted in leaf blight. A small‐spored Alternaria with concatenated conidia was isolated consistently from the leaf samples with spot symptoms. Sequence analyses of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of ribosomal DNA (rDNA) and the translation elongation factor 1‐alpha (tef‐1α) gene region of two fungal isolates confirmed the species as A. alternata. In detached leaf assays, both isolates produced symptoms similar to those observed on the nursery/field‐grown plants. To validate the detached leaf assay result, pathogenicity was also demonstrated on whole plants in a glasshouse. Koch's postulates were fulfilled by re‐isolating A. alternata from the inoculated leaves. This work is the first to confirm that A. alternata is associated with leaf spot and blight disease of A. excelsa in India.     

Molecular and morphophysiological characterization of superior cluster bean (Cymopsis tetragonoloba) varieties

Cluster bean (Cymopsis tetragonoloba) belongs to tribe Indigoferae of family Leguminosae. India is the world-leader for cluster bean production as it contributes 80% shares of its total production. Cluster bean (guar) is a cash crop for its application in textile, paper, petroleum, mining, pharmaceuticals, explosives, and food industries. Owing to its immense wealth of variable morphophysiological and industrial qualities there is a strong need for appropriate addressing and well documentation of the germplasm. Efforts are to be made to organize research programs on germplasm characterization, utilization, and molecular characterization. Superior cluster bean varieties were selected on the basis of morphophysiological characters and subjected to DNA-based molecular marker analysis. Eighteen of the best genotypes were chosen for DNA extraction, optimization of PCR conditions, and genetic diversity studies using 37 random primers. A total of 381 random amplification fragments were obtained; number of amplifications ranging from 4 to 22 with an average of 10.29 amplified fragments per primer. Evaluation of RAPD data reveals a magnificent range (0.34–0.76) of genotypic similarity coefficients. The UPGMA dendrogram was constructed based on similarity indices which illustrated discrete clustering of different genotypes into groups. Results recorded a positive correlation amongst varieties vis-à-vis cluster analysis generated by NTSYSpc and morphophysiological characteristics. The degree and distribution of genetic diversity in cluster bean would facilitate an evolutionary relationship between numerous accessions that eventually catalogues genetic resources in a more concerted fashion.     

Yield and Zinc,Copper, Manganese and Iron Concentration in Maize (Zea mays L.) Grown on Vertisol as Influenced by Zinc Application from Various Zinc Fertilizers

Zinc (Zn) deficiency in soils and field crops is widespread across the world, including India, resulting in severe reduction in yield. Hence, soil application of Zn fertilizers is recommended for ameliorating Zn deficiency in soil and for obtaining higher crop yield and better crop quality. Zinc sulfate is commonly used Zn fertilizer in India because of its solubility and less cost. However, good quality and adequate quantity of zinc sulfate is not available in the market round the year for farmers' use. Field experiments were therefore conducted during rainy season of 2010 and 2011 at research farm of Indian Institute of Soil Science, Bhopal, India to assess the influence of Zn application through zinc sulfate monohydrate (33% Zn), zinc polyphosphate (21% Zn) and Zn ethylenediaminetetraacetate (EDTA) (12% Zn) on yield and micronutrient concentration and uptake by maize (Zea mays L.). In both the years, grain and vegetative tissue (stover) yield of maize increased significantly with successive application of Zn up to 1 kg ha^?1 added through zinc sulfate monohydrate and zinc polyphosphate. Addition of 2.5 kg Zn ha^?1 did not increase yield further but resulted in highest stover Zn concentration. Zinc, copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), and iron (Fe) concentration in maize grain varied from 22.2 to 27.6, 1.6 to 2.5, 3.5 to 4.7 and 19.9 to 24.5 mg kg^?1 respectively in both the years. Maize stover had 25.9 to 36.2, 7.9 to 9.8, 36.7 to 44.9 and 174 to 212 mg kg^?1 Zn, Cu, Mn, and Fe, respectively. Zinc application did not influence Cu, Mn and Fe concentration in both grain and stover of maize. Transfer coefficients (TCs) of micronutrients varied from 0.72 to 0.95, 0.18 to 0.30, 0.08 to 0.13 and 0.10 to 0.15 for Zn, Cu, Mn, and Fe respectively. Total Zn uptake significantly increased with Zn application from 0.5 to 2.5 kg ha^?1 supplied through zinc sulfate monohydrate and zinc polyphosphate. Recovery efficiency of Zn declined with increased Zn rates.     

Effects of Soil Salinity and Alkalinity on Grain Quality of Tolerant,Semi-Tolerant and Sensitive Rice Genotypes

Soil salinity and alkalinity adversely affects the productivity and grain quality of rice.The grain quality of 19 rice genotypes characterized as salt tolerant (T),semi-tolerant (ST) and sensitive (S) was assessed in lysimeters containing saline and highly alkaline soils.Head rice recovery was reduced by salinity stress whereas it was not affected by alkalinity stress.The ratio of length to width (grain dimensions) was significantly reduced in the T genotype even at low electrical conductivity (EC,4 mS/cm) and alkalinity (pH 9.5),whereas in the ST genotype,it was significantly reduced at high salinity (EC 8 mS/cm).There was no significant effect of any levels of salinity or alkalinity on grain dimensions in the S genotype.Amylose content was significantly reduced in T and ST groups even at low EC (4 mS/cm) and alkalinity (pH 9.5) and the effect in the S genotype was only at high salinity.Starch content showed significant reduction at high salinity and alkalinity (EC 8 mS/cm and pH 9.8) in the T and ST genotypes and no significant effect was observed in the S genotype.The effect of both levels of salinity (EC 4 and 8 mS/cm) and high alkalinity (pH 9.8) on gel consistency was observed only in the S genotype.The tolerant genotypes IR36 under high salinity,and CSR10 and CSR11 under alkali stress showed less reduction in amylose content.The T genotype BR4-10,and ST genotypes CSR30,CSR29 and CSR13 showed better gel consistency under saline and alkali stress.Amylose content was affected even at low salinity stress and thus important to be considered in breeding rice for salt tolerance.Overall,the grain quality of T and ST genotypes was less affected by saline and alkali stress compared to S ones.