The Cytological Status of Plants Regenerated from Shoot-Meristem Culture of Pisum sativum L

The cytological status of plantlets regenerated from shoot apical meristems of Pisum sativum was investigated. Chromosome counts in root apices of in vitro regenerated plants showed a preponderance of diploid cells. Moreover, the karyotypes of root-tips from plants derived from culture and from normal plants were basically the same. Topics such as the treatment of chromosomal armlength data, simple statistical comparison of samples derived from normal and regenerated plants are discussed.     

Comparison of leaf and pod disease reactions of beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) inoculated by different methods with strains of Xanthomonas campestris pv. Phaseoli (Smith) dye

Summary Common blight disease in beans (Phaseolus vulgaris), caused by the bacterium Xanthomonas campestris pv. phaseoli, reduces crop yield and seed quality. Information is needed on the variation of leaves and pods disease reaction to strains of the bacterium after different inoculation methods. Phaseolus vulgaris cultivars Red Kidney Charlevoix, GN Harris, GN 1140, and GN Emerson were inoculated with three different strains of Xanthomonas campestris pv. phaseoli at two inoculum concentrations (10⁸ and 10⁶ bacterial cells/ml) using water soaking, multiple needle, and razor blade inoculation on leaves, and razor blade scratch, dissecting needle, and razor blade cut inoculation on pods. Differential cultivar disease reactions of leaves, pods, or both to the bacterial strains were observed in some cases. Significant interactions among cultivars, inoculation methods, strains, and inoculum concentrations (leaves) were found. A rapid leaf chlorosis developed 6 to 7 days after inoculation. Strains of bacteria did not show specificity in inducing this reaction, but rapid leaf chlorosis was associated with high inoculum concentration and with the water soaking and multiple needle methods. Another experiment was conducted to count the number of living bacterial cells deposited in the leaf tissue after inoculation by different methods. The number of bacteria deposited by water soaking or multiple needle was higher than that deposited by razor blade.Published as Paper No. 8584, Journal Series, Nebraska Agricultural Experiment Station. Research was conducted under Project No. 20–36.     

Labor- und Freilandversuche zur Bekämpfung von vier Blattlausarten mit zwei synthetischen Juvenilhormon-Analogen

Laboratory and field trials with two synthetic Juvenil Hormone Analogues on four Aphid species Two juvenile hormone analogues (JHA) were applied in laboratory in three different concentrations to four aphid species. Mortality-concentrations and mortality-time for the lowest concentration were plotted on logprobit paper and the slope calculated from the eye fitted lines. The results indicated the feasibility of probit analysis for concentration-mortality or time mortality responses. However in one of the aphid species i. e.Aphis gossypii, there was a lack of linearity in the relationship, this species proved to be tolerant to JHA in field trials. Both JHA supressed progeny production, the supression was found to be selective to different species. In field trials both JHA brought about appreciable reductions in the populations with the exception ofAphis gossypii. The colour ofH. arundinis was found to differ in adults insuing from treated nymphs, otherwise no remarkable morphonogenic changes were observed.     

Agroforestry: a viable land use of alkali soils

A system of land use of alkaline wastelands of the Indo-Gangetic plain has been proposed consisting of planting Prosopis juliflora, a multi-purpose tree species, with the objectives of economic return as well as soil amelioration. Tree farming onalkaline wastelands provides not only fuel, fodder, timber and income to the rural population but also shows good effects in improving the soil characteristics. The detailed costs of such an agroforestry system on alkali soils have been worked out and the mean annual production of Prosopis juliflora on soils of different pH have been analysed. In spite of the high cost of establishing a plantation, an economic analysis of the system yields a 9.5% internal rate of return which is reasonably high for degraded lands of strongly alkali soils and also viable within the economic structure of the region.     

Distribution of preservatives in thermally modified Scots pine and Norway spruce sapwood

Studying the impregnation and distribution of oil-based preservative in dried wood is complicated as wood is a nonhomogeneous, hygroscopic and porous material, and especially of anisotropic nature. However, this study is important since it has influence on the durability of wood. To enhance the durability of thermally modified wood, a new method for preservative impregnation is introduced, avoiding the need for external pressure or vacuum. This article presents a study on preservative distribution in thermally treated Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) and Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) sapwood using computed tomography scanning, light microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. Secondary treatment of thermally modified wood was performed on a laboratory scale by impregnation with two types of preservatives, viz. Elit Träskydd (Beckers) and pine tar (tar), to evaluate their distribution in the wood cells. Preservative solutions were impregnated in the wood using a simple and effective method. Samples were preheated to 170 °C in a drying oven and immediately submerged in preservative solutions for simultaneous impregnation and cooling. Tar penetration was found higher than Beckers, and their distribution decreased with increasing sample length. Owing to some anatomical properties, uptake of preservatives was low in spruce. Besides, dry-induced interstitial spaces, which are proven important flow paths for seasoned wood, were not observed in this species.     

Explosion pulping of eucalyptus: a comparison with CTMP and CMP

Summary Explosion pulping results in strong pulp with breaking length at 100 ml CSF (Canadian standard freeness) higher than 6.5 kg and burst index approaching 4 KPa m²/g. The real advantage of eucalyptus explosion pulp over conventional CMP (chemical-mechanical pulp) and CTMP (chemical-thermo-mechanical pulp) is observed when the impregnation solution contains less than 2% NaOH along with 8% Na₂SO₃, and when the liquor/chips ratio equals 3. The strength of eucalyptus explosion pulp obtained by using a pretreatment solution consisting of 8% Na₂SO₃ and 1% NaOH is comparable with that of eucalyptus kraft pulp. The concentration of NaOH present in the pretreatment solution has a very important effect on the specific refining energy of eucalyptus explosion pulp as well as of CMP and CTMP. The explosion pulp obtained from eucalyptus pretreated with a solution containing an appropriate quantity of caustic along with Na₂SO₃ not only requires a minimum specific refining energy but also provides the highest strength values in comparison to that of CMP and CTMP.     

Relaxant effect of aqueous extract of Cistus ladaniferus on rodent intestinal contractions

The effects of the aqueous extract of Cistus ladaniferus leaves and stems were studied on the rodent isolated jejunum. The extract produced a reversible concentration dose-dependent (0.1-3 mg/ml) inhibition of the spontaneous motility of the rabbit jejunum. The inhibitory effects of the extract were not affected by pretreatment with the inhibitors of the alpha and beta adrenergic receptors yohimbine, prazosin or propranolol. The extract also inhibited K(+)-induced contractions in rabbit and rat jejunum at a similar concentration range. This result suggests that the antispasmodic action of the extract is mediated through calcium channel blockade. The results confirm the traditional use of C. ladaniferus in treating intestinal ache.     

Conservation of a Tropical Wet Semi-evergreen Forest Ecosystem by an Indigenous Community in the Bandarban Hill District of Bangladesh: The Role of Intervention

Indigenous communities in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) of Bangladesh had been conserving small patch of forests, commonly called village common forests (VCFs), especially for drinking water and non-timber forest produce. The size of VCFs has been decreasing, due to increasing population and conversion of forests for shifting cultivation. To restore the degraded forest resources and conserve the forest ecosystems in the VCF of the CHT, an intervention was undertaken in Bandarban, Bangladesh by Arannayk Foundation, an organization established jointly by the Government of Bangladesh and the United States of America. A training program on leadership, organizational development and alternative income generating activities was implemented to build the capacity of the members of the VCF management committee. The impact of the interventions was measured at the end of third year. Incomes of VCF-dependent communities were found to increase with resultant reduction of their dependence on VCFs. The intervention encouraged women’s participation in forest management and facilitated a written format of the constitution of the VCF management. The study identified that more training and awareness-raising activities are needed to ensure sustainability of the interventions. Mobilizing funds for the communities for sustainable alternative livelihoods was found effective. Appropriate compensation for conservation was found to make the restoration and conservation activities sustainable.     

Anti-diabetic potential of ursolic acid stearoyl glucoside: a new triterpenic gycosidic ester from Lantana camara

A new stearoyl glucoside of ursolic acid, urs-12-en-3β-ol-28-oic acid 3β-d-glucopyranosyl-4′-octadecanoate and other compounds were isolated from the leaves of Lantana camara L. The structure of this new glycoside was elucidated and established by standard spectroscopic methods. In streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats it showed significant reduction in blood glucose level.