Potential suitable habitat of Buckwheat (Fagopyrum spp) under the climate change scenarios in Nepal

Journal of Crop Science and Biotechnology - Buckwheat is minor crop of Nepal. Due to their multiple uses, short growing periods, high nutritional and medicinal values, wide adaptability has become...     

Carbon storage and sequestration rate assessment and allometric model development in young teak plantations of tropical moist deciduous forest,India

Carbon (C) sequestration through plantations is one of the important mitigation measures for rising levels of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. This study aimed to assess C s...     

Expression of follistatin is associated with egg formation in the oviduct of laying hens

The objective of this study was to examine the expression profiles of follistatin (FST) and its associated molecules (MSTN, INHA, INHBB, INHBA, ACVR2A, and ACVR2B) in the oviduct of laying hens at 3 hr and 20 hr post‐ovulation (p.o., n = 5; 35 weeks old), molting (n = 5; 60 weeks old), and non‐laying (n = 4; 35–60 weeks old) hens and also to localize the FST by using immunohistochemistry assay. Expression of FST was significantly higher (p < .05), and MSTN was lower in the uterus of laying hens around 15–20 hr p.o. (during eggshell formation), however, their expressions in the magnum remain unchanged across different physiological stages of hens. FST was mainly expressed in the luminal and glandular epithelium of the uterine tissues, and their expression intensity was highest in laying hens during the eggshell mineralization. There was a relatively increased expression of INHA in the magnum of laying hens around 3 hr p.o. as compared to non‐laying and molting hens. At the same time (3 hr p.o.), there was a significant (p < .05) decrease in the expression of the INHBB, ACVR2A, and ACV2B. These results indicate that follistatin may regulate the differentiation of uterine luminal and glandular epithelium during eggshell biomineralization.     

Pollution preventing efforts and strategies for the Kathmandu valley

The Kathmandu valley, nestled in the midst of the mighty Himalaya, is one of the worth visiting places in the world. Unplanned urbanization, increasing population, polluting vehicles and industries have started degrading the environment in the valley. Centralized development activities in the last two decades resulted in undesirable environmental change. If the current trend continues, valley will loose its importance. Realizing the importance of healthy environment, His Majesty's Government of Nepal has formed the Environment Protection Council under the chairmanship of Prime Minister to formulate environmental planning and policies. Over two dozen active NGOs are involved in environmental awareness and management in the Kathmandu valley. Some major steps have been undertaken by GOs and NGOs. Present paper deals with the state of pollution, efforts made to minimize it, and major actions/strategies for preventing pollution in the Kathmandu valley.     

DNA fingerprinting: an overview on genetic diversity studies in the botanical taxa of Indian Bamboo

Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution - Bamboo is an economically important member of the grass family Poaceae with over 1500 documented uses. India has the 2nd largest reserve of bamboo in Asia...     

Evaluation of morphological traits,fluorescent banding and rDNA ITS sequences in cultivated and wild Indian lentils (Lens spp.)

Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution - Lentil is a traditional nutritionally enriched crop. India is now the second-highest producer and consumer of cultivated lentils. Out of the seven species,...     

An Aboriginal Australian genome reveals separate human dispersals into Asia

We present an Aboriginal Australian genomic sequence obtained from a 100-year-old lock of hair donated by an Aboriginal man from southern Western Australia in the early 20th century. We detect no evidence of European admixture and estimate contamination levels to be below 0.5%. We show that Aboriginal Australians are descendants of an early human dispersal into eastern Asia, possibly 62,000 to 75,000 years ago. This dispersal is separate from the one that gave rise to modern Asians 25,000 to 38,000 years ago. We also find evidence of gene flow between populations of the two dispersal waves prior to the divergence of Native Americans from modern Asian ancestors. Our findings support the hypothesis that present-day Aboriginal Australians descend from the earliest humans to occupy Australia, likely representing one of the oldest continuous populations outside Africa.     

PH—Postharvest Technology: Surface Gloss and Weight of Eggplant during Storage

Surface gloss and weight loss are two important parameters to judge the freshness of eggplant. Data were collected in order to develop some quick and reliable instrumental methods to determine these. Surface gloss and weight loss of eggplant stored for 0–96 h at 80–84% relative humidity and 20°C temperature were determined using a computerized spectral radiometer and a precision electronic balance, respectively. The surface gloss was quantified in terms of gloss index, and a relationship between weight and gloss index during storage of eggplant was established. Gloss index and weight both decreased quadratically with storage period. Major changes were observed in the first 48 h of storage. Weight and gloss index of eggplant during storage were found to be correlated linearly.