Induction of polyploids in acid lime (Citrus aurantifolia) through colchicine treatment of in vitro derived shoot tip explants

Polyploid breeding is an effective tool to induce variability in the existing population, specifically in the crops having very narrow genetic base such as acid lime. Hence, an experiment was conducted to induce polyploidy in acid lime through colchicine treatment. Higher frequency of triploids were obtained in 250 μM colchicine treatment (27.27%), whereas combination of 3× (21.42%), 4× (13.33%) and aneuploid (6.67%) were induced at 500 μM colchicine treatment. Measurement of stomatal density and guard cell size of colchiploids revealed that the former one has negative relation with ploidy level and a positive relation was observed between guard cell size and ploidy level. Further, area and size of nuclei also had a positive relation with ploidy level. Hence, stomatal density, guard cell and nuclei size can be used effectively as morphological marker for preliminary polyploid screening. From the experiment, it can be concluded that 500 μM colchicine treatment of in vitro derived shoot tip explants of acid lime is optimum for creating maximum possible variability through polyploidization in the existing acid lime population.     

Effect of feeding different proportions of groundnut haulms (Arachis hypogaea) and cluster bean straw (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba) on nutrient utilisation and serum biochemical parameters in dromedary camels

The effect of feeding different proportions of groundnut haulms (Arachis hypogaea) and cluster bean straw (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba) on nutrient digestibility, nutritive value, nutrient intake and serum biochemical parameters was studied using nine male dromedary camels of Bikaneri breeds (637.5?kg average body weight; 8-9?years of age). Groundnut haulms (GNH) and cluster bean straw (CBS) were fed in one of three ratios, 75:25, 50:50 and 25:75 in treatments T(1), T(2) and T(3), respectively. In all treatments, concentrate mixture was fed as per requirement of the camels. The groundnut haulms were more nutritive as compared to the cluster bean straw. The nutrient digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, crude protein (CP), crude fibre and acid detergent fibre was better in T(1) than T(2) and T(3). Likewise, the CP, digestible crude protein and total digestible nutrient contents were significantly higher in T(1) followed by T(2) and T(3). There was non-significant affect on average daily gain of camels. However, dry matter intake, digestible crude protein intake and total digestible nutrients were better in T(1) as compared to T(2) and T(3). The total water intake per kilogram of dry matter intake (litres) was 2.98, 2.89 and 2.68, respectively, in T(1), T(2) and T(3). The camels in all the treatments were in positive nitrogen, calcium and phosphorus balance. The treatments had a significant effect on serum biochemical parameters like glucose, cholesterol, aspartate transaminase and creatinine. The results may conclude that feeding of higher proportion of groundnut haulms as compared to cluster bean straw has pronounced improvement in nutritional utilisation by the camels.     

First report on the flower-rot of Crossandra infundibuliformis, a commercial flower crop in India

Crossandra infundibuliformis (L.) Nees is an important commercial plant in many cities in India, which is useful for bouquets, garlands, and decorations. The crop is affected by a new flower rot caused by Fusarium pallidoroseum (Cooke) Sacc. Severely infected plants had purplish leaves, decayed flowers and shortened internodes and were colonized by the cottony colonies of the fungus. The fungus was isolated and caused the same symptoms on plants after inoculation.