International Journal of Applied Sciences and Biotechnology

425-429

Authors: Ashwini Kamble, Rajesh Khairkar

The concept of laboratory rat is giving way to the computer mouse arose after the famous handshake between Clinton-Blair for the completion of the human genome in April 2003. Bioinformatics is defined as the application of computational techniques to understand and organize the information associated with biological macromolecules. There is availability of large databases of genomic information which has enabled research efforts for discovering methods for diagnosis and treatment of human diseases using DNA microarrays and proteomics experiments. But there are various problems while doing this like it’s always challenging to develop proper and sophisticated analysis method which can properly use genomic data bases considering its and heterogeneity of the data. The main purpose of this first paper is to explore and explain Bioinformatics in a more scientific way, and try highlighting applications of bioinformatics in the medical sector.

436-447

Authors: Vikram Pal Gandhi, Anil Kumar

Microcystins (MCs) are toxic cyclic heptapeptides produced by few toxic cyanobacteria and generally form blooms in eutrophic surface fresh water bodies. They cause acute to chronic poisoning and other health related problems mainly by irreversible inhibition of protein phosphatases (PP1 and PP2A) and increased formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Due to limitation of non-biological methods of water treatments the exploration of MCs degrading bacteria is emerging at a quite pace to address, through bioremediation, the problems posed by MCs in water and water-bodies. Report and study of MCs biodegrading bacteria from India were lacking. However it was evident, from our previous study, that microcystin degradation can be achieved by indigenous microcystin degrading bacterial population in its natural place where microcystin producing blooms occur. This study has presented isolation and characterization of indigenous microcystin degrading bacteria from holy ponds in Utter Pradesh of India. Overall 20 bacterial isolates were isolated from Microcystis infested different ponds. Out of these 13 isolates were mlrA positive by PCR and were found to be distinct isolates by amplified ribosomal DNA restriction analysis (ARDRA). However, ARDRA analysis revealed overall four bacterial groups. On the basis of 16S-rRNA gene sequence the Gram-positive-rod isolate PM1 was identified, with 99% identity, as Bacillus licheniformis which was shown earlier to cluster with microcystin degrading bacterium B. subtilis. Thus the present study revealed, for the first time, probable microcystin degrading bacteria in water-bodies from India. The potential and the metabolic pathway of PM1 and other mlrA positive isolates need to be further studied and validated to confirm their application in microcystin bioremediation.

452-457

Authors: M. Mohamed Mahroop Raja, A. Raja, S. Mohamed Salique, P. Gajalakshmi

Marine actinomycetes sediment samples were collected from Gulf of Mannar costal region, Kayalpatinam, located at Tuticorin district, Tamilnadu, India. Marine actinomycetes were isolated and evaluated for activity of L-asparaginase production. A total of 10 marine actinomycetes strains were isolated. Among 10 isolates, six were belongs to Streptomyces sp, three were belongs to Micromonospora sp and one was to Micropolyspora sp. Based on phenotypic characteristics, actinomycetes strains were screened for L-asparaginase production. Streptomyces sp KPMS5 and Micromonospora sp KPMS10 were showed large pink coloration on L-asparaginase production medium. The strains were further studied for maximum production and characterizations of culture condition of L-asparaginase enzyme were evaluated. Effect of substrate on L-asparaginase production was evaluated by enzyme assy. Maximum enzyme assay (1.4 mM) was observed on glucose followed by starch (1.12Mm) by Micromonospora sp KPMS10. In Streptomyces sp KPMS5 showed maximum of 1.25mM of enzyme assay on glucose substrate followed by lactose 1.17mM. Yeast extract was effectively used as substrate for maximum production of L-asparaginase by submerged fermentation. Further studies on purification and characterization are required to support the application of enzyme. The finding concludes isolates belongs to non-Streptomyces sp like Micromonospora sp is a potential novel source for L-asparaginase production.

464-469

Authors: Sampada Mishra, Saroj Kumar Mahato, Sabin Basi, Shradha Basi-Chipalu

Minimization of deleterious effects of chemical fertilizers on health, ecosystem and economy can only be achieved by finding healthy, eco-friendly and cheap alternatives. Naturally selected symbiotic relationship between the endophytic bacteria and their host plants makes them an ideal candidate as biofertilizer. They can synthesize various plant growth hormones as well as assist their host in uptake of nutrients from soil. The study was designed to compare plant growth promotion of Solanum lycopersicum by Bacillus spp., Pseudomonas spp. and total endophytic community isolated from roots of S. lycopersicum, grown in the soil samples collected from various locations of Kathmandu valley of Nepal. Tomato seeds were inoculated with mixtures of eight endophytic strains of Bacillus spp. and Pseudomonas spp., and crude endophytes obtained from each location separately. Endophytic treatments, except Pseudomonas spp., inhibited seminal root growth during 12-days germination period. However, after plantation, root and shoot biomass was enhanced by the endophytes, with no significant differences among the bacterial treatments. The shoot height was also enhanced, among which Pseudomonas spp. had the strongest effect. In phosphate solubilization assay, out of seventy-two isolates each of Bacillus spp. and Pseudomonas spp. tested, twenty-four isolates of Pseudomonas spp. and sixteen isolates of Bacillus spp. could solubilize phosphate. Higher number of phosphate solubilizing isolates of Pseudomonas spp. might provide a possible explanation for the greater enhancement of shoot height by Pseudomonas spp. as compared to Bacillus spp.

475-482

Authors: H. R. Bharathi, S. Manjappa, T. Suresh, B. Suresh

Present communication deals with a study of Physico-chemical parameters such as pH, Temperature, Total Suspended Solids, Turbidity, Dissolved Oxygen, Biochemical Oxygen Demand, Nitrate and Phosphate in water samples of Channarayapatna, Janivara, Anekere and Baghur water bodies in Channarayapatna taluka, Karnataka state of India. The water quality of the samples was compared with standard values given by World Health Organization (WHO) and United State Salinity Laboratory for drinking and irrigation purposes. Water Quality Index (WQI) was also calculated to know the overall quality of water samples. Water quality index (WQI) of Surface water body of various Sampling locations of Channarayapatna taluka, Karnataka ranged between 61.82 and 68.27 indicates the fair quality of water. The water quality index is calculated by indicator (100-point scale) shows that water is suitable for drinking purposes only after pretreatment like filtering, boiling, reverse osmosis and electro dialysis. WQI can play a big role in justifying the water pollution problems after encountered in different surface water bodies. Application of Water Quality Index (WQI) in this study has been found useful in assessing the overall quality of water and to get rid of judgment on quality of the surface water.

489-497

Authors: Hari Kumar Prasai, Rudra Bhattarai, Jivan Shrestha

The coordinated and regional varietal trial of normal season irrigated rice was carried out at Regional Agricultural Research Station (RARS), Tarahara, Nepal in 2014 & 2015. Out of the tested genotypes, NR 2157-166-1-3-5-1, Cieharang and NR 2157-166-2-1-1-1 identified as promising with potential grain yield of 4313, 4290 and 4239 kg/ha respectively in over year analysis (2014-15) under coordinated varietal trial (CVT). These genotypes recorded 25 to 27 percent higher grain yield than national rice productivity and 4 to 6 percent more than check variety, Sabitri. The differences in grain yield among the tested genotypes and between the years were found significant, but interaction of genotypes to year was found non-significant. Similarly, KARAJAT-3 recorded the highest grain yield (4897 kg/ha) followed by NR 1190-24-4-2-2-2-3-2 (4861 kg/ha) in over year analysis (2014-15) of regional varietal trial (RVT), similarly, identified as promising genotypes. These promising genotypes recorded 43 and 8 percent higher grain yield than national rice yield and to the check variety, Sabitri, respectively in over year analysis. The differences in grain yield among genotypes and year were found significant whereas it was non-significant for interaction of genotypes and to the tested years.

513-518

Authors: V.N. Maheswari, M.P. Srikumaran, G.S. Rekha, D. Elumalai, P.K. Kaleena

The present study explores the growth promoting effects of vermiwash and panchagavya on Dolichus lablab. Vermiwash was obtained from the vermicomposting unit and panchagavya was prepared using cow products such as milk, curd, urine, ghee and dung. Different concentrations of vermiwash and panchagavya (5:2%, 10:3% and 15:4%) were applied to the bean plants once in every week for 90 days. The exo-morphological characters such as shoot length, internode length, diameter of the internode, number of leaves, leaf surface area and chlorophyll content were recorded prior to every treatment in all the groups. Interestingly, 10:3% vermiwash and panchagavya treated lablab beans showed better growth promoting effects than the other plants. Thus, the results of the present study clearly suggest that 10:3% vermiwash and panchagavya could be used as effective foliar spray in the near future.

525-528

Authors: Ravi Gedela, Ravi Teja Naidu, Srinivasao Rachakonda, Asiri Naidu

Fermentation process, the production of bio-ethanol from Madhuca longifolia (Mahua) flowers by using Saccharomyces cerevisiae (Mahua flowers, collected from Eastern Ghats region of Andhra Pradesh, India). The evaluated results showed that, 1000 ml of acidic fermented media at pH-4, 5 and 5.7, produced the average quantity of bio-ethanol in test-1 (S.cerevisiae + Mahua flowers + Media), test -2 (Mahua flowers + Media) and control (media) ≈ 170.03 ml, ≈ 142.3 ml and ≈ 127.7 ml respectively. The percentage of bio-ethanol was confirmation by using Alcohol meter, the analysis results showed that in test-1, test-2 and control ≈ 46.6 %, ≈ 24.6 % and ≈ 0% respectively. The presence of bio-ethanol were verified by using Spectrophotometer at 204-240 nm.

247-253

Authors: Vinod K. Kannaujiya, Akhlaqur Rahman, . Adinath, Arun S. Sonker, Jainendra Pathak, . Rajneesh, Shanthy Sundaram, Rajeshwar P. Sinha

Cyanobacteria are cosmopolitan in distribution and have adapted to diverse habitats. Adaptation of cyanobacteria is one of the key factors to withstand harsh environmental conditions. We have investigated the effects of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR; 400–700 nm), ultraviolet-B (UV-B; 280–315 nm) radiation and PAR+UV-B radiations on phycobiliproteins (PBPs) of a hot-spring cyanobacterium Nostoc sp. HKAR-2. There was a continuous induction of both phycoerythrin (PE) and phycocyanin (PC) after exposure of PAR up to 300 min. However, there was an induction in the synthesis of both PE and PC up to 240 min exposure of UV-B and PAR+UV-B radiations. Further exposure showed decline in the synthesis due to rapid uncoupling, bleaching and degradation of PBPs. Similarly, emission fluorescence also showed an induction with a shift towards longer wavelengths after 240 min of UV-B and PAR+UV-B exposure. These results indicate that short duration of UV radiation may promote the synthesis of PBPs that can be utilized in various biotechnological and biomedical applications.

259-271

Authors: Md. Khalid Jamil, M. Mizanur Rahman, M. Mofazzal Hossain, M. Tofazzal Hossain, A.J.M. Sirajul Karim

A pot experiment was conducted at the Horticulture Research Farm of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University, Salna, Gazipur-1706, during the period from March, 2008 to May, 2009 to investigate the suitable potting media for flower and bulb production of hippeastrum. The potting media containing a mixture of rice husk and cowdung at the ratio of 1:1 supplemented with 10 g per pot (30 cm) each of TSP and MP was found to be the best for bigger size of flower (14.20 x 13.70 cm) and flower scape (44.40 x 27.30 cm), the highest number (7.4) and weight (252.5 g) of bulblets, the maximum diameter (76.0 mm) and weight (218.4 g) of mother bulb and total bulb yield (470.9 g) of hippeastrum. But the maximum number (3.8) of flower per scape and the longest flowering duration (11.60 days) were obtained from the potting media containing a mixture of soil, rice husk, cowdung and coirdust in 1:1:1:1 ratio supplemented with 10 g each of TSP and MP.

281-287

Authors: Shweta Rawat, Jyoti Rawat

Microbial fuel cell technology is a recent approach which consist renewable and sustainable technology for electricity generation. Great attentions have been paid to microbial fuel cells (MFCs). Since, it recovers energy from renewable materials that can be difficult to dispose, such as organic wastes, waste water etc. and utilize variety of biodegradable substrates as fuel. Through which, microorganisms actively catabolize substrate and generate electricity. Besides many advantages, it still faces some limitations such as low power and current density. In the present research waste water was physically, biologically and chemically tested. We found that waste water has less amount of toxicity. Thus, it was assumed as low strength waste water and used for the MFC setup for bioelectric generation. Initially, the setup was run three times in a small scale. Simultaneously voltage and current was measured at different time intervals. It was observed that in first run, the voltage and current fluctuation data was not significant but voltage generation was varied from 140.8-182.5 mV in final run, correspondingly current fluctuated from 51-352 μA and power varied from 7180.8-66439.1 nW. However, we got highest power density of 0.0215-0.042 mW when the setup was moved in higher scale.

294-297

Authors: Prakash Pantha, Dil Raj Yadav

Bipolaris oryzae, the causal agent of brown spot disease, is an economically important pathogen of rice found in several rice growing countries in the world. Seed samples were collected from the rice experimental field comprised of different rice genotypes at National Rice Research Program, Hardinath, Dhanusha, Nepal in 2014 to determine the infestation level of B. oryzae and taxonomic identification of seed borne fungi by standard blotter method. The major recovered fungal mycoflora were B. oryzae, Pyricularia oryzae, Ustilaginoidea virens, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger, Curvularia oryzae, Rhizopus oryzae, Alternaria sp., Cercospora sp. and Penicillium sp. Seeds of all rice genotypes were infected with these fungi however frequency of fungal association varied among rice genotypes (from 12% to 96%). The percentage infection of B. oryzae was recorded maximum in all the rice genotypes compared to other seed-borne fungi. Madhaya dhan 845 and BI-0530-5-10-1-2 were the most infected genotypes and the infection percentage was 72% and 68%, respectively. Similarly, the least infected genotypes were Sabitri and TN-1 and infection level of 8% was recorded in both genotypes. Our findings may be used to predict disease occurrence and fungal transfer to new uninfected areas. Moreover, this study suggests that rice seed should be properly detected to check contamination by pathogens before sowing for effective and healthy crop production.

308-310

Authors: Binoy S Vettical

The objective of the study was to examine the effect of fetal calf serum (FCS) and mid estrus cow serum (ECS) in culture media on in vitro maturation (IVM) and in vitro fertilization (IVF) of oocytes from crossbred cattle in the tropics. Oocytes from abattoir ovaries were cultured in three different maturation media at 39oC temperature, 5% CO2 tension with maximum humidity for 24 h. TCM-199 containing 25mM HEPES, 1mM glutamine L, 2.2mg/mL sodium bicarbonate, antibiotics, 22 µg/mL pyruvate, 1µg/mL estradiol-17β, 0.5µg/mL FSH and 0.06 IU hCG without serum supplement used as treatment-1 and the above media were further supplemented with 10% FCS as treatment-2. In treatment-3, instead of 10% FCS, 20% heat inactivated ECS (serum collected in mid estrum) was used as serum supplement. Oocytes with maximum degree of cumulus expansion were selected as matured and used for further IVF studies using frozen semen. The IVF medium consisted of Fert-TALP medium supplemented with 1µM epinephrine, 10µM hypotaurine, 20µM pencillamine and 0.56µg/ml heparin. Culture conditions set for IVF were 39oC temperature, 5% CO2 tension with maximum humidity. Oocytes showing sperm penetration evidence like presence of enlarged sperm head, male pronuclei with its accompanying sperm tail in the cytoplasm, oocytes with two pronuclei and a clear second polar body but without a sperm tail were considered as fertilized. Significantly higher result of cumulus expansion percentage (p< 0.05) was observed when oocytes matured in media supplemented with FCS as compared to other two treatments. There was no influence of source of serum in maturation media on further IVF of matured oocytes in this study.

318-324

Authors: Madhu Sudhan Ghimire, Prativa Khanal, Ambika Pokhrel, Jyotsna Nepal, Pramod Thagunna, Kanhaiya Prasad Singh, Laxman Aryal

A field experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design with three replications and seven cultivars of Radish as treatments for screening against Alternaria leaf spot for seed production. Disease scoring was done as percentage of leaf area infected on individual plant at 7 and 10 days intervals on leaf and siliqua respectively for 3 times, and disease severity and mean AUDPC were calculated and yield was recorded. Disease symptoms appeared first in Long Chetki 22 DAS and last in Green Neck Miyashige 38 DAS. Maximum mean AUDPC (886.7) on foliage was recorded in Long Chetki while minimum mean AUDPC (690.7) was recorded in Green Neck Miyashige Similarly, highest and lowest total mean AUDPC on siliqua were seen on cultivars 40 Days (1080) and Green Neck Miyashige (66.67) respectively. Highest yield was recorded in Green Neck Miyashige (695.2kg/ha) and lowest yield was recorded in cultivar Long Chetki (477.4kg/hac). Similarly, highest test weight was recorded in cultivar Mino Early (10.28gm) and lowest was recorded in cultivar 40-Days (8.4gm). Cultivar, All Season Green Long failed inflorescence formation hence no evidence of siliqua formation therefore bears value 0 for seed yield. Similarly, highest biomass yield excluding root was found in cultivar Subhra-32 (613.3gm/m2) and lowest biomass yield was recorded in cultivar Green Neck Miyashige (341.7gm/m2). Green Neck Miyashige was found resistant to Alternaria leaf spot disease with maximum seed yield (695.2kg/ha). The cultivars Subhra-32 and 40 days were highly susceptible to Alternaria leaf spot disease with minimum seed yield.

330-337

Authors: M.M. Kamrozzaman, M.A.H. Khan, S. Ahmed, N. Sultana, A.F.M. Ruhul Quddus

An experiment was conducted at Farming System Research and Development Site, Hatgobindapur, Faridpur during 2012-13 to evaluate five wheat varieties against arsenic contaminated soils and determined accumulation of arsenic in grain and straw of wheat varieties. The experiment was laid out in RCB design with six replications. BARI Gom-21, BARI Gom-23, BARI Gom-24, BARI Gom-25 and BARI Gom-26 were used as treatment variables. The arsenic content was determined by using atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS). Result revealed that, wheat varieties differed in their grain arsenic concentration (0.49-1.15 mg kg-1). The arsenic translocation in wheat grains usually least and accumulation by different tissues followed the order root>stem>leaf>grain across the varieties. The variety BARI Gom-26 was found to accumulate least arsenic in grains followed by BARI Gom-25 and BARI Gom-24 under same growing condition due to phyto-extraction or phyto-morphological potential of the varieties. Maximum grain yield (4.36 t ha-1) was obtained from BARI Gom-26 followed by BARI Gom-25 and the lowest yield (3.43 t ha-1) was recorded from BARI Gom-23. Therefore, BARI Gom-26 and BARI Gom-25 can successfully be grown for higher yield in arsenic contaminated soils and water of Faridpur.

346-351

Authors: M. Thakur, A.K. Bhargava, C.S. Pundir

We describe an enzymic colourimetric method for determination of oxalate level in urine using arylamine glass-bound sorghum leaf oxalate oxidase and horseradish peroxidase. The method is based on quantification of H2O2 generated from oxidation of urinary oxalate by immobilized oxalate oxidase, by a colour reaction consisting of 4-aminophnazone, phenol and immobilized peroxidase as chromogen. Minimum detection limit of the method was 0.05 mmol/l. Analytical recovery of added oxalate in urine was 96.8± 3.0% (mean ±S.D.). Within and between day coefficient of variation (CV) for urinary oxalate in urine were < 3.5% and <6.46 % respectively. The urinary oxalate values in apparently healthy and urinary stone formers as measured by the present method were correlated with those by modified Sigma Kit method (r= 0.929). The method has the advantages that it provides ca 200 times reuse of oxalate oxidase and peroxidase and free from interferences by Cl- and NO3- normally found in urine.

359-364

Authors: S. Subedi, B. Paudel, B. Bhandari

For development of single cross hybrids in maize, developed inbreds must be evaluated for the determination of highly heterotic inbred combination (HIC). One of the best methodologies for determination of heterotic inbred combination can be multivariate analysis (MVA) or scales of phenotypic distance or dissimilarities or cluster diagram. For it, inbred must be observed for useful trait measurements. Accordingly, an experimental evaluation was conducted including promising 55 inbred lines of winter maize planting on Sep 3, 2015 at National Maize Research Program Rampur, Chitwan Nepal (NMRP/NARC). The distant inbred lines were determined through MVA. Single plot research technique was done where each inbred line was provided with 2 rows of 20 plants each. Data were taken for fifteen traits. By the use of MINITAB software, the data was analysed. Graphics of principle component analysis (PCA) cluster diagram (CD or dendogram) were constructed and phenotypic dissimilarities are examined.The distant inbreds RML-8, RML-88, RML-13, RML-103, RML-89, RML-102, RML-11, RML-17, RML-83,RML-98,RML-85,RML-86,RML-94 and RML-28 could be crossed with RML-75,RML-6,RML-68,RML-36 and RML-32 which could be used as tester inbred for heterotic hybrid combination. Similarly, RML-98, RML-85, RML-86, RML-94 and RML-28 could be crossed with RML-24, RML-96 and RML-99. Though distant inbred, RML-104 had less ASI but it wasn’t feasible to use for crossing due to higher anthesis tasseling interval.

372-379

Authors: Gamal M. Abdel-Fattah, G. Hassan Rabie, D. Shaaban Lamis, A. Metwally Rabab

A pot experiment was conducted to examine the effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on growth, nutrition and some physiological aspects of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.) plants grown at different salinity concentrations (0, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 mM NaCl). Under saline condition, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal (AMF) inoculation significantly increased growth responses, photosynthetic pigments, nutrient contents, proline and total soluble protein of cowpea plants compared to non-AM ones. Those stimulations were related to the levels of mycorrhizal colonization in the associated plants. Interestingly, high proline, chlorophyll content and antioxidant enzymes in AM plants could be important for salt alleviation in plants growing in saline soils.

386-390

Authors: Anshu Upadhayay

Serum Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity is the most common screening test as a part of routine assessment of liver damage. Due to its low activity in extra hepatic tissues an increase in serum ALT is more specific for liver disease. The liver pathology among diabetics is similar to that of alcoholic liver disease, including fatty liver, steatohepatitis, fibrosis, and cirrhosis. Thus, elevated serum ALT activity which is a common sign of liver disease is also observed more frequently in diabetics. This study has been designed with the aim to determine the association of serum ALT activity with diabetes mellitus. The study included 208 subjects attending Nepal police hospital during the time frame 6th October 2009 to 4th January 2010.The ALT activity in serum was determined by kit method, fasting and post prandial sugar was tested by GOD-POD method. Among the total diabetic subjects 43.26% were found to have elevated serum ALT activity (>40IU/L). Diabetic status was found to be significantly associated with ALT activity (p=0.04). In addition to diabetic status body mass index (BMI) was also significantly associated with ALT activity (p=0.02) and higher BMI increases the likelihood of elevated ALT. The association of ALT activity was found to be inverse and significant with age of the patient(r=-0.217, p=0.005). Physical activity was also found to be inversely associated with ALT activity(r=-0.149, p=0.03).

397-401

Authors: M.D. BalaKumaran, R. Santhi

In the present study, chicken feather powder was screened for its application as the substrate for the production of keratinolytic protease by Bacillus subtilis strain PS03. Bacillus subtilis produced a high level of keratinolytic protease using chicken feather powder as substrate. With feather powder as substrate, physical factors such as incubation time, pH and temperature were optimized for increased keratinolytic protease production by Bacillus subtilis. The enzyme production was enhanced when using maltose as carbon source and yeast extract as nitrogen sources. SDS-PAGE analysis indicated the molecular weight of 46 kDa of the partially purified keratinolytic protease. The keratinolytic protease enzyme was stable over a pH range of 6 – 9 and temperature range of 35 - 50°C with maximum activity at pH 9 and 40°C. Based on the results, the use of feather powder as substrate for keratinolytic protease production is cost effective and is easy to scale up. Considering the availability and cost, chicken feather powder is considered as an ideal substrate for keratinolytic protease production in an industrial point of view.

408-416

Authors: Faria Farhana Rain, Abu Faiz Md. Aslam, Siddiqua Sultana Ringki, Nahida Sultana, Nayma Akter, Abdul Jabber Howlader

An extensive survey of aphid predatory Coccinellid beetles (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) was conducted in Jahangirnagar University campus, Savar during October 2014 to March 2016. Total nine ladybird beetles viz, Adalia bipunctata, Coccinella septempunctata, Coccinella transversalis, Cycloneda munda, Harmonia axyridis, Hippodamia convergens, Micraspis discolor, Scymnus nebulosus, Sticholotis sp. were identified as predators of aphid. Among them, Micraspis discolor was most abundant predator. Biology and bio-control potential of M. discolor was studied in laboratory condition on bean infesting aphid (Aphis fabae). The maximum predation was 102±1.83 observed in 4th instar larvae of M. discolor. Along with biological study, phylogenetic relationship of ladybird beetles was constructed based on mitochondrial COI gene. Out of nine identified coccinellids, five species showed more conserve region than the rest in alignment. The interspecific genetic distance ranges for nine beetles were very low (0.15-0.24). Higher interspecific genetic diversity recorded for H. axyridis. The phylogenetic tree was created and analyzed using both Neighbour Joining and Maximum likelihood methods to define the origin and evolutionary relationships of the species. Molecular analysis demonstrated that evolution of these species has been occurred from a common ancestor. Such study of ladybird beetles would be helpful in biological control program of aphid pest.

139-149

Authors: Nawaraj Gautam, Rewati Raman Bhattarai, Bal Kumari Sharma Khanal, Prakash Oli

Large cardamom (Amomum subulatum Roxb.) is an aromatic and medicinal spice native to Eastern Himalayas belonging to the family Zingiberaceae. It is used as flavoring and preservative to different types of coffee, liquors, confections, beverages and tobacco. Volatile oil (2-4%) is the principal aroma-giving compound in large cardamom and 1,8- cineole is the major active compound in an extent 60 to 80% of the total volatile oil. Alcohol and aqueous extract of large cardamom have been reported to contain allopathic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant, antiulcer, cardio-adaptogenic and hypolipidaemic activities. Large cardamom and its powder, oleoresin and essential oils have many culinary and therapeutic uses. Objective of this review is to give short overview on the processing technology, chemistry, bioactivity and uses of large cardamom and its components.

155-160

Authors: Lila Bahadur Magar, Nisha Shrestha, Saraswoti Khadka, Jay Raj Joshi, Jibaraj Acharya, Gaurav Chandra Gyanwali, Bishnu Prasad Marasini, Sabari Rajbahak, Niranjan Parajuli

Paulownia tomentosa Steud is a fast growing multipurpose tree. In vitro propagation using nodal explants of Paulownia tomentosa was performed by manipulating amount of cytokinin and auxin in culture media. Shoot bud proliferation from explants were assessed in Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with various amounts of hormones such as a) 0.5-2.5 mg/l benzylaminopurine (BAP) and 0.1 mg/l naphthalene acetic acid (NAA), b) 0.5-2.5 mg/l BAP and 0.5-2.5 mg/l kinetin (KN) and c) 0.5- 2.5 mg/l BAP and 0.1 mg/l indole-3-acetic acid (IAA). In the present study, we found that hormone combination of BAP and NAA gave optimum growth results. MS medium enriched with 2.0 mg/l BAP and 0.1 mg/l IAA resulted a similar outcome but took 3-4 weeks with respect to the same medium enriched with 1.0 mg/ml BAP and 0.1 mg/ml NAA, which showed response within 2-3 weeks. Shoot length of 2.5-3.5 cm with 3-4 nodes and 8-12 leaves were obtained on MS medium supplemented with 1.0 mg/l BAP and 0.1 mg/l NAA. The acclimatization of explants was done in a polyhouse at 20±5oC for 2-6 weeks. Rooting has been induced in nonsterile sand. Rooted plants were transferred to plastic bags containing mixture of soil, sand and compost in the ratio of 1:1:1. Besides aforementioned issues, there are several other challenges associated with in vitro propagation of P. tomentosa. The plants were established (90%) on MS medium enriched with BAP and NAA and adapted ex vitro with surviving up to 80%. People received an opportunity with this plant because it grows fast and can generate income in 10 years in comparison with others, but at the same time people also have been facing the challenges for plantation of P. tomentosa as government of Nepal does not formulate necessary national policies, legislations and regulatory frameworks in its favor. Thus, system should be developed to set royalty rate of P. tomentosa recognizing its lifetime value.

166-171

Authors: Binoy S Vettical

The objective of the study was to examine the fertilizability of bovine follicular oocytes from abattoir ovaries using fresh, frozen and epididymal spermatozoa from crossbred bulls in the tropics. Oocytes were cultured in maturation media TCM-199 containing 25mM HEPES, 1mM glutamine L, 2.2mg/mL sodium bicarbonate, antibiotics, 22 µg/mL pyruvate, 1µg/mL estradiol-17β, 0.5µg/mL FSH and 0.06 IU hCG and supplemented with 20% heat inactivated estrus cow serum (serum collected in early estrum) at 39oC temperature, 5% CO2 tension with maximum humidity for 24 hours. Oocytes with maximum cumulus expansion were used for in vitro fertilization. Fresh, frozen and epididymal semen from crossbred bulls was used for in vitro fertilization as treatment 1(n =1690), treatment 2(n = 1620) and treatment 3(n = 1710) respectively. Control group of oocytes (1680) were treated in the same protocol along with each treatment group of oocytes in separate in vitro fertilization drop without sperm injection. The in vitro fertilization medium consisted of Fert-TALP medium supplemented with 1µM epinephrine, 10µM hypotaurine, 20µM pencillamine and 0.56µg/ml heparin. Culture conditions set for IVF were 39oC temperature, 5% CO2 tension with maximum humidity. Oocytes showing sperm penetration evidence like presence of enlarged sperm head, male pronuclei with its accompanying sperm tail in the cytoplasm, oocytes with two pronuclei and a clear second polar body but without a sperm tail were considered as fertilized. None of the oocytes in control group showed cleavage due to parthenogenetic activation. Significantly higher results of fertilization rate (p<0.05) were observed when oocytes inseminated with epididymal spermatozoa than fresh ejaculated semen followed by frozen semen.

178-182

Authors: Achyut Gaire, Samjhana Koirala, Ram Kumar Shrestha, Lal Prasad Amgain

Rice is an important world leading cereal crop grown extensively in tropical and sub-tropical regions of the world. However, its productivity is constrained by a number of problems. Currently, cereal yields are only 40 to 65% of their potential, mostly because nutrient management does not consider crop’s dynamic response to the environment and site specific nutrition management. Therefore, a field experiment was conducted on farmer’s field at Lamjung, Sundarbazar and Bhoteodar using Nutrient Expert® rice model from July 2015 to November 2015. Four replications of 5 treatments were arranged in randomized complete block design. Five treatments were Nutrient Expert recommendation (NE hybrid), Government recommendation (GR hybrid), NE improved, GR improved and Farmers field practice (FFP). The result revealed significant difference in terms of plant height, panicle weight, filled grain/panicle, straw yield, grain yield at 15.5% moisture, biological yield and sterility %.The highest yield (7.362tonha-1) was obtained from NE hybrid field which was followed by GR hybrid (6.12tonha-1), NE improved (5.20tonha-1), FFP (4.76tonha-1) and GR improved (4.70tonha-1). While comparing Nutrient Expert® (NE) estimation for attainable rice yield with actual rice yield from the farmer field trial; NE-based fertilizer recommendations proved to be successful in reaching the yield targets estimated by the software. The actual rice yields recorded in farmer fields were higher than the NE estimated attainable yields, so NE recommendation was found better over GR and FFP.

191-197

Authors: Gamal M. Abdel-Fattah, Wafaa M. Shukry, Mahmoud M.B. Shokr, Mai A. Ahmed

This study aimed to investigate the effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi with different levels of NPK fertilizers on yield production of common bean plants which common bean plants were subjected to five levels of NPK fertilizers (0, 25, 50, 75, 100 %). Application of AMF significantly increased the growth and yield components of common beans with minimized the levels of NPK comparing to equivalents non-mycorrhizal ones. The results obtained revealed that inoculation with AMF and the concentrations 50% and 75% of NPK with AMF are the greater than other concentrations and non-mycorrhizal plants. Mycorrhizal Common bean plants had significantly higher number of pods, length of one pod, pods weight, 100 seeds weight, weight of seed/plant and intensity of mycorrhizal colonization(M%) . Concentrations of nutrients (N, P, K, Ca and Mg) and total carbohydrates, crude protein and mycorrhizal dependency of some yield parameters were significantly increased in mycorrhizal plants at different NPK levels when comparing to those of non-mycorrhizal plants paticularly at (50% and 75%) concentration of NPK, but lower Na concentration in mycorrhizal common bean seeds than those of non-mycorrhizal.

203-206

Authors: R. Chongbang, P. Dongol, A. Chakrawarti, H. Khanal

Background and Objective: Children of squatter community are more prone to many infections and epidemiological studies provide to develop suitable preventive plans. Thus, the main objective of the present study was to determine the prevalence of parasitic infections among children of Squatter Community of Dharan Municipality. Methodology: Altogether 184 stool samples were collected from June 2014 to January 2015. The samples were examined using direct microscopy by saline wet mount technique in the microbiology laboratory of Sunsari Technical College, Dharan. Results: The overall prevalence of intestinal parasites was found to be 41.4% with male children more infected (45.8%) than female children (37.5%). Children between 4-8 years of age were most infected (48.1%). Among 4 species of parasites detected Ascaris lumbricoides (18.1%) was the commonest helminths and Giardia lamblia (74.02%) was the commonest protozoa. Positive rate was higher in Dalits (59.7%, 43/72) and the least in Tibeto-Burman (27.1%, 22/81) (p<0.05) ethnic groups.52.5% of children not using water and 33.6% of children using bucket water at toilet after defecation were infected. Children using soap for hand washing after defecation were less infected (32.02%) than other children (55.1%). Children taking the anti-parasitic drug in last six months had significantly low positive rate (9.3%) than others (51.7%) (p<0.05). Conclusion: High prevalence of parasitic infection was observed among children in Squatter community of Dharan Municipality. Thus, health education along with infection management actions and the awareness programs for sanitation improvements are required to reduce the parasitosis.

213-216

Authors: Yogendra Kumar Karki, Punya Prasad Regmi

Coffee is important beverages of Nepalese farming society having export potentiality for its unique characteristics as majority of coffee are grown in different microclimates with organic in nature. Production of coffee and its plantation area is in increasing trend every year. In the same situation individuals taste is changing towards coffee than other beverages and are forced to buy from different countries to meet the demand of coffee neglecting quality of Nepalese coffee. There is important role of different actors in coffee value chain and consumers play important role as they decide on the value of coffee serving after various step of processing. This study was done in Kathmandu and Lalitpur districts of Nepal to know the preferences and satisfaction level of coffee consumers. Majority of the consumers were satisfied with foreign coffee and they prefer foreign coffee mostly due to high price of Nepalese coffee and also due to lack of awareness on Nepalese coffee. Foreign peoples were found to prefer foreign coffee in comparison to Nepalese coffee (χ²= 23.02***) and generally drink three cup per day (χ²= 13.67***) while Nepalese consumer drink two cup of coffee per day on an average. The survey showed that high market price for Nepalese coffee is major reason for less consumption of Nepalese coffee.

223-227

Authors: S. Ranabhat, L.P. Amgain

A field experiment was conducted on farmer’s field at two sites of Lamjung district of Nepal viz. Bhotewodar and Sundarbazaar to evaluate the performance of two commonly grown rice varieties viz US-382(hybrid) and Ramdhan (improved) under two nutrient management practices [Nutrient Expert®(NE) rice model recommendation, and government recommendation(GR)].Four replicates of four treatments were arranged in randomized completely block design. Rice varieties responded differently under the different nutrient management practices in terms of plant height, grains per panicle, sterility%, panicle weight, grain yield at 15% moisture, straw yield and harvesting index. The highest grain yield was obtained from NE field of US-382 variety which was followed by GR for US-382, NE for Ramdhan and GR for Ramdhan variety. NE based practices for US-382 variety produced higher biological yield as compared to GR. NE estimated attainable rice yield provided by the software compared with actual rice yield from the trials in farmer’s field and NE-based fertilizer recommendations proved the validity in reaching the yield targets estimated by the software. The observed rice yields recorded in the trials were higher than the NE estimated attainable yields, so NE recommendation for US-382 variety was found better over GR.

233-235

Authors: Umema Mohsin, Madan Lowry, Ranu Sharma, Mamta Moond

The study basically focuses on hydrocarbon contamination that is caused because of bacteria present in the soil. Transport Nagar Area in Jaipur is mostly covered with garages and hence surrounded by crude oil, petrol, diesel and other fractions of crude oil. Soil and ground water are polluted with diesel fuel from leaking underground storage tanks which happens as a result of accidental spills and leakage from pipelines which causes harm to the both flora and fauna. In the study conducted the treatment samples were observed with significant difference with the control. The microbial count was maintained in the range of 3.86*104- THBP per gram soil and 1.87*103- PDBP per gram soil. The highest bacterial growth was showed after 60 days with 40% NPK because of the presence of an inorganic nutrition, bacterial activity and as a result petroleum degradation was maximum.

240-246

Authors: R.M.L.K. Ratnayaka, G.A.U. Jayasekera, G.H.C.M. Hettiarachchi

Arabidopsis BBX21 protein was identified as a transcription activator which can activate the light dependent transcription and positively regulate light mediated development of plants. The productivity of crop plants can be enhanced by over-expressing central regulators of light signaling pathway. The present study was conducted to enhance the productivity of Bg 250 Sri Lankan rice variety by overexpressing Arabidopsis BBX21 gene. The BBX21 gene was cloned into pPZP 200 binary vector and the cloned vector gene construct was transformed into Agrobarcteium tumefaciens GV3101 strain by freeze thaw method. The selected recombinant colonies of A. tumefaciens strain GV3101 harboring BBX 21 gene were transformed into three weeks old Bg 250 rice callus. Selection of the transformed callus was conducted on N6B5 selection medium containing 50 mg/L gentamycin and 500mg/L cefotaxime. A total of putative 83 plants which showed resistant to gentamycin were subjected to PCR analysis and the results showed 69 of the regenerated plants are transgenic. The T1 seeds collected from putative transgenic plants were characterize to check its integration and inheritance. The transgenic plants which showed 3:1 ratio was selected and further grown to obtain its homozygous lines. The expression of BBX21 gene was demonstrated by northern blot analysis and the results showed 4 fold higher expression of BBX21 gene in the transgenic plants compared with its non-transgenic wild type plants. The phenotypic analysis of homozygous BBX21 transgenic plants showed improved plant height, leaf length, leaf area, number of panicles and bushy appearance compared with its non-transgenic plants. Taken together, these results demonstrate an involvement of BBX21 gene in rice modifying architecture and productivity of Bg 250 transgenic plants.

1-2

Authors: Vivek Singh

It is an editorial. No abstract.

15-20

Authors: Ritesh Kumar Sharma, Anjana Goel, A. K. Bhatia

Plants play a major role on the earth and human beings depend on plants because of their medicinal properties. About 80% of the world population using plants as a medicinal drugs because plants have no side effects and show synergistic effect unlike modern medicine. In the present study, review and authentication of the various aspects of the plant Lawsonia inermis was carried out. This plant is mainly present in subtropical and tropical areas and is used in all over the world. The common name of L. inermis is Henna and Mehndi. It has been used for over 9000 years for their cosmetic values as a dye. Traditionally, in Asian countries like India and Pakistan, plant leaves are applied to hands, hairs and feet. Morphologically the plant is a small tree or shrub. L. inermis is cultivated for roots, flowers, stem bark and seeds for their medicinal uses. Proteins, carbohydrates and fatty acid are primary metabolites along with secondary metabolite such as tannins, quinines, terpenoids, coumarins etc which are present in L. inermis plant. Phytochemical constituents of L. inermis are responsible for its analgesic, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective and hypoglycaemic properties. The plant has also been reported for antibacterial, antifungal, immunostimulatory, antioxidant and cytotoxic activity. Presence of these properties in L. inermis plant develops it as medicine against various pathogenic organism and diseases. This review gives a wide view on the phytochemistry, pharmacological properties and traditional uses of the plant.

27-31

Authors: Dinesh Marasini, Santosh Marahatta, Surya Mani Dhungana, Ramesh Acharya

A field experiment was conducted at the Agronomy farm of Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science (IAAS), Rampur during winter season of 2014/2015 to find out the response of wheat varieties under different sowing dates. There was 9 treatments consisting three date of sowing (November 14, November29 and December 14) in main plot and three varieties namely Tillotama, Danfe and Vijay in sub-plot and were arranged in split plot design with three replications. The grain yield was significantly higher (3.09 tha-1) at November 14 whereas highest straw yield was recorded for November 29 sown wheat (5.61 t ha-1). Effective tiller (414) and number of grain per spike (34.34) were highest for November 29 sown wheat. The late sown wheat had more sterile floret (42.65%) while early sown wheat had highest thousand grain weight (51.23 g). Danfe had highest straw yield (5.87 t/ha). Effective tiller/m2 (419) and sterility percentage (43.35%) of Danfe was highest. Number of grains per spike (37.89) of Tillotama was highest and thousand grain weight (57.09 g) of Bijay was found highest. The grain yield of Bijay (3.30tha-1) was highest when it was sown at November 29.

39-43

Authors: Rajendra. Regmi, Sundar Tiwari, Resham Bhadur Thapa, Ranju Maharjan, Sujata poudel poudel, Kapil Poudel Poudel

A household survey was conducted during January 2012 in Gunjanagar, Dibyanagar and Sukranagar Village Development Committee of Chitwan district to know the socioeconomic status, status of spotted pod borer and its management practice. The survey included purposive random sampling methods in 35 yardlong bean growers. Most of commercial farmers have been growing since 3-7 years. Nearly three fourth of the farmers considered spotted pod borer as a major pest of yarldlong bean in Chitwan. Most of them considered more than 60% loss caused by spotted pod borer if no management practice is applied. Almost all sprayed chemical pesticides for management of spotted pod borer and nearly three fourth of them used more than one chemical pesticides alternately for management of spotted pod borer.One third farmers (31.43%) applied chemical pesticides in 4-7 days interval and one third of them (31.43%) applied chemical pesticides in 7-10 days interval after beginning of flowering for management of spotted pod borer. Almost all farmers (94.29%) knew adverse effect of pesticides on human, environment, natural enemies and other animal. Majority (94.29%) of farmers harvested pods after 1-3 day of spray of chemical pesticides and very few (14.29%) of commercial grower of this area get training in insect pest management.

53-56

Authors: Mohan Acharya, Santosh Dhakal

Objective of the study was to find the prevalence of major health problems among street dogs in Pokhara Valley, Nepal. Data were taken from the rescued street dogs brought for the treatment at Himalayan Animal Rescue Team (HART), Nepal, from January to December, 2011. A total of 171 sick or injured dogs were brought for the treatment. All the preliminary diagnosis was done by the veterinary officer and confirmatory diagnosis were limited. Data were analyzed using Microsoft excel program 2013 (Microsoft Corporation, New York, USA) and results are presented as number and in percentage. Mange infestation (40.35%) was the most prevalent problem, followed by general wound (18.12%), respiratory tract infection (7.60%), gastrointestinal parasites (5.26%), and general nervous signs (4.09%). Two dogs were suspected with rabies. Maggot infestations, tick infections, poisoning, bone fractures, otitis, pyometras, bite wounds, mammary tumors, hernias, abscesses, and anemic conditions collectively accounted for nearly 24.58%. Results presented in this study can be a reference for non-government organizations involving in rescue and treatment of sick and injured street dogs to plan their activities.

64-66

Authors: R. Pudasaini, R. B. Thapa, S. Tiwari

A survey was conducted to know the farmers perception on the effect of chemical pesticide on insect pollinators at Jutpani andPadampur VDCs, Chitwan, Nepal in 2013. Thirty households were randomly selected and semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect necessary information by face-to-face interview. Majority of the farmers (60%)applied pesticides on crops during mid day. Half of the farmers (50.00%) rankedpopulation decline as effect of pesticide on pollinators, some farmers (16.67%) also observed dead pollinators in field and hives, affecting their distribution (13.33%) and repelling them from field as mentioned by the respondents (13.33%). Majority of respondents (56.67%) perceived that misuse and overuse of chemical pesticide was the major cause of declining insect pollinators, among other causes, 16.67% farmers replied deforestation, 10.00% environmental pollution and 6.67% less cultivated area responsible for the decline. Very few farmers (6.67%) could realise the incidence of disease on pollinator due to pesticidal effects.

74-78

Authors: M.A. Rahman, M.M. Uddin, M.A. Haque, M.M. Rahman

Comparative field efficacy of different control measures of okra shoot and fruit borer, Earias vittella were evaluated in the Entomology Field Laboratory, Bangladesh Agricultural University during February to May, 2014. Field efficacy of two selected chemical insecticides (Decis 2.5EC, Agritaf 50SP), three botanicals (Neem oil, Pitraj oil and Mahogany oil), one parasitoid (Trichogramma chilonis), Light trap along with Hand picking and Trap crop (Maize) were evaluated by analyzing percent shoot and fruit infestations. BARI-1 (okra variety) was used as a test crop in the experiment. Among the tactics, the minimum shoot (4.72%) and fruit infestations (6.77%) were observed in the plots treated with Decis 2.5EC followed by Neem oil treated plots (4.83% in shoot and 7.56% in fruit). The highest reduction of percent shoot infestation (79.89%) and fruit infestation (64.97%) over untreated control plots was found in the Decis 2.5EC sprayed plots followed by Neem oil while the lowest percent reduction of shoot infestation (29.86%) and fruit infestation (29.43%) were recorded in case of Light trap + hand picking. Neem oil and Decis 2.5EC were found very effective in managing E. vittella up to 7 days after each spraying. Agritaf 50SP, Pitraj oil, Mahogany oil, T. chilonis and trap crop were also found effective over untreated control plots although were significantly lower than Decis 2.5EC and Neem oil. Therefore, application of Decis 2.5EC and Neem oil were mostly effective and Light trap + hand picking was the least effective measures in controlling E. vittella.

82-91

Authors: K Rajendiran, S Vidya, D Arulmozhi

Callus induction was tried with leaf explants (third leaf from top of canopy) harvested from in situ control and supplementary UV-B irradiated (UV-B = 2 hours daily @ 12.2 kJ m-2 d-1; ambient = 10 kJ m-2 d-1) three varieties of green gram viz. CO-8, NVL-585 and VAMBAN-2 to study their viability for germplam conservation. Callus induction occurred both in control and UV-B stressed NVL-585 leaf explants. VAMBAN-2 both in unstressed and UV-B stressed conditions did not initiate callus. Only control leaf explants from CO-8 proliferated callus. Callus of UV-B irradiated NVL-585 weighed less (51.28 %) than control. Parenchyma cells were smaller in callus inducted from in situ UV-B exposed NVL-585 leaf explants. The leaf explants from UV-B stressed NVL-585 varieties of green gram responded to in vitro callus proliferation making them fit for germplasm conservation for cultivating in UV-B elevated environment.

104-112

Authors: Rachel Siqueira de Queiroz Simões, Ortrud Monika Barth

Chromosomal abnormalities or aberrations were investigated in ten bovines, three canines and three equines presenting cutaneous papillomatosis. The aim of the present study was to evaluate possible chromosomal abnormalities as a biomarker of genomic instability induced by the interaction of the viral genome with the chromatin of the host cell in peripheral blood lymphocytes and skin warts lesion cultures. Genomic DNA was extracted from blood samples and epithelial biopsies. Amplification products from PCR using degenerated primer pair FAP59/FAP64 were sequenced. Peripheral blood lymphocytes and tumor cell cultures were performed. Structural chromosomal aberrations were verified as associations, chromosomal fragments, centric fusions, open chromatids, gaps, rearrangements and rings. Several levels of premature chromosome condensation were observed in both cultures. Numeric abnormalities as aneuploidy were also detected and hipoployd cells were found in a larger number than the hiperployd cells. This cytogenetic study in detecting premature chromosome condensation in the three species investigated describes by the first time the structural and numerical abnormalities in canines and equines presenting papillomatosis lesions. These abnormalities are similar of the three groups of animals, but virus specific.

117-129

Authors: K Rajendiran, K Thiruvarasan, R Vijayalakshmi

In vitro seed germination and growth of seedlings was tried with three varieties of black gram (Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper) viz. Vamban-3, Nirmal-7 and T-9 after ultraviolet-B irradiation (UV-B = 2 hours once with 1 hour recovery time @ 12.2 kJ m-2 d-1; ambient = 10 kJ m-2 d-1). Unstressed and UV-B stressed VAMBAN-3 and T-9 seeds both in dry and wet conditions responded to in vitro germination. Unstressed NIRMAL-7 failed to germinate under in vitro culture. UV-B stressed NIRMAL-7 responded to in vitro culture. UV-B irradiation enhanced seedling height at both dry and wet conditions in VAMBAN-3 followed by NIRMAL-7 compared with controls. Root and shoot length of UV-B stressed VAMBAN-3 and NIRMAL-7 performed five to six times better than control. Root and shoot length of T-9 was reduced (2.61 to 8.69 %) below control after UV-B exposure. UV-B stressed VAMBAN-3 under dry and wet exposure accumulated three to six times more plant biomass over controls. UV-B stressed NIRMAL-7 and T-9 dry seeds accumulated less plant biomass by 70.86 % and 12.39 % respectively than their controls. NIRMAL-7 and T-9 under dry UV-B exposure produced two times more leaves than control.

133-138

Authors: H.B.P.C. Ariyarathne, LGS Lokugalappatti, H.B.S. Ariyaratne, D.M.S. Munasinghe

Genetic diversity of Sri Lankan goats (Capra hircus) was evaluated using Polymerase Chain Reaction-Single Strand Conformation Polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) method to detect polymophism in four candidate genes (LALBA, k-CSN3, GnRHR and BMP4) in a sample of 219 goats representing three phenotypic groups. All studied loci were polymorphic, having three morphs for BMP4, LALBA and two morphs for k-CSN3 and GnRHR in the study population. A significant difference between genotypic frequencies for BMP4 and GnRHR genes was found while PIC criterion revealed an intermediate polymorphism for all analyzed phenotypic groups except for k-CSN3 and GnRHR genes. Cross-bred animals for BMP4 gene and nondescript animals for LALBA gene were comparatively more polymorphic according to the effective allele number criterion. This study provides insight into the genetic diversity of Sri Lankan goats, which can be utilized to develop single nucleotide polymorphism markers to be used in association studies, and marker assisted selection.