INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF LIFE SCIENCES

248-263

Authors: BHAJBHUJE, MN

Seed is a symbol and foundation of life as it is a container of embryos of a new generation and vehicle for the spread of new life. The high level seed moisture content, relative humidity and suitable temperature support the fungal microbes to contaminate essential seed components causing multi fold losses. A total of twenty seed samples of five cultivars of Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. obtained from various locations of Central India (Vidarbha), were mycologicaly analyzed by standard seed health testing technique revealed the prevalence of 49 diverse fungal species belonging to 29 genera from mixed seed samples, with higher count of species and percent incidence for Fusarium and Aspergillus followed by Curvularia (55%), Alternaria (42%) Rhizoctonia (33%) while others had moderate to low incidence. Deuteromycota contributed highest, 46.9% fungal count followed Ascomycota (38.9%); Zygomycota and Oomycota (6.1%). A least count was recorded with Basidiomycota. Aspergillus nidulans, A. sulphureus, A. ochracious, A. amstelodomi, Fusarium moniliformae, F. semitectum, Geotrichum candidus, Paecilomyces varioti, Penicillium oxalicum and Sporotrichum pulverulentum have been recorded on tomato seeds for the first time in India. Deuteromycota contributed more than half, 52.1% incidence followed by Ascomycota (35.1%); Zygomycota (5.9%) and Oomycota (5.2%) while Basidiomycota contributed little incidence. A total of 28 to 36 isolates belongs to 19 to 23 genera were confined to individual cultivar seeds. Alternaria porri, A. solani, Aspergillus flavus, A. fumigatus, A. niger, Botrytis cinera, Cladosporium tenuissium, Colletotrichum dematium, Curvularia lunata, Didymella lycopersici, Fusarium moniliformae, F. lycopersici and Phytophthora infestans were appeared to be common on seeds of all cultivars as external and internal seed borne pathogens. Drachslera rostrata, Fusarium culmorum, F. equiseti, Rhizopus stolonifer, Rhizoctonia solani were confined to blotter paper while Chaetomium globosum, Curvularia ovoides, Fusarium solani, Geotrichum candidum were restricted to agar plating. Greatest count of fungal isolates and percent incidence was recorded by blotter test against agar plating. The standard blotter technique proved superior over agar plating.

270-272

Authors: Ulhe SK, Narkhede SD

Anisomeles indica plant was collected from Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krushi Vidyapeeth Agriculture Farm, Nagpur district (Maharashtra state). This plant belongs to family -Lamiaceae and is commonly known as “Gopoli” which is an evergreen aromatic, perennial, erect herb and measuring about 1.5cm in height. The stem is quadrangular, the leaves are covered by hairs and inflorescence is of verticillasters type. In the present study anatomical characters and phytochemical analysis of the leaves are reported. Anatomical characters reveal the study of leaf anatomy. Phytochemical analysis confirmed the presence of alkaloids, tannin, glycosides, carotenoids and saponin in leaves. Alkaloids showed high scores while tannins showed moderate scores but saponins indicated low scores. Aromatic oil is found in 6% in 3gm of dry weight of powder of leaves of Anisomeles indica. The present investigations concluded that the leaves of Anisomeles indica contains alkaloids>tannins> saponins >Glycosides>Carotenoids>Polyuronoids in this order, and contains double percent amount of aromatic oil. These chemicals are widely used in Ayurvedic traditional medicinal system

278-283

Authors: Neelima Bagde, Shampa Jain

This paper documents zootherapeutic practices in adjoining area of Pench National Park of Chhindwara district. The ethnozoological study was mainly conducted in the villages surrounding the Park area. It is primarily based on field survey carried out in villages, where dwellers provided information on animal species used as medicine, body parts used to prepare the remedies, and the illnesses to which the remedies were prescribed. The document tribes and rural involved in using animal parts as medicines. The animal parts namely- blood, excreta, urine, feather, fat, hair, spins, skin, flesh, bones, secretions, shell etc. were used in raw or cooked forms for the treatment of burn, fracture, sunstroke, pneumonia, rheumatism, asthma, drug addiction, antidote, fever, acidity, fit, cough and cold, tuberculosis, ear pain, allergy, diabetes, jaundice, impotency, diarrhea and dysentery, cataract, paralysis, leprosy, goiter, wound, whooping cough, stomachache, back pain. A total of 30 animal species were recorded and they are used for 41 kinds of different ethno medical purposes. Fauna is the cheapest way for cure of various health disorders

288-290

Authors: Jogdand SB, Ingole AC

Fortnightly intramural dust sample study, for two consecutive years from June 2011 to May 2013, at Pune, encountered 700 specimens of house dust mites included young ones, adult males & females and few larvae & nymphs. In all 10 genera and 12 species have been identified using authentic literature. Most of them have been found to be proved allergens causing allergy (health hazards) among sensitive persons. These investigations explored interesting findings. Some HDM like Dermatophagoides, Blomia, Acarus, Cheyletus etc. have been found to be delicate and exhibited tremendous impact of environmental parameters like temperature, relative humidity and rainfall. Moderate temperature around 25 0 C and relative humidity (RH) around 80%, indirectly aided by frequent rains played significant role in hatching of eggs, larvae and nymphs growing into adults, subsequently leading to breeding and increase in mite load of intramural environment at Pune. Colonization and in crease of mites had been found to be continued as long as optimum conditions prevailed during rainy season. These HDM have been found to be thermo sensitive and their population decreased at low (10-15 0 C) or high temperature (35 0 C& above) and low relative humidity below 25% found during winter and Summer, with little or no rain fall exhibiting adverse effects on HDM proving their thermo sensitivity and seasonal fluctuations of population dynamics following the concept of seasonal variations. While rat mites like Echinolaelapse chidninus (Berlese1887) and common rodent mite like Haemolaesaps glasgowi (Ewing,1925) (Fa:-Laelaptidae) have been recorded round the year in abundance, with minimum fluctuation in the mites population dynamics irrespective of seasons and fluctuations in environmental factors, thus disobeyed the concept of thermosensitivity. Dermatophagoides (Hughes) was dominant followed by Haemolaesaps glasgowi (Ewing, 1925), Cheyletus (Schrank), Acarus, Blomia (Bronswijk, Oshima), Caloglyphus (Zachvakin) etc. Tyrophagus was reported as fungal culture contaminant, Proctolaelaps in Drosophila culture and Dermanyssus gallinaeas poultry mite

294-296

Authors: Diwan RK

Ailanthus excelsa commonly known as ‘Mahaneem’ belongs to family ‘Simaroubaceae’ found all over India; is also a medicinal plant used as insecticides. 3% concentration of extracts of Ailanthus excelsa is found lethal toCallosobruchus maculatus Insecticidal activity, Ailanthus excelsa, Callosobruchus maculatus, chromatography

303-307

Authors: Gadekar GP

The study was conducted to determine the changes in the gonadosomatic index (GSI) of an Indian major carp, Labeo rohita. The fish has only one spawning season of short duration, running from July to August as indicated by the peaks of GSI and the diameter of oocytes and testicular lobules. Both males and females mature simultaneously. The minimum GSI for female was 0.74±0.12 in resting phase and maximum was observed in the spawning phase (16.49±1.70). The GSI for males was minimum in resting phase (0.087±0.004) and maximum in spawning phase (2.02±0.181).

313-316

Authors: Vasanth Kumar B, Roopa SV, Gangadhar BK

The present work was mainly focused on this typical biotope for the period of thirteen months from January 2008 to January 2009. An attempt has been made to describe the faunal composition, distribution and abundance at different study sites of mangrove ecosystem of kali estuary during the study period. In the present study, fourteen taxa have been identified and are grouped as follows. Foraminifera, Coelenterata, Polychaeta, Gastropoda, Bivalvia, Harpacticoida, Cumacea, Tanaidacea, Isopoda, Amphipoda, Mysidacea, Shrimps, Decapoda and Pisces. In macrobenthos, the polychaete (13–99/m2) and bivlavia (25 – 60 /m2)group contributed much to the total density of macrobenthic community at all study stations. Seasonally, this faunal community has shown greater density during the post and premonsoon seasons (953.9 & 1137.1/m2) but it was very less during the southwest monsoon season (850.9/m2).

321-327

Authors: Lihitkar Ramdas S, Lihitkar Shalini R, Waghmare Pranali

The Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ) listed open access scientific and scholarly journals, that meet high quality standards by exercising peer-review or editorial quality control and are free to all from the time of publication based on the Budapest Open Access Initiative. Total 105 free online journals on Zoology were accessed through DOAJ and analyzed based on Country, Languages, Subject Headings, keywords, their accessibility and availability of Archives of online journals in Zoology. 9183 journals 4685 journals searchable at article level 119 Countries 1083902 articles 2013-05-12 DOAJ celebrates 10 years at the heart of Open Access 2013-05-02 DOAJ sponsors Accelerating Science Award Program 2013-03-12 DOAJ hits the 1 MILLION mark!

331-342

Authors: Jatinderpal Singh

The cuticle of Haemonchus contortus has on its outer surface a highly resistant epicuticle-exocortex complex possessing a substantial amount of acid mucopolysaccharides in the epicuticle and lipid in the outer cortical layer forming a permeability barrier. The longitudinal ridges found in both the sexes, pertaining to the anterior region of the body, are supported by tough resistant struts. The median layer of the cuticle from where these struts arise is well developed, whereas the basal layer is less developed and its striated nature is also not evident. Histochemically, the carbohydrates and lipids are found in high quantities in the cuticle in general. The protein is restricted to the outer cortical and median layers only. The hypodermal areas are positive for lipids and carbohydrates. Large amount of glycogen is present in the non-contractile part the muscle cells except the perinuclear spaces whereas the contractile portion contains large concentration of proteins. However, both these areas of muscle cells are negative for nucleic acid activity.

165-181

Authors: Bhajbhuje MN

Solanum melongena L., a highly preferred vegetable amongst the weight-conscious consumers and a cash crop for poor farmers originated from healthy seed, is vulnerable to attack by diverse group of fungal pathogens in storage and spread of diseases in crop plants that adversely affect economy of poor farmers. Fungal isolations were made from twenty stored mixed seed samples of five different cultivars and individual cultivar collected form eggplant growing farmers of Vidarbha, yielded total 54 fungal species of 30 genera, including eleven species of individual genus Aspergillus, four of Fusarium, three each of Alternaria, Curvularia, Helminthosporium and Penicillium, two each of Chaetomium, Rhizopus and Trichoderma while others had single species. Deuteromycota dominated with 44.7% isolates followed by Ascomycota (39.9%). Basidiomycota had single isolate. A total of 33 to 36 isolates were confined to seeds of individual cultivar. Aspergillus nidulans, A. sulphureus, A. sydowi, A. terreus, Sporotrichum pulverulentum, Stachybotrys atra and Syncephalastrum racemosus have been recorded for first time as new records in India. Aspergilli encountered in seeds with 4 – 14% incidence excluding Aspergillus fumigatus (28%) and A. parasiticus (18%). Curvularia, Alternaria, Drechslera and Helminthosporium were detected as predominant pathogens with 11-13% incidence while Aureobasidium, Colletotrichum, Pythium and Trichothecium had little count of incidence. Of the total count of incidence, Deuteromycota dominated with 47.2% followed by Ascomycota (42.1%). Greatest count of fungal isolates and frequency incidence was recorded on blotter paper against agar plates. The standard blotter technique proved superior over agar plate. Cultivars Pusa Purple Cluster and Vaishali are moderately susceptible to fungal diseases.

190-192

Authors: Thiyam Benkee,Sharma GD

An investigation was carried out to study the post harvest diseases of fruits in Cachar district. Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, Penicillium expansum and Rhizopus stolonifer were found to exhibit the most common fungi during storage. Among them Aspergillus niger, was dominant among isolated fungi, followed by Aspergillus flavus. There is a need to undertake the storage practices and conditions that will minimize the growth of fungi on stored fruits.

198-201

Authors: Pradhan VP

For many years research in the field of contraception or the application of contraceptive methods has been exclusively limited to female as compared to male fertility control. The most highly effective reversible contraceptive method for men with no side effects has yet to be developed. Administration of several progestational compounds has been shown to inhibit spermatogenesis. Although progesterone is studied extensively, the exact mechanism of action of this compound has not been proven. The present experiment was designed to determine the exact relationship between the pituitary-gonad and adrenal following the intramuscular injection of Depo-Provera to male squirrels Funambulus pennati (Wroughton). The proposed investigation will contribute to the understanding of pituitary-gonad-adrenal relationship and the results will be of considerable importance in contraceptive study.

207-215

Authors: Bhandarkar SV, Bhandarkar WR

In the present investigation an attempt was made for assessment of Seasonal Variation in Physico-chemical properties in three different lotic ecosystems in Gadchiroli district of Maharashtra during the year 2006 and 2007. The study reveals that most of the properties of all the sites show moderate variation in their concentration for all seasons. All the three sites have more or less similar ecological status. The site-I and site-II have greater nutrient concentration. The region of the site-I and site-II are somewhat disturbed by the anthropogenic activities while site-III with less or undisturbed by the same. Having a glimpse of values of physico-chemical properties such as BOD, COD, Nitrate, Phosphate, Alkalinity, DO, Free CO2 etc. disclosed that all the three ecosystems under investigation are mildly polluted.

221-225

Authors: Meshram SM, Narkhede SD, Bhowal M

A well preserved dicot fruit was collected from Jamsavli (Lat 21°, 30' to 22°, 55'N and Long 78°, 15 to 79°, 20 E) in Chhindwara District, M.P. The fruit is hexagonal shape, without stalk. The fossil fruit is unilocular and is characterized by presence of uniitegmic seed. The fruit is capsular and indehiscent. The fruit though shows some characters of the present day families like Amaranthaceae, Sapindaceae, Meliaceae, Menispermaceae, Tiliaceae, Burseraceae. It has close affinities with the members of the family Tiliaceae. It could not conclusively be traced to any particular genus but it broadly placed under Tiliaceae.

228-232

Authors: Kaushik Dipshikha, Srivastava Seweta, Nath Bharat Chandra, Chauhan VB, Singh RN

Pigeon pea Cajanus cajan (L.) Millspaugh, is one of the major pulse crops of the tropics and subtropics also popularly known as red gram, tuar or arhar is a primary source of protein for millions in India. Sterility mosaic disease (SMD) caused by mite (Aceria cajani) is a major disease limiting the pigeon pea production in the Indian subcontinent. Effect of abiotic factors like temperature, relative humidity and rainfall on mite population was observed during the experiment. Out of theses abiotic factors strong significant correlation was observed with relative humidity. Average temperature of about 20-30°C was found to be congenial for the multiplication of mite. But very high temperature is not suitable for the growth of mite. Heavy rainfall is also not suitable for the growth of mite. Wind velocity is also a very important factor responsible for spreading of disease. The effect of SMD on plant height along with their branches was also observed and can be concluded that severe mosaic affect the plant height, and branches of the pigeon pea plants. The disease severity was high in the early stage of infection causing severe mosaic disease where flower and pod formation was ceased resulting in complete crop failure.

239-240

Authors: Dhande Abhishek R

This document reports an observation of courtship behavior of Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus in Maharashtra. This occasional observation was made in the region of Chalisgaon Tehsil, Dist. Jalgaon. It was noted that the species prefer open areas near water bodies to perform courtship, also the time extent to which the courtship was displayed varied from previous reports.

89-92

Authors: Srivastava Seweta | Singh Vinit Pratap | Gupta Gorakh Nath | Sinha Asha1

Jatropha curcas L. has been considered a potential source of seed oil for the production of biofuel. The aim of this study was to estimate the seed index of Jatropha seeds after deterioration under storage condition. For estimation of seed index fresh, stored as well as infested Jatropha seeds were used. Seeds were infested with six dominant fungi viz. Alternaria alternata, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus niger, Fusarium chlamydosporum and Penicillium glabrum separately and weight of 100 seeds (fresh and infested both) were determined during different period of storage. The seed index (100 seeds) of Jatropha seeds was declined from 3 months to 12 months of storage and also due to fungal infestation. Alternaria alternata infested Jatropha seeds were deteriorated much faster than other dominant seed mycoflora infested seeds.

110-114

Authors: Ghoshal KP | Meshram SM | SM Akare

Ethnobotany is the study of the relationship between man and their surrounding plants. One has to understand the human interaction and role of plants in their lives. An ethnobotanical study contributes in the field of medicine. The ethnic and the rural people of India have traditional knowledge of medicinal uses of plants growing around them. Deori being a tribal area is surrounded by the forest regions and the people (Adivasi) residing here still practices herbal medicine for treating various diseases. A large number of ethnomedicinal information remained endemic to many regions or people due to lack of communication. Hence a survey was carried out in Deori Taluka of Gondia district to collect information regarding medicinal plant species (particularly trees) used by the tribal people for curing various diseases. The present paper enumerates about list of some 34 medicinal plant species (trees) with their correct botanical names, vernacular names, family and plant part used to cure various diseases.

119-122

Authors: Patil Kishor Gopal

Embryo of Hipposideros speoris at the paddle stage of the development with a body mass 0.022g and CR length of 5.2mm is characterized by the well developed mesonephri. At this stage the mesonephros consists of the well developed Bowman’s capsules and the well developed mesonephric tubules opening into the mesonephric duct. Mesonephros shows the afferent glomerular vessel entering the glomerulus and the efferent glomerular vessel emerging out from the glomerulus and the mesonephric tubule originating from the glomerular lumen and leading into the mesonephric duct. In the mesonephri the dorsal large post cardinal vein and a ventral sub cardinal vein connected by the lateral collecting vein are also observed.

133-142

Authors: Dabhadkar DK | Zade VS | Dhore MM | Patil SS

The aim of the study is to evaluate the effect of the chloroform extract of Psoralea corylifolia on reproductive abilities of male albino rats. The chloroform extracts of P. corylifolia seeds at doses of 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg were administrated for 21 days. The sperm count of experimental animal was determined. The effect of the extract on body weight, reproductive and vital organ weight were determined. The effective chloroform extract were further studied for its effect on hormonal assay and compared with the standard reference drug sildenafil citrate. Similarly adverse effects and acute toxicity of the extract were also evaluated. Oral administration of chloroform at doses of 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg were significantly increased the sperm count in experimental animal. There was significant increase in level of testosterone in the serum with increase in the LH and FSH concentration. The extract was also observed to be devoid of any adverse effects and acute toxicity. The results of the present study demonstrate that chloroform extract of P. corylifolia seed enhance sexual behaviour in male rats. It also thus provides a rationale for the traditional use of P. corylifolia as acclaimed aphrodisiac and for the management of male sexual disorders.

149-153

Authors: Narkhedkar VR | Manik SR

Environmental heavy metal pollution is mainly of anthropogenic. Heavy metals are ubiquitous environmental contaminants in industrialized societies. Most plants are able to accumulate heavy metals from water and soil. In present study investigation was made on Croton tiglium Linn., Sonchus oleraceus Linn., Argemone mexicana Linn., Alocasia (Schott) G. Don and Cyperus Linn. to evaluate the efficiency of phytoremediation. Results revealed that among the heavy metals studied viz. Cadmium, Mercury and Zinc efficient system for phytoremediation is Croton tiglium Linn. and Sonchus oleraceus Linn. Results also conclude that the order of sensitivity of heavy metals studied towards the five plants is Zinc > Cadmium > Mercury.

158-160

Authors: Bhosale RS And More AD

Withania somnifera, Dunal. belongs to family Solanaceae. It is also known as Ashwagandha or Indian Genseng. Withanolides are constituents of roots of Ashwagandha. Withanolide is the major constituent with appreciable quantity of Withanone and traces of Withaferin-A. In Ayurvedic literature, is a “Rasayana” or rejuvenating drug and hence also traditionally known as Avarada which suggests the application of this plant for enhancing longevity. The seeds of Withania somnifera, Dunal. var somnifera were selected and used for following investigations. The healthy, dry and uniform seeds were treated with EMS at different conc. like 0.05 %, 0.075 %, 0.10 % and 0.125 %. Germination parameters like germination percentage, seedling height and seedling injury were studied. Germination percentage in control was 82 %. Germination percentage revealed gradual decrease from lower conc. to higher doses in given treatments of EMS. It was 78 %, 72 %, 59 % and 57 % at 0.05 %, 0.075 %, 0.10 % and 0.125 % respectively. In case of seedling height indicated dose dependent deduction after treatment of EMS. In EMS treated seeds seedling height was in the range 1.86 cm, 1.79 cm, 1.73 cm and 1.75 cm and seedling injury varied from 2.10 %, 5.78 %, 8.9 % and 7.8 %. In conclusion it can be said that use of chemical mutagens has succeeded in inducing M1 Biological parameters.

7-10

Authors: Shende VA | Patil KG

Biodiversity contributes to make human life both possible and worth living. Human beings are the major source for degradation of biodiversity. Biodiversity is under significant threat from the effects of human-induced climate. Its loss is threatening the fulfillment of basic needs and aspiration of humanity as a whole. If we carry on losing biodiversity, future generations face hunger, thirst, disease and disaster. It directly and indirectly contributes many constituents of human, including security, basic material for a good life, health, good social relations, and freedom of choice and action.

17-21

Authors: Jagtap AR | Mali RP | RD Barde

Temperature of aquatic environment is important for ensuring the normal metabolism of aquatic animals affects blood vascular system of aquatic organisms. The present investigation deals with influence of temperature on the total count of erythrocytes in freshwater fish, Channa punctatus. The fishes were exposed to different temperatures viz. 15° C, 20° C, 30° C and 35° C. The total counts of erythrocytes were observed at different temperature stress. The results were compared with the fish’s acclimated to ambient temperature at 26° C. The total RBC count was found to be increased as temperature increases. The total RBC count was found to be decreased as temperature decreases.

32-36

Authors: Harney NV | Dhamani AA | Andrew RJ

Rotifers, the group of microscopic soft bodied freshwater invertebrates form an important connecting link between primary producers and consumers of higher orders in an aquatic food web. The present paper describes the biodiversity of Rotifera fauna of Malhara pond, located near the Bhadrawati town of Chandrapur district. Qualitative and quantitative analysis of rotifer community was undertaken on monthly basis from October 2005 to September 2007. A total of 24 rotifer species belonging to 15 genera were identified during the period of Oct. 2005 to Sep. 2006, while a total of 22 rotifer species belonging to 15 genera were identified from Oct. 2006 to Sep 2007. The genus Brachionus were recorded as the most diversified genera being represented by seven species. The present study demonstrated that rotifers reaches the peak in density and diversity during summer and decreases during the monsoon season. The seasonal fluctuation of this group is discussed in the light of recent literature.

42-45

Authors: Thakre Swapnil B

Phylogenetic relationships of Phosphoglucomutase enzyme sequences was performed in two members i.e. Helianthus annus L. and Lactuca sativa L. of family Asteraceae by applying CLUSTAL-W programme. Ten sequences of phosphoglucomutase (PGM) from each species those are already deposited on NCBI were subjected to Multiple Sequence Alignment (MSA). Dendrogram reveals that 20 phosphoglucomutase sequence divided into two distinct clusters. The cluster-I consist of 8 phosphoglucomutase sequences from Lactuca sativa, whereas cluster-II consist of 12 phosphoglucomutase sequences belonging to Helianthus annus L. and Lactuca sativa L.

51-62

Authors: Bhajbhuje MN

The phytoalexins are low molecular weight, anti-microbial phenol compounds that are both synthesized by, and accumulated in plants at infection site during compatible plant-pathogen interaction upon exposure to heavy metal salts, were used at dilute concentration in different treatments to control Alternaria early leaf blight infection in Solanum melongena L. seedlings caused by Alternaria solani. Foliage sprays, root dips for two hours prior to transplanting or seed soaking for 24 hrs provided considerable to moderate protection to seedlings, at different stages after treatment, against artificial inoculation with the pathogen and mostly caused significant reduction in symptoms. Of the three methods, wet seed treatment appeared to provide the most effective and durable protection. Barium, mercury and Ferric chloride were found the most effective in reducing the infection and lesion expression significantly in most treatment after inoculation with virulent race of pathogen. The fungitoxicity in leaf diffusate was found decline with age in treated artificially inoculated seedling. Little fungi toxicity in leaf diffusates from 3 to 5-week old seedlings that had been treated uninoculated and moderate toxicity in that from untreated, inoculated seedlings. However, treated seedlings inoculated at the 3 and 5-week stage produced leaf diffusates with significantly greater toxicities which were in proportion to their abilities to resist attack.

67-70

Authors: Chavhan DM | GS Wagh

Soils on which plants depend for their nutrients, water and minerals supply. It contains number of salts, alkalis, organic matter and various biological systems. Soil is the region on the earth’s crust where geology and biology meet, the land surface that provides a home to plant animal and microbial life. Soil teems with microscopic life (bacteria, fungi, algae, protozoa and viruses). Due to industrialization and other anthropogenic activities the soil gets polluted. Due to increasing relevance of these, the necessity of soil analysis is felt desirable. Also the contents vary from place to place .Soil sample were collected from around the Lonand MIDC area of various villages. Where the sugarcane & Onion is the main crop. In the present study soil sample were analyzed for their physical, chemical and Microbiology contents such as pH, Conductance, % of organic Carbon, Density of soil, Porosity of soil, Maximum water holding capacity of soil and various essential nutrients such as Nitrogen, Potassium & Phosphorous. Experimental observation show that high values of pH of soil sample indicate there is an excessive use of fertilizer. Results also shows that conductance also higher in sample no.5,6&9 indicate salt formation showing alkaline nature of soil which affects the yield of crop. Sample no.1, 3, 7 shows higher in nitrogen contents indicates use of excess nitrogenous fertilizer by farmer. Microbial analysis was carried out by serial dilution method. As soil is the indispensible part of all life process on earth its proper analysis is necessary

76-78

Authors: Bhosale RS | AD More

Withania somnifera, Dunal. belongs to family Solanaceae. It is also known as Ashwagandha or Indian Genseng. Withanolides are constituents of roots of Ashwagandha. Withanolide is the major constituent with appreciable quantity of Withanone and traces of Withaferin-A. In Ayurvedic literature, is a “Rasayana” or rejuvenating drug and hence also traditionally known as Avarada which suggests the application of this plant for enhancing longevity. The seeds of Withania somnifera, Dunal. var somnifera were selected and used for following investigations. Different locations from Junnar taluka showed different response to germination and vegetative growth. From present investigation it can be concluded that soil with alkaline properties was more efficient for germination and growth of Withania somnifera, Dunal. than acidic soil.