Bioscience Discovery

139-144

Authors: Shikha Thakur and N.S.K. Harsh

In vitro studies were conducted to evaluate the efficacy of phylloplane fungi in controlling the leaf spot disease of Spilanthes oleracea caused by Alternaria alternata. Trichoderma harzianum ISO-1, T.harzianum ISO-2 and T.piluliferum caused maximum inhibition of test pathogen followed by Aspergillus niger and Penicillium sublateritium whereas P.tardum and Cladosporium cladosporioides showed minimum antagonistic efficacy.

150-153

Authors: Bhogaonkar P Y, Chavhan V N and Kanerkar U R

Ficus racemosa L. is common along streams and riverbanks; also cultivated. Ripe receptacles eaten; taste like that of F. carica (Anjeer) fruits. Latex is used in Ayurvedic medicine, while wood used as timber. Unripe receptacles are boiled and used for vegetable preparation. Nutritional studies include quantitative estimation of crude protein, protein from nitrogen, lipids, ascorbic acid, phenols, anthocyanin, lycopene, carotenoids, chlorophyll, carbohydrate, starch, reducing and non-reducing sugars, crude fat and crude fibre in fresh as well as dry tissue. Ash studies were done for detection and estimation of minerals. Bioactive compounds possessing medicinal properties were also tested qualitatively.

160-162

Authors: Rahul B Kamble and Alka Chaturvedi

Continuous botanical explorations in the various localities of Nagpur District resulted into the some novel additions to the floristic wealth of district. Authors have collected 4 plant specimens from 3 different families viz. Mutingia calabura L. (Mutingiaceae), Mikania micrantha Kunth; Centratherum punctatum (Asteraceae) and Clerodendrum splendens G. Don (Verbenaceae) for the first time from this region. Plant specimens were collected, identified with the help of literatures and various floras.

170-174

Authors: Siuli Batabyal, Tinkari Dalal and Jagatpati Tah

Sandal (Santalum album L.), a precious wood has been used for different purposes in general and in particular, for dedicating to the almighty by almost all religious community across the globe since ancient time. In spite of mass use of this, still a major problem of its propagation exists. So far, the only means of propagation is through endozoochory, which is the natural propagation through bird’s droppings. But it requires a very specific agro-climatic and a critical edaphic conditions. Keeping all these views in mind, we started to propagate the plant vegetatively with the help of some phyto-hormones like IAA, IBA, GA3, Kinetin etc. All the chemicals were applied singly and also in combinations. The aims and objectives of this experiment were to study the responsiveness of rooting chemical composition and doses in case of stem-cutting and their adaptability in different areas of Bankura and Burdwan districts, West Bengal.

180-186

Authors: Sajal Kulkarni, DK Kulkarni, AD Deo, AB Pande and RL Bhagat

Rural tribal people generally depend on plants for curing their livestock due to inadequate facilities provided by Government agencies. The field survey was carried out in 3 clusters of Nagpur, Chandrapur and Gadchiroli of Maharashtra State. Local people were using 46 plants to cure certain veterinary diseases commonly occurring in region. Sixty people are experienced in giving plant based herbal drugs and the doses are very effective in treatments. The present study deals with different ethno-veterinary practices performed by local farmers and Vaidus to treat their livestock.The enumerations of different veterinary diseases and their plant resources are listed along with their parts used, local use and local name from study area.

193-196

Authors: M. Chennakesavulu Naik, M. Bheemalingappa, B. Swetha, K. Prasad, M. V. Suresh Babu and B. Ravi Prasad Rao

Six asters, Acmella radicans, Blumea fistulosa, B. laciniata, B. viscosa, Emilia scabra, Launaea acaulis are reported as new distributional records for Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India. Brief description, phenology, distribution pattern and photographs of the six species are provided.

202-203

Authors: T Kar, A K Nayak, B R Dash and K K Mandal

Duchesnea indica (Andrews) Focke is reported first time for Odisha from Similipal Biosphere Reserve. A detailed description with nomenclature, photograph, notes on occurrence and distribution of this taxon are provided for easy identification.

218-220

Authors: Patil P V, S P Taware and D K Kulkarni

Traditional method of broom making is still practice in the world. Brooms are very useful in cleaning floor, farm yard and separating grain during threshing. Present study was carried out in Bhor and Mahad regions of western Maharashtra and recorded 11 plant species used for broom preparation during the threshing time. Documentation of such plant resources may be useful for eco-friendly and easily degradable.

227-229

Authors: Giri S P

The seeds of two varieties of pigeon pea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp], (ICPL-87 and BDN-708) were used to study mutagenic sensitivity. The seeds of both the verities were treated with two different concentration /dose of EMS (10, 20, 30,40mM) and Gamma Radiation (100,200,300,400 Gy). Attempts were made to study mutagenic sensitivity in Pigeonpea through biological parameters such as percent germination, pollen Sterility and Survival of plant at maturity in M1 generation. There was decrease in percent germination and survival at maturity, while pollen sterility increases in concentration of mutagens.

237-240

Authors: Patil B J and Madane A N

Seeds are associated with microorganisms which cause an effect on germination. Aqueous leaf extracts of two weed species viz. Hyptis suaveolens and Eupatorium odoratum were assessed on seeds of Cicer arietinum and Cajanus cajan. The percentage of infected seeds was recorded after eight days. Six fungal species viz Alternaria alternata, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, Fusarium oxysporum, Rhizopus nigricans and Cladosporium herbarum were isolated from untreated seeds. Increase in concentration of plant extracts and the soaking period decreases seed mycoflora. Eupatorium odoratum extract was more effective than Hypties suaveolens.

248-250

Authors: Wadikar M S and V B Kadam

Antimicrobial activity of leaf extracts of Argemone Mexicana and Calotropis gigantea on the causal organism of root rot diseases of chickpea were studied. A comparison between in vitro activity of Argemone Mexicana and Calotropis gigantea, leaf extract against these two pathogenic fungi were investigated. Two plants extract for their antimicrobial activity gave significant control of two pathogenic fungi at various concentration i.e 25, 50, 75 and 100 percent respectively.

256-260

Authors: Umesh P. Mogle

For developing countries the use of organic manure on crop will not only improve the soil properties but will also cut down on the foreign exchange need for the purchase of mineral fertilizers. The amount of organic manures needed for agronomic crops will depend on the nitrogen requirement of the crop as well as nitrogen content of soil. Organic matter plays a vital role in the productivity and conditioning of soil. It serves as a source of food for soil bacteria and fungi which are responsible for converting complex organic materials into simple substances readily used by plants. Undecomposed organic matter opens out heavy clay soils and improves their physical properties such as aeration and percolation. When applied to light soils particularly in semi-arid conditions, it makes them still more porous and produces harmful results. The addition or organic matter also improves the working quality or friability of soil. In association with colloidal clay and calcium, it helps the aggregation of soil particles to produce ‘crumb’ structure. But its diffused distribution, decomposed organic matter imparts a dark colour to the soil, which helps absorption of heat with beneficial effects on seed germination and plant growth in cold countries or harmful overheating of young seedlings in hot climates. Organic materials are a scattered resource and have to be collected. The production of organic manures involves labour for collection of materials and processing with appropriate technology to obtain good quality compost with minimum nutrient losses, transportation to fields and incorporation into soil. The farmers do not make serious efforts in preparation and conservation of organic manures and recycling of crops and animal residue. Standard method such as proper moisture (50-60%) and turning of organic mass during composting or FYM preparation are not followed resulting in nutrient losses and poor quality organic manures.