Spiders (Araneae) from Agricultural fields near foothill of Satpura Mountain ranges of Amravati District, Maharashtra, India.

This paper deals with the study of spider distribution in agricultural fields adjoining the Satpura Mountain Ranges of the Amravati district. The total collection of spiders comprises 12 families, 37 genera and 76 species. The Araneidae and Thomisidae families were dominant, followed by Saltisidae from the selected agricultural area. Lycosidae and Tetragnathidae were also found in a decreasing number of species due to their specific habitation. The analysis of guild structure revealed six feeding guilds. Orb web weavers and Ambushers constituted the dominant feeding guild representing 33% and 22% of the total collection respectively. Stalkers and ground runners represent 20% and 17% and foliage hunters and sheet web weavers represent 5% and 3% respectively. A new species of genus Sassacus (Beetle like spider), family Saltisidae was found for the first time in the Vidarbha region. The richness of spider diversity is a sign of the overall biodiversity which is a useful indicator of the species richness of the agro-ecosystem.
&#xa

Neuropilin-2 Mediated β-Catenin Signaling and Survival in Human Gastro-Intestinal Cancer Cell Lines

NRP-2 is a high-affinity kinase-deficient receptor for ligands belonging to the class 3 semaphorin and vascular endothelial growth factor families. NRP-2 has been detected on the surface of several types of human cancer cells, but its expression and function in gastrointestinal (GI) cancer cells remains to be determined. We sought to determine the function of NRP-2 in mediating downstream signals regulating the growth and survival of human gastrointestinal cancer cells. In human gastric cancer specimens, NRP-2 expression was detected in tumor tissues but not in adjacent normal mucosa. In CNDT 2.5 cells, shRNA mediated knockdown NRP-2 expression led to decreased migration and invasion in vitro (p<0.01). Focused gene-array analysis demonstrated that loss of NRP-2 reduced the expression of a critical metastasis mediator gene, S100A4. Steady-state levels and function of β-catenin, a known regulator of S100A4, were also decreased in the shNRP-2 clones. Furthermore, knockdown of NRP-2 sensitized CNDT 2.5 cells in vitro to 5FU toxicity. This effect was associated with activation of caspases 3 and 7, cleavage of PARP, and downregulation of Bcl-2. In vivo growth of CNDT 2.5 cells in the livers of nude mice was significantly decreased in the shNRP-2 group (p<0.05). Intraperitoneal administration of NRP-2 siRNA-DOPC decreased the tumor burden in mice (p = 0.01). Collectively, our results demonstrate that tumor cell–derived NRP-2 mediates critical survival signaling in gastrointestinal cancer cells

Genetic dissection of drought tolerance in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is the second most important grain legume cultivated by resource poor farmers in the arid and semi-arid regions of the world. Drought is one of the major constraints leading up to 50 % production losses in chickpea. In order to dissect the complex nature of drought tolerance and to use genomics tools for enhancing yield of chickpea under drought conditions, two mapping populations—ICCRIL03 (ICC 4958 × ICC 1882) and ICCRIL04 (ICC 283 × ICC 8261) segregating for drought tolerance-related root traits were phenotyped for a total of 20 drought component traits in 1–7 seasons at 1–5 locations in India. Individual genetic maps comprising 241 loci and 168 loci for ICCRIL03 and ICCRIL04, respectively, and a consensus genetic map comprising 352 loci were constructed (http://cmap.icrisat.ac.in/cmap/sm/cp/varshney/). Analysis of extensive genotypic and precise phenotypic data revealed 45 robust main-effect QTLs (M-QTLs) explaining up to 58.20 % phenotypic variation and 973 epistatic QTLs (E-QTLs) explaining up to 92.19 % phenotypic variation for several target traits. Nine QTL clusters containing QTLs for several drought tolerance traits have been identified that can be targeted for molecular breeding. Among these clusters, one cluster harboring 48 % robust M-QTLs for 12 traits and explaining about 58.20 % phenotypic variation present on CaLG04 has been referred as “QTL-hotspot”. This genomic region contains seven SSR markers (ICCM0249, NCPGR127, TAA170, NCPGR21, TR11, GA24 and STMS11). Introgression of this region into elite cultivars is expected to enhance drought tolerance in chickpea

Exploring the Genetic Cipher of Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) Through Identification and Multi-environment Validation of Resistant Sources Against Fusarium Wilt (Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ciceris)

Fusarium wilt (Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ciceris) of chickpea is the major limitation to chickpea production worldwide. As the nature of the pathogen is soil borne, exploitation of host plant resistance is the most suitable and economical way to manage this disease. Present study was therefore conducted with an aim to find new, stable and durable sources of resistance of chickpea against Fusarium wilt through multi-environment and multi-year screening. During 2007/2008 crop season, 130 promising genotypes having <10% wilt incidence were selected from initial evaluation of 893 chickpea genotypes in wilt sick plot at ICRISAT, Patancheru. Of them 61 highly resistant lines were selected through further evaluation in 2008/2009 and 2009/2010 crop season. Finally, a set of 31 genotypes were selected to constitute a Chickpea Wilt Nursery (CWN) and tested at 10 locations in India for three cropping seasons (2010/2011, 2011/2012 and 2012/2013) coordinated through Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and ICRISAT collaboration. The genotype and genotype × environment interaction (GGE) indicated significant variations (p ≤ 0.001) due to genotype × environment (G × E) interaction. Most of genotypes were resistant at two locations, ICRISAT (Patancheru) and Badnapur. On the contrary most of them were susceptible at Dholi and Kanpur indicating the variability in pathogen. GGE biplot analyses allowed the selection six genotypes ICCVs 98505, 07105, 07111, 07305, 08113, and 93706 with high resistance and stability across most of the locations and eight moderately resistant (<20% mean incidence) genotypes viz., ICCVs 08123, 08125, 96858, 07118, 08124, 04514, 08323, and 08117. As chickpea is grown in diverse agro-ecological zones and environments; these stable/durable sources can be used in future resistance breeding program to develop Fusarium wilt resistant cultivars

Not Available

Not AvailableHot arid regions of India lies between 24-29o North latitude and 70-76o East longitude covering an area of 317000 sq. km, which are spread over in the state of Rajasthan, Gujarat, Haryana, Punjab, Telengana, Maharashtra and Karnataka. Particular in Rajasthan, Acacia senegal (L.) Willdenow or Acacia seyal (Fam. Leguminosae) is an important species, the source of gum Arabic is found in the desert state of Rajasthan, especially in arid western Rajasthan. It’s habitats in arid western Rajasthan included rocky hills, sandy plains, sandy hummock and sand dunes After repeated trials and error, ICAR-CAZRI, Jodhpur standardized the dose of Ethephon treatment of A. senegal trees for enhanced recovery of gum Arabic. The present study deals with CAZRI developed gum Arabic production technology correlation between different girth classes and gum Arabic production pattern. From the data obtained, after treatment, maximum average gum yield (375g) were obtain from DBH group (51-60 cm) followed by DBH group of 41-50 cm, (average gum yield 322.5 g). In case of DBH group of 20-30 cm, average gum yield was 210 g. it clearly appeared that girth has positively correlation with gum yield. If CAZRI gum inducing technology is applied appropriately with vigorous outreach programmes, the species can be source of income it millions of people in Indian arid and semi-arid regionsNot Availabl

Not Available

Not AvailableHot arid regions of India lies between 24-29o North latitude and 70-76o East longitude covering an area of 317000 sq. km, which are spread over in the state of Rajasthan, Gujarat, Haryana, Punjab, Telengana, Maharashtra and Karnataka. Particular in Rajasthan, Acacia senegal (L.) Willdenow or Acacia seyal (Fam. Leguminosae) is an important species, the source of gum Arabic is found in the desert state of Rajasthan, especially in arid western Rajasthan. It’s habitats in arid western Rajasthan included rocky hills, sandy plains, sandy hummock and sand dunes After repeated trials and error, ICAR-CAZRI, Jodhpur standardized the dose of Ethephon treatment of A. senegal trees for enhanced recovery of gum Arabic. The present study deals with CAZRI developed gum Arabic production technology correlation between different girth classes and gum Arabic production pattern. From the data obtained, after treatment, maximum average gum yield (375g) were obtain from DBH group (51-60 cm) followed by DBH group of 41-50 cm, (average gum yield 322.5 g). In case of DBH group of 20-30 cm, average gum yield was 210 g. it clearly appeared that girth has positively correlation with gum yield. If CAZRI gum inducing technology is applied appropriately with vigorous outreach programmes, the species can be source of income it millions of people in Indian arid and semi-arid regions.Not Availabl

Not Available

Not AvailableAcacia senegal (L.) Willdenow or Acacia seyal (Fam. Leguminosae) is native to arid and semi-arid region of sub-Saharan Africa. In Indian sub-continent, species is exotic but has been well naturalized. Acacia senegal is an important tree species, the source of gum Arabic is found in the desert state of Rajasthan, especially in arid western Rajasthan. It’s habitats in arid western Rajasthan included rocky hills, sandy plains, sandy hummock and sand dunes. It is commonly an under canopy tree which generally attains a height of 4.5 to 8.0 m. After repeated trials and error, ICAR-CAZRI, Jodhpur standardized the dose of Ethephon treatment of A. senegal trees for enhanced recovery of gum Arabic. The present study deals with CAZRI developed gum Arabic production technology coupled with gum Arabic production from different land forms in arid zone. From the data obtained through various experimentations A. senegal produces maximum average of (0.408g/ tree) gum Arabic on sand dunes followed by inter dunal area (0.316g/ tree). Minimum average of gum Arabic yield recorded in rocky gravelly land forms (0.12 g/tree). Acacia senegal can be source of additional income for the millions of people in arid and semi-arid regions of India, if it is explored scientifically for gum tapping through the technique developed by ICAR-Central Arid Zone Research Institute, Jodhpur, India.Not Availabl

Not Available

Not AvailableAcacia senegal (L.) Willdenow or Acacia seyal (Fam. Leguminosae) is native to arid and semi-arid region of sub-Saharan Africa. In Indian sub-continent, species is exotic but has been well naturalized. Acacia senegal is an important tree species, the source of gum Arabic is found in the desert state of Rajasthan, especially in arid western Rajasthan. It’s habitats in arid western Rajasthan included rocky hills, sandy plains, sandy hummock and sand dunes. It is commonly an under canopy tree which generally attains a height of 4.5 to 8.0 m. After repeated trials and error, ICAR-CAZRI, Jodhpur standardized the dose of Ethephon treatment of A. senegal trees for enhanced recovery of gum Arabic. The present study deals with CAZRI developed gum Arabic production technology coupled with gum Arabic production from different land forms in arid zone. From the data obtained through various experimentations A. senegal produces maximum average of (0.408g/ tree) gum Arabic on sand dunes followed by inter dunal area (0.316g/ tree). Minimum average of gum Arabic yield recorded in rocky gravelly land forms (0.12 g/tree). Acacia senegal can be source of additional income for the millions of people in arid and semi-arid regions of India, if it is explored scientifically for gum tapping through the technique developed by ICAR-Central Arid Zone Research Institute, Jodhpur, India.Not Availabl