Estimation of genetic variability, GCA and SCA effects for development of early and high yielding bell pepper hybrids suitable for protected cultivation

The present investigation involves 29 diverse bell pepper genotypes for variability studies and 14 promising lines (11 lines and 3 testers), 33 F1 and 1 standard check for combining ability studies. The objective of the study was to assess the nature and magnitude of genetic variability among the bell pepper genotypes for yield and other horticultural traits and to identify the potential parental lines and cross combinations suitable for the protected environment based on the estimation of general combining ability and specific combining ability. A wide range of variability was observed for most of the characters studied. The genotypes viz., Kashmir Sel-1 (L2), DARL-10 (L9) and UHFSP(Y)-11 (L11) for marketable fruit yield per plant and Kashmir Sel-1 (L2), UHFSP(Y)-11 (L11) and DARL-01 (L5) for earliness were good general combiners and these may be included for exploiting hybrid vigour or development of purelines. On the basis of specific combining ability effects and per se performance, the crosses viz., ARCH-19 (L1) × Solan Bharpur (T1), DARL-10 (L9) × California Wonder (T2) and UHFSP(Y)-11 (L11) × Yolo Wonder (T3) were the best cross combinations for marketable fruit yield per plant and number of marketable fruits per plant under protected environment. The cross combinations viz., DARL-10 (L9) × California Wonder (T2), DARL-01 (L5) × California Wonder (T2), LC (L10) × Solan Bharpur (T1) and Kandaghat Sel-9 (L7) × Solan Bharpur (T1) shows significant negative SCA for earliness and could be used for development of early hybrids

In vitro propagation of Lesser Galangal (Alpinia calcarata Rosc.) - a commercially important medicinal plant through rhizome bud culture

An efficient protocol has been established for clonal propagation of Alpinia calcarata, a commercially important medicinal plant on Murashige and Skooge medium usingrhizome bud explants. Of the different concentrations of 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) andBAP in combination with different levels of kinetin, the best response of axillary shootproliferation was achieved in a combination of 1.5 mg/l of kinetin in combination with 0.5mg/l of BAP producing 13.6 shoots per explant in 6-8 weeks of culture followed by 2 mg/lkinetin and 0.5 mg/l BAP with an average of 6.2 shoot buds from each of the explants.Rooting of the shoots also occurred in the same medium in 3 weeks of subculture. Shootstransferred to half strength MS medium with 0.5 mg/l IBA was optimum for healthyrooting. The healthy in vitro rooted plants were hardened on plastic cups in sterile sand andwere transferred to pots containing potting mixture under green house conditions for 3-4weeks for acclimatization. The survival rate was 87-90% and the plants established well inthe field and developed rhizomes after 4-6 weeks of growth under shade house. Thisprotocol proves its utility for rapid propagation of A. calcarata, which can be exploited forpharmaceutical and commercial purpose

In vitro regeneration of Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri (Linn.) Pennell) - an important medicinal herb through nodal segment culture

An efficient and cost effective in vitro plant regeneration protocol through nodalsegment culture was achieved in the medicinally important herb Bacopa monnieri (L.)Pennell, the Memory Plus plant through axillary shoot proliferation in Murashige and Skooge medium augmented with varying concentrations of 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP)1 - 5 mg/l. BAP at 2 mg/l was the most effective in multiple shoot induction and mean number of leaves, which gave an average of 17 shoots and 31.11 leaves, compared toother concentrations of the hormone tried in 35 days of culture. Regarding mean shoot length and number of nodes, basal MS giving 2.66 cm long shoots with 7.44 nodes is thebest. MS basal medium, even though not promoting shoot multiplication, gave highershoot length with elongated internodes. Healthy rooting of the in vitro developed shootswas achieved in half and full strength MS basal solid medium without the addition ofany hormones. The healthy and vigorous in vitro regenerated micro shoots wereseparated out and were hardened on transfer to plastic cups with sterile soil and sandand were successfully acclimatized ex vitro in pots with potting mixture under greenhouse conditions for 3 weeks. The survival rate was 100% and the plants establishedwell in green house resembled the mother plants in habitat without any morphological variations. The very simple and cost effective protocol developed can be used to produceelite stable clones for en masse propagation for the large-scale cultivation of this very important medicinal herb

Basic considerations in the dermatokinetics of topical formulations

Assessing the bioavailability of drug molecules at the site of action provides better insight into the efficiency of a dosage form. However, determining drug concentration in the skin layers following topical application of dermatological formulations is a great challenge. The protocols followed in oral formulations could not be applied for topical dosage forms. The regulatory agencies are considering several possible approaches such as tape stripping, microdialysis etc. On the other hand, the skin bioavailability assessment of xenobiotics is equally important for topical formulations in order to evaluate the toxicity. It is always possible that drug molecules applied on the skin surface may transport thorough the skin and reaches systemic circulation. Thus the real time measurement of molecules in the skin layer has become obligatory. In the last two decades, quite a few investigations have been carried out to assess the skin bioavailability and toxicity of topical/dermatological products. This review provides current understanding on the basics of dermatokinetics, drug depot formation, skin metabolism and clearance of drug molecules from the skin layers following application of topical formulations

Nurturing Young Minds Through CSIR-JIGYASA

42-43The government of India launched ATLs (Atal Tinkering Labs) intending to cultivate millions of young minds in India as Neoteric Innovators by encouraging them to be curious, creative and imaginative

Synthesis, characterization and bactericidal activity of silica/silver core-shell nanoparticles

Silica/silver core-shell nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized by coating silver NPs on silica core particles (size ~300 ± 10 nm) via electro less reduction method. The core-shell NPs were characterized for their structural, morphological, compositional and optical behavior using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray analysis and UV-Visible spectroscopy, respectively. The size (16-35 nm) and loaded amount of silver NPs on the silica core were found to be dependent upon reaction time and activation method of silica. The bactericidal activity of the NPs was tested by broth micro dilution method against both Bacillus subtilis (gram positive) and Escherichia coli ATCC25922 (gram negative) bacterium. The bactericidal activity of silica/silver core-shell NPS is more against E. coli ATCC25922, when compared to B. subtilis. The minimal inhibitory concentration of the core-shell NPs ranged from 7.8 to 250 μg/mL and is found to be dependent upon the amount of silver on silica, the core. These results suggest that silica/silver core-shell NPs can be utilized as a strong substitutional candidate to control pathogenic bacterium, which are otherwise resistant to antibiotics, making them applicable in diverse medical device

Carbon allocation, sequestration and carbon dioxide mitigation under plantation forests of north western Himalaya, India

The organic carbon and soils of the world comprise bulk of the terrestrial carbon and serve as amajorsink and source of atmospheric carbon. Increasing atmospheric concentrations of green house gases may be mitigated by increasing carbon sequestration in vegetation and soil. The study attempted to estimate biomass production and carbon sequestration potential of different plantation ecosystems in north western Himalaya, India. Biomass, carbon density of biomass, soil, detritus, carbon sequestration and CO2 mitigation potential were studied underdifferent plantation forest ecosystems comprising of eight different tree species viz. Quercus leucotrichophora, Pinus roxburghii), Acacia catechu, Acacia mollissima, Albizia procera, Alnus nitida, Eucalyptus tereticornis and Ulmus villosa. Above (185.57 ą 48.99 tha-1) and below ground (42.47 ą 10.38 tha-1 ) biomass was maximum in Ulmus villosa. The vegetation carbon density was maxium in Albizia procera (118.37 ą 1.49 tha-1) and minimum (36.50 ą 9.87 tha-1) in Acacia catechu. Soil carbon density was maximum (219.86ą 10.34 tha-1) in Alnus nitida, and minimum (170.83ą 20.60 tha-1)in Pinus roxburghii. Detritus was higher in Pinus roxburghii (6.79 ą 2.0 tha-1). Carbon sequestration (7.91ą 3.4 tha-1) and CO2 mitigation potential (29.09 ą 12.78 tha-1) was maximum in Ulmus villosa. Pearson correlation matrix revealed significant positive relationship of ecosystem carbon with plantation biomass, soil carbon and CO2 mitigation potential. With the emerging threat of climate change, such assessment of forest and soil carbon inventory would allow to devise best land management and policy decisions forsustainable management of fragile hilly ecosystem. </span

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Not AvailableThe organic carbon and soils of the world comprise bulk of the terrestrial carbon and serve as a major sink and source of atmospheric carbon. Increasing atmospheric concentrations of green house gases may be mitigated by increasing carbon sequestration in vegetation and soil. The study attempted to estimate biomass production and carbon sequestration potential of different plantation ecosystems in north western Himalaya, India. Biomass, carbon density of biomass, soil, detritus, carbon sequestration and CO2 mitigation potential were studied under different plantation forest ecosystems comprising of eight different tree species: Quercus leucotrichophora, Pinus roxburghii, Acacia catechu, Acacia mollissima, Albizia procera, Alnus nitida, Eucalyptus tereticornis and Ulmus villosa. Above (185.57±48.99 tha-1) and below ground (42.47±10.38 tha-1) biomass was maximum in Ulmus villosa. The vegetation carbon density was maxium in Albizia procera (118.37±1.49 tha-1) and minimum (36.50±9.87 tha-1) in Acacia catechu. Soil carbon density was maximum (219.86±10.34 tha-1) in Alnus nitida, and minimum (170.83±20.60 tha-1) in Pinus roxburghii. Detritus was higher in Pinus roxburghii (6.79±2.0 tha-1). Carbon sequestration (7.91±3.4 tha-1) and CO2 mitigation potential (29.09±12.78 tha-1) was maximum in Ulmus villosa. Pearson correlation matrix revealed significant positive relationship of ecosystem carbon with plantation biomass, soil carbon and CO2 mitigation potential. With the emerging threat of climate change, such assessment of forest and soil carbon inventory would allow to devise best land management and policy decisions for sustainable management of fragile hilly ecosystem.Not Availabl

A systematic review and meta-analysis of voltammetric and optical techniques for inorganic selenium determination in water

Selenium, a metalloid, commonly known for its essentiality has emerged out as a water pollutant of concern for environmentalist due to its presence in natural water resources above the permissible limit. The high level of selenium in the environment poses severe health and ecosystem threats, therefore, its monitoring in water is of paramount concern. The present contribution summarizes and critically analyzes the field promising techniques, in particular, voltammetry and optical approach, for selenium quantification in water. The role of sensor material (organic fluorophores, colorimetric dyes and quantum dots), electrode surface modifiers (Hg, Bi, polymers, nanomaterials, etc.), chelators, etc., to overcome various challenges and achieve better sensor performance in terms of detection limit, range, reproducibility, stability, selectivity, sensitivity, and so forth are critically discussed. To end with, the possible future developments are discussed towards the realization of a cost-effective & field deployable monitoring device for on-site selenium analysis

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Not AvailableConservation biological control is an approach to enhance the efficacy of natural enemies by ensuring their availability in an agro-ecosystem on a long temporal scale. An increased survival often leads to better fecundity and improved behaviour of the natural enemies, which in turn ensures sustainable pest management. This paper, apart from being a concise review of conservation biological control, deals with selected India-specific case studies and field experiences on habitat manipulation and refugia. Results from a Bengaluru-based study during 2012–2015 on conservation biological control in an organic mango ecosystem are also presented. It also dwells briefly on conservation of insectivorous birds and touches upon conservation biocontrol with respect to entomopathogenic microorganisms and plant disease antagonists.Not Availabl