Growth response and nutrient uptake of blue pine (Pinus wallichiana) seedlings inoculated with rhizosphere microorganisms under temperate nursery conditions

Microbial inoculants (Trichoderma harzianum, Pseudomonas fluorescens,Laccaria laccata) inoculated either individually or in combinationsignificantly improved the growth and biomass of blue pine seedlings. The ECM fungus Laccaria laccata, when inoculated individually, showed significantly higher plant growth, followed by Pseudomonas fluorescens and Trichoderma harzianum. The combined inoculation of rhizosphere microorganisms showed synergistic growth promoting action and proved superior in enhancing the growth of blue pine than individual inoculation. Co-inoculation of L. laccata with P. fluorescens resulted in higher ectomycorrhizal root colonization. Uptake of nutrients (N, P, K) was significantly improved by microbial inoculants, tested individually or in combination. Combined inoculation of L. laccata with T. harzianum and P. fluorescens significantly increased in N, P and K contents in blue pine seedlings as compared to control. Acid phosphatase activity in the rhizosphere of blue pine seedlings was also enhanced by these microorganisms. L. laccata exhibited higher acid phosphatase activity followed by P. fluorescens

The Cholecystectomy As A Day Case (CAAD) Score: A Validated Score of Preoperative Predictors of Successful Day-Case Cholecystectomy Using the CholeS Data Set

Background Day-case surgery is associated with significant patient and cost benefits. However, only 43% of cholecystectomy patients are discharged home the same day. One hypothesis is day-case cholecystectomy rates, defined as patients discharged the same day as their operation, may be improved by better assessment of patients using standard preoperative variables. Methods Data were extracted from a prospectively collected data set of cholecystectomy patients from 166 UK and Irish hospitals (CholeS). Cholecystectomies performed as elective procedures were divided into main (75%) and validation (25%) data sets. Preoperative predictors were identified, and a risk score of failed day case was devised using multivariate logistic regression. Receiver operating curve analysis was used to validate the score in the validation data set. Results Of the 7426 elective cholecystectomies performed, 49% of these were discharged home the same day. Same-day discharge following cholecystectomy was less likely with older patients (OR 0.18, 95% CI 0.15–0.23), higher ASA scores (OR 0.19, 95% CI 0.15–0.23), complicated cholelithiasis (OR 0.38, 95% CI 0.31 to 0.48), male gender (OR 0.66, 95% CI 0.58–0.74), previous acute gallstone-related admissions (OR 0.54, 95% CI 0.48–0.60) and preoperative endoscopic intervention (OR 0.40, 95% CI 0.34–0.47). The CAAD score was developed using these variables. When applied to the validation subgroup, a CAAD score of ≤5 was associated with 80.8% successful day-case cholecystectomy compared with 19.2% associated with a CAAD score >5 (p < 0.001). Conclusions The CAAD score which utilises data readily available from clinic letters and electronic sources can predict same-day discharges following cholecystectomy

Floristic diversity in the Kashmir Himalaya: progress, problems and prospects

The Kashmir Himalaya, being nestled within north-western folds of the Himalaya, harbours a rich floristic diversity of immense scientific interest and enormous economic potential. Though scientific studies on the floristic diversity in the Kashmir Himalaya have been started about two centuries ago, yet they fall short of the requirements needed urgently in the post-Rio Summit. In fact, at the spatial scale, many far flung areas and difficult terrains in the hinterland are still either least- or totally-unexplored; and at the taxon scale, floristic studies especially with regard to the lower plants are insufficient, thus posing serious problems in assessing the floristic diversity in the region. With such a perspective in hindsight, the present paper dilates upon the progress achieved so far, highlights the problems being faced and envisages the future prospects with regard to floristic diversity in this region. First, a broad overview of the current status of floristic diversity in this Himalayan region is presented, followed by a critical analysis of the knowledge base presently available on various taxonomic groups of plants. The yawing gaps in our knowledge of floristic diversity in this region are identified and an action plan to bridge these gaps is also outlined. Hopefully, addressing these challenges in the immediate future could facilitate the documentation, conservation and sustainable use of plant resources in this region, so as to steer this ‘Himalayan Paradise’ towards the path of sustainable development

Taxonomic Appraisal of Conifers of Kashmir Himalaya

The wealth of vegetation that adorns the earth shows a vast array of floristic diversity ranging from microscopic algae to gigantic Eucalyptus. Among these, gymnosperms, particularly conifers, constitute an important floristic component of evergreen forests by virtue of their multidimensional ecological and socio-economic values. In view of their immense importance, a thorough study has been undertaken to explore the conifers of Kashmir. During the present investigation, a total of 16 species, spread over 9 genera in 3 families, were recorded. Among these, the family Pinaceae with 7 species in 4 genera is the most dominant, while Taxodiaceae with 2 species in 2 genera is the least represented. Out of the total taxa 7 species, belonging to 5 genera, are exotic and exist in cultivation only

Recovery and Restoration of Some Critically Endangered Endemic Angiosperms of the Kashmir Himalaya

Floristic diversity constitutes an indispensable resource-base for the human livelihood. Plants, being vital components of the biodiversity and the ecosystems they form, are essential for human progress and survival. In the recent past, however, human actions have brought a large number of plant species at the brink of extinction. One of the conservative estimates suggests that 60,000 to 100,000 plant species are threatened worldwide. These include a large number of endemic taxa, which being of considerable phytogeographic importance, need immediate attention of the botanists and conservationists. The Kashmir Himalaya harbours a rich angiosperm-flora, about 152 species of which are endemic exclusively to the Kashmir region. Many of these endemics are of great economic value, especially in food and fodder, local and commercial medicine, etc. Due to over-exploitation, habitat destruction and other anthropogenic activities, together with their innate sensitiveness, many of these endemics have become rare and threatened. This necessitates a thorough study of the threatened endemics of Kashmir so as to pave way for their conservation. The present study aims to dilate upon the taxonomy and the ex situ conservation aspects of five critically endangered endemic flowering-plant species of the Kashmir Himalaya, viz. Aquilegia nivalis, Aconitum kashmiricum, Lagotis cashmeriana, Megacarpaea polyandra and Saussurea costus

Ethno-Veterinary Medicinal Uses of Some Plant Species by the Gujar Tribe of the Kashmir Himalaya

The documentation of biodiversity and its traditional use(s) by the ethnic communities have assumed priority due to the rampant loss of biodiversity, the looming threats of biopiracy and the increasing patent wars on bio-resources. In view of this, the present paper describes in detail the ethno-veterinary medicinal uses of some angiosperm plant species by the Gujar tribe of the Kashmir Himalaya; with the sole objective of documentation of this secret treasure-trove of valuable ethno-botanic knowledge. In the present investigation, each plant species has been provided with the scientific name, local name, growth form, altitudinal range and present status of occurrence; followed by part(s) used, mode of preparation, method of use and the dosage

Studies on needle blight disease of Blue pine (Pinus wallichiana Jack.) in Kashmir

Studies were conducted on the etiology, epidemiology and management of needle blight of Blue pine (Pinus wallichiana) seedlings during 2008-2009 at Shalimar campus, Srinagar, Kashmir. The disease was prevalent in all the three surveyed districts of Kashmir viz. Anantnag, Baramulla and Srinagar with disease incidence of 31.11 and 28.83 per cent in nurseries and 42.85 and 35.84 per cent in plantations during 2008 and 2009, respectively. The average disease intensity in respective years in nurseries and plantations was 19.93 and 14.51 and 27.44 and 23.92 per cent, respectively. Lophodermium needle blight disease was characterized by the appearance of chlorotic patches which turned reddish brown with straw coloured centre surrounded by yellow halo. Infection at needle tip resulted in dieback. Severe infections caused the death of entire needle and premature defoliation. Characteristic black stromatic zone lines across the needle surface appeared in June-July. Fungal fructifications (pycnidia and hysterothecia) appeared on the infected intact and fallen needles during July to October. The hysterothecia with prominent longitudinal slits were usually formed on abaxial surface of needles. The Leptrostroma state (anamorph of Lophodermium pinastri) isolated in culture was unable to cause pathogenecity on both attached and detached Blue pine needles. The fungus proved pathogenic only when ascospore suspension was inoculated on Blue pine seedlings and detached needles. The pathogen associated with the disease on morphological characters was identified as Lophodermium pinastri Chiv. The pathogen exhibited maximum radial mycelial growth and pycnidial formation on PDA, Richards and Malt extract media. The host range of Lophodermium pinastri in various conifer plants revealed that all the conifer species (Pinus wallichiana, P.halepensis, Abies pindrow, Cedrus deodara, Cuprussus torulosa, Picea smithiana and including one Cryptomeria species) reacted positively except Thuga orientalis. The ascospore release and germination of Lophodermium pinastri under in vitro conditions varied significantly at different test temperatures with highest ascospore release and germination at 25°C. The ascospore release occurred in relative humidity regimes of 60 to 100 per cent only with highest ascospore release and germination at 100 per cent RH. The disease appeared in February and reached maximum by the end of October. During the study period maximum logrithemic infection rate of 0.0618 and 0.0285 unit/day was recorded during the first fortnight of April in 2008 and 2009, respectively. Weather factors viz. temperature and relative humidity were positively correlated with disease intensity (62.1 per cent contribution). However, except temperature all other weather factors were positively correlated with the disease development in terms of infection rate (units/day) (25.7 per cent contribution). The pathogen perpetuated in the form of pycnidia and hysterothecia on fallen diseased needles. The fungal fructifications (pycnidia and hysterothecia) and their viability decreased with increase in the depth of placement in forest litter. Maximum fructifications on pine needles were observed at ground surface (0 cm depth). The diseased needles kept at 0 cm litter depth exhibited maximum hysterothecial formation and ascospore production and greater viability. Conidiomatal formation and conidial production of L. pinastri occurred in the 2nd fortnight of August and in 1st fortnight of September in the year 2008-2009 and 2009-2010, respectively. However, hysterothecial formation, ascospores production and their viability decreased significantly with increase in burial depth in forest litter. Non-systemic fungitoxicants, tested at various concentrations significantly inhibited the mycelial growth and ascospore germination of the pathogen by 52.31 to 76.34 and 60.50 to 82.21 per cent, respectively. Hexaconazole 5 EC proved superior over all other systemic fungitoxicants tested followed by flusilazole 40 EC and carbendazim 50 WP. The studies on in vivo evaluation of most effective fungitoxicants under mist- and poly-chamber conditions at three relative humidity regimes revealed that disease incidence and intensity were comparatively higher in mist- than in poly-chamber. In both, mist- and poly-chambers the Blue pine seedlings treated with hexaconazole 5EC (@ 0.03%) or carbendazim 50WP (@ 0.1%) treated seedlings had significantly less disease incidence and intensity. Increase in humidity regime from 60 to 100 per cent significantly enhanced needle blight disease incidence and intensity. All the fungitoxicants used as either single spray or protectant followed by systemic fungitoxicant spray significantly reduced the disease incidence and intensity as compared to check. The mean disease intensity in fungitoxicant treated Blue pine plants varied from 3.68 to 11.70 per cent as compared to 26.66 per cent in check. Among the fungitoxicants tested mancozeb 75 WP (@0.3%) followed by 2nd spray with carbendazim 50 WP (@0.1%) or hexaconazole 5EC (@0.03%) proved superior in reducing the disease incidence and intensity on Blue pine plantations or spraying with chlorothalonil 75WP (@0.3%) followed by 2nd spray with carbendazim 50 WP (@0.1%) or hexaconazole 5EC (@0.03%) was effective in minimizing disease incidence and intensity. Two-spray treatments exhibited lesser disease intensity (3.68-5.71%) and no defoliation as compared to mono-sprayed treatments which exhibited disease intensity of 8.64 to 11.70 per cent and defoliation of 1 to 10 per cent. Electrolytic leakage in infected blue pine needles was monitored by measuring the conductivity change in pine needles affected by Lophodermium needle blight disease. Highest electrolytic leakage of 345.33 µmoh/cm was noticed in pine needles having > 81 per cent of disease severity in comparison to unaffected check (181.33 µmoh/cm)