Evaluation of Post Harvest Quality of some Cultivars of Chrysanthemum

A study was conducted to evaluate the performance of ten chrysanthemum cultivars for better post harvest quality under open field condition at University of Agricultural Sceinces, Bangalore. Flowers were harvested at fully open stage or nearly so. The results showed that the maximum stalk girth (0.32 cm) was recorded in Cv. Cassa and the maximum flower diameter (8.14 cm) was recorded in cv. Ravikiran, Cultivar Cassa recorded the maximum flower weight (3.59 g). Maximum number of ray florets were recorded by cv. Nilima (253.2). The maximum length of ray florets were recorded in cv. Ravikiran (3.96 cm). Maximum fresh weight, final weight and water loss (88.33, 40.63 and 47.67g respectively) from the spray type flowers were recorded in cv. Arka Swarna. Longer vase life of 16 days was also recorded in cv. Arka Swarna. Based on the performance studies it was observed that Arka Swarna, Ravikiran, Red gold, Nilima and Arka Ravi performed better post harvest quality and may be selected for cut flower production

Studies on Genetic Variability, Heritability and Genetic Advance in Chrysanthemum

Studies on genetic variability, heritability and genetic advance were carried out among ten genotypes of chrysanthemum for characters to identify elite genotypes to be used in breeding programme. The results showed high phenotypic and genotypic co-efficient of variation for traits like number of suckers per plant (GCV=90.13; PCV=95.67) and flower disc diameter (GCV=63.19; PCV=66.76). High heritability values were obtained for all the characterister except number of sprays per plant and plant spread. In high heritability estimate coupled with high genetic advance as per cent of mean was observed for number of suckers per plant (174.91), flower disc diameter (123.23) and number of flowers per plant (114.81). It was observed that heritable variability in the breeding materials characters like number of suckers per plant, flower disc diameter, number of flowers per plant, flower weight, yield per plant and number of ray florets could be exploited for improvement through crop breeding programme

Multiple Antibiotic Resistance pattern of Vibrio harveyi from Luminous Vibriosis affected cultured Tiger Shrimp, Penaeus monodon in Andhra Pradesh, India

An investigation was undertaken to determine the extent of antibiotic resistance exhibited by Vibrio harveyi, isolated from diseased Penaeus monodon, collected from culture ponds located in East Godavari District of Andhra Pradesh. A total of 159 isolates of Vibrio harveyi, of which 110 are from four Modified-Extensive ponds (ME1, ME2, ME3, ME4) and 49 are from four Semi-Intensive ponds (SIA, SIB, SIC, SID), were screened for their susceptibility to 22 antibiotics. All the isolates from ME and SI ponds were resistant to penicillin G and 100% susceptibility was observed in the case of all the isolates of ME ponds towards Ciprofloxacin and Norfloxacin. The isolates from ME ponds were more resistant than those from SI ponds and the isolates of ME 1 pond exhibited 100% resistance towards eight antibiotics, whereas those of SI ponds were 100% resistant to only one antibiotic. A significant difference was observed in the Multiple Antibiotic Resistance (MAR) of the isolates from ME ponds, whereas the difference was not significant in the case of isolates from SI ponds. MAR against 4 - 10 antibiotics was highest in the isolates from pond ME 4 (90.5%), followed by those from ME 3 (76.7%) and ME 2 (11.4%) and it was highest with 40 % in the isolates from SI D pond. The study revealed the occurrence of highly virulent strains of Vibrio harveyi in shrimp culture ponds, which developed resistance to many antibiotics due to indiscriminate usage of antibiotics

Microstrip Line Fed Leaky Wave Antenna with Shorting Vias for Wideband Systems

In this work a complex structured shorted vias microstrip leaky wave antenna is designed and analysed. A Leaky wave antenna is a travelling wave structure with complex propagation constant. When shorting vias are loaded in a periodic structure the fundamental resonant mode shows some stop band characteristics and some of the modes will strongly attenuated. Three different types of iterations are examined in this work with and without defected ground structures. The defected ground structure based leaky wave antennas are showing better performance characteristics with respect to efficiency and phase. A micro strip line feeding with impedance of 50 ohms at both ports are providing excellent impedance matching to the conducting path on the microstrip surface. The shorting vias are suppressing certain higher order frequency bands and providing excellent wide band characteristics with low loss

Determination of genetic variation for vegetative and floral traits in African marigold (Tagetes erecta)

Twenty-one genotypes of African marigold were (Tagetes erecta L.) evaluated for 11 growth and flowering related traits to study their genetic parameters such as variability, heritability, genetic (GCV), phenotypic (PCV) coefficient of variation and correlation and path coefficient analysis. Analysis of variance for all the traits showed significant differences among genotypes for all the growth and flowering related traits. High range in mean performance has been observed for traits, viz. plant height (64.00-106.67 cm), plant spread (49.33-72.00 cm), flower diameter (3.77- 6.17 cm), days required for flowering (78.67-99.33 days), number of secondary branches (22.13-37.47) and flower duration (26.00-44.83 days). Higher genotypic and phenotypic coefficient of variation was observed for traits such as fresh flower weight per plant, flower fresh weight per 10 flowers, number of flowers per plant, stem girth, flowering duration, etc. The high value (> 90%) of heritability was observed for all traits except plant height, plant spread and stem girth. The genetic advance was found ranged from 1.23 for flower diameter to 288.69 for fresh flower weight per plant. High values of genetic advance as per cent of mean was recorded for number of flowers (59.79%) followed by fresh flower weight per plant (59.32%) and flower fresh weight per 10 flowers (58.09%). Fresh flower weight per plant is significantly and positively correlated both at genotypic and phenotypic level for plant spread, flower fresh weight per flower, number of flowers per plant and flower diameter. Path coefficient analysis at genotypic level revealed that the number of primary branches per plant contributed highest and has significantly positive direct effect on fresh flower weight per plant followed by number of flowers per plant, flower diameter, flower fresh weight per flower, days required for flowering and stem girth. The different genotypes were identified to be performing differently for different quantitative traits. Hence, those genotypes with superior traits could be involved in the hybridization programme for assembling of desirable traits in a single genotype

Molecular characterization and cultivar identification in Bougainvillea spp. using SSR markers

The present study was undertaken to determine the genetic relatedness and molecular characterization of fifty bougainvillea cultivars that belong to four major species of bougainvillea namely B. glabra, B. spectabilis, B.peruviana and Bougainvillea × buttiana. Five microsatellite (simple sequence repeat; SSR) markers with high PIC values were used to characterize these bougainvillea cultivars. A total of 28 alleles were detected at an average number of alleles of 5.6 alleles /locus. The PIC values varied widely among primers and ranged from 0.364 to 0.891 with an average of 0.716 per locus and the size of the amplified products ranged from 90bp to 250bp. Primer BOUG-1 showed the highest polymorphism index content (0.891) thus reflecting it’s ability to differentiate these cultivars much better at molecular level. A total of 18 rare alleles were identified among which the cultivar (Blondie) had maximum number of rare alleles (3). An unweighted pair group method cluster analysis (UPGMA) based on similarity values revealed five main clusters with Cluster I being the largest one encompassing 18 cultivars while cluster IV and V emerged as the smallest ones comprising 3 cultivars each. The pair wise estimates of genetic distance ranged from 0 (Cherry Blossom to Mary Palmer Special) to 1.0 (Blondie to Shubhra, Partha, Lady Hope, Gloriosus, Red September, Zakiriana, Lady Richards and Spledens). The present investigation is first of its kind in using microsatellite markers for phylogenetic analysis and molecular characterization in bougainvillea cultivars. The study proved the efficiency of SSR markers in documentation, identification and tracing out the molecular origin among unknown cultivars of bougainvillea

Influence of different carbon sources on in vitro induction of anthocyanin pigments in callus cultures of petunia (Petunia hybrida)

Anthocyanins are naturally occurring compounds that impart color to fruits, flowers, vegetables, and plants. They are probably the most important group of visible plant pigments besides chlorophyll pigments. Apart from imparting color to plants, anthocyanins also have an array of health-promoting benefits, as they can protect against a variety of free radicals through a various number of mechanisms. Development of an efficient tissue culture system for commercial production of anthocyanins requires an integrated approach through manipulation of various media constituents. The effect of varied concentrations of different carbon sources on anthocyanin production in callus cultures of Petunia hybrida cv Bravo Blue was studied. Explants from young leaves were cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with MS + IBA (19.6 µM) + Kin. (4.65 µM) + AdS (81.45 mM), 3% sucrose and 0.7% agar. Among the various carbon sources tested, incorporation of Glucose at 5% was found to have earliest pigment induction with maximum response coefficient with highest pigment content (1.36 ± 0.012 CV/g FCW). Highest gain in fresh cell weight was noticed with the addition of sucrose 5% (3.96 ± 0.06 g). When MS medium was supplemented with different concentrations of Galactose, the explants failed to respond

Effect of shade levels on production and quality of cordyline (Cordyline terminalis)

An investigation was carried out during 2013-14 to study the effect of different shade levels on the production and quality of cordyline (Cordyline terminalis Kunth.) under the subtropical condition of New Delhi, India. The effect of spectral control of light on physiology and vegetative development was evaluated at different crop growth stages. Shade nets did not only protect plants from high light intensities but also improved the vegetative growth, yield, vase life and quality of cordyline cut greens irrespective of shade level. Different shade levels modified microclimates, PAR, transmittance and canopy temperature. The shading improved plant characters like height, number of leaves, chlorophyll content, leaf area, fresh weight, harvest index and vase life. The plants grown under different shade levels showed improved photosynthetic activity and reduced transpiration rate. Plants grown under 50% shade level were taller, along with more number of leaves having longer petiole, chlorophyll content which can be attributed to higher photosynthetic rate, whereas harvest index and vase life was optimum. Overall, shade net with 50% shading was found best for commercial production of cordyline cut greens

Multitargeted Low-Dose GLAD Combination Chemoprevention: A Novel and Promising Approach to Combat Colon Carcinogenesis

AbstractPreclinical studies have shown that gefitinib, licofelone, atorvastatin, and α-difluoromethylornithine (GLAD) are promising colon cancer chemopreventive agents. Because low-dose combination regimens can offer potential additive or synergistic effects without toxicity, GLAD combination was tested for toxicity and chemopreventive efficacy for suppression of intestinal tumorigenesis in adenomatous polyposis coli (APC)Min/+ mice. Six-week-old wild-type and APCMin/+ mice were fed modified American Institute of Nutrition 76A diets with or without GLAD (25 + 50 + 50 + 500 ppm) for 14 weeks. Dietary GLAD caused no signs of toxicity based on organ pathology and liver enzyme profiles. GLAD feeding strongly inhibited (80–83%, P < .0001) total intestinal tumor multiplicity and size in APCMin/+ mice (means ± SEM tumors for control vs GLAD were 67.1 ± 5.4 vs 11.3 ± 1.1 in males and 72.3 ± 8.9 vs 14.5 ± 2.8 in females). Mice fed GLAD had >95% fewer polyps with sizes of >2 mm compared with control mice and showed 75% and 85% inhibition of colonic tumors in males and females, respectively. Molecular analyses of polyps suggested that GLAD exerts efficacy by inhibiting cell proliferation, inducing apoptosis, decreasing β-catenin and caveolin-1 levels, increasing caspase-3 cleavage and p21, and modulating expression profile of inflammatory cytokines. These observations demonstrate that GLAD, a novel cocktail of chemopreventive agents at very low doses, suppresses intestinal tumorigenesis in APCMin/+ mice with no toxicity. This novel strategy to prevent colorectal cancer is an important step in developing agents with high efficacy without unwanted side effects

High-level characteristics of or-and independent and-parallelism in prolog

Although studies of a number of parallel implementations of logic programming languages are now available, their results are difficult to interpret due to the multiplicity of factors involved, the effect of each of which is difficult to sepárate. In this paper we present the results of a high-level simulation study of or- and independent and-parallelism with a wide selection of Prolog programs that aims to determine the intrinsic amount of parallelism, independently of implementation factors, thus facilitating this separation. We expect this study will be instrumental in better understanding and comparing results from actual implementations, as shown by some examples provided in the paper. In addition, the paper examines some of the issues and tradeoffs associated with the combination of and- and or-parallelism and proposes reasonable solutions based on the simulation data obtained