A note on frost induced garlic (Allium sativum L. var. sagitatum Kuz.) mutant with larger aerial bulbils

A natural frost induced mutant of garlic (Allium sativum L. var. sagitatum Kuz. cv. Agri FoundParvati), producing normal clove-sized aerial bulbils, was isolated from extreme cold-aridtrans-Himalayan deserts of Ladakh (9,000–18,500 ft above MSL), India. The yield after aseason’s growth from mutated bulbils (42.3 g) was slightly less than that realized from secondseason’s growth in conventional bulbils (46.7 g) and greater than that from normal cloves(39.3 g). This mutant, ensuring commercial garlic production from aerial bulbils within asingle season itself, was stable over two successive generations. &nbsp

HALOGENS, ALCOHOLS AND POTASSIUM PERMANGANATE EXTEND THE STORABILITY OF HOT PEPPER SEEDS (CAPSICUM ANNUUM L.) UNDER ACCELERATED AGEING CONDITIONS

The feasibility of extending the storability of fresh hot pepper seeds, by modifying the storage atmosphere, using the respiration inhibitors and seed desiccants was examined. Halogens such as chlorine, bromine and iodine and methanol, ethanol and potassium permanganate were used for a period of 22 months under accelerated ageing conditions of high seed moisture and temperature. The various seed quality parameters – viability, vigour, speed of germination, seedling dry weight, and moisture content were evaluated. In the untreated control, decreased seed viability was observed within 10 months of storage. However, iodine and chlorine were proved effective in retaining high seed viability up to 90.7 and 88.0%, respectively, even after 22 months of storage. Chlorine treatment was able to retain the seed vigour (904.0), iodine (766.4), KMnO4 (754.4) and methanol (566.7) whereas the value of vigour index in control was 72.0. Chlorine and iodine were on par in their ability to maintain the speed of seed germination (25.2 and 24.8, respectively), followed by KMnO4 (20.2). Seedling dry weight was proved as a parameter not sensitive in estimating the seed quality since even after 22 months storage of seeds at atmospheres of chlorine, iodine, KMnO4 and methanol did not show any differences. KMnO4 sharply reduced the seed moisture content from 9.83 to 7.89% providing better storability over the contro

Effect of media composition on growth and flower attributes of lisianthus [Lisianthus grandiflorum (Raf.) Shinner]

The media composition and the other practices for the cultivation of Lisianthus under Indian conditions are detaile

Physiological response of cocoa (Theobroma cacao L. ) genotypes to drought

Drought is one of the major environmental stresses affecting crop productivity worldwide. Climate change is expected to result in a rise in the number and intensity of drought events in the coming decades, so climate-resilient crops that can withstand this stress are in high demand. There are few genotypes in cocoa where it can tolerate water deficit conditions. The objective of the current investigation was to evaluate the effect of drought stress on the photosynthetic and physiological parameters of six cocoa genotypes (Theobroma cacao L.) with two irrigation regimes (100% field capacity and 40% field capacity) under greenhouse conditions at Cocoa Research Station, Kerala Agricultural University, Thrissur. The effect of water deficit conditions on gas exchange and physiological parameters such as relative water content, membrane stability index, chlorophyll stability index, and chlorophyll content were evaluated. Drought stress conditions resulted in reduced photosynthetic rate, relative water content, chlorophyll content, chlorophyll stability and membrane stability. All genotypes revealed significant differences for most parameters with two irrigation regimes. Among the cocoa genotypes, P.IV 19.9, which is classified as a highly tolerant genotype, recorded better results for all the parameters studied under water deficit conditions at 40 per cent FC. The findings of this study support the classification of these genotypes as highly tolerant, tolerant, and susceptible. These parameters may be used as the most promising indicators to screen for drought tolerance in cocoa. The results of the study revealed that photosynthetic and physiological parameters have a significant role in imparting drought stress tolerance to cocoa. Furthermore, these selected drought-tolerant genotypes can be used in future crop improvement programmes in cocoa

Genome-Wide Association Study and Pathway-Level Analysis of Kernel Color in Maize.

Rapid development and adoption of biofortified, provitamin A-dense orange maize (Zea mays L.) varieties could be facilitated by a greater understanding of the natural variation underlying kernel color, including as it relates to carotenoid biosynthesis and retention in maize grain. Greater abundance of carotenoids in maize kernels is generally accompanied by deeper orange color, useful for distinguishing provitamin A-dense varieties to consumers. While kernel color can be scored and selected with high-throughput, low-cost phenotypic methods within breeding selection programs, it remains to be well established as to what would be the logical genetic loci to target for selection for kernel color. We conducted a genome-wide association study of maize kernel color, as determined by colorimetry, in 1,651 yellow and orange inbreds from the Ames maize inbred panel. Associations were found with y1, encoding the first committed step in carotenoid biosynthesis, and with dxs2, which encodes the enzyme responsible for the first committed step in the biosynthesis of the isoprenoid precursors of carotenoids. These genes logically could contribute to overall carotenoid abundance and thus kernel color. The lcyE and zep1 genes, which can affect carotenoid composition, were also found to be associated with colorimeter values. A pathway-level analysis, focused on genes with a priori evidence of involvement in carotenoid biosynthesis and retention, revealed associations for dxs3 and dmes1, involved in isoprenoid biosynthesis; ps1 and vp5, within the core carotenoid pathway; and vp14, involved in cleavage of carotenoids. Collectively, these identified genes appear relevant to the accumulation of kernel color

Molecular markers in improvement of Capsicum spp. – a review

Use of various molecular markers in improvement of Capsicum spp. including genetic diver-sity analysis, fingerprinting, mapping the genes of interest with special reference to pun-gency and stress resistance, seed purity analysis, phylogenetic studies, genomic library con-struction and linkage analysis has been well demonstrated. This paper reviews the advance-ment and information available on the use of RAPD, RFLP, AFLP, ISSR, SPAR, CAPS andSCAR markers in crop improvement programmes in Capsicum spp. &nbsp

Biodynamic farming in organic crop production

The preparation and use of biodynamic agents under organic crop production is detaile

Effect of electron irradiation on gas sensing properties of Al-Zno Effect of electron irradiation on gas sensing properties of Al-Zno ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Abstract: Al-ZnO thin films are prepared by Silar method and are annealed at 450°C for 1 h. A selected number of samples are irradiated by high-energy electron beam and all are characterized by XRD, SEM and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Both irradiated and non-irradiated samples are then placed independently inside a gas chamber kept at rotary vacuum. The gas chamber is maintained at a pressure of 0.20 mb and at a temperature of 350°C. Ethanol vapour is admitted in a controlled manner into the chamber and the resistance of the film is measured continuously before, during and after the admittance of the ethanol vapour. The experiment is repeated for different dosages of irradiation and different doping concentrations of Al and the resistance of the film getting reduced fast and considerably at the admittance of ethanol has been observed. The response and recovery time of the irradiated samples is compared with that of non-irradiated samples of the same doping concentration. It has been noted that both irradiated and non-irradiated samples show a response time of 1 s and recovery time of the irradiated samples is shorter than that of non-irradiated samples

Rare medicinal plants of Western Ghats in Kerala and their Ayurvedic uses

Large number of rare medicinal plants from the Western Ghats of India is detailed with their known medicinal propertie

Ligneous Periodontitis in a Patient with Type 1 Plasminogen Deficiency: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Background. Ligneous periodontitis or destructive membranous periodontal disease is a rare condition involving gingival tissues, which is due to plasminogen deficiency and fibrin deposition. Plasminogen deficiency is an ultrarare autosomal recessive disease. The disease is characterized by gingival enlargement and periodontal tissue destruction that leads to rapid tooth loss despite treatment attempts. A defect in fibrinolysis and abnormal wound healing are the main pathogenesis of this condition. It is caused by mutations in PLG, the gene coding for plasminogen, which results in decreased levels and functional activity. Case Presentation. In this case report, clinical and histopathological findings of a 26-year-old male patient who presented with generalized membranous gingival enlargement are presented. He was the third child of consanguineous parents and had multicystic congenital hydrocephalus at birth. Besides the gingival enlargement, he also presented ligneous conjunctivitis since childhood. The intraoral examination revealed generalized periodontal breakdown. Radiographs showed alveolar bone loss present in every quadrant. All blood investigations were normal except for plasminogen deficiency. A biopsy sample was excised from affected gingiva and a series of histopathological evaluation was performed. Based on clinical and histopathological evidence, a diagnosis of destructive membranous periodontal disease or ligneous periodontitis was made. A clinical exome assay for the PLG gene was also done. It was confirmed as Type 1 plasminogen deficiency. Conclusion. Ligneous periodontitis has been rarely reported in India. The reasons could be because of the rarity of the disease or missed diagnosis. The need to take a proper history and perform a proper clinical examination and histopathologic evaluation has to be stressed when diagnosing and treating gingival enlargements. If a genetic condition is suspected, genetic screening is also needed. All these will help the clinician in correctly diagnosing the disease and formulating a proper treatment plan for managing the condition