Diversity and Distribution of Pteridophytic flora of Punyagiri hill, Vizianagaram District, Andhra Pradesh, India

The present paper deals with the diversity and distribution of Pteridophytic flora in Punyagiri hill.  It is located 180 06’ 70",180 06’ 68",latitudes and 830 06’ 72",830 06’ 40" longitudes , 55 km away from Visakhapatnam. Quadrate method was adopted to calculate the IVI. Sampling was carried out with 0.5x0.5m2 quadrate; fifteen quadrate samples were taken in three seasons. A total no of 13 species belonging to 10 genera and 9 families were recorded. Maximum relative density was reported for Selaginella involvense (10.6) and Pteris vittata (8.4). Minimum relative density and relative frequency were reported in the species Nephrolepis cordifolia(5.5) and Pteris pellucida (6.3). The maximum IVI was reported in Selaginella involvens (30.2) fallowed by Pteris vittata (26.2), Adiantum lunulatum(25.4), Pleopeltis pallida (24.5) and minimum in Nephrolepis cordifolia (18.6). It is concluded that the population of Pteridophytes in this region is heterogeneous

Variability in stratification and flushing times of the Gautami–Godavari estuary, India

In order to examine the influence of forcing (river flow and tides) and anthropogenic activities (dredging and dam regulation) on stratification, a study was conducted over a period of 19 months (June 2008–December 2009) in the Gautami–Godavari estuary (G–GE) during spring and neap tide periods covering entire spectrum of discharge over a distance of 36 km from the mouth. The bathymetry of the estuary was recently changed due to dredging of ∼20 km of the estuary from the mouth for transportation of barges. This significantly changed the mean depth and salinity of the estuary from its earlier state. The variations in the distribution of salinity in the Godavari estuary are driven by river discharge during wet period (June–November) and tides during dry period (December–May). The weak stratification was observed during high discharge (July–August) and no discharge (January–June) periods associated with dominant fresh water and marine water respectively. The strong stratification was developed associated with decrease in discharge during moderate discharge period (October–December). Relatively stronger stratification was noticed during neap than spring tides. The 15 psu isohaline was observed to have migrated ∼2–3 km more towards upper estuary during spring than neap tide suggesting more salt enters during former than latter period. Total salt content was inversely correlated with river discharge and higher salt of about 400×106 m3 psu was observed during spring than neap tide. Flushing times varied between less than a day and more than a month during peak and no discharge periods respectively with lower times during spring than neap tide. The flushing times are controlled by river discharge during high discharge period, tides during dry period and both (river discharge and tides) under moderate discharge period. This study suggests that modification of discharge, either natural due to weak monsoon or artificial such as dam constructions and re-routing the river flow, may have significant impact on the stratification and biogeochemistry of the Godavari estuary

Medicinal Plants of India

Crude extracts of fruits, herbs, vegetables, cereals and other plant materials rich in phenolics and antioxidant activity are of prime interest to the food industry because of their ability to retard oxidative degradation of lipids and hence improve the quality and nutritional value of functional food. Concomitantly, the importance of antioxidant constituents of plant materials in the maintenance of health and protection from coronary heart disease and cancer is also raising interest among scientists, food manufacturers and consumers as part of the current trend towards the use of herbal medicine. In addition, the use of complementary alternative medicine (CAM) by patients suffering from chronic disorders, such as cancers, heart, stroke and immune disorders has been well documented. CAMs are either used on their own (alternative treatments) or in addition to conventional medicine (complementary treatments). CAMs can be grouped into herbal medicines derived from medicinal plants, food supplements that include vitamin preparations, trace elements and other substances such as omega-3 fatty acid