Nutritional characteristics and physiological studies on the growth and development of Phlebiopsis gigantea

Physiological studies pertaining to the effect of physical factors, carbon and nitrogen requirement of Phlebiopsis gigantea were conducted to know its behaviour in vitro. These studies have revealed interesting results regarding its growth and reproduction behaviour. The best medium for the optimum growth is Glucose-peptone medium. The optimum temperature (28°C) and pH (5.0) is required for the optimum mycelial production of Phlebiopsis gigantea after 12 days of incubation. The best carbon source for the growth of the fungus is D(+)Glucose least seen in Sucrose medium. The best inorganic nitrogen sources for the growth of the fungus is Sodium nitrate. The least mycelial growth of fungus is observed in ammonium acetate and ammonium nitrate. The best organic nitrogen compound for the mycelial growth of fungus is DL-threonine

Measurement of Environmental Pollution: Types and Techniques

Since the onset of industrial revolution is up till the recent surge in technological processes, environmental pollution has grown at an alarming rate causing distress to living beings and irreplaceable damage to the earth. With the recognition of the severity of this environmental damage and increase in interest of using technological advancement, a number of successful pollution control strategies have emerged over the years. However, the measurement and quantification of environmental pollution is the most pragmatic first step for identifying various management and mitigation strategies to control environmental pollution. This chapter aims to study a range of proven measurement techniques for quantitatively determining the concentration of various environmental pollutants in the atmosphere. This is particularly important in the formulation of cost-effective control measures and strategies for environmental pollution. Furthermore, to elucidate the concept of pollution measurement, certain parameters which are considered of high importance for environmental monitoring and reflect the quality of a healthy (or unhealthy) environment, especially with respect to soil, water and air, are also discussed in the initial parts of the chapter

Reproductive biology of Withania ashwagandha sp. novo (Solanaceae)

Withania ashwagandha Kaul (Solanaceae) is an annual plant species of immense medicinal importance. It is a repository of a large number of pharmacologically active secondary metabolites known as withanolides. Evidence for the delimitation of the species from W. somnifera has been provided by our group using multidisciplinary approaches. Knowledge of reproductive biology of medicinal plants is crucial for improvement, effective conservation and management plans to evolve genetically superior varieties. The present paper reports our findings on the floral biology, pollination behavior and breeding system of W. ashwagandha in natural populations grown at our experimental field under near natural conditions. Flowering (peak) takes place during April–July and anthesis occurs between 08:00 and 11:00 h. The period of stigma receptivity coincides with anther dehiscence. Fruit set on pollination treatments ranged from 90.8% (passive autogamy), 72% (assisted autogamy), 30.30% (xenogamy), and 56.50% (geitonogamy) through 50.40% (open pollination). Xenogamy brings about very low fruit set, seed-set and seed germination percentages. It is inferred that W. ashwagandha is predominantly an autogamous and self-compatible species. Self-compatibility is mainly accomplished due to close proximity of stigma and anthers. This work is the first report on the reproductive biology of W. ashwagandha and will be useful for conservation and development of improved varieties of this multipurpose herb.The author acknowledge the University of Pretoria for providing Vice-Chancellors Post Doctoral Fellowship.http://www.elsevier.com/locate/indcrophb201