HPLC analysis of Vitamins in Urginea indica.

The elements or chemicals present in medicinal plants play an important role in the treatment of diseases as described in Ayurveda. Some of the elements not only cure diseases but also add to the nutritional profile like vitamins, minerals and proteins. High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) has been applied for quantitative analysis of vitamins 3 fat soluble vitamins (A, E and K) and 7 water soluble vitamins (6 B Vitamins and Vitamin C) present in bulbs of Urginea indica a medicinal plant. HPLC method is a powerful technique in analysis of vitamins with high rate of accuracy. The data reveals the presence of various vitamins in varying concentrations and B1, B2, B5, B6, B7 and B12 in low concentrations

Pollen morphology in two Urgineoid species of Drimia (Baker) Jessop

Pollen grains of eight accessions of Urginea indica (Roxb) Kunth. and two accessions of Urgineawightii (Wight) Lakshmin. were examined by Light microscopy and Scanning electron microscopy. Detailed pollen morphological characters are given for these accessions. Our investigation revealed several variations in pollen size, exine ornamentation among the accessions of U. indica (Roxb) Kunth. and U. wightii (Wight) Lakshmin. The study confirmed that the exine sculpting provides valuable characters for separating the species of Urginea. Reticulate ornamentation of the exine was observed in the accessions of U. indica complex and perforated exineornamentation in accessions of U. wightii complex. Minor variations with regard to measurements of dimensions in size, shape and ornamentation were also observed in accessions of U. indica and U. wightii . Pollen fertility analysis revealed highest percentage fertility in Sitampoondi accession of U. indica complex and Gulbargha accession of U. wightii complex but in most of the accessions seed setting is not observed in natural conditions. Pollen germination studies revealed highest germination rate in Brew Baker’s and Kwack medium supplemented with 25% sucrose concentration for Urginea pollen

Pollen morphology in two Urgineoid species of Drimia (Baker) Jessop

Pollen grains of eight accessions of Urginea indica (Roxb) Kunth. and two accessions of Urgineawightii (Wight) Lakshmin. were examined by Light microscopy and Scanning electron microscopy. Detailed pollen morphological characters are given for these accessions. Our investigation revealed several variations in pollen size, exine ornamentation among the accessions of U. indica (Roxb) Kunth. and U. wightii (Wight) Lakshmin. The study confirmed that the exine sculpting provides valuable characters for separating the species of Urginea. Reticulate ornamentation of the exine was observed in the accessions of U. indica complex and perforated exineornamentation in accessions of U. wightii complex. Minor variations with regard to measurements of dimensions in size, shape and ornamentation were also observed in accessions of U. indica and U. wightii . Pollen fertility analysis revealed highest percentage fertility in Sitampoondi accession of U. indica complex and Gulbargha accession of U. wightii complex but in most of the accessions seed setting is not observed in natural conditions. Pollen germination studies revealed highest germination rate in Brew Baker’s and Kwack medium supplemented with 25% sucrose concentration for Urginea pollen

Raphides in urginea indica kunth. Liliacea

Micromorphological traits play a significant role both in systematic and functional aspects of plant survival in response to environmental stimuli. Plant structural trait such as raphides play a vital role in protecting plants from herbivore attack, cause discomfort by physical and chemical irritation by dermal contact to soft tissue thus acts as defensive mechanism. These morphological characteristics may have evolved as response to other environmental stimuli. The presence of raphides (Calcium oxalate crystals) in the anther endothecium represents a rare character, reported in the present study which is of systematic significance. In the present study raphides are present in vegetative and reproductive parts of Urginea indica. The mild inflammation and irritation caused when the bulb is rubbed on the skin reveals that it takes part both in mechanical and chemical irritation when they come in contact with tender tissue and protect themselves against herbivore attack. Results indicate that raphide bundle size varies considerably within species. These suggest that, Raphides have some potential to be a useful taxonomic tool. Polarized microscope shows variation in the colouration of raphides

An efficient protocol for micropropagation of Calamus nagabettai

Shoot tips excised from one year old seedlings of Calamus nagabettai were inoculated onto Philips and Collins and Murashige and Skoog's media supplemented with various hormones to study their morphogenetic potential. Presence of 2-​i.p. at 1 mg​/l in L2 medium promoted the initiation of about 23 shoot's from the cremish nodulated callus. The higher concn. of 2-​i.p. above 2 mg​/l resulted in the formation of the single shoot from the explants. Among the combinations of hormone tried, BAP (2 mg​/l) with NAA (0.5 mg​/l) induced about 25 shoots from the cultures. Thus obtained shoots were rooted on IAA (2 mg​/l) supplemented medium. Somatic embryos were obtained from the callus derived from the basal portion of the regenerated shoots on L2 + NAA (2 mg​/l)​. The conversion of the somatic embryos into the plantlets has obtained on the same medium. Induction of somatic embryogenesis from the callus cultures of C. nagabettai in the present studies is the first report. Thus obtained plantlets through organogenesis and somatic embryogenesis were sequentially hardened by transferring them first to vermiculite and perlite (1:1) and then to soil and sand mixt. After acclimatization, three month old seedlings were transferred to field. Nearly 40 percent survival was recorded

Efficient protocol for micropropagation of Calamus huegilianus an endangered taxon.

Calamus huegilianus is a rare and endangered taxon of the Western ghats, India. Shoot tips of three month old seedlings were inoculated onto MS and L2 media supplemented with various growth regulators to record their morphogenetic potential. Both direct and indirect organogenesis was recorded depending on the type and concentration of hormones supplemented to the media. L2+BAP (2mg/l) and L2+NAA (2mg/l) + BAP (4mg/l) were proved to be the best combination for direct and indirect regeneration. Thus obtained shoots were rooted on L2 supplemented with either IAA or NAA. Acclimatized regenerates in vermiculate and perlite were transferred to field. Nearly 40% of survival was recorded

Analysis of Genetic Diversity among the five Species ofCalamusby RAPD Markers

Aims: the aim of the present study was to determine the genetic diversity among the five commercially important species of Calamus using Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers. Study Design: DNA extracted from mature leaves of selected species was used as template DNA for optimization of PCR amplification. Data was analysed with the help of software; numerical taxonomy and multivariate analysis version 2.02e (NTSYSpc) and unweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean (UPGMA). Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out at the Department of Botany, Bangalore University, Bangalore 560056, India during 2014. Methodology: Calamus huegelianus, C. nagabettai, C. prasinus, C. thwaitesii and C. vattayila, known for their good quality canes, are selected for the present study to characterize them through RAPD analysis. Fifteen decamer primers were used for amplification. However, only five primers have generated clear reproducible bands. Simple matching, similarity co-efficient, dendrogram and principal component analysis were composed by using NTSYSpc and UPGMA. Results: Clear and reproducible 108 bands were scored with 64 polymorphic bands indicating 59.25 percent of polymorphism among the species selected. Higher percent of 76.00 was noted in Calamus prasinus and least of 43.67 in C. huegelianus. Similarity co-efficient value of 0.45 to 0.66 indicates less genetic divergence among the taxa selected. The cluster analysis with the help of dendrogram and principal component analysis has revealed that C. vattayila is distinct from others since it has 6 veined leaflets. The other selected four taxa are having three veined leaflets. Hence, clustering pattern was compared with distinguished phenotypic characters. Conclusion: The previously mentioned data obtained through cluster, the principal component analysis clearly indicate that the taxa are clustered together based on sharing of common phenotypic characters. The present study is a step forward in understanding the genetic affinities among the selected taxa and their conservation strategies

Nickel anomalies in the ultrmafic profiles of Jayachamarajapura schist belt, Western Dharwar craton

Jayachamarajapura schist belt consists predominantly of ultramafic rocks (mainly komatiite) with minor metasediments of the Sargur group in the Western Dharwar Craton. Sampling of plant species and soil over high magnesia komatiite-bearing areas of this belt has been carried out. Out of the seven plant species analysed, one species, i.e. Vicoa indica has indicated higher Ni values (540-896 ppm), and its potential as a local indicator for Ni has been recognized. The soil samples have yielded distinct signatures of Ni (3126- 12,406 ppm) and Co (382-1071 ppm). The high Mg content of the soil samples indicates that the soil profile is mostly derived from undifferentiated komatiitic bed rocks, and the observed anomalies of Ni and Co warrant a detailed study of this belt for possible Ni-Co mineralization. Copyright of Current Science (00113891) is the property of Indian Academy of Sciences and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract

Cytogenetical studies in some triploid mulberry varieties (Moraceae)

The mulberry is an economically important crop, cultivated for its foliage to rear the silkworm Bombyx mori L. Its chromosome number varies from 2n = 28 to 2n = 308 with ploidy level from x to 22x. In the present investigation, three triploid mulberry varieties, namely, S41, S1635 and BC2-59, have been analyzed for detailed meiotic studies. Based on the chromosome configuration and other meiotic behaviour, x = 14 has been considered as the basic number of the genus. Meiosis was highly irregular. Various anomalies, such as the occurrence of two nucleolus, association of single trivalent with nucleolus, unequal separation and precocious movement of chromosomes, laggards, and occurrence of multivalents, have been observed. The low pollen fertility and seed set may be due to genic or physiological causes © 2014 The Japan Mendel Society