Assessment of genetic diversity in different clones of Dalbergia sissoo Roxb. by RAPD markers

Genetic diversity of forty (40) clones of Dalbergia sissoo Roxb was analyzed using randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers by selecting 30 decamer primers, which were later reduced to 10 based on the preliminary PCR amplification. A total of 129 distinct DNA fragments (bands) were amplified, of which 104 bands were polymorphic ranging from 200 to 1300 base pairs. The number of amplified bands per clone varied from 11 to 15 and polymorphism percentage ranged from 18.18 to 100 with an average of 79.23. Jaccard similarity coefficient ranged from 0.66 to 0.95 showing a wide range of variability among the clones. The maximum similarity was found between clone 10 and 12 and the most dissimilar clones were 9032 and 5030 with minimum similarity coefficient of 0.66. The clones were grouped into two clusters which were further divided into sub-clusters. The sub-cluster II consisted maximum of twelve clones followed by cluster I (11 clones) and cluster VI (7 clones) whereas clusters IV, VII and VIII consisted single clone each. In fact, clone 5022 was found to be the most divergent clone which could be used for number of combinations to be established in the seed orchards and as a parent in hybridization programme.Key words: Dalbergia sissoo, genetic divergence, seed orchards, similarity coefficient

Some Medicinal Weeds Associated with Terraces of Crop Fields of Pauri, India

An ethnobotanical survey was conducted in order to identify the medicinal weeds of crop fields in Pauri (located at an elevation of 1650m in northwest Garhwal Himalayas of Uttaranchal) and to find out the possibilities of utilizing these weeds. The information about their potential uses were collected with help of reference literature of different medicine systems. The study revealed that about 18 species of weeds in crop fields, of Pauri possessed medicinal properties. The study suggested a tremendous scope of utilizing these weeds to promote additional income to the inhabitants

REVIEW POTENT PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS FROM AQUATIC PLANTS – REVIEW

Several biologically active secondary metabolites from aquatic plants have been extracted and identified using modern instrumental BioTechniques and used in various ways as flavors, food, additives, coloring agents, nutraceuticals, cosmetics, and also as unique source of pharma industries for the discovery or development of new drugs. From algae to aquatic macrophytes belonging to various categories, aquatic plants produce a variety of compounds such as polyketides, peptides, alkaloids, flavonoids, phenolic compounds, terpenes, steroids, quinones, tannins, coumarins, and essential oils commercially involving in antibiotic, antiviral, antioxidant, antifouling, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, cytotoxic, and antimitotic activities; thus making them a rich source of medicinal compounds. Moreover, they are comprehensively used in human therapy, veterinary, agriculture, scientific research, and in countless areas. Importantly these chemicals are exercised for developing new antimicrobial and cancer drugs. Furthermore, antioxidant molecules in aquatic plants and seaweeds have recently been acknowledged. This review contains a consolidated contemporary document consisting of entire knowledge available on pharmaceutical products of aquatic plants and highlights major differences among secondary metabolites found in aquatic (algae) and terrestrial plants

Impact of Ageratum conyzoides L. on the diversity and composition of vegetation in the Shivalik hills of Himachal Pradesh (Northwestern Himalaya), India

The flora of the Shivalik hills of Himachal Pradesh, India is under threat due to the rapid invasion of invasive species. Invasive species means an alien species, which becomes established in natural or semi-natural ecosystems and threatens native biological diversity. In their new regimes they show diverse life forms, habit, morphology, reproductive biology, grow fast, have the ability to grow under different habitats, produce enormous number of very small, light weight seeds that and can-survive in soil for years helping long distance dispersal and spread. They can out-compete native species, reduce wildlife habitat potential, alter natural ecosystem processes and limit overall biodiversity. Ageratum conyzoides is one such widely adaptive weed from sub-tropical America that has entered in the Shivalik hills of Hamrpur district of Himachal Pradesh. It has grown as monocultures, in grasslands, forests, agricultural, plantations and horticultural fields in Himachal Pradesh. Hence, it was decided to evaluate the impact of A. conyzoides on the diversity and floristic compositions of native species. It was found that as compared to control, in the Ageratum invaded area; the average number of plant species has reduced by 32.10%; the α diversity has reduced by 41.21% and the dry biomass of plants has also reduced significantly. It was concluded that invasion of A. conyzoides is drastically affecting the productivity and diversity of the invaded areas in Shivalik hills of Hamirpur district

Effects of Organoantimony(III) Compounds of Sterically Hindered Bifunctional Tetradentate Ligands on the Reproductive System of Male Rats

The antifertility activity of organoantimony(III) complexes PhSb[RC(NC6H4S)CH2(NC6H4S)CR′] {R' = CH3 (R1) and R = R' = CF3 (R2)} derived from corresponding sterically hinlered bifuinctional tetradentate ligands in the male rats was determined. The administration of compounds R1 and R2 at the dose level of 20 mg/kg. b. wt. siignificantly reduced the weights of testes and epididymides. Auxiliary glands showed a significant reduction after the treatment of compound R1 only. Treated animals showed a notable depression of spermatogenesis. The preleptotene spermatocytes were decreased by 76.19 and 47.06; the secondary spermatocytes by 87.4% and 54.87337; and the step-19 spermatids by 72.9 and 46.77% respectively, following the compound R1 and R2 treatment. Reduced sperm count and motility resulted in 100% negative fertility in both the treated groups. A significant fall in the content of various biochemical parameters of eproductive tissues was observed after R1 and R2 treatment in comparison to controls

Creating Scientific Temperament through Children’s Science Congress in Uttarakhand, India

Science and Technology provide hands-on guidance in every field such as agriculture, medical sciences, health care, innovations, public utility services, internal and external security, education, entertainment; information and technology, etc. The awareness related to science through informing, educating, and sharing knowledge for promoting sustainable development is known as science communication. The basic aim of science popularization is to expose the society and upcoming generations to the virtues of scientific development and to help them understand the science in their daily life and surroundings as well. Motivating school children towards science is an important aim of science communication at the school level. The National Council for Science and Technology Communication (NCSTC), Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India, New Delhi has been organizing the “Children’s Science Congress (CSC)” as one of the mega flagship programmes at the block, district, state, and the national level throughout the country since the last 27 years. In the present paper, an attempt has been made to compile the experiences of three consecutive years (2017, 2018, and 2019) of Children’s Science Congress organized by the State Council for Science and Technology. It was categorized under seven themes in 2017, while two themes were merged in 2018 and 2019. A total of 11 districts of Uttarakhand participated in the 25th Children’s Science Congress during 2017, while in 2018 and 2019, all (thirteen) districts participated in the Children’s Science Congress. The total number of child scientists from different districts were found to be diverse – 107, 142, and 138 during the 25th, 26th and 27th Children’s Science Congress of Uttarakhand held in 2017, 2018 and 2019, respectively. In the present paper an attempt has been made to understand the impact of Children’s Science Congress (CSC) for creating scientific temper among child scientists and mentors

Creating Scientific Temperament through Children’s Science Congress in Uttarakhand, India

146-160Science and Technology provide hands-on guidance in every field such as agriculture, medical sciences, health care, innovations, public utility services, internal and external security, education, entertainment; information and technology, etc. The awareness related to science through informing, educating, and sharing knowledge for promoting sustainable development is known as science communication. The basic aim of science popularization is to expose the society and upcoming generations to the virtues of scientific development and to help them understand the science in their daily life and surroundings as well. Motivating school children towards science is an important aim of science communication at the school level.   The National Council for Science and Technology Communication (NCSTC), Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India, New Delhi has been organizing the “Children’s Science Congress (CSC)” as one of the mega flagship programmes at the block, district, state, and the national level throughout the country since the last 27 years. In the present paper, an attempt has been made to compile the experiences of three consecutive years (2017, 2018, and 2019) of Children’s Science Congress organized by the State Council for Science and Technology. It was categorized under seven themes in 2017, while two themes were merged in 2018 and 2019. A total of 11 districts of Uttarakhand participated in the 25th Children’s Science Congress during 2017, while in 2018 and 2019, all (thirteen) districts participated in the Children’s Science Congress. The total number of child scientists from different districts were found to be diverse – 107, 142, and 138 during the 25th, 26th and 27th Children’s Science Congress of Uttarakhand held in 2017, 2018 and 2019, respectively.   In the present paper an attempt has been made to understand the impact of Children’s Science Congress (CSC) for creating scientific temper among child scientists and mentors

Climate Change and the Potential Distribution of an Invasive Shrub, Lantana camara L

The threat posed by invasive species, in particular weeds, to biodiversity may be exacerbated by climate change. Lantana camara L. (lantana) is a woody shrub that is highly invasive in many countries of the world. It has a profound economic and environmental impact worldwide, including Australia. Knowledge of the likely potential distribution of this invasive species under current and future climate will be useful in planning better strategies to manage the invasion. A process-oriented niche model of L. camara was developed using CLIMEX to estimate its potential distribution under current and future climate scenarios. The model was calibrated using data from several knowledge domains, including phenological observations and geographic distribution records. The potential distribution of lantana under historical climate exceeded the current distribution in some areas of the world, notably Africa and Asia. Under future scenarios, the climatically suitable areas for L. camara globally were projected to contract. However, some areas were identified in North Africa, Europe and Australia that may become climatically suitable under future climates. In South Africa and China, its potential distribution could expand further inland. These results can inform strategic planning by biosecurity agencies, identifying areas to target for eradication or containment. Distribution maps of risk of potential invasion can be useful tools in public awareness campaigns, especially in countries that have been identified as becoming climatically suitable for L. camara under the future climate scenarios