Cytomorphological investigations in Oxyria digyna Hill. from the Kashmir Himalaya, India

In the present paper, detailed cytomorphological investigations in Oxyria digyna Hill. from Kashmir Himalaya—India have been reported for the first time. All the 14 investigated populations of O. digyna are diploid based on x = 7. Out of these in two populations 0–2B chromosomes have been recorded for the first time while 6 populations differed significantly in their meiotic characteristics. Meiotic abnormalities during male meiosis observed include inter PMC chromatin transfer (cytomixis). Non-synchronous disjunction of some bivalents, laggards and bridges at anaphases and telophases. Consequent to these meiotic anomalies, microsporogenesis in meiocytes is abnormal resulting in to dyads, triads and polyads with or without micronuclei. The overall effect is seen in reduced pollen fertility. Unreduced pollen grains were observed in some populations, which differed significantly in their size compared to the normal (reduced) pollen grains. It is observed that a smaller frequency of pollen grains differed morphologically in Aharbal and Yosmarg populations. The remaining eight populations showed regular meiotic course, normal microsporogenesis and high percentage of pollen fertility (95.09–99.09 %).Приводятся детальные цитоморфологические ис-следования Oxyria digyna Hill из Кашмира (Гималаи, Индия). Все 14 изученных популяций являются диплоидными, где x = 7. Из них в двух популяциях впервые описаны 0–2B хромосомы, тогда как шесть популяций сильно различались по своим мейотическим характеристикам. Аномалии мейоза при микроспорогенезе включали цитомиксис, несинхронное расхождение некоторых бивалентов, задержки и мосты в анафазах и телофазах. Возникающий в связи с этим аномальный микроспорогенез приводит к формированию диад, триад и полиад как с микроядрами, так и без них. Общим эффектом является снижение фертильности пыльцы. В некоторых популяциях наблюдали нередуцированные пыльцевые зерна, которые по величине значительно отличались от нормальных. В популяциях Aharbal и Yosmarg некоторые пыльцевые зерна отличались морфологи-чески. Оставшиеся восемь популяций проявляли нормальный ход мейоза, нормальный микроспорогенез и высокий процент фертильности пыльцы (95,09–99,09 %).The authors are grateful to the University Grants Commission, New Delhi for providing financial assistance under the DRS SAP III and DST programmes. Thanks are also due to the Head, Department of Botany, Punjabi University, Patiala for necessary laboratory facilities

MALE MEIOSIS AND MORPHOMETRIC ANALYSIS OF ETHNOBOTANICALLY IMPORTANT ALLIUM CAROLINIANUM DC. FROM KINNAUR DISTRICT OF HIMACHAL PRADESH, INDIA

ABSTRACTObjective: This study is focused on the brief review on the meiosis, ethnobotany and cultivation practices of Allium carolinianum (Family: Alliaceae)from District Kinnaur, Himachal Pradesh.Methods: The local inhabitants were interviews for concerning utilization of this medicinal plant. For meiotic studies the young unopened buds werefixed in carnoy's fixative, anthers were squashed in 2% acetocarmine. A number of freshly prepared slides were examined for chromosome countsand meiotic abnormalities. Pollen fertility was examined using glyceroacetocarmine (1:1). Photomicrographs were made using Nikon 80i EclipseMicroscope.Results: The present tetraploid chromosome count was in line with the previous report, but the behavioral changes and the medicinal importance ofthe plant were reported for the first time from the study area.Conclusion: At present, the biodiversity of Kinnaur is threatened by the continuous removal of plant species for various purposes. Hence, the effortsshould be made through cultivation practices for the conservation of the medicinal plants.Keywords: Morphometric analysis, Meiosis, Ethnobotany, Cultivation, Allium carolinianum, District Kinnaur

VARIABLE RESPONSE OF THREE MORPHOTYPES OF TECOMELLA UNDULATA (SM.) SEEM TOWARDS HUMAN PATHOGENIC BACTERIA

Objective: Medicinal Tree Tecomella undulata [Sm.] Seem belonging to family Bignoniaceae has three distinct morphotypes. Present study was undertaken to assess antimicrobial potential of the three morphotypes of Tecomella undulata against human pathogenic bacteria to select suitable morphotype for medicinal use.Methods: Disc diffusion method was used to test and compare the antimicrobial activity exhibited by 13 populations belonging to three morphotypes of this tree against five human pathogenic bacteria i. e. Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus.Results: Methanol and acetone extract of bark of the tree showed considerable activity against all the five bacteria tested. Differences were observed in the activity not only between the morphotypes but also within the morphotypes against the bacteria tested. Out of the three morpho types yellow morphotypes showed the highest antimicrobial action against all the five bacteria which were comparable to standard antibiotic Chloramphenicol. The trend in antibacterial activity observed was yellow>red>orange in acetone extract and yellow>orange>red in methanol extract towards all microbes except against bacillus bacteria where it was yellow>orange>red [acetone] and orange>yellow>red [methanol].Conclusion: The experimental results of the present study revealed that Tecomella undulata plants show great intraspecific variability in their antibacterial potential. Hence there is need to evaluate germplasm to select superior genotype for medicinal, multiplication, conservation or plantation purpose.Â

CYTOMORPHOLOGY OF SOME MEDICINAL GRASSES FROM HANGRANG VALLEY OF DISTRICT KINNAUR, HIMACHAL PRADESH

Objective: The present study is focused on the chromosome number, their meiotic behavior, pollen fertility and medicinal importance of 6 species of grasses from the remote high altitude region of Kinnaur, Himachal Pradesh.Methods: The young spikes of suitable sizes were fixed in carnoy's fixative (6 ethanol: 3 chloroform: 1 acetic acid v/v) for 24 h and preserved in 70% alcohol at 4 °C until use. For meiotic studies, anthers were squashed in 2% acetocarmine. Pollen fertility was examined using the glycerol-acetocarmine method.Results: The species studied have shown chromosome numbers like Arundo donax (n=12), Avena fatua (n=21), Cynodon dactylon (n=18), Cymbopogon distans (n=20), Eleusine indica (n=9), Sorghum halepense (n=20). The medicinal uses, other traditional uses and the cytological analysis of these grasses belonging to family Poaceae are studied for the first time from the study area.Conclusion: The present exploration gives useful information regarding the chromosome number and various meiotic irregularities including their medicinal importance.Keywords: Grasses, Medicinal value, Meiotic behavior, Cytomixis, Kinnaur, Himachal Prades

SCREENING OF TOTAL PHENOL AND FLAVONOID CONTENT IN DIFFERENT CYTOTYPES OF TWO SPECIES OF ACHYRANTHES LINN. FROM WESTERN HIMALAYA, INDIA

Objective: Genus Achyranthes Linn. belonging to family Amaranthaceae consists of six species. The present study was undertaken to screen the phenolic components in the different cytotypes of two species of Genus Achyranthes Linn. growing in western Himalaya, India.Methods: Methanol extract of leaves was used to determine the total phenol and flavonoid contents in different cytotypes of A. aspera Linn. and A. bidentata Blume by spectrophotometric method. Total phenol content was expressed as mg gallic acid g-1phenol and total flavonoid content as mg quercetin g-1flavonoid using the standard curves. Further, gallic acid content in methanol extracts of leaves was determined by RP-HPLC method using C-18 column, employing 0.01% (v/v) orthophosphoric acid: acetonitrile (98:2 v/v) as mobile phase at a flow rate of 1 ml/min with ultraviolet (UV) detection at 272 nm.Results: Hexaploid plants of A. aspera Linn. possess the higher amount of phenol (9.16±0.84 mg/g) and flavonoid (78.36±1.63 mg/g) constituents in the methanol extract of leaves as compared to its dodecaploid counterparts (7.86±0.08 mg/g and 70.20±1.81 mg/g respectively). Similarly, phenol and flavonoid content is found to be more in the methanol extract of leaves of hexaploid plants of A. bidentata Blume (11.93±0.59 mg/g and 115.92±1.32 mg/g respectively) as compared to its dodecaploid counterparts (9.46±0.75 mg/g and 107.76±0.94 mg/g respectively). Further, RP-HPLC analysis of gallic acid revealed that higher amount of gallic acid is present in dodecaploid plants of A. aspera Linn. (1.04±0.02 mg/g) and A. bidentata Blume (1.34±0.03 mg/g) as compared to hexaploid counterparts (1.01±0.01 mg/g and 1.22±0.05 mg/g respectively).Conclusion: The present investigation revealed that A. aspera Linn. and A. bidentata Blume plants show immense intraspecific variability in their phenolic components. Hence there is need to evaluate germplasm to select superior genotype for medicinal and conservation purpose

Morpho-meiotic study in Mentha longifolia from cold desert regions of Lahaul-Spiti and adjoining areas of Himachal Pradesh (India)

A morpho-meiotic study of wild Mentha longifolia (L.) L. (Lamiaceae) is presented from the nine populations (Kukumsari, Zero-point, Kishori, Tosh, Kasol, Key, Tiling, Mudh and Darcha) in and around the cold desert regions of Lahaul-Spiti of Himachal Pradesh. Present work is needful effort to fill the gap of morpho-meiotic (morphological and cytological) knowledge in M. longifolia growing in high altitude regions. Meiotic study revealed the different chromosome counts in these populations as n = 12, n = 12 + 0-3B and n = 9. Presence of B-chromosome in the species is reported for the first time from the study area and it reflects inter-population variation in five important descriptors (such as a nature of whole plant, stem, leaves, inflorescences and pollen) with 17 sub-descriptor states and occurrence of B-chromosomes. Present study reflects the existence of M. longifolia at diploid (2x) level based on base numbers x = 12 and x = 9

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