Effects of Type of Cutting, IBA and Bioinoculants on Rooting in Madhunashini (Gymnema sylvestre Retz.)

An experiment was carried out to study the effect of type of cutting, IBA and bioinoculants on rooting in madhunashini. Among the three types of cuttings, hardwood cuttings registered higher values for fresh (0.790g/cutting) and dry weight (0.650g/cutting) of sprouts, per cent rooting (6.66 %), fresh and dry weight of roots (0.037 and 0.030g/ cutting) and biomass production (0.682g/cutting). Among IBA and bioinoculant treatments, Azotobacter chroococcum recorded higher values for percentage sprouting (26.66 %) and rooting (9.99 %) as also for other root parameters; whereas, maximum fresh weight (0.863g/cutting) and dry weight of sprouts (0.740g/cutting), and, biomass production (0.759g/cutting) was observed in IBA 1000ppm treatment. Interaction effect of type of cutting, IBA and bioinoculants on fresh and dry weight of sprouts (2.438g and 2.084g, respectively) and biomass production (2.123g/cutting) was found superior in hardwood cuttings treated with IBA 1000ppm. Percentage of rooting (13.33 %) was better in hardwood cuttings treated with Azotobacter chroococcum. Therefore, among the various treatments tested, hardwood cuttings treated with Azotobacter chroococcum are the best for propagation through cuttings

Over expression of anti-apoptotic gene in banana cv Rasthali enhances resistance against Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense Race 1

The most popular banana cv Rasthali was transformed with anti-apoptotic gene, AtBAG4 regulated with two different promoters viz., ZmBgl and ubiquitin to enhance the tolerance levels to Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense Race 1 (FOC1). The differences in gene expression driven by two promoters revealed that stronger expression of AtBAG4 gene under the ubiquitin promoter suppressed the infection and spreading processes of FOC1 in transgenic banana under standard bioassay systems. Analysis using the real time PCR showed the varying levels of AtBAG4 gene expression under two promoters. It was evident that ZmBgl driven AtBAG4 lead to lower gene expression in leaves which correlated with lesser levels of resistance to FOC1. Constitutive expression of AtBAG4 under the control of ubiquitin promoter showed increased transgene transcripts which directly correlated with the enhanced tolerance against FOC1 from seedlings stage to active vegetative phases. This study reveals the importance of constitutive expression of anti-apoptotic gene showing enhanced tolerance against the most dreaded FOC1 in highly susceptible variety Rasthali

Vitazyme treatment improves seed quality parameters of Paddy, Tomato and Cotton

Effects of Vitazyme on seed quality parameters were analyzed for Paddy, Tomato and Cotton seeds. Different concentrations of Vitazyme were used to soak the seeds with appropriate controls. The treated seeds were subjected to the paper towel method to evaluate seed germination and seedling vigor. The concentrations that showed higher seed germination and seedling vigor were used to study seed mycoflora and field emergence. All the concentrations of Vitazyme improved seed germination, seedling vigor, field emergence and total seedling dry weight, but failed to reduce the incidence of seed-borne mycoflora in all the tested crop varieties. Benefits in the use of Vitazyme to improve the seed quality parameters of the various crop plants were discussed in the current studies