Analysis of Explosive Mixtures by Thin Layer Chromatography

Thin layer chromatographic separation of some important military explosive mixtures containing nitro and nitramino compounds have been carried out with new developing system

Genomics-assisted breeding in four major pulse crops of developing countries: present status and prospects

The global population is continuously increasing and is expected to reach nine billion by 2050. This huge population pressure will lead to severe shortage of food, natural resources and arable land. Such an alarming situation is most likely to arise in developing countries due to increase in the proportion of people suffering from protein and micronutrient malnutrition. Pulses being a primary and affordable source of proteins and minerals play a key role in alleviating the protein calorie malnutrition, micronutrient deficiencies and other undernourishment-related issues. Additionally, pulses are a vital source of livelihood generation for millions of resource-poor farmers practising agriculture in the semi-arid and sub-tropical regions. Limited success achieved through conventional breeding so far in most of the pulse crops will not be enough to feed the ever increasing population. In this context, genomics-assisted breeding (GAB) holds promise in enhancing the genetic gains. Though pulses have long been considered as orphan crops, recent advances in the area of pulse genomics are noteworthy, e.g. discovery of genome-wide genetic markers, high-throughput genotyping and sequencing platforms, high-density genetic linkage/QTL maps and, more importantly, the availability of whole-genome sequence. With genome sequence in hand, there is a great scope to apply genome-wide methods for trait mapping using association studies and to choose desirable genotypes via genomic selection. It is anticipated that GAB will speed up the progress of genetic improvement of pulses, leading to the rapid development of cultivars with higher yield, enhanced stress tolerance and wider adaptability

MOLECULAR CHARACTERIZATION AND IN VITRO EVALUATION OF INDIGENOUS SUILLUS ISOLATES FOR THE PRODUCTION OF MYCORRHIZAL BLUE PINE (PINUS WALLICHIANA) SEEDLINGS

ABSTRACT Fresh basidiocarps of Suillus species were collected from conifer forests of the northwestern Himalayan region of India during monsoon seasons. Eight pure cultures were obtained from the basidiocarps of a range of Suillus species. Internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of ribosomal DNA (rDNA) genes of all the Suillus isolates obtained were amplified. Variations within the amplified ITS region of the rDNA genes of Suillus isolates were examined by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). Inter-specific variations in the length and number of restriction sites within the ITS region were observed. Restriction enzyme digests of the ITS-rDNA products for eight Suillus isolates separated the isolates into five different groups. When compared the ITS sequences with exiting database and the RFLP patterns, the Suillus species were reliably distinguished into five different species, namely S. sibiricus, S. granulatus, S. triacicularis, S. himalayensis and S. indicus. In addition, some physiological attributes of all the Suillus isolates, such as radial growth, biomass yield and in vitro mycorrhizal capacities were evaluated to select efficient native fungal inocula for the production of mycorrhizal blue pine (Pinus wallichiana) seedlings in nursery. Inter-specific and intra-specific variations were observed in radial growth, biomass yield and mycorrhizal capacities of different Suillus isolates. Furthermore, the effects of fungal isolates on growth and biomass yield of P. wallichiana seedlings were assessed after four months of the mycorrhizal inoculation. All the Suillus isolates enhanced the growth and biomass yield of P. wallichiana seedlings as compared to the control treatment, but at different rates. Suillus sibiricus isolate SNW06 showed highest improvement in plant growth, biomass and concentration of most nutrients, whereas S. himalayensis isolate SNW03 was found to be least effective. On the basis of physiological analysis, mycorrhizal colonization and growth response of P. wallichiana seedlings, S. sibiricus isolate SNW06 was found to be the most effective Suillus isolate for mycorrhizal inoculation of P. wallichiana seedlings in nurseries and experimental plantations, followed by S. indicus isolate SNW02. Thus, the present study evaluated different indigenous Suillus isolates that are best adapted to the local environmental conditions and led to the selection of native and efficient ectomycorrhizal strains for blue pine afforestation programmes

Suillus triacicularis sp. nov., a new species associated with Pinus roxburghii from

www.mapress.com/phytotaxa

Studies in Catalytic Reactions of Carbons: Part VII –Catalytic Chlorination of Toluene in Presence of Active Carbons

1026-102

Studies in Catalytic Reactions of Carbons : Part X-Catalytic Chlorination of Benzene & Toluene at Ambient Temperature in the Presence of Activated Carbons

109-11