Induction of somatic embryogenesis in different varieties of sugarcane (Saccharam officinarum L.)

This investigation for the first time highlights TDZ induced callus formation, somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration using leaf explants of different varieties (Co94032,CoC671, Co86032, SNK754, SNK61 and SNK44) of sugarcane (Saccharam officinarum). Leaf explants cultured on the full strength inorganic salts Murashige and Skoog (1962) basal medium supplemented with 4.52 μM 2, 4-D and 4.54 μM TDZ induced embryogenic tissue after 3-4 weeks. The percentage of somatic embryogenesis was not similar in all the tested varieties of sugarcane. This study indicates a high embryogenic potential of leaf explants of tested sugarcane varieties, and also opened up the possibility for large-scale clonal propagation of sugarcane for the genetic improvement programmes

On two finless porpoise Neophocaena phocaenoides landed at Malpe Fishing Harbour, Udupi district, Karnataka.

Two finless porposies Neophocaenan phocaenoides were caught by purseseine and landed at Malpe Fishing Harbour On 06-11-2003. Both the animals were auctioned for Rs. 660.Enquiries with the purseseiner which brought the porposies, revealed that they were caught from a depth of 15 m along with the catch of sardine, mackerel and rainbow sardine. The mesh size of the purseseine was 18 mm

A comparative study of hysteroscopy and transvaginal ultrasonography in diagnosis of endometrial pathology in abnormal uterine bleeding

Background: Abnormal uterine bleeding is the most common complaint in gynaecology and an important source of morbidity. The ideal diagnostic tool to determine the cause for the same continues to be debated. Objective of this study was to compare accuracy of hysteroscopy and transvaginal sonography in diagnosis of endometrial pathology in abnormal uterine bleeding.Methods: A total 100 women attending gynaecological outpatient in hospital attached to J. J. M. Medical College, Davangere with abnormal uterine bleeding fitting into the inclusion criteria during November 2014 to August 2016, were admitted and evaluated with Transvaginal sonography (TVS) and hysteroscopy. Data was collected and analysed.Results: Among 100 patients of AUB in this study, majority of the patients were in perimenopausal age group. Menorrhagia is the most common presentation (45%) followed by postmenopausal bleeding (20%). Anaemia was detected in 79% of patients. Hysteroscopy was taken as gold standard and TVS findings were compared. The sensitivity of TVS in detecting polyps, submucous fibroid were 22.2%, 11% respectively and for the normal variants like proliferative and secretory it was 50% and 79.2% respectively. TVS showed good correlation with hysteroscope findings for normal variants of endometrium, but poor correlation for intracavitary pathologies.Conclusions: Hysteroscopy is a rapid, safe, well tolerated and highly accurate means of diagnosing the cause of abnormal uterine bleeding in perimenopausal age group. Thus, it is advised as a first line investigation in evaluation of AUB

TDZ induced in vitro propagation of an epiphytic orchid Xenikophyton smeeanum (Reichb. f.)

An efficient shoot regeneration of Xenikophyton smeeanum (Reichb. f.). was achievedusing shoot tip sections and thidiazuron (TDZ). Protocorm-like bodies (PLB’s) orproliferating shoot buds was observed when thin cell layers of shoot tip sections werecultured on Mitra et al. (1976) basal medium supplemented with 11.35μM thidiazuron.Shoots produced roots when cultured on Mitra et al (1976) basal medium supplementedwith 8.56 μM IAA. This simple protocol will be useful for large-scale propagation of nativeepiphytic orchid Xenikophyton smeeanum

Evidence of WUSCHEL (WOX2) gene expression during induction of somatic embryogenesis from apical shoot buds of mature trees of Pinus roxburghii

This study highlights for the first time the expression of transcription factor, WOX2(WUSCHEL homeobox 2) in the embryogenic tissue derived from the apical shoot buds of mature trees of 3 genotypes of P. roxburghii. Therefore, PrWOX2 could be used as a potential molecular signature for the identification of embryogenic cultures during the early development of somatic embryos in conifers. On the other hand, the non-embryogenic tissue of shoot bud cultures which were initiated without cold treatment (control) failed to showthe expression of WOX2. This clearly demonstrates the role of WOX2 in the somatic embryogenesis pathway and might be directly related to the stress conditions

Induction of somatic embryogenesis in Papaya (Carica papaya)

This study highlights the induction of somatic embryogenesis using immature zygotic embryos of Carica papaya commercial varieties viz. Coorg Honey dew, Washington, Honey dew, Pusa delicious, Pusa nanha, Taiwan 786, Taiwan 785, Sunrise, Solo, Co-1, C0-7, and Co-3 respectively. Somatic embryos formed in the presence of thidiazuron (TDZ) in combination with 2, 4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid (2, 4-D), but never on  explants cultured on control medium lacking plant growth regulators. Embryogenic callus could be induced from immature zygotic embryos after 4-6 weeks of culture on full-strength Murashige and Skoog inorganic salts, which served as the basal medium supplemented with 4.52 μM 2, 4-D and 2.27 μM TDZ (induction and maintenance medium). The ability to induce  embryogenic tissue varied for different papaya tested varieties, and there was a mixed genotypic response on the induction of embryogenic cultures. The highest percentage of somatic embryogenesis was noticed in a papaya variety Taiwan-786 (87.0±4.2a), followed by Taiwan- 785  (85.0±3.0a), and Coorg Honey dew (81.0±3.2a) respectively. This protocol is simple and reproducible, and could be useful for regenerating large number of plants as well as provide a target tissue for genetic  transformation experiments

Journey of a single cell to a plantlet via in vitro cloning mature trees of conifers

During cloning of mature conifers, isolated somatic cells from apical meristematic tissue under any external stress conidions of cold\heat or chemical are induced to form a somatic embryo. This review paper highlights the difference between embryogenesis patterns in angiosperms and gymnosperms and updates information on the current progress made in the cloning of mature trees of conifers. Insights gained through these systems  has already lead to the development of cloning methodologies that could aid in reprogramming apical meristematic cells of recalcitrant mature conifers for clonal forestry

कर्नाटक के नदिमुखों में पिंजरा मछली पालन

Estuarine Cage farming in Karnatak

Food and feeding habits of the narrow barred Spanish mackerel Scomberomorus commerson (Lacepede, 1800) off Karnataka, south-west coast of India

Scomberomorus commerson were collected on weekly basis during January 2012 to December 2014 at Mangalore Fishing Harbour. Stomach of 214 narrow barred Spanish mackerel measuring from 48 to 105 cm fork length (FL) for males and 45.5 to 115 cm FL for females were analysed to study their feeding habits. Fish with empty stomach were prevalent in almost all the months. Prey mainly comprised of fishes and crustaceans, with the fish component forming 99.9%. The index of relative importance (IRI) showed that the dominant prey were semi-digested fish remains (44.6%) of Sardinella longiceps (30.1%), Decapterus sp. (18.7%), whitebaits (2.5%), Rastrelliger kanagurta (1.5%) and Epinephelus spp. (1.1%), while Saurida sp. (0.7%), Megalaspis cordyla (0.5%), Scombroides sp. (0.2%) and shrimps (0.1%) were found occasionally in the gut. Index of stomach fullness (SFI) was 0.11 in August and 0.65 in January. Generally, SFI was higher during September to January and lower during February to August. The empty stomach ratio (ESR) ranged from 33.3% (August) to 92.3% (April)

Activation of cambial layer influences cloning of mature trees of conifers

The shoot apical meristems are organized pools of undifferentiated or embryonic cells (stem cells) maintained by a dynamic balance between cell division and differentiation. On the basis of our mature tree cloning of pines, it is found that actively dividing and totipotent cells (stem cells) are positioned only at the cambial layer of the apical meristematic tissue in conifers, so that their growth and division under in vitro conditions leading to a continuous flow of progeny cells. These progeny cells (stem cells) under stress conditions (cold/heat) undergo differentiation due to signal activation in cambial region and leading to the embryogenic pathway in conifers. On the other hand the rest of the layers (epidermis, cortex region and central pith or medulla) of the transverse thin section of shoot apical meristems of mature trees have  induced non--embryogenic tissue under in vitro conditions in conifers