Nostoc cyanobiont in the Cyanolichen, Sticta weigelii of Eastern Himalayan Region: Isolation, Physiological and Biochemical Characterization

A cyanobacterium identified as Nostoc sp. was isolated from the cyanolichen, Sticta weigelii (Ach.) Vainio collected from tree barks in the state of Meghalaya and its various physiological and biochemical characters were evaluated. When the lichen thalli were incubated in liquid medium, the Nostoc colonies from these thalli appeared initially in distinct sacs that released individual long heterocystous filaments into the liquid medium upon sub-culturing. The well spaced heterocystsin the filaments had a frequency of 7-8%. Chlorophyll a concentration of the cyanobacterium was higher in comparison to many other Nostoc species isolated from soil and water from the same region. Its photosynthetic activity was 519.24±0.7 nmol O2 evolved µg-1 chl a h-1 whereas respiration was 286.35±0.5 nmol O2 consumed µg-1 chl a h-1. Enzyme assays reflected nitrogenase activity of 6.98 nmol C2H4 produced µg-1 chl a h-1 and GS transferase activity of 712±3.0 nmol γ-glutamyl hydroxymate formed min-1 mg-1 protein. Nitrate reductase activity was substrate inducible. Ammonium uptake was biphasic in nature and glutamine uptake was energy dependent

Range extension of foliicolous lichens in India: A case study from Nandhaur Forest Range, Lakhan mandi, Haldwani, Uttarakhand, India

Foliicolous lichens, i.e. lichens colonizing on leaves of vascular plants, are always considered as one of the best bioindicators of human disturbance and microclimatic conditions of a forest, and their occurrence in India is mainly confined to tropical regions of Eastern Himalaya and Western Ghats. During a field trip to Nandhaur Range Lakhan mandi, Haldwani, Kumaun Himalaya, the authors found leaves of Shorea robusta heavily colonized by foliicolous lichens. The identification of the collected samples revealed the occurrence of 6 species of lichens all of which are new addition to the lichen flora of Uttarakhand. The preliminary data on diversity and distribution of the foliicolous lichen will act as baseline to conduct biomonitoring studies in the area, since foliicolous lichens are considered as the best bioindicator of climate change

Molecular Characterization of <i>Fusarium oxysporum</i> G30 Isolated from Vegetable Wastes in Imphal, Northeast India

A new strain of Fusarium oxysporum (Schl.) emend. Synder & Hansen, viz. Fusarium oxysporum G30, is reported from seven different decomposing vegetable wastes and a mixture of the same in equal proportions, in Imphal, Northeast India. This strain was isolated by surface sterilization technique, followed by re-culturing till pure culture was obtained. The pure culture was characterised morphologically based on the colony features: colour, texture, colony diameter; conidial features: macro and microconidial shape, size, septation, presence of chlamydospores and foot-shaped basal cells. The strain was also identified at molecular level by partial sequencing using universal primers, ITS4 and ITS5. The ITS data reveals that isolated culture (F. oxysporum G30) match the existing isolates in Gen Bank (Gen Bank accession No. GQ497156.1) by 99% and it has got a code segment particular to this strain. This strain showed ubiquitous nature with mean percent frequency of occurrence ranging from 39.5 to 68% at various stages of decomposition of the selected vegetable wastes

Molecular Characterization of <i>Fusarium oxysporum</i> G30 Isolated from Vegetable Wastes in Imphal, Northeast India

<p class="Continutabstract">A new strain of <em>Fusarium oxysporum </em>(Schl.) emend. Synder &amp; Hansen, viz. <em>Fusarium oxysporum </em>G30, is reported from seven different decomposing vegetable wastes and a mixture of the same in equal proportions, in Imphal, Northeast India. This strain was isolated by surface sterilization technique, followed by re-culturing till pure culture was obtained. The pure culture was characterised morphologically based on the colony features: colour, texture, colony diameter; conidial features: macro and microconidial shape, size, septation, presence of chlamydospores and foot-shaped basal cells. The strain was also identified at molecular level by partial sequencing using universal primers, ITS4 and ITS5. The ITS data reveals that isolated culture (<em>F. oxysporum</em> G30) match the existing isolates in Gen Bank (Gen Bank accession No. GQ497156.1) by 99% and it has got a code segment particular to this strain. This strain showed ubiquitous nature with mean percent frequency of occurrence ranging from 39.5 to 68% at various stages of decomposition of the selected vegetable wastes.</p

Diversity and distribution of lichens in relation to altitude within a protected biodiversity hot spot, north-east India

A study of the diversity and distribution of lichens at 10 sites within the Mehao Wildlife Sanctuary in Arunachal Pradesh, India, revealed 177 species, belonging to 71 genera and 35 families. The Sanctuary exhibited almost all the habit and habitat groups of lichens within its climatically heterogenous and altitudinally (400-2700 m) varied landscape. Among the different habitat groups, obligately corticolous lichens were dominant (133 species), followed by facultatively corticolous lichens(occurring on both rock and bark; 25 species), saxicolous lichens (17 species) and terricolous lichens (2 species). The corticolous habitat group was dominated by crustose species while saxicolous and terricolous groups were made up of mostly fruticose species. A substantial number of species (77) occurred at single sites only, and each of the 10 sites supported a distinct lichen assemblage. Altitude and humidity were the putative key factors controlling the diversity and distribution of lichens within the Sanctuary. The mid altitude range 1400-1600 m had the greatest lichen diversity, which showed a unimodal pattern in relation to altitude

Bambusa tulda Roxb. in Manipur State, India: Exploring the Local Values and Commercial Implications

Tropical moist climate in Manipur supports rich and luxuriant growth of Bambusa tulda Roxb. locally known as Saneibi, which is endemic to northeastern region and West Bengal of India. It represents one of the most costly species of bamboo in Manipur, its price ranging from Rs. 70-150/-per mature bamboo culm. The meitei Manipuris have a rich traditional knowledge for utilization of this particular bamboo species. In fact, it has got multipurpose use covering several aspects from religious to industrial. Because of its strength and durability it is of great demand on the market. Its young shoots (ushoi) and the fermented young shoots (soibum) represent a significant vegetable for local people. Ushoi costs Rs.10-50/- per piece while soibum cost Rs. 30-50/- per kg. Local medicine man use this for healing properties. It forms a good raw material for various handicraft works, house building, paper industries, fencing, and several other useful equipments for day to day life. This bamboo species could yield more than 15 very commonly used and highly marketable articles with prices ranging from Rs.10/-to Rs 300/-per piece. Therefore, the development of small scale industries with highly skilled handicraftsmen can be profitable. Plantation of this bamboo species on farmland, borders of home garden, foothills, riversides, sides of ponds will prove to be a good business as well as a proper help in the conservation and sustainable management of this endemic species. Traditional mode of propagation is done successfully through off-set planting method. This paper presents a detailed study on this particular bamboo species regarding taxonomy, status of distribution, density, regeneration capacity, traditional uses, methods of processing and its commercial implications highlighting the eco-friendly nature of bamboo plantation and bamboo products