Documentation of fungal endophytes of black pepper (Piper nigrum L.) and their seed transmission studies

The present study envisaged to document the endophytic fungal association with black pepper through a series of in vitro and in planta investigations. Black pepper was found to harbour endophytic fungal flora belonging to the genera Alternaria, Acremonium, Aspergillus, Cladosporium, Chaetomium, Curvularia, Colletotrichum, Fusarium, Humicola, Paecilomyces, Rhizoctonia, Phoma and non-sporulating forms. Further, it was found that the endocarp of black pepper seed is free from culturable endophytic fungi. This was evident from the absence of culturable fungi in in vitro grown black pepper seedlings. The growth of fungi from the seedlings grown under green house conditions reveal that the fungal endophytes establish from fungal propagules falling on the (test) plants that may enter the plant tissues as back ground inoculum and grow as endophyte. This was also supported by the study that the type of endophytic fungi that harbour black pepper plants varied with geographical locations from where the samples were collected

Virulence of Phytophthora isolates from Piper nigrum L. and their sensitivity to metalaxyl-mancozeb

Foot rot disease caused by Phytophthora capsici in black pepper is the most destructive disease. A total of 82 isolates from the National Repository of Phytophthora at ICAR-Indian Institute of Spices Research were evaluated for their sensitivity to metalaxylmancozeb and also tested for their virulence. Of the 82 isolates studied, 19 (23.2%) were highly sensitive to metalaxyl-mancozeb and six (7.3%) were comparatively insensitive (EC90 value >40 ppm; range 41.3 to 68.5 ppm). The isolates also varied in the degree of virulence, viz., 34 (41.5%) were highly virulent, 39 (47.6%) moderately virulent, 4 (3.7%) mildly virulent, and 5 (6.1%) non-virulent. There was neither any significant correlation between sensitivity to metalaxyl-mancozeb and virulence nor with the geographical location.Â

Enhancing shelf life of Trichoderma harzianum by conidial storage in sterile deionized water

In this study T. harzianum conidial suspension was made in different concentrations of cryoprotectants viz., glycerol, glucose, DMSO and deionized distilled water and stored at two different temperatures viz., 25± 1oC and 28-32ºC for more than 720 days for evaluating the shelf life in order to develop a ready to use liquid carrier formulation. The results showed that submerged conidia formulation in cryoprotectants like glycerol, glucose and DMSO preserved the viability for 75 days only when compared to the formulation in sterile deionized water which at 28-32°C retained the viability for 480 days with a viable count of loge= 6.671 (3.2 × 106) and for more than 720 days with a viable count of loge=5.54 (2 × 105) and in 480 days at 25±1°C with a viable count of loge=6.3911 (6.5 × 106) and with a viable count of loge =5.40 (2 × 105) for more than 720 days. The viability was tested in vitro by recovery in TSM and effectiveness was tested in vivo by drenching the suspension on plants and challenge inoculating with Phytophthora capsici after seven days. Challenge inoculation of black pepper plants with P. capsici after drenching with diluted stored suspension gave a disease reduction of 66.67%. Hence, sterile deionized water can be used as a liquid storage medium for the long term storage of T. harzianum culture without loosing the viability and effectiveness of the spores. &nbsp

Assessment of Fodder Production Potential of Lucerne (\u3cem\u3eMedicago sativa\u3c/em\u3e L.) Genotypes for Sustainable Live Stock Production

Lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) is a temperate perennial legume capable of producing high quality forage throughout the year. The plant also contains sufficient concentrations of vitamins and most minerals for all classes of livestock. Livestock production can be substantially increased by using lucerne. It is a persistent, productive as well as heat and drought resistant crop which provides better and wet seasons. It tolerates short spell of drought but not water logging and high humidity in the rainy season. Cultivated lucerne is an out crossing auto- tetraploid plant developed by combining different M. sativa and M. falcate germplasm sources in order to maximize heterosis and to secure multiple pest resistance (Gherardi et al., 1998)

Antioxidant defence of L-glutamine on mitochondrial function in experimentally induced myocardial infarction in rats

Myocardial infarction is a major public health concern and the leading cause of death all over the world. A better understanding of the processes involved in myocardial infarction has stimulated the search for biomolecules, which could limit the myocardial injury. We determined the protective activity of L-glutamine on mitochondrial function in isoprenaline-induced myocardial infarction in rats, an animal model of myocardial infarction in man. Oral pre-treatment with glutamine significantly inhibited the isoprenaline-induced changes in the levels of troponin T and homocysteine in the plasma. It conserved the activities of tricarboxylic acid cycle enzymes (isocitrate dehydrogenase, α-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase, succinate dehydrogenase, malate dehydrogenase) and respiratory marker enzyme (NADH dehydrogenase) and the level of myocardial ATP content at levels comparable to that of normal controls. It also attenuated isoprenaline-induced oxidative stress in rat mitochondria and preserved the antioxidant defence system at near normal. The results indicate that the cardioprotective effect of glutamine can be correlated directly with its ability to activate the energy status and antioxidant defence system.Keywords: isoprenalin

Occurrence and distribution of viral diseases on vanilla (Vanilla planifolia Andrews) in India

Sixty-five vanilla (Vanilla planifolia) plantations in 28 locations of Karnataka and Kerala were surveyed for the occurrence and distribution of viral diseases. Two viral diseases namely, mosaic and stem necrosis with an average incidence ranging from 0% to 5% and 0% to 10%, respectively, in various locations were noticed. The distribution of the diseases was random and not restricted to any particular region or locality. Electron microscopy of leaf dip preparations of the diseased plants showed three kinds of flexuous particles resembling Potexvirus, Potyvirus and Closterovirus, and an isometric particle. &nbsp

A Sustainable Community-Based Model of Noncommunicable Disease Risk Factor Surveillance (Shraddha-Jagrithi Project): Protocol for a Cohort Study

Background: India has a massive noncommunicable disease (NCD) burden, at an enormous cost to the individual, family, society, and health system at large, despite which prevention and surveillance are relatively neglected. If diagnosed early and treated adequately, risk factors for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease would help decrease the mortality and morbidity burden. Surveillance for NCDs, creating awareness, positive lifestyle changes, and treatment are the proven measures known to prevent the progression of the disease. India is in a stage of rapid epidemiological transition, with the state of Kerala being at the forefront, pointing us towards likely disease burden and outcomes for the rest of the country in the future. A previous study done by the same investigators in a population of >100,000 revealed poor awareness, treatment of NCDs, and poor adherence to medicines in individuals with CVD. / Objective: This study aimed at assessing a sustainable, community-based surveillance model for NCDs with corporate support fully embedded in the public health system. / Methods: Frontline health workers will check all individuals in the target group (≥age 30 years) with further follow-up and treatment planned in a “spoke and hub” model using the public health system of primary health centers as spokes to the hubs of taluk or district hospitals. All data entry done by frontline health workers will be on a tablet PC, ensuring rapid acquisition and transfer of participant health details to primary health centers for further follow-up and treatment. / Results: The model will be evaluated based on the utilization rate of various services offered at all tier levels. The proportions of the target population screened, eligible individuals who reached the spoke or hub centers for risk stratification and care, and community-level control for hypertension and diabetes in annual surveys will be used as indicator variables. The model ensures diagnosis and follow-up treatment at no cost to the individual entirely through the tiered public health system of the state and country. / Conclusions: Surveillance for NCDs is an essential facet of health care presently lacking in India. Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease has a long gestation period in progression to the symptomatic phase of the disease, during which timely preventive and lifestyle measures would help prevent disease progression if implemented. Unfortunately, several asymptomatic individuals have never tested their plasma glucose, serum lipid levels, or blood pressure and are unaware of their disease status. Our model, implemented through the public health system using frontline health workers, would ensure individuals aged≥30 years at risk of disease are identified, and necessary lifestyle modifications and treatments are given. In addition, the surveillance at the community level would help create a general awareness of NCDs and lead to healthier lifestyle habits. / Trial Registration: Clinical Trial Registry India CTRI/2018/07/014856; https://tinyurl.com/4saydnxf / International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/2729

Evaluation of the antibacterial activity of mango ginger rhizome extracts against bacterial wilt pathogen Ralstonia solanacearum

The Indian mango ginger (Curcuma amada Roxb.) is a perennial rhizomatous herb with a raw mango flavour. It is resistant to bacterial wilt disease. In order to understand the disease resistance mechanism of mango gingerthe hexane, chloroform and methanol extracts (5, 10, 25, 50 and 100mg/ml) and essential oils (1%, 5% and 10%) were tested against the bacterial wilt pathogen Ralstonia solanacearum by agar well diffusion method. The hexane, chloroform and methanol extracts showed more or less the same level of antimicrobial activity with a zone of inhibition ranging from 3-9 mm. The essential oils exhibited a zone of inhibition ranging from 3-7 mm.The major constituents of the essential oils were ?-myrcene and ?-pinene. The results indicated that the rhizome of mango ginger may contain compounds that are toxic to the pathogen. The extracts of mango ginger could be explored further for developing a natural bactericide against R. solanacearum

Studies on the effects of Adansonia Digitata Lin's fruits on diabetes

The point of this study is to look into how Adansonia digitata Linn plants can help people with diabetes. The bioactive extract was chosen by using the Haemoglobin Glycosylation Inhibition Assay and α-Amylase Inhibition Assay in a lab setting.So, the ethanolic solution was the most effective at fighting diabetes. In vivo study was done on it because of this. The extract was determined to be safe up to a level of 5000 mg/kg in a trial on acute poisoning. Anti-diabetic action was tested using a model of diabetes mellitus caused by streptozotocin. The factors that were looked at were changes in body weight and blood sugar levels. It was determined that following significant necrotic alterations, a damaged β-cell population, and smaller cells, the cells in the diabetes control group developed atrophy and fibrosis. The group that got the test amount, on the other hand, had normal pancreatic cells, more and bigger islets, and no necrosis or fibrotic changes. These were about the same amounts as those found in people who took Glibenclamide, which is the common drug. The analysis of phytochemicals showed that flavonoids exist. These chemicals may be what give Adansonia digitata Linn's fruits their ability to help people with diabetes. The current study says that ethanolic extract greatly lowers the chance of getting diabetes in both lab-based and real-life setting

Screening of black pepper (Piper nigrum L.) germplasm for resistance to foot rot disease caused by Phytophthora capsici Leonian

Studies were conducted at Calicut (Kerala) to locate sources of resistance among 491accessions of cultivars, 691 hybrids, 124 wild accessions and 182 Karimunda and 60Kottanadan selections of black pepper (Piper nigrum) using stem inoculation technique againstfoot rot disease caused by Phytophthora capsici. One hybrid (Acc. 1375), two wild accessions(Accs. 3160 and 3260) and four Kottanadan selections (2466, 2471, 2515 and 2433) werepromising with disease index 1 and no external lesion after inoculation of the pathogenunder greenhouse conditions. &nbsp