RESEARCH IN ENVIRONMENT AND
LIFE SCIENCES
Volume-3, Number-3, August-2010
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21. |
Res. Environ. Life Sci., 3(3) 105-112 (2010) Seabuckthorn (Hippophae salicifolia L. ) plant: As source donor of cold
tolerant genes for improving high altitude agriculture during cold stress Sanjay
Mohan Gupta* and Zakwan Ahmed Plant Molecular Biology and Genetic
Engineering Lab, Defence Agricultural Research
Laboratory, DRDO, Haldwani - 263 139, e-mail: smg555@rsediffmail.com (Received: April 02, 2010; Revised
received: July 25, 2010; Accepted: August 02, 2010) |
Abstract: Cold
stress is a major environmental factor limiting the geographical locations
suitable for growing plants and periodically account for significant losses
in plant productivity. Cold stress cause losses worth hundreds of million
dollars each year due to reduction in crop productivity and crop failure that
also threaten the sustainability of agricultural industry. It is now well
known that the stress signal is first perceived at the membrane level by the
receptors and then transduced in the cell to switch
on the stress responsive genes for mediating stress tolerance. Understanding
the mechanism of stress tolerance along with a plethora of genes involved in
stress signaling network is important for crop improvement. Modern
biotechnology has the tools to develop cold tolerant varieties, which enhance
the productivity and profitability of farming. The present article examines
the use of cold tolerant genes of Seabuckthorn
plant for the development of cold tolerant transgenics
in vegetables crops. Such crops may not only bring additional areas under
cultivation but also help in optimizing productivity in high altitude and
remote areas without any additional cost. Key words: Abiotic stress,
Cold stress, Cold tolerant genes, High altitude agriculture,
Glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase gene, Seabuckthorn plant, Hippophae
salicifolia |
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22. |
Res. Environ. Life Sci., 3(3) 113-114 (2010) The first cytotaxonomic report in two forms of Charavulgaris complex (Div. Charophyta) Vijay Kumar Singh*1
and B.R. Chaudhary2 1Department of Biotechnology, 2Centre of Advanced Study in Botany, e-mail: vijaysbhu@gmail.com (Received: March 08, 2010; Revised received: July 15, 2010;
Accepted: July 28, 2010) |
Abstract: The
chromosome count (n=14) has been reported for the first time in two forms of Chara vulgaris
complex (i.e for C. vulgaris f. crispa
and C. vulgaris f. excelsa
). Total form % for C. vulgaris
f. crispa was 28.30 and for C. vulgaris f. excelsa
was 30.09 . The karyotype
of C. vulgaris f. crispa
include one median, , six sub median and three sub-terminal centromeres and the four remaining ones seem to possess
terminal centromeres while in C. vulgaris f. excelsa
six chromosomes are characterized by sub-median, five by sub-terminal and the
remaining three by terminal centromeres. Key words: Chara vulgaris complex, Chromosom
number, Karyotype |
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23. |
Res. Environ. Life Sci., 3(3) 115-122 (2010) Soil microarthropod
population responses as evaluation indices for afforestation
practices in laterite wastelands Sonalika
Das, Saswati Mukhopadhyay
and V.C. Joy*
Soil Ecology Laboratory, Department of
Zoology,
|
Abstract: Impact
of afforestation in improving the biological
activity of soil in tropical laterite wastelands
was compared from the population responses of soil microarthropods
and the zone of preference of Collembola to soil
nutrients. The soil microarthropod fauna
predominated by detritivorous and fungivorous groups are functionally very important
components of soil food web. The study was
conducted in selected afforested stands of Cassia siamea
(Lamk.), Shorea
robusta (Gaertn), Dalbergia sissoo (Roxb.) and Acacia auriculiformes
(A.Cunn. ex. Benth)
trees. Microarthropod density was more in the soil
of C. siamea and D. sissoo
ascompared to the area dominated by S. robusta and A. auriculiformes
during all the seasons. Collembola was the
major group in all the sites and Collembola and Acari together formed more than 80% of total population.
High density of soil micro-arthropods during monsoon months followed by
significant decline in the dry seasons (p<0.05) showed their sensitivity
to soil parameters. A similar trend of distribution of Collembola
was observed in a mature stand of C. siamea
trees also. The nutrient status showed clear difference between soils, C. siamea and D. sissoo
were nutrient-rich but S. robusta and A. auriculiformes were nutrient-poor sites. Except soil
temperature, all parameters were positively correlated with the population,
and significantly for EC, organic carbon and moisture content (p<0.05);
the negative relation of Collembola with
temperature was also valid (p<0.05). Multiple regression analysis
ascertained cumulative effect of soil parameters (p<0.02) on population
buildup. The zone of preferences of Collembola to
soil factors was evident from their abundance; the number was less at high
temperature and at low moisture, abundant at more or less neutral pH and
moderate EC, but preferred high OC and low nitrate N. The present results
showed that C. siamea and D. sissoo trees are more suitable than A. auriculiformes and S. robusta
trees for restoration of soil health in eroded laterite
wastelands. Key words:
Soil
microarthropods, Collembola,
Afforestation, Laterite
wastelands, Soil nutrients, Zone of preference |
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24. |
Res. Environ. Life Sci., 3(3) 123-132 (2010) Impact of community
intervention on grass stock at gunung merapi national park (Southern), Priyono Suryanto1,2*, Mohd Zaki H.2, Azani M.A.2 and Azmy
Mohamed2 1Faculty of Forestry, Gadjah
Mada University-55281, Yogyakarta - 2Faculty of Forestry, Universiti Putra e-mail: psuryanto@ugm.ac.id (Received: Februry 21, 2010;
Revised received: July 25, 2010; Accepted: July 28, 2010) |
Abstract: Key words: National
park, Diversity, Community, Intervention, Scheme opportunity |
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25. |
Res. Environ. Life Sci., 3(3) 133-138 (2010) Impact of copper toxicity on
black gram and its remedial approach for minimization of metal toxicity Dharam Singh1*, Neelam Shakya1, Dileep
Kumar Katiyar1, Anju
Verma1, Ram Narayan2
and Rahat Niyazi1
1Department of Environmental Sciences, IBSBT, 2Department of Microbiology, IBSBT, e-mail: ds_envi@rediffmail.com (Received: January 09, 2010; Revised received: July 27, 2010;
Accepted: July 29, 2010) |
Abstract: In present study growth and
metabolism was evaluated on black gram (Vigna
mungo L) in petridish
culture experiments at graded levels of copper (0.5, 5, 25, 50 and 100 mg L-1as
CuSO4) were investigated under
controlled laboratory condition. The control and 0.5 mg L-1 Cu
applications showed increase in seedling growth as plumule
and radicle length, fresh and dry weight, moisture
percentage, SVI, chlorophyll, pheophytin, carotenoid and protein contents
were increased and less phytotoxicity
percentage, respectively. The seeds germination percentage, plumule and radicle length,
SVI, fresh and dry weight, moisture percentage, pigments and protein contents
were gradually decreased and increase phytoxity percentagewith increase in copper concentration. While
application of potassium was increased the seed germination percentage, plumule and radicle length,
SVI, fresh and dry weight, moisture percentage, pigments and protein were
increased and decrease phytoxity percentage. The
control and low level supply of (0.5 mg L-1 Cu treated seedling)
showed better seedling growth, pigmentand protein
contents. The level of potassium by copper application was invariably reduced
toxicity in all the cases of plant seedlings tissues. Key words:Black gram, Copper, Potassium, Growth,
Chlorophyll, Protein |
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26. |
Res. Environ. Life Sci., 3(3) 139-142 (2010) Sunthrin-25 induced biochemical
alterations in fresh water fishes, Channa
Punctatus at lethal exposure K. Zahra and A.K. Vishwakarma Department of zoology, Bipin Bihari (P.G.) College,Jhansi (U.P.) e-mail: zoology_fish2007@yahoo.com (Received: March 22, 2010; Revised received: July 15, 2010;
Accepted: July 22, 2010) |
Abstract:Fish live in
very intimate contact with their environment and are very susceptible to
physiochemical changes which may be reflected in their blood components. Any
changes caused by toxicants alter the homeostasis as affecting the blood
parameters and functions of liver of the fishes. By studying the effect of
biochemical parameters like enzymes it can be possible to identify
environmental problems before the health of fishes of the aquatic system
altered. This study assessed the effect of cypermethrin
(25 %EC) (Trade name – Sunthrin -25) on certain
enzyme activities in fresh water teleosts, Channa punctatus.
The LC50 values of cypermethrin were
estimated by Direct interpolation method. The 24, 48, 72 and 96 hrs. values for cypermethrin (25% EC)
were determined to be 0.0102 ml l-1, 0.0092 ml l-1,
0.0080 ml l-1 and 0.0065 ml l-1 respectively. For
biochemical investigation fishes were divided into (1) control group without
toxicant and (2) Treated groups treated with 24, 48, 72 and 96 hrs. LC50
values of cypermethrin (25%EC) and measured the
activity of Serum Glutamate Oxaloacetate Transaminase, Serum Glutamate Pyruvate
Transaminase, Serum alkaline Phosphatase
and Serum Acid Phosphatase. The results showed that
the activity of S.G.O.T. in treated group was 61.6, 68.47, 76.33 and 85.63 IU
l-1 after 24, 48, 72 and 96 hrs. respectively.
The activity of S.G.P.T. was increased significantly (P<0.05) as compared
to untreated control. It was 62.8 IU l-1 at 24 hrs. but 90.8 IU l-1 at 96 hrs. The values of serum
ALP in control group was approximately 74.0-76.0 IU l-1 but in
treated group it was two fold increased. The activities of treated serum ACP
were also progressively 5-7 times increased. All these enzymes showed
significant elevation (P<0.05) when compared to untreated control group. Key words:Channa punctatus,
Sunthrin-25, SGOT, SGPT, SALT, SACP |
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27. |
Res. Environ. Life Sci., 3(3) 143-146 (2010) Preliminary study on the physico-chemical aspects of mangalore
coastal pollution
Francis
Andrade*, H.B. Aravinda˛ and E.T. Puttaiah1
ąDepartment of Environmental Science,
|
Abstract: Mangalore
coast is known for its scenic beauty.This coast is
located on the western side of the western ghats.
This coast is stretched to about 22 Km and the main occupation of the people
living nearby is fishing. The coastal water nowadays are being polluted due
to the pumping of huge quantity of industrial waste, from the nearby chemical
factories, Iron ore company, oil refineries and the municipal sewage waste.
This pollution load is discharged in to the sea either directly or through
the major west flowing rivers of the region,namely- Nethravathi and Gurupura.Tthe present study include bothbiodegradable
and non-biodegradable pollutent. The
physico-chemical parameters of the samples collected revealed vast deviation
from the standards.The preliminary study carried
out during 2007 by considering 6 randomly selected study sites S1 to S6,
which are subjected to heavy input of pollution load.The
various parameters of water analysis data in the study sites have revealed
difference from one site toanother. pH values observed during pre-monsoon season varies from
7.10 to 7.96.Duringmonsoon it varies from 8.01 to 8.66.During post-monsoon it
varies from 6.79 to 8.02. Total hardness varies from 4.1to 6700 mg L-1.
BOD varies from 0.98to 19.10 mg L-1. DO ranges from 3.59to7.98 mg
L-1.These values prompt to carryout further research to
substantiate using standard methods. Key words: Coast,
Mangalore,Water analysis, Pollution |
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28. |
Res. Environ. Life Sci., 3(3) 147-152 (2010) Long term effect of chromium toxicity on crop plants with remedial approach of certain nutrients Kamlesh Nath1, Poonam
Misra1 and Dharam
Singh2 1Laboratory of Environmental Sciences, Department
of Botany, 2Department of Environmental Sciences, IBSBT, e-mail: nathkamlesh@rediffmail.com (Received: January 21, 2010; Revised
received: July 02, 2010; Accepted: July 08, 2010) |
Abstract: This study was performed to explore
the toxic effect of chromium on crop plants and also to know the long term
effect of Cr toxicity in Cr contaminated soil with remedial approach of
certain nutrients. In the Pot experiment different dilutions of Cr+6 i.e.
0.5, 2, 5, 10 ppm were selected to see the toxic effect
and for the recovery of plant damage 10 and 25 ppm
of ZnSO4, K2SO4
and FeSO4 were used. Raphanus
sativus were grown as first crop of experiment
while Zea mays grown
as a follow-up crop (grown in residual soil of Radish crop). In Raphanus sativus all
leaf parameters increased gradually as the chromium concentration increased.
In recovery treatments all the leaf parameters were higher when treated with
10 ppm of chromium in combination with 25 ppm of ZnSO4, FeSO4 and 10 ppm of
K2SO4. All root parameters except root length were
lowered gradually as the chromium concentration increased. At 45th and 90th
day chlorophyll content (total, ‘a’ and ‘b’) decreased as the chromium
concentration was increased. Pheophytin contents and total carotenoid
decreased gradually from control to 10 ppm chromium
at 45th day. Pheophytin contents at 90th day increased in 0.5 ppm
chromium and started to decrease from 2 ppm to 10 ppm chromium. Total carotenoid at 90th
day showed same pattern. While in Zea mays all growth and plant productivity parameters
decreased gradually from control to 10 ppm chromium
except dry weight, moisture %, and length of cob. All parameters showed
recovery 10 ppm of chromium in combination with 25 ppm of ZnSO4, K2SO4
and FeSO4 if compared with their 10 ppm combinations. Chlorophyll contents (total, ‘a’ and
‘b’) increased significantly with increased concentration of chromium at 45th day but decreased significantly at 90th day. Pheophytin (total, ‘a’ and ‘b’) and
total carotenoids which were increased as the chromium concentration
increased significantly at 45th day
while at 90th day total pheophytin and
carotenoid contents were significantly decreased as chromium concentration
was increased. In recovery treatments at 90th
day they were observed higher with 10 ppm of K2SO4,
FeSO4 and 25ppm of ZnSO4
when used with 10 ppm of chromium. Key words: Raphanus sativus, Zea mays, Pheophytin, Chlorophyll, Carotenoid,
Chromium, Zinc, Potassium, Iron |
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29. |
Res. Environ. Life Sci., 3(3) 153-158 (2010) Effect of benzyl adenine
(BA) on flowering responses, metabolites and enzymes activity in Cucumis sativus G. Tewari*,
S. Kaur, M. K. Soni and
Y.K Sharma Department of Botany, e-mail: tewarigopal@gmail.com (Received:
January 28, 2010; Revised received: July 29, 2010; Accepted: August 05, 2010) |
Abstract: The
effect of different concentrations of Benzyl adenine (BA), given for varying
durations at seed germination stage, on floral induction in cucumber were
explored in this experiment. Seeds of Cucumis
sativus L. were soaked in different
concentrations of BA (0.5 µM, 5.0 µM and 50.0 µM) in petridishes
with varying durations (24, 48 and 72 hr). The days to anthesis
were highest in control for male flowers (49.66) which gradually reduced as
the increasing concentration of BA was applied to the seeds. The average
nodal position bearing first male flower was highest in control which
consistently decreased with increasing concentration and duration of BA
treatment. Pollen sterility showed an increasing trend with the increasing
application of BA. The formation of female flowers was, however, delayed on
the application of BA, with the days to anthesis of
female flowers increasing with the increasing concentration and duration of
BA application. Total sucrose content during pre-flowering stage was highest
in control, but on treatment with BA it decreased to a significantly low
value of 205.0 µmol g-1 fresh weight in plants raised from the
seeds that were treated with 50 µM BA for 72 hr. The starch content, was lowered at the flowering stage as compared to
pre-flowering stage in all the plants. The total protein content, increased
over control with the increasing concentration and duration of BA application
to the seeds. During pre-flowering stage the sucrose synthase
activity consistently decreased as compared to control with the increasing
concentration of BA. At pre-flowering, acid invertase
activity was 103.38 µmol g-1 fresh weight in control which
increased to 114.00 µmol g-1 fresh weight when 0.5 µM BA was
applied to the seeds for 24 hr. At the pre-flowering stage, the activity of
IAA oxidase increased as compared to control with
the increasing concentration of BA. The increased duration of BA treatment
also increased the IAA oxidase activity. The
maximum activity of PPO at pre-flowering as well as at flowering stage was
recorded in plants that were developed from the seeds treated with 50 µM BA for
72 hr. The highest peroxidase activity was also recorded in plants to which
50 µM BA was applied at seed germination stage for 72 hours, at both
pre-flowering stage and flowering stage. Key words: IAA, PPO, Peroxidase, Acid invertase, Sucrose, Flowering, Pollen sterility |
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30 |
Res. Environ. Life Sci., 3(3) 159-162 (2010) Phytotoxic effect of mercury on mustard (Brassica
compestris L.) and cowpea (Vigna
unguiculata L.) seedlings Poonam Misra* Department of Botany, e-mail: dr.poonammisra@yahoo.com (Received: January 28, 2010; Revised
received: July 27, 2010; Accepted: August 04, 2010) |
Abstract: Decrease
in the number of roots, Leaf tip damage, brown coloration and reduced size of
lamina was observed at increasing doses of mercury in both seedlings. Supply
of 1 and 2 mM of mercuric chloride caused increase
in the activity of catalase enzyme in mustard plants. While, at highest doses
of this metal, catalase enzyme showed adverse effect. Activity of catalase
was found 2 to 7 fold higher in cowpea plant due to supply of different doses
of Hg. With increasing supplementation of mercury significant decrease was
observed in both plants. Peroxidase also showed similar results with 1.0 and
2.0 mM of mercury in mustard plants. Significant
decrease of chlorophyll with increasing mercury concentration in the solution
has been observed, maximum decrease. Graded level of mercury caused reduction
in the total chlorophyll concentration in cow pea while at 4 mM Hg decreased by 45% as compared to the control plants.
However, plant treated with 1 mM concentration of
Hg, caused reduction in chlorophyll content only by 15%. No significant change
in protein content was observed at 2 mM
concentration of mercury in leaves of the mustard. However, a significant
increase in protein content was found at highest level. Sugar content in
mustard leaves of plants treated with Hg in different concentration decreased
as compared to the control plants. Concentration of sugar in mustard
seedlings evaluated from lower to higher dose of Hg. Maximum evaluation in
sugar content was observed at highest dose of Hg. Key words: Mercury,
Brassica compestris,
Vigna unguiculata,
Catalase, Peroxidase, Pigments, Sugar, Protein |