Search

This paper describes the anatomy and histology of the axis of I. coromandelina and nine other species. They are similar in the vascular structure of the axis with the stele differentiated into an upper stem stele which sends off leaf-traces and a bi-, tri- or tetra-radiate rhizomorphic stele which gives off only root traces and consisting of its own basal meristem. The xylem elements in the centre of the stele are surrounded by a few layers of parenchyma, have no differentiation into proto- and meta-xylem. The xylem elements are then surrounded by irregularly arranged primary phloem possessing pit-like recesses on all the walls. The peculiarity of the cambium lies in its origin outside the primary phloem and the absence of intrafasicular cambium. It cuts off secondary parenchyma towards the outer side and some mixed tissue towards the inner consisting of specialized sieve cells and parenchyma. However, in some axes of I. coromandelina, I. malenverniana and I. asiatica a few peculiarly oriented lignified cells are occasionally observed. The sieve cells of the secondary phloem consists of white glistening walls, clear contents, callose deposits around the sieve pores and absence of nuclei and starch grains which are of common occurrence of other cells of Isætes. The presence of callose in sieve cells and lignin in lignified cells has been confirmed by several chemical tests. A critical review of the previous literature has shown the existence of four school of thought regarding the nature of the secondary tissue. In absence of concrete evidences for assigning this tissue as secondary parenchyma, secondary xylem or secondary phloem the term 'prismatic tissue' has been retained as suggested by Russow (1872). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

1. A study of maturity and spawnings of Sillago sihama based on the detailed examination of 500 specimens of fish and their ovaries and also on casual observations of over a thousand females has been attempted in this paper. Preliminary observations on the condition of testes have also been made from 135 specimens. 2. The female fish have been classified as Immature, Maturing, Mature and Spent, with reference to the condition of their ovaries. The mature ovum contains a single oil globule generally measuring between 0·13 mm. and 0·15 mm. in diameter. 3. A study of the maturation cycle brought out three phases in the life of the fish: 4. The spawning period in S. sihama is of short duration and spawning takes place only once during the season. 5. The size of the female Sillago at first maturity has been approximately fixed at 235 mm. in total length. The females were found to attain a maximum size of 354 mm. in total length. 6. The smallest male specimen with 'mature' testes measured 224 mm. The males attain a relatively smaller size, the maximum size noted being 273 mm. 7. The number of mature eggs liberated in a single spawning has been found to vary from 16,682 to 166,130 in sizes of fish ranging between 184 mm. and 340 mm. in total length. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper a detailed account of physical and optical properties of the chalcocites of Garimanipenta area, Nellore District, Andhra Pradesh, has been given. The chemical analysis of the chalcocites has indicated an excess of sulphur in the composition. The X-ray powder data and the ore-microscopic studies have revealed the existence of chalcocite in both isometric and orthorhombic modifications, covellite associated with the isometric chalcocite and bornite. It is suggested from these studies that the copper ores have resulted from hydrothermal (hypogene) solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the results of a taxonomic study of some species of Cordella, a genus established by Spegazzini in 1886 for two species: C. coniosporioides Speg. and C. spinulosa Speg. On the basis of study of type material C. coniosporioides is considered to be a Papularia; this may be indistinguishable from P. vinosa (Berk. & Curt.) Mason. Cordella spinulosa is chosen lectotype species of the genus and to meet the requirements of proper typification, an emended generic diagnosis is given. Cordella is considered to provide the earliest generic name available for the type species of the genera Melanographium Sacc., Sporosta hys Sacc. and Pseudocamptoum Frag. & Cif. Cordella tomentosa Speg. is provisionally retained in Cordella. Type material of C. chætomioides Speg. revealed only a Chætomium and it is suggested that the name may be rejected. Cordella magna Speg. is considered to be a Lacellina and the new combination Lacellina magna (Speg.) Subram. is proposed for this fungus. Melanographium fasciculatum Hughes is transferred to Cordella as C. fasciculata (Hughes) Subram. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New chemical constituents in a variety of Indian tobacco ( N. tabacum) have been isolated by means of chromatography on alumina. The separation of four steryl glycosides, four sterols, one ketosteroid and nine waxy compounds have been reported in this paper. Attempts have been made to elucidate the chemistry of all these products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper deals with a collection of foliose and fruticose lichens collected by Mr. R. S. Rao and Dr. G. Panigrahi from Assam and North-East Frontier Agency of India. The total number as determined is 72 species under 18 genera and 9 families in a collection of about 145 specimens. Notable aspects of the investigations are the new reports from this region of the species- Cetraria asahinæ, C. straminea and Usnea asahinæ-and the discovery of the fertile state of the specimens Anzia physoidea and Cetraria straminea which were so far known in the sterile condition only. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes the X-ray diffraction studies carried out on a large number of present-day, as well as fossil diatom frustules. From the diffraction patterns given by the various specimens, it has been concluded that the silica present in diatom frustules is not in an amorphous or sub-colloidal state as was spposed by previous workers but that it is crystalline α-quartz. Although crystalline α-quartz is present in present-day diatoms, the degree of crystallisation is much less than in the fossilized specimens. In addition to the crystalline quartz content, there is present in all diatoms an organic component which might possibly be a protein. In the present-day diatoms this organic component occurs in considerable proportion so that its X-ray diffraction pattern tends to mask the pattern due to crystalline α-quartz. On fossilization, however, a considerable amount of the protein content is lost, while the silica content becomes more predominant, and more and more crystalline with time. Evidence for the occurrence of pectin in diatoms is also presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microctonus indicus, new species, is a braconid parasite of the adults of Phyllotreta cruciferæ attacking various vegetables in Delhi and other places in India. This is the first record of the genus Microctonus Wesmael from the Indian sub-continent. The biology and behaviour of the adult parasite has been briefly described and discussed in this paper and the immature stages have also been described. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper deals with 38 species under 12 genera of lichens that had been collected by Mr. R. S. Rao, Botanist Member of the Indian Expedition to Cho-Oyu in East Nepal. Five species as new reports for the Himalayas are described. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper deals with the root-rot of Kochia indica Wight caused by Rhizoctonia solani Kuhn which secures successful infection through the root of the host. The disease is described for the first time. The external and internal symptomatology of the diseased plants has been described. The distribution of the fungus in different parts of the host has been studied in detail. In the seedling stage of the plant the disease symptoms resemble the 'damping-off'. The morphology of the pathogen in culture and its temperature requirements have been determined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Comparative efficiency of ammonium and nitrate nitrogen source, for growth of rice has been studied under solution culture technique. It is seen that:- Authors are indebted to Mr. R. L. M. Ghose, Director, Central Rice Research Institute, Cuttack, for his suggestion which helped improvement in the text of the paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rice plant of medium duration, grown under low nitrogen supply (10 p.p.m.), shows two peak periods of partial efficiency for nitrogen, when nitrogen taken up by the plant is most efficiently utilized in increasing grain yield. First such period occurs at the tillering stage and the second at flowering, between the boot and milk stages. Nitrogen taken up by the plant between tillering and ear-initiation plays role in increasing tiller and panicle number per plant. During panicle development, from ear-initiation to flowering, nitrogen taken up increases number of filled grains per panicle and, after flowering, it increases effective 1,000 grain weight. The first period of maximum partial efficiency is, therefore, for increasing tiller number and the second for increase of panicle weight, If, however, the plant is grown at high levels of nitrogen (60 p.p.m.) from the start, nitrogen taken up during the vegetative stage, up to ear-initiation, is stored in the body of the plant and is used in the later growth and development, even if nitrogen supply is cut off later. High nitrogen supply, after ear-initiation, has detrimental effect on growth and decreases grain yield because of decrease in number of filled grains per panicle and 1,000 grain weight. Chaffiness of panicle, under this condition, also markedly increases and plant becomes more susceptible to neck infection due to blast. The authors are indebted to Mr. R. L. M. Ghose, Director, Central Rice Research Institute, Cuttack, for suggestions and improvement in the text of the paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

1. In this paper information regarding the various spore-forms of Ganoderma lucidum has been presented. 2. It has been found that besides the normal basidiospores, two other spore types also occur in the fructifications of the fungus collected from Nature or produced in artificial culture. These are 'secondary spores' and 'gasterospores'. 3. Characteristic features of all the spore types have been fully described and their modes of origin noted. 4. All the three types of spores are more or less identical to each other in appearance. But the secondary spores have endospores less verrucose than the endospores of the other two types, whereas the gasterospores are characterised by two opposite notches in their exospores. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present paper deals with the chromosome numbers of nine species of wild and cultivated Yams. Five species, namely, D. pubera, D. deltoidea, D. hispida, D. belophylla and D. esculenta, have been worked out for the first time. In D. alata and D. bulbifera different chromosome races for the Indian forms have been recorded besides the ones reported by previous workers. It is interesting to observe that the Japanese races of D. oppositifolia and D. pentaphylla are higher polyploids than the Indian forms reported here. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper deals with the chromosome numbers of 31 species of medicinal plants collected from South India, Bombay and Uttar Pradesh. The chromosome numbers of 15 species are reported for the first time, 6 of them being now generic counts. In the case of five plants, our findings differ from previous observations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The following five new species of Hyphomycetes, collected from the Nilgiris, Madras State, are described in this paper: Arthrobotryum nilgirense on dead bamboo, Ceratosporella deviata on dead leaf base of Raphilostyles sapida, Periconia nilagirica on dead culms of grass, Stachybotrys nilagirica on dead twigs of Althœa rosea, and Drumopama girisa on dead leaves of Gramineæ. Of these, D. girisa is proposed as a gen. et sp. nov. and is placed in the Moniliales-Phæostilbeæ-Amerosporæ. Harpographium fasciculatum Sacc. is recorded from India for the first time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since 1936, when the first alga was investigated with the help of the Electron Microscope more and more algæ have been studied. These studies have greatly contributed to our knowledge of the submicroscopic morphology of algæ. A review of the most important aspects of these investigations is given in this paper. The utilization of the results of these Electron Microscopic investigations in taxonomy is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper deals with 7 new species and one new variety of lichens from the Himalayan region. They are Cetraria pallida Awasthi, C. nepalensis Awasthi, Physcia melanotricha Awasthi, Ph. askotensis Awasthi, Anaptychia himalayensis Awasthi, A. pellucida Awasthi, Peccania Höegii Awasthi, and Physcia endococcina var. latiloba H. Magn. Mention may be made of the two interesting features, notably deep blue colouration in the cortical region of Anaptychia himalayensis and A. pellucida by the interaction of iodine solution and the strange dark nubilations in the thecium of Peccania Höegii. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

(1) Pot culture studies on the effect of 2, 4-D on sugarcane have been reported in the paper. (2) Soil application of 2, 4-D (amine salt) at planting increases sugar content by about 2·6 units while depressing yield by 40%. Sodium salt of the hormone applied at this stage has no significant effect on yield or quality. (3) Soil application of both salts, either two weeks after germination or at the time of earthing up, significantly improves sugar content (by 1·8 units) with no significant effect on yield. (4) The same holds good for foliar application, mean improvement in sugar being 1·5 units. (5) When applied to soil two weeks after germination, at earthing up or as foliar spray, the two forms of the hormone afford the same order of improvement in sugar (1·6-1·8 units). (6) The above results conform to the findings of large-scale trials in collaboration with the sugar industry, reported earlier. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present paper gives a connected account of our present knowledge of the Cretaceous rocks of South India, with special reference to recent studies and their outstanding interest and importance in the elucidation of the geological history of India at one of its most interesting periods. This review is also helpful in revealing the vast scope there is for further exploration and research in these areas, especially in the field of micropalaeontological studies which are of such fundamental importance at the present day. It may also be pointed out that Peninsular India occupies a key position in the study of the geological history of the Southern Continents during the Cretaceous period; studies in this region will thus have a most important bearing on the correct understanding and interpretation of their mutual stratigraphical and palaeogeographical relationships, and will also undoubtedly help in the proper reconstruction of Earth History, as a whole, during the Cretaceous times. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper deals with investigations on the stylar end rot of guava fruits. Fruits in the orchard as well as in storage suffer with this disease, which is, however, of rare occurrence. The symptoms of the disease have been described in detail. A species of Phomopsis was constantly associated with this rot and later pathogenicity tests proved this fungus to be the causal organism. While some infection was obtained through uninjured surface, injury favoured infection. Apart from stylar end rot the fungus was able to cause fruit rot in general. The morphology of the fungus has been described and its temperature relationship has been studied. The fungus had a minimum temperature for growth near 10° C., an optimum near 25° C. and a maximum of about 35° C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

(i) Data are presented on the amino-acid composition of (i) the clear culture filtrate, (ii) the culture filtrate hydrolysate, (iii) the clear cell homogenate, (iv) the cell homogenate hydrolysate, and (v) the insoluble protein mass of Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv at different periods of growth. Data also are presented on the amino-acid composition of the three tuberculin proteins isolated from the culture filtrate of a fully grown culture of Myco. tuber. H37Rv. (ii) From among the fractions studied, it is concluded that the cell homogenate and its hydrolysate are most indicative of the amino-acid changes taking place within the cell. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are many gaps in our knowledge of the biological interrelationships and antagonisms of the trace elements. For example, there are certain animal deficiency diseases of Cu and Co which plant analyses for these elements do not reveal unless there is an understanding of the elements which antagonise them and of those related. The application of Goldschmidt's law to the replacements of atoms and ions in complex crystal structures (in the form that such replacements are possible only when the size of the atoms concerned agree within 10% of each other) coupled with a knowledge of the changes in valency and oxidation reduction systems involved, has been shown in this paper to elucidate many of these relationships and antagonisms. The essentiality of Cu and Co for hæmoglobin formation, the cause of anæmia due their deficiencies and how they are antagonised by Mo are shown, as also the essentiality of Mo for N fixation and the antagonism between Cu and Pb in the sway-back diseases. The essentiality of Fe, Cu. Mn and Mg for chloryphyl formation and the possible steps in the evolution of chloryphyl and hæmoglobin from cytochrome by the combined action of intermediary metal atoms have been traced along with the biological antagonism between Se and S. A consequence of this is the greater importance of Mo for leguminous plants compared to others with a tendency for the deficiency in cattle of Cu in countries where legumes and the like are extensively grown. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper narrates the results of an experimental enquiry on respiration rate of sugarcane leaves of different stages of development under four conditions of nutrition, viz., complete nutrition, nitrogen deficiency, phosphorus deficiency and potassium deficiency. The experiments were conducted at maturity stage on five varieties of sugarcane, e.g., Co 453, Co 421, POJ 2878, Co 205 and Rheora grown in sand in pots. Co 205 and Rheora show high leaf respiration as compared with Co 453 and POJ 2878, having significantly lower respiration rates. No differences in leaf respiration upto the third or fourth leaf stage are noted; beyond this the greater the stage of leaf development, the lower is the respiration of leaves. Nutritional conditions bring about considerable changes in respiration of leaves. Thus nitrogen deficiency shows normal leaf respiration at maturity as compared with either phosphorus or potassium deficiency, each of which exhibit supernormality in respiration. Variations in respiration rate under these conditions appear to be determined by changes in chemical composition of leaves, particularly nitrogen and carbohydrate fractions. Observed differences in respiration are discussed in the light of such changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mature sclereids occurring in ten Indian species of Memecylon are presented in this paper. They are terminal in position in relation to the ends of the veinlets. The different types of sclereids are described in detail. They serve a mechanical function to some extent. Their probable importance in building up a key for species of Memecylon on the basis of vegetative structures is pointed out. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The sex differentiating structures in the pupal stage of Dinoderus sp. are described. A technique for rearing the larvæ under artificial conditions is also included. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The data collected and the limits of refractive index and constant of genuine milk worked out in the last two papers have been utilised in the attempt to detect different types of adulteration. Samples of milk of different grades of refractive index and constant have been systematically watered and their rate of fall of the values determined. By viewing the two determinations in conjunction with each other it has been found possible to detect in average samples dilution with water up to a minimum of about 5-8 per cent. Watered buffalo milk designed to pass off as cow milk reveals itself by the disturbed relationship between the refractive index and constant. While the refractive index of such a sample is normal for cow milk the refractive constant will be found to be usually too high for that value of the refractive index. Added skim milk or removal of fat is detected by the lowered values of refractive constant, which in average samples is reduced below the minimum for pure milk at about a minimum of 20-25 per cent. addition. With samples of very high refractive constant, however, considerably larger dilutions (up to 50 per cent.) are possible. Attempts at normalising the density of watered milk by adding sugar are detected up to about 10 per cent. added water in cow, and about 12-15 per cent. in case of buffalo milk samples. Thus a simple determination of the refractive index and density of milk serves to detect a number of common types of adulteration of this product. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Camptylonema was established by Schmidle on the type-species, Camptylonema indicum, which had been collected from Bombay The genus was placed by him under the Stigonemaceæ, since both true and false-branches were found by him in the alga. Forti, Ghose and Geitler, doubting the occurrence of true branching in the alga, transferred the genus to the Scytonemaceæ. The type-species, C. indicum, which was not recorded again since Schmidle described it, was recently recorded by the writer from Cochin in South India. Undoubted cases of true branching are found in this alga in addition to false-branches. Since true branches are found in the alga, the genus is now retransferred to the Stigonemataceæ. A new genus, Camptylonemopsis, is created to include species like Camptylonema lahorense Ghose and Camptylonema Danilovii Hollerbach, which possess crescent-shaped filaments, but do not show true branching. The new genus, Camptylonemopsis, is placed under the Michrochætaceæ. Three new species of Camptylonemopsis from South India, viz., C. pulneyensis sp. nov., C. minor sp. nov. and C. Iyengarii sp. nov., are described in the paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The morphology of four isolates of Piricularia from Oryza sativa Linn., Eleusine coracana Gaertn., Setaria italica Beauv., and Digitaria marginata Link., has been studied. No appreciable difference in the morphological characters of the isolates was noticed. The physiology of the isolates was studied. A study of their growth on different media, the optimum temperature and pH range for their growth was made. The effect of different sources of carbon and nitrogen and their different ratios in the medium on the growth of the isolates was investigated. The enzymes produced by the isolates were qualitatively tested for. Cross-inoculation studies were conducted under optimum conditions for infection of the hosts. The studies reported in this paper have established the importance of attacking problems of classification of fungal parasites from three angles, namely, morphology, physiology and pathology and these aspects considered interdependenty and not independently. With the results obtained an attempt has been made to classify the isolates within the genus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The interesting forms described in this paper under the new generic name Beaniopsis were found at Onthea in the Rajmahal Hills. Most of the specimens show well preserved female cones with distant sporophylls attached alternately to the cone axis by means of slender stalks. The stalk of the sporophyll is straight and like the cone axis its surface is longitudinally wrinkled. The distal end of each stalk is spoon shaped and bears two seeds on its upper surface. The exact mode of attachment of the seeds is not quite clear and must remain unsettled till better preserved material is found. Usually the seeds are placed in such a manner that the median lines marking the principal planes of the two seeds lie in continuation with each other and in the same plane as the long axis of the sporophyll stalk. The seeds are somewhat almond shaped with the base rounded and cordate, and the micropylar end is elongated and flattened. The micropylar ends of the seeds in a pair diverge from each other at a wide angle. The genus is evidently a gymnosperm and the only groups to which a relationship can be suggested, with the present data in hand, are the Cycadales and less probably the Ginkgoales. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper deals with the chromosome numbers of 11 species and 17 varieties of Indian Cymbopogon, 5 species are only diploid, two, diploid and tetraploid and three, hexaploid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The protein content in the cells increases on cold acclimation, the increase being 21·5% in the mussel ( Lamellidens marginalis) and 31% in the earthworm ( Lampito mauritii). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present paper deals with chromosomes of Dioscorea deltoidea 2 n=20 and its induced tetraploid from 2 n=40. The position of D. deltoidea in relation to other rhizomatous species of Dioscorea of Asia and Europe and to the tuberous yams in cultivation is presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A chromatographic method of detection of griseofulvin in guttation drops of rice seedlings ( Oryza sativa L.) has been described. This technique has demonstrated that seven-day old seedlings translocate the antibiotic from the roots to the leaves in twelve hours. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fecundity estimations from sixty-five specimens of L. rohita ranging in size from 150 g to 5,000 g have been made. The relationships between total length and fecundity, total weight and fecundity, ovary weight and fecundity, total length and ovary weight and total weight and ovary weight have been worked out for the species. Statistically significant relations were found to exist between the above variables. An attempt has been made to estimate the percentage of eggs retained in the ovary of rohu during spawning. Fecundity factors and percentage ovary weights of the species were found not influenced by the size of fish. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In racial studies of fish, previous workers mostly utilised the methods like D analysis, regression analysis and analysis of covariance, which require a heavy computational work. In the present communication, an easy method has been employed for a possible separation of two populations of Gudusia chapra by means of their length-weight correlationship by the help of the test for the equality of the correlation coefficients. By this method, the Keetham reservoir Gudusia could be statistically separated from the Ganga river Gudusia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In leguminous weeds, Cassia tora L. and Crotalaria medicaginea Lamk., the ageing of the plants was accompanied by a quantitative increase in the rhizosphere fungal population which reached the maximum level at the senescent stage of the plants when the moisture content of the soil had fallen significantly. Concomitant with these phenomena was the decrease in the amino acids and sugars contained in the root exudates. Th role of root exudates, moribund root cells and the moisture content of the soil in bringing about these changes in the mycoflora are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A few terrestrial strips of the Burabalanga tidal estuary were studied both for their taxa and soil. The present study shows that there is a distinct change in the vegetational patterning and taxa composition from the stabilised estuarine shore towards the upland relief. With increasing distance from the estuarine shore line towards the upland the vegetation cover percentage decreased. Similarly the edaphic parameters show significant differences and show correlation both negative and positive in response to tidal rhythms within a broad topo-sequence. It is concluded that the cause for the sequential changes of taxa and soil correspond roughly to tidal floodings on the intertidal areas and the combined action of precipitation (climate) and local topography on the supratidal area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dendrographiella podosporioides Gen. et sp. nov. collected on dried latex of rubber, Hevea brasiliensis Muell from Kerala State is described. The fungus forms septate porospores on synnemata. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Certain peculiarities in the lateral branching of Calotropis gigantea and Calotropis procera are investigated. C. gigantea occasionally shows fusion of an inflorescence branch or branches with the internode of the main axis. The corresponding histological changes in the nodal anatomy are described. Altogether, there are four important variations from the normal branching habit and nodal anatomy in C. gigantea. In some cases the leaf trace, the vegetative branch trace and the inflorescence branch trace appear to have a common gap. In certain other cases, the leaf trace and vegetative bud trace appear to have a common gap, and the inflorescence bud trace has another gap. In another case the leaf and inflorescence bud traces show a common gap. The concept of the branch gap is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An assay of 'wilt-sick' and 'wilt-free' soils from cotton growing areas revealed the fungistatic nature of the latter soil to the wilt pathogen Fusarium vasinfectum Atk. Screening of the soils for antibiotic producers, revealed that the 'wilt-free' soil harbours far more microorganisms antagonistic to the fungus than the other, leading to enhanced 'antibiotic index' and 'antibiotic value' over the other soil. Among the microorganisms isolated from these soils, actinomycetes were the most potent antagonists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Substances exuding from rice seeds ( Oryza sativa L.) allowed to germinate under aseptic and non-aseptic conditions were examined at different stages during germination (0-120 hrs.). Several strains of indica and japonica rice, viz., Co13, Ptb1, Mtu9, Taiwan 3, TKM6, IR8 and and Adt27 were examined on this count. Leucine, glutamic acid, valine and alanine constituted more than 80% of the total amino-acids exuded out. The three pure line indicas gave out the maximum amounts of amino-acids. Considerable differences in the amino-acid and sugar contents in the exudates were noticed when the seeds were surface-sterilized with mercuric chloride (0·2%). Exudates from surface-sterilized seeds always were richer than the exudates from untreated seeds except in the initial stages. The content of amino-acid and sugar in the former increased with time upto a certain period while there was a progressive decrease in the latter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mytilus muscle gains base when immersed in solutions of cations in the order Li< Na< NH < K; Ca < Sr < Ba. The physiological activity varies not in the order of the swelling produced by ions, but the gain in base. This gain of base appears to be determined by permeability. As the exciting and inhibitory power of ions varies in the same order, it is therefore concluded that excitation or inhibition depends upon a common factor, such as the permeability of the membrane. It is suggested that the mechanism of absorption and secretion by cells depends upon its colloidal reactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]