Search

Wild legumes are widely dispersed and can survive in challenging environments as bacteria dwell in their nodules and help each other. Although Nagaland is home to many wild legume varieties, research on the microbial diversity that goes along with them is still in its infancy. This work aimed to characterize several wild legume root nodules and distinguish possible rhizobial isolates using RAPD and nif-directed RPO1 primer. Nodule bacteria were isolated in Yeast extract culture media. Based on their colony morphology, 150 isolates were selected for performing RAPD with nif-directed RPO1 primer. Eighty-four isolates were bonded with RPO1 primer, and a few biochemical tests were conducted on RPO1-positive isolates. Activities that promoted plant development were also investigated for these isolates. Of all the isolates, 18 exhibited phosphate solubilization capacity, while 38 isolates were found to produce IAA. This study entails a large variety of rhizobia in the nodules, which were able to promote growth. Hence, these isolates promise to be bio-fertilizers that could improve agricultural operations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Paris polyphylla Smith. is a perennial herb, over exploited for its medicinal value and other anthropogenic activities like traditional method of Slash and Burn' (Jhuming) farming practice has reduced much of its habitat. As such the need to describe its potential habitats arises; this is achieved with Climate Suitability Modeling. The model was developed using 12 presence points. Temperature of coldest quarter and precipitation of warmest quarter act as an important determinant in the development of the model, these climatic variables correspond with the climatic conditions in the predicted areas which is necessary for post dehiscence maturation of seeds. Ground truthing work was being carried out to ascertain the highly predicted areas and plants were also introduced in areas predicted as suitable as well as in areas predicted as not suitable to confirm the usefulness of the model. The model also corresponds with an experiment on seed germination by temperature stratification. The study gives a different approach on validation of habitat modeling in addition with the statistical significance by observing plant response introduced in areas predicted suitable and unsuitable as well as matching plant physiology and the influences of the climatic variables on it. This work introduces a new concept modeling named 'Mosaic Model' for those species which are sensitive to different climatic conditions. In this concept model a big area can be fragmented into small areas depending on different climatic conditions. Model can be prepared for each area followed by stitching of these small models into one model (Mosaic model). This model would be able to predict the distribution of a species growing in diverse environmental condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Panax pseudoginseng Wall. (Araliaceae) is a highly threatened medicinal plant. The plant population is declining rapidly owning to high exploitation for medicinal uses along with limitation within the plant itself in its reproductive behavior and seed habit. Sprouting of buds takes place from mid-February and flowers from late May till early June. Centripetal inflorescence is exhibited with continued nature of flowering. Timing of anthesis is between 6:30-7:30 AM and plants are usually self-pollinated. Seeds are dispersed by wind, gravity, small animals and birds. Plant showed positive correlation between plant height and number of leaflets. Berry production starts from 2-leaves plants onwards. Two-seeded fruit was found to be most dominant. Higher stage plants exhibits higher dormancy. Seeds of P. pseudoginseng exhibits long dormancy and demands pre-sowing stratification. Seeds stratified at both warm at 25°C for 3 months followed by cold stratification at 4°C for 4 months exhibited 68.20% germination in the seed bed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hsp90 is a major protein involved in the stabilization of various proteins in cancer cells. The present investigation focused on the molecular docking simulation studies of flavanols as inhibitors of Hsp90 at the high affinity adenosine triphosphate (ATP) binding site and analyzed absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion and toxicity (ADME-toxicity). The molecular docking analysis revealed that the flavanols showed competitive inhibition with ATP molecule at the active site and enhanced pharmacological parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bambusa nagalandiana Naithani is an indigenous bamboofound in Nagaland and Mizoram, India. The species is a sympodial bamboo and identified by its yellow culm with green stripes. Because of its beautiful architecture the species is used for ornamental purpose, construction work and furniture making. The young shoots are also used as vegetable. Due to narrow distributional range and high demand for various purposes the species is under threat in the natural habitat. Present communication reports a successful attempt to develop protocol for macropropagation from culm segments and branch cuttings of this economically important threatened bamboo species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hsp90 is a major protein involved in the stabilization of various proteins in cancer cells. The present investigation focused on the molecular docking simulation studies of flavanols as inhibitors of Hsp90 at the high affinity adenosine triphosphate (ATP) binding site and analyzed absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion and toxicity (ADME-toxicity). The molecular docking analysis revealed that the flavanols showed competitive inhibition with ATP molecule at the active site and enhanced pharmacological parameters., (© 2016 the Journal of Biomedical Research. All rights reserved.)

Seed characteristics and in vitro culture of C. tamala embryos were studied. Embryos desiccated below 50% (fresh weight) exhibited poor morphogenetic response in vitro and confirmed the recalcitrant nature of seeds. The immature embryos of various developmental ages (4-16 week after flowering, WAF) were cultured on different strengths of MS medium. Morphogenesis responses were recorded after 10 days of culture. The best culture responses were achieved from the immature embryos of 12 WAF on MS medium with sucrose (3%, w/v), polyvinyl pyrollidone (100 mg L(-1)) and benzyl adenine (12 microM). Under optimum condition -60% explants responded; and -7.3 shoots buds developed per explants after 35 days of culture initiation. The shoot buds could be converted into micro-shoots on MS medium with sucrose (3%) and kinetin (3 microM). About 5.3 micro-shoots/shoot buds sprouted per sub-culture. The micro-shoots were rooted by maintaining them on MS medium with alpha-naphthalene acetic acid (3 microM) where within 6-8 wk of culture -8-10 roots developed. The rooted plantlets were acclimatized in vitro before they were transferred to community potting mix and maintained in the poly-shade ca 75% shading. The transplants registered -70% survival after two months of transfer.

Adventitious shoot buds formation from axillary buds of nodal segments of S. flaccidifolious was achieved on MS medium containing sucrose (3%, w/v), and a-naphthalene acetic acid (NAA; 3 microM) and benzyl adenine (3 microM) in combination. The nodal segments were primed on 'Growtak Sieve' for 48 h on MS medium containing sucrose (2%), polyvinyl pyrollidone (200 mgL(-1)) as antioxidant. About 80% of primed nodal segments responded positively and formed approximately 12 adventitious shoot buds per explants from explants collected during October-November months of every year. The shoot buds converted into plantlets on MS medium containing sucrose (3%) and kinetin (3 microM) where approximately 7 micro shoots developed per subculture after 8 weeks of culture. The regenerated micro shoots induced average 14 roots/plant on medium containing NAA (3 microM). The regenerates were hardened for 6-7 weeks on medium with 1/2MS salt solution and sucrose (2%) under normal laboratory condition before transferring to potting mix. About 70% transplants survived after two months of transfer.

In vitro mass production of C. suaveolens (Lindl.) Hook, an endangered orchid with its snowy white flowers having horticultural potential was accomplished through immature seed culture, and subsequent plant regeneration. The developmental stage of the immature seeds and nutrient media significantly influenced the germination frequency. Seeds at 13 months after pollination cultured on 3% sucrose containing Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium with 9 microM alpha-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA), and 15% coconut water exhibited 93% germination after 40 days of culture. Upon subculture, the germinated shoots on MS medium with 9 microM BA, 6 microM NAA, 3% casein hydrolysate and 0.1% activated charcoal (AC) yielded >12 shoots per shoot or bud. Addition of AC favoured the enlargement of pseudobulbs and better rooting. The plantlets transferred to community potting mix after in vitro hardening (8-10 wk) displayed 85% survival.

Rapid in vitro propagation of the terrestrial orchid, M. khasiana through immature seed culture was achieved. Immature seeds of 8-9 week after pollination (WAP) cultured on MS medium (2% sucrose) supplemented with 500 mgl(-1) casein-hydrolysate and 1 microM N6-benzyladenine (BA) exhibited germination of 75% seeds after 107 days of culture and subsequently supported the development of PLBs. Subsequent culture on MS medium enriched with 6 microM of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), 18 microM each of BA and kinetin induced multiple shoots and plantlets. Transfer of PLBs to MS medium with 0.1% activated charcoal (AC) facilitated rapid proliferation of PLBs, while AC at 0.2% favored shoot bud induction and rhizome enlargement. The plantlets, developed on medium with IAA, BA and kinetin, after hardening in vitro for 8-10 weeks were planted in community pots and transferred to poly-house. The plantlets showed 65% survival under field conditions.

Protocorm like bodies (PLBs), callus and shoot buds developed in culture from in vitro raised foliar explants of Cleisostoma racimeferum. Among the different basal media, better result was obtained on MS medium containing sucrose (3%) and BA (2 microM) with approximately 80% frequency after 40 days of culture. Young leaves (15 week old) produced better PLBs. Whole leaf placed vertically upside-up orientation can regenerate PLBs and shoot buds (80%). PLBs and shoot buds formed on entire surface of the leaves. Cultures on BA and NAA (2 and 2 microM respectively in combination) stimulated callus mediated regeneration (68%). The rooted plantlets regenerated within 8-10 week from PLBs and shoot buds on MS medium containing IAA and kinetin (2 microM each in combination). BA containing medium triggered multiple shoot bud formation, while NAA alone or in combination with other growth regulators was inhibitory. Incorporation of activated charcoal (0.01%) in the medium stimulated formation of repetitive PLBs and multiple shoot buds. Rooted plants were ready for harvest after 20-22 week of initiation of culture. About 65% of the potted plants survived after 3 months in the poly house.