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Growing concern about climatic influence on plants reproductive biology leads to a recent surge. Climate affects directly floral morphology of plants on this basis current study summarizes climatic effects on floral or reproductive biology of Solanum nigrum L. Effect of summer, rainy and winter seasons were recorded on floral morphology, pollens viability & germination, pollen tube growth, fruit-set percentage during investigations which were subjected to one factorial analysis of variance (ANOVA) and least significant differences at p < 0.05. Climatic conditions affect floral morphology and produce polymorphism in specific conditions. In rainy and winter seasons, polymorphism was recorded in petals, stamens and pistil which is a first record of climatic influence on polymorphism. Rainy season reported for their maximum flowers numbers which promote a huge fruit-set percentage in open pollination as compared with self and cross pollination. This study confirms the effect of various climates on different floral parts which produce polymorphism along with growth, germination, length, etc. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) study indicated the climatic variations on microscopic observations.

Secondary metabolites have potential benefits to human being. They are used in the food, agricultural and pharmaceutical industries. The secondary metabolite of furanocoumarins from different plant sources is essential in various skin-related ailments. Biologically, these chemicals are isolated from different plants in the Apiaceae, Fabaceae, Rutaceae and Moraceae families. Ammi majus L. is one of the most common plants in the family of Apiaceae with a large quantity of derivatives. The furanocoumarin derivatives defend the plant by fighting external enemies by Systemic Acquired Resistance (SAR). Via suppressing or retarding microbial growth in infected parts, these derivatives, along with SAR, help to alleviate inflammation in the human body. Latest evidence of these compounds has been established in the treatment of cancer, but the mechanism that needs to be elaborated is not yet understood. Recent studies have shown that furanocoumarin derivatives bind to DNA base pairs and block DNA replication. This may be a potential pathway that helps to regulate the growth of cancerous cells. This article reflects on the pharmaceutical data of furanocoumarins and their different mechanisms in these cases.

Chemical analysis of hexane and ethyl acetate soluble fractions obtained from the rhizobacteria Pseudomonas jessenii strain R62 and Pseudomonas synxantha strain R81 was carried out using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and their nematicidal activity was evaluated against root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita second stage juveniles (J2). Results showed that the hexane extract of both strains, together with mixed ethyl acetate extract, were found to have better nematicidal activity than their individual ethyl acetate fractions above 100 ppm. Some of the chemical compounds of these bioactive fractions were identified using gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC–MS) analysis. A total of sixteen and six similar compounds were detected in hexane and ethyl acetate fractions, respectively from both bacteria. The major compounds, namely hexadecenoic acid and hexadecanoic acid may be responsible for the nematicidal activity.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi are important for controlling soil-borne diseases and could be important for managements of root-knot disease. Effective co-inoculation of mycorrhiza (Rhizophagus irregularis) and root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne incognita) on plant growth, physiological and biochemical changes during root-knot nematode infection into tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum cv. PT-3) plants were studied. Experiments were conducted under controlled conditions and carried up to one month after nematode inoculation. Rhizophagus irregularis treated plants significantly enhanced plant growth and reduced nematode induced parameters. They also exhibited potent activity of phenolics and defensive enzymes i.e. peroxidase (PO), polyphenyloxidase (PPO) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) while a significant reduction was recorded in malondialdehyde (MDA) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) content. Both physiological and biochemical parameters were significantly improved in response to Rhizophagus irregularis. These finding indicates the importance of Rhizophagus irregularis as a potential biocontrol tool for the management of root-knot disease.

Arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM), plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPRs) and root-knot nematode survive in the rhizosphere and perform the same niche. AM and PGPRs play positive role in roots while nematode oppose it. Nematode damages the root system, which reduces the nutrient uptake specially phosphorus (P) while AM help to uptake. PGPRs are another symbiotic micro-organism helpful to mycorrhizal survival and colonization. AM and PGPRs can defeat the soil borne diseases like root-knot disease which lead to increasing mycorrhizal colonization and nutrient uptake. On this basis current work emphasizes the effects on mycorrhizal colonization and P uptake in presence of PGPRs along with root-knot nematode infection in tomato plants.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) have potential to control soil-borne diseases including plant-parasitic nematodes. First, the effects of dual inoculation of mycorrhiza (Rhizophagus irregularis) and two stains of pseudomonads (Pseudomonas jessenii strain R62 and Pseudomonas synxantha strain R81) on tomato (Solanum lycopersicum cv. PT-3) growth were tested. Further, the physiological and biochemical changes caused by these beneficial organisms during infection by the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita were studied. The experiment was conducted under glass house conditions and carried out up to one month after nematode inoculation. Plants treated with dual or individual inoculation of AMF and PGPR showed significantly enhanced plant growth and reduced nematode infection. In addition, they exhibited potent activity of phenolics (28 %) and defensive enzymes i.e. peroxidase (PO; 1.26 fold), polyphenyloxidase (PPO; 1.35 fold) and superoxide dismutase (SOD; 1.09 fold) while a significant reduction in malondialdehyde (MDA; 1.63 fold) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2; 1.30 fold) content was recorded when compared to the nematode-infected plants. These findings indicate the feasibility of AMF and PGPR individually or in combinations as potential biocontrol agents for the management of root-knot nematodes.

In present study, a total of 104 bacteria and 96 actinomycetes were isolated from rhizosphere plant root of finger millet (E leusine coracana ) from Almora district of Uttarakhand, India. Isolates were characterized using microscopic and morphological methods followed by their biochemical test. Based on functional tests, four most promising isolates were identified using 23S rDNA primers as Streptomyces labedae (SB-9), Streptomyces flavofuscus (SA-11), and 16S rDNA primers as Pseudomonas poae (KA-5), and Pseudomonas fluorescens (KB-7). Influence of Glomus intraradices (G.I.) singly and along with actinomycetes and Pseudomonas spp. were evaluated under irrigated and water deficit conditions. Out of eight treatments studied in this study, a higher significant increase in plant height with S. labedae SB-9 + G.I and P. poae KA-5 + G.I were recorded. In well watered and water deficient conditions, maximum shoot dry matter content was recorded in P. Poae + P. flurosence + G.I and S. labedae + S. flavofuscus + G.I inoculated plants in comparison to their respective control. Under in vitro condition, P. poae KA-5 produced higher amount of indole acetic acid (IAA) among the selected isolates. Anti-oxidant enzyme, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and accumulation of free proline content in leaves were maximum in P. Poae + G.I inoculated plants under water deficit condition. In the presence of Streptomyces and Pseudomonas spp. a better mycorrhizal infection was observed in treated plant roots. This investigation support mutual symbiosis of Streptomyces and Pseudomonas strains with G. intraracides which had synergic effect on finger millet cv. Korchara plant under irrigated as well as under water stress condition. Keywords: Glomus intraradices , Streptomyces , Pseudomonas , anti oxidants, plant growth promotion, IAA production

Root-knot disease poses a worldwide problem to agriculture; hence, several environmentally hazardous chemical nematicides are being used to control it. Rhizobacteria could be one of the important biocontrol agents which can replace these chemicals. This study focused on the effect of bacterial cell-free culture filtrate against Root-knot nematodes. Experiment was conducted to observe the effect of different dilutions of cell-free culture filtrate on Meloidogyne incognita under laboratory and in greenhouse conditions. In laboratory, toxicity effect of filtrate was recorded on second stage juveniles (J2), 100% mortality was recorded in all treatment above the 75% concentration. In greenhouse, all the growth and nematode induced parameters were significantly differed after culture filtrate treatment to the tomato plants. The finding indicates the capability of fluorescent Pseudomonad's culture filtrate as a powerful biocontrol tool for the management of Root-knot nematodes.

Lycopersicon esculentum is a widely grown vegetable crops throughout the world and it is highly affected by root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne spp.); globally more than 27% yield losses in tomato is due to their infections. As the inoculums level increases, the absorption, translocation and photosynthesis rate decreases in the host plants; it means damage caused by nematodes is directly proportional to the number of second-stage juveniles (J2) which are penetrating and establishing in the host roots. In this aspect, the present study focused on the effect of different inoculums on the tomato plants. The study reports that with increased intensity of root-knot nematode infection, the plant growth and biomass were highly reduced. Key words: Tomato, root-knot nematode, inoculum, growth, infection.

Root-knot disease caused by Meloidogyne spp. poses a worldwide threat to agriculture as well as environment due to excess use of chemical nematicides for its management. Recently, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) have achieved importance as biocontrol agent for the managements of root-knot disease. In this aspect, the present study was focused on the effect of AMF (Glomus intraradices) against root-knot disease of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) caused by Meloidogyne incognita. Observations of G. intraradices against M. incognita were taken at 10, 20 and 30 days after M. incognita second stage juveniles (J2) inoculation on tomato roots, which were pre-colonized by G. intraradices. A significant effect was observed on plant growth (length and biomass) and nematode induced (root galls, egg masses, egg and adult females) parameters in nematode inoculated G. intraradices colonized plants as compared to non-colonized plants at all the three harvesting periods. The finding of present study indicates the potential of G. intraradices as a potential biocontrol tool for the management of root-knot disease and can be used in the place of environmentally hazardous chemical nematicides. Key words: Arbuscular mycorrhiza, root-knot disease, nematicides, biocontrol, management.

Fruit is a ripened ovary it may either fleshy or nut and divided into cultivated as well as wild categories Wild fruits are worldwide distributed and mostly found in the part of earth where anthropogenic activities are no or negligible The use of Himalayan plant species for food and medicine has been known for a long time Uttarakhand is one of these places which is suitable for wild edible fruiting plants because of their difficult geography and climatic conditions and awesome taste of fruits which are attracted by their people as a rich source of their nutrition Wild edible plants are very important for the well being of rural populations in the region not only as sources of supplemental food nutritionally balanced diets medicines fodder and fuel but also for their income generating potential Large numbers of wild fruits along with their edible values also used in medicine and many other wild fruits viz Rubus ellipticus Fragaria times ananassa Prunus persica Myrica esculentaetc have high nutritive quality and used by the local peoples for the different edible products Such wild plants might be explore for their nutritional and medicinal properties and need to conserve for biodiversity maintenance

The basic function of soil microorganisms is the decomposition and transformation of organic materials, which are derived from the plant residues. Thus, soil microbial communities play a critical role in ecosystem processes. Soil microbial activities, populations and communities are governed by environmental variables and agricultural system. The conventional agriculture has an important role in improving food productivity. The earthworms have been modifying soil characteristics for millennia wherever they are found world-wide, it has only been recently that soil scientists described vermic horizons and even vermisols, where earthworm influence on soils reaches dramatic proportions. The earthworm body, both internally and externally, is the site of metabolic processes, at this level, microbial activity is enhanced. The increase of soil porosity in organic system indicated the decrease in soil bulk density which promotes the soil microbial activity.

Results of experiments conducted in T-maze to probe the functional role of conspecific odours indicated that whereas the male Indian gerbil,Tatera indica indica invariably prefers odours (from their body, that of the sebum exudation of scent marking gland, urine and faecal matter) of strange males, the females with and devoid of the scent marking gland show slight preference for male odours. However, all the categories ofTatera indica placed their preference for their own odours at the lowest. This behaviour suggests that the role of scent marking to label the habitat for its own use or to signal ‘home’ to the marking animal may not be the sole function of scent marking in this species. It is quite possible that in the desert grassland, scent marking is being used for maintaining a minimum distance between two animals or pairs, as exhibited by the diversity in the occurrence of the scent gland in the field (pair-tolerant) and urban (gregarious social organisation) populations ofTatera indica. This type of spatial distribution, maintained by scent marking behaviour, may be important to withstand the low carrying capacity of the aridland which suffers from almost a perpetual paucity of food.

Four species of Indian desert rodents, viz. Tatera indica, Meriones hurrianae, Rattus meltada and Golunda ellioti have been found to have basal metabolic rates (BMR) lower than the values expected from the metabolic rate-body weight relationship for mammals. The low BMR in these species is evidently not due to any large accumulation of body fats, but is probably related to niche utilization. Of the four species examined, only T. indica and M. hurrianae have any appreciable body fat, presumably for use during summer when scarcity of both food and water prevail.

The anticoagulant chlorophacinone was evaluated in the laboratory for the control of the gerbils Tatera indica Hardwicke and Meriones hurrianae (Jerdon), which are major pests of agricultural crops, grassland and reforestation projects in the arid zone of India. Millet and sorghum grain treated with chlorophacinone was offered in no‐choice feeding tests. The results showed that 100% mortality occurred after seven and five days with 0.0075% chlorophacinone and after three and four days with 0.01% chlorophacinone in T. indica and M. hurrianae respectively. The anticoagulant‐treated bait was significantly less palatable than untreated bait, except bait containing 0.0075% chlorophacinone to T. indica. It is concluded that 0.0075% chlorophacinone can be effectively used to control the gerbils, especially bait‐shy populations previously exposed to zinc phosphide bait. Chlorophacinone appears to give more effective control than warfarin and fumarin, and slightly less effective control than brodifacoum.

The two gerbils,Tatera indica andMeriones hurrianae, and the metad,Rattus meltada pallidior exhibit significant monthly variations in the dimension (maximum length X maximum breadth) of the ventral scent marking gland. Peaks in gland size occur late in winter and monsoon which generally correspond to the maximum breeding activity of these rodents during the year. However, the monthly averages of gland area and incidence of pregnancy in the three species do not follow the same trend. It is difficult, therefore, to conclude if the scent-marking behaviour and the breeding performance of the rodents are inter-related.

Investigations to study the association between hormones and scent marking behaviour in the Indian gerbil. Tatera indica indica Hardwicke, 1807 revealed that castration reduces the frequency of scent as well as urine marking significantly within two weeks. The response of castrated animals to testosterone propionate therapy was gradual and the peak scent marking activity was attained after 8 weeks of administering the injection on a weekly interval.

Brodifacoum, chlorophacinone and coumatetralyl treated pearl millet (Pennisetum typhoides) grains were tested in a desert scrub grassland to evaluate the comparative field efficacy of these three anticoagulant rodenticides. Baits were placed for 10 consecutive days in bait stations in 18 plots of one hectare each in a randomized block design. Per cent reduction in rodent population was calculated by pre and post-treatment active burrow counts, census baiting and live trapping. Results revealed that brodifacoum is significantly more effective than other two anticoagulants. However, analysis of variance revealed significant difference in the estimation of per cent reduction in the rodent population calculated by three methods, the possible reasons for which are also discussed.

In a choice test, the Indian gerbils,T. indica preferred urine-mixed food over ordinary millet indicating a phago-stimulant nature of conspecific urine. The experiments also revealed that addition of conspecific urine mitigates the poison aversion and bait shyness behaviour significantly, as a result of which zinc phosphide poisoning can be attempted a second time in a sequence, thus enhancing the control success.T. indica showed a clear preference for urine of the same sex which suggests that the active attractant in the urine has no sex attraction.

Warfarin was evaluated in laboratory against Indian gerbil,Tatera indica and desert gerbil,Meriones hurrianae. Chronic LD50 for the two species was found to be 4 × 19·1 and 4 × l5·9mg/kg respectively. Feeding for 14 days on 0·025% warfarin treated bait provided complete kill in the gerbils but the poisoned bait was less palatable than the plain bait. A period of 18 and 19 days feeding on 0·025% waifarin bait was found suitable to detect resistance to warfarin amongT. indica andM. hurrianae respectively.

Kumari S. & Prakash I., 1983: The mid-ventral gland of the Indian gerbil, Tatera indica and soft-furred field rat, Rattus meltada. Acta theriol., 28, 28: 425—438 [With 3 Tables, 2 Figs. & Plates XIV—XV] The ventral scent marking gland occurs in about 91 and 72 per cent male Tatera indica and Rattus meltada respectively. It is absent in the females of the latter species but is present in about 5.8 per cent female T. indica residing in urban areas and 10.3 per cent female residing in desert grasslands. The gland size is positively and significantly correlated with body weight. The growth of the gland is a continuous process throughout the life of the rodents. No relationship has been found between the gland size and the home range of the rodents. The sebaceous alveoli in the gland of both the species are of typical holocrine type and the epidermal stratified epithelium in T. indica is smooth whereas in R. m. pallidior it is papillaeform. [Coordinating & Monitoring Centre for Rodent Research and Training, Central Arid Zone Research Institute, Jodhpur-342 003, India]

Behavioural responses of the Indian gerbil,Tatera indica, to conspecific sebum odour of the male ventral marking scent gland were studied in a glass cage and a plus maze. Male and female gerbils were attracted towards the strange male sebum odour though its magnitude was low in females possessing the ventral marking gland, still lower in the females in which the marking gland was absent. The diversity in preferential behaviour of femaleTatera indica is discussed in relation to the role of ventral marking behaviour in chemical communication among rodents. Correlating the results of the experiments with our field observations, it appears that the function of scent marking inT. indica is more of a ‘familiarisation’ nature to label the habitat for its own use in orientation or to signal ‘home’ to the marking animal.

Dokonano porownania wymiarow ciala i czaszki dwu populacji Tatera indica indica Hardwicke, 1807. Zwierzeta pochodzily z miasta Bikaner oraz z naturalnego środowiska, z pustyni Rajasthan. Nie stwierdzono roznic istotnych statystycznie w wymiarach ciala miedzy obu populacjami (Tabela 1), ale wiele wymiarow czaszki zwierząt z populacji pustynnej bylo wiekszych niz u lowionych w Bikaner (Tabela 2). Oceniono rowniez dymorfizm plciowy w obu populacjach (Tabela 3). Wymiary ciala populacji z pustyni Rajasthan porownano z danymi dla tego gatunku z rejonow Sind i Uttar Pradesh (Tabela 4).

I. The Desert as a Habitat.- Distribution.- Soils.- Climate.- Vegetation.- References.- II. The Ecology of Rodents in the northern Sudan.- Desert Species.- Jebel Species.- Riverine Species.- Commensal Species.- Reproduction.- Other Adaptations for Life in the Desert.- Discussion.- Acknowledgements.- References.- III. The Rodents of the Iranian Deserts.- The Rodents: northern and southern Types.- Annual Rhythm.- Population Densities.- Some Peculiarities.- References.- IV. Comparative Ecological Notes on Afghan Rodents.- Results.- Discussion.- Summary.- References.- V. The Population Ecology of the Rodents of the Rajasthan Desert, India.- Population Structure.- Ranges of Movements.- Food.- Predator-Prey Relationship.- Breeding Season and Litter Size.- References.- VI. Outbreaks of Rodents in Semi-Arid and Arid Australia: Causes, Preventions, and Evolutionary Considerations.- Climates in Central Australia.- The Study-Area: Habitats and Rodents.- Populations.- Conclusions and Discussion.- Acknowledgements.- References.- VII Observations of Argentine Desert Rodent Ecology, with Emphasis on Water Relations of Eligmodontia typus.- The Argentine Monte and some of its Rodents.- Methods and Materials.- Results and Discussion.- Acknowledgements.- References.- VIII. La diversite des Gerbillides.- IX. Some Observations on Ecological Adaptations of Desert Rodents and Suggestions for further Research work.- The Desert Environment.- Ecological Adaptations.- Need for further Research.- References.- X. The Behavior Patterns of Desert Rodents.- The Evolution of Desert Adaptations.- A Comparison of Behavior Patterns.- A Comparison of Behavior Patterns in : Meriones, Gerbillus and Perognathus.- Spacing and Communication.- Acknowledgements.- References.- XI Activity Patterns of a Desert Rodent.- Methods.- The Microdosimeter and the Index of Activity.- Variation in Activity.- Climatological Variables and Animal Activity.- Analysis.- Discussion.- Summary.- References.- XII. Patterns of Food, Space and Diversity.- Resource Allocation by Seed Selection.- Habitat Selection in Space.- The Pattern of Local Species Diversity.- Acknowledgements.- References.- XIII. Desert Coloration in Rodents.- Desert Coloration.- Acknowledgements.- References.- XIV. The Biology of some Desert-Dwelling Ground Squirrels.- Reproduction.- Food Habits.- Population Characteristics.- Habitat Factors.- References.- XV. Reproductive Biology of North American Desert Rodents.- Reproductive Biology: Species Summaries.- References.- XVI. Rodent Faunas and Environmental Changes in the Pleistocene of Israel.- The Main Biogeographical Changes in the Near-East since the Miocene.- The Composition of the Rodents Faunas in the Pleistocene of Israel.- The Main Ecological Changes in the Quarternary of Israel.- Analysis of the Main Habitats Occupied by the Pleistocene Rodents of Israel.- Note on the Origin of the Israeli Desert Rodents.- References.- XVII. Prehistoric Rodents of the Middle East.- Prehistoric Rodents.- Discussion.- Acknowledgements.- References.- Addenda.- XVIII. Desert Rodents : Physiological Problems of Desert Life.- Problems of Temperature Regulation.- Water Balance, Intake and Loss.- References.- XIX. Ecophysiology of Water and Energy in Desert Marsupials and Rodents.- Methods.- Ecophysiology of Water and Energy.- Discussion.- References.- XX. Thermo-Regulation and Water Economy in Indian Desert Rodents.- Methods.- Thermo-Regulation.- Water Economy.- Conclusion.- References.- XXI. The Physiological Adaptations of Desert Rodents.- Water Conservation in Desert Rodents.- Structure and Concentrating Mechanisms in the Desert Rodent Kidney.- Tolerance to Heat and Thermo-Regulation of Desert Rodents.- Reproduction in Desert Rodents.- References.- XXII. Nematode Parasites of the Indian Desert Rodents.- Material and Methods.- Nematode Parasites of the Indian Desert Rodents.- Discussion.- References.- XXIII. Ecology of the Desert Rodents of the U.S.S.R. (Jerboas and Gerbils).- Jerboas.- Gerbils.- References.- Author Index.- Genus and Species Index.

SUMMARY Two rodents, Tatera indica indica Hardwicke and Meriones hurrianae Jerdon, developed aversion to zinc phosphide after one day's exposure to a sublethal dose. The poison shyness persisted for at least 115 and 35 days, respectively.