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The study presents the impact of canopy gaps on the diversity and distribution of bryophytes in a sub-temperate Himalayan forest through direct measurements of bryophyte species in plots. We recorded a total of 26 taxa of bryophytes in the present study. Bryophyte communities show a marked difference in terms of species associations in the gap and non-gap areas. While the number of species of bryophytes was more or less similar in the gap and non-gap areas, their composition varied greatly. Plagiomnium was represented by three congeneric species in the gap area and one species in the non-gap area. Fissidens was represented by three congeneric species in the non-gap area and one in the gap area. Based on importance value index (IVI), Plagiomnium cuspidatum (IVI = 65.13) and Fissidens geppii (IVI = 58.09) were dominant in the study area. Plagiomnium integrum and Fissidens sp. were frequently found growing near the wet rocks and streams, and Brachythecium buchananii formed the dominant cover on soil and rock surfaces. A high value of Margalef’s index (3.435) indicates the high species richness of bryophytes in the study area. Pielou’s Evenness index value (0.937) indicates the homogenous distribution of species. The study discusses the possible changes in the diversity of bryophytes in light of both natural and anthropogenic influenced habitat fragmentation in the Himalaya and explores the modelling of a relationship between bryophyte species-richness and environmental variables.

The temperate Asteraceae genus Saussurea displays much morphological variation. Recent and previous taxonomic revisions have led to redefinition and later lumping of several additional genera. This study made use of morphological and molecular data to answer questions related to smaller split genera from Saussurea. The result indicates that the genus Lipschitziella, split from Saussurea, is monophyletic after the inclusion of Himalaiella. Another closely allied genus Dolomiaea is also recovered monophyletic after the inclusion of Saussurea costus and Frolovia frolowii. Nine possible new combinations are established.

We studied in situ pollen germination in natural populations of Viola canescens Wall., V. biflora L. and V. patrinii Ging., where a part of pollen grains shows a precocious germination while in the anther. In situ germinated pollen tube showed some abnormality in structure that may be due to non-availability of microenvironment. Rest of pollens exhibits the normal dispersal after anther dehiscence and germination on compatible stigma. This phenomenon may contribute to the reproductive efficiency.

Secondary metabolite composition of the bioactive extract fractions of Parmelia reticulata was analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry followed by isolation of metabolites by chromatographic techniques using a polarity gradient. Compounds obtained were characterized using spectroscopy techniques. Structure elucidation of obtained metabolites is discussed (Pr XIIb, Pr XIIIb and Pr XIVb), and 2D NMR (HMBC and HSBC) spectral data of Pr XIV are reported for the very first time.

Pollen grains vary widely in pollen shape, size, aperture type and exine sculpture among the taxa and within the taxon, which make them taxonomically important. They also contain several proteins, lipids and vitamins which are essential for the growth and developments of developing bee larvae. Quantification of these chemical constituents is important for the dietary purposes of honey bees. The present study deals with the morphology and chemical constituents of hand-collected pollen from four bee forage plants viz. Prunus cerasoides D.Don, Prunus persica (L.) Batsch, Pyrus pashia Buch.-Ham. ex D.Don and Rosa brunonii Lindl. from Garhwal Himalaya, Uttarakhand. The family represents a homogenous group with a tricolporate pollen aperture type in all the studied taxa. Pollen shape varied from sub-prolate to prolate-spheroidal with a smaller pollen size observed in Pyrus pashia (26.53±0.30 µm polar view and 24.20±1.04 µm equatorial view) and a larger one in Prunus persica (38.39±3.06 µm polar view and 36.41±1.34 µm equatorial view). Exine sculpture was psilate to striato-reticulate. Maximum crude protein (68.33±0.14 mg/g) and starch content (32.98±0.67 mg/g) were recorded in pollen of Prunus cerasoides and maximum free amino acid (13.78±0.71 mg/g) in Pyrus pashia. All chemical constituents were found to be significant except the amino acids which were non-significant at the 0.05* level. Results showed that pollen grains of these Rosaceous members contained high amount of crude protein and phenolic content as a bee food source for brood, which makes this family economically important.

Crepidium acuminatum (Orchidaceae) is a threatened medicinal orchid that grows under shady and moist forest floor where light remains for a very short period of time. Mycorrhizal association is known to be essential for seed germination and seedling establishment in amajority of orchids. Identification of fungi that form mycorrhizae with orchids is of crucial importance for orchid conservation. We used both morphological as well as molecular approaches to study this plant-fungal interaction. Scanning electron microscopy showed that fungi grow and proliferate in the middle layers of the cortex. Also, spiral-root hairs were foundalong with root hairs, which is an unusual observation. Spiral-root hairs provide more surface area for fluid absorption and entrance of colonizers. Further, total root genomic DNA was isolated and fungal internal-transcribed spacer (ITS) regions were polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-amplified using specific primer combinations ITS1F/ITS4 and ITS1/ITS4tul. ITS sequences were obtainedand analysed to know the closest sequence matche in the GenBank using BLASTn hosted by NLM-NCBI. Subject sequences were identified to be belonging to three main genera, namely, Tulasnella, Aspergillus and Penicillium. Results indicate that mycorrhizal association is necessary for the growth and development of the plant. In addition, this symbiosis influences the distribution and rarity of this medicinally valuable taxon. Specific fungal partners may lead to an enhanced seed germination rate and increased efficiency of nutrient exchange between both the partners. Hence, knowledge of mycorrhizal fungi is essential for future in vitro germination and seedling establishment programmes, because they rely on fungi for germination. Identification of mycorrhizal fungi can be usedfor orchid propagation and conservation programmes.

Lunularia cruciata (L.) Dumort. ex Lindb., the only species of the monotypic liverwort family Lunulariaceae (Lunulariales), is reported for the first time for the bryoflora of Kashmir Himalaya. It is easily recognizable by crescent-shaped gemma cups on the surface of the thalli.

Pollen germination and pollen tube growth are prerequisites for fertilization in seed bearing plants. The present study deals with the morphology, production, pollen-ovule ratio, and effect of sucrose on in-vitro germination of pollen grains of Gloriosa superba L., family Colchicaceae. The G. superba L. pollen were radially symmetrical, prolate shape, 2-3 zonicolpate with striate surface. A single anther produced an average of 350,000 pollen grains. Pollen-ovule ratio was 58333.33/1. The maximum pollen germination (98.86%±0.641) along with 676.2µm pollen tube growth was observed in 5% sucrose solution, while in 20% sucrose concentration the germination percent decreased by 90% and the pollen grains’ cytoplasm also shrinked. The pollen viability was found 96.22% and 91.79% in IKI and acetocarmine stain respectively. The study is useful in determining the pollen production and potential pollination capacity of Gloriosa superba L., as it is found that the species is xenogamous (self-compatible). The findings will be useful in assessing the pollen vigour by monitoring the rate of germination over a period of time on the length of pollen tubes.

Pollution of the biosphere with heavy metals has phenomenally increased since the commencement of industrial revolution. It poses several environment and health concerns. High regeneration and metal accumulation capacity the possibility of genetic transformation by homologous recombination extend the candidature of bryophytes as promising experimental models for heavy metal stress tolerance studies. Plants use several abiotic stress pathways which share common elements that are potential “nodes” for cross talks. Common elements/ molecules, which are likely to occur early in several stress response cascades in bryophytes seem to be the potential targets for heavy metal tolerance studies that can be worked out in future, at biochemical, protein and gene level.

Bryophytes constitute an important proportion of the vegetation in the Western Ghats. Recent developmental activities cause an increase in the metal contaminants in the environment which ultimately accumulate in the plant system. Mosses have been used as indicator to monitor level of environmental pollution. In the present study, eighteen moss species and their soil substrata were analyzed to evaluate the accumulation capacity of heavy metals in mosses of different sites of Idukki District of Kerala. Statistically metal concentrations showed significant differences (p=5%) in interspecies, while the accumulation capacity of Campylopodium khasianum was higher than others. The substratum showed highest content of Cr followed by Ni and Pb in all the five selected sampling sites. All the mosses showed high accumulation of Cr (III) as compared to other metals (Cd, Cu, Pb, Ni) irrespective of their sampling sites. Among 18 mosses, Campylopodium khasianum was found to accumulate highest content of Cr, Cd, Ni and Pb, indicating that this moss can be used to reclaim soil contaminated with these metals.

The name Lipschitziella ceratocarpa is lectotypified along with its heterotypic synonym Saussurea stemmaphora. It is an endemic species in the Indian Himalayan region.

Crepedium acuminatum is extensively used in the Indian traditional system of medicine and being over-harvested from natural habitats which have caused great damage to its population and species diversity. Despite its high medicinal importance, not much information is available on its genetic and conservation studies. The present study focuses on assessing the genetic diversity and population structure of C. acuminatum from the Middle and Lower Himalayas. Start Codon Targeted Polymorphism (SCoT) and Inter Simple Sequence Repeats (ISSR) markers were used to assess the diversity within- and among all the populations. Thirteen SCoT primers amplified 73 fragments with 97.26 % polymorphism, whereas, 10 ISSR primers amplified 45 fragments with 91.83 % polymorphism. Analysis of Molecular Variance (AMOVA) revealed higher intra-population (SCoT + ISSR = 61 %) than inter-population diversity (SCoT + ISSR = 39 %). Maximum diversity was observed using SCoT and ISSR markers in the populations from Uttarakhand (Tehri and Gothura respectively) and the least diversity was recorded in populations from Himachal Pradesh (Solan and Kasauli respectively). Grouping patterns obtained by STRUCTURE analysis separated populations collected from North and Northeast India into different groups. Genetic diversity and population structure were found to be directly correlated to the altitudinal range and anthropogenic activities. The results showed usefulness of dominant markers in genetic diversity assessment and conservation of C. acuminatum.

Systematic documentation of mosses is required for restoration and conservation programmes, because they constitute an important component of biodiversity. The present study is an attempt to inventory mosses of a few sites of the twin districts of Rajouri and Poonch. A total of 21 mosses belonging to 7 orders, 11 families and 16 genera are reported with the family Pottiaceae being the most speciose. In addition, most of the taxa are epilithic.

Polypleurum stylosum var. laciniata of the family Podostemaceae, is an endemic aquatic angiosperm, which grows on rocks in fast flowing rivers and streams in Kerala (India). The plant body is thalloid and it lacks the conventional differentiation into root and shoot and is attached to the rocks with the help of rhizoids. Vegetative growth occurs in submerged conditions and lowering of water table triggers flowering. Flower buds appear along the thallus margin enclosed by a spathella and sustained by two or three pairs of bracts. The ovary lacks a distinct style and the stigma is characteristically bifid. There are two stamens with their filaments fused, which keep on elongating and mingle with the stigma at maturity. High pollen–ovule and ovule–seed ratio indicate the high probability of plant establishment. Nearly 205 minute seeds are produced in a fruit. The embryo lacks plumule and radicle. In tissue culture, the seeds germinate and produce a green radical which sticks to the hard substratum by means of the epidermal outgrowths. The main thalloid plant body originates from the hypocotyl region as a bulge and grows into a prostrate branched thallus.

Mosses are one of the dominant plant communities at higher elevations in the Himalaya and play an important role in the ecosystem dynamics. The authors assessed the diversity of mosses in the Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary (KWLS) of Garhwal Himalaya, India. A total of 113 species of mosses belonging to 65 genera are recorded along with their habitat preference, life strategies, growth forms and pattern of distribution at an altitudinal gradient in KWLS. Seven species of mosses viz., Dicranum orthophylloides Dix., Prionidium setschwanicum (Broth.) Hilp., Funaria microstoma Bruch ex Schimp., Plagiomnium drummondii (Bruch & Schimp.) T. Kop., Aerobryopsis wallichii (Brid.) Fleisch., Barbella turgida Nog. and Thuidium talongense Besch. are recorded for the first time from India. Twelve species of mosses are found new to western Himalaya, which were earlier reported to be endemic to eastern Himalayan region. Fifty two species are new records for Garhwal Himalayan region. Bryaceae (22 spp.) and Bryum (9 spp.) are found to be widely distributed taxa followed by Meteoriaceae (8 genera), Pottiaceae (8 genera) and Dicranaceae (6 genera).

We investigated the floral biology, mechanism of pollination and breeding system of Willisia arekaliana (Podostemaceae), an endemic, fresh water aquatic angiosperm, restricted to the state of Kerala, India. The reproductive phase exists between late October and early January. Flowering starts under submerged condition and the flowers become conspicuous only when the water level recedes. Each flower is represented by a pistil with bi-lobed stigma and a pair of bithecous anthers and enclosed by the spathella. Pollination occurs at the air–water interface soon after the flower is partly exposed to air by a small apical opening in the spathella. Concurrence of stigma receptivity with anther dehiscence and apposition of the two organs facilitate autopollination. There is profuse pollen (∼3900) and ovule (∼170) production, and low pollen:ovule ratio (24) complies with the occurrence of obligate autogamy. As there is very short span of time available for pollination and also that the dehisced anthers may not retain pollen for sufficient time in fast flowing streams, autopollination appears to ensure sexual reproduction and high natural fecundity (seed set) in the species.

Taxus baccata L. is a rare and endangered species in India. It is a medium-sized (10–20 m tall) evergreen tree. It produces the anti-cancer drug Taxol (paclitaxel). Taxol is also used for treating bronchitis, asthma, epilepsy, snake bites, scorpion stings, internal injuries, lung diseases, and diabetes. The main reasons for the decline of Himalayan yew are deforestation, browsing by herbivores, and commercialization of plants for extracting the drug. We concentrated our study in Pangi Valley (Chamba district, Himachal Pradesh). We worked with the local community to develop a strategy for conservation and sustainable use of Taxus baccata. We collected twigs of Taxus from the forest of Tandah (alt. 3900 m) of Pangi Valley, Chamba district. We rooted the twigs without any chemical treatments with the assistance of the local inhabitants near Purthi Village. We proved Taxus baccata could be propagated and grown in a nursery in Pangi Valley. Taxus cultivation can create income for local communities. W...

Podostemaceae is the largest family of fresh water aquatic angiosperms, which exhibits many unusual morphological and reproductive features. In India, the family is represented by 11 genera and 28 species, of which ~82 % are endemic. So far, the infrageneric relationships of the Indian taxa have remained unresolved. We carried out a phylogenetic study of the Indian Podostemaceae using ITS sequence data and morphological characters. New data for the Indian species was generated and pooled with the previous ones, representing major groups of the Podostemaceae, to assess the placement and establish interrelationships of the Indian genera. The Indian Podostemaceae comprises two subfamilies: Podostemoideae and Tristichoideae. The phylogenetic analysis reveals that the Indian Podostemoideae is subdivided into two subclades; one represented by Willisia and Podostemum and the other by Zeylanidium, Hydrobryopsis, Griffithella and Polypleurum. The study suggests that the Indian species of Podostemum and Hydrobryopsis should not be merged with Zeylanidium as suggested earlier. In Tristichoideae, Indian species of Dalzellia and Indotristicha form a clade, which is sister to Tristicha. However, the analyses indicate that within the Indotristicha–Dalzellia clade, I. tirunelveliana is a sister species, with a high support to Dalzellia instead of its congener I. ramosissima. Based on morphological and molecular data, we propose the removal of I. tirunelveliana from the genus Indotristicha. Present study also provides insight into the evolution of some morphological characters in Podostemaceae.

Developmental pattern of spore germination, gametophyte growth, differentiation, sex ontogeny and development of sporophytes of Cheilanthes farinosa were studied in in-vitro conditions. The spore germination and prothallial development are found to be of Vittaria type and Ceratopteris type, respectively. The species seems be a good colonizer in nature. A considerable numbers of sporophytes were produced through intra- and intergametophytic selfing in culture. Sporophyte production efficiency was observed to be 8% in isolate population and 12% in composite gametophyte population. Genetic barriers and over-exploitation for ornamental purposes causes the reduction in the population size. Protection of this taxon in the natural habitat is urgently required as it grows well in barren and disturbed habitats and help in the establishment of colonies of other plants.

Present study deals with the gametophyte development and reproductive biology of Polystichum lentum. Spore germination pattern is found to be of Vittaria-type and prothallial development is of Aspidium-type. Eight percent sporophytes were produced through intragametophytic selfing and 18 % through intergametophytic selfing. The result indicates that this species may be a good colonizer as considerable number of sporophytes were produced through selfing but in contrast very few plants were developed in the area of its occurrence. This may be due to unfavourable conditions for gametophytic development, mating and subsequent development of the species as well as occurrence of high genetic load hindering the formation of sporophytes.

The absence of double fertilization and lack of endosperm formation are key embryological features of Podostemaceae, which is unique among the angiosperms. Double fertilization fails in spite of the fact that two male gametes are carried in the pollen tube and the incipient embryo sac is equipped with an egg cell and a central cell. Little is known about the proximate causes of the failure of double fertilization. The female gametophyte of Zeylanidium lichenoides, (subfamily — Podostemoideae) has a monosporic mode of development resulting in an initial four-celled/four-nucleate condition. However, the central cell degenerates before the arrival of the pollen tube in the vicinity of micropyle, thus the mature and functional female gametophyte of Z. lichenoides is ontogenically a three-celled/three-nucleate structure. It is inferred that the formation of a highly reduced female gametophyte, presumably is a result of degeneration of the central cell.

Microsorum alternifoliumis a threatened fern of the family Polypodiaceae. Present paper deals with the events of spore germination, gametophyte growth and differentiation, ontogeny of sex organs and development of sporophytes inin vitroconditions. Spore germination and prothallial development is ofVittaria-type andDrynaria-type, respectively. Frequency of sporophyte production was 44% in composite gametophyte populations, while no sporophytes were produced in isolate population. SinceM. alternifoliumwas found to have no capacity to form sporophyte through intra-gametophytic selfing, it is not a pioneer colonizer in barren land. Instead, it reproduces by inter-gametophytic selfing and also possibly by crossing. The main cause of rarity could be genetic barriers and over exploitation for economic purposes. Conservation of this taxon in the natural habitat is urgently required.

Asplenium nidus L. commonly called as Bird’s Nest Fern, is a threatened, ornamental fern, which is widely used as novel foliage ornamental plant and local people use it in worship. The taxon is threatened due to over exploitation, habitat destruction and genetic barriers. To understand the constraints in the regeneration, reproductive biology studies are made. It is observed that more sporophytes are produced in composite population (13.3%) in comparison to isolate population (10%). This pattern is suggestive of the fact that the parental sporophyte is heterozygous for recessive sporophytic lethal. On the basis of the results obtained A. nidus was initially adapted for outbreeding with the capacity for considerable amount of inbreeding. The low potential of sporophyte production in isolate gametophyte could be the constitution of the zygotic genotype.

The present investigation was carried out to decipher the interplay between paraquat (PQ) and exogenously applied nitric oxide (NO) in Azolla microphylla. The addition of PQ (8 μM) increased the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), guaiacol peroxidase (GPX), ascorbate peroxidase (APX) by 1.7, 2.7, 3.9 and 1.9 folds respectively than that control in the fronds of Azolla. The amount of H2O2 was also enhanced by 2.7 times in the PQ treated plants than that of control. The supplementation of sodium nitroprusside (SNP) from 8–100 μM along with PQ, suppressed the activities of antioxidative enzymes and the amount of H2O2 compared to PQ alone. The drop in the activity of antioxidative enzymes — SOD, GPX, CAT and APX was highest (39.9%, 48.4%, 41.6% and 41.3% respectively) on the supplementation of 100 μM SNP with PQ treated fronds compared to PQ alone. The addition of NO scavengers along with NO donor in PQ treated fronds neutralized the effect of exogenously supplied NO. This indicates that NO can effectively protect Azolla against PQ toxicity by quenching reactive oxygen species. However, 200 μM of SNP reversed the protective effect of lower concentration of NO donor against herbicide toxicity. Our study clearly suggests that (i) SNP released NO can work both as cytoprotective and cytotoxic in concentration dependent manner and (ii) involvement of NO in protecting Azolla against PQ toxicity.

Aphids, (Hemiptera: Aphidoidea) a nefarious insect pest of Brassicaceae members including major vegetable and oilseed crops have coevolved with their host plant and emerged as most economically important insect pest of crop Brassicas. Their atypical feeding mechanism and unusual reproductive biology made them intractable to control below economic threshold level of damage to the crops. To a large extent aphid infestation is controlled by spraying agrochemicals of systemic mode of action and rarely by biological control. Use of systemic insecticides is highly cost intensive as well poses bigger threat of their incorporation in dietary chain. Breeding for genetic resistance against aphids has not been possible owing to the non-availability of resistance source within the crossable germplasms and lack of knowledge of the genetics of the trait. Genetic engineering with insect resistant transgenes seems to be the only potential avenue to address this difficult-to-accomplish breeding objective. Some success had been achieved in terms of developing aphid resistant cultivars through genetic engineering however, commercial utilization of such crops are still awaited. Thus protection of crops against aphids necessarily requires more research to identify either more effective insecticidal transgenes or biological phenomenon that can usher to new mechanism of resistance. The present review is an attempt to highlight the current status and possible avenues to develop aphid resistance in Brassicaceae crops.

Antifungal activity of the hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, methanol and aqueous extracts of the lichens namely, Parmelia reticulata, Ramalina roesleri, Usnea longissima and Stereocaulon himalayense were evaluated against nine soil-borne pathogenic fungi namely Rhizoctonia bataticola, Sclerotium rolfsii, Alternaria alternata, Pythium debaryanum, Fusarium oxysporum, Rhizoctonia solani, Botrytis cinerea, Sclerotina sclerotium and Pythium aphanidermatum by food poison technique. ED50 (Effective dose for 50% of inhibition) was calculated using Probit analysis. Hexane and dichloromethane extracts from all the four lichen species were found most active against the test fungi while aqueous extract was found to be least effective against all the test pathogenic fungi. The highest inhibition was recorded with hexane extracts of P. reticulata, R. roesleri, U.longissima and S. himalayense against R. bataticola with ED50 25.1, 24.50, 18.91 and 51.36 μg ml−1, respectively.

Paraquat is most extensively used methyl viologen herbicide to control weeds in the rice-Azolla ecosystem. The effects of different paraquat (PQ) dosages on growth, lipid peroxidation, and activity of antioxidant enzymes of Azolla microphylla Kaul. were investigated. The results indicated that Azolla fronds survived only at the concentrations of 2–6 μM PQ. Frond fragmentation and browning occurred after 24 h at 8 μM PQ. At 24 h, the amount of proteins decreased by 48.7 % in Azolla fronds exposed to 10 μM PQ than that in control fronds. The supplementation of 10 μM PQ increased the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), guaiacol peroxidase (GPX), and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) by 2,4-, 1,8-, 3,0-, and 2,2-fold, respectively, as compared with control. The content of PQ and activities of SOD, CAT, GPX, and APX were found to be positively correlated. Our study showed that PQ (2–6 μM) caused ROS overproduction in Azolla fronds, which were scavenged by induced activities of antioxidant enzymes.

A review of Ephedra species of the Western Himalayan region led to the recognition of two new species, Ephedra kardangensis Sharma & Uniyal sp. nov. and E. khurikensis Sharma & Uniyal sp. nov. The most distinctive characters observed are shape and size of male strobilus, number of bracts, length of synangiophore with synangia, shape and size of female strobilus, number of bracts, size and color of seeds, and several features of the micropyle for morphological and statistical analysis (Parametric MANOVA and Principal Components Analysis). These species are most similar to E. intermedia.

Hexane extract of cell free culture filtrate of Bacillus licheniformis MTCC 7445 isolated from rhizoshere soil of a resistant tomato plant showed antifungal activity against a number of soilborne and human pathogenic fungi. Maximum activity was observed against Botrytis cinerea (ED50 = 23.79 μg/ml), Candida albicans (ED50 33.45 μg/ml) and Microsporum canis (ED50 = 39.02 μg/ml). Metabolites such as 1-methyl pyrrolidene, 1-methyl cyclohexene, 4,4-dimethyl cyclohexane, ethyl-4-ethoxybenzoate, 2-butoxyethanol, naphthalene, ter butyl benzene and phenoxy acetic acid were identified by GC-MS and comparing the mass spectrum with the NIST library.

Summary Willisia selaginoides (Bedd.) Warm. ex Willis is a unique, rare, endangered and endemic haptophyte that grows in a rapidly flowing stream in Campanywadi, Idukki disrict, Kerala, India. The plant body consists of tufts of 7–10 cm long and erect shoots, attached to a small crustaceous thalloid body. Each shoot has four rows of scale leaves arranged in opposite-decussate manner, and is terminated by a solitary fruit. Shoot axis shows a broad cortex and a central vascular strand surrounded by a fibrous, lignified tissue. Exposed shoots lose the cortical tissue and the leaves. Flower buds are formed under water but anthesis occurs only when the water level recedes and flowers are exposed to air. Anthers and stigmas exhibit an unusual spatial relationship. Fruits dehisce on desiccation and seeds are dispersed close to the plants. The seeds are minute and non-endospermic. The mature embryo has two well-developed cotyledons but lacks plumule and a distinct radicle. A group of inner epidermal cells at the intersection of the two cotyledons proliferates and leads to the formation of a few leaves. The hypocotyl or the basal portion of the seedling develops into a thalloid body that bears leaves. Numerous rhizoids develop from the ventral surface of thalloid body.

Summary The Podostemaceae are remarkable for their morphological, ecological and evolutionary interest and present a challenging system to study these phenomena. Indotristicha tirunelveliana , a member of the Podostemaceae, is an unique, rare, endemic and submerged haptophyte that grows in a rapidly flowing waterfall in Tamil Nadu, India. The plant body consits of 7–25 em long, suberect rhizome, attached to rocks with the help of haptera. The rhizome bears densely crowded shoots with four rows of spirally arranged leaves which completely cover the dorsal surface of the rhizome. Floral shoots arise as buds on the rhizome but flower development occurs only when the plants are 10–15 cm below the water level. Anthesis occurs only when the flowers are exposed to air. Fruit is a 9-ribbed capsule, opens by means of 2–3 septicidal slits. Large number of seeds in groups together with placentae and fruit valves are dispersed on the crevices of rock and germinate when they get first showers of monsoon. The seeds are minute and non-endospermic. The mature embryo has two well-developed cotyledons but lacks a piumule and distinct radicle. Anatomy of the rhizome shows a broad cortex and a few undifferentiated vascular elements.

Seeds were germinated aseptically on thermocole cubes in 1/5 strength Murashige and Skoog's (1962) liquid medium (MS). The mature embryo has two well-developed cotyledons but lacks a plumule and a distinct radicle. The embryo emerges from the seed by the elongation of cotyledons and hypocotyl. The epidermal cells at the radicular pole elongate to form rhizoids. Proliferation of cells of the plumular pole gives rise to six to eight leaf primordia. An endogenously formed protuberance in the hypocotyledonary region develops into a green, dorsiventral thallus. The margins of the thallus also bear leaves. The presence of a band of small meristematic cells (five or six layers thick) below the apical mantle of large irregular cells has been seen in paradermal sections of thallus tips. Presumably they participate in the growth of the thallus. A vertical section of the thallus shows parenchymatous ground tissue and a strand of vascular tissue in the middle of the thallus which divides to supply the branches of the thallus. Tracheary elements have spiral/annular thickenings. Sieve elements showed callose when stained with aniline blue and viewed under a fluorescence microscope.

Karyotype analysis was performed using thallus tips in three taxa of the family Podostemaceae. The chromosome numbers for Polypleurum stylosum (Wight) J.B. Hall (2n=34) and Hydrobryopsis sessilis (Willis) Engler (2n=26) have been investigated for the first time. The chromosome number (2n=30) in Dalzellia zeylanica (Gardner) Wight differs from the previous count (2n=20) reported by Magnus. Critical notes have been made on the karyotype characteristics and their interrelationships among species.

Antifungal activity of hexane, ethyl acetate and methanol extracts of Parmelia reticulata was evaluated against soilborne pathogenic fungi, namely, Sclerotium rolfsii, Rhizoctonia solani, R. bataticola, Fusarium udum, Pythium aphanidermatum and P. debaryanum by poisoned food technique. Maximum antifungal activity was exhibited by hexane and ethyl acetate extracts against most of the test pathogens. Secondary metabolites, namely, (±)-isousnic acid, (±)-protolichesterinic acid, atranorin, evernyl, ethyl hematommate, ethyl orsellinate, methyl hematommate (3-formyl-2,4-dihydroxy-6-methylbenzoic acid methyl ester), 2-hydroxy-4-methoxy-3,6-dimethylbenzoic acid, 1-hydroxy-3,6-dimethoxy-8-methyl-xanthen-9-one, baeomycesic acid and salazinic acid, were isolated from the above extracts and identified by 1H NMR, 13C NMR and mass spectroscopic methods. When these metabolites were tested for antifungal activity against test pathogens, maximum antifungal activity was exhibited by (±)-protolichesterinic acid against R. solani (ED50=23.09 μg mL(-1)) and P. debaryanum (ED50=16.07 μg mL(-1)) and by atranorin against S. rolfsii (ED50=39.70 μg mL(-1)). The antifungal activity of protolichesterinic acid was found to be comparable to that of hexaconazole, a commercial fungicide. peerReviewed

The neurotransmitter acetylcholine (ACh) is present in plants including bryophytes. The first biochemical evidence for ACh hydrolysis by enzyme cholinesterase (ChE) in bryophytes is presented. Thirty-nine species belonging to 16 families of bryophytes were surveyed for ChE activity. Thirty species belonging to 13 families showed ChE activity. Of the bryophytes tested, Anoectangium bicolor showed the highest ChE activity. Widespread distribution of ChE in bryophytes indicates their suitability as a system to study the role of ACh in plants.

The present communication deals with the documentation of traditional medicines used by the local people/Vaidyas inhabiting in Kalimath valley of district Rudraprayag, Uttarakhand. The local Vaidyas who are likely to disappear from the society were approached to record such tresure of traditional knowledge. A total of 75 ethnomedicinal plant species (belonging to 37 families and 55 genera) including rare, endangered and threatened species are used by the native people for the treatment of over 25 ailments ranging from headache to highly complicated heart problems. Among the plant parts utilized in treatment of ailments, leaves (41.33%) were recorded as most utilized plants parts followed by rhizome/root/tuber (38.66%), fruit/seed (25.33%), and stem/bark (20%). As far as major part of plant species in the treatment of different ailments is concerned, 31 species have their role in the treatment of stomach disorder, 19 species in fever and for injuries and wounds 18 species used by the local communites.

Allelopathic potentiality of hexane, ethyl acetate and methanol extracts of the Himalyan lichen, Parmelia reticulate Taylor, at different concentrations (50, 25 and 12.5 μg ml -1 ) was studied on germination and early seedling growth of highly devastating weed Phalaris minor . The experiments were carried out in portray maintained in natural environment. Current investigation has revealed concentration dependent allelopathic phenomenon of the lichen extracts on P. minor . Hexane and ethyl acetate extracts at 50 μg ml -1 exhibited maximum detrimental effect on seed germination (56% as compared to control i.e. 90%). Hexane extract at 50 μg ml -1 showed maximum inhibition of early seedling growths, determined in terms of shoot and root lengths of the test weed. It reduced shoot and root lengths to 2.5cm (control 10.7 cm) and 0.9 cm (control 3.4cm) respectively, indicating semipolar nature of constituents responsible for bioactivity.