Organogenesis andin vitro flowering ofEchinochloa colona. Effect of growth regulators and explant types

Echinochloa colona regeneration via organogenesis in callus cultures derived from leaf base and mesocotyl expiants andin vitro flowering were achived. Shoot bud regeneration was achieved on Murashige and Skoog’s (MS) basal medium supplemented with 6.66 μM 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP), 2.68 μM 1-naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) and 3 % (m/v) saccharose. Regenerated shoots were rooted on half strength basal MS medium with 2 % (m/v) saccharose devoid of growth regulators. About 90 -95 % of rooted plantlets survived in the greenhouse.In vitro flowering was induced in the regenerated shoots derived from callus on half strength MS medium supplemented with 4.4 μM BAP, 74.07 μM adeninesulphate, 0.72 μM gibberellic acid, and 3 % (m/v) saccharose. The frequency ofin vitro flowering was 80 – 90 % in three repeated experiments. Fertile seeds were recovered fromin vitro grown plantlets which were subsequently germinated into plants. Acknowledgement: The authors wish to thank to the Department of Environment and Forests, Government of India for financial assistance to undertake this investigation.     

Changes in UsnRNA biosynthesis during rat liver regeneration

Partial hepatectomy (P.H.) induces a partially synchronized growth response of liver under normal regulation of growth. In this phase changes in cellular morphology, radial distribution pattern of cells and other biological as well as major biochemical changes are well documented [24]. Here, we have shown that the cellular content of UsnRNAs altered during this proliferative phase as well. The level of spliceosomal UsnRNAs (U1, U2, U4–U6) gradually decreased by 30–50% upto 48 hrs of P.H. followed by gradual increase to reach the normal level within one month of P.H. The U3 snRNA level on the other hand, was nearly equal to that in normal liver at 48 hrs of P.H. but in 24 and 72 hrs of P.H. its level was high (4 fold) in contrast to that in other UsnRNAs. Thus, it is clear from our data that the level of all the six UsnRNAs decreased during 48 hrs of P.H. compared to that after first 24 hrs. This has been correlated in the kinetics of UsnRNAs' synthesis (in terms of labelling) in isolated hepatocytes, where the rate of labelling of all the six UsnRNAs increased 20–30% in 24 hrs regenerating hepatocytes (R.H.) followed by sharp decrease by 30–50% within next 24 hrs, compared to that in the normal hepatocytes. But from 72 hrs onwards in R.H. the rate of labelling of all the six UsnRNAs again increased by 30–50% (compared to that in normal hepatocytes) followed by decrease of their labelling-rate to reach the normal level in R.H. within one month of P.H. Thus, it may be concluded that the changes in UsnRNAs' level during the proliferative phase of liver regeneration may be either due to the alteration in the rate of synthesis (in terms of labelling) or along with it differential turn over rate; this phenomenon may have some consequences with the regenerative process of liver.This paper was published in Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry131:67–73, 1994. Kluwer Academic Publishers regret the publication of the only partly corrected version.     

Composition and dynamics of epilithic algae in a forest stream at Shillong (India)

The seasonal dynamics of epilithic algae in a third order pristine forest stream were analyzed over a period of 2 years. Stream water was slightly acidic and nutrient poor. Encrusting, filamentous flocs, and filaments were found. Algal standing crop was high (mean concentration of Chl a 16–43 mg m^–2) in spring. Filamentous algae contributed most to standing crop. Diatoms made up over 85% by number of the epilithon. Blue-greens were abundant upstream, and chlorophytes downstream. This shift was ascribed to greater light availability downstream. The community was more diverse during spring. Water current was the most important variable regulating epilithon structure. Total phosphorus (TP), orthophosphate (O-PO _inf4 ^su3– ), silica (Si⁴⁺), nitrate (NO _inf3 ^su– ) and conductance correlated negatively with flow rate. Green algae showed a positive correlation to phosphorus during low and stable flow. During rapid runoff, diatoms were the most resistant forms. Seasonal change in the epilithic community was mainly regulated by fluctuations in flow rate.     

Somatic embryogenesis in Simarouba glauca

Frequency of somatic embryogenesis from callus cultures derived from immature cotyledon explants of Simarouba glauca Linn. was highest on solid MS medium supplemented with 11.1 M benzyladenine and 13.42 M -naphthaleneacetic acid. On transfer of the somatic embryos into maturation medium containing half-strength MS medium supplemented with 1.89 M abscisic acid (ABA) and 2% (w/v)sucrose, 20–25 % of embryos germinated within 20 days of culture with distinct cotyledon, hypocotyl and radicle.     

Somatic embryogenesis in callus culture of Mussaenda erythrophylla cvs. Queen Sirikit and Rosea

Somatic embryogenesis was achieved from mid-rib and internodal calluses of Mussaenda erythrophylla L. cvs. Queen Sirikit and Rosea cultured on Murashige and Skoog basal medium containing 8.9 M BA+0.57 M IAA+10 mg l^-1 ascorbic acid. Clumps of somatic embryos were separated and grown into complete plantlets when transferred to 1/2 MS medium+37 M adenine sulphate with 2% (w/v) sucrose.     

Somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration from callus culture of Acacia catechu-a multipurpose leguminous tree

Plant regeneration via somatic embryogenesis was achieved from callus derived from immature cotyledons of Acacia catechu Willd. on Woody Plant Medium (WPM) supplemented with 13.9 M kinetin and 2.7 M 1-naphthaleneacetic acid. The addition of 0.9–3.5 mM L-proline to the medium influenced development of somatic embryos and also promoted secondary somatic embryogenesis. The light-green somatic embryos germinated on half-strength MS medium supplemented with 2% (w/v) sucrose. Somatic embryos germinated into plantlets that were acclimatized in the greenhouse and subsequently transferred to the field.     

Isozyme Profile During Somatic Embryogenesis and In Vitro Flowering of Bambusa vulgaris

Peroxidase and esterase isozymes were investigated during plant regeneration via somatic embryogenesis in Bambusa vulgaris, The transition of non-embryogenic calli to embryogenic calli, somatic embryo development, germination and subsequent flowering of somatic embryo derived shoots were associated with selective expression or repression of isoforms of peroxidase and esterase. Non-embryogenic callus showed six peroxidase and four esterase bands. During somatic embryogenesis and germination of somatic embryos, some bands were suppressed and new isoforms of peroxidase and esterase appeared. During flowering, in addition to four peroxidase bands, a new unique esterase band ‘a’ appeared. Each developmental stage was thus associated with a definite isozyme profile.     

Hydroxylamine inhibition of the nitrate reductase complex from Amaranthus

Nitrate reductase from Amaranthus viridis is similar to nitrate reductase from other plant sources. NH₂OH inhibits nitrate reduction from NADH by the nitrate reductase complex, but it does not inhibit either the NADH-dehydrogenase activity or nitrate reduction from reduced flavin mononucleotides. The inhibition observed was non-competitive with nitrate when the enzyme was pre-incubated with NH₂OH and NADH, and competitive with nitrate without pre-incubation. The K_i values for NH₂OH were 5 μM and 30 μM with or without pre-incubation respectively.     

The influence of thick floating vegetation (Water hyacinth: Eichhornia crassipes) on the physico — chemical environment of a fresh water wetland

Measurements made in fresh water wetland have shown that temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen and bicarbonate alkalinity in the hyacinth infested area were lower, but dissolved free carbon dioxide concentration was excitingly greater than in the open water area. This extreme hypoxic and hypercarbic condition of hyacinth covered areas was caused by the thick coverage of Eichhornia crassipes which was crucial for the composition of the characteristic flora and fauna.