Correlation of Tissues in Leaves: 2. Absolute Stomatal Numbers

The average number of stomata per unit area of a leaf was foundto be inversely proportional to the area of the lamina. Theconstant obtained by the multiplication of these values is termedas the Absolute Stomatal Number. This value is constant in thoseleaves where differentiation of the stomata has been completed.This has been shown with shown with the developing leaves offive Solanaceous plants.     

Peroxidase Isoenzymes in Development of Tall and Dwarf Cultivars of Rice

Four cultivars of rice, Hansraj (tall), Jamuna, Padma and Sabarmati(all dwarf) were analysed for variation in isoperoxidase patternsduring development by horizontal starch-gell electrophoresis.The samples were taken at weekly intervals, starting with soakedseeds (12 h) until the post panicle stage. There is a distinctpattern of peroxidase isoenzymes in the tall and dwarf cultivarsstudied. Some isoenzymes appear at a particular developmentalstage while others disappear while some remain fairly constantonce they are activated. Hansraj showed more qualitative fluctuationsin peroxidase than did the three dwarf varieties. A few isoperoxidaseswere specific to some varieties such as bands A₃ and A₇ forHansraj and band A₄ for Sabarmati. These specific bands of peroxidasemay have some role to play in development of Hansraj (tall)and Sabarmati (with aroma). Besides this, greater fluctuationsin peroxidase activity in the tall variety may be due to loosecontrol in the regulation of peroxidase activity. The significanceof controlling elements of enzyme activity is discussed.     

Behavioral response of female Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) to different plant part extracts of African marigold Tagetes erecta (L.)

The flowering stage of African marigold Tagetes erecta (L.) was the most preferred for oviposition by Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner). The lower sides of leaf margins received more eggs compared to buds, stem tip and flowers. Olfactometer studies revealed that more female moths were attracted towards the flower extracts, followed by leaf, bud and stem tip extracts of African marigold. The thin layer chromatography analysis of these extracts showed a blend of compounds including careen, ocimene, methyl benzoate, phenyl acetaldehyde and phenyl ethanol. Attempts have been made to correlate insect behavior with the presence of these compounds.     

Control of the haematophagous fly Hippobosca maculata, a serious pest of equines, by deltamethrin

Abstract. This study reports the results of both a small-scale and a large-scale field treatment to assess control of the haematophagous fly Hippobosca maculata Leach a serious pest of equines in a stud in India using a deltamethrin based formulation, Butox^®. In the small-scale field trial application of 2 litres of deltamethrin at 0.001-0.003% concentration gave 90–100% control over 30 days. At 0.004% and 0.005% concentrations complete control was recorded for 45 and 90 days respectively. Mass application of 2 litres of 0.005% deltamethrin to equines and bovines controlled infestations of H.maculata for 1 year.     

Cranial morphology of the California vole (Microtus californicus,Cricetidae) in a contact zone

Zones of contact between divergent biological forms within or between species are critical to the study of speciation. How characters flow across contact zones can be informative of the speciation process. To better understand this phenomenon in a mammal, we investigated cranial shape change in a contact zone between northern and southern phylogeographical groups of California voles (Microtus californicus). We took 12 linear measurements of skulls, one measurement of the mandible, and coded the presence and absence of two skull foramina for 427 specimens. In multivariate analyses, skulls within parental regions were correctly assigned more than 90% of the time. In the contact zone, 49% were classified as northern and 51% as southern, with a bimodal distribution of posterior probability values. Foraminal patterns in the contact zone were intermediate between northern and southern regions. A cline analysis for coastal populations suggested a similar centre for mitochondrial and nuclear markers, although a centre for the morphological data was offset. Cranial morphology indicates an intermediate area with overlap between the two regions, as suggested by the molecular data, with a pattern distinct from mitochondrial DNA or nuclear DNA markers. © 2011 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2011, 104 , 264–283.     

Embryogenesis and Differentiation in Nigella sativa Leaf Callus in vitro

Embryogenesis occurred in Nigella sativa L. (Fam. Ranunculaceae) leaf callus tissue when coconut milk was replaced from the Murashige and Skoog's (MS) medium by casein hydrolysate. On MS + IAA (0.5 mg/l) + casein hydrolysate (100 and 500 mg/l) medium, tissue gained a capacity of growing embryoids for a pro-longed culture period. At a concentration of 1000 mg/l casein hydrolysate suppressed the differentiating capacity after the fifth subculture. 2.4-D and kinetin had inhibitory effects on morphogenesis. Histology of the differentiated tissue revealed that the origin of roots, shoot buds and leaves were from groups of meristematic cells whereas embryoids were initiated by the repeated division of a single cell.     

Induction of flowering by cytokinins in a short-day plant, Lemna paucicostata

Lemna paucicostata, normally a short-day plant, can be inducedto flower under long-day conditions by providing a cytokininin a medium containing a high level of ferric citrate (5 x 10^–4M).Interestingly, when a cytokinin and EDDHA are present togetherin the medium, flowering is induced even at low levels of iron(10^–5 and 5 x 10^–5M ferric citrate). However, inthe absence of a cytokinin, flowering takes place only undershort days. (Received September 30, 1968; )     

Combined Action of Inhibitors of S-Adenosylmethionine Decarboxylase with an Antimalarial Drug, Chloroquine, on Plasmodium falciparum

ABSTRACT. Methylglyoxal bis (guanylhydrazone), (MGBG) a potent competitive inhibitor of S-adenosyl-L-methionine decarboxylase activity, Berenil, a trypanocidal agent and chloroquine, the commonly used antimalarial resulted in a dose dependent inhibition of Plasmodium falciparum in vitro. The IC₅₀ values of MGBG, Berenil and chloroquine were 224 μM, 40 μM and 42 nM respectively. Parasites treated with different concentrations of MGBG or Berenil were arrested at the trophozoite stage of the erythrocytic cycle. The combined action of chloroquine (10 nM) with either Berenil (0.1 mM) or MGBG (0.1 mM) on P. falciparum growth showed an additive inhibitory effect. The effect of these inhibitors alone and in combination on polyamine biosynthesis is also reported.     

Apomixis and Polyembryony in the Guggul Plant, Commiphora wightii

The present report is a part of our study on the reproductivebiology of a traditional Indian medicinal plant,Commiphora wightii,a source of guggul steroids. Field examination showed a predominantlylarge number of isolated and groups of female individuals. Onlyone andromonoecious and two exclusively male plants were recorded.Female plants set seed irrespective of the presence or absenceof pollen. Hand-pollination experiments and embryological studieshave confirmed the occurrence of non-pseudogamous apomixis,nucellar polyembryony and autonomous endosperm formation forthe first time in this plant, which is presently threatenedby over-exploitation. Commiphora wightii ; autonomous endosperm; guggul; medicinal plant; non-pseudogamous apomixis; nucellar polyembryony