Increased H2 production by immobilized microorganisms

Viable cells of H₂-producers (Bacillus licheniformis and a mixed microbial culture) were immobilized on brick dust and in calcium alginate beads. In batch culture, cells of the mixed culture in the free state yielded 8.2 l H₂/mol glucose utilized, whereasB. licheniformis evolved 13.1 l H₂. Immobilized cells, however, gave 4-fold more H₂ than the free bacteria. Highest yields were from the cells immobilized on brick dust. High H₂-production rates continued over two rounds of re-use of the immobilized cells.A. Kumar, S.R. Jain and A.P. Joshi were and V. C. Kalia is with the Centre for Biochemical Technology (CSIR), University Campus, Mall Road, Delhi-110 007, India; C.B. Sharma is with the Department of Biosciences and Biotechnology, University of Roorkee, Roorkee-247 667, India. A. Kumar is now with the Biochemistry Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology, New Delhi-110 016, India, S.R. Jain is now with the Centre for Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology, New Delhi-110 016, India, and A.P. Joshi is now with the Chemical Engineering Division, National Chemical Laboratory, Pune-411 008, India.     

Encapsulation as a response of Azospirillum brasilense sp7 to zinc stress

Azospirillum brasilense sp7 was exposed to 2mm Zn²⁺ in minimal medium upon which the cells turned black and non-motile within 24 h. A streptomycin-resistant variant did not exhibit this phenomenon and is sensitized to zinc. A prelude to encystation was the elution of a melanin-like pigment into the medium.The authors are with the Department of Genetics, University of Delhi South Campus, Benito Juarez Road, New Delhi-110021, India     

Light-independent conidiation in Trichoderma spp.: a novel approach to microcycle conidiation

Microcycle conidiation in Trichoderma hamatum and T. harzianum has been achieved in complete darkness for the first time. The time required for mass conidiation without intervening vegetative growth was decreased to 24 h instead of 6 to 7 days. The conidia produced by microcycle conidiation were viable and had pigmentation and antagonistic behaviour similar to those of the parental stock cultures.N. Khurana, R.K. Saxena, R. Gupta and R.C. Kuhad are with the Department of Microbiology, University of Delhi South Campus, Benito Juarez Road, New Delhi-110021, India.     

Continuous production of lactic acid from molasses by free and immobilized Sporolactobacillus cellulosolvens

Both free and immobilized cells of Sporolactobacillus cellulosolvens, in continuous culture on molasses (50 g sugar 1^-1) at 40°C, had maximum lactic acid productivities of 0.03 and 0.06 mol l^-1 h, at dilution rates of 0.27 and 0.25 h^-1, respectively.S.S. Kanwar is with the Department of Biotechnology, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar-143 005, India; B.S. Chadha is with the Department of Microbiology, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar-143 005, India. H.K. Tewari and V.K. Sharma are with the Department of Microbiology, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana-141 004, India.     

Root exudation from Leucaena leucocephala in relation to mycorrhizal colonization

Lower amounts of root eduxates (13 mg/g dry root) emerged from leucaena plants inoculated with the mycorrhizal fungus, Glomus fasciculatum, than uninoculated plants (21 mg/g dry root). Mycorrhizal plants exuded less K⁺, P_i and sugars (mainly glucose) but more protein, nitrogen, phenolics and gibberellins than uninoculated plants. Glycine, alanine, cysteine, arginine, tryptophan and valine occurred only in the root exudates of the former. Uninoculated plants exuded more of a root-elongation inhibitory substance than the uninoculated ones.R.J. Mada and D.J. Bagyaraj are with the Department of Agricultural Microbiology, University of Agricultural Sciences, GKVK Campus, Bangalore 560065, India.     

Evaluation and first-year field testing of efficient vesicular arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi for inoculation of wetland rice seedlings

Grain yields of the rice cultivar Prakash were improved upon inoculation with Glomus intraradices and G. fasciculatum, by 11% and 8%, respectively, compared with an uninoculated control. The results indicate that the amount of phosphate fertilizer usually applied to rice may be decreased by 50%, without affecting yield, if G. intraradices is inoculated.The authors are with the Department of Agricultural Microbiology, University of Agricultural Sciences, GKVK Campus, Bangalore 560 065, India. ing author.     

Production and characterization of a xylanase from Cyathus stercoreus

Cyathus stercoreus grown on wheat straw had a higher xylanase activity than when it was grown on rice husk or extracted hemicellulose. Inclusion of casein hydrolysate, Tween 80 and Mn²⁺ (at 0.02%, 0.2% and 0.075%, respectively) increased the production of extracellular xylanase. Optimal yield of xylanase (0.73 U/ml) was at pH 5.6 after 9 to 12 days at 30°C. The xylanase was stable at pH 4.5 to 7.5 for 2h but above 50°C its stability fell sharply.The authors are with the Department of Microbiology, University of Delhi South Campus, Benito Juarez Road, New Delhi-110021, India;     

Chytrid mycoparasitism of entomophthoralean azygospores

Mycoparasitism – when one fungus parasitizes another – has been reported to affect Beauveria bassiana and mycorrhizal fungi in the field. However, mycoparasitism of any fungi in the Order Entomophthorales has never been reported before now. The majority of entomophthoralean species persist as resting spores (either zygospores or azygospores) in the environment and dormant entomophthoralean resting spores (whether formed as zygospores or azygospores) are thought to be especially well adapted for survival over long periods due to their thick double walls. Entomophthoralean resting spores can accumulate in the soil as large reservoirs of inoculum which can facilitate the onset and development of epizootics. We report parasitism of azygospores of the gypsy moth pathogen Entomophaga maimaiga caged in soil from southern Ohio by the chytrid fungus Gaertneriomyces semiglobifer. G. semiglobifer had previously been isolated from soil samples from North America, Europe and Australia or horse manure from Virginia. After isolation and identification of G. semiglobifer, azygospores of E. maimaiga exposed to zoospores of G. semiglobifer exhibited high levels of mycoparasitism and G. semiglobifer was subsequently reisolated from mycoparasitized resting spores. We discuss the importance of this finding to the epizootiology of insect diseases caused by entomophthoralean fungi.     

Dermatophytoses in Poona,India observations on incidence,clinical features,environmental factors and causal agents studied during 1958 to 1963 at Sassoon hospitals,Poona

Incidence of dermatophytoses in patients attending the Department of Dermatology, Sassoon Hospitals, Poona carried out over a period of six years from 1958–1963 is presented. Every year ten to fourteen per cent of skin infections were of mycotic origin.T. rubrum was the commonest causal pathogen in 65.30 per cent of the positive cases. Infections of the scalp which were thought to be rare were found in 12.97 per cent of the cases of dermatophytoses.T. violaceum andT. tonsurans var.sulfureum were the main causal organisms of ringworm of the scalp. Observations on the influence of climatic conditions on the incidence, personal habits and causal agents are also presented.This work represents a portion of the thesis of A.A.P. submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, University of Poona, India. The work was aided by a research grant from Indian Council of Medical Research, New Delhi.     

Continuous anaerobic phenol degradation using an adapted mixed culture

A mixed culture derived from cow dung and sewage sludge and adapted to phenol was used for anaerobic phenol degradation. The phenol degradation rate depended on the period of adaptation of the mixed culture to phenol. In the continuous process, a higher degradation rate (2500 mg.1^-1 d^-1) and better reactor stability was achieved with a granular activated-carbon-packed bed reactor than with a stirred tank reactor.The authors are with the Department of Biochemical Engineering & Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi Hauz Khas, New Delhi, India.     

Bacillus fermentation of soybeans

Kinema fermentations of Indian and Canadian No. 1 soybeans by Bacillus sp. DK-W1 and by mixed cultures of Bacillus sp. DK-W1 and Enterococcus faecium DK-C1 were essentially identical. The viable cell count of Bacillus increased from an initial 10⁵ to 10¹⁰ c.f.u./g wet wt after 48 h incubation at 37°C. The pH of the fermentation dropped from an initial 6.9 to about 6.4 after 8 h and then rose to 8.6 after 32 h, with a coincident increase in proteolytic activity and ammonia concentration. The fermentations containing E. faecium and Bacillus exhibited a greater initial pH decline and a slightly retarded subseqent increase in pH compared with fermentations with Bacillus only. The presence of E. faecium had no detectable effects on growth of the Bacillus, proteolytic activity, ammonia production or the final pH of the fermentations.P.K. Sarkar was and P.E. Cook and J.D. Owens are with the Food Microbial Interactions Laboratory, Department of Food Science and Technology, University of Reading, Reading RG6 2AP, UK; P.K. Sarkar is now with the Microbiology Laboratory, Centre for Life Sciences, University of North Bengal, Siliguri 734430, India.     

Nuclear structure and behaviour in the vegetative hyphae of Pythium aphanidermatum

Nuclear divisions taking place in the hyphae ofPythium aphanidermatum have been described. Typical prophase type of nuclei with elongate chromatin fibres have been observed. Achromatic structures resembling spindle fibres with well defined poles during anaphase configuration have been noticed. A mild pretreatment with acenaphthene vapours proved instrumental in arresting the progress of nuclear division. Stages similar to early and late anaphase and telophase with deeply staining chromosomal masses have been observed. A high concentration of acenaphthene treatment resulted in the formation of giant nuclei.This work is based on a thesis submitted byK. Seshadri in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the M. Sc. degree of the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi. His present address is: University Botany Laboratory, Chepauk, Madras-5, India.     

Distribution of Catenaria anguillulae Sorokin,a facultative endoparasite of nematodes in soils from different locations of India

A survey of soils from 39 different locations from 12 states of India for the presence/absence of Catenaria anguillulae indicated a wide distribution of the fungus in Indian soils. Out of 490 soil samples, 451 yielded C. anguillulae. Further, it was also noted that the fungus is present throughout the year in soils from the different locations irrespective of soil types and crops grown. This is the first report of this kind on distribution of C. anguillulae from India.     

Influence of growth conditions on the accumulation of ergosterol by Rhodotorula glutinis

Maximum accumulation of ergosterol by Rhodotorula glutinis IIP-30 [4% (w/w) of the biomass] was at pH 4 and 28 to 30°C, wich glucose or sucrose as carbon source and (NH₄)₂SO₄ as N-source. Molasses only gave 1% (w/w) ergosterol content, as did KNO₃ or urea when used as sole N source.V.W. Johnson was and N.K. Yadav is with the Microbiology Department, School of Science, Gujarat University, Ahmedabad 380 009, India. V.W. Johnson is now with the Blotechnology Laboratory, Research Centre, Gujarat State Fertillizers Company Ltd, Baroda 391 750, India. M. Singh was with the Applied Biology Laboratory, Research Centre, Indian Petrochemicals Corporation Ltd, Baroda 391 345, India, and is now with Pfizer Limited, 178, Industrial Area, Chandigarh 160 002, India.     

A cytoarchitectonic study of the hypothalamus of the lizard,Calotes versicolor

Summary The hypothalamic nuclei of the lizard, Calotes versicolor, can be broadly divided into AF-positive and AF-negative. The AF-positive cell complexes include the nucleus supraopticus, nucleus paraventricularis, and a few interconnecting bridge cells. In addition, some AF-positive neurones are also observed in the median eminence. As many as 15 AF-negative nuclei-like accumulations of nerve cells can be identified in the hypothalamus. The nucleus periventricularis hypothalami of earlier authors is subdivided into eight circumscribed neuronal complexes. In addition, a few AF-negative nuclei, e.g. nucleus subfornicalis, nucleus ventralis tuberis, nucleus med. recessus infundibuli, nucleus lat. recessus infundibuli and nucleus praemamillaris, are regarded for the first time as anatomical entities. The distribution of the hypothalamic nuclei and their cytoarchitectonic features are described at the light microscopical level. An attempt has been made to interprete the nuclei identified in the present study on a comparative and phylogenetic basis.Dedicated to Professors W. Bargmann and B. Scharrer, the pioneers of neuroendocrinology, on the occasion of their birthday anniversariesSupported in part by research grant [No. F. 30-4 (6431)/76(SR-II)] by the University Grants Commission, New Delhi, India. The facilities provided by Dr. V. K. Thakare are hereby acknowledgedFormer scholar of the Alexander von Humboldt-Stuftung (1973–1975), Federal Republic of Germany. The present study was initiated by Professor A. Oksche, Department of Anatomy and Cytobiology, Justus Liebig University of GiessenThe facilities provided by Dr. A.K. Dorle are gratefully acknowledged

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Geobotanical studies on zinc deposit areas of Zawar mines,Udaipur

This study reveals disjunct distribution patterns of certain plant species on zinc-rich soils in the Zawar mines region near Udaipur. Ten plant species have high constancy and fidelity values on zinc-rich soils in comparison to normal soil. The plant community composed of these species has been named Impatiens balsamina-Triumfetta pentandra association. As Impatients balsamina is the most characteristic species on metal dumps, it can be considered as a local indicator for the metal zinc.Acknowledgements: The authors are grateful to the University Grants Commission of India, New Delhi for substantial financial assistance.     

Latitudinal allozymic variability in natural populations ofZaprionus indianus from India

Twelve natural populations ofZ. indianus from India, collected along lines of latitude, were analyzed electrophoretically and the geographical pattern of variation was compared at 15 allozyme loci. Except forMdh-2, all the loci revealed extensive polymorphism. The allele frequency variation revealed a statistically significant correlation as well as regression coefficients with the latitude. The populations revealed extensive clinal variation at all the polymorphic loci, which depicted moderate to higherF _ST values. Thus, the observed genetic divergence in colonizing populations ofZ. indianus shows the role of natural selection that varies spatially along the north-south axis of the Indian subcontinent.Financial assistance from UGC, New Delhi, is gratefully acknowledged.     

Soil Fungicides for Controlling Chytridiaceous Mycoparasites of Gigaspora margarita and Glomus fasciculatum

The percentage of azygospores of Gigaspora margarita with zoosporangia of chytridiaceous fungi (CF) was reduced significantly after agitating them in fenaminosulf before incubation in soil. Fenaminosulf did not affect zoosporangia development on chlamydospores of Glomus fasciculatum. Metalaxyl and ethazol were not effective against CF on spores of either mycorrhizal fungus. Azygospores of G. margarita were treated with fenaminosulf and used as the inoculum for pot cultures. After 19 weeks, the percentage of azygospores containing CF was reduced significantly by this treatment, whereas root colonization and sporulation by the mycorrhizal fungus were unaffected. Pot cultures of G. margarita, either drenched with fenaminosulf or not, did not differ in the percentage of azygospores containing CF. However, root colonization and sporulation by the mycorrhizal fungus was temporarily delayed when pots were drenched with fenaminosulf.     

Effect of algalization on seed germination of vegetable crops

Soaking seeds of cucumber and pumpkin with an extract of Westiellopsis prolifica, an N₂-fixing cyanobacterium, promoted germination and their subsequent growth and development. An extract of Lyngbya sp., a non-N₂-fixing cyanobacterium, had no significant effect.The authors are with the Algal Physiology Laboratory, Department of Botany, Berhampur University, Berhampur-760007, Orissa, India.     

Phytochrome control of some oxido-reductases in germinating Pinus roxburghii Sarg pollen

Germination of Pinus roxburghii pollen was observed to be phytochrome-controlled.The red and far-red light affected the activities of succinatedehydrogenase and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase in a mannercharacteristic of enzyme induction by phytochrome. Activitiesof peroxidase and malate dehydrogenase were not affected byred and far-red lights in this system. ¹This research was supported by the Indian Council of AgriculturalResearch, New Delhi and forms a part of the Ph.D. dissertationsubmitted to the Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana byA.K.D. ²Present address: Botany Department, The Australian NationalUniversity, Canberra, ACT 2600, Australia. (Received December 25, 1978; )