Field spectroradiometry for discrimination of wetland components: a case study of a tropical inland wetland in India

Remote sensing has emerged as an effective tool for mapping, monitoring and assessment of wetland ecosystems. Spectral resolution of hyperspectral imagery allows collection of extensive information on dynamics of wetland components. Development of comprehensive spectral libraries using field spectroradiometry is imperative to tap the potential of hyperspectral imagery. In this study, an attempt has been made (i) to test the efficacy of field spectroradiometry data and processing techniques for identification and discrimination of wetland components, and (ii) to develop an approach for creating an extensive library for wetland components. Canopy level spectra of 13 macrophyte species representing different life-forms and water column reflectance spectra were collected seasonally at 16 sites in Bhindawas wetland of India for the years 2014 and 2015. Field spectra were processed using spectroscopic techniques including smoothing, derivative analysis and continuum removal. Results show derivative transforms to be efficient in identification and discrimination of wetland components. Magnitude and position of red-edge peak successfully discriminated different macrophytes with maximum and minimum value for Nymphoides indica and Hydrilla verticillata respectively. Continuum removal further strengthens the attributes of spectral data for species discrimination. Algorithms developed based on derivative transforms of water column spectra allow for continuous monitoring of bio-optical parameters and trophic status of the wetland. As a result of this research, sample-sets of field spectra providing a sound base for mapping and monitoring of wetland components were compiled, leading to the development of the first spectral library for an inland freshwater wetland in the Indian subcontinent. This research output in conjunction with advanced analytical tools and algorithms shall be utilized for wetland assessment in future studies.     

Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria for sustainable agricultural practices with special reference to biotic and abiotic stresses

The most common, devastating problem in agriculture is plant (pathogenic) diseases and abiotic conditions which have a profound effect on growth and yield of the plant resulting in heavy losses. In order to prevent losses, different chemicals are used indiscriminately, which in turn lead to environmental pollution due to their persistence and toxicity yet employed to meet consumer demand. To fight ever increasing demand and indiscriminate use of chemical agents along with their devastating after effects in agriculture, we need less invasive, eco-friendly and most importantly sustainable practices. Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) influence different physiological activities of the plant through various mechanisms (metabolites, antibiotics, Induced Systemic Resistance and enzymes) and impart protection from pathogens as well as environmental stress factors. But, current applications are limited in this regard as mechanisms involved, field applications variance and lack of farmer awareness contributing majorly. Current review tries to provide comprehensive knowledge on the PGPR’s applications as plant protectant against pathogens & abiotic factors leading to sustainable agricultural practices.     

Ability of high hydrostatic pressure treated plasmids and cells of Escherichia coli to genetically transform

The exposure of plasmid pUC18 and pBR322 DNA to high hydrostatic pressure increased the ability of plasmids to transform competent Escherichia coli cells. For pUC18 plasmid, a pressure of 400 MPa, and for pBR322, a pressure of 200 MPa was found to provide the highest transformation efficiency. The DNA duplexes of the two plasmids were found to be the most stable for melting conditions at these pressures. At pressures higher than these, both the stability of the duplex DNA and the transformation efficiency were affected. The stabilizing effect of high hydrostatic pressure on the hydrogen bond may be responsible for the observed increase in transformation efficiency of the pressure-exposed plasmid DNA. The possibility of pressure-induced changes in the structure and conformation of DNA was studied using various techniques. In agarose gel electrophoresis, pressure-treated plasmids (pUC18 at 400 MPa and pBR322 at 200 MPa) consistently showed visibly distinct higher mobility compared to untreated plasmids. Pressure-treated pUC18 as well as pBR322 DNA showed significant reduction in ethidium bromide binding as is evident from the reduced intensity of fluorescence of the dye bound pressure-treated DNA. Spectroscopic studies using circular dichroism and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy also showed significant differences in the absorption profiles of pressure-treated plasmids as compared to an untreated control. These studies revealed that the pressure-induced changes in the conformation of these DNAs may be responsible for the observed increase in the transformation ability of the plasmids. On the other hand, the exposure of competent cells of E. coli to a high hydrostatic pressure of 50 MPa not only reduced their colony-forming ability but also drastically reduced their ability to take up plasmid DNA.     

Dna insertional mutagenesis for the elucidation of a Photosystem II repair process in the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii

The work outlines the isolation of transformant Chlamydomonas reinhardtii cells that appear to be unable to repair Photosystem II from photoinhibitory damage. A physiological and biochemical characterization of three mutants is presented. The results show differential stability for the D1 reaction center protein in the three mutants compared to the wild type and suggest lesions that affect different aspects of the Photosystem II repair mechanism. In the ag16.2 mutant, significantly greater amounts of D1 accumulate in the thylakoid membrane than in the wild type under steady-state growth conditions, and D1 loss is significantly retarded in the presence of the protein biosynthesis inhibitor chloramphenicol. Moreover, aberrant electrophoretic mobility of D1 in the ag16.2 suggests that this protein is modified to an as yet unknown configuration. These results indicate that the biosynthesis and/or degradation of D1 is altered in this strain. A different type of mutation occurred in the kn66.7 and kn27.4 mutants of C. reinhardtii. The stability of D1 declined much faster as a function of light intensity in these mutants than in the wild type. Thereby, the threshold of photoinhibition in these mutants was significantly lower than that in the wild type. It appears that kn66.7 and kn27.4 are similar conditional mutants, with the only difference between them being the amplitude of the chloroplast response to the mutation and the differential sensitivity they display to the level of irradiance.     

Structural features of an l-arabinan derived from mustard seed meal

Aqueous extraction of defatted mustard seed meal yielded an arabinan. Methylation analysis revealed a main chain of 1,5-linked l-arabinofuranosyl residues substituted at O-2 and/or O-3 with additional arabinose, both in furanoside and pyranoside forms.     

A diterpene with a new carbon skeleton from Solidago altissima

An Indian sample of Solidago altissima afforded in addition to several clerodanes already isolated from other Solidago species, a diterpene with a new carbon skeleton. Furthermore a ketone and a new anethole derivative were present.     

Flavonoids and eupahakonenin B from Stevia satureiaefolia

Extraction of Stevia satureiaefolia furnished the flavonoids cirsimaritin and eupatorin and the guaianolide eupahakonenin B.     

In Vivo Random Mutagenesis of Bacillus subtilis by Use of TnYLB-1, a mariner-Based Transposon

This report describes the construction and characterization of a mariner-based transposon system designed to be used in Bacillus subtilis, but potentially applicable to other gram-positive bacteria. Two pUC19-derived plasmids were created that contain the mariner-Himar1 transposase gene, modified for expression in B. subtilis, under the control of either σ^A- or σ^B-dependent promoters. Both plasmids also contain a transposable element (TnYLB-1) consisting of a Kan^r cassette bracketed by the Himar1-recognized inverse terminal repeats, as well as the temperature-sensitive replicon and Erm^r gene of pE194ts. TnYLB-1 transposes into the B. subtilis chromosome with high frequency (10⁻²) from either plasmid. Southern hybridization analyses of 15 transposants and sequence analyses of the insertion sites of 10 of these are consistent with random transposition, requiring only a “TA” dinucleotide as the essential target in the recipient DNA. Two hundred transposants screened for sporulation proficiency and auxotrophy yielded five Spo⁻ clones, three with insertions in known sporulation genes (kinA, spoVT, and yqfD) and two in genes (ybaN and yubB) with unknown functions. Two auxotrophic mutants were identified among the 200 transposants, one with an insertion in lysA and another in a gene (yjzB) whose function is unknown.