Characterisation of Phosphate Solubilising Bacteria in Sandy Loam Soil Under Chickpea Cropping System

With the aim to explore the possible role of phosphate-solubilizing bacteria (PSB) in phosphorus (P) cycling in agricultural soils, we isolated PSB inhabiting naturally in the sandy loam soils under chickpea cropping of Patiala (Punjab State). A total of 31 bacterial isolates showing solubilizing activities were isolated on Pikovskaya agar plates. The potent phosphate solubilizers were selected for further characterization. These isolates were shown to belong to the genera Pseudomonas and Serratia by partial sequencing analysis of their respective 16S rDNA genes. ERIC-PCR based fingerprinting was done for tracking the survival of introduced populations of the PSB during mass inoculation of these strains under chickpea plots. The results showed positive correlation (r² = 0.853) among soil phosphatase activity and phosphate solubilizers population, which was also positively correlated (r² = 0.730) to available phosphorus. Identification and characterization of soil PSB for the effective plant growth-promotion broadens the spectrum of phosphate solubilizers available for field application.     

Paclobutrazol Arrests Vegetative Growth and Unveils Unexpressed Yield Potential of Jatropha curcas

Although the process for making EN 14214 grade Jatropha methyl ester (biodiesel) capable of running unmodified diesel engines in neat form has been demonstrated, getting higher seed yield from Jatropha shrubs in wastelands is critical to the success of Jatropha biodiesel. But, low productivity is inherent to many Jatropha curcas germplasms and raising large-scale plantations using such untested planting material can lead to wasteful expenditures. Unreliable and poor flowering and fruiting are important factors responsible for low productivity in the species. Although much is known about growth retardants applied to field and horticultural crops, their role in improving the seed productivity of Jatropha has never been explored. Here we report for the first time that paclobutrazol could be an extremely useful chemical, whose dose and time of application, if optimized, can significantly reduce unwanted vegetative growth, with concomitant improvement in yield and seed oil content of Jatropha. In the year following application of paclobutrazol, an unexpected increase in seed yield, as high as 1127% relative to controls, was obtained from one such unproductive Jatropha germplasm. We hypothesize that low seed production in this species may be a result of excess vegetative growth caused by an unfavorable endogenous hormonal configuration which competes with growth and development of flower, fruit, or seed. This undesired physiological state can be reversed by paclobutrazol application to achieve maximum oil yield from this energy shrub that holds great promise in the future.     

Acetophenone and stilbene derivatives from Gnetum ula

The isolation of bergenin, 2-hydroxy-4-benzyloxyacetophenone and the related dimer and stilbene from Gnetum ula is reported.     

An assessment of phospholipid methylation in sarcolemma and sarcoplasmic reticulum of the aging myocardium

The stepwise N-methylation of phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) to phosphatidylcholine (PC) (phospholipid methylation) was assessed in cardiac sarcolemma and sarcoplasmic reticulum of aging rats. This phenomenon was depressed in aging hearts relative to young ones. A decrease in activity of catalytic sites appears to be involved in the depressed phospholipid methylation of aging myocardium.     

Docking Simulation and Anti-Inflammatory Profile of Some Synthesized Heterodimer of Pyrazole

Russian Journal of Bioorganic Chemistry - In the present studies, novel pyrazole derivatives have been synthesized linked through various linkers for the anti-inflammatory evaluation. The...     

Evaluation of photosynthetic efficiency of yam bean (Pachyrhizus erosus L.) at saturating photon flux density under elevated carbon dioxide

Physiology and Molecular Biology of Plants - The future CO2 concentration is projected to reach 900–1000 ppm levels by the end of twenty-first century, pertaining to global climatic...     

Role of Arabidopsis BBX proteins in light signaling

Journal of Plant Biochemistry and Biotechnology - Light regulates numerous aspects of plant growth and development like seed germination, seedling de-etiolation, pigment accumulation, cotyledon...