Control of Sodium Transport in Sunflower Roots

Electrochemical potential differences (driving forces) for sodiumdistributed between the outside solution and the exuding sapof water-culture-grown sunflower plants (Helianthus annuius)have been determined. The results indicated that sodium wasmoving from the outside solution to the xylem against the electrochemicalpotential gradient at external concentrations below approximately0.30 mM Na. At higher external concentrations sodium appearedto be actively excluded from the xylem. An electrical potential difference between the exuding sap andthe external solution of approximately 30 mV was observed. Itwas unaffected by the external sodium concentration. Use ofa short-circuiting technique indicated that the trans-root potentialresides at the plasmalemma of the cortical cells. Driving forces on sodium distributed between the external solutionand the root and between the xylem sap and the root were calculated.They indicated that the root is able to accumulate sodium activelyboth from the external solution and the xylem sap. It is concludedthat sodium transport to the xylem in this species is controlledby the balance of these two opposing forces.     

Effect of Indian mustard on feeding,larval survival and development of Plutella xylostella at constant temperatures

Feeding behavior of Plutella xylostella under optional to non-optional conditions was studied at 10°C, 15°C, 20°C, and 25°C on Indian mustard, Brassica juncea. The study reveals that the variety Pusa Bahar was significantly less preferred by the larvae as compared with Pusa Bold and Varuna under optional to non-optional conditions. Larvae of P. xylostella consumed more food at 25°C than 20°C, 15°C and 10°C. Larval survival was found to be highest on cabbage (control) as compared with Indian mustard and was found to vary with host plants and temperature. The larval survival decreased to 11.29% on Pusa Bahar at 10°C. Increasing the temperature from 10°C to 20°C, larval mortality resulted more on Varuna than Pusa Bahar and Pusa Bold. Developmental period was prolonged on Pusa Bold at 10°C while it was shortest on cabbage at 25°C. A total of 536.47 degree days were required to complete the development by immature stages on Varuna at 25°C and 421.64 degree days on cabbage.     

Cytotaxonomic study in the order Falconiformes (Aves)

Karyotypes of six species of birds of the order Falconiformes are presented. The chromosomes of three of these, Neophron percnopterus, Butastur teesa (family Accipitridae) and Falco chicquera (family Falconidae) are described for the first time. The systematic position of these birds are discussed in relation to the karyological characters of other diurnal birds of prey.     

Biology, immature stages and rearing of cocoa-capsids (Miridae: Heteroptera)

Some aspects of the biology of four West African capsid pests of Cocoa, Distantiella theobroma (Distant), Sahlbergella singularis Haglund, Bryocoropsis laticollis Schumacher and Helopeltis corbisieri Schmitz (Miridae: Heteroptera) are briefly summarized. Their immature stages are described and sketched in detail. Keys to distinguish all the larval stages are given and the techniques for rearing them reviewed. The systematics of Bryocorinae is discussed.