006301   Sahani R K;Saxena A R (Botany Dep, D.A.V. P.G. College, Azamgarh-276 001, Email: rk_sahani@rediffmail.com) : Efficacy of extracts of medicinal plants against Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. pisi.. Ann Pl Prot Sci 2008, 16(2), 534-6.

^ssc1 table, 4 ref

006300   Saggoo M I S;Gagandeep Kaur;Ramandeep Kaur (Botany Dep, Punjabi University, Patiala-147 002) : Karyological variability in the North Indian spider plants. Bionature 2008, 28(1), 33-7.

Studies have been carried out on six different clones of spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum) - Green (wild type) and Variegated grown at different locations in North West India. All the variegated taxa and two of the green taxa showed 2n =28 while the green type from Patiala showed 2n =26. The clones exhibited considerable variation in their karyotypic features and chromosome morphology. There is possibility of existence of different cytotypes biotypes in the species.

2 illus, 19 ref

006299   Rohtas Singh;Goyal S C (Plant Tissue Culture Lab, Botany and Plant Physiology Dep, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar-125 004, Email: goyal_sc@yahoo.co.in) : Role of auxins, sucrose and other matrices on in vitro rooting of shoots of Chlorophytum borivilianum Sant. et Fernand. Envir Ecol 2008, 26(2), 695-9.

Chlorophytum borivillanum is an endangered and important plant species of Indian system of medicine, belongs to the family Liliaceae. A cost effective method for in vitro rooting in the shoots of this species was developed. Rapid multiplication was obtained on MS medium through inflorescence nodal segments with higher concentration of N⁶-benzyl adenine. But further shoots multiplication with healthy plantlets was achieved on MS medium fortified with less concentration of BA in combination with adenine sulfate. The regenerated shoots were transferred to MS medium with different concentrations of auxins and sucrose. The rooting was carried out on MS medium with different matrices like glass wool, Luffa sponge and moss instead of agar. However, higher number of roots with good thickness was obtained on MS 1/2 liquid medium with 0.5 mg/l IBA with 2% sucrose and 3% sucrose with glass wool which indicates the suitability over others. The rooted shoots were acclimatized and transferred to the field with 83% success.

1 illus, 3 tables, 24 ref

006298   Ravinder Kumar;Mishra P;Singh G;Prasad C S (Plant Pathology Dep, S.V.B.P. Univ of Agriculture & Technology, Meerut-250 110) : Effect of media, temperature and pH on growth and sclerotial production of Sclerotium rolfsii. Ann Pl Prot Sci 2008, 16(2), 531-2.

^ssc2 tables, 3 ref

006297   Rama Kant;Tandon R;Singh K R;Kesarwani S; Dwivedi V K;Tiwari G L (Botany Dep, University of Allahabad, Allahabad-211 002, Email: rkojha_1@rediffmail.com) : Cyanoarbor Wang, a new report from India and its taxonomic status. Bionature 2008, 28(1), 5-8.

Deals with a new report on unicellular and colonial Cyanoprokaryote Cyanoarbor Wang from India. The Cyanoprokaryote was collected from exposed surface of an old monument at Allahabad. Occurrence and growth pattern of Cyanoarbor is being described here first time from India. Cyanoarbor grows in clusters of 1-4 mm height and almost blackish in appearance. Individual patches of Cyanoarbor are usually 2-5 cm in diameter. In culture, initially colonies of Cyanoarbor have rounded appearªance with distinct hyaline and firm sheath, which later becomes thick, radial or pseudoªdichotomously or irregularly lobed or branched.

^iia6 illus, 9 ref

006296   Pusalkar P K;Singh D K (NO, Botanical Survey of India, Northern Circle, Dehradun-248 195) : New records for the flora of Himachal Pradesh. Ann For 2008, 16(1), 87-91.

Five angiosperm taxa, viz., Campanula modesta Hook.f. & Thomson [Campanulaceae], Geranium rubifolium Lindl. [Geraniaceae], Orobanche cernua Loefl. var. pseudoclarkei S.M.H. Jafri [Orobanchaceae], Aconogonon campanulatum (Hook.f.) Hara [Polygonaceae] and Ranunculus ficariifolius H. Leveille & Vaniot [Ranunculaceae] are reported as new records for the flora of Himachal Pradesh.

18 ref

006295   Politycka B;Gmerek J (Plant Physiology Dep, The August Cieszkowski Agricultural Univ, Wolynska 35; 60-637 Poznan, Poland, Email: barpolit@yahoo.pl) : Lignification and growth inhibition of apple-tree roots induced by phenolic compounds from apple-tree root residues. Allelopathy J 2008, 22(2), 473-8.

In pot culture experiment, seedlings of apple-tree cultivar 'Antonovka' were grown for one month in soil with 0.5%, 1% and 2.5% addition of root residues of 'Cortland', 'Elstar' and 'Sampion' cultivars. The addition of apple-tree root residues to the soil significantly increased the content of phenolic compounds proportionally to the amount of residues added. It was found that the content of phenolic compounds in the soil showed positive correlation with lignin synthesis in roots of 'Antonovka' seedlings, which correlated negatively with the root mass.

5 illus, 20 ref

006294   Parashar A;Lodha P (Plant Pathology, Tissue Culture and Biotechnology Laboratory, Botany D, Rajasthan Univ, Jaipur-302 004) : Quantification of total carbohydrates and related enzymes in ramularia blight infected fennel plants. Ann Pl Prot Sci 2008, 16(2), 438-40.

Quantification of carbohydrates and their related enzymes was studied in fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) infected with Ramularia foeniculi causing blight disease. The content of total carbohydrates, and their related enzymes were recorded in healthy and diseased counter parts. Different plant parts showed variation in their sugar contents, total soluble sugars and reducing sugars were recorded higher in blight infected plant parts while starch contents were recorded lower in infected plant parts a-amylase and invertase activity were recorded higher in blight infected plant than healthy counter parts.

5 illus, 1 table, 10 ref

006293   Pal B C;Das K K (Encology, Behavior and Wildlife Unit, Zoology Dep, North Bengal University, Siliguri-734 430) : Usage of mango (Mangifera indica) tree-parts as traditional folk medicine in rural Malda, West Bengal, India. Envir Ecol 2008, 26(2), 719-21.

Malda district of West Bengal is renowned for mango production. A significant portion of the people of the district depend on this crop for their livelihood. Besides making a living from this crop, the rural folks often depend on this plant for cure of a host of ailments. In the process various parts of the mango tree and fruit arc used singly or in combination with other plants as medicine for different illness. The preparation of the medicine, amount and frequency of dosage arc also discussed.

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006292   Negi V M;Dutt B (Forest Products Dep, Dr. Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni-173 230) : Diversity and distribution pattern of high altitude medicinal and aromatic palnts of Sangla valley in Himachal Pradesh. Ann For 2008, 16(1), 112-18.

Species composition and distribution pattern of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (MAPs) was analyzed at four different sites of altitude ranging from 3,600-4,800 m above msl of Sangla valley of District Kinnaur in Himachal Pradesh. For conducting Phytosociological studies, complete survey of the area was carried out to select four sites, keeping in view richness of medicinal and aromatic plants. At all the four sites Jurinea dolomiaea and Corydalis govaniana were, respectively, the most and least represented herb species, whereas, Rhododendron anthopogon was most represented and Cassiope (astigiata was the least represented shrub species. Most of the herb species showed contiguous distribution, followed by random, whereas all the recorded shrub species showed random followed by contiguous distribution pattern. However, most of these species are on the verge of extinction due to various factors like lack of ecological knowledge of these plants, over-exploitation for economic gain, grazing etc. For the scientific management of these plant species the study of the soil, geology, climate, associated vegetation and resource availability in their natural habitat are pre-requisite before the endemic diversity of these plant species wiped out from the nature.

3 tables, 13 ref

006291   Nasim G (Institute of Mycology and Plant Pathology, Punjab Univ, Quaid-e-Azam Campus, Lahore-54590, Pakistan, Email: ghazalanasim@hotmail.com) : Influence of rice allelopathy on sporocarp formation by Glomus monosporum in leaf sheath bases of wheat. Allelopathy J 2008, 22(2), 403-8.

To analyze the effect of rice allelopathy on the sporulation of G. monosporum in wheat-rice cropping system, wheat stumps left after crop harvest and the rhizosphere soil were sampled 10 days after crop harvest from 5 sites. Finds that when wheat is cultivated after rice crop and in soils having rice straw mulch the ability of G. monosporum to form spores/sporocarps was decreased as compared to monoculture in field and pot culture. The spore counts recorded in the soil samples after crop harvest also supported the leaf sheaths data.

^ssc2 illus, 17 ref

006290   Nakano H (National Agricultural Research Center for Kyushu Okinawa Region, , Chikugo, Fukuoka 833-0041, Japan, Email: nakanohr@affrc.go.jp) : Effects of husk extracts of wild rice spp. on seedling growth of lettuce, barnyard grass and Eclipta thermalis. Allelopathy J 2008, 22(2), 391-6.

Examines the effect of husk extracts of wild rice spp. on root and shoot growth of lettuce, barnyard grass and Eclipta therimalis (false daisy). The inhibition was generally greater in root growth than in shoot growth. The husk extracts at 50 g eq./1 of all tested wild rice spp. caused strong inhibition in root growth of barnyard grass. The husk extracts at 50 g eq./1 of O. glumaepatula caused the greatest inhibition in root growth of lettuce, but the greatest promotion in shoot growth of false daisy, followed by O. barthii, O. rufipogon, and O. meridionalis. Thus, the husk extracts of O. glumaepatula contain allelochemicals that inhibit root growth of lettuce and barnyard grass, but promote shoot growth of false daisy. To characterize these allelochemicals in O. glumaepatula husk, its husk extracts were partitioned between water and ethyl acetate layers. The lettuce root growth inhibition was greater in water layer of O. glumaepatula husk extracts than in ethyl acetate layer. However, the inhibition in root growth of barnyard grass was greater in ethyl acetate layer than in water layer. The false daisy shoot growth promotion was greater in water layer of O. glumaepatula husk extracts than in ethyl acetate layer. These results suggest that the husk extracts of O. glumaepatula contain water soluble allelochemicals that inhibit root growth of lettuce but promote shoot growth of false daisy and ethyl acetate soluble allelochemicals that inhibit root growth of barnyard grass.

^ssc1 illus, 1 table, 22 ref

006289   Mittal N (Genetics and Tree Propagation Div, Forest Research Institute, Dehra Dun, Uttarakhand) : Identification of low βasarone containing diploid variety of Acorus calamus L. grown in Gujarat. Ann For 2008, 16(2), 306-10.

Acorus calamus L., Araceae is an important aromatic, herbal medicinal plant species distributed in India and Eastern Europe. The fragrant oil of rhizome is mainly used in the pharmaceutical and herbal industries. However, the occurrence of β-asarone {(Z)-1, 2, 4-trimethoxy-5-prop-1-enyl-benzene) limits the possibility of its use due to the carcinogenic properties of this compound. The aim of this work was to identify a low β-asarone containing variety of A. calamus grown in Gujarat. Alcoholic extracts of rhizomes of tetraploid and diploid varieties were analyzed using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). Tetraploid variety was characterized by the presence of high β-asarone content (76%) and diploid variety with low a-asarone content (6.54%).

2 illus, 18 ref

006288   Misra V;Singh N;Srivastava K C (Botany Dep, D.G. College, Kanpur) : Response of isolates of Colletotrichum capsici to fungicides. Ann Pl Prot Sci 2008, 16(2), 518-19.

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006287   Medhi R P;Chakrabarti S (NO, National Research Centre for Orchids (ICAR), Pakyong-737 106, Email: nrcorchids@rediffmail.com) : Traditional Knowledge of NE people on conservation of wild orchids. Indian J Tradl Knowledge 2009, 8(1), 11-6.

Describes the information of the traditional knowledge of the people of Northeastern region to conserve the valuable wild orchid germplasm. Northeastern region of our country is the traditional home of near about 876 orchid species in 151 genera of which many species are economically important for their ornamental and medicinal values. The people of this region have a tradition of conservation of wild orchids in nature based on various religious beliefs and herbal healthcare.

006286   Mao A A;Hynniewta T M;Sanjappa M (NO, Botanical Survey of India, Arunachal Field Station, Itanagar-791 111) : Plant wealth of Northeast India with reference to ethnobotany. Indian J Tradl Knowledge 2009, 8(1), 96-103.

Highlights the rich plant resources and the vast wealth of ethnobotanical information available with the various tribes of the region. A brief review of ethnobotanical and traditional knowledge system reports published by various workers from the region is given. It also highlights some important medicinal plants and its status in the wild and also discussed on the need for harnessing the rich bio-resources and translating it to economic products.

006285   Luna R K;Ashok Kumar;Nautiyal R;Vijay Kumar (Punjab State Forest Dep, , Chandigarh) : Seed source variations in morphological traits of seed and oil content in Jatropha curcas (linn.). Ann For 2008, 16(2), 284-94.

Seed source variations in different morphological traits of seed and oil content were studied among twenty four seed sources of Jatropha curcas (Linn.) collected from three states of Northern India viz. Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab. The evaluation of the plant material was carried out in the evaluation trial established at Khadakon, Hoshiarpur, Punjab by making harvest of fruits during August and February. The performance for all the traits showed significant variations among the seed sources and period of harvesting. Significant variation was observed in minimum and maximum values for three important traits viz. height, girth and number of branches per plant. The maximum variation for other traits however was found highest for weight of 100 seed kernels followed by oil content and weight of 100 seeds. The first period of harvest i.e. August produced significantly higher values for almost all the traits except seed width and fruit diameter. Estimation of broad sense heritability and genetic advance for various traits showed moderate to high values for number of traits and the maximum genetic gain was registered for girth followed by weight of 100 seed kernel, number of branches and weight of 100 seeds. The oil content was found to be significant for the harvest made during first period but the same was found non-significant for the harvest made during the second period. The maximum oil content for both the harvests was reported for seed source collected from Dunera (36.76 and 33.10%) and Dhar (35.92 and 30.30%), whereas minimum oil content was reported for Sahura Kandi (17.09%) and Jahan Khelan (14.20%) seed sources. The results showed that there exists considerable amount of variation for all the traits studied and offer ample scope for their further genetic improvement.

6 tables, 15 ref

006284   Lorenzo P;Pazos-Malvido E;Gonzalez L;Reigosa M J (Departamento de Bioloxia Vexetal e Ciencia do Solo, Universidade de Vigo, 36310 Vigo, Spain, Email: luis@uvigo.es) : Allelopathic interference of invasive Acacia dealbata: physiological effects. Allelopathy J 2008, 22(2), 452-62.

The allelopathic potentials of throughfall (rain passing through the canopy) and macerate (apical branches mixed with distilled water) leachates of Acacia dealbata grove during the flowering were studied. The test plants were corn (Zea mays) and 4 plant spp. (Dicranum sp. Hedera hibernica, Leucobryum sp. and Dactylis glomerata) present both inside and outside the grove, while Leucobryum sp. and Dactylis glomerata were present only outside the grove. A. dealbata leachates showed allelopathic interference to test species. Although the germination of corn was inhibited by throughfall and macerate leachates, but the latter was more inhibitory. Besides, leachates also inhibited the photosynthesis of corn. The macerate leachates also stimulated the respiration of species located outside the A. dealbata grove. This suggested that A. dealbata can interact with native species through allelopathic interference and may be responsible for biodiversity loss in introduced ranges.

5 illus, 30 ref

006283   Kong C H (NO, Institute of Applied Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang 110016, China, Email: kongch@iae.ac.cn) : Rice allelopathy. Allelopathy J 2008, 22(2), 261-73.

Rice allelopathy has been found since mid I980's. Currently it is studied worldwide and substantial progress has been made. Numerous compounds have been identified as potent allelochemicals from the rice tissues and root exudates. Furthermore, allelopathic rice (i) not only releases allelochemicals to suppress the growth of neighbouring plant species, but also (ii) detects the presence of interspecific neighbours and responds through increased release of certain allelochemicals and (iii) may modify the soil microorganisms to its advantage by release of allelochemicals. Research to develop the commercial allelopathic rice cultivars is being done world wide. Allelopathic rice cultivars combined with integrated cultural management practices may reduce the quantity of herbicides used. Such an allelopathy-based technique for paddy weed control is most easily transferable to the low-input management systems prevailing in Asian rice farming systems. This review aims to outline the recent advances in rice allelopathy: (a) key allelochemicals exuded from allelopathic rice varieties, (b) interference mechanisms of allelopathic rice varieties with paddy weeds, (c) the fate and impact on microorganisms of rice allelochemicals in paddy soils, (d) inheritance and molecular approaches in rice allelopathy, (e) varietal improvement in rice allelopathy and (f) rice allelopathy-based techniques for paddy weed management.

3 tables, 55 ref

006282   Khan M R;Patra A;Panja B N;Chaudhuri S (Agril. Entomology Dep, Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Kalyani, Nadia-741 235, Email: mrkhanbckv@rediffmail.com) : Identification of pathotype and pathogenicity of Meloidogyne javanica infecting safed musli (Chlorophytum borivilianum). Ann Pl Prot Sci 2008, 16(2), 542-4.

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006281   Kavitha B T;Ramachandra Y L (Biotechnology & Bioinformatics Dep, School of Biological Sciences, Kuvempu Univ, Jnana Sahyadri, Shimoga-577 451, Email: ylrkar@yahoo.co.in) : Screening for antibacterial activity of the root extract of Tinospora cordifolia (Willd.) Miers. Envir Ecol 2008, 26(2A), 960-3.

Herbal preparations are effectively and extensively used for their medicinal properties and have become increasingly popular worldwide. Tinospora cordifolia has been proven as wide array of bioactive principles and for medicinal use in India. T. cordifolia is an important medicinal plant. In this study we attempted to evaluate the antibacterial property of the root extract of T. cordifolia against gram positive and gram negative bacteria. The in vitro experiment by agar well disc diffusion method established that inhibitory role of bioactive components of T. cordifolia root extract possesses antibacterial property. The antibacterial screening revealed that the presence of bioactive components in root extracts of the plant which showed higher inhibitory activity. The T. cordifolia root extract in different ratios of hexane and ethyl acetate tests have shown significant zone of inhibition to all microorganisms viz. Escherichia coli (65 mm), Bacillus subtilis (60 mm) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (63 mm). It can be concluded that T. cordifolia root extract possesses a potential bioactive components which exhibit significant zone of inhibition against the growth of pathogenic microorganisms compared to reference antibiotics and control.

2 tables, 15 ref

006280   Kato-Noguchi K;Ota K;Ino T (Applied Biological Science Dep, Faculty of Agriculture, Kagawa Univ, Miki, Kagawa 761-0795, Japan, Email: hisashi@ag.kagawa-u.ac.jp) : Release of momilactone A and B from rice plants into the rhizosphere and its bioactivities. Allelopathy J 2008, 22(2), 321-8.

Momilactone A and B are present in rice plants and are secreted into the rice rhizosphere throughout the crop growth and development. Their secretion rates increased till flowering initiation and declines thereafter. Although momilactone A concentration in rice shoots and roots was greater than momilactone B but secretion rate of later was greater than former; this suggested that momilactone B may be selectively secreted into the rice rhizosphere than momilactone A. Momilactone A inhibited the root and shoot growth of Echinochloa crus-galli and Echinochloa colonum > 10 μM concentrations, while, momilactone B caused inhibition above 1 μM. Comparing the I₅₀ values (concentrations required for 50 % inhibition of plant growth), the inhibitory activities of momilactone B on the growth of E. crus-galli and E. colonum were 4.7- to 19.2-folds greater than momilactone A, which indicates that momilatone B was more inhibitory to growth than momilactone A. The momilactone A and B were slightly inhibitory to the growth of rice seedlings but most inhibitory to grassy weeds (E. crus-galli and E. colonum). Besides, no visible damage to rice seedlings was observed from momilactone A and B. These results suggest that rice plants may inhibit the growth of their neighbouring plants through secretion of momolactone A and B into the rhizosphere, without serious toxicity to rice plants. Thus, momilactone A and B may play an important role in rice defence mechanism in the rhizosphere to prevent competition from invading root systems of neighboring plants. However, the role of momilactone B for the defence mechanism may be greater than momilactone A, because growth inhibitory activity and secretion level of momilactone B was much greater than momilactone A.

4 illus, 1 table, 21 ref

006279   Kathiresan R M;Dhavabharathi J (Agronomy Dep, Faculty of Agriculture, Annamalai Univ, Annamalai Nagar, Tamilnadu-608 002, Email: rm.kathiresan@sify.com) : Rice allelopathy for weed management in aquatic ecosystems. Allelopathy J 2008, 22(2), 413-16.

Lake Veeranum and it's distributaries form the major irrigation source for rice crop in Tamilnadu state in South India. Now its distributaries have been infested with water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes. Mart. Solms), but this invasive alien weed has not entered the rice fields. Based on this observation, residues of 60 rice cultivars were screened for their allelopathic inhibition on water hyacinth in laboratory bio-assays as well as in micropond tests. Cultivars whose extracts 3 days after application, caused >40% reduction in weed biomass and chlorophyll were grouped as highly allelopathic and those causing 20-40% reduction as moderately allelopathic. The highly and moderately allelopathic cultivars were later tested in concrete microponds. The residues of selected rice cultivars were soaked in water of the micropond to make concentrations of 2, 5 and 10% and compared with floating weeds of a micropond with normal untreated water. Reduction in weed bio-mass and chlorophyll content were recorded at 24 h interval. Three days after transplanting, the cultivar BPT proved highly allelopathic to water hyacinth and caused reduction 47.68% in weed biomass in Lab bioassay and 45.61% in microponds. Rice cultivar ADT-36 was moderately allelopathic, it reduced the weed bio-mass by 33.40 and 32.0% in laboratory bioassay and micropond, respectively.

^ssc1 illus, 2 tables, 9 ref

006278   Karimi S;Vahabi K H;Zangeneh S (Agronomy Dep, College of Agriculture, Kurdistan Univ, Sanandaj, Iran, Email: sedighk@gmail.com) : Effects of allelochemicals in English walnut rhizosphere on genetic diversity of glomus spp. by AFLP markers. Allelopathy J 2008, 22(2), 443-52.

It is the first report of walnut another mycorrhizal fungi. studied diversity of Glomus species fungi in walnut rhizosphere. Sixty eight soil samples were collected from walnut rhizosphere, mycorrhizal fungi spores were extracted from the soil and the species were identified by spores morphological properties. The high-resolution fingerprinting method of amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) was used to assess the genetic diversity analysis of mycorrhizal isolates. According to our molecular and morphological analysis, AFLP proved suitable marker for molecular genetic classification of mycorrhizal fungi. Of the 274 obtained isolates, 264 were related to Glomus genus (15 spp), 4 to Paraglomus (1 sp) and 6 belong to Gigaspora genus (1 sp).

3 illus, 3 tables, 45 ref

006277   Jiang H;Gao X;Zhang Y;Liu X;He W (College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, China Agricultural Univ, Beijing 110193, China, Email: hyjiang@ippcaas.cn) : Allelopathic potential of chinese medicinal plants on rice and paddy weeds. Allelopathy J 2008, 22(2), 337-4.

Allelopathic potential of 10 Chinese medicinal plants were investigated on rice and 3 paddy weeds. All medicinal plants inhibited the germination and growth of both rice and paddy weeds but the inhibitory effects were much stronger on paddy weeds than on rice. Medicinal plant species: Punica granatum, Setaria viridis, Aconitum carmichaeli and Ricinus communis were most inhibitory to paddy weeds. Particularly, P. granatum completely inhibited the germination and growth of 3 test paddy weeds (Echinochiloa crusgalli, Pycreu sanguinolentus and Bidens tripartite). Furthermore, its methanol extract was partitioned into three fractions : n-bulyl alcohol, ethyl acetate and water and their allelopathic activities were evaluated on the growth of rice and 3 paddy weeds in bioassay. The weed-suppression of three fractions followed the order: n-butyl alcohol > ethyl acetate > water. At 5g/L dose, n-butyl alcohol fraction caused 90 % inhibition in growth of 3 paddy weeds, but no inhibition was observed in rice. GC/MS analysis showed that ergost-5-en-3ol, (3β.24R)-stigmast-5-en-3-ol, (3β,245)- 9,19-cyclo-9β-lanost-24-en-3 β-ol and n-hentriacontane were the main compounds of bioactive n-butyl alcohol fraction of P. granatum. This study suggested that several Chinese medicinal plant species, such as P. granatum, could be used for management of paddy weeds.

1 illus, 3 tables, 16 ref

006276   Javaid A;Shafique S;Shafique S;Riaz T (Institute of Mycology and Plant Pathology, Punjab Univ, Quaid-e-Azam Campus Lahore, Pakistan, Email: arshadjpk@yahoo.com) : Effects of rice extracts and residue incorporation on Parthenium hysterophorus management. Allelopathy J 2008, 22(2), 353-61.

Parthenium (Parthenium hysterophorus L.), an annual invasive weed native to tropical America, is rapidly spreading in many parts of the world. Studies the allelopathic potential of rice (Oryza sativa L.) to manage this weed. In laboratory bioassay, effects of aqueous, melhanol and n-hexane shoot extracts (0,2,4,6,8,10% concentrations) of 3 rice varieties (Basmati-385, Basmati-386 and Basmati Super) were determined on the germination and seedling growth of parthenium. Aqueous and methanol extracts proved toxic against this weed. Generally, extracts of higher concentrations (6-10%) significantly decreased the germination, shoot length and total plant biomass. All concentrations of aqueous and methanol extracts significantly decreased the root length. Methanol extracts (10%) of Basmati 386 was most toxic to germination, shoot length, root length and plant biomass and caused 85. 87, 95 and 98% reduction, respectively. In foliar spray bioassay, aqueous extracts (5 and 10% concentrations) of 3 rice varieties were sprayed on 7 days old pot grown parthenium seedlings and 2 subsequent sprays were done at 5 days intervals each. All extracts reduced the root and shoot biomass, however, 5% extracts were more inhibitory than 10% extract. In residue incoiporation bioassay, crushed shoot materials of 3 rice varieties were incorporated in the soil at 0.5, 1.0 and 1,5% (w/w) concentrations. Parthenium seeds were sown one week after residue incorporation and plants were harvested 4 weeks after sowing. All residue incorporation treatments (except 0.5% Basmati Super) significantly declined the shoot biomass of target weed. Highest concentration (1.5% residue incorporation) of the 3 rice varieties caused 61-81% and 38-62% reduction in shoot and root biomass of parthenium weed, respectively.

2 illus, 21 ref

006275   Hu F;Wang D;Chen X H;Ding G L (Weed Science Laboratory, South China Agricultural Univ, Guangzhou 510642, China, Email: hufei@scau.edu.cn) : Allelopathic potential of rice accessions against barnyard grass in paddy field. Allelopathy J 2008, 22(2), 329-36.

The stability of 9 allelopathic rice accessions against barnyard grass was investigated with different sowing-dates approach in paddy field. The results showed that the inhibitory rates of rice on barnyard grass varied significantly with test rice accessions and barnyard grass sowing-dates. The inhibitory effects of 3 hybrid rice accessions on barnyard grass showed higher stability than other 7 inbred rice accessions. During the vegetative phase, the inhibitory rales of 9 rice accessions tested were positively related to mean daily temperature and sunshine duration, but negatively related to daily rainfall. However at rice maturity stage, the inhibitory rates of 9 rice accessions were positively related to mean daily temperature and sunshine duration, but negatively related to mean daily rainfall. Thus meteorological and environmental factors affected the stability of allelopathic rice against barnyard grass in paddy field.

4 tables, 24 ref

006274   Guru S D (Botany Dep, Ranchi Women's College, Ranchi-834 001, Email: sushmadasguru@yahoo.com) : Species richness of Scenedesmus meyen (Chlorophyceae) in some sewage fed water bodies of Ranchi. Bionature 2008, 28(1), 1-4.

Scenedesmus Meyen, species are ubiquitous in freshwater ecosystem. In the study, the diversity and species richness of Scenedesmus in polluted water were studied. Their diversity greatly exceeds in present time that described for this genera from the previous studies in the same region. Altogether six species and eight varieties have been recorded. All of them have been recognized as pollutant tolerant species of the region and their utilization as water purifier for polluted water bodies has been suggested.

18 ref

006273   Gupta R C;Singhal V K;Dhaliwal R S;Harneet Kaur (Botany Dep, Punjabi University, Patiala-147 002) : Population cytogenetics II. Chromosome studies on Tridax procumbens Linn. from North West India. Bionature 2008, 28(1), 25-32.

Cytological studies were made on seven populations of Tridax procumbens from North West India. All the presently worked out populations are tetraploid (2n=36) with x=9. The meiotic course in all the populations is found to be abnormal with few quadrivalents, besides normal bivalents, stickiness of bivalents, presence of bridges and laggards during anaphases and telophases, cytomixis involving more than two PMC at M-I, A-I and T-I. Due to these abnormalities microsporogenesis was also found to be abnormal with diads and triads besides normal tetrads with 80-85% pollen fertility.

12 illus, 4 tables, 24 ref

006272   Gupta P K;Sharma N D;Gharde Y (Plant Pathology Div, I.A.R.I., New Delhi-110 012, Email: pkgtaxo@rediffmail.com ) : New record of Colletotrichum caudatum on Cymbopogan martini in Madhya Pradesh. Ann Pl Prot Sci 2008, 16(2), 539-40.

^ssc2 illus, 3 ref

006271   Gupta A;Dhaliwal R S;Gupta R C (Botany Dep, Punjabi University, Patiala-147 002) : Population cytogenetics I. Meiotic studies on Phalaris minor Retz. from Haryana and adjoining Shiwalik hills. Bionature 2008, 28(1), 17-23.

Meiotic studies were performed on seven populations of Phalaris minor from Haryana and adjoining Shiwalik Hills. All the presently worked out populations are tetraploid (2n=28) with x=7. The meiotic course in all the populations is found to be abnormal with few quadrivalents, besides normal bivalents, stickiness in chromosomes, presence of secondary association of some bivalents, non-synchronous separation of some bivalents at MetaphaseªI, cytomixis, presence of bridges and laggards during and phases and telophases, etc. in spite of normal microsporogenesis, high incidence of pollen sterility is found in different populations.

12 illus, 3 tables, 29 ref

006270   Guo Y;Kim K U;Lee I J;Yoder J I;Shin D H (Plant Biosciences Div, College of Agriculture & Life Sciences, Kyungpook National Univ, Daegu 702-701, Republic of Korea, Email: dhshin@knu.ac.kr) : Haustorium induction of parasitic plant: a new bioassay method to determine allelopathic potential. Allelopathy J 2008, 22(2), 371-8.

Allelopathy has the potential to reduce the herbicide use as a component of integrated weed management technology. To develop a new bioassay method, another studied the effects of extracts from 3 rice cultivars (Kouketsumochi, Dongjinbyeo and K21) on the haustorium induction rate, phytotoxicity and ROS (reactive oxygen species) activity of parasitic plant Triphysaria versicolor as the target plant. The three cultivars influenced the different rates of haustorium induction. Kouketsumochi caused the highest haustorium induction rale followed by K21 and Dongjinbyeo (lowest response at varying concentrations of rice tissue extracts). Application of UV irradiation to the rice cultivars increased the phytotoxic effects on root growth of T. versicolor. Activity of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was assayed by staining root tip of parasitic plant with probe CM-H₂DCFDA [5-(and 6)-chloromethy1-2', 7'-dichlorodihydro-fluorescein diacetate, acetyl ester] and monitoring the change of fluorrescence. The fluorescence increased when the dye was oxidized by ROS. Fluorescence appeared in the shortest time in Kouketsumochi (allelopathic cultivar). followed by K21 and Dongjinbyeo (non-allelopathic cultivar). Results indicated that different haustorium rates of rice cultivars were related to different ROS activity. Thus T. versicolor can be used as a new target plant to evaluate the allelopathic potential of plant species.

3 illus, 1 table, 22 ref

006269   Gu Y;Wang P;Kong C H (Graduate School, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100039, China, Email: kongch@iae.ac.cn) : Effects of rice allelochemicals on the microbial community of flooded paddy soil. Allelopathy J 2008, 22(2), 299-310.

Allelopathic rice roots release the allelochemicals in soil at significant rates to interact with soil microorganisms, but their impact on microbial community structure of flooded paddy soil has not been studied yet. In this study, phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) analysis was used to evaluate the entire microbial community of soil incubated with rice allelochemicals (5,7,4'-trihydroxy-3',5'-dimethoxyflavone and benzoic acid) and root exudates under flooded condition. It appeared from the results showed that the total PLFAs, bacteria and fungi all showed the largest increase in root exudates amendment at day 1, benzoic acid at day 3 and the flavone at day 5, respectively. Anaerobic bacteria increased more in allelopathic root exudates than in non-allelopathic root exudates. Benzoic acid was less stimulatory to anaerobes than flavone. There was a clear separation among the different treatments by principal component analysis (PCA). The PC1 and PC2 components together accounted for 62.8% of the variation (PCI =40.4%, PC2=22.4%) in data. Besides, the stepwise discriminating analysis showed DP1 and DF2 accounted for 70.5% and 21.1% of the variance, respectively. For the correlations of 8 selected fatty acids with the two DFs, i15:0, al5:0, 10Me16:0 and 10Me18:0 were correlated with DP1, whereas 16:1ω7c, 18:2ω6c 18:1ω9c and cy19:0 were correlated with DF2. These results suggested that allelopathic rice could modify microbial community structure in flooded paddy soil to their advantage through release of allelochemicals.

3 tables, 1 illus, 32 ref

006268   Ghosh N;Barua B (RIJDMC DAV Public School, , Raniganj, Burdwan-713 347) : Enumeration of pitfalls of Mahabir colliery in Raniganj, WB presumed to have become wetlands. Envir Ecol 2008, 26(2A), 966-7.

Enumerates the abandoned coal pits in Mahabir Colliery of Raniganj, district Burdwan. The objective of this work was to draw attention to such abandoned pits which gained the characteristics of wetlands under the regime of natural phenomena constituting a life sustaining system tot the micro-and macrophytes and their animal associates. As many as 10 such wetlands were listed which deserved primary attention for their management and optimum sustainable utilization.

^ssc1 table, 3 ref

006267   Gautam M K;Tripathi A K;Kamboj S K;Manhas R K (Botany Dep, S.P. College, Srinagar-190 001, Email: manhasrk@rediffmail.com) : Twinspan classification of moist Shorea robusta Gaertn. F. (Sal) forests with respect to regeneration. Ann For 2008, 16(2), 173-7.

Regeneration of Sal has been a matter of great concern for the forest managers. A lot has been written about Sal and its requirements at herb, shrub and tree layer stages. But an integrated approach has always been lacking. In the present study all these layers were taken simultaneously for TWINSPAN classification. The results of the analysis reveal that soil moisture (indicator species used) is the main requirement for Sal seedlings. Urena lobata and seedlings of Urena lobata and Jasminum multiflorum are the negative indicators and shrubs like Millettia auriculata, Pogostemon plectranthoides, Jasminum multiflorum etc. are the positive indicators of good Sal regeneration.

13 ref

006266   Farooq M;Jabran K;Rehman H;Hussain M (Agronomy and Crop Physiology Dep, Agriculture Univ, Faisalabad, Pakistan-38040, Email: khawarjabran@gmail.com) : Allelopathic effects of rice on seedling development in wheat, oat, barley and barseem. Allelopathy J 2008, 22(2), 385-90.

Allelopathic potential of different plant parts of rice against wheat, oat, barley and berseem. In Lab bioassay, rice stem extract reduced the germination, energy of germination, seedling length and seedling dry weight of test crops. The number of roots was decreased in all crops except wheat. Roots and leaves extract also inhibited the seedling germination and growth. Nonetheless they also had promotive effects, suggesting the presence of growth promoting allelochemicals. Berseem was the most susceptible. The allelopathic potential of different rice parts followed the order: stems > roots > leaves. Strong seedling length retardation can be major cause of poor crop stand establishment. Results suggested that rice allelopathy is involved in retarding the germination and growth of succeeding crops.

^ssc7 illus, 17 ref

006265   Fageria N K;Barbosa Filho M P;Guimaraes C M (NO, National Rice and Bean Research Center of EMBRAPA, Caixa Postal 179, Santo Antonio de Goias, GO, CEP 75375-000, Brazil, Email: fageria@cnpaf.embrapa.br) : Allelopathy in upland rice in Brazil. Allelopathy J 2008, 22(2), 289-98.

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is staple food for more than 50% world population and is grown in two ecosystems (upland and lowland). Upland rice refers to rice grown on rainfed, well drained soils, without surface water accumulation, without regular water supply and not bunded. It is mainly grown in Asia, Africa and South America. Brazil is the largest producer of upland rice in the world. The yield of upland rice is lower than lowland rice due to abiotic and biotic stresses. In Brazil, upland rice is mainly grown on Oxisols (acidic pH and poor fertility). Rice Blast disease, drought and monoculture (3-4 years) are responsible for its low yield. Allelopathy is also assumed to be responsible for this yield reduction. Adopting appropriate crop rotation and keeping land under pasture are important management strategies for sustainable production of upland rice. Additionally, developing cultivars resistant to allelochemicals is also fundamental strategy to improve the upland rice yield on allelochemically degraded soils.

3 tables, 40 ref

006264   Dubey B B;Mishra C P;Pandey D D (Ecology Research Laboratory, PG Dep of Botany, Nalanda College, Biharsharif-803 101) : Species composition, life-form, biological spectrum and importance value index of grasslands of Santhal pargana, Jharkhand. Envir Ecol 2008, 26(2A), 848-51.

Study was conducted to assess the species composition, life-form, biological spectrum and importance value index of protected and grazed grasslands of Santhal Pargana. The total number of grassland species was recorded to be 11, 10 and 8 on protected ; 25, 19 and 16 on grazed grasslands in rainy, winter and summer seasons, respectively. Thero-hemicryptophytic life-form was comparatively higher on both grasslands. Biological spectrum of protected and grazed grasslands species were compared with that of Raunkiaer's normal spectrum and it was concluded that percentage of therophyte was higher on both grasslands than other life-form classes. The importance value index of Aristida cyanantha was recorded to be maximum as compared to other grassland species present on both types of grasslands in rainy, winter and summer seasons.

5 tables, 16 ref

006263   Chen X H;Hu F;Kong C H (NO, Institute of Applied Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang 110016, China, Email: kongch@iae.ac.cn) : Varietal improvement in rice allelopathy. Allelopathy J 2008, 22(2), 379-84.

The development of rice allelopathy is to lessen reliance on herbicides and reduce labour input in paddy ecosystems. The varietal improvement in rice allelopathy is an essential prerequisite for the practical application of paddy weed control. In this study, allelopathic rice PI312777 was hybridized with non-allelopathic modern rice cultivars N28S, N9S, N2S, N13S, Peiai64S and Tehuazhan35 in South China. Weed suppression and allelopathic index of these seven parents and their progeny plants were investigated in field and laboratory. Crosses between allelopathic and non-allelopathic rice varieties showed that allelopathic traits are quantitatively inherited and inheritance pattern of allelopathy in rice showed polymorphism in allelic interactions. Particularly, allelopathic traits of N2S/PI312777 progeny plants were enhanced greatly and there was positively-significant heterotic effect between allelopathic PI312777 and non-allelopathic N2S. Three rice lines of high grain yields and potent weed suppression in F₈ derived from the crosses among those of N2S and PI312777 were selected as candidates for commercially acceptable allelopathic rice cultivars. These three allelopathic rice lines greatly reduced the emergence and growth of paddy weeds, besides no grain yield reduction occurred than control. Allelopathic rice No 1. a commercially acceptable allelopathic rice cultivar, is developing in Guangdong Province, China.

^ssc4 tables, 15 ref

006262   Chaukiyal S P (Plant Physiology (Botany Div), Forest Research Institute, Dehra Dun-248 006) : Standardization of in-vivo nitrate reductase activity in Rhynchosia minima (L.) DC. leaves. Ann For 2008, 16(2), 251-4.

The combination of different concentration of substrate (0.10M, 0.15M, 0.20M and 0.25M KNO₃) with different pH of buffer (0.20M KH₂PO₄of the pH 6.5, 7.0, 7.5, 7.6, 7.7 and 7.8) solution were tried for the nitrate reductase activity of Rhynchosia minima leaves. Maximum nitrate reductase activity was observed in the combination of buffer solution of 0.2M having pH 7.7 and substrate solution of the concentration 0.20 M.

1 illus, 1 table, 11 ref

006261   Chau D P M;Kieu T T;Chin D V (NO, Cuulong Delta Rice Research Institute, Co Do-Can Tho-Vietnam, Email: duongvanchin@hcm.vnn.vn) : Allelopathic effects of Vietnamese rice varieties. Allelopathy J 2008, 22(2), 409-12.

In Lab bioassay, the allelochemicals released from 19 Vietnamese improved indica rice varieties were studies on the seedlings growth of lettuce (Lactuca sativa), kale (Brassica oleracea) and weedy rice (Oryza sativa). Results revealed that AS 996 variety stimulated the root length (32.8%) of lettuce, while, most of the remaining varieties were inhibitory. The 8 rice varieties (OM 5930, OM 4900, OM 5900, OM 3536, OM 4498, OM 4059, OM 2395, OM 4887) proved highly allelopathic and caused reduction (51.6 ; 81.5 and 81.5%) in root length of lettuce, kale and weedy rice, hile, reduction in hypocotyl lengths was 50.7; 40.1 and 79.4%, respectively.

^ssc2 tables, 6 ref

006260   Chandra Sekar K;Gairola S;Rawat B;Rawal R S (G.B. Pant Institute of Himalayan Environment & Development, , Kosi-Katarmal, Almora-263 643) : Avena fatua L. subsp. Meridionalis malz. (poaceae) - a new record for Uttarakhand. Ann For 2008, 16(2), 361-2.

^ssc7 ref

006259   Cao N Y;Wang P;Kong C H (Graduate School, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100039, China, Email: kongch@iae.ac.cn) : Effects of lignin from allelopathic and non-allelopathic rice straw on Echinochloa crus-galli and soil microorganisms. Allelopathy J 2008, 22(2), 397-402.

Effects of lignin from allelopathic and non-allelopathic rice straws were investigated on Echinochloa crus-galli and soil microorganisms. E. crux-galli growing in the lignin amended soils was significantly inhibited. The inhibitory degree varied with concentrations and time intervals of incubation, but there was no difference between the allelopathic PI312777 and non-allelopathic Liaojing-9 rice straws. Furthermore, inhibition was higher in soil incubated with lignin at low concentration (10 μg/g^-1 soil) than at high concentration of (300 μg/g^-1 soil). In soil microbial population, bacteria and actinomycetes were less sensitive to applied lignin than fungi. The lignin of rice straws at test concentrations stimulated the soil fungi but inhibited the soil bacteria and actinomycetes during the late incubation periods. The results suggests that both allelopathic and non-allelopathic rice straws left in the field could produce lignin into paddy soils, to interact with plant and soil microbes.

^ssc1 illus, 2 tables, 22 ref

006258   Bajwa R;Javaid A;Shafique S A;Javaid A;Jabeen K;Shafique S (Institute of Mycology and Plant Pathology, Punjab Univ, Lahore, Pakistan, Email: rukhsanabajwa_mppl@yahoo.com) : Fungistatic activity of aqueous and organic solvent extracts of rice varieties on phytophathogenic fungi. Allelopathy J 2008, 22(2), 363-70.

Study evaluates the in vitro antifungal activity of aqueous, methanol and n-hexane snoot extracts (0, 1, 3 and 5%) of three rice varieties (Basmati-385, Basmati-386 and Basmati Super) against two phytopathogenic fungi [Ascochyta rabiei (Pass.) Lab. and Macrophomina phaseolina (Tassi) G. Goid]. Aqueous and n-hexane extracts significantly suppressed the in vitro growth of M. phaseolina. The aqueous and n-hexane extracts of different rice varieties caused 21-52% and 18-60% reduction in growth of M. phaseolina, respectively. However the effect of methanol extracts was non-significant. A. rabiei proved less susceptible to these extracts as compared to M. phaseolina. Only 1% aqueous extracts of Basmati 385 and Basmati 386 significantly declined the growth of this fungus, while, all other extracts either had insignificant effect or stimulated the fungal growth.

2 illus, 1 table, 27 ref

006257   Asif N;Mall T P (P.G. Dep of Botany, Kisan P.G. College, Bahraich-271 801, Email: cute_nishat@rediffmail.com) : Efficacy of phytoextract against banded leaf and sheath blight pathogen (Rhizoctonia solani). Ann Pl Prot Sci 2008, 16(2), 520-1.

^ssc1 table, 3 ref

005358   Yadav R K;Srivastava D K (P.G. Dep of Botany, A.B.R.P.G. College, Anapara, Sonebhadra, Uttar Pradesh-231 225) : Effect of some antibiotics against Phytophthora parasitica on leaf rot of pan. Mendel int J 2007, 24(3-4), 127-8.

One of the important diseases of pan is leaf rot, caused by Phytophthora parasitica var. piperina. Twenty antibiotics were tested against betel vine Phytophtora whereas only three antibiotics viz. Ofloxacin, Clomiphene and Ofloxacin + Tinidazole were found inhibitory. All the three antibiotics kill the test pathogen completely under both in vitro and in vitro conditions at 200 ppm concentration.

2 tables, 6 ref

005357   Vishnumurthy K A;Kiran B R;Puttaiah E T; Rajappa B (PG Studies in Industrial Chemistry Dep, Sir M.V. Government Science College, Bhadravathi-577 302) : Diversity of toxic plants in Bhadravathi taluk of Karnataka and their properties. Pl Archs 2008, 8(2), 793-5.

Deals with the diversity of toxic plants in Bhadravathi taluk of Karnataka. A total of 23 toxic plants belonging to 19 families were recorded and their toxic principles were discussed in detail. Regarding diversity family solanaceae appeared to be dominant with 3 species followed by euphorbiaceae and papilionaceae with two species each. Present observation revealed that leaves of 8 plants, whole plants of 7 plants, seeds of 6 plants, roots of 3 plants, bark of 2 plants, pod, fruit and flowers of one plant each are the prime toxic part involved in toxic principles.

1 table, 11 ref

005356   Varshney K;Singh A K (Botany Dep, R.B.S. College, Agra, Email: khushi9319@yahoo.com) : Inventory of some ethno-medicinal plant species used by rural people of Etah district, U.P., India. Pl Archs 2008, 8(2), 757-9.

Enumerates some medicinal plant species, which are useful to cure some diseases. These species are used as traditional medicine in treatment of some diseases by rural and backward population of Etah district in U.P. These plants are Adhatoda zeylanica, Alhagi pseudalhagi, Abutilon indicum, Blumea lacera, Boerhavia diffusa, Barleria prionitis, Butea monosperma, Chenopodium album, Cyperus rotundus, Convolvulus microphyllus, Cleome brachycarpa, Capparis sepiaria, Cuscuta reflexa, Calotropis procera, Desmostachya bipinnata, Feronia elephantum, Ipomoea aquatica, Morus indica, Nerium indicum, Oxalis corniculata, Ranunculus sceleratus and Vernonia cinerea.

1 table, 12 ref

005355   Varma R;Rai N (NO, , I-F-9, Dadabari, R.H.B. Colony, Kota, Rajasthan-324 001) : Vermitechnological studies on aquatic weed management. Mendel int J 2007, 24(3-4), 79-80.

In the experiment organic wastes of mixed aquatic weeds was used for production of "Vermi compost". Results showed that due to application of vermi compost there was a increase in productivity, plant height, leaf area was also significantly affected. Treatment with higher doses of vermi compost showed favourable result for both dry matter production and grain yied. Results of the study showed that mixed aquatic weeds could be converted into a useful product through vermitechnology.

2 tables, 9 ref

005354   Vandana;Jain A K;Panwar J D S;Jain R K;Ruhela A K (Botany and Microbiology Dep, J.V. College, Baraut, Uttar Pradesh) : Role of 2,4,-d and Azospirillum brasilense in nodulation in wheat. Pl Archs 2008, 8(2), 967-8.

Nodulation and the N₂ fixing a of the plants belonging to family Leguminosae is well known since ages and scientists are desirous to make use of the ability of the N₂ fixing c in different crop plants other than pulses as in cereals. An effort has been made to standardize the technique under control conditions using different concentration of 2, 4-D with Azospirillum brasilense on wheat cultivar HD 2428, and it was concluded that 0.5 ppm concentration of 2, '4-D is more suitable for better nodulation and less retardation of the growth in wheat.

3 tables, 8 ref