000400   Deshpande J R;Mishra M R;Meghre V S;Wadodkar S G;Dorle A K (42, Utkarsha Vishakha, Bajaj Nagar, Nagpur-440 010, Email: jitendra_deshpande@rediffmail.com) : Free radical scavenging activity of Lagenaria siceraria (Mol.) Standl. fruit. Nat Prod Radiance 2007, 6(2), 127-30.

Lagenaria siceraria (Mol.) Standl. commonly known as Bottle gourd has been widely used as vegetable in India especially by cardiac patients. Since this property may be correlated with the presence of radical scavenging activity, extracts of the fruit were evaluated for this purpose.The fruit was collected and epicarp, mesocarp and pulp containing seeds were separated. Each of them was extracted with different solvents in increasing order of polarity. Extracts were prepared using the Soxhlet apparatus by serial extraction technique and their respective extractive values were determined. All the extracts were assessed by 1, l-Diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay. The maximum antioxidant activity was observed in the acetone extract of fruit epicarp. Chemical investigation revealed that radical scavenging activity may be due to the presence of ellagitannins present in the acetone extract of epicarp.

4 tables, 21 ref

000399   Choudhury B I;Khan M L;Arunachalam A; Arunachalam A (Forestry Dep, North Eastern Regional Institute of Science and Technology, Nirjuil-791 109, Email: khanml@yahoo.com) : Gymnocladus assamicus kanjilal ex P.C. kanjilal fruit-a soap substitute. Nat Prod Radiance 2007, 6(5), 427-9.

Gymnocladus assamicus Kanjilal ex P.C. Kanjilal, a leguminous tree endemic to North-East India, bears fleshy pods with tempting smell. Monpa tribal community living in Dirang circle of West Kameng District of Arunachal Pradesh utilizes its pods as a substitute for soap/detergent required for removing sticky adhesives and consume roasted seeds as substitute for groundnut and coffee. Peoples also make us of the pods for. removing/expelling leeches of their domestic animals. Highlights different ethnobotanical uses of this plant and suggests further conservation strategies to revive its natural population.

19 ref

000398   Chopra J;Narinder Kaur;Gupta A K (Biochemistry Dep, Punjab Agricultural Univ, Ludhiana-141 001, Email: anilkgupta@satyam.net.in) : Comparative pattern of enzymes of anaerobic metabolism in germinating legume seeds of contrasting desiccation tolerance. J Pl Biol 2007, 34(3), 171-7.

The study determined the changes in activities of enzymes related to 'natural anaerobiosis' (anoxia during germination), viz. alcohol dehydrogenase, aldehyde dehydrogenase, malic enzyme, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase to obtain an integrated interaction of these enzymes in relation to desiccation tolerance in mungbean and soybean genotypes as representatives of starchy and oily seeds, respectively. Both the genotypes of the two crop seeds had different levels of sensitivities to dehydration, i.e. desiccation tolerance. Desiccation tolerance appeared to be related with seed vigour in all the genotypes. The genotype showing higher seedling vigour survived the dehydration caused by desiccation more effectively. Starchy seeds are more desiccation tolerant as compared to oil seeds. In general, activities of all the enzymes were higher during initial hours of germination and were maximum, after 3 h both in starchy and oily seeds confirming the time of 'natural anaerobiosis'. The second peak of high enzyme activities at 18-24 h of imbibition appeared to coincide with the time of loss of desiccation tolerance before the rupture of the seed coat. Varieties of the same species showing more desiccation tolerance had lower levels of enzyme activities indicating that all these enzymes are linked inversely with desiccation tolerance. Increased desiccation sensitivity is associated with the inability to depress the activities of these enzymes caused by desiccation during drying.

7 tables, 27 ref

000397   Chen L;Peng S (Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Science, Sun Yat-Sen Univ, Guangzhou, 510275, Email: lsspsl@mail.sysu.edu.cn) : Allelopathic potential of mangrove plants (Aricennia marina, Aegiceras corniculata and Bruguiera gymnorrhiza). Allelopathy J 2008, 22(1), 213-20.

Investigated the allelopathic potential of volatiles and soils of 3 mangrove species (Aricennia marina, Aegiceras carniculata and Bruguiera gymnorrhiz) on the germination and early growth of (Raplianus sativus L. and lettuce (Lactuca saliva L.). The volatiles of these mangroves spp at various concentrations, (i) reduced the germination and seedling growth of the test crops (radish, lettuce) and (ii) the soil leachates drastically decreased (60% of control) root and seedling elongation, when activated carbon (with high affinity to adsorb the organic compounds) was added. The roots of test species were most sensitive to allelochemicals. The results showed that these mangrove spp. were allelopathic.

^ssc2 illus, 2 tables, 20 ref

000396   Chauhan D S;Dhanai C S;Singh B;Chauhan S; Todaria N P;Khalid M A (Forestry Dep, Post Box No. 59, HNB Garhwal Univ, Srinagar (Garhwal)-246 174, Email: dsc_oci@rediffmail.com) : Regeneration and tree diversity in natural and planted forests in a Terai-Bhabhar forest in Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary, India. Trop Ecol 2008, 49(1), 53-67.

Regeneration, tree diversity and floristic diversity of natural and planted tropical deciduous forests (dominated by Shorea robusta and Tectona grandis; Acacia catechu and Syzygium cumini, respectively) in western Uttar Pradesh, India were compared. Species diversity were (70 species in natural and 59 species in planted forests) as well as species evenness was higher in natural forests than in planted forests. Natural forest sites also had higher mature tree, pole, sapling and seedling densities compared with planted forests. In spite of differences in diversity, natural and planted forests did not differ strongly in species composition, fifty-six species occurred in both sites. This may reflect similar soil types but differences in soil moisture, organic carbon, available nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and soil pH in natural and planted forests. Dominant families in both forest types are Fabaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Verbenaceae, Rubiaceae and Caesalpiniaceae (5 species each), followed by Moraceae, Mimosaceae and Combretaceae. Of the 126 species found in both sites, 32.5% showed good regeneration, 19.8% fair, 24.6% poor and 11.1% lacked regeneration. The remaining 11.9% of species were present as seedlings but not as adult individuals. Good quality timber species are not regenerating, with the exception of Shorea robusta, although mortality at seedling stage of this species is high. In all, our results suggest that species richness and diversity differed between natural forest and planted forest and regeneration of some important tree species also varied in natural and planted forests because of variation in their microclimate and edaphic characteristics. Moreover, these conditions indicate succession pattern and a potential for forestry plantations in dry forests. This study will help in the formulation of effective forest management and conservation strategies.

4 tables, 36 ref

000395   Campos J M S;Davide L C;Soares G L G;Viccini L F (Botany Dep, Federal Univ of Rio Grande do Sul, Campus do Vale-Avenida Bento Goncalves, 9500, Bloco IV, Predio 43433,, Email: jmscampos@yahoo.com.br) : Mutagenic effects due to allelopathic action of fern (Gleicheniaceae) extracts. Allelopathy J 2008, 22(1), 143-52.

Cytotoxic effects of aqueous extracts obtained during the dry and rainy seasons from fern species (Dicranopteris flexuosa (Schrad) Underw and Gleicheniella peclinata (Wild) Ching) were evaluated on the meristematic cells of Lactuca sativa and Zea mays. Both D. flexuosa and G. pectinata extracts inhibited the root growth and/or germination possibly due to cell cycle and chromosome alterations. The extract of both species hindered the cell division process and increased the number of interphase cells. In addition, both extracts increased the number of dead cells. Clastogenic effects were also observed, such as sticky chromosomes, bridges, fragments and later segregation. Information on the mechanism of action of these species (G. pectinata and D. flexuosa) helped us to understand their ecological relationships and the possible use of their allelopathic effects for bioprospection of substances with biological activity.

1 illus, 2 tables, 25 ref

000394   Badere R S;Koche D K;Pawar S E;Choudhary A D (Botany Dep, RTM Nagpur Univ Campus, Amravati Road, Nagpur-440 033, Email: rsbadere@rediffmail.com) : Genestein amounts in cotyledons and leaves of Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek cultivars and mutants are correlated with resistance to leaf spot caused by Cercospora canesence. J Pl Biol 2007, 34(3), 139-45.

Vigna spp. produces a phytoalexin genestein that inhibits germination of fungal spores. Hypothesized that genestein content in leaves of mungbean plants could be exploited to select a resistant genotype in breeding programme. Tested the correlation between amount of genestein and resistance in vitro by challenging excised cotyledons of resistant (ML-396 and Pant M-3) and susceptible (TARM-2 and Kopergaon) cultivars with Cercospora canesence cell wall elicitor. The genestcin content accumulated rapidly and in higher quantities in resistant cultivars as compared to the susceptible cultivars. Similarly, authors were also able to correlate the resistance and genestein content in Vigna radiata in naturally infected field-grown plants. Mutagenised seeds of three cultivars, viz. TARM-1, TARM-2 and TARM-18 of mungbean with either ethyl methanesulphonate or Gamma rays. These cultivars are susceptible to leaf spot caused by Cercospora canesence. Isolated two mutants each from the mutated population of TARM-1 and TARM-2 in M₂ generation. The genestein amount in the mutants was considerably higher than their parent cultivar. The mutants segregated in the subsequent generations, however, the resistant progenies, had higher amount of genestein than the parent cultivars. The study suggests the utility of genestein in selection of disease-resistant genotype in the breeding programme.

1 illus, 2 tables, 19 ref

000393   Aziz A;Tanveer A;Ali A;Yasin M;Babar B H; Nadeem M A (NO, Institute of Soil and Environmental Sciences Univ of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan, Email: drasiftanveeruaf@hotmail.com ) : Allelopathic effect of cleavers (Galium aparine) on germination and early growth of wheat (Triticum aestivum). Allelopathy J 2008, 22(1), 25-34.

Aqueous extracts were prepared from the roots, stem, leaves and fruit of mature cleavers (Galium aparine) plants and soil taken from its field, to determine the allelopathic effects on germination and seedling growth of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in the laboratory. At 20°C, time taken for 50% germination and reduction in germination index was maximum, whereas, at 15°C, germination time was maximum. The aqueous extracts reduced the root and shoot length and biomass of wheat seedlings by 34.0 to 67.9%, 10.4 to 61.6% and 16.5 to 38.0%, respectively. The fruit extract of G. aparine proved most harmful to root and shoot length and seedling biomass of wheat. However, root extract increased the shoot dry weight (32.4%) and seedling biomass (11.4%) over control. Soil beneath the G. aparine plants also significantly reduced the shoot length, dry weight and seedling biomass but increased the root dry weight of wheat seedlings. Thus soil incorporated plant residues of this weed may have broad implications for the growth of succeeding crop.

2 illus, 4 tables

000392   Abenavoli M R;Nicolo A;Lupini A;Oliva S; Sorgona A (Dipartimento di Biotecnologie per il Monitoraggio Agro-Alimentare ed A, Universita Mediterranea di Reggio Calabria, Facolta di Agraria-Loc. Feo di Vito, I89124 Reggio Calabria RC, Italy, Email: mrabenavoli@unirc.it) : Effect of different allelochemicals on root morphology of Arabidopsis thaliana. Allelopathy J 2008, 22(1), 245-50.

Non-linear regression analysis was applied to assess the phytotoxicity of trans-cinnamic acid, umbelliferone and coumarin on the whole root system of Arabidopsis thaliana and on the component root types (primary root and lateral roots). The different root types exhibited different sensitivities to these allelochemicals. At low concentrations, coumarin induced a hormetic effect on root elongation both in the whole root system and also on the lateral roots but not on primary root. This confirm coumarin's selective effect on particular root types. Conversely, both umbelliferone and trans-cinnamic acid caused only inhibitory effects (no hormetic effects) on the whole root system and also on its components. Allelochemicals phytotoxicity on the whole root system and on both root types showed the hierarchy:trans-cinnamic acid ≥ umbelliferone > coumarin.

1 illus, 1 table, 14 ref