NISCAIR Online Periodicals Repository Collection: IJBT Vol.08(3) [July 2009]

Biodegradation of leaf litter of tree species in presence of cow dung and earthworms

Sun, 28 Jun 2009 22:58:59 GMT

Title: Biodegradation of leaf litter of tree species in presence of cow dung and earthworms

Authors: Sannigrahi, A K

Abstract: The dry leaves of Psidium guajava Linn., Ficus benghalensis Linn., Codiaeum variegatum Linn., Polyalthia longifolia Sonner., Eucalyptus citriodora Hook., Caesalpinia pulcherrima Linn., Syzygium cumini Linn., Artocarpus heterophyllus Lamk., Musa paradisiaca Linn., Plumeria rubra Linn., Litchi chinensis Gaertn., Pinus insularis Endl., Elaeocarpus sphaericus Gaertn., Bombax ceiba Linn., Streblus asper Lour. and Dalbergia sissoo Roxb. were converted to vermicomposts in about 5 to 8 months while those of Mangifera indica Linn., Terminalia chebula Retz., Lagerstroemia speciosa Linn. and Tectona grandis Linn. took about 10 months. However, Leucaena leucocephala Lamk. leaves took only 2 months to become vermicompost. These vermicomposts contained: N, 0.9 to 1.9; P, 0.5 to 1.2; K, 0.9 to 2.5; Na, 0.8 to 3.5; Ca, 0.9 to 4.9 and S, 0.9 to 2.2%. The vermicompost of Bombax ceiba flowers produced in 3.5 months contained: N, 1.2; P, 0.6; K, 1.8; Na, 1.4; Ca, 0.4 and S, 0.9%. Nutritional status of these vermicomposts varied with the variation of tree species. This information would motivate farmers for vermicomposting of dry leaves instead of burning.

Page(s): 335-338

Desiccation of callus enhances somatic embryogenesis and subsequent shoot regeneration in sugarcane

Sun, 28 Jun 2009 22:58:59 GMT

Title: Desiccation of callus enhances somatic embryogenesis and subsequent shoot regeneration in sugarcane

Authors: Kaur, Ajinder; Gosal, S S

Abstract: Callus cultures were established in three commercial sugarcane varieties, viz., CoJ 64, CoJ 83 and CoJ 86, from spindle leaf segments on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D; 4 mg/L) and 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP; 0.5 mg/L). The calli were sub-cultured on MS+2,4-D (2 mg/L)+BAP (0.5 mg/L)+agar (0.8% w/v) medium (control) and MS+2,4-D (2 mg/L)+BAP (0.5 mg/L)+agar (1.6% w/v) medium (treatment) to study the effect of desiccation caused by double agar on somatic embryogenesis. Per cent somatic embryogenesis observed in treatment-calli of sugarcane varieties CoJ 64, CoJ 83 and CoJ 86 was 90, 90.63 and 89.66, respectively; while in control-calli the corresponding figures were 66.67, 64.52 and 63.33. Likewise, shoot regeneration from desiccated calli on MS+BAP (0.5 mg/L) medium was also higher over non-desiccated control, i.e., 84.27, 86.52 and 83.13% as compared to 54.35, 56.25 and 50.38%, respectively in CoJ 64, CoJ 83 and CoJ 86. Thus, this fairly simple double agar medium provided an alternative method for improving somatic embryogenesis and, hence, regeneration frequency of sugarcane callus.

Page(s): 332-334

An efficient in vitro protocol for clonal multiplication of Ginger – var. Varada

Sun, 28 Jun 2009 22:58:59 GMT

Title: An efficient in vitro protocol for clonal multiplication of Ginger – var. Varada

Authors: Kavyashree, R

Abstract: An efficient, in vitro multiplication protocol was developed for Zingiber officinale Rosc., var. Varada through direct regeneration of vegetative buds. Multiple shoots were induced from vegetative buds on LSBM fortified with BAP (17.76 μM) with 96% initiation response. The repeated subculture resulted in rapid shoot multiplication at the average rate of 4-fold per culture. The well-developed multiple shoots formed roots on the same medium after 2-3 passages of subculture, thus eliminating the step of in vitro rooting. The statistical data pertaining to multiple shoot and root formation revealed highest mean number of 19.1 and 12.3, respectively. The regenerated plantlets were successfully established in the field with 86% survival frequency after few days of indoor acclimatization.

Page(s): 328-331

Growth and shoot proliferation in Chlorophytum borivilianum Sant. et Fernand. in vitro under different carbon dioxide environment

Sun, 28 Jun 2009 22:58:59 GMT

Title: Growth and shoot proliferation in Chlorophytum borivilianum Sant. et Fernand. in vitro under different carbon dioxide environment

Authors: Joshi, N; Dave, A; Vyas, S; Purohit, S D

Abstract: In vitro growth and shoot proliferation in Chlorophytum borivilianum Sant. et Fernand. were studied in a controlled CO₂ environment. The cultures were grown on BA supplemented MS medium with or without 3% sucrose. A range of CO₂ concentrations (0.0, 0.6, 10.0 and 40.0 g m^-3) was controlled in small chambers by using solutions of NaHCO₃, Na₂CO₃, KHCO₃ and K₂CO₃. In order to maintain a CO₂-free environment, a saturated solution of KOH was kept in the chambers. It was observed that the growing shoot cultures required either sucrose in the medium as a carbon source or an environment with controlled CO₂ concentration. Complete absence of a carbon source caused severe yellowing of shoots and death within 15 d. The growth of shoot cultures at 40.0 g m^-3 CO₂was comparable to the growth obtained with 3.0% sucrose in the medium. With both CO₂ and sucrose being available, the best response was obtained at 40.0 g m^-3 CO₂ in the chamber. At this concentration the increase in number of shoots was nearly double the standard rate obtained when exposed to the natural CO₂ level and sucrose supplemented medium. Total fresh and dry wt and shoot number were the maximum under this condition.

Page(s): 323-327