Anima Langer

Prospects of breeding improved garlic in the light of its genetic and breeding systems

SummaryGarlic is an obligate apomict which defies all possibilities of genetic improvement through recombinant breeding. Nevertheless, like other bulbous or tuberous plants garlic has accumulated a lot of variation in many characters. Evidence of hybridity exists even at the chromosomal level. Existence of this natural variation, even in respect of the plant part that is economically important, suggests the possibility of improvement. The prospects of exploiting this variation in the face of apomixis are discussed.

Genetic diversity among Plantagos V. Transmission of the additional chromosome in a triplo-4 individual ofPlantago lagopus L.

In crosses betweenP. lagopus trisomic for chromosome 4 and normal disomics the extra chromosome is transmitted to about 1/4 of the progeny through the male side and to over 1/2 on the female side. Among the progeny some non-parental types which include a tetrasomic (2x + 2) and an aneutriploid (3x + 1) were also found. Chromosomal behaviour during their male meiosis is described.

Genetic diversity among plantagos. 17. A novel trisomic in Plantago lagopus.

SummaryIn the progenies of the crosses between disomics and trisomies, two plants were isolated which carried an extra chromosome that was unlike any in the standard complement. The plants were not alike; while one carried a metacentric, the other had a telocentric extra chromosome. Their detailed structure and possible modes of origin are discussed.

Antifungal and Antioxidant Profile of Ethnomedicinally Important Liverworts (Pellia endivaefolia and Plagiochasma appendiculatum) Used by Indigenous Tribes of District Reasi: North West Himalayas

The present investigation has been an attempt to evaluate antifungal and antioxidant potential of two ethno botanically important liverworts viz, Plagiochasma appendiculatum and Pellia endivaefolia. The methanolic extract was tested against three fungal species viz. Alternaria alternata, Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus niger. Plagiochasma sp. proved to be more effective against all tested fungi; especially, A. flavus. Similarly Pellia sp. inhibited A. alternata the most. The antioxidant system viz. antioxidants and antioxidant enzymes were also evaluated. The values were enough closer to those of higher plants. Guaiacol peroxidase and catalase activity of Plagiochasma sp. was found to be higher than that of Pellia sp. All other evaluated parameters like superoxide dismutase, ascorbic acid, proline, glutathione and total phenols were higher in Pellia sp. as compared to Plagiochasma sp. This is the first report regarding the antioxidant system of these two liverworts.

Studies on the Bryodiversity of Ladakh (Trans-Himalaya): I. Current Status of Hepatic Flora of Ladakh

Bryofloristic studies were carried out at 12 sites in Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir state. A total of 7 hepatic species were collected, of which, 3 (Marchantia palmata, Nees. Plagiochasma appendiculatum L. et L. and P. intermedium Ldbg. et G.) are being reported for the first time.

Genetic diversity among Plantagos. XIX, Studies on primary trisomics of Plantago lanceolata L.

Trisomics for two chromosomes have been isolated in the progeny of cross between disomic and aneuploid individual in Plantago lanceolata L. The karyotypic analysis and meiotic studies has revealed their primary nature and identification as Triplo-1 and Triplo-4. Attempt has been made to study impact of trisomy on plant phenotype and fertility. Due to the phenotypic plasticity within the species even at disomic level, the morphological variations induced by trisomy do not become vivid.

Genetic diversity among Plantagos VII. Nature of aneuploids in the progeny of aneutriploid x diploid plants ofPlantago lagopus L.

Although half of the progeny of a cross between aneutriploid (3x + 1) and diploid individuals ofP. lagopus are diploids (2n = 12), hybrids with 2n = 14, 15 & 22 also occur. These have been screened for mode of chromosome pairing and phenotype. Data thus raised have been employed for evaluating their status and possible mode of origin.