Balwant Rawat

Influence of plant growth regulators on indirect shoot organogenesis and secondary metabolite production in Aconitum violaceum Jacq.

Influence of plant growth regulators on indirect regeneration and secondary metabolite production in Aconitum violaceum Jacq. was evaluated. Among the different plant growth regulators studied, 2.5 μM 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and 0.25 μM kinetin (Kn) promoted the highest frequency of callus production for indirect regeneration. 6-Benzyl aninopurine (BAP) was more effective in improving shoot regeneration and secondary metabolite production compared to thidiazuron (TDZ). The highest frequency of regeneration (61.8%) was obtained when calli were transferred to Murashige and Skoog medium supplemented with 1 μM BAP and 0.5 μM α-naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) and was more than two-times higher when compared to the treatments with cytokinin only. Supplementation with low NAA concentrations resulted reduction in in vitro secondary metabolite production in most cases, when compared to treatments with cytokinin only. Moreover, differences in cytokinin concentrations significantly affected secondary metabolite production in some cases. The current findings highlighted the differential effects of auxin-cytokinin interactions on indirect shoot regeneration and the production of secondary metabolites in A. violaceum . Key words: Cytokinins, auxins, plant tissue culture, indirect regeneration, aconitum violaceum , secondary metabolites.

The Potential Contribution of Wildlife Sanctuary to Forest Conservation: A Case Study from Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary

Forest vegetation of a protected area (Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary) in Kumaun region (west Himalaya) was analysed for structure, composition and representativeness across three different altitudinal belts, lower (1,600–1,800 m a.s.l.), middle (1,900–2,100 m a.s.l.) and upper (2,200–2,400 m a.s.l.) during 2009–2011 using standard phytosociological methods. Four aspects (east, west, north and south) in each altitudinal belt were chosen for sampling to depict maximum representation of vegetation in the sanctuary. Population structure and regeneration behaviour was analysed seasonally for two years to show the establishment and growth of tree species. A total of 147 plant species were recorded from the entire region of which 27 tree species were selected for detailed study. Highest number was recorded at upper (18 species), and lowest at lower altitudinal belt (15 species). The relative proportion of species richness showed higher contribution of tree layer at each altitudinal belt. The population structure, based on the number of individuals, revealed a greater proportion of seedling layer at each altitudinal belt. The relative proportion of seedlings increases significantly along altitudinal belts (p<0.05) while opposite trends were observed in sapling and tree layers. The density of sapling and seedling species varied non-significantly across seasons (p>0.05). The density values decreased in summer and increased during rainy season. As far as the regeneration status is concerned, middle and upper altitudinal belts showed maximum number of species with fair regeneration as compared to lower altitudinal belt. Overall density diameter distribution of tree species showed highest species density and richness in the smallest girth class and decreased in the succeeding girth classes. This study suggests that patterns of regeneration behaviour would determine future structural and compositional changes in the forest communities. It is suggested that the compositional changes vis-à-vis role of ‘New’ and ‘Not regenerating’ species need priority attention while initiating conservation activities in the sanctuary. This study calls for exploring other less explored Wildlife Sanctuaries in the Himalaya and across the world, to achieve overall biodiversity status in these protected areas and thus to justify their role in conserving biodiversity in the region.

Alterations in growth, photosynthetic activity and tissue-water relations of tea clones in response to different soil moisture content

Key messageSignificant effect of water stress conditions were observed on morphological and physiological growth parameters of tea (Camellia sinensis). Water stress tolerant tea clones suitable for hilly areas have been identified in this study.AbstractThe influence of different levels of water deficit on physiological and morphological parameters in tea [Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze] clones was investigated. Tea clones (BSS-449, BSS-379, P-312, UPASI-9, T-383, RR-17, AV-2 and T-78) growing under controlled condition (under shade, potted condition) were subjected to three irrigation treatment, a control (70.0% soil moisture content), moderate water deficit (38.3% soil moisture content) and sever water deficit (6.9% soil moisture content). Plants submitted to severe water deficit showed significant reduced leaf numbers, leaf areas, and plant heights while reduction in plant height and leaf area and leaf numbers was not significant in moderate water deficit. A significant change in chlorophyll content was observed during the water stress condition. Photosynthesis decreased in both water deficit treatments and was related to stomatal factors and photochemical efficiency of photosystem II. Water relation parameters, e.g. leaf water potential, osmotic potential, turgor potential, relative water content and cellular elasticity were also measured to evaluate plant adaptation to water stress. The highest leaf water potential values were found in the control condition, for all the clones. Cell wall rigidity, measured as elastic modulus, increased under severe water stress, resulting in a loss of turgor at lower leaf water potential. Results of the study suggest that the degree of drought tolerance depends on the interactions between the tea clones and the levels of water stress. The available data also indicates that UPASI-9 is capable of tolerating water stress, and should be suitable for dry areas.

GENETIC FIDELITY ANALYSIS OF ENCAPSULATED MICROSHOOTS OF SARCOSTEMMA BREVISTIGMA USING RAPD MARKERS.

Susmita Mishra. In vitro grown microshoots of Sarcostemma brevistigma were used as explant for encapsulation. Encapsulated microshoots were kept at 25°C, and the success rate of regrowth was found to be approximately 50% following 1 months of storage. Encapsulated microshoots showed 37.66% formation of multiple shoots on plant growth regulator free Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium. Healthy root formation was observed in all microshoots following two weeks of transfer on half-strength MS medium containing 0.5 μM αnaphthalene acetic acid and 0.5 μM Indole acetic acid. These plants were subsequently transferred to pots containing a mixture of soil, sand and farm yard manure (2:2:1, v/v), and then shifted in the greenhouse. In the green house and the overall survival was found to be 75% after 2 months. The genetic fidelity analysis of S. brevistigma plants developed from encapsulated microshoots was done using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) marker. For molecular analysis 25 decamer primers were used to check genetic fidelity of plants selected from all three batches was carried out using. Only 5 primers produced scorable amplified products and a total of 38 bands were observed; out of these 10.52% bands were polymorphic. Cluster analysis of the RAPD profile revealed an average similarity coefficient of 0.95 confirming genetic stability of plants derived from encapsulated microshoots following 1 months of storage at 25°C.

Aconitum biotechnology: recent trends and emerging perspectives

The genus Aconitum (consists more than 250 species) is one of the most important clades of highly valued medicinal plants. Aconitum species are very essential in the traditional device of medication and feature excessive business demand in the herbal marketplace. Some of biologically energetic compounds, e.g., aconitine, indaconitine, pseudoacontine, and so on, had been recognized, and new formulations primarily based on those compounds are being produced as rapid rate. This has led to extensive and rather unregulated exploitation of the species in the wild making the genus a threatened group. Conventional breeding and propagation methods have contributed significantly, but these could not meet up with the ever increasing demands of herbal drug industry globally. Biotechnological interventions, therefore, emerge as an alternative approach in terms of higher production and conservation as well. In recent years, several reports have been published on in vitro propagation of various important Aconitum species. However, advanced biotechnological approaches, such as synthetic seed production and hairy root cultures, are still lacking with only a few reports available. The current review presents an updated overview and critical assessment of secondary data concerning the past and recent biotechnological approaches and interventions in genus Aconitum. This review also attempts to provide a detailed account of work explored so far in micropropagation and emphasizes over the areas not attempted yet, which will act as a baseline data as well as valuable information for different stakeholders and researchers working on various aspects of Aconitum biotechnology.

Assessing conservation values of forest communities in Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve: plant diversity, species distribution and endemicity.

Present study has been conducted in a biodiversity rich Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve between 2000-3800 m in two different forest physiognomy holding sites to analyze the structure and composition of the forest communities including richness of native, non native and endemic species, and suggest conservation values at community and reserve level. A total of 60 sites were sampled and grouped in 11 and 8 communities for two representative sites Pindari-Sunderdhunga-Kafni (PSK) and Lata-Tolma-Phagti (LTP) respectively. From the sampled sites, 451 species (11.8%, 53 trees; 17.71%, 80 shrubs; and 70.51%, 318 herbs) have been recorded. In general, PSK site represented 73.6% and LTP site represented only 54.9% of the total plant species recorded in the study area. Out of total species in PSK site, native species contributed 59.6% (198 spp.) and 24.7% species were endemic and near endemic. In LTP site, 66.5% species were Himalayan natives and 33.5% were endemic and near endemic. The species richness ranged from 4–23 ind ha−1 (tree), 3–18 ind ha−1 (sapling), 5–19 ind ha−1 (seedling) in PSK site and 4–18 ind ha−1 (tree), 4–11 ind ha−1 (sapling), 4–16 ind ha−1 (seedling) in LTP site. The density ranged from 260–535 ind ha−1 (tree), 145–633 ind ha−1 (sapling), 1450–8170 ind ha−1 (seedling) in PSK site and 599–1211 ind ha−1 (tree), 70–951 ind ha−1 (sapling), 470–1665 ind ha−1 (seedling) in LTP site. Species diversity for trees ranged from 0.73–3.37, saplings, 0.64–2.67, seedlings, 0.70–2.51, shrubs, 1–2.34 and herbs, 2.02–3.21 in PSK site and 0.63–1.61, saplings, 0.76–1.36, seedlings, 0.35–1.79, shrubs, 0.98–2.73 and herbs, 2.48–3.61 in LTP site. These recorded values were almost comparable with the studies conducted in sub-tropical, temperate and sub-alpine regions of the west Himalaya. In some cases the values were slightly higher than the reported values. The important communities with high conservation values have been identified based on different ecological parameters and species distribution. Among all the prioritized communities, Mixed Silver fir-Rhododendron-Maple community in PSK site and Taxus wallichana- A. pindrow mixed community in LTP site supports maximum richness and density of native and endemic species. This study calls for development of adequate strategy and action plan for the conservation and management of habitats, species, and communities under changing climate and socioeconomic scenarios, so that sustainable utilization of the species could be ensured.