Rajani Kanta Sahu

Development of a simplified protocol for in vitro propagation of a valuable medicinal plant Plumbago zeylanica Linn. through nodal explants found in Odisha, India

An efficient and economic protocol for rapid in vitro propagation using nodal explants obtained from 2 year old, field grown medicinal plants of Plumbago zeylanica L. belonging to the family Plumbaginaceae was successfully achieved from the nodal segments. Shoot development was maximum (95%) on Murashige and Skoog’s (MS) basal medium supplemented with 6- Benzyl amino purine (BAP) (2.0 mg/l), indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) (1.5 mg/l) and indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) (1.0 mg/l) with (19.56±0.04) mean number of shoots per explants and the maximum shoot length was found to be (4.98±0.87). Rooting of the differentiated shoots was achieved in MS medium with triple auxins combination of α- naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) (1.5 mg/l), IAA (1.5 mg/l) and IBA (2.0 mg/l) with (18.54±0.09) mean number of roots per shoots and the mean root length was found to be (7.63±0.83). Regenerated plantlets were successfully acclimated in the green house and after a hardening period of 4 weeks 100% transplantation success was achieved under the natural condition. The plantlets derived through in vitro propagation mimic the morphological characteristics of the donor plants taken for the present investigation.

Effect of Coal Fly Ash on Vegetative Growth, Photosynthetic Pigmens and Heavy Metal Content of Helianthus annuus L.

Coal-fired power plants generate fly ash (FA) whose elemental composition (both nutrient and toxic elements) varies due to types and source of used coal.

Bio-controlling Effect of Leaf Extract of Tagetes patula L. (Marigold) on Growth Parameters and Diseases of Tomato

BACKGROUND The genus Tagetes (Asteraceae) is native to Americas but some of its members (in particular T. erecta and T. patula) commonly known as marigolds were naturalized in the old world (India, North Africa and Europe) as early as in 16th century. The flowers of French marigold (Tagetes patula L.) are widely used in folk medicine, in particular for treating inflammation-related disorders. MATERIALS AND METHODS This study investigated the potential use of marigold (Tagetes patula L.) flower aqueous flower extract by spaying method on tomato plants on a weekly basis and the data of growth, yield and disease of tomato pants were observed from 10th day onwards under field condition. RESULTS The marigold flower extract showed significant increase in shoot height, number of branches, number of leaves, number of buds, number of flowers and number of fruits of tomato plant, while significant reduction in various diseases of tomato plants over control at probability level ***p<0.001. The percentage of reduction of disease was calculated after the spray of marigold flower aqueous extract on plants. The marigold flower extract was found effectively in controlling canker (62.82%), early blight (61.53%), wilt (18.42%), fruit spot (27.41%), blossom end rot (50.43%) and sun scald (26.44%) in comparison to controls under field condition. CONCLUSION The findings are in line with the bio-controlling properties of marigold preparations as bio-pesticide confirmed in growth and yield of tomato plants. Thus, marigold can contribute in reducing use of chemical pesticides and act as a good alternative to synthetic pesticides.

Effect of aqueous extract of Piper nigrum L. on growth parameters and plant diseases of brinjal

P nigrum L. is considered the king of spices of family Piperaceae throughout the world due to its pungent principle piperine. Different parts of Piper nigrum including secondary metabolites are also used as drug, preservative, insecticidal and larvicidal control agents. Biologically Piper nigrum is very important specie. The biological role of this specie is explained in different experiments that peppercorn and secondary metabolites of Piper nigrum can be used as Antiapoptotic, Antibacterial, Anti-Colon toxin, Antidepressant, Antifungal, Antidiarrhoeal, Anti-inflammatory, Antimutagenic, Anti-metastatic activity, Antioxidative, Antiriyretic, Antispasmodic, Antispermatogenic, Antitumor, Antithyroid, Ciprofloxacin potentiator, Cold extremities, Gastric ailments, Hepatoprotective, Insecticidal activity, intermittent fever and Larvisidal activity. The current investigation was to assess the effects of water leaf extract of Piper nigrum plant on growth parameters and diseases like Wilt, leaf spot in Solanum melongena. To understand the mechanism, the phytochemical analysis of plants and its effect on bacteria and fungi were studied. The Piper nigrum treatment showed significant increase in number of flowers, buds, leaves, fruits on 28,35,42 and 49 days observation over untreated control at various significant levels and also a very much effective in reducing growth of leaf spot and Wilt diseases on all days of observations. This approach can contribute in reducing the amount applied of fungicides and subsequently minimize its hazards to the environment and human health. Work in this regards should continuing on other invasive species on isolating antifungal compounds and on field trials with promising extracts or compounds. Also, further research is needed in order to obtain information regarding the practical effectiveness of essential oils to protect the plants or the plant products without toxic effects.