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PL001:Biotic stress management through eco-friendly measures in
Tomato (SolanumlycopersicumL.)
R. K. Gupta
Division of Vegetable Science and Floriculture
Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Jammu
Email: [email protected]
Abstract Tomato [Solanumlycopersicum L.(2n= 2x= 24)] belongs to family–Solanaceae which is
reported to have around 96 genera and 3000 species. t originated in Andes mountainous
region of Peru-Ecuador-Bolivia).The cultivated tomato ranks 2nd
in area and productionafter
potato in the world. Because of wider adaptability, it is grown in areas ranging from plains to
mid/high hill regions across the country. It is considered rich in nutritive value and medicinal
properties. Tomato has demonstrated higher productivity using chemical fertilizers and
pesticides. But indiscriminate use of the chemical fertilizers and pesticides for obtaining
higher yield has affected quality and caused harm to soil and human health. On the contrary,
yield potential under organic production is relatively poo due to attack of insect-pests,
nematodes. Fungal, viral and bacterial diseases and quality of freits gets affected badly. The
two experiments were conducted at SKUAST – Jammu using 20 treatment combinations
with five varieties (V1 - DVRT 2, V2 –ArkaSaurabh, V3–ArkaMeghali, V4–ArkaAbha and V5–
ArkaVikas) and four substrates (S1 - NPK@120:60:60 kg/ha, S2 - FYM @10t/ha +
Vermicompost @5t/ha + Neem Cake@2t/ha, S3 - FYM @10t/ha + Vermicompost @5t/ha +
Mustard Cake@2t/ha and S4 - FYM @5t/ha+ Vermicompost @2.5t/ha + Neem Cake@1t/ha +
Mustard Cake@1t/ha) in main season tomato grown in open. Data were recorded on yield
and quality traits; and incidence of nematodes, fruit borer, leaf curl and wilt . The results
revealed significant differences among varieties for all 17 traits in two experiments ( On
Previous Fallow and Previous Knolkhol). Differences among nutrient substrates, and
interaction of varieties and organic substrates were significant in both the experiments for
most of the traits. Pooled analysis of variance revealed varietal differences. But incidence of
nematodes, fruit borer and leaf curl was maximum in S1 treatment having inorganic fertilizers
and maximum in other treatments with organic fertilizers. Nematode incidence was minimum
in DVRT-2 with 13.37 galls/plant and 338.39 eggs/egg mass in S2. Maximum galls/plant
were found in ArkaAbha (33.68 ) in S1 where inorganic fertilizers were added. Fruit borer
incidence was maximum DVRT-2 ( 19.98 % ) in S1 and minimum in ArkaVikas ( 11.72 % )
in S3. Leaf curl incidence was maximum in ArkaVikas in S1 and minimum in ArkaSaurabh in
S2, Wilt incidence was minimum (11.53 %) in DVRT-2 in S2 and maximum (19.74 % ) in
ArkaAbha in S1. Most of the quality traits expressed relatively higher values but varietal
differences in treatments with organic nutrient substrates. Among host plants, ArkaMeghali
ranked first in quality, DVRT-2 expressed minimum nematode and wilt incidence while
ArkaVikas had minimum fruit borer incidence on specific organic substrates. Phermone
traps and crude Chrysanthemum, marigold and Eucalyptus laef extracts were proved useful in
uniform application,
Key words: Tomato, biotic stress, organic substrates, nematode, leaf curl, Fruit borer
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PL002:Cyanobacterial Diversity and Toxicity Study in Paddy Field
Cyanobacteria from North-Western Region of India
S K Bhatnagar* and Rizwana Tabassum
College of Biotechnology, SVP University of Agriculture and Technology, Meerut 250110
*E-mail: [email protected]
Abstract
Cyanobacteria has emerged as a potential microorganism for agricultural revolution.
Sixty cyanobacterial strains belonging to fourteen genera were isolated from the paddy fields
from eight locations of North-Western region of India in order to study their abundance and
diversity, which is relatively less explored area, most particularly in the paddy fields of this
region. The distribution of cyanobacteria was more in the soil of Rampur district (263 X 104
CFU g-1
) in comparison to that of Bareilly district (205 X 104
CFU g-1
). The isolates obtained
varied widely in their morphological and biochemical characteristics, which helped in their
characterization. Nostoc showed highest number of CFU followed by Phormidium and
Anabaena while Cylindrospermum was least abundant. However, Phormidium exhibited
highest number of strains isolated from these soil samples, followed by; Anabaena and
Nostoc. Diversity indices for cyanobacteria showed differential values for the places under
present study. N-assimilatory parameters differed significantly amongst the isolates of
different genera. Some isolates depicted presence of antialgal compounds especially in the
hexane extract as compared to the methanolic extract. Hexane extract from Anabaena was
most efficient in producing antialgal compounds followed by Westiellopsis, Nostoc,
Cylindrospermum and Microchaete.
Keywords: Biofertilizer; Cyanobacteria; Diversity indices; Paddy fields; Toxicity study
PL003:Understanding Secondary Metabolism in Coleus forskohlii
Sumit G. Gandhi
Plant Biotechnology Division,
CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Canal Road, Jammu, India
*Email: [email protected]; [email protected]
Abstract
A variety of organic compounds are synthesized by plants, which are classified as primary or
secondary metabolites. Secondary metabolites are phytochemicals that are not required for
normal growth of the plant, but may provide unique survival advantages in a particular
ecological niche. Nearly 60% of all US-FDA approved drugs are natural products (mostly
secondary metabolites), natural product analogues or their derivatives. Secondary metabolites
are also useful as dyes, flavors, fragrances, insecticides etc.Coleusforskohlii (Willd.)Briq.
(Lamiaceae) is an herb possessing antihypertensive activity by virtue of production of a
labdanediterpene „forskolin‟, which is a potent and reversible activator of adenylatecyclase.
We are employing various molecular tools to understand the biosynthetic pathways of
forskolin and related secondary metabolites in C. forskohlii. Genes involved in the upstream
MEP/MVA pathway that provide precursors for forskolin biosynthesis were identified and
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characterized. Cytochrome P450s that play critical roles in biosynthesis of secondary
metabolites, including forskolin, were also identified and characterized using a systems level
analysis. This information will be useful to generate these compounds in larger quantities in
heterologous microbial or plant hosts. For a successful metabolic engineering effort in the
plant, not only the biosynthetic pathway, but its transport mechanism and accumulation
pattern also needs to be understood. Towards this end, we have started looking at the ABC
transporters which may play a role in the transport of forskolin and related labdanes.We have
also looked at the dynamics of rhizoshpheremicrofloraviz-a-viz the growth of C. forskohlii
and accumulation of forskolin, to possibly get an idea about the ecological roles of this
metabolite. We have also looked at endophytes associated with this plant and assessed their
ability to produce phytochemicals or other bioactives.The talk would thus cover our studies
on various aspects of secondary metabolism in of C. forskohlii.
PL004:Biotechnological interventions for genetic improvement of some
horticultural and forestry crops
D. K. Srivastava
Department of Biotechnology
Dr. Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Solan, Himachal Pradesh.
Abstract In the present scenario, population is increasing at an exponential rate and the land resources
are getting depleted and dwindled because of over-industrialization and globalization. It
would become a very herculean task to feed this ever-growing population in the coming
years. Due to the excessive use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, the inherent capacity of
our land resources has reached a plateau phase. Further, the varieties developed through
conventional breeding techniques have also reached the stagnation phase of yield
enhancement almost in all crops. The unexpected effects of climate change along with
various biotic stresses are imposing new threats to our food system. Biotechnology is
regarded as the harbinger to mitigate the challenges of various biotic and abiotic stresses, and
modern biotechnological and molecular biology tools are now being used for yield
enhancement, may be by transgenic development, cisgenic development or gene knock outs
using genome editing technologies like Crispar/Cas. This work will summarize various
research initiatives taken to standardize high frequency plant regeneration protocol in some
horticultural crops including cauliflower, cabbage, tomato, broccoli, lettuce, cucumber,
strawberry, watermelon, and forestry crops including Populusciliata and P. deltoides. Genetic
fidelity had also been studied in some of the crops to check the true to type nature of the
regenerated plantlets. Further genetic transformation system using Agrobacterium
tumefaciens-mediated gene (gus&npt-II) transfer had been optimized in these crops. Insect
resistant plants have been developed for cauliflower, cabbage, tomato, broccoli and
Himalayan poplar using cryIAa and cryIAb genes. Chitinase gene had been transferred to
tomato and lettuce for incorporation of disease resistance. Transgenic Himalayan poplar
plants harboring CAD (cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase) gene in antisense orientation has
been developed to reduce the lignin composition of its wood, which is the utmost demand of
paper manufacturing industries. Further genetic diversity had been evaluated in lettuce,
cauliflower, cabbage and tomato germplasm and varieties using RAPD and SSR markers to
identify the genetically diverse donors for breeding programmes.
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PL005:Brassinosteroids: A promising option in promoting plant growth
and deciphering tolerance against abiotic stress
Shamsul Hayat
Plant Physiology Section, Department of Botany, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh (U.P.)
Email.:[email protected]
Abstract
Brassinosteroids (BRs) are polyhydroxy sterol derivatives possessing vital role in plant
growth and development, photosynthesis and stress response and share structural similarity
with animal steroid hormones. BRs regulate a variety of physiological processes including
organ elongation, vascular differentiation, male fertility, timing of senescence, and leaf
development. The potential application of BRs in agriculture is to improve crop growth and
seed yield under normal as well as in various stress conditions, including salinity, drought
and heavy metal toxicity. BRs regulate primary photochemistry, photosynthesis, elemental
compositions and redox status of plants to promote growth in presence/absence of stress.
Omics study reveals that a large number of genes and proteins are regulated by BRs.
Keywords Brassinosteroids, Steroidal hormone, Photosynthesis, Antioxidant system, Yield
PL006:Plant-Microbe Symbioses for better targets
N. Raaman
Centre for Advanced studies in Botany,
University of Madras, GuindyCampus,Chennai 600 025, India
Email: [email protected]
Abstract
The root-zone inhabiting microorganisms exert a significant effect upon the plant growth and
health. The roots are associated with the symbiotic fungi to form the mycorrhizal association.
The role of mycorrhizae as biocontrol deterrents to feeder root infection by pathogens is an
important aspect of our under-standing of the overall ecological significance of mycorrhizae.
The occurrence of arbuscularmycorrhizal symbiosis improves the nutritional state of plants
by enhancing mineral absorption through the extramatrical mycelium and AM fungal
inoculated tomato plants were more resistant to soil borne pathogen. Experiments on
biochemical and enzymatic changes in VA mycorrhizal inoculated tomato plants infected by
Fusariumoxysporum were carried out. The enzymes responsible for defense response were
enhanced by AM fungal inoculated plants than other treatments and the control. The tissue-
cultured plantlets when transplanted into soil have very low survivability, because they
cannot easily tolerate the environmental conditions resulting in stunting of growth. In AM
fungal inoculated micropropagated plants of Saccharumofficinarum, Zea mays, Sorghum
vulgare, Bacopamonnieri, Hybanthusenneaspermus, Azadirachtaindica and
Casuarinaequisetifolia, the root length, shoot length, dry weight and survivability rate were
higher when compared with control. Higher levels of total sugar, free amino acids, total
phenol, 9 protein and acid and alkaline phosphatase activity were estimated in AM fungal
inoculated micropropagated plants. Highly reduced level of proline content was noticed in
roots of AM fungal inoculated micropropagated plants indicating that AM fungal infection
reduced the stress of the tissue cultured plants. Mycorrhizal and actinorhizal technology has
great potential for combating the current and future global problems of supplying food,
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fodder and fuel. The study on the effect of mycorrhizal (Glomusfasciculatum and
Pisolithustinctorius) and Frankia inoculation on Casuarinaequisetifolia seedlings in
laboratory, glasshouse and nursery conditions revealed that the triple inoculation is an ideal
combination for enhanced growth and nodulation of C. equisetifolia. The presence of
Rhizobium and mycorrhizal infection help the plants to survive in neutral, acid and alkaline
rhizosphere regions. The studies on the effect of AM fungus, Glomusfasciculatum and
Rhizobium species on the tolerance of effluent treatment in Prosopisjuliflora showed that root
growth and dry matter content were higher in the dual inoculated P. juliflora plants than the
individual inoculations, control and plants treated with effluent alone. Dual inoculated plants
did not absorb much of Mn, Cr, Cd, Cu and Zn. Thus the mycorrhizal, frankial and rhizobial
symbioses help the plants for better root growth and to achieve better targets of the plants.
The obligate symbiotic nature of AM fungi is a crucial factor in the mass multiplication of
AMF spores in vitro. Since AM fungi have not been successfully sub-cultured in vitro, it has
been difficult to obtain large amounts of inocula for seasonal and field application.
Development of monoxenic culture system of host plants and AM fungi could be a valuable
research tool to study their symbiotic association. Establishment of mycorrhizal association in
root organ cultures with subsequent development of small round vegetative spores has been
shown. A medium in combination of root exudate for axenic germination of
Scutellosporaerythropa and S. nigra in in vitro conditions has been developed. Germination
of AM fungal spores (Gl. mosseae and Gig. gigantea) in in vitro condition by using root
organ culture of Sorghum vulgare and Saccharumofficinarum and establishment of in vitro
root infection from infected roots of S. officinarum to S. vulgare have been carried out.
Selenium is an essential micronutrient for humans and animals. Recently it has been gained
much importance for its anticancer activity. Plants have the ability to absorb and sequester
selenium and to convert inorganic selenium to volatile forms of organic compounds. The
potent cancer-causing compound, nitrosamine, is inhibited by garlic. Se-methyl-
selenocysteinis one of the main selenocompounds in Se-enriched garlic and Se has been
identified as an important compound of glutathione peroxidase. A study was conducted to
investigate the role of arbuscularmycorrhizal fungi in the uptake of selenium by garlic and
anticancer activity of the Se enriched garlic. A significant cancer protection in rats with
treatment by selenium enriched (enrichment due to inoculation of AM fungi) garlic when
compared to other treatments has been achieved. The findings pave the way for the
importance of AM fungi in human healthcare. The current classification and identification of
AM fungi are based on the morphology and molecular techniques such as DNA Finger-
printing, rDNA sequencing and cDNA synthesis techniques. Genetic variations can be
identified and compared with other symbiotic species. AMF spores such as Gigaspora
margarita, Glomusmosseae, Gl. fasciculatum, Gl. leptoticum, Gig. gigantea,
Scutellosporaerythropa etc. collected from various locations were cultured in glasshouse
conditions. Allium cepa plants were used as trap plants. Infected roots as well as spores were
collected and used for DNA isolation. AMF DNA was used as template for PCR. Small
subunit rDNA primer sequences NS1 and NS21, the primers VAGLO, VAGIGA and
VAACAU were used for PCR amplifications. The genetic variations of SS rDNA were
analyzed by restriction analysis.
PL007:A dynamic model for sustainability of microbial life under extreme
thermal environments
Ved Pal Singh
Department of Botany, University of Delhi, Delhi – 110 007
Email: [email protected]
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Abstract
All life forms on Earth experience harsh environments at one or the other stage in their life
cycle which make them adapt to environmental extremes, since the changing environments
become the driving forces for the adaptive evolution of life. However, understanding the
mechanism of evolutionary adaptation of life forms under thermal environments has become
a present-day concern in the context of global warming. Among the living organisms,
microorganisms exhibit maximum diversity in varied environmental conditions, which make
them most suitable model system for understanding/unraveling the molecular secret of life at
high temperature.The dynamic nature of molecules, and particularly the microbial enzymes,
with respect to cation-dependent decrease in the Arrhenius energy of activation (EA) for their
high-temperature catalysis and their constitutive synthesis as well as rapid turnover appear to
play important role in thermoadaptation of microorganisms, without precluding the
possibility of involvement of macromolecular charged environment and ordered cellular
organization for their thermophilic existence. And, the contention that most macromolecules,
including enzymes in thermophiles are inherently thermostable, does not seem to be true. For
example, in thermophilic spore formers at least, the enzymes are thermolabile, as they get
inactivated even at growth temperature of the organism which, otherwise, learn to live under
thermal environments, exhibiting steady replacement of heat-inactivated enzymes by their
rapid resynthesis or rapid turnover so as to counteract the destructive effect of heat, and thus
combating global warming.
PL008:Biodiversity, Bioremediation and Bioeconomy
M. V. N. Prasad
School of Life Sciences, New Life Science Building (South Campus)
Professor C.R. Rao Road, Gachhibowli, University of Hyderabad
Hyderabad 500 046, Telangana, India
Email: [email protected], [email protected]
Abstract Globally, today the growing economy, extensive industrialization and utilization of bioresources have
resulted in environmental contamination and pollution. Large amount of biological wastes is
generated in developing and developed nations. The challenge is to develop profitable solutions to
utilize this biological waste for production of value chain and value additions appears. In these
presentation strategies to utilize biological waste for co-generation of value chain and value addition
products are covered. The growing need for biomass for conversion to biofuels requires
lignocellulosic-rich raw materials. Phytoremediatedphytomass is one such option to produce fuel like
methanol, biodiesel, synthetic gas and hydrogen (using thermal and thermo chemical processes by
direct or indirect liquefaction or gasification) and ethanol (through hydrolysis and subsequent
fermentation). Biorefinery processes (the sustainable processing of biomass to a spectrum of
marketable products and energy) is an absolute necessity and it is the key to meet this vision towards
bio-based economy. Brassica juncea (Indian mustard) Helianthus annus (sunflower),
Prosopisjuliflora, bamboo, and Pistiastratiotes (water lettuce), are potential environmental crops
grown for different purposes including energy generation. Annuals and perennials, including algae in
wastewater ponds generate huge amount of waste. Management and production of phytoremediation
crops in contaminated substrates serves as a sink for contaminants with possibility for co-generation
of econonomic products. Co-generation of beneficial products foster circular economy through
biorefinery approach.
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Key words: Biodiesel, Bioeconomy, Biomass conversion, Biorefinery, Carbon sequestration, Circular
Economy, Constructed wetlands, Energy crops, Environmental cleanup, Industrial crops, Ornamental
crops, Value additions, Value chain products
PL009:Bio-aerosols as potential Ice Nucleators in the Himalayan Region
ShwetaYadav
¹Department of Environmental Sciences, Central University of Jammu, Bagla,
RahyaSuchani, Samba, Jammu and Kashmir 181143, India
Email: [email protected]
Abstract
Bioaerosols have implications on human health and climate system. As potential ice
nucleators, bioaerosols affect the cloud evolution, precipitation processes and hydrological
cycle. It is interesting to note that the bioaerosols act as ice nucleators on much warmer
temperatures, which may lead to shift in precipitation patterns on regional and global scale.
Still our knowledge on bioaerosol diversity and their associated ice nucleating properties is
very limited. Particularly, from the Himalayan region, no comprehensive investigation has
been carried out till date to understand the diversity of bioaerosols and ice nucleating particle
(INP) properties of ambient aerosols. INP play crucial role in precipitation initiation at
warmer temperatures, thus it is important to understand the sources and composition of INP
over Indian region. Scientific investigations have shown that the selected bacterial and fungal
species are IN active and can significantly affect precipitation patterns. The speciation and
diversity of INP active biological particles can be investigated by direct DNA extraction
analysis, followed by amplification of the 16S rRNA genes and next generation sequencing.
It is an emerging field of research and needs to be followed for filling the present gaps in
understanding the cloud processes and precipitation patterns in the region.
PL010:Brassinolides-plant interaction for sustainable crop development
under abiotic stress
Sirhindi, G.
Department of Botany, Punjabi University, Patiala – 147 002, India
Email: [email protected]
Abstract
Brassinoslides (BLs) namely 28-homobrassinolide (28-HBL) and 24-epibrassinolide (24-
EBL)belongs to group of naturally occurring plant based steroid hormones. These steroids
sharing there basic four ring structure with cholesterol steroid found in animals. Different
active forms of BLs are reported to present ubiquitnously in number of plant species. BLs
work as signalling molecules to induce different growth and regulation associated responses
in plants including plant tolerance to various stresses. However, the underlying mechanism
involved in this management in plants by BLs is not well understood. Barssicajuncea is a
leading oil yielding crop which is directly affected by number of abiotic factors and major
players in this are temperature fluctuations and salinity of soil. Our research findings
suggested and establishing the role of 28-HBL and 24-EBL at different concentrations (0, 10-
6, 10
-9, 10
-12 M) in managing the synergistic role of stress manager and productivity
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improvement in B. juncea subjected to dual stress of salt (180 mM) and temperatures (4 C
and 44 C) taking 25 C as optimum temperature.Significant reduction in phenotypic
expressions in shoot and root length was observed under dual stress of salt and temperature.
Supplementation of both BLs (28-HBL and 24-EBL)improved all the phenotypic characters
observed in B. juncea, but in a very dose dependent manner. Stress markers such as H2O2,
lipid peroxidation, electrolyte leakage enhanced expressively while cell viability was reduced
vividly in seedlings exposed to dual stress alone. Exogenous application of 28-HBL showed
inhibition in stress marker content thus improved cell viability rate. Activities of SOD, CAT,
APOX, GR, DHAR and MDHAR increased in response to 28-HBL. These findings may be
useful in the development of dual stress tolerant crops by exogenous application of BLs for
sustainable crop improvement.
PL011:Bioprospecting Cyanobacteria for Agriculture, Industry and
Energy
Sunil Pabbi
Centre for Conservation and Utilisation of Blue Green Algae, Division of Microbiology
ICAR - Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi-110012
Email: [email protected]
Abstract
Cyanobacteria or blue green algae (BGA) have gained considerable biological significance to
overcome many problems being faced by mankind related to food, agriculture, energy,
medicine and environmental degradation. Extensive research on fundamental and applied
aspects of these organisms has demonstrated that algal biomass can be used for diverse
applications like environment management, production of fine chemicals, atmospheric
nitrogen fixation, production of biofuel, conversion of solar energy, therapeutic functions etc.
In many cases there is utilization of whole biomass or certain valuable constituents are
extracted including metabolites and enzymes. This is proven beyond doubt that BGA are
ideal biological system under tropical situation for sustaining fertility of rice field soil. The
agricultural importance of these organisms lies in their capacity to metabolize molecular
nitrogen, liberation of fixed nitrogen and growth promoting substances as extra metabolites,
solubilising insoluble phosphates, addition of organic matter and improving physico-chemical
nature of soil. The use of BGA biofertilizer in lowland rice results in saving chemical
nitrogenous fertilizers and increasing crop yield. BGA biofertilizer in rice is now a
recommended management practice and has demonstrated its superiority in maintaining
ecological balance and organic farming. The technology for algal biofertilizer production has
been standardized for pilot scale and is licensed to a number of firms. The improved
technology also produces quality material with definite algal load. The product has been
extensively tested in the field with promising results. The impact of technology carried out in
Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana revealed that BGA use resulted in more than 25%
reduction in urea with an overall 3.8 percent increase in paddy yield. The biofuel potential of
cyanobacteria revealed that its lipid content increased and overall expression of accD gene
got upregulated under nitrogen and phosphorus limiting conditions. Further, FAME analysis
of Spirulina strains showed the presence of palmitic, linolenic, oleic, linoleic and
docosahexaenoic acids (in order of abundance) with more accumulation of PUFA and γ -
linolenic acid. A protocol for production, extraction and purification of phycobiliproteins
from selected cyanobacteria was developed. A purification of above 4 was achieved and an
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Indian patent has been filed for the same. The purified phycobiliproteins were characterized
using SDS-PAGE, HPLC and MALDI-TOF MS. The cpcB gene under different physico-
chemical conditions showed variable expression irrespective of the organism studied. No
doubt, the cyanobacterialbiomass has great potential to meet the future challenges of higher
food production, quality nutrition, enrgy requirement and environment sustainability. A
biorefinery approach integrating benefits of biofuel production, waste management,
bioinoculants and production of novel bioactives is required to enhance the economics and
cost effectiveness.
PL012:Genetic diversity analysis and bioprospecting of Indian Swertia
species
R.C. Gupta
Department of Botany, Punjabi University, Patiala, Punjab-147002
Abstract
Swertiagenus (Family: Gentianaceae) is widespread in the north temperate areas upto 1200-
3600m in the Western Himalayas, North-Eastern and South-Eastern Himalayas and Western
Ghats. Swertiagenus is higly a potent drug in the diffrent Pharmacopeias as well as well-
documented in the Indian traditional medicinal systems, viz. Ayurveda, Sidda and Unani.
Swertiaherb is used as the principal component in several marketed herbal/ polyherbal
formulations. Medicinal usage of Swertia are due to miscellaneous compounds viz.
xanthones, irridoids, seco-irridoids and triterpenoids. High trade demand of “Chirayita” (S.
chirata) shifts the allied species of Swertia into endangered one and now it is included under
the NMPB‟s priorty list for the development of improved varieties of this genus. Most potent
species in India is S. chirata. Compared to S. chirata; less potent species that are commonly
used as adulterants are S. alata, S. angustifolia, S. bimaculata, S. ciliata, S. densifolia, S.
elegans, S. lawii, S. minor, S. nervosa, S. paniculata, S. multifloraand S. cordata. For
authentic authentic identification of the available drug in the market their is need for
morphological, cytological, biochemical, molecular and phytochemical marker studies to
differentiate among S. chirayitaand its adulterants.
Present study, covered the assessment of norphological, cytological, phytochemical
and genetic diversity among seven Swertia species, viz. S. chirata, S. paniculata, S. cordata,
S. nervosa, S. bimaculata, S. dilatataand S. angustifoliacollected from high altitudes of
Western and Eastern Himalayas, India. Morphologically the different species are demarcated
mainly on the basis of floral characters. Cytologically all of the accessions have same
chromosome number n=13 with normal course of meiosis. Genetic variability in the wild
genotypes of Swertia L., was explored by using two single primer based amplification
reactions (SPAR) technique, viz. ISSR (inter simple-sequence repeats) and RAPD (random
amplified polymorphic DNA) markers. A total of 34 SPAR primers were used to check the
intra-specific and inter-specific variability among 48 accessions of Swertia L. Remarkably,
the dendrogram generated through both the methods had at least three major clusters marked
A, B, and C, with large parenthesis. ISSR markers represent discrete clustering which may
identify different species of Swertia, viz. S. chirata, S. cordata, S. angustifolia, S. nervosa and
S. paniculata.Comparatively RAPD markers showed less differentiation among different
species. S. nervosa and S. paniculata showed least interspecific genetic diversity. Overall,
high level of intra-specific genetic diversity (ne = 1.15; h = 0.20; I = 0.30) was observed
among S. paniculata accessions whereas S. chirata accessions showed least genetic diversity.
Among all the populations, S. paniculata collected from Chakrata-Deoban (Uttrakhand)
regions was found to be highly diverse (ne = 1.23; h = 0.21; I = 0.38), whereas from Triund
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trek (Himachal Pradesh) population showed least genetic diversity (ne = 1.06; h = 0.18; I =
0.24). Among all the studied Swertia species, S. chirata plant samples displayed higher
content of bioactive marker compounds followed by S. paniculata and S. angustifolia. Leaf
parts of S. paniculata contain maximum content of swertiamarin (4.74 %), amarogentin (0.55
%) and mangiferin (3.83 %) while leaf parts of S. angustifolia comprise 3.56 % of
swertiamarin, 0.49 % of amarogentin and 2.76 % mangiferin compound. Among the entire
Swertia accessions, S. paniculata samples collected from Triund-Trek Mountains
(Dharmshala) displays higher content of secoiridoids (swertiamarin and
amarogentin),xanthone glycoside (mangiferin), pentacyclictriterpenoids (ursolic acid,
betullinic acid, oleanolic acid and lupeol), phytosterols (stigmasterol and β-sitosterol) and
anti-oxidant compounds (apigenin, chlorogenic acid, gallic acid and quercetin) as compared
to the samples collected from Kalatop-Dalhousie and Chakrata-Deoban regions. S. paniculata
and S. angustifolia contained good content of bio-active compounds and could be used as a
substitute for S. chirata plant. S. cordata, S. bimaculata, S. nervosa and S. dilatata species
collected from different regions of Western and Eastern Himalayas showed very lesser
amount of these bio-active compounds.After screening the elite Swertia species; shoot
cultures of Swertiapaniculata were treated with various elicitors/precursors,viz. Salicylic acid
(SA), Benzoic acid (BA), Cinnamic acid (CA), Phenyalanine (Phe), NaCl and Chitosan (CS)
to enhance the bio-active compounds, viz.swertiamarin, mangiferin, amarogentin, oleanolic
acid, ursolic acid, betulinic acid, stigmasterol, lupeol, apigenin, chlorogenic acid, gallic acid
and quercetin.Experimental design (by using RSM) developed in our study clearly showed
that shoot cultures treated with medium concentration of phenylalanine, salicylic acid and
chitosan yielded maximum content of bio-active compounds.
PL013: Assessment of Microbial Diversity Towards Translational
Research
Subrata K Das
Institute of Life Sciences, Nalco Square, Bhubaneswar-751023, India
E.mail: [email protected] / [email protected]
Abstract Naturally occurring microorganisms, especially extremophiles are enormous and represents a largely
untapped resource with unlimited potential for novel metabolic pathways and beneficial products. In
this regard, my laboratory is working in the area of Environmental Microbiology and ecology to
address the microbial life style in extreme habitats using genomics, metagenomics, and gene
regulation approach. Main focus to reconstruction of metabolic model and functional analysis of
pathways linked to phenotypic properties of the bacteria. Based on polyphasic approach several new
microbes have been reported from our laboratory. Besides, we are working on the characterization of
microbiome collected from pristine environments such as hot springs following metagenomic
approach to understand the microbial community composition and their relation with the
environmental variables, such as temperature, pH and geochemistry. Further, looking into the
importance of microbial genomics towards bioprospecting, Bordetella sp. strain HT200 was isolated
from the hot spring sediments proposed as a life stock whole cell vaccine candidate. Our
environmental isolate Bordetella sp. strain HT200 do not produce the major Bordetella virulence
factors such as pertussis toxin, dermonecrotin toxin and the adenylate cyclase-hemolysin toxin
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however, it agglutinates anti-serum specific to B. bronchiseptica. In vitro and in vivo experiments
suggests the strain HT200 could be used as a whole cell vaccine.
Besides, my laboratory has described the role of proline residue for arsenate reductase activity
in Pannonibacter indicus strain HT23T and developed a recombinant plasmid by fusing ars operon
and a bio-reporter gene (GFP) as a sensor for the detection of arsenic in the drinking water. Further,
we have made notable contribution on biodegradation of inorganic sulfur compounds. Using site-
specific electron donors and inhibitors and by analyzing the cytochrome spectra, we have identified
the shortest thiosulfate-dependent electron transport chain in T. bhubaneswarensis and evidenced the
substrate-level phosphorylation is the major contributor to the total energy budget in this bacterium. In
addition, my laboratory has narrated the coexistence of two novel ICEs of the same exclusion group
either S(SXT) or R(R391) in the genome of the genus Marinomonas by comparative genomics.
Sequence analysis predicted these hotspot regions were shaped by acquisition of genes through
homologous recombination between the SXT and R391 related ICEs or mobile genetic elements
present in disparate marine bacteria. Finally, our data provided information on the genetic diversity
and predicted functions encoded by variable genes present in the hotspot regions of these new ICEs.
PL014: Cyanobacterial (Plectonema) applications in Nanotechnology
Tasneem Fatma
Cyanobacterial Biotechnology Lab, Department of Biosciences, Jamia Millia Islamia,
New Delhi 110025, India
Email : [email protected]
Abstract During the last decades, design, synthesis and manipulation of nano-sized materials, particularly
metallic nanoparticles, have received global scientific interest due to their diverse applications. Silver
nanoparticles (AgNPs) are one of the most investigated nanostructures due to their promising
biomedical applications. The development of AgNPs as drug delivery formulations, antibacterial,
antiviral, antifungal and anti-inflammatory agents, use in detection and diagnostic platforms and as
biodevices are some of the recent areas where it can prove as a boon. Due to impressive biomedical
potentials of AgNPs, efforts have been made to understand their mode of action (biological
interactions). In order to make non toxic cost effective biogenic AgNPs, several microorganism
including cyanobacteria have been tried. Availability of biological material, time required during
synthesis, size of nanoparticle and their novel characteristics are the criteria for selection of the
biological entity. In the present study, emphasis was given to utilization of easly available
cyanobacterial biomass (aqueous extract) for the synthesis of AgNP for the benefit of mankind. Based
on (UV-VIS, SEM), particle size, time taken Plectonema appeared as the best cyanobacteria.
Therefore, Plectonema cell extract (aqueous) derived AgNPs were characterized for physicochemical
properties (UV-VIS, SEM-EDX, TEM, FTIR, XRD and novel biological activities ( antioxidant,
antibacterial).
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PL015:Tissue culture and biotechnology
H.P.Sharma1 and Amit Patnaik
2
1Sido Kanhu Murmu University, Dumka, Jharkhand 2Department of Botany, Ranchi University, Ranchi
Email: [email protected]
Abstract
Plant Tissue Culture is commonly referred to the in vitro culture of plant parts, tissue or organ.
Ever since its inception in 1902, as a simple sustained prolonged culture of plant tissues, the
field progressed to develop the differential response of the cultured tissues under variable
chemical conditions provided the impetus to utilize the technique in a profitable manner. Over
the years, the application of the technique became apparent and was used not only to
understand the growth and differentiation of tissue or organs, but also extended to industrial
applications of these techniques including cell culture. So it became an integral part of
biotechnology and is being routinely employed for the improvement of crops and other
economically important plants for commercial exploitation in horticulture, floriculture and
pharmaceutical industries.In my lab approximately, twenty-five local rice varieties have been
screened for their morphogenic potentials and characterized at molecular level. Large numbers
of ethno-medicinal plants also, based on hodopathy, have been identified as anti-cancer plants
and their validation have been established through phytochemical (qualitative and quantitative),
antimicrobial studies, anti-oxidant properties and SRB methods. Attempts have also been made
towards hairy root induction aiming to enhance root biomass and thus protection and
conservation of medicinal plants where roots are the main source of bioactive compounds.
PL016:Bio-efficacy of Bifenthrin 8 SC against shoot and fruit borer and
red spider mite of okra and its phytotoxicity on plants
R. A. Balikai
Department of Agricultural Entomology
University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad - 580 005, Karnataka, India
Email: [email protected]
Abstract
The field experiments were carried out during kharif and rabi seasons with Arka Anamika
variety of okra. Two sprays of Bifenthrin 8 SC @ 140, 120 and 100 g a.i./ha afforded cent per
cent protection against mites during both kharif and rabi seasons; while 92.40, 88.59 and
86.69 per cent protection, respectively against shoot and fruit borer during kharif, and 89.86,
86.96 and 84.93 per cent protection during rabi season. All the insecticides recorded
significantly higher marketable fruit yield than untreated check. Two sprays of Bifenthrin 8
SC @ 140, 120 and 100 g a.i./ha produced significantly higher marketable fruit yield of
86.40, 85.10 and 83.50 t/ha during kharif, and 84.45, 83.57 and 81.84 t/ha durin rabi season,
which were on par with each other and were significantly superior over rest of the treatments.
None of the insecticidal treatments showed any type of phytotoxic symptoms on okra plants
at one, three, seven and ten days after spray of Bifenthrin 8 SC @ 100, and 200 g a.i./ha
during both kharif and rabi seasons. Hence, Bifenthrin 8 SC @ 100 g a.i./ha could be
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recommended for the better management of mites, and shoot and fruit borer to get higher
marketable fruit yield.
PL017:Information indices for the measurement of alpha diversity of
communities
Ashwani K. Thukral
Department of Botanical & Environmental Sciences
Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar-143005, India
Email: [email protected]
Abstract
Measurement of alpha diversity is the first step for the characterisation of communities.
Several indices are used in this context. Most commonly used diversity indices are based on
information content of the communities. These are Shannon-Weiner‟s, Simpson‟s and
Brillouin‟s indices. The author proved that certain statistical measures of central tendency
and dispersion can also be used as diversity indices. Notable among these are standard
deviation, standard error and coefficient of variation, which can be used to derive Simpson‟s
diversity indices. Similarly, geometric mean and harmonic mean, and some other statistics
can also be used as information indices so as to describe community diversity.
-15-
Oral
Presentation
-16-
OL001:Exopolysaccharide production in Anabaena sp. PCC 7120 under
different CaCl2 regimes: Chemical characterization & Expression of
related gene alr2882
Savita Singh*a
and A. K. Mishrab
aDepartment of Botany, BabuShivnathAgrawal College, Mathura-281004
bDepartment of Botany, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi-221005
*Email: [email protected]
Abstract
Influence of various levels of CaCl2 (0, 1, 10 and 100 mM) on exopolysaccharide production
has been investigated in the cyanobacteriumAnabaena7120. At the concentration of 1 mM
CaCl2, growth was found to be stimulatory while 100 mM was sub lethal for the
cyanobacterial cells. Estimation of EPS content revealed that EPS production depends on the
concentration of calcium ions in the immediate environment with maximum being at10 mM
CaCl2. A possible involvement of alr2882 gene in the process of EPS production was also
revealed through qRT-PCR. Further, FTIR-spectra marked the presence of aliphatic alkyl-
group, primary amine-group, and polysaccharides along with shift in major absorption peaks
suggesting that calcium levels in the external environment regulate the composition of EPS
produced by Anabaena 7120. Thus, both quantity and composition of EPS is affected under
different calcium chloride concentrations presenting possibilities of EPS with novel
unexplored features that may offer biotechnological applications.
Keywords: Anabaena 7120, Extracellular polymeric substances, Fourier transform infra red
spectroscopy (FTIR), Quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-
PCR), alr2882 gene, Scanning electron microscopy (SEM)
OL002:Mechanisms underlying faba bean-responses to single-bilayer
graphene oxide sheet
Naser A. Anjum
Department of Botany, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh-202002, U.P., India
Email: [email protected]; [email protected]
Abstract
Adsorbents based on single-bilayer graphene oxide sheet (hereafter „graphene oxide‟, GO;
size: 0.5–5 μm) are widely used in contaminated environments cleanup which may easily
open the avenues for their entry to different environmental compartments, exposure to
organisms and their subsequent transfer to human/animal food chain. Considering faba bean
(Viciafaba L.) germinating seedlings as a model plant system, this study assesses the
response (and underlying mechanism) of V. faba to different concentrations of GO (0, 100,
200, 400, 800, and 1600 mg L-1
). The study revealed both positive and negative
concentration-dependent GO-effects on V. faba. Significant negative impacts of GO
concentrations (ordered by magnitude of effect: 1600>200>100 mg GO L-1
) were indicated
by changes in growth and oxidative stress traits, activity of H2O2-decomposing enzymes
(ascorbate peroxidase and catalase), glutathione redox (reduced glutathione-to-oxidized
glutathione) ratio, reduced glutathione pool, as well as changes in glutathione-regenerating
(glutathione reductase) and glutathione-metabolizing (glutathione peroxidase; glutathione
sulfo-transferase) enzymes, and seed-protein profile. This work is aimed to present a critical
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cross-talk on the H2O2-decomposing enzymes and glutathione-regenerating (glutathione
reductase) and glutathione-metabolizing (glutathione peroxidase; glutathione sulfo-
transferase) enzymes in order to control oxidative stress status in V. faba seedlings.
Keywords: Graphene; Nanoparticle; Oxidative stress; Antioxidant metabolism
OL003:Endophytic fungi isolated from leaves of Centellaasiatica L.:
Culture and their identification
Shalini Jane Mundu
1, Anita Mehta
2
1Department of Biotechnology, Ranchi Women‟s College, Ranchi
2Department of Botany, Ranchi Women‟s College, Ranchi
Email: [email protected]
Abstract
Antibiotic resistance in microbs has become a critical health issue these days and has evolved
to become a worldwide health threat. Over a decade, the resistance level of bacteria has
increased many folds due to various factors, accounting to the added pressure on the
environmental resistance. . Infections that are resistant to these antibiotics show potentially
devastating effects on public health. Nowadays endophyticmicroorganism are recognized as
one of the most promising group for pharmaceutical potential. These microorganisms
comprise mainly of fungi and bacteria grow in the intercellular spaces of higher plants, are
chemical synthesizers and not considered as saprophytes.
Current investigation has been undertaken to identify some endophytic fungi residing inside
the tissues of leaves of Centellaasiatica, which are equally valuable as their host plant in their
medicinal values. This type of research will be helpful in search of an alternative source of
medicines, as these endophytic microbes are also producing same type of bioactive
compounds as their host.
Culture was done on PDA fungal media and its morphological study was done under
microscope for its identification. Some sporulating fungi were identified based on their
colony morphology, conidiospore and conidiophore characteristics. In this present work some
endophytes fungi were isolated from Centellaasiatica, which are, Penicillium, Aspergillus,
ClamydosporiumCurvularia,andTrichoderma .The microscopic identification of the isolates
was carried out by lacto phenol staining technique.
Keywords: Antimicrobial resistance, antibiotics, endophytic microbes, sporulating fungi.
OL004:Cytological features and chemotoxicity in chromosomes of green
algae: a curtain raiser
Ichha Purak
1, S K Bhatnagar
2, Sushma Das Guru
3 and Tabassum Afshan
4
1,3Department of Botany, Ranchi Women‟s College, Ranchi
2 College of Biotechnology, S V P University of Agriculture & Technology, Meerut
4 Department of Botany, Sri VenkatesswaraCollege,,Delhi University, New Delhi
Email: purak.ichha @gmail.com
-18-
Abstract
Present communication is an attempt to summarize the cytological features and chemotoxic
effects on somatic chromosomes of green algae with special emphasis on Charophyta. The
analysis of chromosome count along with karyological studies play a significant role in
proposing phylogenetic alliances, evolutionary trends and inter-relationships among different
groups of green algae.In this presentation, the nuclear structure, chromosome types,
karyological details, mitotic and meiotic chromosome counts along with the concept of basic
chromosome numbers, polyploidy and aneuploidy, C-banding patterns , molecular
characterization of some taxa of Characeae and effect of some chemicals like colchicine,
triacontanol, antibiotics, alkylating agents and agrochemicals have been included . When
algal materials are treated with mutagenic or radiomimetic agents, cytological aberrations of
various types are developed which can be used as an important tool in understanding
chromosomal evolution. On the basis of available data, it becomes evident that the species of
Charophyta are more susceptible as compared to the remaining groups of green algae and
more resistant as compared to the higher plants.
OL005:Pyramiding/stacking of adult plant rust resistance genes using
molecular markers for sustainable agriculture in bread wheat
(TriticumaestivumL.)
Vikas V.K.1*
, M. Sivasamy1, P. Jayaprakash
1, Jagdish Kumar
2, R. Nisha
1, P. Shajitha
1,
Sureshbabu1 and John Peter
1
1ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, Regional Station,
Wellington 643 231, The Nilgiris, India; 2ICAR-National Institute of Biotic Stress Management, Raipur, Chhattisgarh.
Email: [email protected]
Abstract
Wheat is one of the most important cereal crops for food security and rust diseases
continually pose a threat to wheat production at national and international level. Resistant
cultivars are the economical, most reliable and environmentally safest way to manage the rust
diseases. Adult plant resistance(APR) genes have small to intermediate effects when present
alone, but durable rust resistance could be achieved by combining the APR genes together.
Selection of two or more genes in a single genotype is difficult using conventional selection
system. In such a scenario, phenotype neutral selection based on marker-trait association
becomes inevitable. Stacking of adult plant rust resistance genes, Lr34/Yr18/Sr57/Pm38/Ltn1,
Lr46/Yr29/Sr58/Pm39/Ltn2and Lr68 was attempted with recipient parent(NI5439) using
Parula as donor parent by adopting single back cross approach. Transgressivesegregants for
yield and rust resistance were selected at F2 generation and forwarded. Presence of the rust
resistance genes were detected using molecular markers, CsLv34 (Lr34+), Xwmc44(Lr46+)
and csGs(Lr68)in the backcross derivatives. APR geneshadpleiotrophic association with stem
and stripe rust and powdery mildew resistance, providing resistance not only to leaf rust, but
also to stem and stripe rust and powdery mildew. The use of gene stacks of APR genes that
confer resistance to most of the pathotypes of rusts could impart durability and sustainability
to the cultivars than single gene deployment.
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OL006:Towards establishment of renewable sources of rohitukine – an
important precursor for US-FDA approved anticancer drug
Nitika Kapoor, Vidushi Mahajan, Vijay Lakshmi Jamwal, Amit Gautam, Ajai Prakash
Gupta, Ravi Singh Manhas, Asha Chaubey and Sumit G. Gandhi*
CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Canal Road, Jammu – 180 001, India
Email: [email protected]
Abstract
Dysoxylumbinectariferum (Roxb.)Hook.f. ex Bedd (Meliaceae) is a medicinally important
tree distributed in Western Ghats of southern India. Rohitukine, the key metabolite, isolated
from its trunk bark, is known to possess anti-inflammatory, anti-implantation, anti-fertility,
anti-proliferative and immunomodulatoryproperties.Flavopiridol, a structural analogue of
rohitukine, showed potent CDK inhibitor activity and was approvedfor treatment of chronic
lymphocytic leukemia. Removal of trunk bark, for isolation of rohitukine, seriously impacts
the biodiversity and ecology. Our studies showed that leaves and seeds contain significant
quantity of rohitukine and may serve as renewable sources. Further, in a bid to find
alternative sources of rohitukine, we also isolated endophytes from D. binectariferum and
explored their potential to produce rohitukine. Elicitation of D. binectariferum plants using
phytohormones was also attempted and showed promising results. Synthetic biology
mediated production of rohitukine is another approach, which however requires a thorough
understanding of the rohitukine biosynthetic pathway. We carried out transcriptome analysis
and mined the genes that may be involved in biosynthesis and regulation of rohitukine.
Expression profiling of these genes in different tissues was correlated with production
dynamics of rohitukine. These studies and data combined, may eventually pave way for
ecofriendly and renewable production of this important drug precursor.
OL007:Solid Surface Cultivation of Algae For Poultry Waste Remediation
And Biomass Production Komal Makhijani*, Khushboo Sharma, Ashish Bhatnagar and Monica Bhatnagar
Algae Biofuel and Biomolecules Centre, Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati University,
Ajmer, Rajasthan
Email: [email protected]
Abstract
The poultry industry in India produces 23.54 million MT of poultry manure every year along
with other wastes routed from hatcheries and slaughter houses. Disposal of this waste causes
pollution issues as the nitrogen and phosphorus in poultry excreta leach out to the water
bodies and cause eutrophication. In the present study this waste is proposed to be used as a
resource for producing algal biomass that can be used as a source of energy or feed.
Cultivation in ponds poses difficulty in removing biomass that is not only cost intensive but
also releases back the nutrients into the water body after death. Therefore, to overcome the
hurdle of harvesting in algal cultivation, a feasibility study over seven months has been
performed using an open solid surface cultivation system. Productivity of the cultivation
system has been followed vis a vis utilization of nutrients that show the feasibility of using
poultry litter as a nutrient resource.
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OL008:Green polymers as wound healing agents
Monica Bhatnagar* and Ashish Bhatnagar
Algae Biofuel and Biomolecules Centre,
MaharshiDayanandSaraswati University Ajmer 305009
*Email: [email protected]
Abstract
Wound care is constantly evolving with the most significant advance arising from the work of
Winter who showed that occluded wounds i.e. those in a moist environment healed faster
than the dry wounds. Since then hydrogel dressings have become an integral part of wound
management . Hydrogels are essentially a bit of polymer and a whole lot of water (or any
other liquid). Their hydrophilic abilities make them a material of choice in conditions where
one needs to absorb retain or slow release a small amount of liquid. Green and natural
polymers are gaining importance in wound care due to their unique and appealing biological
properties along with sustainability backed by a complete recycling network. Here we discuss
the potential of some plant biopolymers as bioactive wound healing agents and discuss the
development of breathable hydrogel composites from them.
OL009:Nitric oxide application improves photosynthesis performances in
mustard through increase in use efficiency of nitrogen and sulfur under
adverse effects of salinity stress
BadarJahan*, ZebusSehar, Nafees A. Khan
Plant Physiology and Biochemistry Laboratory, Department of Botany, Aligarh Muslim
University, Aligarh-202002 India
*Email: [email protected]
Abstract
Salinity is one of the major abiotic stresses which are known to reduce productivity of
various crop species and mustard. Nitric oxide (NO) is recently recognized as gaseous plant
hormone to engage in several reactions in plant cells under normal and abiotic stress
conditions. In the present study the potential of 100 μM sodium nitroprusside (SNP; NO
donor) was studied individually (100 mg N/kg soil or 100 mg S/kg soil) or in combination
with split form (50N+50N, 50S+50S) of nitrogen (N) and sulfur (S) for the alleviation of 100
mMNaCl stress in mustard (Brassica junceaL.). The application NO resulted in alleviation of
photosynthetic inhibition induced by salinity through increased photosynthetic nitrogen use
efficiency and sulfur use efficiency. Supplementation of NO+ N + S promoted N and S
assimilation capacity and stomatal behavior, and enzyme of antioxidant system. It may be
concluded that NO application with appropriate split and combined application of N and S
play significant role in overcoming salt stress and induction of tolerance by regulating N and
S assimilation in plants and proline accumulation.
Keywords: Sulfur, Nitrogen, Proline, Mustard, Salt stress
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OL010:Biodegradation of Rhodamine Pink an Industrial Dyeby Some
White-Rot Fungi
Mukesh Chander and Ruchika
Assistant Professor & Dean Research (Former)
Bioprocess Laboratory, P.G. Department of Biotechnology,
Khalsa College (Autonomous), Amritsar -143 002, Punjab
Email: [email protected]
Abstract
Dyes are complex aromatic molecular structures which are intended to be stable and
consequently are difficult to degrade. Removal of dyes with microorganisms, especially fungi
has recently gained attention. The fungal dye degradation do not produce any carcinogenic
aromatic amines like the anaerobic systems. The white-rot fungi and their ligninolytic
enzymes has been found to be effective in degradation of variety of dyes and colourant,
reducing their toxicity and mutagenicity. However, much of these studies have been done on
synthetic media and that too are limited to lab scale. In the present study, three white-rot
fungi namely P. chrysosporium, P. floridensisandP. radiata has used for the degradation of
Rhodamine pink–an industrial dye. These fungal species were enriched on Rhodamine dye
based agar plates wherein their decolourisation potential was recorded and compared on the
basis of clear zone formed around the mycelialdics from the centre towards the periphery
after incubation at optium temperature in given interval of time. The three fungi were grown
on corn cob (a cheap agro residue) to obtain cell free enzyme extracts, which were used to
study degradation of Rhodamine dye. The P. radiata maximally (74%) decolourised the
Rhodamine dye. Three of the fungi tested reduced the chemical oxygen demand and toxicity
of the dye.
OL011:Protective role of 24-Epibrassinolide under H2O2stress Brassica
juncea L.
Rupinder Kaur and Manish Kumar
Post Graduate Department of Botany,
DevSamaj College for Women, Ferozepur, Punjab-152002
Email: [email protected]
Abstract
The effects of 24-Epibrassinolidewasinvestigated in Brassica junceaL. under
H2O2stress. The present study revealed the physiological, biochemical and molecular
modulation properties of 24-epibrassinolide (24-EBL) in plants exposed to toxic
concentrations of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). The findings registered in present study
suggested that H2O2 is an important reactive oxygen species (ROS) which played a dual role.
At lower and sublethal concentrations it acted as signaling molecule responsible for
regulating various growth and development processes in plants. Under extreme high
concentrations of H2O2 it becomes harmful for the plant growth due to bad effect of ROS
which produced at very high amount. It was confirmed that under H2O2 stress the antioxidant
machinery increased its level of activity. Supplementation of 24-EBL to various H2O2 treated
seedlings showed higher accumulation of H2O2 which suggested that 24-EBL interplayed
with H2O2 in web of signaling under stress conditions. Ascorbic acid is low molecular weight
-22-
antioxidant found to increased in sufficient amount and may helped the seedlings to protect
from oxidative stress caused by high concentrations of H2O2. Present observations suggested
that 24-Epibrassinolide pretreatment protect the seedlings from hydrogen peroxide stress
through enhancing level of antioxidant enzyme activities.
OL012:Sustainable Utilization of Climate Resilient Crop Varieties
forFood and Nutritional Security under Changing Climatic Conditions:A
Case Study from Mirzapur District of Eastern Uttar Pradesh
Ajeet Singh1, 2*
, P. C. Abhilash1, 2
1Institute of Environment & Sustainable Development,
Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221005 2Agro-ecosystem Specialist Group, Commission on Ecosystem Management, IUCN
*Email: [email protected]
Abstract
Ensuring the food and nutritional requirements of a rapidly growing human population is one
of the major sustainability challenges of the developing nations. Furthermore, the food
production under changing climatic condition itself is another sustainability issue as the
changing climatic condition negatively affect the growth, yield and nutritional quality of
agricultural crops. Therefore, the exploration and sustainable utilization of climate resilient
crops are essential for ensuring the sustainability of the food production under futuristic
climatic conditions. Since wild crop plants have better tolerance and adaption potential than
the modern crop varieties. So large-scale utilization of wild crop plants are the need of the
hour. In this context, the present study was aimed to identify the promising wild crops and
their relatives having preferential nutritional qualities from Mirzapur district of eastern Uttar
Pradesh. For this, intensive field visit and stakeholder consultation was conducted in the
Mirzapur district of Eastern Uttar Pradesh. Promising wild species as well as the associated
bio-cultural and traditional knowledge were documented. Germplasms of promising species
were collected and detailed characterization was done accordingly. The traditional ecological
knowledge associated with the cultivation of above varieties were also noted. Our study
concludes that identification of climate resilient crop varieties from various agro ecological
zone and validation of suitable agronomic practices for their large-scale exploitation are
essential for ensuring the food and nutritional quality under futuristic climate.
Keywords: Agrobiodiversity; Climate Change, Climate Resilient Agriculture; Food Security;
Wild crops; Traditional Ecological Knowledge
OL013:Linking Plant-Microbe Interaction with agricultural productivity
Pankaj Srivastava* and Nishita Giri
Soil Science and Agronomy Division
ICAR-Indian Institute of Soil and Water Conservation (ICAR-IISWC), Dehradun (U.A.)
Email:[email protected]
Abstract
It is widely accepted that climate change occur worldwide. India is highly prone to climate
change as its economy is heavily depending on climate sensitive sectors like agriculture and
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forestry. Soil microbes indirectly influence C cycling by improving soil aggregation, which
physically protects soil organic matter (SOM). Plant growth-promoting mechanisms of
bacteria might increase biomass production in a more sustainable manner in agricultural
fields, even on marginal land. Symbiotic associations between plant roots and
arbuscularmycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are ubiquitous in terrestrial ecosystems. A key AMF-
mediated process involved in the storage of carbon in soils is the transfer of photosynthate
from host plants to AMF hyphae. Conventional agricultural practices have so far paid little
attention to beneficial plant-microbe interactions. Crop rotation, with legumes, or the use of
organic fertilizers is known to increase microbial diversity. Smart agricultural systems make
use of specific crop rotations stimulating specific types of bacteria frequently involved in
plant growth promotion. Plant-microbe interactions has great potential to contribute to more
sustainable agricultural practices and is in line with current policy priorities regard to the
protection of natural resources and food security.
OL014:Identification of transcription factor pairs regulating phosphate
accumulation in plants with Transdetect- A novel algorithm
Sikander Pal
Plant Physiology Lab, Department of Botany, University of Jammu, Jammu
Email: [email protected]
Abstract
Phosphate (P) and Zinc (Zn) are essential nutrients for normal plant growth. Deficiency of
these elements often leads to impaired plant growth and reduced crop yield. Excessive uses of
phosphate fertilizers are likely to exhaust P reserves by 2050. Therefore, it is of grave
concern to look for means of enhancing the phosphate uptake and utilization efficacy of
plants. Current understanding states antagonistic crosstalk between P and Zn in soil solution.
Excess of P limits Zn uptake abilities of a plant and vice-versa. However, precise mechanism
needs to be explored, in this context, identifying TFs cooperation controlling target gene
expression such as those regulating P mobilization and use efficiency is still an arduous
challenge. The accuracy of current methods at genome scale significantly drops with the
increase in number of genes, which limits their applicability to more complex genomes, like
animals and plants. Here, we developed an algorithm, TransDetect which is able to predict
TFs combinations controlling the expression level of a given gene. This algorithm was used
to identify novel TFs which could modulate regulating the expression of Arabidopsis
phosphate transporter PHO1;H3 comprising MYB15, MYB84, bHLH35 and ICE1. These
TFs were confirmed to interact between themselves and with the PHO1;H3 promoter.
Detailed phenotypic and genetic analyses of TF mutants enabled to propose a new gene
regulatory network of PHO1;H3 controlling P accumulation in Zn-dependent manner.
Findings demonstrate reliability of TransDetect to extract directionality in non-dynamic
transcriptomes and to provide blueprint to identify gene regulatory network in a given
biological process.
Key words: phosphate, zinc, algorithm, transcription factors
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OL015:Physico-chemical characterstics and genotoxiceffects of
agricultural soil samples of Amritsar
VanitaChahal
1, Yogesh B. Pakade
2, Renu Bhardwaj
3, Avinash Nagpal
3 and
Jatinder Kaur Katnoria3*
1Department of Botany, Kamla Nehru College for Women, Phagwara
2Cleaner Technology Centre, CSIR-NEERI, Nagpur
3Department of Botanical and Environmental Sciences, Guru Nanak Dev University,
Amritsar
*Email: [email protected]; [email protected]
Abstract
In recent decades, soil has been contaminated via different sources like inevitable use of
pesticides and inorganic fertilizers, leaching of wastes from landfills or direct discharge of
industrial effluents. Among different soil contaminants, pesticides and heavy metals
significantly contribute to the pollution of agricultural lands and cause severe health problems
along with damage of gene pool upon reaching the living systems and also alter the
biochemical processes. The present study was planned to estimate physico-chemical
characteristics including multipesticide residues and total heavy metal contents of agricultural
soil samples of Amritsar (India). The study was further continued to evaluate biochemical
effects of soil samples on bulb and root system of Aliiumcepa, genotoxic effects of soils in
root tip cells and pollen mother cells of Allium cepaand tumor inducing potential of soil
samples using potato disc tumor assay. It was observed that all soil samples were found to be
contaminated with one or the other pesticides and heavy metals. Abrupt changes of enzymatic
activities were observed in bulb as well as root systems of Aliiumcepa treated with soil
samples as compared to the control soil. All soil samples induced genotoxicity in root tip
cells as well as pollen mother cells of Aliiumcepa. Further, soil samples were found to induce
tumors in potato disc tumor assay. Therefore, the present study creates a crucial alarm to the
health of farmers and different crop consumers.
OL016:Characterization and Molecular Mapping of a Soft Glume Mutant
in Diploid Wheat (Triticummonococcum L.)
Mohd.Javed Ansari
1,2*, Amit Vaish
2 and Harcharan Singh Dhaliwal
1,3
*1
Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee, Uttarakhand, India 2Department of Botany, Hindu College Moradabad-244001
3Akal School of Biotechnology, Eternal University, Baru Sahib, Himachal Pradesh 173101
Abstract
Diploid wheat T. monococcum L. is a model plant for wheat functional genomics. A soft
glume mutant was identified during manual screening of EMS-treated M2 progenies of a T.
monococcum accession pau14087. The seeds in the mature spike of the mutant could be
easily threshed manually. The soft glume mutant with high sterility, tapering and broader
spikes had also tougher rachis than the wild type parent. Genetic analysis of crosses of the
mutant with wild type indicated that the mutant was monogenic recessive. To map the soft
glume mutant, a mapping population was developed by crossing the soft glume mutant with
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wild Triticumboeoticum acc. pau 5088, having tough glumes and hard threshing. The soft
glume mutant was mapped between SSR markers Xgwm473 and Xbarc69 on 7Am
L
chromosome of T. monococcum, with a genetic distance of 1.8 cM and 8.3 cM, respectively.
The soft glume mutant mapped on 7Am
L, being distinct from a previously mapped soft glume
mutant in wheat, has been designated as sog2. The work on fine mapping of sog2 gene is in
progress.
Keywords: ethyl methane sulfonate, molecular mapping, microsatellite marker, soft glume
mutant – sog2
OL017:Brassinolides role in sustainable development of oil crop B. Juncea
L. CV. RLC 3 under low temperature stress
Neha Dogra and Geetika Sirhindi
Department of Botany, Punjabi University, Patiala-147002
Email: [email protected]
Abstract
Brassica juncea is a winter season oil crop. Composition of oil undergoes sharp reduction at
temperature between 0 to 10°C. Chilling injury includes physical and physiological changes
induced by low temperature with subsequent symptoms of stress. Present experiments were
performed at 5°C temperature to induce chilling injury and impact of 24-epibrassinolide and
28-homobrassinolide (0, 1μM, 1nM and 1pM) supplementation on activities of enzymatic
antioxidants involved in stress management of the crop were examined as superoxide
dismutase(SOD), catalase(CAT), ascorbate peroxidase(APOX). SOD activity was enhanced
in 5°C+1pM 24-EpiBL and 5°C+1pM 28-HomoBL concentration over the control seedling.
Instead CAT activity showed different concentration for its enhancement and maximum
upsurge was noted in 5°C+1μM 24-EpiBL and 5°C+1nM 28-HomoBL treated seedlings.
APOX activity showed parallel behavior with that of CAT showing enhancement in
5°C+1μM 24-EpiBL and 5°C+1nM 28-HomoBL, respectively. In conclusion it can be
suggested that exogenous priming treatment of different concentration of BRs at seed level
helps in maintaining both physical and physiological changes for sustainable growth of B.
juncea but in a dose dependent manner.
Keywords: Brassicajuncea, 24-Epibrassinolide, 28-Homobrassinolide, superoxide
dismutase, catalase, ascorbate peroxidase.
OL018:Root and shoot adaptations induced by paclobutrazol improves
water use efficiency in maize under deficit irrigation
Mohammad Urfan, Haroon Rashid, Shubham Sharma and Sikander Pal*
Plant Physiology Lab, Department of Botany, University of Jammu, Jammu (J&K) 180006
Abstract
Climate change is posing a serious threat on agricultural outputs world over in various forms,
with irregular rain spells causing drought and flood conditions being the main causative
factors. Hence drought and declining water resources for irrigation have emerged as threat to
food security. Improving and maximizing water use efficiency (WUE) of crops both in rain-
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fed and irrigated agriculture offers a viable option to combat drought. Deficit irrigation is the
administration of water below full crop-water requirements (evapotranspiration demand), is a
valuable practice to efficiently regulate irrigation. Paclobutrazol (PBZ), a fungicide is widely
used to impart drought tolerance in crop plants. PBZ induced impact on root and shoot
morphometrics, physiological processes and molecular mechanisms involved in improving
WUE under deficit irrigation in maize plants is largely unknown. Results obtained showed
diversified effects of PBZ on the morpho-physiological aspects and root architecture of five
maize hybrids (DDKL, DKC, PG1, PG2 and Bio) conferring water deficit tolerance both in
terminal and early deficit irrigation. Activities of antioxidant enzymes were modulated by
PBZ to enhance WUE under deficit irrigation. PBZ was able to differentially regulate
photosynthetic parameters such as net photosynthesis, stomatal conductance, gaseous
exchange and intercellular CO2 under deficit irrigation. Expression of ZmRTCS and ZmRTCL
genes responsible for root architectural adaptations was upregulated in PBZ treated plants
under deficit irrigation. Findings may propose that PBZ could improve WUE and low water
tolerance in maize plants under deficit irrigation through selective changes in the root and
shoot morphometry, morpho-physiology and induction of stress-related metabolic and
molecular processes.
Key words: maize, root morphometrics, paclobutrazol, deficit irrigation.
OL019:Development and analysis of a tea leaf interlogousprotein-protein
interaction network (TeaLIPIN) using transcriptomic data
Gagandeep Singh, Vikram Singh and Vikram Singh*
Centre for Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, School of Life Sciences, Central
University of Himachal Pradesh, Dharamshala, India-176206 *Email:[email protected]
Abstract Tea (Camellia sinensis) is an important commercial crop having antioxidant properties
acquired from newly formed young leaves. Due to its taste and flavour, it is most consumed
beverage in the world. To improve its quality and yield, identification of genes responsible
for its growth, development and stress tolerance is crucial. The in-depth study of cellular
regulations is still missing especially by means of interactions among the proteins for this
important traditional herb. In this work, protein-protein interaction (PPI) network approach
has been considered to determine the important regulatory mechanisms of cell by using
publically available high-throughput RNA-Seq data (1567288290 raw reads) of leaf
transcriptome derived from tea. Furthermore, high quality reads were assembled into
2,61,695 transcripts which were further selected for PPI network prediction. A total of 11,208
nodes having 1,97,820 edges were successfully predicted from experimentally validated
interactions of all plants available in STRING database using interolog based approach.
Thereafter, based on betweenness, degree and eigenvector, a total of 2931 key proteins were
identified with p-value less than 0.01. Among these key proteins 270 proteins were found to
be having transcription factor activities through HMM profile based search against Plant
transcription factor database (PTFDB) with crucial roles in regulating various metabolic,
cellular and organismal system processes. Thus, these genes can be selected to encounter the
stress from continuous changing environmental conditions through genetic engineering or
conventional breeding based assisted selection for crop improvement.
Keywords: PPI Network;Camelliasinensis; Leaf transcriptome; Interlog; Pathways;
Transcription factors.
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OL020:Agrobacterium – mediated insect resistance gene (CryIAa)
transfer in broccoli (Brassica oleraceaL. var. italica)
Pankaj Kumar* # ,GeetikaGambhir and Dinesh Kumar Srivastava
Department of Biotechnology
Dr. Y S Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Solan- 173230 Himachal Pradesh
#CSIR-Institute of HimalayanBioresource Technology, Palampur (H.P.)
Email: [email protected]
Abstract
Transgenic broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. var. italica) cv. „Solan Green Head‟ has been
developed by using Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain harboring cryIAa gene for resistance
against Diamondback moth (Plutellaxylostella). Type of explant used (cotyledon and
hypocotyl), pre-culture and co-cultivation period and acetosyringone concentration were
found to be critical determinants of transformation efficiency. By combining the best
treatments of 72 hrs pre-culturing and 48 hrs co-cultivation time period, a transformation
frequency of 4.92% and 13.83% was obtained from cotyledon and hypocotyl explants,
respectively. Supplementing the co-cultivation medium with acetosyringone in a
concentration of 100 µM enhanced the transformation frequency to 17.92% and 32.11% in
cotyledon and hypocotyl explants, respectively. The transgene (cryIAa) integration was
confirmed by polymerase chain reaction using gene specific primers and Southern blot
analysis using Digoxygenin- non-radiolabelled DNA probe. Gene expression in the PCR
positive transgenic events had been confirmed by Reverse Transcriptase-PCR and
Quantitative Real Time-PCR. Insect bioassay proved the effectiveness of the transgene
against infestation by diamondback moth (Plutellaxylostella) larvae. To the best of our
knowledge, this is the first report of optimization of a highly efficient transformation system
and transgenic development in broccoli using cry1Aa gene for insect resistance.
Keywords: Brassica oleracea L. var. italica, genetic transformation, cry1Aa gene, insect
resistance.
OL021:Isolation, Identification and Study the Bioactive Potential of
Endophytes from Coleus
Vijay Lakshmi Jamwal
1, Arem Qayum
3, Ravi Singh Manhas
2, Nitika Kapoor
1,
Shashank K. Singh3, Asha Chaubey
2,* and Sumit G. Gandhi
1,*
1 Plant Biotechnology Division,
2 Fermentation Technology Division,
3 Cancer Pharmacology Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Jammu
*Email: [email protected], [email protected]
Abstract
Endophytes are the microorganisms which reside within the plants without showing any
harmful effect on its host plant. Diverse types of endophytes live symbiotically within almost
all plants and in turn help the plant in a number of ways such imparting resistance against
biotic and abiotic stresses, producing compounds involved in attraction of pollinators,
inducing the plant defense mechanisms, etc. We carried out isolation of bacterial endophytes
from leaf, root and stem of three species of Coleus genus (Lamiaceae). Coleus is a large and
widespread genus comprising of species with a diversity of ethnobotanical uses. Total forty
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five endophytes (bacteria and fungus) were isolated from these three species of Coleus. The
isolated endophytes were characterized by microscopic examination (gram staining for
bacteria and lectophenol cotton blue staining for fungus). They were molecularly identified
by sequencing the ITS (fungi) or 16S rRNA (bacteria) regions. Extracts were prepared from
endophytic biomass using solvents of different polarities and were screened for their
bioactive potential (anti-microbial, anti-cancer, anti-oxidant activity). Scale-up of endophytes
showing promising results is under process, which will help in isolation of pure compounds.
OL022:Human Health Hazards Associated with Irrigation of Agricultural
Land Using Wastewater in Amritsar city
Ashita Sharma
1 and AvinashKaur Nagpal
2
1Department of Civil Engineering, Chandigarh University, Gharuan.
2Department of Botanical and Environmental Sciences, Guru Nanak Dev University,
Amritsar
Email: [email protected]; [email protected]
Abstract
Municipal wastewater is being used to irrigate agricultural fields in many places across the
globe as it is believed that this can sort out issues related to water crisis and can add
necessary nutrients to the soil. On the other hand, long term use of wastewater for irrigation
can lead to buildup of harmful contaminants into the soil. Various studies have shown the
increase in concentration of heavy metals in the soil irrigated with wastewater. In our study,
we studied the samples of soil and vegetable crops growing in an area irrigated with
municipal wastewater drain of Amritsar city. It was found that most of the vegetables
growing in the area had high concentration of heavy metals. Amongst vegetable samples
collected from wastewater irrigated site mean content of cadmium was found to be maximum
in turnip (1.07 mg/kg) followed by fenugreek (1.00 mg/kg) and minimum was in green chilli
(0.20 mg/kg). High concentration of lead (0.33 mg/kg) was also reported in samples of
coriander from the site. Increased content of heavy metals in soil samples was also found
during the study; copper was the most abundant element (280 mg/kg). Increased content of
heavy metals in the soil samples correlated with the increased percentage of chromosomal
aberrations exhibited through Allium cepa root chromosomal aberration assay. Wastewater
irrigation may help in meeting the irrigation demands but the ecological loss associated with
degradation of soil quality and human health hazard because of buildup of toxins in food may
be huge. Thus, untreated wastewater should not be considered as a potential irrigation source.
OL023:28-Homobrasinolide induces the expression of salt stress
responsive proteins and improves the adaptation of Zea mays L. to salt
stress
Nitika Kapoor*1
and Renu Bhardwaj2
1PG Department of Botany, Hans Raj Mahila Maha Vidyalaya, Jalandhar-144008, Punjab
2Department of Botanical and Environmental Sciences, Guru Nanak Dev University,
Amritsar-143005, Punjab
*Email: [email protected]
-29-
Abstract
Brassinosteroids (BRs) are steroidal plant hormones which influence various types of
processes during plant life cycle starting from seed germination to senescence. Despite of
regulating the miscellaneous physiological and morphogenetic responses in plants, BRs play
a promising role in alleviating the various stresses. The present study was designed to
investigate the stress extenuation role of 28-homobrassinolide (HBL) (0, 10-7
, 10-9
and 10-11
M) in induction of stress protective proteins and improvement in activities of antioxidative
enzymes [superoxide dismutase (SOD), guaiacol peroxidase(POD), CAT(catalase) ascorbate
peroxidase (APOX), glutathione reductase (GR)] by SDS-PAGE, native–PAGE and by
biochemical methods in NaCl stressed (0, 25, 50, 75, 100 mM)) Zea mays L. var. Partap-1
seedlings. Activities of antioxidative enzymes were found to enhance by HBL in salt stressed
seedlings to maintain the favourable cellular conditions. The stress ameliorative role of HBL
against salt stress was further confirmed by study of qualitative analysis of proteins and
isoenzymes of SOD and POD. Qualitative analysis of proteins by SDS-PAGE revealed that
salt stress of 50 mM NaCl induced the expression of one extra stress protective protein (band
d) which was of low molecular weight (26.54 kDa). The expression of this protein was
further enhanced by the application of 10-9
M HBL supplemented with 50 mM NaCl solution.
Native-PAGE analysis revealed the presence of 4 isoenzymes of SOD and POD in case of
maize seedlings. Zymogram of SOD and POD revealed that isoenzymatic expression of these
enzymes remained same in all treatments. But the density analysis of the bands developed on
the gels (by using „Muti-Analyst‟ software from Bio-Rad) revealed different band densities.
The densities of isoenzymes of SOD in NaCl stressed seedlings were in the order of
NaCl+HBL> NaCl >HBL >DW. But the order of densities of isoenzymes of POD in NaCl
stressed seedlings were different; DW>HBL>NaCl>NaCl+HBL.
OL024:Methyl jasmonate regulated antioxidant enzymes in two varieties
of Cajanus cajan (l.)Millsp. For cadmium tolerance
Shruti Kaushik1, 2
, Geetika Sirhindi1 and Anil K. Singh
2
1Department of Botany, Punjabi University, Patiala-147002
2Senior Scientist, ICAR-IIAB, Ranchi-834010
Email: [email protected]
Abstract
Plants can‟t move away and consequently accost with unfavorable environmental conditions.
Amidst, heavy metals cadmium (Cd) is an extraneous and toxic metal proven to affect plant
growth and development. Phytohormone such as methyl-jasmonate (Me-JA) produced by the
plants help to counteract the effect of heavy metal stress. Through a number of enzymatic and
non-enzymatic pathways, they regulate the level of free radicals. The object of the present
work was to evaluate the role of exogenously applied Me-JA and cadmium on the antioxidant
enzymes in Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.var. PAU-881 and AL-882. The result showed that in
AL-882, high dose of cadmium stimulate the enzymatic superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity
in 10 nM Me-JA+5mM Cd, but in var. PAU-881, enhancement in SOD activity was observed
in 100 nM Me-JA concentration only. The content of guaiacol peroxidase (POD) in AL-882
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increased in 2 mM Cd concentration but in PAU-881, 1nM Me-JA+2mM Cd showed
enhancement in POD. Cadmium treatment caused a significant change in Catalase (CAT)
activity which increased with increasing concentration of Cd in AL-882 and maximum
content was observed in 5mM Cd+100nM Me-JA. In PAU-881, 1nM Me-JA showed best
result. Content of ascorbate peroxidase (APOX) was significantly increased in 1nM Me-JA+2
mM Cd concentration in both the varieties of C. Cajan. In conclusion it can be suggested that
exogenous application of Me-JA can help the plant modulating the level of ROS under tight
regulation to help in managing the upward growth under cadmium stress and makes plants Cd
tolerant. Keywords: Cajanus cajan(L.) Millsp., Methyl-jasmonate, Superoxide dismutase, Guaiacol
peroxidase, catalase, Ascorbate peroxidase.
OL025: Development of PUSA decomposer for rapid degradation of
diverse horti-agri residue
Livleen Shukla*, K Annapurna and Shubham Sharma
Division of Microbiology, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi-110012
*Email: [email protected]
The food grain production of India is increasing every year with simultaneous escalation of
agro-waste which has reached about 960.0 mt annually. Although all these crop residues are
having a great nutrient potential but burning of agro-waste has intensified due to
unavailability of low cost and easily adaptable technologies for management. The presence of
a short time window between harvesting and sowing of crops also poses a constraint for
farmers. With advances in agricultural practices, in-situ and ex-situ management of crop
residues has now become a major challenge. A consortium of eight fungal cultures as PUSA
decomposer has been developed on the basis of their hydrolytic potential. This consortium
can degrade diverse horticultural and agricultural residues like vegetable, citrus fruits, non-
citrus fruits, flowers like marigold, rajnigandha, rose, paddy straw, and maize residues
rapidly and effectively. Pusa decomposer is formulated in liquid and capsules for the
application in pits, heaps, windrows and below the soil. This eco-friendly and economical
technology has been developed for the end users mainly farmers, entrepreneurs and industry.
Locally liquid culture can be carried for application but for other users consortium is filled in
capsules which are easy to carry, no offensive smell, no storage problem and easy to handle.
A kit consisting of 4 capsules or 5 litres liquid inoculant is sufficient to decompose one tone
of horti- agri-residues. The time of degradation depends on the nature of substrate like garden
leaves,fruit and flower waste take 30-35 days for decomposition while paddy straw
decomposes in 90 days.
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Poster
Presentation
-32-
PT001:Infestation of Pink rot on Eggplant (Solanum melongena L.)
Adarsh Pandey
Department of Botany, S. S. (P.G.) College, Shahjahanpur-242001 UP
Abstract
Trichothecium roseum was found to be present on Brinjal fruit causing Pink rot. This fungus
was found in a particular period of the year i.e., in the months of March and August in
Bareilly region. The biannual attendance of Trichothecium roseum has increased the curiosity
to know much information regarding its tendency to encounter of eggplant. Therefore this
mysterious fungus was selected for the present study. Unique geographical situation and agro
climatic conditions of Bareilly region make the pathological study of the eggplant more
relevant and significant. Trichothecium causes pink rot is a parasite of fleshy fungi.
Alternating two-celled, clavate conidia held at their bases are typical characteristics of
Trichothecium roseum. Mancozeb was taken into an account to control the test fungus. The
radial growth of Trichothecium roseum was significantly reduced in all the treatments
compared to the control, however its efficacy at all concentrations during the investigation
was found significantly effective.
Keywords: Pink Rot,chemical control,Solanum melongena,Vegetables Diseases,Fruit
Diseases.
PT002:Study of transmission of Yellow Leaf of Sugarcane
Keshav Shukla
Department of Biotechnology, Invertis University, Bareilly, UP, India
Email: [email protected]
Abstract
Sugarcane yellow leaf virus (ScYLV) is distributed worldwide and has been shown to be the
cause of the disease sugarcane yellow leaf syndrome (YLS). This study was an investigation
of the transmission and spread of ScYLV in Uttar Pradesh. Several aphids are known to
transmit the virus, but investigation of infestation and transmission efficiency showed
Melanaphis sacchari to be the only vector important for field spread of the disease. The
initial multiplication of ScYLV in a virus-free plant occurred exclusively in very young sink
tissues. When a single leaf was inoculated on a plant, that leaf and all older leaves remained
virus-free, based on tissue-blot immunoassay, whereas meristems and all subsequently
formed new leaves became infected. Therefore, only after those leaves which had already
developed before inoculation had been shed, did the complete plant contain ScYLV. Spread
of the viral infection to neighbouring plants in the plantation fields via aphids was relatively
slow and in the range of a few metres per year. No indication of long-distance transfer could
be seen. This indicates that it may be possible to produce and use virus-free seed cane for
planting of high-yielding but YLS-susceptible cultivars.
Keywords: Luteoviridae, Melanaphis sacchari, Saccharum officinarum, ScYLV, yellow leaf
syndrome
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PT003:Development of an eco-friendly approach to improve nitrogen
content in Okra
Mumtaz Husain
Department of Botany, SS (P.G.) College, Shahjahanpur-242 001 U.P. (India)
Email: [email protected]
Abstract
A simple randomized pot experiment was conducted at G. F. College, Shahjahanpur during
January to March-2011. Efficacy of various doses of nitrogen in combination with
Azotobacter was studied on the nitrogen content of okra leaves. Two controls were set, one
without nitrogen and Azotobacter and another without nitrogen with Azotobacter to compare
the effect of Azotobacter alone and in combination with various nitrogen doses. The nitrogen
was estimated in dry leaves at 15, 30 and 45 days after germination (DAG) stages.All the
treatments of nitrogen and Azotobacter seed inoculation gave significantly higher nitrogen
contents in the leaves of okra. The maximum nitrogen content was reported in okra leaves
receiving N22.5 + Azotobacter. The minimum nitrogen content was reported in control
(N0+B0) where no nitrogen and Azotobacter was applied. Therefore, it can be recommended
that use of lower doses of nitrogen and Azotobacter seed inoculation improved the nitrogen
content of leaves in okra plants which will enhanced the final yield of the crop. On the other
hand, a large amount of nitrogen fertilizer is also saved thereby, decreasing the cost of
production of crop.
Keywords: Azotobacter, Nitrogen, Okra.
PT004:The pollution status of river Ramganga, Bareilly: A case
study
Ramesh Chandra
Department of Zoology, S.S. (P.G.) College, Shahjahanpur,U.P.India
Email: [email protected]
Abstract
River Ramganga is a major source of water to the rural population of western Uttar Pradesh,
India. The main goal of the present study was to assess the impact of urban and industrial
activities on the water quality of river Ramganga at the Bareilly. For this, river water samples
were collected from five different sites all along the route of Ramganga main streamline and
were analyzed for chemical oxygen (COD) demand and biochemical oxygen demand (BOD)
levels. There were variations for BOD (2.75–6.84 mg l − 1
) and COD (23.90-
43.60 mg l − 1
) levels at different sites. The BOD values noticed were almost within the
permissible limits of USPH and WHO (5mg/L and 6mg/L) at most of the sampling sites. The
COD values in the present study remained higher than the COD values published for most of
other Indian rivers by CPCB (1991). The values generally exceeded the tolerance limit of -
5mg/L, prescribed by USPH and WHO. This is the study on itself and the interrelationship of
human activities and river water quality makes the study significant and interesting to assess
-34-
the pollution load discharges in catchments of Ramganga at Bareilly. Overall, the water
quality of Ramganga was relative poor with respect to its use for domestic purposes.
Keywords:River Ramganga, water quality, BOD and COD
PT005:A preliminary survey of local angiospermic flora in Shahjahanpur,
UP, india
Ritu Srivastava and Nancy Gupta
Department of Botany, SSPG College Shahjahanpur, 242001 UP India
Abstract
District Shahjahanpur occupies the southest corner of Rohilkhand division and is located
at 27.88°N 79.91°E. It has an average elevation of 194 metres (600 feet). It is situated at the
junction of two rivers, namely Khannaut and Garra. The climate of district Shahjahanpur is
generally defined to be tropical monsoon type. District Shahjahanpur is subdivide into three
zones and samples of different variety of angiospermic plants were collected and about 30
plant spp. were identified, belonging to 18 families; collected plants were classified into two
angiospermic categories dicot and monocot; among them dicot plant were found more likely
in comparison to the monocots, and the family Euphorbiaceae found Dominating among the
studied angiosperm families. In this survey we have observed medicinal plants in excess in
along with great variation in the flora at Shahjahanpur.
Keywords: Shahjahanpur, Flora, Angiosperm, Polypetalae, Khannaut and Garra.
PT006:Extraction of lead: An environmental approach for soil health
improvement
Shikha Saxena
Department of Botany, SS (PG) College Shahjahanpur 242001 UP India
Abstract
Phytoextraction involves specific plant species which can absorb and hyperaccumulate metal
contaminants and/or excess nutrients in harvestable root and shoot tissue,from the growth
substrate(soil).The objective of present investigation is to examine the accumulation potential
of lead in marigold.The experiment was carried out with two varieties of marigold i.e. Pusa
narangi and Ritu raj.The seeds of marigold of two varieties were presoaked in distilled water
and were sown in the field without any treatment as control.After 20 days,the plantlets of
marigold of both varieties were transplanted into the pots,supplied with different doses of Pb
(50,100 and 200 mg/kg of soil) at 10,15,25 and 30 days.The growth parameters were
recorded at 25 and 45 days.The result of the present investigation clearly indicate that
different concentration of Pb(50,100 and 200 mg/kg of soil) did not adversely affect the
growth parameters of marigold in both varieties in terms of plant height, fresh and dry
weight, chlorophyll, carotenoid, carbohydrate, nitrogen and protein contents but some
insignificant reduction were noticed in these parameters as compared to control, proline
content insignificantly increased under the influence of different concentration of Pb at 25
days.At 45 days too,a insignificant reduction was noticed in these parameters and also the
proline content was insignificantly increased as compared to 25 days old plants.The
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accumulation of Pb was found to be more in shoot than in the root.We have noticed that
among both the varieties,Pusa narangi was found to be more resistant to metal toxicity and
the accumulation potential of Pb was found to be more than in variety Ritu raj.So the
marigold can be considered as a potential economic crop for phytoremediation of Pb
contaminated sites.
Keywords: Marigold, Phytoextraction, Lead, Accumulation.
PT007:Physiological and biochemical studies in relation to fruit cracking
in lemon
Ravneet Kaur1*, Nirmaljit Kaur
1, Harminder Singh
2, Manjeet Kaur Sangha
3
1Department of Botany,
2Department of Fruit Science,
3Department of Biochemistry,
Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, India, 141004
*Email: [email protected]
Abstract
Lemon (Citrus limon (L.) Burm. f.) is an important acid fruit. Fruit cracking is a major
physiological disorder of lemon that limits its productivity. Cracking is a meridian fissure of
peel that develops due to disruption of growth between peel and pulp irrespective to its
origin. Hence, these studies were undertaken to unravel the physiological and biochemical
changes associated with this malady. Total chlorophyll content, cellulase activity,
polygalactouranase activity, mineral nutrients calcium, boron and potassium were analyzed in
healthy and cracked peels of fruits of lemon. The peels of the cracked fruits had less total
chlorophyll content as compared to peel of healthy fruits. Cell wall degrading enzymes
cellulase and polygalacturonase showed higher activity in peels of cracked fruits. The
increased activity of enzymes is correlated with fruit-break strength and degradation of
adhesive cell wall components like pectins. The mineral nutrients calcium, potassium and
boron were observed to be low in the peels of cracked fruits. Deficiency of the assayed
nutrients and higher activities of cellulase and polygalactouranase may be the underlying
cause of cracking in lemon. Foliar sprays of calcium, potassium and boron is foreseen as a
remedial measure for prevention of fruit cracking.
Keywords: Cracking, chlorophyll, enzymes, lemon, nutrients
PT008:Field performance of Taxus wallichiana Zucc. (Himalayan yew)
stem cuttings inoculated with beneficial microbial inoculants under nursery
conditions
Nazish Nazir1,Azra N. Kamili
1, M.Y.Zargar
2, Durdana Shah
1
1Centre of Research for Development, University of Kashmir, Srinagar- 190006, J&K, India 2Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology Kashmir, Shalimar
Campus, Srinagar- 190025 J&K, India
Email: [email protected]
Abstract
The pressing demand for tree production in forests with a significant reduction in the use of
synthetic chemical fertilizers and pesticides is a big challenge nowadays. Plant Growth
Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) and fungi being the beneficial microbes which are widely
studied by microbiologists and agronomists because of their potential in increasing crop
production and offer various ways to replace chemical fertilizers, pesticides, etc., and thus
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has significantly led to their increased demand. During the present study, the microbial
inoculants (Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus safensis, Penicillium griseoroseum, Trichoderma
harzianum) were inoculated in different treatments to ascertain the impact on vegetative
growth of Taxus wallichiana Zucc. (Himalayan yew) stem cuttings under nursery conditions.
The pot experiment was laid out in Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with 10
treatments including control and 3 replications with plot size comprising of 30 pots. The
various growth characteristics viz., plant height, collar diameter, root length, biomass (shoot,
root and total plant biomass) after interval of two months responded significantly to all the
microbial inoculants under different treatments as compared to control. The combined
treatment of the microbial inoculants proved best for all the growth parameters as compared
to isolated treatments and an increasing trend in all the growth parameters was noticed upto
December of the study period and in February it remains same as no growth was observed.
Our findings showed that the application of microbial inoculants improved the growth
attributes of Himalayan yew stem cuttings under nursery conditions.
Keywords:Microbial inoculants, Nursery conditions, PGPR, Taxus wallichiana, Vegetative
growth
PT009:Ecological risk assessment of agricultural and roadside soils of
India Vinod Kumar
Department of Botany, DAV University, Jalandhar-144012
Email: [email protected]
Abstract
Agricultural and roadside soils are substantive component of environment, which is exposed
to plethora of pollutants including heavy metals (HMs). These are added by natural as well as
anthropogenic activities. Upsurge in HM content affects all organisms by biomagnification.
Therefore it is necessary to assess the pollution of HMs in the soils. The mean values of
agricultural and roadside soils for Cu, Co, Zn and Pb were exceeded the Canada, Poland and
Swedish soil quality limits. The results of potential ecological risk assessment showed that
Cd, As and Ni are the major contaminants responsible for contaminating the agricultural
soils, whereas Cd, Pb, As and Ni are the key contaminants responsible for polluting the
roadside soils. The modified potential ecological risk assessment indicated that Cd, Ni, Pb,
As and Cu are the key contaminants accountable for ecological risk assessment of
agricultural and roadside soils.
PT010:Potential role of ethylene in reversing the glucose-inhibited
photosynthetic repression in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) under salt stress.
Zebus Sehar*, Badar Jahan and Nafees A. Khan
Plant Physiology and Biochemistry Division, Department of Botany,
Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh 202002, India
*Email: [email protected]
Abstract The present study was conducted to assess the involvement of ethylene in reversal of glucose
inhibited photosynthetic characteristics in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in the presence and
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absence of salt stress. Ethylene (200µl/L) in the form of ethephon and 6% glucose (glu) was
applied to wheat plant under normal and salt stress conditions. Application of 100mM NaCl
decreased plant biomass, photosynthetic characteristics, sulfur assimilation capacity but
increased the activity of antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT, APX GR), lipid peroxidation
(H2O2 and TBARS), ACS activity and ethylene evolution. Plant receiving 6% glucose
exhibited decrease in photosynthetic performance, however plant receiving ethylene and 6%
Glu together exhibited prominent increase in photosynthetic potential of these plants under
salt stress conditions implying the role of ethylene in reversing the negative effects of glucose
in the presence or absence of salt. The increase in photosynthetic characteristics of plants was
due to up-regulation of activities of antioxidant enzymes and regulation of stomatal behavior,
through decreased lipid peroxidation and excessive ethylene evolution. The interactive effect
between ethylene and glu was additive on photosynthetic responses. It may be concluded that
this study bears an important impact on the involvement of ethylene in mitigating glu-
inhibited photosynthetic performance in salt stress grown plants and provide new ways to
mitigate salt stress problems in crop plants.
Keywords: Ethylene, Glucose, Photosynthesis, Antioxidants, Salt stress.
PT011: Taxonomy of aquatic fungi from Giri river of Himachal Pradesh,
India
Shivani Raghuwanshi* and I. B. Prasher
Mycology and Plant Pathology Laboratory, Department of Botany,
Panjab University, Chandigarh – 160014
*Email: [email protected]
Abstract
Aquatic fungimostly occur in the freshwater streams on dead leaves and plant debris.They are
also known as Ingoldian fungi, amphibious hyphomycetes or freshwater hyphomycetes. A
majority of fungi form tetraradiate sigmoid (long wormlike to variously shaped conidia).
Some have spores of more conventional shape. Environmental factors such as temperature,
pH, inorganic nutrients and light; acting independently or synergistically; strongly influence
the biota‟s phenology and physiology, with potentially crucial consequences for litter
decomposition, nutrient cycling and stream productivity. They play a dominant role in the
decomposition of plant detritus and can invest up to 80 % of their production into sporulation
and conidial production alone.Due to the immense importance of aquatic fungi in
decomposition biology, some of the fast decomposing species were developed as bio
fertilizers and bio agents. During the survey of GiriRiver(Himachal Pradesh), six aquatic
fungi have been isolated and identified.These are: Acrodictyspapillatum,
Camposporiumcambrense, Curvulariahawaiiensi, Fusariumincarnatum,
Latoruacalligansand Tetracladium marchalianum. These are being recorded for the first time
from Himachal Pradesh (North-Western Himalayas).
PT012:Taxonomic study of aquatic fungi from Sutlej river in Himachal
Pradesh
Punita* , I. B. Prasher and M. C. Sidhu
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Department of Botany, Panjab University, Chandigarh 160014, India
*Email- [email protected]
Abstract
Aquatic fungi are found on submerged decaying leaves, twigs, and foam, in fresh water
streams and other aquatic bodies. Because, fungi complete their life cycle on submerged
substrate as well as in free flowing well-aerated water, these are also referred to as freshwater
or amphibious hyphomycetes. The conidia are multiradiate, spherical or sigmoid in shape.
Aquatic fungi are the major player in the decomposition of plant litter in running water
ecosystems. Their ability to break down leaf tissues by degrading plant cell polymers such as
cellulose, hemicelluloses, and pectin into their subunits makes the leaf litter palatability to
stream invertebrates. During the present study, four species of aquatic fungi viz:
Triscelophorus acuminatus, Tetracladium apiense, Geniculospora inflata,and Helicomyces
colligatus,have been collected and described from the Sutlej river in Himachal Pradesh.
According to the literature, survey these species are first records for the state of Himachal
Pradesh. These have earlier been recorded from Gujarat, Uttarakhand, Andhra Pradesh and
Karnataka.
Keywords : Freshwater fungi, Hyphomycetes, mycodegradation, Sutlej, taxonomy.
PT013:Role of Plant Extracts in Sustainable Agriculture
Aadil Gulzar
1,2*, Anzar A. Khuroo
2, Azra N. Kamili
1,2
1 Department of Environmental Science, University of Kashmir Hazratbal, Srinagar.
2 Centre of Research for Development, University of Kashmir Hazratbal, Srinagar.
2.Department of Botany ,University of Kashmir Hazratbal, Srinagar.
*Email: [email protected]
Abstract
The optimum growth of agriculturalcrops has been hampered by a number of factors such as
attack of insects and diseaseinfection. Plant pathogens account for about 20% reduction in the
principal food and cashcrops produced worldwide. Recently, in different parts of the world,
attention has been paidtowards exploitation of different types of plant extracts as novel
technique in greenagriculture. The popularity of botanical pesticides is once again increasing
and some plantproducts are being used globally as green pesticides. Pyrethroids and neem
products are wellestablished commercially as botanical pesticides and recently some essential
oils of higherplants have also been used as antimicrobials against storage pests because of
their relativelysafe status and wide acceptance by the consumers. In the context of
agricultural pestmanagement, botanical pesticides are best suited for use in organic food
production inindustrialized countries but can play a much greater role in the integrated pest
management ofagricultural crops. A large number of synthetic chemicals have been
developed for the controlof plant diseases, but due to growing awareness of their hazardous
side effects, more andmore emphasis is being placed on the use of bio-control agents.
Consequently, researchersfrom all over the world now pay more attention to the development
of alternative methodswhich are environmentally safe, non-toxic to humans and animals, and
rapidly biodegradable.Plants are natural laboratories in which a great number of chemicals
are biosynthesized.Many of the resulting plant extracts are non-polluting, cost effective, non-
hazardous,biodegradable and can be safely used as alternative to synthetic pesticides. Plant
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extracts are cheap, environmentally friendly, readily available,and are therefore
recommended for sustainable agricultural and horticultural production.
Keywords: Agriculture, Plant extracts, chemicals, fungicides, Pests.
PT014:Effect of exogenous application of sodium nitroprusside on
photosynthetic machinery, antioxidative defense system and nutrient status
of Brassica juncea
Fareen Sami and Shamsul Hayat
Plant Physiology Section, Department of Botany,
Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh-202002, India
Email: [email protected]
Abstract
Nitric oxide (NO) is a freely diffusible, gaseous free radical and an important signaling
molecule in plants. The present experiment was conducted to investigate the promotive
effects of sodium nitroprusside (SNP), a NO donor on the morpho-physiology in Brassica
juncea.L. cv. RGN-48. The plants were treated with different concentrations (0, 10-4
M, 10-5
M, 10-6
M) of SNP as foliar spray at 25 days after sowing (DAS) for five days consecutively.
Foliar application of SNP up-regulate the photosynthetic efficiency by enhancing several
photosynthetic attributes such as chlorophyll content, photochemical quenching, maximum
PSII efficiency, actual PSII efficiency and electron transport rate. Moreover, SNP application
enhance several gaseous exchange parameters, namely net photosynthetic rate, stomatal
conductance, transpiration rate and internal CO2 concentration. A marked enhancement in the
activity of antioxidant enzyme, such as catalase, peroxidase, superoxide dismutase and
glutathione was observed. All these parameters indirectly contribute towards enhanced
photosynthetic efficiency which further enhance growth biomarkers in Brassica juncea
plants. Out of the three concentrations tested, 10-5
M of SNP proved best and up-regulate
photosynthesis.
PT015:Biomimicry-simulating nature for technological innovations
Shruti Thakur
1, Drishtant Singh
2, Shruti Choudhary
3
1PG Department of Biotechnology, Khalsa College, Amritsar
2 Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, GNDU, Amritsar
3Department of Biosciences, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda
Email: [email protected]
Abstract Nature is the ultimate creator- has always been inspiration towards scientific innovations”.
Based on this line of action, the field of BIOMIMICRY came up. It is an approach to
innovation that seeks sustainable solution to human challenges by emulating nature‟s
strategies. Dating back to 1903, discovery of Wright Brothers' aircraft derived from pigeons
is one of the first incidence of biomimicry. Thereafter, a Biophyscist developed the trigger
inspired from nerve propagation and termed it “Biomimetics.” This field was then
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popularized by Jannie Benyus in 1997 and since, has been gaining importance because the
practice of integrating biological and technological designs are beneficial to the community.
Moreover, it nourishes curiosity, helping people to go beyond, give permission to play, and
last but not the least enhance ecosystem services. Biomimetics have multiple applications
including, LANDSCAPE: Permaculture to simulate natural system by harvesting rain and
drip irrigation; ARCHITECTURE: Eastgate center that passively regulate building
temperature; TRANSPORTATION: Shinkansen head of bullet train is modelled on the
Kingfisher's beak with other advantages; and MEDICINE: hypodermic needle based on
mosquito, etc. Based on the worldwide utilization of biomimetics, Biomimicry India Network
has been formulated to spread awareness among architects and designers to innovate like
nature do.
PT016:Optimization Protocol for the Production of Nematicidal
Compound by the Streptomyces sp. Strain MR-14
Nandni Sharma, Rajesh Kumari Manhas and Puja Ohri
Department of Zoology, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar – 143005
Email: [email protected]
Abstract
Since Plant Parasitic Nematodes (PPNs) are one of the most important group of agricultural
pests. Among the various species, Meloidogyne incognita is most widely distributed and is
one of the most devastating nematode that cause huge economic loss in agronomic field
globally. It is microscopic endoparasite which is known to affect both quality and quantity of
various crops, which includes fruits, vegetables, pulses, medicinal as well as ornamental
plants. In India, it has been reported to cause damage in various crops like tomato, brinjal,
turmeric, ashwagandha, etc. So, there is a need to control these parasites. For their control,
various chemical nematicides are present in the market, but these chemicals are not suitable
for the biotic components (non-target organisms) of the environment. In order to over-come
this, various biocontrol agents are being explored for their role in controlling these pests. The
present work includes the optimization of different parameters like temperature, ph, rpm for
the production of nematicidal compound by MR-14 strain of Streptomyces species.
PT017:Five major organic acids in fruit juices of mandarin (Citrus
reticulate Blanco.) genotypes
Shabnam
1*, Nirmaljit Kaur
1 and H. S. Rattanpal
2
1Department of Botany, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana-141004
2Department of Fruit Science, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana-141004
Email:[email protected]
Abstract
Organic acid profile of thirteen mandarin genotypes viz; Clone 11, CRS 4, Nagpur-4,
Nagpur-28, Nagpur-34, Nagpur mandarin, Nagpur seedless, W. Murcott, Kinnow, Daisy,
PAU Mutant 1, Mutant 3 and Mutant 4 grown in the Fruit Research Farm, Department of
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Fruit Science, PAU, Ludhiana were investigated using HPLC. Among all mandarin genotype;
fruit juices, the most abundant organic acid was citric acid followed by ascorbic acid. It was
observed that W. murcott, Kinnow and Daisy showed presence of all the five analysed
organic acids. Nagpur seedless, Mutant 1 and Mutant 3 had four organic acids; CRS 4, N 4, N
28 and N 34 recorded three organic acids, while Clone 11, Nagpur mandarin and Mutant 4
detected only two organic acids. Hence thirteen diverse mandarin fruit juices were
successfully analysed, each demonstrating different concentration and combination of the
five organic acids.
Keywords: HPLC, mandain genotypes, organic acids.
PT018:Studies towards understanding the physiological role of
Rohitukine on Plant Growth
Sajad Ahmed, Rekha Chouhan, Nitika Kapoorand Sumit G Gandhi*
Plant Biotechnology Division, CSIR- IIIM, Canal Road, Jammu -180001, India
*Email: [email protected]
Abstract
Rohitukine (C16H19O5N), is a chromone alkaloid, well known for its anti-inflammatory and
immunomodulatory properties, besides acting as an anticancer molecule. It was initially
isolated from leaves and stems of Amoora rohituka (Roxb.), followed by Dysoxylum
binectariferum (Meliaceae). Later it was also reported from Schumaniophyton magnificum
and S. problematicum (Rubiaceae). In budding yeast and lung cancer cell lines (A549), it has
been reported that rohitukine possess cell cytotoxicity, by triggering ROS and inducing
oxidative stress that leads to cell death. It also possesses a unique structure having both basic
and phenolic groups, which makes an interesting scaffold for derivitization. SAR studies with
the molecule led to development of bioactive molecules like flavopiridol and P-276-00. In the
present study we aim to understand the physiological role of Rohitukine in plant system. So
we isolated rohitukine from leaves of D. binectariferum,with approximately 96% purity.
Arabidopsis thaliana plants were treated with rohitukine and assess its effects on plant
growth and morphology. Rohitukine appears to impact plant growth negatively. Apart from
morphological alterations, MTT assay was used to check cell cytotoxicity using different
concentrations of rohitukine. We are also aim to understand genome wide effects of
rohitukine in A .thaliana by transcriptome analysis and expression profiling of cell cycle
regulatory genes.
PT019:Thermoxerophytic morphotypes of Cyanobacteria in Thar desert
and their response to combined stress
Monica Bhatnagar, Moushmi Dasgupta, Chanchal Meena* and Ashish Bhatnagar
Algae Biofuel and Biomolecules Centre,
Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati University, Ajmer, Rajasthan
Email: [email protected]
Abstract
Hot deserts are typified by extremes of multiple stresses where cyanobacteria, the
photosynthetic prokaryotes are often the sole primary producers in such habitats. The terrain
of the desert creates variety of geomorphological ecosystems like sand dunes, microbiotic
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crusts, rocky outcrops, rhizospheres, playas and other aquatic bodies. Each habitat varies in
its microclimate allowing survival of different types of cyanobacteria. Thus, analyzing the
distribution of cyanobacterial communities is necessary to understand their multiple stress
survival systems. Desiccation and temperature are two major stresses in hot deserts that keep
the organism in suspended animation that grow during short periods of suitable environment.
In the present study diversity of cyanobacteria in a few desert soils has been studied using
enrichment technique under water and temperature stress and compared to unstressed
conditions. The responses were further examined on isolated forms in terms of
photosynthesis, respiration, dehydrogenase activity and fatty acid profiles. Results showed
that the cyanobacteria were more tolerant to desiccation stress than thermal stress and showed
poor performance under combination of thermal and desiccation stress.
PT020:Effect of sodium nitroprusside, as holding solution, in improving
post harvest quality of gladiolus spikes
Isha Mittal*
1, and Shalini Jhanji
2
1Department of Botany, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 141001, India
2Department of Floriculture and Landscaping, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana,
141001, India
Email: [email protected]
Abstract
Gladiolus spp., a corm propagated ornamental bulbous plant, is one of the most popular cut
flower grown in India. Flowers are highly perishableand therefore need to be treated with
suitable chemicals to enhance their vase life. Keeping in view, the pivotal role of nitric oxide,
NO, in delaying senescence, an experiment was planned to study the effect of NO donor,
sodium nitroprusside (SNP), on keeping quality of gladiolus. Spikes of gladiolus were
harvested at tight bud stage and held in SNP solutions of different concentrations viz. 50mg l-
1,100mg l
-1,150mg l
-1 and 200mg l
-1 alone and in combination with sucrose (2%) and
aluminiumsulphate (400 mg l-1
) and various physiological parameters were recorded to
evaluate the post harvest keeping quality.The results showed that holding the spikes in
SNP@50 mg l-1
SNP alone and 100 mg l-1
SNP supplemented with sucrose and
aluminiumsulphatesignificantly improved the vase life along with hastened opening of basal
floret,increased number of florets open at one time,per cent opening of
florets,floretsize,solution absorbed and decreased the pH of solutions whereas higher
concentrations of SNP in holding solutions deteriorated the post harvest quality of gladiolus
spikes by affecting different quality parameters. Thus, holding solutions of 100 mg l-1
SNP
supplemented with 2% sucrose and 400 mg l-1
aluminiumsulphate could be used to improve
the post harvest life of gladiolus spikes.
Keywords: Gladiolus, Sodium nitroprusside, Holding solution, Vase life, Senescence, Post
harvest quality
PT021:Reversal of cadmium induced photosynthetic activity by
gibberellic acid and sulfur application in mungbean (Vigna radiata)
ShaziaHasan* and Nafees A. Khan
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Plant Physiology and Biochemistry Laboratory, Department of Botany, Aligarh Muslim
University, Aligarh 202002, India
*Email: [email protected]
Abstract
The contamination of agricultural lands with cadmium (Cd) is increasing due to various
anthropogenic activities. This study aimed to assess the role of gibberellic acid (GA; 10µM)
and sulfur (S; 100 and 200mg/kg soil) in minimization of the impact of Cd (200 mg/kg soil)
in Cd-sensitive mungbean (Vigna radiata L.) cultivar MH-318. Photosynthetic
characteristics; net photosynthesis, intercellular CO2 concentration, stomatal conductance,
and the contents of S, and that of S-containing biomolecules (cysteine, methionine and
reduced glutathione) were promoted with GA and S application. The photosynthetic
characteristics inhibited with Cd exposure were restored through combined application of GA
and 100mg/kg S. The GA+S applied helped in more efficient use of S that was incorporated
in thiol compounds leading to protection of photosynthetic apparatus and reversal of Cd-
induced negative effects. The higher use of 200mg S/kg soil with GA was of no additional
benefit over 100mg S/kg soil. Thus, 100 and 200 mg S/kg soil appeared as sufficient and
excess-S respectively. It may be concluded that the toxic effects of cadmium in Vigna radiata
are reversed with combined application of GA and sufficient S through better use of S by the
Cd grown plants.
Keywords: Cadmium, Gibberellic acid, Sulfur, Mungbean
PT022:Effect of Basic violet-1 (BV-1) on antioxidant enzymes of Labeo
rohita
Satinder Kaur1 and Arvinder Kaur
2*
1P.G. Department of Zoology, Khalsa College Amritsar, Amritsar, Punjab, India, 143005 2Department of Zoology, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, Punjab, India, 143005
*Email: [email protected]
Abstract
Labeorohita fingerlings were exposed for 96h to 0, 0.2 (LC20), 0.4 (LC40), 0.6 (LC60), 0.8
(LC80) and 1 (LC100) mg/l of Basic violet-1 (BV-1, CI No. 42535), a widely used azo dye in
dyeing and textile industries. Antioxidant enzymes such as glutathione reductase (GR),
catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were estimated in muscle and brain of the
fishas markers for the stress of BV-1. After 96h, the fish were kept for a recovery period of
30 days and activity of enzymes was determined at 15day intervals. Significant dose
dependent increase over control in the activity of GR while a significant decrease over
control in SOD activity was observed in all the tissues. CAT did not show a constant trend on
exposure to this dye. The results indicate that the dye is very toxic to L. rohita as there was a
marked change in the activity of enzymes in the exposed fish and the effect prolonged till the
end of recovery period. So these enzymes in selected tissues can be considered as best
biomarker to determine toxicity of even very low doses of BV-1 in fish.
Keywords: Antioxidant enzymes, Azo dye, Basic violet-1, Detoxification,Gill, L. rohita
PT023:Physicochemical analysis of Paper mill effluent in Kathua, Jammu
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Satinder Kaur*and Minali Soodan
P.G. Department of Zoology, Khalsa College Amritsar, Amritsar, Punjab, India, 143005
*Email: [email protected]
Abstract
Paper mill is one of the major causes for environmental pollution in Kathua District of
Jammu and Kashmir. Paper mill discharge its effluent into the Magar Nala that finally drains
into the Ravi River. These effluents are rich in dyes and solids which may be in the form of
Total dissolved solids/Total suspended solids. These solids affect the physicochemical
parameters of the water body. The quality of any water is defined by its chemical, physical
and biological contents.Selected parameters include pH, temperature, electrical conductivity,
total solids (TS), total dissolved solids (TDS), total suspended solids (TSS), dissolved oxygen
(DO), total alkalinity and free CO2. These were monitored in the effluent from paper mill
industry following standard protocol. High levels of pH (7.94), EC (613.33 µm hos/cm), Free
CO2 (23.67 mg/l), TS (0.71 mg/l), TDS (0.33 mg/l) and TSS (0.55 mg/l) were observed
which exceeds the standard levels of world health organization (WHO). The study revealed
that there was an adverse impact on physicochemical characteristics as a result of directly
discharge of untreated effluent from paper mill industries. This poses a health risk to humans
as high pH of water causes alkalosis which may cause nausea, vomiting and muscle twisting.
Keywords: Paper Mill, Physicochemical, Pollution, Effluent, Total solids.
PT024:Perspectives of natural plant products in medicine
Rashmi Kalia
B.B.K. DAV College for Women, Amritsar-143001
Email: [email protected]
Abstract Plants produce a huge array of natural products also called secondary metabolites such as
phenolics, quinones, terpenes, flavonoids etc. These compounds have scores of
ecological/physiological/therapeutic functions. Man has been using plants/ plant products as
medicine against a variety of diseases like pain, fever, colds, coughs etc. In the last two
decades, use of medicinal plants and natural products has increased drastically all over the
world. A vast majority of populations particularly those living in rural areas still depend on
herbal medicines. It was estimated by the World Health Organization that approximately 80%
of the world‟s inhabitants rely mainly on traditional medicines for their primary healthcare.
An elaborate number of herbal remedies have stood test of time particularly for the treatment
of metabolic and degenerative diseases associated with ageing, allergies etc. However, only a
few drugs of plant origin could reach clinical trials. In this background, special efforts are
needed for developing herbal drugs with therapeutic ability.
Keywords: Plant products, Secondary metabolites, Herbal remedies.
PT025:Role of secondary metabolites in management of insect pests
Samiksha*
1, Hitika Sharma
2 and Satwinder Kaur Sohal
1
1Department of Zoology, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar-143005, India
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2Department of Zoology, Khalsa College, Amritsar-143005, India
*Email:[email protected]
Abstract The indiscriminate use of chemical pesticides, has given rise to many environment related
problems besides affecting human health. To overcome these problems one approach is to use
bioactive compounds which are eco friendly in nature. These bioactive compounds are the
secondary metabolites which include alkaloids, flavanoids, phenols, terpenoids, their
derivatives etc. found abundantly in plants. They impede the insect‟s development and affect
their behaviour by acting as anti-feedants, oviposition deterrents, and repellents. They thus
play an important role in plant‟s defense against microorganisms and herbivores. Therefore
plant secondary metabolites need to be explored sas an alternative approach for insect pest
management.
Keywords: Plant secondary metabolites, Pest management, Insect pests, Pesticides
PT026:Exploration of plant proteins for control of insect pests
Samiksha*
1, Diksha Kumari
2 and Satwinder Kaur Sohal
1
1Department of Zoology, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar-143005, India
2Department of Zoology, Khalsa College, Amritsar-143005, India
*Email:[email protected]
Abstract
Insect pests cause remarkable losses in agriculture worldwide. Various strategies are used for
control of insect pests which include cultural practices, biological control, chemical control
and mechanical control. Development of genetically modified (GM) resistant plants is an
alternate method when no natural plant genotype genetically resistant to insect-pests is
available. Over the past few decades, the expression of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt)
entomotoxins in GM plants has been successfully tried in field conditions. However many
other toxic proteins from various plant sources, need to be explored for insect control. One
such protein is peptidase inhibitor which interferes with the digestive processes of insect
pests and is one of the naturally occurring defense mechanism in plants. Use of these plant
proteins for the production of pest resistant transgenic crop is an emerging approach as it
inhibits the digestive enzymes such as peptidase and alpha amylase inhibitor of the target
insect pest species. Therefore insect resistant transgenic plants will prove more economic
than any conventional control strategy considering their long term benefits.
Keywords: Transgenic plants, Genetically modified crops, Protease inhibitors, Insect pests,
Plant proteins
PT027:Optimization Protocol for the Production of Nematicidal
Compound by the Streptonyces sp. Strain MR-14
Nandni Sharma, Rajesh Kumari Manhas and Puja Ohri
Department of Zoology, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar – 143005
Email: [email protected]
-46-
Abstract
Since Plant Parasitic Nematodes (PPNs) are one of the most important group of agricultural
pests. Among the various species, Meloidogyne incognita is most widely distributed and is
one of the most devastating nematode that cause huge economic loss in agronomic field
globally. It is microscopic endoparasite which is known to affect both quality and quantity of
various crops, which includes fruits, vegetables, pulses, medicinal as well as ornamental
plants. In India, it has been reported to cause damage in various crops like tomato, brinjal,
turmeric, ashwagandha, etc. So, there is a need to control these parasites. For their control,
various chemical nematicides are present in the market, but these chemicals are not suitable
for the biotic components (non-target organisms) of the environment. So, in order to over-
come this, various biocontrol agents are being explored for their role in controlling these
pests. The present work includes the optimization of different parameters like temperature,
ph, rpm for the production of nematicidal compound by MR-14 strain of Streptomyces
species.
PT028:Effectiveness of Psidium guajava and Nyctanthes arbor-tristis
extract against human oral pathogens
Dinesh Kumar, Anupama Singh, Eti Gupta, Sipahee Lal Patel, Varsha Gupta
Department of Biotechnology,
Chhatrapati Shahu Ji Maharaj University, Kanpur (Uttar Pradesh), India -208024
Abstract
The plants are known to possess compounds having therapeutic, anti-inflammatory as well as
anti-bacterial properties. Therefore, the present work was planned (i) to analyze
phytochemical properties of methanolic extract of Psidium guajava and Nyctanthes arbor-
tristis (ii) evaluation of antimicrobial properties of their extracts against two isolated mouth
pathogenic bacterial strains. A total of 15 oral swabbed samples were collected from Institute
of Biosciences and Biotechnology, Chhatrapati Shahu Ji Maharaj University campus, Kanpur
(U.P.), India from participants. After culturing, two strains were characterized and found to
be Enterococcus faecalisand Staphylococcus aureus. Characterization of isolates was done by
morphological and biochemical tests such as Gram staining, catalase, gelatine hydrolysis,
indole production, Methyl Red (MR), Voges Proskauer (VP), and Simmons citrate test. The
above isolated strains were tested for their sensitivity towards the Psidium guajava and
Nyctanthes arbor tristis methanolic leaves extract by disc diffusion method. The highest
antimicrobial properties were shown by methanolic extract of Psidium guajava
withStaphylococcus aureusat concentration 100%, 50%, 25% and 12.5% with zone of
inhibition having diameter of 10.0 mm, 9.5mm, 8.5mm and 7.5mm respectively while
withEnterococcus faecalis, zone of inhibition having diameter of 9 mm, 7.5mm, 7.0 mm and
5.5mm respectively in comparison to methanolic extract of Nyctanthes arbor-tristis. 100%,
50%, 25% and 12.5% concentration of methanolic extract showed the zone of inhibition with
diameter 10mm, 4.0 mm, 3.0mm and 2.5 mm respectively with Staphylococcus aureus and
with Enterococcus faecalis 7.0 mm, 3.0 mm, 2.5 mm and 1.5mm.
Keywords: Oral microflora, medicinal plant, phytochemicals, antibiotic sensitivity
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PT029:Effect of zinc oxide nanoparticles through root dipping on the
performance of Lycopersicon esculentum
Mohammad Faizan, Ahmad Faraz and Shamsul Hayat*
Plant Physiology Section, Department of Botany,
Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, 202002, India
Email: [email protected]
Abstract
The present study was conducted to explore the effect of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs)
through root medium on growth biomarkers, photosynthetic traits, activities of carbonic
anhydrase and various antioxidant enzymes as well as yield of tomato plants. 20 days old
seedlings of tomato (cv. PKM-1) were dipped in double distilled water (control), 10, 50, 100
or 200 ppm of ZnO-NPs for 15, 30 or 45 minutes, respectively. At the stage of 45 and 60 day
after sowing (DAS), the plants developed from ZnO-NPs (10 ppm for 30 min) showed
improved growth and photosynthetic attributes as well as enhanced activity of various
antioxidant enzymes (e.g., catalase, peroxidase and superoxide dismutase) and higher
accumulation of proline and protein content over non-treated plant. The fruits number and
yield in ZnO-NPs treated plants (10 ppm; 30 min) were higher whereas ascorbic acid was
lower than non-treated plant. These fruits possessed higher levels of β-carotene and lycopene
content. The root dipping with 10 ppm for 30 min of ZnO-NPs was found to be best for most
of the evaluated parameters.
Keywords: β-carotene, Carbonic anhydrase, Lycopene, Proline, Protein
PT030:Evaluation of Alpha-amylase inhibitor activity and its purification
from Piper nigrum
Rattan Deep Singh
1*, Sandeep Kaur
1, Jan Sadaf
1
1School of Bioengineering & Biosciences,
Lovely professional university, Phagwara, Punjab (India)
*Email: [email protected]
Abstract
The present study deals with evaluation of alpha-amylase inhibitor activity from medicinal
plants and its purification from Piper nigrum. The crude extract of various medicinal plants
was subjected to Alpha-amylase inhibitor activity and highest inhibitor activity was found in
Piper nigrum (48 ± 0.20). Purification was carried out in Gel filtration chromatography
followed by identification of molecular weight through SDS-PAGE. The molecular weight of
purified inhibitor was found to be 49kd on Native Page with two subunits of molecular
weight 18Kd and 31Kd on SDS PAGE.
PT031:Glucose improves growth by regulating primary photochemistry,
photosynthetic efficiency, redox and nutrient status of Brassica juncea
Husna Siddiqui and Shamsul Hayat
Plant Physiology Section, Department of Botany,
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Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh 202002, India
Email: [email protected]
Abstract
Glucose (Glc) accumulates in plant as a minor product of photosynthesis as well as
breakdown products of sucrose. It regulates various physiological processes like seed
germination, growth, stress tolerance and flowering in plants. Present study was conducted to
assess the role of exogenous application of glc on various physiological attributes. Seeds of
Brassica juncea were sown in pots (12 inches) filled with soil and farmyard manure. Glc
treatments were given as a foliar spray at 25-day stage of growth for 5 days consecutively.
The sampling of plants was done at 30, 45 and 60-day stages of growth to assess various
biological and biochemical parameters. The glc treatment enhanced the primary
photochemistry, stomatal movement and conductance, internal CO2 concentration,
transpiration rate, net photosynthetic rate and sugar formation in a concentration dependent
manner. Moreover, the activity of photosynthetic and respiratory enzymes increased in
presence of glc. Generation of reactive oxygen species, antioxidant enzyme activity and
mineral status were also regulated in the glc-treated plants. Out of the various treatments Glc
(30 mM) proved best.
PT032:Land use and cropping effects on soil biochemicalproperties
Asima
1, Vivek Sharma
2 and Sandeep Sharma
3
1Department of Agriculture, Dev Samaj College for Women, Ferozepur, Punjab - 152002
2, 3Department of Soil Science, Punjab Agricultural University, Punjab (141004)
Email:[email protected]; [email protected]
Abstract
Land degradation due to land clearing, extensive soil cultivation, soil erosion, over-grazing,
atmospheric pollution, salinization and desertification has resulted in the deterioration of soil
health. Agricultural intensification leading to conversion of natural ecosystems to agricultural
lands increases the rates of SOM mineralization. Soil biochemical properties are very
important as a means of assessing soil health and productivity of agricultural ecosystems.
Enzyme mediated biological functions mainly organic matter decomposition and nutrient
cycling, play an important role in maintaining soil quality. In the sub – montane tract of
Punjab, it was observed that the carbon pools followed the trend forestry> agroforestry>
silvipastoral> agrihorticulture> horticulture> agriculture. Sugarcane and agroforestry based
systems had higher labile pools of carbon than the uncultivated systems followed by maize –
wheat and rice – wheat systems in sandy loam soil. However, maize based cropping systems
had higher enzyme activities as compared to cotton and groundnut based cropping systems in
loamy sand soil of Ludhiana. Carbon pools were found higher in rice-wheat cropping systems
followed by 36 months cultivated poplar plantations in sandy loam to sandy clay loam soil.
Thus soil biochemical properties are better discriminators among different land uses and
promising tools for monitoring strategies of land use and cropping systems.
PT033:Quantitative and Qualitative Analysis of Phenolic and Flavonoid
Content in Eclipta alba L. and Stellaria media L.
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Manmeet Kaur, Komal, Hardeep Kaur, Harpreet Kaur
PG Department of Botany, Dev Samaj College for Women, Ferozepur, 152002
Email: [email protected]
Abstract
Number of secondary compounds is produced by plants as natural antioxidants. Eclipta alba
L. and Stellaria media L. are known for their wide applications in ethnobotany. To compare
phenolic and flavonoid content in Eclipta alba L. and Stellaria media L. by quantitative and
qualitative analysis. Phenolic and flavonoid content were studied spectrophotometrically and
by paper chromatography. Higher phenolic and flavonoid content were observed in Eclipta
alba leaf and flower. Eclipta flower showed higher phenolic content and low flavonoid in
comparison to Stellaria. Flavonoids such as biflavonyl, flavones, glycosylflavones, and
kaempferol were identified by paper chromatography. Phytochemical analysis for flavonoid,
tannins, saponins, alkaloids, reducing sugars, and anthraquinones were tested positive for
eclipta alba and stellaria leaf as well as flower. In the present study higher phenolic and
flavonoid content, indicated the natural antioxidant nature of Eclipta and Stellaria signifying
their medicinal importance.
PT034:Fungal Metabolites and their Diversified Roles
Sukhdeep Kaur, Harpreet kaur, Geetanjli
P.G. Deptt. of Botany, Dev Samaj College for Women, Ferozepur City,152002
Email: [email protected]
Abstract
Fungi are useful to the mankind as source of food, medicine, food colorant, enzymes etc.
Today a number of industries are based on fungi or its derivatives. Fungi are considered to
be future microbial cell factories for the synthesis of an array of products. Secondary
metabolites are low molecular weight, heterogenous group of chemicals. According to an
estimate approximately1,70,000 natural products, 22,500 bioactive molecules are produced
by microbes, 38% of which comes from fungi alone. Some of these are harmful while others
show beneficial properties. Fungal metabolites are used for the production of a variety of
food grade pigments, enzymes, pharmaceuticals. Though a plethora of fungal metabolites are
being exploited for their diversified biological activities yet, there is still an ample scope to
explore fungi for novel secondary metabolites. It will certainly ensure safe and sustainable
use of fungal metabolites. Owing to the diversified uses of fungal metabolites, their large
scale production can be achieved using modern tools and techniques of biotechnology.
Present review paper is mainly focussed on the diversified role of various fungal metabolites.
PT035:Urtica dioica: Phytochemistry and antioxidant properties of plant
growing in stressunder vital regulation of 24-EBL
Ankita Sharma, Kapani Kavani and Dhriti Kapoor*
Department of Botany, School of Bioengineering and Biosciences
Lovely Professional University, Jalandhar-Punjab-144411
Email: [email protected]
-50-
Abstract
Urticadioica is a herbaceous plant also known as Stinging Nettle. The plant exhibits
antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancerous, analgesic, immune modulatory, anti-bacterial,
hepatoprotective properties, due to the presence of various phytochemicals like flavonoids,
saponins, phytosterols, tannins and phenolic compounds. Its extract is effective in
amelioration of oxidative stress by affecting the activities of antioxidative enzymes like
SOD(Superoxide dismutase) and CAT(Catalase) etc. Abiotic stress is prevailing
environmental problem as it has adverse effects on various physiological parameters of plants
i.e. alteration of root and shoot growth, reduction of leaf area, reduced photosynthetic rate.
Redox metal like chromium is one of the major cause of abioticstress as it proves to be toxic
for plants by inducing lipid peroxidation, affecting the level of photosynthetic pigments and
affecting anti-oxidant metabolism of plants. To combat this stress, plant develops
variousplant horomones like ABA (Abscisic acid), SA(Salicylic Acid), JA(Jasmonic Acid),
ET(Ethylene), BR(Brassinosteroids) that play significant role. Among these Brassinosteroids
(24-EBL) are group of phytohormones that regulate developmental processes and protect the
plant from oxidative burst generated due to heavy metals stress by scavenging the free
radicals.
PT036:Role of Glutathione as stress marker in Melissa officinalis
exposed to Salinity stress
Amandeep Kaur, Rinzim and Dhriti Kapoor*.
Department of Botany, School of Bioengineering and Biosciences, Lovely Professional
University (LPU), Phagwara -144411, Punjab, India.
*Email: [email protected]
Abstract
Abiotic stresses like salinity, drought, chemical toxicity, and temperature stress are major
risks in agriculture that are causing imbalance in the environment. These abiotic stresses lead
to 50% reduction in growth and productivity of important agriculture crops.Among these
stresses, salinity is considered as one of the major problem in our agricultural practices.
Mostly high concentration of salts like Na+ and Cl
- induce salt stress. Salt stress result in
adverse effect in plant such as reduction in growth & water potential, thus leads to imbalance
in ionic and osmotic homeostasis. To combat the unfavourable conditions, GSH
(Glutathione) acts as one of the crucial metabolites which are considered as the most
important intracellular defence molecules against oxidative damage. It occurs mostly in
reduced form (GSH) in plant tissues and is localized in all cell compartments like cytosol,
vacuole, mitochondria, chloroplasts, peroxisomes. The key role of GSH in the antioxidant
defence system is due to its use as a stress marker. Therefore, the level of cellular GSH plays
a significant role as an antioxidant which may vary considerably under different abiotic stress
conditions.
PT037:Plant-animal-microbe Biochemical interactions
Sukhbir Singh and Mukesh Chander
Department of Biotechnology, Khalsa College, Amritsar
-51-
Email:[email protected]
Abstract
Determination of extraterrestrial microorganisms is the biggest challenge for the scientists.
There are many evidences which prove the existence of microbial life in space. There are
many exremotolerent and exremophilic microorganisms which are able to tolerate various
extreme environment conditions due to evolution in their genome. They may even survive on
other planets. Planets like Mars are one focal point of scientists, with the end goal to
understand the microbial assorted variety in anticipation of forthcoming space missions went
for the identification of life. In any case, such missions could likewise represent a hazard as
for pollution of the extraterrestrial condition by coincidentally exchanged earthly
microorganisms. International Space Station is the most isolated living space, where people
and various microbes live. It is not yet explained how microorganisms adjust to these extreme
conditions. Life in space is expected to challenge shocking compound and physical
conditions. But amazingly microbial life is growing very well in space vehicles and the
International Space Station in space or on other planets, such as Mars. Surviving or growing
under extreme conditions is an exceptional element of numerous microorganisms which
belongs to earth such as fungi, bacteria. Most past work developing microorganisms in space
has concentrated on species known to contain pathogenic strains and very less consideration
has been paid to the non-pathogenic organisms. But concern about pathogens in spacecraft is
certainly necessary.
PT038:Derivatives of radiation processed chitosan augment
photosynthetic machinery, enzymes of primary and secondary metabolism
and essential oil production in Java citronella (Cymbopogon winterianus
Jowitt)
Khan Bilal Mukhtar Ahmed and M. Masroor A. Khan
Plant Physiology Section, Department of Botany,
Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh-202002, India
Abstract
Gamma rays degraded marine polysaccharides including sodium alginate, carrageenan and
chitosan have augmented growth, physiology and yield attributes in various plants. In order
to understand the probable reasons of growth promoting activity of degraded chitosan, the
structural characterization of irradiated chitosan (ICH) was done using techniques such as
FTIR and UV-vis. Keeping the growth promoting activity of degraded polysaccharides in
mind, a pot experiment was conducted to access the response of Java citronella (Cymbopogon
winterianus Jowitt)to various doses of irradiated chitosan in terms of growth, photosynthetic
machinery and yield attributes.The treatments applied were: foliar spray of de-ionized water
only (control-1), foliar spray of un-irradiated chitosan 40 mg L-1
(control-2), and ICH with
40, 60, 80 and 100 mg L-1
. Among these ICH-80 proved to be superior for most of the
parameters studied. ICH-80 stimulated photosynthetic machinery by enhancing maximum
PSII efficiency, photochemical quenching, ETR as compared to water-treated control.
Activities of enzymes of both primary and secondary metabolism viz carbonic anhydrase,
nitrate reductase and DXR were improved by this treatment. All the parameters studied
contributed in elevating the content and yield of essential oils by 29.6% and 83.3%,
respectively.
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Keywords: Irradiated chitosan, FTIR, UV-Vis, Maximum PSII efficiency, DXR, Essential
oil
PT039:Effect of Secondary metabolites from Bacillus thuringiensis against
Alternaria alternata
Drishtant Singh
1, Gurleen Kaur
1, Preet Kanwal Kaur
2, Seema Madhumal Thayil
1 and
Anup Kumar Kesavan1*
1Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar
2Department of Biotechnology, Khalsa College, Amritsar-143005
*Email:[email protected]
Abstract
Secondary metabolites are the compounds produced by organisms that are not required for
their growth, development and reproduction but are essential in maintaining homeostasis.
Bacillus thuringiensis, an aerobic, gram positive, motile and non-capsulated soil borne
bacteria produce a number of bactericidal and fungicidal compounds including secondary
metabolites. Some of the fungicidal compounds are Zwittermicin, Kurstakin18 and
Bacthuricin. The Ascomycetes fungal genus Alternaria comprises of different saprophytic as
well as endophytic species and is well known for its notoriously destructive plant pathogen
members. It has drastic effect on different plant families such as Cucurbitaceae, Brassicaceae,
Solanaceae. Alternaria alternata, a species of Alternaria genus causes Leaf spot disease,
blights and rots of young shoots as well as stem and radical lesions in Withania somnifera
(Ashwagandha) and Antirrhinum (snapdragon). They also infect Acacia, certain cultivars of
tomato and apple. It produces phytotoxins which causes pathogenesis in plants and
mycotoxins which are harmful to animals and humans causing upper respiratory tract
infection and asthma. In the present study we have seen the antifungal activity of secondary
metabolites isolated from Bacillus thuringiensis against Alternaria alternata.
Keywords: Bacillus thuringiensis, Alternaria alternata, secondary metabolites, antifungal
effect.
PT040:Effect of Fusarium oxysporum on plants and its control by
secondary metabolites
Drishtant Singh
1, Mukinderpreet Kaur
1, Preet Kanwal Kaur
2, Seema Madhumal
Thayil1 and Anup Kumar Kesavan*
1
1Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar
2Department of Biotechnology, Khalsa College, Amritsar
*Email:[email protected]
Abstract
Fusarium oxysporum is a fungal plant pathogen that cause Panama disease of banana, also
known as fusarium wilt of banana. It is a common inhabitant of soil and produces three types
of asexual spores named as macroconidia, microconidia and chlamydospores. Fusarium
oxysporum have ability to degrade Lignin and complex carbohydrates associated with soil
debris. The pathogen upon causing infection invades the root epidermis of plant and extends
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into the vascular tissue where it colonizes the xylem vessels producing mycelium and
conidia. The symptoms of characteristic wilt appears due to severe water stress, mainly due to
vessel clogging. Chemical treatments of such pathogens and soil solarisation in the fields
usually fail to control the severe loss caused by them. So, there is a need for the sustainable
development of new strategies which can replace chemical pesticides and can be employed
for proper control of pathogens. Secondary metabolites from various bacteria belonging to
Bacillus sp. are very useful in control of various plant pathogens. In this study, cell free
supernatant of two strains of Bacillus thuringiensis were screened for the presence of
antifungal activity and were found to be active against F. oxysporum.
PT041:Effect of EDTA on the growth and development of Raphanus
sativus L. under seed-pre soaking treatment of cadmium metal
Ankita Choudhary
1, Ramaj Attri
1, Mandeep Kaur
1, Kajalpreet Kaur
1, Ashutosh
Sharma2, Renu Bhardwaj
3 and Indu Sharma
1 *
1Department of Botany, UISH, SBBS University, Jalandhar-144030
2Department of Agricultural Sciences, DAV University, Jalandhar-144012
3Department of Botanical and Environmental Sciences, GNDU, Amritsar-143005
*Email: [email protected]
Abstract
Cadmium is non essential, toxic heavy metal which has been found to be present in
agricultural soil due to inappropriate human activated. When cadmium is being taken up by
the plants it consequently affects the seed germination and development. In current study, the
seeds of Raphanus sativus L. (Pusa Chetki) were pretreated with 50 mM cadmium chloride
(CdCl2). After 30 days, various growth parameters viz. plant height, number of leaves and
length of leaves were studied. It has been observed that cadmium induced phytotoxicity in
terms of lowered seed germinate rate, development and other growth parameter. On 30 days,
foliar treatment of EDTA (Ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid) a metal chelator at 0.1g/l to
0.3g/l concentration was given. At 60 days after sowing plants of radish were observed and
found that treatment of EDTA remarkably alleviated the cadmium induced stress. Therefore,
EDTA may be effective in overcoming the negative impact of metal toxicity in plants.
PT042:Screening of secondary metabolites from Bacillus thuringiensis for
antifungal activity
Drishtant Singh
1, Karambir Kaur
1, Samiksha
2, Preet Kanwal Kaur
3, Seema Madhumal
Thayil1 and Anup Kumar Kesavan*
1
1Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar
2 Department of Zoology, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar-143005
3Department of Biotechnology, Khalsa College, Amritsar-143005
*Email:[email protected]
Abstract
Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) is a gram positive, spore-forming bacterium that
synthesizes parasporal crystalline inclusions and various other proteins including secondary
metabolites. These secondary metabolites exhibit a wide range of biological activities, such
-54-
as anticancer, antimicrobial and insecticidal activities. As Bacillus strains rapidly grow in
liquid media even under stressful conditions and readily forms resistant spores, it might be
useful as an effective biocontrol agent against various phytopathogens including Fusarium
moniliforme whichis one of the most prevalent fungi associated with basic human and animal
dietary samples such as corn. This fungus survives in corn stalk fragments, in or on soil, and
it can grow saprophytically in stalks. It is known to produce various toxins such as fusaric
acid, fusarins, gibberellins, moniliformin and fumonisins. Among these, moniliformin is
produced in higher concentrations when the fungus infects corn. This causes ear rot, stalk rot
and infection of kernels through silks, holes or when pericarp is torn. Various secondary
metabolites from B. thuringiensis are known to have antifungal activity against plant
pathogenic fungi related to Fusarium sp. Therefore, the present study was undertaken to
explore the antifungal activity of secondary metabolites produced by Bacillus thuringiensis
against Fusarium moniliforme.
Keywords: Bacillus thuringiensis, Fusarium moniliforme, secondary metabolites, antifungal
effect
PT043: Phytochemical studies & antimicrobial analysis of carica papaya
leaf extract
Pareeksha
Department of Biochemistry & Biotechnology SBS University
(Formerly Sardar Bhagwan Singh PG Institute of Biomedical Sciences & Research)
Balawala, Dehradun-248161
Email: [email protected]
Abstract
Though there are many pharmaceutical importance of plants. The plant extract which were commonly
used in traditional medicine can also be used for treatment of numerous diseases like glandular
tumors, blood pressure,constipation,warts. Now the present study of the phytochemical and
antimicrobial effect of papaya leaf extract was tested by using standard chemical method. The result
of the phytochemical analysis of the papaya leaf showed the presence of bioactive compound like
Alkoids,Saponins,Tannins,Flavoniods.The bioactive compounds were extracted by using the solvents
petroleum ether,chloroform,acetone,distilled water. The antimicrobial activity of the extracts were
determined against some human pathogenic bacteria and fungi like E.coli, Streptococcus
pneumoniea,Candida albicans, S.aureus. The leaf extract provided mild to moderate antimicrobial
activity against the microorganism at different concentration. The further study can be done to
identify and isolate the most bioactive constituents ascribing platelets augmentation,easing menstrual
pain, anticancer property, anti acne activity.
PT044:Research work on lignin biodegradation using standard reference
bacterial culture from the databases.
Alisha Raj and Geeta Bhandari*
Department of Biotechnology and Biochemestry SBS University
(Formerly,Sardar Bhagwan Singh Pg Institute of Biomedical Science and Research)
Balawala,Dehradun-248161
Email: [email protected]
-55-
Abstract
Lignin is a complex polymer made up of three kinds of aromatic alcohols.D-coumaryl
alcohol,conjeryl alcohol and sinapyl alcohol,which are bounded to one another in various
ways.It is present in all higher plants as a major constituent of woody tissues imparting
mechanical strength.The bioconversion of plant lignocelluloses to glucose is an important
part of second generation biofuel production,but the resistance of lignin to breakdown is a
major obstacle in this process,hence there is considerable intrest in the microbial breakdown
of lignin.Agriculture based waste product are useful for the production of various important
commodity chemicals.Enzymes involved in lignin degradation can generally be devided into
two main groups:lignin modifying enzymes(LME)and lignin- degrading
enzymes(LDA).Bacteria secrete various oxidative enzymes that assistin lignin
modification.Evidence is accumulating that Dyp-peroxidase and laccases play an important
role in bacterial attack of lignin/lignocelluloses.The selective laccases, peroxidise were
retrieved from the databases (protein Data Bank).For retrieval of sequence we have used both
NCBI and PDB DatabaseChemical structure of the substrates were retrieved from
Pubchem.For conversion of files we have used OpenBabel software.
PT045:Comparison of Physiological and Biochemical Changes in Early
and Timely Sown Chilli
Khushpreet Kaur Dhaliwal*, Navita Ghai
1 and S. K. Jindal
2
1Department of Botany,
2Department of Vegetable Science
Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana-141004, India
*Email:[email protected]
Abstract
An investigation was conducted to evaluate different chilli genotypes suitable for early
planting during 2016-17. The early and timely sown hot pepper genotypes were compared on
the basis of photosynthesis efficiency, lipid peroxidation, total proline, ascorbic acid and
phenol content in leaves and total soluble sugar content in leaves and flowers. On the basis of
this investigation, the performance of PL-412, IS-267, PC-408 and ML-342 genotypes was
found to be almost at par in both early as well as timely sown crop. Of all the genotypes
evaluated, PL-412 performed the best in both the crops and can be used for chilli breeding
programs.
Keywords: Chilli, Early and timely sown crop, Genotypes, lipid peroxidation,ascorbic acid
PT046:Antifungal activity of secondary metabolites from Bacillus
thuringiensis Drishtant Singh
1,Rupinder Kaur
1, Preet Kanwal Kaur
2, Seema Madhumal Thayil
1 and
Anup Kumar Kesavan*1
1Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar
2 Department of Biotechnology, Khalsa College, Amritsar, India-143005
*Email- [email protected]
Abstract Secondary metabolites are the compounds produced by various organisms which are used for host
defense or to control bacterial or fungal diseases. Bacillus thuringiensis produces a wide range of
secondary metabolites which possess different biochemical and physical characteristics and display
-56-
broad spectra of activities.In bacteria these metabolites serve as the competitive weapons against other
bacteria, fungi, insects, etc. and serve as symbiosis effectors between microbes and plants, nematodes,
insects and higher animals. Helminthosporium sp. is a dematiaceous filamentous fungi that belongs to
Moniliales order of imperfect fungi. It is known to cause silver scurf on potato. It is slow growing,
asexual fungus that sporulates on infected tubers in high humidity and cause cosmetic effect on tubers
in form of surface blemish which gives dirty look to tubers. This study was indented to analyze the
inhibitory effect of secondary metabolites produced by two strains of Bacillus thuringiensis
previously isolated from soil sample on Helminthosporium sp.
Keywords: Bacillus thuringiensis, Helminthosporium, Secondary metabolites, Antifungal effect
PT047:Effects of various plant pathogenic fungus on different field crops
and their biocontrol
Drishtant Singh
1, Alka Rani
1, Preet Kanwal Kaur
2, Seema Madhumal Thayil
1 and
Anup Kumar Kesavan*1
1Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar
2 Department of Biotechnology, Khalsa College, Amritsar-143005
*Email:[email protected]
Abstract Fungal plant pathogens causes a major loss in yield and quality of crops, fruits and vegetables. This
also affects human health in different ways and has become an important issue to the global economy.
Pathogenic fungi have different life styles such as necrotrophic, hemibiotrophic, biotrophic, or
obligately biotrophic. Biological control of plant diseases caused by fungal pathogens has been
considered a viable alternative method to chemical control. Secondary metabolites from various
microorganisms can be used as biocontrol agents against seed borne and soil borne fungal pathogens,
including the causal agents of seed rot, damping-off and root rot diseases. These antifungal agents are
used for seed treatment and have been effective in protecting several major crops such as wheat, rice,
corn, sugar beet and cotton against fungal pathogens. Alternatively, the microorganisms producing
these antifungal agents can be used as spray application on foliar diseases, including powdery mildew,
downy mildew, blights and leaf spots. The use of secondary metabolites in biocontrol of fungus can
prove as an effective strategy to manage plant diseases, increase yield, protect the environment and
biological resources and approach a sustainable agricultural system.
PT048:In vitro callusing of Stevia rebaudiana for extraction of natural
sugar: A boon for diabetic patients
Aman Tripathi*, Anamika Bairagi and Rina Rani Singh**
SBS University, Balawala, Dehradun Pin 248161, Uttrakhand
Email:**[email protected], *[email protected]
Abstract
Currently, approximately 143 million people in world are affected by diabetes and the
number is growing rapidly. India has highest number of diabetic patients i.e. 3.4 million and
is expected to rise by more than 100% in the year 2030 to accounts for 79.4 million. There
were 3.4 million deaths due to diabetes in the year 2000. Considering these alarming
situations, callusing of Stevia was tried for extraction of natural sugar. Stevia is a crop that is
gaining high popularity recently amongst all types of natural sweetener, as most ideal
substitute for sugar in case of diabetes patients. But, in this transitional age of life style,
-57-
people are becoming more conscious of their health, the world wide sugar consumption is
decreasing and being replaced by low calorie sweeteners. Many of these sweeteners are
complex chemicals.Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni (natural sweetener) belongs to Asteraceae
family. Conventionally, it is cultivated by seeds or stem cutting, but seed viable rate is poor.
In present study, a protocol for callus induction and multiplication was developed to produce
large no. of calli in short period. Surface sterilized nodal, leaf and root explants were cultured
on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium with different concentrations of plant hormone like,
IBA, kinetin, NAA, 2,4-D and NAA in combination with 2,4-D. 100% callusing was
observed from leaf explants cultured on combination of NAA and 2,4-D after three weeks
while, with 2,4-D, only 10% callusing was observed. Calli obtained from leaf and root
explants were shiny green while, in case of nodal explants it was hard and brown. The present
findings deal with induction of callusing in Stevia to achieve the rapid callus multiplication
for the study of steviol glycosides.Stevia has no calcium cyclamate, no saccharin, no
aspartame and no calories. It is safe for diabetics, as it does not affect blood sugar levels,
neither it have neurological or renal side effects like other artificial sweeteners.Antioxidant
and anti-diabetic properties of Stevia has been approved by USFDA. This natural sweetener
has lots of advantages but, only a single disadvantage that is it causes sterility in human. It is
true that sugar extracted from Stevia is a boon for mankind.
Keywords: Callusing, Stevia, Sweetener and Diabetes
PT049:Modelling of endosulfan biodegradation: A systems biology
approach
Mukund Sharma and Geeta Bhandari
Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology
SBS University, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, 248001, India
Email: [email protected], [email protected]
Abstract Pesticides are commonly used for increased crop production throughout the world. Pesticides
and their degradation products have potential to move in the environment and be further
transformed until they are no longer detectable. The indiscriminate and unplanned use of
agrochemicals has caused serious environmental problems. Endosulfan is a broad-spectrum
cyclodiene insecticide and had been used extensively for over 30 years on a variety of crops.
Toxicity of endosulfan is extremely high against fish and aquatic invertebrates, and it has
increasingly been implicated in mammalian gonadal toxicity, genotoxicity and neurotoxicity
and also is highly persistent in nature. Bioremediation is considered to be a highly promising
technology for the removal of environmental pollutants.The catabolic pathways involved in
the biodegradation of endosulfan have been extensively studied.Due to large scale data
generated by wet labs, the exact mechanisms ofenzymes involved in degradation pathway
arestill unknown. Molecular docking is an important tool in structural molecular biology and
can be used to predict exact ligand-protein docking site.In this study, we havepredicted exact
mechanism of enzymes involved in degradation and designed the insilico pathways of
endosulfan and its effect onpest, humans and environment.
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PT050: Characterization and optimization of Tn5 transposon mutagenesis
of bacterial isolates involved in dye decolourization
Priya Chand*, Mahima Mangal and Vikash Singh Jadon**
Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology,
SardarBhagwan Singh University, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, 248161
Email: **[email protected],*[email protected]
Abstract
Bacteria which contain dye decolorizing genes were screened for certain potent microbial
isolates from the nature involved in decolorization and subsequently tagging of genes
involved in decolorization.The objective was to perform transposon mutagenesis and prepare
the gene knockouts using Tn5 and Tn10 transposon with Kananycin as a selectable marker.
The character which was targeted for mutagenesis ,was the gene responsible for dye
decolorization in bacteria. Out of eleven bacterial isolates, finally one strain MM-6 was
selected ad used for further experiments. The screening and selection for antibiotic resistance
against 8 antibiotics and sensitive against 8 antibiotics. The strain MM-6 was subjected to
qualitative and quantitative assay for dye decolorization (i.e. Amid Black).The qualitative
assay on standard plate and liquid broth showed maximum decolorizationof Amid Black by
MM-6 as compared to Congo Red and Malachite green. The quantitative assay include effect
of carbon source, dye concentration and incubation time on dye degradation and the percent
degradation were tabulated graphically. It was found that increase in carbon content and dye
concentration , decrease the percent degradation where as increase in incubaton time led to
increase in percent degradation. Maximum percent degradation was observed at 48 hours at
100 ppm concentration i.e. 90.07 %.It was clearly observed that the static condition for
dcolorization was more favorable as compared to the shaking condition when the log phase
inoculum was used. Random transposon mutagnesis using Tn5 transposon was performd
using standard protocols for conjugation . Out of all transconjugants mutants for
decolorizationwere screened on selective media (Eosin methylene blue).Supplementd with
24microlitre/100 ml kanamycin where as mutants of transformation were screened on L.B
media supplemented 24microlitre/100 ml kanamycin .Mutation frequency was found to be
52.9% and 30% in case of conjugation and transformation respectively.
PT051:Antioxidant effect of Picrorhiza kurroa (Kutki) on human
erythrocytes Sonika Bhandari*, Neha Gaur and Mohammad Abu Zaid*
Department of Biochemistry & Biotechnology, Sardar Bhagwan
University,Dehradun,Uttarakhand, 248161
Email: [email protected], [email protected]
Abstract
Indian folk medicine is replete with drugs purported to have antioxidative properties.
The present study was undertaken to evaluate the antioxidants potential of Picrorhiza
kurroa (Kutki) on human erythrocytes in-vitro. Our study shows a high level of
polyphenolic content in Picrorhiza kurroa rhizome extract. A increase in MDA and decrease
in GSH level of erythrocyte was observed upto a concentration of 0.5mg/ml extract. A
decrease in RBC SOD and CAT activity was observed with Picrorhiza kurroa rhizome
extract upto concentration of 0.5mg/ml, probably due to increase in peroxidant mediated by
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antioxidant property of Picrorhiza kurroa rhizome. However, treatment of RBC with higher
concentration of extract (1mg/ml) the protective effect was reversed on all the parameter
studied. From our study we conclude that the Picrorhiza kurroa rhizome extract shows
potential antioxidant property and protect erythrocytes from oxidative damage by either
directly scavenging the free radical or activating other processes, due to the presence of
various antioxidant compounds in Picrorhiza kurroa rhizome. At higher concentration this
extract itself induces oxidative stress and may be cytotoxic and its indiscriminate uses
especially at higher doses should be avoided. Further studies are needed to elucidate its
mechanism of action and its cytotoxic properties.
PT052:Diversity and caryopsis morphology of high altitude Pooid grasses
(Poaceae) of North-west Himalayan Region
Mudassir Ahmad Bhat1, Poonam Chowdhary
1, Priya Badgal
1 and Amarjit Singh Soodan
1
1Plant Systematics and Biodiversity Laboratory
Department of Botanical and Environmental SciencesGuru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar
Email: [email protected]
Abstract
Grasses have significance in human life far beyond meeting the basic requirements of food
and fodder. The grass family Poaceae constitutes the fifth largest angiosperm family as far as
the number of species is concerned and includes more than 11000 grass species distributed in
700-800 genera. India is a megabiodiversity country that harbours a rich diversity of grasses.
Poaceae has emerged as the largest plant family in the country with a representation of 268
genera and 1300 species. Pooideae is the largest subfamily comprising of 194 genera and
4200 species and occurs in all regions of the world with a temperate climate in high latitudes
and altitudes. The present study reports diversity of caryopsis, morphology and
micromorphology of Pooid grasses of North-western Himalayan region. Some of these
grasses for which data on the caryopsis morphology and micromorophology have been
presented in the paper include Agrostis pilosula Trin.,Bromus catharticus Vahl,Catapodium
rigidum (L.) C. E. Hubb., Elymus nutans Griseb.Eremopoa altaica (Trin.) Rozhev, Festuca
pratensisHuds.,Koeleria macrantha (Ledeb.) Schult.,Lolium perenne L., Phleum alpinum L.,
Piptatherum aequiglume Roshev., Poa albertii Regel, Polypogon fugax Nees, Puccinellia
kashmiriana Bor,Stipa capensis Thunb., and Trisetum spicatum (L.) K. Richt. Apart from a
wide range of size, shape and nature of hilum and stylopodium, the diagnostic types of
surface patterns of caryopsis include reticulate with wavy walls, reticulate with straight walls
ribbed striate, rugose, undulated striate, verrucate pattern, rugulate pattern, scalariform
pattern, striate pattern and compound reticulate which play an important role in identification
of grass diversity of temperate grasses including those of the area of present study.
Keywords: Caryopsis, Diversity, Grasses, North-western Himalayan region, Pooideae
PT053:Morphological and Physico-chemical Characterization of different
Karonda genotypes
Harsimrat K. Bons
1 and Amandeep Paul
2
1Department of Fruit Science, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana-141004
2 Department of Botany, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana-141004
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Email: [email protected]; [email protected]
Abstract
Karonda (Carissa carandas Linn.) is an evergreen, hardy and thorny fruit shrub with
immense neutraceutical value. Four genotypes of Karonda planted in College Orchard,
Punjab Agricultural University were studied for leaf and fruit parameters. The leaves were
randomly collected and analyzed for length and diameter, spine length and diameter,
chlorophyll content and arrangement. The fruits of Karonda were harvested at mature unripe
and ripe stages and analyzed for fruit length, diameter, weight, size, colour, pulp weight, fruit
shape index, seed weight, seed number, TSS, Acidity, Ascorbic acid, total proteins, phenols,
Iron content, total starch and sugars. The leaf length (5.5-7.65 cm) and diameter (3.0-4.1 cm),
spine length (1.65- 2.65 cm) and diameter (0.35-0.45 cm), chlorophyll content (12.30-24.02
mg/gm FW ), fruit weight (32.787-63.519 gm), fruit length (19.778- 23.719 mm) and
diameter (16.552-21.346 mm), pulp weight (32.377-63.329 gm), fruit shape index (1.111-
1.2241gm), seed weight (0.08-0.41 gm) and seed number (3-9) varied from mature unripe to
ripe stage among genotypes. The TSS, acidity, ascorbic acid, total sugars and protein content
of mature to ripe fruit varied from 5.681-11.760%, 7.70-3.71%, 7.031-2.965mg/100g pulp,
2.876- 6.198%, 6.58-7.26 mg/ 100g respectively. There was a decline in the acidity, total
phenol, total starch and ascorbic acid from mature to ripe stage.
Keywords: Karonda, ripe fruit, crude protein, fruit length, ascorbic acid
PT054:Interaction of 24-epibrassinolide and spermidine modulate
photosynthesis, antioxidant system and yield attributes in Brassica juncea
L. under Mn stress
Anjuman Hussain
*, Faroza Nazir, Mohammad Yusuf, Tanvir Alam Khan and
Qazi Fariduddin
Plant Physiology Section, Department of Botany, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh
*Email: [email protected]
Abstract
Brassinosteriods (BRs) and polyamines (PA) are well known plant growth regulators that are
widely used to surpass different abiotic stresses including heavy metal toxicity in plants. The
present study was carried out with an aim that 24-epibrassinolide (EBL) and/or spermidine
(Spd) could modulate photosynthetic effectiveness, antioxidant system and yield attributes in
Brassica juncea under manganese (Mn) stress (150 mg kg-1
soil). EBL (10-8
M) and /or Spd,
(1.0 mM) were applied to the leaves of Brassica juncea plants grown in the presence of Mn
(150 mg kg-1
soil),at 35 days after sowing (DAS). High concentration of Mn (150 mg kg-1
soil), reduced photosynthetic attributes and yield parameters but increased antioxidant
enzyme activity and proline content in the leaves at 45 DAS. Furthermore, foliar spray of
EBL and Spd under stress and stress- free conditions improved the photosynthetic traits and
yield attributes and further enhanced antioxidant system. Out of the two plant growth
regulators (EBL/Spd), EBL excelled in its effects. Moreover, toxic effects generated by Mn
stress were completely overcome by the combination of these two plant growth regulators.
Keywords: Antioxidant enzyme; Epibrassinolide; Manganese stress; Photosynthesis;
Spermidine
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PT055:Plant growth regulators (epibrassinolide and hydrogen peroxide)
improve photosynthetic efficiency, biochemical attributes and yield
characteristics in tomato plants grown under copper stress
Faroza Nazir, Anjuman Hussain, Mohammad Yusuf, Tanveer Alam Khan, Qazi
Fariduddin
Plant Physiology and Biochemistry Section, Department of Botany, Aligarh Muslim
University, Aligarh-202002
Email: [email protected]
Abstract
Plant growth regulators or phytohormones are organic substances produced naturally in
higher plants, which modulates range of biochemical and physiological responses in plants.
Therefore, an experiment was conducted to study the role of 24-epibrassinolide (EBL) and
hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)in copper stressed tomato plants. The 20 d old plants were uprooted
and dipped in 0, 0.1 mM H2O2 for 4 h before transplantation. At 20 d after transplantation
(DAT), the plants were exposed to the varying doses of copper (Cu; 10 or 100 mg kg-1
)
applied through the soil. At 30 DAT, plants were treated with water or EBL solution. High
Cu stress (100 mg kg-1
soil) induced a significant reduction in chlorophyll content, rate of
photosynthesis and yield attributes. Activities of antioxidant enzymes (catalase, peroxidase
and superoxide dismutase) and leaf proline content also increased substantially with
increasing Cu stress. On the other hand, treatment of EBL and H2O2 under stress and stress-
free conditions significantly increased the aforesaid photosynthetic, biochemical and yield
attributes. Moreover, EBL and H2O2 further accelerated the antioxidative enzymes and
proline content, which were already enhanced by the high copper stress. These enhanced
antioxidant enzyme activities and accumulation of proline would still have been able to
bestow tolerance on tomato plants exposed to higher doses of Cu.
Keywords: Antioxidant, Epibrasinolide, Hydrogen peroxide, Photosynthesis, Tomato
PT056:Divergence of Fruit Characteristic of Eggplant (Solanum
melongena L.) genotypes.
Amandeep Kaur
1* and Nirmaljit Kaur
1
1Department of Botany, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana-141004
*Email: [email protected]
Abstract
Brinjal (Solanum melongena L.) is an important vegetable crop valued in human diet in Asia,
particularly in India. India is the second largest Asian country in terms of brinjal production
and brinjal has a vast morphological diversity. Characterization of fruit traits can be a tool for
determining the genetic diversity of genotypes of eggplant. Twenty six genotypes of brinjal
were characterized on the basis of 15 qualitative and quantitative fruit characters. The present
study was conducted in the experimental area of Department of Seed Technology, PAU,
Ludhiana. Significant diversity was exhibited in the quantitative traits such as fruit length
(6.40- 16.21cm), fruit breadth (3.10-7.34cm), fruit length/diameter (0.93-4.47), fruit peduncle
length (3.11-5.83cm) and diameter of pistil scar (0.19-1.47cm) by all the genotypes. While, in
qualitative traits fruit shape (cylindrical to ovoid), color (dark purple to white), flesh colour,
glossiness, patches, stripes and calyx colour exhibited variation. The differences among the
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accessions might be due to variation in their genetic makeup. This study can help the plant
breeders to select genotypes for desirable characters.
Keywords: Brinjal, fruit characters, diversity
PT057:Assessment of General Obesity in healthy females from Amritsar
and Jammu
Komal Sharma, Palakpreet Kour, Satinder Kaur, Gurleen Kaur Tung*
P.G. Department of Zoology, Khalsa College Amritsar-143005
*Email: [email protected]
Abstract
Obesity is a chronic condition characterized by excess energy intake compared to energy
expenditure resulting in adverse metabolic effects and thus an increased risk of type 2
diabetes, fatty liver disease, hypertension, cardiovascular disease (CVD) and cancer. Body
mass index (BMI) is a commonly used surrogate measure of overall obesity. Therefore, the
present study was undertaken with the objective of assessment of BMI in the general
population of Amritsar and Jammu. A total of 98 females were contacted and in a face-to-
face interview method, details pertaining to general demographic variables were recorded.
Anthropometric variables of weight (kg) and height (cm) were taken using standard
procedures and BMI was calculated [weight, kg/(height, m)2]. As per BMI cut-offs, both the
females from Amritsar (n=49, average age 29.14y) and Jammu (n=49, average age 29.32y)
had normal BMI levels. Though females from Jammu (22.99±4.84 kg/m2) had marginal
higher BMI levels compared to females from Amritsar (22.37±5.48kg/m2), the differences
were non-significant (p=0.526). The present study revealed normal BMI levels in females
from both the regions of Northern India but the findings need to be confirmed in a larger
sample size.
Keywords: Amritsar, BMI, Females, Jammu, North India, Obesity
PT058:Fungal abundance and diversity in lake water supplied with
different feeds
Suhaib A. Bandh*1
, Azra N. Kamili2, Bashir A. Ganai
2, Sana Shafi
1, Bashir A. Lone
3,
Javaid A. Parray4 and Nowsheen Shameem
1
1Department of Environmental Science, Sri Pratap College, Cluster University of Srinagar
2Centre of Research for Development, University of Kashmir, Srinagar
3Department of Bioresources, University of Kashmir, Srinagar
4SAM Degree College, Budgam Kashmir
*Email:[email protected]
Abstract
The abundance and diversity of fungi in an urban lake was investigated by culture, baiting
physiological profiling, PCR like molecular techniques. The results revealed that the
abundance of fungal population was significantly lower in the open water sites compared to
the inlets and outlets of the lake. The fungal communities were dominated by phylum
Ascomycota (represented by four major classes Eurotiomycetes, Sordariomycetes,
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Ascomycetes and Saccharomycetes) followed by Oomycota (one class Oomycetes),
Blastocladiomycota (one class Blastocladiomycetes), Zygomycota (one class Zygomycetes)
and Besidiomycota (one class Tremellomycetes) while as the abundance of the different
fungal classes was significantly different between the three types of sampling stations.
Significantly some pathogens such as Candida albicans, Aspergillus versicolor and
Aspergillus fumigatus were found significantly decreased, while as some resident freshwater
zoospores like Achyla and Pythium significantly increased in the open water sites. In addition
the fungal population showed considerable seasonal variation with maximum number of
fungal load in warm temperature seasons compared to the cold temperature seasons with one
way analysis of variance (ANOVA) showing that the colonial distribution of the fungal
species was statistically significant (p < 0.01) in different seasons. Further the distantly
located sampling stations showed least similarity while as closely located sites showed most
similarity. The differences in fungal community compositions between the three types of
sampling stations could be partially explained by the amount of sewage mixing with the
water at the respective points.
Keywords: fungal abundance; diversity; lake; seasonal variation; spatial variation
PT059:Floral Diversity of Kanjli Wetland,Punjab, India – A Ramsar Site
Kavita Devi and Rajbir Kaur⃰⃰⃰ ⃰
PG Department of Zoology, Khalsa College of Amritsar-143002
Email: [email protected]
Abstract
In Punjab, there are three major wetlands namely Harike, Kanjli and Ropar, which have been
recognisd as wetlands of international significance (RAMSAR SITES). In all of these Kanjli
wetland is one of the major wetland in Punjab.Kanjli wetland is situated in Kapurthala
located on Kali Bein river is extremely important from socio- religious and ecotourism point
of view. It is situated at 31.42ᵒ N and 75.22ᵒ E,covering an area of 490 ha of which the
Kanjli lake water spread is 184 ha. This Bein is associated with Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji. It is
believed that Guru Nanak Dev Ji had attained enlightenment after taking dip in the Kali Bein.
It was added in the Ramsar list during 2002.Kanjli is inhabited by diversity of flora and fauna
including some rare and threatened plants and animals.Birds and fish species are found in
large number in this wetland. The main aim of study was to drive out the information on the
fauna of Kanjli wetland. Various species of fishes including Catla catla, Cirrihinus
mrigala,Channa striatus, Channa marulius,Labeo calbasu and Labeo rohitaare reported
from the wetland. There are some species of birds and 4 species of mammals have been
reported in the area.There is as such no information is provided on the amphibians of the
wetland. The area is spread over 12 villages. It was created in 1870 by constructing the
headworks across the perennial Bien River, a tributary of the Beas River to provide irrigation
facilities to the hinterland. As the major area is under agriculture, excessive inflow of agro
chemicals leads to eutrophication, pollution problems in the wetland. Continued conservation
and management measures must be undertaken by Government and Non-Government
agencies to save this wetland.
PT060:Avian diversity of Harike Wetland in Punjab, India
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Poonam Thakur and Rajbir Kaur* PG Department of Zoology, Khalsa College Amritsar- 143002
*Email: [email protected]
Abstract This paper highlights the existing avain biodiversity of Harike Wetland - A Ramsar site,
situated in Punjab, India. Haike wetland (31⁰ 12′N to 75⁰ 05′E) is located at the confluence
of two major rivers Beas and Sutlej, is one of the largest man-made wetland of northern
India. It is situated at the meeting point of four districts of and came into existence in
1953. The deep water lake of 86 sq. Km was declared as a bird sanctuary in 1982 and a
Ramsar Site in 1990. The wetland attracts a large number of migratory and residential birds.
Out of the, 360 species of birds 74 species are of migratory birds. Important migratory birds
are Rudy Shelduck, Northern Pintail, Common Teal, Mallard, Gadwall, Eurasian Wigeon,
Northern Shoveler, Pochards (Red Crested, Common and Tued). About 1,00,000- 1,25,000
migratory birds visit the lake every winter which makes this time the best to spot the birds.
Over 20,000 ducks were recorded during the peak migratory seasons. The wigeon, common
teal, pintail, shoveller and brahminy ducks are commonly seen during the winter. Hence it is
concluded that the wetland acts as habitat for a variety of waterfowl and supports a good
number of bird species.
Keywords: Bird diversity, Harike Wetland, Migratory Birds
PT061:Phytoremediation of dyes from aquatic ecosystem by using zinc
oxide decorated Aloe vera gel nanocomposite
Komal Kundal
1 and Shivali Kundan
1
Department of Environmental Sciences,Central University of Jammu, Jammu
Email: [email protected]; [email protected]
Abstract
Nanotechnology, a diversified field of science deals with surface science, organic
chemistry,molecular biology,semiconductor physics, environmental chemistry and
microfabrication etcetra. Nanotechnology creates many new materials and devices with a vast
range of applications in different fields, such as in medicine , electronics , biomaterials and
energy production. Nanocomposites are organic inorganic multiphase materials with atleast
one particle less than 100 nm .Various attempts have been made to prepare multifunctional
nanocomposite with diverse applicability. In this work new and novel nanocomposite has
been fabricated and explored for the remediation of dye methyl orange and Congo red from
water system. We reported the green method for synthesis of nanocomposite using Aloe vera
extract. ZnO-Aloe vera nanocomposite has unique and excellent properties of large excitation
binding energy,wide and direct band gap,high thermal conductivity and electron
mobility,good transparency. Here ZnO-Aloevera nanocomposites was characterised by X-ray
diffraction (XRD).In this present paper the nanocomposite has been efficiently explained for
the degradation of dyes from water system.The comparative study of dyes methyl orange dye
and congo red dye has been done . The total percentage removal of the methyl orange dye
was recorded 60.05% whereas that of congo red dye is 72.4 % in 300 minutes in dark
followed by photocatalysis. The removal of methyl orange dye recorded in sunlight was
67.30% whereas that of congo red dye was 82.5%.The experimental observations leads to the
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conclusion that the direct photocatalytic degradation of dyes methyl orange dye and congo
red dye is more in comaparison to the the degaradation of dyes in dark followed by light.
PT062:Utilization of mango leaves powder as a low-cost bioadsorbent for
the removal of Cu ions from aqueous solution
Neha Verma
Central university of Jammu, Jammu
Email: [email protected]
Abstract
Mango leaves as a low-cost adsorbent for the removal of Cu(II) ions from aqueous solution was
investigated. The viability of the process was demonstrated in laboratory by titrimetric method.The
effect of different parameters as contact time, metal concentration, pH and dose of adsorbent for the
removal of Cu(II) ions from water system were studied. Maximum sorption i.e 93%was found at 4
pH. The percentage increase in adsorption from 81% to 94% with contact time from 10 minutes to 50
minutes and then attains an equilibrium. The uptake of Cu(II)ion was also increased with increase in
dose of adsorbent. Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models were applied to describe the biosorption
of Cu(II)ions onto mango leaves The equilibrium data adequately follow the Langmuir isotherm
suggested the monolayer sorption. The results showed that mango leaves was potentially applied as
alternative low-cost adsorbent for the remediation of heavy metal.
PT063:Effect of sequential extraction on the total phenol, flavonoid, and
antioxidant activity of different plant parts of Lactuca sativa
Raspinder Kaur* and Saroj Kumar Pradhan
PG Department of Botany, Dev Samaj College for Women, Ferozepur City, Punjab
Email: [email protected]
The genus Lactuca belonging to tribe Cichorieae, comprised of approximately 100 species
and mainly distributed in the Northern Hemisphere. The genus contains a wide variety of
secondary metabolites like flavonols, anthocyanins, phenolic acids, guaianolides,
germacranolides, eudesmanolides, etc. These compounds attributed various types of
biological and therapeutic potential to the genus. The biological activity includes anti-
inflammatory, antioxidant, hepatoprotective, antibacterial, antidiabetic and antiproliferative.
In the present study, we have evaluated the antioxidant potential of L. dissecta. The plant
material has been collected from Mussoorie, Uttarakhand. Different plant parts have been
dried under shade and extracted with different solvents. Sequential extraction has been used
for the estimation of total phenol, flavonoids and in vitro antioxidant activity of different
plant parts. The flower and stem extracts have been found to have maximum amount of
secondary metabolites. The alcoholic and water solvents used in the study, yields maximum
amount and can be used for the further extraction process.
PT064:Biochemical alterations induced by various stionic combinations of
Pear (Pyrus sp.) in the rootstock, scion and graft union
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Inderpreet Kalsi
1, Nirmaljit Kaur
1, Nav Prem Singh
2and Sarah Murria
1*
1Department of Botany, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana-141004
2Department of Fruit Science, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana-141004
*Email: [email protected]
Abstract
Graft incompatibility is a major complication that occurs in trees which are vegetatively
propagated through grafting onto rootstocks which induce precocity and breed true plants. It
is apparent in Pear (Pyrus communis - Punjab beauty (semi soft pear) and P. pyrifolia- Punjab
nakh(hard pear cultivars) when grafted onto Angers Quince A, PQ BA-29, Angers Quince C
(Cydonia oblonga) rootstocks. Pear cultivars grafted with Kainth (Pyrus pashia) rootstock
was taken as control for comparative studies as they showed compatible and healthy plants
worth growing. To evaluate the reaction of different stionic combinations of pear, the studies
were undertaken at Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana (Punjab) in 2018. The effect of
stionic combinations on the growth and biochemical parameters were recorded 6 and 18
months after grafting. The samples were analyzed for the activity of peroxidase, total free
amino acids, total soluble sugars, total starch and total phenolsbelow, at and above graft
union. Kainth showed higher success rate as compared to Quince rootstocks based on
biochemical tests viz., total soluble sugars, total starch, phenols and peroxidase activity. At
both the stages of investigation, the rootstock, scion and graft union girths were higher in
cultivar Punjab nakh as compared to Punjab beauty irrespective of the rootstock they were
grafted on. From the results it can be inferred that the differences in phenol accumulation
below and above the graft union might serve as an indicator of incompatibility.
Keywords: Incompatibility, Pear, Rootstock, Biochemical, Graft
PT065:Heavy metal stress (lead acetate) induced morpho-physiological
changes in maize with or without auxin application
Haroon Rashid
1, Rudrakshi Sharma
1, Sapna Devi
1, Namrita Shan
1, Sanober Zargar
1,
Heena Dogra1, Diksha Safaya
1, Ankita Sharma
1 and
1Sikander Pal
1Plant Physiology Lab, Department of Botany, University of Jammu, Jammu (J&K) 180006
Email: [email protected]
Abstract
Presence of Pb in the agricultural soils may pose a serious threat on agricultural yield and
nutritive value of a crop. Present study was focused to the evaluate impact of Pb stress alone
or in combination with auxin (IAA) on the several morpho-physiological aspects of Zea mays
L. (var. PG-2488) in pot experiments. About 40 plants of uniform height (15 days after
sowing) were divided into four groups with each group consisting of ten plants (n = 10)
subjected to four different treatment regimes (Control, Pb, IAA and Pb+IAA). Detailed
morphological and physiological impact of Pb stress (IC50-4 mM L-1
) with or without IAA
(0.5 mM L-1
) application was measured on twice a month until plants gained maturity 70-80
days after sowing. Observations revealed negative impact of Pb stress on the growth
parameters such as plant height, leaf number, plant biomass and root surface area and
photosynthetic pigments over control plants. In contrast, Pb + IAA application was found to
ameliorate impact of Pb stress by improving the antioxidant system and other morphometric
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parameters under investigation. IAA application also reduced localization of Pb2+
ions in root
tissue when applied in combination with Pb compared to Pb stress alone.
Keywords: Zea mays, Lead acetate, Growth, Auxin, Amelioration
PT066: Melatonin, a potential molecule mitigates the negative effects of
salt stress in tomato plant (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.).
Tanveer Ahmad Khan, Mohd Saleem and Qazi Fariduddin*
Plant Physiology and Biochemistry Section, Department of Botany,
Aligarh Muslim University,Aligarh-202002, India
Email: [email protected]
Abstract
Melatonin (Mel) is a bioactive pleiotropic molecule and is distributed in evolutionary distinct
lineages. In plants, it is involved in regulating diverse physiological and biochemical
processes and acts primarily as powerful antioxidant and gives protection against abiotic and
biotic stresses. Therefore, an experiment was conducted to study the mitigative role of
melatonin (Mel) in salt stressed tomato plants. Mel (50 or 100 µM) was applied to the foliage
of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) plants at 30 days after transplantation (DAT)
under salt stress (NaCl; 100 or 150 mM). High salt stress (150 mM) induced a significant
reduction in growth traits, chlorophyll content and rate of photosynthesis at 40 days after
transplantation. Activities of antioxidant enzymes (catalase, peroxidase and superoxide
dismutase) and leaf proline content also increased substantially with increasing salt stress. On
the other hand, treatment of Mel under stress and stress-free conditions significantly
increased the aforesaid growth traits and biochemical parameters.Moreover, Mel further
accelerated the antioxidative enzymes and proline content, which were already enhanced by
the salt stress. It is concluded that treatment of Mel (through foliage) significantly improved
the growth traits, photosynthetic efficiency and various biochemical attributes under stress
and stress-free conditions through modulation of antioxidant system.
Keywords: Antioxidant system, Melatonin, Photosynthesis, Tomato
PT067:Plant Defence Mechanisms in Abiotic Stress Tolerance
Mohammad Shah Aadil Mir, Aditi Sharma, Hina Ashraf Bhat, Neha Handa*
Department of Botany,
School of Bioengineering and Biosciences Lovely Professional University, Phagwara
(Punjab)
*Email: [email protected]
Abstract
Abiotic stress (salt, drought, cold, heat, water and heavy metals) is the principle cause of crop
yield loss worldwide, reducing normal yields of major food and cash crops by more than 50
per cent and thereby causing enormous economic loss as well. Plants have evolved many
mechanisms to combat abiotic stress. The enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants work in
coherence with each other to ameliorate the reactive oxygen species produced as a result of
stress. Superoxide dismutase forms the first line of defence which aids in scavenging of
superoxide radicals and converting them to hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide, in turn is
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converted to H2O either via the action of catalase or Asada Halliwell Pathway in which
several antioxidative enzymes and antioxidants work together. Plants also show an imperative
role of compatible solutes (proline, glycine betaine, trehalose, polyols) which help in
maintaining the osmotic homeostasis especially during salt and drought stress. Studies have
also shown that plant growth regulators like brassinosteroids, salicylic acid, jasmonic acid
help in strengthening defence system of plants through alteration in plant signalling
mechanisms.
PT068:Allelopathy: An effective biocontrol for weeds
Tahir Ahmad Mir, Greetika and Neha Handa*
Department of Botany, School of Bioengineering and Biosciences, Lovely Professional
University, Phagwara (Punjab), India
*Email: [email protected]
Abstract
Allelopathy is the biological phenomenon in which organisms produce biochemicals which
are supressing the germination and growth of other organisms. These biochemicals are called
as bio allelochemicals, which are applied to control population of weeds without
contaminating the soil and have no effect on environment. Biological weed control is an eco-
friendly, safe, cost effective method, which is used to control weed population and to get high
yield from food crops. Plants secrete many allelochemicals in their surroundings, like organic
acids which are soluble in water, lactones, fatty acids, phenolics, polyacetylenes, cinnamic
acid, flavonoids, tannins and terpenoids, which are inhibiting the sprouting and growth of
weeds. Extracts of some plants are specific to weeds. Some biochemicals extracted from
plant parts have been applied to control weed population e.g. rocaglaol from leaves of Aglaia
odorata, water extract (eight phenolic aglycones) from Beta vulgaris, oil (α-pinene and 1, 8-
cineole) etc. These allelochemicals has been successfully used against weeds of wheat,
cotton, sunflower, mungbean and increased the yield of many crops. These biochemicals
control weed population by causing damage in DNA, inhibition in biochemical processes,
cell division mechanism in meristematic cells at the time of seed germination.
PT069:Effect of plant growth regulators and macro and micronutrients
influences NPK content of Kinnow mandarin(Citrus reticulata blanco)
Ramandeep Kaur
1* and Nirmaljit Kaur
1
Department of Botany, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 141004.
Email: [email protected]
Abstract
Kinnow is an important genus of the family Rutaceae. It is an important fruit crop of Punjab.
It is a hybrid of King and Willow Leaf mandarin. The present work was done to investigate
the content of nitrogen, potassium and phosphours content in Kinnow mandarin. The
experiment was laid out in Fruit Research farm in Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana
during 2017. The field was randomly block design. The seven treatments were applied as
foliar application at different interval of time. The treatments are the plant growth regulators
viz. 2,4-D(20ppm), Salicylic acid (10ppm), mineral nutrients ZnSO4 (0.3%), and
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combination of both nutrients and plant growth regulators 2,4-D+KNO3(20ppm+ 0.5%), 2,4-
Dichlorophenoxy acetic acid+ Salicylic acid (20 ppm+10 ppm), 2,4-Dichlorophenoxy acetic
acid+ ZnSO4 (20ppm+0.3%) and Control (water spray). The maximum nitrogen content was
in the leaves (3.85%) and fruits (0.340%) treated with Salicylic acid during the month of
May. The potassium content was maximum in the leaves (1.97%) and fruits (0.209%) and
minimum was recorded with control (1.42%) in leaves and fruits (0.049%) respectively. The
amount of phosphorous element in the leaves was also recorded highest in the leaves and
fruits treated Salicylic acid trees i.e. (0.19%) and 0.019%) during May.
Keywords: Kinnow, Plant growth regulators, Nitrogen, Potassium and Phosphorous content
PT070:Biological Activities of Rhododendron arboreum Sm. Leaves
Vandana Gautam1, SarojArora
1,Renu Bhardwaj
1
1Department of Botanical and Environmental Sciences, Guru Nanak Dev University,
Amritsar-143005.
*E-mail: [email protected]
Abstract
In the recent times, antioxidants and antimutagens derived from plants are capable of
protecting the human health from ill effects of pollutants and other agents. In the current
investigation, we analyzed the antioxidant and antimutagenic effects of the hexane,
chloroform, and ethyl acetate fractions of Rhododendron arboreum Sm. The different
fractions inhibited lipid peroxidation, repressed the production of nitric oxide radicals, and
prevented deoxyribose degradation. The antimutagenic activity of the leaf fractions was
analyzed against 4-nitro-O-phenylenediamine, sodium azide and 2-aminofluorene mutagens
in two test strains (TA-98 and TA-100) of Salmonella typhimurium. The experiment was
conducted using pre- and co-incubation modes. The best results were obtained in the pre-
incubation mode, and against indirect acting mutagen. The study revealed the strong
antioxidant and antimutagenic activity of R. arboreum leaves.
Keywords: Rhododendron arboreum Sm.; Antioxidant activity; Antimutagenic activity;
Ames assay
PT071:Cu(II) instigated generation of various stress and physiological
responses in Brassica juncea L. is mediated by exogenous addition of
Maleic acid in growth medium.
Resham Sharma*, Pooja Sharma, Palak Bakshi, Renu Bhardwaj* and
Ashwani Kumar Thukral*
*Department of Botanical & Environmental Science, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar-143001
Email: *[email protected], *[email protected]
Abstract
Growth and physiological responses of Brassica juncea L. under copper stress were
examined on supplementation of maleic acid (MA) in varying concentrations (25 mg l-1
, 50
mg l-1
, 75 mg l-1
and 100 mg l-1
, respectively) in the growth medium at different
concentrations of Cu (25 mg l-1
, 50 mg l-1
, 75 mg l-1
and 100 mg l-1
, respectively). Seedlings
were raised in Petri-dishes lined with Whatman sheets spiked with Cu(II) and MA treatments
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under controlled conditions for 7-days. Improved Cu(II) accumulation, as well as enhanced
seed germination rate, root lengths, fresh and dry weights were observed following the
exogenous supplementation of MA to the growth medium. Seedlings raised in binary
treatments containing 100 mg l-1
Cu(II) and 75, 100 mg l-1
MA showed significant reduction
in reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation by 45.7 % for superoxide anion (O2−) and 56.8
% for malondialdehyde (MDA). Confocal microscopy revealed improved cell viability and
reduced nuclear and membrane damage due to escalated antioxidant activity. Antioxidant and
antioxidant enzyme activities for glutathione (GSH), ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and
dehydro-ascorbate reductase (DHAR) were raised significantly by 67.8 %, 85.2 % and 52.3
% respectively in Cu(II) stressed seedlings inoculated with MA. Ultra high performance
liquid chromatography (UHPLC) studies showed maximum polyphenol accumulation and
diverse spectra for mustard seedlings grown in medium containing 100 mg l-1
Cu(II) and 100
mg l-1
MA. Additionally, metal chelators and pigments such as protein thiols and
xanthophylls increased by 31.0% and 62.9% respectively in seedlings supplemented with
MA. The results of our study suggest that the addition of MA to the growth medium directs
ROS inhibition due to accumulation of protective metabolites and antioxidants, which
enhance tolerance to Cu(II) in B. juncea during the phytoextraction process.
Keywords: Antioxidants, Brassica juncea, copper, growth, maleic acid, metabolites,
physiology, reactive oxygen species.
PT072:Role of P-type ATPase metal transporters and plant immunity
induced by jasmonic acid against Lead (Pb) toxicity in tomato
Shagun Bali
1, Parminder Kaur
1, Sukhmeen Kaur Kohli
1, Puja Ohri
2and
Renu Bhardwaj1*
1Department of Botanical and Environmental Sciences, Guru Nanak Dev University,
Amritsar-143005 2Department of Zoology, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar-143005
*Email: [email protected]
Abstract
The phytohormone jasmonic acid (JA) plays an imperative role in plants by modulating the
activity of their antioxidative defense system under stress conditions. Here, we explored the
role of JA-induced alterations in the growth and transcript levels of antioxidative enzymes in
tomato seedlings exposed to different Pb concentrations (0.25, 0.50, and 0.75 mM). Pb
treatment caused a dose-dependent reduction in their root and shoot lengths. Treatment of
0.75 mM Pb showed an increase in the contents of malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide
anion (O2•−
), and H2O2 as compared to the untreated seedlings. Pb uptake was enhanced with
an increase in Pb concentration. The seeds primed with JA showed reduction in Pb uptake
and improvement in growth under Pb toxicity. The seedlings treated with both JA (100 nM)
and Pb (0.75 mM) showed a decline in the levels of MDA, O2•−
, and H2O2 as compared to the
seedlings treated with 0.75 mM Pb alone. These results suggested that JA (100 nM) mitigated
the oxidative damage by lowering the expression of the RBO and P-type ATPase transporter
genes and by modulating antioxidative defense system activity. The biochemical and
molecular analyses showed that JA plays a crucial role in plant defense responses against Pb
stress.
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PT073:Insitu localization and biochemical analysis of bio-molecules
reveals Pb-stress amelioration in Brassica juncea L. by co-application of 24-
Epibrassinolide and Salicylic acid
Sukhmeen Kaur Kohli
1, Shagun Bali
1, Parminder Kaur
1, Saroj Arora
1 and
Renu Bhardwaj1*
1Department of Botanical and Environmental Sciences, Guru Nanak Dev University,
Amritsar-143005
*Email: [email protected]
Abstract
Lead (Pb) toxicity is a major environmental concern affirming the need of proper mitigation
strategies. In the present work, potential of combined treatment of 24-Epibrassinolide (24-
EBL) and Salicylic acid (SA) against Pb toxicity to Brassica juncea L. seedlings were
evaluated. Seedlings pre-imbibed in EBL (0.1 mM) and SA (1 mM) individually and in
combination, were sown in Pb supplemented petri-plates (0.25, 0.50 and 0.75 mM). The toxic
effects of Pb were evident with enhancement in in-situ accumulation of Pb, hydrogen
peroxide (H2O2), superoxide anion, malondialdehyde (MDA), nuclear damage, membrane
damage, cell death and polyamine. The levels of osmoprotectants and antioxidative enzymes
were elevated in response to Pb treatment. Soaking treatment with combination of 24-EBL
and SA led to reduction in Pb accumulation, reactive oxygen content (ROS), cellular damage,
tocopherol, ascorbic acid and GSH levels. The in-situ localization of polyamine (spermidine)
was revealed enhancement by co-application of 24-EBLand SA. Binary treatment of 24-EBL
and SA, further elevated the content of osmoprotectants and activities of antioxidative
enzymes. The study revealed that co-application of combined treatment of 24-EBL and SA
led to dimination of toxic effects of Pb in B. juncea seedlings.
PT074:Antioxidant activity of some common weeds of Ferozepur
Rohita Singla*and Saroj Kumar Pradhan
PG Department of Botany, Dev Samaj College for Women, Ferozepur City, Punjab, India
Email:[email protected]
Abstract
The aims of the present study were to analyze the phenols, flavonoids content and antioxidant
activity of common weeds growing around agriculture fields of Ferozepur. Eight weed
species have been analyzed for their secondary metabolites content and antioxidant activity in
the different plant parts. Methanol extracts of different plant parts have been prepared and
estimation of various content and activity were done by UV-Visible spectrophotometer.
Maximum content of phenolics were reported in flower extracts of Ageratum conyzoides,
Sonchus asper and Ranunculus muricatus. The flavonoid content was measured high in case
of stem and leaf extracts of Silybum marianum and Ranunculus muricatus, respectively. All
the species of weeds also have strong antioxidant potential in terms of DPPH radical
scavenging activity and total antioxidant capacity. One weed species i.e. Ranunculus
muricatus has been reported for its antioxidant activity for the first time, on the basis of plant
parts. Our results demonstrate that weeds having high antioxidant potential can be further
exploited by the pharmaceutical industries.
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PT075: Insights into Earthworm assisted cadmium phytoremediation in
Brassica juncea L. using biochemical and physiological studies
Parminder Kaur, Shagun Bali, Sukhmeen Kaur Kohli, Adarsh pal Vig and
Renu Bhardwaj*
Department of Botanical and Environmental Sciences, Guru Nanak Dev University,
Amritsar-143005 Email: [email protected]
Abstract
Cadmium (Cd) is easily taken up by plant roots and is loaded into xylem for its transport. It
causes growth inhibition, altered chloroplast ultrastructure, photosynthetic rate, and
antioxidtive defense system thereby generating oxidative stress in plants. Hyperaccumulators
like B. juncea removes this metal from contaminated soils and stores it in its cells by a
process named phytoremediation which is assisted with several factors. One of the major
factor contributing is the complex interactions between plants and earthworms. Earthworms
(Eisenia fetida) could survive and change the fractional distribution of heavy metals and
bioavailability in soil, which makes their usage in phytoremediation possible. Various
biochemical traits studied in the present work included growth, metal uptake, photosynthetic
attributes, antioxidative levels, content of osmoprotectants, organic acids and phenolic
compounds in 15 days old seedlings. The observations signify that earthworms
supplementation have potential to confer tolerance against toxic level of Cd by improving
growth, photosynthetic activity and altering the activities of different antioxidants and various
metabolites by simultaneously improving phytoremediation efficiency.
PT076:Comparative account of allelopathic effect of essential oil of
Tagetes minuta L. and its major component: ocimene on growth of Cassia
occidentalis
Komal Arora1*
, Daizy Batish2 and Ravinder Kumar Kohli
3
1Department of Botany, DA College, Jalandhar
2Department of Botany, Panjab University, Chandigarh
3Central University of Panjab, Bathinda, Punjab
Email: [email protected]
Abstract Tagetes minuta L., a native of South America is an aromatic plant cultivated widely for its essential
oils. The weed is of great medicinal importance and its essential oil finds extensive use in food and
aromatic industry. With a view to search allelopathic plants and to use them for weed management,
essential oil of T. minuta was tested for allelopathic potential against Cassia occidentalis. Qualitative
analysis of the oil obtained from above ground flowering parts was done through Gas Chromatography-
Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). Among various constituents identified in Tagetes oil, maximum
proportion was constituted by monoterpenes (90.51%). Ocimene (44.56%) was the major component
of essential oil. In comparative allelopathic study; seed germination, dry weight accumulation and
seedling length of treated plants decreased in dose dependent manner, however, the effect was more
pronounced on radicle length as compared to plumule length. Visibly, the seedlings depicted
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yellowing symptoms and were very weak. Thus, the effect of T. minuta oil and ocimene was co-
related with two fundamental physiological processes viz. photosynthesis and respiration. Thus study
was extended to determine chlorophyll content and percent cell respiration in treated seedlings. A
decrease in chlorophyll content was noticed whereas respiratory rate increased in treated seedlings.
Ocimene caused maximum induction of respiratory ability and Tagetes oil caused maximum
reduction in chlorophyll content.
Keywords: Allelopathy; Tagetes minuta; Essential Oil; GC-MS; cis-β-Ocimene; Cassia occidentalis,
Chlorophyll Content; Percent Cell Respiration
PT077:Extraction and analysis of pesticides from vegetables:
Development and Validation of Analytical Methods
Farhana Rashid
1*, Prabhjot Kaur
2*and Saroj Arora
1#
Department of Botanical and Environmental Sciences, GNDU, Amritsar 143005
Email: 1#
Sarojaroragmail.com; 1, 2*
Abstract
Pesticides are diverse group of chemical compounds, which are used to eradicate the pests.
They alter the yield and the quality of crops and food and help to limit the many human
diseases transmitted by insect or rodent vectors. However, despite their many merits,
pesticides are some of the most toxic, environmentally stable and mobile substances in the
environment. Their presence in food is dangerous and may place the human body at greater
risk of disease and poisoning. The maximum residue limits for pesticides have been regulated
by the Codex Alimentations Commission and European Union to protect human health. Thus,
monitoring these compounds is extremely important to ensure that only permitted levels of
pesticide are consumed. Till date, for the determination of pesticide residues, several
techniques have been developed such as capillary electrophoresis, immunoassay, GC and
HPLC coupled with selective detectors like NPD, FPD, ECD, MS, DAD etc. But these
techniques are time-consuming, expensive and require high skilled manpower. Now a days,
cheap and eco friendly advanced methods such as enzymatic biosensors are becoming
prominent and favorable technique for determination of pesticides in comparison to the
analytical techniques. The present paper includes the possible advantages of enzymatic
biosensors over the earlier traditional methods used for the determination of pesticides.
PT078:Oxidative stress in Diabetic complications: Role of herbal drugs
Astha Bhatia1, Balbir Singh
2 and Saroj Arora
1*
1Department of Botanical and Environmental Sciences, Guru Nanak Dev University,
Amritsar-143005 2Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar-143005
*1Email: [email protected];
Abstract
Diabetes is a chronic metabolic disorder affecting the population worldwide. It increases the
risk of strokes and cardiovascular diseases by 2-4 times, also contributes to severe
complications in different organs leading to nephropathy, retinopathy and limb amputations.
Oxidative stress plays a key role in the pathogenesis of this debilitating disease. Free radicals
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are reactive chemical species having a single unpaired electron that damages the biological
system through reactions with biomolecules such as proteins, lipids, carbohydrates and
nucleic acids. These reactive species are formed in excess in diabetes through glucose
oxidation, non-enzymatic glycation of proteins and sequential oxidative degradation of
glycated proteins. Abnormal increase in the levels of free radicals and simultaneous decline
of antioxidant defense mechanisms leads to damage of cellular organelles and enzymes. This
ultimately leads to increased lipid peroxidation and development of insulin resistance. Thus,
oxidative stress can promote the development of complication in diabetes. However, use of
dietary foods and medicinal ants could be an option for better management of diabetes.
PT079: Hepatoprotective effect of Cassia fistula leaves on thioacetamide
induced liver toxicity in rats
Sandeep Kaur
1, Kritika Pandit
1, Ajay Kumar
1, Neha Sharma
1, Rasdeep Kour
1, Sharad
Thakur2, Amrit Pal Singh
3, Madhu Chandel
4, Kirandeep Kaur Hundal
4and
Satwinderjeet Kaur1*
1Department of Botanical and Environmental Sciences, 2Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry
3Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences,
Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar- 143005, Punjab (India) 4P.G. Department of Botany, Khalsa College, Amritsar
Email: [email protected]
Abstract
Cassia fistula L. belonging to family Fabaceae is a highly admirable medicinal plant which is
distributed widely in the tropical and sub-tropical regions. The current study was focused to
divulge the biomodulatory effects of ethyl acetate (CaLE) fractionof C. fistula leaves on
Thioacetamide (TAA) induced hepatic alterations in male Wistar rats. Treatment with TAA
significantly elevated the level of SGOT (1.75 fold), ALP (4.07 fold) and total bilirubin (2.29
fold) as compared to the control which was restored by the highest dose of CaLE. It was
found that CaLE pre-treatment followed by consecutive two days TAA (50 mg/kg bw) i.p
doses reduced the conversion of TAA carcinogen to its reactive metabolites by phase I
enzymes, increased the level of detoxification phase II along with antioxidative enzymes.
Histopathological studies revealed the hepatoprotective nature of CaLE in restoring the
normal architecture of TAA-intoxicated damaged liver. CaLE fraction showed
downregulation in the expression of p-PI3K, p-Akt and p-mTOR pointing towards its
chemopreventive potential. HPLC analysis of CaLE had shown the dominance of three
phenolic compounds namely, catechin, epicatechin and chlorogenic acid. The above in vivo
studies comprising histopathological, IHC, hepatic enzymes are strong indicative of the
potential protective ability of CaLE phytoconstituents against TAA induced toxicity.
Keywords:Cassia fistula; Thioacetamide; hepatoprotection; p-PI3K, p-Akt and p-mTOR;
HPLC.
PT080:Harmonised effect of 28-homobrassinolide on psii activity and
growth ofCajanus cajan(L.) Mill sp.
Isha Madaan and Geetika Sirhindi
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Department of Botany, Punjabi University, Patiala-147002
Email: [email protected]
Abstract
Brassinosteroids(BRs) are the only group of steroidal phytohormones which along with other
plant hormones regulate various biological processes in plants. The present study was
conducted to investigate the effect of different concentrations of 28-homobrassinolide (10-6
,
10-9
, 10-12
, 10-14
M 28-HBL) on the various morphological, physiological and biochemical
attributes of 12 day old seedling of Cajanuscajan. BR treated plants showed increase in the
crop yield, enhanced photosynthetic efficiency and quality of C. cajan seedlings compared to
the control. 28-HBL proved to have ameliorating effect on the photosynthetic pigments, 10-
9M 28-HBL treated 12 days old seedlings showed highest level of photosynthetic pigments as
well as enhanced effective quantum yield, photochemical quenching andquantum efficiency.
Exogenousapplication of 28-HBL elevated, total carbohydrates, total soluble sugars, reducing
and non-reducing sugars over the control seedlings. However, this amelioration was observed
to be in a dose-dependent manner. On the basis of these results, it can be suggested that 28-
HBL has a good potential to be used as an ecofriendly plant growth regulator.
Keywords:CajanuscajanL., Brassinosteroids,28-Homobrassinolide, Carbohydrates, Reducing
and non-reducing sugars.
PT081:Apoptosis inducing potential of Onosma bracteatum Wall. in MG-
63 cell line
Ajay Kumar, Sandeep Kaur, Kritika Pandit, Sharad Thakur
#, Neha Sharma, Rasdeep
Kour, Manzoor Hussain and Satwinderjeet Kaur٭
Department of Botanical and Environmental Sciences,
#Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar
143005 Email: [email protected]; [email protected]
Abstract
Cancer arises due to exposure of different DNA-damaging agents, some of which are
classified as carcinogens. It disrupts normal cell division by causing mutation in protein-
encoding genes that regulate cell division. For treatment of cancer, various synthetic agents
are used which have various side effects. Therefore, chemoprevention by natural plant
product has gained considerable attention during the last few decades. Extracts/fractions from
medicinal plants have become the supreme source of drugs for cancer and other
diseases.Onosma bracteatumis high valuable medicinal plant of family Boraginaceae and
used in treatment ofrheumatism, improves immune functionsand functional palpitation of the
heart. In the present study, the Ethyl acetate fraction(Obea) of O. bracteatum was evaluated
for its cytotoxicand apoptotic inducing potential. Antiproliferative activity was assessed using
MTT assay against MG-63 cells and it was found that Obea showed potent growth inhibitory
effect with GI50value 70.09µg/ml.The Confocal and SEM studies revealed nuclear
condensation, fragmentation and formation of apoptotic bodies.Obeafraction induced
apoptosis in MG-63 cells by decreased mitochondria membrane potential (MMP) and
enhanced the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) intensity. HRMS analysis showed high
kaempferol content in Obea. Further experimentation is likely to shed new light on exact
pathway via which this fraction induces cell death is in progress.
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PT082:Analysis of chromosomal instability and RAD51 135G>C variant in
individuals exposed to heavy metal contamination
Monisha Arora
1, Vasudha Sambyal
1, Kamlesh Guleria
1, Neeti Rajan Singh
2, Manjit
Singh Uppal2, Mridu Manjari
3 and Meena Sudan
4
1Human Cytogenetics Laboratory, Department of Human Genetics,
Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar-143005
2Department of Surgery,
3Department of Pathology,
4Department of Radiotherapy,
Sri Guru Ram Das Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Vallah, Amritsar-143005
Email: [email protected]
Abstract
Metals like Zn, Mn, Fe are essential plant micronutrients but their accumulation in human
body poses genotoxic and carcinogenic risks. Genetic instability arising due to deficient DSB
repair plays a crucial role in the onset of cancer. RAD51 plays an important role in HRR of
DSBs and is a key determinant in response to cancer therapy. Main objective of the present
study is to assess risk of breast cancer using analysis of chromosomal instability and RAD51
135G>C variant in individuals exposed to heavy metal contamination in soil and water.
To carry out this study, DNA samples of 255 healthy individuals and 255 breast cancer
patients were screened for RAD51 135G>C polymorphism using PCR-RFLP method.
Chromosomal instability analysis was done using standard cell culture method of Moorhead
et al. (1960).
The study revealed high frequency of various types of chromosomal aberrations among breast
cancer patients as compared to individuals exposed to heavy metal contamination. However,
various anomalies including breaks, translocations, telomeric associations were observed in
the latter. Loss of chromosomes 6, 12, 17, 19, 20 and X while gain of chromosomes 20 and X
was observed. In molecular genetic analysis, the GC genotype and C allele of RAD51
135G>C polymorphism were found in higher frequency in these individuals.
PT083:Effects of cobalt and lead on seed germination and growth parameters
of Lycopersicon esculentum
Anjana Kumari, Avinash Kaur Nagpal and Jatinder Kaur Katnoria*
Department of Botanical and Environmental Sciences
Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar-143005
*Email: [email protected]
Abstract
Soil contamination with heavy metals has increased at the rapid rate during the past decades.
The metal ions are easily taken up by the plants and get accumulated in the food crops. These
metals at higher concentrations pose severe toxicity. Prolonged exposure to metals cause
gross perturbations of root morphology, leaf deformations as well as reduced root and shoot
growths. Apart from this, consumption of contaminated food crops can result in serious ill
health effects. Considering the toxic effects of different heavy metals, the present study was
planned to evaluate effects of two metals viz., cobalt and lead, on seed germination and
growth parameters of Lycopersicon esculentum. Seeds of Lycopersicon esculentum;
Var. Punjab Kesar Cherry were grown in different concentrations (5, 10, 15, 20, 25 µM) of
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cobalt and lead, seperately. The germination of seeds was observed after 72 h. On the 30th
day, seedlings were washed thoroughly before noting the fresh weight and root and shoot
lengths. Root and shoots were seperated to take the fresh weight seperately and were kept for
drying in hot air oven at 80oC for 24 h. After noting the dry weights, the samples were
digested using perchloric acid method (HNO3 : H2SO4 : HClO4 :: 5:1:1). A dose dependent
decrease was observed in seed germination frequency, root and shoot lengths, fresh and dry
weights of seedlings of Lycopersicon esculentum. The maximum uptake was observed in
roots as compared to shoot at the maximum concentration (25 µM) for both cobalt and lead.
Keywords: Cobalt, lead, Lycopersicon esculentum, Punjab Kesar Cherry
PT084:Assessment of Heavy Metals and Genotoxicityof water samples of
Buddha Nullah
Jaskaran Kaur
1*, Varinder Kaur
2 and Jatinder Kaur Katnoria
1
1Department of Botanical and Environmental Sciences
2Department of Chemistry, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar-143005
*Email: [email protected]
Abstract
Buddha Nullah, one of the natural water bodies flowing through Ludhiana, Punjab (India),
once a brook of sparkling water, now has turned into a dirty drain due to continuous disposal
of industrial effluents, sewage, dairy and domestic wastes. It flows like an open sewer which
causes diseases like respiratory disorders, skin infections, tuberculosis and hepatitis.
Considering this, a study was planned to analyze different heavy metals (Arsenic, Cadmium,
Chromium, Cobalt, Copper, Lead, Nickel and Zinc) contents and genotoxicity of water
samples of Buddha Nullah collected from 3 different sites, viz., Raipur i.e. upstream (RR),
Street No. 7, Tajpur Road i.e. midstream (TR) and Sutlej river & Buddha daria joining point
i.e. downstream (SB). Genotoxicity was estimated by using Allium cepa chromosomal
aberration assay (AlCCAA) and plasmid (pBR322) nicking assay. During AlCCAA, various
types of chromosomal abberations including c-mitosis, delayed anaphases, stickiness,
laggards, vagrants, chromosomal breaks, chromatin bridges and ring chromosomes were
observed. Percentage of delayed anaphases and stickiness dominated among physiological
aberrations whereas chromatin bridges and fragments among clastogenic abberations. The
order of genotoxicity in terms of total aberrant cells was 26.44% >25.08% >11.21% for TR,
SB and RR respectively. During plasmid nicking assay, single and double strand breaks were
observed in plasmid DNA treated with water samples of all the 3 sites. Occurrence of
chromosomal aberrations and DNA strand breaks in pBR322 plasmid confirmed the
genotoxic effects of Buddha Nullah water samples. The heavy metal estimation of water
samples conducted using flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer revealed that cobalt and
lead were higher than the maximum permissible limits (MPL) values recommended by
various national and international agencies. This study clearly indicates that there is an
urgent need to endorse and effectively enforce regulations for the release of industrial
effluents and their effective implementation for various treatments before disposal.
Keywords: Genotoxicty, DNA nicking assay, Heavy metals, Water pollution
PT085:Estimation of Copper and Nickel in Total Suspended Particulate
Matter (TSPM) Collected from the Parking Area
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Neeru Bala and Jatinder KaurKatnoria*
Department of Botanical and Environmental Sciences
Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar-143005
*Email:[email protected]
Abstract
Environmental pollution on account of anthropogenic activities like industrial, domestic,
agricultural practices, unsystematic urbanization, municipal incinerations and motor vehicles
has been widely witnessed over the globe for past few decades. Conseqently, diverse
carcinogens has entered various ecosystems viz., air, water and soil. Further, rapid growth in
cities, accumulating number of vehicles, increasing population with demands in aggravating
consumption patterns, increased energy consumption, unplanned residential, industrial and
economic development have led to a higher rate of increase of pollution in urban areas.
Among different types of pollution, air pollution has been recognized as a serious concern
because various pollutants present in air can cause respiratory diseases like asthma and
bronchitis as well as cardiovascular abnormalities leading to death. Accumulation of toxic
compounds including heavy metals, inorganic fertilizers, pesticides, volatile compounds and
polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in air is a serious matter of concern because these
contaminants have potency to induce direct deleterious effects to human gene pool.
Considering this, the present study was planned to evaluate the total suspended particulate
matter in air at respirable level (approx. 5 feet). The high volume sampler was placed in
parking area of Guru Nanak Dev University campus. TSPM sample were collected for 8 h
using high volume sampler at flow rate 1.15 m3/min. The concentration of TSPM was found
to be 152.174 µg/m3 poses deletirious effects on human health.
PT086:Analysis of SIRT1 polymorphism in individuals exposed to heavy
metal contamination
Jagmohan Singh Bali
1, Vasudha Sambyal
1, Sanjana Mehrotra
1, Kamlesh Guleria
1,
Neeti Rajan Singh2, Manjit Singh Uppal
2, Mridu Manjari
3and Meena Sudan
4
1Human Cytogenetics Laboratory, Department of Human Genetics, Guru Nanak Dev
University, Amritsar-143005
2Department of Surgery,
3Department of Pathology,
4Department of Radiotherapy, Sri Guru
Ram Das Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Vallah, Amritsar-143005
Email: [email protected]
Abstract
Several heavy metals like Cu, Zn and Cr function as enzymes that are crucial for intracellular
processes but these are also known to be cancer inducing agents if accumulating in excess in
human body. Heavy metal-induced damage causes oxidative stress by buildup of reactive
oxygen species, thereby leading to increased DNA damage. Sirtuin1 is an enzyme encoded
by Sirtuin1 gene which plays an important role in deacetylation of p53 tumor suppressor
protein and proteins responsible for autophagy regulation. Increasing incidence of esophageal
cancer has been reported from Amritsar region, state of Punjab, India.
Present study was undertaken to assess risk of esophageal cancer by analysis of SIRT1
rs12778366polymorphism in individuals exposed to heavy metal contamination in soil and
water. The DNA samples of 202 healthy individuals and 175 esophageal cancer patients were
screened for SIRT1 rs12778366 polymorphism using PCR-RFLP method.
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In the case-control study the TC genotype (OR 0.60, 95%CI 0.37-0.97, p-value 0.036) and C
allele (OR 0.55, 95%CI 0.18-1.68, p-value 0.29) were significantly higher in individuals
exposed to heavy metal contamination as compared to esophageal cancer patients indicating
that the wild type TT genotype might be associated with increased cancer risk.
PT087: Potential of crop residue as animal feed
Akriti Rana, Akanksha Jasrotia , Jyoti Rani and Rajinder Kaur*
Department of Botanical and Environmental Sciences,
Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar-143005
Email: [email protected]
Abstract
Inadequate supply of feed and forage for livestock is a global problem and at the same time
the land used for forage production does not likely to increase in the near future due to
increasing population, urbanisation, industrialisation etc. Therefore, in this respect abundant
available crop residue possess immense potential as ruminant feed resources. Crop residues
are the fibrous materials comprising of straw (wheat, oat, rice etc.) and stover (maize,
sorghum, millets etc.). Livestock provides a secure source of income for people living in
rural areas especially in the developing countries. Utilizing the plant residues as animal feed
or as manure have great potential in solving various environmental problems linked to
agriculture residues. Discarded cabbage leaves, damaged carrots, potatoes and peels of fruits
and vegetables comprises a good ruminant feed. Crop residues have low protein content but
are rich in fibres and minerals and can be used as animal feed by supplementing with protein
from animal meals, vitamins and carbohydrates. These residues are chemically, physically
and biologically processed to make them palatable and digestible.
PT088:In vitro anthelmintic activity of leaf extracts of Ehretia laevis Roxb.
Jaskirat Kaur, Rajinder Kaur and Avinash Kaur Nagpal*
Department of Botanical and Environmental Sciences,
Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar-143005.
Email: [email protected]
Abstract
Helminthiasis is a common disease in tropical countries affecting billions of people. This
disease is caused by helmintic parasities which are known to reside in the gastrointestinal
tract of diseased individuals. The disease is more common in children than in adults.
Different anthelmintic drugs currently used for treatment of this disease work by expelling
worms along with feces but they have number of side effects. Scientists all over the globe are
looking for better and safe alternatives, mainly derived from plants. The present study
concerns estimation of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Ehretia laevis leaves for their
anthelmintic activity. Young worms of Eisenia fetida were treated with different
concentration (25, 50 and 100 mg/ml) of each extracts of E. laevis. Saline water (0.9% Nacl)
was used to prepare different concentration of each extracts and was used as negative control
where as albendazole (50 mg/ml), a standard anthelmintic drug, was used as positive control.
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The time of paralysis and death of the worms were noted for each treatment. The study
revealed significant dose dependent anthelmintic activity of both the extracts of E. laevis
using E. fetida. The study supports the folklore use of E. laevis for helmintic infection.
PT089:Survey of viruses infecting tomato crop in north-western region of
india based on visual symptoms
Poonam Chaudhary
1, Balwinder Singh
2, Vipin Hallan
3 and Avinash Kaur Nagpal
1*
1Department of Botanical and Environmental Sciences, Guru Nanak Dev University,
Amritsar. 2Post Graduate Department of Biotechnology, Khalsa College, Amritsar
3Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology, Palampur
*Email: [email protected]
Abstract
Plant viruses are noteworthy limitation in agricultural production in India. Specially talking
about the “Food bowl of the country”; Punjab, hot and humid environmental conditions
approve the preservation of the viruses as well as vectors throughout the year. Although,
impact of anthropogenic activities on disease transmission is subtle but cannot be neglected,
hence making virus management a difficult task. Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) also
known as poor man‟s orange is a very popular crop around the world. The crop is susceptible
to many pathogens including bacteria, fungi, phytoplasmas and viruses. Viruses are
submicroscopic pathogens that can cause severe problem in crop yield. Their peculiar
characteristic of exploiting host‟s cellular machinery makes them threatening obligatory
parasites. However, the knowledge of distribution and identification of viruses infecting
tomato crop in Punjab is primarily lacking. Survey of three major tomato producing districts
of Punjab viz. Amritsar, Kapurthala and Patiala along with one district of Himachal Pradesh
i.e. Una was carried out in order to identify the plants presenting symptoms of viral infection.
Some of the symptoms which are usually caused by different viral infections include
chlorosis, leaf distortion, upward and downward curling, leaf rolling, tissue necrosis, stunting
of plant, mosaic and mottling on leaves. Presence of these symptoms indicate possible
infection of tomato crop with tomato mosaic virus (ToMV), cucumber mosaic virus (CMV),
potato virus Y (PVY), potato virus X (PVX), tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV), tomato
bushy stunt virus (TBSV), tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) and potato leaf roll virus
(PLRV). Further studies are being continued for confirmation using DAS-ELISA and RT-
PCR.
PT090:Pathogenesis-related protein 1 and its function in plant defense
Amritpreet Kaur
1, Pratap Kumar Pati
2, Aparna Maitra Pati
3, Avinash Kaur Nagpal
1
1Department of Botanical and Environmental sciences,
Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar-143005, Punjab, India. 2Department of Biotechnology, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar-143005.
3 Planning Project Monitoring and Evaluation Cell, CSIR-Institute of Himalayan Bioresource
Technology, Post Box No.:6, Palampur (H.P)-176061.
Email: [email protected]
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Abstract
Plants have a numerous ways to protect themselves against various stresses i.e. abiotic and biotic.
Production and accumulation of pathogenesis-related proteins (PR proteins) is among one of the
important mechanisms in plants defense. Based on biological functions, isoelectric point, molecular
weight and amino acid sequences, PR proteins are grouped into 17 classes. Few examples of PR
proteins are antimicrobial peptides, oxidoreductases, hydrolytic enzymes, proteinases and proteinase
inhibitors etc. The present paper focuses on PR1 protein present in Solanum lycopersicum. PR1 was
the first PR protein to be reported with molecular weight of 14 to 17 kD and has antifungal activity.In
the present study, physio-chemical properties and promoter region of PR1 was analysed usingtools
like ProtParam and PlantCARE. The aim of this study is to explore and to discuss specific cis-
elements involved in some specific biotic and abiotic stress responses.Information obtained from
above analysis may provide insight into the functional multiplicity of PR1 present in S. lycopersicum.
Information retrieved from cis-element analysis may provide insight into the functional multiplicity of
PR1.
PT091:Roll of Aquatic Macrophytes in Waste Water Treatment
Kanika Rajput
*, Shivani Sharma, Anuradha Rajput
and Rajinder Kaur
Department of Botanical and Environmental Sciences, Guru Nanak Dev University,
Amritsar-143005
Email: [email protected]
Abstract
The aquatic macrophytes are the plant which grows in or near the margins of water bodies
such as ponds, lakes, wetlands etc. and are called as emergents, submerged or floating plants.
Aquatic macrophytes play an important role in the treatment of wastewater. Several aquatic
macrophytes grow naturally in the polluted water and they remove the pollutants by taking
them as nutrients.
Many research workers have studied the removal of nitrogen and phosphorus from waste
water by using different aquatic macrophytes. However, high removal efficiency through
assimilative uptake by vegetation can only be achieved by frequent harvesting of fast
growing plants. Free floating plant such as Echhornia crassipes was found to be more
effective in removal of nutrients, BOD, COD, nitrogen, phosphorus, organic carbon,
suspended solids, phenols, pesticides, heavy metals etc from waste water as compared to
submerged macrophyte such as Hydrilla verticillata. However, it plays an important role in
absorbing the plant nutrients from the waste water but such plants grow well in oxygenated
water only therefore, cannot be used in treating waste water with high BOD and COD.
Keywords: Aquatic macrophytes, Plant nutrients, Heavy metals, BOD, COD.
PT097
PT092:Liquiritigenin (LG) suppresses proliferation and induces apoptosis
in human osteosarcoma cells
Kritika Pandit, Sandeep Kaur, Ajay Kumar, Neha Sharma, Rasdeep Kour, Renu
Bhardwaj and Satwinderjeet Kaur٭
Department of Botanical and Environmental Sciences,
Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar 143005
Email: [email protected]; [email protected]
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Abstract
Osteosarcoma (OS) is the most frequent primary malignant bone tumor, which is commonly
diagnosed in children and young adults. Over the past decades, traditional medicines based
on herbs and botanicals, are applied for the treatment of osteoarthrosis and osteosarcoma.
Keeping in mind, the significant potential of natural products, the present study was
undertaken to explore the antiproliferative and apoptotic inducing potential of Liquiritigenin
which is a natural flavanone found in Licorice (Glycyrhhiza glabra L.). The antiproliferative
activity of LG was measured by MTT assay against MG-63 cells. The results indicate that LG
effectively reduced the growth of MG-63 cells in a dose dependent manner with GI50 value of
23.45 µM. To further evaluate the relationship between the inhibition effect and apoptosis,
apoptotic rate was determined by flow cytometric analysis after staining with Annexin V-
FITC/PI. The data revealed that the proportion of live cells (97.5%) in the control group was
significantly higher than that of LG treated cells (26.4% at GI50 concentration). Confocal and
Scanning electron microscopic studies showed nuclear condensation, fragmentation and
formation of apoptotic bodies which indicates its apoptotic inducing ability. Our data
suggests that LG can be a promising candidate for chemotherapeutic studies.
PT093:Energy from Biomass for Sustainable Development
Abhinav Jamwal1 and Rajinder Kaur
2*
Department of Botanical & Environmental Sciences
Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar-143005
Email: 1
Biomass is the organic matter produced by terrestrial and aquatic plants and animals and their
derivatives. These include biomass from forests, crops, animal wastes, energy plantation and wastes
from agriculture based industries. Biomass is referred as renewable resources as it renews and
increases every year. India has tremendous potential for use of biomass as a source of energy.
Biomass such as agriculture crop residues, municipal solid wastes, wastes of livestock can be used in
various ways. About 32% of total energy used in India is derived from biomass. However, a huge
amount of biomass is still unutilized and is considered as a waste. Biomass is very versatile in terms
of variety of forms and options available for its utilization. Biomass is converted to fuel through
fermentation, chemical reduction, gasification and anaerobic digestion. Fuels derived from biomass
such as alcohol, methane gas, producer gas can be easily handled and utilized for human
consumption. These fuels can be a solution to various environmental challenges linked to the use of
fossil fuels.
Keywords: Biomass fuel, Environmental challenges, Biowaste, Energy plantation
PT094:Need of Sustainable Agriculture
Gauri Sharma1
and Rajinder Kaur2*
Department of Botanical & Environmental Sciences
Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar-143005
Email: [email protected];
The main goal of sustainable agriculture is to meet the society‟s food needs for the present as
well as future generations. The major part of the land on earth is dominated by agricultural
activities to meet the food and other needs based on agriculture. As the human population is
increasing rapidly the global food demand is also increasing with the same pace. Increase in
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population has resulted in extensive use of fertilizers and pesticides in agriculture which has
adversely affected the various components of the environmental. Issues like loss of
biodiversity, depletion of ground water, pollution of soil, water and air, soil erosion,
desertification are directly linked to agriculture. Moreover, human health, climate change,
global warming, food security issues etc. are also linked to agricultural activities. The
current world population is about 7.6 billion and it likely to increase to 10 billion by 2050 and
in order to feed this huge world population we need more agriculture keeping in mind the
health of environment and climate. Sustainable agriculture techniques such as crop
diversification, water management strategies, incorporation of disease resistant crop varieties,
organic and holistic farming can minimize the impact of agriculture on the environment.
Keywords: Desertification, Sustainable agriculture, Food security
PT095: Role of Medicinal plants in Neuroprotection
Prabhjot Kaur, Shivani Attri, Davinder Singh and Saroj Arora
*
1Department of Botanical and Environmental Sciences, GNDU, Amritsar 143005
*Email: [email protected], [email protected]
Abstract The basic structural and functional unit of nervous system, neurons, are the longest living
cells in the body. However, unnatural death or dysfunction of these neurons due to oxidative
imbalance, neuroinflammation and aggregation of certain proteins are the key factors
responsible for acute and chronic neurological disorders such as Parkinson‟s disease(PD),
Alzheimer‟s disease(AD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis(ALS) and Huntington‟s disease(HD).
In literature, large number of medicinal plants have been identified such as Ginkgo biloba,
Panax ginseng, Scutellaria baicalensis, Crocus sativus, Terminalia chebula, Salvia
officinalis, Vitis spp. that are known for their neuroprotective potency. Some derived
phytoconstituents from these medicinal plants like flavonoids, terpenic lactones, ginsenoside,
polyphenols, reseveraterol, curcumin are effective against neuronal impairments via
antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and immunoregulatory action. Recent research has confirmed
the anti-inflammatory activity of Eruca sativa seed extract in NSC-34 motor neuron cells. In
the present paper, the neuroprotective effect of different extracts of Eruca sativa seeds will be
presented. Eruca sativa seeds will be extracted and tested for their protective effects against
neurodegenerative diseases induced by 3-Nitropropionic acid(3-NP). As very scanty
information is available on this plant that warranted to explore its neuroprotective activities.
PT096: Status of RET Species of Punjab
Vipourpreet Singh, Sheikh Showkat Ahmad, Avinash Kaur Nagpal and
Satwinderjeet Kaur*
Department of Botanical and Environmental Sciences Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar
Email: [email protected]
Abstract
Punjab is situated in the North-Western region of India that covers an area of 50,362 sq. km.
Due to consistent use of economically important plants, overgrazing, construction, pollution
and climate change many of the plant species are now on the line of extinction. The present
review is based on the previous studies which were conducted over a period of 50 years on
the wetlands and Shivalik hills of Punjab. It has been observed that over 1300 species have
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come under rare, endemic and threatened category. The preliminary studies have shown that
a number of plant species belonging to different families such as Fabaceae, Ophioglossaceae,
Caesalpiniaceae are endangerd now. Some examples of endangered species are Ludwigia
adscendens, Leptadenia pyrotechnica, Kalanchoe integra, Indigofera colutea, Commiphora
whigtii, Ficus rumphii, Rumex punjabensis and Terminalia alata. Besides two species,
Hibiscus hoshiarpurensis and Argyrolobium album are endemic to this region, hence quite
prone to becoming endangered. Two species, Withania coagulans and Tecomma undulata,
being widely used for medicinal purposes now have attained the status of vulnerable and
threatened.
PT097:Energy Plantation for Sustainable Development
Surinder Kaur
1, Rishika Sharma
2, Vishakha
3and Rajinder Kaur
*
Department of Botanical and Environmental Sciences,
Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar-143005
Email: [email protected]; [email protected]
2;
Energy plantation is the method of growing plants for their fuel value and store solar
radiation for subsequent release as high-temperature heat. Energy plantation are designed and
managed in such a way that they can provide sustainable amount of usable fuel throughout
the year at the cheaper cost than other fuels. For this, plant material can be burnt as a solid
fuel or converted into methane by an anaerobic biological process. Certain plant species such
as Sesbaenia grandiflora and Eucalyptus sp. are preferred for maximizing sustained solar
energy storage capacity of energy plantation. In energy plantation, usually perennial plants
are preferred due to their continuous growth and minimum efforts. In this context, wastelands
or degraded forest can be utilized for energy plantation. Energy plantation can acts as social
forestry, also offers many potential benefits,and has no serious drawbacks.
Keywords: Energy plantation; Sustainable development, Anaerobic biological process, Eco-
friendly
PT098:Evaluation of Air Pollution tolerance index of Plants along the
villages adjacent to Kanjali Wetland, A Ramsar site.
Hridoy Ranjan Saikia1, Yogesh B. Pakade
2 and Jatinder Kaur Katnoria
1*
1Department of Botanical and Environmental Sciences,
Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar 2Cleaner Technology Centre, CSIR - National Environmental Engineering Research Institute
(NEERI), Nagpur, Maharashtra
*Email: [email protected]
Abstract
Air pollution on account of vehicular emissions has been a threat for the health of living
systems including plants, animals, human beings as well as micro organisms.
Industrialization, urbanization and various anthropogenic activities have already been the
reasons for environmental degredation. Deterioration of fresh air has resulted in various ill
effects on morphological, biological and physiological parameters of living oragnisms. Plants
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being sessile in nature are more prone to these types of eefects. Considering this, the present
study was conducted to calculate the Air Pollution Tolerance Index (APTI) of the some plnt
species grown in nearby villages of Kanjli Wetland, Kapurthala, Punjab (India). APTI helps
in the identification of tolerant as well as sensible plants to pollution in a polluted
environment. Different plant species viz.,Arundodo nax, Swetonia mahagony, Cannabis sp.,
Vachellia nilotica were collected and their total chlorophyll content, relative water content,
ascorbic acid content and pH were calculated to denote the APTI. Total chlorophyll content
and ascorbic acid were calculated using spectrophotometer. All plant samples collected were
found to be tolerant to air pollution except Cannabis sps, which was found to be sensible. The
present study focuses on the identification of plant species that are highly tolerant to the
polluted environment and have future prospects in planting them in the green belt areas.
Keywords: Cannabis sp., Arundodo nax, Air Pollution Tolerance Index, Kanjli wetland
PT099:Health benefits of Withania coagulans - An overview
Sheikh Showkat Ahmad, Jyotsna Sharma, Vipourpreet Singh, Satwinderjeet Kaur and
Avinash Kaur Nagpal*
Department of Botanical and Environmental Sciences,
Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar-143005
*Email: [email protected]
Abstract
The plants are the key source of medicine for treatment and prevention of diseases and
maintenance of healthy life. Withania coagulans Dunal(Solanaceae), a small shrub (30-90 cm
tall), is well known for its ethnopharmacological activities. Commonly known as Indian
cheese marker, the species is distributed in drier parts of Punjab, Gujarat, Pakistan and
Afghanistan. Withania coagulans has been used in the treatment of various ailments like
intestinal infection, dyspepsia, insomnia, nervous exhaustion, liver ailments, impotency etc.
The therapeutic potential of this plant is attributed to the presence of pharmaceutically active
steroidal lactones which are also known as Withanolides. Withanolides are amphiphilic
compounds with ability to regulate physiological process in human body much like hormones
and have been shown to posses different bioactivities like anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory,
anti-microbial, anti-oxidative immunosuppressive etc. Due to its medicinal property this
species is being over-exploited causing great threat to its existence. Conservation measures
need to be taken to protect this precious species. The present paper deals with compilation of
information available in literature on traditional uses of this plant for health care, its various
bioactivities and its current threat status in India.
PT100:Assessment of genetic characteristics and chemotyping of some
Aconitum species of North-Western Himalaya
Sabeena Ali1,2,3
, Nitika Kapoor1,3
Sumit G. Gandhi*1,3
and Qazi Parvaiz Hassan*1,2
1Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research
2CSIR - Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Sanatnagar, Srinagar, 190005, J&K.
3CSIR - Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Canal Road, Jammu, 180001, J&K.
* Email: [email protected];
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Abstract
Aconitum is one of the most valued treasure trove of the plant kingdom as it provides highly
useful drug elites and possesses several promising therapeutic properties. Owing to the high
medicinal value and its convention in different systems of medicine has led to over-
harvesting of tubers, resulting in rapid depletion of the natural stocks of Aconitum and hence
inclusion in the Red List. Over the years, the species density of this genus has substantially
deflated in the North-Western regions of Himalaya while its commercial demand has
increased at the same time. For conservative measures genetic diversity studies among
various species of the genus Aconitum will help in tagging high-yielding genotypes for its
micropropagation and mass multiplication but these molecular aspects of the Aconitum
species has not been explored yet in the region. In present study, the backdrop of threats in
Aconitum species were undertaken to characterize its species diversification by the utility of
molecular techniques for its authentication and procuring the fingerprint patterns for species
across the genus by employing different molecular markers. The genotype-driven molecular
techniques were also integrated with chemotype-driven fingerprinting for its optimal
characterization which aided to gauge the variation studies both in the genetic and the
metabolic acquisitions thereby ensuring the strategies for simultaneous conservation of the
germplasm.
Keywords: Aconitum, Threatned, Genetic Diversity, Chemotyping, Conservation
PT101:Georeferencing of Some Fabaceous Species in Guru Nanak Dev
University Campus, Amritsar
Akanksha Bakshi1, Minakshi² and Avinash Kaur Nagpal
1*
¹Department of Botanical and Environmental Sciences, Guru Nanak Dev University,
Amritsar-143005
²Punjab Remote Sensing Centre, Ludhiana.
Email: [email protected]
Abstract
In the current era of digital information, Geographical information system (GIS) has
increasingly been used in cataloging plants with respect to their location, growth & health
status etc. Geo-tagging the location of different plant species allows us to visualize them in
the form of a map (geospatial map). This also allows us to understand density of a particular
species, clustering of different species as well as their distribution. The utilization of
computer-based inventory systems are valuable resource in managing and maintaining
different tree species of a region. The present study concerns creation of geospatial maps of
different species belonging to family fabaceae in Guru Nanak Dev University campus. Such
maps will be a great resource to the students, faculty and residents of Guru Nanak Dev
University campus to know about their location as these species are treasured as
economically important species mainly for ornamental and medicinal purposes and such
maps will provide an easy tool to locate these species at the nearest possible location.
PT102:CRISPR-Cas9: A Gene Editing Tool
Tanuja Verma
1, Rajanbir Kaur
2 and Rajinder Kaur*
Department of Botanical & Environmental Sciences,
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Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar
Email: [email protected]; [email protected]
*
Abstract
CRISPR (Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats) is a specialized region of
DNA present in the genomes of bacteria and archaea. CRISPR-associated protein 9 or Cas9 is
an enzyme that identifies and cleaves the specific DNA strands using CRSPR sequences as a
guide and complementary sequences. CRISPR cas9 is the most versatile, faster and accurate
method for gene manipulation within the organisms than the previous DNA editing
techniques thus, creating buzz among researchers. It is a unique technique by which
researchers and geneticists are able to add, remove or alter the parts of the DNA sequences at
particular regions of the genome. Some bacteria possess similar gene editing system to
respond to foreign invading pathogens such as viruses, very much similar to our immune
system. They cut out parts of the foreign pathogens DNA (viruses) and keep it behind which
helps them to recognize and defend upon next attack by it. Researchers explored and adapted
this system to use it in editing genomes of other organisms including mice and humans.
CRISPR cas9 technology has high potential in treating wide range of medical conditions that
have genetic links including cancer, muscular dystrophy, blindness, and cystic fibrosis.
Keywords: CRISPR; Cas9; gene editing; medical conditions.
PT103:Jasmonic acid modulated physiological attributes in mung bean,
gram and wheat sprouts.
Parneet Kaur, Gurvarinder Kaur and Geetika Sirhindi
Department of Botany, Punjabi University, Patiala- 147002
Email: [email protected]
Abstract
Jasmonic acid (JA) and its methyl esters are ubiquitously naturally occurring plant growth
regulators in higher plants which play important role in various plant developmental
processes. The germinated early staged seedlings called sprouts are consumed by humans
because of their nutritional benefits. The present study was conducted to investigate role of
jasmonic acid, if any in increasing production and nutritive value of wheat, gram, mung bean
sprouts. Mung bean and gram being proteinaceous crops showed increased amount of protein
under JA treatment as compared to their respective controls. Wheat sprouts showed increased
protein content in 4 day old seedlings after treatment with JA but in dose-dependent manner.
JA at different concentrations ameliorated overall carbon skeleton in terms of carbohydrates,
total soluble sugars, reducing and non-reducing sugars. A significant increase in content of
vitamin B2, vitamin C and E was found in JA treated sprouts. From these results, It can be
suggested that JA has good potential for enhancing nutritional properties of sprouts of Mung
bean, gram and wheat.
Keywords: Jasmonic Acid, Wheat, Mung Bean, Gram, Carbohydrates, Proteins, Vitamins.
PT104:Detoxification of organophosphorous pesticide in B. juncea L.
using microbial consortia and plant growth regulator.
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Palak Bakshi1, Pooja Sharma
1, Mohd Ibrahim
1, Arun Dev Singh
1, Bilal Ahmad Mir
2and
Renu Bhardwaj1
1Department of Botanical and Environmental Sciences,
Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar-143005 2Department of Botany, School of Life Sciences, Satellite campus Kargil,
University of Kashmir, J&K.
Email: [email protected] , [email protected]
Abstract
High level of contamination leads to extreme level of pollution in atmosphere which is a
major concern nowadays. The rampant use of organo phosphorus pesticides imposes serious
threat to environment as well as human health. Chemical and Physical remediation
approaches are expensive, tedious and non-ecofriendly. Plants along with microbes employ
various strategies to counter the inhibitory effects of pesticides. Micro-organisms enhance
plant growth by synthesising different metabolites and phytohormones which help plants to
survive under stressed conditions. They also help in amelioration of oxidative stress induced
by chlorpyrifos by lowering the free radical formation and activating different antioxidants
(both enzymatic and non-enzymatic) and antioxidative enzymes (SOD, APOX, CAT, GR,
POD, GPX etc.). The present study was therefore conducted to analyse the effect of plant
growth regulators and brassinosteroids on various biochemical traits which included the
levels of oxidative stress markers, antioxidative enzymes and non- enzymatic antioxidants on
10 day old Brassica juncea L. seedlings subjected to chlorpyrifos treatment (0.5%). Seeds
were pre-soaked in 24-epibrassinolide and seedlings were raised in chlorpyrifos (0.5%) and
Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Burkholderia gladioli supplemented Petri-dishes under controlled
conditions for 10-days.The observations signify that supplementation of microbes along with
24-epibrassinolide have potential to ameliorate the toxic effects of chlorpyrifos stress by
altering the defense system and improving plant detoxification mechanisms.
PT105:Agrobacterium – mediated insect resistance gene (CryIAa) transfer
in broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. var. italica)
Pankaj Kumar*#, Geetika Gambhir and Dinesh Kumar Srivastava
Department of Biotechnology
Dr. Y S Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Solan- 173230 Himachal Pradesh # SERB- National Post Doctoral Fellow, CSIR-Institute of Himalayan Bioresource
Technology, Palampur (H.P.)
Email: [email protected]
Abstract
Transgenic broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. var. italica) cv. „Solan Green Head‟ has
been developed by using Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain harboring cryIAa gene for
resistance against Diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella). Type of explant used (cotyledon
and hypocotyl), pre-culture and co-cultivation period and acetosyringone concentration were
found to be critical determinants of transformation efficiency. By combining the best
treatments of 72 hrs pre-culturing and 48 hrs co-cultivation time period, a transformation
frequency of 4.92% and 13.83% was obtained from cotyledon and hypocotyl explants,
respectively. Supplementing the co-cultivation medium with acetosyringone in a
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concentration of 100 µM enhanced the transformation frequency to 17.92% and 32.11% in
cotyledon and hypocotyl explants, respectively. The transgene (cryIAa) integration was
confirmed by polymerase chain reaction using gene specific primers and Southern blot
analysis using Digoxygenin- non-radiolabelled DNA probe. Gene expression in the PCR
positive transgenic events had been confirmed by Reverse Transcriptase-PCR and
Quantitative Real Time-PCR. Insect bioassay proved the effectiveness of the transgene
against infestation by diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella) larvae. To the best of our
knowledge, this is the first report of optimization of a highly efficient transformation system
and transgenic development in broccoli using cry1Aa gene for insect resistance.
Keywords: Brassica oleracea L. var. italica, genetic transformation, cry1Aa gene, insect
resistance.
PT106:Historical data analysis of process variables in Advanced
Oxidation Processes (AOP) for optimizing degradation efficiency of organic
pollutants
Aditi Sugha* and Manpreet Singh Bhatti
Department of Botanical & Environmental Sciences, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar
*Email: [email protected]
Abstract
Persistent Organic pollutants (POPs) are synthetic organic chemicals which are lipophilic in
nature and causes acute toxicity in food chain due to its bioaccumulation and its degradation
is a challenging task. Advanced Oxidation Processes (AOPs) are very effective in
degradation of POPs due to non-selective mineralization of these organic pollutants. AOPs
involve the oxidation of these complex organic compounds using hydroxyl radical (2.80 V)
or ozone (2.08V) having high electrochemical potential and are categorized into (i) Ozone
based and (ii) Non Ozone based treatment processes. Non-ozone based is further classified
into Fenton, Photo-Fenton, Photo-Catalysis. Electrochemical AOP (EAOP) is another class of
non-zone based treatment process and is integration of two treatment technologies viz.
electrocoagulation and AOP for the complete degradation of organic pollutants by
minimizing treatment cost. Efforts are done to study the independent process factors like pH,
H2O2 dose, reaction time, Fe+2
dose, O3 dose, current density, type of electrode along with
treatment efficiency. The studied pollutants are dyes, landfill leachate, industrial effluent.
This secondary data is taken from published papers in the last 10 years from SCOPUS
database and used for historical data analysis. Design-Expert software will be used to find the
best operating conditions. The study will be useful for future researchers by data mining
significant process variables with their optimum working range.
PT107:Assessment of heavy metal pollution in the industrial region of
Amritsar and Ludhiana
Pooja Sharma, Palak Bakshi, Jaspreet Kour and Renu Bhardwaj*
Department of Botanical & Environmental Sciences, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar
-90-
Email: [email protected], [email protected]
Abstract
Heavy metal contamination is more dominating in agricultural fields near by industrial areas
because of large consumption of acidifying compounds and metal ores in industries that are
released in form of untreated industrial effluents. Open disposal of waste from dyeing,
leather tanning, electroplating, iron and steel industrial units are major cause of heavy metal
contamination in the region of Punjab. These contaminants enter into open environment if
industrial wastes are not properly disposed away from residential areas/agricultural lands.
Heavy metals present in industrial waste migrate via different sources e.g. water, soil
sediments, air and become a source of metal pollution in agricultural soils. These pollutants
enter food chain through agricultural products or leach into drinking water. Some of the
industrial discharge are thrown into the drains. The water from the drains is used for
irrigating the nearby fields. People living in these nearby areas pose threat from heavy metal
toxicity and these metals cause genotoxicity upon reaching the living system. These metals
also have adverse effects on plants. Plants growing on these soils show a reduction in
growth, performance, and yield. Regular monitoring of the soils is necessary to assess the
metal contamination. In the present study, soil samples from different areas in the vicinity of
industries like electroplating, iron and steel, and dyeing industries in Ludhiana and Amritsar
District have been collected and analysed for the heavy metal content. It was observed that
heavy metals (Pb, Zn, Ni, Cr, Cu) were found above their permissible limits in the soil
samples collected from the areas in the vicinity of electroplating and iron and steel industries.
PT108:Effect of Textile Industry Effluent on Growth and Biochemical
Parameters of Mustard Plant
Dolly Raju and Anil Kumar Singh*
Department of Botany, Sant Baba Bhag Singh University, Khiala-144030
*E-mail: [email protected]
Abstract
Textile industry is one of the largest producers of wastewater among all industries.
Safe disposal of textile industry effluent has been the cause of concern. Textile industry
effluents are generally laden with several non-biodegradable pollutants. Discharge of
untreated or partially treated effluents in water body degrades water and soil quality. In
developing countries like India open water bodies are inexpensive source of irrigation for
farmers. Irrigation with textile industry effluent contaminated water may induce several
unwanted changes in plant. The present study scrutinizes the influence of textile industry
effluent on growth and biochemical parameters of Black Mustard (Brassica nigra). Plants
were grown in sandy-loam soil and irrigated with textile industry effluent diluted to different
concentrations. No growth was observed in pots watered with textile industry effluent
without any dilution. Retarded growth was seen in pots watered with 75% and 50% diluted
textile industry effluent. Exposure to textile industry effluent delayed flowering and fruit
setting in plant. Leaf collected from textile industry effluent watered plant exhibited
accumulation of toxic heavy metals and organic pollutants. Thus, results suggest that
irrigating plant with textile industry effluent contaminated water causes stress and
accumulation of toxic pollutants in plant.
-91-
PT109:Effect of Industrial Effluent on Growth and Biochemical
Parameters of Spinach Plant
Saroj Bhatia and Anil Kumar Singh*
Department of Botany, Sant Baba Bhag Singh University, Khiala-144030
*E-mail: [email protected]
Abstract
Proper disposal of industrial effluent is a major concern in developing countries.
Discharge of untreated or partially treated industrial effluents in water body degrades water
quality as well as the soil quality in long run. In developing countries like India open water
bodies becomes cheap source of irrigation for farmers. Use of industrial effluent
contaminated water for irrigation may induce several undesirable changes in plant. The
present study examines effect of untreated industrial effluent on growth and biochemical
parameters of Spinach (Spinacia oleracea). Spinach plants were grown in sandy-loam soil
and irrigated with water containing different concentrations of industrial effluent. No growth
was observed in the pots that were watered with undiluted industrial effluent. Watering pots
with 75% and 50% diluted industrial effluents retarded plant growth significantly. Spinach
leaf collected from industrial effluent watered plant exhibited accumulation of toxic heavy
metals namely Cadmium, Zinc, Chromium, Nickel and Lead. Proline contain was also more
in plant irrigated with contaminated water. Overall results suggest that the use of industrial
effluent contaminated water for growing leafy vegetables induces heavy metal stress in plant
and causes accumulation of toxic heavy metals. Consumption of such heavy metal containing
leafy vegetables may be harmful to human.
PT110:Artemisinin: A Potent Anti-malarial Drug
Navdeep Kaur and Nitika Kapoor*
PG Department of Botany, Hans Raj Mahila Maha Vidyalaya, Jalandhar, 144008, Punjab
*Email: [email protected]
Abstract
Malaria is the third most dangerous and infectious disease after pneumococcal infection and
tuberculosis, and is known to kill one child, under the age of five years in every thirty
seconds around the world. The Chinese Scientist, named, Tu Youyou discovered an active
compound, Artemisinin, from the plant named Artemisia annua. This compound is found in
many plants belongs to family, Asteraceae. Artemisinin found to be most effective anti-
malarial drug. It is a sesquiterpene lactone having an endoperoxide ring, which is mainly
responsible for the anti-malarial activity of Artemisinin. This endoperoxide ring opened up
when come in contact with free heme, and other proteins present inside the parasite, and
generate carbon centered free radicals that cause lysis of parasite. Artemisinin present in the
glandular trichomes of the plant Artemisia annua and biosynthesized by dihydroartemisinic
acid (a precursor of Artemisinin). The drug named “Coartem” made by the combination of
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Artemether and Lumifantrine drug is registered in 81 countries as an effective Artemisinin-
based Combination therapy (ACT‟s) to treat malaria. Artemisia annua is a plant of Chinese
origin and cultivated in many countries including India. The yield of Artemisinin is
approximately 1.4% of dried leaf matter from Artemisia annua, which is very low but due to
its high effectiveness against malaria, many researches are going on to obtain Artemisinin
from other plants. A transgenic moss, Physcomitrella patens with five foreign genes from
Artemisia annua was introduced to get higher yield of artemisinin. In India, CIM-Arogya,
Asha and Jeevanraksha are widely cultivated varieties of Aretemisia annua. Artemisia annua
is also effective to treat cancer and show maximum anti-oxidant activities due to the presence
of phenols like coumarins etc.
PT111:Regulation of antioxidative defense expression by ALA in Brassica
juncea under Lead (Pb) toxicity
Ravinder Singh*, Shalini Dhiman and Renu Bhardwaj
Department of Botanical and Environment Sciences,
Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar-143005
Email: [email protected]
Abstract
Heavy metal contamination is a serious threat to sustainable crop production . Exogenous
application of signaling molecules has been adopted as a means to enhance plant resistance to
these stresses. One of the recently explored signaling molecules ALA is gaining attention as a
metabolic intermediate in higher plants, since it is a precursor of all tetrapyrolls. The present
study assesses the effect of ALA in Brassica juncea seedlings under lead stresss. Various
parameters studied included content of superoxide anions (O2.-), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)
and malondialdehyde (MDA), and antioxidative enzymes such as catalase (CAT),
dehydroascorbate reductase (DHAR), glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione-S-transferase
(GST) guaiacol peroxidase (POD) and their relative genes expression in 10-day-old
seedlings. It was observed that ALA supplementation reduced the stress of O2.-, H2O2 and
MDA content by 50.99%, 44.03%, and 48.16% respectively as compared to Pb concentration.
Further, exogenous application ALA enhanced activity of antioxidative enzymes by
120.75%, (CAT), 60.63% (DHAR), 82.28% (SOD), 228.06% (POD), 101.79% (GR), 16.52%
(GST) as compared to their control. The relative gene expression of the genes was elevated
by 49.15% in CAT, 93.37% in DHAR, 161.64% in SOD, 30.27% in POD, 47.65%) in GR
107.47% and in GST under Pb stress by the application of ALA.
PT112:Development of lead tolerant strain by protoplast technology
Deepika Rawat and Santosh Kumar Karn*
Department of Biotechnology & Biochemistry SBS University (Formerly, Sardar Bhagwan
Singh PG Institute of Biomedical Science & Research) Balawala, Dehradun-248161
Email: [email protected]
-93-
Abstract
The envelopes of bacteria consist of a cell wall overlying in cytoplasmic membrane. The
complete removals of the cell wall in a hypertonic environment that maintain the osmotic
integrity of the cell and leave the membrane intact produce a protoplast. In the current
method protoplast were produced from Staphylococci aureus and regenerated. Staphylococci
aureus cells were grown at 300C on nutrient broth by intensive shaking. The cells of
Staphylococci aureus were collected by centrifugation and washed twice in phosphate buffer.
The protoplast was obtained by treatment with lysozyme and mutanolysin. The protoplast
was spherical in shape observed by microscopy. Next, resistant colonies were selected on
specific medium supplemented with lead. Further, selected colonies used for the removal of
lead contaminated water treatment. Further the protoplasts were generated on regeneration
agar medium with sucrose. The concentration for sucrose was best which gives maximum
protoplast regeneration.
PT113:Influence of Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR)
improved antioxidative defense expression of tomato seedlings under Cd-
metal stress
Kanika Khanna1*
, Puja Ohri2 and Renu Bhardwaj
1**
1Department of Botanical and Environmental Sciences, Guru Nanak Dev University,
Amritsar 143005 2Department of Zoology, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar 143005
Email: [email protected] [email protected]
Abstract
Micro-organisms play most important role in rhizosphere where they develop mutualistic
associations and promote plant growth by the synthesis of different metabolites and plant
growth hormones (auxins (IAA), cytokinins and gibberellins). They are well known to
enhance mineral nutrients and bioaccumulation of heavy metals. In order, to understand the
functions of plant growth promoting bacteria (Pseudomonas aeruginosa & Burkholderia
gladioli) against heavy metal stresses, the current study was designed to assess the
favourable effects of these microbes in modulating the antioxidative potential of tomato
seedlings in response to cadmium (Cd) stress. The impact of these micro-organisms on
levels of the superoxide anions, H2O2 contents and malondialdehyde contents generated
during Cd stress were assessed. Further, the involvement of antioxidative enzymes, non-
enzymatic antioxidants, total antioxidants (LSA(lipid soluble) and WSA (water soluble) ) and
gene expression analysis was also carried out in the 10- days old tomato seedlings exposed to
Cd (0.4mM). The seedlings were grown in vitro conditions using seed germinator. The
present study revealed that 0.4mM Cd generated toxicity in the seedlings which was
demonstrated through amassment of superoxide anions, malondialdehyde , H2O2 (hydrogen
peroxide) along with the inhibition of cell viability and nuclear damage. The oxidative stress
generated by the Cd enhanced the activities of enzymatic antioxidants such as CAT
(catalase), GST (glutathione-s- transferase), GPOX (glutathione peroxidase), APOX
-94-
(ascorbate peroxidase), DHAR (dehydroascorbate peroxidase), GR (glutathione reductase).
Apart from this, SOD (superoxide dismutase), POD (guiacol peroxidase) and PPO
(polyphenol peroxidase) were decreased in response to metal stress. It was found that
inoculation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (M1) and Burkholderia gladioli (M2) diminished
the unfavourable effects of the metal toxicity by elevating the levels of SOD, POD, PPO and
reducing CAT, GR, GST, GPOX, APOX, DHAR respectively. Gene expression
investigations suggested enhanced expression levels of SOD, POD, PPO genes whereas
expression of CAT, GR, GST, GPOX and APOX genes were decreased in microbe- inoculated
Cd- treated seedlings. The contents of glutathione, ascorbic acid and tocopherol (non-
enzymatic antioxidants) and total antioxidants (WSA, LSA) were also enhanced in response
to metal stress which upon supplementation of microbial strains was reduced. Confocal
microscopy revealed the improved cell viability and lowered nuclear damage in roots
supplemented with microbes. The results therefore suggested that addition of microbes play
essential role in modulating antioxidative defense expression in tomato seedlings exposed to
Cd.
PT114:Production of high value biopigments from selected heterocystous
cyanobacteria
Dinesh K Saini
1,2 , Atul K Srivastava
1, Pratyoosh Shukla
2 and Sunil Pabbi
1#
1Centre for Conservation and Utilisation of Blue Green Algae (CCUBGA), Division of
Microbiology, ICAR – Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi-110012 2Enzyme Technology and Protein Bioinformatics Laboratory, Department of Microbiology,
Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak- Haryana, 124001.
#Email: [email protected]
Abstract
Cyanobacteria, previously known as blue green algae are photosynthetic prokaryotic
organisms which are potential source of many bioactive compounds. These organisms have
been are used by human and animals from ancient times for their high protein and nutrition
content. Cyanobacterial biopigments such as carotenoids and phycobiliproteins are high
value compounds which are well recognized for application in medicines, foods, cosmetics
and as fluorescent materials. In the present study, three different heterocystous cyanobacteria
viz Nostoc commune CCC 391, Anabaena variabilis CCC 421and Anabaena oryzae CCC
162, were evaluated for their ability to produce biopigments. Among three heterocystous
cyanobacterial cultures, highest phycocyanin content was observed in Anabaena oryzae CCC
162 (19.27 µg/g) at 21 days of growth followed by Nostoc commune CCC 391 and Anabaena
variabilis CCC 421 14.89 µg/g, 6.12µg/g respectively. The total highest carotenoids content
was found in Anabaena variabilis CCC 421, (0.7578µg/g) at 21 days of growth.
PT115:Non-heterocystous cyanobacterial biopigments: A potential
resource for nutraceuticals and functional foods
Atul K Srivastava1, Dinesh K Saini
1,2, Roshan Kumar
1and Sunil Pabbi
1#
1Centre for Conservation and Utilisation of Blue Green Algae (CCUBGA), Division of
Microbiology, ICAR – Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi-110012.
-95-
2Enzyme Technology and Protein Bioinformatics Laboratory, Department of Microbiology,
Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak- Haryana, 124001.
# Email: [email protected]
Abstract
Cyanobacteria possess huge morphological and metabolic diversity leading to their great
biological significance and to overcome many of the problems being faced by humanity
related to food, energy, agriculture, medicine, etc. Among large array of natural products
produced by cyanobacteria, pigments seem the most colorful and attractive components.
Apart from chlorophyll, cyanobacteria produce two major groups of pigments viz.
phycobiliproteins and carotenoids. Phycobiliproteins as natural colorants are gaining
importance over synthetic colors as they are environment-friendly, nontoxic and non-
carcinogenic. In the present study, two non-heterocystous cyanobacteria viz. Lyngbya sp.
(SP19) and Phormidium sp. (SP27) were used for extraction and purification of phycocyanin.
Lyngbya sp. yielded 371.2 µg phycocyanin per ml of crude extract while the Phormidium sp.
yielded 75 µg phycocyanin per ml of crude extract. Ammonium sulfate (65% w/v)
precipitation of the crude extract resulted in 78% and 84% recovery of phycocyanin with
purity of 2.57 and 2.41 from Lyngbya sp. and Phormidium sp., respectively. After dialysis,
the purity increased to 2.95 and 3.52 from Lyngbya sp. and Phormidium sp. respectively. The
purity ratio and recovery percentage obtained in this study is high enough for the
phycocyanin to be used in foods and feeds.
PT116:Bioconversion of Pressmud to Quality Product as PROM
Livleen Shukla, K Annapurna and Shubham Sharma
Division of Microbiology, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi-110012
Email: [email protected]
India is the second largest product of the sugar in the world and 8-10 million tonnes of
pressmud is generated annually. The pressmud is either disposed off in open fields or given
as immature compost to farmers. Pressmud contains 10-15% N, 1.4-4.0% P2O5, 0.5-2.0%
K2O and variety of elements like Mg, S, Zn, Cu, Fe. Disposal of pressmud is problem due to
its risk of soil pollution and, as a consequence of it, of water pollution as well (Suthar, 2010;
George et.al, 2010) and several organic compounds which degrade in the soil produce foul
odour (Rouf et.al, 2010). Although composting enhances the fertilizer value of pressmud but
takes about 6 months. Microbiological intervention for bio-conversion of pressmud to PROM
has gained importance and hence, the present work was carried out to develop liquid
inoculant consisting of phosphorus solubilizing, lignolytic, cellulolytic, amylolytic,
pectinolytic, lipolytic and thermotolerant fungi to be used for bioconversion of pressmud.
Phospho Rich Organic Manure (PROM) was prepared using liquid inoculant in 30 days
containing 10.55% P2O5, 8.84% organic carbon, 2.5%N and 0.62% K using windrow method.
PT117:Biofuels : Prospects and Threats
Anjana Bhatia,
Hansraj Mahila Vidyalaya, Jalandhar
-96-
Email: [email protected]
Abstract
Biofuels derived from a variety of sources tender a promising reserve of renewable power
and show the likelihood of opening doors to new prospects of commerce and agriculture.
Nevertheless, only a handful of existing biofuel programs are cost-effective and
commercially workable. Even the viable ones have shown lot of pressure on society and
environment. This has led to apprehensions like the effect on prices of food, CO2 emission
concerns and the questions of rising deforestation. Our biofuel policies have to be decided
taking an exhaustive account of all the threats that encompass the promise and potential of
biofuels. Biofuel policy of the nation has to be designed in amalgamation with international
policies so that social and commercial benefits are reaped to the maximum.
PT118:The tree diversity of Amritsar
Rajesh Kumar
DAV College, Amritsar.
Abstract
Since times immemorial, mankind has relied on the forests for day to day needs and all
civilizations have developed in the lap of greenery. Trees have been an inseparable part of
our culture and have inspired many of artists. The historical and holy land of Amritsar is
blessed to have the pious touch of Sikh Gurus and many saints and is known as the city of
Golden temple - the greatest pilgrimage centre of the Sikhs. The city boasts of rich cultural
heritage and has glorious green past and there has been a tradition of planting and preserving
trees in gurudwaras, temples and public places. The present study intends to provide general
information about the trees growing in various parts of the city including residential parks,
roadsides, educational and other institutes. The study focuses on diagnostic characteristics for
identification of trees growing in Amritsar city and their potential to be used for medicinal,
ornamental, food, fuel wood, timber, rubber production and other purposes. To provide
additional insight, mythological and cultural value of the trees will also be discussed. From
the diversity point of view, we have identified 78 tree species belonging to 35 diverse
families of seed plants, thus giving an average genus to family ratio of 1:2.29, which
indicates a fairly good diversity level. Out of 35 families identified , representation of
Fabaceae is 25.64% that indicates the dominance of this family in the region.
