The present study was undertaken to explore the diatom wealth of water bodies from the holy shrine Mahanandi and a water tank nearby Nandyal adjacent to Mahanandi, Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh, India located between 15.4709° N, 78.6255° E. the algal samples were collected in different seasons. The preliminary taxonomic evaluation yielded 35 diatom taxa belonging to 17 genera viz. Bacillaria (1), Cocconeis (1), Craticula (2), Cymbella (5), Diploneis (1), Epithmia (1), Eunotia (1), Fragilaria (2), Gomphonema (6), Gyrosigma (2), Mastogloia (1), Nitzschia (1), Pinnularia (1), Rhopalodia (1), Surirella (2), Tryblionella (2) and Ulnaria (2).
Experiments were carried out to establish in vitro culture using terminal and lateral buds of the endemic tree Baccaurea courtallensis of Phyllanthaceae which presented formidable difficulties. Besides the profuse phenol exudation, cultures were infected with intense fungal contamination. Efforts directed to control the schedule by adjusting the concentration of disinfectants NaOCl and HgCl2 with additional rinsing of explants with 70% ethanol and pre-soaking of shoots in various concentrations of the fungicide Bavistin never fetched any success. The intricately connected fungus seems to have found a niche amidst the leaf primordia in shoot apices and the axillary crevices of the nodal regions completely establishing itself in cultures. Perplexed with no remedy in sight, an interesting attempt of quick surface washing with 70% acetone was introduced in the surface sterilization schedule. Fresh explants were quickly rinsed with 70% acetone, followed by 0.1% mercuric chloride, 1% bavistin along with 4% PVP in succession and later wash with sterile distilled water enabling effective establishment of culture. Callus formation was observed on MS and WPM supplemented with auxin and cytokinin. Callus induction from the nodal region was observed at all concentrations and combinations of PGRs supplemented. Maximum induction of callus was obtained from MS medium augmented with BAP 4μM alone and in combination with IBA 1 μM +TDZ 4 μM.
In this communication, Glyphochloa forficulata, Glyphochloa maharashtraensis are recorded from the Satpuda ranges of Khandesh region, Maharashtra, India very first time. Description and photos of both species have been provided for easy identification.
Calvatia booniana commonly known as Western giant puffball is described from the Botanical garden of Rain Forest Research Institute, Jorhat, Assam as a new record in India. The identification of the species was supported by the morphological characteristics of the specimens which were compared with the specimen collection from Europe (Spain) and Asia (Iran and Nepal) and Oregon (USA).
Two species of the genus Bacopa (B. monnieri and B. procumbens) were studied for examination of cytomorphological and palynological characteristics as well as the screening of phytochemical from the Malwa region of Punjab during the years 2019, 2020 and 2021. Primarily both species are differentiated based on morphological features then identity was authenticated by examination of chromosome number. There is a great difference in chromosome number between the two species (B. monnieri, 2n=64; B. procumbens, 2n=22). Pollen size of B. monnieri is larger (22.5 × 21.25 μm to 27.5 ×25 μm) with less viability (77.87%) whereas in case of B. procumbens pollen size is small (15 × 13.75 μm to 17.5 × 16.25 μm) with high viability (88.75%). The phytochemicals of both species are almost similar with minor variations. This study will be helpful for scientists in the identification of these important medicinal plant species. The phytochemical profile throws light on medicinally important compounds which will be utilized by pharmaceutical departments for the development of appropriate drugs.
