International Letters of Natural Sciences Vol. 30

Abstract: Present investigation was undertaken to study the frequency and spectrum of induced viable macromutations employing SA, EMS and gamma radiation in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) cultivar Vishwas (Phule G 5). The seeds of chickpea, cultivar Vishwas were treated with three different concentrations / doses of SA (2, 3 and 4 mM), EMS (8, 12 and 16 mM) and gamma radiations (400, 500 and 600 Gy). The mutagen administered seeds were sown in experimental fields to raise M₁ progeny. Seeds of M₁ plants and control were harvested separately and sown to raise M₂ population. The M₂ progeny were screened for viable macromutaions. A wide spectrum of viable macromutations was isolated in the M₂ generation. In all twenty four different types of viable morphological macromutations were observed. These included 7 types of plant type mutations and 6 types of leaf mutations, 1 types of flower mutation, 5 types of pod mutation and 5 types of seed mutations. Results indicated that all mutagenic treatments were effective in inducing viable mutations in chickpea, during M₂ generation. Differences in response to different mutagens were observed in the spectrum and frequency of viable mutations. Some mutation types occurred more frequently than others. The frequency and spectrum of viable mutations were relatively high with EMS followed by gamma radiation and SA. In the present investigation, an attempt has been made for increasing frequency and spectrum of locally important chickpea cultivar ‘Vishwas’ employing chemical and physical mutagens.

Abstract: Marine fishes play an important role for health care. The objectives of the present study was to evaluate the haemolytic activity of crude extracts of six puffer fishes Cyclichthys orbicularis, Diodon holocanthus, Canthigaster solandri, Arthron hispidus, A. inermis and Lagocephalua inermis collected from Parangipettai, Tamil Nadu, South East Coast of India. The haemolytic activity was tested against red blood cells (RBCs) of chicken, goat and human blood. The haemolytic activity was high in chicken blood (128HU) against of Cyclichthys orbicularis and A. inermis and minimum (16HU) in Lagocephalua inermis. In goat erythrocytes the highest haemolytic activity (256HU) against Arthron hispidus and minimum (16HU) against A. inermis and Lagocephalua inermis were observed. In human erythrocytes the maximum haemolytic activity of 32HU against Cyclichthys orbicularis, Arthron hispidus were recorded. In blood agar plate assay the highest zone of inhibition of 6.4±0.9 and 6.3±0.1 mm were observed in A. inermis against chicken erythrocytes and Arthron hispidus against goat erythrocytes respectively. The results strongly suggest that, the Marine puffer fish extracts showed good cytolytic properties against blood RBCs.

Abstract: The present study was carried out to induce morphological mutation in chilli (Capsicum annuum L.) var k₁. The seeds were subjected to different treatment levels of gamma rays are 20, 30, 40, 50, 60 and 70Kr along with control. The treated and untreated seeds were raised in a randomized block design to observe the different morphological characters in M₂ generation. Several unique and interesting mutants were isolated in this investigation, these independent mutants have differ from control, the most distinct mutants included tall, dwarf, bushy, flower, sterile and pod mutant, was observed in M₂ generation.

Abstract: Acrocarpus fraxinifolius portrait one among the mainstay of agro forestry in Asian tropics. The lofty tree fortified a substantial impact in every horizon of life. The evergreen, deciduous tree of Fabaceae family stands tall about 30-60 m endowed with unique properties which idiosyncrasies it in the plant kingdom. Surpassing the adverse climatic conditions, A. fraxinifolius serves as a shade tree for tea and coffee plantation and epitomises as a multipurpose avenue tree culminating to the culture of agro forestry. Mundani in bloom is a spectacular appearance bestowed with scarlet crimson red flowers attracting infinite migratory birds and insects. The ancestral gene with indelible memory gravitate this extraordinary majestic tree to aestivate and adapt to strongest survive.

Abstract: The present investigation was carried out to evaluate the hypolipidemic activity of methanolic and aqueous leaf extracts of Cassia fistula (CF) Linn (Family: Fabaceae) on atherogenic diet (2% cholesterol, 1% Choline Chloride and 2% Lard) induced Male Sprauge-Dawley rats for the period of 21 days. The rats receiving the treatment with leaf methanol and aqueous extract of CF showed significant (P < 0.001) reduction in total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), High density lipoprotein (HDL), lipid peroxidation (LPO) and other parameters at dose dependent manner but the effect was less than the standard drug Atorvastatin. The results revealed the effectiveness of CF plant against hyperlipidemic activity.

Abstract: Effect of plant growth regulators on seed germination and seedling characters in terms of root length and shoot length. The seeds of sesame variety TVM – 1 were treated with different concentration of gibberlic acid (1.0, 2.0, 3.0 and 4.0 mg/l) and indole acetic acid (1.0, 2.0, 3.0 and 4.0 mg/l). From the results, it was observed that the GA3 and IAA at 2.0mg/l had regulatory effect on seed germination and seedling characters. Maximum germination, root length and shoot length was observed at 2.0mg/l in GA3 and 2.0mg/l in IAA than control. And GA3 at 2.0gm/l was found to be more efficient to modify seed germination and seedling characters when compared to IAA and control.