Adaptive Performance of Five Varieties of Hybrid Citrus in Jingzhou Area Hubei Province

In order to understand the growth habits and freeze resistance of the hybrid citrus variety in Jingzhou area, and to provide reference for the introduction of the variety in fruit farmers, and to promote the development of the local citrus industry, the main biological and freeze resistance characteristics of the five hybrid citrus variety were investigated. The results showed that:(1)The growth potential of ‘Wo gan’ and ‘Daya’ were the strongest, followed by ‘Aiyuan 38’ and ‘Chunjian’, and the weakest growth was ‘Buzhihuo’;(2) On the performance of summer and autumn shoots, ‘Daya’ and ‘Wogan’ were the longest, ‘Chunjian’ was moderate, ‘Aiyuan 38’ and ‘Buzhihuo’ were the weakest; (3) On the aspect of freeze resistance, ‘Aiyuan 38’was the strongest, followed by ‘Daya’ and ‘Wogan’, the freeze resistance of ‘Chunjian’ was more weak and ‘Buzhihuo’ was the weakest;(4) On the other aspects, such as the leaf shape, leaf size, color of tender leaf, thorn density, flower size, inflorescence and so on also had the big difference, but the petal number and the petal color were similar. It could be seen that ‘Daya’ and ‘Wogan’ had the best growth potential in Jingzhou area, but their freeze resistance were weak. The growth potential of ‘Aiyuan 38’ and ‘Chunjian’ were in the middle, ‘Aiyuan 38’ had best freeze resistance. The growth potential and freeze resistance of ’Buzhihuo’ in Jinzhou area was the weakest.

Evaluation of diosgenin content from eleven different Indian varieties of fenugreek and fenugreek leaf powder fortified bread

The present study designed to establish the diosgenin profile from eleven different Indian varieties of fenugreek, and subsequently develop powder from the best stage and variety to prepare diosgenin fortified bread. The seeds, sprouts and leaves of different fenugreek varieties were analyzed for the diosgenin using HPLC. The content of phenolics and flavonoids also estimated and assessed for its antioxidant capacity using phosphomolybdate, DPPH and FRAP. Among eleven varieties screened for diosgenin and the other compounds, tender leaf of Kasuri methi (KS) variety showed the highest content of diosgenin (466.89 ± 0.32 mg/100 g FW), phenolics (58.54 ± 2.70 mg/100 g FW) and flavonoids (1104.16 ± 43.70 mg/100 g FW) followed by Pusa Early Bunching (PEB) (444.18 ± 0.36 mg/100 g FW) and Early Bunching (EB) (409.45 ± 0.42 mg/100 g FW). Among three stages, seeds found to be a better total antioxidant, DPPH scavenging, and reducing ability. Further, based on the results, bread fortified with 1.5% KS leaf powder is found to be optimal which also has significant diosgenin content (268.91 mg/100 g DW). And the effect of KS leaf powder on amylograph and farinograph characteristics of wheat flour and quality characteristics of bread showed promising results of acceptance.

Host plants of the home invading nuisance pest, Mupli beetle, Luprops tristis (Fabricius, 1801) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) in agribelts of South India

Presence of home invading nuisance pest Luprops tristis (Fabricius, 1801) in nonrubber belts and its generalist feeding behavior lead to assessment of its feeding preference on the leaves of common litter contributing plants in agribelts in south India. Bioassays with leaves of 17 plants namely, cashew, cassia, cocoa, flowering murdah golden flame tree, Indian-beech, Indian kino, jackfruit, macaranga, mahogany, mango, mexican lilac, raintree, rubber, tamarind, teak and wild jack were carried out. General bias towards tender leaves of most plants was distinct. Based on Leaf age related variation in feeding rates, host plant were categorised as tender leaf preferred, both tender and senescent leaves preferred and senescent leaf preferred. Based on leaf consumption rates, host plants were broadly categorized as most preferred, moderately preferred, low preferred and least preferred, and its implications are discussed. Aggressive feeding on leaves of many plants abundant in non-rubber agriculture belts necessitates their monitoring in the litter stands of the cited plants in non-rubber belts for preventing its establishment as uncontrollable nuisance pest across south India.

PHYTOCHEMICAL INVESTIGATION BY USING TENDER LEAF PART OF GREWIA TILIIFOLIA VAHL.

This study was aimed to evaluate the phytochemical potential of different extracts of tender leaf part of Grewia tiliifolia Vahl which are commonly used in Ayurveda drug preparations. Tender leaf part of G.tiliifolia subjected to analyze the phytochemical constituents by using qualitative and quantitative methods.The results of the present investigation revealed that the presence of flavonoid, phenol, tannin glycoside, resin, steroids, terpenoids and triterpenoids in different solvent extract like petroleum ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate, methanol and water. Tender leaves of the species which exhibited well marked potential activity and rich in secondary metabolite contents (flavonoids and phenols).

Effect of Growth hormones for direct organogenesis in Bael (Aegle marmelos (L.) corr)

Aegle marmelos (L.) corr. commonly known as ‘Bael’ tree is included in the red- listed medicinal tree in South India. Riped and unripe fruits, root, bark and leaves of the tree are used in ayurvedic preparation for various ailments. This study was conducted to standardize the media for multiple shoot induction from different explants under in vitro condition. Among the various explants viz., meristematic tip, nodal bud, tender leaf, auxillary bud and cotyledon tried in different media, auxiliary bud had shown good response for shoot induction in 36 to 39 days. Among the various treatments viz., WPM supplemented with Benzyl Amino Purine (BAP) (0.5 to 3.0mg/lit), Kinetin (KN) (0.5 to 3mg/lit) and Indole acetic acid (IAA) (0.5 to 2mg/lit) for multiple shoot induction, the treatmental combination of WPM supplemented with BAP, KN and IAA, @ of each 0.5 mg/lit resulted in 7.75 shoots per cotyledon. The same combination, ½ strength of the medium with 1mg/lit BAP+2mg/lit NAA+ 1% AC resulted in root formation. Hence, as a means of in vitro conservation using cotyledon as explants microproagation is possible in bael.