Introduction pages

Notulae Scientia Biologicae (http://www.notulaebiologicae.ro), Issue 4, Volume 13, 2021: The papers published in this issue represent interesting novelties in different topics of life science. Among the exciting researches or reviews, we invite readers to find news about: Haemato-biochemical alterations and acute toxicity study of hydro-methanol root extract of Anacardium occidentale in cockerels; Diversity of butterflies (Lepidoptera: Rhopalocera) in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India; Molecular detection of Trypanosoma species and haematological alterations in four trypanosome-infected Nigerian horses; Cryopreservation of aromatic ginger Kaempferia galanga L. by encapsulation-dehydration; Comparative study of some physicochemical and biological properties of effect host species variation on the relationship Saharan parasitic plant Cistanche violaceae (Desf.) Beck.; Comparative leaf anatomy of ten Nepenthes L. species (Nepenthaceae) from Peninsular Malaysia; Seed germination response of Indian wild pear (Pyrus pashia) to gibberellic acid treatment and cold storage; Molecular and morphological characterization of Globodera rostochiensis (Wollenweber, 1923) Skarbilovich, 1959 from Egypt.

Differential response of commercial hybrid and open pollinated maize seeds to mechanical damage during seed processing

Hybrids and open pollinated varieties (OPVs) are two commercial maize seed types cultivated in Nigeria. Information on their response to mechanical damage during processing is limited. This study is thus aimed at assessing the response of hybrids and OPVs of maize seeds to mechanical damage which would facilitate fabrication of processing facilities suitable for either of the maize types. Six maize varieties: three hybids (‘New Kaduna’, ‘SDM-1’, and ‘JO-195’) and three OPVs (‘Sammaz 15’, ‘Sammaz 27’ and ‘Suwan-1-stry’) were used for the study. The seed samples were subjected to standard germination, seedling vigour analysis, accelerated ageing, conductivity and fast green tests. The result showed that all the hybrid seed varieties had more damaged seeds than their OPVs counterpart. Shoot length and root length were more affected than other parts of the seedling. There were differences in the magnitude of electrolyte leakage as well as in what time each seed type (hybrid or OPVs) passed through the phases with ‘JO-195’ having the highest rate of electrolyte leakage. Hybrid seeds had lower resistance to mechanical damage and poorer storability when compared with the OPVs. In the overall, for all the traits, ‘Sammaz 15’, the best among OPVs was more promising when compared with ‘SDM-1’ which was the best among hybrid varieties. Processing machine equipment and accessories that are suitable for hybrid seeds might be inappropriate for conditioning OPVs.

Diversity of butterflies (Lepidoptera: Rhopalocera) in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India

The loss and fragmentation of habitat caused by rapid urbanization can have devastating effects, both at regional and global level. In this study, butterfly species diversity has been assessed in Bhubaneswar, India, as a model geographical region for understanding the biology of the local population and its dynamics. In total 107 butterfly species have been documented, with the highest number of species being recorded from the family Nymphalidae (31.77%), followed by Lycaenidae (25.23%), Hesperiidae (23.36%), Pieridae (11.21%) and Papilionidae (8.41%). Out of these, 17 species are new reports for the city and nine species are legally protected in India under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. Sørensen’s diversity index and one-way ANOVA have been used to establish the relation between species diversity and habitat. The present investigation provides baseline data for future research and conservation of species in places like the model city, which face rapid urbanization.

Influence of stubble biodestructor on soil microbiological activity and grain yield of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

The aim of the work was to improve soil fertility and increase the yield of winter wheat using the stubble biodestructor by activating the microbiological activity of the soil. The experimental studies were on the research field of Mykolayiv National Agrarian University (Ukraine). After harvesting the precursor cultures of spring barley and peas the post-harvest residues of these crops were treated with a stubble biodestructor. After treatment of crop residues of spring barley and pea by the stubble biodestructor in the soil layer of 0 up to 20 cm the quantity of cellulose-destructive microorganisms increased by 27.9·105 up to 36.0·105 cfu/g of soil depending on the predecessor culture and the degree of degradation of these residues increased by 31.4 up to 45.1%. The number of nitrogen fixators in the 0-10 cm soil layer grew under the action of treatment of crop residues of spring barley and peas by stubble biodestructor on 13.4 up to 14.1 ·106 cfu/g of soilor 30.3 up to 35.0%. At the same time, a somewhat large number of bacteria in the soil was determined by the processing of post-harvest residues of peas, which was due to the biological characteristics of this legume culture. The average for years of researches at cultivating of winter wheat after spring barley using the stubble biodestructor the grain yield increased by 0.45 t ha–1, or 20.9%, and after pea it increased by 0.67 t ha–1 or 18.8% compared to the treatment variant of stubble just with water.

Seed germination response of Indian wild pear (Pyrus pashia) to gibberellic acid treatment and cold storage

Knowledge of seed germination behaviour of different seed sources of tree species is useful in selecting the most responsive and adaptive ones for propagation and germplasm conservation. The wild Himalayan pear (Pyrus pashia Buch-Ham ex D. Don) produces highly nutritious edible fruits that are consumed by local communities. The populations of the species are threatened due to exploitation and lack of adequate conservation programmes. The study was conducted to examine the germination response of P. pashia seeds from two sources (S1-Champawat and S2-Pithoragarh) in Uttarakhand state of India, to different GA3 treatment and also to assess the viability and longevity of the seeds in cold storage (5 °C) for three years. In both sources germination percent (GP) increased significantly under GA3 treatment and speed of germination was also enhanced (reduction in mean germination time). In Source, 1 GP increased under all GA3 application, highest being 94% under GA3 500 ppm treatment. In Source 2, GP of seeds doubled under 100 ppm GA3 treatment while its higher concentrations did not improve the germination. However, the differences observed in germination between the seed sources could be due to differences in the dormancy levels and/or sensitivity to dormancy breaking elements across their geographical range. Thus, exogenous application of GA3 is suggested for enhancing the germination in seeds of P. pashia. Seeds responded to cold storage by increased germination with duration, i.e. highest after three years in storage, indicating that the seeds got the required chilling treatment for overcoming dormancy.

Molecular and morphological characterization of Globodera rostochiensis (Wollenweber, 1923) Skarbilovich, 1959 from Egypt

The golden potato cyst nematode, Globodera rostochiensis (Wollenweber, 1923) Skarbilovich (1959) is a damaging soilborne quarantine pest of Solanum tuberosum (potato) and other solanaceous crops worldwide. In spring of 2021 a survey was conducted in area of Abo El Matamer, Bahera governorates in Egypt. Soil samples were taken in zigzag pattern throughout 65 acres of potato cultivated land and processed in Nematology lab, Fayoum University, Egypt. In June 2021, two hundred soil samples were collected from nearby areas to evaluate the distribution of this potato cyst nematode in other cultivated land located in area of first infection but fortunately the golden potato cyst nematode was not detected from neighboring locations. The nematode species was identified by both morphological and molecular means as Globodera rostochiensis. To our knowledge this is the first molecular and morphological characterization of G. rostochiensis from Egypt.

Study on the effect of γ-irradiation (Co-60) on seed germination and agronomic traits in tomato plants (Lycopersicon esculentum L.)

Mutagenesis is an important technique for creating novel mutants having improved agronomic traits. In this study, LD50 was determined at 807 Gy depending on the germination percentage of tomato seeds irradiated with cobalt-60, using absorbed gray (Gy) dose of 50, 100, 150, 200, 250, 500, and 1000 Gy with control. GR30 and GR50 values were 214 and 502 Gy based on the regression formula on seedling length. Though LD50 is important, the dose range between 214(GR30) and 502(GR50) is more functional to get desirable mutation as the survival of the mutants is more important than germination. The variation was observed in all of the agronomical traits among the treatments. Most of the morphological traits were found better at 250 Gy in comparison with the control and the value decreased sharply at higher doses followed. The highest weight of single fruit was 145.33 g recorded at 250 Gy while the lowest was 70.67 g noted at 500 Gy. The highest fruit yield per plant was 1270 gm obtained at 250 Gy and the lowest was 800 gm found at 500 Gy. Shelf life was found better (34 days) at the 250 Gy dose level and the lowest was 6 days got in the control treatments.

Comparative leaf anatomy of ten Nepenthes L. species (Nepenthaceae) from Peninsular Malaysia

The genus Nepenthes (Nepenthaceae) in Peninsular Malaysia includes fourteen species that can be found from the sea-level to over 1000 m in the mountains. Our observation indicated that Nepenthes can be found in five major habitat types: specifically in tropical lowland evergreen rain forest, heath forest, peat swamp forest, montane forest, and limestone forest. Their leaves have several anatomical characters that remain underexplored. There were specific differences between species that could be potential identification characters. The following anatomical characteristics were explored for their diagnostic value and comprised of ten distinct anatomical characteristics in Nepenthes, viz., density and stomatal index (SI), hypodermis cell – cell layers, occurrence of fiber groups mixed with the hypodermis cells, adaxial cuticle thickness, vascular bundle arrangement, midrib outline shape, venation plasticity, druses appearance and appendage/trichome type.

Influence of plant growth regulators on morphogenic response, biomass and camptothecin production in the callus cultures of Chonemorpha fragrans (moon) Alston

In vitro morphogenic response of mature seed embryo-derived callus cultures of Chonemorpha fragrans was studied using solid and liquid Murashige and Skoog medium amended with cytokinins or their combinations with naphthalene acetic acid at 0.5 mg L-1. The plant growth regulators (PGRs) combination and concentrations tested could not stimulate organogenesis after three subcultivations of the callus cultures on the same PGRs-amended solid medium and when cultivated in the liquid but, formation of morphogenic callus was observed. Evaluation of biomass and camptothecin production showed that the PGRs influenced biomass and CPT yield of the callus cultures. The alkaloid yield of various explants of 3-4 weeks old axenic seedlings was higher in roots (0.019% CPT) followed by mature seed embryos (0.0053%), cotyledons (0.0039%), hypocotyls (0.0024%) and leaves (0.0017%), and no significant difference was observed in yield of CPT from callus induced from the various explants. Camptothecin yield of morphogenic callus cultures cultivated in liquid medium was lower than that of solid due to extracellular leaching effect of the alkaloid. Amount of synthesized CPT in the callus cultures also varied with PGR type and concentration amended in the cultivation medium, and was association with biomass production. Results of the present study suggest that callus cultures offer alternative tissue source for in vitro CPT yield enhancement through biotechnological approaches, with application in the large-scale production of the alkaloid to conserve the ever-decimated natural population of the medicinal woody climber for CPT.

Comparative study of some physicochemical and biological properties of effect host species variation on the relationship Saharan parasitic plant Cistanche violaceae (Desf.) Beck.

This work aims to study the effect of different host species on physicochemical and biological properties of the Saharan parasitic plant Cistanche violacea that grows parasitized on two hosts Haloxylon articulatum and a Limonistrum guyonianum in the eastern desert of Algeria. The physicochemical characteristics of C. violcea showed an affinity for the results of both ash and pH and it showed a difference in the amount content of carbohydrates and the value of electrical conductivity. For the content of polyphenols, flavonoids, anthocyanins and tannins the highest values were recorded in C. violcea, which was parasitized on H. articulatum. While, the results of HPLC have identified nine compounds in the crude extracts of the parasitic plants and their hosts in different concentrations. In antioxidant activity, the tannin and anthocyanin extracts from C. violcea parasitized on H. articulatum showed better inhibition of DPPH• radical and best the total antioxidant capacity respectively, but the tannins extract of C. violcea parasitized on L. guyonianum given best reducing power capacity. In SPF assay by UV-Vis spectrophotometry method, all extracts of the parasitic plants showed mild to moderate sun protection. Statically the host variation did not show any significant differences in the physicochemical analysis and the quantitative and qualitative total content of polyphenols. While the significant differences appeared through the antioxidant activity tests, especially between C. violcea and its host H. articulatum, between C. violacea and its host H. articulatum and between the two samples of parasitic plants.