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Non-destructive estimation of chlorophyll and nitrogen content in leaf of Rosa damascena (Mill)
No full textChlorophyll (Chl) and nitrogen (N) status of leaves provide valuable information about the physiological
condition of plants. The conventional methods for measuring Chl and N contents in leaves are destructive,
costly, time-consuming, and do not allow repetitive measurement of the same sample. The Damask Rose
(Rosa damascena Mill) is an important aromatic crop in the western Himalaya region in India. Generally,
flower yield and oil yield of the Damask rose are correlated with nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (NPK)
levels in the leaf at the bud development stage. The dynamics of N within the rose plant have not been
reported clearly. Thus, there is a pressing need for non-destructive techniques to estimate Chl and N content
in the leaf of the Damask rose. Our objective was to establish an appropriate mathematical relationship
between the Chl content index (CCI) value and the total Chl/N contents for non-destructive estimation of
total Chl and N in the leaf of the Damask rose. The regression models were developed with destructively
measured parameters (total Chl and N) as the dependent variable and a parameter derived from CCM-200 as
the independent variable (CCI). We found that polynomial regression models are suitable for non-destructive
estimation of total Chl, and the model predicted values were very close to traditionally measured values with
a root mean square prediction error (RMSEp) less than 0.20 mgg ˉ1 of Chl. In the case of N estimation, a
power regression model was appropriate with lowest Akaike’s information criteria (AIC) and root mean
square validated error (RMSEv) value. Significant correlations (P≤0.001) were observed between
traditionally measured values and our model predicted values in both cases
Braving the attitude of altitude: Caragana jubata at work in cold desert of Himalaya
No full textThe present work was conducted to understand the basis of adaptation in Caragana jubata in its niche
environment at high altitude cold desert of Himalaya. Molecular data showed predominance of genes
encoding chaperones and those involved in growth and development at low temperature (LT), a major cue
operative at high altitude. Importantly, these genes expressed in C. jubata in its natural habitat. Their
homologues in Arabidopsis thaliana, Oryza sativa, and Glycine max did not exhibit similar trend of gene
expression at LT. Constitutive expression and a quick up-regulation of the above genes suggested the ability
of C. jubata to adjust its cellular machinery to maintain growth and development in its niche. This was
reflected in LT50 (the temperature at which 50% injury occurred) and LT mediated photosynthetic
acclimatory response. Such molecular and physiological plasticity enables C. jubata to thrive in the high
altitude cold desert of Himalayas
Enhancing electronic nose performance: A novel feature selection approach using dynamic social impact theory and moving window time slicing for classification of Kangra orthodox black tea (Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze)
No full textThis paper presents a novel multiobjective wrapper approach using dynamic social impact theory based
optimizer (SITO) and moving window time slicing (MWTS) for the performance enhancement of an
electronic nose (EN). SITO, in conjunction with principal component analysis (PCA) and support vector
machines (SVMs) classifier, has been used for the classification of samples collected from the single batch
production of Kangra orthodox black tea (Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze). The work employs a novel SITO
assisted MWTS (SITO-MWTS) technique for identifying the optimum time intervals of the EN sensor array
response, which give the maximum classification rate. Results show that, by identifying the optimum time
slicing window positions for each sensor response, the performance of an EN can be improved. Also, the
sensor response variability is time dependent in a sniffing cycle, and hence good classification can be
obtained by selecting different time intervals for different sensors. The proposed method has also been
compared with other established techniques for EN feature extraction. The work not only demonstrates
the efficacy of SITO for feature selection owing to its simplicity in terms of few control parameters, but also
the capability of an EN to differentiate Kangra orthodox black tea samples at different production stages
Effect of nitrogen on growth, Yield and oil composition of clary sage (Salvia sclarea L.) under mid hills of north western Himalayas
No full textExtraction, Utilization Pattern and Prioritization of Fuel Resources for Conservation in Manali Wildlife Sanctuary, Northwestern Himalaya
No full textFuelwood is the main source of the energy
in mountainous regions. Hence, annual wood
consumption is very high. Information on fuelwood
resources, and their extraction and availability is very
scanty. Therefore, present study was carried out to
study the diversity of fuelwood species, annual
collection, preference and availability of fuel species
in the forests. Thirty four species (25 trees and 9
shrubs) were extracted for fuel by the inhabitants.
Total collection and species preference was highest for
Picea smithiana, Cedrus deodara, Indigofera
heterantha, Pinus wallchiana and Sorbaria
tomentosa, respectively. Resource use index
indicating use pressure was highest for P. smithiana,
C. deodara, I. heterantha and Abies pindrow,
respectively. Besides native species, some non-native
horticultural and agroforestry species such as Malus
pumila, P. domestica, Celtis australis, etc. were also
being used as fuel. Preferred species showed their
availability in eight forest types whereas, population
and regeneration status was poor. Therefore,
immediate actions are suggested to sustain current
and future demand of fuelwood. The afforestation of
degraded, uncultivated and marginal lands through
high quality and preferred fuel species might reduce
pressure on wild and selective species
Solid-Supported Rhodium(0) Nano-/Microparticles: An Efficient Ligand-Free Heterogeneous Catalyst for Microwave-Assisted Suzuki–Miyaura Cross-Coupling Reaction
No full textSolid-supported nano- and microparticles
of rhodium(0) (SS-Rh) were prepared and applied
as a ligand free heterogeneous catalyst for Suzuki–
Miyaura cross-coupling reaction with wide range of
substrate scope. A hitherto unknown Rh-catalyzed
Suzuki cross-coupling reaction of aldehyde and cyanohaloarenes
was observed rather than the usual
nucleophilic arylation.The catalyst can be removed
by simple filtration and recycled upto twelve runs
without any deterioration of activity
An Approach for the Identification of Targets Specific to Bone Metastasis Using Cancer Genes Interactome and Gene Ontology Analysis
No full textMetastasis is one of the most enigmatic aspects of cancer pathogenesis and is a major cause of cancer-associated mortality.
Secondary bone cancer (SBC) is a complex disease caused by metastasis of tumor cells from their primary site and is
characterized by intricate interplay of molecular interactions. Identification of targets for multifactorial diseases such as SBC,
the most frequent complication of breast and prostate cancers, is a challenge. Towards achieving our aim of identification of
targets specific to SBC, we constructed a ‘Cancer Genes Network’, a representative protein interactome of cancer genes.
Using graph theoretical methods, we obtained a set of key genes that are relevant for generic mechanisms of cancers and
have a role in biological essentiality. We also compiled a curated dataset of 391 SBC genes from published literature which
serves as a basis of ontological correlates of secondary bone cancer. Building on these results, we implement a strategy
based on generic cancer genes, SBC genes and gene ontology enrichment method, to obtain a set of targets that are
specific to bone metastasis. Through this study, we present an approach for probing one of the major complications in
cancers, namely, metastasis. The results on genes that play generic roles in cancer phenotype, obtained by network analysis
of ‘Cancer Genes Network’, have broader implications in understanding the role of molecular regulators in mechanisms of
cancers. Specifically, our study provides a set of potential targets that are of ontological and regulatory relevance to
secondary bone cancer
A Protocol to Remove Colored Metabolites and Other Inhibitors from Plant Tissues to Facilitate RNA Isolation Suitable for Downstream Applications
No full textThis work developed a protocol to remove colored metabolites and other interfering substances
to facilitate RNA isolation. These metabolites otherwise hinder RNA isolation and
downstream applications. The developed protocol used sodium dodecyl sulphate, ethylenediamine
tetra-acetic acid, and ethanol in a definite ratio that removed the said metabolites
from the tissue and aided isolation of RNA using the existing methods. The protocol was
developed for red colored roots of Arnebia euchroma and was extended to other colored tissues
[rhizome of Rheum australe (Himalayan Rhubarb) and taproot of Daucus carota (purple
carrot)] with success. Without inclusion of our protocol, the existing methods could not
isolate good quality RNA from these tissues. RNA isolated by the developed protocol had
A260/280 ratio of 1.88–1.93, A260/230 ratio of 1.94–2.0, and RNA integrity number of 6.3–8.0.
RNA was amenable to downstream applications such as reverse-transcription polymerase
chain reaction and primer extension assay
Over-expression of PaSOD in transgenic potato enhances photosynthetic performance under drought
No full textDrought stress enhances the production of superoxide radical (O2
˙¯) and superoxide dismutase catalyses dismutation of
it to H2O2 and O2, and hence provides a first line of defense against oxidative stress. Over-expression of a cytosolic
copper-zinc superoxide dismutase, cloned from Potentilla atrosanguinea (PaSOD), in potato (Solanum tuberosum ssp.
tuberosum L. cv. Kufri Sutlej) resulted in enhanced net photosynthetic rates (PN) and stomatal conductance (gs)
compared to that in the wild type (WT) plants under control (irrigated) as well as drought stress conditions. Drought
stress declined leaf water potential, PN, gs, photosystem II activity and chlorophyll content, but increased proline and
O2
˙¯ contents, more in WT than transgenic potato plants (SS5). The significantly higher SOD activity in SS5 coincided
well with lower O2
˙¯ content, suggesting its role in maintaining higher gs and PN in transgenic potato plants
Transition metal-free 1,3-dimethylimidazolium hydrogen carbonate catalyzed hydration of organonitriles to amides
No full textAn efficient hydration of organonitriles to the corresponding amides was accomplished using 1,3-
dimethylimidazolium hydrogen carbonate as an organocatalyst. The developed catalytic method was also
applicable for the synthesis of metal phthalocyanine