Molecular and Physiological Evaluation of Bread Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Genotypes for Stay Green under Drought Stress.

Water availability is considered as the main limiting factor of wheat growth illuminating the need of cultivars best adapted to drought situations for better wheat production and yield. Among these, the stay-green trait is thought to be related to the ability of wheat plants to maintain photosynthesis and CO2 assimilation, and a detailed molecular understanding of this trait may help in the selection of high-yielding, drought-tolerant wheats. The current study, therefore, evaluated the physiological responses of the selected wheat genotypes under pot-induced water stress conditions through different field capacities. The study also focused on exploring the molecular mechanisms involved in drought tolerance conferred due to the stay-green trait by studying the expression pattern of the selected PSI-associated light-harvesting complex I (LHC1) and PSII-associated LHCII gene families related to pigment-binding proteins. The results revealed that the studied traits, including relative water content, membrane stability index and chlorophyll, were variably and negatively affected, while the proline content was positively enhanced in the studied wheats under water stress treatments. Molecular diagnosis of the selected wheat genotypes using the expression profile of 06 genes, viz. TaLhca1, TaLhca2, TaLhca3, TaLhcb1, TaLhcb4 and TaLhcb6 that encodes for the LHCI and LHCII proteins, indicated variable responses to different levels of drought stress. The results obtained showed the relation between the genotypes and the severity of the drought stress condition. Among the studied genotypes, Chirya-1 and SD-28 performed well with a higher level of gene expression under drought stress conditions and may be used in genetic crosses to enrich the genetic background of common wheat against drought stress.

In-vitro propagation and phytochemical profiling of a highly medicinal and endemic plant species of the Himalayan region (Saussurea costus).

Efficient protocols for callus induction and micro propagation of Saussurea costus (Falc.) Lipsch were developed and phytochemical diversity of wild and in-vitro propagated material was investigated. Brown and red compact callus was formed with frequency of 80-95%, 78-90%, 70-95% and 65-80% from seeds, leaf, petiole and root explants, respectively. MS media supplemented with BAP (2.0 mgL-1), NAA (1.0 mgL-1) and GA3 (0.25 mgL-1) best suited for multiple shoot buds initiation (82%), while maximum shoot length was formed on media with BAP (1.5 mgL-1), NAA (0.25 mgL-1) and Kinetin (0.5 mgL-1). Full strength media with IAA (0.5 mgL-1) along with IBA (0.5 mgL-1) resulted in early roots initiation. Similarly, maximum rooting (87.57%) and lateral roots formation (up to 6.76) was recorded on full strength media supplemented with BAP (0.5 mgL-1), IAA (0.5 mgL-1) and IBA (0.5 mgL-1). Survival rate of acclimatized plantlets in autoclaved garden soil, farmyard soil, and sand (2:1:1) was 87%. Phytochemical analysis revealed variations in biochemical contents i.e. maximum sugar (808.32 µM/ml), proline (48.14 mg/g), ascorbic acid (373.801 mM/g) and phenolic compounds (642.72 mgL-1) were recorded from callus cultured on different stress media. Nonetheless, highest flavenoids (59.892 mg/g) and anthocyanin contents (32.39 mg/kg) were observed in in-vitro propagated plants. GC-MS analysis of the callus ethyl acetate extracts revealed 24 different phytochemicals. The variability in secondary metabolites of both wild and propagated plants/callus is reported for the first time for this species. This study may provide a baseline for the conservation and sustainable utilization of S. costus with implications for isolation of unique and pharmacologically active compounds from callus or regenerated plantlets.

Study of Proton Transport in Diethylmethylammonium Poly[4-styrenesulfonyl(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide]-Based Composite Membranes with Triflic Acid and Diethylmethylamine-Rich Compositions.

The study highlights the effect of acid- and base-rich conditions on the proton dynamics of diethylmethylammonium poly[4-styrenesulfonyl(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide, [DEMA][PSTFSI], a polymerized protic ionic liquid designed as a polymer electrolyte for nonhumidified polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells. Different proportions of triflic acid (HTf) and diethylmethylamine (DEMA) were added to the pristine polymer. The thermal analysis of the mixtures revealed that the addition of the base increases the glassy/amorphous nature of the polymer; however, HTf plasticizes the polymer and lowers the Tg value, so that it falls outside of the differential scanning calorimetry-studied temperature range. 50 mol % doping of the HTf contents increases the conductivity upto 0.952 mS cm-1, and 50 mol % DEMA mixture has a conductivity of 0.169 mS cm-1 at 100 °C. Vogel-Tamman-Fulcher fitting of the ionic conductivities of the doped systems suggested that the ionic conductivities are completely decoupled from segmental motion of the polymer. A combination of Fourier transform infrared and static NMR studies demonstrated that HTf-added polymer composites show conduction via Grotthuss and vehicular mechanisms, while DEMA-added polymer composites show predominantly a Grotthuss mechanism by developing the aggregates of proton and added base.

Exploring threatened traditional knowledge; ethnomedicinal studies of rare endemic flora from Lesser Himalayan region of Pakistan

ABSTRACT Himalayas are one among the world biodiversity hotspots harboring many endemic medicinal plants. Despite augmentation in the documentation of ethnopharmacological knowledge of medicinal plant species, information regarding endemic species is still underway. Current paper highlights the traditional medicinal uses of rare endemic and unexplored group of plants having potential for novel chemical constituents with effective pharmacological activities. In total, 142 informants (91 male and 51 female) including seventeen traditional healers were interviewed using semi-structured questionnaire, personal observations and group discussions. Interviews were taken in field or otherwise photographs were shown for identification. Females were interviewed indirectly through male family members. For data analysis, quantitative analytical approach was adopted using ethnopharmacological indices as Relative frequency of citations and Fidelity Level. In total, 38 endemic plant species belonging to nineteen families were utilized by the local inhabitants. Highest number of endemics was belonging to Ranunculaceae (7), followed by Gentianaceae and Rosaceae (4 each) with respect to number of species. Highest number of endemics was used in fever, wound healing, throat infection and tonic (4 species each). Root was the most widely used part (36.17%) in cure of diseases and the leading mode administered was decoction (25.49%). Highest use reports and RFC values were recorded for Pimpinella stewartii (58 citations, 0.41 RFC), Caltha alba var. alba (52 citations, 0.37 RFC). Endemic plant species considerably contribute toward ethnomedicinal knowledge and despite rarity, the communities prefer their utilization. Conservation of endemics is necessary for future availability to the local communities.