Evaluation of Different Morpho-Physiological Traits of Pre-Release Early Sugarcane Clones.

Five promising early sugarcane clones (2006 T3, 2006 T8, 2006 T19, 2006 T23 and 2006 T36) from yield trials along with two checks (Co C 671 and Co 94008) were evaluated for identification of sugarcane clones suitable for delayed harvest and crushing” at Agricultural Research Station, Perumallapalle, Chittoor, Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University, Andhra Pradesh, during 2011-2012. The data on different growth parameters viz., Germination per cent, Plant height, SCMR values and Leaf area index were recorded at different crop growth periods. The highest germination count was recorded with 2006 T36 followed by Co C 671 and Co 94008, whereas the lowest count was recorded with 2006 T23. Among the clones 2006 T3 and 2006 T36 recorded the highest plant height at different crop growth periods (90, 120, 240 DAP and at harvest) along with two standards (Co C 671 and Co 94008), while the clone 2006 T23 recorded the lowest plant height. The highest SCMR values and LAI was recorded with Co C 671, Co 94008 followed by 2006 T36 and 2006 T3 at different crop growth periods (60, 90, 120 and 150 days), whereas, the clone 2006 T23 recorded the lowest SCMR and LAI values. The data recorded on different yield attributes viz., cane diameter (cm), cane length (cm), number of millable canes and cane yield at harvest showed that 2006 T36 and 2006 T3 recorded the higher cane yields along with checks, while the clone 2006 T23 recorded the lowest cane yield.

Genetic Divergence Studies in Mungbean (Vigna Radiata L. Wilczek).

Genetic divergence using D2 statistic of forty genotypes of various agro-climatic region for ten quantitative characters revealed existence of considerable genetic diversity in the material. The genotypes were grouped into eleven clusters. Cluster VIII contained the highest number of nine genotypes followed by cluster V with seven genotypes. The pattern of distribution of genotypes from different geographical location into eleven clusters were random, demonstrating that geographical isolation may not be the only factor causing genetic diversity. The highest intra-cluster distance was observed for cluster VI (112.02) and the lowest was observed for cluster II (6.24). While the highest inter-cluster distance was observed between cluster III and X (493.41). Harvest index contributed maximum to diversity. Cluster IX with WGG-66 recorded the highest mean for yield contributing characters viz., plant height, branches/plant, pods/plant and clusters/plant. Therefore it was suggested that more emphasis should be given this genotype as parents for crossing with genotypes of other clusters which may produce novel recombinants with desirable traits.

Phytochemical constituent of aconitum species-A review.

Aconitum species were used as the major component in the Chinese and Bhutanese herbal medicines. The species posses many phytochemical compounds which possess many of the pharmacological activities. Diterpene alkaloids were the main compound with the pharmacological activities such as analgesic and against inflammation. This alkaloid possesses certain toxic hydrolyzed bases which could be detoxified by the intervention of recent technologies. Apart from this, the plant possess many alkaloids, amide alkaloids, flavonoids, flavonol glycosides, diterpenoid and norditerpenoid compounds which possess medicinal values. The above mentioned compounds of potent importance were isolated and characterized by the chromatographic separation techniques and their structures were usually elucidated by the spectroscopic studies especially with Nuclear Magnetic Resonance techniques. These compounds were the central target of the medicinal chemist as they possess both medicinal and toxic nature. The measures to be taken in such a way that the medicinal compounds of the plant should be isolated and formulated without the toxic nature. This review encompasses the total phytochemical compounds that have been isolated from various species of the plant genus Aconitum.

In vitro antioxidant studies in leaves of Annona species.

Antioxidant potential of leaves of three different species of Annona was studied by using different in vitro models eg., 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothizoline-6-sulphonate) (ABTS), nitric oxide, superoxide, hydroxy radical and lipid peroxidation. The ethanolic extract of A. muricata at 500 microg/ml showed maximum scavenging activity (90.05%) of ABTS radical cation followed by the scavenging of hydroxyl radical (85.88%) and nitric oxide (72.60%) at the same concentration. However, the extract showed only moderate lipid peroxidation inhibition activity. In contrast, the extract of A. reticulata showed better activity in quenching DPPH (89.37%) and superoxide radical (80.88%) respectively. A.squamosa extract exhibited least inhibition in all in vitro antioxidant models excepting hydroxyl radical (79.79%). These findings suggest that the extracts of A. muricata possess potent in vitro antioxidant activity as compared to leaves of A. squamosa and A. reticulata suggesting its role as an effective free radical scavenger, augmenting its therapeutic