We investigated the response to increasing intensity of red (R) and far-R (FR) light and to a decrease in R:FR ratio in Pinus sylvestris L. (Scots pine) seedling. The results showed that FR high-irradiance response for hypocotyl elongation may be present in Scots pine and that this response is enhanced by increasing light intensity. However, both hypocotyl inhibition and pigment accumulation were more strongly affected by the R light compared with FR light. This is in contrast to previous reports in Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh. In the angiosperm, A. thaliana R light shows an overall milder effect on inhibition of hypocotyl elongation and on pigment biosynthesis compared with FR suggesting conifers and angiosperms respond very differently to the different light regimes. Scots pine shade avoidance syndrome with longer hypocotyls, shorter cotyledons and lower chlorophyll content in response to shade conditions resembles the response observed in A. thaliana. However, anthocyanin accumulation increased with shade in Scots pine, which again differs from what is known in angiosperms. Overall, the response of seedling development and physiology to R and FR light in Scots pine indicates that the regulatory mechanism for light response may differ between gymnosperms and angiosperms.

Somatic mutations are transmitted during mitosis in developing somatic tissue. Somatic cells bearing the mutations can develop into reproductive (germ) cells and the somatic mutations are then passed on to the next generation of plants. Somatic mutations are a source of variation essential to evolve new defense strategies and adapt to the environment. Stem rust disease in Scots pine has a negative effect on wood quality, and thus adversely affects the economy. It is caused by the 2 most destructive fungal species in Scandinavia: Peridermium pini and Cronartium flaccidum. We studied nuclear genome stability in Scots pine under biotic stress (fungus-infected, 22 trees) compared to a control population (plantation, 20 trees). Stability was assessed as accumulation of new somatic mutations in 10 microsatellite loci selected for genotyping. Microsatellites are widely used as molecular markers in population genetics studies of plants, and are particularly used for detection of somatic mutations as their rate of mutation is of a much higher magnitude when compared with other DNA markers. We report double the rate of somatic mutation per locus in the fungus-infected trees (4.8×10(-3) mutations per locus), as compared to the controls (2.0×10(-3) mutations per locus) when individual samples were analyzed at 10 different microsatellite markers. Pearson's chi-squared test indicated a significant effect of the fungal infection which increased the number of mutations in the fungus-infected trees (χ(2) = 12.9883, df = 1, P = 0.0003134).

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Blight is an important disease that cause devastating yield loss now a days. That’s why, an investigation was carried out at the Regional Agricultural Research Station (RARS), Bangladesh Agriculture Research Institute (BARI), Barishal for screening of lentil germplasms against stemphylium blight in terms of yield and yield attributes. To find the best genotype, 40 moderately stemphylium resistant lentil lines/ genotypes were used and their different yield contributing characters were analysed. In this study, it has been observed that the long delay of 1st flowering was recorded in BD-5982 and BD-5996 while early flowering in BD-3927 and BARI masur-7. The highest 50% flowering days was recorded in BD-3983, BD-4024, BD-4053 etc. and lowest in BD-3922. Long maturation period of 111.5 days was recorded in BD-4024 and that of short maturity date was recorded in BD-3924 and BD-3927. The highest plant height was observed in BD-3974 and lowest was in BD-4127. The maximum number of branches per plant was observed in BD-3936 and BD-4024 and minimum was found in BD-4097. Maximum number of pods per plant was recorded in BD-3922 and minimum number of pods per plant was in BD-4053. The lowest number of seeds per pod was recorded in BD-4053. The highest 100 seed weight was recorded in BD-5986 and the lowest was observed in BD-4127. Maximum biological yield was recorded in BD-4053 and minimum was in BD-5989. The highest and lowest grain yield was recorded in BD-5983 and BD-4024, respectively. This finding will help researcher to develop new variety in near future. Asian J. Med. Biol. Res. June 2019, 5(2): 100-106

The study was conducted at Ashuganj-Polash agro-irrigation project (APAIP), Brahmanbaria,aim to determine the chemical properties of power plant disposal water and to assess its suitability for irrigation. Initial soil samples (before irrigating crop field) and final soil samples (after crop harvesting) were collected. During irrigation ten water samples (six from crop field and four from irrigation canals) were collected for analysis. All soil samples were analyzed in Humboldt soil testing laboratory and water samples in bio-chemistry laboratory of Bangladesh Agricultural University and compared to FAO irrigation standard. Results show thatthe sodium absorption ratio (SAR) (0.53 to 0.88), residual sodium bi-carbonate (0.8 to 1.3meq L-1), Kelly’s ratio (0.31 to 0.6) and total hardness (85 to 150) found in normal range and largely suitable for irrigation. Soluble sodium percentage values found in satisfactory (20.26 to 41.1) level and magnesium absorption (57.1 to 76.4) found unsuitable for irrigation. Statistically similar value of pH, EC, total nitrogen, organic carbon, calcium, magnesium and phosphorus in initial and final soil sample were observed. But potassium and sulfur value reduced in final soil sample from initial soil. The water samples fall within the permissible limit and found suitable for crop production

Clayshale not used in construction because it is easily weathered when exposed to air and water to reduce the soil shear strength. As a result, this decline can cause geotechnical engineering problems, and clayshale needs stabilization. This study aims to determine the shear strength of clayshale by adding variations of 5%, 8%, and 11% lime. Tests carried out to obtain soil parameters include soil index and engineering properties. Based on laboratory tests, the original clayshale soil has a 33.2% liquid limit, a 6,1% plasticity limit, and a 27,1% plasticity index. Hence, clayshale soils belong to the CL(clay-low plasticity) category based on the USCS. Adding lime variations can increase the specific gravity and the optimum moisture content of the clayshale soils. Still, it can reduce the dry unit weight and the plasticity index value on clayshale soils. The triaxial test on the original clayshale soil sample obtained a cohesion(c) value of 0.20kg/cm2 and friction angle(f) of 6.38°. In contrast, the values of c and f occurred the highest increase from the original clayshale soil with the addition of 8% lime, so lime can be used as an alternative in soil stabilization because it can increase the shear strength of the soil.