A comparative in vitro antibacterial potential of extracts (aqueous and ethanol) of five important medicinal plants (Aegle marmelos, Azadirachta indica, Terminalia chebula, Mangifera indica and Ocimum sanctum) were investigated using microbial growth inhibition assays against the common human pathogenic bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and

Field experiments on duckweeds, Lemna aequinoctialis, were carried out to determine the effect of plant characteristics on water-quality variables in ponds. In view of their rapid growth rates and ability to cover water surfaces very quickly, such studies are necessary, especially in sub-tropical countries, in order to develop viable management strategies. Morphological parameters like leaf length, leaf width, and root length of individual plants along with cover percent of Lemna were studied in each pond along with important water-quality parameters. The plant parameters were related to the studied water-quality variables using regression analysis. Equations showed that changes in root length and cover, both easily measurable growth responses of duckweeds, could be used to reflect changes in two important water-quality variables like DO and phosphorus (both total and soluble reactive) concentrations in pond waters and hence be used effectively for routine monitoring. This study also gives an indication that ponds with low cover of duckweeds could possibly be more effective for prediction purposes.

An autoregressive analysis was performed on data from an investigation of the velocity and acceleration of the day‐to‐day length increments of two Indian major carp, Catla catla (Hamilton) and Labeo rohita (Hamilton), hatched in artificial (Chinese‐style hatchery) and semi‐natural (improvised pits) holding conditions. The autoregressive model, which was capable of providing short‐ and long‐term predictions, was tested in parallel with a time regressive model and an instantaneous growth rate model. The estimate simulating short‐term predictions was found to describe the data more efficiently than the other estimates of the models. Product‐moment correlations comparing the two holding systems revealed no source‐specific variation of growth between the species. However, the significant length velocity correlation suggests that the artificial system has greater efficacy.

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