Molecular markers linked to QTL contributing to agronomic and fibre quality traits would be useful for cotton improvement. We have attempted to tag yield and fibre quality traits with AFLP and SSR markers using F(2) and F(3) populations of a cross between two Gossypium hirsutum varieties, PS56-4 and RS2013. Out of 50 AFLP primer combinations and 177 SSR primer pairs tested, 32 AFLP and four SSR primers were chosen for genotyping F(2) individuals. Marker-trait associations were studied for eight agronomic and five fibre quality traits through simple and multiple regression analysis (MRA) using a set of 92 AFLP polymorphic loci and four SSR markers. Simple linear regression analysis (SLRA) identified 23 markers for eight different traits whereas multiple regression analysis identified 30 markers for at least one of the 13 traits. SSR marker BNL 3502 was consistently identified to be associated with fibre strength. While all the markers identified in SLRA were also detected in MRA, as many as 16 of the 30 markers were identified to be associated with respective traits in both F2 and F3 generations. The markers explained up to 41 per cent of phenotypic variation for individual traits. A number of markers were found to be associated with multiple traits suggesting clustering of QTLs for fibre quality traits in cotton.

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Guar (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba L. Taub) is a drought tolerant and multipurpose grain legume cash crop grown primarily under rainfed conditions in several countries. The effect of various growth regulators and their combinations on a variety of explants, namely the embryo, cotyledons, cotyledonary nodes, shoot tip and hypocotyle, has been studied and an efficient system for callus induction and regeneration from callus has been developed. It was established that Murashige and Skoog's culture medium containing 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (10.0 lM) in combination with 6-benzylaminopurine (5.0 lM) with embryo or cotyledon explants is most suitable for induction of green and friable morphogenic callus, with a range of 82.5-95% of cultured explants responding to callus induction. Efficient de novo shoot regeneration was achieved by culturing the callus obtained on this medium on Murashige and Skoog's medium containing 1-naphthlenacetic acid (13.0 lM) in combination with 6-benzylaminopurine (5.0 lM) with a range of 82.1-88.4% of callus clumps producing 20-25 shoots. In vitro rooting of cultured shoots was obtained on halfsalt concentration of Murashige and Skoog's culture medium supplied with indole-3-butyric acid (5.0 lM) on which 82-90% of cultured shoots produced healthy roots. The in vitro regenerated plants were grown to pod setting and subsequent maturity under greenhouse conditions.

The present study for the first time describes biological and molecular characterization of Citrus tristeza virus (CTV) occurring in the Terai area of Uttarakhand State in Northern Himalaya region of India. Direct antigen coated-ELISA and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) detected the CTV infection in Acid lime cv. Pant lemon (Citrus aurantifolia) orchards of Pantnagar with an estimated disease incidence of 16.6-20.5 %. To know the biological and genetic properties, an isolate, CTV Pant 4 was characterized. Isolate Pant 4 could be graft transmitted to Kinnow, Nagpur and Darjeeling mandarins, Mosambi sweet orange, Kagzi lime, Sweet lime, Sour orange but not to Rough lemon. The sequence analyses of the 5 0 ORF1a (3038 nucleotides) of LPro domain and 3 0 end (2058 nt) covering ORF7-ORF10 regions of the CTV genome revealed that Pant 4 was closely related to the previously reported Indian CTV isolate, Kpg3 from Northeastern Himalaya region with 97 and 98 % sequence identity, respectively. Whereas, it differed from the previously reported CTV isolate B165 from Southern India with 79 and 92 % identity, respectively for 5 0 ORF1a and 3 0 end regions. Recombination and SplitsTree decomposition analyses indicated that CTV isolate Pant 4 was a recombinant isolate originating from Kpg3 as a major and B165 as a minor donor.

Garlic is one of the important bulb crops grown and used as a spice or a condiment throughout India. According to the Unani and Ayurvedic systems as practised in India, garlic is carminative and is a gastric stimulant and thus help in digestion and absorption of food. Allicin present in aquous extract of garlic reduces cholesterol concentration in human blood. Garlic extract has antimicrobial activity against many genera of bacteria, fungi and viruses. Garlic contains a higher concentration of sulfur compounds which are responsible for its medicinal effects. The chemical constituents of garlic have also been investigated for treatment of cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, blood pressure, atherosclerosis and hyperlipidaemia and highly praised by several authors. Therefore, this paper is reviewed to inspire and impress the young researchers about the medicinal values of garlic. The inhalation of garlic oil or garlic juice has generally been recommended by doctors in case of pulmonary tuberculosis, rheumatism, sterility, impotency, cough and red eyes. Garlic possesses insecticidal action. About 1% garlic extract gives protection against mosquitoes for 8 hours. Extract of garlic along with chilli and ginger has beneficial action against soil nematodes. Beneficial use of garlic extract has been found against many fungi. Garlic is probably one of the earliest known medicinal plants, which used from ancient time to cure different disease conditions in human. Garlic's principal medicinal uses are to lower blood pressure and cholesterol, fight infections, and prevent cancer. The main interest of researchers in the medicinal values of garlic is its broad-spectrum therapeutic effect with minimal toxicity. Garlic extract has antimicrobial activity against many genera of bacteria, fungi and viruses. Garlic contains a higher concentration of lavoura compounds which are responsible for its medicinal effects. The active constituents are avoura-containing compounds that are rapidly absorbed and metabolized. Numerous studies suggest that garlic lowers total cholesterol concentrations by approximately 10%, favorably altering HDL/LDL ratios. Literature survey support garlic's effectiveness as a mild antihypertensive, lowering blood pressure by 5-7%. Garlic inhibits platelet aggregation and enhances fibrinolytic activity, reducing clots on damaged endothelium. Another important use of garlic is as antidiabetic. Garlic controls the blood sugar level by different types of mechanisms. In vitro studies and animal data suggest that garlic may help to prevent some solid tumors. Therefore garlic is also effective in the cancer prevention. There are no studies evaluating its effectiveness in treating children or pregnant or nursing women. The other proposed uses of garlic include the hepatoprotective, antihelmentics, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antifungal and wound healing. Garlic, from crushed to capsules, is consumed throughout the world. The active chemical in garlic is allicin, which is produced when raw garlic is crushed, all...

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Agriculture is both a producer and consumer of energy. It uses large quantities of locally available non-commercial energies, such as seed, manure and animate energy and commercial energies directly and indirectly in the form of diesel, electricity, fertilizer, plant