To cite this paper: Prodhan, Z.H., G. Faruq, R.M. ) and grain yield per plant (76.73 g) were higher at 25°C temperature compared to the ambient and 20°C temperature. The maximum down-regulation of badh2 gene (-12.20 ± 0.01 fold), the highest concentration of 2AP (0.14 ± 0.02 ppm) and the excellent phenotypic aroma score (score 4) was also observed at 25°C temperature. Hence, the badh2 gene expression level and 2AP concentration were influenced by the temperature, which also regulated the phenotypic expression of aroma and agronomic performance of aromatic rice. This information will enlighten the consequences of optimum temperature and the possible reasons of variation in aroma quality of rice, which could open the possibility of high quality aromatic rice production around the globe.

Leaf, seed, and tuber explants of C. latifolia were inoculated on MS medium supplemented with various concentrations of BAP and IBA, alone or in combinations, to achieve in vitro plant regeneration. Subsequently, antioxidant and antibacterial activities were determined from in vitro and in vivo plant developed. No response was observed from seed culture on MS media with various concentrations of PGRs. The highest percentage of callus was observed on tuber explants (94%) and leaf explants (89%) when cultured on MS media supplemented with IBA in combination with BAP. A maximum of 88% shoots per tuber explant, with a mean number of shoots (8.8 ± 1.0), were obtained on MS medium supplemented with combinations of BAP and IBA (2.5 mg L−1). The best root induction (92%) and mean number (7.6 ± 0.5) from tuber explants were recorded on 2.5 mg L−1 IBA alone supplemented to MS medium. The higher antioxidant content (80%) was observed from in vivo tuber. However, tuber part from the intact plant showed higher inhibition zone in antibacterial activity compared to other in vitro and in vivo tested parts.

The leaf of Gardenia jasminoides Ellis was used as explants and was cultured on MS and WPM media supplemented with various concentrations of NAA, IAA, 2,4-D, IBA, TDZ, and Kn (0 to 5 mg L−1 with 0.5 increment). After six months, the higher percentage of callus (100%) and the best dry and fresh weight of callus were formed on WPM medium supplemented with 2,4-D and NAA (2.0-3.0 mg L−1) and this amount was decreased from (84%) to (69%) when this media supplemented with Kinetin and TDZ (1 mg L−1) respectively were used. Leaf segments cultured on WPM media added with Kn (1 mg L−1) and TDZ (2 mg L−1) yielded the least amount of callus. It was found that WPM media added with IAA (4.5–5.0 mg L−1) were optimum for root induction from G. jasminoides plantlets. Antibacterial screening of leaf extracts (in vivo) showed no inhibitory effect against E. coli, P. aeruginosa, S. aureus, and B. cereus, in contrast to callus extracts from leaf cultures supplemented with NAA, which showed inhibition activity against E. coli and B. cereus. The callus extracts from leaf cultures grown on both MS and WPM media showed higher antioxidant and superoxide dismutase activities than leaf extracts.

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This research reports the development of an online three-tier diagnostic instrument for pre-university students related to cellular respiration. To date, only few studies have been conducted to identify students’ alternative conception in the topic of cellular respiration. One of the contributing factors is due to lack of instrument developed to measure these alternative conceptions. Three-tier tests are used as assessment tools for lecturers to determine students’ alternative conceptions related to cellular respiration and their knowledge and understanding about the concepts. The research incorporates both qualitative and quantitative methods. The instrument was developed in five phases: (1) construction of items, (2) pilot study, (3) validation of instrument, (4) transforming the instrument into an online assessment tool, and (5) the administration of the Online Diagnostic Tool (ODiT). The Cellular Respiration ODiT consists of three tiers: answer and reasoning tiers to measure “content knowledge” and “explanatory knowledge” respectively, and a third tier that measures the level of confidence of pre-university students. Analysis of the students’ responses demonstrated acceptable reliability and validity of the instrument. The research also shows that both students and lecturers benefit when online diagnostic tests are implemented appropriately. Key words: biology alternative conception, online diagnostic tool, three-tier diagnostic test.