Fungi are considered as diverse group of eukaryotic organisms and have very important role in ecosystem. Although their expected number is more than 2.2-3.8 million, only 120,000 taxa have been identified so far. Basidiomycetes are very large group of fungi including mushrooms, toad stools, puff balls, earth stars, polypores, and rust and smut fungi. Previously, these fungi were identified only by morphological characters that have been considered as variable due to environmental factors. Literature shows that many fungi are misidentified due to phenotypic changes. Molecular methods including phylogenetics prove to be successful aids along with traditional methods for correct identification of these fungi and these have revolutionized fungal reclassification. Many fungal taxa have been shifted to other groups of fungi after their phylogenetic analysis. So, many DNA markers can be used to solve such problems.
A new species in Megasporaceae, Aspiciliella pakistanica is described and illustrated from Pakistan. A comparative morpho–anatomical study and ITS–based molecular analysis confirmed its position within the recently resurrected genus Aspiciliella. The taxon is characterized by whitish–grey thalli having large and thick areoles without pale lines on the surface, and a discontinuous algal layer arranged in groups of vertical rows. Its positioning in a separate branch in the phylogenetic tree also makes it distinct from the other known species of the genus.
When studying lichens in Pakistan, we came across a crustose species with small to moderate squamulose on a thin blackish hypothallus with a dry, rough, gray-brown to the black upper surface. The standard chemical tests integrated with conventional to modern taxonomic tools were used to name the specimen. Consequently, with minor differences in the morphology, and no difference in nucleotides, the lichen species was baptized Parmeliella thriptophylla (Ach.) Müll. Arg. The descriptive taxonomy and n-ITS-based phylogeny of this species with its habitus are presented in this study. No previous record of this species, genus, or family was found in Pakistan.
This project tries to artificially grow one of the most ornamentally
significant Petunia hybrida when it is out of season. Murashige and
Skoog Basal Medium (MS Basal Medium) was used for in vitro growth of P.
hybrida, supplemented with different Plant Growth Regulators (PGRs).
Various physical and chemical factors on in vitro growth of P. hybrida
using different explants were analyzed. The type of auxin that proved
significant for somatic embryogenesis of P. hybrida Vilm was
2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2.0 mg/L) using the leaf as explant
under controlled environmental conditions, i.e., 92% at 23oC with a 5.8
pH and 16 hours photoperiod & 30g/l sucrose in. Friable calli were also
developed from leaf, node, and internodal explants on a tissue culture
medium (MS basal medium) when supplemented with other PGRs in certain
combinations i.e. 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2.0 mg/L), Benzyl
Amino Purine (2.5mg/L), Benzyl Amino Purine + 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic
acid (2mg/L +2.5mg/L), Naphthalene Acetic Acid (1.5mg/L),
2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid + Naphthalene Acetic Acid (2mg/L+1.5mg/L)
and Benzyl Amino Purine + Naphthalene Acetic Acid (2.5mg/L+0.5mg/L) at
optimal physical factors under strict aseptic environment. These results
may enable one to produce the required type of P. hybrida Vilm during
off and on seasons on a commercial scale by using plant tissue culture
as a tool.
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