The allelopathic potential of leaf aqueous extract (LAE) of Calotropis procera on growth behavior, ultrastructural changes on Cassia sophera L., and cytological changes on Allium cepa L. was investigated. LAE at different concentrations (0.5, 1, 2, and 4 %) significantly reduced the root length, shoot length, and dry biomass of C. sophera. Besides, the ultrastructural changes (through scanning electron microscopy, SEM) induced in epidermal cells of 15-day-old seedlings of Cassia leaf were also noticed. The changes induced were shrinking and contraction of epidermal cells along with the formation of major grooves, canals, and cyst-like structures. The treated samples of epidermal cells no longer seem to be smooth as compared to control. LAE at different concentrations induces chromosomal aberrations and variation in shape of the interphase and prophase nucleus in A. cepa root tip cells when compared with control groups. The mitotic index in treated onion root tips decreased with increasing concentrations of the extracts. The most frequent aberrations were despiralization at prophase with the formation of micronuclei, sticky anaphase with bridges, sticky telophase, C-metaphase, etc. The results also show the induction of ghost cells, cells with membrane damage, and cells with heterochromatic nuclei by extract treatment. Upon HPLC analysis, nine phenolic acids (caffeic acid, gentisic acid, catechol, gallic acid, syringic acid, ellagic acid, resorcinol, p-coumaric acid, and p-hydroxy benzoic acid) were identified. Thus, the phenolic acids are mainly responsible for the allelopathic behavior of C. procera.

Iodine is essential for normal thyroid function, supporting healthy fetal and child development. Iodine requirements increase in pregnancy, but many women in regions without salt iodization have insufficient intakes. We explored associations between iodide intake and urinary iodine concentration (UIC), urinary iodine/creatinine ratio (I/Cr), thyroid stimulating hormone, thyroglobulin, free triiodothyronine, free thyroxine and palpable goiter in a region of mild-to-moderate iodine insufficiency. A total of 246 pregnant women aged 18–40 in Bradford, UK, joined the Health and Iodine in Babies (Hiba) study. They provided detailed information on diet and supplement use, urine and serum samples and were assessed for goiter at around 12, 26 and 36 weeks’ gestation, and 6, 18 and 30 weeks postpartum. Dietary iodide intake from food and drink was estimated using six 24 h recalls. During pregnancy, median (IQR) dietary iodide intake was 101 µg/day (54, 142), with 42% from dairy and 9% from white fish. Including supplements, intake was 143 µg/day (94, 196), with 49% < UK reference nutrient intake (140 µg/day). Women with Pakistani heritage had 129 µg/day (87, 190) median total intake. Total intake during pregnancy was associated with 4% (95% CI: 1%, 7%) higher UIC, 5% (3%, 7%) higher I/Cr, 4% (2%, 6%) lower thyroglobulin and 21% (9%, 32%) lower odds of palpable goiter per 50 µg/day. This cohort consumed less iodide in pregnancy than UK and World Health Organization dietary recommendations. UIC, I/Cr and thyroglobulin were associated with intake. Higher intake was associated with fewer goiters. Because dairy was the dominant source of iodide, women following plant-based or low-dairy diets may be at particular risk of iodine insufficiency.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the pollen viability and longevity of Cannabis sativa, which is a significant economic crop. Viability and longevity are evaluated using different staining techniques: Alexander's, Triphenyl Tetrazolium Chloride (TCT) and Fluorochromatic Reaction (FCR). The results of this study show that FCR is the most reliable and accurate for assessing viability and longevity in C. sativa. Viability was measured over days and across 2010. Viability was greatest between 0 -3 days of anther dehiscence and during April, whilst December had the lowest pollen viability. For Cannabis sativa the first 3 days after anthesis are the most important for fertilization, following the 3rd day there is a rapid decline in viability.

Allelopathy is described as both beneficial and deleterious biochemical interaction between plant and weeds, and/or plant and microorganisms through the production of chemical compounds that escape into the environment and subsequently influence the growth and development of neighbouring plants. The present laboratory experimental study was conducted to evaluate the allelopathic effect of Cassia sophera (L.) on three weed plants (Chenopodium album L., Melilotus alba Medik and Nicotiana plumbaginifolia Viv.). Aqueous extracts of Cassia at 0.5, 1.0, 2.0 and 4.0% concentrations were applied to determine their effect on seed germination, seedling growth, dry biomass, leaf area, relative water content, chlorophyll and protein content of test plants under laboratory conditions. The aqueous extracts had a significant retardatory effect on seed germination of test plants which varied among species and also with the different concentrations used. Root length and shoot length of weed species decreased significantly when plants were exposed to increasing aqueous concentration (0.5, 1, 2 and 4%). The noticed reduction in dry biomass, leaf area and relative water content were also significant. Physiological parameters (total chlorophyll content and protein content) in relation to three test species (M. alba, C. album and N. plumbaginifolia) were significantly reduced with the different concentrations of aqueous extract used. From this we can predict that cassia might possess allelochemicals that causes the suppressive ability.