No abstract

Associations of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) and dark septate endophyte (DSE) fungi with 38 ginger species (Zingiberaceae) and two spiral gingers (Costaceae) were investigated. All species were mycorrhizal, and the status of 35 gingers and one spiral ginger has been investigated for the first time. The extent of AM colonization and the root length colonized by AM structures varied significantly among species. AM structures were also observed in non-root portions such as scale leaves. Arbuscular mycorrhizae were of either Arum-type or intermediate- type; AM-type is reported for the first time in 37 species. Spores of 16 morphotypes belonging to 4 genera ( Glomus , Acaulospora , Scutellospora , Racocetra ) were identified from the rhizosphere soil. DSE colonization was found in 22 gingers and 2 spiral gingers. Twenty-two plant species are reported as hosts of DSE fungi for the first time. The extent of total AM and DSE colonization was not correlated.

-The effect of crop species and edaphic factors on the distribution of Trichoderma species in Alfisol soil under different agrosystems was evaluated. Each soil sample was assayed for nine abiotic factors and culturable microfungal populations. Fungal abundance was determined by dilution plate technique, and the identification of fungi was based on morphological characteristics. Pearson's correlation coefficient was used to determine the relationship of association between these factors and the presence and abundance of Trichoderma species in each soil type. The abundance of soil fungi ranged between 7.0 × 10 3 and 13.6 × 10 3 colony forming units (cfus) per gram of dry soil. The population densities of the two Trichoderma species (T. koningii and T. viride) isolated in the present study varied significantly with crop species and their abundance (varied from 0.6 to 3.6 × 10 3 cfus g -1 dry soil). Twenty-two other colony-forming fungal types with an abundance ranging between 7.0 × 10 3 and 13.6 × 10 3 cfus g -1 dry soil were also isolated in the present study. As soil pH negatively influenced relative abundance of T. koningii, soil P and relative abundance of T. viride were significantly and positively correlated to each other. Further, relative abundance of T. koningii was significantly and positively correlated to relative abundance of Aspergillus fumigatus but negatively correlated to relative abundance of Stachybotrys atra. Likewise, a significant negative correlation existed between relative abundance of T. viride and Absidia glauca.

Acute appendicitis is the most common cause of acute abdomen in young adolescents and appendectomy is often the first major surgical procedure performed by a surgeon. Precise knowledge of vascular variation and planning of conducting surgical and radiological procedures is important during appendectomy. The appendicular artery is considered to be a branch from posterior caecal artery or ileocolic artery entering the mesoappendix from behind the ileum and supplying it. There is no general agreement in the literature about the arterial blood supply of the vermiform appendix. Little information is available in the literature about the distribution and pattern of branching of the appendicular arteries. In view of the discrepancies in the literature about the anatomy of the vascular supply of the appendix and to add further knowledge of surgical anatomy this study was carried out. Accessory arteries are important because they can provide some immunity toward appendicitis. Detailed analysis of the arterial vascularization of the appendix is necessary before its removal for reconstructive microsurgery.

We analyzed mycorrhizal types and dark septate endophyte (DSE) fungal associations in a shola vegetation of Western Ghats region, southern India. Plants belonging to 29 species of 19 families were assessed for mycorrhizal type and DSE fungal association. Five mycorrhizal classes were classified based on morphological traits: arbuscular, ecto-, ectendo-, ericoid-, and orchid mycorrhizas. Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) association was the most predominant mycorrhizal type, occurring in 16 plant species, followed by orchid (3 species), ericoid-(2 species), and ecto-and ectendomycorrhizas (1 species each). Mycorrhizal association is reported for the first time in 19 plant species. DSE fungal association was found in six plant species. Arum-and Paris-type AM morphology was found, respectively, in 10 and 5 plant species, with intermediate type recorded in one species. In this study, some new records on the morphological types of AM in some plant families were obtained. Further occurrence of ectendomycorrhizas in Pinus oocarpa and dark septate fungal association in Eleaocarpus munronii, Symplocos cochinchiensis, Daphniphyllum neilgherrense, Euodia roxburghiana, Syzygium arnottianum, and Syzygium montanum are reported for the first time. Roots of Berberis tinctoria, Mahonia leschenaultii (Berberidaceae), Elaeagnus latifolia (Elaeagnaceae), and Elaeocarpus oblongus (Elaeocarpaceae) lacked any fungal structures.