To assess the possible effect of nodule mining on deep-sea environment, the Indian Deep-sea Environment Experiment (INDEX) was undertaken in the Indian Basin. The present investigation is a part of the disturbance and recolonization study. Pre-and post-disturbance sediment samples were collected from 21 stations between 10 0 01' -10 0 03' S and 75 0 59' -76 0 02' E at water depths of 5300 -5350 m to assess the effect of benthic disturbance. There was a significant change in the composition and biomass of macrofauna after the disturbance. Post-disturbance vertical profiles indicated a 63% reduction in the numerical count in the top 0-2-cm layer and high aggregation of macrofauna in deeper (5-10-cm) sediment layer. The impact of the disturbance was severe, as the mean biomass of macrofauna was significantly reduced in the disturbed area, probably due to the displacement and /or mortality caused by the benthic disturber.
Inter and intra-specific hybridization is a powerful breeding method for crop improvement and it has potential to broaden the genetic base of the cultivated species. M. charantia var. muricata is considered as a wild progenitor of bitter gourd (M. charantia) and it has important novel genes for biotic and abiotic stress tolerance. In the present experiment, conducted during the 2016–17 and 2017–18, intra-specific hybrids were produced among M. charantia var. charantia and M. charantia var. muricata and these were characterized for plant morphology, pollen-pistil compatibility, cytology and molecular relation among the parents and hybrids. In both direct and reciprocal crosses, the crossability percent was nearly 90% with high percent of pollen viability. The morphological traits of the parents were highly diverse and the hybrids showed intermediate pattern of character expression. The pollen-pistil behaviour and compatibility reaction were studied for the first time and observed higher per cent of compatibility in direct cross (M. charantia var. charantia × M. charantia var. muricata; 90.98%) and comparatively lower in reciprocal cross (M. charantia var. muricata × M. charantia var charantia; 84.43%). Cytological and molecular marker (SSR) techniques were used for hybridity confirmation.
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