Life Sciences

Yellow rust, caused by Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici (PST), is one of the most important diseases threatening wheat productions around the world. Yellow rust population from Nepal was characterized for its frequency and combination of virulences using world, European and supplemental differential sets under standard glasshouse conditions at Institute National de la Recherché Agronomique (INRA), France. A total of 62 revived isolates which were collected during 2008 were analyzed. Isolates were differentiated into six pathotypes (N1 to N6).

Withania somnifera (L.) commonly known as “Ashwagandha” is one of the promising herb with important multiple medicinal properties. The main active principle which is therapeutically known as Withanolides and steroidal lactones. The present study was aimed to investigate to effect of three arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi - Glomus mosseae, G. fasciculatum and G. macrocarpum to enhance the production of fresh and dry weight, primary and secondary metabolites as compared to uninoculted Withania somnifera.

Much of the traditional theoretical and empirical literature concentrated mainly on developed and emerging economies neglecting the need for developing countries to build technological capabilities in enhancing export growth and global competitiveness. Using survey questionnaire on Uganda and The Gambia’s fish industry in December 2013 to conduct comparative analysis to assess the performance of fish SMEs, we employ Chi-Square t-test to examine statistical difference and levels of significance on fish SMEs’ financial access, exports and research and development (R&D).

The study concentrated on female part-time students’ performance in Integrated Science from 2009 to 2012. Three research questions were formulated and analyzed. Population of the study was 86 female part-time students. Sample was 86 students as well, due to the small size of the population.  The result of the study showed that ‘between’ 2009 to 2012, about 67%, 60%, 40% and 49% of the female candidates who were to graduate could not because they failed in the subject area respectively.

Sal (Shorea robusta) which is the most dominant tree species of the Sal forests in India is under threat. Sal seeds germinate profusely but the establishment of seedlings and conversion of seedlings into trees is very low. ‘Die back’ of Sal seedlings prevents its establishment due to several factors. This paper studies the impact of certain treatments; like opening of canopy, soil & moisture conservation, Protection against fire and grazing; on the establishment of Sal seedlings as well as seedlings of its associates.

Grass family is one of the largest and important families of the plant kingdom and grasses have great role in sustainable development of biodiversity. Present investigation was conducted to study the Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi associated with some of the grasses from three different sites of Amravati region of Maharashtra, India. The physico-chemical characteristics of soil samples of all the study sites were analyzed. The AM Fungal spore count ranged from 130 to 216 and the percent root colonization of AM Fungi varied in the range of 60 to 100%.

Milk products are considered as a complete diet and it is rich source for proteins, fat, sugar, minerals and vitamins which is required for the growth as well as for maintenance.  However, it has been observed that it also acts as excellent medium/carrier for the pathogenic/spoilage microorganism. These milk products may be contaminated intentionally/unintentionally at different level at the time of production, processing and marketing. Therefore, the present study was conducted with an objective to assess the quality of market milk products available in and around Ludhiana.

The phytoliths are micrometric particles protect the plant from various stresses; in past provides mechanical support and durability to the plant. Phytoliths from grasses are well documented and broadly applied in some archaeo-botanical studies, whereas sedge phytoliths have received less attention. Since sedge phytoliths appear to be morphologically distinct from those in grasses, they may be of taxonomic importance.

A study on zooplankton diversity of Kangsabati Reservoir was conducted to check the reservoir status and emerge new insights which harbors in it. Shannon-Weaver diversity index, Margalef ,s richness index, Pielou evenness index, Index of dominance were evaluated on zooplankton from Kangsabati Reservoir. A total of 78 species were found in this reservoir. Among these, it comprises 33 species of rotifera, 22 species of cladocera, 16 species of copepoda, 4 species of protozoa, 2 species of ostracoda, 1 species of amphipoda.

Due to human and industrial activities the groundwater is contaminated. This is the serious problem now a day. Thus the analysis of the water quality is very important to preserve and prefect the natural ecosystem. The assessment of the groundwater quality was carried out in the different village of Moth block of Jhansi district, central India. In Physico-chemical analysis, various quality parameters are measured including pH, turbidity, total hardness, Iron, Chloride, Fluoride and Nitrate concentration present in groundwater.