The availability of nonhost resource subsidies affects the ability of parasitoids to overcome egg and time limitation and maximize lifetime reproductive success. We combined field and laboratory experiments to examine the effects of floral resource subsidies on the reproductive fitness of aphid parasitoids. Under controlled laboratory conditions, sugar resources significantly increased longevity and potential fecundity (egg load) in the endoparasitoids Aphidius rhopalosiphi and Diaeretiella rapae (Hymenoptera: Aphidiidae). Laboratory microcosm experiments showed that increased potential fecundity translated into significantly higher realized fecundity (i.e., rates of aphid parasitism) by A. rhopalosiphi receiving resource subsidies. Mechanisms of enhanced realized fecundity also operated under natural field conditions. Replicated field experiments on cultivated wheat, with host density controlled by experimental placement of aphids, showed that, in general, proximity to floral resource patches significantly increased rates of parasitism. Parasitism rates declined exponentially with increasing distance from floral patches, reaching zero beyond 14 m. Increased potential fecundity reduces the chances of parasitoids becoming egg-limited, whereas increased longevity reduces the chances of parasitoids becoming time-limited during host oviposition. Although the plasticity of egg load and longevity observed under varying conditions of resource availability is probably more relevant to parasitoid evolution, the individual fitness benefits from ephemeral resource patches are certainly important in the ecological enhancement of biological control agents.

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Improved fitness of aphid parasitoids receiving resource subsidies

Phyllanthus amarus: Ethnomedicinal uses, phytochemistry and pharmacology: A review

http://wgbis.ces.iisc.ernet.in/biodiversity/sahyadri_enews/newsletter/issue42/bibliography/Ethnobotanical-survey-of-medicinal-plants-commonly-used-by-Kani-tribals-in-Tirunelveli-hills.PDF

Ethnobotanical survey of medicinal plants commonly used by Kani tribals in Tirunelveli hills of Western Ghats, India.

An ethnobotanical survey of medicinal plants in Edremit Gulf (Balıkesir-Turkey).

Ethnopharmacological survey of medicinal plants in Maden (Elazig-Turkey).

Traditional uses of medicinal plants among the rural communities of Churu district in the Thar Desert, India.

Ethnomedicinal and ethnopharmaco-statistical studies of Eastern Rajasthan, India

Ethno-veterinary uses and informants consensus factor of medicinal plants of Sariska region, Rajasthan, India

SUMMARY Present study exposed various claims about the medicinal properties of Euphorbia tirucalli L., used by the indigenous people of Rajasthan to cure rheumatism, Skin disorders, Cough and other ailments. This plant was assessed for ethnopharmacological screenings, phytochemical analysis and antimicrobial screenings which also include anti-HIV activity, so as to validate the efficacy of indigenous herbal medicine. In the present study antimicrobial activity of the crude alcoholic extracts of leaf and stem of E. tirucalli against the known enteric pathogens was carried out. Anti-HIV screening activity was carried out using HIV Protease colorimetric Assay. Low MIC exhibited by the extract against S. aureus is of great significance in the healthcare delivery system, since it could be used as an alternative to orthodox antibiotics in the treatment of infections caused by these microbes, especially as they frequently developing resistance to known antibiotics. Key words: Alkaloids, Triterpenes, Antimicrobial activity, anti-Carcinogenic, Anti-HIV Bhuvaneshwar Upadhyay et al. Ethno-Medicinal, Phytochemical and Antimicrobial Studies of Euphorbia tirucalli L. J. Phytol 2/4 (2010) 65-77.

Ethno-Medicinal, Phytochemical and Antimicrobial Studies of Euphorbia tirucalli L.

SUMMARY Leaves of Euphorbia hirta , traditionally practiced in the treatments of boils, dysentery, enteritis and various skin conditions, were extracted by soxhlet extraction in various extraction mediums. The disc diffusion method was used to determine the antibacterial activity against many Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria (Standard strains and clinical isolates). Antibacterial sensitivity test indicated that the methanolic extract inhibited the growth of S. aureus , E. coli , and B. subtilis to varying extents while K. pneumonia was the most resistive strain to these extracts. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), of the extract against E. coli , S aureus , and S. entertidis were in the range of 0.1mg/ml. Phytochemical analysis indicates presence of terpenes, tannins, alkaloids and flavonoids which might be accountable for its antimicrobial properties, and these results validate the traditional uses of the plant in the treatment of various diseases. Bhuvaneshwar Upadhyay et al. Pharmacognostical and Antibacterial Studies of Leaf Extracts of Euphorbia hirta L. J Phytol 2/6 (2010) 55-60

Bhuvaneshwar Upadhyay

Papers

Traditional uses of medicinal plants among the rural communities of Churu district in the Thar Desert, India.

Ethnomedicinal and ethnopharmaco-statistical studies of Eastern Rajasthan, India

Ethno-veterinary uses and informants consensus factor of medicinal plants of Sariska region, Rajasthan, India

Ethno-Medicinal, Phytochemical and Antimicrobial Studies of Euphorbia tirucalli L.

Pharmacognostical and antibacterial studies of different extracts of Euphorbia hirta L.