Debabrata Panda

Bio: Debabrata Panda is an academic researcher from Central University, India. The author has contributed to research in topics: Drought tolerance & Chlorophyll fluorescence. The author has an hindex of 13, co-authored 69 publications receiving 875 citations. Previous affiliations of Debabrata Panda include Central University of Orissa, Koraput & Central Rice Research Institute.

Submergence effects on rice genotypes during seedling stage: Probing of submergence driven changes of photosystem 2 by chlorophyll a fluorescence induction O-J-I-P transients

Abstract: The effects of submergence on chlorophyll (Chl) a fluorescence were compared in seven Oryza sativa (L.) cultivars, namely FR 13A, Khoda, Khadara, Kalaputia (tolerant), Sabita, and Hatipanjari (avoiding type), and IR 42 (susceptible). Seedlings were submerged for 4 d under complete darkness. Oxygen concentration of flood water decreased with the period of submergence with concomitant increase in concentration of carbon dioxide. Submergence caused diminution in the amount of total Chl. Genotypic differences were observed for Chl content and survival percentage. Quantification of the Chl a fluorescence transients (JIP-test) revealed large cultivar differences in the response of photosystem 2 (PS2) to submergence. The kinetics of Chl a fluorescence rise showed complex changes in the magnitudes and rise of O-J, J-I, and I-P phases caused by submergence. The selective suppression of the J-I phase of fluorescence especially after 2 d of submergence provided evidence for weakened electron donation from the oxygen evolving complex whereas under severe submergence stress (4 d) both O-J and J-I steps were suppressed greatly with highly suppressed P-step, which resulted in lowering of variable fluorescence. Grouping probability or energetic connectivity between PS2 obtained through JIP-test from the data after 2 d of submergence showed a direct relation with survival percentage, i.e. fluorescence measurements contained the information of the survival chance of a plant under submerged conditions. The information could be used in identifying the submergence tolerant cultivars when the damage is not very severe.

Performance of submergence tolerant rice (Oryza sativa) genotypes carrying the Sub1 quantitative trait locus under stressed and non-stressed natural field conditions

Abstract: The experiment were conducted during rainy season of 2005-07 under favourable rainfed lowlands and controlled submergence at Cuttack, as well as under natural farmers' field. Under flash-flooding, genotypes with Sub1 survived complete submergence stress with turbid water for up to 12 days, whereas genotypes without Subl did not survive. The submergence stress was not so severe in farmers' fields, yet 'Swarna' Sub1 gave higher grain yield than 'Swarna' at all sites with a yield advantage of up to 1.65 tonnes/ha (an average of 0.81 tonnes/ha over five sites). The results suggest that rice genotypes with Subl have great potential for improving the productivity of rainfed lowland rice prone to flash-flooding.

Progress in Botany

Abstract: Biodiversity is a challenging field of research. Approaches are manifold and mostly cover few aspects of the total wealth of phenomena only. The mapping of the vascular plants and the inventory of Basidiomycota in Bavaria are projects to be mentioned in this context as one part of the commitment of the author. In the following article the author describes further activities during his lifework in regard A. Bresinsky (*) Institute of Botany of University of Regensburg, D-93040, Regensburg, Germany e-mail: abresinsky@t-online.de U. Lüttge et al. (eds.), Progress in Botany, Progress in Botany 75, DOI 10.1007/978-3-642-38797-5_1, © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2014 3 to ant–plant interactions resulting in dispersal and distribution of plants, and moreover, in respect to speciation and to evolution of high ranked taxa within the fungi, discussed mainly in relation to the genus Pleurotus and the order Boletales. In fungi the investigations include breeding systems, isolation barriers, polyploidy, pigment patterns and DNA phylogeny. The pigment patterning in Boletales correlates well with the phylogeny as revealed by DNA analysis of selected gene sections.

Metal contamination and bioremediation of agricultural soils for food safety and sustainability

Abstract: Agricultural soil is a non-renewable natural resource that requires careful stewardship in order to achieve the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals However, industrial and agricultural activity is often detrimental to soil health and can distribute heavy metal(loid)s into the soil environment, with harmful effects on human and ecosystem health In this Review, we examine processes that can lead to the contamination of agricultural land with heavy metal(loid)s, which range from mine tailings runoff entering local irrigation channels to the atmospheric deposition of incinerator and coal-fired power-plant emissions We discuss the relationship between heavy metal(loid) biogeochemical transformations in the soil and their bioavailability We then review two biological solutions for remediation of contaminated agricultural land, plant-based remediation and microbial bioremediation, which offer cost-effective and sustainable alternatives to traditional physical or chemical remediation technologies Finally, we discuss how integrating these innovative technologies with profitable and sustainable land use could lead to green and sustainable remediation strategies, and conclude by identifying research challenges and future directions for the biological remediation of agricultural soils Contamination of agricultural soils by heavy metals and metalloids has severe consequences on human and ecosystem health This Review discusses the sources of heavy metal(loid) contamination, the mechanisms by which these contaminants interact with biological and geochemical soil elements, and plant-based and microorganism-based remediation strategies