In vitro organogenesis from Tinospora cordifolia (Willd.) Miers — A highly valuable medicinal plant

Genus Zephyranthes consists of economically important plant species due to their high ornamental value and presence of valuable bioactive compounds. However, this genus propagates by asexual division only which gives slow propagation rate. Plant tissue culture has the potential to provide efficient techniques for rapid multiplication and genetic improvement of the genus. In this work, a dual in vitro regeneration system through callus mediated shoot regeneration and direct shoot regeneration in species Zephyranthes candida, Zephyranthes grandiflora and Zephyranthes citrina was investigated. Bulb, leaf and root explants were cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium amended with different plant growth regulators (PGR’s) viz. 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), 1-Naphthalene acetic acid (NAA), 6-benzyl amino purine (BAP), N-phenyl-N′-1,2,3 -thiadiazol-5-ylurea (TDZ), 6-Furfuryl- aminopurine (KIN) alone or in combinations for callus induction and regeneration. Only bulb explants showed callus induction and regeneration response on different PGR combinations with a varied response in callus induction percentage, callus color and callus texture. Creamish compact callus (CC) was induced on 2 mg L
 $$^{-1}$$
 2,4-D, brown friable callus (BF) on 2 mg L
 $$^{-1}$$
 NAA + 1 mg L
 $$^{-1}$$
 BAP and green friable callus (GF) callus on 1 mg L
 $$^{-1}$$
 KIN + 3 mg L
 $$^{-1}$$
 NAA. The maximum shoot multiplication from different callus types (indirect organogenesis) was achieved on 2 mg L
 $$^{-1}$$
 BAP alone without combinations. Bulb explants of Z. grandiflora induced maximum callus induction percentage (86.4%) and shoot regeneration percentage (83.5%) with the maximum 08 shoots per 150 mg callus mass. The induction and regeneration response was followed in the order of Z. grandiflora > Z. candida > Z. citrina. Similarly, maximum direct organogenesis from bulb explants was obtained in Z. grandiflora (93.3%) followed by Z. candida (91.5%) and Z. citrina (90.4%) on 3 mg L
 $$^{-1}$$
 TDZ amended MS media. Adventitious root induction was achieved on 2 mg L
 $$^{-1}$$
 IBA with a maximum of 8 roots per shoot. The in vitro raised plantlets were successfully acclimatized in the field with 85% survival efficiency. The genome size (2C DNA content) of the field-grown plants and in vitro regenerated plants, evaluated through flow cytometry technique, were similar and showed no ploidy changes. An efficient mass propagation protocol was established for obtaining plants with unaltered genome size in the three species of Zephyranthes.

Mass propagation through direct and indirect organogenesis in three species of genus Zephyranthes and ploidy assessment of regenerants through flow cytometry.

Groves contains natural forest and also rich in biodiversity. They are protected by local communities because of their deities linked with these forest patches. The present study was conducted in Chithalikavu, a sacred grove of Thrissur district to know the plant diversity and their structural parameters. Floristic composition of Chithalikavu sacred grove revealed that the occurrence of 57 species of angiosperms belonged to 54 genus and 35 families. Among them 29.82% trees, 24.56% shrubs, 15.79% herbs and 29.83% climbers. The parameters like frequency, relative frequency, density, relative density and importance value index were estimated by using standard procedures. Strychnos nux-vomica was recorded as the most dominant species in the community as it constituted highest IVI. Other dominant species of the community were Ficus benghalensis and Terminalia paniculata. The highest basal area was reported in Ficus benghalensis.

https://www.tropicalplantresearch.com/archives/2017/vol4issue1/4.pdf

Taxonomical and phytosociological studies on Chithalikavu - a sacred grove, Thrissur district, Kerala.

Sacred groves are forest patches conserved by the local people through religious and cultural practices. These groves are important reservoirs of biodiversity, preserving indigenous plant species and serving as asylum of Rare, Endangered and Threatened (RET) species. The present study was carried out in Muppuram coastal sacred grove of Kanyakumari district to reveal the plant diversity, structure and regeneration pattern of trees using quadrate method. About 102 plant species were recorded from the total area (0.2 ha) of the grove studied. The vegetation of the grove clearly indicates tropical dry evergreen forest. Malvaceae was the dominant family. Young plant species were dominating than older ones (> 160 cm). To avoid the rapid environmental degradation of the sacred grove, conserving the groves is urgent and it is necessary to conduct more researches on this grove as well as other groves of the district.

/pdf/phytosociological-studies-of-the-sacred-grove-of-kanyakumari-3udmb9hwra.pdf

Phytosociological studies of the sacred grove of Kanyakumari district, Tamilnadu, India

Sacred groves are well-protected areas managed by strong spiritual beliefs by the local communities and often represent the relict climax vegetation the region. The present study was conducted in Dhwaj sacred grove from the Central region of Indian Himalayas, releasing its role in biodiversity conservation through traditional and cultural belief systems. Total 81 species belonging to 67 genera and 50 families of plants were identified; in which 40 species were flowering plants, 23 species were lichens, 7 species bryophytes, 12 species were pteridophytes and only one species was gymnosperm. Rhododendron arboreum and Quercus leuchotricophora is the most dominant tree species in the grove showing highest IVI values. Ethnobotanically, 40 species belonging to 38 genera and 27 families are used by the local communities for the treatment of various ailments. But, due to high anthropogenic pressure, this grove facing several threat of degradation, hence special attention is needed towards its conservation and motivation to promote our traditional knowledge.

/pdf/dhwaj-sacred-grove-a-unique-example-of-cultural-beliefs-and-35bek4cwnd.pdf

Dhwaj sacred grove: A unique example of cultural beliefs and traditional conservation

Sacred groves are forest fragments of varying sizes, existing outside conventional forest areas in and around human inhabitation. It acts as safe sites for reproduction of variety of floral and faunal resources.An exploratory survey of different sacred groves of Thrissur District (10.52° N to 76.21° E), namely Adipparambukavu, Daivathinkavu, Kanisherykavu, Kottaichalippattukavu and Kottarathkavulead to the collection of 119 species coming under 104 genera and 51 families, representing 08vulnerable, 12 endemic and 03 near threatened species. It includes 17.64% herbs, 19.33% shrubs, 41.18% trees and 21.85% climbers. Maximum diversity is present in Kanisherykavu (57 plant species and 36 families) and minimum diversity is present in Adipparambukavu (27 plant species belonging to 18 families). Fabaceae and Moraceae were the dominant families present in these sacred groves. Among these Kottarathkavu is well protected and is under the observation of Kerala Forest Department. It also harbours several valuable and medicinal plants beneficial for mankind. These groves serve as seed banks for future afforestation and can further help in education and research. Since sacred groves are gradually declining immediate attempts are needed to scientifically document and explore them to ensure their long

https://www.tropicalplantresearch.com/archives/2016/vol3issue1/31.pdf

P Sheema Dharmapal

Papers

Floristic diversities and medicinal importance of selected sacred groves in Thrissur district, Kerala

Callus induction and organogenesis from Tinospora formanii Udayan and Pradeep: A rare endemic plant