Jawaharlal Nehru University

About: Jawaharlal Nehru University is a education organization based out in New Delhi, India. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Politics. The organization has 6082 authors who have published 13455 publications receiving 245407 citations. The organization is also known as: JNU.

Chloroplast: the Trojan horse in plant-virus interaction.

Abstract: The chloroplast is one of the most dynamic organelles of a plant cell. It carries out photosynthesis, synthesizes major phytohormones, plays an active part in the defence response and is crucial for interorganelle signalling. Viruses, on the other hand, are extremely strategic in manipulating the internal environment of the host cell. The chloroplast, a prime target for viruses, undergoes enormous structural and functional damage during viral infection. Indeed, large proportions of affected gene products in a virus-infected plant are closely associated with the chloroplast and the process of photosynthesis. Although the chloroplast is deficient in gene silencing machinery, it elicits the effector-triggered immune response against viral pathogens. Virus infection induces the organelle to produce an extensive network of stromules which are involved in both viral propagation and antiviral defence. From studies over the last few decades, the involvement of the chloroplast in the regulation of plant-virus interaction has become increasingly evident. This review presents an exhaustive account of these facts, with their implications for pathogenicity. We have attempted to highlight the intricacies of chloroplast-virus interactions and to explain the existing gaps in our current knowledge, which will enable virologists to utilize chloroplast genome-based antiviral resistance in economically important crops.

Integrating multivariate statistical analysis with GIS for geochemical assessment of groundwater quality in Shiwaliks of Punjab, India

Abstract: The dependency of people on groundwater has increased in the past few decades due to tremendous increase in crop production, population and industrialization. Groundwater is the main source of irrigation in Shiwaliks of Punjab. In the present study the samples were collected from predetermined location as was located on satellite image on basis of spectral reflectance. Global positioning system was used to collect samples from specific locations. Principal components analysis (PCA) together with other factor analysis procedures consolidate a large number of observed variables into a smaller number of factors that can be more readily interpreted. In the present study, concentrations of different constituents were correlated based on underlying physical and chemical processes such as dissociation, ion exchange, weathering or carbonate equilibrium reactions. The PCA produced six significant components that explained 78% of the cumulative variance. The concentration of the few trace metals was found to be much higher indicating recharge due to precipitation as main transport mechanism of transport of heavy metals in groundwater which is also confirmed by PCA. Piper and other graphical methods were used to identify geochemical facies of groundwater samples and geochemical processes occurring in study area. The water in the study area has temporary hardness and is mainly of Ca–Mg–HCO3 type.