North Eastern Hill University

About: North Eastern Hill University is a education organization based out in Shillong, Meghalaya, India. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Catalysis. The organization has 2318 authors who have published 4476 publications receiving 48894 citations.

Epiphytic and endophytic bacteria that promote growth of ethnomedicinal plants in the subtropical forests of Meghalaya, India

Abstract: The present study was aimed to investigate the endophytic and epiphytic bacteria associated with selected ethnomedicinal plants from the pristine subtropical forests of Meghalaya and analyse them for plant growth promotion and antagonistic ability. This study is an attempt to explore plant associated bacteria which are beneficial to host plants, and thus aid in the conservation of ethnomedicinal plants of the studied subtropical forests, which are dwindling due to exploitation. The plant growth promotion parameters like indole acetic acid (IAA) production, mineral phosphate solubilisation, acid phosphatase activity, presence of 1-aminocyclopro- pane-1-carboxylic acid deaminase (ACC) gene, nitrogen fixation, cellulose digestion, chitin and pectin degrada- tion were screened among the isolates. The study revealed significant differences in bacterial population not only between the epiphytic and endophytic microhabitats, but also amongst the host plants. Out of the 70 isolated plant associated bacteria, Bacillus sp., Serratia sp., Pseudomonas sp., Pantoea sp., and Lysinibacillus sp. showed potent plant growth promotion properties. Bacillus siamensis C53 and B. subtilis cenB showed significant antagonistic activity against the tested pathogens. This study indicated the isolates inhabiting the plants prevalent in the subtropical sacred forests could be explored for use as plant growth promoters while practising the cultiva- tion and conservation of ethnomedicinal plants. Rev. Biol. Trop. 62 (4): 1295-1308. Epub 2014 December 01.

Prevalence of undernutrition among Kora-Mudi children aged 2-13 years in Paschim Medinipur District, West Bengal, India

Abstract: Results: The overall prevalence of underweight, stunting and wasting was 52.9%, 49.6% and 22.7%, respectively. About 16.0%, 24.4% and 1.7% of children were found to be severely underweight, stunted and wasted. The prevalence of underweight, stunting and wasting was higher in preschool children than in school going children. The chance of underweight, stunting and wasting was 1.80, 1.10 and 1.58 times greater in preschool children than in school going children. Moreover, the prevalence of underweight, stunting and wasting was higher in boys than in girls. The boys had 1.45, 1.66 and 2.02 times greater risk to be underweight, stunted and wasted. According to the WHO classification of severity in malnutrition, the overall prevalence of underweight, stunting and wasting was as high as ≥30%, ≥40 and ≥15%. Conclusions: The nutritional status of Kora-Mudi children in West Bengal is critical. Appropriate measures should be taken by the respective authorities to improve childhood health and nutritional status. World J Pediatr 2011;7(1);31-36