Plenary Presentation

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PL001:Biotic stress management through eco-friendly measures in Tomato (SolanumlycopersicumL.)

R. K. Gupta Division of Vegetable Science and Floriculture Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Jammu Email: [email protected]

Abstract Tomato [Solanumlycopersicum L.(2n= 2x= 24)] belongs to family–Solanaceae which is reported to have around 96 genera and 3000 species. t originated in Andes mountainous region of Peru-Ecuador-Bolivia).The cultivated tomato ranks 2nd in area and productionafter potato in the world. Because of wider adaptability, it is grown in areas ranging from plains to mid/high hill regions across the country. It is considered rich in nutritive value and medicinal properties. Tomato has demonstrated higher productivity using chemical fertilizers and pesticides. But indiscriminate use of the chemical fertilizers and pesticides for obtaining higher yield has affected quality and caused harm to soil and human health. On the contrary, yield potential under organic production is relatively poo due to attack of insect-pests, nematodes. Fungal, viral and bacterial diseases and quality of freits gets affected badly. The two experiments were conducted at SKUAST – Jammu using 20 treatment combinations with five varieties (V1 - DVRT 2, V2 –ArkaSaurabh, V3–ArkaMeghali, V4–ArkaAbha and V5– ArkaVikas) and four substrates (S1 - NPK@120:60:60 kg/ha, S2 - FYM @10t/ha + Vermicompost @5t/ha + Neem Cake@2t/ha, S3 - FYM @10t/ha + Vermicompost @5t/ha + Mustard Cake@2t/ha and S4 - FYM @5t/ha+ Vermicompost @2.5t/ha + Neem Cake@1t/ha + Mustard Cake@1t/ha) in main season tomato grown in open. Data were recorded on yield and quality traits; and incidence of nematodes, fruit borer, leaf curl and wilt . The results revealed significant differences among varieties for all 17 traits in two experiments ( On Previous Fallow and Previous Knolkhol). Differences among nutrient substrates, and interaction of varieties and organic substrates were significant in both the experiments for most of the traits. Pooled analysis of variance revealed varietal differences. But incidence of nematodes, fruit borer and leaf curl was maximum in S1 treatment having inorganic fertilizers and maximum in other treatments with organic fertilizers. Nematode incidence was minimum in DVRT-2 with 13.37 galls/plant and 338.39 eggs/egg mass in S2. Maximum galls/plant were found in ArkaAbha (33.68 ) in S1 where inorganic fertilizers were added. Fruit borer incidence was maximum DVRT-2 ( 19.98 % ) in S1 and minimum in ArkaVikas ( 11.72 % ) in S3. Leaf curl incidence was maximum in ArkaVikas in S1 and minimum in ArkaSaurabh in S2, Wilt incidence was minimum (11.53 %) in DVRT-2 in S2 and maximum (19.74 % ) in ArkaAbha in S1. Most of the quality traits expressed relatively higher values but varietal differences in treatments with organic nutrient substrates. Among host plants, ArkaMeghali ranked first in quality, DVRT-2 expressed minimum nematode and wilt incidence while ArkaVikas had minimum fruit borer incidence on specific organic substrates. Phermone traps and crude Chrysanthemum, marigold and Eucalyptus laef extracts were proved useful in uniform application, Key words: Tomato, biotic stress, organic substrates, nematode, leaf curl, Fruit borer

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PL002:Cyanobacterial Diversity and Toxicity Study in Paddy Field Cyanobacteria from North-Western Region of India S K Bhatnagar* and Rizwana Tabassum College of Biotechnology, SVP University of Agriculture and Technology, Meerut 250110 *E-mail: [email protected]

Abstract Cyanobacteria has emerged as a potential microorganism for agricultural revolution. Sixty cyanobacterial strains belonging to fourteen genera were isolated from the paddy fields from eight locations of North-Western region of India in order to study their abundance and diversity, which is relatively less explored area, most particularly in the paddy fields of this region. The distribution of cyanobacteria was more in the soil of Rampur district (263 X 104 CFU g-1) in comparison to that of Bareilly district (205 X 104 CFU g-1). The isolates obtained varied widely in their morphological and biochemical characteristics, which helped in their characterization. Nostoc showed highest number of CFU followed by Phormidium and Anabaena while Cylindrospermum was least abundant. However, Phormidium exhibited highest number of strains isolated from these soil samples, followed by; Anabaena and Nostoc. Diversity indices for cyanobacteria showed differential values for the places under present study. N-assimilatory parameters differed significantly amongst the isolates of different genera. Some isolates depicted presence of antialgal compounds especially in the hexane extract as compared to the methanolic extract. Hexane extract from Anabaena was most efficient in producing antialgal compounds followed by Westiellopsis, Nostoc, Cylindrospermum and Microchaete. Keywords: Biofertilizer; Cyanobacteria; Diversity indices; Paddy fields; Toxicity study

PL003:Understanding Secondary Metabolism in Coleus forskohlii

Sumit G. Gandhi Plant Biotechnology Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Canal Road, Jammu, India *Email: [email protected]; [email protected]

Abstract A variety of organic compounds are synthesized by plants, which are classified as primary or secondary metabolites. Secondary metabolites are phytochemicals that are not required for normal growth of the plant, but may provide unique survival advantages in a particular ecological niche. Nearly 60% of all US-FDA approved drugs are natural products (mostly secondary metabolites), natural product analogues or their derivatives. Secondary metabolites are also useful as dyes, flavors, fragrances, insecticides etc.Coleusforskohlii (Willd.)Briq. (Lamiaceae) is an herb possessing antihypertensive activity by virtue of production of a labdanediterpene „forskolin‟, which is a potent and reversible activator of adenylatecyclase. We are employing various molecular tools to understand the biosynthetic pathways of forskolin and related secondary metabolites in C. forskohlii. Genes involved in the upstream MEP/MVA pathway that provide precursors for forskolin biosynthesis were identified and

-3- characterized. Cytochrome P450s that play critical roles in biosynthesis of secondary metabolites, including forskolin, were also identified and characterized using a systems level analysis. This information will be useful to generate these compounds in larger quantities in heterologous microbial or plant hosts. For a successful metabolic engineering effort in the plant, not only the biosynthetic pathway, but its transport mechanism and accumulation pattern also needs to be understood. Towards this end, we have started looking at the ABC transporters which may play a role in the transport of forskolin and related labdanes.We have also looked at the dynamics of rhizoshpheremicrofloraviz-a-viz the growth of C. forskohlii and accumulation of forskolin, to possibly get an idea about the ecological roles of this metabolite. We have also looked at endophytes associated with this plant and assessed their ability to produce phytochemicals or other bioactives.The talk would thus cover our studies on various aspects of secondary metabolism in of C. forskohlii.

PL004:Biotechnological interventions for genetic improvement of some horticultural and forestry crops

D. K. Srivastava Department of Biotechnology Dr. Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Solan, Himachal Pradesh.

Abstract In the present scenario, population is increasing at an exponential rate and the land resources are getting depleted and dwindled because of over-industrialization and globalization. It would become a very herculean task to feed this ever-growing population in the coming years. Due to the excessive use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, the inherent capacity of our land resources has reached a plateau phase. Further, the varieties developed through conventional breeding techniques have also reached the stagnation phase of yield enhancement almost in all crops. The unexpected effects of climate change along with various biotic stresses are imposing new threats to our food system. Biotechnology is regarded as the harbinger to mitigate the challenges of various biotic and abiotic stresses, and modern biotechnological and molecular biology tools are now being used for yield enhancement, may be by transgenic development, cisgenic development or gene knock outs using genome editing technologies like Crispar/Cas. This work will summarize various research initiatives taken to standardize high frequency plant regeneration protocol in some horticultural crops including cauliflower, cabbage, tomato, broccoli, lettuce, cucumber, strawberry, watermelon, and forestry crops including Populusciliata and P. deltoides. Genetic fidelity had also been studied in some of the crops to check the true to type nature of the regenerated plantlets. Further genetic transformation system using Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated gene (gus&npt-II) transfer had been optimized in these crops. Insect resistant plants have been developed for cauliflower, cabbage, tomato, broccoli and Himalayan poplar using cryIAa and cryIAb genes. Chitinase gene had been transferred to tomato and lettuce for incorporation of disease resistance. Transgenic Himalayan poplar plants harboring CAD (cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase) gene in antisense orientation has been developed to reduce the lignin composition of its wood, which is the utmost demand of paper manufacturing industries. Further genetic diversity had been evaluated in lettuce, cauliflower, cabbage and tomato germplasm and varieties using RAPD and SSR markers to identify the genetically diverse donors for breeding programmes.

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PL005:Brassinosteroids: A promising option in promoting plant growth and deciphering tolerance against abiotic stress

Shamsul Hayat Plant Physiology Section, Department of Botany, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh (U.P.) Email.:[email protected]

Abstract Brassinosteroids (BRs) are polyhydroxy sterol derivatives possessing vital role in plant growth and development, photosynthesis and stress response and share structural similarity with animal steroid hormones. BRs regulate a variety of physiological processes including organ elongation, vascular differentiation, male fertility, timing of senescence, and leaf development. The potential application of BRs in agriculture is to improve crop growth and seed yield under normal as well as in various stress conditions, including salinity, drought and heavy metal toxicity. BRs regulate primary photochemistry, photosynthesis, elemental compositions and redox status of plants to promote growth in presence/absence of stress. Omics study reveals that a large number of genes and proteins are regulated by BRs. Keywords Brassinosteroids, Steroidal hormone, Photosynthesis, Antioxidant system, Yield

PL006:Plant-Microbe Symbioses for better targets

N. Raaman Centre for Advanced studies in Botany, University of Madras, GuindyCampus,Chennai 600 025, India Email: [email protected]

Abstract The root-zone inhabiting microorganisms exert a significant effect upon the plant growth and health. The roots are associated with the symbiotic fungi to form the mycorrhizal association. The role of mycorrhizae as biocontrol deterrents to feeder root infection by pathogens is an important aspect of our under-standing of the overall ecological significance of mycorrhizae. The occurrence of arbuscularmycorrhizal symbiosis improves the nutritional state of plants by enhancing mineral absorption through the extramatrical mycelium and AM fungal inoculated tomato plants were more resistant to soil borne pathogen. Experiments on biochemical and enzymatic changes in VA mycorrhizal inoculated tomato plants infected by Fusariumoxysporum were carried out. The enzymes responsible for defense response were enhanced by AM fungal inoculated plants than other treatments and the control. The tissue- cultured plantlets when transplanted into soil have very low survivability, because they cannot easily tolerate the environmental conditions resulting in stunting of growth. In AM fungal inoculated micropropagated plants of Saccharumofficinarum, Zea mays, Sorghum vulgare, Bacopamonnieri, Hybanthusenneaspermus, Azadirachtaindica and Casuarinaequisetifolia, the root length, shoot length, dry weight and survivability rate were higher when compared with control. Higher levels of total sugar, free amino acids, total phenol, 9 protein and acid and alkaline phosphatase activity were estimated in AM fungal inoculated micropropagated plants. Highly reduced level of proline content was noticed in roots of AM fungal inoculated micropropagated plants indicating that AM fungal infection reduced the stress of the tissue cultured plants. Mycorrhizal and actinorhizal technology has great potential for combating the current and future global problems of supplying food,

-5- fodder and fuel. The study on the effect of mycorrhizal (Glomusfasciculatum and Pisolithustinctorius) and Frankia inoculation on Casuarinaequisetifolia seedlings in laboratory, glasshouse and nursery conditions revealed that the triple inoculation is an ideal combination for enhanced growth and nodulation of C. equisetifolia. The presence of Rhizobium and mycorrhizal infection help the plants to survive in neutral, acid and alkaline rhizosphere regions. The studies on the effect of AM fungus, Glomusfasciculatum and Rhizobium species on the tolerance of effluent treatment in Prosopisjuliflora showed that root growth and dry matter content were higher in the dual inoculated P. juliflora plants than the individual inoculations, control and plants treated with effluent alone. Dual inoculated plants did not absorb much of Mn, Cr, Cd, Cu and Zn. Thus the mycorrhizal, frankial and rhizobial symbioses help the plants for better root growth and to achieve better targets of the plants. The obligate symbiotic nature of AM fungi is a crucial factor in the mass multiplication of AMF spores in vitro. Since AM fungi have not been successfully sub-cultured in vitro, it has been difficult to obtain large amounts of inocula for seasonal and field application. Development of monoxenic culture system of host plants and AM fungi could be a valuable research tool to study their symbiotic association. Establishment of mycorrhizal association in root organ cultures with subsequent development of small round vegetative spores has been shown. A medium in combination of root exudate for axenic germination of Scutellosporaerythropa and S. nigra in in vitro conditions has been developed. Germination of AM fungal spores (Gl. mosseae and Gig. gigantea) in in vitro condition by using root organ culture of Sorghum vulgare and Saccharumofficinarum and establishment of in vitro root infection from infected roots of S. officinarum to S. vulgare have been carried out. Selenium is an essential micronutrient for humans and animals. Recently it has been gained much importance for its anticancer activity. Plants have the ability to absorb and sequester selenium and to convert inorganic selenium to volatile forms of organic compounds. The potent cancer-causing compound, nitrosamine, is inhibited by garlic. Se-methyl- selenocysteinis one of the main selenocompounds in Se-enriched garlic and Se has been identified as an important compound of glutathione peroxidase. A study was conducted to investigate the role of arbuscularmycorrhizal fungi in the uptake of selenium by garlic and anticancer activity of the Se enriched garlic. A significant cancer protection in rats with treatment by selenium enriched (enrichment due to inoculation of AM fungi) garlic when compared to other treatments has been achieved. The findings pave the way for the importance of AM fungi in human healthcare. The current classification and identification of AM fungi are based on the morphology and molecular techniques such as DNA Finger- printing, rDNA sequencing and cDNA synthesis techniques. Genetic variations can be identified and compared with other symbiotic species. AMF spores such as Gigaspora margarita, Glomusmosseae, Gl. fasciculatum, Gl. leptoticum, Gig. gigantea, Scutellosporaerythropa etc. collected from various locations were cultured in glasshouse conditions. Allium cepa plants were used as trap plants. Infected roots as well as spores were collected and used for DNA isolation. AMF DNA was used as template for PCR. Small subunit rDNA primer sequences NS1 and NS21, the primers VAGLO, VAGIGA and VAACAU were used for PCR amplifications. The genetic variations of SS rDNA were analyzed by restriction analysis.

PL007:A dynamic model for sustainability of microbial life under extreme thermal environments

Ved Pal Singh Department of Botany, University of Delhi, Delhi – 110 007 Email: [email protected]

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Abstract All life forms on Earth experience harsh environments at one or the other stage in their life cycle which make them adapt to environmental extremes, since the changing environments become the driving forces for the adaptive evolution of life. However, understanding the mechanism of evolutionary adaptation of life forms under thermal environments has become a present-day concern in the context of global warming. Among the living organisms, microorganisms exhibit maximum diversity in varied environmental conditions, which make them most suitable model system for understanding/unraveling the molecular secret of life at high temperature.The dynamic nature of molecules, and particularly the microbial enzymes, with respect to cation-dependent decrease in the Arrhenius energy of activation (EA) for their high-temperature catalysis and their constitutive synthesis as well as rapid turnover appear to play important role in thermoadaptation of microorganisms, without precluding the possibility of involvement of macromolecular charged environment and ordered cellular organization for their thermophilic existence. And, the contention that most macromolecules, including enzymes in thermophiles are inherently thermostable, does not seem to be true. For example, in thermophilic spore formers at least, the enzymes are thermolabile, as they get inactivated even at growth temperature of the organism which, otherwise, learn to live under thermal environments, exhibiting steady replacement of heat-inactivated enzymes by their rapid resynthesis or rapid turnover so as to counteract the destructive effect of heat, and thus combating global warming.

PL008:Biodiversity, Bioremediation and Bioeconomy

M. V. N. Prasad School of Life Sciences, New Life Science Building (South Campus) Professor C.R. Rao Road, Gachhibowli, University of Hyderabad Hyderabad 500 046, Telangana, India Email: [email protected], [email protected]

Abstract Globally, today the growing economy, extensive industrialization and utilization of bioresources have resulted in environmental contamination and pollution. Large amount of biological wastes is generated in developing and developed nations. The challenge is to develop profitable solutions to utilize this biological waste for production of value chain and value additions appears. In these presentation strategies to utilize biological waste for co-generation of value chain and value addition products are covered. The growing need for biomass for conversion to biofuels requires lignocellulosic-rich raw materials. Phytoremediatedphytomass is one such option to produce fuel like methanol, biodiesel, synthetic gas and hydrogen (using thermal and thermo chemical processes by direct or indirect liquefaction or gasification) and ethanol (through hydrolysis and subsequent fermentation). Biorefinery processes (the sustainable processing of biomass to a spectrum of marketable products and energy) is an absolute necessity and it is the key to meet this vision towards bio-based economy. Brassica juncea (Indian mustard) Helianthus annus (sunflower), Prosopisjuliflora, bamboo, and Pistiastratiotes (water lettuce), are potential environmental crops grown for different purposes including energy generation. Annuals and perennials, including algae in wastewater ponds generate huge amount of waste. Management and production of phytoremediation crops in contaminated substrates serves as a sink for contaminants with possibility for co-generation of econonomic products. Co-generation of beneficial products foster circular economy through biorefinery approach.

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Key words: Biodiesel, Bioeconomy, Biomass conversion, Biorefinery, Carbon sequestration, Circular Economy, Constructed wetlands, Energy crops, Environmental cleanup, Industrial crops, Ornamental crops, Value additions, Value chain products

PL009:Bio-aerosols as potential Ice Nucleators in the Himalayan Region

ShwetaYadav ¹Department of Environmental Sciences, Central University of Jammu, Bagla, RahyaSuchani, Samba, Jammu and Kashmir 181143, India Email: [email protected]

Abstract Bioaerosols have implications on human health and climate system. As potential ice nucleators, bioaerosols affect the cloud evolution, precipitation processes and hydrological cycle. It is interesting to note that the bioaerosols act as ice nucleators on much warmer temperatures, which may lead to shift in precipitation patterns on regional and global scale. Still our knowledge on bioaerosol diversity and their associated ice nucleating properties is very limited. Particularly, from the Himalayan region, no comprehensive investigation has been carried out till date to understand the diversity of bioaerosols and ice nucleating particle (INP) properties of ambient aerosols. INP play crucial role in precipitation initiation at warmer temperatures, thus it is important to understand the sources and composition of INP over Indian region. Scientific investigations have shown that the selected bacterial and fungal species are IN active and can significantly affect precipitation patterns. The speciation and diversity of INP active biological particles can be investigated by direct DNA extraction analysis, followed by amplification of the 16S rRNA genes and next generation sequencing. It is an emerging field of research and needs to be followed for filling the present gaps in understanding the cloud processes and precipitation patterns in the region.

PL010:Brassinolides-plant interaction for sustainable crop development under abiotic stress

Sirhindi, G. Department of Botany, Punjabi University, Patiala – 147 002, India Email: [email protected]

Abstract Brassinoslides (BLs) namely 28-homobrassinolide (28-HBL) and 24-epibrassinolide (24- EBL)belongs to group of naturally occurring plant based steroid hormones. These steroids sharing there basic four ring structure with cholesterol steroid found in animals. Different active forms of BLs are reported to present ubiquitnously in number of plant species. BLs work as signalling molecules to induce different growth and regulation associated responses in plants including plant tolerance to various stresses. However, the underlying mechanism involved in this management in plants by BLs is not well understood. Barssicajuncea is a leading oil yielding crop which is directly affected by number of abiotic factors and major players in this are temperature fluctuations and salinity of soil. Our research findings suggested and establishing the role of 28-HBL and 24-EBL at different concentrations (0, 10- 6, 10-9, 10-12 M) in managing the synergistic role of stress manager and productivity

-8- improvement in B. juncea subjected to dual stress of salt (180 mM) and temperatures (4 C and 44 C) taking 25 C as optimum temperature.Significant reduction in phenotypic expressions in shoot and root length was observed under dual stress of salt and temperature. Supplementation of both BLs (28-HBL and 24-EBL)improved all the phenotypic characters observed in B. juncea, but in a very dose dependent manner. Stress markers such as H2O2, lipid peroxidation, electrolyte leakage enhanced expressively while cell viability was reduced vividly in seedlings exposed to dual stress alone. Exogenous application of 28-HBL showed inhibition in stress marker content thus improved cell viability rate. Activities of SOD, CAT, APOX, GR, DHAR and MDHAR increased in response to 28-HBL. These findings may be useful in the development of dual stress tolerant crops by exogenous application of BLs for sustainable crop improvement.

PL011:Bioprospecting Cyanobacteria for Agriculture, Industry and Energy

Sunil Pabbi Centre for Conservation and Utilisation of Blue Green Algae, Division of Microbiology ICAR - Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi-110012 Email: [email protected]

Abstract Cyanobacteria or blue green algae (BGA) have gained considerable biological significance to overcome many problems being faced by mankind related to food, agriculture, energy, medicine and environmental degradation. Extensive research on fundamental and applied aspects of these organisms has demonstrated that algal biomass can be used for diverse applications like environment management, production of fine chemicals, atmospheric nitrogen fixation, production of biofuel, conversion of solar energy, therapeutic functions etc. In many cases there is utilization of whole biomass or certain valuable constituents are extracted including metabolites and enzymes. This is proven beyond doubt that BGA are ideal biological system under tropical situation for sustaining fertility of rice field soil. The agricultural importance of these organisms lies in their capacity to metabolize molecular nitrogen, liberation of fixed nitrogen and growth promoting substances as extra metabolites, solubilising insoluble phosphates, addition of organic matter and improving physico-chemical nature of soil. The use of BGA biofertilizer in lowland rice results in saving chemical nitrogenous fertilizers and increasing crop yield. BGA biofertilizer in rice is now a recommended management practice and has demonstrated its superiority in maintaining ecological balance and organic farming. The technology for algal biofertilizer production has been standardized for pilot scale and is licensed to a number of firms. The improved technology also produces quality material with definite algal load. The product has been extensively tested in the field with promising results. The impact of technology carried out in Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana revealed that BGA use resulted in more than 25% reduction in urea with an overall 3.8 percent increase in paddy yield. The biofuel potential of cyanobacteria revealed that its lipid content increased and overall expression of accD gene got upregulated under nitrogen and phosphorus limiting conditions. Further, FAME analysis of Spirulina strains showed the presence of palmitic, linolenic, oleic, linoleic and docosahexaenoic acids (in order of abundance) with more accumulation of PUFA and γ - linolenic acid. A protocol for production, extraction and purification of phycobiliproteins from selected cyanobacteria was developed. A purification of above 4 was achieved and an

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Indian patent has been filed for the same. The purified phycobiliproteins were characterized using SDS-PAGE, HPLC and MALDI-TOF MS. The cpcB gene under different physico- chemical conditions showed variable expression irrespective of the organism studied. No doubt, the cyanobacterialbiomass has great potential to meet the future challenges of higher food production, quality nutrition, enrgy requirement and environment sustainability. A biorefinery approach integrating benefits of biofuel production, waste management, bioinoculants and production of novel bioactives is required to enhance the economics and cost effectiveness.

PL012:Genetic diversity analysis and bioprospecting of Indian Swertia species

R.C. Gupta Department of Botany, Punjabi University, Patiala, Punjab-147002

Abstract Swertiagenus (Family: Gentianaceae) is widespread in the north temperate areas upto 1200- 3600m in the Western Himalayas, North-Eastern and South-Eastern Himalayas and Western Ghats. Swertiagenus is higly a potent drug in the diffrent Pharmacopeias as well as well- documented in the Indian traditional medicinal systems, viz. Ayurveda, Sidda and Unani. Swertiaherb is used as the principal component in several marketed herbal/ polyherbal formulations. Medicinal usage of Swertia are due to miscellaneous compounds viz. xanthones, irridoids, seco-irridoids and triterpenoids. High trade demand of “Chirayita” (S. chirata) shifts the allied species of Swertia into endangered one and now it is included under the NMPB‟s priorty list for the development of improved varieties of this genus. Most potent species in India is S. chirata. Compared to S. chirata; less potent species that are commonly used as adulterants are S. alata, S. angustifolia, S. bimaculata, S. ciliata, S. densifolia, S. elegans, S. lawii, S. minor, S. nervosa, S. paniculata, S. multifloraand S. cordata. For authentic authentic identification of the available drug in the market their is need for morphological, cytological, biochemical, molecular and phytochemical marker studies to differentiate among S. chirayitaand its adulterants. Present study, covered the assessment of norphological, cytological, phytochemical and genetic diversity among seven Swertia species, viz. S. chirata, S. paniculata, S. cordata, S. nervosa, S. bimaculata, S. dilatataand S. angustifoliacollected from high altitudes of Western and Eastern Himalayas, India. Morphologically the different species are demarcated mainly on the basis of floral characters. Cytologically all of the accessions have same chromosome number n=13 with normal course of meiosis. Genetic variability in the wild genotypes of Swertia L., was explored by using two single primer based amplification reactions (SPAR) technique, viz. ISSR (inter simple-sequence repeats) and RAPD (random amplified polymorphic DNA) markers. A total of 34 SPAR primers were used to check the intra-specific and inter-specific variability among 48 accessions of Swertia L. Remarkably, the dendrogram generated through both the methods had at least three major clusters marked A, B, and C, with large parenthesis. ISSR markers represent discrete clustering which may identify different species of Swertia, viz. S. chirata, S. cordata, S. angustifolia, S. nervosa and S. paniculata.Comparatively RAPD markers showed less differentiation among different species. S. nervosa and S. paniculata showed least interspecific genetic diversity. Overall, high level of intra-specific genetic diversity (ne = 1.15; h = 0.20; I = 0.30) was observed among S. paniculata accessions whereas S. chirata accessions showed least genetic diversity. Among all the populations, S. paniculata collected from Chakrata-Deoban (Uttrakhand) regions was found to be highly diverse (ne = 1.23; h = 0.21; I = 0.38), whereas from Triund

-10- trek (Himachal Pradesh) population showed least genetic diversity (ne = 1.06; h = 0.18; I = 0.24). Among all the studied Swertia species, S. chirata plant samples displayed higher content of bioactive marker compounds followed by S. paniculata and S. angustifolia. Leaf parts of S. paniculata contain maximum content of swertiamarin (4.74 %), amarogentin (0.55 %) and mangiferin (3.83 %) while leaf parts of S. angustifolia comprise 3.56 % of swertiamarin, 0.49 % of amarogentin and 2.76 % mangiferin compound. Among the entire Swertia accessions, S. paniculata samples collected from Triund-Trek Mountains (Dharmshala) displays higher content of secoiridoids (swertiamarin and amarogentin),xanthone glycoside (mangiferin), pentacyclictriterpenoids (ursolic acid, betullinic acid, oleanolic acid and lupeol), phytosterols (stigmasterol and β-sitosterol) and anti-oxidant compounds (apigenin, chlorogenic acid, gallic acid and quercetin) as compared to the samples collected from Kalatop-Dalhousie and Chakrata-Deoban regions. S. paniculata and S. angustifolia contained good content of bio-active compounds and could be used as a substitute for S. chirata plant. S. cordata, S. bimaculata, S. nervosa and S. dilatata species collected from different regions of Western and Eastern Himalayas showed very lesser amount of these bio-active compounds.After screening the elite Swertia species; shoot cultures of Swertiapaniculata were treated with various elicitors/precursors,viz. Salicylic acid (SA), Benzoic acid (BA), Cinnamic acid (CA), Phenyalanine (Phe), NaCl and Chitosan (CS) to enhance the bio-active compounds, viz.swertiamarin, mangiferin, amarogentin, oleanolic acid, ursolic acid, betulinic acid, stigmasterol, lupeol, apigenin, chlorogenic acid, gallic acid and quercetin.Experimental design (by using RSM) developed in our study clearly showed that shoot cultures treated with medium concentration of phenylalanine, salicylic acid and chitosan yielded maximum content of bio-active compounds.

PL013: Assessment of Microbial Diversity Towards Translational Research

Subrata K Das Institute of Life Sciences, Nalco Square, Bhubaneswar-751023, India E.mail: [email protected] / [email protected]

Abstract Naturally occurring microorganisms, especially extremophiles are enormous and represents a largely untapped resource with unlimited potential for novel metabolic pathways and beneficial products. In this regard, my laboratory is working in the area of Environmental Microbiology and ecology to address the microbial life style in extreme habitats using genomics, metagenomics, and gene regulation approach. Main focus to reconstruction of metabolic model and functional analysis of pathways linked to phenotypic properties of the bacteria. Based on polyphasic approach several new microbes have been reported from our laboratory. Besides, we are working on the characterization of microbiome collected from pristine environments such as hot springs following metagenomic approach to understand the microbial community composition and their relation with the environmental variables, such as temperature, pH and geochemistry. Further, looking into the importance of microbial genomics towards bioprospecting, Bordetella sp. strain HT200 was isolated from the hot spring sediments proposed as a life stock whole cell vaccine candidate. Our environmental isolate Bordetella sp. strain HT200 do not produce the major Bordetella virulence factors such as pertussis toxin, dermonecrotin toxin and the adenylate cyclase-hemolysin toxin

-11- however, it agglutinates anti-serum specific to B. bronchiseptica. In vitro and in vivo experiments suggests the strain HT200 could be used as a whole cell vaccine.

Besides, my laboratory has described the role of proline residue for arsenate reductase activity in Pannonibacter indicus strain HT23T and developed a recombinant plasmid by fusing ars operon and a bio-reporter gene (GFP) as a sensor for the detection of arsenic in the drinking water. Further, we have made notable contribution on biodegradation of inorganic sulfur compounds. Using site- specific electron donors and inhibitors and by analyzing the cytochrome spectra, we have identified the shortest thiosulfate-dependent electron transport chain in T. bhubaneswarensis and evidenced the substrate-level phosphorylation is the major contributor to the total energy budget in this bacterium. In addition, my laboratory has narrated the coexistence of two novel ICEs of the same exclusion group either S(SXT) or R(R391) in the genome of the genus Marinomonas by comparative genomics. Sequence analysis predicted these hotspot regions were shaped by acquisition of genes through homologous recombination between the SXT and R391 related ICEs or mobile genetic elements present in disparate marine bacteria. Finally, our data provided information on the genetic diversity and predicted functions encoded by variable genes present in the hotspot regions of these new ICEs.

PL014: Cyanobacterial (Plectonema) applications in Nanotechnology

Tasneem Fatma Cyanobacterial Biotechnology Lab, Department of Biosciences, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi 110025, India Email : [email protected]

Abstract During the last decades, design, synthesis and manipulation of nano-sized materials, particularly metallic nanoparticles, have received global scientific interest due to their diverse applications. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are one of the most investigated nanostructures due to their promising biomedical applications. The development of AgNPs as drug delivery formulations, antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal and anti-inflammatory agents, use in detection and diagnostic platforms and as biodevices are some of the recent areas where it can prove as a boon. Due to impressive biomedical potentials of AgNPs, efforts have been made to understand their mode of action (biological interactions). In order to make non toxic cost effective biogenic AgNPs, several microorganism including cyanobacteria have been tried. Availability of biological material, time required during synthesis, size of nanoparticle and their novel characteristics are the criteria for selection of the biological entity. In the present study, emphasis was given to utilization of easly available cyanobacterial biomass (aqueous extract) for the synthesis of AgNP for the benefit of mankind. Based on (UV-VIS, SEM), particle size, time taken Plectonema appeared as the best cyanobacteria. Therefore, Plectonema cell extract (aqueous) derived AgNPs were characterized for physicochemical properties (UV-VIS, SEM-EDX, TEM, FTIR, XRD and novel biological activities ( antioxidant, antibacterial).

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PL015:Tissue culture and biotechnology

H.P.Sharma1 and Amit Patnaik2 1Sido Kanhu Murmu University, Dumka, Jharkhand 2Department of Botany, Ranchi University, Ranchi Email: [email protected]

Abstract Plant Tissue Culture is commonly referred to the in vitro culture of plant parts, tissue or organ. Ever since its inception in 1902, as a simple sustained prolonged culture of plant tissues, the field progressed to develop the differential response of the cultured tissues under variable chemical conditions provided the impetus to utilize the technique in a profitable manner. Over the years, the application of the technique became apparent and was used not only to understand the growth and differentiation of tissue or organs, but also extended to industrial applications of these techniques including cell culture. So it became an integral part of biotechnology and is being routinely employed for the improvement of crops and other economically important plants for commercial exploitation in horticulture, floriculture and pharmaceutical industries.In my lab approximately, twenty-five local rice varieties have been screened for their morphogenic potentials and characterized at molecular level. Large numbers of ethno-medicinal plants also, based on hodopathy, have been identified as anti-cancer plants and their validation have been established through phytochemical (qualitative and quantitative), antimicrobial studies, anti-oxidant properties and SRB methods. Attempts have also been made towards hairy root induction aiming to enhance root biomass and thus protection and conservation of medicinal plants where roots are the main source of bioactive compounds.

PL016:Bio-efficacy of Bifenthrin 8 SC against shoot and fruit borer and red spider mite of okra and its phytotoxicity on plants

R. A. Balikai Department of Agricultural Entomology University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad - 580 005, Karnataka, India Email: [email protected]

Abstract The field experiments were carried out during kharif and rabi seasons with Arka Anamika variety of okra. Two sprays of Bifenthrin 8 SC @ 140, 120 and 100 g a.i./ha afforded cent per cent protection against mites during both kharif and rabi seasons; while 92.40, 88.59 and 86.69 per cent protection, respectively against shoot and fruit borer during kharif, and 89.86, 86.96 and 84.93 per cent protection during rabi season. All the insecticides recorded significantly higher marketable fruit yield than untreated check. Two sprays of Bifenthrin 8 SC @ 140, 120 and 100 g a.i./ha produced significantly higher marketable fruit yield of 86.40, 85.10 and 83.50 t/ha during kharif, and 84.45, 83.57 and 81.84 t/ha durin rabi season, which were on par with each other and were significantly superior over rest of the treatments. None of the insecticidal treatments showed any type of phytotoxic symptoms on okra plants at one, three, seven and ten days after spray of Bifenthrin 8 SC @ 100, and 200 g a.i./ha during both kharif and rabi seasons. Hence, Bifenthrin 8 SC @ 100 g a.i./ha could be

-13- recommended for the better management of mites, and shoot and fruit borer to get higher marketable fruit yield.

PL017:Information indices for the measurement of alpha diversity of communities

Ashwani K. Thukral Department of Botanical & Environmental Sciences Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar-143005, India Email: [email protected]

Abstract

Measurement of alpha diversity is the first step for the characterisation of communities. Several indices are used in this context. Most commonly used diversity indices are based on information content of the communities. These are Shannon-Weiner‟s, Simpson‟s and Brillouin‟s indices. The author proved that certain statistical measures of central tendency and dispersion can also be used as diversity indices. Notable among these are standard deviation, standard error and coefficient of variation, which can be used to derive Simpson‟s diversity indices. Similarly, geometric mean and harmonic mean, and some other statistics can also be used as information indices so as to describe community diversity.

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Oral Presentation

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OL001:Exopolysaccharide production in Anabaena sp. PCC 7120 under different CaCl2 regimes: Chemical characterization & Expression of related gene alr2882

Savita Singh*a and A. K. Mishrab aDepartment of Botany, BabuShivnathAgrawal College, Mathura-281004 bDepartment of Botany, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi-221005 *Email: [email protected]

Abstract Influence of various levels of CaCl2 (0, 1, 10 and 100 mM) on exopolysaccharide production has been investigated in the cyanobacteriumAnabaena7120. At the concentration of 1 mM CaCl2, growth was found to be stimulatory while 100 mM was sub lethal for the cyanobacterial cells. Estimation of EPS content revealed that EPS production depends on the concentration of calcium ions in the immediate environment with maximum being at10 mM CaCl2. A possible involvement of alr2882 gene in the process of EPS production was also revealed through qRT-PCR. Further, FTIR-spectra marked the presence of aliphatic alkyl- group, primary amine-group, and polysaccharides along with shift in major absorption peaks suggesting that calcium levels in the external environment regulate the composition of EPS produced by Anabaena 7120. Thus, both quantity and composition of EPS is affected under different calcium chloride concentrations presenting possibilities of EPS with novel unexplored features that may offer biotechnological applications. Keywords: Anabaena 7120, Extracellular polymeric substances, Fourier transform infra red spectroscopy (FTIR), Quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (qRT- PCR), alr2882 gene, Scanning electron microscopy (SEM)

OL002:Mechanisms underlying faba bean-responses to single-bilayer graphene oxide sheet

Naser A. Anjum Department of Botany, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh-202002, U.P., India Email: [email protected]; [email protected]

Abstract Adsorbents based on single-bilayer graphene oxide sheet (hereafter „graphene oxide‟, GO; size: 0.5–5 μm) are widely used in contaminated environments cleanup which may easily open the avenues for their entry to different environmental compartments, exposure to organisms and their subsequent transfer to human/animal food chain. Considering faba bean (Viciafaba L.) germinating seedlings as a model plant system, this study assesses the response (and underlying mechanism) of V. faba to different concentrations of GO (0, 100, 200, 400, 800, and 1600 mg L-1). The study revealed both positive and negative concentration-dependent GO-effects on V. faba. Significant negative impacts of GO concentrations (ordered by magnitude of effect: 1600>200>100 mg GO L-1) were indicated by changes in growth and oxidative stress traits, activity of H2O2-decomposing enzymes (ascorbate peroxidase and catalase), glutathione redox (reduced glutathione-to-oxidized glutathione) ratio, reduced glutathione pool, as well as changes in glutathione-regenerating (glutathione reductase) and glutathione-metabolizing (glutathione peroxidase; glutathione sulfo-transferase) enzymes, and seed-protein profile. This work is aimed to present a critical

-16- cross-talk on the H2O2-decomposing enzymes and glutathione-regenerating (glutathione reductase) and glutathione-metabolizing (glutathione peroxidase; glutathione sulfo- transferase) enzymes in order to control oxidative stress status in V. faba seedlings. Keywords: Graphene; Nanoparticle; Oxidative stress; Antioxidant metabolism

OL003:Endophytic fungi isolated from leaves of Centellaasiatica L.: Culture and their identification

Shalini Jane Mundu1, Anita Mehta 2 1Department of Biotechnology, Ranchi Women‟s College, Ranchi 2Department of Botany, Ranchi Women‟s College, Ranchi Email: [email protected]

Abstract Antibiotic resistance in microbs has become a critical health issue these days and has evolved to become a worldwide health threat. Over a decade, the resistance level of bacteria has increased many folds due to various factors, accounting to the added pressure on the environmental resistance. . Infections that are resistant to these antibiotics show potentially devastating effects on public health. Nowadays endophyticmicroorganism are recognized as one of the most promising group for pharmaceutical potential. These microorganisms comprise mainly of fungi and bacteria grow in the intercellular spaces of higher plants, are chemical synthesizers and not considered as saprophytes. Current investigation has been undertaken to identify some endophytic fungi residing inside the tissues of leaves of Centellaasiatica, which are equally valuable as their host plant in their medicinal values. This type of research will be helpful in search of an alternative source of medicines, as these endophytic microbes are also producing same type of bioactive compounds as their host. Culture was done on PDA fungal media and its morphological study was done under microscope for its identification. Some sporulating fungi were identified based on their colony morphology, conidiospore and conidiophore characteristics. In this present work some endophytes fungi were isolated from Centellaasiatica, which are, Penicillium, Aspergillus, ClamydosporiumCurvularia,andTrichoderma .The microscopic identification of the isolates was carried out by lacto phenol staining technique. Keywords: Antimicrobial resistance, antibiotics, endophytic microbes, sporulating fungi.

OL004:Cytological features and chemotoxicity in chromosomes of green algae: a curtain raiser

Ichha Purak1, S K Bhatnagar2, Sushma Das Guru3 and Tabassum Afshan4 1,3Department of Botany, Ranchi Women‟s College, Ranchi 2 College of Biotechnology, S V P University of Agriculture & Technology, Meerut 4 Department of Botany, Sri VenkatesswaraCollege,,Delhi University, New Delhi Email: purak.ichha @gmail.com

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Abstract Present communication is an attempt to summarize the cytological features and chemotoxic effects on somatic chromosomes of green algae with special emphasis on Charophyta. The analysis of chromosome count along with karyological studies play a significant role in proposing phylogenetic alliances, evolutionary trends and inter-relationships among different groups of green algae.In this presentation, the nuclear structure, chromosome types, karyological details, mitotic and meiotic chromosome counts along with the concept of basic chromosome numbers, polyploidy and aneuploidy, C-banding patterns , molecular characterization of some taxa of Characeae and effect of some chemicals like colchicine, triacontanol, antibiotics, alkylating agents and agrochemicals have been included . When algal materials are treated with mutagenic or radiomimetic agents, cytological aberrations of various types are developed which can be used as an important tool in understanding chromosomal evolution. On the basis of available data, it becomes evident that the species of Charophyta are more susceptible as compared to the remaining groups of green algae and more resistant as compared to the higher plants.

OL005:Pyramiding/stacking of adult plant rust resistance genes using molecular markers for sustainable agriculture in bread wheat (TriticumaestivumL.)

Vikas V.K.1*, M. Sivasamy1, P. Jayaprakash1, Jagdish Kumar2, R. Nisha1, P. Shajitha1, Sureshbabu1 and John Peter1 1ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, Regional Station, Wellington 643 231, The Nilgiris, India; 2ICAR-National Institute of Biotic Stress Management, Raipur, Chhattisgarh. Email: [email protected]

Abstract Wheat is one of the most important cereal crops for food security and rust diseases continually pose a threat to wheat production at national and international level. Resistant cultivars are the economical, most reliable and environmentally safest way to manage the rust diseases. Adult plant resistance(APR) genes have small to intermediate effects when present alone, but durable rust resistance could be achieved by combining the APR genes together. Selection of two or more genes in a single genotype is difficult using conventional selection system. In such a scenario, phenotype neutral selection based on marker-trait association becomes inevitable. Stacking of adult plant rust resistance genes, Lr34/Yr18/Sr57/Pm38/Ltn1, Lr46/Yr29/Sr58/Pm39/Ltn2and Lr68 was attempted with recipient parent(NI5439) using Parula as donor parent by adopting single back cross approach. Transgressivesegregants for yield and rust resistance were selected at F2 generation and forwarded. Presence of the rust resistance genes were detected using molecular markers, CsLv34 (Lr34+), Xwmc44(Lr46+) and csGs(Lr68)in the backcross derivatives. APR geneshadpleiotrophic association with stem and stripe rust and powdery mildew resistance, providing resistance not only to leaf rust, but also to stem and stripe rust and powdery mildew. The use of gene stacks of APR genes that confer resistance to most of the pathotypes of rusts could impart durability and sustainability to the cultivars than single gene deployment.

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OL006:Towards establishment of renewable sources of rohitukine – an important precursor for US-FDA approved anticancer drug

Nitika Kapoor, Vidushi Mahajan, Vijay Lakshmi Jamwal, Amit Gautam, Ajai Prakash Gupta, Ravi Singh Manhas, Asha Chaubey and Sumit G. Gandhi* CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Canal Road, Jammu – 180 001, India Email: [email protected]

Abstract Dysoxylumbinectariferum (Roxb.)Hook.f. ex Bedd (Meliaceae) is a medicinally important tree distributed in Western Ghats of southern India. Rohitukine, the key metabolite, isolated from its trunk bark, is known to possess anti-inflammatory, anti-implantation, anti-fertility, anti-proliferative and immunomodulatoryproperties.Flavopiridol, a structural analogue of rohitukine, showed potent CDK inhibitor activity and was approvedfor treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Removal of trunk bark, for isolation of rohitukine, seriously impacts the biodiversity and ecology. Our studies showed that leaves and seeds contain significant quantity of rohitukine and may serve as renewable sources. Further, in a bid to find alternative sources of rohitukine, we also isolated endophytes from D. binectariferum and explored their potential to produce rohitukine. Elicitation of D. binectariferum plants using phytohormones was also attempted and showed promising results. Synthetic biology mediated production of rohitukine is another approach, which however requires a thorough understanding of the rohitukine biosynthetic pathway. We carried out transcriptome analysis and mined the genes that may be involved in biosynthesis and regulation of rohitukine. Expression profiling of these genes in different tissues was correlated with production dynamics of rohitukine. These studies and data combined, may eventually pave way for ecofriendly and renewable production of this important drug precursor.

OL007:Solid Surface Cultivation of Algae For Poultry Waste Remediation And Biomass Production Komal Makhijani*, Khushboo Sharma, Ashish Bhatnagar and Monica Bhatnagar Algae Biofuel and Biomolecules Centre, Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati University, Ajmer, Rajasthan Email: [email protected]

Abstract The poultry industry in India produces 23.54 million MT of poultry manure every year along with other wastes routed from hatcheries and slaughter houses. Disposal of this waste causes pollution issues as the nitrogen and phosphorus in poultry excreta leach out to the water bodies and cause eutrophication. In the present study this waste is proposed to be used as a resource for producing algal biomass that can be used as a source of energy or feed. Cultivation in ponds poses difficulty in removing biomass that is not only cost intensive but also releases back the nutrients into the water body after death. Therefore, to overcome the hurdle of harvesting in algal cultivation, a feasibility study over seven months has been performed using an open solid surface cultivation system. Productivity of the cultivation system has been followed vis a vis utilization of nutrients that show the feasibility of using poultry litter as a nutrient resource.

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OL008:Green polymers as wound healing agents

Monica Bhatnagar* and Ashish Bhatnagar Algae Biofuel and Biomolecules Centre, MaharshiDayanandSaraswati University Ajmer 305009 *Email: [email protected]

Abstract Wound care is constantly evolving with the most significant advance arising from the work of Winter who showed that occluded wounds i.e. those in a moist environment healed faster than the dry wounds. Since then hydrogel dressings have become an integral part of wound management . Hydrogels are essentially a bit of polymer and a whole lot of water (or any other liquid). Their hydrophilic abilities make them a material of choice in conditions where one needs to absorb retain or slow release a small amount of liquid. Green and natural polymers are gaining importance in wound care due to their unique and appealing biological properties along with sustainability backed by a complete recycling network. Here we discuss the potential of some plant biopolymers as bioactive wound healing agents and discuss the development of breathable hydrogel composites from them.

OL009:Nitric oxide application improves photosynthesis performances in mustard through increase in use efficiency of nitrogen and sulfur under adverse effects of salinity stress

BadarJahan*, ZebusSehar, Nafees A. Khan Plant Physiology and Biochemistry Laboratory, Department of Botany, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh-202002 India *Email: [email protected]

Abstract Salinity is one of the major abiotic stresses which are known to reduce productivity of various crop species and mustard. Nitric oxide (NO) is recently recognized as gaseous plant hormone to engage in several reactions in plant cells under normal and abiotic stress conditions. In the present study the potential of 100 μM sodium nitroprusside (SNP; NO donor) was studied individually (100 mg N/kg soil or 100 mg S/kg soil) or in combination with split form (50N+50N, 50S+50S) of nitrogen (N) and sulfur (S) for the alleviation of 100 mMNaCl stress in mustard (Brassica junceaL.). The application NO resulted in alleviation of photosynthetic inhibition induced by salinity through increased photosynthetic nitrogen use efficiency and sulfur use efficiency. Supplementation of NO+ N + S promoted N and S assimilation capacity and stomatal behavior, and enzyme of antioxidant system. It may be concluded that NO application with appropriate split and combined application of N and S play significant role in overcoming salt stress and induction of tolerance by regulating N and S assimilation in plants and proline accumulation. Keywords: Sulfur, Nitrogen, Proline, Mustard, Salt stress

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OL010:Biodegradation of Rhodamine Pink an Industrial Dyeby Some White-Rot Fungi

Mukesh Chander and Ruchika Assistant Professor & Dean Research (Former) Bioprocess Laboratory, P.G. Department of Biotechnology, Khalsa College (Autonomous), Amritsar -143 002, Punjab Email: [email protected]

Abstract Dyes are complex aromatic molecular structures which are intended to be stable and consequently are difficult to degrade. Removal of dyes with microorganisms, especially fungi has recently gained attention. The fungal dye degradation do not produce any carcinogenic aromatic amines like the anaerobic systems. The white-rot fungi and their ligninolytic enzymes has been found to be effective in degradation of variety of dyes and colourant, reducing their toxicity and mutagenicity. However, much of these studies have been done on synthetic media and that too are limited to lab scale. In the present study, three white-rot fungi namely P. chrysosporium, P. floridensisandP. radiata has used for the degradation of Rhodamine pink–an industrial dye. These fungal species were enriched on Rhodamine dye based agar plates wherein their decolourisation potential was recorded and compared on the basis of clear zone formed around the mycelialdics from the centre towards the periphery after incubation at optium temperature in given interval of time. The three fungi were grown on corn cob (a cheap agro residue) to obtain cell free enzyme extracts, which were used to study degradation of Rhodamine dye. The P. radiata maximally (74%) decolourised the Rhodamine dye. Three of the fungi tested reduced the chemical oxygen demand and toxicity of the dye.

OL011:Protective role of 24-Epibrassinolide under H2O2stress Brassica juncea L.

Rupinder Kaur and Manish Kumar Post Graduate Department of Botany, DevSamaj College for Women, Ferozepur, Punjab-152002 Email: [email protected]

Abstract The effects of 24-Epibrassinolidewasinvestigated in Brassica junceaL. under H2O2stress. The present study revealed the physiological, biochemical and molecular modulation properties of 24-epibrassinolide (24-EBL) in plants exposed to toxic concentrations of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). The findings registered in present study suggested that H2O2 is an important reactive oxygen species (ROS) which played a dual role. At lower and sublethal concentrations it acted as signaling molecule responsible for regulating various growth and development processes in plants. Under extreme high concentrations of H2O2 it becomes harmful for the plant growth due to bad effect of ROS which produced at very high amount. It was confirmed that under H2O2 stress the antioxidant machinery increased its level of activity. Supplementation of 24-EBL to various H2O2 treated seedlings showed higher accumulation of H2O2 which suggested that 24-EBL interplayed with H2O2 in web of signaling under stress conditions. Ascorbic acid is low molecular weight

-21- antioxidant found to increased in sufficient amount and may helped the seedlings to protect from oxidative stress caused by high concentrations of H2O2. Present observations suggested that 24-Epibrassinolide pretreatment protect the seedlings from hydrogen peroxide stress through enhancing level of antioxidant enzyme activities.

OL012:Sustainable Utilization of Climate Resilient Crop Varieties forFood and Nutritional Security under Changing Climatic Conditions:A Case Study from Mirzapur District of Eastern Uttar Pradesh

Ajeet Singh1, 2*, P. C. Abhilash1, 2 1Institute of Environment & Sustainable Development, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221005 2Agro-ecosystem Specialist Group, Commission on Ecosystem Management, IUCN *Email: [email protected]

Abstract Ensuring the food and nutritional requirements of a rapidly growing human population is one of the major sustainability challenges of the developing nations. Furthermore, the food production under changing climatic condition itself is another sustainability issue as the changing climatic condition negatively affect the growth, yield and nutritional quality of agricultural crops. Therefore, the exploration and sustainable utilization of climate resilient crops are essential for ensuring the sustainability of the food production under futuristic climatic conditions. Since wild crop plants have better tolerance and adaption potential than the modern crop varieties. So large-scale utilization of wild crop plants are the need of the hour. In this context, the present study was aimed to identify the promising wild crops and their relatives having preferential nutritional qualities from Mirzapur district of eastern Uttar Pradesh. For this, intensive field visit and stakeholder consultation was conducted in the Mirzapur district of Eastern Uttar Pradesh. Promising wild species as well as the associated bio-cultural and traditional knowledge were documented. Germplasms of promising species were collected and detailed characterization was done accordingly. The traditional ecological knowledge associated with the cultivation of above varieties were also noted. Our study concludes that identification of climate resilient crop varieties from various agro ecological zone and validation of suitable agronomic practices for their large-scale exploitation are essential for ensuring the food and nutritional quality under futuristic climate. Keywords: Agrobiodiversity; Climate Change, Climate Resilient Agriculture; Food Security; Wild crops; Traditional Ecological Knowledge

OL013:Linking Plant-Microbe Interaction with agricultural productivity

Pankaj Srivastava* and Nishita Giri Soil Science and Agronomy Division ICAR-Indian Institute of Soil and Water Conservation (ICAR-IISWC), Dehradun (U.A.) Email:[email protected]

Abstract It is widely accepted that climate change occur worldwide. India is highly prone to climate change as its economy is heavily depending on climate sensitive sectors like agriculture and

-22- forestry. Soil microbes indirectly influence C cycling by improving soil aggregation, which physically protects soil organic matter (SOM). Plant growth-promoting mechanisms of bacteria might increase biomass production in a more sustainable manner in agricultural fields, even on marginal land. Symbiotic associations between plant roots and arbuscularmycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are ubiquitous in terrestrial ecosystems. A key AMF- mediated process involved in the storage of carbon in soils is the transfer of photosynthate from host plants to AMF hyphae. Conventional agricultural practices have so far paid little attention to beneficial plant-microbe interactions. Crop rotation, with legumes, or the use of organic fertilizers is known to increase microbial diversity. Smart agricultural systems make use of specific crop rotations stimulating specific types of bacteria frequently involved in plant growth promotion. Plant-microbe interactions has great potential to contribute to more sustainable agricultural practices and is in line with current policy priorities regard to the protection of natural resources and food security.

OL014:Identification of transcription factor pairs regulating phosphate accumulation in plants with Transdetect- A novel algorithm

Sikander Pal Plant Physiology Lab, Department of Botany, University of Jammu, Jammu Email: [email protected]

Abstract Phosphate (P) and Zinc (Zn) are essential nutrients for normal plant growth. Deficiency of these elements often leads to impaired plant growth and reduced crop yield. Excessive uses of phosphate fertilizers are likely to exhaust P reserves by 2050. Therefore, it is of grave concern to look for means of enhancing the phosphate uptake and utilization efficacy of plants. Current understanding states antagonistic crosstalk between P and Zn in soil solution. Excess of P limits Zn uptake abilities of a plant and vice-versa. However, precise mechanism needs to be explored, in this context, identifying TFs cooperation controlling target gene expression such as those regulating P mobilization and use efficiency is still an arduous challenge. The accuracy of current methods at genome scale significantly drops with the increase in number of genes, which limits their applicability to more complex genomes, like animals and plants. Here, we developed an algorithm, TransDetect which is able to predict TFs combinations controlling the expression level of a given gene. This algorithm was used to identify novel TFs which could modulate regulating the expression of Arabidopsis phosphate transporter PHO1;H3 comprising MYB15, MYB84, bHLH35 and ICE1. These TFs were confirmed to interact between themselves and with the PHO1;H3 promoter. Detailed phenotypic and genetic analyses of TF mutants enabled to propose a new gene regulatory network of PHO1;H3 controlling P accumulation in Zn-dependent manner. Findings demonstrate reliability of TransDetect to extract directionality in non-dynamic transcriptomes and to provide blueprint to identify gene regulatory network in a given biological process. Key words: phosphate, zinc, algorithm, transcription factors

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OL015:Physico-chemical characterstics and genotoxiceffects of agricultural soil samples of Amritsar

VanitaChahal1, Yogesh B. Pakade2, Renu Bhardwaj3, Avinash Nagpal3 and Jatinder Kaur Katnoria3* 1Department of Botany, Kamla Nehru College for Women, Phagwara 2Cleaner Technology Centre, CSIR-NEERI, Nagpur 3Department of Botanical and Environmental Sciences, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar *Email: [email protected]; [email protected]

Abstract In recent decades, soil has been contaminated via different sources like inevitable use of pesticides and inorganic fertilizers, leaching of wastes from landfills or direct discharge of industrial effluents. Among different soil contaminants, pesticides and heavy metals significantly contribute to the pollution of agricultural lands and cause severe health problems along with damage of gene pool upon reaching the living systems and also alter the biochemical processes. The present study was planned to estimate physico-chemical characteristics including multipesticide residues and total heavy metal contents of agricultural soil samples of Amritsar (India). The study was further continued to evaluate biochemical effects of soil samples on bulb and root system of Aliiumcepa, genotoxic effects of soils in root tip cells and pollen mother cells of Allium cepaand tumor inducing potential of soil samples using potato disc tumor assay. It was observed that all soil samples were found to be contaminated with one or the other pesticides and heavy metals. Abrupt changes of enzymatic activities were observed in bulb as well as root systems of Aliiumcepa treated with soil samples as compared to the control soil. All soil samples induced genotoxicity in root tip cells as well as pollen mother cells of Aliiumcepa. Further, soil samples were found to induce tumors in potato disc tumor assay. Therefore, the present study creates a crucial alarm to the health of farmers and different crop consumers.

OL016:Characterization and Molecular Mapping of a Soft Glume Mutant in Diploid Wheat (Triticummonococcum L.)

Mohd.Javed Ansari1,2*, Amit Vaish2 and Harcharan Singh Dhaliwal1,3

*1Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee, Uttarakhand, India 2Department of Botany, Hindu College Moradabad-244001 3Akal School of Biotechnology, Eternal University, Baru Sahib, Himachal Pradesh 173101

Abstract Diploid wheat T. monococcum L. is a model plant for wheat functional genomics. A soft glume mutant was identified during manual screening of EMS-treated M2 progenies of a T. monococcum accession pau14087. The seeds in the mature spike of the mutant could be easily threshed manually. The soft glume mutant with high sterility, tapering and broader spikes had also tougher rachis than the wild type parent. Genetic analysis of crosses of the mutant with wild type indicated that the mutant was monogenic recessive. To map the soft glume mutant, a mapping population was developed by crossing the soft glume mutant with

-24- wild Triticumboeoticum acc. pau 5088, having tough glumes and hard threshing. The soft glume mutant was mapped between SSR markers Xgwm473 and Xbarc69 on 7AmL chromosome of T. monococcum, with a genetic distance of 1.8 cM and 8.3 cM, respectively. The soft glume mutant mapped on 7AmL, being distinct from a previously mapped soft glume mutant in wheat, has been designated as sog2. The work on fine mapping of sog2 gene is in progress. Keywords: ethyl methane sulfonate, molecular mapping, microsatellite marker, soft glume mutant – sog2

OL017:Brassinolides role in sustainable development of oil crop B. Juncea L. CV. RLC 3 under low temperature stress

Neha Dogra and Geetika Sirhindi Department of Botany, Punjabi University, Patiala-147002 Email: [email protected]

Abstract Brassica juncea is a winter season oil crop. Composition of oil undergoes sharp reduction at temperature between 0 to 10°C. Chilling injury includes physical and physiological changes induced by low temperature with subsequent symptoms of stress. Present experiments were performed at 5°C temperature to induce chilling injury and impact of 24-epibrassinolide and 28-homobrassinolide (0, 1μM, 1nM and 1pM) supplementation on activities of enzymatic antioxidants involved in stress management of the crop were examined as superoxide dismutase(SOD), catalase(CAT), ascorbate peroxidase(APOX). SOD activity was enhanced in 5°C+1pM 24-EpiBL and 5°C+1pM 28-HomoBL concentration over the control seedling. Instead CAT activity showed different concentration for its enhancement and maximum upsurge was noted in 5°C+1μM 24-EpiBL and 5°C+1nM 28-HomoBL treated seedlings. APOX activity showed parallel behavior with that of CAT showing enhancement in 5°C+1μM 24-EpiBL and 5°C+1nM 28-HomoBL, respectively. In conclusion it can be suggested that exogenous priming treatment of different concentration of BRs at seed level helps in maintaining both physical and physiological changes for sustainable growth of B. juncea but in a dose dependent manner. Keywords: Brassicajuncea, 24-Epibrassinolide, 28-Homobrassinolide, superoxide dismutase, catalase, ascorbate peroxidase.

OL018:Root and shoot adaptations induced by paclobutrazol improves water use efficiency in maize under deficit irrigation

Mohammad Urfan, Haroon Rashid, Shubham Sharma and Sikander Pal* Plant Physiology Lab, Department of Botany, University of Jammu, Jammu (J&K) 180006 *[email protected]

Abstract Climate change is posing a serious threat on agricultural outputs world over in various forms, with irregular rain spells causing drought and flood conditions being the main causative factors. Hence drought and declining water resources for irrigation have emerged as threat to food security. Improving and maximizing water use efficiency (WUE) of crops both in rain-

-25- fed and irrigated agriculture offers a viable option to combat drought. Deficit irrigation is the administration of water below full crop-water requirements (evapotranspiration demand), is a valuable practice to efficiently regulate irrigation. Paclobutrazol (PBZ), a fungicide is widely used to impart drought tolerance in crop plants. PBZ induced impact on root and shoot morphometrics, physiological processes and molecular mechanisms involved in improving WUE under deficit irrigation in maize plants is largely unknown. Results obtained showed diversified effects of PBZ on the morpho-physiological aspects and root architecture of five maize hybrids (DDKL, DKC, PG1, PG2 and Bio) conferring water deficit tolerance both in terminal and early deficit irrigation. Activities of antioxidant enzymes were modulated by PBZ to enhance WUE under deficit irrigation. PBZ was able to differentially regulate photosynthetic parameters such as net photosynthesis, stomatal conductance, gaseous exchange and intercellular CO2 under deficit irrigation. Expression of ZmRTCS and ZmRTCL genes responsible for root architectural adaptations was upregulated in PBZ treated plants under deficit irrigation. Findings may propose that PBZ could improve WUE and low water tolerance in maize plants under deficit irrigation through selective changes in the root and shoot morphometry, morpho-physiology and induction of stress-related metabolic and molecular processes. Key words: maize, root morphometrics, paclobutrazol, deficit irrigation.

OL019:Development and analysis of a tea leaf interlogousprotein-protein interaction network (TeaLIPIN) using transcriptomic data

Gagandeep Singh, Vikram Singh and Vikram Singh* Centre for Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, School of Life Sciences, Central University of Himachal Pradesh, Dharamshala, India-176206 *Email:[email protected]

Abstract Tea (Camellia sinensis) is an important commercial crop having antioxidant properties acquired from newly formed young leaves. Due to its taste and flavour, it is most consumed beverage in the world. To improve its quality and yield, identification of genes responsible for its growth, development and stress tolerance is crucial. The in-depth study of cellular regulations is still missing especially by means of interactions among the proteins for this important traditional herb. In this work, protein-protein interaction (PPI) network approach has been considered to determine the important regulatory mechanisms of cell by using publically available high-throughput RNA-Seq data (1567288290 raw reads) of leaf transcriptome derived from tea. Furthermore, high quality reads were assembled into 2,61,695 transcripts which were further selected for PPI network prediction. A total of 11,208 nodes having 1,97,820 edges were successfully predicted from experimentally validated interactions of all plants available in STRING database using interolog based approach. Thereafter, based on betweenness, degree and eigenvector, a total of 2931 key proteins were identified with p-value less than 0.01. Among these key proteins 270 proteins were found to be having transcription factor activities through HMM profile based search against Plant transcription factor database (PTFDB) with crucial roles in regulating various metabolic, cellular and organismal system processes. Thus, these genes can be selected to encounter the stress from continuous changing environmental conditions through genetic engineering or conventional breeding based assisted selection for crop improvement. Keywords: PPI Network;Camelliasinensis; Leaf transcriptome; Interlog; Pathways; Transcription factors.

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OL020:Agrobacterium – mediated insect resistance gene (CryIAa) transfer in broccoli (Brassica oleraceaL. var. italica)

Pankaj Kumar* # ,GeetikaGambhir and Dinesh Kumar Srivastava Department of Biotechnology Dr. Y S Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Solan- 173230 Himachal Pradesh #CSIR-Institute of HimalayanBioresource Technology, Palampur (H.P.) Email: [email protected]

Abstract Transgenic broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. var. italica) cv. „Solan Green Head‟ has been developed by using Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain harboring cryIAa gene for resistance against Diamondback moth (Plutellaxylostella). Type of explant used (cotyledon and hypocotyl), pre-culture and co-cultivation period and acetosyringone concentration were found to be critical determinants of transformation efficiency. By combining the best treatments of 72 hrs pre-culturing and 48 hrs co-cultivation time period, a transformation frequency of 4.92% and 13.83% was obtained from cotyledon and hypocotyl explants, respectively. Supplementing the co-cultivation medium with acetosyringone in a concentration of 100 µM enhanced the transformation frequency to 17.92% and 32.11% in cotyledon and hypocotyl explants, respectively. The transgene (cryIAa) integration was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction using gene specific primers and Southern blot analysis using Digoxygenin- non-radiolabelled DNA probe. Gene expression in the PCR positive transgenic events had been confirmed by Reverse Transcriptase-PCR and Quantitative Real Time-PCR. Insect bioassay proved the effectiveness of the transgene against infestation by diamondback moth (Plutellaxylostella) larvae. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of optimization of a highly efficient transformation system and transgenic development in broccoli using cry1Aa gene for insect resistance. Keywords: Brassica oleracea L. var. italica, genetic transformation, cry1Aa gene, insect resistance.

OL021:Isolation, Identification and Study the Bioactive Potential of Endophytes from Coleus

Vijay Lakshmi Jamwal1, Arem Qayum3, Ravi Singh Manhas2, Nitika Kapoor1, Shashank K. Singh3, Asha Chaubey2,* and Sumit G. Gandhi1,* 1 Plant Biotechnology Division, 2 Fermentation Technology Division, 3 Cancer Pharmacology Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Jammu *Email: [email protected], [email protected]

Abstract Endophytes are the microorganisms which reside within the plants without showing any harmful effect on its host plant. Diverse types of endophytes live symbiotically within almost all plants and in turn help the plant in a number of ways such imparting resistance against biotic and abiotic stresses, producing compounds involved in attraction of pollinators, inducing the plant defense mechanisms, etc. We carried out isolation of bacterial endophytes from leaf, root and stem of three species of Coleus genus (Lamiaceae). Coleus is a large and widespread genus comprising of species with a diversity of ethnobotanical uses. Total forty

-27- five endophytes (bacteria and fungus) were isolated from these three species of Coleus. The isolated endophytes were characterized by microscopic examination (gram staining for bacteria and lectophenol cotton blue staining for fungus). They were molecularly identified by sequencing the ITS (fungi) or 16S rRNA (bacteria) regions. Extracts were prepared from endophytic biomass using solvents of different polarities and were screened for their bioactive potential (anti-microbial, anti-cancer, anti-oxidant activity). Scale-up of endophytes showing promising results is under process, which will help in isolation of pure compounds.

OL022:Human Health Hazards Associated with Irrigation of Agricultural Land Using Wastewater in Amritsar city

Ashita Sharma1 and AvinashKaur Nagpal2 1Department of Civil Engineering, Chandigarh University, Gharuan. 2Department of Botanical and Environmental Sciences, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar Email: [email protected]; [email protected]

Abstract Municipal wastewater is being used to irrigate agricultural fields in many places across the globe as it is believed that this can sort out issues related to water crisis and can add necessary nutrients to the soil. On the other hand, long term use of wastewater for irrigation can lead to buildup of harmful contaminants into the soil. Various studies have shown the increase in concentration of heavy metals in the soil irrigated with wastewater. In our study, we studied the samples of soil and vegetable crops growing in an area irrigated with municipal wastewater drain of Amritsar city. It was found that most of the vegetables growing in the area had high concentration of heavy metals. Amongst vegetable samples collected from wastewater irrigated site mean content of cadmium was found to be maximum in turnip (1.07 mg/kg) followed by fenugreek (1.00 mg/kg) and minimum was in green chilli (0.20 mg/kg). High concentration of lead (0.33 mg/kg) was also reported in samples of coriander from the site. Increased content of heavy metals in soil samples was also found during the study; copper was the most abundant element (280 mg/kg). Increased content of heavy metals in the soil samples correlated with the increased percentage of chromosomal aberrations exhibited through Allium cepa root chromosomal aberration assay. Wastewater irrigation may help in meeting the irrigation demands but the ecological loss associated with degradation of soil quality and human health hazard because of buildup of toxins in food may be huge. Thus, untreated wastewater should not be considered as a potential irrigation source.

OL023:28-Homobrasinolide induces the expression of salt stress responsive proteins and improves the adaptation of Zea mays L. to salt stress Nitika Kapoor*1 and Renu Bhardwaj2 1PG Department of Botany, Hans Raj Mahila Maha Vidyalaya, Jalandhar-144008, Punjab 2Department of Botanical and Environmental Sciences, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar-143005, Punjab *Email: [email protected]

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Abstract

Brassinosteroids (BRs) are steroidal plant hormones which influence various types of processes during plant life cycle starting from seed germination to senescence. Despite of regulating the miscellaneous physiological and morphogenetic responses in plants, BRs play a promising role in alleviating the various stresses. The present study was designed to investigate the stress extenuation role of 28-homobrassinolide (HBL) (0, 10-7, 10-9 and 10-11 M) in induction of stress protective proteins and improvement in activities of antioxidative enzymes [superoxide dismutase (SOD), guaiacol peroxidase(POD), CAT(catalase) ascorbate peroxidase (APOX), glutathione reductase (GR)] by SDS-PAGE, native–PAGE and by biochemical methods in NaCl stressed (0, 25, 50, 75, 100 mM)) Zea mays L. var. Partap-1 seedlings. Activities of antioxidative enzymes were found to enhance by HBL in salt stressed seedlings to maintain the favourable cellular conditions. The stress ameliorative role of HBL against salt stress was further confirmed by study of qualitative analysis of proteins and isoenzymes of SOD and POD. Qualitative analysis of proteins by SDS-PAGE revealed that salt stress of 50 mM NaCl induced the expression of one extra stress protective protein (band d) which was of low molecular weight (26.54 kDa). The expression of this protein was further enhanced by the application of 10-9 M HBL supplemented with 50 mM NaCl solution. Native-PAGE analysis revealed the presence of 4 isoenzymes of SOD and POD in case of maize seedlings. Zymogram of SOD and POD revealed that isoenzymatic expression of these enzymes remained same in all treatments. But the density analysis of the bands developed on the gels (by using „Muti-Analyst‟ software from Bio-Rad) revealed different band densities. The densities of isoenzymes of SOD in NaCl stressed seedlings were in the order of NaCl+HBL> NaCl >HBL >DW. But the order of densities of isoenzymes of POD in NaCl stressed seedlings were different; DW>HBL>NaCl>NaCl+HBL.

OL024:Methyl jasmonate regulated antioxidant enzymes in two varieties of Cajanus cajan (l.)Millsp. For cadmium tolerance

Shruti Kaushik1, 2, Geetika Sirhindi1 and Anil K. Singh2 1Department of Botany, Punjabi University, Patiala-147002 2Senior Scientist, ICAR-IIAB, Ranchi-834010 Email: [email protected]

Abstract Plants can‟t move away and consequently accost with unfavorable environmental conditions. Amidst, heavy metals cadmium (Cd) is an extraneous and toxic metal proven to affect plant growth and development. Phytohormone such as methyl-jasmonate (Me-JA) produced by the plants help to counteract the effect of heavy metal stress. Through a number of enzymatic and non-enzymatic pathways, they regulate the level of free radicals. The object of the present work was to evaluate the role of exogenously applied Me-JA and cadmium on the antioxidant enzymes in Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.var. PAU-881 and AL-882. The result showed that in AL-882, high dose of cadmium stimulate the enzymatic superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in 10 nM Me-JA+5mM Cd, but in var. PAU-881, enhancement in SOD activity was observed in 100 nM Me-JA concentration only. The content of guaiacol peroxidase (POD) in AL-882

-29- increased in 2 mM Cd concentration but in PAU-881, 1nM Me-JA+2mM Cd showed enhancement in POD. Cadmium treatment caused a significant change in Catalase (CAT) activity which increased with increasing concentration of Cd in AL-882 and maximum content was observed in 5mM Cd+100nM Me-JA. In PAU-881, 1nM Me-JA showed best result. Content of ascorbate peroxidase (APOX) was significantly increased in 1nM Me-JA+2 mM Cd concentration in both the varieties of C. Cajan. In conclusion it can be suggested that exogenous application of Me-JA can help the plant modulating the level of ROS under tight regulation to help in managing the upward growth under cadmium stress and makes plants Cd tolerant. Keywords: Cajanus cajan(L.) Millsp., Methyl-jasmonate, Superoxide dismutase, Guaiacol peroxidase, catalase, Ascorbate peroxidase.

OL025: Development of PUSA decomposer for rapid degradation of diverse horti-agri residue

Livleen Shukla*, K Annapurna and Shubham Sharma Division of Microbiology, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi-110012 *Email: [email protected]

The food grain production of India is increasing every year with simultaneous escalation of agro-waste which has reached about 960.0 mt annually. Although all these crop residues are having a great nutrient potential but burning of agro-waste has intensified due to unavailability of low cost and easily adaptable technologies for management. The presence of a short time window between harvesting and sowing of crops also poses a constraint for farmers. With advances in agricultural practices, in-situ and ex-situ management of crop residues has now become a major challenge. A consortium of eight fungal cultures as PUSA decomposer has been developed on the basis of their hydrolytic potential. This consortium can degrade diverse horticultural and agricultural residues like vegetable, citrus fruits, non- citrus fruits, flowers like marigold, rajnigandha, rose, paddy straw, and maize residues rapidly and effectively. Pusa decomposer is formulated in liquid and capsules for the application in pits, heaps, windrows and below the soil. This eco-friendly and economical technology has been developed for the end users mainly farmers, entrepreneurs and industry. Locally liquid culture can be carried for application but for other users consortium is filled in capsules which are easy to carry, no offensive smell, no storage problem and easy to handle. A kit consisting of 4 capsules or 5 litres liquid inoculant is sufficient to decompose one tone of horti- agri-residues. The time of degradation depends on the nature of substrate like garden leaves,fruit and flower waste take 30-35 days for decomposition while paddy straw decomposes in 90 days.

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Poster Presentation

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PT001:Infestation of Pink rot on Eggplant (Solanum melongena L.)

Adarsh Pandey Department of Botany, S. S. (P.G.) College, Shahjahanpur-242001 UP

Abstract Trichothecium roseum was found to be present on Brinjal fruit causing Pink rot. This fungus was found in a particular period of the year i.e., in the months of March and August in Bareilly region. The biannual attendance of Trichothecium roseum has increased the curiosity to know much information regarding its tendency to encounter of eggplant. Therefore this mysterious fungus was selected for the present study. Unique geographical situation and agro climatic conditions of Bareilly region make the pathological study of the eggplant more relevant and significant. Trichothecium causes pink rot is a parasite of fleshy fungi. Alternating two-celled, clavate conidia held at their bases are typical characteristics of Trichothecium roseum. Mancozeb was taken into an account to control the test fungus. The radial growth of Trichothecium roseum was significantly reduced in all the treatments compared to the control, however its efficacy at all concentrations during the investigation was found significantly effective. Keywords: Pink Rot,chemical control,Solanum melongena,Vegetables Diseases,Fruit Diseases.

PT002:Study of transmission of Yellow Leaf of Sugarcane

Keshav Shukla Department of Biotechnology, Invertis University, Bareilly, UP, India Email: [email protected]

Abstract Sugarcane yellow leaf virus (ScYLV) is distributed worldwide and has been shown to be the cause of the disease sugarcane yellow leaf syndrome (YLS). This study was an investigation of the transmission and spread of ScYLV in Uttar Pradesh. Several aphids are known to transmit the virus, but investigation of infestation and transmission efficiency showed Melanaphis sacchari to be the only vector important for field spread of the disease. The initial multiplication of ScYLV in a virus-free plant occurred exclusively in very young sink tissues. When a single leaf was inoculated on a plant, that leaf and all older leaves remained virus-free, based on tissue-blot immunoassay, whereas meristems and all subsequently formed new leaves became infected. Therefore, only after those leaves which had already developed before inoculation had been shed, did the complete plant contain ScYLV. Spread of the viral infection to neighbouring plants in the plantation fields via aphids was relatively slow and in the range of a few metres per year. No indication of long-distance transfer could be seen. This indicates that it may be possible to produce and use virus-free seed cane for planting of high-yielding but YLS-susceptible cultivars. Keywords: Luteoviridae, Melanaphis sacchari, Saccharum officinarum, ScYLV, yellow leaf syndrome

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PT003:Development of an eco-friendly approach to improve nitrogen content in Okra

Mumtaz Husain Department of Botany, SS (P.G.) College, Shahjahanpur-242 001 U.P. (India) Email: [email protected]

Abstract A simple randomized pot experiment was conducted at G. F. College, Shahjahanpur during January to March-2011. Efficacy of various doses of nitrogen in combination with Azotobacter was studied on the nitrogen content of okra leaves. Two controls were set, one without nitrogen and Azotobacter and another without nitrogen with Azotobacter to compare the effect of Azotobacter alone and in combination with various nitrogen doses. The nitrogen was estimated in dry leaves at 15, 30 and 45 days after germination (DAG) stages.All the treatments of nitrogen and Azotobacter seed inoculation gave significantly higher nitrogen contents in the leaves of okra. The maximum nitrogen content was reported in okra leaves receiving N22.5 + Azotobacter. The minimum nitrogen content was reported in control (N0+B0) where no nitrogen and Azotobacter was applied. Therefore, it can be recommended that use of lower doses of nitrogen and Azotobacter seed inoculation improved the nitrogen content of leaves in okra plants which will enhanced the final yield of the crop. On the other hand, a large amount of nitrogen fertilizer is also saved thereby, decreasing the cost of production of crop. Keywords: Azotobacter, Nitrogen, Okra.

PT004:The pollution status of river Ramganga, Bareilly: A case study

Ramesh Chandra Department of Zoology, S.S. (P.G.) College, Shahjahanpur,U.P.India Email: [email protected]

Abstract River Ramganga is a major source of water to the rural population of western Uttar Pradesh, India. The main goal of the present study was to assess the impact of urban and industrial activities on the water quality of river Ramganga at the Bareilly. For this, river water samples were collected from five different sites all along the route of Ramganga main streamline and were analyzed for chemical oxygen (COD) demand and biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) levels. There were variations for BOD (2.75–6.84 mg l − 1) and COD (23.90- 43.60 mg l − 1) levels at different sites. The BOD values noticed were almost within the permissible limits of USPH and WHO (5mg/L and 6mg/L) at most of the sampling sites. The COD values in the present study remained higher than the COD values published for most of other Indian rivers by CPCB (1991). The values generally exceeded the tolerance limit of - 5mg/L, prescribed by USPH and WHO. This is the study on itself and the interrelationship of human activities and river water quality makes the study significant and interesting to assess

-33- the pollution load discharges in catchments of Ramganga at Bareilly. Overall, the water quality of Ramganga was relative poor with respect to its use for domestic purposes. Keywords:River Ramganga, water quality, BOD and COD

PT005:A preliminary survey of local angiospermic flora in Shahjahanpur, UP, india

Ritu Srivastava and Nancy Gupta Department of Botany, SSPG College Shahjahanpur, 242001 UP India

Abstract District Shahjahanpur occupies the southest corner of Rohilkhand division and is located at 27.88°N 79.91°E. It has an average elevation of 194 metres (600 feet). It is situated at the junction of two rivers, namely Khannaut and Garra. The climate of district Shahjahanpur is generally defined to be tropical monsoon type. District Shahjahanpur is subdivide into three zones and samples of different variety of angiospermic plants were collected and about 30 plant spp. were identified, belonging to 18 families; collected plants were classified into two angiospermic categories dicot and monocot; among them dicot plant were found more likely in comparison to the monocots, and the family Euphorbiaceae found Dominating among the studied angiosperm families. In this survey we have observed medicinal plants in excess in along with great variation in the flora at Shahjahanpur. Keywords: Shahjahanpur, Flora, Angiosperm, Polypetalae, Khannaut and Garra.

PT006:Extraction of lead: An environmental approach for soil health improvement

Shikha Saxena Department of Botany, SS (PG) College Shahjahanpur 242001 UP India

Abstract Phytoextraction involves specific plant species which can absorb and hyperaccumulate metal contaminants and/or excess nutrients in harvestable root and shoot tissue,from the growth substrate(soil).The objective of present investigation is to examine the accumulation potential of lead in marigold.The experiment was carried out with two varieties of marigold i.e. Pusa narangi and Ritu raj.The seeds of marigold of two varieties were presoaked in distilled water and were sown in the field without any treatment as control.After 20 days,the plantlets of marigold of both varieties were transplanted into the pots,supplied with different doses of Pb (50,100 and 200 mg/kg of soil) at 10,15,25 and 30 days.The growth parameters were recorded at 25 and 45 days.The result of the present investigation clearly indicate that different concentration of Pb(50,100 and 200 mg/kg of soil) did not adversely affect the growth parameters of marigold in both varieties in terms of plant height, fresh and dry weight, chlorophyll, carotenoid, carbohydrate, nitrogen and protein contents but some insignificant reduction were noticed in these parameters as compared to control, proline content insignificantly increased under the influence of different concentration of Pb at 25 days.At 45 days too,a insignificant reduction was noticed in these parameters and also the proline content was insignificantly increased as compared to 25 days old plants.The

-34- accumulation of Pb was found to be more in shoot than in the root.We have noticed that among both the varieties,Pusa narangi was found to be more resistant to metal toxicity and the accumulation potential of Pb was found to be more than in variety Ritu raj.So the marigold can be considered as a potential economic crop for phytoremediation of Pb contaminated sites. Keywords: Marigold, Phytoextraction, Lead, Accumulation.

PT007:Physiological and biochemical studies in relation to fruit cracking in lemon

Ravneet Kaur1*, Nirmaljit Kaur1, Harminder Singh2, Manjeet Kaur Sangha3 1Department of Botany, 2Department of Fruit Science, 3Department of Biochemistry, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, India, 141004 *Email: [email protected]

Abstract Lemon (Citrus limon (L.) Burm. f.) is an important acid fruit. Fruit cracking is a major physiological disorder of lemon that limits its productivity. Cracking is a meridian fissure of peel that develops due to disruption of growth between peel and pulp irrespective to its origin. Hence, these studies were undertaken to unravel the physiological and biochemical changes associated with this malady. Total chlorophyll content, cellulase activity, polygalactouranase activity, mineral nutrients calcium, boron and potassium were analyzed in healthy and cracked peels of fruits of lemon. The peels of the cracked fruits had less total chlorophyll content as compared to peel of healthy fruits. Cell wall degrading enzymes cellulase and polygalacturonase showed higher activity in peels of cracked fruits. The increased activity of enzymes is correlated with fruit-break strength and degradation of adhesive cell wall components like pectins. The mineral nutrients calcium, potassium and boron were observed to be low in the peels of cracked fruits. Deficiency of the assayed nutrients and higher activities of cellulase and polygalactouranase may be the underlying cause of cracking in lemon. Foliar sprays of calcium, potassium and boron is foreseen as a remedial measure for prevention of fruit cracking. Keywords: Cracking, chlorophyll, enzymes, lemon, nutrients

PT008:Field performance of Taxus wallichiana Zucc. (Himalayan yew) stem cuttings inoculated with beneficial microbial inoculants under nursery conditions

Nazish Nazir1,Azra N. Kamili1, M.Y.Zargar2, Durdana Shah1 1Centre of Research for Development, University of Kashmir, Srinagar- 190006, J&K, India 2Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology Kashmir, Shalimar Campus, Srinagar- 190025 J&K, India Email: [email protected]

Abstract The pressing demand for tree production in forests with a significant reduction in the use of synthetic chemical fertilizers and pesticides is a big challenge nowadays. Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) and fungi being the beneficial microbes which are widely studied by microbiologists and agronomists because of their potential in increasing crop production and offer various ways to replace chemical fertilizers, pesticides, etc., and thus

-35- has significantly led to their increased demand. During the present study, the microbial inoculants (Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus safensis, Penicillium griseoroseum, Trichoderma harzianum) were inoculated in different treatments to ascertain the impact on vegetative growth of Taxus wallichiana Zucc. (Himalayan yew) stem cuttings under nursery conditions. The pot experiment was laid out in Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with 10 treatments including control and 3 replications with plot size comprising of 30 pots. The various growth characteristics viz., plant height, collar diameter, root length, biomass (shoot, root and total plant biomass) after interval of two months responded significantly to all the microbial inoculants under different treatments as compared to control. The combined treatment of the microbial inoculants proved best for all the growth parameters as compared to isolated treatments and an increasing trend in all the growth parameters was noticed upto December of the study period and in February it remains same as no growth was observed. Our findings showed that the application of microbial inoculants improved the growth attributes of Himalayan yew stem cuttings under nursery conditions. Keywords:Microbial inoculants, Nursery conditions, PGPR, Taxus wallichiana, Vegetative growth

PT009:Ecological risk assessment of agricultural and roadside soils of India Vinod Kumar Department of Botany, DAV University, Jalandhar-144012 Email: [email protected]

Abstract Agricultural and roadside soils are substantive component of environment, which is exposed to plethora of pollutants including heavy metals (HMs). These are added by natural as well as anthropogenic activities. Upsurge in HM content affects all organisms by biomagnification. Therefore it is necessary to assess the pollution of HMs in the soils. The mean values of agricultural and roadside soils for Cu, Co, Zn and Pb were exceeded the Canada, Poland and Swedish soil quality limits. The results of potential ecological risk assessment showed that Cd, As and Ni are the major contaminants responsible for contaminating the agricultural soils, whereas Cd, Pb, As and Ni are the key contaminants responsible for polluting the roadside soils. The modified potential ecological risk assessment indicated that Cd, Ni, Pb, As and Cu are the key contaminants accountable for ecological risk assessment of agricultural and roadside soils.

PT010:Potential role of ethylene in reversing the glucose-inhibited photosynthetic repression in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) under salt stress.

Zebus Sehar*, Badar Jahan and Nafees A. Khan Plant Physiology and Biochemistry Division, Department of Botany, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh 202002, India *Email: [email protected]

Abstract The present study was conducted to assess the involvement of ethylene in reversal of glucose inhibited photosynthetic characteristics in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in the presence and

-36- absence of salt stress. Ethylene (200µl/L) in the form of ethephon and 6% glucose (glu) was applied to wheat plant under normal and salt stress conditions. Application of 100mM NaCl decreased plant biomass, photosynthetic characteristics, sulfur assimilation capacity but increased the activity of antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT, APX GR), lipid peroxidation (H2O2 and TBARS), ACS activity and ethylene evolution. Plant receiving 6% glucose exhibited decrease in photosynthetic performance, however plant receiving ethylene and 6% Glu together exhibited prominent increase in photosynthetic potential of these plants under salt stress conditions implying the role of ethylene in reversing the negative effects of glucose in the presence or absence of salt. The increase in photosynthetic characteristics of plants was due to up-regulation of activities of antioxidant enzymes and regulation of stomatal behavior, through decreased lipid peroxidation and excessive ethylene evolution. The interactive effect between ethylene and glu was additive on photosynthetic responses. It may be concluded that this study bears an important impact on the involvement of ethylene in mitigating glu- inhibited photosynthetic performance in salt stress grown plants and provide new ways to mitigate salt stress problems in crop plants. Keywords: Ethylene, Glucose, Photosynthesis, Antioxidants, Salt stress.

PT011: Taxonomy of aquatic fungi from Giri river of Himachal Pradesh, India

Shivani Raghuwanshi* and I. B. Prasher Mycology and Plant Pathology Laboratory, Department of Botany, Panjab University, Chandigarh – 160014 *Email: [email protected]

Abstract Aquatic fungimostly occur in the freshwater streams on dead leaves and plant debris.They are also known as Ingoldian fungi, amphibious hyphomycetes or freshwater hyphomycetes. A majority of fungi form tetraradiate sigmoid (long wormlike to variously shaped conidia). Some have spores of more conventional shape. Environmental factors such as temperature, pH, inorganic nutrients and light; acting independently or synergistically; strongly influence the biota‟s phenology and physiology, with potentially crucial consequences for litter decomposition, nutrient cycling and stream productivity. They play a dominant role in the decomposition of plant detritus and can invest up to 80 % of their production into sporulation and conidial production alone.Due to the immense importance of aquatic fungi in decomposition biology, some of the fast decomposing species were developed as bio fertilizers and bio agents. During the survey of GiriRiver(Himachal Pradesh), six aquatic fungi have been isolated and identified.These are: Acrodictyspapillatum, Camposporiumcambrense, Curvulariahawaiiensi, Fusariumincarnatum, Latoruacalligansand Tetracladium marchalianum. These are being recorded for the first time from Himachal Pradesh (North-Western Himalayas).

PT012:Taxonomic study of aquatic fungi from Sutlej river in Himachal Pradesh

Punita* , I. B. Prasher and M. C. Sidhu

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Department of Botany, Panjab University, Chandigarh 160014, India *Email- [email protected]

Abstract Aquatic fungi are found on submerged decaying leaves, twigs, and foam, in fresh water streams and other aquatic bodies. Because, fungi complete their life cycle on submerged substrate as well as in free flowing well-aerated water, these are also referred to as freshwater or amphibious hyphomycetes. The conidia are multiradiate, spherical or sigmoid in shape. Aquatic fungi are the major player in the decomposition of plant litter in running water ecosystems. Their ability to break down leaf tissues by degrading plant cell polymers such as cellulose, hemicelluloses, and pectin into their subunits makes the leaf litter palatability to stream invertebrates. During the present study, four species of aquatic fungi viz: Triscelophorus acuminatus, Tetracladium apiense, Geniculospora inflata,and Helicomyces colligatus,have been collected and described from the Sutlej river in Himachal Pradesh. According to the literature, survey these species are first records for the state of Himachal Pradesh. These have earlier been recorded from Gujarat, Uttarakhand, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. Keywords : Freshwater fungi, Hyphomycetes, mycodegradation, Sutlej, taxonomy.

PT013:Role of Plant Extracts in Sustainable Agriculture

Aadil Gulzar 1,2*, Anzar A. Khuroo2, Azra N. Kamili1,2 1 Department of Environmental Science, University of Kashmir Hazratbal, Srinagar. 2 Centre of Research for Development, University of Kashmir Hazratbal, Srinagar. 2.Department of Botany ,University of Kashmir Hazratbal, Srinagar. *Email: [email protected]

Abstract The optimum growth of agriculturalcrops has been hampered by a number of factors such as attack of insects and diseaseinfection. Plant pathogens account for about 20% reduction in the principal food and cashcrops produced worldwide. Recently, in different parts of the world, attention has been paidtowards exploitation of different types of plant extracts as novel technique in greenagriculture. The popularity of botanical pesticides is once again increasing and some plantproducts are being used globally as green pesticides. Pyrethroids and neem products are wellestablished commercially as botanical pesticides and recently some essential oils of higherplants have also been used as antimicrobials against storage pests because of their relativelysafe status and wide acceptance by the consumers. In the context of agricultural pestmanagement, botanical pesticides are best suited for use in organic food production inindustrialized countries but can play a much greater role in the integrated pest management ofagricultural crops. A large number of synthetic chemicals have been developed for the controlof plant diseases, but due to growing awareness of their hazardous side effects, more andmore emphasis is being placed on the use of bio-control agents. Consequently, researchersfrom all over the world now pay more attention to the development of alternative methodswhich are environmentally safe, non-toxic to humans and animals, and rapidly biodegradable.Plants are natural laboratories in which a great number of chemicals are biosynthesized.Many of the resulting plant extracts are non-polluting, cost effective, non- hazardous,biodegradable and can be safely used as alternative to synthetic pesticides. Plant

-38- extracts are cheap, environmentally friendly, readily available,and are therefore recommended for sustainable agricultural and horticultural production. Keywords: Agriculture, Plant extracts, chemicals, fungicides, Pests.

PT014:Effect of exogenous application of sodium nitroprusside on photosynthetic machinery, antioxidative defense system and nutrient status of Brassica juncea

Fareen Sami and Shamsul Hayat Plant Physiology Section, Department of Botany, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh-202002, India Email: [email protected]

Abstract Nitric oxide (NO) is a freely diffusible, gaseous free radical and an important signaling molecule in plants. The present experiment was conducted to investigate the promotive effects of sodium nitroprusside (SNP), a NO donor on the morpho-physiology in Brassica juncea.L. cv. RGN-48. The plants were treated with different concentrations (0, 10-4 M, 10-5 M, 10-6 M) of SNP as foliar spray at 25 days after sowing (DAS) for five days consecutively. Foliar application of SNP up-regulate the photosynthetic efficiency by enhancing several photosynthetic attributes such as chlorophyll content, photochemical quenching, maximum PSII efficiency, actual PSII efficiency and electron transport rate. Moreover, SNP application enhance several gaseous exchange parameters, namely net photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, transpiration rate and internal CO2 concentration. A marked enhancement in the activity of antioxidant enzyme, such as catalase, peroxidase, superoxide dismutase and glutathione was observed. All these parameters indirectly contribute towards enhanced photosynthetic efficiency which further enhance growth biomarkers in Brassica juncea plants. Out of the three concentrations tested, 10-5 M of SNP proved best and up-regulate photosynthesis.

PT015:Biomimicry-simulating nature for technological innovations

Shruti Thakur1, Drishtant Singh2, Shruti Choudhary3 1PG Department of Biotechnology, Khalsa College, Amritsar 2 Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, GNDU, Amritsar 3Department of Biosciences, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda Email: [email protected]

Abstract Nature is the ultimate creator- has always been inspiration towards scientific innovations”. Based on this line of action, the field of BIOMIMICRY came up. It is an approach to innovation that seeks sustainable solution to human challenges by emulating nature‟s strategies. Dating back to 1903, discovery of Wright Brothers' aircraft derived from pigeons is one of the first incidence of biomimicry. Thereafter, a Biophyscist developed the trigger inspired from nerve propagation and termed it “Biomimetics.” This field was then

-39- popularized by Jannie Benyus in 1997 and since, has been gaining importance because the practice of integrating biological and technological designs are beneficial to the community. Moreover, it nourishes curiosity, helping people to go beyond, give permission to play, and last but not the least enhance ecosystem services. Biomimetics have multiple applications including, LANDSCAPE: Permaculture to simulate natural system by harvesting rain and drip irrigation; ARCHITECTURE: Eastgate center that passively regulate building temperature; TRANSPORTATION: Shinkansen head of bullet train is modelled on the Kingfisher's beak with other advantages; and MEDICINE: hypodermic needle based on mosquito, etc. Based on the worldwide utilization of biomimetics, Biomimicry India Network has been formulated to spread awareness among architects and designers to innovate like nature do.

PT016:Optimization Protocol for the Production of Nematicidal Compound by the Streptomyces sp. Strain MR-14

Nandni Sharma, Rajesh Kumari Manhas and Puja Ohri Department of Zoology, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar – 143005 Email: [email protected]

Abstract Since Plant Parasitic Nematodes (PPNs) are one of the most important group of agricultural pests. Among the various species, Meloidogyne incognita is most widely distributed and is one of the most devastating nematode that cause huge economic loss in agronomic field globally. It is microscopic endoparasite which is known to affect both quality and quantity of various crops, which includes fruits, vegetables, pulses, medicinal as well as ornamental plants. In India, it has been reported to cause damage in various crops like tomato, brinjal, turmeric, ashwagandha, etc. So, there is a need to control these parasites. For their control, various chemical nematicides are present in the market, but these chemicals are not suitable for the biotic components (non-target organisms) of the environment. In order to over-come this, various biocontrol agents are being explored for their role in controlling these pests. The present work includes the optimization of different parameters like temperature, ph, rpm for the production of nematicidal compound by MR-14 strain of Streptomyces species.

PT017:Five major organic acids in fruit juices of mandarin (Citrus reticulate Blanco.) genotypes

Shabnam1*, Nirmaljit Kaur1 and H. S. Rattanpal2 1Department of Botany, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana-141004 2Department of Fruit Science, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana-141004 Email:[email protected]

Abstract Organic acid profile of thirteen mandarin genotypes viz; Clone 11, CRS 4, Nagpur-4, Nagpur-28, Nagpur-34, Nagpur mandarin, Nagpur seedless, W. Murcott, Kinnow, Daisy, PAU Mutant 1, Mutant 3 and Mutant 4 grown in the Fruit Research Farm, Department of

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Fruit Science, PAU, Ludhiana were investigated using HPLC. Among all mandarin genotype; fruit juices, the most abundant organic acid was citric acid followed by ascorbic acid. It was observed that W. murcott, Kinnow and Daisy showed presence of all the five analysed organic acids. Nagpur seedless, Mutant 1 and Mutant 3 had four organic acids; CRS 4, N 4, N 28 and N 34 recorded three organic acids, while Clone 11, Nagpur mandarin and Mutant 4 detected only two organic acids. Hence thirteen diverse mandarin fruit juices were successfully analysed, each demonstrating different concentration and combination of the five organic acids. Keywords: HPLC, mandain genotypes, organic acids.

PT018:Studies towards understanding the physiological role of Rohitukine on Plant Growth

Sajad Ahmed, Rekha Chouhan, Nitika Kapoorand Sumit G Gandhi* Plant Biotechnology Division, CSIR- IIIM, Canal Road, Jammu -180001, India *Email: [email protected]

Abstract Rohitukine (C16H19O5N), is a chromone alkaloid, well known for its anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties, besides acting as an anticancer molecule. It was initially isolated from leaves and stems of Amoora rohituka (Roxb.), followed by Dysoxylum binectariferum (Meliaceae). Later it was also reported from Schumaniophyton magnificum and S. problematicum (Rubiaceae). In budding yeast and lung cancer cell lines (A549), it has been reported that rohitukine possess cell cytotoxicity, by triggering ROS and inducing oxidative stress that leads to cell death. It also possesses a unique structure having both basic and phenolic groups, which makes an interesting scaffold for derivitization. SAR studies with the molecule led to development of bioactive molecules like flavopiridol and P-276-00. In the present study we aim to understand the physiological role of Rohitukine in plant system. So we isolated rohitukine from leaves of D. binectariferum,with approximately 96% purity. Arabidopsis thaliana plants were treated with rohitukine and assess its effects on plant growth and morphology. Rohitukine appears to impact plant growth negatively. Apart from morphological alterations, MTT assay was used to check cell cytotoxicity using different concentrations of rohitukine. We are also aim to understand genome wide effects of rohitukine in A .thaliana by transcriptome analysis and expression profiling of cell cycle regulatory genes.

PT019:Thermoxerophytic morphotypes of Cyanobacteria in Thar desert and their response to combined stress

Monica Bhatnagar, Moushmi Dasgupta, Chanchal Meena* and Ashish Bhatnagar Algae Biofuel and Biomolecules Centre, Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati University, Ajmer, Rajasthan Email: [email protected]

Abstract Hot deserts are typified by extremes of multiple stresses where cyanobacteria, the photosynthetic prokaryotes are often the sole primary producers in such habitats. The terrain of the desert creates variety of geomorphological ecosystems like sand dunes, microbiotic

-41- crusts, rocky outcrops, rhizospheres, playas and other aquatic bodies. Each habitat varies in its microclimate allowing survival of different types of cyanobacteria. Thus, analyzing the distribution of cyanobacterial communities is necessary to understand their multiple stress survival systems. Desiccation and temperature are two major stresses in hot deserts that keep the organism in suspended animation that grow during short periods of suitable environment. In the present study diversity of cyanobacteria in a few desert soils has been studied using enrichment technique under water and temperature stress and compared to unstressed conditions. The responses were further examined on isolated forms in terms of photosynthesis, respiration, dehydrogenase activity and fatty acid profiles. Results showed that the cyanobacteria were more tolerant to desiccation stress than thermal stress and showed poor performance under combination of thermal and desiccation stress.

PT020:Effect of sodium nitroprusside, as holding solution, in improving post harvest quality of gladiolus spikes

Isha Mittal*1, and Shalini Jhanji2 1Department of Botany, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 141001, India 2Department of Floriculture and Landscaping, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 141001, India Email: [email protected]

Abstract Gladiolus spp., a corm propagated ornamental bulbous plant, is one of the most popular cut flower grown in India. Flowers are highly perishableand therefore need to be treated with suitable chemicals to enhance their vase life. Keeping in view, the pivotal role of nitric oxide, NO, in delaying senescence, an experiment was planned to study the effect of NO donor, sodium nitroprusside (SNP), on keeping quality of gladiolus. Spikes of gladiolus were harvested at tight bud stage and held in SNP solutions of different concentrations viz. 50mg l- 1,100mg l-1,150mg l-1 and 200mg l-1 alone and in combination with sucrose (2%) and aluminiumsulphate (400 mg l-1) and various physiological parameters were recorded to evaluate the post harvest keeping quality.The results showed that holding the spikes in SNP@50 mg l-1 SNP alone and 100 mg l-1 SNP supplemented with sucrose and aluminiumsulphatesignificantly improved the vase life along with hastened opening of basal floret,increased number of florets open at one time,per cent opening of florets,floretsize,solution absorbed and decreased the pH of solutions whereas higher concentrations of SNP in holding solutions deteriorated the post harvest quality of gladiolus spikes by affecting different quality parameters. Thus, holding solutions of 100 mg l-1 SNP supplemented with 2% sucrose and 400 mg l-1aluminiumsulphate could be used to improve the post harvest life of gladiolus spikes. Keywords: Gladiolus, Sodium nitroprusside, Holding solution, Vase life, Senescence, Post harvest quality

PT021:Reversal of cadmium induced photosynthetic activity by gibberellic acid and sulfur application in mungbean (Vigna radiata)

ShaziaHasan* and Nafees A. Khan

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Plant Physiology and Biochemistry Laboratory, Department of Botany, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh 202002, India *Email: [email protected]

Abstract The contamination of agricultural lands with cadmium (Cd) is increasing due to various anthropogenic activities. This study aimed to assess the role of gibberellic acid (GA; 10µM) and sulfur (S; 100 and 200mg/kg soil) in minimization of the impact of Cd (200 mg/kg soil) in Cd-sensitive mungbean (Vigna radiata L.) cultivar MH-318. Photosynthetic characteristics; net photosynthesis, intercellular CO2 concentration, stomatal conductance, and the contents of S, and that of S-containing biomolecules (cysteine, methionine and reduced glutathione) were promoted with GA and S application. The photosynthetic characteristics inhibited with Cd exposure were restored through combined application of GA and 100mg/kg S. The GA+S applied helped in more efficient use of S that was incorporated in thiol compounds leading to protection of photosynthetic apparatus and reversal of Cd- induced negative effects. The higher use of 200mg S/kg soil with GA was of no additional benefit over 100mg S/kg soil. Thus, 100 and 200 mg S/kg soil appeared as sufficient and excess-S respectively. It may be concluded that the toxic effects of cadmium in Vigna radiata are reversed with combined application of GA and sufficient S through better use of S by the Cd grown plants. Keywords: Cadmium, Gibberellic acid, Sulfur, Mungbean

PT022:Effect of Basic violet-1 (BV-1) on antioxidant enzymes of Labeo rohita

Satinder Kaur1 and Arvinder Kaur2* 1P.G. Department of Zoology, Khalsa College Amritsar, Amritsar, Punjab, India, 143005 2Department of Zoology, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, Punjab, India, 143005 *Email: [email protected]

Abstract Labeorohita fingerlings were exposed for 96h to 0, 0.2 (LC20), 0.4 (LC40), 0.6 (LC60), 0.8 (LC80) and 1 (LC100) mg/l of Basic violet-1 (BV-1, CI No. 42535), a widely used azo dye in dyeing and textile industries. Antioxidant enzymes such as glutathione reductase (GR), catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were estimated in muscle and brain of the fishas markers for the stress of BV-1. After 96h, the fish were kept for a recovery period of 30 days and activity of enzymes was determined at 15day intervals. Significant dose dependent increase over control in the activity of GR while a significant decrease over control in SOD activity was observed in all the tissues. CAT did not show a constant trend on exposure to this dye. The results indicate that the dye is very toxic to L. rohita as there was a marked change in the activity of enzymes in the exposed fish and the effect prolonged till the end of recovery period. So these enzymes in selected tissues can be considered as best biomarker to determine toxicity of even very low doses of BV-1 in fish. Keywords: Antioxidant enzymes, Azo dye, Basic violet-1, Detoxification,Gill, L. rohita

PT023:Physicochemical analysis of Paper mill effluent in Kathua, Jammu

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Satinder Kaur*and Minali Soodan P.G. Department of Zoology, Khalsa College Amritsar, Amritsar, Punjab, India, 143005 *Email: [email protected]

Abstract Paper mill is one of the major causes for environmental pollution in Kathua District of Jammu and Kashmir. Paper mill discharge its effluent into the Magar Nala that finally drains into the Ravi River. These effluents are rich in dyes and solids which may be in the form of Total dissolved solids/Total suspended solids. These solids affect the physicochemical parameters of the water body. The quality of any water is defined by its chemical, physical and biological contents.Selected parameters include pH, temperature, electrical conductivity, total solids (TS), total dissolved solids (TDS), total suspended solids (TSS), dissolved oxygen (DO), total alkalinity and free CO2. These were monitored in the effluent from paper mill industry following standard protocol. High levels of pH (7.94), EC (613.33 µm hos/cm), Free CO2 (23.67 mg/l), TS (0.71 mg/l), TDS (0.33 mg/l) and TSS (0.55 mg/l) were observed which exceeds the standard levels of world health organization (WHO). The study revealed that there was an adverse impact on physicochemical characteristics as a result of directly discharge of untreated effluent from paper mill industries. This poses a health risk to humans as high pH of water causes alkalosis which may cause nausea, vomiting and muscle twisting. Keywords: Paper Mill, Physicochemical, Pollution, Effluent, Total solids.

PT024:Perspectives of natural plant products in medicine

Rashmi Kalia B.B.K. DAV College for Women, Amritsar-143001 Email: [email protected]

Abstract Plants produce a huge array of natural products also called secondary metabolites such as phenolics, quinones, terpenes, flavonoids etc. These compounds have scores of ecological/physiological/therapeutic functions. Man has been using plants/ plant products as medicine against a variety of diseases like pain, fever, colds, coughs etc. In the last two decades, use of medicinal plants and natural products has increased drastically all over the world. A vast majority of populations particularly those living in rural areas still depend on herbal medicines. It was estimated by the World Health Organization that approximately 80% of the world‟s inhabitants rely mainly on traditional medicines for their primary healthcare. An elaborate number of herbal remedies have stood test of time particularly for the treatment of metabolic and degenerative diseases associated with ageing, allergies etc. However, only a few drugs of plant origin could reach clinical trials. In this background, special efforts are needed for developing herbal drugs with therapeutic ability. Keywords: Plant products, Secondary metabolites, Herbal remedies.

PT025:Role of secondary metabolites in management of insect pests

Samiksha*1, Hitika Sharma2 and Satwinder Kaur Sohal1 1Department of Zoology, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar-143005, India

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2Department of Zoology, Khalsa College, Amritsar-143005, India *Email:[email protected]

Abstract The indiscriminate use of chemical pesticides, has given rise to many environment related problems besides affecting human health. To overcome these problems one approach is to use bioactive compounds which are eco friendly in nature. These bioactive compounds are the secondary metabolites which include alkaloids, flavanoids, phenols, terpenoids, their derivatives etc. found abundantly in plants. They impede the insect‟s development and affect their behaviour by acting as anti-feedants, oviposition deterrents, and repellents. They thus play an important role in plant‟s defense against microorganisms and herbivores. Therefore plant secondary metabolites need to be explored sas an alternative approach for insect pest management. Keywords: Plant secondary metabolites, Pest management, Insect pests, Pesticides

PT026:Exploration of plant proteins for control of insect pests

Samiksha*1, Diksha Kumari2 and Satwinder Kaur Sohal1 1Department of Zoology, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar-143005, India 2Department of Zoology, Khalsa College, Amritsar-143005, India *Email:[email protected]

Abstract Insect pests cause remarkable losses in agriculture worldwide. Various strategies are used for control of insect pests which include cultural practices, biological control, chemical control and mechanical control. Development of genetically modified (GM) resistant plants is an alternate method when no natural plant genotype genetically resistant to insect-pests is available. Over the past few decades, the expression of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) entomotoxins in GM plants has been successfully tried in field conditions. However many other toxic proteins from various plant sources, need to be explored for insect control. One such protein is peptidase inhibitor which interferes with the digestive processes of insect pests and is one of the naturally occurring defense mechanism in plants. Use of these plant proteins for the production of pest resistant transgenic crop is an emerging approach as it inhibits the digestive enzymes such as peptidase and alpha amylase inhibitor of the target insect pest species. Therefore insect resistant transgenic plants will prove more economic than any conventional control strategy considering their long term benefits. Keywords: Transgenic plants, Genetically modified crops, Protease inhibitors, Insect pests, Plant proteins

PT027:Optimization Protocol for the Production of Nematicidal Compound by the Streptonyces sp. Strain MR-14

Nandni Sharma, Rajesh Kumari Manhas and Puja Ohri Department of Zoology, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar – 143005 Email: [email protected]

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Abstract Since Plant Parasitic Nematodes (PPNs) are one of the most important group of agricultural pests. Among the various species, Meloidogyne incognita is most widely distributed and is one of the most devastating nematode that cause huge economic loss in agronomic field globally. It is microscopic endoparasite which is known to affect both quality and quantity of various crops, which includes fruits, vegetables, pulses, medicinal as well as ornamental plants. In India, it has been reported to cause damage in various crops like tomato, brinjal, turmeric, ashwagandha, etc. So, there is a need to control these parasites. For their control, various chemical nematicides are present in the market, but these chemicals are not suitable for the biotic components (non-target organisms) of the environment. So, in order to over- come this, various biocontrol agents are being explored for their role in controlling these pests. The present work includes the optimization of different parameters like temperature, ph, rpm for the production of nematicidal compound by MR-14 strain of Streptomyces species.

PT028:Effectiveness of Psidium guajava and Nyctanthes arbor-tristis extract against human oral pathogens

Dinesh Kumar, Anupama Singh, Eti Gupta, Sipahee Lal Patel, Varsha Gupta Department of Biotechnology, Chhatrapati Shahu Ji Maharaj University, Kanpur (Uttar Pradesh), India -208024

Abstract The plants are known to possess compounds having therapeutic, anti-inflammatory as well as anti-bacterial properties. Therefore, the present work was planned (i) to analyze phytochemical properties of methanolic extract of Psidium guajava and Nyctanthes arbor- tristis (ii) evaluation of antimicrobial properties of their extracts against two isolated mouth pathogenic bacterial strains. A total of 15 oral swabbed samples were collected from Institute of Biosciences and Biotechnology, Chhatrapati Shahu Ji Maharaj University campus, Kanpur (U.P.), India from participants. After culturing, two strains were characterized and found to be Enterococcus faecalisand Staphylococcus aureus. Characterization of isolates was done by morphological and biochemical tests such as Gram staining, catalase, gelatine hydrolysis, indole production, Methyl Red (MR), Voges Proskauer (VP), and Simmons citrate test. The above isolated strains were tested for their sensitivity towards the Psidium guajava and Nyctanthes arbor tristis methanolic leaves extract by disc diffusion method. The highest antimicrobial properties were shown by methanolic extract of Psidium guajava withStaphylococcus aureusat concentration 100%, 50%, 25% and 12.5% with zone of inhibition having diameter of 10.0 mm, 9.5mm, 8.5mm and 7.5mm respectively while withEnterococcus faecalis, zone of inhibition having diameter of 9 mm, 7.5mm, 7.0 mm and 5.5mm respectively in comparison to methanolic extract of Nyctanthes arbor-tristis. 100%, 50%, 25% and 12.5% concentration of methanolic extract showed the zone of inhibition with diameter 10mm, 4.0 mm, 3.0mm and 2.5 mm respectively with Staphylococcus aureus and with Enterococcus faecalis 7.0 mm, 3.0 mm, 2.5 mm and 1.5mm. Keywords: Oral microflora, medicinal plant, phytochemicals, antibiotic sensitivity

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PT029:Effect of zinc oxide nanoparticles through root dipping on the performance of Lycopersicon esculentum

Mohammad Faizan, Ahmad Faraz and Shamsul Hayat* Plant Physiology Section, Department of Botany, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, 202002, India Email: [email protected]

Abstract The present study was conducted to explore the effect of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) through root medium on growth biomarkers, photosynthetic traits, activities of carbonic anhydrase and various antioxidant enzymes as well as yield of tomato plants. 20 days old seedlings of tomato (cv. PKM-1) were dipped in double distilled water (control), 10, 50, 100 or 200 ppm of ZnO-NPs for 15, 30 or 45 minutes, respectively. At the stage of 45 and 60 day after sowing (DAS), the plants developed from ZnO-NPs (10 ppm for 30 min) showed improved growth and photosynthetic attributes as well as enhanced activity of various antioxidant enzymes (e.g., catalase, peroxidase and superoxide dismutase) and higher accumulation of proline and protein content over non-treated plant. The fruits number and yield in ZnO-NPs treated plants (10 ppm; 30 min) were higher whereas ascorbic acid was lower than non-treated plant. These fruits possessed higher levels of β-carotene and lycopene content. The root dipping with 10 ppm for 30 min of ZnO-NPs was found to be best for most of the evaluated parameters. Keywords: β-carotene, Carbonic anhydrase, Lycopene, Proline, Protein

PT030:Evaluation of Alpha-amylase inhibitor activity and its purification from Piper nigrum

Rattan Deep Singh1*, Sandeep Kaur1, Jan Sadaf1 1School of Bioengineering & Biosciences, Lovely professional university, Phagwara, Punjab (India) *Email: [email protected]

Abstract The present study deals with evaluation of alpha-amylase inhibitor activity from medicinal plants and its purification from Piper nigrum. The crude extract of various medicinal plants was subjected to Alpha-amylase inhibitor activity and highest inhibitor activity was found in Piper nigrum (48 ± 0.20). Purification was carried out in Gel filtration chromatography followed by identification of molecular weight through SDS-PAGE. The molecular weight of purified inhibitor was found to be 49kd on Native Page with two subunits of molecular weight 18Kd and 31Kd on SDS PAGE.

PT031:Glucose improves growth by regulating primary photochemistry, photosynthetic efficiency, redox and nutrient status of Brassica juncea

Husna Siddiqui and Shamsul Hayat Plant Physiology Section, Department of Botany,

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Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh 202002, India Email: [email protected]

Abstract Glucose (Glc) accumulates in plant as a minor product of photosynthesis as well as breakdown products of sucrose. It regulates various physiological processes like seed germination, growth, stress tolerance and flowering in plants. Present study was conducted to assess the role of exogenous application of glc on various physiological attributes. Seeds of Brassica juncea were sown in pots (12 inches) filled with soil and farmyard manure. Glc treatments were given as a foliar spray at 25-day stage of growth for 5 days consecutively. The sampling of plants was done at 30, 45 and 60-day stages of growth to assess various biological and biochemical parameters. The glc treatment enhanced the primary photochemistry, stomatal movement and conductance, internal CO2 concentration, transpiration rate, net photosynthetic rate and sugar formation in a concentration dependent manner. Moreover, the activity of photosynthetic and respiratory enzymes increased in presence of glc. Generation of reactive oxygen species, antioxidant enzyme activity and mineral status were also regulated in the glc-treated plants. Out of the various treatments Glc (30 mM) proved best.

PT032:Land use and cropping effects on soil biochemicalproperties

Asima1, Vivek Sharma2 and Sandeep Sharma3 1Department of Agriculture, Dev Samaj College for Women, Ferozepur, Punjab - 152002 2, 3Department of Soil Science, Punjab Agricultural University, Punjab (141004) Email:[email protected]; [email protected]

Abstract Land degradation due to land clearing, extensive soil cultivation, soil erosion, over-grazing, atmospheric pollution, salinization and desertification has resulted in the deterioration of soil health. Agricultural intensification leading to conversion of natural ecosystems to agricultural lands increases the rates of SOM mineralization. Soil biochemical properties are very important as a means of assessing soil health and productivity of agricultural ecosystems. Enzyme mediated biological functions mainly organic matter decomposition and nutrient cycling, play an important role in maintaining soil quality. In the sub – montane tract of Punjab, it was observed that the carbon pools followed the trend forestry> agroforestry> silvipastoral> agrihorticulture> horticulture> agriculture. Sugarcane and agroforestry based systems had higher labile pools of carbon than the uncultivated systems followed by maize – wheat and rice – wheat systems in sandy loam soil. However, maize based cropping systems had higher enzyme activities as compared to cotton and groundnut based cropping systems in loamy sand soil of Ludhiana. Carbon pools were found higher in rice-wheat cropping systems followed by 36 months cultivated poplar plantations in sandy loam to sandy clay loam soil. Thus soil biochemical properties are better discriminators among different land uses and promising tools for monitoring strategies of land use and cropping systems.

PT033:Quantitative and Qualitative Analysis of Phenolic and Flavonoid Content in Eclipta alba L. and Stellaria media L.

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Manmeet Kaur, Komal, Hardeep Kaur, Harpreet Kaur PG Department of Botany, Dev Samaj College for Women, Ferozepur, 152002 Email: [email protected]

Abstract Number of secondary compounds is produced by plants as natural antioxidants. Eclipta alba L. and Stellaria media L. are known for their wide applications in ethnobotany. To compare phenolic and flavonoid content in Eclipta alba L. and Stellaria media L. by quantitative and qualitative analysis. Phenolic and flavonoid content were studied spectrophotometrically and by paper chromatography. Higher phenolic and flavonoid content were observed in Eclipta alba leaf and flower. Eclipta flower showed higher phenolic content and low flavonoid in comparison to Stellaria. Flavonoids such as biflavonyl, flavones, glycosylflavones, and kaempferol were identified by paper chromatography. Phytochemical analysis for flavonoid, tannins, saponins, alkaloids, reducing sugars, and anthraquinones were tested positive for eclipta alba and stellaria leaf as well as flower. In the present study higher phenolic and flavonoid content, indicated the natural antioxidant nature of Eclipta and Stellaria signifying their medicinal importance.

PT034:Fungal Metabolites and their Diversified Roles

Sukhdeep Kaur, Harpreet kaur, Geetanjli P.G. Deptt. of Botany, Dev Samaj College for Women, Ferozepur City,152002 Email: [email protected]

Abstract Fungi are useful to the mankind as source of food, medicine, food colorant, enzymes etc. Today a number of industries are based on fungi or its derivatives. Fungi are considered to be future microbial cell factories for the synthesis of an array of products. Secondary metabolites are low molecular weight, heterogenous group of chemicals. According to an estimate approximately1,70,000 natural products, 22,500 bioactive molecules are produced by microbes, 38% of which comes from fungi alone. Some of these are harmful while others show beneficial properties. Fungal metabolites are used for the production of a variety of food grade pigments, enzymes, pharmaceuticals. Though a plethora of fungal metabolites are being exploited for their diversified biological activities yet, there is still an ample scope to explore fungi for novel secondary metabolites. It will certainly ensure safe and sustainable use of fungal metabolites. Owing to the diversified uses of fungal metabolites, their large scale production can be achieved using modern tools and techniques of biotechnology. Present review paper is mainly focussed on the diversified role of various fungal metabolites.

PT035:Urtica dioica: Phytochemistry and antioxidant properties of plant growing in stressunder vital regulation of 24-EBL

Ankita Sharma, Kapani Kavani and Dhriti Kapoor* Department of Botany, School of Bioengineering and Biosciences Lovely Professional University, Jalandhar-Punjab-144411 Email: [email protected]

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Abstract Urticadioica is a herbaceous plant also known as Stinging Nettle. The plant exhibits antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancerous, analgesic, immune modulatory, anti-bacterial, hepatoprotective properties, due to the presence of various phytochemicals like flavonoids, saponins, phytosterols, tannins and phenolic compounds. Its extract is effective in amelioration of oxidative stress by affecting the activities of antioxidative enzymes like SOD(Superoxide dismutase) and CAT(Catalase) etc. Abiotic stress is prevailing environmental problem as it has adverse effects on various physiological parameters of plants i.e. alteration of root and shoot growth, reduction of leaf area, reduced photosynthetic rate. Redox metal like chromium is one of the major cause of abioticstress as it proves to be toxic for plants by inducing lipid peroxidation, affecting the level of photosynthetic pigments and affecting anti-oxidant metabolism of plants. To combat this stress, plant develops variousplant horomones like ABA (Abscisic acid), SA(Salicylic Acid), JA(Jasmonic Acid), ET(Ethylene), BR(Brassinosteroids) that play significant role. Among these Brassinosteroids (24-EBL) are group of phytohormones that regulate developmental processes and protect the plant from oxidative burst generated due to heavy metals stress by scavenging the free radicals.

PT036:Role of Glutathione as stress marker in Melissa officinalis exposed to Salinity stress

Amandeep Kaur, Rinzim and Dhriti Kapoor*. Department of Botany, School of Bioengineering and Biosciences, Lovely Professional University (LPU), Phagwara -144411, Punjab, India. *Email: [email protected]

Abstract Abiotic stresses like salinity, drought, chemical toxicity, and temperature stress are major risks in agriculture that are causing imbalance in the environment. These abiotic stresses lead to 50% reduction in growth and productivity of important agriculture crops.Among these stresses, salinity is considered as one of the major problem in our agricultural practices. Mostly high concentration of salts like Na+ and Cl- induce salt stress. Salt stress result in adverse effect in plant such as reduction in growth & water potential, thus leads to imbalance in ionic and osmotic homeostasis. To combat the unfavourable conditions, GSH (Glutathione) acts as one of the crucial metabolites which are considered as the most important intracellular defence molecules against oxidative damage. It occurs mostly in reduced form (GSH) in plant tissues and is localized in all cell compartments like cytosol, vacuole, mitochondria, chloroplasts, peroxisomes. The key role of GSH in the antioxidant defence system is due to its use as a stress marker. Therefore, the level of cellular GSH plays a significant role as an antioxidant which may vary considerably under different abiotic stress conditions.

PT037:Plant-animal-microbe Biochemical interactions

Sukhbir Singh and Mukesh Chander Department of Biotechnology, Khalsa College, Amritsar

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Email:[email protected]

Abstract Determination of extraterrestrial microorganisms is the biggest challenge for the scientists. There are many evidences which prove the existence of microbial life in space. There are many exremotolerent and exremophilic microorganisms which are able to tolerate various extreme environment conditions due to evolution in their genome. They may even survive on other planets. Planets like Mars are one focal point of scientists, with the end goal to understand the microbial assorted variety in anticipation of forthcoming space missions went for the identification of life. In any case, such missions could likewise represent a hazard as for pollution of the extraterrestrial condition by coincidentally exchanged earthly microorganisms. International Space Station is the most isolated living space, where people and various microbes live. It is not yet explained how microorganisms adjust to these extreme conditions. Life in space is expected to challenge shocking compound and physical conditions. But amazingly microbial life is growing very well in space vehicles and the International Space Station in space or on other planets, such as Mars. Surviving or growing under extreme conditions is an exceptional element of numerous microorganisms which belongs to earth such as fungi, bacteria. Most past work developing microorganisms in space has concentrated on species known to contain pathogenic strains and very less consideration has been paid to the non-pathogenic organisms. But concern about pathogens in spacecraft is certainly necessary.

PT038:Derivatives of radiation processed chitosan augment photosynthetic machinery, enzymes of primary and secondary metabolism and essential oil production in Java citronella (Cymbopogon winterianus Jowitt)

Khan Bilal Mukhtar Ahmed and M. Masroor A. Khan Plant Physiology Section, Department of Botany, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh-202002, India

Abstract Gamma rays degraded marine polysaccharides including sodium alginate, carrageenan and chitosan have augmented growth, physiology and yield attributes in various plants. In order to understand the probable reasons of growth promoting activity of degraded chitosan, the structural characterization of irradiated chitosan (ICH) was done using techniques such as FTIR and UV-vis. Keeping the growth promoting activity of degraded polysaccharides in mind, a pot experiment was conducted to access the response of Java citronella (Cymbopogon winterianus Jowitt)to various doses of irradiated chitosan in terms of growth, photosynthetic machinery and yield attributes.The treatments applied were: foliar spray of de-ionized water only (control-1), foliar spray of un-irradiated chitosan 40 mg L-1 (control-2), and ICH with 40, 60, 80 and 100 mg L-1. Among these ICH-80 proved to be superior for most of the parameters studied. ICH-80 stimulated photosynthetic machinery by enhancing maximum PSII efficiency, photochemical quenching, ETR as compared to water-treated control. Activities of enzymes of both primary and secondary metabolism viz carbonic anhydrase, nitrate reductase and DXR were improved by this treatment. All the parameters studied contributed in elevating the content and yield of essential oils by 29.6% and 83.3%, respectively.

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Keywords: Irradiated chitosan, FTIR, UV-Vis, Maximum PSII efficiency, DXR, Essential oil

PT039:Effect of Secondary metabolites from Bacillus thuringiensis against Alternaria alternata

Drishtant Singh1, Gurleen Kaur1, Preet Kanwal Kaur2, Seema Madhumal Thayil1 and Anup Kumar Kesavan1* 1Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar 2Department of Biotechnology, Khalsa College, Amritsar-143005 *Email:[email protected]

Abstract Secondary metabolites are the compounds produced by organisms that are not required for their growth, development and reproduction but are essential in maintaining homeostasis. Bacillus thuringiensis, an aerobic, gram positive, motile and non-capsulated soil borne bacteria produce a number of bactericidal and fungicidal compounds including secondary metabolites. Some of the fungicidal compounds are Zwittermicin, Kurstakin18 and Bacthuricin. The Ascomycetes fungal genus Alternaria comprises of different saprophytic as well as endophytic species and is well known for its notoriously destructive plant pathogen members. It has drastic effect on different plant families such as Cucurbitaceae, Brassicaceae, Solanaceae. Alternaria alternata, a species of Alternaria genus causes Leaf spot disease, blights and rots of young shoots as well as stem and radical lesions in Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) and Antirrhinum (snapdragon). They also infect Acacia, certain cultivars of tomato and apple. It produces phytotoxins which causes pathogenesis in plants and mycotoxins which are harmful to animals and humans causing upper respiratory tract infection and asthma. In the present study we have seen the antifungal activity of secondary metabolites isolated from Bacillus thuringiensis against Alternaria alternata. Keywords: Bacillus thuringiensis, Alternaria alternata, secondary metabolites, antifungal effect.

PT040:Effect of Fusarium oxysporum on plants and its control by secondary metabolites

Drishtant Singh1, Mukinderpreet Kaur1, Preet Kanwal Kaur2, Seema Madhumal Thayil1 and Anup Kumar Kesavan*1 1Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar 2Department of Biotechnology, Khalsa College, Amritsar *Email:[email protected]

Abstract Fusarium oxysporum is a fungal plant pathogen that cause Panama disease of banana, also known as fusarium wilt of banana. It is a common inhabitant of soil and produces three types of asexual spores named as macroconidia, microconidia and chlamydospores. Fusarium oxysporum have ability to degrade Lignin and complex carbohydrates associated with soil debris. The pathogen upon causing infection invades the root epidermis of plant and extends

-52- into the vascular tissue where it colonizes the xylem vessels producing mycelium and conidia. The symptoms of characteristic wilt appears due to severe water stress, mainly due to vessel clogging. Chemical treatments of such pathogens and soil solarisation in the fields usually fail to control the severe loss caused by them. So, there is a need for the sustainable development of new strategies which can replace chemical pesticides and can be employed for proper control of pathogens. Secondary metabolites from various bacteria belonging to Bacillus sp. are very useful in control of various plant pathogens. In this study, cell free supernatant of two strains of Bacillus thuringiensis were screened for the presence of antifungal activity and were found to be active against F. oxysporum.

PT041:Effect of EDTA on the growth and development of Raphanus sativus L. under seed-pre soaking treatment of cadmium metal

Ankita Choudhary1, Ramaj Attri1, Mandeep Kaur1, Kajalpreet Kaur1, Ashutosh Sharma2, Renu Bhardwaj3 and Indu Sharma1 * 1Department of Botany, UISH, SBBS University, Jalandhar-144030 2Department of Agricultural Sciences, DAV University, Jalandhar-144012 3Department of Botanical and Environmental Sciences, GNDU, Amritsar-143005 *Email: [email protected]

Abstract Cadmium is non essential, toxic heavy metal which has been found to be present in agricultural soil due to inappropriate human activated. When cadmium is being taken up by the plants it consequently affects the seed germination and development. In current study, the seeds of Raphanus sativus L. (Pusa Chetki) were pretreated with 50 mM cadmium chloride (CdCl2). After 30 days, various growth parameters viz. plant height, number of leaves and length of leaves were studied. It has been observed that cadmium induced phytotoxicity in terms of lowered seed germinate rate, development and other growth parameter. On 30 days, foliar treatment of EDTA (Ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid) a metal chelator at 0.1g/l to 0.3g/l concentration was given. At 60 days after sowing plants of radish were observed and found that treatment of EDTA remarkably alleviated the cadmium induced stress. Therefore, EDTA may be effective in overcoming the negative impact of metal toxicity in plants.

PT042:Screening of secondary metabolites from Bacillus thuringiensis for antifungal activity

Drishtant Singh1, Karambir Kaur1, Samiksha2, Preet Kanwal Kaur3, Seema Madhumal Thayil1 and Anup Kumar Kesavan*1 1Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar 2 Department of Zoology, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar-143005 3Department of Biotechnology, Khalsa College, Amritsar-143005 *Email:[email protected]

Abstract Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) is a gram positive, spore-forming bacterium that synthesizes parasporal crystalline inclusions and various other proteins including secondary metabolites. These secondary metabolites exhibit a wide range of biological activities, such

-53- as anticancer, antimicrobial and insecticidal activities. As Bacillus strains rapidly grow in liquid media even under stressful conditions and readily forms resistant spores, it might be useful as an effective biocontrol agent against various phytopathogens including Fusarium moniliforme whichis one of the most prevalent fungi associated with basic human and animal dietary samples such as corn. This fungus survives in corn stalk fragments, in or on soil, and it can grow saprophytically in stalks. It is known to produce various toxins such as fusaric acid, fusarins, gibberellins, moniliformin and fumonisins. Among these, moniliformin is produced in higher concentrations when the fungus infects corn. This causes ear rot, stalk rot and infection of kernels through silks, holes or when pericarp is torn. Various secondary metabolites from B. thuringiensis are known to have antifungal activity against plant pathogenic fungi related to Fusarium sp. Therefore, the present study was undertaken to explore the antifungal activity of secondary metabolites produced by Bacillus thuringiensis against Fusarium moniliforme. Keywords: Bacillus thuringiensis, Fusarium moniliforme, secondary metabolites, antifungal effect

PT043: Phytochemical studies & antimicrobial analysis of carica papaya leaf extract

Pareeksha Department of Biochemistry & Biotechnology SBS University (Formerly Sardar Bhagwan Singh PG Institute of Biomedical Sciences & Research) Balawala, Dehradun-248161 Email: [email protected]

Abstract Though there are many pharmaceutical importance of plants. The plant extract which were commonly used in traditional medicine can also be used for treatment of numerous diseases like glandular tumors, blood pressure,constipation,warts. Now the present study of the phytochemical and antimicrobial effect of papaya leaf extract was tested by using standard chemical method. The result of the phytochemical analysis of the papaya leaf showed the presence of bioactive compound like Alkoids,Saponins,Tannins,Flavoniods.The bioactive compounds were extracted by using the solvents petroleum ether,chloroform,acetone,distilled water. The antimicrobial activity of the extracts were determined against some human pathogenic bacteria and fungi like E.coli, Streptococcus pneumoniea,Candida albicans, S.aureus. The leaf extract provided mild to moderate antimicrobial activity against the microorganism at different concentration. The further study can be done to identify and isolate the most bioactive constituents ascribing platelets augmentation,easing menstrual pain, anticancer property, anti acne activity.

PT044:Research work on lignin biodegradation using standard reference bacterial culture from the databases.

Alisha Raj and Geeta Bhandari* Department of Biotechnology and Biochemestry SBS University (Formerly,Sardar Bhagwan Singh Pg Institute of Biomedical Science and Research) Balawala,Dehradun-248161 Email: [email protected]

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Abstract

Lignin is a complex polymer made up of three kinds of aromatic alcohols.D-coumaryl alcohol,conjeryl alcohol and sinapyl alcohol,which are bounded to one another in various ways.It is present in all higher plants as a major constituent of woody tissues imparting mechanical strength.The bioconversion of plant lignocelluloses to glucose is an important part of second generation biofuel production,but the resistance of lignin to breakdown is a major obstacle in this process,hence there is considerable intrest in the microbial breakdown of lignin.Agriculture based waste product are useful for the production of various important commodity chemicals.Enzymes involved in lignin degradation can generally be devided into two main groups:lignin modifying enzymes(LME)and lignin- degrading enzymes(LDA).Bacteria secrete various oxidative enzymes that assistin lignin modification.Evidence is accumulating that Dyp-peroxidase and laccases play an important role in bacterial attack of lignin/lignocelluloses.The selective laccases, peroxidise were retrieved from the databases (protein Data Bank).For retrieval of sequence we have used both NCBI and PDB DatabaseChemical structure of the substrates were retrieved from Pubchem.For conversion of files we have used OpenBabel software.

PT045:Comparison of Physiological and Biochemical Changes in Early and Timely Sown Chilli

Khushpreet Kaur Dhaliwal*, Navita Ghai1 and S. K. Jindal2 1Department of Botany, 2Department of Vegetable Science Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana-141004, India *Email:[email protected]

Abstract An investigation was conducted to evaluate different chilli genotypes suitable for early planting during 2016-17. The early and timely sown hot pepper genotypes were compared on the basis of photosynthesis efficiency, lipid peroxidation, total proline, ascorbic acid and phenol content in leaves and total soluble sugar content in leaves and flowers. On the basis of this investigation, the performance of PL-412, IS-267, PC-408 and ML-342 genotypes was found to be almost at par in both early as well as timely sown crop. Of all the genotypes evaluated, PL-412 performed the best in both the crops and can be used for chilli breeding programs. Keywords: Chilli, Early and timely sown crop, Genotypes, lipid peroxidation,ascorbic acid

PT046:Antifungal activity of secondary metabolites from Bacillus thuringiensis Drishtant Singh1,Rupinder Kaur1, Preet Kanwal Kaur2, Seema Madhumal Thayil1 and Anup Kumar Kesavan*1 1Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar 2 Department of Biotechnology, Khalsa College, Amritsar, India-143005 *Email- [email protected]

Abstract Secondary metabolites are the compounds produced by various organisms which are used for host defense or to control bacterial or fungal diseases. Bacillus thuringiensis produces a wide range of secondary metabolites which possess different biochemical and physical characteristics and display

-55- broad spectra of activities.In bacteria these metabolites serve as the competitive weapons against other bacteria, fungi, insects, etc. and serve as symbiosis effectors between microbes and plants, nematodes, insects and higher animals. Helminthosporium sp. is a dematiaceous filamentous fungi that belongs to Moniliales order of imperfect fungi. It is known to cause silver scurf on potato. It is slow growing, asexual fungus that sporulates on infected tubers in high humidity and cause cosmetic effect on tubers in form of surface blemish which gives dirty look to tubers. This study was indented to analyze the inhibitory effect of secondary metabolites produced by two strains of Bacillus thuringiensis previously isolated from soil sample on Helminthosporium sp. Keywords: Bacillus thuringiensis, Helminthosporium, Secondary metabolites, Antifungal effect

PT047:Effects of various plant pathogenic fungus on different field crops and their biocontrol

Drishtant Singh1, Alka Rani1, Preet Kanwal Kaur2, Seema Madhumal Thayil1 and Anup Kumar Kesavan*1 1Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar 2 Department of Biotechnology, Khalsa College, Amritsar-143005 *Email:[email protected]

Abstract Fungal plant pathogens causes a major loss in yield and quality of crops, fruits and vegetables. This also affects human health in different ways and has become an important issue to the global economy. Pathogenic fungi have different life styles such as necrotrophic, hemibiotrophic, biotrophic, or obligately biotrophic. Biological control of plant diseases caused by fungal pathogens has been considered a viable alternative method to chemical control. Secondary metabolites from various microorganisms can be used as biocontrol agents against seed borne and soil borne fungal pathogens, including the causal agents of seed rot, damping-off and root rot diseases. These antifungal agents are used for seed treatment and have been effective in protecting several major crops such as wheat, rice, corn, sugar beet and cotton against fungal pathogens. Alternatively, the microorganisms producing these antifungal agents can be used as spray application on foliar diseases, including powdery mildew, downy mildew, blights and leaf spots. The use of secondary metabolites in biocontrol of fungus can prove as an effective strategy to manage plant diseases, increase yield, protect the environment and biological resources and approach a sustainable agricultural system.

PT048:In vitro callusing of Stevia rebaudiana for extraction of natural sugar: A boon for diabetic patients

Aman Tripathi*, Anamika Bairagi and Rina Rani Singh** SBS University, Balawala, Dehradun Pin 248161, Uttrakhand Email:**[email protected], *[email protected]

Abstract Currently, approximately 143 million people in world are affected by diabetes and the number is growing rapidly. India has highest number of diabetic patients i.e. 3.4 million and is expected to rise by more than 100% in the year 2030 to accounts for 79.4 million. There were 3.4 million deaths due to diabetes in the year 2000. Considering these alarming situations, callusing of Stevia was tried for extraction of natural sugar. Stevia is a crop that is gaining high popularity recently amongst all types of natural sweetener, as most ideal substitute for sugar in case of diabetes patients. But, in this transitional age of life style,

-56- people are becoming more conscious of their health, the world wide sugar consumption is decreasing and being replaced by low calorie sweeteners. Many of these sweeteners are complex chemicals.Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni (natural sweetener) belongs to Asteraceae family. Conventionally, it is cultivated by seeds or stem cutting, but seed viable rate is poor. In present study, a protocol for callus induction and multiplication was developed to produce large no. of calli in short period. Surface sterilized nodal, leaf and root explants were cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium with different concentrations of plant hormone like, IBA, kinetin, NAA, 2,4-D and NAA in combination with 2,4-D. 100% callusing was observed from leaf explants cultured on combination of NAA and 2,4-D after three weeks while, with 2,4-D, only 10% callusing was observed. Calli obtained from leaf and root explants were shiny green while, in case of nodal explants it was hard and brown. The present findings deal with induction of callusing in Stevia to achieve the rapid callus multiplication for the study of steviol glycosides.Stevia has no calcium cyclamate, no saccharin, no aspartame and no calories. It is safe for diabetics, as it does not affect blood sugar levels, neither it have neurological or renal side effects like other artificial sweeteners.Antioxidant and anti-diabetic properties of Stevia has been approved by USFDA. This natural sweetener has lots of advantages but, only a single disadvantage that is it causes sterility in human. It is true that sugar extracted from Stevia is a boon for mankind. Keywords: Callusing, Stevia, Sweetener and Diabetes

PT049:Modelling of endosulfan biodegradation: A systems biology approach

Mukund Sharma and Geeta Bhandari Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology SBS University, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, 248001, India Email: [email protected], [email protected]

Abstract Pesticides are commonly used for increased crop production throughout the world. Pesticides and their degradation products have potential to move in the environment and be further transformed until they are no longer detectable. The indiscriminate and unplanned use of agrochemicals has caused serious environmental problems. Endosulfan is a broad-spectrum cyclodiene insecticide and had been used extensively for over 30 years on a variety of crops. Toxicity of endosulfan is extremely high against fish and aquatic invertebrates, and it has increasingly been implicated in mammalian gonadal toxicity, genotoxicity and neurotoxicity and also is highly persistent in nature. Bioremediation is considered to be a highly promising technology for the removal of environmental pollutants.The catabolic pathways involved in the biodegradation of endosulfan have been extensively studied.Due to large scale data generated by wet labs, the exact mechanisms ofenzymes involved in degradation pathway arestill unknown. Molecular docking is an important tool in structural molecular biology and can be used to predict exact ligand-protein docking site.In this study, we havepredicted exact mechanism of enzymes involved in degradation and designed the insilico pathways of endosulfan and its effect onpest, humans and environment.

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PT050: Characterization and optimization of Tn5 transposon mutagenesis of bacterial isolates involved in dye decolourization

Priya Chand*, Mahima Mangal and Vikash Singh Jadon** Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, SardarBhagwan Singh University, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, 248161 Email: **[email protected],*[email protected]

Abstract Bacteria which contain dye decolorizing genes were screened for certain potent microbial isolates from the nature involved in decolorization and subsequently tagging of genes involved in decolorization.The objective was to perform transposon mutagenesis and prepare the gene knockouts using Tn5 and Tn10 transposon with Kananycin as a selectable marker. The character which was targeted for mutagenesis ,was the gene responsible for dye decolorization in bacteria. Out of eleven bacterial isolates, finally one strain MM-6 was selected ad used for further experiments. The screening and selection for antibiotic resistance against 8 antibiotics and sensitive against 8 antibiotics. The strain MM-6 was subjected to qualitative and quantitative assay for dye decolorization (i.e. Amid Black).The qualitative assay on standard plate and liquid broth showed maximum decolorizationof Amid Black by MM-6 as compared to Congo Red and Malachite green. The quantitative assay include effect of carbon source, dye concentration and incubation time on dye degradation and the percent degradation were tabulated graphically. It was found that increase in carbon content and dye concentration , decrease the percent degradation where as increase in incubaton time led to increase in percent degradation. Maximum percent degradation was observed at 48 hours at 100 ppm concentration i.e. 90.07 %.It was clearly observed that the static condition for dcolorization was more favorable as compared to the shaking condition when the log phase inoculum was used. Random transposon mutagnesis using Tn5 transposon was performd using standard protocols for conjugation . Out of all transconjugants mutants for decolorizationwere screened on selective media (Eosin methylene blue).Supplementd with 24microlitre/100 ml kanamycin where as mutants of transformation were screened on L.B media supplemented 24microlitre/100 ml kanamycin .Mutation frequency was found to be 52.9% and 30% in case of conjugation and transformation respectively.

PT051:Antioxidant effect of Picrorhiza kurroa (Kutki) on human erythrocytes Sonika Bhandari*, Neha Gaur and Mohammad Abu Zaid* Department of Biochemistry & Biotechnology, Sardar Bhagwan University,Dehradun,Uttarakhand, 248161 Email: [email protected], [email protected]

Abstract Indian folk medicine is replete with drugs purported to have antioxidative properties. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the antioxidants potential of Picrorhiza kurroa (Kutki) on human erythrocytes in-vitro. Our study shows a high level of polyphenolic content in Picrorhiza kurroa rhizome extract. A increase in MDA and decrease in GSH level of erythrocyte was observed upto a concentration of 0.5mg/ml extract. A decrease in RBC SOD and CAT activity was observed with Picrorhiza kurroa rhizome extract upto concentration of 0.5mg/ml, probably due to increase in peroxidant mediated by

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antioxidant property of Picrorhiza kurroa rhizome. However, treatment of RBC with higher concentration of extract (1mg/ml) the protective effect was reversed on all the parameter studied. From our study we conclude that the Picrorhiza kurroa rhizome extract shows potential antioxidant property and protect erythrocytes from oxidative damage by either directly scavenging the free radical or activating other processes, due to the presence of various antioxidant compounds in Picrorhiza kurroa rhizome. At higher concentration this extract itself induces oxidative stress and may be cytotoxic and its indiscriminate uses especially at higher doses should be avoided. Further studies are needed to elucidate its mechanism of action and its cytotoxic properties.

PT052:Diversity and caryopsis morphology of high altitude Pooid grasses (Poaceae) of North-west Himalayan Region

Mudassir Ahmad Bhat1, Poonam Chowdhary1, Priya Badgal1 and Amarjit Singh Soodan1 1Plant Systematics and Biodiversity Laboratory Department of Botanical and Environmental SciencesGuru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar Email: [email protected]

Abstract Grasses have significance in human life far beyond meeting the basic requirements of food and fodder. The grass family Poaceae constitutes the fifth largest angiosperm family as far as the number of species is concerned and includes more than 11000 grass species distributed in 700-800 genera. India is a megabiodiversity country that harbours a rich diversity of grasses. Poaceae has emerged as the largest plant family in the country with a representation of 268 genera and 1300 species. Pooideae is the largest subfamily comprising of 194 genera and 4200 species and occurs in all regions of the world with a temperate climate in high latitudes and altitudes. The present study reports diversity of caryopsis, morphology and micromorphology of Pooid grasses of North-western Himalayan region. Some of these grasses for which data on the caryopsis morphology and micromorophology have been presented in the paper include Agrostis pilosula Trin.,Bromus catharticus Vahl,Catapodium rigidum (L.) C. E. Hubb., Elymus nutans Griseb.Eremopoa altaica (Trin.) Rozhev, Festuca pratensisHuds.,Koeleria macrantha (Ledeb.) Schult.,Lolium perenne L., Phleum alpinum L., Piptatherum aequiglume Roshev., Poa albertii Regel, Polypogon fugax Nees, Puccinellia kashmiriana Bor,Stipa capensis Thunb., and Trisetum spicatum (L.) K. Richt. Apart from a wide range of size, shape and nature of hilum and stylopodium, the diagnostic types of surface patterns of caryopsis include reticulate with wavy walls, reticulate with straight walls ribbed striate, rugose, undulated striate, verrucate pattern, rugulate pattern, scalariform pattern, striate pattern and compound reticulate which play an important role in identification of grass diversity of temperate grasses including those of the area of present study. Keywords: Caryopsis, Diversity, Grasses, North-western Himalayan region, Pooideae

PT053:Morphological and Physico-chemical Characterization of different Karonda genotypes

Harsimrat K. Bons1 and Amandeep Paul2 1Department of Fruit Science, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana-141004 2 Department of Botany, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana-141004

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Email: [email protected]; [email protected]

Abstract Karonda (Carissa carandas Linn.) is an evergreen, hardy and thorny fruit shrub with immense neutraceutical value. Four genotypes of Karonda planted in College Orchard, Punjab Agricultural University were studied for leaf and fruit parameters. The leaves were randomly collected and analyzed for length and diameter, spine length and diameter, chlorophyll content and arrangement. The fruits of Karonda were harvested at mature unripe and ripe stages and analyzed for fruit length, diameter, weight, size, colour, pulp weight, fruit shape index, seed weight, seed number, TSS, Acidity, Ascorbic acid, total proteins, phenols, Iron content, total starch and sugars. The leaf length (5.5-7.65 cm) and diameter (3.0-4.1 cm), spine length (1.65- 2.65 cm) and diameter (0.35-0.45 cm), chlorophyll content (12.30-24.02 mg/gm FW ), fruit weight (32.787-63.519 gm), fruit length (19.778- 23.719 mm) and diameter (16.552-21.346 mm), pulp weight (32.377-63.329 gm), fruit shape index (1.111- 1.2241gm), seed weight (0.08-0.41 gm) and seed number (3-9) varied from mature unripe to ripe stage among genotypes. The TSS, acidity, ascorbic acid, total sugars and protein content of mature to ripe fruit varied from 5.681-11.760%, 7.70-3.71%, 7.031-2.965mg/100g pulp, 2.876- 6.198%, 6.58-7.26 mg/ 100g respectively. There was a decline in the acidity, total phenol, total starch and ascorbic acid from mature to ripe stage. Keywords: Karonda, ripe fruit, crude protein, fruit length, ascorbic acid

PT054:Interaction of 24-epibrassinolide and spermidine modulate photosynthesis, antioxidant system and yield attributes in Brassica juncea L. under Mn stress

Anjuman Hussain*, Faroza Nazir, Mohammad Yusuf, Tanvir Alam Khan and Qazi Fariduddin Plant Physiology Section, Department of Botany, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh *Email: [email protected]

Abstract Brassinosteriods (BRs) and polyamines (PA) are well known plant growth regulators that are widely used to surpass different abiotic stresses including heavy metal toxicity in plants. The present study was carried out with an aim that 24-epibrassinolide (EBL) and/or spermidine (Spd) could modulate photosynthetic effectiveness, antioxidant system and yield attributes in Brassica juncea under manganese (Mn) stress (150 mg kg-1 soil). EBL (10-8 M) and /or Spd, (1.0 mM) were applied to the leaves of Brassica juncea plants grown in the presence of Mn (150 mg kg-1 soil),at 35 days after sowing (DAS). High concentration of Mn (150 mg kg-1 soil), reduced photosynthetic attributes and yield parameters but increased antioxidant enzyme activity and proline content in the leaves at 45 DAS. Furthermore, foliar spray of EBL and Spd under stress and stress- free conditions improved the photosynthetic traits and yield attributes and further enhanced antioxidant system. Out of the two plant growth regulators (EBL/Spd), EBL excelled in its effects. Moreover, toxic effects generated by Mn stress were completely overcome by the combination of these two plant growth regulators. Keywords: Antioxidant enzyme; Epibrassinolide; Manganese stress; Photosynthesis; Spermidine

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PT055:Plant growth regulators (epibrassinolide and hydrogen peroxide) improve photosynthetic efficiency, biochemical attributes and yield characteristics in tomato plants grown under copper stress

Faroza Nazir, Anjuman Hussain, Mohammad Yusuf, Tanveer Alam Khan, Qazi Fariduddin Plant Physiology and Biochemistry Section, Department of Botany, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh-202002 Email: [email protected]

Abstract Plant growth regulators or phytohormones are organic substances produced naturally in higher plants, which modulates range of biochemical and physiological responses in plants. Therefore, an experiment was conducted to study the role of 24-epibrassinolide (EBL) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)in copper stressed tomato plants. The 20 d old plants were uprooted and dipped in 0, 0.1 mM H2O2 for 4 h before transplantation. At 20 d after transplantation (DAT), the plants were exposed to the varying doses of copper (Cu; 10 or 100 mg kg-1) applied through the soil. At 30 DAT, plants were treated with water or EBL solution. High Cu stress (100 mg kg-1 soil) induced a significant reduction in chlorophyll content, rate of photosynthesis and yield attributes. Activities of antioxidant enzymes (catalase, peroxidase and superoxide dismutase) and leaf proline content also increased substantially with increasing Cu stress. On the other hand, treatment of EBL and H2O2 under stress and stress- free conditions significantly increased the aforesaid photosynthetic, biochemical and yield attributes. Moreover, EBL and H2O2 further accelerated the antioxidative enzymes and proline content, which were already enhanced by the high copper stress. These enhanced antioxidant enzyme activities and accumulation of proline would still have been able to bestow tolerance on tomato plants exposed to higher doses of Cu. Keywords: Antioxidant, Epibrasinolide, Hydrogen peroxide, Photosynthesis, Tomato

PT056:Divergence of Fruit Characteristic of Eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) genotypes.

Amandeep Kaur1* and Nirmaljit Kaur1 1Department of Botany, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana-141004 *Email: [email protected]

Abstract Brinjal (Solanum melongena L.) is an important vegetable crop valued in human diet in Asia, particularly in India. India is the second largest Asian country in terms of brinjal production and brinjal has a vast morphological diversity. Characterization of fruit traits can be a tool for determining the genetic diversity of genotypes of eggplant. Twenty six genotypes of brinjal were characterized on the basis of 15 qualitative and quantitative fruit characters. The present study was conducted in the experimental area of Department of Seed Technology, PAU, Ludhiana. Significant diversity was exhibited in the quantitative traits such as fruit length (6.40- 16.21cm), fruit breadth (3.10-7.34cm), fruit length/diameter (0.93-4.47), fruit peduncle length (3.11-5.83cm) and diameter of pistil scar (0.19-1.47cm) by all the genotypes. While, in qualitative traits fruit shape (cylindrical to ovoid), color (dark purple to white), flesh colour, glossiness, patches, stripes and calyx colour exhibited variation. The differences among the

-61- accessions might be due to variation in their genetic makeup. This study can help the plant breeders to select genotypes for desirable characters. Keywords: Brinjal, fruit characters, diversity

PT057:Assessment of General Obesity in healthy females from Amritsar and Jammu

Komal Sharma, Palakpreet Kour, Satinder Kaur, Gurleen Kaur Tung* P.G. Department of Zoology, Khalsa College Amritsar-143005 *Email: [email protected]

Abstract Obesity is a chronic condition characterized by excess energy intake compared to energy expenditure resulting in adverse metabolic effects and thus an increased risk of type 2 diabetes, fatty liver disease, hypertension, cardiovascular disease (CVD) and cancer. Body mass index (BMI) is a commonly used surrogate measure of overall obesity. Therefore, the present study was undertaken with the objective of assessment of BMI in the general population of Amritsar and Jammu. A total of 98 females were contacted and in a face-to- face interview method, details pertaining to general demographic variables were recorded. Anthropometric variables of weight (kg) and height (cm) were taken using standard procedures and BMI was calculated [weight, kg/(height, m)2]. As per BMI cut-offs, both the females from Amritsar (n=49, average age 29.14y) and Jammu (n=49, average age 29.32y) had normal BMI levels. Though females from Jammu (22.99±4.84 kg/m2) had marginal higher BMI levels compared to females from Amritsar (22.37±5.48kg/m2), the differences were non-significant (p=0.526). The present study revealed normal BMI levels in females from both the regions of Northern India but the findings need to be confirmed in a larger sample size. Keywords: Amritsar, BMI, Females, Jammu, North India, Obesity

PT058:Fungal abundance and diversity in lake water supplied with different feeds

Suhaib A. Bandh*1, Azra N. Kamili2, Bashir A. Ganai2, Sana Shafi1, Bashir A. Lone3, Javaid A. Parray4 and Nowsheen Shameem1 1Department of Environmental Science, Sri Pratap College, Cluster University of Srinagar 2Centre of Research for Development, University of Kashmir, Srinagar 3Department of Bioresources, University of Kashmir, Srinagar 4SAM Degree College, Budgam Kashmir *Email:[email protected]

Abstract The abundance and diversity of fungi in an urban lake was investigated by culture, baiting physiological profiling, PCR like molecular techniques. The results revealed that the abundance of fungal population was significantly lower in the open water sites compared to the inlets and outlets of the lake. The fungal communities were dominated by phylum Ascomycota (represented by four major classes Eurotiomycetes, Sordariomycetes,

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Ascomycetes and Saccharomycetes) followed by Oomycota (one class Oomycetes), Blastocladiomycota (one class Blastocladiomycetes), Zygomycota (one class Zygomycetes) and Besidiomycota (one class Tremellomycetes) while as the abundance of the different fungal classes was significantly different between the three types of sampling stations. Significantly some pathogens such as Candida albicans, Aspergillus versicolor and Aspergillus fumigatus were found significantly decreased, while as some resident freshwater zoospores like Achyla and Pythium significantly increased in the open water sites. In addition the fungal population showed considerable seasonal variation with maximum number of fungal load in warm temperature seasons compared to the cold temperature seasons with one way analysis of variance (ANOVA) showing that the colonial distribution of the fungal species was statistically significant (p < 0.01) in different seasons. Further the distantly located sampling stations showed least similarity while as closely located sites showed most similarity. The differences in fungal community compositions between the three types of sampling stations could be partially explained by the amount of sewage mixing with the water at the respective points. Keywords: fungal abundance; diversity; lake; seasonal variation; spatial variation

PT059:Floral Diversity of Kanjli Wetland,Punjab, India – A Ramsar Site

Kavita Devi and Rajbir Kaur⃰⃰⃰⃰ PG Department of Zoology, Khalsa College of Amritsar-143002 Email: [email protected]

Abstract In Punjab, there are three major wetlands namely Harike, Kanjli and Ropar, which have been recognisd as wetlands of international significance (RAMSAR SITES). In all of these Kanjli wetland is one of the major wetland in Punjab.Kanjli wetland is situated in Kapurthala located on Kali Bein river is extremely important from socio- religious and ecotourism point of view. It is situated at 31.42ᵒ N and 75.22ᵒ E,covering an area of 490 ha of which the Kanjli lake water spread is 184 ha. This Bein is associated with Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji. It is believed that Guru Nanak Dev Ji had attained enlightenment after taking dip in the Kali Bein. It was added in the Ramsar list during 2002.Kanjli is inhabited by diversity of flora and fauna including some rare and threatened plants and animals.Birds and fish species are found in large number in this wetland. The main aim of study was to drive out the information on the fauna of Kanjli wetland. Various species of fishes including Catla catla, Cirrihinus mrigala,Channa striatus, Channa marulius,Labeo calbasu and Labeo rohitaare reported from the wetland. There are some species of birds and 4 species of mammals have been reported in the area.There is as such no information is provided on the amphibians of the wetland. The area is spread over 12 villages. It was created in 1870 by constructing the headworks across the perennial Bien River, a tributary of the Beas River to provide irrigation facilities to the hinterland. As the major area is under agriculture, excessive inflow of agro chemicals leads to eutrophication, pollution problems in the wetland. Continued conservation and management measures must be undertaken by Government and Non-Government agencies to save this wetland.

PT060:Avian diversity of Harike Wetland in Punjab, India

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Poonam Thakur and Rajbir Kaur* PG Department of Zoology, Khalsa College Amritsar- 143002 *Email: [email protected]

Abstract This paper highlights the existing avain biodiversity of Harike Wetland - A Ramsar site, situated in Punjab, India. Haike wetland (31⁰ 12′N to 75⁰ 05′E) is located at the confluence of two major rivers Beas and Sutlej, is one of the largest man-made wetland of northern India. It is situated at the meeting point of four districts of and came into existence in 1953. The deep water lake of 86 sq. Km was declared as a bird sanctuary in 1982 and a Ramsar Site in 1990. The wetland attracts a large number of migratory and residential birds. Out of the, 360 species of birds 74 species are of migratory birds. Important migratory birds are Rudy Shelduck, Northern Pintail, Common Teal, Mallard, Gadwall, Eurasian Wigeon, Northern Shoveler, Pochards (Red Crested, Common and Tued). About 1,00,000- 1,25,000 migratory birds visit the lake every winter which makes this time the best to spot the birds. Over 20,000 ducks were recorded during the peak migratory seasons. The wigeon, common teal, pintail, shoveller and brahminy ducks are commonly seen during the winter. Hence it is concluded that the wetland acts as habitat for a variety of waterfowl and supports a good number of bird species. Keywords: Bird diversity, Harike Wetland, Migratory Birds

PT061:Phytoremediation of dyes from aquatic ecosystem by using zinc oxide decorated Aloe vera gel nanocomposite

Komal Kundal1 and Shivali Kundan1 Department of Environmental Sciences,Central University of Jammu, Jammu Email: [email protected]; [email protected]

Abstract Nanotechnology, a diversified field of science deals with surface science, organic chemistry,molecular biology,semiconductor physics, environmental chemistry and microfabrication etcetra. Nanotechnology creates many new materials and devices with a vast range of applications in different fields, such as in medicine , electronics , biomaterials and energy production. Nanocomposites are organic inorganic multiphase materials with atleast one particle less than 100 nm .Various attempts have been made to prepare multifunctional nanocomposite with diverse applicability. In this work new and novel nanocomposite has been fabricated and explored for the remediation of dye methyl orange and Congo red from water system. We reported the green method for synthesis of nanocomposite using Aloe vera extract. ZnO-Aloe vera nanocomposite has unique and excellent properties of large excitation binding energy,wide and direct band gap,high thermal conductivity and electron mobility,good transparency. Here ZnO-Aloevera nanocomposites was characterised by X-ray diffraction (XRD).In this present paper the nanocomposite has been efficiently explained for the degradation of dyes from water system.The comparative study of dyes methyl orange dye and congo red dye has been done . The total percentage removal of the methyl orange dye was recorded 60.05% whereas that of congo red dye is 72.4 % in 300 minutes in dark followed by photocatalysis. The removal of methyl orange dye recorded in sunlight was 67.30% whereas that of congo red dye was 82.5%.The experimental observations leads to the

-64- conclusion that the direct photocatalytic degradation of dyes methyl orange dye and congo red dye is more in comaparison to the the degaradation of dyes in dark followed by light.

PT062:Utilization of mango leaves powder as a low-cost bioadsorbent for the removal of Cu ions from aqueous solution

Neha Verma Central university of Jammu, Jammu Email: [email protected]

Abstract Mango leaves as a low-cost adsorbent for the removal of Cu(II) ions from aqueous solution was investigated. The viability of the process was demonstrated in laboratory by titrimetric method.The effect of different parameters as contact time, metal concentration, pH and dose of adsorbent for the removal of Cu(II) ions from water system were studied. Maximum sorption i.e 93%was found at 4 pH. The percentage increase in adsorption from 81% to 94% with contact time from 10 minutes to 50 minutes and then attains an equilibrium. The uptake of Cu(II)ion was also increased with increase in dose of adsorbent. Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models were applied to describe the biosorption of Cu(II)ions onto mango leaves The equilibrium data adequately follow the Langmuir isotherm suggested the monolayer sorption. The results showed that mango leaves was potentially applied as alternative low-cost adsorbent for the remediation of heavy metal.

PT063:Effect of sequential extraction on the total phenol, flavonoid, and antioxidant activity of different plant parts of Lactuca sativa

Raspinder Kaur* and Saroj Kumar Pradhan PG Department of Botany, Dev Samaj College for Women, Ferozepur City, Punjab Email: [email protected]

The genus Lactuca belonging to tribe Cichorieae, comprised of approximately 100 species and mainly distributed in the Northern Hemisphere. The genus contains a wide variety of secondary metabolites like flavonols, anthocyanins, phenolic acids, guaianolides, germacranolides, eudesmanolides, etc. These compounds attributed various types of biological and therapeutic potential to the genus. The biological activity includes anti- inflammatory, antioxidant, hepatoprotective, antibacterial, antidiabetic and antiproliferative. In the present study, we have evaluated the antioxidant potential of L. dissecta. The plant material has been collected from Mussoorie, Uttarakhand. Different plant parts have been dried under shade and extracted with different solvents. Sequential extraction has been used for the estimation of total phenol, flavonoids and in vitro antioxidant activity of different plant parts. The flower and stem extracts have been found to have maximum amount of secondary metabolites. The alcoholic and water solvents used in the study, yields maximum amount and can be used for the further extraction process.

PT064:Biochemical alterations induced by various stionic combinations of Pear (Pyrus sp.) in the rootstock, scion and graft union

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Inderpreet Kalsi1, Nirmaljit Kaur1, Nav Prem Singh2and Sarah Murria1* 1Department of Botany, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana-141004 2Department of Fruit Science, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana-141004 *Email: [email protected]

Abstract Graft incompatibility is a major complication that occurs in trees which are vegetatively propagated through grafting onto rootstocks which induce precocity and breed true plants. It is apparent in Pear (Pyrus communis - Punjab beauty (semi soft pear) and P. pyrifolia- Punjab nakh(hard pear cultivars) when grafted onto Angers Quince A, PQ BA-29, Angers Quince C (Cydonia oblonga) rootstocks. Pear cultivars grafted with Kainth (Pyrus pashia) rootstock was taken as control for comparative studies as they showed compatible and healthy plants worth growing. To evaluate the reaction of different stionic combinations of pear, the studies were undertaken at Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana (Punjab) in 2018. The effect of stionic combinations on the growth and biochemical parameters were recorded 6 and 18 months after grafting. The samples were analyzed for the activity of peroxidase, total free amino acids, total soluble sugars, total starch and total phenolsbelow, at and above graft union. Kainth showed higher success rate as compared to Quince rootstocks based on biochemical tests viz., total soluble sugars, total starch, phenols and peroxidase activity. At both the stages of investigation, the rootstock, scion and graft union girths were higher in cultivar Punjab nakh as compared to Punjab beauty irrespective of the rootstock they were grafted on. From the results it can be inferred that the differences in phenol accumulation below and above the graft union might serve as an indicator of incompatibility. Keywords: Incompatibility, Pear, Rootstock, Biochemical, Graft

PT065:Heavy metal stress (lead acetate) induced morpho-physiological changes in maize with or without auxin application

Haroon Rashid1, Rudrakshi Sharma1, Sapna Devi1, Namrita Shan1, Sanober Zargar1, Heena Dogra1, Diksha Safaya1, Ankita Sharma1 and 1Sikander Pal 1Plant Physiology Lab, Department of Botany, University of Jammu, Jammu (J&K) 180006 Email: [email protected]

Abstract Presence of Pb in the agricultural soils may pose a serious threat on agricultural yield and nutritive value of a crop. Present study was focused to the evaluate impact of Pb stress alone or in combination with auxin (IAA) on the several morpho-physiological aspects of Zea mays L. (var. PG-2488) in pot experiments. About 40 plants of uniform height (15 days after sowing) were divided into four groups with each group consisting of ten plants (n = 10) subjected to four different treatment regimes (Control, Pb, IAA and Pb+IAA). Detailed -1 morphological and physiological impact of Pb stress (IC50-4 mM L ) with or without IAA (0.5 mM L-1) application was measured on twice a month until plants gained maturity 70-80 days after sowing. Observations revealed negative impact of Pb stress on the growth parameters such as plant height, leaf number, plant biomass and root surface area and photosynthetic pigments over control plants. In contrast, Pb + IAA application was found to ameliorate impact of Pb stress by improving the antioxidant system and other morphometric

-66- parameters under investigation. IAA application also reduced localization of Pb2+ ions in root tissue when applied in combination with Pb compared to Pb stress alone. Keywords: Zea mays, Lead acetate, Growth, Auxin, Amelioration

PT066: Melatonin, a potential molecule mitigates the negative effects of salt stress in tomato plant (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.).

Tanveer Ahmad Khan, Mohd Saleem and Qazi Fariduddin* Plant Physiology and Biochemistry Section, Department of Botany, Aligarh Muslim University,Aligarh-202002, India Email: [email protected]

Abstract Melatonin (Mel) is a bioactive pleiotropic molecule and is distributed in evolutionary distinct lineages. In plants, it is involved in regulating diverse physiological and biochemical processes and acts primarily as powerful antioxidant and gives protection against abiotic and biotic stresses. Therefore, an experiment was conducted to study the mitigative role of melatonin (Mel) in salt stressed tomato plants. Mel (50 or 100 µM) was applied to the foliage of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) plants at 30 days after transplantation (DAT) under salt stress (NaCl; 100 or 150 mM). High salt stress (150 mM) induced a significant reduction in growth traits, chlorophyll content and rate of photosynthesis at 40 days after transplantation. Activities of antioxidant enzymes (catalase, peroxidase and superoxide dismutase) and leaf proline content also increased substantially with increasing salt stress. On the other hand, treatment of Mel under stress and stress-free conditions significantly increased the aforesaid growth traits and biochemical parameters.Moreover, Mel further accelerated the antioxidative enzymes and proline content, which were already enhanced by the salt stress. It is concluded that treatment of Mel (through foliage) significantly improved the growth traits, photosynthetic efficiency and various biochemical attributes under stress and stress-free conditions through modulation of antioxidant system. Keywords: Antioxidant system, Melatonin, Photosynthesis, Tomato

PT067:Plant Defence Mechanisms in Abiotic Stress Tolerance

Mohammad Shah Aadil Mir, Aditi Sharma, Hina Ashraf Bhat, Neha Handa* Department of Botany, School of Bioengineering and Biosciences Lovely Professional University, Phagwara (Punjab) *Email: [email protected]

Abstract Abiotic stress (salt, drought, cold, heat, water and heavy metals) is the principle cause of crop yield loss worldwide, reducing normal yields of major food and cash crops by more than 50 per cent and thereby causing enormous economic loss as well. Plants have evolved many mechanisms to combat abiotic stress. The enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants work in coherence with each other to ameliorate the reactive oxygen species produced as a result of stress. Superoxide dismutase forms the first line of defence which aids in scavenging of superoxide radicals and converting them to hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide, in turn is

-67- converted to H2O either via the action of catalase or Asada Halliwell Pathway in which several antioxidative enzymes and antioxidants work together. Plants also show an imperative role of compatible solutes (proline, glycine betaine, trehalose, polyols) which help in maintaining the osmotic homeostasis especially during salt and drought stress. Studies have also shown that plant growth regulators like brassinosteroids, salicylic acid, jasmonic acid help in strengthening defence system of plants through alteration in plant signalling mechanisms.

PT068:Allelopathy: An effective biocontrol for weeds

Tahir Ahmad Mir, Greetika and Neha Handa* Department of Botany, School of Bioengineering and Biosciences, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara (Punjab), India *Email: [email protected]

Abstract Allelopathy is the biological phenomenon in which organisms produce biochemicals which are supressing the germination and growth of other organisms. These biochemicals are called as bio allelochemicals, which are applied to control population of weeds without contaminating the soil and have no effect on environment. Biological weed control is an eco- friendly, safe, cost effective method, which is used to control weed population and to get high yield from food crops. Plants secrete many allelochemicals in their surroundings, like organic acids which are soluble in water, lactones, fatty acids, phenolics, polyacetylenes, cinnamic acid, flavonoids, tannins and terpenoids, which are inhibiting the sprouting and growth of weeds. Extracts of some plants are specific to weeds. Some biochemicals extracted from plant parts have been applied to control weed population e.g. rocaglaol from leaves of Aglaia odorata, water extract (eight phenolic aglycones) from Beta vulgaris, oil (α-pinene and 1, 8- cineole) etc. These allelochemicals has been successfully used against weeds of wheat, cotton, sunflower, mungbean and increased the yield of many crops. These biochemicals control weed population by causing damage in DNA, inhibition in biochemical processes, cell division mechanism in meristematic cells at the time of seed germination.

PT069:Effect of plant growth regulators and macro and micronutrients influences NPK content of Kinnow mandarin(Citrus reticulata blanco)

Ramandeep Kaur1* and Nirmaljit Kaur1 Department of Botany, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 141004. Email: [email protected]

Abstract Kinnow is an important genus of the family Rutaceae. It is an important fruit crop of Punjab. It is a hybrid of King and Willow Leaf mandarin. The present work was done to investigate the content of nitrogen, potassium and phosphours content in Kinnow mandarin. The experiment was laid out in Fruit Research farm in Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana during 2017. The field was randomly block design. The seven treatments were applied as foliar application at different interval of time. The treatments are the plant growth regulators viz. 2,4-D(20ppm), Salicylic acid (10ppm), mineral nutrients ZnSO4 (0.3%), and

-68- combination of both nutrients and plant growth regulators 2,4-D+KNO3(20ppm+ 0.5%), 2,4- Dichlorophenoxy acetic acid+ Salicylic acid (20 ppm+10 ppm), 2,4-Dichlorophenoxy acetic acid+ ZnSO4 (20ppm+0.3%) and Control (water spray). The maximum nitrogen content was in the leaves (3.85%) and fruits (0.340%) treated with Salicylic acid during the month of May. The potassium content was maximum in the leaves (1.97%) and fruits (0.209%) and minimum was recorded with control (1.42%) in leaves and fruits (0.049%) respectively. The amount of phosphorous element in the leaves was also recorded highest in the leaves and fruits treated Salicylic acid trees i.e. (0.19%) and 0.019%) during May. Keywords: Kinnow, Plant growth regulators, Nitrogen, Potassium and Phosphorous content

PT070:Biological Activities of Rhododendron arboreum Sm. Leaves

Vandana Gautam1, SarojArora1,Renu Bhardwaj1 1Department of Botanical and Environmental Sciences, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar-143005. *E-mail: [email protected]

Abstract In the recent times, antioxidants and antimutagens derived from plants are capable of protecting the human health from ill effects of pollutants and other agents. In the current investigation, we analyzed the antioxidant and antimutagenic effects of the hexane, chloroform, and ethyl acetate fractions of Rhododendron arboreum Sm. The different fractions inhibited lipid peroxidation, repressed the production of nitric oxide radicals, and prevented deoxyribose degradation. The antimutagenic activity of the leaf fractions was analyzed against 4-nitro-O-phenylenediamine, sodium azide and 2-aminofluorene mutagens in two test strains (TA-98 and TA-100) of Salmonella typhimurium. The experiment was conducted using pre- and co-incubation modes. The best results were obtained in the pre- incubation mode, and against indirect acting mutagen. The study revealed the strong antioxidant and antimutagenic activity of R. arboreum leaves. Keywords: Rhododendron arboreum Sm.; Antioxidant activity; Antimutagenic activity; Ames assay

PT071:Cu(II) instigated generation of various stress and physiological responses in Brassica juncea L. is mediated by exogenous addition of Maleic acid in growth medium.

Resham Sharma*, Pooja Sharma, Palak Bakshi, Renu Bhardwaj* and Ashwani Kumar Thukral* *Department of Botanical & Environmental Science, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar-143001 Email: *[email protected], *[email protected]

Abstract Growth and physiological responses of Brassica juncea L. under copper stress were examined on supplementation of maleic acid (MA) in varying concentrations (25 mg l-1, 50 mg l-1, 75 mg l-1 and 100 mg l-1, respectively) in the growth medium at different concentrations of Cu (25 mg l-1, 50 mg l-1, 75 mg l-1 and 100 mg l-1, respectively). Seedlings were raised in Petri-dishes lined with Whatman sheets spiked with Cu(II) and MA treatments

-69- under controlled conditions for 7-days. Improved Cu(II) accumulation, as well as enhanced seed germination rate, root lengths, fresh and dry weights were observed following the exogenous supplementation of MA to the growth medium. Seedlings raised in binary treatments containing 100 mg l-1 Cu(II) and 75, 100 mg l-1 MA showed significant reduction − in reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation by 45.7 % for superoxide anion (O2 ) and 56.8 % for malondialdehyde (MDA). Confocal microscopy revealed improved cell viability and reduced nuclear and membrane damage due to escalated antioxidant activity. Antioxidant and antioxidant enzyme activities for glutathione (GSH), ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and dehydro-ascorbate reductase (DHAR) were raised significantly by 67.8 %, 85.2 % and 52.3 % respectively in Cu(II) stressed seedlings inoculated with MA. Ultra high performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) studies showed maximum polyphenol accumulation and diverse spectra for mustard seedlings grown in medium containing 100 mg l-1 Cu(II) and 100 mg l-1 MA. Additionally, metal chelators and pigments such as protein thiols and xanthophylls increased by 31.0% and 62.9% respectively in seedlings supplemented with MA. The results of our study suggest that the addition of MA to the growth medium directs ROS inhibition due to accumulation of protective metabolites and antioxidants, which enhance tolerance to Cu(II) in B. juncea during the phytoextraction process. Keywords: Antioxidants, Brassica juncea, copper, growth, maleic acid, metabolites, physiology, reactive oxygen species.

PT072:Role of P-type ATPase metal transporters and plant immunity induced by jasmonic acid against Lead (Pb) toxicity in tomato

Shagun Bali1, Parminder Kaur1, Sukhmeen Kaur Kohli1, Puja Ohri2and Renu Bhardwaj1* 1Department of Botanical and Environmental Sciences, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar-143005 2Department of Zoology, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar-143005 *Email: [email protected]

Abstract The phytohormone jasmonic acid (JA) plays an imperative role in plants by modulating the activity of their antioxidative defense system under stress conditions. Here, we explored the role of JA-induced alterations in the growth and transcript levels of antioxidative enzymes in tomato seedlings exposed to different Pb concentrations (0.25, 0.50, and 0.75 mM). Pb treatment caused a dose-dependent reduction in their root and shoot lengths. Treatment of 0.75 mM Pb showed an increase in the contents of malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide •− anion (O2 ), and H2O2 as compared to the untreated seedlings. Pb uptake was enhanced with an increase in Pb concentration. The seeds primed with JA showed reduction in Pb uptake and improvement in growth under Pb toxicity. The seedlings treated with both JA (100 nM) •− and Pb (0.75 mM) showed a decline in the levels of MDA, O2 , and H2O2 as compared to the seedlings treated with 0.75 mM Pb alone. These results suggested that JA (100 nM) mitigated the oxidative damage by lowering the expression of the RBO and P-type ATPase transporter genes and by modulating antioxidative defense system activity. The biochemical and molecular analyses showed that JA plays a crucial role in plant defense responses against Pb stress.

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PT073:Insitu localization and biochemical analysis of bio-molecules reveals Pb-stress amelioration in Brassica juncea L. by co-application of 24- Epibrassinolide and Salicylic acid

Sukhmeen Kaur Kohli1, Shagun Bali1, Parminder Kaur1, Saroj Arora1 and Renu Bhardwaj1* 1Department of Botanical and Environmental Sciences, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar-143005 *Email: [email protected]

Abstract Lead (Pb) toxicity is a major environmental concern affirming the need of proper mitigation strategies. In the present work, potential of combined treatment of 24-Epibrassinolide (24- EBL) and Salicylic acid (SA) against Pb toxicity to Brassica juncea L. seedlings were evaluated. Seedlings pre-imbibed in EBL (0.1 mM) and SA (1 mM) individually and in combination, were sown in Pb supplemented petri-plates (0.25, 0.50 and 0.75 mM). The toxic effects of Pb were evident with enhancement in in-situ accumulation of Pb, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), superoxide anion, malondialdehyde (MDA), nuclear damage, membrane damage, cell death and polyamine. The levels of osmoprotectants and antioxidative enzymes were elevated in response to Pb treatment. Soaking treatment with combination of 24-EBL and SA led to reduction in Pb accumulation, reactive oxygen content (ROS), cellular damage, tocopherol, ascorbic acid and GSH levels. The in-situ localization of polyamine (spermidine) was revealed enhancement by co-application of 24-EBLand SA. Binary treatment of 24-EBL and SA, further elevated the content of osmoprotectants and activities of antioxidative enzymes. The study revealed that co-application of combined treatment of 24-EBL and SA led to dimination of toxic effects of Pb in B. juncea seedlings.

PT074:Antioxidant activity of some common weeds of Ferozepur

Rohita Singla*and Saroj Kumar Pradhan PG Department of Botany, Dev Samaj College for Women, Ferozepur City, Punjab, India Email:[email protected]

Abstract The aims of the present study were to analyze the phenols, flavonoids content and antioxidant activity of common weeds growing around agriculture fields of Ferozepur. Eight weed species have been analyzed for their secondary metabolites content and antioxidant activity in the different plant parts. Methanol extracts of different plant parts have been prepared and estimation of various content and activity were done by UV-Visible spectrophotometer. Maximum content of phenolics were reported in flower extracts of Ageratum conyzoides, Sonchus asper and Ranunculus muricatus. The flavonoid content was measured high in case of stem and leaf extracts of Silybum marianum and Ranunculus muricatus, respectively. All the species of weeds also have strong antioxidant potential in terms of DPPH radical scavenging activity and total antioxidant capacity. One weed species i.e. Ranunculus muricatus has been reported for its antioxidant activity for the first time, on the basis of plant parts. Our results demonstrate that weeds having high antioxidant potential can be further exploited by the pharmaceutical industries.

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PT075: Insights into Earthworm assisted cadmium phytoremediation in Brassica juncea L. using biochemical and physiological studies

Parminder Kaur, Shagun Bali, Sukhmeen Kaur Kohli, Adarsh pal Vig and Renu Bhardwaj* Department of Botanical and Environmental Sciences, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar-143005 Email: [email protected]

Abstract Cadmium (Cd) is easily taken up by plant roots and is loaded into xylem for its transport. It causes growth inhibition, altered chloroplast ultrastructure, photosynthetic rate, and antioxidtive defense system thereby generating oxidative stress in plants. Hyperaccumulators like B. juncea removes this metal from contaminated soils and stores it in its cells by a process named phytoremediation which is assisted with several factors. One of the major factor contributing is the complex interactions between plants and earthworms. Earthworms (Eisenia fetida) could survive and change the fractional distribution of heavy metals and bioavailability in soil, which makes their usage in phytoremediation possible. Various biochemical traits studied in the present work included growth, metal uptake, photosynthetic attributes, antioxidative levels, content of osmoprotectants, organic acids and phenolic compounds in 15 days old seedlings. The observations signify that earthworms supplementation have potential to confer tolerance against toxic level of Cd by improving growth, photosynthetic activity and altering the activities of different antioxidants and various metabolites by simultaneously improving phytoremediation efficiency.

PT076:Comparative account of allelopathic effect of essential oil of Tagetes minuta L. and its major component: ocimene on growth of Cassia occidentalis

Komal Arora1*, Daizy Batish2 and Ravinder Kumar Kohli3 1Department of Botany, DA College, Jalandhar 2Department of Botany, Panjab University, Chandigarh 3Central University of Panjab, Bathinda, Punjab Email: [email protected]

Abstract Tagetes minuta L., a native of South America is an aromatic plant cultivated widely for its essential oils. The weed is of great medicinal importance and its essential oil finds extensive use in food and aromatic industry. With a view to search allelopathic plants and to use them for weed management, essential oil of T. minuta was tested for allelopathic potential against Cassia occidentalis. Qualitative analysis of the oil obtained from above ground flowering parts was done through Gas Chromatography- Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). Among various constituents identified in Tagetes oil, maximum proportion was constituted by monoterpenes (90.51%). Ocimene (44.56%) was the major component of essential oil. In comparative allelopathic study; seed germination, dry weight accumulation and seedling length of treated plants decreased in dose dependent manner, however, the effect was more pronounced on radicle length as compared to plumule length. Visibly, the seedlings depicted

-72- yellowing symptoms and were very weak. Thus, the effect of T. minuta oil and ocimene was co- related with two fundamental physiological processes viz. photosynthesis and respiration. Thus study was extended to determine chlorophyll content and percent cell respiration in treated seedlings. A decrease in chlorophyll content was noticed whereas respiratory rate increased in treated seedlings. Ocimene caused maximum induction of respiratory ability and Tagetes oil caused maximum reduction in chlorophyll content. Keywords: Allelopathy; Tagetes minuta; Essential Oil; GC-MS; cis-β-Ocimene; Cassia occidentalis, Chlorophyll Content; Percent Cell Respiration

PT077:Extraction and analysis of pesticides from vegetables: Development and Validation of Analytical Methods

Farhana Rashid 1*, Prabhjot Kaur2*and Saroj Arora1# Department of Botanical and Environmental Sciences, GNDU, Amritsar 143005 Email: 1#Sarojaroragmail.com; 1, 2*[email protected]; [email protected]

Abstract Pesticides are diverse group of chemical compounds, which are used to eradicate the pests. They alter the yield and the quality of crops and food and help to limit the many human diseases transmitted by insect or rodent vectors. However, despite their many merits, pesticides are some of the most toxic, environmentally stable and mobile substances in the environment. Their presence in food is dangerous and may place the human body at greater risk of disease and poisoning. The maximum residue limits for pesticides have been regulated by the Codex Alimentations Commission and European Union to protect human health. Thus, monitoring these compounds is extremely important to ensure that only permitted levels of pesticide are consumed. Till date, for the determination of pesticide residues, several techniques have been developed such as capillary electrophoresis, immunoassay, GC and HPLC coupled with selective detectors like NPD, FPD, ECD, MS, DAD etc. But these techniques are time-consuming, expensive and require high skilled manpower. Now a days, cheap and eco friendly advanced methods such as enzymatic biosensors are becoming prominent and favorable technique for determination of pesticides in comparison to the analytical techniques. The present paper includes the possible advantages of enzymatic biosensors over the earlier traditional methods used for the determination of pesticides.

PT078:Oxidative stress in Diabetic complications: Role of herbal drugs

Astha Bhatia1, Balbir Singh2 and Saroj Arora1* 1Department of Botanical and Environmental Sciences, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar-143005 2Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar-143005 *1Email: [email protected]; [email protected]

Abstract Diabetes is a chronic metabolic disorder affecting the population worldwide. It increases the risk of strokes and cardiovascular diseases by 2-4 times, also contributes to severe complications in different organs leading to nephropathy, retinopathy and limb amputations. Oxidative stress plays a key role in the pathogenesis of this debilitating disease. Free radicals

-73- are reactive chemical species having a single unpaired electron that damages the biological system through reactions with biomolecules such as proteins, lipids, carbohydrates and nucleic acids. These reactive species are formed in excess in diabetes through glucose oxidation, non-enzymatic glycation of proteins and sequential oxidative degradation of glycated proteins. Abnormal increase in the levels of free radicals and simultaneous decline of antioxidant defense mechanisms leads to damage of cellular organelles and enzymes. This ultimately leads to increased lipid peroxidation and development of insulin resistance. Thus, oxidative stress can promote the development of complication in diabetes. However, use of dietary foods and medicinal ants could be an option for better management of diabetes.

PT079: Hepatoprotective effect of Cassia fistula leaves on thioacetamide induced liver toxicity in rats

Sandeep Kaur1, Kritika Pandit1, Ajay Kumar1, Neha Sharma1, Rasdeep Kour1, Sharad Thakur2, Amrit Pal Singh3, Madhu Chandel4, Kirandeep Kaur Hundal4and Satwinderjeet Kaur1* 1Department of Botanical and Environmental Sciences, 2Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry 3Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar- 143005, Punjab (India) 4P.G. Department of Botany, Khalsa College, Amritsar Email: [email protected]

Abstract Cassia fistula L. belonging to family Fabaceae is a highly admirable medicinal plant which is distributed widely in the tropical and sub-tropical regions. The current study was focused to divulge the biomodulatory effects of ethyl acetate (CaLE) fractionof C. fistula leaves on Thioacetamide (TAA) induced hepatic alterations in male Wistar rats. Treatment with TAA significantly elevated the level of SGOT (1.75 fold), ALP (4.07 fold) and total bilirubin (2.29 fold) as compared to the control which was restored by the highest dose of CaLE. It was found that CaLE pre-treatment followed by consecutive two days TAA (50 mg/kg bw) i.p doses reduced the conversion of TAA carcinogen to its reactive metabolites by phase I enzymes, increased the level of detoxification phase II along with antioxidative enzymes. Histopathological studies revealed the hepatoprotective nature of CaLE in restoring the normal architecture of TAA-intoxicated damaged liver. CaLE fraction showed downregulation in the expression of p-PI3K, p-Akt and p-mTOR pointing towards its chemopreventive potential. HPLC analysis of CaLE had shown the dominance of three phenolic compounds namely, catechin, epicatechin and chlorogenic acid. The above in vivo studies comprising histopathological, IHC, hepatic enzymes are strong indicative of the potential protective ability of CaLE phytoconstituents against TAA induced toxicity. Keywords:Cassia fistula; Thioacetamide; hepatoprotection; p-PI3K, p-Akt and p-mTOR; HPLC.

PT080:Harmonised effect of 28-homobrassinolide on psii activity and growth ofCajanus cajan(L.) Mill sp.

Isha Madaan and Geetika Sirhindi

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Department of Botany, Punjabi University, Patiala-147002 Email: [email protected]

Abstract Brassinosteroids(BRs) are the only group of steroidal phytohormones which along with other plant hormones regulate various biological processes in plants. The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of different concentrations of 28-homobrassinolide (10-6, 10-9, 10-12, 10-14 M 28-HBL) on the various morphological, physiological and biochemical attributes of 12 day old seedling of Cajanuscajan. BR treated plants showed increase in the crop yield, enhanced photosynthetic efficiency and quality of C. cajan seedlings compared to the control. 28-HBL proved to have ameliorating effect on the photosynthetic pigments, 10- 9M 28-HBL treated 12 days old seedlings showed highest level of photosynthetic pigments as well as enhanced effective quantum yield, photochemical quenching andquantum efficiency. Exogenousapplication of 28-HBL elevated, total carbohydrates, total soluble sugars, reducing and non-reducing sugars over the control seedlings. However, this amelioration was observed to be in a dose-dependent manner. On the basis of these results, it can be suggested that 28- HBL has a good potential to be used as an ecofriendly plant growth regulator. Keywords:CajanuscajanL., Brassinosteroids,28-Homobrassinolide, Carbohydrates, Reducing and non-reducing sugars.

PT081:Apoptosis inducing potential of Onosma bracteatum Wall. in MG- 63 cell line

Ajay Kumar, Sandeep Kaur, Kritika Pandit, Sharad Thakur#, Neha Sharma, Rasdeep ٭Kour, Manzoor Hussain and Satwinderjeet Kaur Department of Botanical and Environmental Sciences, #Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar 143005 Email: [email protected]; [email protected]

Abstract Cancer arises due to exposure of different DNA-damaging agents, some of which are classified as carcinogens. It disrupts normal cell division by causing mutation in protein- encoding genes that regulate cell division. For treatment of cancer, various synthetic agents are used which have various side effects. Therefore, chemoprevention by natural plant product has gained considerable attention during the last few decades. Extracts/fractions from medicinal plants have become the supreme source of drugs for cancer and other diseases.Onosma bracteatumis high valuable medicinal plant of family Boraginaceae and used in treatment ofrheumatism, improves immune functionsand functional palpitation of the heart. In the present study, the Ethyl acetate fraction(Obea) of O. bracteatum was evaluated for its cytotoxicand apoptotic inducing potential. Antiproliferative activity was assessed using MTT assay against MG-63 cells and it was found that Obea showed potent growth inhibitory effect with GI50value 70.09µg/ml.The Confocal and SEM studies revealed nuclear condensation, fragmentation and formation of apoptotic bodies.Obeafraction induced apoptosis in MG-63 cells by decreased mitochondria membrane potential (MMP) and enhanced the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) intensity. HRMS analysis showed high kaempferol content in Obea. Further experimentation is likely to shed new light on exact pathway via which this fraction induces cell death is in progress.

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PT082:Analysis of chromosomal instability and RAD51 135G>C variant in individuals exposed to heavy metal contamination

Monisha Arora1, Vasudha Sambyal1, Kamlesh Guleria1, Neeti Rajan Singh2, Manjit Singh Uppal2, Mridu Manjari3 and Meena Sudan4 1Human Cytogenetics Laboratory, Department of Human Genetics, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar-143005 2Department of Surgery, 3Department of Pathology, 4Department of Radiotherapy, Sri Guru Ram Das Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Vallah, Amritsar-143005 Email: [email protected]

Abstract Metals like Zn, Mn, Fe are essential plant micronutrients but their accumulation in human body poses genotoxic and carcinogenic risks. Genetic instability arising due to deficient DSB repair plays a crucial role in the onset of cancer. RAD51 plays an important role in HRR of DSBs and is a key determinant in response to cancer therapy. Main objective of the present study is to assess risk of breast cancer using analysis of chromosomal instability and RAD51 135G>C variant in individuals exposed to heavy metal contamination in soil and water. To carry out this study, DNA samples of 255 healthy individuals and 255 breast cancer patients were screened for RAD51 135G>C polymorphism using PCR-RFLP method. Chromosomal instability analysis was done using standard cell culture method of Moorhead et al. (1960). The study revealed high frequency of various types of chromosomal aberrations among breast cancer patients as compared to individuals exposed to heavy metal contamination. However, various anomalies including breaks, translocations, telomeric associations were observed in the latter. Loss of chromosomes 6, 12, 17, 19, 20 and X while gain of chromosomes 20 and X was observed. In molecular genetic analysis, the GC genotype and C allele of RAD51 135G>C polymorphism were found in higher frequency in these individuals.

PT083:Effects of cobalt and lead on seed germination and growth parameters of Lycopersicon esculentum

Anjana Kumari, Avinash Kaur Nagpal and Jatinder Kaur Katnoria* Department of Botanical and Environmental Sciences Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar-143005 *Email: [email protected]

Abstract Soil contamination with heavy metals has increased at the rapid rate during the past decades. The metal ions are easily taken up by the plants and get accumulated in the food crops. These metals at higher concentrations pose severe toxicity. Prolonged exposure to metals cause gross perturbations of root morphology, leaf deformations as well as reduced root and shoot growths. Apart from this, consumption of contaminated food crops can result in serious ill health effects. Considering the toxic effects of different heavy metals, the present study was planned to evaluate effects of two metals viz., cobalt and lead, on seed germination and growth parameters of Lycopersicon esculentum. Seeds of Lycopersicon esculentum; Var. Punjab Kesar Cherry were grown in different concentrations (5, 10, 15, 20, 25 µM) of

-76- cobalt and lead, seperately. The germination of seeds was observed after 72 h. On the 30th day, seedlings were washed thoroughly before noting the fresh weight and root and shoot lengths. Root and shoots were seperated to take the fresh weight seperately and were kept for drying in hot air oven at 80oC for 24 h. After noting the dry weights, the samples were digested using perchloric acid method (HNO3 : H2SO4 : HClO4 :: 5:1:1). A dose dependent decrease was observed in seed germination frequency, root and shoot lengths, fresh and dry weights of seedlings of Lycopersicon esculentum. The maximum uptake was observed in roots as compared to shoot at the maximum concentration (25 µM) for both cobalt and lead. Keywords: Cobalt, lead, Lycopersicon esculentum, Punjab Kesar Cherry

PT084:Assessment of Heavy Metals and Genotoxicityof water samples of Buddha Nullah

Jaskaran Kaur1*, Varinder Kaur2 and Jatinder Kaur Katnoria1 1Department of Botanical and Environmental Sciences 2Department of Chemistry, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar-143005 *Email: [email protected]

Abstract Buddha Nullah, one of the natural water bodies flowing through Ludhiana, Punjab (India), once a brook of sparkling water, now has turned into a dirty drain due to continuous disposal of industrial effluents, sewage, dairy and domestic wastes. It flows like an open sewer which causes diseases like respiratory disorders, skin infections, tuberculosis and hepatitis. Considering this, a study was planned to analyze different heavy metals (Arsenic, Cadmium, Chromium, Cobalt, Copper, Lead, Nickel and Zinc) contents and genotoxicity of water samples of Buddha Nullah collected from 3 different sites, viz., Raipur i.e. upstream (RR), Street No. 7, Tajpur Road i.e. midstream (TR) and Sutlej river & Buddha daria joining point i.e. downstream (SB). Genotoxicity was estimated by using Allium cepa chromosomal aberration assay (AlCCAA) and plasmid (pBR322) nicking assay. During AlCCAA, various types of chromosomal abberations including c-mitosis, delayed anaphases, stickiness, laggards, vagrants, chromosomal breaks, chromatin bridges and ring chromosomes were observed. Percentage of delayed anaphases and stickiness dominated among physiological aberrations whereas chromatin bridges and fragments among clastogenic abberations. The order of genotoxicity in terms of total aberrant cells was 26.44% >25.08% >11.21% for TR, SB and RR respectively. During plasmid nicking assay, single and double strand breaks were observed in plasmid DNA treated with water samples of all the 3 sites. Occurrence of chromosomal aberrations and DNA strand breaks in pBR322 plasmid confirmed the genotoxic effects of Buddha Nullah water samples. The heavy metal estimation of water samples conducted using flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer revealed that cobalt and lead were higher than the maximum permissible limits (MPL) values recommended by various national and international agencies. This study clearly indicates that there is an urgent need to endorse and effectively enforce regulations for the release of industrial effluents and their effective implementation for various treatments before disposal. Keywords: Genotoxicty, DNA nicking assay, Heavy metals, Water pollution

PT085:Estimation of Copper and Nickel in Total Suspended Particulate Matter (TSPM) Collected from the Parking Area

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Neeru Bala and Jatinder KaurKatnoria* Department of Botanical and Environmental Sciences Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar-143005 *Email:[email protected]

Abstract Environmental pollution on account of anthropogenic activities like industrial, domestic, agricultural practices, unsystematic urbanization, municipal incinerations and motor vehicles has been widely witnessed over the globe for past few decades. Conseqently, diverse carcinogens has entered various ecosystems viz., air, water and soil. Further, rapid growth in cities, accumulating number of vehicles, increasing population with demands in aggravating consumption patterns, increased energy consumption, unplanned residential, industrial and economic development have led to a higher rate of increase of pollution in urban areas. Among different types of pollution, air pollution has been recognized as a serious concern because various pollutants present in air can cause respiratory diseases like asthma and bronchitis as well as cardiovascular abnormalities leading to death. Accumulation of toxic compounds including heavy metals, inorganic fertilizers, pesticides, volatile compounds and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in air is a serious matter of concern because these contaminants have potency to induce direct deleterious effects to human gene pool. Considering this, the present study was planned to evaluate the total suspended particulate matter in air at respirable level (approx. 5 feet). The high volume sampler was placed in parking area of Guru Nanak Dev University campus. TSPM sample were collected for 8 h using high volume sampler at flow rate 1.15 m3/min. The concentration of TSPM was found to be 152.174 µg/m3 poses deletirious effects on human health.

PT086:Analysis of SIRT1 polymorphism in individuals exposed to heavy metal contamination

Jagmohan Singh Bali1, Vasudha Sambyal1, Sanjana Mehrotra1, Kamlesh Guleria1, Neeti Rajan Singh2, Manjit Singh Uppal2, Mridu Manjari3and Meena Sudan4 1Human Cytogenetics Laboratory, Department of Human Genetics, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar-143005 2Department of Surgery, 3Department of Pathology, 4Department of Radiotherapy, Sri Guru Ram Das Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Vallah, Amritsar-143005 Email: [email protected]

Abstract Several heavy metals like Cu, Zn and Cr function as enzymes that are crucial for intracellular processes but these are also known to be cancer inducing agents if accumulating in excess in human body. Heavy metal-induced damage causes oxidative stress by buildup of reactive oxygen species, thereby leading to increased DNA damage. Sirtuin1 is an enzyme encoded by Sirtuin1 gene which plays an important role in deacetylation of p53 tumor suppressor protein and proteins responsible for autophagy regulation. Increasing incidence of esophageal cancer has been reported from Amritsar region, state of Punjab, India. Present study was undertaken to assess risk of esophageal cancer by analysis of SIRT1 rs12778366polymorphism in individuals exposed to heavy metal contamination in soil and water. The DNA samples of 202 healthy individuals and 175 esophageal cancer patients were screened for SIRT1 rs12778366 polymorphism using PCR-RFLP method.

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In the case-control study the TC genotype (OR 0.60, 95%CI 0.37-0.97, p-value 0.036) and C allele (OR 0.55, 95%CI 0.18-1.68, p-value 0.29) were significantly higher in individuals exposed to heavy metal contamination as compared to esophageal cancer patients indicating that the wild type TT genotype might be associated with increased cancer risk.

PT087: Potential of crop residue as animal feed

Akriti Rana, Akanksha Jasrotia , Jyoti Rani and Rajinder Kaur* Department of Botanical and Environmental Sciences, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar-143005 Email: [email protected]

Abstract Inadequate supply of feed and forage for livestock is a global problem and at the same time the land used for forage production does not likely to increase in the near future due to increasing population, urbanisation, industrialisation etc. Therefore, in this respect abundant available crop residue possess immense potential as ruminant feed resources. Crop residues are the fibrous materials comprising of straw (wheat, oat, rice etc.) and stover (maize, sorghum, millets etc.). Livestock provides a secure source of income for people living in rural areas especially in the developing countries. Utilizing the plant residues as animal feed or as manure have great potential in solving various environmental problems linked to agriculture residues. Discarded cabbage leaves, damaged carrots, potatoes and peels of fruits and vegetables comprises a good ruminant feed. Crop residues have low protein content but are rich in fibres and minerals and can be used as animal feed by supplementing with protein from animal meals, vitamins and carbohydrates. These residues are chemically, physically and biologically processed to make them palatable and digestible.

PT088:In vitro anthelmintic activity of leaf extracts of Ehretia laevis Roxb.

Jaskirat Kaur, Rajinder Kaur and Avinash Kaur Nagpal* Department of Botanical and Environmental Sciences, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar-143005. Email: [email protected]

Abstract Helminthiasis is a common disease in tropical countries affecting billions of people. This disease is caused by helmintic parasities which are known to reside in the gastrointestinal tract of diseased individuals. The disease is more common in children than in adults. Different anthelmintic drugs currently used for treatment of this disease work by expelling worms along with feces but they have number of side effects. Scientists all over the globe are looking for better and safe alternatives, mainly derived from plants. The present study concerns estimation of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Ehretia laevis leaves for their anthelmintic activity. Young worms of Eisenia fetida were treated with different concentration (25, 50 and 100 mg/ml) of each extracts of E. laevis. Saline water (0.9% Nacl) was used to prepare different concentration of each extracts and was used as negative control where as albendazole (50 mg/ml), a standard anthelmintic drug, was used as positive control.

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The time of paralysis and death of the worms were noted for each treatment. The study revealed significant dose dependent anthelmintic activity of both the extracts of E. laevis using E. fetida. The study supports the folklore use of E. laevis for helmintic infection.

PT089:Survey of viruses infecting tomato crop in north-western region of india based on visual symptoms

Poonam Chaudhary1, Balwinder Singh2, Vipin Hallan3 and Avinash Kaur Nagpal1* 1Department of Botanical and Environmental Sciences, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar. 2Post Graduate Department of Biotechnology, Khalsa College, Amritsar 3Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology, Palampur *Email: [email protected]

Abstract Plant viruses are noteworthy limitation in agricultural production in India. Specially talking about the “Food bowl of the country”; Punjab, hot and humid environmental conditions approve the preservation of the viruses as well as vectors throughout the year. Although, impact of anthropogenic activities on disease transmission is subtle but cannot be neglected, hence making virus management a difficult task. Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) also known as poor man‟s orange is a very popular crop around the world. The crop is susceptible to many pathogens including bacteria, fungi, phytoplasmas and viruses. Viruses are submicroscopic pathogens that can cause severe problem in crop yield. Their peculiar characteristic of exploiting host‟s cellular machinery makes them threatening obligatory parasites. However, the knowledge of distribution and identification of viruses infecting tomato crop in Punjab is primarily lacking. Survey of three major tomato producing districts of Punjab viz. Amritsar, Kapurthala and Patiala along with one district of Himachal Pradesh i.e. Una was carried out in order to identify the plants presenting symptoms of viral infection. Some of the symptoms which are usually caused by different viral infections include chlorosis, leaf distortion, upward and downward curling, leaf rolling, tissue necrosis, stunting of plant, mosaic and mottling on leaves. Presence of these symptoms indicate possible infection of tomato crop with tomato mosaic virus (ToMV), cucumber mosaic virus (CMV), potato virus Y (PVY), potato virus X (PVX), tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV), tomato bushy stunt virus (TBSV), tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) and potato leaf roll virus (PLRV). Further studies are being continued for confirmation using DAS-ELISA and RT- PCR.

PT090:Pathogenesis-related protein 1 and its function in plant defense

Amritpreet Kaur1, Pratap Kumar Pati2, Aparna Maitra Pati3, Avinash Kaur Nagpal1 1Department of Botanical and Environmental sciences, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar-143005, Punjab, India. 2Department of Biotechnology, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar-143005. 3 Planning Project Monitoring and Evaluation Cell, CSIR-Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology, Post Box No.:6, Palampur (H.P)-176061. Email: [email protected]

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Abstract Plants have a numerous ways to protect themselves against various stresses i.e. abiotic and biotic. Production and accumulation of pathogenesis-related proteins (PR proteins) is among one of the important mechanisms in plants defense. Based on biological functions, isoelectric point, molecular weight and amino acid sequences, PR proteins are grouped into 17 classes. Few examples of PR proteins are antimicrobial peptides, oxidoreductases, hydrolytic enzymes, proteinases and proteinase inhibitors etc. The present paper focuses on PR1 protein present in Solanum lycopersicum. PR1 was the first PR protein to be reported with molecular weight of 14 to 17 kD and has antifungal activity.In the present study, physio-chemical properties and promoter region of PR1 was analysed usingtools like ProtParam and PlantCARE. The aim of this study is to explore and to discuss specific cis- elements involved in some specific biotic and abiotic stress responses.Information obtained from above analysis may provide insight into the functional multiplicity of PR1 present in S. lycopersicum. Information retrieved from cis-element analysis may provide insight into the functional multiplicity of PR1.

PT091:Roll of Aquatic Macrophytes in Waste Water Treatment

Kanika Rajput*, Shivani Sharma, Anuradha Rajput and Rajinder Kaur Department of Botanical and Environmental Sciences, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar-143005 Email: [email protected]

Abstract The aquatic macrophytes are the plant which grows in or near the margins of water bodies such as ponds, lakes, wetlands etc. and are called as emergents, submerged or floating plants. Aquatic macrophytes play an important role in the treatment of wastewater. Several aquatic macrophytes grow naturally in the polluted water and they remove the pollutants by taking them as nutrients. Many research workers have studied the removal of nitrogen and phosphorus from waste water by using different aquatic macrophytes. However, high removal efficiency through assimilative uptake by vegetation can only be achieved by frequent harvesting of fast growing plants. Free floating plant such as Echhornia crassipes was found to be more effective in removal of nutrients, BOD, COD, nitrogen, phosphorus, organic carbon, suspended solids, phenols, pesticides, heavy metals etc from waste water as compared to submerged macrophyte such as Hydrilla verticillata. However, it plays an important role in absorbing the plant nutrients from the waste water but such plants grow well in oxygenated water only therefore, cannot be used in treating waste water with high BOD and COD. Keywords: Aquatic macrophytes, Plant nutrients, Heavy metals, BOD, COD. PT097

PT092:Liquiritigenin (LG) suppresses proliferation and induces apoptosis in human osteosarcoma cells

Kritika Pandit, Sandeep Kaur, Ajay Kumar, Neha Sharma, Rasdeep Kour, Renu ٭Bhardwaj and Satwinderjeet Kaur Department of Botanical and Environmental Sciences, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar 143005 Email: [email protected]; [email protected]

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Abstract Osteosarcoma (OS) is the most frequent primary malignant bone tumor, which is commonly diagnosed in children and young adults. Over the past decades, traditional medicines based on herbs and botanicals, are applied for the treatment of osteoarthrosis and osteosarcoma. Keeping in mind, the significant potential of natural products, the present study was undertaken to explore the antiproliferative and apoptotic inducing potential of Liquiritigenin which is a natural flavanone found in Licorice (Glycyrhhiza glabra L.). The antiproliferative activity of LG was measured by MTT assay against MG-63 cells. The results indicate that LG effectively reduced the growth of MG-63 cells in a dose dependent manner with GI50 value of 23.45 µM. To further evaluate the relationship between the inhibition effect and apoptosis, apoptotic rate was determined by flow cytometric analysis after staining with Annexin V- FITC/PI. The data revealed that the proportion of live cells (97.5%) in the control group was significantly higher than that of LG treated cells (26.4% at GI50 concentration). Confocal and Scanning electron microscopic studies showed nuclear condensation, fragmentation and formation of apoptotic bodies which indicates its apoptotic inducing ability. Our data suggests that LG can be a promising candidate for chemotherapeutic studies.

PT093:Energy from Biomass for Sustainable Development

Abhinav Jamwal1 and Rajinder Kaur2* Department of Botanical & Environmental Sciences Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar-143005 Email: 1 [email protected]; 2*[email protected]

Biomass is the organic matter produced by terrestrial and aquatic plants and animals and their derivatives. These include biomass from forests, crops, animal wastes, energy plantation and wastes from agriculture based industries. Biomass is referred as renewable resources as it renews and increases every year. India has tremendous potential for use of biomass as a source of energy. Biomass such as agriculture crop residues, municipal solid wastes, wastes of livestock can be used in various ways. About 32% of total energy used in India is derived from biomass. However, a huge amount of biomass is still unutilized and is considered as a waste. Biomass is very versatile in terms of variety of forms and options available for its utilization. Biomass is converted to fuel through fermentation, chemical reduction, gasification and anaerobic digestion. Fuels derived from biomass such as alcohol, methane gas, producer gas can be easily handled and utilized for human consumption. These fuels can be a solution to various environmental challenges linked to the use of fossil fuels. Keywords: Biomass fuel, Environmental challenges, Biowaste, Energy plantation

PT094:Need of Sustainable Agriculture

Gauri Sharma1 and Rajinder Kaur2* Department of Botanical & Environmental Sciences Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar-143005 Email: [email protected]; 2*[email protected]

The main goal of sustainable agriculture is to meet the society‟s food needs for the present as well as future generations. The major part of the land on earth is dominated by agricultural activities to meet the food and other needs based on agriculture. As the human population is increasing rapidly the global food demand is also increasing with the same pace. Increase in

-82- population has resulted in extensive use of fertilizers and pesticides in agriculture which has adversely affected the various components of the environmental. Issues like loss of biodiversity, depletion of ground water, pollution of soil, water and air, soil erosion, desertification are directly linked to agriculture. Moreover, human health, climate change, global warming, food security issues etc. are also linked to agricultural activities. The current world population is about 7.6 billion and it likely to increase to 10 billion by 2050 and in order to feed this huge world population we need more agriculture keeping in mind the health of environment and climate. Sustainable agriculture techniques such as crop diversification, water management strategies, incorporation of disease resistant crop varieties, organic and holistic farming can minimize the impact of agriculture on the environment. Keywords: Desertification, Sustainable agriculture, Food security

PT095: Role of Medicinal plants in Neuroprotection Prabhjot Kaur, Shivani Attri, Davinder Singh and Saroj Arora* 1Department of Botanical and Environmental Sciences, GNDU, Amritsar 143005 *Email: [email protected], [email protected]

Abstract The basic structural and functional unit of nervous system, neurons, are the longest living cells in the body. However, unnatural death or dysfunction of these neurons due to oxidative imbalance, neuroinflammation and aggregation of certain proteins are the key factors responsible for acute and chronic neurological disorders such as Parkinson‟s disease(PD), Alzheimer‟s disease(AD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis(ALS) and Huntington‟s disease(HD). In literature, large number of medicinal plants have been identified such as Ginkgo biloba, Panax ginseng, Scutellaria baicalensis, Crocus sativus, Terminalia chebula, Salvia officinalis, Vitis spp. that are known for their neuroprotective potency. Some derived phytoconstituents from these medicinal plants like flavonoids, terpenic lactones, ginsenoside, polyphenols, reseveraterol, curcumin are effective against neuronal impairments via antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and immunoregulatory action. Recent research has confirmed the anti-inflammatory activity of Eruca sativa seed extract in NSC-34 motor neuron cells. In the present paper, the neuroprotective effect of different extracts of Eruca sativa seeds will be presented. Eruca sativa seeds will be extracted and tested for their protective effects against neurodegenerative diseases induced by 3-Nitropropionic acid(3-NP). As very scanty information is available on this plant that warranted to explore its neuroprotective activities.

PT096: Status of RET Species of Punjab

Vipourpreet Singh, Sheikh Showkat Ahmad, Avinash Kaur Nagpal and Satwinderjeet Kaur* Department of Botanical and Environmental Sciences Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar Email: [email protected]

Abstract Punjab is situated in the North-Western region of India that covers an area of 50,362 sq. km. Due to consistent use of economically important plants, overgrazing, construction, pollution and climate change many of the plant species are now on the line of extinction. The present review is based on the previous studies which were conducted over a period of 50 years on the wetlands and Shivalik hills of Punjab. It has been observed that over 1300 species have

-83- come under rare, endemic and threatened category. The preliminary studies have shown that a number of plant species belonging to different families such as Fabaceae, Ophioglossaceae, Caesalpiniaceae are endangerd now. Some examples of endangered species are Ludwigia adscendens, Leptadenia pyrotechnica, Kalanchoe integra, Indigofera colutea, Commiphora whigtii, Ficus rumphii, Rumex punjabensis and Terminalia alata. Besides two species, Hibiscus hoshiarpurensis and Argyrolobium album are endemic to this region, hence quite prone to becoming endangered. Two species, Withania coagulans and Tecomma undulata, being widely used for medicinal purposes now have attained the status of vulnerable and threatened.

PT097:Energy Plantation for Sustainable Development

Surinder Kaur1, Rishika Sharma2, Vishakha3and Rajinder Kaur* Department of Botanical and Environmental Sciences, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar-143005 Email: [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; *[email protected]

Energy plantation is the method of growing plants for their fuel value and store solar radiation for subsequent release as high-temperature heat. Energy plantation are designed and managed in such a way that they can provide sustainable amount of usable fuel throughout the year at the cheaper cost than other fuels. For this, plant material can be burnt as a solid fuel or converted into methane by an anaerobic biological process. Certain plant species such as Sesbaenia grandiflora and Eucalyptus sp. are preferred for maximizing sustained solar energy storage capacity of energy plantation. In energy plantation, usually perennial plants are preferred due to their continuous growth and minimum efforts. In this context, wastelands or degraded forest can be utilized for energy plantation. Energy plantation can acts as social forestry, also offers many potential benefits,and has no serious drawbacks. Keywords: Energy plantation; Sustainable development, Anaerobic biological process, Eco- friendly

PT098:Evaluation of Air Pollution tolerance index of Plants along the villages adjacent to Kanjali Wetland, A Ramsar site.

Hridoy Ranjan Saikia1, Yogesh B. Pakade2 and Jatinder Kaur Katnoria1* 1Department of Botanical and Environmental Sciences, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar 2Cleaner Technology Centre, CSIR - National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI), Nagpur, Maharashtra *Email: [email protected]

Abstract Air pollution on account of vehicular emissions has been a threat for the health of living systems including plants, animals, human beings as well as micro organisms. Industrialization, urbanization and various anthropogenic activities have already been the reasons for environmental degredation. Deterioration of fresh air has resulted in various ill effects on morphological, biological and physiological parameters of living oragnisms. Plants

-84- being sessile in nature are more prone to these types of eefects. Considering this, the present study was conducted to calculate the Air Pollution Tolerance Index (APTI) of the some plnt species grown in nearby villages of Kanjli Wetland, Kapurthala, Punjab (India). APTI helps in the identification of tolerant as well as sensible plants to pollution in a polluted environment. Different plant species viz.,Arundodo nax, Swetonia mahagony, Cannabis sp., Vachellia nilotica were collected and their total chlorophyll content, relative water content, ascorbic acid content and pH were calculated to denote the APTI. Total chlorophyll content and ascorbic acid were calculated using spectrophotometer. All plant samples collected were found to be tolerant to air pollution except Cannabis sps, which was found to be sensible. The present study focuses on the identification of plant species that are highly tolerant to the polluted environment and have future prospects in planting them in the green belt areas. Keywords: Cannabis sp., Arundodo nax, Air Pollution Tolerance Index, Kanjli wetland

PT099:Health benefits of Withania coagulans - An overview

Sheikh Showkat Ahmad, Jyotsna Sharma, Vipourpreet Singh, Satwinderjeet Kaur and Avinash Kaur Nagpal* Department of Botanical and Environmental Sciences, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar-143005 *Email: [email protected]

Abstract The plants are the key source of medicine for treatment and prevention of diseases and maintenance of healthy life. Withania coagulans Dunal(Solanaceae), a small shrub (30-90 cm tall), is well known for its ethnopharmacological activities. Commonly known as Indian cheese marker, the species is distributed in drier parts of Punjab, Gujarat, Pakistan and Afghanistan. Withania coagulans has been used in the treatment of various ailments like intestinal infection, dyspepsia, insomnia, nervous exhaustion, liver ailments, impotency etc. The therapeutic potential of this plant is attributed to the presence of pharmaceutically active steroidal lactones which are also known as Withanolides. Withanolides are amphiphilic compounds with ability to regulate physiological process in human body much like hormones and have been shown to posses different bioactivities like anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, anti-oxidative immunosuppressive etc. Due to its medicinal property this species is being over-exploited causing great threat to its existence. Conservation measures need to be taken to protect this precious species. The present paper deals with compilation of information available in literature on traditional uses of this plant for health care, its various bioactivities and its current threat status in India.

PT100:Assessment of genetic characteristics and chemotyping of some Aconitum species of North-Western Himalaya

Sabeena Ali1,2,3, Nitika Kapoor1,3 Sumit G. Gandhi*1,3and Qazi Parvaiz Hassan*1,2 1Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research 2CSIR - Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Sanatnagar, Srinagar, 190005, J&K. 3CSIR - Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Canal Road, Jammu, 180001, J&K. * Email: [email protected]; [email protected]

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Abstract Aconitum is one of the most valued treasure trove of the plant kingdom as it provides highly useful drug elites and possesses several promising therapeutic properties. Owing to the high medicinal value and its convention in different systems of medicine has led to over- harvesting of tubers, resulting in rapid depletion of the natural stocks of Aconitum and hence inclusion in the Red List. Over the years, the species density of this genus has substantially deflated in the North-Western regions of Himalaya while its commercial demand has increased at the same time. For conservative measures genetic diversity studies among various species of the genus Aconitum will help in tagging high-yielding genotypes for its micropropagation and mass multiplication but these molecular aspects of the Aconitum species has not been explored yet in the region. In present study, the backdrop of threats in Aconitum species were undertaken to characterize its species diversification by the utility of molecular techniques for its authentication and procuring the fingerprint patterns for species across the genus by employing different molecular markers. The genotype-driven molecular techniques were also integrated with chemotype-driven fingerprinting for its optimal characterization which aided to gauge the variation studies both in the genetic and the metabolic acquisitions thereby ensuring the strategies for simultaneous conservation of the germplasm. Keywords: Aconitum, Threatned, Genetic Diversity, Chemotyping, Conservation

PT101:Georeferencing of Some Fabaceous Species in Guru Nanak Dev University Campus, Amritsar

Akanksha Bakshi1, Minakshi² and Avinash Kaur Nagpal1* ¹Department of Botanical and Environmental Sciences, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar-143005 ²Punjab Remote Sensing Centre, Ludhiana. Email: [email protected]

Abstract In the current era of digital information, Geographical information system (GIS) has increasingly been used in cataloging plants with respect to their location, growth & health status etc. Geo-tagging the location of different plant species allows us to visualize them in the form of a map (geospatial map). This also allows us to understand density of a particular species, clustering of different species as well as their distribution. The utilization of computer-based inventory systems are valuable resource in managing and maintaining different tree species of a region. The present study concerns creation of geospatial maps of different species belonging to family fabaceae in Guru Nanak Dev University campus. Such maps will be a great resource to the students, faculty and residents of Guru Nanak Dev University campus to know about their location as these species are treasured as economically important species mainly for ornamental and medicinal purposes and such maps will provide an easy tool to locate these species at the nearest possible location.

PT102:CRISPR-Cas9: A Gene Editing Tool

Tanuja Verma1, Rajanbir Kaur2 and Rajinder Kaur* Department of Botanical & Environmental Sciences,

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Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar Email: [email protected]; [email protected], [email protected]*

Abstract CRISPR (Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats) is a specialized region of DNA present in the genomes of bacteria and archaea. CRISPR-associated protein 9 or Cas9 is an enzyme that identifies and cleaves the specific DNA strands using CRSPR sequences as a guide and complementary sequences. CRISPR cas9 is the most versatile, faster and accurate method for gene manipulation within the organisms than the previous DNA editing techniques thus, creating buzz among researchers. It is a unique technique by which researchers and geneticists are able to add, remove or alter the parts of the DNA sequences at particular regions of the genome. Some bacteria possess similar gene editing system to respond to foreign invading pathogens such as viruses, very much similar to our immune system. They cut out parts of the foreign pathogens DNA (viruses) and keep it behind which helps them to recognize and defend upon next attack by it. Researchers explored and adapted this system to use it in editing genomes of other organisms including mice and humans. CRISPR cas9 technology has high potential in treating wide range of medical conditions that have genetic links including cancer, muscular dystrophy, blindness, and cystic fibrosis. Keywords: CRISPR; Cas9; gene editing; medical conditions.

PT103:Jasmonic acid modulated physiological attributes in mung bean, gram and wheat sprouts.

Parneet Kaur, Gurvarinder Kaur and Geetika Sirhindi Department of Botany, Punjabi University, Patiala- 147002 Email: [email protected]

Abstract Jasmonic acid (JA) and its methyl esters are ubiquitously naturally occurring plant growth regulators in higher plants which play important role in various plant developmental processes. The germinated early staged seedlings called sprouts are consumed by humans because of their nutritional benefits. The present study was conducted to investigate role of jasmonic acid, if any in increasing production and nutritive value of wheat, gram, mung bean sprouts. Mung bean and gram being proteinaceous crops showed increased amount of protein under JA treatment as compared to their respective controls. Wheat sprouts showed increased protein content in 4 day old seedlings after treatment with JA but in dose-dependent manner. JA at different concentrations ameliorated overall carbon skeleton in terms of carbohydrates, total soluble sugars, reducing and non-reducing sugars. A significant increase in content of vitamin B2, vitamin C and E was found in JA treated sprouts. From these results, It can be suggested that JA has good potential for enhancing nutritional properties of sprouts of Mung bean, gram and wheat. Keywords: Jasmonic Acid, Wheat, Mung Bean, Gram, Carbohydrates, Proteins, Vitamins.

PT104:Detoxification of organophosphorous pesticide in B. juncea L. using microbial consortia and plant growth regulator.

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Palak Bakshi1, Pooja Sharma1, Mohd Ibrahim1, Arun Dev Singh1, Bilal Ahmad Mir2and Renu Bhardwaj1 1Department of Botanical and Environmental Sciences, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar-143005 2Department of Botany, School of Life Sciences, Satellite campus Kargil, University of Kashmir, J&K. Email: [email protected] , [email protected] Abstract High level of contamination leads to extreme level of pollution in atmosphere which is a major concern nowadays. The rampant use of organo phosphorus pesticides imposes serious threat to environment as well as human health. Chemical and Physical remediation approaches are expensive, tedious and non-ecofriendly. Plants along with microbes employ various strategies to counter the inhibitory effects of pesticides. Micro-organisms enhance plant growth by synthesising different metabolites and phytohormones which help plants to survive under stressed conditions. They also help in amelioration of oxidative stress induced by chlorpyrifos by lowering the free radical formation and activating different antioxidants (both enzymatic and non-enzymatic) and antioxidative enzymes (SOD, APOX, CAT, GR, POD, GPX etc.). The present study was therefore conducted to analyse the effect of plant growth regulators and brassinosteroids on various biochemical traits which included the levels of oxidative stress markers, antioxidative enzymes and non- enzymatic antioxidants on 10 day old Brassica juncea L. seedlings subjected to chlorpyrifos treatment (0.5%). Seeds were pre-soaked in 24-epibrassinolide and seedlings were raised in chlorpyrifos (0.5%) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Burkholderia gladioli supplemented Petri-dishes under controlled conditions for 10-days.The observations signify that supplementation of microbes along with 24-epibrassinolide have potential to ameliorate the toxic effects of chlorpyrifos stress by altering the defense system and improving plant detoxification mechanisms.

PT105:Agrobacterium – mediated insect resistance gene (CryIAa) transfer in broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. var. italica) Pankaj Kumar*#, Geetika Gambhir and Dinesh Kumar Srivastava Department of Biotechnology Dr. Y S Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Solan- 173230 Himachal Pradesh # SERB- National Post Doctoral Fellow, CSIR-Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology, Palampur (H.P.) Email: [email protected] Abstract

Transgenic broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. var. italica) cv. „Solan Green Head‟ has been developed by using Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain harboring cryIAa gene for resistance against Diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella). Type of explant used (cotyledon and hypocotyl), pre-culture and co-cultivation period and acetosyringone concentration were found to be critical determinants of transformation efficiency. By combining the best treatments of 72 hrs pre-culturing and 48 hrs co-cultivation time period, a transformation frequency of 4.92% and 13.83% was obtained from cotyledon and hypocotyl explants, respectively. Supplementing the co-cultivation medium with acetosyringone in a

-88- concentration of 100 µM enhanced the transformation frequency to 17.92% and 32.11% in cotyledon and hypocotyl explants, respectively. The transgene (cryIAa) integration was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction using gene specific primers and Southern blot analysis using Digoxygenin- non-radiolabelled DNA probe. Gene expression in the PCR positive transgenic events had been confirmed by Reverse Transcriptase-PCR and Quantitative Real Time-PCR. Insect bioassay proved the effectiveness of the transgene against infestation by diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella) larvae. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of optimization of a highly efficient transformation system and transgenic development in broccoli using cry1Aa gene for insect resistance. Keywords: Brassica oleracea L. var. italica, genetic transformation, cry1Aa gene, insect resistance.

PT106:Historical data analysis of process variables in Advanced Oxidation Processes (AOP) for optimizing degradation efficiency of organic pollutants

Aditi Sugha* and Manpreet Singh Bhatti Department of Botanical & Environmental Sciences, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar *Email: [email protected]

Abstract Persistent Organic pollutants (POPs) are synthetic organic chemicals which are lipophilic in nature and causes acute toxicity in food chain due to its bioaccumulation and its degradation is a challenging task. Advanced Oxidation Processes (AOPs) are very effective in degradation of POPs due to non-selective mineralization of these organic pollutants. AOPs involve the oxidation of these complex organic compounds using hydroxyl radical (2.80 V) or ozone (2.08V) having high electrochemical potential and are categorized into (i) Ozone based and (ii) Non Ozone based treatment processes. Non-ozone based is further classified into Fenton, Photo-Fenton, Photo-Catalysis. Electrochemical AOP (EAOP) is another class of non-zone based treatment process and is integration of two treatment technologies viz. electrocoagulation and AOP for the complete degradation of organic pollutants by minimizing treatment cost. Efforts are done to study the independent process factors like pH, +2 H2O2 dose, reaction time, Fe dose, O3 dose, current density, type of electrode along with treatment efficiency. The studied pollutants are dyes, landfill leachate, industrial effluent. This secondary data is taken from published papers in the last 10 years from SCOPUS database and used for historical data analysis. Design-Expert software will be used to find the best operating conditions. The study will be useful for future researchers by data mining significant process variables with their optimum working range.

PT107:Assessment of heavy metal pollution in the industrial region of Amritsar and Ludhiana

Pooja Sharma, Palak Bakshi, Jaspreet Kour and Renu Bhardwaj* Department of Botanical & Environmental Sciences, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar

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Email: [email protected], [email protected]

Abstract Heavy metal contamination is more dominating in agricultural fields near by industrial areas because of large consumption of acidifying compounds and metal ores in industries that are released in form of untreated industrial effluents. Open disposal of waste from dyeing, leather tanning, electroplating, iron and steel industrial units are major cause of heavy metal contamination in the region of Punjab. These contaminants enter into open environment if industrial wastes are not properly disposed away from residential areas/agricultural lands. Heavy metals present in industrial waste migrate via different sources e.g. water, soil sediments, air and become a source of metal pollution in agricultural soils. These pollutants enter food chain through agricultural products or leach into drinking water. Some of the industrial discharge are thrown into the drains. The water from the drains is used for irrigating the nearby fields. People living in these nearby areas pose threat from heavy metal toxicity and these metals cause genotoxicity upon reaching the living system. These metals also have adverse effects on plants. Plants growing on these soils show a reduction in growth, performance, and yield. Regular monitoring of the soils is necessary to assess the metal contamination. In the present study, soil samples from different areas in the vicinity of industries like electroplating, iron and steel, and dyeing industries in Ludhiana and Amritsar District have been collected and analysed for the heavy metal content. It was observed that heavy metals (Pb, Zn, Ni, Cr, Cu) were found above their permissible limits in the soil samples collected from the areas in the vicinity of electroplating and iron and steel industries.

PT108:Effect of Textile Industry Effluent on Growth and Biochemical Parameters of Mustard Plant

Dolly Raju and Anil Kumar Singh* Department of Botany, Sant Baba Bhag Singh University, Khiala-144030 *E-mail: [email protected]

Abstract Textile industry is one of the largest producers of wastewater among all industries. Safe disposal of textile industry effluent has been the cause of concern. Textile industry effluents are generally laden with several non-biodegradable pollutants. Discharge of untreated or partially treated effluents in water body degrades water and soil quality. In developing countries like India open water bodies are inexpensive source of irrigation for farmers. Irrigation with textile industry effluent contaminated water may induce several unwanted changes in plant. The present study scrutinizes the influence of textile industry effluent on growth and biochemical parameters of Black Mustard (Brassica nigra). Plants were grown in sandy-loam soil and irrigated with textile industry effluent diluted to different concentrations. No growth was observed in pots watered with textile industry effluent without any dilution. Retarded growth was seen in pots watered with 75% and 50% diluted textile industry effluent. Exposure to textile industry effluent delayed flowering and fruit setting in plant. Leaf collected from textile industry effluent watered plant exhibited accumulation of toxic heavy metals and organic pollutants. Thus, results suggest that irrigating plant with textile industry effluent contaminated water causes stress and accumulation of toxic pollutants in plant.

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PT109:Effect of Industrial Effluent on Growth and Biochemical Parameters of Spinach Plant

Saroj Bhatia and Anil Kumar Singh* Department of Botany, Sant Baba Bhag Singh University, Khiala-144030 *E-mail: [email protected]

Abstract Proper disposal of industrial effluent is a major concern in developing countries. Discharge of untreated or partially treated industrial effluents in water body degrades water quality as well as the soil quality in long run. In developing countries like India open water bodies becomes cheap source of irrigation for farmers. Use of industrial effluent contaminated water for irrigation may induce several undesirable changes in plant. The present study examines effect of untreated industrial effluent on growth and biochemical parameters of Spinach (Spinacia oleracea). Spinach plants were grown in sandy-loam soil and irrigated with water containing different concentrations of industrial effluent. No growth was observed in the pots that were watered with undiluted industrial effluent. Watering pots with 75% and 50% diluted industrial effluents retarded plant growth significantly. Spinach leaf collected from industrial effluent watered plant exhibited accumulation of toxic heavy metals namely Cadmium, Zinc, Chromium, Nickel and Lead. Proline contain was also more in plant irrigated with contaminated water. Overall results suggest that the use of industrial effluent contaminated water for growing leafy vegetables induces heavy metal stress in plant and causes accumulation of toxic heavy metals. Consumption of such heavy metal containing leafy vegetables may be harmful to human.

PT110:Artemisinin: A Potent Anti-malarial Drug

Navdeep Kaur and Nitika Kapoor* PG Department of Botany, Hans Raj Mahila Maha Vidyalaya, Jalandhar, 144008, Punjab *Email: [email protected]

Abstract Malaria is the third most dangerous and infectious disease after pneumococcal infection and tuberculosis, and is known to kill one child, under the age of five years in every thirty seconds around the world. The Chinese Scientist, named, Tu Youyou discovered an active compound, Artemisinin, from the plant named Artemisia annua. This compound is found in many plants belongs to family, Asteraceae. Artemisinin found to be most effective anti- malarial drug. It is a sesquiterpene lactone having an endoperoxide ring, which is mainly responsible for the anti-malarial activity of Artemisinin. This endoperoxide ring opened up when come in contact with free heme, and other proteins present inside the parasite, and generate carbon centered free radicals that cause lysis of parasite. Artemisinin present in the glandular trichomes of the plant Artemisia annua and biosynthesized by dihydroartemisinic acid (a precursor of Artemisinin). The drug named “Coartem” made by the combination of

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Artemether and Lumifantrine drug is registered in 81 countries as an effective Artemisinin- based Combination therapy (ACT‟s) to treat malaria. Artemisia annua is a plant of Chinese origin and cultivated in many countries including India. The yield of Artemisinin is approximately 1.4% of dried leaf matter from Artemisia annua, which is very low but due to its high effectiveness against malaria, many researches are going on to obtain Artemisinin from other plants. A transgenic moss, Physcomitrella patens with five foreign genes from Artemisia annua was introduced to get higher yield of artemisinin. In India, CIM-Arogya, Asha and Jeevanraksha are widely cultivated varieties of Aretemisia annua. Artemisia annua is also effective to treat cancer and show maximum anti-oxidant activities due to the presence of phenols like coumarins etc.

PT111:Regulation of antioxidative defense expression by ALA in Brassica juncea under Lead (Pb) toxicity

Ravinder Singh*, Shalini Dhiman and Renu Bhardwaj Department of Botanical and Environment Sciences, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar-143005 Email: [email protected]

Abstract

Heavy metal contamination is a serious threat to sustainable crop production . Exogenous application of signaling molecules has been adopted as a means to enhance plant resistance to these stresses. One of the recently explored signaling molecules ALA is gaining attention as a metabolic intermediate in higher plants, since it is a precursor of all tetrapyrolls. The present study assesses the effect of ALA in Brassica juncea seedlings under lead stresss. Various .- parameters studied included content of superoxide anions (O2 ), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and malondialdehyde (MDA), and antioxidative enzymes such as catalase (CAT), dehydroascorbate reductase (DHAR), glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione-S-transferase (GST) guaiacol peroxidase (POD) and their relative genes expression in 10-day-old .- seedlings. It was observed that ALA supplementation reduced the stress of O2 , H2O2 and MDA content by 50.99%, 44.03%, and 48.16% respectively as compared to Pb concentration. Further, exogenous application ALA enhanced activity of antioxidative enzymes by 120.75%, (CAT), 60.63% (DHAR), 82.28% (SOD), 228.06% (POD), 101.79% (GR), 16.52% (GST) as compared to their control. The relative gene expression of the genes was elevated by 49.15% in CAT, 93.37% in DHAR, 161.64% in SOD, 30.27% in POD, 47.65%) in GR 107.47% and in GST under Pb stress by the application of ALA.

PT112:Development of lead tolerant strain by protoplast technology

Deepika Rawat and Santosh Kumar Karn* Department of Biotechnology & Biochemistry SBS University (Formerly, Sardar Bhagwan Singh PG Institute of Biomedical Science & Research) Balawala, Dehradun-248161 Email: [email protected]

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Abstract

The envelopes of bacteria consist of a cell wall overlying in cytoplasmic membrane. The complete removals of the cell wall in a hypertonic environment that maintain the osmotic integrity of the cell and leave the membrane intact produce a protoplast. In the current method protoplast were produced from Staphylococci aureus and regenerated. Staphylococci aureus cells were grown at 300C on nutrient broth by intensive shaking. The cells of Staphylococci aureus were collected by centrifugation and washed twice in phosphate buffer. The protoplast was obtained by treatment with lysozyme and mutanolysin. The protoplast was spherical in shape observed by microscopy. Next, resistant colonies were selected on specific medium supplemented with lead. Further, selected colonies used for the removal of lead contaminated water treatment. Further the protoplasts were generated on regeneration agar medium with sucrose. The concentration for sucrose was best which gives maximum protoplast regeneration.

PT113:Influence of Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) improved antioxidative defense expression of tomato seedlings under Cd- metal stress Kanika Khanna1*, Puja Ohri2 and Renu Bhardwaj1** 1Department of Botanical and Environmental Sciences, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar 143005 2Department of Zoology, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar 143005 Email: [email protected] [email protected]

Abstract Micro-organisms play most important role in rhizosphere where they develop mutualistic associations and promote plant growth by the synthesis of different metabolites and plant growth hormones (auxins (IAA), cytokinins and gibberellins). They are well known to enhance mineral nutrients and bioaccumulation of heavy metals. In order, to understand the functions of plant growth promoting bacteria (Pseudomonas aeruginosa & Burkholderia gladioli) against heavy metal stresses, the current study was designed to assess the favourable effects of these microbes in modulating the antioxidative potential of tomato seedlings in response to cadmium (Cd) stress. The impact of these micro-organisms on levels of the superoxide anions, H2O2 contents and malondialdehyde contents generated during Cd stress were assessed. Further, the involvement of antioxidative enzymes, non- enzymatic antioxidants, total antioxidants (LSA(lipid soluble) and WSA (water soluble) ) and gene expression analysis was also carried out in the 10- days old tomato seedlings exposed to Cd (0.4mM). The seedlings were grown in vitro conditions using seed germinator. The present study revealed that 0.4mM Cd generated toxicity in the seedlings which was demonstrated through amassment of superoxide anions, malondialdehyde , H2O2 (hydrogen peroxide) along with the inhibition of cell viability and nuclear damage. The oxidative stress generated by the Cd enhanced the activities of enzymatic antioxidants such as CAT (catalase), GST (glutathione-s- transferase), GPOX (glutathione peroxidase), APOX

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(ascorbate peroxidase), DHAR (dehydroascorbate peroxidase), GR (glutathione reductase). Apart from this, SOD (superoxide dismutase), POD (guiacol peroxidase) and PPO (polyphenol peroxidase) were decreased in response to metal stress. It was found that inoculation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (M1) and Burkholderia gladioli (M2) diminished the unfavourable effects of the metal toxicity by elevating the levels of SOD, POD, PPO and reducing CAT, GR, GST, GPOX, APOX, DHAR respectively. Gene expression investigations suggested enhanced expression levels of SOD, POD, PPO genes whereas expression of CAT, GR, GST, GPOX and APOX genes were decreased in microbe- inoculated Cd- treated seedlings. The contents of glutathione, ascorbic acid and tocopherol (non- enzymatic antioxidants) and total antioxidants (WSA, LSA) were also enhanced in response to metal stress which upon supplementation of microbial strains was reduced. Confocal microscopy revealed the improved cell viability and lowered nuclear damage in roots supplemented with microbes. The results therefore suggested that addition of microbes play essential role in modulating antioxidative defense expression in tomato seedlings exposed to Cd.

PT114:Production of high value biopigments from selected heterocystous cyanobacteria

Dinesh K Saini1,2 , Atul K Srivastava1, Pratyoosh Shukla2 and Sunil Pabbi1# 1Centre for Conservation and Utilisation of Blue Green Algae (CCUBGA), Division of Microbiology, ICAR – Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi-110012 2Enzyme Technology and Protein Bioinformatics Laboratory, Department of Microbiology, Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak- Haryana, 124001. #Email: [email protected]

Abstract Cyanobacteria, previously known as blue green algae are photosynthetic prokaryotic organisms which are potential source of many bioactive compounds. These organisms have been are used by human and animals from ancient times for their high protein and nutrition content. Cyanobacterial biopigments such as carotenoids and phycobiliproteins are high value compounds which are well recognized for application in medicines, foods, cosmetics and as fluorescent materials. In the present study, three different heterocystous cyanobacteria viz Nostoc commune CCC 391, Anabaena variabilis CCC 421and Anabaena oryzae CCC 162, were evaluated for their ability to produce biopigments. Among three heterocystous cyanobacterial cultures, highest phycocyanin content was observed in Anabaena oryzae CCC 162 (19.27 µg/g) at 21 days of growth followed by Nostoc commune CCC 391 and Anabaena variabilis CCC 421 14.89 µg/g, 6.12µg/g respectively. The total highest carotenoids content was found in Anabaena variabilis CCC 421, (0.7578µg/g) at 21 days of growth.

PT115:Non-heterocystous cyanobacterial biopigments: A potential resource for nutraceuticals and functional foods

Atul K Srivastava1, Dinesh K Saini1,2, Roshan Kumar1and Sunil Pabbi1#

1Centre for Conservation and Utilisation of Blue Green Algae (CCUBGA), Division of Microbiology, ICAR – Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi-110012.

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2Enzyme Technology and Protein Bioinformatics Laboratory, Department of Microbiology, Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak- Haryana, 124001. # Email: [email protected]

Abstract Cyanobacteria possess huge morphological and metabolic diversity leading to their great biological significance and to overcome many of the problems being faced by humanity related to food, energy, agriculture, medicine, etc. Among large array of natural products produced by cyanobacteria, pigments seem the most colorful and attractive components. Apart from chlorophyll, cyanobacteria produce two major groups of pigments viz. phycobiliproteins and carotenoids. Phycobiliproteins as natural colorants are gaining importance over synthetic colors as they are environment-friendly, nontoxic and non- carcinogenic. In the present study, two non-heterocystous cyanobacteria viz. Lyngbya sp. (SP19) and Phormidium sp. (SP27) were used for extraction and purification of phycocyanin. Lyngbya sp. yielded 371.2 µg phycocyanin per ml of crude extract while the Phormidium sp. yielded 75 µg phycocyanin per ml of crude extract. Ammonium sulfate (65% w/v) precipitation of the crude extract resulted in 78% and 84% recovery of phycocyanin with purity of 2.57 and 2.41 from Lyngbya sp. and Phormidium sp., respectively. After dialysis, the purity increased to 2.95 and 3.52 from Lyngbya sp. and Phormidium sp. respectively. The purity ratio and recovery percentage obtained in this study is high enough for the phycocyanin to be used in foods and feeds.

PT116:Bioconversion of Pressmud to Quality Product as PROM Livleen Shukla, K Annapurna and Shubham Sharma Division of Microbiology, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi-110012 Email: [email protected]

India is the second largest product of the sugar in the world and 8-10 million tonnes of pressmud is generated annually. The pressmud is either disposed off in open fields or given as immature compost to farmers. Pressmud contains 10-15% N, 1.4-4.0% P2O5, 0.5-2.0% K2O and variety of elements like Mg, S, Zn, Cu, Fe. Disposal of pressmud is problem due to its risk of soil pollution and, as a consequence of it, of water pollution as well (Suthar, 2010; George et.al, 2010) and several organic compounds which degrade in the soil produce foul odour (Rouf et.al, 2010). Although composting enhances the fertilizer value of pressmud but takes about 6 months. Microbiological intervention for bio-conversion of pressmud to PROM has gained importance and hence, the present work was carried out to develop liquid inoculant consisting of phosphorus solubilizing, lignolytic, cellulolytic, amylolytic, pectinolytic, lipolytic and thermotolerant fungi to be used for bioconversion of pressmud. Phospho Rich Organic Manure (PROM) was prepared using liquid inoculant in 30 days containing 10.55% P2O5, 8.84% organic carbon, 2.5%N and 0.62% K using windrow method.

PT117:Biofuels : Prospects and Threats

Anjana Bhatia, Hansraj Mahila Vidyalaya, Jalandhar

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Email: [email protected]

Abstract Biofuels derived from a variety of sources tender a promising reserve of renewable power and show the likelihood of opening doors to new prospects of commerce and agriculture. Nevertheless, only a handful of existing biofuel programs are cost-effective and commercially workable. Even the viable ones have shown lot of pressure on society and environment. This has led to apprehensions like the effect on prices of food, CO2 emission concerns and the questions of rising deforestation. Our biofuel policies have to be decided taking an exhaustive account of all the threats that encompass the promise and potential of biofuels. Biofuel policy of the nation has to be designed in amalgamation with international policies so that social and commercial benefits are reaped to the maximum.

PT118:The tree diversity of Amritsar

Rajesh Kumar DAV College, Amritsar .

Abstract Since times immemorial, mankind has relied on the forests for day to day needs and all civilizations have developed in the lap of greenery. Trees have been an inseparable part of our culture and have inspired many of artists. The historical and holy land of Amritsar is blessed to have the pious touch of Sikh Gurus and many saints and is known as the city of Golden temple - the greatest pilgrimage centre of the Sikhs. The city boasts of rich cultural heritage and has glorious green past and there has been a tradition of planting and preserving trees in gurudwaras, temples and public places. The present study intends to provide general information about the trees growing in various parts of the city including residential parks, roadsides, educational and other institutes. The study focuses on diagnostic characteristics for identification of trees growing in Amritsar city and their potential to be used for medicinal, ornamental, food, fuel wood, timber, rubber production and other purposes. To provide additional insight, mythological and cultural value of the trees will also be discussed. From the diversity point of view, we have identified 78 tree species belonging to 35 diverse families of seed plants, thus giving an average genus to family ratio of 1:2.29, which indicates a fairly good diversity level. Out of 35 families identified , representation of Fabaceae is 25.64% that indicates the dominance of this family in the region.

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