Informatics Publishing Limited

K. Ajith kumar ¹, P. K. Rajeevan ¹, A. Sobhana ², P. K. Sudhadevi ¹, S. Sarada ¹, S. Simi ¹

Affiliations
1 All India Coordinated Research Project on Floriculture, College of Horticulture, Kerala Agricultural University, Thrissur Kerala, IN
2 Cashew Research Station, Kerala Agricultural University, Madakkathra, Thrissur Kerela, IN

Abstract

Effect of different pulsing treatments and holding solutions on the vase life of cut spikes of the orchid, Dendrobium cv. Sonia-17 was studied. Among the pulsing treatments, pre-cooling treatment done at 150C for 12 h recorded maximum spike longevity of 32 days, maximum number of days for wilting of first floret (26 days), maximum number of days for wilting of all florets (38 days) and maximum water uptake (10 ml). In the trial using different holding solutions, AgNO3 (25 ppm) + sucrose (5%) gave maximum vase life of 35 days, maximum number of days for wilting of first flower (17.3 days) and maximum number of days for wilting of all flowers (53.7 days). Pre-cooling treatment done at 150C for 12 h and holding solutions containing AgNO3 (25 ppm) + sucrose (5%) was found to be the best treatments to enhance the vase life of cut spikes of the orchid, Dendrobium cv. SONIA-17.

Keywords

Flower Spike, Vase Life, Pulsing, Holding

Full Text

     

S. Simi ¹, K. Rajmohan ²

Affiliations
1 Department of Pomology and Floriculture, College of Horticulture, Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikkara - 680 656, IN
2 Dept. of Plant Biotechnology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, IN

Abstract

Investigations were carried out at the Department of Pomology and Floriculture, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, to characterize traditional mango varieties of southern Kerala, based on utility of fruits. Wide publicity was made about the proposed study and an extensive survey was conducted. Fifty traditional mango types could be located from Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta and Alappuzha districts. On evaluation three utility groups were identified, viz., pickling, table and dual purpose types, based on the survey. Variability could be observed for floral, fruit and quality attributes. Flowering round the year was observed in Vellari Type-1, Thali, Kizhakkan Thali and Ambalathara Local. Karpoora Varikka with carotenoid content higher than most leading, superior varieties was identified. Varieties with high content of total sugars were Nedungolan, Vellari Type-2, Perakka manga, Inamanga, Neenda Karpooram, Velutha Muvandan, Karpoora Varikka and Ambalathara Local. Pickling type mangoes gave highest average ascorbic acid content (46.02mg/ 100g). Average titrable acidity (%) and crude fibre content were also the highest in pickling types (1.22% and 1.18%, respectively). In organoleptic evaluation, Perakka manga, Nedungolan, Karpooram manga, Vellari Type-2, Neenda Karpooram, Muthalamookan, Inamanga, Ambalathara Local, Kotookonam Varikka and Velutha Muvandan ranked on top in overall acceptability. These traditional varieties with desirable traits can be used for developing molecular markers to identify particular genes of interest and transfer them to desirable cultivars through genetic engineering.

Keywords

Mangifera indica L., Traditional Varieties, Flowering, Physico-Chemical.

Full Text

   

T. Radha ¹, Priyanka James ², S. Simi ¹, Sangeetha P. Davis ², P. A. Nazeem ², M. R. Shylaja ², Deepu Mathew ²

Affiliations
1 Department of Pomology and Floriculture, College of Horticulture, Kerala Agricultural University, Thrissur 680 656, IN
2 Distributed Information Centre, College of Horticulture, Kerala Agricultural University, Thrissur 680 656, IN

Abstract

Mango (Mangifera indica L.) is the most important commercially grown fruit crop in India, available throughout the length and breadth of the country and aptly acknowledged as the ‘national fruit of India’. It enjoys a prominent place in the Indian fruit market, contributing more than 20% of total fruit production from 36% of the total fruit area. In Kerala, this crop covers an area of 77,158 ha with a production of 457,067 tonnes.

Full Text

   

A. V. Joseph ¹, S. Simi ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Pomology and Floriculture, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala), IN

Abstract

The study on characterization of ecotypes of banana (Musa AAB Plantain subgroup) was undertaken in the Department of Pomology and Floriculture, College of Agriculture, Vellayani during April 2016- May 2017 with the objective to characterize the various ecotypes of plantain with respect to clonal characteristics and yield potential. The study revealed that considerable variability existed between the different ecotypes of plantain. The ecotypes varied significantly with respect to all the clonal characters studied, except the number of ridges. Mettupalayam Nendran produced the highest yield but it had long duration. Zanzibar and Big Ebanga were superior in terms of finger characteristics.PSI (Pedicel Strength Index) was the highest in Mettupalayam Nendran (3.17) which was significantly higher than all other clones. The genotypes having high yield like Mettupalayam Nendran, Myndoli etc can be used in further crop improvement programmes to develop high yielding Nendran types.

Keywords

Banana, Nendran, Plantain, Ecotype, Evaluation, Yield Characters, Clonal Characters.

Full Text

     

M. C. Subhash Peter ¹, S. Simi ², Valsa S. Peter ²

Affiliations
1 Department of Zoology, University of Kerala, Kariavattom, Thiruvananthapuram – 695581, Kerala, IN
2 Inter-University Centre for Evolutionary and Integrative Biology (iCEIB), University of Kerala, Kariavattom, Thiruvananthapuram – 695581, Kerala, IN

Abstract

As a potent regulator of seasonal and circadian rhythms, melatonin is involved in many neuroendocrine functions in vertebrates including fishes. However, the interactive action of melatonin on thyroid and interrenal axes, metabolite homeostasis and ion status is less addressed in fishes. We thus analyze the plasma thyroxine (T₄), triiodothyronine (T₃) and cortisol levels and metabolite status and Na⁺ and K⁺ status in osmoregulatory tissues after short-term of 30 min in vivo exposure of melatonin (0, 0.25, 2.5, 25 ng g^-1) in climbing perch (Anabas testudineus Bloch). A rise in plasma T₄ occurred after 30 min of melatonin treatment, indicating activation of thyroid axis. On the contrary, deactivation of hypothalamo-pituitary-interenal (HPI) axis occurred due to fall in cortisol level along with decrease in plasma T₃ in the melatonin-treated fish. Significant dose-dependent increase in plasma glucose and urea were found in melatonin-treated fish. Similarly, increased plasma [Na⁺] and [K⁺] contents occurred in gill tissues but plasma [Na⁺] and [K⁺] levels remained unaffected after melatonin treatment. In kidney, melatonin treatment augmented [K⁺] but decreased [Na⁺] content, emphasizing a differential cation handling by melatonin. Overall, these results indicate that melatonin exerts a rapid activation of thyroid axis, but deactivates interenal axis while promoting the release of glucose and urea and tissue Na⁺/K⁺ ion levels in freshwater climbing perch.

Keywords

Cortisol, Fish, Interrenal Axis, Melatonin, Metabolites, Tissue Ions, Thyroid Axis, Thyroid Hormone.

Full Text

     

S. Simi ¹, K. Manish ², M. C. Subhash Peter ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Zoology, School of Life Sciences, University of Kerala, Kariavattom, Thiruvananthapuram – 695 581, Kerala, IN
2 Inter-University Centre for Evolutionary and Integrative Biology (iCEIB), School of Life Sciences, University of Kerala, Kariavattom, Thiruvananthapuram – 695 581, Kerala, IN

Abstract

Thyroid hormones (TH) have a multitude of actions, mainly on development and differentiation during early life and play many vital roles in almost all tissues including neuronal tissues. TH rapidly alters the mitochondrial functions both by its genomic and direct actions on mitochondrial binding sites. The functional relationship between TH and mitochondrial ion transport during stress response has not yet been elucidated in mammals so far. Here, we report a rapid in vivo action of triiodothyronine (T₃) on mitochondrial ion transporter functions in the neuronal clusters of cortex, hippocampus and cerebellum of Swiss Albino mouse (Mus musculus) treated short-term with triiodothyronine (T₃; 200ng g^-1) for 30 min either in non-stressed or in restraint-stressed (30 min each day for 7 days). The mH⁺-ATPase activity in the cortex decreased to significant levels after T₃ treatment in both non-stressed and restraint-stressed mice. On the contrary, the mH⁺-ATPase activity in the hippocampus and cerebellum increased to significant levels after T₃ treatment in both non-stressed and restraint-stressed mice. The mCa²⁺-ATPase activity in the cortex and cerebellum decreased to significant levels after T₃ treatment in both non-stressed and restraint-stressed mice. The mCa²⁺-ATPase activity in the hippocampus that increased to significant levels after T₃ treatment, showed a reversal after restraint-stress in T₃-treated mice. The mitochondrial Mg²⁺-ATPase activity in the cortex decreased to significant levels after T₃ treatment in restraint-stressed mice. On the contrary, T₃ treatment in restraint stressed mice increased to significant levels the mitochondrial Mg²⁺-ATPase activity in the cerebellum. The mitochondrial Mg²⁺-ATPase activity in the hippocampus, which increased to significant levels after T₃ treatment in non-stressed mice, reversed its activity in T₃-treated restraint-stressed mice. Spatial and differential action of T₃ on the mitochondrial ion transporters has been found in the present study that corroborates with a rapid modulatory action of T₃ on the transport of H⁺, Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ in the brain mitochondria of mice which appears to be sensitive to restraint stress.

Keywords

Brain, Mice, Mitochondrial Ca²⁺, H⁺, Mg²⁺ATPase, Restraint Stress, Triiodothyronine.

Full Text