Antifeedant and toxicity of root extract of Catharanthus roseus (L.) G.Don the tobacco leaf armyworm, Spodoptera litura (Fabricius)
A. Ganesh Kumar, C. Edward and K. Rajan
In vitro Callus Development in Pterospermum reticulatum Wight and Arn. - A Rare and Threatened Plant
Bojaxa A. Rosy and P.J. Rosakutty
Ex situ conservation of endemic fern allies, Huperzia hilliana (Spring) R.D. Dixit
M. Maridass, G. Raju, R. Mahesh, K. Muthuchelian, K.Dharmar and Abiya Chelliah
Volume No. 2 December, 2011
Huperzia species are currently going to endangered category list of plant taxa. Most of the Huperzia species have been used for medicinal purposes. Huperzine A is derived from Huperzia serrata, which is currently clinically used for Alzheimer disease (AD). The present study has revealed in detailed about the development of the sporangia, spore germination, early stage of gametophytes and regeneration of Huperzia hilliana (Spring) R.D. Dixit. in its natural condition of Kodaiyar region, South India. The results of H. hilliana was microscopically observed for good spore germination within one month, after the matured stage of sporangia, spore germination stages, primary stage of tubercle and later heart shape gametophytes were also observed in natural conditions. Finally, it showed vigorous growth after the early stage of sporophytes and had a short period of six month life cycle which influence by environmental factors. Huperzia /Conservation biology
The effect of root extracts of Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Don on the larval mortality, fecundity and fertility of Spodoptera litura (Fabricius) was investigated in the present study. The larval mortality was increased in root extract exposed S. litura as the concentration increased. The Pupal weight, fecundity and the hatching efficiency of egg were decreased as the concentration of the root extract increased. Thus, the phytochemicals present in the C. roseus has potential as botanical insecticide in alternative control strategies against S. litura. Catharanthus roseus / Spodoptera litura
Pterospermum reticulatum is a rare and threatened medicinally important plant belonging to the family Sterculiaceae. The present work was carried out to develop a standard method for callus induction from the nodal explant. The air dried stem powder of the plant was extracted with solvents of varied polarity like petroleum ether, benzene, chloroform, methanol and distilled water. The results showed that the plant contains chemical compounds like steroids, triterpenes, phenolic groups, saponin, tannin, sugar, catachin, amino acids and reducing sugars. Maximum callusing was obtained in the explant inoculated in MS medium supplemented with Bap 1.5 mg/l in combination with NAA 0.2 mg/l. In vitro generated callus can be used as a source for the isolation of secondary metabolites from the plant. Pterospermum reticulatum / Phytochemistry
