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International Journal of Applied Bioresearch (IJAB)
The quarterly peer-reviewed journal
91 - 9487567793
ISSN 2250 - 2033 (Print); e -ISSN: 2250 - 2041 (Online)
Email:gbtrplink@gmail.com
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The Effects of Daminozide on Flower Production and Sex Ratios in Hydroponic Greenhouse Cucumbers (Cucumis sativus)
Daniel C. Messick and Nathan C. Phillips
Antimicrobial Efficiency of Multipurpose Lens Rinsing Solutions
Shifa Lala, Sumaiya Jalgaonkar, Sejal Rathod, Pratibha Shah
Table and Contents
Volume No. 3 January, 2012
Plant growth regulators have been used to manipulate flowering in cucumber fruit and seed production. The objective of our research was to investigate the effect of early applications of daminozide, a plant growth regulator, on plant growth, flower production and sex ratios in hydroponically grown cucumbers. Cucumber plants were grown in Hailstorm, a recycled plastic media, irrigated by a closed hydroponic system. The plants were subjected to differing growth regulator treatments. The treatment groups consisted of: 1) one application of daminozide (3750 ppm) at the two true leaf stage, 2) one application of daminozide (1875 ppm) at the two true leaf stage, 3) two applications of daminozide (1875 ppm) at the two true leaf stage and then again at the six leaf stage, and 4) no application of daminozide . Leaf numbers and vine heights were measured weekly throughout the experiment. Upon commencement of flowering, the number and sex of the flowers were recorded weekly for a period of three weeks. The application of daminozide decreased vine length as expected, but did not significantly affect the ratio of pistillate to staminate flowers. However, daminozide did decrease the overall number of pistillate flowers due to lower overall flower production.
The sterility and antimicrobial activity of commonly used multipurpose lens rinsing solutions(MPS) ReNu (Baush & Lomb), Fresh Look (Ciba Vision) , Splash (Intra Ocular care) was tested against the common eye infection causing pathogens like Candida albicans ATCC 10231, Klebsiella pneumoniae ATCC13883, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 15442 , and Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538. Antimicrobial efficiency of lens rinsing solution was checked by Disc Diffusion Method, Agar Cup Method and Turbidometric Method. The exposure time needed by the MPS, as mentioned in the manufactures instructions, to show their antimicrobial activity was also assessed using the turbidometric method. On carrying out the sterility testing of the lens rinsing solution it was found out that all the samples used were sterile. The lens rinsing solution did not show any antimicrobial activity by disc diffusion & agar cup method against the selected organisms. Turbidometric Method using glass beads showed that ReNu & Fresh Look completely inhibited K.pneumoniae at 24 hours exposure time. ReNu had maximum anti fungal activity. From the selected test organisms C.albicans was found to be most sensitive & Pseudomonas aeruginosa was found out to be most resistant to the MPS used. Although the three MPS were efficient enough to show their antimicrobial activity in the given prescribed time, they did not show inhibition of all the test organisms.
