Micropropagation protocol for Salvadora oleoides

Salvadora oleoides Decne. is a pharmaceutically important plant. Owing to poor seed formation, viability and, germination, and to anthropogenic disturbances, this species is on the verge of extinction. A reproducible micropropagation protocol to increase the population through tissue culture has been standardized and the results are reported here. Callus tissues were initiated from young leaves and stem explants. Leaf calluses proliferated with 1.5 mg/L BAP and 0.9 mg/L 2, 4-D with additives and continuous slow proliferation up to 15 weeks on 0.5 mg/L BAP and additives with 200 mg/L activated charcoal.Direct shoot initiation took place from stem node explants after 12 days; 4–5 shoots per node were produced in 30 days. Shoot clumps elongated and grew further on MS media supplemented with 2 mg/L BAP, 0.2 mg/L NAA and additives, which generated 20–23 shoots. The elongated shoots induced tap roots with 4 mg/L NAA and200 mg/L activated charcoal in 12 days. In vitro raised plants produced secondary roots when transferred to pots containing vermiculite maintained at 28–35 ℃. The plantlets successfully acclimatised in pots containing soil in natural conditions.

Induced Polyploidy via Colchicine Treatment Increases Flower Size and Fruit Weight in Cape Gooseberry(Physalis peruviana L.)

An induced polyploid plant through colchicine treatment offers probably the best scope for improvement in flower size and fruit weight.Thus,in the present study,an attempt was made to induce polyploidy in Cape gooseberry using colchicine with the objective of creating more genetic variability.The colchicine concentrations were used as 0.10%(C1),0.20%(C2)and 0.40%(C3)for the duration 12(H1),24(H2)and 36(H3)hours for each concentration with seedling apex dip method(M1),cotton plug method(M2)and lanolin paste method(M3).The plants treated with 0.10%of colchicine by cotton plug method for 12 h showed the better performance during the years 2017-2018 and 2018-2019 in respect of more delay in the flower bud emergence(54 d and 53 d from the date of transplanting),anthesis(19 d and 20 d from the first appearance of bud to full anthesis of flower)and fruit setting(8.00 d and 9.00 d from the date of anthesis),bigger flower size(2.93 cm2 and 3.00 cm2)than the untreated plants.The lower percentage of pollen viability(40.33%and 40.67%)was noticed in the same treatment in comparison to control(70.33%and 72.33%).The fruit maturity was also extended(59 d and 60 d from the date of fruit set)with bigger sized fruits(length:2.53 cm and 2.57 cm,breadth:2.27 cm and 2.33 cm)as well as more fruit weight(8.70 g and 8.33 g)by the application of colchicine at 0.10%with cotton plug method for 12 h.On the basis of results obtained,the application of colchicine at 0.10%for 12 h duration with cotton plug method was found to be the best and effective treatment for induction of polyploidy as well as more flower size and fruit weight in Cape gooseberry.

Driving Cycle for Motorcycle Using Micro-Simulation Model

Driving cycle of vehicle has been used in emission estimation and fuel consumption study. Existing method of data collection using car chasing technique is expensive. The technique using micro simulation approach is cheaper and fast to derive the driving cycle. In this paper a traffic simulation model Driving Cycle Micro-Simulation Model for Motorcycle has been developed. The issue of lateral and longitudinal movement aspect in motorcycle driving has been examined in the model. Parameters to cover such movement have been built in the model and applied on a stretch in Edinburgh city of Scotland. Results from model have been both calibrated and validated. The results show that Driving Cycle Micro-Simulation Model for Motorcycle gives better representation of driving cycle and it can be used to understand the effect of driving modes on emission for better understanding of vehicular emission control.