Azra Nahaid Kamili

Aconitum heterophyllum is a rare perennial herb from Kashmir Himalayas. Due to its threatened status and dependence on its environment, the plant was examined for any potential endophytes, which is of utmost importance for bioprospection. In the current study, endophytic fungal diversity associated with A. heterophyllum was examined, and 328 fungal isolates were found in the plant’s leaf, stem, and root tissues. Twelve (12) endophytic fungal species were identified utilizing, molecular analysis of the nuclear ribosomal DNA Internal Transcribes Spacer (ITS), rLSU, and rSSU sequences. Maximum likelihood analysis was used to determine the phylogenetic connection between each isolate. The genera Arthrinium, Chaetomium, Purpureocillium, Alternaria, Penicillium, Aspergillus, Cladosporium, and Bjerkandera species dominated the ascomycete and basidiomycete fungal endophytes.

Early blight is the most devastating disease in tomato which causes huge yield losses across the globe. Hence, development of specific, efficient and ecofriendly tools are required to increase the disease resistance in tomato plants. Here, we systematically investigate the defensive role and priming effect of silicon (Si) in tomato plants under control and infected conditions. Based on the results, Si-treated tomato plants showed improved resistance to Alternaria solani as there was delay in symptoms and reduced disease severity than non-Si-treated plants. To further examine the Si-mediated molecular priming in tomato plants, expression profiling of defense-related genes like PR1, PR2, WRKYII, PR3, LOXD and JERF3 was studied in control, Si-supplemented, A. solani-inoculated and Si + A. solani-inoculated plants. Interestingly, Si significantly increased the expression of jasmonic acid (JA) marker genes (PR3, LOXD and JERF3) than salicylic acid (SA) marker genes (PR1, PR2 and WRKYII). However, Si + A. solani-inoculated plants showed higher expression levels of defence genes except WRKYII than A. solani-inoculated or Si-treated plants. Furthermore, pre-supplementation of Si to A. solani-infected tomato plants showed increased activity of antioxidant enzymes viz. superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), glutathione reductase (GR) and peroxidase (POD) than control, Si-treated and A. solani-inoculated plants. Altogether, present study highlights the defensive role of Si in tomato plants in response to A. solani by increasing not only the transcript levels of defense signature genes, but also the activity of antioxidant enzymes.

Althaea rosea, commonly known as Hollyhock is an ornamental and medicinal plant. A. rosea has been reported to contain highest amount of tannins, carbohydrates, cyanide and mucilage. The purpose of this study was to optimize conditions for multiplication of Althaea rosea using shoottip explants. Varying concentrations solo and in combinations of auxins and cytokinins were experimented. The development of micro-propagation protocol for this valuable medicinal plant can ensure continuous supply of the plant product for pharmaceutical and food industry. In this regard an efficient and reproducible micro-propagation protocol has been developed using Murashige and Skoog’s (MS) (1962) medium augmented with different phytohormonal combinations like BAP, NAA, IBA and IAA. Both direct and indirect multiplication was obtained using in vitro raised shoot tip explants. Maximum shoot number was obtained using combination of BAP and NAA and rooting of isolated shoots was obtained using IBA. 60% of the transplanted plantlets survived under laboratory conditions.