Applied Botany

Cassia fistula Linn. Belongs to family Leguminosae, Sub – family Caesalpineae, a very common Indian plant is known for its medicinal properties. C. fistula is known to be an important source of secondary metabolites notably phenolic compounds like tannins, flavonoids and glycosides. Pharmacological activities include antibacterial, antidiabetic, antifertility, anti-inflammatory antioxidant, hypatoprotective, antitumor, antifungal activities. This article provides glimpses on morphology, traditional uses and its phytochemical and pharmacological activities.

Cola is a tropical tree crop that belongs to the family Sterculiaceae. Phostocin is a preservative chemical used by farmers to store Cola nitida nuts which is considered unsafe to human health when consumed. Fresh C. nitida nuts of different weights (1-10g, 11-20g and above 21g) and colours (pink, red and white) were obtained from Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria, Ibadan Oyo State. The Nuts were cured for 12weeks with botanicals. These Nuts were oven dried at 700C for 2 days, ground into powder for phytochemical and enzymatic analysis. Data were subjected to Analysis of variance. The leaf of T. grandis had highest values in alkaloid (4.76 g/100g), flavonoid (0.41 g/100g) and theobromine (0.004g/100g) while M. paradisiaca recorded the lowest values for phytochemical analyzed. Cola nitida nuts recorded the highest values in tannin (3.49g/100g), saponin (3.45g/100g), flavonoid (2.46g/100g), anthraquinone (5.19g/100g), caffeine (4.29g/100g) and polyphenol (1.65g/100g) when preserved with T. grandis and the least was obtained for phostocin in red C. nitida nut above 21g. Also, red C. nitida nut above 21g preserved with T. grandis recorded the highest values in catalase (0.154 mg/NaBO3.4H2O/min/g protein), cellulase (0.125 mg/glucose/min/g protein), total amylase (0.141 mg/glucose/min/g protein) and proteinase (0.121 mg/tyrosine/min/g protein) and lowest values obtained in phostocin. Decreased in enzymes activities and phytochemical content were observed in different colours as the number of weeks increases. In conclusion, the use of botanicals as a preservative material to cure kola nuts is better and safe for consumption than phostocin which the farmers are currently using.

Cassava is a staple food in the world and in the Democratic Republic of Congo. A severe cassava epidemic would have long-lasting consequences for the population, which would probably result in malnutrition, reduced work performance, and possible migration to unaffected areas. This situation could be considered a disaster. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the severity of MAM and the bimonthly harvest on the leaf yield of ten cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) cultivars in Gbadolite, North Ubangi Province, Democratic Republic of Congo. The experimental design used was that of randomized complete blocks with 3 replications and 10 treatments, or 10 clones. Leaf yields in tons per hectare were 5.2 for cultivar Amuma; 4.1 for cultivars Mado and Moyindo; 3.9 for cultivar TME 419 or Obama; 3.8 for cultivar Nganza; 3.1 for cultivar RAV; 2.9 for cultivars Badiya and Dabeke; 2.7 for cultivar Khadafi and 2.0 for cultivar Yasegumba. MAM infection levels were in the range of 1 for cultivars Amuma and Dabeke; 2 for cultivars Moyindo, TME 419, and RAV; 3 for cultivar Yasegumba; and 4 for cultivars Badiya, Khadafi, Mado or Madame, and Nganza. The one-way analysis of variance and Duncan's test at the 5% probability level showed a significant difference. Tukey's post hoc test grouped cultivars according to the level of MAM infection. These results certify the level of severity of this virus in this province; for this reason, it is advisable to consider the control of this virus by popularizing resistant varieties and adequate cultivation techniques related to it.

Potato is cultivated in plain and hilly area of eastern zone of Nepal and adjoining area of India. It is an important ingredient of vegetables- boiled, fried and spicy used in daily diet. Potato is grown a little in eastern zone against the demand and mostly imported from India. Potato requires a wide range of soil- sandy loams, slit loams, loams and peat. The tuber is rich in starch. The varieties of potato such as Kufri Red, Kufri Sinduri have been developed in Central Potato Research Institute, Simla. The survey of potato cultivation was completed on Date 15/03/2022 at Devanganj, Sunsari district of Province no 1. Some branches of potato were suffering from leaf roll disease by the pathogen Potato leaf roll virus (PLRV). Polero Virus transmitted by green peach aphid Myzus persicae. Severity of the disease was 4-8%. Identification of the potato leaf roll virus was according to Mehrotra (1980)21, Gibbs (1969)9, Gibbs & Harison (1976)12, Gibbs, et al. (1966)10, Nagaich, et al. (1972)22 Lowff & Tournier (1966)19, Smith (1929)32, Smith (1957)33, Widely (1971)36, Pandey (2018)25, Rangaswami (1994)28 & Singh (1968)31.

In present study oilseeds were collected from different parts of Marathwada region and screened on different media for the incidence of different fungal species. Thirty fungal species were found to be associated with oilseeds. A study was also conducted to determine the antifungal activity of essential oils and gums of some medicinal plants against storage fungi. Eucalyptus oil and gum of Terminalia arjuna, Acacia Arabica and Butea monosperma inhibited the growth of storage fungi.

Seed dressing with latex of Calotropis procera with oil seed cakes of neem/margosa (Azadirachta indica), castor (Ricinum communis), mustard (Brassica compestris), rocket salad/duan (Eruca sativa) were found to be highly effective in reducing the multiplication of nematodes and eventually increased growth and bulk density of woody stem of pigeonpea. The multiplication rate of nematodes was less in presence latex seed dressing. Damage caused by the nematodes was further reduced when seed dressing was along with oil-cakes.

25 Plants of Ocimum sanctum & O.americanum were collected from the pots containing Rosa Sinensis, Aloe vera, Lathyrus odoratus & the xerophytic opuntia plants respectively on Date 4/11/2020 of which 8 plants of Ocimum sp. kept in the pots & 17 plants of studied morphologically having Symptoms - leaf spots (while on yellow or brown or black), leaf notch, Curling of leaves on either nodal region as apex of stem, dwarfism in leaves, dwarfism in the size of the host plants of Ocimum sanctum & o.americanum. The anatomical study confirmed the pathogen on Date 19-11-2020 at 1-2.15 P.M. in the laboratory of Dept. of Botany, M.M.A.M. campus, Beratnagar, T. U, Nepal & disease causing pathogen is Alternania sp. as described by Hughes (1953), Tubaki (1958), subramanium (1962-1965).

The use of medicinal herbs to treat disease is almost universal among non industrialized societies and is often more affordable than purchasing expensive modern pharmaceuticals. Most of the countries all over the world still rely on traditional medicines for their primary health care’s with the knowledge passed by the ancients. The current study is aimed to make aware about the presence of certain bioactive compounds in plants which attribute them medicinal values & can provide alternative pathway for the replacement of synthetic drugs. With the help of literature reviews mentioning the importance of medicinal plants in socio-cultural, spiritual and health care of rural peoples of the world, a well known medicinal herb-Tridax Procumbens L. commonly known as tridax daisy is studied with the analysis of phytochemicals like alkaloids, tannins, steroids, flavanols, diterpenes, coumarins, anthocynins, amino acids, syringic acid, phenol, saponin, polysaccharides, pectins, hemicellulse etc - biologically active chemical compounds having disease preventative or protective properties and their general health effects.

Dwarf varieties of Helianthus annuus, Tagetes erecta, T.Patula and other plants belonging to Asteraceae are cultivated as ornamental garden plants in Nepal and India. Leaf spots and blight, downy mildew, mycoflora of floral parts, collar rot, Necrosis, charcoal rot and other of Asteraceae already reported. Leaf spots caused by the pathogen Albugo spp. bring 12% loss in productively. Akoijam & chandel (2010), Bhatia et.al (2005), Biga(1955), chander (2003), Dube (1985), chavhan et.al (2008), kumar & Dewivedi (1981), Kulkarni et.al (2007), Lakhmod et.al (2007&2007), Mayee & Datur (1986), Pandey & Tewari (2017), Singh et.al (1999), Kulkarni et.al(2007), Singh et.al (1999), Singh (1980) , Sinha (2011), Suryawanshi et.al (2015) & Thirumalachar et.al (1949) have well studied Asteraceae and possible pathogens in their own ways.

FUSARIUM WILT is a common disease exploded in the Eastern region , central region and western region of forests of Nepal as well as in the Himalayan and Sub Himalayan region of India and other Asian countries . 6-8 % loss is estimated in the previously reported, MISHRA (2016) especially eastern zone of Nepal and adjoining area of Bihar, while PAVITRA et. al (2018) reported molecular investigation of genes expression analysis in to contrasting genotypes of banana during FUSARIUM WILT ( Foc1) infection .