In vitro conservation and sustained production of breadfruit (Artocarpus altilis, Moraceae): modern technologies for a traditional tropical crop

Breadfruit (Artocarpus altilis, Moraceae) is a traditionally cultivated, high-energy, high-yield crop, but widespread use of the plant for food is limited by poor quality and poor storage properties of the fruit. A unique field genebank of breadfruit species and cultivars exists at the National Tropical Botanical Garden in the Hawaiian Islands and is an important global resource for conservation and sustainable use of breadfruit. However, this plant collection could be damaged by a random natural disaster such as a hurricane. We have developed a highly efficient in vitro plant propagation system to maintain, conserve, mass propagate, and distribute elite varieties of this important tree species. Mature axillary shoot buds were collected from three different cultivars of breadfruit and proliferated using a cytokinin-supplemented medium. The multiple shoots were maintained as stock cultures and repeatedly used to develop whole plants after root differentiation on a basal or an auxin-containing medium. The plantlets were successfully grown under greenhouse conditions and were reused to initiate additional shoot cultures for sustained production of plants. Flow cytometry was used to determine the nuclear deoxyribonucleic acid content and the ploidy status of the in vitro grown population. The efficacy of the micropropagation protocols developed in this study represents a significant advancement in the conservation and sustained mass propagation of breadfruit germplasm in a controlled environment free from contamination.     

Crop damage and livestock depredation by wildlife: a case study from Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve,India

The success of conserving biological resources in any Biosphere Reserve or protected area depends on the extent of support and positive attitudes and perceptions of local people have towards such establishments. Ignoring the dependence of the local people for their subsistence needs on resources of such areas leads to conflicts between protected area managers and the local inhabitants. Crop yield losses and livestock depredation were serious problems observed in most buffer zone villages of Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve. In the present study 10 villages situated in the buffer zone of Nanada Devi Biosphere Reserve (1612 km2 area) in Chamoli district of Uttaranchal, India were studied during 1996-97 using a questionnaire survey of each household (419 = households; 2253 = total population in 1991; 273 ha = cultivated area). Estimates of crop yield losses were made using paired plots technique in four representative villages for each crop species. The magnitude of crop yield losses varied significantly with the distance of agricultural field from forest boundary. The total crop yield losses were high for wheat and potato in all the villages. The spatial distribution of total crop yield losses in any village indicated that they were highest in the area near to forest and least in the area near to village for all crops. Losses from areas near to forest contributed to more than 50% of total losses for each crop in all villages. However, in Lata, Peng and Tolma villages, the losses are high for kidney bean and chemmi (local variety of kidney bean) which varied between 18.5% to 30% of total losses in those villages. Potato alone represents 43.6% of total crop yield loss due to wildlife in Dronagiri village in monetary terms. Among the crops, the monetary value of yield losses are least for amaranth and highest for kidney bean. The projected total value of crop yield losses due to wildlife damage for buffer zone villages located in Garhwal Himalaya is about Rs. 538,620 (US$ 15,389). Besides food grains, horticultural crops i.e. apple, also suffered maximum damage. Major wildlife agents responsible for crop damage were wild boar, bear, porcupine, monkey, musk deer and partridge (chokor). Monkey and wild boar alone accounted for about 50% to 60% of total crop damage in the study villages. Goat and sheep are the major livestock killed by leopard. The total value of livestock losses at prevailing market rates is about Rs. 1,024,520 (US$ 29,272) in the study villages. Due to existing conservation policies and laxity in implementation of preventive measures, the problems for local inhabitants are increasing. Potential solutions discussed emphasize the need to undertake suitable and appropriate protective measures to minimize the crop losses. Change in cropping and crop composition, particularly cultivation of medicinal plants (high value low volume crops), were also suggested. Besides, fair and quick disbursement of compensation for crop loss and livestock killing need to be adopted. Local people of the buffer zone area already have a negative attitude towards park/reserve establishment due to socio-political changes inducing major economic losses and this attitude may lead to clashes and confrontations if proper ameliorative measures are not taken immediately.     

Bioconcentration and metabolism of DDT, fenitrothion and chlorpyrifos by the blue-green algae Anabaena sp. and Aulosira fertilissima

Anabaena and Aulosira fertilissima showed a marked ability to accumulate DDT, fenitrothion and chlorpyrifos. Although the maximum accumulation of DDT was almost the same in both organisms, there were significant differences in their abilities to accumulate fenitrothion and chlorpyrifos. Patterns of uptake of DDT under different treatments were also similar in both Anabaena and Aulosira, but there were significant differences in the patterns of accumulation of fenitrothion between these two organisms. In Aulosira the maximum accumulation of fenitrothion was observed on the second day, whereas, in Anabaena, maximum accumulation was noticed on the first day. A completely different pattern of accumulation of chlorpyrifos was observed in Aulosira, which continued to accumulate chlorpyrifos throughout the experimental period. Bioconcentration of DDT in Anabaena and Aulosira ranged from 3 to 1568 ppm (microg g(-1)) and 6 to 1429 ppm, respectively. Bioconcentration of fenitrothion and chlorpyrifos in Anabaena varied from 53 to 3467 ppm and 7 to 6779 ppm, respectively. In Aulosira the bioconcentration varied from 100 to 6651 ppm and 53 to 3971 ppm for fenitrothion and chlorpyrifos, respectively. Anabaena and Aulosira metabolised DDT to DDD and DDE. Amounts of these DDT metabolites detected in the organisms were dependent on the concentration of treatment. DDD was the major, and DDE the minor, metabolite. These organisms were not able to metabolise the organophosphorus insecticides, fenitrothion and chlorpyrifos.     

Assessment of mechanical,durability and microstructural properties of geopolymer concrete containing ceramic tile waste

Journal of Material Cycles and Waste Management - The amount of ceramic waste being generated is increasing day by day, and ceramic waste management is one of the most challenging issues for many...     

A review on morphology,nanostructure, chemical composition,and number concentration of diesel particulate emissions

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Particulate matter (PM) emitted from compression ignition (CI) engines (diesel engines) has a detrimental effect on human health and the environment....     

Mechanical,durability and microstructural assessment of geopolymer concrete incorporating fine granite waste powder

Journal of Material Cycles and Waste Management - This research investigation has mainly focused on the development of cementless concrete, i.e., geopolymer concrete, along with the reutilization...     

Solar cooking innovations,their appropriateness,and viability

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - The successful use of solar energy for cooking requires the systems adopted not only to have technical attributes that conveniently address specific...