Indian Journal of Biology

 High temperature during post-anthesis period has been found to decrease the yield and the yield attributing characters of Wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.). While, High yield is correlated with low soil temperature between shoot elongation and beginning of heading. The increased carbon dioxide concentration is helpful in simulating the development of tiller buds. Carbon dioxide enriched wheat produced about twice the dry matter of control plants. Tillers and earhead numbers is also increased by carbon dioxide enrichment irrespective of N supply. Agroforestry can provide suitable microclimatic conditions for growth and development of wheat and also help to mitigate the hot weather and dry wind effects which are injurious to wheat plant at grain filling. Grain filling is not greatly affected by short shading period but increasing the length of period of shading brought about an accelerating yield reduction. The crop is most sensitive to shading at the time of rapid ear growth.

Keyworde: Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.); Modified Thermal Environment; Agroforestry; Climate Change.

 Goat is a multipurpose animal and it is capable of producing meat, milk and hide. Nadia has a good number of Black Bengal goat populations, which has a vital role in the lives of local goat rearers in Nadia. The intention of the present study is to find out the effects of altering seasons on blood elements in Black Bengal goat (Capra aegagrus hircus) in Nadia district of West Bengal. The highest mean value of temperature (ºC) has been reported during the month of April and May in the pre-monsoon. The lowest mean value of temperature (ºC) has been reported during the month of December and January in the post-monsoon season. The parameter studied here are concentration of Hb, RBC count, PCV, MCV, MCH and MCHC. Data has been analyzed for the effect of seasonal variation among both the bucks and does. The present findings imply that seasonal variation plays the major role to influence the erythrocytic indices.

Keywords: Black Bengal Goats; Erythrocytes; Pre-Monsoon; Post-Monsoon; Nadia.

 A study of the haematological profile of two common resident heron species of Chilika wetland(Asia), namely black crowned night heron and grey heron was undertaken during their wintering period to record the baseline data on haematology of these two species in the region. Significant differences were noted in blood parameters like haemoglobin concentration, total WBC count, PCV, thrombocyte count and MCHC between the two heron groups. However, no significant variation was noticed in parameters like total RBC, MCV, MCH and differential leucocyte count. It was observed that the night heron showed higher values for most of the parameters in comparison to grey heron.

Keywords: Ardeidae; Haemogram; Leucogram; Wading Birds.

 29 species of aquatic insects have been recorded from a weed infested man made wetland near Tamluk Station. Hemiptera was numerically the most abundant group comprising 39% of the total aquatic insects followed by Coleoptera (36%) and Odonata 25%. Hemiptera and Odonata were represented by 10 species each while Coleopteran was represented by 9 species. Of these only one coleopteran species, Canthydrus latitabilis was found to be dominant. The water body under investigation was considered moderately polluted. On the basis of Diversity index, Evenness value and Dominance value indicated the equitability and heterogeneity of the aquatic system. While Coleoptera and Odonata exhibited a peak in July and May respectively but no distinct peak could be seen for Hemiptera. Correlation between the abiotic factors and insect species revealed that abiotic factors had some regulatory effects on aquatic insect population.

Key words: Aquatic Insects; Aquatic Ecosystem; Biodiversity.

 The PGPR have been divided into two groups based on their involvements in (i) nutrient cycling and phytostimulation, and (ii) the biocontrol of plant pathogens. A total of 72 rhizobacterial isolates belonging to genera Bacillus,Pseudomonas and Rhizobium were isolated from Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) rhizospheric soils collected from various locations of Kanpur region, India. These rhizobacterial isolates were characterized biochemically and screened for their PGP (plant growth promoting) activities in vitro. Plant growth promoting traits screened with the test rhizobacteria included production of indole acetic acid (IAA), ammonia (NH3 ), hydrogen cyanide (HCN), siderophore and catalase. All test isolates turned positive for catalase production. The rhizobacterial isolates of Pseudomonas spp. (100%), Bacillus spp. (100%) and Rhizobium spp. (67%) produced IAA. Production of ammonia (NH3 ) was commonly detected in the rhizobacterial isolates of Bacillus (100%), Pseudomonas (85%) and Rhizobium (70%). Bacillus Spp. sample KNP-7 showed high level of tolerance to the multiple heavy metals tested whileas tolerance to heavy metals was observed less frequently in Rhizobium spp. sample KNP-36 and KNP-5. Rhizobacteria tolerant to multiple heavy metals and exhibiting a couple of PGP traits in the present study hold promise as effective PGPR with wheat and/or other compatible crops.

Keywords: Ammonia; HCN; Heavy Metal Tolerance; Indole Acetic Acid; Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria; Siderophore; Triticum aestivum L. 

 Hair, an accessory part of the body is important for overall appeal of the body. Ailments related with hair and scalp is chronic dermatological condition, for which several chemical based products are available in the market but with adverse side effects. In the present study a polyherbal hair oil fortified with milk of indigenous cow was developed, standardized using physico-chemical parameters such as Refractive index, weight per ml, iodine value, acid value, peroxide value, saponification value and HPTLC. Efficacy of Hair Oil was carried out by repeated open application test - (ROAT) on adult human volunteers for four weeks to determine if the Hair oil is efficient in controlling Dandruff and itching of scalp and thus improving overall hair quality in human subjects. Parameters used for efficacy with respect to Hair were dryness, roughness and texture of hair and with that of Scalp were dandruff and itching of scalp. At the end of the fourth week, more than 80% participants got Excellent results for quality of hair and scalp. Based on the results obtained from the Study, it can be concluded that use of polyherbal hair oil fortified with cow milk produces an evident clinical improvement in hair and scalp ailments. The product is suitable for micro industries.

Keywords: Hair; Scalp; Polyherbal; Oil. 

 The growth and enzyme production in microorganisms need optimum physical (temperature, pH, and aeration) and chemical (carbon, nitrogen and mineral ions) environment which have critical role in determining growth behaviour and biochemical production in cultured microorganisms. The present study aimed to investigate effect of different concentrations of organic nitrogen sources i.e. peptone, tryptone, soytone, beef extract, malt extract and yeast extract (0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5% w/V) and inorganic nitrogen sources i.e. NaNO3 , KNO3 , (NH4 ) 2 SO4 , NH4Cl and (NH4 ) 2HPO4 (0.1, 0.25, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5% w/V) on growth and amylase (EC 3.2.1.1, 1, 4-á-D-glucanglucanohydrolase) enzyme production from Bacillus licheniformis JAR-26. Among the tested nitrogen sources, organic sources proved superior over inorganic sources and malt extract proved best for amylase production (maximum at 1.5%, 4.427 U/ml of medium) with growth/OD of 1.766 and bacteria could utilize 98.4% of the available sugar in the medium. Yeast extract was second suitable organic source for enzyme production (maximum enzyme production at 2%, 4.314 U/ml) and Growth/OD of 1.650, and bacteria could utilize 97.1% of total sugar in the medium. Soytone proved poorest organic nitrogen source for amylase production and growth of bacteria with maximum enzyme yield of 3.08 Uml-1 at 2.0% and growth/OD of 0.95 at 2%. Among the five inorganic nitrogen sources, none was found suitable for amylase production by B. licheniformis JAR-26.

Keywords: Amylase; Submerged Fermentation; Bacillus licheniformis JAR-26; Nitrogen Source

 Silver nanoparticle synthesis needs reduction. Seeds of plant are known to exude reducing agent during imbibition. Combining these two ideas we synthesize novel red coloured colloidal silver nanoparticle without destroying the Vigna mungo seeds. Rather than going with the general idea that green method will produce less toxic nanoparticle, we evaluate the toxicity in germinating seeds and RAW cell line along with antimicrobial and chemotaxis test. The result suggests that silver nanoparticles are antibacterial positive without chemotactic property. The cytotoxicity against RAW 246.7 murine macrophage cell linewas found high. Phytotoxicity was also found potent in case of Vigna mungo (dicot) and Oryza sativa (monocot) seed with respect to inhibition of germination.

Keywords: Silver Nanoparticle; Vigna Mungo; Toxicity; Antibacterial; Chemotaxis.

 Dandruff is a common embarrassing scalp disorder, affecting a large population.For the treatment of dandruff, shampoos containing imidazole derivatives and other chemicals are available but due to certain limitations such as poor clinical efficacy, compliance issues, side effects andinability to prevent recurrence, the people are attracted towards herbal products.Worldwide attraction and attention towardsherbal products for health care, health foods and natural cosmetic products including hair care formulations has increased. In the present work cow urine based polyherbal hair conditioner was developed as the medicinal properties of cow urine and herbs have been well described in ancient Indian medical science, Ayurveda and modern researchers have also reported their medicinal importance. Hair conditioner was formulated using coarse powder of Sapindustrifoliatus, Acacia concinna, mixture of Emblicaofficinalis, Terminaliachebula (retz.) and Terminaliabelerica in equal proportion, camphor, thymol and urine from indigenous cow. The developed formulation and available marketed products were compared for organoleptic characters such as pH, percent solids contents, dirt dispersion, detergency ability, ease of rinsing, luster of hair, foaming ability and stability. Evaluation of developed formulation for in-vitro antidandruff activity along with accelerated stability study was also carried out and presented.

Keywords: Cow Urine; Hair Conditioner; Candidaalbicans

 D. indica fruit juice based SNP synthesis has been carried out using previously established method. The SNP were characterized using UV-Vis, furrier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The CSNP were found to be antimicrobial and chemotactic positive. The cytotoxicity against RAW 246.7 (murine macrophage) cell line is found to be moderate at 10% (v/v) of CSNP in culture medium. Moderate toxicity has been observed against Vigna radiata Linn. seed and Oryza sativa (variety Ranjit) seeds. NaBH4 alone and NaBH4 based CSNP is found to be promoting germination of plant seeds.

Keywords: Siver Nanoparticle; Dillenia Indica; Antibacterial; Cytotoxicity; Phytotoxicity.

 The present study is undertaken to find out the distribution of fresh water fishes naturally occurring in Muntjibpur pond of Allahabad. The survey was centralised mainly on distribution and diversity of fishes and conducted during a period of one year from Jan 2014 to Dec 2014. A total of 11 species of fishes belonging to 10 genera, 7 families and 4 orders were identified as result of preliminary survey. This was the first ever systematic survey on the fish diversity of this pond. Siluriformes were found most dominant order represented by 5 genera followed by Cypriniformes with 3 genera.

Keywords: Preliminary Survey; Fish Biodiversity; Fish Fauna; Muntjibpur Pond; Conservation.

 Chandaka- Damapada sanctuary is situated 20 km from the center of temple city of Bhubaneswar. Chandaka forest got the status of sanctuary by the Government of Odisha in 1982. It was established to provide inviolate refuge for elephant with a view to minimize their depredation. The aim was for overall protection of forest ecosystem, particularly for providing a safe heaven for resident elephants. It is a dense forest covering an area of 193.39 sq. kilometres where elephants roam freely. The sanctuary is abutting both Cuttack and Khordha district. Deras, Jhumka and Kumar Khunti are reservoir surrounded by forest hillocks. Flora is moderately diverse with intimate mixture of evergreen and deciduous forests. According to the Geological Survey of India (GSI), it was found that 37 species of mammals, 167 species of birds, 13 species of amphibians and 33 species of reptiles are present but due to some anthropogenic activities the life of wild animals are in danger. In Chandaka, elephant is a flagship species. According to 2012 census, the member of elephants was 24 but in 2015, it was found surprisingly declined to 8. The major causes of declining number of elephant in Chandaka are the scarcity of foodand water sources, human settlement in forest area, urban development, construction of road, noise pollution, and corridor destructions. For this reason elephants are forced to come out from their original habitat and migrate towards connected forest to Nayagarh, Ganjam and Athagarh. Sometimes elephant also are entering nearby town, destroy the crop damages the house and kill the human beings. Conservation and protection of this key stone species in Chandaka is essential. Conservation priorities for this endangered species includerevival of the corridors, conservation of forests, maintenance of habitat and social development along with avoidance of noise and light.

Keywords: Elephant; Key Stone Species; Conservation; Chandaka.