Rhodotoruliosis: An Emerginag Opportunistic Mycosis of Humans and Animals

Rhodotoruliosis is an opportunistic emerging mycotic disease that affects both humans and animals. The source of infection is exogenous; and disease can occur in sporadic as well as epidemic form. The disease is caused by Rhodotorula, basidiomycetous yeast that lives as a saprophyte in the environment. Rhodotorula glutinis, R. mucilaginosa (R.rubra), and R. minuta are the most frequently encountered species of Rhodotorula. The species can be isolated from a wide range of sources in nature, including the soil, air, ocean, plants, dairy products, and the household environment. Fungemia, meningitis, ventriculitis, peritonitis, endocarditis, keratitis, endophtalmitis, hydrosalpinx, oral ulcer and lymphadenitis have all been linked to the fungus in humans. It causes skin infections in chicken, sea lion, and cat, lung infection in sheep, epididymitis in dog, and mastitis in cow and buffalo. The organism is an opportunist, taking advantage of immunosuppressive circumstances, indwelling devices, and antibiotic exposure. In order to confirm the diagnosis of rhodotoruliosis, laboratory assistance is required. The direct demonstration of Rhodotorula in the clinical specimens and its isolation in pure and luxuriant growth still considered the gold standard of diagnosis. Amphotericin B or one of its lipid formulations appears to be the medication of choice for treating the patient. The infection due to Rhodotorula especially in immunosuppressed individuals can be life threatening if the treatment is delayed. Prognosis of systemic disease in compromised subject may be grave. Early diagnosis is essential to start specific antifungal therapy of rhodotorulosiosis to prevent serious complications.

Yield Attributing Characters and Yield of Mungbean Crop as Affected by Phosphorus, PSB, and Vermicompost

Pulses cover a vast area of the Bundelkhand (UP) and Mungbean is prominent among the pulse crops and it is grown on a larger scale using local varieties entirely in dryland conditions and on residual soil moisture and fertility. In Bundelkhand, farmers grow the crops traditionally and without considering the scientific recommendations. Inorganic fertilizers (synthetic) are an important source of plant nutrients but their continuous and injudicious use posing health and environmental complications. Minimum use of inorganic sources of nutrients and rely on integrated nutrient management is the way to tackle the health and environmental issues due to imbalance and excessive use of inorganic nutrients. Phosphorus, PSB and vermicompost are found to play very important role in boosting the yield of legume crops. This research is, therefore, taken into account to evaluate the response of Mungbean crop to phosphorus, PSB, and vermicompost. The leguminous crops require more phosphorus as it is required for energy transformation in nodules. Phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB) is assumed to have greater significance because it helps to convert insoluble organic phosphates into simple and soluble forms. Vermicompost is a better and rich source of N, P, K, and micronutrients. Besides, containing a good proportion of exchangeable Ca, Mg, Na, etc., vermicompost enhances organic carbon to the soil and meagerly helps to release of nutrients and in turn uptake is improved. A field experiment was performed during Kharif season, 2019 at Agriculture Farm of Banda University of Agriculture and Technology Banda, Uttar Pradesh, India. Results of the study reveals that the basal applications of 75 kg DAP, 5 t Vermicompost (VC) ha-1 and seed treated by Phosphate Solubilizing Bacteria (PSB) led to a significant increase in yield attributing characters and yield and gave by 22.57% more yield advantage than the farmer’s practice. However, the application of higher doses of DAP with VC and PSB gave luxuriant growth to the crop rather than increased yield.

Community Structure of Migratory Waterbirds at Two Important Wintering Sites in a Sub-Himalayan Forest Tract in West Bengal, India

The waterbird community structures of two sub-Himalayan wetlands (Nararthali and Rasomati) situated in forested areas were compared during the wintering period. These wetlands had similar geophysical features but were subject to different conservation efforts. Sixty species of waterbirds, including four globally threatened species, were recorded during the study. Nararthali was found to be more densely inhabited (116.05±22.69 ind./ha) by birds than Rasomati (76.55±26.47 ind./ha). Density increased by 44.6% at Nararthali and by 59% at Rasomati over the years of the study, from 2008 to 2015. Winter visitors increased considerably at Nararthali (66.2%), while a 71.1% decrease at Rasomati clearly indicated degradation of habitat quality at that site during the later years. Luxuriant growth of Eichhornia crassipes, siltation, poor maintenance and unregulated tourist activities were the key factors leading to the rapid degradation of Rasomati. Nararthali, on the other hand, a well-managed wetland habitat, showed an increasing trend in bird densities. Therefore, poor habitat management and rapid habitat alterations were observed to be the main reasons for depletion of bird density in the wetlands of eastern sub-Himalayan forest regions.

Pollination ecology of Rhynchosia cana (Willd.) DC. (Fabaceae), an erect sub-shrub, in peninsular India

Rhynchosia cana is a perennial erect sub-shrub. It flowers during November-January with peak flowering in December. The flowers are hermaphroditic, nectariferous, self-compatible and display explosive pollination mechanism adapted for pollination by bees. They do not fruit through autonomous selfing, but rather through manipulated selfing, geitonogamy and xenogamy mediated principally by bees and occasionally by lycaenid butterflies. In the localities of this herb, weeds such as Hyptis suaveolens (Lamiaceae) and Chromolaena odorata (Asteraceae) show luxuriant growth and flower simultaneously, and their intense flowering and high flower density ensures that most flower-visiting insects visit their flowers. In this situation only two bee species, Nomia and Anthidium exhibited fidelity to R. cana flowers. Un-tripped flowers fall off while tripped ones set fruit. In open-pollinations, fruit set was 81% and seed set was 54%. Seed dispersal occurs by explosive pod dehiscence. Perennial root stock resurrects back to life and restarts its reproductive cycle during the rainy season. Seeds also germinate at the same time but their continued growth is subject to the availability of soil moisture content. This study suggests that R. cana is unable to compete with the co-flowering weed species for pollinators, and also has regeneration constraints due to nutrient-deficient rocky habitats with prolific growth of weeds.

Sclerotinia rot of rapeseed mustard: A comprehensive review

Indian mustard [Brassica juncea (L.) Czern & Coss.] is one of the major oilseed crops cultivated in India and around the world. It is extensively grown traditionally as a pure crop as well as intercrop (mixed crop) in marginal and sub-marginal soils in the eastern, northern and north western states of India. Cool and moist climate of winter months is the major factor for luxuriant growth and productivity of mustard in these states. Despite considerable increase in productivity and production, a wide gap exists between yield potential and yield realized at farmer’s field, which is largely due to biotic and abiotic stresses. The destructive diseases of rapeseed-mustard include those caused by fungi, bacteria, viruses and phytoplasma. Among them, Sclerotinia stem rot is the most serious fungal disease that causes maximum damage in Indian mustard. This paper reviews the research and development of Sclerotinia rot in rapeseed-mustard during the past years in relation to pathogen taxonomy, biology, epidemiology, disease cycle and management. The paper also attempts to present future outlook and strategy for Sclerotinia rot of rapeseed mustard research.

Flowering Calendar of the Macrophytes of Keibul Lamjao National Park, Loktak Lake, Manipur, India

<div><p><em>Flowering calendar of a particular area will give the information of the period and duration of flowering among plants. The purpose of the study is to investigate the presence of the habitat of some dominant macrophytes in Keibul Lamjao National Park (a Ramsar site) which have ethnobotanical relationships with human beings (the lake dwellers in particular and tourist in general) and wild animals. Flowering calendar of six study sites viz., Keibul, Nongmaikhong, Kumbi, Khordak, Sargam and Toyaching were studied and monthly flowering calendars were taken for two year period (2010 to 2011). Flowering calendars of the macrophytes were surveyed by following standard methodologies and comparison of the stages of flowering period of 6 study sites was incorporated. Maximum number of flowering plants (44) was recorded in Sargam, Khordak (32), Kumbi (30), Nongmaikhong (29) during the period September to November. Whereas, Toyaching reached 35, Keibul recorded lowest plant numbers (14) during the period June to August. Four plant species viz., Ageratum conyzoides, Alternanthera philoxeroides, Leersia hexandra and Hedychium coronarium were found throughout the year in all the 6 sites. From the findings, it can be concluded that flowering calendar will give the information of plants which are used as fodder for the wild animals like Sangai (Rucervus eldii eldii McClelland), an endangered deer species in this globe and ethnobotanically important plants of the lake dwellers as food, medicinal plants and allergens, thereby maintaining health status of man and animals. Conservation is required by controlling the human anthropogenic harassments, thereby maintaining the luxuriant growth of the seasonal and perennial, macrophytes observed during the study of flowering calendar, so as to maintain and conserve the natural flora and fauna of the park.</em></p></div>

Traditional Phytotheraphic Record of Orchids of Odisha and their Conservation Strategies

Odisha being the coastal state of Indian sub-continent records a rich medicinal plant diversity in general and orchids in particular. Since time immemorial, these important plant resources remains in a neglected state leading to an alarming situation in near future. Virgin forests of Odisha spreading in areas like Gandhmardan Hills, Niyamgiri Hills, Deomali Hills, Mahendragiri Hills and Similipal Biosphere Reserve hoards rich orchid diversity enduring luxuriant growth. Out of 137 species of Orchids recorded so far, Similipal area alone harbours about 94 orchid species possessing high aesthetic and medicinal value. Unfortunately, the medicinal importance of orchids of this region has drawn least attention from both the scientific fraternity as well as general populace compared to their role in horticulture field. Orchid species of Odisha like Acampe carinata (Griff.) Panigr., A. praemorsa (Roxb.) Blatt. & McCann, Geodorum recurvum (Roxb.) Alston, Habenaria marginata Coleb., Rhynchostylis retusa (L.) Bl. and Vanda testacea (Lindl.) Rchb.f. are used to cure rheumatism, arthritis, dysentery, asthma and snake bite etc. However, the medicinal potentialities of these orchids are not so well exploited though they possess immense curative values. Further, as the forests of Odisha are experiencing various anthropogenic as well as abiotic pressures, many of the orchid populations are fast shrinking leading to their mass depletion. Realizing this, the current communication highlights the importance of 26 medicinal orchids very often used by the tribal populace of Odisha to get relief from various ailments. Concurrently, some major conservational strategies have also been projected.

Isolation and Characterization of Petroleum Hydrocarbon Degrading Bacteria from the Bohai Sea, China

Fourteen petroleum hydrocarbon degrading bacteria strains were isolated from oil-contaminated site. Isolated strains were able use diesel oil as sole carbon and energy source. Bacterial strain HD1 was selected due to the luxuriant growth on oil agar. The oil degradation rate of strain HD1 was analyzed using UV-spectrometry-based methods. The result showed that the rate of diesel oil degradation of 75% was observed after 14days of cultivation.