Synchronised regulation of disease resistance in primed finger millet plants against the blast disease.

Plants, being sessile, are exposed to an array of abiotic and biotic stresses. To adapt towards the changing environments, plants have evolved mechanisms that help in perceiving stress signals wherein phytohormones play a critical role. They have the ability to network enabling them to mediate defense responses.

In-silico analysis of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) Genome for WRKY transcription factors and cis-acting elements.

WRKY genes, comprises one among a large clan of transcription factor (TFs) genes in the plant kingdom, playing a fundamental role in the vegetative and reproductive growth, development and stress responses of a plant. In spite of several studies on cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.), WRKY genes and their interaction with stress response is limited.

Indole acetic acid production by fluorescent Pseudomonas spp. from the rhizosphere of Plectranthus amboinicus (Lour.) Spreng. and their variation in extragenic repetitive DNA sequences.

Fluorescent Pseudomonas (FP) is a heterogenous group of growth promoting rhizobacteria that regulate plant growth by releasing secondary metabolic compounds viz., indole acetic acid (IAA), siderophores, ammonia and hydrogen cyanide. In the present study, IAA producing FPs from the rhizosphere of Plectranthus amboinicus were characterized morphologically, biochemically and at the molecular level.

Isolation and characterization of fluorescent pseudomonads and their effect on plant growth promotion.

Seven isolates of fluorescent pseudomonads were evaluated for their effect on plant growth promoting traits, both under normal and saline conditions using tomato plants. Fifteen rhizosphere samples from crop fields' of rice, chilly, ragi, beans and garden soils from different regions of India were collected and used for further study. They were characterized morphologically and biochemically which led to a conclusion that they may belong to genus Pseudomonas.

Production and characterization of alpha-amylase from Aspergillus niger JGI 24 isolated in Bangalore.

Five fungal isolates were screened for the production of alpha-amylase using both solid-state and submerged fermentations. The best amylase producer among them, Aspergillus niger JGI 24, was selected for enzyme production by solid-state fermentation (SSF) on wheat bran. Different carbon and nitrogen supplements were used to enhance enzyme production and maximum amount of enzyme was obtained when SSF was carried out with soluble starch and beef extract (1% each) as supplements.