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M. Sc. Dissertations

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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Effect of salinity on growth, yield and biochemical constituents of German chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla Linn.)
    (CCSHAU, 2007) Deepika; Varshey, U.K.
    German chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla Linn.), an annual herb of varied medicinal value belonging to the family Asteraceae is in cultivation in Russia, Germany and France. It is now being experimentally cultivated in India in the states of Himanchal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra. The flowers of German chamomile accumulate blue essential oil, which is medicinally very important. It enriches the blood and relieves all kinds of pain. It also has aphrodisiac, diuretic, carminative, analgesic properties. In the present research investigation, growth, yield and biochemical constituents of German chamomile were studied under the influence of soil salinity viz. chloride dominated and sulphate dominated salinity. Plants were raised by sowing seeds in polythene bags each containing 6 Kg of screened and washed dune sand, in a screen house at varying EC levels viz. 0 (control), 4,8,12 and 16 dSm-1 of chloride dominated [Cl:SO4 2- (7:3); Na:Ca+Mg (1:1); Ca:Mg (1:3)] and sulphate dominated salinity [SO4 2-:Cl (7:3); Na:Ca+Mg (1:1); Ca+Mg (1:3)]. Results of the present experimental study revealed that the establishment, growth and yield of German chamomile are adversely affected by the build up of salinity in the growing medium. Chloride and sulphate dominated salinities influenced the various growth and yield parameters differently. The parameters such as plant height, number of leaves/plant, root volume, leaf dry weight/plant, stem & branches dry weight/plant, root dry weight/plant, flower heads fresh weight, flower heads dry weights, number of flower heads and oil yield all suffered a decline with the increasing EC levels of the growing medium. Sulphate dominated salinity was found more depressive than chloride dominated salinity with regard to above mentioned parameters except seedling establishment, root volume and stem & branches dry weight which remained indifferent to the two salinity types. Experimental findings evinced not only substantial delay in flower initiation but also an early maturity of German chamomile under salinity stress. The sulphate dominated salinity in general, superseeded the chloride dominated salinity in causing more delay in the flower initiation. The response of the two salinity types however, was indifferent in influencing the maturity date. Significant decline in number of flower heads/plant and the fresh weight as well as dry weight of flower heads/plant occurred with the progressive increase of salinity levels in the growing medium. The sulphate dominated salinity in this regard was found more depressive than chloride dominated salinity The biochemical constituents such as TSC (Total Soluble Carbohydrates) and proline were estimated in leaves of German chamomile grown under various salinity treatments. The results revealed the accumulation of both the above metabolites in the leaf cells with the successive increase of EC levels, at the vegetative as well as at the flowering stages. The accumulation of TSC as well as proline under osmotic stress is ascribed to osmotic adjustment in plants as these help to bring down the osmotic potential of the cell sap, enabling the uptake of water in cells. Under salt stress both these organic osmotica were found to increase from vegetative to flowering stage and their accumulation was relatively higher under sulphate dominated salinity as compared to chloride dominated salinity. The results demonstrated that inspite of better osmotic adjustment under sulphate dominated salinity treatments, the sulphate ions were more deleterious to the plants as compared to chloride ions. Chlorophyll ‘a’, Chlorophyll ‘b’ and total chlorophyll contents all declined in the leaves of plants with the increase of salinity at the vegetative and flowering stages. The Chl ‘b’ however, remained more or less stable with the progressive increase of salinity level. Chloride was found more reducing than sulphate salinity as far as Chl ‘a’ and total chlorophyll is concerned. The two salinity types however, were indifferent to Chl ‘b’. The Chl ‘a’ has been observed to breakdown more rapidly than Chl ‘b’ in presence of salts indicating the unstability of Chl ‘a’ and better stability of Chl ‘b’ under such growing conditions. Effective reduction in oil content of air-dried flowers was found at EC levels beyond 8 dSm-1. The reduction in oil content (per cent) was higher under sulphate dominated salinity as compared to chloride dominated salinity. The oil yield (g/pot) from fresh flowers was found to be inversely related to salinity level in the growing medium. From experimental results, German chamomile appears to be highly salt tolerant medicinal herb as its plants survived and reproduced at the highest salinity level (16 dSm-1) used irrespective of the salinity types. This herb can, therefore, be grown in crop fields or wastelands affected by salts.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Studies on salinity tolerance in clusterbean [Cyamopsis tetragonoloba (L.) Taub.] genotypes
    (CCSHAU, 2010) Suraj Kala; Goyal, S.C.
    The present investigation was aimed to find out the salinity tolerant genotype of clusterbean [Cyamopsis tetragonoloba (L.) Taub.] using various physiological parameters and to detect the polypeptide pattern of radicle and plumule of tolerant genotype. Thirteen genotypes of guar (HG-75, HFG-119, HG-182, HG-258, FS-277, HG-365. HG-563, HG-867, HG-870, HG-884, HG-2-20, PNB, HG-2-30) were grown in Petri plates containing five salinity levels viz. 0 (control), 4, 8, 12 and 16 dSm-1. Results revealed that progressive increase of salinity levels not only decreased the imbibition rate at 2 and 12 h of imbibition but also declined the per cent seed germination as well as the speed of germination (maguire index). Effective reduction in seed germination was detected in genotype HG-258 at higher (16 dSm-1) level of salinity. However, genotype HG-2-20 showed 100 per cent germination at all the levels of salinity. A progressive increase in salinity levels caused the decrease in plumule length, vigour index, dry weight and relative water content of radicle as well as plumule while on the other hand radicle length and dry weight of cotyledonary leaf was enhenced. The maximum enhancement in radicle length and cotyledonary leaf dry weight was observed in genotype HG-258 and HG-2-20 respectively at higher level of salinity over control. An accumulation of metabolites such as proline and total soluble sugar (TSS) in the radicle and plumule of all the guar genotypes observed with increasing salinity levels. Accumulation of proline content in radicle and plumule was maximum in genotype HG-563 and HG-2-30 respectively at higher level (16 dSm-1) of salinity. Highest accumulation of TSS in radicle and plumule was found in genotype FS-277 and PNB respectively at higher level (16 dSm-1) of salinity over control. Sodium content of radicle as well as plumule of all the genotypes of guar increased with increasing salinity level; increase being found to highest in radicle of genotype HG-365 and plumule of genotype HG-75. Potassium content of radicle as well as plumule showed decreasing trend with increasing salinity levels. K+/Na+ ratio of radicle and plumule also decreased with increasing salinity level; decrease being highest in radicle of genotype HG-870 and plumule of genotype HFG-119. On the basis of the observations taken in the score-card i.e. germination and early seedling growth, it was found that genotype HG-884 was tolerant to salinity. SDS-PAGE of radicle and plumule of genotype HG-884 showed new band of 29.86, 72.46, 79.45 and 60.96, 79.45, 92.28 kDa respectively at all the levels of salinity.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Morphophysiological responses of senna (Cassia angustifolia vahl.) to salinity
    (CCSHAU, 2010) Suman Bala; Varshney, U.K.
    Senna (Cassia angustifolia Vahl.) is a perennial, under shrub of varied medicinal value belonging to family caesalpiniaceae. It is commercially cultivated in Tamilnadu and its leaves and pods are medicinally important. In the present investigation germination, growth, reproductive yield and biochemical responses of Senna were studied under the influence of soil salinity viz. chloride dominated and sulphate dominated salinity. Two experiment were planned to achieve objectives of present study. In the first experiment seed were germianted in petridishes at varying EC levels viz. 0, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26 and 28 dSm-1 of Cl- dominated and SO42- dominated salinity. Results revealed that the progressive increase of EC levels not only inhibited the seed germination but also declined the speed of germination. Both salinity types proved deleterious to Senna seedlings as they decreased the seedling length, vigour index, fresh & dry weight and relative water content of seedling. Sulphate dominated salinity was found most detrimental to seedlings than chloride dominated salinity In the second experiment plants were raised by sowing seeds in dune sand filled polythene bags, in a screen house at varying EC levels viz. 0, 4,8,12 and 16 dSm-1 of Cl- dominated and SO42- dominated salinity along with nutrients. Results revealed a significant reduction in growth attributes such plant height, number of leaves per plant, leaf dry weight and stem and branches dry weight per plant at vegetative, maximum flowering and pod maturity stages with the build up of salinity in the growing medium. Relatively higher reductions were noticed under SO42- dominated salinity. Both root volume and root dry weight per plant significantly declined with the increase of salinity at the vegetative, maximum flowering stages. There was more declined under sulphate dominated salinity. A slight promotion in these growth attributes, however, was observed at the pod maturity stage upto 8 dSm-1 EC level of sulphate dominated salinity. Root/shoot ratio was found to increase with the of salinity at the vegetative and pod maturity stages. Increase of root /shoot ratio was more prominent under sulphate dominated salinity indicating that shoot growth was more adversely affected by sulphate dominated salinity as compared to chloride dominated salinity. Both the flower initiation and pod maturity were observed to be delayed by increase of salinity in the growing medium. The delay in flower initiation was relatively more under sulphate dominated salinity. Build up of salinity irrespective of salinity type, in the growing medium was found deleterious to reporudctive yield attributes such as number of pods per plant, pod dry weight per plant, number of seeds per pod, 100-seed weight and seed yield per plant. Significant changes in various biochemicals were also recorded. Accumulation of both total soluble carbohydrates and proline was recorded with the increase of salinity. Relatively higher accumulation of proline was observed under SO42- dominated salinity. The results demonstrated that inspite of better osmotic adjustment under sulphate dominated salinity treatments, the sulphate ions were more deleterious to the plants as compared to chloride ions. Chl “a”, chl “b” and total chlorophyll contents undergone more reduction under sulphate dominated salinity. Na+,Cl- and SO42- increased while K+ decreased with increasing EC levels.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Effects of chloride and sulphate dominated salinities on growth and yield of lemongrass [Cymbopogon flexuosus (Nees ex Steud) Wats.]
    (CCSHAU, 2011) Sapna Kumari; Varshney, U.K.
    Lemongrass [Cymbopogon flexuosus (Nees ex Steud) Wats.] is a perennial grass belonging to family poaceae. It is commercially cultivated in Kerala, Assam, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh. The shoot of the plant bears an essential oil having typical lemon like odour. The oil is used in manufacture of vitamin A and several other preparations. The present research investigation was undertaken to enrich scientific database regarding the productive potential and economic yield of the medicinal and aromatic plant, lemongrass. The experiment was conducted to study the effects of chloride and sulphate dominated salinities on morpho-physiology, net primary productivity, herb yield and oil content of lemongrass. The plants were raised by rooted slips in dune sand filled polythene bags, in a screen house at varying EC levels viz. 0 (control), 4,8,12 and 16 dSm-1 of Cl- dominated and SO4 2- dominated salinity along with nutrients. The results revealed a significant reduction in growth attributes such as plant height, number of leaves per plant and number of tillers per plant at the two growth stages i.e. 60 DAT and 120 DAT, with the build up of salinity in the growing medium. Relatively higher reductions were noticed under Cldominated salinity. Senescent leaves (%) per plant, however, increased with the increasing EC levels. Senescence of leaves was found higher under chloride dominated salinity. SLA and LAR did not show any significant changes with the type and increasing EC levels of salinity. NAR and RGR, however, declined under the influence of salinity. Reduction in RGR was found higher under chloride dominated salinity. Root and shoot fresh weights as well as dry weights, also, declined with increasing salinity at both the stages. Cl- salinity proved more deleterious to both shoot and root growth and declined herb yield at 120 DAT. Accumulation of proline in leaves was found under the influence of salinity. Relatively higher proline accumulation was found under chloride dominated salinity. Chl ‘a’, chl ‘b’ and total chlorophyll contents undergone more reduction under chloride dominated salinity. Oil content (%) (fresh weight basis) was more in salt stressed plants than control. However, progressive increase of salinity declined it. Results revealed that after an increase under low salinity level (4 dSm-1) the oil yield per plant declined with the progressive increase of EC levels, at 60 DAT. The decline in oil yield per plant, however, was quite evident right from 4 dSm-1 EC level, at 120 DAT. Oil yield per plant was found higher under sulphate dominated salinity. Na+,Cl- and SO4 2- increased while K+ decreased with increasing EC levels. Accumulation of Na+ and SO4 2- was more under sulphate dominated salinity while that of K+ and Cl- was higher under chloride dominated salinity.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Effect of salinity on morphophysiological characteristics of Dalbergia sissoo Roxb.
    (CCSHAU, 2015) Nisha; Varshney, U.K.
    The objectives of present investigation were to observe the effect of chloride-dominated salinity on morpho-physiological characteristics of Dalbergia sissoo saplings and to study the protein profile by SDS-PAGE in control versus saline treated leaf. Two experiments were conducted in the screen house on one year old Dalbergia sissoo saplings subjected to nutrient supplemented chloride dominated salinity treatments at 4 EC level viz., 0 (control), 4, 8, and 12dSm-1. The first experiment was conducted with an objective to study the effect of chloride-dominated salinity on some morphophysiological characteristics of Dalbergia sissoo saplings. The study revealed the deleterious effects of salinity on plant height, stem, leaf and root dry mass, root length and root volume. All these parameters suffered a significant reduction with progressive increase of EC level in the growth medium. Chlorophyll content, starch and total leaf protein, RWC significantly reduced while accumulation of total soluble solids, total soluble sugar and proline in leaves was noticed with the rise of salinity in the growth medium. Membrane injury index of leaves drastically increased at 8 and 12dSm-1 EC levels as compared to the control due to membrane injury caused by toxic level of ions. Significant accumulation Na+, Cl- and SO4 2- and decline of K+ contents in leaves was quiet evident. In the second experiment protein profile by SDS-PAGE in control vs. saline treated plant leaves at the termination of experiment was studied. The study showed variation in the protein profile of leaves at different EC levels. Under 4dSm-1 EC level of salinity 3 new protein bands of molecular weight 12.5, 24.0 and 47.8 kDa were synthesized de novo and one protein band of 23.7 kDa was disappeared while under 8dSm-1 EC level, two new protein bands of molecular weight 16.3 and 17.0 kDa were de novo synthesis and one protein band 18.4 was disappeared. At 12dSm-1 EC level of salinity 2 new protein bands 21.2 and 28.1 kDa molecular weight were synthesized de novo while one protein band of molecular weight 28.6 disappeared. Salinity in general was found deleterious to Dalbergia sissoo saplings as there was a retarding effect on almost all the morphological, physiological and biochemical parameters studied. The saplings although survived at the highest level of salinity studied (12dSm-1) by osmotic adjustment and synthesis of salt induced proteins but an overall diminished growth indicated the salt sensitivity of the tree species.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Morpho-physiological study of Calendula officinalis L.under saline conditions
    (CCSHAU, 2013) Kusum Rani; Varshney, U.K.
    Calendula officinalis L. commonly known as pot marigold in English belongs to the family Asteraceae (Compositae). It is an important medicinal herb indigenous to central, eastern and southern Europe. It is cultivated commonly in North America, Eastern Europe, Germany and India for medicinal as well as ornamental purpose. The present investigation was undertaken to enrich the scientific database regarding the morpho-physiology of Calendula officinalis under non-saline field and saline conditions. Two experiments were planned. First experiment was performed to study the phenology, growth and reproductive behavior of Calendula officinalis under natural non-saline field conditions. Seeds were sown in the first week of December. Phenological study depict the vegetative growth up to March. Flowering (anthesis) initiated simultaneously in the month of February and continued till mid April. Fruiting and seed maturation also occurred simultaneously from mid April to early May. Death / senescence was observed from early May onwards. The overall growth of Calendula officinalis L. under field conditions was better than under pot conditions. All plant growth attributes viz., plant height (cm), basal stem diameter (mm), number of leaves plant-1, leaf biomass (g plant-1), stem and branches biomass (g plant-1), flowers and fruits biomass (g plant-1) and root biomass (g plant-1) studied in the present experiment were found to increase with the advancement of growth stage under field conditions. The root/ shoot ratio, however, decreased with the advancement of growth stage. The reproductive performance of Calendula officinalis L. in general, was better under field conditions as compared to pot culture. Reproductive behaviour was studied in terms of the number of flower heads plant-1, number of seeds head-1, seeds output (number plant-1), seed yield (g plant-1), germination of seeds produced and reproductive capacity in field conditions. The second experiment was performed to study the morpho-physiological attributed of Calendula officinalis under chloride dominated salinity. The plants were raised in sand filled polythene bags under varying EC levels viz., 0 (control), 4, 8 and 12 dSm-1 of nutrients supplemented chloride dominated salinity. Progressive increase of EC level from 0 to 12 dSm-1 caused a significant decline in growth parameters viz., plant height (cm), number of leaves plant-1, leaf biomass (g plant-1), stem and branches biomass (g plant-1), flowers and fruits biomass (g plant-1), root biomass (g plant-1) and root / shoot ratio. However, these parameters increased significantly with the advancement of growth stage (GS). Reproductive attributes such as number of flower heads plant-1, number of seeds head-1, seed output (number plant-1), seed yield (g plant-1), geminability of seeds produced and reproductive capacity suffered a reduction with the rise of salinity. Both days to flower initiation and days to maturity were increased with the progressive increase of EC level in the growth medium. Physiological parameters viz., chlorophyll -a (mg g-1 dw), chlorophyll -b (mg g-1 dw) and total chlorophyll content (mg g-1 dw) of leaves and carotenoid content (mg g-1 fw) of flower petals significantly decreased with the increase of salinity in the growing medium. Accumulation of proline (mg g-1 dw) and increase in relative stress injury (%) in the leaves was observed with the progressive increase of salinity. Enhancement of sodium and concomitant decline of the potassium content (mg g-1 dw) in leaves was found with the rise of EC level in growing medium. Accumulation of both chloride and sulphate was observed with the increase of salinity. The accumulation of chloride was relatively less in leaves at the maturity stage than sulphate.