Seed coat permeability and its inheritance in a forage lupin (Lupinus hispanicus)
SummaryThe species Lupinus hispanicus, throught its use as self-seeding forage, can contribute to solve the problem of forage scarcity during the summer in the livestock farming of the central-west Iberian Peninsula. A feature of the highest importance in achieving self-seeding is the seed-coat permeability. An evaluation of this characteristic has been carried out in a Lupinus hispanicus collection from Salamanca (Spain), its inheritance, and the influence of daily temperature fluctuations on the ‘softening’ of the seeds. All the lines but one had impermeable seeds. It was established that the permeability of the seeds is controlled by the genotype of the mother-plant and the inheritance of this characteristic follows a simple Mendelian model, the permeability being recessive. It was also observed that seeds subjected to daily temperature fluctuations had an increased level of permeability.
The production and life span of seed of subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.)
At an elevation of 2040 ft on the southern tablelands of Kew South Wales, seed production by swards of subterranean clover was apparently governed by mininnnn temperatures (frequency and intensity of frosts) during the flowering period. The aggregate deficit of the daily minimum temperature below 40°F in the 21 days from the commencement of flowering showed a high correlation with seed production per unit area in four successive seasons. Spring frosts account for the altitudinal limit of about 4000 ft to which subterranean clover grows in the alps of south-eastern Australia. Lateness of flowering has specific survival value at high altitudes in this region and in such areas as the high parts of the plateau of Spain. On the average 92 per cent. of the seed crop germinated in the year following its production, with 6.3 per cent. in the second year, and with falling values to 0.07 per cent. in the fifth year. Germination thereafter was nil or negligible. The early-flowering variety Dwalganup appeared to show a genetic difference in the persistence of more of its seed into the second and subsequent years. There was a regular seasonal pattern of seed germination, with the peak of germination occurring in the late summer and autumn. The "carry over" of seed into the second and subsequent years, and the germination peak in the autumn, have each considerable ecological significance.
Antimicrobial activity in pulp extract of Neem(Azadirachta indica Linn.)
Antimicrobialactivityin leaf extract of neem ( Azadirachta indica ) against human pathogenic bacteria. E.coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa , Salmonella typhimurium, Bacillus pumilus. Antimicrobia l activities of alcoholic extracts of neem leaves were used. Varying concent ration of each extracts 200mg/ml, 150 mg/ ml,100mg/ml, 50mg/ml, 25mg/ml prepared by using disc diffusion method. When compared with gentamycin 200mg and gentamycin 10mg, the methanol and ethanol extract shows maximum inhibition on Bacillus pumillus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureusin an asending order.