Consumption of bamboo species with high level of total cyanogenic content (TCC) in Asia by many ethnic groups is significantly associated with food poisoning and occasionally Konzo (a neurological disorder). Adequate characterization of edible bamboo species with low level of TCC and high nutritious attributes is required for consumer's safety as well as for the conservation of the gene pool. Here, we employed morphological descriptors, atomic absorption spectrophotometer, RAPD, and trnL-F intergenic spacer to characterize 15 indigenous edible bamboo species of north-east India. The study indicates that morphologically and genetically evolved edible bamboo species having large and robust bamboo-shoot texture and growing at low altitude contain high level of TCC, low antioxidant properties, and low levels of beneficial macronutrients and micronutrients. Importantly, Dendrocalamus species are shown to be rich in TCC irrespective of the growing altitude while Bambusa species are found to have moderate level of TCC. The findings clearly demonstrated that Chimonobambusa callosa growing at high altitude represents safe edible bamboo species with nutritious attributes.

The rich wealth of Citrus genetic resources makes India to enjoy a remarkable position in the “Citrus belt of the world”. We have developed CIBMAN, a unique database on Citrus biodiversity of Manipur which comprises 33 accessions collected through extensive survey for more than three years. CIBMAN provides integrated access to Citrus species through sophisticated web interface which has following capabilities a) morphological details, b) socio-economic details, c) taxonomic details and d) geographical distribution. Morphological variability among Citrus accessions is due to variance in their genome which contributes to diverse agronomical traits and diverse bioactive compounds of high value. This diverse gene pool can be potential source for genetic improvement of existing cultivars and rootstocks. Systematic collection, characterization and conservation of the underutilized or lesser exploited varieties is required for incorporating in breeding program and conserve the germplasm from ever going on genetic erosion. This database will be useful for scientific validations and updating of traditional wisdom in bioprospecting aspects especially industrialization of Citrus found in the state. Further, the features will be suited for detailed investigation on potential medicinal and edible Citrus that make CIBMAN a powerful tool for sustainable management.Availabilityhttp://ibsd.gov.in/cibman

This paper reports the characterisation of a naturally occurring Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) infection, causing mosaic, leaf distortion and stunting of periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus). The virus isolate showed wide host range, biophysical properties similar to CMV, isometric particles of 28 nm, capsid protein of 26 kDa, serological reaction with CMV-S and non-persistent transmission by aphids. The CP gene of the virus was amplified using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) with CP-specific primers, cloned and sequenced (657 bp). Sequence analysis of the PCR product with other CMV isolates revealed the closest identity with Rauvolfia serpentina isolate of CMV (98%) and the phylogram revealed that CMV naturally infecting periwinkle belongs to subgroup IB. Catharanthus roseus, commonly known as periwinkle (Fig. 1), is a tropical perennial herb of the family Apocyanaceae. It is cosmopolitan in distribution and cultivated in Madagascar, India, Israel and USA (Stearn 1975). The species contains a large variety of alkaloids (Svoboda and Blake 1975) and some of them are of importance mainly for their anti-cancer (vincristine and vinblastine) medicinal values. Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV, genus: Cucumovirus, family: Bromoviridae) is one of the most widespread plant viruses in the world with an extensive host range infecting~1000 species including cereals, fruits, vegetables, ornamentals, medicinal and aromatic plants (Roossinck 1999). More than 75 species of aphids can transmit CMV in a non-persistent manner (Palukaitis et al. 1992). CMV was first reported in Cucumis sativus from the USA (Prince 1934). In India, the occurrence of Fig. 1. Healthy plants of periwinkle (C. roseus).

This paper reports the characterization of naturally occurring rhizobacteria from NE India for the control of wilt and damping-off diseases in French beans. French bean (<i>Phaseolus vulgaris</i> L.) is one of the most important food legumes for direct human consumption which was originated from South and Central America. In NE India wilt and damping-off in beans are serious diseases which are mainly caused by <i>Fusarium spp</i> and <i>Rhizoctonia solani</i>. Out of 625 bacterial isolates obtained from French bean growing fields of Manipur, 15 potential isolates were selected, whose inhibition zone width were more than 15 mm. Strain IBSD-LKBI exhibited strong antagonistic activity and can inhibit both the pathogens. Besides, this strain also produced extracellular hydrolytic enzymes (protease, chitinase, <i>β</i>-1, 3-glucanase), secondary metabolites (Siderophore, HCN). It also produces plant growth promoting hormone (IAA) and can solubilize organic phosphate. <i>Burkholderia cepacia</i> IBSD-LKBI exhibited the highest plant growth promotion and BCA. After 60 days of treatment, plant height, root length, fresh weight and % of disease suppression were significantly (P < 0.05) higher than in control plants. Productions of secondary metabolites were detected using gene specific primer. This bacterium was phenotypically characterized and sequence data of 16S rDNA revealed the closest identity with <i>Burkholderia cepacia</i> (98%). Multiple sequence alignment & phylogram with closely related sequence accessions using MEGA Software revealed this naturally occurring biocontrol bacteria belongs to <i>Burkholderia cepacia</i> complex genomovar I based on the Biolog identification system with 16S rDNA gene sequence analysis. This organism is one of the new reports from NE India for the control of wilt and damping-off diseases in French beans

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