The effect of arsenate with or without phosphate on the growth and metabolism in rice seedlings cv. MTU1010 was studied. In the test, cv. arsenic was more toxic for root growth, than for shoot growth, where root hairs were fewer and short, roots were characteristically stubby, brittle and root tips gradually turned brown. Arsenic caused damage to the root epidermal cells and aerenchymatous cortex. The level of total chlorophyll, chlorophyll-a, chlorophyll-b and fluorescence intensity were decreased in arsenic treated rice seedlings. Arsenic toxicity affected the activities of different antioxidant scavenging enzymes in the test seedlings. Activities of superoxide dismutase and ascorbic acid oxidase were increased, whereas catalase and catechol peroxidase activities were decreased by arsenic application. In these seedlings, the oxidative stress has been observed with arsenic treatments and the level of proline, H 2 O 2 and malondialdehyde contents were increased. Joint application of phosphate with arsenic showed significant alterations on all parameters tested under the purview of arsenic treatment alone leading to better growth and metabolism in rice seedlings. Thus the use of phosphorus enriched fertilizers in arsenic contaminated soil may improve the production of healthy rice plants.

The effect of arsenate with or without phosphate on the growth and sugar metabolism in rice seedlings cv. MTU 1010 was studied. Arsenate was found to be more toxic for root growth than shoot growth and water content of the seedlings gradually decreased with increasing concentrations. Arsenate exposure at 20 μM and 100 μM resulted in an increase in reducing sugar content and decrease in non-reducing sugar content. There was a small increase in starch content, the activity of starch phosphorylase was increased but α-amylase activity was found to be decreased. Arsenate toxicity also affected the activities of different carbohydrate metabolizing enzymes. The activities of sucrose degrading enzymes viz., acid invertase and sucrose synthase were increased whereas, the activity of sucrose synthesizing enzyme, viz. sucrose phosphate synthase declined. The combined application of arsenate with phosphate exhibited significant alterations of all the parameters tested under the purview of arsenate treatment alone which was congenial to better growth and efficient sugar metabolism in rice seedlings. Thus, the use of phosphorus enriched fertilizers may serve to ensure the production of healthy rice plants in arsenic contaminated soils. Arsenic is found as inorganic form in ground water. Two forms of inorganic arsenic viz., arsenite (Na 2 HAsO 3 )[As(III)] and arsenate (Na 3 AsO 4 )[As(V)] are interconvertable depending on the redox condition of the soil (Rochette et al.,1998) with arsenite dominating in flooded paddy soil.

Mahua (Madhuca indica syn Bassia latifolia) flowers have great potential as an alternative source of food in many parts of the world. However, the nutrient content of the flower deteriorates during postharvest storage, and hence, the true value of this natural product is not fully realized. To evaluate the extent of deterioration, collected flowers were stored using two methods in this investigation; first, under normally practiced conditions, labelled as normally practiced samples (NPS), i.e., the practice adopted by the flower's collectors, and second, oven dried, powdered with liquid nitrogen, and preserved in deep freezer at 0C (±1C) in different small airtight sterilized vials labelled as laboratory processed samples (LPS). In both samples, soluble, reducing and nonreducing sugars, amino acids, proteins, lipids, ascorbic acid and ash contents were quantified every month for 1 year. LPS showed no change in biochemical constituents throughout the year and NPS were distinct for deterioration of the tested components. PRACTICAL APPLICATION Alarming population growth in last few decades has led to food scarcity, starvation, poverty and malnutrition in many parts of the world. However, if stored under proper conditions, the seasonal flowers of Mahua can be used as a food supplement throughout the year. Due to high sugar content it can be exploited and used as a good source of alcoholic beverage next to the sugar cane for the purpose. The feasibility of the improved storage measures, if implemented successfully by primary collectors, could have a positive impact on collectors' finances and the perennial problem of hunger and malnutrition.