The present investigation was carried out to exploit bacterial endophytes associated with root and leaf tissue of rice plant for plant growth promotion (PGP) and colonization study in vitro. Total 10 endophytic bacterial isolates (Pseudomonas sp.) were evaluate for PGP traits like P solubilization, production of Indole acetic acid (IAA), siderophore, ACC deaminase, protease, cellulase, fluorescent pigment, urease and denitrification activity. Out of 10 endophytic bacteria 30 %, 60 %, 20 %, 70 %, 10 % and 10 % were positive for siderophore, protease, cellulase, fluorescent pigment, urease and denitrification respectively. Maximum IAA production was recorded with isolate LRBLE7 (18.8 μgml-1) followed by LRBRE4 (16.0 μgml-1) and maximum P-solubilization was recorded with isolate LRBRE4 (5.8 mg 100 ml-1) followed by LRBLE7 (4.4 mg 100 ml-1). ACC deaminase production was recorded with isolate LRBLE6 (O.D=0.352 nm) followed by LRBRE5 (O.D=0.324nm). Three potential isolates (LRBRE4, LRBRE6 and LRBLE7) were selected on the basis of multiple PGP traits and were subjected to colonization study of rice seedling in vitro. Potential bacterial isolates can be exploited for improving growth and productivity in rice under sustainable management system.

Bacteria that colonize plant tissues other than rhizobia and are beneficial for plant growth referred to non rhizobial plant growth-promoting endophytic bacteria (PGPEB). This study was designed to assay the biocontrol activity of plant growth promoting endophytic bacterial isolates those found positive for P. solubilization, ACC deaminase, Indole acetic acid and Gibberelic acid production. These bacterial isolates were obtained from chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) tissues (roots and nodules).  In a previous study a total of 263 non rhizobial endophytic bacterial isolates were isolated. Out of 263 isolates, 64.5% and 34.5% were Gram positive and negative, respectively. Further for biochemical characterization, catalase, oxidase, citrate utilization, nitrate reduction, methyl red and Voges Proskauer’s tests, were performed. On the basis of P solubilization, ACC deaminase, Indole acetic acid and Gibberelic acid production 75 potential isolates were selected and screened for their biocontrol activity viz. (production of cell wall degrading enzymes, production of HCN and fluorescent pigment). Out of 75 isolates, only 29 isolates produced cellulase, 64 isolates were able to produce protease and 28 were positive for both cellulose and protease. Of 75 endophytic isolates 12 isolates (7 from root tissue and 5 from nodules tissue, respectively) were positive for HCN production and 16 isolates were found to be fluorescent pigment producer under µv ligh. As chemical fertilizers and pesticides have detrimental effects on the environment. So these bacterial endophytic isolates will be used not only as a biofertilizer because of their plant growth promotional activities but also used as an alternative of synthetic chemicals for control of several plant diseases.

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The present experiment is a pilot study designed to know the effect of Agnihotra and Tryambakam homa ash on tomato plant (Solenum lycopersicum L.) grown under pot conditions. Agnihotra and Tryambakam homa were performed with chanting of sanskrit mantras. Agnihotra was performed during sunrise and sunset and tryambakam homa was at any time of day and ashes were collected separately from both the homas. These ashes were mixed with coco peat, red soil and cow dung separately and this mixture was filled in pots. Ten days old seedlings of tomato plant were transplanted into the soil mixture and nitrogen, phosphate and potassium (NPK), jeevamruth and consortium were added. After 80 days, the plant growth parameters viz., shoot length, root length, total length, number of leaves, fresh root weight, fresh shoot weight, total weight, dry shoot weight, dry root weight and total dry weight were studied. Most of the parameters showed statistically significant (P>0.05) results however, shoot weight, total fresh weight and dry weights had no significant values. This pilot study suggests that agnihotra and tryambakam homa ash may be a good strategy of organic farming for sustainable agriculture.

Fetal liver hematopoietic stem cells because of their proliferative potential have been considered appropriate for management of aplastic anemia. Bone marrow recovery was possible in some cases; engraftment potential of these cells however, was unsatisfactory, possibly due to the availability of smaller number of these cells from a single fetus. Present study was undertaken to see if fetal liver hematopoietic stem cells could be expanded in vitro. Mononuclear cells were isolated and hematopoietic stem cells were identified and analyzed by cell surface marker CD34. CD34+ cells were separated by magnetic cell sorting positive selection method using flow cytometry. Hematopoietic stem cells (CD34+) were cultured by using 5 cytokines, stem cell factor, granulocyte macrophages-colony stimulating factor, interlukin-6, Fms-related tyrosine kinase 3 and erythropoietin, in 4 different combinations along with supplements, in serum free culture media for 21 days. Cell viability continued to be greater than 90% throughout 21 days of culture. The cells expanded best in combination of media, supplements and 4 cytokines, namely SCF, Flt-3, IL6 and Epo to yield large number of total (CD34+ & CD34-) cells. Even though the total number of nucleated cells increased in culture significantly, levels of CD34 antigen expression declined steadily over this period.