Seed exomorphic characters of nine different species of Eragrostis were investigated by Light and Scanning electron microscopy. In the present study the micro-morphological characteristic features of caryopses such as shape, dimension, colour, epidermal cell surface structure and features of anticlinal and periclinal walls were examined. Light microscopy revealed that most of the studied caryopses varied in shape from obloid to ovoid. The caryopses in most of the species of Eragrostis are sticky in nature due to the presence of surface slime cells, which makes them appear shiny and transparent. This morphological feature was able to be observed under SEM but not light microscopy. The nine different species could be differentiated on the basis of shape and position of the hilum and embryo.

Alterations in precipitation are affecting forest ecosystems' soil carbon cycling. To understand how shifts in rainfall may alter these carbon pools, aboveground biomass (AGB), soil organic carbon (SOC), and microbial biomass carbon (MBC) of tropical forest covers were measured across a rainfall gradient (543-1590 mm) in Gujarat (India), a state falling under semi arid to tropical dry-wet conditions. Species diversity, tree density and soil texture were also measured. Field visits and data collection were carried out for 2 years (2009)(2010)(2011) in 95 plots of 250 · 250 m in the forest covers across four distinct rainfall zones (RFZs). Data analysis showed that differences seen in the values of the measured parameters across the RFZs are statistically significant (P < 0.05). Positive correlations were observed between mean annual precipitation (MAP) and tree density, species diversity, AGB, SOC, and MBC. Across the RFZs, AGB ranged between 0.09 and 168.28 Mg ha À1 ; SOC values (up to 25 cm soil depth) varied between 2.94 and 147.84 Mg ha À1 . Soil texture and MBC showed a significant impact on the dynamics of SOC in all the RFZs. MBC is more influenced by SOC rather than AGB. Both vegetation type and MAP have an important role in the regulation of SOC in tropical soils. Together, these results reveal complex carbon cycle responses are likely to occur in tropical soils under altered rainfall regimes.

Artemisinin is a sesquiterpene lactone found in Artemisia annua having many medicinal properties. Therefore the factors affecting trichome initiation are important. In the present study, several strategies have been adapted to increase artemisinin production by treating them with nutrients, hormones and elicitors. Abscisic acid, Gibberellic acid (GA3), a combination of GA3+IAA (Gibberellic acid+indole acetic acid), Chitosan, Methyl jasmonate, Acetyl salicylic acid, Lead acetate, sodium chloride, and Nanozime were sprayed on plant at regular intervals. The glandular trichomes of leaves from Artemisia annua (Asteraceae) were examined by light and scanning electron microscopy and the percentage artemisnin content was analyzed by HPTLC. Maximum artemisinin content % and trichome index (0.128) was found when methy jasmonate was applied and minimum artemisinin content % and trichome index was reported in NaCl & acetyl salicylic acid.

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Concerns over biodiversity loss and increasing biological invasion have forced interest on assessment of the effects on native plant species diversity in grassland community. To observe different patterns of grass emergence (dormancy/germination) in the warm tropical grasslands of India, time span of a seed from the seedling stage to a mature plant becomes very crucial for the community development. In the present study seed germination response of six dominant species of the selected study area were tested to record the various effects of dry storage conditions on seed germinability. The species selected were Apluda mutica L., Cenchrus ciliaris L., Chrysopogon fulvus (Spreng.) Chiov., Dichanthium annulatum (Forsk.) Stapf., Heteropogon contortus (L.) P. Beauv. ex Roem. and Schult. and Themeda triandra (R. Br.) Stapf. For this purpose, seed collection at mature seed stage, seed processing and dry seed storage were followed by the germination test system. Obtained results are exhibited in the form of different responses such as, species response patterns towards capacity for immediate germination, responses to dormancy, dry storage and temperature fluctuation. The extent of the requirement in breakage of primary dormancy was highly correlated with the timing of seed maturity, precursors of seed dormancy and seed viability. In present screening out of the six studied species Apluda mutica, Cenchrus ciliaris and Dichanthium annulatum showed dependable germination pattern to fluctuating temperature. The correlation between viability and germination suggests that the germination of Apluda mutica, Cenchrus ciliaris and Themeda triandra are linearly dependent on the viability that the seeds of these species have. As these species showed less influence with the relative fluctuating environment, they can be stored for longer period and frequently can be use for community regeneration in pasture development.