Journal

The development of embryo sac of Disperis neilgherrensis Wight was studied. The ovule is anatropous, bitegmic and tenuinucellate, The inner integument alone forms the micropyle. The megaspore of a triad nearest to the chalaza develops into 8-nucleate ernbryo sac. Trhe mode of embryo sac development conforms to monosporic Polygonum and G1a type of Abe (1972b). The mature embryo sac contains an egg apparatus, two polar nuclei and three antipodal cells. Doulble fertilization occurs normally.

The paper reports the possibility of usiñg root segments for micropropagating Aerides multiflora. Mitra et al. (1976) medium with a combination of BA (2 mgl") and supplemented NAA (0.5 mgl1) favoured a callus and/or direct PLB generation in nearly 50% explants within 6 wks. The neoformations organogenated subsequently. Nearly 19 plantlets each with 3-4 leaves and 1-2 roots were produced within 30 wks from each responding explant. The plantlets were subjected to a two step (in vitro and ex vitro) hardening procedure and established with 80% Survival frequency.

A Drotocol for the micropropagation of Cymbidium seedlings iridioides D. Don, a highly collected orchid species of Nepal, has been developed. Complete were obtained from asymbiotically germinated seeds on Murashige and Skoog, 1962 (MS) medium solidified with 0.8% agar and Supplemented with 6- shoot tip explants Denzyalaminopurine (BAP) at 1 mg I' and a-Naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) at 1 mg in 8 wks of primary culture. The were obtained from in vitro grown seedling for the shoot multiplication. Maximum shoot multiplication was observed on shoot tip explants on MS media supplemented with BAP 0.5 mg (8.25 shoots per single shoot). Media supplemented with 1 mg indole-3-butyric acid (1BA) was the i1deal condition for root formation. Rooted plantlets were able to grow in ex vitro condition after a short period of acclimatization.

Odisha cleistantha S.Misra is a monotypic terrestrial orchid described from Odisha, Interesting variations observed in the structure of the flowers, especially in the plants collected from Koraput district of the state, has been discussed. The revised morphological description for this species along with the drawings for the biotypes from different regions of Odisha has been provided.

Please see the abstract form the published paper.

The paper deals with diversity, distribution pattern, phyto-associates and conservation of orchids at Bandli Wild Life Sanctuary (WLS), Himachal Pradesh, North West Himalaya. Vast altitudinal variation (750-2160m amsl) in this Protected Area (PA) has resulted in occurrence of 9 ground growing orchid species that are chiefly distributed between 1100-2000 m altitude. Habenaria with 4 species is the best represented genus and is followed by Herminium (2 species), and Epipactis, Gastrodia and Nervilia (1 species each). Majority of the orchids occupy either steep grassy slopes or narrow open hilltops with scattered trees and shrubby elements; only Habenaria marginata was recorded from a low altitude locality along the sides of a seasonal water channel. Collection of fuel wood and fodder, and grazing are main anthropogenic activities that might affect normal growth and regeneration of orchids in the sanctuary.

Infomation on taxon names, ie. names of genus and species, date of collection, altitude, loristic region, and habitat collected; and also habit on the data label of each orchid specimen in the National Herbarium (ETH) were recorded and analyzed. The study showed that orchid specimens comprise 1% of the total vascular plant collections in the herbarium. The trend of orchid collections shows variation in magnitude in the last fifty years of collection history. The number of specimens representing the generá and species are relatively proportional to the diversity of the taxa in orchid flora of the Ethiopia and Eritrea. Few of the genera (5 out of the 37 genera, 13.5%) and some of the species (13 Out of the 167 species, 7.8%) that occur in the fiora area have no herbarium record. Among the filoristic regions defined in the fora area: Upland Shewa (ca. 160). Welega (ca. 125), Kefa (ca. 106), and Sidamo (ca. 107) are relatively better collected and represented than the rest Afar and Ertrea East have no record for orchid specimen. The alttudinal distribution of specimens recorded is very wide ranging from 300 to above 3000 m. a. s.l. with maximum concentration (ca. 123) between 1800 to 2100 m. The majority of the collections are of the terestrial orchids (73.8%) inhabiting dry and wet habitats and the remaining ones are epiphytes of forests and woodlands. The specimens of endemic species are poorly represented; 28.6% of them are lacking records. This assessment highlights that collection of orchids from the flora area is not complete. Hence, more targeted collections and explorations to the species and regions have been suggested in order to better understand orchids in the ffora area. This work is expected to stimulate further taxonomic and conservation research of the orchids.

HABENARIA RHODOCHEILA HANCE- A NEW RECORD TO INDIA FROM MIZORAM

A new era of research is being devoted to decipher different roles of lectins, the carbohydrate-binding molecules of plant. Studies carried out in the last two decades demonstrate the processes such as specific capacity of lectins to recognize diverse sugar structures and mediate a variety of cell-cell and host-pathogen interactions, serum-glycoprotein turnover and innate immune responses. They also provide a basis tor a unique mode of classification of proteins in much wider aspects. Furthermore, the chemistry and biology of these proteins have been responsible tor providing greater insight into the understanding of their functions and their role in biological system. The extensive source or information necessitates a simultaneous analysis of all probable members of this group of proteins to develop a broader perspective or the functionalities as well as potential uses of these lectins with special reference to Orchids. This paper is an attempt in this direction.

MEGHALAYA, one of the seven states of North Eastern India is floristically very rich. Orchidaceae is represented by 352 species in 98 genera here. This paper lists and suggests some conservation measures for these species.

EFFECTS OF 6- BEZYLAMINOPURINE ON MULTIPLICATION OF PROTOCORM LIKE BODIES (PLBS) OF FOUR CYMBIDIUM HYBRIDS CULTURED IN VITRO

A Survey was conducted on diversity of orchids in different types of vegetations in Sringeri taluk during 2009-2010. A total of 62 species belonging to
31 genera were recorded, of which 53 were epiphytic and nine were terrestrial. Maximum numbers of orchid species were found belong iduous forest. Grasslands contribute 16 species of orchids belonging to 6 genera. Dendrobium arnd Habenaria are the largest in mojnresenting seven species. The Sarcanthus pauciflorus is the most abundant species (22.40), having highest SIV (60.53) and has gene onsity (14.00). The recorded orchid species in different forests showed Shannon diversity value, 2.19 and Simpson's species richnessn 18, The epiphy tic orchids belonging to 26 specIes within the transect ot dif ferent type of forests preferred 434 individuals of supporting trees as host plant belonging to 34 species of 22 families.

Pleione humilis var. amiti is recorded as a new variety from Darje eling district in West Bengal. It differs from Phumilis in pseudobulb and lip characters. This paper provide its discription, phenology and illustration for easy identification.

A COMPARATIVE STUDY ON THE EFFECT OF COCONUT WATER AND AMINO ACIDS ON IN VITRO SHOOT DEVELOPMENT OF DENDAOBIUM CULTIVARS

Please refer paper for abstract

VANDA THWAITESII HOOK. F ORCHIDACEAE - A FIRST RECORD FOR TAMIL NADU