Botany

Zinnia Plant: Introduction, Origin/history, Botany, Chemical constituents, Classification, Varieties, Diseases and Insect-Pests

There are stunning decorative plants of the genus Zinnia. The aesthetic and commercial worth will be greatly enhanced by the plant’s novel bloom hues. Like chrysanthemums or sunflowers, it is not well-known. Due to its ability to be purchased as a cut flower in many different countries’ flower marketplaces, Zinnia hybrids have been bred into an excessive number of cultivars. Historically speaking, zinnia is a widely grown decorative plant. Numerous breeding organisations have developed brand-new cultivars with a variety of appealing physical traits. The difficulty in classifying zinnia cultivars is because many of the defining characteristics, such as height, bloom size, and leaf form, are qualitative and are strongly influenced by the environment. Moreover, zinnia hybrids are multiplied by seedlings. Therefore, parent cross-breeding is used to create zinnia plant seeds. In that case, cultivar conservation is challenging. Additionally, one form of propagation technology called in vitro culture offers rapid observation of genetic diversity and plant multiplication. Because there is little information on zinnia cultured in vitro, the conditions needed for doing so were established.

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Ecological Pyramids: Definition, Types, Importance, Limitations, Bioenergy and Frequently Asked Questions

Bioenergy
Fuel that comes either directly or indirectly from biological sources is known as bioenergy. Trees, corn, rice hulls, peanut shells, sugar cane, grass clippings, leaves, manure, and municipal solid waste are examples of organic material that is used as a source of biomass energy. In underdeveloped nations, biomass energy from sources like wood, agricultural waste (also known as bagasse), and manure is still the predominant energy source. For instance, countless woodstoves are utilised in these areas to generate heat for cooking or heating buildings. The anticipated yearly global production of plant biomass is 2740 Quads (1 Quad = lOI6 BTUs), which is eight times the estimated annual global energy consumption of 340 Quads [I]. As a result, biomass is a sizable source of renewable energy. Biomass may provide a significant amount of the world’s energy through short-rotation forestry, improvements in harvesting and processing methods, and more efficient stoves and boilers. Economic gains are anticipated as biomass power technology [Z] and energy crops become more widely used and generate new employment, especially for rural communities.

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Probiotics: Introduction, Types, Characteristics, Mechanism of action, and Current Status of Probiotics in India

The term probiotic was derived from the Greek word, meaning for life. Kollath initially coined this term in 1953. Probiotics have been around for a very long time. Human ingestion of fermented milk is credited as the origin of the probiotic. Probiotics then gained popularity in animal nutrition. Even in the Vedic era, the importance of fermented milk in the human diet was understood. Microbiologists discovered in the late 19th century that the microflora in the gastrointestinal tracts of healthy people differed from that found in sick people. The pioneering work of Metchnikoff from the Pasteur Institute in the early 1900s can be credited with the initial detection of the beneficial role of these bacteria. To replace dangerous microorganisms with helpful ones, he advised giving these helpful bacteria a cold. Metchnikoff looked into the extraordinary number of Bulgarians who reach their 100th birthday. He claimed that a bacteria in the popular Bulgarian yoghurt was responsible for their good health and longevity, and he called the yoghurt-culturing microbe Lactobacillus Bulgaricus in honour of the Bulgarian people.

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Human Microbiome: Definition, Effect on Health, Examples, Human Microbiome Project, and Importance

The microbiome of an individual may affect their propensity to contract infectious diseases and play a role in chronic gastrointestinal conditions including Crohn’s disease and irritable bowel syndrome. The way a person reacts to pharmacological therapy is determined by certain assemblages of microorganisms. The mother’s microbiome may have an impact on her children’s health. Researchers who are analysing the human microbiome are finding new species and genes. Numerous combinations of microbe species have been related to specific human health issues in genetic studies that assess the relative abundance of diverse species in the human microbiome. A deeper comprehension of the variety of microbes found in the human microbiome may result in innovative treatments, such as growing more “good” bacteria to treat an infection brought on by “bad” bacteria. The HMP acts as a guide for figuring out how the microbiome affects immunity, disease, nutrition, and overall health.

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Plant Breeding: Definition, Experiments, Aims, varieties and steps in Plant breeding

Plant breeding is the practice of modifying a plant’s genetic composition to achieve desired traits. Genetic engineering, cross-breeding, and selective breeding are used to accomplish this. Plant breeders work to create plants with desirable characteristics, such as increased nutritional value, disease resistance, drought tolerance, or higher production.

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Indigofera tinctoria: History, Distribution, Habitat, Classification Characteristics, Phytochemical Constituents, and Medicinal uses

The plant Indigofera tinctoria is a member of the Fabaceae family, sometimes referred to as Neeli in Tamil and found all over India. The majority of the 700 species in this group are tropical natives. The shrub Indigofera tinctoria L., sometimes known as “indigo” or “Nili,” is an annual, biennial, or perennial that grows spontaneously throughout India and is hardly cultivated for commerce. The entire plant species and its parts have been used. The leaves and twigs generate a colourless precursor from which the blue dye indigo, used in the textile industry, is derived. The plant species is very significant since it contains vital phytochemical components in addition to producing dye and having therapeutic benefits. Indirubin and indigtone, found in leaf juice extracts, are crucial for treating hydrophobia. It also has anti-diabetic, anti-hepatoprotective, anti-hyperglycemic, antibacterial, anti-antioxidant, anti-cytotoxic, anti-epilective, antinociceptive, anthelminthic, antiproliferative, and anti-dyslipidemic effects, among others.

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Cyclamen persicum: Discovery, Classification, Origin, and Characteristics

Cyclamen persicum: Discovery, Classification, Origin, and Characteristics Introduction The prominent species of the genus Cyclamen L.,  including garden flowers and  indoor plants, are primarily  distributed in theEurope, the Mediterranean, Western Asia, and North Africa. Before its recent categorization as a  member of the  Primulaceae family, the seed stem’s  spiraling habit or the spherical corms could imply the  origin of the word “Cyclamen”the circle-denoting Greek term “kyklaminos.”All species of the genus  Cyclamen have several traits in common that can be used to identify them as one phylogenetic group. Their hypocotyls, for example,Their corolla lobes are noticeably reflexed, and they are swellingcoiling fruiting pedicels and an established tuberous rootThe Persian cyclamen, Cyclamen persicum,  is a type of blooming herbaceous perennial plant that emerges from a tuber and is found in rocky hillsides, shrubland, and woodland up to 1,200 m (3,900 ft) above sea level, from south-central Turkey to Lebanon-Syria and the Palestinian territories.Additionally, it can be seen growing in Algeria, Tunisia, and the Greek islands of Crete, Rhodes, and Karpathos, where it might have been brought by monks.This species’ cultivars include the frequently encountered florist’s cyclamen. Discovery The city of Bchamoun, which is situated on the western slopes of Mount Lebanon, is the site of the first discovery of the species Cyclamen persicum f. puniceum (Gleason) Grey-Wilson. Classification Kingdom:PlantaeOrder:EricalesFamily:PrimulaceaeGenus:CyclamenSpecies: C. persicumScientific name: Cyclamen persicum Habitat Perennial flowering herbaceous plant adapted to the extremely dry and hot summer climate of the Mediterranean, growing from a tuber that is dormant throughout the dry summer months. Naive to shrub land, rocky hillsides, shaded by pine trees (very shade tolerant), and occasionally in full sun, Cyclamen persicum f. puniceum grows naturally (the leaves get smaller). Origin From the Mediterranean to Iran, cyclamen grows wild in the middle east (Good, 1964). This species typically grows in thicket associations, such as Quercus thaburensis/Styrax officinalis or Salvietwn trilobae/Aliwn subluruitwn, on steep slopes (Zohary, 1962).On rare occasions, C. persicwn is observed growing lithophytically right into rocks with unusually high field capacities. Characteristics A perennial herbaceous plant with a height of around 32 cm (13 in), Cyclamen persicum.Heart-shaped, fleshy leaves on wild plants can grow up to 14 cm (6 in) in length and are typically green with lighter patterns on the upper surface.Puniceum-type Cyclamen persicum (Gleason) Individual stalks for Grey-Wilson blooms range in length from 9 to 20 cm and contain five petals that are nearly erected on top.The flowers have a crimson-magenta or deep pink zone at the base of each petal and range in colour from red to carmine.The clumps consist of dark green leaves (4–9 cm) with serrated hearts that are purple underside and frequently have stunning silver patterns with marbling on the upper surface.The plant’s brown, corky, flattened tuber, which can be up to 15 cm in diameter and gets rougher with age, is where the leaf stalks and thick (2 mm) diameter roots emerge from.base.The underside of the leaf may be reddish or pale green.The leaf margin is typically serrated and has a little thickening.Phenologycommencing in January (174 m) and lasting until the end of April(836 m) FLOWERING The development of the cyclamen persicwn flower starts on the side of the radially synunetric branch apex, close to the axil of the sixth leaf (Sundberg, 1977). Before flower initiation, the initially lateral apex of the growing shoot system has been moved to the center by substantial tissue proliferation at the base of the first leaves (Sundberg , 1977). More quickly than the other leaves, the sixth and seventh leaves grow. This might be connected to the initiation of the bloom (Sundberg, 1977).As long as the plant continues to grow, flower primordia continue to develop in the terminal and adventitious leaf axils (Neuray, 1977). The pace of floral growth is constant from flower to flower and unaffected by the rates of corresponding underlying leaves (Sundberg, 1977). Frequently Asked Questions Question:Is Cyclamen Persicum an outdoor plantAnd:YesQuestion: Is Cyclamen Persicum HardyAns: NoQuestion:

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BOTTLE GOURD: Introduction, Characteristics, Origin, Evolution, Harvesting, Diseases, and Control measures

Lagenaria siceraria (Mol.) Standl. (2n = 22) is a kind of bottle gourd. (Lauki in Hindi)
1. A climbing annual with a 3 1/2 to 4-month lifespan is the bottle gourd.
2. India has a large bottle gourd farming industry, and the fruits are accessible all year round.
3. Due to the fruit’s bottle-like form and historical use as a container, the bottle gourd got its name.
4. They are lone, chalky white, and only bloom at night.
5. Fruits that are still in their tender stages are utilized to make pickles, desserts, and prepared vegetables. Fruits range in size and form and are meaty.
6. Mature fruit shells are utilized as water jugs, household items, fishing net floats, and other things. It is simple to digest as a vegetable.
7. It is a diuretic, has a cooling effect, and is cardiotonic.
8. Fruit pulp is effective at preventing constipation, night blindness, and coughing as well as acting as an antidote to several poisons.
9. For the treatment of jaundice, a leaf decoction is taken.
10. Dropsy makes use of seeds.

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Hens and Chicks Plant: Characteristics, Propagation, Care, Culture and Medicinal Uses

Small succulent plants collectively known as “Hens and chicks” are so-called because they have expanded portions that can hold water. It is a member of the Crassulaceae flowering plant family, which is indigenous to southern Europe and northern Africa. The plants have leaves arranged in a rosette and grow close to the ground. Offsets are used for propagation. The primary plant is referred to as the “hen,” while the offspring are referred to as the “chicks.” The offspring begin as small buds on the mother plant and quickly sprout their roots, settling down close to the mother plant.

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Ice Plant (Delosperma Cooperi): Introduction, Classification, Characteristics, and, Uses

How to Grow an Ice Plant
They do best in full sun, ice plants may take some mild shadow in the garden. Despite flourishing in low soils, ice plants cannot withstand moist soil because they are succulents. Plants are likely to perish in moist soil, particularly during the winter. When planting this plant, it is advisable to keep in mind that it might become invasive in locations where the soil is persistently dry. By division, cuttings, or seeds, the ice plant can be multiplied. When propagating via division, springtime is the ideal time to divide the plants. You can take cuttings at any time during the spring, summer, or fall. When starting plants from seeds, sprinkle the seeds over the soil’s top without covering them since they need light to germinate.

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