vol 58 no 5 15 march 2008 two aircraft (reg. nos. vt-hoc and

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VOL 58 NO 5 15 MARCH 2008

Two aircraft (Reg. Nos. VT-HOC and VT-HNZ)

HANSA-3were handed over to DGCA by Dr A. R.

Upadhya, Director, National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL), Bangalore, for allotment to the Madras Flying Club, on 6 February 2008.

Capt. Sebastian T. Joseph, Honorary Secretary of the Madras Flying Club, received the aircraft on behalf of the Club, from Shri D.N. Lahon, Director, AED, DGCA, at a function held at C-CADD. HANSA-3 VT-HOC

The event began with a welcome address by Head, C-CADD, followed by Director's remarks and subsequently handing over the aircraft documents and keys to DGCA. Following this, the Director (AED), DGCA, Bangalore, formally handed over the two aircrafts to Madras Flying Club.

Capt. Joseph expressed his happiness to receive these airplanes and mentioned that around 200 students are eagerly waiting in the flying school to fly this machine.

Dr H.N.V. Dutt, Jt. Head, C-CADD; AVM (Retd.) A.S. Lamba, Test Pilot ; Capt. Santhosh Babu, Jet Airways; Shri Rajashekar, Dy. Director, DGCA (AED); Dr Ranjan Moodhithaya, Head, KTMD; Shri E. Nagarajan, COFA; Dr K. Yegna Narayan, Scientists and Engineers from NAL and ADES were also present on the occasion.

HANSA

ISSN 0409-7467

CSIR NEWS7070707070

R&D HighlightsR&D HighlightsR&D HighlightsR&D HighlightsR&D Highlights

The National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL), Bangalore, signed an agreement with Coral Digital TechnologiesPvt. Ltd, Bangalore, for collaborative development of Un-inhabited Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Autopilot System

on 30 January 2008. Collaborative development of UAV autopilot requires CORAL to integrate Microelectro-mechanical system (MEMS) based accelerometers, rate gyros, global positioning sensor and air data sensorsincluding angle of attack sensor with a processor board capable of hosting the UAV control laws and embed theonboard software developed jointly by NAL and CORAL. CORAL will manufacture and provide the UAV autopilotwith onboard navigation software in India and abroad with support from NAL.

New projects undertaken by the Central Leather Research Institute (CLRI), Chennai, duringOctober-December 2007 include:

CONSULTANCY PROJECTS

S.No. Title Sponsor1 Developing Computer Aided Designs for the M/s Phoenix International Ltd, Chennai

manufacture of footwear2. Eco Screening of Leathers used for shoe M/s Sara Leather Industries, Chennai

manufacturing M/s Multivista Global Ltd, Chennai3. Preparation of DPR for establishing a Common Bihar Industrial Area Development

Effluent Treatment Plant (CETP) at Muzaffarpur Authority, Patna, Biharindustrial area

4. Study on Bio-compatability M/s Sericare Divn. Of Health Line Pvt. Ltd,toxicity of silk proteins Bangalore

GRANT-IN-AID PROJECTS

S.No. Title Sponsor1. Identification and characterization of anti- Department of Science & Technology,

angiogenic principle from amphibian skin and New Delhiits implication in pathological conditions

2. Chondrocyte culture on 3D collagen scaffold and Department of Biotechnology, New Delhitheir characterization

3. Synthesis & physicochemical characteristics Department of Science & Technology,of surfactants from biosources New Delhi

4. Delivery of growth factors through a novel Department of Biotechnology, New Delhiwound dressing for chronic wounds

5 Identification and Characterization of proteoglycans Department of Biotechnology, New Delhiin frog skin and their implications in wound healing

New Projects undertaken by CLRI

Agreement signed between NAL and Coral DigitalTechnologies Pvt. Ltd, Bangalore

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Pursuing R&D in the field ofbiodiversity, biotechnology,

bioprospecting, genetic engineering,environmental botany, phyto-chemistry, agricultural andeconomic botany and bioinformatics,the National Botanical ResearchInstitute (NBRI), Lucknow, duringthe year 2006-07, was engaged in 138multi-disciplinary networked,technology leadership, in-house,sponsored, grant-in-aid andcollaborative research projects andconsultancy assignments. Thescientists of the institute published145 research papers in variousrefereed national and internationaljournals and filed 56 patents. Elevenpatents filed earlier were grantedthis year. Two technologies, namely,‘Trichoderma consortium technologypackage’ and ‘Commercialproduction of Bt cotton’ weretransferred for commercialization,while four MoUs were signed withvarious parties. The institutemaintained consistent improvementin external cash flow whichincreased from Rs 4.79 crore in theprevious year to Rs 5.67 crore in2006-07.

NBRI is recognized in thecountry as pioneer in thedevelopment of indigenoustechnology of transgenic Bt cottonengineered for resistance to insectpests and its transfer to the seedindustry. Major progress was madein crop improvement through thedevelopment of improved varietiesof opium poppy, ornamentals,

refinement of protocols for tissueculture, bioprospecting andmolecular taxonomy, biopesticidesand biofertilizers. A high yieldingmultiple disease resistant/tolerantvariety of opium poppy, named‘Madakini’ was evolved. Twovarieties of chrysanthemumchristened as ‘Mini queen’ and‘Rangoli’ were developed.

Towards bioresourceconservation and utilization,significant progress was made inexploring plant diversity for valuablemolecules, conservation of RETspecies and investigating plant andmicrobial resources as alternativesto chemical pesticides andfertilizers. In the area ofenvironmental botany, a range ofstrategies to reduce the heavymetals from leather industry effluentwere developed through screeningof plant species. Fly ash tolerantbacteria were isolated fromrhizospheric zone of Typha latifoliafor developing approaches forvegetating fly ash landfills.

A brief account of area-wise R&Dactivities/accomplishments during2006-07:

Plant Biodiversity &Conservation Biology

Three new species ofAstragalus, namely A. lachungensisChaudhary, A. uttaranchalensisChaudhary & Khan, A.himachalensis Chaudhary & Rana

were described. Besides, a detailedtaxonomic study on 12 endemicspecies of Astragalus of India wascarried out. Critical examination oftype materials established thatAstragalus zemuensis W.W. Smithbelongs to Oxytropis and thereforea new combination Oxytropiszemuensis (W.W. Smith) Chaudharyhas been proposed.

Molecular diversity evaluationof 53 wild/semi-wild accessions ofCitrus indica Tanaka (Indian WildOrange), C. medica L. (Citron), C.latipes (Swingle) Tanaka (KhasiPapeda), including an indeterminatevariant of C. indica (locally knownas ‘Memang Athur’ among the Garotribes of Meghalaya) Pathali PaharVillage in Assam and Along Valleyand Tipi forests in ArunachalPradesh revealed a low level ofgenetic variability in C. indica. C.indica showed maximum geneticsimilarity with Memang Arthurfollowed by C. latipes and C.medica. ISSR analysis supports that‘Memang Athur” and C. indicaformed two closely related sistergroups with very low geneticdistance and sympatric distribution,whereas C. medica and C. latipesformed distinct groups divergingfrom C. indica. Molecular analysisand genetic diversity studies werecarried out in Punica granatum L.

Palynology: Detailed pollenmorphological study was pursued in30 important indigenous medicinalplants for preparing a pollen

National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow

R&D Highlights: 2006-07

CSIR NEWS7272727272


handbook, which will beuseful for pharmacognosyand pharmaceuticali n d u s t r i e s .C o m p r e h e n s i v epalynological study ofmore than 80Bougainvillea cultivars hasprovided sufficient cluesfor tracing the origin ofvarious cultivars as wellas their interrelationships.

A detailed pollencalendar of Lucknow hasbeen prepared whichshows significantvariability in pollenincidence and distributionas encountered indifferent months.

Seed Biology:Detailed studies onpollen-stigma interactionin relation to reproductivesuccess and seed viabilityin Rauvolfia serpentinaand Plumbago zeylanicarevealed that inadequatepollen load on stigmasurface results in only 10-20% pollen germination inR. serpentina, which is one of thevital causes of empty seed set.

In Plumbago zeylanica,prolonged stigma receptivityresulted in adequate pollen loadwith 50-60% pollen germination onits surface. This is one of thesignificant reasons for thereproductive success of P. zeylanicain its natural habitat.

Lichenology: Seven newspecies of lichens were describedand nine species were recorded asnew additions to the Indian lichenflora. Lichen herbarium was

as a new addition to thebryoflora of PachmarhiBiosphere Reserve (PBR),while Hypnumsubimponen Lesq spp.ulophyllion as newaddition to westHimalayan bryoflora. Invitro propagation ofMarchantia paleaceaBertol and Funariahygrometrica Hedw wassuccessfully carried out.The cultured plants weretransferred to pots.

P t e r i d o l o g y :Reproductive biology oftwo threatenedhomosporous ferns,Pellaea falcata (R.Br) Feeand Dicksonia antarcticaLabill was studied.Genetic diversity studiesin Pteris vittata L, aneconomically importantfern complex, revealedthat cytologicalabnormalities andreproductive failurescoupled with other factorswere probably responsible

for the extinction of the cytotypesin their natural habitats. It wasconcluded that in India, only thetetraploid cytotype is abundantwhile diploid and hexaploidcytotypes were probably extinct. Inorder to study diversity within andamong the cytotypes of P. vittata,PCR methods were employed on 23accessions. Two pteridophytes,namely, Selaginella bryopteris(Sanjeevani Booti) and Cheilanthesfarinosa (Silver fern) wereintroduced in the fern house of theinstitute.

enriched with more than 1000specimens collected fromUttarakhand, Jammu and Kashmirand Central India.

Bryology: Bryodiversity andconservation studies resulted in theidentification of Frullania udariiNath et Singh as a new species fromMeghalaya, India. Anthocerosangustus Steph, A. erectus Kash,and Phaeoceros laevis spp. laevisProsk were recorded as newadditions from Khasi and Jaintiahills of Meghalaya. Hyophilainvoluta (Hook.) Jaeg. was recorded

Flowering parts of Plumbago zeylanica L. (a rare species).A. A. A. A. A. Glandular calyx, BBBBB. Stamens along with receptive stigma.

CCCCC. Dehiscence of anther, DDDDD. Receptive stigma with pollen load

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Algology: Sixty eight fresh wateralgal taxa were enumerated fromGangtok, Sikkim (India). Twenty-nine species of genus Cosmariumwere recorded from differentlocalities of Sikkim Himalayas. Alllocalities exhibited poor to scarce

growth of Cosmarium taxa onsubmerged vegetation, watersplashed rocks and other substrates.Cosmarium crenatum Ralfs, C.retusiformae Z (Will) Gutz var.elevatum Krieg., C. venustrum(Breb.) Arch. C. laeve Rab., C.

caelatum Ralfs var. caelatum, C.furcatospermum West & West var.maius, C.pseudopyramidatumLund.var. cornicolicun Lutken, C.raeticum messik var. raeticum, C.quadratum Ralfs., C. quadrifariumLund f. hexastrichum (Lund)

Different development stages of Pellaea falcana a-b a-b a-b a-b a-b. A single sporeunder compound and scanning electron microscopes. c. c. c. c. c. Cordate thalloidgametophyte, d. d. d. d. d. A portion of the gametophyte showing notch, e. e. e. e. e. SEM viewof gametophyte side showing archegonia at (200x) 100 mm, f. f. f. f. f. A portion of

the gametophyte showing archegonia, g.g.g.g.g. SEM view of antheridia(250x) 100 mm, h.h.h.h.h. Sporophytes in composite culture, i. i. i. i. i. Single sporophytein isolate culture, j. j. j. j. j. Sporophytes transferred in earthen pot, k.k.k.k.k. Successive

developmental stages of sporophyte

Different development stages of Dicksonia antarcticaa.a.a.a.a. SEM view of gametophyte showing archegonia below notch at

(24x) mm, b.b.b.b.b. SEM view of gametophyte with frilled wings at(50x) 500 mm, c.c.c.c.c. Single antheridium, d.d.d.d.d. SEM view of an antheridium.e.e.e.e.e. Bursted antheridium (A= antherozoids), f.f.f.f.f. Gametophyte showing

archegonia, g. g. g. g. g. A portion of gametophyte showingarchegonia, h. h. h. h. h. Composite culture i.i.i.i.i. Successive developmental

stages of sporophyte

CSIR NEWS7474747474


bohneri accumulated maximumamounts of Cr, Ni and Cuaccumulation in different algae wasfound negligible. Ulothrix spp.accumulated significant amount ofNi, although its accumulation inother forms was negligible. All themajor algal taxa showed appreciableamount of Zn accumulation. Theresults thus suggest the possibilityof utilizing some promising Craccumulator forms like, O. nigra andP. bohneri in developing pollutantspecific bioindicators. Survey andcollection of ferns and fern-alliesgrowing in fly-ash contaminatedareas of Thermal Power Stations atAmarkantak, Chachai, districtSahadol (MP) was carried out.Spore germination and subsequentcellular and organ leveldifferentiation in Pteris vittata in thepresence of various concentrationsof sodium arsenate showed 100%lethality in spore germination at 250mg/ml concentration. In lower dose(50 mg/ml) the gametophytedevelopment was comparable to thecontrol. Increase in the arsenic doseresulted in retarding the growth anddifferentiation of gametophyte.

Biomass Biology & Eco-Auditing: Investigations werecarried out on metabolic profiling ofdifferent morphotypes of guggul(Commiphora wightii). Significantvariability was observed inmorphological features andchemical constituents of guggul. Animproved extraction procedure wasdeveloped for optimum extraction ofmajor metabolites. Highguggulsterones yielding individualswere multiplied throughmacropropagation and planted formultilocational field trials. The

Nordst were the first reports fromIndia. Ten species of Nostoc wererecorded from Pakyong, Sikkim.

Biomass Biology,Environmental Sciencesand NBRI Field Stations

Ecotoxicology and Biore-mediation: The remediation strategybased on plants and Cr tolerantbacteria in combination withaddition of cow dung manure andsand for microbial proliferation ledto natural attenuation of Cr toxicityof tannery sludge. Thirty plantspecies were identified forplantation sludge dumps.Approximately 16% of the totalsludge dump was vegetativelycovered, following in situ plantingtechniques. Many rhizospherecolonizing bacteria, includingAzotobacter, Azospirrulum, Bacillusand Pseudomonas; fungi includingPenicillium, Sclerotinia,Helminthosporium, Aspergillus anda few species of actinomycetes wereisolated from the rhizosphere ofthese plants.

Cassia fistula, Chenopodiumalbum, Citronella citrates, Sidaacuta and Vetiveria zizanioides werefound effective in removing heavymetals from tannery wastecontaminated soil. Vegetables suchas spinach (Spinacea oleracea) andBathua (Chenopodium album),grown on tannery wastecontaminated soil accumulatedtoxic metals above the prescribedlevels and therefore, are unfit forhuman consumption. On the otherhand aquatic plants like Bacopamonnieri, Ceratophyllum demersumand Hydrilla verticillata were found

suitable for phytoremediation ofaquatic bodies, as significantaccumulation of metals andmetalloid (arsenic, cadmium andlead) was observed in them uponexposure to these metals withoutany significant effect on the plantgrowth. The gene forphytochelating synthase,responsible for the synthesis ofphytochelatins, was characterizedand cloned from C. demersum(CdPCSI).

Investigations were carried outto assess the impact of augmentationof fly ash tolerant bacterial strains,isolated from Typha latifolia growingnaturally on fly ash dumps, on metalextractability. Out of the 11bacterial strains isolated from therhizospheric zone of T. latifolia andlater purified in the laboratory,NBRFT2, NBRFT4, NBRFT5,NBRFT9 and NBRFT10 were foundto have induced bioavailability of Fe,Zn, and Ni and immobility of Cr, Cu,Pb and Cd simulatenously. Aconsortium of these strains is beingtested to enhance thephytoextraction of metals (Fe, Znand Ni) by Brassica juncea — ametal hyperaccumulator plant.

Study on identifying lower groupof plants for use as bioindicators andbiomonitors of toxic metals, metalaccumulation studies wereundertaken on algae, lichens,bryophytes and pteridophytes invarious parts of the country. Themetal accumulation in various algalspecies vis-à-vis their seasonaloccurrence showed a contrastingtrend. Maximum amount of Fe wasfound accumulated in Oedogoniumsp. and Spirogyra sp. whileOedogonium nigra and Phormidium

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group also isolated and purified twonew marker compounds from guggulgum resin. A protocol wasstandardized for supercritical fluidextraction of guggul metabolites.

Germplasms collections ofJatropha curcas were made fromAndaman Islands, Rajasthan,Uttarakhand, Karnataka andU.P.

Genetics & Plant Breedingand Agrotechnology

Germplasm lines of opiumpoppy, vegetable amaranth, linseedand Cuphea emanating fromdifferent ecogeographical origins aswell as those generated by theinstitute were evaluated. In opiumpoppy, a number of promising linesand some stable genotypes wereidentified for high thebaine, codeineand papaverine contents. A newhigh yielding multiple diseaseresistant/tolerant stable variety ofopium poppy, named ‘Madakini’

with distinct morpho-physiologicaltraits was developed from theexisting varieties. The varietycharacterized by significantly highopium and seed yield, also exhibitshigh content of morphine and otheralkaloids in comparison to theexisting varieties/lines. InAmarnath, a genotype AV190showed better performance forfoliage yield in comparison to othergenotypes. The genotype alsoshowed higher amount of desirablenutrients. In linseed, 72 F1s were

made through line ××××× tester analysisand a genotype with 3% omega 3fatty acid (αC18=3) was isolated asa donor parent for use in evolving alow linolenic acid variety. A newcombined selection parameter basedon score for component was madefor component breeding in linseed.

Detailed karyotypic studieswere carried out on 20 wild andcultivated taxa of Chenopodium,which belonged to three ploidylevels 2x, 4x and 6x.

Plant Microbial Interactions

Microbiology: A novelrhizosphere competent hightemperature/drought tolerantPseudomonas putida MTCC 5279,was isolated having very goodpotential for commercialization dueto its ability to survive at hightemperature. A synergistic mixtureof a novel plant growth promotingbacteria, developed from hot desert(Pseudomonas fluorescens MTCC5304) and cold desert Pseudomonassp.) will be applied as seed inoculantfor promoting plant growth in a widerange of agriculture, horticultureand floriculture plants. Sevenbacterial strains effective againstfungal isolates were identified.CHM12 strain was most potentagainst fast growing fungalpathogens. B5.2 though effectiveagainst fast growing fungalpathogens was not so against slowgrowing fungal pathogens. Aformulation consisting of B5.2

Papaver somniferum variety Madakini developed by NBRI, Left: Field view of ‘Madakini’, Right: A single plant


CSIR NEWS7676767676

showed promising results whentested on field grown rice plantsunder various stages of sheath blightinfection caused by Rhizoctoniasolani. Plant growth promotingPaenibacillus lentimorbus B-30488(B-30488R) isolated from milk wasobserved as a good competitor tonative microbes. It has the abilityto promote the growth of monocots,dicots, C3, C4 and legume plants.The results showed that B-30488Rsurvives well in rhizosphere of plantsand has good potential as aninoculant for plant growthpromotion and biologic control.Serratia marcescens NBRI1213significantly induced plant-defenseenzymes both locally andsystemically in betelvine and is apotential useful plant growthpromoting bacteria (PGPR) andbiocontrol agent againstPhytophthora nicotianae.

Molecular Biology andGenetic Engineering

Plant Molecular Biology: ThePlant Molecular Biology groupcloned and sequenced the genefamily of sterol glucosyltransferases(SGT) in Withania somnifera. Oneof the genes from the family wasexpressed in E. coli. Functionalcharacterization of this genesuggested its role in biotic andabiotic stresses. Isoenzymes of SGTwere purified from membrane andcytosolic fraction of W. somniferaleaves. Characterization of theseenzymes revealed their roles invarious biotic, abiotic stresses andsecondary transformation of sterols.

Transgenic tobacco plantsexpressing rabies glycoprotein

(RGP) were analyzed by southernblotting. Partial purification of RGPand glycoprotein analysis wasperformed in transgenic tobaccoplants. Pentamerized cholera toxinB subunit (CTxB) was affinitypurified from transgenic tobaccoplants and glycosylation analysis wasdone. Groundnut plants weretransformed with CTxB-RGP fusiongene. The full length RGP and Ctx-RGP genes were cloned in PVX-virus vector.

Gene Expression: In an effort tounderstand the role of ethyleneresponsive transcription factors intomato fruit ripening and stressresponses, transgenic tobacco andArabidopsis plants over expressingone of the drought and coldresponsive Ethylene ResponseFactors (ERFs) were developed. Anew ERF designated as NTf16 wasidentified. It encodes a protein of314 amino acids. An increment ofalmost ten days in the shelf life oftransgenic tomato carrying anantisense gene of ACC oxidase frombanana has been confirmed withsecond generation of the transgenictomato variety. Same construct hasbeen introduced in banana in orderto achieve transgenics with longershelf life.

Molecular Virology: Molecularcharacterization of Tomato AspermyVirus strain infectingchrysanthemum cultivars and threestrains of Cucumber Mosaic Virusinfecting chrysanthemum, tomatoand banana was done. ELISA baseddiagnostics of these virus strainswere developed for indexing thecultivars of chrysanthemum, tomatoand banana. Utilizing coat proteingene of Cucumber Mosaic Virus

transgenic tomato plants weredeveloped and evaluated for thepresence and expression oftransgene.

For molecular identification ofBanana Bunchy Top Virus affectingbanana cultivation in India, cloningand sequencing of complete DNA-1component, coat protein andmovement protein genes werecarried out. Two new CMV strains(from Rauvolfia serpentina andCymbopogon citrate); five newbegomovirus isolates (from soybean,chilli, Bemli jute andDimorphotheca) and five newphytoplasma isolate (from chilli,pigeon pea, desert rose, sesame andchrysanthemum) were recorded forthe first time from India. The BeanYellow Mosaic Virus (BYMV) whichcauses disease in Gladiolus wascharacterized at molecular level.

Pharmacognosy andEthnopharmacology

Pharmacognosy andEthnopharmacology: Detailedpharmacognostic evaluation ofCurcuma aeruginosa Roxb, rhizomewas carried out. A rapid, accurateand robust method was developedfor the separation and identificationof fifteen phenols belonging to sixdifferent types of phenolics, whichcould be used in the quality controland standardization of herbal drugsincluding compound herbalformulations. Antimicrobial activityof some Indian medicinal plants wascarried out against some gastro-intestinal (GI) pathogens. Emblicaofficinalis extract was found mostactive against all tested GIpathogens as compared to other


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plant extracts. Enterobacteraerogenes was most sensitive amongall the strains tested against allselected plant extracts.

Under the scheme for validationof traditional Ayurvedic drugs anddevelopment of new drugs, 37 crudesamples were authenticated on thebasis of macro and microscopiccharacters. Pharmacognosticstudies of dried rhizome/ roots havebeen performed to develop qualitycontrol parameters for Kava. The“Laghu Panchmool’ of ‘Dashmoola’-an important Ayurvedicformulation, has been chemicallyinvestigated and some chemicalmarkers have been isolated andstandardized using HPTLC. Sometherapeutically important chemicalmarkers have been identified andisolated from Aegle marmelos,Premna integrifolia, Stereospermumsuaveolens, Gmelina arborea andOroxylum indicum. These markershave been used for thestandardization of the root drugs.

Phytochemistry

Further improvement wasachieved in the development ofblack hair dye in terms of its textureand luster by the use of naturalbinder for consumer feasibility andacceptability. The dye is a blend ofnatural herbs (as colourants),natural minerals (as mordants) andnatural gum (as binders). In orderto reduce application and effectivetime to 1 h, a pretreatmentformulation was developed. Somenatural dyes, rich in tannins andnaphthaquinones, were isolatedfrom Punica granatum, Wendlandiatinctoria and many other common

natural dyes, which possesspromising anti-microbial activity.

Plant Biotechnology andPlant Physiology

Plant Tissue Culture: To developa protocol for rapid multiplication ofplants of desirable clones of Jatrophacurcas through plant tissue culture,bud-break was induced in nodalstem segments of field grown plantsof 18 important accessions.However, severe problem ofcontamination in the explants wasencountered. Initial use of a broad-spectrum biocide/fungicide in thenutrient medium was found usefulin raising infection-free cultures tosome extent in 12 accessions, but theregenerated shoots on subcultureagain showed infection, which wasdetrimental for their survival.

An in vitro process of germplasmpreservation of Azadirachta indicathrough regenerative excised rootculture was developed.

Ex vitro hardening of in vitro-raised plantlets of Mangifera indicavar. Romani was facilitated with theapplication of three strains (R4, Fx& 796) of Trichoderma sp. In vitroprocesses for rapid multiplication oftwo important RET plants namely,Uraria picta ( a rare and endemicleguminous herb) andClerodendrum serratum (anendangered shrub) were developedfor germplasm preservation

Plant Metabolism andBiochemistry: Oxidative stress invitro studies on Phaseolus mungoand Triticum aestivum seedlingsrevealed that H2O2 acts as a signalingmolecule only at lowerconcentrations. However, H2O2

treatment in combination withheavy metal, like Cd

++ resulted in

complete inhibition of growth andgermination.

Lower concentrations of weedextracts when combined with sugarindustry waste, such as press mudand biocompost, enhanced thegrowth and yield of crop plants.

Plant Physiology: In order todevelop protocols for screeningJatropha curcas accessions fordrought tolerance, J. curcasgermplasm garden was developed.A total of 140 accessions wereavailable for physiological andsilvicultural studies. Photosyntheticrate and water use efficiencymeasured in various accessions of J.curcas, indicates considerablevariation in both the parameters.

Betelvine Biotechnology: Thegroup studied the differentialresponse of Piper betle landraces toAbscisic acid (ABA). Chlorophyllasetrancript accumulation in responseto ABA was quicker in KapooriVellaikodi than Khasi Shillong.Piper betle showedimmunomodulatory activity.

Floriculture Botanic GardenAnd Eco-education

Floriculture: Two new varietiesof chrysanthemum, i.e. ‘Mini Queen’and ‘Rangoli’ were developed fromopen pollinated seedling selectionson the basis of their performance.

Botanic Garden: A speciesnamely, Clerodendrumspeciosissimum Van Geert fromWilhelma Botanic Garden,Stuttgart, Germany was introducedin the Botanic Garden. This speciesis native to the mountains of Java


CSIR NEWS7878787878

R&D Highlights/LecturesR&D Highlights/LecturesR&D Highlights/LecturesR&D Highlights/LecturesR&D Highlights/Lectures

New chrysanthemum varieties developed by NBRI (Left top: Rangoli & Left: Mini queen)

New introduction: Clerodendrum speciosissimum Van Geert

and Sri Lanka. The most striking feature of this taxonis that it remains in bloom during most part of theyear except winters. Plant wealth of botanic gardenwas further enriched with the introduction ofHeliconia sp., Crinum sp., Narcissus sp. (YellowFlowered’), insectivorous plants (Nypenthes khasiana,N.ventricosa, Drosera burmanni), Beaumontiagrandiflora and Bougainvillea cv ‘B.T Red’.

Prof. Y. Nayudamma wasDirector, Central Leather

Research Institute (CLRI), Chennai,during 1958-71 and later DirectorGeneral, CSIR, till 1977. Inrecognition of his valuablecontributions to the all rounddevelopment of CLRI, the institutehas been organizing NayudammaScience Foundation (NSF) Lectureevery year. After his demise in 1985,the NSF Lecture was named as‘Nayudamma Memorial Lecture’.This lecture in 2007 was organized

by CLRI in association withNayudamma Memorial ScienceFoundation, Chennai andNayudamma Science Foundation on23 December 2007. The lecture wasdelivered by Dr T. Ramasami,former Director of CLRI andpresently Secretary, Department ofScience & Technology, New Delhion the topic ‘Science in Music’.

During his lecture DrRamasami analyzed systematicallythe Science in manufacturing themusical instruments like violin and

mirudangam. While talking aboutviolin, he highlighted the role playedby the quality of wood indetermining the timbre and tonalquality of the instrument. Thesuperior quality of violins of yesteryears and the inability to reproducesuch quality in recent times wasmostly attributed to the changingclimatic conditions and their impacton quality of available wood.

He talked about a collaborativeproject undertaken by CLRI withthe mirudangam Maestro Shri

Science in Music

Nayudamma Memorial Lecture by Dr T. Ramasami

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CSIR Programme on Youth for Leadership inScience at CECRI, IITR, NCL, and NEERI

Launched in 1999, the CSIR Programme on Youth for Leadershipin Science (CPYLS) aims at encouraging the meritorious students of

class X from CBSE, ICSE and other Boards to pursue science as a career.The programme is intended to help build a scientific temper at an earlystage.

Presented here are highlights of the CPYLS held at CentralElectrochemical Research Institute (CECRI), Karaikudi, Indian instituteof Toxicology Research IITR. [erstwhile Industrial Toxicology ResearchCentre (ITRC)], and National Environmental Engineering ResearchInstitute (NEERI), Nagpur; and National Chemical Laboratory (NCL),Pune.Central Electrochemical Research Institute (CECRI),Karaikudi

Umayalpuram K. Sivaraman. Theuse of specific parchment leathersfor specific purposes in themanufacturing of mirudangam washighlighted on the basis of theirstructure and physical properties.The role played by the cow andthe goat parchments as annularrings on the mirudangam inenhancing the tonal qualities ofthe instrument was explained. Thechemical composition of theminerals used for the black patchand the source of such mineralsfrom the Ganges or Cauvery riverbanks was analyzed. He alsospoke on standardization of themirudangam to reflect the moodof the artist and the ambience ofthe hall. The possibility ofdesigning a travel–friendlymirudangam that can bedismantled and re-assembled alsoformed part of this researchproject. Speaking about Prof.Nayudamma who was his mentorand a teacher, Dr Ramasami said“He had the ability to make extra-ordinary personalities emergefrom ordinary people”.

Dr V.L. Dutt, Chairman, KCPLtd, Chennai and also theChairman, NayudammaMemorial Science Foundation,Chennai, presided over thefunction and spoke about thevarious activities of NMSFoundation. Dr A.B. Mandal,Acting Director, CLRI, welcomedthe participants and briefly spokeabout the contributions of Prof.Nayudamma during his tenure asDirector, CLRI. Shri D.Chandramouli, Scientist G,proposed a vote of thanks.

Held on 26-28 December 2007, the CPYLS at CECRI was inauguratedby Dr P. Ramasamy, Vice-Chancellor, Alagappa University. Dr Ramasamydelivered the keynote address in which he stressed the need and advisedthe participants for choosing science as a career. He presented educationalkit consisting of science books, viz., Learning Science (4 volumes),Understanding Chemistry, by Dr C. N. R. Rao and Chemistry of Candleby Michael Faraday to all the students as a token of appreciation forsecuring top positions in SSLC examinations. Prof. A. K. Shukla, Director,CECRI, presided over the function. Shri S. John, Deputy Director,welcomed the participants. Shri C. Sri Vidya Rajagopalan, DeputyDirector, spoke about CPYLS. The inaugural function was followed by avideo presentation on “Renewable Energy and the Power of the Sun”. bythe CECRI Director.

A workshop on “Quality Leadership for Academic Excellence” wasconducted by Prof. N. Janaki Raman and a Science Quiz was conductedby Prof. M.A. Durai. A series of popular science lectures and video filmson “Fuel Cells” highlighting fuel cell research in India and CECRI,demonstration and practicals on the various sophisticated analyticalinstruments formed other important components of the two-dayprogramme. A magic show on “Science/Truth behind Magics” was alsoarranged on the occasion. Also conducted was a programme “StudentsMeet Scientists”.

All the students actively participated in the group discussions. In thefeedback session, the students and teachers pointed out that theprogramme was very useful for them and all the lectures were thoughtprovoking. Parents, teachers and students expressed their whole-heartedthanks and appreciated this CPYLS Programme.

In the valedictory function, Professor A.K. Shukla distributedcertificates to the students and delivered the valedictory address.

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CSIR NEWS8080808080

Indian Institute of Toxicology Research (IITR)[(erstwhile Industrial Toxicology Research Centre (ITRC)]

Eighteen meritorious studentsfrom different parts of Uttar Pradeshattended the programme at IITRheld on 29-30 January 2008. Severalscientific programmes wereorganized during the two-day event.Dr Rishi Shankar, Scientist, IITR,delivered a talk on “Microbes:Friends or Foes”.

Prof. Sushil Kumar from IndianInstitute of Management, Lucknow,delivered an invited talk. DrAshwani Kumar, Director, IITR,welcomed the guests and also gavea brief introduction of the speaker.Prof. Sushil Kumar during hislecture interacted freely withstudents. First he talked ofmanagement. Stating that“Management is nothing butapplication of common sense”, hediscussed, “How principles ofmanagement are applied in life?”During his interactive session, hediscussed: What is science andtechnology? What is the differencebetween science and arts? He saidthere is a need of creative thinking

in its holistic approach. He advisedstudents to keep their curiosityalive. With the help of examples hedescribed that there is a scientifictheory behind religious beliefs. Hesaid that at present students arelucky that they get an opportunityto take an informed decision. Theyshould develop a scientific

temperament and always select aprofession that matches with theirinterest. He asked a question: WhyIndia is still a developing country?And opined “the reasons behind thisare that we do not know the properutilization of technology and are poorhuman resource manager.”

Dr Ashwani Kumar, Director, IITR, with participants

National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI), Nagpur

The CPYLS at NEERI was heldon 3-4 January 2008. Fifty-fivemeritorious students of Vidharbaand its nearby region attended. DrSukumar Devotta, the thenDirector, NEERI, welcomed thestudents and their parents. Hespoke about the importance of CSIRand its 38 laboratories spread allover the country. He also talkedabout NEERI and explained how its

activities in the field of airenvironment, water environment,land and biological environment arevital for the nation and society. DrDevotta explained that CSIR isconducting research right fromspace to deep oceans. He pointedout that India has the largest youngpopulation in the world and urgedthe students to adopt science as apassion. NEERI and CSIR will

provide the best possible facility forfacilitating inventions andinnovations, he added.

A series of popular sciencelectures on EnvironmentalBiotechnology, Water Pollution, AirPollution, Materials forEnvironment Protection,Environmental Genomics, SolidWaste Management, AnalyticalInstrumentation, Green House

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15 MARCH 2008 8181818181

Gases and Global Warming,Mathematical Modeling andWastewater Treatment weredelivered by the scientists duringthe two-day programme. Studentswere taken round the PermanentExhibition of the institute and also

the variouslaboratories ofNEERI. Theywere shownp r a c t i c a ldemonstrationson various

significant activities related toenvironmental science and engineer-ing. During the programme,students expressed their curiosity byinteracting and asking manyscientific questions. Audio-visuals onscience were also arranged.

At the concluding function, DrS.R. Wate, Deputy Director andHead, EIRA Division, NEERI,spoke on the importance of thisprogramme. The students expressedsatisfaction and were grateful for theopportunity given to them byNEERI and CSIR for attending thisprogramme. Dr Wate gave awaycertificates to the students. Dr S.P.Pande, Scientist and Head, R&DPlanning Unit, coordinated theprogramme.

National Chemical Laboratory (NCL), Pune

The CPYLS at NCL wasattended by 160 students along withtheir parents/teachers. Shri S. B.Katte, event coordinator, welcomedthe audience and gave examples ofeminent scientists from NCL andelsewhere that excelled in theirfields.

Dr Ganesh Pandey, Head ofOrganic Chemistry Division,welcomed the audience andintroduced Prof. K. N. Ganesh,

Director, Indian Institute of ScienceEducation and Research (IISER).

Prof. Ganesh delivered theinaugural address titled ‘Science isImportant’. He discussed as to ‘whyscience is exciting’ and ‘why oneshould pursue a career in science’.The most important element thatnucleates the society is the role ofteachers and education. The pastwas without technology. The futureholds challenges to attain energy,

water, food and environmentsecurity, removal of poverty,terrorism and diseases, and usheringin knowledge. Therefore, educationneeds to be focused. Giving statisticson population, diseases and income,Prof. Ganesh highlighted thecondition in India. He stated thatnone of the Indian universities islisted in the first 500 globally.American, British and otherwestern universities attract a large

CPYLS

Clockwise frClockwise frClockwise frClockwise frClockwise from top leftom top leftom top leftom top leftom top left: Dr C.V.C. Rao delivering thelecture on Air Pollution, CPYLS students at a NEERILaboratory and watching a practical demonstration

CSIR NEWS8282828282

Corrigendum

The research work ‘Identifyingmechanism of antifoulant for bestuse’, published in CSIR News57(2007) 376-77, was carried outat National Institute of Oceanog-raphy (NIO), Goa, and not at theIndian Institute of ChemicalTechnology (IICT), Hyderabad.This inadvertent error is verymuch regretted.

number of students from Indiabecause of their reputation andquality of education.

Prof. Ganesh further said thatapproximately 50% of our childrengo to school, 30% reach standard Xand of these 40% pass X. Only 6% ofthese go into higher education. Thechallenge lies in providing greateropportunities to our children toattend colleges and universities. Outof the 200,000 students who entercollege, approximately 60,000 aretrained in science and technology.About 3,50,000 standard XIIstudents appear in various aptitudetests and about 4,000 are absorbedin IITs. India produces around 5,000Ph.Ds in comparison to 16,000Ph.Ds produced in China and25,000 in United States. Ph.Ddegree holders in our country areunutilized or underutilized owing tolack of job opportunities. Many ofthe universities have become mereexamination conducting centers.Modernisation and revision ofcourses is the need of the hour.

Prof. Ganesh, stated that adivide exists between teachers whoare responsible to educatingstudents at the university level and

the scientists who perform researcheither in universities or institutions.Those who teach are generally lessinvolved in research and those whodo research are not involved inteaching. He elaborated on howIISER has initiated the processwhere students learn whileexperimenting and experimentwhile learning. The challenge lies inmotivating committed people toenter science. Education system inIndia is also getting competitive.Educational institutions must,therefore, learn to excel in acompetitive environment.

Describing the objectives ofcreating IISER, Prof. Ganeshpointed to the importance ofproblem solving, workshoppractices, experimental work andgood communication skills. Areaslike earth, planetary andatmospheric sciences, etc. have tobe taught along with compulsoryscience subjects and vocationalprojects. Prof. Ganesh opined thatstudents should be evaluated basedon their practical and problemsolving stages rather than merelyexcelling in examinations. Flexiblesystem for evaluation of the students

must be developed. This would helpmould the students to gain a strongfoundation and a deepunderstanding of science. Prof.Ganesh concluded by stating thatIISER spells the seven E’s namely,Education, Excitement, Explore,Examine, Explain, Extend andExpand, and eliminates the eighthE, which stands for Examination.

Lectures were arranged for thestudents in the area of chemical,physical and material sciences,biotechnology, tissue culture andcareer opportunities. The studentsinteracted with scientists and alsovisited the laboratory facilities.

Prof. K. N. Ganesh delivering the CPYLS lecture Students with parents and teachers attending the programme

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15 MARCH 2008 8383838383

Calendar of Training Courses at CIMAP during 2008

The Central Institute of Medicinal & Aromatic Plants (CIMAP), Lucknow, will be organizing the followingtraining/event/activities during 2008:

Training Courses AnnouncementTraining Courses AnnouncementTraining Courses AnnouncementTraining Courses AnnouncementTraining Courses Announcement

S.No Training/Event/Activity Date/Duration Contact Person(s)

1 Hundred Days’ Certificate Course on Medicinal and 28 Feb- 6 June Drs A. K. KukrejaAromatic Plants (100dCCC-2008) A. K. Singh (TBD)

2 Entrepreneurial Training on Essential Oil & Processing 21- 30 April Er. Sudeep Tandon/Technology (EOPT-2008) Dr A K Singh (Q)

3 Plant Tissue Culture and Transformation Techniques 1-14 May Drs A. K. Kukreja/(PTCT-2008) S. Banerjee

4 School Science Teacher Training on Integrative 19-20 May Drs Ashok Sharma/Scientific Approaches in Education (SSTT-2008) Rakesh Tiwari

5 CIMAP Training School o Advanced Instrumentation 9-22 June Ers. Anil Kumar / and Analytical Techniques for Natural Products (AIAT) P. V. Ajai Kumar

6 CIMAP Summer Training on Techniques and Tools of 23 June- 22July Drs Ashok Sharma / Biotechnology and Bioinformatics (CST-2008) A. K. Mathur

7 CIMAP Summer School Molecular Techniques in 23 June-08 August Drs M. P. Darokar /Bioprospection and Biodiversity Analysis (CSS-2008) Shoaib Luqman

8 Organic Farming: Techniques and Tools (OFTT-2008) 11-20 August Drs Alok Kalra/D. D. Patra

9 IT Techniques for Research & Management 17-23 September Shri Rakesh Tiwari/(ITRM-2008) Manoj Semwal

10 Biotechnology and Bioinformatics Workshop (BBW-2008) 17-22 October Drs Ashok Sharma/A. K. Shasany

11 CSIR Program for Youth for Leadership in Science 14-15 November Drs Ashok Sharma/(CPYLS-2008) Feroz Khan

12 “CIMAP Winter School”Recent Techniques in 1-10 December Drs Vikrant Gupta/Structural and Functional Genomics (CWS-2008) Ashutosh Shukla

13 Industrial Plants Extraction 15-24 December Drs S. K.Techniques (IPET-2008) Chattopadhyay/

Sudeep Tandon

CSIR NEWS8484848484

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1 |ÉBÉEÉ¶ÉxÉ BÉEÉ ºlÉÉxÉ/Place of Publication New Delhi

2 |ÉBÉEÉ¶ÉxÉ BÉEÉÒ +É´ÉÉÊvÉ/Periodicity of its publication Semi-monthly

3 àÉÖpBÉE BÉEÉ xÉÉàÉ/Printer’s Name S K Rastogi(BÉDªÉÉ £ÉÉ®iÉ BÉEÉ xÉÉMÉÉÊ®BÉE cè?)/(Whether citizen of India?) Yes(ªÉÉÊn ÉÊ´Énä¶ÉÉÒ cè iÉÉä àÉÚãÉ nä¶É)/(If Foreigner, state thecountry of origin)

{ÉiÉÉ/Address National Institute ofScience Communication AndInformation ResourcesDr. K.S. Krishnan Marg,New Delhi 110 012

4 |ÉBÉEÉ¶ÉBÉE BÉEÉ xÉÉàÉ/Publisher’s Name Shri S. K. Rastogi(BÉDªÉÉ £ÉÉ®iÉ BÉEÉ xÉÉMÉÉÊ®BÉE cè?)/(Whether citizen of India?) Yes(ªÉÉÊn ÉÊ´Énä¶ÉÉÒ cè iÉÉä àÉÚãÉ nä¶É)/(If Foreigner, state the country of origin){ÉiÉÉ/Address As above in (3)

5 ºÉÆ{ÉÉnBÉE BÉEÉ xÉÉàÉ/Editor’s Name Dr B. C. Kashyap(BÉDªÉÉ £ÉÉ®iÉ BÉEÉ xÉÉMÉÉÊ®BÉE cè?)/(Whether citizen of India?) Yes(ªÉÉÊn ÉÊ´Énä¶ÉÉÒ cè iÉÉä àÉÚãÉ nä¶É)/(If Foreigner, state thecountry of origin)

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Dated 15 March 2008

Visitors at NALfrom DLR ,

Germany, BELL,Canada and

DDR&E, USA

Ahigh level DLRD e l e g a t i o n ,

Germany, visited theNational AerospaceLaboratories (NAL),Bangalore, on 7 February2008. Dr A. R. Upadhya,Director, NALwelcomed the delegatesand made a presentationabout ‘NAL activities’.Prof. Szodruch, Memberof the Executive Board,DLR, Germany, made apresentation on ‘DLRactivities’.

A top level executiveteam from BELL,Helicopter, Canada alsovisited NAL on 7February 2008.

A three memberdelegation from USDirector of DefenseResearch Engineering(DDR&E) visited NALon 18 February 2008.

VisitsVisitsVisitsVisitsVisits

vol 58 no 5 15 march 2008 two aircraft (reg. nos. vt-hoc and

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