Interactive effects of Zn, Pb and Cd in barley.

The effects of different concentrations of Zn, Pb and Cd singly as well as in the combination of zinc-lead, zinc-cadmium and lead-cadmium on the shoot root length and dry mass as well as chlorophyll contents of barley plants during early seedling growth were studied. The effects of different concentrations of Zn x Pb and Pb x Cd in combinations showed a synergistic relationship, while at higher concentrations the relationship was antagonistic. Lower as well as higher Zn x Cd concentrations showed antagonistic effects.

Some explorative information regarding 'Jwaratimirabhăskara' and its author Kăyastha Camunda.

Out of the treasure of Ayurvĕdic literature, a few texts have come in to lime light while some are in dark and available in incomplete form. But many names of the texts with unknown or known authors have been quoted by different subsequent authors in their texts or in the explications by their commentators, for which complete texts are not available at present. Among the texts on specific diseases, one notable work is 'Jwaratimirabhăskara' written by Kăyastha Camunda. Nowhere a detailed account of author's identity, time and place has been mentioned, while short references are available in some historical books. However, manuscripts of this text are available in many repositories of our country. In this article, an attempt has been made to establish the identity of the author, period of the text and also to highlight the salient features of this text.

Influence of aluminium on growth and water relations of cowpea.

The effect of aluminium on shoot-root fresh weight and water relations [water potential (psiw), osmotic potential (psis), turgor potential (psip), and relative water content (RWC)] was studied in cowpea. The 3 microg g(-1) Al showed slight enhancement in psiw and psip in test plants. Concentrations beyond 3 microg g(-1) Al significantly decreased psiw (less negative) and psip. Relative water content (RWC) vis a vis the fresh weight was also affected adversely at higher Al concentrations.

Growth and cadmium uptake in barley under cadmium stress.

Effect of various additions of cadmium (5 to 3125 microg g(-1) air dried soil) was studied on growth and Cd uptake in barley grown in pots containing two soil types- a loamy sand and a sandy loam, during different stages of growth. While lower doses (5 to 25 microg g(-1)) led to an increase, the higher doses resulted in a substantial decrease in barley growth. The plant Cd content increased with an increase in soil applied Cd. A decrease in translocation ratio prevailed at higher soil applied Cd, indicating the existence of an exclusion mechanism.