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Isolation of plasmid DNA from E. coli is a common routine in research laboratories. One can perform a widely-practiced procedure that involves alkaline lysis of cells. This protocol often referred to as a plasmid “mini-prep,” yields fairly clean DNA quickly and easily.

Procedure

Fill a microcentrifuge tube with saturated bacterial culture grown in LB broth + antibiotic. Spin tube in microcentrifuge for 1 minute, and make sure tubes are balanced in microcentrifuge. Dump supernatant and drain tube briefly on paper towel.

Repeat step 1 in the same tube, filling the tube again with more bacterial culture. The purpose of this step is to increase the starting volume of cells so that more plasmid DNA can be isolated per prep. Spin tube in microcentrifuge for 1 minute. Pour off supernatant and drain tube on paper towel.

Add 0.2 ml ice-cold Solution 1 to cell pellet and resuspend cells as much as possible using disposable transfer pipet.

Solution Preparation

1. Glycerol mix (1 L)

Weigh 25 grams (liquid weight) of glycerol and

Add dH₂O to 1 Liter (Autoclave).

2. Potassium mix (1 L)

170 mL of 1M KH₂PO₄ (monobasic),

720 mL of 1M K₂HPO₄ (dibasic), and

110 mL of dH₂O (Autoclave)

Principle

The principle is to extract plasmid DNA from bacterial cell suspensions and is based on the alkaline lysis procedure developed by Birnboim and Doly (Nucleic Acids Research 7:1513, 1979). It is a known fact that plasmids are much smaller super coiled DNA molecules than the much larger and less super coiled bacterial chromosomal DNA. This difference in topology enables selective precipitation of the chromosomal DNA and cellular proteins and separates them from plasmids and RNA molecules. The cells are lysed under alkaline conditions, which denature both nucleic acids and proteins, and when the solution is neutralized by the addition of Potassium Acetate, chromosomal DNA and proteins precipitate because it is impossible for them to renature correctly (they are so large). Plasmids renature correctly and stay in solution, effectively separating them from chromosomal DNA and proteins.

Principle

Apart from PCR for generating large amounts of DNA, the second method is to use bacteria to replicate the DNA and then purify the replicated DNA from the bacteria. Plasmid DNA is usually the DNA of interest for this method. A plasmid is a double stranded circular DNA molecule that will replicate in an organism. A typical plasmid contains four important features:

The plasmid must be circular, because bacteria generally will not replicate linear ? DNA.

The plasmid must contain a sequence that functions as an origin of replication (ori).

The plasmid must contain a selection mechanism that will force the bacteria to retain the DNA; the most common type of selection mechanism used in bacteria is a gene for resistance to an antibiotic such as ampicillin or tetracycline.

The plasmid must contain a region for the insertion of the experimental DNA. A generic plasmid exhibiting these features is shown at right.

An expression plasmid that allows expression of foreign DNA should have a strong promoter segment for transcription of inserted DNA.

Must have an effective ribosome binding site that will allow efficient translation of the transcribed RNA.

Must have high copy number, i.e., the host bacterium should have many copies (usually >100)

2.1. Introduction

The word ‘plastic’ is derived from the Greek word ‘plastikos’, which means easily shaped or molded. Plastics is defined as a random set of materials based on synthetic or modified natural polymers which can be formed by thermal and pressure treatment. It comprises of wide range of macromolecular organic compounds obtained either from alteration of natural macromolecules or polymerization of molecules of lower molecular weight.

Introduction

Under arid and semi-arid regions of the world, major problems are salinity, alkalinity and calcareousness, which seems to further aggravate with changing climate scenario. Besides, most of the developing countries lies in this zone with flanging population resulting from shrinking of land resource and good quality of irrigation water. Globally area under saline/sodic soils is about 953mha covering 8% of the land surface. Resent estimates indicate that 6.7 mha area in India is affected by soil salinity and alkalinity and about 25% of ground water are sodic and/or saline in the country. There are two important approaches for utilizing saline alkali or calcareous environment. The first one is to modify the environment so as to suit the plant or modifying the plant and the second one is to substitute the plant species so as to suit the environment. However, second option is cost effective and most sustainable.

1. Introduction

The word ‘PLASTIC’ is a Greek word which involves two words ‘PLASSIEN’ and ‘PLASTIKOS’. Denotation of word is to mould or shape into a soft substance which can be permanent or temporary. The use of plastics in agriculture as well as in horticulture has made substantial progress during the last decade. We all know that plastics contribute not only in planting but also in post-harvest handling and processing of many agri-horticulture crops. At every stage of horticultural crop life cycle plastics are used i.e. in seeds and fruits packaging, planting and propagation, mulching, irrigation, harvesting and preservation etc.

Introduction
In the modern age of digital transformation, platforms have become critical enablers of sustainability. These digital infrastructures, which facilitate connectivity, resource sharing, and collaboration, are pivotal in accelerating the adoption of sustainable practices across various sectors. Platforms enable the effective integration of resources, stakeholders, and technologies, offering scalable solutions that can help achieve long-term environmental, economic, and social sustainability goals. Whether through promoting circular economy models, enabling efficient resource use, fostering innovation in green technologies, or driving policy changes, platforms serve as central hubs for fostering sustainable development.

Abstract

The recent earth movements and the related seismicities in the Southern part of the Indian Peninsula has been a matter of enigma for a century and more. While one school was strongly holding the opinion that the southern Indian Peninsula is free from recent earth movements as it is a shield area, the other school has narrated the possibilities for the ongoing earth movements. Under these circumstances, the various anomalies observed from satellite data and ground based information on geomorphology, subsurface lithology, geophysics, hydrogeology, geochemistry etc. have suggested a possible Pleistocene / Holocene graben along Pondicherry in the northeast and Cumbum Valley in the southwest in the southern tip of the Indian Peninsula.

Abstract

The tectonics of the geological past from Archaeozoic to early part of Cenozoic era has been studied due to their penetrative documentation in the form of folds and faults. But the tectonic history of the latter part of the Cenozoic era (i.e Pleistocene period) has remained a matter of conjecture owing to the poor response of the rocks to Pleistocene movements. In the present study the authors presented a model for the Pleistocene earth movements of South India through the study of river migration, coast line changes and lineament fabric derived from the space borne photographs.

In the area of study, the northerly migration of Paleru and Pennar and southerly shift of Palar, Ponnaiyar and Cauvery rivers, marine regressions restricted within this segment and the closely spaced crest line fractures suggest a lineament controlled E-W trending Quaternary upwarping along Mangalore-Madras alignment. Similar E-W cymatogeny is inferred in the southern tip of the Peninsular India on the basis of once again such observations. Such E-W trending Pleistocene arching phenomenon suggests a N-S oriented regional compression which could be related to the collision of Indian plate with Tibetan plate.

1. INTRODUCTION

The basic principle of plant breeding is the utilization of existing variation and creation of new variations. Ploidy breeding is one of the tools used for improving the crop plants. The year 1937 can be considered as a landmark in the history of plant breeding. The discovery of the specific action of colchicine in inducing polyploidy has provided the breeder with a means for increasing the scope of crop improvement apart from the removal of the barrier of sterility in the sterile interspecific hybrids by the production of amphidiploids and their utilization later for the transfer of useful genes from the wild parents to cultivated plants. It was hoped that the production of autoploids in various crop plants would directly lead to the cultivation of better plants, as generally the autopolyploids are known for their gigas characters including the seed.

Psychology is the scientific study of behavior and mental processes. It encompasses various fields such as cognitive psychology, developmental psychology, social psychology, and more. The genesis of psychology finds its roots in the pioneering work of Sigmund Freud, widely regarded as the Father of Psychology. Etymologically, the term “psychology” stems from the amalgamation of two Greek words: “psyche,” denoting soul, and “logos,” connoting science or rational discourse. Thus, linguistically dissected, psychology embodies the study or science of the soul.

Psychology is the scientific study of behavior and mental processes. It encompasses various fields such as cognitive psychology, developmental psychology, social psychology, and more. The genesis of psychology finds its roots in the pioneering work of Sigmund Freud, widely regarded as the Father of Psychology. Etymologically, the term “psychology” stems from the amalgamation of two Greek words: “psyche,” denoting soul, and “logos,” connoting science or rational discourse. Thus, linguistically dissected, psychology embodies the study or science of the soul.

A plum or gage is a stone fruit tree in the genus Prunus. The European plum is thought to have been discovered around two thousand years ago, originating in the area near the Caspian Sea, while Japanese plums actually originated in China. However, they derived their name from the country where much of their cultivation and development have occurred. Mature plum fruit may have a dusty-white coating that gives them a glaucous appearance and is easily rubbed off. This is an epicuticular wax coating and is known as “wax bloom”. Plum fruit tastes sweet and/or tart; the skin may be particularly tart. It is juicy and can be eaten fresh or used in jam-making or other recipes. Plum juice can be fermented into plum wine; when distilled, this produces a brandy known as Slivovitz or Rakia in Eastern Europe. Dried plums (or prunes) are also sweet and juicy and contain several antioxidants. 

• Fast track plum breeding started with an aim to reduce the juvenile period in temperate fruits.
• Transgenic early continuous flowering (ECF) gene induces early flowering.

  Chilling requirement

• Japanese Plum - 700-1000 hrs - below – 7°C
• European plum - 1000-1200 hrs - 7°C
• Clonal rootstock for raising plum plants: Myrobalan B.
• Dwarfing rootstock – P. subcordata
• Planting time – Dec-Jan
• Training System – Open centre system – oldest
• Japanese plums are mostly adaptable to open centre system.
• Fruit thinning agents – DNOC, Ethephon, 3-CPA
• Japanese plum needs thinning upto 25 - 40%.
• European Plum: President, Victoria, Starking Delicious, Greengage.
• Japanese plum – Beauty, Santa Rosa, Mariposa. Kelsey, Frontier, Elephant Heart, Satsuma
• Subtropical – Sultlej Purple, Kala Amritsari, Titron.
• Self-fruitful – Beauty, Mariposa

6.1 Introduction

Plum is one of the important and widely cultivated fruit crops of temperate regions of the world. It occupies a unique position amongst the stone fruits in world fruit production and ranks next to peaches in economic importance. Plums are the most taxonomically diverse stone fruits which belongs to genus Prunus of sub-family Prunoideae and family Rosaceae (Potter et al., 2007). There are about 42 species of plum but the cultivated plums are derived from two species namely Prunus domestica (European plum) and Prunus salicina (Japanese plum). The Japanese plums are widely grown in the country whereas the European plums are grown only on a limited scale. The European plums are most often produced for the dried fruit market particularly in France and California, where it is called prune and dried plum, respectively. In the recent past some prunes have been introduced for fresh market in Himachal Pradesh. These prunes are sold fresh like plums and have become quite popular.

Plum weevil : Amblyrrhinus poricollis, Myllocerus laetivirens, M. sabulosus, M. undecimpustulatus : Curculionidae

Adult beetles feed on the epidermis of fresh and tender leaves leaving behind only the network of veins and affected leaves dry up and fall. They cause serious damage in young plantations.

Defoliating beetles
 
Adoretus duvauceli, A. versutus, Anomala dimidiata, A. flavipes, A. lineatopennis, A. rufiventris, Holotrichia longipennis, Hilyotrogus holosericeous, Lachnosterna coriacea, L. crinicollis, L. longipennis, Mimela passerine, M. pectoralis.

1. Introduction

Plum is one of the important stone fruit crops of temperate region throughout the world. The Japanese group of plum is native to China but was domesticated in Japan and subsequently was introduced to different parts of the world. In India, Japanese plums were introduced by European settlers and missionaries around 1870. Plum grows well in areas ranging from 900 m to 1600 m above mean sea level.

1.1. Uses

Among deciduous fruits, plum is widely distributed in the world, because of wider adaptability among different species and cultivars of plum to varied agro-climates and soil conditions. Plum is consumed as dessert, dried and processed products. Plum fruit is considered best to overcome the jaundice. Its fruit use for a preparation of juice and squash. It ranks next to peach in commercial production. It is widely cultivated in several countries in Europe, Asia and in the America.

Japanese plum (Prunus salicina) is widely grown in hill and to a limited scale in the plains of north-western India. Although the fruit quality of plums produced in subtropical is poor however, it fetches high process in the market because of it early availability. Its availability in market at a time when the competition from other fruits is less. It is known as Japanese plum due to its cultivation in Japan from where cultivars spread to other places. At present, plum is cultivated in all temperate climate countries of the world. Plums are a familiar part of our diets. These sweet, fleshy fruit are a common sight in super market shelves. Prunus domestica, the European plum, is an important crop that has been cultivated in Europe for over 2,000 years. When the early European settlers landed on the shores of North America, they found various kinds of native plums scattered throughout the countryside, all of which were found to be of inferior quality. Until the 19th century, most plum cultivation in the United States was confined to the European varieties that were brought overseas. Today, new plum hybrids of native and Asian species have been developed for fresh market consumption, but Prunus domestica remains the prime source for processing plums. Depending on the variety, these plums can be good for either canning, drying as prunes, for culinary uses, or, in lesser amounts, eaten fresh.

Plum belongs to the genus Prunus under family Rosaceae. The European plum are Prunus domestica and Japanese plums are Prunus salicina and hybrids. Mature plum fruit may have a dusty-white coating that gives them a glaucous appearance and is easily rubbed off. This is an epicuticular wax coating and is known as “wax bloom”. Dried plum fruits are called dried plums or prunes, although prunes are a distinct type of plum, and may have pre-dated the fruits now commonly known as plums. The major plum producing states are Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Mizoram, Punjab, Tamil Nadu (Ooty) and Uttarakhand.

Cultivars/Varieties: Damson plum, Greengage plum, Mirabelle plum, Victoria plum, Satsuma plum and Yellow plum.

Uses

Plums are mainly used consumed as fresh fruits. They are also used widely for making jam, jelly chutney and squash. Certain varieties of European plum are specially suited for drying to produce prunes. Prunes are firm fleshed fruits of P. domestica cultivars having sugar content which can be dried whole without fermentation around the pit, to make a firm tasteful product that can be stored for long period.

Genus : Prunus 
Species : domestica institia L. 
                saliciana Lindl.
Family : Rosaceae
Chromosome No. : 2n - 48

Of all the stone fruits, plums are the most varied. They belong to the genus Prunus of the subfamily Prunoideae of the family Rosaceae. All plums have a basic chromosome number of x=8. Plums and related species have been placed in the subgenus Prunophora section Euprunus and Prunocerasus. Six species have been placed in the section Euprunus. Their chromosome number range from diploid to hexploid and are native to the land extending from Europe to China. Thirteen species native to the North American continent are all diploid in nature and have been placed in the sections Prunocerasus. Separation of the plums into the two sections does not appear to have any genetical basis since the species appear to be closely related. Prunus domestica, the European plum, is believed to be the most recent crop species to have arisen within the section Prunophora. Prunus insititia.