Quantitative studies on the mating system of jute (Corchorus olitorius L.)

More than 100,000 individuals of C. olitorius were scored for selfing versus outcrossing in various populations, at several locations, over a number of years and seasons. Different marker loci, such as A (d) /a (0), Sh/sh, Cr/cr and Pl/pl, were used to determine the male gametes which had effected fertilization. The results showed that the frequency of outcrossing was extremely variable among loci, crosses and samples within a single locus. The outcrossing parameter, α, was found to differ with years, locations and seasons within years. It was also found that outcrossing, in general, was nonrandom. Nonrandomness was also independent of flowering dates. The amount of outcrossing was directly associated with the frequency of F 2 plants flowering at different dates. A recalculated outcrossing parameter from different authors' reported data, representing different years and locations, has been found to be nonrandom. It was observed that the propensity to outcross was not a simple function of changing gene frequency but was associated with the genotype of individual selected.

Anaesthetic management of a parturient with severe kyphoscoliosis

Use of neuraxial block in a patient with severe kyphoscoliosis is controversial. We describe the anaesthetic management by spinal anaesthesia of a parturient with severe kyphoscoliosis in obstructed labour. The perioperative course was uneventful. We suggest that a patient with severe kyphoscoliosis may be successfully managed by spinal anaesthesia for caesarean section. doi: 10.3126/kumj.v6i3.1716 Kathmandu University Medical Journal (2008), Vol. 6, No. 3, Issue 23, 379-382

Retinal elements in an amorphous twin

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Induction of flowering in Lemna paucicostata, a short-day plant, by chelating agents and iron

Lemna paucicostata is a short-day plant which normally flowers only in a medium supplemented with EDTA or EDDHA. On a molar basis EDDHA is more effective for induction of flowering. The chelating agent can be replaced by high concentrations of ferric citrate in the medium. Simultaneous supply of both EDDHA and a high level of ferric citrate results in flowering even under long days.