The effect of two arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi [G. mosseae (G) and A. laevis (A)] with P.fluorescence (Pf) in the presence of super phosphate (P) fertilization on growth and yield of bell pepper (Capsicum annuum var. California Wonder) was evaluated in pots under greenhouse conditions, in a completely randomized design with four levels of phosphorus fertilizer [F0-without P, F1-0.200g pot-1 (half of the recommended dose), F3-0.400g pot-1 (recommended dose) and F4-0.800g pot-1 (double the recommended dose)] having six different combinations of bioinoculants. Inoculation of bioinoclulants with F1 increased plant growth and nutrition to an acceptable level with AM fungi in combination with P.fluorescens. Application of higher dose of P fertilizer markedly decreased all the growth parameters. The prevalence of AM colonization was highest in G+A+Pf with F1. Similarly highest yield was recorded for the treatment involving multi inoculation of G+A+Pf in the treatment of F1 followed by dual inoculation of G+Pf in F0 plants. Thus this finding suggests the application of efficient bioinoculants (G+A+Pf) along with right dose of P fertilizer (half of the recommended P) during seedling transplantation to increase overall growth and yield performance of bell pepper and could be considered as a sustainable substitute to higher phosphorus fertilizer for bell pepper cultivation.

A pot experiment was conducted to investigate the potential effect of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (Glomus mosseae & Acaulospora laevis) and phosphate solubilizing bacteria (Pseudomonasfluorescens) with different levels of superphosphate on Chrysanthemum indicum L. After 100 days, different plant growth parameters such as mycorrhization's characteristics, phosphatase activity and phosphorus uptake were measured. The obtained results revealed that the inoculation of plants with biofertilizers and recommended dose of superphosphate significantly improved the growth parameters. Inoculation with A. laevis + P. fluorescens at medium concentration of superphosphate showed maximum height, fresh and dry root weight, AM root colonization, AM spore count, alkaline phosphatase activity, acidic phosphatase activity and the percent phosphorus uptake in shoot and root whereas root length was maximum in G. mosseae + A. laevis + P.fluorescens. Leaf area and fresh and dry shoot weight were maximum in the treatment (G. mosseae + A. laevis + P. fluorescens) at low concentration of superphosphate. The use of AMF increased nutrient acquisition from an organic fertilizer source by enhancing acidic phosphatase (ACP) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, thus facilitating P acquisition and improving plant growth.

PURPOSE: Kidney stone is one of the most prevalent diseases worldwide. Calcium oxalate (CaOx) has been shown to be the main component of the majority of stones formed in the urinary system of the patients with urolithiasis. The present study evaluates the antilithiatic properties of Terminalia chebula commonly called as "harad" which is often used in ayurveda to treat various urinary diseases including kidney stones. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The antilithiatic activity of Terminalia chebula was investigated on nucleation and growth of the calcium oxalate crystals. The protective potency of the plant extract was also tested on oxalate induced cell injury of both NRK-52E and MDCK renal epithelial cells. RESULTS: The percentage inhibition of CaOx nucleation was found 95.84% at 25µg/mL of Terminalia chebula aqueous extract which remained almost constant with the increasing concentration of the plant extract; however, plant extract inhibited CaOx crystal growth in a dose dependent pattern. When MDCK and NRK-52E cells were injured by exposure to oxalate for 48 hours, the aqueous extract prevented the injury in a dose-dependent manner. On treatment with the different concentrations of the plant extract, the cell viability increased and lactate dehydrogenase release decreased in a concentration dependent manner. CONCLUSION: Our study indicates that Terminalia chebula is a potential candidate for phytotherapy against urolithiasis as it not only has a potential to inhibit nucleation and the growth of the CaOx crystals but also has a cytoprotective role.

PURPOSE: Recurrence and persistent side effects of present day treatment for urolithiasis restrict their use, so an alternate solution, using phytotherapy is being sought. The present study attempted to evaluate the antilithiatic properties of Tribulus terrestris commonly called as “gokhru” which is often used in ayurveda to treat various urinary diseases including urolithiasis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The activity of Tribulus terrestris was investigated on nucleation and the growth of the calcium oxalate (CaOx) crystals as well as on oxalate induced cell injury of NRK 52E renal epithelial cells. RESULTS: Tribulus terrestris extract exhibited a concentration dependent inhibition of nucleation and the growth of CaOx crystals. When NRK-52E cells were injured by exposure to oxalate for 72 h, Tribulus terrestris extract prevented the injury in a dose-dependent manner. On treatment with the different concentrations of the plant, the cell viability increased and lactate dehydrogenase release decreased in a concentration dependent manner. CONCLUSION: The current data suggests that Tribulus terrestris extract not only has a potential to inhibit nucleation and the growth of the CaOx crystals but also has a cytoprotective role. Our results indicate that it could be a potential candidate for phytotherapy against urolithiasis.