Abstract In this paper, we introduce a new family of distributions whose probability density function is defined as a weighted sum of two probability density functions; one is defined as a warped version of the other. We focus our attention on a special case based on the exponential distribution with three parameters, a dilation transformation and a weight with polynomial decay, leading to a new life-time distribution. The explicit expressions of the moments generating function, moments and quantile function of the proposed distribution are provided. For estimating the parameters, the method of maximum likelihood estimation is used. Two applications with practical data sets are given.

ABSTRACT With growing world population, there is an exponential increase in demand for food. The use of chemical fertilizers to improve crop productivity is associated with considerable health risks, environmental hazards, and costs. In this scenario, biofertilizers or microbial fertilizers appear to be an important alternative strategy. Therefore, this manuscript was proposed document the importance of biofertilizers and plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) as candidates for it production. The various underlying mechanisms promoting the growth of plants, different types and comparison with chemical fertilizers are compiled in this review and the potential for developing a sustainable agriculture.

RESUMEN Con la creciente población mundial, hay un aumento exponencial de la demanda de alimentos. El uso de fertilizantes químicos para mejorar la productividad de los cultivos está asociado con considerables riesgos para la salud, peligros ambientales y costos. En este escenario, los biofertilizantes o fertilizantes microbianos parecen ser una estrategia alternativa importante. Por lo tanto, este manuscrito fue propuesto para documentar la importancia de los biofertilizantes y las rizobacterias promotoras del crecimiento vegetal (PGPR) como candidatos para su producción. En esta revisión se compilan los diversos mecanismos subyacentes que promueven el crecimiento de plantas, los diferentes tipos y la comparación con los fertilizantes químicos y el potencial para desarrollar una agricultura sostenible.

Abstract We report here the draft genome sequence of Acinetobacter sp. Strain V2 isolated from the oil contaminated soil collected from ENGEN, Amanzimtoti, South Africa. Degradation of phenolic compounds such as phenol, toluene, aniline etc. at 400 ppm in 24 h and oil degrading capability makes this organism an efficient multifunctional bioremediator. Genome sequencing of Acinetobacter spp. V2 was carried out on Illumina HiSeq 2000 platform (performed by the Beijing Genomics Institute [BGI], Shenzhen, China). The data obtained revealed 643 contigs with genome size of 4.0 Mb and G + C content of 38.59%.

ABSTRACT An efficient in vitro regeneration protocol for medicinally important herb Swertia chirayita was developed and the genetic fidelity was assessed using RAPD and ISSR markers. The best shoot regeneration was observed on MS basal supplemented with 1.0 mg/L Benzyl amino purine (BAP) in combination with Indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) (0.5 mg/L) that resulted in the increase by multiplication rate (7.65) with an average of 33.33 numbers of shoots and average shoot length of 2.70 cm. It was further enhanced by the addition of adenine sulfate (0.007%) that resulted in an average of 42 shoots per clum with 4.13 cm of average shoot length and the increase in multiplication fold to 9.75 that further resulted in the reduced use of other cytokinins and auxins. The rooting was nearly 100 % on 1/4 MS augmented with 1.0 mg/L Indole butyric acid with maximum average root length of 5.1cm. Plantlets were successfully acclimatized with 85-90 % survival rate. Ascorbate peroxidase activity increased with the maximum activity during the shoot multiplication. Clonal fidelity has been checked by two marker systems ISSR and RAPD and regenerated plants showed high clonal fidelity.