The current study deals with the detailed morphology investigation of eight Cypsela species belonging to tribe Cichoreae. The different Cypsela types were described, explained, compared, and their taxonomic significance is discussed in detail. Light microscopy (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) have been used to highlight quantitative and qualitative characters of underestudied species. Cypsela exhibit great diversity in macro and micromorphological features such as shape, color, length, width, anticlinal and periclinal wall patterns, surface patterns, epicuticular projections. Majority of Cypsela species were brownish in color and their size ranges from 2.16 to 3.98 mm in length and 1.16 to 0.82 mm in breadth. A great diversity in Cypsela shapes like oblanceolate to obovate, obovoid to cylindrical, obvate, narrowly lanceolate were observed. Most of the platelets having epicuticular projections were observed. The surface pattern on the cypsela surface varied from rugose papillate, verrucose papillate, and striated. On the basis of considerable variations observed, the present study can assist as useful constraints at various taxonomic levels. The aim of the present study is to provide a comprehensive description of the Cypsela morphology and to determine the extent to which these micro morphological data can be used as a taxonomic character to delineate various taxa belonging to the tribe Cichoreae.
Climate change is the most realistic theory of this era. Sudden and drastic changes are happening on the earth and the survival of mankind is becoming questionable in the future. The plants play the key role in controlling the climate change. The study emphasizes on role of trees in the cop up or damaging the climate of this earth, whether they are medicinal trees or economically important trees. Due to the overgrazing and intense deforestation the climate is being affected hazardously. The global warming phenomenon is occurring due to the less availability of trees and more carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. In total 20 plants were collected from across the Pakistan on the basis of their abundance and their key roles. Out of which seeds of eight plants were scanned through scanning electron microscope for correct authentication and importance of these medicinally important trees in mitigating the climate change. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS: The role of forest sector in the climate's change mitigation. Medicinally and economically important tree species across Pakistan. By using SEM, Ultra seed sculpturing features as an authentication tool. To formulate some policies to stop or control deforestation.
The effects of sucrose preculture duration and loading treatment on tolerance of Garcinia cowa shoot tips to cryopreservation using the PVS2 vitrification solution were investigated. Ultrastructural changes in meristematic cells at the end of the preculture and loading steps were followed in an attempt to understand the effects of these treatments on structural changes in cell membranes and organelles. Increasing preculture duration on 0.3 M sucrose medium from 0 to 3 days enhanced tolerance to PVS2 solution from 5.6 percent (no preculture) to 49.2 percent (3-day preculture). However, no survival was observed after cryopreservation. Examination of meristematic cells by transmission electron microscopy revealed the progressive accumulation of an electron-dense substance in line with increasing exposure durations to 0.3 M sucrose preculture. Treatment with a loading solution (2 M glycerol + 0.4 M sucrose) decreased tolerance of shoot tips to PVS2 vitrification solution and had a deleterious effect on the ultrastructure of G. cowa meristematic cells. This study suggests that G. cowa meristematic cells may lose their structural integrity due to exposure to glycerol present in the loading solution at a 2 M concentration, either due to its high osmotic potential, or due to its cytotoxicity.