Abstract: The study was undertaken to develop an efficient protocol for in vitro regeneration of shallot (Allium cepa). Two local shallot varieties (Huruta and Minjar) were used as experimental materials where basal discs were used as explants. Murashige and Skoog medium supplemented with different concentrations and combinations of 2, 4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid, 6-Benzylaminopurine, Kinetin and α-naphthaleneacetic acid were used for callus induction and regeneration of plantlet. Maximum callus induction was observed in genotype Huruta (81.11%) in medium supplemented with 1mg/l 2, 4- Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid. In combined effect both genotypes Huruta and Minjar showed highest callus induction (74.44%) from basal discs placed in medium supplemented with 1 mg/1 2,4- Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid. Among the different types and combination of plant growth regulators, the maximum callus fresh weight of 1.26 and 1.20 g were achieved with 1 mg/l 2, 4- Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid and α-naphthaleneacetic acid combined with 1 mg/l 6-Benzylaminopurine, respectively. Regenerated plants were obtained via somatic embryogenesis and organogenesis. Murashige and Skoog medium supplemented with 5.0 mg/l 6-Benzylaminopurine + 0.1 mg/l α-naphthaleneacetic acid showed higher percentage of shoot regeneration (91.11%). 1.5 mg/l indole-3-butyric acid + 2 mg/l 6-Benzylaminopurine was the optimum concentration giving 86.66% of rooted plantlets. The survival rate of transferred regenerated plantlets was satisfactory 66.6% and 60.0% for Minjar and Huruta respectively.

Abstract: Taxonomy and ethno-medicinal investigation on the family Moraceae growing throughout the Rajshahi city, Bangladesh was carried out during September 2012 to August 2013. A total of 9 species under 7 genera belonging to the family Moraceae were collected and recorded for their use in various ailments. Herbal medicines have a strong traditional or conceptual base and the potential to be useful as drugs in terms of safely and effectiveness, leads for treating different diseases. The present article gives an account of such a medicinally important family Moraceae which comprise both wild and cultivated species. Out of the total number of species Artocarpus heterophyllus Lamk., Artocarpus lacucha Buch-Ham., Ficus benghalensis L., Ficus hispida L., Ficus racemosa L., Ficus religiosa L., Morus alba L. were very common and Ficus elastica Roxb ex Hornem. and Ficus pumila L. were rare species in the study area. Thus a survey was carried out, to record the traditional health care remedies currently practiced by the local people.

Abstract: Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal. commonly known as “Aswhoganda”, belongs to the family Solanaceae is an important medicinal plant and a major source of alkaloids and steroids. Induction of callus was observed from stem explants on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with various concentrations and combinations of growth hormones viz, 6-Benzylaminopurine (BAP), α-Napthalene acetic acid (NAA), 2,4-Dichlorophenoxy acetic acid (2, 4-D) and kinetin. All the hormone supplemented media gave response for callus growth. The callus was compact and yellowish brown color in all culture condition. The best growth of callus was observed in the MS medium supplemented with 0.5 mgL¹BAP + 1.5 mgL^-1 NAA; followed by MS medium supplement with 0.5 mgL^-1 BAP + 0.5 mgL^-1 NAA, 0.5 mgL^-1 BAP + 2.0 mgL^-1NAA and 1.0 mgL^-1 BAP + 1.5 mgL^-1NAA at 8 weeks. Mass production of callus might be used for production and isolation of secondary metabolites for medicinal propose in W. somnifera.

Abstract: Assessment of angiosperm weeds of Rajshahi, Bangladesh has been studied. A total of 155 angiosperm weed species under 125 genera and 50 families were recorded. Of these, Magnoliopsida (Dicots) was represented by 138 species under 109 genera and 43 families while Liliopsida (Monocots) was represented by 17 species under 16 genera and 7 families. Asteraceae were the largest family in Magnoliopsida represented by 27 species, and Araceae were the largest family in Liliopsida represented by 6 species. Fifty (50) medicinal plants have been documented with their uses for the cure of more than 61 diseases, and some of these are abscess, asthma, abortion, cough, cold, small pox, constipation, dysentery, diarrhea, diabetes, eczema, fever, and fracture of bone, headache, heart disease, itches, jaundice, menstrual disease, paralysis, piles, skin diseases, snake-bite, toothache, vomiting, worm, wound and others. This detailed information will be helpful for the pharmacognosist, botanist, ethno-botanist and pharmacologist for the collection and identification of the plant for their research work.

Abstract: The persistence of heavy metals in the environment may pollute or contaminate soils and aqueous streams as both natural components or as the result of human activity. Bioremediation process in this regards is an option that offers the possibility to destroy or render harmless various contaminants using plants and microbes. Amongst the various bioremediation processes, phytoremediation and bioremediation by microbes are quite effective. Phytoremediation includes the removal of contaminants with the help of green plants, while the microbial bioremediation includes the removal of heavy metals by microorganisms (bacteria, fungi, yeast and algae) as sorbets. Amongst the various heavy metal contaminants arsenic and lead are recognized as the leading toxicants worldwide and having the various toxic effects on human and animal health as well as on the environment. The aim of this article is to give an overview of the arsenic and lead contaminant in soil and also the mechanism of removal of these toxic metals from the contaminated sources by the potent application of plants and microbes.