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The leaf epidermal anatomy of 15 salt-tolerant plant species belonging to the Amaranthaceae from the Salt Range of Punjab-Pakistan was studied using light microscopy (LM). The main purpose of this investigation was to compare the leaf micro-morphologies of the studied taxa, which can provide diagnostic characters useful for correct identification of halophytic taxa. Various quantitative and qualitative foliar epidermal features of adaxial and abaxial surfaces, including epidermal cell shape, anticlinal wall pattern, lobes per cell, anomocytic, anisocytic, and paracytic types of stomata and trichome diversity, were studied. Eight types of trichomes reported for the halophytes studied i.e. stellate, glandular, conical, capitate, non-capitate, non-glandular, cylindrical, and falcate. The shapes of epidermal cells found are pentagonal, polygonal, irregular, wavy, and tetragonal. This is the first report on leaf epidermal micromorphology of halophytes of family Amaranthaceae of Salt Range of Punjab. The findings revealed that leaf epidermal features showed adequate variations among genera distinguishing the halophytic taxa of family Amaranthaceae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Taxonomy and evolution of Jasminum species were highlighted by analyzing foliar epidermal attributes with LM and SM. • Irregular cells, anomocytic, cyclocytic, and anisocytic stomata, peltate glands, and unicellular or uniseriate trichomes were found in Jasminum. • Domatia, glabrous to hairy, or spiny leaf margin, midrib, cells anticlinal view, cuticular folds and striations are diagnostic characters in Jasminum. • Cluster analysis divided Jasminum into two major groups; C1 with four white flower-bearing and, C2 = five white and yellow flower-bearing species. • Foliar epidermal attributes are crucial to infer relationships indicating the direction of character evolution from yellow to white flowering Jasminum. Jasminum L. is an important genus of the Oleaceae family with nearly 200 species cultivated or distributed wild in almost all parts of the world. A comparative taxonomy and evolutionary relationship on the basis of foliar epidermal quantitative and qualitative micro-morphological characters of nine species of the genus Jasminum were assessed using light microscopy (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques. Foliar epidermal anatomical attributes like number and size of cells, stomata, stomata complex, granular and non-granular trichomes along with the abaxial to adaxial cell ratio and stomata index were assessed as distinguished characters of the Jasminum foliar epidermis. Results displayed irregular types of cells, anomocytic, cyclocytic, anisocytic and giant stomata, peltate glands and unicellular or uniseriate trichomes in Jasminum species. The presence of domatia at the vein axil, glabrous, hairy, or spiny leaf margin, midrib, anticlinal view of the cells, cuticular folds and striations appeared as valuable micro-morphological attributes in Jasminum. The cluster analysis based on micro-morphology divided Jasminum species into two major clusters. The first cluster (C1) displayed four white flowering Jasminum species from section Unifoliolata with shared characters like simple opposite leaves with spinose and cuticular striations. The second cluster (C2) showed five white and yellow flower-bearing Jasminum species having compound leaves with cuticular folds or striations and spinose at their leaf margins. Conclusively, micro-morphological attributes are crucial to characterize and infer evolutionary relationships and the direction of character evolution from yellow to white flowering Jasminum. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plants adopt different morphological and physiological strategies for their survival while their anatomical characters are mostly unidentified. Angiosperm and herbaceous plants developed insignificant water transporting channels and storage tissues called parenchyma to survive against environmental stresses. Detailed surveys were conducted throughout the Punjab region for the collection of different species of sedges from different soils. The purpose of the study was to investigate the root anatomical adaptation to salinity stress. The densely spread roots help in plant growth in both temporal and tropical regions. Thick epidermis and endodermis make them drought-resistant by restricting water loss during a wide variety of temperature fluctuations. Larger vascular bundles and thicker cortical area in roots are also significant features of these species to store and transport maximum water from the soil. Each population displayed unique modifications of anatomical characteristics, suggesting its adaptability capacity to a specific environmental situation. Water deficient area showed Intensive sclerification in the root vascular zone, large metaxylem vessels, vascular area and stomatal density. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cenchrus ciliaris is a potential forage grass that widely grows in saline desert environment. To examine root, stem and leaf anatomical modifications, population of Cenchrus ciliaris L. (Buffal grass) was collected from the naturally saline patches of the Cholistan desert, Pakistan. Four salinity treatments 0 mM of NaCl (control), 100, 200 and 300 mM of NaCl were maintained in half strength Hoagland nutrient solution by using hydroponic system. After 16 weeks of growth in nutrient solution root, stem and leaf anatomical characteristics were studied. Salt stress induced anatomical modification in root, stem and leaf that help to survive species in adverse environmental condition. At root level, salinity increased the thickness of endodermis and sclerenchyma tissues both prevent the water loss from root surface and also increased in number of parenchyma cells in pith and cortex region that improved the water storage capacity of root. At stem level, salinity contributed in epidermis and sclerenchyma thickness along with increase in number of vascular bundles and its area that might be improved conduction of water and solute, increase succulence ability and preventing water loss. In case of leaf and leaf sheath, decreased in stomatal density and its area, increased bulliform cell, and rich density of vesicular hairs and trichomes might be essential for water conservation and salt excretion. On the basis of anatomical modifications and its correlation with biomass it was concluded that C. ciliaris can easily be grow at salt affected areas and such anatomical modifications seemed to be critical for the better survival of species under harsh sandy and salty environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Foot and mouth disease (FMD) is highly endemic in Pakistan, which induces heavy economic loss to livestock holders in term of decrease milk production, high morbidity and mortality in large and small ruminants. In present study, we observed the clinico-pathological lesions during an outbreak of FMD in vaccinated buffaloes. Overall 31.56% morbidity (119/377), 4.77% mortality (18/377) and 15.12% case fatality (18/119) was recorded during the current outbreak. The morbid animals were lethargic, depressed and exhibited marked lameness, profuse salivation, myositis of tongue, vesicular fluid and epithelial sloughing. Vesicular fluid and epithelial sloughing collected from clinically sick animals were positive for FMDV predominantly O strain and Asia I through ELISA technique. Grossly, mandibular lymph nodes were swollen and hemorrhagic in infected animals. The mucosa of abomasum was severely congested, ulcerated and showed hyperemic edges with centrally yellow necrotic areas. Severe purulent inflammation of jejunum and petechial hemorrhages over base of heart were also observed. Histologically degenerative changes in keratinocytes in stratum spinosum, marked acanthosis and intracellular accumulation of eosinophilic, a cellular, transudate forming characteristic vesicles and bullae were observed in epidermis. The mandibular lymph nodes exhibited prominent capillaries engorged with erythrocytes, necrosis and dendritic cells with engulfed necrotic cells. Hemosiderin accumulation was also observed. Fusion and stunting of intestinal villi along with infiltration of inflammatory cells were characteristic lesions in infected animals. From the findings of our study it can be suggested that clinical signs, necropsy lesions and histopathological changes are valuable and useful tools for the diagnosis of foot and mouth disease in Bubalus bubalis. Moreover, strict surveillance, use of good quality vaccines, regular monitoring and geographical distribution of various serotypes of FMDV are valuable tool for establishment of effective control procedures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Leaf epidermal anatomy of tribe Trifolieae L. has been studied with the objective to assess the characteristics that can be used to reevaluate the circumscription and systematic position of tribe. Using light and scanning electron microscopy, leaf epidermal characters of 17 species belonging to four genera of Trifolieae (Medicago L., Melilotus Mill., Trifolium L. and Trigonella L.) are investigated. The placement of Melilotus and Trigonella in one section Grammocarpus was also reassessed on the basis of leaf epidermal characters. Presence of characteristic anomocytic stomata with great variation of size and short, unbranched, unicellular, non glandular trichomes with acute apex are diagnostic characters for delimitation of species in Trifolieae. The distributional density of trichomes varies greatly between genera and found to be highest in genus Medicago. The value of stomatal index ranges between 24.6% (Trifolium dubium) to 83% (Trigonella foeno graceum). In general, present study concludes that the variations of all traits are mostly sustained and intrinsic to the species and of promising taxonomic value. The combination of leaf epidermal characters in correlation with other traits has potential for taxonomic resolution at species level. Further phylogenetic studies on tribe, based on more comprehensive sampling will probably explain intrageneric relationships in Trifolieae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Capparis decidua a medicinal shrub belonging to the family Capparaceae , grows abundantly in wild regions of Asia, Africa, and Saudi Arabia. Due to its medicinal and nutritional value, a study on anatomical and physiological adaptations under various desert habitats was conducted. Results revealed that plants in saline areas showed significant anatomical and physiological modifications particularly in stem and roots show better survival under the harsh saline conditions of the desert. It was noted that the root epidermis thickness was not affected in a slightly saline environment as it showed no significant increasing or decreasing trend in the cross-section of the plant population from non-saline to slightly saline (p > 0.05) while it increased significantly in plants growing at highly saline (p < 0.05). Whereas endodermis cell area differs significantly between plants growing at all selected study sites it increased continuously with a rise in the salinity level of the soil (p < 0.05). Meanwhile, water storage capacity and reduction of water loss in the stem area, epidermis, and sclerenchyma were also recorded. In a highly saline environment, results intimate the deduction of photosynthetic pigments, an increase in total soluble proteins, total free amino acids, total soluble sugars, and proline, and a rise in stem and root tissue Na+, K+, Ca2+, and Cl− contents and meanwhile, accumulation of secondary metabolites (Phenolics and flavonoids). These anatomical and physiological adaptations in natural populations appear to be very important for their better survival in a harsh saline desert environment. It was concluded that C. decidua was found in all different edaphic habitats of the Cholistan Desert, due to its adaptive features, which were very obvious in this plant and highly saline site. • Capparis decidua a medicinal shrub belonging to the family Capparaceae. • Anatomical and physiological adaptations was examined under various desert habitats. • Plants in saline areas showed significant anatomical and physiological modifications. • It was concluded that C. decidua was found in all edaphic habitats of the desert. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) is one of the major fruit crops in Pakistan and country ranks among the seven leading producers worldwide. It shows wide variations in its morpho-anatomical characteristics. For root anatomical studies, twenty two date palm cultivars were collected from Date Palm Research Station, Jhang, Pakistan and were cross-sectioned free hand. Root parameters were measured with the help of using a compound microscope. Results showed that sclerenchyma thickness, sclerenchyma bundle area and cortical cell area were largest in Zaidi (305.40; 18950.3; 5174.6 µm) while Karbalaen (62.63 µm), 'Khudrawi-2' (2867.0 µm) and Saib (1206.2 µm) showed smallest values, respectively. Highest cortical thickness, metaxylem area and phloem area were observed in Makran. All the cultivars displayed significant variations in the root structures, which indicate different evolutionary routes for date palm cultivars. Further molecular genetics studies are needed to decipher the diversity in date palm cultivars. © 2014 Friends Science Publishers [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Exploring the epidermal micromorphology of Vincetoxicum arnottianum (Apocynaceae) for the first time. • High stomatal diversity was reported comprises of ten major stomatal types long with thirty six subtypes. • Novel stomatal types have been reported based on their unique architecture. • Scanning electron microscopy of leaves was done and illustrations are provided for all the stomatal types. Stomatal multiplicity in the foliar epidermis is an intriguing feature found rarely in dicotyledonous plants. Here we present Vincetoxicum arnottianum as an addition to the list of taxa possessing multiple stomata. We sampled V. arnottianum from sixteen different populations representing the whole distribution range of this species in Pakistan. Detailed investigation of both adaxial and abaxial epidermal surfaces under light microscope revealed ten major stomatal types and thirty six subtypes viz. paracytic (five subtypes), anisocytic (three subtypes), tetracytic (two subtypes), laterocytic (thirteen subtypes), stephanocytic (four subtypes), brachyparahexacytic (one subtype), anomocytic and actinocytic. Among these types, we report polar paracytic (with six subtypes) and pseudoholoparacytic (with two subtypes) as novel stomatal types based on their unique architecture. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed that stomata were sunken in the epidermis. We observed the non-contiguous stomatal cluster of abnormal stomatal pattern in six populations. We provide illustrations for all the reported stomatal types. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]