Phytophthora leaf-blight disease incidence was assessed on two local varieties in Nsukka area. The varieties, Colocasia esculenta var. esculenta (L.) Schott and Colocasia esculenta var. antiquorum (L.) Schott (Hubbard & Rehder) from three major cocoyam-growing localities- Ede-Oballa, Nsukka-Urban and Obukpa were used in the study. Data obtained were subjected to Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and the means separated with Fischer’s Least Significant Difference (F-LSD). The results showed a high percentage mean incidence of 91.3 and 67.0% in varieties antiquorum and esculenta respectively, which varied (LSD (P< 0.05) =5.85) significantly. Correspondingly high incidences of 74.2, 86.0 and 77.2% were recorded in the localities respectively LSD (P<0.05) =7.15. These high incidences reflect the scarcity and the exorbitant prizes of cocoyam in Nsukka area. Based on these results, it is apparent that both varieties are highly susceptible to P.colocasiae hence; there is the urgent need for the development of adequate control measures possibly via the breeding of resistant varieties.

A new subspecies, Ophrys omegaifera subsp. gharifensis K. Addam & M. Bou-Hamdan, from Lebanon is described and illustrated. Morphologically this subspecies closely resembles Ophrys omegaifera H. Fleischm. group and in particular Ophrys omegaifera H. Fleischm. subsp. israelitica (H. Baumann & Künkele) G. & K. Morschek but differ in floral details, such us: bigger flowers that diverge from the stem at almost 90º and have macula (mirror) characterised by two bright yellow, symmetrical, ovoid-shaped, concave patterns that vary in size. Plants seem to be shorter with inflorescences typically carrying one, rarely, four flowers.

Antibacterial and Antifungal activity of aqueous, Petroleum ether, chloroform and Ethanol extracts of Indian medicinal plant Adathoda vasica, Saraca indica, Moringa oelifera and Boerhaavia diffusa was investigated against E. coli, Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus flavus spp. The preliminary screening of Phytoconstituents and antibacterial and antifungal activity was performed by agar well diffusion method against pathogenic species. The organic extracts i. e. Petroleum ether, chloroform and Ethanol extracts of Adathoda vasica, Saraca indiaca, Moringa oleifera, Boerhaavia diffusa plants have exhibited moderate to significant antibacterial and antifungal activity. The aqueous extract showed no activity on agar well diffusion in all organisms. The significant antibacterial activity was compared with standard antibiotics Ampicillin and Tetracycline. The results obtained in the present study suggest that they can be used in treating diseases caused by the test organisms.

Ethnomedicinal survey of Orchha Wildlife Sanctuary region of Tikamgarh district (Madhya Pradesh) was carried out during 2009-2010. The information about the medicinal uses of plants was recorded on the basis of personal interviews with traditional healers and old man and women of the society the investigation revealed that 65 plant species belonging 45 families and 57 genera are commonly used in the treatment of various diseases.