THE BENEFITS OF A POLLEN CULTURE

With growing demands of an ever increasing population of the world, there is a need to increase the type and quality of food production by understanding the techniques and principles of breeding of plants to attain better yields.
One conventional method of doing so is by resorting to sexual hybridization. This essentially involves transporting pollen from one plant to another in order to obtain hybrids, which are generally of a better quality. Hybridization is done keeping the characteristics of the parent plants as well as the desired product in mind.

What is Pollen?

If you observe the structure of a flower, it contains of the Sepals, the Petals, the Stamen and the Pistols. A flower is the prime carrier of reproductory organs of a plant and these are the Pistols and the Stamen which carry male and female parts of a plant. Pollen is the fine or coarse powder that contains microgametophytes of the seed plants that produce male gametes (sperm cells).

Action of Pollen

Pollen grains bear a hard coat which protects the sperm cells during process of their movement from the stamens to the pistil of flowering plants.
After the pollen reaches a compatible pistil of the similar flowering plant, it germinates, that is - it transfers the sperm to the receptive ovary through a pollen tube.

Pollination

(a) Self Pollination - In case the anthers of a plant are taller than its stigma, it leads to the plant being able to pollinate itself by allowing its own pollen to drift towards and into its own stigma, which is essentially a tube protecting the ovum, i.e. the female DNA part of the plant. After the pollen reaches its ovum, it fertilizes and forms the fruit or a nut.

(b) Cross pollination – This happens when the pollen gets carried to another flower or plant by the action of wind, birds, insects, or animals carry pollen from one flower to another. Wind-borne pollen also causes conditions like hay fever and allergies amongst some of us...

What is Pollen Culture?

The action of wind or other carriers like bees, animals, insects, etc is not specific and cannot be controlled. In order to get the fertilization to take place between the best varieties of trees and produce best quality hybrid seeds, it is essential to have control on how the fertilization takes place.

For this purpose Pollen Culture is resorted to. In this, the isolated pollen grains are cultured in vitro, under controlled conditions and give rise to haploid embryos; such an approach is also called pollen culture.

Pollen may be isolated either by squeezing or float culturing the anthers.
In crops that are cross-pollinated: the parent that furnishes the pollen which pollinates the stigma of the other parent in the production of seed is called the pollinator.

Procedure of pollination culture

Initially isolated pollen grains are cultured in laboratories either by method of hanging drops or by using a filter paper positioned on the cultured anthers. Subsequently, these anthers continue to spill pollen and their serial subculture finally yields pollen samplings in diverse stages of andragenesis (haploid embryo/plantlet formation from pollen grains). The cross pollination is then carried out in vitriol, i.e. in the laboratory under controlled conditions and by carefully selecting the pollinators.

Advantages of Pollen Culture

Pollen culture has many advantages. Some of these are

Higher and better yields of hybrid variety of plants.
Robust, disease free plants
Higher Resilience of plants to diseases and pests
Better aesthetics and variety
Lesser dependence on Chemical based fertilizers and enzymes.
Economic and cost effective production
Better shelf life with natural resistance to various degrading vectors

The pollen culture reported from several species proves to be very as well as successful., Cross pollinated hybrids raised from pollen culture have proved to be very productive in case of many species of plants like tobacco, Datura, barley, wheat, petunia, potato, rice, rapeseed, maize, etc.

Glass Kettles in Modern Kitchens

The fascination with glass is growing rapidly in modern way of living as we find more and more people using it for purposes hitherto unthinkable. We find it being used extensively in almost all situations, like the construction industry, day to day items of use and the interior designing.

A modern kitchen finds items of glass being used increasingly in microwave ovens, crockery, cutlery and kitchenware. A glass kettle is one such item that seems to be fashionable these days with the newer generation.

Advantages of a Glass Kettle

• It helps see what is going on inside and thereby gives better results in making tea or coffee to perfection.

• It saves on energy needs as one can use see the contents and put it on simmer or off in time.

• It looks great and is dishwasher safe, easy to clean and maintain.

• Since the user can see the contents in a glass kettle, it prevents spilling over.

• The glass kettle is available in non electrical as well as electrical models, thereby giving the users to select one as per their choice.

• It looks great and goes well with any décor and any type of kitchen

• The water boils quicker in a glass kettle which is very easy to fill and has a heat proof attractive grip.

Therefore we see that except that it is breakable and needs a little careful handling, using a glass kettle has many advantages over the conventional types of ceramic, steel, wooden or any other type of kettles. Besides this it is also very hygienic to use them because of the ease of cleaning and being able to see that there is no harmful residue left over inside.

A SIX STEP FORMULA TO MANAGE YOUR STRESS

The pace of our lives has increased manifold during the past few decades. Due to this there has been a marked increase in the stress levels in our body, which shows up in the form of aggressive or negative behavior. This has also given way to numerous lifestyle ailments like high blood pressure, diabetes, sleeplessness etc.

It is thus important that we avoid building up of stress levels in the body. To do this it is important to follow the following –

1. Monitoring The Stress Levels – One should not neglect minor symptoms like excessive anger or sleeplessness, and should seek expert guidance at the earliest.

2. Exercise Regularly – A daily routine of physical exercise helps preventing stress from building up in the body.

3. Control Your Reactions - many a times, certain situations or behavior of some people may not be to your liking which may initiate stress in your body. It is important to recognize such situations before developing stress and avoid confrontation by staying away.

4. Involve Yourself – Having a hobby or interest is a great way of removing stress after a day’s hard work.

5. Indulge Yourself – Do not neglect your body. Go for an occasional massage therapy or a swim to make your feel good as well as remove stress from your body.

6. Live in Harmony With Nature – Taking a walk in the park, a short hike in the country side or a simple act of sitting by the riverside can help bust stress and make you feel light and healthy.

By following these simple steps, one would be able to overcome any stress related problems and lead a healthier happier life.

SOME PRACTICAL TIPS FOR CONTROLLING ANGER

Anger is as much a part of human behavior as happiness and sadness are. However, there is a difference. While other types of displays of emotion are not destructive, anger is a harmful phenomenon as it brings about the worst in us and creates a sense of negativity in the environment too.

Reasons for Anger

In order to control anger, one needs to understand the symptoms and reasons that lead to anger. Some of them are –

Ø External Reasons - Unforeseen or unpleasant situations that are beyond our control lead to anger. Also behavior of others like our colleagues, spouse, boss, children, friends etc may lead to anger.

Ø Internal reasons – Most of the time it is our inner conflicts that lead to anger. Not getting our way, frustrations of childhood, need to control others, etc are some such reasons which may lead to anger.

Effects of Anger

More often than not, anger leads to unpleasant effects in our relationships. It undermines our self esteem and self confidence and most importantly, affects our health. It is thus important to harness anger.

Ways to Control Anger

Anger management is very important since it plays up with our health as well as social standing. Therefore, one would do well to control it by some of the following methods.

Ø Recognize and avoid triggers that lead to anger.

Ø Be more forgiving and understanding.

Ø Acceptance of failures of self and others also leads to a more harmonious situation.

Ø Lifestyle changes like proper diet, proper sleep, good hygiene and good hobbies take the mind away from depressing and negative situations thus preventing conflicting situations.

Ø Keep a positive outlook to life, avoiding negative thoughts and negative feelings.

Ø Keeping calm and composed under all types situations

Ø Yoga and Meditation

Controlling anger builds bridges between people and leads to happy relationships based on mutual respect, understanding and love.

SETTING GOALS TO ACCOMPLISH TASKS

Everyone has some aim in life. The approach to achieving these aims however differs from person to person. Some go about life without achieving anything substantial while t others achieve what they want. The difference between the two types of people is the way they set out their goals.

Importance of Goal Setting

Goals are the markers that define the direction that you take. Goal setting is therefore the very important first step to success. While goal setting is a natural phenomenon with some, with the others, it needs to be deliberately chalked out.

Types of Goals

Goals can be short term or long term . While the overall focus should be on the achievement of long term goals, one may have short term goals within these long term goals.

Ingredients of Goal Setting

Ø Clear Vision – One must have a crystal clear view of what one wants to do. Therefore, there may be a need to sit down and make notes of what is important to you. Also seek advice where necessary.

Ø Outline A Course Of Action – Once the goal setting is done, it is important to list out what it takes to reach there. List out a road map or ‘stepping stones’.

Ø Make A Time Line – Having made a road map or stepping stones, assign a time frame to each. Make an assessment of your goal setting targets on a daily, weekly, monthly and yearly basis.

Ø Stay Focused – You must stay focused on achievement of your goals. Do not get disappointed by small irritants and setbacks. Try to overcome them with a positive attitude and hard work.

Ø Think Beyond Goal Setting – One must have plans that go beyond the goals that have been set to seize a fleeting opportunity if it so arises.

Ø Visualize Success – It is very important to visualize yourself as succeeding in your endeavors. It helps you prepare for success and keeps you motivated.

SECRETS OF LIVING A HAPPY LIFE

Everyone wants to be happy in life but only a few can say with satisfaction that they are truly happy. Happiness cannot be defined since it is a very subjective feeling, nor can it be quantified in terms of riches or possessions. It is a well documented fact that some of the poorest nations have the happiest people.

So what is it that gives us Happiness and how to go about getting it?

There are many such things that we can do to have a feeling of happiness. Some of them are –

Be Satisfied With What You Have – It is well known that most people are not happy because they lack one or the other worldly procession. One must understand that it is simply not possible to have everything.

Try To Be Yourself – Be what you are, without trying to emulate someone or the other. Realize your own strengths and weaknesses and set yourself achievable targets.

Increase Your Potential And Expertise – The more talented you are the more you would be in demand which would give rise to self motivation and self esteem, which would give you happiness.

Follow Your Dreams – Most people are often not so happy because they give up their own desires and dreams to toe a line given by others. Following your own dreams is the biggest secret to happiness as it is something that you “want” to do.

Spirituality – To be content, it is important to have faith in the almighty. Hence, for many people, following the path of spirituality gives happiness.

Keeping Company With Happy People – Happiness is contagious. Hence, being in company of happy people brings happiness.

Good Health – Staying healthy naturally gives happiness. Hence it is important to exercise regularly and keep fit.

HOW TO STOP SMOKING

Almost all those who are addicted to smoking would have experienced the urge to stop it at some time or the other. Some of them, who actually stop it, cannot seem to do so for long and get back to it sooner or later. This is so because like any other addiction smoking is very difficult to forgo.

It is not difficult to leave it in the initial stages but soon the nicotine addiction becomes the body’s need, which makes it difficult to give up.

What Exactly Is Addiction?

Addiction is the craving that a person feels when a certain thing is not made available. The body gets used to its daily “fix” and reacts in case that substance is not given in a timely fashion. Those who want to quit smoking need to understand this phenomenon and be prepared to face the withdrawal symptoms of addiction of nicotine.

Some Practical Ways to Quit Smoking –

1. Make a Firm Resolve - that you will quit smoking, whatever happens. This is the most difficult first step to it because often people take it very lightly, which is the chief reason of getting back to smoking soon thereafter.

2. Involve Your Family And Friends – This is so because despite all your resolutions, the addiction to nicotine would tend to make you seek situations and reasons to ‘have just one puff’.

3. Keep Away From Other Smokers – If you really wish to overcome this addiction, you got to be away from not only those who smoke but also from smoking material of any type.

4. Carry Some “Addiction Substitute” - like chewing gum, toffees or simply some fruit like grapes or strawberries that you can have whenever you feel the urge to smoke

5. Reward Yourself – In case you do manage to keep off from the addiction, reward yourself for maintaining your resolve and moving on the way to better health.