College Name: CMR National PU College, ITPL, Bangalore Sample Name: Fresh water Annelid from fish tank Sample Collected from: Fish tank at home with algae growing over a pebble, collected on 21/3/19 Sample observed at CMR National PU College, ITPL on 21/3/19 People involved: Lecturers at CMR PU – Ms. Anitha, Ms. Kruti, Ms. Arpita,…
Category: Nature
Things connected to observations in ecological context
White Mold-Sclerotia causing pod rot in peas
Some white, cottony mass was observed on pea pods. The sample observed under foldscope revealed fungal hyphae and black, irregular sclerotia. When these pea pods were split open, white fluffy, slimy mycelium was found inside also. Infection results in production of dense white mycelium which covers the stems, leaves and even the pods. The affected…
MEALYBUGS ON PLANTS
COLLEGE: CMR NATIONAL PU COLLEGE SAMPLE: MEALYBUGS SAMPLE COLLECTED FROM: MY BACKYARD ON 08/03/2019 SAMPLE VIEWED AT: CMR NATIONAL PU COLLEGE ON 08/03/2019 STUDENTS INVOLVED: A. PRAGNA SAAHITHYA, NEHA. R, VIMARSHA RUDRESH AND AISHWARYA. R Mealybugs or Pseudococcidae are unarmoured, scaled insects found in moist, warm climates. Mealybugs are considered pests as they feed on…
TOOTH ENAMEL
COLLEGE: CMR NATIONAL PU COLLEGE SAMPLE: ENAMEL OF MY DECIDUOUS TOOTH [LOWER RIGHT CANINE} SAMPLE COLLECTED FROM: MY HOUSE IN JULY, 2016 SAMPLE VIEWED AT: CMR NATIONAL PU COLLEGE ON 08/03/2019 STUDENTS INVOLVED: A. PRAGNA SAAHITHYA, NEHA. R, VIMARSHA RUDRESH AND AISHWARYA. R Tooth enamel is one of the four major tissues that make up…
Microscopic world in soil and lake water
College name: CMR National PU College, ITPL, Bangalore Sample : Soil along lakeside along with lake water. Sample observed at : CMR National PU College on 20/3/19 It was fascinating to observe the underwater microscopic world through foldscope. A drop of water including soil from a lake was mounted on a slide and observed under…
Hairs on Mosquitoes?
Caught in Yangon, Myanmar I saw tiny hairs on mosquitoes under foldscope. It is amazing how these tiny “hairs”, setae are covering different parts of the body. Insects generally use setae (sing: seta) to stick to surfaces and for movement. Different kinds of mosquitoes have different lengths and sizes of setae and in different part…
Workshop on Foldscope at Jagadis Bose National Science Talent Search, Kolkata, West Bengal
Jagadis Bose National Science Talent Search (JBNSTS), Kolkata is an autonomous organization, situated at Kolkata, West Bengal. This institution has evolved as a pioneering centre for identifying and nurturing young talented students. A one- day workshop, “Magnify Your Curiosity Explore the Microcosmos” was organised by Department Of Environmental Science, University of Calcutta on 7th March…
White mold with clusters of conidia in pea pods under foldscope
While opening the pea pods to take out seeds, I noted a white fur inside them. On drawing a sample and looking through foldscope, I saw intricate network of hyphae and groups of conidia clustered to them at various points. Scanning the slide thoroughly, I could see several big brown spores too. Is it the…
A water ecosystem in my home!
Being a plant lover, I have many potted plants in my balcony garden. I water them regularly and the excess water drains into trays below each pot. One day I observed some white cottony patches on the surface of the drained water from one of the pots. The patches looked very much like the downy…
Brine Shrimp Nauplii
https://youtu.be/gybSrDsRi0Y Active Brine Shrimp Nauplii
DBT North East Twinning Foldscope Workshop
A one day DBT North East twinning Foldscope workshop on ‘Democratising Science through Foldscope’ (under Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science and Technology) was jointly organised by the Division of Crop Production, ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Umiam and NCCS (National Centre for Cell Science), Pune, Maharashtra on 30th January 2019 at Kendriya Vidyalaya…
Foldscope view of Marigold leaves infested with spidermites
Marigold is prized for its bright colours easy to grow nature and require little care. The plant is hardy and perfect for landscape settings and home gardens. While marigolds are typically pest-free and not bothered by most insects, occasional problems may arise with a few common garden pests. I could see some powdery appearance on…
Spider mites seen under foldscope
Activity of spider mites captured under foldscope
Almond Shell
COLLEGE NAME: CMR National PU College ITPL SAMPLE NAME: Almond shell SAMPLE COLLECTED FROM,DATE: Bought from shop on 6/2/2019 SAMPLE VIEWED AT,DATE: CMR National PU college on 8/3/2019 STUDENTS INVOLVED: Neha , Pragna , Vimarsha , Aishwaria The fruit of the almond is a drupe, consisting of an outer hull and a hard shell with…
Algae growing on the tree trunk
COLLEGE NAME: CMR National PU college ITPL SAMPLE NAME: Algae growing on the tree trunk SAMPLE COLLECTED FROM,DATE: Jack fruit tree near house , 8/3/2019 SAMPLE VIEWED AT,DATE: CMR National PU college ITPL on 8/3/2019 STUDENTS INVOLVED: Neha , Pragna , Vimarsha , Aishwarya. Although algae is usually an aquatic plant, some species are able…
SEED COAT OF PEPPER
COLLEGE NAME :CMR National PU College , ITPL . SAMPLE NAME : Pepper Seed Coat . SAMPLE COLLECTED FROM/DATE : Home/11-03-2019 . SAMPLE OBSERVED AT/DATE : CMR National PU College/11-03-2019 . STUDENTS INVOLVED : Bindu , Sushmitha , kruthika , ankitha , trisha , rashmi . The image below is a layer of pepper seed…
DRIED ROSE PETAL FROM GULKAND
COLLEGE NAME : CMR National PU college ,ITPL SAMPLE NAME : Dried Rose Petal From Gulkand . SAMPLE COLLECTED FROM/DATE : Home/11-03-2019 SAMPLE OBSERVED AT/DATE : CMR National PU College/11-03-2019 STUDENTS INVOLVED : Bindu , sushmitha , kruthika , trisha , ankitha , rashmi . The image below is a dried rose petal from gulkand . From gulkand…
Fish eye and scales
College name : CMR National PU College, ITPL Sample name : fish eye and scales Sample collected from : shop on 10/03/2019 Sample observed at : CMR national pu college ITPL at 11/03/2019 Students involved : Kruthika,Sushmitha ,Ankitha ,Thrisha,Bindu,Rashmi Compared to terrestrial vertebrates fish lenses are generally more dense and spherical. When viewed under foldscope…
Aphids seen on Chrysanthemums under foldscope
Chrysanthemum plants are in full bloom these days in my garden.Some plants however are still young and have not flowered. The other day, I noticed some flies on it. On moving closer, I saw it infested with aphids. The leaves were showing white sticky patches and dark brown-grey coloured minute pests sticking near the growing…
Aphids on Chrysanthemum showing movement captured under foldscope
Aphids on Chrysanthemum plant showing movement captured under foldscope
Exploring the moulted skin of the aphid menace on Rose plant under foldscope
Red and green coloured aphids were noticed on Rose plant. Close observation showed white flies and sticky exudation on the leaves. I had read in my biology class as insects moult they shed their casts and their whitish cast skins may be mistaken for whiteflies. With our foldscopes ready, we fixed samples and observed some nymphs and…
Plumeria anther!
College name: CMR National PU College, ITPL Sample name: Plumeria. ‘Frangipani trees’ . Apocynaceae, Dogbane family. Known as Champa in India! Sample collected from and date: Its captive/cultivated in a garden in Bangalore, IN-KA and it was collected on 7th march 2019. Sample observed at and date: CMR National PU College, ITPL on 8th march…
Foldscoping pollen of Fenugreek- a multipurpose crop
Fenugreek ( Trigonella foenum-graecum) is multipurpose crop known for its medicinal and nutritional value (food and fodder both). It is an annual winter plant of the family Fabaceae. The plant has trifoliate compound leaves with somewhat small, obovate leaflets, Flowers are typically yellow coloured and triangular shaped. Calyx is cup shaped with papilionaceous corolla. Stamens form…
ONION FLOWER
COLLEGE NAME : CMR National PU College ITPL SAMPLE NAME : Onion flower SAMPLE COLLECTED FROM : Shop on 10/03/2019 SAMPLE OBSERVED AT : CMR National PU College ITPL on 11/03/2019 STUDENTS INVOLVED : Kruthika , Sushmitha , Bindu , Ankitha , Trisha , Rashmi Onion flowers occur in a bunch. They appear white in…
CASTOR SEED AND SPINE
COLLEGE NAME : CMR National PU College ITPL SAMPLE NAME : Castor seed and spine SAMPLE COLLECTED FROM : Home on 10/03/2019 SAMPLE OBSERVED AT : CMR National PU College ITPL on 11/03/2019 STUDENTS INVOLVED : Kruthika , Sushmitha , Bindu , Ankitha , Trisha , Rashmi castor seed is a soft and fleshy seed.We…
SEEDS OF JACKFRUIT AND WATER MELON
COLLEGE NAME : CMR National PU College, ITPL SAMPLE NAME : Seeds of Jackfruit and water melon fruits SAMPLE COLLECTED FROM : Home on 10/03/2019 SAMPLE OBSERVED AT : CMR National PU College ITPL on 11/03/2019 STUDENTS INVOLVED : Kruthika , Sushmitha , Bindu , Ankitha , Trisha , Rashmi Jackfruit from inside is a…
Warning signs of Albugo seen on the radish plants in my kitchen garden
Small white lesions were noticed on the radish leaves in my kitchen garden. In an attempt to explore the cause, I cut a small portion and teased it gently on a slide. On peeping through a foldscope, I could make out small round conidia in chains. It confirmed an attack of Albugo. I asked the…
Demonstration Workshop on Utility of the Foldscope in Education and Research on the Occasion of National Science Day
On 28 February 2019, ICAR–National Bureau of Agricultural Insect Resources (ICAR–NBAIR), Bengaluru, and ICAR Research Complex for North Eastern Hill Region (ICAR RCNEHR), Umiam, jointly organised a workshop for B.Sc. (CBZ) students at BGS Science Academy and Research Center in Chikkaballapura, Karnataka. Over 370 students attended the National Science Day celebrations, out which 150 students...
Mold on garlic clove – a post harvest loss
Blue-green moldy growth was observed on a clove of garlic . I prepared a temporary mount from the infected portion and observed it under foldscope. I could see intense fungal growth.