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Seaweeds are a natural marine resource containing many bioactive compounds such as amino acids, lipids, carbohydrates, proteins, phytohormones, and antimicrobial compounds. Since ancient times, seaweeds have been used in various sectors, including medicine, food, and the cosmetic industry. Currently, seaweeds are a promising alternative to reduce the application of harmful chemicals in agriculture. Seaweed and its derived products have been utilized for plant growth promotion, immunity enhancement, and the reduction of biotic and abiotic stresses. In the current global scenario, synthetic fertilizers and chemical pesticides are commonly used to increase agricultural crop production to meet the growing demands of the world population. However, these chemicals pose significant threats to the health of people, livestock, plants, soil, and the entire environment. In contrast, seaweed-based products are emerging as a newer option for stress mitigation and reduction, offering an alternative to synthetic chemicals. This article explains the use of seaweed extracts to increase the tolerance of plants to biotic and abiotic stresses. We also address the functions of various bioactive compounds present in seaweed extracts and the mechanisms by which they promote plant growth and induce defense against different stresses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the past decade, micro-liquid flow measurement has become increasingly important, particularly in India, where devices like syringe pumps, infusion pumps, and infusion device analyzers are critical in hospitals and research laboratories. These devices are essential for precise drug dosing in applications such as chemotherapy, pain management, insulin therapy, and other vital treatments, making accurate calibration crucial. To meet this need, the Fluid Flow Metrology Section at the CSIR-National Physical Laboratory (CSIR-NPL) in New Delhi has developed a state-of-the-art calibration facility for micro-liquid flow, capable of measuring flow rates from 10 mL/h to 1500 mL/h. The facility employs a static weighing method, utilizing a dual-range analytical balance with a capacity of 220 g/82 g and a digital timer as reference standards. This setup achieves an expanded uncertainty of 0.30% (at k=2) for both totalized volume and volume flow rate measurements, thereby ensuring the facility's status as a National Metrology Institute (NMI) in micro-liquid flow measurement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chili peppers (Capsicum annuum L.) are an economically important crop worldwide. Pepper yellow leaf curl Thailand virus (PepYLCTHV), a Begomovirus causing yellow leaf mosaic disease of chili pepper, has been reported to incur 95% economic loss under epiphytotic conditions. Thirty-one chili genotypes were screened for resistance to PepYLCTHV disease through inoculation using 10–15 viruliferous whiteflies per plant. We purified two resistant lines (PEP6 and PEP12) through four generations of selfing and selection. At 28 days after inoculations, two chili genotypes (PEP6 and PEP12) had low disease severity and percentage of disease incidence (DI) compared to four susceptible checks, viz., Yodsonkeam80, Homsupan, Huareau12, and Pong Charian, which had a disease severity score of 5 with 100% DI. Thirty initial plants of PEP6 showed an average disease severity of 3.64 with 69.33% DI, and PEP12 showed an average disease severity of 3.83 with 77.67% DI. From these populations, we selected nine highly resistant plant of PEP6 and seven plants of PEP12 having a disease severity of 0 through pure-line selection for four selfing generations. The ratio of resistance (R) to susceptibility (S) consequently decreased. In PEP6, the ratio decreased from 1R:2S to 1R:1S, while in PEP12 the ratio decreased from 1R:3S to 1R:1S. These lines have potential for release as resistant lines for improving chili pepper resistance to PepYLCTHV and for developing makers associated with the resistant trait. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The weak engineering properties of black cotton soil can cause instability and failure of structures built upon it. Thus, the improvement of its properties is of utmost importance. The present research is to investigate the effect of integrating sawdust ash and rice husk ash on the engineering features of black cotton soil. The soil samples were collected from Guntur KL University, Andhra Pradesh, at a depth of 1-2 meters. Rice husk ash was added to the soil in varied percentages of 0, 3, 6, 9, 12, and 15% by weight of black cotton soil, whereas sawdust ash was added to all mixed samples at 6% by weight of soil. To analyze the engineering properties of the soil and its mixtures, laboratory tests such as Atterberg’s Limits, Specific Gravity, Particle Size Distribution, Standard Proctor test, Unconfined Compressive Strength (UCS), and California Bearing Ratio (CBR) were performed. Results showed that adding a combination of 9% Rice husk and 6% sawdust ash to the weight of black cotton soil notably improves its engineering properties. Therefore, sawdust and rice husk ash have the potential as soil stabilizing agents, making black cotton soil a more suitable foundation material for construction.

Introduction: Burkholderia cepacia complex (Bcc) clonal complex (CC) 31, the predominant lineage causing devastating outbreaks globally, has been a growing concern of infections in non-cystic fibrosis (NCF) patients in India. B. cenocepacia is very challenging to treat owing to its virulence determinants and antibiotic resistance. Improving the management of these infections requires a better knowledge of their resistance patterns and mechanisms. Methods: Whole-genome sequences of 35 CC31 isolates obtained from patient samples, were analyzed against available 210 CC31 genomes in the NCBI database to glean details of resistance, virulence, mobile elements, and phylogenetic markers to study genomic diversity and evolution of CC31 lineage in India. Results: Genomic analysis revealed that 35 isolates belonging to CC31 were categorized into 11 sequence types (ST), of which five STs were reported exclusively from India. Phylogenetic analysis classified 245 CC31 isolates into eight distinct clades (I-VIII) and unveiled that NCF isolates are evolving independently from the global cystic fibrosis (CF) isolates forming a distinct clade. The detection rate of seven classes of antibiotic-related genes in 35 isolates was 35 (100%) for tetracyclines, aminoglycosides, and fluoroquinolones; 26 (74.2%) for sulphonamides and phenicols; 7 (20%) for beta-lactamases; and 1 (2.8%) for trimethoprim resistance genes. Additionally, 3 (8.5%) NCF isolates were resistant to disinfecting agents and antiseptics. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing revealed that majority of NCF isolates were resistant to chloramphenicol (77%) and levofloxacin (34%). NCF isolates have a comparable number of virulence genes to CF isolates. A well-studied pathogenicity island of B. cenocepacia, GI11 is present in ST628 and ST709 isolates from the Indian Bcc population. In contrast, genomic island GI15 (highly similar to the island found in B. pseudomallei strain EY1) is exclusively reported in ST839 and ST824 isolates from two different locations in India. Horizontal acquisition of lytic phage ST79 of pathogenic B. pseudomallei is demonstrated in ST628 isolates Bcc1463, Bcc29163, and BccR4654 amongst CC31 lineage. Discussion: The study reveals a high diversity of CC31 lineages among B. cenocepacia isolates from India. The extensive information from this study will facilitate the development of rapid diagnostic and novel therapeutic approaches to manage B. cenocepacia infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Amorphophallus paeoniifolius is a very common tuber plant having diverse secondary metabolites and palatability levels. Keeping the problems of food shortage & novel infectious diseases throughout the world, an attempt has been made through fieldworks during 2009 to 2020 to gather the information on its ethnobotany, bioactive compounds from lab work and pharmacological properties from secondary sources to make it future nutraceutical against food disorders & novel microbial diseases. The tuber is used as food and medicines, it is rich with primary & secondary metabolites and its extracts are used to treat various infectious diseases. The compounds present in the species have potential to make novel drugs against present health problems throughout the world. The present study highlights the importance of wild tuberous plants in mitigation of food shortage, food disorders, anti-microbial resistance, novel bacterial & viral diseases like MDR-TB and COVID-19. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]