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The efficiency of a formulated salicylic acid (Zacha 11, 500 mg · l–1) and a Bacillus bioproduct (JN2-007, 1 × 107 cfu · ml–1) in controlling cassava root rot disease and enhancing growth was evaluated. The results revealed that cassava stalk soaking and foliage spraying with Zacha 11 formulation or Bacillus subtilis bioproduct could increase cassava growth at 60 days after planting under greenhouse conditions. Zacha 11 gave the tallest stem height (11.67 cm), the longest root length (18.91 cm) and the greatest number of roots (49.50). Fusarium root rot severity indices of all treated treatments were reduced, and were significantly lower than that of the water control. Plants treated with Zacha 11 and JN2-007 had disease severity reduction of 53.33 and 48.33%, respectively. Furthermore, all treatments increased the endogenous salicylic acid (SA) content in cassava plants at 24 inoculation with significant differences when compared to the untreated samples. The efficacy of Zacha 11 and JN2-007 was evaluated at two field locations, using two different cassava varieties, cv. Rayong 72 and CMR-89. The results showed that all elicitors could suppress root rot disease as well as bacterial leaf blight. Furthermore, the elicitors helped cassava plants cv. Rayong 72 and CMR-89 to increase tuber weight, yield and starch contents, compared to the water control. Thus, it is possible that these formulations could be effective in controlling diseases and increasing cassava productivity.

Additive main effects and multiplicative interaction (AMMI) model is most widely used to analyse genotype*environment interactions (GEI) wherein interaction effects of location is masked by year effect. Hence, presently available models are not able to estimate interaction effects of genotype*location (GLI) and genotype*year (GYI) separately. Moreover, genotype ranking differs as number of years of evaluation vary making selection of genotype for target location difficult. In the present study we propose a novel stability model i.e Higher-order-AMMI (HO-AMMI) analysis which is capable of calculating GLI without the confounding effect of GYI and GLYI. GEI of AMMI model and all 2-way interactions of HO-AMMI model follow χ2 distribution, whereas 3-way interaction (GLYI) of HO-AMMI follow noncentral χ2 distribution. With increase in number of years of evaluation contribution of GLI towards total variation increased whereas in AMMI model contribution of GEI towards total variation decreased. Variation explained by multiplicative components is higher in HO-AMMI compared to AMMI model. Genotypes were ranked using GL, GY and GL+GY+GLY interactions of HO-AMMI and GEI of AMMI for stability and yield and compared their ranks with field ranking. Correlation and linear regression analysis have indicated high association of GLI (HO-AMMI) with field ranking with high R2 values. Further, HO-AMMI model was able to remove the confounding effect of GYI and GLYI on GLI for accurate identification of genotype for target location irrespective of number of years of evaluation. Hence, HO-AMMI model can be used under multi-environment trials (MET) for selecting genotypes efficiently.Availability and InformationSource code implemented in R is available from corresponding author.

Industry 4.0 encourages the combination of latest technologies and manufacturing systems. The Additive Manufacturing (AM) may play a fundamental role in Industry 4.0 as it has capability of turning a 3D model data into a product without much human intervention. Moreover, the requirement for eliminated tools and fixtures and material waste make it suitable for industry of the future. The 3D model data, generated using modeling software is utilized in order to fabricate a three-dimensional object. However, the modeling software has some limitations regarding the conversion of the 2D digital image into a 3D model. It makes difficult direct additive manufacturing of 2D digital image. Although, there are some online resources available for this purpose. However, the detailed discussion on the algorithm is not available. Therefore, this article presents an approach for additive manufacturing of lithophane using 2D digital image. It mainly concentrates on the development of Graphical User Interface (GUI) for generating point cloud data and STL using a 2D digital image in MATLAB environment. The developed algorithm is discussed in detail for lithophane fabrication. The proposed approach takes 2D digital image from the user and converts it into 3D model data. Furthermore, the material deposition tool path is also prepared using generated 3D model data. Finally, the proposed approach is validated and tested by performing additive manufacturing. The obtained results have shown the conformity between the additive manufactured lithophane and given a 2D digital image. The obtained results of the current study may be useful in industry 4.0 for fashion and jewelry products.

A pot experiment was carried out in the net house of Department of Nematology, OUAT, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India during June to August, 2017 on the application of oilcakes (mustard cake and neem cake) and bio-agents (Trichoderma viride, Glomus fasciculatum, Rhizobium leguminosarum) each alone and in combination for the management of root knot nematode (Meloidogyne incognita) in green gram. Result of the experiment indicated that soil application of mustard or neem cake @ 50 g m-2 with AM fungus (Glomus fasciculatum) @ 5 g m-² and seed treatment of Rhizobium @ 25 g kg-1 of green gram seed declined the root knot nematode population, number of galls plant-1, number of eggmass plant-1and root knot index with corresponding increase of plant growth parameters and chlorophyll content in green gram plant as compared to other treatments and untreated check. But integration of mustard cake @ 50 g m-2 at 2 weeks prior to sowing with AM fungus @ 5 g m-2 at 10 days before sowing and seed treatment of Rhizobium @ 25 g kg-1 green gram seed exhibited the lowest M. incognita population 200 cc soil-1 (153.33 J2), number of galls plant-1 (7.0), number of eggmass plant-1 (2.0) and root knot index (2.0) reflecting enhancement of plant growth parameters, number of pods (206.67%), number of nodules (691.17%) over untreated check. This integrated management module also recorded maximum increase in the availability of NPK content in soil and chlorophyll content as compared to other treatments.

Aim This study aimed to investigate the occurrence of antibiotic resistance phenotype and simultaneously understand its genetic basis in Escherichia coli isolated from the cloacal swabs of commercial chickens from north India. Methods and results Escherichia coli isolates were assessed for susceptibility to 14 different antibiotics using the disc-diffusion technique and were screened for the presence of 22 antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) by employing PCR. Isolates were found to be highly resistant to fluoroquinolones (nalidixic acid 91%, norfloxacin 73% and ciprofloxacin 66%), tetracycline (71%), beta-lactams (ampicillin 49% and amoxicillin/clavulanic acid 37%), co-trimoxazole (48%), streptomycin (31%) and chloramphenicol (28%); and comparatively less resistant to cefazolin (13%), amikacin (10%), aztreonam (4%), gentamicin (4%) and ceftriaxone (3%). Sixty-three percent of isolates were resistant to more than four different drugs. Abundance of plasmid-borne ARGs like tetA (83%), sul3 (44%), aadA1 (44%), strA (43%), strB (41%), qnrS (38%), sul2 (28%) and aac(6)-Ib-cr (15%) was observed among the isolates. Forty-five percent of isolates possessed more than five different ARGs. Quinolone resistance-determining region (QRDR) mutations within gyrA and parC genes were found to be the major determiners of quinolone resistance. QRDR mutations included leu83, asn87 and gly87 within gyrase-A polypeptide and ile80 and lys84 within topoisomerase IV (encoded by parC). Conclusions Our findings suggest the abuse of antibiotics as feed additives and prophylactic drugs in Indian poultry sector. It also projects this industry as an active hotspot for the replication and selection of ARGs. Significance and impact of the study Our findings would provide evidence to the authorities for formulating effective strategies for restricting antibiotic usage as non-therapeutic agents in food animals. Occurrence of both plasmid-borne and chromosome-borne resistance towards quinolones can drive movement of resistance phenotype across bacterial species and vertical movement of resistance along the bacterial generations, respectively, which can pose mitigation challenges.

Kernel size coupled with the nutritional quality will determine the worth of groundnut for direct consumption or export. Focusing on this objective one hundred and fifty advanced breeding lines (ABLs) in both Spanish and Virginia botanical varieties were evaluated with four checks under Augmented Design during Kharif, 2018 at ICAR- Directorate of Groundnut Research, Junagadh, Gujarat. Significant difference was observed for days to 50% flowering, hundred pod weight (g), hundred kernel weight (g), sound mature kernel (%), shelling percent, pod weight per plant (g), and protein percent. Pod yield per plant (g) registered highest estimates of GCV and PCV. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance as per cent of mean was recorded for 100 pod weight (g), 100 kernel weight (g), sound mature kernel percentage and pod yield per plant (g) traits which indicates a significant role of additive gene action for inheritance of these traits which may be exploited through simple selection methods. Eleven genotypes viz., PBS 19013, PBS 19015, PBS 19018, PBS 29079 B, PBS 29082, PBS 29124, PBS 29167, PBS 29196, PBS 29197, PBS 29212 and PBS 29219 had good confectionery quality traits viz., large seed size (HKW: >55 g; KL: >1.5cm and KW: >0.7cm), high protein (>30%), high total soluble sugar (>5 %), moderate oil (42- 48%), uniform pod size and shape, high pod yield per plant (> 10g) and good shelling percentage (>60%). These promising genotypes can directly be released as a variety after testing in multi-location AICRP-G trials or can be used in hybridization programmes as donor parents for improving confectionery qualities in groundnut.

Limited access to electricity is a prevalent challenge in rural areas of most developing countries. This is majorly a result of economic, logistic and topographic challenges that limit the extensio...

Plant diseases cause serious economic losses (5–15%/up to 25%) in all sorts of economic crop plants irrespective of cash, industrial, horticultural, ornamental, food, fodder, fibre, spices, plantation, aromatic and medicinal plants and forest trees especially in the tropics and subtropics. Farmers, due to lack of expertise, can neither identify the pathogens nor manage them. They are ignorant of varied symptoms produced by the diseases and the mode of field spread of these diseases. Knowledge of the disease cycle and use of resistant varieties are essential for developing effective management strategy against the diseases. Rigorous field training of students/village workers/farmers is the most important pedagogical aspect to ensure sustainability of Indian agriculture. In order to put a long term check on yield/quality losses by overcoming farmer’s ignorance, there is a need to ensure availability of resistant varieties and effective but simple methods of vector control. Intensive training of the farmers through frequent field visits enables them to recognize incidence of the disease and to understand the epidemiological facet of the disease too. Bio agents occurring naturally within the host's environment and crop rotation practices are also helpful. Emphasis is needed to train students in various methods of pathogen detection and to coach a large number of farmer’s team to help them recognize and manage the disease in field. Generally limited number of important diseases and pests affect any crop plant which does not exceed 4–6 and 15–20 respectively in all regions.

Outliers are a common phenomenon when genotypes are evaluated over locations and years under field conditions and such outliers makes studying genotype-environment Interactions difficult. Robust-AMMI models which use a combination of robust fit and robust SVD approaches, denoted as ‘R-AMMI-RLM’ have been proposed to study GEI in presence of such outliers. Instead of ‘R-AMMI-RLM’ we propose a model which uses a combination of linear fit and robust SVD to study GEI in presence of outliers and we denote this model as ‘R-AMMI-LM’. Here we prove that ‘RAMMI-LM’ was superior over ‘R-AMMI-RLM’ as it recorded very low residual sum of squares and low RMSE values. Thus proposed, ‘R-AMMI-LM’ model could explain the GEI more precisely even in presence of outliers.

Introduction: Pulmonary neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) comprise a spectrum of tumors ranging from indolent to highly aggressive neoplasm. This study aims to study the clinicopathological and immunohistochemical features of NETs and assess the sensitivity of various IHC markers. Materials and Methods: All consecutive cases of pulmonary NETs diagnosed from January 2016 to June 2019 were analyzed retrospectively. The routine hematoxylin- and eosin-stained sections along with immunohistochemistry (IHC) slides were reviewed. IHC was done using a panel of markers which included synaptophysin, chromogranin, CD56, thyroid transcription factor-1 (TTF-1), p-40, napsin-A, and ki67. Results: Of total number of 53 patients, diagnosis was made on biopsy in 40 patients and resection specimen in 13 patients. Small cell lung carcinoma was the most common (31 cases), followed by 16 cases of typical carcinoid, 5 cases of atypical carcinoid, and 1 case of combined SCLC. Both synaptophysin and chromogranin were positive in all the cases of typical carcinoid. Synaptophysin had better sensitivity than chromogranin in atypical carcinoid and small cell carcinoma. CD56 was positive in 8 out of 9 cases done. TTF-1 was negative in all the cases of typical carcinoid. The sensitivity of TTF-1 in small cell carcinoma was 85.19%. The mean Ki67 labeling index was 1.4%, 6.6%, and 65.6% in typical, atypical carcinoid, and small cell carcinomas, respectively. Conclusion: Synaptophysin was more sensitive than chromogranin, especially in atypical carcinoid and small cell carcinoma. TTF-1 along with high Ki67 differentiates small cell carcinoma from carcinoid.

Recent studies have shown fruits from less-known and unexplored plants as an excellent source of nutrients and biologically active compounds for food and non-food applications (Khan et al. 2011, 2015). Basella plant is extremely heat tolerant and fast-growing perennial vine which is wildly cultivated as a cool-season vegetable. Basella alba is also known as Malabar spinach, Indian spinach, Ceylon spinach, climber spinach and vine spinach. In India, it is commonly known as “Poi”. Red-violet colour of leaves, stalks, petioles and fruits are due to the presence of betalains (Palada et al, 1999). This crop is suitable for both home and market garden in the lowland tropics. This plant is full of nutrition like normal spinach. Also, the oil obtained from its seeds can become the source of safe vegetable oil. This plant is good for health due to the presence of mineral, protein, oil, carbohydrate, fibre, carotenoid, organic acid, vitamins. In the winter season, Malabar spinach can be used in place of normal spinach as it has similar Nutritional and medicinal value. Basella plant species contain betacyanin, carotenoids, bioflavonoids, β-sitosterol and lupeol which are reported to have antioxidant, antiproliferative, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory activities etc. and help in curing various diseases, namely anticancer, antiviral, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-cholesterol, anti-ulcer, antimicrobial, anti-hypoglycemic, wound healing, androgenic from the ancient times. Leaf juice is used in to treat catarrh and it is also an as safe laxative for children, pregnant women and in a urinary diseased patient. In Ayurveda Malabar spinach is called as “Upodika”, “Potaki”, “Malvaa”, “Amritvallari”, and in Siddha/Tamil as “Vaslakkirai” (Khare, 2004). It used as a vegetable in many countries like Philippines, Thailand China, Mongolia, India, Sri Lanka and many African countries. In India, In Andhra Pradesh curry of Basella and Yam is made popularly known as Kanda Bachali Koora, in Odisha, it is used to make Curries and Saaga.

Immunotherapy, a treatment based on host immune system activation, has been shown to provide a substitute for marginally effective conventional chemotherapy in controlling visceral leishmaniasis (VL), the deadliest form of leishmaniasis. As the majority of endemic inhabitants exhibit either subclinical or asymptomatic infection which often develops into the active disease state, therapeutic intervention seems to be an important avenue for combating infections by stimulating the natural defense system of infected individuals. With this perspective, the present study focuses on two immunodominant Leishmania (L.) donovani antigens (triosephosphate isomerase and enolase) previously proved to be potent prophylactic VL vaccine candidates, for generating a recombinant chimeric antigen. This is based on the premise that in a heterogeneous population, a multivalent antigen vaccine would be required for an effective response against leishmaniasis (a complex parasitic disease). The resulting molecule rLdT-E chimeric protein was evaluated for its immunogenicity and immunotherapeutic efficacy. A Th1 stimulating adjuvant BCG was employed with the protein which showed a remarkable 70% inhibition of splenic parasitic multiplication positively correlated with boosted Th1 dominant immune response against lethal L. donovani challenge in hamsters as evidenced by high IFN-γ and TNF-α and low IL-10. In addition, immunological analysis of antibody subclass presented IgG2-based humoral response besides considerable delayed-type hypersensitivity and lymphocyte proliferative responses in rLdT-E/BCG-treated animals. Our observations indicate the potential of the chimera towards its candidature for an effective vaccine against Leishmania donovani infection.

The purpose of this research is to identify and characterize deleterious genetic variants in the co-stimulatory ligand B7-1, also known as the human cluster of differentiation CD80 marker. The B7-1 ligand and the major histocompatibility complex class II (MHC II) molecules are the main determinants that provide B-cells the required competency to act as antigen presenting cells. For this, participation of both MHC class II molecules and CD80 is required. The interaction of the CD80 ligand with CD28 on the surface 7 of TH cells plays a key role in the activation of TH cells and progression of B cells through the S phase, hence, leading to their proliferation in mitosis. A set of 2313 genetic variants in the B7-1 ligand have been mapped and retrieved from dbSNP database. Subsequently, 150 non-synonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms (nsSNPs) were mapped and subjected to the sequence and structural homology based predictions, which were further analyzed for protein stability and the disease phenotypes. Finally, we identified 7 potentially damaging nsSNPs in the B7-1 ligand that may affect its interaction with the cognitive receptor CD28, hence, may also interfere with TH cell activation and B cell proliferation. We propose that subsequent experimental analyses (stability, expression and interactions) on these proteins can provide a deep understanding about the effect of these variants on the structure and function of CD80.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has emerged as a significant public health emergency in recent times. It is a respiratory illness caused by the novel virus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which was initially reported in late December 2019. In a span of 6 months, this pandemic spread across the globe leading to high morbidity and mortality rates. Soon after the identification of the causative virus, questions concerning the impact of environmental factors on the dissemination and transmission of the virus, its persistence in environmental matrices, and infectivity potential begin to emerge. As the environmental factors could have far-reaching consequences on infection dissemination and severity, it is essential to understand the linkage between these factors and the COVID-19 outbreak. In order to improve our current understanding over this topic, the present article summarizes topical and substantial observations made regarding the influences of abiotic environmental factors such as climate, temperature, humidity, wind speed, air, and water quality, solid surfaces/interfaces, frozen food, and biotic factors like age, sex, gender, blood type, population density, behavioural characteristics, etc. on the transmission, persistence, and infectivity of this newly recognized SARS-CoV-2 virus. Further, the potential pathways of virus transmission that could pose risk to population health have been discussed, and the critical areas have been identified which merits urgent research for the assessment and management of the COVID-19 outbreak. Where possible, the knowledge gaps requiring further investigation have been highlighted.

Now-a-days, the novel coronavirus pandemic has projected millions of deaths around the globe. An effective popular medicinal plant identified during this pandemic is Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal, locally called Ashwagandha or Indian Ginseng. The antiviral activity of this plant is well established in the fight against serious virus infections. This review mainly focuses on the antiviral and immuno-booster efficacy of the plant for combating various virus diseases. The bioactive principles of the plant, withanaloids, has been effectively used for human health. W. somnifera has distinct effects on the viral RBD (receptor-binding domain) and host ACE2 (angiotensin-converting enzyme 2) receptor complex. This may be useful in curing COVID-19 and other virus infection because of its tremendous immuno boosting properties. © 2021, Indian journals. All rights reserved.

Wheat, being staple food grain crop, is highly sensitive to heat stress. The effect is more evident under present threat of global climate change. Very limited information about heat-responsive transcription factor is known in wheat. A putative Heat Shock Factor (HSF) was cloned from wheat under HS. The gene was titled as Hsf2 (acc No. KP063542). The nucleotide sequence was found to be 1551 bp long with open reading frame (ORF) of 1125 bp (5’UTR of 213bp and 3’UTR of 213bp). The amino acid sequence showed the presence of HSF_ DNA binding domain having high degree of similarity (homology) with other HSF coding gene of related species (Aegilops tauschii with 95% homology and 100% homology with Chinese spring cultivar of Triticum aestivum). The protein was observed to be localized in the nucleus. Phosphorylation study showed the presence of phosphorylated threonine at seventeen sites in amino acid sequence. Expression analysis of Hsf2 showed maximum relative fold expression (2.04fold) in the leaves of HD2967 under HS, as compared to control. The transcript abundance was observed maximum in thermotolerant cv., as compared to thermo susceptible. Current study established positive correlation between the expression of Hsf2 and HSP90 under HS. Hsf2, being regulator of HSPs can be used as potential molecular marker for screening wheat germplasm for thermo tolerance. It will pave the way for the development of ‘climate-smart’ wheat crop.

Objective: Spodoptera litura, otherwise known as cutworm, belongs to the Noctuidae tribe, which is a severe scourge for numerous crop systems and is considered one of Asian tropical agriculture's most important insects. The world's leading environmental threats are plant pests, and the already commercialized pesticides are extremely poisonous and non-biodegradable and maybe additional residues harmful to the ecosystem. The increased resistance in pests often demands the need for advanced, active pesticides that are environmentally friendly and biodegradable. Methods: In the current work, the significance of proteases for the Spodoptera litura digestive system has been determined by the use of microbial metabolite protease inhibitor (Iturin A) in silico models. In the present study, we developed a model based on sequence structural alignment of known crystal structure 2D1I protease from Homo sapiens. The model's reliability evaluation was performed using programs such as PROCHECK, WHAT IF, PROSA, Validate 3D, ERRAT, etc. Results: In an attempt to find new inhibitors for Protease docking, the study was carried out with Iturin A. PMDB ID for the produced protease model was submitted to identify new inhibitors for Protease docking, and its accession number is PM0082285. The detailed study of enzyme-inhibitor interactions identified similar core residues; GLU215, LEU216, LYS217, and GLU237 have demonstrated their role in the binding efficacy of ligands. Conclusion: The latest homology modeling and docking experiments on the protease model will provide useful insight knowledge for the logical approach of constructing a wide spectrum of novel insecticide against Spodoptera.

Heat stress is a major constraint to crop production and food security. The incidence of heat stress in crops has increased due to rapid changes in the global climate. Heat stress has a tremendous impact on crop growth and productivity due to its direct and indirect effects on water. Therefore, it is important to understand the morphological, physiological, biochemical, molecular, and ecological basis of heat stress in crop plants to minimize its impact on food production. Several genes alter their expression, proteins, and transcription factors to cope with heat stress. Adverse effects on macromolecules and genes change the signaling pathways for heat stress resistance. In the early phase of heat stress, plants regulate their immunity and plant nutrition management to alleviate the heat stress. All the self management of plants gets fail in severe heat stress situation to overcome from heat stress condition a judicious combination of conventional breeding and new technologies will help plants to cope efficiently with heat stress, including maintaining/enhancing yield to contribute to the nutritional requirements of the growing population. A better understanding of plant responses to heat stress has practical implications for remedies and management.

Rhizobia and plant legumes have been potentially associated by an essential process symbiosis for biological nitrogen fixation (BNF). However, compatibility and responsible factors for symbiosis are poorly understood. The present study revealed the 55 indigenous rhizobacterial isolates from root nodules of Crotalaria juncea from three different agricultural regions/locations in North-east Indo Gangetic Plains (NE-IGP) Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. Amongst them, strain NCR5, was screened as a resilient antagonistic isolate against Macrophomina phaseolina. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing, it was identified as Rhizobium leguminosarum. Amplification of Nod gene proved it to be a nodulating strain. Phenotypically, NCR5 grew well within the temperature range 10-40 ºC and pH 5.5-9.0 as well as survived with 3.0% salt stress. Plant growth promotion characteristics were confirmed it as the best-performing PGP strain. The characteristics included phosphate solubilization, IAA production, siderophore production, HCN productions. This study underwrote the Rhizobium leguminosarum NCR5 as a potential applicant for bioformulation to apply in the soil for promoting the PGP traits and. It can also be employed as fungicides against Macrophomina phaseolina in adverse soil types and environments.

Fusarium oxysporum causes significant economic losses in many crop plants by causing root rot, necrosis, and wilting symptoms. Homology and molecular dynamics studies are promising tools for the detection in F. oxysporum of the systemic resistance compound, salicylic acid, for control of the SKP1-CUL1-F-box protein complex. The structure of SKP1-CUL1-F-box subunit Skp1 from F. oxysporum is produced by Modeler 9v7 for the conduct of docking studies. The Skp1 structure is based on the yeast Cdc4/Skp1 (PDB ID: 3MKS A) crystal structure collected by the Protein data bank. Applying molecular dynamic model simulation methods to the final predicted structure and further evaluated by 3D and PROCHECK test programmers, the final model is verified to be accurate. Applying GOLD 3.0.1, SCF Complex Skp1 is used to prevent stress-tolerant operation. The SKP1-CUL1-F-box model is predicted to be stabilized and tested as a stable docking structure. The predicted model of the SCF structure has been stabilized and confirmed to be a reliable structure for docking studies. The results indicated that GLN8, LYS9, VAL10, TRP11, GLU48, ASN49 in SCF complex are important determinant residues in binding as they have strong hydrogen bonding with salicylic acid, which showed best docking results with SKP1-CUL1-F-box complex subunit Skp1 with docking score 25.25KJ/mol. Insilco studies have been used to determine the mode of action of salicylic acid for Fusarium control. Salicylic acid hinders the SKP1-CUL1-F-box complex, which is important in protein-like interactions through hydrogen bodings. Results from docking studies have shown that the best energy for SKP1-CUL1-F-box was salicylic acid.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Potentilla fulgens Wall. (Rosaceae) is a medicinal herb that is traditionally used to treat diabetes, ulcers, diarrhea, and cancer. Since the genus Potentilla bears numerous closely related species; hence, standardization of the specific species is of great importance. The present study aims to evaluate the aerial parts of P. fulgens (APPF) based on pharmacognostic, phytochemical, an in vitro study (antioxidant and antimicrobial) aspects. Pharmacognostical study of the APPF was done as per the standard guidelines of WHO. The study of in vitro antioxidant assays includes the total antioxidant capacity, reducing power assay, radical scavenging activity for DPPH, superoxide, hydrogen peroxide, and hydroxyl radical. Antimicrobial assays of the successive extracts (PFSEs) were screened on six bacterial strains viz. B. subtilis, B. pumilus, E. coli, M. luteus, P. aeruginosa, and S. aureus. The results of the present investigation depicted that various diagnostic characters can be drawn from the pharmacognostic aspects of APPF. Phytochemical screening concurrent with TLC showed the presence of polyphenolics, steroids, saponins, and carbohydrates. Total phenolic and tannin content was estimated which was found to be as high as up to 170.9 mg/g and 63.50 mg/ g respectively. PFSEs showed significant (p

A field experiment entitled “Effect of organic manures, inorganic fertilizers and biofertilizers on growth, yield and quality of Guava (Psidium guajava L.) cv. Sardar in Mrig Bahar Crop” was conducted during the May 2018 to February 2019, at the Fruit Instructional Farm, Department of Fruit Science, College of Horticulture and Forestry, Jhalawar. The experiment consisted of sixteen different treatments of organic manures, inorganic fertilizers and biofertilizers was laid out in Randomized Block Design with four replications. The results revealed that the treatment T14 (75% RDF + 10 kg Vermicompost + 50 g Azotobacter + 50 g PSB + 5 kg mustard oil cake per plant) was found significantly superior over all other treatments with respect to plant growth characteristics including soil physicochemical properties.

We categorized chickpea nodules based on their size (mm) [large (> 7), medium (2–7), small (

Development of new genotypes with high yield and acceptable level of stability is an important breeding programme. The genotype × environment interaction (GEI) was studied to find out stable high yielders in a field experiment conducted with 52 peanut genotypes for 2 years under two phosphorus levels. Combined analysis of variance showed that environment effect was a predominant source of variation followed by GEI and genotype effect. Study of the AMMI model for GEI indicated that the first three interaction principal components (IPCA1–IPCA3) were highly significant (P

The plant Terminalia arjuna is claimed to be useful in the management of renal disorders. Recurrence of stone formation is the major concern worldwide due to partial and unsatisfactory relief. In the present study, the preventive and curative activity against kidney stones in urolithiatic rats was evaluated using bark of Terminalia arjuna. Preliminary phytochemical investigation using various test, estimation of phenolic and flavonoid content followed by antioxidant potential was also investigated. Invitro antiurolithiatic effect on artificial urine and in vivo effect in terms of curative and preventive potential on animals were reported. Urolithiasis was developed in rats by administration of ethylene glycol 0.75% v/v with 1% w/v ammonium chloride in drinking water. The ethanolic extract of T. arjuna at 200 and 400 mg/kg were administered to rat orally. Urine was collected from individual rats and used for investigation of various parameters like urine calcium, phosphate, oxalate and BUN. In serum, creatinine, calcium and uric acid levels were also estimated. The kidney homogenate was used for the estimation of oxidative biomarkers and histopathological reports. Terminalia arjuna bark extract showed the presence of tannin, terpenoids, saponin, flavonoids, glycosides, phenolic compounds, alkaloids etc and showed good amount of phenolic and flavonoid contents. The lithogenic induction caused impairment of renal function and oxidative stress, manifested as increased malondialdehyde, depleted reduced glutathione and decreased catalase activities of the kidneys, which were reversed by T. arjuna orally at both the doses in preventive as well as curative model. Thus, the current study revealed that the bark of Terminalia arjuna was endowed with antiurolithiatic activity possibly through an antioxidant.

Pearl millet is one of the most important sources of staple food and fodder in the predominantly rainfed areas of the Ajmer. Its grain has very high nutritive value for human consumption and livestock also relish its straw, both in fresh and dried forms. A study was conducted to find out the impact of Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Ajmer on knowledge and adoption of improved production technologies of pearl millet. Asample of 100 benefited and non benefited pearl millet growers were selected for the study. The results indicated that majority of benefited pearl millet growers (70%) were having high knowledge level regarding improved production technologies of pearl millet in comparison to only 16 per cent nonbenefited pearl millet growers. Further the data revealed that majority of benefited pearl millet growers (96%)fully and partially adopted the High Yielding Variety seeds, line sowing method and weed management practices. It was discouraging to note that both the categories of respondents have lowest adoption towards plant protection measures. Further, basal application of fertilizers, top dressing of urea, seed rate and spacing are also having low knowledge base of both the categories. Result also indicated that benefited respondents had more knowledge and more adoption than nonbenefited respondents regarding all the improved production technologies of pearl millet.

Present study was conducted with an objective to study the concentration of heavy metals, metal pollution index and daily intake of metal in eight selected vegetables viz. R. sativus (Raddish), B. oleracea (Cabbage), B. vulgaris ssp. Cicla (Beet-root), C. sativum (Coriander), S. oleracea (Spinach), B. vulgaris var. bengalensis (Spinach plain), B. compestis (Brassica) and T. foenum-graecum (Fenugreek) collected from three local markets of Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India. The concentrations of heavy metals in different vegetables have ranged as—Fe: 36.18–121.80, Cu: 4.58–16.6, Cr: 0.04–0.24 and Cd: 0.05–2.55 µg g−1. The trend of the sum value of daily intake of metal for vegetables was found as: B. vulgaris var. bengalensis > S. oleracea > B. vulgaris ssp. cicla > C. sativum > B. oleracea > T. foenum-graecum > B. compestis > R. sativus. The metal pollution index in B. compestis, R. sativus, S. oleracea, B. vulgaris var. bengalensis, T. foenum-graecum, B. vulgaris ssp. cicla, C. sativum and B. oleracea was ranged from 6.10–10.28, 2.83–11.17, 2.68–5.63, 2.22–6.23, 4.38–8.35, 2.2–8.16, 1.62–6.95 to 1.75–8.85, respectively. Findings revealed that metal concentration in 32% of sampled vegetables was found to be higher than the permissible limits prescribed by FAO/WHO. Regular consumption of those vegetables may cause toxicity to the primary and secondary consumers.

Growth parameters, mortality, growth performance index and exploitation ratio of Oreochromis niloticus were assessed based on the length-frequency data collected fortnightly from the Allahabad stretch of the Yamuna, India, during September 2011 to August 2013. The size of the catch ranged between 70 and 495 mm total length. The data was analyzed using the Electronic Length Frequency Analysis module in FiSAT software. Asymptotic length and growth coefficient were estimated as 562 mm total length and 0.58 year−1, respectively. Total mortality, natural mortality and fishing mortality coefficients were 3.74, 1.015 and 2.725 yr−1, respectively. The growth coefficient index was calculated as 3.26. The exploitation ratio worked out as 0.667, indicated that the stock was slightly overexploited. Estimated growth at the end of I, II and III years was 247, 386 and 463 mm total length, respectively. The observed multi-year survivorship based on the length frequency data from the river Yamuna in O. niloticus suggested that it has successfully established in the non-native environment and is rapidly spreading in other tributaries of the river Ganga. The recruitment pattern was observed to be continuous throughout the year, with several micro-cohorts and two overlapping peaks of unequal pulse strengths. Estimated maximum sustainable yield for this species in the Allahabad stretch of the river Yamuna was 27.13 t. This study can form an important base for future research work in the management of this invasive species in the Gangetic river system in India.

Chromosome loss that results in monosomy is detrimental to viability, yet it is frequently observed in cancers. How cancers survive with monosomy is unknown. Using p53-deficient monosomic cell lines, we find that chromosome loss impairs proliferation and genomic stability. Transcriptome and proteome analysis demonstrates reduced expression of genes encoded on the monosomes, which is partially compensated in some cases. Monosomy also induces global changes in gene expression. Pathway enrichment analysis reveals that genes involved in ribosome biogenesis and translation are downregulated in all monosomic cells analyzed. Consistently, monosomies display defects in protein synthesis and ribosome assembly. We further show that monosomies are incompatible with p53 expression, likely due to defects in ribosome biogenesis. Accordingly, impaired ribosome biogenesis and p53 inactivation are associated with monosomy in cancer. Our systematic study of monosomy in human cells explains why monosomy is so detrimental and reveals the importance of p53 for monosomy occurrence in cancer., The mechanisms that allow cancer cells to survive with monosomies are poorly understood. Here the authors analyse p53-deficient monosomic cell lines using transcriptomics and proteomics, and find that impaired ribosome biogenesis and p53 downregulation are associated with sustained monosomies.

Animal models of obesity have shown that the expression of Thromboxane A2 Receptor (tbxa2r) and thromboxane synthase (Tbxas1) are increased in adipose tissue (AT) and are associated with insulin resistance and inflammation. Objective: To compare Tbxa2r gene expression in the AT of human subjects with different degrees of obesity and to determine the association between AT Tbxa2r with BMI and markers of AT inflammation. Methods: Subcutaneous AT samples were collected from lean (BMI 40) subjects. Gene expression of Tbxa2r was analyzed in AT and compared among different groups. Correlation analysis to determine the association between AT Tbxa2r and obesity and obesity-related inflammation. Results: The mRNA levels of Tbxa2r were significantly higher in obese compared to normal subjects (P Conclusion: Signaling of TxA2 is higher in AT in obesity and is associated with BMI as well as inflammatory genes. Tbxa2r may be a potential therapeutic target for obesity-linked diseases including type 2 DM and CV disease. Disclosure D. Alcaraz alvarez: None. S. Viswanathan: None. T. Gopal: None. N. Kumar: None. K. Kelley: None. C. Desouza: Advisory Panel; Self; Bayer AG, Novo Nordisk, Consultant; Self; AstraZeneca.

The present study was to investigate the application and mechanism of salicylic acid (SA) as SA-Ricemate for the control of leaf blight disease using a Synchrotron Radiation-based Fourier-Transform Infra-Red (SR-FTIR) microspectroscopy and docking studies. After treating rice plants cv. KDML 105 with SA-Ricemate, the leaves were inoculated with Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae, the causal agent of leaf blight, and disease severity were assessed. The leaves were also used to detect changes in endogenous SA content. The results indicated that SA-Ricemate, as an activated compound, reduced disease severity by 60% at three weeks post-inoculation and increased endogenous content by 50%. The SR-FTIR analysis of changes in the mesophyll of leaves (treated and untreated) showed that the groups of lipids, pectins, and proteins amide I and amide II occurred at higher values, and polysaccharides were shown at lower values in treated compared to untreated. Besides, docking studies were used to model a three-dimensional structure for Pathogenesis-related (PR1b) protein and further identify its interaction with SA. The results showed that ASP28, ARG31, LEU32, GLN97, and ALA93 are important residues that have strong hydrogen bonds with SA. The docking results showed that SA has a good interaction, confirming its role in expression.

Mycological investigations of 25 samples of stored chickpea food seeds (Cicer arietinum L.) from grocery stores of Gurgaon and Gorakhpur revealed occurrence of seventeen fungal species belonging to genus viz., Alternaria, Aspergillus, Chaetomium, Colletotrichum, Curvularia, Fusarium, Penicillium, Rhizopus, Rhizoctonia, and Sclerotium. In these Aspergillus flavus, A. niger, Fusarium oxysporum had dominance in terms of per cent occurrence. Only one species of Bruchid (Callosobruchus chinensis L.) occurred in all the 25 samples. The biodeterioration of seeds inoculated with fungi: A. flavus, A. niger, F. oxysporum and the insect—C. chinensis, revealed their role in seed deterioration. For chickpea food seed protection essential oils were extracted from edible commodity(clove(Lavang and dill(sowa) leaf). Clove(Lavang) oil registered highest antifungal activity inhibiting (100%) mycelial growth of fungi, viz. species Aspergillus flavus, A. niger, Fusarium oxysporum at 300 ppm but was fungicidal at 400 ppm. Dill (Sowa) oil showed complete inhibition at 400 ppm and was fungicidal at 500 ppm. While mixture of both the oils (clove and dill) showed complete inhibition (100%) and fungicidal action at 400 ppm against the dominant fungi. The oils showed 100% insect repellent activity and were found fungicidal at 0.02 ml dose and also insecticidal. The mixture of oils was cidal at 0.02 ml dose. The mixture of oils showed a broad antifungal spectrum at 500 ppm while only 70–93% inhibitory activity at 300 ppm. The oils' mixture's activity was not affected by temp, storage and autoclaving up to 150 days. Oils physico-chemical properties were studied. GC–MS analysis of clove(Lavang) oil depicted major components: 75.63%eugenol while dill(sowa) leaf oil had 25.14% apiole. Formulation of Mixture of oils was more effective showing complete seed protection i.e.no growth of fungi and insects upto 150 days storage than salphos (150 days). While salphos controlled only maximum three fungi (A. terreus, C. dematium, F. moniliforme). The formulated oils mixture did not have any adverse effect on the chickpea seeds and increased their shelf life.

Increasing atmospheric temperature is the consequence of global warming, which is expected to influence crop growth and development, resulting in declining productivity in the tropical agriculture system. The selection of temperature tolerant crop cultivars with higher productivity to meet the future demand of the world expanding human population requires a thorough understanding of crop growth feedback to increasing temperature. Therefore, a field experiment was conducted during the Kharif season of 2012 and 2013 to understand the response of yield and yield-related traits of eleven rice cultivars to elevated temperature grown inside field mounted temperature gradient tunnel (TGT) in the Bhabar region of the Indian Himalayas. The elevated temperature significantly impacted growth and yield and yield-related traits, especially tillers, panicles, filled and chaffy grains, grain, and 1000 grain weight, yield, and harvest index of all the cultivars during both years. The cultivars, i.e., IET 21404 and IET 21577, were reported to produced more tillers in 2012, whereas IET 21411 and KRH 2 had a maximum 2013. Likewise, maximum panicles were reported in IET 21404 and IET 21577 in 2012, while IET 21411, IET 21582, and KRH 2 in 2013 under elevated temperature. The highest grain filling under high temperature in 2012 was found in IET 21577, then IET 21404; however, IET 21411 and IET 21405 were the highest filled grains in 2013. Consequently, the cultivars IET 21577 and IET 21404 were reported as more tolerant towards yielding higher grain weight and Harvest Index. This study offers an opportunity to screen temperature tolerant cultivars with increased productivity for fulfilling the demand of rice-dependent regions in future changing climatic conditions., Elevated temperatures, Oryza sativa, growth response, productivity, Climate.

Triterpenes (30-carbon isoprene compounds) represent a large and highly diverse class of natural products that play various physiological functions in plants. The triterpene biosynthetic enzymes, particularly those catalyzing the late-stage regio-selective modifications are not well characterized. The bark of select Boswellia trees, e.g., B. serrata exudes specialized oleo-gum resin in response to wounding, which is enriched with boswellic acids (BAs), a unique class of C3α-epimeric pentacyclic triterpenes with medicinal properties. The bark possesses a network of resin secretory structures comprised of vertical and horizontal resin canals, and amount of BAs in bark increases considerably in response to wounding. To investigate BA biosynthetic enzymes, we conducted tissue-specific transcriptome profiling and identified a wound-responsive BAHD acetyltransferase (BsAT1) of B. serrata catalyzing the late-stage C3α-O-acetylation reactions in the BA biosynthetic pathway. BsAT1 catalyzed C3α-O-acetylation of αBA, βBA, and 11-keto-βBA in vitro and in planta assays to produce all the major C3α-O-acetyl-BAs (3-acetyl-αBA, 3-acetyl-βBA, and 3-acetyl-11-keto-βBA) found in B. serrata bark and oleo-gum resin. BsAT1 showed strict specificity for BA scaffold, whereas it did not acetylate the more common C3β-epimeric pentacyclic triterpenes. The analysis of steady-state kinetics using various BAs revealed distinct substrate affinity and catalytic efficiency. BsAT1 transcript expression coincides with increased levels of C3α-O-acetyl-BAs in bark in response to wounding, suggesting a role of BsAT1 in wound-induced biosynthesis of C3α-O-acetyl-BAs. Overall, the results provide new insights into the biosynthesis of principal chemical constituents of Boswellia oleo-gum resin.

Sustainability of cereal-based cropping systems remains crucial for food security in South Asia. However, productivity of cereal–cereal rotations has declined in the long run, demonstrating the need for a sustainable alternative. Base crop, that is, common crop in different crop rotations, productivity could be used as a sustainability indicator for the assessment of different long-term crop rotations. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of grain legume inclusion in lowland rice–wheat (R-W) and upland maize–wheat (M-W) rotation on system’s base crop (rice in lowland and wheat in upland crop rotations) productivity and sustainability and also in soil fertility. Mung bean (April–May) inclusion in R-W rotation increased rice grain yield by 10–14%. In upland, mung bean inclusion in M-W rotation increased wheat grain yield by 5–11%. Replacing wheat with chickpea in R-W rotation increased rice grain yield by 5–8%. Increased base crop productivity in legume inclusive rotations was attributed to significant improvement in panicle (rice) or spike (wheat) attributes. Increased soil organic carbon and available nitrogen and phosphorus in the legume inclusive rotations significantly influenced the base crop productivity in both the production systems. Among the crop rotations, R-W-Mb (in lowland) and M-W-Mb (in upland) rotations had the highest system productivity and net return. Therefore, intensification/diversification of cereal–cereal rotations with grain legume could improve soil fertility and sustain crop productivity.

An agar-degrading bacterium, designated as strain SELA 4, was isolated from agriculture soil enriched with laboratory agar. The isolated strain was Gram-positive, rod-shaped, aerobic bacterium with off-white colonies showing marked depression on Mineral Salt Agar (MSA) medium. A similarity search was done based on its 16S r DNA sequence and the analysis revealed that the strain SELA 4 shared 99% similarity with the genus Microbacterium, showing its affiliation with Microbacterium barkeri strain which is known to be famous as biocontrol agents. On the basis of results obtained after biochemical analysis, physiological and phylogenetic analysis this strain was named Microbacterium barkeri sp. SELA 4. The strain SELA 4 is able to utilize agar as the only carbon source when grown at 37oC, 5 pH and produced the enzyme, β-agarase. Highest activity of 2.04 U/ml was observed at 1.5% agar concentration in the growth media. The enzyme activity at 37oC was 2.09 U/ml and at 5 pH was 1.96 U/ml respectively. Initially, the activity was qualitatively determined by iodine clear zone assay and later confirmed by activity staining. Activity staining showed the secretion of agarase enzyme by the strain whose molecular weight was found approximately 55.6 kDa. The enzyme hydrolysis product of agar was analyzed using Thin Layer Chromatography, indicating that the agarase enzyme from SELA 4 was β agarase which is known for cleaving agarose into Neoagarohexaose as the final product.

Background: Acute osteomyelitis and septic arthritis are most common acute infectious conditions of bone encountered at the emergency or outpatient department at hospitals. Both septic arthritis and osteomyelitis are threat for joint destruction, physeal damage and osteonecrosis, which warrants prompt and specific diagnosis and treatment. This study endeavours to evaluate Procalcitonin as diagnostic tool for earliest and specific diagnosis of acute bone and joint infection. Methods: This is a prospective type hospital based study conducted at a tertiary care hospital ,carried out between October 2015 to April 2017 which included total of 78 participants divided in two groups ,the cases and control group, each containing 39 patients . Clinical parameters as fever, pain, swelling and laboratory findings as Total Leucocyte Count(TLC), Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate(ESR), C Reactive protein(CRP) and Procalcitonin(PCT) were measured. Baseline characteristic of the two groups compared. The sensitivity, specificity and p-values were compared using chi square and fisher’s exact test, SPSS software version 20 used. Results: Total of 78 patients participated, 39 taken as cases and 39 as control. Out of 78 patients, males-48 (61.54%), and females-30(38.46%) with average age of participants as 23.5 years. ESR, CRP and TLC and procalcitonin was found to be elevated in all the cases .The P value for CRP and Procalcitonin was 0.00001 and significant correlation was observed between cases and PCT serum level. For septic arthritis the specificity of Procalcitonin came out to be 92% and sensitivity as 84%, while for acute osteomyelitis specificity and sensitivity of procalcitonin found out to be 92% and 82 % respectively. Conclusions: In our study we found that serum Procalcitonin level is a sensitive and specific marker of acute infection of bone and joint. As compared to C reactive protein and total leucocyte count, Procalcitonin is more specific and more sensitive for diagnosis of acute osteomyelitis and septic arthritis. Determined by the statistical analysis procalcitonin is more reliable than C reactive protein or total leucocyte count. Instituiting serum procalcitonin level as screening marker for acute bone and joint infection can lead to early diagnosis and treatment of these infection and avoid the grave complications.Though larger trials including more number of participants in each group can be done to establish procalcitonin as a marker for early and specific diagnosis of acute osteomyelitis and septic arthritis. Keywords: Procalcitonin, osteomyelitis, septic arthritis, C - reactive protein

Clerodendrum viscosum leaves are used in indigenous systems of medicines of mainland and maritime Southeast Asian countries for the treatment of fever, pain, dysentery, colic, and removal of Ascarids. The Clerodendrum species under study exhibit various phytochemical and morphological similarities. Therefore, it is very challenging to distinguish raw powdered materials used for therapeutic purposes. A validated high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) method with 4 key markers, viz., 24β-ethylcholesta-5,22E,25-triene-3β-O-D-glucoside, clerodinin-A, 24β-ethylcholesta-5,22E,25-triene-3β-ol, and lupeol coupled with a chemometric analysis was used to distinguish 3 closely related Clerodendrum species, viz., C. inerme, C. multiforum, and C. viscosum. PRISMA approach was applied for effective HPTLC fingerprint development. The HPTLC—densitometry method was validated following the current International Conference on Harmonisation (ICH) guidelines. Taxonomic differentiation was established by fingerprint-based similarity analysis, a chemotaxonomic study using hierarchical clustering analysis (HCA), and principal component analysis (PCA) was done. HPTLC chromatogram similarity was calculated as correlation coefficient and congruence coefficient values, demonstrating poor similarities (0.26–0.86). However, PCA has resulted in 2 principal component (PC) loadings. PC1 separated C. multiforum, explaining 85.48% of variance mainly due to distribution of 2 triterpenoids. The present HPTLC method is coupled to marker-based quality determination of raw plants as well as discrimination of Clerodendrum species. Chemometric analysis based on 4 metabolites clearly establishes a practical identification of Clerodendrum species intended for therapeutic use.