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Background: One of the most valuable crops is black gram, which has a high nutritional value, a short growing season and is suitable for many different farming systems. This study aims to evaluate the high harvest index urdbean varieties using path analysis in various crop spacing under rainfed conditions in Tamil Nadu. Methods: The experiments was carried out during three consecutive years (2016-2017, 2017-2018 and 20218-2019) of Kharif season at Agricultural Research Station, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Virinjipuram, Tamil Nadu. The experiments was laid out in factorial randomized block design with three replications. Result: The pooled results of three years revealed that the urdbean variety VBN (Bg) 6 had the maximum seed yield of 691 kg ha-1, whereas MDU 1 had the lowest seed yield of 536 kg ha-1. When compared to other crop spacing, 20 cm x 10 cm had the maximum seed output of 683 kg ha-1. The ideal plant spacing of 20 cm x 10 cm enhanced seed production by 38.0 percent and harvest index by 16 per cent when compared to the advised crop spacing of 30 cm x 10 cm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A drought-resistant plant with high adaptability to various climatic and soil conditions is castor (Ricinus communis L.). There is currently a significant expectation of increased castor oil demand on the global market. When it comes to crop development, there are a variety of factors to take into account for each growing region, especially when it is preferable to fit the castor crop to specific tillage practices and intercropping system. In this veneration, the current study's goal was to determine the effects of various tillage methods and legume crop-based intercropping system in rainfed regions. The field experiments were conducted in 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 at Tapioca and Castor Research Station, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Yethapur. The experimental treatments consisted of conventional tillage and minimum tillage as main plot and castor based inter cropping system @ 1:3 ratio viz., Castor + Greengram, Castor + Cowpea, Castor + Groundnut and Sole Castor as subplot treatments and conducted in split plot design with three replications. The pooled results of a two-year study of different tillage practices in legume crop based intercropping systems in rainfed conditions showed no significant difference among tillage practices relevant to growth, yield attributing characters, seed yield and biomass yield, however higher values were registered under conventional tillage practices over minimum tillage. Higher seed yield of both base (1152 kg ha-1) and inter crop (481 kg ha-1) were documented in conventional tillage practices over minimum tillage. With respect to inter cropping, higher base crop (castor) yield of 1058 kg ha-1 was recorded under castor + groundnut inter cropping system, which was observed to be on par with sole castor (1020 kg ha-1), and castor + greengram (907 kg ha-1). Recorded highest Castor equivalent yield in castor + groundnut (1:3) intercropping, grown under a conventional tillage system. Moreover, the maximum benefit-cost ratio was recorded in castor + groundnut (1:3) intercropping, over sole castor cropping. The highest Castor Equivalent Yield (CEY) in a conventional tillage system was observed in a castor + groundnut (1:3) intercropping system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Renu Geetha Bai,1 Kasturi Muthoosamy,1 Sivakumar Manickam,1 Ali Hilal-Alnaqbi21Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials (NATAM), Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Nottingham Malaysia, Semenyih, Selangor, 43500, Malaysia; 2Electromechanical Technology, Abu Dhabi Polytechnic, Abu Dhabi, United Arab EmiratesAbstract: Tissue engineering embraces the potential of recreating and replacing defective body parts by advancements in the medical field. Being a biocompatible nanomaterial with outstanding physical, chemical, optical, and biological properties, graphene-based materials were successfully employed in creating the perfect scaffold for a range of organs, starting from the skin through to the brain. Investigations on 2D and 3D tissue culture scaffolds incorporated with graphene or its derivatives have revealed the capability of this carbon material in mimicking in vivo environment. The porous morphology, great surface area, selective permeability of gases, excellent mechanical strength, good thermal and electrical conductivity, good optical properties, and biodegradability enable graphene materials to be the best component for scaffold engineering. Along with the apt microenvironment, this material was found to be efficient in differentiating stem cells into specific cell types. Furthermore, the scope of graphene nanomaterials in liver tissue engineering as a promising biomaterial is also discussed. This review critically looks into the unlimited potential of graphene-based nanomaterials in future tissue engineering and regenerative therapy.Keywords: graphene, 3D, tissue engineering, scaffold, microenvironment, stem cells, liver, regenerative therapy

An investigation was carried out to understand the gene action for seed oil, seed protein, seed gossypol, seed cotton yield and fiber density through intra-hirsutum crosses. Combining ability and gene action were studied in eighteen hybrids involving six elite varieties as lines (females) and three fuzzless G. hirsutum accessions as testers (males) in Line x Tester analysis. This study revealed the preponderance of non-additive gene action on all the traits studied including seed cotton yield. The elite general combiners identified were CO14 for seed oil and seed protein and CO17 and AKH98-81 for fiber per seed and fiber density. The best specific combiner was SVPR4 x AKH98-81 for seed oil, fiber density and seed cotton yield. A correlation study revealed a strong positive association of seed oil content, lint index, micronaire value, fiber per seed and seed fiber density traits with seed cotton yield. This study indicated the possibility of developing high-yielding hybrids with high seed oil, seed protein content and better fiber quality traits through heterosis breeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cotton, a vital global cash crop, influences the economy and sustainability. Natural farming is a cost-effective, eco-friendly method. This study examines Natural Farming's effects on cotton yield and the economics of cotton compared to Integrated and organic farming. Field experiments were conducted during 2021-22 and 2022-23 at Tamil Nadu Agricultural College, Coimbatore. The experiment consisted of eight treatments, laid out in Randomized Block Design and replicated thrice. The treatments consist of control (T1), various Indian Natural farming practices including Beejamirit as a seed treatment, Ghanajeevamirit as basal, Jeevamirit with irrigation water, crop residue mulch, intercroping with pulses (T2 to T5), Organic farming practices (T6), Integrated crop management (ICM) practices with organic pest control (T7) and ICM with chemical pest (T8). The results indicated a significant increase in yield components: sympodial branches plant-1 (12.85 and 13.40), number of squares (29.28 and 31.28), bolls plant-1 (10.74 and 11.32), and boll weight (4.30 and 4.38 g) under Integrated Crop Management practices in 2021-22 and 2022-23, respectively. However, organic farming practices, followed by natural farming practices, were at par with integrated crop management. Integrated crop management practices resulted in significantly higher seed cotton yields (2178 and 2232 kg/ha in 2021-22 and 2022-23, respectively) than organic and natural farming practices with a higher cost of cultivation and a gross return. Complete natural farming outperformed organic and integrated farming in cotton, yielding higher net returns and B: C ratios. This approach holds promise for enhancing yield, economic viability and environmental sustainability in cotton cultivation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chee Meng Ng,1 Hwei-San Loh,2 Kasturi Muthoosamy,1 Nanthini Sridewi,3 Sivakumar Manickam1 1Manufacturing and Industrial Processes Research Division, Faculty of Engineering, 2Faculty of Science, School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus, Semenyih, Selangor, 3Faculty of Science and Defence Technology, National Defence University of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Purpose: The high aspect ratio of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) allows the attachment of compounds that enhance the functionality of the drug vehicle. Considering this, use of CNTs as a multifunctional insulin carrier may be an interesting prospect to explore.Materials and methods: The carboxylic acid groups were functionalized on the sidewalls of single-walled CNTs (SWCNTs) followed by diimidation to form amide bonds with the amine groups of the insulin.Results: Scanning transmission electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy establish clear conjugation of insulin onto the surface of nanotube sidewalls. The incorporation of insulin further increased the solubility of SWCNTs in biological solution for the tested period of 5 months. Bicinchoninic acid assay confirms that 0.42 mg of insulin could be attached to every 1 mg of carboxylated SWCNTs.Conclusion: With the successful conjugation of insulin to SWCNTs, it opens up the potential use of SWCNTs as an insulin carrier which in need of further biological studies.Keywords: diimidation, CNT, SWCNT, increased solubility, carboxylation, drug carrier

Kasturi Muthoosamy,1 Renu Geetha Bai,1 Ibrahim Babangida Abubakar,2 Surya Mudavasseril Sudheer,1 Hong Ngee Lim,3 Hwei-San Loh,2,4 Nay Ming Huang,5 Chin Hua Chia,6 Sivakumar Manickam1 1Manufacturing and Industrial Processes Research Division, Faculty of Engineering, 2School of Biosciences, Faculty of Science, University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus, Semenyih, Selangor, Malaysia; 3Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia; 4Biotechnology Research Centre, University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus, Semenyih, Selangor, Malaysia; 5Low Dimension Materials Research Centre, Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; 6School of Applied Physics, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia Purpose: A simple, one-pot strategy was used to synthesize reduced graphene oxide (RGO) nanosheets by utilizing an easily available over-the-counter medicinal and edible mushroom, Ganoderma lucidum. Methods: The mushroom was boiled in hot water to liberate the polysaccharides, the extract of which was then used directly for the reduction of graphene oxide. The abundance of polysaccharides present in the mushroom serves as a good reducing agent. The proposed strategy evades the use of harmful and expensive chemicals and avoids the typical tedious reaction methods. Results: More importantly, the mushroom extract can be easily separated from the product without generating any residual byproducts and can be reused at least three times with good conversion efficiency (75%). It was readily dispersible in water without the need of ultrasonication or any surfactants; whereas 5 minutes of ultrasonication with various solvents produced RGO which was stable for the tested period of 1 year. Based on electrochemical measurements, the followed method did not jeopardize RGO’s electrical conductivity. Moreover, the obtained RGO was highly biocompatible to not only colon (HT-29) and brain (U87MG) cancer cells, but was also viable towards normal cells (MRC-5). Conclusion: Besides being eco-friendly, this mushroom based approach is easily scalable and demonstrates remarkable RGO stability and biocompatibility, even without any form of functionalization. Keywords: extraction, Ganoderma, RGO, ultrasound