Horizon e-Publishing Group (HePG): E-Journals
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Microcontroller-based solar tunnel dryer for sustainable drying in Northeast India
Full text linkThe growing world population necessitated enhanced food availability and reduced waste. Drying has been a popular technique for extending food storage for a long time since it minimizes volume and lowers moisture and enzymatic activity, reducing food loss. This project sought to create a microcontroller-driven solar tunnel dryer designed for the prevalent rainfall and elevated humidity conditions in Northeast India. The designed solar tunnel dryer is equipped with two DHT22 sensors that assess ambient humidity inside and outside the dryer, deciding whether to let airflow with the environment or isolate it. It controls fan operation based on real-time monitoring. The dryer has 12 trays on a six-tray structure that holds 100 kg of sliced turmeric in every batch. An additional tray with a load cell was provided to record turmeric weight during drying. Without any load, the maximum internal temperature exceeded the outside by 27.1°C, while the minimum internal humidity was 30% lower than external values. The turmeric was dried from an initial moisture content of 71.62% to less than 10% (wet basis) over 101 hours and 40 minutes (5 days) with 28.63 effective bright sunshine hours. The developed solar tunnel dryer\u27s average efficiency was 19.20%, demonstrating its ability to dry turmeric in Meghalaya, India
Comprehensive phytochemical exploration of red, sweet and sour tamarind genotypes through GC-MS analysis
Full text linkTamarind fruit pulp is a significant spice and flavouring agent used in various cuisines worldwide. Tamarind pulp has potential therapeutic value due to the presence of numerous bioactive components and widely utilized in preparation of different Ayurvedic medicines for treating the different illness. The present investigation aimed to evaluate the phytochemical constituents in the fruit pulp of different phenotypic variants of red, sweet and sour Tamarind clones. The Tamarind fruits were collected from the Tamarind germplasm bank at the ICFRE-Institute of Forest Genetics and Tree Breeding and subjected to phytochemical and GC-MS analysis. The Tamarind clones IFGTBTI-4, IFGTBRT-4 and IFGTBST-5 were subjected to GC-MS analysis. The methanol extract of fruit pulp was analysed by GCMS for identify the bioactive component present in the different phenotypic variants of Tamarind. The GCMS analysis revealed 22 components in sour Tamarind, 18 components in red Tamarind and 22 components in sweet Tamarind. The most important bioactive compounds present in all the Tamarind types are myo-inositol, 4-Cmethyl-, L-(+)-ascorbic acid 2,6-dihexadecanoate and 2-furancarboxaldehyde, 5 -(hydroxymethyl) and also the components such as ?-calacorene, gammasitosterol and levoglucosenon. Therapeutic potential, including antiinflammatory, antioxidant, antiviral and anticancer properties. The findings contribute to the pharmacological validation of Tamarind extracts and to supporting their utility in pharmaceutical, cosmetic and food industries. This study highlights Tamarind\u27s role as a source of natural bioactive compounds with significant health benefits, emphasizing its potential in the development of new therapeutic agents and supplements based on sustainable, bio-based chemicals
Screening of herbicides for weed management in quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) - The first report from India
Full text linkWeed management without herbicide poses a significant challenge in crop production, especially for emerging crops like quinoa, which are highly sensitive to many herbicides. Identifying suitable herbicides and determining their optimal doses are critical steps for enhancing quinoa cultivation. To address this, two screening experiments followed by a conformity study were conducted in pots at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore in 2024. The study evaluated eight pre-emergence, six early post-emergence and three post-emergence herbicides, each applied at 100% and 75% of the recommended dose (a total of 34 treatments) and compared their effects against a non-treated control (no herbicide). The experiments were carried out in a completely randomized design. Screening results indicated that pre-emergence applications of pretilachlor, butachlor, bensulfuron methyl + pretilachlor and pyrazosulfuron ethyl at 100% recommended doses significantly reduced total weed density and dry weight while enhancing quinoa growth parameters, with minimal phytotoxic effects. In the conformity study, only the full recommended doses of pretilachlor (750 g ha-1), butachlor (1000 g ha-1) and bensulfuron methyl + pretilachlor (660 g ha-1) consistently reduced weed density and dry weight effectively. However, phytotoxicity evaluations revealed that both the 100 and 75% doses of atrazine, metribuzin, oxyfluorfen, tembotrione, topramezone, pendimethalin, imazethapyr, triafamone + ethoxysulfuron, penoxsulam + cyhalofop butyl, pyrazosulfuron ethyl, bispyribac sodium, fomesafen + fluzifop-p-butyl, quizalofop ethyl and pyrithiobac sodium were unsuitable for quinoa due to their high phytotoxicity
Phenotypic characterization and genetic analysis for identification of trait-specific germplasm in Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.)
Full text linkAn experiment conducted at TNAU, Coimbatore, during the rabi season of 2023-2024, evaluated 105 sunflower germplasm lines using ARBD. The ANOVA indicated significant differences among twelve traits, with high genetic variability observed in oil yield per plant, seed yield per plant, and hundred seed weight. Heritability and genetic advance were notably high for plant height, seed yield per plant, and oil yield per plant. Correlation analysis showed that seed yield per plant was positively correlated with plant height, head diameter, hundred seed weight, oil content, and oil yield per plant but negatively with leaf size. Path analysis revealed that oil yield per plant had the most substantial positive direct effect on seed yield, while oil content had the most significant negative direct effect. Plant height, head diameter, and hundred seed weight positively influenced yield indirectly through oil yield per plant but negatively via oil content. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) identified four principal components with Eigen values greater than 1, explaining 62.91 % of the variability. Notably, diverse genotypes included CB-GMU1189, CB-GMU-400, and CB-IB-62. Mahalanobis D2 statistics identified seven clusters, with Cluster 1 containing the most genotypes and Clusters 6 and 7 showing the highest inter-cluster distance, indicating significant genetic diversity. Cluster 5 had the highest mean for several traits. The sunflower germplasm accessions exhibited considerable variability in morphological characteristics such as hypocotyl pigmentation, leaf blistering, leaf serration, petiole pigmentation, stem pigmentation, ray floret shape, stigma pigmentation, seed shape, seed stripes, and seed stripe colour. Therefore, the accessions identified for superior traits include 14 genotypes for very high yield (>35 g/plant), five for high seed oil content (40-43 %), and 22 for high 100-seed weight (>6 g) and can be considered as superior trait-specific accessions in sunflower
Millet bran: The underrated ingredient with a potential to transform human nutrition
Full text linkMillets are consumed by people across the globe. Millet bran (MB), a byproduct of preliminary processes like dehulling, debranning and milling, is often discarded or utilized as animal feed. Foxtail millet bran(FMB) consists of 9.39% crude oil, 12.48% crude protein, 51.69% crude fiber, 7.50% ash, and 8.29% moisture. Kodo millet bran(KMB) has a nutrient profile of 4.92% protein, 79.84% carbohydrates, 2.83% fat, 48.42% overall dietary fiber, 5.33% ash and 7.07% moisture. Little millet bran has a phenolic concentration of 465.67 microgram, whole grain contains 148.53 microgram, and pearled grain has 78.63 microgram. Proso millet bran is composed of 9% fat, 26% carbohydrates, 36% dietary fiber and 14% protein, along with 3 mg gallic acid equivalent/g of phenolics. Bran is a promising ingredient for creating innovative functional and therapeutic foods since it contains good nutrients like protein, fat, dietary fiber, phenols, phytonutrients, flavonoids, and antioxidants. Hydrolytic rancidity is the primary challenge in using bran as food, and the only way to prevent it is through a process called stabilization, which inactivates the enzymes responsible for this issue. Stabilization of bran is crucial to preventing the formation of free fatty acids (FFA) due to the action of lipase. This review addresses stabilization techniques, health and therapeutic benefits and industrial applications for developing MBbased food products like bakery products, beverages and bran oil
Quantitative evidence on reduction of CMD virus inoculum as influenced by management practices in cassava
Full text linkCassava mosaic disease (CMD) poses a substantial challenge to the success of cassava cultivation in India, primarily attributed to the Indian cassava mosaic virus (ICMV) and the Sri Lankan cassava mosaic virus (SLCMV). This studyexamines the impact of diverse management techniques on diminishing CMD viral load in cassava plants, employing quantitative PCR (qPCR) as the principal measurement instrument. The experiment was conducted in a cassava field, with treatment plots assigned in a randomized block design (RBD). The research evaluated the effectiveness of different nutrient applications and insecticidal treatments. Results indicated that treatments, such as fish oil rosin soap and cassava booster, significantly reduced CMD viral concentrations 14 days post-application. The qPCR results showed a substantial decrease in virus copy numbers following these treatments. The study highlights the importance of integrated disease management strategies for CMD control, demonstrating how these practices can lead to healthier cassava crops, increased yields and sustainable crop protection
Effects of biostimulants on growth, yield, and quality of chili intercropped with palmyrah
Full text linkA field experiment was conducted to investigate the impact of biostimulants on the growth and yield of chili (var. KKM Ch-1) as an intercrop under palmyrah plantation at the College Orchard of the Department of Horticulture, VOC Agricultural College and Research Institute, Killikulam, Thoothukudi district of Tamil Nadu during 2023-24. Four treatments, including potassium chloride (KCl) 1%, pink-pigmented facultative methylotrophs (PPFM) 1%, panchagavya 3%, and water as a control, were applied in a randomized block design with five replications. Observations were recorded on plant height (cm), number of branches at 30, 60 and 90 days after transplanting,along with yield attributing characters viz., days to 1% flowering, 50% flowering, no. of red ripened fruits per plant, individual fruit weight (g), yield per plant (g), yield per ha (tons), dry yield per plant (g), dry yield per hectare (ton), ascorbic acid content (mg per 100g), capsaicin (%), capsanthin (%) and oleoresin (%). The maximum plant height at 30 (25.48 cm), 60 (56.79 cm), and 90 days after transplanting (70.75 cm), number of branches at 30 days after transplanting (2.80), 60 days after transplanting (8.80) and 90 days after transplanting (11.40), early flowering (38.40 days), 50% flowering (46.40 days), individual fruit weight (2.18 g), number of fruits per plant (78.20), yield of red ripen fruits per plant (170.31 g), yield per ha (6.30 ton per ha), leaf area index (LAI) (0.84), chlorophyll a (1.42 mg per g), chlorophyll b (1.77 mg per g), total chlorophyll (3.28 mg per g), proline content (251.85 mg per g), dry yield per plant (65.67 g), dry yield per hectare (2.43 ton per ha), ascorbic acid content (12.27 mg per 100g), capsaicin (0.53%),capsanthin (44.04) and oleoresin (14.51%) was recorded in (the 3%) panchagavya spray treatment. The salient findings revealed that among the different treatments, 3% panchagavya spray exhibited superiority in promotinggrowth and yield in chilli as an intercrop under palmyrah in dryland conditions of the Thothukudi district
Phenotypic and genotypic insights into rice germplasm resistance against a biotype of the brown planthopper Nilaparvata lugens (stal)
Full text linkThis study explores the resistance of rice landraces, genotypes and wild rice to the South Asian brown planthopper (BPH) population, a significant pest affecting rice crops. Phenotypic screening identified a few landraces, genotypes and wild rice varieties with resistance to the South Asian biotype, including, PTB-33, Oryza officinalis, O. nivara, Adukkan, Vellai Kombi Samba and Onamuttan which exhibited damage scores ≤ 3. Moderate resistance was observed in IR 36, ARC 10550, T12, Manvilayan, Rathu Heenati, CR 2711, Mysore Malli, Swarnalata, Pokkali, Babaweeand ASD 7, while other varieties demonstrated varying levels of susceptibility. Molecular analysis using SSR (simple sequence repeats) markers revealed the presence of BPH resistance genes across these genotypes. Notably, Onamuttan and Vellai kombi samba exhibited a broad resistance gene profile, while Adukkan, Manvilayan possess two BPH-resistant genes. Conversely, ASD 7 and Rathu Heenati, despite possessing several resistance gene markers, displayed moderate resistance. This study underscores the potential of integrating resistant genotypes into breeding programs, employing SSR markers for precise gene mapping and marker assisted selection. The combined phenotypic and genotypic data provide valuable insights for advancing rice breeding strategies for sustainable BPH management and improved pest resistance
Unveiling genetic diversity in teak (Tectona grandis L. f.) accessions through ISSR profiling
Full text linkThe present study focuses on understanding the genetic diversity among the selected teak accessions using Inter simple sequence repeat (ISSR) markers. Genomic DNA from ten selected teak accessions was extracted using a modified Cetyltrimethylammonium Bromide (CTAB) protocol, ensuring high quality and yield. ISSR primers were employed to amplify DNA fragments and resulting bands were visualized. Banding patterns were analyzed to determine the presence of alleles and polymorphism. The study revealed significant genetic diversity among teak accessions, with 212 alleles identified, of which 199 were polymorphic. Cluster analysis grouped accessions into three distinct clusters based on genetic relatedness, highlighting the influence of environmental factors and geographic location on teaks’ genetic variability. Cluster I comprised two accessions, A1 (Top slip-6) and A2 (Top slip-10) (Jaccards’ coefficient=0.361). Notably, A6 (Nellikutha-1) and A4 (Nedumkayam-2) show a close genetic relationship, sharing a common ancestry with A10 (Karulai) and finally, all three are linked with A7 (Nedumkayam-1), forming cluster II. Cluster III included two pairs of closely related accessions: A3(TC4)-A5(TC11) and A8(Nellikutha-2) - A9 (Shankaram-thode1). Neis’ genetic identity and distance indices provided further insights into the degree of genetic similarity and differentiation among accessions
Extenuating mycotoxin contamination in spices: detection, regulatory frameworks and preventive strategies
Full text linkMycotoxins are secondary metabolites produced by fungi, primarily from the genera Aspergillus, Fusarium, Penicillium and Alternaria. The attention is on the existence of mycotoxin compounds in food substances that jeopardize public health and it is directed to systematic regulation to overcome these issues. Pathogenic fungi, including Aspergillus, Penicillium and Fusarium species, infiltrate spice crops during the pre-harvest, postharvest and storage stages. These fungi create toxic secondary metabolites called mycotoxin. The reviews\u27 intend to examine the prevalence, types and levels of mycotoxins commonly found in spices, including aflatoxins, ochratoxin A and fumonisins. The study highlights the factors that influence mycotoxin contamination, such as environmental conditions, agricultural practices and storage methods. Analytical techniques for detecting mycotoxins, including chromatography and immunoassays, are evaluated for efficacy and sensitivity. It also discusses the regulatory frameworks and safety standards established by international bodies like the Codex Alimentarius Commission to mitigate mycotoxin risks. In addition to these regulatory measures, mycotoxin detection needs to be addressed before framing the standards. The preventive strategies and mitigation measures, including good agricultural practices (GAP), proper drying, storage conditions and biocontrol agents, were explored based on previous research conducted earlier. This comprehensive review underscores the critical importance of implementing integrated approaches combining advanced detection methods, harmonized regulatory standards and preventive strategies to ensure the safety and quality of spices in the global food supply chain