Horizon e-Publishing Group (HePG): E-Journals
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Relative influence of nitrogen induced crop parameters on yield of rice using principal component analysis model
Nitrogen (N) plays a crucial role in metabolic and physiological processes of rice. As a result, N causes variation in status of growth parameters, yield attributers as well as grain and straw yield of rice. Data base on various growth parameters recorded in different time and that of yield attributers can be used to work out the individual relationship of each parameter with grain or straw yield. Such statistical analysis may not yield a concrete result. However, principal component analysis (PCA) helps in identifying the principal components among the observed parameters and their relative influence on grain or straw yield. With such background a field study was carried out in southern Odisha, India; to assess the performance of different crop parameters and yield of kharif rice under seven nitrogen levels. Crop was exposed to: 0, 20, 40, 60, 80, 100 and 120 kg N ha-1. Increase in N level increases the magnitude of: plant height, total tiller number per m2, leaf area index (LAI), number of panicles bearing tiller per m2, number of spikelets per panicle, panicle length, per cent filled grains, grain and straw yield. Status of all variables increased with an increase in N level. The increment was significantly differed among the treatments, when the N level difference was 40 kg N ha-1. Principal component analysis (PCA biplot) established that, a strong performance of rice under N80 (which is the recommended dose of rice in this region) followed by N60, N100, N40, N120 and so on. The parameter, ‘panicle bearing tiller 90’ is the well representative parameter in the PCA space followed by percent filled grain and plant height
Assessment of the cytotoxic effect of aerial parts of Gazania rigens hexane extract on HRT-18 and MCF-7 cell line and chemical composition analysis using GC/MS and LC/MS
Gazania rigens are cultivated for their vividly colored flowerheads. The herb, belonging to the Asteraceae family, displays various classes of secondary metabolites, including terpenes, phenols and fatty acid derivatives. Antioxidant, hepatoprotective, nephroprotective, and antimicrobial activities of the herb have been evaluated and have proven to benefit humans clinically specially in case of cancer affected people. Breast cancer is the second most frequent reason for female mortality, and the third most frequent reason in the world is colorectal cancer. A previous study stated the in vitro anticancer effect of the genus Gazania rigens on the MCF-7 breast cancer cell. N-hexane extract of Gazania rigens aerial parts was prepared by maceration, cold extraction methods and subjected to GC/MS and LC-MS analysis to characterize its constituents. In GC/MS, the total number of identified compounds were 2-pentadecanone, 6,10,14-trimethyl, hexadecanoic acid methyl ester, 11-octadecenoic acid methyl ester, methyl stearate hexanedioic acid, and bis(2-ethylhexyl) ester. LC/MS analysis revealed and confirmed the presence of lupeol. Based on the result, n-hexane extract was evaluated for its in vitro anticancer effect against the MCF-7 and HRT-18 cell lines using an MTT assay. Results from the MTT assay showed there is a significant cytotoxic effect for hexane extract against both cell line HRT-18 and MCF-7, the IC50 value for HRT-18 was 102.2±10 ug/ml, while the IC50 value for MCF-7 was 121.2±12 ug/ml
Bacterial community of brown planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens (Stål) (Hemiptera: Delphacidae) revealed by high throughput amplicon sequencing
The bacterial symbionts of brown planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens (Stål) (Hemiptera: Delphacidae), a key sucking insect pest of rice in India and Asia, have been known to play many important physiological functions. Reports of yeast-like symbionts of N. lugens are widely known, but little is known about the bacterial microbes. In this study, the bacterial community structure and diversity were examined in N. Lugens collected from four major rice-growing regions of India utilizing culture-independent high throughput sequencing. The Mi seq technology identified a total of 1277 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) representing 4 phyla mainly (Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, Actinobacteria, and Bacteroidetes) by analyzing 16S rDNA gene libraries. The major microbial groups were similar in the four samples, but their distribution patterns were different, especially in Raichur. While the top three bacterial genera linked to Imphal, Pantnagar, and Raichur were Methylobacterium, Sphingomonas, and Acinetobacter; Wolbachia accounted for 87.46% of the total genera found in Raipur. The identified dominant microbial groups have been known for their crucial role in insect’s life cycle. Diversity analysis tests revealed Raichur has the highest species diversity as determined by the high Shannon and Simpson index. According to ACE and Chao1 diversity estimates, Pantnagar has the highest species richness. Understanding the bacterial communities and studying their functional roles will help in formulating biological control strategies specific to this sucking pest
Characterization of bacterial endophytes of King chilli for biocontrol potential and plant growth promotion
Bacterial endophytes associated with host plants provide various beneficial effects. This study assessed the diversity of bacterial endophytes in King chilli, focusing on their biocontrol potential and plant growth-promoting (PGP) activities. The survey was carried out in King chilli-growing regions and identified anthracnose and fruit rot diseases as significant contributors to economic yield loss. A total of 20 bacterial endophytic isolates were obtained using the sterility check method and identified as Pseudomonas through 16S rRNA gene sequencing. In in-vitro studies, isolates P. fluorescens KEB15, P. putida KEB5, and P. putida KEB7 exhibited notable mycelial growth inhibition rates of 66.67 %, 69.26 % and 66.30 % against Pythium, Fusarium, and Colletotrichum, respectively. Of the 20 isolates, 5, 16 and 17 isolates demonstrated positive production of hydrogen cyanide (HCN), ammonia (NH3), and indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), respectively. The efficacy of crude antibiotics from the best-performing antagonistic endophytes was tested against the linear growth of Fusarium, with KEB11 showing the largest inhibition area of 35.14 mm. Sequence analysis using the maximum likelihood method revealed close relationships among the potent Pseudomonas isolates, identifying KEB5 and KEB7 as P. putida and KEB15 as P. fluorescens. Field evaluations indicated that KEB7 was most effective in controlling bacterial wilt, anthracnose, and dieback diseases, achieving a maximum plant height of 85.10 cm and a yield of 3683.67 kg/ha. This study demonstrates that bacterial endophytes can effectively exhibit antifungal activity and promote plant growth in King chilli
Assessment of mechanized sown cotton-based intercropping systems: Impact on yield, efficiency and profitability
Cotton, a valuable cash crop from the Gossypium genus, significantly contributes to the national economy. A primary challenge in cotton cultivation is the high labor demand for sowing. As labor shortages grow, sowing machinery has emerged as a viable alternative, decreasing labor expenses and operating duration. However, machine sowing requires wider inter-row spacing, and cotton\u27s slow initial vegetative growth presents an opportunity to incorporate suitable intercrops. This technique optimizes resource utilization and offers potential supplementary income from intercropping in the event of primary cotton crop failure due to natural disasters. This study aims to identify suitable intercropping systems under mechanized sowing conditions to enhance yield, competitive indices, energy efficiency, and economic viability, supporting sustainable farmer incomes. The experiment employed a split-plot design with two main plots, five subplots, and three replications. Results showed that machine sowing was more profitable than manual sowing, reducing cultivation costs by 19.6% and increasing net returns by 22.7%, with a per-day return of 22.6%. Among intercropping systems, cotton + maize demonstrated superior performance, achieving significantly higher cotton-equivalent yield (22.2%), land equivalent ratio (32.0%), area-time equivalent ratio (21.0%), energy use efficiency (57.4%), energy productivity (63.5%), and net return (29.6%) compared to sole cotton. The study concluded that cotton + maize intercropping under mechanized sowing conditions improves yield, competitive indices, energy, and economic efficiency, enhancing overall farm productivity
Nanotechnology in floriculture: Extending vase life and improving postharvest quality
Cut flowers are traditionally used worldwide, regardless of caste, creed, and religion, especially in Asian countries. The global trade of cut flowers has shown a substantial increase in recent years and is expected to persist due to thepromotion and application of horticulture plants for their various advantages. The quality of vase life is critical in ensuring customer satisfaction and encouraging repeat purchases. Effective postharvest management is essentialfor enhancing the quality and extending the shelf life of cut flowers. With proper handling, cut flowers can last several days in a vase. Nanotechnology presents innovative solutions for postharvest management, especially in the cut flower sector. Specifically, Nanoparticles have been utilized in packaging to act as ethylene inhibitors and antimicrobial agents, contributing to the extension of cut flower vase life. One of the strongest ethylene perceptions is 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP), a gaseous and nontoxic that binds to ethylene receptors irreversibly, blocking the action of ethylene. Nano-Silver particles improve postharvest longevity by increasing water absorption rather thantranspiration. Additionally, Nano-Selenium enhances the water balance in cut flowers. This review describes how nanoparticles suppress microbial growth and block ethylene action in cut flowers, extending their vase life
Prevalence of groundnut root rot and antifungal potential of wild mushroom extracts against Macrophomina phaseolina
Macrophomina phaseolina is an important pathogen threatening groundnut production, with climate change induced variations in temperature and precipitation resulting in considerable yield reductions. This research provides a comprehensive evaluation of the root rot prevalence and severity in the primary groundnut-cultivating areas of Tamil Nadu. Findings indicate an incidence range of 32.71% to 85.66%. Pathogenic variability testing identified GMP-3 as the most virulent strain. Morphological differences and sporulation patterns were observed and M. phaseolina isolates were confirmed through ITS 1 (internal transcribed spacer 1) and ITS 4-sequencing, yielding Polymerase chain reaction amplicons of approximately 560 bp, which were submitted to Gene Bank. Additionally, a survey was conducted to collect various wild mushroom species from different regions in Tamil Nadu. Phenotypic and morphological characterization and molecular confirmation of the mushroom isolates were performed. The efficacy of these isolates against M. phaseolina was evaluated. The Tricholoma equestre (AWM-4) isolate demonstrated the highest inhibition in dual culture assays at 74.33%. Mushroom extracts prepared using various polar and nonpolar solvents were tested using the poisoned food technique to assess the inhibition percentage of M. phaseolina mycelial growth. Methanol extracts exhibited the greatest reduction in mycelial growth, with an inhibition rate of 75.56%. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis was performed to identify the compounds with active antifungal properties
Unraveling the nexus of organic agriculture and soil health: A review
Organic agriculture is a significant alternative to conventional farming, emphasizing sustainability and soil health. This review explores the intricate relationship between organic agriculture and soil health. Beginning with an introduction to organic agriculture\u27s core principles and objectives, it delves into various practices employed within this system, such as soil and crop management, crop rotation, residue management, and organic manure andbiofertilizers. The article examines soil health, encompassing physical, chemical, and biological indicators crucial for evaluating soil quality. It scrutinizes the impact of organic agriculture on soil health across these indicators, highlighting its positive effects on physical structure, chemical composition, and biological diversity. However, challenges and limitations persist, including the availability of organic inputs and managing pests and diseases.Successful organic cropping systems prioritizing soil health are analyzed, underscoring the importance of integrated approaches. In conclusion, the review underscores the pivotal role of organic agriculture in fostering soil health and advocates for further research and adoption of sustainable practices to address existing challenges and promote resilient agricultural systems
Optimizing organic fertilizer: Importance-performance analysis of farmers satisfaction in Navsari, Gujarat
Organic fertilizers play a crucial role in sustainable farming by enhancing soil health and reducing reliance on chemical inputs. This study, conducted in the Navsari district of Gujarat, involved 120 respondents selected by the researcher. The objective was to evaluate farmers awareness, satisfaction and the factors influencing theirpurchasing decisions regarding organic fertilizers. The results revealed that 88.33% of the respondents were aware of organic fertilizers, with a significant correlation observed between education levels and awareness. The satisfaction index, calculated at 74.80%, indicated that farmers were generally satisfied with the use of organic fertilizers. Key factors influencing their purchasing decisions included price, quality, availability and recommendations from agricultural dealers
Analysis of genetic profiling and diversity in mango cultivar using SSR
The present study was conducted to show genetic variation and investigate inter-relationships between 30 mango genotypes. We are selected 9 SSR markers with 30 genotypes cv. Kalepad, Neelum, Swarnarekha, Alphonso Rumani, Sendura, Banganapalli, Mulgoa and Bangalora etc. The genomic DNA was extracted from mature leaf samples with cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) method. Samples were run by Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) they produced 350 amplified products, of which 258 were polymorphic and 132 monomorphic. The sizes of the alleles detected ranged from 120 to 290 bp. SSR markers were highly polymorphic with an average of 3.04 alleles per primers. SSRs gave moderate polymorphic information content (PIC) range value of 0.147 to 0.778. The amplified products varied between 2 (MSSR 152, MSSR 155 andMSSR173) to 3 and 4 (MSSR 106, MSSR140, MSSR146, MSSR156, MSSR160 and MSSR190) bands per primer. We obtained moderate genetic diversity, with Jaccard’s similarity co-efficient values ranging from 0.065 between cluster I and II to 0.25 between clusters II and III. The dendrogram generated from the unweighted pair group arithmetic average (UPGMA) cluster analysis broadly placed 30 mango cultivars into three significant clusters at co-efficient similarity of 0.65. The cluster size varied from 1 to 27 and cluster I was the largest cluster comprising twenty-seven cultivars, followed by cluster II possessing two and clusters I possess one variety. Cluster I had the highest diverse cultivars namely, Mallika, Gundur pacharichi, Rumani, Sajahan, Dillpasanth, Senthuram, Amarapalli, Arka aruna, Banganapalli, Sundar langra, Sothuparai local etc. cluster II contain the cultivar Neelgoa, Arka puneet Cluster III contain the cultivars viz., Neelphonso. Unique fingerprints were identified in the cultivars. The tendency of clustering among mango cultivars revealed that they have a strong affinity towards further breeding programmes