Horizon e-Publishing Group (HePG): E-Journals
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Genetic insights and principal component analysis of inter-subspecific derivatives in rice (Oryza sativa L.)
No full textRice is a staple crop in Southeast Asia and increasing its productivity through hybrid breeding is essential to meet the growing population demand. The development of new restorers is a key goal in hybrid rice breeding to increase heterosis. Studying newly developed breeding lines and their trait associations is crucial for their effective use in future breeding activities. The newly developed lines, derived from indica and tropical japonica crosses, were evaluated for eight quantitative traits across four locations to study genetic variation and trait associations. Single plant yield (20.92) had the highest genotypic coefficient of variation (CVg), while total spikelets per panicle (17.71), productive tillers (15.35) and plant height (13.31), recorded moderate CVg. Further, all traits except spikelet fertility, exhibited high broad-sense heritability spikelet fertility. The first three principal components (PCs), with eigenvalues greater than one, explained 67 % of the total variation. The biplot of the first two PCs, accounting for 53 % of the variation, showed significant divergence among genotypes, with plant height contributing most, followed by single plant yield and spikelet fertility. Spikelet fertility (0.44) and the total number of spikelets per panicle (0.25) showed a strong correlation with single plant yield in the combined analysis and across locations, making them promising traits for selection. Thus, greater emphasis must be placed on spikelet fertility and the number of spikelets per panicle when selecting inter-subspecific cross derivatives. The newly developed inter-subspecific breeding lines in the present study showed significant variation in yield and other traits, making them valuable resources for heterosis breeding
Foliar application of zinc sulphate alone and in combination with Gibberellic Acid (GA3) and Naphthalene Acetic acid (NAA) on the growth, yield and quality of onion
No full textOnion is an important vegetable crop having economic significance. Onion genotypes vary in size, colour and taste. In the current study, three onion genotypes i.e. Shah Alam, Phulkara and Nasr puri were grown in a pot culture to study growth, yield and quality parameters treated with zinc (Zn) and plant growth regulators (PGRs) i.e. gibberellic acid and naphthalene acetic acid. The experiment was carried out for two consecutive years. The results showed that leaf length and number of leaves per plant showed significant differences in their means by application of Zn and PGRs treatments during the initial year of the study and non - significantly in the following year. The yield parameters including bulb diameter and bulb weight pot-1 were significantly affected by the fortification of Zn and PGRs. The highest bulb diameter of 7.08 cm was recorded in the Nasr puri genotype which was fortified with 0.5 % Zn and NAA. While Shah Alam and Phulkara genotypes exhibited smaller bulb diameters. The bulb weight per pot showed significantly higher values for both the experimental years with the highest weight of 0.20 and 0.57 kg recorded in the Nasr puri fertilized with zinc sulphate. The qualitative parameters have shown significant variation in treatments fortified with Zn and PGRs. Total sugar and total soluble solids have changed significantly amongst treatments, while pyruvic acid was not significantly changed amongst the genotype by Zn and PGRs treatments. It is concluded that both Zn and PGRs have shown significant effects on onion genotypes in terms of quantitative and qualitative aspects
Cumulative effect of crop establishment method and herbicides on nutrient uptake, content and productivity of wheat in the Gird region of North India
No full textA field experiment was conducted during Rabi 2019-20 and 2020-21 to evaluate the cumulative effects of crop establishment methods and herbicides on nutrient uptake and productivity of wheat in the Gird region of North India. Treatments comprised of three crop establishment methods viz., conventional tillage (CT), minimum tillage (MT) and zero tillage (ZT) in main plots along with seven weed control treatments as subplots. Significantly higher grain yield (4.81 t/ha) was recorded under ZT due to reduced weed density and biomass, compared to the other tillage practices. The highest grain and straw yields (5.16 and 7.50 t/ha) were obtained under two hand weeding with ZT, which was statistically at par with the application of clodinafop + metsulfuron (60+4 g/ha) under the ZT system. Significantly higher N, P and K uptake and content by wheat were recorded under CT, followed by MT and ZT. Among herbicide treatments, the lowest nutrient uptake was recorded in the weedy check, while the highest uptake was observed under two hand weeding at 30 and 60 days after sowing (DAS), which was statistically at par with clodinafop + metsulfuron-methyl (60+4 g/ha). However, weeds followed opposing trends. ZT had the highest harvest index (40.08 %) compared to MT and CT. Furthermore, among herbicide treatments the maximum harvest index was observed with two hand weeding at 30 and 60 DAS (40.85 %); which was statistically equal to clodinafop + metsulfuron-methyl (60+4) g/ha (40.30 %). Reduced tillage significantly decreased soil bulk density in ZT (1.33 g/cm³) compared to MT (1.35 g/cm³) and CT (1.36 g/cm³), according to soil analysis. On the other hand, porosity and organic carbon showed the opposite trends. Available nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) in soil were recorded significantly higher under CT, followed by MT and ZT. CT recorded lower values of soil available N and higher values of soil P and K, while ZT recorded higher values of soil available N and lower values of soil P and K during the two-year study. Significantly higher values of available soil N and K were recorded under CT, followed by MT and ZT. However, ZT recorded significantly lower values of available soil nitrogen and potash accompanied by higher values of soil phosphorus. On the other hand, ZT recorded significantly lower values of available soil N and K coupled with higher values of available soil K during the pooled analysis
Phytochemical screening, GC-MS profiling and in vitro antioxidant activity of leaves of Dysoxylum malabaricum Bedd. ex C. DC.
No full textPlants are a rich source of phytocompounds, have remained an integral part of traditional medicine and serve as alternatives to modern medical treatments. They are powerful sources of antioxidants and the bioactive compounds in plants are associated with a wide range of pharmacological activities. Dysoxylum malabaricum is a species of medium to large-sized trees from the Meliaceae family that is widely found in the Southern Western Ghats and its bark and fruits are used in traditional medicine. Even though it is widely used as ethnomedicinal plant, limited research has been done on its phytochemical constituents, especially the phytocompounds present in the leaves. Therefore, this study aims to extensively explore and identify the phytocompounds and bioactive elements found in the leaf extracts of D. malabaricum. Extract was prepared from leaves of D. malabaricum using soxhlet extraction method in different solvents (methanol, water and chloroform). Quantitative estimation of phytochemicals and in vitro antioxidant assays were carried out, followed by chemical profiling of the extracts using GC-MS, which revealed the presence of many important secondary bioactive compounds. The methanolic extract showed a higher concentration of phenolics (67.88 ± 0.26 mg GAE/g) and flavonoids (57.55 ± 0.23 mg QE/g) when compared to aqueous and chloroform extracts. The methanolic extract also demonstrated remarkable DPPH scavenging (with IC50 value 32.45 ± 0.22 µg/mL) and ferric reduction activities. The results demonstrate that D. malabaricum is an effective source of bioactive and antioxidant compounds
Conservation and pharmacological significance of endangered Cinnamomum spp. in India- A review
No full textIndia, a hotspot of biodiversity, supports a rich diversity of Cinnamomum spp., most of which are endemic and rapidly declining because of habitat destruction, overharvesting and climate change. The rich bioactive diversity of the species rendered them the backbone of traditional medicine and contemporary pharmacology and demonstrated impressive anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anticancer, anti-diabetic and hepatoprotective potentials. They have also been utilized in folk medicine for the treatment of asthma, rheumatism, respiratory conditions, gastrointestinal issues and liver ailments. Although they hold promising medicinal potential, most of the species are threatened by extinction from indiscriminate harvesting, forest destruction and global environmental change that sends an alarm of issues regarding the loss of useful genetic resources, not just for their medicinal traits but also for their increasingly valued position in the international market for natural health products. The presence of various bioactive compounds identified from these species, such as cinnamaldehyde, eugenol, geraniol, linalool, α-phellandrene and benzyl benzoate, led to the anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, anticancer, anti-diabetic and hepatoprotective activities. This review presents phytochemical profiling and therapeutic prospects of various red-listed Cinnamomum spp. distributed in India. The review emphasizes the need to preserve the wild species, which are effective providers of the world market demand of linalool, eugenol, safrole and eucalyptol and play a crucial role in the ecological and economic well-being of the nation
Edible coatings: A sustainable approach to protect perishable fruits and vegetables
No full textFruits and vegetables are crucial to a nutritious diet but are highly perishable, posing challenges in maintaining freshness during storage and transportation. This comprehensive review aims to provide insights into the influence of edible coatings on the postharvest preservation of fruits and vegetables. Edible coatings, made from natural polymers such as proteins, polysaccharides and lipids, have gained attention as an effective method to extend shelf life. These coatings form a protective barrier that reduces moisture loss, gas exchange and microbial growth, thereby delaying senescence and preserving quality attributes like firmness, colour, texture and nutritional content. Application methods include dipping, spraying and brushing to ensure uniform coverage. The efficacy of ediblecoatings depends on factors such as composition, concentration and specific characteristics of the produce. Additionally, incorporating antimicrobial agents like essential oils and plant extracts enhances food safety by inhibiting spoilage microorganisms. Beyond shelf life extension, edible coatings help reduce postharvest losses, improve marketability and decrease reliance on chemical preservatives and synthetic packaging. However, challenges related to formulation optimization, scalability, cost and consumer acceptance must be addressed to enable broader adoption. Overall, edible coatings offer a promising strategy for preserving fruits and vegetables, warranting further research to fully realize their potential in the food industry
Ecology, distribution mapping and population structure of Trichopus zeylanicus subsp. travancoricus (Arogyapacha)
Get PDFTrichopus zeylanicus subsp. travancoricus (Bedd.) Burkill ex K. Narayanan (Arogyapacha) is an ethnomedically important perennial herb with a restricted distribution in the southern Western Ghats, India. Habitat specifications reveal that suitable areas for this species occur at elevations ranging from 100 to 1000 m above sea level. A study was conducted to gain insights into the ecology, distribution mapping and population structure of T. zeylanicus subsp. travancoricus in the Western Ghats. The spatial distribution of this endemic species showed significant variations among populations. Seven populations were identified, exhibiting large and small distributional patches, even within a single population. Anthropogenic activities and climate-related shifts in ecophysiology have impacted seed dispersal, canopy gap formation and seedling mortality, altering vegetation composition. Observations indicated a disturbed ecological niche, fragmented habitat and patchy occurrence of this species. The vegetation data for T. zeylanicus subsp. travancoricus showed significant variations among the seven populations. The Kulathupuzha population exhibited higher recruitment rates and density than others. Canopy cover analysis revealed that populations with closed canopies influenced seedling recruitment and density. However, populations with moderately closed canopies displayed variable characteristics, with Kulathupuzha standing out for its higher recruitment rate and reproductive capacity
Pharmacological insights into Myristica fragrans (Nutmeg): A systematic review on the therapeutic applications and bioactive compounds
Get PDFNutmeg (Myristica fragrans) is an aromatic spice derived from the seeds of an evergreen tree. It is treasured for its warm, slightly sweet flavour and its culinary, medicinal, and aromatic applications. This systematic review broadly examines the pharmacological properties of Myristica fragrans (nutmeg), focusing on their antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidative, aphrodisiac and nootropic effects. Nutmeg’s bioactive elements, including myristicin, polyphenols, terpenoids and alkaloids, contribute to its physiological and therapeutic possibilities. Following the PRISMA guidelines, this review makes findings from peer-reviewed studies published between 1972 and 2024, obtained from databases such as PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and EBSCO, along with supplementary literature from Google Scholar. The analysis integrates in vitro and in vivo studies to estimate nutmeg’s effectiveness across manifold health domains, including microbiology, pharmacology, neuroscience and traditional medicine. By consolidating existing evidence, identifying knowledge gaps and assessing procedural consistency, this review aims to provide a significant appraisal of nutmeg’s pharmacological profile while informing future clinical applications and research priorities
Metabolite profiling and bioactivity assessment of diverse endophytic fungi from the endangered plant, Nilgirianthus ciliatus
Get PDFEndophytic fungi are potential sources of bioactive compounds with therapeutic properties. This study investigated the fungal endophytes associated with Nilgirianthus ciliatus, an endangered medicinal plant, to discover its secondary metabolites and bioactivities. Molecular analysis revealed the prominent species to be Aspergillus niger, Didymella sp., Trichoderma viride, Bipolaris zeicola and Nigrospora sphaerica. Alkaloids, flavonoids, phenolics, terpenes and saponins were detected in ethyl acetate extracts employing phytochemical screening. Didymella sp. has showed the highest level of antioxidant activity, demonstrating strong DPPH radical scavenging and reduction capability. T. viride had strong antibacterial action against Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli, meanwhile Didymella sp. and N. sphaerica were most effective against E. coli. GC-MS analysis uncovered many bioactive chemicals, including trans-farnesol and pentadecanoic acid, which are renowned for their antibacterial and antioxidant properties. These findings highlight the presence of the rich variety of diverse endophytic fungi harboring such medicinal plants, which offer promising applications in medicine, biotechnology and agriculture as sources of novel bioactive compounds. Further exploration and characterization of these strains could unlock valuable sustainable resources for various industries
Impact of a liquid consortium of plant growth-promoting bacteria on biometrics and yield attributes in sesame (Sesamum indicum L.)
Get PDFSesame is an important oilseed crop with great commercial and medicinal value and is used extensively in culinary and cosmetic applications. Meeting the demand for sesame requires the development cultivars with high yield and balanced nutrition. The introduction of bioinoculants into the crop rhizosphere is beneficial for sustaining both productivity and soil health and the co-application of inorganic nutrients and bioinoculants in the crop rhizosphere increases sesame production. Therefore, a study has been done to evaluate the effect of individual bioinoculant and liquid consortium on different parameters of sesame (var. TMV-7). Three year field experiments was conducted (2019 to 2022) at the Oilseed Research Station (TNAU), Tindivanam, Villupuram district (India). The trial was composed of nine treatments comprising individual inoculant and a consortium of Azospirillum, Bacillus megaterium var. phosphaticum, Paenibacillus mucilaginosus (KRB-9) and pink pigmented facultative methylotrophs (PPFM) and their combination with 100% NPK as recommended dose of fertilizer, 2% KCl and PPFM spray individually and in combination. Their synergistic effects on bacterization were studied using a randomized block design with three replications, in sesame grown under rainfed conditions with zero irrigation. The results indicated that applcation of a bioinoculant consortium in combination with inorganic fertilizers, PPFM and KCl spray, resulted in the highest biomass production, biometrics, physiological parameters, grain yield and seed quality and tuned the cost-benefit ratio to 2.39