Horizon e-Publishing Group (HePG): E-Journals
Not a member yet
2977 research outputs found
Sort by
Phytochemicals as modulators of autophagy and apoptosis: unveiling synergistic mechanisms in cancer therapy
Get PDFNaturally occurring bioactive phytochemicals have been used for centuries to treat various pathophysiological disorders. Many studies have revealed that certain phytochemicals exhibit impressive properties that may combat cancer effectively. These natural compounds show promise as valuable therapeutic agents in the fight against various types of cancer, offering hope for innovative treatment strategies. Essentially, phytochemicals can regulate two essential cellular mechanisms, autophagy and apoptosis, which play significant roles in the underlying pathophysiology of carcinogenesis. Combining phytochemicals with conventional chemotherapy can potentially enhance the therapeutic effects while minimizing adverse side effects. Continued advancements in this field are crucial for overcoming the challenges associated with the development of anticancer therapeutics based on phytochemicals. This review aims to shed light on the intricate molecular processes of autophagy and the apoptotic pathway in tumour progression, as well as the potential of phytochemicals in developing anticancer drugs. By harnessing the potential of phytomolecules, it is possible to uncover novel and effective treatments for various types of cancer, thereby paving the way for advancements in anticancer therapy. Taken as a whole, a detailed molecular understanding of the mode of action of phytochemicals in regulating autophagy and apoptosis could lead to the development of strategies for anticancer drugs, advancing towards achieving the United Nations\u27 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 3: good health and well-being)
In vitro regeneration potential of Tecomella undulata using nodal and shoot tip explants
Get PDFTecomella undulata (Sm.) is an important tree species widely used in India. The present study developed an efficient in vitro mass propagation protocol for Rohida. The study evaluated sterilization agents, media and plant growth regulators for the clonal propagation of Rohida using nodal and shoot-tip explants. The most successful sterilization treatment involved HgCl2 (0.1 %) for 3 min, followed by Bavistin (0.2 %) and Streptomycin (0.2 %) for 15 min. This protocol achieved 100 % explant survival. Among different media compositions, nodal explants showed the highest callus formation (73.3 ± 12.48) in EM7 (MS + BAP 2.0 mg/L + NAA 0.01 mg/L), while the control showed no callus formation. For shoot-tip explants, EM7 also resulted in the highest callus formation (86.6 ± 8.18 %) and the control produced no callus. EM10 (MS + BAP 2.5 mg/L + NAA 0.1 mg/L) led to the highest shoot initiation (86.7 ± 13.34 %) in nodal explants, with an average of 19 days for shoot induction. Similarly, EM10 produced the highest shoot initiation (93.3 ± 6.68) in shoot tip explants, with an average induction time of 11 days. The highest rooting percentage (66.6 %) was observed in EM4 (Half MS+ IBA 2.5 mg/L) with average of 40 days required for root induction. The survival rate of plantlets transferred to soil + vermiculite (1:1) potting mix under greenhouse conditions was 48 %. These findings provide valuable insights into optimizing propagation techniques for Tecomella undulata. In the current study, shoot tip explants proved to be superior to nodal explants for regeneration
Boron and silicon fertilization impact on groundnut growth and soil properties of coastal saline soil
Get PDFBoron and silicon nutrients play a crucial role in groundnut growth and productivity in coastal saline soil. However, farmers in coastal areas tend to prioritize macronutrients over their use of boron and silicon nutrients for groundnuts. In general, organic fertilizers promote growth of plants and maintain soil ecosystems, but their combination with boron and silicon is yet to be studied. So, this study aimed to (a) assess the impact of boron and silicon on nutrients content in coastal saline soil and (b) evaluate how boron, silicon and composted coir pith (CCP) improve soil properties in coastal soil. To meet the various objectives of study a two-season field experiment was conducted in a coastal farmer’s field at Singarakuppam village, near Chidambaram in Cuddalore district, Tamil Nadu, during July-October 2021 and December-March 2022, using groundnut variety VRI 2. The study revealed that the soil application of borohumate (BH) + diatomaceous earth (DE) + CCP, along with foliar application of silixol plus (SP) and recommended dose of fertilizers (RDF), was the most effective in improving soil properties in coastal saline soil
Phytochemical and antioxidant potential of Indigofera colutea (Burm.f.) Merr. (Fabaceae)
Get PDFThe total phenolic content, flavonoid content and antioxidant activity of Indigofera colutea were evaluated using three assays: ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), phosphomolybdenum reducing power and hydrogen peroxide scavenging activity. Among the tested extracts, the ethanolic extract exhibited the highest total phenolic content (0.45 mg TAE/g dw) and total flavonoid content (1.527 mg QE/g dw), while the petroleum ether extract showed the lowest levels (0.039 mg TAE/g dw and 0.204 mg QE/g dw, respectively). In the antioxidant assays, the methanolic extract demonstrated the strongest ferric reducing power, whereas the ethanolic extract exhibited the highest activity in the phosphomolybdenum reducing power assay. The hydrogen peroxide scavenging activity was most effective in the ethanolic extract, followed by methanol, aqueous and acetone extracts, with petroleum ether and chloroform extracts showing the weakest activity. These findings suggest that I. colutea, particularly its ethanolic and methanolic extracts, is a promising source of natural antioxidants for potential therapeutic applications
Genetic variability studies on yield attributing traits in Palmyrah (Borassus flabellifer L.): Implications for crop improvement
Get PDFPalmyrah is a dioecious palm, which is known for its resilience in arid and semi-arid environments. It is used to produce numerous edible and non-edible products. The association among yield-related traits and their pattern of influence are useful in evaluating and planning the selection criteria for desirable traits. The aim of this study was to examine the genetic variability and character association among the Palmyrah genotypes. A total of thirty accessions of Palmyrah were used for this study. Eleven traits contributing to growth and yield were recorded and analysed for genetic variability, correlation and path analysis. The number of bunches, single fruit weight and fruit yield per palm recorded the higher estimates of GCV and PCV. Among the eleven traits, 10 traits showed high heritability and GAM, whereas the trunk girth showed high heritability and moderate GAM. Fruit yield per palm exhibited positive correlation with trunk girth, number of bunches, number of fruits per bunch and single fruit yield. Path coefficient analysis revealed that the traits like number of bunches and single fruit weight had a positive and high direct effect on fruit yield per palm. Based on these results, Palmyrah improvement programme could be accelerated by selecting the variables that have a stronger correlation to fruit yield per palm and moderate to high estimates of PCV, GCV, heritability and high genetic advancement
Gamma ray-induced mutations in hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) for enhanced industrial and medicinal traits
Get PDFMutation breeding is a powerful tool for inducing genetic diversity and facilitating the development of crops with novel and desirable traits. These genetic variations will consequently expand available germplasm of a crop. This study aimed to create hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) mutants with enhanced industrial and medicinal characteristics through gamma irradiation. Two seed groups i.e., pre-irradiation hydropriming (G1) and post-irradiation hydropriming (G2) were subjected to four gamma radiation doses (150 Gy, 300 Gy, 450 Gy and 600 Gy) using a Co60 source. Seeds were hydro primed before radiation exposure in G1 and after irradiation in G2 for 12 hrs. Higher doses of radiation led to greater phenotypic variation among the surviving plants. Out of forty isolated mutants, six exhibited significant improvements. Mutant ‘M1’ (G1D1) showed superior industrial traits including increased plant height, stem thickness and shoot weight, while, ‘M31’ (G2D3) demonstrated medicinal traits such as enhanced axillary shoots, trichome number and trichome size. These mutants will be advanced for potential use as new industrial and medicinal varieties of hemp. Variants with superior traits may be included in future breeding programs as well
Roles of artificial intelligence (AI) in the innovation of agriculture sector: A systematic review
Get PDFThis systematic literature review investigates the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in agriculture within emerging economies, with a focus on India. By analysing 211 scopus articles through the PRISMA protocol, the study explores how AI integrates with technologies like sensors, the internet of things (IoT) and big data analytics to drive sustainable agricultural development. Key themes identified include climate change resilience, precision farming, crop and yield management, natural resource conservation and digital agriculture. The study highlights four priority areas essential for adaptive agricultural strategies: climate-resilient crops, precision farming, sustainable practices (such as AI-driven irrigation and reduced agrochemical usage) and agricultural policy improvements. This review provides valuable insights for policymakers, researchers and practitioners, emphasizing AI’s potential to transform Indian agriculture into a more efficient and sustainable system
Nanofertilizers in vegetable crops: Harnessing nanotechnology for improved crop nutrition and environmental sustainability
Get PDFNanofertilizers represent a groundbreaking advancement in agricultural technology, offering a sustainable solution to enhance crop nutrition and address the challenges of global food security. Traditional fertilizers, while essential for crop production, often result in significant nutrient losses, environmental pollution and soil degradation due to low nutrient use efficiency (NUE). In contrast, nanofertilizers, engineered at the nanoscale, provide precise and controlled nutrient delivery, minimizing losses and maximizing plant uptake. These innovative fertilizers improve NUE, enhance crop yields and reduce environmental impacts such as nutrient leaching and water pollution. By leveraging nanotechnology, nanofertilizers facilitate better nutrient absorption, improved root development and enhanced stress tolerance in plants, leading to higher-quality produce and extended shelf life, particularly in fresh-cut vegetables. This review explores the transformative potential of nanofertilizers in sustainable agriculture, highlighting their mechanisms of action, benefits and applications across various crops. Despite their promise, challenges such as regulatory concerns, production costs and potential ecological risks must be addressed to ensure their safe and widespread adoption. As the global population continues to grow, nanofertilizers stand at the forefront of agricultural innovation, offering a pathway to sustainable crop production and food security. Future research should focus on optimizing nanofertilizer formulations, assessing long-term environmental impacts and developing cost-effective production strategies to facilitate their large-scale adoption
A linear programming-based approach for optimizing drip irrigation systems and crop productivity
Get PDFSustainable agriculture requires the integration of advanced technologies to enhance productivity and resource efficiency. This study aimed to optimize an automated drip irrigation system. Using linear programming, optimal values for key crop attributes were determined based on different irrigation systems and water quality treatments. Attributes such as plant height, number of leaves, number of branches, number of fruits and yield in respective of irrigation system, water quality and days after transplanting. The results revealed that all the independent attributes affected the plant height, number of leaves, number of fruits, number of branches and yield. The optimum values of plant height, number of leaves, number of branches, number of fruits and optimum yield were higher for the wireless-based drip irrigation system (IS2) with treated fruit processing wastewater (WQ2) than for the wire-based irrigation system. Based on the substantially increased net return in the wireless irrigation system model, it is the better-suited model under the given conditions. Hence, the combination of treated fruit processing wastewater with a wireless-based system is recommended
Effect of improved Establishment Technologies (ET) on growth, yield, economics and energy use in Italian millet
Get PDFMinor millets are small, seeded grains with enriched minerals and nutrients over other grain crops. Besides its nutritional quality, low yielding potential and lack of available technologies restricted its cultivation area. During the last few decades, most of crop-producing activities turned to mechanization except minor millets due to less focus on minor millet research. In this experiment, various establishment technologies were evaluated through mechanization with the objective of increasing foxtail millet (Italian millet) productivity. The treatments were formulated with various land management [(Ridges & Furrow (RF); Compartmental Bunding (CB); Broad Bed Furrow (BBF); Flatbed (FB)], sowing [Line sowing (LS), Sowing by drone (SD) and Machine sowing (MS)] and irrigation methods (Modified surge irrigation (MSI), Rain gun (RG)). The Randomized Block Design (RBD) was used to lay the experiment with 3 replications during the Rabi seasons of 2023 and 2024. Among the Establishment Technologies (ET), higher plant height was measured in ET-7 at 40 DAS (74.87 cm), 60 DAS (109.33 cm) and harvest stage (114.67 cm). Higher dry matter production of foxtail millet was recorded in ET-8 at 40 DAS (3772.40 kg/ha) & CT at 60 DAS (6035.87 kg/ha) and harvest stage (7541.90 kg/ha). In yield and economics parameters, ET-6 produced higher productive tillers (4.44/plant), grain yield (2340 kg/ha) & straw yield (4516 kg/ha) and it reflected on economic indices as higher net return (Rs. 47959) and benefit-cost ratio (1.65). ET-2 recorded the lowest values across all parameters during both the studies.