Horizon e-Publishing Group (HePG): E-Journals
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Identification of promising hybrids and opportunities for rapid selection through trait association, combining ability and gene action in the pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum L. R. Br) gene pool under rainfed conditions
Get PDFThe ICRISAT pearl millet B-line gene pool, crucial for Indian NARs partners and private seed companies, was assessed through 218 Line × Tester crosses using an alpha-lattice design alongside four hybrid checks. The study explored combining ability, gene action, hybrid selection and accelerated product advancement using trait associations and interdependencies. ANOVA revealed strong genotypic and location effects and genotype × environment interactions were significant. Grain yield correlated positively with plant height, panicle length, threshing ratio and days to 50 % flowering. Panicle yield per plot had a strong direct effect (0.962) on grain yield, with very high phenotypic (0.95) and genotypic (0.94) correlations. Key yield traits, including days to 50 % flowering (0.164), plant height (0.491) and panicle length (0.414), influenced grain yield indirectly through panicle yield per plot. Significant genetic variability among parental groups emphasized the role of both additive and non-additive genetic variance. Narrow-sense heritability was highest for productive tillers (84.00 %), days to 50 % flowering (65.67 %) and panicle girth (62.81 %). Inbreds ICMR 08888 (2.87), ICMB 10555 (2.81), ICMB 01666 (2.71), ICMB 08888 (2.41) and ICMB 11111 (2.16), exhibited strong positive GCA for grain yield. Hybrids ICPH213, ICPH265, ICPH273, ICPH321 and ICPH166 exhibited high SCA for grain yield and reduced days to 50 % flowering, indicating superior per-day productivity. A total of seventeen hybrids including ICPH033, ICPH189, ICPH197 and ICPH206, have been identified for large-scale evaluation based on their high yield potential and desirable market-specific traits, such as adaptation to the A1 Zone, medium maturity, dual-purpose suitability, short plant type suited for the B Zone, large panicle size and excellent fodder yield. To optimize selection efficiency, “Product Rating,” a metric combining flowering duration and grain yield, is proposed for assessing broader adaptability. Additionally, prioritizing panicle yield per plot and threshing ratio over direct grain yield measurements is suggested, particularly in early-generation hybrid evaluations
Revitalizing minor fruit production: Strategies for crop improvement and value addition
Get PDFMinor fruits hold great potential for value addition and processing into market lead products with high commercial value. Despite being underutilized in agriculture due to limited crop improvement efforts, lack of awareness and vulnerability to biotic and abiotic stresses, they offer significant opportunities for economic empowerment and environmental sustainability. Minor fruits like bael, bilimbi, jamun, aonla, phalsa, ber, kiwi, rambutan, longan, fig, tamarind, passion fruit, persimmon, karonda, khejri, carambola, chironji, pilu, wood apple, loquat, West Indian cherry, mahua, monkey jack, rose apple, red pear, sea buckthorn and durian have numerous health benefits both directly and indirectly. Through value-addition processes such as drying, canning and processing into value-added products, these fruits can be transformed into marketable commodities with an extended shelf life. Value addition enhances the income-generating capacity of small-scale farmers, thereby contributing to poverty alleviation and rural development. Promoting nutrition can be enhanced by proper water and nutrient management, genetic strategies and postharvest handling. Secondly, it explores the role of value addition in creating employment opportunities and fostering entrepreneurship particularly among marginalized communities. By encouraging sustainable agricultural practices such as organic farming and agroforestry, crop development and value-addition initiatives can mitigate environmental degradation and promote sustainable agriculture. This dual focus on economic empowerment and environmental sustainability underscores the potential of crop improvement in minor fruits as a catalyst for holistic rural development
Optimization of zinc oxide nanoparticle dosage in guava (Psidium guajava L.) for enhanced yield, nutritional quality, antioxidant activity and economic performance
Get PDFZinc (Zn) is the most deficient micronutrient among all and it also holds importance in human nutrition. The role of nanoparticles in meeting the micronutrient demands of horticultural crops is well known. In view of this, five levels of Zinc oxide nano particles (ZnONP), including a control, were used, with two varieties (i.e., VNR Bihi and Pant Prabhat), in a randomised block design replicated three times. VNR Bihi recorded significantly higher yield attributing characteristics and fruit yield compared to Pant Prabhat, whereas an opposite trend was recorded for the quality and biochemical parameters. Among all the levels of ZnONP, 150 ppm recorded the highest values of fruit yield; however, it remained statistically at par with 100 ppm. Increasing dosage to 200 ppm recorded loss in the fruit yield by 6.3 % reduction compared to 100 ppm. TSS, total sugars, ascorbic acid, total phenols, flavonoids and antioxidant activity were recorded as highest at 150 ppm, comparable to 100 ppm. The economic analysis revealed that a 100 ppm ZnONP spray can earn USD 961 ha-1 more than the control (no spray). B:C ratio (1.69) also recorded markedly highest value with 100 ppm. The study has shown that a ZnONP spray at a dosage of 100 ppm is the most optimal for guava production in India
Antioxidant, antimicrobial and phytochemical analysis of Microtoena patchoulii leaves: A rare plant species from North East India
Get PDFMicrotoena patchoulii [(C.B. Clarke ex J.D. Hooker) C.Y. Wu et Hsuan] is a lesser-known plant of family Lamiaceae found in Asia traditionally used for medicinal and cosmetic purposes. The present study focuses on the phytochemical constituents, antioxidant properties and antimicrobial activity of the hexane and methanolic extract of M. patchoulii leaves collected from Manipur, Northeast India. Phytochemical screening was conducted on both hexane and methanolic extracts to detect the presence of phenols and flavonoids. Radical scavenging and reducing power were estimated by quantitative antioxidant assays, such as 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), [2,2′-azino-bis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)] (ABTS) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP). GC-MS analysis was performed on the methanolic extract to identify bioactive constituents. Antimicrobial activity was assessed against selected bacterial and fungal strains using standard methods. Phytochemical analysis of the methanolic extracts of the leaves confirmed the presence of phenols and flavonoids. GC-MS analysis of the methanolic and hexane extracts identified key bioactive compounds, including n-Hexadecanoic acid, 1,3-Benzodioxole and various terpenoids and phenolics. Some of these compounds are reported to exhibit antioxidant, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. The methanolic extract of leaves exhibited high antioxidant activity with an FRAP value of 2.89 ± 0.03 mM FeSO₄ equivalent/mL. ABTS IC₅₀ of 15.12 µg/mL and DPPH IC₅₀ of 433.78 µg/mL. Antibacterial studies using methanolic extract revealed selective activity against Escherichia coli. There were significant antifungal effects against Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Candida tropicalis. However, no inhibition effect was observed against the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus. The study supports the therapeutic potential of M. patchoulii for its antioxidant and antifungal efficacy. The GC-MS analysis identified several compounds with reported antimicrobial and antioxidant properties, supporting the observed bioactivities. These findings support the plant’s traditional use and highlight its potential for drug development
Recent advances in mutagenesis for commercial fruit crop improvement: A comprehensive review
Get PDFMutagenesis, the deliberate induction of genetic alterations, plays a critical role in modern fruit crop improvement. This review explores the impact of mutagenesis methods discussed on diverse fruit crops, highlighting advancements in traits. Such as developing dwarf fruit mutant lines with enhanced resistance to biotic and abiotic stressors, seedlessness, yield and fruit quality have been a major focus recently. Traditional breeding techniques have often led to a genetic bottleneck, limiting. diversity available for crop improvement. To overcome these limitations, plant breeders have adopted innovative approaches like genome editing and mutation. The mutagenesis experiments aim for a 30-80 % survival rate of treated seeds or explants. This balance ensures a high enough mutation load without excessive lethality, which would reduce the population size for selection. In vitro random mutagenesis relies on the application of physical and chemical mutagens to increase the frequency of mutations thus accelerating the selection of varieties with important agronomic traits. Mutation breeding consists of three main elements to develop a new trait: mutation induction, selection of desirable mutants through phenotypic screening and genetic characterization using molecular markers. Mutation breeding involves three key steps: mutation induction, phenotypic selection and genetic characterization them using molecular markers (e.g., DNA markers, SNPs) to understand the genetic basis of the observed traits. The physical mutagens are successful; breeders are inclined breeders are given increasingly inclined to use novel genome editing tools like CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing technology to modify plants. The limitations of random mutagenesis, breeders are increasingly adopting novel genome editing technologies. Tools like Zinc Finger Nucleases (ZFNs), Transcription Activator-Like Effector Nucleases (TALENs), RNA interference (RNAi) and especially CRISPR/Cas systems offer several advantages. CRISPR/Cas9 offers precise genome editing capabilities. It enables targeted modifications that enhance desirable traits and address critical challenges in fruit production. This review provides mutagenesis techniques and their applications, emphasizing their importance in developing improved and sustainable fruit cultivars to meet the demands of a growing global population
A review on lepidopteran studies in Mizoram: Overview, present status, hurdles and prospects, along with a compiled checklist of moths:
Get PDFThe Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot, one of 36 globally recognized hotspots, spanning seven countries across five northeastern Indian states. Though ecologically important, the Indian side of this hotspot is under-explored, particularly concerning insect diversity. The present work deals with the state of Mizoram, where there is more than 84 % forest cover and a conducive tropical climate which support a rich insect fauna. The aim was to collate and assess the available records of Lepidoptera diversity in Mizoram, understand the gaps in knowledge and emphasize the region\u27s contribution to India\u27s general insect biodiversity. Historical literature, museum records and recent surveys from 1890 to 2023 were reviewed. Findings indicate that over 250 species of Lepidoptera have been reported from Mizoram, with 103 being first records and 18 as new species described. Interestingly, the Northeast states of India which including Mizoram has nearly 32.92 % of India\u27s documented Lepidoptera species in an area that only covers around 8 % of the country\u27s land. New ant and beetle species have been found along with butterflies and moths. Nonetheless, much of the state does not remain unexplored due to past insurgencies, rugged terrain and inaccessibility. The results highlight the need for detailed biodiversity documentation in northeastern India and suggest that Mizoram has significant potential for entomological discoveries in the future. The analysis concludes that extensive and systematic surveys are necessary to determine the true insect diversity of under-represented hotspot regions and to yield meaningful benefits for conservation and biogeographical research
Exogenous application of gibberellic acid and brassinosteroids: Synergistic effects on Nutmeg\u27s growth, yield and color attributes
Get PDFThis study evaluates the effects of preharvest spray applications of gibberellic acid (GA3) and brassinosteroids on the growth, fruit drop, fruit set, yield and colour characteristics of nutmeg. Treatments included combinations of GA3 and brassinosteroids with boric acid and calcium nitrate, applied during the flowering stage. The experiment followed a randomized block design with seven treatment combinations; each replicated three times. Among the treatments, the application of GA3 at 75 ppm combined with 0.3 % boric acid yielded the most favourable results. This combination significantly enhanced vegetative growth parameters, including plant height (8.9 m), leaf length (14.5 cm) and leaf width (5.5 cm). It also resulted in the highest fruit set percentage (80.95 %) and the lowest fruit drop rate (43.63 %). Furthermore, this treatment produced the highest yield, with 680 fruits per tree, amounting to 54.46 kg per tree. It also maximized both fresh and dry aril yields (3.19 kg and 2.58 kg per tree, respectively) as well as nut yields (9.08 kg fresh and 6.78 kg dry per tree). In addition, it improved the brightness and vibrancy of the aril colour, achieving the highest values for L* (66.2), a* (53.8) and b* (31.2). Overall, these findings highlight the potential of GA3 and brassinosteroids, especially in combination with boric acid, to enhance mace yield, quality and colour stability offering a promising strategy for improving nutmeg production and postharvest quality
Effect of fertilizers on biomass and productivity of amaranth on sierozem-meadow soils of the Zeravshan valley of Uzbekistan
Get PDFThe article presents data on the effects of individual and combined applications of mineral (NPK) and organic fertilizers on the biomass of roots, stubble residues, aboveground plant parts and grain yield of amaranth cultivated in sierozem-meadow soils of the Zeravshan Valley, Uzbekistan. The field experiments followed a two-phase design. First, the impact of different nitrogen fertilizer doses (N150-300) (combined with phosphorus and potassium fertilizers-P150K200) was evaluated. Second, the study examined the effects of separate versus joint applications of chemical and organic fertilizers on amaranth productivity. The application of nitrogen fertilizers against a background of phosphorus and potassium, as well as the combined use of mineral and organic fertilizers, significantly increased the mass of root and stubble residues, aboveground biomass and grain yield in amaranth plants. These findings indicate a deficiency of mobile nutrients in the soil, which limits optimal amaranth growth. Therefore, when applying nitrogen fertilizers against the background of P150K200, complete mineral fertilizers (NPK), 30 t/ha of cattle manure and combined use of 30 t/ha of manure with different NPK rates, the yield of grain and biomass of the aboveground and underground parts of amaranth increases significantly. For example, nitrogen fertilizers at rates from 150 kg/ha to 300 kg/ha against the background of P150K200 increased the amaranth yield by 4.26-27.04 c/ha or by 46.46-94.87 c/ha. The application of complete mineral fertilizers (NPK) compared to the control without fertilizers - by 8.87-20.14 c/ha or 50.06-113.66 %, 30 t/ha of cattle manure - 14.01 c/ha or 79.06 %. The combined application of 30 t/ha of manure with different rates of mineral fertilizers increased the amaranth grain yield by 16.56-20.65 c/ha or 93.45-116.53 %. However, when the rate of nitrogen fertilizers increased from 250 kg/ha to 300 kg/ha, the amaranth yield did not increase significantly. The same pattern was observed when the rate of mineral fertilizers increased from N250P175K125 to N300P210K150. Increasing the rate of mineral fertilizers against the background of 30 t/ha of manure from N100P70K50 to N150P105K75 and to N200P140K100 did not have a significant effect on the amaranth yield. However, there was a significant difference in the amaranth yield between the N100P70K50+30 t/ha of manure and N200P140K100+30 t/ha of manure variants. The best results were obtained in the variants where 30 t/ha of manure+N200P140K100 and 250 kg/ha of nitrogen were added against the background of phosphorus and potassium fertilizers (P150K200). Thus, mineral and organic fertilizers improve the nutrition, growth and development of amaranth plants and significantly increase the biomass and grain yield of amaranth in the conditions of sierozem -meadow soils of the Zeravshan valley
From toxic ornamental to therapeutic prospect: Phytochemical profile and cytotoxic evaluation of n-hexane extract from Iraqi Senecio rowleyanus
No full textSenecio rowleyanus H. Jacobsen plant belongs to Asteraceae family that contain over 1600 genera and approximately 2500 species that have important pharmacological roles in human life. This study assesses the n-hexane extract of Senecio rowleyanus, introduces a new CombiFlash-based method for phytochemical isolation and evaluates its pharmacological effect against breast cancer cells. The whole plant was extracted using maceration in n-hexane and analyzed by Gas Chromatography- Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). Phytosterols were isolated using CombiFlash column chromatography, yielding several fractions; only fraction B matched lupeol, confirmed by HPLC and FT-IR. Cytotoxicity of the extract was evaluated using the MTT assay on AMJ13 breast cancer cells treated with concentrations (1000, 500, 250, 125, 62.5 and 31.75 µg/mL) for 72 hrs, with doxorubicin as a control. Cell viability was then assessed. GC-MS analysis confirmed the presence of multiple bioactive phytosterols, which revealed a high content of β- and γ-sitosterol (17 %), spathulenol (13 %) and α-amyrin (9 %). with lupeol identified in a specific purified fraction. The n-hexane extract exhibited a cytotoxic effect on AMJ13 cells with an IC₅₀ value of 125.3 μg/mL, showing a concentration- and time-dependent reduction in cell viability. The observed cytotoxicity was notable when compared to the standard drug, doxorubicin. Senecio rowleyanus cultivated in Iraq demonstrates potent anticancer potential, with lupeol and other phytosterols exhibiting significant cytotoxicity against breast cancer cells. These findings support its promise as a natural candidate for pharmaceutical development, further mechanistic and clinical investigations is requiring
Role of nano-nutrients in enhancing the growth-regulating potential of paclobutrazol in guava cultivation under agroclimatic conditions of Punjab, India
Get PDFGuava (Psidium guajava L.), a tropical fruit of nutritional and economic importance, often faces challenges such as excessive vegetative growth, uneven flowering and inefficient nutrient absorption. The present study, conducted in 2023-2024 at the Department of Fruit Science, School of Agriculture, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, Punjab, evaluated the combined influence of paclobutrazol (PBZ) and nano-nutrients on growth regulation, physiological response, yield and fruit quality in guava cv. Allahabad Safeda. PBZ at 3.0 mL/L, a growth inhibitor was applied in conjunction with nano-boron (0.05 %) to assess their synergistic effects. The integrated application notably curtailed vegetative growth, as reflected by reduced plant height increment (0.45 cm), canopy volume (0.46 m³) and stem girth (0.35 cm), suggesting a reallocation of assimilates toward reproductive development. Enhanced physiological parameters such as chlorophyll content, fruit firmness (5.81 kg/cm²) and specific gravity (1.17) indicated improved plant efficiency. Significant gains were also recorded in fruit weight (187.54 g), length (6.68 cm), diameter (5.65 cm) and yield (26.05 kg/tree). These results highlight the effectiveness of combining PBZ with nano-nutrients in optimizing vegetative control, enhancing fruit quality and boosting yield. This integrated approach presents a sustainable strategy for improving guava production, particularly under resource-limited and variableagro-climatic conditions