Horizon e-Publishing Group (HePG): E-Journals
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Effect of bio-fertilizers inoculation on the growth and biomass productivity on the seedlings of shola tree species under nursery condition
No full textUnder nursery conditions, this study evaluates the impact of biofertilizer inoculation on the biomass productivity and growth of three Shola tree species: Syzygium montanum, Syzygium arnottianum and Elaeocarpus oblongus. Treatments included the individual and combined application of Azospirillum, Phosphobacteria and VAM fungi, with an uninoculated control group for comparison. S. montanum recorded the highest growth parameters (shoot length: 39.23 cm, root length: 41.98 cm, dry weight: 5.35 g), highlighting that the combined application of Azospirillum + Phosphobacteria + VAM significantly increased shoot length, root length, total dry weight and shoot/root ratio across all species. Growth measures were consistently lowest in the uninoculated control. Over the six-month study period, all growth metrics gradually rose, indicating the synergistic effect of biofertilizer combinations in fostering the biomass productivity and growth of Shola tree seedlings. These results demonstrate the potential of biofertilizers in reforestation and sustainable forestry methods
Signalling cascades in plant cells under biotic stress: From herbivore detection to defence activation
Get PDFPlants have evolved both passive and active defence mechanisms to withstand insect herbivory. Passive defences include physical barriers and toxic substances on the plant\u27s surface, while active defences are triggered by herbivore-associated signals. Recent studies have shown that defence mechanisms, including volatile emission, molecular pattern recognition, changes in Ca2+ levels, shifts in plasma membrane potential, NADPH oxidase mobilization and oxygen radical formation, are triggered by interplant and intraplant signalling. Plants detect specific elicitors produced by insects during infestation, enabling them to recognize and respond to herbivory. Infested plants emit chemical signals that lead to the production of volatile terpenoids, attracting host-seeking insects. Plants deploy a wide array of defensive compounds, including cyanogenic glucosides, glucosinolates (GSLs), phenolics, alkaloids, proteinase inhibitors (PIs) and saponins, which deter feeding and impair insect digestion. Morphological features such as trichomes and thorns provide additional protection. Plant hormones such as ethylene (ET), jasmonic acid (JA) and salicylic acid (SA) mediate plant immunity. Calcium (Ca2+) is crucial for regulating cellular processes and plant defence. Oxygen radical, especially hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), are critical for disease resistance. Nitric oxide (NO) influences H2O2 production, modulates the redox status and activates defence genes, thereby enhancing plant resilience against herbivory through various signalling pathways. By detailing the roles of various signalling molecules, hormones and defence compounds, the article aims to enhance understanding of plant defence strategies and the intricate signalling networks that underpin these responses
Exploring genetic diversity in quality protein maize and selection of genotypes by MGIDI index
No full textGenetic diversity is a fundamental requirement for the development of high-yielding and resilient maize hybrids. In this context, the present study was undertaken to evaluate the genetic variability for 15 traits among 25 maize inbred lines during Rabi 2021 at the Maize Research Farm, TCA, Dholi, DR.P.C.A.U., Pusa, Samastipur, Bihar, with the objective of identifying genetically diverse and agronomically superior lines for future breeding programs. The principal component analysis (PCA) identified first six principle components with more than 1.0 eigenvector and cumulatively explained 85.06 % of the total variance. The Tocher’s cluster analysis was worked out where the 25 inbred lines were grouped into seven different clusters. Cluster I had a maximum of five inbred lines, while cluster V, VI, VII had only one entry. Mahalanobis D2 analysis was performed to know inter and intra cluster distances. Cluster IV displayed maximum intra cluster distance of 63.86 among the clusters. The inter-cluster D2 values also ranged widely with a minimum value of 91.29 between clusters VI and VII to a maximum value of 285.05 between clusters 91.29 VI and V indicating high diversity among the genotypes of different clusters. It was suggested to intercross inbred lines from diverse cluster IV and V in order to develop superior hybrids with maximum heterosis. Among the fifteen traits studied, Harvest index contributed maximum of 12.9 % to the total divergence followed by followed by ear length (11.2 %), no. of kernels per row (10.5 %). Multi trait Genotype – Ideotype Distance Index (MGIDI) selection index results figured out that 15 traits were separated as 6 factors and superior genotypes G8, G9, G15, G24 were selected. The findings of this study provide valuable insights for maize breeders by identifying promising parent lines and trait contributions for maximizing heterosis and genetic gains. The diverse inbred lines identified in this study serve as critical resources for hybrid development and strategic breeding in maize improvement programs
Agronomic evaluation of maize inbred lines and their potential to produce hybrids adapted to a tropical environment
Get PDFMaize is the most extensively grown cereal worldwide. It is planted on approximately 197 million hectares and, together with wheat and rice, constitutes a major element of the human diet as well as a key component in global food security. In Malaysia, maize is mainly used for animal feed, although 100 % of it is imported, which affects the nation´s food security status. In this sense, developing maize hybrids and varieties could be crucial for the successful cultivation of maize in the country. This study was conducted in Gambang, Pahang, Malaysia, to identify maize inbreds with the best adaptability for the region and the necessary characteristics to be used as inbred parents for developing outstanding hybrids. A total of 17 maize inbreds obtained from Asia and CIMMYT, Mexico were planted in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with two replications. Each replication was planted on separate planting dates. A full diallel-cross was implemented to determine their ability to produce hybrids in all possible combinations. With the one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), it was noticed that the seed weight, leaf number and ear aspect of the inbreds had significant differences. The inbreds HPOOL23 and MrChua-OP1 showed the highest seed weight values when used as either males or females. Moreover, the neighbor-joining method helped to identify the inbreds with high yield and good ear quality. This study will serve as a basis for understanding the behaviour of inbreds in hybrid development
Rough lemon (Citrus jambhiri Lush.), a potential rootstock with commercially high valued fruits: Characterization of rough lemon based on biochemical attributes
Get PDFRough lemon (C. jambhiri Lush.), widely employed as a rootstock in India as well as worldwide, is widely consumed in Assam. Its fruits are highly nutritious and in high local demand, often priced higher than Assam lemon during the harvest season. As a heterozygous species indigenous to the state, this crop displays extensive variation. These variations can be observed in the morphology of the plant and its fruits. However, limited research on its biochemical constituents has hindered efforts to promote this fruit for both processing and fresh consumption nationwide. This paper aims to provide a gist of the work conducted at Assam Agricultural University, based on biochemical characteristics and group them to assess their biochemical similarity. This study classifies the available germplasm of rough lemon collected across the state of Assam in three main groups based on biochemical constituents of fruit. This may be attributed to the genetic makeup of the crop or the influence of soil properties and nutrient availability in the study areas. Sensory evaluations were conducted to assess consumer preference for fresh consumption. Consequently, this research offers a distinct understanding of the specific type of rough lemon that can be chosen for fresh consumption as well as processing purposes
Optimizing nitrogen splitting and herbicide use for weed suppression and yield enhancement in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)
Get PDFWeeds are one of the most important biological threats in crop production and cause severe irrecoverable losses in crop yields. Therefore, minimizing weed severity is crucial for sustaining and boosting crop productivity. With this aim, a field experiment was conducted during the rabi seasons of 2018-19 and 2019-20 on clay loam soil at the Research Farm of Mata Gujri College, Fatehgarh Sahib (Punjab). Three nitrogen schedules as main plots and five weed management treatments as subplots were arranged in a split-plot design with three replications. Nitrogen scheduling treatments included N1 (½ Basal + ¼ at 4WAS + ¼ at 8 WAS), N2 (⅓ at 4 WAS + ⅓ at 8 WAS + ⅓ at 10 WAS), N3 (¼ at 4 WAS + ¼ at 6 WAS + ¼ at 8 WAS + ¼ at 10 WAS). Weed management treatments comprised of W0 (weedy check), W1 (weed free), W2 (clodinafop at 60 g ha-1), W3 (sulfosulfuron at 25 g ha-1) and W4 (carfentrazone at 20 g ha-1). A significant reduction in weed density, biomass, weed index and NPK uptake by weeds was observed in N3 (¼ at 4 WAS + ¼ at 6 WAS + ¼ at 8 WAS + ¼ at 10 WAS) and W3 (sulfosulfuron at 25 g ha-1) at 60 DAS and harvest stage. The highest weed control efficiency, yield attributes, crop yield, Net return and B:C ratio were recorded with N3 (¼ at 4 WAS + ¼ at 6 WAS + ¼ at 8 WAS + ¼ at 10 WAS) and W3 (sulfosulfuron at 25 g ha-1). The increase in grain yield by treatment N3 (¼ at 4 WAS + ¼ at 6 WAS + ¼ at 8 WAS + ¼ at 10 WAS) was 21.2 % over N1
Status of acaricide resistance in major phytophagous mites infesting horticultural crops - mechanisms and management: A review
No full textThe persistent presence of mite pests poses an ongoing challenge to the sustainable cultivation of numerous economically important crops on a global scale. Acaricide application stands as a key element in management practices to date. Unfortunately, the relentless use of acaricides in the field has led to the development of resistance among mite populations to several acaricidal compounds. The advancement and application of reverse genetic tools, such as RNAi, have provided valuable insights into the molecular genetic mechanisms underlying resistance, particularly in model species like Tetranychus urticae, although such understanding remains limited in many agriculturally important phytophagous mite pests. This review emphasizes the status of acaricide resistance of major phytophagous mites, shedding light on the physiological and intricate molecular mechanisms underlying this phenomenon, while RNAi represents a promising research tool for studying gene function and resistance mechanisms in mites, its practical application in overcoming acaricide resistance remains in the experimental phase due to delivery challenges and species-specific variability in response
Plant toxicity of four HMs: Arsenate, cadmium, chromium and lead: A mini review
Get PDFThe presence of heavy metals (HMs) in agricultural soils plays a crucial role in plant life, as these elements are necessary for plant growth and development. However, they can also have detrimental effects on plants and the environment. In recent years, research on HMs has gained significant attention and is expected to become a dominant field due to their harmful impact on humans, animals and plants. The phytotoxicity of HMs is influenced by several factors, including the specific metal type, exposure route, dosage, plant age, nutritional status and environmental conditions. Among the most toxic metals to plants, arsenic, cadmium, chromium and lead are considered priority contaminants due to their severe impact on plant health. The current review discusses important HMs, their toxicity mechanisms to the plants and their interactions with special emphasis on the arsenate, cadmium, chromium and lead
Microscopic anatomy and phytochemical profiling of Curcuma cotuana
Get PDFCurcuma cotuana is a rare species belonging to the Zingiberaceae family. In present study, the micromorphological characteristics of the leaf sheath, leaf, root, root tuber and petiole of C. cotuana are reported for the first time. Additionally, phytochemical analysis confirmed that the leaf and rhizome extracts of the species contained various bioactive compounds, including phenolics, tannins, alkaloids, flavonoids, coumarins, saponins, steroids and terpenoids. Furthermore, the total flavonoids (TFC), total polyphenol content (TPC) and total triterpene content (TTC) of the leaf and rhizome extracts were quantified. The leaf extracts exhibited higher concentrations (TPC: 39.273 mg GAE/g DW, TTC: 41.831 mg OAE/g DW, TFC: 2.072 mg QE/g DW) compared to the rhizome extracts (TPC: 17.108 mg GAE/g DW, TTC: 4.226 mg OAE/g DW, TFC: 4.232 mg QE/g DW).
Advancements in induced systemic resistance: Mechanisms, applications and integration for sustainable crop protection and climate adaptation
Get PDFInduced Systemic Resistance (ISR) is an important biological defense mechanism in plants, which enhances their resistance to a wide range of pathogens and abiotic stresses. ISR is triggered by beneficial microorganisms, particularly Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) and involves complex molecular interactions among key signaling pathways, including salicylic acid (SA), jasmonic acid (JA), ethylene (ET), abscisic acid (ABA) and Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS). This review explores the mechanistic basis of ISR, focusing on the molecular crosstalk and epigenetic memory that primes plants for enhanced stress tolerance. The integration of ISR with climate resilience strategies is highlighted, addressing the potential of ISR to mitigate the impacts of climate variability, including heatwaves, floods and elevated CO₂ levels. Additionally, practical challenges such as field-level validation, cost-effectiveness and formulation development are discussed, alongside the technological innovations that may enhance ISR applications in sustainable agriculture. This work aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of ISR\u27s molecular foundations and its potential for climate-resilient agriculture, with a focus on scalable and economically viable solutions. Future directions, including the integration of ISR with precision agriculture and the use of biotechnological advancements such as CRISPR-Cas systems, offer promising avenues for enhancing ISR efficiency and expanding its applicability across diverse agricultural systems. This review aims to contribute to the development of ISR-based strategies that can promote long-term agricultural sustainability and global food security