Horizon e-Publishing Group (HePG): E-Journals
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Cold plasma: A green technology for improving legume productivity
Get PDFCold plasma technology represents a groundbreaking innovation in sustainable agriculture, particularly for optimizing the germination dynamics, physiological vigor and resilience of leguminous crops. As a non-thermal ionized gas, cold plasma induces intricate physicochemical modifications in seed architecture, enhancing surface hydrophilicity, permeability and imbibition kinetics. These transformations expedite germination, activate key enzymatic cascades and fortify antioxidative defense mechanisms, thereby bolstering legume adaptation to environmental stressors. Furthermore, cold plasma has been shown to regulate gene networks associated with stress tolerance, nitrogen assimilation and metabolic efficiency, culminating in improved plant vigor and yield stability. Beyond seed enhancement, cold plasma serves as an eco-compatible strategy for microbial decontamination, effectively neutralizing phytopathogens on legume seeds without compromising viability. It also extends post-harvest longevity by mitigating spoilage and oxidative degradation. Recent advancements have leveraged cold plasma in synergy with nanotechnology to facilitate targeted nutrient delivery, while its integration with magnetic field exposure has demonstrated enhanced metabolic activation and water absorption in leguminous seeds. Additionally, machine learning applications are refining plasma treatment protocols, enabling precise optimization tailored to specific crop requirements. As a transformative and environmentally sustainable agronomic tool, cold plasma holds profound implications for advancing legume cultivation while reducing reliance on chemical inputs. Its capacity to enhance seed vigor, stress tolerance and crop productivity underscores its potential as a pivotal innovation in climate-resilient, high-efficiency agricultural systems. Further exploration and technological refinement will unlock new frontiers, establishing cold plasma as a cornerstone of modern legume agronomy
Plant health monitoring: Intelligent systems for environmental geoinformation
Get PDFThis study presents methods for gathering and preprocessing data from observation wells using automated measurement systems. It also incorporates fuzzy logic models for calculations, signal data processing and intelligent analysis of mapping materials. The study also involves the creation of groundwater level distribution maps based on the gathered data. Advanced measurement methods are being explored for experimental and computational applications, leading to the development of technical solutions based on mathematical models. These innovations are crucial for enhancing automated monitoring techniques in hydrogeological regions to predict groundwater levels and quality
Estimation of crop coefficient for radish using digital lysimeter under polyhouse
Get PDFAccurate quantification of crop water requirements of any crop is essential for irrigation scheduling and water management. The objective of this study was to estimate the crop coefficient of radish for different phenological stages under protected cultivation using digital lysimeter. The experiment was carried in the Agricultural Engineering College and Research Institute, Kumulur, Trichy. The experiment layout has been made to accommodate the three treatments (T1 - 120 % of ETc, T2 - 100 % of ETc and T3- 80 % of ETc) and four replications in drip irrigated polyhouse. The actual crop evapotranspiration (mm day-1) measured from digital lysimeter and ETo is the reference evapotranspiration (mm day-1) measured from Hargreaves model. The crop coefficient value of radish grown under protected cultivation during initial stage (Kcin), development stage (Kcdev), mid-stage (Kcmid) and final stage (Kcfin) for T1 was 0.72, 0.99, 1.01 and 0.81, T2 was 0.58, 0.84, 0.85 and 0.63 and T3 was 0.43, 0.61, 0.62 and 0.48 respectively. The study demonstrated that supplying additional water had no significant effect in radish yield under polyhouse. The crop coefficient (Kc) value obtained for treatment 100 % of ETc is suggested for optimal use of irrigation water for cultivating of radish crop in naturally ventilated greenhouse
Biomedical properties of Prosopis juliflora
Get PDFPlants are the repositories of the bioactive principles which are known for their usage in modern and traditional medicine. The bioactive principles act as armoured knights by either preventing or slowing down the degenerative diseases. The efficacy and therapeutic value of the phytocompounds make them very much suitable to serve as leads for drug development. Prosopis juliflora, also known as mesquite, is a thorny deciduous plant which is drought resistant and fast growing. P. juliflora is well known for its ethnobotanical significance. The abundant number of secondary metabolites present in P. juliflora contributes to its therapeutic potential. These phytocompounds attribute to antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and anticancer properties. This review encompasses the various biomedical properties of P. julifora and its applications in the drug development
Impact of biostimulants on crop growth and soil health - A review
Get PDFBiostimulants are essential for advancing sustainable agriculture by promoting plant growth, soil health and crop productivity. It is derived from organic materials, including microbial and non-microbial components, which undergo an activated biological and physiological process that stimulates nutrient uptake, resists stressful conditions and also regulates plant metabolism. It includes microbial components such as Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) and Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) and other nonmicrobial components like protein hydrolysates, seaweed extracts, humic acid, fulvic acid, chitin and chitosan based biostimulants, which plays a significant role through different mode of actions such as modulation in plant hormone, activating antioxidant responses, water and nutrient absorption in soil and crop resilience. Their applications across various agricultural and horticultural crops, where they exhibited enhanced nutrient efficiency, eliminated environmental stress and promoted eco-friendly farming methods. Furthermore, biostimulants showed promising solutions for problematic soils. This review explores the applications of biostimulants and their influence on ensuring food security, enhancing nutrient uptake and stimulating natural processes, improving crop quality, yield and reducing dependency on synthetic fertilizers. Further research should focus on the timely application of biostimulants and their formulations for different crops to increase their potential benefits across agricultural systems
Sheath rot in rice: Morphological, molecular characterization - Sarocladium oryzae (Sawada) and genotypic response
Get PDFRice is one of the vital staple food crops worldwide and it is affected by many fungal diseases. Among these, sheath rot disease caused by Sarocladium oryzae is emerging as a severe threat, leading to yield losses ranging from 10–85 %. Sheath rot disease of rice affects all the stages of the crop, but the disease is utmost critical in booting stage. It damages the boot leaf sheath that protects developing panicles, which delays or prevents panicle emergence. Grain production and quality are severely reduced. Discoloured, chaffy and sterile grains produced in the infected panicles. Survey was conducted in Thoothukudi district of Tamil Nadu during the period 2022 – 23. Ten isolates of S. oryzae were isolated using the infected samples collected. The isolate (So 5) obtained from Peikulam village of Sathankulam block (Lat. 8.51o N, Long. 77.85o E) was found to be the most virulent isolate. Morphological studies showed that the isolate So 5 recorded the maximum mycelial growth of 7.70 cm diameter after 20 days of inoculation in PDA medium. The pathogen produced white cottony aerial mycelial growth and cylindrical shape of conidia. The pathogen was molecularly confirmed as S. oryzae by comparing the similarities with the NCBI database (Accession No. OR298274). Screening of genotypes is essential to identify the resistant sources. One hundred rice genotypes were screened under natural and artificial conditions. The genotypes viz., Aryan 1102, Aryan 1203, Dhalaheera, Kattanoor, Navara black, Purpleputtu, Salem senna, Swarna and Varaprabha showed resistance in both conditions
Potential of exo-polysaccharide producing plant growth promoting bacteria in growth promotion and disease suppression of chilli
Get PDFBacteria producing exo-polysaccharides (EPS), isolated from the rhizosphere of chilli (Capsicum annuum L.), demonstrate considerable potential for enhancing plant growth and managing fungal pathogens. These bacteria exhibit a variety of plant growth-promoting traits, including the synthesis of phytohormones like indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and gibberellic acid (GA), as well as the production of siderophores, phosphate solubilization and ammonia release. The antagonistic activity of these isolates against chilli anthracnose pathogen Colletotrichum capsici, was evaluated using dual plate assay. Among the isolates tested, Bacillus halotolerans CAJPH6 showed the maximum inhibition of C. capsici (72 %), followed by Bacillus stercoris CAJRH6 (70 %) and Bacillus subtilis CFORH5 (64 %). The gravimetric evaluation of EPS production showed that Bacillus stercoris CAJRH6 yielded 0.93 mg mL-1, Bacillus subtilis CFORH5 produced 0.89 mg mL-1 and Bacillus halotolerans CAJPH6 generated 0.72 mg mL-1. This study emphasizes the potential of EPS-producing bacterial isolates as an alternative to chemical fertilizers and fungicides, supporting sustainable and eco-friendly farming practices
Isolation and multidimensional characterization of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides (Penz. & Sacc.) associated with anthracnose in groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.)
Get PDFGroundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) is most popularly called as the ‘King of oil seeds’ and it is a highly valued leguminous crop in India and worldwide. Groundnut productivity is declining due to multiple biotic and abiotic stresses that hinder effective cultivation and cause substantial yield losses. Anthracnose, a destructive fungal disease incited by Colletotrichum species, has become a significant threat to groundnut cultivation in key growing regions of Tamil Nadu. The disease manifests initially as small, water soaked and yellowish spots along the leaf margins, which progressively expand and develop into well defined, circular brown lesions with a distinct yellow halo. As the infection advances, extensive foliar damage occurs, ultimately leading to substantial yield losses. The disease, exacerbated by warm, dry conditions and airborne spores during the rainy season. This study investigated the morphological and growth characteristics of ten Colletotrichum gloeosporioides isolates collected from different locations. The isolates exhibited distinct variations in mycelial growth, colony pigmentation, zonation patterns and sporulation capacity. Notably, isolate Cg1 exhibited the highest mycelial growth. Morphologically, the isolates displayed diverse features, including a fluffy white appearance, cottony mycelium and variations in sporulation. Additionally, differences in conidial size and shape were noted. The pathogen exhibited optimal growth under a 12 hrs light and 12 hrs dark cycle, at a temperature range of 25-30 °C and a pH of 5.0. This study emphasizes the pivotal influence of morphological and physiological parameters influencing the development and growth of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides isolates
Nature’s protection: Harnessing essential oils for sustainable plant pathogen control
Get PDFEssential oils (EOs) are volatile, aromatic compounds obtained from different plant parts. They contain bioactive compounds, including terpenes, phenolics and aldehydes. phenylpropanoids and other aromatic and aliphatic compounds. Due to the presence of these bioactive compounds, EO possess strong antifungal, antibacterial and antiviral properties, making EOs effective at combating a wide range of plant pathogens. Typically, EO is composed of two to three primary components and a mixture of numerous minor components, each of which contributes to its biological activity, such as the disruption of microbial cell membranes, the induction of oxidative stress, the impairment of mitochondrial activity and the inhibition of spore germination and biofilm formation. These diverse modes of action contribute to the broad-spectrum antimicrobial efficacy of EOs against plant pathogens. For instance, essential oils extracted from Cymbopogon spp. (lemongrass), Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree) and Thymus vulgaris (thyme) have shown significant antimicrobial activity against pathogens such as Magnaporthe oryzae (rice blast fungus), Pseudomonas syringae (a bacterial plant pathogen) and Tomato leaf curl virus (a viral disease affecting tomato crops). Due to their potent monoterpenes, EOs are considered promising candidates for integrated pest management (IPM) strategies. Their biodegradability and relative safety further enhance their potential as plant-protective agents, underscoring their role in promoting agricultural productivity and environmental sustainability
Enhancing genetic variability in Solanum surattense (Burm.f.) through EMS and gamma ray-induced mutagenesis
Get PDFSolanum surattense Burm.f. is an important medicinal plant with limited genetic variability due to presence of heavy thorns. The objective of this study represents the first report on the induction of mutation in Solanum surattense Burm.f. using EMS and gamma ray irradiation to enhance its genetic variation. A total of 100 pre-soaked Kantakari seeds were treated with varying concentrations of EMS (0.2 %, 0.4 %, 0.6 %, 0.8 % and 1 %), gamma rays (50 Gy, 100 Gy, 150 Gy, 200 Gy and 250 Gy) and their combined treatments (50 Gy + 0.2 % EMS, 100 Gy + 0.4 % EMS, 50 Gy + 0.6 % EMS, 200 Gy + 0.8 % EMS and 250 Gy + 1 % EMS). The results revealed a progressive decline in germination rate, survival percentage, root length (cm) and shoot length (cm) with increasing doses of both individual and combined mutagens in the M1 generation. The LD50 values were determined as 0.8 % EMS (47.48 %), 200 Gy gamma rays (46.47 %) and a combination treatment of 0.4 % EMS + 100 Gy (53.54 %). Mutation breeding using gamma rays, EMS and their combinations significantly influenced growth and yield parameters, in addition to, reducing thorn density. Among the tested treatments, the combination of 0.4 % EMS + 100 Gy (6.23, 5.42) and 200 Gy gamma rays (8.69, 7.31) was the most effective in reducing the number of thorns on both the upper and lower surfaces of the leaves. These findings suggest that mutation breeding through gamma irradiation and combination treatments holds great potential for developing high-yielding, low-thorn mutants of Kantakari, making it a valuable approach for future crop improvement programs