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Biologically active sulphur rich volatiles of Allium stracheyi and their molecular docking studies against 5IBS: Sulphur rich volatiles of Allium stracheyi
No full textAllium stracheyi, an endemic species of the Himalayan region, is part of the diverse Allium genus, known for its medicinal, nutritional, and aromatic properties. This research investigates the volatile constituents of Allium stracheyi, which contribute to its characteristic aroma, flavor, and potential therapeutic properties. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), was used to identify and characterize the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) present in this species. sulphur-containing compounds, especially trisulfide dipropyl, tetrasulfide dipropyl, dipropyl disulfide and trisulfide methyl propyl were the predominant constituents, accompanied by several aldehydes, alcohols, and hydrocarbons.
To assess the potential bioactivity of these compounds, molecular docking studies were carried out using the 5IBS protein (chain A), a crystal structure of a target enzyme involved in a biological pathway. The 5IBS protein was selected for its relevance to inflammatory and microbial processes. The docking results demonstrated significant binding affinities of the sulphur-containing volatiles to the active site of the 5IBS A chain, indicating a possible inhibitory mechanism. 1-allyl-2-isopropyldisulfane and disulfide, 1-(1-propenylthio) propyl propyl exhibited a notable docking score of -3.5 kcal/mol.
This study suggests that sulphur-rich compounds from Allium stracheyi could serve as promising candidates for the development of natural antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory agents. Further in vitro and in vivo studies are warranted to explore these bioactivities and understand the therapeutic potential of these volatiles
Allelopathic potential of Lathyrus aphaca L. on seedling growth of Triticum aestivum L.
Full text linkThe allelopathic substances released into the environment from plants inhibit various physiological processes. These allelopathic secondary plant metabolites attract or repel and stimulate or poison other organisms. In the present investigation, the allelopathic potential of a common weed, Lathyrus aphaca, was studied on the seedling growth of wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv. Dara). The seedling growth was monitored under the different dilutions of L. aphaca extract with water. Control seedlings were grown in distilled water only, i.e., without extract. It was found that the growth and biomass accumulation were significantly suppressed. The aqueous extract of L. aphaca was analyzed through LCMS and revealed the presence of several allelochemicals, viz. 2,4,6-tetrahydroxychalcone, 3-iodo-benzoic acid, p-coumaric acid, kynurenic acid, fumaric acid, sebacic acid, caffeic acid, and ferulic acid, proving the allelopathic potential of the weed
The bandwagons I followed as seed spices breeder: Bandwagons in seed spices
No full textBandwagons are waves that the breeders sail. This writing is based on the articles of Simmonds (1991) and Bernardo (2016) which point to different waves created by contemporary researches which influence breeders in their work. Seed spices are important group of crops of North and Northwestern India and this article chronicles the important phases through which seed spices breeding has undergone. While conventional methods of plant breeding have yielded results in seed spices, hybrid development is still taking off the ground, mutagenesis has proved its mettle and molecular breeding techniques are yet to make inroads in seed spices breeding. The author is of the view that not necessarily every bandwagon be adopted by seed spices breeders, but due diligence should be given if a new technique holds promise in helping a breeder. The author has chronicled his four decades of experience to guide new breed of breeders adopting spices breeding
Comparative study on fruit development of four cultivars of Mango (Mangifera indica L.) in River Nile State, Sudan
Full text linkAn experiment was carried out to investigate mango (Mangifera indica L.) fruit development by recording the rate of increase of fruit size and fruit characteristics during the season (2017-2018) of the study. The experiment was conducted in a randomized complete design. Four cultivars (Kitchener, Alphonse, Mabroka and Naylum) were used in the investigation. From each cultivar three trees were selected. Seventy two fruits were labelled. Each one was measured every 2 weeks and for ten consecutive weeks. This was done to determine the rate of fruit development under the prevailing conditions. The results of the experiment showed that the highest values of development of mango fruits and the highest mean of fruit size occurred during the period of development of the fruits from the second week through the tenth week. The results showed that there was a significant increase in the size of the fruit during the first four weeks and a non-significant increase in the following weeks. This is in addition to the physical analysis which included dimensions and weights of fruits during the different stages of maturity. The results showed that there was superposition and difference between the four cultivars during different maturity stages. The Naylum cultivar gave the highest length or longest fruits at the full ripe stage, whereas the shortest fruit exhibited by the Alphonse cultivar at the full ripe stage. The Naylum cultivar gave the highest width at the green stage, where the shortest width was given by the Kitchener cultivar at the full ripe stage, the Naylum cultivar gave the highest weight at the full ripe stage where the shortest weight was given by the Kitchener cultivar at the green stage. The results showed that there was superposition between Kitchener and Alphonse cultivars at the semi ripe stage
A review of different drying methods and their impact on physiochemical and functional properties of nutmeg and star anise: Impact of drying methods on properties of nutmeg & star anise
No full textDrying is a simple method of preservation and value addition of spices. The moisture content of the spices curtails during the drying, which decreases the biological and enzymatic activity and prolongs the shelf life. The drying method significantly influenced the flavour, chemical composition, appearance, colour, and functional properties of the bioactive compounds. Several new drying technologies are being tested to improve the physiochemical properties of the nutmeg and star anise. This article reviews different solo-drying techniques, such as sun drying, solar drying, infrared and microwave drying as well as hybrid drying such as microwave and infrared-assisted drying applied to nutmeg and star anise. Further, it discusses the impact of drying methods on chemical composition and functional properties. The advantages of novel hybrid drying techniques over conventional methods are also discussed. Further, this review identifies the research gaps and future directions for drying nutmeg and star anise
Mapping cropland types in heterogeneous arid environments using machine learning algorithms and dataset variations on Google Earth Engine
Full text linkMonitoring crops ensures global, regional, and national food security. It entails gathering information such as the health and growth of crops and environmental conditions. This aids farmers in making well-informed decisions, enhancing productivity, and reducing environmental impact. This, in turn, leads to improved economic outcomes and long-term agricultural sustainability. In arid and semi-arid lands, effective crop monitoring is particularly critical due to the limiting factor of water availability. This study used Sentinel-2 (S2) image collection in Google Earth Engine (GEE) to mapping crop types in North Darfur State, Sudan during the 2022 growing season (July 1 to September 30, 2022), using support vector machine (SVM) and random forest (RF) classifiers. Eight vegetation indices (VIs), i.e., normalised difference vegetation index (NDVI), enhanced vegetation index (EVI), soil-adjusted vegetation index (SAVI), green-normalised difference vegetation index (GNDVI, weighted Difference vegetation index (WDVI), red edge NDVI (NDVIre), ratio-vegetation index (RVI), and normalised difference infrared index (NDII) were used as additional bands. The results show that the RF models produced an overall accuracy (OA) of 90-97% with a kappa coefficient (κ) of 0.87-0.96. The SVM models reported OA and κ values in the range of 84-95% and 0.81-0.94, respectively. Producer’s (PA) and user’s accuracies (UA) were in the range 83-97% and 81-98%, respectively. Highest F1 scores for both classifiers were 0.98. The findings of this study, along with the derived classification maps, would enable farmers, policymakers, and other stakeholders to make well-informed decisions regarding agricultural production, land use planning, and resource management in North Darfur and arid environments
Economic assessment of deferred grazing pasture system for rangeland restoration in steppe areas: A quantitative analysis
Full text linkOver the past three decades, substantial efforts have been made to implement public programs aimed at developing pastoral areas in Algeria. This study seeks to investigate the impacts of rangeland restoration projects, specifically deferred grazing, in the steppe regions. To achieve this objective, a comprehensive financial evaluation of pasture management techniques was conducted in the steppe. The study focused on identifying the most important ecosystem goods and services provided by deferred grazing project and the main beneficiaries compared with free-range grazing through observations in the areas concerned. Also, a detailed analysis of the cost structure for the deferred grazing technique, and four key criteria: Net Present Value NPV, Internal Rate of Return IRR, Invested Capital Recovery ICR, Profitability Ratio PR, and the productivity threshold for which breeders have an interest in using deferred grazing areas. Through scenario simulations, the financial profitability of these restoration projects was assessed by formulating various hypotheses. Additionally, the study evaluated the benefits of taking action to combat steppe land degradation. The results of the analysis yielded valuable insights into the economic implications of the restoration projects. Furthermore, this study draws important policy implications for the Algerian pastoral economy
Changes in germination, early seedling growth and morpho-physiology of sesame under PEG-induced osmotic Stress
Full text linkThe present study investigates the impact of polyethylene glycol (PEG) (0 and 25%) induced osmotic stress on germination, growth, morpho-physiological responses and stress tolerance indices of thirteen sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) genotypes at an early seedling stage. The experiments were conducted under lab-based controlled cultural conditions with two levels of PEG-6000 (0% and 25%) and thirteen genotypes using diverse seed colours (white, brown, light brown, and black) and twenty-two variables subjected to multivariable analysis. At 25% concentration, the principle component analysis (PCA) biplot classified thirteen sesame genotypes into two groups according to F values. The PCA biplot placed the tolerant (group-I) and sensitive (group-II) genotypes on opposite sides. Group-I contains eight genotypes viz. with black seed colour (IC-132300, GT-10), white seed colour (IC-96229, IC-132171, IC-205471, IC-203962) and light brown seed colours (IC-204966 and IC-131500) Group II contains five sensitive genotypes with brown seed colours such as YLM-17, YLM-66, YLM-11, Madhavi and Gowri, contributed from fresh weight, dry weight, chl a, chl b, total chlorophyll, carotenoids and chlorophyll stability index. The present study offers breeders a laboratory-based, reliable, and quick method for screening sesame germplasm to identify and develop drought-tolerant genotypes contributed from the rate of germination, germination percentage, root length, shoot length, root/shoot ratio, seedling length, dry weight, germination percentage stress tolerance index, root length stress tolerance index, shoot length stress tolerance index, seedling length stress tolerance index, fresh weight stress tolerance index, dry weight stress tolerance index, seedling vigour index and chl a/b
Growth, instability and sources of output growth of ginger in Karnataka- An analysis: Growth & instability of ginger in Karnataka
No full textThe present study was undertaken to examine the growth and instability of area, production and productivity of ginger in the state with a special focus on Bidar district of Karnataka. The findings of the study have shown that both growth in area and yield of ginger in Karnataka were positive for study period. However, instability in area, production and productivity was found to be high in period II compared to period I. For overall period, the instability was categorized as high for area, production and yield of ginger in Karnataka. Further, analysis indicates that area is the contributing factor for output growth rather that yield and interaction effect. For several decades, about 70-80 per cent the area under ginger cultivation in the state is dominated by varieties Rio- de – janero, Himagiri and Humnabad local. This suggests that there is significant scope for varietal improvement of ginger. Also, anecdotal evidence indicates that there is significant crop loss due to soft rot disease, inadequate management practices, biotic and abiotic factors leading to high instability in production
Genotypic diversity evaluation for nutritional and grain quality attributes in cultivated rice varieties of Assam
Full text linkA set of fifty rice genotypes mostly of indigenous type and a few improved varieties grown by farmers of Assam were studied to screen for nutritional content, grain characteristics and yield potential. Based on the grain classification system, two cultivars were categorised as small (1.5-2), eleven were medium (2.1-2.5), fourteen had medium slender (2.6-3.0) grain, and eighteen were of slender (>3.0) type; Mahsuri had the highest grain yield per plant (49.64 g). The glutinous type, ‘Bora’ group of cultivars had comparatively the lower content of amylose (2.45-2.76%) with corresponding higher level of amylopectin (97.24-97.55%). A wide variation was observed for protein content, ranging from 3.5% in Amona Bao to 12.26% in Vandana. Manipuri Joha and Badol Sali were found to have the greatest concentrations of iron (466.88 mg/100 g) and zinc (44.8 mg/100 g), respectively. Grain length breadth ratio, volume expansion ratio, iron and protein content showed significant positive correlation with grain yield. High heritability in the broad sense was observed for the traits grain weight, grain length and breadth, length: breadth ratio, volume expansion ratio, iron and zinc. The cultivars were categorized into six clusters based on the Mahalanobis D2 analysis, with cluster VI (739221) exhibiting the highest intra-cluster distance and cluster V with cluster II (27774001) exhibiting the highest inter-cluster distance. The genotypes belonging to the diverse clusters along with the desirable per se performance might be chosen for inclusion as parents in the hybridization program. Comprehensive understanding of the nutrients and grain characteristics and their relationship with grain yield would pave the way for further genetic improvement of quality and yield of rice