Journal of Applied and Natural Science
Not a member yet
2928 research outputs found
Sort by
Isolation, screening, and characterization of plant growth enhancing endophytic bacteria from halophytic Heliotropium curassavicum L. collected from salt stress areas of Srikakulam, Andhra Pradesh
Get PDFFarmers use excessive chemical fertilizers to boost crop productivity to meet growing agricultural demands. However, this practice is costly and environmentally hazardous. Sustainable increase in crop yield can be achieved through alternatives like microbial-based fertilizers. In the quest to identify plant growth-promoting endophytic bacteria, the present study was carried out and selected unexplored halophytic plant Heliotropium curassavicum L. Thirteen endophytic bacterial strains were isolated from both aerial and root portions of H.curassavicum. These isolates were tested for salt tolerance, enzyme production, and synthesis of growth-promoting secondary metabolites, like Indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and phosphate solubilization . Most of the isolates belonged to the Bacillus family, exhibiting varying Gram staining and biochemical reactions. The majority are Gram-positive bacteria, non-motile, spore formers, and exist in two cells or chains. All isolates could tolerate up to 10% NaCl concentration and a temperature of 42°C. Based on phenotypic, bio-chemical characteristics, isolate HCR3 showed promising properties in synthesizing IAA and phosphate solubilization abilities. The isolate HCR3 grew well upto 10% NaCl concentration and also 42°C temperature. Based on molecular characterization by using 16S rRNA gene-based analysis HCR3 isolate was identified and belonged to the Genus Pseudomonas with the highest similarity index with Pseudomonas khazarica sp. HCR3 showed IAA production of 37µg ml-1, had a phosphate solubilization ability of 3.5 ppm, and recorded protease activity on gelatin medium. The findings highlight the potential of HCR3 and other strains from halophytic H. curassavicum L. to enhance plant growth through secondary bioactive metabolites, offering eco-friendly solutions for sustainable agriculture
Heterologous expression of phytase in Schizochytrium sp. as a fortified feed additive for the Livestock industry
Get PDFPhytates present in plant-derived feed can chelate nutrients and reduce their bioavailability for monogastric animals such as poultry and swine. The addition of hydrolase, phytase can alleviate this problem but is hindered by its cost. The goal of the current study is to clone, express and purify the phytase gene from Bacillus sp. (DS11) into Schizochytrium sp. ATCC 20888 is also a good producer of Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). This is expected to enhance animal nutrition and reduce phosphate pollution. The DNA sequence analysis using multiple sequence alignments showed significant similarity to the phytase gene from Bacillus sp. (DS11). Subsequently, specific primers were designed based on the consensus sequence of the Bacillus phytase gene obtained from sequencing. The coding DNA sequence was determined to have a length of 1152 base pairs. Phytase gene was successfully cloned into the pRI201-AN DNA vector and transformed into Schyzochytrium sp. Screening on G418 plates showed 53 resistant colonies and from this 11 prominent colonies were chosen for further testing. Out of this, 8 colonies tested positive, with colony PCR having 1.5 kb with a phytase activity of 1.77 U/ml of crude lysate. Further purification with Ni-NTA affinity chromatography provided a specific activity of 15.59 U/mg. This appears to be the first ever reported recombinant phytase produced in Schizochytrium sp. The phytase recommendations are 250U/Kg of feed preparation for broiler & swine diets . It was also determined that 72.64 U/5.2 gm of wet biomass and 1.80% of w/w microalgae would fulfil these requirements per kg of feed preparation
Influence of rice husk ash-derived silica nanoparticles on sweetcorn (Zea mays L. sachharata) seed germination
Get PDFIn agriculture, the utilization of nanomaterials has garnered significant global attention. This research adopts a pioneering approach to investigate the influence of nanosilica on the germination dynamics of sweetcorn seeds. The present study aimed to synthesize and analyze an amorphous nano-silica material using rice husk ash (RHA) and its impact on the germination of sweetcorn seeds (Zea mays L. sachharata). The extracted nano-silica particles dispersed into six rates of suspensions (0, 100, 200, 300, 400 and 500 ppm) were used to study their effects on seed germination. The synthesized amorphous nano-silica was determined for size, shape, and elemental content. The amorphous nature of the silica sample was confirmed by transmission electron microscopy-selected area electron diffraction (ED) patterns and X-ray diffraction (XRD), whereas siloxane and silanol groups were mainly detected by Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. Image obtained using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed the presence of original nanoparticles alongside secondary microparticles, probably due to agglomeration. Particles in the extracted amorphous silica had an average diameter of 35 nm. Nano-silica powder was amorphous, according to XRD. As per the EDS analysis, the extracted silica sample is 96.87 % pure. The amorphous nano-silica significantly boosted germination metrics such as germination percentage, germination index, vigour index, and mean germination time of sweetcorn. With the addition of 300 ppm nano-silica, the germination percentage increased by 40.1%, the germination index by 96%, and the vigor index by 120% over control seeds. The improvement of seed germination by amorphous nano-silica in sweetcorn implies a potential application of nano-silica in seed germination
Identification of potential human chymase inhibitors using molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation
Get PDFChymase is a hydrolase class of enzymes that involves hydrolysis of peptide bonds. It is abundant in secretory granules of mast cells. Mast cell chymase is involved in the synthesis of angiotensin-II from its precursor protein. In addition, chymase is involved in converting TGF-β and matrix metalloproteinase to their active form. Chymase involved in heart failure has been proven, and its inhibition may reduce the progression. Hence, to identify the potential inhibitors against the chymase, the present study employed structure-based virtual screening, molecular docking, and molecular dynamics simulation to identify potential chymase inhibitors. Initially, compounds were selected based on their physicochemical and pharmacokinetic properties. Further, the binding affinities using molecular docking and interaction analyses were performed to find potential chymase inhibitors. The study identified chymase inhibitor ZINC000008382327, bearing significant binding affinity, specificity, and efficacy towards the chymase. Next, the stability and binding mode of chymase with ZINC000008382327 were assessed using molecular dynamics simulations. The simulation analysis using root mean square deviations and fluctuations revealed that inhibitor ZINC000008382327 affected the structure and dynamics of the chymase protein. It was also shown that the chymase forms a stable complex with ZINC000008382327 during the simulation. Thus, the present computational study put forward that the identified compound can be further exploited as a potential chemical scaffold to design and develop new human chymase inhibitors
Physiological response and productivity of aerobic rice (Oryza sativa L.) to iron fertilization in typic Ustifluvents soil
Get PDFAerobic rice is projected as a sustainable rice production technology for the immediate future to address water scarcity and environmental safety. Micronutrient deficiency, particularly iron is one of the main factors responsible for low productivity in aerobic rice. With this perspective, a field experiment was conducted at farmer’s field in 2022 at Kuttalam, Mayladuthurai district, Tamilnadu, in sandy clay loam (Padugai Series – Typic Ustifluvents) to predict the response of aerobic rice (Oryza sativa) to iron nutrition. The experiment was laid out in randomised block design with eleven treatments (Recommended dose of fertilizers (RDF) NPK only (control)(T1), (RDF) + FeSO4 @ 25 kg ha-1 (SA) (T2), RDF + FeSO4 37.5 kg ha-1 (SA)(T3),RDF+ FeSO4 @ 50 kg ha-1 (SA)(T4), RDF+ FeSO4 @ 25 kg ha-1 (SA) + FeSO4 @ 1% (FS)(T5), RDF+ FeSO4 37.5 kg ha-1 (SA) + FeSO4 @ 1% (FS)(T6) , RDF+ FeSO4 @ 50 kg ha-1 (SA) + FeSO4 @ 1% (FS)(T7), RDF+ FeSO4 @ 25 kg ha-1(SA) + Fe-EDTA @ 0.5% (FS)(T8), RDF+ FeSO4 37.5 kg ha-1 (SA) + Fe-EDTA @ 0.5% (FS)(T9), RDF+ FeSO4 @ 50 kg ha-1 (SA) + Fe-EDTA @ 0.5% (FS) (T10) and RDF + Seed priming 0.05M Fe-EDTA(T11)) and replicated thrice. The results revealed that application of FeSO4 @ 50 kg ha-1 (SA) + Fe-EDTA @ 0.5% (FS) with RDF recorded the highest growth and yield parameters and the highest grain (3438 kg ha-1) and straw yield (5078 kg ha-1) compared to other treatments including control. This study concluded that iron fertilization through the soil and foliar application could enhance aerobic rice productivity
Assessing the in vitro efficacy of biocontrol agents and oil cakes against basal rot of onion incited by Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. cepae
Get PDFOnions are an important vegetable crop, which is infected by many soils and foliar pathogens. Among them, Fusarium Basal Rot (FBR) causes yield losses of up to 50 per cent in the field and 30 to 40 per cent during post-harvest storage of bulbs. For management of basal rot of onion, the efficacy of native antagonists such as six different Trichoderma sp. (T1-T6), five different Bacillus sp. (B1-B5) and five different oil cakes was assessed against the Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. cepae under in vitro condition. Among them, T3 collected from Kulithalai recorded maximum virulence as well as dark green sporulation with conidia length of 2.68–3.25 and breadth of 2.54-3.46µ. Among the tested isolates, In the case of Bacillus sp., isolate B4 recorded the maximum inhibition zone (66.16%), followed by B. subtilis (B5), which recorded a (59.03%) inhibition on the mycelial growth. Among the five different oil cakes, the filtrates of neem cake showed a maximum inhibition zone against F. oxysporum f.sp. cepae of 1.29 cm @ 15% concentration, followed by groundnut cake at 1.36 cm @ 30% concentration. Hence the different control measures, Trichoderma sp. showed critically acclaimed performance under in vitro than others. The combined application of Trichoderma sp, Bacillus sp and neem oilcake significantly inhibited the growth of basal rot of onion due to the presence of the antimicrobial property.
Impact of rhizobium inoculation and boron application on morphological alterations and biochemical triggers in pea (Pisum sativum L.)
Get PDFRhizobium is a bacterial culture that enhances the speed of biological nitrogen fixation in association with root nodules in pulse crops while boron act as a catalyst for cell division hence the size of nodules and sugar translocation in the plant. An experiment was conducted by considering rhizobium as a seed inoculant and boron as a soil applicant in two peas (Pisum sativum L.) varieties Arkel and Azad Pea-3 to know the morphological alterations in plant height (cm), fresh and dry weight g plant-1), number of leaves (plant-1), and days required for the first flowering and picking. However, the biochemical triggers were also observed for soil plant analysis development reading (SPAD), total chlorophyll (mg g-1) and derivative (chlorophyll a and b), protein (mg g-1), and proline content (µg g-1) in both varieties of pea (Arkel and Azad Pea-3). The performance of V2 was superior to V1 for most of the morphological and biochemical parameters. The combination of rhizobium + 2.0 kg boron ha-1 (T5) was observed as the best treatment compared to the rest of the treatments in V1, while the rhizobium + 1.5 kg boron ha-1 (T4) in V2. Among the treatment combinations, T5 and T4 were recorded as minimum days for the first flowering (39.3 and 43.0), while the maximum days for the first picking (75 and 84) in V1 and V2. The highest SPAD reading, total chlorophyll, and protein were also noticed in T5 and T4, while chlorophyll a was recorded at maximum value in T4 for both varieties. However, the value of chlorophyll b was recorded as maximum in T4 and T3 at 50 DAS, while T5 and T4 were at 75 DAS. A trigger of proline content was also noticed in T5 and T4 of both varieties compared to the control set. The positive alteration in morphology and biochemical changes in pea plants due to the application of rhizobium in combination with boron interlink well for the betterment of yield via increasing the rate of photosynthesis.
Melatonin mediated high-temperature tolerance at seedling stage in green gram (Vigna radiata L.)
Get PDFGlobal warming is predicted to have a generally negative effect on food grain production. The emergence of seedlings, blooming, pod-filling stages and yield of the mung bean are affected by high-temperature stress. Melatonin is a multifunctional signaling molecule with antioxidant properties that plays a vital role in plant stress defense mechanism. With this knowledge, the experiment was conducted to identify the optimum melatonin concentration to mitigate the adverse effects of high temperature in green gram var CO 8 with a completely randomized design (CRD). The treatments consisted of soaking seeds with different melatonin concentrations, viz., 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100 μM. Seeds were sown in a pertidish and allowed to germinate. After 5 days, the seedlings were exposed to two different high-temperature stress following the temperature induction response (TIR) protocol in the growth chamber viz., Ambient + 2°C (40°C) and Ambient + 4°C (42°C). After stress period, the seedlings were allowed to recover at room temperature for 2 days. At the end of the recovery period, observations on temperature tolerance-related traits viz., survival percentage, per cent reduction of shoot and root growth, cell viability, mortality per cent, malondialdehyde content, superoxide dismutase and catalase activity of green gram seedlings were assessed. Seeds pre-treated with melatonin of 100 and 80 µM exhibited higher survival percentage, shoot and root growth, cell viability and antioxidant enzyme activity (like superoxide dismutase and catalase) with reduced mortality per cent and malondialdehyde content under high-temperature stress at both 40°C and 42°C. The results revealed that seeds treated with different melatonin concentrations significantly improved green gram germination and seedling health.
Response of flower quality and physiological characters of Jasminum sambac (L.) to modified planting system and pruning schedule
Get PDFIncreasing planting density in Jasminum sambac (L.) is a recent trend among farmers and an effective strategy for improving flower productivity without affecting the standard of flower buds. This study aimed to establish the effect of varied plant density with different pruning levels on the flower quality during off, peak and lean seasons in J. sambac during 2021-‘22. The treatments comprised of four levels of plant density viz., D1- one plant pit-1 (control), D2 - two plants pit-1, D3 - three plants pit-1, D4 - four plants pit-1 and two levels of pruning viz., P1 - one pruning year-1(control), P2 - two prunings year-1. The trial was laid out in Factorial Randomized Block Design (FRBD) with three replications. The important traits on flower quality parameters namely the total length of the flower bud, length of the flower bud without corolla tube and corolla tube length, were influenced significantly (P<0.05) by three plants pit-1 (D3) and two prunings year-1 (P2). But there was no interaction effect between plant density and pruning frequency for these flower quality parameters. The interaction effect was also significantly (P<0.05) influenced by the physiological and biochemical traits, namely chlorophyll content, total phenol content, soluble protein and Indole Acetic Acid (IAA) oxidase activity. The pooled analysis data of the treatment T6 (D3P2) was found superior due to increased plant density combined with alteration in pruning. This performed better with enhanced number of new shoots and produced good quality flower buds through enhancement of physiological activity in all three seasons (off, peak and lean) when compared to conventional planting T1 (D1P1) method
Phytochemical profiling, antimicrobial and anticancer potential of Rosmarinus officinalis growing in Kashmir Himalayan region
Get PDFCurrently, medicinal plants are gaining importance in pharmaceutical and scientific communities. Medicinal plants are the most abundant natural source of valuable phytochemicals, which can help treat human diseases. The present study aimed to do phytochemical profiling and assess the antimicrobial and anticancer activity of the methanolic leaf extract of Rosmarinus officinalis. The photochemical profiling of R. officinalis leaves was done by GC-MS analysis. Twenty-six compounds were identified from the leaf extracts with great significance in pharmaceutical science for therapeutically efficient formulations to combat various diseases. The antimicrobial activity was done by the well diffusion method, while the anticancer potential against the A549 lung cancer cell line by MTT (3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay. The highest zone of inhibition was seen against Escherichia coli ATCC 11229 (21 ± 0.7 mm), Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 29212 (19 ± 0.8 mm), Candida albicans ATCC 10231 (18± 0.6 mm) followed by Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 (18 ± 0.8 mm) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (11 ± 0.5 mm) with MIC values ranging from 128 to 256 µg/mL. R. officinalis demonstrated significant (p ≤ 0.05) anticancer activity against the A549 cancer cell line with IC50 values of 39.70 and 33.60 µg/mL for 24 and 48 hours, respectively. The methanolic extract of R. officinalis can be a potential antimicrobial and anticancer agent and a vital resource for developing new drugs.