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Erianthus arundinaceus [Retzius] Jeswiet, a wild relative of sugarcane has a high biomass production potential and a reservoir of many genes for superior agronomic traits and tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses. A comparative physiological, anatomical and root transcriptome analysis were carried out to identify the salt-responsive genes and metabolic pathways associated with salt-tolerant E. arundinaceus genotype IND99-907 and salinity-sensitive sugarcane genotype Co 97010. IND99-907 recorded growth of young leaves, higher proline content, higher relative water content, intact root anatomical structures and lower Na + /K + , Ca 2+ /K + and Mg 2+ /K + ratio as compared to the sugarcane genotype Co 97010. We have generated four de novo transcriptome assemblies between stressed and control root samples of IND99-907 and Co 97010. A total of 649 and 501 differentially expressed genes (FDR<0.01) were identified from the stressed and control libraries of IND99-907 and Co 97010 respectively. Genes and pathways related to early stress-responsive signal transduction, hormone signalling, cytoskeleton organization, cellular membrane stabilization, plasma membrane-bound calcium and proton transport, sodium extrusion, secondary metabolite biosynthesis, cellular transporters related to plasma membrane-bound trafficking, nucleobase transporter, clathrin-mediated endocytosis were highly enriched in IND99-907. Whereas in Co 97010, genes related to late stress-responsive signal transduction, electron transport system, senescence, protein degradation and programmed cell death, transport-related genes associated with cellular respiration and mitochondrial respiratory chain, vesicular trafficking, nitrate transporter and fewer secondary metabolite biosynthetic genes were highly enriched. A total of 27 pathways, 24 biological processes, three molecular functions and one cellular component were significantly enriched (FDR≤ 0.05) in IND99-907 as compared to 20 pathways, two biological processes without any significant molecular function and cellular components in Co 97010, indicates the unique and distinct expression pattern of genes and metabolic pathways in both genotypes. The genomic resources developed from this study is useful for sugarcane crop improvement through development of genic SSR markers and genetic engineering approaches., (© 2021. The Author(s).)

Plants are confronted with a variety of environmenmtal stresses resulting in enhanced production of ROS. Plants require a threshold level of ROS for vital functions and any change in their concentration alters the entire physiology of plant. Delicate balance of ROS is maintained by an efficient functioning of intriguing indigenous defence system called antioxidant system comprising enzymatic and non enzymatic components. Down regulation of antioxidant system leads to ROS induced oxidative stress causing damage to important cellular structures and hence anomalies in metabolism. Proper mineral nutrition, in addition to other agricultural practices, forms an important part for growth and hence the yield. Potassium (K) is a key macro-element regulating growth and development through alterations in physiological and biochemical attributes. K has been reported to result into accumulation of osmolytes and augmentation of antioxidant components in the plants exposed to water and salt stress. In the present review an effort has been made to revisit the old findings and the current advances in research regarding the role of optimal, suboptimal and deficient K soil status on growth under normal and stressful conditions. Effect of K deficiency and sufficiency is discussed and the information about the K mediated antioxidant regulation and plant response is highlighted.

Jatropha curcas shows invasive characters and is a significant source of many phytochemicals with varying biological activities. Different plant parts of Jatropha curcas L exhibited variation in their phytochemical constituents. Leaves and ovary walls were found to contain higher contents of total phenols, tannins and phytic acid whereas free amino acids were greater in leaves. Young leaves of Jatropha show greater contents of all these metabolites. Further, plants exhibit seasonal differences as leaves collected during summer (May-June) have greater accumulation of total phenols, tannins and free amino acids however, phytic acid was more during rainy season. Leachates and extracts in their higher concentrations adversely affected the germination and growth of wheat seedlings however, lower concentrations were more or less stimulatory. These treatments not only decreased the length, fresh and dry weight of seedlings but also affected the chlorophyll contents and activity of enzymes such as nitrate reductase, aminotransferases in wheat seedlings however, the activity of superoxide dismutase and ascorbate peroxidases increased. Experiments indicate harmful allelopathic effects of Jatropha leachates /extracts on wheat seedlings, hence further experimentation and analysis is recommended before continued plantation of Jatropha particularly on fertile soils. However. Growth of Jatropha plants on saline soils and their potential for accumulating sodium, potassium and chloride are the attributes suggesting the possibility of use of Jatropha plants in improving saline soils.

To find the prevalence and causes of thrombocytopenia during pregnancy. An analytical prospective observational study was conducted in Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, CSMMU, Lucknow. 1079 antenatal women screened for thrombocytopenia and investigated for cause and management strategies and fetomaternal outcome were recorded. Prevalence of thrombocytopenia was 8.8%. Gestational thrombocytopenia was seen in 64.2%, obstetric in 22.1% and medical in 13.68% cases. Mean platelet count in controls was lower with a significant fall (P < 0.001) in the platelet count as pregnancy advanced. Hypertensive and hepatic disorders were the most common obstetric causes of thrombocytopenia. Mode of delivery was not affected by thrombocytopenia. Maternal morbidity and mortality was seen only in medical and obstetric thrombocytopenia. The low platelet counts and declining trend with increasing gestational age predispose Indian women to risk of thrombocytopenia and a routine platelet count is suggested.