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Biomediated ecofriendly method for the synthesis of nickel oxide nanoparticles using plants extracts (Toona ciliata, Ficus carica and Pinus roxburghii) has been reported. The nanoparticles so obtained were characterized by various techniques such as ultraviolet-visible, powder X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, attenuated total reflectance spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis and fluorescence spectroscopy. Formation of nickel oxide nanoparticles was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction where the former technique ascertains the formation of bond between nickel and oxygen. The nickel oxide nanoparticles were found to be crystalline cubic face centered and show intense photoluminescence emission at 416, 414 and 413 nm, respectively. The antibacterial activity was studied against gram positive and gram negative bacterial species by agar well diffusion method. The nickel oxide nanoparticles show better activity against some bacterial strains with reference to the standard drugs Ciprofloxacin and Gentamicin. The anthelmintic activity against Pheretima posthuma of nanomaterials obtained from Pinus roxburghii was found to be greater than that derived from Toona ciliata and Ficus carica using the standard drug Albendazole. This method takes the advantage of the sustainable and economic approach for the synthesis of metal oxide nanoparticles.

Red rot also known as cancer of sugarcane is caused by a pathogen Colletotrichum falcatum (Went.). The disease has a devastating effect as it hinders sugarcane cultivation worldwide. The major way to manage the disease is to develop the disease resistant varieties which require the study of genetic diversity of the pathogen. The present research aim was to study the pathogenic and molecular diversity among the isolates of red rot pathogen collected during surveys of major sugarcane growing areas of Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh states. Pathogenic assay of isolates on fourteen host differentials grouped them into eight groups on the basis of reaction expressed and virulence frequency. The molecular variation among the isolates using ISSR marker analysis showed high level of polymorphism, which confirmed the variation in virulence pattern of isolates. Polymorphism information content (PIC) and similarity coefficient values varied in the range of 0.227 to 0.321 and 0.29 to 0.93, respectively. The dendrogram grouped isolates in different clusters which reveal considerable level of molecular diversity among the isolates. However, the genetic diversity estimates based on ISSR markers did not show any correspondence with pathogenic variation of the isolates which could be due to same geographical conditions. Nucleotide sequences analysis of the ribosomal DNA (rDNA) genes using universal ITS primers showed the nucleotide variation in the isolates which could be due to base substitution at one to four sites which suggested its role in the origin of virulence and diversity in Colletotrichum falcatum. The presence of ITS variation in the virulent isolates suggested its role in the origin of virulence and diversity in Colletotrichum falcatum. But this needs further verification using proteomic approach for the identification of proteins expressed in relation to pathogenicity.

Intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH), a serious cerebrovascular condition, is accompanied by a series of biochemical and pathological events constituting the release of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS), and thus altering the antioxidant mechanisms and antioxidant enzymatic levels. In studying these antioxidant cascades, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis offers the most innocuous tool as it is in close connection with the central nervous system (CNS). This study aimed at assessing the difference in the activities of Catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (Gred), glutathione transferase (GTS) activities in CSF samples of healthy and ICH patient. The level of oxidative damage was highlighted by malondialdehyde (MDA) as a parameter of lipid peroxidation. Total nitrite levels were also measured. During ICH, the decrease in the activity of SOD, CAT and GPx is accompanied by a significant increase in the activities of GST and Gred. Total nitrite and MDA levels both increased significantly. In present study we may conclude that ICH alters antioxidants levels and several of these parameters can be used as biomarkers of extreme cerebral oxidative stress.

Terrestrial mosses which retain moisture provide a suitable ambience for diatoms colonization and suitable experimental platforms for observing climate change impact. The distribution and diversity patterns of such epibryic diatom communities are governed by various biotic and abiotic factors of moss habitats. The present study is first of ever attempt to investigate the moss-inhabiting diatoms in relation to various abiotic environmental variables from the Indian Himalayan Region (IHR). Samples were collected from 23 different sites in the Neora Valley National Park in Eastern Himalayas and analyzed through standard methods. Two-way indicator species analysis (TWINSPAN) and cluster analysis (CA) performed to classify the samples and habitats while direct canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) was used to determine the linkage between moss-inhabiting diatom species from various sample and abiotic environmental gradients. A total of 27 diatoms found colonizing on terrestrial moss patches from 23 sites of the park. CCA ordination plots showed that pH, conductivity and relative humidity were the primary factors influencing the diatom diversity and distribution, but altitude and temperature had no influence on the species distribution. But, correlation study on the average valve length of the most abundant and frequent taxa of Neora Valley National Park, i.e. Eunotia paludosa, E. bigibba and Hantzschia amphioxys, in relation to the environmental variables like, altitude, moisture content, relative humidity and temperature revealed a significant inference. The average valve length of these three diatoms decreases in warmer and drier climatic conditions at lower altitudes. Thus, these can be considered as potential indicator species to observe any climate change.

In semi-arid tropics, sugarcane yield and quality are affected by deficiencies in soil nutrients, including potassium and calcium. We examined the effects of two different potassium fertilizers, a traditional muriate of potash (MOP) and polyhalite (which contains potassium and calcium), on sugarcane growth, yield, and quality. Experimental treatments compared a control 0 kg K ha−1 (T1) to potassium applied as MOP only at 80 kg K ha−1 (T2) and at 120 kg K ha−1 (T3), and potassium applied as an equal split of MOP and polyhalite at 80 kg K ha−1 (T4) and at 120 kg K ha−1 (T5). Relative to the control the potassium-enhanced treatments had improved rates of key growth parameters, and of cane yields, which were 4.4, 6.2, 8.2, and 9.9% higher in T2, T3, T4,, and T5, respectively, than in T1. Regardless of fertilizer used, potassium applied at 80 kg K ha−1 achieved the highest sugar purity and commercial cane sugar content. All potassium fertilizer treatments had reduced (although non-significant) incidences of three key sugarcane insect pests. The economic benefits of polyhalite were reduced due to its higher cost relative to MOP. Combining MOP and polyhalite equally to achieve an application rate of 80 kg K ha−1 is recommended to enhance sugarcane growth and yield.

The current study was carried out at the experimental farm of Rana Sugars Ltd., Buttar Seviyan, Amritsar, Punjab, India, to identify methods to improve the yield and quality of ratoon sugarcane in potassium-deficient soils. The treatments comprised two levels of irrigation, resulting in plants which either received sufficient water (I1) or were water-stressed (I2), and four rates of potassium (K) application: 0 (K1), 40 (K2), 80 (K3) and 120 (K4) kg K2O ha−1. The results showed that the irrigation levels did not influence crop parameters significantly, although all parameters presented higher values for I1-treated plots. Compared to the K1 (i.e., 0 kg ha−1 K fertiliser applied) treatment, the K2, K3 and K4 treatments yielded 11.16, 37.9 and 40.7%, respectively, higher millable canes and 1.25, 5.62 and 13.13% more nodes per plant, respectively. At 280 days after harvest of the first (plant) crop, the I1 treatment provided ratoons which were up to 15.58% higher than those obtained with the I2 treatment, with cane girths up to 7.69% wider and yields up to 7.29% higher than those observed with the I2 treatment. While the number of nodes per plant did not differ significantly between treatments, there were significant differences in other parameters. Quality parameters (with the exception of extraction percentage) were significantly enhanced by the K3 treatment. The benefit-to-cost ratio (B/C) was higher for the I1 treatment than for the I2, due to a reduced productivity associated with the I2 treatment. At both irrigation levels, the K3 treatment resulted in the highest quality parameters. K1-, K2- and K4-treated plots presented more instances of insect infestations than plots receiving the K3 treatment. Relative to the K3 plots, infestation by the early shoot borer (Chilo infuscatellus) was 18.2, 6.0 and 12.2% higher, respectively, in plots that underwent the K1, K2 and K4 treatments, while infestation by the top borer (Scirpophaga excerptalis) was 21.2, 9.21 and 14.0% higher, and that by the stalk borer (Chilo auricilius) was 10.7, 0 and 8.10% higher. Not all infestation differences between treatments were significant. Our research demonstrates that growing sugarcane in potassium-deficient soils with applications of 80 kg K2O ha−1 under irrigation should be recommended to increase yield and quality while minimising insect infestation and to implement sustainable ratoon sugarcane production.

Codonopsis bhutanica Ludlow, a lesser-known endemic species to central and eastern Himalaya, collected for the first time from Arunachal Pradesh, India. The species was previously known only from Bhutan and Nepal. The species is reported here with a detailed taxonomic description along with habitat image, a photo-plate illustrating different features and a map showing the locality in Arunachal Pradesh as a new record to Indian flora.

Ethylene is an important phytohormone that regulates several aspects of plant development including those crucial for drought tolerance. The main aim of the present work was to investigate variability in ethylene sensitivity of mungbeans to seed germination, waterlogging, and leaf senescence, and the underlying transcriptional regulation of ethylene biosynthetic/responsive genes. Significant variation was observed for silver-nitrate-mediated germination inhibition and flooding stress tolerance among the mungbean genotypes. Genotypes with differential ethylene sensitivity (IC-325817 and IC-325756) revealed variable leaf senescence rates upon exposure to exogenously supplied ethephon. Drought induced significant upregulation of VrACS7 and VrERF genes in the more sensitive genotype, implicating the role of plant moisture status in influencing ethylene biosynthesis/perception. Drought-mediated upregulation of VrACS7 transcripts was accompanied by reduced lateral root formation in the more sensitive genotype (IC-325756), although the same did not follow in the less sensitive genotype (IC-325817), which had reduced ethylene responsiveness. These studies emphasize the variability in ethylene sensitivity of mungbeans and reveal a genotype- dependent transcriptional regulation of ethylene biosynthetic/responsive genes upon drought in this waterlogging-sensitive legume crop.

Corallodiscus cooperi (Craib) B.L. Burtt is reported here as a new record for India. The IUCN Red-listed Vulnerable species was earlier known only from Bhutan and has been collected for the first time from outside the country, from Zemithang Valley of Arunachal Pradesh. A detailed description along with images and notes are provided to facilitate its easy identification.

Major nutrient management systems for rice-wheat cropping were compared for their potential to credit organic carbon (C) to the soil, its fractionation into active (very labile, VLc; labile, Lc) and passive (less labile, LLc; non-labile, NLc) pools, and crop yield responses. A ten-year long experiment was used to study effects of: (i) no inputs (Control, O), (ii) 100% inorganic fertilizers (F) compared to reduced fertilizers inputs (55%) supplemented with biomass incorporation from (iii) opportunity legume crop (Vigna radiata) (LE), (iv) green manure (Sesbania aculeata) (GM), (v) farmyard manure (FYM), (vi) wheat stubble (WS), and (vii) rice stubble (RS). Maximum C input to soil (as the percentage of C assimilated in the system) was in GM (36%) followed by RS (34%), WS (33%), LE (24%), and FYM (21%) compared to O (15%) and F (15%). Total C input to soil had a direct effect on soil C stock, soil C fractions (maximum in VLc and LLc), yet the responses in terms of biological yield were controlled by the quality of the biomass (C:N ratio, decomposition, etc.) incorporated. Legume-based biomass inputs accrued most benefits for soil C sequestration and biological productivity.

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The present study is the first report of isolation and characterization of endophytic actinobacteria from cactus (Opuntia ficus-indica). A total of 179 morphologically distinct endophytic actinobacterial isolates were purified from the roots of two different genetic accessions of cactus. All these isolates were screened for their plant growth promotion traits namely growth on N-free medium, P-solubilization, siderophore production, ACC deaminase activity and IAA production. A majority of the endophytic actinobacterial isolates (85%) exhibited the potential for plant growth promotion under in vitro conditions. Ten among the isolates were selected based on their multi-PGP traits and were identified as Streptomyces sp. based on the 16S rRNA gene sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. Plant growth promoting potential of these selected endophytic Streptomyces was studied in wheat seedlings. All these selected isolates significantly enhanced the growth parameters like seedling length and rootlets number compared to the uninoculated control. The wheat seeds inoculated with Streptomyces tuirus VL-70-IX exhibited maximum number of rootlets (6.33) compared to uninoculated control (3.67). The inoculation of endophytic actinobacteria Streptomyces pseudogriseolus VL-70-XII caused maximum seedling length (20.53 cm) and root length (8.26 cm) while the inoculation of S. radiopugnans HV-VIII resulted in highest shoot length (12.33 cm). These endophytic actinobacteria isolated from the roots of cactus accessions showed potential PGP traits. This work lays foundation for characterization and selection of endophytic actinobacteria from the under-exploited, drought tolerant species such as cactus with potential cross-compatibility for the improvement of plant growth of field crops especially under abiotic stress conditions..

OBJECTIVE To characterize glioma preoperatively using quantitative 99mTc-methionine SPECT and comparison with MR-perfusion/spectroscopy and histopatholgical/Ki-67 scoring. METHODS Twenty-nine patients (21M: 8F; mean age 42.3 ± 10.5 years) with clinical and radiological suspicion of glioma assessed by 99mTc-MDM/SPECT and ceMRI. Additionally, 12/29 patients underwent dynamic susceptibility contrast-enhanced (DSCE) MRI and magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) examination. Three patients with benign pathologies were recruited as controls. Histopathological tumor analysis was done in all (n = 29) the patients, and the Ki-67 index was evaluated in 20/29 patients. The target-to-nontarget (T/NT) methionine tumor uptake ratios, normalized cerebral blood volume (nCBV) and metabolites [choline/N-acetyl aspartate (Cho/NAA), Cho/creatine (Cr), Cr/NAA and Cr/Cho) ratios were measured in tumor areas. RESULTS On histopathological analysis, 26/29 patients had glioma (G IV-13; G III-04; G II-09). The mean T/NT ratio in G-II was significantly lower (2.46 ± 2.3) than in G-III (7.13 ± 2.2) and G-IV (5.16 ± 1.2). However, the mean ratio was highest (15.9 ± 6.8) in meningioma (n=3). The T/NT cutoff ratio of 3.08 provided 100% sensitivity, 87.5% specificity for discriminating high-grade glioma (HGG) from low-grade glioma (LGG) disease. Likewise, the nCBV cutoff of 2.43 offered 100% sensitivity and 80% specificity. Only the Cho/NAA cutoff value of greater than 3.34 provided reasonable sensitivity and specificity of 85.7% and 80.0% respectively for this differentiation. T/NT ratio correlated significantly with nCBV and Cho/NAA, Cho/Cr ratios but not with Ki-67. CONCLUSION Quantitative 99mTc-MDM -SPECT provided high sensitivity and specificity to differentiate HGG versus LGG preoperatively and demonstrated a potential role for the differential diagnosis of glial versus nonglial tumors.

Introduction: Various genetic and environmental factors contribute to the development of neural tube defects (NTDs) which are a group of neurulation defects resulting from failure of closure of embryonic neural tube. Among genetic factors is polymorphism in methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene, giving rise to a gene variant or mutant. However, in most studies directed at finding an association between MTHFR variants and NTD, there is no clear evidence of a cause-and-effect relationship. Materials and Methods: Forty diagnosed cases of NTDs and forty healthy individuals were investigated in a case–control study for presence of C677T MTHFR gene polymorphism. Serum folate and Vitamin B12 levels were estimated and MTHFR gene polymorphism was detected by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism. Results: It was found that 32 cases were homozygous with CC genotype and eight were heterozygous with CT genotype, whereas 35 controls had CC genotype and five had CT genotype. TT genotype was absent in both the groups. There was no statistically significant difference between both the groups. No evidence of association between MTHFR C677T polymorphism and NTDs was found. Conclusion: Although there was no evidence of association between MTHFR C677T polymorphism and NTDs, our study does not rule out the impact of MTHFR gene mutation on folate metabolism. The reason for absence of TT genotype and no association could be a small sample size. Larger, comprehensive, and well-designed multicentric but feasible studies involving proper subjects and appropriate and adequate controls from several hospitals may provide more meaningful data.

The present chapter gives a synthesis of the floristic diversity of India, dwelling briefly on its ecosystem diversity, vegetation pattern, species richness in various taxonomic groups traditionally dealt with as plants (angiosperms, gymnosperms, pteridophytes, bryophytes, algae, fungi and lichens), endemism and primitive angiosperms and phytogeographical analysis of the flora. It is estimated that out of 49,003 species of plants forming the evident vegetal cover, angiosperms comprise ca. 18,532 species, representing ca. 10% of all known flowering plants of the world. The largest angiosperm family in the number of species is Leguminosae (with 1421 spp.), followed by Poaceae (1291spp.), Orchidaceae (1251 spp.), Asteraceae (1120 spp.) and Rubiaceae (679 spp.). The largest genus is Impatiens (with 279 spp.), followed by Carex (160 spp.), Pedicularis (145 spp.), Bulbophyllum and Primula (135 spp. each). Existing estimate pertaining to the political boundaries of present-day India is that about 4300 (23.20%) of 18,532 flowering plant species are endemic to this country.

Whitefly has assumed the status of a serious pest of cotton in north India in recent past due to its severe attack on cotton crop. The productivity of cotton crop has fallen substantially from 574 kg ha-1 of lint in the year 2014 -15 to 197 kg ha-1 in the year 2015-16 in Punjab. During extensive epidemiological surveillance of whitefly on cotton crop in the month of September 2016, mummified whiteflies with fungus were noticed on both abaxial and adaxial surfaces of leaves of the infested cotton plant at village, Mandi Khurd, Mansa District of Punjab, India and at Punjab Agricultural University, Regional Research Station, Bathinda, India. The fungus was isolated and purified from the mummified white fly and characterized at molecular level by sequencing 633 bp D2 region of Large Subunit (LSU) rRNA gene and identified as Penicillium oxalicum spg1. The gene sequence has been submitted to NCBI, USA with accession no. KY214238. The microscopic studies (stereo- and scanning electron) of the cotton leaves with mummified whitefly further strengthen the entomopathogenic potential of P. oxalicum spg1. There are few reports of entomopathogenic potential of P. oxalicum spg1 against other insects and pests. To our knowledge, this is the first report of isolation and identification of P. oxalicum spg1 from mummified white fly. It’s potential as a biocontrol agent against white fly can be exploited in a promising way with nominal interference with biological equilibrium.

Despite an existing India-wide inventory of alien plant species, an inventory documenting the occurrence of naturalized alien plant species in each of the Indian states (including union territories) was not available yet. We compiled from the literature a list of naturalized alien vascular plant species with data on their occurrence in 33 Indian states, and related the richness of naturalized species per state to climate, socioeconomic parameters and human influence. In total, we report 471 naturalized species in India, which represents 2.6% of the total flora of this country, and for 449 of them we provide the distribution in the states. The highest and lowest numbers of naturalized species are reported from Tamil Nadu (332) and the island Lakshadweep (17), respectively. The families richest in naturalized species are Compositae (75), Leguminosae (60) and Poaceae (36). The highest numbers of naturalized aliens occurs in states located at lower latitudes in the tropics, and in more northernly located states that even in the dry period still have relatively high amounts of precipitation. Naturalized species richness of a state is furthermore positively related to socioeconomic factors represented by the percentage of the population living in urban areas, and human population density. The state-wise inventory of naturalized alien species improves our knowledge on threats associated with plant invasions in India, and can be used to provide arguments for promoting programs on conservation of native biodiversity in the country as well as in particular states. published

The cryptic nature and lack of consistent biological control of the stem fly, Melanagromyza sojae Zehntner, an emerging pest of soybean, Glycine max (L.) Merrill, necessitated the monitoring and assessment of the impact of the parasitoid complex on seasonal regulation of the pest population. In this paper, we measure and relate, using the host density as a predictor variable, the seasonal density dependence of M. sojae parasitoids and the level of parasitism in soybean fields. The results revealed density dependence of parasitioids. The populations built up concomitant with the host insect, reached their peak during the mid-season, and declined towards the end of the crop season. A complex of 10 species of hymenopteran parasitoids comprising six species from Pteromalidae and one species each from the families Eurytomitidae, Eucoilidae, Braconidae and Eulopidae had a significant impact on M. sojae populations with a peak parasitism of ~50%. The seasonality and relative abundance of parasitoids were explored. Eurytoma sp. (Eurytomitidae) and Gronotoma sp. (Eucoilidae) were the most prevalent parasitoids throughout the season, whereas the pteromalid Sphegigaster sp. was dominant during the mid-season. The modulation of management practices aimed at conservation of these bioagents could improve the biological control of M. sojae populations. We discuss the practicality of several management options aimed at achieving this goal.

Root-tissue colonizing bacteria demonstrated with multiple PGP traits from sorghum plants were identified as Ochrobactrum sp. EB-165, Microbacterium sp. EB-65, Enterobacter sp. EB-14 and Enterobacter cloacae strain EB-48 on the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Here, the in vivo experiments using ½-MS media and ½-MS media + 15% PEG 8000 (for inducing drought stress) indicated stress tolerance imparting ability of these rhizobacterial endophytes in a non-stay green and senescent genotype (R-16) of sorghum. In the experiment with sterile soilrite mix base, seed bacterization with these isolates showed improved plant growth specifically the roots, in terms of root length (~ 44.2 to 50.8% over controls), root dry weight (~ 91.3 to 99.8% over controls) and root surface area (~ 1 to 1.5 fold over controls) under drought stress. Rhizobacterial endophytes were successful, not only in providing better cellular osmotic adjustment in leaves (≥ 1-fold increase in proline accumulation over controls), but favorable physiological responses like Relative Water Content (RWC) and cell Membrane Stability Index (MSI) in the inoculated plants during the drought stress induction. Up-regulation of drought responsive genes like sbP5CS2 and sbP5CS1 was observed in these endophytes-treated plants as compared to untreated control and Escherichia coli DH5α (negative control)-treated plants. Interestingly, the stress imparting traits of rhizobacterial endophytes, including up-regulation of specific genes, were observed during sorghum seedling growth only under drought stresses. The results of this study lead to the conclusion that the potential endophytic rhizobacterial interactions can contribute to plant growth promotion as well as induced stress tolerance in sorghum.

Canopy temperature is an important physiological trait used for screening drought tolerance in several crop plants. Mungbean being often exposed to post-flowering drought,we evaluated a set of 48 genotypes for variability in post-flowering canopy temperature and its association with root traits and other physiological parameters contributing to drought tolerance under soil-moisture deficit stress conditions. Overall, canopy temperature depression revealed significant association with seed yield. Root traits like number of lateral branches and dry root weight exhibited significant negative correlation with canopy temperature. Leaf SPAD readings were positively associated with grain yield and most of the high SPAD genotypes maintained hot canopies under drought. Some genotypes with contrasting variation in SPAD levels (DMG-1050 and SML-1628) maintained their photosystem PSII health at par. Moreover, cool canopy was no guarantee for better PSII health or vice versa. This study identified some cool canopy genotypes (VC-6173-C, IC-325770 and ML-2082) and a genotype (DMG-1050) with novel trait combinations like high SPAD and better PSII health despite high canopy temperature which can be used as donors in mungbean breeding programs. Present study explores genetic variation in these adaptation traits contributing to plant performance under soil-moisture deficit stress conditions and potential of physiological breeding approaches for genetic enhancement of this legume crop.

The present study deals with first-hand information on quantitative assessments of different vegetation layers (viz. trees, saplings, seedlings, shrubs and herbs) collected from 57 permanent plots (size 400 m2), established for long-term monitoring of biodiversity and study of functional aspects in Namdapha National Park (NPP), Arunachal Pradesh, Eastern Himalaya, India during 2017. We grouped all the plots into six clusters as study sites. A total of 60 taxa of trees, 67 shrubs and 81 herbs were recorded within 57 plots during the study. The average species richness per site for trees was 20.83 ± 1.62, saplings 16.0 ± 1.15, seedlings 15.83 ± 1.35, shrubs 23.83 ± 1.58 and herbs 32.67 ± 0.92. Total stem density varied from 117.5 to and 181 ha –1 (152.58 ± 10.04 ha –1 ) for trees (circumference m31.5 cm), 881 to 3000 ha –1 (1652.17 ± 317.61 ha –1 ) for shrubs and from 76750 to 98545 ha –1 (92032.17 ± 3246.60 ha –1 ) for herbs. Tree regeneration status at all the six study sites was ‘good’ (i.e. density of seedlings > saplings > trees). The distribution of tree stems (circumference m31.5 cm) into different size classes showed highest relative density in the lowest stem size class (10–20 cm diameter) which also indicates good tree regeneration in the study area. Dipterocarpus retusus Blume was the most dominant tree species in the core zone area of NNP with ‘good’ regeneration status.

Use of plant bioregulators has been shown to mitigate the impacts of water stress and benefit crops under water scarce conditions. Therefore, a field experiment was conducted to evaluate the interactive effects of plant bioregulators (PBR’s) and supplemental irrigation on growth and grain yield of sorghum [ Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench]. Exogenous application of PBR’s included: 10 μM salicylic acid (SA), 100 mg L −1 sodium benzoate (SB), 500 ppm thiourea (TU), 1.5% potassium nitrate (KNO 3 ) at seedling elongation (20 DAS), reproductive (50 DAS) and panicle emergence (75 DAS) stages and control (no spray of PBR). Line source sprinkler system (LSS) was used to apply variable quantities of irrigation water (IW) i.e. equalling 0.95, 0.80, 0.65, 0.50, 0.35, 0.20 and 0.05 times the CPE (cumulative open pan evaporation). The maximum grain yield (3.60–3.88 Mg ha −1 ) was obtained at IW: CPE 0.80 and declined @ 0.43–0.49 Mg ha −1 for every 0.1 IW: CPE for PBR’s and the corresponding values were 3.49 and 0.53 Mg ha −1 without PBR. The application of PBR’s mitigated water stress and improved gain yield by 6.8–18.5%. SA was more effective under moderate (IW: CPE 0.79–0.50) while SB and TU were better under severe water deficits (IW: CPE 0.49–0.05). PBR’s maintained higher leaf water content, lower canopy temperature, modulated the stomatal opening and ultimately the source–sink relations thereby improving the yield and water productivity under deficit irrigation. The maxima of water productivity varied between 1.16–1.41 kg m −3 with PBR’s while it was 1.12 kg m −3 without PBR and the latter could be achieved with 25.2–49.7% lesser irrigation water (IW) with PBR’s. It is concluded that PBR’s like SB and TU present viable option for improving sorghum yield and water productivity under the conditions of deficit irrigation.

This study investigated 96h median lethal concentration of endosulfan (99%, pure α: β ratio of 7:3) by conducting static non-renewable acute toxicity bio-assay in Chanos chanos juvenile with average weight (110±5.65g). Further, the effect of different definitive doses (18.5, 19.5, 20.5, 21.5 and 22.5µg/L) of endosulfan on metabolic, heamato-immunoligcal and histopathological response were probed. Anti-oxidative enzymes CAT, SOD and GST showed significant (p

A field experiment was conducted for two years (2013–15) to evaluate the response of tomato ( Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) to deficit irrigation (DI) with drippers. The options tried were either the regulated DI on the basis of climatological approach i.e. irrigation water equalling 0.6, 0.8 and 1.0 times the evapotranspiration (ET) or DI (0.6xET) at phenological stages (vegetative, flowering, fruiting, vegetative-cum-flowering, vegetative-cum-fruiting and flowering-cum-fruiting stages) and disrupting irrigation (15 days) at either of vegetative, flowering and fruiting stage. Compared with the full irrigation (FI; 78.0 Mg ha −1 ) the regulated deficit irrigation though did not affect the marketable fruit yield (MFY) at RDI 0.8, there was loss of about one-fourth MFY with RDI 0.6. Nevertheless the water productivity (19.2 kg m −3 ) was the maximum under RDI 0.8. When the deficit irrigation was applied at different growth stages, MFY was rather improved by 4% with DI 0.6(VS) while DI 0.6(FL) showed little effect and a decline of 7% was monitored with DI 0.6(FT). The DI applied at either of two stages (DI 0.6(VS + FL) ; DI 0.6(FL + FT) ; DI 0.6(VS + FT) ) resulted in 14–18% decline in MFY. The crop was able to tolerate interruptions of irrigation for 15 days at the above phenological stages i.e. simulating canal closures and the decline in yield was only 3–7%, the highest being at fruiting stages (II FT ). The major advantage of DI was improvement in quality in terms of total soluble solid, ascorbic acid, acidity and colour index (lycopene) though the fruit size was affected. It was concluded that benefits of deficit irrigation in terms of improved quality and water productivity while sustaining fruit yield could be achieved with regulated DI at 0.8xET and DI at 0.6xET during vegetative stage followed by flowering.

The amelioration effect of water-soluble vitamin pyridoxine against stress was evaluated in milkfish, Chanos chanos exposed to endosulfan. Two hundred and twenty-five fish were distributed randomly into five treatments, each with three replicates. Four isocaloric and isonitrogenous diets with graded levels of pyridoxine feed were as follows: normal water and fed with control diet (En0/PY0); endosulfan-treated water and fed with control diet (En/PY0); and endosulfan-treated water and fed with 50 (En/PY 50 mg/kg), 75 (En/PY 75 mg/kg) and 100 mg/kg (En/PY 100 mg/kg) pyridoxine-supplemented feed. The endosulfan in treated water was maintained at a level of 1/40th of LC50 (0.52 ppb). The effect of dietary pyridoxine supplementation was studied in terms of antioxidative enzymes (catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione-S-transferase), stress markers [heat-shock protein 70, caspase-3, cortisol, acetylcholine esterase (AChE), blood glucose], immunohaematological parameters (total protein, albumin, globulin and A/G ratio, nitroblue tetrazolium, RBC, WBC, Hb), gill histopathology and a subsequent challenge study with Vibrio parahaemolyticus. The antioxidative enzymes, stress markers, albumin and A/G ratio were significantly (p < 0.01) elevated, brain AChE and immunohaematological parameters were significantly (p < 0.01) decreased, and chromosome aberration and gill histopathology were also altered due to endosulfan exposure. The relative survival % was reduced due to the combined effect of endosulfan stress and bacterial challenge. Fish fed the diet supplemented with pyridoxine at 75 and 100 mg/kg was found to restore the studied parameter towards normal compared with control and indicated protection against endosulfan-induced stress significantly (p < 0.01). Results obtained in the present study indicate that the supplementation of 75 and 100 mg/kg of pyridoxine in the diet has a definitive role in the mitigation of the endosulfan-induced stress in milkfish, C. chanos fingerlings.

Halotolerant bacteria associated with Psoralea corylifolia L., a luxuriantly growing annual weed in salinity-affected semi-arid regions of western Maharashtra, India were evaluated for their plant growth-promoting activity in wheat. A total of 79 bacteria associated with different parts viz., root, shoot and nodule endophytes, rhizosphere, rhizoplane, and leaf epiphytes, were isolated and grouped based on their habitat. Twelve bacteria isolated for their potential in plant growth promotion were further selected for in vitro studies. Molecular identification showed the presence of the genera Bacillus, Pantoea, Marinobacterium, Acinetobacter, Enterobacter, Pseudomonas, Rhizobium, and Sinorhizobium (LC027447-53; LC027455; LC027457, LC027459, and LC128410). The phylogenetic studies along with carbon source utilization profiles using the Biolog® indicated the presence of novel species and the in planta studies revealed promising results under salinity stress. Whereas the nodule endophytes had minute plant growth-promoting (PGP) activity, the cell free culture filtrates of these strains enhanced seed germination of wheat (Triticum aestivum L). The maximum vigor index was monitored in isolate Y7 (Enterobacter sp strain NIASMVII). Indole acetic acid (IAA) production by the isolates ranged between 0.22 and 25.58 μg mL-1. This signifies the need of exploration of their individual metabolites for developing next-generation bio-inoculants through co-inoculation with other compatible microbes. This study has potential in utilization of the weed-associated microbiome in terms of alleviation of salinity stress in crop plants.

Zingiber pseudosquarrosum L. J. Singh & P. Singh sp. nov. (Zingiberaceae) from Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India is described and illustrated and its conservation status is evaluated. This new species seems related to Z. squarrosum Roxb. but can be distinguished by the presence of a small pseudostem, long ligule and petiole, broadly lanceolate leaves with cuneate base, caudate apex and paxillate venation, urceolate or prolate inflorescences, very long underground peduncle, long calyx, very long corolla tube, labellum deep purple red (claret) at centre, orange red (vermillion) at lateral sides with ivory (off white) spots, tip truncate and slightly notched, margin folded back, stamen with short filament, yellow orange anther, light brown ovary, blood red (cinnabar) seeds covered by a white aromatic aril. A key to the species of Zingiber Mill. from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands is also provided.

An attempt was made to assess the effect of dietary pyridoxine supplementation on growth performance and cellular metabolic enzymes of Chanos chanos fingerlings under endosulfan induced stress. Two-hundred and twenty-five fish were randomly distributed into five treatments, each with three replicates and fed four isocaloric and isonitrogenous diets with graded levels of pyridoxine for 45 days. Endosulfan concentration in the water was maintained at sublethal level of 1/40th of 96 h LC50 (0.52 ppb). Dietary pyridoxine supplementation significantly enhanced growth performance viz. weight gain (%), specific growth rate, feed conversion ratio and protein efficiency ratio of fish compared to control diet fed group. The results of this experiment revealed that the activities of digestive and metabolic enzymes were significantly improved after feeding with dietary pyridoxine supplementation in C. chanos. Significantly increased muscle and brain ascorbic acid content was observed in fish fed diets containing pyridoxine. Histological studies on liver of fish fed pyridoxine-supplemented diet showed the normal architecture of hepatocytes compared to non-pyridoxine fed group. The results obtained in this study revealed that the inclusion of pyridoxine in diet has a protective effect against endosulfan induced stress in C. chanos fingerlings through metabolic enzyme activities and vitamin C content. This study has a potential in ameliorating the toxic effect of endosulfan induced stress using dietary supplementation of pyridoxine.

Deficit irrigation (DI) and plant growth regulators (PGRs) have strategic role for sustaining crop productivity and mitigating water stress in drought prone areas. However, their impacts are yet to be quantified for eggplant (Solanum melongena L.), a popular drought tolerant vegetable crop grown in water scarce Deccan Plateau of India. We conducted field experiments during 2016–17 and 2017–18 in a drought prone region of Deccan Plateau, India to evaluate the interactive effect of PGRs viz., 1.38 mg L−1 salicylic acid (SA), 1.5% potassium nitrate (PN), 500 ppm thio-urea (TU) and 100 ml L−1 bio-stimulant (BS) and varied levels of DI generated using line source sprinkler system. The marketable fruit yields were reduced to 86, 74, 50, 30, 12 and 8% with increased level of DI i.e. when the applied irrigation water (IW) equalled 0.00, 0.15, 0.30, 0.45, 0.60 and 0.75 times the cumulative open pan evaporation (CPE) against the recommended irrigation practice (IW:CPE 0.90). Application of PGRs improved fruit yields by 7.3–22.7% and their role to alleviate water stress was indicated by lower canopy temperatures, maintaining higher leaf relative water content, modulation of stomatal opening and higher consumptive use of water. Particularly SA and TU were superior under low to medium water stress (IW:CPE 0.45–0.75) whereas PN was effective in severe water stress (IW:CPE 0.0–0.44) while the effect of BS was almost similar with PGRs like TU under medium stress conditions. The maximum water productivity (WP) varied between 5.50 and 6.77 kg m−3 for different PGRs and it was 5.16 kg m−3 without PGRs indicating water savings to the order of 28.8–57.4% with the former. The fruit quality attributes such as mean diameter, sphericity, fruit weight and firmness traits declined with water stress while these were considerably rectified with PGRs. Higher accumulation of dry matter, sugar, protein, total phenolics, flavonoids and improved rehydration quality as well as potentially affecting enzymatic activity were monitored with PGRs. It is concluded that exogenous application of PGRs like SA and PN along with medium levels of DI can help in rational utilization of water resources and could effectively improve yield and post-harvest quality of eggplant fruits especially under water scarce environment of Deccan Plateau.

Gibberellic acid (GA) is an important phyto-hormone mediating plant growth. In present study, we evaluated the impact of GA treatment on morphological, phenological and molecular aspects of five mungbean genotypes. GA treatment caused a significant increase in plant height and branch angle in most of the genotypes. However, there was no impact of GA treatment on days to first anthesis, days to 50% flowering and pod length. Genotypes SML-859 and EC-48 revealed no change in their plant height and branch angle respectively upon GA treatment, suggestive of their probable GA insensitivity. Expression of flowering associated gene- VrSOC1 remained unaffected by GA treatment, validating thereby that exogenously supplied GA does not induce early flowering in mungbeans.

This paper deals with the lectotypification of eight binomials of seven recognized species of Litsea Lam. endemic to India, namely Litsea assamica (Meisn.) Hook. f., L. coriacea (B. Heyne ex Nees) Hook. f., L. membranifolia Hook. f., L. oleoides (Meisn.) Hook. f., L. stocksii (Meisn.) Hook. f., L. venulosa (Meisn.) Hook. f., and L. wightiana (Nees) Hook. f. Types of three other endemic species, viz. L. beddomei Hook. f., L. mishmiensis Hook. f. and L. oreophila Hook. f. are also specified. Bangladesh J. Plant Taxon. 22 (2): 77-81, 2015 (December)

Large areas in arid and semi-arid regions remain barren due to lack of irrigation. The underground aquifers in these regions are either saline or sodic. Groundwater surveys indicate that poor-quality water is used to irrigate arable crops in 25–84 % of the total groundwater development areas in north-western states of India. The present long-term study assessed the performance of low-water-requiring, salt-tolerant fruit-based (Carissa carandas, Emblica officinalis, Aegle marmelos) agroforestry systems with saline irrigation under sem-iarid conditions. The companion crops such as Hordeum vulgare for malt, Brassica juncea, a seed oil (winter), and Cyamopsis tetragonoloba for gum and Pennisetum typhoides, a coarse grain/fodder (summer), were grown in inter-row spaces. The fruit trees were successfully established in the sill of furrows using low (EC 4–5 dS m−1) salinity water. Subsequently, all the systems were irrigated with water of low and high (8.5–10.0 dS m−1) salinity and their alternate use as per treatments. Fruit yields under alternate and high saline irrigation reduced by 18–27.5 % in Carissa, 41.6 % in Emblica and 31.7–54.8 % in Aegle, respectively. There was no significant reduction in grain yields of Pennisetum and Hordeum. However, in subsequent years, the seed yields of Cyamopsis and Brassica reduced with saline water and more so when intercropped with Aegle. Carissa with Pennisetum and Hordeum performed best with saline water. The study shows that saline water (ECiw up to 10 dS m−1) could be used sustainably for these fruit-based agroforestry systems without significant salinity build-up in sandy loam calcareous soils. Thus, such fruit-based agroforestry systems could be a viable option for the areas with only saline groundwater available for irrigation.

Various options of deficit irrigation (DI) were tested for accumulation of functional food compounds on tomato included; (i) continuous deficit irrigation i.e. applying irrigation water equally (0.6, 0.8 and 1.0 evapotranspiration (ET)), (ii) DI at vegetative, flowering and fruiting stages (0.6 ET for 30 days), (iii) DI at vegetative and flowering, vegetative and fruiting, flowering and fruiting stage (0.6ET for 30 days at each stage) and (iv) withholding of irrigation at vegetative, flowering and fruiting stage for 15 days.Fruit quality and functional food properties improved with DI. Color (a/b* ratio) and the concentrations of vitamin C increased by 82 and 70% with irrigation of 0.6 ET continuous DI compared to control. Withholding irrigation during fruit development induced color development (52%), vitamin C content (16%) and recorded better lycopene content (10.2 mg/100 g). The total phenolics and flavonoids ranged between 16 and 42 mg gallic acid equivalent/100 g and 4–10 mg catechin equivalent/100 g respectively with higher values recorded under DI at fruiting stage. Antioxidant activity (AOA) tested with different in vitro assays revealed the positivity of DI on improvement of bioactive compounds. Superoxide dismutase activity was significantly higher in DI treatments at fruiting stage compared to catalase activity. DI or withholding irrigation at fruiting stage could improve the quality of tomato due to redox oriented homeostasis of biologically active compounds and their biosynthesis.

Background: Tuberculosis is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in the Indian subcontinent. A major challenge to clinical microbiology is the detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis as accurately as possible. Objective: Tthe most important tool in the diagnosis of tuberculosis is direct microscopic examination of appropriately stained specimens for acid- fast bacilli and the gold standard for diagnosing tuberculosis is MTB convention culture on L-J media So, the present study was undertaken to compare smear microscopy by Z – N staining with conventional culture on L-J media, in cases of clinically suspected Pulmonary Tuberculosis and Extra Pulmonary Tuberculosis. Methods: 279 samples were processed within 24 hours of receipt. Samples from non-sterile sites were subjected to decontamination by the modified Petroff’s method. Sterile samples were directly processed as per conventional methods. Smear microscopy was done by Z- N staining and culture was done on L- J media. A control organism in the form of M. tuberculosis H37Rv was also tested with each batch of clinical isolates. Result : Results of smear microscopy and conventional culture of pulmonary and extra pulmonary specimens were compared. 22 and 14 more cases were detected by culture as compared to smear in case of pulmonary and extra pulmonary specimens respectively. Conclusion : From this study we can state that direct microscopic examination of appropriately stained Pulmonary and Extra Pulmonary specimens for acid fast Bacilli is an important tool in the diagnosis of tuberculosis. The Technique is simple, inexpensive and fast .However many Paucibacillary cases may be missed on smear microscopy. Thus specimens from all suspected cases of Pulmonary and Extrapulmonary Tuberculosis should be subjected to conventional culture on LJ media. This is the Gold Standard for Diagnosing Tuberculosis.

Symbiotic effectiveness of rhizobitoxine (Rtx)-producing strains of Bradyrhizobium spp. in soybean (cultivar NRC-37/Ahilya-4) under limited soil moisture conditions was evaluated using phenomics tools such as infrared(IR) thermal and visible imaging. Red, green and blue (RGB) colour pixels were standardized to analyse a total of 1017 IR thermal and 692 visible images. Plants inoculated with the Rtx-producing strains B. elkanii USDA-61 and USDA-94 and successive inoculation by B. diazoefficiens USDA-110 resulted in cooler canopy temperatures and increased canopy greenness. The results of the image analysis of plants inoculated with Rtx-producing strains were correlated with effective nodulation, improved photosynthesis, plant nitrogen status and yield parameters. Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed the reliability of the phenomics approach over conventional destructive approaches in assessing the symbiotic effectiveness of Bradyrhizobium strains in soybean plants under watered (87.41–89.96%) and water-stressed (90.54–94.21%) conditions. Multivariate cluster analysis (MCA) revealed two distinct clusters denoting effective (Rtx) and ineffective (non-Rtx) Bradyrhizobium inoculation treatments in soybean. Furthermore, correlation analysis showed that this phenotyping approach is a dependable alternative for screening drought tolerant genotypes or drought resilience symbiosis. This is the first report on the application of non-invasive phenomics techniques, particularly RGB-based image analysis, in assessing plant-microbe symbiotic interactions to impart abiotic stress tolerance.

Background Grain yield of wheat is primarily determined by both grain number and grain weight, which often influence each other in response to environmental stimuli. Some of the genotypes are capable of maintaining high single grain weight (SGW) across the environments. Understanding mechanisms and factors associated with the superiority of such genotypes over others is necessary to enhance productivity of wheat. Results Experiments were conducted to elucidate the physiological basis of high SGW of LOK-1, a wheat cultivar grown in dry and hot environments in the central and peninsular zones of India. SGW of LOK-1 was least affected by removal of spikelets indicating little competition between the grains within the spike for assimilates. Reduction in SGW due to defoliation was less and the contribution of stem reserves to the grain development was high in LOK-1 relative to other cultivars. It seems that high level of expression of genes such as expansin (TaExpA6) contributes to the high SGW of LOK-1. Conclusions Source was not a limiting factor for grain growth of LOK-1 in contrast to other cultivars, whereas sink appeared to be a limiting factor in recently released/identified cultivars. Differences in the amounts of water soluble stem carbohydrate reserves translocated to grain could be one of the factors contributing to higher grain weight in LOK-1. High level expression of TaExpA6, one of the genes contributing to the elongation of endosperm, seems to be crucial for grain growth in wheat. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s40529-017-0169-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

HER2 positive breast cancer is characterized by the low survival rate in the metastatic patients. Development of resistance and disease-relapse are the major problems associated with the currently available therapies for HER2 positive breast cancer. There are two major targeted therapies for HER2 positive breast cancer viz. monoclonal antibodies and tyrosine-kinase inhibitors, and both of these therapies have their advantages and limitations. To address the limitations associated with the existing therapies, use of antibodies and TKIs as combination therapy proved to be more effective. Various chemical modifications can be performed on tyrosine-kinase inhibitors to develop novel ligands with increased selectivity for HER2 kinase. A number of tyrosine-kinase inhibitors are in various phases of clinical trials for the treatment of HER2 positive breast cancer. In the current review article, recent developments on various HER2 tyrosine-kinase inhibitors have been reported. Various structurally different scaffolds bind to the HER2 receptor and exhibit potent anti-cancer activities. The structural and pharmacophoric requirements of the scaffolds are discussed in detail so as to discover effective drug candidates for the treatment of HER2 positive breast cancer.

A diverse group of bacteria colonize the exo- and endo-rhizospheres of sorghum and play a critical role in its tolerance to drought and other abiotic stresses. Two hundred and eighty endophytic bacteria were isolated from the surface-sterilized roots of four sorghum cultivars that were grown on three soil types at three different phenological stages of growth. The isolates were subjected to in vitro screening for their plant growth promoting traits. Out of 280 isolates, 70 could produce Indole 3-Acetic Acid (IAA), 28 showed N-fixation, 28 could solubilize phosphate, 24 had ACC deaminase activity and 13 isolates were able to produce siderophores. Functional diversity grouping of the isolates indicated one isolate having five PGP traits and two isolates having four PGP traits; two and 29 isolates having three and two PGP traits, respectively. Among the thirty-four isolates that possessed multiple PGP traits, 19 and 17 isolates were able to produce significant quantities of IAA in the presence and absence of l-tryptophan, an inducer. Eight isolates possessed high levels of ACC deaminase activity. PCR–RFLP of the 16Sr RNA gene revealed a distinct clustering and considerable genetic diversity among these functionally characterized isolates. The 16S rRNA gene based identification of the isolates of single and multiple PGP traits revealed phylogenetic dominance of Firmicutes; Acinetobacter, Bacillus, Enterobacter, Geobacillus, Lysinibacillus, Microbacterium, Ochrobactrum, Paenibacillus and Pseudomonas were the major genera present in the endo-rhizosphere of sorghum. Results of this study are constructive in selection of effective rhizobacterial endophytes or consortia for drought stress alleviation in sorghum.

Abiotic stresses are the foremost limiting factors for agricultural productivity. Crop plants need to cope up adverse external pressure created by environmental and edaphic conditions with their intrinsic biological mechanisms, failing which their growth, development, and productivity suffer. Microorganisms, the most natural inhabitants of diverse environments exhibit enormous metabolic capabilities to mitigate abiotic stresses. Since microbial interactions with plants are an integral part of the living ecosystem, they are believed to be the natural partners that modulate local and systemic mechanisms in plants to offer defense under adverse external conditions. Plant-microbe interactions comprise complex mechanisms within the plant cellular system. Biochemical, molecular and physiological studies are paving the way in understanding the complex but integrated cellular processes. Under the continuous pressure of increasing climatic alterations, it now becomes more imperative to define and interpret plant-microbe relationships in terms of protection against abiotic stresses. At the same time, it also becomes essential to generate deeper insights into the stress-mitigating mechanisms in crop plants for their translation in higher productivity. Multi-omics approaches comprising genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics and phenomics integrate studies on the interaction of plants with microbes and their external environment and generate multi-layered information that can answer what is happening in real-time within the cells. Integration, analysis and decipherization of the big-data can lead to a massive outcome that has significant chance for implementation in the fields. This review summarizes abiotic stresses responses in plants in-terms of biochemical and molecular mechanisms followed by the microbe-mediated stress mitigation phenomenon. We describe the role of multi-omics approaches in generating multi-pronged information to provide a better understanding of plant-microbe interactions that modulate cellular mechanisms in plants under extreme external conditions and help to optimize abiotic stresses. Vigilant amalgamation of these high-throughput approaches supports a higher level of knowledge generation about root-level mechanisms involved in the alleviation of abiotic stresses in organisms.

A field experiment was conducted at Regional Station, PAU, Bathinda, to investigate the impact of dual inoculation with N fixing and phosphorous solublizing bacteria with different fertility levels on performance of cluster bean cultivars during Kharif 2013 and 2014. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design, keeping combination of four cultivars (RGC 936, HG 563, RGC 1003 and RGC 1066) and three fertility levels (Recommended inorganic nutrition 20 kg N and 47.5 kg P2O5/ha, 75 % recommended inorganic nutrition + Rhizobium + phosphorous solublizing bacteria inoculation and 50 % recommended inorganic nutrition + 50 % N through farm yard manure). Guar cultivar RGC 1066 produced maximum seed and dry fodder yield which was statistically at par with RGC 1003 and HG 363 but significantly superior than RGC 936. Plant height and pods/plant were also maximum in RGC 1066 and at par with RGC 1003 and HG 563 but significantly superior over RGC 936. Among the fertility levels, yield attributes and seed yield did not differ significantly except the 50 % flowering and dry fodder yield. Dry fodder yield was significantly higher in plots where 50 % N was substituted with farm yard manure than 25 % inorganic nutrition substituted with inoculation with Rhizobium + PSB and 100 % recommended inorganic fertilized plots. Path coefficient analysis revealed that days to 50 % flowering (DTFF) and pods/plant (PPP) had positive direct effect on Seed yield (SY) with path coefficient of 2.270 and 1.119 at contribution of 38.48 and 19.77 per cent of the total effects, respectively. The direct effect of plant height (PH) on seed yield (SY) was comparatively larger but negative at coefficient value of -2.459 with 41.66 per cent contribution which resulted in significant correlation (r=0.985).

Cotton crop was domesticated independently in separate parts of the world and comprises of at least four cultivated species and several geographical races. The crop is attacked by a wide variety of insect pests, which cause enormous losses in yield and lower the quality of fibre. Major efforts have been directed towards development of cultivars resistant to sucking pests (especially jassid and whitefly) and bollworms and budworms. Selection of hairy jassid resistant/tolerant genotypes in Africa and India are among the earliest examples of exploitation of host plant resistance in minimizing crop losses due to insect pests. While this trait helped in successfully managing the jassid problem, it led to increased susceptibility to whitefly and some bollworm species. Although several morphological and biochemical traits were found associated with resistance to one or more pests, the same traits resulted in increased susceptibility to other pests. A spectacular success in the development of bollworm- and budworm-resistant cotton was achieved with the development of Bt-transgenic cotton incorporating a gene encoding for delta-endotoxin from the soil-inhabiting bacterium, B. thuringiensis. A stacking of two or more resistance genes has helped to improve the activity spectrum of Bt cotton against several lepidopteran pests. Issues concerning biosafety of Bt cotton and management of resistance to Cry toxins in target pests are also discussed.