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Pearl millet is an important staple food crop of poor people which is rich in micronutrients like iron and zinc and amenable for focused breeding for these micronutrients along with high yield. Transcriptome sequencing using ION S5 Next Generation Sequencer generated 43.5 million sequence reads resulting in 83,721 transcripts with N50 of 597 bp and 84.35% of transcripts matched with the pearl millet genome assembly. The genotypes having high Fe and Zn showed differential gene expression during different stages. Of which, 155 were up-regulated and 251were down-regulated while during flowering stage and milking stage 349 and 378 transcripts were differentially expressed, respectively. Gene annotation and GO term showed the presence of transcripts involved in metabolic activities associated with uptake and transport of iron and zinc. In the present study, the 83,721 transcripts were also examined for identification of SSRs. A total of 4,327 SSRs were identified with dominance of tri-nucleotide SSRs in comparison to di-nucleotide SSRs. These EST-SSRs can be used in molecular breeding, genetic diversity analysis and determination of heterozygosity of the allelic loci. Information generated will help in gaining insights into iron and zinc metabolism and develop genotypes with high yield, grain iron and zinc content.

The field experiments were conducted at Student’s Instruction Form, ANDUA&T, Kumarganj Ayodhya. The climate is hot and humid summer and cold winters, during the rabi crop season in the year 2017-18. One hundred genotypes of Rapeseed-mustard were used for the present investigation. The earliest appearance of disease (30 days) was noted in genotypes RAURD-09-32, RM-WR-09-5, PAB-09-07, PRB-2004-3-4, RGN-307, RH-0834, RH-0902, RH-0952, RH-0903, RHH-1101, YSWB- 2012/9 (44 days) PPBJ-2, RAURD-09-78, and (45 days) PPBN-3, PT-2006-4 and lowest disease severity was recorded genotypes PHR-2, (9.5) PAB- 2004-4 (20.5) PPBJ-2 (22.2), PPBN-3 (22.3) PPBN-2 (22.6) PPBJ-5 (23.3), PPBJ-3 (24.3), PPBJ-4 (24.5) PAB-2005-16 (24.5), RRM-789, (43.6), RH-0555A, (43.7). AUDPC showed more susceptible genotypes the lowest PHR-2 (214.5) was recorded and genotypes screened, none of the genotypes were found disease -free or highly resistance, only 1 genotype namely (PHR-2) were found resistance, 8 genotypes namely (PPBN-2, PPBN-3, PPBJ-3, PPBJ-2, PPBJ-5, PPBJ-4, PAB-2005-16, PAB- 2004-4), were rated as moderated resistance, 37 moderated susceptible and 54 as susceptible.

Background Antibiotic resistance in bacteria is a cause for concern, especially in hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) patients. Endogenous bowel microflora in HSCT patients get replaced by hospital multidrug resistant flora and pose risk of serious bacterial infection during the pre-engraftment stage. For decades, many methods to reduce the translocation of gut microbiota in HSCT patients have been attempted. Despite the logic, of using prophylactic antibiotics, there is no consensus on standard regimen. Personalized antibiotic prophylaxis-based on gut microbiota and clinical profile has been suggested by researchers. In this study, gut microbiota in HSCT recipients has been studied with antimicrobial susceptibility testing and detection of various antibiotic resistance phenotypes. Methods Seventy-six HSCT patients (2016–2018) were included. Stool surveillance cultures and antibiotic susceptibility testing were performed. Bacterial isolates were classified into various antibiotic resistance phenotypes. Results This study revealed that 73.75% HSCT recipients had gut colonized with antibiotic resistance microbiota which included extended-spectrum β-lactamase-, multidrug- and extensively drug-resistant phenotypes. Conclusion This study reiterates the importance of individual profiling of gut microbiota in HSCT patients.

The study was conducted with the objective to assess the resistance source against blight in rapeseed-mustard at Student's Instruction Farm, Acharya Narender Deva University of Agriculture and Technology Kumarganj Ayodhya (U.P.) during Rabi 2018-19. Screening of Indian mustard 47 genotypes, these screening was not found highly resistant, resistant and moderately resistance against Alternaria blight of rapeseed mustard six genotypes viz., Kiran, TMR-14-6, TMR-14-1, TMR-14-5, TMR-14-3, TMR-14-4 with disease severity of 5-10 per cent respectively were rated as moderately susceptible were found nine genotypes with disease severity 11-25 percent. 31genotypes were marked as susceptible in which disease severity was found to be 26 to 50%. The highly susceptible only one genotypes was found to be >50 present with disease severity respectively. It could be noticed that the vulnerability level was relatively quite high as compared to resistance status.

A field experiment was conducted at Horticulture Farm, S.K.N. College of Agriculture, Jobner (Jaipur) during Rabi season 2016-17 and 2017-2018. The experiment consisted four bio-fertilizers (Azotobacter, PGPR (Pseudomonas) and Azotobacter + PGPR (Pseudomonas) and five bio-regulators (Thiourea @ 500ppm, Thiourea @ 1000ppm, salicylic acid @ 100 ppm and mepiquat chloride @ 100 ppm). The total 20 treatment combinations were tested in split-plot design with three replications. Further, it can be concluded that combined application of Azotobacter + PGPR (Pseudomonas) along with thiourea @ 1000 ppm proved to be most superior treatment combination as it fetched comparable bulb yield (223.58 q/ha), net returns ( 1,89,332 /ha) and B: C ratio (2.40) followed by Azotobacter + PGPR (Pseudomonas) along with thiourea @ 500 ppm and Azotobacter + PGPR (Pseudomonas) along with salicylic acid @ 100 ppm.

Red rot disease caused by Colletotrichum falcatum is major concern and it causes the loss of 10 to 25% to the sugarcane yield. Effective control of red rot has been mainly through resistant varieties, although several fungicides and bio agents have been found effective under in vitro but failed to facilitate effective control of the disease in the field condition. Therefore, to see the effect and economics of different treatments were tested in field condition on the different sugarcane parameters at Pusa Farm, SRI, RPCAU, Pusa. It was observed that the treatment not only reduces the red rot disease incidence but also enhance the quantitative as well as qualitative parameters of cane. Among the treatments, the maximum enhancement in all the parameters and also higher returns of Rs. 147818/hectare was observed when the setts were treated with Carbendazim 50 WP @ 0.1% for 15 minutes.

A field experiment was conducted during 2017-2018 at N. E. Borlaug Crop Research Centre of Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, to study effect of different integrated weed management practices on yield and economics of dry direct seeded rice in tarai region. Higher grain yield, biological yield, harvest index characters were recorded under pre emergence application of pendimethalin fb penoxsulam (PoE) fb 1HW 45 DAS at 25 cm spacing which was statistically at par with stale seed bed with shallow tillage fb application of pre-emergence application of pendimethalin fb 1 mechanical weeding (MW) with conoweeder at 25 DAS along with 1HW at 45 DAS, mulch fb penoxsulam (PoE) fb 1HW at 45 DAS, Sesbania line sowing with pre-emergence application of Pendimethalin fb 1 mechanical weeding fb 1HW at 45 DAS and stale seed bed with shallow tillage fb Sesbania line sowing fb pre-emergence pendimethalin fb brown manuring with 2,4-D at 500 g/ha fb1 HW at 45 DAS. Whereas, benefit cost ratio was found higher (2.1) under pre emergence application of pendimethalin fb penoxsulam(PoE) fb 1HW 45 DAS at 25 cm spacing which was statistically at par with stale seed bed with shallow tillage fb application of pre-emergence application of pendimethalin fb 1 mechanical weeding (MW) with conoweeder at 25 DAS along with 1HW at 45 DAS, mulch fb penoxsulam (PoE) fb 1HW at 45 DAS and Sesbania line sowing with pre-emergence application of pendimethalin fb 1 mechanical weeding fb 1HW at 45 DAS. From the study it can be concluded that above three integrated practices were same effective as recommended practice for controlling weed with higher return.

Disease screening against Alternaria blight under field condition showed that, none was free from disease only 13 genotypes were found MR and 152 genotypes were found MS, 252 S and 3HS. The high estimate of phenotypic and genotypic coefficient of variation was recorded for YPP and SB., high estimate of broad sense heritability was recorded all characters except YPP. The genetics advance in per cent of mean was found high for PB, high heritability along with high genetic advance was observed for HPF. At phenotypic and genotypic level both YPP shoes highly significant and positive correlation. At phenotypic and genotypic level path coefficient reveled that in HPF, PL. The genotypes were grouped into eight different non overlapping cluster (five 115, three 100, six 84, one 78, seven 37 and three, two and four 1, eight 36 genotypes). The maximum and minimum inter cluster distance was between six, eight and one, three. One highest cluster mean for PH, MAT, and HPF and two (MAT, PH, HPF). Three (MAT, PH, HPF) four (MAT, PH, HPF) five (PH, MAT, HPF) six (MAT, PH, HPF) seven (MAT, HPF. PH), eight had no values due to reason no geminated or un survived plant and GWAS analysis of identified six significant association for Alternaria blight resistance on chromosome (A07, A09, A03, B07, B04, B03) respectively, This study showed that the diversity panel of Indian mustard identified QTLs for controlling of disease resistance against Alternaria blight in Indian mustard.

Once thought to be a minor disease, foliar blast disease of pearl millet, caused by Magnaporthe grisea, has recently emerged as an important biotic constraint for pearl millet production in India. The presence of a wider host range as well as high pathogenic heterogeneity complicates host–pathogen dynamics. Furthermore, environmental factors play a significant role in exacerbating the disease severity. An attempt was made to unravel the genotype-by-environment interactions for identification and validation of stable resistant genotypes against foliar blast disease through multi-environment testing. A diversity panel consisting of 250 accessions collected from over 20 different countries was screened under natural epiphytotic conditions in five environments. A total of 43 resistant genotypes were found to have high and stable resistance. Interestingly, most of the resistant lines were late maturing. Combined ANOVA of these 250 genotypes exhibited significant genotype-by-environment interaction and indicated the involvement of crossover interaction with a consistent genotypic response. This justifies the necessity of multi-year and multi-location testing. The first two principal components (PCs) accounted for 44.85 and 29.22% of the total variance in the environment-centered blast scoring results. Heritability-adjusted genotype plus genotype × environment interaction (HA-GGE) biplot aptly identified “IP 11353” and “IP 22423, IP 7910 and IP 7941” as “ideal” and “desirable” genotypes, respectively, having stable resistance and genetic buffering capacity against this disease. Bootstrapping at a 95% confidence interval validated the recommendations of genotypes. Therefore, these genotypes can be used in future resistance breeding programs in pearl millet. Mega-environment delineation and desirability index suggested Jaipur as the ideal environment for precise testing of material against the disease and will increase proper resource optimization in future breeding programs. Information obtained in current study will be further used for genome-wide association mapping of foliar blast disease in pearl millet.

Pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.] is grown under both arid and semi-arid conditions in India, where other cereals are hard to grow. Pearl millet cultivars, hybrids, and OPVs (open pollinated varieties) are tested and released by the All India Coordinated Research Project on Pearl Millet (AICRP-PM) across three zones (A1, A, and B) that are classified based on rainfall pattern. Except in locations with extreme weather conditions, hybrids dominate pearl millet growing areas, which can be attributed to hybrid vigor and the active role of the private sector. The importance of OPVs cannot be ruled out, owing to wider adaptation, lower input cost, and timely seed availability to subsidiary farmers cultivating this crop. This study was conducted to scrutinize the presently used test locations for evaluation of pearl millet OPVs across India, identify the best OPVs across locations, and determine the variation in grain Fe and Zn contents across locations in these regions. Six varieties were evaluated across 20 locations in A1 and A (pooled as A) and B zones along with three common checks and additional three zonal adapted checks in the respective zones during the 2019 rainy season. Recorded data on yield and quality traits were analyzed using genotype main effects and genotype × environment interaction biplot method. The genotype × environment (G × E) interaction was found to be highly significant for all the grain yield and agronomic traits and for both micronutrients (iron and zinc). However, genotypic effect (G) was four (productive tillers) to 49 (grain Fe content) times that of G × E interaction effect for various traits across zones that show the flexibility of OPVs. Ananthapuramu is the ideal test site for selecting pearl millet cultivars effectively for adaptation across India, while Ananthapuramu, Perumallapalle, and Gurugram can also be used as initial testing locations. OPVs MP 599 and MP 600 are identified as ideal genotypes, because they showed higher grain and fodder yields and stability compared with other cultivars. Iron and zinc concentration showed highly significant positive correlation (across environment = 0.83; p < 0.01), indicating possibility of simultaneous effective selection for both traits. Three common checks were found to be significantly low yielders than the test entries or zonal checks in individual zones and across India, indicating the potential of genetic improvement through OPVs.

A field experiment was conducted to find out the effective dose of some newer insecticides for the management of sucking insect pests of mungbean viz., whitefly (Bemisia tabaci), jassid (Empoasca kerri) and thrips (Caliothrips indicus). The treatments of experiment were Diafenthiuron 50 WP @ 187.5g a.i./ha, Diafenthiuron 50 WP @ 250g a.i./ha, Diafenthiuron 50 WP @ 312.5g a.i./ha, Spiromesifen 240 SC @ 90 g a.i./ha, Spiromesifen 240 SC @ 120g a.i./ha, Spiromesifen 240 SC @ 150g a.i./ha, seed treatment with Thiamethoxam 70 WS + Thiomethoxam 25 WG @ 5 g/kg seed + 25.0 g a.i./ha, Thiamethoxam 25 WG (Std. Check) @ 25g a.i./ha and Triazophos 40 EC (Std. Check) @ 500g a.i./ha. The results of experiment revealed that among the tested insecticides, the treatment T3 (Diafenthiuron 50 WP @ 312.5 g a.i./ha) was found most effective resulting in 85.9% and 77.8% reduction of whitefly and thrips population respectively. The treatment T5 (Spiromesifen 240 SC@ 120 ml a.i./ha) was found most effective against jassid resulting in 77.5% reduction of population.

The present investigation was aimed to study the general combining ability of eight aromatic genotypes of rice and specific combining ability of all possible crosses for grain yield and quality traits in 28 F1’s obtained by 8x8 on way Diallel mating design. The estimates of SCA variance were revealed greater than GCA variance for all the characters except days to 50% flowering, days to maturity, plant height, effective tillers/plant and kernel length after cooking. It showed that both the additive as well as non-additive genetic variance exhibited importance for expression of the characters studied. The Parents, Pusa -2517-2-51-1and Pusa Sugandh-5 studied were identified as best general combiner for both yield and quality traits for most of the characters. Crosses, Pusa-2517-2-51-1×Type-3 showed non additive effects for yield traits only. However, the cross Ranbir Basmati x Pusa Basmati-1 showed non additive effects for quality traits. Cross combination viz., Pusa Sugandh- 5 x Pusa Basmati-1, Ranbir Basmati x Kasturi Basmati, Kasturi Basmati × Pusa-2517-2-51-1 and Pusa Sugandh-3 x Type-3 showed non additive gene action for most of the yield as well as quality traits. For those traits which showed high performance were under the control of dominance and dominance × dominance gene effects, heterosis breeding would be most effective. Thus, present study aims to develop hybrids performing better for both yield as well as quality traits.

An experiment was conducted during 2015–2016 to 2017–2018 at UP Council of Sugarcane Research, Shahjahanpur. Ten promising sugarcane varieties, viz. CoS 12232, CoS 14232, CoS 06279, CoS 10231, CoS 13231, Co 0238, CoS 09232, CoS 08276, CoS 08279 and CoSe 01434, were used for the evaluation of drought-tolerant varieties suitable for planting under water stress condition. Two moisture levels, normal (50 ASM) and deficient (20 ASM), were maintained during pre-monsoon period. Stomatal behavior was studied. Results revealed that all the varieties were adversely affected due to deficient moisture level. Under deficient moisture, varieties CoS 12232, CoS 14232 and CoS 06279 expressed higher total chlorophyll. These varieties showed the minimum rate of transpiration along with maximum stomatal diffusive resistance and leaf water potential under water stress. These varieties also showed a significant reduction in shoot height, leaf area of the first open leaf, shoot population, number of millable canes and cane yield (below 10%) under low moisture levels as compared with other tested varieties. Due to water stress, sucrose content was not affected significantly. Conclusively, varieties CoS 12232, CoS 14232 and CoS 06279 were found suitable for planting under deficient moisture condition.

Nature provides remedial benefits for mankind through medicinal plants. The human being at somewhat suffering from various ailments and relies on different therapies which are being practiced throughout the world...

Present investigation was carried out to study the mode of inheritance of fertility restoration for A4 cytoplasm using pollen fertility and seed set per cent as criterion in determining the fertile and sterile plants. Two CMS lines of A4 cytoplasm were crossed with two fertility restorers generating four F1 crosses, namely, ICMA 99111 x PPMI 1003, ICMA 99111 x PPMI 1087, ICMA 03999 x PPMI 1003 and ICMA 03999 x PPMI 1087, their F2s and backcross generations. All the F1s were completely fertile indicating complete fertility restoration. F2s and backcross generations were evaluated at IARI, New Delhi and IARI Regional Centre, Dharwad during summer 2017 and χ 2 test was applied to test the significance. At both the locations, all the F2 segregating populations fit well into a Mendelian ratio of 15:1 indicating digenic duplicate dominance of fertility restoring genes with χ 2 value of 0.82, 2.90, 0.04, 3.97, 4.86, 4.98, 0.02, 1.26, 3.15, 4.98, 3.15 and 0.02. The F2 hypothesis was verified with the observed frequency of segregating plants fitting well into 3:1 ration with χ 2 value of 5.45, 1.93, 4.93, 0.60, 2.83, 0.44, 4.94, 2.77, 3.33, 0.13, 4.08 and 1.51. It is further confirmation of the findings that fertility restoration is indeed governed by two duplicate genes. Association between pollen fertility and seed set per cent was significant and positive.

Analysis of variability carried out for ten characters in sixteen diverse genotypes of nigella ( Nigella sativa L.) revealed high genotypic and phenotypic co-efficient of variations for secondary branches per plant, number of grains per fruit, number of fruits per plant, length of fruit (cm) and width of fruit (cm). Heritability estimates were high for number of grains per fruit (0.86), number of fruit per plant (0.78), length of fruit (0.64), days to maturity (0.59), number of secondary branches per plant (0.56) and yield per plant (0.47). Higher genetic advance as percentage of mean was recorded for number of grains per fruit (46.11%), number of secondary branches per plant (43.99%), number of fruits per plant (39.65%), yield per plant (24.49%), length of fruit (24.12%) and indicating additive gene effect. Quantitative traits like days to maturity, number of secondary branches per plant, number of grains per fruit and number of grains per fruit exhibited wide range of variability (134.33-143.00) maximum genotypic co-efficient of variability (29.53), maximum phenotypic co-efficient of variability (22.18), broad sense heritability (0.86) and gene gain (46.11).

The nutritional composition of 87 diverse Pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.) germplasm including landraces and commercial varieties was assessed through standard protocols. The results indicated a substantial variability in total carbohydrates [starch (50.37–63.25), amylose (19.26–27.90), sucrose (0.58–1.53), glucose (0.32–0.75), resistant starch (RS) (1.49–3.52), total soluble sugars (TSS) (1.53–3.22), expressed as g/100 g], protein (8.07–18.15 g/100 g), total dietary fibre (TDF) (7.68–16.18 g/100 g), lipids and fatty acids [total lipid (5.24–9.99), palmitic (20.30–32.49), linoleic (32.11–46.91), oleic (21.99–33.43) and stearic acid (3.28–7.91) expressed as g/100 g], antinutritional factors [phytic acid (0.54–1.43 g/100 g) and raffinose family oligosaccharides (RFOs) (0.27–2.08 mmol/100 g)], phenols (0.04–0.21 g/100 g), and minerals. Multivariate analysis using hierarchical clustering analysis (HCA), and principal component analysis (PCA) was used to decipher the diversity of these attributes across germplasm. Multivariate data analysis (MVDA) can be applied for deciphering the differences/ similarities between multiple nutritional attributes, sample types or for projecting the object in a two/ three-dimensional factor-plane, determined based on various distinct characteristics. HCA revealed that Cluster I, II and III showed higher content of amylose, starch, moisture, cluster III had higher lipid content. cluster I, II, III and IV showed higher RS. Cluster II and III had higher TSS, cluster III showed higher sucrose content. Cluster V and VII were indicated by higher glucose and protein content. Cluster II, III, IV and VI showed phytic acid content and cluster III showed higher mineral content. The germplasm displayed distinct regiospecific variations in their nutritional content. Those derived from Gujarat, Maharashtra and Uttarakhand showed higher protein content. Those derived from Haryana, Karnataka, New Delhi, Punjab, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh showed high carbohydrates. Those from New Delhi, Punjab, Tamil Nadu and Uttarakhand showed high Iron content and high copper was found in germplasm from Maharashtra, Punjab and Tamil Nadu. High zinc was found in germplasms from Maharashtra, Punjab, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh. More calcium was found in germplasm from Maharashtra, Punjab, New Delhi, and Tamil Nadu. The analysis can form the basis for the commercialization and utilization of pearl millet using efficacious breeding strategies.

he experimental materials consisted of 36 sugarcane clones including two checks (Co Pant 97222 and Co Pant 3220). Analysis of variance revealed significant differences among all the clones for all the traits under study namely no. of millable canes, cane height, single cane weight, juice sucrose percent , purity percent , cane yield and CCS yield except cane thickness, juice brix and juice extraction percent. The divergence studies through Mahalanobis D2 statistics grouped the 36 genotypes into eleven clusters. The maximum numbers of genotypes (21) were grouped in clusterI and the lowest (1) in cluster VI,VII,VIII,IX,X and XI. Members of cluster VII and XI (46.48) were found to be genetically most diverse on the basis of their inter cluster difference as opposite to clusters I and II (10.77) which are closely related. Cane height contributed maximum (15.397%) towards genetic divergence followed by Single cane weight (14.762%) and no. of millable cane (13.016%). These characters were considered to be most important for the genetic diversity. Lowest contribution was made by juice purity percent (4.286%) followed by Cane thickness(7.301%),Juice extraction percent (7.619%). Genetic diversity is important for sustainable production since greater losses of characteristics in any population limits its chances of survival. Little to no genetic diversity makes crops extremely susceptible to widespread biotic and abiotic stresses. Genetic diversity can be assessed by Mahalanobis D2 statistic, which is a morphometric method and a powerful tool in quantifying the degree of divergence at genotypic level.

Members of the genus Myroides namely, M. odoratus andM. odoratimimus are ubiquitous in nature. Over past decade, these Gram negative bacteria are increasingly being implicated in various life threatening infections in health care setting. Here we report a case of urosepsis due to multi-drug resistant M. odoratimimusin a 41 year old male with anaplastic astrocytoma. The case highlights the importance of surveillance of multidrug resistant organisms in intensive care units of hospital.

In the laboratory seedling were induced with nodule-like outgrowths using different growth regulators 2,4-D,IBA and NAA in nitrogen free Hoagland solution. Induced seedlings were inoculated with Azorhizobium caulinodans (ORS 571) in wheat variety C-306. One set was also raised as control. The treated paranoulated wheat seedlings were transferred to pot culture. The data was collected on 30, 60 and 90 days after sowing, which reveals that as a Azorhizobium caulinodans with 2,4-D treated plants shows maximum photosynthetic rate followed by NAA and IBA combinations. The biomass production was maximum in Azorhizobium caulinodans treated with 2,4-D followed by IBA and NAA.

Mustard aphid, Lipaphis erysimi (Kaltenbach) is a major constraint in increasing the yield of rapeseed-mustard crops in India. Resistance to mustard aphid infestation and its correlation to some physiological and biochemical traits in selected varieties of different Brassica species were studied. Yield and oil content losses of up to 29.4% and 2.84%, respectively, were observed due to aphid infestation. Eruca sativa var. T-27 and Brassica carinata var. DLSC-2 were less susceptible to aphid infestation and had minimal yield losses. Surface wax, total glucosinolate, and phenol contents were found to correlate negatively with the aphid infestation, whereas the opposite relationship was obtained for the sugar content. The study suggests that physical and chemical barriers potentially play an important role in resistance against aphid infestation.

Biofortification of pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.) with improved iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) will have great impact as it is an indispensable component of nutritional security of inhabitants of arid and semi-arid regions. Ten genotypes along with checks were evaluated in RBD in six locations during kharif, 2016 under rainfed conditions. Significant differences were observed in genotype, environment and genotype × environment interaction mean squares for grain Fe and Zn contents, indicating differential nutrient accumulation by the genotypes. The first two principal components obtained in AMMI analysis were significant and cumulatively explained the total variation were 81.47 % for Fe and 73.97 % for Zn. A positive and moderately high correlation (r=0.6) between Fe and Zn contents suggests good prospects of simultaneous improvement for both micronutrients. Among the ten genotypes, PPMI 953 was found to be more stable with high mean Fe (90 ppm) and Zn (59 ppm) contents. On crossing with designated A lines of pearl millet, the line PPMI 953 found to be restorer for A1 system with complete fertility restoration of F1 panicle of the cross, ICMA(1) 863 x PPMI 953 under bagged condition and resulting F1 with 78-84% fertility measured by seed setting % under bag. The F2 individuals showed 9:7 fertility-sterility ratio (χ 2 value=0.002, P value=0.964). The promising line, PPMI 953 may be used as source for further genetic improvement with respect to grain micronutrient content or can be directly used as male parent in development of high iron pearl millet hybrids.

Background Puddled transplanted system of rice cultivation despite having several benefits, is a highly labor, water and energy intensive system. In the face of changing climatic conditions, a successful transition from puddled to dry direct seeded rice (DDSR) cultivation system looks must in future. Genome-wide association study was performed for traits including, roots and nutrient uptake (14 traits), plant-morphological (5 traits), lodging-resistance (4 traits) and yield and yield attributing traits (7 traits) with the aim to identify significant marker-trait associations (MTAs) for traits enhancing rice adaptability to dry direct-seeded rice (DDSR) system. Results Study identified a total of 37 highly significant MTAs for 20 traits. The false discovery rate (FDR) ranged from 0.264 to 3.69 × 10− 4, 0.0330 to 1.25 × 10− 4, and 0.0534 to 4.60 × 10− 6 in 2015WS, 2016DS and combined analysis, respectively. The percent phenotypic variance (PV) explained by SNPs ranged from 9 to 92%. Among the identified significant MTAs, 15 MTAs associated with the traits including nodal root, root hair length, root length density, stem and culm diameter, plant height and grain yield were reported to be located in the proximity of earlier identified candidate gene. The significant positive correlation of grain-yield with seedling establishment traits, root morphological and nutrient-uptake related traits and grain yield attributing traits pointing towards combining target traits to increase rice yield and adaptability under DDSR. Seven promising progenies with better root morphology, nutrient-uptake and higher grain yield were identified that can further be used in genomics assisted breeding for DDSR varietal development. Conclusions Once validated, the identified MTAs and the SNPs linked with trait of interest could be of direct use in genomic assisted breeding (GAB) to improve grain yield and adaptability of rice under DDSR. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12864-019-5840-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Sustainable crop production is a complex issue, and available evidences suggest that mycorrhizal association with crop plants confers yield stability. We present a schematic flow diagram to outline practices that lead unsustainability or sustainability in the crop production. We critically discussed the issue of sustainability and the role of mycorrhiza in crop production. Conventional practices are posing threat to the biological processes and agroecosystem. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi form symbiotic associations with wide range of agricultural crops. Management options should address primary constraints to achieve desired success. This chapter reviews the effect of various management options like tillage, soil biodiversity and fertility management, crops and cropping sequences, irrigation and agroforestry systems on the abundance and diversity of the AM fungi and the plant response. Proper understanding of mutualistic association between arbuscular mycorrhizae and plant roots needed to exploit potential benefits. Long-term studies under diverse field conditions were required to know complex interactions that occur in the mycorrhizosphere and to harness potential benefits from mycorrhizal inoculation.

A field experiment was conducted to see the effect of penicillin-G on total chlorophyll content in (Luffa aegyptica Mill.) The different concentrations of penicillin (25,50,100,150, and 200mg /l) were applied at pre-flowering, flowering and post flowering stages. The lower concentrations (25,50, and 100mg/l) show increasing effect on chlorophyll (in fresh leaves) content in Sponge gourd.

The present study elucidated the hepatoprotective activity of combination of alcohol water extracts (AWEs) of Murraya koenigii (AWEMK) and Phyllanthus niruri (AWEPN) leaves against paracetamol induced hepatic damage in ethanol exposed rats. Phytochemical analysis of AWEs determined the presence of flavonoids and phenols, followed by high performance liquid chromatography determination of an important antioxidant tannic acid in AWEMK and a major bioactive lignan phyllanthin in AWEPN. Gas chromatography mass spectrometric analysis revealed the presence of carbazole alkaloids in AWEMK whereas AWEPN was found rich in sterols. Prolonged consumption of ethanol has been reported to enhance the hepatic damage caused by paracetamol overdose by induction of cytochrome P450 (CYP450) and depletion of reduced glutathione (GSH) in alcohol abusers. Oral administration of alcohol (5 ml/kg/day) for three days followed by paracetamol (500 mg/kg, b.i.d.) for another 3 days produced liver damage in rats as manifested by the significant (P

An experiment was conducted on two groups of sugarcane accessions 15 old (out of cultivation) and 15 new (under cultivation) at the farm of Sugarcane Research and Seed Multiplication Centre, Katya Sadat, Gazipur, U.P. (India) during three consecutive autumn planting seasons 2009–2011 to 2011–2013. The mean value of the characters revealed improvement in different traits which ranged from 8.77 to 56.87 % selection differential rate. High to moderate coefficient of variance was observed for germination, number of shoots, number of millable canes, stalk height, stalk thickness, stalk weight, and cane yield in both the populations. The values of genotypic and phenotypic correlation were higher in new varieties than the old ones for each trait. Further, the value of genotypic correlation was also higher than the phenotypic correlation in both the populations for respective characters. Heritability and correlation response are important criteria for the selection of strong parentage either from the old or new population. Such combinations may be helpful in increasing the cane yield as well as sugar content in the stalk, especially in alkaline condition. The selection of potential parents from the newer population may be more beneficial than the older one except for the selection for some specific desired traits present in the old population. The entries namely CoSe 98231, CoSe 92423, CoSe 95422, CoSe 96436, BO 91, CoLk 8102, and UP 9530 were found better than other entries tested. So it may be suggested that these varieties may be used as parentage in future breeding program to evolve the genetically superior line, which may combine cane yield along with sugar content for alkaline condition area.

In wheat variety C-306, nodule like outgrowths were introduced using, 2,4-D, IBA and NAA in N2 free Hoagland solution. These seedlings were inoculated with Azorhizobium caulinodans (ORS 571) and Nostoc(mixed strain). These treated seedlings were then transferred to pot culture in natural conditions. A set of uninoculated seedlings was also raised in same conditions. Nodule number, ARA and photosynthetic rate was highest in 2,4-D induced seedlings inoculated with Azorhizobium caulinodans while total dry weight, tiller number, leaf area was highest in IBA with Nostoc and most significantly NPK content was also maximum in this combination. Yield was highest in IBA treated seedlings inoculated with Azorhizobium caulinodans.

Wilt is one of the important diseases of sugarcane. The disease incidence may range from 0-75% in different sugarcane varieties under variable climatic conditions in India. It is more than 100 years when the disease was first reported in India, but still a lot of work is required in this field. The detail and extensive studies on the pathogenicity, epidemiology, population biology, variability, host resistance and management of the associated pathogens of wilt are needed to accelerate the research in this field. The disease is mainly confined to Andhra Pradesh, Orissa, Gujarat, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Haryana where moderate to severe incidence of wilt was recorded, while the disease has been found in traces in Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka. Conflicting claims have been made by many workers regarding true causal organism of wilt. Along with Fusarium, two genera i.e. Cephalosporium and Acremonium were found to be associated with the disease under different climatic conditions in India. Though, based on morphological and molecular characteristics SBI, Coimbatore claimed that the pathogen of wilt is Fusarium sacchari in tropical climate of India, but more research is needed on wilt of sugarcane in sub-tropical parts of India.

The efficacy of metronidazole on bioproduction of lactic acid by some lactic acid producing bacteria such as Lactobacillus jugrti NCIM- 2367, Lactobacillus lactis NCIM-2369, Lactobacillus plantarum NCIM-2373, Lactobacillus brevis NCIM-2436 and Lactobacillus delbrueckii NCIM-2025 has been studied. The bacterial strain Lactobacillus delbrueckii NCIM-2025 has been found quite effective and useful for maximum bioproduction of lactic acid, i.e,; 11.253 g/100 ml of lactic acid which is 17.096% higher in comparison to control fermentor flasks, i.e,; 9.610 g/100ml at 7.0×10 M molar concentration of metronidazole mutagene. It has been found that bioproduction of lactic acid in the presence of metronidazole at optimum molar concentration, i.e; at 7.0×10 M attains its best activity when 24% (w/v) molasses solution is allowed to ferment for 5 days of optimum incubation period, at 38°C temperature by maintaining the pH value of the fermentation medium at 5.9 along with other nutritional ingredients required by the lactic acid bacteria.

Effectiveness of three biopesticides viz., Biowilt-X (based on Trichoderma harzianum), Bionem-X (based on Pochonia chlamydosporia) and Biocure-X (based on Bacillus subtilis) were tested against wilt (Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ciceri), root-knot (Meloidogyne incognita) and the wilt disease complex (F. oxysporum f. sp. ciceri + M. incognita) of chickpea (cv. BG-256). The biopesticides were developed by involving novel technology patented in USA and India and were applied to seeds (5 g/kg seed) and soil (40 g/microplot) to evaluate their effectiveness against the target diseases under field conditions. The pesticides viz., carbendazim and nemacur were applied @ 1.25 kg a.i./h and 6.0 kg a.i./h as soil application, and 2g/kg seed as seed treatment. Chickpea grown in the plots infested with pathogens singly or concomitantly developed characteristic wilt and root-knot symptoms, and exhibited significant yield decline. Application of biopesticides checked the severity of the diseases and the resulting yield declines. Application of Biowilt-X decreased the wilt incidence by 60% and promoted the yield of chickpea (46%) grown in F. oxysporum f. sp. ciceri infested plots. The biopesticides Bionem-X and Biocure-X were found effective against root-knot disease and suppressed the galling by 20 and 12% and promoted the yield of infected chickpea plants by 28 and 34% in comparison to the control. Application of Biocure-X was found highly effective against the fungus-nematode wilt disease complex; its seed treatment substantially controlled the wilt and root-knot, and increased the yield of concomitantly infected chickpea by 49°C. Biocure-X was found more effective in increasing the nodulation as compared to other treatments. Effect of carbendazim and nemacur was significant (P Less Than 0.05) in checking the wilt, root knot and disease complex but were not as effective as biopesticides. The present study has demonstrated that biological management of wilt, root-knot and disease complex can be successfully achieved with the application of the developed biopesticides.

Good germination is a basic requirement for higher sugarcane and sugar productivity. It is necessary to understand the mechanism of sugarcane bud germination to maintain optimal plant population. Hence, the present study was undertaken to find out the influence of cultivars and seed sett parts on morpho-physiological traits, biochemical parameters, and germination efficiency at different days after planting (DAPs). Two sugarcane cultivars CoS 97261 (early sprouting) and CoS 96269 (late sprouting) were selected for the study. The experiment was laid out in a complete randomized design with three replications. Bud weights, lengths, and widths at 0, 7, 14, and 21 DAPs were recorded to observe the factors responsible for morphogenesis in germination. Total sugar and total soluble protein were estimated quantitatively and SDS-PAGE protein profiling performed in three portions, viz., top (immature), middle (maturing), and bottom (mature) of a cane. Total sugar content was increased at 7 DAPs, and it decreased at later stages. The total soluble protein content was observed to increase at 7 DAPs; however, it decreased during 14–21 DAPs. The magnitude was more pronounced in CoS 97261 than that in CoS 96269. Protein profiling showed appearances of 60, 40, 25, and 23.5 kDa polypeptides. The results suggest that factors like cultivars, seed sett, and DAPs influenced the utilization of sugars and proteins from sett reserves during the bud germination. Identified fractions of polypeptide also play a significant role throughout the bud germination. This new information might be utilized for the selection of fast-germinating sugarcane varieties in future.

We have carried out radioelemental (232Th, 238U, 40K), petrological and geochemical analyses on granitoids and gneisses covering major rock formations of the Bundelkhand craton, central India. Our data reveal that above characteristics are distinct among granitoids (i.e. pink, biotite and grey granitoids) and gneisses (i.e. potassic and sodic types). Pink granitoid is K-feldspar-rich and meta-aluminous to per-aluminous in character. Biotite granitoid is meta-aluminous in character. Grey granitoid is rich in Na-feldspar and mafic minerals, granodiorite to diorite in composition and meta-aluminous in character. Among these granitoids, radioelements (Th, U, K) are highest in pink granitoid (45.0 ± 21.7 ppm, 7.2 ± 3.4 ppm, 4.2 ± 0.4 %), intermediate in biotite granitoid (44.5 ± 28.2 ppm, 5.4 ± 2.8 ppm, 3.4 ± 0.7 %) and lowest in grey granitoid (17.7 ± 4.3 ppm, 4.4 ± 0.6 ppm, 3.0 ± 0.4 %). Among gneisses, potassic-type gneisses have higher radioelements (11.8 ± 5.3 ppm, 3.1 ± 1.2 ppm, 2.0 ± 0.5 %) than the sodic-type gneisses (5.6 ± 2.8 ppm, 1.3 ± 0.5 ppm, 1.4 ± 0.7 %). Moreover, the pink granitoid and the biotite granitoid have higher Th/U (6 and 8, respectively) compared to the grey granitoid (Th/U: 4), implying enrichment of Th in pink and biotite granitoids relative to grey granitoid. K/U among pink, biotite and grey granitoids shows little variation (0.6 × 104, 0.6 × 104, 0.7 × 104, respectively), indicating relatively similar increase in K and U. Therefore, mineralogical and petrological data along with radioelemental ratios suggest that radioelemental variations in these lithounits are mainly related to abundances of the radioactive minerals that have formed by the fractionation of LILE from different magma sources. Based on present data, the craton can be divided into three distinct zones that can be correlated with its evolution in time and space. The central part, where gneisses are associated with metavolcanics of greenstone belt, is characterized by lowest radioelements and is the oldest component. The southern part, dominated by pink granitoid, is characterized by highest radioelements and is the youngest part. The northern part, dominated by grey and biotite granitoid, is characterized by moderate radioelements.