A short review on sugarcane: its domestication,molecular manipulations and future perspectives

Sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) is a special crop plant that underwent anthropogenic evolution from a wild grass species to an important food, fodder, and energy crop. Unlike any other grass species which were selected for their kernels, sugarcane was selected for its high stem sucrose accumulation. Flowering in sugarcane is not favored since flowering diverts the stored sugar resources for the reproductive and developmental energy needs. Cultivars are vegetatively propagated and sugarcane breeding is still essentially focused on conventional methods, since the knowledge of sugarcane genetics has lagged that of other major crops. Cultivar improvement has been extremely challenging due to its polyploidy and aneuploidy nature derived from a few interspecific hybridizations between Saccharum officinarum and Saccharum spontaneum, revealing the coexistence of two distinct genome organization modes in the modern variety. Alongside implementation of modern agricultural techniques, generation of hybrid clones, transgenics and genome edited events will help to meet the ever-growing bioenergy needs. Additionally, there are two common biotechnological approaches to improve plant stress tolerance, which includes marker-assisted selection (MAS) and genetic transformation. During the past two decades, the use of molecular approaches has contributed greatly to a better understanding of the genetic and biochemical basis of plant stress-tolerance and in some cases, it led to the development of plants with enhanced tolerance to abiotic stress. Hence, this review mainly intends on the events that shaped the sugarcane as what it is now and what challenges ahead and measures taken to further improve its yield, production and maximize utilization to beat the growing demands.

     

Agronomic evaluation of mulching and iron nutrition on productivity,nutrient uptake,iron use efficiency and economics of aerobic rice-wheat cropping system

Field experiments were carried out during rainy (kharif) and winter (rabi) seasons (June–April) of 2008–2010 at Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi, to study the productivity, nutrients uptake, iron (Fe) use-efficiency and economics of aerobic rice-wheat cropping system as influenced by mulching and Fe nutrition. The highest yield attributes, grain and straw yields (5.41 tonnes ha^?1 and 6.56 tonnes ha^?1, respectively) and nutrient uptake in rice was recorded with transplanted and puddled rice (TPR) followed by aerobic rice with Sesbania aculeata mulch. However, residual effect of aerobic rice with wheat straw mulch was more pronounced on yield attributes, grain and straw yields (4.20 and 6.70 tonnes ha^?1, respectively) and nutrient uptake in succeeding wheat and remained at par with aerobic rice with Sesbania mulch. Application of iron sulfate (FeSO₄) at 50 kg ha^?1 + 2 foliar sprays of 2% FeSO₄ was found to be the best in terms of all the yield attributes, grain and straw yield (5.09 and 6.17 tonnes ha^?1, respectively) and nutrient uptake and remained at par with 3 foliar sprays of 2% FeSO₄. Although residual effect of iron application failed to increase the yield attributes, yield and nutrient uptake nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (N, P, K) except Fe. The highest system productivity, nutrient uptake, gross returns, net returns, B: C ratio and lowest cost of cultivation were recorded with aerobic rice with wheat straw and Sesbania aculeata mulch. Application of FeSO₄ at 50 kg ha^?1 + two foliar sprays of 2% FeSO₄ was found better in respect of system productivity, nutrient uptake, gross returns, net returns, B:C ratio and cost of cultivation in aerobic rice-wheat cropping system. The Fe use efficiency values viz. partial factor productivity (kg grain kg^?1 Fe), agronomic efficiency (kg grain increased kg^?1 Fe applied), agrophysiological efficiency (kg grain kg^?1 Fe uptake), physiological efficiency (kg biomass kg^?1 Fe uptake), apparent recovery (%) utilization efficiency and harvest index (%) of applied Fe were significantly affected due to methods of rice production and various Fe nutrition treatments in aerobic rice and aerobic rice-wheat cropping system.     

EFFECT OF NEEM-OIL COATED PRILLED UREA WITH VARYING THICKNESS OF NEEM-OIL COATING AND NITROGEN RATES ON PRODUCTIVITY AND NITROGEN-USE EFFICIENCY OF LOWLAND IRRIGATED RICE UNDER INDO-GANGETIC PLAINS

The nitrogen (N) fertilizer-use efficiency (20–50%) is low in rice fields in India. The neem-oil coated urea can increase N-use efficiency in lowland rice, but the desirable thickness of neem-oil coating onto urea is not known yet. Therefore, field experiments were conducted during kharif (rainy) season years 2004 and 2005 at the Research Farm of Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi to know the suitable thickness of neem-oil coating on prilled urea (PU) for increased N-use efficiency and yield. The treatments comprised of twelve combinations of four N sources (PU coated with neem-oil thickness of 0, 500, 1000 and 2000 mg kg^?1 PU) and three N levels (50, 100, and 150 kg N ha^?1) plus a no-N control. Prilled urea (PU) refers to the common urea available commercially in prills, which is different from urea super granules. Application of urea coated with neem-oil thickness of 1000 mg kg^?1 PU resulted in significantly higher growth, yield parameters, grain yield, N uptake, and efficiency of aromatic rice (Oryza sativa L.) over uncoated PU. Nitrogen application at 122 kg ha^?1 was optimum for increased yield of rice. Nitrogen-use efficiency decreased significantly and substantially with each successive increase in levels of N from 50 to 150 kg ha^?1.     

Long‐term effects of leguminous cover crops on microbial indices and their relationships in soils of a coconut plantation of a humid tropical region

In this study, leguminous crops like Atylosia scarabaeoides, Centrosema pubescens, Calopogonium mucunoides, and Pueraria phaseoloides. grown as soil cover individually in the interspaces of a 19‐yr‐old coconut plantation in S. Andaman (India) were assessed for their influence on various microbial indices (microbial biomass C, biomass N, basal respiration, ergosterol, levels of ATP, AMP, ADP) in soils (0–50 cm) collected from these plots after 10 years. The effects of these cover crops on . CO₂ (metabolic quotient), adenylate energy charge (AEC), and the ratios of various soil microbial properties viz., biomass C : soil organic C, biomass C : N, biomass N : total N, ergosterol : biomass C, and ATP : biomass C were also examined. Cover cropping markedly enhanced the levels of organic matter and microbial activity in soils after the 10‐yr‐period. Microbial biomass C and N, basal respiration, . CO₂, ergosterol and levels of ATP, AMP, ADP in the cover‐cropped plots significantly exceeded the corresponding values in the control plot. While the biomass C : N ratio tended to decrease, the ratios of biomass N : total N, ergosterol : biomass C, and ATP : biomass C increased significantly due to cover cropping. Greater ergosterol : biomass C ratio in the cover‐cropped plots indicated a decomposition pathway dominated by fungi, and high . CO₂ levels in these plots indicated a decrease in substrate use efficiency probably due to the dominance of fungi. The AEC levels ranged from 0.80 to 0.83 in the cover‐cropped plots, thereby reflecting greater microbial proliferation and activity. The ratios of various microbial and chemical properties could be assigned to three different factors by principal components analysis. The first factor (PC1) with strong loadings of ATP : biomass C ratio, AEC, and . CO₂ reflected the specific metabolic activity of soil microbes. The ratios of ergosterol : biomass C, soil organic C : total N, and biomass N : total N formed the second factor (PC2) indicating a decomposition pathway dominated by fungi. The biomass C : N and biomass C : soil organic C ratios formed the third principal component (PC3), reflecting soil organic matter availability in relation to nutrient availability. Overall, the study suggested that Pueraria phaseoloides. or Atylosia scarabaeoides were better suited as cover crops for the humid tropics due to their positive contribution to soil organic C, N, and microbial activity.     

Effect of CIPC on Sprout Inhibition and Processing Quality of Potatoes Stored Under Traditional Storage Systems in India

Indigenous non-refrigerated methods like heaps and pits are used in India for short-term storage of potatoes (Solanum tuberosum L.) to avoid distress sale. Storing untreated potatoes generally results in high losses from sprouting, moisture loss and rotting. To reduce storage losses by inhibition of sprouting and to determine the suitability of stored potatoes for processing into crisps, a single spray application of a commercial formulation of 3-chlorophenyl carbamate (CIPC or chlorpropham) 50% a.i., (Oorja, United Phosphorus Limited, Mumbai, India) of CIPC (or chlorpropham) was tested on potatoes during storage from March to June under two traditional storage methods [heap (17–33 °C, 58–92% relative humidity (RH)) and pit (17–27 °C, 72–95% RH)] in 2 years [2005 up to 90 days of storage (DOS) and 2006 up to 105 DOS], using four cultivars and two rates of CIPC application (20 and 30 mg a.i. kg⁻¹ tubers). The two rates of application were comparably effective in reducing weight losses, sprouting and sprout growth in stored tubers, and the effect was more pronounced in pit storage than in heap storage. By contrast to untreated tubers, CIPC-treated potatoes remained turgid under the two storage methods and fetched market prices comparable to those for cold-stored (2–4 °C) potatoes after 105 days of storage. Reducing sugar concentrations in treated potatoes decreased during storage especially in 2006 when the initial reducing sugar concentration was higher than in 2005. Crisp colour improved only in 2005 after 90 DOS, but it deteriorated in 2006 during storage up to 105 DOS. Sucrose concentration increased tremendously during storage in 2 years. Only one cultivar (Kufri Chipsona-1) with low initial reducing sugar concentration and less sucrose accumulation during storage could produce acceptable colour crisps after storage in both years. The remaining three cultivars—with high initial reducing sugar concentration—were suitable for processing after storage in heap and pit in 2005, but not in 2006. Stored potatoes were safe for human consumption as the CIPC residue concentrations were far below the permissible level of 10 mg kg⁻¹ as prescribed by the European Union. Single spray application of CIPC (20 mg kg⁻¹ treatment) can effectively reduce storage losses in potatoes stored in traditional non-refrigerated methods of heap and pit and extend the storage life by 90 to 105 days.     

Distribution,habitat associations and conservation implications of Sri Lankan freshwater terrapins outside the protected area network

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Within-plant distribution of an invasive mealybug,Phenacoccus solenopsis,and associated losses in cotton

The cotton mealybug Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae), an invasive pest species, has appeared on a large scale on cotton in India since 2006. Its distribution within the plant, and associated yield losses in cotton, were studied over 2 years. Distribution of P. solenopsis was observed within the cotton plant from vegetative to boll formation stage. In the vegetative and square formation stages, the highest mealybug population was recorded on the upper portion of the stem, followed by the middle leaves of the plant. In the boll formation stage, there was no significant difference in distribution of the insect among plant parts. Losses in cotton due to the mealybug varied between 14.9% at Grade 1 and 53.6% at Grade 4, on a 0 to 4 severity index, with a mean reduction of 35% and 32%, during 2008 and 2009, respectively. There was a significant relationship between severity of infestation and decrease in seed cotton yield. The information generated from this study will help in the early detection of mealybug infestation and estimation of yield losses corresponding to the severity grade of the damage.     

Integrated effect of population and weed management regimes on weed dynamics,performance, and productivity of basmati rice (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Oryza sativa</Emphasis> L.)

Weeds caused serious problem on yield reduction of basmati rice worldwide. Losses caused by weeds varied from one country to another, depending on the presence of dominant weeds and the control methods practiced by farmers; therefore, suitable plant population and weed management practices should be adopted. Keeping these in mind, a field experiment was carried out during kharif seasons of 2009 and 2010 at crop Research Centre of SVPUA&T, Meerut, India comprising 4 planting geometries, viz. 20, 30, 40, and 50 hills m^?2 as main plot factor, and 5 weed management practices (Butachlor @ 1.0 kg ha^?1, Butachlor @ 1.0 kg ha^?1 fb (followed by) one hand weeding, Butachlor @ 1.0 kg ha^?1 fb Almix @ 4 g ha^?1, two hand weedings and weedy check) in a split plot design with 3 replications. Experimental results revealed that plant population of 50 hills m^?2 proved superior over that of 20 hills m^?2 in respect of weed density, weed dry weight, number of tillers m^?2, yield attributes, grain, straw, and biological yields. The maximum grain yield (29.00 and 31.00 q ha^?1) and straw yield (51.30 and 52.50 q ha^?1) were recorded in 50 hills m^?2 followed by 40 hills m^?2 during 2009 and 2010, respectively. In respect of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium removal, a reverse trend was observed: the highest in 20 hills m^?2 followed by 30, 40, and 50 hills m^?2. As far as the weed management practices are concerned, both chemical and mechanical methods of weed control were found superior over weedy check. The lowest weed density, dry weight, and highest weed control efficiency, maximum length of panicle^?1, number of panicle (m²), and 1000-grain weight and grain yield of 30.40 and 32.60 q ha^?1 were recorded with two hand weedings which was at par with Butachlor @ 1.0 kg ha^?1 fb one hand weeding over rest of the weed management practices.