A study of genetic diversity among Indian bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars released during last 100?years

Genetic diversity was examined in a collection of 263 Indian bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars using 90 SSR markers. These cultivars were classified into Group I (pre-green revolution cultivars) and Group II cultivars (post-green revolution cultivars). SSR markers were also classified into Set-I SSRs (42 random genomic SSRs) and Set-II SSRs (48 SSRs associated with QTLs for grain weight). The SSRs belonging to Set-II exhibited relatively low level of polymorphism, suggesting that the SSRs associated with QTL for grain weight in wheat were probably under selection pressure during wheat breeding. AMOVA indicated that proportion of the variation within each of the two groups of cultivars accounted for most (87.59%) of the molecular variance, while the variation between the two groups of cultivars accounted for only 12.41% of the variance. The estimates of the average number of alleles/locus and gene diversity due to each of the two sets of SSRs suggested increase in overall genetic diversity after green revolution in Indian bread wheat cultivars. Differences were also observed in genetic diversity among cultivars from each of the six wheat growing agro-climatic zones of India. However, decade-wise analysis of genetic diversity among the post-green revolution cultivars indicated a progressive decline in genetic diversity, thus suggesting a need for involving diverse exotic, synthetic and winter wheat germplasm in Indian wheat breeding programs.     

Microbial and chemical sources of phosphorus supply modulate the yield and chemical composition of essential oil of rose-scented geranium (Pelargonium species) in sodic soils

Rose-scented geranium (Pelargonium sp.) is a highly valued aromatic crop. Its growth is limited by soil salinity and sodicity stress. Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungus, phosphate-solubilizing bacteria (PSB), and P fertilizers may enhance the growth and secondary metabolism in geranium plants. In this context, a pot experiment was conducted to study the effects of PSB, AM fungi (Glomus intraradices), and P fertilizer on the yield, chemical composition of essential oil, and mineral element acquisition of geranium. The dry matter yield of shoot and essential oil yield, and mineral element (P, K, Ca, Mg, Na, Fe, Cu, and Zn) uptake in shoot tissues of geranium were significantly increased by the inoculation with AM fungi, co-inoculation with AM fungi and PSB, and P fertilization as compared to control. While the co-inoculation of geranium with AM fungi and PSB significantly enhanced the content of the monoterpenes such as citronellol, geraniol, geranial, and a sesquiterpene (10-epi-γ eudesmol), the P fertilization only enhanced the content of a sesquiterpene, 10-epi-γ eudesmol in the volatile oil. We conclude that the co-inoculation of PSB and AM fungi could be the best natural alternative to phosphate fertilizers to enhance the yield and quality of essential oil from geranium plants grown in sodic soils.     

Phosphorus threshold for arbuscular mycorrhizal colonization of crops and tree seedlings

The study was conducted to investigate the effect of phosphorus (P) concentrations (0, 5, 10, 20, 50, and 100 μg g⁻¹) on growth and arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) colonization of two crops (a rainy season crop, Phaseolus mungo Roxb. var. PU-35 and a winter crop, Triticum aestivum L. var. WH-147) and seedlings of two multipurpose tree species (Eucalyptus tereticornis Sm. [Clone C-7, ITC, Bhadrachalam] and Albizia procera Benth.). Plant growth parameters (shoot length, dry weight) and P uptake increased significantly after inoculations with AM fungi (Acaulospora scrobiculata Trappe, Glomus cerebriforme McGee, and Glomus intraradices Schenck and Smith) in P. mungo, T. aestivum, E. tereticornis, and A. procera. Best results were obtained with G. cerebriforme in P. mungo and A. procera, and A. scrobiculata in T. aestivum, and G. intraradices in E. tereticornis. Results on effect of P application on mycorrhizal dependency (MD) of studied crop and tree species showed that decrease in MD with increase in P concentrations in non-nitrogen-fixing species (T. aestivum and E. tereticornis) was higher than in nitrogen-fixing species (P. mungo and A. procera). Threshold P concentrations for maximum benefits from the AM symbiosis in above-mentioned plant species varied from 5 to 20 μg g⁻¹ and corresponding peaks of arbuscules, vesicles, sporocarp formation, colonization index, and spore count per 100 g sand were noticed. Thus, the results showed that the recorded plant growth peaks were due to AM colonization of crops and tree rhizosphere. Inoculations with AMF were more important than P application (explaining 14–78% variation in plant growth) for P. mungo, T. aestivum, and A. procera (forward selection method), whereas P application was more important for growth in E. tereticornis. Therefore, inoculating plants with a suitable AM inoculant could result in a benefit comparable to high P input and lead to a significant saving of inorganic P fertilizer.     

Biosorption of Toxic Heavy Metal Ions from Water Environment Using Honeycomb Biomass—An Industrial Waste Material

This paper examined the ability of honeycomb biomass (HC), a by-product of the honey industry, to remove Pb(II), Cd(II), Cu(II), and Ni(II) ions from aqueous solutions. The equilibrium adsorptive quantity was determined as a function of the solution pH, amount of biomass, contact time, and initial metal ion concentration in a batch biosorption technique. Biosorbent was characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray, and X-ray diffraction studies. FTIR spectral analysis confirmed the coordination of metals with hydroxyl, carbonyl, and carboxyl functional groups present in the HC. The metals uptake by HC was rapid, and the equilibrium time was 40?min at constant temperature and pH. Sorption kinetics followed a nonlinear pseudo-second-order model. Isotherm experimental data were fitted to Langmuir, Freundlich, Dubinin?CRadushkevich, and Temkin isotherm models in nonlinear forms. The mechanism of metal sorption by HC gave good fits for Langmuir model, and the affinity order of the biosorbent for four heavy metals was Pb(II)>Cd(II)>Cu(II)>Ni(II). The thermodynamic studies for the present biosorption process were performed by determining the values of ??G°, ??H°, and ??S°, and it was observed that biosorption process is endothermic and spontaneous. This work provides an efficient and easily available environmental friendly honeycomb biomass as an attractive option for removing heavy metal ions from water and wastewater.     

Morpho-physiological response of common buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum) to flooding stress at different growth stages

Journal of Crop Science and Biotechnology - Flooding is one of the major abiotic stresses which accounts for considerable damage to plant growth and development and induces multiple...     

Bioactive Lipids of Marine Microalga Chlorococcum sp. SABC 012504 with Anti-Inflammatory and Anti-Thrombotic Activities

Microalgae are at the start of the food chain, and many are known producers of a significant amount of lipids with essential fatty acids. However, the bioactivity of microalgal lipids for anti-inflammatory and antithrombotic activities have rarely been investigated. Therefore, for a sustainable source of the above bioactive lipids, the present study was undertaken. The total lipids of microalga Chlorococcum sp., isolated from the Irish coast, were fractionated into neutral-, glyco-, and phospho-lipids, and were tested in vitro for their anti-inflammatory and antithrombotic activities. All tested lipid fractions showed strong anti-platelet-activating factor (PAF) and antithrombin activities in human platelets (half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) values ranging ~25–200 μg of lipid) with the highest activities in glyco- and phospho-lipid fractions. The structural analysis of the bioactive lipid fraction-2 revealed the presence of specific sulfoquinovosyl diacylglycerols (SQDG) bioactive molecules and the HexCer-t36:2 (t18:1/18:1 and 18:2/18:0) cerebrosides with a phytosphingosine (4-hydrosphinganine) base, while fraction-3 contained bioactive phosphatidylcholine (PC) and phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) molecules. These novel bioactive lipids of Chlorococcum sp. with putative health benefits may indicate that marine microalgae can be a sustainable alternative source for bioactive lipids production for food supplements and nutraceutical applications. However, further studies are required towards the commercial technology pathways development and biosafety analysis for the use of the microalga.     

Impact of Thermal Processing on Legume Allergens

Food induced allergic manifestations are reported from several parts of the world. Food proteins exert their allergenic potential by absorption through the gastrointestinal tract and can even induce life threatening anaphylaxis reactions. Among all food allergens, legume allergens play an important role in induction of allergy because legumes are a major source of protein for vegetarians. Most of the legumes are cooked either by boiling, roasting or frying before consumption, which can be considered a form of thermal treatment. Thermal processing may also include autoclaving, microwave heating, blanching, pasteurization, canning, or steaming. Thermal processing of legumes may reduce, eliminate or enhance the allergenic potential of a respective legume. In most of the cases, minimization of allergenic potential on thermal treatment has generally been reported. Thus, thermal processing can be considered an important tool by indirectly prevent allergenicity in susceptible individuals, thereby reducing treatment costs and reducing industry/office/school absence in case of working population/school going children. The present review attempts to explore various possibilities of reducing or eliminating allergenicity of leguminous food using different methods of thermal processing. Further, this review summarizes different methods of food processing, major legumes and their predominant allergenic proteins, thermal treatment and its relation with antigenicity, effect of thermal processing on legume allergens; also suggests a path that may be taken for future research to reduce the allergenicity using conventional/nonconventional methods.     

Seed Priming Improves Agronomic Trait Performance under Flooding and Non-flooding Conditions in Rice with QTL SUB1

Farmers in South East Asia are adopting rice crop establishment methods from transplanting to direct wet or dry seeding as it requires less labour and time and comparatively less energy than transplanting.In contrast to irrigated condition,in rainfed lowland,direct seeding is a common practice.Early flooding controls weeds but decreases seedling establishment in direct seeded rice.Anaerobic germination is an important trait to counteract damages caused by early flooding.Management options which can help in crop establishment and improve crop growth under flooding might remove the constraints related to direct seeding.The investigation was carried out with two near isogenic lines Swarna and SwarnaSub1.Swarna-Sub1 is tolerant to submergence whereas Swarna is susceptible.Seed priming was done with water and 2% Jamun(Syzygium cumini) leaf extract,and it improved seedling establishment under flooding.Acceleration of growth occurred due to seed pretreatment,which resulted longer seedling and greater accumulation of biomass.Seed priming greatly hastened the activities of total amylase and alcohol dehydrogenase in Swarna-Sub1 than in Swarna.Swarna-Sub1 outperformed Swarna when the plants were cultivated under flooding.Weed biomass decreased significantly under flooding compared to non-flooding conditions.Seed priming had positive effects on yield and yield attributing parameters both under non-flooding and early flooding conditions.