Assessing neotectonic activity in the Ladhiya River basin, Eastern Kumaun Himalaya using Index of relative active tectonics (IRAT)

The Ladhiya River, flowing from west to east, drains the Lesser Himalayan zone and intersects several active faults, thrusts, and lithotectonic units before merging with the Kali River at Chuki Gaon. The present study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of geomorphic indices in assessing neotectonic activity within the Ladhiya River Basin, located in the Eastern Kumaun region of the Himalayas. Utilizing Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) DEM data, the total 7 watershed were delineated at a 50,000 threshold and the drainage network at a 100 threshold for detailed processing and analysis. The study focused on determining the relative tectonic activity of the Ladhiya River Basin by employing the Index of Relative Active Tectonics (IRAT), which incorporates various geomorphic indices such as Drainage Density (Dd), Drainage Texture (Dt), Hypsometric Integral (HI), Bifurcation Ratio (Br), Asymmetry Factor (Af), Valley Floor Width to Height Ratio (Vf), Stream Length Gradient (SL), and Mean Stream Length (MSL). These indices were categorized into three classes to rank each sub-basin, ultimately deriving the IRAT. The sub-basins situated on the left bank of the Ladhiya River exhibited a pronounced influence of neotectonic activity. This was particularly evident in the stream length gradient values, wherein the Dholigaon, Bigrakot, and Khatoli sub-basins display relatively high magnitudes, indicating active tectonic adjustments within these areas. The IRAT results show that areas near the trunk stream experience strong denudation, while regions farther away exhibit tectonic uplift, providing a clear picture of neotectonic activity in the Ladhiya River Basin.

Sublethal effect of synthetic fertilizers (urea and diammonium phosphate) on biomass accumulation and its histological perspicuity on the gut region of the earthworm, Eisenia fetida

Urea and Diammonium phosphate are commonly used fertilizers in almost every managed agro-ecosystem. The present study assessed the sublethal effect of synthetic fertilizers on biomass accumulation and its histological perspicuity on the gut region of the earthworm, Eisenia fetida. Earthworms, E. fetida (adult), were reared as per the recommendations of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) guidelines (1984) number 207 for testing the sublethal effect of chemicals in the laboratory. The lethal concentration at which 50% of the worms were dead, i.e., (LC50) was estimated for synthetic fertilizers, urea, and diammonium phosphate by log-probit analysis. The urea LC50 was 862.126 mg/kg, while that of diammonium phosphate was 2098.69 mg/kg in artificial soil. To explore the sublethal effect of synthetic fertilizers on biomass culture (n=10), 1/2 of the LC50 of urea and diammonium phosphate was used. Significant variation in biomass culture was observed in response to the amalgamation of synthetic fertilizers. With in 15 days, in the urea amalgamated culture, the weight of earthworms (n=10), unlike the control group, decreased from 2.86±0.142 g to 2.42±0.120 g, but the weight of the earthworms decreased to 2.72±0.135g after applying DAP. To investigate histological alterations in the gut of earthworms subsequent to exposure, specimens (n=5) were aseptically excised, embedded in paraffin, and subjected to section cutting (thickness- 5µm) after staining with hematoxylin and eosin stain and then examined. Notably, Histological damage was also registered in the chloragogen cells of the gut region of Eisenia fetida (earthworm) on days 15 and 60. Thus, synthetic fertilisers affect earthworms\u27 ability to absorb and digest nutrients and soil health too.

Novel Insights into the isolation and in vitro probiotic characterization of Weissella confusa from Navara Rice in Kerala, India

Fermented foods are important reservoirs of probiotic lactic acid bacteria (LAB), which confer health benefits by modulating gut microbiota. Navara, a medicinal rice from Kerala, India, valued in Ayurveda, is an underexplored source of these bacteria. This study aimed to isolate, identify, and conduct the first in-vitro probiotic characterization of LAB from fermented Navara rice. A bacterial isolate was obtained on MRS agar and identified via 16S rRNA gene sequencing as Weissella confusa strain PK18202456.1. Its probiotic potential was evaluated using standard in vitro assays. The isolate demonstrated strong antagonistic activity against enteric pathogens (e.g., 12 mm zone vs. MRSA), robust coaggregation (76.67% with E. coli), and high cell-surface hydrophobicity (93.92% at 4 h). It survived simulated gastrointestinal stress, tolerating pH 3.0 and 0.3% bile salts, and exhibited bile salt hydrolase activity (22.7 ± 2.5 mm zone). Antibiotic profiling showed susceptibility to ampicillin, tetracycline, erythromycin, and clindamycin, with resistance to vancomycin and gentamicin. This work provides the first evidence for the isolation and comprehensive probiotic characterization of a Weissella confusa strain from Navara rice, establishing it as a promising candidate for future functional food applications.

Field evaluation of an Integrated disease management for sustainable suppression of pearl millet downy mildew caused by Sclerospora graminicola

Pearl millet downy mildew, caused by Sclerospora graminicola, is one of the most destructive diseases limiting pearl millet productivity in India. The disease causes severe yield losses under favourable conditions, necessitating the identification of effective, eco-friendly management strategies. Hence, the present study aimed to evaluate various chemical, biological, and organic treatments under field conditions for sustainable management of the disease. The study was conducted in field conditions for two growing seasons, during Kharif 2019-20 and 2020-21 at the National Agriculture Research Project, Aurangabad, Maharashtra (India), to evaluate chemicals, organic amendments, bio-control agents, and plant extracts under field conditions against pearl millet downy mildew caused by Sclerospora graminicola. In the study, disease incidence (DI) and severity (DS) were recorded at 30 and 60 days after sowing, along with grain yield. The two years pooled mean revealed that the foliar application of Trifloxystrobin 50 % WG @ 1ml/L was most effective at 30 DAS in respect of reducing DI and DS (1.66 % and 0.57 %) which was at par with Azoxystrobin 23 % SC @ 2ml/L (1.99 % and 0.73 %) compared to untreated control (7.00% and 3.96%) respectively, while DI and DS was (0.00 % each) compared to untreated control (8.83 % and 6.48 %) at 60 DAS respectively. The same fungicides were found to be superior in terms of yield and economics compared with the control.

Phytochemical profiling and therapeutic potential of Miliusa velutina var. deviyarina: Antioxidant, anticancer, antimicrobial, and α-amylase inhibitory activities

Miliusa velutina Hook. f. and Thomson var. deviyarina (Annonaceae) is a lesser-known medicinal tree traditionally used by tribal and local communities in Maharashtra, India. However, its pharmacological profile has not been systematically characterized. This study aimed to provide a comprehensive in vitro evaluation of the antioxidant, α-amylase inhibition, antimicrobial, antibiofilm and anticancer activities of different extracts of this variety. Bark, leaf, fruit and flower powders were successively extracted with water, methanol, ethanol, ethyl acetate and alcohol–water mixtures. Antioxidant activity was assessed by DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging, α-amylase inhibition by α-amylase inhibition, antimicrobial and antibiofilm activities by agar well diffusion and biofilm inhibition assays, and anticancer activity by sulforhodamine B (SRB) assays on MCF-7 and Vero cell lines. Methanol, ethanol and ethyl-acetate bark and leaf extracts showed strong DPPH scavenging with low IC₅₀ values comparable to quercetin and vitamin C. Green and ripe fruit extracts produced up to 89.57% α-amylase inhibition, while bark extracts showed moderate inhibition (37.50–61.25%). Bark extracts exhibited pronounced antimicrobial and antibiofilm effects, with maximum biofilm inhibition of 95.45% and zones of inhibition comparable to penicillin and streptomycin at 50 µg/mL. The ethyl-acetate bark extract displayed potent cytotoxicity toward MCF-7 cells (GI₅₀ < 10 µg/mL) with relatively lower effects on Vero cells, approaching the activity of Adriamycin. These in vitro findings highlight M. velutina var. deviyarina as a promising source of bioactive extracts and provide a multi-assay dataset to guide future phytochemical characterization and in vivo evaluation of this understudied medicinal plant.

Determination of the role of Dermococcus nishinomiyaensis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa in polyethylene (PE) and polyethylene terephthalate (PT) biodegradation

Plastic pollution is a worldwide menace to the ecosystem and human health, and only less than 10 percent of the plastic waste has been recycled and its continued existence causes climate change. The purpose of the study was to test the potential of biodegradation of Dermococcus inshinomiyaensis on two common types of plastics (Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) and Polyethylene (PE)) when compared to the established degrader, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, at conditions that simulated the natural environment. The biodegradation was evaluated in terms of biofilm biomass determination, relative weight loss, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. Biofilm quantification showed that D. inshinomiyaensis formed stronger biofilms on PET bottles (absorbance 0.16) than on PE bags (0.10–0.12), with activity comparable to that of P. aeruginosa. The analysis of weight loss showed that PE was severely degraded by D. inshinomiyaensis (12.2%), P. aeruginosa (40%), and PET was not severely degraded (0.7%). FT-IR spectra of PE indicated new absorption bands beyond 400 cm-¹, confirming structural defects induced by microbial activity. Distinct peaks between 1600–2653 cm-¹, including 1639 and 1737 cm-¹ for P. aeruginosa and 1981–2325 cm-¹ for D. inshinomiyaensis, suggested the formation of novel intermediates. SEM analysis also showed intense deformations in PE using D. inshinomiyaensis so that it generated a wide range of cracks, wrinkles, and grooves, which were much more effective compared to the action of P. aeruginosa.These results demonstrate the novelty of D. inshinomiyaensis as a potential biodegrader of PE, as it provided potential use in the management of plastic waste in a sustainable environment.

Effect of Leucaena leucocephala extract in inhibiting mycotoxins produced by the fungus Fusarium solani isolated from Al-Rashidiya/Mosul city

Fusarium solani is a significant plant pathogen causing wilt and root rot in Solanum lycopersicum, leading to substantial yield losses. It also produces dangerous mycotoxins. Therefore, there is a pressing need for safe and natural alternatives to control its growth and toxin production. The objectives of this study were to isolate and identify F. solani from infected tomato plants and to evaluate the efficacy of an alcoholic extract of Leucaena leucocephala leaves in inhibiting its growth and reducing mycotoxin production. The fungus was isolated from The soil surrounding the roots of tomato plants and part of the roots from Al-Rashidiya/Mosul city and identified based on its morphological characteristics, its whitish-gray color, and the presence of microspores, macrospores, and chlamydospores. Various concentrations (up to 15%) of the alcoholic extract were used in liquid growth media, and dry weight of fungus was measured after 15 days. Mycotoxins were also determined using HPLC based on standard retention times. The results showed that the extract led to a gradual decrease in the dry weight of the fungus, with the lowest weight recorded at a concentration of 15% (5.0 g). HPLC revealed the presence of fumonisin, zearalenone, and fusaric acid at retention times of 3.08, 4.98, and 6.50 minutes, respectively. Toxin concentrations decreased with increasing extract concentration; fumonisin reached 14.5 mg/L and fusaric acid 19.20 mg/L at 15%, while zearalenone disappeared at concentrations of 10% and 15%. These results confirm the potential use of leucine extract as a safe and natural antifungal agent to inhibit the growth and reduce toxicity of F. solani thus promoting application of biological control in agricultural products.   

Antibacterial activity of extracts and silver nanoparticles from Vitex Agnus castus against bacteria isolated from Hospital wastewater

The plants extract and silver nanoparticles are gaining popularity and are being used in medical technologies due to their antibacterial activity. This study aimed to evaluate the potential antimicrobial properties of an aqueous leaves extract of Vitex agnus-castus and biosynthesized Ag NP particles. The extract was made using three distinct methods, and silver nanoparticles were formed by adding 0.2 grams of silver nitrate to the extract. UV-Vis Spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Energy-Dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) were used to determine the characteristics of the silver nanoparticles. The results indicated that the Soxhlet extraction method produced the highest percentage of silver nanoparticles, measuring 56.13%. The antibacterial activity of both the extracts and the silver nanoparticles was tested against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria isolated from hospital wastewater at three different concentrations: 25, 35, and 50 mg/mL. The extracts exhibited the strongest inhibition of 25 mm against Enterobacter cloacae strain NCTC 9394 (FP929040) when using an aqueous Soxhlet extract at a concentration of 35 mg/mL. Conversely, the lowest inhibition recorded was 11 mm against Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain WPB098 (CP031876) with an acetone Soxhlet extract at a concentration of 50 mg/mL. In addition, at a concentration of 35 mg/mL, the cold soak extract did not affect Citrobacter sedlakii strain NWPK (MW720666). The antibacterial activity of biosynthesized silver nanoparticles showed inhibition against Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain WPB098 (CP031876) reached 25 mm from the aqueous Soxhlet extract at a concentration of 50 mg/mL was combined with biosynthesized silver nanoparticles from the hot soaking extract at 50°C at a concentration of 50 mg/ml. Meanwhile, the lowest inhibitory against Escherichia coli strain S51 (CP015995) was 15 mm, which was achieved by using biosynthesized silver nanoparticles from aqueous Soxhlet extract at a concentration of 35 mg/mL. Biosynthesized silver nanoparticles from Vitex agnus-castus exhibited strong antibacterial activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, as promising antibacterial agents.

Molecular identification and genetic variation of Alternaria species isolated from leaves of ornamental plants using Internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequencing

Alternaria species are pathogens that cause significant economic losses in ornamental plants. The present study focused on the molecular identification and genetic diversity of Alternaria species, a common fungal genus that includes pathogens causing plant diseases. Accurate identification and understanding of the genetic relationships of Alternaria species are important for managing plant diseases. This study included 100 samples collected from several plant species: Ivy plant (Convolvulus), Chrysanthemum plant  (Chrysanthemum), Infernal (Bougainville), Rubber plant (Ficus),  Cardina flower (Gardenia) infected with fungi. All samples cultured on PDA medium and purified with the single-spore method, followed by Polymerase Chain Reactions PCR identification through internal transcribed spacer ITS1 and ITS4 gene and sanger or next-generation sequencing of positive samples to construct a phylogenetic tree. Preliminary results showed the presence of Alternaria in 23 of the 100 samples, which were confirmed by PCR. Genetic sequencing revealed 10 newly recorded isolates, which were registered with National Center for Biotechnolo gy Information  (NCBI) under the following names: A.infectoria strainWS1-iqOR053817.1, strainWS3-iqOR064285.1,strainWS5-iqOR064342.1,strainWS9-iqOR083596.1,strainWS10-iqOR083599.1, A.angustivoidea  strainWS4-iqOR064286.1, A. tenuissima strainWS2-iqOR053945.1 , strainWS7-iq OR083592.1, Alternaria burnsii strainWS8-iq , OR088248.1 , A. alternate strain WS6-iqOR072637.1. These species were classified into groups based on their genetic patterns. This molecular study confirmed the association of various Alternaria species with ornamental plants and revealed the importance of ITS for diagnosing and identifying genetic diversity within the genus Alternaria.  

Bio-morphometry of invasive rugose spiralling whitefly, Aleurodicus rugioperculatus Martin on three tropical fruit crops: A host suitability assessment

The rugose spiralling whitefly (RSW), Aleurodicus rugioperculatus Martin (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), is an invasive insect pest in Bangladesh, first reported in 2019 on coconut, and is characterized by a wide host range and high damage potential. Coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) is an economically important tropical fruit crop in Bangladesh, providing substantial income and livelihood support for growers; however, its production has declined sharply following the invasion of RSW. To investigate the developmental performance of RSW, the present study evaluated its developmental biology and morphometry on three major fruit crops, native coconut, banana, and guava as well as three dwarf coconut cultivars (Siam Blue, Siam Green, and DJ Sompurna). Incubation period, oviposition period, total life cycle duration, and morphometric traits were assessed on selected host plants under laboratory conditions. Results showed that the RSW life cycle duration was shorter on all coconut cultivars (37.6 ± 0.92 to 38.4 ± 0.67 days) and differed significantly from that on banana (41.8 ± 0.80 days) and guava (45.4 ± 0.60 days). Egg and nymphal length and width were greater in coconut cultivars than in banana and guava, indicating greater host suitability of coconut for RSW. Morphometric parameters differed significantly among coconut cultivars, banana, and guava. These host-dependent differences in developmental duration and morphometric traits provide important insights into the biology and host suitability of RSW and can support improved monitoring, risk assessment, and timing of control measures within integrated pest management (IPM) programs.