Additional insights into the adaptation of cotton plants under abiotic stresses by in silico analysis of conserved miRNAs in cotton expressed sequence tag database (dbEST)

Abiotic stress is the primary cause of crop losses worldwide. In addition to protein coding genes, microRNAs (miRNAs) have emerged as important players in plant stress responses. Though miRNAs are key in regulating many aspects of plant developmental plasticity under abiotic stresses, very few information are available in cotton. Hence, this study was conducted to identify the phylogenetically conserved miRNAs in cotton, using computational approaches. In this paper, we reported a set of miRNAs such as miR159, miR165, miR170, miR319, miR529, miR828, miR869, miR1030, miR1884, and miR2118 that are likely to be involved in abiotic stress response. Although, few of them have been described in literature for their specific role in fiber development, literature survey have shown that they may also be involved in abiotic stress response. Interestingly, miRNAs reported in this study were found to have several targets that are involved in abiotic stress resistance. Considering all together, it was concluded that these newly identified conserved microRNAs in cotton have great potential in future efforts to improve abiotic stress tolerance in cotton.Key words: miRNA, cotton, abiotic stress resistance, in silico analysis

Evaluation of Hepatoprotective Activity of Alcoholic Extract of Ixora Chenensis (Linn.) Leaves

Ixora is a large genus of about 400 species of popular evergreen shrubs and small trees, many of which are native to southern china, India and Srilanka and belong to the taxonomic family rubiaceae. A few of these species are grown in gardens for their vibrantly coloured flowers produced in large clusters at the tips of branches. Various species of Ixora are otherwise called as West Indian Jasmine, Jungle Flame, Flame of the World, Jungle Geranium etc., but are very popular by the genus name, Ixora. Ixora is a compact, multibranched evergreen shrubs or small tree, commonly 4 to 6 feet in height, but can reach up to 12 feet height. Leaves are glossy, leathery, oblong, about 4 to 6 inches long and are arranged in opposite pairs. MEDICINAL USES: A decoction of the root is used after child birth. A decoction is used against bronchial disorders. An infusion of the fresh flowers is said to be a remedy against incipient tuberculosis and haemorrhage. A decoction is prescribed in the treatment of amenorrhoea and hypertension. An infusion of leaves or flowers is used against headache. AIM AND OBJECTIVE: Herbal drugs play a vital role in the management of various liver disorder, most of them speed up the natural healing process of liver. Numerous medicinal plants and their formulations are used in liver disorders in ethno medicinal practices as well as traditional system of medicine in India. According to WHO about 18,000 people die every year due to hepatic disease. Liver diseases remain one of the serious health problems is the absence of variable liver protective drugs. The common ailments of liver are cirrhosis, cholestasis, hepatitis, portal hypertension, hepatic encephalopathy, hepatic failure and certain tomours like hepatoma. The aim of the research is to find out new hepatoprotective drugs from indigenous plants which are potent and nontoxic agents. Present study deals with the hepatoprotective activity leaves of Ixora chenensis. PLAN OF THE WORK: 1. To investigate the organoleptic and morphological characteristics of Ixora chenensis leaves to establish the pharmacognostical standards of the plants. 2. To carry out preliminary phytochemical analysis of extracts of leaves of Ixora chenensis to establish the different classes of compounds present their leaves. 3. To evaluate the extracts of Ixora chenensis leaves for antioxidant activity by different radical scavenging methods and methods based on reducing ability of extracts. 4. To evaluate the extracts of Ixora chenensis for acute toxicity potential and establish their margin of therapeutic safety. 5. To evaluate the hepatoprotective activity of extracts of Ixora chenensis leaves against carbon tetrachloride induced liver damage in rats. DISCUSSION: For screening the hepatoprotective drugs, liver damage is usually induced by CCL4. As a result there is a rise in different liver enzyme levels in serum that is SGOT, SGPT, TB, AP and also for cholesterol which have been recognized as a sign to the damaged structural integrity of the liver, because they are cytoplasmic in location and released into circulation after cellular damages. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, from the overall result of the biochemical and histopathological examinations, it will be inferred that Ixora chenensis which may be have highest hepatoprotective activity among the four tested plant extracts. This work will be useful for extended for the isolation and structure determination of the hepatoprotective principles

Inquiry of inclined magnetic field effects on Walter –B nanofluid flow with heat generation / absorption

The article deals with Walter-B nanoliquid flow towards a extending surface with inclined magnetic field effects. Thermal relaxation analysis is made by non fourier heat flux model. Radiation, heat generation / absorption impacts are included. The non linear Partial governing systems are rebuild into nonlinear ordinary systems with the assist of proper similarity transformations. The graphical results are portrayed for velocity, concentration and temperature profile. The physical entitles of heat and mass transfer rates are graphically reported. The comparission with previous results notified the excellent agreement

Unveiling genetic variation in Egyptian cotton (Gossypium barbadense L.) germplasm: A combined approach of morphological characterization and multivariate analysis

Cotton (Gossypium sp.) is a commercial crop that is predominantly grown in tropical and subtropical regions, with India emerging as the largest producer globally. This study focused on the genetic diversity and morphological characterization of Gossypium barbadense L., the second most cultivated cotton species. Comprehensive data encompassing qualitative and quantitative traits, spanning morphological attributes to yield-contributing parameters were documented and analyzed using appropriate statistical analysis. The findings indicate the significance of specific attributes, viz., the number of monopodia and sympodia per plant, boll weight and fiber fineness, which emerged as highly reliable markers for selection. These traits exhibit elevated genotypic and phenotypic coefficients of variation, along with substantial heritability and genetic advance as a percent of the mean. Based on per se performance, genotypes SBS 66, SBS 79 and EC 98254 will serve as a source for the selection of parents for improving traits viz., boll weight, upper half mean length, fibre fineness and single plant yield. Principal component analysis divided the total variance into 14 components and cluster analysis segregated the germplasm into 5 distinct clusters, highlighting the substantial genetic variation and the genotypes 3530, CBS 202, ERB 4488 and EGYPTIAN, which can be used as parents in the future breeding programme

Morpho-anatomy of diploid and triploid Musa cultivars CO 2 and CO 3 male inflorescence and its implications in micropropagation

Banana (Musa spp.) is a major staple fruit and cash crop globally cultivated, particularly in tropical and subtropical countries. It exhibits a complex inflorescence, which plays a vital role in its reproductive process. The inflorescence of bananas by distinct morphological and anatomical features that vary among different species and cultivars. Tissue culture techniques have emerged as pivotal tools that offer rapid propagation methods, utilising various explants to meet growing demands and enhance crop resilience. This study evaluated the morphological and anatomical characteristics of Musa paradisiaca cultivars CO 2 and CO 3, focusing on their potential as explants in tissue culture. Key differences between these two lines include floral axis orientation, bract pigmentation, flower structure and flower quantity. Notably, CO 2 exhibited the presence of papillae, whereas CO 3 lacked them. Both cultivars contained calcium oxalate crystals and raphides, which define their distinct anatomical traits and enhance their suitability for micropropagation. Furthermore, tissue culture experiments demonstrated early greening, faster callus formation and efficient shoot regeneration, with CO 2 demonstrating a slightly superior response to CO 3. The male inflorescences of both cultivars, when cultivated in Murashige and Skoog (MS) media, responded within a greening time of approximately 16.2 days, swelling within 28.4 days and bud formation ranging from 2 to 6 per cluster, leading to the production of 12 to15 per nodal cluster. These findings suggest that male inflorescences have significant potential for efficient micropropagation, providing a valuable resource for banana cultivation and genetic improvement

HETEROSIS STUDIES FOR FIBRE QUALITY TRAITS IN DIALLEL CROSSES OF UPLAND COTTON (GOSSYPIUM HIRSUTUM L.)

Diallel analysis was studied by involving nine parents and their seventy two cross combinations in upland cotton to investigate the best heterotic crosses for fibre quality traits. The hybrid Anjali x KC 2 recorded both highest positive significant relative heterosis (17.18%) and heterobeltiosis (11.81%) and hybrid MCU 5 x Surabhi exhibited highest positive significant standard heterosis (16.98%) for bundle strength. 2.5% span length in parents and their hybrids ranged from 24.03 to 33.51 mm and 27.31 to 36.90 mm, respectively. Thirty four hybrids showed significant negative heterotic effects for micronaire value and hybrid MCU 5 x KC 3 (-27.89%) displayed greater negative standard heterosis. Mean performance of elongation per cent in parents and hybrids was 5.11% and 4.87%, respectively. Out of seventy two hybrids, six cross combinations viz., KC 2 x MCU 5, MCU 5 x MCU 7, Anjali x Suraj, Anjali x MCU 5, Surabhi x Anjali and KC 2 x Suraj were appeared to more promising for most of the fibre quality traits and could be exploited. The present study reveals good scope for isolation of pure lines from the progenies of heterotic F1’s as well as commercial exploitation of heterosis in upland cotton

Evaluation of oryzalin-induced putative polyploids of Jasminum sambac cv. Ramanathapuram Gundumalli

The aim of the research was to create genetic variations in Jasminum sambac using oryzalin as a polyploidizing agent. Rooted stem cuttings of J. sambac were treated with oryzalin (0.005, 0.01 and 0.05%) and their vegetative and flowering parameters were recorded on 150 days after treatment. The study revealed that the higher concentration of oryzalin (0.05%) caused reduction in plant height, internodal length, number of flowering cymes per plant and number of flower buds per cyme. However, the same treatment significantly enhanced certain vegetative parameters viz., number of secondary branches, stem girth, number of leaves and leaf area, and flowering parameters namely flower bud length, corolla tube length, flower bud girth, diameter of open flower and hundred flower bud weight. High GCV was recorded in major yield attributing traits, i.e. number of flowering cymes per plant and hundred flower bud weight. High heritability and genetic advance registered for the traits viz., plant height, number of secondary branches, internodal length, number of flowering cymes, flower bud girth and hundred flower bud weight per plant indicates least influence by environment and selection such characters may be useful

Exploring pioneering efforts in tea breeding and genetic transformation and designing driving innovative strategies for better brewing

Tea is the second most consumed drink in the world, following water. It is known for its aromatic allure, sense of refreshment, medicinal values and also nutritional properties, including antioxidants, anti-ageing, anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial nature. Tea breeding plays a pivotal role in the development of superior lines which can thrive in wider environmental conditions. However, conventional methods met with limited success, biotechnological interventions have shown their potential to evolve superior cultivars within a short span of time. Plant tissue culture technology allows for in vitro propagation that enables mass multiplication of uniform, elite clones with desirable traits besides serving as basic requirement for all the transgenic endeavours. Advances in omics technologies, coupled with advanced bioinformatics pipelines have led to the elucidation of key genes driving molecular events that confer increased tea yield and quality.  Genetic transformation mediated by Agrobacterium, particle bombardment, and CRISPR-Cas9 facilitate the production of transgenic tea with desirable traits. Inter-disciplinary collaboration among breeders, geneticists, agronomists and biotechnologists holds great promise in addressing the demands of consumers and overcoming the existing and emerging challenges posed by varied biotic and abiotic stress

Unveiling the nutraceutical properties and functional attributes of sorghum-Comprehensive review

Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) is one of the most significant yet underutilized staple crops in the world. It contains high levels of dietary fiber, resistant starch and essential health-beneficial bioactive compounds, including phenolics, vitamins and minerals, making it a valuable component of a balanced diet. The bioactive profiles of sorghum are exceptionally unique, more abundant and more diverse than those of other common cereal grains. Sorghum contains phenolic acids, condensed tannins and 3-deoxyanthocyanidins as its primary phenolic constituents. Consumption of sorghum whole grain may enhance gut health and lower the risk of chronic illnesses, as studies have demonstrated the strong antioxidant activity of sorghum’s phenolic components in vitro. Additionally, condensed tannins, 3-deoxyanthocyanidins and phenolic compounds are essential contributors to its health benefits. Recently, sorghum grain has been increasingly used to develop functional foods and beverages, as well as an ingredient in other food products. The objective of this review is to provide a comprehensive understanding of the nutritional composition and functional properties of sorghum, along with its related health benefits, to improve health outcomes and overall well-being