Biochemical response and host-pathogen relation of stalk rot fungi in early stages of maize (Zea mays L.)

Stalk rot is a destructive disease in maize caused by Fusarium and Macrophomina species. A study was carried out to understand the mode of infection, host biochemical response and comparison of inoculation techniques in Fusarium verticillioides and Macrophomina phaseolina in maize. In seed inoculation experiment, high mycelia growth on seed surface lead to rotting in 36.6% of seeds inoculated by F. verticillioides and 10.0% seeds in M. phaseolina. In seedling inoculation experiment, twenty one days old seedlings raised in glasshouse were inoculated with spore suspension of both pathogens, respectively in two sets, resulting in symptoms like tip drying, necrotic lesions, chlorotic bands, pale green leaves and yellowing of margins in varying numbers. Significant result was the appearance of asymptomatic seedlings in F. verticillioides infection which was confirmed by the increase in total soluble phenols (9.39 mg/g) and total sugars (5.33 mg/g) content in comparison to the control (2.84 mg/g total soluble solid (TSS) and 2.18 mg/g total soluble phenols) and symptomatic ones. While in M. phaseolina, total contents of sugar and soluble phenols were on part in asymptomatic and control (uninfected), depicting disease escape to be the possible cause of this phenotypic expression. The study concludes that inoculation techniques for screening of genotypes play a major role. The appearance and non appearance of symptoms in infected host can mislead the identification of resistant genotypes.Key words: Maize, Fusarium verticillioides, Macrophomina phaseolina, total soluble sugar, total soluble phenols

Prospecting high oil in corn (Zea mays L.) germplasm for better quality breeding

The present study was undertaken to assess genetic variability among oil content and agronomic traits in a set of corn inbreds. Oil content and plot yield ranged from 2.41 to 7.34% and 1.53 to 0.33kg, respectively. HKI-Tall-8-1-1, (TemperatexTropical(HO)QPM)-B-B-B-100-B-B, DMHOC4, (TemperatexTropical (HO)QPM)-B-B-B- 57-B-B, HKI Talar, (TemperatexTropical (HO)QPM)-B-B-B-60-B-B and AF-04-b-5796-a-7-1-1 among 108 inbreds recorded above 6 per cent oil. AF-04-b-5796-a-7-1-1 was identified as an elite inbred with high oil and better yield for improvement of high oil corn. Wide range in performance was observed in oil and other phenotypic traits including yield. Principal Component analysis, regression and correlation coefficient facilitated sorting of inbreds and identification of related useful traits

Probing the potential of bioactive compounds of millets as an inhibitor for lifestyle diseases: molecular docking and simulation-based approach

Millets are becoming more popular as a healthy substitute for people with lifestyle disorders. They offer dietary fiber, polyphenols, fatty acids, minerals, vitamins, protein, and antioxidants. The nutritional importance of millets leads to the present in-silico study of selective bioactive compounds docked against the targets of lifestyle diseases, viz., diabetes, hypertension, and atherosclerosis using molecular docking and molecular simulations approach. Pharmacokinetic analysis was also carried out to analyse ADME properties and toxicity analysis, drug-likeliness, and finally target prediction for new targets for uncharacterized compounds or secondary targets for recognized molecules by Swiss Target Prediction was also done. The docking results revealed that the bioactive compound flavan-4-ol, among all the 50 compounds studied, best docked to all the four targets of lifestyle diseases, viz., Human dipeptidyl peptidase IV (−5.94 kcal mol−1 binding energy), Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (−6.49 kcal mol−1) diabetes-related enzyme, the Human angiotensin-converting enzyme (−6.31 kcal mol−1) which plays a significant role in hypertension, and Proprotein convertase subtilisin kexin type 9 (−4.67 kcal mol−1) for atherosclerosis. Molecular dynamics simulation analysis substantiates that the flavan-4-ol forms a better stability complex with all the targets. ADMET profiles further strengthened the candidature of the flavan-4-ol bioactive compound to be considered for trial as an inhibitor of targets DPPIV, SGLT2, PCSK9, and hACE. We suggest that more research be conducted, taking Flavon-4-ol into account where it can be used as standard treatment for lifestyle diseases

Elucidating the interactive impact of tillage, residue retention and system intensification on pearl millet yield stability and biofortification under rainfed agro-ecosystems

Micronutrient malnutrition and suboptimal yields pose significant challenges in rainfed cropping systems worldwide. To address these issues, the implementation of climate-smart management strategies such as conservation agriculture (CA) and system intensification of millet cropping systems is crucial. In this study, we investigated the effects of different system intensification options, residue management, and contrasting tillage practices on pearl millet yield stability, biofortification, and the fatty acid profile of the pearl millet. ZT systems with intercropping of legumes (cluster bean, cowpea, and chickpea) significantly increased productivity (7–12.5%), micronutrient biofortification [Fe (12.5%), Zn (4.9–12.2%), Mn (3.1–6.7%), and Cu (8.3–16.7%)], protein content (2.2–9.9%), oil content (1.3%), and fatty acid profile of pearl millet grains compared to conventional tillage (CT)-based systems with sole cropping. The interactive effect of tillage, residue retention, and system intensification analyzed using GGE statistical analysis revealed that the best combination for achieving stable yields and micronutrient fortification was residue retention in both (wet and dry) seasons coupled with a ZT pearl millet + cowpea–mustard (both with and without barley intercropping) system. In conclusion, ZT combined with residue recycling and legume intercropping can be recommended as an effective approach to achieve stable yield levels and enhance the biofortification of pearl millet in rainfed agroecosystems of South Asia

The Impact of Climate Change on Changing Pattern of Maize Diseases in Indian Subcontinent: A Review

Climate change influences the occurrence, prevalence, and severity of plant pathogens. Global temperatures are predicted to rise by 2–4°C due to human activities and increased market globalization, coupled with rising temperatures, leads to a situation favorable to pest movement and establishment. Maize is an important crop after wheat and rice. Changes in rainfall distribution and temperature may result in temporary excessive soil moisture or water logging or drought in some maize producing areas leading to alterations in biotic stress factors. In Indian subcontinent warming trend in climate along the west coast, central, interior peninsula and northeast regions creates favorable conditions for diseases in maize like sorghum downy mildew (SDM) and Turcicum leaf blight (TLB). The decreasing trend of monsoon, seasonal rainfall in North India, Central India, parts of Gujarat and Kerala is suitable for post flowering stalk-rot (PFSR) which is gaining importance in maize. The outcome for any host-pathogen interaction under changing climate is not readily predictable. This review assesses the potential effects of climate change on maize pathogens and consequently on plant health. The evidence assessed indicates that climate change has already expanded pathogen’s host range and geographical distribution increasing the risk of introduction of pathogens into new areas

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Not AvailableThe title compound were synthesized by the diazotized tetrazotised (bis-diazotised) benzidine (1) coupled with naphthionic acid solution under microwave irradiation (MW)1 to get sodium 4 – [diphenyl - 4,41 diylbis (diazehe - 2, 1 - diyl) bis ( 1 - aminonaphthalene - 4 - sulfonate)] (2). Which then treated with conc. Sulphuric acid, Benzoyl chloride and NaOH, Sodium bisulphite and NaOH to give derivatives sodium 4 - [diphenyl – 4, 41 - diylbis (diazene - 2, 1 - diyl) bis (6 - sulfo - 1 - amino naphthalene sulfonate)] (2a), Sodium 4 - [diphenyl - 4, 41 -diylibis (diazene - 2, 1 - diyl) bis (N - benzoyl) naphthalene sulfonate] (2b), Sodium 4 - [diphenyl - 4, 41 diylbis (diazene - 2,1 - diyl) bis (1 - hydroxynaphthalene - 4 - sulfonate)] (2C), under microwave irradiation. Newly synthesized compounds were confirmed by IR and mass analysis. The synthesized compounds were screened for their antimicrobial activity in vitro.Not Availabl

Synthesis of biscoupled hemin-thiazoline derivatives and their anticancer activity evaluation

162-167A number of biscoupled hemin-thiazoline derivatives 3a-i have been synthesized and screened in vitro against six human cancer cell lines consisting of lung large (NCIH460), colon (HT29), breast (MCF7 and MCF7/ADR), prostate (DU 145) and CNS (U251) tumors. Compound 3e exhibits good anticancer activity against lung large (NCIH460; GI50 4.3MM), where compound 3g shows good anti cancer activity against colon (HT29; GI50 0.9 μM), breast (MCF7; GI50 0.5μM; MCF7/ADR; GI50 1.8μM), prostate (DU 145; GI50 1.6μM) and CNS (U251; GI50 2.5μM) tumors

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