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

Strategic selection of white maize inbred lines for tropical adaptation and their utilization in developing stable, medium to long duration maize hybrids

White maize plays an important role in human diet, especially in traditional crop growing regions of northern hill region, north-eastern states and central-western parts of India. Breeding efforts to enhance the genetic potential of white maize was not so prominent as compared to yellow maize in the country. As a result, genetic base of the material utilized in white maize breeding program in India is very narrow and majorly contains indigenous germplasm and few introductions. Hence, efforts were made to use 365 white maize inbred lines from CIMMYT, Mexico, for breeding program. These new inbred lines were grown at winter nursery center, Indian Institute of Maize Research, New Delhi for its tropical adaptation. After preliminary evaluation, a total 47 inbred lines were selected and evaluated in randomized complete block design with two replications at Regional Maize Research and Seed Production Centre, Begusarai, Bihar, during rabi 2014. Out of this top performing 12 inbred lines viz, CML 47, CML 95, CML 314, CML 319, CML 377, CML 488, CML 494, CML 504, CML 517, CML 522, CML 531 and CML 538 were selected and were crossed in diallel manner to obtain 66 medium to long duration experimental hybrids. Stability analysis using AMMI model was done to identify adaptive hybrids with high yielding potentiality. According to the ASVi value obtained, the hybrid G38 appeared to be stable followed by G50 and G44. On the other hand, the hybrid G25 appeared as location specific hybrid suitable for high input conditions

Is work-family balance impeded by use of Information Technology?

The aim of the paper is to report on the best practices evident within the Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) environment regarding work-life balance. The paper will also discuss obstacles that SMEs encounter whilst attempting to adopt and deliver sustainable practices in relation to technology. For the purpose of this paper we define the word 'sustainable' as "the practice of ... creating new ways to live and prosper while ensuring an equitable, healthy future for all people and the planet" (Naturalstep.org, 2008)

Not Available

Not AvailableNot AvailableNot Availabl

Study of Magnesium, Chloride, Lipidperoxidation, Lipidhydroperoxides, among Typeii Diabetic Patients with Elevated Fasting Sugar Level

Abstract W

Not Available

Not AvailableAn experiment was conducted to investigate the role of Antioxidant Enzymes (AOE) in Salicylic Acid (SA) induced salt-stress tolerance during chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) seed germination at ICAR-Indian Institute of Seed Science, Mau during 2018. Results showed the differential germination performance of salt-sensitive (PG 186) and salt-tolerant (CSG 8962) chickpea cultivars under three levels (0, 75, 150 mM NaCl) of salt stresses. Salt stress adversely affected the seed germination and traits of early seedling establishment in PG 186 cultivar than in CSG 8962. Sand matrix priming (SMP) of seeds using SA @ 150 ppm improved the germination (up to 2 times) and other seed quality parameters in sensitive cultivar under higher (150 mM NaCl) salt-stress level. Further investigating the role of SA on modulating AOE, a negative influence of SA on major AOE (POX, CAT and GR) was observed in cotyledons of PG 186 genotype under high salt stress. However, the level of APX was observed to be constitutively higher in tolerant CSG 8962 chickpea genotype. The summary of results suggested that, SA alleviates oxidative stress through reducing major AOE in cotyledon to improve chickpea seed germination.Not Availabl

Effects of Carboxymethyl Modification on the Acidic Polysaccharides from <i>Calocybe indica</i>: Physicochemical Properties, Antioxidant, Antitumor and Anticoagulant Activities

An acidic polysaccharide fraction was obtained from Calocybe indica (CIP3a) after subjecting it to hot water extraction followed by purification through DEAE-cellulose 52 and Sepaharose 6B column chromatography. The CIP3a was further modified using chloroacetic acid to yield carboxymethylated derivatives (CMCIP3a). The modified polysaccharide was characterized using various spectroscopic methods. In addition, further antioxidant, antitumor and anticoagulant activities were also investigated. The polysaccharides CIP3a and CMCIP3a were heterogeneous in nature and composed of various molar percentages of glucose, arabinose and mannose with molecular weights of 1.456 × 103 and 4.023 × 103 Da, respectively. The NMR and FT-IR data demonstrated that the carboxymethylation on the polysaccharide was successful. In comparison to CIP3a polysaccharides, the modified derivatives had lower sugar and protein contents, and higher levels of uronic acid. The in vitro antioxidant activity showed that CMCIP3a with higher molecular weight displayed an elevated ability in scavenging the DPPH radical, ABTS, superoxide, hydroxyl radical, ferric reducing power, cupric reducing power and erythrocyte hemolysis inhibition with an EC50 value of 2.49, 2.66, 4.10, 1.60, 3.48, 1.41 and 2.30 mg/mL, respectively. The MTT assay results revealed that CMCIP3a displayed a dose-dependent inhibition on five cancer cells (HT29, PC3, HeLa, Jurkat and HepG-2) in the range of 10–320 μg/mL. The APTT, PT and TT were significantly extended by CMCIP3a in relation to dosage, indicating that the anticoagulant effect of CIP was both extrinsic and intrinsic, along with a common coagulation pathway. These findings demonstrated that carboxymethylation might effectively improve the biological potential of the derivatives and offer a theoretical framework for the creation of novel natural antioxidants, low-toxicity antitumor and antithrombotic drugs

Not Available

Not AvailableWhite maize plays an important role in human diet, especially in traditional crop growing regions of northern hill region, north-eastern states and central-western parts of India. Breeding efforts to enhance the genetic potential of white maize was not so prominent as compared to yellow maize in the country. As a result, genetic base of the material utilized in white maize breeding program in India is very narrow and majorly contains indigenous germplasm and few introductions. Hence, efforts were made to use 365 white maize inbred lines from CIMMYT, Mexico, for breeding program. These new inbred lines were grown at winter nursery center, Indian Institute of Maize Research, New Delhi for its tropical adaptation. After preliminary evaluation, a total 47 inbred lines were selected and evaluated in randomized complete block design with two replications at Regional Maize Research and Seed Production Centre, Begusarai, Bihar, during rabi 2014. Out of this top performing 12 inbred lines viz, CML 47, CML 95, CML 314, CML 319, CML 377, CML 488, CML 494, CML 504, CML 517, CML 522, CML 531 and CML 538 were selected and were crossed in diallel manner to obtain 66 medium to long duration experimental hybrids. Stability analysis using AMMI model was done to identify adaptive hybrids with high yielding potentiality. According to the ASVi value obtained, the hybrid G38 appeared to be stable followed by G50 and G44. On the other hand, the hybrid G25 appeared as location specifi hybrid suitable for high input conditions.Not Availabl

Image_1_Autofluorescence−spectral imaging for rapid and invasive characterization of soybean for pre-germination anaerobic stress tolerance.jpeg

The autofluorescence-spectral imaging (ASI) technique is based on the light-emitting ability of natural fluorophores. Soybean genotypes showing contrasting tolerance to pre-germination anaerobic stress can be characterized using the photon absorption and fluorescence emission of natural fluorophores occurring in seed coats. In this study, tolerant seeds were efficiently distinguished from susceptible genotypes at 405 nm and 638 nm excitation wavelengths. ASI approach can be employed as a new marker for the detection of photon-emitting compounds in the tolerant and susceptible soybean seed coats. Furthermore, the accuracy of rapid characterization of genotypes using this technique can provide novel insights into soybean breeding.</p