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Not AvailableThe pink stem borer Sesamia inferens Walker is an important pest of winter maize, causing dead hearts and significant yield losses. In an attempt to decipher biochemical basis of resistance against S. inferens, total soluble phenolics, bound phenolics, total tannin content, total flavonoid content, cell wall bound hydroxycinnamic acids-p-coumaric acid (p-CA) and ferulic acid were measured in leaf at 10, 20 days after germination(DAG); stem at 20,40 DAG; pith and rind tissues at 60 DAG (stem differentiated). Higher quantities of phenolic compounds except total soluble phenolics and total flavonoid contents were found in either resistant (DMRE63) or moderately resistant lines (WNZPBTL3,WNZExotic Pool) compared to susceptible genotypes (BML6, CM202). Significant negative correlation (r=-0.8441*) between leaf injury rating and p-CA content in stem tissues at 40 DAG indicated its role in expression of resistance to S. inferens. The proportion of spread of various biochemical constituents of different genotypes ranged from 50.59 to 19.19% as determined according to Eigen analysis. From the results, it can be concluded that higher concentrations of p-CA, ferulic acid and total tannin content are the possible biochemical defense mechanisms in maize against S.inferens.Not Availabl

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.Not AvailableNot AvailableICAR-IIMR, Hyderaba

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Not Availablesignificant implications for sustainable pest management. The present study demonstrated that PSB feeding, mechanical wounding, a combination of mechanical wounding and PSB regurgitation and exogenous application of methyl jasmonate have induced phenolic compound mediated defense responses both at short term (within 2 days of treatment) and long term (in 15 days of treatment) in leaf and stalk tissues of maize. The quantification of two major defense related phenolic compounds namely p-Coumaric acid (p-CA) and ferulic acid (FA) was carried out through ultra-fast liquid chromatography (UFLC) at 2 and 15 days after imposing the above treatments. The p-CA content induced in leaf tissues of maize genotypes were intrinsically higher when challenged by PSB attack at V3 and V6 stages in short- and long-term responses. Higher p-CA content was observed in stalk tissues upon wounding and regurgitation in short- and long-term responses at V3 and V6 stages. Significant accumulation of FA content was also observed in leaf tissues in response to PSB feeding at V3 stage in long-term response while at V6 stage it was observed both in short- and long-term responses. In stalk tissues, methyl jasmonate induced higher FA content in short-term response at V3 stage. However, at V6 stage PSB feeding induced FA accumulation in the short-term while, wounding and regurgitation treatment-induced defense responses in the long-term. In general, the resistant (DMRE 63, CM 500) and moderately resistant genotypes (WNZ ExoticPool) accumulated significantly higher contents of p-CA and FA content than susceptible ones (CM 202, BML 6) in most of the cases. The study indicates that phenolic mediated defense responses in maize are induced by PSB attack followed by wounding and regurgitation compared to the other induced treatments. Furthermore, the study confirmed that induced defense responses vary with plant genotype, stage of crop growth, plant tissue and short and long-term responses. The results of the study suggested that the Phenolic acids i.e. p-CA and FA may contribute to maize resistance mechanisms in the maize-PSB interaction system.Not Availabl

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Not AvailableIn India, the area and production of sorghum during rainy season has been stagnant for the last 9 years. The main reason for this is the poor quality of the grain produced during the rainy season. Heavy rains at the time of crop maturity cause severe damage to the grain quality. The deterioration is caused by infection from a complex of fungi (resulting in moulded grain) and discolouration of the grain due to leaching out of colour from glume. We explored five approaches to manage the mould problem in 18 farmers’ fields each in the districts of Parbhani, Akola (Maharashtra), Mahabubnagar (Andhra Pradesh), Indore (Madhya Pradesh), Coimbatore (Tamil Nadu) and Dharwad (Karnataka) of India: (i) Identification of cultivars for superior grain quality among the released cultivars. (ii) Effect of anti-heating chemicals and fungicides on grain quality in relation to moulds. (iii) Pearling of grain to improve the deteriorated grain. (iv) Identification of grain mould tolerant variety, and (v) Solarization to improve storability of rainy season grain. Among the released cultivars, CSH 16 was identified for its good quality mould tolerant grain. Its bold, round and lustrous grain fetched up to 21% increased market price than those of other cultivars. Acetic acid treatment was most effective among the anti-heating chemicals. The wet produce treated with acetic acid gave a reduced grain mould score. The market price was improved when normal deteriorated grain was pearled. The high yielding variety SVD 9601 was superior in grain mould tolerance during all the three years when tested under epiphytotic conditions. The technology of solarization of harvested produce and storing in metal bins helped in reducing the insect infestation by about 40%. These technologies can be practiced either independently or in combination. Cultivating good quality high yielding varieties followed by harvesting the produce at physiological maturity with artificial drying and storing the solarized produce in metal bins would be the best package of technology for improving the grain quality of the rainy season produce.Not Availabl