Melatonin mediated high-temperature tolerance at seedling stage in green gram (Vigna radiata L.)

Global warming is predicted to have a generally negative effect on food grain production. The emergence of seedlings, blooming, pod-filling stages and yield of the mung bean are affected by high-temperature stress. Melatonin is a multifunctional signaling molecule with antioxidant properties that plays a vital role in plant stress defense mechanism. With this knowledge, the experiment was conducted to identify the optimum melatonin concentration to mitigate the adverse effects of high temperature in green gram var CO 8 with a completely randomized design (CRD). The treatments consisted of soaking seeds with different melatonin concentrations, viz., 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100 μM. Seeds were sown in a pertidish and allowed to germinate. After 5 days, the seedlings were exposed to two different high-temperature stress following the temperature induction response (TIR) protocol in the growth chamber viz., Ambient + 2°C (40°C) and Ambient + 4°C (42°C). After stress period, the seedlings were allowed to recover at room temperature for 2 days. At the end of the recovery period, observations on temperature tolerance-related traits viz., survival percentage, per cent reduction of shoot and root growth, cell viability, mortality per cent, malondialdehyde content, superoxide dismutase and catalase activity of green gram seedlings were assessed. Seeds pre-treated with melatonin of 100 and 80 µM exhibited higher survival percentage, shoot and root growth, cell viability and antioxidant enzyme activity (like superoxide dismutase and catalase) with reduced mortality per cent and malondialdehyde content under high-temperature stress at both 40°C and 42°C. The results revealed that seeds treated with different melatonin concentrations significantly improved green gram germination and seedling health.               

Exogenous melatonin improves seed germination and seedling growth in greengram under drought stress

Drought stress diminishes seedling germination and vigor by reducing water uptake, inhibiting plant growth and development. Most of the pulse growing areas are under rainfed ecosystems, which significantly reduces crop yield. Melatonin, a growth-regulating compound, is widely used to mitigate the negative effects of abiotic stresses in pulses. With this background, a laboratory experiment was conducted to standardize the optimum melatonin concentration for seed treatment and foliar application in greengram, to minimize the ill effects of drought stress. The experiment was arranged in a completely randomized design (CRD) with three replications for each treatment. The treatments consisted of soaking seeds with different melatonin concentrations, viz., 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100 μM. Seeds were sown in a perti dishes and the drought stress was imposed using poly ethylene glycol 6000 (PEG 6000) @ - 0.4 MPa, and plates were maintained at room temperature (24-30 °C). After the seedlings emerged, various seedling growth parameters like germination percentage, shoot length, root length, vigor index, promptness index, germination stress tolerance index, fresh and dry weight of the seedlings, plant height stress index and root length stress index were recorded. The experimental results showed that drought stress significantly reduced germination percentage and other growth-related parameters in greengram seedlings compared to the melatonin treatments. Among the melatonin treatments, seeds treated with @ 100 μM concentration recorded the highest germination percentage (99.67 %), promptness index (98.80), vigour index (1631.68), shoot and root length (8.9 cm and 7.5 cm), fresh and dry weight of the seedlings (3.249 and 0.147 mg seedling-1) under PEG induced drought stress condition

Hybridization of ALO and GOA for Combined Economic Emission Dispatch

A hybrid algorithm is presented for CEED problem with generation, emission and combustion of fuel & emission cost as an objective. The proposed algorithm is combined with both ant lion optimizer and grass hopper optimizations called as integrated ant lion grasshopper optimization algorithm (IALGOA). To find an optimal solution for a CEED, the IALGOA is proposed in this paper. The IALGOA performance is compared and analyzed with conventional hybrid algorithms like PSO, GSA and Adaptive Wind Driven Optimization (AWDO) under standard IEEE 30-bus test system. The presented numerical results explain IALGOA algorithm’s excellent convergence characteristics

Hybridization of ALO and GOA for Combined Economic Emission Dispatch

894-897A hybrid algorithm is presented for CEED problem with generation, emission and combustion of fuel & emission cost as an objective. The proposed algorithm is combined with both ant lion optimizer and grass hopper optimizations called as integrated ant lion grasshopper optimization algorithm (IALGOA). To find an optimal solution for a CEED, the IALGOA is proposed in this paper. The IALGOA performance is compared and analyzed with conventional hybrid algorithms like PSO, GSA and Adaptive Wind Driven Optimization (AWDO) under standard IEEE 30-bus test system. The presented numerical results explain IALGOA algorithm’s excellent convergence characteristics

Identifikacija ptičjih vrsta lančanom reakcijom polimerazom i analizom slijeda mitohondrijskoga gena 12S rRNA

Authentic identification and differentiation of avian species is a vital step in conservative, taxonomic, forensic, legal and other ornithological interventions. The present investigation involved the application of molecular biological approach to identify and differentiate avian species i.e. two species of birds, namely black kite (Milvus migrans) and parakeet (Psittacula krameri). The DNA was isolated from blood samples of each species and a part of the mitochondrial 12S rRNA gene was amplified through polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The PCR products were sequenced and aligned using Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (BLAST) of the GenBank (NCBI). Based on the alignment and similarity/divergence, these avian species were accurately identified and differentiated.Autentična identifikacija i razlikovanje ptičjih vrsta od presudnoga su značenja u različitim konzervirajućim, taksonomskim, sudbenim, zakonskim i drugim ornitološkim aktivnostima. Ovo istraživanje bavi se molekularnobiološkim pristupom identifikaciji i razlikovanja dviju ptičjih vrsta: crvenkaste lunje (sokola) (Milvus migrans) i papige (Psittacula krameri). DNA je bila izdvojena iz uzoraka njihove krvi te je dio mitohondrijskoga 12S rRNA bio umnožen lančanom reakcijom polimerazom. Proizvodi PCR-a bili su sekvencirani i analizirani upotrebom Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (BLAST) genske banke GenBank (NCBI). Na osnovi sličnosti odnosno različitosti nalaza identificirane su te dvije pretraživane vrste

Sustainable Valorisation of Animal Manures via Thermochemical Conversion Technologies: An Inclusive Review on Recent Trends

Purpose: With its substantial CO2eq emissions, the agricultural sector is a significant greenhouse gas (GHG) emitter. Animal manure alone contributes 16% of the total agricultural emissions. With a rapidly increasing demand for animal-based protein, animal wastes are expected to rise if sustainable manure management practices are not implemented. Manures have the potential to be treated to generate valuable products (biofertiliser and biocrude) or feedstock for energy production. Thermochemical conversion technologies such as pyrolysis, combustion, supercritical gasification (SCWG), etc., have demonstrated their potential in manure management and valorisation. This study provides a broader overview of these technologies and envisages future manure valorisation trends. Methods: The paper presents a state-of-the-art review of manure valorisation. Characterisation of manure, modelling and optimisation of thermochemical conversion technologies along with life cycle anaalysis (LCA) are also reviewed. Results: The literature review highlighted that the thermochemical conversion technologies can generate bio-oils, syngas, H2, biofuels, heat, and biochar as carbon-free fertiliser. The reported calorific value of the produced bio-oil was in the range of 26 MJ/kg to 32 MJ/kg. However, thermochemical conversion technologies are yet to be commercialised. The major challenges associated with the scale-up of manure derived feedstocks are relatively high moisture and ash content, lower calorific value and higher concentration of impurities (N, Cl, and S). LCA studies conclude that gasification presents a sustainable option for manure valorisation as it is economical with modest environmental threats. Significance of Study: This review briefly states the current challenges faced in manure management and presents the case for a sustainable valorisation of animal manures using thermochemical technologies. The economic, environmental and societal advantages of these technologies are presented in order to promote the scientific and industrial development of the subject in the academic and research community. Conclusions: Thermochemical conversion technologies are promising for manure valorisation for energy and nutrient recovery. However, their commercialisation viability needs wide-ranging evaluations such as techno-economics, life-cycle analysis, technology take-up and identification of stakeholders. There should be clear-cut policies to support such technologies. It should be advocated amongst communities and industries, which necessitates marketing by the governments to secure a clean energy future for the planet. Graphical Abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.]

Diagnosis and management of Guillain–Barré syndrome in ten steps

Guillain–Barré syndrome (GBS) is a rare, but potentially fatal, immune-mediated disease of the peripheral nerves and nerve roots that is usually triggered by infections. The incidence of GBS can therefore increase during outbreaks of infectious diseases, as was seen during the Zika virus epidemics in 2013 in French Polynesia and 2015 in Latin America. Diagnosis and management of GBS can be complicated as its clinical presentation and disease course are heterogeneous, and no international clinical guidelines are currently available. To support clinicians, especially in the context of an outbreak, we have developed a globally applicable guideline for the diagnosis and management of GBS. The guideline is based on current literature and expert consensus, and has a ten-step structure to facilitate its use in clinical practice. We first provide an introduction to the diagnostic criteria, clinical variants and differential diagnoses of GBS. The ten steps then cover early recognition and diagnosis of GBS, admission to the intensive care unit, treatment indication and selection, monitoring and treatment of disease progression, prediction of clinical course and outcome, and management of complications and sequelae

A bibliography of parasites and diseases of marine and freshwater fishes of India

With the increasing demand for fish as human food, aquaculture both in freshwater and salt water is rapidly developing over the world. In the developing countries, fishes are being raised as food. In many countries fish farming is a very important economic activity. The most recent branch, mariculture, has shown advances in raising fishes in brackish, estuarine and bay waters, in which marine, anadromous and catadromous fishes have successfully been grown and maintained