Guidelines for the use and interpretation of assays for monitoring autophagy (4th edition)1.

In 2008, we published the first set of guidelines for standardizing research in autophagy. Since then, this topic has received increasing attention, and many scientists have entered the field. Our knowledge base and relevant new technologies have also been expanding. Thus, it is important to formulate on a regular basis updated guidelines for monitoring autophagy in different organisms. Despite numerous reviews, there continues to be confusion regarding acceptable methods to evaluate autophagy, especially in multicellular eukaryotes. Here, we present a set of guidelines for investigators to select and interpret methods to examine autophagy and related processes, and for reviewers to provide realistic and reasonable critiques of reports that are focused on these processes. These guidelines are not meant to be a dogmatic set of rules, because the appropriateness of any assay largely depends on the question being asked and the system being used. Moreover, no individual assay is perfect for every situation, calling for the use of multiple techniques to properly monitor autophagy in each experimental setting. Finally, several core components of the autophagy machinery have been implicated in distinct autophagic processes (canonical and noncanonical autophagy), implying that genetic approaches to block autophagy should rely on targeting two or more autophagy-related genes that ideally participate in distinct steps of the pathway. Along similar lines, because multiple proteins involved in autophagy also regulate other cellular pathways including apoptosis, not all of them can be used as a specific marker for bona fide autophagic responses. Here, we critically discuss current methods of assessing autophagy and the information they can, or cannot, provide. Our ultimate goal is to encourage intellectual and technical innovation in the field

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Not AvailableSeeds from middle and stylar fruit segments showed superior performance in terms of seed yield and quality in chosen two cucumber varieties (Pusa Barkha and Pusa Uday) under both open field (E1) and protected (E2) environments, during 2019-20, at ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi. Besides, both seed quality and yield were superior under protected environment (E2). This may be due to temporal and spatial advantage of stylar segment in receiving the vigorous pollen and garnering higher food accumulates (protein, sugar, starch and oil) than peduncular segment; thus, higher probability of seed setting. Higher dehydrogenases, antioxidants (SOD, CAT & POX) and lower ROS (H2O2 & O2 ·-), electrical conductance, TSS and TSP (seed leachates) from middle and stylar segment of fruit indicated the better physical and physiological soundness of seed. The seeds from peduncular segment lagged behind in development and maturation, showed higher dormancy. Therefore, to obtain optimum seed quality in cucumber, seed should be harvested from middle and stylar segments of fruit.Not Availabl

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Not AvailableSeeds from middle and stylar fruit segments showed superior performance in terms of seed yield and quality in chosen two cucumber varieties (Pusa Barkha and Pusa Uday) under both open field (E1) and protected (E2) environments, during 2019-20, at ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi. Besides, both seed quality and yield were superior under protected environment (E2). This may be due to temporal and spatial advantage of stylar segment in receiving the vigorous pollen and garnering higher food accumulates (protein, sugar, starch and oil) than peduncular segment; thus, higher probability of seed setting. Higher dehydrogenases, antioxidants (SOD, CAT & POX) and lower ROS (H2O2 & O2 ·-), electrical conductance, TSS and TSP (seed leachates) from middle and stylar segment of fruit indicated the better physical and physiological soundness of seed. The seeds from peduncular segment lagged behind in development and maturation, showed higher dormancy. Therefore, to obtain optimum seed quality in cucumber, seed should be harvested from middle and stylar segments of fruit.Not Availabl

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Not AvailableOnion seed crop is infected with several pest and diseases which reduce the seed yield and quality. The present study explores the feasibility of using polymer as an efficient delivery system for seed-protectant chemicals during onion seed production. Polymer coating prolonged the release of pesticides. After 30 DAP, 557% and 1087% higher retention of fungicide and insecticide was observed in polymer coated bulbs over traditional method of bulb treatment. Onion bulb coating with polymer and 0.15 % fipronil + 0.25 % (carbendazim + mancozeb) showed significantly higher values for seed yield attributes viz. productive scapes/plant (5.56), lower percent lodged scapes (21.16), seed yield/ plant (21.15 g) and seed quality attributes in comparison to control and traditional method of bulb treatment. Lowest percent disease index (36.39) was recorded in treatment- polymer coating + 0.15 % fipronil + 0.25 % (carbendazim + mancozeb) and lowest number of thrips/plant (5.14) was recorded in bulbs coated with polymer + 0.15 % fipronil + 500 ppm streptocyclin. Treating of onion bulbs with polymer is beneficial in increasing the efficacy of the applied pesticides, reducing the incidence of pest and diseases and enhancing seed yield and quality.Not Availabl

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Not AvailableThe effect of foliar sprays of plant growth regulators (PGRs), viz. NAA (10, 15 and 20 ppm), GA(3) (50, 75 and 100 ppm) and kinetin (10, 15 and 20 ppm) at 25 and 35 DAS was evaluated on growth, yield and seed quality attributes in garden pea (Pisum sativum var Hortense) cv. Pusa Pragati under field condition. Plant morphology was affected by spray of the three PGRs at vegetative stage. Plant height increased with increase in concentration of GA(3) and kinetin, albeit NAA. However, GA(3) did not influence the number of primary branches/plant, which were significantly increased by kinetin and NAA. GA(3) had a profound effect on hastening the initiation of flowering by 3-5 days over water sprayed control, whereas other plant growth regulators did not affect the days to flowering. The seed quality parameters did not increase significantly on increasing the concentration of PGRs except seedling length and vigour.Not Availabl

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Not AvailableMagnetic seed treatment is a physical and dry seed treatment, in which seed is exposed in magnetic field for specific period of time. In this study, the field strength and duration of exposure in magnetic field was standardized for maximum enhancement of seed quality parameter for one year old carrot seed under laboratory conditions. In conclusion, better seed enhancement was observed at 50mT magnetic strength for 30min and their interaction. Exposure of seed in higher magnetic field and for longer duration resulted in reduced seed quality in carrot.Not Availabl