PLANT CELL BIOTECHNOLOGY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY

Harnessing Combining Ability and Multi-environment Evaluation to Identify Superior Parents and Heterotic Hybrids for Sustainable Rice Yield Improvement

2026-07-09T13:09:09+00:00

The present investigation was conducted to assess combining ability, gene action and promising hybrid combinations for grain yield and associated traits in rice across multiple environments. Four WA-CMS lines, namely APMS 6A, IR79156A, IR68897A and PUSA 5A, were crossed with twelve elite restorer lines to generate 48 F1 hybrids. The hybrids, parents and three standard checks were evaluated during Rabi 2016-17 at Rudrur, Warangal and Rajendranagar using a randomised complete block design with two replications. Observations were recorded for eleven agronomic traits, including days to 50% flowering, plant height, panicle length, panicle weight, total tillers per plant, productive tillers per plant, filled grains per panicle, spikelet fertility, 1000-grain weight, grain yield per plant and days to maturity. Combining ability analysis indicated substantial variability among lines, testers and hybrids. Specific combining ability variance was greater than general combining ability variance for most yield and yield-contributing traits, suggesting the predominance of non-additive gene action. In contrast, days to 50% flowering and days to maturity showed a greater influence of additive gene action. Among the CMS lines, APMS 6A and IR79156A were identified as useful general combiners for grain yield and related traits, while TCP-718, TCP-783, TCP-963 and PSV-49 were promising restorers. The hybrids APMS 6A × TCP-718, PUSA 5A × TCP-795, APMS 6A × PSV-49, IR79156A × TCP-964 and IR68897A × TCP-783 showed desirable specific combining ability and favourable performance for grain yield and associated traits. These parental lines and hybrid combinations may be useful in further hybrid rice breeding and evaluation programmes.

Improvement in Yield and Fruit Quality of Banana by Pre-harvest Treatment of GA3 and Chitosan

2026-07-09T06:02:09+00:00

The present study evaluated the influence of pre-harvest application of gibberellic acid (GA₃) and chitosan on yield-contributing traits and fruit quality of banana cv. BARI Banana 1. The experiment was conducted at the Horticulture Farm of Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka, Bangladesh, from July 2024 to June 2025. Treatments comprised three GA₃ levels (control, 100 ppm and 200 ppm) and three chitosan levels (control, 1 g/L and 2 g/L), arranged in nine combinations. Sprays were applied twice, at bunch emergence and 15 days after the first application. The combined application of GA₃ and chitosan influenced yield and quality attributes. Among the treatment combinations, GA₃ at 100 ppm with chitosan at 2 g/L produced the highest bunch weight (24.77 kg), bunch length (89.67 cm), number of fingers per bunch (145.00), total soluble solids (28.00 °Brix), vitamin C content (13.72 mg/100 g), reducing sugar content (10.85 mg/g), phenol content (20.45 mg/g) and improved peel colour values. The same treatment also recorded low titratable acidity (0.08%) and pH (4.48). Untreated plants generally showed the lowest values for most yield and quality parameters. These findings indicate that pre-harvest spraying of GA₃ at 100 ppm combined with chitosan at 2 g/L may improve banana yield and selected fruit quality attributes under the conditions of the present study.

Influence of Pre and Post Planting Application of Plant Growth Regulators on Bulb Sprouting and Plant Height of Tuberose (Polianthes tuberosa L.) cv. Prajwal

2026-07-08T10:34:32+00:00

The present investigation was conducted at the Experimental Orchard, Department of Horticulture, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, Haryana, India, during 2024–25 and 2025–26 to evaluate the influence of pre- and post-planting application of plant growth regulators on bulb sprouting and plant height of tuberose (Polianthes tuberosa L.) cv. Prajwal. The experiment was laid out in a factorial randomised block design. The treatments comprised gibberellic acid (150, 250 and 350 ppm), salicylic acid (150, 250 and 350 ppm) and benzyl adenine (50, 100 and 150 ppm), along with a control. The application methods included bulb dipping, foliar spray and bulb dipping + foliar spray. Among the treatments, GA₃ at 350 ppm recorded the earliest initiation of sprouting (10.56 and 5.78 days) and complete sprouting (33.11 and 21.56 days) in the fresh and ratoon crops, respectively. The maximum bulb sprouting percentage (85.78 and 92.44%) and plant height (79.51 and 74.64 cm) were recorded with salicylic acid at 350 ppm in the fresh and ratoon crops, respectively. Among the application methods, bulb dipping + foliar spray resulted in the earliest sprouting initiation (12.47 and 6.93 days), complete sprouting (35.27 and 22.90 days), maximum bulb sprouting percentage (80.67 and 87.23%) and plant height (76.18 and 71.02 cm) during the fresh and ratoon crops, respectively. The findings indicate that the combined use of 350 ppm GA₃ for sprouting traits and 350 ppm salicylic acid for bulb sprouting percentage and plant height, applied through bulb dipping and foliar spray, improved sprouting behaviour and plant height in tuberose cv. Prajwal.

Study of Organic and Inorganic Fertilizers on Growth, Yield and Quality Parameters of Radish (Raphanus sativus L.) cv. Pusa Desi

2026-07-03T09:54:21+00:00

A field experiment was conducted during the Rabi season of 2025-2026 at the Horticulture Experimental Field, Department of Horticulture, School of Advanced Agriculture Sciences and Technology, Chhatrapati Shahu Ji Maharaj University, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India, to evaluate the effects of organic and inorganic nutrient sources on growth, yield and quality attributes of radish (Raphanus sativus L.) cv. Pusa Desi. The experiment was laid out in a randomised block design with ten treatments and three replications. The treatments included the recommended dose of inorganic fertilisers, organic nitrogen sources through farmyard manure, vermicompost and plant-based compost, and their combinations with phosphate-solubilising bacteria. Integrated nutrient application improved most growth and yield traits compared with sole organic nutrient sources. Among the treatments, T6, consisting of 75% NPK + 25% nitrogen through vermicompost + phosphate-solubilising bacteria at 25 ml/kg, recorded the highest plant height (34.91 cm), leaf length (32.25 cm), number of leaves per plant (15.11), shoot dry weight (16.13 g), shoot fresh weight (213.58 g), root length (24.42 cm), root diameter (3.77 cm), average root weight (113.19 g) and root yield (285.29 q/ha). Quality attributes varied among treatments. T7, consisting of 75% NPK + 25% nitrogen through plant-based compost + phosphate-solubilising bacteria at 25 ml/kg, recorded the highest total soluble solids (5.33 °Brix) and ascorbic acid content (15.58 mg/100 g). The findings indicate that integrated use of inorganic fertilisers, organic nutrient sources and phosphate-solubilising bacteria can improve radish growth, yield and selected quality parameters under the agro-climatic conditions of Kanpur.

Androgenesis and Embryogenesis in Rice: Mechanisms, Biotechnological Applications, and Breeding Prospects

2026-07-02T12:51:48+00:00

Rice improvement increasingly depends on the rapid generation of homozygous lines and on a deeper understanding of the cellular pathways that govern embryo formation, whether from gametes, somatic tissue, or engineered reproductive systems. Androgenesis, the redirection of the male gametophyte towards a sporophytic, embryogenic fate, has underpinned doubled haploid breeding in rice for more than five decades, yet its practical value remains constrained by strong genotype dependence, persistent albinism among regenerated plantlets, and the comparative recalcitrance of indica backgrounds relative to japonica. Parallel advances in the molecular dissection of embryogenesis, particularly the elucidation of the BABY BOOM–auxin module governing zygotic and somatic embryo initiation and the identification of phospholipase genes and gamete-fusion-associated DMP genes that contribute to in vivo haploid induction, have opened a second, genetically tractable route to haploid and doubled haploid production that largely bypasses tissue culture. This review traces the cellular, physiological and molecular basis of androgenesis and embryogenesis in rice, critically appraises the principal in vitro and in vivo platforms used to generate haploid and doubled haploid material, and evaluates how these technologies intersect with contemporary efforts to engineer synthetic apomixis for the fixation of hybrid vigour. Particular attention is given to the comparative efficiency, fertility costs, and genomic stability of competing haploid-induction strategies, to the persistent biological barriers that limit indica responsiveness, and to the breeding outcomes—ranging from quantitative trait locus mapping populations to improved parental and restorer lines—that these technologies have enabled. The review concludes that, while in vitro androgenesis remains an indispensable tool for several rice breeding programmes, the convergence of haploid-inducer genetics, genome editing, and embryogenic trigger genes is reshaping the field towards genotype-independent, in vivo systems whose translation into widely deployable commercial technology will depend on resolving trade-offs between induction frequency, seed fertility, and regulatory acceptance.

Influence of Organic and Inorganic Mulches on Fruit Quality Attributes of Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) cv. Azad T-6

2026-07-02T12:21:59+00:00

The present field experiment was conducted during the Rabi season of 2025–26 at the Horticulture Experiment Field, School of Advanced Agriculture Sciences and Technology (SAAST), Chhatrapati Shahu Ji Maharaj University, Kanpur (U.P.). Eight mulching treatments, namely T1: Control (No Mulch), T2: Dry Grass, T3: Paddy Straw, T4: Saw Dust, T5: Dry Leaves, T6: Transparent Plastic Mulch (50 micron), T7: Black Plastic Mulch (50 micron), and T8: Wheat Hay, were evaluated in a randomised block design with three replications. The assessed quality characters included total soluble solids (TSS), lycopene content, fruit juice pH, and titratable acidity, together with physical fruit characters, namely polar diameter, equatorial diameter, average fruit weight, number of locules per fruit, and pericarp thickness. Black Plastic Mulch (T7) recorded the highest TSS (5.12 °Brix), lycopene content (2.58 mg/100 g), and fruit juice pH (5.01), along with the lowest titratable acidity (0.48%), indicating better biochemical quality. T7 also recorded the maximum polar diameter (5.72 cm), equatorial diameter (5.20 cm), average fruit weight (58.57 g), number of locules (4.60), and pericarp thickness (7.73 mm) among all treatments. Organic mulches, particularly Paddy Straw (T3) and Dry Leaves (T5), performed better than the unmulched control for all quality parameters. All mulching treatments were significantly superior to the control (T1), which recorded the minimum values for all quality traits. Based on these findings, Black Plastic Mulch may be considered for improving tomato fruit quality under the Central Plain Zone of Uttar Pradesh.

Correlation and Path Coefficient Analysis for Seed Yield and Its Component Traits in Indian Mustard (Brassica juncea L.) F₁ Hybrids

2026-07-01T06:06:33+00:00

The present investigation was conducted to assess the association between seed yield and its component traits in F₁ hybrids of Indian mustard (Brassica juncea L.) and to identify important characters for selection. Forty-eight F₁ hybrids were evaluated during the Rabi season of 2024-25 at the Research Farm, Faculty of Agriculture Science and Technology, AKS University, Satna, Madhya Pradesh, India. The experiment was laid out in a randomised block design with three replications, and observations were recorded for thirteen phenological, morphological, yield-attributing, and quality traits. Analysis of variance indicated highly significant differences among the genotypes for all traits, suggesting the presence of sufficient variability for selection. Genotypic correlations were generally higher than phenotypic correlations, indicating that the observed associations were largely influenced by genetic factors. Seed yield per plant showed a positive association with harvest index, number of primary branches per plant, oil content, test weight, number of siliquae on the main raceme, and number of seeds per siliqua. Days to 50% flowering and days to maturity showed negative associations with seed yield, indicating the relative advantage of early flowering and early maturing hybrids under the experimental conditions. Path coefficient analysis showed that the number of siliquae on the main raceme exerted the highest positive direct effect on seed yield at both genotypic and phenotypic levels. Test weight, number of primary branches per plant, main raceme length, siliqua length, and days to maturity also showed positive direct effects. The study indicates that selection based on the number of siliquae on the main raceme, test weight, primary branches per plant, main raceme length, and siliqua length may be useful for improving seed yield in Indian mustard.

Trait Association and Path Coefficient Analysis for Seed Yield Improvement in Maize (Zea mays L.) Hybrids

2026-06-29T11:07:28+00:00

The present investigation was conducted to evaluate trait association and the direct and indirect effects of yield-contributing characters on seed yield in maize (Zea mays L.) crosses. A total of 55 maize crosses were evaluated during Kharif 2024-25 at the research farm of the Faculty of Agriculture Science and Technology, AKS University, Satna, Madhya Pradesh, India. The experiment was laid out in a randomised complete block design with three replications. Observations were recorded for phenological, vegetative, ear, yield and quality-related traits. Analysis of variance showed highly significant treatment differences for all studied traits, indicating substantial variability among the evaluated crosses. At the genotypic level, seed yield per plant showed significant positive correlations with seed index (r = 0.7993), number of seeds per cob (r = 0.7789), days to maturity (r = 0.6770), number of cobs per plant (r = 0.4827), days to anthesis (r = 0.4371) and cob length (r = 0.3735). Significant negative associations were observed with days to 50% silking (r = −0.5773) and protein content (r = −0.4509). At the phenotypic level, seed yield per plant was positively associated with cob diameter, seed index, cob weight, number of cobs per plant, days to anthesis, number of seeds per cob and protein content. Path coefficient analysis indicated that shelling percentage, cob length, number of internodes per plant, carbohydrate content, days to 50% silking and days to maturity had important positive direct effects at the genotypic level, while cob diameter, tassel length, days to maturity, number of seeds per cob and number of internodes per plant were important at the phenotypic level. These results suggest that selection based on yield-associated traits, particularly seed index, number of seeds per cob, cob diameter, cob length, shelling percentage and maturity duration, may support seed yield improvement in maize.

Genetic and Genomic Approaches in Hybrid Breeding of Vegetable Crops: From Male Sterility and Self-Incompatibility to Modern Genomic Application

2026-06-27T07:32:34+00:00

Hybrid breeding is an important approach for improving productivity, uniformity, quality, and adaptability in vegetable crops. This review discusses the genetic and genomic mechanisms used to support hybrid development, with emphasis on heterosis, self-incompatibility, male sterility systems, gynoecism, and recent molecular breeding tools. Heterosis provides a practical basis for exploiting superior performance in hybrid progenies, particularly for yield, earliness, stress tolerance, and marketable traits. However, efficient hybrid seed production depends on reliable control of self-pollination and pollen fertility. Self-incompatibility promotes cross-pollination by preventing self-fertilisation and is useful in crops such as Brassica vegetables and radish. Male sterility systems, including genetic, cytoplasmic, and cytoplasmic-genic male sterility, reduce the need for manual emasculation and support large-scale hybrid seed production in several vegetable crops. Gynoecism is especially valuable in cucurbits because the predominance of female flowers improves hybrid seed production efficiency and fruiting potential. The review also highlights the role of marker-assisted selection, genomic analysis, genome-wide association studies, genomic selection, gene editing, tissue culture, doubled haploid technology, and protoplast fusion in improving breeding precision. These tools help identify fertility-related genes, maintain sterile lines, select restorers, and accelerate the development of superior hybrids. Despite these advances, hybrid breeding still faces challenges such as environmental sensitivity of sterility systems, complex inheritance of heterosis, high technology costs, and regulatory concerns related to advanced biotechnological approaches. The integration of conventional breeding with molecular and genomic tools can improve the reliability, efficiency, and sustainability of hybrid vegetable breeding programmes.

Next-Generation Crop Breeding: Harnessing Genomics, Phenomics and Machine Learning: A Review

2026-06-23T11:16:28+00:00

Global food security requires crop improvement strategies that can respond to population growth, climate variability and increasing constraints on agricultural resources. Conventional plant breeding has contributed substantially to crop productivity, yet long selection cycles and dependence on extensive field evaluation can limit the rate of genetic gain. This review synthesises advances in genomics, phenomics and machine learning for next-generation crop breeding, with emphasis on their combined contribution to selection accuracy and breeding efficiency. Key genomic approaches discussed include whole-genome sequencing, reference and pan-genome resources, genome-wide association studies, genomic selection and CRISPR-Cas-based genome editing. The review also examines high-throughput phenotyping platforms, including controlled-environment systems, ground-based robots, UAV-based remote sensing and root phenotyping tools. Machine learning approaches, ranging from random forest and support vector machines to convolutional neural networks, recurrent networks, transformers and explainable artificial intelligence, are considered in relation to genomic prediction, image analysis and breeding decision support. Multi-omics integration, data management, FAIR principles and an integrated genomics-phenomics-ML breeding pipeline are reviewed as enabling components for practical deployment. Crop-specific examples from wheat, rice, maize, soybean and legumes illustrate the potential and constraints of these technologies. The review further identifies key challenges, including phenotyping bottlenecks, genotype-environment interaction, data governance, model interpretability and regulatory uncertainty.

Dynamics of Physico-Chemical, Quality Parameters of Cherry Tomato as Influenced by Pruning Intensities and Transplanting Dates under Controlled Conditions in the Subtropical Region of North-Western Himalayas

2026-06-23T11:07:32+00:00

Cherry tomato (Solanum lycopersicum var. cerasiforme) is a high-value vegetable valued for its taste, nutritional attributes and market preference, but quality-oriented management under protected subtropical cultivation requires further refinement. This study evaluated the effects of pruning intensity and transplanting date on physico-chemical quality attributes of cherry tomato grown under a low-cost polyhouse during Rabi season at SKUAST-J. The experiment was arranged in a factorial randomised block design with three pruning intensities, three transplanting dates and three replications. Two-stem pruning improved fruit quality by recording higher fruit size (27.84 mm), ascorbic acid (37.16 mg 100 g⁻¹), lycopene (6.10 mg 100 g⁻¹) and sugar–acid ratio (26.40), along with lower titratable acidity (0.29%), compared with other pruning treatments. Transplanting on 15 October recorded higher ascorbic acid (40.76 mg 100 g⁻¹), lycopene (6.73 mg 100 g⁻¹), sugar–acid ratio (28.59) and lower acidity (0.28%), whereas transplanting on 30 October recorded the highest total soluble solids (8.37 °Brix). The interaction between pruning and transplanting date showed that two-stem pruning combined with 15 October transplanting (P₂D₁) gave the best overall fruit-quality response, including the largest fruit size (28.76 mm) and favourable biochemical balance. Principal component analysis further supported the superiority of P₂D₁ for integrated fruit quality. The findings indicate that two-stem pruning with mid-October transplanting can improve cherry tomato quality under protected subtropical conditions.

Detect the Effect of Western Himalayan Conditions on Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.) Core Set Germplasm and Seed Physical Traits

2026-06-22T12:02:32+00:00

Seed physical traits are important determinants of yield-related attributes, seed appearance and consumer market preference in cowpea. The present investigation was conducted under Western Himalayan conditions to assess variability and trait associations for ten physical seed traits in 254 diverse cowpea genotypes, including four checks, and to identify promising lines for future breeding programmes. Considerable variability was observed across all studied traits, indicating substantial diversity among the evaluated genotypes. Seed length, seed breadth, seed width, breadth/width ratio and aspect ratio ranged from 5.33 to 11.67 mm, 3.87 to 9.80 mm, 3.03 to 18.60 mm, 0.87 to 2.13 and 0.30 to 2.31, respectively. The ranges for equivalent diameter, sphericity, seed volume and surface area also indicated clear phenotypic variation. Seed volume and surface area ranged from 25.17 to 256.17 mm³ and 46.01 to 196.59 mm², respectively, with mean values of 69.82 and 95.76. The coefficient of variation was highest for seed volume (38.39%), followed by 100-seed weight (34.05%) and surface area (25.97%), suggesting comparatively greater scope for selection in these traits. Correlation analysis showed positive associations among several seed physical traits. Seed length was positively correlated with seed breadth, aspect ratio, surface area, seed volume and equivalent diameter, while seed breadth was positively associated with seed thickness, breadth/thickness ratio, surface area, volume and aspect ratio. The first two principal components of the PCA biplot explained 80% of the total variation, supporting visual interpretation of trait relationships and their contributions to variability. These findings show that the cowpea core set contains useful variability for selecting genotypes with desirable seed physical traits.

Phenotypic Evaluation of Advanced Breeding Lines for Introgression of Blast Resistance Genes in Rice (Oryza sativa L.)

2026-06-22T09:05:45+00:00

Rice blast, caused by Magnaporthe oryzae, remains a major fungal disease affecting rice productivity worldwide, and the development of resistant cultivars is an economical and environmentally sustainable approach for its management. The present investigation evaluated fifty advanced breeding lines derived from the cross MTU1010 NIL × Akshayadhan NIL for resistance to blast under Uniform Blast Nursery (UBN) conditions during Rabi 2020–21 at the Regional Agricultural Research Station (RARS), Jagtial, Telangana, India. Phenotypic screening was performed using the virulent local isolate SPI-40 of M. oryzae, and disease reactions were recorded according to the Standard Evaluation System (SES) scale. The breeding lines showed clear variation in response to blast infection under the imposed disease pressure. Of the fifty lines evaluated, thirty-six exhibited resistant reactions with a disease score of 3, thirteen showed moderately resistant reactions with a disease score of 5, and one line, VSR-49, was susceptible with a score of 7. The susceptible parent MTU1010 NIL and the susceptible check TN1 recorded highly susceptible reactions, each with a score of 9. In contrast, the resistant parent Akshayadhan NIL and the resistant check NLR34449 expressed resistant responses, with scores of 3 and 1, respectively. The high frequency of resistant lines indicates successful recovery of blast-resistant breeding material in the MTU1010 genetic background. The results also support the usefulness of UBN-based phenotypic screening for identifying promising lines under controlled disease pressure. These resistant lines may be useful genetic resources for further varietal evaluation, marker-assisted selection and breeding programmes aimed at developing blast-resistant rice cultivars for blast-endemic regions.

Screening and Identification of Cellulolytic Bacteria from Organic Waste for Antifungal Applications

2026-06-17T12:35:18+00:00

Municipal solid waste and related organic residues contain lignocellulosic materials that support the growth of cellulose-degrading microorganisms. In the present study, cellulolytic bacteria were isolated from organic waste collected from different locations in Dal Lake and the SKUAST-K Shalimar campus, Srinagar, and their antifungal activity was evaluated under in vitro conditions. A total of 27 samples representing agricultural waste, aquatic weeds and kitchen waste were processed through serial dilution and cultured on nutrient agar. The isolates were subsequently screened for cellulolytic activity on carboxymethyl cellulose agar using Congo red staining. Twenty-eight cellulolytic bacterial isolates were obtained, of which five isolates showing the highest zones of hydrolysis were selected for further study. These isolates, designated CB1, CB2, CB3, CB4 and CB5, were characterised using colony morphology, Gram staining and biochemical tests. All selected isolates were Gram-positive, rod-shaped and catalase-positive, and were tentatively identified as belonging to the genus Bacillus. Their antagonistic activity was tested against Fusarium oxysporum and Venturia inaequalis. All five isolates inhibited the growth of both fungal pathogens. Against Fusarium oxysporum, inhibition ranged from 33.35% to 61.02%, with isolate CB2 showing the highest inhibition. Against Venturia inaequalis, inhibition ranged from 14.6% to 21.34%, and CB2 again showed the highest inhibition. The findings indicate that organic waste can serve as a source of cellulolytic bacterial isolates with measurable antifungal activity under laboratory conditions. These isolates may be useful for further evaluation in cellulose degradation and preliminary biocontrol studies, although their field-level performance requires validation through additional targeted testing under controlled conditions.

Integrated Approaches for Controlling Sugarcane Red Rot Disease to Sustain Ethanol Production from Sugarcane

2026-06-15T11:32:05+00:00

In recent times, sugarcane has become a preferred crop for renewable and eco-friendly energy production, contributing significantly to sustainable energy development and reducing dependence on fossil fuels. The improvement of sugarcane productivity depends on the crop varieties, growth environments, and management practices. Expected rise in demand for energy has improved the scope of sugarcane production. In order to fulfill the rising demands of sugar and ethanol, it has to develop into a complex scientific study with the goal to produce the greatest amount of agricultural produce in the least amount of area, and time. Due to the fast expanding population, increased per capita sugar consumption, and growing demand for ethanol as a biofuel, more sugar must be produced. Red rot of disease is a major hindrance in ethanol production from sugarcane thereby affecting the overall efficiency and economic viability of ethanol production. Severe disease outbreaks can lead to substantial economic losses for farmers, sugar industries, and bioethanol producers. The emergence of new pathogenic races and the breakdown of host resistance in commercial cultivars further complicate disease management and threaten the sustainability of ethanol production systems. To address these challenges, strategies have emerged for controlling red rot disease include combined use of resistant cultivars, disease-free seed cane, crop sanitation, field monitoring, crop rotation, balanced nutrient management, biological control agents, and need-based fungicide applications. Recent advances in molecular breeding, pathogen diagnostics, and genomic-assisted selection have further strengthened efforts to develop durable red rot-resistant varieties. Therefore, the implementation of comprehensive red rot management strategies is essential for sustaining sugarcane productivity, ensuring a stable supply of feedstock for ethanol production, and supporting the long-term growth of the biofuel industry in an environmentally sustainable manner. Therefore, sophisticated scientific research is required with the objective of producing disease free canes with higher production rate in order to meet the growing demands of ethanol from sugarcane.

Synthesis, Characterisation and Photocatalytic Dye Degradation Analysis of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles from Fruit Extract of Manilkara zapota

2026-06-15T08:54:43+00:00

Green synthesis of metal oxide nanoparticles using plant extracts offers an eco-friendly and sustainable approach for developing effective photocatalysts for environmental remediation. The present study reports the green synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) using aqueous fruit extract of Manilkara zapota as a reducing and stabilising agent, with zinc nitrate as the precursor salt. The synthesised nanoparticles were characterised using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR), Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM), Energy Dispersive X-ray Analysis (EDX), and X-ray Diffraction (XRD). FT-IR analysis revealed the presence of hydroxyl, amine, carbonyl, and alkyl functional groups involved in nanoparticle formation and stabilisation. FESEM micrographs showed predominantly spherical nanoparticles with slight agglomeration and an average particle size of approximately 35 nm. EDX analysis confirmed the elemental composition of zinc and oxygen, while XRD patterns verified the crystalline wurtzite structure of ZnO with an average crystallite size of 26.99 nm. The antioxidant potential of the nanoparticles was evaluated using the DPPH free radical scavenging assay and demonstrated appreciable antioxidant activity. Furthermore, the photocatalytic performance of the ZnO nanoparticles was assessed using methylene blue dye as a model pollutant under xenon lamp irradiation. The nanoparticles exhibited significant dye degradation efficiency, with degradation increasing progressively with irradiation time. The enhanced photocatalytic activity was attributed to the nanoscale size, high surface area, and abundance of active catalytic sites. The study demonstrates that Manilkara zapota-mediated ZnO nanoparticles are environmentally friendly, cost-effective, and promising materials for wastewater treatment and environmental remediation applications.

Assessment of Heterosis for Yield and Associated Traits in Sponge Gourd [Luffa cylindrica (L.) Roem.]

2026-06-15T08:46:15+00:00

Sponge gourd [Luffa cylindrica (L.) Roem.] is an important cucurbitaceous vegetable crop cultivated worldwide during the summer and rainy seasons. The crop exhibits considerable genetic variability for growth, flowering, yield, and fruit quality traits, providing substantial scope for genetic improvement through breeding. The development of high-yielding and early-maturing hybrids using diverse parental lines is considered an effective strategy for enhancing productivity and meeting the increasing demand for this crop. An experiment was conducted to estimate heterosis for the yield characteristics of sponge gourd. A total of twenty-seven F₁ hybrids were developed using a line × tester mating design. These hybrids, along with nine lines, three testers, and one commercial check, were evaluated in a randomized block design with three replications during summer 2025 at Vegetable Research Centre, G. B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, Uttarakhand. Heterosis was calculated from the mean values of the F₁ hybrids across three replicates. The best heterotic cross for fruit yield per plant was Pusa Sneha × Kashi Divya. This cross also exhibited significant heterosis for days to first male and female flower, days to first harvest, vine length, flesh thickness, and number of fruits per vine. Cross Pusa Sneha × Kashi Divya (112.28%), Kashi Shreya × Swarna Prabha (42.42%), and Pusa Sneha × Pant Chikni Torai-1 (38.39%) were found to be the best heterotic combinations as they exhibited significant heterosis percentage for fruit yield per plant over the commercial check (Pusa Chikni). The crosses Kashi Kalyani × Pant Chikni Torai-1 and Kashi Shreya × Swarna Prabha were found to be the most promising for earliness as they showed significant negative heterosis over mid-parent, better parent and commercial check.

Eco-Frienly Synthesis, Characterization, Antioxidant and Photocatalytic Dye Degradation Activities of Zirconium Oxide Nanoparticles from Aqueous Extract of Amaranthus campestris

2026-06-12T12:16:41+00:00

ZrO2 nanoparticles were synthesized using an environmentally friendly process. The synthesis involved zirconium oxynitrate, NaOH, and deionized water to produce zirconium oxide (ZrO2) nanoparticles. Initially, Zirconium oxychloride octahydrate was dissolved in distilled water and stirred for a duration of 30 minutes. Subsequently, the Amaranthus campestris plant extract was incorporated into the zirconium oxynitrate solution and stirred at a temperature range of 40-45°C, followed by the addition of a small quantity of NaOH to the mixture. The resulting solution underwent centrifugation five times, and the resultant powder was subjected to annealing at 500°C for two hours. The synthesised ZrO₂ nanoparticles were characterised using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), and photocatalytic analyses. XRD results confirmed the formation of tetragonal-phase ZrO₂ nanoparticles with an average crystallite size of approximately 15 nm. FESEM observations indicated the formation of crystallites accompanied by agglomeration. UV-Visible optical studies demonstrated a sharp transition, with the corresponding bandgap measured at 5.5 eV. The antioxidant properties of the green-synthesized ZrO2 nanoparticles were assessed using the DPPH assay method, with ascorbic acid serving as a control. The synthesised zirconium oxide (ZrO₂) nanoparticles demonstrated considerable antioxidant activity when compared with the reference standard, ascorbic acid. To evaluate their photocatalytic performance, ZrO₂ nanoparticles at a concentration of 1 g/L were dispersed in 50 mL of methylene blue (MB) dye solution and maintained in a photoreactor under visible light irradiation to examine dye degradation. The experimental findings confirmed that the nanoparticles effectively facilitated the degradation of MB dye under visible light exposure. Following 120 minutes of irradiation, the photocatalytic degradation efficiency was determined to be 78%.

Immunomodulatory Effects of Ethanolic Rhizome Extracts of Drynaria quercifolia (L.) J. Sm and Curcuma aeruginosa Roxb. on Inflammatory Gene Expression in Non- induced THP-1 Monocytes

2026-06-11T13:02:46+00:00

Macrophages play a central role in the inflammatory processes associated with gout, particularly through the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines in response to monosodium urate (MSU) crystals. The present study investigated the cellular immunomodulatory effects of ethanolic rhizome extracts of Drynaria quercifolia and Curcuma aeruginosa using a human THP-1 monocytic cell model under non-induced conditions. Cytocompatibility was first assessed using the MTT assay, and sub-cytotoxic concentrations were selected for downstream analysis. Both extracts exhibited concentration-dependent cytotoxicity, with IC₅₀ values of 40.94 µg/mL and 48.18 µg/mL, respectively. At a sub-cytotoxic concentration (20 µg/mL), the transcriptional modulation of key inflammatory mediators, including TNF-α, IL-6, COX-2, and iNOS, was evaluated using RT-qPCR. Both extracts significantly downregulated TNF-α, IL-6, and COX-2 expression relative to untreated controls. In contrast, iNOS expression was upregulated, with a more pronounced effect observed for D. quercifolia. These findings indicate a differential regulation of inflammatory gene expression in THP-1 cells under basal conditions. Thus, the results suggest that the rhizome extracts exhibit intrinsic immunomodulatory activity rather than direct anti-inflammatory effects in the absence of external inflammatory stimulation. This study provides preliminary evidence that these rhizome extracts possess intrinsic immunomodulatory activity in non-induced THP-1 monocytes and warrant further investigation in disease-relevant inflammatory models.

Molecular Breeding in Vegetables: Transition from Marker Assisted Selection to Genomic Strategies

2026-06-09T12:46:18+00:00

Recent advances in molecular genetics and genomics have significantly revolutionized plant breeding by facilitating the precise detection and characterization of genetic variation at the DNA level. Molecular markers, which are identifiable DNA sequences associated with specific genomic regions, serve as reliable tools for the identification and tracking of desirable agronomic traits. Unlike phenotypic selection, molecular marker–based approaches are largely independent of environmental influences and developmental stages, thereby enhancing the accuracy and efficiency of selection. Marker Assisted Selection (MAS) integrates molecular marker technology with conventional breeding methodologies to enable indirect selection of target traits through marker–trait associations. The present review provides a comprehensive overview of the application of MAS in vegetable crop improvement, highlighting its transition from conventional to genomic breeding approaches. Vegetable crops are vital for global nutrition and agricultural sustainability; however, their productivity is significantly constrained by biotic and abiotic stresses. Conventional breeding methods, although effective, are often time consuming and limited by environmental influences and complex trait inheritance. MAS offers a precise and efficient alternative by enabling selection at the DNA level through marker–trait associations. The review discusses the conceptual framework, types of molecular markers, and genetic principles underlying MAS, including linkage, recombination, and quantitative trait loci (QTLs). Key strategies such as marker assisted backcrossing, gene pyramiding, and marker assisted recurrent selection are examined in detail. The integration of MAS with genomic selection and advanced tools such as high throughput genotyping and genome editing is also emphasized. Applications of MAS in improving disease resistance, abiotic stress tolerance, yield, quality traits, and sex expression in crops like tomato, chilli, and cucumber are critically analyzed. Despite challenges such as high costs and limited marker availability for complex traits, MAS continues to enhance breeding efficiency. Future prospects indicate its growing role in developing climate resilient and high quality vegetable cultivars.

Salinity Stress and Adaptive Responses in Strawberry: Mechanisms, Microbial and Nano-technological Interventions, Breeding Strategies, and Future Perspectives

2026-06-05T12:57:12+00:00

Strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) is highly sensitive to salinity, which increasingly threatens production in salt-affected agricultural regions. Salt reduces strawberry’s growth and productivity via osmotic stress, toxic ions, nutritional imbalance, oxidative damage, reduced photosynthesis, and other metabolic damages, resulting in lower fruit yield and quality. This review provides an overview of the literature regarding physiological, biochemical, and molecular mechanisms involved in strawberry responses to salinity. It places particular emphasis on both osmotic and ionic effects caused by salt, disruption of potassium/sodium balance, reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation, antioxidant defence mechanisms, osmoregulation, hormonal regulation, and transcriptional reprogramming associated with salinity adaptation.

This review also describes significant variability among cultivated strawberry varieties and wild Fragaria species in their ability to withstand salt stress and highlights their potential as genetic resources for developing salt-tolerant cultivars. Strategies for alleviating salinity stress using emerging biological and agronomic approaches are discussed, including silicon- and selenium-based nanomaterials, biostimulants, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), and beneficial endophytic fungi. Particular emphasis is given to Piriformospora indica as a promising root endophyte capable of improving nutrient uptake, ion homeostasis, antioxidant activity, and stress resilience under saline conditions. Recent advances in systems biology, multi-omics approaches, microbiome engineering, nanotechnology, and predictive breeding are also discussed in relation to the development of climate-resilient strawberry production systems. Finally, this review identifies important research gaps, including the need for long-term field-scale studies, improved integration of physiological and molecular datasets, and a better understanding of synergistic biological interactions under salinity stress. A multidisciplinary framework is proposed to support the development of biologically based and sustainable strategies for improving strawberry productivity, fruit quality, and tolerance to increasing soil salinization.

Although there is much information that has been published on how strawberries respond to salt (salinity) and how this can be utilized for better growth, there are still many large gaps within strawberry research for long term verification of biological interventions under field conditions; utilization of multi-omics data sets for integration with various types of omics data; developing methods for modifying microbial communities; and utilizing genomics as an aid in plant breeding to develop salinity-resistant strawberry crops.

In vitro Regeneration of Hymenodictyon orixense (Roxb.) Mabb., a Highly Valuable Tree Species of Rubiaceae Family

2026-06-04T08:51:37+00:00

Hymenodictyon orixense (Roxb.) Mabb. (Rubiaceae) also called as Bridal Couch tree, is a medicinal tree species parts of which are rich source of bioactive metabolites imparting the plant an impressive antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic activities. Early loss of viability in seeds, lack of optimized propagation methods and increased anthropogenic pressure has led to conservation concern in this valuable tree species. The paper presents a robust in vitro propagation protocol for mass multiplication of H. orixense through seedling explants. In vitro seed germination was done in basal Murashige & Skoog’s (MS) medium and nodal segments from aseptically grown seedlings were used for further culture establishment. MS medium supplemented with 0.25 mg L^-1 kinetin was found optimal producing the highest mean shoot number (7.67 ± 0.88) and mean shoot length (4.91 ± 0.15cm). The addition of 0.025 mgL^-1 GA₃during shoot multiplication cycle enhanced the shoot length to a mean 8.49 ± 0.33 cm nearly double the shoot length achieved with kinetin alone. Root formation was 100% with ½ strength MS medium containing 1 mg L^-1 IAA and 0.025 mg L^-1 kinetin with highest mean number of roots. A 15-day cycle in optimized medium without gelling agent enhanced the quality of in vitro roots and developed plantlets were successfully acclimatized under greenhouse conditions with 85% survival. As the species possesses considerable medicinal importance, the propagation method described in the present study offers significant potential for the large-scale multiplication of selected genotypes exhibiting superior phytochemical characteristics. Furthermore, this approach may serve as an effective strategy for the ex situ conservation of the species, thereby contributing to its sustainable utilisation and long-term preservation.

Haplotype-Resolved Genomics for Complex Crop Genomes: Technologies, Insights, and Breeding Applications

2026-06-02T12:21:57+00:00

The significance of haplotype-resolved genome assemblies, which enable the reconstruction of individual chromosomal copies while preserving allele-specific variation, has been brought to light by recent advances in plant genomics. The techniques provide a better representation of genetic variation than traditional genome assemblies, which recombine the homologous sequences into one consensus, especially in heterozygous and polyploid crops. This review explains the role of haplotype-resolved assemblies in enhancing our understanding of genome evolution, conducting research on allele-specific expression, and improving the accuracy of genomes. Important technologies are also discussed, including trio binning and phasing techniques, long-read sequencing (PacBio HiFi and Nanopore), and Hi-C scaffolding. They have been used to detect key characteristics and support the breeding process of crops like potatoes, wheat, grapevine, and cassava. All things considered, these methods have a great deal of potential to generate high-yielding, stress-tolerant cultivars and accelerate crop improvement.

Dissection of Quantitative Genetic Variability and Heritability for Phenological and Yield Component Traits in Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

2026-06-02T10:29:33+00:00

Chickpea breeding is constrained by a narrow genetic base and limited natural outcrossing, necessitating the identification of diverse parental lines to broaden genetic variation and enhance pre-breeding efforts. Given the lack of information on crossability variation within cultivated chickpea, this study evaluated a targeted set of diverse accessions to explore potential differences in crossability that could facilitate the utilization of genetic resources in breeding programs. The objective of this study was to determine the genetic variability, estimate the heritability and genetic advance for the 13 quantitative traits from a diverse panel of chickpea germplasm, consisting of ten accessions of desi and kabuli each along with four checks. The substantial amounts of genetic variability were shown with significant differences between genotypes for all traits, which provides ample opportunity for effective crop improvement. The high level of genotypic and phenotypic coefficients of variation for the number of tertiary branches and the number of apical secondary branches indicated that there is opportunity for improvement of these traits. The broad-sense heritability estimates were relatively high for most of the evaluated traits, with the highest estimates for the number of days to 50% flowering, 100 seed weight, and number of days to maturity, indicating strong genetic control over the expression of the trait. The 100-seed weight shown high levels of heritability and genetic advance as a percent of the mean which indicated predominant additive gene action and direct phenotypic selection will be effective. Therefore, the evaluated accessions could provide parental lines for future chickpea breeding programs for improving yield and diversifying the genetic base of the crop.

Comparative in vitro Evaluation of Botanical Extracts and Chemical Fungicides against Alternaria brassicae: Concentration-dependent Efficacy Assessment for Sustainable Disease Management

2026-06-01T12:17:21+00:00

Alternaria brassicae causes devastating blight in Brassica crops, leading to yield losses of up to 71% across major growing regions. Traditional chemical fungicide management raises concerns about environmental persistence, resistance development, and residue accumulation. Botanical extracts offer sustainable alternatives through bioactive antifungal compounds. This study evaluated and compared the in vitro antifungal efficacy of botanical extracts and chemical fungicides against A. brassicae through concentration-dependent assessment to determine effective concentrations, characterise inhibition patterns, and identify sustainable alternatives for disease management in mustard cultivation systems. It was hypothesised that botanical extracts would demonstrate significant, concentration-dependent antifungal activity against A. brassicae, though chemical fungicides would achieve superior pathogen suppression. These findings confirm the study hypothesis. A key limitation of this study is that all experiments were conducted under controlled in vitro conditions; field validation is required before these findings can be applied to commercial disease management. Five botanical extracts (garlic, ginger, turmeric, tulsi, lantana) at 2.5%, 5%, and 10% concentrations, and five fungicides (Carbendazim+Mancozeb, Difenoconazole, Fluxapyroxad, Penflufen, Trifloxystrobin) at 0.025%, 0.05%, and 0.1% concentrations were evaluated using the poisoned food technique on PDA medium. Radial growth inhibition was calculated using Vincent’s formula, with appropriate statistical analysis. Botanical extracts showed concentration-dependent inhibition, with garlic achieving the highest efficacy (66.44% at 10%), followed by turmeric (66.00%), tulsi (64.00%), ginger (63.44%), and lantana (60.78%). Fungicides demonstrated superior inhibition, with four achieving complete suppression (100%) at 0.1%: Carbendazim + Mancozeb (98.13% at 0.025%), Trifloxystrobin (97.18%), Difenoconazole (96.83%), and Fluxapyroxad (96.56%). Penflufen showed incomplete inhibition (97.78% at 0.1%). All treatments exhibited significant dose-dependent responses. Chemical fungicides provide superior pathogen suppression, but botanical extracts, particularly garlic and turmeric, offer promising, sustainable alternatives with substantial antifungal activity. Concentration-dependent efficacy patterns support optimized dosing strategies. Integrating botanical extracts with reduced fungicide applications represents a viable, eco-friendly approach to sustainable management of Alternaria blight in mustard production systems.