Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) enhance rice productivity by boosting nutrient uptake and hormone production and pathogen suppression. However, identifying efficient and multifunctional PGPR strains adapted to specific rice-growing environments remains challenging. This study aimed to isolate and assess efficient rice rhizosphere PGPR from the rice rhizosphere for their growth-promoting potential under controlled conditions. Eighteen bacterial isolates were initially screened for key PGPR traits, including phosphate (P) and zinc (Zn) solubilization, indole acetic acid (IAA) production, potash (K) mobilization, and antagonistic activity. Based on superior performance, two isolates were identified as Acinetobacter junii SK13 (AJNAU-SK13) and Providencia vermicola SK16 (PVNAU-SK16). Their efficacy was evaluated under greenhouse conditions using individual (T1: AJNAU-SK13, T2: PVNAU-SK16) and combined (T3: AJNAU-SK13 + PVNAU-SK16) inoculations. All treatments significantly improved root and shoot growth, biomass, chlorophyll content, enzyme activities (protease, and amylase), and total soluble sugars (TSS) at 10 and 20 days after treatment (DAT). Notably, T2 increased root growth (150
This study reports a reproducible protocol for in vitro regeneration of Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. cv. Selection1 to screen glyphosate resistant mutants. It is a perennial turfgrass species used in sports and environment management. White translucent friable type of callus was obtained on MS medium with 18.10 µM 2,4-D and 0.44 µM BAP by using node as an explant. Highest number of shoots were obtained 0.44 μM concentration of BAP in MS medium and roots were obtained on MS medium supplemented with 0.49 µM IBA. Stepwise selection provided four mutant lines M1, M2 M3 and M4, which exhibited resistance to 0.4 mM glyphosate in vitro. Further pot study proved the optimal resistance of M2 mutant line to the two doses of foliar spray with 0.04
Cashew nut (Anacardium occidentale L.) is an important commercial crop and is prone to many biotic and abiotic stresses. Among biotic stresses leaf spots and blight incited by fungi are taking heavy toll on the crop. Cashew leaf blight samples were collected from the Agriculture Experimental Station, NAU, Paria, Gujarat. Typical symptoms were observed in the form of minute to irregular necrotic spots at the margins of leaf, leaf midrib and leaf petiole. These spots enlarged, turned silvery-grey to brown, later showed blight appearance and premature defoliation. The pathogen was isolated and proved for its pathogenicity. Based on cultural, morphological characters and microscopic observations pathogen was identified as Pestalotiopsis sp. Further DNA was isolated and ITS gene was sequenced and analyzed using nucleotide BLAST in NCBI database and confirmed the species as Pestalotiopsis maculans. ITS gene sequence was submitted to NCBI with the GenBank accession No PV533754. A phylogenetic tree was generated from the ITS sequences and evolutionary relation was studied. This is the first report of cashew leaf blight disease caused by Pestalotiopsis maculans from Gujarat, India.
This study utilized a green and efficient Biginelli multicomponent process to synthesize several types of novel discovered Dihydropyrimidinone (DHPMs), Dihydropyrimidinthione (DHPMTs) and 2-amino Dihydropyrimidines (2A-DHPMs) derivatives. DIAION SK104 acid resin served as an eco-friendly catalyst in Water to condense substituted aromatic aldehydes, (3-ketoesters and urea/thiourea/guanidine. This approach yielded impressive results (85-94%). The NMR studies of 1H and 13C confirmed the structural integrity of all produced molecules. To evaluate the potential biological relevance of the synthesized compounds, in silico molecular docking studies were performed against selected biological targets. Several derivatives exhibited significant binding affinities, with docking scores ranging from approximately (-7.4) to (-7.8) kcal/mol, suggesting strong ligand-protein interactions. Notably, certain derivatives promising binding interactions against CYP51, where compounds such as 7CC and 7AA exhibited docking scores up to (-9.24) kcal/mol, outperforming the standard antifungal drug fluconazole. Beyond docking, Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations probed the electronic properties of the synthesized molecules. The HOMO-LUMO energy gap, molecular electrostatic potential and optimized geometries provided insights into the chemical reactivity and stability of the compounds. The highly reactive compound 7AA exhibited a minimal energy gap of -0.0924 Eh, while the kinetically stable compound 6AA displayed a maximum gap of -0.1651 Eh. Similarly, compound 3BB verified a minimized gap of -0.1364 Eh. These energy gap values, alongside molecular electrostatic potential and optimized geometries, provided comprehensive insights into the compounds' thermodynamic profiles. Finally, molecular dynamics (MD) simulation studies verified the stability of the ligand-protein complexes under physiological conditions.
A study was conducted to assess the variability in floral morphology, flowering behaviour, fruit set and retention among five guava (Psidium guajava L.) genotypes: Jarvi Red, Exotica, Sanjari, Yogi and VNR Bihi. Significant genotypic differences were recorded for floral traits. Yogi produced larger-sized flowers (2.29 cm in length; 4.23 cm in width), whereas Sanjari exhibited the maximum petal number (9) and VNR Bihi recorded the maximum stamens (576). Flower buds took between 29 and 45 days to develop in Exotica and VNR Bihi, respectively. Flowering duration extended from 37 days in Exotica to 51 days in VNR Bihi. The duration from anthesis to petal drop was similar across genotypes, while the flowering-to-fruiting period varied from 122 days (Yogi) to 138 days (VNR Bihi). Fruit set was maximum in Yogi (73.87%) and VNR Bihi (73.07%), accompanied by higher fruit retention and lower fruit drop, whereas Exotica showed the lowest values. There were also differences in the time of anthesis and anther dehiscence between the genotypes. VNR Bihi had a longer period of anthesis and dehiscence, which meant that pollen was available for a longer time. On the other hand, Sanjari and Yogi had early anthesis. VNR Bihi produced the fruits in both the terminal and the lateral flowers. Comparing all the studied genotypes, Yogi showed larger flowers, early maturity and superior fruit set and retention. VNR Bihi displayed prolonged flowering and late maturity. These results offer important information for breeding programs, crop management and varietal selection that aim to increase guava productivity.
