In this study for the first time we purified and characterized a serine protease of 60.5kDa purified from the mucilage and fat-free seeds of Ocimum basilicum by ammonium sulfate precipitation followed by ion exchange chromatography. Cleavage of azo-casein indicates it to be endoprotease. The enzyme exhibited a Vmax of 0.066 mM/min and a Km of 0.53 mM using BAPNA as a substrate. For enzyme activity the optimal pH was found to be 5, and the optimal temperature was found to be 40°C. The activation energy was measured at 3.82 kcal/mol, with an enthalpy change of 2.16 kcal/mol and a Q10 value of 1.20. The protease was stable within a pH range of 3 to 7 and at temperatures from 4 to 50°C. Notably, exposure to microwaves increased its proteolytic activity by 56%. Additionally, this protease showed significant effectiveness in removing blood stains when combined with sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and was able to clot milk. This research represents the first characterization of a protease from Ocimum basilicum seeds, highlighting its potential applications in the detergent industry and food production, particularly in cheese making.
An experiment was conducted to standardize the optimum pellet size for mechanized sowing in small sized sesame seeds. After standardization of pelleting protocol, the pelleting was carried out in the seed coating machine and the physical properties of the pellets were measured. In which, irrespective of different layers of pellets, the 100 seed weight of pelleted seeds increased over unpelleted seeds. The physiological parameters showed that the sesame seeds pelleted with 16 layers have recorded higher seedling vigour than unpelleted seeds. Therefore, it was optimized for sowing in the field by seed drill and drone. The field experiment results showed that sowing of pelleted seeds with air assisted seed drill was found suitable for maintenance of recommended plant population (11 plants/m2). Maximum plant height (128.2 cm) was registered by pelleted seeds sown by inclined seed drill followed by line sowing with pelleted seed (127.7 cm) and the lowest plant height (125.1 cm) was recorded in broadcasting of unpelleted seed. Among the treatments, pelleted seeds sown by drone produced more number of branches (7.8/plant) and capsules (58.4/plant) and recorded 13.3% higher yield (746 kg/ha) than the unpelleted seed.
French bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is a vital legume crop valued for its nutritional content and economic significance in global agriculture. However, poor field emergence, suboptimal crop stand, and low yield often limit its productivity. To overcome this, seeds are subjected to Pre-sowing treatment with biofertilizers, such as Phosphate Solubilizing Bacteria (PSB), Rhizobium, Azospirillum, and Trichoderma, which offer a sustainable approach to enhance seed germination, plant growth, and yield. This study, conducted during 2022-23 at the Field Experimentation Centre and Notified State Seed Testing Laboratory, Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, aimed to identify optimal dose of pre-sowing seed treatment with biofertilizers for improving the agronomic performance of French bean variety Ellora 11. among all the pre sowing seed treatment, rhizobium 12% for 6hrsshowed better performance and yield. The findings are significant for promoting sustainable agricultural practices by reducing reliance on chemical fertilizers, thereby contributing to improved crop productivity and environmental health.
After rice, wheat is the second most significant cereal crop needed to provide human nutritional needs. Seed longevity is an important trait since it is associated with good germination and vigour. The performance and planting value of the seed lot in the following cropping season are determined by how long they remain viable and vigorous in storage. Since it is difficult and time-consuming to understand the genetic mechanism of longevity, an indirect approach that links agro-morphological characteristics with seed longevity could be investigated. In reference to this, the seeds of five wheat varieties of Himachal Pradesh, India were put under storage for 12 months in the seed testing laboratory and simultaneously analysed for 11 agro-morphological distinctive characteristics in the seed production farm. The correlation of germination after 12 months with 11 agro morphological parameters demonstrated a substantial and positive relationship between seed longevity and number of grains per spike, test weight, biological yield per plant, seed yield per plant, and productive tillers per plant. As a result, it is possible to create a wheat ideotype by selecting for more tillers per plant, more grains per spike, and test weight, all while increasing biological yield and seed production per plant. Based on association analysis, this study proposes an indirect selection criterion based on several easily scored agro-morphological factors that have a high relationship with seed longevity
India being the world’s largest producer of sesamum, struggles with low yields due to rainfed farming and underdeveloped practices. Sesamum, valued for its high-quality oil and adaptability holds significant potential for productivity improvement. The use of growth promoters plays a crucial role in enhancing crop productivity and quality by influencing key physiological processes in plants. This study evaluated the impact of growth promoters on the growth, seed yield and quality of sesamum cv. GKVK S-1 using an RCBD design with foliar sprays of various growth promoters such as NAA, ascorbic acid, IAA and benzyl adenine. The results revealed that, application of NAA at 100 ppm significantly enhanced the plant height at 40,60,90 DAS and at harvest (45.77 cm, 87.31 cm, 112.55 cm and 118.73 cm), number of branches per plant 40,60,90 DAS and at harvest (4.10, 6.30,7.30 & 7.89), Number of capsules at 60,90 DAS and at harvest (48.40,93.00 & 94.22) seed yield per plant (g), per plot (g) and seed yield (4.01, 1278 & 631.47 kg/ha), seed germination (93.67%), seedling vigour indices I and II (1006 and 390 respectively) and total soluble proteins, oil content and lipase activity (21.83%, 55.04%, 0.33 meq/min/g). This Indicates the efficacy of growth promoters in optimizing physiological and biochemical attributes of sesamum seeds. The study concluded that applying NAA at 100 ppm significantly improved the growth, seed yield and quality of sesamum cv. GKVK S-1.
