Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is a one of the most important pulse crops in global agriculture, primarily cultivated in arid and semi-arid regions. The present study investigates the antioxidative mechanisms in chickpea mitochondria under osmotic stress. Three genotypes Vijay, JG-11, and JG-24 were subjected to osmotic stress using PEG-6000 were analysed for proline, glycine betaine, ascorbic acid, lipid peroxidation, and the activity of key antioxidative enzymes, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), and catalase (CAT). The results revealed significant genotypic variations in osmolyte accumulation and antioxidant enzyme activities. Higher proline and glycine betaine levels were observed in tolerant genotypes, along with increased activities of SOD, APX, and CAT. These findings indicate that mitochondrial antioxidative responses play a crucial role in mitigating oxidative damage induced by osmotic stress in chickpea.

Drought stress poses a significant challenge to soybean production, necessitating the understanding of molecular mechanisms underlying stress tolerance for breeding resilient varieties. This study evaluated the expression of three drought-responsive candidate genes-GmLEA2-1, GmXTH1, and DREB-in seven soybean genotypes with varying tolerance levels under mild (0.5% PEG 6000) and severe (1% PEG 6000) osmotic stress, induced by immersing 3-week-old seedlings in PEG 6000-modified 1/10 strength MS nutrient solution for 18 hours. Semi-quantitative RT-PCR and spot density analysis revealed that tolerant genotypes, such as EC 538828 and EC 602288, exhibited significant upregulation of GmLEA2-1 and GmXTH1, emphasizing their roles in cellular stabilization and water uptake. DREB expression varied, with tolerant genotypes maintaining consistent or enhanced expression, while sensitive genotypes, such as NRC 37, showed downregulation under stress. Notably, MACS 330, a sensitive genotype, exhibited a delayed but significant response under severe stress. The findings underscore the utility of PEG 6000 as an effective osmotic agent for simulating drought stress, while highlighting the potential of these genes as molecular markers for breeding drought-resistant soybean varieties, offering insights into improving crop resilience in water-limited environments.

Bael (Aegle marmelos L.) is an important medicinal tree and sacred tree species of the Hindu religion. This study aimed to develop an efficient in vitro regeneration protocol for Bael, to overcome challenges in large-scale propagation due to low seed germination. For the regeneration study, the different explants such as the nodal segments and shoot tips were used for the proliferation of the explant with MS medium, however, only the nodal segment showed positive results. To avoid the browning of the media the explants were kept in distilled water for 60 minutes and then sterilized. The maximum survival of explants (93.33%) and less contamination percentage (6.67%) was observed when explants were washed and treated with 0.1% Tween-20 concentration for 15 minutes + 0.1% bavistin and 0.05% streptocycline treatment for 25 minutes and finally 70% ethanol treatment for 30 seconds. Different hormonal combinations viz. BAP alone, BAP + IAA, and Kinetin + IAA were used to initiate shooting. Among all eighteen treatments, the BAP 2.5 mg/l showed a maximum number of shoots per explant (8.33 ± 2.88), the highest shoot initiation (93.33%), and the earliest initiation (30 ± 5.25 days). For shoot multiplication 2.5 mg/l BAP + 0.5 mg/l NAA showed maximum shoots per explant (28.00 ± 5.08) and fastest shoot proliferation. The regenerated multiple shoots were separated from each other and transferred to half MS media with IBA of different concentrations for rooting. Among the six different treatments only two treatments viz. ½ MS media + 1.0 mg/l IBA and ½ MS media + 1.5 mg/l IBA recorded best root length. For primary hardening the rooted plants were planted in vermicompost: sand: soil at 1:1:2 proportion and then after one and half months survived plants were again transferred to soil: organic manure (2:1) for secondary hardening.

The salinity susceptible CoC-671 and salinity tolerant sugarcane genotype CoM-265 were evaluated for Peroxidase (POX), Esterase (EST) and Alcohol Dehydrogenase (ADH) isozymes and soluble protein profiling by SDS and native-PAGE at salinity levels 0.41 dSm-1, 2.31 dSm-1, 4.21 dSm-1, and 8.01 dSm-1 maintained by NaCl solution. The plant height, number of leaves and seedling diameter got reduced in salinity susceptible sugarcane genotype CoC-671 as well as salinity tolerant sugarcane genotype CoM-265 with increase in salinity levels. However, reduction in plant height, number of leaves and seedling diameter was less in salinity tolerant sugarcane genotype CoM-265 as compared to salinity susceptible sugarcane genotype CoC-671. The POX isozyme profiling revealed that salinity susceptible CoC-671 and salinity tolerant sugarcane genotype CoM-265 had variation in soluble protein band intensity at different salinity levels with relative mobility (Rm) 0.137. The present study could be useful for genetic variability analysis in sugarcane genotypes differing in salinity stress tolerance capability.

The present investigation aimed to assess the dal milling quality, cooking efficiency and nutritional composition of sixteen chickpea cultivars obtained from Pulse Improvement Project, M.P.K.V., Rahuri. Significant genetic variation was observed among the cultivars, particularly in proximate composition, milling qualities and physical parameters. Results obtained in the present study showed a positive correlation of grain weight with grain hardness and dal recovery. There is a positive correlation between grain hardness and various parameters, including cooking time, crude protein in whole chickpeas and dal. Crude protein showed negative correlation with total carbohydrates, crude fat and crude fiber. Cooking time exhibited positive correlation with seed weight and indicated that cooking time increased with increase in seed weight.

Sorghum is a major cereal crop known for its exceptional adaptability to drought-prone environments. This review synthesizes current knowledge on the morphological, anatomical and biochemical strategies employed by sorghum to withstand water-deficit stress. Emphasis is placed on root traits, including enhanced root length, density and depth which improve water acquisition under drought conditions. Additionally, the review discusses key biochemical responses such as the accumulation of osmolytes (proline, glycine betaine and soluble sugars), modulation of antioxidant defense systems (superoxide dismutase, catalase and peroxidase). These mechanisms play a crucial role in maintaining cellular homeostasis, reducing oxidative stress, and optimizing water use efficiency. The integration of root architectural traits and biochemical adjustments provides a comprehensive understanding of sorghum’s resilience to drought. This knowledge is critical for guiding breeding programs, crop management practices and biotechnological interventions aimed at enhancing sorghum productivity under increasingly erratic climatic conditions.

As a drought-tolerant crop, sorghum is an ideal plant for identifying genes conferring drought tolerance. In the present study, LEA1 and LEA 3 genes expressing in response to PEG-6000 induced osmotic stress were isolated from drought and heat tolerant wild sorghum genotype IS-18,909. Gene-specific primers were designed and used for cDNA synthesis of late embryogenesis abundant (LEA) proteins encoding LEA1 (547 bp) and LEA3 (817 bp) genes. Sequence analysis of LEA1 (547 bp) and LEA3 (817 bp) cDNA confirmed the presence of corresponding full-length coding sequences. LEA1 and LEA3 proteins had specific 20 nucleotides and 11 nucleotides consensus sequences, respectively, and other conserved sequences. These drought-induced proteins are extremely hydrophilic, resistant to dehydration, and high in amino acid residues with the sulfhydryl group (serine, threonine). They are composed largely of the amino acids glycine, alanine, and glutamine and lack cysteine and tryptophan. The genes conferring drought tolerance may provide a foundation for improving sorghum productivity under water deficit conditions.

The most vital and ancient seed legume is the soybean (Glycine max L. Merril), contributing significantly to global protein concentrate used in animal feed and edible oil production. In the present study, an efficient and improved plant regeneration protocol was developed for soybean. Various explants, viz., apical meristem, shoot tip, and nodal segment, were collected from in vitro germinated seedlings of six commercially cultivated varieties- Phule Durva (KDS-992), Phule Kimaya (KDS-753), Phule Sangam (KDS-726), JS-335, DS-228 and JS-9305. Seeds were surface sterilized with Tween-20 for 20 minutes, Bavistin (1%) + Streptocycline (0.5%) for 20 minutes, HgCl2 (0.1%) for 45 seconds, NaOCl (1%) for 60 seconds, and ethanol (70%) for 30 seconds, then soaked overnight in autoclaved double-distilled water. Before inoculation, seeds were pretreated with BAP (1%) solution for two seconds for better germination. Treated seeds inoculated on MS + 1 mg/l BAP and B5 media revealed maximum germination (95%), with Phule Durva (95%) and Phule Kimaya (90%) performing best. Shoot induction from different explants was evaluated, with nodal segments showing optimal shoot development in MS + 2.0 mg/l BAP + 0.3 mg/l GA3 media. Phule Kimaya and Phule Durva showed higher shoot induction rates. Profuse rooting was obtained in ½MS + 2.0 mg/l IBA + 0.1 g/l charcoal nutrient media, with Phule Sangam and Phule Kimaya performing better. For primary hardening, coco peat:sand (1:1), and for secondary hardening, soil : organic mixture (1:1) marked maximum survival. The optimized protocol helps in successful transgenic production and gene editing.

Soybean has ten maturity loci governing its flowering time, maturity and photoperiodism. The E1 and E3 maturity loci delay maturity and induce photoperiod sensitivity, while their mutants are vice versa. In a field trial of 17 genotypes during kharif 2016, two early (JS 95-60 and JS 20-34) and two late maturing genotypes (MAUS 61 and MACS 1188) were identified for further molecular analysis. Full-length 525 bp E1 gene and partial 1688 bp E3 gene coding sequence were amplified, and sequence analysed along with reference sequence of early maturing Harosoy. In the partial E3 gene coding sequence studied, 26 substitution SNPs were observed, none of which was maturity specific. In E1 coding sequences, 87 substitution SNPs were observed, of which 17 SNPs were earliness specific conserved among JS 20-34, JS 95-60 and early Harosoy. Similarly, six amino acid frame polymorphisms were found to be earliness specific shared amongst them. Typical B3-like conserved domains with 11 trimeric DNA binding sites were found in the E1 gene within 172-504 and 178-504 bases interval intervals in early and late varieties, respectively. Thus, the molecular characterization of E1 maturity locus in local genotypes of soybean can contribute for more efficient plant breeding.

Sorghum ( Sorghum bicolor L.) is widely grown as a grain and forage crop and with its high biomass production has the potential to be a key biofuel crop. It is considered as a recalcitrant crop for in vitro regeneration. This study was conducted to optimize in vitro regeneration protocol and to evaluate the effects of plant growth regulators, proline and silver nitrate on in vitro callus and shoot growth differentiated from mature embryo and shoot tip explants in sweet, grain, and forage sorghum genotypes. Considerable variation in response to plant growth regulators, proline and silver nitrate was observed in all the genotypes. Among the four cytokinins used, zeatin was found to be better for in vitro shoot induction. Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with proline and silver nitrate was shown to be superior to medium without proline and silver nitrate. The best callusing from mature embryos was observed on MS medium supplemented with 2.0 mg/l 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), 2 mg/l silver nitrate, and 500 mg/l proline. Multiple shoot induction in shoot tip explants was higher in MS medium supplemented with 2.0 mg/l Zeatin, 2 mg/l silver nitrate, and 500 mg/l proline. Among the three genotypes, sweet sorghum genotype CSV 19 SS has the highest regeneration efficiency (92.8%). Proline and silver nitrate enhance the quality of callus and in vitro shoot regeneration in sorghum.

The present investigation was conducted at Sorghum Improvement Project and Department of Biochemistry, Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri, Maharashtra, India during rabi 2019–20 for assessment of rabi sorghum genotypes for shootfly through biochemical perspective. Sorghum is an important food and fodder crop of dry land agriculture. The experimental material consisted of 11 sorghum genotypes viz; RSV 1628, RSV 1023, RSV 1910, RSV 2371, RSV 1945, RSV 1838, RSV 2025, RSV 1918, RSV 1988, RSV 2391, RSV 1941, three varieties viz., Phule Vasudha, Phule Revati, M-35-1, three shootfly resistant checks viz., RSV 1188, IS 18551, RSE 3 and a susceptible check i.e. DJ 6514. The experiments were conducted under pot culture and field conditions at different stages. Resistance against shootfly in sorghum was governed by the physical and chemical genes. The morphological characters like trichome density, oviposition and dead heart percentage and biochemical attributes like polyphenol oxidase, peroxidise and chlorophyll content can be used as marker traits in shootfly resistance breeding programme to broaden the genetic base and increase the levels of resistance to sorghum. The sorghum genotype RSE 3, RSV 1945, RSV 1941, RSV 1188, and RSV 2371 recorded higher polyphenol oxidase activity at 28 DAE as compared to other genotypes. So, these sorghum genotypes are good source for shootfly resistance breeding. The genotype RSE 03, RSV 1941 and RSV 1188 exhibited positive results for shootfly resistance and can be used as donor for shootfly breeding programme.