Seed priming increases seedling vigour of several vegetable crops. Tomato (Lyco­persicon esculentunm L.) and chilli (Capsicum annuum L.) were tested for seed priming at seedling stage (4 tomato and 3 chilli varieties) under lab and vegetative and reproductive sate at field conditions (2 tomato and 2 chilli varieties). The priming techniques improved seedling vigour, growth and yield of tomato and chilli although varieties showed variation in response to different treatments. Especially halopriming increased speed of emergence, seedling vigour index, root length and shoot length over hydropriming in tomato and chilli. At field level halo priming showed better performance than control and hydropriming. Halo priming caused early flowering in tomato (8149, 8152) and chilli (9357). Increased plant height is also noticed in halopriming with respect to tomato and chilli (8149, 8152, 9357 and 9366). Mostly importantly halopriming increased total yield 20 plants-1 in tomato and chilli. This is the first observation in the aspect of increased yield under field condition with respect to seed priming in vegetable crops.

Mangroves cover large areas of shoreline in the tropics and subtropics where they are important components in the productivity and integrity of their ecosystems. High variability is observed among the families of mangroves. Structural adaptations include pneumatophores, thick leaves, aerenhyma in root helps in surviving under flooded saline conditions. There is major inter-and intraspecific variability among mangroves. In this paper described morpho-anatomical characters helps in identification of family and genus and species of mangroves. Most of the genus have special type of roots which include Support roots of Rhizophora, Pnematophores of Avicennia, Sonneratia, Knee roots of Bruguiera, Ceriops, Buttress roots of Xylocarpus. Morpho-anatomically the leaves show xerophytic characteristics. This morphological and anatomical response to local conditions may allow the trees to maximize their photosynthetic efficiency Most of the species are now endangered species due to environmental effects and human activities.

Seed priming is a useful technique for enhancing seed vigor, and thereby, improving overall germination and seedling development in crop species. In tomato variety Gem, germination percentage, early flowering, plant height and leaf length were increased in response to hydro-priming-2 treatment. In okra and onion, seedling vigor was increased in osmo-priming. In case of watermelon, halo-priming and osmo-priming increased seedling vigor. In case of chilli, halo-priming increased seedling vigor. With respect to sponge gourd, osmo-priming increased seedling vigor. In case of ridge gourd, halo-priming increased seedling vigor. In general it is observed that the yield is increased in case tomato, chilli, and okra apart from seedling vigor. Most of the cop's primed seeds have longevity up to 3 months from the dated of priming. The results suggest that primed seeds can be store up to 3 months only after which germination percentage decreases sharply. As the longevity of primed seeds is short, the priming technique may be used in increasing seed production of foundation seeds and breeders seeds. In addition, seed priming could improve seedling vigor in seedling nursery.

In this study using a simple and novel semi-hydroponic technique, 14 maize pipe line hybrids with high yield potentials were evaluated for salinity tolerance at different levels of stress [control, 0.15 (EC=13.6 dSm-1), 0.2 MNaCl (EC=18 dSm-1)] at seedling stage. This technique is proved to be highly effective and consistent to distinguish genotypes for salinity tolerance. Increasing salinity decreases emergence percentage, shoot and root length and number of adventitious roots in susceptible lines, on the contrary the tolerant lines showed increased number of lateral roots with increasing salinity as a function of osmotic adjustment. Two genotypes have even at 0.2 M NaCl showed high emergence percentage starting from 70% to 77% emergence and more number of adventitious roots, viz. revealing these genotypes have high salinity tolerance. Seven genotypes have at 0.15 M NaCl showed highest emergence start­ing from 70% to 96.7%. The results revealed that seedling emergence and number of adventitious roots may be considered as selection criteria for salinity tolerance in maize. These genotypes have great potential under saline prone areas.

Present study deals with the activities of antioxidant enzymes in six rice (Oryza sativa L.) varieties, namely Sadamota, Patnai, Dhoodeshwar, Ghewas, Gontrabidan-2 and Malabati, which were subjected to increasing salinity stress (0.05 M, 0.1 M and 0.15 M NaCl) from germination to seedling stage along with control under laboratory conditions. The main objective of this study was to find out variations in the activities of antioxidant enzymes which can differentiate tolerance to salinity. Increasing salinity stress induced gradual increase in the activity of Superoxide dismutase (SOD), Peroxidase, Catalse (CAT), Glutathione reductase (GR), and Ascorbate peroxidase (APX). High activities of SOD, CAT, GR and APX were observed in Doodeshwar and Malabti under salinity stress. High levels of antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT, APX and GR) under salinity stress will contribute to salinity tolerance in rice varieties Doodeshwar and Malabathi. Significant genotype×salt treatment interaction suggested the differential effect of stress on genotype for antioxidant enzymes. Catalse activity showed significant (p<.001) positive correlation with SOD (r=.818), GR (r=.624), and APX (r=.593). High levels of Lipid peroxidation was noticed in Ghewas, Gonrabidan-2 and Sadamota, indicating higher membrane damage when compare to Doodeshwar and Malabathi under salt stress. Doodeshwar and Malabathi can be recommended as salt tolerant varieties for advance evaluation at field level. Analysis of antioxidant enzymes from rice seedlings exposed to salinity stress will provide rapid screening method and time saving. Mass screening will be conducted for preliminary selections which can be used in field conditions.

This new volume offers a multi-pronged perspective on maize science, bringing together important recent research advances from several disciplines. The volume covers maize from origin to biotechnology. It provides an overview of recent world maize production along with technological advancements and green strategies in maize science. The authors cover the background of maize, its origin and domestication, ideotypes, botany, taxonomy, physiology of crop growth, methods of cultivation, production, nutritional functions, biotic and abiotic stress impacts, postharvest management and technology, maize grain quality, and advances in breeding and biotechnology, filling a gap in the literature of maize.

During recent decades, tremendous progress and innovations have been made in rice science with the goal of increasing production to meet the world's growing demands. This new volume provides a concise overview of rice, covering the background and importance of rice; origin, evolution, and domestication of rice; and the world rice production. It goes on to provide new and important recent research advances on many different aspects of rice science and production. The authors look at advances in rice ideotypes, abiotic stress management techniques, biotic stress affecting crop productivity, new methods and technology for cultivation, and new methods and techniques in rice grain quality analysis and processing. It also describes new rice varieties, new hybrid rice technology, and new breeding methods for rice.