Background: Salinity impacts physiological processes, including germination, seedling development, ionic balance and water relations, leading to growth inhibition. Mung bean’s early stage is susceptible to salt stress. Our study aimed to mitigate salt stress at early stage using zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) to enhance mung bean tolerance. Methods: Pot experiment was carried out to incorporate ZnO-NPs into mung bean seedlings. Two Mung bean genotypes, TMB-37 (tolerant) and MH-1314 (sensitive), were chosen. Seeds were primed with ZnO-NPs at various concentrations (0.00 ppm, 50 ppm, 100 ppm, 500 ppm and 1000 ppm) and shown in saline soil. Result: ZnO-NP priming notably increased germination percentage, shoot length and shoot dry weight in both genotypes. In 25-days-old seedlings, ZnO-NPs elevated antioxidant enzyme activity, proline content, especially superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POX) activity, while reducing lipid peroxidation and membrane injury. 1000 ppm ZnO-NPs had the negative impact on the root trait of sensitive genotype. Lower doses of ZnO-NP (50 ppm) concentrations was very effective in mitigating the adverse effect of salinity stress in both the genotypes offering a key approach for Mung bean’s salt stress mitigation.

How effective are climate resilient agricultural technologies (CRATs) in overcoming barriers faced in agri-food system by farmers across the different agro-climatic zones (ACZs) of Bihar? This study examines the barriers that hinder farmers in Bihar from adopting CRATs amidst the growing impacts of climate change on global agri-food systems. It focuses on key CRATs, including zero tillage/minimum tillage (ZT/MT), laser land leveling (LLL), climate-resilient variety selection (CRVS), crop diversification (CD), site-specific nutrient management (SSNM), crop calendar and timely sowing (CCTS), and direct-seeded rice (DSR), and investigates the factors affecting their adoption. Using descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and logistic regression, key factors that influence the adoption of CRATs were identified. Descriptive statistics showed moderate levels of soil health awareness (mean value = 2.70) and climate change awareness (mean value = 2.63). Correlation analysis found that social factors like training received had a positive correlation with the adoption of DSR (correlation coefficient = 0.410). Logistic regression results highlighted that technology awareness significantly influences the adoption of DSR (coefficient = 0.400, p = 0.253), while initial investment costs are major barriers for ZT/MT and LLL (coefficient = 0.400, p = 0.267). Results highlight the need to improve awareness through educational programs, provide technical support, and offer financial incentives to overcome the various barriers farmers faced. Targeted efforts in these areas can significantly increase the adoption of the CRATs, leading to more resilient and sustainable farming systems. Study supports not only the sustainable agricultural development but also align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 15 (Life on Land).

Aim: To identify changes in root system architecture traits of wheat due to exogenous application of epibrassinolide for the alleviation of negative impact of low moisture stress in wheat crop. Methodology: On the basis of growth performances one set of contrasting wheat genotypes were identified (HD-2733, relatively stress tolerant and DBW-187 relatively stress sensitive). Similarly, brassinosteroids (BRs) concentration was selected by pilot experiments, wherein 0.01mM performed best among all. Taking all these results into consideration, four treatments (T0=well-watered, T1=water deficit, T3=EBL + well wateredandT4=EBL + water deficit) were maintained for evaluation of root architectural traits, biomassand grain yield per plant. Results: The tolerant genotype (HD-2733) showed better tolerance in almost all root traits and in yield as compared to the sensitive genotype (DBW-187). epibrassinolide under water deficit condition was found to be effective as the root trait values were higher for root length, root volume, root surface area and root biomass under EBL+ water deficit treatment as compared to water deficit. Shoot biomass was highly sensitive to water deficit as the biomass allocation under water deficit was more towards root as compared to shoot. Interpretation: Epibrassinolide can be a potent biochemical to improve the root characteristics as well as yield per plant. Seeds of tolerant genotype treated with 0.01m M EBL even under low moisture stress can be recommended. Key words: Epibrassinolide, Root system, Wheat, Water deficit

The finger millet crop grown in summer season in the Indo-Gangetic plains of Indian subcontinent experience drought and heat stress which is detrimental for crop growth and yield.In the present investigation, effect of simultaneous water deficit (WD) and high temperature (HT) stress on germination and seedling growth of thirty finger millet genotypes was assessed.Polyethylene glycol (PEG) 6000 solution of 10% and 20% concentration was used to simulate water deficit stress, while high temperature stress was given at 37±1 0 C. Germination percentage, Timson germination index, speed of germination, vigour indices I & II, plant height and dry matter stress indices were all positively correlated with each other while they all showed strong negative correlation with tolerance index.These parameters contributed the most to first principal component which explained 81.60% of total variance.Root shoot length ratio and dry weight ratio were mutually correlated and they contributed the most to second principal component which elucidated 15.15% of total variance.Among the genotypes under study, BR 407, RAU 3, RAU 8 and RAU F-13 exhibited the greatest tolerance, especially towards the combined stress conditions imposed.The findings of the study would aid in genetic enhancement of finger millet to develop higher resilience towards multiple abiotic stresses.

A field experiment was conducted in Samastipur district of Bihar, India during kharif season of 2021 and 2022 to identify suitable herbicides for control of composite weed flora in direct seeded rice. Compared to weedy check, application of bispyribac sodium + pyrazosulfuron ethyl as tank mixture effectively reduced weed density at 50 days after seeding during both the cropping season (82% and 86%, respectively) and weed dry weight (7.62 and 7.18 g m(-2), respectively) over control and as a result yielded maximum during both the cropping season (47.92 and 51.32 q ha(-1), respectively). Based on overall performance, bispyribac sodium + pyrazosulfuron ethyl may be considered as viable weed management option in direct seeded rice for the rice growers of middle Indo-Gangetic region.

The decline in performance of sugarcane either due to non-availability of suitable planting material or negligence in nutrient management is increasing at an alarming rate. Therefore, a field experiment was conducted for two consecutive years in Bihar, India to study the effect of different planting material and integrated nutrient management strategies on performance and yield of sugarcane. The experiment was conducted in a factorial randomized block design replicated thrice with four planting materials (single budded sett, double budded sett, three budded sett and tissue culture plantlets) and seven integrated nutrient management strategies [control, recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF), soil test-based RDF, RDF + 25% N through pressmud + ZnSO4, soil test-based RDF+ 25% N through pressmud + ZnSO4, RDF + 25% N through FYM + ZnSO4 and soil test-based RDF+ 25% N through FYM + ZnSO4]. Crop growth attributes viz. leaf area index, plant height, tillers, total chlorophyll content was found maximum with tissue culture plantlets followed by three budded setts while the minimum in single budded sett. During both the years of the study, three budded setts increased the cane yield by 33.9 and 34.5% over single budded sett respectively. Application of soil test-based RDF + 25% N through pressmud + ZnSO4 significantly enhanced physio-agronomic performance and further, the sugar yield by 39.1, 13.3 and 38.7, 11.6 % as compared to RDF and soil test-based RDF in first and second year of the study respectively. Hence, it was concluded that three budded sett along with soil test-based RDF + 25% N through pressmud + ZnSO4 of 25 kg/ha can increase overall growth and productivity of sugarcane.

High salt concentrations and high pH occur simultaneously in nature, however, presently most of the studies have mainly focused on only salinity, the research on salt-alkali combined stress are comparatively very limited. Hydrogen peroxide is an important signaling molecule. However, the role of exogenously applied hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) under saline–alkaline stress is not known. The main objectives of present study was to assess role of exogenously applied H2O2 as seed priming in mitigating the harmful effect of saline–alkaline stress on differentially tolerant mungbean genotypes (TMB-37 and MH-1314). Saline-alkaline stress significantly decreased the chlorophyll content, leaf relative water content (RWC) and yield while enhanced malondialdehyde (MDA), proline and antioxidant enzyme activity in root and leaf samples of both mungbean cultivars. Seeds priming were done with 0.01% H2O2 and distilled water. Seed priming with 0.01% H2O2 significantly improved the yield and yield attributes along with increment in leaf chlorophyll content, RWC as well as accumulation of osmolytes. The activities of antioxidant enzymes, viz., SOD, CAT and POX were also significantly increased in both mungbean genotypes and especially the CAT activity both in root and leaf tissue. However, relatively higher improvement was observed in genotype TMB-37. In conclusion, exogenously applied 0.01% H2O2 improved the saline–alkaline tolerance, which was reflected in terms of enhanced photosynthetic pigments, RWC, proline accumulation, and antioxidant enzyme activity of root as well shoot tissues and yield.

The untapped divergence of pigeonpea has remained unutilized for ages. Pigeonpea is an important natural resource with a great divergence that can be explored in the field of sustainable agricultural development. This study was undertaken to assess the nutritional divergence available in 104 cultivated and wild pigeonpea genotypes from India and Africa. Pigeonpea is studied to identify suitable genotypic groups to enhance nutritional traits for future breeding programs. Genotypes of pigeonpea exhibited highly significant differences in terms of seed iron and, zinc concentrations, protein content, phytic acid levels, lipid content, moisture content, fiber content and seed weight. Our D-2 analysis grouped 104 different pigeonpea accessions into eleven clusters. Five of the eight characters including seed phytic acid levels, iron, fiber, lipid and protein contents were the predominant characters that contributed towards the pigeonpea's total divergence. Cluster II exhibited the maximum seed iron concentration. Cluster IV exhibited the maximum seed zinc concentration, lipid and moisture content; it exhibited the least phytic acid and fiber content which is desirable with regards to the bioavailability of iron and zinc. The accessions in clusters II, III, IV, V and XI are diverse and have desirable content levels of traits found beneficial for enhancing seed iron and zinc concentrations in pigeonpea. A D-2 analysis revealed that Indo-African C. cajan, C. platycarpus and R. rothii had the maximum mean seed iron concentration and R. bracteata had the maximum mean seed zinc concentration. The promising genotypes identified in the present study can contribute towards selecting suitable starting material for biofortification in pigeonpea improvement programmes.

Cluster Front Line Demonstration on green gram was conducted during 2016-17 to 2017- 18 in Samastipur district of Bihar to evaluate the performance of improved management techniques in green gram during each year. Performance of demonstrated technology revealed the highest number of nodules/plant at 20 DAS (12.78 & 11.92) & 40 DAS (26.83 & 25.14) and dry weight of nodules/plant at 20 DAS (29.14 & 78.57) & at 40 DAS (26.87 & 73.26) was observed in CFLD. Highest grain yield of (14.20 & 11.20 q/ha) were recorded in demonstrated plot over farmers’ practice during both the years. Lowest technology index was observed in demonstrated technology, 29.0 per cent and 43.8 per cent, respectively. The extension gap varied from 3.62 to 4.855 q/ha. Maximum net returns (Rs. 44,630/ha during 2016-17 and Rs. 40,740/ha in 2017-18) was obtained with higher benefit-cost ratio 2.69 and 2.53, respectively compared to 1.99 in case of local check. The results clearly indicate that use of improved package of practice with scientific intervention under cluster frontline demonstration programme led to increase the productivity and profitability of green gram.

Background: Chickpea at seedling stage is highly sensitive to salinity and high temperature stress. Many studies explained plant responses under independent salinity and high temperature stress, but very little findings had revealed the combined effects of these two stresses on plants. So, the present experiment was aimed to study the response of chickpea genotypes for growth parameters and stress tolerance indices at seedling stage under individual and combined salinity and high temperature stress. Methods: A laboratory experiment during rabi season of 2018-2019 was conducted with thirty chickpea genotypes by comparing their responses under different salinity stresses i.e. EC 4.0 dSm-1 and 8.0 dSm-1 and high temperature (37°C). Seedling growth parameters i.e. germination percentage, vigour index and seedling dry weight along with stress tolerance indices like yield stability index and tolerance index were measured for 10-day-old seedlings. Result: The results revealed genotypic variations for all the parameters, based on which the genotypes KPG-59, IPC 2013-74 and NDG 15-6 were identified as tolerant, whereas KWR-108, BG-3075 and BG-3076 as susceptible. Interestingly, the results also showed that the tolerant genotypes exhibited maximum cross-tolerance at highest level of stress (T5) for germination percentage and vigour index, over control (T0), which might be attributed to their acclimatization while facing different stresses during early growth. So, the genotypic variations in chickpea for these parameters at germination stage might be good criteria for selection of tolerant genotypes under salinity and high temperature individually and also when combined.

Plant’s continuous interaction with varieties of microorganisms through its root has been an important topic of discussion since decades. The type of interaction, duration, and changes due to interaction vary according to the type of microorganism and host plant both. Some of the nonpathogenic or harmless microorganisms form symbiotic association with plant root with the exchange of plant root exudates containing nutrients for those. In return, this mutual understanding between symbiont and plant has gifted plant with lots of improved mechanisms to mitigate negative impacts resulted due to invasion of various microorganisms. Formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is a common and unavoidable process in all aerobic life forms, be it plant or animal. But the problem appears when larger amount of ROS formation takes place. The rate of ROS production in plant gets faster due to occurrence of various microorganisms. Pathogenic microorganisms effect plant negatively and promote production of ROS which creates toxicity. Plants, naturally, have answer to neutralize the ROS-generated toxicity through their inherent defense system but sometimes plants have to rely on some outer sources to get some extra strength to face the challenges due to pathogen attack. Symbionts have been reported to boost the natural defense system in plants through directly helping in more production and up-regulation of defense-related molecules like phytohormones, genes, etc. Needless to say, antioxidants are molecules that are continuously dedicated to minimize oxidative stress due to ROS generation and their toxicity. These antioxidants, viz. enzymes (catalase, superoxide dismutase, enzyme components of AsA-GSH cycle, etc.) and nonenzyme (tocopherols, carotenoids, glutathione, etc.) compounds help plant stand in stressful situation through thoroughly giving support to plant in providing defense. Changes due to pathogen attack in plant and how a plant response to those is still not revealed to its best. But it can be said that this complex relationship between pathogen and plant could be understood better with thorough study of plant’s interaction with pathogens and plant’s acquired as well as induced defensive mechanisms through recruitment of vast network of antioxidants.

A pot experiment was carried out with six chickpea genotypes viz. KPG-59, IPC-2013-74 and NDG-15-6 (tolerant group); and KWR-108, BG-3075 and BG-3076 (susceptible group) to study the responses of these genotypes under salinity stress (4.20 dSm-1) with normal sowing, high temperature (HT) stress with late sowing and their combination (saline soil + late sowing), and compared with control (non-stress) condition based on several physio-biochemical traits such as malondialdehyde content (MDA), membrane stability index (MSI), relative water content (RWC) and proline in leaf at reproductive stage; and seed yield after harvesting. Both salinity and HT individually and in combination significantly affected the traits studied. Among the parameters, MDA increased under stress treatments over control, while MSI and RWC decreased for the same. However, combined stress exhibited hypo-additive effects for these parameters which might be due to developed cross-tolerance while facing salinity and HT stress in sequence. Increase in proline content under stress over control is an indication of osmotic adjustment in response to stress. These results might be good criteria in development of genotypes with improved response in terms of physio-biochemical traits and yield.

The present study determined the effect of combination of coconut water, cytokinin and light intensity for enhanced direct in vitro organogenesis of olives (Olea europaea L.). This optimized protocol showed that coconut water and light intensity are important factors for efficient shoot regeneration. These results show that the light intensity and the natural additive, coconut water olds the potential for efficient commercial in vitro propagation of olives. The meristematic explants were cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with various combinations of coconut water, 2ip and kinetin under light intensity of 20, 30 and 40 μmol m−2 s−1. The highest shoot induction (93.16 ± 0.09%) was obtained with 1.5 mg l−1 Kinetin + 2.0 mg l−1 2ip under a light intensity of 30 μmol m−2 s−1. The shoot proliferation and shoot length was highest (08.73±0.18 and 09.52±0.14, respectively) on media with 1.0 mg l−1 Kinetin + 2.0 mg l−1 2ip and 10.0 % coconut water under a light intensity of 30 μmol m−2 s−1. The highest root induction (92.28±0.12 %), rooting frequency (07.94±0.16 roots per shoot) and root length (07.73±0.17 cm) were obtained when adventitious shoots were inoculated on half-MS medium with 1.0 mg l−1 2,4-D + 1.0 mg l−1 NAA. The regenerated plantlets were acclimatized in coco peat, soil and sand mix for 15 days and were shifted to poly house for 2.5 months and thereafter they were transferred to field. The survival rate of the transplanted plantlets was about 85%.

Background: A pain-free and stress-free post-operative period h elps in early mobilization and recovery, thereby re ducing morbidity and mortality. Accomplishing the subarachnoid block wit h local anaesthetic alone has a drawback of analges i of horter duration in postoperative period. Addition of opioids to local anaesthetic so luti n used for conduct of has subarachnoid block been found safe, devoid of any nerve toxicity and in addition it increases the quality a s well as the duration of the block. Nalbuphine is a emisynthetic opioid having agonist and antagonist effects on opioid receptors and devoid o f other opioid like side effects. Aim: The purpose of our study was to establish the effectiveness of intrathecal nalbuphine as an adjuv ant and also the efficacy of nalbuphine for post-op erative analgesia and its side effects if any. Subjects and Methods: The study conducted on 60 patients of ASA grade I a nd II, age group between 18-60 years, scheduled for elective lower abdominal, perineal and lower limb s urgeries. Patients were randomised into two equal g roups of 30 each, group I (Nalbuphine group) received 3cc of hyperbaric bupivacaine 0.5% + 0.8 cc injection nalbuphine preservative free (0. 8mg) intrathecally, Group II(controlled group) received 3cc of hyperbaric bupivacaine 0.5% + 0.8 cc of injection normal saline intrathecally. Statistical analysis was done using appropriate tests. Results: The mean time of post-operative analgesia in nalbup hine group (Group-I) was found to be highly signifi cant (P<0.001) than control group (Group-II), no patient developed any side effects in our study. Conclusion: Nalbuphine hydrochloride provides better quality of blockade as well as prolongs the post-operative analgesia when used as adjuvant with bupivacaine in spinal anesthesia.

A field experiment was conducted in 2016–17 to study the effect of polymers and nutrient management on sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) under custard apple (Annona squamosa L.) based agri-horti system in rainfed conditions of eastern Uttar Pradesh, India. The experiment was laid out in a split-plot design with four replications. Three levels of polymers, viz. Control, NCPC @ 5 kg/ha and Hydrogel @ 5 kg/ha and four level of the nutrient management as Control, 100% RDF, 100% RDF + Azotobacter and 100% RDF + PSB were taken in main-plots and sub-plots. Results indicated that the application of NCPC @ 5 kg/ha produced the best results in terms of the sesame seed yield (448.51 kg/ha) and stalk yield (609.97 kg/ha). The nutrient management with 100% RDF + Azotobacter gave better results as compared to control (no fertilizers). Their conjoint application can be beneficial to farmers for sustaining the crop productivity in the rainfed condition of eastern Uttar Pradesh.

Bacopa monnieri L. Penn. is an important medicinal crop. The problems with natural propagation is death of seedlings at two leaved stage, short viability of seed, marshy areas requirements and slow growth of stem cutting. Therefore, in the present investigation, an effort has been made to develop a rapid and reproducible protocol for the in vitro mass multiplication through callus induction of Bacopa monnieri. Nodal and leaf segments were used as explants for regeneration. A friable, compact, globular, morphogenic, green and white colored callus was initiated in different combination of media. For callus induction from leaf segments, MS basal media supplemented with 0.5 mg/l BAP and 0.5 mg/l NAA, supported the best result (75% callus induction) and MS salt supplemented with 4.0 mg/L BAP and 0.5 mg/L IAA supported best callus responses for nodal segment (85% callus formation). The MS salt supplemented with 1.0 mg/L BAP+ 0.5 mg/L NAA gave best results for shooting and multiple shooting induction from callus of leaf and nodal segment. Shoot induction percentage (85%), average number of shoots (15) and average shoot length (9.5 cm) was higher in case of callus developed from nodal segment as compared to leaf segments. Best performing rooting media (MS + 20g/l sucrose and 7g/l agar) induced rooting in 80% of shoots. Two weeks after hardening plants were transferred to soil in field/open conditions and 98% survival rate was observed, and the regenerated plantlets showed robust growth.

Drought and high temperature stress often occur simultaneously especially in rainfed grown wheat crop causing severe yield loss in most of the wheat growing areas of the world. The simultaneous effects of these two stresses on crop performance in terms of growth and development may be quite different than the individual stress, but there are limited studies on this topic. Drought as well high temperature stress inhibits CK synthesis and accelerates CK degradation, reducing CK levels in roots and shoots. Experiments were performed in 10 days old wheat seedling under independent and combined drought and high temperature stress conditions with two contrasting set of wheat genotypes (C-306, tolerant and Ko-307, susceptible). Combined stress significantly reduced the membrane stability, RWC, CSI and photosynthetic pigments contents and increased the lipid peroxidation (TBARS contents). While exogenous application of optimize dose of 10 ppm BAP, (identified in preliminary experiments based on changes in growth and physiological traits) significant increased membrane stability index (MSI), photosynthetic pigments contents, chlorophyll stability index and RWC and other growth parameters in wheat seedlings grown under independent and combined stress conditions. However, genotypes subjected to drought, high temperature & combined drought and high temperature stress in 10 days old wheat seedlings. Overall it is concluded that, combined effect of drought + high temperature stress was more detrimental than the individual stress however, the interaction effect was hypo-additive in nature, which may be due to cross adaptation effect and further exogenous application of cytokinin (6-BAP) ameliorates the adverse effect of combined stress as well individual stress.

Most of the wheat growing areas of the world experience environmental stresses including drought (moisture stress) and high temperature (heat stress) that adversely affect crop growth, development and yield. Water-deficit often combined with high temperature stress is the main abiotic factor limiting crop growth and development. Present investigation was performed to see the growth response of different wheat genotypes under individual and combined stress conditions. Growth parameters like dry mass accumulation, fresh weight, root length & shoot length per plant and physiological traits (chlorophyll contents measured in terms of SPAD units), were recorded in 10 days old wheat seedling. Results showed genotypic difference exist among wheat genotypes in response to combined stress, genotype KO-307 was severely affected however C-306 was least affected by combined stress. Under combined drought + high temperature stress condition decrease in chlorophyll (12.72%), plant dry mass (26.09%), fresh weight (21.93%), root length (10.91%) and shoot length (14.41%) were observed compared with the optimum condition and when averaged across genotypes. Overall, combined effect of drought + high temperature stress was more detrimental than the individual stress, however, the interaction effect was hypo-additive in nature, which might be due to cross adaptation effect.

Global warming and soil salinity drastically reduced the productivity of cereals including wheat which is the most important food crop next to rice. A laboratory experiment was conducted with three replications to screen forty six winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) genotypes for individual salinity and high temperature stress and their combined effect at germination and early seedling growth stage. The seeds were subjected to two levels of salinity stress i.e. 4 and 8 dSm-1 with salt combination of NaCl:CaCl2:Na2SO4 in a ratio of 7:2:1. The high temperature treatment was given by transferring the seeding in the incubator at temperature 37± 2°C. The physiological parameters i.e. germination percentage, root length, shoot length, seedling length, root/shoot length ratio, vigour index I and SPAD value were measured in 10 days old seedling. The result indicated that germination percentage; root/shoot length ratio, root/shoot fresh weight Ratio, root/shoot dry weight Ratio and SPAD unit value were decreased most severely under combined second salinity level and high temperature stress when compared to ambient condition. However, root/shoot length ratio sowed an irregular pattern i.e. at individual and combined lower salinity level and high temperature stress more wheat genotypes showed increase in root/shoot length ratio, while rest showed decrease in the same. However, under individual and combined higher salinity level and high temperature stress more genotype showed reduction in the same parameter. Based on the physiological parameters, the genotype KRL-1-4, KRL-19 and HD-2733 was found to be most tolerant and HI-1563, HD 2329 and HT-8 were the most susceptible to salinity at germination stage and early seedling stage. In conclusion, there is genetic variability among winter wheat genotypes that can be used in breeding programs to improve winter wheat yield under combined high temperature and salinity stress conditions.