Mango (Mangifera indica L.) is among the most valued tropical fruits, recognized for its taste, nutrient profile, and worldwide socio-economic significance. The increasing preference for cultivars with increased sweetness, nutrition and dietary quality has created a strong impetus for targeted and trait-oriented breeding. In this study, 35 hybrids derived from an Amrapali × Sensation cross, along with parents, were comprehensively evaluated for morpho-biochemical diversity, integrating detailed sugar and organic acid profiling with quantitative morphological traits that are critical to fruit quality and consumer demands. The hybrids displayed wide phenotypic variability, with both intermediate and transgressive segregation across fruit, stone, peel, and pulp traits. Fruit size varied substantially (length: 63.71–121.45 mm; weight: 70.48–324.69 g), whereas significant differences were observed in fruit shape, peel thickness, and pulp recovery. Biochemical profiling revealed broad variation in TSS (12.63–22.03 °Brix), sucrose (16.01–74.46 mg/g), glucose (4.55–24.78 mg/g), fructose (5.00–25.41 mg/g), and organic acids, including ascorbic acid (1.79–9.71 mg/g) and citric acid (1.03–11.74 mg/g). Multivariate analyses, including PCA, correlation, and hierarchical clustering, successfully dissected trait variability, with PCA identifying a clear size-quality block and hierarchical clustering grouping progenies into four different clusters. Notably, transgressive segregation for traits such as the pulp: stone ratio (up to 9.28) and TSS (22.03 °Brix) indicates the potential to select superior recombinants among the progeny. MGIDI analysis identified six elite hybrids exhibiting superior multi-trait performance and proximity to the predefined ideotype. Overall, this study demonstrates the identification of superior hybrid progenies and the effectiveness of hybridization among heterozygous mango hybrids in generating improved varieties, while establishing morpho-biochemical profiling and multivariate analysis as strong tools for identifying elite hybrids and ideotypes for future mango improvement programs.

Urban rivers are increasingly facing contamination and degradation due to unregulated human activities and are becoming significant reservoirs for pollutants, including toxic heavy metals (HMs) and antibiotics. This co-occurrence of antibiotics and HMs in water bodies may pose greater health and environmental concerns as HMs can co-select for antibiotic-resistant bacteria, leading to a higher prevalence of antibiotic resistance (ABR) genes/bacteria. This study investigates the co-selection of HMs and ABR in Enterobacteriaceae strains isolated from the polluted urban stretch of the Mula-Mutha River flowing through Pune Metropolitan (India). Water samples were collected from five different sites of the river, and physicochemical parameters and metal concentrations were assessed, along with microbiological profiling. Elevated levels of toxic HMs, including arsenic (As, 1010 µg/L), lead (Pb, 90 µg/L), cadmium (Cd, 42 µg/L), and chromium (Cr, 163 µg/L) were recorded at one of the urban sites (Mhatre Bridge), surpassing the World Health Organization (WHO) thresholds, marking it as a contamination hotspot. Eighty-eight Enterobacteriaceae isolates were obtained, of which 41 (46.5

This study investigates the chemodiversity and adaptive potential of two Indian bryophytes, Dumortiera hirsuta (liverwort) and Leucophanes glaucum (moss), using comprehensive metabolomic approaches. Both species, collected from diverse terrestrial habitats, were analyzed for phenolic content, antioxidant activity, and metabolite profiles. Untargeted metabolomics, employing GC-MS (Gas ChromatographyMass Spectrometry) and UHPLC-QTOF-IMS (Ultra High Performance Liquid Chromatography Quadrupols Time-of-Flight Ion Mobility Spectrometry), revealed significant compositional differences. GC-MS revealed distinct fatty acids, terpenoids, and steroids, with unique compounds like delta-elemene in D. hirsuta and eugenol/neoclovene in L. glaucum. UHPLC-QTOF-IMS showed 115 unique metabolites in D. hirsuta and 97 in L. glaucum, encompassing both primary and secondary metabolites. KEGG pathway analysis highlighted species-specific adaptations: D. hirsuta showed enrichment in sphingolipid metabolism and diterpenoid biosynthesis, linked to development and resistance, while L. glaucum exhibited enrichment in ascorbate and aldarate metabolism, associated with oxidative tolerance. This research provides valuable insights into bryophyte metabolite diversity and their capacity to adapt to environmental stressors, crucial in the context of global climate change. (c) 2025 National Science Museum of Korea (NSMK) and Korea National Arboretum (KNA). Publishing services by Elsevier B.V. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http:// creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).

BackgroundPlant growth and developmental processes are tightly regulated by small secreted peptides, however, the functions and mechanisms of Tyrosine Sulfation-containing Peptides (PSY) remain unclear. In chickpea, knowledge of PSY genes family is limited.ResultsThis study employed comprehensive bioinformatics approaches to identify and characterize seven CaPSY genes in the chickpea genome. The analyses encompass chromosomal localization, evolutionary relationships, gene structure, conserved motif identification, promoter architecture, prediction of PSY-targeting miRNAs, and expression profiling. Chromosomal mapping revealed that CaPSY genes are confined to four specific chromosomes rather than being evenly distributed across the genome. Phylogenetic analysis resolved nine distinct groups, each further subdivided into subgroups. Additionally, CaPSY genes were found to contain one to two introns. Amino acid sequence comparisons demonstrated that each CaPSY gene consistently harbors a PSY domain in its C-terminal end. Promoter analysis of CaPSY genes revealed the presence of multiple hormone-responsive elements, including ABRE, SARE, AuxRE, and MeJARE, as well as stress-related elements such as the drought-responsive MBS, suggesting potential regulatory roles in development and stress adaptation. Further, the expression patterns of CaPSY were evaluated in multiple tissues as well as in response to abiotic stresses. The results indicated differential expression of CaPSY genes among tissues and under multiple abiotic stress conditions. We further detected several miRNAs likely to target CaPSY genes and assessed how they are expressed in different tissues.ConclusionThus, these findings serve as a crucial resource for basic and applied research, enabling advancements in chickpea productivity and stress tolerance via precise genome editing and innovative breeding methods.

Acetoxychavicol acetate (ACA) is a bioactive compound derived from Alpinia galangal. It is known for anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, anti-cancer, anti-allergic, anti-tuberculosis, antiparasitic and multidrug resistance-modulating effects Present study was undertaken to explore cell suspension culture of Alpinia. galanga for the biosynthesis of ACA. For this purpose salicylic acid, methyl jasmonate and phenylalanine were tested for their ability to enhance ACA production. HPLC analysis revealed that phenylalanine was most effective in producing ACA.

Fortification of functional dairy products with botanical bioactives is constrained by the inherent bitterness and chemical instability of plant extracts. This study investigated the microencapsulation of Neolamarckia cadamba (Kadam) bark extract for incorporation into probiotic yogurt, targeting preserved antioxidant activity and enhanced sensory acceptability. Ultrasonication-assisted extraction in a 1:1 hydroethanolic system significantly outperformed conventional maceration in phytochemical recovery. The concentrated extract was spray-dried (inlet: 160°C; outlet: 80°C) using an optimized Quillaja saponin-sunflower lecithin carrier matrix, yielding spherical, fracture-free microcapsules with a principal intensity peak diameter of 78.98 nm (Z-average: 6183 nm, indicative of polydisperse aggregate populations in the feed emulsion), and a highly stable zeta potential of -38.3 mV. SEM imaging confirmed successful tannin sequestration within intact particles. Functional evaluation of the fortified probiotic yogurt demonstrated a total phenolic content of 71.47 mg/g and DPPH radical scavenging activity of 72.94%, both sustained throughout refrigerated storage. A 42-day release kinetics study confirmed controlled, gradual polyphenol diffusion into the yogurt matrix. Sensory panels awarded encapsulated formulations an overall acceptability score of 8.16 ± 0.36 out of 9, with no statistically significant differences observed between encapsulated and free-extract treatments for any sensory attribute (all p > 0.05), indicating comparable sensory acceptability. These findings establish encapsulated N. cadamba extract as a physicochemically stable, clean-label functional ingredient with improved antioxidant retention, favorable sensory acceptability comparable to free-extract formulations, and controlled polyphenol release in a probiotic yogurt matrix. In vitro digestion and in vivo bioavailability studies are warranted to fully substantiate health-efficacy claims.

Small interfering RNAs exhibit a potential role in plant development, notably in seed development, by modulating gene activity both at the transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels. Here, the potential roles of siRNAs in seed development, considering their abundant presence throughout seed development, their maturation, their biogenesis, and the genomic and epigenomic contexts of their origin, have been discussed. The spatiotemporal regulation of RNA-directed DNA methylation (RdDM), mediated by small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) originating from both maternal and potentially embryonic tissues, emerges as a critical layer of control influencing gene expression during endosperm and embryo development. It has been explored that the phenomenon of uniparental gene expression in the endosperm is being driven by parent-of-origin specific epigenetic modifications. Furthermore, we discussed here the evolutionary hypotheses underlying genomic imprinting, including the parental conflict and differential dosage theories, providing insights into the selective pressures shaping this epigenetic landscape. Finally, we examined how the impact of parental genome dosage imbalances in interploidy crosses on seed development reveals the crucial role of imprinted genes and RNA-directed DNA methylation (RdDM) in maintaining proper endosperm development and seed viability. It explores the potential of epigenetic modifications, particularly genomic imprinting, to modulate key agricultural traits and their applications in crop breeding. Understanding these complex epigenetic interactions offers valuable perspectives for manipulating seed traits and improving crop yields.

Background: Salinity stress is a major abiotic constraint limiting crop productivity worldwide, particularly in legumes such as mungbean (Vigna radiata L.). Brassinosteroids (BRs), especially 24-epibrassinolide (EBL), are recognized for their role in regulating plant growth and enhancing tolerance to abiotic stresses by modulating physiological, biochemical and antioxidant defense mechanisms. Methods: The present investigation evaluated the ameliorative effects of EBL on two mungbean genotypes, HUM23 and HUM16, under salinity stress conditions. HUM23 and HUM16 were selected based on their contrasting responses to abiotic stress (Tolerant vs. sensitive, respectively). Seeds were pretreated with EBL at concentrations of 0.005 mM and 0.01 mM (Selected based on literature-reported effective dose ranges for legumes), followed by exposure to 100 mMNaCl. Biochemical parameters including leaf greenness index (SPAD), protein content, nitrate reductase (NR) activity, proline and hydrogen peroxide levels were analyzed along with antioxidant enzyme activities (SOD, APX, CAT) at 5, 10, 15, 30 and 50 days after sowing (DAS). Experiments were conducted at the Department of plant Physiology, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, during 2023-2024. Result: Salinity stress significantly reduced chlorophyll content, protein content and nitrate reductase activity, while markedly increasing hydrogen peroxide accumulation, indicating enhanced oxidative stress. Exogenous application of EBL mitigated the adverse effects of salinity by improving chlorophyll retention, protein synthesis and antioxidant enzyme activities, thereby reducing oxidative damage. Among the genotypes, HUM16 exhibited greater salinity tolerance when treated with 0.005 mM EBL, whereas HUM23 showed superior overall biochemical performance under both control and EBL-treated conditions.

This study investigated the complex biochemical changes during chickpea seed development, directly linking them to nutrient accumulation and final seed weight. Researchers comprehensively profiled previously unexplored metabolites in contrasting desi (Himchana, PBG7) and kabuli (L550, JGK1) chickpea cultivars. Samples were collected at key developmental stages: cotyledon, early, mid, and late maturation, just before dry, and almost dried seeds. Non-targeted metabolomics identified 201 metabolites, with desi cultivars showing higher overall accumulation, potentially due to their denser seeds. Metabolite diversity peaked during mid and late maturation (113 and 132 distinct metabolites), aligning with rapid dry matter accumulation and seed weight gain. GC–MS analysis revealed 66 distinct Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), predominantly fatty acids. PLS-DA analysis confirmed clear metabolic distinctions across developmental stages and cultivar types, indicating dynamic biochemical remodelling. Himchana and JGK1 exhibited more VOCs than PBG7 and L550. Amino acid and sugar/carbohydrate accumulation was highest in the cotyledon stage, serving as primary building blocks, but decreased later as they converted into storage forms. Secondary metabolites, like terpenoids and flavonoids, peaked during mid and late maturation, suggesting roles in protection and viability. Enrichment analysis highlighted active metabolic pathways, including pantothenate and CoA biosynthesis, various amino acid biosynthesis pathways, carotenoid biosynthesis, and purine metabolism. This in-depth study offers crucial insights into chickpea seed development and weight determination, providing valuable information for breeding programs aimed at enhancing food security. Desi chickpea cultivars consistently show higher and more diverse metabolite accumulation, including amino acids, sugars, and secondary metabolites, compared to Kabuli cultivars, particularly during mid and late maturation stages.

Mullein (Verbascum thapsus) is a medicinal plant known for its traditional uses and health benefits; however, the composition and bioactivity of its tissue oils from the leaf, stem, and root are underexplored. This study investigated the phytoconstituents, fatty acid profiles, and antifungal activities of mullein oils. Oil was extracted, and samples were analyzed for refractive index, total phenolic content, and antioxidant activity (DPPH). Volatile organic compounds and nontargeted metabolites were identified via GC-MS and UHPLC-QToF-IMS, while FTIR characterized functional groups and NMR quantified fatty acids. Leaf tissue yielded higher oil content and superior antioxidant activity, with distinct fatty acid profiles, including 9,12,15-octadecatrienoic acid. UHPLC-QToF-IMS revealed metabolite profiles, with leaf rich in amino acids and lipids, and root in sugars. Pathway analysis highlighted purine metabolism and terpenoid-quinone biosynthesis as the primary pathways based on the metabolites present in the oils. Notably, root oil exhibited the strongest antifungal activity (MIC 31.2-62.5 µg/mL) against Candida species. This comprehensive characterization identified the leaf oil and stem oil as the most promising for health applications and antifungal properties, respectively. Future work should prioritize isolating active compounds, validating medicinal properties in vivo, and exploring sustainable extraction methods to unlock their full therapeutic and commercial potential.

Post-harvest loss of fruits and vegetables poses significant challenges to food security and economic sustainability, primarily due to ripening-associated excessive softening that shortens shelf life and increases susceptibility to pathogens. N-glycans, N-glycoproteins, and their processing enzymes are integral to various plant processes, including fruit ripening. Among these, α-D-mannosidase (α-Man) and β-D-N-acetylhexosaminidase (β-Hex) are key ripening-specific enzymes that modulate fruit softening. Previously, we have shown that RNAi-mediated suppression of α-Man or β-Hex improves fruit shelf life and firmness in both climacteric and non-climacteric fruits. However, the underlying molecular and biochemical basis of fruit softening regulation by α-Man and β-Hex was not well understood. In this study, we developed transgenic tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) plants by silencing α-Man and β-Hex simultaneously using RNAi. Suppression of these enzymes reduces N-glycoprotein degradation, downregulates pectin dissolution, and inhibits ripening-related gene expression. RNAi fruits exhibited enhanced shelf life, greater firmness, reduced reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation and increased resistance against post-harvest pathogens without affecting plant growth, fruit development, yield, or nutritional quality. To further explore the molecular mechanism of α-Man and β-Hex function, we purified and quantified N-glycans in RNAi fruits and other ripening-impaired mutants, identifying key N-glycan species. We also carried out iTRAQ-based quantitative proteome profiling to investigate the abundance of proteins in ripened fruit affected by silencing of α-Man and β-Hex. Molecular insights revealed that N-glycan processing and degradation are key events during ripening, influencing cell wall softening, fruit redox state, and post-harvest quality attributes. This study highlights the potential of co-silencing α-Man and β-Hex as a novel approach to extending the shelf life of fruits, regardless of their climacteric behavior, without compromising quality or yield.

Gene expression at transcriptional stage regulates several vital life processes. Transcription factors (TFs) are essential for guiding these cellular functions. MYB (v-myb avian myeloblastosis viral oncogene homolog) TF family possesses a broad spectrum of biological functions, involving growth and differentiation, metabolism, defence mechanisms, as well as reactions to environmental stressors. Additionally, MYB transcription factors are recognized for involvement in manufacture of plant secondary metabolites. MYB proteins’ functions are extensively regulated at translational level, comprising mechanisms such as ubiquitination, sumoylation, and phosphorylation. MYB TFs’ vital role in controlling plant development is due to their capacity of precisely binding with cis-elements located in promoter domain of eukaryote targeted genes, influencing gene expression. This review delves into the evolution and critical roles of MYB proteins under various environmental stress conditions. Furthermore, it examines how these proteins control downstream target gene networks in response to abiotic stressors. It investigates the probable mechanisms that control MYB protein regulation at multiple stages, including transcription, post-transcriptional processes, and protein levels. It also investigates how these proteins control downstream targeted gene cascades during responses to environmental stresses in developing stress-resilient crops.

Subtilisin-like serine proteases (SBTs) play pivotal roles in plant development and stress responses by regulating proteolytic processes. In this study, a comprehensive genome-wide analysis of the SBT gene family was performed in Cicer arietinum (desi and kabuli cultivars). The goal was to investigate their physiochemical characteristics, evolutionary relationships, structural and functional analysis and expression patterns under abiotic stress (drought and cold). A total of 69 CaDSBT and 82 CaKSBT genes were identified in desi and kabuli cultivars, respectively. The SBT proteins showed variations in amino acid numbers, isoelectric point, and subcellular localization, though most were found to be stable, basic, and hydrophilic. Phylogenetic analysis categorized the SBT genes into six groups (Group 1–6) with Group 1 having maximum number of genes in both cultivars. Chromosomal mapping revealed an uneven distribution, with Chromosome 7 containing highest number of genes. Promoter analysis identified abundant stress- and hormone-responsive elements, particularly in response to abiotic stress (especially light, defense, and general stress) and phytohormones (salicylic acid, MeJA, abscisic acid, and auxin). Gene ontology analysis showed enrichment in biological processes related to proteolysis and cellular metabolism. Gene duplication analysis indicated that purifying selection was the primary evolutionary force for the SBT gene family in chickpea. Physiological assessments confirmed that stress exposure resulted in a reduction in relative water content (RWC), and an increased in malondialdehyde and electrolyte leakage, indicating enhanced oxidative stress. Expression profiling revealed that CaDSBT59, CaKSBT47, and CaKSBT77, were strongly upregulated under drought and cold stress. These findings provide valuable insights into the potential of SBT genes for improving stress tolerance and developing future chickpea improvement strategies under stressful conditions.

Casparian strip (CS) is a specialized structure in endodermal cell layer of plant roots and is critical for regulating hydro-mineral transport and thus plant growth and stress responses. CS are synthesized and stabilized by a specialized class of proteins called CS-membrane-domain-proteins, the CS membrane proteins (CASPs) (CASPs). CASPs have been identified in various crops; however, such studies on Indica rice cultivars remain limited. This study was conducted to identify and characterize putative CASPs in Indica rice varieties, and their influence on expression patterns of key genes under salinity stress. The genome-wide screening revealed five putative orthologs in the Indica genome, three of them were confirmed as stable and functional CASPs through Eggnogg, Protparam, gene structure and domain architecture analysis. Cis-regulatory element analysis showed abscisic acid-responsive element (ABRE) and anaerobic responsive element (ARE) promoter within the promoter region, indicating their roles in regulating plant hormones, stress-responses, and influencing developmental processes. Subcellular localization confirmed their presence on plasma membrane. Three-dimensional structures prediction showed that all CASPs have four transmembrane architectures. To analyze responses under salinity stress, two Indica rice varieties differing in salinity tolerance abilities were studied for their responses to salinity stress including reactive oxygen species generation, lipid peroxidation, and responsive antioxidant enzyme activities. Varietal and stress-responsive differential enzyme activity was seen particularly for peroxidases, which are known to be involved in CS formation. Histochemical visualization for the development of CS using propidium iodide diffusion confirmed the varietal difference under salinity stress. Differential qRT-PCR-based gene expression of identified genes further confirmed the role of CS under salinity stress.

The Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze agroforestry system has been a dominant driver of land transformation for over a century. However, most previous studies have not captured the dynamics of tea plantations since their inception. To address this research gap, this study investigates 150 years (1876 to 2023) of tea area dynamics and two decades (2001–2022) of tree loss in the Bengal-Dooars region (Jalpaiguri and Alipurduar districts). Various data sources were employed, including Sentinel-2A imagery (10 m), early twentieth century topographic maps at a 1:50,000 scale, and historical records from the British colonial period. Results revealed that the tea area expanded from 331 to 95,800 ha (a 70

This study focused on analysing the UDP-glycosyltransferase gene family in Pennisetum glaucum, which plays an essential role in plant metabolism and glycosylation of the secondary metabolites. We identified 191 UGTs by performing a BLASTp search against the available pearl millet genome, utilizing amino acid sequences of the conserved plant secondary product glycosyltransferase (PSPG) motif and already reported UGT genes from Arabidopsis and maize. Phylogenetic analysis categorized these genes into 18 groups (A-R), and their genomic distribution was mapped across 10 pearl millet chromosomes. Subcellular localization analysis showed that PglUGT proteins localized to the cytoplasm, chloroplast, and nucleus. Functional annotation was carried out by Gene Ontology (GO) analysis of all the PglUGT genes for biological processes, cellular components, and molecular functions. Moreover, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis demonstrated that a particular set of PglUGT genes are directly linked with secondary metabolite biosynthesis during seed development. Further, TLC analysis documented the presence of glycoside flavonoids (vitexin and orientin) during different grain development stages: just before milky stage (S1), milky stage (S2-3) and physiological mature (S4). Expression profiling of 20 randomly selected PglUGT genes across different grain developmental stages also showed the elevated expression during these stages, underscoring their potential roles in plant growth and grain development. In conclusion, this study documented the identification and characterization of UGT genes in genome of pearl millet and proposed the potential role of UGTs during seed development.

Apples are a widely consumed fruit valued for their rich content of health-promoting phytochemicals, including carotenoids, flavonoids, isoflavonoids, and phenolic acids. Consumption of apples has been linked to reduced risks of several chronic diseases, such as cancer, cardiovascular conditions, and asthma. The chemical composition and quality of apple fruit are strongly influenced by the dynamic interactions between environmental factors and secondary metabolic pathways throughout development from flowering to ripening. This review summarizes the latest research on how temperature, light, soil composition, and biotic stressors affect key developmental stages, with an emphasis on the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites such as phenolic compounds, flavonoids, carotenoids, terpenoids, and anthocyanins. These compounds are regulated through complex networks involving phytohormones, transcription factors, and epigenetic modifications. It also highlights recent biotechnological advances, including CRISPR/Cas9 and RNA-directed DNA methylation, to improve fruit quality and stress resilience. By integrating genetic, epigenetic, and environmental perspectives, this review offers strategic insights to mitigate the impacts of climate change on apple production. Its novelty lies in providing a comprehensive framework to guide breeders, growers, and researchers in optimizing fruit quality and functionality across all stages of development.

To strengthen the agriculture sector, it is crucial to combine the efforts of industrialization (field mechanization and fertilizer production), technology (genome editing and manipulation), and the information sector (for the application of current technologies in precision agriculture). The challenge of modern sustainable agriculture is increasing agricultural output while using the least amount of resources and capital expenditure possible and considering the variables contributing to environmental damage. Different environmental factors adversely affect medicinal plant populations, leading to the extinction of these valuable medicinal species. These difficulties drew the attention of the international scientific community to farm sustainability and energy efficiency studies that put forth the idea of precision agriculture (site-specific crop management) in medicinal plants. It is a systems-based method that monitors and responds to changes in intra- and inter-field conditions for environmentally friendly and optimum crop output. Farming systems have significantly benefited from the visualization and morphological analysis of agricultural areas (both open fields and greenhouse experiments) using remote sensing technology, geographic information systems (GIS), crop scouting, variable rate technology (VRT), and Global Positioning System (GPS). These technologies form the backbone of the fourth agricultural technological revolution, Agriculture 4.0. This review concisely summarizes these innovative technologies’ current use and potential future advancements in medicinal plants. The review is intended for researchers, professionals in medicinal plant cultivation, herbal medicine research, crop science, and related fields.