School of Planning and Architecture, New Delhi

Powdery mildew (PM) caused by Erysiphie pisi Syd. is the most devastating disease of pea, affecting fresh pea production as well as the quality of the marketable harvest worldwide. The efforts were made to develop PM-resistant mutants of popular pea varieties “Lincoln” and “Azad P-1” through induced mutations by following gamma irradiation (300, 400, 500, and 600 Gy) and chemical mutagenesis, i.e., ethyl methane sulfonate (EMS) (0.3% and 0.4%). The screening of 13,868 M2 progenies at Kukumseri (summer season) followed by M3 generation at Palampur (winter season) resulted in the isolation of six putative PM-resistant mutants. The rigorous evaluation of these progenies under in vivo (field screening) and in vitro (artificial screening under greenhouse conditions and using the detached leaf assay method) conditions over the years resulted in the isolation of three PM-resistant mutants, viz., L-40-1014, L-0.3-139, and AP-0.3-129. SSR markers “PSMPSAD60 d” and “PSMPA5 c” linked to the er-1 gene indicated the presence of the “er1” gene in the mutant L-0.3-139 while the er-2 gene-linked SCAR marker “ScX171400” and SSR marker “AD141” indicated the probability of the “er-2” gene in mutant L-40-1014. The known markers linked to PM resistance genes could not be validated in the mutant AP-0.3-129, suggested to identify new markers linked to PM resistance. These PM-resistant mutants can be promising candidates as the new source of resistance for future pea breeding programs.

Waxy maize is highly preferred diet in developing countries due to its high amylopectin content. Enriching amylopectin in biofortified maize meets food security and fulfils the demand of rising industrial applications, especially bioethanol. The mutant waxy1 (wx1) gene is responsible for increased amylopectin in maize starch, with a wide range of food and industrial applications. Conventional maize has a modest amount of amylopectin (70–75% of starch), but waxy maize, with favourable wx1 allele, has ~ 95–100% amylopectin. In this study, the wx1 allele was introgressed into the multi-nutrient-rich maize parental inbreds (PMI-PV9 and PMI-PV5) of APQH8, a multi-nutrient rich maize hybrid having high lysine, tryptophan, and provitamin-A nutritionally superior over the traditional hybrids. Gene-specific markers specific for o2 and crtRB1 were employed to select desirable gene segregants from BC1F1, BC2F1, and BC2F2. Background selection was employed with > 90 SSR markers. Selected backcross progenies showed high recovery of recurrent parent genomes (RPG: 94.8–96.8%). The reconstituted waxy hybrids exhibited an increase in amylopectin (mean: 98.4%) compared to the original hybrid (mean: 72.7%). The reconstituted hybrids also recorded enhanced lysine (mean: 0.382%), tryptophan (mean: 0.092%), and provitamin-A (mean: 10.36 ppm), respectively, than normal maize, however similar to the original hybrid with high lysine: 0.330%, tryptophan: 0.079% and provitamin-A: 10.42 ppm. Furthermore, MAS-derived genotypes showed similar agro-morphological traits and grain yield. These biofortified waxy maize hybrids, rich in provitamin-A, lysine, and tryptophan with enhanced amylopectin hold great potential in diverse industrial applications and nutritional security.

In this paper, we explore the q-rung orthopair fuzzy set (q-ROFS) framework to effectively manage complex and uncertain information, particularly in scenarios where human opinions and preferences play a critical role. Recognizing the limitations of existing methods in capturing the inherent vagueness of such information, we propose a novel and robust distance measure tailored specifically for q-ROFS. To demonstrate the practical relevance of our proposed measure, we focus on its application to the selection of financial investment funds, a problem characterized by significant uncertainty and subjective evaluation criteria. Within this context, we develop a decision-making algorithm based on the q-ROFS framework. The algorithm leverages the new distance measure to identify an optimal fund from a set of alternatives by analyzing key financial and non-financial attributes. We further validate the effectiveness of our approach by presenting a detailed numerical example that simulates a real-world investment scenario. Comparative analyses with existing decision-making methods are conducted to underscore the improvements in accuracy, flexibility, and overall performance that our approach offers. The results suggest that the proposed q-ROFS-based algorithm is not only capable of handling uncertainty more effectively but also provides enhanced decision-making insights, making it a valuable tool for complex decision-making tasks in finance and beyond.

Singh E., Verma S., Sharma D., Parmar D.

AbstractBiotherapy targets molecules that alter the immune response. It involves a plethora of organisms known to alter the course of myriad diseases and ailments. Many of these diseases can be life-threatening to the humans and animals, and exhibit resistance to available antimicrobial medications. To address such ailments, traditional and modernized therapies that target specific molecules responsible for altering the immune response are currently being explored. Such therapies utilize various organisms that are known to impact the progression of numerous diseases and disorders. Diseases caused by certain organisms can also alter the courses or outcomes of other diseases. Biotherapies such as helminth therapy, maggot debridement therapy, and hirudotherapy use parasites (roundworms and flatworms), arthropods (maggots), and leeches (annelids), respectively, as potential biological therapeutic sources to treat autoimmune and other chronic diseases. Where conventional medicine fails, these traditional-turned-modern alternative therapies can serve to boost the health prospects of patients who are vulnerable to the misery and pain inflicted by their ailments. Patients dealing with these circumstances are prevalent in developed countries, where there is enormous market potential for any novel alternative treatments discovered. In this review, we provide a brief outlook on the mechanisms of action of these biotherapies, and summarize their roles in human and veterinary medicine.

AbstractWhile assuming natural farming (NF) superior over conventional farming in improving physical, chemical and biological attributes, we hypothesized that the inclusion of farmyard manure (FYM) in addition to NF components would further enhance the soil quality and productivity. The objectives of the study were to assess the efficacy of NF in maize–blackgram intercropping, evaluating effect on soil quality of FYM‐integrated NF, and to identify key soil quality indicators under rainfed agroecosystem. Over a 2 years span, the factorial experiment employed Jeevamrit concentrations (J1: 5% and J2: 10%), application intervals (I1: 15 days and I2: 30 days) and FYM levels (F1: 0 t FYM ha−1, F2: 5 t FYM ha−1 and F3: 10 t FYM ha−1) as factors, resulting in 12 combinations arranged in a randomized block design under maize intercropped blackgram. An additional recommended dose of fertilizers (RDF) enabled an orthogonal contrast to compare effects of conventional farming and bio‐farming. The results revealed that yield and soil attributes of maize, intercropped with blackgram, were significantly improved with FYM‐augmented NF system. The combined application of 10 t FYM ha−1 and 10% Jeevamrit with 15 days application interval significantly improved the bulk density (1.43 Mg m−3), mean weight diameter of soil aggregates (1.12 mm), saturated hydraulic conductivity (8.13 cm h−1) and plant available water (14.2 cm m−1) over rest of the treatments. The study yielded no evidence supporting the efficacy of NF on its own, as it failed to demonstrate any considerable impact on soil physical, chemical and nutrient attributes from their initial status. However, NF treatments substantially enhanced the biological activity (microbial biomass carbon by 3.88% and dehydrogenase by 21.95%) over treatment receiving RDF. The conventional farming reduced the soil organic carbon content (5.58 g kg−1), along with lower levels of available nitrogen (286 kg ha−1), phosphorus (19.2 kg ha−1) and sulphur (18.4 mg kg−1) when compared to bio‐farming. Application of 10% Jeevamrit at 15‐day span +10 t FYM ha−1 increased the maize grain equivalent yield by 8.65% over conventional farming. Soil quality index measured 0.68 under conventional farming system, 0.73 under NF that further improved to 0.90 with 10 t FYM ha−1 addition. The study demonstrates the potential synergy between FYM and the NF approach, leading to improved soil quality and agricultural productivity.

Mahala S.K., Ramappa K., Chandel R., Verma K., Walia A.

Introduction: Staphylococcus haemolyticus is an opportunistic human pathogenic bacterium that constitutes the major part of human skin microflora. This bacterium has shown resistance to most antibiotics. Moreover, it spreads widely in hospitals and causes various infections in human beings. This bacterium has been reported in infected humans, animals, and some insects; however, this is the first report on Staphylococcus haemolyticus being found in scarabaeids in the world. The gut microbiota of white grubs helps in the digestion and assimilation of food, such as cellulose, hemicellulose, and pectin degradation by producing various enzymes. Aims: This study aimed to isolate and identify the cellulose-degrading bacteria from the gut of the most notorious polyphagous white grub, B. coriacea and estimated their cellulolytic index for utilization in future studies for decomposing of organic matter and in biofuel production in industries. Methods: In this study, we isolated 11 cellulolytic bacteria from the gut of Brahmina coriacea (Hope) grubs, which were collected from different locations in the north-western Himalayas. Results: S. haemolyticus was only reported from the grubs of Nauni, Solan region of Himachal Pradesh, India, and identified by using 16S rRNA gene sequencing analysis. S. haemolyticus was able to degrade the cellulose in Carboxy Methyl cellulose (CMC) media. Conclusion: This bacterium can be used in industries, such as the management of agro-waste, pulp and paper, and biofuel production.

AbstractEctopic pregnancy, where implantation occurs outside the uterus, is less common in animals compared to humans. The precise causes of this condition are not thoroughly understood in either species. A 3‐year‐old Indian pariah bitch was brought in due to overall lethargy, loss of appetite and abdominal discomfort persisting for the past 2 days, following a full term of pregnancy. Upon vaginal examination, the cervical canal was found to be fully dilated; however, no fetal parts were palpable. Following stabilisation of the bitch, radiographic and ultrasonographic examinations were conducted to assess fetal number and viability. Diagnostic procedures and clinical examinations did not indicate the possibility of delivering the fetus through the normal birth canal. The fetuses were surgically retrieved via a caesarean section, revealing the unexpected occurrence of ectopic pregnancy specifically in the abdomen. After the surgical removal of the fetus located outside the uterus, the bitch experienced a full recovery.

Citrus diseases pose threats to citrus farming and result in economic losses worldwide. Nucleic acid and serology-based methods of detection such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR), loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP), and immunochromatographic assays are commonly used but these laboratory tests are laborious, expensive and might be subjected to cross-reaction and contamination. Timely intervention for better control over the spread of disease is essential to minimize crop loss, as no cure is available for citrus diseases like Huanglongbing. Modern optical spectroscopic techniques offer a promising alternative to traditional methods, as they are label-free, sensitive, rapid, and non-destructive. They also demonstrate potential as a mass screening tool and could be incorporated into autonomous systems for disease detection in citrus orchards. Nevertheless, the majority of optical spectroscopic methods for citrus disease detection are still in the trial phases and, require additional efforts to be established as efficient and commercially viable methods. The review presents an overview of fundamental working principles, the state of the art, and explains the applications and limitations of the optical spectroscopy technique including the spectroscopic imaging approach (hyperspectral imaging) in the identification of diseases in citrus plants grown over a large area. The review highlights (1) majorly used optical spectroscopic tools that can potentially be utilized in field measurements, (2) their applications in screening citrus diseases through leaf spectroscopy, and (3) discusses their benefits, challenges, and limitations, including future insights on how to enhance them further for efficient label-free identification of citrus diseases. Moreover, the role of artificial intelligence is reviewed as potential effective tools for spectral analysis, enabling accurate detection of infected citrus leaves even before the appearance of visual symptoms by leveraging compositional, morphological, and chemometric characteristics of the plant leaves. The review aims to encourage researchers to enhance the development and commercialization of field-based, label-free optical tools for the rapid and early-stage screening of citrus diseases in plants.

The need for targeted pest control strategies has led to the development of juvenile hormone (JH) mimics that selectively disrupt the life cycles of harmful insect species. Present study focuses on the synthesis, characterization and evaluation of sulfonyl-acetohydrazide derivatives (H1-H8) as novel JH mimics on two different insect species, with an emphasis on their insect-specific action. The yellow fever mosquito, Aedes aegypti and cabbage leaf borer, Spodoptera litura, were selected for this investigation. Our results indicate that while these compounds exhibit negligible effects on the development of Aedes aegypti, they demonstrate a potent and specific action against Spodoptera litura. The sulfonyl-acetohydrazide derivatives induced significant developmental abnormalities and increased mortality rates in Spodoptera litura larvae, leading to a marked disruption in their life cycle. Additionally, Density Functional Theory methods were employed to elucidate the electronic structure and corelate the reactivity of the synthesized compounds with the insect growth regulating activity (IGR). The DNA-binding study of synthesized JH analogs has been carried out using UV-vis spectroscopy for toxicity assessment against biomolecule DNA. All the synthesized JH analogs (H1-H8) show IGR action and exhibit better reactivity and reduced toxicity as compared to the commercial in use IGR, pyriproxyfen.

Onion, a member of the Allium genus, stands out as the most extensively cultivated species in the Indian sub-continent, possessing remarkable potential for export. To enhance bulb yield, overall quality, and to fortify the resistance against both biotic and abiotic stresses, agro-morphological and molecular characterization is of utmost significance. Genetic diversity in 49 onion genotypes was assessed using six DUS descriptors, 19 quantitative traits along with 13 ISSR markers. Among DUS descriptors, bulb: basic color of dry skin exhibited the highest diversity index (1.44). Mahalanobis D2 statistic grouped the genotypes into seven clusters with the highest inter-cluster distance between clusters V and VII (364.35). A total of 78 fragments were produced from 13 polymorphic primers with a mean of six alleles per primer. The polymorphic information content (PIC) ranged from 0.42 (UBC 835) to 0.75 (UBC 825) with an average of 0.61 per primer. Cluster analysis using UPGMA algorithm divided genotypes into two major clusters, whereas the cluster tree identified three major groups. The structure analysis divided the population into two main groups. Based on genetic distance, Genotypes no. 13 (ON20-11) and 28 (ON20-49) were found most diverse and also exhibited considerable resistance to stemphylium blight and thrips incidence. Mantel’s test showed a moderate positive correlation between agro-morphological (DUS descriptors) and molecular data. Thus, integrated morphological and molecular characterization followed by hybridization can facilitate onion breeding programs to introgress desired traits like resistance to stemphylium blight and thrips incidence into elite cultivars.

Lantana camara is weed with a wide range of chemical constituents, including primary and secondary metabolites such as alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, and terpenoids. These compounds contribute to its medicinal and pesticidal potential. The essential oils and different solvent fractions derived from L. camara exhibit notable variations in their respective chemical compositions across various plant parts, spatial distributions, and interspecific comparisons. The principal components, notably lantadene A, lantadene B, lantadene C, lantadene D, β-caryophyllene, α-humulene, and several others, constitute a significant portion of the essential oil derived from the leaves and flowers. Researchers have discovered that L. camara oil exhibits potent insecticidal activity against a range of pests, with variations in potency observed across different seasons due to changes in chemical composition. In addition to the essential oils, solvent extracts of L. camara, primarily methanolic extracts of the leaves of this species, demonstrate considerable potential as fumigant and contact toxins for stored grain pests. However, these have been comparatively less characterized with respect to their insecticidal properties, particularly in comparison to the essential oils. Molecular docking studies have demonstrated that phytochemical compounds present in the plants interfere with the activity of several enzymes that are responsible for the growth and survival of insects. For example, compounds such as β-caryophyllene and linalool exhibited a high binding affinity to AChE, thereby enhancing its neurotoxic effects. In conclusion, this review identifies L. camara as a natural insecticide with a complex set of modes of action attributed to its rich phytochemical profile. The integration of traditional knowledge with modern molecular techniques might expose avenues for the sustainable management of pests and control, ultimately making L. camara a key resource for such applications. Further studies are necessary to characterize such bioactive compounds and their uses in controlling pests in agricultural operations.

AbstractUterine torsion is a severe obstetric complication in cattle that poses significant challenges requiring prompt diagnosis and intervention to mitigate maternal and fetal risks. This case report investigates a week‐old uterine torsion in a Jersey cow, emphasising haemodynamic assessment and celiotomy. A 7‐year‐old Jersey cow in her third pregnancy presented with clinical signs suggestive of uterine torsion. Haemato‐biochemical parameters revealed normocytic‒normochromic anaemia, mild neutrophilia and elevated creatinine levels. Trans‐rectal palpation confirmed post‐cervical (anterior vagina) right side (clockwise) uterine torsion (>180°), trans‐rectal sonography demonstrated degenerative changes in placentomes, increased endometrial echogenicity and uterine adhesions. Additionally, haemodynamic assessment via Doppler ultrasonography of middle uterine arteries revealed compromised vascular perfusion. Surgical intervention via celiotomy involved a left paramedian approach, revealing fibrous adhesions and uterine haemorrhages. Caesarean section facilitated the removal of the deceased calf, followed by uterine repair. Following a caesarean section, the cow recovered without any complications.