Buchanania cochinchinensis (Lour.) M.R. Almedia habitat exhibited robust adaptability to diverse socioeconomic scenarios in eastern India.

One of the greatest challenges to ecosystems is the rapidity of climate change, and their ability to adjust swiftly will be constrained. Climate change will disrupt the ecological balances, causing species to track suitable habitats for survival. Consequently, understanding the species' response to climate change is crucial for its conservation and management, and for enhancing biodiversity through effective management. This research intends to examine the response of the vulnerable Buchanania cochinchinensis species to climate change. We modeled the potential suitable habitats of B. cochinchinensis for the present and future climatic scenario proxies based on the Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSP), i.e. SSP126, 245, 370 and 585. Maxent was used to simulate the potential habitats of B. cochinchinensis. The study found that ~28,313 km2 (~10.7% of the study area) was a potentially suitable habitat of B. cochinchinensis for the current scenario. The majority of the suitable habitat area ~25,169 km2 occurred in the central and southern parts of the study area. The future projection shows that the suitable habitat to largely increase in the range of 10.5-20% across all the SSPs, with a maximum gain of ~20% for SSP 126. The mean temperature of the wettest quarter (Bio_08) was the most influential contributing variable in limiting the distribution of B. cochinchinensis. The majority of the suitable habitat area occurred in the vegetation landscape. The study shows a southward shifting of B. cochinchinensis habitat by 2050. The phytosociological analysis determined B. cochinchinensis as Shorea robusta's primary associate. Our research provides significant insight into the prospective distribution scenario of B. cochinchinensis habitat and its response to diverse socioeconomic scenarios, and offers a solid foundation for management of this extremely important species.

Flood mapping and damage assessment due to the super cyclone Yaas using Google Earth Engine in Purba Medinipur, West Bengal, India.

This study maps flood inundation and estimates the damage caused by super cyclone Yaas in Purba Medinipur, India. We used Google Earth Engine (GEE) to create a flood inundation map of the research area using pre and post-cyclone Sentinel-1 SAR data. Using ESRI 2020 land cover data, flood damage was analysed. The flood affected 5% (239.69 km2) of the land of Purba Medinipur. The northern and southern regions were affected the most. 95% and 3% of the total flooded area are comprised of agricultural and vegetation, respectively. Kolaghat (24 km2) and Nandigram-II (1 km2) sustained the greatest damage to both agriculture and vegetation. The areas below 18 m were impacted by flooding, with the worst damage occurring below 5 m. The GEE platform was cost-effective, efficient, and faster at calculating with enhanced precision. The outcomes of this study will aid in the management of cyclone-induced hazards. We advocate planting native and salt-tolerant crops to reduce flood damage.

DNA barcoding of some medicinally important plant species of Lamiaceae family in India.

Several species of the Lamiaceae family are the primary source of bioactive aromatic oils and secondary metabolites, having broader applications in the cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, food, confectionery and liquor industries. Due to the scarcity of raw materials and high costs of this family's economically vital species, its products often adulterated to cater to the market's high demand. The present study provides a DNA based approach for identifying different species of this family. Henceforth, the performance of three already proposed barcode loci (matK, trnH-psbA and trnL) was examined for their PCR amplification and species recognition efficacy on various Lamiaceae species and cultivars using three different approaches such as pairwise genetic distance method, BLASTn and phylogenetic tree based on maximum likelihood (ML) analysis. Results illustrate that among all the DNA barcoding loci, matK locus can accurately and efficiently distinguish all the studied species followed by trnH-psbA and trnL. Present investigation may help diminish the illegal trade and events of adulteration of medicinally important plants species in genus Mentha, Ocimum and Plectranthus. This investigation will also help fulfil the scarcity of sequences of barcode loci of these species in the NCBI database. Apart from providing a molecular level reference for identifying processed herbal products, this technique also offers a convenient method for species identification and germplasm conservation of the Lamiaceae family.

Molecular interaction of charcoal rot pathogenesis in soybean: a complex interaction.

Charcoal rot (CR) is a major disease of soybean, which is caused by Macrophomina phaseolina (Mp). Increasing temperatures and low rainfall in recent years have immensely benefitted the pathogen. Hence, the search for genetically acquired resistance to this pathogen is essential. The pathogen is a hemibiotroph, which germinates on the root surface and colonizes epidermal tissue. Several surface receptors initiate pathogenesis, followed by the secretion of various enzymes that provide entry to host tissue. Several enzymes and other converging cascades in the pathogen participate against host defensive responses. ß-glucan of the fungal cell wall is recognized as MAMPs (microbe-associated molecular patterns) in plants, which trigger host immune responses. Kinase receptors, resistance, and pathogenesis-related genes correspond to host defense response. They work in conjunction with hormone-mediated defense pathway especially, the systemic acquired resistance, calcium-signaling, and production of phytoalexins. Due to its quantitative nature, limited QTLs have been identified in soybean for CR resistance. The present review attempts to provide a functional link between M. phaseolina pathogenicity and soybean responses. Elucidation of CR resistance responses would facilitate improved designing of breeding programs, and may help in the selection of corresponding genes to introgress CR resistant traits.

Genetic diversity and population structure of Indian soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) as revealed by microsatellite markers.

The genetic structure and diversity of 148 soybean genotypes were analyzed using 26 simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. SSR analysis showed distinctive polymorphism among the 148 lines. A total of 71 alleles were detected with an average of 2.8 alleles per SSR locus. Polymorphism information content varied from 0.118 to 0.699 with an average of 0.369. These soybean genotypes were divided into 3 subgroups based on STRUCTURE analysis. Further comparison showed that the arithmetic average (UPGMA) and STRUCTURE subgroups in fact were highly coherent, as genotypes in their subsequent classified group exhibited consistency with their origins or pedigree. This analysis provided a deep insight into the genetic structure of soybeans in India and will help us to improve the breeding strategies.

Polymorphism analysis in advanced mutant population of oat (Avena sativa L.) using ISSR markers.

Present investigation was carried out to evaluate genetic diversity among 38 M6 population of oat cv. JO-1. To validate the observed morpho-physiological variations, these lines were analyzed with 21 ISSR primers. A total of 132 loci were amplified by these 21 ISSR markers and 116 loci were found to be polymorphic (87.87 %). The genetic similarity coefficient values among 39 oat genotypes based on ISSR analysis ranged from 0.305 to 0.957. The cluster analysis divided the oat genotypes into two groups. Mutants JMO 81 and JMO 82 were found to be most divergent, hence can be used as parents in breeding program for the development of superior cultivars.

Recent developments in use of 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC) deaminase for conferring tolerance to biotic and abiotic stress.

Ethylene is an essential plant hormone also known as a stress hormone because its synthesis is accelerated by induction of a variety of biotic and abiotic stress. The plant growth promoting bacteria containing the enzyme 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC) deaminase enhances plant growth by decreasing plant ethylene levels under stress conditions. The expression of ACC deaminase (acdS) gene in transgenic plants is an alternative approach to overcome the ethylene-induced stress. Several transgenic plants have been engineered to express both bacterial/plant acdS genes which then lowers the stress-induced ethylene levels, thus efficiently combating the deleterious effects of environmental stresses. This review summarizes the current knowledge of various transgenic plants overexpressing microbial and plant acdS genes and their potential under diverse biotic and abiotic stresses. Transcription regulation mechanism of acdS gene from different bacteria, with special emphasis to nitrogen fixing bacteria is also discussed in this review.

Isolation, morphological and molecular characterization of phytate-hydrolysing fungi by 18S rDNA sequence analysis.

Phytate is the primary storage form of phosphate in plants. Monogastric animals like poultry, pigs and fishes have very low or no phytase activities in their digestive tracts therefore, are incapable to efficiently utilize phytate phosphorus from the feed. Phytase from microbial sources are supplemented to feedstuff of these to increase the uptake of phytate phosphorus. In the present work efforts were made to isolate and characterize proficient phytase producing fungi from soil. Phytase producing fungi were isolated using phytate specific medium. Fungal isolates were selected according to their higher phytase activities. These isolates were further characterized and identified by morphological and microscopic analysis and confirmed by amplification of 18S rRNA gene, using specific primers. This gene was subsequently sequenced and phylogenetic affiliations were assigned. Fungal isolates were identified as various species of Aspergillus. Phytases from these fungi could be utilized as a feed additive in poultry and swine industries.

Screening and Selection of Drought-Tolerant High-Yielding Chickpea Genotypes Based on Physio-Biochemical Selection Indices and Yield Trials.

Chickpea production is seriously hampered by drought stress, which could be a great threat in the future for food security in developing countries. The present investigation aimed to screen the drought-tolerant response of forty desi chickpea genotypes against drought stress through various physio-biochemical selection indices and yield-attributing traits. Principle component-based biplot analysis recognized PG205, JG2016-44, JG63, and JG24 as tolerant genotypes based on physiological selection indices. These genotypes retained higher relative water content, stomatal conductance, internal CO2 concentration, and photosynthetic rate. ICC4958, JG11, JAKI9218, JG16, JG63, and PG205 were selected as tolerant genotypes based on biochemical selection indices. These genotypes sustained higher chlorophyll, sugar and proline content with enhanced antioxidant enzyme activities. With respect to yield trials, JAKI9218, JG11, JG16, and ICC4958 had higher seed yield per plant, numbers of pods, and biological yield per plant. Finally, JG11, JAKI9218, ICC4958, JG16, JG63, and PG205 were selected as tolerant genotypes based on cumulative physio-biochemical selection indices and yield response. These identified drought-tolerant genotypes may be further employed in climate-smart chickpea breeding programs for sustainable production under a changing climate scenario.

Prioritization of Physio-Biochemical Selection Indices and Yield-Attributing Traits toward the Acquisition of Drought Tolerance in Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.).

Chickpea is widely grown in rainfed areas of developing countries because of its nutritional abundance and adaptability. To overcome the environmental effect of drought on yield, a characteristic-linked selection strategy is proved as well-thought-out and advantageous for the development of drought-tolerant cultivars. To precisely understand the contribution of various physio-biochemical and yield-attributing traits toward drought tolerance in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.), forty chickpea genotypes were evaluated in the years 2020-2021 and 2021-2022 under normal irrigated as well as drought-stressed conditions. Among the studied genotypes, genotype ICC4958 retained the highest chl content (0.55 mg g-1 FW), minimal electrolyte leakage, and superoxide dismutase (1.48 U/mg FW) and peroxidase (2.21 µmol/min/g FW) activities while cultivar JG11 maintained the maximum relative water content and proline accumulation. The principal-component-based biplots prioritized the physio-biochemical and yield-accrediting characteristics based on their association significance and contribution to terminal drought tolerance. Under drought stress, grain yield per plant was depicted to have a strongly positive association with canopy temperature depression, catalase, superoxide dismutase, and peroxidase activities as well as total soluble sugar, proline, and chlorophyll content, along with the numbers of pods and biological yield per plant. These identified physio-biochemical and yield-attributing traits can be further deployed to select drought-tolerant chickpea genotypes for the breeding of climate-smart chickpea genotypes.

Identification of RAPD and ISSR markers for drought tolerance in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.).

Drought tolerance is the essential trait that needs to be incorporated in cereal crops, particularly those grown under the rainfed cultivation. Drought tolerance being contributed by several regions of the genome requires identification of these regions, using suitable molecular markers. Therefore, present investigation was aimed at analyzing the genetic diversity present among the cultivars of rainfed and the irrigated areas with respect to the drought tolerant trait. In all, 14 RAPD and 90 ISSR markers were used to identify these genomic regions. Out of 14 RAPD markers, one RAPD primer exhibited polymorphic banding pattern with 18.6 % polymorphism, clearly separating drought tolerant and drought susceptible genotypes. Out of 90 ISSR primers, only 3 ISSR primers revealed polymorphism in relation to the drought tolerance trait exhibiting 21.38 % polymorphism.

Lack of genetic diversity of a critically endangered important medicinal plant Chlorophytum borivilianum in Central India revealed by AFLP markers.

Chlorophytum borivilianum is a traditional medicinal plant distributed throughout the tropics and subtropics. In the present investigation, AFLP analysis was used to assess the genetic similarity among 34 accessions. Nine primer sets of AFLP amplified 612 fragments, of which 246 fragments were found to be polymorphic. The average number of polymorphic bands per AFLP primer pair was 27.33. The amplified fragments ranged from 50 base pairs to 600 base pairs. Significant correlation was observed between total number of amplified fragments and polymorphic bands (p > 0.05) per primers. Cluster analysis based on AFLP data revealed limited genetic variation within the thirty four accessions collected from various parts of Central Indian forests.

Impact of Stroke on Quality of Life of Stroke Survivors and Their Caregivers: A Qualitative Study from India.

Objectives Stroke is a significant global public health challenge attributable to an array of disabilities it causes alongside an impairment in cognition. The monetary impact of stroke care includes acute treatment expenses as well as outrageous expenses of postdischarge chronic hospital care and rehabilitation services. The current study aimed to study the perceptions along with experiences of stroke survivors and caregivers. Materials and Methods In-depth interviews (IDIs) of stroke survivors and their primary caregivers were conducted at their home 2 months after their discharge from the hospital in Bhopal, India. These IDIs were later analyzed. Results The following eight themes emerged: pervasive and irreversible, multifunction loss and dependency, holistic impact on the health of person and family, money and matter, nonaccommodative cost and baffled belief, professional paralysis, social crisis, and slow and obscured progress. The added obligation of taking care of a disabled stroke survivor along with adjusting their own lifestyle with financial apprehensions, worry about future, prolonged hours of care, and stress are major factors that increase the burden of the caregivers. Conclusion Caregivers should be sensitized with proper counseling and training through health care institutions to ensure appropriate care and management of stroke survivors at home, as it will also help in addressing their psychosocial needs, and minimizing the knowledge gap, doubts and uncertainties about the disease and its aftereffects.

Determinants of socio-demographic and environmental barriers in prevention of COVID-19 pandemic.

Aim and Objectives: This study assessed the knowledge, attitude, and practice of patients with ESIC, who are insured patients with the public health sector about COVID-19. Materials and Method: This was a cross-sectional observational study that used a questionnaire developed for the purpose of the survey. The questionnaire was divided into five parts including the demographic variables and environmental variables that are enablers for positive preventive practices of COVID-19, knowledge, attitude, and preventive practices followed with respect to COVID-19. Results: The mean age of the study population was 36.96 ± 13.05 (18-73) years with almost an equal proportion of males and females. The knowledge about measures to be taken for prevention of corona infection such as Balanced diet, Lockdown, Social distance, frequently wash hands often, using face mask and regularly cleaning with disinfectant surfaces was significantly better among females. Majority of the subjects displaying good attitude toward the corona disease prevention. Preventive practices were found to be satisfactory among the study population. Use of soap and handwashing was more than the use of sanitizer. Hand washing, use of mouth mask, and taking bath after returning home from outside was significantly better among males. Conclusion: There are increased worries and apprehensions among the public regarding acquiring the COVID-19 infection. People have higher perceived needs to deal with their anxiety towards acquiring the infection.

Cell Suspension Culture and In Vitro Screening for Drought Tolerance in Soybean Using Poly-Ethylene Glycol.

Soybean (Glycine max (L) Merrill) is used in India mostly as a substantial fund of protein and oil, which makes the crop significantly important. Somaclonal variation has been researched as a base of additional variability for drought in soybean. In the present experiment calli/cell clumps/embryoids rose from immature and mature embryonic axis and cotyledons explants were exposed to different concentrations of polyethylene glycol (PEG6000). A discontinuous method proved to be superior as it permitted the calli/embryoids/cell clumps to regain their regeneration competence. A total of 64 (12.21%) plantlets of genotype JS335 and 78 (13.13%) of genotype JS93-05 were regenerated after four consequent subcultures on the selection medium with an effective lethal concentration of 20% PEG6000, and proliferated calli/embryoids/cell clumps were further subcultured on Murashige and Skoog regeneration medium supplemented with 0.5 mgL-1 each of α-napthalene acetic acid (NAA), 6-benzyladenine (BA) and Kinetin (Kn), 20.0 gL-1 sucrose and 7.5 gL-1 agar. Putative drought-tolerant plantlets were acquired from genotype JS93-05 (38) in more numbers compared to genotype JS335 (26). Random decamer primers confirmed the presence of variability between mother plants and regenerated plants from both the genotypes. Since these plantlets recovered from tolerant calli/embryoids/cell clumps selected from the medium supplemented with PEG6000, the possibility exists that these plants may prove to be tolerant against drought stress.

In Vitro Production of Somaclones with Decreased Erucic Acid Content in Indian Mustard [Brassica juncea (Linn.) Czern&Coss].

Brassica juncea is a crucial cultivated mustard species and principal oilseed crop of India and Madhya Pradesh, grown for diverse vegetables, condiments, and oilseeds. Somaclonal variation was explored as a probable source of additional variability for the manipulation of fatty acids, especially low erucic acid contents that may be valuable for this commercially important plant species. The plantlets regenerated from tissue cultures (R0), their R1 generation and respective parental lines were compared for morpho-physiological traits and fatty acid profile for the probable existence of somaclonal variations. The first putative somaclone derived from genotype CS54 contained 5.48% and 5.52% erucic acid in R0 and R1 regenerants, respectively, compared to the mother plant (41.36%). In comparison, the second somaclone acquired from PM30 exhibited a complete absence of erucic acid corresponding to its mother plant (1.07%). These putative somaclones present a source of variation for exploitation in the development of future mustard crops with low erucic acid content.

Modelling potentially suitable lac cultivation zones of Butea monosperma to promote livelihood security in rural India.

The present paper highlights the importance of lac cultivation through Butea monosperma. We have modelled the suitable habitat of major lac host B. monosperma using MAXENT for the current and future climatic scenarios (RCPs 2.6, 4.5, 6.0 and 8.5). The study suggested the dominance of suitable habitats of B. monosperma in central-eastern to eastern and southern parts of the country. Temperature seasonality (Bio_4) was the most significant bioclimatic variable in regulating the distribution of B. monosperma followed by elevation and annual precipitation (Bio_13). The projection for the year 2050 suggested the habitat shift towards the eastern and southern parts. The study indicated the major habitat of B. monosperma continued to exist in the Chotanagpur plateau in eastern India. The model predicted approximately a 9-13% decrease in the overall potential habitat of B. monosperma by 2050, and the distribution of species would be nearly extinct from the northern and western parts. Presently, only the 5% lac host trees are being utilised for lac cultivation, and the study suggested that conservation and promotion of B. monosperma on projected suitable habitats and even by utilising 25% of resources, the lac production may jump manifold catering to global demand, rural economy and employment and shall contribute towards 'Self Reliant India'.

Community-based longitudinal follow-up of Stroke patients discharged from a tertiary care center in Central India.

CONTEXT: Stroke is a condition that may affect the functionality of a person to a significant degree; however, there is very little data available that speaks about the objective state of a patient from a revalidated scale after the post-stroke event. AIMS: To fill the knowledge gap and generate first-hand evidence about the post-stroke events in the community. To study post-stroke well-being of patients discharged from health facility and assess them longitudinally by Relevant Physical Examination, National Institute of Health stroke scale, and Modified Rankin Scale. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Forty patients who suffered from first episode of stroke were followed in their home longitudinally by Relevant Physical Examination, National Institute of Health (NIH) stroke scale and Modified Rankin Scale. Patients under study were first visited after 2 months of discharge from the hospital set up after which two more follow-up visits were conducted at 2 months interval each. RESULTS: There was an improvement in muscle power, sensation in the upper and lower limb, gait, and posture as well as language and vision in the patients in three subsequent visits. There was no significant difference in the fine movements of the patients. There was a gradual improvement in NIH score and there was a dominant presence of moderate-severe disability among the patients. CONCLUSIONS: Quantitative scales largely showed on a primary basis that on the physical dimension of the disease, the effects of Stroke were affecting the functioning of the body at optimum capacity and harmony.

Molecular identification of medicinal plants with amplicon length polymorphism using universal DNA barcodes of the atpF-atpH, trnL and trnH-psbA regions.

Amplification success and species discrimination efficiency of universal DNA barcode primers (trnH-psbA, trnL, ycf1b, atpF-atpH, matK and rbcL) was evaluated in 46 representative medicinal plant species of 28 families on agarose gel. The results showed that amplicons length polymorphism revealed by the primers atpF-atpH, trnH-psbA and trnL can simultaneously discriminate all the 46 species under study precisely. Some of the plant species included in this study are used as potential adulterants to other plant species. We were able to successfully discriminate the plant species from their potential substitute. Vitex negundo is an adulterant of Ocimum sanctum which has been successfully discriminated by all these three markers. Another example of adulteration between Bacopa monnieri and Centella asiatica was successfully discriminated by atpF-atpH, trnL and trnH-psbA on the basis of variability in amplicon length of these two medicinal herbs. Further, Cassia tora and Cassia fistula are also adulterants for each other and variability in amplicon length between these two species was revealed by atpF-atpH and trnH-psbA markers. A colour code distance matrix based on amplicon length polymorphism was designed to select primers which can effectively discriminate plants species on the basis of their amplicon length. Discrimination of plant species with the universal markers on agarose gel is a noble and inexpensive approach as it does not require sequencing of amplicons. This procedure will provide a way for the development of diagnostic markers to identify adulteration not only in herbal drug formulations but also in food material.

Genetic Transformation of Oat Mediated by Agrobacterium is enhanced with Sonication and Vacuum Infiltration.

BACKGROUND: Oat (Avena sativa) with high nutritive value and fiber content is used as the main food grain in many countries for human diet as well as animal feed. Recently, it became difficult to transfer new genes through the conventional breeding due to the lack of desirable traits. OBJECTIVES: The current study aimed at achieving a standardized protocol for Agrobacterium-mediated transformation in oat. MATERIALS AND METHODS: For oat transformation, mature seeds were sterilized, germinated, and used for explants generation. Agrobacterium tumefaciens GV3101 with the binary vector pCAMBIA 1305.1, which carries gus as reporter gene, was utilized in the transformation. The co-cultivation treatment assisted with sonication, and vacuum infiltration, and their combination was employed for transformation with different incubation periods of 48, 72, and 96 hours under the dark conditions. RESULTS: Among the different transformation treatments, the vacuum treatment with 72 hours dark incubation had the best results. Vacuum infiltration of the cultures from leaf base produced a maximum of 25% hygromycin-resistant explants. These explants upon GUS assay and PCR analysis revealed 21.85% and 19.04% transformation efficiency, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: It could be concluded that vacuum infiltration assisted Agrobacterium-mediated transformation is the most efficient method to conduct the genetic improvement of the oat using transformation protocol.