Innovative technology integration: E tongue, near infrared grain tester & machine vision approaches for amylose content & quality characterization.

E-tongue, machine vision and NIR systems were used to standardize the quality measurements in twenty rice genotypes grown in Highland Himalayan regions of Kashmir, in order to overcome the constraints of manual measurements. IRCTN-312 showed highest amylose content of 20.74 % and 20.70 % using iodometric method and NIR tester, which was validated by the highest norm value of 34.158 by E-tongue. From these results, genotypes such as GSR-43, GS-103, GSR-23B, GSR-60, SR-4, GSR-46, Koshihikari, GSR-64, GSR-32, GSR-49, GSR-4, GSR-42, GS-459, SKUA-494 and SKUA-540 were classified as low amylose and C-3, K-332, M4-22 and IRCTN-312 were classified as intermediate amylose in the present study. Lowest percentage of damaged grains and chalk ratio was found in GSR-23B. SKUA-494 recorded highest L/W ratio using both the systems. Highest head rice yield and elongation ratio was found in GSR-23B and SKUA-494 genotypes respectively. Highest lightness (L*) value was recorded for Koshihikari genotype.

Tissue and Time Optimization for Real-Time Detection of Apple Mosaic Virus and Apple Necrotic Mosaic Virus Associated with Mosaic Disease of Apple (Malus domestica).

Besides apple mosaic virus (ApMV), apple necrotic mosaic virus (ApNMV) has also been found to be associated with apple mosaic disease. Both viruses are unevenly distributed throughout the plant and their titer decreases variably with high temperatures, hence requiring proper tissue and time for early and real-time detection within plants. The present study was carried out to understand the distribution and titer of ApMV and ApNMV in apple trees from different plant parts (spatial) during different seasons (temporal) for the optimization of tissue and time for their timely detection. The Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) and Reverse Transcription-quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-qPCR) was carried out to detect and quantify both viruses in the various plant parts of apple trees during different seasons. Depending on the availability of tissue, both ApMV and ApNMV were detected in all the plant parts during the spring season using RT-PCR. During the summer, both viruses were detected only in seeds and fruits, whereas they were detected in leaves and pedicel during the autumn season. The RT-qPCR results showed that during the spring, the ApMV and ApNMV expression was higher in leaves, whereas in the summer and autumn, the titer was mostly detected in seeds and leaves, respectively. The leaves in the spring and autumn seasons and the seeds in the summer season can be used as detection tissues through RT-PCR for early and rapid detection of ApMV and ApNMV. This study was validated on 7 cultivars of apples infected with both viruses. This will help to accurately sample and index the planting material well ahead of time, which will aid in the production of virus-free, quality planting material.

Contact dermatitis in saffron workers: clinical profile and identification of contact sensitizers in a saffron-cultivating area of Kashmir Valley of North India.

BACKGROUND: Saffron, a bulbous perennial plant belonging to Iridaceae family, is the most expensive cultivated herb that is widely used for industrial and nonindustrial purposes. However, besides its attractive and valuable properties, contact dermatitis due to saffron is an uncommon reported entity. OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study were to determine the clinical pattern patch-testing profile of contact dermatitis in saffron workers and to identify the most common allergens/sensitizers. MATERIAL AND METHODS: One hundred ten saffron workers were patch-tested with 39 allergens, which included Indian standard series antigens, plant series antigens, and extracts from different parts of saffron flower. RESULTS: The allergens in Indian standard series accounted for 52.44% of positive reactions. Plant series and different parts of saffron accounted for 47.56% of the positive reactions. Among those patients with positive responses to the supplemental saffron allergens, 83.3% were of present or past relevance. CONCLUSIONS: The data observed in the present study confirm that the saffron dermatitis is a distinct clinical entity with characteristic clinical presentation and has a strong significance as an occupational allergen in those handling this plant. Patch testing with different parts of saffron flower has a role to play in finding out the etiological cause.