Stability assessment of selected chrysanthemum (Dendranthema grandiflora Tzvelev) hybrids over the years through AMMI and GGE biplot in the mid hills of North-Western Himalayas.

Dendranthema grandiflora is an important cut flower with high economic importance in the floriculture industry. Identification of stable and high yielding genotypes of Dendranthema grandiflora, hence becomes paramount for ensuring its year-round production. In this context, the genotype by environment interaction effects on 22 chrysanthemum hybrids across six test environments were investigated. The experiment was conducted using Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications for 6 years and data on various agro-morphological and yield-contributing traits were evaluated. Our analysis revealed significant mean sum of squares due to environmental, genotypic and genotype by environment interaction variations for all examined traits. A 2D GGE biplot constructed using first two principal components computed as 59.2% and 23.3% of the differences in genotype by environment interaction for flower yield per plant. The GGE biplot identified two top-performing genotypes, G2 and G5, while the AMMI model highlighted genotypes G17, G15, G6, G5, and G2 as the best performers. Genotype G17 ranked highest for multiple traits, while G2 displayed high mean flower yield as well as stability across all environments. According to AEC line, genotypes G2 and G5 exhibited exceptional stability, whereas genotypes G4, G18 and G19 demonstrated lower stability but maintained high average flower yields. Hence, our findings provide valuable insights into chrysanthemum hybrids that were not only best performing but also hold promise to meet the growers demand of the cut flower industry and can be recommended for large scale commercial cultivation.

Gut Microbiota Targeted Approach by Natural Products in Diabetes Management: An Overview.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This review delves into the complex interplay between obesity-induced gut microbiota dysbiosis and the progression of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), highlighting the potential of natural products in mitigating these effects. By integrating recent epidemiological data, we aim to provide a nuanced understanding of how obesity exacerbates T2DM through gut flora alterations. RECENT FINDINGS: Advances in research have underscored the significance of bioactive ingredients in natural foods, capable of restoring gut microbiota balance, thus offering a promising approach to manage diabetes in the context of obesity. These findings build upon the traditional use of medicinal plants in diabetes treatment, suggesting a deeper exploration of their mechanisms of action. This comprehensive manuscript underscores the critical role of targeting gut microbiota dysbiosis in obesity-related T2DM management and by bridging traditional knowledge with current scientific evidence; we highlighted the need for continued research into natural products as a complementary strategy for comprehensive diabetes care.

Exploring the molecular basis of resistance to Botrytis cinerea in chickpea genotypes through biochemical and morphological markers.

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is an important pulse crop around the globe and a valuable source of protein in the human diet. However, it is highly susceptible to various plant pathogens such as fungi, bacteria, and viruses, which can cause significant damage from the seedling phase until harvest, leading to reduced yields and affecting its production. Botrytis cinerea can cause significant damage to chickpea crops, especially under high humidity and moisture conditions. This fungus can cause grey mould disease, which can lead to wilting, stem and pod rot, and reduced yields. Chickpea plants have developed specific barriers to counteract the harmful effects of this fungus. These barriers include biochemical and structural defences. In this study, the defence responses against B. cinerea were measured by the quantification of biochemical metabolites such as antioxidant enzymes, malondialdehyde (MDA), proline, glutathione (GSH), H2O2, ascorbic acid (AA) and total phenol in the leaf samples of chickpea genotypes (one accession of wild Cicer species, viz. Cicer pinnatifidum188 identified with high level of resistance to Botrytis grey mould (BGM) and a cultivar, Cicer arietinumPBG5 susceptible to BGM grown in the greenhouse). Seedlings of both the genotypes were inoculated with (1 × 104 spore mL-1) inoculum of isolate 24, race 510 of B. cinerea and samples were collected after 1, 3, 5, and 7 days post-inoculation (dpi). The enhanced enzymatic activity was observed in the pathogen-inoculated leaf samples as compared to uninoculated (healthy control). Among inoculated genotypes, the resistant one exhibited a significant change in enzymatic activity, total phenolic content, MDA, proline, GSH, H2O2, and AA, compared to the susceptible genotype. The study also examined the isozyme pattern of antioxidant enzymes at various stages of B. cinerea inoculation. Results from scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy revealed that BGM had a more significant impact on susceptible genotypes compared to resistant ones when compared to the control (un-inoculated). In addition, SEM and FTIR spectroscopy analyses confirmed the greater severity of BGM on susceptible genotypes compared to their resistant counterparts. Our results suggest the role of antioxidant enzymes and other metabolites as defence tools and biochemical markers to understand compatible and non-compatible plant-pathogen interactions better. The present investigation will assist future plant breeding programs aimed at developing resistant varieties.

Non-dairy prebiotics: Conceptual relevance with nutrigenomics and mechanistic understanding of the effects on human health.

The increasing health awareness of consumers has made a shift towards vegan and non-dairy prebiotics counterparts. Non-dairy prebiotics when fortified with vegan products have interesting properties and widely found its applications in food industry. The chief vegan products that have prebiotics added include water-soluble plant-based extracts (fermented beverages, frozen desserts), cereals (bread, cookies), and fruits (juices & jelly, ready to eat fruits). The main prebiotic components utilized are inulin, oligofructose, polydextrose, fructooligosaccharides, and xylooligosaccharides. Prebiotics' formulations, type and food matrix affect food products, host health, and technological attributes. Prebiotics from non-dairy sources have a variety of physiological effects that help to prevent and treat chronic metabolic diseases. This review focuses on mechanistic insight on non-dairy prebiotics affecting human health, how nutrigenomics is related to prebiotics development, and role of gene-microbes' interactions. The review will provide industries and researchers with important information about prebiotics, mechanism of non-dairy prebiotics and microbe interaction as well as prebiotic based vegan products.

High resolution mapping of QTLs for fruit color and firmness in Amrapali/Sensation mango hybrids.

Introduction: Mango (Mangifera indica L.), acclaimed as the 'king of fruits' in the tropical world, has historical, religious, and economic values. It is grown commercially in more than 100 countries, and fresh mango world trade accounts for ~3,200 million US dollars for the year 2020. Mango is widely cultivated in sub-tropical and tropical regions of the world, with India, China, and Thailand being the top three producers. Mango fruit is adored for its taste, color, flavor, and aroma. Fruit color and firmness are important fruit quality traits for consumer acceptance, but their genetics is poorly understood. Methods: For mapping of fruit color and firmness, mango varieties Amrapali and Sensation, having contrasting fruit quality traits, were crossed for the development of a mapping population. Ninety-two bi-parental progenies obtained from this cross were used for the construction of a high-density linkage map and identification of QTLs. Genotyping was carried out using an 80K SNP chip array. Results and discussion: Initially, we constructed two high-density linkage maps based on the segregation of female and male parents. A female map with 3,213 SNPs and male map with 1,781 SNPs were distributed on 20 linkages groups covering map lengths of 2,844.39 and 2,684.22cM, respectively. Finally, the integrated map was constructed comprised of 4,361 SNP markers distributed on 20 linkage groups, which consisted of the chromosome haploid number in Mangifera indica (n =20). The integrated genetic map covered the entire genome of Mangifera indica cv. Dashehari, with a total genetic distance of 2,982.75 cM and an average distance between markers of 0.68 cM. The length of LGs varied from 85.78 to 218.28 cM, with a mean size of 149.14 cM. Phenotyping for fruit color and firmness traits was done for two consecutive seasons. We identified important consistent QTLs for 12 out of 20 traits, with integrated genetic linkages having significant LOD scores in at least one season. Important consistent QTLs for fruit peel color are located at Chr 3 and 18, and firmness on Chr 11 and 20. The QTLs mapped in this study would be useful in the marker-assisted breeding of mango for improved efficiency.

Morphological, ultrastructural and molecular variations in susceptible and resistant genotypes of chickpea infected with Botrytis grey mould.

Biotic stress due to fungal infection is detrimental to the growth and development of chickpea. In our study, two chickpea genotypes viz Cicer pinnatifidum (resistant) and PBG5 (susceptible) were inoculated with (1 × 104 spore mL-1) of nectrotrophic fungus Botrytis cinerea at seedling stage. These seedlings were evaluated for morphological, ultrastructural, and molecular differences after 3, 5 and 7 days post inoculation (dpi). Visual symptoms were recorded in terms of water-soaked lesions, rotten pods and twigs with fungal colonies. Light and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed the differences in number of stomata, hyphal network and extent of topographical damage in resistant (C. pinnatifidum) and susceptible (PBG5) genotypes, which were validated by stomatal index studies done by using fluorescence microscopy in the infection process of B. cinerea in leaves of both chickpea genotypes. In case of control (water inoculated) samples, there were differences in PCR analysis done using five primers for screening the genetic variations between two genotypes. The presence of a Botrytis responsive gene (LrWRKY) of size ~300 bp was observed in uninoculated resistant genotype which might have a role in resistance against Botrytis grey mould. The present investigation provides information about the variation in the infection process of B. cinerea in two genotypes which can be further exploited to develop robust and effective strategies to manage grey mould disease.

Comparative assessment on lignocellulose degrading enzymes and bioethanol production from spent mushroom substrate of Calocybe indica and Volvariella volvacea.

In the current study, we compared the production of extracellular lignocellulose degrading enzymes and bioethanol from the spent mushroom substrate (SMS) of Calocybe indica and Volvariella volvacea. From SMS at different stages of the mushroom development cycle, ligninolytic and hydrolytic enzymes were analysed. The activities of lignin-degrading enzymes, including lignin peroxidase (LiP), laccase, and manganese peroxidase (MnP) were maximal in the spawn run and primordial stages, while hydrolytic enzymes including xylanase, cellobiohydrolase (CBH), and carboxymethyl cellulase (CMCase) showed higher activity during fruiting bodies development and at the end of the mushroom growth cycle. SMS of V. volvacea showed relatively lower ligninase activity than the SMS of C. indica, but had the maximum activity of hydrolytic enzymes. The enzyme was precipitated with acetone and further purified with the DEAE cellulose column. The maximum yield of reducing sugars was obtained after hydrolysis of NaOH (0.5 M) pretreated SMS with a cocktail of partially purified enzymes (50% v/v). After enzymatic hydrolysis, the total reducing sugars were 18.68 ± 0.34 g/l (SMS of C. indica) and 20.02 ± 0.87 g/l (SMS of V. volvacea). We observed the highest fermentation efficiency and ethanol productivity (54.25%, 0.12 g/l h) obtained from SMS hydrolysate of V. volvacea after 48 h at 30 ± 2 °C, using co-culture of Saccharomyces cerevisiae MTCC 11,815 and Pachysolen tannophilus MTCC 1077.

Nutrient-Mediated Perception and Signalling in Human Metabolism: A Perspective of Nutrigenomics.

The interaction between selective nutrients and linked genes involving a specific organ reveals the genetic make-up of an individual in response to a particular nutrient. The interaction of genes with food opens opportunities for the addition of bioactive compounds for specific populations comprising identical genotypes. The slight difference in the genetic blueprints of humans is advantageous in determining the effect of nutrients and their metabolism in the body. The basic knowledge of emerging nutrigenomics and nutrigenetics can be applied to optimize health, prevention, and treatment of diseases. In addition, nutrient-mediated pathways detecting the cellular concentration of nutrients such as sugars, amino acids, lipids, and metabolites are integrated and coordinated at the organismal level via hormone signals. This review deals with the interaction of nutrients with various aspects of nutrigenetics and nutrigenomics along with pathways involved in nutrient sensing and regulation, which can provide a detailed understanding of this new leading edge in nutrition research and its potential application to dietetic practice.