Ethrel-induced release of fresh seed dormancy causes remodelling of amylase activity, proteomics, phytohormone and fatty acid profile of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.).

It is important to have a short period of fresh seed dormancy in some of the groundnut species to counter pre-harvest sprouting (PHS). One of the main causes of PHS is the activation of ethylene-mediated pathways. To determine the effect of ethylene, the study was conducted and alterations in amylase, proteins and fatty acids were observed at the 0, 6, 12, and 24 h stages after ethrel administration. The result showed an increase in amylase activity, and the fatty acids profile showed a unique alteration pattern at different germination stages. Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2DGE) revealed differential expression of proteins at each stage. The trypsin digestion following spectral development through UPLC-MS/MS enabled identification of number of differentially expressed proteins. A total of 49 proteins were identified from 2DGE excised spots. The majority were belonged to seed storage-related proteins like Arah1, Arah2, AAI- domain containing protein, conglutin, Arah3/4, arachin, glycinin. Expression of lipoxygenase1, lipoxygenase9 and Arah2 genes were further confirmed by qRT-PCR which showed its involvement at transcript level. Up-regulation of lipoxygenase9 is correlated with decreased content of fatty acids during germination. Phytohormone detection revealed decrease in ABA, SA and JA content which are generally inhibitor of seed germination while GA, IAA and kinetin concentration increased revealing positive regulation of seed germination. We present an integrated view of proteomics, phytohormone profile, carbohydrate and lipid metabolism to unravel mechanism of fresh seed dormancy. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12298-023-01332-6.

Accumulation of resveratrol, ferulic acid and iron in seeds confer iron deficiency chlorosis tolerance to a novel genetic stock of peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) grown in calcareous soils.

Peanut is mostly grown in calcareous soils with high pH which are deficient in available iron (Fe2+) for plant uptake causing iron deficiency chlorosis (IDC). The most pertinent solution is to identify efficient genotypes showing tolerance to limited Fe availability in the soil. A field screening of 40 advanced breeding lines of peanut using NRCG 7472 and ICGV 86031 as IDC susceptible and tolerant checks, respectively, was envisaged for four years. PBS 22040 and 29,192 exhibited maximum tolerance while PBS 12215 and 12,185 were most susceptible. PBS 22040 accumulated maximum seed resveratrol (5.8 ± 0.08 ppm), ferulic acid (378.6 ± 0.31 ppm) and Fe (45.59 ± 0.41 ppm) content. Enhanced chlorophyll retention (8.72-9.50 µg ml-1), carotenoid accumulation (1.96-2.08 µg ml-1), and antioxidant enzyme activity (APX: 35.9-103.9%; POX: 51- 145%) reduced the MDA accumulation (5.61-9.11 µM cm-1) in tolerant lines. The overexpression of Fe transporters IRT1, ZIP5, YSL3 was recorded to the tune of 2.3-9.54; 1.45-3.7; 2.20-2.32- folds respectively in PBS 22040 and 29,192, over NRCG 7472. PBS 22040 recorded the maximum pod yield (282 ± 4.6 g/row), hundred kernel weight (55 ± 0.7 g) and number of pods per three plants (54 ± 1.7). The study thus reports new insights into the roles of resveratrol, ferulic acid and differential antioxidant enzyme activities in imparting IDC tolerance. PBS 22040, being the best performing line, can be the potent source of IDC tolerance for introgression in high yielding but susceptible genotypes under similar edaphic conditions. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12298-023-01321-9.

A comprehensive phenotypic and genotypic evaluation of Spanish groundnuts from diverse crosses to identify superior and stable donors for fresh seed dormancy.

Breeding high yielding groundnut cultivars with 2-3 weeks of fresh seed dormancy, particularly in Spanish-type cultivars, enhances the sustainability of agriculture in groundnuts. In this context, we conducted a comprehensive phenotypic and genotypic evaluation of advanced breeding lines developed in the genetic background of Spanish types. By employing multi-phenotyping and marker data, we identified PBS 15044, 16004, 16013, 16015, 16016, 16017, 16020, 16021, 16026, 16031, 16035, 16037, 16038, 16039, 16041, and 16042 with 2-3 weeks dormancy (> 90%).The various parametric and non-parametric estimates identified the stable fresh dormant genotypes with one or more superior economic trait. PBS 16021, 15044, 16038, and 16039 identified with high hundred pod weight (HPW) were also reported having high intensity of dormancy (> 90% for up to 3 weeks); PBS 15044, 16016, PBS 16038 and PBS 16039 with high hundred kernel weight (HKW) also reported with up to 3 weeks fresh seed dormancy; and PBS 16013, 16031, and 16038 with up to 3 weeks fresh seed dormancy had high shelling percentage (SP). They can be used to develop lines with the desired level of dormancy, and high yields, by designing appropriate breeding strategies.

AMMI and GGE biplot analysis of genotype by environment interaction for yield and yield contributing traits in confectionery groundnut.

The global market has a high demand for premium edible grade groundnut, particularly for table use. India, in particular, exhibits significant potential for exporting confectionary grade large seeded groundnut. The environment plays a significant impact in influencing the expression of seed traits, which subsequently affects the confectionary quality of groundnut genotypes. The states of Gujarat and Rajasthan in India are prominent producers of high-quality groundnuts specifically used for confectionary purposes. The current study was conducted with 43 confectionery groundnut genotypes at Junagadh, Gujarat, and Bikaner, Rajasthan, with the goals of understanding genotype-by-environment interaction (GEI) effects and identifying stable, high yielding confectionery quality groundnut genotypes using AMMI and GGE biplot models. Pod yield per plant (PYP), number of pods per plant (NPP), hundred kernel weight (HKW), and shelling percent (SP) were estimated. The interplay between the environment and genotype has had a notable impact on the manifestation of confectionary grade characteristics in peanuts. The results from the Interaction Principal Component Analysis (IPCA) indicate that HKW contributed 76.68% and 18.95% towards the Global Environmental Index (GEI) through IPCA1 and IPCA2, respectively. Similarly, NPP contributed 87.52% and 8.65%, PYP contributed 95.87% and 2.1%, and SP contributed 77.4% and 16.22% towards GEI through IPCA1 and IPCA2, respectively. Based on the ranking of genotypes, the ideal genotypes were PBS 29079B for HKW, PBS 29230 for NPP. The genotypes PBS 29233 and PBS 29230 exhibited superior performance and stability in terms of pod yield, hundred kernel weight, number of pods per plant, and shelling percentage across various sites. These breeding lines have the potential to be developed for the purpose of producing confectionary grade groundnut with larger seeds, in order to fulfil the growing demand for export.

Genetic diversity, morphological traits, quality traits and antioxidants potentiality of Coccinia grandis germplasm under rainfed semi-arid region.

The present study was conducted to evaluate the genetic variability for morphological and qualitative traits of Coccinia for development of trait specific lines at ICAR-Central Horticultural Experiment Station (CIAH-RS), Panchmahals (Godhra), Gujarat during 2020-2022. In this study, we evaluated 26 gynoecious accessions to assess the genetic divergence through principal component and cluster analysis. The experiment was carried out in a randomized complete block design with three replications under rainfed semi-arid conditions. High values of PCV and GCV were observed for variables such as NFFP (25.13 and 22.20), PL (23.14 and 20.69), FD (24.01 and 21.46), AFW (22.98 and 20.13), NFPY (26.38 and 24.40), FYP (37.57 and 31.29), FY (35.55 and 33.20), AsC (28.65 and 27.73), Ac (24.32 and 21.06), TSS (37.23 and 35.94), DPPHL (20.71 and 20.38), FRAPL (21.08 and 20.92), TPF(20.81 and 20.45) respectively. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance as per cent of mean was observed for vine length (VL), internodal length (IL), number of female flowers per plant (NFFP), fruit length (FL), peduncle length (PL), fruit diameter (FD), average fruit weight (AFW), number of fruit per plant per year (NFPY), fruit yield per plant (FYP), fruit yield (FY), ascorbic acid (AsC), acidity (Ac), total soluble solids (TSS), total phenols in leaves TPL), total flavonoids in leaves TFL, CUPRAC in leaves (CUPRACL), DPPH in leaves (DPPHL), FRAP in leaves (FRAPL), Total phenols in fruits (TPF), Total flavonoids in fruits (TFF), CUPRAC in fruits (CUPRACF) and DPPH in fruits (DPPHF). The FYP exhibited a significant positive correlation with variables like VL (0.6833), IL (0.2991), NFFP (0.8107), FD (0.5245), AFW (0.6766), NFPY (0.7659), ASC (0.4611), TSS (0.5004) and TPF (0.4281). The estimates of genetic parameters revealed scope for further improvement of fruit yield by selection. Of the eight principal components, PC-I through PC-VIII had eigen values greater than 1 and it accounts 85.02% of the total variation for 26 gynoecious accessions of Ivy gourd. The eigen values of PC-I comprised 5.775% of total variation followed by PC-II (4.250%), PC-III (3.175%), PC-IV (2.588%), PC-V (1.828%), PC-VI (1.447%), PC-VII (1.179%) and PC-VIII (1.013%).The cluster VI and cluster I having highest mean values for most of traits under study. Thus, genotypes from the distinct cluster like cluster VI and I for should be used for selection of parents and varietal improvement for further breeding programme in ivy gourd.

Protection of tomato seed germination from the inhibitory effect of 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid by inoculation of soil with Burkholderia cepacia AC1100.

The effect of 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxy acetic acid (2,4,5-T) on the germination and seedling vigor of different crop seeds was tested. Seeds of rice, maize, sorghum, finger millet, and horse gram were comparatively more tolerant to the chemical with no marked effect up to a concentration of 200 mg 2,4,5-T L(-)(1) as tested by the filter paper method. Tomato and brinjal (egg plant) were highly susceptible. Even at 5 and 10 mg 2,4,5-T L(-)(1), marked reduction in the germination and seedling vigor of tomato and egg plant, respectively, was observed. At 20 and 30 mg L(-)(1), the germination of tomato and egg plant seeds, respectively, were completely inhibited on filter paper, whereas the inhibitory concentrations in soil was 40 mg 2,4,5-T kg(-)(1) soil. Several abnormalities were observed in the chemically affected seedlings. Protease activity of the seeds germinating in the presence of the chemical was drastically reduced. Bioremediation of the chemically contaminated soil with Burkholderia cepacia AC1100, by inoculation of the soil 7 days before sowing the seeds, completely protected the seeds, resulting in normal germination and an improved seedling vigor.

Schwannoma of the brachial plexus presenting as a cystic swelling.

Schwannomas are benign nerve sheath tumours. A small percentage of these tumours arise from the brachial plexus. Cystic degeneration and hemorrhagic necrosis can occur in these tumours in up to 40% of the cases. Detailed preoperative evaluation and careful dissection during surgery will avoid post operative neurological complications. We report a case of schwannoma of the brachial plexus presenting as a cystic neck swelling which was successfully managed by us.