Exploring the influence of invasive weed biochar on the sorption and dissipation dynamics of imazethapyr in sandy loam soil.

The management of invasive weeds on both arable and non-arable land is a vast challenge. Converting these invasive weeds into biochar and using them to control the fate of herbicides in soil could be an effective strategy within the concept of turning waste into a wealth product. In this study, the fate of imazethapyr (IMZ), a commonly used herbicide in various crops, was investigated by introducing such weeds as biochar, i.e., Parthenium hysterophorus (PB) and Lantana camara (LB) in sandy loam soil. In terms of kinetics, the pseudo-second order (PSO) model provided the best fit for both biochar-mixed soils. More IMZ was sorbed onto LB-mixed soil compared to PB-mixed soil. When compared to the control (no biochar), both PB and LB biochars (at concentrations of 0.2% and 0.5%) increased IMZ adsorption, although the extent of this effect varied depending on the dosage and type of biochar. The Freundlich adsorption isotherm provided a satisfactory explanation for IMZ adsorption in soil/soil mixed with biochar, with the adsorption process exhibiting high nonlinearity. The values of Gibb's free energy change (ΔG) were negative for both adsorption and desorption in soil/soil mixed with biochar, indicating that sorption was exothermic and spontaneous. Both types of biochar significantly affect IMZ dissipation, with higher degradation observed in LB-amended soil compared to PB-amended soil. Hence, the findings suggest that the preparation of biochar from invasive weeds and its utilization for managing the fate of herbicides can effectively reduce the residual toxicity of IMZ in treated agroecosystems in tropical and subtropical regions.

Chemical Composition, Preliminary Toxicity, and Antioxidant Potential of Piper marginatum Sensu Lato Essential Oils and Molecular Modeling Study.

The essential oils (OEs) of the leaves, stems, and spikes of P. marginatum were obtained by hydrodistillation, steam distillation, and simultaneous extraction. The chemical constituents were identified and quantified by GC/MS and GC-FID. The preliminary biological activity was determined by assessing the toxicity of the samples to Artemia salina Leach larvae and calculating the mortality rate and lethal concentration (LC50). The antioxidant activity of the EOs was determined by the DPPH radical scavenging method. Molecular modeling was performed using molecular docking and molecular dynamics, with acetylcholinesterase being the molecular target. The OES yields ranged from 1.49% to 1.83%. The EOs and aromatic constituents of P. marginatum are characterized by the high contents of (E)-isoosmorhizole (19.4-32.9%), 2-methoxy-4,5-methylenedioxypropiophenone (9.0-19.9%), isoosmorhizole (1.6-24.5%), and 2-methoxy-4,5-methylenedioxypropiophenone isomer (1.6-14.3%). The antioxidant potential was significant in the OE of the leaves and stems of P. marginatum extracted by SD in November (84.9 ± 4.0 mg TE·mL-1) and the OEs of the leaves extracted by HD in March (126.8 ± 12.3 mg TE·mL-1). Regarding the preliminary toxicity, the OEs of Pm-SD-L-St-Nov and Pm-HD-L-St-Nov had mortality higher than 80% in concentrations of 25 µg·mL-1. This in silico study on essential oils elucidated the potential mechanism of interaction of the main compounds, which may serve as a basis for advances in this line of research.

Phytochemical Screening and Evaluation of Pesticidal Efficacy in the Oleoresins of Globba sessiliflora Sims and In Silico Study.

Globba sessiliflora Sims is an aromatic rhizomatous herb of family Zingiberaceae which is endemic to Peninsular India. This study first reports the phytochemical profile and pesticidal potential of oleoresins obtained from the aerial and rhizome parts of Globba sessiliflora Sims. The oleoresins were prepared by the cold percolation method and were analyzed by a gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) method. Both the oleoresins varied greatly in composition, the major compounds identified in aerial part oleoresin (GSAO) were methyl linoleate, methyl palmitate, and phytol, while the major compounds present in rhizome part oleoresin (GSRO) were γ-sitosterol, 8 (17),12-labdadiene-15, 16-dial, methyl linoleate, and methyl palmitate. In order to evaluate the biological activities, the oleoresins were tested under laboratory conditions for nematicidal action and inhibition of egg hatching potential against root knot nematode, where GSRO was more effective. Insecticidal activity was performed against mustard aphid, Lipaphis erysimi and castor hairy caterpillar, Selepa celtis. In case of mustard aphid, GSRO (LC50 = 154.8 ppm) was more effective than GSAO (LC50 = 263.0 ppm), while GSAO (LC50 = 346.7.0 ppm) was more effective against castor hairy caterpillar than GSRO (LC50 = 398.1 ppm). The herbicidal activity was performed in the receptor species Raphanus raphanistrum subsp. sativus, and the oleoresins showed different intensities for seed germination inhibition and coleoptile and radical length inhibition. Molecular docking studies were conducted to screen the in vitro activities and through molecular docking, it was found that the major oleoresins components were able to interact with the binding pocket of HPPD and AChE with γ-sitosterol showing the best binding affinity.

A Comprehensive Review on Phytochemistry, Ethnopharmacology, and Pharmacological Properties of Zingiber roseum (Roxb.) Roscoe.

Medicinal and aromatic plants are known to have a number of biologically active compounds. Since ancient times, such plants have been used in ethnopharmacology. A number of medicines have been developed from plant origin by researchers and researchers continue to be interested in plant-based medicines. Zingiberaceae is a well-known plant family for such types of medicinal and aromatic plants. Zingiber is the third largest genus of this family and Zingiber roseum (Roxb.) Roscoe is a medicinal and aromatic Z. roseum is a rhizomatous perennial herbaceous plant of this genus, popularly known as "Rosy Ginger" and "Jangli Adrak," utilized in the Siddha arrangement of medication, and its rhizomes have been used to treat injury, cough, asthma, skin illnesses, gastric ulcers, liver diseases, and heartburn in tradition. It also has ethnopharmacological uses, such as the rhizome of Z. roseum is used for digestion, relieving giddiness, and as a stimulant. Apart from this, it has been reported for several pharmacological activities such as antispasmodic, hepatoprotective, antimicrobial, and anticancer activities, etc. Z. roseum is a reservoir of several chemical constituents such as terpenes and terpenoids such as linalool, α-pinene, ß-pinene, limonene, terpinen-4-ol, α- terpineol, etc., phenols, flavonoids, alkaloids, saponins, and ascorbic acid along with important unique constituents such as zerumbone which are responsible for its medicinal and other biological activities. In this review article, we discussed the thorough knowledge published by researchers regarding the phytochemistry, ethnopharmacological, and mediational properties of Z. roseum and its botanical descriptions.

Exploring invasive weed biochar as soil amendment: A study on fodder oats productivity and soil biological properties.

Biochar is known for the improvement of soil health, fertility, crop productivity, and quality in many agro-ecosystems globally, but information regarding fodder yield, quality, and soil microbial activity responses to biochar application remains very limited. The objective of this study was to prepare biochar from invasive weeds, i.e., Parthenium hysterophorus L. and Lantana camara L., and use it as a soil amendment along with inorganic fertilizers for oats (Avena sativa L.) growth, fodder yield, quality, and soil microbial activities in a two-year pot experiment. Treatments were comprised of control, 100% RDF (Recommended dose of fertilizers), 75% RDF along with three doses (2.5, 5.0, and 10 t/ha) of Parthenium hysterophorus L. biochar (PB) and Lantana camara L. biochar (LB), PB (10 t/ha), and LB (10 t/ha). Results showed that application of 75% RDF along with 10 t/ha LB gave significantly higher green (∼8%) and dry (∼7.8%) fodder yield and crude protein (∼6%) and decreased acid detergent fibre (ADF) and neutral detergent fibre (NDF) by 5.70 and 6.04% as compared to the 100% RDF treatment. The same treatment had a significantly higher population of bacteria (7.33 × 108 colony forming unit (CFU)/g soil), alkaline phosphatase activity (19.56 µg pNP/g soil/h), microbial biomass carbon (156.67 µg/g soil) and dehydrogenase activity (12.59 µg TPF/g/24 h), whereas the maximum fungal population (13.33 × 104 CFU/g soil) and acid phosphatase activity (14.45 µg pNP/g soil/h) were found in 75% RDF along with 10 t/ha PB and control treatment, respectively. This study concluded that application of invasive weed biochar along with inorganic fertilizers can benefit fodder yield and quality of oats by increasing plant height and number of tillers directly and by improving nutrient availability and water holding capacity (WHC) of soil indirectly, besides improving soil health. The findings from this study will provide a potential strategy for invasive weed management.

The comparison of Canopeo and samplepoint for measurement of green canopy cover for forage crops in India.

Canopy covers can be measured using destructive (visual) and non-destructive methods (spectral indices, photogrammetry, visual assessment, and quantum sensor). The precision of crop cover estimation, however, is dependent on the selection of appropriate methods. Studies were conducted at the Indian Grassland and Fodder Research Institute, Jhansi to compare the forage crops canopy cover estimated using photogrammetry software (Canopeo and SamplePoint) and visual assessments. Assessments were performed in three summer crops (corn, cowpea, and sorghum), two winter crops (Egyptian clover, and oats), and bare ground condition. For each plot, three nadir images (directly above the canopy) were captured using digital cameras from a height of 1.5 m above the soil surface between 10 AM to 2 PM on bright sunny days. The results indicated that the relationships between visual assessment and Canopeo (regression coefficient, (R2 = 0.96), visual assessment and SamplePoint (0.96), and Canopeo and SamplePoint (0.98) were linear when data were pooled across all the crops. SamplePoint and Canopeo is further, appropriate for cowpea (Pearson coefficient (R = 0.99 and 0.94), oats (0.92 and 0.97), and sorghum (0.46 and 0.51), respectively. SamplePoint and Canopeo are not suitable for berseem (-0.15) and corn (-0.61), respectively, due to dead residues after the first harvest in berseem and taller corn might have influenced the image quality. Therefore, the stage of the crop, the height of the crop, and dead residues around the plants can greatly influence the estimation of crop cover. In conclusion, the results indicated that this photogrammetry software can be used for non-destructive crop canopy measurement with the above-mentioned precautions in the forage crops tested. •Forage canopy cover is estimated generally by visual scoring, and the outcome varies widely from person to person.•Photogrammetry methods (Canopeo and SamplePoint) were positiviely correlated with visual scoring for cowpea, oats, and sorghum.•However, Canopeo and SamplePoint may not suitable for taller crops like corn and ratoon crops like berseem.

Phytochemical Profile, In Vitro Bioactivity Evaluation, In Silico Molecular Docking and ADMET Study of Essential Oils of Three Vitex Species Grown in Tarai Region of Uttarakhand.

A comparative study of volatiles, antioxidant activity, phytotoxic activity, as well as in silico molecular docking and ADMET study, was conducted for essential oils from three Vitex species, viz., V. agnus-castus, V. negundo, and V. trifolia. Essential oils (OEs) extracted by hydrodistillation were subjected to compositional analysis using GC-MS. A total number of 37, 45, and 43 components were identified in V. agnus-castus, V. negundo, and V. trifolia, respectively. The antioxidant activity of EOs, assessed using different radical-scavenging (DPPH, H2O2 and NO), reducing power, and metal chelating assays, were found to be significant as compared with those of the standards. The phytotoxic potential of the EOs was performed in the receptor species Raphanusraphanistrum (wild radish) and the EOs showed different levels of intensity of seed germination inhibition and root and shoot length inhibition. The molecular docking study was conducted to screen the antioxidant and phytotoxic activity of the major and potent compounds against human protein target, peroxiredoxin 5, and 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase protein (HPPD). Results showed good binding affinities and attributed the strongest inhibitory activity to 13-epi-manoyl oxide for both the target proteins.

Chemical Composition and Biological Activities of Hedychium coccineum Buch.-Ham. ex Sm. Essential Oils from Kumaun Hills of Uttarakhand.

Hedychium coccineum Buch. Ham. ex Sm. is a perennial rhizomatous herb belonging to the family Zingiberaceae. The aim of the present study was to compare the chemical composition and biological activities of H. coccineum rhizome essential oil (HCCRO) and H. coccineum aerial part essential oil (HCCAO). The plant material was subjected to hydro-distillation using Clevenger's apparatus in order to obtain volatile oil and analyzed for its chemical constituents using GC-MS. The comparative study of the rhizome and aerial part essential oils of H. coccineum displayed that (E)-nerolidol (15.9%), bornyl acetate (13.95%), davanone B (10.9%), spathulenol (8.9%), and 1, 8-cineol (8.5%) contributed majorly to the HCCRO, while 7-hydroxyfarnesen (15.5%), α-farnesene (11.1%), α-pinene (10.9%), spathulenol (7.7%), and ß-pinene (6.8%) were present as major constituents in the HCCAO. Both the essential oils were studied for their biological activities, such as nematicidal, insecticidal, herbicidal, antifungal, and antibacterial activities. The essential oils exhibited significant nematicidal activity against Meloidogyne incognita, insecticidal activity against Spodoptera litura, and moderate herbicidal activity against R. raphanistrum sub sp. sativus, and good antifungal activity against Fusarium oxysporum and Curvularialunata. Essential oils were also tested for antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella enterica serotype Typhi. Both oils showed good to moderate activity against the tested pathogens. The significant nematicidal, insecticidal, herbicidal, antifungal, and antibacterial activities of both the essential oils might be helpful for the development of environmentally friendly pesticides that could be an alternative to synthetic pesticides in the future.