Multi-location evaluation of mungbean (Vigna radiata L.) in Indian climates: Ecophenological dynamics, yield relation, and characterization of locations.

Crop yield varies considerably within agroecology depending on the genetic potential of crop cultivars and various edaphic and climatic variables. Understanding site-specific changes in crop yield and genotype × environment interaction are crucial and needs exceptional consideration in strategic breeding programs. Further, genotypic response to diverse agro-ecologies offers identification of strategic locations for evaluating traits of interest to strengthen and accelerate the national variety release program. In this study, multi-location field trial data have been used to investigate the impact of environmental conditions on crop phenological dynamics and their influence on the yield of mungbean in different agroecological regions of the Indian subcontinent. The present attempt is also intended to identify the strategic location(s) favoring higher yield and distinctiveness within mungbean genotypes. In the field trial, a total of 34 different mungbean genotypes were grown in 39 locations covering the north hill zone (n = 4), northeastern plain zone (n = 6), northwestern plain zone (n = 7), central zone (n = 11) and south zone (n = 11). The results revealed that the effect of the environment was prominent on both the phenological dynamics and productivity of the mungbean. Noticeable variations (expressed as coefficient of variation) were observed for the parameters of days to 50% flowering (13%), days to maturity (12%), reproductive period (21%), grain yield (33%), and 1000-grain weight (14%) across the environments. The genotype, environment, and genotype × environment accounted for 3.0, 54.2, and 29.7% of the total variation in mungbean yield, respectively (p < 0.001), suggesting an oversized significance of site-specific responses of the genotypes. Results demonstrated that a lower ambient temperature extended both flowering time and the crop period. Linear mixed model results revealed that the changes in phenological events (days to 50 % flowering, days to maturity, and reproductive period) with response to contrasting environments had no direct influence on crop yields (p > 0.05) for all the genotypes except PM 14-11. Results revealed that the south zone environment initiated early flowering and an extended reproductive period, thus sustaining yield with good seed size. While in low rainfall areas viz., Sriganganagar, New Delhi, Durgapura, and Sagar, the yield was comparatively low irrespective of genotypes. Correlation results and PCA indicated that rainfall during the crop season and relative humidity significantly and positively influenced grain yield. Hence, the present study suggests that the yield potential of mungbean is independent of crop phenological dynamics; rather, climatic variables like rainfall and relative humidity have considerable influence on yield. Further, HA-GGE biplot analysis identified Sagar, New Delhi, Sriganganagar, Durgapura, Warangal, Srinagar, Kanpur, and Mohanpur as the ideal testing environments, which demonstrated high efficiency in the selection of new genotypes with wider adaptability.

Unravelling the epigenomic interactions between parental inbreds resulting in an altered hybrid methylome in pigeonpea.

DNA methylation is an important heritable landmark conferring epigenetic changes in hybrids and has fascinated biologists and plant-breeders over the years. Although epigenetic changes have been documented in rice and maize hybrids, such investigations have not been reported in pigeonpea. Here, we report genome-wide methylation profiles of pigeonpea sterile and fertile inbred lines and their fertile F1 hybrid at single base resolution. We found that pigeonpea genome is relatively enriched in CG methylation. Identification of differentially methylated regions (DMRs) in the sterile and fertile parent revealed remarkable differences between their methylation patterns. Investigation of methylation status of parental DMRs in hybrid revealed non-additive methylation patterns resulting from trans-chromosomal methylation and trans-chromosomal demethylation events. Furthermore, we discovered several DMRs negatively associated with gene expression in the hybrid and fertile parent. Interestingly, many of those DMRs belonged to transposable elements and genes encoding pentatricopeptide repeats associated proteins, which may mediate a role in modulating the genes impacting pollen fertility. Overall, our findings provide an understanding of two parental epigenomes interacting to give rise to an altered methylome in pigeonpea hybrids, from genome-wide point of view.

Paediatric electrical burn injuries: experience from a tertiary care burns unit in North India.

Electrical burn injuries in the paediatric age group constitute a small proportion of all burn cases and cause significant morbidity and long-term psychosocial impact. The objective of this study was to evaluate various aspects of electrical burn injuries in the paediatric age group in our region. A retrospective review was done of all paediatric electrical burns admitted to a tertiary care burns unit over a period of 12 months (January 2016 to December 2016). There were 77 cases of electrical burns under the age of 16 years. High voltage burns predominated and older age groups were more frequently affected. Male:female ratio was 4.1:1. Amputations were required in 18 (23%), skin grafting in 52 (67%) and flap cover in 29 (37%) patients. There were unfavourable outcomes in 32% patients with a mortality rate of 7.8%. Significant association was found between unfavourable outcomes and high voltage burn injuries and length of hospital stay. The impact of electrical burn injuries is substantial and can be reduced by simple preventive measures such as educating parents, improving health infrastructure and adherence to safety regulations.

Les atteintes électriques représentent une petite partie des brûlures de l'enfant, mais sont responsables d'une morbidité et de séquelles psycho-sociales importantes. L'objectif de cette étude était d'évaluer les divers aspect de cette pathologie dans notre région. Une revue des dossiers des patients admis pour cette raison dans notre service en 2016 a été réalisée. Soixante dix sept patients de moins de 16 ans ont été hospitalisés pour brûlure électrique. Le groupe à risque était celui le plus âgé, et l'atteinte par haut voltage prédominait. Les sex ratio était de 4,1/1. Des amputations ont été nécessaires 18 fois (23% des cas), des greffes 52 fois (67%) et des lambeaux 29 fois (37%). L'était de santé à la sortie était considéré comme dégradé chez 32% des patients, la mortalité était de 7,8%. L'état de santé obérré à la sortie corrélait avec le haut voltage et la durée de séjour. Les conséquences des accidents éléctriques sont majeures alors que des mesures simples de prévention comme l'éducation, l'observation des règles de sécurité et l'amélioration des structures de santé pourraient les limiter.

Antinociceptive activity of Sesbania sesban (Linn) wood extracts, a preliminary study.

The wood of the plant Sesbania sesban, is reported to have antinociceptive activity. To validate its folk use in the treatment of pain, wood was extracted successively with petroleum ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate, ethanol, and water to produce respective extracts. The extracts (50 and 100 mg/kg, ip) were screened for antinociceptive activity using hot plate test and acetic acid-induced writhing test in mice. Petroleum ether, chloroform, and ethyl acetate extracts showed significant and dose-dependent activity in both the tests. In order to find out the involvement of opioid receptors, effect of naloxone (1 mg/kg, sc) on the action of extracts was checked in hot plate test. Petroleum ether, chloroform, and ethyl acetate extracts showed significant and dose dependant antinociceptive activity. The antinociceptive action of the extracts was blocked by naloxone, suggesting involvement of opioid receptors in the action.