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Malnutrition affects growth and development in humans and causes socio-economic losses. Normal maize is deficient in essential amino acids, lysine and tryptophan; and vitamin-A. Crop biofortification is a sustainable and economical approach to alleviate micronutrient malnutrition. We combined favorable alleles of crtRB1 and lcyE genes into opaque2 ( o2 )-based four inbreds viz . QLM11, QLM12, QLM13, and QLM14 using marker-assisted backcross breeding. These are parents of quality protein maize versions of two elite hybrids viz . Buland and PMH1, grown in India. Gene-based SSRs for o2 and InDel markers for crtRB1 and lcyE were successfully employed for foreground selection in BC 1 F 1 , BC 2 F 1 , and BC 2 F 2 generations. The recurrent parent genome recovery ranged from 88.9 to 96.0% among introgressed progenies. Kernels of pyramided lines possessed a high concentration of proA (7.14–9.63 ppm), compared to 1.05 to 1.41 ppm in the recurrent parents, while lysine and tryptophan ranged from 0.28–0.44% and 0.07–0.09%, respectively. The reconstituted hybrids (RBuland and RPMH1) showed significant enhancement of endosperm proA (6.97–9.82 ppm), tryptophan (0.07–0.09%), and lysine (0.29–0.43%), while grain yield was at par with their original versions. The dissemination of reconstituted hybrids holds significant promise to alleviate vitamin-A deficiency and protein-energy malnutrition in developing countries.

Cotton Leafhopper, Amrasca biguttula is an important pest of cotton and okra in the Indian subcontinent. Presently limited genomic/transcriptomic information is available for this insect in any of open source databases. The present study reports the first assembled and annotated de novo transcriptome of cotton leafhopper. Out of 75,551 transcripts, 39,613 CDS (Coding Sequence) were predicted with 35,282 showing positive blast hits with NCBI nr database . The Gene ontology (GO) analysis annotated 7431 CDS  with KEGG pathway categorizing these CDS into 22 different functional groups. The majority of CDS were annotated in signal transduction and transport catabolism pathways. The sequence data was screened for RNAi pathway genes and presence of 37 transcripts associated with this process confirmed the existence of robust RNAi machinery. The role of core RNAi machinery genes ( Dicer-2 , Ago-2 , Piwi and Staufen ) has been validated through dsRNA feeding studies. The data resource has also been used to identify potential RNAi targets and genes associated with insecticide detoxification specifically CYP 450 family. The current study provides a useful sequence resource which can be used to initiate molecular studies in this insect with emphasis on insecticide resistance, RNAi and functional genomics.

Background The genus Solanum is a diverse group of flowering plants with significant economic importance. Within this genus, the subgenus Leptostemonum , comprising spiny solanums, is particularly noteworthy due to its high species diversity and endemism. Solanum ensifolium , a member of this subgenus, is a critically endangered species endemic to Puerto Rico and known locally as erubia. The species survives in greenhouses and botanical gardens and is thought to be extinct in the wild, but with reintroduction efforts in progress. Despite its conservation status, genomic data for S. ensifolium remains scarce, limiting our understanding of its evolutionary history and potential adaptations. Results The S. ensifolium chloroplast genome (155,295 bp) exhibits a typical quadripartite structure and encodes 151 genes, including 95 protein-coding genes involved in photosynthesis, transcription, translation, and other essential cellular functions. Gene content and genome organization are similar to those observed in closely related Solanum species. Comparative genomic analysis of the annotated genome with that of closely related Solanum species revealed differences in nucleotide diversity between the large single-copy (LSC) and small single-copy regions (SSC), and the inverted repeat (IR) regions. Additionally, phylogenetic analyses confirmed placement of S. ensifolium within the Leptostemonum subgenus, affirming its suspected close relationship with S. crotonoides and S. aturense . Furthermore, of the three individuals of S. ensifolium for which chloroplast genomes were obtained, no genetic variation was observed. Conclusions The availability of the S. ensifolium chloroplast genome provides insights into its evolutionary history and conservation needs. Comparative genomics uncovered evolutionary differences in Solanum chloroplast genomes, including nucleotide diversity and structural variations. Phylogenetic analyses confirmed the close relationship between S. ensifolium and other Leptostemonum species. These findings enhance our understanding of this critically endangered species' evolution, guiding effective conservation strategies like using chloroplast variation to assess genetic diversity for ex situ conservation and reintroduction programs. The uniformity of the chloroplast genome in S. ensifolium may reveal that this species has undergone a genetic bottleneck. To prevent inbreeding depression and maintain evolutionary adaptability, efforts should be made to generate and preserve as much genetic diversity as possible.

The present study reports the degradation of the persistent and toxic organophosphate, quinalphos, by employing microorganisms that were already members of the natural soil community for degradation. Bacillus and Pseudomonas spp., both of which are capable of degrading quinalphos from aqueous streams, were isolated from different contaminated soils. Batch experiments were performed to determine the natural and induced biodegradation of quinalphos in the aqueous medium. The rate of degradation was analyzed through determination of residual concentration using UV-Vis spectrophotometer and high-performance liquid chromatography. A single peak of a metabolite was observed on the 160th day, and identified as dihydroxy quinalphos oxon by mass spectrometry. The presence of quinalphos and its metabolite in water over an extended period prompted the authors to investigate its induced biodegradation using indigenous microbes extracted from soil. For biodegradation studies, the isolated microbes were inoculated into minimal media with quinalphos for 17 days. The results revealed that >80% of quinalphos was degraded in 17 days in the presence of isolated microbes, and no metabolite was observed during the biodegradation process.

The stabilization and disposal of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) from soil environment and wetland areas is of great concern for health and safety. Wetland remediation with microorganisms is an approach for treating PCBs. A bacterial strain was isolated from hydrocarbon contaminated soil of Ropar, Punjab, able to degrade PCBs under aerobic conditions. The percentage of degradation with 100 mM/ml of 4-chlorobiphenyl was up to 90%. Degradation was monitored by mass spectrometry, high performance liquid chromatography and spectrophotometrically, showing that 4-chlorobiphenyl was degraded almost completely. The bacterial strain was identified as by 16sRNA sequencing method. This is the first report of 4-chlorobiphenyl degradation by

The stabilization and disposal of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) is of great concern from soil environment and wetland areas for the health and safety purpose. Wetland remediation with microorganisms is an affected approach for treating PCBs. A bacterial strain was isolated from hydrocarbon contaminated soil of Ropar, Punjab, able to degrade PCBs under aerobic condition. The percentage of degradation with 100mM/ml of 4-chlorobiphenyl was up to 90%. Degradation was monitored by Mass spectrometry, High performance liquid chromatography and spectrophotometrically, shows that 4-chlorobiphenyl was degraded almost completely. The bacterial strain was identified as Pseudomonas synxantha by 16sRNA sequencing method. This is the first report of 4-chlorobiphenyl by pseudomonas synxantha.