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Finger millet (Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn.) is a calcium-rich, nutritious and resilient crop that thrives even in harsh environmental conditions. In such ecologies, seed longevity and seedling vigor are crucial for sustainable crop production amid climate change. The current study explores the genetics of accelerated aging on seed longevity traits across 221 diverse accessions of finger millet through genome-wide association approach (GWAS). A significant variation was identified in germination percentage, germination rate indices, mean germination time, seedling vigor indices and dry weight upon aging treatment. GWAS model from 11,832 high-quality SNPs identified through Genotyping-by-Sequencing (GBS) approach produced 491 marker-trait associations (MTAs) for 27 traits, of which 54 were FDR-corrected. A pleiotropic SNP, FM_SNP_9478 identified on chromosome 7B was associated with the traits viz., germination after aging, germination index after aging and their relative measures. Functional annotation revealed DET1 and expansin-A2 influenced seed coat integrity, critical for germination and aging resilience. Probable protein phosphatase 2C3 and piezo-type ion channels contributed to mechanical sensing and stress adaptation in seeds. Beta-amylase and acetyl-CoA carboxylase 2 were identified for seed metabolism and stress response. These insights lay the framework for targeted breeding efforts to improve seed quality and resilience under diverse production conditions.

In the Asian tropics, unpredictable weather increases the risk of abiotic stresses in sorghum areas, making it harder to meet predicted demand. Genotype-by environment interaction (GEI) and the lack of an effective multi-trait-based selection approach make it challenging to breed climateresilient forage sorghum that adapts to nonconventional areas. The present investigation carried out to estimate genetic parameters, inter trait associations, genetic gain under selection (SGs) of 95 diverse forage sorghum genotypes. Fourteen forage yield and other secondary traits were evaluated at five different growing seasons at two locations. Negative and positive genetic gains under selection were estimated across different growing seasons including Kharif, Rabi and Summer in the year 2020 and 2021. The GEI effects were significant (P < 0.001) for all the studied traits. The multi trait based stability indices have been said to assist breeders in ensuring sustained progress in primary traits likeforage yield without sacrificing genetic advancement in secondary traits. Fourteen genotypes were selected through each evaluation methods including genotype - ideotype distance index (MGIDI), multi-trait stability index (MTSI), multi-trait stability and mean performance (MTMPS) and multi-trait index based on factor analysis and genotype-ideotype distance (FAIBLUP Index), assuming 15% selection intensity. According to MGIDI, the selected genotypes exhibited desired positive genetic gains for dry forage yield per plant, inter-nodal length, green forage yield per plant, and plant height and negative genetic gains for days to 50% flowering. The strength and weakness plot is a potential graphical tool as portrayed by MGIDI, to identify and develop desirable genotype for particular environment. Two genotypes, G36 (302B) and G89 (348B) were found to be common across all four evaluation methods based on all the studied traits. Multi-trait stability evaluation approaches are reliable and accessible for selecting multiple traits under varied testing environments with low multicollinearity issues. These tools proved effective in enhancing selection strategies and optimising breeding schemes for the development of climate-resilient forage sorghum genotypes. The aforementioned genotypes were found to be the most reliable, high-yielding, and earlymaturing and could be suggested for variety and hybrid development and ideotype breeding programmes to ensure the food and nutritional security.

Crop genetic diversity and in situ conservation of traditional varieties play a vital and complementary role in biodiversity conservation, capturing not only genetic resources but also the dynamic evolutionary processes that sustain them. In the present study, thirteen traditional Odisha finger millet varieties, selected from a larger set of 46 conserved by tribal millet farmers, were evaluated across four diverse growing regions. The study identified four traditional varieties Kundra Bati (1776.6 kg/ha), Laxmipur Kalia (1735.3 kg/ha), Malyabant Mami (1686.1 kg/ha), and Gupteswar Bharathi (1863.9 kg/ha) with stable grain yield levels under marginalized conditions and local preferences by farmers. Gupteswar Bharathi exhibited superior performance across all test locations (Koraput, Malkangiri, Mayurbhanj, Rayagada), while Kundra Bati excelled at Malkangiri, Mayurbhanj, and Rayagada; Malyabant Mami at Koraput and Rayagada; and Laxmipur Kalia at Mayurbhanj and Rayagada. The identified varieties also recorded superiority for grain iron (20.4 to 23.2 ppm), grain zinc (17.5 -19.6 ppm) and calcium content (2692-3221 ppm). Higher stover yields (>8000 kg/ha) recorded in the four traditional varieties indicates it scope in agro-pastoral utility. Considering the importance of conservation of traditional varieties in its growing regions supported with performance in evaluation trials and local acceptance by farmers, the four traditional varieties were notified for large scale cultivation in the target locations. Nutritional analysis of varieties grown at Koraput demonstrated ~20% higher grain protein and micronutrients indicating greater role of environment on the expression of these nutritional traits. These findings suggest scope for future research aimed at securing Geographical Indication (GI) status for finger millet production from Koraput and other traditional growing regions. Notably, Koraput, Odisha, India is, recognized as a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System (GIAHS) by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), underscoring its global significance in agro-biodiversity conservation. The present study highlights the importance of integrating traditional knowledge with scientific approaches to effectively conserve and mainstream diverse traditional millet varieties into the cultivation system.

Seed longevity and vigor are critical factors for sustainable crop production, particularly in environments prone to stress, where consistent germination and seedling establishment are crucial. This study investigates the genetic architecture underlying seed longevity and vigor traits in pearl millet ( Pennisetum glaucum [L.] R. Br.) through genome-wide association studies (GWAS). The GWAS panel comprising 201 inbred lines representing B and R lines was phenotyped under both control and accelerated aging (AA) conditions for 27 seed longevity and seedling vigor traits and their relative measures. Phenotypic analysis revealed significant changes in seed traits following AA in germination percentages, seedling vigor indices and mean germination times. A 4K mid-density SNP panel was used for genotyping, producing 2,015 high-confidence SNPs after stringent filtering for GWAS. The Bayesian information and linkage disequilibrium iteratively nested keyway (BLINK) and Multi-locus mixed model (MLMM) models identified 413 significant marker-trait associations (MTAs), with 185 MTAs common to both models. A pleiotropic SNP, PMSnpB394 on chromosome 2, was linked to 14 seed longevity traits. Key genes associated with these traits include hormone signaling ( Auxin response factor, DOG1 ), stress response ( LEA_2, 10 kDa heat shock protein ), metabolism ( Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, Beta-galactosidase ) and seed coat structure ( Peroxidase, 3-Ketoacyl-CoA synthase ). These MTAs and candidate genes provide valuable insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying seed longevity and vigor and serve as promising targets for marker-assisted selection and breeding strategies aimed at developing climate-resilient cultivars in the rainfed ecologies.

In response to the growing population and increasing demand for cattle products, enhancing sorghum forage yield is essential for ensuring food security. This study aimed to identify stable genotypes with high forage yields and key yield traits for sorghum breeding programs. Ninety-five forage sorghum lines were evaluated under five distinct climatic conditions over two years (2020–2021), revealing significant genotype × environment interaction (GEI) effects for 14 agronomic traits. Two BLUP-based mixed model stability methods, weight average absolute score based on BLUP (WAASB) and the multi-trait stability index (MTSI), were employed for stability analysis. Three genotypes, G90 (424B), G80 (382B) and G3 (349B) were identified stable and high yielding for forage yield based on WAASB based methods. The MTSI, a novel simultaneous selection index, effectively selected genotypes based on multiple agro-morphological traits, except for the leaf-to-stem ratio. Genotypes G81, G90, G80, and G89 were identified as desirable based on the MTSI. The strength and weakness plot is highlighted as a valuable graphical tool for identifying and selecting genotypes based on trait strengths and weaknesses. Among these, G90 (424B) and G80 (382B) stood out as superior, excelling in both forage yield and early maturity, as determined by WAASB based methods and MTSI method. These genotypes warrant further comprehensive investigation across diverse environments and show significant potential for future breeding programs.

The recent advances in sequencing technologies and computational approaches are propelling scientists ever closer towards complete understanding of human-microbial interactions. The powerful sequencing platforms are rapidly producing huge amounts of nucleotide sequence data which are compiled into huge databases. This sequence data can be retrieved, assembled, and analyzed for identification of microbial pathogens and diagnosis of diseases. In this article, we present a commentary on how the metagenomics incorporated with microarray and new sequencing techniques are helping microbial detection and characterization.

The aim of this study was to understand development of resistance to alamethicin (a model barrel stave pore forming antimicrobial peptide) by investigating changes in phospholipid profile, fatty acid side chain analysis and extent of alamethicin insertion in biomimetic membrane prepared form wild type strains and five folds alamethicin resistant variants of Staphylococcus aureus NCDC 110, Enterococcus faecalis NCDC 114 and Bacillus cereus NCDC 66. The wild type strains NCDC 110, 114, 66, were sensitive to alamethicin with IC 50 5.5, 3.25 and 2.0 μg/ml respectively. Wild type strains were cultured in the presence of alamethicin to select resistant variants with IC 50 29.0, 17.0 and 9.5 μg/ml respectively. The phospholipid profile analysis revealed increase in amino-group containing phospholipids to amino-group lacking phospholipids ratio between wild-type and resistant variant in S. aureus and B. cereus but decreased in E. faecalis . Predominant fatty acids in all strains were composed of even number of carbons. Linoleic acid was detected only in resistant strain of B. cereus . As indicated by saturated-to-unsaturated fatty acids ratio, the membrane from S. aureus and E. faecalis became more rigid, whereas, in B. cereus it became more fluid. Using a colorimetric in vitro assay, a decrease in alamethicin insertion in the biomimetic membrane could be observed upon acquisition of resistance. The membranes of five-fold alamethicin-resistant S. aureus, E. faecalis and B. cereus revealed changes in membrane fluidity and surface charge upon acquisition of resistance to alamethicin.