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The main objective of the present research work was to study the effect of Cr toxicity and its amelioration by glycine betaine (GB) in sorghum (HJ 541 and SSG 59-3). Chromium (Cr VI), 2 and 4 ppm led to a significant reduction in plant height, root length, chlorophyll content, antioxidant enzymes viz. catalase, peroxidase, ascorbate peroxidase, glutathione reductase, polyphenol oxidase, and superoxide dismutase; and metabolites viz. ascorbate, proline, and glutathione. The results of the present study supported the findings that the application of GB can minimize or reduce the toxic effects caused by Cr VI which reaches the plants via soil, water, and air pollution. It is concluded that GB at both 50, as well as 100 mM concentrations, successfully ameliorated Cr VI (up to 4 ppm) toxicity and its application may be recommended for crops affected by Cr VI toxicity to get better growth and yield.

Food-based components represent major sources of functional bioactive compounds. Milk is a rich source of multiple bioactive peptides that not only help to fulfill consumers ‘nutritional requirements but also play a significant role in preventing several health disorders. Understanding the chemical composition of milk and its products is critical for producing consistent and high-quality dairy products and functional dairy ingredients. Over the last two decades, peptides have gained significant attention by scientific evidence for its beneficial health impacts besides their established nutrient value. Increasing awareness of essential milk proteins has facilitated the development of novel milk protein products that are progressively required for nutritional benefits. The need to better understand the beneficial effects of milk-protein derived peptides has, therefore, led to the development of analytical approaches for the isolation, separation and identification of bioactive peptides in complex dairy products. Continuous emphasis is on the biological function and nutritional characteristics of milk constituents using several powerful techniques, namely omics, model cell lines, gut microbiome analysis and imaging techniques. This review briefly describes the state-of-the-art approach of peptidomics and lipidomics profiling approaches for the identification and detection of milk-derived bioactive peptides while taking into account recent progress in their analysis and emphasizing the difficulty of analysis of these functional and endogenous peptides.

The primary objectives of modern agriculture includes the environmental sustainability, low production costs, improved plants’ resilience to various biotic and abiotic stresses, and high sowing seed value. Delayed and inconsistent field emergence poses a significant threat in the production of agri-crop, especially during drought and adverse weather conditions. To open new routes of nutrients’ acquisition and revolutionizing the adapted solutions, stewardship plans will be needed to address these questions. One approach is the identification of plant based bioactive molecules capable of altering plant metabolism pathways which may enhance plant performance in a brief period of time and in a cost-effective manner. A biostimulant is a plant material, microorganism, or any other organic compound that not only improves the nutritional aspects, vitality, general health but also enhances the seed quality performance. They may be effectively utilized in both horticultural and cereal crops. The biologically active substances in biostimulant biopreparations are protein hydrolysates (PHs), seaweed extracts, fulvic acids, humic acids, nitrogenous compounds, beneficial bacterial, and fungal agents. In this review, the state of the art and future prospects for biostimulant seedlings are reported and discussed. Biostimulants have been gaining interest as they stimulate crop physiology and biochemistry such as the ratio of leaf photosynthetic pigments (carotenoids and chlorophyll), enhanced antioxidant potential, tremendous root growth, improved nutrient use efficiency (NUE), and reduced fertilizers consumption. Thus, all these properties make the biostimulants fit for internal market operations. Furthermore, a special consideration has been given to the application of biostimulants in intensive agricultural systems that minimize the fertilizers’ usage without affecting quality and yield along with the limits imposed by European Union (EU) regulations.

The miracle tree, M. oleifera , is valued for its nutritional composition, climate adaptability, industrial and environmental usefulness. Despite well-known benefits, nutritional composition varies with the geographical location. The seeds of Moringa are rich in high-quality oil and protein and are also a source of carbohydrates, but their relative quantities vary among geographical locations. A meta-regression analysis was carried out using PRISMA guidelines, to explore the variability, and deciding factors in Moringa seeds. A systematic search of Scopus and google Scholar identified reports that mentioned morphological or nutritional or both traits was carried out. After removing duplicates and reviews, total 31 original research articles were included in the study. Two independent datasets, morphological and nutritional, were prepared by extracting numerical data of mature seeds. Statistical framework included Pearson’s correlation to quantify trait relationship and ANCOVA to assess covariate effects on nutritional components. Datasets were analyzed using R software. Random effect meta regression model was employed to assess the heterogeneity in nutrient composition across climatic zones. The crude fat, total carbohydrates and crude protein were highly variable (σ = 14.56, 14.54 and 12.08 respectively). The variabilities in ash and moisture were low (σ =1.41 and 2.48 respectively) while crude fiber showed intermediate variability (σ = 2.87). Although, there was a trend in nutritional composition of M. oleifera seeds along the latitude and climatic zones, statistical model fitting was non-significant for these variables. Pearson’s correlation among nutritional components was pronounced and significant, supported by carbon-nitrogen metabolism. This study did not find any trend in the highly variable morphological components (CV 38.52% and 43.12% for length and width respectively) of Moringa seeds with geographical location.

Pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R Br.] is an important staple food crop in the semi-arid tropics of Asia and Africa. It is a cereal grain that has the prospect to be used as a substitute for wheat flour for celiac patients. It is an important antioxidant food resource present with a wide range of phenolic compounds that are good sources of natural antioxidants. The present study aimed to identify the total antioxidant content of pearl millet flour and apply it to evaluate the antioxidant activity of its 222 genotypes drawn randomly from the pearl millet inbred germplasm association panel (PMiGAP), a world diversity panel of this crop. The total phenolic content (TPC) significantly correlated with DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging activity (% inhibition), which ranged from 2.32 to 112.45% and ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) activity ranging from 21.68 to 179.66 (mg ascorbic acid eq./100 g). Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) were conducted using 222 diverse accessions and 67 K SNPs distributed across all the seven pearl millet chromosomes. Approximately, 218 SNPs were found to be strongly associated with DPPH and FRAP activity at high confidence [–log (p) > 3.0–7.4]. Furthermore, flanking regions of significantly associated SNPs were explored for candidate gene harvesting. This identified 18 candidate genes related to antioxidant pathway genes (flavanone 7-O-beta-glycosyltransferase, GDSL esterase/lipase, glutathione S-transferase) residing within or near the association signal that can be selected for further functional characterization. Patterns of genetic variability and the associated genes reported in this study are useful findings, which would need further validation before their utilization in molecular breeding for high antioxidant-containing pearl millet cultivars.

The guava (Psidium guajava L.), known as ‘Apple of the Tropics’ is a rich source of polyphenols, pectin, dietary fiber, and carotenoids. Guava comes under climacteric types of fruits; due to its high transpiration and respiration rate it experiences high post-harvest losses. Giloy leaf and ajwain seed herbal extracts-based nano-formulations (NFs) were synthesized using biopolymer sodium alginate and CaCl2, viz., T1 (Alginate: CaCl2), T2 (Alginate: CaCl2: Ajwain extract), and T3 (Alginate: CaCl2: Giloy extract). Antibacterial and antioxidant activity of the NFs were examined to check their efficacy as antibacterial agents, which was checked against E. coli, P. aeruginosa and B. cereus bacterial culture. The zone of inhibition against bacteria ranged from 6 ± 0.42 mm to 14 ± 0.92 mm. Antioxidant activity was 93.27%, 71.67%, and 67.04% for T2, T3 and T1 NFs and 89.90% and 67.05% for ajwain and giloy extracts. NFs treated fruits showed minimum loss in physiological weight, firmness, and color change compared to control fruit (uncoated). Physiological loss in weight ranged from 3.16 to 17.21% and 3.23 to 15.57% and fruit firmness ranged from 4.47 to 8.41 kg/cm2 and 4.84 to 8.37 kg/cm2 during storage at 25 ± 2 °C (incubation) and 32 ± 2 °C (room temperature), respectively. Among NFs, T2 showed the best results in preventing ripening and maximum loss of quality was observed in control (uncoated) fruits. Thus, NFs are an effective method of extending the shelf-life of fruits and ajwain based NFs increased shelf life of guava from 4–5 days to 7–8 days. Fruits storage at 25 ± 2 °C showed better results compared to storage at 32 ± 2 °C. Thus, NFs treated fruits storage at lower temperature controls the ripening related changes maximally.

Salt stress is one of the major constraints affecting plant growth and agricultural productivity worldwide. Sorghum is a valuable food source and a potential model for studying and better understanding the salt stress mechanics in the cereals and obtaining a more comprehensive knowledge of their cellular responses. Herein, we examined the effects of salinity on reserve mobilization, antioxidant potential, and expression analysis of starch synthesis genes. Our findings show that germination percentage is adversely affected by all salinity levels, more remarkably at 120 mM (36% reduction) and 140 mM NaCl (46% reduction) than in the control. Lipid peroxidation increased in salt-susceptible genotypes (PC-5: 2.88 and CSV 44F: 2.93 nmloe/g.FW), but not in tolerant genotypes. SSG 59-3 increased activities of α-amylase, and protease enzymes corroborated decreased starch and protein content, respectively. SSG 59-3 alleviated adverse effects of salinity by suppressing oxidative stress (H2O2) and stimulating enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant activities (SOD, APX, CAT, POD, GR, and GPX), as well as protecting cell membrane integrity (MDA, electrolyte leakage). A significant increase (p ≤ 0.05) was also observed in SSG 59-3 with proline, ascorbic acid, and total carbohydrates. Among inorganic cations and anions, Na+, Cl−, and SO42− increased, whereas K+, Mg2+, and Ca2+ decreased significantly. SSG 59-3 had a less pronounced effect of excess Na+ ions on the gene expression of starch synthesis. Salinity also influenced Na+ ion efflux and maintained a lower cytosolic Na+/K+ ratio via concomitant upregulation of SbNHX-1 and SbVPPase-I ion transporter genes. Thus, we have highlighted that salinity physiologically and biochemically affect sorghum seedling growth. Based on these findings, we highlighted that SSG 59-3 performed better by retaining higher plant water status, antioxidant potential, and upregulation of ion transporter genes and starch synthesis, thereby alleviating stress, which may be augmented as genetic resources to establish sorghum cultivars with improved quality in saline soils.

Salinity stress has become a significant concern to global food security. Revealing the mechanisms that enable plants to survive under salinity has immense significance. Sorghum has increasingly attracted researchers interested in understanding the survival and adaptation strategies to high salinity. However, systematic analysis of the DEGs (differentially expressed genes) and their relative expression has not been reported in sorghum under salt stress. The de novo transcriptomic analysis of sorghum under different salinity levels from 60 to 120 mM NaCl was generated using Illumina HiSeq. Approximately 323.49 million high-quality reads, with an average contig length of 1145 bp, were assembled de novo. On average, 62% of unigenes were functionally annotated to known proteins. These DEGs were mainly involved in several important metabolic processes, such as carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, cell wall biogenesis, photosynthesis, and hormone signaling. SSG 59-3 alleviated the adverse effects of salinity by suppressing oxidative stress (H2O2) and stimulating enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant activities (SOD, APX, CAT, APX, POX, GR, GSH, ASC, proline, and GB), as well as protecting cell membrane integrity (MDA and electrolyte leakage). Significant up-regulation of transcripts encoding the NAC, MYB, and WRYK families, NHX transporters, the aquaporin protein family, photosynthetic genes, antioxidants, and compatible osmolyte proteins were observed. The tolerant line (SSG 59-3) engaged highly efficient machinery in response to elevated salinity, especially during the transport and influx of K+ ions, signal transduction, and osmotic homeostasis. Our data provide insights into the evolution of the NAC TFs gene family and further support the hypothesis that these genes are essential for plant responses to salinity. The findings may provide a molecular foundation for further exploring the potential functions of NAC TFs in developing salt-resistant sorghum lines.

Pesticides and other agrochemicals are introduced into the soil through agricultural practices. Earthworms contribute to the ecosystem services, such as pedogenesis and soil aeration, water regulation, and bioremediation of pesticides and chemicals, act as a bioindicator of soil health, and microbial interactions, and produce casts which are nutrient-rich pellets of N, P, and K organic matter, climate change regulation, and biogeochemical cycling, reduce need of synthetic fertilizer, etc. Consequently, the health of plants is enhanced by the hormone-like substances that earthworms can produce. Therefore, the growth and development of earthworms are significantly influenced by climate, land use, and species types. Hence, the earthworms function as “Ecosystem Engineers” that help maintain the majority of the soil animal biomass. Consequently, agriculture could achieve greater sustainability by harnessing the services of earthworms in agroecology. In this mini-review, it is discussed for earthworm significance explored for their deployment and the exploration in terms of sustaining ecosystem functioning through soil health and fertility enhancement, the impact of biochar on earthworms for soil health, crop production, pesticide application, soil nutrient recycling, the effect of nanoparticles on earthworm and soil health, heavy metal remediation, etc. The earthworms can assist in sustainable agricultural practices and also for the preservation of healthy ecosystems. Therefore, the conservation of earthworms in the soil ecosystem is essential to protect these beneficial organisms. Furthermore, it is necessary to investigate various aspects of agricultural management, conservation, mining, etc., to maintain the ecological balance for sustainable agriculture.HighlightsEarthworms has great role in agroecology for nature conservation.Earthworms interact with soil microbes for healthy soil ecology.Earthworms in the soil can help with sustainable agricultural practicesThe earthworms must be conserved in the soil ecosystem.They involve in soil biogeochemical cycling and N and P availability.

Bottle gourd (Lagenaria siceraria) is a well-known cucurbit with an active functional ingredient. A two-year field experiment was carried out at the Research Farm of Seed Science and Technology, CCS HAU, Hisar, in a randomized block design during the Kharif season (Kharif is one of the two major cropping seasons in India and other South Asian countries, heavily reliant on monsoon rains with the other being Rabi) and the summer season. Five different crossing periods (CP), viz. CP1, CP2, CP3, CP4, and CP5, were considered to illustrate the effects of agro-climatic conditions on the quality and biochemical components of two bottle gourd parental lines and one hybrid, HBGH-35. The average mean temperature for the Kharif season in 2017 was 31.7 °C, and for the summer season, it was 40.1 °C. Flowers were tagged weekly from the start of the crossing period until the end and harvested separately at different times. The fruits harvested from different crossing periods under different environmental conditions influenced the bottle gourd’s qualitative and biochemical traits and showed significant variations among the five crossing period environments. A positive significance and correlation were observed between weather variables and different biochemical characteristics. Henceforth, the CP4 crossing period at a temperature of 31.7 °C retained high-quality seed development, which may be essential in enhancing agricultural productivity and the national economy.