http://nopr.niscpr.res.in/handle/123456789/63183 2026-10-12T17:53:04Z http://nopr.niscpr.res.in/handle/123456789/63190 Title: Biofortification - A promising approach to enhance iron and zinc content in cowpea Authors: Yadav, Preeti; Dhankhar, SK; Mehar, Ram; Yadav, VK Abstract: More than half of the world's population is known to suffer from micronutrient malnutrition, which is one of the biggest threats to humanity. Biofortification, a method of breeding nutrients into food crops, is one strategy to address the problem of micronutrient malnutrition. It offers a comparatively affordable, sustainable, and long-term way of providing more micronutrients to rural populations in developing countries. Cowpea is an important pulse crop for global food security and population health due to its high nutritional and nutraceutical values. At present, agronomic, conventional plant breeding, genetic modification and microbial interventions are common methods for biofortification. Agronomic biofortification is the application of fertilizers to increase the micronutrients in edible parts. Due to their distinct structural traits and great efficacy, the use of nanomaterials as fertilizers has become a viable alternative to conventional fertilizers. Breeding procedures involve identifying genetic variation, testing their stability and determining the feasibility of breeding to increase mineral content in edible tissues without altering yields or other quality attributes. When genetic variations are not present then genetic transformation i.e., Biofortification with the help of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria is microbial biofortification. Among them, agronomic biofortification is simple, easy, inexpensive and quick but in the long term, conventional plant breeding is more stable and cost-effective. Pant lobia-1, 2,3,4,5 are some popular iron and zinc biofortified cowpea varieties developed through conventional breeding. Although some research work has been done in cowpea regarding iron and zinc biofortification, supporting extensive prospective studies on evaluating the results of nutritional fortification is a major challenge. Page(s): 877-885 2024-01-01T00:00:00Z http://nopr.niscpr.res.in/handle/123456789/63189 Title: Genomics and transgenic approaches for sheath blight resistance development in rice Authors: Rao, Talluri Bhaskar; Kalagatur, Naveen Kumar; Gali, Gowthami; Boggula, Vamsi Krishna; Upadhyayula, Maruthi Kumar; Mangamuri, Usha Kiranmayi; S, Poda Abstract: Among the most devastating fungal diseases, rice sheath blight is brought on by Rhizoctonia solani Kühn (Teleomorph: Thanatephorus cucumeris), and it significantly reduces rice grain output. Since there are no dependable resistance genes and nothing is known about the biology of the disease, rice sheath blight continues to be a significant global problem. Presently, fungicides are most frequently used to treat rice sheath blight. However, they harm the environment and are not advised. Genomics and transgenic approaches show promise for sheath blight control by identifying key insight genes and developing the host resistance plants. This review emphasizes comprehending the genetics underlying host-pathogen interactions, identifying gene loci/markers, and designing a transgenic host genome. Page(s): 886-895 2024-01-01T00:00:00Z http://nopr.niscpr.res.in/handle/123456789/63188 Title: Computational toxicology and food safety assessment of Parkia timoriana phytoconstituents using quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) modeling approaches Authors: Nisa, Nisekhoto; Dinata, Roy; Arati, Chettri; Baraka1, Gumaa Abdelmuala Abdelgani Abstract: As a lead compound, natural compounds have undergone extensive research in different enterprises. Since they might also have other adverse effects, determining their toxicity is crucial. Computational methods can circumvent the main challenges associated with assessing the toxicity of substances using in vivo and in vitro techniques, including time, money, labor, and the use of animal models. Although Parkia timoriana (PT) has a significant economic potential, its exploitation has yet to be thoroughly explored in terms of its toxicity and food safety. In PT seed pod extracts, 61 phytocompounds with a predominance of alkaloids, flavonoids, and terpenoids were identified using GC-MS and LC-MS/MS analysis. Utilizing the TEST, OECD QSAR toolkit, VEGA-HUB, Toxtree, and PASS tools, phytocompounds from PT were assessed for toxicity, food safety risk assessment, and biological activity. The phytochemicals were tested on multiple species, including Daphnia magna, Pimephales promelas, Tetrahymena pyriformis, and rats, to determine their toxicity using the QSAR-TEST tool. For aquatic and mammalian organisms, the phytocompounds from PT were shown to be hazardous in the following four hierarchical orders: i) P. promelas>T. pyriformis>D. magna>R. norvegicus, ii) P. promelas>D. magna>T. pyriformis>R. norvegicus, iii) D. magna> P. promelas>T. pyriformis>R. norvegicus, and T. pyriformis>P. promelas>D. magna>R. norvegicus. Despite being nonbioaccumulative, non-mutagenic, and non-carcinogenic in nature, the majority of phytocompounds were developmental toxins. More than half of the phytochemicals derived from PT were highly toxic (Cramer oral toxicity) and manifested negative side effects (with a lower NOAEL value).Most of the substances did not exhibit organ toxicity in the repeated dose toxicity test, were bioavailable, metabolized by cytochrome-P450 pathway, and were excreted from the body. PASS predicted that the examined phytoconstituents from PT were to demonstrate a wide range of anti-oxidant, free radical scavenger, antiinflammatory, antiviral, anti-fungal, anti-neoplastic, antibacterial, and anti-protozoal activities. For the purpose of exploring drug discovery, additional research of the phytocompounds on in vivo models is advised. Page(s): 896-918 2024-01-01T00:00:00Z http://nopr.niscpr.res.in/handle/123456789/63187 Title: Mapping and validating quantitative trait loci (QTL) for anthocyanin-related genes, coupled with marker analysis for pericarp pigmentation and yield traits in a black and white rice cross Authors: Savitha, P; Jeyaprakash, P; Akilan, M; Geethanjali, S Abstract: This study explores the genetic mechanisms underpinning pigmentation traits in rice, with emphasis on the Kala4 gene responsible for black pigmentation which offers several health benefits. The Kala4 trait was incorporated into the Improved White Ponni variety to develop a black rice introgression line. Comprehensive genomic analysis identified specific chromosomal regions related to black pigmentation and yield traits. The study evaluated 200 F2 plants derived from a cross between Manipur Black rice and Improved White Ponni, using 81 distinct polymorphism markers. The results confirmed the crucial role of the Kala4 loci in black pigmentation and identified key genes regulating anthocyanin synthesis and the PURPLE PERICARP trait. This enhanced our understanding of rice pigmentation and its genetic intricacies. The study also evaluated yield-associated traits in the F2 population, identifying eleven QTLs related to yield, most notably on chromosome 4. These QTLs contribute significantly to phenotypic variance, suggesting their potential for marker-assisted selection in breeding programs. Continued exploration of the Kala4 gene on chromosome 4 can provide further insights into QTLs for hybrid rice, expediting future rice improvement strategies and allowing for targeted selection in breeding programs, thereby enhancing future rice crop development strategies. Page(s): 919-940 2024-01-01T00:00:00Z