Central Institute for Cotton Research

This study was conducted to identify the energy alternative by using different kinds of de-oiled cakes which are considered as waste and produce pellets. The bamboo biomass dust used in this study was Bambusa balcooa and the binders are de-oiled cakes of Sal (Shorea robusta), Karanj (Millettia pinnata), Mahua (Madhuca longifolia) and Rice bran. Different aged bamboo biomass dust viz., one-year-aged, two-year-aged and three-year-aged was used in the pellet production. The experiment was designed in Factorial Randomized Block Design in which two factors are involved i.e., different binders are considered as Factor A and different ages of bamboo biomass dust was considered as Factor B. Based on the results obtained from the study for physical properties, proximate analysis, combustion properties and economics of the pellets showed that the pellets would be the proposed new biomass solid fuel (suitable for burning purpose) and can be used for commercial purpose. In case of bamboo biomass dust, the analyzed parameters are moisture content (%), ash content (%) and gross calorific value (Cal g-1). The data showed that, as the age of bamboo biomass increases, the moisture content (%) and ash content (%) decreases but the gross calorific value (Cal g-1) increased. The depicted results of different parameters for bamboo pellets are studied and resulted that, in particle density (g cm-3) and combustion rate (g s-1), the highest values were showed by 2-year-old bamboo biomass followed by 3-year-old bamboo biomass and lowest value was observed in 1-year-old bamboo biomass. Meanwhile, the properties such as bulk density, percentage volatile matter and percentage ash content showed gradual decrease in values as the age of bamboo biomass increased.

ABSTRACT The integration of semiochemicals into pest management strategies provides a sustainable complement to conventional insecticide‐based control. The present study evaluated the efficacy of synthetic volatile organic compounds (VOCs) identified from cotton headspace volatiles in attracting dominant ground‐dwelling predators in cotton agroecosystems, namely the earwig Labidura riparia and the bombardier beetle Pheropsophus nigricollis . Headspace volatiles from intact, healthy, flowering Suvin cotton ( Gossypium barbadense ) plants were collected and analysed using GC–MS, resulting in the identification of 45 compounds. Based on their reported roles in natural enemy attraction and documented occurrence in cotton, five VOCs representing distinct chemical classes, α‐pinene, β‐caryophyllene, methyl salicylate, D‐limonene and n‐tetradecane, were selected for field bioassays. Field trials employing pitfall and funnel traps revealed that n ‐tetradecane produced the highest captures of both predators, with 29.5 ± 2.1 L. riparia /trap and 21.3 ± 1.8 P. nigricollis /trap (mean ± SE; both F > 130, p < 0.001). β‐Caryophyllene and methyl salicylate selectively attracted L. riparia (8.8 ± 1.2 and 5.8 ± 0.9/trap, respectively), whereas α‐pinene and D ‐limonene elicited stronger responses from P. nigricollis (9.8 ± 1.1 and 5.8 ± 0.8/trap, respectively). Notably, n ‐tetradecane, an understudied aliphatic hydrocarbon, exhibited broad‐spectrum attraction, highlighting its potential utility alongside herbivore‐induced plant volatiles (HIPVs) in cotton integrated pest management programs.

Trichoderma species are essential for crop productivity, nutrient uptake, abiotic stress resistance and root growth and development. This study was conducted to evaluate the morpho-cultural, biochemical and biocontrol activities of different Trichoderma isolates against cotton root rot. It was observed that maximum mycelial growth (53.67 mm) was recorded by HST2, whereas the least (36.33 mm) was shown by HMT2 after 6 DAI (days after incubation). All the isolates had colonies that ranged in colour from light green to pale green to dark green. The native Trichoderma isolates showed reverse colony colours from creamish white and colourless to yellowish, accompanied by wavy to smooth colony edges. Conidia ranged in length from 2.69 to 4.66 µm. Among the isolates, HFtT produced the longest conidia, with an average length of 4.66 µm. The conidial width of the isolates ranged from 2.31 to 3.65 µm, with the maximum width (3.65 µm) recorded in HFtT. The native HST2 isolate showed positive results for all the biocontrol activities. The antagonistic potential of different native Trichoderma isolates against cotton root rot causing pathogens RB5 and RS2 was evaluated under both in vitro and in vivo conditions. In vitro dual-culture results revealed that HST2 exhibited the highest mycelial growth inhibition (72.78 % in RB5 and 72.50 % in RS2), followed by HMT2. Under in vivo conditions, minimum disease incidence and maximum disease control were shown by HST2 (10 % and 10 %) and (57.13 % and 57.13 %) respectively, in both Desi and American cotton. .

This review analyses the application of medicinal chemistry in the modulation of G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) targets in the treatment of neurological disorders based on the presentation of preclinical evidence provided solely by animals. Considering dopaminergic, serotonergic and glutamatergic systems, we combine outcomes of rodents, zebrafish and non-human primates in demonstrating how optimization of structure-activity relationships (SAR), allosteric/bitopic and biased-ligand development, scaffold hopping and ADMET tuning yield brain-penetrant ligands with enhanced affinity, subtype selectivity, signalling bias and pharmacokinetic. The product shows promise in restoring motor function and reducing oxidative stress in D2/D3 modulators of 6-OHDA Parkinsonian rat models, as well as anxiolytic and antidepressant-like actions of engineered 5-HT1A/5-HT2A ligands in mice and zebrafish. Additionally, it exhibits precognitive and neuroprotective actions of mGluR PAMs in APP/PS1 and scopolamine models. We emphasize methodological strategies (in vitro binding, behavioural assays, microdialysis, PK/autoradiography) that can be used to bridge molecular design to organismal response, explain the translational obstacles affecting translation that include species differences, crosstalk and long-term signalling responses, and suggest prospects including AI-guided design, multi-omics biomarkers and targeted CNS delivery protocols. The arguments put forward make medicinal chemistry one of the key, mechanism-oriented catalysts in the evolution of GPCR-targeted neurotherapeutics.

Abstract: This study explores a green synthesis method for silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using aqueous extracts of Tulasi (Ocimum sanctum) and Sandalwood (Santalum album). The extracts provide phytochemicals that act as reducing and stabilizing agents. The synthesized AgNPs were characterized using UV–Vis spectroscopy, FTIR, XRD, NMR, SEM, TEM, and zeta potential analysis. The AgNPs exhibited strong antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Candida albicans, demonstrating the potential of these natural resources in nanomaterial development. This study uniquely integrates Tulasi and Sandalwood extracts for the first time in silver nanoparticle synthesis, with NMR characterization rarely reported in similar green synthesis approaches.

Cotton, globally grown as a fibre crop, is also popular as oil and protein source, which is obtained from cotton seed. An investigation on seed protein content was done in popular cotton cultivars released by ICAR– Central Institute for Cotton Research. Twelve cultivars belonging to three cultivated species (G. hirsutum, G. arboreum and G. barbadense), seeds of which were produced in different locations (Central, North, and South cotton growing regions), were subjected to determination of tris-soluble and seed storage protein fractions. The laboratory investigation was conducted at one location after collecting seeds of same genotypes grown in other locations in the same season for comparing their protein content. Concentration of tris-soluble protein and sequentially extracted storage protein fractions were determined by Bradford assay. Significant variation was observed for tris-soluble and storage protein fractions among genotypes in each location and showed varied relations with seed index in G. arboreum and G. barbadense. Among the storage fractions, globulin fraction was highest followed by albumins in the studied cultivars. Though the values of each protein component differed widely in different location, the genotypes maintained their rank for both tris-soluble protein content as well as seed storage fraction content irrespective of the location where the seeds were produced.

ABSTRACT Increasing temperatures and irregular weather patterns make the selection of stable, high-performing, regional-specific G. barbadense cultivars essential. Nineteen G. barbadense genotypes were evaluated over five consecutive seasons (2019–2024). The PCA of the first two interactions revealed 96.2% of the variation, with significant genotype–environment interactions. According to Additive Main Effects and Multiplicative Interactions-1 analysis, genotypes G8 and G18 consistently excelled across all environments with high mean yields. Genotypes G4, G14, and G16 were more stable throughout the tested years. Genotypes G18, G13, G2, G5, and G7 were identified as stable and high yield based on Best Linear Unbiased Prediction (BLUP) – Harmonic Mean of Genotypic Values (HMGV), Relative Performance of Genotypic Value (RPGV), and Harmonic Mean of the Relative Performance of Genotypic Value (HMRPGV) according to their stability parameters. Based on the Weighted Average of Stability (WAASB) and Mean Performance (Y) (WAASBY), genotypes G12, G18, G13, and G7 exhibited high stability and yield performance. BLUP outperformed all other AMMI family members in accuracy when more genotypes were tested. The WAASB is an ideal tool for discerning variations and identifying stable genotypes among all methods, and these genotypes can be used as the best parental lines in breeding programmes for changing climate conditions.

Cotton leaf curl disease (CLCuD) is a major constraint for production of cotton (Gossypium sp.) in Northwest India. CLCuD is caused by a monopartite, circular ssDNA virus belonging to the genus Begomovirus in association with betasatellites and alphasatellites, and ttransmitted by a whitefly vector (Bemisia tabaci). To explore the genetic variability in betasatellites and alphasatellite associated with the CLCuD-begomovirus complex in Northwest India. A survey was conducted for successive three years of 2014 to 2016 and twig samples from symptomatic and healthy cotton plants randomly were collected. Total plant DNAs were isolated, subjected to rolling circle amplification (RCA), cloning and sequencing. Full-length genome of 12 betasatellites and 13 alphasatellites, those were obtained in the present study, were analyzed. Sequence analysis showed that all the present betasatellites shared 85-99 percent nucleotide identity (PNI) among themselves and 84-95 PNI with other members of Cotton leaf curl Multan betasatellite (CLCuMB) and fell into one genogroup along with CLCuMB. But in close observation the present betasatellites clustered into two phylogenetic subgroups under single CLCuMB. The present alphasatellites showed 72-100 PNI among themselves and fell under three alphasatellite species, Gossypium Darwinii symptomless alphasatellite (GDarSLA), Cotton leaf curl Multan alphasatellite (CLCuMA) and Cotton leaf curl Burewala alphasatellite (CLCuBuA). In the recombination analysis, all the present betasatellites and alphasatellites were found to be recombinants involving intra species recombination in betasatellite, and interspecies recombination in alphasatellite species. The present study indicated that the betasatellite and alphasatellite molecules associated with CLCuD-begomovirus complex in Northwest India are genetically diverse.

Evaluating genetic resources for seed vigour traits is crucial for identifying genotypes and traits suitable for enhanced variety development. Simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers have been undertaken for the evaluation of genetic diversity among 44 Indian rice varieties. Among the 41 SSR markers used, 38 markers were found to be 100% polymorphic and three markers, RM 204, RM 20, and RM 125 were found to be monomorphic for one allele but another allele was polymorphic. Out of a total of 141 alleles detected 138 were polymorphic. The number of alleles per locus varied from 2 to 5 with an average of 3.43 allele per locus. The overall size of amplified products varied from 50 base pair (bp) (RM 240) to 600 bp (RM 13). The Polymorphic Information Content (PIC) value of each marker ranged from 0.013 to 0.967, with an average of 0.430. A UPGMA dendrogram based on SSR polymorphism rice varieties were classified into five major clusters (I to V) based on their genetic similarity values and maturity periods, ranging from early to very late. Cluster I contained three early-maturing varieties cluster II 21 varieties of early and mid-maturity groups, and cluster III 18 late and very late-maturing group varieties. Clusters IV and V had single variety of mid and very late-maturity group. The results can accelerate the creation of high-performing varieties with enhanced seed vigour, promoting improved crop establishment and overall yield potential while enhancing the adaptability of plant varieties to changing environmental conditions.