Punjab Agricultural University

Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.), an important oilseed crop, requires genetic improvement to ensure food security. Exploitation of a small fraction of genetic diversity is a major limiting factor for this crop. ICAR-NBPGR holds a large sesame base collection (6,000 unique accessions), originating from India and other countries. The study aims at the characterization of a sesame germplasm collection and development of working core set representing the variability of entire germplasm collection in the National Genebank. Characterization was carried out in an Augmented Block Design (ABD) under multi-environmental conditions (six locations representing five agro-ecological zones of India) for two consecutive years based on 33 agro-morphological traits, different levels of biotic stress (phyllody, dry root rot), abiotic stress (water logging, drought), and seed quality parameters (oil, protein, lignan, fatty acids). For core set preparation, the coincidence rate (CR%) for range and the variable rate (VR%) for coefficient of variation were maximum. Levene’s test and Newman-Keuls tests were performed to compare the entire and core collection. Diversity between the two (entire and core collection) was compared using Shannon–Weaver diversity index. We developed a sesame core set of 773 accessions, which consists of 12.88% of the entire collection. Developed core set exhibited a Coincidence rate (CR)% of 99.8% and a variable rate (VR%) of CV 103.59%. A multipurpose core set of sesame germplasm was assembled to benefit the plant breeding community (for trait introgression), farmers, and researchers to develop climate-resilient sesame cultivars.

ABSTRACT The effects of fenazaquin and spirotetramat on six different soil enzymes (amylase, invertase, alkaline phosphatase, acidic phosphatase, urease and dehydrogenase) in the chilli field were studied. The pesticides were treated at three different doses: fenazaquin at 125 (standard dose), 156.25, and 250 g a.i. ha−1 and spirotetramat at 60 (standard dose), 75 and 120 g a.i. ha−1. Following the application of fenazaquin at double the standard dosage, the dehydrogenase enzyme’s activity was notably diminished by 7.51 to 16.26% on the 5th day. In contrast, the maximum reduction in dehydrogenase activity after the application of spirotetramat occurred on the 3rd day of incubation, followed by a gradual restoration to establish equilibrium. Amylase activity displayed a slight decline after the application of both pesticides. Similarly, invertase and acidic phosphatase activities were marginally affected by both fenazaquin and spirotetramat. Alkaline phosphatase activity decreased on the 3rd day, with the most significant impact observed at the double dose of spirotetramat while it peaked on the 5th day after the application of fenazaquin. Urease activity declined after the application of fenazaquin, with the most significant reduction observed on the 3rd day, while application of spirotetramat resulted in stimulated activity.

The study was conducted across five agro-climatic zones in Punjab, the study randomly selected one district from each zone: Moga, Ferozpur, Gurdaspur, Jalandhar, and Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar. Two villages were selected randomly from four villages which were adopted by particular KVK in 2018-19 and one non-adopted village from each selected district was selected. From all selected villages, 20 respondents were selected randomly. Thus, a total of 300 respondents were chosen for study. The data was collected by the respondents with interview schedule. The study revealed that high diesel consumption was the problem faced by 40.11 per cent of respondents in adopted villages and 40.98 per cent in non-adopted villages. Attack of insect pests in wheat was highest for Happy Seeder, with 71.34 per cent of respondents faced in adopted villages and 81.4 per cent in non-adopted villages. Rodent problems in wheat field were also faced by 54.26 per cent of respondents in adopted villages and 90.7 per cent in non-adopted villages. While adopting mulcher in the field, 16.09 per cent of the respondents from the adopted village faced the problem that the effectiveness of mulcher decreases in moist soil, as the blades slip and can’t cut the straw effectively whereas, in the non-adopted village, the same proportion of respondents faced the same problem. Among adopted villages, 91.78 per cent of respondents identified that this machinery required a high Hp tractor, while a slightly lower proportion, 82.97 percent of respondents in non-adopted villages reported the same issue in Mould Board plough.

Indian Journal of Ecology (Indian J Ecol) is the official Journal of the Indian Ecological Society, published since 1974 (ISSN-0304-5250). A peer-reviewed scientific journal dedicated to ecological research.

In regions with subtropical climates, where farmers often cultivate small and marginalquantities of ware potatoes, storage at ambient temperatures is common, necessitating the use ofvarious storage techniques to prolong shelf life. Employing external substances that stimulate growthis one such method utilized to positively influence the quality of potato tubers during storage. Atwo-year field experiment conducted in Punjab, India, assessed the effects of farmyard manure (FYM),biofertilizer (Biof), and phosphorus levels on stored ware potato tubers. Results revealed that FYM(50 t/ha) application led to substantially lower weight loss (24.0-26.6%), rotting loss, and sproutingpercentages (ranging from 86.0% to 91.1% in Ludhiana and 87.5% to 93.4% in Jalandhar) compared tobiofertilizer (10 kg/ha), and the control. Additionally, although not statistically significant, phosphoruslevels displayed a consistent trend, with P200 (125 kg/ha P2O5) demonstrating the lowest weightloss and rotting loss values. These findings underscore the efficacy of FYM (50 t/ha) in enhancingtuber storage quality and market viability, highlighting the importance of organic amendments andphosphorus management in optimizing storage protocols for potato farming practices.

Paclobutrazol is used as both a fungicide and growth regulator in onion, its residue persistence raises concerns for food safety and environmental health. A field study was conducted to estimate the residues of paclobutrazol on onion crop. Two foliar sprays of Paclobutrazol 23% SC with 15 days interval were applied at recommended dose (X) i.e. 34.5g a.i. ha- 1 and 1.25X recommended dose i.e. 43.13g a.i. ha- 1 in onion, Samples were collected at different intervals to estimate dissipation and persistence of paclobutrazol. QuEChERS method was used to extract residues which were further estimated via LCMS/MS. Initial residues were observed to be 0.29 and 0.35mg kg- 1 in samples applied with X and 1.25 X dose. Residues of paclobutrazol reached below LOQ (limit of quantification) at 10th day at X dose and 15th days of sampling at 1.25X dose after last application. Residues of paclobutrazol were below the LOQ in mature onion and soil samples collected at harvest. Dissipation kinetics showed that paclobutrazol residues dissipated via first order kinetics at both the doses. T1/2 (half-life) of paclobutrazol was calculated to be 4.57 and 5.04 days, at X Dose and 1.25 X Dose respectively, in green onion. Dietary risk assessment showed the hazard quotient (HQ) observed at both the doses was less than 1 for both adults and children.

This study aimed to valorize galgal (Citrus pseudolimon L.) peel waste by extracting and microencapsulating its essential oil (EO) for potential food applications. The EO yield was 3.5%, with D-limonene (42.94%) as the major compound. Emulsions were prepared using maltodextrin/gum Arabic in varying ratios with soy lecithin as an emulsifier. The most stable emulsion, based on creaming index, was spray-dried to obtain microcapsules. The powder exhibited 2.52% moisture, 0.243 water activity, 19.78% total oil, and 90.23% encapsulation efficiency. It showed strong antioxidant activity (85.23% DPPH inhibition) and antibacterial activity against S. aureus and E. coli (zones of inhibition: 24.47mm and 23.75mm). Particle size ranged from 1-100µm, with a zeta potential of -15.9mV, and FE-SEM confirmed uniform morphology. Among LDPE-packed samples, room temperature storage maintained better stability. The study demonstrates that microencapsulated galgal EO offers promising antioxidant and antimicrobial properties for food preservation.