Assessing soil properties and chemical quality indices under trees outside forests (TOFs) in temperate Himalayan region.

Trees outside forests (TOFs) have assumed importance in view of its potential to mitigate CO under different carbon pools with soil as the prominent pool. The ability of any TOF practice to fix soil organic carbon (SOC) efficiently depends on its SOC build up and soil quality that varies across different strata within TOFs. Soil physico-chemical properties under six TOF practices (boundary plantation, roadside plantation, riverside plantation, horticulture, scattered patches with clumpy plantation (SPCP), and woodlot) in central region of Kashmir valley were investigated to assess SOC content and soil quality.

Microfluidic fabrication of lipid nanoparticles for the delivery of nucleic acids.

Gene therapy has emerged as a potential platform for treating several dreaded and rare diseases that would not have been possible with traditional therapies. Viral vectors have been widely explored as a key platform for gene therapy due to their ability to efficiently transport nucleic acid-based therapeutics into the cells. However, the lack of precision in their delivery has led to several off-target toxicities.

Identification of C-T novel polymorphism in 3rd exon of OsSPL14 gene governing seed sequence in rice.

Recently food shortage has become the major flagging scenario around the globe. To resolve this challenge, there is dire need to significantly increase crop productivity per unit area. In the present study, 24 genotypes of rice were grown in pots to assess their tillering number, number of primary and secondary branches per panicle, number of grains per panicle, number of grains per plant, and grain yield, respectively.

Ultrasound assisted extraction of bioactive compounds from pomegranate peel, their nanoencapsulation and application for improvement in shelf life extension of edible oils.

In this study pomegranate peel extract was evaluated as source of antioxidant encapsulated by nano-emulsions in soybean oil. Encapsulating agents maltodextrin (MD), whey proteins isolate (WPI) and complex of maltodextrin and whey protein isolate (MD/WPI) (1:1) were used as wall material. Average droplet size of primary W/O and double W/O/W nanoemulsions stabilised by MD, WPI and MD/WPI were 108 nm, 157.

Effect of Dietary Protein and Processing on Gut Microbiota-A Systematic Review.

The effect of diet on the composition of gut microbiota and the consequent impact on disease risk have been of expanding interest. The present review focuses on current insights of changes associated with dietary protein-induced gut microbial populations and examines their potential roles in the metabolism, health, and disease of animals. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) protocol was used, and 29 highly relevant articles were obtained, which included 6 mouse studies, 7 pig studies, 15 rat studies, and 1 in vitro study.

Actin Modulation Regulates the Alpha-1-Syntrophin/p66Shc Mediated Redox Signaling Contributing to the RhoA GTPase Protein Activation in Breast Cancer Cells.

SNTA1 signaling axis plays an essential role in cytoskeletal organization and is also implicated in breast cancers. In this study, we aimed to investigate the involvement of actin cytoskeleton in the propagation of SNTA1/p66shc mediated pro-metastatic cascade in breast cancer cells.The effect of actin filament depolymerization on SNTA1-p66Shc interaction and the trimeric complex formation was analyzed using co-immunoprecipitation assays.

Nanobionics in Crop Production: An Emerging Approach to Modulate Plant Functionalities.

The "Zero Hunger" goal is one of the key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations. Therefore, improvements in crop production have always been a prime objective to meet the demands of an ever-growing population. In the last decade, studies have acknowledged the role of photosynthesis augmentation and enhancing nutrient use efficiency (NUE) in improving crop production.

Molecular mechanisms, genetic mapping, and genome editing for insect pest resistance in field crops.

Improving crop resistance against insect pests is crucial for ensuring future food security. Integrating genomics with modern breeding methods holds enormous potential in dissecting the genetic architecture of this complex trait and accelerating crop improvement. Insect resistance in crops has been a major research objective in several crop improvement programs.

Nearly Complete Genome Sequence of Cherry Virus A, Isolated from in Jammu and Kashmir, India.

A nearly complete genome sequence of cherry virus A (CVA), isolated from the plant, is presented in this publication. The genome is 7,380 bases in length and is divided into two open reading frames, with a 54-nucleotide (nt) 5' noncoding region (NCR) and a 297-nt 3' NCR.

Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Interplay With Physiological and Biochemical Attributes in Terminal Heat Stress Alleviation in Mungbean ( L.).

Gradually rising atmospheric temperature is the vital component of the environment, which is anticipated as the riskiest abiotic stress for crop growth. Nanotechnology revolutionizing the agricultural sectors, notably, zinc oxide nanoparticles (nano-ZnO) has captured intensive research interests due to their distinctive properties and numerous applications against abiotic stresses. Mungbean ( L.

Mammary epithelial cell transcriptome reveals potential roles of lncRNAs in regulating milk synthesis pathways in Jersey and Kashmiri cattle.

Background: Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are now proven as essential regulatory elements, playing diverse roles in many biological processes including mammary gland development. However, little is known about their roles in the bovine lactation process.

Results: To identify and characterize the roles of lncRNAs in bovine lactation, high throughput RNA sequencing data from Jersey (high milk yield producer), and Kashmiri cattle (low milk yield producer) were utilized.

Breeding More Crops in Less Time: A Perspective on Speed Breeding.

Breeding crops in a conventional way demands considerable time, space, inputs for selection, and the subsequent crossing of desirable plants. The duration of the seed-to-seed cycle is one of the crucial bottlenecks in the progress of plant research and breeding. In this context, speed breeding (SB), relying mainly on photoperiod extension, temperature control, and early seed harvest, has the potential to accelerate the rate of plant improvement.

Evaluation of seedling age and nutrient sources on phenology, yield and agrometeorological indices for sweet corn (Z L.).

The field experiment was conducted during season of 2020 at Agronomy farm of Faculty of Agriculture, Wadura, SKUAST-K to study the influence of age of seedling and sources of nutrients on phenology, yield and agrometeorological indices for sweet corn. The experiment included two factors viz. age of seedlings (12, 22 and 32 days old seedling) and sources of nutrients (control, RDF, 50 percent RDF + FYM @ 12 t ha, 50 percent RDF + vermi-compost @ 4 t ha and 50 percent RDF + poultry manure @ 2 t ha) tested in RCBD with three replications.

High-value pleiotropic genes for developing multiple stress-tolerant biofortified crops for 21st-century challenges.

The agriculture-based livelihood systems that are already vulnerable due to multiple challenges face immediate risk of increased crop failures due to weather vagaries. As breeders and biotechnologists, our strategy is to advance and innovate breeding for weather-proofing crops. Plant stress tolerance is a genetically complex trait.

Recent developments for controlling microbial contamination of nuts.

In recent years, the consumption of nuts has shown an increasing trend worldwide. Nuts are an essential part of several countries' economies as an excellent source of nutrients and bioactive compounds. They are contaminated by environmental factors, improper harvesting practices, inadequate packaging procedures, improper storage, and transportation.

Physiological and Multi-Omics Approaches for Explaining Drought Stress Tolerance and Supporting Sustainable Production of Rice.

Drought differs from other natural disasters in several respects, largely because of the complexity of a crop's response to it and also because we have the least understanding of a crop's inductive mechanism for addressing drought tolerance among all abiotic stressors. Overall, the growth and productivity of crops at a global level is now thought to be an issue that is more severe and arises more frequently due to climatic change-induced drought stress. Among the major crops, rice is a frontline staple cereal crop of the developing world and is critical to sustaining populations on a daily basis.

Implications of variable environments on phenology of apple (Malus × domestica Borkh.) in Northwestern Himalayan region.

Apple phenology is greatly influenced by temperature. For quality apple production in the orchards, knowledge of the real timing of phenological stages is essential for scientific management decisions. In the Kashmir region, the year 2017 had a normal weather phenomenon, whereas the year 2018 had an erratic weather phenomenon wherein unusually high temperatures prevailed in the winter months and may be a clear sign of climate change effect.

Development and characterization of nitrogen and phosphorus use efficiency responsive genic and miRNA derived SSR markers in wheat.

Among all the nutrients, nitrogen (N) and phosphorous (P) are the most limiting factors reducing wheat production and productivity world-wide. These macronutrients are directly applied to soil in the form of fertilizers. However, only 30-40% of these applied fertilizers are utilized by crop plants, while the rest is lost through volatilization, leaching, and surface run off.

Sustaining Protein Nutrition Through Plant-Based Foods.

Proteins are essential components of the human diet. Dietary proteins could be derived from animals and plants. Animal protein, although higher in demand, is generally considered less environmentally sustainable.

Impact of Anthropogenic Pressure on Physico-chemical Characteristics of Forest Soils of Kashmir Himalaya.

The present study was carried out during the years 2017-2018 and assessed the impact of anthropogenic activities on the physico-chemical characteristics of soil in the Kashmir Himalaya. At disturbed sites anthropogenic activities like deforestation, grazing, tourism, urbanization, traffic etc. are seen prominent and their effect on soil environment resulted in less vegetation cover and exhibited diminution in organic matter.

Understanding saffron biology using omics- and bioinformatics tools: stepping towards a better Crocus phenome.

Saffron is a unique plant in many aspects, and its cellular processes are regulated at multiple levels. The genetic makeup in the form of eight chromosome triplets (2n = 3x = 24) with a haploid genetic content (genome size) of 3.45 Gbp is decoded into different types of RNA by transcription.

Back to the wild: mining maize (Zea mays L.) disease resistance using advanced breeding tools.

Cultivated modern maize (Zea mays L.) originated through the continuous process of domestication from its wild progenitors. Today, maize is considered as the most important cereal crop which is extensively cultivated in all parts of the world.

Ultrasound, Dacryocystorhinography and Morphological Examination of Normal Eye and Lacrimal Apparatus of the Donkey ().

The study investigated normal macromorphological and ultrasonographic features of the eye and lacrimal gland, as well as normal dacryocystorhinography of the donkey () in Egypt. A total of 36 donkeys of different ages, weights, and sexes were included in the study: 21 live animals for ultrasonography and dacryocystorhinography, and 15 cadaver skulls for morphological anatomy of the lacrimal apparatus. The ultrasound biometric values of the eye were 33.

Effect of physiological status and parity on metabolic and trace element profile of crossbred Rambouillet sheep of Himalayan region.

The study was designed to evaluate the effect of physiological status and parity on metabolic profile in crossbred Rambouillet ewes of the Himalayan region. The study was conducted on 20 ewes divided into two groups, primiparous (PP) and multiparous (MP), with 10 ewes in each group. Blood samples were collected on 4- and 1-week pre-lambing and 1- and 4-week post-lambing to measure metabolic parameters and minerals.