Central Agricultural University

About: Central Agricultural University is a education organization based out in Imphal, Manipur, India. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Agriculture. The organization has 1116 authors who have published 1157 publications receiving 9217 citations.

Exploration of Possibilities to Identify Heterotic Cross Combinations in Aromatic Rice (Oryza sativa L.) for Grain Yield and Quality Parameters

Abstract: Twenty eight crosses generated using eight aromatic rice varieties crossed in half diallel fashion were evaluated and analyzed along with parents to investigate combining ability and gene action for grain yield and various grain quality traits. The general combining ability and specific combining ability variances were significant for all the traits that indicated the role of both additive and nonadditive genetic components. Ratio of σ2gca/σ 2 sca< 1 indicated preponderance of non-additive gene action in the expression of these traits. Pusa Basmati-1 was the good general combiner showing significantly high GCA effect for a maximum of seven-grain quality traits viz., milling recovery (0.81), kernel length (0.28), kernel breadth (-0.05), kernel length/breadth ratio (0.26), cooked kernel length (0.79), alkali digestion value (0.67) and amylose content (0.60) but not for yield. Cross PSD15×Pant Basmati-1 (P7×P8) was the good specific combiner showing high SCA effects for a Original Research Article Singh et al.; CJAST, 39(11): 92-98, 2020; Article no.CJAST.56992 93 maximum of eight grain quality traits viz. hulling recovery (2.76), milling recovery (2.06), kernel length (0.89), kernel length/breadth ratio (0.69), cooked kernel length (3.06), kernel elongation ratio (0.12), alkali digestion value (1.11) and amylose content (1.01) but not yield. None of the top three crosses (Pusa Sugandh-6×PSD-15, Pusa Basmati-1×PSD-15 and Pusa Sugandh-4×Basmati-370) based on high SCA effect for grain yield plant -1 exhibited as high SCA effect to fall within top three crosses on that basis for any of the grain quality traits.

Expression profiling of cytokine-related genes in Brucella abortus infected cattle

Abstract: The present investigation was undertaken to assess the rhythmic change in the expression profile of cytokine-related genes in the PBMC of Brucella abortus infected cattle. The whole blood samples w...

Genotype x environment interaction analysis in Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Abstract: The results of genotype x environment interaction analysis revealed highly significant mean squares due to genotypes as well as environments for all the characters which indicated presence of substantial differences among the genotypes as well as environments for all the eleven characters. The environment linear (E-L) component was also significant for all the characters indicating that the six environments can be graded linearly for their differences in influencing the expression of characters of wheat genotypes. The mean squares due to genotype x environment interaction were also highly significant for all the characters except days to heading, plant height, effective tillers per plant and total number of tillers per plant to suggest important role of g x e interaction in expression of most of the characters in wheat. The linear component of g x e interaction was significant for all the characters which indicated good possibility of predicting linear responses of genotypes for all the characters under study. Thus, there would be ample possibility of discriminating the genotypes for above average, below average and average linear responses to predict their performances in changing environments under study. The significance of non-linear component (pooled deviation) of g x e interactions for all characters except ear length suggested that considerable number of genotypes may exhibit unpredictable and unstable mean performance for different characters across environments even defying their prediction on the basis of linear sensitivity coefficient.

Influence of Modified Atmospheres on Shelf Life and Quality of Fresh-Cut Apples

Abstract: The present study investigated the effect of modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) on the quality and shelf life of fresh-cut apple wedges stored at 5 ± 2 °C for 42 days. The fresh-cut apple wedges were packed in atmosphere of varying O2 and CO2 concentrations. Physico-chemical analysis (colour, weight loss, firmness, total phenol, antioxidant activity, polyphenol oxidase and peroxidase activity) and microbial quality were measured throughout the storage period. MAP reduced changes in colour, firmness and microbial load of fresh-cut apple wedges. At the end of 42 days of storage, the MAP samples exhibited the lowest polyphenol oxidase and peroxidase activity. MAP showed the best results amongst the treatment in terms of retaining aesthetic appeal, quality characteristics and extending the shelf life of the apple wedges upto 42 days. Overall, gas composition of 5% O2 + 5% CO2 resulted in better inhibitory effect on the browning and extended the shelf life of fresh-cut apple wedges upto 42 days with minimal change in quality.

Antioxidants in Plant–Microbe Interaction

Abstract: Plant’s continuous interaction with varieties of microorganisms through its root has been an important topic of discussion since decades. The type of interaction, duration, and changes due to interaction vary according to the type of microorganism and host plant both. Some of the nonpathogenic or harmless microorganisms form symbiotic association with plant root with the exchange of plant root exudates containing nutrients for those. In return, this mutual understanding between symbiont and plant has gifted plant with lots of improved mechanisms to mitigate negative impacts resulted due to invasion of various microorganisms. Formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is a common and unavoidable process in all aerobic life forms, be it plant or animal. But the problem appears when larger amount of ROS formation takes place. The rate of ROS production in plant gets faster due to occurrence of various microorganisms. Pathogenic microorganisms effect plant negatively and promote production of ROS which creates toxicity. Plants, naturally, have answer to neutralize the ROS-generated toxicity through their inherent defense system but sometimes plants have to rely on some outer sources to get some extra strength to face the challenges due to pathogen attack. Symbionts have been reported to boost the natural defense system in plants through directly helping in more production and up-regulation of defense-related molecules like phytohormones, genes, etc. Needless to say, antioxidants are molecules that are continuously dedicated to minimize oxidative stress due to ROS generation and their toxicity. These antioxidants, viz. enzymes (catalase, superoxide dismutase, enzyme components of AsA-GSH cycle, etc.) and nonenzyme (tocopherols, carotenoids, glutathione, etc.) compounds help plant stand in stressful situation through thoroughly giving support to plant in providing defense. Changes due to pathogen attack in plant and how a plant response to those is still not revealed to its best. But it can be said that this complex relationship between pathogen and plant could be understood better with thorough study of plant’s interaction with pathogens and plant’s acquired as well as induced defensive mechanisms through recruitment of vast network of antioxidants.