Central Tuber Crops Research Institute

About: Central Tuber Crops Research Institute is a facility organization based out in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Starch & Fermentation. The organization has 475 authors who have published 587 publications receiving 10285 citations.

Crop and water productivity, profitability and energy consumption pattern of a maize-based crop sequence in the North Eastern Himalayan Region, India

Abstract: Mono-cropping is the most common farming practice followed in the North Eastern Hilly Region (NEHR) of India and farmers leave the land fallow after harvesting the main crop. The identification of suitable sequential crops is essential to increase the cropping intensity, land-use efficiency and overall productivity of the land. Therefore, a study was carried out during 2008–09, 2009–10 and 2010–11 on maize (rainy season) followed by table pea, mustard, French bean and groundnut (post rainy season). Sequence crops were imposed with paddy straw mulch at 5.0 t ha−1 and without mulch. The availability of water and moisture retention was higher (p < 0.05) on mulched plots, yield was also higher. However, recorded soil temperature was higher on mulched plots at 08.00 hours and lower at 12.00 and 16.00 hours compared with the no-mulch plots. Recorded maize equivalent yield, production efficiency, economics and total energy use and output (MJ ha−1) were higher for maize–French bean.

Quantitative determination of NPK uptake requirements of taro (Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott)

Abstract: Taro yield in many parts of the world is stagnant mainly due to conventional blanket recommendation of fertilizers, lower nutrient use efficiency and imbalance in the use of nutrients. The Quantita...

Heterologous expression of rice RNA-binding glycine-rich (RBG) gene OsRBGD3 in transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana confers cold stress tolerance.

Abstract: Imparting cold stress tolerance to crops is a major challenge in subtropical agriculture. New genes conferring cold tolerance needs to be identified and characterised for sustainable crop production in low-temperature stress affected areas. Here we report functional characterisation of OsRBGD3, classified previously as a class D glycine-rich RNA recognition motif (RRM) containing proteins from a drought-tolerant Indica rice cultivar N22. The gene was isolated by screening yeast one-hybrid library using the minimal promoter region of the OsMYB38 that is necessary for cold stress-responsive expression. OsRBGD3 exhibited cold, drought and salt stress inductive expression in a drought tolerant N22 rice cultivar as compared with susceptible variety IR64. OsRBGD3 was found to be localised to both nuclear and cytoplasmic subcellular destinations. Constitutive overexpression of the OsRBGD3 in transgenic Arabidopsis conferred tolerance to cold stress. ABA sensitivity was also observed in transgenic lines suggesting the regulatory role of this gene in the ABA signalling pathway. OsRBGD3 overexpression also attributed to significant root development and early flowering in transgenics. Hence, OsRBGD3 could be an important target for developing cold tolerant early flowering rice and other crops' genotypes for increasing production in low temperature affected areas.

In vitro and in vivo studies of 5,7-dihydroxy flavones isolated from Alpinia galanga (L.) against human lung cancer and ascetic lymphoma

Abstract: Alpinia galanga (A. galanga) of Zingiberaceae family has been widely studied for their potential biological and medicinal properties. In this study, chrysin, isolated from A. galanga, was screened for the presence of the flavonoid compound 5,7-dihydroxyflavone. Chrysin was found to induce cytotoxicity and apoptosis in human lung cancer cells and murine lymphoma cells at 25, 50, and 75 µg/ml concentrations sparing the normal fibroblast cells and lymphocytes. Cell cycle analysis using flow cytometry showed that there was a dose-dependent increase of accumulation of the S-phase cells, causing a G1/S-phase arrest induced by chrysin at these concentrations. Annexin V- and active caspase-3-positive cells were found to increase dose dependently in these cells as evidenced by flow cytometry. The ascetic tumor reduction studies in Dalton’s lymphoma ascites mice models revealed that a dose of 1.3 mg/kg body weight of chrysin decreased the tumor volume significantly and increased the lifespan of mice to 52.6%. Moreover, the compound showed chemoprotective effects when administered along with cyclophosphamide, thereby reducing the toxic effects. These observations were confirmed using the evaluations of hematological parameters and liver and kidney function tests from animal studies. The synergistic interaction of chrysin with cyclophosphamide in terms of reducing the tumor size and increasing the lifespan of mice compared with the individual treatments suggests the possibility of reducing cyclophosphamide concentrations in the combination treatment.

Organic Production of Tuberous Vegetables: Agronomic, Nutritional and Economic Benefits

Abstract: Global awareness of health and environmental issues has stimulated interest in alternative agricultural systems like organic farming. Elephant foot yam ( Amorphophallus paeoniifolius ) and yams ( Dioscorea spp.) are ethnic starchy vegetables with high energy, nutritive and medicinal values. Field experiments were conducted at the Central Tuber Crops Research Institute, Thiruvananthapuram, India, during 2004-2011 to assess the agronomic, nutritional and economic advantages of organic farming over conventional system in these crops. Organic farming resulted in 10-20% higher yield over conventional practice in these crops. A net profit of Rs 2,15,776 ha -1 , which was 28% higher over chemical based farming was obtained under organic management in elephant foot yam. Elite and local varieties responded equally well to organic and conventional farming in elephant foot yam. White yam, greater yam and lesser yam responded similarly to both the systems, with slightly higher yield under organic practice. Soil physico-chemical properties and microbial count were also improved under organic management. Organic farming scored significantly higher soil quality index (1.93) than conventional practice (1.46). The soil quality index was driven by water holding capacity, pH and available Zn followed by soil organic matter. Tuber quality was improved with higher dry matter, starch, crude protein and lower oxalate contents. Cost effective technologies were field validated.