Chhatrapati Shahu Ji Maharaj University

About: Chhatrapati Shahu Ji Maharaj University is a education organization based out in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Docking (molecular). The organization has 208 authors who have published 338 publications receiving 3194 citations. The organization is also known as: Kanpur University & CSJMU.

Multifaceted Interactions Between Endophytes and Plant: Developments and Prospects

Abstract: Microbial endophytes are present in all known plant species. The ability to enter and thrive in the plant tissues makes endophytes unique, showing multidimensional interactions within the host plant. Several vital activities of the host plant are known to be influenced by the presence of endophytes. They can promote plant growth, elicit defense response against pathogen attack, and can act as remediators of abiotic stresses. To date, most of the research has been done assuming that the interaction of endophytes with the host plant is similar to the plant growth-promoting (PGP) microbes present in the rhizosphere. However, a new appreciation of the difference of the rhizosphere environment from that of internal plant tissues is gaining attention. It would be interesting to explore the impact of endosymbionts on the host's gene expression, metabolism, and other physiological aspects essential in conferring resistance against biotic and abiotic stresses. A more intriguing and inexplicable issue with many endophytes that has to be critically evaluated is their ability to produce host metabolites, which can be harnessed on a large scale for potential use in diverse areas. In this review, we discuss the concept of endophytism, looking into the latest insights related to the multifarious interactions beneficial for the host plant and exploring the importance of these associations in agriculture and the environment and in other vital aspects such as human health.

Managing water quality with aquatic macrophytes

Abstract: The principal sources of water for human use are lakes, rivers, soil moisture and relatively shallow groundwater basins. Water quality in lakes and reservoirs is subjected to the natural degradation, processes of eutrophication and the impacts of human activities. Water quality problems can often be as severe as those of water availability but less attention has been paid to them, particularly in developing countries. Currently additional sustainable ways to mitigate the degradation of water quality are being researched all over the world. Phytoremediation is one of the serious efforts towards the sustainability. Most of the aquatic macrophytes are naturally occurring and well adapted for their surroundings. Aquatic macrophytes have the capability to remove excessive nutrient load from the water that otherwise cause eutrophication of the water body. Aquatic macrophytes absorb nutrient mineral ions from water column and influence metal retention indirectly by acting as traps for particulate matter, by slowing the water current and favoring sedimentation of suspended particles. Aquatic macrophytes also reduce sediment resuspension by offering wind protection. The use of aquatic macrophyte for treatment of wastewater to mitigate variety of pollution level is one of the most researched issues all over the world. Aquatic plant species are very specific for the uptake of nutrients. Owing to this specificity, the selection of the aquatic plant species is one of the skilled tasks prior to the design of a water treatment facility. An effort has been made in this review to cover the most researched aquatic flora for mitigation purposes and their possible use in a mesocosm as the selection of an appropriate aquatic plant specie reduce the time and cost of the treatment processes.

Characteristic length scales of nanosize zinc ferrite

Abstract: Nanosize zinc ferrite samples with an average particle size of 6–65 nm were prepared by a new chemical reaction involving nitrates of Zn and Fe and investigated for magnetic behaviour and defect structure. The sample with an average particle size of 6 nm has considerable inversion in cation distribution as shown by its hysteresis loop and increased magnetization. Mossbauer spectroscopy gives a single doublet for all the samples. Mossbauer parameters like quadrupole splitting and linewidth change sharply as the average particle size increases from 6 to 7 nm and then afterwards the changes are slow. The total Mossbauer absorption, on the average, increases with increase in particle size, the change from 6 to 65 nm being by a factor of 3. Positron parameters too change sharply as the particle size varies. The changes are related to inversion of the cation distribution, agglomeration of particles and annihilation at the surface and in the interior. The picture that emerges from the lifetime studies and supported by Mossbauer spectroscopy and magnetization studies suggests that there are at least two characteristic particle size length scales for nanosize ZnFe2O4 particles prepared by the nitrate route.

Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria: Constraints in Bioformulation, Commercialization, and Future Strategies

Abstract: Bioformulations for plant growth promotion continue to inspire research and development in many fields. Increase in soil fertility, plant growth promotion, and suppression of phytopathogens are the targets of the bioformulation industry that leads to the development of ecofriendly environment. The synthetic chemicals used in the agriculture to increase yields, kill pathogens, pests, and weeds, have a big harmful impact on the ecosystem. But still the chemicals rule the agroindustry. The aim of the review is to assess the constraints associated with the effective development of bioinoculant industry particularly in developing countries. Another objective of the review is to evaluate what should be explored in the future to uplift the stature of the bioinoculants. Bioformulations offer an environmentally sustainable approach to increase crop production and health, contributing substantially in making the twenty-first century the age of biotechnology.

Diverse mechanisms adopted by fluorescent Pseudomonas PGC2 during the inhibition of Rhizoctonia solani and Phytophthora capsici

Abstract: Rhizoctonia solani and Phytophthora capsici are two of the most destructive phytopathogens occurring worldwide and are only partly being managed by traditional control strategies. Fluorescent Pseudomonas isolates PGC1 and PGC2 were checked for the antifungal potential against R. solani and P. capsici. Both the isolates were screened for the ability to produce a range of antifungal compounds. The results of this study indicated the role of chitinase and β-1,3-glucanase in the inhibition of R. solani, however, antifungal metabolites of a non-enzymatic nature were responsible for inhibition of P. capsici. The study confirmed that multiple and diverse mechanisms are adopted by the same antagonist to suppress different phytopathogens, as evidenced in case of R. solani and P. capsici.