Genetic characterization of mung bean (Vigna radiata) genotypes based on morphological traits and SSR markers

The genetic diversity among 117 mung bean (Vigna radiata) accessions was assessed using eight morphological traits and 70 Simple Short Repeat (SSR) markers. These accessions were grown in an augmented design during the Summer and Kharif seasons of 2017. The mean data from the two seasons were subjected to correlation, principal component and cluster analyses. Plant height (r = 0.527), the number of pods in a plant (r = 0.717) and the number of seeds in a pod (r = 0.241) showed a highly significant positive relationship with individual plant yield. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) revealed that the first three components explained 74.32 % of the total variation, with eigenvalues greater than one. Principal Component 1 (PC1) accounted for the maximum variation in traits, including days to first flowering (loading = 0.773), days to 50 % flowering (0.740), number of pods in a plant (0.708) and plant height (0.653). Morphological trait-based clustering grouped the genotypes into two major clusters. Further, the 117 mung bean accessions were analyzed using 70 SSR markers. Of the 70 SSRs, thirteen were polymorphic and generated 55 alleles, averaging 4.23 alleles per locus. The polymorphic information content (PIC) values ranged between 0.52 and 0.79, averaging 0.71. Analysis of genotypic data led to the classification of the accessions into three clearly defined clusters. The findings of the present study were expected to contribute to future mung bean breeding programs aimed at developing trait-specific genotypes

Beyond Borders: Unravelling the Business Landscape of India and China from 2019 to 2023

This study aims to compare the performance of India and China across various parameters of doing business such as starting a business, dealing with construction permits, obtaining electricity, registering property, accessing credit, protecting minority investors, tax payment processes, trade across borders, contract enforcement and resolving insolvency etc. for 2019-20. Business landscape was analyzed during two distinct periods: 2019-2020 (using Doing business report by World bank) and 2021-2023 (using business environment rankings by Economist Intelligence Unit). It was observed that recently India is performing well in creating business friendly environment than China. India's efforts have borne fruit, resulting in an improved ranking in the ease of doing business. This study relies on secondary data sources and aims to provide a conceptual understanding and current position of business environment in both India and China

Consumption of functional dairy foods in Northern Tamil Nadu: Pattern and key drivers

The study conducted in the northern parts of Tamil Nadu has analysed the consumers’ consumption pattern and the factors moderating consumption of functional dairy foods (FDFs) based on the data collected from 220 respondents (160 consumers and 60 sale points). The study has used tabular and frequency analyses for consumption pattern and double-hurdle model along with tobit model (for comparison) for factors moderating consumption analysis. It has found that 84 per cent of respondents were aware of FDF foods, with television advertisements being their primary source of information. The average monthly per capita consumption was 3.6 litres in terms of milk equivalent quantity which was 33.43 per cent of the total per capita milk availability in Tamil Nadu. The FDFs are still in the early stages of adoption, with fortified milk showing the highest potential. It has also found that factors like income, price, occupation, dietary habits, family size and location significantly influence the consumption expenditure on FDFs. Addressing these factors could facilitate broader adoption and integration of FDFs into consumers’ diets

In vitro anti-HIV activity of some Indian medicinal plant extracts

Background Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) persists to be a significant public health issue worldwide. The current strategy for the treatment of HIV infection, Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART), has reduced deaths from AIDS related disease, but it can be an expensive regime for the underdeveloped and developing countries where the supply of drugs is scarce and often not well tolerated, especially in persons undergoing long term treatment. The present therapy also has limitations of development of multidrug resistance, thus there is a need for the discovery of novel anti-HIV compounds from plants as a potential alternative in combating HIV disease. Methods Ten Indian medicinal plants were tested for entry and replication inhibition against laboratory adapted strains HIV-1IIIB, HIV-1Ada5 and primary isolates HIV-1UG070, HIV-1VB59 in TZM-bl cell lines and primary isolates HIV-1UG070, HIV-1VB59 in PM1 cell lines. The plant extracts were further evaluated for toxicity in HEC-1A epithelial cell lines by transwell epithelial model. Results The methanolic extracts of Achyranthes aspera, Rosa centifolia and aqueous extract of Ficus benghalensis inhibited laboratory adapted HIV-1 strains (IC80 3.6–118 μg/ml) and primary isolates (IC80 4.8–156 μg/ml) in TZM-bl cells. Methanolic extract of Strychnos potatorum, aqueous extract of Ficus infectoria and hydroalcoholic extract of Annona squamosa inhibited laboratory adapted HIV-1 strains (IC80 4.24–125 μg/ml) and primary isolates (IC80 18–156 μg/ml) in TZM-bl cells. Methanolic extracts of Achyranthes aspera and Rosa centifolia, (IC801-9 μg/ml) further significantly inhibited HIV-1 primary isolates in PM1cells. Methanolic extracts of Tridax procumbens, Mallotus philippinensis, Annona reticulate, aqueous extract of Ficus benghalensis and hydroalcoholic extract of Albizzia lebbeck did not exhibit anti-HIV activity in all the tested strains. Methanolic extract of Rosa centifolia also demonstrated to be non-toxic to HEC-1A epithelial cells and maintained epithelial integrity (at 500 μg/ml) when tested in transwell dual-chamber. Conclusion These active methanolic extracts of Achyranthes aspera and Rosa centifolia, could be further subjected to chemical analysis to investigate the active moiety responsible for the anti-HIV activity. Methanolic extract of Rosa centifolia was found to be well tolerated maintaining the epithelial integrity of HEC-1A cells in vitro and thus has potential for investigating it further as candidate microbicide

STUDIES ON EFFECTIVENESS AND EFFICIENCY OF GAMMA RAYS IN BLACK GRAM ( CK GRAM (Vigna mungo igna mungo (L.) HEPPER) .) HEPPER)

The study was undertaken to assess the effectiveness and efficiency of gamma rays on three different varieties of black gram. Genetically pure, uniform and dry seeds of black gram varieties viz., ADT 3, CO 6 and TU 17-9 were treated with four different doses (200, 300, 400, and 500 Gy) of gamma rays. The biological damage based on lethality, injury and sterility were estimated in the M1 generation. Both chlorophyll and morphological mutations were studied in the M2 generation to calculate the effectiveness and efficiency of gamma rays based on biological damage in M1. Differential response of varieties and varied doses of mutagenic treatment in induction of macromutation in M2 generation was observed among the varieties. The degree of effectiveness and efficiency varied among different mutagenic doses and the varieties. Higher degree of effectiveness and efficiency at lower and intermediate doses of mutagen and optimum dose was found at 200 Gy, were observed among three varieties which may be due to less biological damage. &nbsp