Foliar application of Ascophyllum nodosum on improvement of photosynthesis, fruit setting percentage, yield and quality of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.)

In recent days, liquid formulations of brown seaweed extract, Ascophyllum nodosum used as a biostimulant in agriculture. Various studies suggest that A. nodosum enhanced the growth and yield of agriculturally important crops, but still, there is a lack of information about the biostimulation effects on photosynthesis, flowering and fruit setting of tomato. Hence, the present study aimed to know the effect of foliar application of A. nodosum on photosynthesis, flowering, fruit setting, yield and quality of tomato. A biostimulant product, MC Set with A. nodosum extract applied to tomato as a foliar spray at rates of three different concentrations such as 1.0 L ha−1 (MS 1), 2.0 L ha−1 (MS 2), 3.0 L ha−1 (MS 3) for six times during flowering of 2nd (30 Days after transplanting – DAT), 3rd (40 DAT) and 4th (50 DAT) cluster and fruit setting of 2nd (60 DAT), 3rd (70 DAT) and 4th (80 DAT) cluster respectively. The MC Set treatments enhanced the plant photosynthesis, flower number and fruit number per cluster, yield and quality traits of tomato. However, the middle concentration MS 2 showed highest photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, SPAD value, flower and fruit in 2nd, 3rd and 4th cluster. It also had better average fruit weight and yield per plant and hectare and enhanced the quality parameters such as total soluble solids, ascorbic acid content, lycopene and total sugars compared to control and other two concentrations of MS Set. Hence, using A. nodosum extract on tomato growth could be a better sustainable crop production method.

Biocompatibilidad del titanio en los tejidos orales: una revisión sistemática

Over the past decade, dental implants have gained widespread acceptance and adoption as a solution for replacing missing teeth and supporting various types of dental prostheses, including fixed and partially removable ones. Despite their generally high long-term success rates, with 96.1% survival after ten years and 83.8% after 25 years, implant failures remain a possibility. Major databases such as Medline were explored detailed literature search in resulting in a systematic review pertaining to titanium implants. Six scientific articles dated between 2020 – 2024 pertaining to titanium implants were highlighted. Discussion - Recent years have seen a significant increase in evidence suggesting that inflammation induced by bacterial biofilms around implants can lead to complications affecting both soft and hard tissues, ultimately resulting in implant failure. This inflammatory state is identified as peri-implant mucositis and peri-implantitis, highlighting the importance of vigilant periodontal and prosthetic maintenance in implant care.Este síndrome se asocia a mutaciones en el gen CDC73, que codifica la proteína supresora de tumores parafibromina. Los pacientes suelen presentar síntomas al final de la adolescencia o al principio de la edad adulta, incluyendo hinchazón mandibular, hipercalcemia y complicaciones renales. El diagnóstico precoz es crucial para un tratamiento y una vigilancia eficaces, ya que el síndrome conlleva un riesgo significativo de malignidad. Este síndrome es clínica y genéticamente diferente de otros síndromes de neoplasia endocrina y parece estar causado por mutaciones en un gen asociado con tumores endocrinos, conocido como "HRPT2". Este artículo destaca las características clínicas, la base genética, los criterios diagnósticos y las estrategias de tratamiento para el HPT-JT, y enfatiza la importancia del asesoramiento genético y el seguimiento regular de las personas afectadas y sus familias. Buscamos concienciar a los profesionales de la salud sobre este diagnóstico diferencial, poco frecuente pero significativo, mediante un informe de caso detallado y una revisión exhaustiva de la literatura. Received: 22 January 2025.Accepted: 20 March 2025

Enhancing drought tolerance in okra through melatonin application: A comprehensive study of physiological, biochemical and metabolic responses

As climate change intensifies, drought stress presents a critical challenge for horticultural crops like okra (Abelmoschus esculentus). The effectiveness of melatonin in reducing drought stress is investigated in this study. The treatments include: Absolute control (fully irrigated), control (drought), drought and seed treatment with 100 µM melatonin, drought and foliar spray of 100 µM melatonin, and drought stress with combined effect of seed treatment and foliar spray of 100 µM melatonin. Physiological parameters such as photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, transpiration rate, Fv/Fm ratio, and chlorophyll index were evaluated, alongside biochemical parameters including malondialdehyde, proline content, membrane stability index and antioxidant enzyme activities such as catalase and ascorbate peroxidase were quantified. Melatonin supplemented as seed treatment and foliar spray enhanced both physiological and biochemical parameters including antioxidant activity compared to drought control. Metabolite profiling identified bioactive compounds (mainly carbohydrates and amino acids) contributing to drought tolerance in okra. The results highlight that application of 100 µM melatonin via seed treatment and foliar spray enhances drought tolerance in okra, suggesting its potential to enhance crop resilience under water-deficit conditions

Molecular breeding approaches for sustainable rice blast management: recent advances and challenges

Rice (Oryza sativa. L) is a staple crop globally, but blast disease caused by fungal pathogens Magnaporthe oryzae is one of the most devastating and results in severe economic losses in rice production worldwide. Recent technological advancements have opened new possibilities for developing blast resistance. The dynamic and highly adaptable nature of M. oryzae allows it to overcome plant defense mechanisms rapidly, posing a major threat to global food security and agricultural sustainability. While foundational to early resistance development, traditional breeding approaches have been limited by their time-consuming nature and reliance on phenotypic selection. These methods often require several generations to establish stable resistance traits. However, with the emergence of molecular breeding technologies, resistance breeding has experienced significant acceleration and precision. Tools such as marker-assisted selection (MAS), marker-assisted backcross breeding (MABB), and quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping allow for the identification and introgression of resistance genes (R genes) more efficiently and accurately. Recent advances in genome engineering techniques, particularly CRISPR-Cas 9, have transformed the capability to manipulate resistance genes directly, enabling targeted editing and stacking of multiple genes (gene pyramiding) for durable resistance. Moreover, omics technologies—including genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics—offer a comprehensive understanding of the molecular interactions between host and pathogen, facilitating the discovery of novel resistance mechanisms and regulatory pathways. The integration of allele mining with advanced biotechnological tools has further promoted the development of cisgenic and intragenic plants, where resistance genes from related cultivars or wild species are introduced without foreign DNA, thus addressing public concerns over transgenic crops. These strategies enhance resistance and help retain the desirable agronomic traits of elite rice varieties. Despite these advancements, the high mutation rate and genetic plasticity of M. oryzae enable it to evolve and overcome resistance provided by single R genes. Therefore, understanding host–pathogen interactions at the molecular and cellular levels remains essential. Emerging technologies such as nanotechnology show promise in developing targeted fungicide delivery systems and innovative diagnostic tools. Synthetic biology opens avenues for constructing synthetic resistance pathways or deploying plant biosensors. Additionally, machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms are increasingly used to predict disease outbreaks, model gene interactions, and optimize breeding strategies based on large datasets. Thus, managing rice blast disease necessitates a holistic approach combining conventional breeding wisdom with modern molecular tools and emerging technologies. The synergy among these approaches holds promise to enhance resistance durability and protect global rice production against evolving fungal threats. This review emphasizes recent advancements in managing rice blast disease, offering valuable insights to sustain resilient breeding programs against this pathogen

A high-throughput regeneration protocol for recalcitrant tropical Indian maize (Zea mays L) inbreds

Immature embryos from five select recalcitrant maize (Zea mays L) inbreds used as explants were evaluated for their ability to form callus, somatic embryos and subsequent regeneration into plants. The embryos were placed on N6 basal media with varying levels of 2,4-D (0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, and 2.5 mg l-1) and were regenerated on MS me¬dium supplemented with BAP (2 - 10 mg l-1), 2,4-D (0.25 mg l-1) and silver nitrate (0.85 mg l-1). Explants cultured on N6 medium supplemented with 2,4-D (2.0 mg l-1) were associated with the highest frequency of embryogenic calli and that of UMI 29 were highly embryogenic (78.67%). When synergism between dicamba and 2,4-D on Type II callus production in UMI 29 was sought to be investigated using 2,4-D (1 or 2 mg l-1) individually and in combina¬tion with dicamba (3.7 mg l-1) production of Type II callus with the greatest frequency of 83.33% was observed on N6 medium containing 3.7 mg l-1 dicamba + 1 mg l-1 2,4-D. The greatest percentage of shoot induction (82.67%) was observed on MS medium supplemented with BAP (10 mg l-1). Among the five genotypes tested, UMI 29 was associated with the highest percentage of callus initiation, shoot induction and mean number of developed shoots. The protocol described in this study can reliably be used to transform tropical maize inbreds as a routine

Towards Establishment of a Rice Stress Response Interactome

Rice (Oryza sativa) is a staple food for more than half the world and a model for studies of monocotyledonous species, which include cereal crops and candidate bioenergy grasses. A major limitation of crop production is imposed by a suite of abiotic and biotic stresses resulting in 30%–60% yield losses globally each year. To elucidate stress response signaling networks, we constructed an interactome of 100 proteins by yeast two-hybrid (Y2H) assays around key regulators of the rice biotic and abiotic stress responses. We validated the interactome using protein–protein interaction (PPI) assays, co-expression of transcripts, and phenotypic analyses. Using this interactome-guided prediction and phenotype validation, we identified ten novel regulators of stress tolerance, including two from protein classes not previously known to function in stress responses. Several lines of evidence support cross-talk between biotic and abiotic stress responses. The combination of focused interactome and systems analyses described here represents significant progress toward elucidating the molecular basis of traits of agronomic importance