MicroRNA profiles in Sorghum exposed to individual drought or heat or their combination

Sorghum is largely grown for food, fodder and for biofuel production in semi-arid regions where the drought or high temperature or their combination co-occur. Plant microRNAs (miRNAs) are integral to the gene regulatory networks that control almost all biological processes including adaptation to stress conditions. Thus far, plant miRNA profiles under separate drought or heat stresses have been reported but not under combined drought and heat. In this study, we report miRNA profiles in leaves of sorghum exposed to individual drought or heat or their combination. Approximately 29 conserved miRNA families represented by 80 individual miRNAs, 26 families represented by 47 members of less conserved or sorghum-specific miRNA families as well as 8 novel miRNA families have been identified. Of these, 25 miRNAs were found to be differentially regulated in response to stress treatments. The comparative profiling revealed that the miRNA regulation was stronger under heat or combination of heat and drought compared to the drought alone. Furthermore, using degradome sequencing, 48 genes were confirmed as targets for the miRNAs in sorghum. Overall, this study provides a framework for understanding of the miRNA-guided gene regulations under combined stresses.

     

Biodegradation of beta-cyfluthrin by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pseudomonas stutzeri</Emphasis> strain S1

-Cyfluthrin [-cyano-4-fluoro-3-phenoxybenzyl-3(2,2-dichlorovinyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropane carboxylate] pesticide has been in agricultural use in the recent years for controlling Lepidopteran pests affecting solanaceous crops. The extensive use of synthetic pyrethroids like -cyfluthrin has resulted in wide spread environmental contamination. The purpose of this study was to isolate bacteria from soil and to determine their ability to degrade -cyfluthrin and identify the intermediates in culture broth using spectroscopy. An aerobic bacterium capable of degrading -cyfluthrin was isolated by enrichment culture. The 16S ribosomal DNA sequence of the isolate (strain S1) had 100% identity to the sequence from Pseudomonas stutzeri. Finally products formed during degradation of -cyfluthrin have been identified as -cyano-4-fluoro-3-phenoxybenzyl-3(2,2-dichlorovinyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropane carboxylate (M.W. 341); 4-fluoro-3-phenoxy--cyanobenzyl alcohol (M.W. 243) and 3(2,2-dichlorovinyl)-2,2-dimethyl cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (M.W. 208).     

Biochar Production and Application in Forest Soils-A Critical Review

The increasing deforestation with an alarming rate is the prime cause of upsetting the balance in the natural ecosystem and the livelihood of local communities. Sustainable forest management and reforestation efforts can equilibrium this destruction and maintain the protected areas. In this regard, soil management strategies for reforestation of the degraded forest land can be helpful. In this review, the potential of using biochar, a solid carbon rich product of biomass thermochemical conversion, as a soil amendment in forest soils has been discussed. The production procedures of biochar, availability of feedstocks and the biochar properties are discussed using the existing knowledge. The positive effects of biochar are soil quality depended and change with varying geographical locations. Therefore, long-term field trials examining a range of biochars, soils, and forest types are required for a better understanding of this issue. Careful planning to match biochar with the soil properties is essential to obtain maximum benefits of biochar as a soil amendment.     

Thermal Stress Impacts on Reproductive Development and Grain Yield in Grain Legumes

Temperature stress (cold, heat) during reproductive development is one of the serious constraints to the productivity of grain legumes as their cultivation is expanding to warmer environments and temperature variability is increasing due to climate change. Grain legumes exposed to temperature below 10-15°C or above 30°C show flower abortion, pollen and ovule infertility, impaired fertilization, and reduced seed filling, leading to substantial reduction in grain yield. For managing these effects of temperature extremes, it is important to improve the resistance of grain legumes by using improved breeding and genetic engineering tools. In this review article, the impact of both high and low temperature stress on different phases of the reproductive stage, from meiosis to grain filling, and the sensitivity of different reproductive organs to temperature extremes are discussed. The review also covers the management options to improve resistance to temperature stress in grain legumes. Furthermore, innovative breeding, genetic and molecular strategies in grain legumes against temperature stress are also discussed.