Rohit Jain

Understanding the agro-climatic structure of morphological diversity is essential for the effective utilization and improvement of drumstick (Moringa oleifera Lam.), a multipurpose tree species of high nutritional and economic value. The present study aimed to evaluate morphological diversity and phenotypic variation of M. oleifera across ten agro-climatic zones of Rajasthan, India, and to identify key traits and morphotypes relevant for breeding, conservation, and climate-resilient cultivation. A total of 367 accessions were characterized using 17 morphological traits, including eight quantitative and nine qualitative descriptors. Quantitative traits were analyzed using non-parametric statistics and Principal Component Analysis (PCA), while qualitative traits were evaluated through Multiple Correspondence Analysis (MCA). An integrated approach using Factor Analysis of Mixed Data (FAMD) was employed to assess overall variation, followed by hierarchical and FAMD-based clustering. Correlation analysis was conducted to identify relationships among traits. The results revealed significant variations among agro-climatic zones for all quantitative traits (Kruskal-Wallis, p < 0.01), with moderate to high effect sizes (ε² = 0.07-0.26). PCA indicated that the first two components explained 56.9% of total variance, primarily driven by stem girth and leaf-related traits. MCA showed that qualitative variation was largely influenced by stem morphology, canopy size, and branching density. FAMD further confirmed the integration of qualitative and quantitative traits, with the first two dimensions explaining 56.4% of total variability. Correlation analysis demonstrated strong positive associations among leaf traits, indicating a coordinated leaf development system. Clustering analysis grouped the accessions into distinct morphotypes, with substantial overlap across agro-climatic zones, suggesting that morphological variation is governed by both environmental factors and inherent genetic diversity. Two major groups identified through FAMD represented broadly adapted and high growth morphotypes. From an applied perspective, accessions with larger canopy and higher leaf area are recommended for biomass-oriented breeding and cultivation in favourable environments, while stable, moderate-growth accessions are suitable for arid and semi-arid regions. The study also highlights leaf traits as reliable selection indices and emphasizes the need for stratified germplasm conservation across agro-climatic zones. This study provides a robust framework for understanding morphological diversity in M. oleifera and offers practical insights for its genetic improvement, conservation and climate-resilient utilization.

Zinc (Zn) is an indispensable micronutrient required in various physiological, biochemical, and molecular processes in plants. Zinc Oxide (ZnO), in its nano-structured form (nano-Zn) possesses unique physico-chemical properties that improve its absorption efficiency and exert a better impact on plants as compared to its bulk counterparts. The present study was conducted to investigate molecular response and cooperation between bZIP transcription factors (TFs) and microRNAs (miRs) in divergent rice varieties under nano-Zn imposition. Accordingly, spatio-structural annotations (gene-structures, Cis-elements, conserved motifs, evolutionary and syntenic nature) of OsbZIP TF genes were analyzed with their targeting Osa-miRs. Furthermore, the response of 30 OsbZIPs and 41 corresponding Osa-miRs were assessed between unlike (CSR-30 and PB-1) rice varieties under nano-Zn treatment. In CSR-30 rice, OsbZIP TFs generally showed reduced expression levels, with fold changes ranging from 0.95 to 0.44 (R² = 0.982). Correspondingly, their associated Osa-miRNAs exhibited increased expression, with changes ranging from 1x to 2.5x (R² = 0.947). In PB-1 rice, OsbZIP TFs generally exhibited reduced expression, with fold changes ranging from 0.85 to 0.47 (R² = 0.940). Similarly, their corresponding Osa-miRNAs also showed decreased expression, ranging from 1.05 to 0.30 fold change (R² = 0.940). Notably, distinct expressions were also identified for OsbZIP1, OsbZIP13, Osa-miR1846a, Osa-miR396e, Osa-miR11337a, and Osa-miR5801r, in CSR-30 rice. Additionaly, OsbZIP6, OsbZIP14, OsbZIP23, OsbZIP27, and OsbZIP29 exhibited distinct expression patterns, along with uneven responses of their corresponding Osa-miRNAs, suggesting multilayered combinatorial regulation in PB-1 rice. Therefore, the present study demonstrates the differential and coordinated responses of OsbZIP transcription factors gene family and Osa-miRNAs and also provides insights into key molecular determinants regulating rice growth under the influence of nano-Zn.

Withania coagulans (Stocks) Dunal is a “Near-Threatened” medicinal herb valued for its bioactive withanolides, yet its natural regeneration rem

This study investigated the effect of various levels of OH-MWCNTs mediated seed priming on germination, growth, and biochemical responses of Indian mustard (Brassica juncea (L.) Czern. & Coss.). Germination efficiency declined significantly up to 33.8% with increasing concentration of OH-MWCNT; however, other growth characteristics including seedling length and weight exhibited a substantial increase of up to 61.6% and 142%, respectively, at moderate levels (≤ 100 µg mL⁻¹). Higher doses (250 µg mL⁻¹, 500 µg mL⁻¹) of OH-MWCNT exhibited a toxic effect on all growth parameters resulting in ~ 20% and 55% decline in seedling length and biomass, respectively. Similar trend was recorded in chlorophyll content, and maximum total chlorophyll content (13 ± 3 mg/g FW) was noted at 100 µg/mL OH-MWCNT. Antioxidant enzyme activities including catalase (CAT), guaiacol peroxidase (GPX), polyphenol oxidase (PPO), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) also exhibited similar pattern such that all activities were maximum at 100 µgmL^-1 in both shoots and roots and were significantly higher in shoots than in roots. Total phenol content and DPPH activity were also maximum at 100 µgmL^-1, and both parameters were comparatively higher in roots than in shoots. GC–MS analysis revealed that lipids constituted the majority of the proportion of secondary metabolites detected in non-polar extracts of both shoots and roots. Further, correlation analysis established a significant correlation between various growth, physiological, and biochemical parameters. These findings therefore indicated that moderate levels of OH-MWCNT concentrations can enhance B. juncea growth and biochemical responses, which in turn promotes biosynthesis of valuable antioxidant compounds. This study highlighs the potential of MWCNTs as innovative growth enhancers, wherein the higher concentrations may have detrimental effects, therefore, emphasizing the need for careful management of OH-MWCNT usage for agricultural purposes.