Optimization of Seed Priming Techniques for Seed Enhancement in Sunflower (Helianthus annus L.)

Seed invigoration treatments are crucial for enhancing germination and seedling growth, particularly under adverse environmental conditions. Various techniques, such as hydropriming, seed hardening, osmopriming, and pre-sowing dry heat treatments have been proved to improve seed quality. Sunflower is an important oilseed crop, however, its area is now confined to specific niches and therefore any efforts to increase its production and bring back its glory are highly welcome. Sunflower crop is highly susceptible to environmental stresses further limiting its cultivation. Hence identification and standardization of suitable techniques to improve the germination capacity and planting value of sunflower especially under stress conditions is the need of the hour. The present study is taken up in aged and fresh seeds of two sunflower hybrids viz., DRSH-1 and GK-2002 to standardize hydropriming, thermo priming and pre-chilling treatments so as to the enhance planting value when sown under sub optimal conditions. It was found that hydropriming for 16 hrs, thermopriming for 6hrs at 35oC and pre chilling for 7 days at 10oC showed highest improvement in the seed quality parameters like germination percentage, seedling vigour indices I and II, field emergence and speed of germination. These findings offer promising avenues for improving seed quality and viability in sunflower.

Effect of Predominant Mycoflora (A. alternata and M. phaseolina) on Seed Quality Parameters of Sesamum

Sesamum is an important oilseed crop affected by toxigenic fungal pathogens viz., Alternaria, Macrophomina, Fusarium and Aspergillus spp. Among these, A. alternata and M. phaseolina are seed borne pathogens causing yield loss to an extent of 20 to 40 per cent. The effect of A. alternata and M. phaseolina on seed quality parameters of susceptible cv. Swetha was investigated during 2022-2023. The A. alternata and M. phaseolina inoculated and uninoculated seeds of both test pathogens were tested for germination and seedling growth by rolled paper method and pot culture studies. Significant differences in seed germination, seedling length, seedling dry mass, seedling vigour index (SVI) - I and II and seed moisture content were observed in susceptible cv. Swetha. The results indicated that A. alternata recorded lower seed germination percentage (60.50%), seedling length (6.56 cm), dry mass (9.12 mg) and SVI-I and II (656 and 552 respectively) over untreated seeds recording high germination (82.25%), seedling length (14.84 cm), dry mass (13.17 mg) and SVI-I and II (1221 and 1116 respectively). Similar results were observed in M. phaseolina treated seeds where the pathogen treated seeds recorded lower seed germination percentage (70.75%), seedling length (9.42 cm), dry mass (8.71 mg) and SVI-I and II (667 and 599 respectively) than pathogen untreated seeds recording high seed germination (82.50%), seedling length (14.25 cm), dry mass (13.30 mg) and SVI-I and II (1175 and 1097 respectively).

Precise Methods for Single Spore Isolation and Controlled Sporulation in Magnaporthe oryzae Isolates

The present investigation focuses on enhancing the understanding of Magnaporthe oryzae, the causal agent of rice blast disease, by developing simple and cost-efficient protocols for single spore isolation and controlled sporulation with minimal equipment. In pursuit of this objective, various natural hosts were evaluated for their sporulation potential at different time intervals. The results revealed the significant differences in sporulation of M. oryzae among different hosts at different time intervals, showing higher sporulation at 14 DAI compared to 10 DAI. Notably, rice leaves from TN-1 and HR-12 cultivars exhibited robust sporulation at 14 DAI under a 14-hr light + 8 hr dark conditions. Validating these findings, twelve isolates from various locations in Telangana State consistently confirmed that rice leaves from cultivar TN-1 supporting the highest mean sporulation rate, followed by the HR-12 cultivar. The implications of these findings extend to aiding researchers and rice breeders in comprehending disease dynamics, formulating effective control strategies, and developing rice cultivars resilient against rice blast.

A Survey Study to Assess the Prevalence of Storage Insect Pest on the Seed Health Status of Farmers in Telangana, India

Introduction: Telangana is considered as seed bowl of India. About 65% of rice produced will be used either for consumption or seed purpose. Hence, farmers save their produce till next season. But in storage it is infested with many insect pests. Due to lack of awareness about scientific storage techniques they are unable to produce quality seed. Materials and Methods: Eighty-five rice seed samples were collected from seven major rice producing areas of the Telangana. Seed samples were drawn from top, middle and bottom positions of the container with a sampler, from the storage structures. A total of fourteen seed stores were sampled and composite samples were collected from these stores for further assessment in a laboratory. From each container, three samples, each consisting of 500 g of rice seed was taken. Samples were bulked and 500 g sample prepared as sample. Each sample was put in a paper bag and labeled with the necessary information (name of the site, sample number, date of sampling, storage time. Results: Sixty three percent samples were infested with lesser grain borer; Rhyzopertha dominica; Angoumois grain moth; Sitotroga cereallela, rice weevil, Sitophilus oryzae; rust red flour beetle, Tribolium cataneum; Saw toothed beetle Oryzaephillus surinamensis. Among these insect pests, Angoumois grain moth and lesser grain borer were predominant. The maximum seed moisture content (12.57%) was recorded in the samples of Miryalaguda district and minimum seed moisture content (9.39%) in samples of Warangal district. The maximum insect infestation 5.73% was recorded in samples of district Rangareddy and the minimum (0.23%) sample were infested in Mahaboobnagar district. The maximum germination (95%) was noticed in seed sample of Nizamabad district and the minimum (79.57%) in samples of Warangal district. However, the maximum 1745 and minimum 1400 seed vigour index were observed in Nizamabad and Mahaboobnagar districts, respectively. The overall average performance of seed samples collected different villages of seven districts of Telangana were seed moisture content (10.88%) seed damaged (2.16 %), seed germination (90.43%) and Seed Vigour Index (1539).

Ovarian tumors in children: 10‑year experience from a tertiary care center in South India.

BACKGROUND: Ovarian tumors are uncommon in childhood and constitute around 1% of childhood malignancies. Two thirds of pediatric ovarian tumors are germ cell tumors. Epithelial ovarian tumors and stromal tumors are less frequent. We share our experience in childhood ovarian cancers, analyzing a series of cases with respect to the clinical profile, treatment and survival. METHODS: All newly diagnosed ovarian tumors in children up to 14 years of age, registered in our Pediatric Oncology Division between January 2000 and December 2009 were retrospectively reviewed. OBSERVATIONS: There were 47 patients with newly diagnosed ovarian tumors. The mean age at presentation was 10.0 ± 3.4 years. The most common symptoms at presentation were acute abdominal pain (48.9%) and abdominal mass (40.4%). Precocious puberty was uncommon (6.3%). Histology was germ cell tumors in 44 cases and nongerm cell tumors in three cases. The benign teratomas (mature and immature grade 1 and 2; n=9) underwent complete surgical resection alone; none had recurrence on follow up. Of the remaining 35 GCTs, 31 patients were given chemotherapy and 4 refused treatment.26 out of the 31 patients completed chemotherapy with BEP (bleomycin, etoposide, cisplatin) regimen with acceptable toxicities. 5 children i.e.; (19.2%) developed recurrence. At a median follow up of 80 months, 10 year disease free survival was 80.8 ± 7.7% and 10 year overall survival was 92.7 ± 4.9%. CONCLUSION: Germ cell tumors are the most common ovarian malignancy in children. With surgery and chemotherapy using BEP, good outcome can be expected in these patients.

Blastocystis hominis infection, a cause of human diarrhea.

Blastocystis hominis has long been described as a non pathogenic protozoan parasite until recently when claims have been made that it can result in pathogenic conditions. Of the 729 stool samples (614 from survey and 115 from pediatric wards) examined, 18.1% of them were found to be positive for one or more intestinal protozoan cyst. The commonest was Giardia intestinalis (8.4%) Followed by Entamoeba coli (7.1%) and Entamoeba histolytica (5.1%) in the normal children without symptoms of diarrhea. When diarrheic stools were examined, the commonest parasite encountered was Giardia (20.4%), followed by E. coli (15.9%) and E. histolytica (9.7%). Blastocystis was observed in 4.4% of the children who had diarrhea and 1.1% among the children taken from the normal population in the rural areas.