Ecology, genetic diversity, and population structure among commercial varieties and local landraces of Capsicum spp. grown in northeastern states of India.

Northeastern states of India are known for unique landraces of Capsicum spp. with geographical indications. However, little information is available about these valuable landraces of chillies. Surveys and collections were carried out in niche areas to find out their ecology and diversity through morphological traits and molecular analysis using microsatellite markers. Our result characterized the ecology of niche areas as cool (11.0°C-20.7°C) and humid (>60% relative humidity) climates for dalle-chilli (Capsicum annuum L.); mild-warm (12.2°C-28.6°C) and humid for king-chilli (C. chinense Jacq.); and cool to warm (11.3°C-33.1°C) and humid for bird's eye chilli (C. frutescens L.) during the crop period. The canonical correspondence analysis has shown the significant impact of temperature on the agro-morphological traits and distribution of the landraces in their niche areas. A wide variability was observed for different quantitative traits and yield attributing characters (fruit length, diameter, weight, and yield), showing high heritability (97.0%-99.0%), and genetic advance as a percentage of the mean (119.8%-434.0%). A total of 47 SSR markers used for the molecular analysis generated 230 alleles, ranging from 2 (HPMSE-7) to 10 (HPMSE-5), with an average of 4.89 alleles per locus. The average polymorphism information content was also high (0.61) and ranged from 0.20 (HPMSE-7) to 0.85 (CAMS-91). The observed average heterozygosity was lower than the expected value. Analysis of molecular variance has shown significant variation within (69%) and between (31%) of the populations of Capsicum spp. Based on Nei's genetic distance, bird's eye chilli and king-chilli were found to be closer to each other, whereas dalle-chilli, a tretraploid species, was closer to hot pepper (C. annuum). However, the flower size of dalle-chilli was large and found closer to king-chilli in color and differs from C. chinense due to the presence of calyx teeth. For quality traits, landraces king-chilli, dalle-chilli, and bird's eye chilli have shown 2.8, 2.0, and 1.4 times higher average capsaicin and 0.46, 0.25, and 0.22 times higher average oleoresin content over the hot pepper, respectively. The knowledge of ecology and diversity can be used in identifying new areas for production, selection of elite lines, conservation, and crop improvement.

Role of biostimulants in mitigating the effects of climate change on crop performance.

Climate change is a critical yield-limiting factor that has threatened the entire global crop production system in the present scenario. The use of biostimulants in agriculture has shown tremendous potential in combating climate change-induced stresses such as drought, salinity, temperature stress, etc. Biostimulants are organic compounds, microbes, or amalgamation of both that could regulate plant growth behavior through molecular alteration and physiological, biochemical, and anatomical modulations. Their nature is diverse due to the varying composition of bioactive compounds, and they function through various modes of action. To generate a successful biostimulatory action on crops under different parameters, a multi-omics approach would be beneficial to identify or predict its outcome comprehensively. The 'omics' approach has greatly helped us to understand the mode of action of biostimulants on plants at cellular levels. Biostimulants acting as a messenger in signal transduction resembling phytohormones and other chemical compounds and their cross-talk in various abiotic stresses help us design future crop management under changing climate, thus, sustaining food security with finite natural resources. This review article elucidates the strategic potential and prospects of biostimulants in mitigating the adverse impacts of harsh environmental conditions on plants.

Double zero-tillage and foliar-P nutrition coupled with bio-inoculants enhance physiological photosynthetic characteristics and resilience to nutritional and environmental stresses in maize-wheat rotation.

Conventionally tilled maize-wheat cropping system (MWCS) is an emerging cereal production system in semi-arid region of south-Asia. This system involves excessive tillage operations that result in numerous resource- and production-vulnerabilities besides impeding environmental-stresses. Likewise, phosphorus is a vital nutrient that limits crop growth and development. It's a matter of great concern when ∼80% of Indian soils are low to medium in available-P due to its sparing solubility, resulting in crop stress and low yields. Hence, crop productivity, photosynthetic parameters and resilience to nutritional and environmental stresses were assessed in a MWCS using four crop-establishment and tillage management (CETM) practices [FBCT-FBCT (Flat bed-conventional tillage both in maize and wheat); RBCT-RBZT (Raised bed-CT in maize and raised bed-zero tillage in wheat); FBZT-FBZT (FBZT both in maize and wheat); PRBZT-PRBZT (Permanent raised bed-ZT both in maize and wheat)], and five P-fertilization practices [P100 (100% soil applied-P); P50+2FSP (50% soil applied-P + 2 foliar-sprays of P through 2% DAP both in maize and wheat); P50+PSB+AM-fungi; P50+PSB+AMF+2FSP; and P0 (100% NK with no-P)] in split-plot design replicated-thrice. The results indicated that double zero-tilled PRBZT-PRBZT system significantly enhanced the grain yield (6.1; 5.4 t ha-1), net photosynthetic rate (Pn) (41.68; 23.33 µ mol CO2 m-2 s-1), stomatal conductance (SC) (0.44; 0.26 mol H2O m-2 s-1), relative water content (RWC) (83.3; 77.8%), and radiation-use efficiency (RUE) (2.9; 2.36 g MJ-1) by 12.8-15.8 and 8.5-44.4% in maize and wheat crops, respectively over conventional tilled FBCT-FBCT. P50+PSB+AMF+2FSP conjugating soil applied-P, microbial-inoculants and foliar-P, had significantly higher Pn, SC, RUE and RWC over P100 besides saving ∼34.7% fertilizer-P under MWCS. P50+PSB+AMF+2FSP practice also had higher NDVI, PAR, transpiration efficiency and PHI over P100. Whereas lower stomatal limitation index (Ls) was observed under PRBZT-PRBZT system as compared to the conventional FBCT-FBCT system indicating that P is the limiting factor but not stomata. Hence, optimum P supply through foliar P-fertilization along with other sources resulted in higher grain yield by 21.4% over control. Overall, double zero-tilled PRBZT-PRBZT with crop residue retention at 6 t/ha per year, as well as P50+PSB+AMF+2FSP in MWCS, may prove beneficial in enhancing the crop productivity and, thereby, bolstering food security in semi-arid south-Asia region.

Coproducing tobacco control knowledge: Using virtual platforms to strengthen implementation in India.

Tobacco control is complex and multidimensional. In India, 266.8 million adults use tobacco in some form, with local contextual factors shaping its consumption, production, and trade. Actors have a stake in tobacco represent different sectors; with varying priorities, responding to different ideas, and exerting varying levels of influence often make it difficult to work collaboratively on tobacco control-related issues. Through online networking platforms such as webinars, we emphasize how coproduction of tobacco control knowledge enables participation, prioritizes multisectoral strategies, and enhances tobacco control leadership among policymakers and implementers in their settings. Coproduction of knowledge between and across stakeholders with a focus on "how to" implement tobacco control policies can leverage in negotiating and supplementing the policy implementation process.

Large choroidal melanoma presenting as neovascular glaucoma.

Choroidal melanoma is a relatively rare tumour with a poor prognosis, though it is the most common primary malignancy of the eye among adults. Choroidal melanoma has been reported to present as acute angle closure glaucoma, secondary glaucoma, chronic uveitis, cataract, and staphyloma. We report a case of a28-year-old male presenting with features of neovascular glaucoma in the right eye and having initially been treated with anti-glaucoma medications. However, ultrasonography revealed a mushroom-shaped, elevated, solid lesion with low to moderate internal reflectivity and regular internal structure suggestive of choroidal melanoma. Histopathological examination along with the immunohistochemistry studies of the lesion following enucleation of the eye confirmed the diagnosis of malignant choroidal melanoma. We highlight with this case that large choroidal melanoma may rarely present with features of neovascular glaucoma. The etiology of neovascular glaucoma should be investigated carefully and a potentially life-threatening intraocular tumour should be excluded, although it is a rare presentation.

Does adding a psychosocial cessation intervention to an existing life-skills and tobacco-prevention program influence the use of tobacco and supari among secondary school students?: Findings from a quasi-experimental trial in Mumbai, India.

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to test whether school-going adolescents who self-report tobacco and/or supari use are more likely to quit if a school-based psychosocial cessation intervention is added to an existing life-skills and tobacco-prevention program. METHODS: A quasi-experimental trial with pre-test and post-test 20 weeks after the intervention was conducted with students from low-income families in 12 schools in Mumbai; six schools were randomly assigned to the intervention and the remaining to the comparison condition. Participants were students from grades 7, 8 and 9 who self-reported tobacco and/or supari use. Intervention schools received six sessions of LifeFirst, a psychosocial group-based tobacco cessation intervention program, in addition to SuperArmy, a school-wide life-skills and tobacco-prevention program. Trained counselors facilitated the cessation intervention, which spanned five months. All students in comparison schools received only SuperArmy. The outcome measures were self-reported use of tobacco-only, supari-only, and tobacco plus supari in the past 30 days. RESULTS: The number of all users decreased by 19.1% in the intervention and 18.7% in the comparison schools at post-test. Although this reduction was significant (p<0.001) within each group, the difference between intervention and comparison schools was not significant. Further segregation by type of product used showed that for tobacco-only users there was a non-significant increase of 1.7% in intervention schools, and a significant 26.2% increase (p<0.001) in the comparison group. Tobacco plus supari use declined in both groups; however, supari-only use fell by 14.8% in the intervention and 32.7% in the comparison schools (p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The combination of a cessation intervention along with the life-skills and tobacco-prevention program appear to have halted tobacco-only use in the intervention group. Future research needs to determine whether students are substituting supari for tobacco and to understand the psychological mechanisms underlying the cessation intervention and the interaction between cessation and prevention-only interventions.

Factors Associated with Tobacco Use in Students Attending Local Government Schools in Mumbai, India

Purpose: Factors associated with ever-use and differences between ever-users and non-users of tobacco among adolescent school students from low income families in Mumbai were assessed. Materials and Methods: A self-administered questionnaire, completed by 1918 students from grades 7, 8 and 9 in 12 schools managed by the city municipal corporation in July 2015, gathered data on socio-demographic characteristics, tobacco use and tobacco-related knowledge, attitudes and beliefs. Results: Although only 1% of respondents thought tobacco was cool, nearly 35% were unaware of associations between tobacco use and health problems. Male students were almost twice as likely (OR=2.5, P <= 0.05) to have ever used tobacco compared to females and Supari (areca nut) users were eight times more likely (OR=8.99, P < 0.001) than Supari non -users. Tobacco-users were more likely to agree with statements: 'People who use tobacco have more friends' (OR=2.8, P = 0.004), 'Smoking relieves stress' (OR=5.6, P = 0.002) and 'It is possible to purchase any tobacco product within 100 yards of school' (OR=10.8, P < 0.001). Conclusion: This study highlights the gains made by tobacco prevention campaigns in that almost all students did not consider tobacco as cool or a stress reliever. However, they still need education about health consequences of tobacco-use. In addition, Supari use has to be addressed in school-based tobacco prevention and cessation initiatives. Furthermore, programs must also address perceptions and norms related to peers and tobacco use and ensure active implementation of existing laws. Such integrated measures will help ensure tobacco-free spaces around schools.

Orphan flavonoids and dihydrochalcones from Primula exudates.

Two orphan flavonoids containing an oxepin structure in ring A and named as Primcortusin (1) and 3'-OH-Primcortusin (2) were isolated from leaf exudates of Primula cortusoides, while P. glutinosa exudates yielded two dihydrochalcone derivatives (3,4). These novel structures have not been detected in other species of Primula so far. Chemical structures were elucidated by 2D NMR and mas spectrometry. The nature of compounds 1 and 2 is discussed, and ideas about their possible origin and that of unsubstituted flavone and other irregular substituted Primula flavones are presented.

Diversification of exudate flavonoid profiles in further Primula spp.

In continuation of previous work, exudate flavonoid profiles of 22 new accessions of the genus Primula L. aligned to different subgenera were studied for the first time. Profiling was done by comparative TLC and UV-HPLC against authentic marker compounds. Most of the studied species accumulated the typical Primula flavonoids, comprising derivatives of unsubstituted flavone, of 5,8- or 5,6-hydroxyflavones including partly highly oxygenated flavones, together with 2,2'-diOH-chalcone in their exudate. The profile of P. edelbergii belonging to subgen. Sphondylia differed largely from the majority of Primula species studied so far, showing accumulation tendencies similar to those observed earlier for the closely related genus Dionysia. The phylogenetic significance of this diversification is shortly addressed.

Flavonoids in selected Primula spp.: bridging micromorphology with chemodiversity.

A combined study was carried out on the micromorphology and chemistry of glandular trichomes with focus on Primula vialii and P. vulgaris, respectively. Epifluorescence microscopy was applied to study the auto-fluorescent properties of flavonoids and their localization in glandular trichomes. Both species differed in the morphology of the glandular trichomes and in the exudate flavonoid composition. Leaf glands from P. vialii and from some species of subgen. Primula exhibited uniform glandular fluorescence, but notable differentiation was observed within a single leaf of P. vulgaris. Our observations indicate that exudate flavonoids are not transported from the tissue to the glandular hairs. Conversely, only the newly isolated glycoside 1 (kaempferol 3-O-(2"'-rhamnosyl)-robinobioside) was obtained from leaf tissue of P. vialii after removal of the exudate. Its structure was confirmed by NMR and mass spectrometry. This glycoside was not detected in tissue extracts of P. vulgaris after similar treatment. The observed chemical diversity is discussed, with focus on possible correlation with glandular structures and tissue differentiation in Primula, and also against other studied species. Aspects of biosynthesis in relation to tissue-specific flavonoid diversification are shortly addressed.

Unusual compounds from exudates of Dionysia diapensifolia and D. gaubae var. megalantha (Primulaceae).

Exudates of Dionysia diapensifolia yielded (R)-(+)-3-acetoxy-3-phenyl-propiophenone as a new natural product with a basic dihydrochalcone structure, which was elucidated unequivocally by mass spectrometry and NMR spectroscopy. The sesquiterpenoidcarissone was found as the major compound in the exudate of D. gaubae var. megalantha. Sesquiterpenoids have so far not been described as exudate constituents of Primula and Dionysia. Structural identifications are discussed in detail, and the significance of the occurrence of these unusual compounds in exudates of Primulaceae is shortly addressed.

Chemodiversity of exudate flavonoids in Dionysia (Primulaceae): a comparative study.

More than 60 accessions of various Dionysia spp. were analysed for their exudate flavonoid composition. Many Dionysia spp. accumulate the typical Primula flavonoids with irregular substitution (unsubstituted flavone, its 2',5'-substituted derivatives and corresponding 5-OH-flavones), but flavones, flavonols and flavanones with regular 5,7-diOH-substitution are also encountered in their exudates. The formation of both types of flavonoids is not mutually exclusive. This paper analyses the chemodiversity of Dionysia exudates with respect to infraspecific variability, infrageneric distribution, patterns in hybrid taxa, and comparisons of biogenetic tendencies between Dionysia and closest related species of Primula. The uniqueness of occurrence of Primula-type flavonoids in the family Primulaceae, and their presumed different biosynthetic origin, suggest significance as further character in the Primula-Dionysia assemblage. Principal component analysis was applied to test the significance of variation of flavonoid composition across Dionysia. Comparative analysis of flavonoid profiles against the current taxonomic views yielded correlations, confined to the level of smaller groups, and only in parts at level of the current infrageneric concept. Flavonoid data are further discussed against the background of morphological and biogeographic differentiation of the genus. Increased diversification of flavonoid profiles may be interpreted as a derived status in Dionysia, which agrees with current views on the phylogeny of Dionysia as a specialised group within Primula. Functional aspects of exudate flavonoid formation are shortly addressed.

Exudate flavonoids of Primula spp: structural and biogenetic chemodiversity.

Several new accessions of the genus Primula and of the closely related Cortusa matthioli have been studied for their exudate flavonoid profiles. Unsubstituted flavone, 5-hydroxy-, 2'-hydroxyflavone and 5,2'-dihydroxyflavone were found as main components. Several other rather unusual substitution patterns were also found. 8-O-Substituted flavones appear to be accumulated more often than 6-O-substituted products. Chalcones with corresponding substitution patterns were of scattered occurrence, while flavanones could so far not be detected in exudates of Primula species. The distribution of externally accumulated flavonoids, including literature data, is related to current taxonomic views on the infrageneric grouping of Primula and related taxa. Organ-specific accumulation, biosynthetic and chemosystematic aspects are briefly addressed.