<div>Background: Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) is one of the more important cultivated crops in the Mediterranean region, where drought and high temperatures during the grain filling stage are the main abiotic stresses limiting its production. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of the spike type on the grain yield, thousand kernels weight and some grain filling parameters. 
 
Methods: The present study was conducted on the experimental site of station ITGC in Setif, Algeria, eight Barley genotypes were tested during two cropping seasons (2017/2018 and 2018/2019) in a randomized block design with 3 replications. 
 
Result: The results proved significant effect of genotypes and spike types on the grain filling parameters, but no significant effect of spike type on the thousand kernels weight during the both cropping seasons. In addition, the spike type registered significant effect just during the second cropping season. Among the genotypes with 6 rows spike type the local genotype Fouarra have high grain yield (97.79 Q/ha) with a deviation of 37.57% from the total mean of the genotypes with 6 row spike type. Many studies proved that in 6-row barleys, the magnitude of contribution of grain number in grain yield was higher than contribution of grain weight. The grain growth of genotypes studied follows a sigmoid curve, during the first season (2017-2018) the duration of grain filling ranged between 24 days for Saida 183 and 28 days for Rihane 03, for the group of genotypes with 6 rows. In addition, the duration of grain filling for the 2 row genotypes varied from 24 days for G4 to 28 days for genotype G2. During the second season (2018-2019) and for the genotypes with 6 rows, the duration of the grain filling varied from 21 days for the Saida 183 and 26 days for the genotype Fouarra, for the genotypes with 2 rows the duration of grain filling ranged from 21 days for the genotype G2 to 26 days for the genotype G3. The correlation analysis between the grain filling parameters, GY and TKW demonstrate a significant and positive correlation between TKW and MGW and GFR (r = 0.82* and r = 0.84*, respectively). Overall, the genotype variation in grain filling velocity and duration was responsible for the difference in grain yield and the improvement in grain yield was achieved by the increasing in velocity or duration of grain filling. &nbsp;</div>

The Effect of Spike Row Type on the Grain Yield and Grain Filling Parameters in Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) Genotypes under Semi-arid Conditions

Background: Pollen grains (PGE) contain a mixture of essential nutrients. Many studies have indicated that polyphenol compounds and, especially, flavonoids are among the 2ry metabolites that have many biological activities, such as antioxidant, anticancer and antibacterial activities. 
 
Methods: The main aim of the study is to evaluate the potent and high antioxidant regarding its capability of free radical scavenging activities via ABTS, ORAC and metal chelation assays; anticancer [anti-hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG-2)] and antibacterial activities against the two bacterial strains (Bacillus subtilis and Escherichia coli) of the pollen grain extract (PGE). Methods: Pollen grain extract (PGE) was chemically characterized using GC-MS, SEM and TEM and antioxidant capacities were determined via three assays (ORAC, ABTS and metal chelation) for the estimation of free radical scavenging capacities. antibacterial screening against two bacterial strains (B. subtilis and E. coli), in vitro estimation of cytotoxicity against proliferation of hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG-2). 
 
Result: GC-MS indicated the chemical structure of the pollen grains that contain a lot of phenolics and flavonoids. SEM examination, which revealed the external surface of the used PGE, showed a branched chain appearance with an amorphous structure in a small size. TEM examination, which revealed the internal structure of the used PGE, which appeared as spherical black spots inside a large line-dashed sphere, also clarified that the PGE was found to possess a high potency against the hepatic cancer cells, as evidenced by the inhibition of HepG-2 proliferation growth of cancer cells, which was measured at 84.09 &micro;g/ml at 100 &micro;g/ml. Strong antibacterial capacities of PGE are shown against two strains (B. subtilis and E. coli), at nearly low concentrations recording growth concentration at 0.625 mg/ml. PGE exhibited a potent antioxidant capacity via recording ABTS and ORAC activities at 1028.76 and 406.87 (&micro;M Trolox eq/ml), in addition to the metal chelation activity by 35.68 (&micro;M EDTA eq/mg extract). Therefore, it can be concluded that the PGE is effective with novel potent antioxidant, antibacterial and anticancer capacities.

Chemical Characterization of Pollen Grains Ethanolic Extract (PGE) with Evaluation of its Potent Antioxidant, Antibacterial and Anti-Cancer Activities against Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HepG2)

<div style="text-align:justify">The moisture content of grains, oxygen and carbon dioxide concentration in storage environment affects the storage life of food grains. The moisture content affects on storability of food grains severely, hence the storage structures must be provided with sufficient protection from moisture exchange between grain and atmosphere. The insect and pests grows very fast in presence of oxygen and moisture in the storage environment. The humid climate provides favorable conditions to moulds and insects to grow in most of the food grains and oilseeds. The grains exposed to these favorable environment further not useful for human consumptions. Many harmful chemicals like aflatoxins are formed in oilseeds and cereals. The emerging hermatic storage is highly effective technology to prevent the spoilage of grains without use of any harmful fumigants and chemicals, hence it is popularly known as organic storage technology. In this technology the flow of oxygen and water from external environment is fully controlled by impermeable, triple layer hermatic plastic bags.</div>

Hermetic Storage Technology for Food Grains: New Beginning of Organic and Safe Storage for Farmers and Consumers: A Review

Background: Minor millets like Browntop (Urochloa ramosa L.), Barnyard (Echinochloa crusgalli L.) and Kodo (Paspalum scrobiculatum L.) hold immense nutritional and functional promise. Yet, detailed characterization of their traits remains limited, making such studies vital for advancing processing and product development. 
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Methods: Three minor millets browntop, barnyard and kodo were selected for detailed morphological analysis. Linear dimensions were measured and further evaluated for geometric, spatial, physical, phyto-nutrient and rheological properties. Antioxidant activity was assessed using the DPPH method, while total phenols, tannins, flavonoids and oxalate contents were quantified. The pasting profile of each millet was determined to evaluate gelatinization, viscosity and stability under heat and mechanical stress. 
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Result: Browntop reported greater slenderness ratio among three, kodo with high GMD, AMD, sphericity, SA, volume. Spatial properties were calculated for the same and kodo has maximum projected area. Kodo millet has highest thousand grain weight and volume whereas barnyard has high hydration index and capacity along with swelling index, swelling capacity and porosity. Browntop has more bulk and true density whereas kodo reported to be the hardest grain among the three. The present study investigated anti-oxidant activity (DPPH method), total phenols, tannins, total flavonoids content and oxalate content in three minor millets. Kodo millet exhibited highest anti-oxidant activity (89.34%). Browntop millet showed high levels of total phenols (1.77 mg GAE/g), oxalates (38.0 mg/100 g) and flavonoids (21.40 mg RE/g), while barnyard millet (0.13 mg TA/g) had the highest tannin content. The pasting profile revealed that browntop millet requires high temperature to get gelatinized, barnyard millet exhibited high peak viscosity indicating a strong gelling ability. Kodo millet demonstrated high trough viscosity, holding strength and final viscosity along with low breakdown. Kodo grain, despite being tough and thick coated, forms a paste that was stable and its starch structure can effectively withstand heat and mechanical stress, ensuring consistent performance even under challenging conditions. 
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Quantification of Structural, Physical, Phyto-nutrient and Rheological Traits in Selected Minor Millets

<div>Rice (Oryza sativa L.)&nbsp; is the world&rsquo;s single most important staple food source for over half of the world&rsquo;s population, whose demand is expected to increase as human population increases almost exponentially every year. There are different kinds of abiotic and biotic stresses that a rice plant endures. Among the different forms of environmental stresses, drought hampers the production of rice grains notably. The reality of climate change is so stark that more and more droughts are expected to be evident in the distant future. Water, being a requisite for rice cultivation, is gradually becoming a highly limited resource across the earth. In comparison to other cereal crops, rice is more sensitive to the soil water content. Decrease of soil water content or the unavailability of water triggers drought stress in rice. Therefore, the management of drought stress for the growth of rice plants is essential as even moderate stress during reproductive growth may result in a drastic reduction of grain yield. The distinct changes brought about by drought stress not only range from morphological to physiological changes but also from biochemical to molecular changes as well. A number of starch synthesis related enzymes like granule bound starch synthase I (GBSSI), soluble starch synthase IIa (SSIIa) play important role in grain filling, which are also affected by limited water under drought environment. Due to water scarcity, the rate of photosynthesis decreases, as a result of which dry matter accumulation decreases, which ultimately affects grain filling in rice. Drought causes delayed flowering as well as spikelet sterility, followed by low grain yield during harvesting. The prevalence of drought over longer periods causes reactive oxygen species to form within the rice plants which subsequently denatures proteins and nucleic acids. In many places where drought continues for longer periods, rice plants die resulting in huge loss of grain yields. The effective strategies that have been adopted involves-the development of stable drought tolerant rice varieties through plant breeding programs, the development of short duration rice cultivars which have short growing cycle and harvesting periods that may help the plant to escape drought, the development of rice plants having deep root system such that it can penetrate the soil to find the available moisture and water required for growth, as well as the development of transgenic drought tolerant rice plants which over express specific genes to withstand drought, are few of the effective management strategies that need special attention. Thus, it can be said that drought management for rice production is a crucial step towards food security and food production in the world. The present discussions will emphasize on the negative impact of drought in rice plants and also discuss possible key management practices that can address the existing and imminent drought related problems on rice plants.</div>

Impact of Drought Stress on Grains Filling in Rice and its Management: A Review

Background: In recent years, relevant studies had shown that a large number of adipokines were involved in energy homeostasis in the body, regulating the balance of glucose and lipid metabolism. Resistin was a special type of adipose factor and its discovery and related studies had shown a close relationship between resistin and heart disease. However, there was relatively little research on the structure of heart tissue, so we conducted this present study.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: In order to study the effect of resistin on the heart structure of mice, 20 healthy C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into experimental and control groups(n=10). The mice of the experimental group were injected with 20 &igrave;l/d of resistin solution through the tail vein. The mice of the control group were injected with the same volume of double distilled water. HandE staining, Wheat Germ Agglutinin (WGA) staining, Masson&rsquo;s trichrome staining and electron microscopy were used to observe the changes of microscopic structure and ultrastructure of mouse cardiomyocytes.&nbsp; 
 
Result: The results of HandE staining showed that the myocardial cells in the experimental group were disordered, the cytoplasm was loosely distributed and the gap between adjacent cells increased. WGA staining showed that the fluorescence green intensity of the mice in the experimental group was higherthan that of the control group. The myocardial cell membrane thickened, the average cross-sectional area of cardiomyocytes was larger than that of the control group. The results of the Masson staining showed that the staining of the cytoplasm of myocardial cells in the experimental group was significantly shallow and the blue structure was significantly increased. The electron microscopy showed that the number of mitochondria decreased and the mitochondria lightly dissolved or disappear. This study confirmed that resistin could change the content of collagen fibers and myofibrils in myocardial cells, induce cardiac hypertrophy and cause certain damage to mitochondria of cardiomyocytes. It was speculated that it could affect the physiological function of cardiomyocytes to some extent.

Effect of Resistin on the Heart Structure of Mouse

<div style="text-align: justify;">Thirty-two black gram genotypes were evaluated using twelve quantitative and fifteen qualitative traits at Motilal Nehru National Institute of Technology (MNNIT), Allahabad, India to determine genetic divergence using important yield and yield contributing traits. The number of pods plant-1, peduncle length, harvest index and biomass yield plant-1 are important traits affecting grain yield response in black gram. The quantitative traits like; pod length, number of pods plant-1, 100-grain weight as well as qualitative traits like; stem pubescence, leaf pubescence, pod pubescence, pre mature pod colour and plant growth habit which have major contribution in the genetic divergence of black gram. The number of pods plant-1 is most important grain yield contributing and genetic divergence developing traits. The genotypes were classified into six clusters based on Euclidean distance. The genotypes belonging to cluster I, II and III were highly diverse than genotypes lies in cluster IV, V and VI. The genotypes IPU 99-176, UH 82-51, GE 154, IPU 99-3 and NG 2119 had good potential to develop high yielding transgressive segregants. The wide genetic diversity is present in black gram. The present study will be much helpful for selection of the parental lines to develop good grain yield producing black gram cultivar in accordance with changing climate. &nbsp;</div>

Divergence analysis of black gram (Vigna mungo L.) for grain yield and yield components

<div>Chickpea is the major pulse crop in India accounting for nearly 43% (10.13 MT) of the total pulse production and 80% of total pulse export during 2018-19. It is a good source of carbohydrates and protein and constitutes an important component of diet of largely vegetarian Indian masses. Hydration capacity and volume expansion (after soaking in water) are important cooking quality traits in chickpea, particularly in kabuli type which are mostly cooked as &lsquo;whole grain&rsquo; without decortication. Limited information is available on these properties of chickpea. The current study is aimed at assessing the genetic variability and inter-relationships among grain physical and hydration traits in chickpea varieties. During the period 2017-2018, a total of fifty-nine chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) varieties including 46 desi type and 13 kabuli type varieties were evaluated for their grain physical and hydration traits viz., 100-seed weight, seed density, hydration capacity, hydration index, swelling capacity and swelling index. Significant differences were observed for 100 seed weight (Range: 11.00 to 51.50 g/100 seeds; Mean: 21.8 g/100 seeds), seed density (Range: 1.19 to 1.88; Mean: 1.37), hydration capacity (Range: 0.05 to 0.62; Mean: 0.24), hydration index (Range: 0.33 to 1.51; Mean: 1.10), swelling capacity (Range: 0.08 to 0.60; Mean: 0.25) and swelling index (Range: 0.62 to 2.33; Mean: 1.59). The magnitude of PCV was moderately higher than the corresponding GCV values for most of the traits indicating that the influence of the environment on the expression of these traits was not high. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance was recorded for 100-seed weight, hydration capacity and swelling capacity in both desi and kabuli varieties. These results indicate that high heritability of these traits is predominantly due to additive gene action and hence direct selection for these traits is expected to be effective. 100-seed weight showed significant positive correlations with hydration capacity and swelling capacity and negative correlation with seed density. Seed density showed negative correlation with hydration capacity, hydration index and swelling capacity. Hydration capacity was positively correlated with hydration index, swelling capacity and swelling index. These traits are important for consumers where whole grains are consumed after soaking and cooking. Existence of sufficient variability for these quality traits suggest the scope for breeding chickpea towards improved consumer preferred quality traits.</div>

<div>Genetic Variability and Inter-relationships Among Grain Physical and Hydration Traits in Chickpea</div>

<div>Background: Rice (Oryza sativa L.) feeds more than half of the world population, but it is a poor source of zinc (Zn) and iron (Fe). Therefore, there is a need for Zn and Fe- biofortified rice in the food chain. For this, rice breeding needs to be re-oriented to improve the status of grain Zn and Fe content while increasing the yield potential. Identification of micronutrient-rich donors and their association study with agro-economic traits can pave the way for nutritional and food security. 
 
Methods: Zinc and iron content of a set of 92 rice genotypes was estimated in the aliquot of seed extract by using an Inductive Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission Spectrophotometer (ICP-OES) to explore donors and to study the degree of association of these micronutrients with agro-economic traits including grain quality traits and seed yield. 
 
Result: The top Fe (&ge;50 ppm) and Zn dense (&ge;40 ppm) genotypes identified were P44 mutant selection-1, ORCZ 75-3-1, Basudha, Malliphulajhuli, Tikimahsuri and Nikipankhia. P44 mutant Sel.-1 and ORCZ 75-3-1 had good yield potential (44 q ha-1). Grains/panicles and the number of effective bearing tillers/hill maintained an appreciably strong positive association with seed yield, while plant height had an inverse relationship. Grain Fe content positively correlated with panicle length. On the other hand, Zn is positively associated with tillering ability and grains/panicle. Grain Fe and Zn revealed strong a inter se positive association. Interestingly, grain Fe revealed no association, but grain Zn revealed significant positive relationship with seed yield. This envisaged better scope for genetic enhancement of grain Zn content along with substantial increase in grain Fe without any yield penalty.</div>

Phenotyping and Association Analysis of Grain Zinc and Iron Content with Seed Yield in Diverse Local Germplasm of Rice

<div>Grain legumes are the important source of dietary protein in tropical regions and insect pests &nbsp;are the major biotic constraints in the production of the grain legumes throughout the country. &nbsp;About 150 species of insects are known to attack pulse crops in India. Among the insect pests, the sucking pests like aphid, Aphis &nbsp;craccivora Koch; jassid, Empoasca kerri Pruthi; whitefly, Bemisia &nbsp;tabaci Gennadius, thrips,Thrips palmi Karny and flower thrips, Megalurothrips usitatus Bagnall are known to cause significant damage &nbsp;to the pulse crops and also indirectly acting as a vectors in transmitting the deadly diseases resulting in severe loss in grain yields of the legume crops. The present review highlights the losses caused by the sucking pests and critically review the literature generated on the bio efficacy of conventional and novel groups of chemical insecticides for the management of sucking pests infesting grain legumes at different locations in India. &nbsp;&nbsp;</div>