<div>Background: Nitric oxide (NO) physiology is very complex in detrusor smooth muscle (DSM). While NO relaxes detrusor in some species, in contrary, it produces contraction in other. NO donor sodium nitroprusside (SNP) was found to inhibit CCh-induced contraction in goat DSM in earlier studies, but it is not known how SNP produces inhibitory action on goat DSM. Therefore, the aim of this in vitro study was to investigate the mechanism of inhibitory action of SNP pertaining to involvement of G- protein and other second messenger on goat DSM.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: Goat detrusor muscle strips collected from local abattoir were mounted in a thermostatically controlled (37o&plusmn;0.5oC) organ bath (20 ml capacity) containing physiological solution. Following 1 hr of equilibration, carbachol (CCh) (10-5 M) induced sub-maximal contraction was elicited both in the absence and presence of SNP (10-5 M). Involvement of NO and guanylyl cyclase was assessed using nitric oxide synthase inhibitor L-NAME (10-5 M) and guanylyl cyclase inhibitor ODQ (10-5 M). Experiments were also carried out in the presence of G-protein activator aluminium fluoride (AlF) (10-5 M), protein kinase C (PKC) activator phorbol-12-myristate (PMA) (10-5 M), nifedipine, low Ca2+ PSS, theophylline and Zero Ca2+ PSS.&nbsp; 
 
Result: Inhibitory effect of SNP (10-5 M) on CCh-induced contraction on goat DSM was reversed by nitric oxide synthase inhibitor L-name (10-5 M) and guanylyl cyclase inhibitor ODQ (10-5 M). Prior incubation of the tissues with AlF and PMA also reversed the SNP mediated inhibition. On the other hand, nifedipine and low Ca2+ PSS; and theophylline and zero Ca2+ PSS potentiated the SNP-mediated inhibition. Thus, the present study shows that SNP elicited inhibitory effect on goat DSM is both NO-dependent and cGMP-dependent. In addition, the result shows that SNP inhibits G-protein coupled PKC leading to inhibition of both Ca2+ entry and intracellular Ca2+ release with a resultant decrease in intracellular Ca2+.</div>

Sodium Nitroprusside Inhibits Detrusor Muscle Contraction through G-protein Mediated Inhibition of Intracellular Ca2+ Release

<div>Background: Bovine mastitis is a multifactorial and is one of the most challenging disease. It can be caused by many different bacterial species, the most common of which are Staphylococcus species and Streptococcus species. The prevalence of different species varies temporally, geographically and also due to control measures adopted in herds. The present study is on the biofilm forming Streptococcus uberis causing mastitis and the effect of antibiofilm agents on the antimicrobial resistance of the microorganisms.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: The isolates were identified by Polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Two antibiofilm agents, resveratrol and ursolic acid (UA) each at two concentrations (30 &mu;g/ml, 100 &mu;g/ml) were used for the study. Biofilm formation and rate of biofilm inhibition was detected using quantitative microtiter plate (MTP) assay and biofilm gene (lux S) was detected using PCR. The isolates treated with antibiofilm agents were subjected to standard disc diffusion test with 7 antibiotics and the change in antibiotic resistance was studied.&nbsp; 
 
Result: The mean&plusmn;SE values of inhibition rates of 29 S. uberis isolates by 30 &mu;g/ml UA, 100 &mu;g/ml UA, 30 &mu;g/ml resveratrol, 100 &mu;g/ml resveratrol were 33.96&plusmn;3.17%, 57.40&plusmn;2.8%, 31.35&plusmn;3.12% and 46.28&plusmn;3.47%, respectively. Biofilm inhibiting agents along with all antibiotics had reduced antimicrobial resistance by 1.5-2 times on in vitro antibiotic resistance testing by disc diffusion at 100 &mu;g/ml concentration. The antibiofilm agents were found to be very effective to control antibiotic resistance of S. uberis from mastitic milk samples in vitro.</div>

​Efficacy of Resveratrol and Ursolic Acid on Biofilm Inhibition and Antimicrobial Resistance of Streptococcus uberis

<div>Background: Development of fortified organic formulations using various organic sources and fertilizers for soil application will ensure efficient nutrient management in homestead vegetable production systems. Fortified organic formulations will help in preventing nutrient leaching also. Hence, the present study has been undertaken during 2019-20 to develop low cost fortified organic manure discs using various biodegradable agro waste materials and NPK fertilizers and to study its effect on growth and yield of tomato in sandy soils of Kerala. 
 
Methods: A fortified manure disc was developed by combining local biodegradable agro waste materials with conventional NPK fertilizers. Organic manures like rice husk ash, cow dung, rice husk, coirpith compost, vermicompost, neem cake and clay were used to develop the manure disc. The combination of organic manures was fortified with fertilizers at various proportions of manure: fertilizer viz., 1:1, 2:1, 0.5:1 and manure alone and used for incubation for a period of two months to study the nutrient release pattern of N, P and K.The 2:1(manure: fertilizer) formulation was selected based on the highest peak of nutrient availability of N, P and K even after 2 months. Effect of fortified manure disc was evaluated by using tomato variety Anagha as test crop in a pot culture experiment.&nbsp; 
 
Result: Growth, yield and quality of tomato increased significantly due to the application of fortified manure disc. The highest yield per plant of 0.97 kg was recorded for T8 (50% recommended dose fortified manure disc in 2 splits) and lowest yield was recorded for T9 (Manure alone). The fortified manure disc had a significant influence on nutrient use efficiency also. The highest NUE of 45.5% was recorded in treatment T8 (50% fertilizer fortified discs in 2 splits). Study revealed that fortified manure disc is a promising technology to reduce nutrient leaching and enhancing the nutrient use efficiency in sandy soils. Fifty percentage reduction in the recommended dose of NPK fertilizers were achieved by fortifying the manure disc with fertilizers.Thus the cost of fertilizers and fertilizer load per unit area can be reduced by the application of fortified manure disc which will act as slow release fertilizer.</div>

​Nutrient Release Pattern of a Fortified Manure Disc and its Implication on Yield of Tomato in Sandy Soils

<div>Background: Helicoverpa armigera (H&uuml;bner) is a common polyphagous pest on corn cob. H. armigera that is controllable through Trichogrammatoidea armigera (Nagaraja) parasitoid release. Successful inundated release of parasitoids depends on parasitization and parasitoid dispersal. 
 
Methods: The experiment consisted of 2 parasitoid release plots and 1 no release plot. T. armigera parasitoid was released twice, at 45 DAP and 52 DAP (Day after planting) in the middle of the experimental plot. The dose of parasitoid released during the corn generative phase was 1000 individuals per 254 m2 (~ 40000/ha). Evaluation was carried out by collecting the eggs of H. armigera 3 days after release at radius 1, 3, 6 and 9 m in all cardinal directions from the release point. 
&nbsp; 
Result: The release of parasitoids increased the eggs parasitization of H. armigera in 45 DAP tot he tune of 51.91% and 52 DAP was 38.57%. The wind direction did not affect the parasitoid movement which is active and almost uniform in all cardinal directions. Parasitoid movement was slightly similar in all distances and cardinal directions. The distribution of parasitoids reached 9 m from 40 release points ha-1 in colonies. T. armigera parasitoids were grouped hence, the monitoring in corn was carried out systematically.</div>

The Release of Trichogrammatoidea armigera parasitoid for the Parasitization of Helicoverpa armigera Eggs in Maize

<div>Background: Urea is commonly used as source of non protein nitrogen for ruminants. However, the fact that the rate of release of NH3-N must coincide with the rate of digestion of carbohydrates or else lead to toxicity, this has led the industry to seek the development of compounds with a slow release urea (SRU), which have less risk of toxicity in animals. 
 
Methods: A study was conducted on 30 ram lambs (1-2 month old; 14.73&plusmn;0.49 kg body weight) randomly allotted to 5 dietary treatments with 6 animals in each group in a completely randomized design to evaluate the effect of supplementation of SRNPN products on nitrogen balance, plane of nutrition and nutrient utilisation. Five maize stover based complete diets (2190kcal ME/kg and 14.6% CP) were prepared viz. control diet with SBM as major protein source (45% CP) and without any NPN supplement, positive control diet, having urea (46% N) around 1% of dietary DM and in other 3 diets, urea was totally replaced with FCU, CFCU and HMCCU.&nbsp; 
 
Result: Supplementation of SRNPN products did not affect the intake of nutrients viz. DM, OM, CP, CF, NFE, NDF, ADF, hemicellulose and cellulose and the digestibilities of DM, OM, NFE and ADF. While, CP digestibility (%) reduced (P&lt;0.01) with feeding of urea (78.52) based diet compared to control diet (84.34) and replacement of urea with FCU (85.24) improved the CP digestibility (%) and was comparable to control. Incorporation of urea in the diets decreased (P&lt;0.01) the CF and cellulose digestibility compared to control, while incorporation of FCU or CFCU in diets improved (P&lt;0.01) CF, NDF and hemicellulose digestibilities. The N intake, excretion and balance (g/d) was though comparable among the dietary groups, the retention in lambs fed urea diets was lower by 14.71% compared to control group, while in FCU, CFCU and HMCCU fed lambs, N retention improved by 18.17, 10.05 and 7.84%, respectively compared to urea diet fed lambs.&nbsp;</div>

Nutrient Utilisation in Ram Lambs Fed with Coated Slow Release Non-protein Nitrogen Sources

Background: &nbsp;Iron (Fe) is an essential micronutrient that plays numerous vital functions in crop growth and development. This study was carried out to synthesise and characterize sugarcane bagasse and nano-zeolite based slow release Fe fertiliser hydrogel.

Methods: At the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University in Coimbatore, a laboratory experiment was carried out to synthesize and characterise a slow release Fe fertiliser (SR Fe) hydrogel encompassing sugarcane bagasse and nano-zeolite. A slow-release Fe fertiliser was successfully created using the graft co-polymerization method. The chemical composition and surface morphology of the synthesised slow-release Fe fertiliser were characterised using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), FTIR, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA).

Result: SEM results show the evenly distributed pore space, and EDX data show that the superabsorbent nanocomposite was successfully loaded with fertiliser Fe. The grafting of acrylate-based monomers onto starch molecules, the incorporation of nano zeolite into the polymeric matrix, and the loading of Fe nutrition into the hydrogel network were all effective, according to the results of the FTIR analysis. The superabsorbent nanocomposite&#39;s temperature stability was demonstrated by the TGA research findings. The current study&#39;s findings demonstrated that the SR Fe fertiliser was successfully synthesised and may be regarded as the most promising option for slowly delivering nutrients to crops in order to meet their nutrient needs and improve nutrient use efficiency.

Sugarcane Bagasse and Nano-zeolite based Slow Release Fe Fertiliser Hydrogel: Its Synthesis and Characterization

<div style="text-align: justify;">Natural soil containing nutrients (like nitrogen, phosphorus, calcium and potassium) allows plants to grow. The deficiency of nutrients in soil reduced the growth and development of plants. When the nutrient level is too low, the plant cannot function properly and then fertilizers provide sufficient nutrients to plants. Nowadays the farmer applied various kinds of synthetic and organic and some special class of microbial fertilizers for more production of agricultural crops. Excess use of chemical fertilizers caused nutrient leaching problems and also pollutes soil, water and air environment. However, chemical fertilizers are expensive, non-eco-friendly, cause eutrophication, reduce organic matter and microbial activity in the soil and are hazardous to health. Therefore, Slow-release biofertilizers are also produced by the technical intermediations that breakdown the nutrients and make them available to the plants for a longer duration. These fertilizers play an important role in improving the growth and development of plants, thereby mitigating environmental pollution and helping in sustainable agriculture. The efficacy of slow-release biofertilizers can be enhanced plant growth and productivity and manage the nutrient leaching from soil and also control water pollution.</div>

<div style="text-align: justify;">Nutrient Management Technologies and the Role of Organic Matrix-Based Slow-Release Biofertilizers for Agricultural Sustainability: A Review</div>

<div>The official system of release of crop varieties in India has been in operation for more than six decades since October 1964. The Central Government decided to legalize this system and regulate the quality of seeds of varieties and enacted the Seeds Act on December 29, 1966. The Act came in to force in whole of India and State of Sikkim with effect from September 2, 1968 and May 8, 1987, respectively and October 1, 1969 only for certain provisions of some sections. The first Central Seed Committee and Seed Rules were formed in 1968. The Seeds Act, 1966 was amended in 1972 resulting in to the creation of first Central Seed Certification Board in 1984. The first set of 56 varieties was notified with effect from October 1, 1969 as per section 5 of the Seeds Act, 1966; for specific state/s and for 15 years, but, the bar of 15 years for notification of varieties was removed in 2006 since the notification of May 15, 1990. A total of 7326 high yielding varieties/hybrids having tolerance of biotic and abiotic stresses and enhanced nutritional quality of 96 field crops have been released and notified till 2024. Among them, 242 varieties were de-notified until cut-off notification of May 15, 1990. Another land mark policy decision during the last six decades was enforcement of Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers&rsquo; Rights Act, 2001 and Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers&rsquo; Rights Rules, 2003 for protecting the rights of var ious stakeholders such as plant breeders, researchers and farmers initiating an era of Intellectual Property Rights in Agriculture and registration of 9210 varieties. The Central Government initiated regulating the price of Bt cotton since 2016-17. The future-regulating system of variety release and notification and seed quality through any legislation should address various issues like the plant variety protection regime including benefit sharing, development of varieties by utilizing new emerging technologies such as gene-editing, biotech crops and harmonizing Indian and international seed production/certification standards to cater the need of Indian farmers and also promote seed export.</div>

Transformation of Variety Release and Notification System in India- Six Decades of the Seeds Act, 1966: A Review

<div>Background: Bottle gourd is a cucurbitaceous vegetable of culinary and medicinal importance cultivated in various tropical and sub-tropical regions of world. This crop is exposed to a wide variety of seed and soil mycoflora, out of which Fusarium proliferatum is utmost important as far as seed germination, viability and seedling vigour are concerned. 
 
Methods: Study was taken up to evaluate different fungicides and bioagents for their efficacy against the fungus Fusarium proliferatum under in vitro through spore germination inhibition technique. 
 
Result: Spore germination inhibition of 86.00%, 85.00% and 81.33% was recorded with hexaconazole (5% SC) @ 0.2% (C3), mancozeb (75% WP) @ 0.3% (C3) and Pseudomonas fluorescens (1% WP) @ 2% (C3), respectively. The inhibition in spore germination by mancozeb (75% WP) and Pseudomonas fluorescens (1% WP) was upto 77.33% and it was 61.78% and 67.33% in treatments involving carbendazim (50% WP) and Trichoderma harzianum (1% WP) that could be exploited to devise integrated approach for disease management.</div>

Evaluation of Fungicides and Bioagents against Fusarium proliferatum under In vitro by Spore Germination Inhibition Technique

Snakebites are considered a neglected tropical disease that affects thousands of people worldwide. The available anti-venoms are associated with numerous side effects. As an alternative, researchers have extensively studied the plants in order to obtain some unusual treatment. The current study was conceded to evaluate the effects of salix nigra (Black willow) against krait snake venom acetylcholinesterase and its role as anti-cancer, anti-oxidant agent. Standard protocols of Ellman, Meyer, Gyamfi and Ruch were used for enzyme inhibition, anti-cancer and free radicals scavenging assays respectively. The methanolic extract of Salix nigra proved to possess neutralization properties against krait snake (Bungarus Sindanus) venom acetylcholinesterase. Statistical data of the results showed that Salix nigra extract inhibited the krait venom acetylcholinesterase through concentration dependent manner. Kinetic analysis using Lineweaver Burk plot revealed that Salix nigra caused competitive type of inhibition i.e. km value increased while Vmax remain constant with an increase of extract&rsquo;s concentration. The calculated IC50 value of Salix nigra was found to be 177&micro;g/ml. In DPPH free radical scavenging assay, extract showed good scavenging potential with IC50 value of 317&micro;g/ml. Similarly, using H2O2 free radicals, the % scavenging of the extract at 100, 250, 500 and 1000&micro;g/ml was 41, 54, 69 and 74% in comparison with ascorbic acid. Moreover, the extract exhibited good cytotoxic activity against brine shrimps in a dose dependent manner. The present work suggests, for the first time, that Salix nigra extract can be used not only as a potent inhibitor of snake venom acetylcholinesterase but also for the eradication of free radicals along with significant anticancer activity.

Sodium Nitroprusside Inhibits Detrusor Muscle Contraction through G-protein Mediated Inhibition of Intracellular Ca²⁺Release

Efficacy of Resveratrol and Ursolic Acid on Biofilm Inhibition and Antimicrobial Resistance of Streptococcus uberis

Nutrient Release Pattern of a Fortified Manure Disc and its Implication on Yield of Tomato in Sandy Soils

The Release of Trichogrammatoidea armigera parasitoid for the Parasitization of Helicoverpa armigera Eggs in Maize

Nutrient Utilisation in Ram Lambs Fed with Coated Slow Release Non-protein Nitrogen Sources

Sugarcane Bagasse and Nano-zeolite based Slow Release Fe Fertiliser Hydrogel: Its Synthesis and Characterization

Nutrient Management Technologies and the Role of Organic Matrix-Based Slow-Release Biofertilizers for Agricultural Sustainability: A Review

Transformation of Variety Release and Notification System in India- Six Decades of the Seeds Act, 1966: A Review

Evaluation of Fungicides and Bioagents against Fusarium proliferatum under In vitro by Spore Germination Inhibition Technique

Promising inhibition of krait snake’s venom acetylcholinesterase by Salix nigra and its role as anticancer, antioxidant agent