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This study evaluated the efficacy of entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) as biocontrol agents against aphids, whiteflies and western flower thrips. The research employed a leaf disc bioassay with various conidia concentrations to determine lethal concentration (LC) and time (LT) for pest eradication. Additionally, the study assessed the activity of cuticle-degrading enzymes produced by EPF (Chitinase, Protease, and Lipase) to understand their pathogenic mechanisms. Molecular identification using ITS region of 18S rDNA identified virulent isolates. Results indicated that four isolates, ENPF-16, 24, 41, and 60, achieved significant mortality rates (95% to 100%) at a concentration of 1x10⁸ conidia/mL after nine days. Akanthomyces sp. (ENPF-41) exhibited the highest enzyme activity, followed by Beauveria sp. (ENPF-60). The virulent fungal isolates were identified as Beauveria bassiana and Akanthomyces lecanii. Among EPFs, Akanthomyces lecanii (MT997935) displayed greater virulence against all three test insects with lower LC₅₀ and LT₅₀ values compared to other EPFs. In summary, all fungal isolates induced mortality in the tested pests, but their effectiveness varied. Akanthomyces lecanii (MT997935) emerged as a promising biocontrol candidate due to its broad host range and strong virulence.
 

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Six Collembola species from five families and two orders are for the first time recorded from India. All the described new records are mainly from two states, West Bengal and Arunachal Pradesh and collected from the surveys conducted in the Eastern Himalayan Region. Sphyrotheca multifasciata (Reuter, 1881) (Sminthuridae), Sminthurinus bimaculatus Axelson, 1902 (Katiannidae), Dicranocentrus nepalensis Mari Mutt & Bhattacharjee, 1980 (Orchesellidae), Isotomurus plumosus Bagnall, 1940 (Isotomidae), Isotomurus pseudopalustris Carapelli, Frati, Fanciulli & Dallai, 2001, (Isotomidae), Willowsia jacobsoni (Börner, 1913) (Entomobryidae), are the Collembola species whose occurrence is first time observed in India. As a result of the present work Collembola fauna of India reached up to 348 species. Material examined, a brief description and microscopic images of the new records are provided in the present study.
 

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One new species and three new records of Tomocerus have been reported for the first time from India. The new species Tomocerus sikkimensis sp. nov. discovered from Gangtok, Sikkim (India) has been illustrated and described here. The new species differs from others in dental spine number, arrangement and mucro teeth number. Tomocerus (Ocreatomurus) qinae Yu, Yan & Liu, 2016, Tomocerus (Tomocerus) minor (Lubbock, 1862) and Tomocerus (Ocreatomurus) paraspinulus Gong, Qin & Yu, 2018 are the first time reported from the Indian states Arunachal Pradesh and West Bengal respectively. A key to the Indian species of Tomocerus has also been provided.

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Dendrobium chrysanthum (Orchidaceae) is highly valued in the ornamental industry and has important medicinal properties used in the preparation of herbal medicines in different parts of the world. However, this orchid species is getting depleted from its natural habitats due to unsystematic collections. Therefore, in the present study, an efficient mass propagation protocol through direct shoot bud formation from axenic nodal segments of D. chrysanthum has been developed. The synergistic action between thidiazuron (TDZ) and 6-benzyl amino purine (BAP) was applied to enhance proliferation and elongation of shoots from the nodal segments. The explants were inoculated in MS medium fortified with different plant growth regulators viz., 2, 4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid (2, 4-D), BAP, and TDZ, separately and in combinations. The maximum frequency of explants forming buds (100%), highest number of shoots/explant (14.33±0.14), the bud forming capacity (BFC) index of 14.33, and the maximum length of shoots (1.97±0.04) were obtained in MS medium supplemented with 5 µM each of TDZ and BAP. Hundred percent rooting of regenerated shoots with an average number of 11.26 roots/shoot and having average root length of around 2.45 cm was obtained in MS medium fortified with 10 µM a-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA). Sixty days after transfer to the greenhouse following in vitro acclimatization for 30 days, 79% survival was recorded. The protocol developed will not only help to alleviate the pressure on the natural population under stress, but will also help in meeting its demands in pharmaceutical and ornamental industries, and also form the basis for conservation.

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Microencapsulation of fish oil-oregano essential oil blends were done by spray drying method. Sodium caseinate, bovine gelatin, gum Arabic and maltodextrin were used as wall material. Fish oil and wall material was used at the ratio of 1:2:2. In order to improve the oxidative stability of the fish oil encapsulates, oregano essential oil was added at 0.50% concentration. Physical, chemical and oxidative stability of fish oil microencapsulates were analyzed. Microcapsules had a moisture content of 2.56-4.2%. Encapsulation efficiency of microencapsulates was found to be 39.60-65.13%. Morphological characterization of microcapsules was done by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) revealing spherical shape of particles with wrinkles. Oxidative stability studies revealed that encapsulates prepared by sodium caseinate and gum Arabic with oregano essential oil showed lower TBA (0.58 mg malonaldehyde kg^-1) value than control (9.92 mg malonaldehyde kg^-1). Results indicated that oregano essential oil can be used to improve the oxidative stability of fish oil microencapsulates.

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In this study, fifteen commercial varieties, nine exotic genotypes, and three wild species of tomato grown in Eastern India were analyzed for variations in different phytochemicals viz. ascorbic acid, lycopene, total carotenoids, total phenolics content and total antioxidant capacity. Selected genotypes showed significant differences with respect to phytochemical composition. Among antioxidant property parameter, ascorbic acid content ranged between 12.62 to 76.15 mg 100 g^-1 of Fresh Weight (FW), whereas, the total phenolic content and total antioxidant capacity varied from 41.10 to 139.59 mg GAE 100 g^-1 of FW and 1.16 to 4.52 µmol Trolex Equivalent (TE) g^-1 of FW, respectively. Among carotenoid parameters, lycopene and total carotenoids content in whole tomato fruit ranged between 0.47 to 5.48 and 1.14 to 5.79 mg 100 g^-1 of FW, respectively. Interestingly, it was found that, among the evaluated genotypes, Exotic Collection (EC lines) showed significant enriched amount of these phytochemicals. Results indicated that the maximum ascorbic acid (76.15 mg 100 g^-1 FW), total phenolics content (139.59 mg GAE 100 g^-1 of FW), and total antioxidant capacity (4.52 µmol TE g^-1 of FW) was highest in exotic collection EC 528372, while, lycopene (5.48 mg 100 g^-1 of FW) and total carotenoids content (5.79 mg 100 g^-1 of FW) were recorded highest in cultivar Rio Grande. Thus, this group of screened genotypes consisting of phytochemical rich wild species and exotic collection can be further used for improvement of functional quality of tomato in future breeding programs of India and the Indo Gangetic region.

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The effect of nutrient solutions with varying nitrogen forms was evaluated on yield and quality of coriander (cv. Punjab Sugandh) grown in soilless medium under polyhouse conditions. Crop was sown on three dates viz., October (main season), February, and July (off-season), respectively. In polyhouse, N (Nitrogen) was supplied in variable ratios of NO₃^- to NH₄⁺ viz; 100:0 (T1), 75:25 (T2), 50:50 (T3), 25:75 (T4), 0:100 (T5), respectively, keeping total N content constant. Fresh foliage was harvested 3 times in each season at 30 days interval starting from date of sowing. At each harvest, plant growth quality parameters including activity of antioxidants enzymes were determined. Irrespective of the seasons, the yield was significantly higher in polyhouse than soil-grown crop, and among the nutrient solutions, the solution of T2 recorded significantly higher yield as well as growth and quality parameters during all the season. It could be concluded that NO₃^- to NH₄⁺ ratio of 75:25 in the nutrient solution improved both yield and quality and is thus most suitable for coriander crop.

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Production of high-quality inoculum in sufficient quantities is crucial for biocontrol programs. Entomopathogenic Fungi (EPF) are highly suitable biocontrol agents due to their adaptability, mode of action, persistence, and wide host range. This study aimed to evaluate the suitability of agro-wastes, including sugarcane bagasse, paddy husk, Post Mushroom Substrate (PMS), and sorghum grains with and without 10% molasses fortification, for mass production of four EPF isolates (Cordyceps fumosorosea: MT997932, Beauveria bassiana: MT997933, Akanthomyces lecanii: MT997935, and Hirsutella thompsonii: MT997936) isolated from two agro-climatic zones in Karnataka, India. The study employed solid-state fermentation. Results showed that sorghum grains fortified with 10% molasses had the highest mycelial growth and spore production of all isolates, followed by PMS with 10% molasses (T₇). Fortification with molasses positively influenced the growth and spore production of EPF. The results indicated that while sorghum grains were the best choice for mass production, PMS fortified with molasses also had great potential as an alternative substrate.