Changes in sugar composition occur continuously in plant tissues at different developmental stages. Tuber dormancy induction, stability, and breaking are very critical developmental transitions in yam crop production. Prolonged tuber dormancy after physiological maturity has constituted a great challenge in yam genetic improvement and productivity. In the present study, biochemical profiling of non-structural sugar in yam tubers during dormancy was performed to determine the role of non-structural sugar in yam tuber dormancy regulation. Two genotypes of the white yam species, one local genotype (Obiaoturugo) and one improved genotype (TDr1100873), were used for this study. Tubers were sampled at 42, 56, 87, 101, 115, and 143 days after physiological maturity (DAPM). Obiaoturugo exhibited a short dormant phenotype and sprouted at 101-DAPM, whereas TDr1100873 exhibited a long dormant phenotype and sprouted at 143-DAPM. Significant metabolic changes were observed in non-structural sugar parameters, dry matter, and moisture content in Obiaoturugo from 56-DAPM, whereas in TDr1100873, significant metabolic changes were observed from 101-DAPM. It was observed that the onset of these metabolic changes occurred at a point when the tubers of both genotypes exhibited a dry matter content of 60%, indicating that a dry matter content of 60% might be a critical threshold for white yam tuber sprouting. Non-reducing sugars increased by 9–10-fold during sprouting in both genotypes, which indicates their key role in tuber dormancy regulation in white yam. This result implicates that some key sugar metabolites can be targeted for dormancy manipulation of the yam crop.

Widely consumed type of rice in the world with white pericarp and is known as non-pigmented white rice. Recently, pigmented traditional rice varieties have become popular among the consumers due to its dark pigmented pericarp having nutritional value. This type of rice variety is important in determining the digestibility of starch and its Glycemic index (GI). The digestibility of the rice depends on the properties of starch, including its crystallinity and amylose: amylopectin ratio. Hence, the study focuses on the analysis of phyto nutrients in the selected traditional and TNAU released rice varieties to identify the low GI lines. Nutritional analysis of the selected traditional rice genotypes namely Karuppu kavuni, Karun kuruvai (black), Kaattuyanam, Mapillai samba and Kuruvai kalanchiyam and five ruling TNAU released rice varieties (ADT 52, TKM 9,TKM 13, ASD 16 and CO51) has been carried out. Among the selected traditional and TNAU - released rice varieties, Mapillai samba showed the strongest alpha-amylase inhibition (IC50 = 23.15 μg/mL), maximum anthocyanin content (48.37 mg/100g), and phenolic content (45.8 mg/100g), highest total antioxidant activity (51.8% DPPH scavenging activity. Mapillai samba (31) and Kuruvai kalanjiyam (27.5) were identified as low glycemic index lines. Hence, the pigmented traditional rice landraces can be used as a source of functional foods.

Changes in sugar composition occur continuously in plants tissues, at different develop-mental stages. Tuber dormancy induction, stability, and breaking are very critical developmental transitions in yam crop production. Prolonged tuber dormancy after physiological maturity has constituted a great challenge in yam genetic improvement and productivity. In the present study, biochemical profiling of non-structural sugar in yam tuber during dormancy was performed to determine the role of non-structural sugar in yam tuber dormancy regulation. Two genotypes of white yam specie; one local genotype (Obiaoturugo) and (TDr1100873) were used for this study. Tubers were sampled at (42, 56, 87, 101, 115, and 143) days after physiological maturity (DAPM). Obiaoturugo exhibited a short dormant phenotype and sprouted at 101DAPM, whereas TDr1100873 exhibited a long-dormant phenotype, and sprouted at 143DAPM. Significant metabolic changes were observed in non-structural sugar parameters, dry matter, and moisture content in Obiaoturugo from 56DAPM, whereas, in TDr1100873 significant metabolic changes were observed from 101DAPM. It was observed that the onset of these metabolic changes occurred at a point when the tubers of both genotypes exhibited dry matter content of 60%, indicating that dry matter content of 60% might be a critical threshold for white yam tuber sprouting. Nonreducing sugars increased by 9-10-fold during sprouting in both genotypes which indicates its key role in tuber dormancy regulation in white yam. This result implies that some key sugar metabolites can be targeted for dormancy manipulation of yam crop.

The global floriculture industry, particularly the trade in cut flowers, has witnessed significant growth over recent decades, becoming a vital component of agricultural exports for many nations. However, cut flowers are highly perishable commodities, highly susceptible to physiological deterioration, microbial contamination and abiotic stresses post-harvest. Effective postharvest handling is essential to preserve quality attributes such as colour, turgidity, scent and vase life parameters critical for consumer satisfaction and marketability. This review explores recent scientific and technological advances in postharvest handling practices aimed at enhancing flower longevity and ensuring competitiveness in international markets. Topics include the use of chemical preservatives, ethylene inhibitors and genetic improvements; advances in microbial control using UV-C, ozone and essential oils; integration of automated grading systems using AI and machine vision; and the adoption of innovative, sustainable packaging solutions including biodegradable materials, smart packaging and Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP).

The split gill mushroom, Schizophyllum commune Fr., naturally occurs on decaying wood during the rainy season and is consumed as a food source in many parts of North-East India due to its medicinal properties. In the present study, an isolate of S. commune was analysed for its proximate composition and nutraceutical potential to support the development of biofortified products. The proximate composition analysis of dried and fresh mushrooms of S. commune revealed the following results: carbohydrate content (74.00% and 30.51 %, respectively), calorific value (358.00 and 148.84 Kcal/100g, respectively), crude fiber (3.08 % and 1.20% respectively), crude protein content (13.70 % and 6.18%, respectively), and total antioxidant activity (1267.00?g/g and 1090.76?g/g, respectively). Glycemic potential assessments indicated that S. commune exhibited a low glycemic index of 10.33 and total starch digestibility of 7.65%. The nutraceutical analysis of dried S. commune powder in different solvent extracts (methanol, ethanol, and ethyl acetate) demonstrated that methanolic extracts recorded the highest DPPH inhibition percentage (89.60%), reducing power (37.20%), and phenolic content (0.230±0.005 mg/mL). Methanolic extracts also exhibited higher flavonoid content (0.455±0.003mg/mL). Ethanolic extracts were found to have the highest total tannin (0.250±0.001mg/mL) and saponin content (0.303±0.001mg/mL). A herbal infusion formulated with S. commune dried powder, dried basil leaf powder, and dried ginger powder demonstrated high antioxidant and phytochemical properties. Sensory evaluation of two treatments of the herbal infusion indicated good overall acceptability, highlighting its potential as a commercially viable fortified product with significant antioxidant properties.

Rice cultivation is one of the major anthropogenic sources of methane, a potent greenhouse gas. Methane (CH4) is produced under anaerobic conditions in soils by methanogenic archaea. The magnitude of CH4 emissions depends on processes such as CH4 production, oxidation and transport, which are influenced by soil properties, microbial activity, plant traits and management practices. Methanotrophic bacteria significantly contribute to the reduction of emissions through the oxidation of CH4, especially in the rhizosphere where oxygen is available. This paper reviews various dimensions of CH4 in rice ecosystems such as methanogenesis pathways, CH4 oxidation mechanisms, microbial interactions and the environmental controls of redox potential, organic substrates, water and nutrient management. Several strategies for mitigation, such as alternate wetting and drying irrigation, optimised fertilisation, biochar application, crop establishment methods, low-methane rice varieties and emerging technologies like bioinoculants, nanotechnology and precision agriculture, have been discussed. Overall, there is a great need for integrated management approaches that simultaneously enhance CH4 oxidation and reduce CH4 production in order to develop climate-smart rice systems that can not only reduce emissions but ensure global food security.