The present investigation was carried out to identify the potential donors of resistant gene(s)/the source of white rust disease in B. juncea using 30 genotypes, including locally adapted accessions and advanced breeding lines. Out of 30 genotypes, ten lines viz. Bio-YSR, CAULC-1, CAULC-2, CAULC-3, CAULC-4, CAURM-2, CAULR-7, CAURM-4, CAURM 4-1, and CAURM 4-2 exhibited a lower PDI value (lesser than mean 10.83) with a superior agronomic performance related with the disease. The evaluation of these ten genotypes for the presence of the BjuWRR1 gene using a gene-based marker depicted the presence of the functional allele of the BjuWRR1 gene in the five genotypes viz., Bio-YSR, CAULC-1, CAULC-3, CAURM 4-1 and CAURM 4-2. When compared with the sequenced amplicon of these genotypes, it is found to be identical with that of an east European Brassica juncea line, Donskaja-IV, the completely resistant genotype against various isolates of Albugo candida. The findings from the present study suggested that besides Bio-YSR, the local lines of Manipur CAULC-1 (Local Yella of Potshangbam) and CAULC-3 (Local Yella of Kakching Lamjao) can be used as the potential white rust resistance sources/donors in disease resistance breeding programmes for the development of elite B. juncea cultivars in the future. In addition to the local lines, two improved advanced lines, viz. CAURM 4-1 and CAURM 4-2, obtained from a hybridization programme, may be further evaluated for releasing resistant varieties against white rust.

The Asian giant hornet, Vespa magnifica is an edible insect fondly eaten in larval and adult stage in maximum ethnic communities of the Northeast India especially in Manipur state. The nutritional and anti-nutritional aspects of V. magnifica revealed high protein (31.1%, 38.4%), fat (22.0%, 8.13%), carbohydrates (1.67%, 0.72%) and fibre (0.69%, 4.34%) content in both larval and adult stage respectively. The results exhibited that consumption of 100 gram of V. magnifica in larval and adult stage provided optimal amount of energy (329.1 and 229.7 kcal, respectively). Iron, potassium, calcium, sodium, and phosphorus are the most prevalent minerals found in the edible hymenopteran that can be used as supplementary food to human diets. The IC₅₀% of adults (0.701 mg/ml) exhibited lower value than larvae (0.813 mg/ml) expressing its stronger antioxidant properties than larval hymenopteran. Low levels of anti-nutritional components such as phenol (38.7 and 30.3 mg/g) and tannin (50.0 and 24.5 mg/g) have established the insects’ non-toxic character when taken as part of a human diet. The insect is widely available in Manipur local markets but at a very high price and great demand. It has the potential to support economic upliftment, nutrition and food security along with sustainable impact on environment.

The growing global population exacerbates the significant challenge of food security, food safety and environmental concerns in the process of production. Edible insects prove to be an alternative protein-rich source as global food supply requirements are increasing and the practice of entomophagy can provide dual benefits of alternative food source as well as solution to many of the plant pests which cause significant damage to the crops. The primary objective of the present work was to evaluate the nutritional and mineral contents as well as anti-nutritional factors of white-striped longhorn beetle, Batocera lineolata. The results show low (< 30%) protein (27.8%), high (> 35%) fat (42.33%), low (< 10%) carbohydrate (1.59%), and low (< 05%) fiber (3.07%) content, as well as a total energy content of 498.8 kcal/100 g. Potassium, sodium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, and iron were the most prevalent minerals found in the edible grub, which can be utilized as a supplement to human diets. A weak IC50 value for the DPPH radical scavenging activity, was recorded (0.618 mg/ml) in grub stage. Phenolics such as phenol (26.8 mg/g) and tannin (12.5 mg/g) were detected in the insect sample. At these low levels they are non-toxic and may provide benefits as antioxidants to the consumers at low concentrations. The insect is wildly harvested from forest in large quantities by the consumers and is enjoyed by the tribal inhabitants across Manipur. Our findings further strengthen the importance of non-conventional edible foods popular across the world.