The current experiment was conducted at Palampur, India during 2009–11 in okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.)– pea (Pisum sativum L.) cropping system in RBD replicated thrice with 14 treatments comprising arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), applied–P (50, 75 and 100% recommended P dose) and irrigation regimes (40 and 80% available water holding capacity). At active growth period (50–100 DAS), AMF imbedded treatments exhibited 7 and 20% higher absolute growth rate (AGR) in okra and pea over non–AMF counterparts, while relative growth rate (RGR) both in okra and pea was not affected significantly by AMF application. Net assimilation rate (NAR) and crop growth rate (CGR) in okra were higher by 17 and 3%, respectively with AMF inoculation, though, effect on pea was inconspicuous. At both irrigation regimes, ‘AMF + 75% soil–test based P dose’ registered statistically similar okra fruit and pea pod yields as that obtained under ‘100% soil–test based P dose’, thus, indicating an economy of about 25% soil–test based P dose. AMF inoculated plants also showed nominally higher succulence level (moisture) in okra fruits and pea pods at their picking stages compared to their non–AMF counterparts, again demonstrating a positive impact of AMF on quantitative vegetable freshness and plant water relations as well. AMF significantly enhanced the various indices of P-use efficiency in both crops. The increase in partial factor productivity (PFP), crop recovery efficiency (CRE) and % recovery (PR) of applied–P in okra under AMF inoculation was 9, 36 and 20%, respectively over non–AMF counterparts. In pea, AMF inoculation exhibited respective increase of 12, 61 and 27% in PFP, CRE and PR of applied–P over non–AMF counterparts. Production and monetary efficiencies in okra–pea cropping system were also enhanced by AMF inoculation. Overall, utilization of AMF in okra–pea cropping system indicated an economy of about 25% in soil–test based applied–P dose besides improved plant growth. AMF also revealed a tremendous potential in enhancing P- use efficiency, which otherwise is very low in acid Alfisol. Further, AMF inoculation may lead to improved fruit succulence to fetch better prices in market.

‘Participatory-mode’ adaptive research was conducted in wheat in north-western Himalayas (NWH) during 2008–2014 to develop an improved chemical weed management (ICWM) technology. First of all, two years ‘on-farm experimentation’ was performed in a randomized block design at 10 locations in NWH using seven treatments (Clodinafop @ 60 g a.i./ha (Clod); Clod followed by 2,4-D (Na-salt) @ 1.0 kg a.i./ha (Clod-fb-D); Isoproturon 75 WP @ 1.0 kg a.i./ha (Iso); Iso + D; Sulfosulfuron 75% WG @ 25 g a.i./ha + Metsulfuron 5% WG @ 2 g a.i./ha (Sulf + Met); weed-free-check; and un-weeded-check). In this study, the post-emergence application of Sulf + Met reported the lowest weed-index and NPK depletion by weeds with higher weed control efficiency (86.4%), weed control index (81.1%) and herbicide efficiency index (2.62) over other herbicides. Sulf + Met exhibited significantly higher wheat productivity (3.57 t/ha), protein yield, net-returns and water-productivity, which was followed by Iso + D and Clod-fb-D, all of which remained statistically at par with each other. An impact assessment of intensive technology-transfer programme (2008–2014) revealed a higher technology adoption rate (71–98%) of ICWM leading to higher wheat productivity (~22%) and net income gains (2.8–26.4%) in NWH. Overall, Sulf + Met proved highly effective against mixed weed flora in wheat to boost wheat productivity, profitability, quality and water productivity in addition to a higher technology adoption rate and NIGs to transform rural livelihoods in NWH.

LncRNAs, defined as transcripts longer than 200 nucleotides with limited protein-coding potential, have emerged as important regulators of gene expression across multiple levels of cellular regulation. These molecules influence chromatin organization, transcriptional activity, and post-transcriptional processes through diverse interactions with DNA, RNA, and protein complexes. Although initially considered transcriptional byproducts, accumulating evidence now indicates that lncRNAs participate in a wide range of physiological processes and are implicated in numerous human diseases, including cancer, cardiovascular disorders, neurological diseases, and immune related conditions. However, the strength of mechanistic evidence varies substantially across the field, with robust functional validation currently limited to a relatively small number of well-characterized lncRNAs. In many cases, proposed regulatory roles remain supported primarily by expression correlations or limited perturbation studies, highlighting the need for careful evaluation of reproducibility, context dependence, and locus-specific effects. In addition, translating lncRNA discoveries into therapeutic strategies faces several practical challenges, including efficient tissue-specific delivery, subcellular localization constraints, isoform complexity, and potential off-target effects. This review provides an overview of current knowledge on lncRNA classification, biogenesis, and molecular mechanisms, evaluates their roles in human disease, and discusses emerging therapeutic approaches in the context of translational feasibility. By integrating mechanistic insights with current limitations and unresolved questions, we highlight priorities for future research aimed at harnessing lncRNAs for diagnostic and therapeutic applications in precision medicine.

In Himalayan acid Alfisol, the influence of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) on fruit and root characteristics in okra-pea cropping system was assessed at varying inorganic phosphorus and irrigation regimes (40 & 80% available water capacity). In okra, AMF inoculation significantly improved the fruit length, fruit girth and fruit weight besides enhancing rooting depth (13%), root volume (7%), root dry weight (7%) and root weight density (6%) over non-AMF treatments. In pea, AMF sharply increased the average pod weight (10%), rooting depth (9%), root volume (16%), root dry weight (13%) and root weight density (12%) over non-AMF counterparts. AMF enhanced mycorrhizal root colonization by 2 to 2.3-fold both in okra and pea besides significant improvement in available soil-P pool (21%). ‘AMF + 75% soil-test based P dose (STB-P)’ at both irrigation regimes remained statistically alike with generalized recommended nutrient-cum-irrigation dose (GRD) and ‘AMF + 100% STB-P’ with respect to fruit and root parameters in okra-pea system, thus, indicating an economy of about 25% applied-P through AMF inoculation in acid Alfisol. Hence, AMF had positive influence on fruiting and root characteristics, fertilizer-P economy and availability in Himalayan okra-pea production system.