Horsegram (Macrotyloma uniflorum [Lam.] Verdc.) is an underutilized pulse crop primarily cultivated in South Asian countries like India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. It offers various nutraceutical properties and demonstrates remarkable resilience to both biotic and abiotic stresses. As a result, it has emerged as a promising crop for ensuring future food and nutritional security. The purpose of this study was to assess the nutritional profile of 139 horsegram germplasm lines obtained from 16 Indian states that were conserved at the National Gene Bank of India. Standard analytical methods, including those provided by the Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC), were used for this investigation. The study revealed substantial variability in essential nutrients, such as protein (ranging from 21.8 to 26.7 g/100 g), starch (ranging from 26.2 to 33.0 g/100 g), total soluble sugars (TSSs) (ranging from 0.86 to 12.1 g/100 g), phenolics (ranging from 3.38 to 11.3 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAEs)/g), and phytic acid content (ranging from 1.07 to 21.2 mg/g). Noteworthy correlations were observed, including a strong positive correlation between sugars and phenols (r = 0.70) and a moderate negative correlation between protein and starch (r = −0.61) among the studied germplasm lines. Principal component analysis (PCA) highlighted that the first three principal components contributed to 88.32% of the total variability, with TSSs, phytates, and phenols emerging as the most significant contributors. The cluster analysis grouped the accessions into five clusters, with cluster III containing the accessions with the most desirable traits. The differential distribution of the accessions from north India into clusters I and III suggested a potential geographical influence on the adaptation and selection of genes. This study identified a panel of promising accessions exhibiting multiple desirable traits. These specific accessions could significantly aid quality breeding programs or be directly released as cultivars if they perform well agronomically.

Root rot of Paan methi/Kasuri methi (Foenum-corniculata), induced by the fungus Rhizoctonia solani has become a vital constraint to the growers of paan methi in Rajasthan. Two field surveys were conducted during the Rabi 2018-19 and 2019-20 cropping seasons to determine the distribution and importance of Paan methi root rot incidence in Nagaur district, Rajasthan. The associations of disease incidence with biophysical factors were evaluated. The disease incidence varied among soil types, crop management practices, and cropping seasons. Disease incidence was higher in 2019-20 (28.45%) than in 2018-19 (26.80%). Cropping season, soil type, and previous crop were pathogen-host were significantly associated with root rot incidence.Root rot incidence varied from 20.65 to 33.50 percent in four surveyed tehsils of Nagaur district, Rajasthan. Maximum disease incidence in both years (2018-19 and 2019-20) was recorded in Nagaur Tehsil (33.50%) followed by Jayal (30.07 %), Merta (24.50 %), and Degana (22.00 %). In the Nagaur district of Rajasthan, the overall average disease incidence was 27.65 percent in 48 fields of 24 villages of four tehsils. The survey among areas revealed that none of the locations was found free from the disease.

Lentil (Lens culinaris M) has expanded importance in India as well as various parts of Rajasthan as potential pulses crop. This crop suffers from many diseases among which vascular wilt of lentil caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lentis, has become a thoughtful trouble in recent years in Rajasthan and in other lentil growing parts of India, resulting heavy yield losses. Systematic studies in laboratory were conducted during 2017-18 to inhibit growth of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lentis. Laboratory experiments were carried out in Completely Randomized design with four replications using poisoned food technique during 2017-18. The efficacy of eight various systemic and non-systemic fungicides was evaluated in vitro at four concentrations viz., 50, 100, 150 and 200 ppm concentration. Companion (Carbendazim 12% + Mancozeb 63 % WP) gave maximum cent percent inhibition of mycelial growth at 200 ppm concentration followed by Carbendazim at 200 ppm concentration. Chlorothalonil was found least effective at all concentrations against Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lentis. Rest of fungicides viz., Propiconazole, Difenconazole and Tabuconazole were also found highly significant at all concentrations over control.