Soybean Research Articles

Impact of genotypic mixture on soybean (Glycine max) pest population

An experiment was conducted during rainy (kharif) seasons of 2018 and 2019 at the ICAR-Indian Institute of Soybean Research, Indore, and Madhya Pradesh to study the impact of genotypic mixture on soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] pest population. A total of 16 soybean genotypes and 4 genotypic mixtures were evaluated for relative efficacy in management of insect-pests of soybean. Among the 20 treatments, the plots with genotypic mixtures had lowest population of Spodoptera exigua Hubner and at par with each other. In case of Spodoptera litura Fabricius, tussock moth, blue beetle and grey weevil management, a mixture of the genotypes JS-9560, JS-20-34, MAUS-47 and MACS-1460 was found most effective treatment. The plots with the genotypic mixtures of NRC-37, JS-9752, RSC-1046 and RKS-113 supported the least population of semiloopers. However, lowest population of leaf miner and girdle beetle was recorded in plots of JS-20-34 while the least population of stem fly was recorded in RSC-1046. The differences observed due to the genotypic combinations may be used for developing inset-pest management programmes in soybean.

FatPlants: a comprehensive information system for lipid-related genes and metabolic pathways in plants.

FatPlants, an open-access, web-based database, consolidates data, annotations, analysis results, and visualizations of lipid-related genes, proteins, and metabolic pathways in plants. Serving as a minable resource, FatPlants offers a user-friendly interface for facilitating studies into the regulation of plant lipid metabolism and supporting breeding efforts aimed at increasing crop oil content. This web resource, developed using data derived from our own research, curated from public resources, and gleaned from academic literature, comprises information on known fatty-acid-related proteins, genes, and pathways in multiple plants, with an emphasis on Glycine max, Arabidopsis thaliana, and Camelina sativa. Furthermore, the platform includes machine-learning based methods and navigation tools designed to aid in characterizing metabolic pathways and protein interactions. Comprehensive gene and protein information cards, a Basic Local Alignment Search Tool search function, similar structure search capacities from AphaFold, and ChatGPT-based query for protein information are additional features. Database URL: https://www.fatplants.net/.

Resistance to protoporphyrinogen oxidase inhibitors in giant ragweed (Ambrosia trifida).

Giant ragweed (Ambrosia trifida L.) is one of the most troublesome weed species in corn (Zea mays L.) and soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] cropping systems. Following numerous reports in 2018 of suspected herbicide resistance in several Ambrosia trifida populations from Wisconsin, our objective was to characterize the response of these accessions to acetolactate synthase (ALS), enolpyruvyl shikimate phosphate synthase (EPSPS), and protoporphyrinogen oxidase (PPO) inhibitors applied POST. Four accessions (AT1, AT4, AT6, and AT10) exhibited ≥ 50% plant survival after exposure to the cloransulam 3× rate. Two accessions (AT8 and AT10) and one accession (AT2) exhibited ≥ 50% plant survival after exposure to glyphosate and fomesafen 1× rates, respectively. The AT10 accession exhibited multiple resistance to cloransulam and glyphosate. The AT12 accession was 28.8-fold resistant to fomesafen and 3.7-fold resistant to lactofen. A codon change in PPX2 conferring a R98L substitution was identified as the most likely mechanism conferring PPO-inhibitor resistance. To our knowledge, this is the first confirmed case of PPO-inhibitor resistance in Ambrosia trifida globally and we identified the genetic mutation likely conferring resistance. Proactive and diversified integrated weed management strategies are of paramount importance for sustainable long-term Ambrosia trifida management. © 2024 The Author(s). Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

DELINEATING GENETIC DIVERSITY IN SOYBEAN (GLYCINE MAX L.) GENOTYPES: INSIGHTS FROM A-PAGE ANALYSIS OF GLOBULIN RESERVE PROTEINS

This study explores the genetic diversity of soybean (Glycine max) genotypes using polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (A-PAGE) to analyze globulin reserve proteins. The research utilized 51 soybean genotypes from various origins, including Canada, Turkey, Uzbekistan and others. The A-PAGE method was employed to extract and analyze the globulin storage proteins in the grains of soybean samples. The proteins were categorized into ω, γ, β and α zones, revealing distinct electrophoretic patterns among the genotypes. A total of 22 spectra and 107 patterns were identified, demonstrating polymorphism based on the frequency of occurrence. The genetic diversity index, calculated using Nei’s formula, indicated varying levels of genetic diversity across the different zones.

Duplication and sub-functionalization of flavonoid biosynthesis genes plays important role in Leguminosae root nodule symbiosis evolution.

Gene innovation plays an essential role in trait evolution. Rhizobial symbioses, the most important N2-fixing agent in agricultural systems that exists mainly in Leguminosae, is one of the most attractive evolution events. However, the gene innovations underlying Leguminosae root nodule symbiosis (RNS) remain largely unknown. Here, we investigated the gene gain event in Leguminosae RNS evolution through comprehensive phylogenomic analyses. We revealed that Leguminosae-gain genes were acquired by gene duplication and underwent a strong purifying selection. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analyses showed that the innovated genes were enriched in flavonoid biosynthesis pathways, particular downstream of chalcone synthase (CHS). Among them, Leguminosae-gain type Ⅱ chalcone isomerase (CHI) could be further divided into CHI1A and CHI1B clades, which resulted from the products of tandem duplication. Furthermore, the duplicated CHI genes exhibited exon-intron structural divergences evolved through exon/intron gain/loss and insertion/deletion. Knocking down CHI1B significantly reduced nodulation in Glycine max (soybean) and Medicago truncatula; whereas, knocking down its duplication gene CHI1A had no effect on nodulation. Therefore, Leguminosae-gain type Ⅱ CHI participated in RNS and the duplicated CHI1A and CHI1B genes exhibited RNS functional divergence. This study provides functional insights into Leguminosae-gain genetic innovation and sub-functionalization after gene duplication that contribute to the evolution and adaptation of RNS in Leguminosae.

Quantitative phenotyping of crop roots with spectral electrical impedance tomography: a rhizotron study with optimized measurement design

BackgroundRoot systems are key contributors to plant health, resilience, and, ultimately, yield of agricultural crops. To optimize plant performance, phenotyping trials are conducted to breed plants with diverse root traits. However, traditional analysis methods are often labour-intensive and invasive to the root system, therefore limiting high-throughput phenotyping. Spectral electrical impedance tomography (sEIT) could help as a non-invasive and cost-efficient alternative to optical root analysis, potentially providing 2D or 3D spatio-temporal information on root development and activity. Although impedance measurements have been shown to be sensitive to root biomass, nutrient status, and diurnal activity, only few attempts have been made to employ tomographic algorithms to recover spatially resolved information on root systems. In this study, we aim to establish relationships between tomographic electrical polarization signatures and root traits of different fine root systems (maize, pinto bean, black bean, and soy bean) under hydroponic conditions.ResultsOur results show that, with the use of an optimized data acquisition scheme, sEIT is capable of providing spatially resolved information on root biomass and root surface area for all investigated root systems. We found strong correlations between the total polarization strength and the root biomass (R2=0.82\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$R^2 = 0.82$$\\end{document}) and root surface area (R2=0.8\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$R^2 = 0.8$$\\end{document}). Our findings suggest that the captured polarization signature is dominated by cell-scale polarization processes. Additionally, we demonstrate that the resolution characteristics of the measurement scheme can have a significant impact on the tomographic reconstruction of root traits.ConclusionOur findings showcase that sEIT is a promising tool for the tomographic reconstruction of root traits in high-throughput root phenotyping trials and should be evaluated as a substitute for traditional, often time-consuming, root characterization methods.

A novel ACE inhibitory peptide from Douchi hydrolysate: Stability, inhibition mechanism, and antihypertensive potential in spontaneously hypertensive rats

Angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) regulates blood pressure through the renin-angiotensin system. Douchi, a traditional fermented soybean condiment, may have antihypertensive effects, but research on ACE inhibitory peptides from Douchi hydrolysates is limited. We hypothesized that enzymatic treatment could enhance ACE inhibitory peptide diversity and efficacy. We tested ten single enzymes and four combinations, finding pepsin-trypsin-chymotrypsin most effective. Hydrolysates were purified using Sephadex G-15 and reversed-phase HPLC, and peptides were identified via LC-MS/MS. Five peptides (LF, VVF, VGAW, GLFG, NGK) were identified, with VGAW as the most potent ACE inhibitor (IC50 46.6 ± 5.2 μM) showing excellent thermal and pH stability. Lineweaver-Burk plots confirmed competitive inhibition, and molecular docking revealed eight hydrogen bonds between VGAW and ACE. In hypertensive rats, VGAW significantly reduced blood pressure at 12.5, 25, and 50 mg/kg. These findings highlight Douchi as a source of ACE inhibitory peptides and suggest VGAW as a promising functional food ingredient.

GmIRT1.1 from soybean (Glycine max L.) is involved in transporting Fe, Mn and Cd

Soybean is one of the most important crops for producing high quality oil and protein. Mineral nutrient deficiencies are frequently observed in soybeans. However, there are few studies to understand the absorption process of mineral nutrients in soybeans. Here, we investigated the functions of soybean (Glycine max L.) IRT1.1 (IRON-REGULATED TRANSPORTER 1.1) in the transportation of mineral elements. Heterologous expression of GmIRT1.1 in yeast mutants revealed that GmIRT1.1 compensated for the growth defects of Δfet3fet4 and Δsmf1 mutants under iron (Fe) and manganese (Mn) deficiency conditions, respectively, and enhanced the sensitivity of the Δycf1 mutant to cadmium (Cd) toxicity. Expression analysis revealed that GmIRT1.1 was only significantly induced by Fe deficiency and was primarily expressed in roots. Furthermore, the GmIRT1.1 overexpression lines enhanced Arabidopsis tolerance to Fe deficiency, leading to increased accumulation of Fe in the roots and shoots. Additionally, the transgenic lines increased the sensitivity to Mn and Cd toxicity. Subcellular localization analysis revealed that GmIRT1.1 was localized on the plasma membrane. Moreover, the results obtained from the soybean hairy roots system indicated that the localization of GmIRT1.1 was dependent on the regulation of Fe homeostasis in plant. Consequently, these results suggested that GmIRT1.1 was responsible for the transportation of Fe, Mn and Cd.

RT-RPA Assay Combined with a Lateral Flow Strip to Detect Soybean Mosaic Virus.

Soybean (Glycine max L.) is one of the most widely planted and used legumes in the world, being used for food, animal feed products, and industrial production. The soybean mosaic virus (SMV) is the most prevalent virus infecting soybean plants. This study developed a diagnostic method for the rapid and sensitive detection of SMV using a reverse transcription-recombinase polymerase amplification (RT-RPA) technique combined with a lateral flow strip (LFS). The RT-RPA and RT-RPA-LFS conditions to detect the SMV were optimized using the selected primer set that amplified part of the VPg protein gene. The optimized reaction temperature for the RT-RPA primer and RT-RPA-LFS primer used in this study was 38℃ for both, and the minimum reaction time was 10 min and 5 min, respectively. The RT-RPA-LFS was as sensitive as RT-PCR to detect SMV with 10 pg/μl of total RNA. The reliability of the developed RT-RPA-LFS assay was evaluated using leaves collected from soybean fields. The RT-RPA-LFS diagnostic method developed in this study will be useful as a diagnostic method that can quickly and precisely detect SMV in the epidemiological investigation of SMV, in the selection process of SMV-resistant varieties, on local farms with limited resources.

Crystal Structure of Kunitz-type Trypsin Inhibitor: Entomotoxic effect of native and encapsulated protein targeting gut trypsin of Tribolium castaneum Herbst

Trypsin inhibitors are known to act against insect pests by inhibiting proteases of the digestive tract. In this study, we report structural and functional characterization of ~ 19kDa Albizia procera Kunitz-type trypsin inhibitor (ApKTI) protein with potential bio-insecticidal applications. Crystal structure of ApKTI protein has been refined to 1.42Å and molecular structure (8HNR) showed highly beta sheeted conformation including 12 beta sheets, 15 loops and two small alpha helices. Docking between predicted model of Tribolium castaneum trypsin (TcPT) and 8HNR produced a stable complex (-11.3kcal/mol) which reflects the inhibitory potential of ApKTI against insect gut trypsin. Significant mortality was observed in all life stages of T. castaneum including egg, larvae, pupae and adults with a 3.0mg native ApKTI treatment in comparison to negative control. Although standard trypsin inhibitor (Glycine max trypsin inhibitors; GmKTI; 3.0mg) produced maximum reduction against all above life stages; however, a non-significant mortality difference was observed in comparison to 3.0mg native ApKTI. The study further explores the synthesis and characterization of Graphene (GNPs) and Zinc oxide (ZnONPs) nanoparticles, followed by the optimization of ApKTI and GmKTI loading on both nanoparticles to evaluate their enhanced insecticidal effectiveness. Encapsulated proteins showed significant mortality against T. castaneum across all concentrations, with GNPs proving more effective than ZnONPs. Additionally, encapsulated GmKTI produced significant mortality of eggs compared to loaded ApKTI treatments while other life stages were non-significantly affected by two proteins. This research highlights the importance of encapsulated ApKTI protein for eco-friendly pest management strategies.

EFFECT OF CONSUMING PREBIOTIC BISCUIT BASED ON PROTEIN QUALITY EVALUATION BY IN VIVO METHOD

ABSTRACTBackground: Prebiotic biscuits are biscuits made from composite flour consisting of plaintain hump flour, yellow sweet potato flour, black soybean flour and black soybean sprouts flour. The combination of the resulting composite flour is known to have a higher nutritional value when compared to wheat flour. However, prebiotic biscuits contain certain ingredients such as protein or food fiber whose structure must be known in advance to modify their functional properties after consumption. Objective: The evaluation of protein quality was carried out to determine the effect of giving “BonnisA” prebiotic biscuits with different protein sources in increasing the quality of protein in Vivo. Methods: Research method used was experimental which was analyzed descriptively with 4 treatments 5 times. The object used in this experiment are male wistar rats (Sprague Dawley) weighing 150 - 220 g, and the treatments were given were black soybean flour prebiotic biscuits, prebiotic biscuits with black soybean sprouts flour, standard rations and egg white flour. Results: The results obtained showed that the highest increase in body weight of rats was treated with the prebiotic biscuit BonnisA black soybean flour of 13.29%. Furthermore, the evaluation of protein quality on rats was increased in black soybean flour prebiotic biscuits based on true digestibility (TD) (99.21%), biological values (BV) (99.25%), and net protein utilization (NPU) (98.47%).Conclusions: The evaluation of protein quality showed that there was a significant difference (p <0.05) between the provision of black soybean flour prebiotic biscuits and prebiotic biscuits with black soybean sprouts flour and standard rations and egg white flour at true digestibility (TD), biological values (BV) and Net Protein Utilization (NPU).Keywords : Prebiotic biscuits, Evaluation of protein quality, In Vivo

Nutritious and Nutritional Values of « milks » from Blighia sapida (K.D. Koenig) Arils and Soya Beans (Glycine Max)

African nations are not self-sufficient in milk and related solutions. So, some fruit, which get nutritious and nutritional value, can be valorized. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of Blighia sapida arils "milk" consumption on growth of rats and on the induction of diarrheoa compared to that of soya been "milk". For that, arils "milk" were produced using 0.5 kilogram of arils/ liter of distilled water and soya bean "milk" was brought. The two "milks" were freeze-dried and the powders were used to prepare concentrations (0, 200, 400 and 800 mg / kg of body weight) to be administered every three days to seven groups of rats during 15 days. Every three days, body weight was taken, faeces were collected and their moisture content was determined. Analysis showed that both powders are nutritiously rich. Soya bean "milk" powder protein and lipids content are higher than that of arils "milk" powder but it carbohydrates, calcium and phosphorus content are lower. Both "milks" are in favor of gain weight and they do not induce diarrhoea. So, we can envisage much production of it for human consumption.

The Formula of Jelly Drink Banana Fruit (Musa paradisiaca Typical) and Soybeans (Glycine max L. MERR) for Obesity

The diversity of food and beverage products is very important, especially for the needs of weight loss for obesesity. Therefore, the development of functional food sourced from local raw materials is needed. Therefore, the aim of this research is to find a jelly drink product formula made from bananas and soybeans for obesity sufferers. This research was a completely randomized design (CRD). Organoleptic tests on color, taste, aroma and texture parameters of three Jelly drink formula. The analysis of chemical and physical properties is obtained from the laboratory, and is followed by a test of satiety and desire to eat (desire to eat). Data analysis used descriptive statistical analysis and continued with Anova analysis. The results of this research found that the jelly drink formula (A) had the highest score of the jelly drink formula (B) and (C. The average test value of jelly drink formula (A) is higher than jelly drink formula (B) and (C). However, the chemical and physical properties tests between formula (A) and (B) and (C) have significant differences. Furthermore, formula (A) contains 24.27% ripe banana and soybeans, 1.45% carrageenan, 0.48% citric acid, and 0.97% tropicana slim sugar from a total of 206 grams of ingredients. Jelly drinks have the highest organoleptic value and nutritional content for suitable for obesesity. The results of the satiety test showed that 46.66 respondents felt full for 2.5 hours, and only 20 respondents felt full for 1.5 hours after consuming jelly drink products. Therefore, formula (A) can be as a functional food for obesity.

The LTAR Cropland Common Experiment at Eastern Corn Belt.

The Eastern Corn Belt (ECB) Long-Term Agroecosystem Research (LTAR) network site is one of the most agriculturally productive areas in the United States; however, nutrient and sediment losses from this region directly contribute to water quality impairment in both the Gulf of Mexico and Lake Erie. One of the largest challenges facing agricultural production in the ECB is water management, especially under a changing climate. Shifting precipitation patterns in combination with evolving infrastructure (i.e., tile drainage, irrigation) and management (i.e., crops planted; 4R nutrient management: source, timing, rate, and placement) in response to changing climate are likely to alter water quantity and quality and agricultural productivity. Through plot- and field-scale research, the ECB Common Experiment (CE) is focused on crop, soil, and water management to support sustainable agricultural intensification, with the goal of maximizing profitability, minimizing agriculture's environmental footprint, and enhancing ecosystem services. At both spatial scales, the CE aims to examine differences in water quantity and quality between the primary prevailing crop production system in the ECB (i.e., corn [Zea mays L.]-soybean [Glycine max L.] rotation, tillage prior to corn planting, free drainage, and fertility management consistent with tri-state recommendations) and an alternative system (e.g., adding small grains into the crop rotation, cover crops, limited phosphorus fertilizer, and drainage water management). Aligning producer and stakeholders needs with research objectives and long-term data collection, the ECB CE will tackle both ongoing and newly emerging research priorities and explore the effectiveness of conservation strategies to decrease nutrient and sediment losses from agricultural land.

Optimization of Process Parameters for Healthy and Nutritious Instant Ready-to-Cook Black Soybean Dal Premix

This study focuses on optimizing the process parameters for producing an antioxidant-rich, ready-to-cook black soybean dal, encompassing the stages of soaking, cooking, drying, and grinding. Black soybean seeds were soaked in aqueous solutions containing 0.5%, 1.0%, 1.5%, and 2.0% concentrations of NaCl and NaHCO3 separately, with soaking durations ranging from 2 to 12 hours at 30°C.

Co-culture of Tetragenococcus halophilus and Zygosaccharomyces rouxii to improve microbiota and metabolites in secondary fortified fermented soy sauce

This study employed metagenomics and metabolomics to evaluate the impact of Tetragenococcus halophilus and Zygosaccharomyces rouxii on microbiota composition and metabolite profiles in secondary fortified fermented soy sauce. The Co-culturing of T. halophilus T10 and Z. rouxii QH-1(T1Z) enriched microbial diversity and promoted the proliferation of functional species, thereby enhancing biomarker species. Annotations matched from EggNOG, KEGG, and CAZy databases underscored the significance of carbohydrate and amino acid metabolism in moromi. Sample T1Z enhanced the metabolism by increasing the abundance and catalytic efficiency of the relevant enzymes, resulting in increases of 3.94%, 2.69%, and 11.14%, respectively, with total nitrogen, amino acid nitrogen, and free amino acids. It introduced 11 volatile compounds and increased the alcohol content by 13.65%, and the aldehyde content by 49.28%, while also suppressing the accumulation of ammonium nitrogen and biogenic amines. Metabolic pathway analysis identified Staphylococcus gallinarum, Mammaliicoccus sciuri, and certain Bacillus species, especially B. parathracis, B. velezensis, and B. subtilis, as principal contributors to carbohydrate and amino acid metabolism. These findings offer insight into microbial strain selection for industrial fermentation and provide a foundation for optimizing the process through co-culture bioaugmentation to enhance and underscore the potential of modern microbial techniques in traditional practices.

Connecting the Dots between GmPERK-1 and Enhanced Grain Weight in Glycine max

Large and distinct families of receptor-like kinases (RLKs) play elemental roles in many fundamental processes of plants. The proline-rich extensin-like receptor kinase (PERK) family is one of the most pivotal classes of RLKs. To date, there have been no comprehensive or published studies conducted on the PERK gene family in Glycine max. This research aimed to characterize the role of the PERK gene family in cultivated soybean using a systematic array of bioinformatic and experimental approaches. We identified 16 PERK members in G. max through local BLASTp, using PERK members from Arabidopsis thaliana as a query. Tissue expression of genes, predicted via tissue specific expression analysis from the soybean database “SoyBase”, revealed that these PERK genes exhibit differentiated expression patterns in various plant organs. The gene structure was predicted via Gene Structure Display Server (GSDS). Phylogeny was demonstrated through an evolutionary tree employing the neighbor-joining method. Subcellular localization of proteins was identified via “Softberry” and cis-acting elements were identified through PlantCARE. The KASP (Kompetitive Allele Specific PCR (KASP)) marker was developed for the GmPERK-1-C and GmPERK-1-T allele, targeting position 167 nt in the CDS region. Genotyping results indicated that GmPERK-1 exhibits promising potential for utilization in molecular breeding programs for soybean to increase crop yield. Collectively, our findings indicate that G. max accessions harboring the GmPERK-1-C allele exhibit significantly higher thousand grain weight compared to accessions carrying the GmPERK-1-T allele. This research enhances the understanding of the molecular roles of PERK genes in G. max, providing valuable insights for the utilization of favorable genetic variations in soybean molecular breeding programs.

The effectivity of edamame extract (Glycine max L. Merrill) as a heat-cured acrylic resin denture cleanser using in vitro toxicity studies

Denture cleanser that are used over a long period will produce residue that can be absorbed by the acrylic resin. The hydrophilic acrylic resin can cause denture-cleaning molecules to enter through microporosity which can be toxic to the oral tissue. Plant-based denture cleanser is commonly used one of which is edamame (Glycine Max L. Merrill) extract. Denture cleanser made from edamame extract needs to be tested for toxicity to determine the biocompatibility of the material in the oral cavity, specifically on fibroblast cells. This study aims to determine the toxicity of edamame extract as a denture cleanser for heat-cured acrylic resin, which is soaked for 4 days against BHK-21 fibroblast cells. This 4-day submersion equals 15 minutes of submersion per day for 1 year. The toxicity tests were carried out using the MTT assay method. The results of these MTT tests can be seen from the absorbance values and calculating the percentages of cell viability. The more cells that are still alive, the more intense the purple color produced. The research results showed that the acrylic resin group which was soaked in a 50% concentration of edamame extract was not toxic to fibroblast cells, because the percentage of cell viability had a value of >70%, which was 83.638%. This research concludes that 50% concentration of edamame extract as a denture cleanser for heat-cured acrylic resin is not toxic to BHK-21 fibroblast cells compared to 75% and 100% concentrations of edamame extract.

Alleviation of Drought Stress in Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merril] by Foliar Application of Thiourea on Productivity and Profitability under Rainfed Condition

Background: In changing climatic scenario, plants often face periods of soil and atmospheric water deficits because of scarcity of water availability and deteriorating quality across the globe. Drought stress is the one of the major abiotic factors that reduce plant water status, obstructs photosynthesis, brings oxidative stress hindering soybean productivity. In view of this, bioregulators (thiourea) are innovative agricultural technique used to protect plants, minimizing the adverse effects caused by environmental stress. Therefore, an alternative to improve crop yield under rainfed condition by application of bioregulators like thiourea and suitable varieties are important in order to mitigate stress in soybean production. Methods: The field experiments were conducted in Factorial RBD with three replications. To know the impact of foliar spray of thiourea on growth, physiological parameters, yield parameters, yield and economics of two soybean varieties were carried out during kharif 2020, 2021 and 2022. Result: Long term results showed that, by using MACS 1188 variety of soybean and foliar spray of thiourea at 500 ppm and 750 ppm during the 25 and 55 DAS is a commendatory option and most remunerative for farmers to improve the productivity and profitability of soybean in Northern Transition Zone of Karnataka.

Characterization of lactic acid bacteria isolated from human breast milk and their bioactive metabolites with potential application as a probiotic food supplement.

The probiotic properties of twenty-five lactic acid bacteria (LAB) isolated from human breast milk were investigated considering their resistance to gastrointestinal conditions and proteolytic activity. Seven LAB were identified and assessed for auto- and co-aggregation capacity, antibiotic resistance, and behavior during in vitro gastrointestinal digestion. Three Lacticaseibacillus strains were further evaluated for antifungal activity, metabolite production (HPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS and GC-MS/MS) and proteolytic profiles (SDS-PAGE and HPLC-DAD) in fermented milk, whey, and soy beverage. All strains resisted in vitro gastrointestinal digestion with viable counts higher than 7.9 log10 CFU mL-1 after the colonic phase. Remarkable proteolytic activity was observed for 18/25 strains. Bacterial auto- and co-aggregation of 7 selected strains reached values up to 23 and 20%, respectively. L. rhamnosus B5H2, L. rhamnosus B9H2 and L. paracasei B10L2 inhibited P. verrucosum, F. verticillioides and F. graminearum fungal growth, highlighting L. rhamnosus B5H2. Several metabolites were identified, including antifungal compounds such as phenylacetic acid and 3-phenyllactic acid, and volatile organic compounds produced in fermented milk, whey, and soy beverage. SDS-PAGE demonstrated bacterial hydrolysis of the main milk (caseins) and soy (glycines and beta-conglycines) proteins, with no apparent hydrolysis of whey proteins. However, HPLC-DAD revealed alpha-lactoglobulin reduction up to 82% and 54% in milk and whey, respectively, with L. rhamnosus B5H2 showing the highest proteolytic activity. Overall, the three selected Lacticaseibacillus strains demonstrated probiotic capacity highlighting L. rhamnosus B5H2 with remarkable potential for generating bioactive metabolites and peptides which are capable of promoting human health.