Background: Pigeonpea, Cajanus cajan (L.) is a vital pulse crop in South Asia, with India accounting for 90% of it&rsquo;s global production. Its protein content (21-25%) is essential for nutrition and plays significant role in improving food security and nutrition in regions with limited resources. The insect pest attacks in Pigeonpea cause significant amount of grain loss in field and storage, the research was carried out to investigate the carryover of pest from field to storehouses and to study the efficacy of oils on C. maculatus management in which literature available is scarce. 
 
Methods: This study was carried out at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology Meerut, U.P., India during the year 2020-2022. Pigeonpea seeds were collected from research farm threshing floor of ICAR-IIFSR, Meerut. Infestations of pulse beetle carried from field to storage was studied on basis of mean no. of eggs laid and mean seed damage caused by beetle. To study efficacy of oils, the seeds were subjected to linseed, mustard, soybean, rice bran, safflower, castor, mahua and neem oil each at concentrations of 0.20, 0.50 and 1.00 ml per 100 g of seeds and five pair of beetles of same age were released into each container and removed after 5 days to study the damage incurred. 
 
Result: In the carryover study, maximum oviposition (16.88 eggs) was recorded on freshly harvested seeds that were kept open in storehouse for infestations which witnessed field as well as storage egg laying. Oils application on seeds showed 1ml oil per 100 g seed as most suitable dosage and neem oil, castor, mahua as most successful oil providing beetle control in terms of oviposition, damage and adult survival. Residual action of oil on seed surface after 3 months revealed different oil treatments showed significant reduction in the number of eggs laid, adult emergence and seed damage due to C. maculatus in pigeonpea seeds in comparison to control. Mean reductions in the number of eggs, adult emergence and seed damage were relatively higher in all the oil treatments.

Carryover of Callosobruchus maculatus (Fab.) in Pigeon Pea Seeds from Field to Storage and its Management by Smearing Oil on Seeds

Background: Guava leaves (Psidium guajava L.) are rich in quercetin, a flavonoid with antioxidant properties. Flaxseed polysaccharide, has a potential for organic polymer synthesis, is infused with quercetin to enhance the planting value of green gram seeds. 
 
&nbsp;Methods: The study was carried out in the Department of Seed Science and Technology, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore during the year of 2022-2024 to standardize the impact of flaxseed polymer infused with quercetin. The mucilage method was used for polymer extraction and treated over green gram (Vigna radiata L.) seeds to assess the physiological and biochemical traits. The degradability of flaxseed polymer was studied by assessing pH, EC and organic carbon content in the soil. The Field trial was carried out, in order to evaluate the potential of flaxseed polymer infused with quercetin @ 1% over pod yield ha-1.

Result: The flaxseed polymer infused with quercetin @ 1% resulted in increased speed of germination (32.99), germination per cent (98%), root length (16.6 cm), shoot length (19.1 cm), dry matter production (0.216 g 10 seedlings-1) and vigour index (3499). The degradability studies indicated the changes in pH from 7.88 to 7.72, increased EC from 0.51 to 0.63 and improved soil organic carbon content 0.56 to 0.84. Increased plant height (36.6 cm), leaf area index (6.082), chlorophyll content (44.6 @ 40 DAS) and increased seed yield of 631.6 kg ha-1 was recorded. Hence, seeds coated with flaxseed polymer infused with quercetin @ 1% could be recommended as eco-friendly pre sowing seed treatment to enhance germination, root growth, seedling vigour and crop productivity.

Quercetin-infused Flax Seed Polymer: A Seed Quality Booster and It&rsquo;s Impact on Green Gram (Vigna radiata L.)

<div style="text-align: justify;">Sesame is important oilseed crop of tropical and sub tropical region, renowned for its high oil content (up to 60% oil), hence sesame is known as the king of oil seeds. Sesame seed oil contains &nbsp;83% - 90% unsaturated fatty acids, 20% proteins and various minor nutrients such as vitamins and minerals, large amount of characteristic lignans, such as sesamin, sesamol, sesamolin and tocopherols. Sesame seeds with high amounts of nutritional components are consumed as a traditional health food for its specific antihypertensive effect, anticarcinogenic, anti-inflammatory and antioxidative activity. Besides food, sesame also finds its uses in application areas such as pharmaceutics, industrial, and as biofuel. Sesame is used as active ingredients in antiseptics, bactericides, viricides, disinfectants, moth repellants, and anti-tubercular agents. In spite of being a good source of &ldquo;healthy oil&rdquo; in terms of presence of high amounts of PUFA and high antioxidant content, it is not grown on a large extent due to very poor yields. Therefore, serious efforts are necessary for selecting varieties of good quality and high adaptive potential to the diverse climatic situations. There should be effective strategies adapted to produce climate ready sesame variety using modern biotechnological approach.</div>

Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.), an underexploited oil seed crop: Current status, features and importance &ndash; A review

Two in-vitro experiments were conducted to evaluate the antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral properties of essential oil of herbal seeds. In-vitro antimicrobial properties of essential oils of phytobiotics was determined by disc diffusion method against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Pasteurella multocida and Salmonella typhi and two fungi namely Aspergillus fumigatus and Candida albicans. Thyme oil had statistically similar or significantly (P&lt;0.05) higher inhibition zone against all the bacterial and fungal species compared to standard antibiotic, chloramphenicol or antifungal drug, nystatin. Fenugreek oil was not found to be active against microbes compared to control. Fennel and cumin oils had statistically similar or significantly (P&lt;0.05) higher inhibition zone against all microbes except Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella typhi compared to control. Antiviral activity of essential oils was determined by anti-NDV assay against New Castle disease virus (LaSota). The results indicated that essential oils of herbal seeds do not possess antiviral activity against NDV LaSota virus at 1mg/ml concentration.

In-vitro antimicrobial efficacy of certian herbal seeds essential oils against important poultry microbes

<div>Background: Moringa stenopetala is a fast-growing deciduous cabbage plant for human food and animal feeding in the dry season in Ethiopia&rsquo;s Dawro zone. However, little is known about the proximate and physicochemical parameters of seed oil of M. Stenopetala grown in the study area. 
 
Methods: In this study, the proximate composition and physicochemical parameters of oil extracted from M. stenopetala seeds were conducted through the Soxhlet extractor as the extracting medium. This study analyzed five selected varieties of M. stenopetala seed oils.&nbsp; 
 
Result:&nbsp;The proximate analysis of M. stenopetala seed oils revealed that the moisture content ranged from (7.23&plusmn;0.61%-10.52&plusmn;0.52%), Oil yield (29.41&plusmn;1.05%-40.18&plusmn;0.89%), Ash content (4.91&plusmn;0.22%-5.77&plusmn;0.04%), whereas the average crude fiber content was (6.88&plusmn;0.24% -8.55&plusmn;0.22%) and crude protein content (26.07&plusmn;0.62%-30.01&plusmn;1.31%). The physicochemical parameters of seed oil obtained confirmed that the oils were of good quality to those in the Association of Official Analytical Chemists standards.</div>

Proximate and Physicochemical Characterization of Moringa stenopetala Seed Oil Through Soxhlet Extractor in Dawro Zone, Ethiopia

<div>Background:&nbsp;Seed priming technique involves soaking of seeds in priming agent to a point where germination related metabolic activities occur in the seeds followed by drying of imbibed seeds to original moisture to prevent the radical protrusion and facilitate storage of primed seed. Draining of priming agent and drying of large quantity of primed seeds is a laborious and time consuming process. The current study was aimed to standardize automation of seed priming process by utilizing house-hold top loading washing machine. 
 
Methods: The top loading washing machine referred to as Seed Priming Cabinet, contained a priming drum with provision for draining water. On completion of the soaking period, the &lsquo;SPIN&rsquo; button was pressed by setting the duration of spin drying (1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 min.). Then the seeds were removed from the drum of priming cabinet and subjected to shade drying so as to reach the original moisture content and evaluated for seed quality parameters.&nbsp; 
 
Result: The blackgram seed subjected to conventional hydropriming was compared with automatic seed priming for 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 min. and observed that hydropriming and spin drying for 3 min. was found to be optimum and the per cent increase in germination recorded over control was 18.0 per cent thus suggesting that automation of seed priming technology can be recommended for enhanced seed vigour and crop productivity of blackgram.</div>

Automation of Seed Priming Technology for Enhanced Seed Vigour of Blackgram Seeds

An analysis has been carried out to explore the genetic variation in seventeen selected varieties of fenugreek. Sixteen fatty acids were identified in seed oil. Linoleic acid (18:2; n-6) and a-Linolenic acid (18:3; n-3) were the major contributor found in the range of 26-43% in variety Lam Selection. The MUFA content varied from 3.50% in Azad Methi to 19.31 % in Hisar Madhvi. The ratio of n-6 to n-3 fatty acids indicated that fenugreek seed lipids are a good source of PUFA. PCA identified linolenic and oleic acid as the most important traits responsible for variation in presented material and improving quality through breeding. Estimates of genetic distance values showed wide range of variation among the fenugreek genotypes. The Euclidean based UPGMA clustering revealed three real and four singleton clusters. Genetic diversity showed no relationship to geographical origin. Dissimilarities obtained showed a wide variation in oil content and in composition.

Genetic variation in fatty acid composition of fenugreek&nbsp;(Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) seed oil&nbsp;

Background: Linseed, popularly known as flaxseed, is a prominent dual-purpose crop cultivated for both fiber and oilseed crops. It is especially valued for its rich nutritional profile, which includes alpha-linolenic acid, an essential omega-3 fatty acid, along with dietary fiber and lignans, making it more suitable for value addition and sustainable agriculture. Despite its adaptability and uses, it faces challenges such as grain yield followed by oil yield due to moisture stress. In the past few years, it has received special attention due to its industrial application and health benefits. Although the individual impact of seed priming, use of humic acid, and sulphur on healthy seedling establishment, crop growth, and oil yield under limited water conditions has shown the beneficial impact, their synergistic studies remain to be explored. Therefore, an integrated effort with seed priming, humic acid, and sulphur was implemented to mitigate the adverse response to moisture stress. 
&nbsp; 
Methods: An experiment was executed using a split-plot design considering the most popular variety of linseed (LC 2063) over the research farm of Lovely Professional University. The main plot treatments consisted of three levels of irrigation: I0, I1, and I2, that is, no irrigation, moderate irrigation, and full irrigation, while subplots treatments comprised seven combinations, including seed priming with KNO3, humic acid, and sulphur used as soil application (C0&nbsp;to C6), whereas 15 mM of KNO3&nbsp;was used as seed priming and humic acid was used besal application @ 12 Kg ha-1. 
&nbsp; 
Result: The frequency of irrigations had a significant impact (p=0.05) on the phenological traits in linseed. Out of all the irrigation frequencies, two irrigations (I2) minimized the days taken to the branching and 50% flowering, and maximized the days taken to maturity, number of capsules plant-1 and oil yield qt ha-1&nbsp;as compared to single (I1) and no post-sowing irrigation (I0). As for the percent increase or decrease over control is concerned, I2 reduced days by 16% and 13%, and increased maturity, number of capsules, and oil yield by 7%, 23% and 22%, respectively. The combined application of KNO3&nbsp; and humic acid (C5) was the most effective treatment at (p=0.05), significantly reducing days to emergence, branching, 50% flowering and maturity by 47, 18, 13, and 4% respectively, and enhancing maturity, number of capsules and oil yield by 4%, 38% and 32%. A negative relationship was detected between the relative water content (RWC%) and proline content (&micro;mol g-1) across the irrigation regimes, wherein I2&nbsp;showed the highest RWC and lowest proline. Among the chemical treatments, C5&nbsp;maintained the highest RWC% and proline, followed by C4&gt; C6&gt; C3&gt; C2&gt; C1&gt; C0. Most of the parameters studied had a significant interaction effect between the irrigation frequency and chemical treatments at (p=0.05), indicating that the combined application of C5&nbsp;with I2&nbsp;can markedly enhance oil yield in linseed.

Enhancing Linseed Oil Yield using the Synergistic Effect of Seed Priming, Humic Acid and Sulphur under Optimized Irrigation

Background: Residents of Saudi Arabia believe that Moringa peregrina seeds oil has a positive health effect on blood cholesterol and blood glucose. In this study, Moringa peregrina seeds oil (MPO) was compared with corn oil on plasma lipids, blood glucose and adipose tissues to study their influence on plasma parameters and obesity. 
&nbsp; 
Methods: Fifteen male albino rats were divided into three groups, each group containing five rats. The control group consumed a normal diet, the MPO group consumed a normal diet and 20% Moringa oil and the CO group consumed a normal diet and 20% corn oil for 8 weeks. The data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA with (p&lt;0.05). 
&nbsp; 
Result: According to results, no significant differences between MPO and CO on the plasma lipids. While there are no significant differences in blood glucose levels between the control group 75.36&plusmn;8.05 mg/dl and the MPO group 90.62&plusmn;0.88 mg/dl and there is a significant increase in the CO group 107.28&plusmn;3.90 mg/dl. No significant differences between all groups in BMI and final weight. While, the highest total percentage of adipose tissues was in the MPO group compared to CO, which was 1.72&plusmn;0.13 in the MPO group and 1.36&plusmn;0.12 in the CO group. Moringa peregrina seed oil does not lower blood glucose levels as it is a popular belief but does reduce the blood glucose spikes compared to corn oil. Additionally, substituting it for corn oil does not alter plasma lipid levels and it increases obesity factors (adipose tissues).

Influence of Fatty Acid Profile of Moringa peregrina Seeds Oil on Blood Plasma Lipids and Blood Glucose on Rats

Background: The prickly pear is well adapted to arid and semi-arid areas. It occupies an important part in the human diet and it is also used as fodder for livestock. It is an interesting plant due to the environmental conditions in which it grows and its resistance to extreme climatic conditions. The objectives of our study were to determine the biological effects of oil extracted from prickly pear seeds (Opuntia ficus-indica L. Mill.). 
 
Methods: The organoleptic characteristics and the physicochemical parameters of this oil were done. The antibacterial and antifungal effects of the oil were tested in vitro against certain numbers of pathogenic bacteria and fungi by the aromatogram method. The antioxydante activity and the GC-MS analysis were proceeded also in this study.&nbsp; 
 
Result: The results show that the bacterial strains Klebsiella pneumoniae and Enterococcus faecalis are the most sensitive to the acid oil of Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill. with an inhibition diameter varying between 23 mm and 25 mm, respectively. On the other hand, prickly pear seed oil exhibits an antifungal effect mainly against Candida albicans (25 mm). The oil extracted was strongest active (IC50 = 0.55 mg/ml). This indicates that our oil exhibited high reducing activity. 18 components were found in prickly pear seeds oil after analysis by GC-MS, which are presented mainly by phthalic acid (45.04%), monounsaturated fatty acid (18.56%), polyunsaturated fatty acid (16.69%) and other components (19.71%). The oil of Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill. seeds showed good biological activity grace to its richness in components.

Physicochemical and Biological Characterization of Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill. Seed Oil Collected from The Bordj Bou Arreridj Region, Algerian Highlands