Search Results (3)

Conventional diagnostic techniques are based on the utilization of analyte sampling, sensing and signaling on separate platforms for detection purposes, which must be integrated to a single step procedure in point of care (POC) testing devices. Due to the expeditious nature of microfluidic platforms, the trend has been shifted toward the implementation of these systems for the detection of analytes in biochemical, clinical and food technology. Microfluidic systems molded with substances such as polymers or glass offer the specific and sensitive detection of infectious and noninfectious diseases by providing innumerable benefits, including less cost, good biological affinity, strong capillary action and simple process of fabrication. In the case of nanosensors for nucleic acid detection, some challenges need to be addressed, such as cellular lysis, isolation and amplification of nucleic acid before its detection. To avoid the utilization of laborious steps for executing these processes, advances have been deployed in this perspective for on-chip sample preparation, amplification and detection by the introduction of an emerging field of modular microfluidics that has multiple advantages over integrated microfluidics. This review emphasizes the significance of microfluidic technology for the nucleic acid detection of infectious and non-infectious diseases. The implementation of isothermal amplification in conjunction with the lateral flow assay greatly increases the binding efficiency of nanoparticles and biomolecules and improves the limit of detection and sensitivity. Most importantly, the deployment of paper-based material made of cellulose reduces the overall cost. Microfluidic technology in nucleic acid testing has been discussed by explicating its applications in different fields. Next-generation diagnostic methods can be improved by using CRISPR/Cas technology in microfluidic systems. This review concludes with the comparison and future prospects of various microfluidic systems, detection methods and plasma separation techniques used in microfluidic devices. Full article

Higher demand and cost of labor and water shortage have forced the farmers to look for an alternate method of cultivation in rice as a substitute to the existing conventional transplanting. Dry direct seeding and water seeding have emerged as better alternatives over transplanting method. These methods not only result in labor saving, but also result in significant water saving in rice. These are important adaptation strategies to the impending climate change. However, the direct seeding method is confronted with severe weed infestation and yield losses if weeds are not managed well. Against this backdrop, a field study was undertaken during kharif seasons of 2019 and 2020 to evaluate the effect of crop establishment methods and weed management practices on rice and its associated weed flora. The results demonstrated that grain yields obtained under water seeding (WS) were statistically at par with transplanting (CT), but significantly superior to dry direct seeding (DDSR). Yield attributes were significantly superior in WS as compared DDSR, but were at par with CT. Weed density followed the order of DDSR > WS > CT. With the advancement in age of the crop, sedges dominated in DDSR, whereas broad-leafweeds (BLW) dominated in WS and CT methods of establishment. All the herbicides reduced the weed density significantly as compared to weedy check. Penoxulam (PE) reduced the weed density and weed dry matter on an average by 91% and 92% at 30 DAS/DAT over weedy check, respectively. PE proved significantly superior in controlling all the sedges and grasses but was less effective against BLW. Maximum reduction in yield due to weeds was observed in weedy check (WC) (58%) and the lowest was observed in PE (3%). Application of PE @ 22.5 g ha⁻¹ under the WS method of crop establishment resulted in highest average weed control efficiency and grain yield. Full article

Trichoderma is the most commonly used fungal biocontrol agent throughout the world. In the present study, various Trichoderma isolates were isolated from different vegetable fields. In the isolated microflora, the colony edges varied from wavy to smooth. The mycelial forms were predominantly floccose with hyaline color and conidiophores among all the strains were highly branched. Based on morphological attributes, all the isolates were identified as Trichoderma harzianum. The molecular identification using multilocus sequencing ITS, rpb2 and tef1α, genes further confirmed the morphological identification. The average chitinase activity varied from 1.13 units/mL to 3.38 units/mL among the various isolates, which increased linearly with temperature from 15 to 30 °C. There was an amplified production in the chitinase production in the presence of Mg⁺ and Ca²⁺ and Na⁺ metal ions, but the presence of certain ions was found to cause the down-regulated chitinase activity, i.e., Zn²⁺, Hg²⁺, Fe²⁺, Ag⁺ and K⁺. All the chitinase producing Trichoderma isolates inhibited the growth of tested pathogens viz., Dematophora necatrix, Fusarium solani, Fusarium oxysporum and Pythium aphanidermatum at 25% culture-free filtrate concentration under in vitro conditions. Also, under in vivo conditions, the lowest wilt incidence and highest disease control on Fusarium oxysporum was observed in isolate BT4 with mean wilt incidence and disease control of 21% and 48%, respectively. The Trichoderma harzianum identified in this study will be further used in formulation development for the management of diseases under field conditions. Full article