Browsing by Author "Kumar Aditya"

Now showing 1 - 3 of 3

Chickpea priming with Trichoderma asperellum T42 enriches free-living nitrogen cyclers in rhizosphere and enhances nitrogen uptake in off-springs under stress
(Springer Science and Business Media Deutschland GmbH, 2025) Md Mahtab Rashid; Kumar Aditya; Dhananjaya Pratap Singh; Birinchi Kumar Sarma
Background and Aims: Trichoderma spp. are well-known plant growth promoters and biocontrol agents. However, their impact on the structural and functional aspects of rhizosphere microbiome, particularly on symbiotic and free-living nitrogen cyclers under stress, is sparsely understood in legume plants. Methods: Chickpea seeds of cultivar “JG-315” treated with Trichoderma asperellum T42 were grown under Fusarium wilt and salinity stress in parent and F1 generations. The rhizosphere bacterial population dynamics, nitrogen uptake, and expression of nitrate transporter and nodulation genes were examined. Results: The structure of rhizosphere microbiome varied differentially among the treatments across two generations. A higher population and diversity were observed under Fusarium stress, with an abundance of plant growth-promoting and pathogen-antagonistic species. Concurrently, lower population and increased halo-tolerant bacterial classes were observed under salinity stress. Lower nodulation and decreased population of chickpea-associated rhizobia were observed in Trichoderma-treated plants compared to untreated ones. Simultaneously, an increased population of free-living nitrogen fixers, upregulated nitrate transport-associated genes, and downregulated nodulation-associated genes were observed in Trichoderma-treated plants. Conclusions: The results highlight that Trichoderma differentially modulates chickpea rhizosphere microbial population and structure as per edaphic stress conditions. It also shifts the rhizosphere towards free-living nitrogen fixation by increasing the population of non-canonical nitrogen cyclers and upregulating nitrate transport-associated genes in chickpea under Fusarium wilt and salinity stress. © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2025.
Gene revolution: Unravelling biotechnology for crop improvement
(Academic Press, 2025) Shivam Singh; Prastuti Bhattacharyya; Kumar Aditya; J. Jorben
The advent of biotechnology has ushered in a new era for plant improvement, unlocking pathways to overcome the limitations of traditional breeding and trait selection. While conventional approaches such as genetic engineering and molecular markers have laid the foundation, recent innovations like RNA interference (RNAi), microRNAs, and microproteins are now offering more precise and efficient control over gene expression and regulatory networks. These tools are proving invaluable in modifying complex traits such as stress tolerance, disease resistance, and nutrient uptake in plants. In addition to Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR-Cas) systems, newer genome-editing techniques such as base editing and prime editing have emerged, allowing targeted and reversible changes in DNA without inducing double-strand breaks. These advancements are rapidly pushing the boundaries of what is possible in crop improvement, enabling fine-tuned modifications to address global challenges like climate change, food security, and sustainable agriculture. The integration of these tools with omics technologies and high-throughput phenotyping further accelerates the development of elite cultivars suitable for specific environments. Understanding the key biotechnological innovations, their applications in real-world breeding programs, and the future directions of plant biotechnology can help us to meet the demands of the escalating population. Additionally, it is equally important to consider the ethical and regulatory frameworks necessary to ensure responsible use of these technologies in agriculture. By utilizing such advanced tools, we can significantly enhance climate resilience, productivity, and sustainability of global food systems. © 2025 Elsevier Ltd
Requisiteness of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in plant-microbe interactions
(Nova Science Publishers, Inc., 2023) Kumar Aditya; Nidhi Rai; Neha Sharma; Jhumishree Meher; Akansha Jain; B.K. Sarma
Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) are profoundly generated as an outcome of various adverse challenges to plants. ROS are responsible for signaling in very small amounts in addition to their involvement in various developmental actions. An oxidative burst at the pathogen challenge site is the first reciprocation to phytopathogen association. ROS productions during the interaction of beneficial microorganisms lead to the induction of plant defense responses by scavenging excess ROS. The ROS entailments in plant-microbe interaction whether the pathogenic and beneficial association is very similar despite the function they perform are different. In the present chapter, we review ROS management and signaling during plant-pathogen and beneficial microorganism interactions. © 2023 Nova Science Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved.