Browsing by Author "Prince Kumar Singh"

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A unified 2-D model for nanowire junctionless accumulation and inversion mode MOSFET in quasi-ballistic regime
(Elsevier Ltd, 2022) Kamalaksha Baral; Prince Kumar Singh; Sanjay Kumar; Ashish Kumar Singh; Deepak Kumar Jarwal; Satyabrata Jit
A unified 2-D continuous potential model for cylindrical nanowire junctionless accumulation mode (JAM) MOSFET and conventional inversion mode (IM) MOSFET has been presented in this manuscript. The 2-D Poisson's equation in cylindrical coordinates is solved analytically with the help of the superposition principle and evanescent mode analysis of the Fourier-Bessel series is performed. Both free and depletion charges are considered in the 2-D Poisson's equation. The model thus derived is continuous across different operation regimes (depletion and accumulation/inversion) with respect to VGS. Further, a threshold voltage model is also derived from the potential model and an expression of drain-induced barrier lowering (DIBL) is formulated. The short channel drain current model is derived from the potential-based charge model and quasi-ballistic transport velocity model. Furthermore, models for transconductance (gm) and output conductance (gd) is also formulated from the drain current model. A 3-D TCAD tool from CogendaTM has been used to numerically verify our proposed unified analytical model. © 2022 Elsevier Ltd
Carpet industry irrigational sources risk assessment: Heavy metal contaminated vegetables and cereal crops in northern India
(Elsevier Inc., 2022) Prince Kumar Singh; Jay Shankar Yadav; Indrajeet Kumar; Umesh Kumar; Rajesh Kumar Sharma
Wastewater is often discharged to natural water bodies through an open channel as well as used by marginal farmers to irrigate the agricultural fields, particularly in sub-urban areas of developing countries. In the present study, the samples of irrigation water, soil, vegetables (i.e., palak; Beta vulgaris L. var All green H1, radish; Raphanus sativus L., garlic; Allium sativum L., cabbage; Brassica oleracea L. var. capitata, brinjal; Solanum melongena L.) and crops (i.e., paddy; Oryza sativa L. and wheat; Triticum aestivum L.) were collected from the agricultural areas receiving untreated wastewater from a carpet industrial and residential areas since a decade. The contents of Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, and Zn in the filtrates of water, soil, and crops were determined using an Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (Perkin-Elmer AAnalyst 800, USA). Daily intake, hazardous quotient and heavy metal pollution index were computed to assess the health risk associated with consumption of heavy metal contaminated crops. The mean concentrations of Cd and Zn in B. vulgaris (5.35 µg g−1 dw and 58.41 µg g−1 dw, respectively) and Cr, Cu, and Ni in grains of T. aestivum (16.02 µg g−1 dw, 27.97 µg g−1 dw and 40.74 µg g−1 dw, respectively) were found highest and had exceeded the Indian safety limit. Daily intake of Cu, Ni, and Cr via consumption of tested cereal crops was found higher than the vegetables. The health quotient revealed that health of local residents is more linked to vegetables than cereal crops. The present findings may be helpful to the policymakers and regulatory authorities to modify the existing policy of wastewater uses in the agriculture and disposal to the natural water bodies. The regular monitoring of heavy metals in the wastewater should also be ensured by the regulatory authorities for their safe disposal to natural water bodies/agriculture in order to reduce the human health risk associated with the degree of heavy metal contaminated suburban food systems. © 2022
Climate change and secondary metabolism in plants: resilience to disruption
(Elsevier, 2025) Priyanka K. Singh; Prince Kumar Singh; Umesh Kumar; Saumya Mishra; Parvati Madheshiya; Rahul Prasad Singh; Rajesh Kumar Sharma; Indrajeet Kumar
Global ecosystems are facing serious challenges as a result of climate change, which is upsetting ecological equilibrium and changing biological processes. As main producers, plants are most impacted by these changes, which calls for a better comprehension of how resilient and adaptable they are to climate stressors. Plant metabolism can be greatly impacted by a variety of climatic stressors, which can either promote or inhibit the synthesis of secondary metabolites (SMs). Although these substances are crucial for plant defense and acclimatization, little is known about how they will react to climate change. It is becoming more and more important to comprehend how climate change regulates plant secondary metabolism as its consequences worsen. Research continues to investigate the influence of various climate change factors, including elevated temperatures, increased carbon dioxide levels, drought conditions, enhanced ultraviolet-B radiation, and their interactions, with SMs such as phenolics, terpenes, and alkaloids, with growing evidence shedding light on these complex dynamics. This chapter also provides an overview of the impact of climate-induced stress on SM production, including shifts in metabolic pathways, epigenetic modifications, and interactions with symbiotic organisms. Furthermore, it delves into the mechanisms underlying plant adaptability, such as metabolic flexibility and cross-talk between pathways, which allow plants to mitigate the adverse effects of climatic disruptions. This chapter provides an overview of the impact of climate change and resilience mechanisms in plants under climatic stress. © 2025 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Critical review on toxic contaminants in surface water ecosystem: sources, monitoring, and its impact on human health
(Springer, 2024) Prince Kumar Singh; Umesh Kumar; Indrajeet Kumar; Akanksha Dwivedi; Priyanka Singh; Saumya Mishra; Chandra Shekhar Seth; Rajesh Kumar Sharma
Surface water pollution is a critical and urgent global issue that demands immediate attention. Surface water plays a crucial role in supporting and sustaining life on the earth, but unfortunately, till now, we have less understanding of its spatial and temporal dynamics of discharge and storage variations at a global level. The contamination of surface water arises from various sources, classified into point and non-point sources. Point sources are specific, identifiable origins of pollution that release pollutants directly into water bodies through pipes or channels, allowing for easier identification and management, e.g., industrial discharges, sewage treatment plants, and landfills. However, non-point sources originate from widespread activities across expansive areas and present challenges due to its diffuse nature and multiple pathways of contamination, e.g., agricultural runoff, urban storm water runoff, and atmospheric deposition. Excessive accumulation of heavy metals, persistent organic pollutants, pesticides, chlorination by-products, pharmaceutical products in surface water through different pathways threatens food quality and safety. As a result, there is an urgent need for developing and designing new tools for identifying and quantifying various environmental contaminants. In this context, chemical and biological sensors emerge as fascinating devices well-suited for various environmental applications. Numerous chemical and biological sensors, encompassing electrochemical, magnetic, microfluidic, and biosensors, have recently been invented by hydrological scientists for the detection of water pollutants. Furthermore, surface water contaminants are monitored through different sensors, proving their harmful effects on human health. Graphical Abstract: (Figure presented.) © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature 2024.
Green Solutions for Heavy Metal Remediation: Unveiling the Potential of Agricultural Waste through Techno-Economic Analysis and Life Cycle Assessment
(CRC Press, 2024) Priyanka Singh; Umesh Kumar; Akanksha Dwivedi; Prince Kumar Singh; Indrajeet Kumar; Saumya Mishra; Avanish Prajapati; Supriya Tiwari; Rajesh Kumar Sharma
The global prevalence of heavy metal contamination presents formidable challenges to both environmental integrity and human health, underscoring the critical need for the implementation of efficacious remediation strategies. Utilizing agricultural waste as a viable and sustainable approach to address heavy metal pollution in contaminated environments, diverse agricultural waste materials, such as crop residues, animal manure, and by-products from food processing unit, are assessed for their efficacy in heavy metal sorption and immobilization. Through a holistic framework integrating techno-economic analysis (TEA) and life cycle assessment (LCA), the study assesses the heavy metal sorption and immobilization capabilities of different agricultural waste materials. Comprehensive TEA investigates the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of implementing agricultural waste-based remediation techniques relative to conventional methodologies. Furthermore, LCA analyzes the environmental impact of these remediation techniques, including resource consumption, emissions, and waste generation throughout their entire life cycles. The chapter elucidates the promising potential of agricultural waste as a sustainable and economically viable alternative for heavy metal remediation, emphasizing the necessity of incorporating technological and environmental assessments for informed decision-making in environmental management practices. © 2025 selection and editorial matter Veer Singh, Ashish Kumar, Vishal Mishra and Sachchida Nand Rai; individual chapters, the contributors.
Heavy metal accumulation, yield and health risk assessment of wheat crop grown in contaminated soil amended with bioash for sustainable agriculture
(Academic Press Inc., 2025) Umesh Kumar; Prince Kumar Singh; Indrajeet Kumar; Rajesh Kumar Sharma
Prolonged use of wastewater irrigation in peri-urban agriculture has increased levels of heavy metals (HMs) in soil, raising concerns regarding both food safety and human health. To address this issue, the effectiveness of agro-waste derived bioashes (ADB), specifically rice husk ash (RHA) and sugarcane bagasse ash (SBA), was investigated as soil amendment materials to immobilize HMs in soil and reduce their accumulation in crops. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of RHA and SBA on HM uptake, growth, yield, nutrient quality, and seed metabolite profiles of wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv. HUW 234) crop grown in HM contaminated soils, along with associated health risks. Results revealed that SBA significantly and effectively reduced Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, and Cd accumulation in wheat seeds (13.5 %, 33.8 %, 17.6 %, 7.8 %, and 10.0 %, respectively), more compared to RHA (6.8 %, 16.9 %, 8.8 %, 3.9 %, and 5.0 %) with maximum accumulation in roots followed by shoots and least in seeds. Health risk assessments showed that the estimated daily intake (EDI) of HMs was found highest for Zn and lowest for Cd in both the children and adults consuming wheat seeds, with hazard quotient values above a unit for all the HMs. The present study concludes that SBA could be effectively used as a superior soil amendment to reduce HM toxicity in soil-wheat system, associated human health risks and to promote sustainable agriculture in peri-urban areas. © 2024
Heavy Metal Analysis of Commercial Rice Grains from Varanasi City of India: Insight into Contamination Level, Daily Intake and Associated Health Risks
(Springer, 2025) Priyanka K. Singh; Rajesh Kumar Sharma; Prince Kumar Singh
Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is a staple food in Many Asian countries and plays a vital role in global food security. Heavy metal contamination of the rice grains is a global concern, yet data on contamination level and associated risks in Northern India remain Limited. Thus, the present study quantified concentrations of Cd, Cr, Pb, As, Ni, Cu, and Zn in 19 rice grain varieties consumed by urban population of India using an Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. Hazardous risks of consuming rice grains were assessed through computing estimated daily intake (EDI), target hazard quotient (THQ), and target cancer risk (TCR). Results showed that Pb, As, and Ni levels in rice grains were below the detection thresholds (0.2, 0.2, and 0.04 µg g⁻1 dw, respectively). However, concentrations of Cd, Cr, Cu and Zn ranged between 0.25–1.3, 0.25–4.1, 1.8–10.5 and 19.5–36.8 µg g⁻1 dw, respectively. Except Cd, all the heavy metals were below the international and Indian permissible standards. Cd and Cr were detected in six rice varieties only (Jeera 32, Chintu, Cuttack, Silky, Kinki and Gawahi). EDI values via rice consumption were found as Zn > Cu > Cr > Cd for both children and adults. THQ values for Cd, Cr, and Cu exceeds a unit in Sonanchal, Kalanamak, and Moti under high exposure frequency. TCR further revealed that Cd and Cr in rice varieties posed carcinogenic risks to local residents. Ensuring food and public health safety adheres to strict monitoring and regulations of heavy metal contamination in rice grains. © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature 2025.
Heavy metal contamination in the wastewater irrigated soil and bioaccumulation in cultivated vegetables: Assessment of human health risk
(Academic Press Inc., 2024) Rashmi Singh; Prince Kumar Singh; Parvati Madheshiya; Alok Kumar Khare; Supriya Tiwari
Heavy metal contamination in soil and accumulation in cultivated vegetables is currently an urgent ecological problem prevalent throughout the world. The study investigated the concentrations of heavy metals (Cr, Ni, Zn, Cu, and Pb) in irrigation water, soil, and vegetables grown in the vicinity of the industrial area of northern India. Furthermore, this study also assessed the health risk to the local population from consuming vegetables grown in metal-contaminated areas. In the present study, concentrations of all heavy metals in the soil remained within the acceptable limits stipulated by national standards, with the exception of Ni, which exceeded the prescribed threshold limit (Ni=75–100, Cu=135–270, Zn=300–600, Pb=250–500 µgg−1). The concentration of heavy metals in the vegetables was found maximum at the Lohta site followed by Ramnagar, Varuna, Dinapur, and Shivpur as compared to the control site (BHU). The highest concentration of Zn, Cu, Cr, Ni, and Pb was found in Spinacia oleracea followed by Amaranthus grain, Mentha spicata, Abelmoschus esculentus, Solanum melongena, Lagenaria siceraria, Solanum lycopersicum, Momordica charantia, Luffa acutangula, and least in Phaseolus vulgaris. The higher metal content of these vegetables is further supported by an increase in the metal pollution index (MPI) of wastewater-irrigated soil. The maximum DIM (Daily intake of metals) was reported in S. oleracea (0.061 μg g−1/day), whereas the minimum for P. vulgaris (0.007 μg g−1/day). On the basis of health quotient (HQ) revealed that at the Lohta, Ramnagar, Varuna Dinapur sites, HQ values of Cr, Ni, Cu, and Pb were found greater than one (>1) for both children and adults on the consumption of all tested plants. The HQ value of all heavy metals except Zn indicated their contamination in the vegetables and their health risks to the local residents. As a result, continuous monitoring and source control should be conducted for heavy metals i.e., Cr, Ni, Zn, and Pb, to ensure the region's food quality and environmental security. © 2024 Elsevier Inc.
Impact of climate change on plant productivity and ecosystem sustainability: challenges and solutions
(Elsevier, 2025) Saumya Mishra; Prince Kumar Singh; Umesh Kumar; Priyanka K. Singh; Indrajeet Kumar; Rajesh Kumar Sharma
Climate change indeed can be termed as one of the most important challenges people face nowadays with vast influence on plant productivity and environmental sustainability. An intensive account of multifaceted aspects of climate change by briefly describing some key drivers associated with greenhouse gas emissions, global warming, and increased frequencies of extreme climate. Here, it is underlined how the understanding of these phenomena can help in addressing their cascading effects on global ecosystems and agricultural systems. The climate changes influence plant productivity in a very complex manner. Rising temperatures and altered precipitation patterns influence plant growth, crop yields, and food security. This further adds to increasing pest and disease prevalence with stress on natural resources and ultimately challenges the resilience of agriculture and natural ecosystems. Further details on impacts regarding biodiversity are discussed by highlighting species extinctions across marine, freshwater, and terrestrial environments. However, special focus is on aspects like ocean acidification and habitat transformations, which speak of vulnerability at the ecosystem level against climatic change. The chapter considers mitigation and adaptation strategies from high-tech innovations to sustainable farming practices and then large-scale policy initiatives for dealing with the above imperatives. A mix of case studies is used to illustrate examples of real-world interventions that have been executed in other parts of the globe, critically appraising how governance may benefit the implementation of climate-resilient policies. This chapter provides a glimpse of what the future may be if such emerging solutions continue in their implementation: carbon capture technology, reforestation schemes, and international cooperation on climate change. By combining scientific knowledge with practical actions, this chapter helps readers gain the information and tools to contribute to a sustainable and resilient future. © 2025 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Insights into Cadmium Uptake and Changes in Morphophysiological and Biochemical Characteristics of Eclipta alba L., Plants Exposed to Elevated Cadmium in Soil
(Springer Science and Business Media Deutschland GmbH, 2025) Akanksha Dwivedi; Prince Kumar Singh; Umesh Kumar; Indrajeet Kumar; Priyanka K. Singh; Rajesh Kumar Sharma
Eclipta alba L., a medicinal herb stands out as a valuable source of therapeutic compounds, playing a pivotal role in the treatment of numerous diseases. Accumulation of cadmium (Cd) in various cellular parts could potentially elevate and impact the biochemical, physiological and morphological traits of E. alba, cultivated in Cd-enriched soil under dry tropical climate of India. The present study focuses on understanding the growth dynamics, Cd uptake and its subcellular distribution in E. alba exposed to elevated Cd in soil. A randomized block design experiment was conducted and test plant was treated with Cd doses ranging from 0 to 20 mg L−1 at an interval of a week till the 70 days after the plant transplant (DAT). Enzymatic activities i.e. ascorbate peroxidase (APX), catalase (CAT), glutathione reductase (GR), and superoxide dismutase (SOD), along with non-enzymatic activities such as total phenolics and flavonoids content, lipid peroxidation, proline, and ascorbic acid, significantly increased in Cd-treated plants as compared to the control. Cd primarily accumulated in the cell wall, followed by cytoplasm and least in cell organelles, with proportions of 93%, 11%, and 5%, respectively. In E. alba plants, Cd levels increasing correspondingly with soil Cd and were found highest in the roots (13.4 mg kg−1 dw), followed by the leaves (11.1 mg kg−1 dw) and the stems (9.1 mg kg−1 dw). The root, shoot and total biomass of E. alba were decreased by 58.3%, 51.1% and 52.6%, at 40 DAT under 20 mg Cd kg⁻1 dw, with losses, rising to 68%, 60.2%, and 62.3%, respectively at 70 DAT. Leaf Cd was positively and significantly linked with changes in morpho-physiological and biochemical attributes of E. alba plants. E. alba grows rapidly and yields a large amount of biomass, effectively indicates an environmental pollution by heavy metals, particularly Cd, because it flourishes in high densities along highways polluted with heavy metals in tropical wastelands. The extent of Cd accumulation in E. alba is directly influenced by soil Cd levels and the plant’s uptake and storage mechanisms. This research reveals differential Cd accumulation across the plant tissues, providing key insights into these processes. These findings pave the way for future studies on how Cd impacts the medicinal properties of E. alba, with implications for its use in phytoremediation and sustainable cultivation in contaminated environments. © The Author(s) under exclusive licence to Sociedad Chilena de la Ciencia del Suelo 2025.
Nickel Contamination in Terrestrial Ecosystems: Insights into Impacts, Phytotoxicity Mechanisms, and Remediation Technologies
(Springer, 2025) Umesh Kumar; Indrajeet Kumar; Prince Kumar Singh; Akanksha Dwivedi; Priyanka K. Singh; Saumya Mishra; Chandra Shekhar Seth; Rajesh Kumar Sharma
Nickel (Ni), an essential heavy metal, is transformed from an element with vital functions to a hazardous contaminant within agricultural environments, owing to its extensive utilization across diverse applications, spanning from everyday household items to various industrial processes. Understanding Ni’s bioavailability in soil, associated risks, phytodetoxification processes, and current remediation techniques is crucial for sustainable ecosystem management. Although Ni occurs naturally in very small concentrations in soil, water, and air, its absorption by plants from soil to roots is vital for both activating enzymes and supporting plant growth. Ni plays pivotal roles in numerous physiological functions, including photosynthesis, nitrogen metabolism, and growth regulation. However, excessive Ni can induce toxic effects in plants through the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that interferes with their biochemical, physiological, and morphological processes. Eventually, there are only a number of feasible strategies for the mitigation of Ni-polluted soils. The present review critically examines the origins and dynamics of Ni in soil–plant systems and its detrimental effects on plants at morphological, biochemical, physiological, and molecular levels. The review also explores the detoxification mechanisms in higher plants and current remediation technologies for decision-making and sustainable management of Ni contamination in the environment. The review concludes that there is a need of friendly effective and environmentally sustainable technologies for the mitigation of Ni toxicity in terrestrial ecosystems and environmental sustainability. © The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2025.
Phytochemical composition, antioxidant and antibacterial properties of methanol stem and leaf extracts of Croton bonplandianus Baill
(Springer, 2024) Indrajeet Kumar; Umesh Kumar; Prince Kumar Singh; Jay Shankar Yadav; Akanksha Dwivedi; Priyanka Singh; Ashutosh Tripathi; Rajesh Kumar Sharma
The increasing demand for natural antioxidants in the food and pharmaceutical sectors has driven the search for plant species with notable bioactive properties. To fulfil the demand for natural antioxidants, different plants including Croton spp. have been explored. However, the antioxidant activities of Croton bonplandianus Baill plant growing in Varanasi and surrounding regions have not been assessed to date. C. bonplandianus thrives in diverse habitats and exhibits a range of bioactivities, such as wound healing, anti-arthritic, antimicrobial, anticancer, and other therapeutic potentials. Therefore, the present study aimed to quantify total phenolic and flavonoid contents in methanol extracts of the leaf (LME) and stem (SME) of C. bonplandianus plant. Further, extracts were analyzed for in-vitro antioxidant and antibacterial activities. The results depicted that total phenolics (mg GAE/g dw) and flavonoids (mg QE/g dw) content were higher in LME (63.2 and 4.3, respectively) of C. bonplandianus as compared to the SME (30.5 and 3.5, respectively). Further, the results revealed DPPH (%), ABTS (%) and FRAP [µM Fe (II)/g dw] activities in LME (78.7, 83.4 and 203.8, respectively) were also higher than SME (72.3, 71.73 and 169.7, respectively). IC50 values were recorded as 0.8 mg/ml and 5.8 mg/ml for LME and SME, respectively. GC–MS investigation of LME and SME showed the presence of Undecane 2,6-dmethyl (28%) followed by cyclonasilaxane (19%), octadecanoic acid (6.62%) and hexadecanoic acid (4.18%) as major compounds. Both the extract potentially possessed antibacterial properties against E. coli. The findings also demonstrated that heavy metal concentration in soil, leaf, and stem was found within Indian norms. The present study concludes that both, the leaf and stem of C. bonplandianus plant are rich in phenolic and possess antioxidant and antibacterial activities. Therefore, it is suggested that C. bonplandianus be further explored and used therapeutically to fulfill the current demand for natural antioxidants. © The Author(s) under exclusive licence to Society for Plant Research 2024.
Phytochemical composition, antioxidant and antibacterial properties of methanol stem and leaf extracts of Croton bonplandianus Baill
(Springer, 2025) Indrajeet Kumar; Umesh Kumar; Prince Kumar Singh; Jay Shankar Yadav; Akanksha Dwivedi; Priyanka K. Singh; Ashutosh Tripathi; Rajesh Kumar Sharma
The increasing demand for natural antioxidants in the food and pharmaceutical sectors has driven the search for plant species with notable bioactive properties. To fulfil the demand for natural antioxidants, different plants including Croton spp. have been explored. However, the antioxidant activities of Croton bonplandianus Baill plant growing in Varanasi and surrounding regions have not been assessed to date. C. bonplandianus thrives in diverse habitats and exhibits a range of bioactivities, such as wound healing, anti-arthritic, antimicrobial, anticancer, and other therapeutic potentials. Therefore, the present study aimed to quantify total phenolic and flavonoid contents in methanol extracts of the leaf (LME) and stem (SME) of C. bonplandianus plant. Further, extracts were analyzed for in-vitro antioxidant and antibacterial activities. The results depicted that total phenolics (mg GAE/g dw) and flavonoids (mg QE/g dw) content were higher in LME (63.2 and 4.3, respectively) of C. bonplandianus as compared to the SME (30.5 and 3.5, respectively). Further, the results revealed DPPH (%), ABTS (%) and FRAP [µM Fe (II)/g dw] activities in LME (78.7, 83.4 and 203.8, respectively) were also higher than SME (72.3, 71.73 and 169.7, respectively). IC50 values were recorded as 0.8 mg/ml and 5.8 mg/ml for LME and SME, respectively. GC–MS investigation of LME and SME showed the presence of Undecane 2,6-dmethyl (28%) followed by cyclonasilaxane (19%), octadecanoic acid (6.62%) and hexadecanoic acid (4.18%) as major compounds. Both the extract potentially possessed antibacterial properties against E. coli. The findings also demonstrated that heavy metal concentration in soil, leaf, and stem was found within Indian norms. The present study concludes that both, the leaf and stem of C. bonplandianus plant are rich in phenolic and possess antioxidant and antibacterial activities. Therefore, it is suggested that C. bonplandianus be further explored and used therapeutically to fulfill the current demand for natural antioxidants. © The Author(s) under exclusive licence to Society for Plant Research 2024.
Role of Nanoparticles in Plant Disease Management
(wiley, 2025) Umesh Kumar; Prince Kumar Singh; Parvati Madheshiya; Indrajeet Kumar
Because of their special properties and versatility, nanoparticles (NPs) have become efficient tools for controlling plant diseases. Numerous bioactive chemicals, such as fungicides, bactericides, and nanofertilizers, can be efficiently supplied to plant tissues to improve plant health due to their minuscule size (1-100 nm). This reduces their environmental impact while also improving their effectiveness. Additionally, NPs can be used as genetic material carriers, delivering RNA interference (RNAi) molecules to silence specific genes in pathogens. They may also damage pathogen cell membranes or interfere with essential metabolic functions because of their inherent antibacterial qualities. Additionally, functionalizing nanomaterials may improve their adherence to plant surfaces, increasing their efficacy and lowering any unintended repercussions. Nevertheless, given these noteworthy benefits, more research is required to ascertain the long-term effects and environmental implications of applying NPs to agriculture. However, NPs have an intriguing chance to offer effective and long-lasting plant disease management metrics, especially in light of the current appearance of novel viruses and growing environmental concerns. © 2025 Wiley-VCH GmbH.
Salt-Induced Effects on Crop Plants and Counteract Mitigating Strategy by Antioxidants System
(wiley, 2021) Indrajeet Kumar; Umesh Kumar; Prince Kumar Singh; Rajesh Kumar Sharma
Salinity is one of the important menaces to crop plants. Most of the plants including agricultural crops are glycophytic and are unable to complete their life cycle in high concentration of salt. This chapter summarizes the consequences of salinity on crop plants, oxidative biomarkers, and their effects in plants under salt stress, and discusses the mitigation strategies of the plants to cope with salt stress by both the enzymatic and nonenzymatic defense system. Oxidative stress biomarkers can be classified as the molecules which are adapted in the microenvironment by relationships with reactive oxygen species and antioxidant system molecules which alter in response to the increasing redox stress. Plants adopt mainly two strategies to counteract the effects of high salt concentration, namely enzymatic and nonenzymatic strategies. Soil salinity poses a significant threat to production of agricultural crops worldwide. The advancement in omics is being used in elucidating important plant processes in response to various abiotic stresses. © 2022 John Wiley & Sons Ltd. All rights reserved.
Screening of mustard cultivars for phytoremediation of heavy metals contamination in wastewater irrigated soil systems
(Springer Science and Business Media Deutschland GmbH, 2024) Prince Kumar Singh; Jay Shankar Yadav; Indrajeet Kumar; Umesh Kumar; Rajesh Kumar Sharma
The mustard (Brassica juncea L.) plant is a well-known and widely accepted hyper-accumulator of heavy metals. The genetic makeup of mustard’s cultivars may significantly impact their phytoremediation capabilities. The present study aimed to investigate the growth performance, yield attributes, and heavy metal accumulation potential of B. juncea cv. Varuna, NRCHB 101, RH 749, Giriraj, and Kranti, cultivated in soil irrigated with wastewater (EPS) and bore-well water (MPS). EPS contributed more Cr, Cd, Cu, Zn, and Ni to tested mustard cultivars than the MPS. EPS reduced morphological, biochemical, physiological, and yield attributes of tested mustard cultivars significantly (p < 0.05) than the MPS. Among the tested cultivars of mustard plants, Varuna had the highest heavy metal load with the lowest harvest index (35.8 and 0.21, respectively). Whereas NRCHB 101 showed the lowest heavy metal load with the highest harvest index (26.9 and 0.43, respectively). The present study suggests that B. juncea cv. Varuna and NRCHB 101 could be used for the phytoextraction of heavy metals and reducing their contamination in food chain, respectively in wastewater irrigated areas of peri-urban India. The outcomes of the present study can also be utilized to develop a management strategy for sustainable agriculture in heavy metal polluted areas resulting from long-term wastewater irrigation. © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2024.
Soil-mustard revitalization via rice husk ash, a promising soil amendment material for sustainable management of heavy metal contamination in tropical ecosystem
(Academic Press, 2024) Prince Kumar Singh; Indrajeet Kumar; Umesh Kumar; Rajesh Kumar Sharma
Prolonged wastewater irrigation in agriculture has led to the accumulation of heavy metals in soil, endangering both the soil quality and food safety, thereby posing a potential threat to human health through the consumption of contaminated crops. The present study aimed to enhance the yield of mustard (Brassica juncea L. cv. Varuna and NRCHB 101) plants and stabilize heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Ni, Cu, and Zn) in wastewater-irrigated soil using rice husk ash (RHA), rice mill by-product, collected from Chandauli region of Eastern Uttar Pradesh, India. Results demonstrated significant improvements in growth, biomass, physiology, and yield of mustard plant with increasing RHA application in wastewater irrigated soil (p ≤ 0.05). Heavy metal accumulation in different parts of mustard plants decreased as RHA application rate increased. Applying RHA at 2% in soil proved to be most effective in reducing Cd, Cr, Ni, Cu, and Zn accumulation in seeds by 29%, 29.6%, 23.1%, 21.3% and 20.1%, respectively in Varuna and 30.1%, 21.4%, 11.1%, 12.1%, and 28.5%, respectively in NRCHB 101cultivars. The present findings showed that RHA amendment in wastewater irrigated soil had reduced bioaccumulation of Cd, Cr, Ni, Cu, and Zn and consequently their toxicity in cultivated mustard plants. A novel application of RHA is unveiled in this research, offering a promising solution to promote sustainable agriculture and to reduce heavy metal associated health risks within the soil-mustard system. © 2024 Elsevier Ltd
The Future of Salt-Tolerant Crops: Gene Editing and Biotechnological Pathways
(CRC Press, 2025) Umesh Kumar; Prince Kumar Singh; Indrajeet Kumar; Akanksha Dwivedi; Priyanka Singh; Saumya Mishra; Avanish Prajapati; Rajesh Kumar Sharma
[No abstract available]
Therapeutic Potential of Biotoxins and Biotechnological Innovations
(Springer Nature, 2025) Prince Kumar Singh; Gereraj Sen Gupta; Umesh Kumar; Parvati Madheshiya; Akanksha Dwivedi; Priyanka K. Singh; Ashish Kumar Mishra; Saumya Mishra; Shivani Gupta; Rajesh Kumar Sharma; Supriya P. Tiwari
The captivating world of biotoxins, often perceived as nature’s formidable weapons, presents an intricate and promising landscape for scientific exploration and innovation. Biotoxins, originating from a vast spectrum of life forms such as bacteria, fungi, plants, and animals, exhibit a remarkable diversity of bioactive compounds. Their structural diversity, coupled with potent biological activities, positions them as valuable resources for drug discovery, agricultural and environmental management. This chapter highlights into specific case studies where biotoxins have been harnessed to develop antivenom, anti-cancer agents, analgesics, other therapeutic marvels, etc. The comprehensive understanding of biotoxin mechanisms, bioprospecting, and biotechnological tools, including genetic engineering and synthetic biology, offers exciting avenues for the sustainable extraction, production, and modification of biotoxins. The biotechnological harnessing of biotoxins emphasizes the significant progress and potential future applications of biotoxins reliant on collaboration among researchers, clinicians, and regulators to unlock their full capacity. © The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2025.
Total phenolic content and antioxidant activities in methanol extracts of medicinal herbs from Indo-Gangetic plains of India
(Open Science Publishers LLP Inc., 2024) Umesh Kumar; Indrajeet Kumar; Prince Kumar Singh; Jay Shankar Yadav; Akanksha Dwivedi; Priyanka Singh; Saumya Mishra; Rajesh Kumar Sharma
The present study investigates total phenolics, flavonoids, and in vitro antioxidant activities in methanol extracts of roots, stems, leaves, and fruits of medicinal herbs (Phyllanthus fraternus G.L. Webster; Bhui-amla and Solanum nigrum L.; Makoi or black nightshade) of Indo-Gangetic plains of India. The results showed that biochemical attributes of methanol extracts of both the tested plants varied significantly with sites (P < 0.05). Contents of total phenolics and flavonoids and antioxidant properties were found highest in fruits followed by leaf, stem, and least in root of P. fraternus and leaves, fruits, stem, and roots of S. nigrum plants. The present investigation revealed that total phenolic content in fruits of P. fraternus ranged from 26.69 to 61.48 mg GAE/g fw and from 8.89 to 24.69 mg GAE/g fw in leaves of S. nigrum plants, and thus, these plant parts can be promoted for pharmaceutical purposes and health benefits. It is also suggested that the individual phenolic compound in the different parts of tested plants should be analyzed to identify their elite population for their mass cultivation, conservation, and sustainable utilization. © 2024 Umesh Kumar, et al.