Defensive diminishment: A chromosome-scale reference genome assembly of pigeonpea wild relative Cajanus platycarpus (Benth.) highlights the evolutionary decline of defence genes in Cajanus cajan (L.).

Plants evolve diverse genetic adaptations to survive varied environmental stresses. Cajanus platycarpus, a wild relative of pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan), exhibits remarkable resilience to multiple abiotic and biotic stresses. However, the genomic basis of this broad-spectrum adaptability remains poorly understood.

Beyond Bitter: Plant triterpenoids in the battle against herbivorous insects.

Triterpenes are pivotal components of plant defence, offering a sustainable alternative to synthetic pesticides in insect pest management. They serve as critical components of both direct and indirect defence strategies, impacting various facets of herbivore behaviour and development. These structurally diverse metabolites not only deter herbivores directly but also modulate ecological interactions, potentially contributing to plant immunity.

Cellular Responses in the Pigeonpea Wild Relative to Herbivory: The Role of Methionine Sulfoxide Reductase B1 () in Enhanced Defense.

Understanding key cellular mechanisms leading to improved defense against various stressors is essential for cultivating robust nutritious crops capable of flourishing in diverse environments. We present an in-depth characterization of the defense response in the pigeonpea wild relative to herbivory by pod borer To fight the attacking pest, strategically activated non-enzymatic reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavengers and unleashed methionine sulfoxide reductases to safeguard the integrity of methionine residues. We unveiled for the first time physical interaction between MSRB1 and chorismate mutase (CM1.

Establishing a CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing framework in pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan L.) by targeting phytoene desaturase (PDS) gene disruption.

Pigeonpea is an important legume valued for its high nutritional, agricultural, and economic significance in the Asian subcontinent. Despite its potential for high yield, productivity remains stagnant due to several abiotic and biotic stresses. To mitigate these challenges, biotechnological interventions like genome editing offer promising solutions.

Genome-wide identification and characterization of DIRIGENT gene family (CcDIR) in pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan L.) provide insights on their spatial expression pattern and relevance to stress response.

This study is a thorough characterization of pigeonpea dirigent gene (CcDIR) family, an important component of the lignin biosynthesis pathway. Genome-wide analysis identified 25 CcDIR genes followed by a range of analytical approaches employed to unravel their structural and functional characteristics. Structural examination revealed a classic single exon and no intron arrangement in CcDIRs contributing to our understanding on evolutionary dynamics.

Developmental stage-specific proteome analysis of the legume pod borer Maruca vitrata provides insights on relevant proteins.

The spotted pod borer, Maruca vitrata (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) is a destructive insect pest that inflicts significant productivity losses on important leguminous crops. Unravelling insect proteomes is vital to comprehend their fundamental molecular mechanisms. This research delved into the proteome profiles of four distinct stages -three larval and pupa of M.

Host-Delivered RNA Interference for Durable Pest Resistance in Plants: Advanced Methods, Challenges, and Applications.

Insect-pests infestation greatly affects global agricultural production and is projected to become more severe in upcoming years. There is concern about pesticide application being ineffective due to insect resistance and environmental toxicity. Reduced effectiveness of Bt toxins also made the scientific community shift toward alternative strategies to control devastating agricultural pests.

The plant specialized metabolite epicatechin- 3-gallate (EC3G) perturbs lipid metabolism and attenuates fat accumulation in pigeonpea pod borer, Helicoverpa armigera.

Control of pod borer Helicoverpa armigera, a notorious polyphagous pest requires paramount attention with focus on environment-friendly management approaches. Overproduction of catechins (epigallocatechin-EGC and epicatechin-3-gallate-EC3G) in the pod borer-resistant pigeonpea wild relative, Cajanus platycarpus during continued herbivory prodded us to assess their underlying molecular effect on H. armigera.

Flavonoid 3'5' Hydroxylase_2 () Confers Resistance to by Modulating Total Polyphenols and Flavonoids in Transgenic Tobacco.

Pod borer , a polyphagus herbivorous pest, tremendously incurs crop damage in economically important crops. This necessitates the identification and utility of novel genes for the control of the herbivore. The present study deals with the characterization of a () from a pigeonpea wild relative , possessing a robust chemical resistance response to .

Deciphering of Pod Borer [Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner)] Resistance in Cajanus platycarpus (Benth.) Offers Novel Insights on the Reprogramming and Role of Flavonoid Biosynthesis Pathway.

Management of pod borer, in pigeonpea ( L.), an important legume crop, has been a pertinent endeavor globally. As with other crops, wild relatives of pigeonpea are bestowed with various resistance traits that include the ability to deter the Understanding the molecular basis of pod borer resistance could provide useful leads for the management of this notorious herbivore.

Relevance of methionine sulfoxide reductase(s) (MSR) as candidate proteins in redox homeostasis-mediated resistance response to Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) in the pigeonpea wild relative Cajanus platycarpus (Benth.) Maesen.

Pod borer, Helicoverpa armigera, a polyphagus herbivore causes extensive economic losses to crops, including pigeonpea. Exploitation of pod borer resistance in wild relatives is pertinent due to the absence of resistance sources in cultivated pigeonpea and crossing-incompatibility with the resistant wild relatives. We present leads obtained in deeper understanding of pod borer resistance mechanism in Cajanus platycarpus, a pigeonpea wild relative.

Amenability of (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) to gene silencing through exogenous administration and host-delivered dsRNA in pigeonpea ( L.).

Unlabelled: Insect pests are one of the major biotic stresses limiting yield in commercially important crops. The lepidopteran polyphagous spotted pod borer, causes significant economic losses in legumes including pigeonpea. RNA interference (RNAi)-based gene silencing has emerged as one of the potential biotechnological tools for crop improvement.

Exploitation of Novel ICPs for the Management of (Hübner) in Cotton ( L.): A Transgenic Approach.

Cotton is a commercial crop of global importance. The major threat challenging the productivity in cotton has been the lepidopteron insect pest or cotton bollworm which voraciously feeds on various plant parts. Biotechnological interventions to manage this herbivore have been a universally inevitable option.

Exogenous administration of dsRNA for the demonstration of RNAi in (lepidoptera: crambidae).

Unlabelled: The polyphagous spotted pod borer, is an important agricultural pest that causes extensive damage on various food crops. Though the pest is managed by synthetic chemicals, exploration of biotechnological approaches for its control is important. RNAi-based gene silencing is one such tool that has been extensively used for functional genomics and is highly variable in insects.

Characterization and in planta validation of a CHI4 chitinase from Cajanus platycarpus (Benth.) Maesen for its efficacy against pod borer, Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner).

Background: Pigeonpea, Cajanus cajan is one of the economically important legume food crops and a major source of dietary proteins. Management of pod borer, Helicoverpa armigera has been prominent among crop improvement programs. Lack of resistance sources in the cultivated germplasm and crossing incompatibility with pod borer-resistant wild relatives have prompted biotechnological interventions.

Genome Editing for Resistance to Insect Pests: An Emerging Tool for Crop Improvement.

Plants are challenged incessantly by several biotic and abiotic stresses during their entire growth period. As with other biotic stress factors, insect pests have also posed serious concerns related to yield losses due to which agricultural productivity is at stake. In plants, trait modification for crop improvement was initiated with breeding approaches followed by genetic engineering.

Transgenic Cotton ( L.) to Combat Weed Vagaries: Utility of an Apical Meristem-Targeted Transformation Strategy to Introgress a Modified Gene for Glyphosate Tolerance.

Weeds burden plant growth as they compete for space, sunlight, and soil nutrients leading to 25-80% yield losses. Glyphosate [-(phosphonomethyl)glycine] is a widely used broad spectrum non-selective herbicide that controls weeds by inhibiting 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase (EPSPS) enzyme and interfering with the shikimate biosynthesis pathway. Cotton ( L.

Unraveling the proteomic changes involved in the resistance response of Cajanus platycarpus to herbivory by Helicoverpa armigera.

The pigeonpea wild relative Cajanus platycarpus is resistant to Helicoverpa armigera, one of the major pests responsible for yield losses in Cajanus cajan. Deciphering the molecular mechanism underlying host plant resistance is pertinent to identify proteins that aid in the mitigation of the insect pest. The present study adopted comparative proteomics as a tool to interpret the resistance mechanism(s) in C.

Novel biotechnological strategies to combat biotic stresses: polygalacturonase inhibitor (PGIP) proteins as a promising comprehensive option.

Global climate change and combinatorial environmental stresses pose grave challenges to food security and agricultural sustainability. This calls for diverse and futuristic approaches for the development of crops with increased resilience to natural vagaries. Though innumerable strategies involving diverse genes/pathways are being deciphered in plants to aid stress mitigation, the hunt is still on.

Assessment of Pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan L.) transgenics expressing Bt ICPs, Cry2Aa and Cry1AcF under nethouse containment implicated an effective control against herbivory by Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner).

Background: Pigeonpea is a source of quality proteins and the main constituent of a well-balanced diet for majority of Indian population. One of the major constraints in the production of pigeonpea is a polyphagous insect pest, Helicoverpa armigera. Non-availability of resistant sources in the germplasm and limitations in conventional breeding have been key factors for continued yield losses.

Comparative transcriptome analyses provide novel insights into the differential response of Pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan L.) and its wild relative (Cajanus platycarpus (Benth.) Maesen) to herbivory by Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner).

Deeper insights into the resistance response of Cajanus platycarpus were obtained based on comparative transcriptomics under Helicoverpa armigera infestation. Devastation by pod borer, Helicoverpa armigera is one of the major factors for stagnated productivity in Pigeonpea. Despite possessing a multitude of desirable traits including pod borer resistance, wild relatives of Cajanus spp.

Comparative transcriptome analysis of pigeonpea, Cajanus cajan (L.) and one of its wild relatives Cajanus platycarpus (Benth.) Maesen.

Pigeonpea is a major source of dietary protein to the vegetarian population of the Indian sub-continent. Crop improvement to mitigate biotic and abiotic stresses for realization of its potential yield and bridging yield gap is the need of the hour. Availability of limited genomic resources in the cultivated germplasm, however, is a serious bottleneck towards successful molecular breeding for the development of superior genotypes in pigeonpea.