The purpose of investigation was to assess the phytochemical and nutraceutical of walnut in leaf extracts through diverse quantitative and qualitative phytochemical tests followed by array of assays. The screening of 50 elite walnut genotypes which exhibited wide range of discrepancy in terms of phytochemicals as well as their anti-oxidant potential was done. Walnut genotypes displayed maximum divergence in quercetin content (2.86-5.78 mg/100 g) as represented by cluster analysis. The phenolic rich genotypes exhibiting total phenols (37.61-46.47 mg/g GAE) having higher DPPH potential (IP of 32.82-73.50) where as genotypes that accumulate flavonoids/flavanols (5.52-28.48 mg/g QE and 4.11-21.76 mg/g QE showed immense FRAP activity (418.92-1067.94 µM Fe/g FW). There was positive correlation between the phenolics content and anti-oxidant potential. The results showed oil content of 50.1-85.08% and kernel percentage 25.21-81.92% of all walnut genotypes. To evaluate the anti-proliferative potential of walnut genotypes, Trypan blue exclusion test, MTT assay and Griess assay was used. Each assay was repeated with different positive controls against a panel of human cancer cell lines viz THP-1, U2OS, IMR-32 and HBL-100 and then compared with the walnut extracts for their efficiency in anti-proliferative activity. The SPS 1 walnut extract at concentration of 500 µg/ml exhibited 10% cell viability and with 1000 µg/ml walnut extract there was consequent decline towards (6.25%) viability. The results indicated that walnut leaf constitutes an excellent source of effective natural antioxidants and chemo-preventive agents that can act as anti cancer agents.

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Walnut (Juglans regia) is one of the most essential nutritive and economic nut crops. Genetic diversity analysis of 96 walnut genotypes from Kashmir was done using 13 RAPD and 19 ISSR markers. RAPD diversity analysis revealed 27.78% polymorphism while as ISSR analysis showed 93.05% of polymorphic bands. Jaccards similarity coefficient ranged from 0.78 to 1 with an average of 0.91 for RAPD and 0.22 to 0.85 with an average of 0.58 for ISSR markers and 0.59 to 0.92 with an average of 0.74 for combined data. Cluster analysis using UPGMA by RAPD and ISSR markers obviously revealed distinct diversity between genotypes. The dendrogram constructed from the combination of RAPD and ISSR markers categorized the 96 genotypes into one major cluster and five minor clusters. Effective number of alleles (Ne), Nei's gene diversity (H) and Shannon's Information index (I) of 96 samples were 1.12, 0.08 and 0.12 respectively for RAPD data and 1.48, 0.29 and 0.44 for ISSR data respectively. Positive correlation (r=0.11) was observed between RAPD and ISSR markers using the Mantel test and thus supporting the validity of the dendrogram. The high number of alleles and a broad range of genetic diversity were observed among all the genotypes, accounting them as potential candidates for selective breeding for particular traits and expanding the genetic base. Based on our results, RAPD and ISSR analysis can be used for the characterization and categorizing of walnut genotypes and indicate that Jammu and Kashmir has a significant genetic diversity pool and rich genetic variance of walnuts.

Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) being triploid in nature is propagated by vegetative means through corms. The natural propagation rate of such plant species is relatively low; therefore an in vitro multiplication technique like micropropagation has been used as an alternative method of propagation for saffron. In the present investigation, apical bud explants were cultured on different nutrient media supplemented with various concentrations of plant growth regulators. Micro-corm formation was observed on all the media combinations. Maximum number (10) and weight (1.54 g) of microcorms developed were observed on MS media supplemented with 6-benzyl amino purine (BAP) (2 mg/L) + naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) (0.5 mg/L) + paclobutrazol (1.5 mg/L). Cultural conditions under light or in dark did not affect the corm formation and growth. Shoot and root regeneration was observed in the microcorms developed under in-vitro conditions. Maximum number of shoot (11.6) and length of shoots (11.4 cm) was also observed on MS media supplemented with NAA (21.6 µM) + BAP (22.2 µM). Maximum number of roots (11) and length of roots (11.4 cm) were obtained on G-5 media containing NAA (21.6 µM) + BAP (22.2 µM). The above observations will be useful as the base to make a possible road way for production of quality planting material in saffron.

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