Reports on the metal-toxicity are extensive; however, literature is scarce on the role of sustainable stress-mitigation approaches in this context. This work investigated the significance of growth regulator 24-epibrassinolide (24-EpiBL; 1.0 µM) in the mitigation of consequences of low (10 µM) or high (1.0 mM) concentrations of plant-beneficial (Cu2+, Zn2+, and Ni2+) and plant-non-essential (Pb2+ and Sr2+) divalent metals in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) seedlings. Apart from studying the changes in root and shoot growth, the status of oxidative stress and its metabolism (in terms of superoxide anion, •O2−; lipid peroxidation, LPO; catalase, CAT) was assessed as major markers of Cu2+, Zn2+, Ni2+, Pb2+ and Sr2+-accrued consequences. At high concentrations, plant-beneficial divalent metals (particularly Cu2+ and Ni2+) and plant-non-essential divalent metals (Pb2+ and Sr2+) significantly enhanced •O2−-generation, LPO and CAT activity in T. asetivum leaves and also inhibited the axial growth. Pretreatment of seeds with 24-EpiBL protected T. aestivum seedlings by differentially minimizing the impacts of particularly Zn2+, Ni2+, and Pb2+ (up to 10 µM), and diminished oxidative stress and improved overall growth. 24-EpiBL mediated elevation in CAT activity and subsequent control of cellular •O2− and its consequence (LPO) can be convincing mechanism that eventually resulted into 24-EpiBL-mediated improved root and shoot growth traits in T. aestivum when exposed to low (10 µM) concentration of essential divalent metals (Zn2+, Cu2+ and Ni2+) as well as phytotoxic divalent metal (Pb2+)

Finger millet, is a highly self-pollinated, allo-tetraploid crop believed to have been domesticated in East Africa, probably in the highland region that extends from Ethiopia to Uganda. It is known to save the lives of poor farmers from starvation at times of extreme drought. One of the major yield limiting factors is blast disease caused by Magnaporthe grisea. It is more nutritious than most cereal grains with respect to minerals, dietary fibre and amino acids. With the advancement of molecular marker technology, a lot of progress has been made in majority of the crops except neglected crops like small millets, such as finger millet, though it is highly nutritious crop. A considerable amount of work has been done for assessing the genetic diversity among finger millet germplasm using microsatellite and EST based microsatellite markers. The first genetic map of finger millet was also available using 82 SSR markers. The present review describes the application, status and future perspectives of molecular marker technology for finger millet crop improvement. 

Saffron, Crocus Sativus L. is a perennial bulbous herb. The plant has been priced since antiquity for its yellow orange coloured tripartite stigmas that constitute the Saffron. Also known as saffron crocus, the odour of saffron is described as like the "sea" air. Crocus (Family: Iridacae) is an important genus consisting of 80 species. The reported life zone of Crocus in the world extends through 30-45˚ N latitude and 0˚ to 90˚ E longitude (usual temperature 4 to 23˚ Celsius), with an annual precipitation of 0.1 to 1.1 meter and a soil pH of 5.8 to 7.8. The crop grows best in well-drained soils of medium fertility. Principally saffron grown in Spain, India, Turkey, Greece, Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Holland, Hungary, Italy, Japan, Norway, Russia, Switzerland, Turkey, Persia and the People's Republic of China. Crocus Sativus L. is famous for its diversified pharmacological activities. Almost all the parts of this plant (stigma, stamen, petals, sepals, style, and corm) were evaluated by the researches. The present review will be focused on the detailed literature survey on Crocus Sativus L. The species was extensively studied with the view of its pharmacological importance.