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Linguistic and genetic studies on Roma populations inhabited in Europe have unequivocally traced these populations to the Indian subcontinent. However, the exact parental population group and time of the out-of-India dispersal have remained disputed. In the absence of archaeological records and with only scanty historical documentation of the Roma, comparative linguistic studies were the first to identify their Indian origin. Recently, molecular studies on the basis of disease-causing mutations and haploid DNA markers (i.e. mtDNA and Y-chromosome) supported the linguistic view. The presence of Indian-specific Y-chromosome haplogroup H1a1a-M82 and mtDNA haplogroups M5a1, M18 and M35b among Roma has corroborated that their South Asian origins and later admixture with Near Eastern and European populations. However, previous studies have left unanswered questions about the exact parental population groups in South Asia. Here we present a detailed phylogeographical study of Y-chromosomal haplogroup H1a1a-M82 in a data set of more than 10,000 global samples to discern a more precise ancestral source of European Romani populations. The phylogeographical patterns and diversity estimates indicate an early origin of this haplogroup in the Indian subcontinent and its further expansion to other regions. Tellingly, the short tandem repeat (STR) based network of H1a1a-M82 lineages displayed the closest connection of Romani haplotypes with the traditional scheduled caste and scheduled tribe population groups of northwestern India.

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The aim of the present study was to assess the influence of phosphorus levels and phosphorus solubilizing fungi on yield and nutrient uptake by wheat. The dry matter production by wheat at tillering, ear emergence, and harvest was significantly higher with 90 kg P2O5 ha−1 and was at par with 60 kg P2O5 ha−1. Application of Aspergillus awamori gave the highest dry matter accumulation at tillering, ear emergence, and harvest stage of crop growth. Increasing levels of phosphorus increased the grain and straw yield significantly up to 60 kg P2O5 ha−1 of wheat crop. However, the maximum grain and straw yield were obtained at 90 kg P2O5 ha−1, which was at par with 60 kg P2O5 ha−1. The combined application of 60 kg P2O5 ha−1 with A. awamori recorded significantly higher grain and straw yield. Increasing level of P application (0 to 90 kg P2O5 ha−1) and inoculation with A. awamori and A. niger significantly increased uptake of N, P, and K in wheat at all stages of crop growth. The maximum nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium uptake was recorded at harvest (grain and straw) followed by ear emergence and tillering when seeds were inoculated with Aspergillus awamori.

Many physical, chemical, and mineralogical factors govern the release of K from micas by cation exchange reaction and dissolution processes. Mainly in Indian agricultural conditions, most of the farmers use only nitrogen and phosphorus and do not use the potassic fertilizer due to unawareness that the problem of K deficiency occurs in soils and it is reported that~72 % of soils need immediate K fertilization for good crop production. The efficient soil microorganisms influence the availability of minerals in soil and play a major role in ion cycling and soil fertility. A number of microorganisms such as bacteria (Bacillus mucilaginosus, B. edaphicus, B. circulans, B. cereus, B. subtilis, B. coagulans, B. amyloliquefaciens, B. megaterium, Enterobacter hormaechei, Flectobacillus spp., Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans, Paenibacillus spp.), fungal strains (Aspergillus niger, A. fumigatus, and A. terreus), and yeast (Torulaspora globosa) solubilize the insoluble K to soluble forms of K for plant uptake. The main mechanisms of KSMs are acidolysis, chelation, exchange reactions, complexolysis, and production of organic acids. Therefore, the efficient KSMs should be applied for solubilization of unavailable form of K to an available form of K that is taken up by the plant for their growth and development. Therefore, our aim is to elaborate on the studies of native K-solubilizing microbes to develop efficient microbial consortium and their uses as biofertilizers or a biocontrol agent, which helps to enhance the K availability in agricultural soils and increase crop production and environmental and agricultural sustainability.