Journal of Advances in Biology & Biotechnology

Economic Performance of Cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis L.) cv. PSB K-25 as Influenced by Different Nutrient Sources

2026-08-13T08:51:39+00:00

The present investigation evaluated the economic performance of cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis L.) cv. PSB K-25 under nine nutrient-source combinations during the rabi season from September 2024 to February 2025 at the Experimental Farm of the College of Horticulture and Forestry, Neri, Hamirpur, Himachal Pradesh. The experiment was laid out in a randomised complete block design with three replications. The treatments combined different proportions of recommended NPK, farmyard manure, vermicompost, sheep manure and Azotobacter, and seedlings were transplanted at 60 × 45 cm spacing. Economic evaluation considered total curd yield, gross income, total cost of cultivation, net income and benefit-cost ratio. Treatment T9, comprising 50% recommended dose of NPK + farmyard manure at 125 q/ha + 25% vermicompost at 25 q/ha + sheep manure at 50 q/ha + Azotobacter, recorded the highest total curd yield (353.53 q/ha), gross income (Rs 5,30,293.50/ha), net income (Rs 3,35,361.55/ha) and benefit-cost ratio (2.72). In contrast, T6 recorded the lowest curd yield (266.04 q/ha), net income (Rs 66,662.30/ha) and benefit-cost ratio (1.20). The findings indicate that T9 provided the most favourable economic outcome under the tested low-hill subtropical conditions of Himachal Pradesh by combining higher curd yield with improved net returns.

Drought-Resilient Crops for Sustainable Agriculture: Genetic, Physiological, and Agronomic Advances

2026-08-13T08:08:08+00:00

Drought constitutes one of the most pervasive abiotic constraints limiting global crop productivity, with its frequency and intensity projected to increase substantially under ongoing climate change. This narrative review synthesises contemporary evidence on the genetic, physiological, and agronomic dimensions of drought resilience in major food crops, drawing on peer-reviewed literature published primarily between 2000 and 2026. Physiologically, drought impairs stomatal conductance, suppresses photosynthetic carbon assimilation, disturbs osmotic equilibrium, and restricts root-mediated water acquisition, with reproductive stages being disproportionately vulnerable. At the genetic level, the deployment of quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping, transcription-factor engineering, CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing, and the overexpression of stress-responsive functional genes has opened novel avenues for enhancing tolerance without compromising yield potential. Breeding programmes have increasingly integrated marker-assisted selection (MAS) and genomic selection to accelerate genetic gain, whilst high-throughput phenotyping platforms now enable rapid assessment of drought-adaptive traits at a population scale. Agronomic strategies, including deficit irrigation, conservation tillage, intercropping, and application of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), provide complementary levers for sustaining productivity under water-limited conditions. Emerging integrative approaches that combine multi-omics, digital precision agriculture, and policy-enabled climate-smart frameworks are highlighted as critical pathways for translating laboratory and field insights into scalable solutions. The review identifies persistent knowledge gaps—including the limited translation of genomic advances to smallholder contexts and the underexplored potential of microbiome engineering—and calls for a convergence of disciplinary expertise, equitable technology transfer, and coherent policy support to achieve drought-resilient food systems globally.

Insect Bacteriocytes as Convergent Host-Control Systems: Evolution, Cellular Differentiation, Molecular Networks, Multi-Omics and Translational Opportunities

2026-08-17T11:59:43+00:00

Bacteriocytes are specialised insect cells that house intracellular symbionts and convert intimate microbial associations into developmentally organised, physiologically regulated organs. Their importance extends beyond nutritional complementation: bacteriocytes mediate metabolite exchange, restrict or tolerate microbial growth, coordinate vertical transmission and remodel with host sex, age and nutritional state. This critical narrative review integrates evidence on the evolutionary origins, cellular differentiation, molecular control, multi-omics analysis and translational potential of insect bacteriocytes. Literature published mainly from 2000 to 8 June 2026 was evaluated, while earlier conceptual work was used only where necessary for historical context. The strongest mechanistic evidence derives from aphid-Buchnera, whitefly-Portiera and cereal weevil-Sodalis systems, supplemented by comparative work in cicadas, mealybugs, stinkbugs, cockroaches and other lineages. Across these systems, bacteriocytes are better interpreted as recurrently assembled host-control solutions than as a single homologous cell type. Convergent functions are implemented through lineage-specific developmental programmes and molecular modules that include host-symbiont metabolic partitioning, membrane transport, immune attenuation and compartmentalisation, horizontally acquired genes, microRNA control, vesicular trafficking, autophagy and regulated cell death. Genomics and bulk transcriptomics established the principle of distributed metabolic pathways, whereas proteomics, metabolomics, single-cell approaches and laser-capture dual transcriptomics increasingly reveal cell-state and spatial heterogeneity that bulk analyses obscure. Translational studies show that host genes positioned at obligatory metabolic interfaces, bacteriocyte-enriched transport or regulatory nodes, and symbiont-dependent transmission mechanisms can be disrupted experimentally. Nevertheless, field-ready exploitation remains constrained by delivery, genotype-by-symbiont variation, compensatory biology, ecological safety and the evolutionary replaceability of some symbionts. The most productive future direction is therefore not indiscriminate symbiont disruption, but spatially resolved, causally validated identification of bottlenecks that are both indispensable and sufficiently conserved for predictable intervention.

Artificial Intelligence for Crop Protection: From Automated Recognition to Field-ready Decision Support

2026-08-19T11:24:36+00:00

Artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping crop protection by converting images, sensor streams and environmental observations into predictions or actions that can support disease diagnosis, pest surveillance, weed management and site-specific interventions. Yet the maturity of these applications is uneven. This critical narrative review evaluates the evidence for AI across the crop-protection pathway rather than treating high classification accuracy as equivalent to agronomic effectiveness. Literature published principally from 2010 to 10 June 2026 was examined, with earlier seminal work retained where conceptually necessary. The synthesis integrates computer vision, machine learning, deep learning, remote and proximal sensing, automated traps, decision-support modelling and precision application systems, while critically appraising external validation, deployment constraints and evidence of chemical-input or crop-loss reduction. The strongest evidence concerns recognition tasks under bounded conditions, including leaf-image classification, weed segmentation and automated insect counting. Field studies demonstrate that mobile imaging, unmanned aerial vehicles, multispectral or hyperspectral sensing and smart traps can extend observation beyond laboratory datasets, but performance commonly declines when illumination, cultivar, growth stage, background, device, geography or pest density differs from the training domain. Forecasting systems based on weather and temporal data show promise for moving from diagnosis to anticipation, although many remain locally calibrated and have limited prospective validation. A central weakness across the literature is the translation gap between model-level metrics and protection outcomes such as avoided crop loss, reduced pesticide use, treatment timing, non-target effects, labour requirements and farm profitability. The review argues that the next phase of AI-enabled crop protection should prioritise multi-site prospective trials, uncertainty-aware and cost-sensitive decisions, multimodal sensing, open and representative datasets, interoperable edge systems, and integration with integrated pest management rather than autonomous chemical intensification. AI is therefore best understood not as a replacement for crop-protection expertise, but as an enabling layer whose value depends on ecological context, agronomic thresholds and reliable sensing-to-action design.

Global Iron and Zinc Biofortification for Hidden Hunger: Current Deployment, Evidence, Scaling Constraints and Priorities

2026-08-20T12:37:23+00:00

Iron and zinc deficiencies remain major components of hidden hunger, particularly where diets are dominated by staple foods and access to diverse, nutrient-dense foods is constrained. Biofortification seeks to increase the micronutrient value of crops during plant growth through conventional breeding, agronomic management and, increasingly, advanced biotechnological approaches. This critical narrative review evaluates the present status of global iron and zinc biofortification initiatives, with emphasis on the distinction between crop release, seed availability, consumption, micronutrient delivery and demonstrated nutritional benefit. Literature published from 2000 to 13 June 2026 was examined across accessible scholarly indexes and authoritative programme sources, with earlier evidence considered when necessary to interpret foundational developments. The evidence is strongest for iron-biofortified beans, pearl millet and rice in controlled efficacy settings, where improvements in ferritin, body iron or related functional outcomes have been demonstrated in populations with low iron status. For zinc, isotope and absorption studies establish biological plausibility and improved absorbed zinc from enriched staples, while several effectiveness trials have not detected corresponding changes in plasma zinc, highlighting limitations of biomarkers, exposure contrasts and implementation fidelity. Agronomic zinc biofortification can raise cereal grain zinc rapidly, especially with foliar or combined soil–foliar fertilisation, but requires recurrent inputs and remains sensitive to soil, genotype and management. Breeding-based delivery offers lower recurrent costs after varietal mainstreaming but depends on seed systems, trait retention, processing and consumer demand. Global initiatives now span multiple staple crops and regions, yet evidence of population-level nutritional impact remains much thinner than evidence of varietal release. The central policy implication is that biofortification should be judged by a delivery cascade from nutrient target to habitual intake and health-relevant outcome, and should complement rather than displace supplementation, food fortification and dietary diversification. Future programmes require standardised nutrient thresholds, traceable coverage metrics, stronger post-release surveillance and pragmatic nutrition trials linked to seed and food-market systems.

Microbial Biotechnology for Sustainable Agriculture and Environmental Remediation: A Review

2026-08-20T12:16:51+00:00

Microbial biotechnology provides sustainable approaches for improving agricultural productivity and supporting environmental remediation through the use of beneficial microorganisms and their metabolic functions. This review examines the roles of bacteria, fungi, archaea, algae and cyanobacteria in nutrient cycling, soil fertility improvement, plant growth promotion, biological nitrogen fixation, disease suppression and pollutant degradation. Microbial applications in agriculture include biofertilisers, plant growth-promoting microorganisms, biocontrol agents and stress-mitigation strategies that can reduce dependence on chemical inputs while supporting soil health and crop performance. In environmental management, microorganisms contribute to the biodegradation of organic pollutants, detoxification of pesticides and agrochemicals, heavy metal immobilisation or removal, wastewater treatment and plant-assisted remediation of contaminated ecosystems. The review also considers emerging technologies, including metagenomics, multi-omics approaches, synthetic biology, genome editing, artificial intelligence, bioinformatics, microbial consortia and microbiome engineering, which are improving the identification, characterisation and optimisation of microbial functions for targeted applications. These tools are increasingly relevant for precision agriculture, climate-smart farming and sustainable remediation because they allow microbial communities and functional traits to be assessed with greater resolution across diverse management contexts. Although these developments have expanded the practical scope of microbial biotechnology, several constraints continue to limit field-level adoption, including variable performance under natural conditions, ecological and biosafety concerns, regulatory complexity, product quality issues, economic barriers and limited stakeholder awareness. Overall, the manuscript highlights the relevance of microbial biotechnology for sustainable agriculture and environmental restoration while emphasising the need for interdisciplinary research, responsible implementation, supportive policies and improved translation of laboratory findings into reliable field applications.

Deciphering the Molecular Architecture and Cross-species Plasticity of in Vivo Haploid Induction: A Critical Narrative Review

2026-08-25T05:39:05+00:00

In vivo haploid induction has moved from a maize-specific breeding phenomenon to a general experimental strategy for perturbing fertilisation, parental genome transmission and embryogenic initiation. This critical narrative review evaluates the molecular architecture that underlies seed-based haploid production and asks why some induction modules transfer readily across species whereas others remain lineage-restricted. Literature was selected through live searches of PubMed, PubMed Central, AGRIS, Google Scholar, DOAJ and Semantic Scholar, supplemented by citation chaining and direct verification of bibliographic records and digital object identifiers. Evidence converges on several partially overlapping mechanistic modules. In maize, the strongest genetic foundation centres on the pollen-associated phospholipase MATRILINEAL/NOT LIKE DAD/ZmPLA1, with DOMAIN OF UNKNOWN FUNCTION 679 MEMBRANE PROTEIN, PHOSPHOLIPASE D3, ZmPOD65 and additional loci modifying penetrance. These factors implicate membrane organisation, lipid signalling, redox balance, sperm competence and post-fertilisation paternal genome stability rather than a single linear pathway. DMP-family loss of function is especially transferable across dicots, while MTL orthologues have shown practical transfer within cereals. Centromere engineering through CENH3 and related kinetochore components represents a mechanistically distinct route based on competitive chromosome inheritance. Newer factors such as GEX3 strengthen the view that perturbing conserved gamete-adhesion and fusion machinery can provide broader cross-lineage portability. Nevertheless, induction efficiency, fertility penalties, polyploid gene redundancy, maternal-genotype effects and uncertain routes from fertilisation failure to embryo rescue constrain universality. The most defensible model is therefore modular: conserved reproductive checkpoints can be engineered to create haploids, but their quantitative outcome is conditioned by species-specific reproductive architecture and genomic buffering. Future progress will depend on mechanistic dissection at single-cell resolution, combinatorial allele design and rigorous cross-genotype validation.

Evidence-Based Veterinary Information in Modern Practice: A Critical Review of Principles, Resources, Decision-making and Implementation

2026-08-26T08:11:11+00:00

Evidence-based veterinary medicine depends on more than access to scientific papers. It requires clinicians to convert case uncertainty into answerable questions, retrieve relevant information from a fragmented literature, judge methodological validity and applicability, integrate research with professional expertise and owner circumstances, and evaluate whether resulting decisions improve care. This critical narrative review examines the principles, information resources and practical use of evidence-based veterinary information across companion-animal, farm-animal and broader veterinary settings. Literature was selected through live searches of PubMed/MEDLINE and Semantic Scholar, supplemented by targeted scholarly web retrieval, citation chaining and verification of bibliographic records. The synthesis focuses on work published from January 1998 to 9 June 2026, while retaining earlier foundational evidence where conceptually necessary. The evidence shows durable progress in question formulation, veterinary-specific reporting guidance, critically appraised topics, information literacy education, shared decision-making and quality improvement. At the same time, several structural constraints remain. Veterinary evidence is unevenly distributed across species and specialties, indexing is incomplete across any single database, access and time barriers shape clinicians' search behaviour, and study design or reporting weaknesses often limit confidence and transferability. Survey and qualitative research indicates that veterinarians frequently rely on colleagues, general web search and abbreviated article sections, which can be efficient but may bypass critical appraisal. Emerging clinical decision support and artificial intelligence could reduce retrieval and synthesis burden, yet their value depends on transparent provenance, current source verification, external validation and governance. The central implication is that evidence-based veterinary information should be treated as an end-to-end decision process rather than a hierarchy of publications. Sustainable implementation therefore requires linked competencies in searching, appraisal, communication, local outcome measurement and organisational learning.

Valorisation of Pomegranate Peel Waste into Nanocellulose: A Critical Appraisal of Extraction Routes, Characterisation Evidence and Environmental Applications

2026-08-28T13:06:26+00:00

Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) processing generates a peel fraction that dominates the residue stream of juice and arils production, and this residue has been targeted for polyphenol recovery, pectin extraction and conversion into carbonaceous adsorbents. Conversion of the same residue into nanocellulose has been proposed as a higher-value route, yet the evidence base supporting that proposition has not been examined critically. This review evaluates the strength, internal consistency and methodological quality of the literature linking pomegranate peel to cellulose nanocrystals, cellulose nanofibrils and bacterial nanocellulose, and to environmental applications in water treatment and pollutant capture. Studies were identified through structured searching of open scholarly databases and indexes, supplemented by backward and forward citation tracking, and were appraised for feedstock characterisation, process transparency, metrological adequacy and the strength of the inference drawn from reported performance data. Three findings emerge. First, the primary evidence in which pomegranate peel serves as the cellulose feedstock is small, geographically concentrated and dominated by packaging-oriented investigations; most publications that pair the words pomegranate and nanocellulose in fact use the peel as a source of polyphenolic extract added to nanocellulose obtained elsewhere, and this conflation has inflated the apparent size of the field. Second, the compositional heterogeneity of pomegranate peel, and in particular its high extractive and pectin content, imposes purification demands that are poorly reported and that plausibly explain divergent yields and crystallinity values across studies. Third, no published investigation appears to have tested pomegranate peel derived nanocellulose as an adsorbent, membrane or aerogel for pollutant removal, so environmental claims for this feedstock rest on extrapolation from other cellulose sources rather than on direct evidence. The field would benefit from mass-balanced processing studies, harmonised crystallinity and dimensional metrology, and adsorption experiments conducted in realistic water matrices before the environmental promise of this residue is asserted.

Advances in Formulation Technologies for Microbial Biocontrol Agents: Carrier Systems, Encapsulation Strategies, Commercialisation Challenges and Future Prospects

2026-08-31T11:05:59+00:00

Aims: This review examines recent developments in the formulation of microbial biocontrol agents (MBCAs) for the sustainable management of plant diseases and insect pests. Particular attention is given to formulation approaches that help maintain microbial viability, improve storage stability and enhance performance under field conditions.

Methodology: Published studies on the formulation of important microbial biocontrol agents, including Trichoderma spp., Bacillus spp., Pseudomonas spp., entomopathogenic fungi and viral bioagents, were reviewed. Conventional formulations such as wettable powders, granules, liquid suspensions and oil-based products were considered alongside newer approaches, including nanoformulations, hydrogels, biofilm-based inoculants, microbial consortia and smart delivery systems. The role of different carriers, additives and encapsulation methods in protecting microorganisms and improving their release and persistence was also assessed.

Key Findings: Formulation is one of the major factors determining the successful use of microbial biocontrol agents. Conventional carriers such as talc, peat and compost are widely used because they are relatively inexpensive and suitable for large-scale production. However, they may not provide sufficient protection to microorganisms when exposed to unfavourable environmental conditions. Advanced carriers, including alginate, chitosan, hydrogels and other biodegradable polymers, offer better protection and can improve controlled release and microbial persistence. Their wider application, however, is often limited by higher production costs and more complex processing requirements. Newer approaches such as nanoencapsulation and biofilm-based formulations have further improved microbial survival and storage stability. The development of climate-resilient formulations and the increasing availability of commercial microbial products in India and elsewhere show their growing potential for practical use. Nevertheless, variable field performance, limited shelf life, production costs, lack of standardisation and regulatory challenges remain important constraints to their wider adoption.

Conclusion: Improved formulation technologies can make microbial biocontrol more reliable and practical for crop protection. Future research should focus on biodegradable carriers, climate-resilient and controlled-release formulations, better storage stability and precision delivery. Artificial intelligence-assisted formulation development may also help optimise microbial products and support their wider use as sustainable alternatives to synthetic pesticides.

Genetic Improvement of the Silkworm (Bombyx mori): From Conventional Breeding to Modern Biotechnology

2026-09-01T13:19:25+00:00

The silkworm, Bombyx mori, is one of the most economically important insects owing to its exclusive ability to produce high-quality silk fibres that support the global sericulture industry. Genetic improvement of silkworm has been a primary objective of sericulture research for decades to enhance economically important traits including cocoon yield, shell weight, shell ratio, filament length, disease resistance, stress tolerance, fecundity, and silk quality. Traditional breeding approaches based on selection, hybridization, and heterosis exploitation have significantly contributed to the development of high-yielding silkworm breeds. However, the increasing demand for superior silk production under changing climatic conditions necessitates the integration of advanced molecular and genomic technologies into conventional breeding programmes. Recent developments in molecular genetics, quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping, marker-assisted selection, genome sequencing, transcriptomics, proteomics, and genome editing have considerably improved the understanding of the genetic architecture underlying economically important traits in Bombyx mori. The availability of the complete silkworm genome and advanced bioinformatics tools has accelerated the identification of candidate genes associated with silk protein synthesis, immunity, environmental adaptation, and reproductive performance. Furthermore, CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome editing and transgenic technologies have opened new opportunities for precise genetic manipulation to improve silk productivity and resistance against pathogens. Despite these advances, challenges including maintenance of genetic diversity, genotype × environment interactions, ethical concerns regarding genetically modified organisms, and climate change continue to influence silkworm breeding programmes. Future research should emphasize the integration of genomics, artificial intelligence, precision breeding, and multi-omics technologies to develop climate-resilient and high-yielding silkworm breeds. This review discusses the principles, methodologies, recent advances, challenges, and future prospects of genetic improvement in silkworm and highlights their significance for sustainable sericulture and global silk production.

Association of Germination Characters and Early Seedling Growth with Seed Yield in Pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan L.) Genotypes

2026-08-10T13:29:42+00:00

Background: Seed germination and seed vigour are critical determinants of crop establishment and productivity in pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan L.). Understanding the genetic variability and the association of germination-related traits with seed yield is essential for identifying superior genotypes and developing efficient selection strategies in breeding programmes. The present study was undertaken to assess the genetic variability, diversity, and relationships between seed germination characteristics and yield-related traits in pigeonpea genotypes.

Methods: The experiment was conducted at the Regional Research and Technology Transfer Station (RRTTS), Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT), Bhawanipatna, Odisha, using 40 pigeonpea genotypes comprising 36 advanced breeding lines and four check varieties. The field experiment was laid out in a randomised block design with three replications. Observations were recorded on eight seed germination and quality traits, namely seed vigour index-I (SVI-I), seed vigour index-II (SVI-II), germination rate index (GRI), coefficient of velocity of germination (CVG), germination index (GI), mean germination time (MGT), viability percentage and seed protein content, along with eight agro-morphological traits including plant height, days to 50% flowering, days to maturity, number of branches per plant, number of pods per plant, number of seeds per pod, seed index and seed yield per plant. Statistical analyses included analysis of variance (ANOVA), genotypic and phenotypic coefficients of variation (GCV and PCV), broad-sense heritability, genetic advance as a percentage of the mean (GAM), Mahalanobis D² cluster analysis, correlation and path coefficient analysis.

Results: Analysis of variance revealed significant genetic variability among the genotypes for all sixteen characters studied. The PCV values were marginally higher than the corresponding GCV values, indicating minimal environmental influence on trait expression. High broad-sense heritability coupled with high genetic advance as a percentage of the mean was observed for most germination-related traits, particularly SVI-I, SVI-II, GRI, CVG, GI, MGT and viability percentage, suggesting the predominance of additive gene action and the effectiveness of phenotypic selection. Mahalanobis D² analysis grouped the forty genotypes into seven distinct clusters, indicating substantial genetic diversity among the breeding materials. Correlation and path coefficient analyses revealed that SVI-I, SVI-II, GRI, CVG, GI and viability percentage exhibited positive associations with seed yield per plant, whereas mean germination time showed a negative association, indicating that rapid and vigorous germination contributes to improved productivity.

Conclusion: The study demonstrated the existence of considerable genetic variability and diversity among pigeonpea genotypes for seed germination, vigour and yield-related traits. High heritability coupled with additive gene action for major germination parameters suggests that these traits can be effectively exploited through direct selection. Seed vigour indices, germination rate index, coefficient of velocity of germination, germination index and viability percentage emerged as reliable selection criteria for improving seed yield, while genetically divergent clusters identified through D² analysis provide valuable parental combinations for future pigeonpea breeding programmes.

Optimizing Nutrient Levels and Fertigation Regimes for Yield Improvement and Economic Viability in Banana (Musa acuminata, AAA) cv. Red Banana

2026-08-10T13:38:55+00:00

A field experiment was conducted at the College of Agriculture, Vellayani, during 2020-2023 to standardise nutrient levels and fertigation schedules for improving the yield of red banana (Musa acuminata, AAA). The study evaluated the interaction effects of four fertigation levels: F₁, 60% RDF; F₂, 80% RDF; F₃, 100% RDF; and F₄, 120% RDF. The split-application schedules were S₁, equal splits of N and K at weekly intervals; S₂, equal splits of N and K at fortnightly intervals; and S₃, split application of N and K according to crop growth stages. The results indicated significant differences in vegetative growth and yield attributes. Although the highest fertigation level (F₄; 120% RDF) maximised plant height and pseudostem girth, the interaction treatment F₂S₃ (80% RDF applied according to phenological growth stages) showed superior overall performance. F₂S₃ reduced the total crop duration to 414.33 days and the shooting-to-harvest interval to 89.00 days. F₃S₃ recorded the highest numerical yield (42.17 t ha^-1), which was statistically on par with F₂S₃ (41.79 t ha^-1). F₂S₃ also recorded the highest number of fingers per bunch (84.33). Despite the marginally higher yield under F₃S₃, F₂S₃ recorded the highest benefit-cost (B:C) ratio (3.53), indicating greater economic efficiency. Therefore, applying 80% RDF of N and K according to phenological growth stages was the most viable treatment under the experimental conditions.

Morphological, Microscopic, Biochemical Characterization and Identification of Potential Isolated Acetic Acid Bacteria from the Pulp of Cola cordifolia Harvested in Northern Côte d'Ivoire

2026-08-10T13:44:47+00:00

Cola cordifolia is an under-exploited wild fruit from West Africa with high potential for microbial biotransformation processes. The present study aimed to isolate, characterise and select strains of acetic acid bacteria that could be used as starter cultures in vinegar production and other industrial fermentations. The physicochemical characteristics of the pulp (pH, moisture, dry matter, soluble dry extract, titratable acidity, vitamin C and alcohol content) were first determined. The acetic acid bacteria were then isolated, characterised using morphological and biochemical tests, and evaluated according to several technological criteria, notably their acidifying power, their tolerance to different concentrations of ethanol, glucose and acetic acid, and their tolerance to various temperatures and pH values. Their capacity to produce acetic acid in liquid medium was also determined. The results showed that the pulp of Cola cordifolia had favourable characteristics for the development of acetic bacteria, with a pH of 5.40 ± 0.04, a humidity of 71.33 ± 1.15% and a soluble dry extract of 15 °Brix. Forty-four presumptive isolates of acetic bacteria were obtained, of which eight showed a strong acidifying power and good tolerance to the main stress factors studied. The BAC4, BAC5, BAC11, BAC15 and BAC38 strains showed the highest acetic acid production, reaching up to 6.33 g/L. Multivariate analysis allowed the selection of four strains with the best technological performance. These results indicate that Cola cordifolia is a promising source of acetic acid bacteria that could be used as starter cultures for vinegar production and other biotechnological applications.

Post-Hatch Tracheal Morphology and Morphometry in Uttara Fowl

2026-08-11T10:51:49+00:00

Twenty-four healthy Uttara fowl, native to the hilly regions of Uttarakhand, were grouped into four age groups (0, 7, 28, and 112 days), with six birds in each group. The objective of this study was to describe the anatomy of the trachea and to assess the morphological and morphometrical changes after hatching. The trachea was found to be a long, flexible tube with a cylindrical appearance. The trachea continued along the right side of the neck, ventral to the oesophagus. The trachea then entered the thoracic cavity and was finally continuous with the syrinx at the caudal border of the base of the heart. The number of tracheal rings ranged from 101 to 128, and the rings were flattened dorsoventrally. The muscles surrounding the trachea included cleidotrachealis, tracheolateralis and sternotrachealis. Tracheolateralis was a paired muscle that originated from the caudolateral aspect of the cricoid cartilage and was inserted into the first bronchial cartilage of the syrinx. The sternotrachealis muscle was a paired, thick, cylindrical and broad skeletal muscle that extended from the costal process of the sternum (craniolateral process) to the caudal rings of the trachea. As the age of the birds increased from 0 to 7 days, the mean length of the trachea gradually increased. A significant increase was observed from 28 to 112 days of age in Uttara fowl. A gradual increase in the cranial and middle tracheal diameters was observed from 0 to 7 days, whereas a significant increase was observed from 28 to 112 days of age. A non-significant change was observed in the diameter of the caudal part of the trachea from 7 to 112 days.

Effect of New-Generation Herbicide Programs on Weed Control Efficiency and Kernel Quality of Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.)

2026-08-11T10:58:23+00:00

A field experiment was conducted at the Instructional Farm, Dr. B.R. Choudhary Agricultural Research Station, Mandor, Jodhpur (Rajasthan), during the kharif season of 2024 to study the “Effect of New Generation Herbicide on Weed and Quality Parameter of Groundnut [Arachis hypogaea (L.)]”. A randomised block design (RBD) was used with ten treatments, including different pre- and post-emergence herbicides, as follows: T₁- Diclosulam 25 g/ha (PE) + Fenoxaprop-p-ethyl @ 78 g/ha at 20 DAS, T₂- Fomsafen 11.1% + Fluazifop-p-butyl 11.1% EC @ 230g/ha at 20 DAS, T₃- Propaquizafop 2.5 % + Imazethapyr 3.75 % w/w @ 125 g/ha at 20 DAS, T₄- Aciflourfen sodium 16.5% + Clodinofop-propargyl 8% EC @ 180g/ha at 20 DAS, T₅- Fomesafen 12% + Quizalofop ethyl 3% SC @ 150g/ha at 20 DAS, T₆- Imazethapyr 35% + Imazamox 35 % WG @ 50 g/ha at 20 DAS, T₇- Topramezone 33.6% SC @ 20.6 g/ha at 20 DAS, T₈-Pendimethalin 30% + Imazethapyr 2% EC @ 750 g/ha pre-emergence, T₉- Weed free, T₁₀- Weedy check. Among these herbicides, Fomsafen 11.1% + Fluazifop-p-butyl 11.1% EC @ 230g/ha at 20 DAS recorded the lowest weed density and weed dry weight and the highest weed control efficiency. Furthermore, higher protein and oil contents were recorded with T₂- Fomsafen 11.1% + Fluazifop-p-butyl 11.1% EC @ 230g/ha at 20 DAS, closely followed by propaquizafop 2.5% + imazethapyr 3.75% w/w @ 125 g/ha; fomesafen 12% + quizalofop ethyl 3% @ 150 g/ha and aciflourfen sodium 16.5% + clodinofop-propargyl 8% EC @ 180 g/ha, compared with the weedy check.

Soil–plant Nutrient Dynamics under Nano Fertilizer Application in Apple Orchards of Kashmir Valley

2026-08-11T11:37:51+00:00

Effective nutrient management is essential for sustaining soil fertility and productivity in apple orchards of the Kashmir Valley. Under the project "Demonstration, Validation and Popularization of Nano-fertilizer for Sustainable Agriculture Development in Kashmir Valley," field demonstrations comparing different fertiliser regimes integrated with Nano Urea and Nano DAP (foliar spray @ 2 ml L⁻¹, two sprays) were conducted in Budgam, Pulwama and Anantnag districts during 2024–25. Soil and leaf samples were analysed for pH, electrical conductivity (EC), organic carbon (OC), available N, P and K, and leaf N, P and K. Treatments integrating nano-fertilisers, particularly T18 (Urea 122 g + DAP 136 g + MOP 250 g + Nano Urea + Nano DAP @ 2 ml at 25-day intervals), were superior to the 100% recommended fertiliser dose (T1) across all districts. In Budgam, pH declined from 7.09 to 6.39, EC rose from 0.13 to 0.20 dS m⁻¹, OC increased from 0.69% to 0.89%, and available N, P and K increased from 360 to 465, 19.0 to 27.2, and 225 to 335 kg ha⁻¹, respectively. Similar trends were observed in Pulwama and Anantnag, with available N increasing from 365 to 501 and from 378 to 530 kg ha⁻¹, respectively. Leaf nutrient status also improved markedly, with leaf N increasing from 1.86% to 2.37% in Budgam and from 1.95% to 2.46% in Anantnag. Treatment effects were statistically significant (P ≤ 0.05), with low coefficients of variation, indicating that integrating nano-fertilisers with reduced conventional fertiliser doses enhances nutrient availability, uptake and soil organic carbon while maintaining favourable pH and EC.

Effect of Light Spectra and Photoperiod on Flowering and Biomass Accumulation in Arugula (Eruca sativa L.)

2026-08-11T12:03:04+00:00

Optimising light quality and photoperiod is a critical approach to improving crop growth, yield, and flowering in controlled-environment agriculture, where artificial lighting serves as the primary energy source for plant development. The present study evaluated the influence of different LED light spectra and photoperiods on biomass accumulation and flowering behaviour in arugula (Eruca sativa L.) cultivated under indoor farming conditions. Two cultivars, ES1 and ES2, were grown in a hydroponic production system and exposed to five lighting treatments comprising different red-to-blue and blue-to-red light ratios under 16-h and 18-h photoperiods, including a control treatment. The experiment was conducted using a factorial completely randomised design (FCRD) with three replications. Growth and reproductive responses were assessed by recording fresh leaf biomass, fresh root biomass, crop growth duration, and days to flowering. Statistical analysis revealed significant differences among light treatments, cultivars, and their interactions for all measured parameters. The 2B:1R light spectrum with a 16-h photoperiod produced the highest fresh root biomass, while the 2R:1B spectrum with a 16-h photoperiod produced the highest leaf biomass. Modified red and blue light combinations also reduced crop growth duration and promoted earlier flowering compared with the control, although the most effective treatment varied between cultivars. Overall, ES2 showed greater biomass accumulation and earlier flowering than ES1 under most optimised lighting conditions. These findings indicate that appropriate manipulation of LED light spectra and photoperiod can improve vegetative growth and reproductive development in arugula and provide useful guidance for controlled indoor production.

Bio-efficacy of Newer Insecticides against Rice Leaf Folder, Cnaphalocrocis medinalis (Guenée)

2026-08-11T13:18:46+00:00

A field experiment was conducted during the Kharif seasons of 2022 and 2023 at the Agricultural Research Farm, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, to evaluate selected insecticides against the rice leaf folder, Cnaphalocrocis medinalis, which is becoming a major concern in rice-growing areas. The experiment was conducted in a randomised block design with seven treatments and three replications. Cyantraniliprole 300 g/L OD was evaluated at 30, 45, 60 and 75 g a.i./ha and compared with fipronil 80% WG at 50 g a.i./ha, lambda-cyhalothrin 4.9% CS at 12.5 g a.i./ha and an untreated control. Two applications were made at 30 and 60 days after transplanting, and leaf damage was recorded before application and at 3, 7, 10 and 14 days after each spray. All insecticidal treatments reduced leaf damage relative to the untreated control. Cyantraniliprole applied at 45 g a.i./ha recorded the lowest overall leaf damage, with values of 7.78% in Kharif 2022 and 6.78% in Kharif 2023. The corresponding values for cyantraniliprole at 60 g a.i./ha were 8.04% and 7.59%, respectively. Fipronil was the next most effective treatment, with values of 8.38% and 8.42%, whereas lambda-cyhalothrin recorded comparatively higher leaf damage of 9.76% and 9.68%, respectively. Under the conditions of this field study, cyantraniliprole at 45 g a.i./ha provided consistent suppression of rice leaf folder across both seasons and produced the highest yields, at 4.09 and 4.26 t/ha, respectively.

Bio-methanation Characteristics and Biogas Production Potential of Selected Food Processing Wastes

2026-08-12T07:48:50+00:00

Food-processing industries generate substantial quantities of biodegradable residues that require environmentally appropriate management. This study evaluated the bio-methanation characteristics and gas-production potential of nine selected food-processing wastes under laboratory conditions. The wastes were characterised for moisture content, total solids, volatile solids, pH, organic carbon, total nitrogen, and carbon-to-nitrogen ratio using standard analytical procedures. Laboratory-scale anaerobic digestion was conducted in 5 L polycarbonate digesters for two months, and cumulative gas production was measured by water displacement. Moisture content ranged from 67.82% in cooked food waste to 91.45% in gherkins waste, while total solids ranged from 8.60% to 42.18%. Volatile solids varied from 81.76% to 94.78%, and pH ranged from 4.52 to 7.76. The C:N ratio ranged from 18.41 to 36.54, with an average of 27.69. Papaya waste recorded the highest cumulative gas volume of 13,850 mL, followed by carrot, watermelon, and gherkins wastes. Nippattu waste produced the lowest cumulative volume of 6,250 mL. The findings demonstrate clear differences among the selected substrates and indicate that feedstock composition influences anaerobic degradation and cumulative gas production. However, the measured volumes represent total displaced gas rather than methane-specific yield. Further replicated studies with standardised loading and gas-composition analysis are required before process-scale application.

Population Dynamics and Weather Associations of Major Sucking Pests on Capsicum (Capsicum annuum L.) Varieties under Protected Cultivation

2026-08-12T12:40:54+00:00

Protected cultivation of capsicum provides a suitable microclimate for plant growth coupled with the proliferation of major sucking pests, including aphids, thrips and whiteflies. Scientific data on the seasonal abundance of these pests and their correlation with abiotic factors under protected conditions remain insufficient. The present study was conducted to assess the population dynamics of major sucking pests on two capsicum hybrids under protected cultivation and to estimate the influence of weather parameters on their populations. Under protected cultivation, biweekly observations on aphid (Aphis gossypii), thrips (Scirtothrips dorsalis) and whitefly (Bemisia tabaci) were documented on two capsicum hybrids (Kaveri 254 and Indra). Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was employed to analyse population dynamics, while Pearson's correlation and simple linear regression analyses were performed to examine the association between prevailing weather parameters and pest populations. The populations of sucking pests varied significantly among Standard Meteorological Weeks, with peak populations occurring between the 50^th and 52^nd SMWs prior to decreasing towards the end of the study period. The capsicum variety Kaveri 254 favoured higher aphid and thrips populations than Indra; in contrast, the whitefly populations were equivalent between the two varieties. Maximum temperature displayed significant negative correlations with all three sucking pests, while evening relative humidity showed a strong positive association with the whitefly population (r=0.918). Simple linear regression reinforced maximum temperature as the key factor impacting aphid (R²=0.713) and thrips (R²=0.533) populations, whereas evening relative humidity explained the highest proportion of variation in the whitefly population (R² = 0.843). The study identified clear seasonal variation in the population dynamics of major sucking pests in capsicum under protected cultivation, with Indra displaying relatively lower susceptibility to aphids and thrips than Kaveri 254. Maximum temperature was recognised as the key weather parameter controlling sucking pest populations, whereas evening relative humidity proved to be the key factor for the whitefly population. These findings present a useful basis for designing weather-assisted pest monitoring and forecasting protocols contributing to sustainable insect pest management in capsicum under protected cultivation.

Energy Production Potential of Food Processing Waste through Anaerobic Digestion

2026-08-12T12:46:27+00:00

Food-processing industries generate substantial quantities of biodegradable organic residues that require environmentally sound management. This study assessed the energy-production potential of food-processing waste through anaerobic digestion under routine operating conditions at a biogas plant in Kuriya village, Dakshina Kannada district, Karnataka. The 500 m³ digester processed approximately 8 tonnes of food-processing waste per day, with water added at a reported 1:1 ratio. Biogas production was monitored using a flow meter for 90 days, while methane and carbon dioxide were measured using a handheld infrared biogas analyser. Mean daily biogas production was 561.47 m³, and the 10-day mean values ranged from 554.0 to 567.0 m³. The highest temperature-associated biogas production, 581 m³, was recorded at 34°C. Mean methane and carbon dioxide volumes were 336.88 m³ and 168.44 m³, respectively. Water scrubbing was associated with reported methane volumes approximately 20% higher after purification than before purification. The observations indicate that mixed food-processing residues supported continuous biogas generation during the monitoring period. However, the reported purification data did not include total outlet gas flow, methane recovery, methane loss, water consumption, or a mass balance. Accordingly, the findings describe plant performance under the observed conditions but do not establish overall energy-conversion efficiency or commercial scalability.

Shelf-life Extension Strategies of Skipjack Tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis) Using Sodium Acetate and Vacuum Packaging at Chilled Storage

2026-08-13T07:07:25+00:00

Skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis) is highly perishable under chilled storage, creating a need for preservation approaches that maintain product quality and extend shelf life. This study evaluated the effect of sodium acetate treatment combined with vacuum packaging on skipjack tuna chunks stored under chilled conditions. Fresh tuna were processed into 3–4 cm chunks and divided into three treatments: untreated vacuum-packed control (T1), 1% sodium acetate-treated vacuum-packed samples (T2), and 2% sodium acetate-treated vacuum-packed samples (T3). Samples were stored at 0–4°C and evaluated at 4-day intervals for biochemical, microbiological, physical, and sensory quality characteristics over 24 days. The untreated vacuum-packed control remained acceptable for up to 16 days, while treatment with 1% sodium acetate extended acceptability to 20 days. The 2% sodium acetate treatment showed the longest shelf life, with acceptability extending to 24 days. Across storage, the 2% treatment generally showed better retention of the measured physical, biochemical, and microbiological quality attributes than the other treatments. Changes were assessed through pH, trimethylamine nitrogen, total volatile base nitrogen, peroxide value, total plate count, colour, drip loss, hardness, and springiness. Overall, the findings indicate that sodium acetate treatment, particularly at 2%, in combination with vacuum packaging can delay quality deterioration of skipjack tuna chunks during chilled storage.

To Isolate and Identify Escherichia coli and Salmonella Species from Faecal Samples of Diarrhoeic Calves

2026-08-13T08:42:37+00:00

Calf diarrhoea is one of the most important diseases affecting neonatal calves and is a major cause of morbidity, mortality and economic losses in the dairy industry worldwide. Among the bacterial pathogens associated with neonatal calf diarrhoea, Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp. are considered the principal aetiological agents. The present study was undertaken to determine the occurrence of calf diarrhoea and to isolate and identify Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp. from diarrhoeic cattle calves. The study was conducted over a period of six months from November 2025 to April 2026 at the Veterinary Clinical Complex, Livestock Farm Complex Adhartal, organised dairy farms and unorganised dairy sectors of Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh. A total of 100 cattle calves were screened for diarrhoea based on clinical examination, faecal consistency and frequency of defecation. Of the 100 calves, 32 were found positive for diarrhoea, indicating an overall occurrence of 32.00 per cent. Eighteen diarrhoeic calves were subsequently selected for therapeutic evaluation, and faecal samples collected from these calves were processed for bacteriological examination. Samples were enriched in selective enrichment broths and cultured on MacConkey agar, Eosin Methylene Blue (EMB) agar, Rappaport vasidalis agar and Xylose Lysine Deoxycholate (XLD) agar for the isolation of Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp. The suspected isolates were further characterised by colony morphology, Gram staining and standard biochemical tests, including catalase, oxidase, urease and IMViC reactions using the KB001 HiIMViC™ biochemical identification kit. Bacteriological analysis revealed that Escherichia coli was isolated from 9 (50.00%) of the 18 diarrhoeic calves, whereas Salmonella spp. were not detected in any of the faecal samples examined. The findings indicate that E. coli was the predominant bacterial isolate recovered from the examined diarrhoeic calves based on culture and biochemical identification during the study period, while Salmonella spp. did not contribute to the disease during the study period.

Integrated Nutrient Management Enhances Growth, Floral Productivity, Postharvest Quality, and Economic Returns in African Marigold (Tagetes erecta L.) cv. Pusa Narangi Gainda

2026-08-13T08:57:56+00:00

A field experiment was conducted at the Horticulture Research Farm–I, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Lucknow, during the Rabi season of 2021–2022 to evaluate the effects of integrated nutrient management on the growth, flowering, yield, seed production, postharvest behaviour, and economics of African marigold (Tagetes erecta L.) cv. Pusa Narangi Gainda. The experiment was laid out in a randomised block design comprising eleven nutrient-management treatments, each replicated three times. The treatments included different combinations of the recommended dose of fertilisers (RDF), farmyard manure (FYM), and the biofertilisers Azospirillum and phosphate-solubilising bacteria (PSB). Among the treatments, 100% RDF (130:90:100 kg N:P:K ha⁻¹) + 100% FYM (26 t ha⁻¹) + Azospirillum + PSB, each at 6 kg ha⁻¹ (T₉), produced the best overall performance. Treatment T₉ recorded the maximum plant height (100.91 cm), stem girth (5.82 cm), number of branches per plant (23.15), plant spread (70.92 cm), and total dry matter production (84.90 g plant⁻¹) at harvest. It also resulted in earlier flower-bud initiation (31.35 days) and 50% flowering (56.32 days), a longer flowering duration (44.51 days), the maximum flower diameter (7.25 cm), number of flowers per plant (38.74), flower pickings per plot (7.98), flower weight (6.91 g), flower yield per plant (274.72 g), and flower yield (14.47 t ha⁻¹). The same treatment recorded the highest number of seeds per flower (285.50), seed yield per flower (1.77 g), seed yield per plant (26.87 g), and test weight (2.98 g). Although the integrated nutrient treatments did not significantly influence vase life or shelf life, T₉ recorded the highest numerical values for vase life (5.99 days) and shelf life under open conditions (2.96 days) and under a polythene cover (4.86 days). Economically, T₉ registered the highest gross return (Rs. 148,504 ha⁻¹), net return (Rs. 95,797 ha⁻¹), and benefit–cost ratio (1.81). The study therefore demonstrated that the integrated application of inorganic fertilisers, FYM, and biofertilisers effectively improved the productivity, seed production, and economic returns of African marigold cv. Pusa Narangi Gainda.

Assessment of Isopod Parasitic Infestation among Economically Valuable Marine Fish Species in Coastal Purba Medinipur, West Bengal, India

2026-08-13T09:06:46+00:00

Aims: To determine the temporal and spatial distribution of marine isopods across two sampling stations (Digha Mohana and Petuaghat) in coastal Purba Medinipur.

Study Design: The current research was conducted using weekly surveys at two sampling stations. Owing to increased fishing and fish-landing activities, the surveys were conducted in the morning (6:00–8:00 a.m.) and afternoon (3:00–5:00 p.m.).

Place and Duration of Study: The present study was conducted at two renowned fish landing centres, Digha Mohana and Petuaghat, in Purba Medinipur. The study lasted 6 months, from the first week of August 2025 to the last week of January 2026.

Methodology: Samples were collected weekly from two fish landing centres, Digha Mohana and Petuaghat, Purba Medinipur. Isopod samples were collected and stored in glass jars containing 8% formalin solution for future research.

Results: Nerocila serra and Nerocila sundaica were the most prevalent and widely distributed of the five identified species, suggesting greater adaptability to local environmental conditions and host availability. Nerocila depressa, on the other hand, was relatively uncommon, which may indicate host preference or habitat specificity. Regarding seasonal variation, the post-monsoon to early winter months (October–December) supported higher species occurrence, potentially owing to favourable environmental conditions and increased host abundance. The lower occurrences recorded in August and January demonstrate the influence of seasonal variation on isopod population dynamics. Spatial variation between the two sampling stations indicates that host distribution and local environmental conditions may affect species occurrence.

Conclusion: The occurrence of these parasitic isopods at both stations implies that both sites provide suitable habitats. These findings are supported by the diversity analysis, which shows that December 2025 had the highest diversity, followed by October 2025, suggesting favourable ecological conditions.

Molecular Detection of Anaplasma marginale Infection in Carrier Cattle by MSP5 Gene-Based Semi-Nested PCR

2026-08-13T11:59:18+00:00

Bovine anaplasmosis, caused by Anaplasma marginale, is a major tick-borne haemoparasitic disease that causes significant economic losses to the cattle industry by reducing productivity and increasing mortality. Early detection of persistently infected carrier animals is essential for effective disease surveillance and control; however, conventional diagnostic methods often fail to identify low-level infections. The present study was undertaken to develop and evaluate a semi-nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay targeting the major surface protein 5 (msp5) gene for the sensitive detection of A. marginale infection in carrier cattle. A total of 31 blood samples were collected from cattle in Jabalpur district, Madhya Pradesh. Microscopic examination of Giemsa-stained blood smears detected A. marginale in only 16.1% (5/31) of the samples. In contrast, primary PCR amplified a 458-bp fragment of the msp5 gene in 41.93% (13/31) of the samples, whereas semi-nested PCR amplified a 345-bp fragment in 70.96% (22/31) of the samples, demonstrating substantially higher diagnostic sensitivity. The assay successfully detected infections in apparently healthy carrier animals with low rickettsaemia that were missed by microscopy and primary PCR. These findings indicate that the developed semi-nested PCR assay is a rapid, sensitive, and reliable molecular diagnostic tool for detecting A. marginale in carrier cattle and has considerable potential for routine diagnosis, epidemiological surveillance, and effective control of bovine anaplasmosis.

Ladybird Beetles (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) Present in Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat: Species Inventory with a Dichotomous Identification Key

2026-08-14T08:01:27+00:00

Background: Ladybird beetles (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) are important components of agricultural ecosystems, and reliable species-level identification is necessary for their documentation.

Aims: This study aimed to identify the coccinellid species occurring in the agricultural and horticultural ecosystems of Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat, and to develop a practical dichotomous identification key.

Study Design: Field survey with regular sampling.

Place and Duration of Study: Agricultural and horticultural ecosystems of Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat from February to July 2025.

Methodology: Adult coccinellid beetles were collected twice a week from the agricultural and horticultural ecosystems using sweep sampling and handpicking. Collected specimens were identified based on observed morphological characters, and a dichotomous key was developed for the recorded species.

Results: In the present study, seven species of Coccinellidae, namely, Coelophora bissellata, Coccinella septempunctata, Coccinella transversalis, Cheilomenes sexmaculata, Micraspis univittata, Harmonia dimidiata and Illeis indica were identified and their detailed descriptions, along with an identification key, are given below. The findings may aid in subsequent studies on the distribution, ecology and biological-control potential of coccinellids in agricultural ecosystems of northeastern India.

Conclusion: The study aims to provide a baseline inventory of the coccinellid species found at Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat, together with a practical morphology-based identification key. The key has been developed for preliminary identification of the species at the regional level, for species documentation, and to assist in biological control. Further surveys covering additional habitats, seasons and standardised sampling effort would be useful to obtain a more comprehensive assessment of coccinellid assemblages in the region.

Effects of Parkia biglobosa Pulp Powder Consumption on Induced Hypertension in Male Rats

2026-08-14T08:18:02+00:00

Hypertension is associated with oxidative stress, inflammation and metabolic disturbances. This study evaluated the effects of Parkia biglobosa pulp powder on blood pressure, haematological, biochemical and histological parameters in male Wistar rats with induced hypertension. Sixteen rats were allocated to four experimental groups. Following hypertension induction, the experimental treatment was administered orally for 28 days. The pulp was characterized for phytochemical composition and antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. It contained polyphenols, flavonoids, tannins and sterols, and showed antioxidant activity of 83.16% and anti-inflammatory activity of 40.38%. In the pulp-treated group, systolic blood pressure decreased from 144 ± 3 to 134 ± 2.67 mmHg, while diastolic blood pressure decreased from 114.33 ± 17.56 to 88.53 ± 4 mmHg after four weeks. Triglyceride and total cholesterol concentrations were lowest in the treated group, while creatinine and urea values did not indicate deterioration in renal function. Erythrocyte indices remained broadly comparable among groups, although platelet-related parameters were lower in the pulp-treated group. Histological examination showed preserved cardiac, hepatic and renal architecture without major lesions. However, CK-MB activity was higher in treated rats than in the other experimental groups. Overall, P. biglobosa pulp was associated with improved blood-pressure and selected metabolic outcomes in this experimental model, but the biochemical findings warrant cautious interpretation. Larger studies incorporating direct oxidative-stress, inflammatory, endothelial and cardiac injury markers are required to clarify efficacy, safety and mechanisms.

Effect of Indole-3-Butyric Acid (IBA) Concentrations and Cutting Lengths on the Vegetative Propagation of Dragon Fruit (Hylocereus undatus)

2026-08-14T09:55:36+00:00

Vegetative propagation through stem cuttings is important for rapid multiplication of dragon fruit (Hylocereus undatus), and establishment may be influenced by cutting length and indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) concentration. This study evaluated the interaction between three cutting lengths (20, 25, and 30 cm) and three IBA concentrations (5000, 6000, and 7000 ppm) under nursery conditions during 2023–24 and 2024–25. The treatments were arranged in a split-plot design with two replications, and shoot growth, root development, survival, root-to-shoot ratio, and related growth indices were assessed. The interaction between cutting length and IBA concentration significantly influenced the evaluated propagation traits. Among the tested combinations, 30 cm cuttings treated with 6000 ppm IBA showed the strongest overall performance. This treatment recorded the earliest first shoot initiation (31.58 days), a shoot length of 39.50 cm at 120 days after planting, 19.53 primary roots per cutting, a linear root length of 26.80 cm, and a root density of 1.97 mg/in³. It also produced the highest shoot fresh and dry weights at 120 days (140.73 and 27.40 g, respectively), together with 94.17% survival and a root-to-shoot length ratio of 0.88. The results indicate that the combination of 30 cm cuttings and 6000 ppm IBA was the most effective treatment under the experimental nursery conditions and may support efficient vegetative propagation of dragon fruit.

Assessment of Natural Variability in Indigenous Hirpora Potato (Solanum tuberosum) Germplasm Maintained under Temperate Conditions of Kashmir Valley

2026-08-14T12:18:53+00:00

Potato landraces maintained under local cultivation can provide useful variation for selection and conservation. The present study assessed natural variability among 25 indigenous Hirpora potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) selections under temperate conditions of the Kashmir Valley during kharif 2023. The experiment was conducted in a randomised complete block design with three replications, and growth, yield and quality traits were evaluated. Analysis of variance showed significant differences among selections for all studied traits except average tuber yield per plant. Phenotypic coefficients of variation were slightly higher than the corresponding genotypic coefficients across traits, while broad-sense heritability ranged from 73% to 94%. Genetic advance as a percentage of the mean was highest for number of tubers per plant (37.46), followed by number of stems per hill (33.17), number of eyes per tuber (29.58) and plant height (29.46). Total yield showed positive genotypic associations with average tuber yield per plant (0.8247), number of tubers per plant (0.7237), plant spread (0.3052) and number of stems per hill (0.2676). Path analysis indicated positive direct effects of average tuber yield per plant, number of tubers per plant, plant height, number of eyes per tuber and plant emergence percentage on total yield. These results indicate measurable variability within the Hirpora potato germplasm and identify traits that may assist selection and conservation of promising clones.

Bioprospecting of Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria for the Management of Late Leaf Spot Disease

2026-08-14T13:32:25+00:00

Late leaf spot (LLS), caused by Nothopassalora personata, is one of the most destructive foliar diseases limiting groundnut productivity worldwide. The present study aimed to isolate and characterise plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) from the rhizosphere of healthy groundnut plants and evaluate their antagonistic potential against N. personata under in vitro conditions. Rhizospheric soil samples collected from healthy groundnut plants at ICRISAT were used to isolate PGPR using the serial dilution and spread plate techniques. A total of 12 morphologically distinct bacterial isolates were obtained and screened for antagonistic activity using the dual-culture assay. Significant variation was observed among the isolates, with inhibition of mycelial growth ranging from 59% to 92%. The highest inhibition was recorded by isolate IC-PGPR-1 (92%), followed by IC-PGPR-6 (90%). Based on their superior antagonistic activity, these two isolates were selected for molecular identification. Amplification of the 16S rRNA gene using universal primers 27F and 1492R produced an approximately 1,500 bp amplicon in both isolates. BLASTn analysis identified isolate IC-PGPR-1 as Bacillus cereus (99.65% sequence similarity; GenBank accession no. PZ770073) and isolate IC-PGPR-6 as Pseudomonas aeruginosa (99.73% sequence similarity; GenBank accession no. PZ770288). Maximum Likelihood phylogenetic analysis further confirmed the taxonomic identity of both isolates by clustering them with authenticated reference strains. The results demonstrate that indigenous PGPR associated with the groundnut rhizosphere possess promising antagonistic activity against N. personata and represent potential candidates for the development of environmentally sustainable management strategies for late leaf spot disease.

SSR Marker-based DNA Finger Printing of Newly Released Groundnut Variety VRI 11

2026-08-14T13:54:16+00:00

Molecular markers are powerful tools that help differentiate crop varieties at the DNA level and have been widely used for fingerprinting in numerous crop plants. The newly released Spanish bunch groundnut variety VRI 11 is derived from a cross between CO 7 and VG 13127 and matures in 105–110 days. Its notable features include a high dry-pod yield (3213 kg/ha) and moderate resistance to early leaf spot, rust, Alternaria blight, stem rot, and dry root rot. Morphological traits, viz., pod length, pod beak, pod reticulation, and pod constriction, can distinguish VRI 11 from the ruling varieties VRI 9, GG 7, GJG 32, K 1812, and BSR 2. However, these varieties cannot all be differentiated using a single DUS character. In the present study, 36 SSR primers were used to differentiate VRI 11 from other popular varieties. Of these, four SSR markers, viz., PM 3, IPAHM 103, Seq 17F06, and AH 426, differentiated the varieties. PM 3 showed polymorphism between VRI 11 and all other varieties, viz., VRI 9, GG 7, GJG 32, K 1812, and BSR 2. IPAHM 103 showed polymorphism between VRI 11 and other varieties, viz., GG 7, GJG 32, K 1812, and BSR 2. Seq 17F06 showed polymorphism between VRI 11 and four other varieties, namely VRI 9, GG 7, K 1812, and BSR 2, but not GJG 32. AH 426 showed polymorphism between VRI 11 and all other varieties, viz., VRI 9, GG 7, GJG 32, K 1812, and BSR 2. Hence, the SSR primers, viz., PM 3, IPAHM 103, Seq 17F06, and AH 426, may be used to differentiate these groundnut varieties at the molecular level during seed certification.

Biochemical Markers of Resistance to Early and Late Leaf Spot in Groundnut: Role of Phenols and Amino Acids

2026-08-17T09:37:39+00:00

Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) is an important oilseed and food crop that is severely affected by early leaf spot caused by Cercospora arachidicola and late leaf spot caused by Phaeoisariopsis personata. These diseases are widely distributed and result in substantial yield losses under favourable conditions. The present investigation was undertaken to evaluate the biochemical markers associated with resistance to leaf spot diseases in groundnut genotypes. The study was conducted during 2020 at the Department of Plant Pathology, Chimanbhai Patel College of Agriculture, Sardarkrushinagar Dantiwada Agricultural University, Sardarkrushinagar. Biochemical parameters, namely total phenols and free amino acids, were estimated at two growth stages (healthy and infected) in selected groundnut genotypes. The results revealed that the concentration of both phenols and amino acids increased significantly following infection, with resistant genotypes showing a comparatively higher rate of accumulation than susceptible ones. The maximum phenol content was recorded in genotype GJG-32 (5.04 mg g⁻¹ fresh weight), while the minimum was observed in TG-37A (3.00 mg g⁻¹). Similarly, the highest amino acid content was recorded in GJG-32 (9.86 mg g⁻¹), whereas the lowest was observed in TG-37A (6.60 mg g⁻¹). Amino acid content increased initially after infection but declined at later stages. The findings indicate that enhanced accumulation of phenols and amino acids is associated with resistance to early and late leaf spot diseases in groundnut and can serve as potential biochemical markers in resistance breeding programmes.

Gamma Irradiation Alters in vitro Regeneration Efficiency of Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Cultivar BRRI dhan92

2026-08-17T11:03:39+00:00

Tissue culture, combined with gamma irradiation, is an important biotechnological approach for creating genetic variation in rice, particularly for shortening the life cycle of a high-yielding indica rice. The main objective of this study was to establish an effective in vitro regeneration protocol from calli derived from mature seeds, and to evaluate the effects of gamma irradiation on callus survival, as well as shoot and root development and plant establishment. Optimal callus induction occurred on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium with 5.0 mg/L of 2,4-D, yielding a 66.67% rate. Shoot regeneration peaked at 76.67% with a combination of 0.5 mg/L NAA, 1.2 mg/L Kinetin, and 4.0 mg/L BAP in the basal MS medium. Notably, increased gamma irradiation doses resulted in decreased survival and regeneration rates. Lower doses resulted in longer survival and shoot regeneration. The control group (0 Gy) had the longest survival and shoot regeneration period, but the 6 Gy-irradiated calli had the highest overall rates of survival, shoot regeneration and plant establishment. They were superior to all other groups, including the control, except that 22 Gy-irradiated calli achieved better root induction. The optimal dose of gamma irradiation for BRRI dhan92 calli was determined to be 6 Gy, while the lethal dose for 50% callus survival (LD₅₀) was approximately 24.9 Gy. Later, the in vitro regenerated plantlets were acclimatised and grown under field conditions. The developed protocols offer great promise for rice improvement through in vitro regeneration and mutation breeding techniques. Further studies are needed for molecular validation and field evaluation of subsequent generations to confirm trait stability.

Response of Crop Growth Rate and Absolute Growth Rate of Late-Sown Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) to Nutrient and Weed Management

2026-08-18T09:56:08+00:00

A field experiment was conducted during the rabi seasons of 2022-23 and 2023-24 at the Agricultural Research Farm, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, to evaluate the effect of integrated nutrient and weed management on crop growth rate (CGR) and absolute growth rate (AGR) of chickpea. The experiment was laid out in a split-plot design with three replications, comprising four nutrient management practices viz., F_0-control, F₁-100% recommended dose of fertilizers (RDF), F₂-75% RDF + Rhizobium + phosphate-solubilising bacteria (PSB) and F₃-50% RDF + Rhizobium + PSB + molybdenum seed treatment + foliar boron and urea spray and eight weed management practices viz., W₁-pendimethalin (PE), W₂-quizalofop-p-ethyl (PoE), W₃-topramezone (EPoE), W₄-pendimethalin followed by one hand weeding (25 days after sowing), W₅-pendimethalin followed by quizalofop-p-ethyl, W₆-pendimethalin followed by topramezone, W₇-weedy check and W₈-weed-free. The results revealed that nutrient and weed management significantly influenced crop growth throughout the crop growth period. The application of 100% recommended dose of fertilizers (RDF) recorded the highest CGR (4.36, 5.79, 7.96 and 7.99 g m^-2 day^-1) and AGR (0.154, 0.205, 0.282 and 0.291 g plant^-1 day^-1) during 30-60 and 60-90 days after sowing (DAS) in 2022-23 and 2023-24, respectively, followed by 75% RDF combined with Rhizobium and phosphate-solubilising bacteria (PSB), whereas the unfertilised control recorded significantly lower values. Among weed management practices, pendimethalin (1.0 kg a.i. ha^-1) applied as pre-emergence followed by one hand weeding at 25 DAS (W₄) recorded significantly higher CGR and AGR than the remaining herbicidal treatments and was closely comparable with pendimethalin followed by topramezone (W₆), indicating that sequential weed management effectively minimised crop-weed competition and promoted biomass accumulation. Absolute growth rate declined progressively with crop age irrespective of treatments, reflecting the normal ontogenic reduction in growth efficiency. The study demonstrated that balanced nutrient management combined with effective weed management substantially improved crop growth by enhancing dry matter accumulation and resource-use efficiency. Under late-sown conditions, the application of 100% RDF in combination with pendimethalin followed by one hand weeding or pendimethalin followed by topramezone proved to be the most effective management strategy for maximising chickpea growth.

Effect of Organic Manure and Silicon on Growth, Yield and Quality of Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) in Semi-arid Region of Rajasthan, India

2026-08-18T11:38:16+00:00

Aim: The present investigation was conducted at the Agricultural Research Farm, Suresh Gyan Vihar University, Jaipur, to study the influence of organic manure and silicon on the growth, yield, and quality of tomato.

Place and Duration of Study: The experiment was conducted during the Rabi season of 2025–26.

Methodology: The experiment comprised two factors. The first factor was organic manure (M), with four levels, viz. control (M₁), 20 ton FYM/ha (M₂), 6 ton poultry manure/ha (M₃), and 8 ton vermicompost/ha (M₄). The second factor was silicon (S), with four levels, viz. control (T₁), 25 kg silicon (T₂), 50 kg silicon (T₃), and 75 kg silicon (T₄). These factors formed 16 treatment combinations, each replicated three times.

Results: The results revealed significant differences among the treatments. Among the organic manure treatments, the maximum plant height at harvest (115.12 cm) was observed with 20 ton FYM/ha (M₂), whereas among the silicon levels, the maximum plant height at harvest (100.25 cm) was observed with 75 kg silicon (T₄). Similarly, among the organic manure treatments, the maximum number of branches per plant (8.95) was observed with 20 ton FYM/ha (M₂), whereas among the silicon levels, the maximum number of branches per plant (7.51) was observed with 75 kg silicon (T₄). The interaction effect of organic manure and silicon levels on plant height at harvest and the number of branches per plant was non-significant. Superior growth parameters, viz. maximum plant spread (72.00 cm) and number of leaves per plant (54.07), were observed with 8 ton vermicompost/ha + 75 kg silicon (M₄T₄), whereas the minimum values were observed in the control. Superior yield and yield-attributing parameters, viz. maximum number of fruits per plant (39.42), maximum average fruit weight (126.46 g), fruit yield per plant (4.00 kg), and fruit yield per hectare (103.11 t/ha), and quality parameters, viz. maximum TSS (7.24 °Brix), β-carotene content (18.46 mg/g), total sugar content (6.62%), maximum titratable acidity (0.67%), lycopene content (6.84 mg/g), maximum ascorbic acid content (24.62 mg/100 g), and B:C ratio (3.70), were observed with 20 ton FYM/ha + 75 kg silicon (M₂T₄).

Conclusion: It may be concluded from the present investigation that the treatment combination of 20 ton FYM/ha + 75 kg silicon produced superior growth, yield, and economic returns and may therefore be recommended for obtaining a higher tomato yield and superior fruit quality.

Genetic Diversity Analysis of Onion (Allium cepa) Varieties Using ISSR Markers

2026-08-18T13:18:22+00:00

Onion (Allium cepa L.) is among the most widely cultivated vegetable crops worldwide. Despite its considerable global demand and economic importance, information on the genetic diversity of onion germplasm remains limited. Assessment of genetic diversity is essential for the effective characterisation and utilisation of onion germplasm in breeding programmes. The present study was undertaken to investigate the extent of genetic variability among seven onion varieties, namely, Bhima Light Red, Bhima Shubhra, Bhima Shakti, Bhima Safed, Bhima Raj, Bhima Kiran and Bhima Red. Of the ten ISSR primers initially screened, eight produced reproducible amplification profiles. Amplified fragments were resolved by agarose gel electrophoresis and scored as present or absent, and the polymorphism information content (PIC) was calculated to assess primer informativeness. The eight primers collectively generated 40 scorable bands, of which 31 were polymorphic and 9 were monomorphic, corresponding to an overall polymorphism of 76.25%. Primers UBC-825 and UBC-812 each exhibited 100% polymorphism, with PIC values of 0.408 and 0.469, respectively, followed by UBC-823 and ISSR-01 (80% each), UBC-801 and UBC-809 (75% each), UBC-811 (60%) and UBC-880 (40%). Cluster analysis revealed that Bhima Red and Bhima Shubhra shared the highest genetic similarity, whereas Bhima Shakti and Bhima Raj formed distinct outgroups, exhibiting the greatest genetic distance from the remaining varieties.

Aims: To assess the extent of genetic diversity and genetic relationships among seven onion (Allium cepa) varieties using ISSR (Inter-Simple Sequence Repeat) molecular markers

Study Design: Molecular marker-based genetic diversity analysis using ISSR-PCR, with amplified products scored as binary (present/absent) data, followed by polymorphism, PIC (Polymorphism Information Content), Jaccard similarity, and UPGMA cluster analysis.

Place and Duration of Study: K. K. Wagh College of Agricultural Biotechnology, Nashik, during the year 2025-2026.

Methodology: Genomic DNA was isolated from seven onion varieties: Bhima Light Red, Bhima Shubhra, Bhima Shakti, Bhima Safed, Bhima Raj, Bhima Kiran, and Bhima Red using the CTAB method described by Doyle and Doyle (1987). Ten ISSR primers were initially screened, of which eight produced reproducible amplification. The amplified fragments were resolved by agarose gel electrophoresis and scored as present (1) or absent (0). Polymorphic information content (PIC) was calculated to evaluate primer informativeness. Genetic similarity was estimated using cluster analysis, which was performed using the unweighted pair-group method with arithmetic mean.

Results: The eight primers generated 40 scorable bands, including 31 polymorphic and 9 monomorphic bands, yielding an overall polymorphism of 76.25%. Primers UBC-825 and UBC-812 exhibited 100% polymorphism with PIC values of 0.408 and 0.469, respectively. Pairwise Jaccard similarity coefficients ranged from 0.3235 (Bhima Light Red vs. Bhima Safed) to 0.7714 (Bhima Red vs. Bhima Safed). UPGMA cluster analysis resolved the cultivars into distinct groups, placing Bhima Red and Bhima Shubhra in proximity, while Bhima Shakti and Bhima Raj formed distinct, genetically divergent outgroups.

Conclusion: Inter-Simple Sequence Repeat (ISSR) markers successfully differentiated the evaluated onion varieties and established preliminary molecular phylogenies. These findings support baseline germplasm characterisation and parental selection, though broader validation incorporating diverse genotypes and complementary marker systems remains necessary.

Epidemiology and Serology of Dengue in Imphal Valley: An Institutional Study

2026-08-19T11:31:38+00:00

Introduction: Dengue is a pandemic disease with a substantial global burden and can be fatal. Effective dengue control measures should consider the location of outbreaks, relevant demographic parameters, and the diagnostic testing techniques used.

Aims: This study evaluated the epidemiological and demographic characteristics of dengue and the diagnostic testing techniques used in Imphal Valley.

Materials and Methods: This prospective study was conducted at the Escent Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences & Research (NABL-accredited Diagnostic Laboratory), Imphal, Manipur. All clinically suspected dengue cases reported by government and private hospitals in Imphal were included from September 2023 to December 2025. Microsoft Excel 2019 was used for data analysis.

Results: Of 3,424 samples received from clinically suspected dengue cases, 1,514 (44.22%) were positive, comprising 735 male and 779 female cases. Cases positive only for NS1 were the most frequent, indicating early infection, followed by cases positive for both NS1 and IgM.

Conclusion: Imphal experienced dengue outbreaks in three consecutive years from 2023 to 2025. The largest outbreak during the study period occurred in 2025, driven by a sharp increase in cases. Efforts to control mosquito breeding habitats in high-risk areas should be intensified by removing containers of stagnant water to reduce the density of Aedes mosquitoes.

Effect of Biostimulants on Growth, Yield and Quality of Radish (Raphanus sativus L.)

2026-08-19T11:36:20+00:00

Aims: This study evaluated the individual and interactive effects of applied biostimulants on the growth, yield, quality, and economic performance of radish (Raphanus sativus L.) cv. Pusa Desi.

Place and Duration of Study: The experiment was conducted at the Agricultural Research Farm, Suresh Gyan Vihar University, Jaipur (Rajasthan), during 2025-26.

Methodology: The experiment was laid out in a factorial randomised block design with two factors: commercial biostimulants (control, humic acid @ 3%, fulvic acid @ 3%, and salicylic acid @ 50 mg/L) and traditional biostimulants (control, moringa leaf extract @ 3%, vermiwash @ 3%, and cow urine [1:10]). The 16 treatment combinations were replicated three times, and the observed data were analysed using OPSTAT.

Results: Significant differences were observed among the treatments. Among the treatment combinations, humic acid @ 3% and moringa leaf extract @ 3% (T₁×M₁) recorded the maximum plant height (35.5 cm at 45 DAS and 51.6 cm at harvest), root-shoot ratio (1.15 cm at 45 DAS and 1.20 cm at harvest), average leaf area (218.48 cm² at 45 DAS), leaf area index (3.36 at 45 DAS), number of leaves per plant (8.4 at 30 DAS and 12.61 at 45 DAS), chlorophyll a content (2 mg/g at 30 DAS and 2.2 mg/g at 45 DAS), chlorophyll b content (1.17 mg/g at 30 DAS and 1.33 mg/g at 45 DAS), total chlorophyll content (3.23 mg/g at 30 DAS and 3.24 mg/g at 45 DAS), maximum root diameter (5 cm at 45 DAS and 5.7 cm at harvest), average root weight (123 g at 45 DAS and 130 g at harvest), yield per plot (5.2 kg), yield per hectare (433 q/ha), TSS content in roots (4.24 ºBrix at 45 DAS and 4.4 ºBrix at harvest), vitamin C (27.9 mg/day at 45 DAS and 31.6 mg/day at harvest), total phenolic content (2.16 mg GAE/g at 45 DAS and 2.51 mg GAE/g at harvest), beta-carotene (4.12 mg at 45 DAS and 4.16 mg at harvest), and the highest B:C ratio of 3.16.

Conclusion: The results of our research indicated that the application of humic acid @ 3% and moringa leaf extract @ 3% (T₁×M₁) increased the growth, yield, and quality of radish. However, these findings are indicative and require further experimentation across seasons and locations before broader recommendations can be made.

Effect of Dietary Inclusion of Dried Subabul (Leucaena leucocephala) Leaf Meal on Nutrient Digestibility, Nitrogen-Mineral Balance and Blood Biochemical Profile in Crossbred Calves

2026-08-19T12:16:55+00:00

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of dietary inclusion of dried subabul (Leucaena leucocephala) leaf meal on nutrient digestibility, nitrogen and mineral balance, and blood biochemical parameters in crossbred calves. Eighteen calves were allocated to three groups (T₀, T₁ and T₂), with six animals in each group. T₀ served as the control, while T₁ and T₂ received concentrate mixtures containing 5% and 10% subabul leaf meal, respectively. A metabolism trial was conducted on five calves from each group. Dry matter and organic matter digestibility did not differ significantly among treatments. Crude protein digestibility increased significantly, reaching 69.45% in T₂ compared with 65.65% in T₀, whereas ether extract, crude fibre and nitrogen-free extract digestibility remained unaffected. Nitrogen balance increased numerically from 37.07 g/d in T₀ to 47.61 g/d in T₂, although the tabled treatment effect was not significant. Calcium balance and retention increased significantly with subabul inclusion, whereas phosphorus balance and retention did not differ significantly among groups. Serum glucose, total protein, blood urea nitrogen, alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase and superoxide dismutase also showed no significant treatment effects. Within the 90-day feeding period, dietary inclusion of dried subabul leaf meal at up to 10% was associated with improved crude protein digestibility and calcium utilisation without significant changes in the measured blood biochemical parameters.

Effect of Bio NP Consortium, Iron, and Zinc on the Chemical and Biological Characteristics of Kharif Maize [Zea mays (L.)] Grown in Loamy Sand Soil

2026-08-20T07:39:23+00:00

Excessive use of chemical fertilisers has degraded soil health, highlighting the need for sustainable practices. Biofertilisers and essential micronutrients such as iron and zinc play key roles in improving nutrient availability, soil fertility, and maize productivity in loamy sand soils. A field experiment titled "Influence of Bio-NP Consortium, Iron, and Zinc on the Physico-chemical and Biological Characteristics of Kharif Maize [Zea mays (L.)] Grown in Loamy Sand Soil" was conducted at the Jorapura Farm of the Livestock Research Station, Sardarkrushinagar Dantiwada Agricultural University, Sardarkrushinagar, Gujarat, during the kharif seasons of 2019 and 2020. A total of eighteen treatment combinations were evaluated, including two seed inoculation treatments with biofertiliser: without bio-NP consortium (B₀) and with bio-NP consortium (B₁). Additionally, three levels of iron (4.0, 6.0, and 8.0 kg Fe ha^-1) and three levels of zinc (2.0, 4.0, and 6.0 kg Zn ha^-1) were assessed using the GAYMH-1 cultivar. The experiment was laid out in a randomised block design with a factorial arrangement and three replications. Results revealed that seed inoculation with the bio-NP consortium did not significantly affect available N, P₂O₅, K₂O, or DTPA-extractable iron and zinc contents in soil after maize harvest during the individual years; however, available N and P₂O₅ contents in soil improved significantly only in the pooled results. Seed inoculation with the bio-NP consortium significantly influenced Azospirillum and PSB counts and urease enzyme activity in soil after maize harvest during 2019, 2020, and in the pooled results. Different levels of iron and zinc application did not exert any significant influence on EC, pH, available N, P₂O₅, K₂O, DTPA-extractable Zn content, Azospirillum and PSB counts, or urease activity in soil after maize harvest during 2019, 2020, and in the pooled results. However, DTPA-extractable iron and zinc in soil after maize harvest were significantly influenced by the application of iron and zinc.

Effect of Different Cultivars and INM on Physiological Growth Indices of Indian Mustard (Brassica juncea L.)

2026-08-20T08:21:59+00:00

Integrated nutrient management (INM) plays a crucial role in enhancing the physiological growth of Indian mustard (Brassica juncea L.). A field experiment was conducted during the rabi seasons of 2023–24 and 2024–25 to evaluate the effect of Indian mustard cultivars and different INM practices on physiological growth parameters. The experiment was laid out in a split-plot design with five cultivars (V₁ -‘RH 1706’, V₂ -‘RH 1424’, V₃ -‘RH 725’, V₄ -‘RH 749’, and V₅ -‘Giriraj’) assigned to the main plots and four nutrient management treatments [F₁-100% recommended dose of nitrogen (RDN), F₂-75% RDN + farmyard manure (FYM), F₃-75% RDN + vermicompost (VC), and F₄-75% RDN + poultry manure (PM)] allocated to the sub-plots, with three replications. Crop growth rate (CGR) and absolute growth rate (AGR) were determined at different crop growth stages following standard growth analysis procedures. Cultivar effects on AGR and CGR were non-significant during 30–60 days after sowing (DAS) but became significant during 60–90 DAS. Among the cultivars, RH 725 consistently showed the highest AGR and CGR, followed closely by RH 749. Integrated nutrient management significantly improved all physiological growth parameters across both years. The application of 75% RDN combined with poultry manure recorded the highest AGR and CGR. This treatment was statistically at par with 75% RDN + vermicompost and significantly superior to 75% RDN alone. The enhanced growth under INM was attributed to balanced nutrient availability, improved soil biological activity, sustained nutrient release, and greater dry matter accumulation. This study demonstrates that integrating organic nutrient sources with reduced inorganic fertiliser enhances physiological growth and biomass production in Indian mustard. Among the tested combinations, ‘RH 725’ supplied with 75% RDN + poultry manure emerged as one of the most promising options for improving crop growth under the agro-climatic conditions of the Eastern Indo-Gangetic Plains.

Phenotypic Characterization of Indigenous Goat Genetic Resources of Assam: A Foundation for Sustainable Breeding and Conservation

2026-08-20T12:24:12+00:00

The present study aimed to characterize two indigenous goat populations of Assam, namely the black-coated goats and brown-coated goats, and to evaluate their production and reproductive potential for sustainable breeding and conservation.

Methods: A field survey was conducted across five districts of Assam, namely Dhemaji, Golaghat, Kamrup (Rural), Lakhimpur, and Nalbari. A total of 1,255 goats comprising 811 black and 444 brown goats were randomly selected from smallholder flocks. Phenotypic data, morphological descriptors, morphometric measurements and reproductive traits were recorded. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, and results were presented as mean ± standard error.

Results: Both goat populations were reared predominantly under extensive grazing systems with natural mating. The black coated goats exhibited a compact body conformation with uniform black coat colour, whereas the brown coated goats possessed a distinctive brown coat and comparatively larger body dimensions. The latter recorded higher birth weight (1.16 ± 0.01 kg), weaning weight (5.61 ± 0.02 kg), and six-month weight (9.74 ± 0.04 kg), than the former. Similarly, chest girth (55.46 ± 0.22 cm), body length (55.06 ± 0.42 cm), and height at withers (50.72 ± 0.35 cm) were greater in brown coated goats. The reproductive performance was also superior, with an earlier age at first kidding (405.07 ± 0.07 days) as compared with black coated goats (480 ± 5 days). However, black coated goats demonstrated excellent adaptability, efficient utilization of low-quality feed resources, and stable reproductive performance under extensive management.

Conclusion: The study demonstrated clear phenotypic and productive differences between black-coated goats and brown-coated goats, indicating that they represent distinct indigenous goat genetic resources of Assam. Their unique adaptive characteristics and production potential warrant systematic conservation, molecular characterization, and community-based selective breeding programmes to facilitate sustainable utilization and future breed registration.

Standardization of In vitro Organogenesis Techniques in Artocarpus altilis (Breadfruit)

2026-08-20T12:29:36+00:00

Artocarpus altilis (breadfruit) is a multipurpose tropical hardwood tree grown in the western coastal regions of India. It remains an endangered and underutilised crop across the world. The nutritional and medicinal value of its edible fruit can be utilised in agroforestry systems, which can generate an additional source of income for farmers. Traditionally, it is propagated using seeds (diploid cultivars), root cuttings, and grafting, which produce a limited number of plantlets and may also transmit diseases from source mother plants. Natural populations of breadfruit are continuously decreasing because of the unavailability of seeds, while triploid cultivars are unable to set seeds. In vitro organogenesis techniques can overcome these limitations and could be utilised for the mass multiplication of breadfruit cultivars. The current results show that MS medium performs better than WPM medium across all parameters tested for establishment and organogenesis. The highest proportion of aseptic cultures (83.67%) was established by sequential treatment with 70% ethanol (60 sec.), 2% sodium hypochlorite (10 min.), and 0.15% mercuric chloride (10 min.). On MS medium supplemented with 6-benzylamino purine (2.5 mgl-1), an organogenesis response of 77.17% was observed within 21 days. A maximum multiplication rate of 4.43 was observed on MS medium supplemented with 4.0 mgl-1 6-benzylamino purine and 0.5 mgl-1 kinetin. These findings were utilised for the mass in vitro multiplication of breadfruit.

Effect of Plant Growth Regulators on Seed Treatment and Foliar Spray of Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.)

2026-08-20T12:45:06+00:00

Aim: The present investigation was conducted at the Agricultural Research Farm, Suresh Gyan Vihar University, Jaipur, to evaluate the influence of plant growth regulators as seed treatments and foliar sprays on okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.).

Place and Duration of Study: The field experiment was conducted during the kharif season of 2025–2026.

Methodology: The experiment comprised eight treatments: Control (T₁), GA₃ @ 50 ppm (T₂), Ethrel @ 200 ppm (T₃), 2,4-D @ 5 ppm (T₄), Triacontanol @ 0.5 ml of 0.1% (T₅), NAA @ 10 ppm seed soaking + 5 ppm foliar spray (T₆), BAP @ 50 ppm (T₇) and CPA @ 50 ppm (T₈). Treatments were arranged in a Randomized Block Design (RBD) with three replications. Observations were recorded on reproductive parameters including days to first flowering, days to 50% flowering, days to first harvest, fruit diameter, number of fruits per plant, fruit length, and fruit weight.

Results: Application of plant growth regulators significantly influenced all reproductive parameters of okra. Triacontanol (T₅) induced the earliest flowering (34.68 days) and first harvest (49.99 days), while 2,4-D (T₄) recorded the minimum days to 50% flowering (44.03 days). Triacontanol also produced the maximum fruit diameter (1.88 cm), fruit length (13.19 cm) and fruit weight (17.23 g). The highest number of fruits per plant (36.38) was observed with NAA (T₆), followed closely by Triacontanol (35.13). In contrast, the untreated control recorded delayed flowering, later harvest, and the lowest values for all reproductive traits. The superior performance of Triacontanol may be attributed to enhanced photosynthetic efficiency, improved assimilate translocation and better hormonal regulation, resulting in early floral initiation and improved fruit development.

Conclusion: Among the plant growth regulators evaluated, Triacontanol @ 0.5 ml of 0.1% applied through seed soaking and foliar spray proved to be the most effective in enhancing the reproductive performance of okra by promoting early flowering, early harvesting, and superior fruit quality attributes. Therefore, Triacontanol can be recommended for improving the reproductive phase and productivity of okra under the agro-climatic conditions of Jaipur, Rajasthan.

Comparative Evaluation of Conventional and Nano Urea for Growth and Yield Performance of Sprouting Broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. var. italica Plenck)

2026-08-21T12:54:53+00:00

A field investigation was conducted during the rabi seasons of 2023-24 and 2024-25 at the Vegetable Research Centre, G. B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, Uttarakhand, to evaluate the comparative efficacy of conventional and nano urea on growth and yield performance of sprouting broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. var. italica Plenck). The experiment was laid out in a two-factor factorial randomised complete block design comprising three levels of soil-applied nitrogen (100%, 75% and 50% of the recommended dose of nitrogen [RDN]) and five foliar nitrogen treatments, viz., no spray, one or two sprays of nano urea @4 mL L^-1, and one or two sprays of conventional urea @20 g L^-1, along with an unfertilised control. Pooled analysis of the data revealed that soil-applied nitrogen positively influenced plant height, plant spread, average head weight and head yield. Foliar application of two sprays of conventional urea generally produced superior growth and yield compared with nano urea. The combination of 75% RDN with two foliar sprays of conventional urea recorded the highest pooled plant height and plant spread at 60 DAT (82.97 and 80.93 cm, respectively) and head yield per plot (19.43 kg), as well as the second-heaviest heads (433.27 g), and remained statistically at par with 100% RDN combined with two sprays of urea. Fertilised treatments significantly outperformed the unfertilised control. Thus, 75% RDN supplemented with two foliar sprays of conventional urea offers a promising nitrogen-management strategy for enhancing sprouting broccoli productivity under the Tarai conditions of Uttarakhand.

Morphometric and Agronomic Characterization of Tepary Bean (Phaseolus acutifolius A. Gray) Landraces and Identification of High-yielding Accessions Introduced in Burkina Faso

2026-08-21T13:03:46+00:00

Rainfed legume production in Burkina Faso is increasingly challenged by climatic variability. Diversifying grain-legume genetic resources may help address these constraints and support food security. Tepary bean (Phaseolus acutifolius A. Gray), a legume native to the south-western United States and northern Mexico, is tolerant of water stress, heat, and diseases. This crop may therefore provide an alternative for maintaining grain-legume production under erratic rainfall. This study evaluated the morphometric and agronomic characteristics of 36 tepary bean accessions introduced into Burkina Faso. The experiment was conducted over two consecutive years (2022 and 2023) at the Kamboinse research station using an alpha-lattice design with three replications. Fourteen quantitative traits were recorded using descriptors established by the International Board for Plant Genetic Resources. The results revealed morphometric and agronomic variability within the collection. Significant differences were observed among accessions and years, as well as for the accession × year interaction for selected traits. A strong positive correlation was observed between seed length and seed width. Plant height was the principal discriminating morphometric trait, whereas 100-seed weight and seed yield were the principal discriminating agronomic traits. Cluster analysis structured the accessions into three groups: Group II contained 16 accessions, Group I contained 12, and Group III contained eight. Accessions G40279 and G40173C from Group II showed high grain-yield potential and may be useful in breeding programmes targeting variable climatic conditions in Burkina Faso.

Economics and Yield of Transplanted Summer Rice (Oryza sativa L.) as Influenced by Integrated Nutrient Management Practices in Gangetic Alluvial Soils of West Bengal, India

2026-08-22T08:07:06+00:00

A field experiment was carried out during the boro seasons of 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 at the Agricultural Experimental Farm of the University of Calcutta, located at Baruipur, West Bengal, India, to study the economics of different integrated nutrient management practices in the Chandra rice variety (MTU-1153). The soil was moderately fertile, with a pH of around 6.0 and a clayey loam texture. The experiment consisted of ten treatments arranged in a randomised block design (RBD) with three replications, viz., 50% of the recommended dose of fertiliser (RDF) N-P₂O₅-K₂O + farmyard manure (FYM) @ 5 t ha^-1, 75% RDF N-P₂O₅-K₂O + FYM @ 5 t ha^-1, 50% RDF N-P₂O₅-K₂O + FYM @ 7 t ha^-1, 75% RDF N-P₂O₅-K₂O + FYM @ 7 t ha^-1, 50% RDF N-P₂O₅-K₂O + Vermicompost @ 2 t ha^-1, 75% RDF N-P₂O₅-K₂O + Vermicompost @ 2 t ha^-1, 50% RDF N-P₂O₅-K₂O + Vermicompost @ 3 t ha^-1, 75% RDF N-P₂O₅-K₂O + Vermicompost @ 3 t ha^-1, 100% RDF N-P₂O₅-K₂O and Control. The highest grain and straw yields were recorded with the treatment 75% RDF N-P₂O₅-K₂O + Vermicompost @ 3 t ha^-1, at (60.40 and 60.97) q ha^-1 and (76.20 and 76.70) q ha^-1, respectively. The results revealed that the highest gross return was obtained with the application of 75% RDF N-P₂O₅-K₂O + Vermicompost @ 3 t ha^-1, at Rs. (146990.00 and 157021.00) ha^-1, whereas the highest net profit was recorded with the treatment (100% RDF N-P₂O₅-K₂O), at Rs. (69256.00 and 72234.00) ha^-1 during both years and in the pooled analysis. The same treatment, i.e., (100% RDF N-P₂O₅-K₂O), recorded the highest benefit-cost (B:C) ratio (2.02) compared with the other treated plots.

Comparative Germination Performance of Pot Marigold Varieties under Different Biopriming Regimes

2026-08-24T07:01:16+00:00

Pot marigold (Calendula officinalis L.) seed germination can vary with variety and pre-sowing treatment. This study evaluated the germination performance of three Fiesta Gitana pot marigold varieties—White, Yellow, and Orange—under five priming regimes: control, hydropriming, cow urine, Panchagavya, and neem leaf extract. The experiment was conducted during winter 2025–26 using a Factorial Completely Randomised Design with three replications. Seeds were subjected to the respective priming treatments for 12 h, and germination performance was assessed using days to first germination, days to 50% germination, germination percentage, mean germination time, and germination index. Significant variation was observed among varieties, priming treatments, and their combinations. Fiesta Gitana White showed the best overall varietal performance, while Panchagavya produced the most favourable response among the priming treatments. The V₁P₃ combination (Fiesta Gitana White + 2% Panchagavya) recorded the earliest first germination at 2.67 days, the highest germination percentage at 95.24%, the lowest mean germination time at 10.60 days, and the highest germination index at 7.02. Fiesta Gitana White also recorded the shortest varietal mean for 50% germination at 9.47 days. The untreated control generally showed the poorest performance across the measured parameters. These findings indicate that germination responses in pot marigold were dependent on both variety and priming treatment and that 2% Panchagavya was the most effective treatment under the conditions of this experiment.

Study of Interaction Effect of Brassinolide and Plant Spacing on Morphological and Yield Attributes of Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.)

2026-08-24T12:08:58+00:00

Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.), a cool-season leafy vegetable of high nutritional and medicinal value, is globally recognised as a premier salad crop. The present study was conducted during the Rabi seasons of 2023–24 and 2024–25 at SHUATS, Prayagraj, to evaluate the effect of Brassinolide (BR) application and plant spacing on growth and yield attributes of lettuce. The experiment followed a factorial randomised block design comprising five Brassinolide levels (0, 4, 8, 12, and 16 ppm) and three plant spacings (45×30 cm, 45×45 cm, and 45×60 cm), with 15 treatment combinations replicated thrice. The results revealed that the interaction of Brassinolide 0.01% SP @ 12 ppm with a spacing of 45 cm × 30 cm produced the highest yield, recording 360.72 and 404.47 q/ha in the first and second seasons, respectively, and the highest pooled yield of 382.60 q/ha. Yield improvement under Brassinolide 0.01% SP @ 12 ppm with a spacing of 45 cm × 30 cm resulted from optimal plant density combined with Brassinolide’s role in promoting cell elongation, leaf expansion, and photosynthesis. In contrast, the lowest yield was obtained in the control without Brassinolide at the widest spacing of 45 cm × 60 cm, with 83.99 and 91.21 q/ha in the first and second seasons, respectively, and a pooled yield of 87.60 q/ha, primarily due to reduced plant density and absence of hormonal stimulation. The study concludes that integrating Brassinolide application at 12 ppm with a closer spacing of 45 cm × 30 cm can significantly enhance lettuce productivity under similar hot and humid agro-climatic conditions.

Characterization of the Chilli Viral Complex in Major Chilli-growing Regions of Telangana, India

2026-08-24T12:18:54+00:00

Aims: The present investigation was undertaken to characterise the chilli viral complex prevalent in the major chilli-growing regions of Telangana through symptomatological, biological, serological, molecular and electron microscopic analyses and to identify the major viruses associated with the disease to improve diagnosis and disease management strategies.

Study Design: Field survey-based investigation followed by laboratory diagnosis using infectivity assays, serological detection, molecular characterisation and transmission electron microscopy.

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Plant Pathology, College of Agriculture, Professor Jayashankar Telangana Agricultural University, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad, India, and major chilli-growing districts of Telangana during Rabi 2019–20 and 2020–21.

Methodology: Extensive field surveys were conducted in six major chilli-growing districts of Telangana to record disease incidence and symptom variability. Virus-infected samples exhibiting characteristic symptoms were collected and subjected to infectivity assays through sap inoculation onto the susceptible chilli cultivar 'Sindhur'. Serological detection of Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) was performed using DAC-ELISA, while molecular identification of chilli leaf curl virus was carried out through PCR amplification using Tomato leaf curl virus-specific primers. Purified virus preparations were further examined using transmission electron microscopy to confirm virus morphology. Host range studies and weed reservoir investigations were also undertaken to identify alternate hosts contributing to disease epidemiology.

Results: Field surveys revealed that the chilli viral complex was characterised by diverse symptoms, including upward leaf curling, mosaic mottling, vein clearing, puckering, shoe-stringing, vein banding and severe stunting, with symptom severity varying among cultivars and locations. Infectivity assays grouped the virus isolates into two major categories corresponding to Cucumber mosaic virus and chilli leaf curl virus. DAC-ELISA confirmed CMV infection in a substantial proportion of symptomatic samples, particularly those exhibiting shoe-string and mosaic symptoms. PCR amplification using ToLCV-specific primers generated the expected approximately 1000 bp amplicon, confirming the association of Begomovirus with chilli leaf curl disease. Electron microscopic examination revealed spherical particles measuring approximately 28–30 nm, typical of CMV and twinned icosahedral particles characteristic of begomoviruses. Several weed species and cultivated hosts were identified as important reservoirs of inoculum, indicating their significant role in virus survival and dissemination.

Conclusion: The study established that the chilli viral complex prevailing in Telangana is predominantly associated with Cucumber mosaic virus and chilli leaf curl virus. Accurate diagnosis requires the integration of symptomatological observations with serological, molecular and electron microscopic techniques. Identification of alternate weed hosts and susceptible crop species provides valuable information for understanding disease epidemiology and supports the development of effective integrated disease management strategies for sustainable chilli production.

Assessment of Genetic Potential of some Grass Pea (Lathyrus sativus L.) Genotypes in the Terai Agro-climatic Region of West Bengal, India

2026-08-24T12:56:51+00:00

Grass pea (Lathyrus sativus L.) is a resilient grain legume with potential importance for crop improvement under variable production environments. The present study evaluated the genetic potential of 12 grass pea genotypes during the 2023–24 and 2024–25 rabi seasons at the Research cum Instructional Farm of Uttar Banga Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Pundibari, West Bengal. The experiment was conducted in a randomised block design with three replications, and 12 quantitative characters were assessed. Combined analysis of variance indicated significant differences among the genotypes for the evaluated characters, confirming the presence of genetic variability within the tested material. Primary branches per plant, pods per plant, 100-seed weight, and yield per plant showed high heritability of 97.84%, 93.55%, 95.90%, and 94.65%, respectively, together with high genetic advance as a percentage of the mean of 60.49%, 69.52%, 42.86%, and 50.88%, respectively. These combinations suggested comparatively greater scope for effective phenotypic selection for these traits under the conditions of the study. In contrast, plant height and pod length showed low heritability and low genetic advance, indicating stronger environmental influence and lower expected response to direct selection. Overall, the observed variability among the 12 genotypes provided a basis for identifying selection-relevant quantitative characters for future grass pea improvement programmes in the Terai region of West Bengal.

Effect of NAA and Homobrassinolide on Growth, Yield and Quality of Beetroot (Beta vulgaris L.)

2026-08-24T13:02:34+00:00

Beetroot (Beta vulgaris L.) is an important root vegetable valued for its nutritional and economic importance. Its growth, yield and quality are influenced by plant growth regulators; however, information on the comparative effects of naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) and homobrassinolide (HBL) on beetroot under the semi-arid agro-climatic conditions of Rajasthan remains limited. The present investigation entitled was conducted during the Rabi season of 2025 at the Agronomy Research Farm, School of Agriculture, Suresh Gyan Vihar University, Jaipur, Rajasthan. The experiment was laid out in a Randomised Block Design (RBD) comprising seven treatments with three replications to evaluate the influence of different concentrations of Naphthalene Acetic Acid (NAA) and Homobrassinolide (HBL) on the growth, yield, quality and economics of beetroot. The results revealed that Homobrassinolide @ 1 ppm (T₆) proved to be the most effective treatment, recording the maximum plant height (42.19 cm at 75 DAS), number of leaves per plant (19.4 at 75 DAS), root length (16.11 cm), root diameter (8.22 cm) and total root yield (479.70 q ha⁻¹), compared with 28.43 cm, 12.9, 10.90 cm, 5.20 cm and 284.10 q ha⁻¹, respectively, under the control (T₁). Among the NAA treatments, NAA @ 200 ppm (T₃) recorded a plant height of 36.62 cm at 75 DAS, 16.2 leaves per plant at 75 DAS, a root length of 13.76 cm, a root diameter of 6.91 cm and a total root yield of 411.50 q ha⁻¹. In terms of quality, T₆ recorded the highest carotenoid content (3.27 mg 100 g⁻¹), total chlorophyll content (1.83 mg 100 g⁻¹) and anthocyanin content (55.88 mg 100 g⁻¹), compared with 2.13, 0.85 and 37.56 mg 100 g⁻¹, respectively, under the control. Among the NAA treatments, NAA @ 200 ppm (T₃) recorded 2.76 mg 100 g⁻¹ carotenoids, 1.28 mg 100 g⁻¹ total chlorophyll and 46.87 mg 100 g⁻¹ anthocyanin, indicating better performance than NAA @ 100 ppm. Economically, Homobrassinolide @ 1 ppm (T₆) recorded the highest gross return (₹3,83,760 ha⁻¹), net return (₹2,92,760 ha⁻¹) and benefit ratio (3.22), compared with ₹1,70,460 ha⁻¹, ₹88,460 ha⁻¹ and 1.08, respectively, under the control. Among the NAA treatments, NAA @ 200 ppm (T₃) recorded a gross return of ₹3,29,200 ha⁻¹, which was higher than the ₹2,68,293 ha⁻¹ recorded under NAA @ 100 ppm. Overall, Homobrassinolide @ 1 ppm was found to be the most effective treatment for improving growth, yield, quality and economic returns of beetroot, while NAA @ 200 ppm was the most effective treatment among the NAA concentrations.

Response of Dragon Fruit [Hylocereus costaricensis (Web.) Britton and Rose] to Combined Application of Vermicompost and Bio-fertilizers: Yield and Quality Perspectives

2026-08-24T13:08:43+00:00

A field experiment was conducted at the Garden, Department of Fruit Science, Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture and Technology, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India, from March to December 2025 to study the effect of organic nutrient sources on the yield and biochemical quality of the dragon fruit cultivar Pink-fleshed. The experiment comprised nine treatment combinations of Vermicompost, Azotobacter, and phosphate-solubilising bacteria (PSB) applied at varying doses, along with an untreated control. Among the treatments, the combination of Vermicompost at 1.00 kg/plant with Azotobacter at 100 g/plant and phosphate-solubilising bacteria (PSB) at 100 g/plant recorded the best performance in yield (2.86 kg/pillar) and quality attributes. This treatment produced the highest fruit weight (219.90 g), fruit length (10.29 cm), fruit diameter (8.14 cm), fruit volume (183.16 cc), specific gravity (1.20 g/cc), and pulp weight (187.05 g), along with the most favourable pulp-to-peel ratio (5.71) and the lowest peel weight (32.85 g). With respect to biochemical parameters, the same treatment recorded the highest total soluble solids (13.68 °Brix), reducing sugar (7.02%), non-reducing sugar (5.20%), total sugar (12.22%), and ascorbic acid content (11.11 mg/100 g pulp), together with the lowest titratable acidity (0.56%). The findings suggest that the integrated use of Vermicompost with nitrogen-fixing and phosphate-solubilising biofertilisers can substantially improve dragon fruit yield and quality in organic cultivation, offering a sustainable alternative to chemical fertilisation.

Prevalence and Molecular Identification of Staphylococcus spp. Associated with Otitis Externa in Dogs

2026-08-24T13:14:47+00:00

Canine otitis externa is a common inflammatory disorder of the external ear canal, and Staphylococcus spp. are frequently associated with affected ears. This study determined the prevalence of canine otitis externa and molecularly confirmed Staphylococcus spp. associated with affected dogs in and around Indore. Over six months, 1,874 dogs presented at the Veterinary Clinical Complex and from surrounding areas were screened by clinical and bilateral otoscopic examination. Ear swabs from affected dogs were examined microbiologically, and Staphylococcus isolates were confirmed by genus-specific polymerase chain reaction targeting the 16S rRNA gene. Otitis externa was identified in 78 dogs, giving an overall prevalence of 4.16%. Of these cases, 47 (60.26%) were positive for Staphylococcus spp. All 47 isolates produced the expected 420 bp amplicon by PCR. The highest prevalence of staphylococcal otitis externa occurred in dogs aged 1–7 years (77.42%), followed by dogs aged >7 years (57.89%), >6–12 months (47.06%), and 0–6 months (36.36%). Labrador Retrievers had the highest breed-wise prevalence (75.00%), followed by German Shepherds (69.23%) and Golden Retrievers (63.64%). Male dogs showed a higher prevalence (65.96%) than females (51.61%). These findings demonstrate frequent recovery of Staphylococcus spp. from canine otitis externa cases in the study population and support genus-specific 16S rRNA PCR as a method for molecular confirmation of the recovered isolates.

A Study to Compare Therapeutic Efficacy of Fluralaner and Selamectin against Sarcoptic Mange in Dogs

2026-08-24T13:37:37+00:00

Sarcoptic mange, caused by Sarcoptes scabiei var. canis, is an intensely pruritic and highly contagious ectoparasitic skin infection in dogs. This study evaluated and compared the therapeutic efficacy, clinical recovery, and haemato-biochemical restoration associated with oral fluralaner and topical selamectin in affected dogs. Twelve dogs naturally infected with Sarcoptes scabiei were randomly divided into two equal treatment groups (G₁ and G₂; n = 6 each), alongside six healthy dogs serving as controls (G₃). Group G₁ received a single dose of oral fluralaner (25–56 mg/kg b.wt.), while Group G₂ received a single topical application of selamectin (6 mg/kg b.wt.). Clinical evaluation scores and deep skin scrapings were assessed on Days 0, 7, 14, and 21, while haemato-biochemical parameters were assessed on Days 0 and 21 (post-treatment). By Day 7, Group G₁ achieved complete parasitological cure (100% mite clearance), whereas Group G₂ achieved 83.33% mite clearance (one dog remained positive). By Days 14 and 21, both groups achieved 100% mite clearance. Clinical score reductions indicated rapid efficacy, reaching 93.74% in G₁ and 88.90% in G₂ by Day 21. Furthermore, both therapeutic regimens significantly restored reduced haemoglobin, packed cell volume (PCV), and total erythrocyte count (TEC), while significantly normalising elevated total leukocyte count (TLC) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels towards healthy control ranges by Day 21. Both acaricides demonstrated good therapeutic efficacy and safety in the treatment of canine sarcoptic mange. Both drugs performed similarly regarding haematological alterations; however, fluralaner showed better efficacy in total protein recovery among the biochemical parameters. Moreover, fluralaner exhibited comparatively faster clinical improvement and higher therapeutic efficacy, achieving 93.74% efficacy by Day 21 compared with 88.90% for selamectin.

Diffusion and Growth Trajectories of Bio-Energy Crops in Agrarian Economies: An Extension and Production Analysis

2026-08-24T13:40:12+00:00

The global transition towards sustainable bio-energy relies heavily on scaling dedicated energy feedstocks across agrarian economies. However, field-level adoption and yield optimisation depend on the strength of public agricultural extension infrastructure. This study evaluates the diffusion, yield productivity, and public extension efficiency associated with primary bio-energy feedstocks (sugarcane, cassava, maize, and oil palm) across 45 agrarian economies in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), South/Southeast Asia (SSEA), and Latin America & the Caribbean (LAC) from 2000 to 2023 using long-term FAOSTAT and ASTI panel data. Combining Bass innovation diffusion modelling, panel econometrics (Driscoll-Kraay and System-GMM), and Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA), we analyse macro-level adoption trajectories and technology transfer efficiency.

The results reveal that bio-energy output growth across all regions was predominantly driven by harvested area expansion (sugarcane CAGR 3.42% in LAC; oil palm CAGR 4.12% in SSEA) rather than intensive yield optimisation. Fitting the Bass model indicates a structural deficit in top-down institutional innovation drive (p) in SSA (p=.006) relative to LAC (p=0.028), forcing lower-income nations to rely on informal peer imitation (q) and delaying peak adoption (t^*≈2028). Fixed-effects panel regressions demonstrate a statistically significant positive yield elasticity with respect to lagged extension agent density (β=0.185, p<.001), indicating that a 10% increase in extension personnel per 10,000 workers is associated with a 1.85% increase in feedstock productivity per hectare. Furthermore, DEA efficiency scores reveal severe technical slacks in public advisory delivery in SSA (0.412) compared to LAC (0.842).

We conclude that scaling bio-energy crops sustainably requires moving beyond hardware input delivery towards strategic investment in extension human capital and modernised advisory networks to bridge persistent yield frontiers.

Heavy Metal-Induced Phytotoxicity, Accumulation, and Phytoremediation Potential of Euryale ferox Salisb. in the Wetlands of North Bihar, India

2026-08-25T09:51:38+00:00

Euryale ferox Salisb. is an ecologically and economically important aquatic macrophyte widely cultivated in the wetlands of North Bihar, India, where increasing metal contamination may pose risks to plant growth and wetland sustainability. The present study evaluated the comparative phytotoxicity, growth responses, tissue-specific metal accumulation, and phytoremediation potential of E. ferox exposed to chromium (Cr), lead (Pb), and cadmium (Cd). Plants were subjected to 0, 50, 100, 150, 200 and 250 μM concentrations of the respective metals under controlled conditions. Morphological and growth responses were assessed together with visual toxicity symptoms, biomass production, metal accumulation in roots and shoots, bioaccumulation factor (BAF), and translocation factor (TF). All three metals produced concentration-dependent reductions in plant height, leaf number, leaf area, root length, fresh biomass and dry biomass. The inhibitory effects were most pronounced under Cd exposure, followed by Cr and Pb. At 250 μM, Cd reduced plant height, leaf area, root length, fresh biomass and dry biomass by approximately 31.3%, 42.2%, 40.2%, 34.2% and 38.7%, respectively, relative to the control. Visual toxicity also increased progressively with metal concentration, with overall stress indices reaching 19, 18 and 15 under Cd, Cr and Pb, respectively. Metal accumulation was predominantly localised in roots, with Pb showing the highest accumulation, reaching 1495 ± 38 mg kg⁻¹ dry weight at 250 μM. BAF values were highest for Pb (12.3–14.8), while TF remained below 1 for all metals, indicating restricted translocation to shoots. In addition, E. ferox substantially reduced dissolved metal concentrations in the growth medium, with reported removal of 41–73% Cr, 46–78% Pb and 38–70% Cd after seven days. These findings demonstrate that E. ferox exhibits considerable metal tolerance together with strong root-based metal sequestration. Although its low TF excludes it as an efficient phytoextractor, its pronounced root accumulation and metal-removal capacity indicate promising applications in rhizofiltration and phytostabilisation of multi-metal-contaminated aquatic habitats.

Multivariate Characterization and Genetic Diversity Assessment of Winged Bean [Psophocarpus tetragonolobus (L.) DC.] Germplasm for Genetic Improvement

2026-08-25T10:16:54+00:00

Assessment of genetic diversity is essential for the effective utilisation of winged bean [Psophocarpus tetragonolobus (L.) DC.] germplasm in breeding programmes. The present study evaluated 28 winged bean genotypes, comprising 27 advanced breeding lines and one check variety, in a Completely Randomised Block Design with three replications to investigate genetic variability, divergence and trait relationships using multivariate statistical approaches. Analysis of variance revealed highly significant (P ≤ 0.01) differences among genotypes for all nineteen quantitative and quality traits, indicating the existence of substantial genetic variability. Mahalanobis D² analysis grouped the genotypes into four distinct clusters, with Cluster III containing the maximum number of genotypes (11), while Cluster IV consisted solely of genotype NDWB-22-14. The highest inter-cluster distance was observed between Clusters II and IV (14.203), suggesting their suitability for hybridisation to generate broad genetic variability. Cluster IV recorded superior mean performance for major yield attributes, including pod length (28.33 cm), number of pods per plant (50.25), green pod yield (167.74 q ha⁻¹) and seed yield (49.54 q ha⁻¹). Green pod yield per hectare contributed the highest proportion (7.72%) towards total genetic divergence. Principal component analysis identified six principal components with eigenvalues >1, accounting for 86.78% of the total variation. The first principal component (44.79%) was primarily associated with seed yield, green pod yield, number of pods per plant and pod length, whereas the second component (14.41%) differentiated genotypes based on vegetative and quality traits. The PCA biplot further identified NDWB-22-01, NDWB-22-02, NDWB-22-08, NDWB-22-09, NDWB-22-12, NDWB-22-13 and the check variety Kashi Annapurna as promising high-yielding genotypes. Overall, the combined D² and PCA analyses identified genetically divergent and superior genotypes that can serve as valuable parental resources for winged bean improvement programmes.

Growth, Yield and Quality of Indian Spinach (Beta vulgaris var. bengalensis Hort.) as Influenced by the Application of Methyl Jasmonate and Salicylic Acid

2026-08-25T10:22:40+00:00

Indian spinach (Beta vulgaris var. bengalensis Hort.) is an important leafy vegetable whose productivity and quality may respond to foliar application of plant growth regulators. A field experiment was conducted during the Rabi season at Suresh Gyan Vihar University, Jaipur, Rajasthan, to evaluate methyl jasmonate (MeJA) and salicylic acid (SA). The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Block Design (RBD) with nine treatments, viz. T₁: Control, T₂–T₅: Methyl jasmonate @ 50, 100, 150 and 200 ppm and T₆–T₉: Salicylic acid @ 50, 100, 150 and 200 ppm, respectively, with three replications to evaluate the effect of different concentrations of Methyl Jasmonate (MeJA) and Salicylic Acid (SA) on crop performance. The results revealed that foliar application of plant growth regulators significantly enhanced all measured parameters compared with the untreated control. Among the treatments, Methyl Jasmonate @ 150 ppm (T₄) proved to be the most effective, producing the highest plant height (49.40 cm), number of leaves per plant (13.00), leaf width (5.32 cm), fresh leaf weight (52.91 g plant⁻¹), and total leaf yield (67.67 t ha⁻¹). The same treatment also recorded the maximum ascorbic acid content (30.41 mg 100 g⁻¹), the highest chlorophyll content (10.52 mg g⁻¹), the maximum net return (₹226,245 ha⁻¹), and the highest benefit:cost ratio (2.02). The findings demonstrate that foliar application of Methyl Jasmonate @ 150 ppm is an effective and eco-friendly strategy for enhancing productivity, nutritional quality and economic returns of Indian spinach under the agro-climatic conditions of Rajasthan.

Computed Radiographic Evaluation of Liver Volume to Body Weight Ratio in Deep Chested Dogs

2026-08-25T12:09:23+00:00

The present study aimed to evaluate the computed radiographic liver volume-to-body weight (LV:BW) ratio in deep-chested dogs. A total of 90 apparently healthy dogs representing six deep-chested breeds underwent thoraco-abdominal computed radiography. Linear radiographic measurements, including liver length, thoracic depth, and thoracic width, were used to calculate liver volume using a standard formula. The LV:BW ratio (30.72 cc/kg) was evaluated in relation to age, sex, body weight, breed, and neutering status. Significant differences were observed among groups classified by age, sex, body weight, breed, and neutering status (p ≤ 0.05). Older dogs showed a higher radiographic liver volume-to-body weight ratio, whereas the 3-6-year age group showed a lower ratio. Male dogs showed a higher liver volume-to-body weight ratio than females. Dogs in higher body weight groups showed higher liver volume-to-body weight ratios than those in lower body weight groups. Breed-specific variations were also noted, with higher ratios in Belgian Shepherds and German Shepherds and lower values in Great Danes and Siberian Huskies. Intact dogs exhibited higher liver volume ratios than neutered dogs. It was concluded that the LV:BW ratio is a reliable, breed-dependent tool with diagnostic potential in veterinary radiology.

Effects of Common Hatchery Practices on Artificial Fertilization Success in African Catfish (Clarias gariepinus): Sperm Activation Media and Post-stripping Egg Storage Duration

2026-08-25T12:16:46+00:00

In African catfish hatchery systems, post-stripping egg storage duration may vary among operators, and different additives are sometimes used empirically for sperm activation during artificial fertilisation. This study assessed the effects of post-stripping egg storage duration and sperm activation media on sperm motility characteristics and fertilisation success in C. gariepinus. Three egg storage durations (11, 38, and 71 min) and four sperm activation media (borehole water, sugar–salt borehole water, sugar borehole water, and saline borehole water) were evaluated with three replicates. Regarding sperm motility characteristics, borehole water resulted in the highest motility rate (83.3 ± 5.8%), whereas salt-containing activation media produced the lowest values (10.0 ± 8.7% and 4.0 ± 1.7%). However, no significant relationship was observed between sperm motility parameters (motility rate, duration, and intensity) and fertilisation rate (P > .05). Egg storage duration had a significant effect on fertilisation rate, regardless of the sperm activation medium used. Fertilisation rates decreased progressively with increasing storage duration, with the highest values recorded after 11 min of storage (87.7 ± 3.2 - 95.0 ± 1.0%), intermediate values after 38 min (78.67 ± 2.08 - 85.67 ± 4.93%), and the lowest values after 71 min (70.67 ± 0.58 - 78.00 ± 3.00%). Overall, egg storage duration explained a greater proportion of the variation in fertilisation success than sperm activation medium. These findings provide scientific support for optimising artificial fertilisation practices in African catfish hatcheries. Further studies integrating hatching success and larval survival are needed to evaluate the effects of these practices on fry production performance.

Assessment of Radiosensitivity and Chemosensitivity in Green gram [Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek] Varieties under Different Mutagenic Treatments

2026-08-25T12:27:14+00:00

Green gram (Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek) is an important pulse crop, and induced mutagenesis can generate genetic variability for crop improvement. This study assessed the radiosensitivity and chemosensitivity of two green gram (Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek) varieties, RMG 975 and RMG 1166, following exposure to gamma rays, sodium azide, and their combinations under laboratory conditions. Gamma-ray treatments comprised 200, 400, and 600 Gy, while sodium azide concentrations were 0.01, 0.02, and 0.03%. A total of 16 treatments, including the untreated control, were evaluated. Germination percentage, root length, shoot length, seedling fresh weight, seedling dry weight, seed vigour index-I, and seed vigour index-II were recorded. Analysis of variance showed highly significant treatment effects for all evaluated traits in both varieties. Increasing gamma-ray doses and sodium azide concentrations generally reduced germination, seedling growth, biomass accumulation, and seed vigour. Combined treatments generally caused stronger inhibitory effects than individual mutagens. The greatest reductions in most traits occurred under 600 Gy + 0.03% sodium azide. Germination declined to 40.33% in RMG 975 and 43.33% in RMG 1166 under this treatment, compared with 85.66% and 93.33% in their respective controls. Root and shoot lengths, fresh and dry weights, and both vigour indices also decreased with increasing mutagenic intensity. The two varieties differed in their responses across treatments, indicating genotype-dependent sensitivity. These findings provide preliminary evidence for selecting mutagenic treatments for subsequent mutation-breeding work in green gram.

Impact of Different Land Use Systems under Hill Ecosystem of Manipur on Macronutrient Status of Soils

2026-08-26T10:36:25+00:00

Land use changes influence soil properties in hill ecosystems of Manipur. This study evaluated soil properties under five land use systems—forest land, grassland, paddy lowland, current jhum, and jhum fallow—in Chandel district, Manipur, India. Soil samples were collected from 21 locations for each land use system at two depths (0–15 and 15–30 cm), producing 210 composite samples. The samples were analysed for pH, electrical conductivity (EC), organic carbon (OC), available nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K). Significant variations in soil physico-chemical properties and macronutrient availability were observed among land use systems at both depths. All soils were acidic. Forest soils generally showed higher OC, available N, and available P with the values of 18.43 and 14.14 g kg⁻¹ OC, 251.11 and 212.71 kg ha⁻¹ N, and 18.91 and 14.44 kg ha⁻¹ P at the surface and sub-surface depths, respectively. Available K was highest under current jhum, with the values of 232.32 and 225.92 kg ha⁻¹ at both depths, respectively. Paddy lowland recorded the highest EC at both depths. However, there was no salinity hazard. Soil pH increased with depth, whereas EC, OC, available N, P, and K generally decreased with depth. Overall, forest land exhibited the most favourable nutrient status among the studied systems, followed by grassland, while the depth-wise trends indicated greater nutrient concentration in surface soils.

Grain Quality Evaluation of WA-CMS-Derived Rice Hybrids Across Three Environments

2026-08-26T13:21:04+00:00

Aim: This study aims to characterise physical, milling, cooking and physicochemical grain-quality variation among WA-CMS-derived rice hybrids and identify combinations with balanced quality performance across three environments.

Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted at Rajendranagar, Kampasagar and Kunaram, Telangana, India, during kharif 2025.

Methodology: Thirty-six F1 hybrids developed from three wild-abortive cytoplasmic male-sterile lines and twelve fertility restorers were evaluated with their parents and four checks in randomised block designs with three replications. Thirteen grain-quality traits were assessed from pooled multi-environment data. Pearson correlation, principal-component analysis and an equal-weight exploratory balanced-quality index were used to examine trait relationships and identify broadly desirable combinations.

Results: Wide variation was observed for milling percentage (55.00-75.67%), head rice recovery (45.72-61.20%), kernel length (4.79-6.73 mm), kernel length/breadth ratio (2.12-3.20), kernel length after cooking (7.73-9.54 mm), kernel elongation ratio (1.27-1.79), chalkiness (4.93-30.90%), amylose content (19.74-26.08%) and gel consistency (35.19-75.81 mm). RMS-2 × SN-2071 was superior for milling percentage and head rice recovery, whereas RMS-2 × SN-2756 recorded the lowest chalkiness. Milling percentage was strongly associated with head rice recovery (r = 0.96), kernel length was strongly associated with the length/breadth ratio (r = 0.85), and amylose content was inversely associated with gel consistency (r = -0.97). The first two principal components explained 43.9% of total variation. CMS-59 × SN-2183, RMS-2 × SN-2756, CMS-59 × SN-2705, CMS-64 × SN-2183 and RMS-2 × SN-2717 showed the most balanced overall quality profiles.

Conclusion: WA-CMS-derived hybrids exhibited exploitable variation for multiple grain-quality dimensions. The identified balanced-quality combinations merit multi-season validation, sensory assessment and market-class evaluation before advancement in hybrid-rice breeding programmes.

Bio-efficacy of Indigenous Technical Knowledges (ITKs) Formulations against Rice Blast Incited by Pyricularia oryzae

2026-08-26T13:32:05+00:00

Rice blast incited by Pyricularia oryzae Cavara [Teleomorph: Magnaporthe oryzae (Hebert) Barr] is a major constraint to rice production, with conventional chemical control often limited by environmental hazards, rising input costs and pathogen resistance. This study evaluated the bio-efficacy of traditional Indigenous Technical Knowledges (ITKs) formulations against P. oryzae under in vitro, pot culture and field conditions. Surveys across the Cauvery delta region identified isolate Pg₇ (Aduthurai; GenBank accession: ON556555) as the most virulent strain, inducing 38.99% Per cent Disease Index (PDI) under artificial inoculation. In vitro poisoned food assays demonstrated that Panchagavya, Mint leaf extract, Five-leaf extract and Fish amino acid (FAA) achieved peak mycelial inhibition at an optimal concentration of 15%. Under pot culture, the four-component consortium (T₇: Panchagavya + Mint + Five-leaf extract + FAA as seed treatment @ 20 mL/kg and foliar spray @ 15% at 30 and 50 DAT) suppressed blast severity to 13.20% PDI, matching the standard chemical check Propiconazole 25 EC @ 0.18% (13.32% PDI) while boosting grain yield (37.20 g/plant). In field evaluations, the three-way consortium (T₅: Panchagavya + Mint + Five-leaf extract) restricted blast severity to 13.78% PDI (compared to 42.34% PDI in untreated control), achieved a grain yield of 4.50 t/ha. Overall, standardized ITKs consortia offer a sustainable and ecologically sound bio-management alternative to synthetic fungicides in blast-endemic rice ecosystems

Formulation of Millet-based Functional Chicken Meat Biscuits Using Finger, Pearl and Foxtail Varieties and Analysis of Physicochemical Changes during Ambient Storage

2026-08-27T06:05:41+00:00

Meat-based biscuits are valued for their long shelf life and convenience as ready-to-eat snacks. The addition of millets enhances their nutritional profile while offering an innovative approach to value addition in the meat industry. Control biscuits were prepared using refined wheat flour and chicken meat powder, whereas in the treatment samples, refined wheat flour was replaced with 30% finger millet, 40% pearl millet and 30% foxtail millet. This study evaluated the physicochemical changes in control and millet-incorporated chicken biscuits during 60 days of storage. A significant decline in pH, lightness (L*) and yellowness (b*) values, along with an increase in water activity and redness (a*) values, was observed. Between the day of preparation and the 60^th day, the pH of the control sample decreased from 6.28 to 6.05, whereas that of the foxtail millet-incorporated chicken biscuits decreased from 6.10 to 6.01. The lightness (L*) of the control sample decreased from 60.4 to 51.75, while the finger millet-incorporated chicken biscuits showed a decline from 51.23 to 44.9 between the day of preparation and the last day of storage. Similarly, the yellowness (b*) values also decreased over time. In the control sample, the value decreased from 34.46 to 28.86, and in the finger millet-incorporated chicken biscuits, it declined from 24.53 to 22.71 during the same storage period. On the 60^th day, the water activity values of the control sample and the chicken biscuit samples incorporating finger millet, pearl millet and foxtail millet were 0.550, 0.458, 0.515 and 0.510, respectively. Millet incorporation helped maintain water activity below 0.6 and improved stability, with all samples remaining within safe limits. Overall, the inclusion of millets enhanced shelf stability, nutritional potential and product quality while maintaining cost-effectiveness, supporting their use in developing functional meat-based snack products.

Functional Identification of Minimal Promoter Region of Elongation of Very Long Chain Fatty Acids 2 (ELOVL2) Gene in Chicken Hepatocytes

2026-08-27T09:48:01+00:00

Background: The enzyme elongation of very long chain fatty acids protein 2 (ELOVL2) plays a crucial role in the long-chain fatty acid elongation cycle. The chicken is known to contain abundant quantities of PUFAs that are suitable for human consumption and is regarded as a perfect model species for studying the synthesis of PUFAs. However, the molecular processes controlling the synthesis of PUFAs in chickens need to be further explored, and a better understanding of ELOVL2 regulation may provide information useful for identifying regulatory genetic variants associated with fatty-acid composition and other economically important traits in chickens. Identification of the minimal promoter region will provide a basis for understanding the transcriptional regulation of ELOVL2 and its potential contribution to fatty-acid metabolism so that the function of the gene may be altered to obtain a desired phenotype.

Aim: For this purpose, an in vitro cell culture experiment was conducted. This investigation was carried out with the aim of identifying the minimal promoter region of ELOVL2 gene.

Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out at ICAR-Directorate of Poultry Research, Hyderabad, during 2021-2022.

Methodology: 0.5 to 1.0 mL of blood was collected from the wing vein of a control-layer chicken and genomic DNA was isolated using the standard phenol-chloroform method. PCR was performed to amplify two overlapping ELOVL2 promoter fragments of 587 bp and 1558 bp using specific primers, cloned into the reporter vector pAcGFP1-1 (promoterless) with GFP as a marker protein, and then transformed into DH5α competent cells. The pAcGFP1-1 recombinant plasmid was transfected into a primary chicken embryo hepatocyte culture to check functionality, which was reflected by the expression level of GFP protein in hepatocyte cells.

Results: The expression of GFP in chicken embryo hepatocytes was evaluated through real-time PCR. A 1.19-fold higher GFP expression was observed in cells with the 1558 bp fragment as the promoter than in cells with the 587 bp fragment.

Conclusion: Thus, it can be concluded that both the promoter fragments of ELOVL2 are capable of regulating gene expression even in a cell culture system with the larger fragment being more effective. This identified promoter region can be used as a target in further research involving promoter mutations, transcription-factor analysis, gene regulation, and functional characterization of ELOVL2. The observed findings may also support future research in poultry nutrition, lipid metabolism, functional genomics, and molecular breeding.

Effect of Methyl Jasmonate and Salicylic Acid on Growth, Yield and Quality of Gladiolus (Gladiolus hybridus Hort.) CV. Priscilla Pink

2026-08-27T09:55:38+00:00

A field experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of methyl jasmonate (MeJA) and salicylic acid (SA) on the growth and spike yield of gladiolus (Gladiolus hybridus Hort.) cv. Priscilla Pink during the winter seasons of 2024–2025 and 2025–2026 at the crop cafeteria, School of Agricultural Sciences, Jaipur National University, Jaipur. The experiment was established on sandy loam soil in a randomised block design with three replications and 12 treatments. Treatments comprised an untreated control, MeJA at 50, 100, 150, 200 and 250 ppm, and SA at 50, 100, 150, 200, 250 and 300 ppm. Observations included plant height, number of leaves per plant, leaf length, leaf width, main stem diameter, number of spikes per plant and estimated spike yield per hectare. Treatment T11 (SA 300 ppm) recorded the highest values for all reported traits: plant height (107.33 cm), leaves per plant (8.33), leaf length (34.89 cm), leaf width (3.40 cm), main stem diameter (2.27 cm), spikes per plant (2.67) and estimated spike yield (4.44 lakh/ha). The control recorded the lowest values for these traits. Under the tested field conditions and concentration range, the higher SA treatment, particularly 300 ppm, was associated with the strongest growth and spike-yield response in cv. Priscilla Pink.

Effect of Foliar Spray of Various Concentrations of GA3 on Growth and Yield Attributes of African Marigold (Tagetes erecta Linn.) cv. Pusa Narangi

2026-08-27T10:03:26+00:00

African marigold (Tagetes erecta Linn.) is a commercially important flower crop owing to its attractive blooms, prolific flowering, short crop duration and broad adaptability. Improvement of flower productivity requires the identification of appropriate plant growth regulator concentrations that can effectively enhance vegetative growth, flowering and yield. Therefore, the present investigation was conducted to assess the response of African marigold cv. Pusa Narangi to foliar application of different concentrations of gibberellic acid (GA₃) and to determine the most effective concentration for improving flower production. The experiment was carried out during the winter season of 2016–17 at the Garden Research Farm, Department of Horticulture, Udai Pratap Autonomous College, Varanasi, India. The experiment was arranged in a Randomized Block Design with three replications and five treatments, consisting of GA₃ concentrations of 80, 120, 160 and 200 ppm, along with an untreated control (0 ppm GA₃) sprayed with distilled water. The application of GA₃ significantly affected plant height, number of branches per plant, number of leaves per plant at 60 days after spraying, flower diameter, fresh flower weight, number of flowers per plant and flower yield per plant. However, the treatment effects on the number of leaves per plant at 30 days after spraying and days to first flowering were statistically non-significant. The maximum plant height at 30 and 60 days after spraying (67.93 and 87.55 cm, respectively) and the highest number of branches (23.15 and 34.72 plant⁻¹, respectively) were recorded with GA₃ at 200 ppm. The greatest number of leaves at 60 days after spraying (241.80 plant⁻¹) was obtained with 160 ppm GA₃. Application of GA₃ at 120 ppm resulted in the largest flower diameter (6.03 cm), while the highest fresh flower weight (5.87 g) was recorded with 160 ppm. The maximum number of flowers (37.83 plant⁻¹) and flower yield (202.49 g plant⁻¹) were obtained with 120 ppm GA₃. Although days to first flowering were not significantly influenced by GA₃ treatments, the earliest flowering (66.26 days) was observed with 80 ppm. Overall, foliar application of GA₃ at 120 ppm showed the most favourable response for enhancing flowering and flower yield of African marigold cv. Pusa Narangi and may be recommended for commercial cultivation under comparable agro-climatic conditions.

Integrated Microbial Inoculation Enhances Tomato Productivity and Soil Nutrient Availability under Reduced Fertilization in Vertisol

2026-08-27T10:12:40+00:00

Beneficial soil microorganisms offer a promising approach for enhancing soil fertility and nutrient availability while improving crop productivity and reducing dependence on mineral fertilisers. A field experiment was conducted during the Rabi season of 2023–24 at the Research Farm of the Vegetable Research Centre, Vasantrao Naik Marathwada Krishi Vidyapeeth, Parbhani, Maharashtra, India, to evaluate the effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) on tomato productivity and soil nutrient availability under Vertisol conditions. Twelve treatments comprising 75% of the recommended dose of fertilisers (RDF) in combination with individual or combined microbial inoculants, applied either as a seedling treatment or through soil application, were evaluated in a randomised block design with three replications. The treatment comprising 75% RDF + AMF + Pseudomonas fluorescens + Bacillus megaterium + Trichoderma viride applied through soil application (T₁₂) recorded the highest fruit yield (371.53 q ha⁻¹) and dry matter yield (46.09 q ha⁻¹), representing increases of 25.88 and 37.91% over 100% RDF, respectively. At 95 days after transplanting, T₁₂ also maintained the highest soil available N (204.20 kg ha⁻¹), P (24.90 kg ha⁻¹) and K (798.15 kg ha⁻¹), corresponding to increases of 23.36, 37.49 and 14.73%, respectively, over 100% RDF. The corresponding increases over the absolute control were 46.01, 82.95 and 31.74%. The combined soil-applied consortium consistently produced greater yield and soil nutrient availability than the corresponding seedling application, although the two application methods were statistically comparable for several attributes. Among individual microbial treatments, soil application of AMF was the most effective. The findings demonstrate that AMF–PGPR integration with 75% RDF can improve tomato productivity and maintain higher soil nutrient availability while reducing mineral fertiliser input by 25% under Vertisol conditions.

Assessment of Genotypic Variation in Root Architectural Traits of Maize (Zea mays L.) Using an Agar-based Phenotyping Platform

2026-08-27T10:39:45+00:00

Maize (Zea mays L.) is one of the world's most important cereal crops, and its productivity is strongly influenced by root system architecture (RSA), which determines the spatial exploration of soil for water and nutrients. However, phenotyping root traits remains challenging because most root development occurs belowground, limiting efficient characterisation of genetic variation under conventional conditions. The present study was undertaken to assess the genetic variability of selected RSA traits among 102 maize genotypes using a controlled agar-based phenotyping platform. Five seedling-stage root traits, namely number of basal roots (NBR), root angle (RA), total root length (TRL), root biomass (RBM), and number of lateral roots (NLR), were evaluated under standardised agar-based conditions. Analysis of variance revealed significant genotypic variation (p < 0.05) for all five traits, confirming substantial genetic diversity within the evaluated germplasm. NBR ranged from 0.97 to 14.25, RA from 19.42° to 93.96°, TRL from 2.85 to 20.17 cm, RBM from 0.02 to 0.89 g, and NLR from 0.99 to 23.78. The highest coefficients of variation were observed for NLR (71.88%) and RBM (68.88%), followed by NBR (45.21%), TRL (44.53%) and RA (29.96%), indicating particularly pronounced variation in lateral root production and root biomass among the genotypes. Distribution analysis further revealed contrasting patterns of root architectural expression, including bimodal distributions for root angle and number of lateral roots. The results demonstrate that the agar-based platform provides a simple, controlled and efficient approach for rapid screening and characterisation of genetic variation in early-stage maize RSA traits. The substantial diversity identified for root architectural traits provides valuable preliminary material for maize root improvement; however, validation under soil and field conditions is required to establish their relationships with mature-plant performance, drought adaptation and nutrient-use efficiency.

Limnological Assessment of Benisagar Reservoir (Madhya Pradesh, India) with Special Reference to Ichthyofaunal Diversity and Water Quality Dynamics

2026-08-27T12:27:14+00:00

The present study assessed the limnological characteristics and ichthyofaunal diversity of Benisagar Reservoir, Madhya Pradesh, India, with emphasis on seasonal changes in water quality and fish-community structure. Sampling was conducted from January 2024 to December 2025 at four stations representing the inlet, pelagic, littoral, and outlet zones. Fish were sampled monthly using conventional fishing gear with the assistance of local fishers, and specimens were identified using standard taxonomic keys. Water-quality parameters were measured according to standard procedures and included temperature, pH, electrical conductivity, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, total were identified using standard taxonomic keys. Water-quality parameters were measured according to standard procedures and included temperature, pH, electrical conductivity, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, total dissolved solids, nitrate, and phosphate. A total of 22 fish species, representing 5 orders, 8 families, and 15 genera, were recorded during the study period. Cyprinids were the dominant group, and economically important species such as Catla catla, Labeo rohita, and Cirrhinus mrigala were frequently recorded. Seasonal variation was evident in both fish diversity and water quality across the reservoir. Post-monsoon conditions supported greater fish diversity, whereas pre-monsoon conditions were associated with higher temperatures, lower dissolved oxygen concentrations, and reduced diversity. Nutrient concentrations increased during the monsoon, suggesting runoff-driven enrichment. The findings indicate that Benisagar Reservoir supports a moderately diverse fish assemblage and requires regular monitoring to conserve aquatic biodiversity and sustain fisheries productivity.

Evaluation of Maize Germplasm for Resistance against Invasive Insect Pest Fall Armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

2026-08-27T12:33:18+00:00

Background: Fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda J. E. Smith) is an invasive insect pest of maize that can cause substantial foliar damage and adversely affect crop production. Host-plant resistance offers a sustainable and environmentally compatible approach for managing this pest; however, information on resistance in diverse maize germplasm remains limited. Therefore, identifying resistant genotypes is important for supporting the development of fall armyworm-resistant maize.

Aims: The present study screened 25 maize genotypes for resistance to the invasive insect pest fall armyworm under artificial infestation conditions.

Study Design: A randomised block design (RBD) with three replications was used.

Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted during Kharif 2025 at the Winter Nursery Centre, ICAR-Indian Institute of Maize Research, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad.

Methodology: Fall armyworm larvae were reared on a chickpea-casein-based artificial diet, and first instar neonates were released onto plants at the V5 phenological stage. Leaf damage rating (LDR) was scored on a 1-9 scale at 7, 14, and 21 days after infestation (DAI); genotypes were categorised as resistant (1-3), moderately resistant (3-6), and susceptible (6-9).

Results: The LDR at 14 days after infestation varied from 2.58 to 7.34 across genotypes. Three genotypes, CML 71 (2.81), DMRE-63 (2.58), and CML 67 (2.92), were classified as resistant; 19 genotypes were moderately resistant; and three genotypes, MIL 9-1662 (6.2), CM 202 (6.44), and Sarhad HSRB (7.34), were susceptible.

Conclusion: The resistant genotypes identified in this study may serve as valuable sources of resistance for incorporation into maize breeding programmes aimed at developing FAW-resistant genotypes.

Synthesis of Copper Oxide Nanoparticles Using Garlic Peel Extract: Phytochemical Profiling, Evaluation of Antioxidant, Antimicrobial, and Anticancer Activities

2026-08-27T12:44:13+00:00

Garlic peel, an agricultural waste material, is a rich source of bioactive compounds and can serve as an eco-friendly resource for nanoparticle synthesis. The present study aimed to synthesise copper oxide nanoparticles using garlic peel extract and evaluate their phytochemical, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and cytotoxic activities. Phytochemical analysis confirmed the presence of six compounds, with high levels of alkaloids and flavonoids. Antioxidant activity was evaluated using DPPH radical scavenging and total phenolic content assays, and the synthesized copper oxide nanoparticles exhibited higher antioxidant activity than the aqueous extract. The synthesized copper oxide nanoparticles were characterised using UV–Visible spectroscopy, FTIR, SEM, HRTEM, zeta potential analysis, and XRD. The UV–Visible analysis showed an absorption peak at 290 nm, indicating nanoparticle formation. FTIR analysis confirmed the presence of phytoconstituents and hydroxyl groups that may contribute to nanoparticle stabilization. The morphology and size of the synthesized copper oxide nanoparticles were elucidated using SEM, while TEM confirmed spherical and cuboidal structures with sizes ranging from 10–40 nm. Zeta potential analysis indicated a negative surface charge, and XRD confirmed the crystalline nature of the synthesized sample. Furthermore, copper oxide nanoparticles exhibited antimicrobial activity and cytotoxicity against the A549 cell line, with an IC50 value of 155.21 µg/mL.

Development and Evaluation of Microencapsulated Formulations for Enhanced Stability and Efficacy of Helicoverpa armigera Nucleopolyhedrovirus (HaNPV)

2026-08-27T13:50:47+00:00

Helicoverpa armigera nucleopolyhedrovirus (HaNPV) is a species-specific baculovirus used as a biological control agent against Helicoverpa armigera. This study developed and evaluated microencapsulated HaNPV formulations using three biodegradable polymer systems: gelatin-carboxymethyl cellulose (gelatin-CMC), starch, and sodium alginate-chitosan. The formulations were prepared using polymer-based encapsulation procedures and assessed under laboratory conditions for ultraviolet-C (UV-C) protection, polyhedral occlusion body (POB) retention, larvicidal activity, and lethal-time parameters. UV-C exposure was evaluated at 10, 20, and 30 min, while larval mortality was recorded at 24 h intervals for seven days. After 10, 20, and 30 min of UV-C exposure, gelatin-CMC retained 75.0%, 50.0%, and 25.0% of POBs, respectively. The corresponding values were 40.0%, 20.0%, and 0% for starch; 70.0%, 40.0%, and 20.0% for sodium alginate-chitosan (5 mL); and 62.5%, 46.9%, and 31.3% for sodium alginate-chitosan (10 mL). Larval mortality increased progressively with exposure time. The sodium alginate-chitosan (5 mL) formulation produced 88.5% observed mortality and 87.18% corrected mortality at 168 h. The sodium alginate-chitosan (10 mL) formulation showed the shortest LT₅₀ (83.6 h) and LT₉₀ (183.6 h), followed by the 5 mL formulation. These findings indicate formulation-dependent performance: gelatin-CMC provided the greatest POB retention during UV-C exposure, whereas sodium alginate-chitosan formulations produced faster and greater larvicidal activity. Microencapsulation therefore improved the laboratory stability and biological performance of HaNPV under the tested conditions.

Depth-wise Variation in Soil Properties and Nutrient Status under Integrated Farming System in the Northwestern Himalayan Region

2026-08-27T13:58:25+00:00

A field study was carried out at the decade-old, one-hectare Integrated Farming System (IFS) research model of the AICRP-IFS, Farming System Research Centre, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Jammu (SKUAST-Jammu), Chatha and at an adjoining farmer's field representing the existing farming system (EFFS), to assess the depth-wise (0–15, 15–30, 30–45 and 45–60 cm) distribution of soil physico-chemical properties and available nutrient status under twelve land use systems of the IFS model vis-à-vis EFFS. Soil texture was clay loam across all land uses and depths, with sand as the dominant separate (55.51–68.65 % at the surface) and no consistent depth-wise trend in sand, silt or clay fractions. Bulk density increased with depth in all land uses (1.25–1.33 g cm^-3 at 0–15 cm to 1.69–1.74 g cm^-3 at 45–60 cm) and was significantly lowest under boundary plantation. Soil reaction was slightly alkaline to alkaline (pH 7.64–8.30) and increased with depth, being significantly lower under horticulture and boundary plantation than under the crop block and EFFS, while electrical conductivity did not differ significantly among land uses and declined with depth. Available nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, along with DTPA-extractable Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu, were all significantly higher under boundary plantation intercropped with turmeric (up to 307.51 kg N ha^-1, 22.68 kg P ha^-1, 140.35 kg K ha^-1, 31.45 mg Fe kg^-1, 31.55 mg Mn kg^-1, 1.48 mg Zn kg^-1 and 1.01 mg Cu kg^-1 at the surface) and consistently lowest under EFFS, with all nutrients declining with depth. DTPA-Zn fell below its critical limit beyond 30 cm depth in most land uses except boundary plantation and the fodder block. The results indicate that decade-long integration of horticulture, fodder and boundary plantation components under IFS builds up soil fertility and improves the nutrient status of soil more effectively at all depths than a mono-cropped farmer's system.

Histomorphological Study of the Spleen in the Indian Mongoose (Herpestes javanicus)

2026-08-28T09:29:47+00:00

The present study investigated the histomorphological features of the spleen in the Indian mongoose (Herpestes javanicus). The work was conducted at the Department of Veterinary Anatomy, College of Veterinary Science, Proddatur, Sri Venkateswara Veterinary University, Andhra Pradesh, India, from January to June 2024. Spleens from six adult Indian mongooses that died from natural causes were collected. Tissue samples were washed, fixed in 10% neutral buffered formalin, processed routinely, embedded in paraffin, sectioned at 4–5 μm, and stained with Haematoxylin and Eosin, Masson’s Trichrome, Verhoeff’s, and Gridley´s and Wilders’s methods. Histologically, the spleen was enclosed by a thin connective tissue capsule, from which thick, irregularly shaped trabeculae extended into the parenchyma. The red pulp consisted of venous sinuses and narrow splenic cords containing reticular fibres, erythrocytes, plasma cells, and macrophages. Numerous elongated or rounded ellipsoids and penicillar arteries were also observed. The white pulp formed the major part of the parenchyma and consisted of abundant lymphatic nodules and periarterial lymphatic sheaths. The lymphatic nodules comprised B-cell zones and germinal centres, whereas the periarterial lymphatic sheaths contained T cells, B cells, and macrophages. A marginal zone was present between the white and red pulp and blended into the splenic cords. These observations provide a descriptive histomorphological account of splenic organisation in the Indian mongoose.

Mutagenic Effects of Gamma Rays and Ems on Germination, Plant Survival, Lethality, and Pollen Sterility in M₁ and M₂ Generations of Sunflower (Helianthus Annuus L.)

2026-08-28T12:06:52+00:00

Induced mutagenesis can generate useful variability in sunflower while also causing biological injury that depends on mutagen type and treatment intensity. This study evaluated the effects of gamma rays and ethyl methane sulphonate (EMS) on two sunflower genotypes, DRSF-108 and DRSF-113, in the M₁ and M₂ generations. Dry seeds were exposed to 200, 300, and 400 Gy gamma irradiation, while EMS treatments were applied at 0.1, 0.2, and 0.3%; untreated seeds served as the control. Field germination, plant survival, lethality, and pollen sterility were assessed. In both genotypes, increasing gamma-ray and EMS treatments generally reduced germination and plant survival and increased lethality and pollen sterility. In the M₁ generation, the lowest field germination values occurred at 400 Gy and 0.3% EMS, with DRSF-108 recording 41.11% and 38.88%, respectively, and DRSF-113 recording 39.44% and 38.33%, respectively. Across the mutagenic treatments, M₂ germination and plant survival were higher and lethality was lower than in M₁, while pollen sterility was lower under most treatments. The 200 Gy and 0.1% EMS treatments were comparatively less injurious, whereas 400 Gy and 0.3% EMS caused the greatest biological damage. Among the EMS concentrations evaluated, 0.1% EMS provided the most favourable balance between induced variability and limited biological injury. These results support the further evaluation of surviving M₂ mutant populations for sunflower improvement.

Leaf Functional Traits Associated with Shoot Fly Resistance in Browntop Millet (Brachiaria ramosa L.)

2026-08-28T12:30:18+00:00

Browntop millet is a short-duration, drought-adapted crop of increasing importance in dryland production systems, but information on its interaction with shoot fly (Atherigona spp.) remains limited. This study evaluated five browntop millet genotypes under field conditions for shoot fly infestation and examined leaf wax and chlorophyll contents in relation to infestation. Shoot fly response varied markedly among genotypes. GPUBT7 consistently showed the lowest infestation and recorded 1.48% dead-heart incidence at 28 DAE, leading to its classification as highly resistant. HBR2 and NBR2 were resistant, whereas GPUBT6 and GPUBT8 were susceptible. Adult emergence was also lowest in GPUBT7 and highest in GPUBT6. Significant genotypic variation was observed in total chlorophyll and leaf wax contents. GPUBT6 and GPUBT8 generally exhibited higher values for both traits, whereas GPUBT7 showed the lowest chlorophyll and wax contents. Pearson’s correlation analysis showed significant positive associations of leaf wax content with egg count, dead-heart incidence, and tiller infestation, and significant positive associations of chlorophyll content with the same infestation parameters. Associations with adult emergence were positive but non-significant. Overall, the contrasting genotypic responses indicate that leaf wax and chlorophyll content are associated with shoot fly infestation in browntop millet. These findings provide a basis for further evaluation of these leaf functional traits in relation to host suitability and for their potential use in selecting shoot fly-resistant germplasm.

Estimation of Genetic Parameters of Variability and Heritability for Yield and Related Traits in Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.)

2026-08-28T13:29:32+00:00

Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) is an important cereal crop for food, feed and malting, and the exploitation of genetic variability is fundamental to developing high-yielding and stress-adapted cultivars. The present investigation was undertaken to assess the magnitude of genetic variability, heritability and genetic advance for yield and associated traits in barley under normal and sodic soil conditions. A total of 90 barley genotypes along with three checks (NDB1173, RD2907 and HUB113) were evaluated during the rabi seasons of 2024–25 and 2025–26 at Acharya Narendra Deva University of Agriculture and Technology, Kumarganj, Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, using an augmented block design under normal and sodic soil conditions. Ten quantitative traits, namely days to heading, days to maturity, plant height, tillers per plant, spike length, grains per spike, test weight, biological yield per plant, harvest index and grain yield per plant, were evaluated. Analysis of variance revealed highly significant genotypic differences for most traits under both environments, confirming substantial exploitable genetic variability. Under normal conditions, GCV ranged from 2.80% for days to maturity to 42.60% for grain yield, while PCV ranged from 3.07% to 43.17%; under sodic conditions, GCV ranged from 2.50% to 44.11% and PCV from 3.10% to 44.64%. Grain yield exhibited the highest heritability under both normal (97.39%) and sodic (97.65%) conditions. High heritability was also recorded for test weight (95.36% and 94.58%), grains per spike (94.62% and 93.83%) and biological yield (94.65% and 93.04%) under normal and sodic conditions, respectively. Grain yield also recorded the highest genetic advance as a percentage of the mean (GAM), with values of 86.74% under normal and 89.93% under sodic conditions, followed by biological yield (79.38 and 81.34%) and grains per spike (69.05 and 76.32%). High heritability coupled with high GAM for grain yield, biological yield, grains per spike, test weight and tillers per plant indicated a strong genetic component and substantial scope for selection. The study identified grain yield and its associated traits as effective selection criteria for improving productivity and adaptation of barley under both normal and sodic soil environments.

Field Evaluation of Iminoctadine Tris 40% WP against Anthracnose Disease of Chilli and Its Impact on Yield

2026-08-31T10:07:04+00:00

This two-season field study evaluated the efficacy of iminoctadine tris 40% WP against chilli anthracnose caused by Colletotrichum capsici at Horticulture Research Station, Mondouri, West Bengal, during 2017–18 and 2018–19. Six fungicidal treatments and an untreated control were evaluated in a randomised block design with three replications. Iminoctadine tris 40% WP at 400 g a.i./ha consistently produced the lowest disease severity among the tested treatments. In 2017–18, the treatment recorded a final percent disease index (PDI) of 12.93% and 73.15% disease control over the untreated control. In 2018–19, the corresponding values were 11.50% and 77.61%. Zineb 75% WP and tebuconazole 25% WG also reduced disease severity, while myclobutanil showed comparatively lower efficacy. Disease suppression was accompanied by higher yield under the experimental conditions. Iminoctadine tris 40% WP at 400 g a.i./ha produced 18.68 q/ha in 2017–18 and 19.72 q/ha in 2018–19, representing yield increases of 62.72% and 49.39%, respectively, over the untreated control. Phytotoxicity observations at the evaluated higher doses during both seasons showed no recorded symptoms across the assessed parameters. Overall, the results indicate that iminoctadine tris 40% WP at 400 g a.i./ha provided the best combined disease-control and yield response among the treatments evaluated under these field conditions.

Genotype-dependent Biomass and Antioxidant Responses of Maize B73 9-Lipoxygenase Mutants and W438 to Water Deficit under Rhizophagus irregularis Inoculation

2026-08-31T10:14:43+00:00

Background: Water deficit substantially limits maize growth and productivity, while lipoxygenase-derived signalling and arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis may influence plant responses to water stress. However, the extent to which maize 9-lipoxygenase mutants differ in biomass and physiological responses to graded water deficit, and whether Rhizophagus irregularis modifies these responses in a genotype-dependent manner, remains unclear.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate genotype-dependent biomass responses of B73, B73lox3-4, B73lox12-1, and W438 under different water regimes; compare absolute and proportional biomass tolerance; determine whether Rhizophagus irregularis inoculation modifies water-deficit responses in a genotype-dependent manner; and assess whether tissue water content and antioxidant responses support the observed biomass patterns.

Study Design: The study tested maize line B73; its near-isogenic 9-lipoxygenase mutants B73lox3-4 and B73lox12-1; and the comparator line W438 across 100%, 50%, and 10% soil water-holding capacity (WHC), with non-inoculated and Rhizophagus irregularis DAOM 197198 treatments.

Place and Duration of Study: The experiment was conducted under controlled conditions at Institut National Polytechnique Félix Houphouët-Boigny (INP-HB), Yamoussoukro, Côte d'Ivoire, between February and March 2025.

Methodology: Total plant dry biomass was the primary endpoint. The reanalysis used a three-factor model with HC3 heteroscedasticity-robust Type III tests, Tukey-adjusted genotype comparisons within every inoculation × water panel, and bootstrap confidence intervals for biomass-based tolerance indices.

Results: Total biomass differed by genotype (F₃,₈₅ = 35.62, P < 0.0001), water regime (F₂,₈₅ = 128.34, P < 0.0001), and their interaction (F₆,₈₅ = 4.40, P = 0.000647). Under 10% WHC, model-estimated biomass was greatest for B73lox3-4 (13.76 g without inoculation and 16.75 g with R. irregularis); with inoculation, B73lox3-4 exceeded all three comparison genotypes by Tukey-adjusted grouping. Its severe-stress tolerance index was also highest (0.639 without inoculation and 0.800 with R. irregularis). B73lox12-1 showed comparatively strong proportional biomass retention without consistently matching the absolute biomass of B73lox3-4. Inoculation had no overall biomass effect (P = 0.689), and neither the inoculation × water interaction (P = 0.523) nor the genotype × inoculation × water interaction (P = 0.284) was significant. Antioxidant capacity was strongly genotype dependent but did not show a genotype × water interaction.

Conclusion: These results identify B73lox3-4 as the strongest biomass-based performer in this seedling assay, while showing that the R. irregularis treatment did not confer a uniform or genotype-specific buffering effect. Overall, differences among maize genotypes were more important than fungal inoculation in determining seedling biomass under water deficit.

High-Purity Microbial DNA Recovery from Chicken Caecal Samples for Metagenomic Analysis

2026-08-31T12:44:05+00:00

Background: The chicken caecum harbours a dense and metabolically active microbial community that shapes host nutrition, immunity, and food-borne pathogen carriage. Reliable metagenomic characterisation of this community depends on recovering microbial DNA that is abundant, pure, and structurally intact, a task complicated by PCR inhibitors and mixed Gram-positive/Gram-negative cell walls in caecal matrices.

Objective: This study evaluated the performance and consistency of a silica membrane-based extraction workflow for recovering metagenomic DNA from chicken caecal samples across a 42-day production cycle and two feeding regimens.

Methods: Caecal contents were collected from 72 broiler chickens on days 7, 21 and 42 of age, representing synbiotic-supplemented (n = 36) and traditionally fed (n = 36) treatment groups. Metagenomic DNA was extracted using the QIAamp Fast DNA Stool Mini Kit with a thermal lysis modification (90 °C, 5 min). Yield and purity were assessed by NanoDrop spectrophotometry (A260/A280), fluorometric quantification (Qubit dsDNA High-Sensitivity assay), and 0.8% agarose gel electrophoresis.

Results: Across all 72 samples, the mean DNA concentration by NanoDrop was 868.9 ± 606.4 ng/µL (range 25.7–2978.8 ng/µL; CV = 69.8%), and the mean A260/A280 ratio was 1.889 ± 0.081 (range 1.56–1.99), with 90.3% of samples (65/72) falling within the target purity window of 1.8–2.0. Qubit fluorometric quantification confirmed high double-stranded DNA content, with 36.1% of samples exceeding the upper limit of the high-sensitivity assay range and requiring dilution. Gel electrophoresis showed intact, high-molecular-weight bands with minimal smearing across sample groups. Yield did not differ consistently between feeding regimens or sampling days, and both concentration and purity ratios were non-normally distributed (Shapiro–Wilk, p < 0.001).

Conclusion: The QIAamp Fast DNA Stool Mini Kit, combined with a thermal lysis step, reliably recovered abundant, high-purity, structurally intact metagenomic DNA from chicken caecal samples across ages and feeding regimens, supporting its suitability for large-scale avian gut microbiome and 16S rRNA sequencing studies.

Assessment of Genetic Variability, Heritability and Genetic Advance for Yield and Yield Related Traits in Blackgram [Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper]

2026-08-31T13:08:49+00:00

Blackgram (Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper) is an important pulse crop, but its productivity is constrained by limited exploitable genetic variability and several biotic and abiotic factors. Assessment of genetic variability, heritability and genetic advance is essential for identifying yield-related traits that can respond effectively to selection and thereby support genetic improvement in blackgram breeding programmes. The present investigation was carried out at the Norman E. Borlaug Crop Research Centre, G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, Uttarakhand, India, during the kharif season of 2023-24, to assess the extent of genetic variability, heritability and expected genetic advance for eleven yield and yield-related traits in blackgram and to identify the traits on which direct selection would be effective. Forty blackgram genotypes comprising released varieties and advanced breeding lines were evaluated in a randomised block design with three replications in single-row plots 3 m in length, with 30 cm between rows and 10 cm between plants. Observations were recorded from five randomly selected competitive plants of each genotype within each replication. However, days to 50% flowering and days to maturity were assessed on a whole-plot basis. The genotypic and phenotypic coefficients of variation, broad-sense heritability, and genetic advance expressed as a percentage of the mean were estimated using standard biometrical procedures. Analysis of variance revealed highly significant differences among the genotypes for all eleven traits evaluated.PCV values were higher than the corresponding GCV values for all the traits, although the differences were narrow throughout, with a maximum of 3.00 per cent. High PCV and GCV were recorded only for seed yield per plant (28.18% and 25.18%), followed by moderate estimates for pods per plant, clusters per plant and primary branches per plant. High heritability was recorded for all eleven traits, ranging from 61.25 per cent for pod length to 90.10 per cent for 100-seed weight. High genetic advance as per cent of mean was observed for seed yield per plant (46.32%), pods per plant (28.69%), clusters per plant (25.59%) and primary branches per plant (24.01%). High heritability coupled with high genetic advance as per cent of mean for seed yield per plant, pods per plant, clusters per plant and primary branches per plant indicates the predominance of additive gene action in the inheritance of these traits, and simple selection based on these characters would be effective for yield improvement in blackgram.

The Effect of Green-synthesized Silver Nanoparticles from Extract of Hyssopus Officinalis on Secondary Metabolites in Callus of Two Plants: Hyoscyamus muticus and Datura innoxia

2026-09-01T08:03:24+00:00

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) synthesised using the valued medicinal plant Hyssopus officinalis were applied as elicitors to callus cultures of two medicinal species, Hyoscyamus muticus and Datura innoxia, to investigate their effects on callus proliferation and secondary metabolite accumulation. AgNPs were biosynthesised using an aqueous extract of hyssop in the laboratories of the Department of Applied Life Sciences-College of Biotechnology. Characterisation of these NPs (UV-Vis spectrometry, Fourier Transform Infrared FTIR, Atomic force microscopy AFM, and Transmission electron microscopy TEM) was conducted in the Chemistry Department of the Science College, while tissue culture studies and evaluation of the effects of AgNPs on callus proliferation and secondary metabolite accumulation in hyssop and datura plants were conducted at the Biotechnology Research Center, Al-Nahrain University. The results showed that callus fresh weights were significantly lower in elicited treatments than in the control group in both species at 5, 10, and 15 mg/L AgNPs. HPLC analysis demonstrated that a high concentration of AgNPs (15 mg/L) caused a significant increase in tropane alkaloid content. In H. muticus, scopolamine showed the largest increase (190%) compared with the control, while the largest increase (141%) in D. innoxia was observed for hyoscyamine. Overall, 15 mg/L AgNPs was considered optimal under the conditions of this study because it produced the greatest response in tropane alkaloid formation. In conclusion, this approach may provide an effective method for enhancing the yield of high-value pharmaceutical compounds in callus culture systems using a low-cost and eco-friendly method for producing metallic NPs.

Seed Quality Analysis and Conservation Strategies of Selected RET Species in Kodagu District, Karnataka, India

2026-09-01T12:04:59+00:00

Seed conservation of Rare, Endangered and Threatened (RET) wild edible fruit species is constrained by rapid loss of viability in desiccation-sensitive seeds. This study evaluated seed quality parameters and storage behaviour for four RET species from Kodagu district: Alangium salvifolium, Garcinia indica, Chrysophyllum roxburghii, and Eugenia uniflora. The experiment was conducted in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with four replications at the College of Forestry, Ponnampet. Freshly collected seeds were extracted manually or by maceration to assess initial germination, 100-seed test weight, moisture content and electrical conductivity. Storage potential was evaluated monthly over six months using combinations of six storage containers (earthen pot, cloth bag, HDPE bag, aluminium foil, vacuum packaging, cold storage) and five chemical treatments (control, cow dung + ash, carbendazim/thiram, abscisic acid and carbendazim + abscisic acid). Initial quality tests showed high moisture contents (34.5% – 41.33%) and 100-seed weights between 47.24 g and 132.33 g. Initial germination required 36 to 51 days across species. However, while fresh seeds germinated successfully, zero germination occurred after one month of storage in any container or chemical treatment condition. Seeds of Alangium salvifolium, Garcinia indica, Chrysophyllum roxburghii, and Eugenia uniflora exhibited extreme desiccation sensitivity and were unsuitable for conventional storage methods, necessitating immediate sowing or alternative preservation strategies. The findings indicate that the seeds of all four species are highly desiccation-sensitive and unsuitable for the conventional storage methods tested.

Evaluation and Management of Alternaria Blight of Onion

2026-09-01T12:35:12+00:00

Onion (Allium cepa L.) is an economically important bulb and seed crop, and Alternaria blight caused by Alternaria porri is one of the major constraints to onion seed production. The present investigation was undertaken to evaluate the efficacy of selected fungicides and bioagents for the management of Alternaria blight under laboratory and field conditions. The associated pathogen was isolated from diseased onion leaves and identified as A. porri based on its cultural and morphological characteristics. Under in vitro conditions, Propiconazole (T₆) exhibited the highest mycelial growth inhibition, followed by Carbendazim + Mancozeb (T₈) and Azoxystrobin + Difenoconazole (T₇). Among the bioagents, Trichoderma harzianum showed the maximum inhibition (74.33%), followed by T. asperellum and Pseudomonas fluorescens. The promising treatments were subsequently evaluated under field conditions through bulb treatment followed by foliar application of fungicides and bioagents. Propiconazole (T₆) was the most effective treatment in suppressing Alternaria blight, recording the highest per cent disease control, followed by Azoxystrobin + Difenoconazole (T₇) and Carbendazim + Mancozeb (T₈). In contrast, the untreated control (T₁₂) recorded the highest disease intensity at harvest. Disease suppression was associated with a marked improvement in onion seed production. Propiconazole (T₆) recorded the highest seed yield (1045 kg ha^-1), followed by Azoxystrobin + Difenoconazole (T₇) (970 kg ha^-1) and Carbendazim + Mancozeb (T₈) (945 kg ha^-1), compared with 605 kg ha^-1 in the untreated control. The findings demonstrated that integrated use of bulb treatment and subsequent application of fungicides and bioagents, particularly Propiconazole, can effectively reduce Alternaria blight and enhance onion seed yield under field conditions.

Triggering and Enhancing Seedling Growth in Mangosteen using Microbial Consortium in Combination with Foliar Nutrition

2026-09-01T12:46:08+00:00

Slow juvenile growth limits nursery establishment of mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana L.). This study evaluated microbial consortia and foliar NPK nutrition, individually and in combination, for improving seedling growth under rain-shelter pot culture. Three-month-old seedlings were arranged in a completely randomised design with seven treatments and three replications, using 210 seedlings. Treatments included PGPR Mix-1, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus Glomus fasciculatum, foliar NPK (3:1:1) at 0.5%, their combinations, Arka Microbial Consortia (AMC), and an untreated control. Growth was recorded at two-month intervals for eight months, while photosynthetic pigments, biomass, root traits, microbial root infection, mortality, and survival were assessed at the end of the study. The combined treatment T5 [PGPR Mix-1 + G. fasciculatum + foliar NPK] consistently produced the highest values for major growth, leaf, pigment, biomass, and root parameters. At eight months, T5 recorded a plant height of 11.38 cm, stem diameter of 3.60 mm, total leaf area of 289.31 cm², total chlorophyll of 1.330 mg/g, carotenoids of 0.301 mg/g, and root length of 20.70 cm. T5 also recorded 40% microbial root infection, 3.33% mortality, and 96.67% survival. AMC (T6) was generally the next-best treatment. These findings indicate that combined microbial inoculation and foliar NPK nutrition can enhance early mangosteen seedling performance under the tested nursery conditions.