Horizon e-Publishing Group (HePG): E-Journals
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Review on poisonous pesticides dissipation pattern and their residual effects in cardamom
Get PDFCardamom (Elettaria cardamomum), a high-value spice crop, is often subjected to intensive pesticide applications to combat pests and diseases. However, the use of toxic pesticides raises significant concerns regarding their dissipation patterns and residual effects on the ecosystem, harvested produce and human health. This review examines the fate and behavior of toxic pesticides in cardamom cultivation, focusing on their application methods, degradation kinetics and persistence in soil, water and plant tissues. Factors influencing pesticide dissipation such as environmental conditions, soil properties and microbial activity are critically analyzed. The long-term residual impacts on cardamom quality, non-target organisms and consumer safety are also discussed. Furthermore, the review highlights existing regulatory limits, analytical detection methods and potential mitigation strategies to minimize pesticide residues in cardamom. By utilizing existing research, this paper aims to provide insights into sustainable pest management practices that reduce reliance on hazardous chemicals while maintaining ensuring crop productivity and ensuring food safety
Functional proteomics in groundnut: Unveiling resistance mechanisms against stem rot using seaweed and bioinoculant
Get PDFSclerotium rolfsii, a soil-borne fungal pathogen with a broad host range, poses a major threat to groundnut cultivation by causing stem rot disease, leading to significant yield losses. In this study, S. rolfsii and five Trichoderma spp. isolates were isolated. PCR amplification using universal fungal primers viz., ITS-1 and ITS-4 confirmed the identity of S. rolfsii via BLAST analysis, which was further validated using species-specific primers SR1-F and SR1-R. The sequence was submitted to GenBank under the accession number MZ920141. Antagonistic potential of five Trichoderma isolates was assessed, among which Trichoderma asperellum (Tr1) exhibited the highest mycelial inhibition (73.81 %) in dual culture and up to 89.11 % inhibition in poisoned food assays. Volatile metabolites from Tr1 significantly suppressed mycelial growth (67.56 %) and sclerotial production (91.22 %). Molecular identification of Tr1 via ITS and TEF1 gene sequencing confirmed it as T. asperellum, with GenBank accession number OL872253. Additionally, solvent extracts of marine macroalgae, particularly Sargassum wightii (10 %), showed potent antifungal activity (87.56 % inhibition). A pot culture study combining Tr1 and S. wightii extract significantly reduced stem rot incidence (84.93 %) and improved plant growth as well as yield parameters. Protein profiling using 2D-PAGE and MALDI-TOF analysis revealed unique expression of defense-related proteins such as Peptidyl-prolyl cis-trans isomerase, bHLH145 and 1, 8-cineole synthase in treated plants. Functional analysis indicated their involvement in auxin transport, transcriptional regulation and secondary metabolite biosynthesis, contributing to plant immune responses. These findings highlight the synergistic potential of Tr1 and marine macroalgal extracts in sustainable management of S. rolfsii, while proteomic insights provide a molecular basis for induced resistance in groundnut
Sustainable agriculture incentive policies: bridging socio-economic disparities among marginal farmers
Get PDFTo lessen socioeconomic gaps, incentives for sustainable agriculture are crucial, especially for underprivileged farmers in regions with high rates of poverty and poor production. These incentives seek to guarantee long-term sustainability, through the adoption of climate resilient farming practices. Due to their restricted access to resources, technology and funding, smallholder farmers frequently confront difficulties. Therefore, a policy framework with incentives for enhancing productivity, income, food security and environmental sustainability is urgently needed for marginal farming communities. Enhancing resilience in such vulnerable agricultural communities requires incentives that support Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) practices, such as capacity-building, rural financing and subsidies. Such programs foster sustainable agriculture by enhancing biodiversity, improving soil health and lowering emissions. Long-term agricultural success also depends on social sustainability, with policies emphasizing rural development, equitable income distribution and improved working conditions. The incentives should pave way for sustainable food systems by tackling problems of poverty, food insecurity, environmental degradation and social injustice. This study critical evaluates the existing policy frameworks and suggests, location-specific approaches to promote sustainability and lessen inequality among underserved farming communities
Effect of chia (Salvia hispanica L.) seed mucilage as novel edible coating for enhancing shelf-life of fresh tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) fruits
Get PDFThe present investigation was carried out at Indira College of Pharmacy, Pune, Maharashtra, India, during 2024-25. Tomato fruits are widely used in preparing various food items of Indian cuisine for taste, flavor and colour. However, fresh tomato fruits typically exhibit a short shelf life at room temperature. In this study, coating the tomato fruits with 1 % chia seed mucilage significantly prolonged their shelf life up to 21 days compared to untreated controls. This enhanced preservation is primarily attributed to the hydrophilic nature and effective barrier properties of the chia seed mucilage (CSM). These properties effectively reduced moisture loss and limit oxygen permeability, which are key factors in delaying spoilage. The coating was effective in maintaining critical quality parameters such as titratable acidity, total soluble solids and antioxidant activity, thereby preserving both nutritional and sensory attributes. The findings highlight the potential of chia seed mucilage as a natural and biodegradable alternative to synthetic coatings for the preservation of fresh tomato fruits. CSM coatings not only address consumer demand for sustainable and eco-friendly postharvest solutions but also offer an innovative approach to reduce postharvest losses. Overall, this research underscores the promising role of CSM coatings in enhancing shelf life and maintaining the quality of fresh tomato fruits
The effect of abiotic factors on incidence of major insect pests in cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.]
Get PDFUnderstanding the impact of abiotic factors on pest incidence in cowpea is crucial for developing effective pest management strategies. By identifying how environmental conditions influence pest populations, farmers can better anticipate outbreaks and implement timely interventions. To analyze the seasonal incidence of major insect pests on cowpea, a simple correlation analysis was conducted between pest populations and abiotic factors, including minimum and maximum temperatures, morning and evening relative humidity, rainfall and wind speed. Field experiments were conducted at the Rajasthan Agricultural Research Institute (RARI), Durgapura, Jaipur (Rajasthan),during two consecutive seasons i.e., Kharif 2022 and 2023. During Kharif 2022, jassids and whiteflies exhibit a positive correlation with maximum temperature (r = 0.668 and 0.670, respectively) and negative correlations with relative humidity, while Maruca vitrata was also positively correlated with temperature (r = 0.673). In 2023, similar trends were observed, with significant negative correlations between jassids, whiteflies and M. vitrata populations and relative humidity, while M. vitrata again showed a positive correlation with temperature (r = 0.669). The study concludes that temperature positively influences the population buildup of jassids, whiteflies and M. vitrata, whilerelative humidity has a suppressive effect. These findings highlight the importance of incorporating weather-based forecasting in pest management strategies for cowpea
Study on micropropagation and acclimatization of hippeastrum \u27Double king\u27 flowers in An Giang province of Vietnam
No full textHippeastrum \u27Double King\u27 is a beautiful flower with high economic value and has recently been introduced to Vietnam; therefore, the process of producing this flower has not been systematically established. The study was conducted to find out the suitable media for the micropropagation process of the hippeastrum \u27Double King\u27 flowers and the multiplication of tissue-cultured plants in greenhouse conditions. In this study, four experiments were carried out, including shoot regeneration from bulb scales, in-vitro shoot multiplication, complete plantlet generation and evaluation of the adaptability and development of tissue-cultured seedlings in greenhouses. The result showed that MS medium supplemented with 2 mg/L BAP was the best medium for shoot regeneration and the two-scale explants produced the most shoots in this medium. For the shoot multiplication experiment, the quarter-bulb explants cultured in the MS medium supplemented with 0.5 mg/L NAA and 2 mg/L BAP produced the greatest number of shoots, the best plant height and the highest number of leaves per bulb explant. The in-vitro complete plantlet generation experiment showed that MS medium supplemented with 2 mg/L NAA, 0.5 g/L activated carbon and 40 g/L sucrose was the most suitable for rooting seedlings. The substrate of 75 % sand + 25 % rice huskash was suitable for the growth and development of seedlings in the nursery. The results of this study initially help to optimize the culture and production of \u27Double King\u27 hippeastrum flowers in An Giang province, Vietnam
Effect of exogenous proline on drought stress tolerance in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars
Get PDFDue to the scarcity of irrigation water and to achieve maximum benefit from the available irrigation water, this study investigated the impact of exogenous proline application on drought tolerance in three wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars and evaluated their water use under stress conditions. A factorial field experiment was conducted using a split-split plot design with three factors at three levels each. The main plot factor was drought stress, with three levels: S1 (control) involved irrigation with 50 % of the available water between field capacity (FC) and wilting point(WP); S2 represented mild drought with 30 % available water (70 % reduction); S3 represented severe drought with 10 % available water (90 % reduction). The second factor (subplot) was proline concentration: P1 (0 mg L-1), P2 (25 mg L-1) and P3 (50 mg L-1). The third factor (sub-subplot) was wheat cultivar: Ibaa 99, Adnaniyah and Sham 6. A 90 % reduction in available water significantly decreased vegetative and yield parameters, including plant height (58.53 cm), spikes per plant (3.98), seeds per spike (37.86), total yield (3.47 tons·ha-1), flag leaf area (25.75 cm²), chlorophyllcontent and water use efficiency (1.6 kg grains m-3 water). The highest water use efficiency was recorded under 30 % available water, while the maximum grain yield (6.07 tons ha-1) was achieved under 50 % available water. Foliar application of 50 mg L-1 proline (P3) increased grain yield and improved water use efficiency to 1.61 kg grains m-3 water. Although interactions between drought stress and proline concentration were not statistically significant, Sham 6 consistently outperformed Ibaa 99 and Adnaniyah across most growth and yield parameters
Effect of sulphur fertilization on soil adsorption-desorption dynamics, nutrient uptake and yield of sesame in Typic Chromustert
Get PDFSesame (Sesamum indicum L.), a nutrient-rich oilseed crop, held significant value in Asian diets due to its health benefits and potential to prevent various ailments. However, sesame cultivation was often hindered by poor crop establishment and imbalanced nutrient management - particularly sulphur (S). Sulphur was essential to improve both crop productivity and oilseed quality. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of sulphur fertilization on nutrient uptake and yield of sesame grown in sulphur-deficient soils (7.7 mg kg-1). A laboratory experiment was conducted to understand the adsorption-desorption dynamics of sulphur, which showed that both processes peaked at an added sulphur concertation of 1000 µg mL-1 after which a declining trend was observed. Field experiments involved the application of sulphur in the form of FeSO4 and gypsum at rates of 20, 40 and 60 kg ha-1 through soil, along with foliar spray K2SO4 (0.5 %) at 20 and 40 Days After Sowing (DAS). The treatment that combined N, P2O5 and K2O based on Soil Test Crop Response (STCR) recommendations along with 40 kg S ha-1 as FeSO4 and foliar spray application of K2SO4 (0.5 %) recorded the highest nutrient uptake (N: 63.89 kg ha-1, P: 7.27 kg ha-1, K: 44.75 kg ha-1, S: 13.44 kg ha-1) and the maximum grain and stalk yields (835 and 2550 kg ha-1 respectively). In contrast, the control treatment recorded the lowest yields. In conclusion, the combined application of sulphur through soil and foliar methods, along with balanced NPK fertilization based on STCR significantly improved sesame yield and nutrient uptake. This integrated approach offered a practical and effective solution to manage sulphur-deficient soils in sesame cultivation
Emerging trends in soil and crop sensing for enhanced data-driven decision making in precision agriculture
Get PDFThe integration of advanced soil and crop sensing technologies with data-driven strategies is revolutionising precision agriculture, addressing urgent global challenges such as increasing food demand and sustainability. Recent advancements in both proximal and remote sensing methods, including electromagnetic, optical, thermal and LiDAR systems, are enhancing the ability to assess soil status, moisture levels, nutrient availability and crop development. Moreover, the innovative application of artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML) and the Internet of Things (IoT) is transforming raw sensor data into actionable insights, enabling more efficient irrigation, optimised nutrient management and improved yield prediction. These technologies are improving operational efficiency considerably by limiting the wastage of resources, lowering labour needs and allowing for timely interventions. Notably, multispectral and hyperspectral imaging are being applied for crop health monitoring, AI-driven pest detection and biomass estimation using 3D modelling advancing sustainable, data-driven precision agriculture. However, despite these promising developments, challenges remain, including difficulties in calibration, system interoperability and the high costs associated with implementation. Therefore, this review addresses the need for standardized methodologies, user-friendly tools for farmers and scalable AI solutions to enhance adoption. Ultimately, by aligning cutting-edge technology with practical agricultural needs, these innovations pave the way for more climate-resilient, productive and sustainable smart farming practices
Effect of organic manures and silicon nutrition on the productivity and profitability of rice
Get PDFField experiments were conducted in 2022 and 2023 during the Kharif season at experimental farm, Department of Agronomy, Annamalai University, Tamil Nadu, India to study the effect of organic manures and silicon nutrition on the productivity and profitability of rice. The treatments included both organic manures (farmyard manure (FYM), green manure (GM), poultry manure (PM)) and recommended doses of fertilizers (RDF)). Silicon through Diatomaceous earth (DE) was tested in combination with the above nutrient sources. The treatments were arranged in randomized block design with three replications. The highest growth parameters (plant height, number of tillers hill-1, leaf area index and dry matter production), yield parameters (number of panicles m-2, number of filled grains panicles-1 and Test weight) and rice yields (grain and straw yields) were found in both seasons with RDF + GM @ 6.25 t ha-1 + PM @ 2 t ha-1 + Si @ 200 kg ha-1. However, applying RDF + PM @ 2 t ha-1 + Si @ 200 kg ha-1 through DE increased net income and benefit cost ratio in 2022 and 2023. Based on the results of two-year field experiment, it can be concluded that rice productivity and profitability can be improved through the application of RDF + PM @ 2 t ha-1 + Si @ 200 kg ha-1 through DE