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Factors influencing the burrowing behaviour of adult Leucopholis lepidophora Blanchard (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) under laboratory conditions
No full textThe present study investigates the burrowing behaviour of the arecanut white grub, Leucopholis lepidophora was conducted in the laboratory. Mated adult female beetles were observed to burrow deeper than male and virgin female beetles. Male, virgin female, and mated female burrows were significantly deeper in wet soil compared to dry soil. Sandy loam soil recorded a lower percentage of beetles on the soil surface at 210 minutes when compared to 2 minutes. But in case of gravel soil, a higher percentage of beetles remained on the surface at 210 minutes compared to at 2 minutes, where no beetle was burrowed into to soil. The various soil characteristics, including soil texture and moisture, play a major role in the burrowing behaviour of adult beetles
Buzzing wonders: a comprehensive review of stingless bee biology and behaviour
No full textStingless bees, despite lacking a venom mechanism, play a vital role in ecosystems and economies due to their intricate colonies and diverse hive products, including honey, pollen, propolis, and beeswax, which possess significant medicinal and economic value across various industries. Beyond pollination, stingless bees produce a distinctive variety of honey that has been highly valued for centuries by indigenous communities in their respective habitats. This honey boasts a unique flavor profile and is esteemed for its medicinal properties, garnering increasing popularity among consumers seeking alternative honey varieties. Despite their significance, these bees confront threats such as habitat loss, pesticide exposure, and competition from other bee species. Hence, conservation endeavors aimed at preserving their habitats and fostering awareness regarding their ecological importance are imperative for their sustained existence. Stingless bees emerge as remarkable creatures pivotal for ecosystem balance and agricultural productivity. Their intriguing biology, intricate social dynamics, and pivotal contributions to pollination and honey production underscore the critical need for their conservation. By comprehending and safeguarding stingless bees, we uphold the health and resilience of our natural world
Unlocking the Apiaceae: comprehensive advances in agronomy, biotechnology, phytochemistry, and health applications of major seed spices
No full textSeed spices from the Apiaceae family, including cumin, coriander, fennel, dill, ajwain, and others, hold immense significance in global agriculture, cuisine, and health. India leads the world in their production, with Rajasthan and Gujarat as key cultivating states. These spices are not only culinary staples but also rich in essential oils and bioactive compounds with antioxidant, antimicrobial, antidiabetic, and anti-inflammatory properties, contributing to their rising demand in the pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, and cosmetic sectors. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of Apiaceae seed spices, covering their botanical classification, morphology, reproductive biology, and agronomic practices. It also delves into stress physiology, genetic diversity, and modern breeding strategies, including the use of molecular markers. Furthermore, the review highlights their phytochemical profiles and documented health benefits. Despite significant progress, challenges remain, such as the need for improved genomic tools, better stress resilience, and efficient post-harvest handling. Future research must integrate traditional knowledge with biotechnology to unlock the full agricultural and therapeutic potential of these underutilized but economically valuable crops
Impact of biofertilizer combinations on yield and economics of sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) under organic rainy-season management
No full textThe present study was conducted to evaluate the impact of various organic nutrient combinations on crop yield and the economics of sesame cultivation. The experiment was conducted during the 2023-24 kharif season at the Organic Research Farm, Karguanji, Department of Agronomy, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Bundelkhand University, Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized block design with 8 treatments and 3 replications. A total of eight treatments were formulated viz., T0 (RDF-Control); T1 (FYM + PSB); T2 (FYM + Mycorrhiza); T3 (FYM + SSB); T4 (FYM + PSB + Mycorrhiza); T5 (FYM + PSB + SSB); T6 (FYM + Mycorrhiza + SSB); T7 (FYM + PSB + Mycorrhiza + SSB). From the above experimental findings, it may be concluded that the treatment T7 (FYM + PSB + Mycorrhiza + SSB) was found to be best in terms of yield of sesame, having the highest number of capsules per plant and grains per capsule (53.90 capsules and 66.70 grains); seed yield(15.63 q/ha), even better than T1 (RDF-Control). The highest benefit-cost ratio was found in T7 (FYM + PSB + Mycorrhiza + SSB) and T5 (FYM + PSB + SSB) with (2.00:1). Therefore, for sesame cultivation using farmyard manure as an organic source and PSB, SSB and Mycorrhiza as biofertilizers can be beneficial to get better yield and return
Building soil resilience: pathways to sustainable agriculture in India
No full textSoil health forms the foundation of India’s agricultural sustainability, food security, and ecological balance. However, decades of intensive, input-intensive farming have led to serious degradation, manifested in nutrient depletion, loss of organic matter, erosion, salinization, and contamination from excessive agrochemical use. As a result, widespread multi-nutrient deficiencies are now prevalent across diverse agro-ecological regions, undermining both productivity and resilience. This review examines the current status of soil health in India’s varied climatic zones, with particular focus on physical, chemical, and biological indicators and their spatial variability. It further explores the major drivers of degradation, including monocropping, excessive dependence on synthetic fertilizers, inadequate recycling of organic residues, declining soil biodiversity, and the added pressures of climate change. The paper also synthesizes recent progress in sustainable management practices such as conservation agriculture, integrated nutrient management, and biofertilizer application, while highlighting emerging technological innovations like digital soil mapping, remote sensing, drone-assisted nutrient application, and AI-based decision-support systems. Finally, it identifies key research gaps and policy priorities, stressing the importance of farmer-oriented extension models and climate-smart soil management as essential pathways for restoration. A holistic, soil-centered strategy is therefore critical to ensuring India’s long-term agricultural prosperity and environmental sustainability
Towards climate-resilient phalsa (Grewia subinaequalis DC.): advances in genetics and breeding
No full textGrewia subinaequalis DC. (Phalsa) is a hardy, nutrient-dense, and economically valuable fruit crop native to Southeast Asia, yet it remains underexploited due to persistent agronomic and post-harvest constraints. This paper presents a comprehensive, evidence-based assessment of the current status and future directions in Phalsa breeding and genetics, designed for an academic readership. It critically evaluates the available genetic resources, underscoring the considerable but underutilized diversity within Indian germplasm, which has been characterized through both morpho-agronomic descriptors and molecular markers such as SSRs. An analysis of breeding approaches indicates that progress has historically relied on conventional selection, yielding only incremental improvements, while advanced methods like hybridization face limitations arising from the species’ floral biology. The discussion extends to the emerging field of Phalsa biotechnology, highlighting developments in micropropagation, the potential of marker-assisted selection, and the urgent need to establish genetic transformation and genome-editing platforms (e.g., CRISPR-Cas9) to overcome critical challenges such as rapid fruit perishability. Key bottlenecks include the absence of a high-quality reference genome, which restricts the application of genomic-assisted breeding, and substantial post-harvest losses that reduce market potential. The paper concludes by proposing a strategic roadmap for future research, advocating an integrated framework that combines genomics, modern breeding tools, and improved agronomic practices. Such an approach is essential to fully harness the potential of Phalsa, thereby strengthening its role in nutritional security, livelihood enhancement, and sustainable agricultural development
Evaluation of mungbean genotypes for yellow mosaic disease resistance using principal component analysis
No full textThe study was conducted to evaluate the response of various mungbean genotypes against yellow mosaic disease (YMD) in different locations of India. Key findings indicate that some genotypes, such as MH 1142, MH 1908, MI 2023-01, ML 2748 and OBGG 107, consistently exhibited resistance across multiple locations, making them potential candidates for breeding YMD-resistant genotypes. However, genotypes like Kopargaon, BM 2021-4, JLPM 818-8 and RVSM 2213 displayed high susceptibility, highlighting the need for effective disease management strategies. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was performed to analyse variations in disease response among genotypes based on location. PC1 explained the highest variance (43.61%), primarily influenced by locations like Hisar, Ludhiana, Shilongani, Dholi and Jhansi, which contributed significantly to overall disease susceptibility and resistance patterns. PC2 (13.92%) captured additional variability, mainly driven by Ayodhya and Raipur, while PC3 (11.43%) and PC4 (9.21%) were influenced by Sagar and Vamban, respectively, indicating regional disease response variations. Correlation analysis between locations and principal components revealed strong associations of PC1 with disease responses in Hisar, Ludhiana, Shilongani, Dholi and Jhansi. PC2 was strongly linked to Ayodhya and Raipur, suggesting location-specific differences in disease susceptibility. The study underscores the importance of selecting resistant genotypes for breeding programs and tailoring disease management strategies based on regional variations in YMD incidence