Journal of Scientific Research and Reports

Adaptive and Intelligent Security for Healthcare Databases in the United States: A Critical Narrative Review of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Innovations, Threats and Policy Gaps

2026-09-19T11:19:16+00:00

Background: Healthcare databases in the United States, including electronic health record systems, claims repositories, imaging archives and research data warehouses, have become high-value targets for ransomware, credential theft, insider misuse and privacy attacks. Artificial intelligence and machine learning are widely promoted as the basis for adaptive security that learns from system behaviour, yet the supporting evidence and the fitness of the governing regulatory environment remain uncertain.

Objectives: This review critically appraises evidence on security approaches for healthcare data that are enabled by artificial intelligence and machine learning, examines how the contemporary threat landscape shapes design requirements, and identifies policy gaps specific to the United States healthcare system.

Methods: A critical narrative review was conducted using structured searches of biomedical, multidisciplinary and open scholarly indexes, supplemented by federal regulatory, standards and oversight sources and by citation searching. Evidence was appraised for study design, realism of evaluation data, external validity and relevance to United States healthcare settings, and was synthesised thematically.

Principal Findings: Empirical evidence is strongest for the scale and operational consequences of ransomware and for the inadequacy of de-identification as a stand-alone safeguard. Machine learning methods for detecting inappropriate record access and network intrusions show promising discrimination in retrospective and testbed evaluations, but prospective, multi-site and adversarially tested deployments are rare, and benchmark data often represent clinical environments poorly. Federated learning, differential privacy and cryptographic computation reduce specific exposures without eliminating leakage, and recent work indicates that privacy risk is distributed unevenly across patient groups. Artificial intelligence systems themselves introduce poisoning, prompt injection and membership inference risks. Federal governance remains fragmented: the Security Rule issued under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act is technology-neutral, its proposed modernisation had not been finalised by the end of the review period, and guidance on artificial intelligence is largely voluntary and subject to rapid policy change.

Conclusions: Adaptive security for healthcare databases is technically plausible but empirically immature. Progress will depend on realistic evaluation standards, security assurance for the defensive models themselves, sustained support for under-resourced organisations and clearer regulatory expectations for artificial intelligence that processes or protects health data.

Universities as Partners for Sustainable Development in Africa: A Critical Narrative Review of Microbiology Research and Innovation Pathways to Sustainable Development Goal Impact

2026-09-21T13:23:23+00:00

Universities in Africa are increasingly expected to demonstrate contributions to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and microbiology occupies a distinctive position within this expectation because microbial processes underpin infectious disease control, food safety, soil fertility, water quality, waste treatment and bio-based production. Claims that higher education institutions can convert microbiological research into development impact are frequent, yet the evidence linking institutional activity to measurable outcomes has not been critically synthesised for the African context. This critical narrative review examines how African universities generate, mediate and constrain SDG-relevant impact through microbiology research, training and innovation, and evaluates the strength of the evidence behind prevailing claims. Peer-reviewed and authoritative institutional literature published between January 2015 and July 2026 was identified through international multidisciplinary, biomedical and education indexes, regional African sources and citation tracking, and was appraised thematically. The synthesis indicates that the most robust evidence of impact concerns public-health microbiology, where university-anchored genomic surveillance, laboratory quality improvement and antimicrobial resistance data generation have informed outbreak response. Evidence for agricultural and environmental applications is more heterogeneous. Biological control of aflatoxin shows large and replicated reductions in contamination, whereas rhizobial and other microbial inoculants show variable field responses alongside weak regulatory and quality-assurance systems. Across domains, impact depends less on scientific capability alone than on sustained funding, equitable partnership governance, laboratory infrastructure, regulatory pathways and the absorptive capacity of health systems, firms and communities. Persistent authorship asymmetries, short grant cycles, procurement delays, workforce attrition and incomplete integration of data into policy limit the durability of gains. Measurement is a further weakness, because ranking systems and bibliometric mapping of SDG relevance produce inconsistent results and rarely capture outcomes. The review proposes a conditional framework that separates established from hypothesised pathways and identifies priorities for longitudinal, comparative and outcome-oriented evaluation. The available evidence supports a qualified conclusion: African universities can act as effective SDG partners through microbiology, but mainly where institutional, financial and governance conditions allow research capacity to be retained, trusted and translated.

Inflation and Agricultural Commodity Price Volatility in India: An Empirical Analysis

2026-09-26T12:31:20+00:00

Agricultural commodity prices occupy an unusually important position in India’s inflation process because food has a large household-budget share, production is exposed to weather and biological lags, and farm-to-retail supply chains remain heterogeneous in storage, transport, market integration and competitive structure. This critical narrative review synthesises empirical evidence on the relationship between agricultural commodity price volatility and inflation in India, with emphasis on the modern commodity-market era from 2003 to 10 July 2026 while retaining earlier evidence where conceptually necessary. The literature indicates that neither “food inflation” nor “commodity volatility” is a single process. Cereals have generally displayed stronger insulation from world-price volatility because procurement, public stocks and trade policy buffer domestic markets, whereas vegetables, pulses and oilseeds exhibit larger short-run variability linked to production shocks, seasonality, market arrivals, storage constraints and import dependence. Evidence on market power and vertical price transmission shows that retail and wholesale mark-ups can amplify shocks, especially in perishables, although the magnitude is commodity- and market-specific. Global food and oil prices matter, but pass-through is episodic and conditioned by domestic policy. Commodity futures often contribute to price discovery, yet studies disagree on whether spot or futures markets lead and on hedging effectiveness, cautioning against general claims that futures trading either causes or cures volatility. Monetary tightening can limit persistence and second-round effects, but recent quantile evidence suggests that direct control of urban food inflation through monetary policy is weak when shocks are supply-driven. The strongest policy implication is therefore a layered response: commodity-specific supply and logistics measures for first-round shocks, predictable trade and stock policies, better market integration and competition, and monetary policy focused on preventing propagation rather than suppressing relative-price adjustment. Major research gaps concern causal identification, spatially granular consumer prices, climate extremes, market concentration, policy endogeneity and real-time integration of wholesale, retail and futures data.

Exploitation of Genetic Diversity and Combining Ability for the Development of High-yielding and Climate-resilient Crop Varieties: A Critical Narrative Review

2026-09-29T12:43:56+00:00

Breeding programmes are expected to deliver cultivars that combine high yield potential with reliable performance under warmer, drier and more variable growing conditions. Two classical instruments underpin that expectation: the genetic diversity assembled in breeding populations, and the combining ability of candidate parents estimated through structured mating designs. This review examines how far those instruments, as currently applied, support the development of high-yielding and climate-resilient varieties, and where the supporting evidence is weaker than the surrounding literature implies. Evidence was drawn from peer-reviewed quantitative genetics, genomics, agronomy and breeding-systems literature identified through scholarly databases and citation searching, with emphasis on cereals and other field crops for which multi-environment data are available. Four unresolved problems emerge. First, the widely repeated claim that modern breeding has progressively eroded diversity is only partly supported; measured trends depend strongly on the germplasm sampled and the marker system used, and diversity within elite pools behaves differently from diversity across genebank collections. Second, the mating-design literature reports a broadly consistent predominance of general over specific combining ability for yield under abiotic stress, yet many individual studies are too small, too tester-dependent and too sparsely replicated across environments to sustain the inferences drawn from them. Third, general combining ability interacts with environment often enough that parental rankings obtained under one managed stress regime transfer imperfectly to others, which weakens the practice of selecting parents from a single stress trial. Fourth, genomic and enviromic prediction now estimate combining ability more cheaply than exhaustive crossing, but gains in predictive accuracy have not been matched by comparable evidence of gains in realised, on-farm genetic progress. The available evidence supports a reorientation from estimating combining ability in isolation towards evaluating parental value jointly with environmental characterisation, cross-variance prediction and deployment speed. Confidence in this reorientation is limited by uneven crop and geographical coverage.

Farmer Producer Organisations as Extension and Innovation Platforms: Beyond Collective Marketing towards Integrated Farmer Services

2026-09-29T13:37:59+00:00

Farmer producer organisations were promoted chiefly as instruments of collective marketing that would allow smallholders to capture economies of scale, reduce transaction costs and bargain more effectively with buyers. Policy expectations have since widened. In India, where the producer company form was created as a hybrid of the cooperative and the private company and where state promotion has expanded rapidly, these organisations are now expected to supply inputs, credit linkages, advisory services, digital information and support for sustainable intensification and climate adaptation. This critical narrative review examines whether the empirical and conceptual literature justifies treating farmer producer organisations as extension and innovation platforms rather than as marketing vehicles alone. Peer-reviewed literature and authoritative institutional sources were identified through structured searches of multidisciplinary scholarly indexes, supplemented by backward and forward citation tracking, and were appraised for design, identification strategy, context and relevance. The synthesis draws together three bodies of work that have rarely been read together: the economics of agricultural cooperatives and collective action, the literature on pluralistic extension and advisory services, and agricultural innovation systems research on intermediaries and platforms. The evidence indicates that membership is frequently associated with higher technology adoption, better access to inputs and credit and, in some settings, higher incomes, yet price gains from collective marketing are often modest and benefits are unevenly distributed. Advisory functions are typically embedded in input and output transactions rather than organised as independent, demand-led services, and knowledge effects appear strongest where organisations are linked to research, finance and market actors. Confidence is limited by the predominance of cross-sectional matching designs, small single-district samples, weak measurement of service quality and scarce evidence on cost, sustainability and spillovers. Exclusion of marginal, tenant and women farmers, thin capitalisation and dependence on promoting agencies remain unresolved constraints. The review proposes an evidence-derived framework that separates established from hypothesised pathways and identifies priorities for longitudinal, mixed-method and service-disaggregated research. Farmer producer organisations can complement, but are unlikely to substitute for, public extension unless their advisory role is deliberately financed, governed and evaluated.

Women-Led Farmer Producer Organisations: Economic Empowerment, Collective Agency and Extension Support

2026-10-01T07:48:24+00:00

Farmer producer organisations have become a central instrument of agricultural policy for smallholders in low- and middle-income countries, and women-led or women-only variants are increasingly promoted as a route to rural women’s economic empowerment. The assumption that collective organisation automatically converts women’s agricultural labour into income, voice and control remains weakly tested. This critical narrative review examines what the evidence shows about the economic effects of women-led producer organisations, the conditions under which membership produces collective agency, and the role of agricultural extension and promoting institutions in shaping these outcomes. Peer-reviewed studies, systematic reviews and institutional reports published from 2000 onwards were identified through multidisciplinary and economics databases, citation tracking and targeted searches of intergovernmental and governmental sources, with foundational earlier works retained where conceptually necessary. Evidence was appraised for design, measurement validity, treatment of self-selection and external validity, and synthesised thematically. The strongest evidence indicates that collective organisation improves women’s access to information, credit, group networks and some forms of household decision-making, whereas effects on income, productivity and market prices are smaller, less consistent and highly dependent on commodity, organisational maturity and access to working capital. Women-only structures widen access but do not by themselves secure active participation, and mixed organisations can deliver comparable decision-making gains where women are present in sufficient numbers. Recurrent risks include increased workloads, reproduction of class and caste hierarchies, male capture of commercialised commodities and dependence on external promoters. Extension that targets women directly, uses female facilitators and engages household relations shows promise, but rigorous evidence linking such support to the sustained performance of women-led enterprises is scarce. The literature is dominated by cross-sectional matching studies, short evaluation horizons and a concentration in India and East Africa. The review concludes that women-led producer organisations are best understood as conditional platforms rather than self-sufficient empowerment interventions, and that policy targets based on membership counts risk overstating achievements. Longitudinal, mixed-methods evaluations that measure enterprise viability alongside intrahousehold and collective agency outcomes are the most pressing research need.

The Future of Agricultural Extension and Economics: Integrating Artificial Intelligence, Behavioural Science, Climate Resilience and Inclusive Markets

2026-10-03T06:47:35+00:00

Agricultural extension is being reshaped by four simultaneous pressures: the arrival of low-cost digital and artificial-intelligence-based advisory tools, the reframing of farmer decision-making by behavioural economics, the intensification of climate risk and the restructuring of agri-food markets. These developments are usually reviewed in separate literatures, which obscures how they interact in determining whether advice changes practice and whether practice change raises and protects smallholder incomes. This critical narrative review examines that interaction. Peer-reviewed economics, agricultural, computer-science and climate-services literature published from 2004 to July 2026 was identified through multidisciplinary scholarly indexes, economics repositories, institutional sources and citation tracking, and was appraised with particular attention to identification strategy, external validity, field validation and distributional analysis. The evidence indicates that digitally delivered advice produces modest but cost-effective improvements in adoption, whereas effects on yields, prices and incomes are inconsistent. Image-based diagnostic models achieve high accuracy on curated datasets but lose performance under field conditions, and large language models remain supported mainly by design studies, benchmark tests and surveys of extension staff rather than by evaluations of farm outcomes. Behavioural mechanisms, particularly limited attention, present bias and social learning through well-chosen messengers, are well documented, yet generic nudges and behavioural framings frequently show small or null effects. Climate information services and risk-reducing technologies can crowd in investment, but uptake is strongly conditioned by farmers' resources, gender and trust. Market information alone rarely improves farm-gate prices where intermediaries hold bargaining power, and gains appear larger when market access rewards quality or relaxes liquidity constraints. The review proposes an integrated framework in which advisory technology is necessary but insufficient, and in which risk, liquidity, market structure and social position determine the returns to information. Priorities include field trials of generative advisory systems with safety outcomes, bundled designs that address several binding constraints, evaluation at scale and governance arrangements for agricultural data. The central conclusion is that the future of extension depends less on the sophistication of advisory algorithms than on their integration with institutions that manage risk and distribute market gains.

Biomass Engineering in Field Crops Using Genetic Tools: A Critical Appraisal of Targets, Trade-offs and Translational Evidence

2026-10-03T07:36:20+00:00

Biomass is simultaneously the substrate of grain yield, the raw material of forage and bioenergy systems, and the largest reservoir of harvestable carbon in arable landscapes. Genetic tools now permit unprecedented precision in altering how much biomass a crop accumulates and what that biomass is made of, yet the translation of such precision into field-validated agronomic gain remains uneven. This review critically evaluates the evidence base for genetic biomass engineering in field crops, defined here as annual and short-cycle cereals, legumes, oilseeds, forages and cane crops grown at agronomic scale, together with the perennial grasses that supply the conceptual models for grass cell wall manipulation. Literature was identified through a structured search of bibliographic and full-text scholarly sources and through backward and forward citation tracing, and was appraised for methodological adequacy, replication and ecological relevance rather than citation count alone. Four analytical themes emerge. First, interventions on biomass quantity through photosynthetic, architectural and nitrogen-economy targets produce the most robust field evidence when they relieve a demonstrated limitation, and the weakest when a source limitation is assumed rather than established. Second, interventions on biomass quality, principally lignin content and composition, hydroxycinnamate acylation and matrix polysaccharide structure, deliver consistent and mechanistically well-understood improvements in digestibility and saccharification, yet the magnitude is frequently modest once pretreatment and processing context are considered. Third, a recurring trade-off architecture links cell wall modification to lodging, pathogen and insect susceptibility, and altered water relations, and these costs are systematically underdetected in controlled environments. Fourth, the greenhouse-to-field gap, rather than editing efficiency, is now the rate-limiting step. Confidence in current conclusions is constrained by the scarcity of multi-environment field evaluation, the geographical concentration of evidence, and the dominance of model species. Priorities include multi-season field validation of edited alleles in elite backgrounds, explicit quantification of defence and mechanical penalties, and integration of biomass targets into breeding pipelines rather than their pursuit as isolated transgenic demonstrations.

An Analysis of Production Constraints Faced by Sole Pigeonpea Farmers in Amravati District of Maharashtra, India

2026-09-17T11:22:16+00:00

Pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan), commonly known as tur, is one of the major pulse crops cultivated in Maharashtra and contributes substantially to household food security, nutritional requirements and farm income. However, pigeonpea production is influenced by several economic, technical, climatic and resource-related constraints that may adversely affect productivity and profitability. The present study was undertaken to identify and prioritise the major production constraints encountered by pigeonpea farmers in Amravati district of Maharashtra during 2025–26. Primary data were collected from 120 pigeonpea farmers selected from ten villages representing five tehsils of the district through a structured schedule. Eight major production constraints were identified based on the responses of the sampled farmers and were ranked using Garrett’s ranking technique. Among the identified constraints, high cost of fertiliser emerged as the most severe constraint, with a Garrett value of 59 and 58.59 per cent, and ranked first. Yield variability was the second major constraint at 54.99 per cent, followed by high cost of seed at 52.98 per cent. Labour scarcity and high wage rates occupied the fourth and fifth positions, with 51.82 and 51.37 per cent of the farmers reporting these constraints, respectively. Inadequate institutional credit and lack of technical knowledge were ranked sixth and seventh, while high cost of pesticides was ranked eighth. The findings indicate that pigeonpea farmers face a combination of input costs, production uncertainty, labour and financial constraints. Strengthening timely access to quality inputs, improving technical guidance, promoting efficient input management and facilitating affordable institutional credit can help reduce production difficulties and improve the stability and profitability of pigeonpea cultivation in the study area.

Marketing Channels and Efficiency of Green Leafy Vegetables under Open-field and Hydroponic Systems in the Eastern Dry Zone of Karnataka, India

2026-09-17T13:03:43+00:00

Green leafy vegetables (GLVs) constitute a critical component of India's horticultural economy, yet their highly perishable nature imposes unique constraints on marketing efficiency and producer profitability. This study examines the marketing channels, price spreads, and marketing efficiencies of three selected GLVs—palak (Spinacia oleracea), fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum), and coriander (Coriandrum sativum)—cultivated under open-field and hydroponic production systems in the Eastern Dry Zone of Karnataka, India. Primary data were collected from 150 farmers and 50 market intermediaries across Bangalore Rural, Bangalore Urban, Kolar, Chikkaballapur, Ramanagara, and Tumakuru districts during 2023–2024. Four marketing channels were identified for open-field GLVs, while two channels were documented for hydroponic produce. The modified marketing efficiency approach (Acharya & Agarwal, 2004) was employed to assess channel performance. Results indicate that direct producer-to-retailer channels yielded the highest marketing efficiency (5.15–6.78) and producer's share in consumer's rupee (83.73–86.79%), while APMC-mediated channels with multiple intermediaries recorded the lowest efficiency (1.67–2.68) and producer share (60.83–71.57%). Hydroponic channels demonstrated superior efficiency (25.85–38.87) due to minimal intermediary involvement, with producer shares exceeding 96 per cent in direct-to-consumer channels. The study confirms a significant inverse relationship between the number of intermediaries and marketing efficiency. Policy recommendations include promotion of Farmer Producer Organisations, direct market linkages, and investment in cold chain infrastructure to reduce post-harvest losses and improve producer price realisation.

Performance Evaluation of a Pollution Free Draper Separator for Decorticated Groundnut

2026-09-17T13:38:09+00:00

Low cost groundnut decorticators used by small and marginal farmers rarely include a cleaning unit, so the kernel shell mixture they discharge is separated by hand winnowing or by an air blast, both of which are labour intensive and a persistent source of dust. An inclined draper separator, which exploits the difference in shape and surface texture between kernel and shell, offers a pollution-free mechanical alternative, and the present study quantifies the relative importance of its operating settings for groundnut. A manually operated draper separator fitted with a velvet belt was evaluated in a 3 x 3 x 2 factorial experiment laid out in a randomised block design with three replications, comprising 54 cleaning trials: deck angle at 17, 22 and 27 degrees, conveyor speed at 0.19, 0.34 and 0.55 m/s, and feed rate at 45 and 85 kg/h. Cleaning efficiency and shell loss were computed from the recorded masses of clean seed, kernel lost to the shell outlet, separated shell and shell retained in the clean seed; because these four fractions account for the whole of the material fed, every trial is closed by a mass balance, and closure was verified numerically for all 54 trials as an independent check on the recorded data. Cleaning efficiency ranged from 50.4 to 98.0 % and shell loss from 2.7 to 10.9 %. Deck angle emerged as the controlling parameter, contributing 82.7 % of the total sum of squares (F = 418.7, p < 0.001) and raising mean cleaning efficiency from 56.20 % at 17 degrees to 76.39 % at 22 degrees and 93.88 % at 27 degrees, while conveyor speed and feed rate contributed 4.6 % and 5.0 % respectively, and none of the two-factor interactions in cleaning efficiency were significant. The highest cleaning efficiency, 98.0 %, was obtained at a deck angle of 27 degrees with a conveyor speed of 0.55 m/s and a feed rate of 45 kg/h. Shell loss followed a different structure, in which deck angle, feed rate, and the conveyor speed x feed rate interaction were of comparable magnitude, so that it cannot be predicted from main effects alone. Each additional degree of deck inclination was worth approximately 3.8 percentage points of cleaning efficiency, which provides a direct and readily applied design rule. A high deck angle is therefore recommended unconditionally, while conveyor speed should be selected for belt cleanliness and comfortable manual operation, and feed rate should be matched to the capacity of the decorticator supplying the separator. The setting that balances both responses is identified in a companion paper.

Agro-Climatic Epidemiology, Risk Factors and Control Practices of Hard Tick Infestation in Cattle in Gujarat, India

2026-09-18T08:40:48+00:00

Background: Hard tick infestation in cattle was investigated across seven agro-climatic zones of Gujarat, India, to determine prevalence, genus-level distribution, seasonal patterns, host- and management-associated factors, and farmer-reported control practices.

Aims: To determine the prevalence, agro-climatic distribution, tick-genera pattern, host- and management-associated factors, seasonal variation, and farmer-reported tick-control practices in cattle across seven agro-climatic zones of Gujarat, India.

Study Design: Cross-sectional field epidemiological survey with morphological identification of collected hard ticks and a structured owner questionnaire.

Place and Duration of Study: Cattle herds located in seven agro-climatic zones of Gujarat were surveyed. Morphological identification was undertaken at the Department of Veterinary Parasitology, College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, Navsari. The research period was July 2023 to July 2026

Methodology: Hard ticks were collected using forceps, maintained in labelled ventilated vials, and identified morphologically using standard taxonomic keys. Information on age, sex, housing, floor type, feeding pattern, season, body condition, conjunctival colour, ectoparasites and tick-control practices was recorded. Prevalence was expressed as percentages. Chi-square tests were calculated from the aggregate animal counts for age, housing, floor, feeding, season, body condition and conjunctival colour.

Results: Overall tick prevalence was 59.19% (1,311/2,215). Prevalence was highest in Middle Gujarat (65.65%), Southern Gujarat (64.72%) and North Saurashtra (64.44%), and was lowest in Southern Hills (47.00%). Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus was the predominant category (27.36%), followed by Hyalomma spp. (17.83%), Haemaphysalis spp. (9.89%) and mixed infestation (4.11%). Infestation declined with age (73.33% in <1 year, 61.66% in 1–3 years and 48.74% in >3 years; P < .001). Higher prevalence occurred in Kachha housing (71.76%), earthen floors (84.40%), group feeding (69.46%), poor body condition (80.50%) and pale conjunctiva (84.79%); each association was significant (P < .001). Summer prevalence (70.00%) exceeded monsoon (63.02%) and winter (43.71%) prevalence (P < .001).

Conclusion: Hard tick infestation is widespread in cattle in Gujarat and varies substantially with agro-climatic setting, host condition and animal husbandry. The findings support zone-specific surveillance, improved housing and hygiene, targeted farmer guidance, and integrated tick management coupled with acaricide-resistance monitoring.

An Economic Analysis of Technical, Economic and Allocative Efficiency of Sole Pigeon Pea Production in Amravati District of Maharashtra, India

2026-09-19T10:59:11+00:00

Pigeonpea is an important pulse crop in Maharashtra, contributing to farm income, food security, and the sustainability of rainfed production systems. The present study assessed the technical, economic, and allocative efficiency of sole pigeonpea cultivation in Amravati district of Maharashtra during 2025–26. Primary data were collected from 120 sole pigeonpea farmers selected from ten villages in five tehsils. Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) was used to estimate input-oriented and output-oriented technical efficiency under Constant Returns to Scale (CRS) and Variable Returns to Scale (VRS), together with cost-based economic and allocative efficiency. The mean input-oriented technical efficiency was 0.757 under CRS and 0.901 under VRS, while the corresponding output-oriented scores, expressed on a 0–1 scale, were 0.757 and 0.816. Mean economic efficiency was 0.632, and mean allocative efficiency was 0.846. The results show that technical and cost efficiency are distinct dimensions of farm performance: technical efficiency concerns the ability to obtain the maximum feasible output from a given input bundle, whereas economic efficiency additionally incorporates prevailing input prices and cost minimisation. The empirical results should therefore be interpreted as relative, sample-specific efficiency measures with respect to the DEA frontier rather than as absolute measures of agronomic potential or profitability. The study provides evidence of scope for improving resource use and cost performance among sole pigeonpea farms in the study area.

Consumer Awareness, Product Recognition and Stated Willingness to Pay for GI-Tagged Agricultural Products: An Empirical Study

2026-09-19T11:09:08+00:00

This study assessed consumer awareness, recognition of individual GI-tagged agricultural products, perceptions of GI-related attributes, stated willingness to pay a premium, and preferred promotional channels among visitors to a GI-product consumer expo in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu. Methodology: Primary data were collected from 90 consumers using a structured questionnaire and purposive sampling. Consumer responses to GI-related statements were measured on a five-point Likert scale. Descriptive statistics were used to summarise consumer responses, while binary logistic regression was used as an exploratory analysis of associations between selected perception variables and stated willingness to pay a premium. Results: General understanding of GI certification was relatively high (mean score 4.20), whereas the ability to identify GI-tagged products was substantially lower (2.75), indicating an awareness–recognition gap. Perceptions of authenticity and origin were particularly favourable (4.65), as were perceptions of quality and trustworthiness (4.45 each). Seventy-five of the 90 respondents (83.33%) stated that they were willing to pay a premium for GI-tagged products; however, this represents stated premium acceptance rather than an observed monetary price premium. The exploratory logistic regression based on 86 complete observations was not statistically significant (likelihood-ratio χ² = 2.613, df = 4, P = .625; Nagelkerke R² = .052), and none of the four explanatory variables was individually significant. Promotional preferences were highest for school/college awareness programmes (29.7%), followed by television/print media (27.0%) and social media (20.7%). Conclusion: The principal finding is a substantial gap between conceptual awareness of GI certification and recognition of specific GI products. Strengthening product-level labelling, GI-logo visibility, retailer communication and consumer education may help translate general awareness into effective market recognition. Larger probability-based samples and monetary WTP measures are required for stronger inference.

Evaluation of Pineapple (Ananas comosus) Wine Sediment as a Dietary Ingredient for Weaner Pigs: Effects on Growth Performance, Feed Utilization and Economic Efficiency

2026-09-19T11:44:53+00:00

This study evaluated the relationships among feed intake, weight gain, and feed conversion ratio (FCR) in weaner pigs fed diets containing pineapple (Ananas comosus) wine sediment meal (PWSM). Thirty-two cross-bred Large White × Landrace weaner pigs, aged 8–10 weeks and with an average initial live weight of 10.50 ± 0.50 kg, were assigned to four dietary treatments and fed for 35 days. Feed intake was recorded daily, body weight was measured weekly, FCR was calculated, and Pearson correlation analysis was used to examine associations among the performance variables. Economic evaluation was based on prevailing market prices of the dietary ingredients. Daily feed intake showed very weak, positive, and non-significant correlations with daily weight gain (r = 0.027, P = 0.932) and FCR (r = 0.017, P = 0.957). In contrast, daily weight gain was strongly and negatively correlated with FCR (r = −0.818, P = 0.001), indicating that greater daily gain was associated with improved feed efficiency. The performance and economic results indicated that moderate PWSM inclusion supported growth performance and reduced feed cost per kilogram of weight gain under the experimental conditions. Overall, feed intake alone did not explain the observed variation in growth or feed efficiency, whereas daily weight gain showed a clear inverse association with FCR. PWSM may therefore serve as an alternative dietary ingredient for weaner pigs when used at an appropriate inclusion level.

Performance Evaluation and Correlation Studies in Pot Anthurium Genotypes

2026-09-19T11:55:32+00:00

The present study evaluated the performance of fifteen pot anthurium genotypes based on vegetative, floral and post-harvest traits and examined the relationships among these characters through correlation analysis. The experiment was laid out in Completely Randomized Design with five replications under naturally ventilated polyhouse condition. Significant differences were observed among the genotypes for all the traits studied. Genotype V₇ recorded the maximum plant height (33.60 ± 3.78 cm), leaf length (18.30 ± 1.57 cm), leaf breadth (11.06 ± 0.88 cm), petiole length (21.10 ± 3.58 cm), peduncle length (28.80 ± 3.83 cm), spadix length (4.40 ± 0.10 cm), life of spadix (136.20 ± 3.35 days) and vase life (21.20 ± 1.79 days). V₁₅ recorded the highest number of leaves per plant (10.20 ± 0.84) and internode length (3.38 ± 0.43 cm), whereas V₁₀ recorded the maximum spathe length (8.42 ± 0.82 cm) and breadth (9.00 ± 0.91 cm). Correlation analysis revealed strong positive associations between plant height and spadix length (r = 0.98, P < .001), plant height and life of spadix (r = 0.97, P < .001) and spadix length and vase life (r = 0.83, P< .001). In contrast, the number of flowers per plant showed no significant association with the other characters studied. Overall, V₇ showed superior performance for several important vegetative and post-harvest traits, while V₁₅ and V₁₀ showed strengths in specific characteristics and may be considered promising genotypes for further validatory evaluation under protected cultivation and breeding programmes.

Infrastructure and Agricultural Output in North-East India: Evidence from a Panel Data Analysis

2026-09-19T13:22:20+00:00

Infrastructure is an important component of agricultural development because it supports connectivity, energy access, transport, storage and other production-related services. This study examines the growth of selected infrastructure indicators and their association with agricultural output across the eight states of North-East India during 2011–2020. State-level secondary data were compiled from official statistical and institutional sources. Compound annual growth rates were estimated to assess changes in agricultural output and infrastructure, while pooled ordinary least squares, fixed-effects and random-effects panel models were applied to examine the relationship between agricultural gross value added and road, power, transport and storage infrastructure. Transport recorded the highest reported infrastructure growth rate, followed by health facilities, while roads, power, irrigation, education and banking infrastructure also expanded during the study period. Model-specification tests favoured the fixed-effects model over the pooled and random-effects alternatives. Under the preferred specification, road infrastructure, power consumption and transport were positively and significantly associated with agricultural gross value added, whereas storage capacity was not statistically significant. The findings indicate that differences in physical infrastructure are associated with variations in agricultural output across the north-eastern states. Continued attention to road connectivity, reliable power supply, transport and appropriately located storage facilities may support agricultural development. Interpretation of the results should nevertheless recognise the limited ten-year panel and the omission of climatic, technological and policy-related determinants of agricultural output.

Temporal Variation in Soil Nutrient Availability in Forest Ecosystems of Telangana State, India

2026-09-22T07:37:34+00:00

Forest ecosystems play an important role in maintaining soil fertility through continuous organic matter inputs and nutrient cycling. The present study was conducted to assess temporal changes in soil nutrient availability across five forest locations in Telangana State between May 2023 and April 2024. The mean available nitrogen content increased from 266 to 295 kg ha⁻¹ between May 2023 and April 2024. Available phosphorus increased from 46.8 to 50.1 kg ha⁻¹, while potassium increased from 413 to 425 kg ha⁻¹. The highest concentrations of available N, P, and K were recorded at Adilabad during both sampling periods. The mean concentrations of Fe and Cu increased from 3.93 to 4.00 and 2.60 to 2.71 mg kg⁻¹, respectively. Similarly, Mn, Zn, and B increased from 7.65 to 7.88, 1.49 to 1.58, and 0.52 to 0.55 mg kg⁻¹, respectively. The mean molybdenum concentration increased from 0.41 to 0.44 mg kg⁻¹ during the study period. Humic acid content increased from 1.75 to 1.78 g kg⁻¹, while fulvic acid increased from 1.22 to 1.24 g kg⁻¹. Adilabad generally recorded higher concentrations of available nutrients and humic substances, whereas Mudimyal showed comparatively lower values for several nutrients. The observed increases may be associated with continuous deposition and decomposition of leaf litter and other organic residues. Continuous organic matter inputs within forest ecosystems may contribute to maintaining soil fertility and nutrient availability.

Development of Management Behaviour Index for Stakeholders in the Cotton Value Chain

2026-09-22T07:44:40+00:00

The cotton value chain comprises diverse stakeholders whose management behaviour influences the efficiency, sustainability and profitability of cotton production, processing and marketing. This study aimed to develop a Management Behaviour Index (MBI) for stakeholders in the cotton value chain and to assess key dimensions of managerial behaviour. The investigation was conducted in Adilabad district, Telangana, during 2021–2023. Indicators were identified through a review of the literature and expert consultation, with 27 indicators finalised using relevancy ratings obtained from 40 experts. The indicators were normalised and subjected to Principal Component Analysis with varimax rotation. Index validity was examined using content and construct validity measures, including a Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin value of 0.657 and Bartlett's Test of Sphericity. The assessment covered management dimensions related to collaborative planning and demand forecasting, negotiation between chain partners, competitor analysis, production planning and control, and purchase management. The findings indicated variation in management behaviour across the assessed dimensions. Stakeholders demonstrated relatively stronger operational behaviours related to production planning, resource use, invoicing and quality assurance, whereas collaborative problem-solving, systematic competitor intelligence, production scheduling and analysis of alternative purchasing sources showed comparatively weaker index values. The developed MBI provides a structured approach for identifying behavioural strengths and gaps among cotton value-chain stakeholders and may support appropriately targeted capacity-building, extension and management interventions.

Effect of Fertility Levels and Biofertilizers on Growth and Yield of Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.) in the Semi-Arid Region of Rajasthan, India

2026-09-22T13:15:37+00:00

A field experiment was conducted during the Kharif season of 2018 at the Agronomy Farm, MJRP College of Agriculture & Research, Achrol, Jaipur (Rajasthan), to study the effects of different fertility levels and biofertilisers on the growth and yield of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.). The experiment was laid out in a Factorial Randomised Block Design (RBD) with three replications, comprising sixteen treatment combinations of four fertility levels [Control (F₀), 50% RDF (F₁), 75% RDF (F₂), and 100% RDF (F₃)] and four biofertiliser treatments [Control (B₀), Rhizobium (B₁), PSB (B₂), and Rhizobium + PSB (B₃)]. Cowpea variety RC-101 was sown at a spacing of 30 cm × 10 cm with a seed rate of 20 kg ha⁻¹.
Growth parameters, yield attributes, and yields were significantly influenced by both fertility levels and biofertiliser application. Among fertility levels, 100% RDF recorded the maximum plant height (67.72 cm), number of branches per plant (9.50), dry matter accumulation (118.63 g plant-1), chlorophyll content (2.61 mg g⁻¹), pods per plant (9.21), seeds per pod (8.34), seed yield (1042 kg ha⁻¹), straw yield (1961 kg ha⁻¹), biological yield (3003 kg ha⁻¹), and harvest index (34.54%), which were statistically at par with 75% RDF but significantly superior to lower fertility levels. Among biofertilisers, the combined inoculation of Rhizobium + PSB consistently outperformed individual inoculations and the un-inoculated control, producing the highest seed yield (1056 kg ha⁻¹), which was 47.33% higher than the control. Test weight (1000-seed weight) was not significantly influenced by either factor. Interaction effects between fertility levels and biofertilisers were non-significant for all parameters, indicating additive effects.
The study concludes that the application of 75–100% RDF along with combined inoculation of Rhizobium + PSB significantly enhances growth, yield attributes, and seed yield of cowpea under semi-arid conditions of Rajasthan. However, considering economic viability and resource efficiency, the treatment combination of 75% RDF + Rhizobium + PSB is recommended for sustainable cowpea production in the region.

Sustainable Wheat Cultivation through Surface Seeding Technology: An Environmental Perspective

2026-09-23T11:10:46+00:00

In the Indo-Gangetic Plains, wheat farming requires fuel for multiple tillage passes before seed is planted. Conventional wheat cultivation in the eastern IGP is characterised by high diesel demand, substantial irrigation use and the associated greenhouse gas load. Surface seeding technology (SST) bypasses these operations: no tillage or land-preparation passes are required, and seed is spread directly on wet soil. This study investigated the practical implications of SST using data collected from 100 wheat-growing households in Niyamatabad Block of Chandauli district, Uttar Pradesh, during the 2025–26 rabi season. SST consumed 20.15 litres of diesel per hectare, whereas conventional tillage consumed 36.13 litres. The difference corresponded to a net carbon reduction of 11.23 kg C/ha. Conventional farmers used 3,289.12 cubic metres of water per hectare, whereas SST farmers used 1,756.91 cubic metres, representing a saving of 1,532.21 cubic metres per hectare. Physical water productivity increased from 0.92 to 1.71 kg/m³, while economic water productivity increased from Rs. 23.33 to Rs. 43.52 per cubic metre. Grain yield was not significantly affected. Although SST is not a new concept, these data from smallholder farms in Chandauli provide field-level evidence that farmers can save fuel and reduce water use substantially without foregoing yield.

Influence of Packaging Materials and Storage Temperature on Postharvest Quality and Longevity of Marigold Flowers

2026-09-23T11:23:55+00:00

Post-harvest factors, including packaging materials and storage temperature, play a crucial role in influencing the moisture retention, visual quality, and longevity of loose flowers. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of different packaging materials and storage temperatures on the post-harvest longevity of marigolds. The experiment employed a completely randomised design (factorial), incorporating six types of packaging: plastic basket (P₀), muslin cloth (P₁), onion mesh (P₂), polyethylene (P₃), shrink wrap (P₄), and newspaper (P₅). These were tested under two storage conditions: cold storage below 5°C (S₁) and room temperature (S₂), resulting in 12 distinct treatment combinations with three replications. Post-harvest outcomes were assessed using shelf life, flower shrivelling, weight variation, and moisture content. The interaction between packaging and storage temperature revealed significant differences among the treatments. T₇ (P₃S₁; polyethylene + cold storage) demonstrated the longest average shelf life of 17.65 days and the least shrivelling of 1.14 cm at 18 DAS. The smallest average weight change of 5.75% was observed in T₃ (P₁S₁; muslin cloth + cold storage), with T₇ closely following at 5.83%. Similarly, T₃ exhibited the highest average moisture content of 94.10%, with T₇slightly behind at 93.92%. The enhanced post-harvest performance with appropriate packaging and low-temperature storage is likely attributable to reduced moisture loss, preservation of tissue firmness, and decreased metabolic activity, collectively delaying flower deterioration. These findings suggest that selecting suitable packaging materials in conjunction with cold storage can significantly reduce post-harvest losses and extend the storage life of marigold flowers.

Computed Radiographic Evaluation of Angle of Gastric Axis to Angle of Liver Tip Ratio (AGA/ACV) in Clinically Healthy Dogs

2026-09-23T13:51:06+00:00

The study was aimed to evaluate ratio to the angle of gastric axis (AGA) and the angle of the caudoventral liver tip (ACV) and variation according to breed, age, body weight, sex and neutering status in clinically healthy dogs. A total of 123 clinically healthy dogs older than one year and representing different breeds and chest conformations were included. Clinical and haemato-biochemical findings were assessed prior to radiographic examination to support normal hepatic status. Thoracoabdominal radiographs were obtained and measured AGA and ACV on lateral radiographic images before calculating the AGA/ACV ratio. Breed and age group differences were statistically significant, while body weight, sex and neutering status differences were non-significant. The mean AGA/ACV ratios for dogs with barrel chests, deep chests and round chests were 2.266 ± 0.035, 2.265 ± 0.038 and 2.120 ± 0.050, respectively. It was concluded that AGA/ACV ratio was approximately 2.23 and findings provide preliminary baseline information on the radiographic relationship between gastric-axis orientation and the caudoventral liver-tip angle in clinically healthy dogs. Further, the ratio may be applied as a diagnostic indicator for hepatic abnormalities in larger population and dogs with confirmed hepatic disease.

Impact of IRM Project on Pest Management & Production of Cotton in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar District of Maharashtra, India

2026-09-25T11:18:57+00:00

Pink bollworm management in cotton often involves repeated insecticide applications that increase pest-management costs. The present study assessed the impact of the Insecticide Resistance Management (IRM) project implemented by KVK, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar-1 during 2022-23 under the technical and financial guidance of ICAR-Central Institute of Cotton Research, Nagpur. The project disseminated integrated pest management practices, including mating disruption technology, to farmers in selected villages of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district. IRM plots were compared with non-IRM plots for insecticide use, spray cost, cultivation cost, seed-cotton production, net profit, and benefit-cost ratio. The average number of insecticide sprays required for bollworm control was 1.4 in IRM plots and 3.2 in non-IRM plots. Adoption of the IRM package was associated with a 56.25% decrease in average spraying required for bollworms, a 34.70% decrease in the average cost of spraying, and a 15.86% decrease in the average cost of cultivation. Average production was 13.32 q/ha in IRM plots and 11.68 q/ha in non-IRM plots, while the average net profit was Rs.73,385/ha and Rs.61,798/ha, respectively. The benefit-cost ratio was 1.77 in IRM plots and 1.25 in non-IRM plots. These project-level findings indicate that the disseminated IRM practices were associated with reduced pest-management inputs and improved economic outcomes in the participating villages.

Screening of Castor (Ricinus communis L.) Genotypes for Resistance to Root Rot Caused by Macrophomina phaseolina under Pot Conditions

2026-09-25T11:24:36+00:00

Aims: Castor (Ricinus communis L.) is one of the oldest cultivated non-edible oilseed crops belonging to the family Euphorbiaceae. India stands as the leading producer and exporter of castor oil, accounting for approximately 68 per cent of the world's castor cultivation area and 76 per cent of global production. During 2024–2025, castor was cultivated over 7.87 lakh hectares in India, with a total production of 15.53 lakh tonnes and an average productivity of 1.93 t ha⁻¹. Gujarat remains the dominant producer, accounting for more than 70% of the national output, with a productivity level (2.27 t ha⁻¹) exceeding the national average, followed by Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Telangana (Indiastat, 2025).

The present study was undertaken to identify potential sources of resistance to M. phaseolina under standardised pot conditions.

Study Design: CRD.

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Plant Pathology, ICAR-IIOR, Rajendranagar. The study was conducted from January to May 2026.

Methodology: A total of 22 castor genotypes were evaluated using three replications. Genotypes were categorised according to the disease reaction scale of Mayee and Datar (1986). The experiment was conducted using three pots per genotype as replications, with 10 plants maintained in each pot, resulting in 30 plants evaluated per genotype. For artificial inoculation, M. phaseolina was multiplied on sorghum substrate and the colonised inoculum was incorporated into the potting soil at a standardised rate of 35 g kg⁻¹ soil. Disease development was monitored under pot conditions, and disease incidence was recorded at 45 days after sowing (DAS).

Results: Considerable variation in disease response was observed among the genotypes, with percentage disease incidence ranging from 5.41 to 58.97% and an overall mean of 25.35%. Four genotypes, namely ICH 1916 (5.41%), JI 449 (5.88%), ICH 1928 (7.69%) and ICH 1930 (8.82%), were classified as resistant, recording less than 10% disease incidence. Five genotypes were moderately resistant, six were moderately susceptible, five were susceptible and two were highly susceptible. The highest disease incidence was recorded in GCH 4 (58.97%), followed by ICH 1897 (58.62%), and both were classified as highly susceptible. The substantial variation observed among the genotypes demonstrates the presence of exploitable genetic variability for resistance to M. phaseolina root rot in the evaluated material.

Conclusion: The resistant genotypes identified in the present study may serve as promising sources for further validation under sick-plot and field conditions and for utilisation in castor breeding programmes aimed at developing root-rot-resistant cultivars.

Note: Review paper may have different types of subsections.

Quality and Acceptability of Chicken Meat Cutlets Incorporated with Cooked Unripe Plantain with Peel

2026-09-25T12:19:10+00:00

Background: Chicken meat cutlets commonly use cooked mashed potato as a binder and extender, while incorporation of fibre-rich plant ingredients may improve their functional and nutritional characteristics. Cooked unripe plantain with peel contains starch and dietary fibre that may influence water retention, product yield and composition. However, information on its use as a partial replacement for cooked mashed potato in chicken meat cutlets remains limited.

Aims: To evaluate the effect of cooked unripe plantain with peel (CUPP) as a partial replacement for cooked mashed potato on the physicochemical, proximate and sensory characteristics of chicken meat cutlets and to determine the optimum replacement level.

Study Design: A completely randomised experimental design was used.

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Livestock Products Technology, Veterinary College and Research Institute, Orathanadu, Tamil Nadu, India, from April to July 2026.

Methodology: Chicken meat cutlets were prepared by replacing cooked mashed potato with CUPP at 5% (T1), 10% (T2) and 15% (T3), while the formulation without CUPP served as the control. Physicochemical characteristics, proximate composition and sensory quality were evaluated. Sensory attributes were assessed using a nine-point hedonic scale, and the data were subjected to analysis of variance.

Results: CUPP incorporation significantly affected all physicochemical and proximate parameters evaluated (P < 0.001). Increasing CUPP levels improved emulsion stability, cooking yield, breading pickup, moisture retention, moisture, ash and crude fibre contents, while reducing emulsion pH, product pH, oil uptake, protein and fat contents. Crude fibre increased from 0.43% in the control to 2.31, 4.17 and 5.31% in T1, T2 and T3, respectively. T2 recorded the highest sensory scores for appearance and colour, flavour, texture, crispiness and overall acceptability. Its overall acceptability score was 8.33 compared with 8.00 for the control. T3, despite having the highest crude fibre content, received lower sensory scores.

Conclusion: CUPP can be used as a partial replacement for cooked mashed potato in chicken meat cutlets. Based on the physicochemical, proximate and sensory results, 10% CUPP replacement (T2) was identified as the optimum level for preparation of chicken cutlets.

Knowledge Level of Farmer Producer Organization Members about FPOs in Manipur, India

2026-09-25T13:30:03+00:00

Farmer Producer Organisations play an important role in collectivising small and marginal farmers and improving their access to inputs, services, markets and institutional support. The present study was conducted to assess the knowledge level of FPO members about Farmer Producer Organisations in Manipur during 2025–2026. The study covered four FPOs promoted by Central Agricultural University, Imphal, and the Small Farmers’ Agribusiness Consortium in four purposively selected districts of Manipur. A total of 115 respondents were selected through random sampling, and data were collected using a structured interview schedule. An ex-post facto research design was followed, and the data were analysed using frequency, percentage, mean and standard deviation. Knowledge was assessed through 15 multiple-choice questions covering the activities, objectives, structure, functioning and facilities of FPOs. The findings revealed that 60.87% of respondents had a medium level of knowledge, followed by 25.21% with a high level and 13.91% with a low level of knowledge. Respondents demonstrated comparatively better knowledge of the meaning and benefits of FPOs, while considerable gaps were observed regarding governance, leadership, registration procedures, record maintenance and organisational structure. The study suggests strengthening training, awareness and capacity-building programmes to improve members’ knowledge and effective participation in FPO activities.

Factors influencing Dairy Farmers’ Participation in Organized Milk Marketing Channels in Sri Ganganagar District of Rajasthan, India

2026-09-26T09:22:51+00:00

Rajasthan has a well-established dairy sector that contributes substantially to rural livelihoods. This study analysed the factors associated with dairy farmers’ choice between organised and unorganised milk marketing channels in Sri Ganganagar district of Rajasthan. A purposively selected sample of 120 dairy farmers, comprising 60 members and 60 non-members of dairy cooperative societies, was considered. Organised marketing channels included dairy cooperatives and private dairy plants, whereas unorganised channels included milk vendors or middlemen, sweet shops or creameries, and direct sales to consumers. A binomial logistic regression model was used to examine associations between selected socio-economic and market-related factors and marketing-channel choice. Among cooperative members, the authors’ reported significance markings identified age of the household head, milch animal holding, distance to the selling point, milk price, and availability of advances as statistically significant factors. Among non-members, only milk price was marked as statistically significant. The reported coefficients indicated that greater distance from the selling point and increasing age were associated with lower odds of organised-channel participation among cooperative members, whereas milch animal holding and availability of advances showed positive associations. The findings therefore indicate that milk price, accessibility of selling points, herd size, age, and payment arrangements are relevant to marketing-channel decisions within the study sample. The results represent statistical associations and should not be interpreted as evidence of profitability or causal effects.

Performance Limitations and Ergonomic Challenges of a Battery-operated Hand-held Mechanical Cotton Picker in India

2026-09-26T09:31:18+00:00

Aims: The mechanisation of cotton harvesting in India is essential because of increasing harvesting costs and the declining availability of farm labour. This study aimed to evaluate the ergonomic suitability, field performance, and acceptability of a battery-operated hand-held mechanical cotton picker (HHMCP) compared with manual hand picking.

Study Design: Split-plot design

Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted during the 2022 cotton season at two research farms of ICAR - Central Institute for Cotton Research (CICR) at Nagpur, Maharashtra, India, and the Regional Station of ICAR - CICR at Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India.

Methodology: Field evaluation included measurement of output capacity, post-harvest losses, and picking efficiency. Ergonomic assessment was conducted by determining physiological workload, discomfort perceived by workers, and drudgery involved in the picking operation. Parameters measured included energy expenditure rate (EER), percentage of VO₂max, cardiac cost (CC), total cardiac cost of work (TCCW), physiological cost of work (PCW), body part discomfort score (BPDS), and overall discomfort score (ODS).

Results: The HHMCP showed higher physiological workload responses (EER, %VO₂max, CC, TCCW, PCW, BPDS, and ODS) than manual hand picking. Higher BPDS ratings were observed primarily because of the additional weight of the machine and battery. Picking with the HHMCP was found to be more strenuous and resulted in lower output capacity, reduced efficiency, and higher post-harvest losses than manual picking. No tangible advantages were obtained from using the HHMCP over manual picking.

Conclusions: The overall suitability and acceptability of the HHMCP were found to be low compared with manual picking because of its lower productivity and efficiency and higher drudgery. Design improvements to the HHMCP are necessary to enhance ergonomic comfort, field performance, and worker acceptability.

Growth, Instability and Price Parity of Input Costs and Output Prices of Irrigated Wheat and Cotton (Long Staple) in Gujarat, India

2026-09-26T10:03:49+00:00

Aims: The study aims to examine the growth, instability and price parity of input costs and output prices for two major crops in Gujarat, namely irrigated wheat and cotton (long staple).

Study Design: An analytical study based on secondary time-series data, employing compound growth rates, an instability index and the index of terms of trade (parity index).

Place and Duration of Study: Gujarat State, India; data covering the twenty-year period from 2004-05 to 2023-24 were compiled from official government sources.

Methodology: Time-series data on the Minimum Support Price (MSP), Farm Harvest Price (FHP) and cost of cultivation (Cost C₂) for irrigated wheat and cotton (long staple) were compiled for 2004-05 to 2023-24. Compound annual growth rates (CAGRs) and the Cuddy-Della Valle Instability Index (CDVI) were used to examine growth and instability. The index of terms of trade (parity index), calculated separately using FHP and MSP as output prices, was used to assess parity between input costs and output prices.

Results: Both crops recorded low MSP instability, indicating stable and predictable support prices, whereas FHP showed comparatively greater year-to-year fluctuation. Of the two crops, cotton recorded slower growth in cultivation costs, possibly aided by the adoption of Bt cotton technology and subsidised drip irrigation, and consequently exhibited more favourable terms of trade. Its parity index remained above 100 under both FHP-based and MSP-based measures for most of the study period. By contrast, irrigated wheat showed a mildly adverse position under market prices but a distinctly favourable position under MSP, consistent with a possible cushioning role of assured government procurement, although procurement quantities were not directly examined.

Conclusion: These findings highlight differences in the extent to which cost containment and procurement support translated into favourable terms of trade for the two crops.

Screening of Maize Germplasm for Reduced Infection by Major Mycotoxigenic Fungi Associated with Fumonisin and Aflatoxin Risk

2026-09-26T10:19:11+00:00

Maize (Zea mays L.) grain quality and food/feed safety are challenged by toxigenic fungi, particularly Fusarium verticillioides and Aspergillus flavus, which are associated with fumonisin and aflatoxin contamination, respectively. Twenty-five maize germplasm lines were evaluated under field conditions during 2024 and 2025 to identify materials with comparatively low kernel infection after artificial inoculation at approximately the silk stage. Kernel infection was assessed at harvest, and year-specific percentages were summarised as two-year arithmetic means. For F. verticillioides, mean infection ranged from 4.43% in Agro Rabi MM-24 to 29.15% in Pratap makka-5; for A. flavus, it ranged from 5.57% in Agro Rabi MM-24 to 32.43% in DHM-121. Under the predefined operational infection classes used in this screening, Agro Rabi MM-24 and Nirmal-51 were resistant to F. verticillioides, while Pratap hybrid maize-3, Nirmal-51, and Agro Rabi MM-24 were resistant to A. flavus. Agro Rabi MM-24 and Nirmal-51 showed the lowest combined infection profiles across the two pathogens. These materials are therefore candidates for broader resistance evaluation and breeding. Because the study measured kernel infection rather than fumonisin or aflatoxin concentration, the results indicate comparatively low fungal infection under the tested conditions and should not be interpreted as direct confirmation of resistance to mycotoxin accumulation.

Economic Performance and Constraints in Production and Marketing of Milk from Rathi Cattle in Western Rajasthan, India

2026-09-26T13:41:51+00:00

Background: Rathi cattle are an important indigenous dairy breed of western Rajasthan and contribute to the livelihoods of farmers in the region. However, the economic performance of milk production is influenced by production costs, milk productivity, market prices and access to essential veterinary, financial and marketing services. Location-specific assessment of these factors is therefore important for identifying the major constraints affecting the profitability of Rathi cattle-based dairy farming.

Aims: To assess selected cost and return indicators of milk production from Rathi indigenous cattle and to identify and prioritise major technical, financial and marketing constraints perceived by farmers in selected areas of western Rajasthan.

Study Design, Place and Duration of Study: A field survey was conducted during 2025–2026 in Lunkaransar, Suratgarh and Nohar tehsils of Bikaner, Sri Ganganagar and Hanumangarh districts, respectively.

Methodology: Six villages were selected, and 120 farmers (20 from each village) were interviewed using a pre-tested interview schedule. Cost and return analysis was conducted on a per-animal-per-day basis, and Garrett’s ranking technique was used to prioritise farmer-perceived constraints.

Results: Milk yield was 6.62, 5.77 and 5.17 litres per animal per day in Lunkaransar, Suratgarh and Nohar, respectively. Corresponding net returns were ₹137.82, ₹101.23 and ₹74.96 per animal per day. Feed and fodder costs and family labour were major components of variable expenditure. Infertility was the highest-ranked technical constraint (Garrett score 69.00), followed by unavailability of emergency veterinary services (67.89), lack of improved equipment (64.02) and lack of training (63.56). Among financial and marketing constraints, lack of knowledge about credit facilities from government and banks ranked first (60.57), followed by low milk price (54.31) and high cost of cattle feed and mineral mixture (50.00).

Conclusion: Economic performance was closely associated with productivity, feed expenditure, milk prices and access to reproductive, veterinary, financial and marketing services. Strengthening these services through coordinated extension, veterinary and market interventions can improve the profitability and sustainability of Rathi cattle-based dairy farming in western Rajasthan.

Comparative Assessment of the Water Footprint of Banana in Gujarat Using FAO CROPWAT 8.0 Model

2026-09-28T10:13:32+00:00

Agriculture is a major consumer of freshwater, making efficient water management essential for sustainable crop production. Banana is an important water-intensive horticultural crop in Gujarat, where regional variations in climate and irrigation dependence can influence crop water use. This study evaluated the water footprint of banana production in selected districts of Gujarat using the FAO CROPWAT 8.0 model. Bharuch and Navsari from South Gujarat and Anand and Vadodara from Middle Gujarat were considered for the analysis. Secondary data on climatic parameters, crop yield, and other data for 2012–13, 2013–14, 2022–23, and 2023–24 were used to estimate crop water requirement and the green, blue, and total water footprint components. The findings indicated substantial variation in crop water requirement, total water footprint, green water footprint, and blue water footprint across districts and study years. Over the decade, the crop water requirement for banana ranged from 1734.1 to 1830.7 mm in Bharuch, 1279.4 to 1374.7 mm in Navsari, 1544.3 to 1622.0 mm in Anand, and 1965.0 to 2047.1 mm in Vadodara. The total water footprint ranged from 236.04 to 252.05 m³/ton in Bharuch, 234.75 to 275.69 m³/ton in Navsari, 246.62 to 268.86 m³/ton in Anand, and 277.07 to 355.14 m³/ton in Vadodara. Blue water constituted the major component of the water footprint in Bharuch, Anand, and Vadodara, while green water made a larger contribution in Navsari. The South Gujarat region recorded lower water footprint values than the Middle Gujarat region, indicating relatively higher water-use efficiency. This variation may be attributed to differences in rainfall availability, dependence on irrigation, and crop productivity, which collectively influence the water requirement per tonne of banana production. The study emphasises the importance of improving irrigation efficiency and adopting appropriate water-management practices to support sustainable banana cultivation in Gujarat.

Green Innovation, Green Supply Chain Management, and Environmental Performance in Ghana’s Agro-Processing Sector

2026-09-28T12:17:20+00:00

Background: Agro-processing firms face growing pressure to reduce the environmental impacts associated with resource use, production, packaging, transportation, and waste generation. Green supply chain management and green innovation have emerged as important organisational approaches for improving environmental performance. However, limited empirical evidence exists on whether green innovation strengthens the relationship between green supply chain management and environmental performance, particularly within Ghana’s agro-processing sector.

Aims: The study examined the relationship between green supply chain management (GSCM) and environmental performance, assessed the relationship between green innovation (GI) and environmental performance, and examined the moderating role of GI in the relationship between GSCM and environmental performance in Ghana’s agro-processing sector.

Study Design: Quantitative explanatory research design.

Place and Duration of Study: Ghana’s agro-processing sector. Data were collected from employees of agro-processing firms during the study period.

Methodology: Primary data were collected using a structured questionnaire. Convenience sampling was used to select respondents with knowledge or experience in supply chain management, environmental practices, or innovation. Of the 100 questionnaires administered, 96 usable responses were obtained, representing a 96% response rate. The questionnaire used a seven-point Likert scale to measure GSCM, GI, and environmental performance, with each construct measured using eight items. Data were analysed using SPSS, descriptive statistics, ordinary least squares regression, and moderation analysis. The direct relationships of GSCM and GI with environmental performance were examined, while the moderating effect of GI was assessed using the GSCM × GI interaction term.

Results: GSCM had a positive and statistically significant relationship with environmental performance (B = 0.554, p < .001, R² = .339). GI also had a positive and statistically significant relationship with environmental performance (B = 0.414, p < .001, R² = .212). The interaction between GSCM and GI was positive and statistically significant (B = 0.365, p < .001), indicating that GI strengthens the positive relationship between GSCM and environmental performance. The interaction term accounted for an additional 11.1% of the explained variance in environmental performance (ΔR² = .111). Simple-slopes analysis showed that the GSCM–environmental performance relationship was positive but not statistically significant at low levels of GI, and positive and statistically significant at the mean and high levels of GI. The findings therefore provide empirical support for all three study objectives.

Conclusion: GSCM and GI are positively associated with environmental performance among firms in Ghana’s agro-processing sector. More importantly, the positive relationship between GSCM and environmental performance becomes stronger at higher levels of green innovation. The findings suggest that firms may derive greater environmental benefits from green supply chain practices when these practices are supported by strong green innovation capabilities. Integrating GSCM with green innovation may therefore provide a more effective approach to improving environmental performance in the agro-processing sector.

A Study of Trend and Change-Point Detection of Rainfall Using Non-Parametric Tests

2026-09-28T12:59:13+00:00

Rainfall variability and abrupt shifts are important concerns in monsoon-dependent regions such as the Western Ghats. This study assessed monthly and annual rainfall trends in Ponnampet, Kodagu district, Karnataka, for 1993–2023 using non-parametric statistical methods. The Mann–Kendall test and Sen’s slope estimator indicated a positive annual rainfall trend with a slope of 30.276 mm/year; however, the reported annual p-value of 0.054 was marginal relative to the 0.05 significance threshold. At the monthly scale, August (7.222 mm/year; p = 0.0419) and September (9.159 mm/year; p = 0.0024) showed statistically significant increasing trends. June, July, October and November showed non-significant declining tendencies, whereas January, February, March and December showed no significant monotonic trend. Pettitt’s, Standard Normal Homogeneity, Buishand’s and Von Neumann tests were used to identify abrupt changes. Annual rainfall showed a change point in 2017, with mean rainfall increasing from 2029 mm to 2788 mm. September showed a change point around 2004, with mean rainfall increasing from 132.98 mm to 281.38 mm. August also showed a marked shift, with mean rainfall increasing from 348.26 mm to 828.78 mm. The results indicate notable late-monsoon variability and temporal shifts in rainfall, with implications for agricultural planning, water-resource management and climate adaptation in Ponnampet.

Development of a Solar-powered Sensor-based Cooling System for a Poultry House

2026-09-29T11:11:00+00:00

Heat stress is a major constraint to poultry production, particularly in hot and dry climatic conditions, where maintaining a suitable microclimate is essential for bird comfort, health, and productivity. The present study aimed to develop and evaluate a solar-powered sensor-based cooling system for a poultry house. The system was developed at the College of Agricultural Engineering, Raichur, Karnataka, using an AHT10 temperature sensor, ATmega328P microcontroller, solar photovoltaic panel, battery, DC diaphragm pump, and fogger nozzles. Three temperature sensors, namely AHT10, AHT25, and DHT11, were evaluated under room-temperature and cool environmental conditions. The AHT10 showed the best performance, recording a mean absolute error of 0.00–0.01°C and accuracy of 99.96–100.00%, and was therefore selected for automatic temperature monitoring and control. The developed system used a 100 Wp solar panel with a maximum current generation of 5.68 A and a 12 V, 8 Ah lithium-ion battery. The estimated daily energy requirement was 81 Wh, with an estimated continuous pump operating time of approximately 4.74 hours or 0.948 days of backup under the specified daily operating schedule. Four foggers required a maximum of 32.04 L of water per day under the specified operating conditions. The total development and installation cost of the sensor-based cooling system was ₹20,000. The developed system demonstrated an energy-efficient, automated, and relatively affordable approach for temperature management in poultry houses using renewable solar energy.

Early-Stage Resource Economy Calibration in a Shelter Survival Game through Scripted Simulation

2026-09-29T11:18:12+00:00

Aims: This study examines resource economy calibration in an early-stage shelter survival game through scripted simulation. It asks whether different resource support configurations can produce distinguishable survival outcomes as environmental pressure increases, before formal player testing is introduced.

Study Design: A 3 × 3 scripted simulation design was used. Three resource support modes, Baseline, Ability Weighted, and Facility Supported, were combined with three survival pressure levels, Low, Moderate, and High.

Place and Duration of Study: The scripted simulation was implemented and executed in a Python computational environment during 2026 before manuscript submission. The study did not require a physical laboratory, field site, or human participant setting.

Methodology: The simulation focused on three persistent shelter variables: Food, Morale, and Security. Each of the nine experimental conditions was evaluated with the same set of 20 fixed random seeds. Each run continued for a maximum of 25 simulated days, producing 180 runs in total. Survival Days, Completion Rate, and Collapse Cause were retained as the main outcome measures.

Results: Under Low Pressure, all three resource modes completed the 25-day simulation in every run. Under Moderate Pressure, Completion Rates were 75%, 85%, and 95% for Baseline, Ability Weighted, and Facility Supported modes, respectively. Under High Pressure, Baseline and Ability Weighted modes recorded no completed runs, with mean survival durations of 17.95 and 19.30 days. Facility Supported Mode reached a mean survival duration of 24.75 days and an 85% Completion Rate. Collapse Cause showed a further pattern: increasing Food gain and Security mitigation removed Food depletion as a direct failure cause in Ability Weighted Mode, but Morale became the dominant bottleneck.

Conclusion: Scripted simulation provided early feedback on resource balance in the developing shelter game. The tested parameters should be read as a provisional demo configuration rather than a finalised game economy. Even within this limited setting, the simulation distinguished stable, fragile, and bottleneck-dependent configurations. It also showed that strengthening selected resources may shift the dominant failure mechanism rather than eliminate instability. Scripted simulation can therefore serve as a practical calibration step before formal player testing.

In vitro Evaluation of Fungicides and Plant Extracts against Early Blight of Tomato Caused by Alternaria solani

2026-09-29T12:55:15+00:00

Early blight of tomato caused by Alternaria solani is an important disease that can reduce crop performance and fruit quality. This study evaluated the in vitro efficacy of six fungicidal treatments and four plant-derived treatments against A. solani using the poisoned food technique at two concentrations. Systemic fungicides were tested at 500 and 1000 ppm, whereas non-systemic and combination fungicides were tested at 1000 and 3000 ppm. Plant extracts were evaluated at 2500 and 5000 ppm. Mean colony diameter and percentage inhibition relative to the untreated control were used to compare treatment efficacy. Among the fungicidal treatments at the higher concentrations, carbendazim 12% + mancozeb 63% produced the greatest inhibition of mycelial growth (92.22%), followed by hexaconazole (91.11%) and mancozeb (90.00%). At the lower concentrations, hexaconazole showed the greatest inhibition (88.89%). Among the plant-derived treatments, Multineem, a neem oil-based EC formulation, showed the highest inhibition at both 5000 ppm (53.33%) and 2500 ppm (37.78%). Ginger rhizome extract ranked next at both concentrations, whereas eucalyptus leaf extract produced the lowest inhibition. Overall, the tested fungicides showed greater in vitro suppression of A. solani than the plant extracts. The results identify carbendazim + mancozeb, hexaconazole, mancozeb, and Multineem as treatments warranting further evaluation under field conditions before recommendations for early blight management are made.

Variation and Genetic Control of Vegetative Phenology in Teak (Tectona grandis L.f.) Clones Grown at Two Clonal Seed Orchards: Karka and Manchikere

2026-09-30T06:43:07+00:00

Vegetative phenology is an important component of adaptation in teak (Tectona grandis L.f.), but the relative contribution of genotype and environment to individual phenological traits may vary among growing sites. The present study evaluated variation and genetic control of vegetative phenology in eleven common teak clones at the Karka and Manchikere clonal seed orchards in Karnataka, India, during 2024–2025. Four traits, namely leaf shedding initiation, leafless period, leaf flushing initiation and leaf flushing duration, were recorded at 15-day intervals. Data were analysed using a two-factorial randomised block design, and genotypic and phenotypic coefficients of variation (GCV and PCV), broad-sense clonal heritability, genetic advance (GA) and genetic advance as a percentage of the mean (GAM) were estimated. Leaf shedding initiation ranged from 321 to 354 days at Manchikere and from 334 to 362 days at Karka, with location means of 333 and 341 days, respectively. The leafless period averaged 32 days at Manchikere and 40 days at Karka, while leaf flushing initiation averaged 56 and 68 days, respectively. Leaf flushing duration showed the largest location difference, averaging 50 days at Manchikere and 81 days at Karka. Among the pooled clone means, the magnitude of variation was 14 days for leaf shedding initiation, 7 days for the leafless period, 32 days for leaf flushing initiation and 28 days for leaf flushing duration. The genetic component was negligible for leaf shedding initiation and the leafless period, for which GCV, heritability, genetic advance and GAM were zero. In contrast, leaf flushing initiation and duration showed measurable but relatively low genetic control, with GCV values of 8.83% and 7.14%, heritability values of 0.21 and 0.17, genetic advances of 5.24 and 3.94 days, and GAM values of 8.41% and 6.01%, respectively. The substantially higher PCV than GCV for both flushing traits further indicated a considerable environmental contribution to their phenotypic expression. Overall, leaf flushing initiation and leaf flushing duration showed greater potential for genetic evaluation than leaf shedding initiation and the leafless period, although their relatively low heritability suggests that multi-environment and repeated-season evaluation is necessary for reliable identification of clones with stable vegetative phenology.

An Economic Analysis of Investment Pattern of Khoya (Indian Dairy Product) Producers in Almora District of Uttarakhand, India

2026-10-01T06:02:29+00:00

Background: Khoya serves as an important raw material for the Indian sweet industry and maintains consistently high demand due to cultural and festive consumption patterns. Despite its economic importance, khoya production in hill regions such as Uttarakhand continues to rely on traditional processing methods with limited mechanisation and infrastructure support. While several studies have examined dairy farming economics in India, empirical evidence on investment allocation patterns in khoya-based enterprises, particularly in hill production systems, remains extremely limited. This lack of information constrains policy formulation and technological interventions aimed at improving productivity, profitability, and sustainability of rural dairy enterprises.

Aims: The aim of this study is to analyse the investment pattern of khoya producers in Almora district of Uttarakhand and examine the distribution of capital investment across livestock, infrastructure, and machinery among different categories of producers.

Study Design: The study adopted a descriptive and analytical research design based on primary survey data.

Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted in selected areas of Almora, Uttarakhand, during the agricultural year 2024–25.

Methodology: A multistage sampling technique was employed to select 200 khoya-producing households, categorized into small, medium, and large producers based on herd size. Primary data were collected through structured interviews and analysed using descriptive statistical tools to estimate the composition and distribution of fixed investments in khoya production enterprises.

Results: The findings revealed that khoya production is a capital-intensive enterprise, with an average investment of ₹6,92,430 per farm. Livestock constituted the largest share (80.55%) of total investment, of which milch animals alone accounted for 72.73 percent. Investment in cattle sheds and storage facilities contributed 14.16 percent, while machinery and equipment represented only 5.29 percent, indicating low mechanisation in the study area. The share of investment in livestock increased with herd size, while smaller producers allocated a relatively higher proportion of resources to infrastructure.

Conclusion: The study concludes that livestock remains the dominant investment component in khoya production, while inadequate mechanisation limits productivity gains. Improved investment allocation, technological adoption, and institutional support are essential to enhance productivity, profitability, and sustainability of khoya-based enterprises in hill regions.

Financial Resilience and Business Sustainability of Small-scale Manufacturing Firms in Abuja, Nigeria

2026-10-01T12:29:23+00:00

Business sustainability remains a critical challenge for small and medium-scale manufacturing firms operating in Nigeria's volatile economic environment. This study examined the effect of financial resilience on the business sustainability of small and medium-scale manufacturing firms in Abuja, focusing on five dimensions: financial buffer, liquidity management, access to finance, financial adaptability and recovery capacity. The study was anchored in the Resource-Based View theory. A quantitative research design was adopted, and data were collected from 240 respondents drawn from small and medium-scale manufacturing firms in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. Multiple regression analysis was employed to examine the individual and joint effects of the five dimensions on business sustainability. The findings revealed that financial adaptability had a positive and highly significant effect on business sustainability, while access to finance also exerted a positive and significant effect. Financial buffer and liquidity management had positive but statistically insignificant effects, while recovery capacity was positive and significant when examined independently but became insignificant when the five dimensions were considered jointly. Collectively, the five dimensions of financial resilience significantly explained 61.1% of the variance in business sustainability (R² = .611). The study concludes that financial resilience is a significant multidimensional determinant of business sustainability, with financial adaptability and access to finance providing the strongest independent contributions. The study recommends strengthening SMEs' capacity for financial adaptation, alongside improved access to affordable financing.

Numerical Comparison of the Mamadu Δ³ Iterative Scheme and Newton–raphson Method for Nonlinear Equations

2026-10-01T13:41:43+00:00

This study numerically compares the Mamadu Δ³ iterative scheme with the Newton–Raphson method for solving nonlinear polynomial equations. The comparison considers their mathematical formulation, iterative implementation, convergence behaviour, derivative requirements, and numerical performance. Two nonlinear polynomial equations are used as test problems, with initial approximations selected within intervals containing the required positive roots. Both methods are applied iteratively until stable approximations are obtained to the prescribed numerical accuracy. For the problems considered, both methods converge to consistent positive-root approximations. The Mamadu Δ³ scheme requires fewer iterations, consistent with its stated fourth-order convergence, whereas the Newton–Raphson method uses only first-derivative information and has a simpler computational structure. The numerical comparison therefore distinguishes iteration efficiency from per-iteration complexity: the Mamadu Δ³ scheme reduces the number of iterations for the selected examples, while Newton–Raphson retains an implementation advantage because of its lower derivative requirement. The results also indicate that the choice of the initial approximation influences the practical behaviour of both iterative procedures. Overall, the study provides a direct numerical comparison of the two methods under the selected test conditions and highlights the trade-off between convergence order, derivative evaluation, and implementation simplicity when solving nonlinear equations. The findings are therefore interpreted within the scope of the two reported polynomial examples.

Comparative Analysis of Enzymatically Hydrolysed and Fermented Protein Hydrolysed Ghee Residue Powder for Techno-functional Properties

2026-10-01T14:27:02+00:00

Background: Ghee residue (GR) protein hydrolysate was prepared to utilise the protein component of this dairy-industry by-product. For sustainable utilisation, it needs to be incorporated into various food products, as direct consumption is challenging because of the bitter taste of the hydrolysed product and the unsuitability of the unhydrolysed product.

Aim: This study compared the techno-functional properties of enzymatically hydrolysed and fermented freeze-dried GR powders with unhydrolysed defatted GR powder as the control.

Study Design: A comparative analysis was conducted using freeze-dried enzymatically hydrolysed and fermented powders, with unhydrolysed defatted GR as the control. The samples were evaluated for various techno-functional properties.

Methodology: Parameters such as solubility, emulsifying properties and foaming properties were studied in the Livestock Product Technology Division of ICAR-IVRI, Izzatnagar, Bareilly. Comparative analysis was performed to assess the effect of protein breakdown on these parameters and the differing effects of enzymatic hydrolysis and fermentation on these properties.

Result: Both processed powders showed significant improvements (p<0.01) in several measured techno-functional properties relative to the unhydrolysed control. The enzymatically hydrolysed powder showed the highest water solubility index (77.033±1.123%), foaming capacity (21.620±0.517%), foaming stability (16.687±0.684%), and water absorption capacity (3.966±0.125 g H₂O/g). The fermented powder also showed improvement, with corresponding values of 39.497±1.068%, 19.163±0.853%, 12.617±0.729%, and 3.641±0.078 g H₂O/g, respectively. Emulsifying activity and stability were also higher in the processed samples than in the control, with the enzymatically hydrolysed powder showing the greater response. Water activity was 0.273±0.014 for the enzymatically hydrolysed powder and 0.291±0.012 for the fermented powder.

Conclusion: Under the conditions evaluated, enzymatic hydrolysis generally produced greater changes in techno-functional performance than fermentation, although both processing approaches improved the functional characteristics of GR powder and may support its selection according to the requirements of the intended food application.