Journal of Scientific Research and Reports

Management of Dystocia in Barbari Goat: A Case Report

2026-06-12T10:03:57+00:00

Dystocia is an obstetric disorder in small ruminants contributing significantly to perinatal mortality, postpartum reproductive disorders, and economic losses in dairy production systems. This case report aims to investigate and manage dystocia in a 3-year-old advanced pregnant Barbari doe presented with prolonged straining and failure of normal parturition. A 3-year-old female Barbari goat weighing 30 kg, in an advanced stage of pregnancy, was presented to the Veterinary Clinical Complex, College of Veterinary Science and AH, Mhow (M.P.), with a history of straining since the previous night. Clinical examination revealed incomplete cervical dilation, allowing passage of only three fingers. Initial therapeutic management included intravenous administration of 500 ml DNS, Inj. Valethamate bromide (2 ml) to promote cervical dilation, Inj. Calcium Borogluconate (20 ml), and Inj. Trivibet (2 ml). After one hour of treatment, complete cervical dilation was achieved. Per-vaginal examination revealed a dead foetus in anterior presentation with flexion of both forelimbs and lateral deviation of the head, resulting in obstructive dystocia. To facilitate delivery, amputation of the left forelimb was performed, following which the foetus was successfully extracted using gentle traction in the downward and outward direction. Following foetotomy, intrauterine therapy was administered using two Oriprim boluses, and supportive treatment included oral administration of Replenta powder (25 g) twice daily for five days. The placenta was expelled on the following day, and the goat recovered uneventfully within five days after treatment. This case emphasizes the significance of prompt diagnosis and appropriate obstetrical intervention in the successful management of dystocia in small ruminants, ensuring the survival and recovery of the dam.

Revolutionizing Cotton Cultivation: Impact of High Density Planting System (HDPS) on Yield

2026-05-26T11:06:41+00:00

Cotton cultivation is often constrained by low productivity, climatic variability and pest incidence under conventional spacing methods. High-Density Planting System (HDPS) has emerged as an efficient agronomic strategy for improving plant population, resource utilization and yield performance. This study assesses the agronomic and statistical impact of High-Density Planting System (HDPS) on cotton (Gossypium spp.) yield as compared to that of conventional method of planting. Field trials were conducted across 120 farms in Akola district, Maharashtra, India during the 2024 cotton growing season under Special Project on Cotton. The experiment utilized a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) to minimize climatic and topographical variations. Two planting geometries viz., HDPS (90 X 15 cm) and Conventional spacing (120 X 30 cm) were compared for yield performance using Z-test analysis, confidence intervals, Cohen’s d effect size and correlation analysis was done between plant population density and corresponding yield. Results revealed a significant yield increase of 32.7% under HDPS with mean yield of 12.25 qtl/acre as compared to conventional method (9.23 qtl/acre). Highly significant z-score (18.06**), confidence intervals (95% CI: 2.69 – 3.35) depicting true yield difference between both the methods of planting and Cohen’s d (2.33) showing large effect size confirmed superiority of HDPS over conventional planting. Correlation coefficient (r = 0.71) affirmed the strong positive relation between plant population density and yield/acre. Furthermore, HDPS exhibited early maturity, better canopy coverage, reduced pest exposure, particularly to pink bollworm and ultimately improved resource use efficiency. The results substantiate HDPS as a scalable, sustainable solution for enhancing cotton productivity in rainfed regions with light to medium soil.

Temporal Dynamics of Azadirachtin Accumulation and Identification of Optimal Harvest Stage in Azadirachta indica A. Juss

2026-05-27T11:01:42+00:00

Azadirachtin, a major tetranortriterpenoid from Azadirachta indica A. Juss., is widely utilized in eco-friendly pest management owing to its potent insecticidal and growth regulating properties. However, azadirachtin accumulation varies with fruit developmental stage, thereby influencing extraction efficiency and commercial value. The present study evaluated temporal variation in azadirachtin content across four fruit developmental stages (9^th, 13^th,17^th, and 19^th weeks after anthesis) in selected high and low azadirachtin neem genotypes. Azadirachtin accumulation increased progressively from early developmental stages and reached a maximum at the 17^th week after anthesis (0.87 ± 0.026% in high genotypes and 0.39 ± 0.014% in low genotypes), followed by a decline at the 19^th week. Two-way ANOVA revealed highly significant effects of developmental stage (F = 147.93, p < 0.001) and genotype category (F = 1616.02, p < 0.001) on azadirachtin content, whereas their interaction was not significant (p = 0.103). LSD analysis (CD = 0.031) confirmed significant differences among all developmental stages, with the 17^th week recording the highest azadirachtin accumulation. The observed trend indicates maximum triterpenoid accumulation during physiological maturity, followed by a decline during fruit ripening. The study establishes the 17^th week after anthesis (hard green stage) as the optimal harvest stage for maximizing azadirachtin yield and provides a scientific basis for standardizing harvest timing for improved neem-based biopesticide production. This study could serve as a basic information for the farmers to collect the fruits at their harvestable maturity for better returns.

Colour and Shape as Visual Design Elements: Effects on Cognitive Performance in Young Children

2026-05-27T11:08:13+00:00

Colour and shape are important design elements for information perception and cognition. Researchers from previous studies have suggested that colour can affect children’s cognitive performance. However, the effect of colour and shape on cognitive ability has not been widely investigated. In this paper, the concept of the perceptual load paradigm was used to investigate the effect of colour and shape on cognitive performance. For the experiment, 120 young children aged 6-8 years with average intellect were selected. Three experiments were carried out, experiment 1 uses colour blocks, experiment 2 uses shapes without colour and experiment 3 uses shapes with colour as stimuli. The results showed that the main effect of item types (colour, shapes with colour and shapes without colour) in each stimulus was significant (p>.001), and the main effect of cognitive load was significant (p>.001). This indicated that colour, shape, and cognitive load significantly impacted the cognitive performance of the young children. These findings highlight important educational and cognitive benefits that can help improve teaching practices and learning interventions. Using both colour and shape together can support young learners by making it easier for them to process and understand information, even during more challenging cognitive tasks. One practical application of these findings is in the development of educational materials that thoughtfully combine colour and shape to enhance learning and engagement.

Bayesian Analysis of Covid-19 Recovery and Death Cases in Nigeria

2026-05-28T06:58:13+00:00

Uncertainty in Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infections, recoveries, and deaths complicates public health decision-making in Nigeria. This study applies a Bayesian framework to quantify this uncertainty using state-level surveillance count data (n = 37) from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control covering March 2020 to January 2024. The Weibull distribution was illustrated for recovery cases and the Lognormal distribution for death cases, with Gamma and Inverse Gamma conjugate priors respectively. The Weibull shape parameter (k = 0.8231) was fixed at its maximum likelihood estimate, yielding a closed-form posterior convergence for the scale parameter. Convergence diagnostics confirmed satisfactory model performance (R̂ < 1.05). The posterior mean recovery rate was 103.4 per 100,000 (95% credible interval: 70.8–150.9), supporting a national recovery rate of 97.48%. The posterior mean death rate was 1.610 per 100,000 (95% credible interval: 1.106–2.425), with mortality peaking at 7.60 per 100,000 in Lagos. Findings highlight high recovery but unequal mortality burden, informing targeted interventions.

Growth Performance of Sorghum under Eucalypts and Guava Based Agri-Horti-Silvi System in Northern India

2026-05-29T10:26:11+00:00

In semi-arid Northern India, agroforestry systems combining trees and crops can enhance farm sustainability and climate resilience. Understanding the performance of sorghum under eucalyptus- and guava-based systems is important for optimizing fodder production and tree-crop interactions. The study aimed to evaluate the growth performance of sorghum (HJ 541) under Eucalyptus tereticornis (clonal P-23) and Guava (Psidium guajava) based agroforestry systems, focusing on crop physiology, yield, and economic viability.The experiment was conducted in agri-silvi-horticulture (eucalypts + guava + agricultural crops) and agri-horticulture (guava + agricultural crops) systems, with sole sorghum cropping (control) for comparison, following a randomized block design. The study was carried out at the Department of Forestry, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar. Tree components were established during July-August 2019 at 7×8 m spacing, while sorghum was sown in June 2022 (Kharif season). Growth observations were recorded up to April 2023. Growth parameters of trees (basal diameter, DBH), physiological traits of sorghum (chlorophyll content, photosynthesis, transpiration, stomatal conductance), and fodder yield were measured at different crop stages. Guava exhibited higher basal diameter as sole (9.56 cm) compared to guava under eucalypts (8.45 cm). Clonal eucalypts showed rapid increment in basal diameter (31.05 cm) and DBH (25.44 cm). Sorghum under tree-based systems recorded higher chlorophyll content, whereas sole sorghum had superior photosynthesis, transpiration, and stomatal conductance. Fodder yield ranged from 25.57 t/ha (agri-silvi-horticulture) to 41.35 t/ha (control), with yield reduction of 38.16% and 6.27% under agri-silvi-horticulture and agri-horticulture, respectively. The benefit-cost ratio varied between 0.67 and 1.09. Integration of sorghum with guava and eucalypts influenced crop physiology and yield, demonstrating trade-offs between tree-crop combinations and sole cropping. The findings provide practical insights for sustainable agroforestry strategies in semi-arid regions of Northern India.

Cost and Income Structure of Maize Cultivation in Chhindwara District of Madhya Pradesh, India

2026-05-29T12:39:54+00:00

Maize (Zea mays L.) is an important cereal crop with significant economic and nutritional value in India. The present study was conducted to estimate the cost of cultivation and profitability of maize production in Chhindwara district. Primary data were collected from 90 sample farmers comprising 30 small, 30 medium, and 30 large farmers through a pre-tested interview schedule for the agricultural year 2023–24. The study revealed that the total cost of cultivation (Cost C3) was highest on large farms (₹116,351.86/ha), followed by medium farms (₹107,961.91/ha), and lowest on small farms (₹99,795.05/ha). The average gross income from maize cultivation was ₹160,800.68/ha, which was maximum on large farms (₹167,154.98/ha.) and minimum on small farms (₹154,706.99/ha.). The average net income, farm business income, family labour income, and farm investment income were estimated at ₹52,764.41/ha., ₹93,597.80/ha., ₹65,752.55/ha., and ₹90,481.13/ha., respectively. The benefit–cost ratio was highest on small and medium farms (1:1.5) compared to large farms (1:1.4). The study concluded that although large farms generated higher output and gross returns, small farms were relatively more efficient in terms of profitability. The findings suggest the need for policy interventions aimed at improving access to quality seed, balanced fertilizer use, irrigation facilities, credit support, and extension services, particularly for small and medium farmers. Strengthening farmer training programmes on improved production technologies and promoting efficient resource utilization may further enhance maize productivity and profitability in the district. Additionally, government support through price stabilization measures, crop insurance, and mechanization subsidies could help reduce production risks and improve the economic sustainability of maize cultivation.

Spatio-temporal Analysis of Groundwater Recharge, Storage Anomalies, and Aquifer Variability under Diverse Geological Units of the Wainganga River Basin

2026-05-30T13:11:00+00:00

Background: Groundwater is a major freshwater resource supporting agricultural, domestic, and industrial activities in central India. However, increasing groundwater extraction and climatic variability have intensified groundwater stress in hard-rock aquifer systems.

Aim: The present study aimed to evaluate long-term groundwater recharge dynamics, groundwater storage anomalies (GWSA), and spatial variability across diverse geological formations of the Wainganga River basin using groundwater level observations from 2000–2020.

Method: A total of 249 observation wells distributed across major geological formations including Deccan Trap, Betul Gneiss, Lower Gondwana, Sausar Group, Khairagarh Group, Acid Intrusive/Granite, and Laterite/Bauxite were analysed. Groundwater recharge was estimated using the Water Table Fluctuation (WTF) method based on pre- and post-monsoon groundwater level fluctuations and aquifer-specific yield values. Groundwater storage anomalies were calculated using long-term mean groundwater storage, while spatial variability was assessed through standard deviation analysis.

Results: The results revealed considerable temporal and spatial variability in groundwater behaviour across different geological formations. Pre-monsoon groundwater depth reached a maximum of 21.35 m, indicating severe groundwater depletion during drought years. Post-monsoon groundwater levels showed substantial recharge variability controlled by geological characteristics and monsoonal rainfall. Groundwater recharge estimation indicated that the Deccan Trap formation contributed the highest recharge, varying from 1048 MCM in 2014 to 1790 MCM in 2019, whereas total basin recharge ranged from 1907 MCM to 3015.97 MCM during the study period. Groundwater storage anomaly analysis revealed severe groundwater stress during 2014 and 2020, with the Khairagarh Group exhibiting the highest depletion (−14.7 MCM). In contrast, significant groundwater recovery was observed during 2010 due to high monsoonal recharge. Spatial variability analysis demonstrated strong heterogeneity in groundwater storage distribution, with the Khairagarh Group showing the highest spatial variability (20.01 MCM), while Acid Intrusive/Granite and Sausar Group formations maintained relatively stable groundwater conditions.

Conclusion: The study highlights the strong influence of geological formations and monsoonal variability on groundwater recharge and storage dynamics within the Wainganga River basin. The findings provide important scientific information for sustainable groundwater management, artificial recharge planning, and identification of groundwater-stressed regions in hard-rock terrains of central India.

Ethnobotanical Survey of Wild Leafy Vegetables Used by Tribal Communities of Bargaon, Dindori District, Madhya Pradesh, India: Diversity, Medicinal Uses, and Conservation Status

2026-05-30T13:21:16+00:00

Wild leafy vegetables (WLVs) constitute a crucial component of the subsistence economy, nutrition, and traditional medicine of tribal communities in Central India. The present study documents the ethnobotanical knowledge of wild leafy vegetables among Gond and Baiga tribal communities in 10 selected villages of Bargaon, Shahpura Block, Dindori District, Madhya Pradesh. A total of 295 informants aged 45–75 years were interviewed using semi-structured questionnaires, participatory field walks, and group discussions between August 2024 and December 2025. Systematic ethnobotanical field surveys led to the documentation of 72 species of wild leafy vegetables belonging to 38 plant families, with Amaranthaceae (14 spp.), Asteraceae (11 spp.), and Fabaceae (9 spp.) being the most represented families. Tender leaves were the most frequently utilized plant part (58%), primarily prepared by cooking (42%). The recorded species were used to treat a range of ailments including digestive disorders (18 spp.), anaemia (15 spp.), and skin diseases (10 spp.). Quantitative indices including Use Value (UV), Relative Frequency of Citation (RFC), and Informant Consensus Factor (ICF) were calculated to identify the most culturally significant species. Amaranthus viridis, Chenopodium album, and Centella asiatica recorded the highest UV values (0.92, 0.89, and 0.85, respectively). A total of 24 distinct disease categories were treated by the documented species; a high informant consensus was recorded for digestive disorders (ICF = 0.89) and anaemia (ICF = 0.85). Elder women (55–64 years) held the most extensive traditional knowledge, while informants below 45 years showed significant knowledge attrition, indicating urgent intergenerational erosion of traditional ecological knowledge. The study highlights the rich traditional botanical knowledge preserved by female informants and elder members of the Gond and Baiga tribes, and underscores the urgent need for documentation, conservation, and sustainable management of WLV diversity in this biodiversity-rich biosphere reserve landscape.

Effect of Sulphur and Zinc on Growth and Yield of Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.)

2026-05-30T13:30:46+00:00

Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) is an important oilseed crop whose productivity is often constrained by deficiencies of essential micronutrients like sulphur and zinc. Adequate nutrient management, particularly the balanced application of sulphur and zinc, plays a critical role in enhancing plant growth, yield, and oil quality. A field experiment was conducted during Zaid season of 2025 at Crop Research Farm, Department of Agronomy, Naini Agricultural Institute, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, to evaluate the effect of Sulphur and Zinc on growth and yield of Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.). The experiment had 3 levels of Sulphur (20, 30 and 40 kg/ha) and Zinc (10, 20 and 30 kg zinc sulphate/ha) with one control, the experiment was laid out in a Randomized Block Design with 10 treatments and replicated thrice. The results revealed that the significant increase in the growth and yield attributing characters of sesame, viz. plant height, number of branches/plant, plant dry weight, capsules/plant, seeds/capsule, test weight, seed yield, and stover yield was recorded in application of Sulphur 30 kg/ha in conjunction with Zinc sulphate 20 kg/ha. This combination had been observed most effective treatment for obtaining higher seed yield (933.3 kg/ha) and net returns (INR 67673.72/ha) in sesame crop, for Prayagraj region.

Comparative In-vitro Efficacy of Fungicides against Fusarium oxysporum Causing Wilt of Pigeonpea

2026-06-01T06:30:57+00:00

Pigeon pea is an important pulse crop, but its productivity is severely constrained by wilt disease caused by Fusarium oxysporum. The soil-borne pathogen survives for long periods in the soil and causes significant yield losses, making disease management challenging. Evaluation of fungicides under laboratory conditions is essential for identifying effective chemical options for suppressing pathogen growth and supporting disease management strategies. An in vitro experiment was carried out to evaluate the efficacy of different fungicides against Fusarium oxysporum causing pigeon pea wilt in the P.G. Research Laboratory, Department of Plant Pathology, N. M. College of Agriculture, Navsari Agricultural University, Navsari during 2024-25. Thirteen fungicides belonging to contact, systemic and combination groups were evaluated at three concentrations (100, 200 and 300 ppm) by poison food technique using Completely Randomized Design (CRD). The efficacy of fungicides was assessed based on mean colony diameter and Per cent Growth Inhibition (PGI). Significant differences were observed among the fungicides tested against F. oxysporum under laboratory conditions. Among the fungicides evaluated, penflufen 13.28% + trifloxystrobin 13.28% FS recorded complete inhibition (100.00%) of mycelial growth at all concentrations tested. Fluopyram 17.70% + tebuconazole 17.70% w/w, thiophanate methyl 450 g/L + pyraclostrobin 50 g/L FS, carbendazim 25% + flusilazole 12.5% SE and tebuconazole 50% + trifloxystrobin 25% WG also exhibited excellent inhibition and remained statistically at par with penflufen 13.28% + trifloxystrobin 13.28% FS. Mancozeb 75 WP recorded the least inhibition among all fungicides tested. The results indicated that combination fungicides were more effective than contact fungicides against F. oxysporum under in vitro conditions.

Development of an AI-Based Animal Intrusion Detection System for Agricultural Lands Using ESP32-CAM and TinyML

2026-06-03T09:47:43+00:00

Animal invasion is one of the major threats observed recent times in the agricultural lands. This is due to the extension of farm lands to feed the increasing population. There is a need to control this animal invasion without harming the living animals. Hence, the study was undertaken to develop an Artificial Intelligence based image detection using ESP32-CAM and Neural Network for protection of agricultural land by invasion of wild animals, resulting in crop damage and financial losses. The goal of the study is to develop a simple yet effective system for detecting wild animals. The model, FOMO (Faster Objects, More Objects) MobileNetV2 0.35, has been trained to detect cows, elephants, and deers to safeguard farmlands effectively. The deployment involves object detection capabilities, on-device optimization, and real-time performance for practical implementation.

Comparative Evaluation of Exponential Double Smoothing and ARIMA Architecture for Forecasting Area, Yield, and Production of Potato in Odisha, India

2026-06-03T10:03:05+00:00

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is an important food and cash crop in Odisha, India, yet the state fulfils only a small proportion of its domestic requirement through local production. Accurate forecasting of potato area, yield, and production is therefore essential for effective agricultural planning and policy formulation. The present study comparatively evaluated the forecasting performance of Exponential Double Smoothing (EDS), also known as Holt’s Linear Trend Model, and Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) models using annual time-series data from 1970 to 2023 collected from the Directorate of Economics and Statistics, Odisha, and Five Decades of Odisha Agricultural Statistics. The dataset was divided into training (1970–2017) and testing (2018–2023) periods to assess out-of-sample forecasting accuracy. Model performance was evaluated using Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE), Root Mean Square Error (RMSE), diagnostic tests, and Corrected Akaike Information Criterion (AICc). The best-fitted ARIMA models identified were ARIMA (0,2,1) for area, ARIMA (0,1,0) for yield, and ARIMA (1,1,0) for production. However, EDS consistently produced lower forecasting errors than ARIMA for most of the study variables, indicating superior predictive performance. Forecasts generated through EDS for 2024–2026 suggest a gradual decline in potato cultivation area and production in Odisha, while yield is expected to remain relatively stable with slight fluctuations. The findings indicate that EDS is a more reliable and robust forecasting approach for potato statistics in Odisha and may provide useful support for agricultural policy decisions, storage planning, and strategies aimed at achieving regional self-sufficiency in potato production.

Response of Different Row Ratios of Soybean + Pigeon Pea Intercropping and Sowing Times to Soybean Growth Dynamics

2026-06-03T12:46:15+00:00

Soybean–pigeon pea intercropping is widely practiced in rainfed regions to improve land-use efficiency, crop productivity, and system sustainability under variable climatic conditions. Proper sowing time and row arrangement play an important role in optimizing crop growth and resource utilization. The experiment was conducted at the AICRP for dryland agriculture Dr. PDKV, Akola, situated at 20°42' North latitude and 77°02' East longitude during season of kharif 2023-24 and 2024-25. To determine the effect of different row ratios of soybean + pigeon pea intercropping and various sowing times on soybean growth dynamics. Based on a two-year investigation the result was presented directly from pooled data. The experiment was laid out in factorize randomize complete block design with three replications. There are twelve treatment combinations, comprising of three sowing times i.e D₁- Normal sown (Onset of monsoon), D₂- 15 days after D₁ and D₃ 30 days after D₁ and four intercropping row proportions i.e I₁- 8:1 (soybean + pigeon pea), I₂- 6:1 (soybean + pigeon pea), I₃- 4:1 (soybean + pigeon pea) and I₄- 5:2 (soybean + pigeon pea). The result revealed that, the maximum growth dynamic for dry matter was found in normal sown (28 MW) soybean crop. Normal sown soybean (28 MW) recorded significantly higher absolute growth rate during 31–45, 46–60 and 76 DAS to harvest compared to the second and third sowings, and remained at par with the second sowing during 46–60 DAS. It also showed significantly higher relative growth rate (0.0698 g g^-1 day^-1) than second and third sowings and was at par with the second sowing during 31–45 DAS. Net assimilation rate was highest in normal sowing during 30–45 DAS (0.0757 g dm^-2 day^-1), remaining at par with the second sowing, while later stages were not significantly affected by sowing time. Therefore, growth dynamic is not influenced significantly by different intercropping row ratios at any growth stage of crop.

Parental Self-Efficacy as a Protective Factor against Dysfunctional Parenting among Parents of Adolescents

2026-06-04T12:56:40+00:00

Self-efficacy is known to influence how individuals think, feel, and behave, and it is considered a powerful antecedent to the quality of parent-child interactions. The current study was conducted to determine the level of parenting self-efficacy among parents of adolescents and establish its relationship with their parenting behaviour. The research was descriptive research with 100 father-mother dyads of adolescents between the age of 13 and 15 years with matched criteria were selected from Jorhat district, Assam using three-staged sampling. The Woolgar’s Brief Parental Self-Efficacy Scale was used to assess parenting self-efficacy of parents and Parenting Scale of Arnold et al. was used to identify parenting behaviour of the respondents. The study was statistically analysed with frequency distribution, percentage, mean, standard deviation, t-test, and correlation coefficient. The results revealed that fathers showed more laxness in their parenting and mothers were more over-reactive and verbose in nature. Moreover, mothers had significantly higher levels of parenting self-efficacy than fathers. Furthermore, parenting self-efficacy was negatively correlated with laxness and verbosity for both parents, indicating that higher levels of perceived parental self-efficacy were related to lower levels of dysfunctional parenting behaviour in parents of adolescents. This study recommends that parenting interventions should focus on strengthening parental self-efficacy as greater parental confidence can promote nurturing parenting behaviours among parents.

Long-term Trend Analysis of Agrometeorological Variables and their Influence on Sugarcane Productivity in North Coastal Andhra Pradesh, India (1991–2024)

2026-06-04T13:01:29+00:00

Agrometeorological variables such as temperature, rainfall, sunshine hours, and evaporation strongly influence sugarcane growth and productivity. Long-term changes in these variables can affect crop performance and agricultural planning. This study examines trends in key agrometeorological factors and their relationship with sugarcane yield in North Coastal Andhra Pradesh. This longitudinal study analysed 34 consecutive years (1991–2024) of daily records from a single agrometeorological observatory - the Regional Agricultural Research Station (RARS), Anakapalle, Visakhapatnam District, North Coastal Andhra Pradesh (17.6913°N, 83.0039°E) - to characterize long-term trends in eight meteorological variables: maximum temperature (Tmax), minimum temperature (Tmin), mean temperature (Tmean), diurnal temperature range (DTR), total annual rainfall, rainy days, sunshine hours, and pan evaporation, and to assess their relationships with sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L., cv. 87 A 298) cane yield. The complete daily record comprised 12,054 observations recorded using standardised IMO-compliant instruments. The non-parametric Mann–Kendall (MK) trend test with Hamed–Rao autocorrelation correction and Sen's slope estimator were applied to annual time series; where lag-1 autocorrelation exceeded |r₁| > 0.10, the Hamed–Rao modified MK test replaced the standard test. Autocorrelation analysis revealed significant positive lag-1 serial correlations in sunshine hours (r₁ = 0.635), pan evaporation (r₁ = 0.764), Tmin (r₁ = 0.783), and Tmean (r₁ = 0.711), necessitating the modified test for these variables. After autocorrelation correction, no statistically significant trends were detected in any temperature or rainfall variable (all p > 0.25). Highly significant declining trends were confirmed in both mean annual sunshine hours (MK Z = −4.92, Sen's slope = −0.062 h day⁻¹ yr⁻¹, p < 0.001, cumulative decline: 2.04 h day⁻¹, 26.8% from 1991) and mean annual pan evaporation (MK Z = −4.91, Sen's slope = −0.030 mm day⁻¹ yr⁻¹, p < 0.001, cumulative decline: 0.99 mm day⁻¹, 19.9% from 1991) - both trends remaining highly significant even after conservative autocorrelation correction. The concurrent decline in sunshine hours and pan evaporation under stable temperatures constitutes evidence of the 'evaporation paradox' driven by declining surface solar irradiance. Exploratory Pearson correlation analysis between annual weather variables and four years of observed sugarcane cane yields (2021–2024, n = 4) identified heat stress days (r = −0.610) and DTR (r = −0.645) as the most agronomically coherent associations; all yield correlations were statistically non-significant owing to the small sample size and should be interpreted as hypothesis-generating only.

Bridging Yield and Extension Gaps in Mustard through Cluster Frontline Demonstrations (CFLDs) in Solan District of Himachal Pradesh, India

2026-06-06T11:15:07+00:00

Background: Agricultural education and extension are not only vehicles for technology dissemination but also catalysts for socio-economic transformation, empowerment, and the overall wellbeing of farming communities. Cluster Frontline Demonstrations (CFLDs), an initiative of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) implemented through Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), have emerged as an effective extension strategy to address this gap. Conducted on farmers’ fields, CFLDs promote recently released high-yielding varieties along with improved crop management practices.

Aim: The purpose of conducting Cluster Frontline Demonstrations (CFLDs) on mustard is to evaluate the effectiveness of improved production technologies in enhancing crop yield and farm profitability under farmers’ field conditions, ensuring wider visibility and adoption.

Place and Duration of Study: A total of 100 demonstrations were conducted for two years in two clusters, Belikhol and Nagali, by Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Solan, Himachal Pradesh, covering an area of 20 ha per year.

Methodology: The demonstrations were conducted during the rabi seasons of 2023-24 and 2024-2025 to bridge yield and extension gaps, besides uplifting the socioeconomic status of farmer. High -yielding mustard variety Him Palam Gobhi Sarson-2, along with INM and IPM practices were demonstrated to the farmers. To quantify the impact of CFLDs, the technology gap, extension gap and technology index were computed.

Results: The findings confirm that CFLDs play a pivotal role in enhancing mustard productivity and profitability, while also reducing the technology dissemination gap. CFLD plots produced higher seed yield and economic returns than farmer practice plots. During the first year (2023-2024), an increase in yield of 14.89-19.50 per cent was observed while in the second year the increase was 16.21 to 21.93 per cent. The technology gap varied from 1.62 to 2.60 q/ha, extension gap from 2.10 to 2.95 q/ha and technology index varied from 8.77 to 14.08% across both locations and years. Farmers’ feedback shows high acceptability of components such as improved varieties, seed rate and balanced nutrient management.

Conclusion: Results confirm that the demonstrated oilseed variety, along with recommended agronomic practices, significantly enhanced productivity and reduced yield gaps. However, efforts should be directed towards minimizing the technology and extension gap through improving extension outreach under farmers’ field conditions.

An Analysis of Growth in Input Use Level and Total Factor Productivity of Major Crops in Telangana State, India

2026-06-06T12:32:12+00:00

Agriculture remains a vital sector in Telangana, contributing significantly to rural livelihoods and food security. Following the formation of the state in 2014, substantial investments were made in irrigation infrastructure, farmer support programmes, and agricultural development initiatives. Evaluating whether these interventions translated into productivity gains requires an assessment of changes in input use and total factor productivity (TFP) of major crops. This study examines changes in input use, costs, and total factor productivity (TFP) for rice, cotton, and maize in Telangana across two periods: 2010–11 to 2013–14 and 2014–15 to 2017–18, using the Divisia–Tornqvist index. It is noted that, TFP levels for rice, cotton, and maize were 1.30, 0.99, and 1.09, respectively, in the first period, and 1.02, 1.15, and 1.05, respectively, in the second period. These results indicate limited technological impact for rice and maize following state formation, in contrast to cotton, which shows appreciable TFP gains after 2014. A Cobb–Douglas production function further found that farm size, the share of area under irrigation, and seed cost as key determinants of farm income. Overall, the agricultural sector performed at a comparatively higher rate after 2014, particularly in irrigation and crop production. The results suggest that policy efforts should focus on expanding irrigation coverage, promoting productivity-enhancing technologies, improving input-use efficiency, and reducing production costs to achieve sustainable agricultural growth and enhance farmers income in Telangana.

Nutritional Quality of Major Indian Oilseeds and Cereals: Proximate Composition and Fatty Acid Characterization

2026-06-08T13:29:46+00:00

Oilseeds and cereals are important dietary sources of energy, protein, lipids, and essential fatty acids. The present study evaluated the proximate composition and fatty acid profiles of four oilseed crops (sesame, groundnut, soybean, and safflower) and four cereal crops (paddy, maize, jowar, and bajra) using standard AOAC methods. Significant differences (P ≤ 0.05) were observed among crops for all nutritional parameters. Among oilseeds, soybean recorded the highest protein content (42.28%), while sesame showed the highest fat content (45.42%) and energy value (588.85 kcal/100 g). Among cereals, maize had the highest protein content (11.12%), bajra recorded the highest fat content (5.59%), and paddy contained the highest carbohydrate content (79.42%). Fatty acid analysis revealed that sesame and groundnut were rich in monounsaturated fatty acids, whereas soybean and safflower contained higher proportions of polyunsaturated fatty acids. Safflower exhibited the highest PUFA content (75.08%), while jowar showed the most favorable fatty acid profile among cereals with the highest PUFA content (57.03%). The findings demonstrate considerable nutritional diversity among major Indian oilseeds and cereals and highlight their importance for dietary diversification, functional food development, and nutritionally balanced diets.

Isolation and Molecular Characterization of Cercospora capsici Heald and F. A. Wolf Infecting Capsicum annuum var grossum Sendt

2026-06-09T07:50:21+00:00

Background: Cercospora leaf spot is a significant disease affecting bell pepper in Karnataka, India, and is caused by Cercospora capsici. The pathogen is characterized by the development of distinct necrotic lesions on foliar tissues, which often progress to severe defoliation and consequent yield losses. Identification of the causal organism was undertaken through comprehensive morphological and cultural analyses, including colony characteristics, the structure of conidiophores, and the production of hyaline, elongated, multiseptate conidia, which are diagnostic features of the genus Cercospora.

Aim: The present study was undertaken to study the severity of leaf spot disease of capsicum (Capsicum annuum L. var. grossum) in southern Karnataka, India, its etiology and morphological and molecular characterization of the casual organism.

Methodology: Diseased leaf samples collected from major capsicum-growing regions were subjected to pathogen isolation and characterization. The causal organism was identified using an integrated approach combining morphological and cultural characteristics with multilocus sequence analysis based on the internal transcribed spacer (ITS), translation elongation factor 1-alpha (TEF1-α), and calmodulin (CAL) gene regions.

Results: In a roving survey conducted in Bengaluru Rural, Chikkaballpur and Kolar districts of southern Karnataka during the year 2021-22 and 2022-23, Bengaluru rural district recorded the highest severity of Cercospora leaf spot (27.13%). Phylogenetic analysis of the concatenated multilocus dataset provided robust species-level resolution and confirmed the pathogen as Cercospora capsici. All the three isolates formed a common clade with the representative isolates obtained from Genbank with the bootstrap values of >75.00% to 99.00% and a least evolutionary distance of <0.0001. Pathogenicity of the representative isolates was successfully established through Koch’s postulates. Isolates obtained from Bengaluru, Chikkaballapur, and Kolar exhibited high morphological similarity and clustered together with strong phylogenetic support, indicating genetic uniformity among regional populations. The multilocus-based characterization further confirmed the host specificity of C. capsici infecting capsicum.

Conclusion: This study provides a comprehensive identification and phylogenetic delineation of the leaf spot pathogen infecting capsicum, contributing to a clearer understanding of Cercospora species diversity and host specificity in the region.

Evaluation of Suitable Culture Media for Growth of Rhizoctonia bataticola Causing Dry Root Rot of Soybean (Glycine max L.)

2026-06-09T09:53:20+00:00

Rhizoctonia bataticola (Tabb.) Butler is one of the major constraints in profitable production of soybean, causing heavy quantitative and qualitative losses. This research was conducted at Department of Plant Pathology, College of Agriculture, Ummedganj, Kota. In this research, dry root rot affected samples were collected from different farms of Kota. Among the seven-culture media used for study, the maximum colony diameter 88.00 mm was recorded on potato dextrose agar 96 hrs. after inoculation which was statistically significant over rest of medium tested. This indicates that maximum growth of R. bataticola, was supported by potato dextrose agar medium. The next was Czapek Dox agar medium which yielded 83.00 mm colony diameter followed by oat meal agar medium (78.00 mm), soybean root extract agar (51.00 mm) V-8 juice agar (42.00 mm) and soybean leaf extract agar 36.33 mm radial growth of fungus. Least colony diameter (26.67 mm) of the pathogen was observed in soybean stem extract agar medium and it was statistically inferior than all other agar medium tried.

Information Need Assessment of Professionals about Dairy Farming in Karnataka, India

2026-06-09T10:29:33+00:00

Dairy ensures the livelihood security of 70 million farm families in India. In order to ensure the efficient use of resources in the animal husbandry industry, improve the quality of veterinary services, and update professionals (Veterinary officers, University scientists and KMF officials) skills, it is essential to examine the information needs of professionals. The present study was conducted to know the information needs of Professionals about dairy farming in Karnataka. Random sampling method was followed to select 10 University scientists, 10 Veterinary officers and 5 KMF officials from each district making a final sample size of 100 respondents from four districts of Karnataka.

Majority of the professionals, were in medium category for their socio-economic characteristics. The needs were analyzed after data collection and prioritized based on weighted mean score (WMS) of each item and it was found that information on feeding and nutrition (WMS 2.64, Rank I), health management and disease control (WMS 2.64, Rank I), was highly required by veterinary officers. Further, the information on clean milk production and value addition (WMS 2.64, Rank I) was highly required by university scientists, followed by breeding and reproduction (WMS 2.62, Rank II), whereas the information on breed selection and identification of quality dairy animals (WMS 1.33, Rank I) was highly required by KMF officials, followed by feeding and nutrition (WMS 1.29, Rank II). Information regarding the highly prioritized areas in dairy farming are very crucial for enhancing the scientific dairy farming practices among multistakeholders. This study would facilitate in disseminating the required information through through development of e-modules or trainings. The information needs of professionals would facilitate the service providers and policy makers to develop suitable and sustainable strategies to fulfill their needs through effective implementation of innovative interventions.

Influence of Phosphorus Levels and Biofertilizers on Growth and Yield of Cluster Bean (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba L.) under Semi-arid Conditions of Rajasthan, India

2026-06-10T07:44:32+00:00

Cluster bean [Cyamopsis tetragonoloba (L.) Taub.] is an important drought-tolerant legume crop widely cultivated in the semi-arid regions of India for food, fodder, and industrial uses. However, low soil fertility, particularly phosphorus deficiency, often limits its growth and productivity. The use of phosphorus fertilizers in combination with beneficial biofertilizers such as Rhizobium and phosphate-solubilizing bacteria (PSB) may improve nutrient availability and enhance crop performance under semi-arid conditions. A field experiment was carried out during Kharif 2025 at the Agronomy Research Farm, School of Agricultural Sciences, Jaipur national University, Jaipur, Rajasthan. The results indicated that among the phosphorus levels the higher growth parameters viz., plant height, number of branches plant^-1 and dry matter accumulation; maximum yield attributes and yield viz., number of pods plant^-1 (25.16), number of seeds pod^-1 (7.12), 1000 grains weight (26.97 g), similarly, the maximum seed yield (1101 kg ha^-1), straw yield (2257 kg ha^-1) and biological yield (3358 kg ha^-1) recorded significantly with the application of 60 kg P₂O₅ ha^-1and were at par with the application of 40 kg P₂O₅ ha^-1. However, among biofertilizer treatments, seed inoculation with Rhizobium + phosphate-solubilizing bacteria (Pseudomonas fluorescens) produced the highest growth, yield attributes, seed yield (997 kg ha⁻¹), straw yield (2054 kg ha⁻¹) and biological yield (3051 kg ha⁻¹). Whereas, harvest index was not significantly influenced by different phosphorus levels and the biofertilizer treatments. The study indicated that integrated application of 60 kg P₂O₅ ha⁻¹ along with Rhizobium and PSB was most effective for enhancing growth and productivity of cluster bean under semi-arid conditions of Rajasthan.

Assessment of Genetic Variability, Heritability and Genetic Advance of Growth, Yield and Quality Traits in Brinjal (Solanum melongena L.)

2026-06-11T13:35:03+00:00

Brinjal is an economically important vegetable crop with considerable genetic diversity for growth, yield, and quality traits. Understanding the extent of genetic variability, heritability, and genetic advance is essential for effective selection and breeding of superior genotypes. The hybrids of brinjal were assessed for genetic variability, heritability and genetic advance of growth, yield and quality traits. The experiment was conducted at Main Vegetable Research Farm, Department of Vegetable Science, Kalyanpur, C.S. Azad University of Agriculture and Technology, Kanpur (U.P.) in a Randomised Block Design with three replications over the Kharif seasons 2023-2025. The analysis of variance revealed highly significant differences among the brinjal treatments for all the 19 distinct traits. In F₁generation GCV (%) ranging from days to first fruit picking (1.57%) to fruit circumference (22.87%). In F₁generation PCV (%) ranging from days to first fruit picking (2.20%) to fruit circumference (23.91%). In F₁ estimate the narrow-sense heritability ranged from no. of primary branches per plant (31.58%) to fruit circumference (91.51%). Genetic advance mean F₁ expressed as percentage of mean ranged from days to first fruit picking (2.32%) to fruit circumference (45.07%). In light of the aforementioned findings, it may be inferred that the existing brinjal germplasm possesses considerable potential for effective crop improvement, particularly with respect to enhancing yield and yield-related traits.

Evaluation of Awareness and Problems Faced by Farmers in Using Biofungicides in Dahegam Taluka of Gandhinagar

2026-06-16T06:31:54+00:00

Plant diseases pose a significant threat to agricultural productivity. The growing scientific awareness about adverse effects of chemical fungicides; on health and impact on ecosystems, has led farmers to adopt new alternatives, one of which is biofungicide. The study was conducted to highlight farmers' awareness about biofungicides in Dahegam taluka of Gandhinagar district and the problems they face in adopting the biofungicides. The respondents were selected through a simple random sampling method. Both primary and secondary data were used in the study. The primary data was gathered from the farmers directly through face-to-face interviews using a structured schedule method. The secondary data was taken from research journal publications and other reliable sources. The statistical methods used in the study were descriptive statistics, weighted average mean and Garrett’s ranking method. Total 200 respondents were studied during the survey. The study revealed that the majority of farmers knew about biofungicides, but the adoption and usage of biofungicides is low. Farmers highlighted that the cost of biofungicides, slow results of the biofungicide and lack of technical knowledge were the main problems faced by them in the adoption of biofungicides.

Morphological and Pathogenic Characterization of Alternaria solani (Sorauer) Isolate Causing Early Blight Disease of Potato

2026-06-17T07:03:28+00:00

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is an important food and vegetable crop worldwide and in India, where Uttar Pradesh contributes a substantial share of national production. Early blight, caused by Alternaria solani, is a major fungal disease of potato and is associated with considerable yield reduction under favourable conditions. The present study was conducted at the Department of Plant Pathology, Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture and Technology, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, to isolate, purify, characterise and establish the pathogenicity of the causal agent associated with early blight of potato. Diseased potato leaves showing small, dark brown necrotic spots with concentric target-board lesions were collected from the experimental field. The pathogen was isolated from infected leaf tissues by the standard tissue isolation method on potato dextrose agar medium and purified through the hyphal-tip method. Morphological observations of the 7-day-old culture showed greyish-brown to black mycelium and brown to olivaceous-brown conidiophores. The conidia were olive green to brown, ellipsoid, straight to slightly curved, 35.15-24.85 micrometres long and 15.60-10.90 micrometres wide, with 3-4 transverse septa and 1-3 longitudinal septa. Pathogenicity was assessed on 55-day-old potato plants under controlled conditions by spraying a conidial suspension of 1 x 10^5 conidia per ml. Yellow flecks and early blight symptoms developed 5-10 days after inoculation, followed by sunken necrotic lesions with concentric rings, whereas control plants sprayed with sterile distilled water remained symptomless. Re-isolation from inoculated plants yielded cultures morphologically similar to the original isolate, thereby fulfilling Koch's postulates and confirming A. solani as the causal agent of early blight in the tested potato plants.

Development and Evaluation of a Web Module among Professionals

2026-06-17T12:51:25+00:00

India ranks first in milk production, contributing 24.64 per cent of global milk production. The development of web modules is a cost-effective and rapid method for disseminating information to multi-stakeholders. The present study was conducted in four districts of Karnataka with the objective of developing and evaluating a web module on dairying among professionals. The website was developed in English and Kannada to disseminate demand-driven information. Eight phases were followed for developing the web module, including analysis, design, development, testing, implementation, evaluation, scaling up, and report preparation and submission. A random sampling method was used to select 10 university scientists, 10 veterinary officers and 5 KMF officials from each district, resulting in a final sample size of 100 respondents from four districts of Karnataka. Information needs were assessed before developing the web module, and the same respondents evaluated the developed module. The evaluation considered utility, information, technical and user attributes components, and respondents recorded their level of satisfaction for each component and related sub-component. Among veterinary officers, the information component ranked first (WMS 2.94, Rank I). Among university scientists, the utility component ranked first (WMS 2.90, Rank I). Among KMF officials, the user attributes component ranked first (WMS 2.93, Rank I). The findings indicate that web-based information and communication technologies can support stakeholders by providing timely, need-based information. The website may serve as a first-hand, cost-effective information source on scientific dairy farming practices for students, dairy farmers and stakeholders, while helping livestock owners and extension personnel save time, money and effort.

Production Dynamics and Instability in Tropical Fruits: Evidence from India

2026-06-19T12:12:52+00:00

Mango, guava and mangosteen are important tropical fruits consumed in fresh and processed forms in India and other tropical regions. This study analysed the long-term dynamics of area, production and yield of tropical fruits in India, with particular reference to mango, guava and mangosteen, using secondary data for 1975–2022 obtained from FAOSTAT. The analysis applied the compound annual growth rate (CAGR), the Cuddy-Della Valle Instability Index (CDVI) and a linear trend model to examine growth, variability and forecasted changes up to 2030. The results showed that the cultivated area increased from 886,200 ha in 1975 to 2,704,000 ha in 2022, while production rose from 7.30 million tonnes to 26.30 million tonnes over the same period. The CAGR was positive for area (2.35 per cent), yield (0.35 per cent) and production (2.71 per cent), indicating that production growth was mainly associated with area expansion rather than substantial yield improvement. The CDVI values for area, yield and production were 12.55, 18.31 and 20.15 per cent, respectively, showing comparatively higher instability in production than in area and yield. Forecasts for 2023–2030 indicated that area and production may continue to increase, reaching 2,984,008 ha and 23.68 million tonnes by 2030, whereas yield may decline slightly to 7,409.10 kg/ha. Overall, the results indicate that the sector has expanded steadily, but the limited gain in productivity remains a concern for sustained output growth. These findings suggest that future growth in tropical fruit production requires greater emphasis on productivity improvement through improved cultivars, better crop management, integrated pest and disease control, and climate-resilient practices.

Development of an Abrasive-assisted Cleaning Process for Milk Storage Vessels Using Size-fractionated Sand and Fragmented Coconut Coir

2026-06-19T12:48:27+00:00

Cleaning of dairy storage vessels is essential for maintaining product quality and reducing residue accumulation on food-contact surfaces. This study developed and evaluated an abrasive-assisted cleaning approach using size-fractionated sand and fragmented coconut coir in combination with a detergent solution. Sand and coir were cleaned, dried, graded by size and screened in preliminary trials using detergent solution at contact times of 60, 120 and 180 s. Cleaning performance was assessed from total dissolved solids (TDS), electrical conductivity (EC) and CIELAB colour values of the recovered detergent solution. A conceptual cleaning model comprising a water reservoir, pump, delivery hose, dosing arrangement and test vessel was then used to evaluate selected sand and coir fractions for cleaning milk-soiled aluminium cans. The cans were soiled with a milk-dye mixture and cleaned at flow velocities of 0.5, 0.7 and 1 m/s for contact times of 5, 10 and 15 s. Detergent solution alone served as the control. The results showed significant differences (P<0.05) in TDS, EC and colour parameters among the cleaning treatments and operating conditions. In general, detergent combined with sand or coir produced higher soil-removal indicators than detergent alone, suggesting that the added abrasive materials improved the mechanical action of the cleaning solution. Sand with detergent showed the highest response in several treatment combinations, while coir with detergent also improved cleaning performance compared with the control. The findings indicate that locally available sand and coconut coir may support an economical abrasive-assisted cleaning process for milk storage vessels under the tested laboratory conditions. Further validation is required before industrial application.

Assessment of Growth and Instability in Chilli Production and Export Trade in India

2026-06-20T06:49:43+00:00

India is a leading participant in the global chilli trade, with a substantial role in production, consumption and exports. The present study assessed India's position in the global chilli market by examining production trends, export performance, instability and export competitiveness over the period 2005-06 to 2024-25. The period was divided into two sub-periods, 2005-06 to 2014-15 and 2015-16 to 2024-25, to compare changes across two decades. Secondary data on area, production, export quantity and export value were analysed using the exponential growth model, the Cuddy-Della Valle instability index, Revealed Comparative Advantage (RCA) and Revealed Symmetric Comparative Advantage (RSCA). The findings showed that India accounted for about 33.86 per cent of global chilli exports, making it the largest exporter in the world. During the overall period, chilli production increased significantly at 4.67 per cent per annum, while export quantity and export value increased at 8.85 per cent and 17.67 per cent per annum, respectively. The area under chilli cultivation recorded non-significant growth, indicating that production growth was mainly associated with productivity improvement rather than area expansion. Instability was low for area (8.40 per cent) and export quantity (8.54 per cent), whereas export value showed relatively higher instability (18.55 per cent). China was the largest destination for Indian chilli exports, accounting for 46.01 per cent of total export quantity. RCA values ranged from 1.86 to 3.45, and RSCA values remained positive throughout the study period. The study indicates that Indian chilli exports have maintained competitiveness, although quality compliance, value addition and market diversification remain important for strengthening future export performance.

Constraints Faced by Farmers in the Adoption of Technologies Transferred under the University Social Responsibility Programme

2026-06-20T12:20:33+00:00

Rural development remains central to sustainable agricultural growth and to improving the livelihoods of farming communities in India. Agricultural universities can support this process through University Social Responsibility (USR)-based village adoption programmes, which link technology dissemination with need-based rural development. The present study assessed the constraints faced by beneficiary and non-beneficiary farmers in villages associated with the USR programme of Swami Keshwanand Rajasthan Agricultural University (SKRAU), Bikaner, Rajasthan. An ex-post-facto research design was used. Three beneficiary villages, namely Benisar, Gusaisar and Kawni, and three neighbouring non-beneficiary villages, namely Lakhasar, Tauliyasar and Sobhasar, were purposively selected from Bikaner district. The sample comprised 300 respondents, including 150 beneficiary and 150 non-beneficiary farmers, selected through proportionate random sampling. Data were collected using a pre-tested semi-structured interview schedule and analysed using Mean Percent Score (MPS). The findings showed that non-beneficiary farmers reported higher levels of constraints than beneficiary farmers across all six dimensions. Financial constraints recorded the highest pooled MPS (80.09%), followed by technical (71.92%), ecological (69.26%), input supply (67.95%), marketing (66.18%) and extension constraints (65.83%). The major constraints were the high cost of machinery and equipment, high cost of chemical fertilisers, poor knowledge of crop insurance, fragmentation of landholdings, lack of a well-established marketing system and limited helpfulness from local governments. The results indicate that exposure to the USR programme was associated with comparatively lower perceived constraints among beneficiary farmers. However, the persistence of financial, technical, market and institutional barriers suggests the need for continued attention to affordable input access, advisory support, crop insurance awareness, marketing infrastructure and responsive extension services in university-led village development initiatives.

Comparative Analysis of Dietary Patterns and Nutritional Gaps among Urban and Rural Post-menopausal Women in Hisar, Haryana, India

2026-06-22T09:36:27+00:00

Menopause is associated with physiological and metabolic changes that may increase nutritional vulnerability and influence later-life health outcomes. Dietary patterns are therefore important for understanding the nutritional status of post-menopausal women. The present study assessed and compared food consumption patterns among urban and rural post-menopausal women in Hisar district, Haryana, India. A total of 200 post-menopausal women aged 45–60 years, comprising 100 urban and 100 rural respondents, were selected for the study. Dietary intake was assessed using a food frequency questionnaire covering cereals, pulses and legumes, fruits, green leafy vegetables, roots and tubers, other vegetables, milk and milk products, fats and oils, nuts and oilseeds, sugars, and miscellaneous food items. Consumption frequencies were scored and compared between the two groups. Wheat was consumed daily by all respondents, confirming its role as the staple cereal. Bajra consumption was higher among rural women, whereas rice was consumed at varying frequencies in both groups. Pulses and legumes, particularly lentil and green gram, were frequently consumed, but soybean intake remained low. Green leafy vegetables and fruits were consumed irregularly, while onion and potato were common components of the regular diet. Buffalo milk and desi ghee were widely consumed by both urban and rural women. Nuts, oilseeds, eggs, meat, and fish were consumed infrequently, reflecting predominantly vegetarian food habits. Sugar and tea were consumed daily by most respondents. Overall, both urban and rural diets were characterised by reliance on cereals, pulses, dairy products, roots and tubers, and fats, with limited inclusion of fruits, green leafy vegetables, nuts, oilseeds, and animal-source foods. The findings indicate dietary gaps that require context-specific nutrition education and dietary diversification strategies.

Process Optimisation and Quality Evaluation of Preservative-free Spray-dried Lime Juice Powder Using Maltodextrin as a Carrier Agent

2026-06-22T10:34:58+00:00

Lime juice is highly perishable because of its high moisture content, while its sugar and organic acid composition can cause stickiness, wall deposition and low powder recovery during spray drying. This study optimised the spray-drying process for producing preservative-free lime juice powder using maltodextrin as a carrier agent and evaluated the quality attributes of the resulting powder. A three-level factorial design was applied using inlet air temperatures of 150, 160 and 170 °C and maltodextrin concentrations of 20, 30 and 40% (w/v). The spray-dried powders were assessed for product yield, physicochemical composition, reconstitution and flow properties, colour characteristics, microstructure, sensory quality and economic feasibility. Increasing maltodextrin concentration improved powder recovery and reduced hygroscopicity, while the optimised condition of 20% maltodextrin at 160 °C provided a balanced response across the measured quality attributes. Under this condition, the powder showed high solubility (95.73%), acceptable flow behaviour and good colour retention. Scanning electron microscopy showed predominantly spherical particles with slight surface dents and limited irregularities. The optimised powder contained 3.39% moisture, 94.80% carbohydrate and 46.72 mg vitamin C per 100 g, and the total plate count was 0.3 × 10^4 CFU/g. Sensory evaluation of the reconstituted powder indicated high acceptability, with an overall acceptability score of 8.5 on a nine-point hedonic scale, comparable to the commercial control. The estimated production cost was INR 275 per kg, with a benefit-cost ratio of 1.5. The findings indicate that controlled spray drying with maltodextrin can produce a stable, preservative-free lime juice powder with desirable functional, sensory and economic attributes.

Biochar as a Dietary Growth Promoter in Nile Tilapia

2026-06-22T11:36:21+00:00

Biochar is a carbon-rich material produced through pyrolysis of biomass under low-oxygen conditions. The present study evaluated the effect of dietary biochar supplementation on growth performance, feed efficiency and survival of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) fingerlings over a 60-day feeding period. Biochar was prepared from the stems of Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum), charota (Cassia tora), gajar ghas (Parthenium hysterophorus) and babool (Acacia nilotica). Experimental diets were prepared by supplementing a commercial diet containing 24% crude protein with biochar at 2 mg and 5 mg levels, while the control diet contained no biochar. Growth was assessed using initial body weight, final body weight, weight gain, percentage weight gain, specific growth rate and survival rate. Feed utilisation was evaluated using feed conversion ratio, protein efficiency ratio and feed efficiency ratio. Among all treatments, the diet containing 5 mg Parthenium hysterophorus biochar produced the highest final body weight (28.751 g), weight gain (3.976 g), percentage weight gain (16.05%) and specific growth rate (0.25). This treatment also produced the best feed conversion ratio (3.94), protein efficiency ratio (1.06) and feed efficiency ratio (0.25), with 100% survival. The control group recorded a weight gain of 2.67 g, percentage weight gain of 10.76%, specific growth rate of 0.17 and survival of 96%. Overall, biochar-supplemented diets, particularly at the 5 mg level, improved growth and feed efficiency compared with the control. The findings indicate that plant-derived biochar may serve as a dietary growth-promoting additive for Nile tilapia fingerlings under the conditions of this study. This response was achieved without reducing survival in the best-performing treatment.

Impact of Improved Variety to Increase the Area and Productivity of Rice in Katni District of Madhya Pradesh, India

2026-06-23T10:16:53+00:00

Background: Adoption of improved rice varieties is an important strategy for enhancing rice productivity and profitability. Participatory approaches such as on-farm trials and frontline demonstrations help assess the suitability and acceptance of new cultivars under local farming conditions.

Aims: The study aims to find out the performance of improved variety of rice JR 81 and to popularize them among the farming community present study was carried out in the Katni district of Kymore Plateu and Satpura Hills.

Study Design: An on-farm trial and front line demonstration was carried out to examine rice production, yield characteristics and growth features and economics in different location of Katni district.

Place and Duration of Study: Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Katni conducted the present study in six consecutive years 2020-2025 in the form of On Farm Trials and Front Line Demonstrations.

Methodology: This study was carried out at 45 farmers field and 0.4 ha each of Katni district and data on yield and its attributing traits, economics were collected of recommended practices as well as farmer practices. The data were used for estimation of BC ratio, extension gap (q ha^-1), technology gap (q ha^-1) and technology index (%).

Results: In comparison to farmers' practices, benefit-cost ratios were determined to be 2.91. The demonstration's average technology gap was 6.98 q ha-1 and average extension gap is 10.58 q ha^-1. The mean value of the technology index is 11.63%. This demonstrates the effectiveness of the proven technology-improved variety JR 81 combined with a set of scientific package of practices.

Conclusion: This variety will increase the adoption of proven technology to boost rice yield. This variety was determined to be appropriate since it was well-suited to the current farming conditions and was well-liked by the farmers in terms of grain and yield.

Advances in Integrated Pest Management Strategies for Sustainable Crop Protection: A Review

2026-06-01T13:27:58+00:00

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) has emerged as a sustainable and ecologically sound approach for crop protection in response to increasing concerns regarding pesticide resistance, environmental degradation, biodiversity loss, and food safety. Conventional dependence on synthetic pesticides has resulted in adverse impacts on non-target organisms, soil and water contamination, and the development of resistant pest populations, creating the need for integrated and environmentally compatible pest management strategies. This review highlights recent advances in IPM strategies and their role in sustainable agricultural production systems. Major components of IPM, including cultural, biological, mechanical, physical, chemical, biotechnological, and digital approaches, are critically examined. Cultural practices such as crop rotation, intercropping, resistant cultivars, and conservation agriculture contribute significantly to pest suppression and agroecosystem stability. Biological control using predators, parasitoids, microbial biopesticides, and habitat manipulation reduces pesticide dependency and enhances ecological resilience. Mechanical and physical methods, including trapping, barriers, solarisation, and temperature-based treatments, provide eco-friendly alternatives for pest suppression. Advances in safer pesticide formulations, resistance management strategies, and precision-based chemical application strengthen the efficiency of chemical control within IPM frameworks. Emerging biotechnological innovations such as Bt crops, RNA interference, CRISPR/Cas gene editing, and molecular diagnostics offer targeted and sustainable pest management solutions. Digital agriculture technologies including artificial intelligence, drones, remote sensing, IoT-based monitoring systems, and predictive forecasting models have transformed pest surveillance and decision-making processes. Ecological engineering and agroecological approaches emphasising biodiversity conservation, pollinator protection, and ecosystem services further improve the sustainability of pest management systems. Despite substantial progress, challenges related to farmer awareness, high implementation costs, biosafety concerns, climate change, and regulatory limitations continue to affect widespread adoption of IPM practices.

SPARDA (Short Prokaryotic Argonaute, DNase-Associated): A CRISPR-Independent Prokaryotic Defense System with Emerging Biotechnological Potential

2026-06-02T11:17:22+00:00

Microorganisms exist in environments densely populated by bacteriophages and mobile genetic elements, necessitating the evolution of sophisticated defense strategies. While CRISPR–Cas systems represent the best-characterized adaptive immune mechanisms in prokaryotes, recent genomic and structural studies have revealed a diverse repertoire of non-CRISPR antiviral systems. Among these, Short Prokaryotic Argonaute, DNase Associated (SPARDA) systems have emerged as a distinctive form of guide-directed innate immunity. SPARDA combines catalytically inactive short prokaryotic Argonaute proteins with accessory DNase effectors to mediate targeted destruction of invading nucleic acids. Unlike CRISPR–Cas systems, recent studies suggest that some SPARDA-like systems employ programmable guide recognition coupled with β-relay signaling and filament assembly to activate associated nucleases.

This review summarizes the structural organization, mechanistic basis, evolutionary origins, and ecological significance of SPARDA systems. Short prokaryotic Argonautes are proposed to function as molecular sensors that recognize foreign DNA through guide-dependent interactions and, in some experimentally characterized systems, initiate conformational changes that activate associated DNase effectors. Filament formation observed in certain systems may contribute to amplification of DNase activity and DNA degradation. Comparative analyses indicate that SPARDA shares functional parallels with other bacterial defense systems such as CBASS, BREX, and restriction–modification systems, while also exhibiting conceptual similarities to supramolecular signaling assemblies in eukaryotic innate immunity.

Beyond its biological importance, SPARDA represents a promising platform for biotechnology and synthetic biology applications, including programmable diagnostics, biosensing, antimicrobial engineering, and synthetic immune circuits. Understanding the structural dynamics, regulatory control, and ecological distribution of SPARDA will deepen current knowledge of microbial antiviral immunity and may facilitate the development of novel molecular technologies inspired by prokaryotic defense mechanisms.

A Comprehensive Review on the Antifungal Potential and Synergistic Effects of Various Plant Extracts

2026-06-02T13:22:53+00:00

Plant extracts are useful against a variety of fungal infections due to their multifaceted approach. Improved understanding of plant-derived compounds can lead to more effective and long-lasting antifungal treatments for pharmaceutical, agricultural, and industrial applications. The study investigated the antifungal activity of a combined extract of many herbs. This review investigates the antifungal activity of combined plant extracts and evaluates their synergistic potential, mechanisms of action against fungal pathogens, and possible role in overcoming antifungal resistance. This review was conducted using secondary sources, including previously published peer-reviewed journals, review articles, and scientific research papers. Traditional healers can give optimized result than single herbs and treat multiple ailments, including those not stated by the patient. The extract of the plant and its combinations comprise diversified bioactive phytochemicals (for example, Phenols, Flavonoids, Terpenoids, Alkaloids and essential oils) which act on various fungal targets. All these processes mutually reinforce each other, so the combination can be especially powerful. This is a crucial mechanism involved, which may be inhibiting the synthesis of fungal cell membranes and representing an important therapeutic strategy for antifungal therapy. ERG produces ergosterol, a sterol involved in interactions with numerous bioactive compounds for the formation and function of the fungal cell membranes. Terpenoids, phenolics, and aldehydes (thymol, carvacrol, citral and geraniol) that significantly influence fluidity and permeability of the lipid bilayers forming fungal membranes. This modification leads to intracellular component mobilisation, an imbalance of ions and is followed by membrane breakdown. The plant extracts can affect the metabolic pathway and fungal cell wall production by targeting important enzymes. Chitin and glucan are components of the fungal cell walls and are synthesised by enzymes such as chitin synthase and β-glucan synthase. Alkaloids and flavonoids are believed to be inhibitors of these enzymes. Phytochemicals decrease fungal tolerance and survival through cytochrome P450 subunits responsible for Ene M and detoxification. The increasing prevalence of antifungal resistance has stimulated extensive research into alternative antifungal agents and combination therapies. Candida species can develop resistance through several mechanisms, including alterations in drug targets, overexpression of efflux pumps that actively remove antifungal agents from the cell, and reduced membrane permeability that limits drug uptake. A better understanding of the antifungal properties of phytochemicals and their mechanisms of action may facilitate the development of safer and more effective therapeutic agents. In particular, combinations of plant-derived compounds with synergistic effects may offer a promising strategy for overcoming antifungal resistance and improving treatment outcomes.

Gender and Agricultural Extension Access: A Review of Impacts on Productivity, Income, and Empowerment

2026-06-04T13:46:52+00:00

Gender-differentiated access to agricultural extension remains a persistent institutional constraint in smallholder agriculture. Although extension is often presented as a neutral mechanism for transferring agronomic knowledge, technologies, climate information and market advice, access to extension is shaped by land rights, labour responsibilities, mobility norms, literacy, digital access, group membership and intrahousehold decision-making. This narrative review examines how gendered access to agricultural extension affects productivity, income and empowerment. The article synthesises peer-reviewed literature published mainly between 2000 and 2026, with selective use of an authoritative international report for policy context. The literature search covered from January 2000 to present, while allowing selective inclusion of older classic studies where they remained analytically important. The main academic databases consulted were Web of Science, Scopus, Google Scholar, PubMed, CAB Abstracts, AGRICOLA, AGRIS and EconLit. The review shows that extension can improve productivity and income when advice is timely, locally credible, technically sound and linked to complementary resources such as inputs, credit, labour-saving technologies, markets and farmer organisations. However, the benefits are often weaker for women when extension systems rely on male household heads, male-dominated farmer groups, digital channels controlled by men, or training formats that ignore women’s unpaid care and farm labour responsibilities. Extension contributes to empowerment when it enhances women’s knowledge, confidence, leadership, bargaining position, social networks and control over agricultural benefits. These gains are not automatic. They depend on whether women are recognised as farmers in their own right and whether extension systems address the institutional and social conditions that determine whether advice can be used. The review argues that gender-responsive extension must move beyond counting women participants and instead evaluate effective access, agency, resource control and distribution of benefits. It concludes that agricultural extension can support inclusive agricultural transformation only when technical quality and gender justice are treated as mutually reinforcing priorities.

Bio Char-modified Concrete: A Review of Fresh and Mechanical Properties

2026-06-06T12:10:34+00:00

The construction sector sits at the heart of one of the world's most pressing the construction industry is one of the leading contributors to global carbon emissions, accounting for approximately 40% of energy-related CO₂ output, with cement production alone responsible for nearly 8% of total worldwide emissions. Facing mounting pressure to decarbonize, the sector has turned increasing attention toward supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) — alternatives that can partially replace ordinary Portland cement (OPC) while preserving, or even improving, structural performance.

This review examines bio char as one such alternative — a carbon-rich, highly porous material produced through the thermochemical conversion of biomass under oxygen-limited conditions. What sets bio char apart from conventional SCMs is its potential to be genuinely carbon-negative: rather than merely reducing emissions, it can actively sequester atmospheric carbon within hardened concrete, making it a strategically important material for the global push toward net-zero construction by 2050.

Drawing on a broad body of recent experimental literature, the paper systematically traces bio char’s journey from production — through pyrolysis (300–800°C), gasification (above 700°C), or hydrothermal carbonization (180–250°C) — to its performance in cementitious systems. Key physicochemical characteristics examined include particle size, porosity, specific surface area (5–400 m²/g by BET), elemental composition, pH, and surface functional groups, all of which govern how bio char interacts with the cement matrix. The experimental evidence is encouraging. At optimum replacement levels — generally between 1% and 5% by weight of cement — bio char consistently improves compressive strength by up to 18.5% and enhances flexural performance, primarily through internal curing, pore refinement, and accelerated cement hydration. Higher replacement levels reduce fresh concrete workability, but this effect can be effectively managed through superplasticizer optimization.

Beyond mechanical performance, bio char’s capacity for CO₂ adsorption and long-term carbon locking distinguishes it from established SCMs such as fly ash and silica fume, and extends its potential applications to thermal insulation, fire-resistant composites, and energy-efficient building envelopes.

Bio char properties vary considerably depending on feedstock type and pyrolysis conditions, making cross-study generalization difficult. Long-term durability data are limited, and the field still lacks standardized mix design protocols and quality benchmarks. This review maps these gaps clearly and identifies the research directions most critical for bringing bio char from laboratory promise into mainstream sustainable construction practice.

A Review on Ultra-High Performance Geopolymer Concrete: Mechanical Performance and Sustainability

2026-06-08T12:56:23+00:00

Concrete has come a long way, and Ultra-High Performance Concrete (UHPC) represents one of its most impressive evolutions — offering remarkable compressive strength, toughness, and durability. The catch, though, is that it relies heavily on ordinary Portland cement, which is responsible for around 7–8% of global CO₂ emissions. That's a serious environmental cost, and it's pushing researchers to look for smarter alternatives. Instead of cement, it uses industrial by-products and naturally available aluminosilicate materials — fly ash, slag (GGBS), and metakaolin — activated by alkaline solutions. The result is a concrete that can match or even outperform conventional UHPC, but with a much smaller carbon footprint.

This review takes a close look at what goes into UHPGC — the physical and chemical makeup of each ingredient — and how those ingredients interact to shape the concrete's fresh behaviour (how well it flows and places) and its hardened performance (how strong and durable it becomes). Key findings show that getting silica fume content right (around 25–30%) and keeping steel fibre dosage in the 1–2% range are the two biggest levers for pushing compressive strength into the 120–178 MPa range. The chemical reactions between the precursor materials and the alkaline activators create a dense, low-porosity microstructure — one that competes with, and sometimes beats, what you'd get from cement-based UHPC.

The review also highlights where the field still needs work: there's no agreed mix design standard for UHPGC yet, long-term performance data in harsh environments is limited, and life cycle cost studies are largely absent. Still, the overall picture is encouraging — UHPGC looks like a genuinely promising material for the next generation of infrastructure, one that takes both performance and the planet seriously.

Climate Change and Agricultural Adaptation in Eastern India: Sustainable Agronomic Strategies

2026-06-09T09:59:49+00:00

Climate change poses a serious threat to agricultural productivity, sustainability, and livelihood security in the Eastern part of India. The region is categorized as high productive zone with fertile alluvial soils, abundant water resources, and diverse cropping systems dominated by rice, wheat, maize, pulses, and oilseeds. In the same way, the region is critically vulnerable to unprecedented climate change; increasing temperatures, erratic monsoon rainfall, prolonged dry spells, floods, cyclones, and rising atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations are significantly affecting crop growth, phenology, and yield stability. Among other agronomic crops, rice is one of the most vulnerable to submergence, drought, and heat stress during flowering; wheat productivity is constrained by terminal heat stress; and maize, pulses, and oilseeds are increasingly exposed to moisture deficits, pest outbreaks, and nutrient-use inefficiencies. These climatic stresses also accelerate soil degradation, reduce water-use efficiency, and increase greenhouse gas emissions, thereby threatening long-term food and nutritional security. This review synthesises current knowledge on the accelerating shifts in weather patterns and the extent of climate change impacts on agricultural systems in Eastern India and highlights agronomic strategies for sustainable adaptation to restore the existing Agro-ecosystem. The leading adaptation options include adjustment of sowing dates, crop diversification, conservation agriculture, residue recycling, integrated nutrient and pest management, water-saving irrigation techniques, and precision resource management. Practices such as zero tillage, direct-seeded rice, system of rice intensification, laser land levelling, and integrated farming systems have shown considerable promise in improving productivity, profitability, and resilience while reducing environmental footprints. The review concludes that location-specific agronomic interventions, combined with institutional support, can substantially enhance the adaptive capacity and sustainability of agriculture in Eastern India under changing climatic conditions.

Sustainable Construction Materials in Green Concrete: A Comprehensive Review

2026-06-09T12:58:23+00:00

The use of green concrete has been identified as an environmentally-friendly method by using various industrial, agricultural, and construction wastes. Hence, this study is focused on a literature review of the use of fly ash, rice husk ash (RHA), dune sand, waste glass, and ceramic waste in concrete based on the properties such as physical, chemical, fresh state, and mechanical properties. Based on this literature review, it can be concluded that fly ash and RHA are very useful for enhancing long-term performance via pozzolanic reactions where optimum percentage replacement ranges between 10-25% and 10-20%, respectively. Dune sand was also effective for being utilized as a fine aggregate replacement material with the optimum percentage ranging between 20-40%. It was found that waste glass and ceramic waste were efficient when they were used as replacements at the optimum level of about 10-25%. When these materials are added moderately, compressive, flexural, and split tensile strengths could be increased, but otherwise their workability and mechanical strength may decrease because of their high porosity and low bonding strength. The use of these materials has helped in reducing CO₂ emissions, better waste management, conservation of natural resources, and the production of sustainable building materials. But there still needs to be more research conducted regarding their longevity, larger-scale uses, and combination with other green concretes.

Ichthyofaunal Diversity and Ecological Status of Gose Khurd Reservoir, Maharashtra, India

2026-06-11T11:34:48+00:00

The Gose Khurd Reservoir on the Wainganga River is one of central India’s largest irrigation projects and holds significant potential for inland fisheries and livelihood support. Earlier studies (2013–2015) recorded 54 fish species, whereas a recent survey (2024) documented 75 species across 12 orders and 21 families, indicating increased diversity possibly due to improved sampling or ecological changes. Biodiversity indices (Shannon–Wiener index: 2.849) suggest a moderately stable and productive ecosystem, with Cyprinidae as the dominant family. Spatial variation in species composition was observed, influenced by hydrological and habitat factors. The fish assemblage was dominated by a few species, namely Salmostoma bacaila, Ambassis nama, Salmostoma boopis, Osteobrama vigorsii, and Clupisoma bastari, contributing over 70% of the total catch. Native species predominated, with minimal exotic intrusion, indicating relatively intact ecological conditions. However, the low occurrence of large-bodied economically important species such as Ompok bimaculatus, Wallago attu, and Sperata seenghala raises conservation concerns. Overall, the study highlights the reservoir’s rich biodiversity and fisheries potential, emphasizing the need for sustainable management through regulated fishing, habitat restoration, stock enhancement, and long-term monitoring.

Current Scenario, Impact and Extension Strategies for Managing Groundwater Depletion

2026-06-11T11:43:50+00:00

Groundwater depletion has emerged as one of the major issues threatening various sectors across globe such as agriculture, livelihood and environment. Punjab, one of the leading agricultural state in India is considered as a groundwater overexploited area. This review paper examines the current scenario of groundwater use, sources of its depletion, impacts of groundwater depletion, and various management strategies. Major causes found responsible for groundwater depletion in Punjab includes rice-wheat monoculture system, increased use of tube wells assisted by electricity subsidy and varying rainfall pattern. Numerous impacts posed by groundwater depletion on agricultural productivity, socio-economic condition of farming community, environment and on day to day life are explored. Groundwater level management can be accomplished by executing technical strategies such as crop diversification by switching to less water intensive crops, adoption of water-saving technologies like Direct Seeded Rice (DSR), Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD), laser land levelling and utilization of digital technologies such as remote sensing and drones. Farmers can be influenced to follow these practices by means of extension strategies like farmer participatory approaches involving various stakeholders and farming community, engaging them in social learning games and providing training. Various government policies and schemes like Atal Bhujal Yojana and Punjab Integrated State Water Plan are aimed at sustainable groundwater management by focusing a coordinated approach involving policy, technology, institutions, and farmers is crucial. Implementation of an effective framework integrating farmers, stakeholders, technologies and policy makers is indispensable for achieving groundwater sustainability.

Seasonal Infertility in Swine under Tropical Conditions: Pathophysiological Mechanisms, Reproductive Consequences and Mitigation Strategies

2026-06-15T06:45:22+00:00

Seasonal infertility is a multifactorial reproductive disorder that reduces reproductive efficiency in swine, particularly under tropical and subtropical production conditions. This review examines the pathophysiological mechanisms, reproductive consequences and mitigation strategies associated with seasonal infertility, with emphasis on heat stress under Indian conditions. Elevated ambient temperature, high relative humidity and long photoperiods disrupt normal reproductive physiology by impairing endocrine regulation, metabolic homeostasis, oxidative balance and cellular function. Heat stress suppresses feed intake and contributes to negative energy balance, altered hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian activity, reduced gonadotropin secretion and impaired ovarian steroidogenesis. These changes compromise follicular development, oocyte competence, ovulation, luteal function, embryo survival and litter size. In boars, elevated temperature impairs spermatogenesis, semen quality, testosterone synthesis and fertilising capacity, thereby contributing further to seasonal reproductive losses. The review also summarises the major consequences for herd performance, including delayed puberty, prolonged weaning-to-oestrus intervals, reduced conception and farrowing rates, increased embryonic loss and smaller litters. Under Indian smallholder and semi-intensive systems, limited environmental control, inadequate housing, high temperature-humidity index conditions, disease pressure and seasonal feed and water constraints may intensify these effects. Management approaches include improved shade, ventilation, sprinkling or wallowing facilities, continuous access to clean drinking water, strategic feeding, antioxidant supplementation, timely oestrus detection, appropriate hormonal interventions, routine semen evaluation and herd health management. Long-term responses may include selection for heat-tolerant genotypes and the use of precision livestock farming, genomic tools and reproductive biotechnologies. Overall, seasonal infertility in swine reflects the interaction of environmental stressors with endocrine, metabolic and cellular pathways. Integrated, context-specific mitigation strategies are therefore required to support reproductive resilience and improve productivity in tropical production systems.

Comprehensive Review of Probiotics: Classification, Mechanisms and Applications in Human Health

2026-06-15T13:20:47+00:00

Live microorganisms are essential for preserving the health of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT), which is in charge of regulating every other bodily function. The most popular probiotics are Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium species. Bacillus, Streptococcus, Enterococcus, and Saccharomyces are further microbial species that can be utilized as probiotics. Probiotics can be used to treat obesity, metabolic syndrome, inflammation, respiratory, cardiovascular, neurological system, and digestive disorders. Encapsulating living bacteria that support gut health is also crucial. Probiotics are protected from hazards during manufacture, storage, and gastrointestinal transit by encapsulation. Probiotics and their preventive properties are destroyed by heat, pressure, and oxidation. According to recent research, probiotics may affect metabolism and insulin sensitivity as well as help regulate blood glucose and weight. By emphasizing recent advancements, novel therapeutic applications, and ongoing research requirements, the review serves as a useful tool for guiding future investigations and evidence-informed clinical practices. It also aids in the advancement of probiotic-based treatments aimed at improving human health by promoting cross-disciplinary cooperation that connects concepts from microbiology, nutrition, medicine, and biotechnology.

Farmer Producer Organisations and Rural Market Power: A Review of Economic and Extension Perspectives

2026-06-19T09:22:21+00:00

Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) are increasingly recognised as institutional mechanisms for addressing the market-power asymmetries, transaction costs and information barriers faced by smallholder farmers. This review synthesises economic and extension perspectives on FPOs by drawing on peer-reviewed literature published between 2004 and 2024, supported by foundational theoretical contributions and authoritative institutional reports. It examines how collective organisation influences market access, price realisation, input procurement, value addition, technology adoption and household welfare, while also considering the role of agricultural extension in strengthening organisational performance and farmer-level learning processes. The review shows that FPOs can improve farmers' bargaining capacity, reduce individual transaction costs, support access to differentiated markets and facilitate the delivery of advisory services, particularly where they operate through transparent governance systems and viable market linkages. Evidence from South Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America indicates that outcomes remain highly context dependent. Benefits are stronger when FPOs combine market functions with extension support, member capacity building, credible leadership and access to infrastructure, finance and information. However, the literature also identifies persistent concerns related to elite capture, weak financial sustainability, gendered participation barriers and the exclusion of poorer or less commercially connected farmers. The review concludes that FPOs should not be treated as uniformly effective instruments of rural development; rather, their contribution depends on the interaction between internal governance, external institutional support and the inclusiveness of membership design. Further longitudinal and comparative research is needed to clarify the conditions under which FPOs generate durable, equitable and welfare-enhancing outcomes for smallholder members overall.

Crop-Based Greenhouse Gas Emission Patterns: Implications for Climate Change and Sustainable Mitigation

2026-06-23T08:29:53+00:00

Greenhouse gases (GHGs) are natural constituents of the atmosphere and contribute to maintaining the Earth’s temperature at levels required for life. The major GHGs discussed in this review are carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄), nitrous oxide (N₂O) and chlorofluorocarbons. However, rapid industrialisation, fossil fuel combustion, land-use change and intensified agricultural activities have increased their atmospheric concentrations, resulting in an enhanced greenhouse effect and global warming. This review examines greenhouse gas emission patterns associated with major agricultural crops, evaluates their implications for climate change and outlines sustainable crop management and climate-smart agricultural practices that can reduce emissions while supporting food security and environmental sustainability. Current global net anthropogenic GHG emissions are about 12% higher than in 2010 and nearly 54% higher than in 1990, while atmospheric concentrations of CO₂, CH₄ and N₂O have increased by approximately 35%, 148% and 18%, respectively, compared with the pre-industrial era. Agriculture contributes substantially to greenhouse gas emissions, particularly methane and nitrous oxide, with crop-specific emissions varying according to crop type, irrigation regime, fertiliser use, residue management, soil condition and field practices. Rice-based systems are associated mainly with methane emissions under flooded and anaerobic conditions, whereas intensive cereal systems such as wheat and maize contribute notably to nitrous oxide emissions through nitrogen fertiliser use. In contrast, millets, pulses and diversified cropping systems generally show lower emission potential and greater resilience under variable climatic conditions. Improper residue disposal and manure management further increase emissions. The review emphasises that crop diversification, alternate wetting and drying, conservation tillage, residue recycling, efficient nutrient management, water-saving technologies and inclusion of legumes can support emission reduction and more sustainable agricultural production systems.

Human–AI Interface Design for Trust Calibration and Cognitive Workload Management in High Stakes Decision Making Contexts: A Scoping Review

2026-06-03T12:14:51+00:00

High-stakes decision environments continue to face cognitive demands, accountability pressures, and uncertainty, even as artificial intelligence is increasingly embedded in decision support across critical infrastructure, safety-sensitive domains, healthcare, and aviation. This scoping review examines how the design of the human–AI interface shapes cognitive workload, safe reliance, and trust calibration in such settings. A PCC-framed question and a PRISMA-ScR-guided process were used to identify studies published between 2015 and 2025 in Scopus, PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, IEEE Xplore, and the ACM Digital Library. These were screened and charted using an extraction template. Seventeen studies were chosen, covering clinical decision support, sepsis management, medical imaging, power-grid congestion management, telehealth diagnosis, air traffic control, medication verification, and maintenance. In most situations, interfaces that combine interactive verification, actionable uncertainty communication, selective transparency, and support for intermediate reasoning were more effective than static explanation designs; however, deployment remains constrained by methodological heterogeneity, limited real-world integration, small samples, limited real-world integration and inconsistent measures. This review proposes a thematic structure linking deliberative support, oversight-preserving design, and calibrated transparency, and offers a roadmap for embedding trustworthy human–AI interfaces in safety-critical decision support systems.

Intracapsular versus Extracapsular Tonsillectomy in Modern ENT Practice: A Narrative Comparative Review of Clinical Outcomes and Energy-based Devices

2026-06-20T05:48:20+00:00

Tonsillectomy remains a frequently performed procedure in otorhinolaryngology for patients with recurrent tonsillar infection, chronic tonsillar disease, peritonsillar abscess and obstructive sleep-related breathing symptoms caused by tonsillar hypertrophy. This narrative comparative review examines intracapsular and extracapsular tonsillectomy in contemporary ENT practice, using secondary data from published clinical studies.

The review focuses on operative time, postoperative pain, postoperative haemorrhage, recovery outcomes and the clinical relevance of energy-based devices, particularly Bizact™ and MiFusion® ENTceps®. The reviewed evidence indicates that intracapsular tonsillectomy is generally associated with reduced postoperative pain, lower secondary bleeding tendency and faster recovery, especially in paediatric patients undergoing surgery for obstructive indications.

These outcomes are attributed to preservation of the tonsillar capsule, reduced exposure of deeper musculature and less local tissue trauma. Extracapsular tonsillectomy remains clinically relevant, particularly in adults and in patients with recurrent or chronic infection, because it enables complete removal of tonsillar tissue.

Modern energy-based instruments used during extracapsular tonsillectomy appear to improve operative efficiency and haemostatic control when compared with conventional approaches. Bizact™ may offer advantages in operative efficiency through combined tissue dissection and bipolar vessel sealing, whereas MiFusion® ENTceps® may provide controlled thermal fusion with limited lateral thermal injury.

However, the available studies are heterogeneous in design, population, outcome definitions and follow-up duration, which limits direct quantitative comparison. Overall, technique selection should be individualised according to indication, patient age, disease characteristics, surgical expertise, device availability and expected postoperative recovery. Further multicentre prospective randomised trials with standardised outcome reporting are needed to strengthen comparative evidence and guide evidence-based surgical decision-making.

Enhancing Soil Organic Carbon Storage through Sustainable Agricultural Practices: A Systematic Review

2026-06-22T11:03:02+00:00

Soil organic carbon is a central indicator of soil health and a key component of agricultural sustainability because it influences soil fertility, aggregation, water retention, nutrient cycling and carbon storage. This systematic review synthesises evidence on the role of sustainable agricultural practices in enhancing soil organic carbon storage, with particular attention to Indian agro-ecosystems. The review considered studies and reports addressing conservation tillage, crop-residue retention, cover cropping, green manuring, organic amendments, agroforestry, crop diversification and integrated nutrient management. The reviewed evidence indicates that practices which increase organic inputs and reduce soil disturbance generally improve soil organic carbon accumulation compared with conventional management. Conservation tillage and residue retention support surface carbon enrichment by reducing aggregate disruption and slowing organic matter decomposition. Cover crops and green manures contribute additional biomass and root-derived carbon, while organic amendments such as farmyard manure, compost, vermicompost and biochar directly increase carbon inputs. Agroforestry systems provide continuous litter input, root turnover and deeper carbon placement, making them important for longer-term soil carbon storage. Integrated nutrient management can support both crop productivity and carbon return when organic and inorganic nutrient sources are balanced. Across the reviewed practices, combined management approaches appear more effective than isolated interventions because they simultaneously enhance carbon inputs, reduce losses and improve soil biological activity. Soil organic carbon stabilisation occurs mainly through aggregate occlusion, organo-mineral association and biochemical recalcitrance. However, the magnitude and permanence of carbon gains depend on climate, soil texture, initial carbon status, management duration and continuity of practice adoption. The review highlights the need for context-specific practice packages, reliable monitoring and long-term field evidence to support soil carbon restoration in diverse agricultural systems.