Journal of Scientific Research and Reports

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

U. G. Thakare — 2026-05-26

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

Mogilicharla Manasa — 2026-05-27

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

Hridishruti Saikia — 2026-05-27

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

Olawale Basheer Akanbi — 2026-05-28

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

K. S. Ahlawat — 2026-05-29

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

Ankita Sahu — 2026-05-29

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

Pushplata Aherwar — 2026-05-30

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

Yogesh Kumar — 2026-05-30

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.)

Kamini Singh — 2026-05-30

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

L. P. Narsing — 2026-06-01

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.

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

Aditya Patel — 2026-06-01

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

Ranjani Rajasekaran — 2026-06-02

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

Anil Yadav — 2026-06-02

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.