Journal of Experimental Agriculture International

Plant Volatile Blends as Insect Attractants in Semiochemical Based Pest Management

Aswini Venkatesh, Vijayasree Vijayasminidevi — Sat, 17 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Plants release complex mixtures of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that mediate interactions with herbivores, pollinators, natural enemies and other organisms. These volatiles are generally emitted as blends whose composition and abundance vary with plant species, tissue type, developmental stage, herbivory, microbial interactions and environmental conditions. Major groups include terpenoids, phenylpropanoid and benzenoid compounds, volatile fatty acid derivatives and amino acid-derived volatiles. Plant odours provide chemical information that insects use to locate hosts and other resources, and can influence interactions between plants and insects. This ecological function has led to increasing interest in plant-derived volatiles as semiochemicals for insect monitoring and management. Plant-derived volatile cues have been investigated in mass trapping, attract-and-kill and push–pull strategies. However, their effectiveness depends not only on chemical identity but also on concentration, blend composition, component ratios, release rate and environmental conditions. This mini-review examines the chemical diversity and ecological functions of plant volatile blends, the factors influencing their emission and their applications in insect attraction and semiochemical-based pest management.

Advances in Sustainable Agronomic Practices: Recent Evidence, Trade-offs and Pathways for Resilient Crop Production

Fri, 16 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Sustainable agronomy increasingly requires more than replacing one input or practice with another. The central challenge is to maintain reliable crop production while reducing nutrient losses, greenhouse-gas emissions, soil degradation, water demand, pesticide dependence and biodiversity loss under increasingly variable climatic conditions. This critical narrative review evaluates recent developments in agronomic management with emphasis on evidence published from 2015 to 7 August 2026, while retaining selected earlier foundational studies. The literature was examined across soil-conserving management, crop diversification, nutrient stewardship, organic amendments and biological inputs, water-smart irrigation, precision and digital agronomy, and integrated pest and weed management. The evidence indicates that the most consistent gains arise when practices are treated as context-dependent components of redesigned cropping systems rather than universal stand-alone technologies. Crop diversification has comparatively broad support for improving multiple ecosystem services without systematic yield penalties, although effect sizes vary with diversification type, climate and baseline management. Reduced tillage, residue retention and cover crops can improve soil protection and surface soil carbon, but yield and whole-profile carbon responses depend strongly on residue supply, rotation, soil texture, climate and implementation duration. Improved nitrogen management can raise nitrogen-use efficiency and reduce some loss pathways, yet interventions may transfer pollution among pathways unless ammonia, nitrate and nitrous oxide are assessed together. Organic amendments, biochar, microbial inoculants and biostimulants can improve selected outcomes, but responses remain especially sensitive to material properties and soil constraints. Alternate wetting and drying in rice and precision input management demonstrate resource-saving potential, although greenhouse-gas trade-offs, capital requirements and uneven evidence across farming systems limit simple generalisation. Across domains, long-term diversification, better targeting of limiting resources and combinations of complementary practices appear more defensible than single-practice sustainability claims. Future research should prioritise multi-year, multi-location factorial trials, full greenhouse-gas and nutrient budgets, deeper soil-carbon measurement, farm-economic outcomes, adoption constraints and decision rules that identify where particular practice bundles are most likely to deliver durable co-benefits.

Integrating Agrometeorology, Agronomy and Artificial Intelligence for Climate-Resilient Sustainable Food Production: A Critical Narrative Review

Sat, 17 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Climate-resilient food production requires decisions that are meteorologically informed, agronomically plausible and adaptive to rapidly changing conditions. Agrometeorology provides observations and forecasts of weather and climate risk; agronomy translates those risks into crop, soil and management responses; and artificial intelligence can fuse high-volume, heterogeneous data, learn complex relationships and accelerate prediction. These domains are increasingly connected, yet their evidence bases remain partly fragmented. This critical narrative review evaluates how their integration can support sustainable crop production, with particular attention to the chain from environmental observation and prediction to management action and measurable resilience outcomes. Literature published from 1 January 2000 to 8 August 2026 was examined through relevant agricultural, multidisciplinary and biomedical scholarly sources, with supplementary citation searching and verification of bibliographic metadata. The synthesis shows that the strongest case for integration is not a replacement of process knowledge by data-driven prediction, but a division of labour: meteorological models define time-varying hazard, agronomic models constrain biological plausibility and management options, and artificial intelligence improves data fusion, bias correction, pattern recognition and computational efficiency. Evidence is comparatively mature for remote sensing, yield prediction and process-based crop modelling, and is rapidly advancing for machine-learned weather prediction. By contrast, end-to-end demonstrations that connect forecast skill to farm decisions, yield stability, resource-use efficiency, profitability and environmental outcomes remain limited. Hybrid crop-model and machine-learning approaches are promising, but uncertainty calibration, domain shift, sparse ground truth, interoperability, digital inequality and data governance remain substantial constraints. Digital twins offer a useful integration architecture, although agricultural implementations are still less mature than the concept implies. Future research should prioritise multi-environment prospective validation, decision-centred forecast verification, causal evaluation of management recommendations, uncertainty-aware hybrid modelling and equitable deployment. The most defensible conclusion is that integration can improve climate resilience only when predictive accuracy is coupled to agronomic actionability, transparent uncertainty and outcome-based evaluation.

Role of Cerium Oxide Nanoparticles in Improving Crop Drought Tolerance: A Review

K. S. Vidhya Bharathi, P. Abithaa, G. Mohanapriya — Sat, 24 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Drought stress is a major constraint on crop growth and productivity because it disrupts plant water relations, photosynthesis, mineral nutrition and cellular redox balance. Cerium oxide nanoparticles (CeO₂ NPs), also known as nanoceria, have received attention as potential agents for mitigating these effects. This review examines the physicochemical properties of nanoceria, its principal application routes and the physiological, biochemical and molecular mechanisms associated with plant responses to water deficit. Surface oxygen vacancies and Ce³⁺/Ce⁴⁺ redox cycling contribute to the enzyme-mimetic activity of nanoceria and its interactions with reactive oxygen species. The reviewed studies describe responses following seed priming, foliar application and root or soil exposure. Evidence from sorghum, mungbean, barley, rice, grapevine, apple and wheat indicates that suitable nanoparticle concentrations may reduce oxidative damage, enhance antioxidant defences, protect photosynthetic functions and improve plant water status. Reported responses also include osmolyte accumulation, greater membrane stability, changes in mineral nutrient homeostasis and altered expression of drought-responsive genes. However, these outcomes depend on the crop species, nanoparticle concentration, application method and severity of water deficit. Higher concentrations may produce adverse effects, and findings from composite formulations cannot always be attributed to unmodified nanoceria. Limited field validation, incomplete understanding of root-level responses and unresolved questions about cerium accumulation in edible tissues restrict immediate agricultural application. Further evaluation is necessary to determine the consistency, practical relevance and safety of nanoceria-mediated drought responses.

Moringa Leaf Extract (MLE) as a Potential Bio Stimulant in Vegetable Production: A Review

V. Sundaram — Sat, 31 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Vegetable production faces increasing pressure to improve crop productivity and produce quality while addressing concerns related to chemical inputs, resource limitations and environmental sustainability. Plant-derived biostimulants have received attention as complementary inputs, particularly where materials can be sourced and prepared locally. This review examines the reported use of moringa (Moringa oleifera) leaf extract (MLE) as a biostimulant in vegetable crops, with emphasis on preparation methods, application practices and possible physiological effects. The literature discussed covers bitter gourd, brinjal, cabbage, pepper, cauliflower, cherry tomato, chilli, okra and onion. Reported responses include changes in germination, vegetative growth, flowering, fruit or seed yield, and selected crop-quality attributes. The composition of moringa leaves, including mineral nutrients, vitamins, phenolic compounds and phytohormones, provides a basis for considering potential mechanisms of action. The review also describes aqueous, solvent-based and pressurised hot-water extraction methods and the use of foliar application or seed priming. However, the magnitude and direction of reported responses differ across crop species, extraction methods, concentrations, application schedules and growing conditions. In particular, the available evidence does not support applying a single treatment protocol uniformly across vegetable crops. Further crop-specific work is needed to clarify appropriate leaf maturity, extract preparation, spray concentration and application timing. MLE may therefore serve as a complementary input in vegetable production, subject to locally validated application practices.

Digital Competence, Attitudes and ICT Utilisation among Agricultural Extension Personnel: A Critical Narrative Review

P. Tanvitha, M. Rama Devy, M. Uday Bhaskar — Tue, 03 Nov 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Agricultural extension organisations increasingly rely on information and communication technologies (ICTs) to acquire technical knowledge, coordinate fieldwork, communicate with farmers and deliver advice. Yet the possession of digital devices, favourable attitudes towards technology and effective professional use are not interchangeable achievements. This critical narrative review examines their relationships among agricultural extension personnel, with particular attention to the conditions under which digital capability becomes credible and inclusive advisory practice. Peer-reviewed empirical studies, conceptual contributions and relevant professional competence frameworks published principally from 2010 to 28 August 2026 were examined through transparent, thematic literature selection and critical appraisal. Evidence from South and South-East Asia, sub-Saharan Africa and other advisory systems indicates that many extension workers recognise the potential usefulness of ICTs, while frequently facing gaps in data-management skills, maintenance support, connectivity, training and task-specific application. Positive acceptance measures commonly coexist with limited use for diagnosis, tailored recommendations, feedback and evaluation. The literature is strongest in describing reported access, perceptions and associations; it is substantially weaker in independently measuring competence, tracing actual advisory activity or linking personnel-level digital practice with farmer outcomes. Established acceptance models explain part of the intention to use technology, but their individual emphasis incompletely captures organisational incentives, advisory ethics, local languages and the relational nature of extension. The review proposes a distinction between access, operational competence, advisory judgement, task-specific utilisation and demonstrated service quality, treating their relationships as context-dependent rather than automatic. Research priorities include validated performance-based assessments, repeated observation of professional workflows, comparative organisational studies and ethically designed evaluations of training and support packages. Digital extension policy should therefore move beyond device distribution and generic skills courses towards sustained, context-sensitive professional capability and accountable advisory service delivery.

Plant Growth Regulators in Horticulture: Physiological Mechanisms, Practical Applications, and Future Perspectives

Kumudani Sahu, G. D. Sahu, Neha Sahu — Wed, 04 Nov 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Plant growth regulators (PGRs) are naturally occurring or synthetic bioactive compounds that modulate plant growth, development, and physiological processes at relatively low concentrations. In horticultural crops, PGRs play important roles in regulating vegetative growth, flowering, floral sex expression, fruit set, fruit retention, yield, produce quality, and postharvest longevity. Their physiological effects depend on several factors, including the type and concentration of the regulator, crop species, cultivar, plant developmental stage, application method, and prevailing environmental conditions. The judicious use of PGRs can improve reproductive performance, reduce premature fruit abscission, mitigate certain physiological disorders, and enhance the quality, shelf life, and marketability of horticultural produce. This review critically evaluates the physiological functions and potential applications of major groups of PGRs in fruit and vegetable crops and ornamental plants, with particular emphasis on their roles in vegetative growth regulation, reproductive development, yield improvement, quality enhancement, and postharvest management. It also highlights the importance of optimising regulator-specific concentrations, application timings, and methods of application while integrating PGR treatments with appropriate irrigation, nutrient management, and other recommended crop production practices. A comprehensive understanding of the physiological and biochemical mechanisms underlying PGR-mediated responses, together with the development of crop- and cultivar-specific application strategies, is essential for improving their efficacy and promoting sustainable, resource-efficient, and commercially viable horticultural production systems.

The Economics of Agricultural Biodiversity Conservation: Incentives, Trade-Offs, and Policy Instruments

Harkesh Kumar Balai, Sanjiv Kumar, Sarita Meena — Mon, 09 Nov 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Agricultural biodiversity conservation poses a distinctive economic problem: decisions about what to grow, breed, exchange and maintain are made largely by farmers, whereas many benefits of genetic resources, species-rich production systems and associated ecological functions are dispersed across communities, sectors and future generations. Conservation therefore cannot be understood solely as a response to biological scarcity or as an uncomplicated alternative to agricultural intensification. This critical narrative review evaluates how opportunity costs, production risk, seed-system institutions, heterogeneous preferences and public policy shape incentives to maintain agricultural biodiversity. Literature published from 1990 to 4 September 2026 was considered, with earlier foundational perspectives retained where necessary. The synthesis distinguishes crop species diversity, within-species genetic diversity, crop wild relatives and associated biodiversity because their economic mechanisms, indicators and beneficiaries differ. Evidence supports the potential of diversification to stabilise production and improve certain ecosystem services, but the size, direction and distribution of financial gains depend on context, timescale and the dimensions of diversity measured. Payments for agrobiodiversity conservation services, conservation tenders and result-based schemes can address some conservation costs, yet rigorous evidence on long-term additional genetic conservation, institutional durability and fair distribution remains limited. General agricultural subsidies, market standards and formal seed-system rules may unintentionally weaken local diversity even when their primary objectives are legitimate. The review develops an integrated policy perspective in which targeted compensation is combined with seed-network support, diverse market opportunities, genetic monitoring and the reform of countervailing incentives. Future research should prioritise credible counterfactual evaluations, longitudinal genetic indicators, distribution-sensitive cost-effectiveness analysis and tests of institutional arrangements under climatic and market uncertainty. Conservation policies are most defensible when they specify the biodiversity asset being protected, identify who bears the incremental costs, and verify additional ecological or genetic outcomes rather than equating programme participation with conservation success.

Farm Data as an Economic Resource: Ownership, Governance, Privacy, Platforms and Value Creation in Digital Agriculture

Harkesh Kumar Balai, Sanjiv Kumar, Sarita Meena — Mon, 09 Nov 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Digital agriculture converts observations of fields, livestock, machinery, transactions and environmental conditions into reusable information that can support farm decisions, service provision and research. Yet the economic benefits of these data do not automatically accrue to the people and organisations that generate them. This critical narrative review examines how farm data acquire economic value, how control is allocated through law, contracts and technical infrastructure, and why privacy, platform dependence and unequal bargaining power complicate ostensibly beneficial data sharing. Peer-reviewed research in agricultural economics, information systems, rural sociology, law and data governance was interpreted alongside authoritative policy instruments, with literature considered to 4 September 2026. The synthesis distinguishes data ownership claims from enforceable rights to access, authorise reuse, transfer, contest and benefit from data, and separates potential data value from demonstrated farm-level returns. Economic theory identifies the non-rival and complementary properties of data, whereas farm surveys and contractual analyses reveal differentiated sharing preferences, uncertain benefit distribution and substantial transparency problems. Platforms can lower transaction and analytical costs while simultaneously accumulating informational advantages, limiting interoperability and strengthening dependence on proprietary services. Privacy and data justice extend beyond personal identifiers to encompass commercial confidentiality, group-level inference and the distribution of risks to tenants, workers and smaller farms. Emerging data spaces, contractual codes and European data legislation offer partial governance responses, but their agricultural implementation and distributive effects remain inadequately evaluated. The review proposes a rights-and-value framework linking data provenance, effective control, market structure and verifiable outcomes. Evidence is strongest for the existence of governance concerns and uneven capabilities, more limited for the effects of particular governance arrangements, and weakest for claims that data monetisation delivers equitable, durable farm income. Research and policy should therefore prioritise measurable value sharing, independent audits, usable portability, and designs that accommodate diverse farming systems rather than treating data volume or exchange as an end in itself.

Artificial Intelligence and Smart Surveillance in Agricultural Entomology: Computer Vision, Sensing and Predictive Pest Monitoring

Tue, 10 Nov 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Agricultural pest surveillance is shifting from periodic manual inspection towards digitally mediated observation, combining automated traps, computer vision, environmental sensors and statistical or machine-learning forecasts. The technological literature reports increasingly sophisticated species recognition, remote counting and near-real-time data transmission. Whether these capabilities generate reliable estimates of pest pressure or improve integrated pest management, however, depends on ecological sampling, field validation and decisions taken after an alert. This critical narrative review evaluates the measurement-to-decision pathway rather than treating classification accuracy as evidence of agronomic benefit. Peer-reviewed research and relevant methodological literature were identified through accessible scholarly sources, with thematic emphasis on camera-equipped pheromone, light and adhesive traps; image-recognition architectures; optical, acoustic and environmental sensing; predictive modelling; and operational evaluation. The synthesis indicates that instrumented traps and image-processing methods can reduce some observation burdens and produce useful within-system temporal information. Their reported performance is nevertheless strongly conditioned by trap selectivity, target species, illumination, specimen overlap, annotation quality, seasonal distribution shifts and the choice of validation dataset. Forecasting approaches can exploit temperature, phenology and historical trap catches, but retrospective fit does not establish transferable warning value. Ecological inference also requires distinguishing insect activity, trap catches, abundance, crop injury and economic risk. The most consequential weaknesses are limited independent multi-site prospective testing, incomplete uncertainty reporting, insufficient comparison with manual scouting, and few controlled evaluations of management consequences. A deployment-oriented framework is proposed in which measurement validity, calibration, forecast skill, decision thresholds, costs and non-target effects are appraised as connected requirements. Progress will depend less on marginal improvements in benchmark detection scores than on prospective, locally calibrated studies that measure timeliness, intervention quality, labour, pesticide use, yield and biodiversity outcomes.

Sensor-based Smart Irrigation and IoT Technologies in Precision Agriculture: Current Advances, Challenges and Future Perspectives—A Review

D. Sai Gangadhara Rao, Ch. Murali Krishna, E. Manjunatha — Fri, 13 Nov 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Water scarcity, climate variability and increasing competition for freshwater have created a need for more precise irrigation management in agriculture. Conventional irrigation scheduling may not adequately account for spatial and temporal variations in soil moisture, crop water requirements and weather conditions. Sensor-based smart irrigation offers an alternative by combining field measurements, wireless communication, automated control and data-driven decision-making. This review examines advances in soil-moisture and weather-sensing technologies, Internet of Things (IoT) architectures, communication networks, automated irrigation controllers and evapotranspiration-based scheduling. Particular attention is given to the integration of reference evapotranspiration (ET₀), crop evapotranspiration (ETc), crop coefficients and real-time soil-moisture observations to support irrigation decisions. The review also discusses potential applications of artificial intelligence and machine learning models, including artificial neural networks, Random Forest, Gradient Boosting, Extreme Gradient Boosting, LightGBM, Support Vector Regression, Long Short-Term Memory networks, fuzzy logic, and reinforcement learning, for predicting water demand and improving irrigation scheduling. Their advantages, limitations, validation requirements and suitability for different field conditions are considered. The review also examines reported outcomes on irrigation water savings, water-use efficiency, crop productivity, energy consumption, and operational reliability, recognising that results vary by crop, soil, climate, system design, and management practices. Key challenges include sensor calibration, data quality, communication failures, model generalisation, installation costs, interoperability and limited long-term field validation. Future research should prioritise affordable technologies, reliable sensor integration, explainable predictive models and multi-season field evaluation. Integrating agronomic principles with IoT-enabled monitoring and validated AI-based decision support could improve the precision and reliability of open-field irrigation while supporting sustainable agricultural water management.

Operational Assessment of Rotary Disc Harrow on Medium Black Soils

Geetanjali Mathpal, A. L. Vadher, M. S. Dulawat, S. K. Gaadhe, Gajera Mayank — Fri, 06 Nov 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Tillage is one of the most critical operations in agriculture, as it directly influences soil structure, seedbed preparation, and crop establishment. This study evaluated the performance of a rotary disc harrow under different field conditions to assess its suitability for soil tillage. Field trials were conducted at the Cattle Breeding Farm and Agronomy Farm of Junagadh Agricultural University, Junagadh (21.5º N, 70.5º E; 107 m a.s.l.), during 2024–2025, with supporting laboratory tests in the Department of Farm Machinery and Power Engineering. The site, located in the South Saurashtra Agro-Climatic Zone of Gujarat, experiences a semi-arid, subtropical climate with an average annual rainfall of 860 mm, and the soil is clayey in texture with a moderately sub-angular blocky structure. Key performance indicators, including effective field capacity (EFC), field efficiency (FE), fuel consumption, wheel slip, and clod mean mass diameter (MMD) were measured. The harrow recorded a maximum EFC of 0.364 ha h⁻¹ and FE of 76%, with fuel consumption of 4.2 L h⁻¹ and wheel slip of 3.5%. Soil pulverisation, expressed as clod MMD, ranged from 9.62 to 11.30 cm at operating speeds of 2.0–2.5 and 3.0–3.5 km h⁻¹, respectively. The findings confirm that the rotary disc harrow is effective for tillage in clayey soils under semi-arid conditions and provide practical insights for improving implement performance and soil management.

Consumer Pulse for Udangudi Palm Jaggery in Tirunelveli District, Tamil Nadu, India

S. Vishnuprabu, R. Sujith Sankar, R. Dhivya, Amrita Dey — Wed, 28 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Udangudi palm jaggery is a traditional palmyrah-derived sweetener marketed in southern Tamil Nadu. This study examined purchasing behaviour, consumer awareness, sources of information and proximity to retail outlets among customers in Tirunelveli city. Primary data were collected during July–August 2025 from 120 consumers, with 10 consumers randomly selected from each of 12 purposively selected retail shops, using a pre-tested interview schedule. Responses were summarised using percentages. Friends were the most frequently reported influence on purchasing decisions (43.33%), followed by family members (25.00%) and respondents themselves (23.33%). A single monthly purchase was reported by 39.17% of consumers, while 30.00% purchased the product twice monthly. The most commonly reported purchase quantity was 500 g (43.33%), followed by 1,000 g (36.67%). Half of respondents (50.00%) were classified as less aware of the product, whereas 30.83% were fully aware and 19.17% were unaware. Friends and relatives (34.17%) and doctors (32.50%) were the leading reported sources of information. Nearly half of consumers (49.17%) purchased from shops situated less than 5 km from their residences. The findings describe purchasing patterns and awareness among the sampled retail customers. They indicate areas for further investigation relating to communication, product information and retail access, without establishing causal relationships or population-wide market preferences.

Regional Variation in Host Infestation and Larval Abundance of Cucurbit Fruit Flies in Major Cucurbit-Growing Areas of Bangladesh

Fri, 16 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Cucurbit fruit flies are among the most damaging insect pests of cucurbit vegetables, but comparative information on host-associated infestation across major production areas of Bangladesh remains limited. A field survey was conducted in 12 upazilas across six districts, namely Dhaka, Bogura, Narsingdi, Manikganj, Cumilla and Jashore to describe variation in plant infestation, fruit infestation and larval abundance among locally important cucurbit hosts. In each crop–location combination, 10 plants were examined, and fruit infestation and the number of larvae per infested fruit were recorded. Plant infestation ranged from 10 to 60%, whereas mean fruit infestation ranged from 14.75 to 39.03%. The highest fruit infestation was recorded in sponge gourd at Dhamrai, Dhaka (39.03 ± 15.75%), followed by sponge gourd at Singair, Manikganj (33.53 ± 4.04%), bitter gourd at Belabo, Narsingdi (32.07 ± 18.27%) and bitter gourd at Monirampur, Jashore (31.71 ± 10.24%). Sweet gourd repeatedly supported comparatively high larval abundances, reaching 2.40 ± 0.17 larvae fruit⁻¹ at Burichang, Cumilla, 2.33 ± 0.29 at Singair and 2.17 ± 0.29 at Belabo. In contrast, several crop–location combinations with high fruit infestation contained relatively few larvae per fruit, indicating that field infestation and larval abundance captured different components of host–pest association. The survey demonstrates marked spatial and host-associated variation and supports location-specific monitoring, sanitation, trapping, fruit protection and coordinated integrated pest management in cucurbit production in Bangladesh.

Trait Association and Path Coefficient Analysis for Seed Yield Improvement in Yellow Mustard (Brassica rapa L.) Hybrids

Dushyant Singh, Manoj Kumar Singh — Fri, 16 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0000

This investigation assessed genotypic and phenotypic associations between seed yield per plant and yield-contributing traits and estimated the direct and indirect effects of individual traits in yellow mustard (Brassica rapa L.). The experimental material comprised 84 genotypes: 20 lines, three testers, 60 F₁ hybrids derived from a line × tester mating design, and the commercial check Pitambari. The material was evaluated in a randomised block design with three replications across the 2023–24, 2024–25 and 2025–26 rabi seasons. Fourteen agronomic traits were recorded. Genotypic correlations of seed yield were positive with primary branches per plant (r = 0.732), biological yield per plant (r = 0.688), oil content (r = 0.622), siliquae per plant (r = 0.544), secondary branches per plant (r = 0.488) and test weight (r = 0.466). Days to maturity (r = −0.661) and days to 50% flowering (r = −0.585) showed negative correlations. At the phenotypic level, seeds per siliqua (r = 0.864), biological yield (r = 0.655) and oil content (r = 0.611) were positively associated with seed yield. Path analysis identified biological yield (0.655), siliquae per plant (0.636) and primary branches (0.568) as traits with comparatively large positive genotypic direct effects. Corresponding phenotypic direct effects were highest for siliquae per plant (0.921), biological yield (0.533) and test weight (0.513). These findings indicate that the evaluated yield components may inform selection within the studied yellow mustard material.

Morphometric and Morphological Variation among Eri Silkmoth (Samia ricini Donovan) Populations from Different Agroclimatic Zones of Assam, India

Sat, 17 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Adult morphological variability among geographically distinct eri silkmoth populations in Assam remains incompletely characterised. This study examined three populations of Samia ricini (ERI4, ERI5 and Kamrup1) and one population of Samia canningi (ERI 9395) originating from different agroclimatic zones of Assam. Seed cocoons were collected and adult moths examined at Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat, during 2023–2025. Eleven external morphometric characters, two male genital measurements and qualitative characters of the wings and abdomen were assessed. Differences among population means were evaluated using the critical difference at the 5% significance level. Among the S. ricini populations, hindwing length, abdominal length and clasper length differed beyond the corresponding critical differences for specified population pairs. The remaining external measurements, including body length, thorax length, forewing length, wingspan and antennal dimensions, did not exceed their respective critical differences among these populations. Samia canningi differed from the three S. ricini populations in abdominal length and aedeagus length, while additional contrasts were observed in hindwing and clasper lengths. Forewing and hindwing coloration, antemedian line patterns, hyaline spot shape, fringe characteristics and the distribution of white scales on the abdominal tergum also varied. These findings identify a limited set of quantitative traits and several descriptive characters relevant to the characterisation of the sampled populations. Because each sampled agroclimatic zone was represented by one population, the observed variation cannot be attributed independently to geographic or genetic factors.

Comparative Economics of Organic and Inorganic Soybean Production in Parbhani District of Maharashtra, India

Sat, 17 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0000

This study compared the cost and return structure of organic and inorganic soybean production in Parbhani district of Maharashtra during the 2025-26 agricultural year. A purposive comparative farm survey covered Parbhani and Palam tehsils and six villages, with an equal allocation of 60 organic and 60 inorganic soybean growers. Primary data were collected through personal interviews using a pre-tested structured schedule and analysed using Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices cost concepts. Cost C3 was lower under organic farming (₹100,340.09 ha-1) than under inorganic farming (₹105,522.03 ha-1). Inorganic soybean recorded a higher main-product yield (25.67 q ha-1), net return over Cost C2 (₹44,909.43 ha-1), and return per rupee of expenditure at Cost C3 (1.33) than organic soybean (21.97 q ha-1, ₹29,397.11 ha-1, and 1.20, respectively). The average main-product prices received by the two groups were almost identical, indicating that the observed difference in gross income was mainly associated with yield rather than a price premium. Because the sample was purposively selected and the analysis was descriptive, the results represent observed economic differences among the surveyed farms and should not be interpreted as causal effects of production system.

Effect of Different Nitrogen Levels and Varieties on Growth, Yield and Economics of Fodder Oat

Sat, 17 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Multi-cut fodder oat (Avena sativa L.) cultivation has gained prominence as a strategic approach to meeting the demand for high-quality forage in livestock production systems. This can be achieved by applying an optimum amount of nutrients, particularly nitrogen. Therefore, this study investigated the effects of different nitrogen levels and oat varieties on the growth, yield, quality, and economics of multi-cut fodder oat. The experiment was conducted during the rabi season of 2022-2023 at the All India Coordinated Research Project on Forage Crops, JNKVV, Jabalpur. The experiment was laid out in a split-plot design involving five varieties as main-plot treatments, viz., PLP 27, JO 05-304, JHO 20-3, OL 1949, and RO 19, and four nitrogen levels as sub-plot treatments, viz., 0, 70, 105, and 140 kg/ha. Observations on various crop growth and yield parameters were recorded at the first and second cuts. The results indicated that growth parameters and yield were higher at the second cut than at the first cut. Among the varieties, JO 05-304 was superior, recording higher LAI (4.04 and 4.25) and leaf:stem ratio (0.76 and 1.18), along with the highest green fodder, dry fodder, and crude protein yields. Similarly, 140 kg N/ha produced the highest growth, green fodder yield (22.98 and 51.89 t/ha), dry fodder yield (3.53 and 8.89 t/ha), and crude protein yield. The combination of JO 05-304 and 140 kg N/ha recorded the highest gross and net returns (Rs. 99,507/ha and Rs. 64,107/ha, respectively). Thus, JO 05-304 with 140 kg N/ha was the most productive and economically favourable treatment under the agro-climatic conditions of Jabalpur.

Enhancing the Productivity of Pineapple cv. Queen through Foliar Application of Growth Promoting Substances

Sat, 17 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Erratic flowering patterns and non-uniform fruit development hinder commercial pineapple (Ananas comosus L. Merr.) cultivation. A field study (2023–2024) at OUAT, Chiplima, Sambalpur, Odisha, India, evaluated the impact of foliar nutrients (0.5% and 1.0% Ca as CaCl2; 0.5% and 1.0% B as Borax) and growth regulators (GA3 @ 100 ppm; NAA @ 200 ppm), individually and in combination (15 treatments, RBD, three replications), on phenology, yield, and biomass partitioning. Foliar application of 1.0% Ca + NAA @ 200 ppm (T10) performed best overall, accelerating floral bud emergence to 32.56 days and achieving the highest flowering percentage (72.61%), compared to 56.82 days and 48.34% in the water control (T15). T10 reduced the flowering-to-maturity duration by 40.14 days (126.34 vs. 166.48 days) and recorded the highest fruit weight without crown (613.3 g), length (10.1 cm), girth (35.7 cm), fruit volume (476.4 ml), pulp weight (393.3 g), and fruit yield (15.15 t ha^-1; a 49.85% increase over the control). Among single applications, 1.0% Ca (T2) gave the highest yield (13.45 t ha^-1), while 1.0% B (T4) maximized pulp proportion (72.03%). Application of 1.0% Ca + NAA @ 200 ppm at the 40-leaf stage provides an effective approach to synchronising flowering and optimising fruit yield in pineapple cv. Queen.

Proximate and Bioactive Characterisation of Pummelo (Citrus maxima) Albedo from an Assam Local Accession

Sat, 17 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Pummelo peel is commonly discarded following fruit consumption, although its albedo may provide a source of constituents relevant to food processing. This study assessed the physical characteristics, proximate composition and selected bioactive constituents of fresh albedo from the Assam local pummelo (Citrus maxima) accession Pum-3. Fully mature fruits, harvested at approximately 30 weeks after flowering, were obtained from the AAU-Citrus and Plantation Crops Research Station, Tinisukia, Assam. Fruit, whole-peel and albedo weights were recorded for three fruits. Moisture, ash and crude protein contents were determined using established analytical procedures, while total phenolic content and ascorbic acid were estimated by the Folin–Ciocalteu and dye titration methods, respectively. Analyses were conducted in triplicate, and results were expressed as means with standard deviations. Mean fruit, whole-peel and albedo weights were 1100 g, 460 g and 302 g, respectively. Albedo represented approximately 27.45 % of fresh fruit weight. The albedo contained 78 ± 2.97 % moisture, 0.098 ± 0.0072 % ash and 1.313 ± 0.0346 % crude protein. Total phenolic content was 652 ± 3.50 mg 100 g^-1, and ascorbic acid content was 29.629 ± 0.189 mg 100 g^-1. These findings describe a moisture-rich material with measurable phenolic and ascorbic acid contents. Further research is needed to assess its suitability for specific value-added food applications and to establish the effects of processing on these constituents.

Development and Validation of a Knowledge Test on Organic Farming among Farmers in Telangana, India

B. Swetha, Sukanya Barua, Pratibha Joshi, Subhash Kumar Saurav, K. Medha — Sat, 17 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Organic farming requires knowledge that extends from production principles and organic inputs to ecological management, certification and marketing. This study developed and preliminarily validated a concise knowledge test for assessing organic-farming knowledge among farmers in Telangana, India. An initial pool of 40 multiple-choice items was prepared from relevant literature, technical materials and expert consultation and organised across four domains: organic inputs; principles and practices; ecological and environmental aspects; and certification and marketing. The preliminary items underwent expert face/content review and item analysis using difficulty index, discrimination index and point-biserial correlation. Seventeen items satisfying prespecified criteria were retained. The final instrument showed acceptable but modest internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.70). It was subsequently administered to 120 farmers, including 60 organic and 60 conventional farmers. The reported analysis shows an overall distribution of 16 farmers with low knowledge, 61 with medium knowledge and 43 with high knowledge; however, these counts conflict with the organic/conventional subgroup frequencies, which sum to 42, 51 and 27, respectively. Because respondent-level records were unavailable for verification, category prevalence is treated as provisional rather than reconciled by assumption. The analysis also reported a significant between-group difference in knowledge scores (t = 7.69, p < 0.01), while exploratory analyses indicated associations with several socioeconomic, institutional and behavioural characteristics. The instrument offers a compact basis for knowledge-gap assessment and training-needs diagnosis, but the present evidence should be regarded as preliminary because the category-count discrepancy, expert-panel details, quantitative content-validity indices, external validation and complete inferential model diagnostics remain unresolved. Further validation against the original data and across locations and certification contexts is warranted.

Socio-Economic Characteristics of Organic Turmeric Growers in Hingoli District of Maharashtra, India

Thu, 22 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Organic turmeric cultivation is an important component of farming systems in Hingoli district, Maharashtra. The present study was undertaken to examine the socio-economic characteristics of organic turmeric growers in Hingoli district of Maharashtra. Hingoli district was purposively selected because of its importance in turmeric cultivation and the presence of organic turmeric growers. Basmath and Aundha Nagnath tehsils and eight villages were selected. A total of 120 organic turmeric growers were selected. Primary data were collected through personal interviews using a pre-tested structured interview schedule for the agricultural year 2025–26. The socio-economic characteristics considered in the study included age, gender, education, family size, landholding, occupation, livestock position, farm buildings and cropping pattern. The collected data were analysed using frequency, percentage and descriptive measures. The findings showed that the majority of organic turmeric growers were male and belonged to the middle-aged group. Most of the respondents had formal education, with secondary education constituting the largest proportion, while agriculture was the principal occupation of the majority of the growers. Organic turmeric cultivation was mainly practised by small and semi-medium landholding farmers, who together accounted for 71.66 per cent of the respondents. The average family size was 5.64 members per household. Livestock formed an important component of the farming system, with cows constituting the major share, followed by buffaloes and bullock pairs. Residential houses were available to all respondents, and cattle sheds and engine pump houses were also present. Among farm implements, weeding hooks and sickles were the most commonly available implements. The growers followed a diversified cropping pattern across Kharif, Rabi, summer and annual seasons, with turmeric occupying the largest area among individual crops at 0.98 ha (22.95%). The cropping intensity was 149.33 per cent, indicating effective utilization of available land through multiple cropping. Overall, the study revealed that organic turmeric cultivation was predominantly practiced by middle-aged male farmers belonging to small and semi-medium landholding groups, with agriculture as their major occupation and turmeric occupying an important position in their diversified farming system.

Irrigation-Source Associations and Structural Breaks in Pigeon Pea (Cajanus cajan) in Azamgarh Division, Uttar Pradesh, India

Mon, 26 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0000

This study examined associations between irrigation-source coverage and pigeon pea yield in Azamgarh Division, Uttar Pradesh, using annual time-series data for 2000-01 to 2021-22. Pearson correlations were calculated between yield and the areas irrigated by canals, government tubewells, and private tubewells. To reduce overfitting in the short series, temporal patterns were described with linear or quadratic trends selected using the corrected Akaike information criterion and leave-one-out cross-validation, and the Chow test was applied to production, yield, and cultivated area. Government-tubewell coverage was significantly and negatively correlated with yield (r =-0.492, p = 0.020), whereas canal coverage (r = -0.360, p = 0.099) and private-tubewell coverage (r = 0.285, p = 0.198) were not significant. A diagnostic multiple regression confirmed that the private-tubewell coefficient remained nonsignificant (p = 0.167), although collinearity among irrigation sources and the absence of rainfall data limit interpretation. Canal and government-tubewell coverage declined, private-tubewell coverage increased modestly, and yield showed a weak positive linear trend. Production exhibited a structural break at the 5% level (F = 4.610, p = .024), whereas yield and cultivated area did not. The findings describe associations rather than causal effects and provide a baseline for field level research on irrigation reliability, climate variability, and sustainable groundwater management.

Effect of Organic Nutrients and Biofertilizers on Growth, Yield and Quality of Leafy Coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.)

Mon, 26 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0000

A field experiment was conducted during the rabi season of 2024–25 at the Vegetable Research Centre, Jawaharlal Nehru Krishi Vishwa Vidyalaya, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, to assess the effects of organic nutrient sources and biofertilisers on the growth, leaf yield, economic returns and soil properties of leafy coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.). The experiment followed a randomised block design comprising eleven nutrient management treatments and three replications. The treatments included the recommended dose of fertilisers (RDF), farmyard manure, phosphate-solubilising bacteria (PSB), potassium-solubilising bacteria (KSB), nitrogen consortia, EM culture, Bactobooster, Biofertisol and an untreated control. Plant height, leaf length and width, stem diameter, and petiole diameter were recorded at 30, 60 and 90 days after sowing, while leaf yield was assessed across three cuttings. The combination of 75% RDF, PSB, KSB and Bactobooster (T₅) produced the highest reported total leaf yield (116.39 q ha⁻¹), compared with 37.59 q ha⁻¹ in the control. This treatment also recorded the highest gross return (₹200,002.96 ha⁻¹), net return (₹141,913.73 ha⁻¹) and benefit–cost ratio (3.44). Following treatment T₅, available soil nitrogen and potassium were 271.00 and 269.67 kg ha⁻¹, respectively. These findings indicate that combining a reduced fertiliser dose with selected microbial inputs may support leafy coriander production and economic returns under the conditions evaluated.

Effects of Salinity Stress on the Growth, Biomass Distribution, Chlorophyll Content, Mineral Uptake, Biochemical Constituents and Productivity of Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.)

Mon, 26 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Globally, soil salinisation is considered a major abiotic factor limiting crop growth and productivity, substantially reducing agricultural yield. In this context, the effects of salinity stress on the growth, biomass distribution, chlorophyll content, mineral uptake, biochemical constituents and productivity of roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) were evaluated. Using a completely randomised design, roselle seeds were raised in a nursery, transplanted into sand-filled polythene bags and supplied with nutrient solution for six weeks in a greenhouse. Plants were exposed to four concentrations of NaCl (0, 50, 100 and 200 mM). Agronomic parameters (flowering time, number of calyces per plant, yield and harvest index) were evaluated in the field over a five-month growth period at 0 and 50 mM NaCl concentrations. The greenhouse results showed that stem height, leaf area, number of leaves, dry biomass and chlorophyll content decreased significantly (P < 0.05) from 50 mM NaCl. Primary metabolites (proline, soluble carbohydrate, total free amino acids, soluble proteins) increased significantly (P < 0.01) with increasing salinity from 50 mM NaCl, while the other metabolites under study (flavonoids, total phenolic content, peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, tannins and saponins) increased significantly (P < 0.05) with increasing salinity from 50 mM NaCl. The distribution of K⁺, Ca²⁺, K⁺/Na⁺, P, N, Zn²⁺ and Mn²⁺ declined significantly (P < 0.05) from 50 mM NaCl onwards in both roselle varieties, whereas Na⁺ accumulation increased. The white variety showed better adaptation than the red variety in terms of morphological and physiological parameters associated with salt stress tolerance. Higher metabolite accumulation was indicative of tolerance to moderate salinity stress. However, the red variety produced more blooms and calyces than the white variety. These findings indicate that roselle productivity may be increased and its sustainable cultivation in saline-affected soils might be supported by variety selection based on physiological and biochemical tolerance traits.

Effect of Two Murashige and Skoog (MS)-Based Culture Media Supplemented with mTR or Thiamine and 2iP on In vitro Axillary Shoot Proliferation of Yam (Dioscorea spp.)

Bakayoko Yacouba, Sinan Kouadio Ibrahime, Saraka Didier Martial Yao — Tue, 27 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Aims: In Côte d’Ivoire, yam production is compromised by susceptibility to pathogens and by the use of tubers as propagation material, leading to lower yields, a risk of genetic erosion and increased disease spread. In the context of food security challenges, the development of micropropagation techniques enabling the production of healthy in vitro seedlings may provide an approach to improving the availability of high-quality plant material. This study aimed to optimise the in vitro culture conditions for yams in order to contribute to the production of healthy in vitro seedlings.

Study Design: Explants taken from young potted plants of the Criolo Blanco yam clone grown in the laboratory were used to compare two culture media: medium M1 or MS 3B, consisting of the Murashige and Skoog (MS) basal medium enriched with vitamins and meta-topolin riboside (mTR), and medium M2 or MS/2, enriched with thiamine and 2-isopentenyladenine (2iP). Explant responses were assessed using the number of leaves and shoots, as well as the survival rates associated with each culture medium.

Results: A 50 per cent regrowth probability was reached after 16 days in medium M1 and after 9 days in medium M2. Medium M2 had a median of three leaves per plant. Analysis of the results reveals that at T5, 72 per cent of the explants in medium M1 produced leaves and 54 per cent produced shoots, whilst in medium M2, 25 per cent formed leaves and 25 per cent formed shoots; the comparisons were not statistically significant.

Conclusion: The findings suggest that the composition of MS-based media may influence explant recovery and vegetative development, although further testing of growth-regulator concentrations is required.

Satisfaction of Pashu Sakhis with KVK Training on Improved Dairy Technologies

Nirjharini Sahoo, Bomyir Perme, Intekhab Firoz, Leena Sharnagat, Saurabh Suman — Wed, 28 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Pashu Sakhis are women members of self-help groups who provide community-level livestock advisory and preventive-health services. This descriptive study assessed immediate post-training satisfaction among 30 Pashu Sakhi trainees from Uttarakhand who completed a four-day programme on improved dairy technologies at the Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), ICAR–National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal. A 15-item schedule organized into six components was developed from 22 candidate statements through relevance ratings by 15 experts (mean relevancy weightage ≥ 0.80). Trainees rated each item on a five-point satisfaction continuum. The reported internal consistency of the overall schedule was high (Cronbach’s α = 0.918). The mean total score was 58.93 ± 8.29 out of 75, equivalent to a satisfaction index of 78.58%. On sample-relative criteria, 60.00% of respondents fell in the medium, 23.33% in the high and 16.67% in the low category. Teaching pace (mean 4.50), relevance of content to dairy problems (4.43) and perceived provision of new information (4.37) received the highest ratings. Coordination and punctuality (3.37), boarding and lodging (3.40) and perceived contributions of trainers’ field experience (3.40) received lower ratings. The reported Friedman comparison suggested variation across the six components (χ²(5) = 48.34, p < 0.001). These findings identify favourable perceptions of instructional content alongside comparatively less favourable perceptions of organizational arrangements. They describe participant reactions to one programme and do not establish knowledge gain, skills acquisition or subsequent livestock-service outcomes.

Growth and Instability in Blackgram Production in Karnataka and India: Trends in Area, Production and Productivity

Sushma Purada, G. N. Ashoka, Sahana S. Ballary, R. Shreedevi, Ashok Bannada — Wed, 28 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Blackgram (Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper) is an important pulse crop in India, but its long-term production patterns differ between geographical regions. The present study analyses the growth and instability of area, production and productivity of blackgram (Vigna mungo) in India and Karnataka over a 25-year period from 1999–2000 to 2023–2024, using the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) and the Cuddy–Della Valle Index (CDVI). At the national level, blackgram showed positive trends in all three parameters. Area increased from 2.94 to 3.54 million hectares (CAGR 1.77%; CDVI 15.39%, medium instability). Production rose from 1.33 to 2.32 million tonnes (CAGR 3.59%; CDVI 19.07%), while productivity improved from 453 to 656 kg/ha (CAGR 1.79%; CDVI 11.08%, low instability). The pattern in Karnataka was contrasting. Area declined sharply from 131 thousand hectares in 1999–2000 to 48 thousand hectares in 2023–2024, a statistically significant negative CAGR of −3.53% (CDVI 17.20%). Productivity increased from 346 to 458 kg/ha (CAGR 3.61%, significant), whereas production showed no significant trend (CAGR 0.11%) and high instability (CDVI 40.62%). Linear, cubic and exponential trend models were compared to justify the use of the compound growth model. These findings indicate that national growth in blackgram has been supported by both area expansion and yield gains, whereas Karnataka faces a significant decline in area despite productivity gains and unstable production. Policy attention to area retention, irrigation access and the promotion of blackgram in pulse-based cropping systems is therefore warranted.

Trophic Characterization and Ecosystem Modeling of An Artificial Reservoir in a Humid Tropical Zone: The Case of the Farm-school Lake at Jean Lorougnon Guédé University (Daloa, Côte d'Ivoire)

Thu, 29 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Small artificial reservoirs in humid tropical regions are increasingly influenced by agricultural activities, nutrient inputs, and organic matter, which can alter water quality and trophic functioning. Understanding the organisation of food webs and the pathways of energy transfer within such systems is essential for assessing their ecological functioning and supporting sustainable management. However, the trophic structure of the farm-school reservoir at Jean Lorougnon Guédé University has not been comprehensively characterised at the whole-ecosystem level. This study characterised the trophic organisation and energy-flow structure of the 0.065 km² farm-school reservoir at Jean Lorougnon Guédé University, Daloa, Côte d’Ivoire. Environmental and biological monitoring was conducted from December 2022 to February 2024, combining physicochemical measurements, fish sampling, stomach-content analysis, plankton sampling, benthic macroinvertebrate collection, and Ecopath mass-balance modelling. The reservoir food web was organised into nine functional groups encompassing ten fish species, primary producers, invertebrates, and the detrital bacterial compartment. The balanced model indicated a trophic structure extending to level 3.52, with phytophagous cichlids occupying a low trophic level (TL = 2.12) and contributing the highest fish biomass (24.50 t/km²). Their ecotrophic efficiency was 0.845, while apex and secondary carnivores depended substantially on this group in their diets. Phytoplankton and macrophytes supported both direct pelagic transfer and detrital recycling pathways, with benthic omnivores, microbenthivores, invertebrates, and bacteria contributing to the utilisation of organic matter. The hydrochemical conditions indicated mesotrophic-to-eutrophic characteristics, with conductivity ranging from 385 to 440 μS/cm, nitrate concentrations of 3.2–4.8 mg/L, mean BOD₅ of 38 mg/L, and surface oxygen of 6.4 mg/L. Overall, the reservoir functioned through closely connected pelagic and benthic pathways, highlighting the importance of water-quality management, riparian macrophytes, and agroecological practices for maintaining ecological functioning and supporting sustainable educational aquaculture.

Technical Performance Evaluation of a Solar-powered Cereal Mill in Benin

Thu, 29 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Cereal milling is an essential operation in Benin, where conventional electric and diesel-powered mills are widely used and solar-powered alternatives remain uncommon. This study evaluated the technical performance of a 1 HP Phaesun Pro Farina solar-powered mill relative to conventional electric (8 HP) and diesel-powered (10 HP) mills at a research station in Porto-Novo, Benin. Maize, sorghum and millet were processed in 10 kg batches, with three replicate tests for each cereal and milling system. Processing time, capacity, milling passes, effective mechanical energy consumption, flour yield and particle size were evaluated. For the solar mill, mean milling times were 190.6 ± 4.01 min for maize, 104.2 ± 0.4 min for sorghum and 38.6 ± 1.3 min for millet. Corresponding processing capacities were 3.15, 5.76 and 15.54 kg/h. The solar mill consumed 2.14 ± 0.13, 1.17 ± 0.03 and 0.43 ± 0.01 kWh of effective mechanical energy, respectively. Conventional mills processed all three cereals more rapidly, although the mills generally produced comparable flour yields and particle size distributions. The solar mill required fewer milling passes but had substantially lower processing capacity, particularly for maize. Under the tested conditions, the system demonstrated technical feasibility for milling locally consumed cereals, while indicating a need for improvements in motor–millstone matching and throughput. The non-equivalent motor ratings and single-site experimental design limit direct generalisation of the performance comparison.

Wholesale Vegetable Price Profiles in Assam Using Nearest Neighbour and Average Linkage Clustering

Subhalakhmi Changmai — Fri, 30 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Aims: To identify interpretable combinations of everyday wholesale vegetable prices in Assam and compare nearest-neighbour and average-linkage clustering.

Study Design: Exploratory observational study using publicly available secondary market quotations.

Place and Duration of Study: Sixteen reporting markets in Assam, India, from January to September 2026.

Methodology: The dataset contained 612 complete market–day observations of modal prices for potato, brinjal, tomato and cabbage. Prices were converted to rupees per kilogram and standardised. Single-linkage and average-linkage solutions with two to six groups were assessed. Supplementary checks used internal validation indices, 100 markets–week block subsamples, an unusual-quotation sensitivity refit and 135 weekly profiles.

Results: Single linkage showed pronounced chaining. Four-group average linkage produced groups of 394, 47, 169 and two observations, with a mean silhouette width of 0.428. The 169-observation group combined lower potato prices with higher brinjal, tomato and cabbage prices. Two groups achieved a higher silhouette of 0.599 but chiefly isolated two unusual potato quotations. Block subsampling gave a median adjusted Rand index of 0.892, with an interquartile range of 0.407–0.926. Weekly four-group clustering had a silhouette width of 0.448, although a singleton remained.

Conclusion: Average linkage provides an interpretable exploratory summary of price combinations. Uneven reporting and variations in stability prevent claims of a unique natural partition, causal seasonality or household affordability.

Effect of Aloe Vera Gel (Aloe barbadensis Miller) Supplements on Haematological and Serum Biochemical Indices of Broiler Starters

O. E. Adeyemi-Kudaisi, I. I. Popoola — Fri, 30 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0000

This study evaluated the effect of Aloe vera gel extract (AVGE; Aloe barbadensis Miller) supplementation on performance, haematological and serum biochemical indices of broiler starters. A total of 105-day-old Arbor Acre chicks were used in a 3-week trial. Birds were weighed and randomly allotted to five dietary treatments in a completely randomised design. Treatment 1 (control) received conventional drugs and vaccines throughout the trial. Treatments 2, 3, 4, and 5 received no drugs but were given a single vaccine dose on day 7, together with AVGE supplementation at 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, and 2.5 ml/kg feed, respectively, administered at 3-day intervals. All birds were fed a commercial diet. Blood samples for haematological and serum biochemical analyses were collected in week 3. Data were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA), with significance set at P < 0.05.

Results showed significant treatment effects (P < 0.05) on most parameters studied, except red blood cell count, mean cell volume, mean cell haemoglobin and mean cell haemoglobin concentration, which were unaffected. Packed cell volume, haemoglobin, and white blood cell and lymphocyte counts were highest in birds supplemented with 2.5 ml AVGE/kg feed. Increasing the AVGE concentration from 2.0 to 2.5 ml/kg also increased serum urea levels.

Based on these findings, 2.5 ml AVGE/kg feed is recommended for improving packed cell volume, haemoglobin, white blood cell count and platelet formation in broiler starters. Conversely, 1.0 ml AVGE/kg feed is recommended for enhancing total protein, globulin and glucose levels while maintaining the lowest cholesterol concentration. These results suggest that AVGE exerts dose-dependent effects on broiler physiology, with different concentrations optimising distinct performance and health outcomes, thereby supporting its potential as a natural feed additive in broiler starter diets.

An Analysis of Farmers’ Profile in the Context of Digital Empowerment in Selected Districts of Rajasthan, India

Antima Meghwal, Arvind Kumar Jhajharia, R. K. Verma — Sat, 31 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Digital empowerment has become an important aspect of agricultural development, as it enables farmers to access agricultural information, government services, digital financial facilities and other development opportunities through digital technologies. In India, the Digital India Mission aims to improve access to digital services, while Common Service Centres (CSCs) serve as an important link between rural communities and digital service delivery. The socio-personal, socio-economic and communication characteristics of farmers may influence their ability to access and use these digital services. Therefore, the present study was conducted to analyse the profile of farmers in the context of digital empowerment in selected districts of Rajasthan. The study was carried out in Kota, Jaipur and Jhunjhunu districts, with a total sample of 300 farmers selected through proportionate random sampling. Data were collected through personal interviews using a pre-tested semi-structured interview schedule. The data were analysed using frequencies, percentages, means and standard deviations. The findings revealed that 60.00 per cent of respondents were in the adult age group, while 73.00 per cent were male. Other major characteristics included membership in the Other Backward Classes (54.00%), middle-level education (21.66%), medium annual income (46.33%), medium mass media exposure (52.00%) and medium innovativeness (56.33%). Furthermore, 47.34 per cent of the respondents had a medium level of extension contact, and 49.00 per cent had a medium level of achievement motivation. The findings highlight the need to strengthen agricultural extension services, improve access to agricultural information, and provide needs-based farmer training to address farmers’ existing informational and extension-related needs.

Effect of Plant Growth Regulators on Growth, Yield, Quality and Economic Returns of Chilli (Capsicum annuum L.)

Krishna Yadav, Usha Shukla, Manoj Kumar Bundela, Dipayan Sarkar — Sat, 31 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The present investigation was conducted at the Agricultural Research Farm, School of Agriculture, Suresh Gyan Vihar University, Jaipur, Rajasthan, to study the effect of plant growth regulators on the growth, yield and quality of chilli (Capsicum annuum L.) during the Rabi season of 2024–25. The experiment was laid out in a randomised block design (RBD) comprising 10 treatments: T1 – control (water spray), T₂ – NAA (20 ppm), T₃ – NAA (40 ppm), T₄ – NAA (60 ppm), T₅ – GA3 (25 ppm), T₆ – GA3 (50 ppm), T₇ – GA3 (75 ppm), T₈ – 2,4-D (2.5 ppm), T₉ – 2,4-D (3.5 ppm) and T₁₀ – 2,4-D (4.5 ppm), each replicated three times. The results revealed that plant growth regulators significantly influenced the growth, yield and quality parameters of chilli. The maximum plant heights at 30, 60 and 90 days after transplanting (30.24, 42.62 and 54.38 cm, respectively) were recorded under T₆ – GA₃ (50 ppm), whereas the maximum number of branches per plant (23.18), fruit girth (0.96 cm), fruit weight (4.13 g) and fruit length (9.92 cm) were recorded under T₉ – 2,4-D (3.5 ppm). The minimum number of days to 50% flowering (50.42 days) was recorded under T3 – NAA (40 ppm). The maximum number of fruits per plant (110.34), fruit yield per plant (0.46 kg), fruit yield per plot (7.40 kg) and reported yield per hectare (128.51 t/ha) were observed under T4 – NAA (60 ppm). The highest ascorbic acid content (125.63 mg/100 g) and total soluble solids (7.70 °Brix), together with the lowest acidity (0.32%), were recorded under T₆ – GA₃ (50 ppm)_. Economically, NAA at 60 ppm recorded the highest net return (₹918,590.0/ha) and benefit–cost ratio (3.86), followed by NAA at 20 ppm. Therefore, foliar application of NAA at 60 ppm was the most effective treatment for fruit yield and reported profitability under the agro-climatic conditions of Jaipur, whereas GA3 at 50 ppm was most effective for the measured plant height and fruit-quality attributes.

Evaluation of a Brush Cutter and Traditional Tools for Weed Management in Young Tea

Rajashri Saikia, S. Baisya, B. P. Baruah, Bhaskar J. Baruah, Monie K. Borah — Sat, 31 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Weeds can affect the establishment and management of young tea plantations, creating a need to evaluate practical weed-control methods. This study compared brush cutting with sickling, cheeling and conventional herbicide treatments in young tea. A field experiment was conducted during the rainy season of 2019 at Borbhetta Experimental Tea Estate, Jorhat, Assam, using tea clone TV-23. The experiment was laid out in a randomised block design (RBD) with three replications. The dominant weed species present in the experimental plots included both monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous weeds. The use of a brush cutter as a weed management tool was compared with sickling and the traditional cheeling operation. Commonly used herbicides in tea, namely glyphosate 41% SL at 2.5 L/ha and paraquat dichloride 24% SL at 1.5 L/ha, were included as standard herbicide treatments. A single application of each treatment was made to examine the duration of weed control and weed control efficiency. The findings revealed that the brush cutter was effective in controlling weeds commonly found in tea plantations and performed better than traditional sickling. The duration of control after the initial treatment varied depending on the prevailing weed species. On average, weeds remained controlled (100%) up to 14 days after application (DAA), irrespective of treatment and species; thereafter, regrowth was observed, particularly among monocotyledonous weeds. Weed control efficiency was higher in dicotyledonous than in monocotyledonous weeds, particularly under glyphosate 41% SL at 2.5 L/ha. Among the weed species, Eleusine indica (L) Gaertn. (goose grass) remained unaffected by the brush cutter and sickling. Moreover, the treatments had no significant effect on tea yield recorded up to 56 DAA.

Production and Marketing Constraints in Pineapple Cultivation: Evidence from Uttara Kannada District, Karnataka, India

R. Hanumanthappa, Ashwitha, A. S. Gowda, Vinodkumar M. Teggi, Banakar Sangeetha — Sat, 31 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0000

This study examined the production and marketing constraints associated with pineapple cultivation in Uttara Kannada district, Karnataka, India. The investigation was conducted during the agricultural year 2022–23 and was based on primary data collected from 100 pineapple growers. A multi-stage purposive sampling procedure was used to select the study area and respondents, covering pineapple-growing taluks and selected villages. Data on constraints were gathered through an opinion survey using a structured, pre-tested schedule. Garrett’s ranking technique was applied to prioritise the constraints according to the perceived severity reported by respondents. The results showed that the leading production constraint was the non-availability of required planting material, followed by the high cost of planting material, scarcity of labour during peak periods and non-availability of fertiliser. Other production constraints included the high cost of plant protection chemicals, lack of technical knowledge, incidence of pests and diseases and variation in yield at the farmer level. In marketing, the absence of notification of pineapple in regulated markets ranked first, followed by high price fluctuation, lack of grading facilities and high loading and unloading costs. Lack of storage facilities, lack of processing units, irregular payment of sale proceeds and low market price were also reported. The findings indicate the need to improve input access, regulated-market arrangements, grading, storage and processing support for pineapple growers in the study area.

Performance of Foxtail Millet (Setaria Italica L) under Different Sowing Windows and Fertilizer Levels

Mon, 02 Nov 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Foxtail millet (Setaria italica L.) is a climate-resilient cereal crop well adapted to rainfed and resource-limited agricultural environments. Sowing time and fertiliser management are important factors influencing its growth and productivity. However, the combined effects of different sowing windows and fertiliser levels on the performance of the Yashashree variety under the agro-climatic conditions of Indore remain insufficiently documented. The investigation was carried out at the experimental-cum-demonstration field, SVIAG, SVVV, Indore during the kharif season of 2025–26. The soil of the experimental field was medium black clay in texture. It was low in available nitrogen (209.12 kg ha^-1), medium in phosphorus (14.56 kg ha^-1) and high in potassium (442.52 kg ha^-1). The field experiment was conducted in a split-plot design with three main-plot and four subplot treatments. The main-plot treatments were S₁(First fortnight of July), S₂(Second fortnight of July) and S₃(First fortnight of August). The subplot treatments were F₁(125 % RDF), F₂(100 % RDF), F₃(75 % RDF) and F₄(50 % RDF), and each treatment combination was replicated three times, with a gross plot size of 4.00 x 3.00 m². This experiment tested the recommended foxtail millet variety, Yashashree. The highest plant height (106.19 cm) at harvest, number of functional leaves plant^-1 (22.54) at 90 DAS, number of tillers hill^-1(13.43), leaf area (9.99 dm²) at 90 DAS, and dry matter (34.92 g), number of effective tillers hill^-1 (11.87), earhead length (15.54 cm), earhead weight (7.06 g), earhead grain yield plant^-1(12.90), number of seeds earhead^-1 (170.33) and number of seeds plant^-1 (1788.08) at harvest, grain yield (17.52 q ha^-1), straw yield (34.95 q ha^-1), biological yield (52.47 q ha^-1), gross monetary returns (₹ 66564.63 ha^-1), cost of cultivation (₹ 38150.71 ha^-1), net monetary returns (₹ 28413.92 ha^-1) and B:C ratio (1.74) were recorded with sowing during the first fortnight of July (S₁), with values at par with treatment S_2.Test weight and harvest index did not differ significantly among sowing windows. Among fertiliser levels, the highest plant height (106.38 cm) at harvest, number of functional leaves plant^-1 (23.17) at 90 DAS, number of tillers hill^-1(13.77), leaf area (10.62 dm²) at 90 DAS, and dry matter (37.21 g) at harvest, number of effective tillers hill^-1 (12.25), earhead length (15.73 cm), earhead weight (7.50 g), earhead grain yield plant^-1(13.36), number of seeds earhead^-1 (173.33), number of seeds plant^-1 (1781.56), harvest index (33.90) at harvest, grain yield (18.71 q ha^-1), straw yield (36.17 q ha^-1), biological yield (54.88 q ha^-1), gross monetary returns (₹ 71088.44 ha^-1), cost of cultivation (₹ 39398.34 ha^-1), net monetary returns (₹ 31690.10 ha^-1) and B:C ratio (1.79) were recorded with the application of 125 % RDF (F₁) which was at par with the 100 % RDF treatment (F₂). Test weight did not differ significantly among fertiliser levels.

Multispectral Imaging for Discriminating Common Bean Seeds under Contrasting Vigor Conditions Induced by Accelerated Aging

Mon, 02 Nov 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Background: Accurate assessment of seed vigour is essential for ensuring the physiological quality of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) seeds. Conventional methods may be time-consuming and involve destructive procedures. Multispectral imaging offers a rapid, objective and non-destructive alternative. However, the relative effectiveness of morphological, shape, colour and spectral features in discriminating common bean seeds subjected to accelerated ageing remains insufficiently investigated.

Aims: To evaluate whether multispectral imaging can discriminate common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) seeds under contrasting vigour conditions, and to compare the discriminant capacity of morphological, shape, colour and spectral features.

Study Design: Completely randomised design with two experimental conditions (high vigour and low vigour induced by accelerated ageing) and four replicates of 50 seeds.

Place and Duration of Study: Seed Analysis Laboratory, Department of Agricultural Sciences, State University of Montes Claros (UNIMONTES), Janaúba, Minas Gerais, Brazil, in 2026.

Methodology: Seeds of the cultivar Pérola from a single lot were either kept unaged (high vigour) or aged at 41 °C for 72 h (low vigour). Images were acquired with a VideometerLab4 at 19 wavelengths (365–970 nm), and 35 morphological, shape, colour and spectral reflectance variables were extracted per seed. Data were analysed by Welch's t-test on replicate means, principal component analysis and linear discriminant analysis (LDA) with leave-one-replicate-out cross-validation.

Results: Five of the six morphological variables, the three CIE L*a*b* colour components and 17 of the 19 spectral bands differed between conditions. The first principal component, dominated by spectral variables, explained 47.5% of the total variance. LDA accuracies were 26.4%, 63.2% and 68.5% for shape, morphological and colour variables, respectively. The 19 spectral bands achieved the highest accuracy (98.2%), correctly classifying 197 of 200 high-vigour seeds and 190 of 194 low-vigour seeds; combining all 35 variables yielded 98.0%, with no gain over spectral information alone.

Conclusion: The spectral response concentrates a high capacity for discrimination between the experimental conditions evaluated, showing the potential of multispectral imaging as a rapid, objective and non-destructive tool for discriminating common bean seeds subjected to accelerated ageing. Validation with commercial lots that differ naturally in vigour is still required.

Assessment of a Sprinkler Irrigation System for Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) Production in the Gontougo Region, Côte d’Ivoire: A Descriptive Case Study

Mon, 02 Nov 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Sprinkler irrigation may support vegetable production where rainfall is variable. This study examined the installation of a sprinkler irrigation system and reported okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) water requirements and yields in Yomankro and N’dakro, Gontougo Region, Côte d’Ivoire. The systems were installed on one-hectare sites following a preliminary field survey. Each system used a diesel-powered pump, polyvinyl chloride pipes, shut-off valves and rotary sprinklers supplied from a water source approximately 150 m from the plots. The layout comprised 49 sprinklers per plot, with 12 m spacing between adjacent sprinklers and lines. Crop water requirements were estimated using the FAO-56 approach, meteorological observations from Bondoukou and published stage-specific crop coefficients. Yield was expressed in tonnes per hectare. Estimated crop evapotranspiration increased from 2.64 mm·day⁻¹ during the initial stage to 4.42 mm·day⁻¹ during development and 5.49 mm·day⁻¹ at mid-season, before declining to 3.55 mm·day⁻¹ during the late-season stage. Reported yield was 3.20 t·ha⁻¹ under traditional irrigation and 8.38 t·ha⁻¹ under sprinkler irrigation, a difference of 5.18 t·ha⁻¹. These findings describe a higher observed yield under sprinkler irrigation. However, no replicated yield observations, statistical tests or field measurements of application uniformity were reported. Further replicated and hydraulically monitored evaluations are needed to establish how much of the yield difference is attributable to the irrigation method.

Basal Stem Rot of Oil Palm in Southern Region of Côte d’Ivoire: Pathogen Identification

Tue, 03 Nov 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Background: Basal stem rot (BSR) affects oil palm cultivation in Côte d’Ivoire. Although the disease has been documented in southern plantations, the identities and pathogenicity of associated fungal isolates remain insufficiently characterised.

Aims: To identify fungal isolates associated with BSR in southern Côte d’Ivoire and assess their pathogenicity on oil palm seedlings.

Study Design: Laboratory identification and nursery pathogenicity experiments.

Place of Study: Oil palm plantations in Ehania, Eloka and Boubo, with pathogenicity testing at the Robert Michaux Research Station, Dabou.

Methodology: Basidiocarps were collected from symptomatic palms, and isolates were identified using internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. Two-month-old oil palm seedlings were inoculated by immersing their roots in mycelial suspension for 30 minutes. Disease incidence and disease severity index (DSI) were assessed for GN6, GN13 and GN19.

Results: Three of 15 sampled basidiocarps exhibited typical Ganoderma characteristics. The three isolates showed 95–96% ITS sequence similarity to Ganoderma zonatum and grouped with this species in the phylogenetic analysis. Seedlings developed chlorosis and necrosis following inoculation. Overall disease incidence was 83.32% for GN6, 69.77% for GN13 and 68% for GN19. At three weeks, DSI values were 83%, 63% and 88%, respectively. GN6 had the highest overall disease incidence, whereas GN19 had the highest week-three DSI.

Conclusion: The findings support an association between G. zonatum and BSR in the sampled plantations. Further sampling and pathogenicity testing are required to establish the distribution and variability of the associated isolates.

Temporal Responses of Canola (Brassica napus L.) to Methylobacterium oryzae Applications under Controlled Conditions

İlhan Subaşı — Wed, 04 Nov 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Background: Plant growth-promoting bacteria can influence crop establishment, but responses may depend on the timing and frequency of application. This study examined temporal responses of canola (Brassica napus L. cv. Lakritz) to Methylobacterium oryzae DSM 18207 under controlled conditions.

Methods: A seven-day germination assay compared untreated and bacterially treated seeds. A separate pot experiment evaluated five regimes: an untreated control, seed treatment alone, and seed treatment followed by one, two or three foliar applications. Germination patterns, early seedling fresh and dry biomass, and eight vegetative growth and biomass traits were assessed.

Results: Treated seeds showed lower early germination counts than controls, but final means were similar (71.00 and 71.33, respectively). At the early seedling stage, fresh biomass was 0.0416 g after bacterial treatment and 0.0523 g in controls; corresponding dry biomass means were 0.0032 and 0.0035 g. In the pot experiment, application regimes differed numerically across traits. The regime with three foliar applications had the highest mean plant height and shoot length, whereas dry shoot weight was numerically higher under the regimes with one or two foliar applications than under the control. However, none of the treatment differences was considered statistically significant.

Conclusions: Under the tested conditions, the application regimes did not demonstrate statistically verified growth promotion. The observed patterns warrant further investigation with increased replication, consistent application procedures and measurements of bacterial establishment.

Monitoring Multiclass Pesticide Residues in Tomato, Cabbage, and Brinjal from Dharwad District, India, Using QuEChERS and LC-MS/MS: Implications for Food Safety

Wed, 04 Nov 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Pesticide residues in vegetables are an important concern for food safety and public health. In the present study, vegetables, viz., tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), brinjal (Solanum melongena) and cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata) samples were collected from two farmers’ fields in Dharwad district, Karnataka during 2025 and analysed for pesticide residues using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The sample preparation was carried out using the QuEChERS (Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged and Safe) method with acetate buffering following AOAC Official Method 2007.01. The LC-MS/MS technique enabled sensitive and reliable detection of multiple pesticide residues. In samples from the first farmer’s field, 29 pesticide residues were detected in tomato, 19 in cabbage and 17 in brinjal, whereas samples from the second farmer’s field contained 18 pesticide residues in tomato, 17 in cabbage and 16 in brinjal. In tomato samples, carbendazim recorded the highest residue concentration (0.076 mg kg⁻¹), followed by spiromesifen and indoxacarb. In cabbage samples, relatively fewer pesticide residues were detected, with acephate and flonicamid showing comparatively higher concentrations. In brinjal, several pesticide residues were detected, although in relatively lower numbers compared to tomato. The highest residue level recorded was diflubenzuron (0.027 mg kg⁻¹) followed by emamectin benzoate (0.008 mg kg⁻¹), buprofezin (0.006 mg kg⁻¹) and thiodicarb (0.006 mg kg⁻¹). The recorded diflubenzuron concentration (0.027 mg kg⁻¹) in the first farmer’s brinjal sample was greater than the cited comparison value (0.01 mg kg⁻¹); the applicable commodity-specific MRL requires verification.

Influence of Iron and Zinc on Growth and Yield of Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.)

Sandeep Yadav, Archana Kawade, Vishal Panchal, Tirunima Patle, Hiral Gundaniya — Thu, 05 Nov 2026 00:00:00 +0000

An agronomic study was conducted during kharif 2025 at the new experimental-cum-demonstration field, SVIAg, SVVV, Indore. The experimental field was level and well drained. The experimental soil was medium black clay, with low nitrogen (210.12 kg ha^-1), medium phosphorus (15.23 kg ha^-1) and high potassium (440.41 kg ha^-1). The soil organic carbon content, pH and EC were 0.59 per cent, 7.35 per cent and 0.72 dSm^-1, respectively. The environmental conditions were favourable for the normal growth and maturity of the sorghum crop. The experiment comprised ten treatments, each replicated three times in a randomised block design, involving soil and foliar applications of iron and zinc at different growth stages. The treatments included T1: RDF only, T2: RDF + Fe (soil application) during sowing, T3: RDF + Zn (soil application) during sowing, T4: RDF + Fe + Zn (soil application) during sowing, T5: RDF + Fe (foliar application) at 15 and 30 DAS, T6: RDF + Zn (foliar application) at 15 and 30 DAS, T7: RDF + Fe + Zn (foliar application) at 15 and 30 DAS, T8: RDF + Fe soil application during sowing + foliar application at 15 and 30 DAS, T9: RDF + Zn soil application during sowing + foliar application at 15 and 30 DAS and T10: RDF + Fe + Zn soil application during sowing + foliar application at 15 and 30 DAS. Sowing was carried out using the dibbling method at a spacing of 40 cm x 15 cm.

The highest plant height (200.73 cm) at harvest, stem girth (3.42 cm), number of leaves plant^-1 (14.90) at 75 DAS, leaf area plant^-1 (39.63 dm²) at 75 DAS and dry matter plant^-1 (174.00 g) at harvest were recorded under treatment T10: RDF + Fe + Zn soil application during sowing + foliar application at 15 and 30 DAS. The lowest values of these parameters were recorded under the treatment in which only the recommended dose of fertilisers was applied to the crop. Yield-attributing characteristics, viz., earhead length (22.57 cm) plant^-1, earhead girth (10.80 cm) plant^-1, earhead weight (78.75 g) plant^-1, number of grains earhead^-1(1613.33), earhead yield (56.37 g) plant^-1 and harvest index (28.26) at harvest, were recorded with RDF + Fe + Zn soil application during sowing + foliar application at 15 and 30 DAS.

Growth, Development, and Productivity of Maize (Zea mays L.)–Soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) Intercropping under Different Planting Patterns and Ghanjivamrit Application Rates

Mridula, G. D. Sharma, M. C. Rana — Thu, 05 Nov 2026 00:00:00 +0000

A field experiment was conducted during the 2020 kharif season at CSK Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya, Palampur, India, to evaluate four planting patterns and four ghanjivamrit application rates (0, 500, 1000, and 1500 kg ha−1) in a maize–soybean intercrop. The treatments were arranged in a split-plot design with three replications. Plant height, dry matter accumulation, maize leaf area index, soybean nodule mass, crop phenology, and maize grain-equivalent yield were assessed. Furrows after every two maize rows produced the highest reported marginal maize grain-equivalent yield (6038.9 kg ha−1), compared with 4759.6 kg ha−1 under flat-bed planting. Across amendment rates, the highest marginal equivalent yield was observed at 1500 kg ha−1 (6184.0 kg ha−1), compared with 4399.6 kg ha−1 without ghanjivamrit. Planting pattern and amendment rate were associated with differences in several maize and soybean growth measurements, including soybean nodule mass; an interaction was reported for maize dry matter at 30 days after sowing. Neither factor significantly affected the recorded phenological endpoints. The results identify promising treatment levels under the tested soil and seasonal conditions but do not establish a unique optimal treatment combination or long-term effects.

Dynamics of Major Food Crops Production in North Eastern Region of India

Thu, 05 Nov 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The rapid increase in the world population has made it challenging to meet global food demand, which is projected to increase by 59 per cent to 102 per cent by the year 2050 (Jerzak & Śmiglak-Krajewska, 2020). Thus, increasing agricultural production is essential to achieving global food security (Porkka et al., 2013). Agriculture, a vital sector of the Indian economy, has undergone considerable transformation over the years, helping the country move from a severe food crisis to self-sufficiency in food grain production (Kumari et al., 2020). The North Eastern Region of India has also increased total food grain production through the adoption of high-yielding varieties (HYVs) of paddy, quality seed materials and the timely supply of improved seeds (Roy et al., 2015). The present study was undertaken to examine the dynamics of major food crop production in the North Eastern region of India with the following objectives: (1) To study growth and instability in the area, production and productivity of major food crops in North East India. (2) To estimate the contributions of area and productivity to increased production of major food crops in North East India. Secondary time-series data on the area, production and productivity of food grains and oilseeds in North East India for the period 2001-02 to 2020-21 were collected from various published sources. The study period was divided into two phases, i.e. 2001-02 to 2010-11 (Phase I) and 2011-12 to 2020-21 (Phase II). The compound annual growth rate (CAGR), Cuddy-Della Valle Index (CDVI) and decomposition analysis were used. For food grains, Manipur recorded the highest Phase I CAGR for area (3.30 per cent), whereas Arunachal Pradesh recorded the highest Phase I CAGRs for production and yield (3.77 per cent and 3.10 per cent, respectively). For oilseeds, Tripura recorded the highest Phase II CAGRs for area and production, i.e., 17.81 per cent and 21.68 per cent, respectively, whereas Manipur recorded the highest Phase I CAGR for yield (5.31 per cent). During Phase I, high instability was recorded in Mizoram for food grain production and productivity. For oilseeds, high instability was recorded in Manipur for area and production, Nagaland for area, and Mizoram for production and productivity. The yield effect made the largest contribution to the change in production of both food grains and oilseeds across the North East, at 101.26 per cent and 324.46 per cent, respectively.

Hydraulic Audit and Techno-economic Comparison of Photovoltaic and Diesel Pumping for Drip Irrigation in the Maradi Valley, Niger

Moumouni Guero Mohamed, Aboubacar Sidikou Mazadou Garba, Soupiyanou Abdou Moussa — Fri, 06 Nov 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Aims: To audit an analytically sized, battery-backed photovoltaic (PV) drip-irrigation design for 1 ha in relation to borehole hydraulics and documented costs, and to compare it with direct-coupled PV and diesel pumping.

Study Design: A design audit and numerical simulation study without field measurements.

Place and Duration of Study: Djirataoua irrigation perimeter, Maradi, Niger (13.41° N, 7.14° E); reference design of January 2026, analysed in 2026.

Methodology: An hourly model coupled FAO-56 crop water demand, PV output, a variable-speed submersible pump and tank and battery balances. Options were compared by the levelised cost of water (LCOW) and volumetric coverage, with Monte Carlo, Sobol and multi-objective analyses. The model was checked against the original PVsyst outputs but not validated with field data.

Results: The main error was hydraulic: the design flow (23 m³ h⁻¹) was more than three times the borehole yield (7 m³ h⁻¹), the head was underestimated (20 instead of 25.4 m) and pump power was overestimated nearly threefold. A direct-coupled 3 kWp array with a 50 m³ tank met about 98 % of the seasonal demand; the January–February shortfall was set by the borehole, not by irradiation. At datasheet-based prices, direct PV, battery-backed PV and diesel cost 194, 201 and 190 FCFA m⁻³ (West African CFA franc): the battery did not reduce costs in the tested configurations, and solar was cheaper than diesel in about half of the Monte Carlo runs, depending mainly on the pump-set price. The reported internal rate of return (6.15) was an annuity factor.

Conclusion: Such systems should be sized from a pumping test and the peak-day demand. The solar–diesel choice depends more on local pump-set prices than on sunshine, and groundwater sustainability must be assessed before any extension.

Yield Performance and Nutritional Composition of Garden Cress (Lepidium sativum L.) Seeds under Different Planting Times in Bangladesh

Md. Abdul Khaleque, Mst. Zakia Sultana — Fri, 06 Nov 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Garden cress (Lepidium sativum L.) is a nutrient-rich but underutilized crop in Bangladesh with potential for both agricultural and nutritional improvement. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of planting time on seed yield and yield components, and to assess the proximate composition of garden cress seeds under Bangladeshi conditions. A pot experiment was carried out at Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, from July to November 2023 using four planting dates (July, August, September, and October) arranged in a completely randomised design with three replications. Planting time significantly influenced seed yield and its contributing traits. The highest seed yield (0.587 g plant⁻¹), number of pods (128 plant⁻¹), and 1000-seed weight (2.37 g) were recorded for October planting, whereas July planting failed to produce viable seeds due to unfavourable environmental conditions. August and September plantings showed intermediate performance. A strong positive relationship was observed between yield and yield components, particularly pod number and seed weight. Proximate analysis revealed that garden cress seeds are rich in crude protein (34.43%), crude fibre (17.41%), crude lipid (14.34%), ash (7.98%), and carbohydrates (22.48%), with low moisture content (3.36%). These findings indicate that the seeds possess high nutritional value and good storage potential. The results suggest that proper selection of planting time is essential for maximising yield, while the high nutrient content highlights the importance of garden cress as a functional food. This study provides useful information for promoting cultivation and utilisation of garden cress in Bangladesh.

Phytochemical and Proximate Composition Screening of Bal Sam Spurge (Euphorbia balsamifera)

A. Abdulrahman, M. G. Garba, S. Gaddafi, A. Yusuf, U. S Salisu — Fri, 06 Nov 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Background: Balsam spurge (Euphorbia balsamifera) contains phytochemical constituents that may be relevant to its assessment as a plant-derived feed resource.

Aim: This study characterised the qualitative and quantitative phytochemical constituents and proximate composition of leaves collected around Dutsin-Ma, Katsina State, Nigeria.

Methods: Leaves were collected, identified and shade-dried for seven days. Approximately 200 g of dried leaves were submitted to the Animal Care Konsolt (Nigeria) Ltd Feed Analysis and Quality Control Laboratory for phytochemical assessment, while dried samples were used for proximate analysis.

Results: The quantitative phytochemical screening recorded anthraquinones (35.50 mg/100 g), tannins (23.50 mg/100 g), alkaloids (19.38 mg/100 g), total phenolic content (6.98 MgGAE/100 g), quinones (6.25 mg/100 g), flavonoids (4.62 mg/100 g) and steroids (1.73 mg/100 g). Proximate analysis indicated dry matter (90.88%), moisture (9.12%), crude protein (5.98%), ether extract (2.80%), crude fibre (14.16%), ash (10.54%), nitrogen-free extract (57.41%) and carbohydrate content (67.95%). The reported metabolizable energy was 2409.290 kcal/kg.

Conclusion: These results establish a descriptive baseline for the sampled leaves and support further research into their potential use as a feed resource or phytogenic additive. However, compositional assessment does not demonstrate digestibility, animal performance, feeding efficacy or safety. Controlled feeding and dose-response studies are required before practical recommendations can be made.

Contribution of Market Gardening to Household Food Security in DOUM-DOUM Commune, Lake Province, Chad

Mahamat Mallah CHOUKOU, Abakar Ali M'BODOU — Fri, 06 Nov 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Objectives: Off-season market gardening is regarded as a means of diversifying diets and generating income. This study aimed to analyse the contribution of market gardening to household food security in DOUM-DOUM Commune, Lake Province.

Study Design: Cross-sectional quantitative survey.

Place and Duration of Study: DOUM-DOUM Commune, Lake Province, Chad, from November 2024 to April 2025.

Methodology: A quantitative survey was conducted among 60 market-gardening households, with 59 usable questionnaires, randomly selected from three purposively selected villages. A structured questionnaire collected sociodemographic, agricultural, and economic data. A multiple linear regression model identified the determinants of annual income from market gardening. Household Dietary Diversity Scores (HDDS) and Food Consumption Scores (FCS) were calculated.

Results: Households were predominantly male-headed (94.9%), aged 31- 40 years (40.7%), and had primary education only (76.3%). Onion (27.1%) and tomato (22.0%) were the main crops. Market gardening was the primary source of income for 30.5% of households. Mean annual income from market gardening was 548,200 FCFA. The regression model was globally significant (F 14, 44) = 12.57; P < 0.001; adjusted R² = 0.74) and showed that cultivated area (β = 0.814; P < 0.001), fertilization (β = 0.128; P = 0.025), and irrigation investment (β = 0.141; P = 0.011) significantly increased income. Access to credit had a positive but only marginally significant effect (β = 0.118; P = 0.056). High-income market-gardening households had an HDDS of 9.2 versus 6.4 for low-income households and a reduced lean season of 1.8 months versus 4.2 months.

Conclusion: Market gardening effectively contributes to food security through daily self-consumption and monetary access to food. Improving access to land, fertilization and irrigation is a priority, while credit remains a secondary factor. These results argue for prioritizing interventions to sustainably strengthen food security in the Sahelo-lacustrine zone.

Participatory Selection of Fonio Varieties by Farmers in a Controlled Environment in the Sudanese Zone of Chad

Fri, 06 Nov 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Fonio is a traditionally cultivated cereal in Chad, and farmers’ varietal preferences are relevant to identifying planting material for further evaluation. This study examined the visual preferences of women and men for 30 fonio ecotypes under controlled experimental conditions at the University of Sarh, Doyaba campus, in 2026. The plant material comprised 25 ecotypes from Kenya and five from Chad. A Fisher block trial was established, and 20 farmers participated in the assessment, with ten women and ten men evaluated in separate groups. Each participant received three cards for preferred ecotypes and three for less-preferred ecotypes. Votes were summarised using descriptive counts and percentages. Among men, Ke_Fon_6 and Ke_Fon_22 each received seven positive votes, representing 23.33% of the 30 positive votes, whereas Ke_Fon_18 received nine negative votes (30%). Among women, Ke_Fon_6 and Ts_Fon_13 received the highest positive ratings, while Ke_Fon_18 and Ke_Fon_13 each received seven negative votes (23.33%). Overall, six ecotypes were identified as preferred by participating farmers: Ke_Fon_6, Ts_Fon_13, Ke_Fon_7, Ke_Fon_22, Ts_Fon_24 and Ts_Fon_17. The assessment recorded varietal preferences based on visible agronomic characteristics, including plant growth, panicle attributes and lodging resistance. These findings provide a starting point for subsequent agronomic assessment and fonio improvement efforts in Chad, without establishing the comparative performance of the selected ecotypes across growing environments.

Effects of Contrasting Watering Regimes on Growth Dynamics and Chlorophyll Responses of Thirteen Corchorus olitorius Genotypes

Mon, 09 Nov 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Background: Limited water availability may restrict the vegetative development of Corchorus olitorius, but the responses of thirteen previously characterised Togolese genotypes to different watering schedules have not been established.

Aims: Interruptions in water supply can constrain leafy vegetable production, yet the responses of thirteen previously characterised Togolese Corchorus olitorius genotypes to contrasting watering schedules remain insufficiently understood. This study evaluated their growth and relative chlorophyll responses to identify promising material for further evaluation and crop improvement under restricted water supply.

Study Design: A completely randomised factorial experiment combining thirteen genotypes and three watering regimes, with two replications of five individually potted plants per combination.

Place and Duration of Study: Screenhouse of the Laboratoire de Recherche sur les Agroressources et la Santé Environnementale, École Supérieure d’Agronomie, Université de Lomé, Togo, from December 2025 to March 2026.

Methodology: Plants received daily watering, watering every seven days, or a single watering at treatment onset. Each application supplied 0.5 L per pot. Plant height, number of primary branches, number of green leaves and relative chlorophyll content were recorded on days 0, 7, 14 and 21; stem diameter measurements began on day 7. Changes from each replication’s day-0 mean were analysed using repeated-measures mixed models. Stem diameter was analysed as observed values.

Results: Interactions between watering regime and recording day were significant for all five traits (P < 0.001). By day 21, mean height increases were 94.96, 34.12 and 12.19 cm under daily, weekly and single watering, respectively. Corresponding net changes from day 0 were +181.58, +71.46 and −7.62 green leaves per plant. Under single watering, no green leaves remained on day 21. Relative chlorophyll increases were greater under restricted watering at some assessments despite smaller growth increases. On day 14, G7 recorded the greatest numerical green-leaf increase under weekly watering, while G10 and G13 ranked highest under single watering.

Conclusion: Weekly watering maintained vegetative development at lower levels than daily watering, whereas single watering resulted in complete leaf drying by day 21. Contrasting genotype responses identify material for further evaluation of leaf production and recovery under restricted water supply.

Economic Analysis of Farm Mechanisation in Rice Cultivation: Cost, Returns and Profitability in Bihar, India

Mon, 09 Nov 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Rice is the principal food crop of Bihar, and farm mechanisation has become an important strategy for improving production efficiency, reducing labour dependency, and enhancing farm profitability. The present study was undertaken to analyse the operation-wise costs and returns of farm mechanisation in rice cultivation in Rohtas district of Bihar. The study was based on primary data collected from 100 sample rice farmers during the agricultural year 2023–24 using a multistage sampling technique. The economics of mechanised rice cultivation was analysed using standard cost concepts recommended by the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP). The results revealed that the average total cost of rice cultivation was ₹88,482.82 per hectare, of which operational costs accounted for 79.67 per cent, while fixed costs constituted 20.33 per cent of the total cost. Human labour emerged as the largest cost component, accounting for 40.31 per cent of the total cultivation cost, followed by machine labour (23.75 %). The average gross return and net return were estimated at ₹150,496.04 and ₹62,007.58 per hectare, respectively, with a return per rupee invested of 1.70, indicating that rice cultivation under mechanised farming was economically profitable. The average cost of production was estimated at ₹1,412.25 per quintal. The operation-wise analysis showed that land preparation incurred the highest mechanisation cost, followed by harvesting and intercultural operations. The findings indicate that mechanisation substantially contributes to improving farm profitability by enhancing operational efficiency and reducing production costs. Strengthening farmers' access to agricultural machinery through custom hiring centres, institutional credit, and promotion of advanced farm machinery would further enhance mechanisation and improve the economic sustainability of rice cultivation in Bihar.

Effect of Different Weed Control Practices on Weed Dynamics, Crop Growth and Fibre Yield of White Jute (Corchorus capsularis L.)

Mon, 09 Nov 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Weed infestation constrains white jute production, while repeated manual weeding increases cultivation costs. A two-year field experiment was conducted at Jute Research Station, Kendrapara, during the kharif seasons of 2021 and 2022 to evaluate the efficacy of chemical, mechanical and manual weed management practices in white jute (Corchorus capsularis L.). Seven weed management treatments were evaluated using the variety JRC-698 (Shrabanti White) in a randomised block design, replicated thrice. The treatments comprised pre-emergence application of pretilachlor and pendimethalin, each followed by one hand weeding at 15 days after sowing (DAS); post-emergence application of quizalofop-ethyl and propaquizafop, each followed by one hand weeding 15 days after herbicide application; a mechanochemical approach involving nail weeder operation at 7 DAS followed by post-emergence application of quizalofop-ethyl 5 EC at 60 g/ha at 25 DAS; two hand weedings at 15 and 30 DAS; and an unweeded control. Among the different treatments evaluated, two hand weedings produced in the highest fibre yield, weed control efficiency, crop resistance index, and weed control index, along with the lowest weed index. The mechanochemical approach with nail weeder operation during the early stages of crop growth, followed by the post-emergence application of quizalofop-ethyl 5 EC at 60 g/ha at 25 DAS, ranked next and generated a net return of ₹66,415/ha with a benefit–cost ratio of 2.3. Therefore, integrating mechanical weeding with post-emergence herbicide application provides a promising and cost-effective alternative for effective weed management in white jute.

Improving Processing Characteristics of Difficult-to-Dehull Millet through Continuous Microwave Preprocessing

Chandan Solanki, Rahul Subhash Yadav — Tue, 10 Nov 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Kodo millet (Paspalum scrobiculatum L.) is difficult to dehull because of its multilayered, closely adhering husk, which can reduce head grain recovery during mechanical processing. This study evaluated continuous microwave preprocessing to improve dehulling efficiency and head recovery while limiting kernel breakage. Experiments were conducted in July 2026 at ICAR–Central Institute of Post-Harvest Engineering and Technology, Ludhiana, using Kodo millet cultivar JK-439. A three-factor, three-level Box–Behnken design comprising 17 runs examined microwave power levels of 60–100%, treatment durations of 60–120 s and initial grain moisture contents of 12–16% (wet basis). Treated grains were subsequently milled in a single pass using a rubber roll sheller, and their performance was compared with that of untreated grain. The untreated control recorded 76.68% dehulling efficiency, 52.57% head recovery and 8.05% kernel breakage. Numerical optimisation identified microwave power of 81.4%, treatment duration of 91.8 s and grain moisture content of 14.48% as preferred conditions, with a reported desirability of 0.964. Triplicate validation trials under these conditions yielded 86.62% dehulling efficiency, 61.98% head recovery and 7.25% breakage. Compared with the control, these outcomes represent increases of 9.94 and 9.41 percentage points in dehulling efficiency and head recovery, respectively, and a 0.80-percentage-point reduction in breakage. Continuous microwave preprocessing therefore improved the measured milling outcomes under the conditions evaluated.

Stability and Environmental Responsiveness of WA-CMS Rice Hybrids for Yield and Grain Quality

Tue, 10 Nov 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Aims: To evaluate the yield performance, environmental responsiveness and stability of wild-abortive cytoplasmic male-sterile (WA-CMS)-derived rice hybrids for agronomic and grain-quality traits across three locations.

Study Design: Multi-location evaluation in a randomised block design with three replications.

Place and Duration of Study: Rajendranagar, Kampasagar and Kunaram during the kharif 2025 season.

Methodology: Thirty-six hybrids developed from three WA-CMS lines and 12 restorers, together with 15 parents and four standard checks, were evaluated for 22 agronomic and grain-quality traits. Environmental indices, genotype means, regression coefficients (bᵢ) and deviations from regression (S²di) were summarised using the Eberhart–Russell stability framework. Inferential joint-regression tests must be confirmed from the original plot-level data before formal stability categories are assigned.
Results: Environmental indices differed among locations and traits. For total grain yield, the indices were 0.001 at Rajendranagar, 0.038 at Kampasagar and −0.039 at Kunaram. CMS-59 × SN-2183 and CMS-59 × SN-2717 recorded the highest reported mean yield (0.59 kg plot⁻¹), followed by RMS-2 × SN-2183 (0.57 kg plot⁻¹) and CMS-64 × SN-2705 (0.55 kg plot⁻¹). Their regression coefficients indicated contrasting responses to environmental improvement. These entries are considered candidates for further evaluation rather than formally validated stable hybrids.

Conclusion: The results provide a preliminary shortlist of WA-CMS-derived hybrids for further testing. Because the evaluation covered three locations in one season, and inferential stability statistics require confirmation, multi-year and multi-location validation is necessary before recommendation.

Influence of Sowing Time, Crop Establishment Methods and Weed Control Practices on the Growth and Yield of Wheat

Wed, 11 Nov 2026 00:00:00 +0000

A field experiment was conducted during the rabi seasons of 2023-24 and 2024-25 at the Agricultural Research Farm, College of Agriculture, RVSKVV, Gwalior (M. P.), to assess the effect of sowing time, crop establishment method and weed control practices on growth and yield attributes of wheat. The experiment was conducted in a split-split-plot design (SPD), with treatments comprising three sowing dates (Second week of November-D₁, Fourth week of November-D₂ and Second week of December-D₃) as main plots, three crop establishment methods (Normal line sowing at 22.5 cm-M₁, FIRB sowing at 15 cm-M₂ and Line sowing under zero tillage at 22.5 cm-M₃) as subplots and three weed control practices (Clodinafop-propargyl 54 g/ha + Metribuzin 120 g/ha-W₁, Clodinafop-propargyl 60 g/ha + Metsulfuron-methyl 4 g/ha-W₂ and Weedy check-W₃) as sub-subplots with three replications. Among the treatments, higher growth parameters (viz. plant height and dry weight/plant), yield-attributing characters (viz. total number of effective tillers/m², number of grains/ear and 1000 grain weight (g)) and grain yield were recorded with sowing during the fourth week of November (D₂) compared with other sowing dates, whereas the lowest values were recorded with sowing during the second week of December (D₃). Higher values of growth parameters (viz. plant height and dry weight/plant), yield attributing characters (viz. total number of effective tillers/m², number of grains/ear and 1000-grain weight) and grain yield were observed with FIRB sowing at 15 cm (M₂) compared with the other crop establishment methods, particularly zero-tillage line sowing at 22.5 cm. The lowest values of growth parameters (viz. plant height and dry weight/plant), yield attributing characters (viz. total number of effective tillers/m², number of grains/ear and 1000 grain weight (g)) and grain yield were recorded under the weedy check compared with the other treatments. Clodinafop-propargyl 60 g/ha + Metsulfuron-methyl 4 g/ha recorded the highest plant height, which was statistically comparable to Clodinafop-propargyl 54 g/ha + Metribuzin 120 g/ha. A significant interaction between sowing time and weed control treatments was observed for dry weight per plant at all growth stages except 30 DAS, and for grain yield. The highest recorded dry weight per plant and grain yield occurred with the interaction of fourth-week November sowing and Clodinafop-propargyl 60 g/ha + Metsulfuron-methyl 4 g/ha among the evaluated interactions.

Chemical Characterization of Carrot and Sweet Lime Blended Nectar during Storage

Oshin Pali, Annu Verma, Gunjeshree Gond, Aaliya Afroz — Wed, 11 Nov 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Carrot (Daucus carota) provides carotenoids, whereas sweet lime (Citrus limetta) contributes ascorbic acid and acidity to blended fruit–vegetable beverages. This study described five chemical attributes of nectar containing six carrot-to-sweet-lime juice ratios (100:0, 80:20, 60:40, 40:60, 20:80, and 0:100) during 90 days of room-temperature storage. Total juice constituted 20% of each formulation, nominal total soluble solids were adjusted to 15%, and citric acid (3 g L⁻¹) and sodium benzoate (0.6 g L⁻¹) were added. Sealed bottles were heated until the nectar reached approximately 80 °C. pH, total soluble solids, titratable acidity, ascorbic acid, and β-carotene were measured at days 0, 30, 60, and 90. Across formulations, mean pH declined from 3.95 to 3.36, ascorbic acid from 15.77 to 12.22 mg/100 mL (22.5% loss), and β-carotene from 0.83 to 0.76 mg/100 mL (8.8% loss). Mean soluble solids increased from 15.05% to 15.60%, and titratable acidity from 0.36% to 0.41%. Sweet lime-rich formulations generally showed higher measured ascorbic acid and acidity and lower pH. The absolute nutrient concentrations require caution because starting-juice composition and analytical recovery have not been documented. The observations do not establish microbiological safety, sensory acceptability, or shelf life.

Marketing Constraints Faced by Grape Growers and Suggestions for Their Mitigation in Sangli District of Maharashtra, India

Thu, 12 Nov 2026 00:00:00 +0000

This study assessed the marketing constraints experienced by grape growers and the measures they proposed for addressing these difficulties in Sangli district, Maharashtra. An ex-post-facto research design was adopted in Tasgaon, Jath and Miraj tehsils. Data were collected through personal interviews with 150 growers from 15 villages using a structured interview schedule and analysed through frequencies, percentages and ranks. Exploitation by middlemen was the most frequently reported marketing constraint (87.33%), followed by complex export procedures (84.00%) and high cold-storage charges (79.33%). Other constraints included fluctuations in market prices (72.00%), low produce prices (68.67%), inadequate storage facilities (60.67%) and lack of processing units (58.00%). Limited export-oriented knowledge (54.67%), delayed cash payments (52.67%) and insufficient market information (48.67%) were also reported. Regarding mitigation, 92.67% of respondents recommended the introduction of a minimum support price for grapes, while 88.00% suggested affordable disease-free planting material and plant-protection chemicals. Additional suggestions included accessible cold-storage facilities (77.33%), marketing and export training (68.67%), exporter cluster schemes (66.00%), processing facilities in grape-growing areas (63.33%) and credit at lower interest rates (43.33%). The findings indicate that growers placed considerable importance on fair pricing, market infrastructure, export-related support and affordable production inputs. The results may inform locally relevant initiatives that respond to the marketing constraints and priorities identified by the surveyed growers.

Farmers’ Knowledge of the Striga Genus and the Impact of Striga [Striga hermonthica (Del.) Benth] on Sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] Productivity in Burkina Faso

Thu, 12 Nov 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The genus Striga comprises parasitic plants that cause significant crop damage. Despite control strategies, Striga remains the primary biotic constraint for farmers in Burkina Faso. This study used a two-pronged approach to document farmers’ perceptions and knowledge of Striga and assess the impact of S. hermonthica on sorghum productivity. The study combined a survey with a field assessment across five administrative regions of Burkina Faso (Goulmou, Guiriko, Nazinon, Kadiogo, and Oubri). A survey of 385 farmers assessed their knowledge of Striga. The impact of infestation was evaluated in 75 fields across six yield plots measuring 1 m² per field, comprising three infested and three uninfested plots per field. The data were analysed using univariate and multivariate approaches, as well as linear mixed models. The survey showed that S. hermonthica and S. gesnerioides were the species most familiar to farmers, recognised by 100% and 91.17% of participants, respectively. Striga management relied primarily on mechanical control, with reported frequencies ranging from 37% to 48.4% across sites. Despite its harmful effects, farmers reported using Striga as fodder (8% in Oubri), medicinal products (9% in Goulmou), and veterinary products (10% in Oubri). The field assessment on smallholder farms indicated a negative association between Striga infestation and agronomic traits. Analysis of variance revealed a highly significant effect of the treatment on the variables studied, with F values ranging from 340.11 to 1,038.49 (p < 0.001). Infestation reduced plant height by 17 to 41 percent and grain yield by 59 to 72 percent. These results show that Striga is a major constraint on sorghum production in Burkina Faso and underscore the need to strengthen its management.

Stakeholder Perceptions and Readiness to Adopt Shea Tree (Vitellaria paradoxa C. F. Gaertn.) Grafting Technology in Côte d’Ivoire

Kpagni Antoine Blé, Affi Jean Paul Attikora, Saraka Didier Martial Yao — Fri, 13 Nov 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Background: Shea domestication through grafting may be constrained by stakeholders’ limited practical experience and concerns about planting-material performance and cost.

Aims: This study assessed stakeholder knowledge, perceptions, uncertainties, and readiness to adopt shea grafting technology to support sustainable shea domestication in northern Côte d’Ivoire.

Study Design: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 360 shea value-chain stakeholders across five regions of northern Côte d’Ivoire. Data were collected through structured interviews and analysed using descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and Cramér’s V.

Results: Overall, 60.3% of respondents were aware of shea grafting technology, although only 32.7% had previously seen a grafted shea seedling. Knowledge and perceptions differed significantly across stakeholder categories and regions (p < 0.05), with agricultural technicians and nursery operators demonstrating greater technical knowledge. Respondents expressed favourable expectations regarding grafted-tree performance (mean score: 4.05/5), and 94.7% indicated willingness to plant grafted seedlings. However, 90% considered the reported seedling price of FCFA 5,000 ($8.49) expensive, while approximately 42-44% expressed uncertainty about potential rootstock effects on fruit and butter yield and quality. Rootstock-related uncertainty was significantly associated with stakeholder category (p < 0.001; Cramér’s V = 0.34). Public subsidies (59.2%) and technical training were identified as key priorities for technology dissemination.

Conclusion: Despite strong stakeholder interest in adopting grafted shea seedlings, limited practical knowledge, high planting-material costs, and uncertainties regarding rootstock effects remain major barriers to adoption. Improving seedling affordability, strengthening technical training and participatory demonstrations, and conducting long-term evaluations of grafted-tree performance are essential to facilitate widespread adoption and sustainable shea domestication in Côte d’Ivoire.

Biological Performance and Seed Damage of Callosobruchus maculatus F. on Four Improved Cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.] Varieties

Fri, 13 Nov 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Aims: Cowpea, Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp., is an important grain legume in sub-Saharan Africa, but its postharvest storage is constrained by the cowpea weevil, Callosobruchus maculatus (F.). Although several improved varieties have recently been released in Burkina Faso, their susceptibility to C. maculatus under storage conditions remains poorly documented, limiting recommendations to farmers and extension services. This study assessed the biological performance of C. maculatus and the resulting seed damage in four improved cowpea varieties (Issa Sosso, Makoyin, Nerwaya and Yipoussi) under laboratory conditions.

Study Design: The study was conducted at the Laboratory of Fundamental and Applied Entomology, Joseph KI-ZERBO University, Burkina Faso.

Methodology: A completely randomized design with four varieties and 12 replicates per variety was used. In each replicate, one newly emerged C. maculatus pair was exposed to 20 uninfested seeds in a Petri dish under no-choice conditions for 12 h for oviposition, at 30±2°C, 45% relative humidity, and a 12L:12D photoperiod.

Results: Seed dimensions differed significantly among varieties, with Nerwaya having the largest seed area (52.58±0.89 mm²) and Issa Sosso the smallest (47.77±0.62 mm²). Oviposition differed significantly (P=.008), from 74.67±5.45 eggs on Nerwaya to 105.58±6.65 eggs on Makoyin. Egg hatching and immature mortality varied significantly, whereas development time and adult emergence did not differ significantly. Nerwaya received the fewest eggs and had the lowest seed damage, but the highest egg hatching (85.86±1.74%) and lowest immature mortality (17.02±2.47%). Females were generally larger than males. Nerwaya had the lowest perforation (49.17±5.83%) and weight loss (14.19±1.51%), whereas Issa Sosso had the highest values (81.67±2.41% and 28.57±2.08%, respectively).

Conclusion: All varieties supported C. maculatus development, but seed damage differed substantially. Nerwaya combined lower oviposition and damage with higher egg hatching and lower immature mortality, indicating that reduced oviposition did not necessarily reduce immature survival. On the basis of the damage indicators, Nerwaya showed the most favourable postharvest profile and may contribute to integrated management of C. maculatus during cowpea storage.

Determinants of Rural Household Income: Empirical Evidence from Six Districts of Mizoram, India

Lalenpuii, V. K. Choudhary, Hulas Pathak, Madhulika Thakur — Fri, 13 Nov 2026 00:00:00 +0000

This study examined factors associated with rural household income in six districts of Mizoram, India, using primary survey data collected during 2025–2026 from 384 households in 12 Rural Development Blocks and 36 villages. District-level and pooled multiple regression models related the natural logarithm of annual household income to family size, educational attainment, irrigation access, livestock holding, market distance and landholding size. In the pooled model, family size (0.083), education (0.141), irrigation access (0.498) and landholding (0.034) were positively associated with log household income, whereas market distance had a negative association (-0.013). Livestock holdings showed a positive but statistically non-significant association with the outcome. The pooled model accounted for 66.2% of the observed variation in log household income; district-level R-squared values ranged from 0.547 to 0.859. The findings identify human capital, productive resources and market accessibility as important correlates of rural income within the sampled districts and offer an empirical basis for locally adapted livelihood-development priorities.

Eberhart and Russell Model Based Stability Analysis in Sorghum [Sorghum bicolor L. (Moench)]

Dikshita Joshi, Hemlata Sharma — Fri, 13 Nov 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Comparative assessment of sorghum genotypes requires consideration of grain yield consistency because yield responses differ among growing environments. A total of 57 entries were examined: ten parental genotypes, 45 half-diallel crosses and two checks (CSV 17 and CSV 23). During kharif 2024, the entries were grown at three Udaipur sites, namely the RCA and CTAE instructional farms of MPUAT and Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Badgaon. A randomised block design with three replications was followed at each site. Yield per plant was evaluated through the Eberhart and Russell regression approach, using the genotype mean, regression coefficient and deviation from regression as stability measures. The variance analysis detected significant variation among genotypes as well as a significant genotype-by-environment interaction for yield. Mean yields of individual entries extended from 50.72 to 126.67 g per plant. Applying the reported criteria identified seven crosses (P2 x P5, P2 x P8, P3 x P8, P4 x P6, P4 x P10, P6 x P8 and P8 x P10) as broadly stable. Another twelve crosses combined above-average grain yield with regression coefficients exceeding one and were classified as responsive to favourable conditions. In contrast, P3 x P10, P5 x P10, P6 x P9 and P6 x P10 were classified as suitable for unfavourable conditions. These results allow comparison of the adaptability of the crosses within the three environments included in this evaluation.

Influence of Azolla Derived Organic Fertilizers for Enhancing the Growth of Malabar Spinach (Basella alba L.)

Pratap Majumder, Ankush Chakraborty, Jatindra Nath Bhakta — Sat, 14 Nov 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Inorganic fertilisers are increasingly associated with adverse impacts on soil quality, ecological stability and long-term human health. The present study assessed the influence of Azolla-derived organic fertilisers on the growth performance of Basella alba L. to identify an eco-friendly organic fertiliser for improving overall soil health and crop yield. The study involved growing B. alba L. in grow bags and applying three types of Azolla-derived organic fertilisers, Azolla-based bioslurry (ABB), phosphate-mixed Azolla-based bioslurry (PMB) and dry Azolla powder (DAP) over a 70-day period at the Department of Ecological Studies, University of Kalyani. The growth of B. alba L. together with soil chemical and microbial (NFB, nitrogen fixing bacteria; PSB, phosphate solubilising bacteria; KSB, potassium solubilising bacteria) properties were analysed to assess the effects of the applied Azolla-derived fertilisers. The shoot length (12.92 – 53.73%), leaf number (26.25 – 50.50%), branches (60 – 80%), stem diameter (3.43 – 17.55%), root weight (134.53 – 254.79%) and total biomass (192.02 – 228.44%) of DAP-, ABB- and PMB-treated B. alba L showed greater growth than the control. The soil nutrients (available– N, 129.58 – 245.81%; P, 15.10 – 87.72%; K, 61.39 – 72.81%; and organic-C, 28.57– 85.71%) and microbial properties NFB (47.61 – 228.71%), PSB (23.01 – 84.99%) and KSB (53.29 – 63.32%) also increased in DAP-, ABB- and PMB-treated B. alba L. groups compared with the control. This study indicated the fertiliser potential of Azolla-based bioslurry in enhancing the growth and production of B. alba L alongside improvements in soil properties and beneficial microbial populations. Additionally, the DAP and PMB showed greater growth and yield responses in B. alba L. than ABB. In summary, the applied Azolla-derived organic fertilisers may be used as organic fertilisers to enhance soil fertility and crop productivity to support organic farming and sustainable food production.

Assessment of Farmers’ Attitudes towards Moth Bean Value Addition Practices in Bikaner District of Rajasthan, India

Sat, 14 Nov 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Moth bean (Vigna aconitifolia) has considerable potential for value-added food processing in the dryland farming systems of Rajasthan. This descriptive survey assessed farmers’ attitudes towards moth bean value addition in three tehsils of Bikaner district. Lunkaransar, Sri Dungargarh and Nokha were purposively selected, followed by the random selection of five villages per tehsil and 20 farmers per village (N = 300). Responses from personal interviews were summarised using statement-wise mean percentage scores (MPS) and attitude categories. Overall, 66.67% of farmers were classified as having a favourable attitude, 18.67% a less favourable attitude and 14.67% a highly favourable attitude. The highest pooled statement scores concerned the perceived usefulness of value addition (92.67 MPS), diversification into food products (92.07) and rural employment opportunities (90.07). Lower scores reflected concern about uncertainty of returns (23.20) and the cost of processing equipment (46.27). The pooled item-wise MPS was 76.50, with a numerically higher value in Sri Dungargarh (78.58) than in Lunkaransar (76.83) and Nokha (74.08). The results indicate broadly favourable perceptions alongside distinct financial and market-related reservations, providing a basis for locally targeted extension and enterprise-support initiatives.