Home / Article Archive

The establishment and management of an orchard nursery for fruit crops constitute a multifaceted endeavour requiring meticulous attention to various critical factors. Beginning with strategic site selection and infrastructure planning, the nursery's success hinges on optimal growing conditions, efficient layouts, and protection measures. Careful plant selection and sourcing from reputable suppliers set the stage for propagation methods such as grafting, cutting, or seed germination. Precise water and nutrient management, coupled with vigilant pest and disease control, ensure the health and vigour of young plants. Pruning, training, and record-keeping contribute to developing robust, well-structured trees. Continuous monitoring, evaluation, and adaptation of practices are essential for sustained success. Compliance with regulations, staff training, and effective marketing strategies further enhance the nursery's viability. This encapsulates the comprehensive approach required for the successful management of an orchard nursery, ultimately serving as a foundation for thriving fruit orchards.

Fruit juice processing involves a meticulous journey from raw fruit extracts to a clear, stable, and palatable beverage. At the heart of this transformation lies the strategic use of fining agents. These substances, chosen with precision, play a vital role in eliminating undesirable particles, proteins, and polyphenols, ultimately enhancing the aesthetic and sensory qualities of fruit juices. This explores the diverse landscape of fining agents, from traditional choices like gelatin to contemporary options such as activated charcoal and enzymes like pectinase. The selection of a fining agent is a nuanced decision, shaped by the specific characteristics of the juice and the desired attributes of the final product. Considerations of dietary preferences and ethical concerns add a layer of complexity to the fining agent selection process. Alternatives like chitosan and silica gel offer solutions for producers seeking to align their practices with diverse consumer needs. The use of fining agents exemplifies the industry's commitment to delivering a refined and enjoyable consumer experience. The dynamic interplay of factors in juice clarification, coupled with ongoing technological advancements, ensures that fruit juices meet and exceed quality standards, promising continued innovation in the pursuit of excellence.

Composting, the microbial decomposition of biodegradable materials, plays a crucial role in recycling organic waste and producing nutrient-rich soil amendments. In this article, we discussed about microbial communities during composting, exploring their diversity, dynamics, factors affecting composting and impact of compost on crop yield. By understanding the interactions between microorganisms and organic matter, we can optimize composting processes for sustainable agriculture.

Agriculture needs to moderate the hydrothermal regime in order to increase crop productivity and water use efficiency. This entails controlling temperature and water availability to establish ideal growing conditions for crops. By employing a combination of agronomic practices, such as conservation tillage, mulching, precision irrigation, and soil amendment strategies, farmers can mitigate the adverse effects of extreme hydro-thermal conditions, including droughts and waterlogging. Farmers can improve agricultural resilience against climate instability, stabilize yields, and conserve water resources by regulating the hydrothermal environment. So, putting hydrothermal moderation measures into practice is essential for both food security and sustainable agriculture.

The cultivation of mango trees involves a meticulous interplay of rootstock selection and grafting techniques. Rootstocks, chosen for their vigour and disease resistance, are typically derived from seeds, with a focus on monoembryonic or polyembryonic traits. Grafting merges these rootstocks with scions from mature trees, creating a unified plant that inherits desired fruit characteristics. Various grafting methods, such as cleft and whip-and-tongue grafting, ensure a secure connection at the graft union. This fusion leads to early fruitbearing and efficient replication of specific mango varieties, enhancing orchard productivity. The careful balance of rootstock attributes and grafting finesse exemplifies the artistry in mango cultivation, promising a harvest of high-quality fruits and sustainable orchard success.

This article discusses the key information needs to reduce the negative impacts of weather variability and climate change on environmental degradation and food security, and identifies the opportunities and barriers between the information and services needed. It also suggests that vulnerability assessments based on a livelihood concept that includes climate information and key socio-economic variables can overcome the narrow focus of common one-dimensional vulnerability studies. Both current and future climatic risks can be managed better if there is appropriate policy and institutional support together with technological interventions to address the complexities of multiple risks that agriculture has to face. This would require effective partnerships among agencies dealing with meteorological and hydrological services, agricultural research, land degradation and food security issues. In addition, a state-of-the-art infrastructure to measure, record, store and disseminate data on weather variables, and access to weather and seasonal climate forecasts at desired spatial and temporal scales would be needed.

Real time soil monitoring provides efficient and timely information of crop and soil for precise decision making in the crop production and yield improvement. The high cost, time consuming soil chemical analysis, and laborious collection of soil samples are significant problems in soil monitoring. In an attempt to solve these problems, different types of soil sensing systems have been developed with applications in site-specific nutrient management in precision agriculture. Most of these "on-the-go" soil sensors are based on electrical or electromagnetic sensing. These "on-the-go" soil sensors might be less accurate than conventional laboratory methods, but are still advantageous due to their high-resolution spatial information. Optical and radiometric sensors also require a higher initial equipment cost compared to the other sensors.

Soil pollution is a serious environmental concern that has far-reaching repercussions for ecosystems, agriculture, and human health. Soil pollution is a global issue that poses serious threats to human and ecosystem health. Soils are crucial in providing numerous ecosystem services essential for sustaining life on Earth. However, the alarming reality is that we have been witnessing a rapid loss of the quality of our soils and the invaluable benefits they offer. Understanding the nuances of soil pollution is pivotal for devising effective remediation strategies and fostering sustainable land management practices.

Nanotechnology, which involves the manipulation of particles at the nanoscale (1 to 100 nanometers), has led to significant advancements in various fields, including nanomedicine. This paper explores the application of engineered nanoparticles, particularly metal nanoparticles, in combating microbial resistance in aquaculture. We focus on silver (Ag-NPs), gold (Au-NPs), zinc oxide (ZnO-NPs), and titanium dioxide (TiO2-NPs) nanoparticles due to their potent antimicrobial properties against bacteria, fungi, and viruses. Silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs), notable for their wide range of applications due to their antimicrobial, optical, electrical, and magnetic properties, have shown efficacy against pathogens such as Aeromonas species and Vibrio harveyi in aquaculture settings. Studies indicate that Ag-NPs can improve survival rates and physiological health in aquatic animals when used as dietary supplements. Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) are critical for providing essential trace minerals that support the growth and metabolism of fish. Adequate zinc levels, derived from dietary sources, are crucial for maintaining biochemical and physiological functions, highlighting the importance of ZnO-NPs in aquaculture nutrition.

Bagru printing, an ancient hand-block printing technique from Rajasthan, India, exemplifies a rich cultural heritage. Originating centuries ago, in Bagru village, this traditional art, practiced by the Chhipa community, involves intricate designs created with hand-carved wooden blocks and natural dyes. Despite modernization challenges, Bagru printing endures due to its unique aesthetic and eco-friendly practices. The motifs, inspired by nature and folklore, resonate with tradition and symbolism. Preservation efforts, including skill development and collaborations with contemporary designers, ensure its relevance and global appeal. Bagru printing not only showcases artisanal craftsmanship but also empowers women, fostering sustainable livelihoods.

Cucurbitaceous crops are particularly important in the Indian agriculture as they contribute a lot to food security, economic stability and nutritional wellness. The study draws attention to the diverse uses of crops such as cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) and bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.) ranging from cooking to medicinal purposes. Traditional and modern farming systems are analyzed which demonstrates the benefits of local wisdom vis-a-vis sophisticated agricultural technologies. Climate change, soil degradation, and resource overexploitation challenges call for sustainable practices such as grafting and agrivoltaics. On top of that, this research underscores the importance of pollinators as well as organic farming in enhancing productivity, while also increasing resilience.

Rajasthan's rich cultural heritage shines through its intricate embroidery traditions, embodying the region's history and culture. Metal embroidery, including zardozi, gota work and danke-ka-kam symbolizes opulence and royalty. Suf Bharat and Mukke-ka-Kaam showcase geometric and metallic thread designs, while Pakko Bharat and Kharak feature dense patterns and satin stitch bands. Moti Bharat's vibrant beadwork and patchwork quilting highlight resourcefulness, and Mochi Bharat's chain stitches, originally on leather, now adorn textiles. Each style preserves Rajasthan's cultural legacy, demonstrating resilience and creativity through generations.

Biological control (biocontrol) offers a sustainable solution to combat plant diseases in agriculture. By harnessing natural antagonistic relationships among microorganisms, biocontrol strategies such as hyperparasitism, antibiotic production, lytic enzyme secretion, competition, induced host resistance, and microbial diversity effectively suppress a wide range of plant pathogens. However, successful implementation requires a thorough understanding of microbial interactions with pathogens and host plants, as well as environmental factors.

Reducing carbon emissions in animal agriculture requires innovative strategies. Utilizing predigested feed or feed additives like tannins and saponins enhances nutrient absorption, inhibits methane production, and optimizes feed efficiency. Feeding animals mango leaves, rich in methane-inhibiting compounds, offers a sustainable, locally available feed source, potentially reducing enteric fermentation emissions. Incorporating oil into animal diets increases energy density, improves digestibility, and inhibits methane production, promoting balanced nutrition and sustainable resource use. Feeding concentrates ensures optimal nutrient utilization, reduces enteric fermentation, and improves feed conversion efficiency. These approaches offer multifaceted solutions to mitigate carbon emissions in animal agriculture, advancing sustainability and environmental stewardship.

Aquaculture, as a significant contributor to global food security, faces challenges such as microbial infections, biofouling, and water quality degradation. Understanding microbial communication mechanisms, particularly Quorum Sensing (QS), is crucial for addressing these challenges. QS enables bacteria to coordinate behaviors based on population density, influencing processes like biofilm formation and virulence expression. This article explores the QS mechanism, its importance in microbial communication, and its applications in enhancing aquaculture practices.

Faba beans (Vicia faba L.) are suitable for tropical to temperate climates. They are more tolerant of acidic soils. The optimal pH level for growing fava beans is between neutral and alkaline (pH 6.5 to 8.0). Flowers are usually pollinated by insects such as honey bees, bumblebees, and solitary bees. Faba beans are one of the most important edible legumes. These beans are very nutritious due to their high content of proteins, minerals, vitamins, and numerous bioactive compounds such as polyphenols and carotenoids. It is a good source o lysine-rich protein and a good source of levodopa (1-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine), a dopamine precursor that has potential as a drug to treat Parkinson's disease. These beans are high in non-nutritive secondary metabolites and high in fiber, both of which are good for human health.

Food security and the way of life are greatly influenced by agribusiness on a global scale. The many ways that agribusiness affects the creation of livelihoods and food security are critically examined in this article, which also discusses the difficulties that may arise. Drawing upon a diverse range of literature, the paper navigates through the complex interactions between agribusiness entities, local communities, and global food systems, shedding light on key mechanisms, opportunities, and constraints. Through a nuanced analysis, it underscores the importance of adopting holistic, inclusive approaches that harness the transformative potential of agribusiness while addressing equity, sustainability, and resilience concerns.

In order to control plant pests and improve soil fertility and raise food production to fulfill the growing demand for food globally, the rapid increase in population has led to a severe increase in the usage of pesticides and artificial fertilizers. The use of pesticides and inorganic fertilizers has increased dramatically, which has had a negative impact on the ecosystem and human health by destroying the food chain (owing to eutrophication), polluting the air and contaminating groundwater. Given these harmful effects of chemical pesticides and fertilizers, using environmentally friendly techniques, such as applying biofertilizers, has become more popular. The special substrate found in termite mounds, known as termitarium soil, presents a viable option for environmentally friendly farming methods. Termitarium soil exhibits the capacity to solubilize phosphate and potassium, create indole acetic acid, and control plant soil pathogens. Termite mound soil contains useful bacteria that are capable of decomposing lignin and cellulose, fixing nitrogen, solubilizing phosphate, and suppressing plant soil pathogens. Termite mound soil makes a useful bulking material for composting because of its greater cation capacity, organic carbon and nitrogen concentration, water-holding capacity, and clay content. These have put them in a position to function as biofertilizers and biocontrol.

Agriculture as the primary global food source, faces challenges like increased demand, food safety concerns and environmental sustainability. With the world population projected to reach 9.7 billion by 2050, the demand for food and water is expected to rise significantly. Challenges such as limited arable land, declining farmer numbers and environmental issues underscore the need for innovative and sustainable farming solutions. To address these challenges, incorporating novel technologies such as smart agriculture. Among many emerging technologies which can provide solutions unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) often known as drones is one of the most recent innovations. It is also a non-human centric, transparent, evidence-based technology. Drones save the excess use of water, pesticides and herbicides maintains the fertility of the soil also helps in the efficient use of man power and elevate the productivity and improve the quality. Drones equipped with cameras and other sensors can provide farmers with real-time data on crop health, soil moisture and other factors that affect crop growth and yield. One of the key benefits of drone technology in agriculture is its ability to collect large amounts of data quickly and easily allowing farmers to make more informed decisions about how to manage their crops. Drones equipped with sensors scan crops using visible and near-infrared light to track crop health over the time and monitor response to remedial measures. This can be programmed to detect details such as NDVI, water stress or lack of specific nutrients in crops.

Water resources can be sustainably managed by precision irrigation using various automated sensors which comprises water application to the crop at the right time, right amount, right place and right manner. It utilizes a systems approach to achieve 'differential irrigation' treatment of field variation (spatial and temporal) as opposite to the 'uniform irrigation' treatment that underlies traditional management systems. The precision irrigation water management system utilizes the components like drip irrigation, GPS (Global Positioning System) and GIS (Geographic Information System) technologies, VRI (variable rate of irrigation) and monitoring and automation. These technologies aid in better control and management for irrigation purposes.

Tea is one of most consumed plant based beverage in the world. As tea is rich in minerals, polyphenols, polysaccharides and alkaloids, it has several health benefits. Because of antifatigue, anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, its demand is increasing day by day that generates huge amount of tea waste. Tea waste is dumped on land and in aquatic bodies, releases anthropogenic gas, pollute soil and water bodies. So, its proper management is necessary for the environment. This article emphasizes the management of tea waste by bioconversion techniques as these techniques are sustainable with multiple benefits. This method not only helps in reducing waste but also contributes to the production of valuable products like biochar, biofuel, biopolymer and bioactive compounds. These products can have various applications, from agricultural use to bioenergy production and even in the pharmaceuticals and cosmetic industries.

Hydrilla verticillata is a submerged, invasive aquatic weed found in freshwater. It is a resilient plant and can withstand a variety of physical and chemical conditions such as pH, temperature and nutritional level of water body. While its notorious nature and detrimental effect on aquatic ecosystem, adaptability and nutritional properties offer opportunities for innovative solutions. Utilizing Hydrilla for value added products is a promising avenue. Biogas production from plant biomass could provide renewable energy while mitigating its spread. Composting could not only reduce its volume but also create nutrient rich soil amendments. Moreover, its capacity for phytoremediation particularly in accumulating heavy metals holds potential for cleaning polluted water bodies.

Boron dynamics in soil-plant systems are critical for sustaining crop production, as boron is an essential micronutrient for plant growth and development. This review explores the intricate mechanisms governing boron uptake, transport, and utilization by plants, as well as the factors influencing boron availability in soil. Effective management strategies for optimizing boron nutrition while minimizing the risks of toxicity or deficiency are discussed, including soil testing, targeted fertilization, irrigation management, and integrated nutrient management. By implementing these strategies, farmers can enhance boron availability, promote soil health, and ensure long-term sustainability in crop production systems. Collaboration among researchers, extension services, policymakers, and farmers is essential for advancing our understanding of boron dynamics and disseminating best practices for sustainable agriculture. This comprehensive approach to boron management contributes to enhanced crop productivity, improved resource efficiency, and resilience in agricultural systems, ultimately supporting global food security and environmental stewardship.

Zinc is micronutrient essential for normal growth and development of plants. It is required for the functioning of many different enzymes and proteins involved in various metabolic pathways in plants for instance, in photosynthesis and carbohydrate metabolism, protein as well as auxin metabolism, the maintenance of membrane integrity, pollen formation and resistance to pathogen attack. Zinc deficiency in food crops cause decreased crop yields and nutritional quality. Generally, the regions in the world with Zn-deficient soils are also characterized by widespread Zn deficiency in humans. Zinc deficiency is attributed by large zinc removals due to high crop yields and intensive cropping systems, lesser application of organic manures, increased use of phosphatic fertilizers resulting in P-induced zinc deficiency. Zinc deficiency in crop production can be managed through agronomy and genetic improvement. Fertilization could correct zinc deficiency and ensure optimum yields and increased zinc concentration in grain. Indiscriminate fertilizer use has polluted the soil and water hence the use of biofertilizers (Zn solubilizing bacteria) along with integrated nutrient management is sustainable approach for managing zinc deficiency.

Global climate change is an important problem in this time. It leads to a gradual increase in the average annual temperature of the planet, which began with the industrial revolution in the beginning of the 20th century. Extreme weather in recent years has made the talks about the growth of earth's temperature more intense. The change in temperature is explained by high levels of manufacturing and economic activity that includes emissions of main greenhouse gases: carbon dioxide, methane, etc. Carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, has the ability to trap heat in the atmosphere and contributes to global warming. Carbon sequestration is the process of capture and long-term storage of atmospheric carbon di oxide to mitigate global warming and to avoid dangerous impact of climate change. Soil carbon sequestration, the process of capturing and storing carbon in the soil, plays a crucial role in reducing atmospheric CO2. Process-based models such as the DeNitrification- DeComposition (DNDC) model have been increasingly used to understand the complex interactions between climate, crop and soil management through integration of the primary SOC turnover mechanisms. While carbon sequestration is important, the development of carbon-neutral technologies and alternatives to fossil fuels is also crucial. There is need for research, education, outreach and policy interventions to restore SOC pool, improve quality of soils of agro-ecosystems, increase productivity, and improve environment quality.

Agriculture plays a pivotal role in sustaining global food security and addressing the challenges of a growing population. The efficient use of nutrients in agriculture is crucial to mitigate environmental impact while maximizing crop yield. Artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing nutrient management in agriculture. By analyzing real-time data on weather, soil conditions, and crop health from sensors, robots, drones, and satellites (via machine learning and image analysis), AI empowers farmers to make informed decisions on fertilizer application, minimizing environmental impact. Mobile apps and AI-driven drones further enhance this by identifying plant nutrient deficiencies, enabling targeted interventions. Technologies like plantix, green seeker, and fasal sense leverage sensors and AI to analyze soil composition, recommend nutrient management strategies, and enable targeted fertilizer application. AI offers innovative solutions for optimizing nutrient management, leading to a more sustainable and data-driven future for agriculture.

Despite being the most prevalent atmospheric element, nitrogen presents a paradoxical challenge for agriculture. While plants require large quantities, only a small fraction is readily available for uptake. Most nitrogen exists as inert dinitrogen gas (N2), unusable by most organisms. However, transformations occur, converting it into more reactive forms like nitrate (NO3-) and ammonium (NH4+). These forms are highly mobile in water and air, leading to potential losses through leaching, runoff, volatilization, and denitrification in both upland (leaching, run-off) and lowland (denitrification, volatilization) soils. Effective nitrogen management is crucial for optimal crop growth and minimizing environmental losses. This necessitates implementing various strategies to enhance Nitrogen Use Efficiency (NUE).

In the field of precision farming, IOT has played an essential role in revolutionizing the whole agricultural system. It not only just increases the yield and economic status of the farmer but also helps in the sustainable farming practices. It helps in different areas of agricultural practices like smart irrigation, fertilizer application by the help of drones, soil mapping etc. By integration of artificial intelligence (AI) with the Internet of things (IoT), the whole agricultural system has become more efficient, convenient and sustainable. In the conventional farming method, the farmer has to frequently visit his field throughout the crop-growing season to monitor his crop. Farmers spend most of their time analyzing and monitoring crop conditions rather than working in the field, which makes smart agriculture necessary. Beyond agronomic improvements, the Internet of Things is revolutionizing agriculture and providing real financial gains for farmers. Farmers may optimize the distribution of resources, boost profitability, and achieve notable yield increases by utilizing big data analytics and IoT-driven insights.

Okra, crucial for Indian agriculture, faces challenges in humid climates, but West African okra exhibits resilience. Wild okra relatives offer traits like disease resistance, enhancing resilience through hybridization. Future breeding focuses on stress-resistant varieties, utilizing advanced techniques like marker-assisted selection, to ensure sustainable production amidst climate change. Incorporating wild okra's genetic diversity enhances cultivated varieties' resilience, safeguarding food security in evolving agricultural landscapes.

Agricultural problems can be solved sustainably with ecological pest management, which reduces environmental effects by controlling pest populations through natural processes. This strategy encourages agroecosystem resilience by utilizing biodiversity and ecosystem services, such as habitat modification and biological control agents. At its foundation are Integrated Pest Management (IPM) techniques, which prioritize ecological balance maintenance through focused action, observation, and prevention. It reduces the need for synthetic pesticides by using techniques like crop rotation, companion planting, and pheromone use, protecting biodiversity and human health. To balance ecosystem health and agricultural output and promote long-term food production sustainability, ecological pest control is a paradigm change.

Dhamdha is located in the Indian state of Chhattisgarh's Durg district. In Chhattisgarh, Dhamdha is renowned for its abundant natural water resources. A pond is a tiny, artificially created body of still water on land that forms when water pools inside a depression. Urbanization was destroying water, a natural resource, day by day. This region's fish farmers started using pond culture systems for carp culture. Additionally, numerous ponds in the Durg area are used for fish farming, livelihood, etc.

A team of scientists of CAU-CPGSAS, Central Agricultural University (Imphal), Umiam, Meghalaya; TRA-, NBBRC, Nagrakata and ICAR-NBAIR, Bengalore under DBT funded project trained the farmers of village Mabong of West Sikkim. Amongst them Mr Ganesh Rai adopted the demonstrated integrated organic management practise with proven bioinoculant technologies of the above institute and got good result with higher yield with CBR of 1:4.23 with significant reduction of pest and disease infestation. The farmers income, bankability increased significantly. Success of Mr Rai attracted many fellow farmer and Mr Rai acted as mater demonstrator cum trainer for the horizontal transfer of the organic package for cultivation vegetables.

This article investigates the critical role of earplugs in reducing hearing loss in today's pervasive noise environment. Hearing impairment, which is frequently caused by extended exposure to loud sounds, is a serious threat to public health and well-being. Earplugs provide a practical answer by acting as a barrier between the ear canal and external noise sources. This study highlights the effectiveness of earplugs in reducing the risk of hearing impairment in a variety of scenarios, including occupational settings, leisure activities, and sleep environments, based on a thorough evaluation of the literature and empirical data. Despite their clear benefits, difficulties such as correct fit and user compliance should be considered. Nevertheless, earplugs emerge as vital tools in the preservation of auditory health, providing a road to a calmer, safer, and more.

Gender-based resource allocation is defined as the distribution of resources within the family among girls and boys according to their gender. The study examined gender-based resource allocation in rural families and its impact on female development. Aim of the study is to understanding gender-based resource allocation and its impact. The researcher chooses 120 respondents to discuss women's development. The study found gender-based resource allocation in the targeted area, with women receiving fewer resources than men. Girls' growth is hindered by unequal access to resources such as food, clothing, land and property, automobiles, money, savings, and other necessities within their families. Promoting gender-neutral resource allocation in families can lead to a fairer society.

The environment and weather have a crucial impact on the agriculture industry. The country's established farming practices and food output to support its expanding population may be threatened by climate change. Agriculture and climate change are linked because agricultural processes frequently employ the result of climate as an input. Due to the growing impact of climate change on agriculture, these measures for mitigating its effects have received a great deal of attention in recent decades. During their growth and developmental phases, agricultural crops often go through a cycle that is extremely vulnerable to biotic and abiotic stimuli. This suggests that stress throughout any stage of development is detrimental to the growth, development, and productivity of crops during the production cycle. Any external element that causes a malfunction in an agricultural crop's life cycle is referred to as crop stress. Crop stress comes in two flavours: biotic and abiotic. Abiotic stressors include things like drought, nutrient imbalance, salinity, nutrient toxicity, insufficient or excessive water, waterlogging conditions, and physical attacks by herbivores. Biotic stressors include infections from disease pathogens. Each cropping season's crop output is severely reduced as a result of these pressures. The science and art of gathering data from a device that is not in contact with the thing being studied in order to learn more about it, as well as its surroundings, is known as remote sensing (RS). In order to quantify and visualise the changes in plants, geographic information system (GIS) techniques are used to recognise and understand forms and patterns of remotely sensed imagery based on corresponding spectral signatures.

Crop pest protection is one of the world's most pressing issues. Synthetic insecticides are constantly employed to control insects; nevertheless, their toxicity puts the health of farm workers, livestock, and food consumers at risk. Because of their ecological side effects and low cost, botanical pesticides have garnered renewed study in response to the detrimental effects on human health. The use of plant compounds (flavonoids, essential oils, glycosides, alkaloids, fatty acids, and esters) with anti-insect properties is reviewed here, along with their value as a substitute for chemicals that are employed in various insect removal scenarios, such as growth retardants, repellents, feeding deterrents/antifeedants, attractants, toxicants, and chemosterilants. Botanical pesticides are safe, residue-free food sources that only harm targeted insects?they do not eliminate helpful natural adversaries. As a result, we advise employing botanical insecticides in conjunction with an integrated pest control approach to significantly decrease the usage of synthetic insecticides.

Global population is rapidly increasing and is predicted to reach 9.7 billion by 2050. The limited resources tend to push the sector forward, demanding the development of highly efficient agriculture, thus allowing the reduction of worldwide poverty and hunger (Zulfiqar et al. 2019). Hence, chemical fertilizers have been considered an inevitable source of plant nutrition for improving crop production. This led to farmers' notion that using higher doses of chemical fertilizers gains higher crop yields. In addition, farmers frequently apply fertilizers to get targeted production levels. This overuse of chemical fertilizers counteracts the beneficial effects and raises salt concentration in the soil, which might result in crop losses in the future. Furthermore, irregular use of fertilizers without control of nutrient release patterns causes product quality deterioration. Therefore, developing slow or controlled-release fertilizers plays a crucial role not only in enhancing crop production, productivity, and quality but also in upgrading sustainability in agricultural production. Due to the advance properties of nanomaterials, such as high surface-to-volume ratio, controlled-release of nutrients to the targeted sites and absorption capacity, nanotechnology is highly important when designing and using these new fertilizers. Nano fertilizers are nutrients encapsulated or coated with different types of nanomaterials for the slow delivery and control of one or more nutrients in order to satisfy the plants nutrient requirements (Solanki et al. 2016). These "smart fertilizers" are now being referred to as a potential substitute, to the extent that they are the preferred form of fertilizers over the conventional ones in several cases.

Plant nutrient deficiency is the most serious problem in agriculture, particularly in vegetable cultivation. This results in lower crop yield and quality, which reduces the farmer's income. However, malnutrition arises as a result of the consumption of vegetables that are lacking of vital nutrients, resulting in around 1.7 million deaths every year. Eating nutrient-dense vegetables is the most cost-effective strategy to combat malnutrition. Malnutrition is major issue in the world and more than 60% of people are affected by iron, 30% zinc, 30% iodine, and 15% selenium. It is necessary to provide crops with micronutrients and macronutrients essential for plant growth in order to avoid malnutrition and hidden hunger in humans and yield loss in vegetables. The efficiency of inorganic micronutrients applied to soils is low as they become easily fixed to soil particles. Hence, applying a foliar spray of nutrients is an effective option to enhance plant nutrient use efficiency. In this review, we discussed about importance of nutrients in vegetable production and human health. Further, we make clear about importance of vegetables to overcome malnutrition, how to develop nutrient-rich vegetables, and finally how to plant response to applied nutrients.

Salmonellosis presents a significant global public health and economic challenge, evident from the provided statistics. Governments worldwide have adopted a multifaceted approach to tackle this issue, incorporating monitoring programs and quality assurance schemes. The genus Salmonella encompasses diverse serovars with varying pathogenicity, highlighting the complexity of combating this pathogen. Tailored efforts are needed to address prevalent serovars in different regions and food production systems. Daniel Elmer Salmon's contributions to veterinary medicine, particularly in identifying and characterizing Salmonella, are noteworthy. The recognition of Salmonella as a distinct genus has been pivotal in understanding and managing this pathogen. Salmonella's flagella-driven motility facilitates its spread within the environment and across food production systems, emphasizing the importance of understanding its movement mechanisms for effective control measures. Collaboration between government agencies, the agricultural sector, food producers, and public health authorities is essential for addressing Salmonella contamination. Rigorous monitoring, strict hygiene protocols, and targeted interventions are key to reducing salmonellosis incidence and mitigating its health and economic impacts.

Recent decades have witnessed increased agricultural production to match the global demand for food fueled by population increase. Conventional agricultural practices are heavily reliant on artificial fertilizers that have numerous environmental and human health effects. Cognizant of this, sustainability researchers and environmentalists have increased their focus on other crop fertilization mechanisms. The exploitation of plant microbiomes has particularly gathered surmountable interest in this regard. Among the most interesting plant microbiomes are the plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR). Biofertilizers are microbial formulations of Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) which shows an important role in the sustainable agriculture industry. Biofertilizers are constituted of indigenous plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria that directly or indirectly promotes plant growth and soil fertility through the solubilization of soil nutrients, nitrogen (N2) fixation, suppression of plant diseases and the production of plant growth-stimulating hormones such as 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC) deaminase activity, gibberellic acid, Indole 3- acetic acid (IAA) and siderophores. Moreover, PGPR not only help in plant growth but also help in soil health sustenance. Over the past centuries, technological revolutions have brought about new sources of soil and (ground)water pollution . The clean-up costs by conventional remediation methods are often exorbitantly high, retarding soil remediation if performed at all. Against these drawbacks, rhizoremediation which is an inexpensive and sustainable technology, based on the actions of biodegradative microorganisms in the rhizosphere and the plant phytoremediation capacity, has gained increased attention.

Biodiversity loss stands as a critical consequence of contemporary environmental shifts, notably propelled by the encroachment of terrestrial habitats, particularly due to the proliferation and intensification of agricultural practices. As agricultural land-use continues to expand, there is a pressing need for robust conservation strategies. Within this discourse, divergent perspectives emerge regarding the optimal approach to biodiversity conservation within agricultural landscapes. It is necessary to demonstrate the complementary value of both localized and landscape-scale conservation practices in preserving biodiversity which ascertain that the efficacy of conservation planning is contingent upon the taxa of interest, where either local or landscape factors may assume precedence. The nuanced interplay between management intensity and landscape composition in shaping biodiversity outcomes.

Protected cultivation, including greenhouses and polyhouses, offers a controlled environment for plant growth, overcoming challenges like improper nutrition and pest infestations. Soilless cultivation methods, such as hydroponics and aeroponics, have emerged as sustainable alternatives to traditional soil-based farming, providing precise control over nutrient delivery. Fertigation, the simultaneous application of water and nutrients through the irrigation system, plays a crucial role in nutrient management, ensuring improved crop performance and resource efficiency. Various nutrient delivery systems, including drip irrigation, substrate-based systems, and automated nutrient management systems, are utilized to optimize plant growth and productivity in protected cultivation. The composition of nutrient media is carefully calculated based on plant growth stage and atmospheric conditions, with essential fertilizers and micronutrients being utilized for proper plant nutrition. Overall, protected cultivation and soilless farming methods offer innovative solutions for achieving food security and meeting the needs of a rapidly urbanizing world.

Explore the profound healing potential of Tulsi, also known as Holy Basil, in this comprehensive guide. Unveiling various Tulsi varieties, from traditional Ocimum sanctum to lesser-known types, it navigates through their diverse medicinal properties. Emphasizing Tulsi's historical significance and contemporary relevance, the guide illuminates its role in stress reduction, immune enhancement, and holistic well-being. Offering insights into cultivation and practical applications, this resource bridges ancient wisdom with modern wellness. Ideal for those seeking a deeper understanding of Tulsi's therapeutic magic, it serves as a concise yet valuable tool for integrating this herb into a health-conscious lifestyle.

There is an increasing demand for south Asian farmers to be informed with appropriate technologies and management practices that increase the both quality and quantity of crop production which faces the deficiency of secondary macronutrient sulphur from the green revolution era. Sulphur plays vital role in physiological and biological growth of the plant. In this article, we discussed about various management modern practices for sulphur management. Modern approaches like SSNM, STCR, fertigation, controlled released fertilizers, nano-fertilizers etc. have potential to enhances the effectiveness of plant nutrient supply which gives the effectiveness in crop production with synergic to maintain soil-plant dynamics.

The article summarizes the critical aspects of farm ponds, highlighting their role in addressing food security and water conservation challenges, the ecosystem services they provide, the pitfalls they face, and proposed solutions to enhance their effectiveness. Farm ponds, essential for agricultural sustainability, offer a range of ecosystem services, including water conservation, flood control, and biodiversity support. However, challenges such as overreliance on groundwater, misalignment with policy goals, and inadequate regulation hinder their potential. To address these issues, regulatory measures like prohibiting groundwater extraction, limiting pond numbers, and promoting eco-friendly pond lining alternatives are crucial. Implementing these strategies can enhance the sustainability of farm ponds, ensuring they effectively contribute to mitigating water scarcity issues and supporting agricultural ecosystems.

Spodoptera frugiperda is a major invasive pest, responsible for causing widespread destruction and economic loss in countries across the world. A native of North America, it has eventually spread through Asia and Africa in the last few decades. It possesses certain biological characteristics like long migration abilities and high fecundity which are advantageous to the pest and makes it difficult to manage its population and spread. This article discusses some of the management strategies that could be potentially used to manage the pest populations.

The abstract provides an overview of silvi-pastoral systems in India, emphasizing their potential in addressing challenges related to land use, resource management, and rural poverty alleviation. It discusses the importance of agronomic research in optimizing croptree combinations for sustainable agricultural production, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions. The abstract highlights ICRAF's diagnostic approach in identifying silvi-pastoral potentials and emphasizes the significance of thorough planning, including seed production, tree selection, layout design, and tree protection. Livestock integration and forage management strategies are also outlined, emphasizing the role of silvi-pastoral systems in providing short-term income, weed management, and nutrient recycling. Furthermore, it stresses the dynamic nature of silvi-pastoral systems, necessitating ongoing monitoring and management to maintain productivity and optimize economic returns. Overall, the abstract underscores the potential of silvi-pastoral systems as a multifaceted approach to sustainable land management and rural development in India.

Phosphorus (P) is an essential macronutrient for plant growth and development. Despite the fact that soil contains 1000 times more P than plants do, limited diffusion and a high rate of fixation imply that P is rarely accessible for plant uptake. Therefore, in the absence of Pfertilization, plants are susceptible to P-deficiency, which may result in a 30?40% loss in crop yield. This emphasises how crucial it is to apply a lot of phosphate fertilisers in order to satisfy crop demands. P-fertilizer comes from a limited and non-renewable supply of rock phosphate, which is depleting over time. Furthermore, P resources are being lost as a result of farmers applying P fertilisers sporadically without taking the soil stock into account. The low P-use-efficiency (PUE) of plants under field conditions (15?20%) indicates that the majority of P applied through soil stays unavailable to plants. excess P leads to runoff and leaching that contaminates ground and surface waters (eutrophication), which in turn pollutes the environment. In order to prevent pollution of the environment and ensure the sustainable management of P resources, P fertilisers must be applied while taking the soil test value and PUE into account. Phosphorus solubilising bacteria are highly useful for increasing the plant available P in soil. Technological advancements like fertigation, nano fertilizers, etc. have potential to sustain food grain production.