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Modern agriculture has done a lot for food production and global food security. However, it?s also taken a pretty heavy toll on the planet and on people?Soil is worn out, biodiversity is fading, farmers are stuck relying on expensive inputs, and profits aren?t what they used to be. Moreover, more people are starting to worry about how all of this affects human health. A lot of researchers have pointed out that when we only chase higher yields, we tend to ignore the long-term health of soil and the people who work it (Reganold & Wachter, 2016). This is where natural farming comes in. It?s not about turning our backs on science?it?s about shifting the way we farm so we work with nature, not against it. In this article examines natural farming as a whole system. It ties together soil health, the lives of farmers, the environment?s ability to bounce back, and the health of the public. Here is what have been seen in the field, what farmers say, and plain old ecological sense. Natural farming isn?t just another option?it?s a change we need if we want food systems that last. I?ll dig into how farmers actually make the switch, what governments can do to help, and what this all means for the future of farming and society.

Zinc (Zn) deficiency is a major constraint to crop productivity and human nutrition due to the low bioavailability of zinc in soils. Conventional zinc fertilizers often show limited efficiency because of rapid zinc immobilization. Zinc-solubilizing bacteria (ZSB) offer a sustainable approach to improve zinc availability in soil?plant systems. These beneficial microorganisms mobilize insoluble zinc through organic acid production, chelation, and rhizospheric pH modification, enhancing Zn uptake by plants. In addition, ZSB improve soil health, root development, and crop productivity while supporting microbial-assisted zinc biofortification. This article highlights the mechanisms and agricultural potential of zinc-solubilizing bacteria as eco-friendly tools for sustainable zinc nutrition management.

Indoor plants are not only the decorative elements of the houses and offices, but they are also the natural air purifiers that improve indoor air quality and are beneficial to human health. People nowadays, because of their modern lifestyle, are trapped for long hours in indoor spaces which in turn are full of pollutants such as dust, smoke, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and allergens. Some indoor plants like aloe vera, snake plant, and peace lily are capable of absorbing harmful substances, releasing oxygen, and even keeping the humidity at a certain level, thus, they make the living environment healthier. Moreover, these plants do not only bring physical advantages, but also positively impact mental health by lessening the stress and increasing the concentration. This article describes indoor plants, how they clean the air, and the scientific evidence that backs up their benefits.

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is a major pulse crop of semi-arid and subtropical regions, valued for its role in nutritional security, soil fertility improvement, and farm income. However, its productivity is severely constrained by the gram pod borer, Helicoverpa armigera (H?bner), a highly polyphagous and destructive insect pest with a wide host range and global distribution. The pest remains active throughout the year and causes serious damage to chickpea during the rabi season (November?March) by feeding on leaves, flowers, and developing pods, resulting in yield losses of 20?50% under moderate to severe infestations. Owing to its high reproductive potential, migratory behavior, and ability to develop resistance, sole dependence on chemical insecticides has become ineffective and environmentally unsustainable. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) offers a holistic and ecofriendly approach by combining cultural, mechanical, biological, host plant resistance, and need-based chemical control strategies. Important IPM components include summer deep ploughing, timely sowing, crop rotation, intercropping, installation of bird perches, use of light and pheromone traps, conservation and augmentation of natural enemies, application of biopesticides such as HaNPV, Bacillus thuringiensis, botanicals, and selective insecticides. Adoption of resistant and tolerant chickpea varieties further enhances pest suppression. The integration of these management practices helps in reducing pest population below economic threshold levels, minimizing pesticide load, conserving beneficial organisms, and ensuring sustainable chickpea production.

The increasing needs for food security, nutritional quality, and sustainable agriculture systems under the increasing challenges of climate change, biodiversity loss, and vulnerability of small farmers have actually amplified. Although the Green Revolution introduced a major increase in the production of food grains using high-yielding varieties (HYVs), it also introduced a cost in the form of genetic quality, ecological vulnerability, and replacing farmers? varieties (FVs) or traditional crop varieties. Farmers? varieties, or landraces and traditional crop varieties, are those crop species whose development over the past few centuries lies in farmers? hands and are characterized by unique attributes such as climate resilience, adaptation specificity, superior nutritional quality, and cultural significance. This review highlights the potential of legislatively protected farmers? varieties in the form of the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers Rights (PPV&FR) Act of 2001 and the Geographical Index of the GIs of Goods of 1999, exclusively in the Indian scenario. By critically deliberating on the evidence collected from the field, this review also briefs on the importance of FVs or farmers? varieties in enhancing nutritional security, co-production and co-construction of biodiversity, climate resilience, and enriched earning capacities based on premium prices and targeted or special markets. By making a comment on the performance of FVs and HYVs on the sustainability of provisioning, regulating, and cultural services, this review also underlines the future mileage of farmers? varieties in formulating genetic stock for future crop improvement and breeding for climate resilience.

Microbial spoilage is a major contributor to post harvest food losses, affecting food quality, safety and global security. Conventional preservation methods rely heavily on chemical preservatives ad physical treatments, which face increasing concerns regarding health, environmental impact and consumer acceptance. Bio preservation has emerged as a sustainable alternative that utilizes beneficial micro-organisms and their antimicrobial metabolites to inhibit spoilage and pathogenic micro-organisms. By modifying the microbial ecology of food systems through organic acid production, competitive exclusion and bacteriocin synthesis, bio-preservation effectively extends shelf-life while maintaining sensory and nutritional quality. This approach effectively aligns with the growing demand for clean-label foods and contributes to reduced food waste, improved sustainability and enhanced post-harvest management.

Agriculture plays a dual role in the context of climate change, as it is both highly vulnerable to changing climatic conditions and a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. Major agricultural sources of greenhouse gases include excessive fertilizer use, flooded rice cultivation, livestock production, crop residue burning, and intensive tillage practices (IPCC, 2019). Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) has emerged as a holistic approach to address these challenges by improving productivity, enhancing resilience to climate variability, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. This article discusses the major sources of agricultureinduced greenhouse gas emissions and elaborates on climate-smart agricultural practices such as conservation agriculture, improved nutrient and water management, crop diversification, agroforestry, and sustainable residue and livestock management. Adoption of climate-smart agriculture can significantly reduce emission intensity while ensuring sustainable agricultural production (ICAR, 2020).

Urban landscapes are increasingly recognized as critical spaces for biodiversity conservation and sustainable development. Native plants species that have evolved naturally in a particular region offer immense ecological, cultural, and economic benefits when integrated into urban green spaces. They are well adapted to local climates, require minimal maintenance, and provide vital habitats for indigenous fauna. Moreover, the use of native flora helps mitigate climate change effects, supports cultural preservation, and sustains the ecological balance in rapidly urbanizing environments. This article highlights the multifaceted importance of native plants in urban landscaping, focusing on biodiversity conservation, ecological stability, cultural continuity, and sustainable urban design.

Microplastics, defined as plastic particles smaller than 5 mm, have become ubiquitous contaminants in aquatic environments and pose emerging threats to aquaculture sustainability. In aquaculture systems, microplastics enter via multiple pathways, including contaminated aquafeeds, polluted source waters, degradation of plastic-based equipment and infrastructure, and atmospheric deposition. Once introduced, their distribution and accumulation are governed by hydrodynamics, particle properties such as density, size, and shape, and biological interactions, leading to retention in water columns, sediments, and cultured organisms. Ingestion of microplastics by farmed fish and shellfish can cause physical damage, impaired growth, and altered behaviour, while sorbed or inherent chemicals contribute to toxicological impacts such as oxidative stress, endocrine disruption, and reproductive impairment, with implications for seafood safety. Mitigating these risks demands a multifaceted strategy encompassing improved waste and plastic management, the development and adoption of biodegradable or less persistent materials, and the implementation of robust regulatory, monitoring, and awareness measures tailored to aquaculture value chains.

The article examines the ecological trade-offs of introducing exotic fish species into India's freshwater ecosystems, noting that while the presence of 626 alien varieties has bolstered aquaculture yields and food security, it simultaneously threatens the survival of India's 936 indigenous species. Driven by the demand for fast-growing breeds like Tilapia and Thaipangus, as well as recreational angling and biological control needs, these introductions have led to significant biodiversity loss through competition, predation, and the spread of pathogens. The text highlights specific instances of ecological displacement, such as the decline of native Catla due to Silver carp and the extinction of Schizothorax sp. in Dal Lake caused by Mirror carp, alongside the environmental degradation caused by invasive flora like the water hyacinth. Ultimately, the authors argue that to sustain economic benefits while protecting native fauna, India must implement a rigorous management framework that includes mandatory quarantine, health certifications, and strict risk assessments for all imported aquatic species.

Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) and Regenerative Agriculture (RA) represent two pivotal, complementary frameworks essential for achieving global food security and environmental resilience in the face of climate change. CSA is an overarching strategy that focuses on increasing productivity sustainably, enhancing resilience to climate shocks, and reducing/removing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions (the triple-win approach). RA, meanwhile, is a holistic land management practice specifically aimed at reversing climate change by rebuilding soil organic matter and restoring degraded soil biodiversity. This article examines the synergistic potential of integrating CSA?s policy-driven, adaptive approach with RA?s practice-based, soil-health focus. Key practices, such as cover cropping, reduced tillage, and integrated nutrient management, fulfill the goals of both frameworks by significantly enhancing soil carbon sequestration, improving water infiltration, and stabilizing yields under variable weather conditions. While CSA offers the necessary institutional and technological tools (e.g., climate information services), RA provides the ecological foundation-healthy, carbon-rich soil-to absorb and mitigate climate impacts effectively. Successful scaling requires blended public-private financing, robust farmer training, and policy support tailored to local agro-ecological zones.

Sustainable resource management (SRM) has become a central global priority due to escalating pressures on land, water, energy, and biological systems. As population growth and economic expansion intensify resource consumption, traditional extractive approaches are proving inadequate for long-term ecological stability. This study examines the core principles and strategies of SRM, emphasizing the need for integrated planning, efficient resource use, and ecosystem conservation. Approaches such as circular economy models, integrated water resource management (IWRM), sustainable land-use planning, and renewable energy transitions contribute significantly to responsible stewardship. Technological tools-including remote sensing, GIS, and artificial intelligence-further enhance decision-making and early environmental risk detection. However, institutional gaps, policy fragmentation, and climate-induced stresses remain major challenges. Strengthening community participation, governance frameworks, and cross-sector collaboration is essential for achieving sustainability goals. The paper concludes that SRM is fundamental to ensuring long-term ecological balance, economic resilience, and intergenerational equity.

Nanoparticles (NPs) are extremely tiny molecules with features that typically differ from those of larger substances. There are four types of NPs, each with its own set of physical and chemical features. NPs are increasingly being employed in agriculture to improve productivity and resource efficacy. NPs are commonly used as nano fertilizers, seed primers, and nano-based sensors to improve food quality and for water purification. In modern agriculture, nanoparticles have become a game-changer, providing solutions to longstanding agricultural challenges.

Soil health is the foundation of sustainable agriculture, yet global soils are increasingly degraded due to intensive cultivation, erosion, nutrient mining, and climate stress. Declining soil quality threatens crop productivity, ecosystem services, and long-term food security. Rebuilding soil health involves restoring the physical, chemical, and biological functions of soil through sustainable management practices such as cover cropping, reduced tillage, organic amendments, crop diversification, and integrated nutrient management. This article synthesizes recent scientific evidence to explain why soil health matters, how it can be rebuilt, and what benefits it offers for climate resilience, productivity, and environmental sustainability. By adopting soil-centered approaches, farmers can enhance resilience while contributing to broader climate and sustainability goals.

Rice continues to play a central role in global food security, particularly in Asia, where it serves as a staple food for millions. Enhancing both yield and seed quality has therefore become a major priority in rice production systems. Although puddled transplanting has been widely adopted for decades, its sustainability is increasingly questioned due to high water requirements, labour shortages, and negative impacts on soil structure. In recent years, alternative establishment methods such as direct dry seeding, direct wet seeding, aerobic rice cultivation, and drum seeder sowing have gained attention. This article discusses how different rice planting systems influence seed yield and key seed quality attributes. By drawing upon recent research findings, it highlights the potential of alternative planting systems to support efficient, climate-resilient, and sustainable rice seed production.

Precision agriculture is an advanced approach to farm management that focuses on managing spatial and temporal variability within agricultural fields using modern technologies. Indian agriculture is facing several challenges such as declining soil fertility, water scarcity, rising input costs, climate variability, and predominance of small and marginal farmers. Conventional uniform input application often leads to inefficient resource use and environmental degradation. Precision agriculture integrates tools such as Global Positioning System (GPS), Geographic Information System (GIS), remote sensing, sensors, drones, and variable rate technology to apply inputs precisely according to crop and soil requirements. This approach enhances resource-use efficiency, improves crop productivity, reduces production costs, and minimizes environmental pollution (Gebbers & Adamchuk,2010; FAO,2017). Although the adoption of precision agriculture in India is still limited due to high initial costs and lack of technical knowledge, recent digital agriculture initiatives and agristartups have created new opportunities. This article discusses the concept, technologies, applications, benefits, challenges, and future prospects of precision agriculture in Indian farming systems.

Biochar, a carbon-rich material produced through the thermochemical conversion of biomass in oxygen-limited environments, is emerging as a dual-purpose solution for climate change mitigation and soil enhancement. By sequestering atmospheric carbon in a stable, solid form for centuries, biochar effectively transforms agricultural waste into a long-term carbon sink. Beyond its role in negative emissions, its highly porous structure and expansive surface area significantly improve soil health. Biochar application enhances water retention, reduces nutrient leaching, and fosters a robust microbial ecosystem, particularly in degraded or acidic soils. This synergy between environmental restoration and agricultural productivity positions biochar as a critical tool in sustainable land management. This article highlights the mechanism of biochar production, its socio-economic benefits and applications in various fields.

Rainfed agriculture is the backbone of Indian farming systems and supports a majority of small and marginal farmers. However, climate change has intensified rainfall variability, increased the frequency of droughts and heat stress, and disturbed normal crop growth patterns, leading to severe yield instability in rainfed areas. Yield instability reduces farm income, increases production risk, and threatens food and livelihood security. Agronomic interventions provide practical, economical, and farmer-friendly solutions to address these challenges. The present article discusses major climate-induced constraints affecting rainfed agriculture and elaborates on important agronomic interventions such as suitable crop and variety selection, cropping system diversification, soil and moisture conservation, integrated nutrient management, and weed control. Adoption of these agronomic practices can minimize climatic risks, improve resource-use efficiency, and stabilize crop yields in rainfed farming systems. Strengthening extension services and promoting climate-resilient agronomic packages are essential for sustainable rainfed agriculture under changing climatic conditions.

Indian agriculture faces increasing threats from climate change, including droughts, heat, salinity, floods, and pests, which reduce crop productivity and threaten livelihoods. Climateresilient seeds, developed through advanced breeding, genomic selection, and gene editing, provide tolerance to multiple stresses while maintaining yield and seed vigor. Farmer-centric approaches and robust seed systems ensure effective adoption. Integrating innovation with local knowledge strengthens resilience, sustains food production, and secures national food security.

Beekeeping is an eco-friendly, income-generating activity that also plays a vital role in crop pollination and the sustainability of ecosystems. During dearth periods, scarcity of natural nectar and pollen poses serious challenges to honey bee colony maintenance. The present study evaluated different artificial feeding strategies for Apis cerana colonies. Colonies were supplied with nectar substitutes in the form of sugar syrup and honey syrup (1:1) using cups and perforated bottles. Bees showed a higher preference for honey syrup, though sugar syrup proved to be a more economical and practical alternative. Feeding through cups was more efficient than bottle feeding. Three pollen substitute formulations were tested to supplement protein requirements. Among them, the mixture containing soya flour, protein powder, and honey showed the highest acceptance and consumption, while the soya flour and sugar syrup mixture was least accepted due to hardening. Colonies receiving artificial supplements showed improved activity and brood development. The study highlights the importance of sugar syrup and suitable pollen substitutes for sustaining bee colonies during dearth periods and emphasizes the need for further research to standardize artificial feeding practices for sustainable apiculture.

Parthenocarpy refers to the development of seedless fruits without pollination and fertilization and is an important trait for improving fruit quality, yield stability, and consumer acceptance in vegetable crops. In many vegetables, seeds negatively affect texture, taste, shelf life, and processing quality, making seedless fruits highly desirable. Parthenocarpy occurs naturally or can be artificially induced through phytohormones, environmental factors, hybridization, mutation, polyploidy, and biotechnological approaches. This trait is particularly valuable under unfavorable environmental conditions such as temperature extremes, low light, water stress, and limited pollinator activity, which restrict normal fertilization. Auxins and gibberellins play a central role in initiating and regulating parthenocarpic fruit development by substituting hormonal signals normally supplied by developing seeds. Genetic studies have revealed diverse inheritance patterns of parthenocarpy in crops such as tomato, eggplant, cucumber, and capsicum. Overall, exploitation of parthenocarpy through breeding and biotechnology offers a promising strategy for enhancing fruit quality, productivity, and sustainability in modern horticultural systems.

Termites are highly efficient lignocellulose degraders due to their symbiotic gut microbiota, which includes bacteria, archaea, and protists. This review explores the diversity, enzymatic capabilities, and ecological interactions of termite gut microbes and examines their potential applications in agriculture. Current knowledge on cellulose-degrading pathways, microbial community organization, and host?symbiont co-evolution is synthesized. A case study highlights the application of termite-derived microbes in sustainable crop residue management and soil fertility enhancement. Challenges, future directions, and biotechnological opportunities are discussed.

Broken rice, comprising small and fractured kernels generated during rice milling, is a major byproduct of the rice processing industry. Owing to its lower commercial value compared to whole rice grains, broken rice is often diverted from the human food chain to low-value applications such as animal feed and bioenergy production. However, its compositional similarity to whole rice and favorable functional properties offer significant potential for value addition. This article reviews recent advances in the composition, food applications, protein recovery, fermentation-based valorization, and sustainability aspects of broken rice, while highlighting key challenges and future research directions for its efficient utilization.

Pig behaviour is the key indicator of health, welfare and productivity but continuous manual observation is often difficult especially in large or intensive farming systems. Recent advances in technologies have introduced smart monitoring system that act as ?smart eyes? in the pigsty, enabling continuous monitoring of pigs. This system uses cameras, environmental sensors and artificial intelligence techniques to monitor key behaviours such as movement, posture, feeding, aggression, heat stress and farrowing-related activities. By analysing behaviour patterns in real time, smart technologies can provide early warnings of disease, stress, management issues allowing timely interventions by farmers. The adoption of smart monitoring system offers several advantages such as enhanced animal welfare, reduced labour dependency, better feed efficiency and increased productivity.

The rhizosphere microbiome, a complex assembly of microorganisms inhabiting the root-soil interface, functions as a critical gatekeeper of plant health and soil fertility. This review synthesizes evidence that plants actively shape this community through root exudates, fostering beneficial interactions. The microbiome performs indispensable gatekeeping functions, including enhancing nutrient acquisition via phosphorus solubilization, nitrogen fixation, and siderophore-mediated iron uptake; conferring stress tolerance through induced systemic resistance and improved water dynamics; and promoting soil aggregation via fungal hyphae and bacterial exopolysaccharides. These processes underscore the microbiome's role as an extended plant phenotype, governing resource flow and pathogen defense. We argue that leveraging this knowledge is paramount for sustainable agriculture. Moving beyond conventional inputs to manage this biological system?through microbial consortia and regenerative practices?offers a transformative approach to enhance crop resilience, productivity, and long-term soil health.

Endosperm balance number is a ratio between maternal and paternal genetic contributions necessary for proper seed development. Deviation from this ratio results in seed abortion, a phenomenon termed the triploid block. This post-zygotic barrier limits polyploid breeding. Genomic imprinting is an epigenetic phenomenon which is related to parent-of-originspecific gene expression. It ensures and maintains the endosperm balance number. Deviation from this ratio is commonly observed in interspecific or interploidy crosses, resulting in abnormal endosperm development leading to triploid block. It often acts as a hybridization barrier in breeding to transfer the useful traits between species with different ploidy level. On the other hand, it contributes to reproductive isolation mechanisms, influencing plant evolution and diversification. The triploid block can be circumvented by different methods like chemical treatment, embryo rescue techniques, hormonal treatments, genetic and epigenetic modifications.

Land degradation has emerged as one of the most pressing global environmental challenges, threatening soil fertility, ecosystem services, biodiversity, and agricultural productivity. In India, a significant proportion of land is affected by water and wind erosion, salinization, and nutrient depletion, resulting in declining land productivity and increased vulnerability to climate extremes. The concept of Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN), promoted under the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, aims to balance land degradation with restoration and sustainable land management practices. Among the various approaches proposed to achieve LDN, agroforestry has gained considerable attention due to its ecological, economic, and social benefits. Agroforestry integrates trees with crops and/or livestock, creating multifunctional land-use systems that enhance soil health, conserve water, reduce erosion and improve biodiversity. Scientific evidence indicates that agroforestry systems significantly increase soil organic carbon, improve soil structure, and enhance water infiltration while simultaneously sequestering atmospheric carbon and mitigating climate change. Tree-based farming systems such as alley cropping, silvopastoral systems, windbreaks, shelterbelts and homegardens have shown promising results in restoring degraded agricultural lands, saline soils, shifting cultivation areas, and reclaimed mining sites. Despite its proven benefits, the adoption of agroforestry faces challenges including policy constraints, land tenure issues, limited technical knowledge and market barriers. This article highlights the role of agroforestry as a holistic and sustainable strategy for achieving Land Degradation Neutrality by restoring degraded lands, strengthening climate resilience, and supporting rural livelihoods. Strengthened policy support, extension services and stakeholder participation are essential to scale up agroforestry interventions for long-term land restoration and sustainable development.

Gene drives are emerging as a powerful tool in the field of genetic engineering, offering the potential to rapidly alter the genetic makeup of wild insect populations. This technology leverages the principles of CRISPR-Cas9 and other gene-editing techniques to propagate specific genetic traits throughout a population at a rate far exceeding traditional inheritance. The ability to engineer gene drives holds promise for addressing critical challenges such as controlling vector-borne diseases, managing agricultural pests, and conserving endangered species. This paper explores the scientific principles behind gene drives, their potential applications, and the complex balance between their benefits and risks.

The global fishing industry generates over 20 million tonnes of nutrient-rich waste each year, much of which remains unused despite its high potential in organic farming. Fish waste, rich in nitrogen, phosphorus, minerals, and amino acids, can be converted into effective fertilizers through processes such as emulsion, enzymatic or acid hydrolysis, and composting. These products improve soil fertility, enhance plant growth, and support sustainable crop production while promoting circular resource use. Key challenges including odour, pathogen risks, and nutrient imbalance?can be mitigated through proper processing and regulated application. Fish waste serves as a valuable, eco-friendly substitute for synthetic fertilizers, providing strong potential to enhance sustainable and organic farming.

Probit analysis is commonly used in concentration dose response bioassays to study mortality or survival. Bioassay data usually show a curved relationship between dose and response, which is difficult to analyze directly. Probit analysis simplifies this by converting response percentages into probit values and relating them to log-transformed doses, resulting in an almost straight-line relationship. This helps in estimating concentrations or doses that produce specific levels of biological effect with good accuracy. The method also provides information on the rate of increase in mortality, variability in responses and how well the data fit the model. These outputs allow reliable comparison of toxicity among different treatments and populations. Because of its simplicity and reliability, probit analysis remains a standard method for analyzing dose?mortality relationships in toxicological and entomological studies.

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is a cornerstone of food security in many countries, yet its productivity is increasingly threatened by climate variability, particularly rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, terminal heat stress, and declining soil moisture. These stresses adversely affect wheat establishment, phenology, grain filling, and final yield. Climate-resilient wheat production technology focuses on integrating stress-tolerant varieties with precise agronomic practices such as optimized sowing time, conservation tillage, efficient irrigation, and balanced nutrient management. This article highlights key climate-resilient wheat production technologies that enhance yield stability, improve resource-use efficiency, and reduce climate-induced production risks in wheat-growing regions.

Sericulture generates large volumes of valuable by-products, particularly silkworm pupae, litter, reeling effluents and plant waste, collectively termed seri-waste. These by-products possess immense nutritional, medicinal and industrial potential, making sericulture a sustainable, zero-waste enterprise. Silkworm pupae are rich in high-quality proteins, essential amino acids, vitamins, minerals and bioactive compounds with antioxidant, antimicrobial, anticancer and metabolic health benefits. Their oils contain beneficial unsaturated fatty acids, while larvae and excreta support biogas production, organic farming and compost enrichment. With the rising global demand for eco-friendly food and agricultural resources, the efficient utilisation of seri-waste offers a promising avenue for enhancing food security, environmental sustainability and rural livelihoods.

Chrysanthemum, a time-honoured flower, is admired not only for its vibrant beauty as an ornamental plant but also for its therapeutic, edible and industrial applications, particularly in East Asian traditional medicine. Its delicate blooms are rich in health-promoting compounds, extending its relevance from ancient remedies to modern wellness products. In Eastern cultures, the chrysanthemum is also a cherished symbol of wealth, good fortune, longevity, and happiness.

The integration of mechanical innovation and digital sensor systems has transformed agricultural productivity and operational efficiency. This review synthesizes contemporary research focusing on three major domains: performance optimization of agricultural machinery, development of digital tachometers for RPM measurement, and comparative evaluations of sensor technologies. Studies indicate significant improvements in fuel economy, reduced crop damage, and accurate, non-contact RPM detection through sensormicrocontroller integration. The review highlights future directions such as IoT-based sensor networks and enhanced digital monitoring for sustainable agricultural mechanization.

Amidst the rapid growth of technology, digital marketing has become a revolutionary tool for improving the marketing efficiency of India's agriculture sector. Traditional marketing which has limited reach and multiple intermediaries, restrict price realization and market access by farmers. The use of smartphones and increased internet access has sped up the adoption of digital platforms, allowing for more direct, transparent, and extensive market connections. By decreasing information asymmetry and increasing efficiency, government programs like e-NAM and Agmarknet, as well as commercial platforms like Marketmirchi and Ninjacart, are changing agricultural trading. Digital marketing has the ability to significantly improve agricultural value chains and empower farmers through improved price discovery, lower transaction costs, and increased market options, despite obstacles including poor digital literacy and inadequate infrastructure.

Agricultural stubble burning in rice-wheat growing regions generates 7,300 kg CO? emissions per hectare while severely degrading air quality and soil health. This article examines wheat and rice straw utilization for oyster mushroom (Pleurotus species) cultivation as a sustainable alternative. Evidence demonstrates biological efficiencies of 60-85% when substrates are supplemented with nitrogen-rich materials, generating gross revenues of 120,000-250,000 Indian Rupees per 100 m? annually for smallholder farmers. Spent mushroom substrate application enhances soil health through nutrient recycling and organic matter addition. This integrated approach simultaneously addresses environmental degradation, food security, farmer income, and climate change mitigation across major cereal-producing regions.