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Volume(7) / Issue(10)

Plant Diseases: A Threat to Global Food Security

Sheetal Alchoni and Ajay Veer Singh

Plant diseases pose a direct threat to the food security of any nation. Numerous plant pathogens are responsible for substantial yield losses in major food crops. Pathogens belonging to diverse groups possess specialized mechanisms of infection and can affect multiple crops under favourable conditions. In severe cases, pathogen infection can result in crop losses of up to 100%. Fungal pathogens are particularly notorious for causing destructive diseases. Several bacterial pathogens are also well known for causing serious infections in plants. Historically, major plant disease outbreaks have contributed to famines, causing widespread crop failure and severe disruption to human populations. Thus, plant diseases remain a major challenge to crop production, food security, and agricultural sustainability.

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CRISPR 3.0: Beyond Genome Editing - The Emerging Future of Aquatic Animal Health

Thangadurai K et al.

Aquaculture is expanding rapidly, but infectious diseases continue to threaten production, profitability, and animal welfare. At the same time, CRISPR technology is evolving beyond its original role as a programmable DNA-cutting system. Base editing and prime editing enable increasingly precise genetic modification. Meanwhile, Cas12- and Cas13-based systems offer new possibilities for pathogen detection and RNA targeting. This broader technological landscape is sometimes described as ?CRISPR 3.0?. However, the term is conceptual rather than a formally standardized scientific classification. For aquatic animal health, its importance may lie not only in genome editing, but also in rapid pathogen diagnosis, functional investigation of host-pathogen interactions, precision breeding and future pathogen-targeted interventions. CRISPR-based assays have already been demonstrated for important shrimp pathogens, and recent work has extended multiplex detection of white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) and Ecytonucleospora hepatopenaei (EHP) to rapid, fieldoriented formats. Researchers are also investigating genome editing for disease-related traits in fish, while more advanced approaches such as prime editing and RNA targeting are emerging. However, most applications beyond diagnostics remain experimental and face challenges involving delivery, editing efficiency, ecological safety, animal welfare and regulation. CRISPR is therefore unlikely to replace conventional biosecurity and disease management practices. Instead, its greatest potential may be as one component of an integrated precision-health framework for aquaculture.

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From Roadside Survival to Urban Modernization: The Evolution of Nagpur?s Fish Vending Sector (2020?2026)

Anshul Arun Titarmare

This article examines the structural and socio-economic transformation of fish vendors at the Bhandewadi, Mangalwari and Mayo Fish Market hubs in Nagpur. By analyzing the shift from the survival tactics of the COVID-19 era to the formalized infrastructure projects of 2026 and examining vendor income, product loss rates, hygiene practices, and digital adoption over six years, the study highlights how urban planning and national schemes like the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) and the Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF) are reshaping the informal food economy. Ultimately, it shows how smart city planning and modern cold-chain facilities have helped stabilize incomes and improve quality.

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Phytogenic Substances and Their Use as Livestock Feed

Salur Srihitha et al.

Antibiotic growth promoters (AGPs) have traditionally been incorporated into livestock diets to improve growth and feed utilization, through their effects on the microbial population of the gastrointestinal tract. However, their prolonged and routine use has contributed to the emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance. Consequently, current efforts are focused not only towards finding suitable substitutes for AGPs but also towards minimizing the dependence on antibiotics in animal production. Plant-based products have received considerable attention as potential alternatives. Phytogenic feed additives (PFAs) include herbs, spices, essential oils and various plant extracts containing biologically active compounds. Research conducted in different animal species indicates that these substances may exhibit antimicrobial, antiviral, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and may also influence feed palatability, intestinal health and gut development. But the precise biological mechanisms responsible for many of these effects are not yet completely understood.

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Regenerative Agriculture: A New Paradigm for Sustainable Indian Agriculture

Pooja Prajapati et al.

Regenerative agriculture has emerged as a promising approach for addressing the interconnected challenges of soil degradation, climate change, biodiversity loss, water scarcity and declining resource-use efficiency in agricultural systems. This review examines the concept, importance and core principles of regenerative agriculture, with particular emphasis on its relevance to sustainable Indian agriculture. The approach extends beyond conventional sustainability by focusing on the restoration of soil health, ecological functions and resilience through practices such as minimizing soil disturbance, diversifying crops, maintaining continuous soil cover and living roots, and integrating livestock. These practices contribute to improved soil fertility, nutrient cycling, water management, biodiversity conservation and carbon sequestration, while reducing dependence on external inputs and enhancing farm resilience. The review also highlights emerging policy support in India through initiatives such as the National Mission on Natural Farming, PRAGATI and the BRICS Network of Centres of Excellence on Agro-Ecology and Regenerative Agriculture. Case examples from Karnataka and the Chandigarh-Panchkula region demonstrate the practical potential of regenerative and permaculture-based approaches for resource restoration and livelihood sustainability. Overall, regenerative agriculture offers a holistic pathway towards productive, climate-resilient and ecologically sustainable farming systems in India.

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Vitamins in Dairy Nutrition: Balancing Benefits and Challenges

Dr. Vyavahare Pranav Prasad et al.

Vitamins are indispensable micronutrients in dairy nutrition, influencing productivity, reproduction, and animal health. Despite their minute quantitative requirement, vitamins play critical roles as cofactors, antioxidants, and regulators of metabolic processes. In practical dairy rations, however, the efficiency of vitamin supplementation is influenced by rumen microbial activity, dietary composition, feed preservation, and management factors. This review critically examines the physiological importance of vitamins in dairy cows, evaluates the potentials of supplementation strategies for optimizing productivity and health, and identifies constraints limiting their efficacy under field conditions. An understanding of these dynamics enables evidence-based formulation of vitamin-inclusive rations that support sustainable dairy production systems.

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Molecular Docking: A Smart Tool Accelerating the Search for New Medicines

Khangembam Victoria Chanu and Dimpal Thakuria

Molecular docking is a computational method widely used to identify potential drug candidates through virtual screening. It predicts the most favourable binding position between a small molecule or ligand and receptor and the scoring functions help to identify the most promising molecule. Some common tools for molecular docking are AutoDock, AutoDock Vina, GOLD, MP-Dock, Cluspro, HADDOCK etc. It involves three basic steps; protein/receptor preparation, ligand preparation, and protein-ligand docking. The docked complex can then be visualized with tools such as PyMOL or UCSF chimera while 2D interaction and the hydrogen bond length can be obtained using programs like LigPlot or DimPlot. Therefore, in silico screening through docking prior to experimental validation can save time and resources.

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