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Polydactylism is a rare congenital anomaly characterized by the presence of one or more extra digits in cattle. The condition has been reported in several breeds, including Holstein, Simmental, Dexter, Hereford, and Angus, and is generally considered hereditary. Although its exact mode of inheritance remains unclear, evidence suggests involvement of incomplete penetrance, variable expressivity, and polygenic influences. Genes associated with embryonic limb development, particularly those within the Sonic Hedgehog (SHH) signaling pathway, including SHH, LMBR1, GLI3, and HOXD13, are considered important candidates. Clinical manifestations range from minor cosmetic defects to severe locomotor impairment. Polydactylism is of economic and breeding significance because affected animals are typically excluded from breeding programs to prevent transmission of the defect. Despite reports in several cattle breeds worldwide, documented cases in indigenous Indian cattle breeds remain scarce. Advances in genomics may help elucidate the molecular basis of this anomaly and facilitate its management through informed breeding strategies.

Sous vide technology is an advanced food-processing and cooking method that combines vacuum packaging with precise, temperature-controlled heating. Unlike conventional cooking techniques, sous vide ensures uniform cooking, improved texture, enhanced flavour, and better retention of nutrients and moisture. The technology has gained widespread application in meat, seafood, vegetable, and ready-to-eat food production due to its ability to deliver consistent quality and extended shelf life. Vacuum packaging and controlled thermal processing also contribute to improved food safety. Despite challenges related to equipment costs and processing time, ongoing technological advancements are expanding its industrial applications. As consumer demand for high-quality, convenient, and minimally processed foods grows, sous vide technology is becoming an increasingly important tool in modern food processing and culinary innovation.

Food loss and spoilage are major global challenges that affect food security, economic sustainability, and consumer health. Intelligent and active packaging technologies offer innovative solutions beyond the traditional protective role of packaging. Active packaging helps extend shelf life by controlling factors such as oxygen, moisture, ethylene, and microbial growth, while intelligent packaging monitors food quality and storage conditions using indicators, sensors, RFID tags, and QR codes. Together, these systems enhance food safety, freshness, traceability, and consumer confidence. Their applications span fruits, vegetables, meat, seafood, dairy, and bakery products. By reducing spoilage and food waste and supporting sustainable packaging materials, intelligent and active packaging contribute to more efficient and environmentally friendly food systems. This article highlights their principles, applications, benefits, challenges, and future prospects.

The Electronic National Agriculture Market (e-NAM) is a major digital initiative aimed at transforming agricultural marketing in India. Launched in 2016, the platform integrates Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) mandis through a unified online trading system, promoting transparent price discovery, wider market access and efficient agricultural trade. Over the years, e-NAM has expanded significantly, connecting more than 1,650 mandis and facilitating trade worth over ?4.82 lakh crore. The platform has benefited farmers, traders and Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) by reducing information asymmetry and improving marketing efficiency. Studies conducted in different states have reported positive impacts on commodity prices, market arrivals and farmers? income. However, challenges such as inadequate infrastructure, limited awareness and digital literacy continue to affect its adoption. This article highlights the growth, achievements, challenges and future prospects of e-NAM and discusses its role in promoting a transparent and integrated agricultural marketing system in India.

Food inflation has become one of the most important economic concerns in India due to its direct impact on household welfare, food security and economic stability. Food inflation refers to a persistent increase in the prices of food commodities such as cereals, pulses, vegetables, fruits, milk, eggs and edible oils. Since a large proportion of Indian households spend a significant share of their income on food, rising food prices adversely affect purchasing power and nutritional security. This article discusses the recent food inflation scenario in India, major causes of rising food prices, its impacts on society and the economy and various policy measures adopted to control food inflation.

Cassava, an important tuber crop in southern and northeastern India, came under threat in April 2020 when the South American cassava mealybug (Phenacoccus manihoti) was detected in Kerala and soon spread through Tamil Nadu's Salem-Namakkal belt, where it disrupted the sago and starch industry. Native parasitoids proved ineffective, even harming the pest's natural predators. ICAR-NBAIR responded by introducing the host-specific parasitoid Anagyrus lopezi, mirroring successful biocontrol efforts in Africa and Southeast Asia. Field releases have since restored yields to 30-35 tonnes/hectare and delivered major economic gains, offering a sustainable, low-pesticide model for managing this invasive pest.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is emerging as a transformative technology in landscape design, offering innovative solutions for planning, visualization, resource management, and maintenance of outdoor spaces. By integrating machine learning, deep learning, computer vision, robotics, and remote sensing technologies, AI enhances the efficiency, sustainability, and creativity of landscape architecture. AI-driven tools enable accurate site analysis, intelligent plant selection, climate-responsive garden design, automated irrigation, disease detection, and robotic maintenance. Advanced applications such as generative design, virtual reality, and adaptive landscapes allow designers to create personalized and environmentally resilient landscapes. Studies have demonstrated the potential of AI in improving garden intelligence, reducing energy consumption, optimizing resource use, and supporting sustainable rural and urban landscape development. As technology advances, AI is expected to play a vital role in creating smarter, greener, and more adaptive landscapes that meet future environmental and societal challenges.

Fish disease management is a critical practical skill for every aquaculture practitioner. Outbreak events caused by viruses, bacteria, fungi, or parasites are frequently triggered by avoidable environmental stressors such as poor water quality, overcrowding, and suboptimal nutrition. This article provides a field-oriented guide to recognizing the warning signs of disease, understanding the conditions that predispose fish to illness, and implementing prompt preventive and treatment responses. Using clear descriptions, practical tables, and evidence-based recommendations, this guide equips fish farmers, hatchery managers, and extension workers with the foundational knowledge needed to minimize disease-related mortality and economic loss. The article emphasizes that early detection, routine pond hygiene, and judicious use of permitted therapeutics are the three pillars of effective fish health management.

Fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) is a serious invasive pest of maize causing heavy yield losses. The larvae damage crops by feeding on leaf whorls, creating holes, frass accumulation, and a torn appearance, sometimes destroying the growing point and cobs. The pest completes its life cycle in 36?42 days, with larvae being the most destructive stage. Management involves an integrated approach including preventive measures (deep ploughing, timely sowing, intercropping), regular monitoring with economic threshold levels, and control through mechanical removal, neem-based products, biological agents like Trichogramma pretiosum and Metarhizium spp., and need-based insecticides such as spinetoram and chlorantraniliprole. Integrated pest management (IPM) ensures effective and sustainable control.

The cyclops are important live feed in aquaculture. Cyclops sp. is rich in proteins, unsaturated fatty acids, polyunsaturated fatty acids, carotenoids and other essential nutrients bust lacks some essential nutrients. The nutritive value of cyclops enhanced with the help of enrichment process. Firstly, algal strain culture at control temperature (25o C), salinity (30ppt), then mixed with cyclops live feed. Cyclops enriched at temp (17 ? 20 o C), salinity (30g/L), and DO (5 ? 6 ppm). Enriched cyclops are fed to larval fish. In this article, discuss about how to algal strain culture, cyclops enrichment and feeding to larvae and their impact on fish larvae.

Radish [Raphanus sativus] being a fibre rich vegetable is consumed largely in Asian households but apart from a source of fibre, it holds immense potent therapeutics such as bioactive compounds, flavonoids, glucosinolates, isothiocyanates, phenolic acids, vitamins and antioxidants. Due to the presence of these bioactive compounds, radish is being consumed to combat metabolic dysfunctions like non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, diabetes, inflammation, also possessing anti cancerous and anti-oxidants properties. Radish microgreens possess all these phytochemicals up to manifolds and hence even small consumption of these microgreens regularly can help in improving glycemic control, regulation of lipid metabolism, attenuating oxidative stress, enhance insulin sensitivity, cardiovascular complications. However clinical investigations are still being made to explain its better uses and to validate its efficiency.

Heavy metal contamination in aquatic ecosystems, driven by industrialization, urbanization, agricultural runoff, and improper waste disposal, poses significant environmental and health risks. Toxic metals like mercury, cadmium, lead, chromium, and arsenic accumulate in fish through water, food, and sediment exposure, impairing their physiological functions and disrupting ecosystem balance. This bioaccumulation also threatens human health by transferring toxic metals through the food chain, potentially causing neurological, kidney, and cardiovascular issues. Effective mitigation strategies including wastewater treatment, pollution control, bioremediation, eco-friendly practices, and continuous monitoring are critical to reduce contamination. Understanding and managing heavy metal bioaccumulation in fish is vital for preserving aquatic biodiversity, sustaining ecosystems, and ensuring public health safety.

The Indian monsoon is a critical atmospheric phenomenon that supports over a billion people. Shifting from ancient myths of divine intervention, modern climate science reveals the monsoon as a massive, thermally driven engine powered by regional heating and global pressure systems. This article explores the core scientific mechanisms of the monsoon, including the movement of the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) and the effects of the Tibetan Plateau. It highlights how the system splits into two oceanic pathways and addresses disruptors like El Ni?o and the Indian Ocean Dipole. Finally, it examines how global climate change is creating highly erratic rainfall patterns across the Indian subcontinent.

Artificial insemination (AI) has become an indispensable reproductive biotechnology for genetic improvement, enhanced milk production, and sustainable livestock development in India. Despite its widespread adoption, the effectiveness of AI programs is often compromised by several operational, technical, and infrastructural challenges, particularly in rural areas. Common malpractices such as the use of poor-quality semen, improper semen handling, inadequate hygiene, lack of follow-up services, involvement of untrained technicians, and non-transparent pricing mechanisms adversely affect conception rates and livestock productivity. Negligence in AI service delivery and exploitation of farmers through misinformation regarding semen quality and breeding procedures further undermine the success of breeding programs. Among the various factors influencing AI outcomes, improper thawing and handling of frozen semen straws remain critical causes of reduced sperm viability and fertility. Inadequate cold-chain infrastructure, transportation constraints, shortage of skilled personnel, and limited farmer awareness exacerbate these problems under field conditions. Addressing these challenges requires strengthening quality control systems, improving technician training, ensuring transparency in semen sourcing and service delivery, enhancing farmer education, and adopting scientifically validated reproductive management practices. Such interventions can significantly improve conception rates, genetic progress, and the overall effectiveness of AI programs in India.

India is among the leading producers of dry fish globally, yet the fishing communities that produce it remain among the most economically undervalued workers in the food system. This article draws from direct field observations among dry fish producer communities along the Odisha coast, where a compelling paradox was witnessed ? producers who have willingly adopted improved hygienic practices in dry fish preparation continue to receive the same low market price as those using traditional methods. The improved practices include elevated drying racks, insect-proof netting, clean water washing, proper salt management, and food-grade packaging. Despite this visible quality difference, the absence of consumer awareness, inadequate retail penetration, and limited market linkages prevent producers from earning a price premium for their efforts. The situation is further compounded by the selectively non-vegetarian food culture prevalent in Odisha, which makes mainstream retailers and supermarkets reluctant to stock dry fish prominently. As a result, hygienic dry fish reaches consumers only through select local shops, government exhibitions, and directsale events ? channels too limited to sustain livelihoods or drive lasting market change. This article argues that bridging the awareness gap between producers and consumers, through labeling, certification, market linkages, and community storytelling, is essential to making quality dry fish production economically rewarding and sustainable.

Family poultry production is a low-input, sustainable enterprise that enhances nutritional security, livelihood opportunities, and women?s empowerment in rural areas. By providing eggs, meat, and supplementary income, it helps alleviate poverty and malnutrition among resource-poor households. Adoption of improved breeds, balanced feeding, healthcare, and capacity building can significantly increase productivity, profitability, and socio-economic well-being of rural women and their families.

Paddy stubble management is essential for sustainable agriculture, particularly in rice?wheat systems where large amounts of residues are generated within a short period. Improper disposal, especially residue burning, causes environmental pollution, nutrient loss, and soil degradation, highlighting the need for sustainable management practices. Recent research investigates lignocellulolytic bacterial consortia as eco-friendly alternatives for in situ residue degradation. Paddy straw's complex cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin make microbial breakdown challenging; thus, microbial consortia with complementary bacteria are used. These produce enzymes like cellulases, xylanases, laccases, and peroxidases, facilitating the breakdown of plant polymers. Advances in metagenomics, enzyme profiling, and microbial engineering are enhancing consortia design. Challenges include environmental variability, microbial survival, formulation stability, and large-scale application. Ultimately, these consortia offer a sustainable solution for residue management, aiding climate change mitigation, soil health, and circular agriculture.

Goldenrod (Solidago canadensis) is a widely used ornamental filler flower in floriculture, valued for its bright yellow inflorescences and long vase life. The plant plays a significant role in supporting pollinators due to its nectar rich flowers. Pollination in goldenrod is mainly insect mediated and involves complex floral interactions that ensure successful reproduction. Understanding these processes helps to improve seed production and supports sustainable floriculture practices (ICAR., 2020).

As a rapidly growing major economy, India faces a severe economic and environmental paradox driven by an over-reliance on imported crude oil and low-quality domestic coal. Traditional food-based crop biofuels trigger "food versus fuel" conflicts and seasonal distillery downtime, while green hydrogen production remains capital-intensive. To resolve these structural bottlenecks, energycane, a specialized high-biomass hybrid developed by the ICAR-Sugarcane Breeding Institute (ICAR-SBI), Coimbatore, through the hybridization and selection of commercial sugarcane with resilient wild relatives like Erianthus arundinaceus, offers a scalable, decentralized solution. Bred for ultra-high fiber accumulation rather than sucrose, energycane thrives on marginal, degraded lands. Elite Type II varieties, such as SBIEC 14006, achieve massive biomass yields exceeding 265 t/ha due to an efficient C4 photosynthetic engine and deep root systems. This article outlines the industrial conversion of energycane into second-generation (2G) bioethanol, bio-compressed natural gas (bio- CNG), pure green hydrogen, and premium torrefied bio-coal. Cultivating energycane on half of India?s marginal land could displace nearly 69% of baseline crude oil imports, saving $92.8 billion annually. Simultaneously, its aggressive root networks and microbial recruitment drive biological soil remediation, offering a circular, carbon-negative blueprint for India's energy self-reliance and rural prosperity.

Conventional weed management relies on selective herbicides, biological control and allelopathy but faces limits from herbicide resistance, labour decline and climate change. Rapid advances in AI, UAVs, cameras and sensors drive Smart Weed Management (SWM) to map and target weed variability, cutting herbicide use and labour costs. SWM integrates organic bioherbicides, judicious organic or inorganic fertilizers and practices like alternate wetting and drying to reduce emissions and earn carbon credits. Computing, robotics and big data enhance precision control and decision making. Education of future weed scientists and farmer behaviour change are critical for adoption. Policy support, extension and research collaboration are needed to scale SWM. Together, conventional and smart methods offer resilient, low input weed control for diverse countries.

India?s important oil seed crop mustard contributes significantly to edible oil production. Athalia lugens proxima (Klug) or mustard sawfly is one of the major defoliating pests causing considered damage in the early stages of crop growth. Larval feeding causes leaf skeletonisation, reduce plant vigour and yield loss. Severe infestations may have adverse effect on seed yield and oil content. This article reviews the distribution, identification, damage symptoms and distribution and integrated pest management strategies of mustard sawfly. Integrated use of cultural, mechanical biological and need based chemical control measures is effective in pest management and sustainable mustard production.

Inflation is a major macroeconomic issue that affects the purchasing power of money and overall economic stability. It occurs when the general price level of goods and services rises continuously over time due to excessive money supply, rising production costs, and increasing demand. This article discusses the meaning, types, causes, and methods of measuring inflation in India using indicators such as the Consumer Price Index (CPI), Wholesale Price Index (WPI), and GDP Deflator. It also highlights the factors influencing inflation, measures adopted by the government and Reserve Bank of India to control inflation, and the positive and negative effects of inflation on different groups in society.

Diapause is a remarkable survival strategy that enables insects to withstand unfavorable environmental conditions and synchronize their life cycles with seasonal changes. Traditionally, environmental factors such as photoperiod and temperature have been considered the primary cues regulating diapause. However, growing evidence indicates that host plants also play an important role in influencing whether insects continue development or enter dormancy. The quality, species, growth stage, and nutritional value of host plants can affect insect growth rate, body size, energy reserves, and physiological condition, all of which contribute to diapause decisions. The growing evidence shows that insects do not rely solely on temperature and day length to prepare for difficult times. The quality of the plants they feed on can also shape their survival strategies, highlighting the remarkable and often overlooked connections between insects and their host plants.