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Volume(6) / Issue(11)

Synergistic Role of Vermicompost and Vermiwash in Enhancing Soil Fertility and Crop Productivity

Giridhar M et al.

Sustainable intensification of agriculture requires ecologically sound nutrient management strategies that enhance soil fertility while minimizing environmental degradation. Among organic inputs, vermicompost and vermiwash, derived from earthworm-mediated decomposition processes, are increasingly recognized as effective biofertilizers for sustainable crop production. Vermicompost is a nutrient-rich, microbially active organic amendment containing essential macro- (N, P, K) and micronutrients (Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn), humic substances and plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria. It improves soil structure, aeration, water-holding capacity and nutrient mineralization, thereby promoting root proliferation and yield stability. Vermiwash, a liquid extract collected from vermicomposting units, contains soluble nutrients, enzymes, vitamins and phytohormones such as auxins, gibberellins and cytokinins that stimulate photosynthesis, flowering and stress resistance. Recent studies demonstrate that combined application of vermicompost (4-6 t ha??) and diluted vermiwash sprays (3-15%) enhances nutrient uptake, microbial biomass and productivity in cereals, pulses and horticultural crops. Integrating these vermiproducts within Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) frameworks reduces dependence on chemical fertilizers, improves soil organic carbon stocks and supports agroecological resilience. Furthermore, advances in substrate optimization, microbial fortification and nano-bioformulations have expanded their agronomic efficacy and scalability.

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Economy of Upcycled Food Sector: Global and Indian Perspective

Steffi Angela S and Indhushree A

The upcycled food industry is emerging as a sustainable solution to global food waste, transforming unused by-products into valuable, eco-friendly food ingredients. India, with its vast agricultural base and increasing awareness of sustainability, holds strong potential in this sector. While North America currently leads the market, India?s growing focus on ESG goals, supportive startup ecosystem, and availability of raw materials position it for rapid growth. Tamil Nadu, in particular, shows high promise due to its robust agri-processing industry and innovation-driven startups. However, the sector still faces challenges such as varying raw material quality, limited consumer awareness, and the absence of clear regulations. With new policies from FSSAI, rising investments, and increased consumer interest in sustainable food choices, India is steadily moving toward a circular economy. The upcycled food market thus represents both an economic opportunity and a crucial step toward a more sustainable food system.

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Zero Waste Farming: Transforming Agricultural By-products into Sustainable Resources

D. Deepika et al.

Zero Waste Farming is a new way to do sustainable agriculture that focuses on reusing agricultural waste and byproducts to reduce the impact on the environment and increase farm productivity. In India, where managing crop waste and soil degradation are major problems, using zero waste principles can help reduce pollution, improve soil health, create new sources of income, and support energy sustainability. This paper looks at the ideas, methods, benefits, problems, and recent uses of zero waste farming.

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Thermal Processing on the Nutritional Composition and Storage Stability of Barnyard Millet (Echinochloa frumentacea)

Thamizharasu T et al.

Barnyard millet (Echinochloa frumentacea) is a nutritious minor millet that can help fight malnutrition and improve food security in areas that face drought. However, its short shelf life and susceptibility to spoilage have limited its widespread use. Thermal processing methods, like roasting and puffing, are increasingly recognized for their ability to improve nutritional quality and extend storage stability. This review looks at recent scientific studies on how thermal treatments affect barnyard millet. It highlights how these processes preserve and enhance bioactive compounds, lower antinutrients, and increase shelf life. The best processing conditions, especially roasting at 130?C for 15 minutes, have been found to greatly boost antioxidant activity, nutrient accessibility, and storability. These findings provide a basis for using thermal processing to create long-lasting, nutritious barnyard millet products, which can support sustainable eating habits and food security efforts.

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The Paradox of Blister Beetles: Agricultural Menace and Medicinal Marvel

Thalluri Revanth Sri et al.

Blister beetles are among nature?s most fascinating yet troublesome insects. Known for their bright colours and toxic secretions, they are often seen damaging flowers and pods of crops like pigeon pea, groundnut, maize, and hibiscus. Farmers dread their sudden attacks during the flowering season, which can lead to heavy yield losses. Yet, behind this destructive side lies an extraordinary secret ? the same beetles produce cantharidin, a natural compound valued in medicine for centuries. Once used in traditional healing, cantharidin is now studied for its use in removing skin warts and even for its potential in fighting cancer. This article explores how blister beetles, both feared and admired, represent a true paradox in nature ? pests in the field but healers in the lab.

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Carbon Quantum Dots (CQDs) In Enhanced Postharvest Preservation of Fruits and Vegetables

Rajiyabegaum S. Hosalli et al.

Carbon quantum dots (CQDs) have emerged as a sustainable nanotechnology with transformative potential in food preservation. Derived from renewable sources through green synthesis methods, CQDs exhibit unique properties such as strong photoluminescence, antimicrobial activity, UV absorption and surface functionalization. These attributes enable their integration into smart packaging films and edible coatings, enhancing mechanical strength, barrier performance and shelf-life extension of fruits and vegetables. By combining environmental friendliness with functional versatility, CQDs offer a promising solution for safer, longer-lasting produce and contribute to the advancement of intelligent food safety systems.

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Innovative Approaches to Fish Disease Prevention in Modern Aquaculture

Navin Kumar D et al.

Aquaculture is the fastest-growing sector of global food production and contributes for more than half of the world?s seafood. However, fish diseases continue to be the most significant challenge facing aquaculture with annual losses exceeding USD 6 billion globally. Antibiotic and chemical-based approaches used for treatments have led to significant problems including antimicrobial resistance, accumulation of residues in fish meat and environmental pollution. Alternative and sustainable methods are being used all over the world to prevent disease outbreaks, economic losses and human hazards. Probiotics, vaccines, plant-derived immunostimulants, biosecurity strategies, application of smart technology and functional feeds are some of the methods leading to safer, sustainable and consumer friendly alternatives for disease control.

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Enhancing Climate Resilience of Hill Farm Women through Soil and Water Conservation Practices

Praveen Jakhar et al.

Farm women in hills play a crucial role in sustaining agriculture and natural resource management in fragile hill ecosystems. However, challenges such as soil erosion, water scarcity, small landholdings, and climate variability severely affect their livelihoods. Integrating Soil and Water Conservation (SWC) practices such as contour bunding, mulching, agroforestry, and rainwater harvesting improves soil fertility, water availability, and resilience to climatic stress. Women?s participation in watershed programs and self help groups strengthens adoption and maintenance of these practices. Empowering women through capacity building, access to finance, and inclusive institutional support promotes sustainable hill farming and enhances both ecological and social resilience.

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The Missing Brand in India?s Blue Economy: Why the Ocean?s Wealth Needs a Name

Joshua J. et al.

India?s blue economy is enormous and full of opportunities; however, no strong and unified brand that could present the country?s marine wealth to the world. India has a huge seafood production, and the country?s fisheries sector is still unrecognised because of poor branding, uncoordinated marketing and little product differentiation. The article discusses the importance of having a national marine brand that communicates India?s quality, sustainability, and cultural identity. It presents various options for closing the gap between production and perception based on the government data and industry insights, which would in turn empower coastal communities and strengthen India?s hold in the global blue economy.

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Sericulture: India's Golden Thread of Economic Prosperity

Gownipalli Chinni Sravya

Sericulture, the cultivation of silkworms for silk production, remains a cornerstone of India's rural economy. As the world's second-largest silk producer and largest consumer, India's sericulture industry employs 9.76 million people and generates export revenues of Rs. 2,027.56 crore. The industry's market value reached Rs. 612.7 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow at 14.6% CAGR to Rs. 2,217.5 billion by 2033. This comprehensive analysis examines India's sericulture landscape, production techniques, regional dynamics, and economic significance, highlighting the sector's transformation from traditional practices to modern sustainable methods while addressing contemporary challenges and future opportunities.

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Strengthening Food and Nutritional Security: Strategic Promotion of Underutilized Crops

Pranusha P et al.

India, recognized as a global biodiversity hotspot, harbors immense biodiversity. Its diverse agro-climatic zones foster immense plant genetic resources, including a wide range of underutilized crops with high nutritional, ecological, and economic value. These crops often resilient to climatic stresses offer sustainable solutions for food, nutrition, and livelihood security. However, they remain neglected due to limited awareness, market access, and research focus. Strategic measures such as crop diversification, utilization of wild species, biotechnology-driven improvement, conservation through community participation, and value addition are crucial for their promotion. Strengthening institutional collaboration and supportive policies will enable integration of these crops into mainstream agriculture, enhancing climate resilience, dietary diversity, and rural income while contributing to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

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Micronutrients: Essential Components for Health and Well-Being

Manjula Chaudhari et al.

Micronutrients are vital components required by humans and other living organisms in small quantities to maintain essential physiological functions necessary for overall health. Unlike macronutrients, which are needed in gram quantities each day, micronutrients are typically required in amounts less than 100 milligrams per day. Vitamins and minerals constitute two key categories of micronutrients. When used appropriately-within a safe dosage range and when the benefits outweigh potential risks?micronutrients can serve as supportive agents in the management of common infectious diseases and malnutrition.

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Seed Certification for Shrimps in India: Ensuring Quality and Sustainability in Aquaculture

Muniyasamy Afrith et al.

Shrimp aquaculture is one of the most dynamic sectors of India?s fisheries, contributing significantly to food security, livelihoods, and export earnings. The quality of seed forms the backbone of this industry, directly influencing survival, growth, and long-term sustainability. Seed certification ensures that hatcheries supply farmers with disease-free, genetically strong, and traceable shrimp seed, produced under strict biosecurity and environmental standards. The process covers multiple dimensions, including broodstock screening, water quality management, larval monitoring, pathogen testing, and transparent documentation, all of which safeguard both productivity and ecological integrity. However, several critical areas remain underemphasized, such as continuous training of hatchery staff, improved nutritional management, adoption of digital record-keeping, and systematic monitoring of environmental impacts. Addressing these gaps will not only strengthen certification but also build resilience against disease outbreaks and production losses. As India continues to expand its shrimp farming footprint, robust seed certification stands as a strategic tool to enhance global competitiveness, reduce ecological risks, and secure the prosperity of aquaculture communities. Ultimately, effective certification is about much more than compliance, it is about ensuring sustainability, farmer confidence, and India?s leadership in global aquaculture.

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Livestock Farming in Urban Areas: Bringing the Village to the City

Priyanjena Chacko J et al.

As a creative way to connect rural and urban life, urban livestock farming is fostering community well-being, sustainability, and food security. Cities can improve nutrient recycling through the use of organic waste and lessen their reliance on outside food supplies by incorporating livestock like poultry, goats, and dairy animals into their urban environments. Through waste management and the creation of green spaces, this technique not only provides fresh, locally produced animal products but also supports environmental sustainability. But issues like space constraints, trash disposal, and health standards need to be handled with careful planning and policy backing. The concept of "bringing the village to the city" is genuinely embodied by urban livestock farming, which promotes sustainability and resilience in metropolitan areas.

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Distribution and Cold Spot Analysis in Canned Seafood Products

Nidhi Dhansukhbhai Patel et al.

Heating canned foods for commercial sterilization is a complex process shaped by the properties of the food, container design, and the physics of heat transfer. Since heat does not reach all parts of the can at the same time, identifying the ?cold spot? the slowest heating point within the container is essential to ensure safety. By focusing on the cold spot during process validation, manufacturers guarantee that even the most resistant pockets within the product are thoroughly sterilized, protecting consumers from foodborne risks. Both the composition of the food and characteristics of its container influence heat flow, with the cold spot?s location varying between solid and liquid foods. Careful monitoring, usually using thermocouples, tracks heat penetration and confirms that the product receives effective treatment at all stages from initial heating to final cooling. Innovations in sterilization equipment and technology continue to evolve, helping maintain food texture and flavor while prioritizing safety.

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Fabric of the Future: Agrotextiles Empowering Smart Agriculture

Sanchana Dhas A. K et al.

Agriculture, the backbone of human civilization, is now transitioning towards sustainability through innovative technologies. Among these, agrotextiles have emerged as a vital component of smart agriculture. Agrotextiles refer to specially designed woven, non-woven, or knitted fabrics applied in agriculture, horticulture, and related sectors to enhance productivity, conserve resources, and protect crops. These materials play a crucial role in moderating environmental conditions, controlling pests and weeds, conserving soil moisture, and reducing dependency on chemical inputs. Common applications include shade nets, anti-bird nets, insect nets, mulch mats, and windshield nets?all contributing to improved crop quality and yield. The use of both synthetic fibres (polypropylene, polyester, nylon) and natural fibres (jute, coir, wool) allows for a balance between durability and sustainability. With the integration of eco-friendly materials and advanced textile engineering, agrotextiles are paving the way for climate-resilient and sustainable farming systems.

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Transforming Waste into Wealth: Cow Pat Pit in Sustainable Agriculture

Dr. Snehal Vinod Deshmukh and Pratik Narayan Moghe

Biodynamic agriculture emphasizes working harmoniously with natural energies to sustain life processes within soil and crops. Cow Pat Pit (CPP) is a biodynamic preparation designed to stimulate soil microbial activity, enhance humus formation, and improve compost quality. Developed by Maria Thun as ?Barrel Compost,? CPP integrates cow dung, powdered eggshells, basalt dust, and biodynamic preparations (BD 502?507) in a brick-lined pit for fermentation over several months. This process generates a biologically active compound rich in beneficial microbes and growth-promoting substances. When applied as a soil or foliar spray, CPP enhances soil fertility, promotes root growth, and boosts crop resilience against pests and diseases. It is environmentally friendly, cost-effective, and contributes to sustainable agricultural systems by improving nutrient cycling and soil structure. The integration of CPP in organic and biodynamic farming systems represents a sustainable solution for ecological farming practices and waste utilization, turning agricultural byproducts into a valuable input for soil regeneration.

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Hydroponic and Photobioreactor-Based Cultivation of Spirulina, A Sustainable Biomass Approach

S. Chenna Kesava Reddy et al.

Spirulina cultivation using hydroponic and photobioreactor systems marks a significant advancement in sustainable biomass production. As a protein-rich cyanobacterium (60-70%) containing essential amino acids and valuable bioactive compounds, Spirulina holds vast potential in nutrition, pharmaceuticals, and commercial industries. Modern cultivation systems such as hydroponics and photobioreactors allow precise control of growth conditions while minimizing land and water use, achieving yields of 10-25 g/m?/day under optimized parameters. In India, where the nutraceutical market is expected to reach Rs 18,000 crores by 2025, Spirulina farming emerges as both economically promising and environmentally beneficial. This review discusses the technologies and productivity parameters associated with Spirulina cultivation, its sustainability advantages, and the expanding Indian market potential for Spirulina-based products, emphasizing its role as a future-forward solution for sustainable food and biomass production.

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AI and IOT in Aquaculture: An Overview

D. Rohith et al.

Aquaculture defines as the culture of Aquatic organisms in the controlled conditions like stable Water quality, Feed Management, Disease Management and other activities. Aquaculture plays a major role in National and Global economy and also it plays a vital role in food and nutrition. It is one of the fastest growing food sectors, to maintain the sustainability AI and IOT are used in the proper manner. Increasing in demand for the culture of fishes and organism's paves way for the technological integration. Now we see about the integration of technology and its impacts in aquaculture in various point of views.

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Bioluminescent Ornamentals: The Glow of Tomorrow's Gardens

A Monika Sri Nagini and K Karthik

The development of bioluminescent ornamental plants marks a significant fusion of science and nature, advancing aesthetics and sustainability. From early dimly glowing tobacco to today's commercial Firefly Petunias, this progress highlights rapid scientific innovation and interdisciplinary collaboration. These plants utilize biotechnology to emit natural light, envisioning futures where glowing trees illuminate cities and homes glow softly without electricity. This shift fosters bio-integrated, sustainable design. Challenges include increasing brightness, ensuring luminescence stability, navigating regulatory frameworks, and securing public acceptance. Economic concerns, such as production costs and scaling, will affect adoption, while environmental impact assessments ensure ecological safety. With continued research and innovation, bioluminescent plants could soon become common in gardens worldwide, blending naturally with their environments while offering a sustainable and functional source of light.

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Agroecological Success Stories Transforming Global Agriculture

Gnanasanjevi G et al.

Agroecology has gained global recognition as a sustainable approach to addressing the intertwined challenges of food security, environmental degradation and climate change. Rooted in ecological principles and traditional farming knowledge, agroecology promotes biodiversity, soil health, nutrient recycling and community empowerment. This article highlights several global success stories that exemplify the transformative power of agroecological practices. The Andhra Pradesh Community-Managed Natural Farming (APCNF) initiative in India has empowered millions of smallholders to adopt chemical-free cultivation, improving soil fertility and farm incomes. In Mexico, the MasAgro program has enhanced maize and wheat productivity through research-based sustainable practices, while in Malawi, agroforestry innovations integrating Faidherbia albida trees have improved yields and soil fertility. Cuba?s agroecological revolution showcases how organic methods can achieve national food security and resilience and Africa?s conservation tillage networks demonstrate the benefits of soil-friendly farming. Collectively, these initiatives underscore agroecology?s potential to balance productivity with sustainability, reduce input dependence and enhance rural livelihoods. Scaling up such models through supportive policies and participatory approaches can drive a global transition toward ecologically sound and socially just food systems.

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Pan-genomics in Crop Improvement: A Future Paradigm for Unlocking Genetic Diversity

Yashaswini R et al.

Ensuring global food security under climate change and biotic-abiotic stresses requires exploiting the full genetic diversity of crops. Traditional reference genomes capture only a fraction of intraspecific variation, omitting structural variations (SVs) and presence-absence variations (PAVs) that influence key agronomic traits. Pan-genomics, integrating multiple genomes, reveals core and dispensable genes, uncovering novel loci for stress tolerance, yield and quality traits. Advances in de novo assembly, graph-based approaches, and bioinformatic pipelines enable comprehensive pan-genome construction. The super pangenome further incorporates wild and related species, expanding breeding resources. Integrating pan-transcriptomics and pan-epigenomics offers functional insights, establishing pan-genomics as a future reference paradigm for precision crop improvement.

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PGPR as Dual Action Bioagents: Enhancing Plant Growth and Degrading Plastics

Prashant Gigaulia et al.

Plastic pollution has become a major global environmental threat due to the persistent nature of plastics like polyethylene, polypropylene, and PET, which resist natural degradation and accumulate in soil, water, and living organisms. Improper disposal results in microplastic formation, disrupting ecosystems and endangering human health. An emerging eco-friendly solution involves the use of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) and other microbes capable of biodegrading plastics. These microorganisms produce enzymes such as PETase, laccase, and cutinase that break complex polymer chains into simpler, nontoxic compounds like carbon dioxide, water, and biomass. Notably, species such as Pseudomonas, Bacillus and Aspergillus not only degrade plastics but also enhance soil fertility and plant growth by producing growth-promoting substances. In this article we understand the dual action of microbes which supports both waste reduction and environmental restoration. Even though microbial degradation is often slow and may yield intermediate products, advancements in enzyme and genetic engineering, microbial consortia, and bioreactor technologies are improving its efficiency.

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Why Managerial Skills are Essential for Extension Personnel

Dr. Sayanika Borah and Dr. Hari Charan Kalita

Managerial skills are vital for extension personnel as they play a crucial role in planning, organizing, implementing, and evaluating extension programs effectively. Extension personnel often work at the interface between research institutions and rural communities, where efficient management ensures smooth coordination of resources, activities, and stakeholders. Strong managerial skills help them set clear goals, allocate resources wisely, delegate responsibilities, and monitor progress systematically. These skills also enhance leadership qualities, enabling extension workers to motivate and guide farmers or community members toward adopting improved technologies and practices. Moreover, effective time management, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities contribute to higher program impact and sustainability. By integrating managerial competencies with technical expertise, extension personnel can deliver more efficient services, foster community participation, and achieve developmental objectives. Therefore, managerial skills are not just supportive tools but essential components for ensuring successful extension interventions and rural development outcome.

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Techniques for Detection and Enumeration of Microorganisms in Seafood

Nidhi Dhansukhbhai Patel et al.

Fish and seafood are key sources of animal protein with growing consumption due to health benefits over red meats. However, seafood-related infections are caused by diverse pathogens, including bacteria, viruses, and parasites, resulting in various illnesses. Risk levels vary by seafood type, influenced by factors like harvesting environment, feeding habits, season, and preparation methods. Preventing these infections requires understanding the causative agents, associated seafood types, and contamination routes that can be controlled. Effective control and monitoring strategies are essential to ensure the safety of seafood products.

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Application of Synthetic Hormones in Fish Production

Khangembam Victoria Chanu and Dimpal Thakuria

Fish are considered as a good source of protein, polyunsaturated fatty acids, vitamins, minerals which supports overall health. Owing to its health benefits along with population expansion, demand for fish is steadily increasing. This has led to significant rise in fish farming or aquaculture to meet the growing demand. Currently aquaculture has surpassed capture fisheries in global fish production. In fish production, exogenous hormones are commonly used either for induced breeding to produce seeds or for sex reversal to produce monosex population that exhibits a higher growth rate. These hormones may be natural origin or synthetic in nature. The article discusses the synthetic hormones that are commonly employed in fish production and have become indispensable for aquaculture.

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Blue Waste, Green Future: Harnessing Fish Byproducts for Sustainable Oil Spill Response

P. Vamshi Krishna Reddy et al.

Marine oil spills represent one of the most catastrophic environmental disasters, devastating marine ecosystems and coastal communities worldwide. Traditional chemical dispersants, while effective at breaking down oil slicks, often introduce additional toxicity to already damaged marine environments, creating long-term ecological harm. The development of fish waste based biodegradable dispersants bridges the gap between marine pollution management and sustainable resource, these natural compounds effectively break down large oil slicks into smaller droplets, accelerating their natural degradation by marine microorganisms without introducing harmful toxins into the environment shows eco-friendly alternative that combine biodegradability, safety, and efficiency while minimizing ecological toxicity. This not only provides a sustainable solution to the environmental hazards of oil spills but also valorizes fishery by-products, aligning with the principles of circular bioeconomy and waste-to-wealth conversion.

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Suicidal Bombing: A Gall Repairing Mechanism in Aphids

Shweta et al.

Defence colony in eusocial insect is a costly but vital characteristic, whose evolution is modified by kin-selection forces resulting in self-sacrificing behaviour. Social aphids which cause gall reveal an amazing altruism as there are sterile soldiers which take care of defense, cleaning and even repair gall. Natural enemies still occur, but galls have nutritive, protective, and microclimatic perquisites as they are constituted by the secretion of insects and by such plant hormones as auxin and cytokinin. There is division of labour, the younger soldiers take the task of clearing waste and the older soldier's man vulnerable openings. Soldiers in certain species give themselves up by spilling body fluids in order to plug the breakages in the gall. These behaviours point to the adaptation value of gall induction and extreme altruism.

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Lernaea - The Hidden Threat to Ornamental and Farmed Fish

Dhinesh P. et al.

Lernaea which is known as anchor worm exists as an ectoparasite that infects both ornamental and farmed freshwater fish species. The females attach themselves to skin and fins and gills to suck blood and tissue which leads to skin discomfort open wounds, stress, diminished growth and secondary infections. The organism produces free-swimming larvae which find hosts while its stationary females generate eggs during the entire time which results in fast population growth. The infestations appear as thread-like formations which makes them easy to identify. Management practices need to combine chemical applications with physical removal methods and water quality enhancement and fish welfare improvement.

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Processing of Nutmeg

Konathachira Sreeja et al.

Nutmeg (Myristica fragrans Houtt.), belonging to the family Myristicaceae, is an important tropical tree spice valued for its aromatic seed (nutmeg) and aril (mace). In India, it is mainly cultivated in Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Harvesting peaks from June to August when fruits naturally split open. Post-harvest processing involves removal of the pericarp, separation of mace, drying, grading, and packaging. Proper drying using sun, hot air, or solar tunnel dryers prevents fungal contamination and aflatoxin development. Mace is often blanched and hotair dried to retain color and quality. Value-added products such as nutmeg oil, mace oil, oleoresin, and nutmeg butter are produced through steam or hydro-distillation. The aromatic compounds, particularly myristicin and elemicin, determine its flavor and medicinal properties. Improved drying and extraction techniques enhance the quality and export potential of nutmeg and mace.

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Valorization of Agricultural Waste: A Circular Approach

Gitesh Kumari et al.

Every harvest season, fields across the world brim with leftovers, straw, husks, peels, and stems. These materials are often seen as "waste", they hold immense potential. In India alone, farmers generate over 600 million tonnes of agricultural residues every year, much of which is either left to rot or burned in the open, causing severe air pollution. But what if this waste could become wealth? Enter the world of agricultural waste valorization- a key part of the circular economy movement that turns waste into valuable resources. Valorization means transforming agricultural by-products into useful, value-added materials such as biofuels, fertilizers, bioplastics, and animal feed. It's a scientific yet practical approach that ensures nothing in farming goes to waste, closing the loop between production and reuse. In simple terms, valorization gives a second life to farm residues, turning them from pollutants into products.

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Extension Strategies for Reservoir Fisheries Management

S. Kanmani and A. Refrin Romero

Reservoir fisheries provide critical food security and livelihood opportunities worldwide. Effective management requires extension strategies bridging scientific knowledge and practical implementation through participatory methods, capacity building, and communitybased frameworks. Integration of traditional ecological knowledge with modern practices, coupled with effective communication and institutional support, forms the foundation of successful programs addressing climate change, habitat degradation, and socio-economic constraints.

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Farming at Fingertips: Do Mobile Apps Really Help in Crop and Fodder Management?

Samir Barman et al.

The rapid penetration of smartphones and affordable internet in rural India has created new opportunities for disseminating agricultural knowledge directly to farming communities. Mobile applications have increasingly been recognized as practical tools for bridging the technical gap in fodder production, which underpins livestock productivity. This article examines the contribution of mobile apps to crop and fodder management, with emphasis on their roles in varietal choice, sowing practices, pest and disease monitoring, ration balancing, and access to market information. At the same time, persistent challenges must be addressed. Strengthening localization, enhancing offline and voice-based features, integrating artificial intelligence, and fostering stronger research and extension linkages will be key to maximizing their effectiveness. Overall, mobile applications represent a promising, scientifically validated pathway for reducing fodder deficits, enhancing livestock productivity, and contributing to sustainable, climate-resilient agriculture in India.

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Invisible Invaders: How Soil Fungal Pathogens Threaten Our Food

Deepu Kumar et al.

Soil is living, with a rich ecosystem of microbes, insects and fungi that can help grow food. Many of these web-building microorganisms are beneficial but what makes soilborne fungal pathogens such a significant agricultural problem is that they infect plants, leading to plant diseases including rotting and wilting as well damping-off. These fungi debilitate the roots of plants and diminish their vitality by having spores, waiting to initiate under appropriate conditions. These pathogens not only cause losses of crops and quality produce but also create health hazards for farmers by producing allergens and mycotoxins. The soil borne fungi have an ability to survive in the soil and make difficult challenge to manage them vital for sustainable agriculture and food security.

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Ophiocordyceps and Ants: The Fungus That Controls Behaviour

Diksha Kharwal and Ankit Negi

Ants, known for their complex social organization and ecological dominance, interact with a wide range of organisms, including parasitic fungi such as Ophiocordyceps unilateralis. This paper explores how this fungus infects and manipulates its ant hosts. After infection, the fungus invades the ant's body and nervous system, compelling it to exhibit abnormal behaviour, leaving the colony, climbing vegetation, and performing the fatal "death grip". This behaviour benefits the fungus by providing an ideal environment for spore dispersal. The discussion highlights the role of host specificity, genetic interactions, and the broader ecological impact of such parasitic relationships in regulating ant populations and maintaining ecosystem equilibrium.

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Insects as a Source of Food and Feed

Lipsa Dash

Insects are increasingly recognized as a promising source of nutrition for humans and animals. Not only do they offer high?quality protein, essential amino acids, unsaturated fats, vitamins and minerals, but they can also be reared with far lower environmental footprint than conventional livestock. Many insect species (e.g. black soldier fly, crickets, mealworms) are being studied and used both for human food (entomophagy) and as feed ingredients for livestock, fish, poultry and pets. Key drivers include rising global protein demand, food waste, land use constraints, and climate change. However, challenges remain: consumer acceptance, regulations, food safety, cost of production, and scaling up insect farming. With supportive policy, improved processing, and continued research, insects could be an important component of sustainable food systems.

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Biofilm Mediated Plant Resilience for Combating Abiotic Stresses

Nidhi Anima Xaxa et al.

In the face of escalating environmental pressures that jeopardize global crop yields, enhancing crop stress tolerance becomes a paramount endeavour for restoring sufficient food production. Recently, biofilm-forming PGPR has emerged as a promising candidates for agricultural application. These biofilms are evidence of microorganism colonization on plant roots. Biofilm-mediated plant resilience represents a promising, eco-friendly approach to combat the growing challenges of abiotic stresses in agriculture. By producing extracellular polymeric substances, phytohormones, osmolytes and stress-modulating enzymes, biofilmforming plant growth-promoting microbes enhance root colonization, improve soil water and nutrient availability and buffer plants against drought, salinity, temperature extremes and heavy metal toxicity.

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