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Aromatic plants like Bay Leaf, Patchouli, Clove, and Galangal are gaining recognition as valuable additions to sustainable agriculture. These botanicals produce essential oils and bioactive compounds that hold therapeutic properties (e.g., Sharma et al., 2022; Journal of Essential Oil Research), particularly suitable for eco-friendly skincare applications. This article highlights the scientific rationale and entrepreneurial potential of cultivating these species, based on evidence from GC-MS analysis and biological assays. Integrating such plant-based solutions into value-added products can support rural economies while contributing to environmentally conscious beauty industries.

Agro-waste valorisation is emerging as a high-value strategy to reduce agricultural residues while replacing fossil-based plastics and synthetic agrochemicals. Converting crop residues into bioplastics and plant bio-stimulants aligns with circular economy goals by closing material loops and reducing waste. This article summarizes life cycle assessment (LCA) findings on these pathways, highlighting environmental benefits, key trade-offs, and design considerations for integrated biorefineries. Overall, agro-waste-derived products offer significant potential for lowering greenhouse gas emissions and resource use, though results depend strongly on system boundaries, energy supply, and allocation methods.

Synthetic microbial communities (SynComs)-deliberately designed consortia with defined composition and functional traits-are emerging as powerful tools for restoring soil health. By combining complementary microbial metabolisms, SynComs can accelerate contaminant degradation, enhance nutrient cycling, and improve plant performance more reliably than single-strain inoculants. This article summarises how SynComs function, highlights key indicators for assessing their efficiency, and evaluates their potential for sustainable soil remediation.

Abiotic stresses drought, heat, salinity, and extreme temperatures are primary constraints on staple-crop productivity under climate change. Conventional breeding and genetic modification have delivered important gains, but their pace and scope may not match accelerating climatic pressures. Epigenome engineering, which manipulates heritable and reversible chromatin states (DNA methylation, histone marks, and small-RNA pathways) at specific loci without changing underlying DNA sequence, offers a complementary route for improving stress tolerance and stress memory in crops. Targeted epigenetic tools (e.g., dCas9 fused to DNA-methyltransferases/ demethylases, histone acetyltransferases/ deacetylases, or transcriptional activators/repressors) permit locus-specific activation or repression of stress-responsive networks, and have already produced stress-resilience phenotypes in model plants and early crop studies. Epigenomic approaches can modulate hormone signaling, osmoprotectant pathways, and antioxidant systems, and in some cases generate mitotically and potentially meiotically heritable effects that constitute a form of rapid adaptation (epigenetic memory). Key challenges for translation include ensuring specificity and stability of edits, understanding transgenerational inheritance, regulatory acceptance, and delivery in diverse staple species. Realizing the potential of epigenome engineering will require integration of high-resolution epigenomic mapping, robust editing platforms, field validation, and breeding pipelines that combine epigenetic variants with conventional genetic improvements.

Agrivoltaic systems co-locating photovoltaic (PV) modules with agricultural crops present a promising dual-land-use strategy for regions experiencing climate stress and water scarcity. Evidence indicates that shading beneath solar panels can improve microclimatic conditions by moderating temperature, reducing evapotranspiration, and increasing soil moisture retention (Adeh et al., 2018). These changes enhance water use efficiency (WUE), particularly for shade-tolerant crops that naturally thrive in lower light conditions. Studies show that many shade-adapted vegetables, herbs, and forage species maintain or increase yields under agrivoltaic conditions due to reduced heat stress and improved physiological performance (Barron-Gafford et al., 2019; Valle et al., 2017). The extent of benefits is influenced by PV configuration, shading intensity, and crop physiology. Overall, agrivoltaics offer a viable pathway toward integrated food?energy systems that enhance climate resilience and resource efficiency. Continued research is needed to optimize system designs and crop-specific management strategies.

Community-based fisheries management (CBFM) where coastal communities share governance and stewardship demonstrates strong potential for ecological recovery, socioeconomic resilience, and inclusive governance. Case studies from small-scale preferential access areas (PAAs) to locally managed marine areas (LMMAs) in Madagascar reveal improved fish biomass, livelihoods, and governance. Scaling such approaches requires institutional support, adaptive monitoring, and inclusive leadership. This article presents key insights from verified research and offers a forward-looking perspective on community guardianship.

The convergence of satellite technology, artificial intelligence, and advanced sensor networks is revolutionizing global fisheries management, creating unprecedented opportunities for sustainable ocean stewardship. This transformation encompasses real-time vessel tracking through Automatic Identification Systems (AIS) and Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS), AI-powered species identification and catch quantification, and satellitebased habitat monitoring that supports ecosystem-based management approaches. Digital technologies enable comprehensive surveillance of previously unmonitored ocean areas, automated detection of illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing activities, and datadriven stock assessments that integrate traditional fisheries science with machine learning algorithms. While challenges remain in data quality, technological integration, and capacity building, emerging digital solutions offer scalable pathways toward transparent, efficient, and sustainable fisheries governance in an era of increasing ocean pressures and climate change.

Heavy metal contamination in coastal fisheries represents a growing global environmental and public health challenge. Industrial discharge, urban runoff, and atmospheric deposition introduce toxic metals including mercury, cadmium, lead, and chromium into marine ecosystems, where they bioaccumulate in fish tissues through complex uptake mechanisms. This contamination poses significant risks to both marine biodiversity and human consumers, particularly vulnerable populations dependent on seafood for protein. This article examines the sources and pathways of heavy metal pollution, bioaccumulation mechanisms in marine fish, health risk assessment methods, and current remediation strategies. Recent studies reveal concerning trends in metal concentrations across coastal regions, with mercury showing particular biomagnification potential through marine food chains. Effective management requires integrated monitoring, improved pollution controls, and risk-based consumption guidelines to protect both ecosystem health and food security.

Bioplastics produced from residual marine biomass (like fish scales and prawn shells) are a sustainable alternative to traditional plastics and contribute to the circular economy. Key biopolymers are chitosan, valued for its nontoxicity and film-forming ability, and gelatin, which in turn can be efficiently extracted from fish waste at up to 58.25%. The mechanical properties of these materials can be engineered for strength and flexibility: for example, chitosan films can be chemically tuned, while reinforcement with cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) can achieve enhanced tensile strength to values as high as 27.64 MPa. Derived from the sea, these bioplastics also show fast biodegradability; studies report up to 85% degradation in 14 days and between 71-84% of biodegradation in soil within 21 days. Furthermore, their functionality goes beyond passive packaging, incorporating natural extracts with active protection of foods. Gelatin films with fig leaf extract exhibited excellent antioxidant and antibacterial activity. On the other hand, chitosan films enriched with Borago officinalis extract can extend the shelf life of rainbow trout by six days. These findings underlined the large potential of marine waste as a source of eco-friendly, highperformance bioplastic packaging for the food industry.

Fish-skin collagen is becoming a biomaterial that is not only safe, sustainable, and of clinical value but also relevant for various applications in wound management and regenerative medicine. Free from zoonotic risks and culturally acceptable, marine collagen has striking similarities to human Type I collagen and thus exhibits excellent biocompatibility and tissue integration. Evidence from in vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies indicates that the properties of marine collagen accelerate wound healing through improved re-epithelialization, promotion of fibroblast and keratinocyte activity, and enhanced extracellular matrix formation. Acellular fish-skin grafts have significantly reduced the healing time in donor sites and diabetic ulcers, assisted by the naturally retained omega-3 fatty acids providing antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects. Beyond skin wound management, marine collagen improves skin elasticity, actively supports bone regeneration, and contributes to anti-aging benefits. As up to 75% of fish biomass is usually discarded, its use in biomaterial production fully aligns with the principles of a circular bioeconomy through the conversion of by-products into high-value biomaterials. Altogether, these attributes make marine collagen a promising, sustainable alternative for biomedical and cosmetic advanced applications.

The global seafood industry generates significant biomass waste, a large portion of which comprises the squid gladius (pen). Historically discarded, this structure is now recognized as a valuable source of ?-chitin, a biopolymer distinct from the ?-chitin found in crustaceans. This article reviews the valorization of squid pens into ? -chitosan, highlighting its unique parallel chain structure which facilitates milder, eco-friendly extraction processes and superior solubility. The review further examines the physicochemical advantages of ?- chitosan, including enhanced water-binding capacity and reactivity. Finally, it explores the material's versatile applications ranging from antimicrobial food packaging to biomedical hydrogels, emphasizing its superior biosecurity and hypoallergenic profile compared to crustacean-derived alternatives.

The energy and protein are the major nutrients need to be supplied at sufficient levels for optimum productive and reproductive performances of livestock. Day-to-day increasing prices of energy and protein feed ingredients have been significantly affecting profitability of livestock enterprises for feeding being the major expense. Searching for alternatives is one of the viable options to curtail feeding cost in livestock enterprises. With the growing biofuel industries, their byproducts may be potential alternatives to conventional energy and protein feed ingredients for livestock. Exploiting biofuel co-products based on nutritional and anti-nutritional components and finding out suitable feeding level will help to address feed shortage optimizing livestock productivity and economic sustainability.

Puddling is a specialized nutrient-acquisition behaviour in butterflies and several other insect groups, where individuals visit mineral-rich substrates such as moist soil, dung, carrion and animal secretions. Since nectar and plant sap are poor in essential minerals particularly sodium puddling enables insects to supplement their diet with sodium, nitrogen and amino acids necessary for physiological and reproductive functions. Male butterflies puddle more frequently than females, as the sodium obtained is incorporated into spermatophores, enhancing female fecundity and offspring fitness. Puddling behaviour varies across species and families, with Lycaenidae exhibiting the highest frequency, followed by Papilionidae and Nymphalidae. Aggregation patterns range from solitary individuals to mixed-species groups, influenced by substrate quality, chemical cues and social stimuli. Environmental factors such as sunlight, moisture, humidity and mineral concentration strongly shape site selection. Puddling is also documented in non-lepidopteran insects, including Orthoptera, Hymenoptera, Diptera and Blattodea, indicating its broader ecological significance. Overall, puddling represents a multifaceted behaviour integrating nutritional demand, reproductive strategies and environmental interactions and remains an important subject for understanding insect ecology and evolutionary adaptation.

The mechanization of agriculture in Odisha has improved productivity but increased safety risks. Tractors, tractor-trailers, and other farm machinery, often operated without proper training or safety measures, are major contributors to accidents, injuries, and fatalities. Common causes include rollovers, overloading, unsafe passenger transport, and collisions on narrow or uneven roads. These incidents result in significant human, social, and economic losses, particularly among small and marginal farmers. Although regulations such as the Odisha Dangerous Machines (Regulation) Rules, 2008, aim to improve safety, enforcement gaps, limited training, and poor infrastructure persist. This study highlights patterns and impacts of machinery-related accidents and recommends preventive strategies, including mandatory inspections, operator training, safety retrofitting, improved rural infrastructure, awareness campaigns, and strengthened emergency response. Implementing these measures can reduce accidents, protect livelihoods, and support sustainable agricultural modernization in Odisha.

Zinc is a critical micronutrient essential for metabolic and physiological processes across the soil-plant-animal-human continuum. Almost 17% of the global population is under severe zinc deficiency, specifically residing in Asia and Africa. In India, nearly 39% of soils are zincdeficient, driven by intensive cropping, high reliance on NPK fertilizers, monocropping, limited use of micronutrient fertilizers and organic amendments and soil pH. Moreover, the zinc accumulated in husk of the grains are lost during milling aggravating zinc deficiency in people depending majorly on conventional staple grains. Therefore, it becomes imperative to address zinc deficiency via adopting several methodologies such as diet diversification, biofortification and crop diversification to and achieve nutritional security for the growing population and improving livestock productivity.

There is an urgent need for creative and sustainable food production systems due to the growing problems in conventional agriculture, such as urbanization, water scarcity, and land degradation. Vertical farming and hydroponics are two promising soil-less farming methods that make it possible to produce crops effectively in controlled conditions with less resources. While vertical farming, which is frequently done inside or in cities, optimizes production by stacking crops vertically, hydroponics grows plants in nutrient-rich water without the use of soil. Higher yields, less water use, less pesticide requirements, and the possibility of year-round production are just a few of the many benefits of these contemporary farming methods. Through agri-startups and government initiatives, these approaches are gaining traction in India despite obstacles such high starting prices and technical needs. The operating principles, advantages, difficulties, and potential applications of hydroponics and vertical farming in the Indian agricultural context are highlighted in this article.

Although more people are fed by intensive farming the soil eventually deteriorates as a result of erosion nutrient loss and decreased yield. Using biochar a substance that resembles charcoal and is produced by heating agricultural leftovers or other organic wastes without oxygen is one of the eco-friendly methods for restoring soil health. By improving soil structure increasing water-holding capacity and providing locations where nutrients can be retained rather than percolating away biochar helps mitigate climate change in a number of ways. It also keeps carbon in the earth for a very long time. It has been demonstrated to immobilize heavy metals by decreasing their bioavailability for plants in addition to improving the physical chemical and biological characteristics of the soil. Higher crop yields and better root growth are usually the results.

Redox-active metabolites (RAMs) including phenazines, flavins, quinones, and emerging peptide-derived cofactors, have long been viewed through the narrow lens of toxicity or antimicrobial activity. However, recent studies have reframed these small molecules as integral agents of microbial communication. By undergoing reversible oxidation?reduction reactions, RAMs reshape environmental redox potentials and, in turn, modulate gene expression, biofilm development, nutrient acquisition, and interspecies interactions. This article highlights the evolving understanding of RAMs as signalling mediators, summarizes new discoveries from 2023?2025, and discusses future challenges in decoding their ecological and biomedical significance.

Sulphur-oxidizing bacteria (SOB) are key microbial agents that transform reduced or elemental sulphur into plant-available sulphate, thereby ameliorating sulphur deficiency in soils, a growing concern across agro-ecosystems globally. Through biochemical oxidation processes, SOB contribute to sulphur nutrition, enhance nutrient availability (e.g., zinc, iron), and may support plant growth promotion via auxiliary mechanisms such as phosphate solubilization and phytohormone production. Empirical studies in soybean, onion, mungbean and other crops demonstrate significant improvements in yield, nutrient content, and stress resilience with SOB inoculation. However, the efficacy of SOB depends critically on soil physico-chemical properties, microbial community context, and formulation stability. This article reviews current understanding of SOB?s agricultural role, highlights recent findings, discusses challenges, and outlines future directions for research and application

Biofilms are highly organized, surface-attached microbial communities embedded within an extracellular polymeric matrix that enhance microbial survival, adaptability, and ecological success. Originating over 3.4 billion years ago, biofilms represent the dominant mode of microbial life and provide cells with protection from environmental stress, antimicrobial agents, and host immune responses. Biofilm development proceeds through sequential stages, initial attachment, irreversible adhesion, microcolony formation, maturation, and dispersion. Each regulated by complex molecular networks involving quorum sensing, second messengers such as c-di-GMP, and stress-response pathways. The biofilm mode of growth supports metabolic cooperation, efficient nutrient retention, and elevated horizontal gene transfer. Biofilms play critical roles across natural ecosystems, industrial systems, and clinical environments, contributing to both beneficial outcomes (e.g., wastewater treatment, bioremediation, plant growth promotion) and detrimental effects such as biofouling, corrosion, and persistent infections. Understanding the structural, molecular, and functional aspects of biofilms is essential for developing effective strategies for their control and harnessing their potential in environmental and biotechnological applications.

Dogs? extraordinary sense of smell is being harnessed in groundbreaking ways to detect human diseases, including cancer, Parkinson?s disease, and COVID-19. Recent studies demonstrate that trained detection dogs can identify unique volatile organic compound (VOC) signatures associated with illnesses, achieving sensitivities and specificities comparable to or sometimes exceeding standard diagnostic methods. This article explores the science behind canine olfaction, recent high-impact findings, real-world applications, and the potential and challenges of integrating detection dogs into modern healthcare.

Egg shell plays an important role influencing consumer attraction and purchasing decision towards egg. Egg shell colour may not directly cause a significant in hatchability of egg, rather the shell colour may be an indicator of some of the traits of eggs such as shell quality and thickness, breaking strength and freshness of egg etc. Hatchability itself is a broad term which depends on many factors such as on age of birds at the time of collection of eggs, shell cleanliness, shell quality, storage position and period, storage temperature and humidity, and other factors necessary for incubation of eggs.

The impact of silicon (Si) is dependent upon crop system. In rice it minimises the damage caused by the stem borer and the planthopper, in sugarcane and wheat it minimises borers and aphids, and in cucumber and tomato it suppresses whiteflies, thrips and leaf miners. After reinforcing physical barriers, silicon activates systemic acquired resistance (SAR) and precondition plants to accelerate response to defense by jasmonic acid, salicylic acid, and ethylene signalling. This two-fold action limits the use of chemical pesticides, dealing with resistance and environmental issues. Incorporation of silicon in Integrated Pest Management (IPM) provides an effective and sustainable solution and this can be used together with biological manipulation, resistant varieties, cultural management and judicious application of insecticides. Silicon contributes to such strategies as increasing pest suppression, protecting the health of the soil, and improving the stability of yields, which means it is an important part of modern, environmentally safe agriculture.

Carbon credits play a vital role in combating climate change by enabling both regulatory and voluntary efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. As emissions from fossil fuels and deforestation rise, carbon credits offer a market-driven solution to support clean energy, reforestation, and sustainable practices. This report outlines how carbon credits function, their role in compliance and voluntary markets, and the impact of emerging technologies like blockchain, AI, and satellite monitoring in enhancing transparency and efficiency. It also addresses key challenges and highlights the growing importance of diversified, tech-enabled carbon markets in achieving global net-zero goals.

Wheat straw, a major lignocellulosic residue generated after wheat harvest, is often underutilized or burned, causing severe environmental and health impacts. This research examines sustainable methods for enhancing wheat straw by converting it into high-value products such as eco-textiles, activated carbon, decorative crafts, and biochar. These methods provide a circular and climate-smart alternative that is in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Evidence from scientific research and field trials shows that these methods can greatly diminish open-field burning, boost soil fertility, improve air quality, and create jobs in rural areas. Eco-textile production uses cellulose from straw as a sustainable fiber source; activated carbon derived from straw aids in environmental remediation; straw crafts bolster rural economies; and biochar plays a role in soil carbon sequestration and climate mitigation efforts. The suggested integrated business model highlights decentralized processing units, cooperative marketing efforts, and public procurement connections to guarantee economic viability. The valorization of wheat straw, through the merging of scientific innovation and rural entrepreneurship, bolsters environmental sustainability, resource efficiency, and economic resilience. This research promotes policy measures, awareness initiatives, and technological adoption to convert wheat straw from agricultural waste into a valuable bioresource in the context of India?s circular bioeconomy.

African Swine Fever (ASF), a highly lethal viral disease affecting domestic pigs and wild boars, has emerged as a major global and national concern. On the world stage, recent breakthroughs such as a reverse-genetics system for ASF virus (ASFV) developed in 2025 are revitalizing vaccine research. In India, ASF was first detected in 2020 in northeastern states, and has since spread to additional regions including Goa and Kerala. Molecular studies confirm that Indian ASFV strains predominantly belong to genotype II, with unique genetic mutations. Aggressive outbreaks have caused significant economic losses. However, Indian scientists are responding: rapid antigen-detection kits developed in Assam (2025), PCRbased molecular surveillance in Karnataka (2024-25), and epidemiological assessments in the northeast are improving detection and control. Still, challenges remain like no licensed vaccine, weak biosecurity in small-scale farms, and potential wildlife reservoirs in wild boar. Addressing ASF in India will require a coordinated strategy combining diagnostics, biosecurity, surveillance, and research support to protect food security and rural livelihoods.

Trichomes are specialized epidermal structures that exhibit remarkable diversity in form and function across plant species. They play vital roles in defence, temperature regulation, water conservation, and metabolite production. Depending on their structure and function, trichomes are broadly classified as non-glandular, which provide mechanical protection and glandular, which secrete valuable secondary metabolites such as essential oils, resins and alkaloids. Their development is regulated by complex genetic networks involving transcription factors like GLABRA1 (GL1), GLABRA3 (GL3) and TTG1, along with hormonal control from gibberellins, cytokinin and jasmonic acid. Trichomes contribute significantly to plant adaptation under both biotic and abiotic stresses acting as physical barriers, reflecting radiation and secreting defence compounds. Advances in molecular genetics and biotechnology have enabled the exploitation of trichome traits for crop improvement, pest resistance and metabolite enhancement, positioning them as key targets for sustainable and climate-resilient agriculture.

The increasing global population and climate variability have intensified the demand for sustainable food production, necessitating innovative approaches for crop improvement. Among modern biotechnological tools, proteomics has emerged as a powerful platform to study the complete set of proteins expressed under specific physiological conditions. Unlike genomics and transcriptomics, proteomics provides direct insight into functional molecules that regulate plant responses to abiotic stresses such as drought, salinity, heat, cold, waterlogging and toxic metal exposure. These stresses drastically reduce crop productivity by disrupting cellular homeostasis, metabolic pathways and signaling networks. Through advanced analytical techniques like mass spectrometry, two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, and isotopic labeling, proteomics enables the identification, quantification and characterization of stress-responsive proteins. Such information facilitates the discovery of biomarkers, validation of stress-associated genes and understanding of tolerance mechanisms. The integration of proteomic data into breeding and genetic engineering programs offers promising avenues for developing resilient, high-yielding crop varieties adaptable to changing environmental conditions.

To sustain global food security under the growing pressures of population expansion, economic development, and climate change, agricultural productivity must be enhanced through sustainable and innovative approaches. Genetic crop improvement integrating advances in molecular biology, biotechnology, genomics and plant physiology offers a powerful means to achieve this goal. However, the development of superior crop varieties often encounters the challenge of trait trade-offs, where the expression of one desirable characteristic can compromise another. In this context, microRNAs (miRNAs), a class of small non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression at the post-transcriptional level, have emerged as precise and versatile molecular tools. Since their discovery in Caenorhabditis elegans in 1993, miRNAs have been recognized as master regulators influencing plant development, signal transduction, stress tolerance and disease resistance. Their ability to fine-tune gene expression without permanently altering genomic sequences makes them valuable targets for molecular breeding strategies aimed at achieving high yield, resilience and sustainability in crops.

Transcriptomics, the study of the complete set of RNA transcripts produced by the genome, has become a central tool in the post-genomic era for understanding gene expression and regulation. It provides critical insights into cellular functions, developmental processes and responses to environmental or physiological stimuli. Techniques such as microarrays and RNA-sequencing (RNA-Seq) have revolutionized transcriptome profiling by enabling comprehensive quantification of both coding and non-coding RNAs. These methods not only identify novel transcripts and splicing variants but also uncover expression patterns underlying disease mechanisms, stress tolerance and developmental regulation. Transcriptome data further support integrative analyses in systems biology, linking gene activity to protein networks and metabolic pathways. Thus, transcriptome analysis serves as a foundational approach for discovering biomarkers, functional genes and therapeutic targets, significantly advancing personalized medicine and crop improvement.

The use of drone technology combined with deep learning is revolutionising the way plant diseases are detected and assessed in agriculture. Drones, equipped with high-resolution cameras and advanced imaging sensors, enable rapid and extensive monitoring of crop fields, capturing crucial visual and multispectral data from above. Deep learning models then analyse this information to accurately and swiftly identify early disease symptoms, even across vast and varied terrains. This synergy significantly reduces the need for manual field inspection, supports precise disease mapping, and enables timely, data-driven interventions. Integrating AI-powered systems with drones is also vital in regions with limited access to expert plant pathologists, democratizing disease management tools for all scales of farming. Ultimately, this integration enhances crop health monitoring efficiency, supports sustainable and productive farming practices and resilience in agricultural systems by empowering farmers with actionable intelligence for better disease management.

The advanced technology by using Artificial intelligence in chicks hatching incubator allows Real-time monitoring the vital signs such as temperature, humidity, and oxygen levels remotely by using a smart phone. This technology can improve the survival rate of the chicks and thereby increase the hatchability percentage of the chicks by incorporating IoT and Arduino with a digital camera, it is possible to designed a smart incubator which are not only useful to farmers but also to those researchers who wants to study and monitor embryonic development of chicks accurately.

Liquid organic manures (LOMs) are gaining prominence as sustainable alternatives to synthetic fertilizers in modern agriculture. Derived from organic wastes, plant residues and animal excreta, these nutrient-rich formulations provide essential macro- and micronutrients, beneficial microorganisms and bioactive compounds that enhance soil fertility and plant growth. Common types such as jeevamrutha, panchagavya, vermiwash and cow urine-based manures improve soil biological activity, nutrient cycling and disease resistance while maintaining ecological balance. The application of LOMs through soil drenching, foliar spray, seed treatment, and fertigation promotes root development, chlorophyll synthesis and yield improvement. Environmentally, they minimize pollution, recycle farm wastes and enhance sustainability at low cost. However, challenges such as low nutrient concentration, lack of standardization, and limited shelf life hinder their large-scale adoption. Integrating LOMs with other organic practices offers a viable pathway toward sustainable and eco-friendly agriculture.

Cotton, tobacco and sugarcane are among the most economically important industrial crops that have undergone extensive domestication and evolutionary diversification across tropical and subtropical regions of the world. The genus Gossypium (cotton) includes about 50 species, of which four?G. hirsutum, G. barbadense, G. arboreum and G. herbaceum are cultivated. Cotton was independently domesticated in both the Old and New Worlds, with tetraploid species evolving through allopolyploidy between A- and D-genome progenitors. Tobacco (Nicotiana spp.), represented mainly by N. tabacum and N. rustica, originated in South America, with N. tabacum evolving through hybridization between N. sylvestris and N. tomentosiformis. The crop spread globally through early human trade and colonization. Sugarcane (Saccharum spp.), belonging to the Poaceae family, originated in the Indonesia? New Guinea region and was later hybridized with wild species to enhance yield and adaptability. Modern commercial cultivars are complex interspecific hybrids, primarily derived from crosses between S. officinarum and S. spontaneum. Collectively, these crops illustrate how natural evolution, polyploidy and human selection have shaped their domestication histories and global agricultural importance.

Cotton (Gossypium spp.) is one of the most economically important fiber crops worldwide, providing raw material for the textile industry. Upland cotton (G. hirsutum) accounts for about 90% of global production. Cotton fiber, a single elongated epidermal cell derived from the seed coat, undergoes a complex developmental process consisting of initiation, elongation, secondary cell wall thickening, and maturation. This process is regulated by intricate molecular networks involving various transcription factors (TFs) and metabolic pathways. Among these, MYB and HD-ZIP transcription factors play pivotal roles in epidermal cell differentiation, trichome and fiber initiation, and secondary wall biosynthesis. Carbohydrate and fatty acid metabolism contribute to fiber cell elongation and wall formation by supplying essential substrates and energy. Additionally, quantitative trait loci (QTLs) associated with fiber quality traits such as length and strength have been identified, offering valuable targets for genetic improvement. Understanding these regulatory mechanisms provides important insights for enhancing fiber yield and quality through molecular breeding and biotechnological approaches.

Orphan genes, also known as taxonomically restricted genes (TRGs), represent speciesspecific coding sequences with no detectable homologues in other organisms. These genes are key drivers of evolutionary innovation and adaptation, often arising through mechanisms such as gene duplication, divergence, fusion, fission, horizontal gene transfer and retro position. While many orphan genes originate de novo from non-coding regions, others evolve beyond recognizable similarity to ancestral genes. The concept of orphan genes was first introduced during the yeast genome sequencing project in 1996, where they accounted for about 26% of the genome. Subsequent research established their widespread presence across taxa and highlighted their roles in lineage-specific traits and functional diversification. Identification of orphan genes primarily relies on computational approaches such as BLAST and phylostratigraphy, which detect sequence homology and estimate gene age, respectively. Despite challenges in detecting short or rapidly evolving sequences, orphan genes continue to provide valuable insights into genome evolution, species diversification, and the emergence of novel biological functions.

Plants encounter a wide range of abiotic and biotic stresses throughout their life cycle, necessitating precise regulation of gene expression for adaptation and survival. Gene expression is primarily controlled by specific genomic sequences known as cis-regulatory elements (CREs), which serve as binding sites for transcription factors and cis-regulatory modules (CRMs), which are clusters of CREs that include promoters, enhancers, silencers, and insulators. CRM?s are stretches of DNA, usually 100-1000 DNA base pairs in length, where a number of transcription factors can bind and regulate expression of nearby genes and regulate their transcription rates. Cis-regulatory elements (CREs) are short DNA motifs in gene promoters that act as molecular switches, controlling stress-responsive gene expression through transcription factor (TF) binding. In abiotic stress, pathways such as ABAdependent (AREB/ABF) and ABA-independent (DREB/CBF, NAC and MYB/MYC) regulate gene activation, as exemplified by the 116 to 2 bp promoter region of HRE2 in Arabidopsis bound by HAT22/ABIG1. Under biotic stress, CREs coordinate defence via., salicylic acid (SA), masonic acid (JA), and ethylene (ET) signaling, with NPR1 interacting with TGA TFs to activate pathogenesis-related genes and systemic acquired resistance.