Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya (BCKV), also known as Bidhan Chandra Agricultural University, is an agricultural university in West Bengal, India. The university aims to provide higher education in theoretical and technical fields of Agriculture, Horticulture and Agricultural Engineering. It grants Bachelor of Science, Master of Science, Bachelor of Technology, Master of Technology and Doctorate degrees..
Arsenic (As) contamination of soils is a critical environmental and geochemical concern, with its mobility and bioavailability largely controlled by molecular-scale interactions with soil minerals. This study investigates the adsorption behavior of arsenate [As(V)] and arsenious acid [As(III)] on major clay minerals to elucidate fundamental controls on As retention in soil and sediment systems. Molecular modeling approaches were employed to investigate these interactions. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations were performed on cluster models of illite, chlorite, montmorillonite, and kaolinite to evaluate adsorption configurations and binding energies of arsenate and arsenious acid. In addition, semiempirical (PM6) and classical force-field (UFF) methods were used to examine the influence of vermicompost-derived organic matter on arsenate-mineral interactions. Multiple adsorption configurations, including atop atom, bridge, three-fold filled, and three-fold hollow sites, were evaluated, and binding energies were calculated with correction for basis set superposition error. The results indicate that three-fold hollow sites are the most favorable, with As(V) binding energies of 60-65 kcal mol-1 on illite, chlorite, and montmorillonite, reaching 75 kcal mol-1 on kaolinite at a surface distance of 2.7 & Aring;. In contrast, As(III) shows weaker and energetically flatter adsorption, with binding energies of 28-54 kcal mol-1 and larger equilibrium distances of 3.2-4.0 & Aring;. Modeling of vermicompost addition suggests a substantial reduction in arsenate binding on most clay minerals, except illite, indicating competitive or disruptive interactions at mineral surfaces. These findings provide quantitative, atomistic insight into mineral- and amendment-specific controls on As stabilization and mobility in soil and sediment systems.
A new genus and three new species of eriophyoid mites from West Bengal, India, are described and illustrated: Chiropteromasca shiulicola gen. nov. & sp. nov., and Nothopoda serenica sp. nov., both found to be infesting Nyctanthes arbor-tristis L. (Oleaceae); and Neocosella samiranus sp. nov., found onMurraya paniculata (L .) Jack (Rutaceae). All of them are found to be vagrant on the abaxial surface of the leaves. Additionally, three species are newly recorded: Nonthaburinus litchi Chandrapatya 1996; Calacarus duranti Chandrapatya & Boczek 2001; Tetraspinus litchi Huang & Cheng 2005, with an updated checklist of eriophyoid mites present in West Bengal, India, are provided.
This study recorded the common Megachile bees, their nesting behaviour, host range, and ecological interactions in West Bengal, India. The bees exhibited diurnal activity, and nests were constructed using various natural and artificial materials, including mud, wood, and hollow stems, without a strong preference for specific substrates. The highest species diversity and abundance were observed in the New Alluvial Zone. Megachile bees utilized various plants for nesting and foraging, favouring glabrous leaves and plants flowering from March to May. These findings provide insights into the ecological variability and nesting preferences of Megachile bees, contributing to their conservation in this region.
The genus Saissetia Deplanche (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Coccidae) comprises 46 species worldwide, of which only four have been reported in India. However, no comprehensive taxonomic revision exists for the country. In this study, we record two species, Saissetia coffeae (Walker) and S. miranda (Cockerell and Parrott), from West Bengal, India. Both species are redescribed, and DNA barcoding using the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase 1 (COI) gene has been performed. Genetic variations among global populations of S. coffeae are critically discussed. Furthermore, several novel associations of ants, parasitoids, and predators with these soft scale insects, along with one previously unreported host plant, are documented.
Global food security is escalating by population growth, climate change and depletion of basic resources, and explicitly demands the implementation of cutting-edge approaches to improve crop yield, resilience, and nutritional quality. CRISPR/Cas9 technology has transformed modern agriculture by introducing accurate and inherently stable modifications in different plants. This review highlights the latest advancements in the application of CRISPR/Cas9 technology for crop improvement and explores its potential in mitigating global food security. These advancements include the use of base and prime editing to accurately alter metabolic pathways for nutritional enhancements, along with designing Cas variants with limited dependency on PAM, to facilitate editing in complex genome crops like wheat. Moreover, the integration of artificial intelligence-driven target prediction and speed breeding has significantly improved varietal development by shortening breeding period and increasing resilience to various biotic and abiotic stresses. Case studies in cereal (Rice, wheat, maize, and sorghum) and horticultural crops provide evidence of CRISPR’s major contribution towards limiting food security, improving nutritional value, and mitigating postharvest waste. This section also addresses the dynamic regulatory developments in different areas, associated ethical reflections, and approaches to foster fair accessibility stressing the transparent governance and public participation in the implementation of this technique.
