Kerala Agricultural University

The rising global population and climate change demand sustainable weed management to ensure food security. Conventional herbicides face limitations due to resistant weed species, land use changes, and environmental concerns. Nanoherbicides offer promising solutions through targeted delivery, reduced residues, and enhanced efficacy. A scientific evaluation of their mechanisms, benefits, and limitations is essential to support their integration into sustainable agriculture. This article explores the potential of nanoherbicides as a sustainable alternative to conventional herbicides, emphasizing their role in precision weed management through nanocarrier systems and controlled-release formulations. It highlights how organic and inorganic nanocarriers enable targeted delivery, minimize environmental damage, and improve herbicide efficacy while reducing chemical runoff and soil/water contamination. The review also discusses the ecological and regulatory concerns, stressing the need for standardized global guidelines and multi-tiered risk assessments to ensure environmental and human safety. It presents strategies for minimizing these risks by utilizing eco-friendly nanomaterials and context-specific controlled-release systems integrated with advanced monitoring protocols. From this study, nanoherbicides emerge as a sustainable and efficient alternative to conventional herbicides, offering targeted weed control with minimal environmental disruption. Nanocarriers enable controlled-release formulations that reduce chemical runoff and improve herbicide efficacy. Despite their benefits, concerns remain about bioaccumulation, toxicity to non-target organisms, and long-term effects on soil health. A multi-tiered risk assessment framework is essential to ensure environmental safety and effective regulation. Advancements in smart delivery systems and encapsulation technologies hold promise for future precision weed management. Nanoherbicides offer a promising approach to sustainable weed management, in line with the global push for environmentally friendly agricultural practices and food security.

This study investigates the complex dynamics of climate resilient strategies among smallholder black pepper farmers in Kerala, India. Employing a mixed-methods approach, including best-worst scaling (BWS) analysis, conditional logistic regression and attribute level preferences, we explore the decision-making processes underlying the adoption of various adaptation practices and subsequent livelihood choices. The methodology employed in the study provided unbiased responses from respondents and captured their satisficing choices towards climate change adaptation. Our findings reveal that a combination of practices, characterized by exclusive organic farming practices, diversified cropping systems with cardamom integration and the preservation of selected landraces, is the most favoured resilience strategy among respondents. Despite concerns over increased maintenance costs, farmers perceive organic farming as conducive to the long-term sustainability of black pepper-based farming systems. Conversely, mixed choice responses towards the perceived utility of grafted pepper plants for flood and disease tolerance throw light on the importance of institutional validation for decision-making regarding technological adoption. Respondents prioritize landrace diversity and diversified cropping systems, reflecting an inclination towards genetic preservation and sustainable farming practices. The study highlights a strategic shift towards three-tier diversified systems, incorporating cardamom, to mitigate volatility in the black pepper market. However, concerns arise over the potential reduction in black pepper acreage and possible agroecological changes in the region. These findings provide valuable insights for policymakers and agricultural stakeholders, guiding future adaptation decisions to promote sustainable livelihoods for smallholder farmers in Kerala’s major black pepper growing tracts.

Drought is one the most severe environmental stresses affecting plant productivity, and the intensification of heat wave episodes has further made crop production more vulnerable by limiting plant growth. Melatonin is an extensively-studied hormone playing important roles in stress tolerance. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are widely recognized for enhancing plant health and metabolism. This study evaluated the potential of combined application of melatonin (100 µM) and AMF to enhance combined stress tolerance of drought and high temperature in two tomato varieties: Vellayani Vijai (tolerant) and Arka Vikas (susceptible). Results show that application of melatonin or AMF significantly decreased the negative effects of combined stress (total dry matter, photosynthetic rate, leaf membrane thermostability, pollen viability, proline, malondialdehyde content, catalase and phenyl ammonia lyase activity, fruit yield, total soluble solids, lycopene and fruit shelf life). Co application of melatonin and AMF had an additive effect and further attributed to stress tolerance with the largest increase in growth, biochemical, yield and quality parameters in both the varieties. Expression of key genes—SUT1, HSP17.4, ASR4 and LYCβ were significantly altered under melatonin + AMF treatment, indicating broad transcriptional reprogramming affecting sugar transport, heat shock response, osmotic regulation and carotenoid metabolism. These effects are expected to aid in enhancing drought and high temperature tolerance in tomato. Overall, the combined application of melatonin and mycorrhizal fungi could improve photosynthesis and membrane stability. Accumulation of protective molecules and triggering antioxidant activity resulted in higher yield and quality of tomato fruits under combined stress.

The beekeeping industry in India predominantly relies on the Indian honey bee, Apis cerana indica. It is a crucial pollinator and was the only domesticated species before the 1960s. This reflects a near-complete dependence on this species for agricultural productivity. It remains dominant among small and rural beekeepers due to its adaptability and low input needs. Despite lower yields (8–15 kg vs 30–60 kg in Apis mellifera), it plays a key role in pollination, supporting nearly 75

Coastal regions across the globe are increasingly threatened by erosion and inundation as rising sea levels and shifting wave climates intensify these hazards. Within this global context, the state of Kerala on the southwestern coast of India stands out as particularly vulnerable due to its high population density and extensive coastal exposure. The present study analyses the wave climate variability over the recent 15-year period (2007–2021) across 19 coastal sites in Kerala that are recognized as hotspots for erosion and inundation. Using the WAVEWATCH III model output, annual and monthly trends in the mean and near-extreme (90th percentile) significant wave height (SWH), swell wave height (SHTS) and wind sea wave height (SHWW) were analysed. The model data is validated with available buoy data at six locations (both east and west coast) along the Indian coastline. Results reveal a coherent intensification of wave conditions, with most locations exhibiting statistically significant positive trends. Musodi beach in Kasargod, the northernmost site, exhibited the highest trend in annual mean SWH, with an increase of 0.863 cm/year. Monthly trend analysis revealed a significant positive trend in the SWH, SHTS and SHWW during May and August months especially in the northern locations. Spatial trend analysis of SWH, SHTS, and SHWW highlighted a significant upward trend in the Southern Ocean during May and August, establishing the strong teleconnection. The combined rise in SWH, SHTS, and SHWW underscores an ongoing intensification of nearshore wave energy, with important implications for shoreline change, sediment dynamics, and hazard risk. These findings underscore the need for advanced coastal management strategies, integrating long-term wave climate monitoring and mitigation measures to reduce coastal hazards along the coast of Kerala.