Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) is the state agricultural university of Tamil Nadu located in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India.
Banana is one of the most widely cultivated fruit crops worldwide, with India being the world's leading producer. Despite its importance, banana production is severely affected by various pests and diseases. Plant-parasitic nematodes (PPN) are among the most economically important pests, causing severe root necrosis, reducing nutrient uptake, plant toppling and yield losses of 30-60% globally. This makes host-plant resistance a safe and sustainable alternative for managing PPN. Therefore, the study aimed to develop banana hybrids using diploid, triploid and tetraploid parents and identify high-yielding, resistant hybrids. Out of 8359 crosses, only 49 hybrids were established and evaluated for their bunch traits and screened against PPN (Radopholus similis, Helicotylenchus multicinctus and Pratylenchus coffeae) under field experiment. The findings revealed significant variability in bunch weight (BW) and associated traits and identified 18 resistant and 17 tolerant hybrids. Of these 18 resistant hybrids, H-11-08, H-11-18, H-11-21, H-11-23, H-11-25, H-11-44, H-11-69 and H-11-71, with BW > 11 kg, were validated under pot experiment for resistance to Radopholus similis alone and were found to be resistant, except for one tolerant hybrid (H-11-18). A biochemical study revealed elevated phenol and lignin in resistant genotypes upon nematode infection. Histochemical study revealed intense, predominant localization of phenols and lignin in resistant genotypes. The histological study showed more compact and continuous cellular organization in Yangambi Km5. GC-MS revealed a diverse metabolite profile in resistant genotypes. Overall, the findings deepened understanding of nematode-plant interactions and facilitated the development of high-yielding, resistant hybrids, which can be further studied for stability under multi-location trials.
The rhizosphere microbiota has emerged as a promising resource for the eco-friendly management of plant parasitic nematodes (PPN). Beneficial microorganisms inhabiting the rhizosphere and plant tissues suppress through multiple mechanisms, including direct parasitism, production of nematicidal metabolites and volatile organic compounds, secretion of hydrolytic enzymes, competition for ecological niches, biofilm formation, and induction of systemic resistance, while simultaneously promoting plant growth and improving soil health. This review discusses recent advances in suppression of PPNs, with particular emphasis on microbiota engineering and the transition from single inoculants to synthetic microbial communities (SynComs). It further discusses the application of high-throughput multi-omics approaches, including metagenomics and metabolomics, to unravel microbial diversity, functional interactions, and nematode-suppressive mechanisms. Emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and machine learning for predictive microbiota analysis, microbial consortium design, and precision nematode management are also highlighted. In addition, current challenges related to field performance, formulation stability, microbial establishment, and commercialization are critically discussed. Finally, future perspectives on integrating microbiota engineering, systems biology, and digital agriculture are presented to develop resilient, environmentally sustainable, and climate-smart strategies for PPN long-term management.
Edible coatings offer a sustainable alternative to synthetic packaging. However, achieving uniform, material-efficient, and reproducible deposition on complex food geometries remains a major barrier to industrial-scale adoption. This review examines a wide range of coating materials including polysaccharides, proteins, lipids, agro-industrial waste derivatives, and emerging biopolymers from seaweed, microbial, and insect sources and summarizes their key physicochemical properties, molecular interactions, and functional performance. Coating application methods are critically evaluated from both material and process perspectives, spanning traditional dip, spin, brush, and flow coating to advanced layer-by-layer assembly, vacuum impregnation, pressure-based spraying, electrostatic deposition, and next-generation ultrasonic and multi-fluid atomization. The analysis highlights the superior scalability of pressure-based spray coating and the enhanced droplet control and surface conformity offered by electrostatic and hybrid atomization technologies. Persistent challenges include inconsistent coverage on curved or recessed surfaces, lack of real-time monitoring tools, limited predictive models for three-dimensional substrates, and minimal pilot-scale validation. The insights presented provide a clear technical foundation for developing edible coating systems capable of delivering uniform, controlled, and industrially robust performance across diverse food products.
Satellite-based precipitation products (SPPs) are an important method for measuring and analyzing rainfall, especially in areas with limited rain-gauge networks. These products offer more reliable coverage and are valuable for various environmental applications, such as precipitation analysis, hydrological modeling, and drought monitoring. Unlike ground-based rain gauges, SPPs provide more evenly distributed coverage over large areas using sophisticated infrared and microwave instruments to detect precipitation. A number of satellite-based rainfall products have been developed and successfully implemented, including GSMaP, PERSIANN, TRMM, CHIRPS, and GPM IMERG. However, there are several drawbacks in employing SPPs, such as lacking the capacity to measure the temporal and spatial variability of the daily precipitation rate due to instrument uncertainties, particularly over large areas. SPPs may be inaccurate due to variations in the quality of data collected directly from rain gauges. Hence, it is essential to understand the limitations and potential biases of these products. This comprehensive review aims to address the challenges in obtaining reliable precipitation data, particularly in developing countries, and investigates the potential of SPPs as a solution by emphasizing their importance for accurate precipitation estimation for climate change analysis, extreme event prediction, and hydrological impact assessment. The methodology for selecting relevant literature on satellite-based high-resolution precipitation products is discussed, along with the characteristics and applications of various SPPs. This highlights the need for future research to improve the accuracy and reliability of SPPs. Overall, SPPs offer a valuable substitute to traditional rain gauge data; however, their limitations should be carefully considered when interpreting and utilizing the data for different applications. SPPs an alternative to rainfall data gaps in areas with limited ground-based rain gauges. IMERG and CHIRPS were quite successful in capturing precipitation events in the study area. They provide near-real-time rainfall data for regions with limited ground data. Further studies should focus on data downscaling and error correction for higher resolutions.
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.
