Mineral fertilisation is one of the main ways to improve sugarcane productivity and quality, but simultaneously optimising these two objectives remains a major challenge in tropical production systems. This study, conducted at the Integrated Agricultural Unit (UAI) in Zuénoula (Côte d’Ivoire), evaluated the impact of five types of fertilisers, including a new formulation rich in Ca, S, and Mg, on the agronomic and technological parameters of sugarcane. Data were analysed using one-way ANOVA (with Tukey's HSD post-hoc test) and simple linear regression after verifying normality (Shapiro-Wilk test) and homoscedasticity (Bartlett's test). The results showed that treatment (T1) NPK 18-9-24 produced the highest cane yield at 82.88 ± 4.17 tc.ha⁻¹ and promoted vegetative growth. In contrast, treatment (T2) SPT + KCl improved processing quality, with a purity of 93.53 ± 0.32% and a sucrose content of 11.12 ± 0.21%. Treatment (T3) NPK + SPT + KCl provided the best compromise, with a cane yield of 81.15 ± 2.48 tc.ha⁻¹ and a purity of 91.98 ± 0.26%. A significant productivity-quality trade-off was observed between stem height and juice purity (R² = 0.159; p < 0.05). The new formulation (T4) 13-10-30 + 3Ca + 1S + 1.3Mg did not improve technological quality. These results indicate that an appropriate fertilisation strategy can reduce the trade-off between productivity and quality, while K and S enrichment is an agronomic option for improving the technological quality of sugarcane. By explicitly quantifying this trade-off using an integrated approach, this study provides a preliminary decision-making framework for optimising fertilisation in the sugarcane industry.
Chilli (Capsicum annuum L.) is an important vegetable and spice crop whose slow initial growth favours weed competition and associated yield loss. A field experiment was conducted on Vertisols at the Dr YSRHU Horticulture Research Station, Lam, to evaluate pre-emergence and post-emergence herbicides and hand weeding for weed control, growth, and dry red chilli yield. Twelve treatments were evaluated in a Randomized Block Design (RBD) with three replications. Forty-five-day-old seedlings were transplanted at a spacing of 75 cm × 30 cm. Weed counts and weed dry weight were assessed at 60 days, and growth and yield attributes were recorded at harvest. The weed-free check produced the highest dry red chilli yield (41.4 q/ha), followed by hand weeding at 20, 40, 60, and 80 days after planting (38.6 q/ha). Among herbicide-based treatments, the sequential pendimethalin treatment (T11) produced 36.9 q/ha. Hand weeding recorded the highest weed-control efficiency (72.4%) and the lowest weed index (6.8%). The weed-free check also recorded the greatest plant height (94.5 cm), number of branches (4.0), and number of fruits (178.3). Overall, timely weed suppression improved crop growth and dry chilli yield, while sequential pendimethalin provided the best yield among the evaluated herbicide-based treatments under the experimental conditions. The findings indicate that maintaining low weed pressure during critical growth stages is important for sustaining crop performance.
The stem borer Eldana saccharina Walker causes substantial production losses in the sugarcane estates of Côte d'Ivoire, where its control still relies largely on synthetic chemical insecticides that are harmful to human health and the environment. The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of extracts from pesticidal plants on infestation rates and the agro-technological parameters of sugarcane. A field trial was conducted under natural infestation conditions, using a randomised complete block design (Fisher blocks) with thirteen treatments and four replications. The essential oils of Cymbopogon citratus (DC.) Stapf, Ocimum gratissimum L. and Zingiber officinale Roscoe, as well as an oil concentrate of Azadirachta indica A. Juss. (A. indica OC), were applied at doses of 1, 2 and 3 ml · l−1. Three applications were made at fifteen-day intervals from the fifth month of vegetation, and the phytosanitary and agro-technological parameters were assessed at harvest. The microplots treated with the essential oils of C. citratus and Z. officinale, as well as with the A. indica OC, were significantly less infested than the untreated control microplots. Those treated with C. citratus essential oil recorded, on average, the lowest percentages of bored internodes (3.15%) and bored stalks (35.97%); they also produced the longest stalks and the highest cane and extractable sugar yields. These extracts improve the agro-technological parameters of sugarcane and can be used as bio-insecticides in the control of E. saccharina Walker.
Lower Guinea (Maritime Guinea) combines a humid coastal climate, forest and agroforestry resources, horticultural production, peri-urban markets and rural communities for which low-capital livestock and non-timber forest enterprises can be attractive. Beekeeping therefore has plausible livelihood, food-product, biodiversity and pollination value, yet the regional evidence base is unusually fragmented. This critical narrative review evaluates what can presently be concluded about beekeeping systems in Lower Guinea, the constraints that limit performance and the development pathways that are most defensible. Evidence was integrated from Guinean agricultural statistics and livestock diagnostics, Lower Guinea project records, peer-reviewed West African apiculture studies and broader African honey-bee research, with explicit attention to geographic transferability and methodological strength. The synthesis indicates a sector in transition rather than a consistently modernised industry. Traditional fixed-comb practices and wild-swarm dependence coexist with Kenyan top-bar and movable-comb interventions, but representative information on hive occupancy, colony retention, yield, profitability, disease status and beekeeper demographics is lacking. Official statistics contain substantial missingness and discontinuities and are organised by administrative regions that do not map cleanly onto the natural region, precluding robust regional trend estimation. The most consequential constraints are therefore not simply a shortage of hives. They include unreliable colony establishment, weak technical support, seasonal and landscape-dependent forage, destructive or poorly controlled harvesting practices, limited honey-quality assurance, fragmented markets, inadequate finance, and almost complete absence of systematic bee-health and genetic surveillance. Sustainable development should prioritise measurement before scale, locally adapted colony management, year-round forage and landscape stewardship, hygienic post-harvest systems, traceability, aggregation and market institutions, and explicit protection of locally adapted honey-bee diversity. The strongest near-term opportunity is to treat apiculture as a coupled production, ecosystem-management and rural-enterprise system, while evaluating interventions against colony survival, product quality, net income and habitat outcomes rather than hive distribution alone.
A field experiment was conducted during the Rabi season of 2024–25 at the research farm of Ch. Chhotu Ram (PG) College, Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh, under the aegis of the Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding (Agricultural Botany). The primary objectives were to quantify genetic variability, estimate heritability and genetic advance, and explore trait interrelationships for yield enhancement in Indian mustard. The analysis of variance demonstrated highly significant genotypic differences across all characters, confirming the presence of considerable genetic diversity within the germplasm. For the majority of traits, phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) estimates marginally exceeded genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV), suggesting limited environmental influence on trait expression. Several yield-related attributes exhibited elevated GCV and PCV values, indicating substantial opportunities for selection-mediated genetic improvement. Traits registering high heritability alongside significant genetic advance as a percentage of the mean reflected the predominance of additive genetic effects, thereby supporting the efficacy of phenotypic selection in subsequent generations. Moreover, the pronounced direct contributions of these traits to seed yield underscore their potential as dependable selection indices in mustard breeding initiatives. Collectively, the findings establish the availability of exploitable genetic variability and identify key economically important traits that directly influence yield. Accordingly, prioritising these characteristics in breeding frameworks may accelerate the development of high-yielding, genetically superior mustard cultivars adaptable to diverse agro-climatic conditions.
Vegetable production faces numerous constraints, particularly insect pests, which substantially reduce crop yields. To address this problem, many farmers rely on synthetic pesticides, often unregistered, thereby posing serious risks to human and animal health as well as to the environment. This situation highlights the need for effective alternative pest management strategies. In this context, the present study was conducted to improve the productivity of Guinea sorrel (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) through the use of two botanical pesticides in the commune of Loumbila, Burkina Faso. The experiment was established using a randomised complete block design with four treatments: T0 (untreated control), T1 (Apichi), T2 (ash broth), and T3 (Apichi + ash broth), with four replicates. The efficacy of the two botanical products was evaluated based on vegetative growth parameters, pest infestation intensity (number of damaged leaves), and leaf yield. The results showed that the combined treatment (T3) was the most effective in controlling sorrel pests. At 28 and 35 days after sowing (DAS), T3 recorded the lowest levels of pest damage, with averages of 12.70 and 16.75 damaged leaves, respectively, compared with 18.70 and 27.70 damaged leaves in the untreated control (T0). Regarding leaf yield, T3 produced the highest value (2.78 kg m-2), followed by T2 (2.53 kg m-2), T1 (1.89 kg m-2), and T0 (0.50 kg m-2). These findings suggest that the combination of Apichi and ash broth represents a promising alternative to synthetic pesticides for sustainable Guinea sorrel production.
This study evaluated the aqueous leaf extract of Murraya koenigii (ALM) as a phytogenic feed additive for Etroplus suratensis, focusing on phytochemical composition, antibacterial activity, growth, haematological and serum biochemical responses, antioxidant status, and tissue morphology. Qualitative phytochemical screening indicated flavonoids, phenolic compounds, alkaloids, tannins, and saponins, while LC-HRMS profiling of the aqueous extract identified 44 compounds. ALM inhibited Aeromonas hydrophila in vitro at a minimum inhibitory concentration of 0.312 ± 0.00 mg/ml. Fish were fed diets containing 0, 0.5, 1, 1.5, or 2% ALM for 60 days. Growth performance improved across supplemented groups, with the 2% group recording the highest final weight (9.31 ± 0.017 g), weight gain (5.11 ± 0.011 g), and specific growth rate (1.32 ± 0.001%) and the lowest feed conversion ratio (1.47 ± 0.002). Dietary ALM was associated with changes in haematological indices and serum total protein, albumin, albumin-globulin ratio, glucose, and alkaline phosphatase, whereas alanine and aspartate transaminase activities did not differ significantly. Hepatic superoxide dismutase and catalase activities increased with supplementation. Histological observations indicated larger intestinal villi and altered hepatocyte morphology in treated fish. No mortality or visible distress occurred in the acute oral limit test at 2000 mg/kg body weight. These findings support further evaluation of ALM as a potential phytogenic feed additive for E. suratensis.
Bovine papillomatosis causes cutaneous and teat lesions that can impair milking and reduce the economic value of affected cattle. This study aimed to standardise the preparation of autologous vaccines for field use against bovine papillomavirus (BPV) infection and to determine the viral titers of vaccine suspensions before chemical inactivation. Teat and body wart samples were collected from 50 cattle aged 1–10 years in the Burdur region. DNA extracted from the lesions was analysed by type-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for BPV types 1 and 2. Autologous vaccines were prepared from the collected tissues, and preparations derived from BPV-positive samples were assessed by microtitration in L-929 fibroblast cells. Viral titers were calculated using the Spearman–Kärber method. BPV type 2 was detected in 44% of the animals (n = 22), whereas BPV type 1 was detected in 12% (n = 6). The reported average titer range for vaccines prepared from teat warts was Log₁₀TCID₅₀ 10¹⁸–10¹⁹·⁵, while the range for vaccines prepared from body warts was Log₁₀TCID₅₀ 10²⁰·⁵–10²²·⁵. Thus, preparations derived from body warts had higher reported titers than those derived from teat warts. These findings provide preliminary data for viral-load assessment during autologous vaccine preparation. Further batch-level standardisation and evaluation of clinical efficacy, immune responses, and dose–response relationships are required before the reported titer ranges can be linked to treatment outcomes.
Chemical fertilisers can support crop production but may create environmental and accessibility concerns, prompting interest in locally available organic inputs. This study evaluated the effects of powdered material and aqueous extracts of Chromolaena odorata on the agromorphological performance and yield of Clemson spineless and Hiré okra varieties in Taabo, southern Côte d’Ivoire. The experiment comprised three completely randomised blocks with three replicates and fourteen treatments. Powdered material was applied at 5, 15, and 25 g, while aqueous extracts were applied at 5, 15, and 25 g/L. Treatments were applied four times at two-week intervals before, at, and after sowing. Germination, survival, leaf area, plant height, collar diameter, number of leaves, number of fruits per plant, and fruit weight were assessed. Germination ranged from 83.33% to 100%, while survival ranged from 97.50% to 100%. Extract application generally improved growth and yield relative to the controls. The 25 g/L aqueous treatment produced the highest leaf area in Clemson spineless (225.94 cm²) and the highest collar diameter (0.87 cm), mean fruit number (6.29), and mean fruit weight (28.58 g) in Hiré. Across extract forms, the aqueous treatments generally produced stronger responses than the powdered material, except for the number of leaves, for which the two forms were statistically similar. Under the conditions of the study, Chromolaena odorata aqueous extract, particularly at 25 g/L, showed potential as a locally available organic input for okra production.
The global agro-industrial sector generates billions of cubic metres of nutrient-rich effluents annually, constituting both a significant environmental liability and an underexploited resource for biological valorisation. Microalgal cultivation in agro-industrial wastewaters offers a dual-benefit platform: simultaneous tertiary-level wastewater treatment and production of high-value biomass for biofuels, biofertilisers, and speciality biochemicals. This comprehensive review critically examines (i) the physicochemical characteristics of dominant agro-industrial effluents, including dairy wastewater, swine effluent, palm oil mill effluent (POME), sugarcane vinasse, abattoir wastewater, and aquaculture discharge as substrates for algal cultivation; (ii) the nutrient dynamics governing nitrogen and phosphorus assimilation, with removal efficiencies reaching >95% under optimised conditions; (iii) strain-specific selection criteria encompassing tolerance to ammonia toxicity, turbidity, organic loading, and pathogen presence; (iv) comparative performance of cultivation systems from open raceway ponds to closed photobioreactors (PBRs) and hybrid configurations; and (v) techno-economic analysis (TEA) and life cycle assessment (LCA) findings that expose the current cost barriers, particularly harvesting (accounting for 20–30% of total production cost) and upstream pre-treatment. Emerging strategies including bioflocculation, microalgal–bacterial consortia, genetic strain engineering, and biorefinery integration are evaluated for their potential to reduce production costs below $2.00/kg biomass. This review synthesises evidence from peer-reviewed Q1-indexed studies (2018–2025) and identifies critical knowledge gaps that must be addressed to transition algal wastewater biorefinery from laboratory proof-of-concept towards commercially viable, potentially climate-positive technology.
Background: Cluster bean (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba) is a major legume crop. Powdery mildew is a devastating foliar disease affecting cluster beans. Fungicides are recommended for disease management; however, their use is costly and environmentally harmful. Aim: The present study was undertaken to identify resistant landraces of cluster bean as an eco-friendly and sustainable alternative for managing powdery mildew. Study Design: Thirty-two landraces were screened against powdery mildew under natural epiphytotic conditions in the field to identify the resistance landrace. Place and Duration: Department of Plant Biotechnology, College of Agricultural Biotechnology, Loni, between June 2024 and December 2024 Methodology: The disease severity was recorded at 25 days and 50 days after infection. Five leaves from the lower, middle, and upper part of the plant were graded by using 0-9 scale. RAPD markers were used to characterize five landraces: two resistance landraces (P5 and P6), two susceptibility landraces (AS1 and AS4), and one control landrace (Phule Guar). Scoring of amplified fragments was done. Jaccard's similarity coefficient was used to determine pairwise genetic similarities between Cluster bean ladraces. Result: After 50 DAI, only ten landraces were found to be resistant. However, twenty-two landraces were found to be highly susceptible, with a maximum grade of nine on the (0–9) scale. Five RAPD primers were screened which successfully discriminated the landraces. The similarity coefficient value ranged from 0.34 to 0.63 across five landraces indicating a high degree of genetic variation. The dendrogram analysis revealed that five cluster bean landraces may be classified into two major clusters: A and B. Only the control variety, Phule Guar, belonged to cluster B, indicating that it differed from the collected guar landrace. Cluster A1.1 contains AS4 and AS1, both of which were susceptible in nature but produced high yields. In contrast, landrace P6 from cluster A1.2 was resistant to powdery mildew disease but produced lower yields. Landrace P5 belonged to cluster A2, which was more diversified than AS4, AS1, and P6 landraces, as well as resistant and high yielding. This work will help to improve genetic resource conservation and management, as well as the establishment of sophisticated breeding programs for clusterbean.
Structural changes in chromosomes arise through various processes and are often associated with specific genomic features that promote genetic instability. Chromosomal rearrangements have long been recognised as having significant effects on fertility and increasing the risk of human miscarriage. The study aims to evaluate the mechanisms, evolution, and functional implications of chromosomal rearrangements and gene fusion–fission dynamics in eukaryotes. The present review was conducted using secondary sources derived from existing academic literature, including peer-reviewed journal articles, books, and conference proceedings. Chromosomal fusion and fission are key drivers of genome evolution, impacting recombination rates, gene linkage, and reproductive isolation. Importantly, chromosomal rearrangements have profound biological and clinical implications. They contribute to adaptation, speciation, and genome plasticity, while also being implicated in various diseases, particularly cancer, where gene fusions act as oncogenic drivers and therapeutic targets. Advances in cytogenetic and genomic technologies have enhanced the detection and characterisation of these rearrangements, providing deeper insights into their mechanisms and consequences. Overall, chromosomal rearrangements, including fusion and fission events, represent fundamental processes that shape genome architecture, regulate gene function, and drive both evolutionary innovation and pathological outcomes. The study concludes that chromosomal rearrangements such as gene fusion and fission serve as powerful tools for investigating a wide range of biological processes.
Natural dyes have re-emerged as sustainable alternatives to synthetic colorants due to increasing environmental concerns, consumer preference for eco-friendly products, and advancements in green technologies. The present article highlights the industrial applications, sustainability dimensions, emerging innovations, and future prospects of natural dyes across textile, food, cosmetic, pharmaceutical, and handicraft sectors. Natural dyes are extensively utilized in textiles because of their biodegradable nature, non-toxicity, antimicrobial properties, and compatibility with sustainable fashion initiatives. In the food industry, pigments such as curcumin, anthocyanins, carotenoids, and betalains serve as natural colorants with additional antioxidant and health-promoting benefits. Furthermore, natural dyes contribute significantly to environmental sustainability by reducing industrial pollution, promoting renewable resource utilization, and supporting circular economy approaches through waste. Socio-economic benefits including rural livelihood generation, preservation of indigenous knowledge, women empowerment, and promotion of artisanal industries further enhance their importance. Emerging technologies such as microwave-assisted extraction, biotechnology, nanotechnology, and eco-certification systems are expected to strengthen commercialization and industrial scalability of natural dyes. Thus, natural dyes represent a promising pathway toward sustainable industrial development, green manufacturing, and circular bioeconomy systems.
2,3-Dideoxy-hex-2-enopyranosides, also described as 2,3-unsaturated glycosides, constitute an important class of carbohydrate derivatives because their double bond and anomeric substituent enable diverse synthetic transformations. This review summarises recent developments in the preparation and application of O-, P-, C-, N-, S- and Se-2,3-unsaturated glycosides, with emphasis on the principal synthetic routes, catalysts and reaction outcomes described in the manuscript. Particular attention is given to the Ferrier rearrangement, which remains the most widely applied strategy for converting glycals into 2,3-unsaturated glycosyl derivatives using Lewis acid or related catalytic systems. Other routes, including the Fraser-Reid and Boctor method, the Zamojski and Achmatowicz approach, Tebbe methylenation/Claisen rearrangement and Heck coupling, are also considered as complementary procedures for constructing these scaffolds. The review further discusses the reactivity of unsaturated glycosides as substrates for functionalisation reactions, including Overman rearrangement, Mitsunobu reaction, oxidation, catalytic hydrogenation, decarboxylative allylation, glycosylation of proteins and lipids, epoxidation, cycloaddition, hydrothiolation and allyl cyanate/isocyanate rearrangement. These transformations demonstrate the usefulness of the 2,3-olefinic moiety for accessing structurally varied carbohydrate derivatives and related building blocks. The manuscript also considers reported applications involving structural modification, stereochemical control and the preparation of biologically relevant carbohydrate frameworks, while avoiding extrapolation beyond the cited reactions. Recent perspectives on greener catalytic systems, metal-free methods and late-stage functionalisation are also outlined, together with limitations associated with stereochemical control, side reactions, functional group tolerance and catalyst requirements. Overall, the manuscript presents a focused account of advances in the synthesis and use of 2,3-dideoxy-hex-2-enopyranosides in carbohydrate chemistry and identifies areas where further methodological development may be beneficial.
Background and Aims: Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii), with a neurotropic nature represents a potential causative agent for psychiatric and behavioural disorders, which can lead to infertility. The aim of this study was to analyse the effect of T. gondii infection on depression in infertile women. Study Design: This study was a case-control hospital-based study. Place and Duration of Study: A total of 200 women (100 fertile and 100 infertile women) were recruited at People’s Clinic, Upstation polyclinic, Abi Polyclinic and PMI district hospital in Bamenda between May 2024 and May 2025. Methodology: Blood sample were collected from all participants and were tested for T. gondii antibodies (IgG and IgM) and cortisol levels by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Beck questionnaires were used to evaluate depression. SPSS version 22 was used to analyse the data. Results: There was a significant gap in mental health, with 52% of infertile women diagnosed with depression compared to 22% of fertile women (p = 0.00). A significant overall association between T. gondii infection and the stages of depression was also observed (p= 0.000) with the highest prevalence of 100% for “Severe” depression. Furthermore, a significant association was found between T. gondii infection and elevated cortisol levels (p = 0.02), where infected women were significantly less likely to maintain a normal hormonal balance compared to the high cortisol group. Chronic IgG cases showed the highest mean cortisol levels (267.12±241,40). Conclusion: This study reveals a significant association between latent T. gondii infection, depression, and infertility in women. The parasite may act as a chronic biological stressor that triggers the HPA axis, resulting in elevated cortisol levels.
Background: Microwave disinfection of cashew kernels is a long-lasting treatment that ensures the complete eradication of insect pests, unlike existing chemical and physical methods. Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of microwave energy as a disinfection process for cashew kernels. Method: Tribolium castaneum insects in their larval and adult stages were subjected to 420, 460, and 560 W illumination for 40, 60, and 80 s, followed by an assessment of larval and adult mortality. Color change was also evaluated. Moisture content, protein, ash, and lipid levels, as well as acid and peroxide values, were determined. Results: Protein and lipid content increased from 21.21% to 23.21% and from 44.87% to 45.90%, respectively, with the highest values obtained at 560W/80s. Carbohydrate and ash content decreased from 27.19% to 21.21% and from 2.81% to 2.64%, respectively. Moisture content also decreased from 3.91% to 3.36%. Peroxide and acid values decreased from 3.21% to 2.47 meqO2/kg and from 0.97% to 0.33%, respectively. An increase in yellowing of the cashew kernels was observed, which was correlated with heating time and power. Conclusion: The use of microwaves can be recommended as an alternative method for controlling insects in cashew nut stocks.
Cotton (Gossypium spp.) is an economically important crop grown globally for its natural fibre and seeds, and its productivity is significantly affected by various biotic stresses. Fusarium wilt caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. vasinfectum (FOV) is a major constraint to cotton production in arid regions of India. The study is focused on disease incidence, distribution, and pathogen variability across major cotton-growing regions of North Rajasthan during Kharif 2023–24 and 2024–25. Disease incidence ranged from 10.8% to 31.2%, with higher levels in Hanumangarh, Sri Ganganagar, and Bikaner, associated with sandy soils, low organic matter, and imbalanced fertilization. Lower incidence in Jhunjhunun and Sikar was associated to crop rotation and balanced nutrient management. Six isolates of the pathogen were obtained from infected roots and characterized morpho-culturally. Significant variability was observed in colony morphology, pigmentation, growth rate (46.82–67.86 mm day⁻¹), and spore dimensions, although all isolates showed typical Fusarium features. The results indicated a diverse and adaptable pathogen population, highlighting the need for integrated management practices, including crop rotation, organic amendments, and balanced fertilization, for sustainable control of Fusarium wilt in cotton-growing regions.
Background: Lettuce production is essential for food security and urban nutrition in Côte d’Ivoire, but faces challenges related to land scarcity and intensive chemical use. Aquaponics offers a sustainable alternative by combining fish farming and soilless cultivation to enhance productivity with lower environmental impact. Aims: This study aimed to evaluate the growth performance and biomass yield of lettuce (Lactuca sativa var. Eden) cultivated in an aquaponic system compared with coconut fiber enriched with poultry manure and untreated soil as alternative cultivation substrates. Study Design: A comparative experimental design involving three cultivation systems was used. Place and Duration of Study: The experiment was conducted at the experimental facilities of the École Normale Supérieure (ENS), Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, over a five-week cultivation period after transplanting. Methodology: Lettuce seedlings were transplanted into three cultivation substrates: an aquaponic system connected to Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) tanks, coconut fiber enriched with poultry manure, and untreated soil. Growth parameters (plant height, number of leaves, and leaf area) were recorded weekly for four weeks. Fresh and dry biomass yield were measured at harvest. A total of 96 plants per cultivation system were monitored, with biomass assessed on a random sample of 16 plants per treatment. Statistical analyses were performed using the Kruskal-Wallis test followed by Tukey’s test at a 5% significance level. Results: Significant differences were observed among cultivation systems (p < 0.05). Plants grown in the aquaponic system showed the highest growth performance. Mean fresh biomass yield reached 166.79 g per plant compared with 74.62 g and 38.83 g in coconut fiber enriched with poultry manure and untreated soil, respectively. Dry biomass followed the same trend (11.27 g, 6.25 g, and 1.91 g). Conclusion: Aquaponics represents a sustainable technique for lettuce production in urban agriculture systems with limited resources.
Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) remains a significant challenge for livestock health and rural economies in India, where the disease is endemic and caused predominantly by serotypes O, A, and Asia1. This comprehensive review synthesizes current epidemiological data, highlighting the widespread prevalence of FMD across various regions, with outbreaks most frequently affecting cattle and buffaloes and peaking seasonally. The economic implications are substantial, with annual national losses estimated between ₹12,000 crore and ₹14,000 crore, primarily due to decreased milk production, reduced draught power, growth retardation, and trade restrictions. Direct morbidity losses account for the majority of the economic burden, while indirect losses stem from decreased market access for livestock products. In response, India has implemented extensive control strategies, notably the National Animal Disease Control Programme (NADCP), which has achieved over 95% vaccination coverage in cattle and buffalo populations through coordinated campaigns, surveillance, and awareness initiatives. Despite these efforts, persistent challenges such as unrestricted animal movement, incomplete vaccination coverage in certain communities, and antigenic variation among FMDV serotypes necessitate ongoing surveillance, adaptive vaccination strategies, and strengthened veterinary infrastructure. This review underscores the critical need for sustained, evidence-based interventions to mitigate the epidemiological and economic impacts of FMD and to support the goal of eventual eradication in India.
Knowledge of genetic variation and how yield-related characteristics are inherited forms the foundation for crop improvement programs in Indian mustard (Brassica juncea L.). This study was conducted to examine variability parameters, heritability estimates, and expected genetic gains for seed yield and associated characteristics. The experimental material comprised ten parental genotypes and their forty-five F₁ hybrids evaluated across fifteen quantitative traits using a randomized block design with three replications. Analysis of variance demonstrated highly significant differences among genotypes for all characteristics under study, confirming the presence of considerable genetic diversity within the material. High phenotypic and genotypic coefficient of variation values (>20%) were recorded for biological yield per plant, seed yield per plant, harvest index, siliquae number per plant, and primary and secondary branch numbers. These findings point to substantial opportunities for improvement through phenotypic selection. Moderate GCV and PCV values characterized plant height, leaf area index, test weight, and flowering duration traits. The minimal differences observed between phenotypic and genotypic coefficients across most characteristics suggested limited environmental interference in their expression. Traits including siliquae number per plant, plant height, harvest index, seed yield per plant, biological yield per plant, and main raceme length exhibited high heritability combined with high genetic advance (as percentage of mean). This pattern indicates predominance of additive gene effects and supports the efficacy of direct selection methods. Oil content, while showing high heritability, demonstrated low genetic advance, suggesting non-additive gene effects may be involved. The results collectively indicate that selection focused on key yield determinants can substantially improve seed yield and productivity in Indian mustard breeding initiatives.
