Phosphorus is essential for plant instigation, even so, its vacuity in the soil is often discrete due to its presence in insoluble forms. Phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSBs) are vital in converting these insoluble phosphorus compounds into forms that plants can readily absorb. Additionally, siderophores are compounds produced by certain bacteria that chelate iron, making it more available to plants, which is crucial for their growth and metabolism. In a study conducted in the Uttarakhand region, researchers aimed to identify and assess bacteria from the rhizosphere of Solanum lycopersicum L. that possess phosphate solubilizing and siderophore-producing abilities. Total 50 unique bacterial strains were collected and evaluated for capacity to make insoluble to soluble phosphate and originate siderophores. Among these, isolate RBS-11 exhibited the highest phosphate solubilization, followed closely by RBS-7. The most proficient isolate, RBS-11, not only released significant amounts of phosphorus but also showed robust siderophore production. 16S rRNA gene sequencing revealed that isolate RBS-11 is Burkholderia dolosa. This bacterium's dual function in phosphorus solubilization and siderophore production highlights its potential as an effective biofertilizer, enhancing nutrient accessibility in soil.
Micronutrient deficiencies have significant impacts on plant growth, grain yield and nutritional quality. Biofortification through seed biopriming can be an effective strategy in meeting the challenges of malnutrition under the changing climatic conditions. Therefore, to evaluate the effects of potent growth promoting rhizospheric microbes Enterobacter cloacae BHUSR1, Serratia marcescens BHUSR2 and Klebsiella aerogenes BHUSR3 on nutrient content of oat grains at different irrigation levels (7 and 10 days) the present work was undertaken. The experiments were conducted in field trials in a randomized complete block design, and the data were statistically analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA). The yield was improved significantly upto 93% after seed biopriming even when grown under drought. Improvement in macronutrients observed was upto 39.4% for potassium, 51.1% for phosphorus, while the essential micro-nutrients augmented were 50.5% zinc and 41.6% manganese. Among all the selected strains Klebsiella aerogenes BHUSR3 was found to be most effective in mobilizing phosphorous, potassium, iron, zinc, manganese under irrigated conditions. The macro and micro-nutrients biofortified under drought were bacterial dependent with no common trend observed.
Land recovery may expand the supply of usable land for food security. Immature soil is not conducive to plant growth and needs to be amended with organic matter and plant growth-promoting (PGP) microorganisms. The study evaluates the influence of biofertilizer combinations on the growth and yield of brinjal (Solanum melongena L.) cultivated using garden and rhizospheric soils from Raipur, Chhattisgarh. Soil samples were analysed for physio-chemical properties, and pot culture experiments were conducted using Azospirillum brasilense, Bacillus megaterium, and B. circulans, individually and in combinations, along with Phosphate-solubilising Bacteria (PSB), VAM, and NPK fertilizers. Significant improvements were observed in plant height like T3 (18.24 cm), closely followed by T12 (17.66 cm) and T9 (17.24 cm), branching like primary branches (20.56), while T3 (18.78) and T12 (18.14) recorded the highest secondary branches, fruit length, width, fruit number, and yield. Overall, these Results revealed the potentiality combination of particularly PSB + VAM + Azospirillum + Bacillus megaterium + B. circulans + NPK, which have consequence to enhance all measured biofertilizer parameters in the field of Agriculture and they can also be used as an alternative chemical phosphate fertilizer in Raipur, Chhattisgarh.
This paper investigates the trends and impacts of climate change on wheat production in Punjab. Employing an Auto Regressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) model spanning from 1990 to 2021, the study examines the relationship between climate variables and wheat production over short and long terms. The findings reveal that rainfall and minimum temperature positively influence wheat production, whereas maximum temperature exhibits a negative impact. These results unveil the complex interplay between climate change and wheat cultivation, offering crucial insights for policymakers, farmers, and stakeholders to develop effective mitigation and adaptation strategies.
This paper is developed as part of developing a supply-side macro model for Kenya. It applies the production function approach to model Kenya’s agricultural gross value-added (GVA) or the sector's output. Depending on the nature of sectoral data, this will determine the choice of different production functions. The equation was estimated using the Gross Value Added (GVA) for the Agricultural sector and then used to project the future values of GVA in the agricultural sector. The econometric technique applied was the Co-integration method based on a Fully Modified Ordinary Least Squares equation, applying the Cobb-Douglas Production function approach. Thus, the key study variables for analysis were capital stock, labour force in the sector, technology, and a few other sector-specific control variables such as climate-related variables. For robustness checks, an additional equation was re-estimated for the sector by dropping insignificant variables. The projections showed that GVA was expected to increase from Ksh 1.78 trillion in 2023 to an estimated Ksh 2.32 trillion in 2028. For Kenya, there is evidence of a changing structure of the economy towards a service-based economy, with the shares of agriculture and industry to GDP having decreased over time, a trend that calls for policy intervention, given the critical role of agriculture in food security.
This study examined the organisational structure, governance practices, capacity-building initiatives, financial transparency, and governance knowledge of board members in Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) in Assam through the theoretical lenses of Agency Theory, Institutional Theory, the Resource-Based View (RBV), and Human Capital Theory. Primary data were collected from a sample of 56 FPOs and 270 board members using a stratified multi-stage sampling design covering three agro-climatic zones, Lower Brahmaputra Valley (S1), Central Brahmaputra Valley (S2), and North Bank Plains (S4), which together represent 73.2% (282 of 385) of the state's registered FPOs. To move beyond descriptive profiling, the study derives four testable hypotheses grounded in the theoretical framework and employs Chi-Square Tests of independence and Spearman's rank-order correlation to examine associations between key organisational variables (membership size, vintage, CEO qualification, and female board representation) and annual turnover. The findings reveal that most FPOs were established after the launch of the Central Sector Scheme to promote 10,000 FPOs. While most organisations complied with basic institutional norms regarding membership, board composition, and record-keeping, their financial performance remained uneven, with low turnover in most cases. Membership size (Fisher's exact p = 0.037; ρ = 0.43, p = 0.001) and organisational vintage (Fisher's exact p = 0.047; ρ = 0.43, p = 0.001) emerged as significant positive correlates of turnover, while CEO agricultural qualification showed no significant effect (p = 0.754) and female board representation displayed a significant categorical association (χ² = 10.08, p = 0.006) but no linear trend (ρ = −0.21, p = 0.141). Although many FPOs had appointed CEOs and received governance training, gaps persisted in technical expertise, stakeholder engagement, female representation, and the appointment of expert directors. A significant gap was observed between perceived awareness and actual knowledge of governance among board members. The study highlighted the need for targeted capacity-building interventions focusing on legal literacy, procedural compliance, and practical governance skills to strengthen long-term sustainability.
The study evaluated the physicochemical properties and respiration behaviour of two commercial tomato cultivars (CV-613 and Naveen), selected due to their commercial significance and widespread cultivation, at different maturity stages to generate engineering data for the design of harvesting, grading, packaging, and storage systems. Physical properties such as size, surface area, unit weight, density, firmness, and color were measured at mature green, semi-ripe, and fully ripe stages, the geometric mean diameter of cv. Naveen ranged from 48.1 to 56.3 mm, while that of cv. 613 ranged from 47.7 to 52.1 mm. Surface area varied from 7285.9 to 9966.0 mm² for cv. Naveen and 7144 to 8540 mm² for cv. 613. Fruit firmness decreased significantly during ripening, with higher firmness observed in cv. Naveen (5.4–1.45 N mm⁻¹) compared with cv. 613 (3.26–1.28 N mm⁻¹). Color parameters showed decreasing L* values and increasing a*/b* ratios as ripening progressed. Chemical properties, including pH, ascorbic acid and total soluble solids (TSS), increased with maturity stage, whereas titratable acidity decreased. Respiration studies conducted under closed conditions at different temperatures showed that respiration rate increased with temperature and maturity stage, while lower temperatures significantly reduced metabolic activity. The results provide useful engineering data for the design of grading equipment, handling systems, and modified atmosphere storage for tomatoes.
Cotton is a major crop in India, and its production yields large volumes of cottonseed as a byproduct with considerable feed and energy potential; however, allocation bias in conventional attributional life cycle assessments (LCAs) often leads to systematic undervaluation of cottonseed. This work evaluates the energy and environmental impacts of cottonseed valorization in India using a consequential life cycle assessment (CLCA) with system extension. One ton of seed cotton at the gin gate and one ton of processed cottonseed were the two functional units that were considered. Secondary Indian data was used to predict cotton cultivation, ginning, seed processing, and replacement pathways. Cottonseed oil for biodiesel production, hulls for biomass-based energy, and meal for soybean meal's protein equivalent were all assessed. According to the findings, cottonseed valorization can recover up to 10.5 GJ t⁻¹ of renewable energy and reduce the cradle-to-gate global warming potential of cotton production by 20–35%, allowing for a near or net-positive energy balance. The results show that cottonseed valorization is a practical technique to turn cotton into a multipurpose bioresource that will help India's circular bioeconomy.
Three sets of Cicer arietinum L. seeds were imbibed in magnetically treated water. Out of them two sets were exposed to magnetic fields – one set exposed to weak magnetic field and the other to strong magnetic field. Percentage of germination, speed of germination, emergence index, mean emergence time, vigour indices, shoot length, root length, fresh weight as well as dry weight of shoots and roots were studied. These three sets were compared with another set of seeds which were imbibed in non-magnetized water and not exposed to magnetic field. This set served as control. The best result in almost all parameters was observed in the set of seeds which were imbibed in magnetically treated water and kept under the constant influence of it but not exposed to magnetic fields. Seeds exposed to strong magnetic field drastically reduced the performance of the seeds in almost all parameters. From the present investigation it is evident that the most suitable measure for cultivation of chickpea under rain fed (unirrigated) conditions is the treatment of seeds with magnetized water before sowing because long roots have been found to be produced due to such treatment which would be suitable to absorb water from the deeper regions of soil, but for its cultivation in irrigated condition seeds should be treated with weak magnetic field for producing profuse lateral roots which would be more adaptive to such situations.
The research was carried out in Dimapur and Chumoukedima districts of Nagaland to study the economic performance, cost structure, economic efficiency of resource use and constraints of oyster mushroom cultivation in the state. A total of 70 oyster mushroom cultivators have been selected via snowball sampling technique. The study shows that BCR was 2.02, 2.04 and 2.30 for small, medium and large farms, with higher returns observed in large farms. The total production elasticity of 1.10 exceeds unity, signifying growing returns on scale. Resource utilization efficiency showed that straw, spawn, labour and miscellaneous were over utilized, while polybags were slightly under- utilized. The major constraints faced by farmers were lack of capital and financial support, unfavourable climatic conditions and unavailability of quality inputs. The results indicate that Oyster mushroom is a profitable venture in Nagaland. However, a structured resource management, skill- enhancement, and easy access to credit can improve resource efficiency and ensure a sustainable growth.
The present work examines how organic manures affect the physical properties of soil. It also investigates their relationship with the growth and yield of black gram (Vigna mungo L.). With increasing concern over the excessive use of chemical fertilizers resulting in soil degradation, there is growing interest in sustainable and organic alternatives. Organic amendments like goat manure (GM), swine manure (SM) and vermicompost (VC) were applied alone and in combination at two concentrations viz., 8 t ha-1 and 17 t ha-1. The experiment was conducted to evaluate changes in key soil physical attributes like bulk density (BD), particle density (PD), water holding capacity (WHC), pore space (PS), saturated moisture (SaM), hydraulic conductivity (HC), permeability (PE). Additionally, the study aimed to statistically analyse the correlation between these soil parameters and the yield of black gram. Data was analysed using SPSS software, employing correlation and multiple linear regression models. Results revealed that WHC, PS and SaM were strongly and positively correlated with yield, while BD showed a consistent and significant negative correlation. Biometric observations revealed that application of organic manure had a substantial positive effect on plant growth. Parameters such as plant height, number of pods per plant and number of leaves per plant showed noticeable improvement. These improvements were especially evident under manure treatments. This highlights the contribution of organic inputs towards improved plant vigour and productivity. The best agronomic result (990 kg ha-1) was recorded with GM+VC @ 17 t ha-1. The regression model at 8 t ha-1 produced the highest R2 value (99.6%) indicating a reliable prediction of yield in accordance with soil physical properties. The findings exemplify that organic manure application not only improves soil health but also substantially enhances the black gram productivity in an ecologically sound manner.
Cashew is dollar earning plantation crop commercially cultivated in India, even though it is not a native species. Various pre-harvest factors could lead to significant reduction in cashew yield. In west coast region, the harvesting green cashew nuts for tender kernels for culinary purposes is a common practice, which provides appreciable returns to the growers. This research was conducted for standardizing optimal harvest stage to achieve quality tender kernels. The five growth stages according to Biologische, Bundesanstaltscale, Bundessortenamt and Chemische industry (BBCH) scale were studied as treatments with four replications in Randomized Block Design. Hand pollination was carried out and various growth parameters of cashew nut, apple and kernels along with their proximate composition and sensory attributes were determined. The cashew apple length, diameter and weight increased throughout growth stages; however, cashew nut and cashew kernel length, breadth, width and weight were found to be the highest in treatment T3 (BBCH 719) and thereafter decreased due to moisture loss. The highest moisture content of 92.40% was observed in T1(BBCH 715), while, protein, fat and carbohydrates were recorded to be the highest in T5 (BBCH 7813). The highest overall organoleptic sensory score of 8.83 was observed for treatment T3 due to tenderness.
Post green revolution witnessed excessive production of nitrogenous fertilizers and their application in farmers’ fields, which although initially enhanced agricultural production, but later due to indiscriminate use, led to ecological perils including enhanced nitrogen footprint, emission of Green House gases, nitrate run off, eutrophication and several others. To address these concerns and promote sustainable agriculture, microbial inoculants, particularly based on diazotrophs or nitrogen fixing bacteria like Azotobacter, Azospirillum, Rhizobium etc. were popularized. However, ecological incompatibility and sometimes inconsistent performance in stressed soils, necessitates exploring diverse diazotrophs other than the conventional ones for developing microbial inoculants. Besides, the use of chemical fertilizers have disrupted native soil microbiome and many rhizospheric bacteria with promising PGP traits might be lost even before their novelty is revealed and tapped. Bioprospecting for unconventional diazotrophs from resilient niches of medicinal plants like Rauvolfia must be prioritized to be utilized as microbial inoculants. In our study, ten diazotrophs with promising PGP traits were isolated from the rhizosphere of Rauvolfia tetraphylla L. The diazotrophs included members of Bacilli, Pseudomonads, Lysobacter, Stenotrophomonas and Rhizobia. Based on PGP traits Stenotrophomonas maltophilia RT2 was the most potent isolate and it was recommended as a promising contender for the development of bioinoculants.
Sustainable agricultural practices is a need of time to support the supply of agricultural produce for continuously growing global population and minimizing the dependence on chemicals. Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) invade the rhizosphere and use a variety of direct and indirect methods to promote plant growth. In this study,thirty-one PGPR were isolated and screened.Four isolates that had greatest number of characteristics that promote plant growth were selected. The 16S rRNA gene sequencing method was used to identify the selected isolates and they were identified as Proteus vulgaris PT2, Pseudomonas putida NP12, Serratia rubidae NW19 and Pseudomonas fulva TD4. Proteus vulgaris PT2 showed maximum IAA production of 127.65 µg/mL followed by Pseudomonas fulva TD4 showing 98 µg/mL.The impact of selected isolates on Vigna radiataplantseeds was examinedby calculatingvigour index using parameters like seed germination percentage, root length and shoot length. Pseudomonas fulva TD4 exhibited a notable increase in germination percentage 96.66 % and Vigor index of 2273.153in comparison to control group. The isolation and characterization of potent rhizobacterial strains highlight their role as eco-friendly biofertilizers, promoting environmentally safe crop production. Also, the high IAA production by Proteus vulgaris PT2 and Pseudomonas fulva TD4 demonstrates their potential in enhancing plant growth and root development, which is critical for nutrient uptake. Overall, Pseudomonas fulva TD4emerged as a promising biofertilizer candidate with potential application in sustainable crop production system. The significant improvement in germination percentage and vigour index of Vigna radiata indicates the practical applicability of these isolates in seed treatment and crop yield enhancement.
Tea (Camellia sinensis L.) cultivation in North-East India (NEI) including northern part of West Bengal is currently facing growing threats from climate change. Over recent decades, the region has witnessed a decline of more than 200 mm in annual rainfall and a temperature rise of about 1.3 °C. These shifts have caused soil-moisture deficits, extended dry spells during plucking seasons, and greater dependence on groundwater for crop sustenance. Several tea estates have already suffered yield reductions and quality deterioration due to such climatic stresses. In this context, groundwater recharge emerges as a promising adaptation strategy to replenish aquifers, sustain root-zone moisture, and alleviate the prevailing water stress. This literature review compiles and analyses studies published between 2000 and 2024 on groundwater-recharge methods adaptable to tea-growing ecosystems. Techniques such as percolation tanks, check dams, recharge pits or shafts, injection wells, and induced recharge systems have demonstrated effectiveness in enhancing water availability. Case studies from India and abroad report groundwater-level rises of 1-3 m and irrigation reductions of up to 25% following adoption. Moreover, these interventions improve microclimate regulation, nutrient and water use efficiency, and soil conservation, while also benefiting local drinking-water access. The review further highlights challenges in implementation and emphasizes the importance of an integrated framework encompassing policy support, hydrogeological mapping, community engagement, and long-term monitoring. Ultimately, the findings underscore the urgent need for the NEI tea industry to embrace groundwater-recharge strategies as a pathway for ensuring water security, climate resilience, and sustainable tea cultivation in the decades ahead.
In Türkiye, cereal products are classified according to their quality and then bought by public and private sector organizations. Physical analyses conducted according to standards focus on the definition of besatz in cereals, relying on the analyst's visual skill and expertise. Laboratory and field studies were carried out over a four-year period using the "Cgrain Value ™ Instrument" developed to detect both besatz and sound grains of common wheat, durum wheat, and barley products, utilizing imaging and artificial neural network technology. In these studies, the results of classical method analyses performed by analysts according to national standards and the results obtained from the instrument were evaluated. While an expert analyst can analyze first-class wheat in 15-20 minutes, it takes 25-30 minutes to analyze low-quality wheat. The Cgrain Value ™ Instrument, regardless of the sample's qualities, completes the analysis in 3.5-5 minutes with over 90% accuracy. When the results were examined, it was observed that the instrument achieved its lowest success rate of 91.3% in the nonvitreous grains within the durum wheat sample; the highest success rate was 99.9% in the pest-damaged grains within the red wheat sample. The repeatability rates between the classical analysis result and the instrument analysis result were determined to vary between 82.7% and 99.8%. It is thought that the analysis success demonstrated in this research will increase with the improvement of the instrument's calibration file.
Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is a valuable and nutritious staple food crop, driving both food security and economic growth globally. However, potato production has been limited by infection of potato cyst nematodes (PCN) causing significant yield losses. This study evaluated the efficacy of five biocontrol agents and botanical extracts in the management of PCN within production systems. Potatoes were grown in pots containing sterile soil in a screenhouse arranged in a Complete Block Design for two consecutive cycles. The pots were treated with biocontrol agents; Nemguard (Paecilomyces lilacinus), Trichoderma viride and botanical extract; Maytech (polysulphides), Pesticide (Nimbecidine), and a negative control that was not treated.The pots were then inoculated with PCN cysts. Data on cyst count, tuber yield and plant vigor were collected and analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA). The results indicate that Cyst reproduction index was significantly reduced in Pesticide, Trichoderma and Maytech treated pots. This was quantified as 0.83% (Maytech), 2% (Nemguard), 0.33% Pesticide and 0.83% in Trichoderma, as compared to negative control. Treatment and Cycle × Treatment were significantly differently for PCN juveniles (p≤0.05);4.95,5.5; and final potato cyst nematodes (FPCN)/ 200g of soil (p≤0.001).; 254.58, 50.55. All the biocontrols had significantly higher plant vigor than control. The Pesticide and Trichoderma treated pots resulted in high total number of marketable tubers, weight of marketable tubers, low number of final potato cyst nematode per 200g of soil and PCN juveniles. The reproductive index (r=-0.68) and FPCN/200g of soil (r=-0.28) had a negative correlation with weight of total tubers. The number of PCN juveniles increased with a decrease in weight of total tubers at the rate of 6.23 (counts). These results show the effectiveness of biocontrol and their potential in management of PCN and therefore recommend testing of Pesticide and Trichoderma under field conditions.
Phalsa (Grewia asiatica L.) is the chief underutilized fruit crop of India which can be propagated by rooting of hardwood cuttings but it depends upon the environmental conditions and the rooting media used for it. Hence, a research study was conducted at the Horticultural Experimental area, Khalsa College, Amritsar during 2023-24 to determine the effect of rooting media on the rooting potential of phalsa stem cuttings at different planting time. The treatments included three planting times (Last week of June, July and August) and four types of rooting media (Canadian peat moss, sterilized river sand and soil (3mix) (1:1:1) (v/v/v) ; Fermented pine bark and sterilized river sand (Bark mix) (1:1) (v/v) ; Soil and sterilized river sand (Peat mix) (2:1) (v/v) and soil) laid out in factorial randomized design replicated thrice. The results of the study stated that the June planting showed maximum results in all the observed parameters in terms of sprouting, rooting in terms of root number, length and root weight and vegetative traits including shoot formation, diameter and shoot weight respectively under the soil alone and mixed with the other rooting media.
Wheat is a staple food for India and rotates with rice and basmati for the country's food security, with Uttar Pradesh being the highest-producing state. Production of wheat is forecasted accurately for agricultural planning, procurement and policy recognition. Here, the univariate time series (ARIMA) model for forecasting wheat production in Uttar Pradesh is used for the period 2023-2030 using area, yield and production data from 1997 to 2022 taken from the Directorate of Economics and Statistics, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare and Government of India. On initial observation, there was a continuous increase in production mainly through yield increases, while the area remained stagnant. After ensuring stationarity with all other diagnostics guaranteed, the model selected to fit was ARIMA (1,1,1). The forecasts indicate that production will continue slowly increasing to 41.64 million tonnes in 2030 as against 38.54 million tonnes in 2022. In addition, the model proved highly accurate had excellent predictive capability and was statistically significant. Undoubtedly, the findings stress the importance of yield-driven growth, with some providing suggestions for the government planners and policymakers. However, the results also indicate a possible productivity plateau which calls for renewed emphasis on climate-resilient varieties, precision farming and input-use efficiency. This study further contributes to the growing literature on agricultural forecasts and offers a replicable model for other major producing regions.
