Rotavators are widely used active tillage implements for seedbed preparation, and the geometry of the working blade is a primary determinant of draft, power demand, fuel economy, and the quality of soil pulverisation and residue incorporation achieved in a single pass. Among commercially available designs, L-shape and C-shape (curved-sweep) blades remain the two most common working tools fitted to tractor-drawn rotavators in South Asian farming systems. This study presents a comparative field evaluation of L-shape and C-shape rotavator blades mounted on a 1.8 m working-width, tractor-operated rotavator and tested at three forward speeds (2.0, 3.0 and 4.0 km/h) at a constant tilling depth of 10 cm in a sandy loam field. The L-shape blade consistently required higher draft force and PTO power (6.1–8.2 kW) than the C-shape blade (4.9–7.1 kW) across speeds of 2.0–4.0 km/h, while also consuming more fuel (2.8–4.5 l/h vs. 2.5–4.0 l/h). However, the L-shape blade produced finer soil pulverisation (mean clod size 10 mm vs. 18 mm at 3.0 km/h), whereas the C-shape blade provided better residue mixing (75% vs. 60% at 4.0 km/h). Thus, the C-shape blade is more energy-efficient (saving 12–15% fuel), while the L-shape blade performs better in soil fragmentation, presenting a clear trade-off between energy use and tillage quality depending on speed. From 2.00 to 4.00 km/h, the reported energy values increased from 58.0 to 66.5 kJ/m³; C-shape blade wear increased from 11.2 to 14.4 mg/ha, while L-shape blade wear increased from 14.4 to 16.0 mg/ha and remained 2.8–3.2 mg/ha higher.
Introduction: Rural communities in the Menoua Division (West Region, Cameroon) rely heavily on plant biodiversity for healthcare, nutrition, and socioeconomic needs. However, changing lifestyles and ecosystem degradation threaten the sustainability of these resources and the transmission of associated traditional knowledge. Objective: This study aimed to inventory useful plant species in the Bafou and Baloum communities and to document their associated traditional uses. Methodology: Semi-structured and structured interviews were conducted with 120 informants. Quantitative ethnobotanical indices, including Frequency of Citation (FC) and Informant Consensus Factor (ICF), were applied to analyse traditional medicinal and food plant uses. Results: A total of 110 medicinal species were identified for 34 ailments across 12 organ systems, predominantly digestive disorders (35.3%) and systemic/infectious diseases (26.5%). Leaves (~50%) were the primary plant part harvested, decoction was the main preparation method, and oral administration predominated. High agreement was found for abdominal pain (ICF = 0.7 in Bafou and 1.0 in Baloum) and malaria (ICF = 0.8 in Baloum). Older adults (≥50 years) were identified as the primary custodians of this knowledge. A total of 93 edible species were recorded, led by Musa paradisiaca L., Zea mays L., and Allium cepa L., which had the highest frequencies of citation. Conclusion: These findings provide a foundation for pharmacological validation and highlight important components of nutritional resilience in rural populations. The concentration of traditional knowledge among older generations underscores the need for continued documentation to reduce the risk of knowledge erosion.
A field experiment was conducted during the kharif season of 2025 on clayey soil at the Agronomy Farm, Department of Agronomy, School of Agricultural Sciences, G.H. Raisoni University, Saikheda, Pandhurna, Madhya Pradesh, to assess the effects of integrated weed management practices on soybean growth, yield and economics. The experiment was laid out in a randomised block design (RBD) with seven treatments and three replications. The treatments comprised T₁: control (no weeding); T₂: hand weeding twice at 20 and 40 DAS; T₃: pendimethalin 30% EC (PE) @ 1.0 kg a.i. ha⁻¹; T₄: imazethapyr 10% SL (POE) @ 100 g a.i. ha⁻¹ at 20 DAS; T₅: pendimethalin 30% EC (PE) @ 1.0 kg a.i. ha⁻¹ + one hand weeding at 30 DAS; T₆: straw mulching after sowing; and T₇: pendimethalin 30% EC (PE) @ 1.0 kg a.i. ha⁻¹ + imazethapyr 10% SL (POE) @ 100 g a.i. ha⁻¹. The predominant weed flora observed in the experimental field included Parthenium hysterophorus, Euphorbia hirta, Digera arvensis and Lagasca mollis among broad-leaved weeds; Cynodon dactylon, Echinochloa crus-galli, Eragrostis major, Poa annua and Sorghum halepense among grasses; and Cyperus rotundus among sedges. Other weed species were present at relatively lower densities. Among the different weed management treatments, T₇, comprising pendimethalin 30% EC (PE) @ 1.0 kg a.i. ha⁻¹ + imazethapyr 10% SL (POE) @ 100 g a.i. ha⁻¹, recorded superior soybean growth and yield attributes. The treatment resulted in a plant height of 46.25 cm, 5.55 branches plant⁻¹, 40.68 pods plant⁻¹ and a grain weight of 6.48 g. The same treatment also recorded the highest grain yield (13.65 q ha⁻¹) and stover yield (25.80 q ha⁻¹). In terms of economic returns, T₇ recorded the highest gross returns (₹34,013 ha⁻¹), net returns (₹18,246 ha⁻¹) and benefit-cost ratio (2.15). The superior performance of this treatment may be attributed to effective suppression of the predominant weed flora, which reduced weed competition and facilitated better utilisation of available nutrients, moisture and other growth resources by the soybean crop. Based on the findings of the experiment, the application of pendimethalin 30% EC (PE) @ 1.0 kg a.i. ha⁻¹ followed by imazethapyr 10% SL (POE) @ 100 g a.i. ha⁻¹ (T₇) proved to be the most effective treatment for improving growth, yield attributes, grain and stover yields, and economic returns of soybean under the clayey soil conditions of the experimental site.
The study analyses the cost efficiency of rice farmers under the Anchor Borrowers’ Programme in Benue State, Nigeria. A multistage sampling technique was used to select 125 beneficiary and 130 non-beneficiary rice farmers under the Anchor Borrowers’ Programme. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analysed using descriptive statistics and stochastic frontier cost analysis. The results revealed that the mean ages were 44 and 46 years for beneficiary and non-beneficiary rice farmers, respectively. The average household size was 8 persons for both categories; the average farm sizes were 2.76 and 1.94 hectares for beneficiary and non-beneficiary rice farmers, respectively, and the average farming experience was 11 years for both categories. The results of the stochastic frontier cost function revealed that the total cost of production for beneficiary rice farmers was positively and significantly determined by the costs of farmland and seed at P≤0.01, labour at P≤0.05, and pesticides at P≤0.10. For non-beneficiary rice farmers, the total cost of production was positively and significantly determined by the costs of farmland, seed, fertiliser, herbicides, and pesticides at P≤0.01. The inefficiency-effects results showed that cost efficiency for beneficiary rice farmers increased with sex at P≤0.01 but decreased with extension contact at P≤0.05, while cost efficiency for non-beneficiary rice farmers increased with education at P≤0.10. The mean allocative efficiencies of 38.8% and 62.1% for beneficiary and non-beneficiary rice farmers, respectively, suggest that the allocative efficiency of the farmers can be increased by 61% and 38% under the existing technology. It was concluded that rice production by both categories of farmers in the study area was below the cost frontier (100% cost efficiency). The study recommended increasing farmers’ access to quality education and providing adequate training programmes to enhance their efficiency. It also recommended policies that make credit more accessible to farmers to help address their inefficiency problems.
Human activities are altering natural land cover and influencing climate-related processes, making land-cover monitoring and forecasting important for sustainable resource management. This study assessed historical and projected land use and land cover (LULC) changes in the Upper Krishna River Basin of Maharashtra, India. LULC maps for 1990, 2000, 2010, and 2020 were prepared from Landsat and Sentinel imagery using a random forest classifier in Google Earth Engine. A digital elevation model, slope data, and a road-distance map were integrated with the classified maps in the QGIS-MOLUSCE cellular automata–artificial neural network framework. The model was trained with the 1990 and 2010 LULC maps, validated by comparing simulated and observed conditions for 2020, and then used to project LULC for 2030. The simulation achieved an overall accuracy of 74.50% and a validation kappa value of 0.72. Between 1990 and 2020, woodland and agricultural land declined, whereas built-up and barren areas expanded; the area under water bodies remained comparatively stable. The 2030 projection indicates further decreases in water bodies, woodland, and agricultural land, together with continued increases in built-up and barren areas. These projected changes suggest continuing pressure on vegetated land and surface-water resources. The findings provide a spatial basis for land-use planning, watershed management, and conservation-oriented decision-making in the Upper Krishna River Basin.
Rainfed cropping supports the majority of the world's cultivated land and a large share of global crop production, yet it remains acutely exposed to intra-seasonal dry spells and to the shifting rainfall regimes associated with a warming climate. Rainwater harvesting, understood as the deliberate capture of precipitation or of locally generated runoff for productive agricultural use, has therefore acquired a central position in adaptation policy and in dryland development programmes. The present article offers a critical narrative review of the evidence linking rainwater harvesting to climate-resilient agriculture, drawing on peer-reviewed literature published between 2000 and June 2026 and identified through openly accessible bibliographic databases and scholarly indexes, supplemented by citation tracing and verification against digital object identifier records. Four analytical themes structure the synthesis: the agronomic performance of in-situ and ex-situ systems, the hydrological consequences of aggregating many small structures within a catchment, the methodological adequacy of siting and design studies, and the socio-institutional determinants of sustained use. The evidence indicates that field-scale yield and water-productivity gains are real but strongly conditional, being largest in low-rainfall seasons, on responsive soils, and where water capture is combined with nutrient inputs. Confidence in catchment-scale conclusions is considerably weaker. Modelling studies disagree about whether extensive adoption redistributes water benignly or depletes downstream flows, and the disagreement is traceable to differences in model structure, calibration data and the treatment of evapotranspiration rather than to settled physical understanding. Siting frameworks remain dominated by geospatial multi-criteria procedures that are seldom validated against observed structure performance. Adoption evidence reveals substantial disadoption and uneven distribution of benefits, which conventional biophysical potential assessments do not capture. Rainwater harvesting is best interpreted as a conditional risk-management technology whose net contribution to resilience depends on placement, complementary inputs and institutional arrangements rather than on the practice itself.
Nanotechnology is increasingly intersecting with apiculture through engineered nanoparticles, nanoformulated crop-protection products, nano-enabled analytical sensors and nanostructured delivery systems for bee-derived materials. Yet the evidence is fragmented across apicultural science, entomotoxicology, food analysis, materials science and biomedical engineering, making it difficult to distinguish interventions that plausibly benefit managed colonies from technologies that merely use bee products as raw materials or expose pollinators to new hazards. This critical narrative review evaluates the principal application domains and their evidential maturity. The strongest direct apicultural evidence remains limited: chitosan nanoparticles have shown colony-performance benefits in a field study, while silver- and zinc-based nanomaterials have demonstrated activity against important bacterial and fungal bee pathogens, largely under laboratory conditions. In contrast, a broader toxicological literature shows that engineered metal and metal-oxide nanoparticles and nanopesticide formulations can alter survival, gut integrity, microbiota, detoxification, immunity and behaviour in bees, with outcomes depending on particle composition, size, carrier system, dose and exposure duration. Nano-enabled honey analysis is technically more mature, with nanoparticle-modified optical, colorimetric and electrochemical platforms demonstrating sensitive discrimination of adulteration, botanical origin and antimicrobial residues, although validation across commercial supply chains remains incomplete. Bee products also function as reducing, capping or cargo materials in nanomaterial synthesis and nanodelivery; these developments may increase the value of honey, propolis, royal jelly, venom and even dead bees, but should not be conflated with demonstrated improvements in colony health. The central translational challenge is therefore not whether nanotechnology can be applied to apiculture, but whether a given nano-enabled system provides a reproducible advantage over conventional practice without creating unacceptable risks to bees, hive products, consumers or surrounding ecosystems. Future research should prioritise field-scale comparative trials, lifecycle and residue studies, nano-specific characterisation in hive matrices, colony-level safety endpoints and fit-for-purpose regulatory assessment.
This study assessed the concentrations and geochemical speciation of Pb, Cd, Cr, Ni, and V in dumpsite soils derived from coastal plain sands in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. Automechanic, paint-processing, and abattoir dumpsites were investigated in Etinan, Uyo, and Ikot Ekpene, with uncontaminated soils serving as controls. Soil samples were collected from 0–20, 20–40, and 40–60 cm depths and analysed for physicochemical properties, total metal concentrations, and six operationally defined geochemical fractions using sequential extraction and atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Metal mobility and contamination indices were also evaluated. Waste deposition altered soil properties, with dumpsite soils generally showing higher pH, organic matter, exchangeable bases, and base saturation than control soils. Heavy metal concentrations were markedly elevated at all affected sites, particularly in automechanic and paint-processing soils. Lead and cadmium occurred in appreciable proportions in water-soluble, exchangeable, and carbonate-bound fractions, indicating comparatively greater potential mobility and bioavailability. Chromium, nickel, and vanadium were more strongly associated with reducible and residual fractions, although measurable proportions occurred in non-residual forms. The results demonstrate that waste type influenced both metal accumulation and geochemical partitioning. While stable fractions accounted for part of the metal burden, the occurrence of metals in labile fractions indicates potential for leaching, plant uptake, and broader environmental exposure. Improved waste segregation, controlled disposal, and periodic soil monitoring are therefore required in the study area.
Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) have become important tools for improving agricultural marketing by enhancing farmers' access to market information, reducing transaction costs, and strengthening linkages with buyers. Despite these benefits, effective utilisation of ICTs for agricultural marketing remains limited among many smallholder farmers in rural Nigeria. This study assessed farmers' access to and use of ICTs for marketing agricultural produce in Lagelu Local Government Area of Oyo State, Nigeria. A multistage sampling procedure was employed to select 100 farmers from five randomly selected villages. Primary data were collected using a structured interview schedule and analysed using descriptive statistics, including frequencies and percentages. The findings revealed that farmers had a moderate level of access to ICTs, with mobile phones being the most accessible and widely used communication tool. Most respondents used mobile phones primarily to contact buyers and negotiate prices, while the use of internet-based applications, such as WhatsApp and online search tools, remained relatively low. Major constraints to ICT utilisation included the high cost of data subscriptions, poor network connectivity, erratic electricity supply, limited digital skills, and the high cost of smartphones. The study concludes that although ICTs have considerable potential to improve agricultural marketing, their effective utilisation is constrained by infrastructural, economic, and capacity-related challenges. It is therefore recommended that government and relevant stakeholders strengthen rural ICT infrastructure, improve access to affordable internet-enabled devices and data services, and promote digital literacy through agricultural extension programmes to enhance farmers' participation in digital agricultural marketing.
The sustainable management of agricultural residues is essential for improving resource utilisation and maintaining soil fertility in plantation systems. This study investigated the potential of composting and applying Z. armatum harvest residues as an organic amendment for soil improvement and crop production. A field experiment with five treatments (CK, T1, T2, T3, and T4) was conducted to evaluate the nutrient characteristics of the different residue components, compositional changes during composting, and the effects of compost application on soil properties, yield, and fruit quality. The results showed that leaves contained higher concentrations of N, P, K, Ca, and Mg than branches and thorns, whereas branches and thorns had higher lignin and cellulose contents. Composting significantly reduced organic carbon, lignin, and cellulose contents while increasing nutrient concentrations, resulting in a more stable, nutrient-enriched organic amendment. The application of composted residues significantly improved soil fertility by increasing soil organic matter by up to 58.7%, alkaline hydrolysable nitrogen by 42%, available phosphorus by 66%, and available potassium by 42%, while reducing soil pH and decreasing bulk density by up to 24.6%. These effects increased with the compost application rate, and the high-rate treatment (T3, 15 t·hm-2) produced the greatest improvement. In addition, residue compost application enhanced the fresh pepper yield, dry pericarp yield, and fruit quality characteristics of Z. armatum. Compared with the control, T3 increased fresh pepper yield by 13.88% and dry pericarp yield by 25.17%, while increasing hydroxy-α-sanshool content to 17.28 mg·g-1, oil yield to 0.78%, and volatile oil content to 8.24 mL·100 g-1. Overall, composting and returning Z. armatum harvest residues to plantations represent an effective strategy for converting agricultural waste into valuable organic amendments, improving soil quality, and promoting the sustainable production of Chinese prickly ash.
Quarrying activities create significant health, environmental, and visual impacts that must be addressed through the implementation of rehabilitation practices. This process usually begins and proceeds through key steps determined by the targeted final ecosystem and its successional phases. During rehabilitation, soil quality is among the most important factors affecting ecosystem integrity and is determined by physicochemical and biological characteristics that influence ecosystem structure and function. Many rehabilitation efforts have lacked clear objectives and meaningful monitoring of rehabilitation progress. Additionally, the literature indicates that many previous ecosystem rehabilitation studies have used inaccurate, time-consuming, and costly approaches. This study assessed changes in selected soil physicochemical properties and how they were influenced by quarry rehabilitation at different stages. Soil bulk density (BD), organic matter (OM), pH, nitrate (NO₃⁻–N), nitrite (NO₂⁻–N), ammonium (NH₄⁺), phosphate (PO₄³⁻), and cation exchange capacity (CEC) were analysed in rehabilitated quarries. The plots from which samples were collected were categorised as early (<10 years), intermediate (11–20 years), and mature (>20 years). Control samples were also collected from undisturbed virgin sites and abandoned, naturally recovering sites. BD, OM, nitrate, nitrite, ammonium, and phosphate differed significantly (P < .0001) at α = 0.05 across all study plots. As expected, BD decreased as soil OM increased: early plots had almost twice the BD of mature plots, whereas OM was highest in virgin and mature plots. Nitrate and nitrite concentrations were highest in intermediate plots, while ammonium and phosphate concentrations were highest in mature plots; in contrast, CEC was highest in virgin plots. Soil nutrient ions, particularly nitrate, are affected by differences in soil management, leaching, and denitrification, while changes in phosphate concentrations may reflect differences in weathering and sorption processes over time. As rehabilitation plots matured, soil OM increased, thereby increasing the availability of cation-exchange sites. Soil pH, which affects nutrient solubility, ranged from near-neutral to weakly alkaline values (7.7–8.3) and did not show abrupt changes with rehabilitation. The study concluded that OM, ammonium, and phosphate showed the clearest rehabilitation-related patterns, while CEC remained highest in virgin plots. These physicochemical parameters were therefore the most responsive to quarry rehabilitation and may have potential as indicators for monitoring rehabilitation status.
This study assessed youths' interest in agriculture in Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State. The objectives were to examine youths' perception of agriculture, evaluate their involvement, identify factors influencing their interest and determine the challenges they face in agriculture. A multistage sampling procedure was used. Primary data were collected from 70 selected youths through a close-ended questionnaire, while 66 valid questionnaires were analysed. Data were processed using descriptive statistics and regression in SPSS version 23. The findings showed that 42.4% of respondents had a very positive perception of agriculture, while 16.7% had a positive perception. The results also indicated that 47.0% of respondents associated agricultural engagement with income generation, food security and job creation, and that 47.0% spent 5-10 hours daily on agricultural activities. Factors reported to influence youths' interest included insufficient access to knowledge, information and education, limited access to land, inadequate access to financial services, market accessibility, lack of agricultural inputs, limited access to extension services and inadequate basic infrastructure. The main challenges were lack of access to agricultural land, limited financial resources, insufficient knowledge and skills, market-access constraints, lack of determination and lack of willingness. Regression results showed that age, educational qualification, marital status, years involved in farming, average hours spent on agricultural activities, limited access to land, lack of agricultural inputs, limited access to extension services, lack of basic infrastructure and selected land- and finance-related challenges had statistically significant relationships with youths' interest in agriculture. The study concludes that, although youths in the study area showed notable interest in agriculture, their engagement was constrained by resource, knowledge, market and infrastructure-related factors. Strengthening agricultural education, improving access to land and finance, enhancing extension support and investing in rural infrastructure may improve youth participation in agriculture in Esan West LGA.
Agricultural systems currently occupy nearly 40–50% of the Earth’s terrestrial surface and are central to global food security, yet they face increasing pressure due to rapid population growth and environmental degradation. However, increasing population pressure and the need for higher food production have intensified the demand for efficient nutrient management strategies. Conventional fertilizers, although widely used, suffer from low nutrient use efficiency due to substantial losses through leaching, volatilization, runoff, and fixation, leading to environmental degradation and economic inefficiencies. These losses contribute to groundwater contamination, eutrophication, greenhouse gas emissions, and deterioration of soil health. In response to these challenges, smart fertilizers have emerged as an innovative approach to enhance nutrient use efficiency and promote sustainable agriculture. These include nano fertilizers and slow or controlled release fertilizers, which are designed to synchronize nutrient availability with plant demand. Nano fertilizers, owing to their small particle size, high surface area, and enhanced reactivity, facilitate improved nutrient absorption and targeted delivery while minimizing environmental losses. Similarly, slow and controlled release fertilizers regulate nutrient release through coating materials and matrix systems, ensuring a steady nutrient supply over time and reducing the frequency of fertilizer application. The adoption of these advanced fertilizer technologies offers multiple agronomic, environmental, and economic benefits, including improved crop productivity, reduced nutrient losses, enhanced soil fertility, and lower environmental risks. Furthermore, they play a crucial role in achieving sustainable intensification of agriculture by optimizing resource use and minimizing ecological footprints. Overall, smart fertilizers represent a promising solution for addressing the limitations of conventional fertilization practices and advancing sustainable agricultural systems. Continued research and technological development are essential to improve their efficiency, scalability, and field-level applicability under diverse agro-ecological conditions.
Fusarium head blight (FHB) is a major threat to wheat production worldwide, affecting grain yield, quality, and food safety through contamination with mycotoxins such as deoxynivalenol (DON). Despite its importance, limited information is available on how infection timing interacts with heat stress under climate change scenarios. An experiment was conducted using elite lines of wheat in a controlled environment to evaluate the effect of inoculation at different flowering stages and subsequent increase in temperature during grain-filling on Fusarium head blight FHB, DON and grain yield. The experiment was completely randomised, consisting of eight cultivars with three replicates. Flowers were scored for the progress of anthers when the lower glume could be opened with a thumbnail (glume loose; GL). Fusarium graminearum was used to spray-inoculate wheat spikes at GL+0, GL+4 and GL+8. Pots were transferred to controlled environment cabinets set at 23/15oC or 28/20°C (day/night, 16 h day). DON concentration was quantified using a standard curve-based assay, and data were analysed using ANOVA. Results showed that there was variation in anther maturity among elite cultivars, and this influenced the FHB severity and grain yield. High temperature increased FHB severity in five of the eight cultivars. Cv Soissons had the lowest mean severity (39%), while Oakley and Solstice had the highest mean severity (61%). Time of inoculation had a significant effect on FHB severity, and inoculation at GL+4 resulted in the highest mean FHB severity. The effect of high temperature on DON concentration and grain yield also depended on the time of inoculation. At GL+4, high temperature increased DON concentration only in Gallant, Solstice and Xi19. Soissons linked with Ppd-D1a increased grains per spike and showed no temperature or time of inoculation effect. The effect of FHB severity was reflected in the grain yield, and inoculation at GL+4 produced the lowest yield in most cultivars, except in Alchemy and Solstice, which yielded lower at GL+0 and GL+8, respectively, under high temperature. These findings highlight the importance of flowering dynamics and their interaction with heat stress in determining FHB risk and its impact on wheat productivity.
This study examines the impacts of climate change on agricultural transformation and the challenges of livelihood diversification in Satkhira District, Bangladesh. The study focused on three upazilas, namely Satkhira Sadar, Tala, and Assasuni, where farming households are exposed to recurrent climatic and environmental stresses. A mixed-methods approach was used, combining a structured household survey with qualitative information from key informant interviews and focus group discussions. A total of 196 respondents were surveyed, with 66 respondents from Satkhira Sadar, 65 from Tala, and 65 from Assasuni. In addition, six key informant interviews and six focus group discussions were conducted to supplement and contextualize the survey findings. The results show that farmers in the study area are highly exposed to climate-related hazards. Salinity intrusion was reported by 99.49% of respondents, cyclones by 95.41%, flooding by 82.14%, storm surges by 72.96%, irregular rainfall by 32.65%, and drought by 17.35%. These hazards have affected crop, livestock, and fish production through reduced yields, crop failure, increased soil salinity, livestock mortality, fish mortality, damage to aquaculture infrastructure, and declining water quality. In response, households are adopting diverse livelihood activities, including 80.10% engaged in crop cultivation, 77.55% in aquaculture, 43.37% in livestock farming, and 43.88% in poultry production, as well as organic farming, small businesses, non-farm activities, and temporary or permanent migration. However, limited skills, inadequate capital, restricted market access, high production costs, and recurrent climatic hazards constrain effective livelihood diversification. The study highlights the need for climate-resilient agricultural practices, farmer training, improved access to finance, stronger market linkages, and locally appropriate livelihood support to enhance resilience among smallholder farmers in coastal Bangladesh.
Early seedling vigour is a critical trait for successful crop establishment in rice, particularly under direct-seeded conditions where rapid and uniform emergence determines crop performance. The current research aimed to examine the influence of root and shoot growth on seedling vigour in 40 rice varieties (Oryza sativa L.). It was done in the laboratory of Institute of Agricultural Science, Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, University of Calcutta, West Bengal. Germination percentage, root length, shoot length, seedling length, fresh weight, and dry weight of seedlings were recorded under controlled conditions, and vigour indices I and II were computed. Significant variability was observed among genotypes. The genotype Thubi had a maximum germination percentage of 97.5%, whereas the highest seedling length (23.52 cm) and vigour index I (2205) were obtained in the genotype CSR-38. The genotype Kanakchur showed the highest vigour index II (1.475) due to high dry matter accumulation. Positive correlations between seedling length and shoot length (r = 0.914) and seedling length and root length (r = 0.750) showed that coordinated elongation growth is one of the factors that contribute greatly to vigour at an early stage. On the other hand, biomass-related parameters is showed lower or even negative correlations with length-related parameters (dry weight vs seedling length, r = -0.389), indicating a trade-off between these two components. Multivariate analysis, including principal component analysis (PC1 = 47.23%, PC2 = 20.27%; % variance accounted for = 67.50%) and clustering analysis, additionally reinforced the presence of substantial genetic variation among the genotypes and the dominance of root-shoot growth characteristics in contributing towards seedling vigour. The CSR-38, Kakrisal, and Sabita genotypes have been recognized as superior genotypes with respect to early growth characteristics. The study illustrates the importance of a balance between root and shoot growth in contributing towards seedling vigour.
Municipal solid waste (MSW) leachate is increasingly being explored as a low-cost soil amendment due to its high nutrient content. This study evaluated the effects of MSW leachate (MSWL) application on soil properties and heavy metal accumulation in some cereals and millets. The leachate was characterized by acidic pH and high electrical conductivity, with substantial concentrations of potassium, calcium, and phosphorus. Results indicated enhanced uptake of essential micronutrients such as zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu), with concentrations remaining within FAO/WHO permissible limits. In contrast, toxic metals such as cadmium (Cd) and nickel (Ni) were present at low levels across all crops. However, lead (Pb) concentrations in leaves exceeded recommended limits, while chromium (Cr) showed moderate accumulation, occasionally surpassing reference values. Transfer factor (TF) and bioconcentration factor (BCF) analyses revealed that Zn and Cu were readily translocated to aerial parts, whereas Cr and Ni were largely retained in roots. Crop-specific variations indicated higher accumulation in ragi and restricted uptake in green gram. The findings suggest that MSW leachate can improve soil fertility and plant nutrition, but its application requires careful consideration to mitigate potential risks associated with heavy metal accumulation.
The growing requirement for energy and vulnerability of the traditional source of energy in the poultry industry make sustainable and dependable energy sources an inevitable alternative with solar energy being a key player in modern poultry industries. The poultry industry requires energy for various activities such as brooding, incubation, ventilation, lighting, feeding, and monitoring of the farm which require energy because failure to have a reliable energy source could result in loss of productivity and even death of the birds leading to losses for poultry farmers. Solar energy provides an economically viable and environmentally friendly alternative to conventional sources of energy that is suitable for use in rural areas or off-grid poultry farms. In this review, the global use of solar energy in poultry production will be discussed, ranging from solar powered brooders and heaters, solar driven ventilation and lighting, solar incubators, and incorporation of solar energy in Internet of Things (IoT)-based environmental controls and disease surveillance systems. Solar energy has been found to be effective in minimizing operational costs, increasing hatching rates, improving feed conversion efficiency, and guaranteeing environmental control. Solar energy also plays an important role in climate change prevention due to its reduced carbon footprint and reduction in the consumption of non-renewable sources. Therefore, the incorporation of solar technologies in poultry farming is a viable solution for enhancing the performance of poultry farms.
The study of soil microbial biodiversity is a priority area in modern ecological science. Although microscopic fungi are among the most diverse and eco logically active components of soils, information on their distribution, taxonomic composition, and ecological characteristics in Georgia remains scarce. This research provides a comparative analysis of the mycoflora in alluvial and brown soils from various pedological regions of Georgia. The study was conducted on alluvial and brown soils from Western, Eastern, and Southern Georgia. Alluvial soil samples were collected from three distinct microrelief zones within each region, within a depth of 10–20 cm, under maximum sterile conditions. Pure cultures of microscopic fungi were obtained using standard methods and stored in test tubes on slanted agar medium at 4 °C in a refrigerator. Taxonomic identification (to the genus level) was based on macro- and micromorphological characteristics, including the structure and arrangement of hyphae, conidia, and spores. The dominant genera identified in alluvial soils are Penicillium and Aspergillus. The distribution of other genera varied significantly among regions: in Eastern Georgia, xerotolerant fungi predominate; in Western Georgia hygrophilous and humus-loving taxa are prevalent; while in Southern Georgia, under mixed ecotonal conditions, representatives of both groups are present. The mycoflora of brown soils in Eastern and Southern Georgia was relatively similar, whereas in Western Georgia it differed markedly, likely due to the influence of local climate and the physicochemical properties of the soil. The results confirm that the taxonomic structure of soil mycoflora clearly reflects the combined effects of geographical location and abiotic factors. This underlines the bioindicator potential of soil fungal communities and their importance in the study of fundamental ecological processes.
The rapid integration of the Internet of Things (IoT) into agriculture is transforming traditional farming into a smart, data-driven, and sustainable system. IoT connects sensors, actuators, and communication networks to monitor real-time environmental, soil, and crop parameters, enabling precision farming, automated irrigation, and early disease detection. Combined with artificial intelligence, big data analytics, and cloud computing, IoT enhances decision-making, optimizes resource use, improves crop productivity, and reduces labor dependency. Real-world applications, including smart greenhouses, the Internet of Underground Things (IoUT), and connected farm networks, demonstrate measurable benefits such as increased yields, water-use efficiency, and supply chain optimization. In India, government initiatives like the Digital Agriculture Mission and PMKSY facilitate IoT adoption, promoting sustainable and climate-resilient farming. Despite challenges of cost, connectivity, and technical expertise, IoT represents a pivotal tool for addressing global food security, environmental sustainability, and efficient farm management.
