Dry rot is a major constraint on the quality and commercial value of yam tubers in Côte d’Ivoire. This study assessed the occurrence and severity of dry rot and characterized the plant-parasitic nematodes associated with early-harvested yam tubers marketed in the country. A total of 1740 tubers representing five cultivars of the Dioscorea cayenensis-rotundata complex were examined across three agroecological zones. Dry rot prevalence and severity index were assessed, while nematodes were extracted from tuber peel, morphologically identified, and quantified. Dry rot occurred in tubers from all three zones. Tubers from the tropical dry savannah zone had the highest prevalence (31.20%), whereas the semi-deciduous dense forest zone had the lowest prevalence (9.10%). Among cultivars, Assawa had the highest dry rot prevalence (36.40%) and severity index (35.00%), while Krenglè had the lowest values. Three plant-parasitic nematode taxa were detected: Scutellonema bradys, Pratylenchus coffeae, and Meloidogyne sp. Scutellonema bradys was dominant, accounting for 99.87% of recovered nematodes. Its density was strongly and positively correlated with dry rot severity (r = 0.98; P < 0.001). These findings indicate marked variation in dry rot and S. bradys density among tuber origins and cultivars and provide a basis for further evaluation of cultivar responses, nematode population diversity, and integrated management strategies.
Understanding the genetic architecture of yield and its component traits is essential for developing effective selection strategies in chilli (Capsicum annuum L.). Multi-parent (MP)-derived populations provide opportunities for generating broad genetic variability through the recombination of alleles from several founder parents. The present investigation was undertaken to characterise the frequency distribution and infer the nature of gene action governing yield and yield-related traits in elite selections derived from superior eight-parent MP populations. Five superior MP-derived populations, D4 × D3, D4 × D2, D5 × D2, D6 × D2 and D7 × D2, identified in an earlier assessment of ten MP-derived populations, were used. Observations were recorded for average fruit weight, average fruit number plant⁻¹, average fruit length, average fruit width and green fruit yield plant⁻¹. Skewness and kurtosis coefficients were estimated to assess the nature of the distribution and infer the possible genetic control of the traits. Most traits exhibited relatively low-magnitude skewness, indicating near-symmetrical distributions, although the direction of skewness varied among populations and traits. Negative skewness was predominant for average fruit weight, particularly in D4 × D3, D4 × D2, D5 × D2 and D6 × D2, suggesting duplicate-type digenic epistasis involving increasing effects. In contrast, positive skewness predominated for fruit number and green fruit yield, indicating complementary-type epistasis involving decreasing effects. Most trait-population combinations showed platykurtic distributions, suggesting the involvement of a relatively large number of genes. However, fruit width in D5 × D2 and fruit length in D6 × D2 showed leptokurtic distributions, indicating relatively fewer genes contributing to phenotypic variation for these traits in those populations. The results demonstrate that the genetic architecture of yield and its component traits varies among MP-derived populations and highlight the value of elite MP-derived progenies as sources of useful genetic variation for chilli improvement.
Declining soil biological activity threatens the sustainability of agricultural production in the Sudanian zone of Burkina Faso. Split-plot experiments conducted in 2023 and 2024 at Yarci, Arbollé, evaluated the effects of Crotalaria mucronata and Crotalaria retusa combined with four amendment treatments: an unamended control (T0), organic matter (OM), Burkina phosphate (BP), and OM+BP. Daily CO2 emissions, microbial biomass carbon (MBC), microbial yield (MY), overall mineralization rate (OMR), and metabolic quotient (qCO2) were assessed. Results showed that both Crotalaria species produced similar effects. Cumulative CO2 emissions increased between 2023 and 2024, reaching maximum values of 320.90 and 298.98 mg 100 g-1 soil under C. retusa and C. mucronata, respectively. For both species, OM+BP generally produced the highest CO2 emissions and improved most soil biological indicators, followed by OM alone. MY was stable at approximately 48-51%, whereas qCO2 and OMR remained below 2 mg CO2-C g-1 MBC day-1 and 2%, respectively, suggesting relatively low microbial metabolic stress and moderate organic matter mineralization. These findings indicate that combining Crotalaria-based improved fallows with organic matter and Burkina phosphate can enhance soil biological functioning and represent a promising agroecological strategy for restoring degraded soils in Burkina Faso.
A field experiment was conducted during the Rabi season of 2024 to evaluate the response of Lathyrus varieties to different phosphorus levels for fodder yield, crude protein yield, economics, and post-harvest soil properties under Vertisol conditions. The experiment was laid out in a split-plot design with three replications. Four phosphorus levels, 0, 40, 60, and 80 kg P₂O₅ ha⁻¹, were tested with five varieties: BAUL-106, BCK-19-21A, JCL-22-1, Mahateora, and Prateek. The crop was sown on 21 November 2024 using 50 kg seed ha⁻¹ and harvested at 65 days after sowing at 50% flowering for fodder evaluation. The experimental soil was clay loam with pH 7.12, organic carbon 0.56%, available nitrogen 246.15 kg ha⁻¹, available phosphorus 17.36 kg ha⁻¹, and available potassium 301.78 kg ha⁻¹. Among varieties, Prateek recorded the highest mean green fodder yield of 262.68 q ha⁻¹ and dry matter yield of 51.25 q ha⁻¹, while BAUL-106 recorded the lowest values. Among phosphorus levels, 80 kg P₂O₅ ha⁻¹ produced the highest mean green fodder yield of 257.74 q ha⁻¹ and dry matter yield of 55.06 q ha⁻¹. The treatment combination Prateek with 80 kg P₂O₅ ha⁻¹ recorded the highest green fodder yield of 284.00 q ha⁻¹ and dry matter yield of 59.90 q ha⁻¹. The results indicate that Prateek responded favourably to higher phosphorus application under the tested conditions.
Micronutrient deficiencies, particularly those of zinc (Zn) and iron (Fe), remain important nutritional concerns and contribute to hidden hunger. Greengram (Vigna radiata L. Wilczek) is a nutrient-rich pulse crop, and improving its Zn and Fe concentrations through agronomic biofortification may enhance its nutritional quality. Foliar and soil applications of Zn and Fe therefore offer practical approaches for increasing micronutrient accumulation in greengram grain. A field experiment was conducted during the kharif season of 2022 at the Research Farm of the Pulses Section, Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, to assess Zn and Fe biofortification in greengram (Vigna radiata L. Wilczek). The experiment was laid out in a randomised block design with 11 treatments and three replications. Treatments included the recommended dose of fertilisers (RDF), foliar applications of 0.5% ZnSO₄ and 0.5% FeSO₄ applied individually or in combination at the pre-flowering and pod-initiation stages, and soil application of ZnSO₄ at 25 kg ha⁻¹. Nutrient concentration, nutrient uptake, protein content, protein yield, and post-harvest soil nutrient status were evaluated. The combined foliar treatment of RDF + 0.5% ZnSO₄ + 0.5% FeSO₄ at both growth stages recorded the highest Zn content in seed (29.3 ppm) and straw (20.6 ppm), Fe content in seed (73.3 ppm) and straw (67.2 ppm), Zn uptake in seed (54.1 g ha⁻¹) and straw (71.1 g ha⁻¹), and Fe uptake in seed (135 g ha⁻¹) and straw (233 g ha⁻¹). It also recorded the highest protein content (22.1%) and protein yield (409 kg ha⁻¹). N, P, and K concentrations were not significantly affected by treatment, while uptake responses varied among nutrients and plant parts. Soil-applied ZnSO₄ produced the highest post-harvest available Zn (0.90 ppm). Under the study conditions, combined foliar Zn and Fe application at both reproductive stages produced the strongest overall micronutrient enrichment response.
Low phosphorus availability can constrain the productivity of groundnut–maize cropping systems, while the direct effectiveness of rock phosphate may be limited by poor solubility. An in situ trial was conducted over two consecutive years (2021-2022 and 2022-2023 for groundnut; 2022 and 2023 for maize) to evaluate the effect of rock phosphate (RP) combined with organic amendments (vermicompost, FYM and humic acid) and phosphate-solubilising bacteria (PSB) on the quality, yield and economics of a groundnut-maize cropping system. Fourteen integrated nutrient management (INM) treatments were compared, ranging from an unfertilised control to a fully integrated package (100% RP + vermicompost + FYM + humic acid + PSB). The results showed that the quality parameters of groundnut (protein and oil content and yield, kernel yield and shelling percentage) and maize (protein content and yield) improved significantly and progressively with the successive integration of organic and microbial inputs. The fully integrated treatment (T14) recorded the highest values across the parameters, followed by T13 and T12, whereas the control recorded the lowest. Economic analysis revealed that, although the cost of cultivation increased progressively with input intensity, gross income and the benefit-cost ratio increased more sharply, with T14 giving the highest B:C ratio in both groundnut (2.33) and maize (2.44). The groundnut equivalent yield (GEY) of the cropping system also more than doubled under T14 (39.34 q/ha) relative to the control (17.95 q/ha). The combined application of rock phosphate, vermicompost, FYM, humic acid and PSB was the best-performing treatment under the study conditions.
Micronutrient deficiencies persist where affordable diets provide insufficient quantities of bioavailable minerals and vitamins. Pulses are strategically important targets for biofortification because they combine protein, dietary fibre and micronutrients with high consumption in many low- and middle-income settings. Their value, however, is constrained by a recurrent disconnect between increased seed nutrient concentration and demonstrated nutritional benefit. This critical narrative review evaluates pathways by which pulse biofortification can contribute to nutritional security, with emphasis on common bean, lentil, chickpea, field pea, mungbean and cowpea. Literature published from 2000 to 19 June 2026 was prioritised, with earlier seminal evidence retained when necessary. Genetic, genomic, agronomic, processing, bioavailability, human efficacy and delivery evidence was integrated rather than assessed as isolated technical domains. The strongest evidence supports heritable variation in iron and zinc concentration across several pulse species, substantial genotype-by-environment effects, and agronomic responsiveness of zinc, iron and selenium under appropriate soil or foliar management. Yet total seed concentration is an incomplete endpoint because phytate, polyphenols, mineral speciation, cooking losses and food-matrix effects alter the amount ultimately available for absorption. Human evidence is markedly uneven. Iron-biofortified common bean has progressed furthest from breeding through controlled feeding trials, with improvement in iron status and associated functional outcomes in Rwandan women, while comparable efficacy evidence for lentil, chickpea, mungbean, cowpea and pea remains limited. Delivery studies further show that seed access, agronomic performance, sensory acceptance and market diffusion determine whether nutritional traits reach habitual diets. The review therefore proposes a chain-of-evidence perspective in which nutritional security requires simultaneous success in crop performance, nutrient density, retention, bioavailability, consumption and population reach. Future programmes should breed for bioavailable nutrient delivery rather than concentration alone, validate stability across target environments, embed processing and human absorption endpoints earlier in selection, and evaluate adoption and equity at scale.
A two-year experiment was conducted at the Hi-Tech Greenhouse, College of Horticulture, Junagadh Agricultural University, Junagadh, Gujarat, during 2021-22 and 2022-23 to evaluate nutrient-management strategies for tomato under polyhouse conditions. The experiment was arranged in a completely randomised design with eight treatments and three replications. Treatments included the recommended dose of fertiliser (RDF; 25.0-12.5-12.5 kg N-P₂O₅-K₂O per 1000 m²) alone or in combination with micronutrients, Panchgavya, seaweed extract, banana pseudostem sap, Go Krupa Amrutam, a microbial formulation, and a natural-farming nutrient package. Pooled analysis showed that 100% RDF + Panchgavya 3% (T3) recorded the highest plant height (281.69 cm) and number of branches per plant (11.73), together with the earliest flowering (40.30 days) and first picking (95.53 days); these growth and phenological responses were statistically at par with T8. T3 also recorded the highest fruit weight (69.65 g), number of fruits per plant (61.02), total soluble solids (4.28 °Brix), and pooled fruit yield (4.13 kg/plant; 26.24 t/1000 m²). The pooled fruit yield of T3 was significantly higher than that of the other treatments at the 5% level. The highest net realization was also obtained with T3 (INR 350,331 per 1000 m²). The results indicate that integrating RDF with a 3% Panchgavya foliar spray is a promising nutrient-management option for tomato under the tested polyhouse conditions.
Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) is an important oilseed crop, and the identification of genetically diverse and superior germplasm is essential for its improvement. The present investigation was undertaken to evaluate genetic variability, characterise sunflower germplasm using Distinctness, Uniformity and Stability (DUS) descriptors, and determine the association between seed yield and its contributing traits. A total of 46 sunflower genotypes, comprising 44 test genotypes and two checks, were evaluated during Kharif 2025 at the Oilseeds Research Station, Latur, Maharashtra, India. The genotypes were evaluated for ten quantitative traits, namely days to 50% flowering, days to maturity, plant height, head diameter, 100-seed weight, volume weight, hull content, seed filling percentage, oil content and seed yield per plant. Analysis of variance revealed highly significant differences among the genotypes for all the quantitative traits, indicating substantial genetic variability. The mean performance of the genotypes showed considerable variation for flowering, maturity, plant height, head diameter, seed characteristics, oil content and seed yield. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance as per cent of mean was observed for plant height, head diameter, 100-seed weight, volume weight, hull content, seed filling percentage, oil content and seed yield per plant. Genotypic and phenotypic correlation analyses revealed significant positive associations of seed yield with head diameter, plant height, 100-seed weight and volume weight, with head diameter showing the strongest association. Morphological characterisation using DUS descriptors revealed variation among the genotypes for several qualitative traits related to hypocotyl pigmentation, leaf characteristics, head attitude, ray floret characteristics and seed traits. The evaluated genotypes differed for leaf colour, leaf shape, leaf serration, seed shape, seed coat colour and seed coat stripes, whereas some descriptors showed uniform expression across the genotypes. Based on quantitative performance and morphological characteristics, RHAGPR-3, RHA 274, 93 R, RCB-5, OPH-107, CMS-90-3B, 143 R and HOC-20R were identified as promising genotypes. The present study identified substantial genetic and morphological variability among the evaluated sunflower genotypes and provided useful genetic resources for selection and future breeding programmes aimed at improving seed yield and associated traits.
An experiment was conducted during 2025 at the Horticulture Garden, Department of Fruit Science, College of Horticulture, Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture and Technology, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, to evaluate the effects of gibberellic acid (GA₃) and zinc sulphate (ZnSO₄), applied alone or in combination, on fruiting, yield and quality of 66-year-old litchi (Litchi chinensis Sonn.) cv. Rose Scented trees. Nine treatments were evaluated in a randomised block design with three replications, using one tree per treatment unit. A single foliar spray was applied after fruit set, and observations were recorded at 15-day intervals until harvest. The combined treatment GA₃ at 50 ppm + ZnSO₄ at 1.0% (T₉) produced the highest fruit counts at the pit-hardening (30.15) and ripening (24.59) stages, fruit length (4.56 cm), fruit diameter (4.59 cm), fruit weight (19.49 g), pulp weight (13.99 g), pulp: stone ratio (4.70), total sugar (14.83%), total soluble solids (22.97 °Brix), sugar: acid ratio (36.66) and fruit yield (53.06 kg/tree). It also recorded the lowest fruit cracking (1.68%), seed weight (2.98 g), rind weight (2.46 g) and titratable acidity (0.404%). T₈ (GA₃ at 50 ppm + ZnSO₄ at 0.5%) generally ranked next. These results indicate that a single post-fruit-set foliar application of GA₃ at 50 ppm with ZnSO₄ at 1.0% may improve fruit retention, quality and yield of cv. Rose Scented under the sub-tropical plains of Central Uttar Pradesh.
A field experiment was conducted during Kharif 2022 and 2023 at Dr. BRC Agricultural Research Station (ARS), Mandor, Rajasthan, to evaluate the effect of biofertilisers and growth-promoting microorganisms on growth, yield, and profitability of mungbean (Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek, var. GM-4) under the mungbean–wheat cropping system. The experiment was laid out in a Randomised Block Design with ten treatments and three replications. Treatments consisted of different combinations of the recommended dose of fertilisers and seed inoculation, soil application, or combined seed and soil application of Rhizobium and phosphate-solubilising bacteria (PSB). The results indicated that growth parameters, yield attributes, grain yield, biological yield, and economic returns were significantly influenced by the treatments. The greatest numerical plant heights at 30 DAS (46.8 cm) and 45 DAS (55.9 cm) were recorded under T₁₀, while T₅ recorded comparable values of 45.8 and 55.3 cm, respectively. The highest numbers of pods per plant (39.6) and seeds per pod (13.5), dry matter production (3.50 t ha⁻¹), and test weight (48.1 g) were observed under T₅, whereas the highest numerical chlorophyll content (4.00 mg g⁻¹) was recorded under T₁₀. The highest grain yield (pooled: 1458 kg ha⁻¹) and net return (₹98,855 ha⁻¹) were recorded with 100% RDF (T₅), whereas 75% RDF combined with seed and soil application of Rhizobium + PSB (T₁₀) produced a pooled grain yield of 1400 kg ha⁻¹ and a B:C ratio of 4.41, remaining statistically at par with T₅. Thus, integrated use of biofertilisers with 75% RDF can reduce fertiliser requirement without significant yield loss and improve profitability.
The present study evaluated standard heterosis for seed yield and 15 associated traits in 40 cross combinations of Indian mustard [Brassica juncea (L.) Czern. & Coss.]. Crosses developed during Rabi 2025 were evaluated during Rabi 2026 at the Experimental Farm, Zonal Agricultural Research Station, Morena, Madhya Pradesh, India, in a randomized block design with three replications. The zonal check Maya and national check Kranti were used for comparison. Considerable variation in standard heterosis was observed across the 16 traits. For seed yield per plant, standard heterosis ranged from −55.62% to 54.07% over Maya and from −59.46% to 40.75% over Kranti. Vasundhara × PM-26 recorded the highest positive standard heterosis for seed yield per plant over both Maya (54.07%) and Kranti (40.75%). Pusa Bold × Pusa Vijay, Varuna × NPJ-253, Varuna × PM-28, Kranti × NPJ-253, Rohini × PM-28, Maya × Pusa Vijay and Pusa Bold × PM-28 also expressed significant positive heterosis over both checks. Different cross combinations showed desirable heterosis for earliness, reduced plant height, branching, siliquae number, seeds per siliquae, siliquae length, test weight, biological yield and harvest index. The results identify promising hybrid combinations for heterosis-based improvement of Indian mustard. Their performance should be confirmed through multi-location and multi-season evaluation before their use in further breeding or cultivar-development programmes.
Vegetable crops occupy a small share of global cropland yet supply a disproportionate fraction of dietary micronutrients, and their short life cycles, high water demand and thermosensitive reproductive stages make them unusually exposed to a warming and more variable climate. Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats and CRISPR-associated protein 9 (CRISPR-Cas9) editing has been promoted as a route to climate-resilient vegetable cultivars, and the descriptive literature cataloguing edited targets has expanded quickly. This critical narrative review evaluates whether that literature supports the resilience claims made for it. Peer-reviewed studies published between January 2015 and June 2026 were identified through openly accessible bibliographic indexes and citation-metadata services, appraised for design adequacy, evaluation environment and evidence-claim alignment, and synthesised thematically rather than catalogued. Three findings dominate. First, the evidence base is heavily weighted towards single-gene loss-of-function alleles created in a small number of transformation-competent model genotypes, assessed under controlled conditions using physiological proxies rather than marketable yield, so that demonstrated gene function is repeatedly reported in language implying demonstrated agronomic improvement. Second, several loci yield directionally opposite phenotypes depending on the stress applied, which indicates that stress-specific reactive oxygen species thresholds and pleiotropy are poorly resolved and that resilience cannot be treated as a single transferable trait. Third, the small number of studies that combine allele-resolution editing of regulatory sequence with field evaluation and yield endpoints produce markedly stronger inference than the knockout literature, suggesting that the principal constraint is experimental design and delivery capability rather than nuclease performance. Regulatory divergence, patent uncertainty and uneven transformation capacity across vegetable species further separate laboratory demonstration from field deployment. Confidence in current claims of climate resilience remains low for most targets, and progress will depend on multi-environment field testing, yield-based endpoints, and extension of editing capability beyond the few genotypes that presently regenerate reliably.
Industrial soil contamination by chromium (Cr) is an important environmental and public health concern because hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)] is toxic, mobile, and carcinogenic. This study investigated the mechanisms involved in reducing toxic Cr(VI) to the less toxic Cr(III) form using an indigenous bacterial consortium isolated from chromium-contaminated industrial soils in Raipur, Chhattisgarh, India. Surface-soil samples from the Urla Industrial Area, Siltara Growth Centre, and Birgaon Industrial Estate contained 567.4 ± 26.35, 893.6 ± 31.72, and 347.2 ± 18.40 mg kg⁻¹ total chromium, respectively. Of 124 bacterial isolates, 18 exhibited Cr(VI)-reducing ability. Under optimised conditions (pH 7.0, 32 °C, and 2% glucose), a consortium comprising Bacillus cereus RC-7, Pseudomonas putida RC-11, and Lysinibacillus sphaericus RC-14 achieved 97.4 ± 1.2% reduction of 100 mg L⁻¹ Cr(VI) within 96 h. Enzyme assays showed increased chromate reductase activity and associated electron-transfer responses during Cr(VI) reduction. Biosorption data fitted the Langmuir (R² = 0.981) and Freundlich (R² = 0.954) models, indicating effective surface interactions. SEM-EDX and FTIR analyses indicated Cr(III) precipitation and chromium binding on bacterial cell surfaces, whereas RT-qPCR showed upregulation of the chrR and nfsA genes under chromium stress. These findings clarify the biochemical, molecular, and surface-interaction mechanisms associated with Cr(VI) detoxification and support further evaluation of the consortium for chromium-contaminated soils and wastewater.
The success of jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam.) grafting is strongly influenced by the physiological quality of the rootstock prior to grafting. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of 75% shading and the individual application of 50 ppm α-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) and 15 ppm abscisic acid (ABA) on the vegetative growth and physiological characteristics of jackfruit rootstock seedlings. The experiment was conducted using a randomised complete block design with four treatments (control/untreated, 75% shade, 15 ppm ABA, and 50 ppm NAA), five replications, and five seedlings per experimental unit. Morphological parameters, including plant height, stem diameter, branch number, shoot number, and leaf number, were measured biweekly, whereas chlorophyll, glucose, and fructose contents were determined monthly. Stem anatomy was evaluated 7 days after treatment. The results showed that 75% shading consistently promoted vegetative growth by increasing stem diameter, branch number, shoot number, and leaf number while maintaining stable chlorophyll content and carbon metabolism. The application of 50 ppm NAA enhanced plant height and tended to maintain higher chlorophyll content, indicating improved photosynthetic performance and vegetative vigour. In contrast, 15 ppm ABA did not affect vegetative growth but increased soluble sugar accumulation, suggesting its role in maintaining physiological homeostasis and stress adaptation. Stem anatomical observations revealed darker tissues in ABA- and NAA-treated seedlings than in the control, which may indicate greater accumulation of lignin, phenolic compounds, and oxidised secondary metabolites associated with enhanced cell wall development and physiological responses induced by plant growth regulator application. Overall, 75% shading was the most effective treatment for improving the vegetative and physiological quality of jackfruit seedlings prior to grafting.
Accurate soil characterisation and classification are essential for understanding soil variability and supporting sustainable land-use and nutrient-management decisions. A detailed soil characterisation and classification study was conducted in Utkoor Mandal, Narayanpet District, Telangana State, India, to evaluate the morphological, physical, chemical, and taxonomic properties of soils developed under a semi-arid tropical environment. Ten representative pedons distributed across upper pediplains, lower pediplains, alluvial plains, and stream banks were examined using standard field and laboratory procedures. Pedon depth ranged from 37 to 107 cm, and the soils displayed cambic (Bw), gleyed (Bng), vertic (Bss), and transitional (AC) subsurface horizons, indicating different stages of profile development. Textural classes ranged from gravelly sandy loam to clay, with clay generally increasing with depth. Soil pH ranged from 7.0 to 9.85, while electrical conductivity ranged from 0.05 to 0.57 dS m⁻¹, indicating neutral to strongly alkaline but non-saline conditions. Organic carbon ranged from 0.06 to 0.50%, and cation exchange capacity ranged from 3.6 to 24.0 cmol(p⁺) kg⁻¹. Based on USDA Soil Taxonomy, the pedons were classified as Entisols, Inceptisols, and Vertisols, represented by Typic Ustorthents, Typic Haplustepts, Typic Halaquepts, and Typic Haplusterts. The observed variation was associated with differences in parent material, physiography, drainage, and pedogenic processes. The findings provide baseline soil information for land capability assessment, site-specific nutrient management, soil-resource mapping, and sustainable land-use planning in the study area.
Semi-arid crop production is frequently constrained by erratic rainfall, declining soil fertility, and inefficient use of available resources, necessitating resilient and sustainable cropping systems. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of finger millet–legume intercropping combinations and row ratios on the growth, yield attributes, and productivity of finger millet under semi-arid conditions. A field experiment was conducted during the kharif seasons of 2023–24 and 2024–25 at the Agricultural Research Station, Karimnagar, Telangana, India. The experiment was laid out in a randomised block design with three replications. The finger millet component comprised intercropping with greengram and blackgram at 4:2 and 6:2 row ratios, pigeonpea at 4:1 and 5:1 row ratios, and sole finger millet. Among the intercropping treatments, finger millet + pigeonpea at 4:1 and 5:1 produced greater plant height, tiller density, dry matter accumulation, number of ear heads, ear length, and ear-head weight than the greengram- and blackgram-based systems. Finger millet + pigeonpea at 5:1 recorded the highest grain yield among the intercropping treatments, with 3,739 and 3,749 kg ha⁻¹ during 2023–24 and 2024–25, respectively. Sole finger millet recorded the highest overall grain yield of 3,927 and 3,848 kg ha⁻¹ in the respective seasons. Grain weight per ear head and 1,000-grain weight were not significantly influenced by the intercropping treatments. The findings indicate that finger millet + pigeonpea at a 5:1 row ratio was the most productive intercropping option evaluated under the study conditions.
This cross-sectional study examined farmers’ awareness and purchasing behaviour towards biofertilizers among 200 purposively selected farmers across ten villages in five talukas (Anjar, Bhuj, Mundra, Mandvi and Nakhatrana) of Kachchh district, Gujarat, India, using structured personal interviews conducted from January to March 2026. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, Weighted Average Mean (WAM) and Garrett’s Ranking Technique. As sampling was purposive rather than random, the findings are indicative of the study area and should not be generalised to all farmers in Gujarat. Most respondents (53 per cent) belonged to the middle-aged group (36-50 years); all were male and about 89 per cent were married. Primary-level education was most common (37 per cent), and roughly two-thirds were small or marginal landholders with annual incomes below Rs. 2,50,000. Awareness of biofertilizers was high (94 per cent), with dealers and fellow farmers as the dominant information sources; however, only about 43 per cent of users had purchased biofertilizers more than once, indicating limited repeat purchase behaviour. Product performance (WAM: 4.29), biofertilizer quality (4.14) and dealer advice (3.89) emerged as the strongest purchase-decision factors, while packaging quality (3.19) and promotional activity (3.39) had the least influence. Lack of technical knowledge (Garrett score: 73.35), poor local availability (61.95) and delayed visible results (53.34) were the most severe adoption constraints. The findings suggest that extension agencies and biofertilizer suppliers should prioritise farmer training and strengthen local distribution networks to convert high awareness into sustained adoption. As the sample was restricted to purposively selected male respondents, the results should be interpreted within this limitation.
Seed physiological quality, expressed through viability, germination capacity and vigour, determines stand establishment, uniformity and yield potential, yet the reference tests that define it remain destructive, labour-intensive and slow. Over the past decade, artificial intelligence, encompassing classical machine learning and deep learning applied to spectral and image data, has been advanced as a rapid, non-destructive alternative. This review critically evaluates that body of work and asks how far learning-based methods have genuinely improved on established seed testing rather than merely reproduced it under favourable conditions. Evidence was drawn from peer-reviewed studies applying near-infrared spectroscopy, hyperspectral and multispectral imaging, red-green-blue and X-ray imaging, and automated seedling analysis to viability, vigour and germination endpoints across cereal, oilseed, vegetable and tree species. The literature demonstrates consistently high classification and prediction performance under controlled, single-laboratory conditions, with hyperspectral imaging combined with variable selection and convolutional networks emerging as the dominant paradigm for viability and vigour. Deep learning frequently, though not invariably, outperforms chemometric baselines, and transfer learning, data augmentation and generative modelling have been introduced to counter the field's most persistent constraint, namely small and imbalanced datasets. Recurrent weaknesses temper these results: reliance on artificial ageing as a proxy for natural deterioration, narrow cultivar and environmental coverage, scarce external validation, inconsistent reference labelling, and limited interpretability. Reported accuracy therefore reflects internal discrimination more than demonstrated field relevance, and comparability across studies is undermined by heterogeneous endpoints and the absence of shared benchmarks. Progress toward operational digital seed technology will depend less on novel architectures than on representative multi-season datasets, standardised protocols, biologically grounded reference labels and prospective validation against germination and field emergence. The synthesis distinguishes well-supported conclusions from preliminary claims and sets out prioritised research directions to move the field from proof of concept toward dependable, transferable decision support.
Voandzou (Bambara groundnut, Vigna subterranea (L.) Verdc.) is an underutilised legume in Chad, where production remains largely traditional and technical recommendations for mineral fertilisation are limited. This study evaluated graded NPK (15-15-15) rates to identify an appropriate application rate for the local Houlsar ecotype under Sudanese-zone conditions. A Fisher block design comprising four treatments and four replicates was used. The treatments were T1 (0 kg/ha NPK), T2 (50 kg/ha), T3 (100 kg/ha), and T4 (150 kg/ha). Leaf number was assessed at 30 and 45 days after sowing (DAS), and pod number, pod yield, and 1,000-seed weight were measured. Leaf number did not differ significantly among treatments at either assessment. T3 recorded the highest mean leaf number at 30 DAS (33.25 ± 8.70) and 45 DAS (73.40 ± 14.497). T2 produced the highest number of pods per plant (53.00 ± 2.581), whereas T3 recorded the highest pod yield (1.958 ± 0.587 t/ha), followed by T2 (1.846 ± 0.037 t/ha). T2 also produced the highest 1,000-seed weight (0.632 ± 0.038 kg). The unfertilised control and the highest NPK rate generally produced lower yield-related values. Under the conditions of this trial, 50 kg/ha NPK (15-15-15) provided strong yield performance while using less fertiliser than the higher-rate treatments. Further trials are required to confirm the recommendation across seasons and sites.
