Artocarpus lakoocha Roxb., commonly known as Monkey Jack, is a tropical fruit tree native to India and valued for its diverse uses in food, fodder, and timber. This study investigates the seed storability of A. lakoocha, focusing on its morpho-physiological traits and desiccation sensitivity. Mature fruits, collected from New Delhi, were analyzed for morphological characteristics including fruit and seed size, shape, and moisture content. Seeds were found to be recalcitrant, with high moisture content (50-55%) and limited viability (7-15 days), reflecting their sensitivity to desiccation and chilling. Germination tests revealed that seeds without testa (seed coat) exhibited higher germination rates, with fresh seeds achieving 100% germination at 52% moisture content. Desiccation significantly impacted seed viability, with moisture levels reduced from 52% to 22% over 21 hours leading to decreased germination rates. Seeds desiccated to below 37% moisture content showed a notable decline in viability. Storage studies indicated that seeds stored at 15°C retained viability for up to 180 days, while those stored at 25°C, 5°C, -10°C, and -20°C lost viability more rapidly. The results underscore the recalcitrant nature of A. lakoocha seeds, characterized by high moisture content and sensitivity to desiccation. Effective storage conditions are crucial for maintaining seed viability, with 15°C proving optimal for extended storage. This research provides insights into the storage behavior of A. lakoocha seeds and emphasizes the need for conservation strategies to address the declining populations of this economically important species.

The present study aimed to assess genetic variability among F4 progenies for pod yield and its components in groundnut. Conducted with 71 F4 progenies from three crosses—TMV-2 × ICGV-91114, TMV-2 × TG-69, and TMV-2 × ICGV-00350—alongside five check varieties, the investigation was carried out in an augmented design during Kharif 2019. The key objective includes evaluating genetic variability for pod yield and its components. Analysis of variance revealed significant genetic variability among the F4 progenies for all eight traits studied. The range of variability was highest for kernel yield plant-1, followed by pod yield plant-1 and pods plant-1, with minimal variation observed in days to 50 percent flowering. Genetic variability assessments showed high phenotypic and genotypic coefficients of variation for pods plant-1, pod yield plant-1, and kernel yield plant-1, while traits like days to 50 percent flowering and plant height exhibited lower variability. High heritability estimates, coupled with substantial genetic advances for pods plant-1, pod yield plant-1, and kernel yield plant-1, indicated potential for effective selection. Future work should focus on identifying the superior F4 progenies for selection for potential development of high-yielding groundnut varieties.

Understanding the impact of diverse land-use systems (LUS) on soil quality is crucial for sustainable land management practices. This study was conducted in Bengaluru, India, to estimate the soil quality index (SQI) under different LUSs. Twenty-four sampling sites were identified in four different LUSs across the Bangaluru, and soil samples were collected monthly over five months during the Rabi cropping season of 2020-2021. The soil quality assessment involved selecting the minimum data set (MDS) via principal component analysis (PCA) and correlation, scoring soil indicators, and combining these scores to create the soil quality index (SQI). PCA was used to identify key soil properties, which included soil organic carbon (SOC), pH, dehydrogenase, nitrogen (N), and urease, for different LUSs derived from the MDS. The SQI was highest in the horticulture cropping system (0.58), followed by the agro + horticulture cropping system (0.53) and the vegetable cropping system (0.49), and lowest in the pulse cropping system (0.44). These findings emphasize the importance of sustainable land management practices to preserve and boost soil quality across cropping systems.

This study focuses on the identification and management of two closely related fungus gnat species, Bradysia ocellaris C. and Bradysia impatiens J., within glasshouse insect cultures. The hypothesis posits that these gnats, emerging from plant soil, compete with target insects for food resources and serve as vectors for pathogens, thereby posing a significant threat to the integrity of insect cultures. Through a combination of morphological and molecular techniques, we distinguished between these species, revealing nuanced differences that are crucial for accurate identification. The emergence of these gnats presents challenges, as they compete for food resources with target insects and may act as vectors for pathogens. To mitigate these issues, comprehensive management practices, including hygiene maintenance, physical controls, targeted insecticides, and quarantine measures, were implemented. The study's outcomes highlight the effectiveness of these strategies in maintaining optimal conditions in controlled environments and preserving the integrity of insect cultures. These findings offer valuable insights into pest control strategies and emphasize the importance of a holistic approach to managing pests in protected cultivation settings.

Aims: This study explores the efficacy of sand filtration in treating greywater (GW) collected from a hostel. Methodology: An experimental setup was designed using five connected polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipes filled with sand sourced from the Cauvery River. The GW was filtered through sand columns of varying lengths (40 ft, 60 ft, 80 ft, and 100 ft), with the filtered water analyzed for various physio-chemical parameters. Results: The results indicate that sand filtration significantly reduces the levels of total suspended solids (TSS), electrical conductivity (EC), and other anions and cations, including chloride (Cl⁻), sulphate (SO₄²⁻), and sodium (Na⁺). The pH of the untreated GW was initially alkaline but was reduced to near-neutral levels after treatment with the 100 ft sand column. Key water quality indices such as Sodium Adsorption Ratio (SAR), Sodium Ratio (SR), and Soluble Sodium Percentage (SSP) were within safe limits post-treatment, making the filtered GW suitable for irrigation. Conclusion: The study concludes that sand filtration is an effective method for treating GW, particularly when longer sand columns are used, though further research is needed to optimize the filtration process for specific contaminants.

Understanding the impact of urbanization on soil quality is crucial for sustainable land management practices. This study was conducted in Bengaluru, India, to estimate the soil quality index (SQI) under different rural‒urban gradient (RUG) zones. Twenty-four sampling sites were identified along the RUG, and soil samples were collected monthly over five months during the October to February of 2020-2021. The soil quality assessment involved selecting the minimum data set (MDS) via principal component analysis (PCA) and correlation, scoring soil indicators, and combining these scores to create the soil quality index (SQI). PCA was used to identify key soil properties, which included microbial biomass carbon (MBC), SOC, N, manganese (Mn), and urease for different RUG zones derived from the MDS. The rural zones had the highest SQI (0.57), followed by the peri-urban (0.47 and 0.48) and urban (0.45 and 0.47) zones. These findings emphasize the importance of sustainable land management practices to preserve and boost soil quality across diverse regions, particularly in the face of rapid urbanization and industrialization.

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is one of the most important food crops grown in various agro-climatic conditions and is the staple food for more than half of the world’s population. More than 3.5 billion people depend on rice for more than 20 % of their daily calorie requirement (Maclean et al., 2013). Globally it is grown over 165.25 m ha with the production of 509.87 million tonnes milled rice (FAOSTAT, 2021). However, the production of rice is being adversely affected by various biotic and abiotic stresses. Bacterial leaf blight (BLB), caused by Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo), is a major disease affecting rice production worldwide, leading to significant yield losses. It is a serious problem in South-West monsoon season (Kharif season). It is a vascular disease and the symptoms can be visualized in terms of drying and yellowing of leaves which starts from the leaf tips and proceed downward. Understanding the pathogen’s life cycle and its interaction with rice plants is crucial for developing effective management strategies. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the biology and epidemiology of Xoo, highlighting its infection mechanisms and life cycle. We explore the genetic basis of BLB resistance in rice, focusing on the identification and characterization of Resistance genes (R genes) that confer immunity against various Xoo strains. The integration of these R genes through conventional breeding and advanced molecular techniques such as Marker-Assisted Selection (MAS) has led to the development of resistant rice varieties.

Weeds can significantly affect crop yield and nutrient uptake, making effective management crucial in wheat fields. This study, conducted during the winter (Rabi) season of 2018-19 at the Agricultural Research Farm of Banaras Hindu University in Varanasi, aimed to assess the combined impact of different nitrogen levels and herbicide treatments on weed control and wheat production. The objective was to determine the best practices for reducing weed competition and improving crop performance. The experiment was set up using a split plot design with three replications. The treatments comprised of 3 nitrogen levels and 5 weed control methods. The study identified nine prevalent weed species in wheat fields, including Phalaris minor, Anagallis arvensis, Cynodon dactylon, Chenopodium album, Melilotus indicus, Vicia sativa, Medicago denticulata, Solanum nigrum, and Cyperus rotundus, with Anagallis arvensis, Chenopodium album and Vicia sativa being the most dominant. The application of Sulfosulfuron (25 g ha-1) combined with 2, 4-D (750 ml ha-1) resulted in the lowest weed density and biomass and the highest weed control efficiency. Additionally, performing hand weeding twice (30 and 60 days after sowing) in conjunction with 180 kg N ha-1, followed by the application of Sulfosulfuron (25 g ha-1) + 2, 4-D (750 ml ha-1), significantly reduced Anagallis arvensis, Chenopodium album and Vicia sativa population and biomass and improved weed control effectiveness. Higher weed dry weight and population results in lower plant nutrient uptake and lower dry matter of crop plant and yield.

Fusarium wilt, caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. crotalariae (Kulkarni) Subram. is a significant disease affecting sunhemp (Crotalaria juncea) production, leading to substantial yield losses. To understand the pathogen's biology and enhance management strategies, comprehensive investigations were conducted under laboratory and field conditions at the University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad, during 2019-20. The pathogen was cultured on various solid media, with Richard’s agar identified as the most conducive for fungal growth, while potato dextrose agar, Czapeck’s dox agar, and Richard’s agar facilitated good sporulation. Notable variation was observed in colony morphology, including color, texture, margin, growth nature, and sporulation across the different media. Molecular characterization confirmed the pathogen as closely related to F. udum, with a 99.79% similarity to an isolate with the GenBank accession number MK575503.1. These findings provide valuable insights into the pathogen's growth characteristics and genetic identity.

A field experiment was conducted during kharif 2019-20 at Zonal Agricultural Research Station, Kalaburagi, University of Agricultural Sciences, Raichur, Karnataka, India to assess supervisory management strategies for pod fly in pigeonpea variety TS 3R sown on different dates viz., 20-07-2019, 05-08-2019 and 20-08-2019. In protected plots, pod fly was managed by spraying insecticides recommended in package of practices i.e., Imidacloprid 17.8 SL @ 0.20 ml + jaggary 10 g l-1 as first spray at 10 days after pod formation and second spray with Thiamethoxam 25 WG @ 0.2 g + jaggary 10 g l-1 at 15 days after first spray with additional sprays as needed based on the damage. First spraying was done based on the incidence of pod fly i.e., when the seed damage due to pod fly crossed 5%. Subsequent sprays were taken up on need basis at 15 days interval whenever seed damage crossed 5%. Present study revealed that the protected plots had significantly lower pod and seed damage compared to unprotected plots and the need-based application of recommended chemicals effectively controlled pod fly in crop sown on 20th July. However, crops sown on 5th August and 20th August faced higher pest pressure and required three sprays, indicating that late planted crops are more susceptible to pod fly infestations and may need additional treatments to manage the increased pest load.

Fusarium wilt, caused by the fungal pathogen, Fusarium oxysporum, is a major disease affecting a wide range of crops, leading to significant yield losses globally. This study was conducted to assess the incidence of Fusarium wilt across three distinct locations: College of Agriculture (CoA), University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS), Dharwad, Agricultural Research Station (ARS), Mugad and College of Agriculture, Hanumanamatti. A systematic survey was carried out during the cropping season, where the prevalence and severity of the disease were recorded in various fields at each location. The data collected included soil type, percentage of infected plants, the extent of wilting symptoms, and occurrence of other diseases. The survey results indicated that, the highest incidence of disease was recorded in G and F block (43.67 %) followed by B block (9.71 %) at UAS Campus, in Dharwad district and lowest incidence was recorded from COA, Hanumanamatti (7.33 %) in Haveri district. The differences in disease incidence were attributed to variations in environmental conditions, crop management practices, and soil health. Understanding the distribution and factors influencing Fusarium wilt can aid in developing effective management strategies to mitigate its impact on crop production. Further research is needed to explore resistant varieties and improved agronomic practices to control Fusarium wilt in these regions.

Research was carried out in New Delhi, India, where the discovery of Tetragonula iridipennis, also known as the Kelulut or Trigona bee, as a pollinator of Bryophyllum pinnatum (Lam.) (Crassulaceae), commonly referred to as "Mother of Thousands," was recorded and species identification was mainly carried out by molecular method. T. iridipennis has not been previously documented as a pollinator of B. pinnatum, a succulent plant known for its distinctive method of vegetative propagation. This finding presents a unique addition to the study of pollination ecology, demonstrating the adaptability of these bees in supporting the reproduction of a plant species that has not been previously documented. The research also emphasises the significance of comprehending the interactions between bees and plants, as well as the importance of safeguarding both bee species and bryophyllum plants in their respective ecosystems. The recent discovery of this connection highlights the wide range of hosts that T. iridipennis can infect and its importance in supporting biodiversity and plant reproduction. Additional insights into this distinctive pollination relationship may be obtained through further research, which can enhance our understanding of the dynamics between pollinators and plants.

This study looks at the relationship between soil chemical characteristics and nematode communities in Meghalaya's agricultural landscapes. Nematodes, which are important bioindicators of soil health, were studied in connection to soil characteristics such as pH, Electrical Conductivity (EC), Organic Carbon (OC), and nutrient levels (N, P, K) in various parts of Meghalaya. The study found strong relationships between soil chemistry and the spread of various nematode taxa. Acidic soils with lower pH and higher organic carbon were shown to have higher populations of plant-parasitic nematodes such as Meloidogyne sp. and Xiphinema sp., both of which have been shown to reduce agricultural productivity. Soils with greater EC, on the other hand, have fewer of these damaging nematodes, implying that modifying soil salinity could be a viable technique for controlling nematode infestations. Furthermore, nutrient-rich soils, particularly those high in phosphorus and potassium, were associated with larger abundances of Tylenchorhynchus sp., emphasising the intricate relationship between soil fertility and nematode dynamics. The study highlights the critical impact of soil chemical characteristics in influencing nematode communities, as well as the importance of specific soil management strategies to improve crop health in Meghalaya. Farmers can use these findings to build targeted methods for controlling nematode populations, decreasing crop loss and encouraging sustainable agricultural practices in the region. This study offers useful recommendations for enhancing soil health and increasing agricultural productivity in some regions of Meghalaya's agroecosystems.

A field experiment was carried out during the winter (rabi) season of 2018–19 at the Agricultural Research Farm, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, to evaluate the impact of herbicides and nitrogen levels on phytotoxic effect and the efficiency of different herbicides and nitrogen levels in wheat. The wheat field was infested with nine weed species such as Phalaris minor, Cynodon dactylon, Anagallis arvensis, Melilotus indicus, Chenopodium album, Vicia sativa, Medicago denticulata, Solanum nigrum, and Cyperus rotundus. Among these, Cyperus rotundus and Cynodon dactylon were the major weeds. Visual phytotoxicity indicated that phytotoxicity was observed under pinoxaden (40 ml ha-1) + 2, 4-DEE (750 ml ha-1). The data pertaining to available N, P2O5, K2O in soil after harvest of crop revealed that application of herbicides and nitrogen levels observed non-significant differences except higher available K2O in soil observed by application of pinoxaden 5.1%EC + 2,4- DEE 38%EC (40+750 ml ha-1) significantly over weedy check and statistically at par with rest of the treatments. Further, higher weed management index (WMI) was recorded under HW twice plot (30&60 DAS) was 0.13 followed by under application of sulfosulfuron (25 g ha-1) + 2, 4-DEE (750 ml ha-1) was 0.11. Weed density and biomass had strong negative correlation with grain yield (r = -0.39 and r = -0.40, respectively). The interaction effect of highest grain and straw yields were achieved with the application of Sulfosulfuron (25 g ha⁻¹) + 2,4-DEE (750 ml ha⁻¹) in combination with 180 kg N ha⁻¹.