As a crucial staple for millions, climate-resilient wheat genotypes are vital for safeguarding livelihoods and ensuring food security. The study encompassed 80 genotypes and was conducted during the Rabi seasons of 2019–2020 and 2020–2021. This study provides a comprehensive analysis of various stress indices to determine their effectiveness in predicting wheat genotypes performance under diverse environmental conditions. Based on strong positive correlation of indices with grain yield per plot along with insights from principal component analysis, our findings showed that the Stress Tolerance Index (STI), Mean Productivity (MP), Geometric Mean Productivity (GMP), Harmonic Mean (HM), and Yield Index (YI) are the most reliable indicators of yield performance under drought, heat, and combined stress conditions. This confirms their effectiveness in selecting resilient genotypes. Additionally, while these indices are robust in predicting performance, it is important to consider their trade-offs with yield stability under stress conditions to ensure a balanced approach in genotype selection. A negative correlation between yield stability index (YSI) and grain yield in favorable conditions suggests that genotypes with high yield stability prioritize consistency over maximum yield potential. The genotypes C-306, HD-2888, GW-477, RW-5, WH-1142, PBW-773 and HD-30 are identified as the best performers under these environmental conditions. The findings highlight the consistent and significant relevance of stress tolerance, stress susceptibility indices, reduction and relative stress index in both PC1 and PC2 explaining the majority of variance within all stress contexts. These revelations offer valuable insights for devising crop enhancement strategies aimed at elevating yield and productivity under diverse stress conditions. Moreover, this knowledge can guide the selection of parental lines for crafting new cultivars with heightened stress tolerance.

Wheat is a vital crop, providing calories, nutrients and versatility in the food industry. However, the combination of heat and drought stress, exacerbated by climate change, poses a significant threat to wheat production, leading to potential yield losses. To ensure the sustainability of wheat production it is crucial to prioritize research on developing stress-tolerant wheat genotypes. The current study focused on identifying the traits that are important for developing stress-tolerant wheat varieties under timely sown irrigated, drought stress, heat stress, and combined stress conditions. It addresses the knowledge gap regarding the combined effects of heat and drought stress on wheat physiology and yield, aiming to shed light on the intricate interactions between these stresses. The experiment was conducted at CCS HAU, Hisar, during the Rabi seasons of 2019–2020 and 2020–2021. By evaluating variability parameters, conducting correlation analysis, and path coefficient analysis among 80 diverse wheat genotypes, this research identifies genetic factors contributing to stress tolerance and helps select plants with desirable characteristics. The results showed that traits i.e., malendialdehyde, wax covering on blade, wax covering on sheath and wax covering on spike had high potential for improvement through selection among genotypes for grain yield and its component traits. The study also highlighted the importance of selecting wheat varieties with early maturity to mitigate the risk of yield loss under combined stress conditions. Moreover, the interaction between drought and heat stress can increase oxidative stress, leading to elevated malondialdehyde levels. Selecting varieties with lower malondialdehyde and optimal canopy temperature is important. Understanding the complex response of wheat to heat, drought, and their combined stress is essential for improving crop quality and production potential. Overall, this research contributes to the field of plant breeding by facilitating the development of wheat varieties with high and stable yields in challenging environments.

An experiment was conducted during winter (rabi) seasons of 2019–20 and 2020–21 at the research farm of CCS Haryana Agricultural University to study the genetic diversity of 80 bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) genotypes, using 43 polymorphic SSR markers. A total of 84 alleles were discovered, with an average of 3 alleles amplified per locus. The average value of the allelic PIC varied from 0.26 to 0.82. Primers, viz. Xgwm 129, Xgwm 131, TaGST, CFA2147, Xwmc48, Xbarc 1165 and Xwmc169 may be deemed particularly informative given their high PIC values. Indices of dissimilarity varied from 0.14 to 0.42. Eighty wheat genotypes were clustered into two main groups with 35 and 45 genotypes each using the dendrogram constructed on the basis of molecular data of polymorphic markers. Using STRUCTURE, genotypes were classified into 4 major sub-populations having Fst values 0.351, 0.363, 0.508 and 0.313, respectively. Future breeding operations in wheat cultivars for tolerance to abiotic stress should consider genotypes clustering into different groups. Assessing the molecular genetic diversity is a reliable approach to identify cultivars by analyzing of specific regions of the cultivars DNA based on their unique genetic profiles.

Food security and public health are becoming major concerns for the global leaders due to climate change. The uneven distribution of rainfall and temperature has increased the global food demand with quality food. The current study was carried out for analysis of genetic diversity among 64 bread wheat genotypes for heat tolerance based on 21 morpho-physiological traits. The sixty four genotypes were grouped into five different clusters. Maximum number of genotypes was in cluster V (17) with lowest intra cluster distance (3.866) followed by cluster II (15), I (14), III and IV (each having 9 genotypes). Genotypes of cluster IV and I were more genetically diverse due to maximum inter cluster distance between them (8.873). The cluster II was designated as “highly tolerant” while cluster I and V as “moderately tolerant” and “highly sensitive” respectively, to heat stress on the basis of comparison of cluster mean values for yield and its major contributing traits like, peduncle length, flag leaf length, grain filling duration and so on. By collating their mean performance, the genotypes P-13348, P-13676, P-13820 and P- 14114 were found to be more heat tolerant in cluster II. Similarly, genotypes P-13808, P-13638 and P-14050 were found more moderately tolerant among cluster I genotypes and genotypes P-14106, P-14112 and P-14121 were most sensitive among the cluster V genotypes to terminal heat stress.

Sesame (Sesamum indicum L. 2n = 26) is considered as valuable oilseed crop known to humans since ancient times. Despite having high oil quality, sesame is grown in small area due to lack of high yielding varieties with inbuilt resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses. Therefore an experiment was conducted to study the genetic diversityfor yield and its component traits using 60 sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) genotypes collected from the OilseedsSection, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, during kharif 2017. Analysis of variance showed highly significant differences among the studied genotypes. Phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) was found to be greater than the genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) for all the characters studied, which reflected the role of environment in the expression of the observed traits. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance was observed for number of capsules per plant and number of seeds per capsule indicating predominance of additive gene action for controlling these traits. Cluster analyses based on D2 values using Tocher’s method were used to make a dendrogram of the morphological data. The presence of genetic diversity among the evaluated germplasm will help geneticist and breeders to select diverse parents in crossing for development of high yielding genotypes of esame.

A field experiment was conducted at Entomology Research Area, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar to evaluate the management practices, viz. use of botanical pesticides, Trichogramma chilonis (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) release and intercropping with sesame were evaluated alone and in different combination against spotted bollworm, Earias spp. (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and pink bollworm, Pectinophora gossypiella Saunders (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) in cotton during 2016-17. From investigation, it was concluded that all practices, either alone or in combinations, provided significantly better control of spotted bollworm and pink bollworm than the control. The results revealed that lowest incidence of spotted bollworm (10.09 and 8.10%) recorded in treatment T2 (Spinosad 45 SC @ 75 ml/acre) which was found at par with the treatment T3 (Spinosad 45 SC @ 75 ml/ acre alternated with nimbecidine) i.e. 10.13 and 9.14%, and T6 (Intercropping cotton with sesame + Release of T. chilonis adults alternated with nimbecidine) i.e. 10.14 and 8.41% during 2016-17, respectively. The Results on boll and locule basis, the significant lowest incidence of pink bollworm was recorded under treatment T2 (2.67 and 2.00%, 20.00 and 13.00%) and it was at par with T6 (2.89 and 2.53%; 21.33 and 14.36%) during 2016 and 2017, respectively.

The study was carried out at CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar during 2019 as the widespread use ofinsecticides to control crop pests has created various problems such as residues in the food chain, phytotoxicity,pesticide resistance, pest resurgence, bioaccumulation and secondary pest outbreak, in addition to causing harmfuleffect on the environment and non-targeted beneficial organisms. However, trap cropping is one such type of specialcompanion planting strategy that is traditionally used for insect pest management through vegetative diversificationused to attract insect pests away from the main crops during a critical time period by providing them an optionalpreferred choice. Trap cropping also has a tremendous potential to attract and conserve natural enemies in croppingsystems. The effect of attracting natural enemies may be an advantage compared to the other/conventional meansof pest control. Trap cropping can be integrated with other Integrated Pest Management (IPM) tactics. But trapcropping, like many other cultural tactics, remains under-exploited. Research on trap cropping has been very limited,and deserves more consideration to sustain agro-ecosystems throughout the world. In this review we have providedinformation based on trap cropping modalities and an updated list of trap cropping system in vegetable crops thatshould be proven as helpful in future trap cropping endeavors.

Microbial viral insecticides are pathogens that attack insects and other arthropods. The genus Baculoviruses contains three subgroups of viral types: nuclear polyhedrosis viruses (NPVs), granulosis viruses (GVs) and nonoccluded viruses. NPVs and GVs differ in the number and structure of the protective protein coat and are both relatively large and complex in structure in comparison to many other types of viruses. While little information is available for viruses from the third subgroup, several aspects of the infectivity and mode of action of NPVs and GVs have been studied. The most common route of entry into an insect is ingestion. The primary site of infection is the midgut cells by membrane function. However, two distinct mechanisms of virus uncoating occur among the baculovirus, that is, NPVs uncoated within the nucleus, whereas GVs uncoated within the nuclear pore complex. NPVs may pass through the intestinal epithelium immediately after ingestion, thereby establishing a systematic infection of the haemocoel prior to virus replication in the midgut cells. The GVs do not appear to pass through midgut cells as rapidly as NPVs, and the developmental cycle of GVs is longer than that of NPVs. The perfect phase of viral disease occurs over a period of 5-10 days.

The cotton intercropping experiment was conducted for the management of sucking pests, viz. leafhopper, Amrasca biguttula biguttula Ishida (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae); whitefly, Bemisia tabaci Gennadius (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) and thrips, Thrips tabaci Linderman (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) in desi cotton, Gossypium arborium. The results of the study revealed that less mean population of leafhopper nymphs, whitefly and thrips adults was recorded from the treatments T7 (2.47, 2.61 and 2.10/leaf, respectively) and T8 (2.49, 2.52 and 2.25/leaf, respectively) where pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.) and sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) crops grown as border crops around cotton, respectively. Cotton as sole crop (T9) recorded the highest mean population of leafhopper nymphs, whitefly and thrips adults i.e. 3.54, 3.97, 3.59/leaf, respectively. However, the maximum net returns was recorded in cotton intercropped with sesame 1:1 (T1: 104140 `/ha) whereas minimum net returns was recorded in sole cotton (T9: 80021 `/ha).

Sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (Linnaeus)] also known as Jowar is an important food and fodder crop of dryland agriculture with wide range of adaptability to various agro-ecological conditions in the semi-arid tropics and cultivated on marginal, fragile, and drought-prone environments. Sorghum is attacked by around 150 insect pest damage from seedling stage to maturity, of which sorghum shoot fly, Atherigona soccata (Rondani) is a notorius pest which is responsible for causing a loss of 80–90% of grain, and 68% of fodder yield in sorghum due to its regular occurrence. To manage pest problem, farmers still rely on pesticides use, but excessive use of chemical has resulted many problems. Hence, integration of all these approaches in a unified manner has exposed more good results for eco-friendly management of shoot fly and consequently high yield of sorghum obtained.

Brinjal, Solanum melongena Linnaeus belongs to family solanaceae also known Eggplant or Baingan and it is the most important widely grown vegetable both for raw and cooked purpose and attack by the major and serious pest known as brinjal shoot and fruit borer [Leucinodes orbonalis Guenee (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)] which is responsible for causing up to 37-100% damage as well as quality and quantity loss in brinjal due to its regular occurrence from the nursery to till harvesting. In order to manage this problem, farmers still depends on the pesticides, but excessive (140-180 time more) use of pesticides has resulted residues in the food chain, phytotoxicity, pesticide resistance, pest resurgence, bioaccumulation and secondary pest outbreak, in addition to causing harmful effect on the environment and non-targeted beneficial organisms. Here, we reviewed the host plant resistant approaches by use of resistant varieties to reduce the incidence of brinjal shoot and fruit borer to achieve sustainability in brinjal production technology. This review highlights examples of successful management approaches from the past studies that were implemented in experimental trials and farmers’ fields and these practices can be explored as reproducible practices for management the pest in different locations.

Intercropping in cotton is of great significance, which helps to reduce the population of insect pests by attracting natural enemies to the field and helping to get stabilized yield and high profit advantage. The study was conducted with 4 intercrops, viz., sesame, Sesamum indicum L.; pigeonpea, Cajanus cajan L.; pearl millet, Pennisetum glaucum L.; and sorghum, Sorghum bicolor L. in an experimental area during 2016 and 2017 autumn season. The objective was to study the population of parasitoids influenced by the intercrops in cotton. This is a triangular relationship between the host, parasitoids, and environment. As Encarsia spp. (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) and Trichogramma spp. (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) are the main parasitoids of insect pests of cotton, thus the study was undertaken on these parasitoids. The results revealed that the highest parasitization of whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) pupae by Encarsia spp., was recorded in cotton-pigeonpea 1:1 (33.22%), which was at par with cotton-pigeonpea 2:1 (32.16%), whereas the second highest one was in cotton-sesame 1:1 (27.33%), while the lowest parasitization was recorded in the control (16.16%). On the activity of Trichogramma spp., the significant highest percent was recorded in cotton-sesame 1:1 (10.93%), while no activity was recorded in cotton-pigeonpea, cotton-sorghum, cotton-pearl millet, and control treatments.

Varroa mite (Varroa destructor) is the major challenge for beekeeping worldwide. Therefore, various methods and materials for varroa control have been suggested: plant extracts, essential oils, biological Agents, mechanical methods and some chemicals. The presented review highlights that still more comparative studies among varroa control options under different ecological conditions are strongly required. Basically the performed researches have been concentrated on testing chemical materials and essential oils while relatively few studies have been done on the other control options. It is concluded that the varroa mite should be continuously (monthly) managed within honey bee colonies using mechanical methods or treatment with essential oils (mainly thymol) and others also. In severe cases, and especially during the fall and not during honey seasons, the use of chemical materials can be done with preference to oxalic or formic acid.

Field experiments were conducted at CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar during April to November 2016 and 2017, to determine the effect of abiotic factors on the incidence of citrus butterfly, Papilio demoleus L. on Kinnow mandarin. The study revealed that the P. demoleus remained active practically throughout the year. The peak activity of caterpillars was observed during 39th standard meteorological week (SMW) of September (16.20 larvae/plant) and 40th SMWof October (15.80 larvae/plant). The leaf infestation activity was also at peak during 39thSMW (55.19%) and 40th SMW (53.36%). Pest progression was correlated with weather variables. Correlation analysis indicated that the larval population and per cent leaf infestation had significant negative correlation with maximum temperature and significant positive correlation with relative humidity. Regression models were developed using significant weather parameters pooled for both the years for the estimation of larval population and per cent leaf infestation using step wise regression technique. Values of coefficient of determination (R-2) ranged between 71 to 72per cent.

A study to investigate the impact of abiotic factors on the population dynamics of whitefly varied from 1.60 to 6.00 adults per leaf and leafhopper from 1.48 to 7.12 nymphs/leaf. The experiment was conducted at CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar during kharif 2016 and 2017. Observations (n-1=14 d.f.) of whitefly adults and leafhopper nymphs were recorded at weekly intervals. The correlation studies of whitefly adults with weather parameters revealed that it had significant and positive correlation with minimum temperature (0.463*) in 2016, whereas in 2017 adults population had significant and positive correlation with minimum temperature (0.593*) and morning relative humidity (0.370*). Nymphal population of leafhopper correlated with weather parameters revealed that in 2016, it had highly significant and positive correlation with evening relative humidity (0.764**), significant and positive correlation with morning relative humidity (0.551*), while in 2017 it had highly significant and positive correlation with minimum temperature (0.774**) and evening relative humidity (0.830**). Morning relative humidity had significant and positive correlation with nymphal population of leafhopper (0.581*) whereas maximum temperature had significant and negative correlation.

The present study was conducted at Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana University, Hisar, and experimental area of the Department of Entomology during the Kharif season of 2016 and 2017. The pooled data of both the years revealed that maximum population of leafhopper (Amrasca biguttula biguttula) nymphs (3.94 nymphs/leaf) was recorded in late sown while minimum population (2.91 nymphs/leaf) was recorded in early sown cotton. In case of thrips (Thrips tabaci Linderman), the population of thrips adults was highest (3.99 adults per leaf) in late sown crop while population was least (2.89 adults per leaf) in normal sown cotton. In case of whitefly (Bemisia tabaci Gennadius), the population of whitefly adults was highest (4.46 adults/leaf) in late sown while population of whitefly adults was least (2.88 adults/leaf) in early sown cotton.