Identifying the spatial and temporal attributes which are favouring forest fire susceptibility necessary for biological conservation. The adverse effects of climate change on the forest has increased wildfire. The rise in global temperature and alteration of rainfall patterns have produced appropriate conditions for forest fires. A non-parametric ‘Random Forest Algorithm’ for modelling the spatial distribution of forest fires was applied to predict the susceptibility of Indian western Himalayan forest due to fires. The forest fire susceptibility was simulated in the present (years 1970–2000) and future (years 2041–2060 and 2061–2080) environmental gradients. The real-time distribution of the fire susceptibility was evaluated and modelled using forest fire history data with an overall accuracy of more than 0.9. To derive the fire susceptible region in future, we have applied the model statistics of the present time to the future climatic scenario. The magnitude of increase of fires was predicted relatively more along longitudinal and elevational gradient as compared to the latitude. The high sensitive forest fires susceptible area was found as 35376.18 sqkm in the present conditions, while it occupied 61440.03 sqkm, 57181.76 sqkm, 57662.82 sqkm and 56612.11 sqkm respectively in 2041–2060 in the four projected climatic scenarios Representative Concentration Pathways ( i.e. , RCP2.6, RCP4.5, RCP6.0 and RCP8.5). During 2061–2080, a decline in RCP2.6 and RCP4.5 (56241.95 sqkm and 56668.29 sqkm) and an increase in RCP6.0 and RCP8.5 (61199.50 sqkm and 57510.15 sqkm) were predicted. The results clearly show the fire susceptible area will be higher in the RCP2.6 for the year 2041–2060 and RCP6.0 in 2061–2080. The current study thus provides scientific conclusions that the forest fire susceptibility is climate driven in the western Himalayas.

An experiment on elephant foot yam + millet intercropping systems was conducted at Agricultural Research Farm of Tirhut College of Agriculture, Dholi under Dr Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa, Samastipur (Bihar), India during 2024-2025 to see the feasibility, profitability and sustainability of growing millets as intercrops in elephant foot yam. It was found that plant height of elephant foot yam under millet intercroppings was increased to the tune of 11.4 to 24.8 per cent while pseudo-stem girth of the elephant foot yam was reduced to the tune of 5.7 to 9.8 per cent as compared to the sole crop of elephant foot yam. Reduction to varying levels in yield of intercrops was also observed to that of their sole crops but equivalent yields of elephant foot yam intercropped with sorghum, finger millet and little millet were found significantly superior than their respective sole crops with the highest value of 36947 kg/ha was estimated under elephant foot yam + sorghum intercropping system. Elephant foot yam equivalent yield, net return and B:C ratio of sole elephant foot yam and all the three intercropping systems of elephant foot yam with sorghum, finger millet and little millet were found comparable.

Context: Weed infestation is a major constraint in crop production across the globe but few herbicide options are available. In India, the world's major chickpea producer, broadleaf weeds are most damaging to chickpea due to lack of post-emergence herbicides. Objective: The study aimed to systematically evaluate the selectivity and efficacy of topramezone, a novel post-emergence (POST) herbicide, for broad-spectrum weed control in chickpea. Methods: We tested different pre-emergence (PRE) and POST herbicides alone and in combination with topramezone during 2021-22 and 2022-23 in thirteen locations under major mega-environments of India, comprising different agro-climatic conditions. Results: The average yield loss due to weed infestation was 52.3 % (24.1 - 73.6, CI 95 %) across locations. Across all locations, the sequential herbicide application comprising oxyfluorfen 150 g a.i. ha(-1) PRE - topramezone 20.6 g a.i. ha(-1) POST at 14 days after sowing, DAS (OXYF150-TOPR20.6) exhibited the highest weed control efficiency of 70 % (68.2 - 81.1, CI 95 %) and recorded yields up to 98 % of the weed-free check, reducing yield losses by up to 60 % over weedy check. In contrast, narrow-spectrum herbicides such as propaquizafop at 150 g a.i. ha(-1) and quizalofop-p-ethyl 150 g a.i. ha(-1) at 25 DAS had the lowest efficiency (similar to 55-58 %) and yielded only 60-80 % of weed-free check, proving the need of herbicides for managing broadleaf weeds in chickpea. The OXYF150-TOPR20.6 significantly enhanced the grain yield (1537-1858 kg ha(-1)) and delivered the highest net return (similar to Indian Rupee52,000) and benefit-cost ratio (BCR: similar to 3.0), proving its superiority in both productivity and profitability across agro-climatic zones. Conclusion and significance: It is the first comprehensive evaluation of topramezone and its sequential use with PRE herbicides under major mega-environments of India. This study highlights topramezone's potential as a globally viable POST herbicide, offering effective weed control, improved chickpea yield, and sustainable weed management.

An extensive field pioneering was undertaken to examine the precise impedance of wheat crops during the Rabi seasons spanning 2020-21 and 2021-22, specifically within the Prayagraj District of Uttar Pradesh. The central objective of this experimentation was to evaluate the implications of employing a Soil Test Crop Response (STCR) strategy for fertilizer application and its pursuant impression on growth and yield within the context of Inceptisol soil order, with a focused emphasis on wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) ploughing plowing within the Prayagraj region. The STCR methodology was adopted as a foundational framework to make out the optimum dose of fertilizers required to facilitate the most compatiblerise of the wheat crop. The protectorate of soil -plant relationship system from economic absorption perceptional of soil health footing. Sandy loam in soil texture, belongs to soil order Inceptisol and neutral to saline in soil reaction. The experiment was carried out in Randomized Block Design (RBD) and replicated thrice with 9 treatments. The growth attribute like plant height, number of tillers per plant, number of green leaves per plant and plant dry weight was observed significant at 120DAS on a pooled basis(Years 2020-21 and 2021-22). The best treatment combination was (T 9 ) STB (150:15:150 NPK kg ha -1 ) +FYM 15 t ha -1 , which displayed grain yield of 6.49,6.52 and 6.50 t ha -1 on a pooled basis respectively. It is concluded that the reposeful use of NPK fertilizers with FYM FYM-based organic fertilizer on STCR viewpoint not only gave best wheat yield but also elevated soil quality and environment friendly.

The present research was conducted to study the differential doses and time applications of topramezone on weed dynamics and yield of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) at agronomical research farm of Trihut College of Agriculture, Dholi, Muzaffarpur (Bihar), during the rabi 2022-23. The experiment was carried out in an RBD design with three replications and twelve treatments: Pre-emergence (PE) application of oxyfluorfen (150 & 250 g/ha), post-emergence (PoE) application quizalofop-p-ethyl, propaquizafop (each 100 g/ha at 20 DAS), topramezone 20.6 g/ha (14 & 21 DAS) and 25.7 g/ha (21 DAS) applied. Among pre + post emergence applications oxyfluorfen (150 g/ha) fb quizalofop-p-ethyl (100 g/ha at 15-20 DAS), oxyfluorfen followed by propaquizafop (100 g/ha at 20 DAS) and oxyfluorfen fb topramezone (20.6 g/ha at 21 DAS) applied, along with the weed-free control (WFC) and weedy check. Among all the herbicidal treatments, the combination of oxyfluorfen at 150 g/ha followed by topramezone at 20.6 g/ha at 21 DAS (pre + post-emergence) recorded lowest weed dry matter and highest weed control efficiency (WCE) and crop yield.

Integrated nutrient management (INM) combines multiple organic sources to ensure a balanced supply of essential nutrients, improving plant growth and resilience. Understanding the interaction between sowing methods and nutrient management in organic wheat farming is essential for optimizing crop productivity and environmental sustainability. The present study aims to evaluate the effects of different sowing methods and nutrient management strategies on the growth and development of wheat under organic farming conditions. A field experiment was conducted during the rabi seasons of 2022–23 and 2023–24. The experiment was laid out in a strip plot design with three replications and horizontal strip four sowing methods treatments viz. S1: Line sowing, S2: Criss cross sowing, S3: Line sowing with 150 % seed rate and S4: Criss cross sowing with 150% seed rate and vertical strip six organic nutrient management viz. N1: 100% RDN, N2: 75% RDN + Azotobactor + PSB, N3: 100% RDN + Azotobactor + PSB, N4: 75% RDN + Azotobactor + 4 foliar spray of 10 % Cow urine at 20 days interval, N5: 100% RDN + Azotobactor + PSB + 4 foliar spray of 10 % Cow urine at 20 days interval and N6: 125% RDN. Results indicated that CGR, RGR, and LAI increased from the early vegetative phase to the reproductive stage, then declined towards maturity due to leaf senescence and remobilization of assimilates. Among sowing methods, criss-cross sowing with 150% seed rate (S4) consistently produced the highest CGR, RGR, and LAI, highlighting the benefits of better plant distribution and canopy structure. Nutrient management significantly influenced LAI and LPR, with the highest values recorded under 125% RDN (N6) and 100% RDN integrated with biofertilizers and cow urine foliar sprays (N5). The lowest growth values were found under the lowest nitrogen level with biofertilizers (N2). The interaction effect between sowing methods and nutrient management was non-significant for all parameters, indicating independent effects. Among nutrient management treatments, applying 125% of the recommended dose of nitrogen produced superior results across most growth parameters, highlighting the importance of adequate nitrogen availability for optimum growth and canopy development. The integrated use of biofertilizers and organic foliar sprays also showed promise, often yielding values comparable to the higher nitrogen level.

Background: The burden of over 300 million individuals living with hypertension in India is increasing steadily. Most current guidelines recommend initial combination therapy for effective blood pressure (BP) control. However, there is no randomised evidence to inform which combinations to use in the South Asian population, who account for over one-quarter of the world's population. Methods: This multi-centre, single-blind, randomised, three-arm trial recruited men and women aged 30-79 years with hypertension. The trial compares the efficacy of commonly recommended single pill combinations (SPCs) of three drug classes - calcium channel blocker (amlodipine), ACE inhibitor (perindopril), and a thiazide-like diuretic (indapamide). The primary objective is to determine the most effective two-drug combination, initially at starting doses with forced up-titration at 2 months, in reducing 24-h ambulatory systolic blood pressure (ASBP) at 6 months. The trial has 85 % power to detect a difference of 3 mmHg in 24-h ASBP amongst the groups. Participant recruitment took place from August 2022 to February 2024. Baseline results: The 1981 participants (42.0 % women) enrolled had a mean age of 52.1 (SD 11.3) years and a mean body mass index of 26.5 (SD 4.2) kg/m2. 58.1 % of participants had a previous diagnosis of hypertension and 18.6 % of participants were known to diabetes. The mean ASBP was 135.6 (SD 17.0) mmHg, and the mean ambulatory diastolic BP was 84.5 (SD 10.9) mmHg. Conclusion: The TOPSPIN trial is the first randomised evaluation of commonly used BP-lowering combination therapies in a South Asian population. The results have potentially significant implications for choosing first-line antihypertensive agents among Indians and the South Asian diaspora.

Extensive fossil fuel consumption in almost all human activities led to someundesirable phenomena such as atmospheric and environmental pollutions. Consequently, global warming, greenhouse effect, climate change, ozone layer depletion and acid rain started to appear frequently. In order to avoid further impacts of these phenomena, the two concentrative alternatives are either to improve the fossil fuel quality or more significantly to replace fossil fuels with environment friendly, cleanand renewable energy sources. It must be the main and common purpose of humanity to maintain environment for the betterment of future generations with sustainable energy developments and the known limits of fossil fuels force the societies of the world in the long run to work jointly for their continuing replacement by renewable energy alternatives rather than the quality enhancement of fossil sources. Among these renewable sources, solar energy comes at the top of the list due to its abundance,and even distribution in nature. Solar energy is environment friendly and a green energy source. Furthermore, it has identified the contributions of solar energy applications in creating jobs opportunities and enhancing ecological protection. Lastly, the standpoint of solar energy technology is drawn up in the application of the energy sector and affords a vision of future development in this field

Background: Yellow mosaic disease (YMD), caused by the Mungbean yellow mosaic India virus (MYMIV), seriously affects soybean production in the central and northern regions of India. Methods: The present investigation was conducted to reveal the relation among the fluctuating population of whiteflies, YMD progression, meteorological parameters and crop age in four varieties, i.e. 335, JS 20-34, NRC 86 and MACS 1520, at J.N.K.V.V., Jabalpur, during kharif 2021 (June to September). The whitefly population, by visual and cage and YMD severity were recorded at weekly intervals. Result: Whiteflies first appeared 13 days after sowing (27th SMW) and reached a peak of 7.73 per plant (cage) and 3.29 per trifoliate (visual) at 29th SMW (July, 16-22). During this maximum and minimum temperature, morning and evening RH were 33.4 and 25.4°C, 84.10 and 70.0 %, respectively. Whiteflies on JS 335 (0.639* and 0.635*) and MACS 1520 (0.672* and 0.639*) significantly positively correlated with maximum temperature in visual and cage counts. Wind speed exhibited a significant negative relation with a whitefly count of JS 335 (-0.753*) and MACS 1520 (-0.764*). YMD initiated (28th SMW) at high temperature (max 33.3°C and min 25.1°C), low rainfall (33.2 mm), less humid conditions (evening 58.3-morning 85.1 %) and presence of whitefly. In contrast, at the time of maximum disease progression (32nd SMW), comparative low temperature (max 28.5 and min 24.2°C) and high humid conditions (evening 79.0-morning 90.0) prevailed. Among the four varieties, maximum disease severity was recorded in JS 20-34 (48.16%). The corresponding week’s maximum temp (0.771**) and sunshine hours (0.792**) were negatively significant and evening RH (0.717*) and wind speed (0.708*) had a positively significant relation with mean YMD progression. A similar significant association was also obtained between the previous week¢s parameters and disease. YMD and whitefly exhibited a negative, non-significant association. Crop age also linked non-significantly with YMD progression. The present findings could be utilized to predict vector and YMD and to formulate appropriate management strategies for both.

The study aimed to investigate the impact of plant populations and fertility levels on growth and yield attributes of chickpea cultivars. For this, a field experiment was conducted with two cultivars (PBG 7 and GPF 2), two levels of plant populations (3.33 and 2.22 lakh plants/ha) and two fertility levels (20:40:20 and 30:60:30 kg NPK/ha) at south-eastern Punjab (Patiala) during the winter season of 2018-2019 following factorial randomized block design. Chickpea cultivar PBG 7 recorded significantly highest growth parameters (plant height, dry weight, branches/plant) and yield attributes (pods/plant, grains/pod, 1000-seed weight and grain yield/plant) and yield as compared to the cultivar GPF 2. The lower plant population (2.22 lakh plants/ha) resulted significant increase in plant height (3.13%), dry weight (22.56%), branches/ plant (25.44%), pods/plant (7.60%), grains/pod (15.62%) over the plant population of 3.33 lakh plants/ha, but considerably higher grain yield (1471 kg/ha) was recorded with 3.33 lakh plants/ha. Higher fertility level (30:60:30 kg NPK/ha) significantly increased growth, yield attributing parameters, grain yield (1476 kg/ha) and net return (INR. 45,036/ha) as compared to low fertility level (20:40:20 kg NPK/ha). Therefore, for obtaining higher yield of chickpea, PBG 7 can be sown at 3.33 lakh plants/ha with 30:60:30 kg NPK/ha under south-eastern Punjab.