The present investigation was carried out at Horticulture Research Farm- I, Department of Horticulture, School of Agricultural Sciences & Technology, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University (A Central University), Lucknow, to study the impact of organic manures and inorganic fertilizers on growth, yield, and fruit quality of brinjal (Solanum melongena L.) cv. Kashi Taru during the Rabi season of the year 2024-25. The experiment was laid down in Randomized Block Design (RBD) which consisted 11 treatment combinations viz; T0- Control, T1- 100 % (RDF), T2- 100% Farm Yard Manure, T3- 100 % Vermicompost, T4- 100 % Poultry Manure, T5- 50 % RDF + 50% Farm Yard Manure, T6- 50 % RDF + 50 % Vermicompost, T7- 50 % RDF + 50% Poultry Manure, T8- 50% Farm Yard Manure + 50 % Vermicompost, T9- 50% Farm Yard Manure + 50 % Poultry Manure and T10 - 50 % Vermicompost + 50 % Poultry Manure and treatments were replicated thrice. The treatment 100% RDF (T1) performed better in terms of growth parameters, and the combined application of 50% RDF + 50% FYM (T5) resulted in the best yield and quality of brinjal.

A field experiment was conducted during Kharif, 2023 at Agronomy crop research farm, Department of Agronomy, University of Agriculture and Technology, Banda (U.P.). The experimental site is situated between latitude 25°31'00'' and 28°7'00'' North and longitudes 80°20'00'' and 41°9'00'' East and having an altitude of 119 m above sea level. The experiment was carried out to evaluate the effect of integrated nutrient management on pearl millet in randomized block design with ten treatments (viz., T1 -Control, T2 - 100% RDF, T3 - 75% RDF, T4 -125% RDF, T5 -75% RDF + 5t ha-1 FYM, T6 -75% RDF + 2.5t ha-1 FYM, T7 -75% RDF + 2.5t ha-1 Vermicompost, T8 75% RDF + 1.25t ha-1 Vermicompost, T9 -100% RDF + 2.5t ha-1 FYM, T10 - 100% RDF +1.25t ha-1 Vermicompost); replicated thrice. The soil in which research experiment conducted was silty clay. The results of the experiment on growth attributes showed that significantly and maximum number of tillers per plant (5.28), number of leaves per plant (21.03), plant height (230.12 cm), plant dry weight per plant (48.15 g), crop growth rate (45.30 g m2 day-1 ), leaf area index (1.44) were recorded at harvest stage under treatment (T9) and highest chlorophyll concentration (45.58 μmol) was recorded under treatment (T4) with application of 125% RDF. Maximum net assimilation rate (1.76) was recorded under control at harvest stage. Yield and yield attributes viz., earhead length (29.71cm), girth of earheads (6.90 cm), weight of grains per ear heads (11.38 gm), test weight (9.95 gm), economic yield (24.10q ha- 1), biological yield (88.28 q ha-1 ), stover yield (64.18 q ha1 ), and harvest index (27.34 %), maximum gross return (73086 INR ha-1 ), Net return (37715 INR ha-1 ) and B:C ratio (2.07) were observed in treatment T9 with combined application of 100% RDF along with 2.5t ha-1 FYM. Among Integrated nutrient management practices, treatment (T9) application of 100% RDF+ 2.5t ha-1 FYM was found significantly beneficial for productivity and economics of pearl millet in Bundelkhand region.

Manual weeders reduce labour requirements compared with hand weeding but remain time-consuming and physically demanding in paddy cultivation. A rotary power weeder powered by a 4.5 hp single-cylinder, air-cooled engine and equipped with three rotary units was developed for direct-seeded paddy and evaluated under field conditions. The machine was tested at three forward speeds and compared with manual weeding using a khurpi. Weeding efficiency decreased with increasing forward speed, whereas plant damage and power requirement increased. The highest grain yield and benefit–cost ratio were obtained at 1.27 km h⁻¹, which was identified as the optimum operating speed. Field evaluation demonstrated that the developed machine reduced labour requirements, provided effective weed control, and improved the operational efficiency of mechanical weed management in direct-seeded paddy cultivation.

Global Value Chains (GVCs) play a vital role in enabling agri-tech startups to access international markets, enhance technological capabilities, and improve export competitiveness. Despite the rapid growth of agri-tech startups in India, their participation in GVCs remains constrained due to multiple structural and operational challenges. This study aims to identify and analyze the critical challenges affecting GVC participation of Indian agri-tech startups and develop a hierarchical structural model illustrating their interrelationships. A comprehensive literature review has been used to identify 7 major challenges related to institutional support, technological capability, digital integration, logistics infrastructure, compliance readiness, market access, and export competitiveness. The study employs the Total Interpretive Structural Modelling methodology to develop a strategic framework. The results reveal that institutional and policy support acts as the primary driving factor influencing technological capability and operational readiness, while digital traceability and logistics infrastructure function as linkage factors enabling compliance with international standards. Market access and export competitiveness were identified as highly dependent outcome factors. The study offers valuable insights for practitioners and policymakers by highlighting the need for coordinated investments in policy support, technology adoption, infrastructure development, and certification readiness to enhance the global competitiveness of Indian agri-tech startups.

Nutrient deficient foods are widely recognized as a major cause of malnutrition and also impact global food security. This has increased focus on nutrient-rich, underutilized food crops as a potential solution. Macrotyloma uniflorum (Horse gram) is an important yet neglected legume, rich in proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, fatty acids, fiber, minerals, and valuable phytochemicals, making it useful for both human and animal consumption. Horse gram is mentioned in various traditional food systems, underscoring its cultural significance. The crop can withstand harsh environmental conditions such as drought, and low soil fertility. Considering the nutritional benefits of horse gram, there is a need to develop conservation strategies and value-added products to boost its market potential as a sustainable solution against global food insecurity and malnutrition. This review provides an insight into horse gram’s botanical features, nutritional profile, and development of value-added products. The overall aim is to highlight the benefits of horse gram and encourage its value addition, and utilization to address malnutrition, enhance food security, and support sustainable agriculture. Not applicable.

Linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.) is an important oilseed and fiber crop valued for its nutritional and industrial uses, yet its narrow genetic base limits breeding progress. The present study evaluated 25 linseed genotypes to assess genetic variability, heritability, and trait associations using multivariate techniques. Eleven quantitative traits, including seed yield, plant height, oil content, and yield components, were recorded and analyzed through ANOVA, genetic parameters, Principal Component Analysis (PCA), and hierarchical clustering. Significant genetic variation was observed for all traits, with high heritability and genetic advance estimates for seed yield per plant, 1000-seed weight, and plant height, suggesting strong additive genetic control. PCA identified four principal components explaining 74.84 % of total variation, with seed yield per plant, number of capsules per plant, and plant height as the major contributors to divergence. Cluster analysis grouped the genotypes into five distinct clusters, High-yielding genotypes were identified in Cluster IV, Cluster II included early-flowering and early-maturing types, while high oil content genotypes from Cluster I and V were recorded. These findings highlight the presence of substantial genetic diversity within the studied germplasm and provide valuable insights for selecting parental combinations to enhance yield, adaptability, and early maturity in linseed improvement programs.

Soil physico-chemical properties are important indicators of soil quality and are greatly influenced by land use systems, particularly in arid regions where climatic conditions limit soil development. The present study was conducted to evaluate the influence of different land use systems on soil physico-chemical properties in the Balesar block of Jodhpur district, Rajasthan, India. A total of 60 surface soil samples (0–15 cm) were collected from irrigated cropland, rainfed cropland, and pasture land, with 20 samples from each land use system. The samples were analyzed for bulk density (BD), particle density (PD), water holding capacity (WHC), soil pH, electrical conductivity (EC), and organic carbon (OC) using standard laboratory procedures. Results showed that soils of the study area were slightly to moderately alkaline in reaction, with pH ranging from 7.36 to 8.32. Irrigated cropland recorded higher pH and EC compared to rainfed and pasture lands, indicating accumulation of soluble salts under irrigated conditions. Bulk density was lowest in irrigated soils, whereas rainfed soils showed comparatively higher values, suggesting the effect of organic matter and management practices on soil compaction. Water holding capacity was higher in irrigated and pasture soils than in rainfed soils, while organic carbon content was generally low in all land use systems due to arid climatic conditions. Correlation analysis revealed negative relationship between bulk density and organic carbon, while water holding capacity showed positive association with organic carbon, indicating the role of soil organic matter in improving soil physical properties. The study concludes that land use systems significantly influence soil physico-chemical properties in the arid region of western Rajasthan, and improved management practices such as irrigation and organic matter addition can enhance soil quality and sustainability.

Dragon fruit (Hylocereus costaricensis L.) is an emerging commercial fruit crop propagated mainly through vegetative means to maintain varietal uniformity and early establishment. However, successful rooting of stem cuttings depends largely on the application of suitable plant growth regulators. The present experiment was conducted during 2022–23 under polyhouse conditions at the Department of Horticulture, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Lucknow, to evaluate the effect of auxins on root development of dragon fruit cuttings. Uniform stem cuttings (10–15 cm length with 4–5 nodes) obtained from one-year-old mother plants were treated with different concentrations of Indole Butyric Acid (IBA), Naphthalene Acetic Acid (NAA) and their combinations. The experiment was laid out in a Completely Randomized Design with nine treatments including control, IBA (1500 and 3000 ppm), NAA (150 and 300 ppm) and their combinations. Observations were recorded at 30, 60 and 90 days after planting for rooting parameters such as longest root length, number of roots, root diameter, fresh weight and dry weight of roots. The results revealed significant improvement in rooting characteristics due to application of plant growth regulators. Among all treatments, IBA at 3000 ppm produced the best performance, followed closely by the combination of IBA 3000 ppm + NAA 300 ppm. Maximum root length (22.35 cm), number of roots (41.85), root diameter (1.497 mm), fresh root weight (2.10 g) and dry root weight (0.65 g) were recorded under IBA 3000 ppm treatment at 90 days after planting, whereas minimum values were observed in untreated control cuttings. The improved rooting response may be attributed to enhanced cell division, activation of meristematic tissues and efficient mobilization of stored carbohydrates into physiologically active sugars that promoted adventitious root formation. Higher auxin concentration also increased cambial activity, water uptake and elasticity of cell walls, leading to rapid root initiation and elongation.

The vetiver is essential oil-bearing aromatic crop. The oil used in drinking product, soap, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and perfumery industries in India. The study was carried out to the cost and returns on CACP cost concepts and statistical analysis basis of vetiver crop. The cost of cultivation to be found cost A1 1, 20,428/- (56.37 per cent per hectare and gross income of vetiver was found 4, 40,000/- hectare per year. The net return over Cost A1 319572/- and Cost C3 was found to be 226371/- per hectare per year. The benefit cost ratio over cost A1 and cost C3 was found 1:2.65 and 1:1.06. This study was found that vetiver production is profitable venture in the study area. There are two marketing channel were found in the vetiver oil i.e. Producer-Local buyer-Industry and Producer- Industry. It was observed that vetiver oil was more selling through channel-II than channel-I like 80% and 20% respectively. The study, therefore, recommended that farmers should be encouraged to form the sustainable farming of cluster model system. This model multiplication in another problematic and unreached area in the various part of the country. For this crop cultivation improved their livelihood life in the study areas. Highlights:  Vetiver cost of cultivation cost C3 was found to be highest followed by another cost.  Net return over cost A1 was found to be highest followed by another cost.  The benefit cost ratio was observed to be highest cost A1 and lowest cost C3.  The observed marketing cost was higher in channel-II followed by channel-I

Primary pancreatic Ewing sarcoma (ES) is an exceedingly rare malignancy, with fewer than 100 confirmed cases reported worldwide. We report the case of a young adult woman presenting with a large solid-cystic pancreatic body-tail mass, initially diagnosed as solid pseudopapillary neoplasm and subsequently misinterpreted as metastatic endometrial stromal sarcoma following resection. Lack of adjuvant therapy and loss to follow-up preceded metastatic recurrence, whereupon targeted immunohistochemistry and molecular analysis established the definitive diagnosis of extraosseous ES with t(11;22)(q24;q12) translocation. Palliative chemotherapy yielded transient disease control before rapid progression and death. This case illustrates the diagnostic challenges posed by this rare entity due to overlapping clinicoradiologic and histologic features with more common pancreatic tumors, emphasizing the critical role of early inclusion of CD99, NKX2.2, and EWSR1 testing to facilitate appropriate multimodal management and improve outcomes.

Fennel seeds were treated with varying colchicine concentrations (0, 0.0125, 0.025, 0.05, 0.1, and 0.2 % w/v) for 24 and 48 hours and then planted in a garden using a randomized complete block design (RCBD) method. The colchicine dose (0.05 % w/v) enhanced fennel height (Tall) after 24 h of exposure compared to the other doses, while all the doses showed a better effect (Longer) for root length than control (Long) after 24 h of exposure. At 48 h of exposure colchicine doses (0.025 and 0.05 % w/v) increased the fennel height (Tall) compared to the other doses. Also, doses (0.0125, 0.025 and 0.05 % w/v) enhanced the root length (Longer) compared to the control treatment after 48 h of exposure. Inheritance pattern of fennel height and root length were estimated using Chi-square test. It was estimated complementary inheritance (9:7) pattern for fennel height at all doses after 24 h of exposure. Colchicine dose (0.2 % w/v) showed both complementary and duplicate dominance inheritance (11:5) pattern for fennel height after 48 h of exposure. All doses exhibited complementarity for root length, but 0.2 % w/v also showed duplicate dominance inheritance (11:5) at both 24 and 48 hours. In conclusion, lower colchicine concentrations (0.0125, 0.025, and 0.05 % w/v) show potential for trait enhancement by improving efficiency, predictability and effectiveness of developing genetic population, whereas higher concentrations induce complementary and duplicate dominant epistasis inheritance patterns for fennel height and root length suggested the source of variation for survival in changing environment.

Wheat production in the semi-arid regions of South Asia is increasingly challenged by declining water availability, erratic rainfall patterns, and inefficient conventional crop establishment methods. Sustainable production technologies that improve water-use efficiency and productivity are therefore essential for maintaining food security in the trans-Gangetic plains. The present investigation was conducted during the rabi season of 2024-25 and 2025-26 at Agronomy Research Farm, Guru Kashi University, Talwandi Sabo, Punjab, India, to evaluate the performance of different sowing methods and irrigation regimes on growth, yield, and economics of wheat. The experiment was laid out in a split-plot design with three sowing methods: Conventional Flat Sowing (M₁), Furrow Irrigated Raised Bed (FIRB; M₂), and System of Wheat Intensification (SWI; M₃), along with four irrigation schedules: I₁ (CRI only), I₂ (CRI + Tillering), I₃ (CRI + Tillering + Booting), and I₄ (CRI + Tillering + Booting + Grain Filling). Results revealed that FIRB significantly enhanced plant growth, tiller production, dry matter accumulation, and yield attributes over conventional sowing and SWI. The FIRB method recorded the highest grain yield (4,573 kg/ha), biological yield (11,382 kg/ha), and harvest index (40.2%). Among irrigation levels, I₄ produced superior growth and maximum grain yield (4,726 kg/ha). The interaction of FIRB with irrigation at all four critical stages (I₄M₂) generated the highest net return (₹ 63,856/ha) and benefit–cost ratio (1.20). The study concluded that FIRB combined with optimum irrigation scheduling is a productive and climate-resilient strategy for sustainable wheat cultivation under semi-arid conditions.

Pearl millet is an important climate-resilient cereal crop; however, its productivity remains below potential due to inefficient nitrogen management and widespread zinc deficiency, particularly in the light-textured soils of semi-arid Punjab. Therefore, there is a need to develop an integrated nitrogen and zinc management strategy to enhance nutrient-use efficiency, crop productivity, soil fertility, and economic returns. Based on this, a field experiment was conducted during kharif 2024 and 2025 at Guru Kashi University, Punjab, India, to evaluate the effect of nitrogen and zinc levels on growth, yield, nutrient uptake, soil fertility, and economics of pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.). The experiment was laid out in a randomized block design (RBD) with ten treatments comprising different nitrogen levels (80, 100 and 120% recommended dose) applied alone and in combination with zinc at 8 and 10 kg/ha. Integrated application of the recommended nitrogen dose with 100% RDN + 10 kg Zn/ha significantly enhanced dry matter accumulation, effective tillers, grain and stover yield, nutrient uptake, and economic returns over the control. Soil pH, EC, and organic carbon remained unaffected, while available nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and zinc showed slight improvement. Higher nitrogen application beyond the recommended dose did not provide additional yield benefits, emphasizing the importance of balanced fertilization. The study indicates that 100% RDN + 10 kg Zn/ha is an effective, sustainable, and economically viable nutrient management strategy for pearl millet under semi-arid Punjab conditions.

Context: Small landholding agricultural landscapes face heightened risks due to adverse climatic conditions, threatening sustainable management practices and agri-food and nutritional security. The Eastern Indo-Gangetic Plains (EIGP), particularly Bihar, India, are vulnerable to these challenges, necessitating the optimization of cropping systems for enhanced productivity, profitability, and climate resilience. Objective: This study investigated suitable cropping systems and the impacts of climate change on agri-food production systems in Bihar, India, to optimize the farm-level productivity, profitability, and sustainability. Methods: Field demonstrations of climate-resilient agricultural (CRA) practices were conducted across 70 project locations in seven hubs from 2019 to 2024. Data from agro-climatic zones (ACZs) were analyzed to evaluate productivity, profitability, and sustainability of optimized cropping systems. Results: The Rice-Potato + Maize (RPM) system showed the highest productivity across zones (34.10, 42.23, and 23.69 t ha-1 in ACZ I, IIIa, and IIIb, respectively). Soybean-Wheat-Mung bean (SWM) demonstrated higher profitability in ACZ I ($2400 ha-1) and IIIb ($211.43 ha-1), highlighting the economic potential of legume-based systems. In ACZ III, rice-based systems incorporating mustard ($2030.4 ha-1) and lentil ($1936.30 ha-1) were more profitable, emphasizing crop diversification and rotation strategies. Adverse climatic conditions signifi-cantly impacted agro-ecosystems, exacerbating threats to agri-food production systems. Conclusions: Cropping system optimization enhances system productivity and profitability while mitigating climate risks. Legume-and rice-based systems demonstrate significant potential for economic and environmental sustainability in Bihar. Significance: Policymakers should prioritize climate-resilient cropping systems as adaptive strategies to ensure sustainable agro-ecosystem management, enhance farm-level profitability, and improve agri-food and nutritional security in vulnerable regions.