Journal of Scientific Research and Reports

Revolutionizing Cotton Cultivation: Impact of High Density Planting System (HDPS) on Yield

2026-05-26T11:06:41+00:00

Cotton cultivation is often constrained by low productivity, climatic variability and pest incidence under conventional spacing methods. High-Density Planting System (HDPS) has emerged as an efficient agronomic strategy for improving plant population, resource utilization and yield performance. This study assesses the agronomic and statistical impact of High-Density Planting System (HDPS) on cotton (Gossypium spp.) yield as compared to that of conventional method of planting. Field trials were conducted across 120 farms in Akola district, Maharashtra, India during the 2024 cotton growing season under Special Project on Cotton. The experiment utilized a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) to minimize climatic and topographical variations. Two planting geometries viz., HDPS (90 X 15 cm) and Conventional spacing (120 X 30 cm) were compared for yield performance using Z-test analysis, confidence intervals, Cohen’s d effect size and correlation analysis was done between plant population density and corresponding yield. Results revealed a significant yield increase of 32.7% under HDPS with mean yield of 12.25 qtl/acre as compared to conventional method (9.23 qtl/acre). Highly significant z-score (18.06**), confidence intervals (95% CI: 2.69 – 3.35) depicting true yield difference between both the methods of planting and Cohen’s d (2.33) showing large effect size confirmed superiority of HDPS over conventional planting. Correlation coefficient (r = 0.71) affirmed the strong positive relation between plant population density and yield/acre. Furthermore, HDPS exhibited early maturity, better canopy coverage, reduced pest exposure, particularly to pink bollworm and ultimately improved resource use efficiency. The results substantiate HDPS as a scalable, sustainable solution for enhancing cotton productivity in rainfed regions with light to medium soil.

Temporal Dynamics of Azadirachtin Accumulation and Identification of Optimal Harvest Stage in Azadirachta indica A. Juss

2026-05-27T11:01:42+00:00

Azadirachtin, a major tetranortriterpenoid from Azadirachta indica A. Juss., is widely utilized in eco-friendly pest management owing to its potent insecticidal and growth regulating properties. However, azadirachtin accumulation varies with fruit developmental stage, thereby influencing extraction efficiency and commercial value. The present study evaluated temporal variation in azadirachtin content across four fruit developmental stages (9^th, 13^th,17^th, and 19^th weeks after anthesis) in selected high and low azadirachtin neem genotypes. Azadirachtin accumulation increased progressively from early developmental stages and reached a maximum at the 17^th week after anthesis (0.87 ± 0.026% in high genotypes and 0.39 ± 0.014% in low genotypes), followed by a decline at the 19^th week. Two-way ANOVA revealed highly significant effects of developmental stage (F = 147.93, p < 0.001) and genotype category (F = 1616.02, p < 0.001) on azadirachtin content, whereas their interaction was not significant (p = 0.103). LSD analysis (CD = 0.031) confirmed significant differences among all developmental stages, with the 17^th week recording the highest azadirachtin accumulation. The observed trend indicates maximum triterpenoid accumulation during physiological maturity, followed by a decline during fruit ripening. The study establishes the 17^th week after anthesis (hard green stage) as the optimal harvest stage for maximizing azadirachtin yield and provides a scientific basis for standardizing harvest timing for improved neem-based biopesticide production. This study could serve as a basic information for the farmers to collect the fruits at their harvestable maturity for better returns.

Colour and Shape as Visual Design Elements: Effects on Cognitive Performance in Young Children

2026-05-27T11:08:13+00:00

Colour and shape are important design elements for information perception and cognition. Researchers from previous studies have suggested that colour can affect children’s cognitive performance. However, the effect of colour and shape on cognitive ability has not been widely investigated. In this paper, the concept of the perceptual load paradigm was used to investigate the effect of colour and shape on cognitive performance. For the experiment, 120 young children aged 6-8 years with average intellect were selected. Three experiments were carried out, experiment 1 uses colour blocks, experiment 2 uses shapes without colour and experiment 3 uses shapes with colour as stimuli. The results showed that the main effect of item types (colour, shapes with colour and shapes without colour) in each stimulus was significant (p>.001), and the main effect of cognitive load was significant (p>.001). This indicated that colour, shape, and cognitive load significantly impacted the cognitive performance of the young children. These findings highlight important educational and cognitive benefits that can help improve teaching practices and learning interventions. Using both colour and shape together can support young learners by making it easier for them to process and understand information, even during more challenging cognitive tasks. One practical application of these findings is in the development of educational materials that thoughtfully combine colour and shape to enhance learning and engagement.

Bayesian Analysis of Covid-19 Recovery and Death Cases in Nigeria

2026-05-28T06:58:13+00:00

Uncertainty in Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infections, recoveries, and deaths complicates public health decision-making in Nigeria. This study applies a Bayesian framework to quantify this uncertainty using state-level surveillance count data (n = 37) from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control covering March 2020 to January 2024. The Weibull distribution was illustrated for recovery cases and the Lognormal distribution for death cases, with Gamma and Inverse Gamma conjugate priors respectively. The Weibull shape parameter (k = 0.8231) was fixed at its maximum likelihood estimate, yielding a closed-form posterior convergence for the scale parameter. Convergence diagnostics confirmed satisfactory model performance (R̂ < 1.05). The posterior mean recovery rate was 103.4 per 100,000 (95% credible interval: 70.8–150.9), supporting a national recovery rate of 97.48%. The posterior mean death rate was 1.610 per 100,000 (95% credible interval: 1.106–2.425), with mortality peaking at 7.60 per 100,000 in Lagos. Findings highlight high recovery but unequal mortality burden, informing targeted interventions.

Growth Performance of Sorghum under Eucalypts and Guava Based Agri-Horti-Silvi System in Northern India

2026-05-29T10:26:11+00:00

In semi-arid Northern India, agroforestry systems combining trees and crops can enhance farm sustainability and climate resilience. Understanding the performance of sorghum under eucalyptus- and guava-based systems is important for optimizing fodder production and tree-crop interactions. The study aimed to evaluate the growth performance of sorghum (HJ 541) under Eucalyptus tereticornis (clonal P-23) and Guava (Psidium guajava) based agroforestry systems, focusing on crop physiology, yield, and economic viability.The experiment was conducted in agri-silvi-horticulture (eucalypts + guava + agricultural crops) and agri-horticulture (guava + agricultural crops) systems, with sole sorghum cropping (control) for comparison, following a randomized block design. The study was carried out at the Department of Forestry, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar. Tree components were established during July-August 2019 at 7×8 m spacing, while sorghum was sown in June 2022 (Kharif season). Growth observations were recorded up to April 2023. Growth parameters of trees (basal diameter, DBH), physiological traits of sorghum (chlorophyll content, photosynthesis, transpiration, stomatal conductance), and fodder yield were measured at different crop stages. Guava exhibited higher basal diameter as sole (9.56 cm) compared to guava under eucalypts (8.45 cm). Clonal eucalypts showed rapid increment in basal diameter (31.05 cm) and DBH (25.44 cm). Sorghum under tree-based systems recorded higher chlorophyll content, whereas sole sorghum had superior photosynthesis, transpiration, and stomatal conductance. Fodder yield ranged from 25.57 t/ha (agri-silvi-horticulture) to 41.35 t/ha (control), with yield reduction of 38.16% and 6.27% under agri-silvi-horticulture and agri-horticulture, respectively. The benefit-cost ratio varied between 0.67 and 1.09. Integration of sorghum with guava and eucalypts influenced crop physiology and yield, demonstrating trade-offs between tree-crop combinations and sole cropping. The findings provide practical insights for sustainable agroforestry strategies in semi-arid regions of Northern India.

Cost and Income Structure of Maize Cultivation in Chhindwara District of Madhya Pradesh, India

2026-05-29T12:39:54+00:00

Maize (Zea mays L.) is an important cereal crop with significant economic and nutritional value in India. The present study was conducted to estimate the cost of cultivation and profitability of maize production in Chhindwara district. Primary data were collected from 90 sample farmers comprising 30 small, 30 medium, and 30 large farmers through a pre-tested interview schedule for the agricultural year 2023–24. The study revealed that the total cost of cultivation (Cost C3) was highest on large farms (₹116,351.86/ha), followed by medium farms (₹107,961.91/ha), and lowest on small farms (₹99,795.05/ha). The average gross income from maize cultivation was ₹160,800.68/ha, which was maximum on large farms (₹167,154.98/ha.) and minimum on small farms (₹154,706.99/ha.). The average net income, farm business income, family labour income, and farm investment income were estimated at ₹52,764.41/ha., ₹93,597.80/ha., ₹65,752.55/ha., and ₹90,481.13/ha., respectively. The benefit–cost ratio was highest on small and medium farms (1:1.5) compared to large farms (1:1.4). The study concluded that although large farms generated higher output and gross returns, small farms were relatively more efficient in terms of profitability. The findings suggest the need for policy interventions aimed at improving access to quality seed, balanced fertilizer use, irrigation facilities, credit support, and extension services, particularly for small and medium farmers. Strengthening farmer training programmes on improved production technologies and promoting efficient resource utilization may further enhance maize productivity and profitability in the district. Additionally, government support through price stabilization measures, crop insurance, and mechanization subsidies could help reduce production risks and improve the economic sustainability of maize cultivation.

Spatio-temporal Analysis of Groundwater Recharge, Storage Anomalies, and Aquifer Variability under Diverse Geological Units of the Wainganga River Basin

2026-05-30T13:11:00+00:00

Background: Groundwater is a major freshwater resource supporting agricultural, domestic, and industrial activities in central India. However, increasing groundwater extraction and climatic variability have intensified groundwater stress in hard-rock aquifer systems.

Aim: The present study aimed to evaluate long-term groundwater recharge dynamics, groundwater storage anomalies (GWSA), and spatial variability across diverse geological formations of the Wainganga River basin using groundwater level observations from 2000–2020.

Method: A total of 249 observation wells distributed across major geological formations including Deccan Trap, Betul Gneiss, Lower Gondwana, Sausar Group, Khairagarh Group, Acid Intrusive/Granite, and Laterite/Bauxite were analysed. Groundwater recharge was estimated using the Water Table Fluctuation (WTF) method based on pre- and post-monsoon groundwater level fluctuations and aquifer-specific yield values. Groundwater storage anomalies were calculated using long-term mean groundwater storage, while spatial variability was assessed through standard deviation analysis.

Results: The results revealed considerable temporal and spatial variability in groundwater behaviour across different geological formations. Pre-monsoon groundwater depth reached a maximum of 21.35 m, indicating severe groundwater depletion during drought years. Post-monsoon groundwater levels showed substantial recharge variability controlled by geological characteristics and monsoonal rainfall. Groundwater recharge estimation indicated that the Deccan Trap formation contributed the highest recharge, varying from 1048 MCM in 2014 to 1790 MCM in 2019, whereas total basin recharge ranged from 1907 MCM to 3015.97 MCM during the study period. Groundwater storage anomaly analysis revealed severe groundwater stress during 2014 and 2020, with the Khairagarh Group exhibiting the highest depletion (−14.7 MCM). In contrast, significant groundwater recovery was observed during 2010 due to high monsoonal recharge. Spatial variability analysis demonstrated strong heterogeneity in groundwater storage distribution, with the Khairagarh Group showing the highest spatial variability (20.01 MCM), while Acid Intrusive/Granite and Sausar Group formations maintained relatively stable groundwater conditions.

Conclusion: The study highlights the strong influence of geological formations and monsoonal variability on groundwater recharge and storage dynamics within the Wainganga River basin. The findings provide important scientific information for sustainable groundwater management, artificial recharge planning, and identification of groundwater-stressed regions in hard-rock terrains of central India.

Ethnobotanical Survey of Wild Leafy Vegetables Used by Tribal Communities of Bargaon, Dindori District, Madhya Pradesh, India: Diversity, Medicinal Uses, and Conservation Status

2026-05-30T13:21:16+00:00

Wild leafy vegetables (WLVs) constitute a crucial component of the subsistence economy, nutrition, and traditional medicine of tribal communities in Central India. The present study documents the ethnobotanical knowledge of wild leafy vegetables among Gond and Baiga tribal communities in 10 selected villages of Bargaon, Shahpura Block, Dindori District, Madhya Pradesh. A total of 295 informants aged 45–75 years were interviewed using semi-structured questionnaires, participatory field walks, and group discussions between August 2024 and December 2025. Systematic ethnobotanical field surveys led to the documentation of 72 species of wild leafy vegetables belonging to 38 plant families, with Amaranthaceae (14 spp.), Asteraceae (11 spp.), and Fabaceae (9 spp.) being the most represented families. Tender leaves were the most frequently utilized plant part (58%), primarily prepared by cooking (42%). The recorded species were used to treat a range of ailments including digestive disorders (18 spp.), anaemia (15 spp.), and skin diseases (10 spp.). Quantitative indices including Use Value (UV), Relative Frequency of Citation (RFC), and Informant Consensus Factor (ICF) were calculated to identify the most culturally significant species. Amaranthus viridis, Chenopodium album, and Centella asiatica recorded the highest UV values (0.92, 0.89, and 0.85, respectively). A total of 24 distinct disease categories were treated by the documented species; a high informant consensus was recorded for digestive disorders (ICF = 0.89) and anaemia (ICF = 0.85). Elder women (55–64 years) held the most extensive traditional knowledge, while informants below 45 years showed significant knowledge attrition, indicating urgent intergenerational erosion of traditional ecological knowledge. The study highlights the rich traditional botanical knowledge preserved by female informants and elder members of the Gond and Baiga tribes, and underscores the urgent need for documentation, conservation, and sustainable management of WLV diversity in this biodiversity-rich biosphere reserve landscape.

Effect of Sulphur and Zinc on Growth and Yield of Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.)

2026-05-30T13:30:46+00:00

Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) is an important oilseed crop whose productivity is often constrained by deficiencies of essential micronutrients like sulphur and zinc. Adequate nutrient management, particularly the balanced application of sulphur and zinc, plays a critical role in enhancing plant growth, yield, and oil quality. A field experiment was conducted during Zaid season of 2025 at Crop Research Farm, Department of Agronomy, Naini Agricultural Institute, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, to evaluate the effect of Sulphur and Zinc on growth and yield of Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.). The experiment had 3 levels of Sulphur (20, 30 and 40 kg/ha) and Zinc (10, 20 and 30 kg zinc sulphate/ha) with one control, the experiment was laid out in a Randomized Block Design with 10 treatments and replicated thrice. The results revealed that the significant increase in the growth and yield attributing characters of sesame, viz. plant height, number of branches/plant, plant dry weight, capsules/plant, seeds/capsule, test weight, seed yield, and stover yield was recorded in application of Sulphur 30 kg/ha in conjunction with Zinc sulphate 20 kg/ha. This combination had been observed most effective treatment for obtaining higher seed yield (933.3 kg/ha) and net returns (INR 67673.72/ha) in sesame crop, for Prayagraj region.

Comparative In-vitro Efficacy of Fungicides against Fusarium oxysporum Causing Wilt of Pigeonpea

2026-06-01T06:30:57+00:00

Pigeon pea is an important pulse crop, but its productivity is severely constrained by wilt disease caused by Fusarium oxysporum. The soil-borne pathogen survives for long periods in the soil and causes significant yield losses, making disease management challenging. Evaluation of fungicides under laboratory conditions is essential for identifying effective chemical options for suppressing pathogen growth and supporting disease management strategies. An in vitro experiment was carried out to evaluate the efficacy of different fungicides against Fusarium oxysporum causing pigeon pea wilt in the P.G. Research Laboratory, Department of Plant Pathology, N. M. College of Agriculture, Navsari Agricultural University, Navsari during 2024-25. Thirteen fungicides belonging to contact, systemic and combination groups were evaluated at three concentrations (100, 200 and 300 ppm) by poison food technique using Completely Randomized Design (CRD). The efficacy of fungicides was assessed based on mean colony diameter and Per cent Growth Inhibition (PGI). Significant differences were observed among the fungicides tested against F. oxysporum under laboratory conditions. Among the fungicides evaluated, penflufen 13.28% + trifloxystrobin 13.28% FS recorded complete inhibition (100.00%) of mycelial growth at all concentrations tested. Fluopyram 17.70% + tebuconazole 17.70% w/w, thiophanate methyl 450 g/L + pyraclostrobin 50 g/L FS, carbendazim 25% + flusilazole 12.5% SE and tebuconazole 50% + trifloxystrobin 25% WG also exhibited excellent inhibition and remained statistically at par with penflufen 13.28% + trifloxystrobin 13.28% FS. Mancozeb 75 WP recorded the least inhibition among all fungicides tested. The results indicated that combination fungicides were more effective than contact fungicides against F. oxysporum under in vitro conditions.

Development of an AI-Based Animal Intrusion Detection System for Agricultural Lands Using ESP32-CAM and TinyML

2026-06-03T09:47:43+00:00

Animal invasion is one of the major threats observed recent times in the agricultural lands. This is due to the extension of farm lands to feed the increasing population. There is a need to control this animal invasion without harming the living animals. Hence, the study was undertaken to develop an Artificial Intelligence based image detection using ESP32-CAM and Neural Network for protection of agricultural land by invasion of wild animals, resulting in crop damage and financial losses. The goal of the study is to develop a simple yet effective system for detecting wild animals. The model, FOMO (Faster Objects, More Objects) MobileNetV2 0.35, has been trained to detect cows, elephants, and deers to safeguard farmlands effectively. The deployment involves object detection capabilities, on-device optimization, and real-time performance for practical implementation.

Comparative Evaluation of Exponential Double Smoothing and ARIMA Architecture for Forecasting Area, Yield, and Production of Potato in Odisha, India

2026-06-03T10:03:05+00:00

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is an important food and cash crop in Odisha, India, yet the state fulfils only a small proportion of its domestic requirement through local production. Accurate forecasting of potato area, yield, and production is therefore essential for effective agricultural planning and policy formulation. The present study comparatively evaluated the forecasting performance of Exponential Double Smoothing (EDS), also known as Holt’s Linear Trend Model, and Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) models using annual time-series data from 1970 to 2023 collected from the Directorate of Economics and Statistics, Odisha, and Five Decades of Odisha Agricultural Statistics. The dataset was divided into training (1970–2017) and testing (2018–2023) periods to assess out-of-sample forecasting accuracy. Model performance was evaluated using Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE), Root Mean Square Error (RMSE), diagnostic tests, and Corrected Akaike Information Criterion (AICc). The best-fitted ARIMA models identified were ARIMA (0,2,1) for area, ARIMA (0,1,0) for yield, and ARIMA (1,1,0) for production. However, EDS consistently produced lower forecasting errors than ARIMA for most of the study variables, indicating superior predictive performance. Forecasts generated through EDS for 2024–2026 suggest a gradual decline in potato cultivation area and production in Odisha, while yield is expected to remain relatively stable with slight fluctuations. The findings indicate that EDS is a more reliable and robust forecasting approach for potato statistics in Odisha and may provide useful support for agricultural policy decisions, storage planning, and strategies aimed at achieving regional self-sufficiency in potato production.

Response of Different Row Ratios of Soybean + Pigeon Pea Intercropping and Sowing Times to Soybean Growth Dynamics

2026-06-03T12:46:15+00:00

Soybean–pigeon pea intercropping is widely practiced in rainfed regions to improve land-use efficiency, crop productivity, and system sustainability under variable climatic conditions. Proper sowing time and row arrangement play an important role in optimizing crop growth and resource utilization. The experiment was conducted at the AICRP for dryland agriculture Dr. PDKV, Akola, situated at 20°42' North latitude and 77°02' East longitude during season of kharif 2023-24 and 2024-25. To determine the effect of different row ratios of soybean + pigeon pea intercropping and various sowing times on soybean growth dynamics. Based on a two-year investigation the result was presented directly from pooled data. The experiment was laid out in factorize randomize complete block design with three replications. There are twelve treatment combinations, comprising of three sowing times i.e D₁- Normal sown (Onset of monsoon), D₂- 15 days after D₁ and D₃ 30 days after D₁ and four intercropping row proportions i.e I₁- 8:1 (soybean + pigeon pea), I₂- 6:1 (soybean + pigeon pea), I₃- 4:1 (soybean + pigeon pea) and I₄- 5:2 (soybean + pigeon pea). The result revealed that, the maximum growth dynamic for dry matter was found in normal sown (28 MW) soybean crop. Normal sown soybean (28 MW) recorded significantly higher absolute growth rate during 31–45, 46–60 and 76 DAS to harvest compared to the second and third sowings, and remained at par with the second sowing during 46–60 DAS. It also showed significantly higher relative growth rate (0.0698 g g^-1 day^-1) than second and third sowings and was at par with the second sowing during 31–45 DAS. Net assimilation rate was highest in normal sowing during 30–45 DAS (0.0757 g dm^-2 day^-1), remaining at par with the second sowing, while later stages were not significantly affected by sowing time. Therefore, growth dynamic is not influenced significantly by different intercropping row ratios at any growth stage of crop.

Parental Self-Efficacy as a Protective Factor against Dysfunctional Parenting among Parents of Adolescents

2026-06-04T12:56:40+00:00

Self-efficacy is known to influence how individuals think, feel, and behave, and it is considered a powerful antecedent to the quality of parent-child interactions. The current study was conducted to determine the level of parenting self-efficacy among parents of adolescents and establish its relationship with their parenting behaviour. The research was descriptive research with 100 father-mother dyads of adolescents between the age of 13 and 15 years with matched criteria were selected from Jorhat district, Assam using three-staged sampling. The Woolgar’s Brief Parental Self-Efficacy Scale was used to assess parenting self-efficacy of parents and Parenting Scale of Arnold et al. was used to identify parenting behaviour of the respondents. The study was statistically analysed with frequency distribution, percentage, mean, standard deviation, t-test, and correlation coefficient. The results revealed that fathers showed more laxness in their parenting and mothers were more over-reactive and verbose in nature. Moreover, mothers had significantly higher levels of parenting self-efficacy than fathers. Furthermore, parenting self-efficacy was negatively correlated with laxness and verbosity for both parents, indicating that higher levels of perceived parental self-efficacy were related to lower levels of dysfunctional parenting behaviour in parents of adolescents. This study recommends that parenting interventions should focus on strengthening parental self-efficacy as greater parental confidence can promote nurturing parenting behaviours among parents.

Long-term Trend Analysis of Agrometeorological Variables and their Influence on Sugarcane Productivity in North Coastal Andhra Pradesh, India (1991–2024)

2026-06-04T13:01:29+00:00

Agrometeorological variables such as temperature, rainfall, sunshine hours, and evaporation strongly influence sugarcane growth and productivity. Long-term changes in these variables can affect crop performance and agricultural planning. This study examines trends in key agrometeorological factors and their relationship with sugarcane yield in North Coastal Andhra Pradesh. This longitudinal study analysed 34 consecutive years (1991–2024) of daily records from a single agrometeorological observatory - the Regional Agricultural Research Station (RARS), Anakapalle, Visakhapatnam District, North Coastal Andhra Pradesh (17.6913°N, 83.0039°E) - to characterize long-term trends in eight meteorological variables: maximum temperature (Tmax), minimum temperature (Tmin), mean temperature (Tmean), diurnal temperature range (DTR), total annual rainfall, rainy days, sunshine hours, and pan evaporation, and to assess their relationships with sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L., cv. 87 A 298) cane yield. The complete daily record comprised 12,054 observations recorded using standardised IMO-compliant instruments. The non-parametric Mann–Kendall (MK) trend test with Hamed–Rao autocorrelation correction and Sen's slope estimator were applied to annual time series; where lag-1 autocorrelation exceeded |r₁| > 0.10, the Hamed–Rao modified MK test replaced the standard test. Autocorrelation analysis revealed significant positive lag-1 serial correlations in sunshine hours (r₁ = 0.635), pan evaporation (r₁ = 0.764), Tmin (r₁ = 0.783), and Tmean (r₁ = 0.711), necessitating the modified test for these variables. After autocorrelation correction, no statistically significant trends were detected in any temperature or rainfall variable (all p > 0.25). Highly significant declining trends were confirmed in both mean annual sunshine hours (MK Z = −4.92, Sen's slope = −0.062 h day⁻¹ yr⁻¹, p < 0.001, cumulative decline: 2.04 h day⁻¹, 26.8% from 1991) and mean annual pan evaporation (MK Z = −4.91, Sen's slope = −0.030 mm day⁻¹ yr⁻¹, p < 0.001, cumulative decline: 0.99 mm day⁻¹, 19.9% from 1991) - both trends remaining highly significant even after conservative autocorrelation correction. The concurrent decline in sunshine hours and pan evaporation under stable temperatures constitutes evidence of the 'evaporation paradox' driven by declining surface solar irradiance. Exploratory Pearson correlation analysis between annual weather variables and four years of observed sugarcane cane yields (2021–2024, n = 4) identified heat stress days (r = −0.610) and DTR (r = −0.645) as the most agronomically coherent associations; all yield correlations were statistically non-significant owing to the small sample size and should be interpreted as hypothesis-generating only.

Bridging Yield and Extension Gaps in Mustard through Cluster Frontline Demonstrations (CFLDs) in Solan District of Himachal Pradesh, India

2026-06-06T11:15:07+00:00

Background: Agricultural education and extension are not only vehicles for technology dissemination but also catalysts for socio-economic transformation, empowerment, and the overall wellbeing of farming communities. Cluster Frontline Demonstrations (CFLDs), an initiative of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) implemented through Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), have emerged as an effective extension strategy to address this gap. Conducted on farmers’ fields, CFLDs promote recently released high-yielding varieties along with improved crop management practices.

Aim: The purpose of conducting Cluster Frontline Demonstrations (CFLDs) on mustard is to evaluate the effectiveness of improved production technologies in enhancing crop yield and farm profitability under farmers’ field conditions, ensuring wider visibility and adoption.

Place and Duration of Study: A total of 100 demonstrations were conducted for two years in two clusters, Belikhol and Nagali, by Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Solan, Himachal Pradesh, covering an area of 20 ha per year.

Methodology: The demonstrations were conducted during the rabi seasons of 2023-24 and 2024-2025 to bridge yield and extension gaps, besides uplifting the socioeconomic status of farmer. High -yielding mustard variety Him Palam Gobhi Sarson-2, along with INM and IPM practices were demonstrated to the farmers. To quantify the impact of CFLDs, the technology gap, extension gap and technology index were computed.

Results: The findings confirm that CFLDs play a pivotal role in enhancing mustard productivity and profitability, while also reducing the technology dissemination gap. CFLD plots produced higher seed yield and economic returns than farmer practice plots. During the first year (2023-2024), an increase in yield of 14.89-19.50 per cent was observed while in the second year the increase was 16.21 to 21.93 per cent. The technology gap varied from 1.62 to 2.60 q/ha, extension gap from 2.10 to 2.95 q/ha and technology index varied from 8.77 to 14.08% across both locations and years. Farmers’ feedback shows high acceptability of components such as improved varieties, seed rate and balanced nutrient management.

Conclusion: Results confirm that the demonstrated oilseed variety, along with recommended agronomic practices, significantly enhanced productivity and reduced yield gaps. However, efforts should be directed towards minimizing the technology and extension gap through improving extension outreach under farmers’ field conditions.

An Analysis of Growth in Input Use Level and Total Factor Productivity of Major Crops in Telangana State, India

2026-06-06T12:32:12+00:00

Agriculture remains a vital sector in Telangana, contributing significantly to rural livelihoods and food security. Following the formation of the state in 2014, substantial investments were made in irrigation infrastructure, farmer support programmes, and agricultural development initiatives. Evaluating whether these interventions translated into productivity gains requires an assessment of changes in input use and total factor productivity (TFP) of major crops. This study examines changes in input use, costs, and total factor productivity (TFP) for rice, cotton, and maize in Telangana across two periods: 2010–11 to 2013–14 and 2014–15 to 2017–18, using the Divisia–Tornqvist index. It is noted that, TFP levels for rice, cotton, and maize were 1.30, 0.99, and 1.09, respectively, in the first period, and 1.02, 1.15, and 1.05, respectively, in the second period. These results indicate limited technological impact for rice and maize following state formation, in contrast to cotton, which shows appreciable TFP gains after 2014. A Cobb–Douglas production function further found that farm size, the share of area under irrigation, and seed cost as key determinants of farm income. Overall, the agricultural sector performed at a comparatively higher rate after 2014, particularly in irrigation and crop production. The results suggest that policy efforts should focus on expanding irrigation coverage, promoting productivity-enhancing technologies, improving input-use efficiency, and reducing production costs to achieve sustainable agricultural growth and enhance farmers income in Telangana.

Advances in Integrated Pest Management Strategies for Sustainable Crop Protection: A Review

2026-06-01T13:27:58+00:00

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) has emerged as a sustainable and ecologically sound approach for crop protection in response to increasing concerns regarding pesticide resistance, environmental degradation, biodiversity loss, and food safety. Conventional dependence on synthetic pesticides has resulted in adverse impacts on non-target organisms, soil and water contamination, and the development of resistant pest populations, creating the need for integrated and environmentally compatible pest management strategies. This review highlights recent advances in IPM strategies and their role in sustainable agricultural production systems. Major components of IPM, including cultural, biological, mechanical, physical, chemical, biotechnological, and digital approaches, are critically examined. Cultural practices such as crop rotation, intercropping, resistant cultivars, and conservation agriculture contribute significantly to pest suppression and agroecosystem stability. Biological control using predators, parasitoids, microbial biopesticides, and habitat manipulation reduces pesticide dependency and enhances ecological resilience. Mechanical and physical methods, including trapping, barriers, solarisation, and temperature-based treatments, provide eco-friendly alternatives for pest suppression. Advances in safer pesticide formulations, resistance management strategies, and precision-based chemical application strengthen the efficiency of chemical control within IPM frameworks. Emerging biotechnological innovations such as Bt crops, RNA interference, CRISPR/Cas gene editing, and molecular diagnostics offer targeted and sustainable pest management solutions. Digital agriculture technologies including artificial intelligence, drones, remote sensing, IoT-based monitoring systems, and predictive forecasting models have transformed pest surveillance and decision-making processes. Ecological engineering and agroecological approaches emphasising biodiversity conservation, pollinator protection, and ecosystem services further improve the sustainability of pest management systems. Despite substantial progress, challenges related to farmer awareness, high implementation costs, biosafety concerns, climate change, and regulatory limitations continue to affect widespread adoption of IPM practices.

SPARDA (Short Prokaryotic Argonaute, DNase-Associated): A CRISPR-Independent Prokaryotic Defense System with Emerging Biotechnological Potential

2026-06-02T11:17:22+00:00

Microorganisms exist in environments densely populated by bacteriophages and mobile genetic elements, necessitating the evolution of sophisticated defense strategies. While CRISPR–Cas systems represent the best-characterized adaptive immune mechanisms in prokaryotes, recent genomic and structural studies have revealed a diverse repertoire of non-CRISPR antiviral systems. Among these, Short Prokaryotic Argonaute, DNase Associated (SPARDA) systems have emerged as a distinctive form of guide-directed innate immunity. SPARDA combines catalytically inactive short prokaryotic Argonaute proteins with accessory DNase effectors to mediate targeted destruction of invading nucleic acids. Unlike CRISPR–Cas systems, recent studies suggest that some SPARDA-like systems employ programmable guide recognition coupled with β-relay signaling and filament assembly to activate associated nucleases.

This review summarizes the structural organization, mechanistic basis, evolutionary origins, and ecological significance of SPARDA systems. Short prokaryotic Argonautes are proposed to function as molecular sensors that recognize foreign DNA through guide-dependent interactions and, in some experimentally characterized systems, initiate conformational changes that activate associated DNase effectors. Filament formation observed in certain systems may contribute to amplification of DNase activity and DNA degradation. Comparative analyses indicate that SPARDA shares functional parallels with other bacterial defense systems such as CBASS, BREX, and restriction–modification systems, while also exhibiting conceptual similarities to supramolecular signaling assemblies in eukaryotic innate immunity.

Beyond its biological importance, SPARDA represents a promising platform for biotechnology and synthetic biology applications, including programmable diagnostics, biosensing, antimicrobial engineering, and synthetic immune circuits. Understanding the structural dynamics, regulatory control, and ecological distribution of SPARDA will deepen current knowledge of microbial antiviral immunity and may facilitate the development of novel molecular technologies inspired by prokaryotic defense mechanisms.

A Comprehensive Review on the Antifungal Potential and Synergistic Effects of Various Plant Extracts

2026-06-02T13:22:53+00:00

Plant extracts are useful against a variety of fungal infections due to their multifaceted approach. Improved understanding of plant-derived compounds can lead to more effective and long-lasting antifungal treatments for pharmaceutical, agricultural, and industrial applications. The study investigated the antifungal activity of a combined extract of many herbs. This review investigates the antifungal activity of combined plant extracts and evaluates their synergistic potential, mechanisms of action against fungal pathogens, and possible role in overcoming antifungal resistance. This review was conducted using secondary sources, including previously published peer-reviewed journals, review articles, and scientific research papers. Traditional healers can give optimized result than single herbs and treat multiple ailments, including those not stated by the patient. The extract of the plant and its combinations comprise diversified bioactive phytochemicals (for example, Phenols, Flavonoids, Terpenoids, Alkaloids and essential oils) which act on various fungal targets. All these processes mutually reinforce each other, so the combination can be especially powerful. This is a crucial mechanism involved, which may be inhibiting the synthesis of fungal cell membranes and representing an important therapeutic strategy for antifungal therapy. ERG produces ergosterol, a sterol involved in interactions with numerous bioactive compounds for the formation and function of the fungal cell membranes. Terpenoids, phenolics, and aldehydes (thymol, carvacrol, citral and geraniol) that significantly influence fluidity and permeability of the lipid bilayers forming fungal membranes. This modification leads to intracellular component mobilisation, an imbalance of ions and is followed by membrane breakdown. The plant extracts can affect the metabolic pathway and fungal cell wall production by targeting important enzymes. Chitin and glucan are components of the fungal cell walls and are synthesised by enzymes such as chitin synthase and β-glucan synthase. Alkaloids and flavonoids are believed to be inhibitors of these enzymes. Phytochemicals decrease fungal tolerance and survival through cytochrome P450 subunits responsible for Ene M and detoxification. The increasing prevalence of antifungal resistance has stimulated extensive research into alternative antifungal agents and combination therapies. Candida species can develop resistance through several mechanisms, including alterations in drug targets, overexpression of efflux pumps that actively remove antifungal agents from the cell, and reduced membrane permeability that limits drug uptake. A better understanding of the antifungal properties of phytochemicals and their mechanisms of action may facilitate the development of safer and more effective therapeutic agents. In particular, combinations of plant-derived compounds with synergistic effects may offer a promising strategy for overcoming antifungal resistance and improving treatment outcomes.

Gender and Agricultural Extension Access: A Review of Impacts on Productivity, Income, and Empowerment

2026-06-04T13:46:52+00:00

Gender-differentiated access to agricultural extension remains a persistent institutional constraint in smallholder agriculture. Although extension is often presented as a neutral mechanism for transferring agronomic knowledge, technologies, climate information and market advice, access to extension is shaped by land rights, labour responsibilities, mobility norms, literacy, digital access, group membership and intrahousehold decision-making. This narrative review examines how gendered access to agricultural extension affects productivity, income and empowerment. The article synthesises peer-reviewed literature published mainly between 2000 and 2026, with selective use of an authoritative international report for policy context. The literature search covered from January 2000 to present, while allowing selective inclusion of older classic studies where they remained analytically important. The main academic databases consulted were Web of Science, Scopus, Google Scholar, PubMed, CAB Abstracts, AGRICOLA, AGRIS and EconLit. The review shows that extension can improve productivity and income when advice is timely, locally credible, technically sound and linked to complementary resources such as inputs, credit, labour-saving technologies, markets and farmer organisations. However, the benefits are often weaker for women when extension systems rely on male household heads, male-dominated farmer groups, digital channels controlled by men, or training formats that ignore women’s unpaid care and farm labour responsibilities. Extension contributes to empowerment when it enhances women’s knowledge, confidence, leadership, bargaining position, social networks and control over agricultural benefits. These gains are not automatic. They depend on whether women are recognised as farmers in their own right and whether extension systems address the institutional and social conditions that determine whether advice can be used. The review argues that gender-responsive extension must move beyond counting women participants and instead evaluate effective access, agency, resource control and distribution of benefits. It concludes that agricultural extension can support inclusive agricultural transformation only when technical quality and gender justice are treated as mutually reinforcing priorities.

Bio Char-modified Concrete: A Review of Fresh and Mechanical Properties

2026-06-06T12:10:34+00:00

The construction sector sits at the heart of one of the world's most pressing the construction industry is one of the leading contributors to global carbon emissions, accounting for approximately 40% of energy-related CO₂ output, with cement production alone responsible for nearly 8% of total worldwide emissions. Facing mounting pressure to decarbonize, the sector has turned increasing attention toward supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) — alternatives that can partially replace ordinary Portland cement (OPC) while preserving, or even improving, structural performance.

This review examines bio char as one such alternative — a carbon-rich, highly porous material produced through the thermochemical conversion of biomass under oxygen-limited conditions. What sets bio char apart from conventional SCMs is its potential to be genuinely carbon-negative: rather than merely reducing emissions, it can actively sequester atmospheric carbon within hardened concrete, making it a strategically important material for the global push toward net-zero construction by 2050.

Drawing on a broad body of recent experimental literature, the paper systematically traces bio char’s journey from production — through pyrolysis (300–800°C), gasification (above 700°C), or hydrothermal carbonization (180–250°C) — to its performance in cementitious systems. Key physicochemical characteristics examined include particle size, porosity, specific surface area (5–400 m²/g by BET), elemental composition, pH, and surface functional groups, all of which govern how bio char interacts with the cement matrix. The experimental evidence is encouraging. At optimum replacement levels — generally between 1% and 5% by weight of cement — bio char consistently improves compressive strength by up to 18.5% and enhances flexural performance, primarily through internal curing, pore refinement, and accelerated cement hydration. Higher replacement levels reduce fresh concrete workability, but this effect can be effectively managed through superplasticizer optimization.

Beyond mechanical performance, bio char’s capacity for CO₂ adsorption and long-term carbon locking distinguishes it from established SCMs such as fly ash and silica fume, and extends its potential applications to thermal insulation, fire-resistant composites, and energy-efficient building envelopes.

Bio char properties vary considerably depending on feedstock type and pyrolysis conditions, making cross-study generalization difficult. Long-term durability data are limited, and the field still lacks standardized mix design protocols and quality benchmarks. This review maps these gaps clearly and identifies the research directions most critical for bringing bio char from laboratory promise into mainstream sustainable construction practice.

Human–AI Interface Design for Trust Calibration and Cognitive Workload Management in High Stakes Decision Making Contexts: A Scoping Review

2026-06-03T12:14:51+00:00

High-stakes decision environments continue to face cognitive demands, accountability pressures, and uncertainty, even as artificial intelligence is increasingly embedded in decision support across critical infrastructure, safety-sensitive domains, healthcare, and aviation. This scoping review examines how the design of the human–AI interface shapes cognitive workload, safe reliance, and trust calibration in such settings. A PCC-framed question and a PRISMA-ScR-guided process were used to identify studies published between 2015 and 2025 in Scopus, PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, IEEE Xplore, and the ACM Digital Library. These were screened and charted using an extraction template. Seventeen studies were chosen, covering clinical decision support, sepsis management, medical imaging, power-grid congestion management, telehealth diagnosis, air traffic control, medication verification, and maintenance. In most situations, interfaces that combine interactive verification, actionable uncertainty communication, selective transparency, and support for intermediate reasoning were more effective than static explanation designs; however, deployment remains constrained by methodological heterogeneity, limited real-world integration, small samples, limited real-world integration and inconsistent measures. This review proposes a thematic structure linking deliberative support, oversight-preserving design, and calibrated transparency, and offers a roadmap for embedding trustworthy human–AI interfaces in safety-critical decision support systems.