Black rice becomes a potential source of phytonutrients among the grains. Traditional food is crucial for food and nutrition security in the present food system. It is necessary to have scientific information on the nutritional profile of black rice-based traditional foods to promote the consumption of black rice. Hence, the present study aimed to evaluate the nutritional and antioxidant content of black rice-based traditional foods. In Manipur’s Andro Village, black rice is consumed in traditional foods such as kheer, thaotan, tanphut, kabok matum, etc. Two black rice cultivars Poireiton Chak-hao (PC) and Chak-hao Amubi (CA) were used to prepare black rice-based traditional foods such as PC-Kheer, CA-Kheer, PC-Thaotan, CA-Thaotan, PC-Tanphut, CA-Tanphut, PC-Kabok matum. The foods were analyzed for proximate, mineral, polyphenol content and antioxidant activity using the standard procedure. Results showed significant differences (p<0.05) in moisture, protein, fat, carbohydrate, iron, zinc, polyphenol content and antioxidant activity among the black rice-based traditional foods. The values are presented on dry weight basis. PC-kheer had the highest antioxidant activity (51.21 % DPPH), protein (13.49 %), fat (5.08%) and polyphenol content (55.56 mg GAE/100 g) among the traditional foods. PC-Kabok matum recorded the highest iron (4.53 mg/100g) and carbohydrate content (84.82%), whereas PC-Tanphut had the highest zinc content (2.7 mg/100 g). Thus, black rice-based traditional foods have a promising role in providing food and nutrition security to black rice consumers.

Integration of grafting technique and tailored nutrient management strategies provides a sustainable solution to address the production challenges and stress management in the cultivation of short-duration fruits and vegetables. The present study aimed to assess the productivity, nutrient uptake efficiency, plant resilience and economic viability of brinjal farming by evaluating the synergistic effect between grafted brinjal and integrated nutrient management (INM) practices. A pot experiment was conducted at the Central Horticultural Experiment Station (ICAR-CHES), Aiginia, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, from 2022-2023. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design (RBD) with ten treatments and replicated thrice. The yield performance of grafted brinjal improved with the application of 75% RDF through chemical fertilization and substitution of 25% N by FYM and vermicompost (37.8 and 35.6 t ha-1, respectively). Supplementation of 25% N through vermicompost and FYM proved to be the best treatment with respect to available nutrient content in soil. The results depicted highest apparent N recovery (55 kg ha-1), agronomic use efficiency (156 kg fruit kg-1 of nutrient applied) and relative agronomic efficiency (1.24) with the utilization of chemical fertilizers and FYM in a 3:1 ratio. The integrated application of chemical fertilizers and organic amendments significantly enhanced the productivity and profitability of grafted brinjal. This strategy addressed both the agronomic and environmental sustainability approach, making it a viable and effective solution for the farmers of the Odisha region.

Trichoderma spp. is a common soil fungus that penetrates plant roots and engages with various microorganisms and plants. The present study aimed to determine the phylogenetic relationships of rhizosphere isolates of Trichoderma spp. obtained from the local soil in Mosul in the north of Iraq utilizing the sequence of the internal transcribed spacer-1 (ITS-1) region of the ribosomal DNA of eight Trichoderma spp.. Approximately 192 samples were collected between March and October 2023 from the rhizospheric soil of Potato )Solanum tuberosum), Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), Wheat (Triticum aestivum), Barley (Hordeum vulgare), Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus) and Citrus (Citrus limon (. Only 5.8% of the rhizosphere samples belonged to Trichoderma spp. The samples were identified based on morphological characteristics and molecular techniques. All the selected isolates amplified a similar band (660 bp). The nucleotide sequences were then analyzed, and a phylogenetic tree was constructed to compare the present isolates with the closest isolates submitted to the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI). Isolates were submitted to NCBI as new strains under the accession numbers: Trichoderma harzianum (PP968131), T. longibrachiatum (PP977534), T. harzianum (PP977576), T. longibrachiatum (PP989798), Trichoderma longibrachiatum (PP989800), T. longibrachiatum (PP989803), T. longibrachiatum (PP989804), and T. harzianum (PP989805). This study expands the NCBI database with novel Trichoderma strains, enhancing fungal genetic resources globally. These new entries provide unique genomic data, potentially revealing valuable traits, resolving taxonomic ambiguities within Trichoderma, and improving the reliability of the NCBI database for future studies.

Since the 1970s, the Malian Textile Development Company’s (CMDT) introduction of cotton has transformed South Mali's agriculture, driving intensification, mechanisation, and farm diversification. While small, poorly equipped farms have declined, some subsistence-focused practices persist. The study aimed to characterise the typology of family farms in the context of anthropogenic pressures and territorial changes. To achieve this, semi-structured surveys were conducted on 180 farms across seven randomly selected villages. Farms were classified into six types (T1 to T6) based on cultivated area, crop distribution, livestock, equipment, and agricultural workforce. Multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) was used to examine the effect of different farm types on several dependent variables. The results showed a predominance of type T4 (49%), T5 (20%), and T6 (17%) farms, which were mostly medium-scale to large-scale. Wilks' lambda test (0.473) indicated that 52.7% of the variance in dependent variables is attributed to differences between farm types. The F value of 6.478, with a p-value of 0.000, showed that these differences were statistically significant (p < 0.05). The Partial Eta Squared of 0.171 reflected a moderate effect size, suggesting that farm types account for 17.1% of the total variance in dependent variables. Significant differences were observed for each variable across the different farm types (T1 to T6). Equipment accounted for the highest proportion of explained variance (37.1%), while agricultural labor showed the lowest (12.2%). The typology highlights a marked diversity in farming systems, shaped by socioeconomic and environmental factors, within a context of gradual modernisation and pressure on resources.

Polyhalite is a mineral fertilizer that provides essential nutrients such as K, S, Ca and Mg, which are required by crops in substantial amounts. However, its use as fertilizer for rice has not been extensively studied. Given the high potassium requirement of rice crops for improved growth, the present study was undertaken to assess the impact of polyhalite and muriate of potash (MOP) on biometrics, yield characters, and yield of rice var. ADT43 in sandy clay loam soil, at Department of Soil Science, Annamalai University, Chidambaram, Tamilnadu during kharif of 2023. The experiment was carried out under CRD which included ten treatments viz., T1- Control, T2-NP + K (0), T3-NP + 50% K as MOP, T4-NP + 50% K as Polyhalite, T5-NP + 100% K as MOP, T6-NP + 100% K as Polyhalite, T7-NP + 150% K as MOP, T8-NP + 150% K as Polyhalite, T9-NP + 200% K as MOP, T10- NP + 200% K as Polyhalite. Application of potassium fertilizers at varying levels had a significant effect on biometric and yield parameters of rice. The experimental findings indicated that, application of 200% K as polyhalite + NP (T10) recorded maximum biometric traits viz., plant height, DMP (87.5 g pot-1), yield characters viz., no. of panicle pot-1, no. of grains panicle-1 (81.23). Further, it showed an increase of 67% and 47.6% in grain and straw yield, respectively, over control. Based on the results, this experiment could assist rice-growing farmers in enhancing crop yield by using polyhalite as a source of potassium fertilizer.

Vegetables sustain huge post-harvest losses owing to their highly perishable nature. Due to complex management challenges, marginal farmers face issues during post-harvest management and cannot get desirable remuneration. The present study assessed the effect of storage conditions on the commonly consumed vegetables, okra (cv. A5) and spinach beet (cv. Pusa Bharati) for prolonging the shelf life and analyzing the cost-benefit ratio. The vegetables were stored at ambient temperature (T0), Zero Energy Cool Chamber (ZECC) (T1), and Cold Chamber (T2), and their physiochemical parameters, overall acceptability and cost-benefit ratio were recorded at regular intervals for two consecutive years. An upward trend in physiological loss in weight (PLW) and spoilage was observed under all settings. However, the rate of PLW and spoilage was rapid in T0. Among the three conditions, minimum physiological loss in weight of 8.48% and 7.88% was recorded in okra and spinach beet, respectively, in the T1 during the storage period. Similarly, maximum firmness was observed in T1 with spoilage of 12.9% and 6% on day 3 in okra and spinach beet, respectively. The recorded ascorbic acid content on day 3 in T1 and T2 had no notable difference in okra whereas maximum retention of ascorbic acid content was observed in T1 with values of 76.93 mg/100g on day 3 in spinach beet. The benefit-cost ratio was calculated as >1 in ZECC storage, showing positive results for both vegetables. It was concluded that okra and spinach beet can be stored in ZECC for 5 and 3 days, considering the quality and the PLW.

Antimicrobial resistance is one of the top 10 global threats to public health. Natural products can be effectively used to prevent antimicrobial resistance. Spices are highly used food commodities. Their essential oils (EOs) possess excellent antimicrobial potential. Therefore, the present study aimed to extract oil from three commonly used spices and assess their antimicrobial activity.The EOs were extracted from cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum J. Persel), cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.) and trigonella (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) and were characterized by GC-MS. Antimicrobial activities were screened against two Gram +ve bacterial strains: Staphylococcus aureus (MTCC No. 737), Bacillus subtilis (MTCC No. 441); two Gram-ve bacterial strains, Escherichia coli (MTCC No. 443), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MTCC No. 1688); and two fungal strains: Aspergillus oryzae(NCIM1008) and Fusarium oxysporum (MDU-4) via disc diffusion and broth dilution assays.The highest yield of EOs was obtained with trigonella (4.35 %), followed by cinnamon (2.75%) and cumin (1.53%). GC-MS analysis confirmed the presence of various phytocompounds in different EOs. Antimicrobial results showed that cinnamon EO was the most active with the maximum zone of inhibition of 15.3±0.08 mm, 11.3±0.25 mm, and 13.1±0.14 mm against E. coli, P. aeruginosa, and F. oxysporum, respectively. Cumin EOhas also shown promising antimicrobial activity with a zone of inhibition of 13.0±0.09 mm, 10.2±0.20 mm, and 11.4±0.08 mm against E. coli, P. aeruginosa, and F. oxysporum. E. coli and F. oxysporum were the most sensitive microbial strains.Cinnamon EO exhibited the highest antimicrobial activity and, therefore, can be used as a natural antimicrobial herb after clinical trials.

Maize (Zea mays L.), the world’s most significant cereal crop, provides a pivotal roles for the supply of food for humans and forage for livestock. The present study aimed to perform a Generation mean analysis of two quality protein maize (QPM) (Zea mays L.) crosses [(CML149 x CML330) and (CML143 x CML193)] in order to determine the genetic effects along with the nature of gene action controlling morphological and biochemical traits underlying inheritance. All four components of scaling testing revealed significant differences with the parameter model, indicating the importance of the additive, dominance and epistatic modes of gene action for the inheritance of physiological, biochemical, grain yield and its attributing traits. Dominance variance showed more importance than additive variance and the presence of duplicate form of non-allelic gene interaction was prevalent for all the characters studied except days to 50% silking in CML149 × CML330 ([h] = 2.064, [l] = 1.536) and membrane stability index in CML143 × CML193 ([h] = 4.055, [l] = 17.362) which showed complementary gene action. Characters with duplicate genes, grain yield per plant in CML149 × CML330 ([h] = 1545.776, [l] = -2126.616) and plant height in CML149 × CML330 ([h] = 113.336, [l] = -104.376) showed strong dominance and dominance x dominance gene action. The significant role of dominance variance and duplicate epistasis was noted in the inheritance of the aforementioned characters. Selection could be rewarding for consecutive populations, followed by a bi-parental mating design to improve these traits.

The Poma River in Arunachal Pradesh serves as the primary habitat for Aborichthys uniobarensis, an ornamental fish species endemic to biodiversity hotspot. The present study aimed to investigate the habitat characteristics of Aborichthys uniobarensis within the Poma River. Given the species' predominant presence in this river, understanding the water quality of the Poma River is crucial for further biological research, and of course conservation aspect of this fish species within in-situ as well ex-situ habitat. Over a two-year period (January 2018 to December 2019), the study assessed various physicochemical parameters (pH, water temperature (WT), dissolved oxygen (DO), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), total dissolved solids (TDS), free carbon dioxide (FCO2), alkalinity, total hardness, electrical conductivity (EC), and salinity) at three sites along the Poma River with seasonal comparisons. Water samples were randomly collected in the morning between 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. Samples were analysed based on the standard methods of APHA (2012). The results indicated consistent conditions across sites but significant variations by season and year (Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests). Minimum values recorded were pH 6.29, WT 18.62°C, DO 6.55 mgL-1, BOD 3.85 mgL-1, TDS 29.78 mgL-1, FCO2 3.89 mgL-1, alkalinity 37.25 mgL-1, total hardness 23.71 mgL-1, EC 57.22 µs/cm, and salinity 0.05 ppt, while maximum values were pH 7.42, WT 25.43°C, DO 7.80 mgL-1, BOD 5.42 mgL-1, TDS 71.12 mgL-1, FCO2 6.48 mgL-1, alkalinity 59.34 mgL-1, total hardness 45.62 mgL-1, EC 117.33 µs/cm, and salinity 0.07 ppt. Simpson correlation tests revealed significant positive and negative correlations among the parameters. PCA analysis highlighted that WT, DO, pH, TDS, BOD, and FCO2 (both physical and chemical factors) have a greater influence on supporting A. uniobarensis, other fish species and the overall health of the river. As the values of habitat parameters were within the acceptable range, the River Poma is congenial for A. uniobarensis along with other species available in this particular riverine habitat.

Jinga shrimp (Metapenaeus affinis) is one of the most productive shrimp fisheries in Iraqi waters. The study aimed to evaluate the growth, mortality, recruitment, yield-per-recruit, and virtual population analysis (VPA) of the M. affinis shrimp in these Iraqi waters. Samples were collected from the nursery grounds of the species in east Hammar marsh and the fishing grounds in Iraqi marine waters between November 2022 to October 2023. A total of 8021 M. affinis ranged from 2.0 to 15.6 cm TL (0.6-6.0 cm CL) were examined. The length-weight relationship exhibited a positive allometric growth pattern. Total length-frequency data for combined sexes was analyzed using the FiSAT II software. The asymptotic length, growth coefficient and growth performance index were 16.3 cm, 0.92 and 2.388, respectively. Total, natural and fishing mortalities were 3.69, 1.82 and 1.87, respectively. The current exploitation rate (Ecur) was 0.51. Length at first capture (Lc50) was higher than at first maturity length (Lm50). Recruitment continued throughout the year, with one major peak in April. The analysis of relative yield per recruit and relative biomass per recruit indicated that the Ecur of the stock was equal to its optimal level (E0.1= 0.520) and below its maximum sustainable yield (Emax= 0.628). To effectively manage the M. affinis stock, it is essential to adjust the mesh size so that the total length of the species at first capture must not be less than the length at first maturity. Consequently, it may have a chance to breed, and the nursery grounds should be protected from illegal fishing.