Abstract Career preference of the Technical and Vocational Education (TVE) graduate in the agricultural sector has received little consideration in Nepal, even though youth unemployment and workforce migration are on the rise. Trait and factor theory was utilized as a theoretical framework to comprehend the inclination towards selecting a highly coveted vocation. A deductive study utilizing a structured survey of 332 Nepalese agricultural graduates from the TVE stream demonstrated how academic performance and economic considerations, among others, influence students' perceptions of career-related options. The study employed one of the first analytical hierarchy process (AHP) to TVE graduates in Nepal in 2024. Multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) through AHP highlighted that most respondents favored foreign employment as the top choice, with an overall priority score of 0.044 among other career alternatives. The study suggested scholarship exhibited the highest percentage (67.47%) of respondents and average response rate (0.98). The view of agriculture as a low-status profession was recognized as the primary barrier encountered by agricultural students in secondary schools participating in the TVE program while pursuing agricultural education. Agriculture as a low-status profession obtained an average of 2193.6 through the Garrett ranking while ranking the primary barriers faced by TVE students. These findings underscore the importance of prioritizing local work alternatives in students' career planning as an alternative to overseas employment. In addition, the results demand the need to realign TVE programs to the demands of the labor market when developing career-related programs and activities to more effectively align with students' preferences and requirements.

Abstract This study evaluates the economic impact on date palm farmers in Al-Ahsa Governorate who use Integrated Pest Management (IPM) to control the red palm weevil. The results show that 49% of farmers apply this method on their own, while 51% rely on the support of the Directorate of Agriculture. Farms using IPM have higher average yields per palm compared to those that do not, showing the advantages of IPM. Although farmers using IPM face a 54% increase in operating costs, their net farm income is not significantly different at the 5% level. These findings suggest that while IPM increases productivity, its cost implications may offset profitability in the short term. This research suggests that IPM for red palm weevil control can improve economic results and support environmental sustainability in date farming. Additionally, it contributes new evidence from a high-density palm region, addressing a significant research gap in the Saudi agricultural context. It also highlights the importance of specific strategies to encourage sustainable farming practices.

Abstract The effects of NaCl-induced soil stress on microbial diversity, enumeration, respiration, and substrate-induced respiration (SIR) induced by low-molecular-weight organic acids were assessed in four Omani date palm farm soils. Eight NaCl doses were used, ranging from no added salt (average EC = 2.1 dS m−1 to a maximum EC of 36.8 dS m−1), generated by adjusting moisture from 5 to 25% (v/v) with saline solutions concentration ranging from 0 to 10% NaCl. All treatments were incubated at room temperature for two weeks before analysis. The carbon sources used in the SIR analysis were glucose and common root exudates (citric, oxalic, succinic, and malic acids) added to 30 µg g−1 of dry soil. Culturable aerobic microbes were quantified using serial dilution (10–2 to 10–4) agar plates on selective media: peptone yeast agar (PYA), glycerol casein agar (GCA), and rose bengal agar (RBA) for bacteria, actinomycetes, and fungi, respectively. Microbial respiration was investigated using the MicroResp™ assay. Soil bacterial and archaeal diversity were assessed using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Culturable heterotrophic bacterial and actinomycete enumeration showed an 83% decrease at the maximum EC used, whereas fungi decreased by 73%. The addition of NaCl increased the proportion of actinomycetes only at EC values below 10 dS m−1. At the maximum EC, respiration increased by 27%, and the microbial metabolic quotient increased by 631%. In contrast, the SIR was strongly reduced at high EC, indicating that under salt stress, the microbial community was less responsive to external carbon sources like root exudates under salt stress. Moreover, 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated a steep increase in the relative abundance of salt-tolerant bacteria from the phyla Pseudomonadota, Bacillota, and Bacteroidota. This study demonstrated that soil salinity is a strong regulator of soil microbial diversity and function, as reflected by a marked decrease in the responsiveness of soil microbes to various root exudate carbon sources.

Understanding sources and distribution of dissolved and particulate organic matter (DOM and POM) remains limited in coastal waters of Iloilo city, Philippines. Nine sampling stations near the Iloilo city coastline were used for water collection. Physico-chemical parameters (DO, pH, Temperature, EC, BOD5) were studied to determine the water quality status of the coastline based on water quality standards. High DO and BOD5 measurements were obtained in all stations except Stns 2, 3, and 4. Water samples were characterized using spectroscopy techniques (UV–visible and fluorescence), while POM was determined using particulate organic carbon and nitrogen (POC and PN) and their corresponding isotopic compositions. Weak to no correlations were observed between water quality and DOM, which suggests that DOM sources in the Iloilo city coastline are terrestrial or microbially derived. A high C/N ratio established that POM is extremely degraded and originates mainly from allochthonous sources. Some sampling stations also showed relationships with nearby land use-land cover settings in the Iloilo city coastline. Hierarchical cluster analysis identified clusters with similar water quality, DOM, and POM values, which include (a) Stn 1—Stn6—Stn 9; (b) Stn 3 – Stn 4 – Stn 7 – Stn 8; and (c) Stn 2 – Stn 5. Anthropogenic sources such as residential and commercial effluents and agricultural runoffs are possible sources of organic matter on the Iloilo city coastline.

Somatic embryogenesis is a critical biotechnology for the clonal propagation and genetic improvement of Olea europaea L. However, its efficiency strongly depends on the culture medium composition and cultural conditions. This study aimed to optimize macronutrient formulations, photoperiod regimes, and induction durations for embryogenic callus development in the ‘Arbequina’ and ‘Picual’ cultivars. Three culture media (OMc, OMc1, and OMc2), differing in ionic composition, were evaluated. The results showed that OMc1 was the most effective medium, significantly increasing somatic embryo formation and callus weight in both cultivars. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) revealed that high concentrations of Ca2⁺ and Cl⁻, predominant in OMc, were negatively associated with embryogenic parameters, while NO₃⁻, NH₄⁺, and K⁺ showed strong positive correlations with explant survival, callogenesis, and embryo number particularly in OMc2. PCA further highlighted the contribution of Mg2⁺ and SO₄2⁻ to embryogenic rates, complementing the role of NO₃⁻, NH₄⁺, and K⁺ in callogenesis and biomass accumulation. Regarding environmental conditions, a 16/8 h light/dark photoperiod increased embryo number and callus biomass but reduced rhizogenic capacity compared to darkness (24 h). Moreover, longer induction periods (≥ 28 days) promoted callus proliferation while reducing embryogenic potential. These findings underscore the importance of multifactorial optimization in olive SE protocols and provide novel insights into the influence of ionic composition on regeneration responses. Adjusting media formulation, light exposure, and induction time can substantially improve the efficiency and reproducibility of somatic embryogenesis in olive cultivars.

A study was conducted at the Federal Research Center, Nemchinovka, Moscow, Russia, from 2022–2024, to assess the performance of spring wheat genotypes for diseases, growth, yield and quality traits under foliar microfertilizer and fungicides. The trial was laid out in a split-block design with three replications. Disease identification was done through visual, microscopic, and DNA sequencing. Two genotypes, namely Belyana and Radmira were used. Results revealed that climatic variations influenced disease prevalence. Belyana exhibited moderate resistance to septoria leaf blotch and powdery mildew, while Radmira had higher susceptibility to the diseases. Fungicide applications significantly reduced disease incidence and severity by 2 to 5 times compared to the control, with Colosal Pro, CME being most effective for Belyana and Alto Super, KE for Radmira. Treatment Colosal Pro, CME plus Ultramag SuperSera-900 demonstrated the highest biological efficiency. Plots with fungicide + microfertilizer exhibited increased yields by 23.98% for Belyana and 21.43% for Radmira compared to the untreated controls. Belyana exhibited higher disease tolerance, while Radmira consistently outperformed Belyana for productive stems, grain weight, and yield across years and treatments. The fungicides + sulfur-based microfertilizer treatment was more effective in reducing disease severity and enhancing yield, particularly under unfavorable climatic conditions. The findings suggest the use of integrated disease management strategy for mitigation of fungal disease impacts on spring wheat. These findings provide valuable insights for optimizing disease control strategies and improving spring wheat production and productivity in the Moscow Region. Choice of fungicide, crop genotype, and growth stage are critical to maximize efficacious use of the cultivation technology.

Food insecurity remains a persistent challenge in low-income, agriculturally dependent countries like Mali, where limited access to formal financial services constrains households’ ability to cope with economic shocks. Despite the growing adoption of mobile money across Sub-Saharan Africa, little is known about its specific impact on food security outcomes and coping strategies at the household level. This study examines the relationship between mobile money use and household food security in Mali, with a focus on gender and rural–urban disparities. Using cross-sectional household data and an ordered probit model with marginal effects, we find that mobile money use significantly improves food security outcomes. Households using mobile money are less likely to experience moderate or severe food insecurity. They are also less inclined to adopt negative coping strategies such as reducing meal quality or skipping meals. These effects are more pronounced in rural areas and among male-headed households, reflecting underlying inequalities in access to financial tools and productive resources. Our findings align with previous studies in Sub-Saharan Africa, confirming the role of mobile money in enhancing household resilience by facilitating access to financial support and reducing vulnerability to food shocks. The study provides policy-relevant insights, suggesting that promoting mobile money access, especially among women and rural populations, could be an effective strategy to improve food and nutritional security in low-income, agriculturally dependent contexts.

Leaf spot disease caused by Curvularia sp. poses a significant challenge during the oil palm seedling phase, often managed through preventive practices and fungicide application. However, the use of fungicides presents environmental hazards and may contribute to development of fungal resistance. This study investigates an alternative, a non-chemical approach using photon energy irradiation. In the first stage, Curvularia sp. was isolated at room temperature and exposed to red, green, and blue LED light with intensities of 1.25 mW/cm2, 0.84 mW/cm2, and 0.6 mW/cm2, respectively, for 3 and 5 hours. Fungal growth was assessed over six days based on radial expansion on a petri dish medium. Results demonstrated that blue light exerted the strongest inhibitory effect on fungal growth, followed by green and red light. Microscopic analysis revealed a significant reduction in conidia density per unit area in blue light-treated samples compared to controls. In the next stage, four-month-old oil palm seedlings underwent pre-irradiation for 30 days using the same light treatments as in the first stage. Following this, the seedlings were inoculated with Curvularia sp. and subjected to either secondary irradiation or no additional treatment. Observations conducted 30 days post-inoculation indicated that blue light irradiation enhanced seedling resistance to Curvularia infection and effectively suppressed fungal in both irradiated and non-irradiated seedlings. The percentage quantification of fungal lesion spread, analyzed using the HSV (Hue, Saturation, Value) color space technique, demonstrated that blue light irradiation significantly suppressed leaf spot development. In non-pre-irradiated seedlings, leaf spots covered 3.18% of the leaf area, whereas in pre-irradiated seedlings, only 0.04% was affected. Red and green light irradiation also exhibited inhibitory effects on leaf spot growth, although slightly less effective than blue light. These findings suggest that light irradiation, particularly with blue wavelengths, is a promising alternative for managing fungal infections in oil palm seedlings while mitigating environmental and resistance-related concerns associated with chemical fungicides.

This study aimed to develop PEGylation based nanoparticles using garlic essential oil (GEO) and polyethylene glycol (PEG) by melt-dispersion method. Physico-chemical characteristics of GEO loaded PEG nanoparticles (GPNs) was analysed by Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), and Gas Chromatography (GC) techniques. Optimized GPN was subjected to stability and physico-chemical characteristics analysis up to six-month storage. Then, insecticidal potentiality of GPN was investigated and microstructural impacts on the beetle surface was observed under Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Among the developed GPNs, DLS characteristics revealed GPN4 as optimal with 195.90 nm of particle size, 0.25 PDI, and 86.48% of encapsulation efficiency. Significantly, there was no physico-chemical changes on GPN4 during six-month storage compared to control. In GC analysis, diallyl sulfide, diallyl disulfide, and diallyl trisulfide were detected as major constituents of GEO and GPN4. The GPN4 showed potential contact toxicities against Sitophilus oryzae, Rhyzopertha dominica, and Tribolium castaneum adults with 165.73, 169.95, and 192.82 ppm of LC50 values at 72 h exposure. SEM observations exhibited adhesion of powder-form nanoparticles and abrasions on the cuticular surface of beetles. In conclusion, the study results suggested that GPN4 was a stable and potential contact toxicant, which could be useful as nano-protectant against stored-product beetles.

Relying solely on synthetic fungicides to manage plant diseases poses environmental and human health concerns, suggesting the need to find alternative measures to reduce the impact of diseases on crop production. This study aimed to demonstrate the effectiveness of biostimulants and plant growth regulator (PGR) as foliar sprays for mitigating the Phytophthora palmivora Butler black pod rot (BPR) stress in Theobroma cacao L. Biostimulants (oligocarrageenan and oligochitosan), PGR (paclobutrazol), fosetyl-Al (positive control), and tap water (negative control) were applied as foliar sprays to BPR-infected cacao trees in monocrop and coconut‒cacao intercrop planting systems. Laboratory or in vitro experiments were also conducted to determine the efficacy of biostimulants and paclobutrazol as protectants and eradicants of P. palmivora BPR. The results showed that the untreated intercropped cacao trees produced lighter pods. The positive effects of biostimulants and paclobutrazol on improving pod weight were observed only in the intercropping system but not in the monocrop system. The oligocarrageenan‒treated cacao produced more and heavier fresh seeds, as well as heavier dried beans, resulting in a better bean count and pod index. Similarly, oligochitosan spray improved the bean production of a cacao pod in quantity and weight, resulting in a better pod index. Paclobutrazol improved the seed fresh weight and pod index. The in vitro experiments revealed that the efficacy of oligocarrageenan, oligochitosan, and paclobutrazol as protectants and eradicants of BPR was comparable to that of the fosetyl-Al. The results demonstrated the effectiveness of biostimulants and paclobutrazol for mitigating the BPR disease on cacao production.