This study investigates the crucial effects of Zinc (Zn) and Iron (Fe) on the development of mung beans (Vigna radiata) at different concentrations. Mung beans were subjected to three treatments: control (distilled water), 25 ppm Zn and Fe, and 50 ppm Zn and Fe. This study measured mung bean growth in length, leaf count, biomass, and stomatal opening. The results indicated that 25 ppm Zn and Fe restricted plant growth compared to the control, with reduced stomatal opening and average length. However, the biomass was slightly higher, suggesting other limiting factors. In contrast, the 50-ppm treatment produced mixed results, with some plants showing stunted growth due to possible nutrient toxicity and the stomatal opening showing tremendous effect on the stem. This study underscores the importance of balanced micronutrient management for optimal plant health and development.

Plant proteins are recognized for their environmental benefits, including a low carbon footprint, renewability, abundant availability, and cost-effectiveness, making them ideal raw materials for biomass-based eco-friendly adhesives. In this study, a green, environmentally friendly soybean protein-modified phenolic resin was synthesized by treating soybean meal with sodium hydroxide/urea aqueous solution. FTIR analysis results of PF and U-SMPF resins shows that the peptide chain structure of soybean protein was incorporated into the phenolic resin, undergoing co-condensation with phenol and formaldehyde to form co-condensed compounds. The 30% U-SMPF resin shows the highest bonding strength at 0.92 MPa, suggesting that the monosaccharides generated from soybean meal treated with sodium hydroxide/urea solution have a limited effect on the bonding strength of the co-condensed resin.

Indian agriculture, the cornerstone of the nation’s economy; is increasingly constrained by decliningproductivity, labor shortages, and the impacts of climate change. Traditional, labor-intensive farmingmethods, particularly in staple crops like paddy, limit scalability and economic efficiency. This studyinvestigates the transformative potential of drone technology (unmanned aerial vehicles or UAVs) in modernagriculture by comparing its adoption to conventional practices. Focusing on a sample of 100 UAV-adoptingfarmers and 140 conventional farmers in West Bengal, the research highlights significant economic andoperational advantages. Results indicate that UAV-assisted farming increases economic efficiency byapproximately 88%, reduces cultivation costs by about 32%, and enhances farmer incomes by 41–45%.These improvements are attributed to precise resource management, reduced wastage, and targeted interventions, which optimize the application of water, fertilizers, and pesticides. Despite these benefits, barriers such as high initial costs, lack of technical expertise, and regulatory challenges hinder widespread adoption, particularly among smallholders. This study bridges a critical research gap by providing a detailed economic analysis of UAV adoption in Indian agriculture. It underscores the need for targeted policy interventions, including subsidies, training programs, and technology access initiatives, to unlock the full potential of UAVs and promote sustainable agricultural practices.

Agriculture remains a crucial economic activity in the Niger Delta, yet inefficiencies in resource utilization hinder its profitability and sustainability. This study applies Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) to evaluate the relative efficiency of farm production activities for Cassava, Rice, Cocoa, Plantain, and Oil Palm in the region. The objectives of the study were to: measure the relative efficiency of different farm production activities in the Niger Delta using the DEA technique; estimate the profitability of selected crops (Cassava, Rice, Cocoa, Plantain, and Oil Palm) by analyzing yield, cost structures, and economic benefits; identify key determinants of farm efficiency using the Tobit regression model to examine the impact of cost, productivity, and other relevant factors; compare efficiency levels across different crops, determining which operate at optimal efficiency and which require resource allocation improvements; and provide policy recommendations to enhance agricultural efficiency and profitability, focusing on cost-effective solutions and productivity-enhancing techniques. Additionally, Tobit regression was used to identify key determinants of farm efficiency, focusing on the impact of cost structures, productivity, and other relevant factors. The profitability analysis reveals that Plantain and Rice exhibit the highest economic benefits, while Cassava and Oil Palm demonstrate lower profitability despite their significant production volumes. DEA findings indicate that while some crops operate at optimal efficiency, others require improved resource allocation strategies. The Tobit regression model identifies cost as a major constraint on efficiency, while increased productivity significantly enhances farm performance. Findings from this study provide empirical insights to guide policy interventions aimed at enhancing agricultural efficiency, reducing production costs, and promoting sustainable farming practices. The study contributes to evidence-based policymaking by integrating advanced quantitative techniques with practical agricultural insights, ultimately fostering economic transformation and food security in the Niger Delta.

Ganoderma sp. causes serious disease, known as the Basal Stem Rot (BSR) to oil palm in Malaysia. Currentpractices for managing the BSR disease primarily involve sanitation measures, while the application offungicides is less cost-effective. The application of biocontrol agents, especially Trichoderma-based products,has been widely explored and shows great potential, although maintaining their population over an extendedperiod remains a challenge. Thus, the prospecting endophytic Trichoderma could be the new potentialbiocontrol agent against BSR disease. The aim of this study is to determine the effectiveness of endophyticTrichoderma asperellum M103 and T. harzianum M108 against BSR disease by using a seed coating techniqueat the nursery stage. At the end of the study, both endophytic Trichoderma isolates M108 and M103 showedthe potential in suppressing the BSR disease at 67.78% and 71.11%, respectively of disease incidence (%DI),compared to the control at 87.78%. Overall, M103 demonstrated its effectiveness against BSR disease, assymptoms in inoculated oil palm seedlings appeared only after 4 months. Additionally, M103 achieved thelowest epidemic rate (ER) of 7.07 units month-1 and the smallest area under the disease progress curve(AUDPC) of 236.25 unit² over 11 months. These findings underscore the potential of endophytic Trichodermaas a viable biocontrol agent against BSR disease, offering a promising avenue for the sustainable diseasemanagement in oil palm cultivation.

The increasing use of inorganic fertilizers is one of the significant causes of environmental pollution. The dependence upon fertilizers can be noticeably reduced with the elevated use of compost prepared from organic residues. Such practice improves the nutrient status of soil as well as saves our environment by managing waste. A study was carried out with nine treatments to show the effects of poultry litter and kitchen waste on soil properties and the growth of spinach plants. Clay loam soil was treated with different combinations of compost made with only poultry litter (PL) and co-compost (CC) prepared poultry litter mixed with kitchen waste by an aerobic process. The results showed that applying CC at 25% to the soil resulted in the highest spinach yield, leaf length, and number, fresh weight, and biological yield. Soil pH was found highest in CC50%, EC was high in PL50%, CEC was high in PL50%, and OC was high in PL25%. The study also showed that the available N of soil was higher by applying CC50%, and the available P, K, and S of soil was higher by applying CC25%. The nutrient content of spinach plants showed noticeable variation due to compost application. Using inorganic fertilizer as control (R)50% showed the highest N, K content of leaves and P content was high by applying CC25% and S content was high by applying PL50%. The findings indicated that co-composting of poultry litter and kitchen waste can be a useful method for boosting plant production and nutrient availability in soil.

Zingiber officinale, commonly known as ginger, is a valuable crop in Malaysia, recognized for its economic contributions, culinary significance, and medicinal properties. However, recent declines in ginger production, despite high market demand in Malaysia, gingers are largely attributed to diseases caused by numerous pathogens, primarily bacteria, fungi, and viruses. Diseases in ginger, including bacterial wilt, rhizome rot, leaf spot, and mosaic disease, pose significant challenges by reducing both the yield and quality of ginger, negatively impacting local farmers and the agricultural sector in Malaysia. While diseases such as bacterial wilt and rhizome rot exhibit overlapping symptoms, advancements in technology have facilitated diverse diagnostic approaches for their detection, allowing for accurate and rapid diagnoses. For instance, diagnostic methods such as RT-PCR, ELISA, LAMP, and machine learning algorithms are widely used for diagnostic purposes. Moreover, various control approaches have been introduced to manage disease infections including the application of fungicides, bactericides, seed and soil management, as well as physical and biological practices. This article addresses the recent issues concerning emerging diseases in ginger, highlighting advancements in diagnostic instruments and strategies for controlling the spread of these diseases in Malaysia.

Vegetable and other crop producers face numerous challenges, including high input costs, water shortages, and soil degradation. Zeolite, a microporous aluminosilicate mineral with high cation exchange capacity and water retention properties, is receiving a growing research interest due to its positive effects as a soil amendment on various crops, including vegetables, however, specific studies on its impact on Swiss chard are relatively limited. This study investigated the effects of zeolite application on the growth and yield of Swiss chard (Beta vulgaris L. var. cicla) cv. Ford Hook Giant under greenhouse conditions over two growing seasons (2018 and 2019). Zeolite was applied at weight-to-weight ratios of 0:10, 1:9, 2:8, and 3:7 to sandy soil. Growth parameters (plant height, leaf area, and chlorophyll content) were monitored weekly, and fresh and dry yields were measured at 59 days after transplanting. Results indicated that zeolite application improved (p≤0.05) leaf area, leaf number, fresh and dry yield in the second growing season, including their growth rate per week. These improvements were linked to improved soil quality due to zeolite application. The initial season exhibited inconsistent trends, likely due to the integration period required for zeolite to stabilise in the soil system. Swiss chard leaf moisture also reduced (p≤0.05) with increased zeolite application in the second season, this was linked to Swiss chard cultivated under the zeolite-amended treatments having higher leaf growth which may have encouraged greater transpiration losses. Furthermore, chlorophyll content index and leaf moisture percentage showed limited direct correlation with yield, suggesting that growth parameters such as plant height and leaf area are better indicators of yield potential in Swiss chard. These findings demonstrate zeolite’s potential to enhance vegetable production, emphasising the need for a stabilisation period in sandy soils. Future research should explore the long-term effects of zeolite application on crop performance and soil health.

A study was conducted to assess the efficacy of vermicompost fertiliser in enhancing lentil crop productivity. The research, which also involved estimating genetic parameters, correlation, and conducting principal component analysis to identify key traits directly associated with seed yield improvement, was carried out at Abu Garash Farm, Faculty of Agricultural Engineering, Damascus University, during the agricultural season of 2023-2024. Six lentil varieties (Idlib 1, Idlib 2, Idlib 3, Idlib 4, Idlib 5, and Ebla 1) and two types of fertiliser (mineral and vermicompost) were compared using a randomised complete block design (RCBD) with four replicates. Statistical analysis revealed significant differences between the use of mineral fertiliser and vermicompost, with vermicompost application leading to notable increases in plant height, number of pods per plant, number of seeds per plant, seed yield per plant, and harvest index. Furthermore, the results of the phenotypic and genetic variance coefficients, heritability, expected genetic advance through selection, genotypic correlation, and principal component analysis suggested that the traits of the number of pods per plant and the number of seeds per plant could be reliable selection indicators for improving lentil seed yield. This is due to their high heritability, substantial genetic advance values, and genetic correlation with seed yield per plant, besides their inclusion in the first principal component, which explains the variation among lentil varieties.

An onion is a vegetable that is the most widely cultivated and used in Bangladesh like other countries of the world. However, the productivity of onion in Bangladesh is low as compared to other countries due to lack of high quality seed. Hence, a field research was conducted to assess the impact of plant biostimulant and plant growth regulators (GA3 and Florigen) on morphological and physiological traits, yield attributes, and quality seed production of onion. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Three onion varieties like Lalteer King, Taherpuri, and BARI Piaz 1 and eleven treatments were included such as T0 (control); T1, T2, T3 and T4 (plant biostimulant of 1, 2, 4 and 8 gL-1 Goemar respectively); T5, T6 and T7 (Benzyl adenine of 10, 20, and 30 ppm of mg/L-1 of BA respectively); T8, T9, and T10 (Gibberellic acid of 25, 50, and 75 mg/L-1 GA3 respectively). The variety Lal teer king which was sprayed with 75 mgl-1 GA3 produced the highest length of scape, number of scape, number of flowers per umbel, number of fruits per umbel, photosynthesis rate (Fv/Fm), 100 seed weight, total seed weight per plot, yield per hectare, and PI value at 23.41 cm, 4.05, 166.66, 117.33, 0.96, 0.42g, 93.00g 620.24 kg and 3.35 respectively. However, the plant height including leaf was found to be profoundly superior 51.33 cm, 61.00 cm and 70.66 cm in Lal teer king variety at 30, 45 and 60 days after planting (DAP) when treated with 75 mg/L-1 GA3. At the same time, control treatment in BARI piaz 1 was produced the lowest plant height including leaf 37.00 cm, 43.00cm and 47.33 cm at 30, 45 and 60 DAP respectively. In turns, the maximum amount of CO2 assimilation was calculated in BARI piaz 1 under the treatment T10 (75 mg/L-1 GA3) at all measuring times. The highest number of shoot (5.60) per bulb was found in BARI piaz 1 under the treatment T4 (8 gL1 Goemar). The findings revealed that the application of 75 mgL-1 GA3 (T10 treatment) in Lal teer king onion variety exhibit a significant better performance in terms of the morpho-physiological characteristics, yield and best quality onion seed production compared to the use of other PGR and plant biostimulant.