Sustainable Crop Production Research Articles

Agricultural Robotics: A Technical Review Addressing Challenges in Sustainable Crop Production

Agricultural Robotics: A Technical Review Addressing Challenges in Sustainable Crop Production

Spatial variability of soil organic carbon in Tamil Nadu: Integrating remote sensing and machine learning approaches

Aim: The experiment was carried out to estimate the geographical distribution of soil organic carbon (SOC) in Tamil Nadu, India, using advanced machine learning models. Methodology: High-resolution remote sensing data from Landsat 8, climate indices from TerraClimate, and terrain indices from the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) were integrated to construct reliable SOC estimation models. The models employed in this study included Random Forest (RF), Quantile Neural Network (QNN), Cubist, and Bootstrapped Random Forest (BRF). These models were selected for their ability to capture complex relationships between SOC and environmental covariates. Results: The QNN and Cubist models displayed superior accuracy with mean absolute error (MAE) values of 0.48 and 0.47, respectively. Variogram analysis indicated moderate spatial dependence across all models, with the Cubist model exhibiting the highest partial sill and sill values. Interpretation: These findings demonstrate the effectiveness of combining machine learning with remote sensing for SOC estimation. The results suggest that these models can be valuable tools in improving the accuracy of SOC distribution maps, which are essential for sustainable crop production. By identifying potential SOC sequestration areas, this research contributes to the development of targeted soil management strategies that prioritize soil health and support sustainable agricultural practices. Key words: Carbon sequestration, Digital soil mapping, Estimation models, Environmental covariates, Land management

Hybrid Plant Growth: Integrating Stochastic, Empirical, and Optimization Models with Machine Learning for Controlled Environment Agriculture

Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) offers a viable solution for sustainable crop production, yet the optimization of the latter requires precise modeling and resource management. This study introduces a novel hybrid plant growth model integrating stochastic, empirical, and optimization approaches, using Internet of Things sensors for real-time data collection. Unlike traditional methods, the hybrid model systematically captures environmental variability, simulates plant growth dynamics, and optimizes resource inputs. The prototype growth chamber, equipped with IoT sensors for monitoring environmental parameters such as light intensity, temperature, CO2, humidity, and water intake, was primarily used to provide accurate input data for the model and specifically light intensity, water intake and nutrient intake. While experimental tests on lettuce were conducted to validate initial environmental conditions, this study was focused on simulation-based analysis. Specific tests simulated plant responses to varying levels of light, water, and nutrients, enabling the validation of the proposed hybrid model. We varied light durations between 6 and 14 h/day, watering levels between 5 and 10 L/day, and nutrient concentrations between 3 and 11 g/day. Additional simulations modeled different sowing intervals to capture internal plant variability. The results demonstrated that the optimal growth conditions were 14 h/day of light, 9 L/day of water, and 5 g/day of nutrients; maximized plant biomass (200 g), leaf area (800 cm2), and height (90 cm). Key novel metrics developed in this study, the Growth Efficiency Ratio (GER) and Plant Growth Index (PGI), provided solid tools for evaluating plant performance and resource efficiency. Simulations showed that GER peaked at 0.6 for approximately 200 units of combined inputs, beyond which diminishing returns were observed. PGI increased to 0.8 to day 20 and saturated to 1 by day 30. The role of IoT sensors was critical in enhancing model accuracy and replicability by supplying real-time data on environmental variability. The hybrid model’s adaptability in the future may offer scalability to diverse crop types and environmental settings, establishing a foundation for its integration into decision-support systems for large-scale indoor farming.

Trends of Soil and Solution Nutrient Sensing for Open Field and Hydroponic Cultivation in Facilitated Smart Agriculture.

Efficient management of soil nutrients is essential for optimizing crop production, ensuring sustainable agricultural practices, and addressing the challenges posed by population growth and environmental degradation. Smart agriculture, using advanced technologies, plays an important role in achieving these goals by enabling real-time monitoring and precision management of nutrients. In open-field soil cultivation, spatial variability in soil properties demands site-specific nutrient management and integration with variable-rate technology (VRT) to optimize fertilizer application, reduce nutrient losses, and enhance crop yields. Hydroponic solution cultivation, on the other hand, requires precise monitoring and control of nutrient solutions to maintain optimal conditions for plant growth, ensuring efficient use of water and fertilizers. This review aims to explore recent trends in soil and solution nutrient sensing technologies for open-field soil and facilitated hydroponic cultivation, highlighting advancements that promote efficiency and sustainability. Key technologies include electrochemical and optical sensors, Internet of Things (IoT)-enabled monitoring, and the integration of machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) for predictive modeling. Blockchain technology is also emerging as a tool to enhance transparency and traceability in nutrient management, promoting compliance with environmental standards and sustainable practices. In open-field soil cultivation, real-time sensing technologies support targeted nutrient application by accounting for spatial variability, minimizing environmental risks such as runoff and eutrophication. In hydroponic solution cultivation, precise solution sensing ensures nutrient balance, optimizing plant health and productivity. By advancing these technologies, smart agriculture can achieve sustainable crop production, improved resource efficiency, and environmental protection, fostering a resilient food system.

Dressed Up to the Nines: The Interplay of Phytohormones Signaling and Redox Metabolism During Plant Response to Drought.

Plants must effectively respond to various environmental stimuli to achieve optimal growth. This is especially relevant in the context of climate change, where drought emerges as a major factor globally impacting crops and limiting overall yield potential. Throughout evolution, plants have developed adaptative strategies for environmental stimuli, with plant hormones and reactive oxygen species (ROS) playing essential roles in their development. Hormonal signaling and the maintenance of ROS homeostasis are interconnected, playing indispensable roles in growth, development, and stress responses and orchestrating diverse molecular responses during environmental adversities. Nine principal classes of phytohormones have been categorized: auxins, brassinosteroids, cytokinins, and gibberellins primarily oversee developmental growth regulation, while abscisic acid, ethylene, jasmonic acid, salicylic acid, and strigolactones are the main orchestrators of environmental stress responses. Coordination between phytohormones and transcriptional regulation is crucial for effective plant responses, especially in drought stress. Understanding the interplay of ROS and phytohormones is pivotal for elucidating the molecular mechanisms involved in plant stress responses. This review provides an overview of the intricate relationship between ROS, redox metabolism, and the nine different phytohormones signaling in plants, shedding light on potential strategies for enhancing drought tolerance for sustainable crop production.

Sulphur distribution and fractionation in calcareous soils: Impact of long-term organic and inorganic inputs in rice-based systems

This study examines the long-term effects of organic and inorganic fertilizers on soil sulphur (S) dynamics and fractionation in rice-based cropping systems on calcareous soils, addressing critical gaps in understanding S distribution and availability. The findings reveal that prolonged fertilization significantly influences S content across various soil depths, with the most pronounced increases in available S occurring at 30-45 cm, particularly in plots treated with compost. Compost amendments were especially effective in enhancing S availability, promoting greater S accumulation compared to inorganic fertilizers alone. The fractionation analysis highlighted that fertilization strategies and cropping systems affected different S fractions, with organically bound sulphur being the dominant form. Total S content increased substantially with the application of both organic and inorganic fertilizers, with compost at 5 t ha-1 showing the greatest impact. The study also demonstrated that S concentrations increased with soil depth, influenced primarily by organic inputs such as compost. These results emphasize the crucial role of organic inputs, particularly compost, in improving S availability and its distribution within the soil profile, which is essential for optimizing nutrient management in rice-based cropping systems. The research underscores the importance of adopting long-term fertilization strategies that combine organic and inorganic inputs to enhance soil health, sustain crop productivity, and ensure the efficient cycling of essential nutrients like sulphur. By providing insights into the interplay between fertilization practices and sulphur dynamics, the study offers valuable guidance for sustainable agricultural management in rice based systems, particularly in calcareous soils, where the use of compost can significantly boost available S levels and improve overall soil fertility.

Wood Ash Liquid Fertilizer as Sustainable Soil Nutritional Supplement Modulates Changes on Growth and Fruits Nutritional Compositions of Capsicum frutescens L.

The use of plant-derived fertilizers is a promising approach towards sustainable crop production. This study exploited supplementary effects of 100, 75, 50, and 25% wood ash liquid fertilizer (WALF) on the growth and fruit nutritional contents of Capsicum frutescens. Ordinary water served as control. Agronomical, physiological, and fruit nutritional parameters of the pepper were determined. Higher plant height (25.17 cm) was observed in pepper seedlings sprayed with 25% WALF while several leaves (71.20), leaf area (100.62 cm2), specific leaf area (67.14 m2kg-1), and leaf area index (0.31 m2m-2) were higher (p<.05) in pepper treated with 50% WALF compared with other treatments. Higher net assimilation rate (0.0078 gm-2day-1) and leaf area ratio (0.07 m2kg-1) were observed in pepper sprayed with 100 % the treatment as well as the relative growth rate (0.05 mg-1day-1) of C. frutescens spayed with 75 % WALF. 50% WALF produced the highest number of fruits (38). Also, vitamin A (64.01 mg/100g), vitamin B3 (1.73 mg/100g), vitamin B5 (1.30 mg/100g), vitamin B6 (0.27 mg/100g) were observed in the fruits of pepper spayed with 50% WALF. Furthermore, sodium (11.17mg/100g), potassium (363.92 mg/100g), calcium (108.14 mg/100g), and magnesium (58.11 mg/100g) as well as moisture (68.32 %), fat (2.77 %), ash (3.55 %), crude fiber (2.49 %), crude protein (4.43%) and carbohydrate (9.20%) higher in the fruits of C. frutescens treated with 50% WALF. In conclusion, 50% WALF better enhanced the growth, yield, and nutritional quality of C. frutescens fruits.

Bacterial Isolation from Natural Grassland on Nitrogen-Free Agar Yields Many Strains Without Nitrogenase.

Nitrogen inputs for sustainable crop production for a growing population require the enhancement of biological nitrogen fixation. Efforts to increase biological nitrogen fixation include bioprospecting for more effective nitrogen-fixing bacteria. As bacterial nitrogenases are extremely sensitive to oxygen, most primary isolation methods rely on the use of semisolid agar or broth to limit oxygen exposure. Without physical separation, only the most competitive strains are obtained. The distance between strains provided by plating on solid media in reduced oxygen environments has been found to increase the diversity of culturable potential diazotrophic bacteria. To obtain diverse nitrogen-fixing isolates from natural grasslands, we plated soil suspensions from 27 samples onto solid nitrogen-free agar and incubated them under atmospheric and oxygen-reducing conditions. Putative nitrogen fixers were confirmed by subculturing in liquid nitrogen-free media and PCR amplification of the nifH genes. Streaking of the 432 isolates on nitrogen-rich R2A revealed many cocultures. In most cases, only one community member then grew on NFA, indicating the coexistence of nonfixers in coculture with fixers when growing under nitrogen-limited conditions. To exclude isolates able to scavenge residual nitrogen, such as that from vitamins, we used a stringent nitrogen-free medium containing only 6.42 μmol/L total nitrogen and recultured them in a nitrogen-depleted atmosphere. Surprisingly, PCR amplification of nifH using various primer pairs yielded amplicons from only 17% of the 442 isolates. The majority of the nifH PCR-negative isolates were Bacillus and Streptomyces. It is unclear whether these isolates have highly effective uptake systems or nitrogen reduction systems that are not closely aligned with known nitrogenase families. We advise caution in determining the nitrogen fixation ability of plants from growth on nitrogen-free media, even where the total nitrogen is very limited.

Plant-microbe interactions: PGPM as microbial inoculants/biofertilizers for sustaining crop productivity and soil fertility.

Plant-microbe interactions play pivotal roles in sustaining crop productivity and soil fertility, offering promising avenues for sustainable agricultural practices. This review paper explores the multifaceted interactions between plants and various microorganisms, highlighting their significance in enhancing crop productivity, combating pathogens, and promoting soil health. Understanding these interactions is crucial for harnessing their potential in agricultural systems to address challenges such as food security and environmental sustainability. Therefore, the introduction of beneficial microbes into agricultural ecosystems by bio-augmentation reduces the negative effects of intensive, non-sustainable agriculture on the environment, society, and economy, into the mechanisms underlying the application of plant growth promoting microbes as microbial inoculants/biofertilizers; their interactions, the factors influencing their dynamics, and the implications for agricultural practices, emerging technologies and strategies that leverage plant-microbe interactions for improving crop yields, soil fertility, and overall agricultural sustainability.

Geospatial techniques-based land suitability analysis for sustainable production of major crops in Sile Watershed of Gamo Zone, Southern Ethiopia.

Crop farming by smallholder farmers of Ethiopia and Sile Watershed is practiced based on commonsense experiences of farmers. This study was targeted to evaluate the suitability of land for the production of four major crops in Sile Watershed. Data were acquired from sources such as climate data (from CHRS data portal CRU TSv.4.05), slope (via Digital Elevation Model, ASTER 30m), and soil data via GPS-based survey, lab-test and others. Composite sampling was used to collect 43 soil samples (at 30cm depth) from the upstream (21), midstream (13) and downstream (9), and considering land use/cover classes. Requirements of the four crops were set using manuals and literature. Analytical Hierarchy Process was used to prioritize the multiple criteria used for assessment. The weighted overlay technique was used to analyze and map the suitability levels of the watershed for the four crops using ArcGIS. The results revealed that 51.7%, 41.7%, 42.2% and 35.4% of Sile watershed was 'highly suitable' for the sustainable production of maize, banana, teff and barley, respectively; however, 6.3 %, 27.6%, 16.3%, and 4.4% of the area was not suitable for the production of the respective crops. While the land suitability of maize and banana is confined to the downstream and partly the midstream, the high suitability of barley is limited to the upstream. Nitrogen, phosphorous, organic carbon, soil pH and salinity showed negative correlation with altitude and rainfall at 99% and 95% confidence levels. Variable rainfall, salinity and alkalinity are the main constraints of the four crops in the downstream. But slope steepness, organic carbon, phosphorous and nitrogen deficiencies, and soil acidity are the main threats of yield in the upstream and partly the midstream. Thus, stakeholders should be coordinated to apply agronomic, irrigation, structural and vegetative measures for tackling the productivity bottlenecks of Sile watershed, Southern Ethiopia.

Navigating Host Immunity and Concurrent Ozone Stress: Strain-Resolved Metagenomics Reveals Maintenance of Intraspecific Diversity and Genetic Variation in Xanthomonas on Pepper.

The evolving threat of new pathogen variants in the face of global environmental changes poses a risk to a sustainable crop production. Predicting and responding to how climate change affects plant-pathosystems is challenging, as environment affects host-pathogen interactions from molecular to the community level, and with eco-evolutionary feedbacks at play. To address this knowledge gap, we studied short-term within-host eco-evolutionary changes in the pathogen, Xanthomonas perforans, on resistant and susceptible pepper in the open-top chambers (OTCs) under elevated Ozone (O3) conditions in a single growing season. We observed increased disease severity with greater variance on the resistant cultivar under elevated O3, yet no apparent change on the susceptible cultivar. Despite the dominance of a single pathogen genotype on the susceptible cultivar, the resistant cultivar supported a heterogeneous pathogen population. Altered O3 levels led to a strain turnover, with a relatively greater gene flux on the resistant cultivar. Both standing genetic variation and de novo parallel mutations contributed toward evolutionary modifications during adaptation onto the resistant cultivar. The presence of elevated O3, however, led to a relatively higher genetic polymorphism, with random and transient mutations. Population heterogeneity along with genetic variation, and the promotion of interdependency are mechanisms by which pathogen responds to stressors. While parallel mutations may provide clues to predicting long-term pathogen evolution and adaptive potential. And,a high proportion of transient mutations suggest less predictable pathogen evolution under climatic alterations. This knowledge is relevant as we study the risk of pathogen emergence and the mechanisms and constraints underlying long-term pathogen adaptation under climatic shifts.

Lignin-based cryogels for advancing sustainable crop production via enhanced nutrient accessibility and growth efficiency.

Sustainable lignin-based materials are becoming increasingly valuable in agriculture, where climate change and nutrient deficiencies threaten crop productivity. We developed lignin-derived cryogels using waste biomass to improve soil nutrients, seed germination, water retention, and photosynthetic pigment levels. These cryogels were synthesized with gum Arabic (GA), keratin (K), and N-vinylpyrrolidone at lignin concentrations of 0.02wt% (LbC1), and 0.1wt% (LbC2), along with a control (NLC), through low-temperature polymerization at -20°C. The cryogels exhibited high thermal stability and water retention, exceeding 170%, due to their network structure. Functional groups like carboxyl and hydroxyl enhanced nutrient assimilation, accelerating germination and plant growth, with keratin providing bioavailable amino acids through microbial degradation. After 5days, the cryogel treatments significantly improved early germination rates (100%, 100%, and 99% for wheat, maize, and rapeseed, respectively), while boosting chlorophyll (a, b, and total), sugar, and soluble protein levels. Treated plants showed increased leaf numbers, plant height, and root length, with a 98.4% improvement in water uptake compared to controls, mitigating the effect of soil salinity. LbC1 and LbC2 also notably increased chlorophyll pigments, soluble sugars, and total protein across all crops compared to the NLC. Additionally, the cryogel exhibited a 33% biodegradation rate after 130days in soil, confirming their environmental compatibility. In conclusion, the developed lignin-based cryogels represent a sustainable, effective solution to enhance nutrient availability and resilience in agriculture, repurposing industrial lignin waste to address climate-driven challenges in crop production.

Identification of Salt Tolerance and Stress Response in US Department of Agriculture Tomato Germplasm at the Seedling Stage

Soil salinity is a significant abiotic factor that impedes sustainable crop production in key agricultural regions worldwide. Saline cultivation adversely affects soil quality, whereas the use of saline water for irrigation disrupts the physiological and biochemical processes of plants. Continuous irrigation with high salt concentrations leads to a gradual buildup of soil salinity, thus hindering optimal plant growth and development. Consequently, there is a growing emphasis on breeding salinity-tolerant cultivars of various crops. In this study, 71 tomato accessions sourced from 20 countries and provided by the US Department of Agriculture were evaluated under controlled greenhouse conditions and subjected to saline stress (200 mM NaCl). The experiment used a split-plot design, with the salt treatment serving as the main plot and the tomato accession as the subplot, which were arranged in a completely randomized design with three replications. Results identified nine accessions (PI 109837, PI 127820, PI 270256, PI 634828, PI 636205, PI 636255, PI 647143, PI 647528, and PI 647556) as salt-tolerant. Additionally, high broad-sense heritability was observed for the leaf injury score and leaf chlorophyll content. Furthermore, positive correlations were found among parameters related to the leaf injury score and leaf chlorophyll content (soil plant analysis development value). These findings offer valuable insights for tomato breeding programs, particularly those focused on enhancing salt tolerance of elite cultivars of this crucial crop.

Influence of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria And organic manures on yield of okra (abelmoschus esculentus (l.) Moench)

The investigation revealed that different growth and yield parameters viz., minimum days to first flowering, earliest first flowering node, minimum days to first fruit harvest and maximum plant height, average fruit weight, fruit length, fruit breadth, fruit yield per plant, fruit yield per plot and harvest duration were recorded in treatment combination of FYM + Vermicompost + Jeevamrit + Pseudomonas fluorescens. Therefore, supply of plant nutrients through organic sources like vermicompost, FYM, jeevamrit and Pseudomonas fluorescens enhance plant growth and development, increase soil nutrient status and maintain sustainable crop production. Bangladesh J. Bot. 53(4): 1021-1025, 2024 (December)

Assessment of encapsulated herbicide for sustained release, weed control and crop productivity as a tool for agroecosystem biosafety

A significant amount of herbicide is applied in agricultural ecosystems to control weeds, which can pose risks to these environments. The encapsulated pyrazosulfuron ethyl and pretilachlor with zeolite, polycaprolactone and watersoluble polymer had impacts on weed control and productivity of rice and minimized the herbicidal hazard to the environmental impact. Weed control treatments showed a significant and inverse relationship with weed density, weed biomass and increased growth, yield attributes and yield of rice. Pyrazosulfuron ethyl entrapped zeolite reduced weed density by 56.26 % in 2022 and 53.91 % in 2023 at 45 DAS and the weed biomass was 2.10 times lower in 2022 and 2.85 times lower in 2023 than pretilachlor, which positively influenced the growth, yield attributes, grain and straw yield (5333 kg ha-1 and 6107 kg ha-1 in 2022 and 5123 kg ha-1 and 5803 kg ha-1 in 2023). It was on par with pyrazosulfuron ethyl encapsulated with polycaprolactone. Herbicide activity assay also resulted in better rice growth. Thus, the study showed that the encapsulated herbicides have a significant impact on weed control, growth and productivity of rice in a sustainable manner.

Evaluation of Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria on chilli (<em>Capsicum annuum</em> L.) and brinjal (<em>Solanum melongena</em> L.) growth

This study investigates the potential of Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) strains, isolated from the rhizosphere of Oroxylum indicum, to enhance the growth of chilli (Capsicum annuum L.) and brinjal (Solanum melongena L.). With the increasing global demand for sustainable agricultural practices, PGPR offers an eco-friendly alternative to chemical fertilizers and pesticides. The research involved screening ten PGPR strains and their consortia for compatibility, followed by evaluating their effects on plant growth parameters, including plant height, shoot biomass, and root biomass, under controlled conditions. Statistical analysis indicated that both individual and consortia PGPR treatments significantly improved growth performance compared to untreated controls. Results demonstrated that three individual strains (Btr-7, Bcer-24, and Bcer-25) significantly enhanced plant height and biomass in chilli plants. For brinjal plants, the strains Erog-1 and Bcer-21 showed significant growth improvements when applied individually. Additionally, the use of PGPR consortia, specifically Btro-7+Bcer-13, Ptai-40+Sarl-43, Bthu-4+Bcer-24, and Bcer-24+Bcer-25, led to substantial increases in plant height and biomass for both chilli and brinjal plants. These findings highlight the potential of PGPR, both as individual strains and in consortia, to promote sustainable crop production, reducing the reliance on chemical fertilizers. Future research should focus on field trials to validate these results under diverse agro-climatic conditions and explore the commercialization potential of effective PGPR strains.

Physiological evaluation of nano DAP on growth and yield of tomato

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), a solanaceous crop, is widely cultivated worldwide. This study evaluates the impact of Nano DAP (diammonium phosphate) on morpho-physiological traits, biochemical properties, yield, and quality parameters. Eight treatments comprising varying proportions of DAP and Nano DAP were evaluated for traits including plant height, leaf area, chlorophyll index, total dry matter production, gas exchange parameters, leaf soluble protein, total soluble solids (TSS), ascorbic acid, titratable acidity, firmness and fruit yield. The hybrid tomato variety 'Shivam' was cultivated in pot culture under a glasshouse at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, using a completely randomized design with five replications. Foliar sprays with different proportions of nano DAP and DAP were applied 30 and 45 days after transplanting. Among the treatments, 75% RDNP (recommended nitrogen and phosphorus dose) combined with two foliar sprays of nano DAP @ 0.7% (T5) significantly increased plant height (48.90 cm and 54.31 cm), chlorophyll index (40.05 and 42.15), dry matter production (55.45 g plant?¹), TSS (5.52 Brix), fruit production, and ascorbic acid content. This treatment also improved gas exchange parameters, fruit firmness, and overall `growth and productivity compared to other treatments. Conversely, the absolute control group demonstrated the lowest performance across all parameters. The study highlights that combining both conventional fertilizers with Nano DAP considerably improves tomato growth by enhancing nutrient absorption, particularly nitrogen and phosphorus, which are essential for cell division, photosynthesis, and energy transfer. Nano DAP, due to its small particle size and large surface area, effectively penetrates plant tissues, increasing nutrient availability, chlorophyll content, and plant height. These findings underscore the potential of Nano DAP to substantially enhance tomato yield and quality, thereby contributing to sustainable crop production.

Size Effects of Nanoenabled Agrochemicals in Sustainable Crop Production: Advances, Challenges, and Perspectives.

Nanoenabled agrochemicals mainly including nanopesticides and nanofertilizers based on nanotechnology play a crucial role in plant protection and food security. These agrochemicals exhibit high dose delivery efficiency and biological activity due to their unique nanoscale properties. However, nanoscale properties can also be a double-edged sword, posing potential risks to both humans and the environment. As nanoenabled agrochemicals become more widely used, it is essential to have an objective and comprehensive discussion of the size effects of these agrochemicals. In this paper, we reviewed the research progress on the size effects of nanoenabled agrochemicals in terms of dose delivery, biological activity, and nontarget safety. We investigated the complex factors affecting size effects and sought to draw insights from research in biomedicine, engineering, food, and other relevant fields. Based on the literatures review, it could be concluded that "the smaller the better" is not always the case. We further outlooked the development prospects of studying the size effects of nanoenabled agrochemicals, emphasizing the necessity for thorough and in-depth research while critically identifying key issues that need to be addressed. In conclusion, a proper comprehension of the size effects of nanoenabled agrochemicals bridges the gap between the scientific community and industry, bolstering the role in advancing sustainable agriculture.

Laboratory Methodology for Screening of Cruciferous Host for Egg Laying Preference of Diamondback Moth, Plutella xylostella (L.)

Background: Diamondback moth (DBM), Plutella xylostella (L.), significantly damages Cole crops worldwide, causing major yield losses and management costs. Efficient control measures, including host plant resistance are imperative. While molecular methods offer insights into resistance mechanisms, conventional screening methods remain advantageous. Here, we present a novel laboratory-based oviposition preference screening method for DBM, significantly shortening screening time in resistance breeding. Methods: We studied DBM’s oviposition preferences among cruciferous hosts and plant tissues. Extract was prepared from leaves and heads of dark green and light green cabbage varieties, as well as cauliflower. Aluminum egg-laying sheets were treated with these extracts and introduced into mating boxes with insects. Egg-laying was monitored over seven days, with the number of eggs recorded daily. Result: DBM adults preferred light green cabbage for egg laying (1238±10.54 eggs), with no significant difference between leaf and head tissues. Dark green cabbage was the second choice (514.5±15.78 eggs), while cauliflower was the least preferred (217±37.2 eggs). Interestingly, DBM exhibited varying preferences between leaf and head tissues, with cauliflower heads being favored over leaves. Additionally, we observed distinct day-wise egg laying trends, providing insights into DBM’s oviposition behavior over time. This study demonstrates the efficiency of lab-based screening in identifying resistant crop varieties, aiding sustainable pest management and crop production and highlights the importance of considering host plant selection and tissue specificity in screening of genotype for resistance breeding programs.

PGPM Tablets: A Sustainable Solution for Managing Foot Rot Disease in Black Pepper

Black pepper holds significant importance as a spice crop in Kerala, a state often referred to as the "Land of Spices" for its substantial contribution to India's economy through exports. Phytophthora foot rot poses a significant challenge in nurseries across the black pepper-growing regions of Kerala, leading to substantial economic losses for farmers. A study was undertaken to develop and evaluate a tablet formulation of Plant Growth Promoting Microbes (PGPM) and other biocontrol agents for promoting growth and managing foot rot disease in black pepper (Piper nigrum L.). The findings revealed that the PGPM tablet formulation, along with the liquid formulation of Trichoderma (KAU), emerged as the most effective treatments for suppressing foot rot. Biometric analysis showed that plants treated with the PGPM tablet (Bacillus cereus., Trichoderma spp.) formulation recorded the greatest plant height, number of nodes, and leaves, performing on par with the talc-based PGPM formulation. Soil microbial analysis, conducted before and after treatment using serial dilution and plating techniques, indicated that the PGPM tablet consistently supported the highest counts of viable fungi, bacteria, and actinomycetes in the soil. Thus, the tablet formulation of PGPM emerged as the most effective treatment for promoting growth and managing Phytophthora disease in black pepper, showcasing its potential as a promising solution for sustainable crop health and productivity.