Volume 2(1): 2025

: There is a rising concern for sustainability, especially in the global textile industry where waste is an alarming issue. Hence there is an increased attention towards valorization of agricultural by-products. Cotton stalk residue being one of the most underutilized agriculture resource is typically discarded post-harvest despite its high cellulosic nature. This review explores the feasibility of cotton stalk fibers as a sustainable input for textile production. It studies the chemical structure of cotton stalks, showing their rich lignocellulosic composition, and summaries various extraction techniques like mechanical, chemical, and enzymatic, which
enhance fiber quality and potential of cotton stalks in manufacturing nonwoven fabrics, biocomposites and textile blends. In agriculture, the cotton stalks/cotton waste have shown to enhance soil health, better water retention and improved carbon sequestration through its various applications like compost/vermicompost, mulch and biofertilizers. Biotechnological and industrial applications include biochar, bioethanol, biogas and bioenzymes. The environmental benefits of utilizing cotton stalks comprise agricultural waste reduction, water as well as natural resource conservation and support circular economy. Economically, this approach offers a low-cost, renewable fiber alternative to traditional sources, providing new income sources for cotton
producers. Despite noteworthy advancements, several challenges like fiber consistency, processing costs, and market penetration, still persist. Overcoming these obstacles through targeted research, stakeholder involvement and policy support, could place cotton stalk residue as an important element of the sustainable textile landscape. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of its potential, positioning it as a promising material in the evolution of eco-conscious textile practices.
Keywords: Sustainability, Circular economy, Cotton stalks, Textile industry, Eco-friendly.

This study investigates the impact of accelerated aging (AA) on seed germination, seedling growth, and vigor indices in lentil seeds (Lens culinaris Medik.), a critical pulse crop contributing to India’s protein supply. Seeds were subjected to four different AA treatments [40°C for 8 days, 42°C for 8 days, 40°C for 10 days, and 42°C for 10 days] and compared with a control. Key parameters, including germination percentage, shoot and root lengths, total seedling length (TSL), and vigor indices, were evaluated. The results revealed significant variations across the treatments. The control group exhibited the highest germination rate (92%) and TSL (31.38 cm), while AA at 40°C for 8 days resulted in the lowest germination (62%) and TSL (6.4 cm), highlighting the adverse effects of prolonged thermal stress. Interestingly, seeds aged at 42°C for 8 days demonstrated a recovery in germination (80%) and improved shoot (11.77 cm) and root lengths (13.38 cm), suggesting potential thermal resilience. Statistical analysis confirmed significant treatment effects, providing insights into the physiological and biochemical responses of lentil seeds under accelerated aging conditions. This study underscores the importance of understanding seed vigor and resilience mechanisms for enhancing seed quality and crop productivity under adverse conditions. Keywords: Seed germination, accelerated aging, Seed vigor, Seedling growth and Physiological adjustments.

A society that has a biologically, socially and economically sustainable climate, where economic growth has been achieved within the context of achieving social goals for eradicating poverty and social justice, and within the limits of natural life support capacities. This is a realistic vision, but the system is broken and not understood by our current path. Unfortunately, humanity’s behaviour, combining ever-rapid technological development with very slow ethical-social evolution, remains entirely unable to deal with the potential lethal consequences. The desires for man to learn has greatly outweighed this capacity. As a consequence, humanity experiences a perfect storm of overpopulation and overcrowding issues. The triple interdependence of cultural, social and environmental considerations must be recognized and incorporated within the decision-making system of governments and private sector to achieve our vision of a more prosperous future. Interplay is improved and its alignment strengthened across cultural, social and environmental concerns by turning their priorities into measurable terms in a defined time frame. Economic growth needs to be achieved within the social and environmental constraints. Keywords: Social goals, economic growth, climate change.

Abstract: An essential tool for researchers looking to further explore the variability present in a species’ genetic resources is the examination of diversity in germplasm.  In breeding programs, the calculation of genetic divergence aids in identifying the various genotypes that are susceptible to producing heterosis. Given that combining different groups will enhance the variability and range of frequency distribution, having a thorough grasp of the degree of divergence for economic features in the species will be advantageous. T. falconeri is found in the western Himalaya between Jammu and Nepal at elevations of 1700m – 2400 meters. It is extensively utilized in basketry, which greatly enhances the standard of living for impoverished rural residents and artisans. The present investigation was carried out on the basis of 51 vegetative traits to estimate Genetic divergence and various parameters of variability viz., Analysis of variance (ANOVA), Phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV), Genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV), Environment coefficient of variation (ECV), Heritability, Genetic gain and Genetic advance. The genetic divergence revealed that maximum contribution was impacted by clump circumference followed by number of culms then no. of young shoots and minimum for culm sheath area. The manuscript concludes that the traits viz. clump circumference, number of culms, number of young shoots and culm height could be exploited as selection criteria for future bamboo breeding programs of the species.

Keywords: Analysis of variance (ANOVA), Thamnocalamus falconeri, Phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV), Genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV), Environment coefficient of variation (ECV).

ABSTRACT: With yearly economic losses estimated at billions of dollars, post-harvest losses from insect pest infestations in stored grains pose a serious threat to global food security. Visual examination, trapping methods, and chemical analysis are the mainstays of traditional pest detection methods in grain storage facilities. These approaches are often labour-intensive, time-consuming, and may not identify infestations in their early stages. A possible non-destructive, quick, and affordable substitute for detecting, identifying, and tracking grain pest infestations is electronic nose (e-nose) technology. Examining the fundamental ideas, sensor technology, pattern recognition algorithms, and field applications, this review summarises recent studies on e-nose uses in agricultural grain pest control. We examine the performance attributes of several e-nose systems, talk about their drawbacks and restrictions, and provide suggestions for future lines of inquiry. Sitophilus species, Rhyzopertha dominica, Tribolium species, and Oryzaephilus surinamensis are among the major grain storage pests covered in the review. It emphasises how electronic nose technology can be used to detect volatile organic compounds (VOCs) released by these pests and damaged grains. Some methods may identify infestations at population densities as low as 1–5 insects per kilogramme of grain, according to current research, which shows detection accuracies for a variety of pest species ranging from 80–95%. For broad commercial usage, however, issues with standardisation, environmental interference, and long-term sensor stability still need to be resolved.
Keywords: Electronic nose, grain storage, pest detection, volatile organic compounds, pattern recognition, food security.

ABSTRACT: Plant hormones, or phytohormones, are essential chemical messengers that regulate the intricate processes of plant growth, development, and environmental adaptation. These signaling molecules, including auxins, gibberellins, cytokinins, abscisic acid (ABA), and ethylene, orchestrate critical stages from seed germination to fruit ripening, ensuring plants thrive under diverse conditions. This research article explores the multifaceted roles of plant hormones, their interactions, and their transformative applications in modern agriculture, while addressing challenges and future directions for sustainable innovation. Auxins drive cell elongation, root development, and apical dominance, with synthetic analogs like 2, 4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2, 4-D) enhancing tissue culture and rooting in crop propagation. Gibberellins promote stem elongation, seed germination, and flowering, widely used to increase fruit size in crops like grapes and citrus and to break seed dormancy in cereals. Cytokinins stimulate cell division, organogenesis, and delay senescence, improving crop yields and extending post-harvest shelf life in leafy greens and tomatoes. ABA governs stress responses, seed dormancy, and stomatal regulation, with applications in developing drought-resistant crops and mitigating abiotic stresses. Ethylene, a gaseous hormone, regulates fruit ripening, leaf abscission, and stress adaptation, with ethylene-releasing compounds like ethephon synchronizing ripening and inhibitors like 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) prolonging storage life. Hormonal crosstalk, such as the interplay between auxins and cytokinins in shoot-root balance or gibberellins and ABA in germination, ensures precise developmental control, offering opportunities for targeted agricultural interventions. In agriculture, synthetic hormones and biotechnological advances, including CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing, have revolutionized crop improvement by enhancing yields, stress tolerance, and fruit quality. For instance, ABA-based treatments improve drought resistance in wheat and maize, while gibberellin and cytokinin applications boost fruit set in horticultural crops. However, challenges persist, including the environmental risks of synthetic hormone overuse, such as herbicide runoff and soil microbial disruption, and the need for precise application to avoid growth abnormalities. Future research should prioritize precision hormone engineering, leveraging synthetic biology, nanotechnology, and digital agriculture to develop eco-friendly hormone analogs and optimize delivery systems. These innovations promise to minimize off-target effects and enhance sustainability. By integrating hormone regulation with climate-resilient crop varieties, agriculture can address global food security amidst challenges like climate change and population growth. This article underscores the pivotal role of plant hormones in driving agricultural productivity and resilience, highlighting the need for continued research to unlock their full potential. Sustainable hormone-based strategies will be crucial for transforming agriculture, ensuring robust crop performance from seed to harvest while safeguarding environmental health for future generations.

Keywords: Plant hormones, agriculture, growth, innovation, sustainability.

ABSTRACT: The phytobiome, encompassing the complex network of interactions between plants, microorganisms, insects, and their surrounding environment, represents one of the most sophisticated biological communication systems in nature. Understanding and engineering these communication pathways holds immense potential for revolutionizing agricultural practices through precision farming, enhanced crop resilience, and sustainable production systems. This review examines current advances in decoding phytobiome communication mechanisms, including chemical signaling, microbial metabolite exchange, root exudate networks, and plant-microbe interactions. We analyze emerging technologies for monitoring and manipulating these communication systems, including biosensors, synthetic biology approaches, and digital agriculture platforms. The integration of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and IoT technologies is enabling real-time monitoring and predictive modeling of phytobiome interactions, facilitating the development of smart agricultural systems that can respond dynamically to crop needs. Current research demonstrates successful engineering of beneficial plant-microbe interactions that enhance nitrogen fixation, phosphate solubilization, and disease resistance, with yield improvements of 15-30% reported in field trials. However, challenges remain in scaling these approaches, understanding complex multi-species interactions, and developing robust delivery systems for engineered microorganisms. This review synthesizes current knowledge and identifies key research directions for harnessing phytobiome communication to address global food security challenges while promoting environmental sustainability.

Keywords: Phytobiome, plant-microbe interactions, chemical signaling, synthetic biology, smart agriculture, precision farming.

edible mushroom and is widely cultivated in Odisha state using bundled paddy straws. It
cultivated primarily in tropical and subtropical regions due to their rapid growth, high nutritional
value and consumer preference. But now-a-days due to the mechanization farming the bundle
paddy straws are not available. The study was conducted in Centre of Tropical Mushroom
Research and Training (CTMRT), OUAT, Bhubaneswar, to investigate the potential of crumpled
straw with the method of composting to enhance the biological efficiency of paddy straw
mushrooms. Crumpled paddy straw with 20% rice bran, 2% calcium carbonate and 0.5% urea
fertilizer composted for 6 days was found at par with the traditional method of cultivation as per
yield is concerned.

Keywords: Paddy straw mushroom (Volvariella volvacea), cultivation, composting method.

ABSTRACT: In Rajasthan, distribution of Euphorbia prostrataAiton was found complicated. In the checklist of flora of India, its distribution was reported from Rajasthan but no any herbarium specimen could be collected from Rajasthan. During the survey of Indian desert, this species was recently collected from Sriganganagar district, along road side near Punjab border. So this paper reports its first herbarium collection from Rajasthan state and confirms its locality & occurrence from Rajasthan state. This study also deals with its distribution map, short description and photo-plates for easy identification.

Keywords: Euphorbia prostrata, Rajasthan, Euphorbiaceae, Indian desert.

ABSTRACT:

Rapid population and urbanization are dropping the amount of land that can be used for farming while food demand is rising. This makes people worry about food security and sustainability. An effective way to improve environmental stress, increase urban resilience and produce nutritious food is through rooftop farming a type of urban agriculture that makes use of unused locations. The COVID-19 epidemic increased its importance by emphasizing the necessity of sustainable urban food systems and local food production.

Keywords:

Food security, Rooftop farming, Urban agriculture, Urbanization.

The red palm weevil, known as Rhynchophorus ferrugineus Olivier (RPW) ranks as the primary pest affecting multiple species of palm trees. In light of environmental and regulatory issues, the quest for ecologically sound alternatives to synthetic chemical insecticides has become imperative in the quest to control this elusive insect species. Entomopathogenic fungi offer promising potential in combatting this pest. Enhancements in the management and efficacy of controlling the red palm weevil can be achieved through the direct application or horizontal spread of entomopathogenic fungal strains. The study conducted in the laboratory focused on examining the impact of the entomopathogenic fungi, Metarhizium anisopliae Var. acridum (Metchinkoff) Soroken and Beauveria bassiana (Bals.) Vuill, on Rhynchophorus ferrugineus. Two types of entomopathogenic fungi were tested across three different concentrations: 2 x 10 4 , 2 x 10 5 , and 2 x 10 6 spores / ml (C1, C2 & C3). Mortality rates were monitored on a daily basis. It was found that M. anisopliae exhibited greater virulence towards the larvae, pupae, and adult stages of R. ferrugineus compared to B. bassiana. These results suggest that both M. anisopliae and B. bassiana show promise as effective agents in pest management, thereby potentially reducing environmental pollution, especially when pest populations are below the economic threshold.

Keywords:

Rhynchophorus ferrugineus, Evaluate, Metarhizium anisopliae, Beauveria bassiana.

ABSTRACT:

Food security measures how easily people can obtain food and how readily it is available. It has a strong correlation with socioeconomic status, disposable income, and household resources. Other issues like food prices, the changing global environment, water, energy, and the expansion of agriculture are also closely related to it. Seed security, however, is the foundation of sustainable agriculture since it ensures farmers have steady access to high-quality seeds of their preferred crop varieties. Both food and seed security shares key dimensions like availability, access, utilization, and stability. High-quality seeds directly influence crop yields, resilience to environmental stresses, and long-term food supply. The relationship between food and seed security is illustrated in this study, with a focus on the significance of seed quality, varietal suitability, and seed system resilience. It outlines the challenges in traditional farming practices such as seed dormancy, size, colour, and shattering, and highlights the role of biotechnologies in enhancing seed traits to adapt to climate change, pests and diseases. The impact of environmental, technological, and socio-political factors on agricultural productivity is also examined.

Hunger persists worldwide despite sufficient food production and is frequently caused by poverty, conflict, and environmental shocks. In order to combat hunger, policies that promote sustainable farming methods, education, and poverty alleviation must be implemented. Innovations in biotechnology and conservation of biodiversity are vital for future food systems. There is hope for creating resilient crops to guarantee food security thanks to seed banks and biotechnological developments.

Ultimately, the conclusion is that there is a need for integrated efforts from research and innovation to policy and community support to combat hunger, ensure food and seed security, and promote sustainable agricultural development in the face of growing global challenges.

Keywords:

Food security, seed security, germination, vigour.

Artificial Intelligence (AIS) is one of the most powerful technologies of today, helping to improve innovation, fficiency, and growth in many fields. However, its rapid development has also created serious environmental problems. This study, based on secondary data, explores how AI contributes to environmental damage. Information was collected from
reliable sources such as academic journals, reports, and publications from UNEP, UNRIC, SFA (Oxford), and The Guardian. The results show that AI systems use large amounts of energy, release more carbon emissions, consume excessive water, and depend heavily on mining for important minerals like cobalt, lithium, and rare earth elements. The backbone of AI is data
centres, which are major water guzzlers, requiring vast quantities of water for cooling and adding to environmental stress. These activities lead to deforestation, soil damage, and loss of biodiversity. The study suggests using renewable energy, developing energy-saving AI models, practicing responsible mining, recycling electronic waste, and building eco-friendly data centres. Overall, it highlights the importance of making AI development sustainable and in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to protect the environment for the future.

Keywords

Artificial Intelligence, Electronic Waste (E-Waste), Green Technology, High Energy Consumption, Resource Extraction, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and Water Usage.

Spinach, fenugreek, amaranthus, coriander and lettuce are important leafy crops in human nutrition, owing to their abundance of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. With short crop duration, delicate morphology, and frequent harvesting, these crops are mainly manual and difficult to mechanize. However, the recent advancement in agricultural machinery, robotics, and automation has created an unprecedented opportunity for mechanization in the production chain of leafy vegetables, from soil preparation and sowing to harvesting and post-harvest processing. The present review discusses the developments in the mechanization of leafy vegetable production with a focus on equipment design, operational efficiency, ergonomics, and sustainability. It identifies the gaps in the available mechanization technology and discusses opportunities for innovation in AI-based automation, precision agriculture, and ergonomically optimized small machines relevant for Indian and similar developing-country conditions.

Keywords:

leafy, agriculture, machinery, AI, precision.