Drought stress is considered to be a major factor responsible for reduced agricultural productivity, because it is often linked to other major abiotic stresses, such as salinity and heat stress. Understanding drought-tolerance mechanisms is important for crop improvement. Moreover, under drought conditions, it is possible that growth regulators are able to protect the plants. Brassinosteroids not only play a regulatory role in plant growth, but also organize defense mechanisms against various tresses. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of brassinolide on physio-biochemical amendment in two contrasting cultivars (drought-tolerant RH 725, and drought-sensitive RH 749) of Brassica juncea under drought stress. Two foliar sprayings with brassinolide (10 and 20 mg/L) were carried out in both cultivars (RH 725 and RH 749) at two stages—i.e., flower initiation, and 50% flowering—under stress conditions. The results clearly revealed that the activities of antioxidative enzymes and non-enzymatic antioxidants (carotenoids, ascorbic acid, and proline) increased significantly in RH 725 at 50% flowering, whereas 20 mg/L of brassinolide showed the most promising response. The different oxidative stress indicators (i.e., hydrogen peroxide, malondialdehyde, and electrolyte leakage) decreased to a significant extent at 20 mg/L of brassinolide spray in RH 725 at 50% flowering. This study indicates that brassinolide intensifies the physio-biochemical attributes by improving the antioxidant system and photosynthetic efficiency in RH 725 at 50% flowering. It is assumed that enhanced production of proline, improvement of the antioxidant system, and reduction in the amount of stress indicators impart strength to the plants to combat the stress conditions.

Bioconversion of agricultural residual wastes into value added compost for enhancing crop productivity and improving soil health and attaining popularity among the farmers. Therefore, in the present investigation was carried out microorganisms play an important role in the recycling of agricultural wastes for compost production. Cattle dung, biogas slurry and paddy straw had 14.35, 11.85 and 15.94% total solids with organic carbon 45.66, 40.12 and 50.76%, respectively. The C/N ratio was observed 35:1 in cattle dung, 34:1 in biogas slurry and 87:1 in paddy straw. The nitrogen content was 1.04, 1.0 and 0.62%, respectively in cattle dung, biogas slurry and Paddy straw. The C/N ratio dropped from 42.38 to 27.65 and maximum amount of humic acid was observed in T7 treatment after 60 days of composting. Volatile solids ranged from 60 to 67.7% of TS in all treatments after 60 days of composting.

Now a days, farmers prefer to use Premix Formulations instead of single pesticide for the control of insects and pests. Large number of premix formulations are available in the market, Solomom OD (β-cyfluthrin 90 + imidacloprid 210) is the preferred one in hot pepper. Thus, the present research was done to monitor the leftover and effect of household processing in reduction of premix formulation with its toxic metabolites in hot pepper. Quantification of leftovers in hot pepper fruits was done by using two analytical instruments viz., gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MSMS) in SCAN/MRM mode with a triple Quadrupole analyser and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) using diode array detector. The limit of quantification (LOQ) for β-cyfluthrin was 0.05 mg kg⁻¹, and for imidacloprid and its metabolite 6-chloronicotinic acid (6-CNA) was 0.01 mg kg⁻¹, respectively. Based on Maximum Residue Limit (MRL) value by Food Safety and Standard Authority of India (FSSAI), the safe waiting period suggested was 3rd day for β-cyfluthrin and 1st day for imidacloprid. Residues of β-cyfluthrin and imidacloprid were persisted up to 7 days in proposed dose (PD) and 10 days in double the proposed dose (DPD) after final spray. No residues of 6-CNA were detected in hot pepper at any stage. Frying after washing was found effective in decreasing the residues when compared to washing alone with plain water. Imidacloprid shows more per cent reduction (87.75–91.49%) in frying after washing when compared to β-cyfluthrin (76.29–84.01%). Red hot pepper and soil collected at 30 days (harvest time) after final spray were found free from pesticide contamination at all test doses.

Guttation fluid and pollen are possible pathways where pollinators may be exposed to systemic insecticides. During the investigation, Gossypium hirsutum v. H 1098i seeds were coated with Gaucho (Imidacloprid 600 FS at 2.4 g a.i. kg^-1seeds) and planted in the field. Guttation fluid, pollen, and soil samples were collected during the season and the samples were analysed by HPLC (High-Performance Liquid Chromatography). The guttation fluid and pollen were collected at three times after 50 per cent flowering. Soil samples were collected before sowing and at harvest. Method validation was achieved by performing a recovery experiment at two fortification levels of 0.05 and 0.10 mg kg^-1. The average recoveries obtained from guttation fluid, pollen and soil samples were above 85 per cent. The residues of imidacloprid in guttation fluid, pollen and soil in treated and untreated seed were below detectable levels.

Sumiprempt containing Pyriproxyfen and fenpropathrin insecticides is used for pest control in okra crop. Pyriproxyfen can disrupt endocrine function, while fenpropathrin disrupts voltage-gated sodium channels in neurons. Based on their health risk to consumers and impact on environmental deposition, an experiment under field was planned to evaluate deposition, decontamination and related dietary risks. A methodology was developed and validated to identify and quantify the pyriproxyfen + fenpropathrin residues, extracted via QuEChERS method using GC-MS/MS. The foliar application of ready-mix formulation (Pyriproxyfen 5% + Fenpropathrin 15% EC) @ 750 gm mL⁻¹ ha⁻¹ and 1,500 gm mL⁻¹ ha⁻¹ leads average initial deposition pyriproxyfen 5% (0.359, 0.584 ppm) and fenpropathrin (0.643, 1.005 ppm) at respective doses. Residues reached below limit of quantification (0.01 ppm) on 15th and 20th day for pyriproxyfen and 10th and 15th day for fenpropathanin at the recommended and double the recommended doses, respectively. Dissipation followed the first-order kinetics with half-life value ranged in between 1.79–1.84 (pyriproxyfen) and 2.27–2.31 days (fenpropathrin) at the respective doses. The pre-harvest interval of 12 days was recommended for safe consumption of okra fruit. Even though all the decontamination treatments were successful in lowering the residues of both chemicals to substantial levels, washing followed by boiling was found to be the most effective treatment for reducing the residues. The risk quotient values were less than 0.01, implying that pyriproxyfen and fenpropathrin offer no dietary risk to consumers.

The BET specific area (S _BET ), total pore volume and micropore volume were calculated to be 1319.36 m ² g ⁻¹ , 0.686 cm ³ g ⁻¹ , and 0.636 cm ³ g ⁻¹ , respectively. ZIF-67 shows a type I isotherm for N ₂ adsorption-desorption. The ZIF-67 have particle size 614.9 nm with zeta potential equal to 5.52 mV (neutral surface) at pH 7, which indicates possibility of hydrophobic and π-π interaction between fipronil and ZIF-67. Fipronil adsorption with ZIF-67 was found to be monolayer and favourable, as evidenced by the Langmuir adsorption isotherm and endothermic and chemisorption process, as indicated by Pseudo second order (Ps.Sec.Ord.) kinetic model. The endothermic temper of adsorption was also concluded from the value of ∆H ^o and ∆S i.e. 17.19 kJ mol ⁻¹ and 0.063 kJ mol ⁻¹ K ⁻¹ , respectively. The ∆G ^o for adsorption of fipronil were found to be −1.293, −2.749, and −3.818 kJ mol ⁻¹ for 303, 318, and 333 K, respectively. Negative value of ∆G ^o shows feasibility and spontaneous nature of adsorption process. Under optimised conditions, ZIF-67 achieved 68.2% maximum removal of fipronil (20 mg L ⁻¹ ). Results obtained from the reusability studies suggested that ZIF-67 can be recycled by washing it five times with DMF and heating at 50 °C.