Synthetic chemicals, such as fertilizers and pesticides, are abundantly used in agriculture to enhance soil fertility and prevent the occurrence of diseases, respectively. Many studies have reported a negative influence of these chemicals on the soil environment. Natural sources from earthworms and their products, as a result of vermicomposting, may be considered better alternatives. The aim of this review was to reveal the source of antifungal efficiency of vermicompost and its derivatives, such as vermiwash, coelomic fluid, skin secretion of earthworms, and metabolites from decomposer bacteria in vermicompost, in order to highlight their application in agriculture. The synergistic activity of bioactive compounds present in coelomic fluid, mucus, skin secretion, and metabolites from associated bacteria (decomposer) assisted crop plants for effective action against various soil pathogenic fungi, such as Rhizoctoniasolani, Alternaria solani, Aspergillus niger, A.flavus, Fusariumoxysporum, and F. graminearum. Thus, these bioactive metabolites can be recommended to suppress plant fungal diseases. Vermicompost and its derivatives should be considered for use in agricultural fields to control harmful soil fungi and increase crop productivity.

The population status and biomass of earthworms were studied in three different land use systems of pasture (Pa), silvopasture (SP), and mixed evergreen forest (MEF) from 2019–2020 in the Solan district of Himachal Pradesh, India. The aim of this study was to assess the population status of earthworms and investigate how different land use systems influence their abundance, diversity, and biomass. Earthworms and soil were sampled using the Tropical Soil Biology and Fertility (TSBF) method in all seasons (winter, spring, summer, monsoon, and autumn). The physicochemical properties of the soil were analyzed to evaluate their effects on the diversity, biomass, and density of animals. The diversity status parameters, such as the Shannon diversity index (H′), Margalef richness index (R), evenness (J′), and dominance index (D), were computed. A total of seven earthworm species, belonging to four families, namely, Amynthas corticis, Aporrectodea rosea, Drawida japonica, Eisenia fetida, Metaphire birmanica, Metaphire houlleti, and Lennogaster pusillus, were identified from all three land use systems. The lowest Shannon diversity index (H′), Margalef index (R), and evenness (J′) index values were registered in MEF (H′ = 0.661, R = 0.762, J′ = 0.369) compared to those in Pa (H′ = 1.25, R = 1.165, J′ = 0.696) and SP (H′ = 0.99, R = 0.883, J′ = 0.552), implying that MEF is the least diversified land system. In contrast, the highest dominance index (D) value was registered in MEF (Pa = 0.39, SP = 0.53, MEF = 0.67), which again showed that MEF is the least diversified land system. The highest values of abundance and biomass were recorded in MEF (754.15 individuals m⁻² and 156.02 g m⁻²), followed by SP (306.13 individuals m⁻² and 124.84 g m⁻²) and Pa (77.87 individuals m⁻² and 31.82 g m⁻²). Both the density and biomass of earthworms increased from Pa to MEF (Pa < SP < MEF). This study is novel because it revealed that the diversity and productivity (biomass and abundance) values of earthworms were negatively correlated (as diversity increased, productivity decreased; as diversity decreased, productivity increased). The total values of abundance and biomass of earthworms in the three land use systems indicated perfect synchrony between aboveground and belowground habitats, whereas the diversity values revealed that MEF was dominated by one or two species and the least diversified. Therefore, for sustainable belowground productivity, aboveground conservation is recommended, and vice versa, regardless of diversity.

Acute kidney infection (AKI) occurred by tubular necrosis and glomerular dysfunction caused by many factors. SARS CoV-2 infection identified to cause fatal AKI. This paper aims to review the effect of covid-19 infection on the failure of the kidney and its mechanism. It identified that the SARS-CoV-2 received by the targeted cell by Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). After the virus received by the target cells, it induces the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF), interleukin (IL)-1, and interferons (IFN) by immune cells and causes cytokine storm. The pro-inflammatory cytokines are again responsible to induce the secretion of cyclooxygenase‑2 (COX‑2), which causes inflammation and pain as well it stimulates the iNOS enzyme to produce NO which allows the vasodilation of renal arteries. The increased production of NO by iNO enhanced the vasodilation of arteries, and allows the adhesion of neutrophils to the artery, and causes damage to glomerulus and tubules. Hence, the most likely sustainable intervention could be the application of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) inhibition by the receptors of the target cells in these vital organs to reduce sever destruction during treatment at the early stage of infection.

Immunomodulators (both immunostimulants and immunosuppressant) have gained much attention in recent years in the aquaculture industry. It is believed that the bioactive pigments in the natural substances (e.g., ginger, turmeric, etc.) and chemically synthesized molecules (e.g., drugs) are capable of boosting immunity in living organisms, though their implications to alter and enhance the immunological effects in fish have been investigated in recent times. Research including epigenomics, microbiomics, gene expression, proteomics, and metabolomics have advanced our understanding of the action mechanism of these immunomodulators on a fish's immunological state. This chapter is a detailed description of the various immunomodulators and immunoadjuvants used in aquaculture for fish welfare, their underlying mode of action, and efficacy. Additionally, the later part of the chapter summarizes the limitations and negative effects of the same and linked with the technological advancement in research and development to further enhance the fish health status using them. <!----> <!----> <!----> <!---->

The present study was undertaken to explore the earthworm diversity in the Bani Valley, situated at an elevation range of 1200-2000 m above sea level, in the western Himalayan Region. Over the course of two years (March 2021 to January 2023), eight earthworm species were documented in three distinct habitat-types (forest, orchard and crop field), characterised by varying levels of anthropogenic interference. Notably, the crop field habitat exhibited highest earthworm density as well as biomass, while the forest habitat was observed to exhibit least earthworm abundance despite negligible human interference. Year-wise comparison showed that Octolasion tyrtaeum exhibited the highest mean density during both the years [34.31± 2.54 m-² (2021-22) and 27.91 ± 1.88 m-² (2022-23)], while the least density was recorded for Amynthas corticis (2.84 ± 1.06 m-²) during 2021-22, but for Drawida nepalensis (1.60 ± 0.63 m-²) during 2022-23 period. Moreover, an aggressive dominance of exotic earthworm species was observed in the study area with the occurrence of only one native species i.e. Drawida nepalensis. Maximum Likelihood Phylogram analysis of different earthworm species revealed three major clades, largely consistent with classical taxonomy. However, intergeneric clustering between Drawida nepalensis and Octolasion tyrtaeum suggests a potential case of cryptic similarity warranting further investigation. Analysis of Variance followed by multivariate ordination through canonical correspondence analysis suggested that the earthworm community structure was governed by the interactive effects of different soil physico-chemical properties. Despite the valuable insights with regard to earthworm diversity of the Bani Valley, further investigations are required in other unexplored patches to develop a comprehensive inventory of the earthworm fauna of the Himalayan Region.