In tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L.), the effects of combined drought (D) and high temperature (HT) stress during the flowering stage had not been studied in detail. Therefore, this study was conducted with an objective of quantifying the effects of foliar spray of melatonin under individual and combined drought and HT stress. At flowering stage, D stress was imposed through withholding irrigation, while HT stress was imposed through exposing the plants to ambient temperature (AT) along with an increase of +5 °C. Under D + HT, plants were first subjected to drought followed by a + 5 °C increase in AT. The duration of individual or combined stress was ten days. At 80% available soil moisture, 100 µM melatonin was sprayed on D, HT, or D + HT treated plants. Among the stresses, D + HT stress increased the thylakoid membrane damage and decreased the photosynthetic rate and fruit yield more than D or HT stress. Foliar spray of 100 µM melatonin produced decreased thylakoid membrane damage [D: 31%, HT: 26%, and D + HT: 18%] and increased antioxidant enzyme, viz., superoxide dismutase, catalase, peroxidase, ascorbate peroxidase, and glutathione reductase, activity over stress-control plants. The photosynthetic rate [D: 24%, HT: 22%, and D + HT: 19%] and fruit yield [D: 32%, HT: 23%, and D + HT: 16%] were increased over stress-control plants. Hence, it is evident that the increased photosynthetic rate and fruit yield in D + HT and 100 µM melatonin-sprayed plants may be associated with an increased antioxidant defense system. Melatonin as a novel biostimulator has a great potential in scavenging free radicals through increased antioxidant activity, which shields the photosynthetic membrane from damage and therefore helps in stress mitigation.

Intercropping is a sustainable, eco-friendly, and economically beneficial cropping system. Elephant foot yam (EFY), a multifarious long-duration vegetable, takes 60 days or more to spread its canopy. Hence, this research assessed the impact of intercropping short duration vegetables, viz., cluster bean, radish, Amaranthus, and fenugreek, in elephant foot yam for two seasons (2021 and 2021/22). It included the analysis of parameters such as carbon accumulation, soil chemical properties, nutrient, enzyme, and microbial activities. The findings revealed that for both the seasons there was a significant (p < 0.01) rise in all the parameters examined in the intercropping patterns. Cluster bean (legume) outperformed the other intercrops utilised. Overall, carbon accumulation was improved by 54.40% when cluster beans were intercropped in EFY. Cluster bean intercropping increased the microbial and enzyme activities in the soil rhizosphere and improved soil organic carbon, microbial biomass carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium by 31, 42, 28, 37, and 11%, respectively, compared to the sole crop. A positive correlation was observed between the soil microbes and enzyme activity with the soil chemical properties. As a result, the research concludes that intercropping cluster bean in EFY promotes carbon accumulation, soil nutrients, enzymes, and microbial community, which, in turn, favour the productivity of the elephant foot yam.

As the world grapples with the escalating threat of global warming, exploring sustainable agricultural practices has become imperative. Carbon sequestration is one such efficient method to mitigate carbon emissions and reduce global warming. Among the numerous sequestration options, terrestrial methods, notably via horticultural crops, have enormous potential. Horticultural crops, which encompass a diverse array of fruits, vegetables, plantations, and ornamental plants, offer a unique chance to sequester a considerable amount of atmospheric carbon dioxide. In particular, perennial horticultural systems provide numerous benefits over annual crops, such as increased productivity, reduced water and input requirements, and higher economic returns via carbon credits. However, the transition from annual to perennial crops presents logistical and financial challenges. The carbon sequestration capacity of plantations and horticulture crops is larger, at 16.4 Gt C, compared to the agroforestry system, which is at 6.3 Gt C. In order to fully use this capacity, it is essential to employ effective carbon management systems. These methods include growing higher biomass, recycling agricultural waste, employing animal manure, switching to perennial crops, adopting crop rotation, and encouraging agroforestry systems. Although there are advantages, substantial initial investments and continuous management are required to ensure effectiveness, and these demands might hinder widespread acceptance. This review emphasizes the critical role of horticulture systems in improving soil carbon levels, soil organic matter dynamics, different forms of carbon, and their overall potential for carbon sequestration. By unlocking the potential of horticultural crops to sequester carbon, we can help minimize atmospheric carbon dioxide levels, lessen the impact of climate change, and ensure nutritional security and economic benefits.

In vegetables the factors for biotic stress are pests, diseases and nematodes. The damages induced by these factors reflect highly on production, productivity and quality. Although application of pesticides/fungicides and nematicides has managed these stresses, excessive use of unsafe chemicals results in environmental pollution and leave residues in vegetables which are above threshold levels and also promote the development of new races/biotypes of pests and pathogens. Therefore vegetable improvement works concentrate on high yielding varieties with multiple resistance to these biotic stresses. For such studies, the knowledge on the genetic basis of resistance and plant-pest/pathogen interactions is necessary which will in turn improve the efficiency of the breeding programmes by introducing resistant genes and result in high-yielding genetically resistant cultivars. For the development of resistant varieties and pre-breed lines, information on sources of resistance is prerequisite and serve as a backbone in the breeding programme. Further, gene action responsible for the inheritance of characters helps in the choice of suitable breeding methods for the improvement of the crop. Work has been done by using the various breeding methods and resistant varieties have been bred and they offer the cheapest means of pest/disease/nematode control. Resistant varieties obviate the use of chemicals, thus reduce environmental pollution and facilitate safe food for human consumption.

The Palmyrah palm (Borassus flabellifer L.), often referred to as the "Tree of Life". It holds a significant cultural and economic significance, serving as a cornerstone for rural livelihoods and environmental sustainability. Despite its numerous advantages, the expansion of Palmyrah palm cultivation is influenced by a range of socio-economic factors. This study examines the socio-economic determinants affecting farmers’ willingness to expand Palmyrah palm cultivation in Vembar South Gram panchayat, located in the Thoothukudi district of Tamil Nadu, South India. To analyse the binary nature of the outcome variable, the Probit Econometric Model was employed to assess the factors influencing the likelihood of expanding Palmyrah cultivation based on various socio-economic parameters. The findings reveal that farming experience, higher income, and larger landholdings significantly increase the likelihood of expansion, whereas gender, occupation (agriculture), and family size are associated with a decreased likelihood. Notably, female landowners, non-agricultural workers, and farmers from smaller families with higher income levels are particularly inclined to expand Palmyrah cultivation. The study’s findings provides important insights for policymakers aiming to promote Palmyrah cultivation and foster rural economic development through targeted interventions that could effectively support the socio-economic well-being of the farming communities.

Palmyrah is a dioecious palm, which is known for its resilience in arid and semi-arid environments. It is used to produce numerous edible and non-edible products. The association among yield-related traits and their pattern of influence are useful in evaluating and planning the selection criteria for desirable traits. The aim of this study was to examine the genetic variability and character association among the Palmyrah genotypes. A total of thirty accessions of Palmyrah were used for this study. Eleven traits contributing to growth and yield were recorded and analysed for genetic variability, correlation and path analysis. The number of bunches, single fruit weight and fruit yield per palm recorded the higher estimates of GCV and PCV. Among the eleven traits, 10 traits showed high heritability and GAM, whereas the trunk girth showed high heritability and moderate GAM. Fruit yield per palm exhibited positive correlation with trunk girth, number of bunches, number of fruits per bunch and single fruit yield. Path coefficient analysis revealed that the traits like number of bunches and single fruit weight had a positive and high direct effect on fruit yield per palm. Based on these results, Palmyrah improvement programme could be accelerated by selecting the variables that have a stronger correlation to fruit yield per palm and moderate to high estimates of PCV, GCV, heritability and high genetic advancement.