In recent decades, carbon (C) management is an important point on the agenda to identify the best viable mitigation strategies for its reduction. The study was conducted at Jaldapara National Park located in the Eastern Himalayan region of India. The study quantified litter production, decomposition, periodic nutrient release, soil fertility status, and soil organic carbon (SOC) of five major forest stands i.e., Tectona grandis (TGDS), Shorea robusta (SRDS), Michelia champaca (MCDS), Lagerstroemia parviflora (LPDS) and miscellaneous stand (MS). A stratified random nested quadrate method was adopted for sample collection. Results reveal that the greatest amount of litter production and decomposition was under MCDS followed by MS, LPDS, SRDS, and the smallest under TGDS. The material annual turnover through litter decomposition in all the stands varies between 96.46% and 99.34%. The content and amount of the available nutrients in litter varied significantly among the stands. Moreover, release of these nutrients was nearly equal to the amount available in the initial litter mass. In general, the magnitude of the total nutrient return was in the same order as the total litter fall and the nutrient availability was more closely related to litter nutrient content and soil organic carbon. The range of pH (4.86–5.16), EC (0.34–0.50), soil moisture (27.01–31.03) and available primary nutrients (N: (0.21–0.26 Mg/ha), P: (0.09–0.12 Mg/ha), K: (0.13–0.14 Mg/ha)) also varied significantly among the stands. Significant positive correlations were observed between SOC, N and K. Both the fertility indices exhibited no definite pattern in the stands but a significant correlation between the two indicates the healthy soil fertility status of the stands. SOC varies significantly under different forest stands, but the greatest content was found under MS. The estimated SOC ranges between 75.9 and 107.7 Mg ha⁻¹ up to 60 cm and is reported to be below the Indian average of 182.94 Mg ha⁻¹. The present study strongly recommends that Tectona grandis, Shorea robusta, Michelia champaca, and Lagerstroemia parviflora should be the important commercial timbers of the Eastern Himalayan region because they may help further to increase the C sink in agricultural and degraded landscapes.

Together with livestock, horticulture and fishing, India's agriculture industry has successfully met government production targets and broken records in nearly every commodity category. Unfortunately, these industries have accomplished the targets at the expense of the deterioration of natural resources and adverse impact on the environment. Besides, being a cornerstone of global sustenance, these industries face multifaceted challenges ranging from resource scarcity to climate variability. The inclusion of smart farming combined with drones, artificial intelligence, robotics, robotic agricultural bots, cloud computing, wireless sensor networks, expert systems and the Internet of Things (IoT) to bring an effective change can be a better alternative. Integrating these technologies into farming facilitates improved managerial decision-making for all the stakeholders, resulting in increased yield. The benefits of AI adoption are multifaceted, encompassing heightened efficiency, reduced environmental impact and improved crop quality. Furthermore, the burgeoning agriculture- tech sector has the potential to stimulate economic growth and job creation. Looking ahead, emerging trends in robotics, machine learning and the IoT signify a dynamic future for AI in agriculture, heralding a transformative era for the industry. The study utilizes Systematic Literature Review (SLR) method, guided by the PRISMA technique, to develop a conceptual framework. A total of 28 documents published between 2010 and 2024 are included in the analysis. This paper aims to explore the various AI trends in these sectors, while thoroughly analysing the role of these techniques, as well as their challenges and prospects.

It has been noticed that Saraca asoca (Roxb. de Wilde) populations are drastically declining in the wild. Conserving such populations is crucial because of the numerous ecological, cultural, and economic values. The purpose of our study was to determine if germination and seedling growth could be improved for globally vulnerable Ashoka populations. The study analyzed the effect of various hydro, mechanical, and chemical pre-sowing treatments on the germination and one-year growth of Ashoka seedlings. Our results demonstrated that mechanical (exposing the seed cotyledons) and soaking of seeds in hot water treatments (60 °C) were better than all other water- and chemical-based pre-sowing treatments used in the study of enhancing germination. Nevertheless, chemical treatments were better for the growth and survival of the seedlings. This methodology offers to restore the scattered populations of Ashoka that are facing the risk of extinction in the wild while successfully meeting the commercial demand for this medicinal tree.

World Health Organization estimates that nutrient deficiency affects more than 2 billion people globally which can only be defeated by a well-balanced diet. Awareness about proper nutrition, nutritive value of food, and balanced dieting practices are the prerequisites toward adopting healthy eating habits. In many developing countries, including India, rural and tribal populations rely on wild edible plants to meet their daily nutritional needs due to insufficient access to adequate food. Wild edible fruits and vegetables require less maintenance than conventionally grown plants and are rich in dietary fibers, micronutrients, vitamins, and mineral compounds essential for health and immunity. There is a need to diversify the diet including traditionally acceptable wild edible plants through scientific interventions. Hence, specific attention must be paid to developing different healthcare programs to encourage a healthy diet and lifestyle, by incorporating the lesser-known edible wild plants to reduce nutritional deficiency and thereby enhance food security.

Background: In recent times the micro nutrients were reported to influence the crop growth and productivity. Among them zinc is a vital micronutrient for plants, humans and animals. However, zinc use efficiency mainly depends on methods of zinc fertilization. Although there are many ways to deliver zinc to crops such as soil application, foliar sprays, fertigation, seed priming and root dipping, etc. The right method and proportion to apply zinc fertilizer in southern Odisha is not yet standardized. Hence, the present investigation was undertaken to choose the most efficient method of zinc fertilization for this agro climatic zone. Methods: The present study was conducted in summer maize during 2022 at PG Experimental farm, M.S.Swaminathan school of agriculture. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with 10 treatments and 3 replications. The treatments consisted of T1, control (no application of zinc); T2, soil application with ZnSO4.7H2O at the rate 6.25kg/ha; T3, soil application with ZnSO4.7H2O at the rate 12.5kg/ha; T4, soil application with ZnSO4.7H2O at the rate 25kg/ha; T5, seed priming with 0.5% ZnSO4.7H2O; T6, seed priming with 1.0% ZnSO4.7H2O; T7, seed priming with 1.5% ZnSO4.7H2O; T8, foliar application of ZnSO4.7H2O at the rate 1.5% knee high stage, T9; foliar application of ZnSO4.7H2O at the rate 1.5% knee height stage and tasseling; T10, foliar application of ZnSO4.7H2O at the rate 1.5% knee height stage, tasseling and grain filling stage. Result: The results showed that application of zinc in soil at the rate of 25kg/ha through soil application could be recommended to the farmers for growing maize during summer season in southern Odisha to achieve higher growth and productivity Background: In recent times the micro nutrients were reported to influence the crop growth and productivity. Among them zinc is a vital micronutrient for plants, humans and animals. However, zinc use efficiency mainly depends on methods of zinc fertilization. Although there are many ways to deliver zinc to crops such as soil application, foliar sprays, fertigation, seed priming and root dipping, etc. The right method and proportion to apply zinc fertilizer in southern Odisha is not yet standardized. Hence, the present investigation was undertaken to choose the most efficient method of zinc fertilization for this agro climatic zone.