Textile dyes pose a major environmental threat due to their toxicity, persistence in water bodies, and resistance to conventional wastewater treatment. To address this, researchers have explored biological and physicochemical degradation methods, focusing on microbial, photolytic, and nanoparticle-mediated approaches, among others. Microbial degradation depends on fungi, bacteria, yeasts, and algae, utilizing enzymatic pathways involving oxidoreductases like laccases, peroxidases, and azoreductases to breakdown or modify complex dye molecules. Photolytic degradation employs hydroxyl radical generation and electron-hole pair formation, while nanoparticle-mediated degradation utilizes titanium dioxide (TiO₂), zinc oxide (ZnO), and silver (Ag) nanoparticles to enhance dye removal. To improve efficiency, microbial consortia have been developed to enhance decolorization and mineralization, offering a cost-effective and eco-friendly alternative to physicochemical methods. Photocatalytic degradation, particularly using TiO₂, harnesses light energy for dye breakdown. Research advancements focus on shifting TiO₂ activation from UV to visible light through doping and composite materials, while optimizing surface area and mesoporosity for better adsorption. Nanoparticle-mediated approaches benefit from a high surface area and rapid adsorption, with ongoing improvements in synthesis, functionalization, and reusability, particularly through magnetic nanoparticle integration. These emerging technologies provide sustainable solutions for dye degradation. The primary aim of this review is to comprehensively evaluate and synthesize current research and advancements in the degradation of azo dyes through microbial methods, photolytic processes, and nanotechnology-based approaches. The review also provides detailed information on salient mechanistic aspects of these methods, efficiencies, advantages, challenges, and potential applications in industrial and environmental contexts.

Present investigations were carried out at Farmers field in Shopian district of Kashmir valley during the year 2015–2016. Pollen viability was not affected by all treatments while pollen germination was significantly high (82.32%) in the treatment of Nutrient mixture @ 2 ml/L + CPPU @ 5 ppm. The parthenocarpic fruit set increased significantly (52.69%) by the treatment GA₃ @ 500 ppm + CPPU @ 5 ppm. Highest yield (298.21 kg/tree) and yield efficiency of 0.78 kg/cm² was recorded under combined treatment of GA₃ @ 500 ppm + CPPU @ 5ppm whereas return bloom was recorded highest (16.73%) under the treatment of Nutrient mixture @ 2 ml/L. It is also concluded that yield and yield efficiency is enhanced by GA₃, CPPU, Solubor and Horticab in the year of their application. But in the succeeding years, both the hormones and their combinations with nutrients proved unsatisfactory due to reduced return bloom. From the present study, it is concluded that sole application of GA₃ and CPPU and two nutrient formulations Solubor and Horticab (Nutrient mixture) as well as combination of these hormones with each other and with the nutrient formulations result in improvement of pollen germination, fruit set (Parthenocarpic and non-parthenocarpic), fruit size, fruit firmness as well as chemical attributes like TSS, total sugars and Vitamin-C. Also, the yield and yield efficiency is enhanced by GA₃, CPPU, Solubor and Horticab in the year of their application. But in the succeeding years, both the hormones and their combinations with nutrients proved unsatisfactory due to reduced return bloom.

Background: Ber is a significant fruit crop in desert regions. The fully ripe ber fruit is rich in calcium, vitamin C, vitamin B and vitamin A, among other nutrients. Spraying plants in mid-October and in last week of December with various treatments, NAA (20 ppm and 30 ppm), GA3 (30 ppm and 40 ppm), salicylic acid (300 ppm), ZnSO4 (0.5%) alone and in combination, along with a control group, each repeated three times. Methods: This study investigated the impact of plant growth regulators (PGRs) and zinc sulfate (ZnSO4) on the biochemical parameters of ber. Field trials were conducted involving foliar applications of PGRs and ZnSO4, both individually and in combination. Spraying was done in two stages, the first in mid-October during the flowering stage and the second in the last week of November during the pealet stage. The experiment employed randomized block design (RBD). Ber fruits were assessed for total soluble solids (TSS), titratable acidity (TA), TSS acid ratio, sugars, vitamin C, total ash content, total protein content, total fat content, total fiber content and total moisture content. Result: Results showed that T10- GA3+ZnSO4+Salicylic acid (40 ppm+0.5%+300 ppm) has given best result followed by T9 (30 ppm+ 0.5%+300 ppm) as compared to control (T0). T10 exhibited highest TSS (14.50a oBrix), minimum acidity (0.32a), TSS acid ratio (45.37b), highest total sugars (7.91a%), reducing sugar (5.10a %), non-reducing sugar (2.81d %), ascorbic acid (101.56ab mg/100 gm), highest ash content (2.38b g/100gm), total protein (3.50a g/100gm), total fat (0.45a g/100 gm) and total fiber content (5.37a g/100 gm) and total moisture content (4.89a%).

Background: Strawberries (Fragaria × ananassa) are prized worldwide for their unique flavor highly rich nutritional profile, containing various bioactive compounds with potential health benefits. As consumer demand for organic produce rises, there is growing interest in understanding how organic cultivation practices affect strawberry quality and composition. While organic farming is associated with environmental benefits, its impact on fruit quality and nutritional content remains a subject of ongoing research. Methods: This study advocated the effect of various organic source combinations on biochemical and bioactive compounds in strawberry cv. Flavia. Field trials were carried out over two cultivation seasons (2022-2024) at Lovely Professional University, using different organic inputs including vermicompost, neem cake, biochar, vesicular arbuscular mycorrhiza (VAM), Panchgavya and Amritpani. The experiment employed randomized block design (RBD) including ten treatments and three replicates. Strawberry fruits were assessed for different bioactive compounds such as total soluble solids (TSS), titratable acidity (TA), sugars, vitamin C, total phenolics, flavonoids, anthocyanins and antioxidant capacity. Result: Results showed that a balanced combination of organic amendments at 60% RDF through vermicompost (90 g/m2) + neem cake (45 g/m2) + biochar (800 g/m2) + Panchgavya (50 ml/plant) + VAM (50 ml/plant) (T9) significantly enhanced fruit quality parameters compared to control. T9 exhibited the highest TSS (8.4oBrix), TSS/TA ratio (15.07), total sugars (8.21%), vitamin C (58.03 mg/100 g), total phenolics (268.57 mg GAE/100 g), total flavonoids (187.28 mg QE/100 g), total anthocyanins (50.37 mg/100 g) and total antioxidant capacity (82.99%).