Melatonin (MT), a naturally occurring compound, is found in various species worldwide. In 1958, it was first identified in the pineal gland of dairy cows. MT is an “old friend” but a “new compound” for plant biology. It brings experts and research minds from the broad field of plant sciences due to its considerable influence on plant systems. The MT production process in plants and animals is distinct, where it has been expressed explicitly in chloroplasts and mitochondria in plants. Tryptophan acts as the precursor for the formation of phyto-melatonin, along with intermediates including tryptamine, serotonin, N-acetyl serotonin, and 5-methoxy tryptamine. It plays a vital role in growth phases such as the seed germination and seedling growth of crop plants. MT significantly impacts the gas exchange, thereby improving physio-chemical functions in plant systems. During stress, the excessive generation and accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) causes protein oxidation, lipid peroxidation, nucleic acid damage, and enzyme inhibition. Because it directly acts as an antioxidant compound, it awakens the plant antioxidant defense system during stress and reduces the production of ROS, which results in decreasing cellular oxidative damage. MT can enhance plant growth and development in response to various abiotic stresses such as drought, salinity, high temperature, flooding, and heavy metals by regulating the antioxidant mechanism of plants. However, these reactions differ significantly from crop to crop and are based on the level and kind of stress. The role of MT in the physiological functions of plants towards plant growth and development, tolerance towards various abiotic stresses, and approaches for enhancing the endogenous MT in plant systems are broadly reviewed and it is suggested that MT is a steering compound in directing major physiological functions of plants under the changing climate in future.

Automation technologies, such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), robotics, IoT and remote sensing, are transforming viticulture by addressing labour shortages, climate resilience challenges and resource optimization. AI-driven machine learning models process data from multispectral drones and IoT sensors to monitor soil health, water stress and canopy dynamics, enabling precision agriculture practices like targeted irrigation and nutrient delivery. Autonomous robotic systems perform tasks such as selective harvesting, pruning and pest management, enhancing operational efficiency while reducing manual labour. IoT networks provide real-time insights into microclimatic conditions, empowering growers to adopt climate-smart strategies that minimize chemical inputs and improve yield stability. Despite progress, key barriers persist: AI models require terroir-specific adaptation, fragmented datasets hinder interoperability and field validation of autonomous systems under diverse conditions remains limited. Future research must prioritize accessible solutions: low-cost sensor networks for smallholders, adaptive AI frameworks for climate volatility (e.g., drought or flood prediction) and edge computing for real-time analytics. Ethical concerns data privacy, algorithmic bias and technology access disparities demand inclusive governance. Additionally, user-friendly interfaces are essential for broad adoption. Addressing these gaps will unlock automation’s full potential in advancing sustainable viticulture: optimizing water/energy use, reducing agrochemical reliance, enhancing biodiversity and ensuring economic resilience for growers. Ultimately, integrated automation promises a balance between ecological stewardship, resource efficiency and sector-wide viability in a climate-constrained future.

Nutrient deficiency in vegetables is a significant challenge for meeting the dietary needs of a growing population and improving the nutritional quality of bottle gourd (Lagenaria siceraria L.) through organic inputs can address this issue. An experiment was conducted at the Department of Vegetable Science, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (2023-2024) aimed to enhance the nutritional quality of bottle gourd through organic methods. The research was conducted using a Randomized Block Design (RBD) with 11 treatment combinations and control, the study focused on improving its nutrient content, avoiding pesticide residues and supporting eco-friendly cultivation. Statistical analyses such as ANOVA, Principal Component Analysis (PCA), path analysis, phenotypic correlation and heat map analysis were used to evaluate the effects of organic inputs on the nutritional quality and market value of bottle gourd, ensuring better health benefits. Results from Season I and Season II revealed that treatment T9, which incorporated (Farmyard manure, Vermicompost, Neem cake, 3G extract, five-leaf extract, Panchagavya, Fish fermented extract, Egg fermented extract, Bacillus substilis), treatment T9 yielded the highest nutritional quality in bottle gourd, including protein (0.0275%), ascorbic acid (8.61%) and total ash (6.27%). It also had the highest macro and micronutrient levels, such as phosphorus (19.1 mg/g), potassium (1.74 mg/g), calcium (30.2 mg/g), copper (0.066 mg/g), iron (0.038 mg/g) and selenium (0.318 mg/g), showcasing its superior nutritional profile. These findings suggest that organic inputs, particularly in treatment T9, significantly enhance the nutritional quality of bottle gourd, offering a viable eco-friendly alternative to conventional cultivation methods.

Aim: Mango (Mangifera indica L.) is the second most consumed fruit which belongs to the family Anacardiaceae. Ripening in mango (climacteric fruit) is hastened by application of ethrel. The experiment was conducted to study the effect of different temperatures during ethrel treatment on shelf life and quality of mango cv. Alphonso. Study Design: The experiment consisted of three treatments and seven replications laid out in Completely randomized design (CRD). Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted at Department of Fruit Science, Horticulture College and research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore during 2022-2023. Methodology: Mango cv. Alphonso was subjected to ethrel treatment in three different ripening chambers having different temperatures viz., T₁ – silpaulin chamber (33°C), T₂ – zero energy cool chamber (26°C), T₃ – cold chamber (22°C) for a period of 24 hours. After ethylene treatment, the fruits were stored at ambient temperature to study the ripening behaviour. Shelf life and quality parameters were observed and recorded. Results: The days taken for ripening was lesser (6 days) and the rate of conversion of quality attributes were higher in fruits subjected to ethrel treatment in silpaulin chamber. The quality attributes like TSS (22°Brix), acidity (0.25 %), TSS : acid ratio (88) were significantly higher in fruits treated in silpaulin chamber on the day of ripening. The physiological loss in weight was found to be significantly lesser in fruits subjected to ethylene treatment in cold chamber (6.56 %) and were on par with fruits treated in zero energy cool chamber (6.71%) whereas the firmness and shelf life were found to be significantly higher in cold chamber treated fruits (2.35 N, 15 days respectively) but firmness was on par with fruits subjected to ethylene treatment in zero energy cool chamber (2.21 N) on ripening. The overall acceptability of fruits in sensory evaluations was significantly higher in fruits treated in zero energy cool chamber (8.3) which was on par with fruits treated in cold chamber (8.1). Conclusion: The fruits treated in silpaulin chamber had better TSS, acidity and TSS: acid blend. The fruits treated in cold chamber were superior in shelf life and sensory score which was also on par with fruits treated in zero energy cool chamber. Hence zero energy cool chamber can be used as an alternative to cold chamber for ethrel treatment which would be cost effective, environment friendly and can be used by small traders and farmers.

Fruit ripening is a complex biological process regulated by various endogenous and exogenous factors, with ethylene playing a pivotal role as a gaseous hormone. Traditionally, ethylene for commercial use has been derived from environmentally hazardous processes. However, the discovery of ethylene-producing bacteria presents a sustainable alternative for fruit ripening. This review explores the mechanisms and potential of utilizing ethylene-producing bacteria in the bio-ripening of fruits. Through an analysis of current research, we elucidate the synthesis pathways of ethylene in microorganisms, optimization techniques to enhance ethylene production, and the compatibility among microbial strains for the development of effective microbial consortia. Recent studies have demonstrated the efficacy of ethylene-producing bacteria, such as Bacillus and Pseudomonas species, in bio-ripening fruits like kiwifruit, plums, bananas, and apples. The optimization of growth conditions and the development of microbial consortia aim to maximize ethylene production efficiency While minimizing environmental impacts. This review underscores the importance of ethylene-producing bacteria in revolutionizing fruit ripening technology and advancing sustainable agricultural practices. By providing insights into the opportunities and challenges associated with bio-ripening fruits by ethylene-producing bacteria, this review seeks to guide future research and innovation in the field. Ultimately, using ethylene-producing bacteria offers a promising avenue for achieving safe, environmentally friendly, and efficient fruit ripening methods in agricultural practices.

A pot culture experiment was conducted to investigate the influence of foliar application of nutrients and plant growth regulators (PGRs) on the growth and physiological attributes of tomatoes. The trial was carried out at the Department of Crop Physiology, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, India. Various nutrient-PGR combinations (T1-T9) were applied at two distinct developmental stages: 25 and 50 days after transplanting (DAT). The growth traits, including plant height, number of branches, leaf area and total dry matter production (TDMP), showed significant variation in response to the foliar application of the nutrient-PGR mixture. In addition, several physiological parameters, such as the chlorophyll index and chlorophyll fluorescence, exhibited notable differences among the treatments. In conclusion, the application of Tomato Booster II (T8), a foliar nutrient-PGR mixture containing nitrogen(N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), manganese (Mn), copper (Cu), naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) and salicylic acid (SA), significantly enhanced plant growth. This was evidenced by increased plant height (34.1 cm and 67.2 cm) and leaf area (265.89 cm² and 1448.55 cm² plant?¹) at 30 and 60 P, respectively. Additionally, plants treated with Tomato Booster II (T8) showed improved root development, characterized by a substantial increase in total root length (4402.86 cm), root volume (58.9 cm³) and root surface area (1807.84 cm²). Moreover, T8-treated plants exhibited a significant increase in spectral reflectance, indicative of enhanced photosynthetic efficiency, reaching a maximum of 81.8% following two foliar applications. These results suggest that Tomato Booster II (T8) is a promising nutrient-PGR mixture for enhancing tomato growth and development.