Background: The impact of global warming on the environment is affecting soil quality and water supplies, which in turn is impacting agricultural production. The rise in salt concentrations in soil and water systems due to increased evaporation rates from warming temperatures and changing precipitation patterns is a major concern. This salinity poses a threat to crop development, especially for sensitive species like the green gram (Vigna radiata L.), a protein-rich legume consumed globally. Understanding the effects of salinity on green gram growth and physiological responses is essential due to its importance as a significant food source. Methods: A pot experiment was conducted at ADACandRI, Trichy, with varying EC values (less than 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 dS/m) to study the effects of different saline irrigation levels. The experiment utilized the green gram variety VBN 2 in a randomized design with three replications. Growth parameters including plant height, number of leaves and branches, blooming period, root, shoot and leaf lengths were measured. Biochemical characteristics such as protein concentration, reducing sugars, proline and chlorophyll levels were also analyzed. The study evaluated the impact of these characteristics on salinity tolerance using Principal Component Analysis (PCA). Result: Salinity stress negatively affected growth and metabolic reactions in greengram. The VBN 2 variety exhibited better growth and biochemical reactions at a moderate salinity level of 2 dS/m compared to higher salinity levels, indicating moderate salt tolerance. Plant height, leaf growth and flowering time improved with lower salinity levels but decreased significantly at higher salt levels. Important characteristics such as plant height, chlorophyll content and proline accumulation were key factors in determining the plant’s ability to tolerate salt stress, as indicated by PCA analysis.

The functional properties and mineral nutrients of eleven rice cultivars were investigated. Among the cultivars, Mapillai samba, Arupadham kuruvai, and Karuppu kavuni recorded the presence of higher levels of carbohydrate (67.88mg/100g, 67.47mg/100g and 62.30mg/100g, respectively). Higher levels of fibre of 3.27mg/100g, 2.61 mg/100g and 2.36mg/100g were recorded in Kalabath, Poonkar and Sigappu kavuni, respectively. Higher level of protein content of 15.39mg/100g, 10.80mg/100g and 9.61mg/100g, were recorded in Illupaipoo samba, Thooyamalli and Poonkar, respectively. Interestingly, Kalabath recorded more nitrogen (2.52mg/100g), Mappillai samba recorded more iron (301.70ppm) and manganese (23.02ppm), Arupadahm kuruvai recorded more phosphorus (0.37%) and magnesium (0.98%), Sugappu kavuni recorded more copper (20.26ppm), Karunguruvai recorded more potassium (0.41%) and zinc (40.98ppm). The findings suggested that conventional rice varieties with enhanced functional attributes could support the agricultural community by improving the farming economy while also increasing the health advantages for consumers. Bangladesh J. Bot. 53(4): 931-937, 2024 (December)

Cotton enjoyed the synonyms ‘White Gold,’ ‘King of Fibre Crops,’ and ‘Friendly Fibre’, playing a vital role as both a cash and fibre crop in India. However, weeds pose a major challenge, causing an approximate 45% yield reduction in cotton nationwide. Effective weed management is crucial for optimizing cotton yield and fibre quality. This study evaluated the impact of various weed management practices on productivity and fibre quality. Field trials were conducted using multiple treatments, including pre-and post-emergence herbicides, hand weeding, and power weeding. Fibre quality parameters, such as fibre length, strength, fineness, micronaire, and elongation percentage, were measured across treatments. While results showed no significant differences in fibre quality among the treatments, the combination of preemergence (PE) application of Pendimethalin at the rate of 1.0 kg active ingredient ha-1 + Metolachlor at the rate of 1.0 kg active ingredient ha-1 followed by post-emergence (POE) application of Pyrithiobac sodium at the rate of 0.075 kg active ingredient ha-1 + quizalofop ethyl at the rate of 0.075 kg active ingredient ha-1 emerged as the most effective weed control strategy.This treatment provided effective weed suppression, reduced competition for resources, and resulted in a higher seed cotton yield than other treatments. The study concluded that, although fibre quality did not vary significantly, the integrated use of Pendimethalin and Metolachlor as preemergence herbicides and Pyrithiobac sodium and quizalofop ethyl as post-emergence herbicides offers an optimal solution for cotton growers.

Salt stress is a major factor in decreasing the yield under challenging conditions. To overcome these issues, the current study investigates the impact of salinity stress on the growth and biochemical adaptation of finger millet (Eleusine coracana, variety TRY 1). Therefore, a pot experiment was conducted during 2023–2024, to assess the effects of salinity stress (EC levels ranging from 2 dS/m). Proline levels increased by 67% under EC 12 dS/m, highlighting its role in osmotic adjustment, while total sugars decreased by 16.2% at higher salinity. Chlorophyll content also increased slightly under moderate salinity but declined sharply at higher levels, indicating impaired photosynthesis. Overall, moderate salinity stress (EC 2 dS/m) promoted finger millet growth and physio-biochemical adaptations, whereas higher salinity levels led to marked reductions in productivity, growth, and biochemical responses. The TRY 1 variety displayed notable salt tolerance, surviving up to EC 12 dS/m, with optimal growth at EC 2 dS/m.